Working The System

I was all geared up for shopping, when my sister Anessa sent out notice that the NEW Paper Couture line had dropped. My heart did little flippity flops, and so off we went, wading through the laggage to grab up some fresh baked goods! I was wearing this little number from *ICING*, called Puma Jie, and I had been waiting for an opportunity to look sharp! I think Miko Omegamu's work is exceptional, and her skills are improving with every release, I have to hold myself back from buying everything she makes, it really is a dangerous but relatively safe addiction.

I paired this look with my fabulous Barcelona Slingbacks from Armidi, in a colour called Falu, they are just a nice deep red and I love the shape of them. I am also weating a great Onyx Necklace and Gold Bracelet, available separately from aya V., who's work is really interesting and very affordable. I also have this adorable PV Oceanic under-arm clutch, a gift from Precious Vuckovic months and months ago, and it is so great when you want your hands free to shop with! I threw on these great freebie hoop earrings from Paper Couture, not sure if they still give them away, but they were in the Fall Campaign Gift Bag.

This hair is NEW from Diversity, and I was lucky enough to nab it in the sale on the release date for about 25% the normal cost. I love the off-set bun and the long tendrils of hair tucked behind my ears. I strongly urge people to join the Digit Darkes & Diversity Hair subscribe-o-matic group for these limited time offer notices, you never know when you could find something new and fabulous. Skin from Celestial Studios, and still grooving on these eyes from Detour.

Tip: On a side note about the System Skirts, a lot of people avoid them, and someone commented recently on my Flickr stream about how I managed to make it look 'normal' on my avatar. This is a trick I was not aware of till my sister Anessa started modelling, and told be about a "skirt shape". If your shape is Mod, simply throw on a system skirt, and reduce the size of your bum a bit till it looks as if it were the same size as without the system skirt. Viola! Embrace the System Skirt, it is your friend!





Eyes – [Detour], Delta Eyes (Hazel)
Hair – Diversity Hair, Jaya (Black)
Lashes – FNKY! & Cake, Cake - Bedroom Lashes
Skin – Celestial Studios, Charmed Line (Tone 20, Drama)
Blouse & Skirt - *ICING*, Puma Jie
Gold Bracelet – +*Atelier AM*+, aya ,+*V.*+,, Gold Bracelet
Earrings – Paper Couture, Basic Hoop Earring, [Freebie, Tinted Gold]
Necklace – +*Atelier AM*+, aya ,+*V.*+,, Long Necklace Onyx2
Ring – Caroline’s Jewelry, Gimcrack Diamond Solitaire
Shoes – [Armidi Gisaci], Barcelona Slingbacks (Falu)
Purse – PV Designs by Precious Vuckovic, Oceanic Print Clutch (Black)

Constructing A Look

Well, spring has sprung on Retrology, and it was time for some spring cleaning and a bit of a Re-Vamp. The owners of the SIM decided to change the center parcel where PIN UPS Night Club sat, and thought a re-build might be a nice change to better suit the needs of the patrons of the SIM. Change can really energize things, and although we are not changing the main shopping areas of the SIM (Which feature the fantastic works of /artilleri/, Ivalde, PIN UP DOLLS Boutique, Ingenue, Thimbles, SIN Shoes, Battered Boudoir, Jeepers Creepers, 1-800-Bettie's, Punch Drunk, Old School Shop, Total Betty, Marlys, ZHAO Shoes, Elegance Hats, Savvy?, illuminare, The Cat Eye Boutique, *ICING*, Hairapy, Skin Within, VaVaVoom, Kid Asia, Kitcsh*en*Couture, Hang The DJ!, and Many More!), we are making some amazing changes to the center parcel and adding some really interesting new elements. So here I am, in my work clothes, ready to hammer out some fabulous!

So Back to work in some great NEW hair from Aden, the Annyka, which I also snagged in black. How much do I love Aden hair? TONS! I am also rocking one of my Celestial Studios Skins, but decided to give some new eyes a try, and really love the eyes at Detour. The Delta eyes come in some great natural shades, and since it is really hard to find a Hazel eye that matches my real life tone, I am always on the lookout for more. I really should rock my Tats more often, and these Shooting Star sleeves from AITUI are some of my faves. Lashes are Cake's fabulous Bedroom Lashes. Also wearing my Uma Nose Stud from Tickled Pink and My Caroline's Jewelry Gimcrack Diamond Solitaire Ring.

I love the new jeans and cords from Celestial Studios, and these Tan Cords are just great, with all sorts of pant leg options, and I love prim pant-legs that don't go wonky when you wear shoes. Speaking of shoes, my favorite trainers come in from REDGRAVE, as well as this cool feather necklace. A set of jumbled bracelets from /Milk/ add to the casual look I am working. Perhaps my favorite new T-Shirt, this one from Heartattack & Vine that reads "You Make Me Nuts" with little squirrels on it. So Cute! The construction gear came with a costume I picked up ages ago from White Lily in the MIA SIM. Actually, my sister Anessa Stine is doing the building, and she is amazing, but I can stand around and look cute too!





Shopping Details:
Eyes – [Detour], Delta Eyes (Hazel)
Hair – Aden, Annyka (White)
Lashes – FNKY! & Cake, Cake - Bedroom Lashes
Skin – Celestial Studios, Charmed Line (Tone 20, Earth 4)
Tattoo – Aitui Tattoo, Shooting Stars (Coloured, Faded)
Bracelets - /Milk/, Bracelet Combination (Grandma)
Pants – Celestial Studios, Cords (Tan)
Top - Heartattack & Vine – H&V, You Make Me Nuts Tee
Necklace – REDGRAVE, Necklace Feather White
Construction Gear – White Lily @ ::MIA::, Construction Pretty Lime (Hammer, Hard Hat, Construction Belt)
Nose Stud – Tickled Pink, Uma Nose Stud
Ring – Caroline’s Jewelry, Gimcrack Diamond Solitaire
Shoes – REDGRAVE, Red-Stripped, Sculptie Sneakers

Happy Anniversary To Us...

On March 30th, My Partner in all things Draco Tatsu and I celebrated our One Year Partnering Anniversary in-world. We never had a wedding, it just wasn't something we wanted, we just knew we were meant to be together, and we have been since our first date about 6 weeks before we partnered. I have never wanted the whole white wedding thing in RL, and in my virtual life this was no different, but if I was the sort of girl who wanted that, this might have been the look I would have gone for. Simple, clean, classic, romantic.

The most wonderful feature of this look is this wonderful sculpted dress from Armidi Gisaci, called the White Silk Organza Dress. It is lovely to look at, but not very practical when mixed with an AO or while dancing, and difficult to photograph in a lot of poses, but still an amazing dress that is available in a dozen delicious colours. I am also wearing some soft full romantic hair from Armidi Hair, The Glamorous III, which really makes you want to run your fingers through it, I felt my forehead was a little over exposed, so I tacked on these fabulous ETD Left Swept Bangs to fill out the look.

I wanted to go with some simple white pearls, and EARTHTONES has delivered some of my favorites, in the Divine Pearls sets with Silver findings. I am wearing one of the Grazia Bracelets, as well as the mostly hidden Grazia Necklace, and find them to be really lovely and versatile. I am also wearing my engagement ring from Caroline's Jewelry, the Gimcrack Diamond Solitaire, which I almost always have on my hand. It is definitely ostentatious, but for some reason that is what I love about it, it is an outward sign that I am very much 'partnered' for all intents and purposes.

I loved this delightful Wilted Bouquet from Shiny Things, and the tulips and pale colours make it feel very much like spring to me. I strapped on a very simple ankle wrapped shoe from Paper Couture, not a new one for me, but the Lu sisters have them up in their shop still, and I think maybe in a few more spring like colours as well. One of my favorite Celestial Studios Skins, some amazing lashes from Detour (appropriately called Love Lashes), and my favorite eyes from Freak Fantasia complete this look. I may never have been a blushing virtual bride, but I feel like a new bride every day with my darling man.





Shopping Information:
Eyes – Freak Fantasia, Glassy Mustard Green
Hair – Armidi Hair, The Glamourous III (Midnight I)
Bangs – ETD, Left Swept Bangs (Naturals 1, Black)
Lashes – [Detour], Love Lashes
Skin – Celestial Studios, Charmed Line (Tone 20, Red – Diva)
Flowers – Shiny Things, Wilted Wedding Bouquet (Pale)
Dress – Armidi Gisaci, Sculpted Silk Organza Dress (White)
Bracelet – EARTHTONES, Grazia Bracelet, Divine/Silver
Ring – Caroline’s Jewelry, Gimcrack Diamond Solitaire
Necklace – EARTHTONES, Grazia Necklace, Divine/Silver
Shoes – Paper Couture, Lierre Ankle Wrap (Purity)

Lovely In A Lil' Lilac

A little romance, a little lilac, and a simple classy casual look for a Thursday. The inspiration for this look came from these fabulous Lilac Patent Slinky Stilettos from Maitreya. I purchased the Dot Danja Cami from Differ*nt in white, and it is adorable, but seeing it was mod, I tinted it up in lilac as well to work with these shoes. Similarly, I tinted the blue Winter Bangles set from Argyle to match as well.

I pulled the look together with this great high-waisted pant from Little Rebel, that comes in a skirt/pant set and really dresses up a camisole or blouse. A necklace from Swallowtail called simply the Gold Long Necklace, adds a bit of interest as well.

This hair, new to me from Muism, is nice and casual, but I like the 'backcombed' top and simple ponytail pulled to the side. Called simply Ivory, it is very simple but it still helps to make this look really pulled together. Skin from Celestial Studios Charmed Line, as well as these really lovely looking eyes from Celestial Studios Optics Natural Series. These fabulous spider like Club 1 lashes are also from Celestial, and really add a lot of impact, I am becoming a lash addict, what can I say?





Shopping Details:
Eyes – Celestial Studios Optics, Natural Series (Hazel)
Hair - *Muism*, Ivory (Silver)
Lashes – Celestial Studios, Prim Lashes (Club 1)
Skin – Celestial Studios, Charmed Line (Tone 20, Rubies)
Bracelets – Argyle, Winter Bangles (Blue) [Tinted Lilac]
Necklace – Swallowtail, Gold Long Necklace
Pants – Little Rebel, High Button Pants [from Skirt/Pants Set}
Top – D!FF => Differ*nt , Dot Danja Cami [Tinted Lilac]
Ring – Caroline’s Jewelry, Gimcrack Diamond Solitaire
Shoes – Maitreya, Slinky Stilettos (Lilac, Patent)

Gritty Little PIN UP Kitty

Okies, back to the matter at hand, or at paw as the case may be. Sometimes I just want to go Neko! I wanted to throw together a fun casual look, wear some of my old favorites, and some of my new faves. And I think I managed to pull off a real cute one this time.

This set of Neko Ears and Tail, were the first I ever purchased for an event at the club, and they are still favorites. They are from Arianna Designs! (Ari-licious) and are just a nice simple set for anyone who is an occasional Neko. I decided to go with one of my favorite wigs from Maitreya, Sophie is great with the colour scripted bands that can be made to match anything, and I love that the face lights are optional with Maitreya hair, since I almost never remember to wear them otherwise. I am once again drawn to the new Canimal Essence skins, and I really am going to have to go over and scoop up a batch, I want to experiment with some different make-ups to see if they grown on me some more. I am also really loving the new [Detour] Lashes, and have been wearing this set called Love Lashes almost exclusively since I purchased them.

For a nice casual look, I started with one of the super-fun T-Shirts from Sh*t Happens, and pulled on a pair of jeans from []::Tuli::[]. I really love wearing these patent flats from Boing Fromage!, ultimately customizable about 4 different ways, they are really such a great economical option for a flat shoe this season. Alpaca arm warmers from Argyle also spunk up this look a bit, and add some texture and interest. This Recycled Jewelry set from Shiny Things is just so awesome, love the frayed wires and the set looks so real, a really well made set. A Sassy lunch box from Canimal doubles as a purse, and I am ready to leap into action!





Shopping Details:
Eyes – BBBM – Big Booty Big Money, Watery Eyes, Mud (Splatter)
Hair – Maitreya, Sophie (White, Glow)
Skin – Canimal, Essence of Simplicity (Grace), Med. Sharp Brows
Top – Sh*t Happens, Quote Tees ZzZz Tee (Long-Jacket)
Necklace, Bracelets – Shiny Things, Recycled Jewelry Pack
Armwarmers – Argyle, Alpaca Knit Armwarmers (Charcoal)
Purse – Canimal, Retro Lunch Box (Sassy)
Neko Ears/Tail – Arianna Designs!, Ari-licious, Black Kitty Tail & Ears
Pants – []::TULI::[], Jeans (Black)
Shoes – Boing Fromage!, MaryJane Flats (Patent – Urban)
Lashes – [Detour], Love Lashes

Getting The ®™ Kiss Off!

Normally, I do not get political on my blog. It is about fashion, and my love for it, and my personal expression of self. But I cannot ignore this current trademarking crap from LL any longer. I agree with many others who have posted on this topic, it is apparently not "Your World, Your Imagination"... It is "Our World, Our Profit at Your Expense". The fact that I may face a libel suit because of the name of my Blog or my use of any of the terms that LL deems their 'property' is incredibly offensive. In the past almost 2 years since I joined the virtual megaverse, I have purchased currency to the tune of well over $2000.00 US, and have been paying for premium account status and the tier fees ensuing from SIM ownership.

Not Only does LL profit from the free advertising myself and other bloggers have provided them and their 'service', but I have also been party to others being taken advantage of in a similar manner by encouraging friends and family to participate in my hobby. If they had any concern for their 'residents', they would be explicit that the use of their trademarked symbols and terms where it actually supports their economy, is not subject to scrutiny. They would allow individuals who do not profit from their use, as I do not, to continue to use these terms in good faith. Instead, they have bitten the hand that feeds their greedy little 'corporate' mouths, and I am outraged.

Am I going to change the name of my blog... you bet! Am I going to refrain from mentioning LL or any of their registered terminology, Hallowed Be Their Name, yes I damn well am! I will not continue to support LL in their apparent lack of concern for their members, and their refusal to acknowledge the role we have all played in their success and proliferation.

I will continue to blog as always, without mention of the virtual community I am referring to, and have already created a new Blog URL Virtual Fashion Addict where there will be absolutely no mention of said company, not even the old disclaimer as to my disassociation with them. Why bother even using their name to suggest I am not affiliated with them, that too is a form of publicity, and they deserve none of it. I will begin to post simultaneously on both Blogs, until my new blog is picked up on the feeds, at which time this blog will be discontinued. If there was an alternative, I would seek it out, instead, I will refrain to the best of my ability from allowing LL to profit from my participation in their 'world' and still do my part to support the content creators that continue to get shafted by the corporation that literally profits from their blood, sweat, and tears on a daily basis.

You can only screw people over if they allow you to do it, and I am no longer in the mood to be screwed! Congrats LL, you have finally given the virtual middle finger to all of us, and I am now telling you where you can stick that finger!