In the Shape of a Heart

People speak of love don’t know what they’re thinking of
Reach out to each other though the push and shove
Speak in terms of a life and the learning
Try to think of a word for the burning

~ “In the Shape of a Heart” by Jackson Browne

Valentine’s Day is coming upon us so the explosion of love-themed events is not a huge surprise. Pink is a challenging color for me. It was never a favorite, even when I was a little girl, and I find it difficult to incorporate, so I am seizing the challenge for Valentine’s. I lucked out because Mariska Simons is coming out with this fabulous lingerie set at the With Love fair, one that comes with every applier imaginable (wrapped up nicely in an Omega hud) and has system layers. Mariska knows that in play, you want to have layers (remove the stockings, leave the panties or vice versa) and so she has given you every imaginable option in swapping out the pieces so you can wear it as you please. And what a confection of pink this set is. Worn with Tiffy Vella’s latest release, a set of pumps with a rose atop, it’s a lovely Valentine’s Day surprise for your lover.

With Kavar Cleanslate’s loose and lovely locks (with a most unlikely name—I don’t know any librarians with hair this sexy), I am lounging on a heart-shaped sofa from margotmuffen but with sexy poses from Olaenka Chesnokov, which she is featuring at the Burlesque event. (I hung Winter Thorn’s darling texture-change balloons from Love is in the Air to add some Valentine’s feeling to the scene.) Kavar has changed up and consolidated his hair colors into a larger selection per shade with the same tinting features in the HUD but more selection. Shyla Diggs is offering a set of gorgeous and romantic skins at the Love is in the Air event, this being one of them, perfect for wearing with lingerie or… without.

Hair: Exile::Librarian Chic by Kavar Cleanslate for ::Exile::, available for Enchantment *

Skin: -Belleza- Mae SK 3 Br by Shyla Diggs for –Belleza, available at Love is in the Air *

Eyes: #adored – cloud eyes – midnight – a by Constance Daehlie for #adored *

Body: -Belleza- Venus V 0.02 by Tricky Boucher for –Belleza– *

Lingerie: ~Blacklace~ Cotton Candy Pink Lace 14 by Mariska Simons for Blacklace, available at With Love Fair *

Earrings: (Kunglers Extra) Finrod earrings – Silver amethyst by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers Extra, available at L’Accessoires *

Shoes: Eclectica ‘Bella’ Platform Stiletto-plain fuscia by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica *

Décor: {what next} Sweetheart Balloons Décor by Winter Thorn for for {what next}, available at Love is in the Air *

Sofa: striped mocha – heart sofa by margotmuffen for striped mocha

Poses: oOo adelaide by Olaenka Chesnokov for oOo, available at Burlesque *

All I Want for Christmas—KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar, Day 12

I don’t want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
And I don’t care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree

~ “All I Want for Christmas” by Mariah Carey

I always love this song at Christmas—it’s romantic and sweet and it’s not Bing Crosby singing. I thought it went well with this dress from StellaJane, a new designer coming out with some fabulous stuff (only on Marketplace so far but I hope she gets a store soon). I loved the velvety texture on this sexy gown and even more, the texture-change HUD that comes with it, allowing 14 different colors. I paried with it the gorgeous art deco necklace Tiffy Vella is featuring at the Jewelry & Accessory Expo with its beautiful gems and graceful shapes. And Rogan Diesel sent out free ornaments for his group, so I am holding one.

My hair is Kavar Cleanslate’s lovely blown-back style from Collabor88, which I tinted with a little purple from his handy HUD. Sawsan Secretspy recently came out with this golden skin tone, a new one in her line and absolutely lovely, a sunny sweet tone for girls who like a little more tan to their skin. My sparkling eyes are Pixel Tyran’s exclusive for Frost, opening TOMORROW.

I have not forgotten you, my KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar readers. I am wearing the very generous gift for today, Constance Daehlie’s purple eye make up with liner. Constance told me there was nothing more “her” than such a makeup, so she wanted to give it to all as her gift in today’s calendar. It adds the final touch of romance needed.

Hair: Exile::KIssing Strangers for c88 by Kavar Cleanslate for ::Exile::, available at Collabor88 *

Skin: .::WoW Skins::. Monica Golden Nat by sawsan Secretspy for .::WoW skins::. *

Eyes: Chus! Iridescent Eyes in Ultra Frost by Pixel Tyran for Chus!, available at Frost (opening tomorrow)*

Makeup: #adored – cruz shadow – purple by Constance Daehlie for #adored, GIFT available exclusively in the KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar *

Dress: SJ Velvet Halter Dress by StellaJane, available at StellaJane/ThomasBlack *

Jewelry: Eclectica ‘Maruska’ necklace and earrings-gold by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica, available at the Jewelry & Accessory Expo *

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

Nail appliers: Frogstar – Winter Glitter Fingernails by Ravenna Rossini for Frogstar, available at Winter Trend

Ornament: Ornament S (Click-Change Texture) by Rogan Diesel for DieselWorks Animations *

*EverGlow* – Frost by Fanny Willis for *EverGlow*

Something

Something in the way she moves
Attracts me like no other lover
Something in the way she woos me

I don’t want to leave her now
You know I believe and how

~ “Something” by the Beatles

With this dress from Wicca Merlin, I feel gorgeous. Wicca has managed to give new life to this template piece with polka dots and white trim. It’s kind of a wild look in some ways but she tones it down by making it purely black and white. Wicca is offering this beautiful dress with a stylish hat for the 2Lei event in observation of the “International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.” Learn more here. Underneath it all are Tiffy Vella’s great gacha shoes for Winter Faire. At 40L a pop, they are a deal!

I am wearing the dress over the Belleza body with the push up breasts on. I have paired it with Shyla Diggs’ new skin that’s coming out at Uber soon. Once again, Shyla has outdone herself with gorgeous, expressive makeups and beautiful brows and features. My hair is MissAllSunday Lemon’s for Geeks N Nerds, and I am not quite sure what is geeky or nerdy about this lovely style.

Hair: /Wasabi Pills/ Charlie Mesh Hair – Rouge by MissAllSunday Lemon for /Wasabi Pills/, available at Geeks N Nerds *

Skin: -Belleza- Eva Uber Med 8 R by Shyla Diggs for –Belleza-, available at Uber *

Eyes: .ID. Shine Eyes / Blue-Green by Audrey Lamede for Insufferable Dastard

Body: -Belleza- Venus V 0.02 by Tricky Boucher for –Belleza– *

Dress: Wicca’s Wardrobe – Dotty Dress [2Lei] by Wicca Merlin for Wicca’s Wardrobe, available at 2Lei *

Jewelry: Lazuri Perles de Gloire Necklace and Bracelet by Zuri Lyric and Poulet Koenkamp for Lazuri

Clutch: MG – Purse – Midnight Dare Clutch Purse by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer *

Shoes: Eclectica Night Sky Stiletto-charcoal by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica, available at Winter Faire *

Poses by Fanny Willis for Everglow *

Sonata

“Music is … A higher revelation than all Wisdom & Philosophy” ― Ludwig van Beethoven

I named this one Sonata because I was preparing this blog entry while I was at the House of Sakura, listening to the selections Lynn Mimistrobell chose for the evening. Every Sunday night, Lynn hosts a salon where she presents music, typically classical, and gives a lesson about the music, discussing its history, particularities and why she especially likes it. This evening she presented two Beethoven sonatas, hence the name of the blog. It’s an incredibly relaxing and enjoyable way to spend a Sunday evening, and Lynn clearly works very hard on her presentation.

The idea of a sonata suits this dress well as it’s a structured long piece of played music. Poulet Koenkamp has structured this dress based on classical notions of an evening gown—long, elegant, elaborate. Poulet has made this mesh gown with a beautiful satin texture, embroidered with gold in this instance (she has several colors of the gown) and hemmed in black to echo the black waist.

AvaGardner Kungler’s gorgeous necklace for La Metallique Fair brings out the richness in the embroidery. I couldn’t resist showing this piece, which is stunning with its almost art deco setting and large gems. My gold shoes are Tiffy Vella’s lovely stilettos for La Metallique, with color change gems on the decoration. I love the texture. She is offering several colors but this is the exclusive to the fair.

Shylah Honey made this beautiful long hair for the Fantasy Collective. TOmmy Fairplay recently cooked up some new textures, which they have incorporated into this hair. With feathered bangs creating a coy sexy look, it frames the new face from Shyla Diggs’ latest skin beautifully. Shyla is presenting this version of the skin at the Liaison Collective for their Route 66 theme. With a deep tan, it’s perfect for girls on the road in the summer sunshine. It’s also lovely for an evening out.

Hair: *~*Damselfly*~*Pam Rigged-Mesh Big Pack by Shylah Honey for Damselfly, available at the Fantasy Collective *

Skin: -Belleza- Beth TLC DT 5 R by Shyla Diggs and Tricky Boucher for –Belleza, avialable at The Liaison Collaborative *

Eyes: [Buzz] Celestial Eyes – Avada {More Sparkle} by Eleri Catlyn for Buzzeri, available at Kustom 9 *

Dress: :: PM :: Drew Gown *Fatpack 7 colors* MESH by Poulet Koenkamp for PurpleMoon Creations *

Necklace: (Kunglers Extra) Metallize – grand necklace by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers Extra, available at La Metallique Fair *

Earrings: (Kunglers) TDRF 046  earring – Golden by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers Extra, available at The Dressing Room Fusion *

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

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

Feet: Slink AvEnhance Feet High by Siddean Munro for Slink

Shoes: Eclectica ‘Blenheim’ Stiletto Shoe-la metallique exclusive by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica, available at La Metallique Fair *

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

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 *

Sing, Sing, Sing

When the music goes around,
Everybody’s goes go to town.
But here is one thing you should know
Sing sing sing sing everybody start to sing like dee dee dee, bah bah bah dah
Now you’re singin with a swing

~ “Sing, Sing, Sing” by Benny Goodman

Swing on over to Genre this month because the collective artists that make up the event are working on the theme of “Big Band Swing.” June Dion contributed with this great sleep dress, a mix of mesh and system pieces with a sexy tight fit and sleek, snazzy trim to make this dress have a touch of menswear style. Little music barrettes from Ravenna Rossini evoke Big Band style and wonderful shoes from Tiffy Vella, to be work with Slink feet, add wonderful vintage bows to the look. Elegant poses from Olaekna Chesnokov that she will be selling at Pose Fair, which opens April 19, dropped in my lap so I could pose dramatically.

I am, of course, dancing to the swing playing on the grammophone from Spooky Mistwallow, also available at Genre. I wore an old vintage standby—my favorite wavy style from Kin Keiko. A trip over to the Cosmetic Fair helped me dress up my luxe skin from Ava Grau. Deep red lips from Constance Daehlie and golden eye make up from Nikohl Hax makes my beautiful sing, sing, singer glamorous and read for the big screen.

Swing swing swing swing, listen to the trumpet swing
Blow blow blow blow, listen to the trombones go

Hair: kin-Jennifer-[blonde] by Kin Keiko for Kin

Skin: *Glance Skins – Aina – SKT05 – Blonde Brows by Ava Grau for Glance

Eye makeup: .random.Matter. – Avanti Shadows – Gold Dust by Nikohl Hax for .random.Matter., available at Cosmetic Fair

Lipstick: #adored – blossom lips – velvet – medium by Constance Daehlie for adored, available at Cosmetic Fair

Eyes: #adored – dream eyes – velik by Constance Daehlie for adored, available at Cosmetic Fair

Dress: ::: B@R ::: Big Band Bingo by June Dion for Bare Rose, available at Genre *

Barettes: Frogstar – Big Band Glitz Hair Clip (Gold) by Ravenna Rossini for Frogstar, available at Genre *

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

Shoes: Eclectica Swing Shoe-Gold Suede by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica, available at Genre *

Prop: =Mirage= Big Band Gramophone by Spooky Mistwallow for =Mirage=, available at Genre *

Poses by Olaenka Chesnokov for oOo, available at Pose Fair 2014 (opens April 19) *

Splash

“…to slip beneath the surface and soar along the silent bottom of the sea agile and shining in water honeycombed with light.”~ Ellen Meloy

The theme of Genre this month is “Mer-folk,” so clearly a shot over Linden water is in order. I wore Chandra Meehan’s gorgeous mermaid tail as part of my look. With a mesh center piece and gorgeous tails that combine mesh and flexi and translucency, this mermaid tail is spectacular. The tail comes in several colors—not just this lovely electric blue. My trident is also on sale at Genre in three colors to accessorize a mermaid or merman thanks to Tala Laval. Horns on my head from Draconius Timeless make my mermaid a watery creature rather than just a lovely woman. They come with a great scaly headbase and would suit both men and women.

The life of a mermaid is no doubt stressful, and Spooky Mistwallow knows every girl deserves a Calgon moment, so she made this darling tentacled bath for Genre. With effervescent bubbles that emerge from the tub and an animated foam, the tub is a place where a mermaid can relax and bathe or, feel frisky, bring her merman in for some intimate moments as the bath includes both single and couple poses. It even comes with a darling tentacle towel holder.

My glorious skin is Tuli Asturias’ new release for Skin Fair 2014. As usual, she givse us her shapely nose, beautiful lips and brows, and soft blush. Tuli’s face is exquisite, though I am biased—I was always a Tuli girl. Her skin comes in three tones with appliers sold separately. I have dressed the skin up with a makeup from Constance Daehlie that includes little fins to beautify the look and deep murky eyes from Cruella Pennell make my mermaid watery. My necklace, which could be seen as an octopus or alternately as Chthulu, I suppose, holds a brilliant egg. Tiffy Vella is really mastering mesh! All are available at Genre. Finally, I chose a recent hair from Queue Marlowe with her brilliant ombre coloring to top my mermaid off.

“If you swim effortlessly in the deep oceans, ride the waves to and from the shore, if you can breathe under water and dine on the deep treasures of the seas; mark my words, those who dwell on the rocks carrying nets will try to reel you into their catch. The last thing they want is for you to thrive in your habitat because they stand in their atmosphere where they beg and gasp for some air.” ~ C. JoyBell C.

Hair: AD – bree – splash by Queue Marlowe for Analog Dog *

Skin: [:T:] Sunny / skin fair 2014 / tone 2 by Tuli Asturias for Tuli, available at Skin Fair 2014, Sim 2

Makeup: .:SF:. “Sirene” Eye Makeup – Azure/Blue by Synjari Myriam for Senzafine,, available at Genre *

Eyes: a: mermaid havila eyes: aqua by Cruelle Pennell for Adoness, available at Genre *

Mermaid outfit: !dM Undine **ELECTRIC BLUE** by Chandra Meehan for deviousMind, available at Genre *

Horns: ~*S.E.*~ Dawn Child of Proteus (Blue) by Draconias Timeless for ~*Souzou Eien*~, available at Genre *

Necklace: Eclectica Octopus Neckpiece-Turquoise by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica, available at Genre *

Earrings: Reef Earring – Blue by Augurer for Luminary, available at Genre *

Trident: [LJ] Oceanic Trident – Arista by Tala Laval for Losthaven, available at Genre *

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

Nail appliers: #adored – mermaid hand manicure by Constance Daehlie for adored, available at Genre *

Poses by Nita Bracken for Serenade

Bath: =Mirage= Mermaid Bathtub by Spooky Mistwallow for =Mirage= Arabian Treasure Company, available at Genre *

The Speakeasy

“’Flapper’— the notorious character type who bobbed her hair, smoked cigarettes, drank gin, sported short skirts, and passed her evenings in steamy jazz clubs, where she danced in a shockingly immodest fashion with a revolving cast of male suitors.” ~ Joshua Zeitz

A night out on the town for a few lovely young ladies during the Prohibition of the 1920s meant a visit to a speakeasy or “blind tiger.” Speakeasies were saloons where alcohol was sold and served illegally to men and women alike. While probably a hangout for women of a different class than the “flappers” of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s books, the speakeasy has a certain image that is nicely represented by Cory Edo’s new pub, which she is selling at FaMESHed. The bar, which includes a texture change for the stained glass window and a texture template so you can substitute your own textures, also includes separately the stools (which have various animations), and glasses and bottles, so if you fussy about your barware and libations, you can arrange them your own meticulous way. The adult version of the bar includes quite a few salacious animations for after-closing play.

I bring my speakeasy flapper to life with this darling mesh dress from Kaliope Karas, whose work I first encountered in the recent Genre. When I spoke to her, she said she liked making fashion for fun for her own role play in SL, so you can guess this dress is inspired. Being the rather literate person Kaliope is, however, she clearly researched the patterns and looks of the times and came up with this darling dress, which comes in several colors.

I embellished the look with jewelry from Tiffy Vella and this charming cloche with color change hair. The set is coordinated with the pendant on the necklace matching the brooch on the hat’s hairband, so you can pull together a rather spiffy look. Ava Grau’s sophisticated skin and piercingly green eyes from Keiba give this beauty a Scandinavian look. T-straps from Darling Monday complete this period piece.

“Here’s to alcohol, the rose colored glasses of life.” ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald

Hair and hat: Eclectica ‘Solaria’ Cloche Hat-Cyan 2 by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica *

Skin: *Glance Skins – Sigrid – April – Blonde Brows by Ava Grau for Glance Skins

Eyes: [UMEBOSHI] Ren eyes -Rainforest- by Keiba for UMEBOSHI

Dress: KaliKo Vintage – Flapper Party Dress – Teal by Kaliope Karas for KaliKo *

Jewelry: Eclectica ‘Solaria’ Necklace and Ring in Turquoise&Gold by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica *

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

Shoes: fri. – Peggy.T-Straps (Jazz) Turquoise by Darling Monday for fri.day

Pub: Trompe Loeil – Dragon & Orchid Home Pub Redwood {A} [mesh] by Cory Edo for Trompe Loeil, available at FaMESHed *

An Orchid in the Snow

“The snow doesn’t give a soft white damn whom it touches.” ~ E.E. Cummings

Monica Outlander recently put on a fashion show of epic proportions with some of her newest Black Label fashions on display. I was not able to go but I understand it was quite something and I am not surprised, because when Monica thinks, she thinks grandly and with sweeping creativity and beauty. She invited many people to participate in The Golden Thread, her show, and asked people to make artistic photos using her Black Label Fashions. I did one for the show but it’s not PG enough for the blog, so you can see it here.

One of the most beautiful pieces from the show was this dress, Shae, which is an absolutely gorgeous mesh assemblage with materials features (see the sheen on the bottom). In this gown, Monica brings romanticism to the modern by using mesh to create folds of brocade and satin and sheer taffeta in a pile up of gorgeous materials. Each detail—from the bead-decorated bodice to the buttons running down the corset to the flowers adorning the hips is attended to with loving care. This is how haute couture is supposed to work—a celebration of the senses and shapes. Monica outdid herself and truly produced a work of art.

The dress suits this new skin from Rocketta Haven. Yes, I showed it yesterday but I have to show it again today because I am absolutely smitten. The delicacy of this skin, the gentle features, the romance of the look deserves more than just a glance. Even the hands are lovely (featuring a nail applier from Sasy Scarborough perfect for the holidays). My side swept hair is MissAllSunday Lemon’s newest release, an almost wind-blown style that echoes the drama of Monica’s dress.

“Whenever she turned her steep focus to me, I felt the warmth that flowers must feel when they bloom through the snow, under the first concentrated rays of the sun.” ~ Janet Fitch, White Oleander

Hair: /Wasabi Pills/ Casey Mesh Hair – Cinnamon by MissAllSunday Lemon for Wasabi Pills *

Skin: [KOOQLA] Bisquit . Nude 02 (lb) by Rocketta Haven for Kooqla *

Eyes: .ID. November Gift 2013 #2 by Audrey Lamede for Insufferable Dastard

Dress: Miamai_BL_Shae by Monica Outlander for Miamai *

Jewelry: Eclectica ‘Enchant’ pearl earrings and necklace by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica *

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

Hand appliers: KOOQLA : Slink Appliers – Bisquit (hands) by Rocketta Haven for Kooqla *

Nail appliers:  Flair – Nail Hud Add On – Slink Avatar Enhancement – Set 192 by Sasy Scarborough for Flair *

Poses by Rogan Diesel for DieselWorks Animations *