Snowblind

My friend, Asima Saad, offered a guest blog out of the blue and I gladly accepted it because I will be out of town for a few days. So here is Asima’s blog with her photos and her story. “I get by with a little help from my friends…” Thank you, Asima.

She waved back over her shoulder to her favorite barista and stepped back out into the cold–too cold–air. She shivered with a little ‘Brr’ sound escaping her lips. Though she knew the walk back to the car would be a long one. When she had arrived the lot was filled with cars, but now it was completely empty.

“…You know when you keep running but your legs are standing still?
It’s like you’re stuck in a nightmare but you keep doing it for the thrill…”

This all had set the stage for what began to happen next. Without warning, strange white flakes began to descend from the sky. They were large, and at first, she was concerned as to what they were. She’d seen ash fall from a burning building, but this was different. There was no smell of smoke. No flash of flame on the wind. Just the cold, and the peace that came with it.

“…Snowblind
Out of sight and out of mind
Just for tonight, come with me blindly.”

The entire city seemed to just accept this graceful blanket being dropped upon her shoulders ever so gently. And Asima too couldn’t help but but smile skyward. Her skin tingling with chill and excitement. It was her first real snow, and it was quite awe-inducing. That something with so much power, could be so still, and so completely tranquil.

Hair: Magika – “Reflect” by Sabrina Gully for Magika.

Skin/Head applier: Viola  Applier for *YS&YS* – Tone03 by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS&YS

Mesh head: Slink Visage Mesh Head – Emma V2.2 by Siddean Munro for Slink

Eyes: MADesigns EYES_Mutation ~ dark phase by Maddox DuPont for KMADD

Body: Slink Physique Mesh Body – V2.4 by Siddean Munro for Slink

Jacket: Addams // Janis Winter Coat // Slink(Physique) by AmaliaRainwood for Addams, available at Uber

Scarf: :SEY VH-stole [female/reg.] by Risey Arai for Sey

Skirt: Addams // Sonia Pleated Skirt w/Panties // Slink(Physique) by AmaliaRainwood for Addams, available at Uber

Boots: Reign.- Moccasin Boots- White by KenadeeCole for Reign

Poses: oOo ‘Snowfall’ by Olaenka Chesnokov for oOo Studio

Taken at Canton, a Paragraph Role-Play sim

Everything Nice—KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar, Day 22

What are big girls made of?
What are big girls made of?
Cinnamon and spice
And everything nice,
That’s what big girls are made of

The KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar is full of gorgeous gifts today. One of them is this beautiful holiday gown from StellaJane, mesh with a beautiful cut and a gorgeous velvet texture with subtle starbursts, perfect for winter celebrations, even after Christmas. And it’s a GIFT so get it from the calendar today. Or run down to their store and get another gift dress, which she asked me to model for the ad.

I dressed up my look with another gift from Zuri Lyric and Poulet Koenkamp, a gorgeous jewelry set that includes texture change for the gems and metal. I loved playing with the color combos and found a perfect set of gems for this look, and that translated to the earrings and bracelet automatically. My shoes were Eku Zhong’s offering for the 21Shoe, which is over now but I know Eku will bring out these shapes in other colors, so get over there to grab them.

I love this new loose curl ‘do from Sabina Gully. It has an old-fashioned glamour to it and her characteristic loose locks and swirls of hair. Her HUD has a range from blonde to dark so you can switch it up as you like. My skin is one of Sawsan Secretspy’s lovely, soft sexy looks with a beautiful makeup and luscious lips. I wore it this time with her applier on the Belleza body. It’s a great match and a perfect skin for this sexy, elegant look.

Hair: Magika [Hair] You by Sabina Gully for Magika

Skin: .::WoW Skins::. Lulu’ Tan by sawsan Secretspy for .::WoW skins::. *

Eyes: #adored – dawn eyes – hazel by Constance Daehlie for #adored *

Body: -Belleza- Venus V 0.02 *SlinkFit H&F by Tricky Boucher for –Belleza– *

Dress: SJ Velvet Halter Dress – Cinnamon Sparkle by StellaJane for Stella Jane, GIFT available exclusively in the KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar *

Jewelry: Lazuri Princess of the Forest Choker, Earrings and Bracelet by Zuri Lyric and Poulet Koenkamp for Lazuri *

Hands: Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands – Casual by Siddean Munro for Slink

Nail appliers: -{ZOZ}- Reindeer Colors Gold Polish Huds – (Slink) by Zozicon for ZOZ, available at FROST *

Feet: Slink AvEnhance Feet High by Siddean Munro for Slink

Shoes: KoiKoi Ellipse Red by Eku Zhong for KoiKoi *

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

Romance for Dummies

”Nothing spoils a romance so much as a sense of humor in the woman.” ~ Oscar Wilde

I met him at a party. He was seated alone in front of the fireplace. At first he seemed a little wooden, a bit stiff. He responded slowly—I guessed he had a lot of girls in his IMs. We chatted a while.  He had that suaveness, those cool, distant, unmoving eyes, suggestive of a strong man deep in thought. Turns out he was a model, which impressed me. He said he posed mostly for artists but I could see his hard abdomen and broad shoulders suited him for so much more.

As the evening wore on, we got closer and closer. “You know, Harper,” he said, putting his hand on mine, “I think we have a lot in common. I’m a model. You’re a model. I’m a poser. You’re a poser.” (I had to think about that for a moment but took it as a compliment.) “I would like to get to know you,” he smiled, or I think he did.

I wrapped my hands around his and we talked deeply for hours. “You know, Harper, I think you get me. You’re different from the other women. You don’t treat me like a dummy, to pose and change, and make me do what you want.” At this tender moment I had to click the last animation in the sofa….

And make him kiss me, a long deep soulful kiss, one that wore the varnish off each other and revealed our true grain.

This romance has been embellished with several lovely items, including the sexy dress Poulet Koenkamp is featuring at the Monochromatic Fair. I have worn it to several parties with this long necklace from Maxi Gossamer, feeling very chic. I ran out at the stroke of midnight last night to get Eku Zhong’s new shoes for the 21 Shoe event. It’s ridiculously only 24 hours, so get shopping TODAY.

I highly encourage you to find McChris Flanagan’s gacha at Erotigacha, where I got the set of lamps I show on the mantle. They are animated and so dang fun and cute. Some swing their legs, some open and close so the books fall or their lampshades bow down. I am absolutely fascinated with them. Kay Weston’s posing dummies can be found at yard sales near you or at her store. And the art dummy avatar from Sylvia Cuthbertsson Blunt wore for me in these photos  can be found on Marketplace. Finally, find this awesome kissing sofa from Warmanimations Lisa at Erotigacha.

“The decision to kiss for the first time is the most crucial in any love story. It changes the relationship of two people much more strongly than even the final surrender; because this kiss already has within it that surrender.” ~ Emil Ludwig

Hair: Magika [Hair] Shimmer by Sabina Gully for Magika

Skin: -Belleza- Ria SK 9 R by Shyla Diggs and Tricky Boucher for -Belleza- *

Eyes: [Brixley] Spring Eyes – evergreen by Isabelle Requiem for Brixley, available at Kustom9 *

Dress: :: PM :: Maia Dress in Red 3×1 by Poulet Koenkamp for PurpleMoon Creations, available at the Monochromatic Fair *

Necklace: MG – necklace – Tokyo Party Night – Long by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer *

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

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

Feet: Slink AvEnhance Feet High by Siddean Munro for Slink

Shoes: KoiKoi SIren Red by eku Zhong for KoiKoi, available today only in 2 for 1 for 21 Shoes

On Blunt: .:R’s:. Art Mannequin by Sylvia Cuthbertsson for Roadrunner’s Creations

The other dummies: IE – The Dummy Gacha 5 and 4 by Kay Weston for Image Essentials

Furnishings:

• [ba] mahogany fireplace with candles by Barnesworth Anubis for barnesworth anubis *
• Warm – Confident Chair Red by WarmAnimations Lisa for Warm Animations, available at Erotigacha
• DMF – Living Lamp (Candy – Common) by McChris Flanagan for Dew Me Furniture, available at Erotigacha
• DMF – Living Lamp (Bernard – Common) by McChris Flanagan for Dew Me Furniture, available at Erotigacha
• DMF – Living Lamp (George – Common) by McChris Flanagan for Dew Me Furniture, available at Erotigacha
• DMF – Living Lamp (Kevin – Common) by McChris Flanagan for Dew Me Furniture, available at Erotigacha
• DMF – Living Lamp (Penelope – Common) by McChris Flanagan for Dew Me Furniture, available at Erotigacha

Make New Friends…

 

So this is what happens when some upstart blogger IMs you and gets all sweet and nice and funny. She lets you steal witty things from her profile. She dishes with you about her partner. Then, she sneaks up and asks to take your photo because of a blogger challenge. She asks you to look like yourself (whatever that is anymore, I am not sure). And then she takes your photo and you look like a billion bucks (see below).

Rainey Manx, authoress of No Rainey Days, IM’d me and flattered me with her request to take my photo to answer Harlow Heslop’s question about what blogger inspires her. I was thrilled because Rainey’s work is incredible—she puts beauty into every piece she does (and I am incredibly envious because my PS and art skills stink). I was putty in her hands.

Did we intend to dress to match? Nope. But that’s how similar we are in aesthetic–it all seemed to work. I can only talk about what I threw on; Rainey’s babeitude speaks for itself (and she has more at her blog). I started with a minidress and scarf from Trill Zapatero, who tempted me with several things at her store. I love the funky look of her things, their casual sexy hippy dippy coolness. All proceeds from sales at her store go to help Afghan women, so it appeals to my charitable side as well.

My hair is my namesake from my someday partner Queue Marlowe (whenever Callie dumps me). Queue made the hair and then I sent a photo of RL Harper and we agreed—it matches. My skin, like Rainey’s, comes from Nena Janus’ beautiful mind.

Most importantly, our eyes come from a man we both hold dear to our heart—Ikon Innovia. I would like to think I am the reason they are together but I am guessing it’s more because of his devastating charm and her incredible wit and spirit. It seems Ikon lucked out. So did I in making a new friend :)

… but keep the old. One is silver and the other’s gold.

On Rainey:

Hair: Magika – Luna Roots Edition by Sabina Gully for Magika

Skin: League – Sia by Nena Janus for *League* *

Eyes: Fashism – Custom by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM *

Sweater & Tank Top: Sn@tch – Church Sweater & Butch Tank Sheer by Ivey Deschanel for Sn@tch

Jeans: L.inc – Tyra Jeans by CK Winx for Luck Inc *

Belt: Coco – Calf Leather by cocoro Lemon for *COCO*

Necklace: Dark Mouse -  I’ve Lost My Way by Mouse Mimistrobell for Dark Mouse*

Bracelet: Sigma – Siren by Sofi Trenkins for ~SIGMA~Jewels

Pose: !Bang – Promises by Triest Minuet for Bang Poses

 

On Harper:

Hair: AD – harper brown sugar by Queue Marlowe for Analog Dog *

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

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

Top: BoHo HoBo minidress (tealquarks) by Trill Zapatero for BoHo Hobo

Jeans: Maitreya Skinny Jeans by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Scarf: BoHo HoBo skinny scarf (blue) by Trill Zapatero for BoHo Hobo

Ring: ::je suis::Gacha::tente::sky::ring by Julia Merosi for je suis

Boots: BAX Prestige Boots Blue Suede by Bax Coen for Bax Coen Designs *

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 *

First Day of School

Today is the first day of school for many students–around this country, at least. I remember the anticipation, especially when I was in high school and college. I had my clothes all laid out, ready for the first day, the first chance to impress after a long summer, the first chance to wear all those new school clothes.

If I had a cute outfit like this one from Iki Ikarus of Dutch Touch, I would have worn it. With its cute pullover short sleeve sweater and shrug and its sweet little denim miniskirt, it would have been the ideal first day back to school outfit. Iki Ikarus does some really fine work, mixing photorealistic textures with hand drawn work to make her clothing stand out.

Such a fresh look needs a clean skin and long wavy hair. I chose Sabina Gully’s Curly Hair. This cute style has a little bobby pin holding back the voluminous locks. I remember having hair like this in college *sigh*. The skin is from Pulse’s Timeless set–not heavy with makeup.

I paired this with the first pair of sculpty boots I ever bought—the Dunes from Maitreya. They were the most happening thing when they first came out and have borne the test of time. When I first saw them, I realized they were the boots I always wanted but never had—soft scrunchy suede that goes well with jeans or skirts.

School’s open!

Hair: Magika  – Curl Hair – Brown E by Sabina Gully for MAGIKA

Skin: Pulse Skin – Timeless ll/Makeup 11by Lorac Farella for Pulse Skins

Outfit: :: DUTCH TOUCH ::  LoNDOn Red by Iki Ikarus for :: DUTCH TOUCH ::

Boots: Maitreya Dune – Burgundy by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya