MISS MATCHED

I remember when I was a little kid, the way I would feel an instant attraction to certain things. I was unafraid to follow my magpie heart, so I could walk around in rainbow socks and a ballet tutu, with my pockets stuffed full of pebbles for my rock collection, an off-center ponytail tied with a couple of those bright hair-ties made of yarn. I shoved those plastic jewels on my fingers and pilfered my grandmother's fuchsia lipstick. I never worried once about whether anything matched or how I looked to anyone else.



I miss that. As much as I love a carefully chosen outfit, I have been feeling some restlessness and dissatisfaction in my Second Life, I think because I have not been feeding myself with enough creativity. As much positive feedback as I get from "normal" outfits, I think it's time I put more whimsy back in the mix. I need more whimsy. In both lives.



Shirt: Sassy "Cali Cutie Top - faded blue"
Shirt: Fishy Strawberry "Jeweled Cashmere Sweater" (vintage)
Skirt: LIV Glam "Edwige Salsa" (part of Outfit)
Leggings: Leezu "Glitter Tights"
Socks: Schadenfreude "Cloud Kneehigh Socks"
Shoes: 2Real "E-Wings" (w/ texture change HUD)
Necklace: Katatonik "(Big Alice) Wonderland Pendant" (the Arcade Gacha)
Parasol: Schadenfreude "Cloud Into the Woods"
Hair: Exile "Liv" and "Laya Braid Attachment" (vintage)
Skin: Essences "Opera Summertime"
Lipstick: Pink Acid "Glitter Gloss 02 - Magenta"
Eyes: May Girl "Deep Pink (Lighten)" (vintage)
Lashes: LeLutka "Photoshoot II"
Poses: by Epiphany

Love,
Serene

ON SAFARI

Ready for an adventure?



This tweedy poncho is great for staying warm in the high desert plain, but it sometimes wears oddly in extreme poses. I recommend trying a demo. The crisp little collar with metal points and button is lovely but I wish it were resizable. I adjusted my shape a bit to wear it.



The pants are handy with nice deep pockets, and a hefty pocket watch on a chain. Love the detailing and the long relaxed fit of the legs. One suspender dangling making me feel like the girl Indiana Jones!

Hat: LeLutka "Safari Hat"
Glasses: Crie Style "Grave"
Collar: Epoque "NeoClassicist Collar" (not Modifiable)
Bracelet: Erratic "Owl Bracelet" (yesterday's Fifty Linden Friday)
Poncho: LeeZu "Scarf Poncho"
Pants: LeeZu "Tic Toc Pants" (includes the attached pocket watch)
Shoes:  Maitreya "Alexa"
Hairpieces: booN "JOPE57" and "YURI15" (hair for under hat, and separate bangs)
Skin: Essences "Opera Chic"
Eyes: Ikon "Ardent"
Lashes: LeLutka "Photoshoot II"
Poses: by Bang and CheerNo Motion

Love,
Serene

SHANTI

Another keeper! LIV-Glam has released three different versions of this new Shanti mini dress: three funky prints, each with a HUD that lets you pick from six different colors. I wanted to do a monotone night time look so I picked the grey print, but it also comes in teal, purple, green, red ... you get the idea.



I wanted to dress it up more with these sparkly leggings, jacket, and ginormous chunky jewelry. You can choose a whole bunch of gem colors and metals, to make them match darn near any outfit you own. Me likey.



Ready for a night out on the town!

Jacket: LeeZu "Yirin"
Mini Dress: LIV-Glam "Shanty" (Texture Change HUD)
Leggings: Plastik "Aeda" (old group gift)
Shoes: Maitreya "Soho Boots" (old group gift)
Jewels: Finesmith "Chakra" (Texture Change HUD)
Hair: Exile "Crazy in Love"
Skin: Glam Affair "Zara Black Phoenix" (group gift)
Eyes: Ikon "Ardent"
Lashes: LeLutka "Photoshoot II"
Pose: by oOo Studio

Love,
Serene

AT THE END OF NORMAL

For the rest of October, my plan is to become progressively less "normal" in honor of Halloween. Did I mention how much I love Halloween?  ... This pretty monotone taupe outfit is straightforward enough. The whole outfit is mesh. Well, the LeeZu dress is a pair of system pants plus a rigged mesh flap that covers front and back. The pattern lines up pretty well in normal use but stretch a bit crazily in some poses. The Fri.day jacket is lovely and detailed, and Schadenfreude's pretty ribboned shoes.



This shawl-collared jacket holds its shape pretty well in odd poses. I was especially impressed with the collar. It stands beautifully.



I am descending into Halloween Madness as I write! The eyes are going first. These are Mia Snow's eyes available in four colors at the Halloween event on Twomoons Island.

Jacket: Fri.day "Kristen Jacket" (mesh)
Dress: LeeZu "Sophia Dress" (system/mesh)
Shoes: Schadenfreude "Cygnette" (mesh)
Hair: Truth "Geri"
Skin: Mother Goose "Nadine 1L$" (dollarbie version)
Eyes: MiaSnow "Ebil Brimstone"
Lashes: Glow Studio "Innocent. eyelashes - pure"
Poses: by Bang

Love,
Serene

MISS PRISS

Just a quickie, I found Miss Tre's collar banging around in my blogger box and that's just not right. It is a ruffled pleated bib with a high collar. (The ruffles prevent it being worn as a dickey so I wasn't sure how to categorize it.) Underneath I am wearing a cream undershirt that covers the rest of my tum and the sides of my torso.



Another pretty face from Mother Goose's ... I look all sweet and innocent, don't I?



Ruffled Chemisette: LeeZu "Miss Tre's Collar" (worn over an undershirt)
Skirt: Willow "Maxi Skirt Scarlet" (mesh) (unavailable I think)
Shoes: Schadenfreude "Bisque Cygnette Heels" (mesh)
Hair: Lelutka "Salome" (mesh)
Skin: Mother Goose "Charmy 1L" (dollarbie version)
Eyes: Ikon "Horizon"
Facelight: NLight FREE 2.0 (free on SL Marketplace)
Poses: by Long Awkward Pose (unavailable)

Love,
Serene

BLUE SPOT

LeeZu's little ruffled jacket does a nice job dressing up this boho gown for an evening out, don't you think? I love the flexibility.  ... And the dress. Simple bandeau top, fun gathered and blousy skirt. But what made me smile was the texture-change HUD. Change the dress to twenty different textures with one little click. Some Paisley and tie-dyed like this one, some lacy, some color blocked, some geometic and sequinned. One dress, many looks.



And Hatpins is offering these sweet little jewels. Some of them are unabashedly vintage, others fit very well with what's modern. I'm still fascinated by these tiny prims, and by people who can make these beautiful little things without getting permanently crossed eyes. :D



Jacket: LeeZu "Yriin" (Vintage Fair)
Gown: Liv Glam "Marchesa Maxi Gown" (Vintage Fair)
Earrings: Hatpins "What Wrought" (Vintage Fair)
Hair: Wasabi Pills "Veronica" (Vintage Fair)
Skin: Essences "Indy" (Vintage Fair)
Lipstick: Essences "Indy Lipstick 15" (Vintage Fair)
Eyes: Ikon "Horizon"
Lashes: Glow Studio "Innocent. eyelashes - pure"
Poses: by Marukin and Stakey

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

THEATRICALITY

After the film the doors open, and the lights come up ... (Okay, really I'm just having fun playing with lighting.) I wore casual-diva for this film screening. Perhaps afterward I should pause to give a few autographs?

A mix of old and new, but most of the older things are still for sale. This LeeZu blouse has somehow been hiding behind the closet door for a while.  I still like it even though it is not mesh, but a collection of sculpted prims. The fresh Illusory skin with neutral cosmetics is for sale this month at Collabor88. And still loving the fractal jewels by Elemental Earth Designs.

This set of Theater Seats with poses is delicious and there is a set up at Culture Shock so you can try it out before you purchase. The sits are very distinctive. 

The detail on the seats is stunning. If you like vintage or period work this is a must-see at the Culture Shock venue. Perfect for watching silver screen classics.

Seating: Captivity Co. "Theatre" (at Culture Shock)
Shirt: LeeZu "Viola Vintage Blouse"
Skirt: Jane "Maxi Skirt Meena" (mesh)
Jewels: Elemental Earth Designs "Liquit Logic"
Shoes: Nardcotix "Esther Vintage"
Hair: booN "ZGO223"
Skin: Illusory "Love Milk Daydream" (at Collabor88)
Eyes: Ikon "Horizon"
Lashes: Glow Studio "Innocent. eyelashes - pure"
Poses: by bang! (and those included in the chairs)

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

WITCHIONISTA

Forget what you think you know.

A successful enchantress does not sit at home over a pot of herbs.

She has a image to create. When it is time to commit sorcery, her reputation and charisma have already done most of the work.

Hair: Lamb “Witch”
Mask: Illusions “Goblin Mask” (Halloween Ball exclusive, unavailable)
Ring: Elate! “Square Stone Ring – Jade”
Shoes: Kookie “Nudes”
Jacket/Necklace: Baiastice “Bigbolero & Waspie Necklace” (gift)
Bodysuit: Baiastice “Macrame body suit”
Skirt: LeeZu “Nell Skirt” and “Monokini” (mixed sculpted attachments)
Pants: silentsparrow “(serene) grimly skirt shorties”
Eyes: Poetic Color “Night Rain”
Skin: Curio “:GP: Moonbeam [Light] Elf” (gift)
Poses: ImpEle, Long Awkward Pose, Lost Angel Poses
Photo Studio: N30

Love,
Serene

BLACKBIRD

The willow it weeps today
A breeze from the distance is calling your name
Unfurl your black wings and wait ...

Blackbird fly away
May you never be broken again

I hope you find your way.

When I saw this jacket, the jeweled eyes on the bodice made me think of birds and Max Ernst. I like this outfit better in motion because the skirt is flowy and floaty.

Jacket: LeeZu “Noir Van Elisabeta Jacket”
Shirt: Vita’s Boudoir “Lace Jumpsuit” (shirt layer)
Undershirt: homemade (a pink layer I tinted to match the jacket)
Skirt: Bare Rose “Allura Black” (tinted part of outfit)
Collar: Hat Mechanic “Pitch Black” (comes with goggles not shown)
Wings: Scribble “Nevermore Wings”
Stockings: Vita’s Boudoir “Lace Jumpsuit” (socks and underwear layers)
Shoes: Coco “Ankle Wrap Wedges” (Summer 2009 CSR, unavailable)
Hair: booN “HNB582” (L$80 sale through May 17)
Skin: YS&YS “Barbara TDR SummerTime” with hairbase (at the Dressing Room)
Eyes: Poetic Color “Night Rain”
Eyelashes: Glow Studio “Innocent.eyelashes – pure”
Poses: by Long Awkward Pose
Photo Studio: by N30
Lyrics: Alter Bridge

Love,
Serene

AU REVOIR DE SADE

I stand in front of the mirror, open mouthed, looking at the coat. The asymmetrical flaring collar and lapel, the deep texture of the heavy fabric, contrasting strikingly with the sheer floral trim at the collar and cuffs, and the sheer panel floating inside the coattails. The chocolate brown is so warm and comforting. Pure luxury.

I love how the subtle the color is, compared to the deep golds of the rest of the outfit.

This brooch from Alchemy Immortalis is posh enough to wear with it, and highlights the golds of the corset and trousers.

Coat: LeeZu “Au Revoir De Sade Earth”
Corset: PixelDolls “Bella Corset Black” (tinted)
Pants: Pixel Passion “Casual Jeans Golden”
Brooch: Alchemy Immortalis “Ami Amet Deli Pencet French Brooch” (colorchange)
Shoes: Tesla “High Oxfords Chocolate”
Skin: Your Skin & Your Shape “Vanessa Tan 00 Basic”
Eyes: Poetic Color “Night Rain”

Love,
Serene

THE DEAD DON'T CRY

Go while you can.

I read the news that several of my favorite Rezzable sims are closing soon, including Crimson Shadow and Carnival of Doom. I ran off to see them again before they vanish ...

Before they go please also buy anything from the shops that you love. Many items are marked down to $50L. Someday we will look back at these items with the nostalgia that I hear when people talk about "Last Call" today.


Coat/Hat: Crimson Shadows “CS Black Latex n Top Hat Set”
Shirt: from the Crimson Shadows “CS Dynasty Dress”
Pants: Leezu “BritPants”
Boots: Illusions “Beau Cavalier Boots”
Skin: The Stringer Mausoleum “Strangled Love”
Eyes: May Girl “DeepPink (Light)”
Hair: Calico Ingmann Creations “Vanessa”

Love,
Serene

NOT JUST BASIC BLACK

Wow. I mean, WOW ... I love these designers. *claps excitedly*

Corset: PixelDolls “Bella.Corset.Black.Top”
Shirt: eLDee “November Metal black top” (gift)
Pants: LeeZu! “BritPants /black”
Shoes: Tesla “Hylda *Blacksnake* Low Boots”
Gloves: Mimikri “Gloves/Black”
Necklace: Schadenfreude “Pearl Necklace with Cameo”
Hair: Waka & Yuki “Hair 37 Type A”
Skin: Curio “:GP: Ecru-Carbon”
Eyes: Poetic Color “Night Rain”

Poses:
[LA] Chic *female* Sweet Dreams
[LA] Sexy *female* The Killer Body
[LA] Stylin *female* Fierce
Diesel Works Sundari Og 6

I might not take off this outfit for a few days.

Love,
Serene