THE BIRDS AND THE FISHES

Of course if one is an art geek and also a math geek, one must love Escher. (I could draw you a Venn Diagram, but you would probably throw a shoe at me or something.) I was not going to miss this Escher-inspired dress offered by Nylon Pinkney at the Epoch Legend event. Looking for shoes I pulled out these sweet little boots from Bax that embrace the Black-and-Tan esthetic of the dress and off I go.

What are you waiting for? You should go too. There are three venues for this event, featuring Escher, Beast, and Clown themes. All lovely. You can reach all three locations from the Epoch Landing at Beetlebones.

Dress: Nylon Outfitters "Air and Water" (Epoch Legend event)
Shoes: Bax "Booties Appaloosa" (this color was a past TDR but other colors still available)
Hair: Lamb "Oleander"
Skin: Kooqla "Aurora Snow Queen"
Eyes: Ikon "Sunrise"
Eyelashes: Glow Studio "Innocent. eyelashes"
Poses: by Long Awkward Pose

Love,
Serene

AURORA

The other day I ran across a newer skin store that I had never heard of before. So I spoke to friendly Ms. Rocketta Haven who owns the Kooqla shop; she told me that she has been working on these skins for about a year now. I think her skins are interesting and beautiful so I asked her if I could review them here. I love finding hidden talent. :D

What I appreciate most about these skins is their unique feel. These days so many skins are so much the same, partly because so many of them are drawn from the same sets of templates. Don't get me wrong; I have nothing against templates as a starting point, as long as an artist can take them to someplace original.

These skins have their own personality. Maybe it's because the nose is a little different. The cosmetic colors are a little unusual, the skin tones are not just like everyone else's. I love the subtle turns of the curves around the lips, the unconventional eyebrows, and the definition around her collarbones. The body is softer and less glossy than the current trend but I like that.

The Aurora Skins come in twelve makeups, each with light and dark brows. The last four "Dark" makeups are layered over slightly darker skintones. The package includes a suggested eyebrow shape that I am not using here. Please try demos in store to see if you like how the skin looks on your shape.

Skins: Kooqla "Aurora"
Hair: Exile "Tempest"
Eyes: Ikon "Sunrise"
Lashes: Hebenon Vial "Dramatique"
Lingerie: Pig "Day Lilies"
Pose: by Diesel Works

Love,
Serene

FAT TUESDAY

Blah,

blah ...

blah. Now go dance!

Corset: Schadenfreude “Underbust Corset” (mesh)(at Flux)
Corset: Blue Blood “Tanya”
Shirt: PixelDolls “Duchess Pearl Top” (unavailable)
Culottes: The Sea Hole “Odette Culottes” (unavailable)
Necklace: Schadenfreude “Purple Bird Mardi Gras Beads” (gacha)(at Flux)
Necklace: Yummy “Miss Havisham’s Broken Heart”
Fan: Schadenfreude “Mardi Gras Fan” (at Flux)
Shoes: Lassitude and Ennui “Boudoir” (texture change HUD)
Hair: Truth “Daria Streaked” (texture change)
Skin: Katsucide “Sandra Cendre – Ensoleillee”
Makeup: Nuuna “Zion Green”
Makeup: Kosh “Flunk Eyeshadow”
Eyes: Ikon “Sunrise”
Lashes: Hebenon Vial “Dramatique”
Teeth: PXL “Mouth Open”
Poses: by Don’t Freak Out and Juxtapose

Love,
Serene

BE GOOD

I will be good to myself. I will take care of myself.

Whether what I need today is time with myself, time with my friend, or time alone with God, I will give myself what I need to keep my body, mind and spirit happy.

Shirt: part of Sakide “Show Your Strength” Dress (Back to Black Event)
Pants: Iren “Comfy Sweatpants” (mesh)(Back to Black Event)
Feet: Coco “BareFeet” (group gift)
Nails and Rings: U&R Dogs “Flaminio Rings” (Back to Black Event)
Hair: Lelutka “Knotted”
Skin: Mynerva “Sara Pure” (group gift)
Eyes: Ikon (fmr Fashism) “Sunrise”
Tattoo: sYs “Maiko” (Back to Black Event)
Bird: by Animania
Poses: by Embody (Back to Black Event) and Lost Angel Poses

Love,
Serene

THE ZOMBIES RETREAT

The Zombie Army will retreat after tonight! You have only a few more hours for the Zombie Popcorn Hunt. If you can't visit everyone, you can look at snaps of all the Hunt Prizes over at Seraphim, and chase your favorites first until time runs out!

Sweater: Insanya "Street Army Camo" (not a hunt gift sorry)
Pacemaker: Contraption "Heart's Pace" (Zombie Popcorn Hunt)
Helmet: Deco "Skull Bowl" (Zombie Popcorn Hunt)
Skin: Insanya "Zombie Popcorn Hunt Skin" (Zombie Popcorn Hunt)
Eyes: Repulse "Rotten v3" (Zombie Popcorn Hunt)

Love,
Serene

FLOR

Flor is fabulous, fun and funky. Her friends love her and wonder why they are lucky enough to spend time with her. But she has a secret.

Flor is working hard to manage her manic depression. She takes medication but occasionally her mood swings are still a little wild. Her friends laugh when she shows up with another crazy hairdo, but that's just part of her charm, right? What gets her through tough days is her Courage. She reminds herself that in a day or three the darkness won't be so dark.

What she doesn't know is whether or not her friends would be cool if they knew about her condition. She doesn't want them to think she is broken, because she isn't. Should she tell?

The Back to Black Event is intended to raise awareness of Mental Health issues. It isn't a charity fundraiser, but includes information to help us all feel more comfortable talking about these health issues. If Flor could share her experience without fear, it would feel like magic.

Dress: LMD "Courage" (mesh)(Back to Black Event)
Necklace: LouLou "Hyperion" (Back to Black Event)
Clutch Bag: Mons "Croco Clutch" (Back to Black Event)
Shoes: Purrfect 10 "Wild Rose" (Back to Black Event)
Tattoo: sYs "Maiko" (Back to Black Event)
Hair and Hairbase: Mina "Yva" (Back to Black Event)
Skin: Heartsick "Romance Euphoria" (Back to Black Event)
Eyes: Ikon (fmr Fashism) "Sunrise"
Lipstick: blackLiquid "pinot loveheart" (Back to Black Event)

Love,
Serene

IN THE DROWSY WOODS

The woods may be drowsy, but its Queen is not. I stalk the kingdom, assuring myself that every inch of it is always under my sway.

There is nothing left but the wild beasts of the wood and a few crumbling buildings that will soon be overcome by weeds and fungus. Few of the people who walk through even dare to speak.

But the Drowsy woods are still well worth seeing if you have the courage.

When I went to Chic Management's Back to Black Event I fell in love with this jacket from Molichino and I knew I had to style it into an Evil Queen's gown. I had fun swapping out pieces of Peqe's black outfits with all their sculpted pieces, and the gorgeous Lassitude and Ennui boots with their delicious stitched details. I will have to show one of the other colors of boots in brighter lighting :D ... please go see all the yummies!

Jacket: Molichino “Hope Jacket” (Back to Black Event)
Skirt: from the Peqe “Back to Jet” Gown (Back to Black Event)
Bodysuit: Nemesis “Friendship Bodysuit”
Leggings: from the Bare Rose “Luchador del Ruedo” Outfit
Lacy Undershirt: PixelDolls “Tintable Cami” (unavailable)
Boots: Lassitude and Ennui “Flutter Boots” (Back to Black Event)(mesh)
Crown: Eclectica “Regency Tiara” (texture change gems)
Tattoo: White Widow “Dream” (Zombie Popcorn Hunt prize)
Hair: booN “YNO421”
Hairbases: by booN and Tiny Bird
Skin: Mons “Back to Black Skin – cream lips” (Back to Black event)
Eyes: Ikon (aka Fashism) “Sunrise”
Lashes: Hebenon Vial “Dramatique”
Poses: by Long Awkward Pose and Marukin
Location: Drowsy

Love,
Serene

p.s. for inspiration: