In The Trenches.

There is nothing more exciting then discovering forgotten purchases in your inventory. Six months away from SL has made this a new trend for me. I may be showing items that have been available in-world for a long time, but they are just as good now as ever, and maybe more-so, they may remind you of some of the hidden gems you haven't worn since last season. This AOHARU Simple Trench Coat is a perfect example. I pulled it on, and just adore the almost gunmetal steel blue color of it, it got me working to pull a great look together around it.



I picked up a great black shirt at Surf Couture yesterday, and decided to add a dash of something new, it is the "I'm A Little Bit Country" top, which comes in too many great colors, but I chose the black one on a whim. I pulled on the amazing (Kari & TW) Black New School Jeans, and a simple pair of stockings from Petit Ange in Black. Both wardrobe staples for me. When I went looking for boots, I was thrilled to find these ETD Shoes Kristen Booties in an almost perfectly matched color to the Trench Coat. Instead of going with a necklace, I opted for this amazing *Sprawl* Dotty Scarf, just a nice detail, and scripted for color change. I heart me some *Sprawl*.



Pulling in some other accessories, I went with a great bag from Baiastice, a ring with scripted color change stone from (Luc) Fashion Jewelry, and a fabulous watch from (Caroline's). The (Caroline's) Jewelry Rock Candy Watch has 3 band color options, including a hot pink, three metal options, and the ability to turn brightness on and off. It actually functions, the hands turning and ticking through the hours. I really love the way it looks on, and it is jazzy enough to be a great bracelet substitute.

Another wig I loved at first sight has been waiting for me to wear since the Hair Fair. Sari's Hanami Dreads come in a beaded and un-beaded version, I chose the plain version this time. It is adorable, not too crazy big, and I love the loose dreads, so funky. The skin is a favorite from -AnaLu-, the lashes are Lelutka's Thora Lashes, and the eyes are the brilliant but no longer available Miriel. So now I am back to rediscovering what is actually hiding in my giant *NEW* folder, and you never know what I am going to come up with next. Back to the trenches folks.

Shopping Details:
Coat – AOHARU_BT_Simple Trench Coat (Gray)
Shirt – [SC] Surf Couture, I’m A Little Bit Country (Nighttime)
Jeans – (Kari & TW), New School Jeans (Black)
Scarf – *Sprawl*, Dotty Scarf (Scripted Color Change)
Socks – *an* Petit Ange, knit_tights_black_socks
Shoes – ETD Shoes, Kristen Bootie (Steel Blue)
Bag – Baiastice by Sissy Pesoa, Borsa 21 (Hand)
Watch – (Caroline’s), Rock Candy Watch (Scripted)
Ring – -EARTHTONES- now (luc), Solitaire Ring Multi/Silver
Hair – Saris’s, Hanami Dreads Black (Plain)
Skin – -AnaLu- *InRainbows* Nat13 .brownish.
Eyes – Miriel, Realistic Eyes (Muted Hazel)[No Longer Available]
Lashes – MMS/Lelutka, Thora Lashes

My Way Out

Sometimes, you just want to get away. Things get confusing, you lose sight of who and what you are about and what really matters. I have been feeling this way a lot lately. Things I thought would last forever have slipped away, things I thought mattered don't seem to be as important, and I am looking for meaning in my life again. While I may not be able to take a physical break from my reality, I can certainly take the time away from my regular routine and let my mind run away a bit, trying to find the answers to the questions that I suddenly have. This look is back to basics, the sort of thing I would be wearing around the city. This look says comfort and warmth, and is something I would wear when looking for a place to hide and nurse my wounds. This sweater is my favorite part, I think Pushbutton's new *Sprawl* brand is brilliant, and The Almanac Sweater in Cardinal looks like a well loved, well worn favorite. I layered it over one of the /artilleri/ Zee Tank Tops, and paired that with a great Black denim Jean from (Kari & TW).



With cuffs on the sweater, there was no need for bracelets, but I did find a nicely matched Bohemian inspired necklace from Bonita's Jewelry that really worked well with this look. The colours were perfect, and I find that there are lots of hidden treasures at Bonita Popinjay's Jewelry, you just have to have the fortitude to find them among her huge inventory of items in her shops. I am wearing my favorite brow piercing from ITF, and also a sentimental ring from Caroline's Jewelry. One of my favorite handbag's is this Jaden bag from Cachet (now LeLutka), I own it in two colour variations, it is that fabulous. I am wearing the boot bases from a brilliant pair of (Shiny Things) Old Lace-up Boots, they are prim shoes I have had for almost two years, and they make me feel very grounded.



Truth Hawks makes some of the sweetest wigs on the grid, and on my last visit I was over the moon to find my two favorite shades, black and white in the same colour pack once again. This sweet TRUTH double pig-tail style with hat is called Babyhoney, and it is perfection down to the stitching on the cap. The skin is another of Ana Lutetia's mods, the lovely -AnaLu- *InRainbows* series, and I feel very at home in these skins, the complexion is lovely and the brows are natural and soft, the coloured eye make-up is perfect with the soft full lips. Lashes are from MMS, now LeLutka, and eyes are from Miriel.

I am looking for my way, even if that means My Way Out.

Shopping Details:
Sweater - *Sprawl*, The Almanac (Cardinal)
Tank - /artilleri/, Zee Tank Tops!, Shirt Layer (Orange)
Jeans - (Kari & TW), New School Jeans (Black)
Bag - Cachet now LeLutka, Jaden Bag (Red)
Boots - (Shiny Things), Old Lace-up Boots - Reddish
Necklace - Bonita's, Beaded Bohemian Necklace w/ Links
Ring - Caroline's, Gimcrack Diamond Solitaire Ring
Brow - ITF, Brow Dual Ball Piercing [No Location Found]
Hair/Hat - TRUTH, Babyhoney (Smokey)
Skin - -AnaLu-, *InRainbows* NAT 07 .blue.
Lashes - MMS now LeLutka, Thora Lashes [No Current Location]
Eyes - Miriel, Hazel Eyes (Big)

Back To School...

Last night, I was positively crackling with anxiety and hope, watching the US Presidential Election returns. I am not American, but as a Canadian, a part of a country that is the largest trading partner with the US, and an allied country, this election was as important to me as any that I have known in my own country. I am proud of the energy and hope that I saw in the Democratic process south of the border, and I am inspired. There is no doubt that the battle has just begun for the US and the world, rebuilding financial stability and looking for peaceful resolutions to our differences. We all need to go back to the books, to learn lessons from the past and find hope for the future as we begin to tackle the challenges in our collective path. Saving the environment, ending war, and bringing health and stability into the lives of the most vulnerable in society. I know that my views may not be popular with everyone, there is a healthy dose of socialism in our Canadian Constitution, and I am not ashamed of it (though my father heartily disagrees). I respect the rights of others to differ in their beliefs and values, but we are, after all, in this together. So I am hopeful that the future will bring new ideas and new solutions, and though there will be setbacks, I feel that the tide has turned for the first time in my adult life. Clearly, I am no speech maker, and should stick to the pretty pixels I blog day in and day out, but I just felt the need to express myself, I hope you will afford me this luxury.



Back to the business of stroking my addiction to virtual fashion, this was the look I put together while anxiously awaiting last nights results. I wanted to be comfortable, ready for action, and ready to learn what might be. I went for casual and grunge, my personal favorite way to dress day-to-day. The look started with the great .:Naive:. Rebel Condition Pants that have a very cool burnt out look to them. I pulled in one of the great tops to be found at the new shop *Sprawl*, this wicked Hearts and Guitars Tee, which comes on all layers as always with Pushbutton Skolnick's work, and is one of the most appreciated features. I love being able to wear tucked in tops and work with layers. The Pink Leather Jacket from ::DUTCH TOUCH:: worked really well here with the colour of the stripes in the pants, I love open jackets that let you see the details of the items underneath. The slacks extend to mid-calf, so I pulled on these great Maitreya **Boot-alicious** Ash boots with a leg-warmer like calf portion, they worked really nicely here. I love to wear my WRONG Braces, or suspenders, when I remember to. This Checkerboard set is my favorite, and comes with a non-prim jacket layer set as well as this great prim set that works with dozens of pairs of jeans and pants.



I pulled in a great Tote Bag from Gritty Kitty, it is scripted to change to one of several brilliant textures with just a click. love the little hanging key chain and the buttons on the bag, so I decided to pull in a few more pins with this Eclectic Accessories Kitten and Skull Badge set. The chunky Double Bangle is one of a huge and inexpensive fatpack from ::MEZZO::, with about a dozen colour variations in the pack. I am really embracing the hat and hair combos lately, and this is one of the best yet, the Panache ZF and Kari collaboration produced this great Girls School Hair, also available in a men's version. The cute little braids sticking out from underneath the side of the hat are really sweet. A favorite skin from Celestial Studios, eyes from Miriel, and lashes from [Detour] complete the essentials.

Shopping Details:
Jacket - ::DUTCH TOUCH::, Pink Leather Jacket
Top - *Sprawl*, Hearts & Guitars Tee
Pants - .:Naive:., Rebel Condition Pants (Grey)
Suspenders - WRONG, Braces (Checker Board, Prim)
Boots - Maitreya, **Boot-alicious**, Ash Leather (Grey-Black Socks)
Bag - Gritty Kitty, Tote Bag (B)
Bangle - ::MEZZO::, M-Double Bangle Rameacryl*Silvergray
Buttons - E!, Eclectic Accessories, Kitten and Skull Badge
Hair/Hat - Panache ZF & Kari, Girls School Hair
Skin - Celestial Studios, Charmed Line (Tone 20, Gloss-Red)
Lashes - [Detour], Love Lashes
Eyes - Miriel, Hazel Eyes (Big)

Nightmares & Ghost Stories

Last night at PIN UPS we had a "Nightmare Night" event with DJ Azu, a spooky and silly Halloween Pajama Party. I knew exactly what I wanted to wear when I saw this adorable Fantasy Football costume from (TCKLZ), a collaborative effort including the talented folks behind TorridWear, Kari, and Celestial Studios. I knew the Pumpkin set was the one I wanted, even thought it is somewhat limited to Halloween wear with it's Trick or Treat logo. What makes it a great buy is all the parts that are included, sneakers, legwarmers, and even a pumpkin football. The socks are really cute, and sexy, and this is precisely the kind of shirt I love to wear to bed. I picked up the perfect Halloween slippers on Xstreet SL (formerly SLX) with these sweet Scripted Black Cat Slippers from PediPetz. They are scripted to blink, among other things, and are sweet and creepy at the same time. Simple bedtime friendly accessories are my Caroline's Gimcrack engagement ring and my favorite locket from Karsten Rutledge, a gift from Draco when we first started dating over twenty months ago.



My girl Marly sent me this hair this week, her latest release from ..Marlys.., and I am always happy to see her wigs. The Tre Salon Blonde style, in my favorite Whipped Cream shade is a sweet tight curlers wig, very kitsch, and the curlers are colour scripted to change to a dozen great shades. I find curler hair in-world to be hysterical, maybe it's just me. I anxiously await "Bed Head" and "Hat Head" hair style, or even one with a brush hanging from the side that got caught in the tangles, so if anyone wants to run with those ideas, go for it! Skin is a dramatic Supernova from Canimal's Essence Line, just the trick for a Halloween party. My favorite Hazel Eyes from Miriel and Love Lashes from [Detour] complete the essentials. Sweet and Spooky dreams everyone, Happy Halloween!

Shopping Details:
Pajama Dress, Socks - (TCKLZ), Fantasy Football (Pumpkin)
Slippers - PediPetz Slippers, Scripted Black Cat Slippers (R. Eye) [Xstreet SL]
Necklace - Karsten Rutledge, Silver Heart Locket
Ring - (Caroline's), Gimcrack Diamond Solitaire Ring
Hair - ..Marlys.., Tre Salon Blonde (Whipped Cream)[Review Copy]
Skin - Canimal, Essence (Grace)... of Supernova
Lashes - [Detour], Love Lashes
Eyes - Miriel, Hazel Eyes

A Touch Of Sunday Denim

When hopping about the grid this chilly October weekend, be it hunting or shopping, or both, you need to have a look that is casual and comfortable, and ready for action. This fabulous Vintage Leather Jacket from ::DUTCH TOUCH:: had been in my inventory forever, and I love the weathered rust colour of it, great for layering over a cozy thermal, this one from Tres Blah. The Vintage Floral Thermal in Plum is one of a fatpack of lovely shades I picked up at the Starlust Motel during the recent wee fundraiser for Crystyle Bukowski. I love the button details on the neckline, and the cute floral print. All the colours are equally delicious. This relaxed pair of New School Jeans from the Kari and TorridWear collaboration are really wonderful. I love the hand-drawn elements, and the pack is reasonably priced, coming with both Black and the Blue version shown here. The set is Unisex as well, so everyone can partake.



I really had fun with these accessories, starting with this great *Sprawl* Library Necklace. This is the Alice in Wonderland Version, with a tiny book that opens with a click. There are several version, but I couldn't say no to Alice. I rarely remember to wear glasses, and this pair of Onyxia Sunglasses from /artilleri/ are really classic. I always buy eye wear from /artilleri/ in fatpack, the colours are exceptional and the prices too good to pass up. Dark Mouse is one of the newest vendors on Retrology, and when I stopped in to take a peek after Mouse Mimstrobel set up shop, I couldn't resist this nifty Gold Paint Splashed Bangles & Earring Set. I think the earring is a delicate masterpiece, I really love the shape of it, and the bangle is nice and chunky, with fabulous textures. I pulled in a must-have Hobo Bag in Denim from Celestial Studios, as well as some complimentary Natasha Violet Boots from INSOLENCE to go with the Plum colour in the top I am wearing.



Another fabulously cute short wig, this one is from [Curio], with the adorable name of Hipster. I love the texture on the White shade of [Curio] hair, and it is almost always a lower prim choice, simple and elegant are trademarks of the brand. Skin is Celestial Studios, from the Charmed Line, and Green Eyes are from Ibizarre, a steal with four shade variation for just $40 LaLas. Well, a hunting I will go, this time for more winning items on my list compiled from watching the feeds this week. Happy Sunday everyone!

Shopping Details:
Jacket - ::DUTCH TOUCH::, KAT, Leather Jacket Vintage
Shirt - -tb-, Vintage Floral Thermal (Plum)
Jeans – (Kari & TW), New School Jeans (Blue)
Bag – Celestial Studios, (CS) Hobo Bag – Denim (Hand)
Boots – INSOLENCE, Natasha Violet Boots (Foot Only)
Glasses - /artilleri/, Onyxia Sunglasses *purple*
Necklace - *Sprawl*, Library Necklace (Alice In Wonderland)
Bangle, Earrings – Dark Mouse, Gold Paint Splashed Bangles & Earring Set
Hair – [Curio], Hipster – Fairy J- (White)
Skin – Celestial Studios, Charmed Line (Tone 20, Earth 4)
Eyes – Ibizarre, Green Eyes #04

Expletive Deleted

So I have officially found a new addiction, like I needed one, and the Devil's name is Plurk. In case you are as out of the loop as I was about what it is, think of it as a giant IM conference with dozens of friends happening live, and everyone can see everyone else's conversations. It is instant gratification, there is always someone on, and you can share URLs, Video, Photos, and anything from RL updates to pet peeves to gossip. Oh, and did I mention you get "Karma" points for being especially addicted. Oh yes! If you want to check it out, you can find my little Plurk profile link at the side panel of my blog, but I would caution most that it is really addictive and may not be for everyone. In any case, one needs to be comfy while sitting about Plurking all day. I think the new collaborative releases from Celestial Studios, Kari, and TorridWear are absolutely remarkable in quality, options, and details, and this Pink New School Jacket is a great example of why. It is a unisex top, comes in a pile of great colours to choose from, and the pack includes collar size options, layer options, including a T-shirt or Tank Top under layer that can be all on one Jacket or separate, and is modifiable, so of course I had to tint! I can see this one jacket going the distance in my wardrobe. I paired it with a favorite pair of Betsy Pants in Dark Blue from /artilleri/, simple, sweet, and inexpensive. I anxiously await new releases from Antie!



Can you say Cute Shoes? I love some cute casual flats, and these Kushi Shoes from *i-Candy* are so sweet. They come with bow and bow-less versions. All I know is that Khushi is the word for happiness in Hindi, and these shoes make me happy indeed! The Fuck You Bag is one I have had for ages, and it always make me laugh. Red Ruin was an early favorite for me when I joined up almost two years ago, and I still find some of their items to be favorites in my inventory. The moment I spotted this Happy Bead Set in Rainbow from Studio Sidhe, I had to have it. I am thankful for Miriel Enfield's Jewelry Expo for introducing me to so many great content creators I was oblivious to. These beads are brilliant, they look like real Murano hand-blown glass, they are luminous and the texturing is fabulous. I love the sunburst charm on the necklace, the simple complimentary hoop earrings, and a great matching bracelet. I have to say, a set where things are not all matchy matchy, but rather a thoughtful collection of workable items is a real treat.



I have been wearing this great Lolli Hair wig from *Katat0nik* for weeks, but was waiting to blog it until the furor, very well deserved mind you, had died down a bit. It is fabulous and fun, I love the bangs, and the scripting options for Hair and Bow colour are a fabulous bonus. Another great Canimal Skin, can't wait for new make-ups on these Essence Skins, I want to devour them, they are so delicious! Gorgeous Brown Eyes are from ** [Riddle] **, and Love Lashes are from [Detour]. So now I will go check the 59 new unread messages in Plurk that have popped up since I started this post. Pray for me!

Jacket – (CS Kari & TW), New School Jacket (Pink) [Includes Tank Top/T Shirt Options, Tinted Green]
Pants - /artilleri/, Betsy Pants *Dark Blue*
Shoes - *i-Candy*, Kushi Shoes (Khaki)
Bag - *Red Ruin*, Fuck You Bag
Jewelry - :+:SS:+:, Happy Bead Set (Rainbow) Includes Earrings, Necklace, Bracelet [Jewelry Expo]
Hair - *Katat0nik*, Lolli Hair
Skin – Canimal, Essence(Grace)… of Roses
Lashes – [Detour], Love Lashes
Eyes - ** [Riddle] **, Realistic Brights (Brown)