Compliments

“It is a great mistake for men to give up paying compliments, for when they give up saying what is charming, they give up thinking what is charming.” ~ Oscar Wilde

I don’t hand out compliments thoughtlessly. I hate coming off as a sycophant or as insincere. I think most folks get that when I say something complimentary, I mean it. (It’s a Midwestern thing.) That being said, I got the lucky chance to be a blogger for the Mesh Body Addicts Fair, and I have been trying to show a few things that have come through for the event. I didn’t get the full import of the event, however, until I got a preview. I really have to compliment the organizers (mainly LilDaria, the owner of the Mesh Body Addicts blog, and Ravenwings). The layout is shopping friendly without a lot of silly décor, walls, paths or other obstacles. The designers are allowed to have more than just an exclusive piece, so there is lots of shopping fun. And the line-up is freakin’ fantastic with such big hitters as Maitreya, Belleza, Catwa, Blueberry, and others participating. Even better, there are some newcomers and lesser-known names joining in, and that’s what makes it so exciting. For once it seems like no one was excluded for any other reason than they don’t do original stuff for mesh bodies. It doesn’t feel cliquey, it’s professional, and it seems everyone has put their best (mesh) foot forward with every single store filled. No small feat. Well done!

Exciting news out of Belleza too, as Tricky Boucher has released an update to the Belleza bodies with a redesigned HUD, an alternate body that takes down the graphic resources used (called Lite), and several new rigging and body part updates that make this body sleeker and better (including a seemingly seamless neck). Most importantly, the body is an UPDATE, which means no additional cost accrues to those who already own the body. That’s a big deal because Tricky derives no immediate benefit from all this work except hopefully new sales to people who will weigh the improvements against other bodies and purchase new. It’s really quite generous. Worn with one of Shyla’s recent appliers for Fifty Linden Friday, it’s a gorgeous look top to bottom. (Please note I am wearing Catwa Clip’s newest mesh head, featured at the Mesh Body Addicts Fair, one that I have been raving about for the past couple days. Looks awesome with Shyla’s applier and fits the Belleza body absolutely perfectly.)

I wore this dress from Sukoshitosuto from the Mesh Body Addicts Fair, a darling number that can you around the grid and fits the Belleza Isis body perfectly. Many creators have foregone making stuff for Belleza bodies and I hope they get back to it because it’s a great body and as I understand, the designer pack is easier to use than others. Shoes from Equitum, which are featured at Tres Chic, fit the Belleza feet and add prettiness to my look.

I hunted down the pretty necklace Crashnoww has in his gacha at The Epiphany and wore AvaGardner Kungler’s newest earrings for the Cosmopolitan Room, glamorous and pretty with this look. Finally, Elikapeka Tiramisu’s ponytail for Shiny Shabby is a simple and pretty look for getting around the grid.

Hair: [e] Xaverie by Elikapeka Tiramisu for Elikatira, available at Shiny Shabby *

Skin applier: -Belleza- Sara Catwa Applier Medium by Shyla Diggs for –Belleza–

Mesh head: CATWA HEAD Destiny V4.9 by Catwa Clip for CATWA, available at Mesh Body Addicts Fair *

Eyes: L’Etre – Mesh Eyes [#6] by dam1710 for L’Etre, available at The Epiphany

Mesh body: -Belleza- Isis V2 by Tricky Boucher for –Belleza– *

Dress: Vinyl – Melanie Belted Dress – Isis by Sukoshitosuto for Vinyl, available at Mesh Body Addicts Fair *

Earrings: (Kunglers) Diana earring – Ruby by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers Extra, available at Cosmopolitan Room *

Necklace: **RE** Surya Necklace – Common – Silver by crashnoww for RealEvil Industries, available at The Epiphany

Nail appliers: Hello Dave – Nail Appliers – Lavender Ice by Maia Gasparini for Hello Dave!

Shoes: ..::ILLI::.. Belleza Laelia Suede Heels by equitum for ILLI, available at Tres Chic

Poses by Valencia Southard for Marukin

Taken at Black Kite

Love as a Weapon

Wasn’t like I was looking, wasn’t like I had a plan.
Sometimes you get lucky and it falls right in your hands.

~ “Love as a Weapon” by Little Scream

Before we think the blog is titled some angsty thing, the song is really about using love as a good thing—as a weapon against darkness. That being said, I just like the song and the lyrics as I heard them had all sorts of goodness. More goodness is this sexy dress from Annie Melson for the Mesh Body Addicts event, a fitmesh for several mesh bodies, including the Maitreya Lara, slinky and sensuous and beautifully textured with a deep-cut decolletage. I accessorized with bracelets from Crashnoww from Shiny Shabby (round closing soon—get there) and high heels from AvengeStore, made of 100% original mesh and textures.

Serene Footman has turned his sim, Furillen on Love of Life, into Radiohead-land. I am all for this as Jonny Greenwood is on my secret list of future husbands (along with John Dickerson and Neil DeGrasse Tyson). For years I named my parcels things like “Everything in its Right Place” and thought I was an isolated weirdo in SL, so I am pleased to find out I am not the only one. He is streaming non-stop Radiohead on the sim (probably induced by everyone poking him with suggestions for songs, including my request for “Jigsaw Falling into Place”) and people are taking Radiohead-themed photos. Maybe I will get to take my own….

That being said, Skin Fair 2016 is still going on and still packed as far as I know. They promise to remove those crazy script things later in the Fair for those of you who find them onerous, so plan on getting over there later rather than never. Grabbing demos from the Pale Girl Productions Info Group will help your shopping as you can try them on at home without all the hassle. I am wearing AvengeStore’s applier for the Skin Fair, a gorgeous, sexy sophisticated look that makes the Catwa Jessica mesh head look great. My long wavy locks are Shylah Honey’s featured piece for Hairology with a great set of textures for massive variation.

Hair: *~*Damselfly*~*Cedar Rigged Mesh by Shylah Honey for*~*Damselfly*~*, available at Hairology *

Mesh head: CATWA HEAD Jessica V4.7 by Catwa Clip for CATWA *

Skin applier: [Avenge] Layla applier for Catwa – bronze by AvengeStore for [Avenge], available at Skin Fair 2016 *

Eyes: L’Etre – Mesh Eyes [#60] by dam1710 for L’Etre

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

Dress: *JB* Carrie Dress – FatPack – Lara by Annie Melson for Just Because, available at Mesh Body Addicts *

Jewelry: **RE** Moonflight Arm Cuff – FP and **RE** Moonflight Bracelets – FP by crashnoww for RealEvil Industries, available at Shiny Shabby *

Shoes: [Avenge] Crystal Mules – gold by AvengeStore for [Avenge] *

Taken using the LUMIPro 2016 HUD by Stefan Buscaylet *

Poses by Valencia Southard for Marukin

The Afternoon Knows

“The afternoon knows what the morning never suspected.” ~ Jonathan Grimwood

I took a walk at Flux Sur Mer on sunny afternoon (thanks to windlight, which I see left some shadows on my skins from the trees) and enjoyed the beauty of the sim and idle shopping. I wore one of Hilly Haalan’s new dresses, a cute mini that comes with a great texture-change HUD to allow mix and match between the top, skirt, belt and tie. It’s a fabulous dress, very versatile and sexy in a cute way. I wore my new necklace from Crashnoww at Seasons Story, a bargain with a texture change HUD for the gems in the necklace and pendant. A darling handbag from Natzuka Miliandrovic carries all my essentials (theoretically) and darling patent leather pumps fit for Slink or Maitreya from Saki Galiazzo that include a HUD that allows me to custom color three different sections of the pumps. They fit perfectly!

I am wearing one of Thora Charron’s new Swish hairs with an animated lock that moves as if a soft breeze is blowing. Mr. Beresford noticed it and thought it was done very nicely and naturally. (And you know, men don’t notice anything.) I have been experimenting with the GA:EG Adriana Mesh Head. It is Omega compatible, so I pulled out the applier Mallory Cowen created for the Logo mesh head as an Omega applier. I found that Mallory’s skin applied to this head beautifully and will please those who always loved the LAQ look. Then I pulled out the Add-Ons for the mesh head and installed them, which was lickety split. Wear the Add-on applier, click and it installs into the HUD. They have provided a variety of different add-ons including lashes, brows, liners, shadows and lipsticks. I used the lash applier, one of the eyeshadows and one of the lipsticks. Once installed they do come with options like translucency so I was able to make the pink lipstick more translucent so it blended with the LAQ skin nicely (since the lipstick is not quite the same shape as the skin lips).

Hair: .LeLutka.Aubrey hair.FIT.A.Swish by Thora Charron for LeLutka *

Mesh head: [GA.EG] Adriana Mesh Head by Gael Streeter and ElleEtGance for GA:EG *

Skin applier: LAQ ~Omega Body + Linnea Applier (Wear and click!) [Tone 2.5] by Mallory Cowen for Laqroki

Makeups: [GA.EG] Mesh Heads Addon – AL01 Glamor Alpha Lashes, [GA.EG] Mesh Heads Addon – ES02 Kitty Eyeshadows and [GA.EG] Mesh Heads Addon – LP03 Sugar Lipsticks by Gael Streeter and ElleEtGance for GA:EG *

Eyes: .ID. Attraction Eyes #2 by Audrey Lamede for Insufferable Dastard, available at The Men’s Dept

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.4 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Dress: [hh] Liza Dress MAITREYA SIZE by Hilly Haalan for Hilly Haalan *

Necklace: **RE** LUX Fina Necklace by crashnoww for RealEvil Industries, available at the Season’s Story

Ring: MINIMAL – Zima Ring *5* Silver by Ors Quan for MINIMAL, available at the Season’s Story

Handbag: !:Lybra:! Vintage Bag Rose by Natzuka Miliandrovic for Lybra

Nail applier: [LB Solid Brushed S1 Reds] *Maitreya* Manicure by Santana Lumiere for La Boheme

Shoes: H@S Yummy Pumps Patent – Multicolor – Maitreya by Saki Galiazzo for H@S *

Poses by Luth Brodie for Reel Expression (no longer available)

Taken using the LUMIPro 2016 HUD by Stefan Buscaylet *

Poses assisted by Avimote PoseMaker PE 1.02 by Avimote Dreamscape for Avimote *

Taken at Flux Sur Mer

Vote for Me!

To much to many people’s surprise, I really do not like promoting myself. It’s a Midwestern thing—don’t make noise, don’t be too full of yourself, don’t put yourself over others. But I have been honored to be nominated once again for the Avi Choice Awards, so for this one blog entry I am going to ask you to vote for my blog, “A Passion for Virtual Fashion,” as Favorite Fashion Blog and for me, “Harper Beresford,” as Favorite Fashion Blogger.

It’s quite easy to do. Go to the Avi Choice Awards here and here (click on these links and they will take you right there). Then just click in the little radio buttons where I have highlighted and click vote. Could it be easier?

Then you can scroll back and check the other polls. There are some wonderful people represented here and some wonderful blogs and bloggers. I am esteemed to be in their company.

OK with that uncomfortable task done, let me tell you about what I am wearing. LacunaInc is participating in My Attic with the theme of “How to Marry a Millionaire.” She came in with this gorgeously textured dress, lace overlaying a satin, in several colors and priced so inexpensively, your millionaire could get you the fatpack and still walk away with change. Senzati0n Domenitzo is also participating with these sexy pumps which are pure class.

I am still beguiled by the skin that Mochi Milena has made for androgynous looks. As a woman’s skin, it’s lovely and provides a beautiful palette for makeup, so I chose a liner from Constance Daehlie and lips from Zxxrysa Magic, which I have been wearing like mad it seems lately. My hair is a gorgeous side-swept look from Shylah Honey for N21 that comes with all the great textures Damselfly offers.

Hair: *~*Damselfly*~*Anjelica Rigged-Mesh by Shylah Honey for Damselfly, available at N21 *

Skin: [PF] Ash <Peach> – Lid 01 (ltbrown – thin) / Female by Mochi Milena for Pink Fuel *

Eyes: #adored – dream eyes – black coffee by Constance Daehlie for #adored *

Eyeliner: #adored – go to liners – simple fade by Constance Daehlie for #adored

Lipstick: PICHI – VELVET MATTE Lipstick [Rum Raisin] by Zxxrysa Magic for Pichi, for the Dirty Turkey Hunt *

Dress: *LACUNA* Schatze Halter Dress – Ruby by LacunaInc for Lacuna, available at My Attic *

Bracelet: **RE** LUX Liana Bracelet – A by Velvetskin for RealEvil Industries

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

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

Shoes: Essenz – Zurich (Fatpack 1) by Senzati0n Domenitzo for Essenz, available at My Attic *

Poses by Luth Brodie for Reel Expression (no longer available)

Wild Women Don’t Get the Blues

You never get nothing by being an angel child
You better change your ways and get real wild
I wanna tell you something, I wouldn’t tell you a lie
Wild women are the only kind that really get by
‘Cause wild women don’t worry, wild women don’t have their blues

~ “Wild Women Don’t Get the Blues,” sung by Francine Reed

A week or so ago I spent a few hours looking for good blues songs by and about women because all the great blues joints and DJs on SL have taught me to love the blues. I have a particularly warm spot in my heart for women blues singers. Finally, I found women who could sing it low and sing it high. Women’s blues embraces women’s sexuality and feelings with passion and humor.

This outfit reminds me of wild women. Start with the mesh clothes from Poulet Koenkamp. Poulet makes no beef about using mesh templates but her texture work and texture-change HUDs are so amazing that she lifts them beyond the run-of-the-mill. For example, you can find this jacket elsewhere but are you going to find it with such awesome zippers, such great suede and tweed textures, and most importantly this gorgeous embroidery on the back? Nope. Her jeans are just as nice with a tweedy texture and a variety of colors available on the HUD.

My necklace and ring are from Crashnoww, who is one of the folks at the Jewelry Fair. I have blogged his work already but can’t say enough about the great texture-change HUDs and the styling of his and his business partners’ work. Make sure you get over to the Jewelry Fair tout suite!

Then step down to my beautiful boots from Paul Lapointe and Bastchild Lotus. As with all their creations, the mesh is made from the pixel up by Paul and Bast and includes their brilliant proprietary texture-change HUD, which includes scads of color and metal choices so when you get this boot and the HUD, you get a very fat fatpack.

Umazuma Metaluna released this skin in full with all the appliers (including the Mesh Project face), add-ons and gorgeousness I just adore with these skins. The eyebrows are exquisite (I am big on eyebrows), the freckled skin is subtle and sublime, the eyes are expressive and the lips are full and drop-dead gorgeous. I love this skin on me! I wore one of Harry Hyx’s hairs from Hair Fair to give our sexy wild woman a sleeker look. Don’t think because her hair isn’t messy, she isn’t willing to get a little dirty.

Hair: ISON – Ruler by Harry Hyx for Ison *

Skin: [theSkinnery] Zuri – Bare face (toffee) DB CL1 by Umazuma Metaluna for [theSkinnery]

Eyes: #adored – siren eyes – kelp by Constance Daehlie for #adored

Jacket: :: PM :: Erica Jacket – All Colors by Poulet Koenkamp for PurpleMoon Creations *

Jeans: :: PM :: Acire Slacks – All 16 Colors by Poulet Koenkamp for PurpleMoon Creations *

Necklace: **RE** LUX Mia Necklace by Crashnoww for RealEvil Industries, available at the Jewelry Fair *

Ring: **RE** LUX Mia Ring by Crashnoww for RealEvil Industries, available at the Jewelry Fair *

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

Nail appliers: Flair – Fingernails Applier Slink A/E – set 227 by Sasy Scarborough for Flair, available at My Attic*

Boots: L&B S’wear “Carissa” Ankle Boot by Paul Lapointe and BastChild Lotus for Lapointe and Bastchild *

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

True Blue

True blue, your silent cry
And I can see it and I want to touch you
Please, cause no one sleeps
True blue is breaking the waves
I used to know all the gates of love
And all the love was streaming through you

~ “Eclipse Blue” by Nosaj Thing

I put together this true blue outfit because I just loved all the elements and wanted to wear something that made me feel good. Start with this open-necked chambray blouse from Julliette Westerberg, who has a fine grasp of mesh rigging and clothing with great textures and fashion. Add my favorite jeans from Paul Lapointe that come with a texture-change HUD for the jeans and the belt. I ran over to Jewelry Fair and found that RealEvil was there with some fabulous mesh jewelry. The necklace I show has texture change for the metal and all three layers of feathers, so it’s versatile and really nicely made.

I brought out this gorgeous skin from Inka Mexicola again. Gosh it’s beautiful. I LOVE the eye makeup, especially with this whole look. (The next blog I am going to be showing Inka’s skin with the Belleza body. Think it won’t work? It does!) My gorgeous ponytail is one of Truth Hawks’ newer ‘dos. I am true to blue, true blue.

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

Skin: Essences {Linka02} *medium01* brown by Inka Mexicola for Essences, available at the Dressing Room Fusion *

Eyes: #adored – siren eyes – kelp by Constance Daehlie for #adored

Top: -tres blah- Open Collar Blouse – Chambray by Julliette Westerburg for -tres blah-

Jeans: L&B Jeans “Classic Boyfriend” by Paul Lapointe and BastChild Lotus for Lapointe and Bastchild *

Necklace: **RE** LUX Elix Necklace by Crashnoww for RealEvil Industries, available at the Jewelry Fair *

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

Nail appliers: Nailed It – Slink – Raw Nostalgia Set HUD by Giela Delpaso for Nailed It *

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

Shoes: Eudora 3D Ragnarok Clogs by Eudora3D for Eudora 3D, available at Uber *

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

The Great Outdoors

“

To me the outdoors is what you must pass through in order to get from your apartment into a taxicab.” ~ Fran Lebowitz

Summer is coming. I know it is! I am ready! Tobias Convair and Tya Fallingbridge have a few outdoor accessories that I have put to good use on my parcel. First Tya has this wonderful hammock at the Liaison Collaborative that comes in two wood tones with color change pillows and single and couples poses plus some adult for romantic encounters. I set it on the front porch of my house so I could lounge by the water, reading the New Yorker on my iPad and getting some fresh air.

Tobias has made a darling cabana house in “Crayola colors,” which goes well with his Pinewood Cottage. I can imagine all the colors lined up on a beach. (Would be great accompanied by cabana boys, hm?) Tya has made these fabulous lounge chairs in four different iterations and mirrored so you can set them up as you please. They include great single poses too. These are also available at the Liaison Collaborative.

Even in the great outdoors, I need to dress up, even if my heels sink in the lawn. Mistahmoose is a new guy on the fashion scene in SL, a game/graphics designer who has decided to ply his trade in world. These shoes are an example of his work. Designed for the Slink mid foot, they include a great texture-change HUD. (And the textures are a sort of suede, which shows brilliantly in the colors.) With a sexy shape and a new look, these shoes are some of the first pieces Mistahmoose has released. I look forward to more!

Movin’ on up, I wear a great artistic dress from Bamshyl Bookmite, one of her offerings for Fashionart. She has made a series of this mesh dress with solid colors and artistic/abstract patterns like this one, perfect for fashion and art. My jewelry I found while shopping from a recommendation in Skin Addiction. Velvetskin makes this necklace and bracelet with a HUD that has several texture change options for the different pieces and also offers the necklace in pieces (so you can wear, say, just the hanging stone on the chain). The set comes with the necklace, bracelets and earrings. I chose to wear a cute little cuff from Jaycee Dover that I picked up at Kustom 9 on my other wrist. Brightly colored nail polish from Di Hoorenbeek brightens my look.

I love these low ponytails from Kimberlee Miles. With three different hair color sets to choose from, I chose the middle set which carries mostly gingers and reds and browns. I love this bright ginger as it matches the playful nature of the style. My skin is one of Inka Mexicola’s lovely pieces for the Dressing Room Fusion with peachy lips and beautifully shaped eyes and brows.

Marry an outdoors woman. Then if you throw her out into the yard on a cold night, she can still survive. ~ W. C. Fields

Hair: (Chemistry) Hair – Prairie (Rigged) by Kimberlee Miles for (Chemistry) *

Skin: Essences – Siggy TDRF03 *blonde* by Inka Mexicola for Essences, available at The Dressing Room Fusion *

Eyes: [Brixley] Spring Eyes – evergreen by Isabelle Requiem for Brixley *

Dress: B BOS -Julie Dress-Thought by Bamshyl Bookmite for B Bos, available at Fashionart *

Necklace: **RE** LUX Liana Necklace – A+B+C by Velvetskin for RealEvil Industries

Bracelets: **RE** LUX Liana Bracelet – A+B – R by Velvetskin for RealEvil Industries and L U X E – Wooden Cuff Grayscale by Jaycee Dover for Luxe, available at Kustom 9

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

Nail Appliers: Di’s Opera – Fingernails HUD – Fruits by Di Hoorenbeek for Di’s Opera *

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

Shoes: [Shimmer] Uptown Girl Heel by Mistahmoose for Shimmer *

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

In the great outdoors:

• [PM]Pixel Mode – Ocean Breeze Deck Lounge – B – Mirror by Tya Fallingbridge for Pixel Mode, available at the Liaison Collaborative *
• [PM]Pixel Mode – Ocean Breeze Deck Lounge – A by Tya Fallingbridge for Pixel Mode, available at the Liaison Collaborative *
• [PM]Pixel Mode – Ocean Breeze Hammock – Light Wood – Adult by Tya Fallingbridge for Pixel Mode, available at the Liaison Collaborative *
• +CONVAIR+ Crayola Cabana Yellow (boxed) by Tobias Convair for Convair, available at the Liaison Collaborative *