Cool Girl

No, let’s not put a label on it
Let’s keep it fun
We don’t put a label on it
So we can run free, yeah
I wanna be free like you

~ “Cool Girl” by Tove Lo

I went over to the West of the Rain for a cool summer day scene with poses from Katya Valeska for Shiny Shabby. I started with a new top from Doc Eldritch that includes some fabulous colors and a beautiful texture. Doc makes all his mesh from scratch and custom fits it to mesh bodies so it’s perfect every time. I paired it with shorts I got from Kinu Mayako at Thrift Shop that includes a HUD to allow different parts of the shorts to be switched out. Criss-crossed platforms from Darling Monday’s sale make this a sexy casual look.

A trip to Shiny Shabby will also make you a cool girl. Start with Umazuma Metaluna’s gorgeous skin from Shiny Shabby, an applier for Catwa heads, which I am showing on the Destiny head. With gorgeous eyes from Lilanachristina and a unique necklace set from Aikeo Reiko for Shiny Shabby, the look is fabulous. I love the smooth long look from Vivienmarli for Shiny Shabby as well, a simple and easy ‘do for a casual freedom.

Hair: .Entwined. Grace by VivienMarli for [Entwined], available at Shiny Shabby *

Skin applier: [theSkinnery] Werra (Catwa Applier) mocca by Umazuma Metaluna for [theSkinnery], available at Shiny Shabby *

Mesh head: CATWA HEAD Destiny V4.9 by Catwa Clip for CATWA *

Eyes: LOTUS. Devotion Eyes – 5 by lilanachristina for LOTUS, available at Shiny Shabby *

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

Top: DE Designs – Sara Cami – Maitreya by Doc Eldritch for DE Designs *

Shorts: [ SAKIDE ] NIomei Shorts Classic MAITREYA by Kinu Mayako for [ SAKIDE ], available at the Thrift Shop *

Necklaces: :[P]:- Lucretze Necklace [Choker]:// Golden and :[P]:- Lucretze Necklace [Short]:// Golden by Aikea Rieko for The Plastik, available at Shiny Shabby *

Bracelet: [Kotolier] ClassicLeatherBraid Bracelet [01] by Kotori Skytower for [Kotolier], available at Creators Collection Box

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

Shoes: fri. – Olivia.Sandals (Mint) by Darling Monday for fri.day

Poses: an lar [poses] The Kayelle Series by Katya Valeska for an lar, available at Shiny Shabby *

Taken at West of the Rain

Ophelia

Oh, Ophelia
Heaven help the fool who falls in love

~ “Ophelia” by the Lumineers

 

Shiny Shabby just opened again and there is everything there for a completely chic and new outfit for the fashionistas among you. Start with this sexy asymmetrical collection from FabulousAndTrendy, a new creator with 100% original mesh products. Available in separates, the skirt, bra top and chic belted blazer add up to an elegant but provocative look. Paired with Sigifaust’s nature-inspired jewelry and sexy platform sandals from Senzati0n Domenitzo, and you have high watt fashion.

Inka Mexicola is offering this absolutely gorgeous applier for LeLutka heads at Shiny Shabby, available with the dark brow or no brow on the applier. VivienMarli’s sleek and straight side-pulled hair completes this sophisticated look, all of it gotten at the new Shiny Shabby.

Hair: .Entwined. Nia by VivienMarli for [Entwined], available at Shiny Shabby *

Skin applier: HUD Essences [Vera] #Medium01 [Lelutka Applier] by Inka Mexicola for Essences, available at Shiny Shabby *

Mesh head: LeLutka Karin HUD 1.3 by JadenArt for LeLutka *

Eyes: .ID. Cosmic Eyes / Dark Brown by Audrey Lamede for Insufferable Dastard

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

Jacket: Yumi Single Sleeve Blazer Maitreya by FabulousAndTrendy for F.A.T., available at Shiny Shabby *

Top: Yumi Bra Maitreya by FabulousAndTrendy for F.A.T., available at Shiny Shabby *

Skirt: Yumi Skirt Maitreya by FabulousAndTrendy for F.A.T., available at Shiny Shabby *

Jewelry: ieQED seed.jewelry by Sigifaust for ieQED, available at Shiny Shabby *

Shoes: Essenz – Salvador (All colors) Maitreya by Senzati0n Domenitzo for Essenz, available at Shiny Shabby *

Poses by Di Hoorenbeek for Di’s Opera

Star Crossed Lover

I’ve been stung by a star seed honey
He shone love like a lightning honey
I been hit by a star seed honey
His love burns like a lightning honey
I’m right here I’m your star crossed lover
I lie here like a starless lover
I’ll die here as your phantom lover
I never learn, I never learn

~ “I Never Learn” by Lykke Li

Callie told me the So caL sim was recently redone by Beloved Ruby, who is quite a talented artist, so I went over and Callie was right. The sim is gorgeous—picturesque and beautifully laid out. I’ll be coming back to take more photos! This sexy dress from Numer0Un0 that he made for Shiny Shabby stood out with its great textures and cutouts. The dress I wore was marked as “beta” for fit and I would say there might me a few problems, easily fixed with shape changes. For example, I upped the love handles to get the waist to expand the rigged dress enough to skim my waist without cutting in. I paired sexy heels from Hilly Haalan with the look. Hilly always offers a ginormous selection of colors on a HUD with all her items so you can swap out colors and match things up perfectly. I love it! I accessorized with gacha bracelets from Ors Quan for Shiny Shabby and Lapointe and Bastchild’s earrings for 100 Block.

My long hair is a lovely, pulled-to-the-side look from VivienMarli for Shiny Shabby. Monicuzza Babenco has made another spectacular applier for Shiny Shabby, and I splurged and got the new Aisha head from Catwa Clip to feature it. I am glad that Catwa decided to separate out the expressions, mouth styles, and talk features to decrease the pricing. It was too hard deciding to scratch up the money to get the new heads with features I rarely used simply to blog skins for my favorite designers. With features broken out, I could get both of the new heads and the add-on lip styles without worrying about paying for features I never used. The price was much more palatable for my needs. It also allows fans to dabble with the heads without getting in over their heads.

Hair: .Entwined. Hannah by VivienMarli for [Entwined], available at Shiny Shabby *

Skin applier: *YS&YS* Malika Tone03 Skin Applier – Catwa Mesh Head by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS&YS*, available at Shiny Shabby *

Mesh head: CATWA HEAD Aisha V4.9 by Catwa Clip for CATWA

Eyes: [theSkinnery] Sona eyes – 1 by Umazuma Metaluna for [theSkinnery] *

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

Dress: N-Uno – Vika Dress // Maitreya – Beta / Pink by Numer0Un0 for N-Uno, available at Shiny Shabby *

Bracelets: MINIMAL – Berry Bracelet *1* Gold, MINIMAL – Berry Bracelet *2* Silver, and MINIMAL – Berry Bracelet *3* Silver by Ors Quan for MINIMAL, available at Shiny Shabby *

Earrings: L&B Triskelion Hoop Earring by BastChild Lotus and Paul Lapointe for Lapointe and Bastchild, available at the 100 Block *

Shoes: [hh] Millie Plastix Plains MAITREYA by Hilly Haalan for Hilly Haalan *

Poses by Valencia Southard for Marukin

Taken  at So caL, designed by Beloved Ruby

Manhattan Avenue

Oh but dreams come true on
Manhattan Avenue

~ “Manhattan Avenue” by Nellie McKay

The setting for this grouping of furniture from the RFL Home & Garden Expo and the first anniversary Shiny Shabby is deep in the city with Nellie McKay’s satin voice. Stephen came over and gave me a tutorial in color theory in decorating, starting with the deep purple sofa and chairs Victor Newchurch made as his donation items for the Expo. With yogjio’s deco fireplace as the centerpiece and Tess Spargel’s mirror over the mantle (both donation items), we accessorized with Piraiyah Novikov’s glamorous pieces for his gacha at the Expo. I clothed the windows with the city view with curtains from Piraiyah for Shiny Shabby (which I tinted slightly), and I topped the mantle with finials from Elsa Wellesley’s gacha at Shiny Shabby. Kaerri Rae makes some of the most beautiful flower arrangements in SL, and this orchid is one of her donation items for the Expo. (She also happens to be one of the hard-working organizers, with her partner Cain Maven and bestie Reven Rosca, for the Expo). I thought Synnaria Vlodovic’s gothic chandelier with purple roses might add a kind of a eclectic addition to the décor.

My Manhattan cosmopolitan might be dressed up for a night out in Hilly Haalan’s sexy mini with a color change HUD that allows me to tint the main dress a blackberry with fuchsia insets and pink studs. The one dress could provide hundreds of combos with such versatility. My jewelry is Mea Carnell’s contribution to Cosmopolitan Room, studded with rhinestones. Senzati0n Domenitzo’s sexy shoes for Shiny Shabby complete my look.

Monicuzza Babenco has created a gorgeous applier for the Catwa mesh heads for Shiny Shabby this round, and I spent some time messing with eye makeup and lipstick to make this look. VivienMarli’s beautiful and barely controlled tumble of curls gives a wildness to this chic Manhattanite’s sexy look.

Hair: .Entwined. Lena by VivienMarli for [Entwined], available at Shiny Shabby *

Mesh head: CATWA HEAD Annie V4.5 by Catwa Clip for CATWA

Skin appliers: *YS&YS* Ariel Tone02 Skin Applier – Catwa Mesh Head by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS&YS*, available at Shiny Shabby *

Eyes: L’Etre – Mesh Eyes [#38] by dam1710 for L’Etre

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

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

Jewelry: Meva Cubes Collar Iron with Meva Cubes Bangle Iron by Mea Carnell for Meva, available at the Cosmopolitan Room *

Shoes: Essenz – Congo (Maitreya) by Senzati0n Domenitzo for Essenz, available at Shiny Shabby *

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

Décor:

• :: N :: Etheria Sofa, Relay (1.1) by Victor Newchurch for NEWCHURCH, available at RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• :: N :: Etheria Chair, Relay by Victor Newchurch for NEWCHURCH, available at RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• NOMAD // 05 // Gilded Gold Table by Piraiyah Novikov for NOMAD, available at RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• NOMAD // A // Antique Palm Tree Lamp // RARE by Piraiyah Novikov for NOMAD, available at RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• NOMAD // 06 // Gilded Gold Room Divider by Piraiyah Novikov for NOMAD, available at RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• RFL Orchid Vase by Kaerri Rae for Kaerri, available at RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• Bocas Belle Mirror by Tess Spargel for Spargel & Shine Homes, available at the RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• Sanctuary Darque Decor~Iron Rose Chandelier in Purple by Synnaria Vlodovic for Sanctuary, available at RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• NOMAD // Beige Satin Curtain by Piraiyah Novikov for NOMAD, available at Shiny Shabby *
• [Schultz Bros.]  Deco Fireplace – Black by yogijo for [Schultz Bros.], available at RFL Home & Garden Expo *
• llorisen // finial d by Elsa Wellesley for llorisen, available at Shiny Shabby *
• llorisen // finial a by Elsa Wellesley for llorisen, available at Shiny Shabby *
• llorisen // finial b with books by Elsa Wellesley for llorisen, available at Shiny Shabby *
• llorisen // finial c by Elsa Wellesley for llorisen, available at Shiny Shabby *
• llorisen // finial e by Elsa Wellesley for llorisen, available at Shiny Shabby *

Sharpness

Every day is the day that you save me
Light into darkness
Cut on the sharpness of you

~ “Sharpness” by Jamie Woon

This is one of my latest favoritist songs so gotta feature it as a title for the blog. It’s a sexy smooth song that goes well with this sexy smooth look that shows off the dress Flutter Memel is featuring at N21, a slinky sexy latex piece that comes in several colors and is fit to the Slink bodies or standard sizing. (Medium fit my Maitreya just fine.) With materials, it has an otherworldly sheen that goes above and beyond your normal latex. I accessorized with bracelets from Druunah Esherham, thanks to Pixy who sent them to me after I jammed quite a bit of linden into the gacha trying to get these. Shoes from Diamanda Allen, featured at Cosmopolitan, add the final bit of glitz to my look with a texture change for the ankle strap and the studs.

Monicuzza Babenco has made another one of her delicious appliers for the LeLutka heads for the Shiny Shabby event, and I opted to use the Karin head this time, mixing and matching eye shadows and lipsticks until I came upon a look I liked. I love Monicuzza’s appliers—they give you a lot of bang for your linden and her textures are beautifully done for mesh heads. One of VivienMarli’s lovely sleek hairs for Shiny Shabby completes my look. It comes with a great texture change HUD.

Hair: [Entwined] January by VivienMarli for [Entwined], available at Shiny Shabby *

Mesh head: .LeLutka.Mesh Head-KARIN v1.3 by JadenArt for LeLutka *

Skin applier: *YS&YS* Belinda Tone02 Skin Applier – Lelutka Mesh Head by Monicuzza Babenco for*YS&YS*, available at Shiny Shabby *

Eyes: .ID. Attraction Eyes #8 by Audrey Lamede for Insufferable Dastard, available at The Men’s Dept

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

Dress: Stories&Co. by Flowey / Valerie Dress – Fatpack Latex by Flutter Memel for Flowey, available at N21 *

Bracelets: .a. Arius {Crimson} by Druunah Esharham for .aisling

Shoes: G&D Shoes Ronda v1 Red by Diamanda Allen for G&D Shoes, available at the Cosmopolitan Room

Poses by Rogan Diesel for DieselWorks Animations *

Peace

Peace – that was the other name for home. ~ Kathleen Norris

Some of my friends in SL travel a lot in RL, for work or pleasure, and they have told me that the stability a home base in SL provides for them means more than they expected. Sitting in a hotel room, using the crappy wifi, sometimes it’s a balm to log in and see your comfy sofa and favorite art on the wall, right where you left it. I arranged a comfortable room with furnishings from Shiny Shabby. Some are gacha, like the great pieces from Kunst Himmel and the sofas and pieces from Marinestella and Serab, and some are just pieces you can purchase without chancing it, like Colleen Desmoulin’s sofa and mirror. Amazingly, they all fit together.

I wore a boho elegant outfit, pairing a translucent top from Poulet Koenkamp that includes a lovely set of textures and a great sheerness, with jeans from Paul Lapointe and Bastchild Lotus. These flares have been out a while but Paul has reconfigured the mesh to fit the Maitreya Lara body, and they fit like a glove, especially with the perfect L&B ass. I wore Aikea Reiko’s lovely jewelry for Shiny Shabby and new shoes from Senzati0n Domenitzo that she is, omg no, featuring in her own store and not at an event!

I have put Aleida Rhode’s Omega applier for the Devine II skin on the Logo head here and damn if it doesn’t look just spectacular. I think some skins with Omega appliers are not meant for the Logo head—the brows don’t extend far enough, the lips look overblown. With this skin, it’s perfect. Brown eyes from Ikon Innovia from Shiny Shabby and VivienMarli’s sleek long hair finish a beautiful look at home with this beautiful furniture.

Hair: [Entwined] Lana by VivienMarli for [Entwined], available at Shiny Shabby *

Mesh head: LOGO Infinity Alex Omega Hybrid Mesh by Maximillion Grant for LOGO *

Skin applier: Elysium – Devine II skin – Maitreya applier – medium by Aleida Rhode for Elysium *

Eyes: IKON Triumph Eyes  – Loam by Ikon Innovia for IKON, available at Shiny Shabby *

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

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

Top: :: PM :: Anika Blouse -all colors- Translucids by Poulet Koenkamp for PurpleMoon Creations *

Jeans: L&B Swear (*Fitted* Lara) “Flare Candy” Jeans by BastChild Lotus and Paul Lapointe for Lapointe and Bastchild *

Jewelry: :[P]:- Ladae Necklace and Earring and :[P]:- Byatrix Bracelet:// Neva (Abalone Lim. Ed.) by Aikea Rieko for Plastik, available at Shiny Shabby *

Shoes: Essenz – Bologna (Maitreya) by Senzati0n Domenitzo for Essenz *

Décor:

The Loft – Ezra set by Colleen Desmoulins for The Loft, available at Shiny Shabby *

• The Loft – Ezra Mirror Black
• The Loft – Ezra Sofa Black PG

[Toiz] Homme set gacha (Shiny shabby) by Marinestella for Toiz, available at Shiny Shabby *

• [Toiz] Homme fan
• [Toiz] Homme can pot
• [Toiz] Homme Newspaper

[ kunst ] – Rustic Autumn Gacha / bloggers & friends by Kunst Himmel for [ kunst ], available at Shiny Shabby *

• .01 [ kunst ] – Potted tree RARE
• .03 [ kunst ] – Rustic candle holder #1
• .04 [ kunst ] – Rustic candle holder #2
• .05 [ kunst ] – Jar wall lamp
• .06 [ kunst ] – Pot #1
• .08 [ kunst ] – Pot #3

Concept} Jacob Collection – Fat Pack – Bloggers by Serab for Concept}, available at Shiny Shabby *

• Concept}12.  Jacob>> Sofa BLACK – PG –  RARE
• Concept}09.  Jacob>> Pots dark
• Concept}02.  Jacob>> Coffee Table Wood
• Concept}14.  Jacob>> Couch Black-  PG  – RARE

Sasha

“But Sasha was from Russia, where the sunsets are longer, the dawns less sudden and sentences are often left unfinished from doubt as how to best end them.” ~ Virginia Woolf

Shiny Shabby opened yesterday with a Russian theme. There are matryoshka dolls, Soviet propaganda posters, folk art designs and costumes, and a lot of vodka (thanks, Kunst). I made me think about what Russia means to me, and all I could think of were the White Nights and the persistence of the KGB that my grad school friend Alexei told me about when we would stay up eating potato pancakes he made and talking about his life in St. Petersburg. And then I thought about Oleg, the very loud Russian Jew who worked a few cubicles down from me, talking in Hebrew and Russian with the elderly people we were interviewing at our job, nearly yelling as they nearly yelled in return. Or I might think of Loreen Aldrin’s (RL Olga Zee—you must click it!) absolutely gorgeous voice and her songs when she performs in SL (join her group here where she gives away a free song every month).

The creators have outdone themselves with the Shiny and the Shabby. Pieces from Monlmanl’s gacha, a folksy dress with embroidery, kerchief and rose (and an apron with a texture-change HUD. Cari McKeenan made this lovely headpiece that has a menu with several colors for the flowers. SigiFaust made a set of rings that she has fashioned to fit several popular mesh hands with beautiful Russian-inspired textures. And Rucy Byron’s amazing boots with their incredible textures and mesh-work complete my Sasha’s look.

I spent a lot of time trying on different hair colors from VivienMarli’s long locks for Shiny Shabby and finally struck upon this apricot-blond as a perfect color, reminiscent of a dream of a spring in the steppes maybe. And Monicuzza has fashioned a beguiling skin for the event that includes several brow tones, which is what made the look complete. I found the blonde was just perfect with this skin tone and the lips are beautifully rendered with a sprinkling of freckles across the nose.

 

Hair: [Entwined] Lana by VivienMarli for [Entwined], available at Shiny Shabby *

Skin: *YS & YS* Irina Tone 02 – 04 Vintage with *YS&YS* – Irina Tone02  Eyebrows Light by Monicuzza Babenco for *YS&YS*, available at Shiny Shabby *

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

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.2 by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Dress: *_M.birdie Story_* Matryoshka look clothing4 by monlmanl for *M.birdie, available at Shiny Shabby *

Headband: LB_LotusHeadband{WithMenu} by Cari McKeenan for Little Branch, available at Shiny Shabby *

Neckerchief: *_M.birdie Story_* Matryoshka look handkerchief 1-6 by monlmanl for *M.birdie, available at Shiny Shabby *

Rings: ieQED irina.ring.set.all.left [MAITREYA 20 – relaxed] by Sigifaust for ieQED, available at Shiny Shabby *

Boots: !APHORISM! Glastonbury Boots – Chestnut by Rucy Byron for !APHORISM!, available at Shiny Shabby *

Poses by Olaenka Chesnokov for oOo Studio *