Everybody Hurts.

I am having a rough couple of, well, lets just say a rough time of it and sometimes it just seems that there is no light at the end of that tunnel. We have all been there to some degree, whether it is a fleeting moment of sadness, or full scale clinical depression, everybody hurts sometime. Some people seem to have a natural resilience to it, while others seem to utterly falter. Then there are those of us who have been fighting for so long, that the battle wears us down like shelter in a storm. We are strong at first, but eventually, the rain and winds wear us down, so there is just less and less of us there to keep it all together. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to keep it together, you just find yourself exposed and raw, fragile and overly sensitive to the world in general. This is where I find myself living lately, in that battered and broken place that has me hurting beyond hurt, and not sure if I can recover.



I didn't think I would be blogging again, certainly not in this mood, but I wanted to change my look in-world to show how I feel; the fragile and the broken, the worn and the weary. I started with a pair of distressed jeans from **[Riddle]**, and decided to see what my dear friend Neferia Abel of -L'Abel-had sent me of her new releases. This lovely Malin shirt, with it's fragile chiffon cuffs just worked for me. It is lovely, and I love to see Nef doing separates. I chose a pair of well worn and reworked boots from *REDGRAVE*, the absolutely brilliant Girls' Bikers have been overhauled to be even more perfect, as if that were possible. I adore that each boot is different, the worn twisted and well loved leather like a shield. The fragile and perfect KessKreations Karen Earrings are so lovely here, the customization script allowed me to match them to my look, and the fine prim work, which is not normally my 'cup of tea' is too precious and precise to be ignored. The ring is Paper Couture's Diamond and Rose Bouquet Ring. The final addition, was the handbag. I didn't have one I wanted to use, but I knew I hadn't been to Bare Rose Tokyo for ages, and know they have the most brilliant and inexpensive bags, so I popped on over and was in love on first sight with the Daisuki Bag, here in Brown. For a mere $140 LaLas, I was set, with a great bag, fabulous flexi and sculpted details, and 3 hold options.



I knew I wanted to return to this absolutely stunning T U L I Kalista crying skin, since I have been crying endlessly for days. It is flawless, and the non-crying versions are next in line once I save up my pennies, as they are lovely and have so many make-up options. I wanted a hair style that felt like it was sheltering me from the elements, that I could hide behind, but was still chic and precious. *Pazazz Hair* offers this stunning Riha wig in a brilliant choice of shades, this is from a solids pack. Lashes are from LeLeutka, and eyes are my precious treasured Miriel gems, that are unfortunately no longer available for sale.

Shopping Details:
Top - -L'Abel-, Malin Shirt, Antik
Jeans - **[Riddle]**, Classic Dirty, Plain
Earrings - KessKreations, Karen Earrings (Scripted to Zirconium, White Pearl, Champagne Gems)
Ring - Paper Couture, Diamond and Rose Bouquet Ring (Worn on R Hand)
Boots - [*RG*] *REDGRAVE*, Girls' Bikers RELOADED Smoke+Bronze
Bag - :::B@R:::, Daisuki (Brown, L Hand)
Hair - *Pazazz Hair*, Riha - Coal
Skin - T U L I, Kalista Fair 21
Eyes - Miriel, Standard Eyes - Sunlit Tree [No Longer Available]
Lashes - LeLutka (was MMS), Thora Lashes

Note: All Pictures Are Direct Screen Captures With No Post Editing, No Shading or Blending. They Are Taking On A Flat Prim Background With The Sun As The Only Light Source. Poses Are By The Amazing Pose Makers of SL, I Have Over 1200 So I Credit Them All Here. ~ Ketsy

A Trip To Moscow.

It is no secret that I love shoes, but just as in my RL, it is boots that really get me going. When I was in high-school, I lived in heeled boots, cowboy boots, or fryers. I was such the bad-ass rocker chick. I still love boots, and when I received a gift of these amazing review copy boots from *REDGRAVE*, the Moscow Boot I had to log and try them on. The minute I had them rezzed on my feet I was in love. The amazing fur texture, the buckles, and a perfect fit from minute one. I decided to build a whole outfit around them. I chose the Pure Black pair, although they come in at least 5 variations.



I have been hanging on to this great coat from :bijou: since last season, as I often do, I hadn't even tried it on, but when it matched the boots so perfectly, I knew I was on to something. This is the Avanti style in Black Rabbit. Rather then try to layer the look up, I simply went with a great pair of Tartan Tights from Maitreya. I couldn't resist pulling on *KessKreations* Festivus Ring, the name makes me laugh, and a great pair of Art Deco Earrings in Onyx from Bliesen & MaiTai. Both are scripted to customize metals and gem colors, something I adore in Jewelry. I found the bag in my Review Copies folder, have no idea how long I have had it, but Wanda's 'Tania' Handbag was a perfect match as it is scripted to ting, and I matched it to the Jacket with a click.



I have a folder full of hair from the last Hair Fair, which was just before my 'break' from Second Life. I dove in and found this amazing (fd)Dorothy's Morning wig, it has a sleek look, but is soft and has a very realistic strand texture. I loved pairing it with this Fleur Vivant Blush Dig Ophelia 3 Skin, the beauty mark made me feel a touch like Dita Von Teese. I wore my favorite [Detour] Love Lashes and the fabulous but no longer available Miriel Realistic Eyes in Muted Hazel.

Something about the whole combination of soft fur textures and the lovely softness of the wig just worked for me. It is a simple look, but it is really sleek and refines. The tights add just enough colour to keep it from being too monochrome. Yesterday, when I logged to blog, I did something I haven't done in over 6 months in SL, I shopped a little. It was just a little, but it felt strange and kind of good in that people watching, waiting for things to rez sort of way. Maybe I will see you out on my next trip, if I can muster the nerve to brave the lag again.

Shopping Details:
Coat - :bijou:, Avanti {Black Rabbit)
Tights - Maitreya, Tartan Tights (Wine)
Boots - *RG* REDGRAVE, Moscow Boots (Pure Black)[RC]
Bag - Wanda's, 'Tania' Handbag - Silver/Blue (Script Tinted) [RC]
Ring - *KessKreations*, Festivus Ring (Right Hand)[RC]
Earrings - Bleisen & MaiTai Art Deco Earrings Onyx [RC]
Hair - (fd), Dorothy's Morning (Earth Pack) - Nothingness
Skin - Fleur, Vivant Blush Dig Ophelia, 3
Lashes - [Detour], Love Lashes
Eyes - Miriel, Realistic Eyes (Muted Hazel)[No Longer Available]

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

A Certain Shade of Green

It's no secret that green is my favorite colour, it is my mother's favorite too. I was visiting my parents yesterday and went out into their amazing backyard, complete with Koi Pond and Waterfall, Fairy Garden, fruit trees, and an amazing array of wildlife. While there, I saw some colourful birds working away at the feeders, a groundhog scuttling across the lawn, and several fat green frogs sitting on the rocks beside the Koi Pond, catching all those annoying mosquitoes. The frogs are pretty spectacular, brilliant green and it gives me hope that we haven't entirely destroyed the environment as of yet. My parents live just north of Toronto, still in a busy Suburb full of the urban sprawl that is taking over and leaving less green space and more animals homeless. They live in close proximity to a creek, and I think that is where their many visitors are coming from, this includes a pesky mink that ate more the half my fathers expensive huge Koi fish last year, and wild rabbits that have made a home under the deck. Not to mention a pair of Racoons that regularly visit in the night. Green is the colour of that backyard right now, and it is so nice to see after the long Canadian winter. Green makes me feel like that new grass, the leaves on the trees, reborn in a sense. When I wear it, I am happy.



I loved this DP*yumyum Candy Pop top in Green the minute I saw it, it comes with three options for the prim attachment part, this is the longest, and can be a perfectly sweet mini-dress, but I decided to pair it with some spectacular Zaara: Jewelled Jeans in Indigo. Speaking of which, Zaara: is having a sale as we speak, it lasts till June 1st, so get shopping! The shoes are the adorable ETD Heel-Strap Platforms in Emerald, I picked them up for s song at the last ETD sale, the Leather Bag is from Pampered Princess, in this great golden Honey colour.



I was waiting for a chance to wear this amazing Pansy Stained Glass Windows Necklace from *Wallflowers*, I picked it up at the last Jewelry Expo, organized by Miriel Enfield. The bracelets are by ~*Fresh Baked Goods*~, absolute favorite for their customizable gems, the Sculpted Sugar Gem Bangle Set in Gold. I am also wearing a ring by the darling Kesseret Steeplechase from *KessKreations*, the Antonia Ring is also scripted so that you can select the metal and gem colours.

On to essentials, and this essentially brilliant Felicity style from ETD, a soft and beautifully romantic wig, with a really lovely single shoulder sweep. The skin, complete with lovely green eye shadow is another -AnaLu- *InRainbows* skin mod, I am simply in love with them, in case it has escaped notice. Hazel eyes are from Miriel, and lashes are the Thora set from MMS (now LeLutka).

Here's hoping I see many more green things, especially those frogs in that certain shade of green, all summer long and for many many years to come. I hope you see many things of green in your summers too, and find the happiness that nature can bring, It really is such a centering thing, to be out in the grass and hear the water splash over the rocks, and hear the birds sing, and know that there is something beyond the computer screen that is worth seeing and saving.

Shopping Details:
Dress - DP*yumyum, Candy Pop (Green)
Jeans - Zaara:, Jeans {jewelled}, Indigo (Straight Leg Version)
Bag - [PP], Leather Purse (Honey)
Shoes - ETD Shoes, Heel-Strap Platforms {Emerald}
Bracelets - ~*Fresh Baked Goods*~, Sculpted Sugar Gem Bangle Set - Gold
Necklace - *Wallflowers*, Stained Glass Windows Necklace & Earring Set (Pan)
Ring - *KessKreations*, Antonia RH Ring
Hair - ETD, Felicity - Blacks Pack (Smoke)
Skin - -AnaLu-, *InRainbows* NAT06 .Bgreen.
Lashes - MMS (now LeLutka), Thora Lashes
Eyes - Miriel, Hazel Eyes (Big)

Tiptoe Through The Tulips

This time of year is a favorite, second only to Autumn. Spring brings sunshine, but cool breezes and longer evening before it gets dark. I feel like I can get more done, whether I can or not, it is a nice feeling. I love watching tulips push up through the earth in my mother's amazing gardens. I used to order bulbs and deliver them to her in unmarked paper bags, so that their colourful flowers would be a surprise. Although many are eaten by squirrels, rabbits, and as of late, groundhogs, that run around my parents backyard, the ones that survive the winter make for a magical burst of fresh colour. Sometimes, a fresh spring day calls for an equally fresh coloured dress. This adorable Polka Love dress by Betty Doyle of Ingenue is just such a frock. I really love the crisp turned up shoulder detail, and the skirt is a whirl of perfectly textured panels. It reminds me of the lovely tulips currently making their show-stopping display.



I went light on the accessories, taking into account the details on the shoulder and the hair accessory. Starting with a lovely basic pearl strand with an interesting front clasp detail, the Vixie White Pearl Necklace by *KessKreations* is really spectacular as a basic pearl strand. Kesseret Steeplechase always gives me the quality I look for in her work, it is flawless. I found the perfect match for the dress in the colour variations of the Stiletto Moody Pinup Patent Pump. I really love the shape of this shoe, and the colour change version is so very versatile. An adorable Ari Handbag from {Cherry} in a great graphic print means that you can pair it up with so many more outfits. The fresh white accents make it perfect for spring.



This lovely Portia hair from Philotic Energy is a really lovely and fresh up-do, and the floral accent is perfection. The red Hibiscus flower is perfectly sculpted. This style is perfect for a formal or summer fresh look. Another lovely fresh faced skin from -AnaLu-'s *InRainbows* line of modified skins, I am almost wearing them exclusively lately, I think it is mostly the shape of the lips that has my heart. MMS (now LeLutka) Thora Lashes and Big Hazel Eyes are from Miriel.

Shopping Details:
Dress - Ingenue, Polka Love (Melon)
Shoes - Stiletto Moody, Pinup (Patent Color Set)
Bag - {Cherry}, The Ari Handbag (Candy Florals, Snowball)
Necklace - *KessKreations*, Vixie White Pearl Necklace
Hair - PE, Portia (Charcoal)
Skin - -AnaLu-, *InRainbows* NAT 13 .brownish.
Eyes - Miriel, Hazel Eyes (Big)
Lashes - MMS now LeLutka, Thora Lashes

Don't Feed The Shopper!

Well, my 2 readers may have noticed my absence from the blog feeds for about 3 weeks. I was feeling a little burnt out, but mostly was taking a good hard look at what I was doing and how much time I was spending in-world, but particularly, how much money I was spending. In the month of October, I purchased almost $300.00 Canadian in Linden Dollars. Incredibly shocking for me, and apparently not at all uncommon. So this is it, harsh reality, I cannot buy any more money in-world, hopefully for ever. I am having money issues like pretty much everyone else in the world. So I am saving my money, and have vowed to go on a no shopping diet until Valentines Day this coming year.



If you see me out in a shop, or hear me talking about things 'I need to buy', slap me upside the head PLEASE! I have an inventory nearing 37,000 items, I have hundreds of items I have never even worn and mostly sitting in folders to be discovered, add to that the generous but unsolicited review copies I receive, and we have probably a year's worth of blog posts sitting right there. So here is the challenge for me, and anyone else interested in trying it out. Come up with two new looks every day, made up entirely of items I already have in my inventory. Spend no Linden Dollars on clothing, shoes, accessories, skins, hair, eyes, lashes, or any other wearable. Fins out what I really have hidden in my closets, and let them all out for air. Hope you can all find something worth looking at in my blog posts, I have never really been a hottest newest must have and rush to blog person anyways. I thank those who have sent me reviews in the past, I hope to use them as much as possible in the coming weeks and months.



Thanks to absolute sweetie Kesseret Steeplechase for making me this amazing shirt, after joking with me about my new slogan. It is too funny, I loves ya Kess! Wish me luck, and maybe you too will take on the challenge to think really carefully about buying the things you truly need and will treasure, as opposed to get just because everyone else seems to have it. I apologise to any content creators that may miss my patronage in the next few months, have no fear, a fashion addict never dies, consider it hibernating for the winter!

~ Ketsy

Credits:
Shirt - Kesseret Steeplechase
Jeans - Tres Blah!
Shoes - MK Fashion
Hair - Dernier Cri
Skin - Celestial Studios
Ring - Caroline's Jewelry
Eyes - Freak Fantasia
Lashes - [Detour]

The Dangers Of Demo Night

Every now and then, we have an event at PIN UPS called "Demo Night". The point is to pile on as much demo clothing, hair, skin, shoes, and accessories as you possibly can, and make a general fool out of yourself. Well tonight was just such a night.



After cleaning my inventory recently, I managed to delete almost every demo item that I had. So off I went tonight to grab some really great demos, with the biggest silly signs on them and the most insane items I could think of. Well, here we find the danger in "Demo Night". You pile on all this stuff, and then hang out in it for a good two hours, if not more, and you find yourself actually liking it on yourself. Not to say that I expected not to like it, just that the point was just to collect it, and not to end up shopping. It goes to show you that some addictions run deep.

I guess the point of this post, other then to show you how incredibly silly and fun (not to mention inexpensive) a "Demo Night" contest can be, is to say to those designers who do offer demos that their efforts do actually result in sales in the end. We know this with things like skin and hair, but for shoes and jewelry, and even clothing, it may mean a sale that you never anticipated, and likely once people see the quality of your work, a life-long customer. So even though it takes a lot of time and effort to provide them, I just wanted to say, thanks for the demos!

Shopping Details:
Hair - *Zero Style*, Maki (Strawberry Chocolate - Demo, M)[Big Sun Demo Label]
Skin - Laqroki, Jasmin 04 mily DEMO
Fairy Costume - Adam N Eve, Woodland Fae Costume (Green)[Includes Demo Wings]
Shoes - Adam N Eve, Serpenti (Very Purple)
Jewelry - KessKreations, Classic Stone Necklace & Stone Bracelet [Monarch Butterfly Labels]
Non-Demo Items:
Eyes - **[Riddle]**, Realistic Brights (Brown)
Lashes - [Detour], Love Lashes

The Sweater Dress Song

One of the gems I picked up at the :bijou: preview was this simple, understated, yet elegant Refrain Knitdress in Night shades. I was really surprised to find it among the ultra-hip newness at :bijou: all set for the opening of the bijouholic SIM on the 11th of this month. A classic body skimming dress, with really nice trim details, almost a pearlized crocodile edging on the neckline and hem. I must admit I didn't even notice that detail until I had it on, but it really is a nice touch. The dress comes in several colour variations, but I felt this grey scale version had the best. With the almost pink colour of the trim, it opened the door to do something I rarely do, mix browns and greys together. I added a simple system layer belt from *Thimbles*, to add a little interest at the waist. The Mr. Belt is really great to wear over long tops or dresses, as it comes on the jacket layer and worked well here as the :bijou: dress which comes with all layer options. Some nice basic hosiery from **Battered Boudoir** smooths the transition from hem to boot.



Unlike my sister Anessa, the shoe queen of Phil's Place, I have to save my pennies to get the footwear I love. I had been meaning to head over to Maitreya for over a week to get closer look at the new releases, but after getting this dress, I really made a point of going, and this pair of SoHo Boots in Ice Suede were the perfect compliment, the billowy suede of the upper boot is a nice contrast to the sleek skirt. I headed over to check out Kess Kreations for the first time this week, after seeing her work at the Jewelry Expo, I wanted to see more. Kess is incredibly talented in so many types of media, but when I saw this Wooden Bead Jewelry Set i though it was really something. It is scripted so that the stone change colour, making it really versatile. I am wearing the necklace and earrings, but it also comes with a great matching bracelet. I really like natural looking jewelry, something organic in a pixelated place. A great basic black Boulevard handbag from a past Paper Couture collection, as well as my Gimcrack Diamond Ring from (Caroline's) round out the accessories.



After seeing it on the feeds, I had to indulge in this Ruby wig from TRUTH. It is a really cute up do, with a colour scripted bow. TRUTH's recent makeover has me a little confused, and I was rather miffed that the colour packs have changed. I really loved that the black and white shades were put together, since I wear both colours almost exclusively. I still love the hair, and it is still a reasonably priced wig, but will likely buy a bit less of it now that it means having to buy two packs instead of one to get the shades I love. Another new-to-me skin that I nabbed during the Celestial Studios sale, the Charmed Line's Earth 3 make-up, just really pretty and classic. Lashes are from [Detour], and eyes from Karamia. So back into the closet I go to find out what else may be hiding in there, may the inventory g-ds be good to me.

Shopping Details:
Dress - :bijou:, Refrain Knitdress [Night]
Belt - *Thimbles*, Mr. Belt
Hose - **Battered Boudoir**, Boudoir Legs Soft (Tan)
Boots - Maitreya, SoHo Boots (Ice Suede)
Bag - Paper Couture, P.C., The Boulevard Bag (Noir)
Necklace, Earrings - *KK*, Wooden Bead Jewelry Set [Scripted]
Bracelet - Bonita's, Black & Pearl 4 ~ #3
Ring - (Caroline's), Gimcrack Diamond Solitaire Ring
Hair - TRUTH, Ruby (Ivory)
Skin - Celestial Studios, Charmed Line (Tone 20, Earth-3)
Lashes - [Detour], Love Lashes
Eyes - -KM-, Hazel Eyes