London Calling: Leaf on the Wind and Cute Builds

Ok. First the serious stuff. One very generous and talented lady, Scarlet Chandrayaan, of Alouette, recently received word of the news nobody ever wants to hear: cancer.  And to make it seem worse, she was ready to embark on a happy chapter of her life, making a big move to live with her love, and only 26 to boot.  But SL did what SL does at it's best; dear friends of Scarlet came together and put together the Leaf on the Wind event, which is raising funds so that Scarlet can visit London, which is a biggie on her bucket list. Some folks sneer at fundraisers, but I believe in them in most cases, At some point in are life we encounter big obstacles: financially, healthwise or a significant death, and I think fundraisers in SL do 2 big things: money (obviously) and emotional support that says "somebody cares about me".  The event runs to February 1st and includes donation items, raffles and direct donations as well as a way to send a personal message to Scarlet.

Speaking of caring, darling Pixiplumb Flanagan from Baby Monkey is offering free mesh shirts (M/F) that say "Je suis Charlie", a phrase adopted by people who support freedom of expression after the recent Paris massacre where 12 people were killed at the offices of newspaper Charlie Hebdo, a far left leaning satirical weekly that pokes a stick at current affairs. If you are someone who wants to express solidarity for the victims and what they stand for, pick one up.

Somewhat prophetically, Apple Fall has made an adorable shop prefab for The Liaison Collaborative, which opens with it's new round, Classic Romance, on January 15. The build is a lightweight with a LI of 34. It has 2 working floors and the cutest trashy stairway that you see in old builds, which I am very familiar with from my dead broke and hungry years. A UV map for the sign is included for your own brand. I decided that since London is the topic of the day, that turning the build into something that might look like a building on the real Portobello Road, that runs straight through the heart of Notting Hill in the boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea in West London.  The build was so much fun to decorate, that my problem was I had difficulty stopping once I got to it.

Credits:
Stuff from Leaf on the Wind: everything at the event has some level of donation
Hair: Tableau Vivant: Amy (aka Scarlet)
Skin: Glam Affair: Sia - Artic 05B
Boots: Foresaken: Union Queen boots
London Sign: Black Tulip
Stuff from The Liaison Collaborative (opens Feb 15)
Building: Apple Fall: Portobello Corner Store
Jewelry: Cae: Romantique Collection (incl, HUD for texture change and resize)
other
Shirt: Baby Monkey: 'I am Charlie' Tee: womens: Freeeeee (on the desk)
Skirt: Maitreya: Mini Skirt: Vivid Leather - Lust
Stockings: erratic: Ripped Stockings - blue
Pose: Le Poppycock: currently available at The Chapter Four
All the other things are just part of my vast collection of stuff.  If you have any questions, just IM me in-world

Sometimes it gets to be too much

Like most folks that I know in SL I tend to get too busy to the point where I can't keep up or get so overwhelmed with IM's and tasks that SL ceases to be fun.  SL, at least if you are a fashionista, has become so fast paced.  I cannot keep up anymore with events, which like it or not, is SL's current business model...and I like events, and even, work on some.  It has introduced me to so many designers I would have never known.  Almost every thing I am wearing or am standing on or next to is from a recent event and include some items that I will continue to wear or use over and over again.

I love to death Baiastice's new Tori dress which is available right now at The Liaison Collaborative. It is the definitive sexy slip dress and great care has been taken on the placement of lace and texture shading to show off a woman's curves, even a no-mesh-body, tiny avatar like me.  Some of you may remember the slip dress that Digit Darkes made about a billion years ago in SL.  I used to wear that thing to death and this will be an often used favorite in my ghastly inventory.  I decided to go with Soonsiki's newer Rat hair, which has that gamine look I adore and does not cover up this pretty dress. The Peyton shoes from Baby Monkey are a newer release and are available with a multi-texture hud for a very reasonable price.

Credits
Build: Trompe Loeil: Attic Skybox for October Collabor88 (love the texture treatment on the windows!)
Tables: Circa: Traveler's Desk for Mystic Realms (closing soon!)
Hair: Soonsiki: Rat
Skin: Glam Affair: Aria - Arctic 01 G
Dress: Baiastice: Tori - Bittersweet for The Liaison Collaborative - October
Jewelry: Mandala: Billionaire Watch Set & Sagarmatha Necklace -Silver
Shoes: Baby Monkey: Peyton for Slink High Feet
Poses: oOo Studio: both from new sets that were introduced for the recent FLF: Avenger & Henrietta

Hooray for Cute!

It all started with the little horns on the hair. Tableau Vivant's new color huds are the bomb and the delicate streaks of pink in the blond pack are like spun sugar, especially near the top of the head. The effect on the Mimi attachments perfectly blends with Hallie hair, both available at Collabor88. I don't tend to be a flashy person so the subtle streaks allowed me to really get my face on. The skin is the new group gift at Glam Affair and I added Wicked Peach's Priestess Makeup which is available now The Liaison Collaborative and I am super pleased with the look.  Just what I need before I succumb to Autumn completely.

I am a long time fan of Mimikri, who I am thrilled to see at The Liaison Collaborative.  Mimikri has a casual way with glam that I appreciate and the Eve Embellished Dress is a cute little cocktail number that shows just enough to be sexy without having to desperately throw yourself at the grid.  My hair is covering the darling little jewels that dot the bust of the shirt but it is distinctly Mimikri. Baby Monkey has been on a roll producing SLink compatable shoes for a song compared to many stores. They are sold with a single color hud that basically serves as a fat pack for less than the price of many shoes.  Better yet, group members get half off on all new releases for the first week.

Poses do not get enough credit though I do think we are getting better at crediting them.  They make our picture.  I am extremely impressed with the new pose sets that Fanny Willis has created for Candy Fair. Since the event ends today I hope they are soon at her store. She is definitely a pose maker that I will seek out in the future!

Credits
Hair: Tableau Vivant: Hallie hair with Mimi extensions: Blond Hud: New Release currently available at Collabor88
Skin: Glam Affair: Sia - Pearl - Dead Doll C: new group gift!
Makeup: Wicked Peach: Priestess Pack 1 - 2: New Release currently available at The Liaison Collaborative
Dress: Mimikri: Eve Embellished Dress - Fire: New Release one of several colors available at The Liaison Collaborative
Shoes: Baby Monkey: Nilla - Slink High Foot compatible
Poses: Everglow: from the Sugar and Sweet sets that were just at Candy Fair

Hair Fair 2014: Damselfly

Hair Fair 2014 is here!  4 sims of wonderful hair, 100's of them by new designers, runs until the 27th of July.
As in previous years Hair Fair 2014 is a charity event and all purchases give at least 15% of it's proceeds to Wigs for Kids,  has been providing Hair Replacement Systems and support for children who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, Alopecia, Trichotillomania, burns and other medical issues at no cost to children or their families for over 30 years. If you look around you will see some styles that have an even larger donation amount, some even at 100%.

The official Hair Fair blog can give you all the information you need regarding the fair.  The Hair Fair committee has done a brilliant job in creating a shopping environment that is as lag-free as possible. However, you are encouraged to strip down or even wear a full size alpha to hide your avatar. Thankfully, there is also the Hair Fair Demo Group so you can pick the styles that you must have and find their slurls on the Hair Fair blog.  There are also little "busses" you can rez and use to ambulate your way around the fair. These are located throughout the venue.

So let's talk about the hair already!  I am featuring the 3 new releases for women from Damselfy.  I must admit I have recently become quite a fan of Damselfly after seeing a gorgeous style on my friend, Kat Alderson.  The textures are superb and the hair is so realistic looking. There are a multitude of textures at 125 and are contained within a HUD so that you don't have to have a billion hairs in your inventory.

Credits:
Photo 1:
Hair: Damselfly: Praise - Color 106 from the Mixed + Faded HUD: available at Hair Fair 2014 on the Noirette sim.
Dress: coldLogic: Ayres - Blush: coldLogic's 50 % off sale has been extended until Monday, July 14 due to the horrible server issues that affected the vendors of so many designers! so GO
Bangle: ISON: Safari Tribe Bracelet - Gold: currently available at Collabor88
Bag: Glam Affair: Business Tote Bag - Candy
Shoes: Baby Monkey: Fauna - for Slink High Feet (removable strap - just chose a new color to restore the strap): HUD contains 32 colors. Group Members get 50% off many new releases during the first week of release.
Skin: Glam Affair: Cassia - Arctic 06: at Summerfest for one more day!
Hands/Feet: Slink: Flat hands / High Feet
Photo 2:
Hair: Damselfly: Tabby - Color 415 from Mixed + Faded HUD: available at Hair Fair 2014 on the Noirette sim.
Shirt: coldLogic: Crane - Celery: SALE SALE SALE
Shorts: coldLogic: Sumner - Soot: SALE SALE SALE
Bag: Zenith: Leather National minority bag - Choco - available in rigged/nonrigged versions. Includes HUD to change trim: currently available at Collabor88
Shoes: Baby Monkey - Olwen - for Slink High Feet: HUD contains 32 colors. Group Members get 50% off many new releases during the first week of release.
Skin: Glam Affair: Cassia - Arctic 06: at Summerfest for one more day!
Hands/Feet: Slink: Flat hands / High Feet
Photo 3:
Hair: Damselfly: Eilana - Color 204 from Mixed + Faded HUD, hairbase 106 (included): available at Hair Fair 2014 on the Noirette sim.
Shirt: David Heather: Oen Buttondown - black - PUPPIES!: currently available at The Men's Dept.
Pants: Aphorism: Loaded Slim Jeans (women's version / men's version available, too!): currently available at The Men's Dept.
Shoes: Just Design: Roma - Pink for Women's Slink Bare feet (men's version available, too!) : currently available at The Men's Dept.
Sunglasses: ieQED: Wright Glasses - black : currently available at The Men's Dept.
Skin: Glam Affair: Cassia - Arctic 06: at Summerfest for one more day!
Hands/Feet: Slink: Flat hands / Bare Feet
Poses: marukin: Poppy: currently available at Collabor88.

Girl Friday

One of my all time favorite looks is the ingenue look from around the 1950s.  That was before my time but I used to love those old romance movies where the new to the big city girl is "seduced" by some more sophisticated man.  Now I sneer at the sexism of those films but I recall daydreaming about moving to a large city and living at the Barbizon Hotel. It's still one of my favorite looks to put together in SL though mesh layers aren't always cooperative with that (thank god for those times when a larger size coat works!).  Tomorrow I might be wearing a phatazz, but today you can call me Miss Priss.

Credits:
Coat: ISON: Oversized Wool Coat: currently at Collabor88
Dress: Baby Monkey: Pilar: HUD driven color change: New group gift
Shoes: GOS: Peeptoe Pumps - Black Satin
Purse: The Secret Store: Girly Briefcase - Cherry (not mesh but still ridiculously cute)
Necklace: HANDverk: Mucha Necklace - Silver
Hair: LeLutka: Dulcina - Praline
Skin: Glam Affair: Katya - Europa 03
Lips: Pink Fuel: Elly Glam Lipstick - Vamp

Color Challenge: Lemon Chiffon

I think I fell of the edge of the SLearth for a few days there but RL just got super busy.  I am trying to be diligent about Luna Jubilee's color challenge and this week's color, Lemon Chiffon, was just too pretty.  I'm getting ready to do about a billion posts for the end of Culture Shock and for Home Expo, but I had to go digging for some light summery yellows.  I was able to combine both old and new items for this look.  It started with Atomic's Summertime skirt, which I've had for 2 years now so it might be retired. Ingenue's Mon Petit Cami worked well under the highwaisted skirt.  I had to include Pididdle's new little mesh scarf, Parisian Summer, that is out at The Attic's adorable new collection. Baby Monkey's Erin pumps are out at a discount for group members as part of her weekly color challenge offering.  MissAllSunday Lemon from Wasabi Pills, has cranked out yet another amazing new mesh hair, Cookie.  This one is non-rigged mesh and has two resizable parts to it, the asymmetrical bang and the back so that you can edit their placement individually.  You really do amaze me!  Finally, Culture Shock ends on the 26th of May and the darling Postcard from the Beach pose prop from Magpie and the exclusive skin from Glam Affair are both charity items.

Location: my beach

Color Challenge: Deep Pink

Jacqui should really be around for this one because she is definitely the pink girl of the Crybabies but I'm no slack when it comes to the color.  I didn't need to dig far to find the color in my inventory as I had just hit the Mesh Me Up sale at Purple Moon, where all of the new items in the mesh collection are just L$59.  We've all seen plenty of tube and balloon mesh dresses by now but this one has wonderful pleating that reminds me of some of my favorite non-mesh MichMi dresses.  It's chic and elegant and and comes in satins (solids and gradients) and leathers for the sale, which runs through the 20th.  The Cachet shoes are one of my favorite newer releases from Baby Monkey.  Pixieplumb Flanagan finds a wide selection of her shoes for each weeks color challenge and offers a 50% discount to group members.  The group is usually 250 to join but every month she offers a free-join weekend and as of this moment it is free to join (and she is not online to change it) so if you hurry you can get in for free! Je Suis' short Aimee necklace works perfectly with the dress and since so many of her items are color change it was easy to make matchy.

Credits:
Dress: Purple Moon: Audrey Tube Dress - Gradient Pink Satin
Necklace: Je suis: Aimee
Shoes: Baby Monkey: Cachet Pumps
Hair: Truth: Georgina
Skin: Glam Affair: Linn - Natural 06
Pose Prop: Sparrowtree Studio: Circles of Light - currently at Culture Shock 2012

FFL: Get Over There!

Today is the last official day of Fashion for Life for 2012 so if you have not, please go and buy one of everything.  FFL is SL's largest fundraiser and benefits Relay for Life.  This year's Chairperson, Harper Beresford, amongst others, has given countless hours to the event and so much effort has been made for the shopping experience to be pleasant.  The 10 themed sims are all unique and some are spectacular.

I am showing a number of items using Miamai's Lilli dress as a backdrop that can be picked up at FFL, all of which 100% of the proceeds benefit Relay for Life.  Most stores will be taking the special vendors back to their main stores if you do not make it to the event, but the event gives you a chance to see many at once as well as see participants newest releases.

Loue is one of Miamai's newest releases.  Not exactly gown length but more of a maxi ballerina it features an elegant feathered collar piece that adds so much chicness.  You can find it right now at Miamai.

Credits: FFL Slurls will denote Sim location
1:
Dress: Miamai: Lilli - Fine Day @ FFL (my favorite sim!)
Jewelry: Bliensen + MaiTai: Zarah - Winter@ FFL
Shoes: Baby Monkey: Nadine Pump Violet @ FFL
Hair: MINA: Kim @ FFL
Skin: Katsuicide: Laura @FFL
2:
Dress: Miamai: Lilli - Love @FFL (see above)
Necklace: U&R Dogs: Repetitor Necklace @ FFL
Purse: Duh!: Minibag Cherry @ FFL
Skin: Katsuicide (see above)
Shoes: Duh!: Dolly Pumps @ March Zombie Popcorn
Hair: Wasabi Pills: Monique2
3:
Dress: Miamai: Loue @FFL (see above)
Shoes: Baby Monkey: Nadine Pump Teal @ FFL (see above)
Hair: INK: Emo

all poses by Adorkable

FFL: Mash-up

I am playing catch-up again on posting but I hope my excuse is allowed.  I have been working all week at Laughfest, which is a huge event in my city that raises funds for Gilda's Club, that provides support and education to people in the midst of cancer or the grief journey.  Research has shown that laughter is indeed good medicine and it has been a great honor to be involved.  I am a big supporter of FFL because I love how we in SL can also come together and provide help to worthy causes.  There is a huge perception that SL is a one big sex orgy, which is certainly there if you wish to partake, but I am entranced by the creative possibilities, especially when it helps others.  FFL is one of the big shopping trips I take each year (one of - lol) and thus I am showing a variety of items available, spiced up with Wasabi Pill's new hair releases and the occasional item from my huge collection of stuff.

It's hard to believe that only last year there was no mesh because it has so much steam behind it on the grid.  In each of my sets there is more than one mesh item and I am such a fan of it, especially for it's fluidity.  In the top collage I am wearing the Mari mini from Kim.  The prim skirt is mesh and comes in two versions.  There is a regular prim skirt for those of you who are not using mesh, but I can say that my range of movement was more restricted in the non-mesh version. The leather jacket from LaPoint & Bastchild is not mesh but uses the resizing system that I adore from their boots and I can see the practicality of it in a non-mesh format.  I am a fan of Je Suis and picked up both the eternelle necklace and earrings at FFL.  They are incredibly versatile pieces and all parts of it (stones, metal and band) are color change. All my hair is from Wasabi Pills, whom I think is heads and tails above others in creating one fantastic mesh style after another.

The outfit in the middle photo is a new release from Vanita's Vesture.  SarahTheRed Aurbierre is offering special editions of her upcoming Restless dress for FFL.  The top includes a blousy prim attachment but I was so in love with the mesh pencil skirt that I had to forego it and add a wide belt instead.  The mesh pencil skirt easily fit me and also includes a curvy version.  My avatar is slim to average in size though I have some junk in the trunk and strong legs but you will definitely want to try a demo since it is not based on standard sizing (I am usually a small using SS).  The jewelry is from Bliensen + MaiTai.  The Tick-Tock necklace is available in 3 different styles and the cute It's Time bracelet is Plurabelle's hunt item and includes adorable earrings.  The Nadine pumps are a cute new release from Baby Monkey and the metal studs on the back (which I forgot to shoot - sorry Pixie) are color changeable.

ArisAris, whom I was introduced to at the Back to Black event, has introduced mesh items at FFL.  The Balloon dress in chocolate comes in four sizes and includes a pretty brown bow that I did not add because I tend to be a rather strict adherent to limiting my number of accessories.  As Coco Chanel said, "A woman can be over dressed but never over elegant.”  The pretty Virginia shoes are also from ArisAris and I found the HUD to be user friendly with preset tones, as well as adjustment abilities and easy RGB entry.  The Suzie Q necklace from Bliensen + MaiTai is one of my favorite styles of hers and the earth version is available as a donation item at FFL.

As if I have not said enough, the skin I am wearing is different styles of Hush's Amy skin which is at FFL.  I had not worn Hush skin before and I really like it.  The skin is only available at FF and all proceeds will go towards charity.  Each skin includes 6 different skin tones, light and dark eyebrows, cleavage/no cleavage options and a modifiable shape (not shown).  At the booth at FFL there is a 200 L giftcard to Hush available for 25L and the FFL hunt item is a special version of her Paige skin in honey as well as another 200 L giftcard. I look forward to seeing more from Hush Darkrose.

Credits: (ALL FFL items are 100% donation items and FFL slurls will be to sim landing point)
p1:
Dress: Kim: Mari Mini - Red @ FFL
Jacket: Lapointe & Bastchild: S'Wear Drift Jacket - Black @ FFL
Jewelry: je suis: eternelle necklace @ FFL
Skin: Hush: Amy in KissMeBlue@ FFL
Hair: Wasabi Pills: Kumi Pony : new release

p2:
Dress: Vanita's Vesture: Restless Dress - Tangerine @ FFL
Belt: Pacadi Jasha - store is now closed :(
Jewelry: Bliensen + MaiTai: Tick-Tock necklace: Sakura
                                              It's Time bracelet: hunt item - both @ FFL
Shoes: Baby Monkey: Nadine Pump - Antique Gold @ FFL
Skin: Hush: Amy Skin in Glossy Grape @ FFL
Hair: Wasabi Pills: Monique2: newer release
Purse: House of Fox: SteffaniLux tote

P3:
Dress: ArisAris: Balloon Dress Chocolate @ FFL
Shoes: ArisAris: Virginia Tan @ FFL
Necklace: Bliensen + MaiTai: SuziQ - Earth @FFL
Skin: Hush: Amy Skin in Sultry Sage @ FFL
Hair: Wasabi Pills: Kumi : new release
Bag: Pididdle: Anya Tote

Color Challenge: Dandelion

I can't believe I missed 2 weeks with RL craziness and other demands on SL!  I will probably make up the other 2 because it nags at me.  Most of my stuff is oldbies but Rezzie lured me in with her ad for this adorable skirt.  The necklace harkens back to the red stick hunt.  I had on red hair but I thought I looked like Ronald MacDonald with french fries around my neck.

Credits:
Skirt: RezIpsa Loc: Black Dandelion, High Waist Skirt
Shirt: !Ohmai: DARE bodysuit "Agent Yellow"
Shoes: Baby Monkey: Ultimate Samara Pumps: Golds
Skin: Glam Affair: Linn: Natural - 06
Hair: Love Soul: *107* Gold Blonde
Prop Art: Tableau Vivant: Be Glam

I really like this dress from ArisAris.  I wasn't planning on covering it for the Back to Black event but I saw another blogger in it and I was struck by how quite pretty it is.  There are lovely ethereal layers covering the skirt as well as the arm attachments.  I almost stuck wings on but I felt that was somewhat too expected.  I am still completely in love with the new hair from Wasabi Pills, Sybille, which comes in 2 versions because apparently MissAllSunday Lemon and Rouge Darcy could not agree on which version should be sold so both are available.  It is meshy loveliness, which I'm just now starting to purchase since Firestorm's new viewer does not lag me down as much as other mesh viewers tend to do (thank you!).

Aura has made new skins and Tyr Rozeboom has very generously given group members 2 different sets, each with 2 tones.  This one above is Briar - Berlin and below I am wearing Helena - Love Notes, which is in Paper, a group exclusive skintone (xoxoxo).

I adore the meshy awesomeness of MiaMai's Survive outfit.  It has the most wonderful corset that is cinched tightly. I feel a bit like a cancan dancer at the Moulin Rouge.  The tiled textures look so real on it and it is like nothing else I own which is a hard feat for a person with over 100 K in their inventory.  It is available in 5 sizes based on Standard Sizing standards.

Shag has a wonderful updo at Back to Black. I was drawn to it because of the optional rosary beads in the hair.  Those are color change.  I've my share of updos but this one is very versatile and can be kittenish or vintage...so it has range.  Elemental offers a great lapis lazuli set. The bright color beads against the black are representative of how life can outshine the darkness.

Lassitude & Ennui offers the lovely meshy Flutter boots in 3 different colors. Each contains 4 sizes for all different kinds of leggies.  I was somewhat surprised that I liked the medium size best on me because I am not a large avatar so do demo if you can.  I remember Lassitude & Ennui from one of my first jewelry sets from the Free Dove and I'm thrilled to see another long-standing brand that keeps up with the technology.  I love the victorian feel of these boots and am going to have to get on some of my goodies from Silent Sparrow and see how they work!  Man, I love clothes!

Credits: (B2B indicates that the item is available at the Back to Black event)
Photo 1 and 2:
Dress: ArisAris: Rig25 Sprit - B2B
Hair: Wasabi Pills: Sybille2: new release
Skin: Aura: Briar - Berlin - group gift
Jewelry: Artilleri: Make a Wish Necklace - B2B
Ring: Pididdle: Gaudy Ring - Lost at Sea Sp. Ed.
Shoes: Baby Monkey: Ultimate Margot
Photo 3 thru 5
Dress: Miamai: Survive - B2B
Boots: Lassitude & Ennui: Flutter Boots - B2B
Jewelry: Elemental: Back to Black Lapis and Beads - B2B
Skin: Aura: Helena - Love Notes in Paper: group gift/exclusive tone
Hair: Shag: She Sells Santuary

Poses: Diesel Works: Polywall Prop

Ivalde: Weekend in Paris

I've not been shy to discuss how much I have adored Vintage Fair.  I've been very meh about blogging, spending more time avoiding then actually taking photos but this event has renewed my interest in SL fashion.  There has been much drama around the grid about legitimacy: whose work is original, what has value, etc.  While my ear has certainly been bent I've also felt over it.  Some of this is about trust, but the hating just brings more of the same.  I respect people's learning curve, understand there are some folks in SL that purely want to profit, others for which SL is mostly for fun/want a few L's to blow, and others that rely on SL for a living.  Within that are all kinds of levels and I'm cool with it, am happy to contribute to the SL economy, but I've also been around long enough to have a pretty good understanding of the industry and don't get ripped off too often.  Having that off my chest, Nefaria Abel from Ivalde is a truly talented woman and has had a strong SL presence for years and years.  Nef's deal is Vintage, always has been and hopefully will remain (though I adored L'Abel).  I have an enormous collection of her works and doubt I will ever eliminate them from my inventory. They are like the archives of fashion history and if I want something classic, that folder is one of the ones I hit first.  I adore the new Jamica gown that she has debuted at Vintage Fair.  The dress is what the system skirt was made for in my humble opinion.  A diaphanous prim skirt wraps around a column skirt bringing attention to a narrow waist and hiding the bubble butt that I so dislike in system skirts.   I envisioned myself as a young woman, embarking on an overseas voyage to Europe, possibly a new bride or socialite in a pre-feminist era where a lady's beauty was her most essential asset.  Thank goodness those times are past but I definitely appreciate the clothes!  This dress can stand on its own with just a touch of accessories.  The floral necklace and earrings from WTG and little bowed slingbacks from Baby Monkey complete the look.

I adored the Billie Dress for similar reasons.  Nef has taken a straight system skirt and layered it this time with tulle-like cocktail length skirt for an elegant day to evening look.  I modernized the 1920's style dress with accessories more in line with a 1950's couture look but you can go all kinds of ways with it.  The textures on this dress are almost touchable.  I am probably going back to get it in more colors.   The fantastic Audrey Necklace from Caroline's Jewelry just begged to be worn with the dress.  Caroline was inspired by the necklace worn by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's and comes in either white or black pearls.  This is a simply stunning piece.  The hair is a gift from Plume for fairgoers.  It's a bit funky and whimsical and the roses change color.

Lots of nice skins with a retro flair have been released for Vintage Fair.  Today I featured a new skin from Boho Beauty.  Redsoledrea Gossipgirl is back with new stuff including the Sloan Skin.  She says it is perfect for redheads but I am wearing it without red hair and was very pleased with it. It comes in 4 tones.  Each pack contains 2 makeups, a cleavage option and 2 mole tattoos.  You can pick up this version at a limited release price at the fair.  Her new store, Boho & Boho Beauty, will be opening on the Chic sim over Thanksgiving weekend.  Until then, her inworld group is free to join and she will be sending out free gifts.  I look forward to more.

Credits: (Most of the items are available at the Vintage Fair.  I will note those that are not. Slurls will be to main stores.  A map and slurls to all shops at Vintage Fair can be found at the Chic Management blog.)
P1:
Gown: Ivalde: Jamica
Jewelry: WTG: Floral-w
Skin (all photos) Boho Beauty: Sloan - Vintage (main store opening next week!)
Hair: [e]: Soft: available exclusively at Collabor88
Shoes: Baby Monkey: Mia Pumps (not at fair)
P2:
Dress: Ivalde: Billie
Necklace: Caroline's Jewelry: Audrey Pearl Necklace: White
Hair: Plume: A Kiss from a Rose: Freebie!
Glasses: Artilleri: Gabriella (not sure if this set is at the fair)
Stockings: Vextra Messing: Sheer Pantyhose - Blue (not at fair)
Shoes: Armidi: Barcelona Slingbacks - Prussian Blue (note: the website is still up but I've not purchased anything from it in about a year so buy at your own risk.) (not at fair)

All poses are from oOo Studio from retro sets available at the Vintage Fair.  They are fantastic!

Look! We Get to be all Matchy and Glamorous!

I've not even had a chance to look at all the feeds but I'm guessing that they are absolutely full of posts about the Vintage Fair, which starts today at 4 PM SLT.  Let me say this: It deserves every little bit of press it gets!  It has been very well organized by the folks at Chic Management and every designer I've seen has busted their butt to offer amazing items.  There is a bit of everything, including wearables, of course, but also poses and furniture.  It runs for 3 weeks and I've been previewing it for 2 days and could use more time to really check things out.  But alas, last I checked, things don't run according to my whims and I'm really excited to hear what people find at the fair that tickles their fancy.

Hempy and I had all these grand plans to take a photo together at the fair because it is just so cute with it's rows of little shops but we just couldn't pull it off - either our lashes wouldn't rez or something was blurry or kids needed tending in RL.  We made such a fetching pair. Then none of my photos saved to my hard drive for unknown reasons that are part of the conspiracy to break me and I had to walk away and fell asleep on the couch for hours.

 Hempy was sweet enough to put her ensemble back on so we get to show you 2 of the fantastic looks you can pull together from the fair.  Hempy in the top photo chose Icing's brilliant Just Swing dress, which includes that uber fantastic veiled hat.  Look at the lush colors in the skirt and the perfect shading in the bodice.  I did absolutely no retouching of clothes in this post.  They are just that well done.  Dilly Dolls is introducing the Beatrix Heels at the fair.  They are to die for. Hemp said the hud makes skin matching a breeze plus the shoes are color change.  I must get a pair.  Hempy chose a new skin from Essences that has very nice retro details.  Oh, and she made the jewelry, lovely Queen Sophie sets!

I used Ingenue's Martine Dress as the base for my ensemble.  I've posted Ingenue many times before and I'm a huge fan.  Vintage clothing is nothing new to her (and it's nice to see others come on board!).  Betty Doyle is just such a master of her craft.  She has ventured into Mesh, which sadly I have not downloaded as motherboard would probably croak on the spot, but this dress is not mesh, which made me kinda happy!  The dress is a perfect backdrop for accessories.  I tend to downplay accessories and look for the one perfect piece, but more really works with the dress.  House of Fox makes really delicious bags and I found the Steffani bag to be a good contrast to bring out the ribbon on the hat, blah blah.  Hatpins made the elegant Florence Cloche hat, which I adore.  I get a bit impatient fitting hats and hairs so this was win.  The perfect bob in a series of color changes. SIGMA Jewels offers the Andra necklace, which is a really versatile piece that easily carries from day to evening looks.  Anthem, a new store to me, that I will be returning to, offers the stunning Victoria ring. It comes with both a three finger and single option.  Great details on the band and a really nice patina on the metal textures.  My shoes are not from the fair.  They are from Baby Monkey, which has a great selection of pumps that work with the vintage look.  I love Sileny Noel's new skin, Swing, and I had to wear the freckled version.  Sileny, who has released skin under the Mango Mango brand for quite awhile now, has joined forces with Airedine Poe from Adore & Abhor, and you can now find her fine work under the brand Adore & Abhor Cosmetics.  She has added a feature which I really like, which is a small bust option.  A cleavage enhancer is included as well, no worries to all who love the bewbs.  Finally, and then I will stfu, I LOVED Malvada Mujer's Kiki eyeshadows, because it completed my "My husband's plane was shot down over the Pacific look".  Just great stuff.

We will be steady posting Vintage Fair stuff for awhile as there are so many amazing items.  I am enthralled and am happy to see Hempy Weezles joining us here.  Hemp is a great stylist and I <3 her.

Credits:  (I will try and include a link to the main store and the street location at the Vintage Fair when possible.  Here is a map of the fair.)
Hempy:
Dress/Hat: Icing: Just Swing: located on Sophia Loren Street
Shoes: Dilly Dolls: Beatrix Heels: located on Audrey Hepburn Blvd
Skin: Essences: located on Rita Hayworth or Cary Grant Blvd (my eyesight is wretched)
Stole: Icing: lucky chair item!
Jewelry: Ripe: Queen Sophie Jewelry: located on Tina Turner Drive
Eyes: Rozena: Tea Eyes: Afternoon: Gift located on Jane Fonda Way

Eden:
Dress: Ingenue: Martine: located on the corner of North and West Streets
Hat/Hair: Hatpins: Florence Cloche Hat: located on East Street
Skin: Adore & Abhor Cosmetics: Swing: located on Audrey Hepburn Blvd
Necklace: SIGMA Jewels: Andra Necklace: located on Audrey Hepburn Blvd
Rings: Anthem: Victoria Rings: located on West Street
Bag: House of Fox: Steffani Bag: located on Tina Turner Blvd
Makeup: La Malvada Mujer: Kiki#2: located on Jane Fonda Way
Shoes: Baby Monkey: Milana Pump Burgandy

All Poses by oOo Studios - Hempy used poses from Jean and Veronica and mine are from the 20s set.  Located on the corner of North and East Street.

Aunt Ruth

This time of year always brings me back to Aunt Ruth and her farm on the Michigan/Indiana border, with fields now fallow and it's pecan trees, hardy for such a Northern climate.  I would fall asleep and wake again to the murmurs of my aunt's conversations and the hope of some inclusion in the fold.  I wish my poor old Mac could capture the long shadows but alas, it's old school for me as it's just not in the budget.

I love Reila Skins latest group gift of the cozy poncho.  Part of me cringes at the idea of summer turning to fall but the northerner in me is ready to leave the heat behind and cozy up just a bit.  I paired it with one of Bingo's new Safari skirts, pulled on some new boots from Baby Monkey.  I adore Wasabi Pill's newest hair, Mimi; it has just the right amount of jagged to catch my interest and I believe they have some of the best colors on the grid. It includes a hair bow, which I chose to forego this time. Ready or not, I move on to another new autumn.

Credits:
Poncho: Reila Skins: September Group Gift
Skirt: Bingo: Safari Skirt - Brown
Boots: Baby Monkey: Brenna Boot - Burgundy
Hair: Wasabi Pills: Mimi - Lemon Tea
Bag: Bukka: Subscriber Gift
Stockings: fri.day: Barb Stockings - old Stumblebum purchase
Tank: Tyranny Designs: Just Relax: Dirt: closed
Bangles: YS&YS: Bone Bangles: previous TDR purchase
Skin: tres blah: C88 - Light: exclusively at Collabor88

Rain or Shine

I've been such a bad blogger lately but summer has pretty much taken over my life.  I've been dying though to show some looks with Wasabi Pill's newest hairs.  MissAllSunday Lemon (love the name) of Wasabi Pills is one of those designers that shows such amazing range.  When it comes to her hair I can honestly say that I like to wear the guy hairs as much as I do the femme styles.

In the above shot I'm wearing the Roy hair in Rye.  Most of the hair is gathered back into a short ponytail with enough messy tendrils to keep it from looking too severe.  When I took this shot Swansong was still having a big 50% off sale.  Regardless, the Java dress, which first premiered at Culture Shock, is so lovely.  I love the placement of the orchid textures on the skirt.

Pompom is definitely kawaii hair, with its adorable little texture change hair bow and pompoms on the pigs.  It includes a version without the bow for a simpler look.  I tend to go for the simpler look but Jacqui said she liked the bowed version better and in an effort to be more open to input I listened.  The Tropica Playsuit from Ingenue for the gacha fest at Albero was perfect for spending some time daydreaming on my estate.  It is available in several sweet colors at only 50 L per play.

Credits:
Skin: Chain and Vine: Lael Group Gift: group is free to join and the skin is fab!
Hair: Wasabi Pills: Roy and Pompom
Dress: Swansong: Java Dress
Playsuit: Ingenue: Tropica Playsuit: 50 L a try at the Albero Gacha Fest
Shoes: Baby Monkey: Cindy and Ashanti
Hair Accessory: P1: Natural: Triste: Blue/White: OMG only 10 L!
Luggage: Natural: Gacha: also only 10 L per play
Picnic Set: Artilleri: recent FLF purchase

Culture Shock: Baiastice

One of the nice things about being an active fashion blogger in SL is the opportunity to occasionally preview events before they are officially open.  This results in a lot of work, too, but that isn't what I'm going for here.  My prolific blogging partner, Jacqui, IM'd me and told me I had to see Baiastice's Mattina chiffon dresses at Culture Shock because they were so me.   She knows me so well!

Sissy Pessoa, the hardworking designer of Baiastice, must have worked her fingers to the bone making these beautiful dresses.  The dress is primarily sculpted prims with all the requisite clothing layers.  Sculpted clothing is becoming quite prevalent in SL and those of you who have tried it know how difficult fitting can be.  Sissy has obviously put a lot of thought into that as the top comes in 4 sizes to fit a most avatars.  The sculpts are not resize scripted so if you have decent editing skills you can modify the top to fit your specific height and width requirements.  If you are anything like me and want to immediately start messing with the sizing,  I recommend you copy the pieces before you start messing with them or you could ruin these beautiful pieces.

The skirt on the dress is available in 2 versions; a multilayered option shown in the top photo and a single skirt as shown just above.  Again, these do not have a resize script so you can manually adjust as needed.  Again, copy before you edit, particularly on the layered skirt!  What truly impresses me about the skirts is that Sissy has added an AO with both walking and standing animations that let you avoid having your hands get buried in the sculpted pieces.  

The Mattina chiffon dress is available in 3 colors, mixed cold (blues/greens) mixed hot (pinks/golds) and royal (violets).  It is a a high quality piece that displays the breadth of Sissy Pessoa's talent that makes her a fashion leader.   The purchase of this dress benefits Médecins Sans Frontières, so please, reduce your scripts, brave the lag and pick it up!

Médecins Sans Frontières most recent donation total from Culture Shock is $L1,007,003.  This is more than $4,000 USD earned for the charity and the event runs through May 22.  We are blessed to have so many generous designers and caring individuals in SL!  For a complete map and list of slurls for all participants visit here.  

Credits:
Dresses: Baiastice: Mattina Chiffon Dresses: available exclusively at Culture Shock
Bracelet and Hair Ornament: Bliesen & MaiTai: Geiko: available exclusively at Culture Shock
Skin: Fall In: Deliciouz Skin: Dee (photo1) / Devin (photo2): available exclusively at Culture Shock
Shoes: Baby Monkey: Ultimate Ingrid - Lime
Hair: Elikatira: Away (photo 1)
         69: Jessica 01 (photo 2): currently only 50 L in new shades: Dusty Blond and Silver

Fashion For Life: Baby Monkey

Sunday finishes up Fashion for Life for this year and I wanted to show one last place.  Baby Monkey was one of the first shoe stores I visited and it continues to be a favorite.  I've known Pixieplumb Flanagan, designer and owner of Baby Monkey and she is one of the kindest, most generous souls I know in both worlds.  She makes her debut this year at FFL and she has some adorable shoes at the event, as well as some great gifts and gachas. The Bardot Spring Pump is her FFL charity offering and it is available in several colors to dress up your warm weather outfits.  I love stacked pumps because they go well with both retro and modern looks and I particularly love the little zipper on the heel.  The zipper and shoe trim can be gold or silver with a touch.  You cannot beat Baby Monkey for quality AND value!  Her shop is located on the Arbus sim, sponsored by Evie's Closet.  Once you have arrived on Arbus you can directly tp to her store here.

Credits:
Shoes: Baby Monkey: Bardot Spring Pumps at FFL
Lingerie: Zaara: Trikaya
Hair: Elikatira: Blind also at FFL on Bourke White
Stockings: Sheer: Knee-highs: Free!