Monday, March 28, 2011

SIMPLY

There is a lot to be said for a simple classy dress. This one from Kunglers is perfectly crafted, and thoughtfully designed. I love that it can be dressed up or down ... it includes three belts: the moderately flashy gold belt I am wearing, a more conservative brown leather belt, and a bolder red one. Well done.

I matched it with these "Jaguar" print shoes from Pixel Mode to kick up the fun a bit. I am impressed with the quality of the shoes, and the scripted HUD. You really should go try some of these on, if you haven't already.

Dress: Kunglers "Donatella"
Shoes: Pixel Mode "Lady T"
Earrings: Pididdle "Heavy Sleep"
Hair: Exile "Dina"
Skin: Curio ":GP: Bean [Light] Pout-Whine 2"
Eyes: Poetic Color "Night Rain"
Eyelashes: Glow Studio "Innocent. eyelashes - pure"
Poses: by Long Awkward Pose Photostudio: by N30

Love,
Serene

Thursday, March 24, 2011

CYBER AT NIGHT

Insilico has become a premiere Cyber spot. Looking back I remember when it was a fifth of the size it is today. Every time I visit it has grown and changed.

These days there is a new cybernetic tender at the Blue Ant.

Some things never change though ... if you leave the well lit central area and explore the back alleys and lower levels, be prepared to take care of yourself ...

... And have the common sense not to go where you don't belong.
(Unless you are looking for trouble?)

Many beautiful spots hidden around this station, if you take the time to look. This time I stumbled across a fantastic arboretum.

(INSILICO is a roleplaying sim with shopping, but you may visit to explore and take pictures. The genre is futuristic with human and cyborg inhabitants. I was just there for photos, but I was bending the milieu with my pointy ears and hooves, and would have to dress differently to roleplay. If you want more than one visit, get a combat meter and read the rules.)

Jacket: Silentsparrow “(minty) Puca Jacket” (March Mint Madness on Twomoons Island)
Wings: Lazy Places “Elda Wings Mint” (March Mint Madness, not scripted for flying)
Plasma Pistol: Seraphim Systems “The Countess” (combat scripted, includes a large bayonet)
Legs: Visavi “Der’An” (I added some basic black undies)
Ears: MW ilweran “Elf/Faun Ears” (with tinting HUD)
Goggles: Hat Mechanic “Stealth Goggles”
Hair: Clawtooth “Could I Resist?”
Skin: Curio “:GP: Bean [Light] Pout-Whine 2”
Location: Insilico (a group of five sims)

Love,
Serene

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

STEAMPUNK

While the charity events have been running, I put some other things on hold. I thought I'd start with some highlights from the Steam Hunt. I just can't pass this one by for its ambiance and originality. This season's hunt was fantastic, as usual. If you haven't visited yet, you really should pencil it into your calendar. It runs through March 30th and is great fun.

First I wanted to show off the Grim Bros. "steam hunt goggles". The package includes both rose and green lenses, but if you would like other colors I believe more shades are available in the store. This picture can't really do them justice, as some of the cogs and parts are animated. Lovely.

The BlakOpal "Tramontane Tophat" is embellished with a large brass compass at front, and the coggy bronze and teal hatband looks like it was made to go with this jacket.

At Hatpins, Reghan Straaf's "R.G.B. Steamer" is scripted to emit red, green or blue steam, using a handy little HUD control system, and includes the matching monocle. Or perhaps it is a technical loupe? You'll have to ask a steampunk scientist.

The "Gents Steampunk Regency Top Hat" from To-a-T might be better sized for a lady, but the craftsmanship is top notch. Mine was not resizable but perhaps that was a system glitch.

And the "Visions of Flight" by the Mad Hattery ... what can I say? It's outrageous but completely in theme. There is a pulsing stream of blue energy that runs around the front of the hat, which is much more striking in person than it can be in this still photograph.

... And so much more. If you love vintage victorian, steampunk, or creative anachronism I can't really recommend this hunt too much. If you are new in Second Life, the journey will also introduce you to many of the finer sims and shops in the genre.

There is an inworld group for the Steam Hunt if you would like help, and you may also visit the official Hunt page at steamthehunt.blogspot.com/, which even has photos of many of the hunt prizes. Have fun!

also worn:
Jacket: silentsparrow "Toxine Suit"
Hair: UncleWeb Studio "Rigel-hair"
Skin: Ricochet "Tristan Dark"
Eyes: MADesigns "EYES_LIGHT – copper"

Love,
Serene

THE LAST DAY

Today is the last day of Fashion for Life. If you haven't yet been, still have some money left to put in the fabulous gacha machines, or have been trying to decide whether or not to buy that amazing whatever-it-is, now is the time to get over there.

As of earlier this morning, this event had raised more than 4.4 million (!) L$ for cancer research. Do you think we could make it to 5?

Shirt: Vanitas Vesture “Nervous Blouse” (Fashion For Life benefit item)
Shirt: Vanitas Vesture “Languid Party Dress” (a benefit item in a different color)
Skirt: Vanitas Vesture “Meticulous Pencil Skirt” (a benefit item in a different color)
Shoes: Duh! “Floral Linen Flats” (Fashion For Life benefit item)
Hair: booN “AEN105”
Hairbase: Tiny Bird “Blacks Pack Hair Base”
Skin: “:GP: Bean [Light] Pout-Whine 1”
Teeth: PXL “Mouth_open_Addon_v6” (prim teeth!)
Eyelash Alpha: Imabee “System eyelashes – begone!”
Eyelashes: Glow Studio “Innocent. eyelashes – pure”
Eyes: Poetic Color “Night Rain”
Poses: by Long Awkward Pose

Love,
Serene

Friday, March 18, 2011

TAPPED FOR LOVE

When I say tapped, I am referring to my wallet. This month's money is all gone to good causes. Usually an empty wallet makes me unhappy, but this time I feel at peace, knowing I have done what I can.

This outfit is a combination of lovely garments from Fashion for Life, which benefits the American Cancer Society, and the Pacific Crisis Fundraiser, which donates its funds to Japan through Americares ...

... and this necklace, given freely by Miss Katatonik, who only asks that we do or give something to help, without specifying what channel we should use. Whether you donate to the ACS, Red Cross, Americares, or any one of dozens of organizations who are always there to help, please, please do something. Thank you and I love you!

Sweater: Indi Designs “Cardigan Pink” (Pacific Crisis Fundraiser 100% Donation Item)
Skirt: Vanitas Vesture “Meticulous Pencil Skirt” (at Fashion for Life)
Shoes: Pixel Mode “Baby T” (Fashion for Life Donation Item)
Jewelry: katatOnik “Love Japan Necklace”

Hair: booN “ZGO223”
Skin: Curio “:GP: Moonbeam [Dark] Sweetheart-Rose 1”
Eyebrows: Curio “:GP: Sweetheart Brows-Black”
Eyelash Alpha: Imabee “System Eyelashes – begone!”
Eyelashes: Glow Studio “Innocent.eyelashes – pure”
Poses: by Long Awkward Pose
Photostudio: by N30

Love,
Serene

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

THE CAPTAIN

They say that a Captain's Chair can be too much pressure.

But I'm not feeling it. Adrenaline, thrills, pride, yes. Not nerves.

Ready?

Time to leave dock.

June Dion has stitched us yet another fabulous, over the top costume, only this time it is a charity benefit item for Fashion For Life. Enjoy!

Suit: Bare Rose “Earl Midnight RFL” (Fashion For Life benefit item)
Mask: Orchidea “Steampunk Half-Mask” (Steam Hunt prize)
Cane: Oddments “VS SteamHunt4 Walking Stick”(Steam Hunt prize)
Skin: Ricochet “Tristan Dark”
Eyes: Poetic Color “Night Rain”
Location: Armada Breakaway

Love,
Serene

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

THE VAMPIRE'S HOUSEKEEPER

There isn't really much to do here. The Count does not collect trinkets.

She sweeps every day and dusts a little. There really is no help for the old bloodstain on the chaise. But if she works slowly, she can seem busy most of the day.

Perhaps she is more decorative than useful, a nod to convention. A rich count is expected to have servants. Why else?

You can find far more than ballgowns at the Fashion For Life charity fundraiser! When I saw this dark and lovely gown, I immediately thought "roleplay". The apron made me think of a housekeeper, but the colors are so goth that I started looking for other accessories that would go with that theme at the other Fashion For Life vendors. The hair is black with blonde tips, but I tinted it bloody red and added the menacing eyes.

Gown: Kouse’s Sanctum “Jocelyn”(includes purple apron)(Fashion For Life benefit item)
Hair: Amacci “Suzy” (tinted)(Fashion For Life benefit item)
Eyes: Fashism “Sunrise Eyes – Gacha Red” (Fashion For Life benefit Gacha)
Clawmarks: Blood and Scars “back scratches”
Featherduster: RC Cluster “Feather Duster (red)” (multicolor pack on SL Marketplace)
Shoes: Duh! “Spring Flats Ink”
Hairbase: booN “gathered lower hairbase”
Skin: Sanu “Gemini Pure Skin” (unavailable)
Eyeshadow: Plastic Flowers “Black Eyeshadow”
Bloody Lips: Glam Affair “Tattoo makeup TDR 13” (unavailable)
Eyelashes: Exodi “Eyelashes”
Alpha: Imabee “System eyelashes – begone!”

Love,
Serene

Saturday, March 12, 2011

APROPOS

This lovely kimono is available for sale this month at the Fashion For Life charity event to raise funds for cancer research. I could make a (long) list for you of all the cancer in my family tree, but my heart isn't in it today ...

Today I am thinking about Japan. In a few days, we will see the good-hearted scraping a few dollars out of their gasoline fund to send there ... I hope you keep doing what you do. Please let's do it together.

For more information about the Fashion For Life charity event, please visit their official site.

Kimono: Falln "Kimono FFLExclusive" (includes shoes)
Skin: Sanu "Gemini Pure Skin" (unavailable)
Eyeshadow: Plastic Flowers "Black Eyeshadow"
Lipstick: Natural Beauty "Lipstick set 8-lipstick 8"
Hair: Exile "Bronwyn"
Eyes: Poetic Color "Night Rain"
Eyelashes: Exodi "Eyelashes"
Alpha: Imabee "System eyelashes - begone!"
Poses: by Long Awkward Pose
Location: Hosoi Ichiba

Love,
Serene

Friday, March 11, 2011

LA ROSE

The right dress.

Floral and satin, rich colors and textures. An outrageous hat and gloves.

This lovely dark version of the “A Mon Insu” Gown is one of LeeZu Baxter's exclusive benefit items at the Fashion for Life event, which will raise funds for cancer research beginning tomorrow, on 12 March. Of course this black is my favorite ... thank you Ms. Baxter!

Please visit the official Fashion For Life website for more information about this worthy cause!

Gown: LeeZu “A Mon Insu” (Fashion For Life Benefit Gown)
Skin: Curio “:GP: Bean [Light] Pout-Whine 2”
Hair: booN “QPT129”
Eyes: Poetic Color “Night Rain”
Eyelashes: Exodi “Eyelashes”
Alpha: Imabee “System eyelashes – begone!”
Poses: by Dare, Diesel Works, and ImpEle
Photostudio: by N30

Love,
Serene

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

GEARING UP

I've been running around on the Steam Hunt, and I thought, heck, why not photo this outfit in the meantime? Yes it's what I'm wearing to hunt. Unless it's like, Skin Fair, I don't take off my wig and shoes. I just trade them in for ones that are reasonably low prim. In honor of the steampunk theme, I put on this pretty little necklace I picked up at Mynerva a while ago.

One of the things I love about the Mynerva skins is their flexibility. These days she is working a kind of a-la-carte system, which includes lipsticks and eyebrows and rouge and freckles. Layer the options you like over a base skin. I had this skin already, and then recently I picked up some more packs of her lipstick at Skin Fair.


Sweater: Mr. Poet “Turtleneck_Sepia” (part of outfit)
Necklace: Mynerva “Victorian Cog Necklace”
Pants: Pink Outfitters “The Editor Pant”
Boots: Lassitude and Ennui “Miss Highlands”
Hair: Maitreya “Natalie”
Skin: Mynerva “Fudge Plain Jane” (wearing the No Brows version)
Eyes: Poetic Color “fairy eyes – witch bright gr” (with gold ring)
Eyelashes: Glow Studio “Innocent.eyelashes – pure”
Eyebrows: Curio “:GP: Sweetheart Brows-Black” (part of skin pack)
Lipstick: Mynerva “Lipstick Style 1-Bronze” (from Skin Fair)
Alpha: Imabee “System eyelashes – begone!”
Poses: by Don’t Freak Out
Photostudio: by N30

Love,
Serene