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]

Diamonds And Rust

I am really enjoying the colours of Fall at the moment, even though most of the leaves are off the tree in Toronto, I can still see them strewn across the lawn. It is pretty much my favorite time of the year, cool but not too cold, no snow to wade through or shovel, and the smell in the air is crisp and sugary. I wish the season lasted longer, but the colours can last in my closet all year long. This great Rainy Day Sweater in Rust from Celestial Studios was the starting point for this outfit. I have always loved this style of cowl neck sweater, but before sculpties it was pretty disastrous to move about in. Starley did well here, not only with the main collar, but in adding extra glitch covers at the shoulder so that even in motion, the sweater looks right. I really like this skirt from Cake's Autumn in Paris Outfit. The asymmetrical plaid skirt is full and really fashion forward. I am always looking for great skirts as separates, but rarely find them. I have way too many jeans and slacks in my inventory, but very few separate skirts. That would be tops on my request list for any interested designers in taking up the challenge. I went with a complimentary pair of tights from (CREAMSHOP).



I wanted to wear a great pair of boots that didn't steal the show, and these *REDGRAVE* Sculpties Boots in Smoke were the ones that did the trick. They have a gold accent to them, so I went with gold accessories. I wanted a nice long dangle earring with the open neckline of the sweater, and these *UnTone* Dragon Earrings are great, and come with a high prim and less primy version in the same box. The Tangled Antique Gold Bangles are from {JUNK}, I really like that they have some open areas so that you can see the colours of the sweater beneath. I took a ring from Diamonde. and tinted it a golden yellow to match the colours in this look a little better. I am not sure that it is still available, but the designer, Valena Glushenko is now designing under the Cachet umbrella at Glam World. I wanted another pop of fall colour, so I went with one of my favorite bags from *TaP*, now known as Fleur. This Heiress Handbag is great, and I really hope they still offer it, it is scripted to colour change with a click, and the shape of it and simplicity is refreshing.



With big statement earrings and a cowl neck sweater, I though a mid-length wig, with exposed ears would work best. The TRUTH Shirley 2 wig has all that, plus a little bit of funky edge, something I am always looking for. A bright red-lipped skin from Celestial Studios Charmed Line worked well here, along with eyes from Miriel and Lashes from Cake. Here's hoping Fall lasts a wee bit longer, I am not ready to wear a parka and shovel snow out of the driveway only to have it all come down again over night.

Shopping Details:
Sweater - Celestial Studios, (CS) Rainy Day Sweater (Rust)
Skirt - Cake, from Autumn in Paris Outfit (Black)
Tights - (CREAMSHOP), Plain Tights Set (Brown)
Boots - *REDGRAVE*, Smoke Leather Sculpties Boots
Bag - *TaP* (now Fleur), Heiress Handbag
Earrings - *UnTone*, Dragon Earring
Bracelet - {JUNK}, Tangled Antique Gold Bangles
Ring - Diamonde., The Gillian Ring (Tinted Gold)
Hair - TRUTH, Shirley 2 - Smokey
Skin - Celestial Studios, Charmed Line (Tone 20, Red-Chic)
Lashes - Cake, Bedroom Lashes
Eyes - Miriel, Hazel Eyes (Big)

Watching The Detectives

Another new viewer, another batch of issues, in this case getting used to having freedom from camera constraints and therefore a whole lot of fiddling to get sizing right. Ah well, what are we if not pawns in the game of LL. In any case, it is that time of year again, October brings us Octoberville 2008, one of my favorite activities ever. If you are looking for some really great Halloween fun, without collecting a pile of orange and black everything, and something you can do with groups of friends at once, check it out. It always makes me gear up for fall, you can't get your Detective on to hunt for the clues to a murder in a T-Shirt, so I started with a great coat I have been saving up since last year, the Penny Plaid from *fuse in this smokey Purple Rain colour. I grabbed the first pair of pants in my **NEW** folder, and it happened to be this great scrunched cuff pair of Monocrom Pants in Black from Sweetest Good-bye. Being out in the fall weather calls for layering, so I played around by adding this fabulous Aubergine Knitted Vest from Twosome, which is spectacular on it's own, and with so many layer options, gave me the opportunity to wear it tucked in. A basic Zee Tank Top! from /artilleri/ in White the I tinted to an olive green is a nice muted colour addition.



I wanted to pull on some gloves, since I may be handling evidence in Octoberville, so I opted for these delicious Davenport Weathered Velvet Gloves in Plum from Argyle. Some great black leather boots from Jaywalk get me ready to roam the town. I opted for the foot bases here in the Liah Onyx pair. Every detective needs a bag to hold all her sleuth gear, and this Fleur Heiress Handbag should do the trick. A *Muism* Crinkle Scarf keeps my throat warm in case I need to call for back-up in the form of my partner in crime-solving Draco, actually it's more like scream, there are some mighty creepy thing going on in Octoberville. At the Jewelry Expo, I picked up this great pair of No. 127 Earrings from *karftika, I am always stunned by great prim-twisting, and these earrings are really classic.



A good detective needs a Fedora, and I adore this Fedorable Loveless Hair/Hat combination from *Torrid Wear* that I discovered at the Hair Fair. The side knotted ponytail is a nice touch with scarves, collars and necklaces, lets them be seen without hair poking through the prims. I love the vibrant yet subtle purple shadow on this Canimal Essence Skin, this is the Ether Skin in the Grace tone. Separated Lashes are from Cake, and Freak Fantasia is the place for these great Glassy Mustard Green Eyes, a must for searching out the clues. Maybe I will see you on the trail of the murderer at Octoberville.

Shopping Details:
Coat - *fuse, Penny Plaid (Purple Rain)
Pants – Sweetest Good-bye, Monocrom –Black/Pants (Woman)
Vest – Twosome, Aubergine Knitted Vest
Tank Top - /artilleri/, Zee Tank Top! Short (ushirt layer, White) [Tinted]
Gloves - Argyle, Davenport Weathered Velvet Gloves (Plum)
Boots – LC Covet (Now Jaywalk): Liah – Onyx
Bag - *TaP* (Now Fleur), Heiress Handbag
Scarf - *Muism*, Crinkle Scarf/White_Small [Tinted]
Earrings - *kraftika, No. 127 Earrings
Hair - *Torrid Wear*, Fedorable Loveless (Raven) Black Pack [Hair Fair]
Skin – Canimal, Essence (Grace)… of Ether
Lashes – Cake, Separated Lashes
Eyes – Freak Fantasia, Glassy Mustard Green Eyes

Light In The Layers...

Who says layering is all about the Cold Weather, I think you can go light on the layers and still get a great summer look. I started with these great shorts, part of the Uma Outfit from Emery. They come on all possible layers, which is the key here. I wore the shorts on the pant layer, and the upper part of the short on the shirt layer. It's easy to find a great tank-top on the undershirt layer, and for me, one of the best purchases I have made is the fatpack of Zee Tank Tops from /artilleri/. The come on all layers, which means that that jacket layer was available for a little more layering. I pulled in a great slim Sweater Shrug from Celestial Studios LaLa Line, this one is beige, but as it is mod, I have been able to work it in a lot of great ways by tinting it. I tinted it up pink in this case so I could work with two colours in my look. I grabbed up some Maitreya Sculpted Socks in Cornflower Blue, and tinted the blue tank top from /artilleri/ for a more perfect match.

I pulled in the Pink in these amazing Starley Pumps from ETD, I love the rounded shape of them, and the colours and prints available are so great. I also brought in some great accessories I picked up at [VG Republic]. These Gold Resin Bangles are Colour Change, and the Pink was a perfect match to the shoes. There are several Options in the Box, so you can have a different Bangle on each arm, something I really prefer. Also from [VG Republic] is this Resin and Chain Link Necklace, which is similarly scripted to colour change, and jewelry with options like this always goes so much farther in your wardrobe. Similarly, my favorite purse, maybe of all time is from the one time Tete a Pied, now Fleur Skins. The Heiress Handbag is touch scripted so you can literally click and choose from a range of options to work into your look. This hot pink is really a great colour.



Hair here is another favorite from ETD, the longer Jasmine style is not too long, and has a really nice edgy look too it that prevents it from being too hoochie. Skin is from Celestial Studios Charmed Line, a Glossy Mauve Lip is really nice, and the shadow is lovely. Love Lashes are favorites from [Detour], and eyes are the very expressive Doll Eyes in Mystical from Naughty Designs.

Shopping Details:
Shorts – Emery, from Uma Outfit
Tank - /artilleri/, Zee Tank Top! (Light Blue, Tinted)
Shrug - Celestial Studios, ~*LaLa, Sweater Shrug (Beige, Tinted Pink)
Socks – Maitreya, Sculpted Socks (Cornflower Blue)
Shoes – ETD, ETD Shoes – Starley Pumps (Pink)
Necklace – [VG Republic], Resin & Chain Link Necklace w/ Color Change
Bracelets – [VG Republic], Gold/Resin Bangles, Color Change
Bag – *TaP* now Fleur Skins, Heiress Handbag [Now Fleur Skins]
Ring – Caroline’s, Gimcrack Diamond Solitaire
Hair – ETD, Jasmine (Black)
Skin – Celestial Studios, Charmed Skins (Tone 20, Gloss – Mauve)
Lashes – [Detour], Love Lashes
Eyes – Naughty Designs, ND Lost. Doll Eyes (Mystical)

Golden Moments

I have seriously not been shopping in-world for weeks, how sad is that. It's not that I am running out of things I have never worn (I have hundreds of things sitting in folders gathering dust), it just that every now and then a girl needs a little retail therapy. So last night I was convinced it was time to get my shop on, and I decided to pull on a little []::TULI::[] in the form of this sweet skirt and top set called Laynie in Earth Tones. I kept the whole look pretty simple, because []::TULI::[]'s work is really lovely and intricately textured.

I was looking for a chance to wear this Triple Pearl Necklace in Shore from Armidi Gisaci in a non-traditional way. It can be quite dressed up, but I wanted a casual look. I opted for a really nice chunky bracelet that I picked up from Bonita's Jewelry some time back, I love the use of sculpties in Jewelry, I think it has opened up a whole new avenue of creativity. I chose these great casual heels from Maitreya, the Mishima Dawn in Tan has a really nice contrast of Suede and Patent Textures, and it is not a fussy heel, but still has a lot of sexy going on. The bag is one of my faves, from TaP (now Fleur), the Heiress Bag is touch scripted to change into about half a dozen really nice leather colours, I choose this orange look for a hit of colour.



I had been trying to find the right look for this wig from ETD, called Natasha, for some time, but thought this more casual shopping trip look was perfect for a mussy relaxed do. I pulled in a touch of drama with these Dot Lashes from Lynnix's. I adore these Big Hazel Eyes from Miriel, the colour in the Iris are mesmerizing really, and they photograph so well. Skin is a favorite from bianca F., the Fata Base Skin in Ivory tone. I nice relaxed look, and I am ready to get my shop on, after too much time I think I may need to clear some space in my crammed full closets.

Shopping Information:
Eyes – Miriel, Hazel Eyes (Big)
Hair – ETD, Natasha (White)
Lashes – Lynnix’s Lashes, Dots (Short Bottom Lash)
Skin – biancaF., *bf* Ivory-fata-base
Necklace – Armidi Gisaci, Triple Pearl Necklace (Shore)
Outfit – []::TULI::[], Laynie (Earth)
Bag – TaP (Now Fleur), Heiress Handbag (Touch Script to Orange)
Bracelet – Bonita’s, Cube Bracelet Black Shine w/ Orange, Black, Blue
Ring - Caroline’s, Gimcrack Diamond Solitaire
Shoes – Maitreya, Mishima Dawn (Shiny Mix Tan – Shiny/Suede Tan)