If You Want To Be Happy For The Rest Of Your Life... [Ivalde/L'Abel Day Post 2/4]

What is ~~Ivalde~~ the brand best known for? Capturing Vintage and Retro looks and making them appealing, fun, and oh so feminine. I knew I wanted to blog at least one of my hundreds of ~~Ivalde~~ retro looks today, and so I decided that the one that best captured Neferia's attention to detail was the Kassandra Blue Dress. It includes the adorable rubber gloves and the apron. This dress makes me smile for so many reasons, not all entirely innocent. I wore it to a "Dysfunctional Family Dinner" event at PIN UPS, I wore the blue dress alone for a date night on Retrology with Draco, and I did one of my first Photo Shoots for my own pleasure with this look, doing a "50s' Demo Kitchen" look. That was before I even started blogging. I even wore just the apron and gloves with heels to make some very sexy pictures for Draco's birthday that year.



I love Nef's attention to detail, going so far as to make colour and fabric choices that suit the era of the design, combining both hand painted and photo-sourced elements seamlessly, and always making it almost impossible to choose any outfit in just ONE colour. I decided to go Stepford Wife and added in this fabulous feather duster from BLONDE, stockings from 1-800-Bettie's, and shoes from Maitreya. Jewelry includes the perfect pearl necklace from Decollage, and opal earrings from (Yummy). Skin is from Celestial Studios and hair is from Retro-rific Ingenue.

So, as the Jimmy Soul song says "If you want to be happy for the rest of your life, never make a pretty woman your wife, Go for my personal point of view
Get an ugly girl to marry you". Well, I think there are going to be a lot of unhappy husbands, because any woman wearing ~~Ivalde~~ is simply beautiful. Thanks Nef, for making my retro dreams come true.

Shopping Details:
Dress - ~~Ivalde~~, Kassandra Blue Dress [Includes Apron & Gloves]
Stockings - 1-800-Bettie's, Stocking By Bettie's (Taupe)
Shoes - Maitreya, Antie's Enchants (Black)
Necklace - Decollage, Bubblegum Pearls [Tintable]
Earrings - (Yummy), Opal Studs [from Opals & Pearls Set]
Duster - BLONDE, Feather Duster [Spring Launch Preview Gift]
Hair - Ingenue, Lamour (Blue Black)
Skin - Celestial Studios, Charmed Skin (Tone 20, Blue-Sea)
Eyes - Miriel, Hazel Eyes (Big)
Lashes - MMS (Now LeLutka), Thora Lashes

The Roaring 20s - Vain Inc. Magazine Issue 20

This month, Vain Inc. took a trip through time, and I did my best to bring the fashion of the 1920s alive. Fabulous dresses from ~Ivalde~, Cartunno Couture, Greenwood Designs, Adam N Eve, Rebel Hope Designs, & Simone. Hats, wigs, and shoes to suit the style of the era.



Check out the full Issue HERE.











Click the images to see larger versions with credits on my Flickr Stream.

Ruby Tuesday

On Tuesday night, my fella of 21 months Draco, celebrated his RL birthday. We started the evening at PIN UPS where DJ Azu was doing his thing for a "Best in Red" event, and ended up at another club dancing to some great Jazz and Standards. I decided to put together a sexy look in red so that I didn't have to change between events, and came up with this great Gertie Dress in Red from ~~Ivalde~~. Nef passes me some of her new releases from time to time, so when I finally get a change to take a look, I am always pleasantly surprised. I have to admit it, I am a girl who loves a system skirt, I just like a sleek silhouette, and when done well, they can be so lovely. This dress had a great system skirt, but also three-part ruffled prim hemline. I really love the satiny look of the skirt, and think that the added touch of the sheer straps and flexi scarves on the back are really lovely. This dress has a fabulous Latin feel to it, really sexy and classy at the same time. I wanted to keep it in a more retro framework, so I went with some seamed stockings from 1-800-Bettie's. The Stiletto Moody Elegant Slingbacks in Ruby were a good colour match, and added a bit of sparkle for a special night out.



When I wear a dress with details like the flowing scarves so close to the neck, I don't wear a necklace with it, it just seems like a lot of clutter to me. I opted instead for a big showy earring from (CREAMSHOP). The Glam Earring in Red is almost too big, but that is the fun of it, and I own them in three colours. Perhaps even more hysterical is that the size I am wearing is the medium, there is a large version as well. Some complimentary sleek Gold and Resin Bangles from [VG Republic] worked nicely here, as they are scripted to texture/colour change to compliment your look. The set comes with three versions, and I like to mix and match from wrist to wrist.



The Latin vibe of this dress made hair choice easy, this Milonga wig from le salon at comme il faut is so retro and classic, it really evokes a sexy Josephine Baker look. I wanted a glittery evening look with my skin, by didn't want a coloured lip, particularly not red that would likely clash with the coral red of the dress. The answer is this lovely Gold Glitter skin from Celestial Studios Charmed Line. I love wearing these skins for fancy dress occasions, one of the reasons I think Starley is such a huge talent. These Charmed skins are not the newest or most realistic on the grid, but I really love the look of them on my avatar, they have a more illustrated look as opposed to hyper-realistic, which has never been my style. Lashes are from Cake, and some of my favorite eyes are from Miriel.

Shopping Details:
Dress - ~~Ivalde~~, Gertie Red Dress
Hose - 1-800-Bettie's, Stocking by Bettie's (Taupe)
Shoes - Stiletto Moody, Elegant Slingbacks (Ruby Red)
Earrings - (CREAMSHOP), Glam Earrings (Red, M)
Bracelets - [VG Republic],Gold/Resin Bangles with Color Change
(L) Double Gold/Resin Bangles
(R) Skinny Gold/Resin Bangle
Ring - (Caroline's), Gimcrack Diamond Solitaire Ring
Hair - comme il faut, le salon - Milonga (Raven)
Skin - Celestial Studios, Charmed Line (Tone 20, Glitter -Gold 1 + body glitter)
Eyes - Miriel, Hazel Eyes (Big)
Lashes - Cake, Bedroom Lashes

Roll'em Girls Roll'em

My grandmother was born in 1911 and I used to love sitting at her feet as she braided and unbraided my hair over and over and told me stories of her youth. Like the time her 7 older siblings took her out of the house without permission and went to play stick ball in the park, and someone managed to accidentally slap her in the face with the stick because she was only two years old and in the way, and then they asked her to lie to their parents about what really happened. She told me about her friend "Tootsie" who loved to sunbathe till she was a bronze beauty. And she told me of her teen years during the Roaring 20s', when the girls would sing a song called "Roll'em Girls Roll'em" as they rolled their silk stockings down to expose bare knees, very racy stuff.

This look reminds me of those days she spoke of, and what took me back there in an instant is this absolutely remarkable millinery masterpiece by Morrigan Hyun of Elegance Hats. The Cecily Art Deco Hat is brilliant, a silver sculpted nude with fans and feathers, bringing Erte to mind. It is wearable sculpture and something I had to buy the minute I saw it. I wanted to wear the perfect matching dress, but what does one wear with such a hat? Then I remembered a great flapper dress called the RKO Girl from *Simone!* that I had nabbed for a costume event ages ago, it is the perfect Art Deco Match, the sexy stockings and Silver Deco Armbands are included. I pulled in this great 1920's Black Beaded Bag from Yummy, a freebie, that was era perfect. And of course, some classic retro pumps, these from 1-800-Bettie's.



When I think flapper, I think short bobbed hair framing the face in Clara Bow style. My favorite Bob is the Aveda Institute Short Bob from ETD, perfect because it isn't. The skin is Celestial Studios Charmed Skin in Red Dusk, a lovely dramatic eye and crimson lips, eyes are from Freak Fantasia. Oh how I love a step back in time, and this one made me feel closer to my beloved grandmother.

Shopping Information:
Dress - *Simone!*, RKO Girl (Red, Includes Stockings and Arm Bands)[Available OnRez]
Hat – Elegance Hats, Cecily Art Deco Hat
Shoes – 1-800-Bettie’s, Slingback Pumps (Black)
Bag – (Yummy), Freebie Vintage 1920s Black Bead Bag
Hair – ETD, Aveda Institute – Short Bob (Noir)
Skin – Celestial Studios, Charmed Line (Tone 20, red-Dusk)
Eyes – Freak Fantasia, Glassy Mustard Green

Married To The Mob

One of the first 'Vintage' Design Houses that I found in SL was "1-800-Bettie's", and even though that was well over a year ago, Fey Fuller and Jacqueline Boehm still offer some of the best. They have some very classic fashions, and lets face it, when you do Retro in SL, it never really goes out of style. You are re-creating the past, and that is an era frozen in time, the looks are classic. I own several dresses and suits from "1-800-Bettie's", and I seem to be throwing on their stockings every time I want a nice seamed stocking look. I know Draco has at least two of their men's suits, and they are really well done. While new releases from the gals are few and far between, I think that they are often overlooked as one of the best Retro Fashion Go-To Places in SL. When we opened the Retrology SIM, we knew it would not be complete without "1-800-Bettie's".

Recently, we had a "Married to the Mob" Event at PIN UPS, and it is the one event where we can have some classic Retro fun, getting out the Tommy Guns, the Flapper looks, the Capone Era gangster looks, and so it was time for me to be a 1940s 'Mob Doll'. This 'Day Suit' is Era perfect, and so are the fabulous stocking and shoes, all from "1-800-Bettie's". The hair is the delightful 'Torch Song' from "Ingenue", and I loved another opportunity to wear this 'Another Fundraiser' Skin from Betty Doyle. I wore my chunky Princess Cut Diamond Engagement ring from 'Caroline's Jewelry', and threw on some classy Black Pearl earrings from "Paper Couture", and I was ready to go "On The Run" with my man Bugsy!





Eyes – Freak Fantasia, Glassy Mustard Green
Skin – Ingenue, Another Fundraiser Retro Doll (Blonde Brow)[Not Available in Store]
Hair – Ingenue, The Torch Song (Platinum)
Ring – Caroline’s Jewelry, Gimcrack Diamond Solitaire
Suit – 1-800-Bettie’s, 1940 Day Suit (Red, Black Collar & Cuffs)
Earrings – Paper Couture, Black Pearl Set, Vintage Black Earring
Stockings – 1-800-Bettie’s, Stockings by Betties (Taupe)
Shoes - 1-800-Bettie’s, Slingback Buckled Pumps by Betties (Black)

Blame It On The Bossa Nova

Sometimes, a girl just wants to step back in time. When we have our weekly Era events at the club, it is my opportunity to travel through eras, and I love that all my favorite Retro Designers have their shops right at my doorstep on Retrology. This sharp looking dress, from the amazing "bossa nova" was just begging to have out of my closet, so the "50s Sock Hop" gave me a chance to put it on display. I love that it comes with the lovely gloves and feather hat too. When I need period perfect Retro hair, "Ingenue" is the place to go, and Betty Doyle never lets me down, her styles are so bang on! I love this 'Grable II' Up-do... and the hat looked perfect with it. Another appearance of the new "=DeLa*=" pumps, this time in a yummy Vanilla, and I think I would have looked sharp enough for lunch at the Plaza circa 1952.



Lashes – Celestial Studios, Prim Lashes (Classic 10)
Eyes – Freak Fantasia, Glassy Mustard Green
Skin – Celestial Studios, Charmed Skins (Tone 20, Earth 4)
Hair – Ingenue, The Grable II (Silvery White)
Necklace, Earrings – Bebe, Veraneo Set (Green White)
Dress, Hat, Gloves – bossa nova, Norma Dress (Moss)
Shoes - =DeLa*=, Pumps “Helia” (Vanilla)
Hose – 1-800-Bettie’s, Stocking By Bettie’s (Taupe)

Feeling a Little Rebellious

I have a secret shop, where I like to go at least once a month, where I always walk out with armloads of great stuff, and I feel like it is this forgotten Gem of a place. It is called "Little Rebel" and I love it. When I first met Antonia Marat of "/artilleri/", over a year ago, she was the first vendor to set up shop in the very first PIN UPS Night Club. My sister Anessa and I asked her what some of her favorite shops were, hoping to add them to the list of vendors in our club, she rambled off a list, and I took notes, literally. I was just at the start of my journey into SL Fashion, and needed some good places to get a foothold. Little Rebel was one of the shops that Antie named, and so I made a point of finding it. I have to say, it really is one of the most amazing places to buy separates and dresses, and on a recent trip, my RL twin sister Anessa Stine IMd me, asked where I was.. and when I told her, she said "What is That?". My response was... "OMG! You have Never been to Little Rebel?". They have something for everyone, Mens' and Womens', and styles run from Street, Rockabilly, Club, on through to Classic. The style is more Photo-Real than Handpaint, uses the system elements as opposed to prims, but very well done and really have some great pieces you can mix into your existing wardrobe.

This is my latest purchase from "Little Rebel", although I don't think it is very NEW it is fabulous. The sweater comes in a dozen colours, the skirt (separately) comes in another dozen, and I put Purple and Red together to make a bold colour statement. I was thrilled to finally have a reason to wear these 'Ruffle' Boots from "Shiny Things", they are simply stunning, and are too gorgeous to sit around in my closet un-seen. I tinted up some fabulous "Argyle" bangles, and wore the classic "ETD" No Bangs Bun with the Right Swept bangs. Classic with a bit of 'Sauce'.



Eyes – Miriel, Hazel (Big)
Skin – Celestial Studios, Charmed Skins (Tone 20, Gloss - Red)
Ring – Caroline’s Jewelry, Gimcrack Diamond Solitaire
Hair – ETD, No Bangs Bun (Black) & ETD, Right Swept Bangs (Black)
Sweater – Little Rebel, Red Crop Shimmer Top
Skirt – Little Rebel, High Ruched Purple Skirt
Boots – Shiny Things, Ruffle Boot (Scarlet)
Hose – 1-800-Bettie’s, Stockings By Bettie’s (Taupe)
Lashes – Celestial Studios, Prim Lashes (Classic 10)
Earrings – Diamonde., Triangular Windchime Earrings
Bracelets – Argyle, Autumn Heather Bangles (Tinted Purple)

Cashing In...

How I love "Old Gravy" Hair, Oh I Love It So! And this Style, one of Satine Dot's Newer releases is just Brilliant! Could you die! It is named "Cash" and makes me feel like a Roughed up June Carter Cash... So of course I wore in on "Rockabilly" Night at the Club! I love the scripted colour change flower too! Had this little blue dress just waiting for a "Best in Blue" Event... and viola! Very cute indeed, and I love the Chiffon Layers, "Armidi" does some really adorable dresses in so many colours, you can always find a fave. I bangled up, these from "PERSONA" and hit the dance floor!



Bracelets – PERSONA, Bangles (Blue)
Dress – Armidi Gisaci, Little Mary (Dutch Blue)
Stockings – 1-800-Bettie’s, Stocking By Bettie’s (Taupe)
Shoes – Shiny Things, Clompies (Midnight Blue)
Eyes – Freak Fantasia, Glassy Mustard Green
Skin – Celestial Studios, Charmed Skins (Tone 20, Red - Dusk)
Hair – Old Gravy, Cash (Black, Color Change Flower)
Earrings - /artilleri/, Rockin’ Earrings (Color Change)

The Socialite!

For the plaid event, I decided to go Urban Sophisticate, and pulled this fabulous layered skirt from my closet. I love the movement of the sheer skirt over the plaid skirt and the prim ruched waist detail is really nice. A plain white blouse plays it cool, this one a staple from /artilleri/, and then a dark strand of pearls sets the whole look off. I have to say I am loving this Patent Leather Mary Janes from "Digit Darkes" and find endless excuses to wear them! This loose side Pony tail is so pretty, and makes me yearn for more releases from "H2L".



Hair – H2L, Hayate’s Hair Lab, Kaori (Silver)
Skin – Celestial Studios, Charmed (Tone 20, Rubies)
Eyes – Freak Fantasia, Glassy Mustard Green
Lashes – Celestial Studios, Prim Lashes (Classic 10)
Blouse - /artilleri/, Heidi (White)
Skirt - *FI*, First Impressions, Plaid Skirt (Black)
Hose – 1-800-Bettie’s, Stocking by Bettie’s (Taupe)
Shoes – Digit Darkes’ Mary Janes, Gingham Check (Black)
Bracelets – [Od] Overdose Jelly Bracelets (Black)
Necklace – Love Lace, Dark Pearl Strand
Ring – Caroline’s Jewelry, Gimcrack Diamond Solitaire

Is It Too Early For A Tea Party?

A Gorgeous Lace Dress from Neferia Abel's "~Ivalde~" inspired this Tea Party ready ladylike look. The Sculpted Flower Accent on the waist is so fabulous, you really don't need a lot of accessories for a complete look. A soft long curly style for my hair from "Armidi" was in keeping with the romantic feminine look of this dress, which also comes in a gown look. A knotted pearl necklace says "Lady Who Lunches"... I am looking to buy a silver tea service now so I can have the Girls over for finger sandwiches and petite fours.



Hair – Armidi Hair, The Glamorous II (Midnight I)
Skin – Celestial Studios, Charmed (Tone 20, Earth-4)
Eyes – Freak Fantasia, Glassy Mustard Green
Lashes – Celestial Studios, Prim Lashes (Classic 20)
Dress – Ivalde, Tixibelle White Lace Dress (With Flower Accent)
Necklace – Encore, Timeless, Knotted Necklace (White Pearl)
Shoes – 1-800-Bettie’s, White Sandal Pumps
Purse – Motomachi, bbboutique, Bag 4
Ring – Caroline’s Jewelry. Gimcrack Diamond Solitaire

Jitter Bug Doll

For a "Pretty in Pink" Event, I took my oppotunity to go a Retro with this adorable Dress from "Total Betty" chosed for me by my husband Draco who said, "You hardly ever wear pink". The hair is simply fabulous, from Betty Doyle of Ingenue, and it makes the Retro image complete. Some retro stocking and a pair of slingbacks from 1-800-Bettie's finish the outfit off nicely. I always like to add my personal touches, some punky piercings to contrast with the squeaky clean Retro Doll look make it all me!



Hair – Ingenue, Jitter Bug Doll (Silvery White)
Lashes – Celestial Studios, Prim Lashes (Club 13)
Skin – Celestial Studios, Charmed (Tone 20, Purple-Orchid)
Eyes – Freak Fantasia, Glassy Mustard Green
Dress – Total Betty, Boppin’ (Pink)
Stockings – 1-800-Bettie’s, Stockings By Bettie’s (Taupe)
Shoes – 1-800-Bettie’s, Slingbacks (Black)
Ring - Caroline's Jewelry, Gimcrack Diamond Solitaire
Earrings – Drifting Sands, Tunnels Earrings
Nose - Tickled Pink, Uma Nose Stud