BRUNETTE

It's no mystery that lately I've been drawn into shops to buy sweaters, furs, even a muff.

I feel so warm in this knitty mesh dress from Jane. I love the fit, it has a nice bum without getting the ridiculous bubble-butt I've been seeing on some skirts. I like the little detail where the sleeves push down over my hands just the way I like them in cold weather. And BRB's fur stole is just soft and huggable.

Hat/Hair: Mr. Poet “Bakerboy Cap and Hair” (texture change everything)
Fur Stole: BRB “Comfy Stole”
Dress: Jane “2nd Skin Dress Trio Purples” (mesh)
Boots: J’s “Ankle Boots Square”
Skin: Curio “:GP: Bean Frex [Dark] Pout – Whine 1”
Eyes: Fashism “Sunrise”
Eyelashes: by Exodi
Poses: by Penny Dreadful Arcade

Love,
Serene

I HAVE A QUESTION

Yesterday I was trying on older fashions that I still love. Sometimes I do this when I am cleaning out my closet; I eventually dispose old things whose style or construction is too dated.

And then there are the exceptions. For example, these pants. I so love these pants. I don't think I could ever throw them away ... But along comes mesh. And after seeing this picture of Achariya in Rebel Hope's new gown (in red!!) I am loving how the skirt has sculpted drapery that can fold with the avatar as she sits in her chair. It got me thinking.

So here is my question ... What older pieces of clothing would you like to see reworked in mesh to extend their life ? (In real life, I have had shoes repaired, and there was that fave skirt that I had a new waistband put on at the tailor's.) For me, I vote for the Trap Hakama pants. I would love for each leg to be one continuous piece, instead of breaking at the knee. Please please please pretty please? *begs Selos Dae shamelessly*

Jacket: Blue Blood "Suomi" (this color unavailable, includes tails not shown)
Shirt: Whippet and Buck "I'll be a Ghost" (unavailable)
Pants: Trap "Hakama"
Shoes: Lassitude and Ennui "Estampies"
Hat: Rapture "Cossack Hat"
Hair: Lamb "Teased Up" (gift)
Skin: Glam Affair "Layla Dark" (old from the Dressing Room)
Eyes: Fashism "Sunrise"
Lashes: by Exodi and Glow Studio
Eyeshadow: La Malvada Mujer "B.N. #2"
Lipstick: Glam Affair "Layla Lipstick - risque"

Love,
Serene

BLANCHE FRAICHE

I am so enjoying the Truth District opening … Lovely designers, beautiful scenery, and the buzz of good company. Standing room only.

Several of the designers timed the release of new creations to coincide with the District Opening; in particular Gala Phoenix released three new skins, with six makeups each. As soon as I saw the Curio sign, I knew I was in big big trouble. You know how am about her skin, don't you?

This soft, glowing, beautiful skin I am wearing is a gift. (I would have paid!) *happy sigh* I'm still trying to choose one or two more ...

Shirt: Whippet and Buck “Claven Lace” (opening group gift at Truth District, it is a bit transparent so I wore two layers)
Belt: Pacadi “Mairey Leather Belt” (unavailable)
Skirt: 5th and Oxford “Seaside Sweetie” (L$50 at Closing Sale)
Jewelry: Lassitude and Ennui “Bleeding Heart” (texture change HUD)
Shoes: Pixel Mode “Baby T’s”
Hair: Truth “Becky” (multicolor pack, opening group gift at Truth District)
Hairbase: by booN
Skin: Curio “:GP: Airhead-Truth District” (opening group gift at Truth District)
Eyes: Fashism “Sunrise”
Eyelashes: by Exodi and Glow Studio
Poses: by Diesel Works and Long Awkward Pose

Love,
Serene

QUEEN OF THE UNDEAD

They bring the caught to be judged, and the weak to be eaten.

They come to worship, or to ask for favors.

They hope I am in a good mood.

Today's post was motivated by the lovely and macabre Succubus Skins that I purchased at Ugly Duck's Summer Sale. Several multipacks of skin marked down to L$250, including this horror themed skin, and several others more normal. Don't miss! After the sale ends these skins will be retired.

Outfit: Bare Rose “Ghol Lady”
Skin: Ugly Duck “Lilith – Succubus” (4-pack for L$250 at the Summer Sale)
Eyes: Ugly Duck “Lily Black”
Eyelashes: by Exodi
Facial Snarl: House of Curios “HOC – expresso HUD” (free)
Animations: by Long Awkward Pose
Location: Omega Point

Love,
Serene

TRUE COLORS

I wanted to do another post inspired by the 1980s. Perhaps I should apologize in advance?

... nah, it could be worse. The hair is bleached blonde with colored streaks a la Cyndi Lauper, and pretty big on top, but not too big. Yes the jewel-toned collar is turned up, and the shoulder padding is quite large. My earrings dangle and my bangles jangle. Large brightly colored lips in honor of Kelly LeBrock. (If you never heard of her, she was the one with the pillowy lips when Angelina Jolie and Liv Tyler were in diapers.)

But I could be wearing an izod polo, a plaid shirt with gold threads in it, or an aerobics outfit with a headband, belt, stirrup leggings and striped knit legwarmers, a la Jane Fonda. I could have a giant spiral perm. Or ... hammerpants *shiver*

Even the deities of fashion know better than to recycle old fashion fads without alteration. They are modified and toned down to make them more palatable. Still, I cringed the other day when I saw the cork and hemp wedge heels at the shoe store. I can tolerate a lot of things in Second Life that I can't stand in real life.

Jacket: The Secret Store “Mrs. Jones’ Jacket”
Leggings: Leaks “Zombie Got Me” (unavailable I think)
Earring: Je Suis “Africain Earhoops” (Texture Change)(Accessories Fair)
Bracelets: Erratic “Twisted Bracelets” (Texture Change)(Accessories Fair)
Shoes: Purrfect 10 “Serenity Lazy Sunday Rose”
Hair: Exile “Voodoo” (Texture Change Streaks)(Chic Birthday Event)
Skin: Glam Affair “Layla” (Zombie Popcorn Hunt Prize)
Lipstick: Glam Affair “Layla Lipstick – risque” (a zillion colors available L$50 each)
Eyeshadow: Natural Beauty “Makeup Set 14 – makeup 5”
Eyelashes: by Exodi
Eyes: Fashism “Sunrise”
Nail Polish: Tres Blah “Nail Color (Eggplant)” (from multipack)
Poses: Dismorph and ImpEle

Love,
Serene

EYES THAT FOLLOW YOU

Two pairs of eyes really. I finally decided to try some loverly new eyes from Fashism, but the title is inspired by the necklace. The little painted portrait is beautiful but if you stare a while you realize that it is watching you. Her eyes blink. Spooky.

I wanted something suitably ornate so I put together several pieces from Pixel Dolls.

... and sacrificed the photo of the full length skirt and bustle. I love bustles but I am showing these GField shoes instead. Yummy. Why yes, I am a shoe whore. Thank you for noticing. I love you too. :D

Jewels: Donna Flora “Dreamer” (the portrait is animated!!)
Gown: Pixel Dolls “Timepiece” outfits (mixed pieces)
Shoes: G Field “Vilda” (slightly tinted - from Shoe Fair)
Skin: Glam Affair “Layla Grey” (the Dressing Room)
Lipstick: Mynerva “Lipstick Style 2 – Deep Plum”
Hairbase 1: Tiny Bird “Blacks Pack Hairbase” (I wear this for the lower hairline)
Hairbase 2: booN “gathered raised hairbase”
Hairpiece: booN “DARE82 black”
Eyes: Fashism “Sunrise Eyes – Deep Grey”
Eyelashes: by Exodi
Poses: by Long Awkward Pose

Love,
Serene

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

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

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

CABOCHON BRUNETTE

It starts with a worn and dark fluttery bird texture on my silentsparrow suit. This color of the Corbie Suit was a limited edition but there are several other colors available. I layered in Mr. Poet's shirt because I adore the ruffled collar and pinned the cabochon brooch on my lapel.

I'm not really much for long tails so I exhaled and buttoned on my corset.

Yes these Lassitude and Ennui boots again. They are modifiable, so I was playing around with tint. I love them in two-tone, don't you?

.. And I really wanted to show you the elaborate braiding on this delicious coif. BooN has a growing collection of hair that is intended for wear over a hairbase. I also wanted to mention that they have three sets of hairbases which I love because the hair is pulled back three ways to the crown of the head, the back, and down to the nape of the neck. I wore two hairbases together to get a look that I like.

Jacket: Silentsparrow “(penny) Corbie Jacket”
Shirt with Frilly Collar: Mr. Poet “Pleated Shirt”
Pants: Silentsparrow “(penny) Corbie Suit Pants”
Gloves: Silentsparrow “(penny) Corbie Gloves”
Brooch: Silentsparrow “(penny) Corbie Brooch”
Earrings: Lassitude and Ennui “Oreb” (with texture-change HUD)
Corset: Phoenix Rising “Echo Button Corset” (tinted buttons)
Boots: Lassitude and Ennui “Thecla” (tinted)
Skin: Curio “:GP: Acorn [Light] Sweetheart-Rose 1”
Hair: booN “KED937”
Hairbase 1: Tiny Bird “Blacks Pack Hairbase” (worn underneath)
Hairbase 2: booN “gathered raised hairbase”
Eyelashes: Exodi “Eyelashes”
Alpha Layer: Imabee “System eyelashes – begone!”
Eyebrows: Curio “:GP: Sweetheart Brows-Black”
Eyes: Poetic Color “Night Rain”
Poses: by Animazoo, Snooky’s and Long Awkward Pose
Photostudio: by N30

Love,
Serene

MAIDEN OF THE ELDAR

Evie’s Closet “Nimrodel Crown and Collar” is available for the Extend a Helping Hand event for Australian Flood Relief. You may purchase it at the EAHH Venue, or the jewels are available in silver and gold at Evie's home at Oubliette.

Also wearing:
Skin: Curio “:GP: Bean [Light] Elf-Snug1”
Hair: Exile “Dina” (at the Dressing Room)
Hairbase: booN “gathered lower hairbase”
Eyes: Poetic Color “summer – lavender fields”
Eyelashes: Exodi “Eyelashes” (basic set included with skin purchases)
Wunderlich’s “Renaissance EverAfter Masquerade Gown” (part of an old favorite)

Love,
Serene