Hair Fair 2014: !Ohmai

There is something about Anya Ohmai: she is magical. Her sister, Suetabulous, has the same trait and there is something about both of them that can touch the sweet spot in my often bitter SL heart.  I don't mean the term in the occult sense but this way:

mag·i·cal (majikəl) - beautiful or delightful in such a way as to seem removed from everyday life. Synonyms: extraordinary, remarkable, exceptional, outstanding, incredible, phenomenal, unbelievable, amazing, astonishing, astounding, stunning, staggering, marvelous, magnificent, wonderful, sensational, breathtaking, miraculous.

That Anya has remarkable talent is obvious. But she has something beyond that. She creates objects that are innocent, sweet, funny and cute in a way that never panders.  Her 5 new hairstyles she has introduced at Hair Fair 2014 has taken her work to a whole new level.  She has gone a bit cuckoo :)

Birds are a predominant theme for all of !Ohmai's new releases.  Each one includes 2 versions: normal (but still freaking adorable) and another with at least one "tweeter companion" and is available in 6 color HUDs. The HUD also allows you to interchange between 14 colors for your "pet".  If the hair has a hat or band you can also change the colors of those with the HUD

I don't know what I was thinking sticking myself directly in front of Cory Edo's precious Rivershire Waterwheel cottage (probably how little sleep I've been getting), but I hope you will forgive my momentary lapse of perspective.  I've paired the hair with equally precious newer releases from around the grid.  If all this sweetness had calories I would break my office chair.

In order to help you in being fully prepared to immerse yourself in hair, the official Hair Fair 2014 blog has an updated post on how to easily navigate the event.  Previous posts on the blog include a list of stores by sim, a link to the inworld demo group and information about their charity partner, Wigs for Kids.

Thank you again, Anya, for making such lovely things!  They even make me smile :)

Credits:

Photo 1

Hair: !Ohmai: Sopha: new release at Hair Fair 2014

Dress: M.birdie: Mari - Leaves - probably one of the most adorable dresses I've seen lately.  I used to LOVE one-pieces back in the day and so happy to see some again in mesh!

Photo 2

Hair: !Ohmai: Callia ("no friends" version): new release at Hair Fair 2014

Shirt: NuDoLu: Blouse romantique - Blanc maya : available at The Seasons Story

Skirt: NuDoLu: Jupe mignone ForgetMeNot : available at The Seasons Story

Photo 3:

Hair: !Ohmai: Newreem : new release at Hair Fair 2014

Shirt: M.birdie: _so_cool_T_Duck

Shorts: ::{u.f.o}:: Simple Cotton Shorts - red (June Collabor88)

Shoes: Milk Motion: Double Strapped Sandals - Pink Leather - available at The Men's Dept.

Photo 4:

Hair: !Ohmai: Sue (with nest): new release at Hair Fair 2014

Shirt: Apple May Designs:  BlueBell Top - Vintage

Skirt: Tee*fy: Marley Skirt - Spring (June Collabor88)

Photo 5:

Hair: !Ohmai: Eli: new release at Hair Fair 2014

Dress: ::{u.f.o}:: Say Something - denim check : available at The Seasons Story

Necklace: Mandala: Sagarmatha - Gold

In All Photos:

Skin: Glam Affair: Cassia - Arctic 06 (various brow versions) + Arctic appliers

Eyes: IKON: Sunrise Eyes - bleached blue

Hands/Feet: Slink

Poses: flowey: from the Raw Nostalgia set

House: Trompe Loeil: Rivershire Waterwheel: currently available at Collabo88

Pygmy Goats: Half-Deer:  Itty-Bitty Pygmy Goats (rez versions): Gacha @ The Season's Story

Tree Groupings: Studio Skye: Enchanted Woods v2 - 3 (trees)

Birch Tree: Deco

Grass: (iTuTu): Flowers&Plants-little white balls - ancient (may no longer be available)

Mailbox: Happy Mood

Happy Birthday, CHIC!

Wow! I find it hard to believe that CHIC Management has turned two years old!  I was looking at the CHIC website and they have held at least 18 events during that time, not counting the number of weekly Fashionably Late events.  Black and Blue was the first event and I remember that event.  The location was pretty small and how they have grown!  Culture Shock, which just ended was a huge event.  Chic2, began yesterday, and is back to a more intimate setting, though the number of brands represented is similar.  Each brand has been asked to create one new and exclusive (for the duration of the event) item.  The event is mesh-central and every CHIC2 item I am wearing today is mesh.  Just amazing to think mesh has only been around less than a year and how it has changed our buying habits.

Let me talk a bit about the items.  I've been trying to write this post all weekend and it was a total wash.  coldLogic has created the adorable Moody dress for CHIC2.  It comes in 3 different colors that each have their own cute print. They are perfect little summer dresses that you can dress up with a jacket or accessories of your choice.  You can see above so much attention has been given to detail.  The seaming is perfect, as are the shadows and shape. 

Bebe is a new, youthful skin line from Apple May Designs that right now you can only get at Chic2.  The Soho version has subtle shadow and lip tone.  I did pop on Rozena's Kiss Kiss lip color in Bubble Gum, also available at Chic2, for a bit more color and it complemented nicely.  I've not been shy about my love of Wasabi Pills mesh and MissAllSunday Lemon has revised her Anais hair from a pulled back style to a long style in Anais 2.  As she always does with long styles, she has included both a "boobs" and regular version so that more endowed avatars don't lose their hair to their bodies. I like the "boobs" versions when I am wearing several prim layers on top, as well.

In addition to lots of wearable items there is a nice selection of decor and pose items at the event.  The poses I am using are from estetica's Chic pose set made especially for the event. Trompe Loeil has remade their topiaries into a mesh version.  The pack at the event includes several styles and can be switched from a daytime version to an evening version with twinkling lights. A planter is included in the package so you can stick them in the ground or get fancy.  What Next is offering the sweet Hampton Garden set in 3 color choices.  The sets are entirely mesh and include a coalesced set with table and four padded chairs.  A non-cushioned version is also included.  The chairs have about a billion poses for both genders and rezzes or gives you a variety of items such as a computer, brunch, magazine, pen, drinks, phone, etc.  

CHIC2 runs from June 3 through the 24th.  The venue is set up in the round, similar to The Colosseum, with 3 tiers of booths.  I would suggest you simple move from the landing point and find a good place to cam.  It's a lot to take in and the selection is tremendous to have fun, go back more than once because I can guarantee you will miss something!  TP! 

Credits

(at CHIC2)
Dress: coldLogic: Moody Dress - Sage Blossom
Hair: Wasabi Pills: Anais 2 mesh hair - Rye
Skin: (AMD) Bebe - Pale Soho 3
Lips: Rozena: Kiss Kiss - Bubblegum
Topiaries: Trompe Loeil: Mesh Topiaries 6 pack
Furniture: {what next}: Hampton Garden Set - Yellow
Animations: Estetica: Chic

(non-C2)
Shoes: Baby Monkey: Cache
Deck: Funky*Junk: Summertime Dock - from Home Expo 2012
Birthday Cake and Hat: RC Cluster

Culture Shock: Colour Shock

One of the fashion trends that continues this summer, inside and outside SL, is color blocking.  It's nice that SL is on-trend as often it lags a bit.  Step into Culture Shock 2012 and you will see it everywhere - clothing, accessories and home decor.  My natural clothing tendencies go toward neutrals but I am enjoying this trend, especially since often the design is very clean and mod.  I am going to show you just a sample of items that I found at Culture Shock that fit this bill.  I think one of the tricks with color blocking is to choose accessories wisely so you don't end up looking like a coloring book.  I've exaggerated my looks a bit here to show you the range of items so you can find ways to add color to your look.

Sleeping Koala hit it out of the ballpark for me with the Bold Print Dress (100% donation) above. It is so mod and while the colors are bold they have been toned down just enough for me to not feel overwhelmed. It is partial mesh, which in this case means you can have a smooth mesh skirt prim or the usual one.  I actually liked the normal prim as she uses two pieces and sometimes I am too lazy to unlink (lol).  Speaking of skirt prims, nothing irritates me more than a nonmodifiable skirt prim, especially when there is not even a resizer.  Have you seen the variety of hip width and buttock size in SL? Anyways,  I laid off on the accessories as I chose Wasabi Pills Shiori (50% donation) hair as well as the Gwen skin from CIA Designs (50%) as they were both in very bold tones.   If you know me at all you know I am a huge mid-century furniture fan and if I see it I have to have it!  As soon as I saw the items from [HAND]verk I started to get the happy brain sensation I get when I see really well made high-design items.  In this photo the marshmallow sofa and starburst clock, amazing replicas of Herman Miller and Howard Miller items, are actually sold at FaMESHed, but the teaset in the style of Bauhaus designer Marianne Brandt, is at Culture Shock and is their gift to you.  Lastly, the adorable little radio from {what next} comes in 5 versions and reminds me of old Fisher Price toys, which I am an avid collector of in RL.

Apple May's new dress, Danni, is available in the Retro version exclusively at Culture Shock (50% donation). The top of the dress is mesh and comes in 4 standard sizes. I find that often even with Standard Sizing I often have to make adjustments to my shape or go up a size to get the right fit but this fit perfectly!  Please demo the dress as it is mildly revealing though I didn't notice the bit of nip until I had been stomping around in it for a day.  The dress includes clothing layers and the skirt is not mesh.  Ingenue has released new mesh boots, Jude, and the mustard color that I am wearing are a 100% donation item.  The purse is part of an adorable pose set from Sparrowtree Studio poses and includes 5 poses, poseballs and 5 purses.  The poses also work well with other purses so it's a great deal.

I adore the skin from Acide!  All of the Muriel skins are new and exclusive for Culture shock and this particular version, Violet tan, is a 50% to charity version.  Mons wonderful sparkling eyes are a 50% donation item.  I've been wearing these since I got them and I've been a die hard devotee to my other eyes for ages.  You can see a tiny glimpse of [HAND]verk's Bauhaus Face Necklace here. I am going to do another post about their designs as it's my new obsession and I will show the full set there.

Not exactly color blocked but bold in their own way are The Plastik's Katyana top (100% donation) and YS&YS's exclusive Brera CS2012 shoes (100% donation).  Both items worked perfectly with a pair of skinny jeans.  I am wearing YS&YS's CS2012 exclusive Roxanne skin (50%) donation which tones perfectly with the shoes (bonus!). It's gorgeous and I will get a better face shot soon.

Finally, alterego's cute Candy Dress (50 % donation) is all mesh and also sized perfectly with my XS shape.  The dress comes in three color blocked version and includes necklace, earrings and hair bow.  I laid off the hair bow because Wasabi Pill's Shiori hair comes in all of the usual fantastic textures.  The Brera shoes from YS&YS are available in other colors and the Gloss Fuxia pair were perfect.  I fell in love with la petite morte's Diffused Makeup and the blue was a perfect matchy matchy!

The Color Blocking Prop I used in the bottom 3 photos is from Magpie is perfect for a strong pop of color.  It contains 6 separate poses that are well placed for still shots.  The object is modifiable so you can adjust poses for your avatar. This is also at Culture Shock.

Each shop at the Culture Shock event has at least one item where a portion of the proceeds benefits Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders). I had to stop by there today and noticed they have upped the script limit to 75 so make sure you remove HUDS and items that contain a lot of scripts.  I noticed one woman repeatedly trying to get in with nearly 500 scripts on her body.  That will not cut it and I for one am thankful that this decision was made.

Credits (any items from Culture Shock will not have a slurl by them.  You can go to the Chic Management webpage and find a complete map and list of slurls for all the stores.  Once you have passed the landing point you can use those to directly TP around the sim.

Photo 1:
Dress: Sleeping Koala:  Bold Print Dress
Hair: Wasabi Pills: Shiori
Skin: CIA Designs: Gwen
Poster: What Next: Got Music? - gift!
Radio: What Next: Retro Radio
Tea Set: [HAND]verk: Tea Infuser Set - gift!
Marshmellow Sofa and Spoke Clock: [HAND]verk at FaMESHed
Noguchi Table: I've had it forever

Photo 2/3
Dress: Apple May: Danni - Retro
Boots: Ingenue: Jude
Skin: Acide!: Muriel
Necklace: [HAND]verk: Bauhaus Faced Necklace
Hair: LeLutka: Toni

Photo 4
Top: The Plastik: Katyana Top - Revolution Culture Shock 2012
Shoes: YS&YS: Brera Pumps Culture Shock 2012
Ring: [HAND]verk: Black Wassily Ring
Jeans: Maitreya: Mesh Zipper Skinny Jeans
Skin: YS&YS: Roxanne

Photo 5/6
Dress: alterego: Candy Dress
Shoes: YS&YS: Brera Pumps Gloss Fuxia
Skin: YS&YS: Roxanne
Makeup: la petite morte: Diffused Makeup
Hair: Wasabi Pills: Shiori

Photos 4 - 6
Magpie: Colour Blocking Prop

Pull on your Girdle! Here Comes the Vintage Fair!!!!

The Vintage Fair begins on Friday, October 11 and runs until December 3.  The Fair is another fantastic event organized by Chic Management and this has to be one of my favorite events from Keira Seerose thus far.  Over 200 brands will be represented that offer clothing specifically created to showcase items from the 1920's through the 1980's.  The event sponsors are Ivalde, oOo Studio, Alienbear's, Ingenue, GiZZa Creations, Artilleri and Purple Moon.  It covers 2 sims and was built by Aya Liotta of Abode.  It is set up like height of the downtown era with small and large shops.  I would show you photos but my rez at events is less than perfect, but I love how each shop has it's own personality.  Here is a handy map of the event.

I was completely enthralled with one of Apple May's offerings at the fair.  There is nothing grandma or stuffy about Payton with it's mini and deep sexy open back.  It puts me in the mind something Gina Lollobrigida or Briget Bardot or a Bond Girl would wear.  FYI - Make sure you don't wear all the layers of the top or you will lose the lace texture! The Broken Pearl Necklace is also available at Apple May and is the perfect accent for this dress.  Another item I was really excited to see were a set of Elegant Smoking poses from La Petite Morte (I will show more of these in further posts.)

Get ready for a fun event with great quality works.  Taxi's will be added to the posts once the event opens.

Credits: (I will try and include a link to the main store as well as name the street where is it located at the fair)
Dress: Apple May: Payton - located on Audrey Hepburn Blvd.
Jewelry: Apple May: Backward Broken Pearls - location above
Smoking Poses: La Petite Morte - located on Jane Fonda Way
Skin: Glam Affair: Gio Natural: currently available at The Dressing Room
Hair: D!va: Naomi: 20 K members group gift
Lace Tattoo: Para Designs: Paisley Temptress: current store gift
Eyes: Glam Affair: Stella V2 14