A Drop of Happiness

A Drop of Happiness

There will not be a spring without autumn; no taste,
If no sorrow, what taste happiness will provide, say?
If no youth, why then heart will throb; gaily and gay?
Autumn prepares to decorate the heart with haste..

~ from “A Drop of Happiness” by Aftab Alam

A Drop of Happiness

Fall is rolling in with cooler temperatures. The leaves are piling up outside and while the sun is shining, the day is ending quickly now. So it’s important to grab my drop of happiness whenever I can and remember with every fall into winter, there later comes a spring to summer. I have furnished Trace Osterham’s great new skybox with new finds and pieces that I have custom colored using SL’s tinting. Big strategy for me for decorating is using tints on mod furniture and builds. If a piece of furniture is not mod, I am not a happy person. Half of what you see in these photos was tinted that way, including the cushions of Piraiyah Novikov’s daybed available exclusively in his store at Flux Sur Mer. I paired it with ArtizanMesh’s awesome chair for Chapter Four and Sofi Trenkin’s lovely décor piece that I picked up a month or so ago. Clever pillows from Sway Dench’s gacha at Geeks n Nerds add some cute humor as well as Piraiyah Novikov’s fun Simon Says game for Collabor88 on his gothic table for Gothic Diva.

A Drop of Happiness

My dress is Ariadna Garrigus’ gorgeous look for the Boho Culture Fair, which opens tomorrow. She includes the very folk art wedges with them. My bestie is a grayhound from Garvie Garzo’s collection of pups at the Chapter Four. I am so glad to see her in these events because she’s a great artist! Behind me is Tyrek’s collection of potions on a shelf for Chapter Four as well and the awesome RL work of Joe Mainskreet through the avatar hibeebu at Gen Neutral. I saw the pieces on an ad and had to come get a few because they were mounted nicely and fit so well in with the mood here.

A Drop of Happiness

Again, I custom-colored a piece from one of Piraiyah Novikov’s gachas, added Anaisterpellie’s lovely table, candles, and rug for the gacha at The Epiphany, and popped up Joe’s artwork. Again, I have Sway Dench’s darling pillows on the chair (making <3). Below. I custom colored pieces of Piraiyah Novikov’s desk and chairs from gachas at his store (I had a big of a night there with the gachas—everything is so pretty and Piraiyah is smart enough to leave things modify so I can do this) and put my laptop win by Surrealia Anatine from The Epiphany on the desk. My doggie from Garvie, whom I have decided to name Herman, stands close.

A Drop of Happiness

Bubbles Clawtooth just came out with this casual but cute high ponytail with or without bangs (Saturday and Sunday) and I paired it with one of Inka Mexicola’s lovely skins on my own, familiar system face. Both are available at Kustom9. My necklace was a gacha pull at The Epiphany from Isabeau Baragula. First time’s a charm!

A Drop of Happiness

Hair: Clawtooth: Simply Saturday – Dark Ombre Pack by Bubbles Clawtooth for Clawtooth, available at Kustom9 *

Skin: Essences – Quinta02 *medium01* brunette by Inka Mexicola for Essences, available at Kustom9 *

Eyes: {D.A} – Marble – Trunk by Soleil Reid for Dead Apples

Lashes: .LeLutka.Kornelia lashes.01 by Thora Charron for LeLutka *

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

Dress and Wedges: ***Arisaris~Gara08~Coachella~Dress (Fitted Mesh) with ***ArisAris/B&W~Gara08~Coachella~Wedges For Maitreya by Ariadna Garrigus for ArisAris, available at Boho Culture Fair (opening October 19) *

Necklace: Kalopsia – Full Moon Necklace – Blood by Isabeau Baragula for Kalopsia, available at The Epiphany

Bracelet: Kelly Double Tour_Hennessy by Tracei for Tracei, available at Gen Neutral

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

Décor:

  • Bee.Bu – Wooden Hook Hung Art (Wide) – 2 by hibeebu for Bee.Bu, available at Gen Neutral
  • Bee.Bu – Wooden Hook Hung Art – 2 by hibeebu for Bee.Bu, available at Gen Neutral
  • Bee.Bu – Wooden Hook Hung Art (Wide) – 1 by hibeebu for Bee.Bu, available at Gen Neutral
  • Bee.Bu – Clipped Art – 6 by hibeebu for Bee.Bu, available at Gen Neutral
  • Bee.Bu – Clipped Art – 5 by hibeebu for Bee.Bu, available at Gen Neutral
  • Bee.Bu – Wooden Hook Hung Art – 3 by hibeebu for Bee.Bu, available at Gen Neutral
  • NOMAD // Country Daybed by Piraiyah Novikov for NOMAD, available at Flux Sur Mer *
  • NOMAD // Brocante // Chaise longue by Piraiyah Novikov for NOMAD
  • NOMAD // Classical Chair // .05 by Piraiyah Novikov for NOMAD
  • NOMAD // Amore Desk by Piraiyah Novikov for NOMAD
  • NOMAD // 07 // Fallen Columns Table by Piraiyah Novikov for NOMAD, available at Gothic Diva *
  • NOMAD // Mystery Memory Game // Copper by Piraiyah Novikov for NOMAD, available at Collabor88 *
  • SIGMA Home/ Moroccan tapestry chair by Sofi Trenkins for SIGMA Home
  • tarte. pulley light – pitch by alixxbella for tarte.
  • dust bunny . potted jade plant by lxlnoel for dust bunny
  • {what next} Comfortably Worn Rug #2 by Winter Thorn for {what next} *
  • junk. boho curtain. by Tab Tatham for junk
  • [ zerkalo ] Vintage Treasures – Paris Pillow by DanielEstro and Anaisterpellie for [ zerkalo ], available at The Epiphany *
  • [ zerkalo ] Vintage Treasures – Table – RARE by DanielEstro and Anaisterpellie for [ zerkalo ], available at The Epiphany *
  • [ zerkalo ] Vintage Treasures – Candles by DanielEstro and Anaisterpellie for [ zerkalo ], available at The Epiphany *
  • [ zerkalo ] Vintage Treasures – Rug by DanielEstro and Anaisterpellie for [ zerkalo ], available at The Epiphany *
  • Hayabusa Design Elegant Tree Platane Plane MX2-4 v1-3 T5 by Mitsuko Kytori for Hayabusa *
  • Hayabusa Design Japanese Maple High Details M15-10 v1-4 P1-G by Mitsuko Kytori for Hayabusa *
  • {theosophy} Bonvilston Skybox by Trace Osterham for {theosophy} *

A Drop of Happiness

Make New Friends…

 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).

Harper & Rainey

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.

Make New Friends

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.

Make New Friends

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 :)

Make New Friends

… 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 *

Fresh Start

Fresh Start

Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it. ~ Lucy Maud Montgomery

Fresh Start

I woke up this morning with a song in my heart and a cute dress in my inventory. With its perfect plaid and darling bow at the neck, this dress from Yurin Wirefly is ideal for a fresh start to the day. My darling little shoes from Jaxie Oceanlane were a find at some sale months ago and I finally found an outfit to show them off to their full glory. My purse is an inexpensive find from Delia Linette (I bought up the store at 5L a pop).

Fresh Start

This updo from chiaki Xue is her latest release—a little more “girly” than her usual and a welcome addition to the grid with its color change hairband and poofy ponytail. (I have a photo of my mom in a style very similar to this—just as pretty—but I might get in trouble for showing it publicly.) My skin is Tyr Rozenblum’s latest, fresh and pretty with elaborate eye makeup and bee-stung lips. The skin tone and the “sunburn” across the nose and upper cheeks is especially delish.

Fresh Start

Fresh, fresh, baby.

Hair: **Dura-Girl21**(Blonde) by chiaki Xue for Dura *

Skin: Grixdale – Teagan 2 – Honey – Draft –  Br by Tyr Rozenblum for Grixdale *

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

Dress: -Collect*- Check halter onepiece_Blue by Yurin Wirefly for –Collect”-

Purse: !!KKBB!! Annika Purse – Flower Girl by Delia Linette for kisskissbangbang

Bangles: ~SIGMA~Jewels/ Boho bangles (blue) by Sofi Trenkins for ~SIGMA~Jewels

Shoes: *RRS* Desiree Bleu by Jaxie Oceanlane for Rose River Saloon

Coquette

Every man’s dream is the woman who catches his eye across the club,  the one who smiles at him and catches his drift, the one who beckons him to come her way, buy her a drink, ask her to dance. Some men know the call and will go; some will get the call and not understand; some will never hear it.

Coquette

This might be the woman you want to get the call from. Dressed in a chic short skirt and flowy top, elegantly jeweled, you’ll wonder what she’s about. To dress her up, I have a top from Irie Campese, a pretty plum top with a great sculpty midriff that moves well with the avatar. I paired it with a skirt from Saeya Nyanda. I got this skirt a while ago but it works really well with this ensemble.

Coquette

I am showing the necklace that Sofi Trenkins offers as her RFL donation piece. Her work gets more and more impressive. This piece has a lovely reddish toned gem surrounded by silver with an eclectically shaped set of links. She smartly pairs more diminutive earrings with the set. Sometimes making earrings that are as bold as the necklace is a mistake. Make one piece the centerpiece—the others should accent it.

The skin is a new one from Heather Beebe and the coloring is perfect for this ensemble. Her skins are very nicely done, a happy medium between the more glossy or glowy skins and the matte model skins out there.

Coquette

Finally, I have boots from Rosie Lavochkin, her RFL donation. These are simple boots—sexy, easy to wear, not full of scripts and bling and blessedly, heel clicks. (Well she has invisiprims with and without. Just toss the “with” away and know you are walking the grid with class.)

Coquette

A wink, a smile, a toss of the hair..

Hair: W&Y HAIR New 75 in light black by yukitan Farrjones for W&Y

Skin: [ROCKBERRY] Kalista O natural/BLK brows/CLV by Heather Beebe for [ROCKBERRY] *

Top: {SMS} Antique Top Plum FLF by Irie Campese for So Many Styles

Skirt: Kyoot Army – Dead Naga Mini (Black) by Saeya Nyanda for Kyoot Army

Nails: [ Love Soul ] Posing nail*Oval-Natural* by BlueStarRUI Villota for Love Soul

Necklace and earrings: Illyria (red-FATPACK) RFL by Sofi Trenkins for Sigma Jewels for RFL Fashion Fest

Boots: *Deviant Designs* Bliss (Black) by Rosie Lavochkin for Deviant Designs for RFL Fashion Fest

P.S. Please note my AWESOME new header, made in pity by Bryce Randt of Eclipse Development, who was tired of seeing my lame header.

Big fat kudos to Rob1977 Moonites of FIR who helped me put up a whole new blog that I have yet to migrate to because I am too busy and am a bad bad woman.

All About Business

I have once written about how people complain about the lack of business clothes in SL. I just don’t see it. Many great business looks can be put together (especially if one is able to make allowances about necklines).

All About Business

Take this dress from monica Outlander. Top to bottom, it’s a winner for a well-dressed woman. With its creamy knit texture, modest length (again for SL), and versatility, this dress can be very handily worn for business in SL. I have accessorized with a great belt from Sofi Trenkins and one of Mika Nieuport’s great 50L Fridays jewelry sets.

All About Business

The stunner of this whole look, however, is Mea Cannell’s newest skin offering, specifically made for African-American or African-European women. I really liked this skin—it’s beautiful and appropriate. I am especially fond of the lips. It’s not a light skin darkened. I will wear this skin again, especially when I want an elegant look.

All About Business

Getting down to business:

Hair: >TRUTH< Skyla – espresso by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: Aimesi Skin Samara Face3 Dark by Mea Carnell for Aimesi *

Dress: Miamai_Bebe Cream by monica Outlander for Miamai *

Jewelry: MIEL CUE SET – 50L Fridays by Mika Nieuport for MIEL

Belt: ~SIGMA~Jewels/ Tamara belt brown by Sofi Trenkins for ~SIGMA~

Shoes: .*Courtisane*. La Sauvage – Graybrown by Enktan Gully and LeeZu Baxter for Courtisane *

Holiday Soirees

One of the things I really believed about the holidays when I was a teenager is that I would be invited to tons of holiday parties where I would have to dress up and “glitter.” (Seventeen really sold us something, didn’t they?) By the time I got in college and beyond, most of the parties were sweater and jeans affairs with boots and puffy quilted jackets. Our sweaters were thrift store finds, our jeans were ripped, and our boots were scuffed. Someone somewhere was dressing up—sure wasn’t me. I couldn’t afford it.

Holiday Soirees

However, I like the idea of it. I like the thought of holiday soirees, invitations overflowing in the mail, rushing to get dressed, champagne and hors d’oeuvres (I have a rich imagination). This dress from Ivey Deschanel would be ideal for such parties. With its full and flirty blue satin skirt and sequined spaghetti strap top, it fits the bill. What really pushes it from girly dress to a more elegant look, however, is the scarf and fishnet tights Ivey includes. The tights.. they are just plain old well done with the right shading and great seams.

Holiday Soirees

I dressed this beauty up with an updo from Truth Hawks. His colors and textures are amazing. (I seem to be blogging him a lot, hm? Well he always has a hair color that suits!) Drop earrings from Sofi Trenkins match this outfit—nothing too elaborate is needed with sequins. And a skin from Lorac Farella with a tonal lip. It really has to be all about the dress—no need to pile on the makeup ;)

Holiday Soirees

Jingle, jingle:

Hair: >TRUTH< Cameron – auburn by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: Pulse Skin-Life Freckled/Tone 5 Warm m7 by Lorac Farella for Pulse Skins *

Dress: :::Sn@tch Tango (Clothing Layers Only)::: by Ivey Deschanel for Sn@tch

Earrings: ~SIGMA~Jewels/ Nepheli earrings~ by Sofi Trenkins for ~SIGMA~Jewels

Shoes: (Shiny Things) Belles – black by Fallingwater Cellardoor for Shiny Things