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

GEARING UP

I've been running around on the Steam Hunt, and I thought, heck, why not photo this outfit in the meantime? Yes it's what I'm wearing to hunt. Unless it's like, Skin Fair, I don't take off my wig and shoes. I just trade them in for ones that are reasonably low prim. In honor of the steampunk theme, I put on this pretty little necklace I picked up at Mynerva a while ago.

One of the things I love about the Mynerva skins is their flexibility. These days she is working a kind of a-la-carte system, which includes lipsticks and eyebrows and rouge and freckles. Layer the options you like over a base skin. I had this skin already, and then recently I picked up some more packs of her lipstick at Skin Fair.


Sweater: Mr. Poet “Turtleneck_Sepia” (part of outfit)
Necklace: Mynerva “Victorian Cog Necklace”
Pants: Pink Outfitters “The Editor Pant”
Boots: Lassitude and Ennui “Miss Highlands”
Hair: Maitreya “Natalie”
Skin: Mynerva “Fudge Plain Jane” (wearing the No Brows version)
Eyes: Poetic Color “fairy eyes – witch bright gr” (with gold ring)
Eyelashes: Glow Studio “Innocent.eyelashes – pure”
Eyebrows: Curio “:GP: Sweetheart Brows-Black” (part of skin pack)
Lipstick: Mynerva “Lipstick Style 1-Bronze” (from Skin Fair)
Alpha: Imabee “System eyelashes – begone!”
Poses: by Don’t Freak Out
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

THE ART GEEK

Earthbound.

But always dreaming of more.

Maybe if I paint it well enough, someone else will catch my dreams.

I wish there was a chair tall enough to lift me into heaven. I don't have wings.

I liked the Kanji Shirt when I saw it in the window, but in the interest of fair disclosure there is a little bit of seam showing at the waist, so I grabbed my Sey hoodie and tied it around my waist to hide that little bitta schmutz. Off I went to the Museum. I haven't been there for a while and there are several new displays. Loved it!

Brush: Sanu “Year of the Rabbit Calligraphy Brush” (Magic of Oz Hunt Prize)
Totebag: Vooner “Marti Bag_art”
Shirt: SE*Designz “Kanji Doublelayer Shirt”
Shorts: Phoenix Rising “Taylor Shorts” (25L at the endless “Closing Sale”)
Tied Hoodie: Sey “maki2 hoodie_v3 [check] 9color” (texture change scripted)
Earrings: Concrete Flowers “Black Flapper Girl”
Scarf: MiaSnow “Flannel Scarf Grey” (OK, so I lied when I said I was giving up grey)
Hat/Hair: CheerNo “hair DUDU” (the Dressing Room)
Eyelashes: Glow Studio “Innocent.eyelashes – pure”
Alpha: Imabee “System Eyelashes – begone!”
Hairbase: booN “gathered raised hairbase pink”
Skin: Curio “:GP: Petal Frex [Light] Sweetheart-Rose 1”
Eyes: Poetic Color “Night Rain”
Poses: by Long Awkward Pose
Location: the Primtings Art Museum

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

THE COLOR OF LOVE

Red? Pink? No and no.

That's right, Chocolate.

I love candy, doesn't everyone?


Happy Valentines Day darlings!

Outfit: Bare Rose “Chocola” (everything including chocolate shoes!)
Earrings: Pididdle “Heavy Sleep”
Alpha: Imabee “System eyelashes – begone!”
Skin: Curio “:GP: Acorn [Dark] Sweetheart – Rose 2”
Brows: Curio “:GP: Sweetheart Brows – black” (tattoo layer)
Eyelashes: Glow Studio “Innocent.eyelashes – pure”
Hairbase: booN “gathered raised hairbase”
Hair: booN “QPT129”
Eyes: Poetic Color “Night Rain”
Poses: by Animazoo and Long Awkward Pose
Photostudio: by N30

Love,
Serene

FLEURS NOIRS

Je suis arrivé au château dans l'après-midi.

L'architecture était très vieux. L'art et la société ont été avant-gardiste.

Dans le soiree, je me tiens devant des flammes.

Hairpin: bubble “Antibes Hair Pin”
Jewels: Lassitude and Ennui “Bleeding Heart” (with texture change HUD)
Beaded Yoke: Whippet and Buck “Neelia Beaded Yoke Tank”
Dress: Gisaci “Silk Organza”
Leggings: Teefy “Floral Vintage”
Boots: CheerNo “Yaji Snake Black”
Hair: Clawtooth “Could I Resist?”
Skin: Glam Affair “Jadis Natural Dama” (TDR)
Alpha: Imabee “System eyelashes – begone!”
Eyelashes: Glow Studio “Innocent. eyelashes – pure”
Eyeshadow: Natural Beauty “Makeup set 14-makeup 4”
Eyes: Poetic Color “Night Rain”
Poses: Long Awkward Pose
Translator: http://translate.google.com/#enfr

Love,
Serene

BRONZE & TEMPERED STEEL

I bought this cute little jacket and shorts a while ago from L'Abel and finally found it. (Pfft I should be more prompt.) What I find intriguing about it is the combination of old fashioned with futuristic touches as there are flaring cuffs on the jacket and shorts, and angular shoulder pads. There is also a dramatic upstanding collar but I opted to wear the demure shirt collar instead. I think the Hat and Whip make it look more like a riding outfit.

Perhaps she is a time traveler who forgot to remove her glasses? This careless oversight may disrupt the space-time continuum.

(Mmm ... boots. Thank you for the delicious craftsmanship Ms. Ennui.)

Hat: Curio Obscura “Top Hat” (gift in store includes several colors)
Suit: L’Abel “Valja”
Shirt: Pink Outfitters “Bella Camicetta”
Socks: Tyranny Designs “Grandma’s Crusty Socks” (unavailable)
Boots: Lassitude and Ennui “Thecla”
Whip: Albion Importers “Hunting Whip” (unavailable)
Monocle: LPP “Doll Scouter” (comes with two versions)
Skin: Glam Affair “Eva Skin Winter Makeup 1”
Hair: Maitreya “Zoe”
Hairbase: booN “gathered lower hairbase”
Eyes: Poetic Color “Night Rain”
Alpha Layer: Imabee “System Eyelashes Begone!”
Poses: by Diesel Works and Snooky’s
Photostudio: by N30

Love,
Serene

SCIENCE!

It’s poetry in motion
When she turned her eyes to me

As deep as any ocean
Sweet as any harmony

She blinded me with Science!

Dress: Teefy “Patio Dress” (available at the Circle Project)
Belt: Duh “Women’s Woven Belt”
Leggings: Teefy “LoveLetters Leggins” (available at the Circle Project)
Earrings: Zaara “Urvi Earrings”
Shoes: Gos “Platform Pumps”
Hair: booN “QPT129” (new at Hair Fair)
Hairbase: Tiny Bird “Blacks Pack Hair Base”
Skin: Imabee “Petal – Serene – Only Love Matters” (at the Circle Project)
Eyes: Poetic Color “Night Rain”
Eyelashes: Glow Studio “Innocent. eyelashes – pure”
Poses: by Dare and Long Awkward Pose
Photostudio: by N30
Lyrics: by Thomas Dolby

Love,
Serene

EVERLASTING

This field of flowers goes on, year after year.

The flower fields go on, but individual flowers do not.

This week I got to thinking about all the people places and things that I miss. People come and go as their priorities change, lovely and inspiring designers suddenly pack up shop and disappear, whole worlds vanish overnight and I wish I had visited them more often. Right now Ashoka Eales is having a closing sale for a few more days, and Phoenix Rising will vanish. I went poking through my inventory and stumbled over Kunstkammer, Armidi, Pacadi Jasha, ... The Nameless Isle, Templum Obscurum, Cu Mara, Nagare Island, and on and on. But I am not exactly sad ... People are going their own way, but I miss their art. Let me enjoy it while I can.

Bodysuit: Vita’s Boudoir “Lace Bodice V2” (it’s transparent so I added an undershirt)
Skirt: Phoenix Rising “Flora” (everything L$100 at the Closing Sale)
Leggings: Tee*fy “Lacey Duotone Leggings” (Albero gacha festival)
Jewelry: Kunstkammer “Black Forest” (unavailable)
Shoes: Slink “Aveela Stiletto Herringbone” (with texture change HUD)(at the Dressing Room)
Hair: booN “XFE275”
Skin: Imabee “Apical – Serene – Tanzanite”
Eye Makeup: TikTok “Makeup 1” (on the tattoo layer for Viewer 2)
Eyes: Poetic Color “Night Rain”
Chair: Reek “Saddle Stool” (with six sitting poses)
Poses: by Long Awkward Pose
Location: Ode

Love,
Serene

DINNER WITH THE DEAD

I was just taking the first bite, my eyes unfocused a bit in anticipation, when they walked in.

But there is always room for another guest at my table. Or perhaps on it.

When they showed me the flames, I turned to run, but I was distracted by the smell of supper. That moment's delay almost cost me my life ... such as it is.

I was slow to realize that they planned to herd me and lock me in here. Now they are standing at a distance, congratulating themselves. I can still smell the adrenaline and sweat through the hole in the glass.

So hungry. And even dead, I still hate fluorescent lights.

(Everything in this post was found on the Zombie Popcorn Hunt, except for one of the poses and the blood spatter in my dining room. The Hunt provided many other very nice prizes that I couldn't work into this post, including skins, clothing, lingerie, jewelry, poses, and furnishings. The Zombie-and-Goth themed items are magnificent. But there are plenty of goodies for those of you who find the undead uninteresting. Two thumbs up. ... The Brain Kebabs are sized about right to have come from housecats, but of course they are just an appetizer. The Table is spread with a ghoulish feast of brains, still-beating-heart, and Rats. Eww.)

Hors d’ Oeuvres: Concrete Flowers “Brain Kebab”
Collar: Shush “Chained Heart” (comes with matching shirt not shown)
Bracelet: Blitzed “Legacy Bracelet”
Rings and Nails: Virtual Insanity “Eye Rings and Nails” (with eyeballs!)
Corset: Nomine “Slip Gown Black – Corset 1” (part of a stunning lingerie set!)
Shirt: LouLou & Co. “Dress Zombie” (part of dress)
Pants: Leaks “Zombie Got Me Black Leggings”
Boots: Hoorenbeek “Military Boots – Loose – Used Brown”
Tattoos: Para Designs “SnakeBite” and Love Zombie “Y-Stitch”
Hair: Exile “Maggie”
Skin: Imabee “Bam Bam Pizza and Ham”
Eyes: Repulse “Antique Eyes”
Dinner Set: Noctis “The Feast” (includes everything except blood spatter)
Prison Photobox: Slash Me Poses “/me lets the voices win” (includes props)
Poses: by Adorkable Poses, Diesel Works (not a hunt item), and No Strings Attached

Love,
Serene

VIVIAN RIDES AGAIN

Vigorous application of your crop will push your steed to a speed that you would not have found credible. However a mortal rider may not be able to keep their seat.

Sit tall in the saddle and do not fear your mount. He will know it.

How did I miss this outfit? Silentsparrow's Loathing Summer Sale is only on until the first of August in the "Not So Secret" Sale room. (I did modify the coattails quite a bit to fit astride my horse.)

Suit: Silentsparrow “(blood) nightmare” Riding Suit (includes crop and hat)
Boots: Lassitude and Ennui “Imogene ankle boots” (texture change HUD)
Hair: Calico Ingmann “Luna” (texture change hair ornaments)
Skin: Imabee “Vivian Came Back To Life” (Zombie Popcorn Hunt gift, unavailable)
Eyes: Poetic Color “Night Rain”
Horse: AKK “AKK08 Legend ESD Black Clyde”
Poses: Long Awkward Pose
Photostudio: N30

Love,
Serene