Out of Touch

Manic moves and drowsy dreams
Or living in the middle
Between the two extremes.

Once in a while I have a guest blogger. I have had Asima Saad on the blog before and she wanted to cook up another look and blog entry, which I gladly accepted. Asima does a lot of RP and loves writing and dressing up. Hope you enjoy her look and story as much as I did.

Leah glanced upward at the clock on the wall and cracked her gum.

The rink was empty, and even the weirdos had called it a night. She shut off the lights to the popcorn machines, and soda fountains, then ran her fingertips along the long red countertop. Some guy had scraped into the red pressboard ‘SLAYER’ with something sharp and her nails glided easily across the deep grooves.

She wiggled her toes in one of the neon high-top sneaker as the music from the sound system wound its way through the vacant rink. She closed her eyes.

“Manic moves and drowsy dreams
Or living in the middle
Between the two extremes”

Synthesizers and drums created a sonic surf that she could swim in. And she lost herself in the rolling tides of the epic tune.

“You’re out of touch
I’m out of time (time)
But I’m out of my head
When you’re not around”

When the sound started to fade, headlights cut their way through the glass of the doorway, and she dropped down, snagging a cluster of keys on her dash to catch her ride home.

You’re out of touch
I’m out of time (time)
But I’m out of my head
When you’re not around.

Hair: [Lelutka]-PINNED hair – Sookie by Thora Charron for Lelutka

Skin: *League* Jen Fair Aqua by Nena Janus for League

Eyes: AG. Destiny Eyes / Water by Kendra Parfort for Avi-Glam

Top: .::deeR::. MESH shoulder cropped top by Sidofox Zsun for deeR

Skirt: :::i::: Ruffled Tutu – XS – Organic Pink by Tatyana Ultsch for Insanya

Leggings: Gawk! Black Aerobic Leggings by Mell McMahon for Gawk!

Bangles: Izzie’s – 80’s Rainbow Bangles mesh by Izzie Button for Izzie’s

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

Shoes: .::deeR::. MESH higher hollywood shoes by Sidofox Zsun for deeR

Rock N Roll High School

Well I don’t care about history
Rock, rock, rock’n’roll high school
‘Cause that’s not where I wanna be
Rock, rock, rock’n’roll high school
I just wanna have some kicks
I just wanna get some chicks
Rock, rock, rock, rock, rock’n’roll high school

~ “Rock’n’Roll High School” by the Ramones

A couple times a week I go over to the high school for water aerobics and when I am done, I walk through the halls and I am so amazed and excited to see the variety of looks and styles the kids have. And no one walks around with duck lips. None of the kids dress like this but I do remember “Rock’n’Roll High School” and how revolutionary it was at the time, so I made this look in tribute. Start with my guitar from Christel Morane and my lunchbox from xOLanaxO Serenity at the Luck of Irish Gacha Fair (had to sneak that lunchbox in again). Then add more glasses from Boyd Krastins for a more academic look and one of Sasy Scarborough’s new nail appliers from My Attic.

Ivy Burner has a few of these exclusive corsets left at her store—this is a limited edition and I am not sure why they weren’t gone immediately because it’s a gorgeous piece of mesh and texturing work. I topped Paul Lapointe and Bastchild Lotus’ new sexy zipper pants that come with their amazing texture-change HUD (with a variety of amazing textures—these pants will be seen again and again). And oh my, look at that tush. Paul does the best ass in SL, bar none. And Circe Ishtari has put out these amazingly sexy next boots!

The whole impetus for the look was, of course, Kavar Cleanslate’s hair band hair, which he is featuring at My Attic. I think Kavar and I went to rock’n’roll high school together because the sight of this hair made me laugh and then drift back into reminiscing (during which I sang that “Reminiscing” song from the Little River Band from my childhood and then I went to find my old black Phil Collins concert t-shirt and it turned into something schmaltzy I can’t share here and then realized with horror that this is all considered “retro” now). I donned Ava Grau’s gorgeous new skin from Skin Fair, which I will be showing again, of course, because I layered on Madrid Solo’s deep cherry lips and one of the free eyeliners Nena Janus offers at Skin Fair. Thank you, Kavar, for making my week!

“Things sure have changed since we got kicked out of high school.” ~ Johnny Ramone

Hair: Exile::1985 Wild Fusion by Kavar Cleanslate for ::Exile::, available at My Attic *

Skin: *Glance Skins – Aina – SKT05 – Black Brows by Ava Grau for Glance Skins, available at Skin Fair 2014 (Sim 2)

Makeup: Madrid Solo- Eyes & Lips- Seductress Red LIp Color by Madrid Solo for Madrid Solo, available at Skin Fair 2014 (Sim 2) * and *League* Classic Wing EyeLiner 3 Tattoo by Nena Janus for League, available at Skin Fair 2014 (Sim 2)

Eyes: Mayfly – Deep Sky Eyes (Molasses, w2) by Arkesh Baral for Mayfly

Corset: ~Sassy!~ Stamina Carbon Fiber corset – black by Ivy Burner for ~Sassy!~ *

Pants: L&B Pants “Zipp” (SM) (Tucked) – BW Leather Set by Paul Lapointe and BastChild Lotus for Lapointe and Bastchild *

Glasses: BNe simple glasses black/red by Boyd Krastins for Random Gear (unreleased) *

Guitar: D-Style – Guitar Gacha Punk RARE by Christel Morane for Delirium Style, available at the Luck of the Irish Gacha Fair

Lunchbox: {XO} Graffiti Dreams Lunchbox – RARE by xOLanaxO Serenity for XO Visions, available at the Luck of the Irish Gacha Fair

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

Nail appliers: Flair – Fingernails Applier Slink A/E – set 205 by Sasy Scarborough forFlair, available at My Attic *

Boots: Tokyo.Girl . Lyke Boot . Black by Circe Ishtari for Tokyo Girl *

Poses by Willa Whybrow for don’t freak out!

Things To Do

“If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.’ ~ Jim Rohn

I got a little worried that after the holidays I would be thrown into the abyss of Having Nothing To Do. After remodeling my RL family room, baking 400+ Christmas cookies for the four holiday parties I held, cleaning the house, decorating, finding gifts and so on, I thought I would be wallowing in boredom. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, my “to do” list has grown.

I have written it all down and I slyly glance at it while I am pondering what the next step might be. My pondering is done, of course, fashionably in a top from isiss Bade, belted and accessorized with a cute necklace from Maxi Gossamer that she’s selling at Love is in the Air. Leggings and boots from Nena Janus complete the look. And my to-do list? Courtesy of Hanstrid Inshan from her store of darling furniture. (Thanks a lot, Hanstrid. I needed more to do. Really.)

To dos are a lot easier to face when you feel comfortable and casual, and I certainly am with this new ponytail from Chiaki Xue. Chiaki has embedded wispy flexis with the ponytail so it doesn’t have that static feeling that many mesh ponytails have. My big blue eyes come from Cruella Pennell’s offerings at The Thrift Shop. And my skin is the lovely Ria from Shyla and Tricky Boucher, which was being offered at Collabor88 last month. Something makes me believe Shyla is working hard on something new—it’s not a fact, just intuition. Of course, she has a long “to do” list too. *sigh*

“When you’re curious, you find lots of interesting things to do.” – Walt Disney

Hair: *Dura-Girl*52(Coffee) by Chiaki Xue for Dura by Chiaki Xue for Dura *

Skin: -Belleza- Ria SK 5 Br by Shyla Diggs and Tricky Boucher for -Belleza- *

Eyes: adoness: havila eyes: frost by Cruella Pennell for Adoness, available at The Thrift Shop *

Top: [NV] Mimi Blouse -Jean Bleach by isiss Bade for NV Madworld *

Leggings: *League* Folklore Leggings -Shibori Shadow by Nena Janus for League

Necklace: MG – Necklace – Aliah Moonshine – Short by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer, available at Love Is In the Air *

Boots: *League* Lauren Wedge Boots -Rigged- Blue Medium by Nena Janus for League

Trunk: Serenity Style-Things to do…. by Hanstrid Inshan for Serenity Style *

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

Chili

“The aroma of good chili should generate rapture akin to a lover’s kiss.” ~ Motto of the Chili Appreciation Society International

A crockpot full of chili is brewing inside today while a snow storm is brewing outside. I have pretty much had enough of winter and I know a lot of people around here feel the same. So what to do except fill my day with color and spice? The chili’s going so now I will dress myself up in color, and this gorgeous outfit from Ariadna Garrigus is making my day. She has chosen a gorgeous embroidered print to embellish this jacket and flared-leg trousers for a little spice, wrapping me up in warm sunshiny bright chili pepper reds and greens and golds. AvaGardner Kungler is sending sunshine from the southern hemisphere my way with her warm painted wood jewelry. I put this beautiful ethnic-beaded necklace on my neck and felt the sun rays touch my skin.

Umazuma Metaluna has come out with another fabulous new skin with fresh freckles and a defined heavier but groomed brow. Love love this beautiful face with its subtle lip and expressive eyes. The tendrilled hairbase comes on the skin, which is an added plus, especially paired with Tabata Jewell’s wild and wavy pulled back hair. Clicking around on the HUD, I found this brown that matched perfectly and went with lovely translucent eyes from Isabelle Requiem. What a beautiful contrast to the white snow and gray skies outside!

“Chili is much improved by having had a day to contemplate its fate.” ~ John Steele Gordon

Hair: Vanity Hair:Driven To Tears by Tabata Jewell for Vanity Hair *

Skin: [theSkinnery] Zoey – Bare face (toffee) BB+H CL1 with [theSkinnery] Zoey – freckles by Umazuma Metaluna for the Skinnery, available at the Chapter Four

Eyes: [Brixley] Haze Eyes – green by Isabelle Requiem for Brixley, available at SL Fashion Week *

Outfit: ***ArisAris AA23 “Film Star” Black by Ariadna Garrigus for ArisAris *

Necklace: (Kunglers Extra) Ashanti necklace – Colibri by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers Extra *

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

Boots: *League* Lauren Wedge Boots -Rigged- Leaf by Nena Janus for League

Poses by Rogan Diesel for DieselWorks Animations *

:*

Winter Is Coming

“Still … in this world only winter is certain.” ~ George R.R. Martin

How did this happen? It seems a week ago I was on my bike, pedaling to the store. And now there’s snow on the ground, frost in the air, and jingle bells on my mind. I have pulled out my boots, my wool coat, my 200 scarves and mittens and have stashed my bike in the back of the garage. Winter is coming!

In SL it’s not such a big deal. A woman can walk around in a short skirt and not feel the chill. I went to a redone sim from Jac Mornington, with a definite Japanese feel (think Hokusai without the wave). The air was brisk but not enough to keep me from shooting a few photos in a cute dress from Lilly Juno, which I warmed up with a scarf from Jammeh and Nena Janus’ cute platform boots that were her fund raiser for Shoes4Soles at Shoetopia.

Izzie Button’s pumpkiny pretty skin from TDR Fusion and gorgeous hazel eyes from Isabella Requiem still let me cling to the last bits  of autumn before the harsh winter winds blow. I love this hat and hair combo from Mina Nakamura. The hat has a color change option in the HUD where you set the hair color.

“Nothing burns like the cold.” ~ George R.R. Martin

Hair: MINA Hair – Carlijn BB by Mina Nakamura for MINA *

Skin: Izzie’s – Lucie Pumpkin Pie fair DB by Izzie Button for Izzie’s, available at TDR Fusion

Eyes: [Crash Republic] Moon Eyes – hazel by Isabelle Requiem for Crash Republic *

Dress: Immerse Sequoia Red by Lilly Juno for Immerse *

Scarf: Toro. Striped Yuppie Scarf  F by jammeh for Toro.

Hands: Slink Mesh Hands Casual S Left and Slink Mesh Hands Casual S Right by Siddean Munro for Slink *

Hand appliers: Izzie’s – Slink Avatar Enhancement – HANDS by Izzie Button for Izzie’s

Nail appliers: Orc Inc. Fingernails – Cream Basics Fatpack by Nicole Twigvald for Orc Inc. *

Boots: *League* Lauren Wedge Boots -Rigged- Purple Medium by Nena Janus for League, available at Shoetopia

Poses by Valencia Southard for Marukin

Photos taken at “Yuki No Yume”.. A Dream of Snow. built by Jac Mornington

The Best Days of Our Lives

I remember when
You told me all the joys in life
The simple things
Pleasure they would bring
When in troubled times

~ “Best Days of Our Lives” by Weekend Players

How can you not think these are the best times of our lives.. well our second lives. We have mesh, we have new rendering, we have a plethora of great content creators. C’mon, folks. Enjoy it! I put together an outfit with mixed textures today to compliment my furniture feature. An older shrug from Cerberus Noel (quality always looks good) keeps my shoulders warm over this top from Isabelle Requiem, which she is offering at She & Him. I tucked little shorts from Sanura Snowpaw underneath and work butterfly garter socks from Nena Janus. Group gift boots from Jaimy Hancroft complete this look (with clocks etched in the leather if you look closely).

My whole exercise in showing so many prints and colors in the outfit was to compliment the fabulous new furniture set from Cory Edo, which she is offering at FaMESHed this month. It’s no secret I am a *huge* fan of Cory, not only her work, which is artistic, well made, and top notch but also her attitude, which is practical, cheerful and intelligent. She loves mesha nd it loves her. I love how this latest set revels in patterns and colors, allowing the owner to mix them and match them with texture change scripts in the furniture and enough poses to make any virtual interior decorator happy.

My blushing beautiful skin is one of Peachiemuah’s newest releases for her Fresh Face line. With darkly lined eyes and full sensuous lip, this is a bit more mature look for her skins and quite welcome. My updo is one of Truth Hawk’s newest and so much easier to wear now he has a texture change hud. Audrey Lamede is generously offering these eyes and another pair as a gift in her store—no group needed but you should join to see her marvelous releases. And Maxi Gossamer’s acorn necklace and ring add a touch of fall to my look.

These…
These are the best days of our lives

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

Skin: (FreshFace) Heather Olive Bigger Breasts by PeachieMuah for [Fresh Face] *

Eyes: .ID. September Gift – Fall Eyes 2 by Audrey Lamede for Insufferable Dastard

Jacket: *GF* Ruffle Bolero -pumpkin- by Cerberus Noel for G Field

Top: [Crash Republic] Ivy Dress – brown by Isabelle Requiem for Crash Republic, available at She & Him *

Shorts: .: Somnia :. Button Flap Shorts {Teal} by Sanura Snowpaw for .: Somnia :. *

Necklace:  MG – Necklace – Royal Autumn Forest Acorn –Short by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer, available at FaMESHed *

Ring: MG – Rings – Royal Autumn Forest Acorn – R by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer, available at FaMESHed *

Socks: *League* Side-Gartered Stockings -Butterfly -Brown Garter by Nena Janus for League

Boots: drd rigged worn combat boots by Jaimy Hancroft for Death Row Designs

Furniture: Trompe Loeil – Ashdon Living Room Suite PG [mesh] by Cory Edo for Trompe Loeil, available at FaMESHed *

• Trompe Loeil – Ashdon Chair with Blanket PG
• Trompe Loeil – Ashdon Coffee Table Scripted
• Trompe Loeil – Ashdon Couch with Pillows PG
• Trompe Loeil – Ashdon Chair with Pillow PG
• Trompe Loeil – Ashdon Pillow Basket 3
• Trompe Loeil – Ashdon Fabric Screen High LOD 6LI
• Trompe Loeil – Ashdon Wall Illustration Grapes
• Trompe Loeil – Ashdon Wall Illustration Italian Rose

Rug: ::GUDU::  RugRug_n by Bersten for GUDU

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

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 *

Peachy Keen

“The ripest peach is highest on the tree.” ~ James Whitcomb Riley

Nothing like a sweet peach in the summer. In a short little ruffle-tiered skirt from Su Scarmon in the prettiest shade of rose, our peach is ready for a summer soiree. I like how Su has used highlights and lowlights to make the fabric really satiny and the ruffles flouncy. The summer’s sexiest shoes, from Siddean Munro, turn the look from sweet to sumptuous.

The peachy part of the blog is really this new skin from Heather Beebe. With its peachy skin tone, languid eyes, and full and juicy lips, it’s a sexy and fresh look from Heather. (A friend who had not been in SL for a couple months saw me in this and said he couldn’t stop looking at me. That should tell you how good the skin is ;)) I show with a sexy loose updo from Truth Hawks.

“Life is better than death, I believe, if only because it is less boring and because it has fresh peaches in it.” ~ Thomas Walker.

Hair: >TRUTH< Alison – sandlewood by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: [ROCKBERRY] Apple A/Natural/BLK by Heather Beebe for [ROCKBERRY] *

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

Dress: *Lalei*Nadine dress-dark rose by Su Scarmon for *Lalei* *

Necklace and bracelets: *League* Wanderer Jewellery Set -Golden Oak by Nena Janus for League

Shoes: Slink Lulu Stilettos Beige by Siddean Munro for SLink *

Distractions

I love the song “Distractions” by Zero 7. The sound of it makes me think of a big white modern house on a beach, waves crashing outside, light bouncing off the tiles of the uncluttered floor.

This is the woman who would live there—elegant, expensively clothed. Her top, from Nena Janus, is a silk piece that softly drapes over her soft spa-maintained skin, and tied casually at the waist. Her capris from LeeZu Baxter look like an evolution of Lilly Pulitzer with their baroque pattern and ruffled hem. Stylish and practical little pumps from Elie Spot reveal her rich tastes.

She has a subtle tan (but not over the top—this is not Jersey Shore) and well shaped brows courtesy of Inka Mexicola. Her sheer lipstick came from a glossy black tube she purchased from Mocksoup Graves. Her necklace, seemingly simple, is a nice piece she bought from Rob1977 Moonites. It reminds her of a Lalique heart she has  on a silk cord that she got in Paris.

I love you, I love you, I love you, I do
I only make jokes to distract myself
From the truth, from the truth.

Hair: booN HTU132 hair chestnut by boo Nakamura for booN

Skin: :: ESSENCES :: Katy *no make-up by Inka Mexicola for :: ESSENCES ::

Makeup: M.O.C.K Cosmetics Cherry Wine Lipstain  (Lipcolor only) by Mocksoup Graves for M.O.C.K Cosmetics

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

Top: *League* Siara Blouse –Cream by Nena Janus for *League*

Pants: [LeeZu!] Yve Pants/vintage ornament by LeeZu Baxter for LeeZu!

Necklace: *FIR & MNA* The Heart Necklace [F] by Rob1977 Moonites for *FIR & MNA* *

Shoes: {mon tissu} Montsegur Pumps ~ Camel by Elie Spot for {mon tissu}

Ennui

I have been feeling a lot of ennui about SL lately.

This look reflects that. It’s actually a lovely look in sepia with a great dress from Anyusha Lilienthal. I love the print and the sleeves. Check out the thin little belt holding up the sculpty ruffled skirt. I removed the chest prim because the square neckline is so well done and charming as it is. It also shows off the pile of beads from Nena Janus I am wearing. This outfit is a triumph of using sculpties and textures judiciously in both the dress and jewelry.

I was turned on to Jaden Foxclaw’s skins by Voshie Paine, and I wanted to exploit the melancholy and wistfulness of this skin by opting to make it more modern and contemporary in look rather than going towards the ephemeral lolita or vampire look. I did this by topping my head with a sassy hair from chiaki Xue, who makes these wavy short hair cuts with incredible ease.

The photo was not touched up. Taken directly in SL with shadows. The beauty of creators’ work in SL keeps curing the ills of ennui.

Hair: **Dura-Boys&Girls**16(Dark Brown)resize by chiaki Xue for Dura *

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

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

Dress: Ibizarre Marissa Dress – Vanilla – Bag by Anyusha Lilienthal for Ibizarre *

Jewelry: *League* Wanderer Jewellery Set by Nena Janus for *League*

Shoes: Absolution – Maizi Flats by Teresa Republic for Absolution