Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Tonight it is Christmas Eve, and though I do not celebrate it myself, in-world, it is a very special time for so many of the friends that I adore, it gets me into the holiday spirit. I will be DJing tonight at PIN UPS from 7-9pm SLT, a
"Night Before Christmas Pajama Party" and everyone is welcome to come out and join in the relaxed fun. I wanted the perfect seasonal PJs, but realized I really didn't own any. I haven't been shopping in weeks and weeks, but today, I broke my own vow, and headed out in search of the perfect "Night Before Christmas" pajamas. There is no question that I found them, and gladly parted with the well saved cash for these absolutely delightful Skin Flicks Sassy Trapdoor PJ's. These PJs caught my eye when a photo was submitted a few weeks back to the Second Life: Look of The Day Flickr Group. I made a note, and was thrilled to find them in seasonal snow-flake print versions, as well as a dozen other luscious and sweet colour options. They come with the booties, and two "butt-flap" version, I chose the more modest covered version here, but if you are more daring, you can get all cheeky too! They are so well done, the texturing is brilliant, and they are worth the price for the slouched slipper boots alone.



A cozy hair and hat combo called .+*Lack*+. from Mirai Style has a brilliantly scripted cap that changes texture, and the red matched here so well, I couldn't resist. I am wearing a favorite PXL Skin, as well as eyes from Miriel and Bedroom Lashes from Cake. I feel cozy and warm, and ready for a night of partying, but my two most valued possessions, my (Caroline's) Gimcrack Solitaire Diamond Ring and my Karsten Rutledge Silver Heart Locket make me feel grounded and ready to share the joy of the season with one and all. Hope to see you tonight, bring a friend and get all egg-nogged up with the gang at PIN UPS.

Shopping Details:
Pajamas - Skin Flicks, Sassy Trapdoor PJ's (Snowflake Red, Includes Booties & 2 Butt Flap Styles)
Hair/Har - Mirai Style, .+*Lack*+. (Black)
Necklace - Karsten Rutledge, Silver Heart Locket
Ring - (Caroline's), Gimcrack Diamond Solitaire Ring
Skin - PXL, Crys_NaturalEyes_NaturalLips_BlackEB
Eyes - Miriel, Hazel Eyes - Big
Lashes - Cake, Bedroom Lashes

Wishing You Peace, Joy, & Friendship...

Happy Holidays 2008/2009

Wishing Everyone The Very Best of

Health, Happiness, and Peace

This Holiday Season

and In The Coming Year!

However You Celebrate

Do It With Those You Love!

With Love, Ketsy

Just a simple wish, for each and everyone of you this holiday season and for the whole year ahead. Be well, he happy, and be surrounded by those you love and who love you best.

~ Ketsy

Leaving On A Jetplane

When I recently DJd for the re-opening of the Avatrait Gallery, I wanted to wear something classy, but not too formal, edgy and unique, but still tasteful. I tried to remember what new things I had that would fit the bill, and discovered this great Jetset dress in Tokyo from :bijou:. It includes two skirt versions, system and prim, bur I threw the folder on so fast I got both, and decided I really liked the way they looked together. This dress really re-minds me of a black silk dress I wore to s special event when I was about 17 years old, to this day I refuse to allow my mother to give it away, almost 20 years later, it is still a favorite, even though it no longer fits. The dress has a great system layer belt, with accentuates the waist, and adds interest, but also gave me the cute to go with brown and gold accessories. I really love the big flared bell sleeves too.



I kept with the winter season look by adding a pair of **Battered Boudoir** hose, I love the different colours and options in Eloria LeShelle's hosiery. Any Canadian woman would never go out in the winter without hose or tights under a dress, so I naturally work it in-world too. The shoe solution that seems to be endlessly wearable are the Maitreya ChiChi Pumps in Black, with the colour change rims, here I chose gold. I pulled in a big clutch from *Muism* to add a little glam to the look. I went with wooden and brown accessories, and normally would not put black and brown together, but I think it really works here. The Polished Wood Hoop Earrings are one of Paper Couture's newest releases, they are really nice looking. I love this Luc Jewelry Ganesha Necklace , but I am enchanted by Hinduism in general, and the length was perfect with the neckline of the dress. My ring is from Caroline's Jewelry.



Diving into my hair folder, I wanted and edgy short style, and settled on the ETD Aveda Short Crop 2 in Silver. The skin is from Celestial Studios, another favorite make-up, and I always come back to my Celestial Charmed Line Skins whenever I want to look like myself again. Lashes are from [Detour], with eyes from Freak Fantasia.

This is definitely a jet set look, and one that can work in semi-formal situation. It stands out without be too glitzy, and most importantly, made me feel comfortable and stylish at the same time. It's really interesting to re-discover my wardrobe, including the many hundreds of things I have never worn before.

Shopping Details:
Dress - :bijou:, Jetset [Tokyo]
Stockings - **Battered Boudoir**, Boudoir Legs - Delicate (Black)
Bag - *Muism*, Clutch (Gold Shined)
Shoes - Maitreya, ChiChi Pumps - Black
Earrings - Paper Couture, P.C., Polished Wood Hoop Earrings
Necklace - -EARTHTONES- (Now Luc Jewelry), Ganesha Dual Necklace (Gold)
Ring - (Caroline's), Gimcrack Diamond Solitaire Ring
Hair - ETD, Aveda, Short Crop 2 Ad-Silver
Skin - (CS), Charmed Line (Tone 20, Earth-3)
Lashes - [Detour], Love Lashes
Eyes - Freak Fantasia, Glassy Mustard Green Eyes

Living Dead Girl

I didn't realize until yesterday that there is a general love-in for the amazing June Dion of Bare Rose Tokyo on the feeds. If you check my previous posts by tags, I have done dozens of posts featuring Bare Rose fashions. I have always adored the amazing creativity, selection, options included for each look, price point, and the fact that everything is transferable. I have said it before, yes, but it makes it a must recommend shop for me when people ask me the "do you know where I can get...?" question. I get that question, a lot, and usually from total strangers, which is incredibly flattering. Bare Rose is overwhelming for most of us seasoned cam shoppers, I can only imagine what it must be like for new shoppers in-world. But it is worth a visit just to see the evolution of the brand over the years. I am always astounded. I had this look all ready to blog, about two weeks ago, but I am glad it fits in with the Bare Rose tribute. This is probably one of the first outfits I ever purchased at Bare Rose.



The tutu style dress, gloves, and stockings are all part of the Exile set from Bare Rose, and I opted to wear the black option for the separate parts. I love the Goth looks the June makes, they are so detailed and well shaded, they make it easy to throw a look together without much thought since so much is included with each outfit. The gloves have the great ruffled cuffs, and the skirt attachment had a prim belt that is part of it, sidestepping attachment point issues perfectly. I added some cute accessories, starting with the *Red Ruin* Gothic Lolita Necklace, which looks great in combination with the system layer choker on the top part of the dress. The hat is from *~*Illusions*~*, a great basic Lady's Cabaret Top Hat, perfect for a doll-like look. I am wearing the Princess Ring from Paper Couture, a nice classic silver and enamel look ring. I wanted to wear a big chunky boot to compliment the Gothic look, and enhance the Lolita style, and went with these brilliant Goth Mutation Boots from Skanks R Us. Gotta love some big a**-kicking boots!



I went with a Celestial Studios Charmed Line, Tone 00 Skin, this one is called Black Smoke and is perfect for Goth look. I love wearing a faded black ink tattoo with a pale white skin, and AITUI TATTOO offers my favorite, the full-body Butterflies tattoo, here I chose to wear Faded version. I love a glimmering colored eye with a pale skin, and the Petit Ange* Cleareyes in this Yellow Orange Colour are just so luminous and almost feline. The hair is an older, possibly retired style from Celestial Studios, but still one of my favorites. The Femme Hair in this Black Shiny shade is really great to wear with hats particularly. The spider-like Club 1 Lashes are also from Celestial Studios. When I need a Gothic look in a flash, the first place I look is in my Bare Rose folders, but there is so much more then Gothic inspired looks available now, you need to go explore it again and again.

Dress - :::B@R:::, Exile (Black)[Includes Stockings, Gloves]
Boots - [SRU], Goth Mutation Boots
Hat - *~*Illusions*~*, Lady's Cababret Top Hat - Black
Earrings - Sian Birke Jewelry, Stud Earrings
Ring - P.C., Princess Ring
Necklace - *Red Ruin*, Black Gothic Lolita Necklace
Tattoos - AITUI TATTOO, Butterflies *Full Body* (Faded)
Hair - Celestial Studios, Femme Hair, Black Shiny
Skin - Celestial Studios, Charmed Line (Tone 00, Black-Smoke)
Lashes - Celestial Studios, Lashes (Club 1)
Eyes - Petit Ange, *an*cleareyes_yellow_orange_bright

Hazy Shade Of Winter

On cold winter days, I love to layer up and head out of doors before I get cabin fever. While I was winterizing the Retrology SIM, this was the outfit I threw together, starting with this adorable and cozy short parka from **DP yumyum**. Called simply the Hood Jacket, I choose this amazing Gray version because it was such a soft and warm looking option. The soft fluffy marabou trim on the hood and edge is really luxurious and photographs beautifully, something that can be difficult with transparent textures. I didn't realize till just this moment that my arms is through the jacket in the first pose, but I have been under the weather, so I have an excuse for such a bonehead mistake. Speaking of bone, the amazing horn/bone closures on the jacket are so well done and textured. There is so much detail here, and none of it superfluous or wasted. I needed a simple layer under the jacket, so I wore one of my own Key Hole Thermal tops from Hang The DJ!. Yes I made it, and I love it, and I usually don't blog my own stuff, but I have had a heck of a time finding basic thermals that come with a tucked options instead of jacket only, and I make all my stuff on all layers, so it worked here. Still on my shopping diet, I went with what I had. Dark Rinse Jeans from Tres Blah! literally sit at the top of my jeans folder which is sorted alphabetically, so they get worn a lot, but since they are such a brilliant hand-painted jean, I am happy to know what I can grab up fast.



I added in some very simply accessories in this look, starting with a basic pair of must-have Stud Earrings from Sian Birke Jewelry. It may seem like a no-brainer, but I have been looking for basic studs for almost 18 months, and this pair is completely scripted to change gem and metal colours, which makes them indispensable. Wearing my engagement ring from (Caroline's), one of my favorite things, just makes me feel warm inside. The Tote bag was a great find at [Sweetest Good-bye*], I love basic casual bags with little kitsch details, and this was an inexpensive and really workable piece. Last but certainly not least, these awesome Heather Boots in Black from ETD Shoes. You have to grab up at least one pair before Elika's sale ends towards the end of the month, they were just $30Lalas, and they come in a short and longer boot option. The just look so soft and cozy, and work perfectly here.



Speaking of favorites, probably my favorite short style in all of the two years I have been in-world is the ..Marlys.. Slim Pixie wig, here in the Licorice colour. It just really love how the angle of my jaw are complimented by the lines of the cut, the small tufts of hair tousled and plucky. Skin is from Celestial Studios Charmed Line, with eyes from Freak Fantasia and lashes by [Detour]. Not a high-fashion look by any means, rather a "My" fashion look that makes me feel a little warmer when the world gets cold.

Shopping Details:
Jacket - **DP**, Hood Jacket (Gray)
Thermal - Hang The DJ!, Key Hole Thermal (Back in Black)
Jeans - Tres Blah, Dark Rinse Jeans
Boots - ETD Shoes, Heather Boots (Black)
Bag - [SG*], Totebag
Earrings - Sian Birke Jewelry, Stud Earrings
Ring - Caroline's Jewelry, Gimcrack Diamond Solitaire Ring
Hair - ..Marlys.., Slim Pixie Hair (Licorice)
Skin - Celestial Studios, Charmed Line (Tone 20, Red-Dusk)
Eyes - Freak Fantasia, Glassy Mustard Green
Lashes - [Detour], Love Lashes

Gaucho Marks

On my last trip to Celestial Studios, I stocked up on all my Charmed Skins, making sure I had all of them, since they are my trademark look, and the one that makes me feel most like myself. This purple Violicious skin inspired this look, I love the punky burst of colour, and decided to go with matching hair from the phenomenal Eat Rice!. This Stellar style is scripted so the front portion can be made one of several great manic panic colours. Lashes are also from Celestial Studios, and Realistic Brights Brown Eyes are from **[Riddle]**.



I wanted to work with some of the clothing I have had for a while, but this great Sprawl Bricolage top in Grey is a great sheer blouse with all the layer options you could ever want. Pushbutton Skolnick's new line is really fantastic, and I am glad I nabbed a bunch before my funds totally bottomed out. Make sure you check the Sprawl shop out. I have had these great Gaucho Pants from BP* for a long time, but never really knew how to wear them. I think they work well with this layered look. I threw on some knit socks from [MG Fashion], and went with a monochrome leg look with Black Dune Boots from Maitreya. Since I am on the modest side, I wore a classic bra from House of Nyla under the Blouse, it gives the look a little more class and depth.



I added a few punky accessories with Canimal's Picture Pendant, scripted to click through about 10 different cute designs. I pulled in a big bangle from ~*Fresh Baked Goods*~, the Jelly Gem Donut Bangle is scripted to change base and gem colours, and can be matched to almost any look. A Pouch Belt from ::MEZZO:: gives added interest at the waist, with cute little skull charms it is really a nice touch of kitsch. A big ~flirt~ Amythyst in Platinum Tiffany Ring pulls in another dash of purple to round out the look. Having fun with a dash of colour makes me oh so very happy.

Shopping Details:
Blouse - Sprawl, The Bricolage (Gray)
Jeans - BP*, Gaucho (Blue)
Bra - House of Nyla, Black Lace Lingerie Set 1, Full Cup Bra
Socks - [MG Fashion], Knitted Socks (Pack01, Black)
Boots - Maitreya, Dune Boots (Black)
Necklace - Canimal, Picture Pendant
Bangle - ~*Fresh Baked Goods*~, Jelly Gem Donut Bangle (Silver)
Ring - ~flirt~, Tiffany Plat/Amethyst Ring
Belt - ::MEZZO::, porch belt, skull (stomach, m)
Hair - Eat Rice!, Stellar (Black, Blackdark)
Skin - Celestial Studios, Charmed Line (Tone 20, Purple-Violicious)
Eyes - **[Riddle]**, Realistic Brights - Brown
Lashes - Celestial Studios, Club 13

Leather And Lace

(PixelDolls) has been a long time favorite of mine, when they completely re-focused the shop, selling limited editions of the old stock off, I was anxious to see what new and exciting things would come out of Port Seraphin. The Anticipation outfit was one of my first purchases from the new releases, and is probably still my favorite. I consists of a cream lace blouse, a black wrap sweater, and leather slacks. There are endless layer possibilities, which I always love, so you can wear pieces separately, something every budget conscious shopper should look for. It also comes with a sweet necklace, which I opted not to wear, but it is perfectly lovely. (PixelDolls) continues to create some incredible work, and it is worth it to be in the Subscribe-O-Matic group, as almost every new release offers a free group gift as a sample of their fine work.



I chose to go with one of the last things I purchased before my "Shopping Diet", these amazing ETD Kristin Booties in a lovely Natural bone colour. I thought that cream coloured shoe would add some interest and echo the colour of the blouse nicely. To be sure they 'popped', I slipped into some basic black tights from (CREAMSHOP). A Ruffled Handbag from Urid Dal is a nice classic compliment. A very special necklace from (Caroline's) adds some nice interest at the neckline, the length worked well with the v-neck sweater. (Caroline's) Special Cameo Locket in Gold is scripted so that you can place a precious picture texture inside it, making it really personal and special. A great chunky Diamond Encrusted Square Curt Amethyst Ring from Paper Couture also pics up on the heirloom feel of many elements in the look. I pulled on a Vintage Basic Bangle and Earrings from Luc Jewelry, formerly -EARTHTONES-.



Hair is a stunning Burnt tipped White shade from ETD, the Roxie wig. I am really moving towards shorter styles a lot lately, they feel really fresh, and they have so much more style potential then a lot of long wigs. ETD does some of the best I have seen. Skin is Canimal Essence of Pinup, a real favorite, I love the lip shade. Eyes are from **[Riddle]**, and Love Lashes are from [Detour].
All together a nice put together look with little effort and lots of impact.

Shopping Details:
Outfit - (PixelDolls), Anticipation (Leather pants, Lace Top, Sweater)
Tights - (CREAMSHOP), Plain Tights Set (Black)
Shoes - ETD Shoes, Kristin Booties (Natural)
Bag - Urid Dal, Ruffled Handbag (Dark Grey)
Necklace - Caroline's Jewelry, Special Cameo Locket in Gold
Ring - Paper Couture, P.C., Diamond Encrusted Square Curt Amethyst Ring
Earrings, Bangle - -EARTHTONES-(Now Luc Jewelry), Vintage Sets: Humble Blossom - Gold
Hair - ETD, Roxie (White Burnt)
Skin - Canimal, Essence(Grace)... of Pinup
Lashes - [Detour], Love Lashes
Eyes - **[Riddle]**, Realistic Brights - Brown

Don't Feed The Shopper!

Well, my 2 readers may have noticed my absence from the blog feeds for about 3 weeks. I was feeling a little burnt out, but mostly was taking a good hard look at what I was doing and how much time I was spending in-world, but particularly, how much money I was spending. In the month of October, I purchased almost $300.00 Canadian in Linden Dollars. Incredibly shocking for me, and apparently not at all uncommon. So this is it, harsh reality, I cannot buy any more money in-world, hopefully for ever. I am having money issues like pretty much everyone else in the world. So I am saving my money, and have vowed to go on a no shopping diet until Valentines Day this coming year.



If you see me out in a shop, or hear me talking about things 'I need to buy', slap me upside the head PLEASE! I have an inventory nearing 37,000 items, I have hundreds of items I have never even worn and mostly sitting in folders to be discovered, add to that the generous but unsolicited review copies I receive, and we have probably a year's worth of blog posts sitting right there. So here is the challenge for me, and anyone else interested in trying it out. Come up with two new looks every day, made up entirely of items I already have in my inventory. Spend no Linden Dollars on clothing, shoes, accessories, skins, hair, eyes, lashes, or any other wearable. Fins out what I really have hidden in my closets, and let them all out for air. Hope you can all find something worth looking at in my blog posts, I have never really been a hottest newest must have and rush to blog person anyways. I thank those who have sent me reviews in the past, I hope to use them as much as possible in the coming weeks and months.



Thanks to absolute sweetie Kesseret Steeplechase for making me this amazing shirt, after joking with me about my new slogan. It is too funny, I loves ya Kess! Wish me luck, and maybe you too will take on the challenge to think really carefully about buying the things you truly need and will treasure, as opposed to get just because everyone else seems to have it. I apologise to any content creators that may miss my patronage in the next few months, have no fear, a fashion addict never dies, consider it hibernating for the winter!

~ Ketsy

Credits:
Shirt - Kesseret Steeplechase
Jeans - Tres Blah!
Shoes - MK Fashion
Hair - Dernier Cri
Skin - Celestial Studios
Ring - Caroline's Jewelry
Eyes - Freak Fantasia
Lashes - [Detour]

Vain Inc. Magazine - Issue 16 Now Available

So proud of this month's amazing issue of Vain Inc. Magazine. Had a blast putting together my Look Of The Month for December, hope you like my interpretations of the Hot Trend for BOHEMIAN LUXURY! Read all about the trend and get the shopping details in the magazine.

~ Ketsy