Lula

“He knew more about the death of Lula Landry than he had ever meant or wanted to know; the same would be true of virtually any sentient being in Britain. Bombarded with the story, you grew interested against your will, and before you knew it, you were so well informed, so opinionated about the facts of the case, you would have been unfit to sit on a jury.” ~ Robert Galbraith, The Cuckoo’s Calling

I have been sitting on that quote a long time to use it for a look and it seems perfect because this look reminds me of Lula Landry, the tragically murdered model from Robert Galbraith’s/J.K. Rowling’s first book about the private investigator, Cormoran Strike. I read the book enthusiastically before I knew Harry Potter’s creator had written it—it really is well-written and incredibly enjoyable with full-fleshed characters and a great plot. Cormoran Strike is a complex and incredibly interesting man. Clearly Harry Potter isn’t the only one she has in her. Now she has a new one coming out in June and I can’t wait!

My Lula is fashionable, of course, but also gentle in the way Lula in the book was. She was not sharp, not a Naomi Campbell. She is a woman of mixed-race, adopted by a wealthy family, clearly loved by them. And loved greatly by the public as well, being beautiful and gentle as she is. So it’s a shock when she has been murdered. This gorgeous maxi-dress from Kim Lysette is a fashionista’s dream with its great silhouette and texture-change HUD (6 variations of this texture) and ridiculously inexpensive at 55L at Fi*Friday. I embellished with a gorgeous new necklace from AvaGardner Kungler, who contributes the best jewels to the grid. As always, her use of color and shape is what amazes.

My absolutely drop-dead gorgeous skin, the impetus for bringing Lula back, is from Shantia Soulstar. This was one of my favorite skins at Skin Fair this year, breathtaking in its beauty, proportions, and coloring. Her included makeups are subtle enough that the beauty of the skin and the avatar shine through. And with these gorgeous eyes from Umazuma Metaluna and this gorgeous long hair with trimmed bangs framing my face from Truth Hawks, my Lula is every bit the gorgeous, graceful model I imagined.

“He had never been able to understand the assumption of intimacy fans felt with those they had never met.” ~ Robert Galbraith, The Cuckoo’s Calling

Hair: TRUTH HAIR Maisy by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: Zoul Creations – Meili – Tone 4 – Dk Brows with Zoul Creations – Meili – Tone 4 – Eyeshadow 07 and Zoul Creations – Meili – Tone 4 – Lips 08 by Shantia Soulstar for Zoul Creations, available at Skin Fair 2014 (Sim 1) *

Eyes: [theSkinery] Maple eye – Indian Summer by Umazuma Metaluna for the Skinnery

Dress: [LG]KC Sp14 Lego House Maxi Dress by Kim Lysette for LivGlam/K Collection, available at Fi*Friday *

Jewelry: (Kunglers Extra) Arara necklace – copper by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers Extra *

Hands: Slink Mesh Hands (av) Elegant Left and Slink Mesh Hands (av) Elegant1 Right by Siddean Munro for Slink

Nail appliers: Nailed It – Autumn Nights Set by Giela Delpaso for Nailed It *

Shoes: {{BSD Design studio}}Djinn Immortal copper by BabyChampagne Sass for {{BSD Design studio}} *

Poses by Dove Swanson for Long Awkward Pose (no longer available)

A Good Man, Understand?

I’ve traveled for miles around
Seems like everybody wanna put me down
Because I’m a bluesman
But I’m a good man, understand

I went down to the bus station
Look upon the wall
My money is too light people
Couldn’t go no where at all
I’m a bluesman
But I’m a good man, understand

The burden that I carry, oh is so heavy
It seems like ain’t nobody in this great big world
That would wanna, wanna help old B.
Hey, but I’ll, I would be all right people
Just give me a break, good things come
To those who wait, and I’ve waited a long time
I’m a bluesman
But I’m a good man, understand

~ “Blues Man” by B.B. King

The lyrics are not about me—they are about a good man I met through SL who changed my trajectory in SL in the best way possible. Dirk Talamasca, the original Land Baron, the blues man, the Black Hat, mentor, and original FIC, is terribly ill right now. His brother has been sending reports via Dirk’s account in Facebook and has said Dirk has taken a turn for the worse. If you’re an oldbie in SL like me, you knew Dirk, probably personally as I did. He rented land to people, he mentored, he argued, he encouraged, AND he flirted shamelessly. He was a strong, lively personality that helped shape the SL we all know in so many ways no one will ever be able to list them all. I feel so unable to articulate Dirk’s importance to SL, to the community, to what we all have become. Take my word for it—he’s a big deal.

So this post is dedicated to Dirk with a blues song and a sexy look because, frankly, Dirk never shied away from enjoying being a man.

I start the look with this sexy dress from Kim Lysette at LivGlam from the K Collection. The dress comes with a HUD with 20 different textures on it so when you purchase it, you basically get the ultimate fat pack. The mesh fits well—I barely had to modify my shape for it to fit me to a T. Sexy high heeled shoes from Eboni Khan make my legs look long. (Please note, I am wearing size S feet and they fit the shoe perfectly. I can not guarantee if you use a different sized Slink foot that they will fit as well.) I used green polish on my fingernails and pink the on toenails, both from the same HUD set from Sasy Scarborough. My jewelry is one of the sets Maxi Gossamer is offering at Collabor88 with color change stones.

Umazuma Metaluna is premiering this gorgeous, luscious skin at Skin Fair 2014. With bee stung lips and a blushing countenance, Uma offers the skin in 8 tones with blush and glow layers and a unique set of lip tattoos that come in different intensities so you can custom color them using the SL editor to your pleasure. I tinted my lips with a very slight orange, aiming for a natural coral.

My eye makeup is one of the bold looks that Madrid Solo is selling at Skin Fair 2014. As per her usual work, the colors are bold and arresting but not garish. The eyeliner gives a special sexiness to this look. The set includes 15 eyeshadows and 14 lipsticks.

Finally, Mirja Mills has released this gorgeous, pulled back hair with a combo of mesh and flexi prims. Paired with the widow’s peak hairbase she includes, it’s a gorgeous look with sexy curly locks.

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Hey, but I’ll, I would be all right people
Just give me a break, good things come
To those who wait, and I’ve waited a long time
I’m a bluesman
But I’m a good man, understand

Hair: .:EMO-tions:. * HONEY* by Mirja Mills for.:EMO-tions:. *

Skin: [theSkinnery] Quiana – Bare face(honey) DB CL1 with [theSkinnery] Quiana Lip Intensity 3 (modified) and [theSkinnery] Quiana gloss 1 by Umazuma Metaluna for the Skinnery, available at the Skin Fair 2014 (Sim 2) (opens March 14!) *

Makeup: Madrid Solo- Eyes & Lips- Seductress  Aqua Eye Cosmetic by Madrid Solo for Madrid Solo, available at the Skin Fair 2014 (Sim 2) (opens March 14!) *

Eyes: [theSkinery] Chocolate eyes – Sea Salt Umazuma Metaluna for the Skinnery

Dress: [LG] Boutique-[ W14] Mama Said by Kim Lysette for LivGlam/K Collection *

Jewelry: MG – Necklace and Earrings – Part-Time Boho Princess by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer, available at Collabor88 *

Hands: Slink Mesh Hands (av) Elegant Left and Slink Mesh Hands (av) Elegant1 Right by Siddean Munro for Slink

Nail Appliers: Flair – Fingernails Applier Slink A/E – Set 200 and Flair – Toenails Applier Slink A/E – Set 200 by Sasy Scarborough for Flair *

Feet: Slink AvEnhance Feet High S by Siddean Munro for Slink

Shoes: ::HH:: Hucci Riverton Sandal Silver – Moonglow  by Eboni Khan for Hucci, available at Collabor88

Poses by Rogan Diesel for DieselWorks Animations *

Persevere

Of the Earth signs, Taurus most relate to an unmoving force of nature that has become wise through perseverance.

I was born under the sign of Taurus, and I represent my sign well. Some will feel I have stubbornness, but I prefer to think of it as perseverance and steadiness. One blog I read suggested that the Taurus wants to get things done, and that pretty much sums me up. Taureans also love material things, beauty, the earth, the sensual and the grounded. “Down-to-earth” is how many describe me.

This outfit is a perfect choice for me as a Taurean. It combines a cozy long sweater with artistically patterned leggings and sexy red heels. Made with a texture that makes the sweater seem plush and expensive, the outfit from Kim Lysette, which she has at LivGlam this weekend for 55L, is nevertheless a deal, which is important to Taureans, who like to spend on beautiful things but also want to make sure they have financial security.  My shoes, a buy at 70L, are AvaGardner Kungler’s offering at The Dressing Room Fusion. Beauty on the cheap is a great thing.

My hair is one of Queue Marlowe’s Arcade pieces. At 50L a pop, it’s well worth it because she gives you a full array of colors in each hair and has included a darling little charm for every sun sign. She gave me the Taurus to show after I stubbornly insisted I wanted it. (Go figure.) My skin is a melange of pieces from the Aria set from Aida Ewing at the Arcade. She has configured it cleverly so you can get add-on pieces and mix and match for a great look. Pretty blue eyes from Isabelle Requiem, for the One Word event, complete the look.

“As a well spent day brings happy sleep, so life well used brings happy death.” ~ Leonardo da Vinci (Taurean)

Hair: AD – Star Struck – TAURUS – light reds by Queue Marlowe for Analog Dog, available in all 12 signs at The Arcade TODAY *

Skin: -Glam Affair – Aria skin – Asia – Combination 07 G with -Glam Affair – Aria – Eyeliner or 02-Glam Affair – Aria – Lipstick Vinta – 03 by Aida Ewing for Glam Affair, available at The Arcade TODAY *

Eyes: [Brixley] Woeful Eyes – blue by Isabelle Requiem for Brixley, available at OneWord *

Outfit: [LG]KC Winter 14- Praise You by Kim Lysette for the K Collection at LivGlam *

Hands: Slink Mesh Hands (av) Casual Left and Slink Mesh Hands (av) Relaxed Right by Siddean Munro for Slink

Shoes: (Kunglers) TDRF 033 – Donna pump – Cardinal by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers, available at the Dressing Room Fusion *

Poses by Rogan Diesel for DieselWorks Animations *

Too Much of a Good Thing

“Too much of a good thing can be wonderful!” ~ Mae West

So too much of a good thing can be a good thing when it’s cantaloupe or spring weather or Sunday afternoon naps. The Girl Scout cookies we just got, on the other hand…. You can never have too much good fashion, however, and LivGlam and K Collection has a way of giving us a lot of a good thing but it’s never enough. Take this sexy dress from Kim Lysette— a simple black and white pattern with subtle red undertones over a long sleeved dress with a low cut back. It’s just enough of too much.

Tobias Convair finished this sectional for FaMESHed in the nick of time for your personal pleasure. With single, couples and adult poses, this handsome piece can fit perfectly in your Convair loft from the last FaMESHED or in any space that needs a modern look and an adult feel. The pillows and blanket are color change, so you can fit it into several color schemes and it comes not only in black but also in brown and white.

Sawsan Secretspy offers this lusciously beautiful skin for the girl who can never have enough of being pretty. With darkly lined eyes and a fresh tangerine lip, this is the skin for the girl who is past red lipstick. My fringed bangs is Mirja Mills’ newest peek-a-boo style with waves flowing over my shoulders. A chic arty ring from AvaGardner Kungler at the Dressing Room Fusion makes this look just right.

“If it’s worth doing, it’s worth overdoing.” ~ Ayn Rand

Hair: .:EMO-tions:. * SHANIA* by Mirja Mills for.:EMO-tions:. *

Skin: .::WoW Skins::. Lina Tan 04 by sawsan Secretspy for .::WoWSkins::. *

Eyes: [UMEBOSHI] Mirror eyes Duo Brown (med) by Keiba for UMEBOSHI

Dress: [LG] KC-Winter14- Wonderful Tonight Dress by Kim Lysette for LIV-Glam K Collection *

Ring: (Kunglers Extra) TDRF 032 – ring silver by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers Extra, available at the Dressing Room Fusion *

Nail Appliers: Nailed It – Slink – Baiastice’s Yara Set II by Giela Delpaso for Nailed It *

Shoes: !(HR 2.0)! zebra Keyhole Platform Pumps by Melissa Klang for High Rize, aviailable at Fi*Friday

Sectional: +CONVAIR+ Modern Leather Sectional.black by Tobias Convair for +CONVAIR+, available at FaMESHed *

The Day After

“One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don’t clean it up too quickly” – Andy Rooney

The party’s (almost) over. (I still have people coming for dinner tonight!) I’ll admit, despite Andy Rooney’s advice, I have cleaned up the wrapping paper, though the gifts are still scattered about. (Clearly he has never had to manage a house.)

To add glamour to the task, I have put on a new dress from Kim Lysette, one she is offering for a mere 49L right now if you get over and grab it. With a beautiful exotic texture down each side and a long straight mesh skirt, this dress is elegant and chic. Add Maxi Gossamer’s jewelry for Fameshed and the look is tall and thin and hides the Christmas cookie weight I gained.

My long wavy hair is one of Truth Hawk’s newer ‘dos, a side swept look with his characteristic beautiful textures. My skin is one of Shyla Diggs and Tricky Boucher’s newest with a pale lip and beautifully lined eyes. And Funeral Plutonian is offering these lovely eyes at the RMK Gothic Fair for a fresh alternative.

The party’s over…

Hair: TRUTH HAIR Eszter by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: -Belleza- Nina SK 1 DB by Shyla Diggs and Tricky Boucher for -Belleza- *

Eyes: {S0NG} :: Frost~ Grey Eye by Funeral Plutonian for S0ng, available at RMK Gothic Frost Fair

Dress: [LG]KC-Winter13- My All Gown by Kim Lysette for LIV-Glam K Collection *

Jewelry: MG – Necklace, Bracelet and Ring – Hampton Boho by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer, available at FaMESHed *

Hands: Slink Mesh Hands (av) Elegant Left and Slink Mesh Hands (av) Relaxed Right by Siddean Munro for Slink

Hand appliers: -Belleza- Slink Hands – SK by Shyla Diggs and Tricky Boucher for -Belleza-

Nail appliers: Orc Inc : – Glitter Colors Fatpack by Nicole Twigvald for Orc Inc.*

Feet: Slink Female Feet (AvEnhance) – Mid by Siddean Munro for Slink

Feet Appliers: -Belleza- SLink Feet Applier – Sunkissed by Shyla Diggs and Tricky Boucher for -Belleza-

Shoes: *BOOM* Posey Pumps (cocoa) by Aranel Ah for *BOOM* *

Poses by Valencia Southard for Marukin