Errer dans mon amour

“Tu te plais à me voir, sombre et désespéré,
Errer dans mon amour comme en un cimetière!”
― Émile Nelligan, Poèmes Choisis

He proposed to her with a bouquet of black roses, and she said yes. They set the date and time: November 1, midnight.

Her parents were a bit concerned—the two hadn’t known each other long. They could mark they day she had met him: she had lost the blush in her cheeks and had gone paler as the fall moved along, she began wearing everything black, including her lipstick and nails, and her perfume changed from her familiar baby powder to overripe blackberries scented with the underlying note of decaying roses. A cool air eddied about her. They invited him for dinner. He seemed an enigma: charming, handsome, and inexplicably, a vegetarian. Her mother’s pot roast languished in the kitchen as they all picked at their mashed potatoes and roll. Neither could remember a thing they had talked about but he left a good impression.

The nuptials were planned for the Angel Manor. She chose a dress she had gotten on the TAG Gacha, a rare Black Wedding dress from Chandra Meehan that included all the accessories in a beautifully-made custom mesh. The lace of the layered skirt had a subtle skull motif as did her necklace and hair ornaments. A brilliant rose arrangement, which included color-change flower sets, accompanied her veil and she carried an old-fashioned parasol. Her father was a bit uncomfortable at her bared breasts but skull shaped pasties covered the vital parts and well, the dress was certainly inexpensive as a gacha.

Thora Charron provided her beautiful hair, a flowing dark look that fell over her shoulders in romantic waves. And Tuli Asturias’ skin for Tres Chic was her look of choice, a translucent powdered skin with such flawlessness, such delicacy that the veins of blood running under her skin could almost be seen. It provided a pale contrast to her dark makeup from Constance Daehlie.

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

Skin: [:T:] Agnes / T2 / hex by Tuli Asturias for Tuli, available at Tres Chic *

Makeup: #adored – heartbreaker shadows – black and #adored – komei lipstick – inky by Constance Daehlie for #adored *

Eyes: #adored – moon eyes – coal // aby Constance Daehlie for #adored *

Lashes: .LeLutka.Kornelia lashes.02 by Thora Charron for LeLutka *

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

Dress: !dM LaCatrina **BLACK WEDDING** (BOX #12) RARE by Chandra Meehan for dM deviousMind, available for the TAG Gacha

Shoes: Glamistry : HEATHER Heels – maitreya by Glamistry for Glamistry *

Pose by Olaenka Chesnokov for oOo

Photos taken at the Angel Manor

Winter Wonderland

Sleigh bells ring
Are you listening
In the lane
Snow is glistening
A beautiful sight
We’re happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland

~ “Winter Wonderland” (this one by Bing Crosby)

I managed to squeak through Thanksgiving and Black Friday without injury and now I am in the middle track to the rest of the holidays. I have almost all my holiday gifts purchased. The cookies are baked and hidden away. The house is clean. What can I do with myself?

It’s time to receive and the generous folks at KittyCats and their friends are opening the advent calendar for yet another year. Touch down at the calendar, click on the door, and receive a gift from one of the generous KittyCat friends each day. The first gift is a KittyCats trap, a cute box for your KittyCat.

The rest of the sim has been decorated for winter enjoyment with beautiful picturesque spots for your snapshots and a great huge skating rink to enjoy alone or with a partner. I snuggled up in Kavar Cleanslate’s ingenious sweater/hair combo. The hair comes on top with the hood with a color change for hair and the hood. The dress is a separate piece that also has a color change and the special rare is the Glimmer dress. I wore the icy blue because I love it. I paired it with Babette Ultsch’s sexy off white boots, which are available at her store now (after Shoetopia). A pretty knit scarf from Rebeca Denbow keeps my neck warm. (I purchased because I can knit something like this in RL. Really!)

I went shopping the Black Friday sales for Skin Addiction and wandered into Tuli Asturias’ store and fell in love again. I think I already had this skin but I had to get it again because I still like it. Even with the changing lighting in SL, the skin holds up. The make ups seem a bit bold but I know Tuli is up to new styles and looks to be released soon. I have always been a Tuli girl.

When it snows
Ain’t it thrilling
Though your nose gets a chilling
We’ll frolic and play the Eskimo way
Walking in a winter wonderland

Walking in a winter wonderland
Walking in a winter wonderland

Hair with dress: Exile::First Snow – Dark Browns with Glimmer Dress addon RARE by Kavar Cleanslate for ::Exile::, available at The Arcade *

Skin: [:T:] Gina / sunkissed :: 02 Lagoon by Tuli Asturias for Tuli

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

Scarf: _CD_Cold Scarf Snow – by Rebeca Dembow for Candy Doll

Nails: Nailed It – Prim Nails – Medium by Giela Delpaso for Nailed It *

Boots: *KL* Boots Eve Off White by Babette Ultsch for Kitties Lair *

Poses by Valencia Southard for Marukin

First day advent gift: A.D.D. Andel! Kitty Trap!- KittyCatS Advent Gift 2013, available for FREE (a gift, duh) at the KittyCats 2013 Advent Calendar at KittyCats Winterland

Spring Layers

Spring is a time when you’re not sure what the weather will be—it might be warm, might be cold. And then you’re kind of anxious to get your summer clothes out after wearing the same sweater what seems 100 times.

This outfit from Anyusha Lillienthal is a reminder that layers can be functional AND fashionable. She puts together a long top with a ruffled bottom (cleverly made with a sculpty tight-to-the-hips), capri leggings and a denim vest. A scarf tops off the set, keeping the cool spring winds off the neck while still showing a little skin and allowing for the removal of layers as the day gets warmer. I love the funky modern print Anyusha chose. She also includes a cleverly engineered alpha layer to hide your fanny—a sort of SL Spanx—though I am not wearing it.

I haven’t worn Tuli in a while and it’s high time I did again. All the features of a beautiful Tuli skin came back to me—the perfectly drawn eyebrows, the gorgeous eyes, the sumptuous lipstick makeup layers. My glasses are a funky color-change pair from Leona Iuga. (Thanks to Daphne in Fashion Emergency for the landmark!)

Happy Spring!

Hair: >TRUTH< Courtney – fudge by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: [:T:] Zoe / sunkissed :: 04 Electric with [:T:] Zoe / sunkissed / lips :: Lilac by Tuli Asturias for Tuli *

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

Outfit: Ibizarre Neelie Dress – Nature by Anyusha Lilienthal for Ibizarre *

Glasses: -NALA-*Cruella* by Leona Iuga for –NALA-

Shoes: Ingenue :: Tallula Heels :: Chocolate by Betty Doyle for Ingenue *

Going Green

A little green is finally showing up outside. I am thrilled—it’s my favorite color.

That is why I was thrilled to get this darling green dress from LeeZu Baxter. It’s expertly drawn and sculpted with a flirty little sculpty skirt. I discovered I only wear the A/B cup accoutrements—the ribbon and bust. I love how she made the sculpted pieces and made them work for this little dress. LeeZu attends to all the details too, including the zipper up the back and the translucency of the ribbon.

I realize now I blew it and didn’t photo these terrific sandals from Siddean Munro. I have SUCH a hard time matching feet—I find it impossible. Siddean makes it incredibly easy with her HUD system. The colors match so easily and coloring nails is simple too. These new sandals are PERFECT for springtime warm weather and I bet they would do well for RP looks too like togas. (They come in several colors.)

My hair is a new one from Truth Hawks—another home run. I recently visited Mocksoup Graves’ store because I love her make-ups. They are a great overlay on many skins because they are pretty sheer and seem to fit many lip sizes. I overlaid it on Tuli Asturias’ beautiful Sara skin that also comes with great lipsticks, but I really liked this copper color from Mocksoup.

Emerald, green, chartreuse, grass, vert, jade, forest, sage, malachite, moss, pea, olive, lime, kelly—I like ‘em all. (Well not kelly so much.)

Hair: >TRUTH< Phoebie – copper by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: [:T:] Sara / sunkissed :: 03 by Tuli Asturias for Tuli *

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

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

Dress: [LeeZu!] Paradii Dress/olive by LeeZu Baxter for [LeeZu!] *

Shoes: Slink Cassia Sandals Beige by Siddean Munro for Slink *

Shorts Weather

It’s not quite shorts weather. In fact, it’s still abysmally cold outside. I have been going through my plant catalogs without a lot of enthusiasm this year because spring has been slow in coming this year. So what am I thinking wearing shorts?

Lynaja Bade has the answer with this darling outfit—wear tights with the shorts!  This serves two purposes actually—warms the legs and saves your knees from the dirt when you are kneeling down poking at your irises and carefully teasing out the old plants from last year from the tender new shoots. I love the textures in the outfit–the old-fashioned print on the blouse, the wooly tights. This outfit is dirt cheap (no pun intended) at her store right now with several other great things on sale as well.

I am wearing one of Sophia Rossen’s new shapes. I realize she includes a styling card with each shape, and my choice of skin is not the one she chose. (In fact, she gives you a whole set of information–where to get skin, eyes, and hair.) Nevertheless, it’s a fine shape with a lovely face and works well with Tuli Asturias’ newest skin, which is another home run. Is it a terrific shape or a great skin that makes me look good here? I don’t know, and does it matter because I look cute.

Poor, dear, silly Spring, preparing her annual surprise! ~ Wallace Stevens

Hair: [e] Play 2 – Red 07 by Elikapeka Tiramisu for Elikatira

Skin: [:T:] Sara / sunkissed :: 01 with [:T:] Sara / sunkissed / lips :: Coral by Tuli Asturias for Tuli *

Shape: Sophistishapes – ARIANNA bodyshape by Sophia Rossen for Sophistishapes *

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

Outfit: CONCRETE FLOWERS- BOUNCY SPRING OUTFIT by Lynaja Bade for Concrete Flowers

Boots: :Kookie:: 50L Friday – Nyox Hobbit  boots by Kookie Lemon for Kookie

Spring Flowers

It’s been horrifically cold here and we saw SNOW yesterday but my crocuses are up and the irises are in abundance, if I am just counting leaves. (The snow did not stick, incidentally. Whew.)

I am tired.. worn out by the late winter/early spring. I decided to put on something light and fresh visually to give me the spark I need right now. This drss from sunami Beck was a great choice. With its lovely flower print in a basic tank over a short slim skirt, it’s chic and light (and a bit sexy).

My skin is Tuli Asturias’ newest, a fresh greeting to spring. She has included with the fat pack different eyebrow colorations, lipsticks, cleavage options, and freckles. Tuli is really understanding what women want and bringing her sophisticated beautiful look to this new set. My jewelry is from two places—Felicity Winslet, whose Mariposa brand is now defunct and Polly Pavlova and Maximillion Grant of Logo. While Max makes skins, Polly does jewelry, and she replicates RL pieces she has made in-world. I loved comboing the two sets of jewelry—I liked both pieces too much to not show one or the other.

April is a promise that May is bound to keep.  ~ Hal Borland

Hair: **Dura**Treasure Hunt(Black)resize by chiaki Xue for Dura *

Skin: [:T:] Sara / sunkissed :: 04 with [:T:] Sara / sunkissed / lips :: Nude by Tuli Asturias for Tuli *

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

Dress: Emery – Dress Kezno [Tdrb] by sunami Beck for Emery

Necklace and earrings: Mariposa: Simplicity: Onyx (Necklace Short) and Mariposa: Simplicity: Onyx Earrings by Felicity Winslet for Mariposa (no longer available)

Necklace and bracelet: LOGO Stone Chip Necklace Onyx and LOGO Stone Chip Bracelet Onyx by Polly Pavlova and Maximillion Grant for LOGO

Shoes: Maitreya Gold – Aequus Champagne by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Heaven

Heaven heaven
Can you feel it? Can you feel it?
Heaven heaven

The rhythm of wheels the rhythm of heels
That we fall into the sun
She walk on silver she walk on gold

We are still watching the Fashion for Life totals slowly tick up due to the generosity of some designers who continue to sell their exclusive pieces on behalf of the American Cancer Society. Geryn Sloane is one of those very generous individuals. She has been an ardent supporter of the cause, both with her beautiful creations and with her enthusiastic attitude. She is not a huge name in SL; she is not making tons of money (though she could use it), yet she generously gives to RFL and Fashion for Life of her time and energy—she is an unsung hero. Her fashions are glamorous and colorful with touches of sexiness (like the low cut back on this dress—woohoo!).

I wear with a gorgeous skin from Tuli Asturias, who seems to be remaking her older skins and adding all sorts of glorious add ons. Hair is a newish curly style from Truth Hawks, who seems to have the market on sexy waves in SL. Jewelry is an older set from Tiffy Vella, who is expanding her repertoire to shoes and gloves now. She does amazing work!

Written while listening to “Always Loved a Film” by Underworld

Hair: >TRUTH< RiRi – strawberry by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH<*

Skin: [:T:] Zoe / sunkissed :: 02 Purity with [:T:] Zoe / sunkissed / brows :: Honey and [:T:] Zoe / sunkissed / lips :: Amethyst by Tuli Asturias for Tuli *

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

Dress: ***FFL Exclusive*** GSC Your Sin by Geryn Sloane for G SLOANE COUTURE *

Jewelry: Eclectica_Jazz_purple paisley_long beads and Eclectica_Jazz_purple paisley_Bangles_l by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica *

Shoes: Maitreya Verve Violet2 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Spoiled

Now, you probably think I get a lot of swag. I do get a good share, but not always. Fashion for Life nearly broke me. I don’t think I have ever seen my linden balance this low. I was spoiled by choice not by gifts. (If you ever wonder what I have received as a gift and what I have purchased myself, everything with “*” behind it was given to me, as stated in my “About”.)

There were so many freakin’ fantastic things at Fashion for Life—many of them exclusives—I couldn’t help myself as I was.. you know.. inspecting the sims and stuff. Turns out some of these designers have generously placed their donation vendors at their own stores, so I can still show you these items and you can still grab them at the stores (and do some other shopping because, frankly, some of these these designers are undiscovered gems). All funds will still go to Relay for Life’s general fund; all are directly given to the American Cancer Society.

Take this darling outfit from Zaira Pelazzi. It’s simply system pieces—a jacket, top, and pants—but it’s so nicely done it doesn’t need anything else. Zaira is a new designer on the scene, offering items 199L or below—simple system pieces without a lot of elaborate adornment. For the avatar on a budget (uh, like me right now), her stuff is a great choice. (She offers men’s too.)

The boots are another budget winner from Renee Harvy. I love Renee’s work and her spirit. She offers great shoes and boots at a very winning price—usually about 25L a pair. How can you beat that?! Her items are not elaborate—no menus or color changers or fancy toes. But sometimes all you need are a pair of cute pink boots without all the bells and whistles.

Pick up both these items at their stores and give the American Cancer Society a little love.

My skin is a beauty from Tuli Asturias with lipstick. I know I have not shown Tuli a lot lately, and it’s not been fun because I love Tuli’s work. This includes the great lipstick layer that makes this pink outfit pop. My sexy streaked hair is from Truth Hawks.

My jewelry is a punch of couture candy from Dita Tran. It seems like too much when you put it on, but once you’ve outfitted yourself, you find out that it is the over-the-top that completes this outfit. This jewelry actually makes sense from a woman like Dita, who is, like this jewelry, bold and fun.

If you need reminding about why it’s important to give to the American Cancer Society, listen to this week’s podcast from The Moth—the comedian Anthony Griffith speaking about the death of his daughter from cancer.

Hair: >TRUTH< Priscilla Streaked – chestnut by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: [:T:] Zoe / sunkissed :: 03 Discotheque with [:T:] Zoe / sunkissed / lips :: Magenta by Tuli Asturias for Tuli *

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

Outfit: ***FFL Exclusive*** Oblivious – Trilogy- 3pc set by Zaira Pelazzi for Oblivious

Jewelry: FuLo Versace Jewelry by Dita Tran for Fulo *

Boots: ***FFL Exclusive*** ::Duh!:: Silk Floral Booties – Rose by Renee Harvy for ::Duh!:: *

<3 Brina

The Eyes Have It

The eyes are the window to the soul. ~ English Proverb

For a while now I have been wearing eyes that I mysteriously tell people were a gift given to me. My eyes, up until now, have not been for sale on the grid, though a select few people have them. I am very lucky to be one of them. What was once my unique privilege will now be available to everyone.  Ikon Innovia, a professional graphic artist, has been developing these eyes for quite a while and is finally releasing his first sets at Fashion for Life.

To say that Ikon has done exhaustive research on this would be an understatement. He reviewed the placement of eyes in SL, reviewed hundreds of photos of RL eyes, reviewed the movement, the shadowing, the shape. He reviewed the eyes on over 30 different shapes, male and female, and set them against dozens of skins. From the development of the irises to the work on the sclera, Ikon has tweaked each part of the eye with his critical exactitude–for months. Each iteration he has presented to me has been more beautiful than the last. He has finally, blessedly, stopped tweaking and put them out for sale.

And what does it mean to have eyes like this? Early in my time in SL, someone gave me the sage advice that well-done eyes make the look—they are the most important accessory–and I have always followed this rule. People rarely *notice* them but they add the humanness and beauty that makes the avatar perfect. I can’t emphasize enough how important eyes really are to giving an avatar soul. Overbright eyes, oversized eyes, washed-out, pale eyes, and flat eyes all ruin an avatar’s look subtly. Once I received Ikon’s eyes, I never wanted to wear another pair. I have always felt my avatar and photos were enhanced by Ikon’s eyes.

Ikon has carefully developed his eyes so they look realistic from all angles—looking up, looking down, looking to the side as well as looking ahead. He has developed saturation levels in the eyes so that you can go from bright color-washed eyes to an intense tone. (He knows my preference is for a darker tone rather than the washed-out or oversaturated eyes I see so many wearing.) He has made them in several iris sizes so they fit your avatar just right.

After months, nay YEARS, of Harper in his IM box nagging him, Ikon is finally off the hook and I can share his wonderful talent with all of you. Please come to his opening at the Fashion for Life and then keep coming back again and again when he opens his store.

Photo 1:

• Hair: ::DBS::Mona-black by DBS Heart for Bishwear, FFL Store Sponsor on the Irving Penn sim
• Skin: *League* Amber Br Sunkiss -Angel- by Nena Janus for League
• Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Egyptian Blue (M) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM, FFL Store Sponsor on the Bourke White sim

Photo 2:

• Hair:  [e] Melody – Brown 04 by Elikapeka Tiramisu for Elikatira, Sim Sponsor for the Bourke White sim at Fashion for Life
• Skin: LaVie Hope  Autumn Glory Normal #5 [H] by Pompeja Rossini for LaVie, FFL Store Sponsor on the Ansel Adams sim
• Eyes:FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Silver&Blue 3 (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM, FFL Store Sponsor on the Bourke White sim

Photo 3:

• Hair: harper copper by Queue Marlowe for Analog Dog
• Skin: [:T:] Eva / sunkissed / br :: 04 Meadow with [:T:] Eva / sunkissed / lips :: Coral by Tuli Asturias for Tuli
• Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Deep Green (ML) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM, FFL Store Sponsor on the Bourke White sim

Photo 4:

• Hair: !VA! Crazy Horse-noir by Tabata Jewell for Vanity Hair, FFL Store Sponsor on the Mapplethorpe sim
• Skin: LOGO Infinity Divine Skin – Fashion For Life Special Edition by Maximillion Grant for LOGO, VIP Sponsor and FFL Store Sponsor on the Helmut Newton sim
• Eyes: FASHISM ‘Sunrise’ Eyes – Silver&Rust 3 (M) by Ikon Innovia for FASHISM, FFL Store Sponsor on the Bourke White sim

Enchantment

Just around the corner in every woman’s mind – is a lovely dress, a wonderful suit, or entire costume which will make an enchanting new creature of her.  ~Wilhela Cushman

When I first got to SL, I didn’t quite get the whole point of weddings in SL. I got partnership (mostly but that’s a whole other story, considering my partner is a friend only), I understood ball gowns, but the whole wedding thing I didn’t quite grasp. When I thought about it, though, there is something truly fantasy-based about weddings too, and if in your real life you were unable to have the big blow-out, huge-dress, 10 attendants, bridezilla, ice-sculpture wedding you always wanted, you can have it here (and it doesn’t cost quite as much).

Monica Outlander has tapped into that spirit with a set of bridal dresses she recently released. Taking her beautiful design expertise from her gorgeous evening gowns and applying it to bridal gowns was a no-brainer and she offers a line that has something for everyone. I chose this dress because of its traditional full-blown silhouette—the huge skirt, the draped fabrics around the waist, the enormous headpiece—it’s wedding theater at its finest.

I wear a fresh skin from Tuli Asturias with another lip gloss from Mocksoup Graves. I am really enjoying playing with these lip and eyeshadow colors from Mocksoup. How else could I make myself look more like myself than by adding the lip color I like that is not a Tuli color so I look just a wee bit different from other Tuli girls.

My necklace was made by Alienbear Gupte and was her contribution for the RFL Clothing Fair. If you look closely at it, you can be appropriately blown away by the intricacy of the design and the beauty of the textures. Alienbear is one of SL’s premier jewelers.

Alienbear will be participating in this year’s Fashion for Life as a VIP Sponsor. You will be hearing more and more from me in this blog about that event, which I am running. Lots is going on behind the scenes, all of it absolutely amazing. We have had unbelievable generosity from incredible designers like Alienbear who have chosen to up their sponsorship for this event so that more money goes directly to the American Cancer Society. Soon I will start cross blogging for that event with the Fashion for Life website so you can hear more about all these amazing designers.

“Distrust any enterprise that requires new clothes.”  ~Henry David Thoreau, Walden (Yeah, only a bachelor who lives in the woods would say that.)

Hair: >TRUTH< Tina – blood by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *

Skin: [:T:] Eva / sunkissed / br :: 01 Bare by Tuli Asturias for Tuli

Makeup: M.O.C.K Cosmetics Tall Poppy Lip Gel (Lipcolor only) by Mocksoup Graves for *M.O.C.K cosmetics* *

Dress: Miamai Wedding Collection_Arielle by monica Outlander for Miamai *

Necklace: Sakura Heart Necklace RFL10 special by Alienbear Gupte for Alienbear Designs