FLEUR

Time is just flying by and we only have through tomorrow to visit Fashion for Life! I can't believe it. If you haven't visited yet, now's your chance. There are still so many things I want to show you so I'd better get on it! This dress is a cute entry from a new-to-me shop called Kaithleen's. This sweet little floral print is also available in brighter, more summery colors but I was just loving this fresh white.



I like silver and white so I matched the dress with a silver star manicure from Flair and this Fleur-de-Lis ring from Swallow ...



If you would like a teleport list of shop locations, please visit the Fashion for Life blog.

Dress: Kaithleen's "Long Summer Dress - White" (at Fashion for Life)
Ring: Swallow "Lily Ring Silver" (at Fashion for Life)
Fingernails: by Flair (at Fashion for Life)
Hair: Little Bones "Take Everything"
Skin: Essences "Athena"
Eyes: Ikon "Ardent"
Lashes: LeLutka "Photoshoot II"
Hands: by SLink
Poses: by Diesel Works, Glitterati 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

LA DAME DE COEUR

A few weeks ago at the Fantasy Gacha festival I may have been spotted dancing when I pulled this superb bit of headwear out of the Gacha vendor on the first try. I literally had to go find the right gown to wear with it, and life got complicated last month, but I finally spotted this beautiful frock over at Apsara. Although the high waistline isn't technically the correct period, I love the look so I don't care. *sticks out tongue*



And this hat. So fabulous that it deserves applause, and also its own butler. There isn't one camera angle that shows all of its fabulousness adequately, so I got a little frustrated whilst taking these photos. Lovely. My hat collection is now officially getting out of hand. Maybe I should have a Hat Week.



Hat: Remarkable Oblivion "Dame De Coeur RARE" (gacha) ... should be back at the Mainstore
Gown: Apsara "Sultana (Burnt Bridal)"
Necklace: Alchemy Immortalis "Aix La Chapelle Talisman" (vintage)
Skin: Essences "Paris" (at the Dressing Room)
Eyes: Ikon "Ardent"
Lashes: LeLutka "Photoshoot II"
Hands and Feet: by SLink
Poses: by Glitterati

Love,
Serene

STEAMPLAY

Hi! Okay I realize that this outfit is more Cosplay than Steampunk, but I like it so just deal with it. :D  ... The oldie system shorts fit reasonably well under this new mesh top from Marshmallows. And the stockings are a couple years old too, but I don't care, because I still love my vintage stuff in my closet.



Oh my and the shoes. A gratuitous shoe shot just because I can ... Amo, Amas, Amat. If you like Steampunk, these are a must have at Shoetopia, courtesy of Lassitude and Ennui.



[Heroic explorer stance]



And I lurve my new Ohmai cheeky little flying squirrel buddy, and also have to show you a close-up of the fingernail appliers that I got from Bliensen and Maitai. They come with a HUD that changes the background color behind the sweet little cogs. They've left the Genre venue but should be back at the Mainstore soon if they aren't already.

Squirrel and Goggles: Ohmai "Steampunk Light Squirrel Goggles" (at Collabor88)
Shirt: Marshmallows "Ellie Blouse Dress - Tweed" (at the Dressing Room)
Shoes: Lassitude and Ennui "Emily Steampunk Shoes" (at Shoetopia)
Hair: Lamb "Stay Don't Go" (at Collabor88)
Fingernail Appliers: Bliensen and Maitai "Steampunk" (new)
Collar: Epoque "Neoclassicist Collar" (sculpted, not resizable)
Shirt: DCNY "Ruffle Top" (vintage)
Shorts: Phoenix Rising "Taylor Shorts" (vintage)
Watch: DCCXXIII "W19 Watch" (vintage unavailable)
Stockings: League "Gartered Socks Overknee" (vintage)
Umbrella: Laughing Academy "Parasol Tarnished Brown Floral" (vintage)
Lipstick: Essences "VF Lips 01" (unavailable from Vintage Fair 2012)
Skin: Essences "Olyvia FLF" (very similar skins available)
Hairbase: by Truth
Eyes: Ikon "Horizon"
Lashes: LeLutka "Photoshoot II"
Hands and Feet: by SLink
Poses: by Adorkable and Glitterati

Love,
Serene

BACON

Why bacon? Because everything is better with bacon, that's why.



It's been cold lately so I wanted warm colors and texture. Am I wearing too many prints? I don't care. Oo! I need to go make some hot chocolate. I felt cold in this skirt so I dug out some nice sculpted legwarmers I bought a while ago at GField. I'm glad they aren't rigged mesh because I could adjust them for a better fit over my shoes. They are made to go over heels, isn't that awesome?



Jacket: So Many Styles "Native Cardigan Magenta" (The Dressing Room)
Skirt: LIV-Glam "Absent Minded Friends" (part of outfit)
Legwarmers: GField "Leg Warmer for Heels"
Shoes: Ingenue "Lydia Slingbacks"
Scarf: FATEwear "Granger - Bacon" (former Arcade Gacha)
Earrings: Schadenfreude "Little White Snowflake" (vintage gift)
Hair: LaViere "Ambush"
Skin: Essences "Olyvia"
Eyes: Ikon "Horizon"
Lashes: LeLutka "Photoshoot II" and Essences "Eyelashes 01" (tattoo)
Lipgloss: Sugar Heart "Lip Shine" (group gift)
Hands and Feet: by SLink
Poses: by Flowey and Glitterati

Love,
Serene

LIPS AS RED AS BLOOD

What's the big deal? Anyone can have red lips, if they just buy the right cosmetic.



I am so pleased that better quality fantasy wares are taking off in popularity. I mean, what is the point of having a second life if it's just like the first one? So today I am wearing a new mysterious mask from We Love Roleplay, and a lusciously tempting hair comb I selected at Enchantment. It's no wonder Snow White risked her life for something so beautiful.



The new Enchantment event is lovely, and sells furnishings as well as clothes. I had a lot of fun jumping up and down on the dwarfy beds. :D The build is prettified with chocolate sauce and a cherry on top. Lovely for photography. Stop in at my castle if you're in the neighborhood.



Mask: Chimeric Fashions "Branch Mask" (at We Love Roleplay)
Hair Comb: Half Deer "Poison Laced Hair Comb" (at Enchantment)
Corset: On a Lark "Dory Corset" (ultra mega epic rare gacha LOL also includes a hood)
Cape: Mystic Hope "Shadow Queen" (sculpt and flexi)
Shirt and Armbands: Silentsparrow "Thorns Gown" (vintage)
Pants: Silentsparrow "Severin Suit Pants" (vintage)
Earrings: Lassitude and Ennui "Bleeding Heart"
Circlet and Necklace: Lassitude and Ennui "Leaf Jewelry"
Hair: Exile "Collide"
Skin: Essences "Olyvia FLF"
Lipstick: Dead Apples "Balm Stains - Fall Colors - Classic Red"
Eyes: Ikon "Ardent"
Lashes: LeLutka "Photoshoot II"
Eyeshadow: Mock Cosmetics "eShadow Dark Winterberry"
Hands: by SLink
Poses: by Glitterati and Label Motion
Dwarf Beds: by Aisling
Dwarves: by Dwarfins
Location: Enchantment at Sium

Love,
Serene

INSIDE AND OUT

It's easier to look good than to be good, isn't it?



Tending to what moves you on the inside is so much harder than applying that lipstick and mascara. Just try to be classy and treat each other well, okay? Don't be a monster.



Parasite: Death Row Designs "Spine Centipede" (Horrorfest)
Dress: LIV-Glam "Walk on By"
Necklace and Earrings: Eclectica "Opulence"
Hair: booN "WMO003" with gathered raised hairbase
Skin: Essences "Amaterasu"
Lipstick: Dead Apples "Balm Stains - Fall Colors" (YUMMY LIPS!)
Eyes: Ikon "Horizon"
Lashes: LeLutka "Photoshoot II"
Hands: by SLink
Fingernails: by Adore and Abhor
Poses: by Frozen Panty and Glitterati

Love,
Serene

DANSE MACABRE

I have purchased a few other spooky goodies at Horrorfest, but I also wanted to show some love to the gacha and hunt side of the event. Even if you are on a tight budget, you should go drop a few coins in the gacha and the 1L hunt. For example, Contraption made this creepy crown. If you didn't look at it closely you may not have noticed that the arrows go INTO my head. It also includes a bloody head tattoo that I am not wearing here, because it interfered with the clown makeup.



Mia Snow's clown makeup is a college course in creepy. Is it just me, or are clowns one of the ickiest inventions ever? The cosmetic package includes several other versions.



Crown: Contraption "Pseudo Cogitatione Crown" (Horrorfest Hunt prize)
Makeup: MiaSnow "Bloody Clown Makeup" (Horrorfest Hunt prize)
Tights: fri.day "the Birds Stockings" (Horrorfest Hunt prize)
Necklaces: Adore and Abhor "Drippy Necklaces" (gacha)
Gown: Evie's Closet "Tiny Fable"
Ballet Slippers: Etoile "Ballet Shoes" (at L"Emporio di Bru)
Gloves: 803 "latex examination gloves bloody" (oldie)
Eyes: Rue "Lotus Eater" (Horrorfest Hunt prize)
Hair: Lamb "Oleander"
Poses: by Glitterati

Love,
Serene

DEM BONES

Every year I stop by Aikea Rieko's little Halloween party at the Plastik, to pick out some holiday-themed clothes, and eat out of all her Halloween candy dishes. Some give away candy, others fun Halloween accessories and outfits so a good time is had by all. This year's buy is this bony gown! XD



Mother Goose's latest dollarbie skins are both cute, with darker lips that might go well with your Halloween party attire. I layered over some eyeshadow and eyeliner from Mock Cosmetics for an evening look.



Gown: The Plastik "Morgana Gown //Bones"
Fur: Ryvolter "Mink Princess Stole"
Necklace: Lassitude and Ennui "Sugarskull Necklace" (texture change HUD)
Hair: INK "Cuca"
Skin: Mother Goose's "SiSi_III_1L" (dollarbie)
Eyes: Ikon "Horizon"
Eyeliner: Mock Cosmetics "Imperial Eyeliner"
Eyeshadow: Mock Cosmetics "Shadow Purple Winterberry1"
Eyelashes: LeLutka "Photoshoot II"
Poses: by Adorkable and Glitterati

Love,
Serene

NEW YORK STATE OF MIND

Some folks like to get away
Take a holiday from the neighborhood
Hop a flight to Miami Beach
Or to Hollywood



But I'm taking a Greyhound
On the Hudson River Line
I'm in a New York state of mind



Jacket: Teefy "Faux Fur Coat" (@ Collabor88)
Collar: Cherry "Georgie Collar Necklace"
Shirt: Coco "Bow Shirt" (vintage)
Skirt: CIA "Paisley Pencil Skirt"
Boots: Lapointe and Bastchild "Elise"
Stockings: Izzie's "Stockings Black" (Black Fair gift)
Hands: SLink "Mesh Hands"
Hair: Exile "Bad Reputation"
Skin: Curio ":GP: Sweetheart - Rose" (vintage)
Eyes: Ikon "Ardent"
Eyeshadow: Paperbag "Angel Eyes"
Lashes: LeLutka "Photoshoot II"
Poses: by Glitterati and Juxtapose
Song: sung by Billy Joel

Love,
Serene

QUITA

If you need one more reason to smile this spring, you could wear this explosion of crazy color. This frilly gown is a Shiki charity benefit offering at the Culture Shock fundraiser, which is benefitting Médecins Sans Frontières a.k.a. Doctors Without Borders. When you wear it to go dancing, I promise you will have a smile in your heart.

I've already got one. See?

Culture Shock opens Saturday at 4 p.m. SL time; you can read more at the official Culture Shock webpage.

Gown: Shiki "Passion" (Culture Shock charity benefit item)
Skin: Your Skin and Your Shape "Jenny Culture Shock" (Culture Shock charity benefit item)
Hair: Exile "Bronwyn"
Eyes: Ikon "Sunrise"
Lashes: Hebenon Vial "Dramatique"
Poses: by Don't Freak Out and Glitterati

Love,
Serene

TEMPUS FUGIT

Tempus fugit, and we are running out of time to go visit Fashion for Life. Tuesday, March 20th is the the last day. Beginning at 8PM SLT, everyone will begin the closing ceremony and party, and the sims will close at midnight! So if there was one more thing that you were deciding on, to-buy-or-not-to-buy-that-is-the-question, you have one more day. What are you waiting for?

Thank you to all the lovely designers and bloggers who have made this fundraising event so darn much fun to participate in. *blows a kiss to Harper*

Outfit: EMO-tions "It's Time"
Pose: by Glitterati

Love,
Serene

THE REDHEADED STEPCHILD

The My Stuff Bags Foundation provides dufflebags of toys, books, clothing, and toiletries to children who enter shelters or foster care with few (if any!) personal belongings of their own. Through June 5, the First Annual Kids Fair is raising funds for this lovely organization. You may read more about the My Stuff Bags foundation at their website.

Each of the participating designers has at least one vendor marked to donate either 100 percent or 50 percent of sales to the charity fund. I know that children are a mostly invisible minority in Second Life, but in Real Life they deserve our support. I have in mind a cousin who through no fault of her own, landed repeatedly in Child Protective Services, foster care, and on and on.


Clothing: Larnia Kids “Snack Attack” Outfit
Skin: Mother Goose’s “Leoni Hurt_LB1”
Hair: Bryce “Angst”
Bandage: Reek “Bandaids”
Teddy Bear: Glitterati “Huggable Little Bear” (Charity Benefit Item)
Poses: by Long Awkward Pose, and Bear-Hug included in Bear
1st Annual Kids Fair: it's over here ,
... or ask Riley Sapphire, Cindy Lu, or Lishi Moonbeam for information.

Love,
Serene

ARE WE THERE YET?

Are we at Spring yet? I am going nuts from cold weather and being cooped up. I am finally hating all the blah blah blah colorless weather so I slammed together some prints and textures and bright colors, and went on the grid looking for something visually exciting.

I am still stuck with sweaters and knits for another month, but no more grey for a while. Not for me !!

Sweater: Ducknipple “Olive”
Leggings: MIU “leggings009 (star navy*green)” (gacha)
Glasses: Miel “Bella Peepers”
Belt: fri.day “Wide Waist.Belt (Teal)”
Boots: FIR & MNA “Wellies SH” (last Seasons Hunt)
Skin: Curio “:GP: Petal [Dark] Sweetheart-Rose 1”
Hair: Dernier Cri “Taylor”
Eyes: Poetic Color “Night Rain”
Eyebrows: Curio “:GP: Sweetheart Brows-Black”
Alpha: Imabee “System eyelashes – begone!”
Poses: by Dismorph and Glitterati
Location: Lunamaruna

Love,
Serene