SIGHTSEEING

I'm on a road trip because I am feeling bored. So I've gone off in search of interesting locations to photograph instead of standing in front of a photo screen. I landed in the LEA sims but things are barely under construction on a new Art grant cycle. I was in luck though when I hopped over to LEA5, the Sandbox.



Cute little mini installations. This one was my favorite ... I can identify with this a little too well maybe. These hypnotic lines are scripted to move to what must be some arcane mathematical formula. The falling lady is motionless though, like that nightmare you have where you are falling downstairs and it takes way too long to hit bottom.



Jacket/Sweater: American Bazaar "West Coat" (texture change sweater)
Pants: LIV Glam "Drunk in Love" (texture change)(vintage)
Shoes: G Field "Little Diva"
Hair: D!va "Giz" (gacha)
Skin: Essences "TDRFusion Xmas Edition" (at the Dressing Room)
Eyes: Ikon "Ardent"
Ears: Mandala "Steking Ears Season 5"
Hands: by SLink
Lashes: by LeLutka
Lipstick: Dead Apples "Balm Stains"
Pose: by Bang!

Love,
Serene

LUCRETIA

So many beautiful things as Gothmas that I'm not sure I can show you all my favorites before the event closes! Today I wanted to bring you something that is neither goth nor Christmassy, but rather something perhaps for a dark Victorian fantasy.



Avatar Bizarre's purple frock isn't that dark, but I suppose you could style it that way if you like. I just wore it with some sweet birthstone jewels that VRD put into a little gacha. These eyes are intimidating aren't they? They come in a lovely rainbow of colors, at the Pin Me Down shop.



Gown: Avatar Bizarre "Lucretia" (at Gothmas by Gaslight)
Necklace: Venomous Rage "Elegant Birthstones {November}" (gacha at Gothmas by Gaslight)
Fingernails: Beautiful Freak "Dead of Winter" Applier HUD (at Gothmas by Gaslight)
Eyeshadow: Chop Shop "Soft Purple Shadow" (at Gothmas by Gaslight)
Eyes: Pin Me Down "Aeternium" (at Gothmas by Gaslight)
Hair: booN "WMO003"
Skin: Essences "Loulou"
Hands: by SLink
Ears: by Aitui
Lashes: by LeLutka
Poses: by Bang and Estetica

Love,
Serene

YOUR BIG DAY

If you are planning a Second Life wedding this summer, why shouldn't your wedding dress benefit Relay for Life? Schoen has this lovely gown in a charity vendor at Fashion for Life. It includes two styles of veil and four sets of flexi attachments to wear over this sweet mesh gown. Personally I like the dress plain, but that's just my personal taste. The veils are editable so you can fit them over your hairdo.



And I love these jewels for a wedding. Krystal has made this set in four versions, one with diamonds only, and another where the gems are texture-change, with either silver or gold metal. Sweet! I can wear them again with other outfits.

This year, ALL sales at Fashion for Life donate some percentage to Relay for Life, and the donation percentage is clearly marked on the vendors. Fashion for Life runs through Friday, June 20th. If you would like a teleport list of shop locations, please visit The Fashion for Life blog.

Gown: Schoen "Bridal Gown" (at Fashion for Life)
Jewels: Krystal "Crystal Platinum Multi" (at Fashion for Life)(also includes bracelets)
Hair: Truth "Portia"
Skin: Essences "Siggy"
Eyes: Ikon "Ardent"
Lashes: Lelutka "Photoshoot II"
Hands: by SLink
Fingernails: Flair "Set 217" (at Fashion for Life)
Poses: by Bang!

Love,
Serene

THE UNLUCKY ONE

The Wizarding Faire has been great fun. I don't even mind how much moolah I spent, it was just lovely! Beetlebones has a lovely Frog and Toad gacha, and Silentsparrow brought us several varieties of Newts. I have several adorable new pets. And one that isn't adorable at all.



I thought I was pretty lucky to receive a Rare frog out of the Beetlebones gacha, but apparently the Surinam Pipa toad is considered Unlucky. It certainly is weird. Even gross ... I read about them on Wikipedia. There are baby toads embedded in their Mother's back. Eww.



And several beautiful Hogwarts-themed props. I couldn't resist the Quidditch set and some Charms textbooks. Three of the little books are flying around!

Frogs: Beetlebones "Desert Rain Frog" and "Surinam Pipa" (Wizarding Fair)
Newt: Silentsparrow "(Green) Newt! Derp" (Wizarding Fair)
Shoes: Lassitude and Ennui "Batty Shoes" (Wizarding Fair)
Quidditch Crate: Standby "Quidditch Crate" (Wizarding Fair)
Charms Books: Lark "Charms (Books Animated)"
Outfit: Fateplay "Jenny (Ravenclaw)"
Necklace: Merlin's Beard "Time Turner"
Hair: D!va "Giz"
Skin: Essences "Lily"
Lipgloss: Essences "Honey Lipbalm 08" (Candy Fair)
Hands: by SLink
Poses: by Animazoo, Bang and oOo Studio
Bookcases: Alouette "Georgia Bookcases"
Potions Textbook: Quality Quidditch Gear "Advanced Potion-Making"

Love,
Serene

ON SAFARI

Ready for an adventure?



This tweedy poncho is great for staying warm in the high desert plain, but it sometimes wears oddly in extreme poses. I recommend trying a demo. The crisp little collar with metal points and button is lovely but I wish it were resizable. I adjusted my shape a bit to wear it.



The pants are handy with nice deep pockets, and a hefty pocket watch on a chain. Love the detailing and the long relaxed fit of the legs. One suspender dangling making me feel like the girl Indiana Jones!

Hat: LeLutka "Safari Hat"
Glasses: Crie Style "Grave"
Collar: Epoque "NeoClassicist Collar" (not Modifiable)
Bracelet: Erratic "Owl Bracelet" (yesterday's Fifty Linden Friday)
Poncho: LeeZu "Scarf Poncho"
Pants: LeeZu "Tic Toc Pants" (includes the attached pocket watch)
Shoes:  Maitreya "Alexa"
Hairpieces: booN "JOPE57" and "YURI15" (hair for under hat, and separate bangs)
Skin: Essences "Opera Chic"
Eyes: Ikon "Ardent"
Lashes: LeLutka "Photoshoot II"
Poses: by Bang and CheerNo Motion

Love,
Serene

FASHION FOR LIFE 2013 six

This. Outfit. ROCKS. Still photography can't convey it. First of all, The yellow parts of the design are apparently lit by some futuristic alien energy source. The light pulses, slowly oscillating between yellow and brighter white. And I love the combination of ancient Egyptian inspiration and future-cyber materials. The charcoal material straddles the line between silk and latex. J'adore!!



The set includes not only the sexy gown, luscious black skin, and shimmery cosmetics, but also a very avant-garde wig, and a futurist version of the Egyptian ceremonial beard. These accessories didn't look good on my oddly shaped head, so I left them in my closet.



I love this dress so so hard! But PLEASE NOTE this is not really what the back of the dress looks like. It is really low cut in the back but I didn't want to show my bum, so I am wearing some black undershorts underneath. If you want to see what it looks like as sYs intended, you can take a look at this photo by Eve Kazan over here.

Gown: sYs "Diva Rave Long Dress - ISIS gold" (Fashion for Life)
Skin: sYs "Naomie" (Fashion for Life)
Cosmetics: sYs "Naomie makeup YSIS gold" (Fashion for Life)
Undershorts: oOps I forget who made these.
Earrings: Tekeli-Li "Mesh Ankh Earrings" (color-change everything)
Hair: LeLutka "Rykiel"
Eyes: Ikon "Horizon"
Lashes: LeLutka "Photoshoot II"
Poses: by Bang and Long Awkward Pose (unavailable)

Love,
Serene

CASUAL DAY

Well, maybe it's Casual Day with a side order of Nostalgia. When I was a kid, Grampa had a Rolleiflex camera so I had to have this fun Auxiliary baggity sweatshirt. Once I put that on, I had to put on some other vintage wear.



Perfect cateye glasses from Artilleri with gorgy little silver detailing ...



I've had these plaid pants for a month or two, they were free over in Sakide's lucky chair, but well-made mesh, and the plaid lines up beautifully without ugly seams. You know how hard it is to make good plaid pants don't you? And Fashionably Dead's two-tone shoes. To die for!!

Sweatshirt: Auxiliary "Printed Sweatshirt"
Pants: Sakide "Slim Plaid Jeans Cuffed" (lucky chair)
Glasses: Artilleri "Meredith"
Shoes: Fashionably Dead "Pretty Lady"
Hair: Exile "Stay the Night"
Skin: Illusory "Love Caramel"
Eyes: Ikon "Horizon"
Lashes: Lelutka "Photoshoot II"
Poses: by !Bang and Del May

Love,
Serene

WAITING FOR INSPIRATION

Some days I am waiting for Inspiration to come back and bite me on the butt. So while I wait, I put on something comfy, and hang around with my horsies.



And wait for ideas ...



This is an odd camera angle but I wanted to show you the back of this hairstyle. From the front it looks like a simple little updo, but Analog Dog really tickled my fancy with these little bobby-pinned curls in the back! Oh and I should probably mention that this 'do is free, with several other cute wigs. Go find the "Freeball" ladies! I'll bet while you are there something else will catch your eye.

Sweater: Tulip "Oversized Cardigan"
Shirt: Whippet and Buck "Maddy Lace-Inset Top"
Leggings: Rebel X "Leggings Wool" (unavailable)
Glasses: Slug "Clubmaster Shades - Wood"
Boots: Slink "Vanity Boots"
Hair: Analog Dog "Ladonna Nutmeg" (free gift)
Skin: Curio ":GP: Petal [Dark] Party Girl - Cured 2"
Eyes: Ikon "Horizon"
Lashes: Lelutka "Photoshoot II"
Lamp: by D-Lab
Poses: by !Bang and Long Awkward Pose (unavailable)

Love,
Serene

SOMETIMES IT'S JUST A TRAIN

It is fun to notice the symbolism of your dreams, but sometimes a train is just a train. Now your nightmares, on the other hand, have a lot to teach.



It usually starts gently, and goes wrong from there. It's easy enough to climb aboard a rusty old train, just out of curiosity.



A lot of nightmares and horror movies are rooted in our fear that we are becoming mechanized, becoming cogs in some machine and later realizing that the machine serves some evil purpose. At first it seems just brilliant, we get caught up in all our own cleverness, and then it all goes off the rails. (Ever see "The Tommyknockers" based on Stephen King?)



The train goes faster and faster but I need to run and run to keep up or I will fall off ... (I know that seems wrong but dreams have their own rules)



I couldn't run fast enough and my heart is pounding insanely as I tumble back into the waiting wheat.

We are terrified of being mechanized, but I am convinced that in the future, people will be far more terrified of Nature. I think our grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be far too comfortable with the idea of interfacing with machines. Is resistance futile?

Jacket: Valentina E. "Bloused Sleeve Jacket" (new at Fameshed)
Boots: Lassitude and Ennui "Lazy Boots" (new at L'Accessoires)
Corset: NV "Tan Verne Mesh Corset" (new-ish)
Glasses: Deco "Mesh Atomic Sunglasses" (texture change lenses)
Earrings: Bliensen and Maitai "Industrial Revolution"
Ring: Earthstones "Kameron Ring"
Watch: DCCXXIII "W19 Watch" (inavailable)
Hat: To A T "Gents Steampunk Regency Top Hat" (unavailable)
Undershirt: Boudoir "Lace Bodice"
Pants: Pink Outfitters "The Editor Pant"
Socks: Schadenfreude "Leith Spat Socks" (tinted)(comes with boots)
Violin: Bang "Strolling Violin" Pose Prop (with built in pose)
Hair: Exile "Stay the Night"
Skin: Curio ":GP: Acorn [Dark] Party Girl - Bubbly 2"
Poses: by Bang, Frooti and HelaMiyo
Location: The Far Away by AM Radio

Love,
Serene

FROSTY

So I changed my place to reflect today's snowy weather. The kidster is out playing in it. I love snow as long as I can look at it from inside with a cup of hot chocolate right? But it's so pretty.



If you are living on the USA's east coast, I hope you can find a warm comfy spot out of the weather. I'm thinking about you.



Dress: Coco "Shirt Dress" (mesh)(this color is a group gift but there are others)
Boots: Lassitude and Ennui "Suede Boots" (mesh) Yummylish!
Necklace: Lassitude and Ennui "Queen's Gambit" (mesh)
Necklace: Lassitude and Ennui "Scorpio Key" (mesh)(at Zodiac)
Ring: Schadenfreude "Milk Chocolate Bonbon" (gacha)
Hair: Wasabi Pills "Amelie" (mesh)
Skin: Kooqla "Cherie" (also comes with a light brows version)
Lipstick: Kooqla "Hot (Reds) - 04" (for Cherie Skin)
Teeth: Kooqla "Ojen - Teeth" (came with a different lips pack)
Eyes: Ikon "Horizon"
Lashes: Glow Studio "Innocent. eyelashes - pure"
Poses: by Animazoo, Bang and Frooti

Love,
Serene

MESSY EATER

Don't worry. I'm not hungry.



*urp*  ... I need to go clean up.



Corset: NV "Seraphim" (not mesh but built-in pose keeps waist straight)
Shirt: PixelDolls "Elizabeth" (unavailable)
Skirt: Snatch "Nightmare"
Earrings: PixelDolla "Bathory" (mesh)(unavailable)
Hair: Ploom "Long Day Dipped" (mesh)(texture change HUD)
Skin: Fashionably Dead "Vampire Skin" (Monster Beach Party @ Twomoons Island)
Eyes: MiaSnow "Ebil Blood" (Monster Beach Party @ Twomoons Island)
Lashes: MiaSnow "Fantasy Curls"
Eyeshadow: Miamai "DecoShadows" (unavailable)
Mausoleum: by Pravda
Poses: by Bang

Love,
Serene

AT THE END OF NORMAL

For the rest of October, my plan is to become progressively less "normal" in honor of Halloween. Did I mention how much I love Halloween?  ... This pretty monotone taupe outfit is straightforward enough. The whole outfit is mesh. Well, the LeeZu dress is a pair of system pants plus a rigged mesh flap that covers front and back. The pattern lines up pretty well in normal use but stretch a bit crazily in some poses. The Fri.day jacket is lovely and detailed, and Schadenfreude's pretty ribboned shoes.



This shawl-collared jacket holds its shape pretty well in odd poses. I was especially impressed with the collar. It stands beautifully.



I am descending into Halloween Madness as I write! The eyes are going first. These are Mia Snow's eyes available in four colors at the Halloween event on Twomoons Island.

Jacket: Fri.day "Kristen Jacket" (mesh)
Dress: LeeZu "Sophia Dress" (system/mesh)
Shoes: Schadenfreude "Cygnette" (mesh)
Hair: Truth "Geri"
Skin: Mother Goose "Nadine 1L$" (dollarbie version)
Eyes: MiaSnow "Ebil Brimstone"
Lashes: Glow Studio "Innocent. eyelashes - pure"
Poses: by Bang

Love,
Serene

THEATRICALITY

After the film the doors open, and the lights come up ... (Okay, really I'm just having fun playing with lighting.) I wore casual-diva for this film screening. Perhaps afterward I should pause to give a few autographs?

A mix of old and new, but most of the older things are still for sale. This LeeZu blouse has somehow been hiding behind the closet door for a while.  I still like it even though it is not mesh, but a collection of sculpted prims. The fresh Illusory skin with neutral cosmetics is for sale this month at Collabor88. And still loving the fractal jewels by Elemental Earth Designs.

This set of Theater Seats with poses is delicious and there is a set up at Culture Shock so you can try it out before you purchase. The sits are very distinctive. 

The detail on the seats is stunning. If you like vintage or period work this is a must-see at the Culture Shock venue. Perfect for watching silver screen classics.

Seating: Captivity Co. "Theatre" (at Culture Shock)
Shirt: LeeZu "Viola Vintage Blouse"
Skirt: Jane "Maxi Skirt Meena" (mesh)
Jewels: Elemental Earth Designs "Liquit Logic"
Shoes: Nardcotix "Esther Vintage"
Hair: booN "ZGO223"
Skin: Illusory "Love Milk Daydream" (at Collabor88)
Eyes: Ikon "Horizon"
Lashes: Glow Studio "Innocent. eyelashes - pure"
Poses: by bang! (and those included in the chairs)

Love,
Serene