Just an Update

I'm moving my blog from Crybaby to this blog.  My primary reason is that I've always hated the name of my blog and the reason for naming it has long since disappeared.  I'm not a crybaby, though I've been known to bitch hard about things, but that is not my purpose for blogging. I do not criticize the items I blog; I blog what I like and if the item does meet my tastes or my standards I just won't show it.

I'm taking a somewhat different angle this time: Over the past year, blogging became completely overwhelming for me.  At times I was blogging 3 events at a time and I became exhausted with it...and the guilt about getting to everything became overwhelming.  I felt pressured to show things, some things that I did not completely adore but felt obligated to show.  I just won't do that anymore and also will not take on as many events.  I know events are the thing in SL, and there has been lots of drama lately about it.  Love them or hate them,  I think there are too many and to me they have lost some of their luster.  I remember when an event was a big deal and I would be so excited for Designer's United or Relay for Life, but now they are essentially the way to see new releases.  There are pro's and con's: on the pro side: loading time can be less and I can quickly see many designers (unless I'm put in some maze) and, on the con side: on my not-the-latest computer they are lagfests (I don't believe continual crashing or freezing up builds community), difficult to enter for much of the event, and to some degree has severed the ties I felt towards some brands.  I no longer feel as much relationship with them, especially in-world groups that now sit empty of notices and gifts, nor do I look forward to their newest releases.

In addition to these feelings about blogging in SL, I related in my last post on Crybaby (many posts of which I've exported over) that my teenage son is not doing well.  He has been diagnosed with a mental illness and treating that and supporting him are priorities and I just don't have the free time.  So I am jumping off the hamster wheel and pretty much sticking with the things I love about blogging, designer created, well made items. They might be from an event or they might not...but my pace will be one that I can enjoy.  I wish you all well and hope that SL brings you enjoyment.

PS. This is a work in progress and I have not updated links on feeds.  Maybe once things are settled a bit.

It's Been One of Those Days

Actually, it's been one hell of a few years.  I am a single mom (widow) and have a fifteen-year-old son who is not navigating the teen years well. Things have recently gotten worse and have required a great deal of my attention.  I'm on SL less and less lately and when I do come on, it's usually to blog.  I love blogging and have been doing it for many years on Free*Style and this blog.  I do so because I love SL fashion; it's been an obsession of mine since I figured out how to leave Orientation Island and I have the inventory and transaction details to prove it.  However, right now my mind is elsewhere and I've decided to take a blogging "break".  A wise person once said to me "don't make any major decisions when you are under a lot of stress", so, I'm not sure what that will mean for me and blogging.  I've always disliked the title of my blog and kept meaning to switch and will probably do so when I'm ready to come back to steady blogging.  I will continue to post on Free*Style as well as run and manage the group with Sileny Noel.  I have a store to organize and open for Free*Style and I am months behind in doing so.  Therefore, I will still be around the things in SL that I love; just not at the pace I have done for the last year.  My mind and my heart are needed at home more than ever.  I thank all the designers that have entrusted me to show their work.  It has been a true honor and I do so hope you will have me back when I can give you all the attention you deserve.  Some of my favorite people made the items that I am using in this post.  They are talented, good folks.  Eden Knoller

Credits:
Hair: Wasabi Pills: Izumi Mesh Hair for October FaMeshed
Shirt: Boom: Twenty-Three Tee - Fetish: new release - available in about a zillion colors and discounted in colour packs.
Shorts and Stockings: Erratic
Shoes: [HANDverk]: Western Ankle Boots - Ostrich/Pink for October FaMESHed
Skin: PXL: Faith NAT Pinkish: group gift
Electric Chair: FD Decor: partial mesh, animated and adjustable

Code Red

I've hardly had time to be online lately, but I snuck in the last few days to chat up some friends and go blow a few billion Lindens at The Arcade and then I started going to the yard sales for them and well.. I got a little obsessed.  But on to the stuff here.   Code Bastard Redgrave (or Codie, as she is also known) has owned and operated the Rouge sim for years and is now feeling the pinch of declining funds.  She is not asking anyone to save her but there will be a 90 hour party at the Rouge Lounge from Friday through Sunday, with nonstop DJ'ed music and dancing. Several designers are offering exclusive designs and I hopped over there early today to check out some of the exclusive reds that Kallisti Burns from Discord Designs made for the event, some in styles that have never been released before.

My favorite was Sydd; which is perfect as I wanted to butch up this cute mesh herringbone suit from Dew.  The suit has a slim cut and the pants have a clean higher waist and trim ankle length pants.  It's a versatile suit that can be dressed up or down.  I kept it a clean look with simple bolo from [Handverk] and added bright lips to one of the yummy Glam Affair skins that can be scored at The Arcade.

More details about the rouge sim, the party (tp here) etc can be found on Codie's flickr page.  Most of us SL oldtimers know it well and I'm happy regardless of the outcome to see it celebrated.

Details:
Hair: Discord Designs: Sydd in Rouge Gentille - exclusively @ Rouge Lounge
Suit: Dew: Herringbone Suit
Shirt: Pig: Olivia
Skin: Glam Affair: Rosa 07 - exclusively at The Arcade
Bolo: [HANDverk]: Rio Grande Bolo Tie
Chair: [HANDverk]: Eames Lounge - @ FaMESHeD for a few more days!

Beware of Thorns

[HANDverk] has released the most spectacular, sexy mesh Rose jewelry and shoes for their guest appearance at September's Collabor88 event.  Daphne Klossovsky, who makes the wearable items for the brand, made her first pair of shoes, the Claw - Leo shoes for August's Zodiac event and since then has been creating several pairs of amazing shoes for various events around the grid.  Her items are far from average.  I've been around the grid for quite a while and while I love to score a deal, I have more than enough "stuff" and look for designs that are unique and particularly handmade. The items that [HANDverk] cranks out never ceases to thrill me.  The fact that the items are not outrageous in their pricing leaves me completely dumbfounded.

The items pay close attention to all parts of the rose, with the flower almost being an afterthought of the thorny stem, which is used so artfully in these designs.  I love the idea of walking on a dangerous, thorny branch...something that we can only do in fantasy, so why the hell not?  The earrings use the stem to thread though your earlobe so you are literally wearing the flower as art.  The necklace weaves the rose through a slender chain.  There are five color options to chose from and all are perfect for fall.

I got really behind in my blogging commitments during the last round of major event coverage and I wanted to make sure to mention Wasabi Pills Skye hair, which previewed at August's Zombie Popcorn event and is now at the main store.  I chose it because it reminded me of the [HANDverk] rose items with it's peaked top and mixture of tough and sexy.  I've become fascinated in the look of "weird" models lately.  Though I really am despising the current format on this seasons America's Next Top Model and can barely manage to sit through the show, they have talked about weird as a look for several seasons.  I've been tweaking Eden on this shape since I made it when I was lost on Orientation Island all those years ago and while she has maintained some characteristics that I love, like her flamingo legs and refined nose, I've been working on making her not as "pretty", which probably explains why men never talk to me and also why I so dearly love unique goods to enhance her.

If these designs intrigue you, I highly recommend that you check out [HANDverk] at the following events: Zodiac, FaMeshed, Collabor88 and L'accessoires as well as the Main location for beautiful, intelligent mesh design.

Credits:
Shoes and Jewerly: [HANDverk] Rose: currently at September Collabor88
Lingerie: Fishy Strawberry: Desiderio - Purple
Hair: Wasabi Pills: Skye - Wild Honey
Skin: Curio: Vintage - Ritz2 - Sundust: currently closed
Poses: HelaMiyo and Glitterati

So Go the Days

I'm quite subdued but happy to be home and getting ready for another school year for my son.  I have been dealing with aging relatives and a tragedy that is causing great pain to my family and another's.  I don't want to go into detail but one of my family members has killed someone else, in self-defense, which has left us all reeling.  If that does not put some perspective on all the dramas in SL, I do not know what  will.  With RL, unfortunately I did not get to complete my blogging demands for August...so many amazing events, so I apologize now if I promised to blog something and it didn't happen.  The events in my life were unplanned and demanded my attention, both physically and emotionally.

September's presence always has a huge effect on me.  While it is still hotter than Hades during the day, I begin to notice the cooler evenings that accompany the shortening days and I even want to start dressing Eden in more substantial clothing.

Boom recently released the most marvelous mesh pants.  The Miami Linen pants have a nice masculine flair and are available in standard sizes and could also fit a smaller male just dandy.  I am generally size XS if that provides you with some perspective.  They have wide legs and large cuffs and a perfect little slouch at the waist that keeps them modern.  Aranel Ah, the creative force of Boom, never leaves you with few choices and these pants are no different. They are available in over 35 colors as well as several color packs for added value.  Trousers are a must have for fall and the linen textile makes it perfect for the transition.  I topped the trousers with the adorable Portia Cape from The Sea Hole that was only $L50 Moving Sale The sale runs thru the 7th of September and you can find one color of each item, including the newest releases at a super low price.  Those items are clearly marked by a key.

Before life unraveled in mid/late August I was intending to show more of the amazing jewelry from Vintage Fair.  I love [HANDverk]...did I mention I love them?... and the Mucha earrings in rose gold worked perfectly with my look.  They will soon be out at the main store.  The skin I'm wearing really drove me to put together this look.  It is one of Glam Affair's latest skin for  August Collabor88, which is wrapping up very soon.  It is exquisite with it's fairness and its pinky/orange tones and just the smallest bit of smoke.  I like it best with no lashes.

Credits:
Pants: Boom: Miami Linens - Army (new release)
Cape: The Sea Hole: Portia Cape - Westward (on sale)
Tank: Jane: Intrinsic Tank - celery (free!)
Earrings: [HANDverk]: Mucha Earrings - rose gold (from Vintage Fair and soon in store)
Skin: Glam Affair: BaroQ 03 (exclusively at Collabor88)
Hair: Analog Dog/b.: Issues: Chili
Poses: Miseria: August Pose Set

Handverk: Love You Long Time

The creators over at [HANDverk] just keep cranking out the most amazing things.  Daphne Klossovsky, who primarily makes the things over thar that you wear on your bod has come out with another amazing pair of shoes of this month's Zodiac event.  I had loved her Leo shoes for the event last month and has delighted me this month with the "virginal" Rump Pumps.  They are fully mesh and completely hand made, as are all of their products.  You get two pairs with your purchase, both non-rigged and one is resize scripted.  If you are interested in more [HANDverk] exclusives, make sure you check out August's FaMESHed event for the Tassel Jewelry Set, which you can purchase separately or as a set with earrings and necklace.  They come in silver and gold versions and several different vivid colors to chose from.  Vintage Fair has gone on for most of the month and there are still several more days to go.  My fun 2 piece is from Faster Pussycat.  The top is sculpted for that structured retro look.  Wasabi Pills Gloria Mesh hair is lovely and works for all kinds of looks.  Make sure to check out the skins at GOLA.  They are so much fun and are reminiscent of memorable books from the "antique" era.

Just a few FYI's.  [HANDverk] has relocated so update your landmarks.  The items here are not at the store yet but you can find their entire legacy collection, which is all just stunning.  Vintage Fair runs thru the 29th and the landing points have been removed so you can hop directly to any of the stores, all of which are conveniently located on the Chic Management website.

Credits
Shoes: [HANDverk]: Rump Pumps - white for Zodiac (Virgo)
Earrings: [HANDverk]: Tassel Earrings - gold/electric blue for FaMeshed
Swimsuit: Faster Pussycat: Hollywood Bikini - red @ Vintage Fair
Hair: Wasabi Pills: Gloria @ Vintage Fair
Skin: GOLA: Hatter skin @ Vintage Fair 

Vintage Fair: Camelot

Just a quick post for a busy Saturday.  Purple Moon is one of my favorite stores and I adore the gorgeous Jackie mesh skirt and vest, especially in this great houndstooth texture. The late Jackie Kennedy has always been one of the arbiters of fashion and I poked through some of my things from Vintage Fair and put together a nice facsimile.  MAdesigns  has several gorgeous, high-fashion hair styles at the fair and Ruby worked out perfectly.  Eclectica has some fabulous shades at the fair.  This particular style, 50's Glasses: Scrolls and Pearls are infinitely versatile as you can change each element: frames, lens, scrollwork and pearls individually for texture, shine and tint.  They are also resizable, all with a simple touch.  I love the Rose skin from Shine.  It's a nice clean skin with a pretty glow and is available in several lip colors and includes 3 cleavage styles, freckles and 2 styles of teeth.

Vintage Fair runs until August 29th for many more lovely days of shopping!  The slurls for all the stores in this post can be found on the Chic Management webpage.  Now who will I be next time?

Credits:
Clothing: Purple Moon: Jackie vest & skirt: black boucle
Glasses: Eclectica: 50's glasses: scrolls & pearls
Earrings: Maxi Gossamer: Lydia - gold
Shoes: MV: Cleaver Heels
Skin: Shine: Rose: natural/pale w/freckles
Hair: MAdesigns: Ruby - light brown VIII
Poses: Bent: Fifties Fun set

Vintage Fair: Fun in the Days of Consumption

I'm having a riot with some of my finds from Vintage Fair.  This year the fair allowed "antique" items into the fair, which are considered items pre-1920's.  My darling pal, Hempy Weezles, took a few shots with me in her fair ensemble but she has ill family members so I will update with her info and maybe a closeup shot when I can catch her.  I loved one of Shabby Chic's outfits.  Jordanna Hamaski of Shabby Chic has been around as long as I can remember and has always stayed true to her genre with this brand with vintage clothing, textures, and laces. My outfit (I'm the pale, sickly one) is from shabby chic and is a brilliant combination of sculpts, mesh and system layers.

The outfit includes a long skirt which you can see above and below but I love the bloomers, which match the mesh corset that has been embellished with laces and buttons.  I love how mesh just moves with the avatar and you can see how naturally the corset flexes in my pose above.  I accented the outfit with shoes and earrings from Bliensen + MaiTai.  The Shimmy-Sha-Wobble shoes come in a number of beautifully textured colors and are perfect for all kinds of vintage looks.  The Lilo earrings come in a number of colors and each color set includes 3 different metal textures.  I have to do a jewelry post soon because there is just so much jewelry that needs to be seen close up to appreciate.  The Adorable hair, another really nice style from Tuty's, features an attached updo and works great on it's own or with a hat.

Timelines had some of the nicest "antique"/early 20th Century accessories I saw at the fair...things that I didn't even have in my burgeoning inventory.  The delicate dress watch was a necessity for fashionable women since we didn't have our androids beeping all the date we could have needed.  (Even when I was growing up you needed a watch to function much as you need a cell phone now.)  The gorgeous Victorian Riding Topper is all decked out with bows, laces, feathers and a cameo jewel and is resize scripted.  It's just such a well made piece.  My skin is from GOLA, who had some of the most interesting skins at the fair.  Im wearing the Alice in Wonderland skin which was one of the more subdued, but was perfect for the very stark, almost sickly look I was going for.  I mean sickly in only the nicest way. The face is highly detailed and very unique.

Vintage Fair continues to run thru the 29th of August and is 3 gorgeous sims full of shopping pleasure. Please refer to the Vintage Fair map/slurl page for all items from the fair.  The rest will be slurls to the stores.

Credits:
Dress outfit: Shabby Chic: Blue Calico Stays & Lacey shift
Skin: GOLA: Alice in Wonderland
Hair: TuTy's: Adorable - blue antracite
Earrings: Bliensen + MaiTai: Lilo Earrings - Pearl
Hat: Timelines: Victorian Ladies Riding Topper
Watch: Timelines: 1920's Ladies Dress Watch
Shoes: Bliensen + Mai Tai: Shimmy-Sha-Wabble - blue
Friends Pose: Sparrow Tree Studios: Timeless Beauties
Pose: Standing: Everglow: Girls

NonVF:
Fence Prop: Clutter: My little ass (pose in photo 2)
Birds: Happy Mood: Little Birds - ice blue
Lamb / Chicken: Neon Frog
Goose: maker unknown and I've had him forever

Vintage Fair: The L'Ook

I've got lots more head-to-toe Vintage Fair looks to show off.  There are so many awesome items I'm having a dreadful time narrowing down my looks, but I have to remember it's one photo at a time.  Hand me the world's smallest tissue and let's get on with this.  I will talk more about the look above but I want to show you the most wonderful prop you can pick up exclusively at Vintage Fair.  It is called the L'Ookbook Boutique Prop and it is set as a small shopfront with bay windows.  The poses are especially made for the prop and include poses both in the doorway of the shop and in the store window.

I took a quick shot of the prop to give you an idea of how it's laid out. I added the platform/black wall, lamps and furniture just to goof off but you can see that it's pretty spiffy and a worthwhile investment if you blog or enjoy taking fashion photos.

Getting back to clothes and such...I am a huge fan of Ingenue!  I remember at last year's Vintage Fair mesh was still in it's very early stages and few designers had invested a lot into adding it to their lines.  But Betty Doyle, an amazing designer and I'm guessing a perfectionist, dived right into it and had full sets of personally created mesh outfits.  I think pretty much all of Ingenue's work now includes some elements of mesh and in my opinion is of the top 10 masters of the craft.  As always, her textures are exquisite, the clothes fit exactly as they should and have such range.  The Lauren skirt I'm wearing is a perfect example of that.  It has that a vintage fair but is infinitely flexible, so you can dress straight period or incorporate it into more modern ensembles. I've never regretted any purchase I've made from Ingenue and my collection is vast.  LeeZu is another brand that has made some amazing mesh outfits but I find the prim sculpts to be brilliant with the jacket, Yriin, to be a stunning example of that.  It's elegant and edgy yet easily wearable, which are adjectives I associate with the LeeZu brand.  I love avante garde but frankly, when I want to look put together and go shopping, that is not the look I tend to grab.  Slink is offering these fabulous kitten-esque heels at Vintage Fair.  These are not just shoes!  These are mesh shoes with separate mesh feet!  The feet are sized in standard size equivalents so that they are proportional to other parts of the shape that meet these standards.  They include a hud for both the nails on the bare feet as well as another hud for skin tinting and nail polishes.  If you go back up to the first photo you can better see the lovely hair from Vanity Hair, The Hamptons, which includes a color change hair band.  I love this style for it's casual refinement and Tabata Jewell's wonderful hair textures.  Lastly, and I hope to show more of this amazing collection is Eclectica's Nouveau Leaves set.  This gorgeous set includes the items I am wearing plus a tiara, brooch, and hair pins, all of which are controlled by a hud for stone and metal color as well as size and shine.  I so admire Tiffy Vella's work and her shop at the fair is just glorious.

Ingenue has also released the darling Greta dress for Vintage Fair.  It is mesh and comes in standard sizes.  There are some adorable dotted versions as well as a variety of prints. I love the texture of the songbird version as it is soooo retro and fun.  The shoes are the fabulous Cleaver heels from :{MV}:, which is a store that is new to me.  Lots of yummy shoes there (Cherelle)!

Tuty's, another store that is new to me, has some fantastic Vintage hair.  I probably should have worn a lighter hair color against the dark wall but trust me, it is definitely worth a demo.  The style I'm wearing, Romantic, is a lovely representation of 40's hair and I love how full use of the hair base is used to enhance the style.  The jewelry I'm wearing from [HANDverk], which I'm not shy about my declaration of love for, has both amazing mission style furniture and jewelry sets, created by partners and design team of Daphne Klossovsky and Tobias Convair.  The Mucha Necklace does not show up well in this flat picture and it's so gorgeous I will show it again but its delicate and distinct like the work of it's namesake, Czeck painter and decorative artist, Alphonse Mucha. The skin I'm wearing in all the photos is from Aeva, and is called Jaci~2 and I've worn it for a few posts lately because I love it so much.  Aeva is the new brand by Heartsick creator, Amesha Jewell, and I love the clear face with bright lipstick and perfectly tilted cat-eyes 

Vintage Fair runs thru August 29th.  It's really worth a good walkthrough or five because there is so much to see.  The slurls for everything I'm wearing ala Vintage Fair can be found at the Chic Management site.  Non-VF items will note slurl to the main store.

Credits:
Prop: BENT.: L'Oolbook Boutique @ Vintage Fair
Skin: Aeva: Jaci~2 @ Vintage Fair
Photos 1&3:  Hair: Vanity Hair: The Hamptons @ Vintage Fair
Skirt: Ingenue: Lauren - Army
Jacket: LeeZu: Yriin @ Vintage Fair
Shoes: Slink: Vintage 2 Strap Pumps @ Vintage Fair
Jewelry: Eclectica: Nouveau Leaves @ Vintage Fair
Shirt: Whippet & Buck: Cole Boatneck
Photos 4&5: Hair: Tuty's: Romantic @ Vintage Fair
Dress: Ingenue: Greta - Songbird @ Vintage Fair
Shoes: :{MG}: Cleaver Heels @ Vintage Fair
Jewelry: [HANDverk]: Mucha Earrings and Necklace in gold @ Vintage Fair
Streetlamp: Trompe Loeil: French Streetlamp
Bench and Planter: Trompe Loeil: Garden Bench and Planter: available in lots of colors
Sconce Lamp: Barnesworth Anubis: Victorian Outdoor Sconce

Vintage Fair: Faster, Pussycat

I have a teenage son; a pimply, awkward, lately frustrating child that is really pushing the limits of my patience lately.  To say he is distracting is to be gentle and by late evening, when I'm usually on SL and blogging I have been a complete zombie.  Vintage Fair has become my favorite event of the year and provides me with a very pleasant distraction from teenage angst.  Styling ala retro is a treat.  I've always been fascinated by Varga girls and high fashion models like Suzy Parker and her sister, Dorian Leigh as well as Dovima for their haughty glamour.

I am head-to-toe Vintage Fair for these photos and the fair is 3 sims of awesome.  Faster Pussycat always puts a very sexy spin on their clothing and their offerings for the fair do not fail in that regard.  Honey Bender, head designer for the brand, loves burlesque and the lingerie I am wearing reflects that. The top is sculpted (and modifiable) and the highwaisted panties are adorned with sweet little bows.  I'm not one to be accessory heavy and the shiny Bettie pumps from :{MV}: and Addiction's delicate Beloved set were all I needed to complete the look.  The Sol ring is one of many gorgeous jewelry offerings from [HANDverk] and I will be showing more in another post.

It amazes me how a skin can completely change your look.  Anges Finney's Muse skin for the fair is so glamorous, with rich bee-sting lips, strong brows and extreme cat-eye liner that is perfect for retro looks.  It's a different look for me and I like it!  Wasabi Pills has 3 new hairs at Vintage Fair, including one for the guys.  My hair, Veronica, is reminiscent of the 1940's film icon, Veronica Lake's, peek-a-boo hairstyle.  It is mesh and comes complete with hair bases and a version for those of you that are well endowed.

Vintage Fair runs through most of August.  The Chic Management website has a complete list of stores and their slurls at the fair and you can tp to them directly once you've landed at a landing point.

Credits:  Everything I am wearing is available at Vintage Fair 2012
Lingerie: Faster Pussycat: Burlesque
Necklace/Earrings: Addiction: Beloved Set - Amethyst
Ring: [HANDverk]: Sol ring
Shoes: :{MV}: Bettie Heels - Candy Apple
Hair: Wasabi Pills: Veronica - Pancake
Poses: oOo Studio: Rouge

Vintage Fair 2012: The Scoop

Wow!  Vintage Fair starts in one day and it's bigger than ever.  Hang on a sec and I will get to ALL the info, links and other information you are going to need to be armed and ready.  Mesh is a big deal at the fair.  Last year mesh was just in it's early stages and I was one of those poor souls who could not operate on a viewer that supported mesh.  I'm still stuck with my old computer but thanks to updates I'm good to go. Sadly, my inventory might just throw up since I have no time to sort but sometimes sacrifices must be made.  I have become a mesh nut, especially it's ability to move with you.  The freaking adorable mesh dress from coldLogic is one of my favorite outfits at the fair.  The details are simple yet perfect with it's sweet little pointed flat collar to the perfect placement of the dropped belt between the waist and hips. You can see the light texture details in the photo below to see how much consideration goes into the dress.  It's these kinds of details that make an outfit one that is worn again and again.  It was perfect for my high school look but also can easily go stylishly mod.

The Vintage Fair is not just clothes, though clothes there are in abundance.  I've been trying to sort my review items into folders and I keep having to make new ones.  I love Aeva's Phoebe skin. It's a nice combination of innocence yet as a strength to it that gives it character.  It comes with all the usual bells and whistles that Amesha Jewell (who also owns Heartsick) always generously provides, like teeth, a complete set of hair bases, a shape (not worn), boob bouncer, freckles and lots of cleavage options.  Wasabi Pills made this perfect ponytail for August's FaMESHED event.  Sylvie, immensely versatile, is rigged mesh but I had no problem with fitting, even around the ears.  It see it as an inventory staple.

One of the cutest props at the fair is nani's hanging at the diner item.  Weighing in at only 2 prims, it has  4 cute poses, all of which are xyz adjustable.

OK, now scoop.  Vintage Fair 2012, sponsored by Chic Management, makes this the fair's second year.  This year features pre-1920's to the 1980's and each designer has provided new and exclusive releases. I love it so much I practically skipped down the streets of the stylish mesh build made by Cory Edo of Trompe Loeil.  The fair will run from August 4th - August 29, so there is lots of time to shop.  The 3 sim event is intelligently planned so that it snakes along, so no getting lost or missing a shop if you start at one end and work your way to the other.  The link above will give you maps, slurls that take you directly to each and every store and if you touch the map it will magnify the information.  Event sponsor stores are highlighted in yellow.  Those stores are Aura, Belleza, Cheeky Pea, coldLogic, Gizza Creations, Indyra Originals, PurpleMoon Creations, oOo Studio and Trompe Loeil.  Once you've shopped til you've dropped join the HUGE flickr competition with flipping amazing prizes.  That link will give you all the information about the flickr group and insane prizes.  See you at the fair!

Credits: (please refer to the official Vintage Fair slurls list for store locations)
Dress: coldLogic: Montgomery - sea: @ Vintage Fair 2012
Skin: Aeva: Phoebe 2 - Lana @ Vintage Fair
Eyes: Agnes Finney: Beauty Eyes Silky Soft Blue @ Vintage Fair
Necklace: Laville!: Pen Necklace - Gold @ Vintage Fair
Jukebox: nani: Hanging at the Diner @ Vintage Fair
Hair: Wasabi Pills: Sylvie Mesh Hair: Available at FaMESHed August
Shoes: R(S)W: Saddle Shoes - Black
Sockies: LaViere: Basic Mid Calf Socks - White

Happy Bandana / Beach Day!

I'm running late for my mom's house so I'm actually going to be brief!  Hair Fair 2012 ends today and it is also Bandana Day!  Bandana Day is a longstanding tradition for Hair Fair where we take off our hair to show solidarity with Wigs for Kids, the organization that benefits from Hair Fair.  However, you don't have to go Kojak as on each of the 4 sims is a bandana booth!  There are bandanas made by designers, bloggers, and other residents of SL; each is only 50 L and they are transferable.  My tradition every year is to at least get LeLutka's bandana.  They are always super chic.

Boom has released a new bikini, Ellio, which comes in about lots and lots of yummy colors and patterns.  In total there are 256 mix and match combinations to chose from.   The bikini comes in full sets and as separates so you can go wild!  Full sets are available at a discounted price.

The backdrop for the outfits is the adorable Seraphim Pergola Lounge from Circa.  It is from the Seraphim hunt, that I think officially ended yesterday or today, but Cher told me she is leaving all her hunt items out until Monday.  It costs only a few lindens and includes everything you see in the top photo of the collage (except the tray).   It has several animations and sits many avatars.  Circa also has just released some new yummy drinks.  The Sangria tray is visually appealing and if you touch the pitcher it delivers a glass of sangria, making it a really nice item for parties and other gatherings.  You can also buy the new set of Mocktails.  It includes both drinks to wear and rez.  Note: I enhanced the colors a bit so that you can see the details of the drinks.

It may be the day to wear bandanas but there is no rule that says you cannot BUY hair on this last day of Hair Fair.  One of my fair favorites was pr!tty's Ally hair, particularly the Sophie pink color.  One of my guilty pleasures is watching America's Next Top Model (though the squealing is starting to really get on my nerves) and I loved Sophie in the last round of the show.  I'm showing the Ellio bikini again because I love them all!  OK, I'm off to do chores at my ma! Happy Sunday!

Credits:
Bikini: Boom: Ellio Bikini: New Release
Bandana: LeLutka: Faith for Bandana Day @ Hair Fair 2012.  You can purchase at any of the 4 sims
Hair: pr!tty: Ally @ Hair Fair 2012
Pergola: Circa: Seraphim Pergola: Hunt item out until Monday
Drinks: Circa: New Releases
Skin: Dutch Touch: Yri

Hair Fair: Miamai + the French Connection

If there is one thing that Monica Outlander of Miamai is the master of it's glamour.  Be it classic, avante garde, or romantic, she makes it look effortless.  She has released 5 new mesh hair pieces for Hair Fair 2012 and they are stunning. They are all unrigged and modifiable. I honestly could not pick a favorite. Hair Fair wraps up this weekend and the 2 weeks of it have flown by.  Soon the hair will be in the stores but there is an important reason to still visit and that is that Hair Fair is a charity fundraiser, with a percentage of sales going to Wigs for Kids.  If you are inclined to purchase, do so now and help out a child in need.

Before I start carrying on about these gorgeous styles I wanted to mention the gown.  HelenSue Helendale of DEW Designs shared her newest release with me, the French Connection gown, and it's just super stunning. The main dress is mesh and comes in standard sizes and she has added to flexi attachments for ruffles on the back.  You can remove these attachments if you prefer a simple, drop dead slim gown and the integrity of the dress remains intact. It was the perfect backdrop for Monica's hair pieces.

I got to say first off that I love Miamai's hair bases.  They come in several versions and Monica has picked the right one for each style.  I appreciate this level of extra attention to detail.  Giselle utilizes a hair base with a strong central part.  The hair piece sits high on the head with with an updo with a sturdy braid wrapping the front.  It has an extra texture layer to provide depth as well as a few loose tendrils.

 Yanne plays it tighter with sleek french braids running at contrasting levels on both sides of the head and ending in a tight bun at the back of the head.  It utilizes the same hairbase as Giselle (Style C).

Lika is classically gorgeous.  It uses a hairbase that is pulled straight back and has a large bun as well as braids that run the length of the skull and wraps around the back of the bun.  No whispies on this one.  It's perfect in it's formality.

Ixie is probably the most casual of the hair pieces.  It uses a partless hairbase (Style B) and is in the style of hair that has been swept back into a pony-tail and then made into an updo with a set of barrettes.  It also has a gentle flexie layer to make it less severe.

Kirge utilizes a hairbase (Style A) with that is side parted then combed tight to the head.  It features a two level bun and strong side tendrils.  The hairbase really makes the look for me and I think would be fun not only with glam but strong urban looks.

Now go get 'em at the Miamai booth at Hair Fair 2012. There is also an special gift updo available at the fair, that probably won't be available after the fair (hint hint).

Credits:
Hair: Maimai: All hairbases and updos are new mesh releases available at Hair Fair 2012
Gown: DEW: French Connection - Black
Skin: Filthy: July Group Gift - Cream
Lipcolor: Pink Fuel: Elly - Glam Lipstick/Smoked Plum
Jewelry:  photo 2: LaGyo:  Spring in Gold
               photo 3: Caroline's: Kennedy Pink Pearls
               photo 1 & 4: Zaara: Anuska Pearl Drop Earrings - Night
               photo 5: [HANDverk]: Wassily Black
               photo 6: Mandala: Kagetora
All Poses: Miamai

Hair Fair 2012: Bleinsen + MaiTai

Plurabelle Laszlo of Bliensen + MaiTai is someone I highly admire.  She is somebody who marches to her own drum.  I've always loved her jewelry and for the last two years at least I've had the honor of checking out her releases for Hair Fair 2012.  Plurabelle does not make hair all the time but the ones she releases for this event are always unique, glammy and highly stylized; either retro chic or have a spanish flair.  This year she went mesh and does it unrigged.  I was able to stretch and adjust individual prims to my heart's content, which was especially handy with the style above, Curl Up.  A cute addition, but I did not show for time's sake is a multicolor option in each tone so that the curls on top of the crown have 4 versions of multicolored strands.

Habanera and Immaculada (below) contain elements of traditional Spanish hairstyles with a strong center part, chignon and ornamental combs.  The hair is modifiable so I guess you could take off the comb if you really wanted to, but I think they are perfect.  Habanera has ringlet curls in front and a higher updo as well as a colorful comb

Immaculada is very strong and it's comb is less delicate.  I love these styles as they are so different from my usual casual-Eden look and when I have time I love to play around and pretend I'm glamorous.

Forbidden Fruit has a vixenish mid-century look.  The hair ornament, Forbidden Fruit, is a great match if you own her Forbidden Fruit jewelry set (which I've shown in the top photo.  This hair does include a version without the jewelry and I think it's dying for a pillbox hat!

There are still a few days left of Hair Fair 2012.  Each designer is offering a portion of sales at this event to Wigs for Kids so please purchase at the event if you can!

Credits:
Hair: Bliensen + MaiTai: all styles available at Hair Fair 2012
Jewelry: Bliensen + MaiTai:  Photo 1: Forbidden Fruit
                                               Photo 2: Simplicity Earrings Red
                                               Photo 3: Thetis Earrings
Skin: Belleza: Lilly
Lashes: Maimai: Catwalk Lashes
Clothing: Purple Moon: Sunrise Romper - Pink
Poses: Adorkable

Hair Fair 2012: Analog Dog and more more more!

Admission of Honesty: I've become a huge fan of Analog Dog over the past year, especially since designer, Queue Marlow, added her Point B line (love that name!).  The styles she released for Hair Fair this year are super sophisticated, rich in color and retain the best elements of Queue's unique textures.  You can see them all at Hair Fair 2012.

I must ask Queue about the backstory on the naming of Pornado, the hair shown above.  Not exactly sure how it relates to endless porn images, though I love the style and think it's damn sexy.  It's one of those perfect loose do's that are perfect when you want to play off a bare shirt or for primmy collars. Before I get on to the next style I need to talk clothes for a sec.  At Collabor88 for maybe about another week you can pick up Ingenue's perfectly made peplum top, Mignon.  The shadows, wrinkles and seams are perfect on this mesh garment.  It comes in standard sizes and includes 2 versions of alpha layer.  Often I still prefer regular clothing layers for tight fit shirts but this one is absolutely fabulous.  The [HANDverk] jewelry i've shot in another post but wanted a clearer shot of the gorgeous Hammered Metal set in Silver.  The Silver earrings are a 100% donation at the Hope for Emilia event and every little eansty bit...the string, the beads, the hammered texture is hand done.  Love. 

Issues is my favorite in the new set of releases.  I am in love with this thick braid that can be worn as a sexy and glammy side-set that wraps all around the back and sides and with a touch of the hair the braids fall over your face ala blindfold, which connotes all kinds of yummm.

Ging. Queue was so strangely clever in the name department.  I am going to innocently assume that the name relates to the cantonese equivalent of 'good' but the more curious of you might want to check out it's slang references.  Ging is a lovely classic long style, which is exceptionally wearable.  For those of you that enjoy super long, Queue has included a flexy extension that you can add to the hair.  I love the widow's peak on the hair.  When I was a teenager I used to be so jealous of girls that had one of those and now I get one too!  

There is still time to hit Hair Fair 2010 before it ends.  Visit the official website for information! 

Credits:
All Hair: Analog Dog: currently at Hair Fair 2012!!  Thank you, Queue!
Shirt: Ingenue: Mignon -Summer Sky: at Collabor88
Skirt: Ingenue: Lana - Slate
Jewelry: Handverk: Hammered Metal Set - Silver.  Earrings are 100% donation at Hope for Emilia
Necklace: Love Soul: Necklace*Water Bag* Neon Tetra: Lucky Chair prize -- OMG
Skin: Glam Affair: Leah - Spring Breeze
Eyes: Glam Affair: Stella V2-14

meow

Zodiac, a new monthly themed event, opened for the first time yesterday.  One of my favorite stores, [HANDverk] is one of the participants.  Daphne Klossovsky modeled her Leo Claw Pumps after Christian Louboutin's Alex Paw Pumps and I think they are just amazing.  They are completely mesh and Daphne makes ever little bit of them herself.  They come in one color--lion--and are a steal at $L200.  Leo is a fire sign, like mine, Sagittarius, and I've dated more than my share of Leo's in my day. I wonder if someone will make a big horse's behind for my sign; it would be fitting.  [HANDverk] is also involved in the Hope for Emilia event which raises funds for victims of the earthquake in Emilia, Italy.  The Copper Ring and Silver Earrings of the Hammered Metal jewelry items are 100% donation items and Daphne's partner, Tobias Convair, also has a chair available at 100% donation.  

Credits

Shoes: [HANDverk] Claw Pump - Leo: available at Zodiac

Jewelry: [HANDverk] Hammered Metal Jewelry: available at Hope for Emilia

Shirt: Kyoot: Prey Bustier: available at Zodiac

Shorts: Miel: Fit Shorts

Hair: LeLutka: Salome: available at Hair Fair 2012

Skin: Glam Affair: Leah - Spring Breeze

Lashes: FlugeIn Brise: Eyelash02 matel

One Voice Ends Today!

Today marks the last day for the One Voice event.  It closes at 11:59 PM SLT so you have plenty of time to get in a last round.  I popped back in today and it was not overly crowded and I was able to pick up few things that were new since my previous visit.  The event raises funds for Gala Phoenix of Curio,  who is incurring lots of legal costs due to a case of copyright infringement filed in Canadian courts.  The Curio store is Gala's RL source of income and with it being currently removed from the grid, legal costs are just too much to take.  Last weekend the event achieved it's goal of $20,000 US dollars, which will cover about the low end of the costs.  Gala will be updating her blog with a grand total hopefully on Monday.  Some stores may continue to sell their items as a fundraiser in their store after the event but I don't have all that info yet, so I will update this post when I know.  If you want to contribute directly to the Gala Phoenix Legal Fund check out this site.  This is not just about Gala, this is about someone taking your work, calling it your own and then taking further vengeance in the courts of law.  It is the nightmare of every original content creator and the money does not even begin to address the emotional toll this places on designers.  Ask any designer who has had it happen and they will undoubtedly share feelings of hopelessness, rage and victimization.

The fun thing about the event vs. paying a website is you get pretty stuff in return!  One of my favorite pieces is a new release from Indrya Originals and at the One-Voice event you can get the Celeste mesh dress in blush with 50% of the proceeds donated to Gala.  The same goes for the delish Coquette Noir Kelsi pumps in Starfish color.  It's also available at the main store in a variety of colors but not as a donation item.  Several other new releases from Indrya Originals are also at One Voice.

Hair Fair 2012 is the other go-to event of the moment, running through July 29th.  Go to this link for slurls and lots of information.  This event has always been a fundraiser and has chosen Wigs for Kids as it's charity for several years going.  Ichigo from Wasabi Pills is a brilliant, chic updo that includes matching hairbases and a HUD so that you can customize the headband. I've got lots more to show you from Hair Fair in the coming week so see you soon!

Credits:
Dress: Indrya Originals: Celeste - Blush: this color available at One Voice with 50% donation to Gala.
Shoes: Indrya Origials: Kelsey - Starfish: this color available at One Voice with 50% donation to Gala
Jewelry: Indrya Originals:  Sylph earrings and bangles
Hair: Wasabi Pills: Ichigo @ Hair Fair 2012
Skin: Curio: Uptown
Bag: Fishy Strawberry: Barcelona Bag
Poses: Adorkable: Handbag: One Voice Exclusive - hurry!

Wasabi makes me so Happy!

I am a huge, huge fan of Wasabi Pills.  I sing it's praises to most of my friends and MissAllSunday Lemon did a fantastic job on her new releases for Hair Fair.  There are four total and I am showing 2 this time, with summer and SL being so nuts lately, it's about all I have time to do at once.  I'm gonna have to buckle down and do a few huge hair fair posts because there is just so much awesomeness to show.

MissAllSunday does lovely things with braids and I love the Brigitte style.  It has an elevated tease effect in back that gives it a shin-diggy 60's look that I cannot wait to put together with the soon to come Vintage Fair looks.  Schadenfruede's Color Field dress, that debuted at Colloabor88 last month, is available both at One Voice and at the main store.  Allegory Malaprop, who is Schadenfreude, is nothing short of genius in my eyes.  Always has been.  What the squee is about here is that Allegory is already working with a mesh deformer which basically is supposed to make mesh conform to each avatar's individual shape.  Most mesh clothes currently are based on a Standard Sizing system with is a very smart workaround for mesh challenges (w/o the deformer mesh only conforms to certain parts of our shapes) but some folks do not want to make adaptations to their shape to fit mesh.  I know I've made several versions of my shape to fit mesh because even with the changes I made for standard sizing all clothes don't fit. So big props to Allegory for doing some groundbreaking work!  The dress does come in standard sizes and a child's size as well as a deformer version for both men and women (hurray for cross-dressing!).  In both photos I am wearing [HANDverk]'s Coral Medallion Necklace which is available this month at FaMESHed.  You can also purchase earrings and a smaller pendant necklace and it comes in lots of yummy colors.

The Zoey hair from Wasabi is a cute middle-part pigtail with a hippie-ish headband.  A hud is included so that you can change the band and bead textures.   The dress here is the Color Field dress in a Mondrian print.  It was available at last month's Collabor88.  I checked the main store and I did not see these out, so they may have been exclusive or Allegory has not put them out yet.  I dunno.  I just know I respect the hell out of all three designers: MissAllSunday Lemon of Wasabi Pills, Allegory Malaprop of Schadenfreude, and Daphne Klossovky; their work is intelligent, original and I can trust that the craftsmanship will be tip-top.

Hair Fair, of course, is a charity event where a portion of the proceeds benefits Wigs for Kids.  One Voice is a fundraiser for one of our own, Gala Phoenix, to offset legal costs for an unjust copyright claim made against her brand, Curio.  Please consider a revisit as many designers have put out new items!

Credits:
Hair: Wasabi Pills: Brigitte and Zoey: available only at Hair Fair 2012
Dresses: Schadenfreude: Phoenix FireField Dress: available at One Voice and the main store.
                                        Mondrian Color Field Dress: was at June Collabor88
Jewelry: [HANDverk]: Coral Medallion Necklace: available at FaMESHed
Skin: Belleza: Lily V2 Med: Group Gift - a gorgeous skin... may still be available at the store
Poses: WetCat: from the Runway set available at One Voice: this is a great pose set! 

Loxodromic

A quick post for now as my son chose the very moment I sat down in front of the computer to beg me to take him to the movies.  As we have been holed up in our thankfully air-conditioned home in this ungodly heat, I will willingly oblige...trading one sanctuary for another from the swelter.  

This is the last round of Stumblebum.  I've always enjoyed the event and look forward to what the current operators, Tyr Rozenblum and Ivy Graves, cook up next. I like that name...Stumblebum.  I also have huge love for [HANDverk], that I learned about at Culture Shock.  [HANDverk] joined Stumblebum and I will miss seeing what they offer for the event but thankfully they are also involved with FaMESHed.  Daphne Klossovsky and Tobias Convair make a brilliant team and seem to have this mesh thing down to a science.  Each new release is unique and artful. The new Loxodromic jewelry set is offered at 25% less than it's normal price for the course of this round, which runs through the 28th of July.  The set is offered in 5 different band colors and is unrigged mesh so you can edit the fit.  PLEASE NOTE: The Landmark to the [HANDverk] store is INCORRECT in the Stumblebum list.  I will provide the correct one in credits.

Toki-doki is also participating in the final Stumblebum round and is offering this fab mesh tank.  It comes in standard sizes and has a stunning back detail that sets it apart from others.  I wore it one size up from my usual size because I like the shirt a bit off my body.  I could do that without the alpha messing with my look (poorly fitting alphas make me insane).

I also want to show you some more items from two events that are near and dear to my heart: Hair Fair and One Voice.  Hair Fair is one of my favorite events each year and I'm like a kid at Christmas.  I fell in love with !Ohmai's new hair releases and think the "messy" version of Myer is simply brilliant.  The hairpiece also comes in a clean version but I have to be real and say that I rarely am put together like a prima ballerina and I love the whispies.  The hair-bases for this style have a sparkly effect to it and all the names have a cosmic theme which suits.  I will show more styles later.  One Voice continues to go strong and the skin and pants I am wearing both come from that event. AV!SAGE's Jayda skin is brilliant and I particularly love the strong brow and the perfectly placed mole.  The sari pants from One Bad Pixel come in 4 gorgeous jewel textures and have a perfectly, I mean perfectly, wrinkled effect so much like real silk.  Both these events are charity events, with Hair Fair benefiting Wigs for Kids and One Voice proceeds going directly to our dear Gala Phoenix for her legal defense fund.  I've detailed this several times so won't belabor it again.  I'm off to eat popcorn and hopefully avoid some horrible summer blockbuster!

Credits:
Jewelry: [HANDverk]: Loxodromic set: each piece can be purchased separately at 25% off the normal price.  This is the correct landmark.
Top: Toki-doki: Mari top: available in many colors
Hair: !Ohmai: Myer: available at Hair Fair 2012
Skin: AV!SAGE: Jayda skin for One Voice
Pants: 1bp: Sari Pants - green for One Voice