Compulsory Christmas–KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar, Day 8

“A lovely thing about Christmas is that it’s compulsory, like a thunderstorm, and we all go through it together.” ~ Garrison Keillor

Christmas this year is, as always, fraught with some tension in my household. Things like who is going to get the tree out, whose house are we going to on which day, how much are we going to spend on everyone is driving us all crazy. The good thing is that we generally get along and don’t allow it to become a point of argument with each other. It’s us against the world, as it were. So when I got Zzoiezee’s charming gifts for the KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar, it was a natural to get them out and create a cozy Christmas card scene (using my poor dude alt who yes, needs some revision but I was hurrying) and erase all that tension with a picture-perfect setting. Zzoiezee packed today’s gift with jammies for him and her, ornaments, a decorated tree (!), and a great couple’s pose (that you see here). Your Christmas card shot is done in one gift from the Calendar!

I enhanced the décor with Winter Thorn’s amazingly cozy woodstove and Christmas décor (which she also offers in white and blue for those of you who are so over red). Everything comes in pieces and she has different settings for the stove so you have a variety of options, all done in Winter’s beautifully warm style. Anaisterpellie and Kerryth Tarantal are two folks who are offering gifting possibilities at the soon-to-open charmingly-decorated Christmas on 34th Street. One of the KittyCatS is checking out a treat Anais is offering for shoppers at one of the gift wrapping stations for a mere 10L. I admit I got in early to the event and Sabein and Callie are in for some awesome holiday gifts this year!

Mina Nakamura is offering this darling hair with hat at Christmas on 34th Street, which means it is also transfer for gift giving. Several of the creators are giving the gifts in a package that can be handed to your friend and when she opens it, the resulting pieces are copy/no trans, so don’t worry about that scary business of giving and potentially losing no copy items. It’s a pretty clever set up as long as you do not peek in the box! (Meaning, don’t open it before you give it or it blows up and you’re holding on to a copy/no transfer item.) Mochi Milena has created a new set of Logo mesh head appliers for the We <3 RP event in three tones. I opted to use the applier on the newly reissued Chloe head and clicked around for the glossy lipstick included with her appliers.

On her:

Hair (with hat): MINA Hair – Jade 01 (no materials) by Mina Nakamura for MINA, available at Christmas on 34th Street (opens December 9)  *

Mesh head: LOGO Infinity Chloe Hybrid Mesh Avatar – Omega by Maximillion Grant for LOGO *

Skin applier: [PF] <Latte> – Kiyomi – LOGO Head Applier by Mochi Milena for Pink Fuel, available at We <3 RP *

Eye appliers: :{WS}: Omega Eye Applier – Turquoise Medium by weaponizedsugar for Weaponized Sugar

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

Pajamas: zanze W-holiday jams-[MAITREYA} by zzoiezee for Zanze, available December 8 for the KittyCatS and Friends Advent Calendar at the KittyCats Wonderland Sim *

 

On him:

Hair: *~*Damselfly*~*Jasper Non-Rig Mesh Dark Browns by Tommy Fairplay for *~*Damselfly*~*

Skin: HERMONY / SKIN / LEON / ST6 by Hermanni Laville for HERMONY (no longer available)

Pajamas: zanze Men-holiday jams by zzoiezee for Zanze, available December 8 for the KittyCatS and Friends Advent Calendar at the KittyCats Wonderland Sim *
 

The scene:

[ zerkalo ] Hot Chocolate (winter edition) by DanielEstro and Anaisterpellie for [ zerkalo ], available at Christmas on 34th Street (opens December 9)  *

[ zerkalo ] Chocolate on a Stick – 10L GIFT by DanielEstro and Anaisterpellie for [ zerkalo ], available at Christmas on 34th Street (opens December 9)  *

Spyralle Moravian Star Lamp (Touch On/Off) by Kerryth Tarantal for Spyralle, available at Christmas on 34th Street (opens December 9)  *

zanze HOLIDAY POSE by KatyaSessions for Zanze, available December 8 for the KittyCatS and Friends Advent Calendar at the KittyCats Wonderland Sim *

zanze TREE and zanze Ornament BOX by zzoiezee for Zanze, available December 8 for the KittyCatS and Friends Advent Calendar at the KittyCats Wonderland Sim *

{what next} Hanne Woodburning Stoves by Winter Thorn for {what next}, available at Collabor88 *

• {what next} Hanne Woodburning Stove (Almond) – Wood Fireplace
• {what next} Hanne Fireplace Surround (Wood)
• {what next} Hanne Log Ple
• {what next} Hanne Fireplace Tools
• {what next} Hanne Kettle (Red)

{what next} Nordic Winter Decor Set – Red  by Winter Thorn for {what next}, available at Collabor88 *

• {what next} Red Nordic Print 1
• {what next} Red Nordic Print 2
• {what next} Red Nordic Print 3
• {what next} Nordic Stocking (Red#1)
• {what next} Nordic Stocking (Red#3)

{what next} ‘Winter’ Laurel Rug by Winter Thorn for {what next}

Various KittyCats by KittyCats for KittyCats!

The French Connection

I put on my rouge and wash my hands in front of the whole world! ~ Marie Antoinette

Genre opened earlier this month and the theme was Baroque, so of course, everyone threw their efforts at gilded furniture and voluminous dresses with an eye towards the court of Marie Antoinette. I gathered quite a few things from the event and crowded them into this blog because, as you know, excess was never a concern in the court of Madame Deficit.

First my beautifully rendered dress from Dreamfantasia Nightfire, who is a singular repository of beautiful texture and historical sartorialism in SL. Remember when we constructed all sorts of fussy prim pieces for these shapes and now mesh can do it? I have accented the dress with a brooch from Tiffy Vella and pretty little shoes from Arora Zanzibar.

My furnishings are all from Genre, including the pictures, vase and chair from Charles Lacrima and the lovely desk, which also includes other chairs and a table from Discovering Destiny. (I can imagine these pieces could be removed from a Baroque RP setting and might do as antiques in an eclectic household.) My mirror from Connie Stratten actually includes six poses for photography and if you’re really handy with PS (and have the patience), you could do your reflection. (I clearly have neither the skills or patience.) My poses are from Genre as well, a set from Nancoix Urquan called Sarabande, which have a lovely drama to them.

My sky-high hair from Plurabelle Laszlo comes in several tints (though Marie herself had a light blonde hair) and includes the lovely dark roses you see but I added Kerryth Tarantal’s hair piece as well (because, you know, extravagance). My skin is one that LumiyaRae made specially for this round with the darling little heart-shaped beauty marks and blush Marie Antoinette was famous for.

Finally my darling Ladies in Waiting are actually also wearable animated rats (!) that are adorably dressed in baroque costume. You get one to display and one to wear and if you are one of those who likes collecting darling animals in SL, these are custom made for you.

Hair: Bliensen + MaiTai – Liaison Dangereuse – Blond with Roses by Plurabelle Laszlo for .Bliensen + MaiTai, available for Genre *

Hair piece: Spyralle Lace Fontange with Roses by Kerryth Tarantal for Spyralle, available for Genre *

Skin: L~Delphine: 4-Honey/Versailles{Mid Cleavage/LB} with L : 4 – Honey {Uber Cleavage} 1 by Lumiya Rae for Lumae, available for Genre *

Eyes: #adored – dream eyes – velik by Constance Daehlie for #adored

Dress: ~The Library~ Marie -Blue by Dreamfantasia Nightfire for ~The Library~, available for Genre *

Brooch: Eclectica ‘Blenheim’ Baroque Brooch by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica, available for Genre *

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

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

Shoes: .: ZcZ :. Antoinette Slipper (L) – Bartholomew Blue by Arora Zanzibar for Zanzibar CreationZ, available for Genre *

Poses: Sarabande by Nancoix Urquan for {NanTra} Poses, available for Genre *

Posing mirror: .mien. {frivolity} by Connie Stratten for Mien Poses, available for Genre *

Desk: *OAL*/*SP* Valezquez by Discovering Destiny for On a Lark, available for Genre *

Ladies in Waiting:

• [UN] Ratcoco – Alouette – Display by Jalynne Ohmai for Unrepentant, available for Genre *
• [UN] Ratcoco – Amelie Display by Jalynne Ohmai for Unrepentant, available for Genre *
• [UN] Ratcoco – Yvette – Display by Jalynne Ohmai for Unrepentant, available for Genre *
• [UN] Ratcoco – Marie – Display by Jalynne Ohmai for Unrepentant, available for Genre *

Décor:

• Vase de Porcelaine Russe by Charles Lacrima for Grotti, available for Genre
• Fauteuil Louis XVI et motifs Versaillais by Charles Lacrima for Grotti, available for Genre
• Set de tableaux Italiens – II by Charles Lacrima for Grotti, available for Genre
• Set de tableaux Italiens – III by Charles Lacrima for Grotti, available for Genre

One Thousand and One

On Sun and Moon of palace cast thy sight,
Enjoy her flowerlike face, her fragrant light.
Thine eyes shall never see in hair so black
Beauty encase a brow so purely white.
The ruddy rosy cheek proclaims her claim,
Though fail her name whose beauties we indite.
As sways her gait, I smile at hips so big
And weep to see the waist they bear so slight.

~ “The Arabian Nights” by Sir Richard Burton (1850)

Genre is open this month with “Arabia” as its theme. I searched the four corners of the event to find you the best in exotic treasures to create the look for today in the spirit of role play. I piled on the treasures to share here, including this darling outfit from Nahtasha Uriza, who has paired a gathered halter with loose, flowing pants with a cut up the leg. The pattern is subtle, which is good because it allows lots of embellishment, which I took advantage of.

On my feet are Tiffy Vella’s exquisite slippers, bejeweled and beautiful. These alone are worth the trip to Genre if just to wear them and admire them. Then I decorated my skin with Chandra Masala’s lovely henna tattoo, which works on my Slink hands, nails painted by Ravenna Rossini’s great metallic nails.

Jewelry is essential for this look, and I really took advantage of attachment points. My bindi from Draconias Timeless includes an elaborate color change hud and additional jewels that lie over the brows. My nose ring from Amilia Zabaleta includes a tiny gem and my choker from Jalynne Ohmai has great textures for a more antiqued treasure look.

Truth Hawks’ newest long curly hair is ideal for this look. I can almost smell the cinnabar fragrance in his beautiful locks. Lumiya Rae (also know as Amesha Jewell) is offering this luscious seductive skin with all her characteristic artistry at Genre and I chose Constance Daehlie’s bold makeup to intensify my look. Poses from Nancoix Urquan from Genre give my dancer beautiful form and I posed under the gorgeous gazebo Kerryth Tarantal has made for Genre.

“Orientalism can be discussed and analyzed as the corporate institution for dealing with the Orient—dealing with it by making statements about it, authorizing views of it, describing it, by teaching it, settling it, ruling over it: in short, Orientalism as a Western style for dominating, restructuring, and having authority over the Orient.” ~ Edward Said

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

Skin: L ~ Odette 4 – Honey/Arabian Nights {Mid Cleavage/Freckle} by Lumiya Rae for Lumae, available at Genre *

Makeup: #adored – sura shadows – winter by Constance Daehlie for adored, available at Genre *

Eyes: [Buzz] Ardent Eyes – Angel by Eleri Catlyn for Buzzeri

Outfit: Painfully Divine Shazadi -blue- by Nahtasha Uriza for Painfully Divine, available at Genre *

Bindis: ~*S.E.*~ Sweet Sheba (Bindi) by Draconias Timeless for Souzou Eien, available at Genre *

Nose ring: AZE Bedouin Sands Gold Nose Ring by Amilia Zabaleta for AZE Jewelry Designs, available at Genre *

Necklace: [UN] Desert Zephyr Necklace by Jalynne Ohmai for Unrepentant, available at Genre *

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

Nail appliers: Frogstar – Nasira Metallics Fingernails HUD by Ravenna Rossini for Frogstar, available at Genre *

Hand tattoo: Jalwa – Khaliji 5 Henna by Chandra Masala for Jalwa, available at Genre *

Feet: Slink Mesh Feet (Av) Flat by Siddean Munro for Slink

Shoes: Eclectica ‘Scheherazade’ Arabian Slipper-yellow by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica, available at Genre *

Poses: {NanTra} Scheherazade by Nancoix Urquan for {NanTra} Poses, available at Genre *

Gazebo: Spyralle Pearl Gazebo by Kerryth Tarantal for Spyralle, available at Genre *

The Little Fairy

Let the little fairy in you fly! ~ Rufus Wainwright

Genre’s new event is all about fae and so I did my best to wear the gorgeous pieces that they are offering to find the little fairy in myself. I started with this cute dress from Augurer with its sparkly otherworldly pattern and matched Plurabelle Laszlo’s darling little fairy slippers. Gorgeous fractal wings from Kerryth Tarantel add a shine to the whole look (remember when wings were SO in?) and a lovely little mesh blossom necklace and earrings from Ellantha Larsson complete the look.

Cherelle Capra has made a lovely vanity with cosmetics (which I didn’t rez) and stool for fairies to use for beautifying. (It is said fae are vain little creatures, apparently, who like to look their best as they flit around doing lovely deeds.) Little butterflies flit around the mirror. Of course, to be most beautiful, a fae needs to have an etherial skin and eyes. I picked up Hlin Bluebird’s darling skin at The Dressing Room Fusion. The brilliant part is it comes with ALL appliers you could ever need for a ridiculously low price and a lovely subtle makeup, perfect for fairies—or spring. I wore Constance Daehlie’s lashes from Genre to pop my eyes, which are gorgeous—bright fairy colors from Chandra Masala. And Mina Nakamura’s casual, wind-tossed style completes my look.

Everytime a child says ‘I don’t believe in fairies’ there is a a little fairy somewhere that falls down dead. ~ James M. Barrie

Hair: M I N A – HUD – Nikky – Essentials by Mina Nakamura for MINA, available at the Dressing Room Fusion *

Skin: al vulo- Cara*  ice blonde brow fairy by Hlin Bluebird for Al Vulo, available at Dressing Room Fusion

Eyes: Jalwa – Wisp (Sea) by Chandra Masala for Jalwa, available at Genre *

Lashes: #adored – ka-pow lashes by Constance Daehlie for #adored, available at Genre *

Dress: .Luminary. Ella Dress – Blue by Augurer for .Luminary., available at Genre *

Jewelry: .:ellabella:. Dulcina – Blueth by  Ellantha Larsson for.:ellabella:., available at Genre *

Wings: Spyralle Fractal Wings Series 12 Mint by Kerryth Tarantal for Spyralle, available at Genre

Shoes: Bliensen + MaiTai – Brennil – Shoe f. Standard Feet – Green by Plurabelle Laszlo for Bliensen + MaiTai, available at Genre *

[CIRCA] – “Enchanted Meadow” – Fae Vanity Seat and [CIRCA] – “Enchanted Meadow” – Fae Vanity Table by Cherelle Capra for [CIRCA], available at Genre *

Poses by Trieste Minuet for !bang

Why we are in Fashion for Life

Dear Readers–

As many of you might know, I have been leading the organization of Fashion for Life for the past three months, and honestly, it’s been a lot of work and stress. Nevertheless, I think it will be worth it.

I decided to take this on for a few reasons: First, I personally know Nevar Lobo and Amethyst Starostin, and I know they were straining under the weight of the RFL Clothing Fair. They truly needed to take care of things for themselves in their “real lives” and when they dropped out, I didn’t want to see all their hard work and the momentum that the RFL Clothing Fair had gained go to waste.

Second, I knew Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society had a top-notch reputation in SL, and I knew that my personal standards for how charitable donations would be collected were in place. I feel very strongly about this. I know SL can be a great place to raise funds, but I think oftentimes it is done poorly. The RFL in SL has the structures in place and a professional representative in world to make sure it’s done right.

Most important, however, was that I knew the cause was a truly worthy one and one that people across the grid from around the world could engage with, regardless of politics or religion, regardless of class or gender. Cancer touches many lives and is something, we have discovered, can truly be combated with research and knowledge, technology and development.

The funds raised during the Fashion for Life will be contributed directly to the American Cancer Society to go towards prevention, support, lobbying and research. And these funds’ positive effect can be seen: When my grandmother had a cancerous tumor in the 80s, her diagnosis was bleak and her treatment painful. I see how much tings have improved now when my dear friend Raven’s father beats breast cancer after chemotherapy without substantial nausea, when my friend Nadya gets effective lung cancer treatment from radiation, when my neighbor Lynne goes into remission from a rare and generally deadly form of blood cancer after treatment–and all of them retain a quality of life much better than my grandmother had.

This is much more than a virtual fashion event–it’s a fund raiser that has makes a tiny little dent in a very big problem. It was worth it to me. I hope it’s worth it to you to join us and enjoy the beautiful and hard-made creations of over 190 designers and 8 builders.

Harper

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One of our missions for Fashion for Life is to have fun, but underneath all the fun is a very serious thing. We are making money for the American Cancer Society because so many people are touched by the effects of cancer around the world. Turn to anyone you know and they will tell you of someone they loved or knew that was lost to cancer.

Many of the designers participating in Fashion for Life are doing so for very personal reasons. A few have been gracious enough to share their stories…

Five years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time, ten years after my first battle with the disease. Thanks to breakthrough cancer research, the biotherapy drug Herceptin had just been approved for general use after successful clinical trials, and my cancer was treatable with Herceptin. I am still in remission, thanks to this drug. My sister-in-law and a dear friend are both cancer free after Herceptin therapy also. We are the “miracle sisters.” In 2009 I was diagnosed with a rare sarcoma which was treated successfully with surgery. Sarcoma strikes especially hard at children, and most are not as lucky as I was. Cancer research saves lives. I want to help. That is why it is so important to me to be part of Fashion for Life.

~ Kerryth Tarantal

My father is treating cancer now. He became large intestine cancer the year before last. The cancer is serious. And, he underwent a difficult operation lasting for several hours. Afterwards, he was treating anti-cancer drug. Cancer seemed to have cured last year. However, cancer relapsed several months later. He came to have to fight against cancer again. I want to help my father. Therefore, I wanted always to participate in this “”Fashion of the life”.

~ Saya Littlething

Cancer has touched a lot of lives in my family…from my Grandfather who died of pancreatic cancer to my Father’s colon cancer and my Mother’s recurring bouts with skin and corneal cancer, we’ve experienced the devastation from every angle. Several years ago I had a lump in my breast and I was terrified. Only in my early 30s, I thought I wouldn’t have to worry about anything like this for a very long time. I was so wrong. I did my research and found out how many women AND men get cancer at a very young age. The numbers were mind blowing. I was so fortunate and it turned out to be a small treatable issue, but it’s affected me so much. It’s so important to spread the word about early detection and help to raise funds to combat and finally some day cure this incredibly devastating disease. It’s important for me to do my small part. If everybody does we can change things.

~ Ivey Deschanel

I lost four family members to cancer including my father and my maternal grandmother.  I am grateful for the opportunity  to be a part of Fashion for Life so that I can help to support those working on a cure for cancer to help keep other families from facing the losses my own family has faced.

Adrianna Marquez

Fashion for Life, March 12-22 is SL’s biggest fashion fair on 9 sims hosted by the American Cancer Society and SL’s Relay for Life. Proceeds from all donated items and sponsorships go 100% to the American Cancer Society.

Photo 1:

• Hair: [e] Mood – Blonde 03 by Elikapeka Tiramisu for Elikatira, Sim Sponsor for the Bourke White sim at Fashion for Life
• Skin: -Glam Affair- Mary Light – E/Bl/A 05 by aida Ewing for Glam Affair, FFL Store Sponsor on the Stieglitz sim
• Dress: *FFL EXCLUSIVE* Spyralle Enruffled – Hope by Kerryth Tarantal for Spyralle, FFL Store Sponsor on the Irving Penn sim

Photo 2:

• Hair: ::DBS::Mona-black by DBS Heart for Bishwear, FFL Store Sponsor on the Irving Penn sim
• Skin: I ALEIDA I Inga SUNKISS – make up 3 by Aleida Rhode for Aleida, VIP Sponsor and FFL Store Sponsor on the Helmut Newton sim
• Dress: *FFL EXCLUSIVE* ::Schoen:: IbizaMoon (LoversNight) ladies by Saya Littlething for ::Schoen::, FFL Store Sponsor on the Mapplethorpe sim
• Shoes: N-core ILLUSION XtremeHeel II Black by Claire Messenger for N-Core, FFL Store Sponsor on the Helmut Newton sim

Photo 3:

• Hair: .:EMO-tions:.  * CANDY * / black-blue by Mirja Mills for .:EMO-tions:., VIP Sponsor for Fashion for Life and FFL Store Sponsor on the Stieglitz sim
• Skin: :::Sn@tch Plush Skin (Tone 3-Hope)::: by Ivey Deschanel for Sn@tch, FFL Store Sponsor on the Shulman sim
• Top::::Sn@tch Fling Cropped Top (Purple)::: by Ivey Deschanel for Sn@tch, FFL Store Sponsor on the Shulman sim
• Pants: :::Sn@tch Tapestry Pants (Purple)::: by Ivey Deschanel for Sn@tch, FFL Store Sponsor on the Shulman sim
• Gloves: :::Sn@tch Wrist Warmer (Eggplant Leather)::: by Ivey Deschanel for Sn@tch, FFL Store Sponsor on the Shulman sim

Photo 4:

• Hair: .:EMO-tions:. * AGNES * /brown by Mirja Mills by Mirja Mills for .:EMO-tions:., VIP Sponsor for Fashion for Life and FFL Store Sponsor on the Stieglitz sim
• Skin: Adam n Eve Skin – Jasmine t3 Natural by sachi Vixen for Adam n Eve, FFL Store Sponsoron the Ansel Adams sim
• Outfit: [A&k] Dahlia by Adrianna Marquez for A&k Designs, FFL Store Sponsor on the Bourke White sim
• Jewelry: Ear Candy ~ Bottlecap Set in Burnished Copper by Maeve Mortlock for Ear Candy, FFL Store Sponsor on the Arbus sim
• Boots: Ear Candy ~ Brown Belted Sweater Boot by Maeve Mortlock for Ear Candy, FFL Store Sponsoron the Arbus sim