lode | A Passion for Virtual Fashion

“There are flaws in romance, but love is perfect.” ~ Jaejoong, hottie oppa

One of my secret binge-watching enjoyments is K-Dramas, which I used to find on Crunchyroll (thank you, Erehwon) and now find on Hulu, Dramafever or Viki. They run, typically, 20 long episodes and contain an arc that carries through amazingly through those episodes. They are a modern Korean form of soap opera with handsome oppas and down-to-earth young women. One of my favorite is “Coffee Prince,” a story about a young women who wants to become a barista, and disguises herself as a boy to do so. The owner of the shop, trying to evade his parents’ pressure about him getting married, enlists the “boy” to pretend to be his gay boyfriend. It’s a classic story of misrepresented identity (ala Shakespeare).

When I put together this look, the various shopaholic characters of the K-dramas came to mind. Today’s look is not the heroine but perhaps her nemesis, a woman of high fashion and elegant demeanor who may quite well manipulate those around her. Her couture choice of apparel is Mami Jewell’s latest outfit, a mesh ensemble in two pieces with a gold sash and gold accents. I paired pumps from Saki Galliazzo with the outfit because I could color match them with her handy HUD. A lovely hairpiece from Chirzaka Vlodovic completes my look. (I modified the color of the flower in the middle.) I also modified the roses on Piraiyah Novikov’s piece for Shiny Shabby. Pira is nice to leave things mod so his customers can do that.

Of course, the core of the look is Inka Mexicola’s gorgeous applier for Catwa heads for Shiny Shabby. While she made it for another head, it works just as well on the Annie head, which I have finally updated to v4.8. I love the glossy lips, the beautiful eyes and the way it overrides the mesh head alikeness problem. David Cooper’s (AKA dam1710) eyes are deep and dark, sparkling and sexy. Unlike many, I prefer a darker eye. Morphine Janick’s darling flip with bangs for Shiny Shabby is the perfect look for our elegant schemer. Maybe someday she will find her own true love.

Hair: [monso] My Hair – Marie /Brown (no material) by Morphine Janick for [monso], available at Shiny Shabby *

Skin applier: Essences Catwa Appliers [KumiM01] by Inka Mexicola for Essences, available at Shiny Shabby *

Mesh head: CATWA HEAD Annie 4.8 by Catwa Clip for CATWA

Eyes: L’Etre – Mesh Eyes [#30] by dam1710 for L’Etre

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.5 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Outfit: -AZUL- Jonelle /Champagne by Mami Jewell for –AZUL- *

Headpiece: *LODE* Hat – BitterSweet [spring] (modified) by Chirzaka Vlodovic for *LODE*

Shoes: H@S Miss S Patent Leather – Multicolor – Maitreya by Saki Galiazzo for H@S *

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

Décor: NOMAD // Garden Rose Urn Pink (modified) by Piraiyah Novikov for NOMAD, available at Shiny Shabby *

The snowflakes fall,
each in their proper place.
~ Zen proverb

There are so many beautiful winter spots in SL right now. Even if you aren’t going to have a white Christmas in RL, you can still have one here. And you can wear shorts in the snow! I went to Prides Crossing, a parcel built by Serene Footman, to take these photos. He makes very beautiful spaces for the seasons—autumn was lovely as well. You can sail or fly in to the parcel from the Blake Sea so it’s a true “destination.’

I chose his space because Kiddo Oh has made this gorgeous dress for Winter Trend, a gorgeous romantic ballgown with a fur collar and lovely bow at the back. Kiddo has found her calling in beautiful mesh gowns, suitable for photos or dancing or even weddings. With beautiful textures and detailing, the gowns represent a next generation in SL.

My hair is the lovely gift for today in the KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar, a romantic updo from Mirja Mills that comes in this brunette or a blonde. I couldn’t help but embellish it with a hair piece from Chirzaka Vlodovic’s gacha at Chapter Four and star drop earrings from Maxi Gossamer, available at Uber. I even made sure my nails took in the winter theme, these from Ravenna Rossini at Winter Trend.

Nikohl Hax’s skin for Frost is a different look for me—paler with an almost painterly style. It’s a pretty, different look for a woman who wants pretty lips and eyes with an artistic touch.