Love At First Sight [Ivalde/L'Abel Day Post 1/4]

When trying to decide how to tell my story of my love for Neferia Abel and her work, I decided I needed to start at the beginning, with the very first gown I purchased. According to my inventory, I purchased this in March of 2007, and I must say I had never seen anything like ~~Ivalde~~ when I first set eyes on the shop.

I was busy working at PIN UPS nightclub, then only two months in business, and we were looking for vendors for the upper gallery of the club. As always seems to be the case, it was my sister Anessa who grabbed me the moment I logged that day saying, "You have to come here and see this store, OMG you won't believe these clothes, all vintage!". I jumped on her TP and discovered myself in the midst of a large wooden shop, with huge panels covered in vendors, on a Norweigan SIM with a fishing village outside the door. I think the next twenty minutes were a blur, as I purchased at least ten outfits that day. But I remember my first, as most women do, and it is still so very special to me. This is the Janette Orchid Dress by then brand ~~Embla~~.



Within the week, Anessa had managed to get Nef to take a spot in our club, and so began a love affair that involved a lot of me shopping while DJing as my tips rolled in (I kid you not). When I really first met and spoke to Neferia, there was a joy and mutual respect instantly, a common love of fashion and things from the past. She is a most astonishing woman, and I have said to her more then once, "Do you sleep?". This dress holds a particularly special place in my heart, as I wore it on one of my first dates with Draco, when we went to Phat Cats and danced the night away, this is also the exact Celestial Studios skin and ETD hair that I wore that night. The Lya shoes and the stunning *KessKreations* jewelry are new, but looks perfect with this dress. A girl never forgets her first true love.

Shopping Details:
Gown - ~~Embla~~ (Now IVALDE), Janette Orchid Dress [Purchased March 2007]
Shoes - Lya, Nichelle Pumps (Pearl)
Jewelry Set - *KessKreations*, AnnMarie White Pearl Jewelry Set
Hair - ETD, Couture Collection, The Unique (Maroon)
Skin - Celestial Studios, Charmed Line (Tone 20, Earth 4)
Lashes - MMS (Now LeLutka), Thora Lashes
Eyes - Miriel, Standard Eyes - Sunlit Tree

The Heart Of The Matter

Sorry for giving the appearance that I fell off the virtual map, I just had the worst case of Food Poisoning and/or Norwalk Virus, complete with several hospital visits, and am only now feeling like I have the energy to do anything productive with my time. Basically, I now have a rather fast heart rate, and they aren't sure why, but it seems to be normalizing on it's own now too. This "Look Of The Day" has been sitting in waiting since March 5th, and it's about time it got it's due attention. It is somewhat amusing that this look includes the adorable BareRose Key of Heart Bag in Red.



I love coats, particularly ones that make nice use of prim pieces and have some nice appropriately sized prints on them, like this AOHARU Red Check Short Trench Coat. I really love the collar and waist tie on this coat in particular, and the red plaid is really fresh and spring like. I paired it with a simple pair of black jeans from *AnnaH* (now .:Storin:.), this pair was part of the Heart of Love Limited Edition Laura set. The shoes here are a perfect matching red from Lya, the Sakura platform wedge pump was a gift from one of the Retrology event hunts, and are a really fantastic basic shoe. I loved the way the open collar of the coat looked with the [Armidi Gisaci] Gunmetal Niama Necklace, a great layered look adding a lot of impact at the throat. Other accessories include the adorable Kandy Kitty Mod Love Ring, and a simple ITF Dual Ball Brow Piercing.



This amazing wig is from Maitreya, the Piper II is soft fresh perfection, with a bobby pin tucked on one side, and it's smooth silky texture. It is a remarkable wig and looks particularly realistic. I have been wearing the -AnaLu- *InRainbows* skins almost exclusively since Ana dropped a review pack of them on me when she first released them. I love the soft lips, the lovely brow, it is a luminous and unique looking skin. The lashes are Thora from MMS, but might now be available at LeLutka, while the eyes are the amazing Miriel Hazel Eyes. A soft and sweet look, getting to the heart of the matter, which is that I have actually missed all my friends in the online community and blogging for you all very much.

~ Ketsy

Shopping Details:
Coat - AOHARU, BT_CheckShortTrenchCoat_Red
Jeans - *AnnaH* (Now .:Storin:.), from Laura HoL *Limited Edition* Set
Shoes - Lya, Sakura (Red)
Bag - :::B@R:::, Key Of Heart (Red, Hand)
Necklace - [Armidi Gisaci], Niama Necklace - Gunmetal
Ring - Kandy Kitty, Mod Love Ring
Brow - ITF, Brow Dual Ball [No Current Location Found]
Hair - Maitreya, Piper II - Blacks Pack (Pitch)
Skin - -AnaLu- *InRainbows* NAT13 .brownish.
Eyes - Miriel, Hazel Eyes (Big)
Lashes - MMS, Thora Lashes [No Current Location]

Getting It Down On Paper

I knew that once Paper Couture released a new collection, it would be all over the feeds in minutes, and I also knew I would be there to check it out withing hours of it's release. It's the way things seem to go on the feeds, everyone wants to show off the latest and greatest, and it's great to see the clothes on avatars, it gives us a much better idea of how they look then an image on a rack. I think the new collection is far more wearable then the last, and the jewelry is spectacular. As an avid collector of purses, I await their release, hopefully soon. Last collection, I snapped up a lot of the releases, and sadly they still sit in my inventory, unworn. This time I was really careful with my selections, as money grows tight and I am more realistic about what I can actually get around to wearing. I purchased one dress, one pantsuit, and about five pieces of jewelry. I wanted items I loved, but I wanted items I could work as separates too, and the Nightingale outfit was my first choice. I love this Silk Top, a long camisole that comes as part of the set. I think the hand painted ruffle down the front is great, so I opted to wear it apart from the rest of the outfit this time.



I knew that wearing the Silk Top alone would look to bare for this time of year, so I went looking for a Bolero, and came up with this one from Ibizarre, part of the Soroya Jumpsuit set. A really nice texture on it, and the wrap look lends itself well to a brooch closure. This (Dahlinks) Classic Diamond Studded Bow Brooch in Silver is a lovely piece, really incredibly well made, and so very like ones in my mother's jewelry box. I think the brooch is one piece of jewelry we see little of in-world, and I love finding them, they are such a versatile accessory. I wanted to wear a classic pair of slacks, and these Blaze* Highwaist Jeans in Charcoal are a great option.



I pulled on a favorite pair of suede Nichelle Pumps in Black from Lya, absolutely love the shape of these shoes. I also pulled in a nicely textured Black Velour Clutch from *Muism*. I went with silver and black earrings from *kraftika, the No. 127 Earrings in Silver. (Caroline's) Gimcrack Diamond Solitaire Ring is always a favorite stunner.

Hair is the new Yvette style from ETD, a nice casual up-do with exposed ears, so it works nicely with earrings. This is one of the new Mia skins from [RockBerry], I really love the full lips on these skins. Hazel Eyes are from Miriel, and Love Lashes are from [Detour].

One thing that makes Paper Couture really desirable is that they do retire styles, which is not usual in-world. Most people sell the same things year after year, season after season. It lends an air of urgency to shopping at Paper Couture, get it before it disappears. Instead of a bigger build to house all the designs from past seasons, they maintain a boutique feel, while still offering reasonably priced and imaginative high-concept collections. The clothes are like collectible pieces of art, season after season, and worth a look even if there is nothing that tickles your fancy.

Shopping Details:
Bolero Sweater - Ibizarre, from Soraya Jumpsuit (Black)
Silk Camisole - Paper Couture, from Nightengale Outfit (Silk Top)
Slacks - Blaze*, Highwaist Jeans (Charcoal)
Shoes - Lya, Nichelle Pumps (Black)
Bag - *Muism*, Clutch, Black Velour (Right Hand)
Brooch - (Dahlinks), Classic Diamond Studded Bow Broock (Silver)
Ring - (Caroline's), Gimcrack Diamond Solitaire Ring
Earrings - *kraftika, No. 127 Earrings (Silver)
Hair - ETD, Yvette (Black)
Skin - [RockBerry], Mia F Light
Eyes - Miriel, Hazel Eyes (Big)
Lashes - [Detour], Love Lashes

Hi Top Hell Bop

Forgive me blogger, and it's been 9 days since my last blog post. Yikes, I have more guilt than any one is entitled to, but I am glad to be getting back on track. The Retrology Trick or Treat Pumpkin Hunt has had me super busy, but that's no excuse. This look is another that pulls in two of my favorite colours to work together, pink and grey just work for me. It started with these great Hi Top Pants from Hell Bop Clothing by Floatie Hock, something I nabbed on my last trip around Retrology. I love high waited cigarette pants, and these are a great pair, with the great buttons in front and great textures waist panel. The Pink sweater is from Aleri Darkes, the Brita Top is great, and comes on the shirt layer so that you can wear it with your high-waited pants. I can't stress enough how great it is when designers offer their fashions on all available layers. Yes it takes a lot of time, but it makes me that much more likely to buy and wear it, and I am willing to pay a bit more for that luxury. I really like the texturing on the top, the deep v-neck, that is still modest and yet sexy.



With simple system pieces in the look, I was able to pile on some great accessories, starting with some of my favorite shoes from Lya, the Nichelle Pumps in this lovely Pearl shade, a opalescent pink suede texture. The purse is one of the amazing bags from Bare Rose Tokyo, found in the Bare Rose Couture Boutique. They are insanely inexpensive, and come with a number of shape or style options, as well as holds in each box. This Freja Bag comes in this rounded shape, as well as a more square option, and I like the opalescent texture here as well. After my trip to the Jewelry Expo, I came away with armloads of goodies, including this great *kraftika No. 129 Necklace, strands of spaced out black pearls on a thin wire, amazing prim work here. I also bough this great Tahitian Pearl Ring from The Body Politik, with it's many scripted options, it is truly amazing, and a really lovely ring. I adore Tahitian Pearls in RL, it's great to have them in my virtual wardrobe too. I have had this great White Classic Tank Watch from ~Muse~ for some time, I always forget to wear my watches in-world, it might have something to do with that little clock up in the corner of the viewer. I pulled on a favorite bangle from *PERSONA*, the Crack Metal Large Bangle in Gold is a perfect example of the great work that Myllie Writer is doing on her Jewelry these days. With this great up-do, I was able to pull on some great Vintage Black Pearl Earrings from Paper Couture, part of a set.



This lovely Sally Hair wig is from Panache ZF, and I am not certain I own very much of their hair, but I so want to now. I picked this one up at the Hair Fair, and love this Marshmallow shade. My all time favorite skin always feels like home to me somehow, the Celestial Studios Charmed Line is my favorite in general, but specifically this Earth 4 Make-up. Lashes are also from Celestial Studios, these big and romantic Classic 10 Lashes are favorites too. Delta Eyes in Hazel are from [Detour]. Ok, now that I have slapped my own hand for not blogging in so many days, I can get down to business, I have an awful lot of fall weather wear to show off in the next few days.

Shopping Details:
Top – *AD*, Britta Top (Pink)
Pants – Hell Bop, Hi Top Pants (Black)
Shoes – Lya, Nichelle Pumps (Pearl)
Bag - :::B@R:::, Freja RD White (Hand)
Necklace - *kraftika, No. 129 Necklace (Black Pearls) [Jewelry Expo]
Ring - .::TBP::., Tahitian Pearl Ring
Watch - ~Muse~, Classic Tank Watch in White/Silver (Silver Face)
Bangle - *PERSONA*, Crack Metal Large Bangle (Gold)
Earrings – Paper Couture, P.C., Black Pearl Set (Vintage Black Earrings)
Hair – Panache ZF, Sally Hair – Frosts (Marshmallow)
Skin – Celestial Studios, Charmed Line (Tone 20, Earth 4)
Lashes – Celestial Studios, (CS) Prim Lashes – Classic 10
Eyes – [Detour], Delta Eyes (Hazel)

Grey is The New Black

I have been meaning to take a look at some of the wonderful things being sent to me by friends and as review packs from the amazing content creators who send me their new items. Lyra Muse of Jaywalk frequently sends me shoes and now her new clothing line, and it was time I had a good look. So glad I did, as this amazing Delora Corset Shirt is just the kind of thing I love. It is a jacket layer top, with a great slimming grey corset, and the upper blouse part is available in a number of great colours, all with a tie collar, really classy. While each shirt comes with a co-ordinating collar, I decided to use the one from the Grey set with this Mint version. While skimming this months Vogue magazine, I hit upon an article proclaiming Grey the new 'Black'. With that in mind, I dove into another great pack of fabulous from *PERSONA*'s Myllie Writer, these amazing Barb Plaid Pants in Charcoal, I love a great dress pant, something polished and clean, and classic. The combination of prints here, the delicate pinstripe of the corset, matched with the fine plaid of the slacks work really well together.



Shoes were another gift sent to me by Lyanis Sin, her new Lya Nichelle Pumps, which I have showcased before, are some of my favorites. I adore the suede texture, the almost opalescent quality of the textures, and the entire fatpack is well worth the LaLas. All the colours are similarly delicious, I love this soft green Emerald pair, and the suede is the perfect look for the upcoming fall season. I had seen this [gisele] handbag blogged before on the feeds, and I am terrible for not writing down who brought it to my attention, I am so glad they did. The Maman bag comes in a two colour pack, this is the Ecru version, each version coming with two possible hold positions. The copper colour accents are lovely. I pulled in some simple Sculpted Sugar Copper Gem Bangles from ~*Fresh Baked Goods*~, using the script to set the gems to Onyx. Sweetie Pye tells me she has some great new pieces due out soon, and I can't wait to see what is coming for fall. This amazing Rommy Ring came in a review pack from Burroughs, it had so many items in it I wasn't even sure I could look at them all, but I am glad I pulled this ring out, it is completely scripted, with colour change pearl, metal, and a resizer script. I set to to the coppery coloured metal to match the rest of the accessories, and it is a perfect compliment to this look. I am anxious to see what else Burroughs has to offer. Earrings are from -EARTHTONES-, I adore these Circles Earrings with Teardrops, as the crystal can be changes to dozens of colour options to match any look.



A polished look calls for a polished coif, this one from The Abyss, whose hair is remarkably low prim and really stylish. The asymmetrical Aeon Bob is lovely, I particularly like the texturing at the nape of the neck, where it looks like a natural hairline. Another favorite Celestial Studios skin from the Charmed Line, this is the soft Orchid make-up, which is really pretty with the stunning Big Hazel Eyes from Miriel. Separated Lashes are from Cake. If grey is indeed the new 'Black' this season, I am over the moon, grey works so beautifully with almost any colour, and is flattering on pretty much everyone, as well as a slimming and classic wardrobe staple.

Shopping Details:
Blouse – Jaywalk:, Delora Corset Shirt (Mint, Neckpiece from Grey Set) [Review Copy]
Pants - *PERSONA*, Barb Plaid Pants (Charcoal) [Review Copy]
Shoes – Lya, Nichelle Pumps (Emerald) [Review Copy]
Bag – [gisele], Maman Ecru (Side)
Earrings - -EARTHTONES-, Circles Earring w/ Teardrops (Black/Multi)
Bracelets - ~*FBG*~, Sculpted Sugar Copper Gem Bangles
Ring – Burroughs, Rommy Ring [Review Copy]
Hair – The Abyss, Aeon (Smoke)
Skin – Celestial Studios, Charmed Line (Tone 20, Orchid)
Lashes – Cake, Separated Lashes
Eyes – Miriel, Hazel Eyes (Big)

The Fashionable Goth

Sometimes, when you outfit yourself from head-to-toe in black, you either look extremely emo, or uber goth. The most recent "Best in Black" event at PIN UPS found me in a mood that suited the colour, my man has been out of town for most of the month, and it has been really difficult for me to not be able to talk to him as often as we normally would. With so much inventory, it took me ages to settle on just one look, but this look is a little bit emo, a little bit goth, yet still has a high fashion feel to it. I attribute most of that to the fabulous creations from M * A * ii * K * I, the collaboration between Maitreya creator Onyx LeShelle and Dutch Touch's Iki Ikarus. The system elements are clean and stylish, the prim parts sculpted to perfection, and the layer options make the pieces endlessly workable, whether it is with other M * A * ii * K * I offerings, or any other pieces you might have in your closet. I started with the Poof Skirt & Black (Alt) Set, but with my persistent system skirt glitch, I decided to work in some leggings rather then fight the system so to speak. I love the leggings that came with the M * A * ii * K * I Patent Green Set. They utilize not only the undies layer, but also extend further down the leg with the sock layer, and include a great bunched up prim detail on the ankle. The system layers are really used to their best advantage here, while the amazing sculpted pieces like this collar add polish and style.



I was dying to get another pair of the new Lya Nichelle Pumps on my feet, here in the Black. Lyanis Sin sent me a fatpack on release, and they are a really sexy and simple sueded pump. I wore the Gold pair in my Look Of The Month for Vain Inc. in the upcoming September Issue, and the fatpack is the way to go if you love a classic pump like this. The purse is a bit of gothic whimsy (if there is such a thing) from Bastchild Designs, the Chainmail Purse has rows of spikes, a theme I went with for most of the accessories in this look. This week E! Eclectic Accessories dropped some review copies on me, and it was perfect timing. This great Black Studded Arm Strap is the first I have ever owned, and I love the way it look here, breaking up the very glam outfit with a little bit of Gothic detail. A really great accessory, I can't wait to go off in search of more of what E! has to offer. I echoed the spikes with some WRONG Spike Bands in Black at my wrists, a great staple accessory. My favorite long dangle earrings are these Jagged Earrings in Black from Diamonde., and my most worn accessory is my Gimcrack Diamond Solitaire Ring from Caroline's. I added a Lip Ring from Red Ruin for a little more edge.



More great hair from (JUNWAVE), this EROTICA style is really edgy, lots of sheared layers, and really changes the shape of your face with all it's height. Canimal's Sunshine make-up in the Essence Line, Grace Tone, is really striking, a very dramatic eye, which I love. Bedroom Lashes by Cake, and [Detour]'s Delta Eyes in Hazel round out the essentials. The look has a decidedly modern Gothic feel to it, I really like how this look came together.

Shopping Details:
Top, Skirt – M * A * ii * K * I, Poof Skirt & Black (Alt) – Top, Collar, & Poof Only)
Leggings - M * A * ii * K * I, Long Leggings(Black) from Stapless & Patent Green Set
Shoes – Lya, Nichelle Pumps (Black)[Gift from Lyanis Sin]
Purse – Bastchild Designs, Goth Chainmail Purse
Arm Straps – E! Eclectic Accessories, Studded Arm Straps (R) Black [Review Copy]
Bracelets – WRONG, Spike Bands (Black)
Earrings – Diamonde., Jagged Earrings (Black)
Lip Ring – Red Ruin, Lip Ring
Ring – Caroline’s, Gimcrack Diamond Solitaire Ring
Hair – (JUNWAVE), EROTICA_BLACK_L
Skin – Canimal, Essence of (Grace)… Sunshine
Lashes – Cake, Bedroom Lashes
Eyes – [Detour], Delta Eyes