You Cannot Hide

“You cannot hide in a hat; you will be noticed, especially by men. To men, you become a lady when you don a hat–one who they rush to open doors for. To women, you become an inspiration, reminding them that they have a closet full of hats they have not had the courage to wear.” ~ Unknown

A woman in a hat is a glorious thing and highly unusual nowadays. I am showing a bunch of hats today from three designers participating in Art for Hats, opening November 4. Each is throwing a portion of their sales to the American Diabetes Association. I wore Mami Jewell’s newest elegant gown with all its finery to balance the magnificence of the hats I am showing, including a veiled vintage piece from Sonatta Morales in the top photo. Elegant stiletto pumps from Glamistry are the perfect accompaniment to this high style look.

Sascha Frangilli is donating proceeds from three hats for the event, including this high bouquet of white lilies. It may be perfect for a wedding look.

This sculpture of sticks and berries is also from Sascha Frangilli and creates a beautiful organic silhouette.

Sonatta Morales is donating proceeds from this artistic pearl-studded piece (with a pearl teardrop below the eye).

And Wicca Merlin has created this Marie Antoinette ship sailing top hat for both men and women as well as this futuristic sculpture that includes a great texture change HUD for the grid, flaps, helmet and gems.

Finding hair to wear with hats is not easy but Thora Charron has recently come out with a hairbase applier for the LeLutka mesh heads and a set of ponytails which are ideals for most hats and also for a sleek look. Monicuzza Babenco has created a gorgeous high-fashion makeup palette for her LeLutka appliers, available at Shiny Shabby.

Hair: .Lelutka.Pony Dash.FIT by Thora Charron for LeLutka *

Hairbase appliers: .LeLutka.Rosamund hairbase HUD.Set 03 by Thora Charron for LeLutka *

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

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

Eyes: {S0NG} :: Sugar~ Abyss Eye by Funeral Plutonian for {S0NG}

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

Dress: -AZUL- Julie/Onyx by Mami Jewell for –AZUL- *

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

Poses by Olaenka Chesnokov for oOo *

Hats:

• Sonatta Morales *8* Dory hat by Sonatta Morales for Sonatta Morales, available at Art in Hats (opening November 4)
• Sonatta Morales *8* Donna hat by Sonatta Morales for Sonatta Morales, available at Art in Hats (opening November 4)

• Wicca’s Wardrobe – Endeavour Hat [Unisex] by Wicca Merlin for Wicca’s Wardrobe, available at Art in Hats (opening November 4)
• Wicca’s Wardrobe – Phaedra Headpiece [Unisex] by Wicca Merlin for Wicca’s Wardrobe, available at Art in Hats (opening November 4)

• SAS – Perpetual Black Hat (Mesh) by Sascha Frangilli for Sascha’s Designs, available at Art in Hats (opening November 4)
• SAS – LulaBella Black Hat (Mesh) by Sascha Frangilli for Sascha’s Designs, available at Art in Hats (opening November 4)
• SAS – LulaBella White Hat (Mesh) by Sascha Frangilli for Sascha’s Designs, available at Art in Hats (opening November 4)

Dancing with Myself

I know the city,
Light some fire,
Turn me on my head
Street lights are singing
Turn it up tonight,
I’m dancing with myself
Turn it up tonight, I’m dancing
Turn it up tonight, I’m dancing
Turn it up tonight, I’m dancing
Turn it up tonight, I’m dancing
Turn it up tonight, I’m dancing with myself

~ “Dancing with Myself” by The Knocks

I’m dancing with myself because of this darling new dress from Wicca Merlin. Wicca uses premade templates but makes them smashing fashion with her awesome sense of patterns and color. In this case, a graphic design matched with complimentary piping makes this dress spark. Matched with sky high sandals from Senzati0n Domenitzo and a gorgeous statement piece necklace from AvaGardner Kungler, both from On9, and this is a look that should make anyone dance.

Aleida Rhode has released this beautiful skin at AnyBody. She includes appliers for nearly everything conceivable including the Maitreya body and yes, the LeLutka head. (Lest you are all wondering, LeLutka has approved a number of designers to make appliers for their heads as listed here. Not all have come out with appliers yet, but keep your eyes open. They will!) Shylah Honey made this fabulous short cut for fashion-conscious girls for the Dark Style Fair. I love the movement in the locks and the great faux mohawk cut.

Hair: *~*Damselfly*~*Nima Non-Rig Mesh by Shylah Honey for *~*Damselfly*~*, available at The Dark Style Fair *

Mesh head: .LeLutka.Mesh Head-KARIN v1.1 by JadenArt for LeLutka *

Skin applier (for LeLutka and Maitreya): Elysium – Iman skin by Aleida Rhode for Elysium, available at AnyBody *

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

Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – HUD V3.3 Lara by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya

Dress: Wicca’s Wardrobe – Prisilla Dress [pink] by Wicca Merlin for Wicca’s Wardrobe *

Necklace: (Kunglers Extra) Damiana necklace – Turquoise by AvaGardner Kungler for Kunglers Extra, available at On9 *

Nail applier: {Wicked} Peach – Mani/Pedi -Spring Basics Maitreya by Autumn Amaranth for Wicked Peach

Shoes: Essenz – Sacramento by Senzati0n Domenitzo for Essenz, available at On9 *

Poses by Olaenka Chesnokov for oOo *

Holiday Melody—KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar, Day 15

“Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.” ~ Confucius

For some, the soul of the Christmas holiday is music. First there are the carols, then the plays and performances, the “Messiah,” the Nutcracker, and the general celebrations with wine and song. My wall décor is a perfect reminder. Today’s gift in the KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar, this great wall candle set from Colleen Desmoulins gives a small glow to your home and brings song to your home. Colleen made it in two versions: a black iron and a more rustic distressed metal so you can accessorize your home to your pleasure. What a beautiful piece!

I put on this party dress from Wicca Merlin, made especially for the holidays, complete with materials in the textures, to celebrate. Wicca has taken a template mesh dress and done some great things with it, including adding small accessories that I don’t show here. She even includes gloves with Slink hand appliers.

My skin is Shyla Diggs; gorgeous new skin for The Liaison Collaborative. With thin arched brows, a beautifully shaded and lined eye and her full sexy lips, this skin will dress up your holiday exquisitely. MissAllSunday Lemon made this holiday hair for this month’s FaMESHed and as usual it’s a lovely look with her exquisite use of face-framing locks and wisps. Abraxxa Anatine made this lovely snowflake necklace for the holiday. It comes with gorgeous earrings which, of course, I can’t show but they are there. With gems dropping off the snowflakes, it’s a lovely reminder of the season.

Hair: /Wasabi Pills/ Holly Mesh Hair – Black coffee by MissAllSunday Lemon for /Wasabi Pills/, available at FaMESHed *

Skin: -Belleza- Mae TLC Med 3 Dk by Shyla Diggs for –Belleza-, available at The Liaison Collaborative *

Eyes: #adored – dawn eyes – hazel by Constance Daehlie for #adored, available at AnyBody *

Dress: Wicca’s Wardrobe – Carol Gown [White/Red] by Wicca Merlin for Wicca’s Wardrobe *

Necklace: EarthStones Snowfall Necklace by Abraxxa Anatine for EarthStones *

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

Feet: Slink AvEnhance Feet High by Siddean Munro for Slink

Shoes: NX-Nardcotix La Nuza Stiletto Black (Slink) by Nardya Rousselot for Nardcotix *

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

Wall décor: The Loft – Noteworthy Wall Candles v.1 and v. 2 by Colleen Desmoulins for The Loft, GIFT available exclusively in the KittyCatS & Friends Advent Calendar *

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 *

She Who Would Be Queen

Every woman is a queen, and we all have different things to offer. ~ Queen Latifah

Put on a dress like this one from Wicca Merlin and suddenly you feel like a queen. It’s an elegant mesh template that she has made even better with gorgeous textures of netting on the body and black satiny ruffles. This is one of Wicca’s fashionable offerings for the BOSL International Fashion Week, which ends October 18. My gorgeous necklace and earrings are Maxi Gossamer’s at Fameshed, and they include a texture change script so you can choose one of six colors to match your outfit.

My skin is Ivy Burner’s first attempt at selling a skin and I have to say, she has done a great job! With beautiful lips and beguiling eyes, the skin is plain enough to allow other makeups to be layered on, though I have not. She is offering this as her piece at the Body Modification Expo, and it’s a pleasant surprise. My hair is Truth Hawks’ voluminous exclusive for Mystic Realms Faire, and it comes with this crown, which has color change encompassed in the hair color HUD. It all makes me feel so royal!

Hair: TRUTH HAIR Thalia with TRUTH HAIR Thalia Crown by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH<, available at the Mystic Realms Faire *

Skin: ~Sassy!~ Sophie – sunkissed 02, black by Ivy Burner for ~Sassy!~, available at the Body Modification Expo *

Eyes: #adored – cloud eyes – midnight – b by Constance Daehlie for #adored, available at the Mystic Realms Faire *

Dress: Wicca’s Wardrobe – Miranda Dress by Wicca Merlin for Wicca’s Wardrobe, available at BOSL Inernational Fashion Week *

Necklace and Earrings: MG – Necklace and Earrings – Lyra Enchantress by Maxi Gossamer for Maxi Gossamer, available at FaMESHed *

Poses by Dahriel for *PosESioN*

Did We Live Too Fast?

Did we live too fast in this fantasy?
Sandcastles were the walls we made
Did we live too fast in this fantasy?
It tangles and it drifts away

~ “Did We Live Too Fast” by Got a Girl

How come I connote cutting edge, crazy fashion with Wicca Merlin? Maybe it’s her outre modeling and photography, her grasp of the possibilities of fashion rather than the realities, her desire to poke at the dark side and come out with something beautiful. I knew Wicca did poses but I just recently found out she also makes fashion, so I had to show you something she has created.

Her Abigail dress is testament to her very unique style. She cleverly covers a dress with a sculptural silhouette with a muted black on black modern brocade, allow the shape to be the boldest part of the look. Then she pairs it with a clever veiled hat with a big red flower and tendrils, like a modern flower arrangement on the head. Finally, zipped high heels (I always imagine a zipper or safety pin somewhere on Wicca) with spikes (of course) complete the look. I accented with red cuffs from Ivy Burner from the gacha at her store. (IM me to trade other colors!)

I did a combo on my face with skin and lipstick from JunoMonteiro and then eyebrows from Eleri Catlyn. I was going for blue brows to make a crazier look but I didn’t want to detract from the hat so I ended up with the dark brows, which I rather like with this skin. The bold lips Juno includes with her skins are luscious and give high fashion and energy to the look. I went with the blue option on Queue Marlowe’s color HUD to change up this look a bit and lend some more of that high fashion energy to Wicca’s outfit.

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

Hat: Wicca’s Wardrobe – Abigail Hat by Wicca Merlin for Wicca’s Wardrobe *

Skin: .:JUMO:. Leona Skin Cocoa Black Brows with .:JUMO:. Mariah Deep Red Lips by JuneMonteiro for .:JUMO:. *

Eyebrows: [Buzz] Sophia Eyebrow – Black by Eleri Catlyn for Buzzeri

Eyes: [theSkinnery] Bohemian eye collection – 18 by Umazuma Metaluna for[theSkinnery],available at the Chapter Four *

Dress: Wicca’s Wardrobe – Abigail Dress by Wicca Merlin for Wicca’s Wardrobe *

Cuffs: ~Sassy!~ Polished Cuff Bracelet L (trans) – red by Ivy Burner for ~Sassy!~

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

Nail appliers: Flair – Fingernails and Toenails Applier Slink A/E – set 223 by Sasy Scarborough for Flair, available at My Slink Obsession *

Feet: Slink AvEnhance Feet High by Siddean Munro for Slink

Shoes: Wicca’s Wardrobe – Ripley Heels – District 5 by Wicca Merlin for Wicca’s Wardrobe *

Poses by Dahriel for *PosESioN*