Hair

Gimme a head with hair
Long beautiful hair
Shining, gleaming,
Streaming, flaxen, waxen

Give me down to there hair
Shoulder length or longer
Here baby, there mama
Everywhere daddy daddy…

I want it long, straight, curly, fuzzy
Snaggy, shaggy, ratty, matty
Oily, greasy, fleecy
Shining, gleaming, streaming
Flaxen, waxen
Knotted, polka-dotted
Twisted, beaded, braided
Powdered, flowered, and confettied
Bangled, tangled, spangled, and spaghettied!

~ from the song “Hair,” from “Hair: the Musical”

I have a quandary here because generally I do a whole avatar “look” and I eschew that multiple mugshot presentation, but I have been inundated with hair… hair in boxes, hair in packages, hair in folders.. wonderful hair! That’s because the Hair Fair is on again this year, and there are many more choices for me to show than I can do in.. a month I bet. So I will be showing some great styles here and through the week.

This post will be my mugshot showing (wherein I just show hair without content or context—just hair.. on my head.) Hair Fair opened yesterday at midnight slt. Join the Hair Fair Demo Group in world to grab copies of these as demos so you are not wandering around the Fair trying them on in a swamp of lag. (And there will be lag—don’t complain—you all want to be there so there will be lag.)

Finally, please note that I show some new skins here and I will talk more about them as the week goes on. Simply admire and purchase!!

Hair: [RA] Khloe Hair – Red Fever by Raspberry Aristocrat for Raspberry Aristocrat, available at Hair Fair 2011

Skin: :GP: Petal [Dark] Pout-Indulged 1 by Gala Phoenix for Curio *

Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Light Steel Blue (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM *

Earrings: erratic/hoop earrings/silver by Erratic Rain for erratic

Hair: !lamb. Our Deal – Blur Ombre by Lamb Bellic for lamb, available at Hair Fair 2011

Skin: :GP: Petal Frex [Light] Airhead-Fluff 1 by Gala Phoenix for Curio *

Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Absinthe (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM *

Hair: MINA Hair – Famke – BG05 by Mina Nakamura for MINA Hair & Bijoux, available at Hair Fair 2011

Skin: [.:Mascarade:.] Chou – Jolie – by Jahen Foxclaw for [.:Mascarade:.]

Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Warm Silver (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM *

Note: This one includes extensions that were not right. Bubbles took the same texture and put it on the extensions so the dark was still on top so as the pieces went together they did not match. I was disappointed because I loved the long hair.

Hair: Clawtooth: Pretty Words (skull) – Soil by Bubbles Clawtooth for Clawtooth, available at Hair Fair 2011

Skin: [mock] Olivia Skin (no Cleavage) Tone 2 by Mocksoup Graves for MOCK Cosmetics *

Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Hazel (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM *

Hair: Rosy mood hair / Conifer (red) by Calico Felisimo for Rosy Mood *

Skin: [mock] Olivia Skin (no Cleavage) Tone 2 by Mocksoup Graves for MOCK Cosmetics *

Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Hazel (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM *

Hair: [LeLutka]-KNOTTED hair – Overcooked with [LeLutka]-HAIRBASE Overcooked by Thora Charron for [LeLutka], available at Hair Fair 2011

Skin: * LaVie * Jolie – Anemone – Sunkissed #9 [H] by Pompeja Rossini for LaVie *

Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Light Gold (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM *

Hair: Amacci Hair Trisha ~ Wheat Blond by Carina Larsen for Amacci, , available at Hair Fair 2011 *

Skin: :GP: Petal [Light] Summer-Pebble 2 by Gala Phoenix for Curio *

Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Light Mint (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM *

Note: This comes with a whole fantastic outfit of … hair. Not sure I will ever find a place for the hair skirt but it was certainly fun.

Hair: ChiChickie! Godiva (Hair) – Chocolate by Chiana Meredith for ChiChickie, available at Hair Fair 2011 *

Skin: #5 LaVie Asia -Tiffany- Light by Pompeja Rossini for LaVie *

Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Dark Brown (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM *

Hair: Magika Hair // Andarial by Sabina Gully for Magika, available at Hair Fair 2011

Skin: LAQ ~ Mini – [Nougat] – 09 by Mallory Cowen for Laqroki

Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Celtic Green (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM *

Note: The fan changes texture on click so you can match to your outfit!

Hair: Vanity Hair: Shizuka-Noir by Tabita Jewell for Vanity Hair, available at Hair Fair 2011

Skin: :GP: Honey [Dark] Jasmine-Big Red Lantern 1 by Gala Phoenix for Curio

Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Dark Brown (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM *

Note: This one comes with a hud to change the streaks to any color in her collection.

Hair: !!Calico Ingmann Creations!! Audrey – Light Blondes by Calico Ingmann for Calico Ingmann Creations

Skin: [.:Mascarade:.] Chou – Jolie – by Jahen Foxclaw for [.:Mascarade:.]

Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Warm Silver (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM *

Incognito

I will admit that I read US Weekly and People when I go to the dentist or the doctor. Frankly, it’s about the only thing that gets me there—the shiny new copies of the newest dish on the stars. One of the most interesting columns I have seen in these mags is the one about how stars are just like us. “They wash their dog, just like us! They shop at Whole Foods, just like us! They spend $50,000 on diamonds, just like us!” Sometimes the object of their attention is dressed incognito, especially walking the streets of Manhattan, simply out shopping or returning a book to the library. What makes them different still is that they are  casually wearing incredibly expensive designer boots and people are snapping photos of them.

Our celebrity has a gorgeous poncho-styled overcoat that looks like she gotit  from an artisan in Taos. Made by Khea Karas, this beautiful mix of embroidery and knitting creates the drama our star incognito adores without showing off her signature figure. Underneath she wears a cherry red turtleneck from Nyte Caligari, which she just got on discount at Nyte’N’Day’s end of the year sale because the stars like sales just like we do. Her leggings are pure designer (none of that Walmart stuff for her) made by LeeZu Baxter.

With a Nena Janus skin, our star can rest assured she looks as beautiful as she needs to, even without a lot of make-up. Her DIY hairstyle from Lamb Bellic—is that a wig? Huge sunglasses, tinted red to coordinate with her outfit, are a fashion do from Polyester Partridge.

Finally, her boots. Yes, stars rush to Elikapeka Tiramisu’s sim to snatch up her latest boots, just like us. With their leather legwarmer styling and stylish buckle, these boots reveal our star to be a woman with discriminating taste.

What about SLebrities? I am partnered to one—Callie Cline. I have a secret for you–she walks around bald and once in a while she is a cloud–just like us ;)

Hair: !lamb. DIY Haircut – Ink by Lamb Bellic for !lamb.

Skin: *League* Amber Br Sunkiss -Natural- Hair by Nena Janus for *League* *

Jacket: .:MALT:.  Domonic Swancho – Midnight by Khea Karas for .:MALT:.

Turtleneck: Nyte’N’Day Clothing – Division Sweater Cherry by Nyte Caligari for Nyte’N’Day

Leggings: Maria Tights (Pants Layer) /black by LeeZu! by LeeZu Baxter for LeeZu! *

Sunglasses: (Yummy) Mom Glasses – Feeling Sassy Black by Polyester Partridge for (Yummy) (modified)

Boots: [e] Secret Boots – Black by Elikapeka Tiramisu for Elikatira

Your Brother’s New Girlfriend

Sometimes holidays are full of stress because you will be meeting new people who are significant to people who are significant to you, and you feel obligated to like them. Take for example, when your little brother brings home his new girlfriend, Siobhan. He has spoken so enthusiastically, so lovingly of her, you really want to like her. He says she likes the poetry of Mary Oliver, cardamom in her coffee, obscure tango music she finds on the internet, and crocheting purses. You’re not sure what to expect.

(And of course, your brother has never been known for his taste in women. Remember the French major who nervously chewed her fingernails to the quick and ended up quitting school because she owed so much on parking tickets she couldn’t pay tuition? Or the weightlifting physical therapist who told him to “man up” and told him to drive himself to the emergency room when he had been throwing up for two hours from food poisoning? Or the girl who sold Peruvian hats and sweaters in a head shop and argued with your mom about the difference between sweet potatoes and yams? Clearly the poor girl has a lot to live down.)

She arrives somewhat shy and sweet, bearing a gift for your mom of Belgian chocolates she brought back from a recent trip to Europe. When she says hello to you, you notice her breath does smell sweetly of cardamom, and her blue eyes are captivating. You approve of her pretty velvet dress from Ivey Deschanel. Its lush fabric and textures speak to the season, and she looks very demure—that is until she turns around and you see her dress is cut deeply down the back to show off her tattoo from Jesseaitui Petion. Your boyfriend nudges you as you both watch her walk by and whispers in your ear that he thinks you need a tattoo, for which you swat him. Her pumps made by Pixieplumb Flanagan are pretty and festive with bows in the back. Clearly she dressed up to impress her boyfriend’s family. Minus the low cut back, you wholly approve of her appearance.

She is not overly made up. This is intentional as she wears a skin from Toast Bard, which is usually minimal and very human and girlish despite being hand-drawn. She’s just not that kind of girl, you find out, as you all chat over hors d’oeuvres and find out she majored in Mathematics and currently works for a start-up research company. (Your older brother is impressed.) Her hair from Lamb Bellic, though showing dark roots, is clean and nicely kept with a bobby pin and suits her look. (He once had a girlfriend with dreadlocks—need we say more?) She eats everything on her plate and doesn’t pick around like the Gap manager your brother brought home last Easter who spent way too much time extolling the virtues of  jeans. (“Who doesn’t eat ham on Easter?” your mother complained in the kitchen while you were scraping her dish into the garbage.) She responds thoughtfully to questions, sits with your brother but doesn’t hang on him, patiently looks at the kids’ crayon drawings, and doesn’t bring up politics or religion.

As she leaves that evening with hugs and goodbyes, a plate of leftovers to take home in her hands, you feel a twinge of anxiety. You realize it’s no longer whether she passes your test. The question is, will your family pass muster with her?

Hair: !lamb. The Chills – Powder w/ Black Roots by Lamb Bellic for !lamb.

Skin: (fd) Bird Skin – Dust 1 (Black Brows) by Toast Bard for fashionably dead

Dress: :::Sn@tch Velvet Drape Dress by Ivey Deschanel for :::Sn@tch *

Tattoo: AITUI TATTOO – Angelic Embrace I by Jesseaitui Petion for AITUI

Shoes: BM Mia Pumps – Blacks & Reds by Pixieplumb Flanagan for Baby Monkey *

Wallflower

“So fellows, please listen to me:
Don’t look at a wallflower askance;
If a girl sitting lonely you see,
Just bow, smile and beg for a dance.”

I can’t say I am often a wallflower. I don’t go out dancing that often any more (which is a sort of wallflowerishness, I guess.) This dress might catch someone’s eye. Made by Mimikri Kit, it is an example of what she excels at—provocative textures and shapes that are beyond the ordinary. The win is in the details—the seams that match up, the clean edges of the system pieces, the shape of each feather in the skirt, the excellent texture. Short skirts with flexi abound in SL. Most of them are not this stylish or wearable.

My skin is Kira Ahn’s offering for The Dressing Room Blue, which comes with several lipstick options on the tattoo layer. I love being able to choose my lipstick, and certainly this particular skin would afford eye makeup choices too. The face was a little over-dodged–not sure what happened there.

My choker is a sale item from Felicity Winslet’s closing sale at Mariposa. I recently had discovered Felicity’s work, had it in queue to blog, and then caught wind that she was closing shop. It’s a true shame because Felicity’s work is exquisite—this necklace is the least of it (and it’s gorgeous). Get down there as soon as possible to treat yourself to some beautiful gems. (She’s really nice too—handled a customer service thing for me wonderfully.)

i’m not here, no one sees me — wallflower
i’m by myself, please excuse me
~ “Wallflower” by Priscilla Ahn

Hair: !lamb. DIY Haircut – Ink by Lamb Bellic for !lamb.

Skin: [dekade.] Skins  -Claire- sunkissed/DB/No Make Up with [dekade.] Skins -Claire- glossy lips/red 03 (viewer 2.0) by Kira Ahn for [dekade.], available at The Dressing Room Blue

Dress: Mimikri – Vic python / TDR blue by Mimikri Kit for Mimikri, available at The Dressing Room Blue

Necklace: Mariposa: Jewels: Noche Necklace (Chest) by Felicity Winslet for Mariposa

Shoes: Maitreya Verve Pumps – Black by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Thank God I’m a Country Girl

Well, the elections are over and I am none too happy about the results. What I *am* happy about is that we had elections at all and that people exercised their right to vote. I am happy to live in a country where I have the freedom to do this. I spoke to a lady who works at one of the polling places near me and she said her favorite part is seeing 18 year-olds vote for the first time—they are so excited to vote. *I* am still excited to vote.

I put on this country look to remind myself of my American roots. First we start with this darling outfit from Looloo Beck that includes big cabbage roses on a brown field. Looloo has an uncanny knack of making something sexy and innocent all at once—the low slung jeans are not crass because they are offset by the cute little thong and the flower print in the pocket. The low cut blouse’s sexiness is undercut by frilly puffy sleeves.

This new hair from Lamb Bellic made the look. I love the full locks, the casual twist of hair in back, the slightly poof on the crown. This hair also pulls that sexy and innocent trick. One feature that might dissuade some customers—it’s mostly static. It looks great head on in a photo but isn’t great for turning one’s head.

My jewelry is a great little edgy set from Plurabelle Laszlo, who keeps bringing eclectic jewelry to the grid. And my little booties are from LeeZu Baxter—called “Beach Boots,” I think they could suit lots of looks that need something casual. They are warm and comfy.

“Voting is a civic sacrament.” ~ Theodore Hesburgh

Hair: !lamb. Cinnamon – Rotten Carrot by Lamb Bellic for lamb.

Skin: []::Tuli::[] The Dressing Room :: Helena 04 by Tuli Asturias for Tuli *

Outfit: >>GothiCatz<< Bonita by Looloo Beck for Gothicatz

Jewelry: Bliensen + MaiTai – Bracelet Rustique – leather and Bliensen + MaiTai – Collar Rustique – leather by Plurabelle Laszlo for Bliensen + MaiTai *

Boots: [LeeZu!] BeachBum Boots /brown by LeeZu Baxter for LeeZu! *

Jacket Weather

The chill has hit the air but not in an unwelcome way. I remember when fall started and I was SO excited to bring out my new fall school clothes—the new cute sweater, the fashionable jacket, shiny shoes.

I just got this new sweater from Shelly Toonie, who is releasing this whole set with a great set of colorways and combos as if they are knit from variegated yarn (yes still stuck on this knitting thing). The skirt is a wonderfully textured sculpty from Maya Levane, who has combined the best of of a pleated look into a skirt that moves pretty well on the avatar considering it’s a sculpty. My jacket is from last spring but does well in the fall as well as the chill comes in the air. Toraji Voom has made a very versatile piece. A little scarf around my neck to keep the chill out thanks to Milla Michinaga, and I am set to go.

What turns this outfit on its head are the striped tights from Allegory Malaprop and the coordinating flats from Fallingwater Cellardoor. Fallingwater, as long as she has been in this game, still makes wonderful content and pays attention to all the smallest details. These little shoes are lovely. Thanks to Zeerya Pyrithea for the earrings.

Finally my skin, glowing and young with bee stung lips, comes from the mind and talented digital make-up artistry of Gala Phoenix. And though the hair is named “Lost” by Lamb Bellic, I will find my way home.

Written while listening to “In the Dirt” by S. Carey.

Hair: !lamb. Lost – Kit Kat by Lamb Bellic for !lamb

Skin: :GP: Sundust Frex [Dark] June-Grass 2 for Gala Phoenix for Curio

Jacket: **DP**yumyum:mods coat (female) by toraji Voom for **DP**YUMYUM

Sweater: MS-Harvest Knit Olive by Shelly Toonie for Moonshine *

Skirt: (TokiD) le frills skirt – masut by Maya Levane for TokiD

Socks: Schadenfreude Autumn Bawdy Socks by Allegory Malaprop for Schadenfreude

Earrings: Cube Cloth Earrings [] Grassy Stream by Zeerya Pyrithea for ~< { Zeery } >~

Scarf: MichaMi: Ebba Scarf in Beige by Milla Michinaga for MichaMi

Shoes: (Shiny Things) Zimmy Flats – olive by Fallingwater Cellardoor for Shiny Things

Couture as Art

“Fashion is only the attempt to realize art in living forms and social intercourse.” ~ Francis Bacon, Sr.

I saw an amazing fashion show a few afternoons ago done by Avenue on behalf of monica Outlander for her new Black Label line, which is edgy and artistic and certainly not for everyone. It’s no secret that I am not a big fan of fashion shows, but this one was ingeniously done. The set, built by Pill Kanto, was incredible—futuristic and . I am positive it will be covered in other blogs, and I hope they are able to incorporate the set into a more permanent build as it was magnificent. (I think that is what most bothers me about fashion shows—all the work and organization put into them for one hour of “show” with few benefitting.)

That being said, the feature of the show—the fashions—will be available on the grid. I show here one of the dresses from the set, which is rendered dramatically. Monica starts with a Hokusai-type wave on the bodice that flows down into a sculpty skirt, puffing around the legs in a dramatic fashion. Monica has always been a designer in SL who pushes to meet her customers’ needs as well as her creative needs. She brings art to the world of commerce in a pragmatic way—doing her art and making money while she does it. That’s my kind of artist!

I styled this with the gift skin from minnu Palen that was available at the Modavia Fashion Show. It’s the make-up of choice of many models in SL and has a clean palette for showing fashion. I liked Lamb Bellic’s edgy hair for this look.

“Fashion is architecture: it is a matter of proportions.” ~ Coco Chanel

Hair: !lamb. Say Redux – Ink by Lamb Bellic for !lamb

Skin: [LeLutka]-LOLA_skissed-MFW2010(D Brows) by minnu Palen for LeLutka

Dress: Miamai_[BlackLabel]_Undine by monica Outlander for Miamai

Blonde Ambition

Open the pages of Town and Country and you will see society ladies posing at various black-tie events with their hair blown out, their make-up professionally applied, their brand-new designer dresses freshly pressed. Who are these women?

Well in SL, this woman is Harper and she has a brand new dress from MariaElena Barbosa, part of the summer collection at MEB. The entire collection has a black and white theme, and MariaElena finished it off with this formal piece. With its ruched bodice, open skirt and designer look, this dress is perfect for the society woman, especially with spectator pumps from Onyx LeShelle.

I show with this volume-pumped style from Lamb Bellic’s recent 50L Friday offering and Tuli Asturias’ exclusive skin being offered at The Deck. The vibrant makeup offsets the monochrome of the outfit. I show a beautiful necklace from AvaGardner Kungler with this dress. Perhaps it needed diamonds or something smaller but our society lady wanted to make a statement with this necklace.

Poor little rich girl:

Hair: !lamb. Breeze – Honeycomb by Lamb Bellic for !lamb.

Skin: []::Tuli::[] Jade (tone 2/li) :: The Deck (c) by Tuli Asturias for Tuli, available exclusively at The Deck *

Dress: *MEB : Black Carpet by MariaElena Barbosa for MEB *

Necklace: (Kunglers Extra) Bambu – necklace – black by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers *

Nails: *ByKay* ~ Prim Nails ~ *Basic Edition* by Kayleigh McMillan for *ByKay*

Shoes: Maitreya Neyya * Toe-cap White by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

In the East

Vlinder Reitveld has to be a very interesting woman. If you read her profile, you find that she is currently “Hunkered down in Bangkok and staying out of the warzone til Thailand gets its act together.  Next stop, Delhi in June.. maybe Turkey after that.” As she travels, she teaches women in these countries about technology entrepreneurship. She says her main source of income comes from making clothing in SL. She uploads her work, sets it for sale, and helps her SL customers out as she finds internet cafes. Wow. If nothing else, this should prove not every person in SL is a fat guy sitting at the computer in his parent’s basement.

Vlinder clearly catches inspiration on her travels, this from India with the choli and dupatta. With its magnificent texture based on Northern Indian artistry (called “Zari,” according to a friend of mine), her combination of sculpties, prims and system pieces creates a beautiful outfit befitting a woman of grace and gives us a peek at the wonders she sees on her travels.

Vlinder takes it a little farther by offering add-ons to the basic Ghagra Choli so one can exhibit more modesty with portions of the Modesty Add-on (which includes a veil, which I decided to forego), as I do above, or show more skin, as I do below with her Arabia Add-on (purely an outfit of imagination). She offers this set of ensembles in 6 colors. I wear with a pair of great shoes from moon Ling, which are called “naagra,” according to my expert authority.

I struggled because I wanted to wear a beautiful, darker-toned skin that had a hair base. I finally found Mallory Cowen’s Tasha in Nougat in my inventory, and it fit the bill perfectly. With the exotically shadowed eyes, the glowing skin tone, and the perfect wisps of hair from the hair base, this skin suited both the modest and the less modest looks perfectly.

“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” ~ Lao Tzu

Hair: !lamb. Bang Bang Bob – Ink by Lamb Bellic for lamb.

Skin: LAQ ~ Tasha2 – 04 [Nougat] Glow skin (hairbase) by Mallory Cowen for Laqroki

Outfit: Eila Ghagra Choli by Vlinder Reitveld for Vlintuition *

Earrings: *Primagine* Maja Gold Earrings by Trixie Bumbo for Primagine

Shoes: ::: MOON ::: 1001 Nights Slippers Cocoa by moon Ling for :::MOON::: *

It’s Golden

Part of living life is that feeling of bleah that sometimes creeps over. I had it yesterday. We really are living in tough times—people are out of work, oil is leaking like mad in the Gulf, a whole country in Europe is going bankrupt, we are still engaged in war, SL seems a mess, a friend passes away—should I go on? *sigh*

But then, as it always does, the sun rises to the next day. The flowers in my windowboxes are growing already and reflecting their color into my bedroom. The neighbor’s birds squawk joyfully (cockatoos next door—don’t ask). The weather is beautiful! I log in and someone makes me laugh right off with her stories. A newbie I once helped sends me one of her creations, and it’s absolutely amazing. I hear from a dear friend who I had thought I had lost to the aether of the internet, and he has a new wonderful job. I am so happy for him. It’s all golden. It really is.

The golden today starts with Sysy Chapman’s 69L dress from this week. With its two-toned top, cute halter and darling wavy prim skirt, this is a cute dress for bopping around the grid.

I accessorize with bracelets from Babyhoney Bailey which I have had for a while and loved. I would wear these in real life—they are very chic with their abstract textures.

What makes me even happier is wearing Tuli Asturias’ new skin with a new hair from Lamb Bellic. I love this low gathered ponytail with the strands escaping, the fullness of the ponytail. I have already given my review of Tuli’s new skins.. *happy sigh*

There’s always another day… always.

Hair: !lamb. Lost – Kit Kat by Lamb Bellic for lamb.

Skin: []::Tuli::[] Jade (tone 4/br) :: 05b by Tuli Asturias for Tuli *

Dress: SYSY’s HDH wk 29 – Peachy 69 dress by Sysy Chapman for SYSY’s

Earrings: * *Primagine* Victoria Set by Trixie Bumbo for Primagine

Bracelets: Djinn & Tonic – CoCo Bangle and CoCo Blvd Bangles with Skinny Bangles by Babyhoney Bailey for Djinn & Tonic

Shoes: ::Mine!!! Carla Heels_Brown/Gold by Marcy Susanowa for ::JustMine!!