Winter Hasn't Started Yet? REALLY??!!!

There's no nice way to say it. Where I live right now, it's frackin' cold. And by cold, I mean booger-freezing cold. (I told you there was no nice way to say it.) We've had a lot of gray days as well, so boots, gloves, and hats have been a mainstay of my RL wardrobe.


With this new Ymre hair from Maitreya as the starting point, I put together a similar SL outfit, using touches of purple to offset the gray. BTW, if I'm ever talking to you in SL and I suddenly disappear in a puff of smoke, it is probably because Maitreya has released new hair. Love, love, love me some Maitreya hair!


The coat is from G. L. A. M. aka Viva La Glam aka VG Republic. (I think I have that right. Feel free to correct me. Coffee hasn't kicked in yet.) The coat is no longer available, but I was thrilled to see that while I was on "holiday" from SL, VG Republic had re-opened! Joy! I bought MANY new pieces there, including these gloves.

The skin is the group gift from Le.Look celebrating their one-year anniversary. I think what they are doing is very clever-- each day you pick up a new gift from a different designer (all at the same landing point) and at the end, you will have a total "look," including AO. The sim has been a madhouse, and it usually takes me several tries to tp in, but it's totes worth it! In fact, there is a Maitreya hair/ hat that is very similar to the new one I'm wearing, but that hat isn't scripted like this one.


What was I babbling about? Oh, yeah-- the skin! So it's from LeLutka. I've tried LeLutka skin in the past, and while I appreciated the look of it, it didn't work on me, and I don't mod my shape to fit skin. But this! Oh, baby! Because I liked the free one so much, I've already picked up one new skin from the Estelle line and plan to buy several more. Just need to save those lindens, which is not so much my strong point.

If you can't sit by the fire with hot chocolate and a warm laptop, I suggest bundling up, fashionably, of course. I think it's gonna be a long winter!

Hair/hat- Maitreya Ymre in white (hat scripted with several textures)
Coat- G.L.A.M. peacoat (no longer available)
Pants- (Milk Motion) My wool pants (50L Friday deal)
Boots – (Shiny Things), Ribbon Boots (Black) (ribbons change color via a hud)
Gloves – VG Republic Brody Gloves in purple
Purse- ETD Casual Pochette in Eggplant and Orchid
Skin- Le.Look group gift made by [LeLutka] (Estelle line)
Eyes - (PixelDolls), Adorable, Jade
Lashes- none, because I forgot to put them back on. (Bad fashionista! No cookie!)

Go Big or Go Home

I don't wear many fancy dresses in SL. It's not that I don't like them. I just don't go to many places that demand that sort of look. However, last weekend I was invited to a party at a friend's and I tried to put together an outfit that was both fun and dressy.


Like so many others, I am in mad love with the Milk Motion fur coat. It is very versatile, not only because you can dress it up or down, but also because depending on which prims you wear, you can get totally different looks. Here I've left off the bottom part creating a cute, short, retro jacket. I threw that over the Half a World Away dress from Thimbles. The color is ideal for the season, the textures are beautiful and it takes the retro vibe over the top with the HUGE skirt. This skirt needs its own zip code and I love it!


Keeping with the bigger=better theme, I put on The Ultimate Rock ring from caLLie cLine. I've been wearing a lot of chunky rings in RL-- so fun! And now I'm collecting them in SL too. I added sheer stockings in a gold/green hue to compliment these sweet shoes from Kookie.


This hair from Magika makes me smile. It's festive and yet restrained. The make-up is also holiday-themed from Cupcakes.

Granted, in SL we can pretty much wear what we want when we want, but especially this time of year, why not go all out in a witty holiday way? See you at the party-- just watch out for my skirt. It will arrive about five minutes before I do!

Shopping Details:
Jacket- Milk Motion My Vintage Fur Coat in leopard
Dress- Thimbles Half a World Away in Ruby Red
Clutch- Adam N Eve evening bag in gold
Stockings- Rebel X sheer snowflake socks in green (holiday freebie '08)
Shoes- Kookie Phoebe in green
Ring- caLLie cLine, The Ultimate Rock (scripted)
Bracelets- ~*Fresh Baked Goods*~ Jujubeads bracelet (scripted) and {JUNK} Tangled Antique Gold Bangles
Necklace- ~*Fresh Baked Goods*~ Jam Thumbprints necklace (scripted)
Earrings- /artilleri/ Holly earrings (group gift)
Hair- ~MAGIKA~ Blinky 2009 in Black
Skin- Cupcakes, Limited Edition Holiday Make-up, Sweetheart line, Honey tone
Nails: AnnaH (Anna Whitfield now owns .:StoRin:.)
Eyes - (PixelDolls), Adorable, Jade
Lashes - [MVS], XR Female Eye Lashes

I Love Olive

This is the first of two "party posts" from me. I had a busy SL weekend, including two great shindigs. This outfit was for the SL Bloggers party on Sunday afternoon. This was the first SL Bloggers gathering I've been to, and I wanted something relaxed, but fashionable enough that no-one would say, "YOU work on a fashion blog?! REALLY???!!!" Anyhoo, my neuroses aside, this is what I came up with.


I also had two *ahem* episodes *ahem* this weekend.

The first was at Caroline's. I'm ashamed to say I had never been there before. *hangs head and hopes Kets will let me keep blogging* When I saw this watch on Kets' last post, I had to have it. Once I was in the door, it got ugly. Lindens were just leaping out of my wallet. The ring I'm wearing was part of the frenzy. Love it!


But that was small potatoes compared to what happened at Olive Juice. Ho boy.

Like Kets, I don't always give credit for the poses I use because my photo studio is stuffed with them and I just click away, taking tons of pictures. I'm amazed at the talent and creativity of posemakers on the grid. This time though, all the poses here are by IsabellaGrace Baroque of Olive Juice. I know Bella, and am a total fangirl of "Who Let the Dorks Out?", but I hadn't really looked around her pose shop, Olive Juice. I had so much fun trying out the poses! And afterwards, in a total daze, I realized I just bought half the shop!

I think I need to go toss my virtual wallet in a prim for a bit so I can't get to it.

Next time-- the party dress that ate Manhattan!

Shopping Details:
Stole-- RunoRuno stole in red
Tank Top-- Push Button Industries (now *Sprawl*) ribbed tank in cloud
Pants-- [Pink] (aka Pink Outfitters)The Builder Jumpsuit in hunter green (bottom only)
Shoes-- Periquita Silly Wedges
Belt-- Maitreya leather belt in dark brown
Earrings-- /artilleri/ Holly earrings (group gift)
Bracelet-- /artilleri/ wooden bracelet (texture change)
Watch-- (Caroline’s) Rock Candy Watch (scripted)
Ring-- (Caroline’s) Chocolate Pearl Bauble Ring
Hair-- - ~MAGIKA~ Bailey Hair in Black (color- change headband)
Skin-- Curio Gala Skin, Petal tone, Chestnut 2 make-up with freckles
Nails: AnnaH (Anna Whitfield now owns .:StoRin:.)
Eyes - (PixelDolls), Adorable, Jade
Lashes - [MVS], XR Female Eye Lashes
Poses-- Olive Juice

In The Trenches.

There is nothing more exciting then discovering forgotten purchases in your inventory. Six months away from SL has made this a new trend for me. I may be showing items that have been available in-world for a long time, but they are just as good now as ever, and maybe more-so, they may remind you of some of the hidden gems you haven't worn since last season. This AOHARU Simple Trench Coat is a perfect example. I pulled it on, and just adore the almost gunmetal steel blue color of it, it got me working to pull a great look together around it.



I picked up a great black shirt at Surf Couture yesterday, and decided to add a dash of something new, it is the "I'm A Little Bit Country" top, which comes in too many great colors, but I chose the black one on a whim. I pulled on the amazing (Kari & TW) Black New School Jeans, and a simple pair of stockings from Petit Ange in Black. Both wardrobe staples for me. When I went looking for boots, I was thrilled to find these ETD Shoes Kristen Booties in an almost perfectly matched color to the Trench Coat. Instead of going with a necklace, I opted for this amazing *Sprawl* Dotty Scarf, just a nice detail, and scripted for color change. I heart me some *Sprawl*.



Pulling in some other accessories, I went with a great bag from Baiastice, a ring with scripted color change stone from (Luc) Fashion Jewelry, and a fabulous watch from (Caroline's). The (Caroline's) Jewelry Rock Candy Watch has 3 band color options, including a hot pink, three metal options, and the ability to turn brightness on and off. It actually functions, the hands turning and ticking through the hours. I really love the way it looks on, and it is jazzy enough to be a great bracelet substitute.

Another wig I loved at first sight has been waiting for me to wear since the Hair Fair. Sari's Hanami Dreads come in a beaded and un-beaded version, I chose the plain version this time. It is adorable, not too crazy big, and I love the loose dreads, so funky. The skin is a favorite from -AnaLu-, the lashes are Lelutka's Thora Lashes, and the eyes are the brilliant but no longer available Miriel. So now I am back to rediscovering what is actually hiding in my giant *NEW* folder, and you never know what I am going to come up with next. Back to the trenches folks.

Shopping Details:
Coat – AOHARU_BT_Simple Trench Coat (Gray)
Shirt – [SC] Surf Couture, I’m A Little Bit Country (Nighttime)
Jeans – (Kari & TW), New School Jeans (Black)
Scarf – *Sprawl*, Dotty Scarf (Scripted Color Change)
Socks – *an* Petit Ange, knit_tights_black_socks
Shoes – ETD Shoes, Kristen Bootie (Steel Blue)
Bag – Baiastice by Sissy Pesoa, Borsa 21 (Hand)
Watch – (Caroline’s), Rock Candy Watch (Scripted)
Ring – -EARTHTONES- now (luc), Solitaire Ring Multi/Silver
Hair – Saris’s, Hanami Dreads Black (Plain)
Skin – -AnaLu- *InRainbows* Nat13 .brownish.
Eyes – Miriel, Realistic Eyes (Muted Hazel)[No Longer Available]
Lashes – MMS/Lelutka, Thora Lashes

A Trip To Moscow.

It is no secret that I love shoes, but just as in my RL, it is boots that really get me going. When I was in high-school, I lived in heeled boots, cowboy boots, or fryers. I was such the bad-ass rocker chick. I still love boots, and when I received a gift of these amazing review copy boots from *REDGRAVE*, the Moscow Boot I had to log and try them on. The minute I had them rezzed on my feet I was in love. The amazing fur texture, the buckles, and a perfect fit from minute one. I decided to build a whole outfit around them. I chose the Pure Black pair, although they come in at least 5 variations.



I have been hanging on to this great coat from :bijou: since last season, as I often do, I hadn't even tried it on, but when it matched the boots so perfectly, I knew I was on to something. This is the Avanti style in Black Rabbit. Rather then try to layer the look up, I simply went with a great pair of Tartan Tights from Maitreya. I couldn't resist pulling on *KessKreations* Festivus Ring, the name makes me laugh, and a great pair of Art Deco Earrings in Onyx from Bliesen & MaiTai. Both are scripted to customize metals and gem colors, something I adore in Jewelry. I found the bag in my Review Copies folder, have no idea how long I have had it, but Wanda's 'Tania' Handbag was a perfect match as it is scripted to ting, and I matched it to the Jacket with a click.



I have a folder full of hair from the last Hair Fair, which was just before my 'break' from Second Life. I dove in and found this amazing (fd)Dorothy's Morning wig, it has a sleek look, but is soft and has a very realistic strand texture. I loved pairing it with this Fleur Vivant Blush Dig Ophelia 3 Skin, the beauty mark made me feel a touch like Dita Von Teese. I wore my favorite [Detour] Love Lashes and the fabulous but no longer available Miriel Realistic Eyes in Muted Hazel.

Something about the whole combination of soft fur textures and the lovely softness of the wig just worked for me. It is a simple look, but it is really sleek and refines. The tights add just enough colour to keep it from being too monochrome. Yesterday, when I logged to blog, I did something I haven't done in over 6 months in SL, I shopped a little. It was just a little, but it felt strange and kind of good in that people watching, waiting for things to rez sort of way. Maybe I will see you out on my next trip, if I can muster the nerve to brave the lag again.

Shopping Details:
Coat - :bijou:, Avanti {Black Rabbit)
Tights - Maitreya, Tartan Tights (Wine)
Boots - *RG* REDGRAVE, Moscow Boots (Pure Black)[RC]
Bag - Wanda's, 'Tania' Handbag - Silver/Blue (Script Tinted) [RC]
Ring - *KessKreations*, Festivus Ring (Right Hand)[RC]
Earrings - Bleisen & MaiTai Art Deco Earrings Onyx [RC]
Hair - (fd), Dorothy's Morning (Earth Pack) - Nothingness
Skin - Fleur, Vivant Blush Dig Ophelia, 3
Lashes - [Detour], Love Lashes
Eyes - Miriel, Realistic Eyes (Muted Hazel)[No Longer Available]

Lucky.

I wasn't sure I would ever blog again, I have been having a rough go of things health wise, and have really been hibernating with a stack of books and a lot of pain medication. Since getting off the pain medication as I prepare for possible surgery, I consider myself lucky to have broken a semi-serious addiction and now have to get myself ready for a fight. I have been thinking about how lucky I am to have the friends I do, and the support I get when I need it. To be honest, although this look is holiday party perfection, I have had my avatar dressed like this since July, I kid you not. No need to change if you aren't in-world seeing anybody. But I love this look, and wanted to share it, as the holidays are coming and it's time to get cozy for the winter.



This ::eLDee:: dress is simply adorable, I love the watercolor look of the skirt, and the satiny bodice, the bow in the back is adorable. It comes in several other sweet color combinations, and costs next to nothing. I matched it with similarly spectacular [Detour] Metallic Red Pumps, and grabbed up a sweet handbag from Pampered Princess that I have had forever. The wood bangles are from M.R.M., and they are simply great, click to customize the color of each bangle individually, and they work with everything.



I adore these dramatic Wing Lashes from Cake, they are so party pretty. This hair was one I picked up back at the Hair Fair this summer, another fabulous big wig from Diversity Hair. The Daphne style has a colour change headband, and is really sexy. Skin is from *REDGRAVE* and eyes are from Freak Fantasia.

So back to lucky. I am lucky to have supportive friends and loved ones, and there is a song that has been positively thrumming through my head lately when I am feeling good, Lucky by Jason Mraz and Colby Caillat. So here it is, for all of those who need a smile today. Thanks for letting me back onto your blog feeds, not sure how regular this will be for me, but if we are all lucky it won't be too long. *wink*



Shopping Details:
Dress - ::eLDee::, Amyna (Red)
Heels - [Detour], Glamour Metallic Pumps (Red)
Bangles - M.R.M., Colored Wood Bangles *Trio* (L & R, Scripted)
Purse - Pampered Princess, Leather Purse (Honey)
Hair - Diversity Hair, Daphne (Charred Black)
Lashes - Cake, Wing Lashes (Tintable)
Eyes - Freak Fantasia, Glassy Mustard Green Eyes
Skin - *REDGRAVE*, Emma2 Tan Skin/*red*

F-Bombs Cause Inventory Explosion!

It started when Anessa Stine dropped the first F-bomb. She was blogging these Nardcotix Ashoka T-Straps and she said it. She really said it. She said "fatpack."

*insert pearl-clutching gasp here*

Anessa, of course, knows from shoes, so if she loves a shoe enough to buy the fatpack, who am I to argue? I bought the fatpack too, and I'm so glad I did. That's right. I'd do it again to. I would shamelessly fatpack. Check out that fab action going on south of my ankles! Oh la la!


Then I was at the Artilleri sale (happy anniversary, Antonia!) and I was plurking with Kets. I told her I wished she was there because it was great people watching and because I couldn't decide which color of these Marla glasses/ sunglasses to buy. And then SHE said it too! She said, "um, fatpack?" Well, she's right, of course. At 50% off, and with a glasses/ sunglasses combo in a pack, why wouldn't you get the fatpack? This is why Kets is the original Fashion Addict.


Between the shoes and the Artilleri goodies, I was feeling vintage-y. This necklace from Dark Mouse was perfect for that vibe, since it's called the '50's Necklace. I remember my grandmother wearing pieces like this with her cardigans, so I must have been on the right track! I really like the final outfit. It's reserved, but with a bit of a "come here and talk to me about fatpacks, big boy" look.


With such great sales and so many lovely new releases right now, I may do some more *looks around and whispers* fatpacking. *fans self* It's enough to give a girl the vapors!

Shopping details:
Sweater- /artilleri/ cardigan in pink polkadot (each comes with plain and polkadot version!)
Shirt- Fri.day Beater Tank in teal
Skirt- Ingenue Memo skirt in grey
Shoes- Nardcotix Ashoka T-Straps in aqua
Earrings- /artilleri/ bead hoop earrings (scripted color change)
Glasses- /artilleri/ Marla glasses in white
Necklace- Dark Mouse '50's Necklace in silver
Bracelet and ring- Dark Mouse Abstract Extravagance in Mercury
Belt- M*A*ii*K*I High-Waisted Patent Belt v.2 in White
Hair- lamb Bang Bang with sideswept bangs
Skin- Curio Gala Pin Ups Cat's Pajamas 2

It's Just Wrong! Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

Let me preface this rant by saying that the inspiration for this outfit and this post came from RL events, not SL, but certainly the same ideas hold true in either realm. The fashion lesson here is that sometimes great looks can come from dark emotions.


I was REALLY irritated the other day after discovering that yet again students had plagiarized at the university where I teach. This was after countless written and verbal warnings that I have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to this issue.

Plagiarism is WRONG. It is stealing. It is lying. It is cheating. It is a hat trick of WRONG.

Copying and pasting someone else's text or work from the internet and presenting it as your own is plagiarism. And I have access to the EXACT SAME INTERNET you do, you dolts. (Not you, dear readers. You are not dolts. The plagiarizing students who seem to think I have not heard of this magical thing called the world wide web are dolts.)

Whew. I feel a little better now. Actually, playing around with this idea on SL was remarkably therapeutic. As was the wee bit of retail therapy I engaged in.

As I said, this look came from the anger I was feeling. I thought about adding my whip, but that seemed like a bit much. Let's call this look "Professor in a Blind Rage."

Shopping Details:
Jacket: Cupcakes, Poofy Jacket in Black
Skirt: Kyoot The Scarlet Mobstress Skirt
Bra: RunoRuno Vintage Underwear in Black
Stockings: First Impressions Sheer Thigh High in Soft Black (store closed?)
Shoes: Maitreya Chi Chi's (color change)
Hair: House of Heart Una in Black
Earrings and Necklace: Zaara Kaya in Onyx
Bracelet: ~*Fresh Baked Goods*~ Jujubes in Antique Gold (scripted gems)
Glasses: /artilleri/ Paula in black
Skin: Cupcakes, Daydream Retro in Honey tone
Nails: AnnaH (Anna Whitfield now owns the fabulous .:StoRin:.)

What's It All About?

Right around this time of year, the holiday angst sets in for me. I run around trying to make everything "perfect." I tend to loose sight of the real point of this time of year.



I hadn't planned on blogging this outfit that I threw on to run around the grid, but I really liked it, especially when I added in the new Anexx boots.


Here's hoping your holiday season is starting well and that you are enjoying lots of time with family and friends.


Shopping Details
Coat: Thimbles The Angel of Your Plaid Nightmares in red
Jeans: Zaara classic blue
T-shirt: Uncle Wiggly olive leaves [I can't seem to find the store anywhere anymore :( ]
Boots: Anexx Knit Legwarmers and Heels
Scarf: Thimbles Let's Go To Bed Bedspread Scarf in green
Gloves: Pididdle Kill or Be Killed in blood color
Hair: ETD Loraine 2 in white
Earrings: PERSONA, gold circle earrings
Bracelet: /artilleri/ wooden bracelet (texture change)
Skin: Curio Gala Petal Winter skin in Spice 2 makeup
Eyes - (PixelDolls), Adorable, Jade
Lashes - [MVS], XR Female Eye Lashes

When Inspiration Strikes

It's all Betty Doyle's fault. I was checking out her cute new stuff at Ingenue when something in one of her pictures caught my eye. Bowling shoes! It took me right back to high school when I had a mad crush on a guy who wore bowling shoes. Ooof, was he hot! Right then and there I knew my next look had to be built around bowling shoes.


The first challenge was finding the shoes. Turns out that Jeepers Creepers, known for their fab men's shoes, has bowling shoes that can be resized via scripting to fit a woman. I love them! The stitching is sweet and every little detail, like the number on the back, is well done.

Clearly, these shoes shouted out for some retro threads. I went with the bowling dress from Hell Bop. It's very simple, but I wanted this look to be about the shoes and accessories, and the striping on the dress echoes the striping on the shoes perfectly.



The rest came together quickly. The new Ghost hair from lamb has a nice bouffant front which seemed appropriate here. The tattoos, earrings, glasses and necklace are all from artilleri, and the bracelet is a favorite of mine from Fresh Baked Goods. Skin is from Curio, part of the Pin Up make-up set.

This outfit is also a bit of a shout-out to Kets. Nobody rocks the rockabilly like she does. She is the absolute ultimate hep cat momma with whipped cream and a cherry on top!

I hope this look bowls you over. It was pretty easy to pin down, since retro stuff is right up my alley. When you are putting a look together, the best way to start is with something that really strikes your fancy. See you soon-- gotta split!

Shoes- Jeepers Creepers Strike! Shoes
Dress- Hell Bop Bowling dress
Hair- lamb Ghost in Powder
Earrings- /artilleri/ dice earrings (scripted)
Necklace- /artilleri/ heart necklace
Glasses- /artilleri/ Gladys
Bracelet- ~*Fresh Baked Goods*~ Mahjong Tile bracelet (scripted)
Tattoos (upper)- /artilleri/ Maggie
Tattoos (lower)- /artilleri/
Skin- Curio Gala Pin-Up line Apple Pie

Don't Call It a Comeback

I took a long break from SL. A "SLabbatical" if you will. But now I'm back and am so excited to reconnect with friends and all the things Second Life has to offer.

Kets is taking some time off too. When I asked her if she minded if I blogged again, she gave me a virtual hug and did a happy dance. So I blow the dust off my wardrobe, crack my pixelated knuckles and dive back into the fashion-y goodness.


The look I put together is a comfortable mix of old and new, or at least new to me. It's perfect for easing back into my busy virtual life.

This fur vest from Mimikiri is such a great lux piece that has endless mix and match posibilities. The jeans are go-to ones for me. I have two pairs from Zaara and they are true wardrobe workhorses. The turtleneck sweater is an older one from **DP** . It's the type of basic piece every girl should have in her arsenal.


The bag is from Baiastice. The folk/ craft vibe it has really spoke to me. To play off that, I added these Lushwood earrings from (luc). The gems are scripted so you can match them to whatever you wear. These gloves from [LeLutka] keep the look from loosing its edge, as do the sunglasses from Role Optic. My ETD boots are classics that seem so in keeping with the wedge revival going on now.

I've gotten so much use from this ETD Aveda hair. It can be glam, punk, casual or sporty. My skin is from Cupcakes Celebrity line.

My photo skills are a bit rusty, but it feels really great to be back. I look forward to seeing all you fashionistas on the grid!

Sweater- **DP**,, Sweater & Socks
Jeans- Zaara, Jeweled (indigo)
Vest- Mimikri, Yeti Vest (merlot)
Boots- ETD, Buckle Boots (Black)
Earrings- (luc), Lushwood earrings
Sunglasses- Role Optic, Gala
Gloves- [LeLutka], Black
Bag- Baiastice, Bustina bag (colored lace)
Hair- ETD, Aveda Short Crop 2 Noir
Skin- Cupcakes, Celebrity Vanilla (Dusk)
Eyes- PERSONA, Honey Brown