VINTAGE

I'm reminding myself of a librarian. Well, maybe a hot librarian, in the underworld. Who likes cats. (As friends, not to eat, silly human.)



Outfit: Valentina E. "Sloane" (at Uber, with texture-change sweater)
Hair: Analog Dog "Joga"
Necklace: Nylon Outfitters "Lucky Cat Charm - Siamese"
Glasses: Reek "Junior Shades" (vintage unavailable)
Skin: Plastik (old Fantasy Faire gift)
Ears: Swallow "Noldor Elf Ears"
Horns: Lassitude and Ennui "Simply Monstrous Horns"
Legs: Ghoul "Otohime Legs"
Eyes: Izzie's "Demon Mesh Eyes"
Head: by Catwa
Body: by Maitreya
Poses: by Frooti and Marukin

Love,
Serene

PRINCESS

Some days you just want to feel like a princess.

Dress: Fallen Gods and Faida "Poesia Del Fiori"
Jewels: Lassitude and Ennui "Foreboding"
Hair: booN "Lab.004" (texture-change HUD)
Bangs: Barberyumyum "bangs (A)" (texture-change HUD)
Skin: Essences "Galadriel"
Ears: by Mandala
Eyes: Ikon "Ardent"
Lashes: by Lelutka
Hands: by SLink
Pose: by Frooti

Love,
Serene

GAUNTLETS

I've been passing through a tight spot in my life, and I haven't been online for a while, but I'm back. I realized last night that I've been wearing this armor for a couple of months now. So I might as well photograph it right?



I bought this hair a while ago. Taketomi designed it to fit inside a big cowl neck sweater, but it works really well with the standing collar of this quilted vest. :D

Vest: Remarkable Oblivion "Mercenary Guild" (gacha)
Gauntlets: Remarkable Oblivion "Azrael Gauntlets"
Monocle: Velvet Whip "Fairy Catcher Eyeglass" (gacha)
Hair: Taketomi "U.F.O SweaterHair"
Skin: Essences "Kendra"
Lipstick: Essences "Kendra Lipstick09"
Eyes: Ikon "Ardent"
Pose: by Frooti

Love,
Serene

GOTHIC VIOLET

Whether it is spring or not in the rest of the world, in the land of Cursed it is a dark night and the World Goth Fair has opened among the mausoleums. The country has fallen under a dark enchantment and there are glowing flowers everywhere around the crypts.



Read all about the Fair at the World Goth Fair website, for maps, locations, vendors, and the musical performance schedule. Get your black on and go dance, or just shop. See you around the cemetery!



Gown: Fission "Una" (at World Goth Fair)
Necklace: The Little Bat "Creepy Girl Choker" (at World Goth Fair)
Head: May's Soul & Antielle "Desdemona Tiffany Head RARE" (at Fantasy Gacha Carnival)
Hair: Wasabi Pills "Kat"
Hands:by SLink
Pose: by Frooti

Love,
Serene

I MUSTACHE YOU A QUESTION

Do you like moustaches? I found two moustache-themed bits hanging in my bloggity folder and an idea for an outfit was born. Lassitude and Ennui's dress and the cream-colored stockings are new over at Collabor88. Sorry but the moustache tights are no longer available, I picked them up on clearance and they're gone. But they are still cute right? *happydance*



The "Salt and Pepper" skins are a little different from Inka Mexicola's usual, I look so red-eyed and desolate!  Also included, reddened cheeks and tears tattoos. Find them at the Creepy Kawaii event. I was also tempted by the cute dress with the eyeballs, but come on I have so many of those already! :D Some purple lipstick and off we go! Packs of yummy lipsticks are appearing at Essences that match several of the newer skins.



Dress: Lassitude and Ennui "Vivianne" (at Collabor88)
Tights: okkbye "Mustache Tights" (unavailable sorry)
Socks: Atomic "Slouchy Knee Socks" (at Collabor88)
Shoes: Pure Poison "Ilya Boots" (gacha)
Ring: Emporium "Mr. Mustache" (gacha)
Earrings: Donna Flora "Eulalia"
Hair: D!va "Yunie"
Skin: Essences "Salt" (at Creepy Kawaii event)
Eyes: Ikon "Ardent"
Ears: Mandala "Steking"
Eyelashes: LeLutka "Photoshoot II"
Nail Polish: by Bamboo Nails (new)
Lipstick: Essences "Alice Lipstick 09" (new at Mainstore)
Poses: by Estetica and Frooti

Love,
Serene

CLOCKWORK LOVE

If you haven't gone yet, the Clockwork Spiral fundraiser is running through October 1st, so you still have a few more days to combine you love of charitable giving with your passion for everything steam/diesel/goth/punk/Victorian or whatever combination of those bits gets you all tingly. I love fusions and creative anachronism, so this kind of thing makes me happy. I also love that it benefits the National Kidney Foundation. Win-win!



Sometimes I get frustrated with my self-imposed guideline: I try not to use more than three pictures in a post to keep it short and sweet. Sometimes that means jettisoning the medium sized views or portraiture, so I can show details like these coggity eyes. Didn't you didn't realize I am one of the automata?



And I have to say, these boots look tough enough to survive whatever comes next, whether its a dirigible disaster or the rising of the undead next month. (October is coming, after all.) Are you ready?

Hat: Deco "Officer's Cap"
Jacket and Belt: Senzafine "Echelon" (at Clockwork Spiral)
Cravat: To-a-T "Ravenswood Regency Cravat" (vintage)
Pants: Silentsparrow "Severin Suit Pants" (part of outfit)
Boots: House of Rain "Decadencia Boots" (at Clockwork Spiral)
Ponytail: booN "DRJ224"
Hairbase: booN "gathered mid hairbase black"
Skin: Essences "The Greek Goddess"
Eyes: Chop Shop "Gear Creature 1" (at Clockwork Spiral)
Lashes: by LeLutka
Hands: by SLink
Poses: by Frooti and Juxtapose

Love,
Serene

GOODNIGHT

I love purple. This muted tone just makes me happy. Outside, I have a garden of purple flowers beginning to come back to life. The crocuses are out! And the Hyacinths, Lavender and Russian Sage are starting to grow.



Junbug's delicious gown and these jewels by Mandala are a more sophisticated rendering of spring. Perfect!



Gown: Junbug "Instant Crush in Lavender"
Jewels: Mandala "Polly"
Hair: Exile "Crazy in Love"
Skin: Essences "Paris 2" (at the Dressing Room)
Eyes: Ikon "Ardent"
Lashes: LeLutka "Photoshoot II"
Hands: by SLink
Poses: by Frooti, Glitterati and Label Motion

Love,
Serene

BRANCHINGS

Ladies, I'm not even sure what to call these stunning jewels. They're not exactly earrings, are they? When I finally noticed that they hang from my temples, I felt stunned in a way that I usually don't feel until I'm in an art museum. It's so disconcerting. And hard core. I think the aggressive arty lashes go well, did I do it right?



Secretly I feel overdressed, but the outfit is hot and cool at the same time, and I'm ready for an Art Gallery, both to see and to be seen.



Jewels: Finesmith "Sheleg Like Earrings" (new)
Lashes: No. 7 "Clix Lashings Lashes" (Invitation Only Hunt)
Jacket: Finesmith "Noland" (new)
Boots: fri.day "River Boots" (new)
Unitard: House of Fox "Long Sleeve Unitard" (vintage)
Hair: Lamb "Witch" (vintage)
Skin: Essences "Qopi"
Eyes: Ikon "Ardent"
Eyeliner: Mock Cosmetics "Exotica Eyeliner"
Hands: by SLink
Poses: by Frooti and Marukin

Love,
Serene

SHE WORE LEMON

This lemon yellow made me feel good today! Another cute bright print dress, bright yellow nail polish, and a sweet little ring. I need to remember to choose happiness. That sounds simple enough doesn't it? But simple isn't the same as easy.



Enjoy the simple things. Today we ran around and picked up new ballet slippers for my daughter, and we all had soup and salad together.



Dress: LIV-Glam "Feel So Close" (w/ texture-change HUD)
Ring: Milk Motion (at the Chapter Four Gacha)
Shoes: G Field "Alex"
Earrings: Hatpins "What Wrought"
Hair: D!va "Giz" (at the Arcade Gacha)
Skin: Essences "Cho"
Hands: by SLink
Nail Polish HUD: by Adore and Abhor
Eyes: Ikon "Ardent"
Poses: by Frooti and Lost Angel Poses

Love,
Serene

WARRIOR OF THE UNSEELIE

Yes sentry duty is important. It gets to be a grind, but we Unseelie know better than anyone what kind of sneaky little evils hide in the woods. We ourselves tend toward darkness, but that's how we know what to look out for.



Someone has to keep order in the realm.



Hat: Junbug "Sweet Pixie Cap Black Floral" (rare gacha @ last Fantasy Gacha)
Shoulder Pads: Cloud "Spiked Shoulders" (gacha @ last Fantasy Gacha)
Wings: Deviance "Sidhe Wings Bramble" (gacha @ last Fantasy Gacha)
Bracers: Bitch "Armor Bracers Steel" (part of outfit @We Love Roleplay)
Pants: Panda Express "Cut at the Knee" (@ Fi*Fridays)
Chainmail Shirt: Bare Rose "Forest Elf Silver Shirt" (part of outfit)
Slippers: Lassitude and Ennui "Mojari Slippers"
Strappy Harness: Kyoot "Addicted to Dopamine Harness" (vintage)
Belt: Pacadi Jasha "Mairey Leather Belt" (vintage)
Belt: Winkl "Belt Chain" (vintage)
Mask: Illusions "Imp Mask" (vintage gift)
Weapon: Seraphim Systems "The Countess"
Skin: Plastik "Astrali Ganymede"
Belly Tattoo: Tacky Star "Birdie Bye-Bye" (vintage)
Cosmetics: Plastik "Darker Lips" and "Lip Stripe"
Eyes: Ikon "Ardent"
Antennae: Scribble "Antennae" (vintage)
Hairbase: Discord Designs "dDx Ripley"
Poses: by Del May and Frooti

Love,
Serene

p.s. Unlike those high-and-mighty light fae, the dark Unseelie dangle participles all the time, because it makes them feel, like, all rebellious and everything.

LOLITA

This month's installment at the Genre venue is "Lolita" themed and I am loving it, so I am bringing you a sample: this outfit by Senzafine and hair Curio Obscura is black and blacker. But most of the Loli-inspired outfits are also available in lighter and happier colors. The theme is called "Cotton Candy Dreams" if that gives you an idea of the color scheme.



The Curio Obscura hair is texture change to a buncha colors and comes in this version, and another with hairbows. I am loving the ringlets but if you prefer thicker curls, another version of this wig is available at Hair Fair. One of my favorite booths this year at Hair Fair!!



The dress is mesh with a HUD that changes to textures to two shades of black. I like the lighter version, cause it's easier to see all the lace and frills.

Dress: Senzafine "Berenice" (at Genre)
Gloves and Stockings: Bubble "Floral Corset Gloves and Socks"
Boots: Lassitude and Ennui "Nostalgia"
Hair: Curio Obscura "Long Gothic Spirals Pigtails" (at Genre)
Skin: Essences "Cho"
Eyes: Ikon "Ardent"
Fingernails: Bamboo Nails (w/ HUD to change texture, hand size and nail length)
Lashes: LeLutka "Photoshoot II"
Poses: by Estetica, Frooti and Ma Vie

Love,
Serene

MISS PATIENCE

Lassitude and Ennui have served another delicious dessert of a dress at this month's Zodiac venue! Of course I believe wholeheartedly in gilding the lily, so I layered some lacy system layers underneath, and went for pure fantasy by adding these lovely horns that I picked up at the Plastik booth at Fantasy Faire.



I need to go back and get another HUD for the horns to texture change the gems, but when I was there I just couldn't choose! The basic HUD changes the colors of the leather straps and metal bits. Finally I put on a golden manicure and these cute little jeweled slippers that are some old favorites ... ready to go frolic in the faery woods!



Dress: Lassitude and Ennui "Patience" (at Zodiac)
Lace Collar/Gloves/Camisole: PixelDolls "Bella" (unavailable)
Shoes: Lassitude and Ennui "Mojari"
Horns: Plastik "Arachzis" (at Fantasy Faire)
Nails: Nemezi "Gold Nails" (at Cosmetic Fair)
Hair: Truth "Elisha"
Skin: Auxiliary "Skin Love Fair Kitschy Blue"
Eyes: Ikon "Ardent"
Lashes: Lelutka "Photoshoot II"
Poses: by Del May, Frooti, and Ma Vie

Love,
Serene

THE OBLIGATORY VALENTINE

I felt I should put together a cute little Valentines Day look, but I thought it would be more interesting if it were a little funky. So here is a retro-funk-seventies-inspired look with patent leather boots. I can have some fun with all the Pink, right?



Mister Larsson has a new Valentines Day inspired skin over in his VIP Room. The pouty lips are just luscious!! The fly outfit called for some dangly earrings. These earrings from Je Suis are one of my go-to sets because they are texture change with lots of colors for so many outfits. And some hot chunky bangles.



Dress: Vogue "Lorraine Winter Dress"
Tights: d.Select "Glow Leggins Metallic Pink"
Boots: MEB "Stiletto Boots Garnet"
Bracelets: Je Suis "Grande Pinks Bangles"
Earrings: Je Suis "Africain" (texture change)
Hair/Hat: Mr. Poet "Bakerboy"
Skin: PXL "Kate Nat VDay-2013" (VIP Group Gift)
Eyes: May Girl "Eyes - BigSize Set - DeepPink"
Lashes: LeLutka "Photoshoot II"
Poses: by Flowey and Frooti

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

EXPLORER AT THE RUINS

I put on my Explorer hat and went over to the LEA sims to see Marcus Inkpen's installation before it packs up in a couple of days. I wasn't disappointed. The rich, atmospheric textures are something you shouldn't miss. If you aren't trying to photograph an outfit, get into the environmental settings and tinker. Wow.



The mood is not left to chance or the Lab's shadow settings, but is baked into every piece. these Escheresque reflecting spheres revolve slowly, peacefully, almost inviting you to stop, sit down, and meditate. Still photos don't really convey the feeling, so you should see it yourself.



And yes, I am featuring several gorgeous stuffs I picked up at Vintage Fair. The luscious Moira Skin, perfect for redheads. Plastik's lovingly antiqued corset. LeeZu's crinkle-textured cropped jacket, with a flamboyant flipped-up collar. And Ison brought their all-the-way-up-to-there leather platform boots.



Corset: Plastik "Daunting Fate" (mesh)(Vintage Fair)
Cropped Jacket: LeeZu "Lana" (Vintage Fair)
Boots: Ison "Carazon" (mesh)(Vintage Fair)
Pants: Silentsparrow "(Copper) Severin Suit Pants"
Hat: LeLutka "Safari Hat"
Hair: booN "KOKU99" (unrigged mesh bangs)(all colors for L$10!)
Hairbase: booN "Gathered Raised Hairbase"
Skin: Essences "Moira" (Vintage Fair)
Eyes: Ikon "Horizon"
Lashes: Glow Studio "Innocent. eyelashes - pure"
Cosmetics: Eyeliner and Lipstick by Essences (Vintage Fair)
Poses: by Frooti and Label Motion
Location: The Returning by Marcus Inkpen (LEA17)

Love,
Serene

HALF HITCH MARINA

Believe it or not, it was very easy to fit this new hairdo under my Captain's Hat. And no hat-head when I took it off later, either. I love it!



I love the shape of this shirt because it is loose and comfy in this hot hot weather. But it isn't too baggy to see that I am a woman. I still have a waist.



Okay just one more pretty shot of the Marina ... I love water!



Hat: Kari "Aye Aye Cap"
Tanktop: Bilo "Boyfriend Tank" (mesh)
Shorts: TokiDoki "Artisan Shorts" (mesh)
Jewelry: Earthstones "Tumbled Stones" (previous Collabor88 event)
Shoes: Ingenue "Organique Flats"
Hair: Lamb "Wild at Heart" (mesh)(at Hair Fair)
Skin: Illusory "Love_Cocoa - Shindig" (previous TDR)
Eyes: Ikon "Horizon"
Facelight: Nlight FREE 2.0 (free on SL Marketplace)
Poses: by Animazoo, Diesel Works and Frooti
Location: Half Hitch

Love,
Serene

ONE VOICE SPEAKS

Maybe you've been in a coma away and you haven't heard about the One Voice fundraiser to help pay for Gala Phoenix's legal bills. She is going to court to defend the originality of her skin art. While her shop has been closed, pending the court case, she does not have a Second Life income to rely on to pay legal fees.



This outfit is mostly made of pieces available at the One Voice fundraiser. All the products there are set to donate either 50% or 100%. Personally I was happy to go. I love the creativity and beauty of Second Life, and I would hate for SL's best designers to come to get even more cynical about the DMCA system and walk away. Wouldn't you?



Top: Ingenue "Mignon" (mesh)(One Voice benefit item Collabor88 sorry!)
Slacks: The Sea Hole "Silk Duploni Beachcombers" (mesh)(One Voice benefit item)
Jewels: Addiction "Antique Blossom in Pearl" (One Voice benefit item)
Hair: Exile "Break Away" (One Voice benefit item)
Skin: Curio ":GP: Moonbeam Frex [Dark] Sweetheart Rose"
Shoes: Lassitude and Ennui "Nyrha" (mesh)(texture change)
Eyes: Ikon "Horizon"
Poses: by Frooti

Love,
Serene