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

A Step Back in Time

Home Expo, which raises funds for RFL, is in it's final weekend.  The event runs through Monday, May 28th and covers 14 amazing sims.  I would love to see this fair run another week but the world doesn't revolve around me.  I am going to hopefully be doing twice daily posts in order to cover some more ground...RL kind of crept up on me this past week, mostly in the form of a wee bit end of the school year drama with my teenage (omg) son.  On expo preview day I spent some time chatting with Kat Alderson from Clutter and I was astounded by her work on the Ruined Courtyard.  This is not a house but indeed a courtyard like a old castle you might see in Europe.  It fits on a 38x30 footprint and it can be rezzed entirely at 157 prims or with individual pieces which include the ivy, seating, grasses and orchids or just the courtyard.  Kat probably doesn't know it but I remember when she had a cute little jewelry store called Cad & Tart, that I adored and I have always thought she was super talented.  

I was charmed by the Chinese Peace Lanterns from Alchemy Immortalis.  Traditionally in Asia, blue lanterns represent immortality and peace, and these were created as a tribute to the legacy of those who lost their battle with cancer as well as the spirit of survivors.  It is super easy to use; you rez the 1 prim blue and white rezzer and in moments the sky is filled with gently floating lanterns that glow with a soft flame.  These have several settings and you can even ride them.  They have been scripted for low lag.  

My darling friend, Skyler John, of Mystic Sky finally got the creative bug and has made a lovely little gown.  The Miranda Ballroom gown comes in 8 rich jewel tones and it includes both knee and floor length skirts.  I love the shorter length as I rarely have an occasion to wear gowns but it's a perfect addition for those that do.  The shorter length would be really nice for a fae.  Skyler includes a matching hair piece but somehow my final photos didn't include it...sorry Skyler, I owe you! 

I died, just died, when I got Wasabi Pills newest release, Anais, which is for the new wave of Zombie Popcorn which started today and ends June 9.  I had to IM MissAllSunday Lemon, Wasabi creator, immediately as I have fallen in love with this hair.  The hair is mesh and is available in all of Wasabi's gorgeous textures.  I've been around SL for a long time and every time I think I am ready for a long break, people create more amazing works and I remain enthralled.  It is a constant visual feast.   I also had the opportunity this week to preview Skin Addiction's Skin Showcase which started yesterday and runs for 2 weeks, until June 10.  Voishe Paine, group creator and the dozens and dozens of designers have showcased what they believe is the best of their brand under one location.  Designers from female, male, petite, fantasy, etc. are all represented.  It is set in a lovely parklike setting with meandering trails. Many designers have also placed out special gifts for members of the Skin Addiction group, which is free to join.  I am wearing a new skin by Leafy, Sapphire, that is available in neutrals as well as 5 fantasy tones.  It is a beautiful pure skin with just the right amount of facial definition to give it true character.  

It's been a busy few weeks in SL and so many talented people are just cranking out amazing work.  Get out and see what you can discover.  Home Expo has a great website that details store locations as well as daily activities.  

Credits: 

Build: Clutter: Ruined Courtyard @ Home Expo (located on sim 8, I promise!)

Lanterns: Alchemy Immortalis: Chinese Peace Lanterns @ Home Expo

Dress: Mystic Sky: Miranda Ballroom Gown: new release

Necklace: LaGyo: Ippolita Necklace Aqua

Shoes: Ingenue: Organique Flats: Droplet

Hair: Wasabi Pills: Anais Mesh Hair for Zombie Popcorn

Skin: Leafy: Sapphire - Neutral - Lumiel Pure @ The Skin Showcase

Poses: LAP: Gown with the Wind - Get them before they are gone!!! 

Waiting on the Mothership

Today was not a good day for my inventory but I did help contribute to the SL economy! There are a few good sales on now and I actually managed to buy things that could be worn together.  My purchasing generally has a very random quality to it.  So Many Styles has some nice pieces on sale.  My favorite was the feather vest.  I've paired it with the chiffon skirt, also from SMS, though this particular piece is not on sale this time.  A laced chiffon skirt is though, and I did pick up a few colors that did need updating (because, yes, I deleted a lot).  LaGyo has a half price sale on EVERYTHING right now and I picked up the new Desparado Bag, which is one of my favorites.  I used to not be a big purse fan because they just swung around and sliced through your head but they are so well animated right now that I am being won over.  The pose I'm using is in the purse.  I love the pose though in this shot I looked a bit like my brains had been zapped by the aliens, so I used a background submitted by Whimsy Winx for the wonderful SL Stock Images Group on Flickr. The Lainey boots are a new release from Baby Monkey.  They currently are not on sale but Pixie has been offering new releases at a major price reduction lately, so it's worthwhile to check.  Finally, Heart Softens is closing and I picked up several styles at only 39 L a piece while I had the chance.  Now, back to sorting.

Credits:
Vest: So Many Styles: Feather Vest, Natural
Skirt: So Many Styles: Chiffon Skirt
Shirt: JustB: Autumn Shimmer: store is closed :(
Stockings: Rotten Toe: Moth Stockings: on Marketplace
Boots: Baby Monkey: Lainie Boots
Purse: LaGyo: Desparado Bag
Hair: Heart Softens: Wolf - Brown
Skin: Laq: Ebba