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

WEDNESDAY

Little Wednesday Addams has grown up. But you know her style is still ... unusual. She fell in love with this menacing necklace she found at the Tekeli-Li booth at the Fantasy Faire. It's quite a statement necklace, but what is it saying?

And the Identity corset is a lot like Wednesday; it looks soft on the outside, but has to be strong on the inside. The little ruffle around the bottom softens the severe black. (It looks really sexy in the back too. You should go try it on.)

Necklace: Tekeli-Li "Drowned" (mesh)(texture change)(at Fantasy Faire)
Corset: Identity "My Lovely Corset" (mesh)
Lace Bodysuit: Boudoir "Lace Jumpsuit" (opaque undershirt underneath)
Skirt: Mon Tissu "Oxford Pencil Skirt (mesh)
Boots: Lassitude and Ennui "Imogene Ankle Boots" (texture change)
Hair: booN "KED937"
Hairbases: by booN and Tiny Bird
Skin: Kooqla "Ojen"
Lipstick: Kooqla "O - lips05"
Eyes: Ikon "Sunrise"
Lashes: Hebenon Vial "Dramatique"
Poses: by Long Awkward Pose

Love,
Serene

THE DARK COMMANDER

The Commander watches the horizon for the ships. Today or tomorrow she will be leading a few thousand drow warriors to the assault of Cairon Moran, a city of Men. She will not lead from the rear like the little Lord she is going to destroy.

But at the moment, she is enjoying the last few quiet days.

This lovely dark skin set (including four makeups and two sets of eyes), and the suit of armor are charity benefit items at Fantasy Faire 2012. (I am wearing the men's version of the armor because, really, what idiot goes to war in a bikini?)

Armor and Sword: Bare Rose "Ruby Armor RFL" (special color for RFL)
Skin: Mirror's Enigma "Kaldreia Black Ebony" (charity benefit item)
Eyes: Mirror's Enigma "Cursed Elemental" (charity benefit item)
Earrings: Zaara "Tarika Claw Earrings"
Ears: MW Ilweran "Elf/Faun Ears"
Hair: booN "ZGO223"
Lashes: Hebenon Vial "Dramatique"
Poses: by Frooti
Location: Tekeli-Li

Love,
Serene

WINTER INTO SPRING

Every year there is an indeterminate time between winter and spring. My crocuses stick their heads out, lulled by a few sunny days, and make me happy for a day or two.

Then, wham! A little snow freezes them.

Better luck with the Muscari and Irises.

Dress: Aoharu "Leather Dress with Knit" (mesh)
Leggings: KatatOnik "White Leggings" (swiped from another outfit)
Necklace: Kunglers Extra "Orchidea" (also includes earrings)
Boots: Lassitude and Ennui "Selene" (mesh)
Hair: Fri.day "Apple II"
Skin: Kooqla "Secret Garden"
Eyes: Ikon "Sunrise"
Lashes: Hebenon Vial "Dramatique"
Poses: by Don't Freak Out and Long Awkward Pose

Love,
Serene

AURORA

The other day I ran across a newer skin store that I had never heard of before. So I spoke to friendly Ms. Rocketta Haven who owns the Kooqla shop; she told me that she has been working on these skins for about a year now. I think her skins are interesting and beautiful so I asked her if I could review them here. I love finding hidden talent. :D

What I appreciate most about these skins is their unique feel. These days so many skins are so much the same, partly because so many of them are drawn from the same sets of templates. Don't get me wrong; I have nothing against templates as a starting point, as long as an artist can take them to someplace original.

These skins have their own personality. Maybe it's because the nose is a little different. The cosmetic colors are a little unusual, the skin tones are not just like everyone else's. I love the subtle turns of the curves around the lips, the unconventional eyebrows, and the definition around her collarbones. The body is softer and less glossy than the current trend but I like that.

The Aurora Skins come in twelve makeups, each with light and dark brows. The last four "Dark" makeups are layered over slightly darker skintones. The package includes a suggested eyebrow shape that I am not using here. Please try demos in store to see if you like how the skin looks on your shape.

Skins: Kooqla "Aurora"
Hair: Exile "Tempest"
Eyes: Ikon "Sunrise"
Lashes: Hebenon Vial "Dramatique"
Lingerie: Pig "Day Lilies"
Pose: by Diesel Works

Love,
Serene

FAT TUESDAY

Blah,

blah ...

blah. Now go dance!

Corset: Schadenfreude “Underbust Corset” (mesh)(at Flux)
Corset: Blue Blood “Tanya”
Shirt: PixelDolls “Duchess Pearl Top” (unavailable)
Culottes: The Sea Hole “Odette Culottes” (unavailable)
Necklace: Schadenfreude “Purple Bird Mardi Gras Beads” (gacha)(at Flux)
Necklace: Yummy “Miss Havisham’s Broken Heart”
Fan: Schadenfreude “Mardi Gras Fan” (at Flux)
Shoes: Lassitude and Ennui “Boudoir” (texture change HUD)
Hair: Truth “Daria Streaked” (texture change)
Skin: Katsucide “Sandra Cendre – Ensoleillee”
Makeup: Nuuna “Zion Green”
Makeup: Kosh “Flunk Eyeshadow”
Eyes: Ikon “Sunrise”
Lashes: Hebenon Vial “Dramatique”
Teeth: PXL “Mouth Open”
Poses: by Don’t Freak Out and Juxtapose

Love,
Serene

IN THE DROWSY WOODS

The woods may be drowsy, but its Queen is not. I stalk the kingdom, assuring myself that every inch of it is always under my sway.

There is nothing left but the wild beasts of the wood and a few crumbling buildings that will soon be overcome by weeds and fungus. Few of the people who walk through even dare to speak.

But the Drowsy woods are still well worth seeing if you have the courage.

When I went to Chic Management's Back to Black Event I fell in love with this jacket from Molichino and I knew I had to style it into an Evil Queen's gown. I had fun swapping out pieces of Peqe's black outfits with all their sculpted pieces, and the gorgeous Lassitude and Ennui boots with their delicious stitched details. I will have to show one of the other colors of boots in brighter lighting :D ... please go see all the yummies!

Jacket: Molichino “Hope Jacket” (Back to Black Event)
Skirt: from the Peqe “Back to Jet” Gown (Back to Black Event)
Bodysuit: Nemesis “Friendship Bodysuit”
Leggings: from the Bare Rose “Luchador del Ruedo” Outfit
Lacy Undershirt: PixelDolls “Tintable Cami” (unavailable)
Boots: Lassitude and Ennui “Flutter Boots” (Back to Black Event)(mesh)
Crown: Eclectica “Regency Tiara” (texture change gems)
Tattoo: White Widow “Dream” (Zombie Popcorn Hunt prize)
Hair: booN “YNO421”
Hairbases: by booN and Tiny Bird
Skin: Mons “Back to Black Skin – cream lips” (Back to Black event)
Eyes: Ikon (aka Fashism) “Sunrise”
Lashes: Hebenon Vial “Dramatique”
Poses: by Long Awkward Pose and Marukin
Location: Drowsy

Love,
Serene

p.s. for inspiration:

ONE BLOODY TEAR

Forgive the drama, but if I'm going to get gothic, I might as well turn the dial all the way to "over the top". I started with the monochrome version of this gown from Blue Blood, but wasn't satisfied until I added some Blood Red. (I added a red layer from another outfit.)

Going in that direction, I went shopping at Ploom for this hair with its wide swath of red bangs. It comes with a texture change HUD so you can tint the bangs a whole rainbow of lovely colors. The skin is from Matrioska, Blue Blood's new skin line. Her dolly skins are especially designed to complement her clothing line. This particular skin package also includes a skin with red lips, but I wanted you to focus on my eyes. (The Tear is a tattoo, not part of the skin.)

And these boots. Ms. Ennui's latest are Mesh, in a whole range of colors, from dark to bright to pastels. Yummy! I chose the pose and angle in this photograph to show you how the mesh curves perfectly around my ankle even when it is both bent and twisted. The line of buttons stays smooth, and the ankle does not fold or deform. Beautifully done.

Frock: Blue Blood "Cassis Black" (this color a group exclusive)
Undershirt and Leggings: from Blue Blood "Aldana Red" (for some color)
Boots: Lassitude and Ennui "Selene" (mesh)
Hair: Ploom "Randi" (with HUD for texture change streak)
Skin: Matrioska "Domina Black Lips"
Eyes: Fashism "Sunrise - Gacha Red"
Eyelashes: Hebenon Vial "Dramatique Lashes"
Bloody Tear: Glam Affair "Tattoo Makeup TDR 13" (unavailable)

Love,
Serene

DIABLA

I should mention there are a few very nice gifts out at Winter Magic. Last time I was there, a slightly-noobish-but-nice lady asked me how the hunt worked, and I explained that it was shopping, not a hunt. But that doesn't mean that the designers are without Christmas spirit, and there are a few discreetly placed gifts if you look for them. For instance, the Faster Pussycat display includes gifts for both ladies and gentlemen. The jacket and pants I am wearing are meant for men, but I am happy to borrow from men's closets :D

Being attracted to shiny and sparkly things, I had to purchase this necklace from Kosh. (The longer one on the silver chain.) If you click on the photo you can see it larger on Flickr. There are subtle animated twinklies inside that you can see on display in the shop.


Jacket and Pants: Faster Pussycat "Velvet Elvis" (gift at Winter Magic)
Necklace: Kosh "Your Soul to Keep" (exclusive at Winter Magic)
Skin: Plastik "Aleria" (exclusive at Winter Magic)
Shirt: Schadenfreude "Black Ghost Skelebeater"
Necklace: Favole "Sacred"
Bracelet: Blitzed "Legacy"
Horns: Lassitude and Ennui "Filigree Horns"
Shoes: Peqe "High Keira Leopard Print"
Hair: booN "ZGO223"
Lipgloss: Croire "Mischief Night Gloss"
Eyes: Poetic Colors "Fairy Eyes - witch dark gr"
Eyelashes: Hebenon Vial "Dramatique"

Love,
Serene

LOS MUERTOS REVUELVEN

Today the Day of the Dead Celebrations end and with them my last excuse to deck myself in black and orange and skulls. Not that I need any excuse if I'm ever in the mood for indulging the dark and gothy. I headed over to the Peatonville Asylum to explore its dark corners, suitably adorned with several memento-mori ornaments.

The mental asylum creeps me out ... complete with an interactive puzzle hunt, gore, cobwebs, creepy music and a quality build that begs to be photographed.

Don't get lost.

Headpiece and Makeup: La Malvada Mujer “Circe”
Necklace: Lassitude and Ennui “Sugar Skull Necklace” (w/texture change HUD)
Ring: Naith Smit "Blood Diamond"
Top: silentsparrow “(hollow) dominion dress undershirt” (old gift)
Undershirt: silentsparrow “(hollow) sylvan lolita top” (old gift)
Skirt: Jane “maxi skirt.meena.charcoal” (mesh)
Shoes: Duh! “Black Mary Janes”
Hair: Lelutka “Rykiel”
Skin: Ugly Duck “Lilith – Succubus”
Eyes: Fashism “Sunrise”
Eyelashes: Hebenon Vial “Dramatique Lashes” (in-store gift)
Lipstick: Ugly Duck “Lips 15”
Poses: by Long Awkward Pose
Location: Peatonville Asylum by MadPea

Love,
Serene