No Shrinking Violet

When the Invitation to the Vain Inc. Magazine Anniversary Celebration arrived, the dress code was "Informal Black & White Ball". I own a lot of Black, and a lot of white, but as we were there for a fashion show first, then a party after, I wanted a classic simple look, something that could work at the office, at a cocktail party, or a night on the town. Miko Omegamu of *ICING* never lets me down. The quality of her work has increased exponentially since I first discovered her shop, and this Femme em Noir Dress is no exception. It is so classic, modern, yet timeless, and the dragonfly pin on the chest is included and really makes this look complete. Not only is it wonderful as a dress, but you could easily use the top or skirt separately in another look.

To complete the look, I chose a pair of bangles from ~*Fresh Baked Goods*~ a NEW shop opening on Retrology in the next few days. I am really excited to see what else will be released, but if this fabulous Sculpted Sugar Silver Gem Bangle Set is any indication of what's to come, I will be parked on their doorstep! These bangles come in a set of 2 (Left & Right) and the Gemstones are Colour Scripted to change to one of 12 Gem Tones. I set this pair to Onyx, but they looked equally lovely in diamond or even pink sapphire. I love jewelry with scripted options. Sweetie Pye, one of the three owners of ~*Fresh Baked Goods*~, tells me that they will be selling for $100LaLas a Set, and also available in Gold and Copper tones. I although I didn't want to take extra prims to the Fashion Show, in studio I did throw on this great bag I found OnRez, called the Ruffled Handbag by Urid Dal, very pretty sculpted shape, and a reasonable size. The fabulous Silver StudSides Pumps from Stiletto Moody are beyond fabulous, a very sexy shoe, and it is remarkable classy as well. Also wearing my Gimcrack engagement ring by Caroline's Jewelry.



I am wearing the Ivory-Fata-Base Skin from biancaF. that I love, with [Detour] Love Lashes, and Glassy Mustard Green Eyes from Freak Fantasia. This fabulous Hair was the free preview gift from MM Skins, called the Venessa, this is the Pitch Black Version. When I put it on, my husband Draco immediately remarked, "You Look Like That Violet Girl from the Incredibles Movie". Well, I may look like Violet... but I am no shrinking violet, not by a long shot.

Shopping Details:
Eyes – Freak Fantasia, Glassy Mustard Green
Hair – MMS, Venessa Hair (Pitch) [Group Gift]
Lashes – [Detour], Love Lashes
Skin – biancaF., *bf* ivoryfata-base
Purse – Urid Dal, Ruffled Handbag (Dark Grey)[OnRez]
Dress - *ICING*, Femme en Noir (includes Dragonfly Pin)
Ring – Caroline’s Jewelry, Gimcrack Diamond Ring
Shoes – Stiletto Moody, Silver Studsides Pump (All Colour, Scripted to Black)
Bracelets – Fresh Baked Goods, ~*FBG*~, Sculpted Sugar Bangle Set (Scripted to 12 Gem Tone Selection, Worn in Onyx) [Opening Soon on Retrology]

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)