MOSTLY READY

Mostly ready for battle. Mostly ready stance. Mostly ready for trouble. Mostly armored and protected. Don't I sound tough?



I wish. Mostly I am tired. Don't tell.



Dress: Lassitude and Ennui "Fiona" (coming to next We Love Roleplay)
Necklace: Schadenfreude "Nebthet Ankh Choker" (at Fallen Gods Anniversary)
Sword: EZ "Vardic Sword" (scripted)
Chainmail: The Muses "Chainmail Omega Appliers"
Boots: Lassitude and Ennui "Lictor"
Shoulder Armor: Kibitz "Crow Shoulder Pads"
Gloves: Boom "Dame Elbow Gloves" (vintage, not rigged for bento)
Hair: BooN "MMK375" and "Cornrows Hairbase"
Hair Wisps: by Sintiklia (unrigged mesh)
Eyeshadows: Izzie's "Evening Glitter"
Lipstick: Go and See "Layla" (gift)
Skin:by Plastik (previous Fantasy Faire gift)
Ears: Mandala "Steking 5"
Eyes: by Song
Head: by Catwa
Body: by Maitreya
Poses: by Marukin and Picture This

Love,
Serene

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

SAPPHIRE

Yesterday, Junbug had this gown marked down for Fifty Linden Friday. The sapphire satin is simple, but the beadwork is yummy.



Ballroom ready.



This last closeup is really only here to show you the earrings. They are nibs like those used in calligraphy pens, in two sizes, with a texture-change HUD. Lovely.

Gown: Junbug "Alaia"
Earrings: Plastik "
Necklace: Supernatural "Lily #1" (gift)
Hair: Ploom "Sharla"
Skin: Essences "Rachel #Dark02"
Eyes: Song "Toki"
Makeup: Alaska Metro "Wytch"
Body: by Maitreya
Head: by Catwa
Ears: by Aitui
Poses: by Ma Vie and Marukin

Love,
Serene

VIOLETTA

Even a dragon queen needs to relax once in a while. I think some old shorts and running amok in bare feet are just the ticket. If you haven't heard, Fantasy Faire has been extended an extra week, all the way through May 7. You have been granted more time to dance, sing, hunt, and make merry fools of yourselves.



Don't waste your opportunities.



Shirt: Ane "Vintage Blouse" (w/ texture-change HUD)
Shorts: Tres Blah "Denim Bermuda Shorts" (standard sizes only)
Shoes: yeah right i don't think so
Hair: Lamb "Sweet" (seriously the braiding on the back is yummy but I didn't get a pic so go try it)
Head: Catwa "Catya"
Ears: Swallow "Noldor Elf Ears" (w/ texture change HUD)
Eyes: Izzie's "Demon Mesh Eyes"
Legs: Ghoul "Otohime Legs" (Fantasy Faire RFL charity item)
Skin: Plastik "Gilded Fae FF Low Lag Avatar" (Fantasy Faire Gift)
Body/Hands: by Maitreya
Poses: by Long Awkward Pose and Don't Freak Out (unavailable)

Love,
Serene

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

One of the most fun parts of Fantasy Faire is the people-watching.  Yesterday I walked past a dragon. Later I saw a satyr, a demon, and something else I couldn't identify dancing together around a fire. Let the wild rumpus begin!



And they have all kinds of rumpus! Music, theater, and a quest for those of you who are too goals-oriented to sit around listening to someone sing or read aloud. Head on over there for fun and drop a few dollars for charity!



Trap "Cepheus Horns" (Fantasy Faire charity benefit item)
Trap and Asphalt "Concrete Riven Wings" (Fantasy Faire charity benefit item)
Gauze and Trap "Faun Legs" (w/ texture-change HUD)(includes tail)(available at Fantasy Faire)
Skin: Plastik "Gilded Fae FF Low Lag Avatar" (Fantasy Faire gift)

Fateplay "Surie Armor" (tinted)
Blueberry and SLink "Panties" (these came with the SLink Physique body but they're nice!)
Hair: Tableau Vivant "Foxtrot"
Lassitude and Ennui "Leaf Circlet"
Head: Catwa "Catya"
Body/Hands: by SLink
Eyes: Izzie's "Demon Mesh Eyes"

Love,
Serene

FAIREST

I had such great fun today at the Fantasy Faire!! You absolutely must not miss it. The builds are really stunning. I say that every time I go ... but just when I think they couldn't possible do anything better, they completely surpass themselves. So much to see, do, and of course buy (all for a good cause of course).



Believe it or not this lovely fantasy skin is a gift from Plastik. If it is crowded when you go, you can wear it without hair, shoes or gadgets as a low-lag avatar; with covering for your naughty bits built in. It includes old-school system skins, and a bunch of appliers. (Oh yes there is also a skin set for Men.)



Skin: Plastik "Gilded Fae FF Low Lag Avatar" (Fantasy Faire gift)
Horns: Plastik "Seseth Horn" (texture change HUD)(available at Faire)
Wings: The Forge "Wrought Iron Angel" (available at Faire)
Belt: The Forge "Gatekeeper's Belt" (charity item at Faire)

Hair: Little Bones "Relay" (texture change HUD)
Bustier: Pure Poison "Celtic Armor"
Skirt: Jeune by Rowne "Riley"
Collar: The Forge "Eldar Collar"
Boots: Schadenfreude "Grav"
Eyes: Song "Placebo"
Body/Hands/Feet: by Slink
Head: Catwa "Catya"

Love,
Serene

HORNED ONE

Don't be ridiculous. Of course I don't have horns under my chapeau. It's just the latest French fashion.



Headwear: Azoury "Aza"
Gown: Junbug "La Boheme" (gacha)
Neckpiece: Lassitude and Ennui "Chenoeh"
Hairbase: by booN
Skin: Essences "Galadriel"
Eyes: Ikon "Ardent"
Lashes: by LeLutka
Ears: by Aitui
Hands: by SLink
Tattoo: Plastik "Soul Ink Reloaded (Tint) Pluzi"
Lipgloss: by Sugar Heart (vintage unavailable)

Love,
Serene

UNDER THE MOON

I love me some sparkly glitter. And Fantasy. Even in summertime. But I think next time this Fae might be spotted in swimwear and slurping up ice cream. Even fantasy creatures get hot in the summertime right? But for now, sparkly metallic gown with a metal collar that weighs eleven pounds.



Dress: Senzafine "Aurora"
Collar: The Forge "Eldar Collar" (at We Love Roleplay)
Circlet: Plastik "Lys Circlet" (this is the RFL version)
Horns: Lassitude and Ennui "Filigree Horns"
Shoes: Ane "Aura" (for SLink feet)
Hair: Little Bones "I Get Around" (gacha)
Skin: Essences "Athena" (at The Dressing Room)
Eyes: Ikon "Ardent"
Eyeshadow: Beautiful Freak "Rocket Fuel Teal" (vintage gift)
Hands and Feet: by SLink
Poses: by Marukin (at Collabor88)

Love,
Serene

TAILCOAT AND BREECHES

I picked up this loverly Tailcoat and paired it with some brocade breeches that I already had in my closet. Boom's Tailcoat is also available in a men's version and comes with a wonderful HUD that lets you customize the shirt, vest, buttons and tiepin. This is a keeper ladies!! Go try it on! You won't regret it.



Tailcoat/Shirt/Cravat: Boom "Sixty-Two Jacket Set" (w/ texture-change HUD)
Breeches: Panda Express "Cut at the Knee"
Pocketwatch: Eclectica "Mechanika Fob Watch" (recent gift)
Shoes: Lassitude and Ennui "Versailles" (tinted a darker shade of black)
Stockings: Atomic "Twinkle Tights"
Jewel: Plastik "Lys Circlet" (RFL version)
Hair: Wasabi Pills "Darienne"
Skin: Pink Fuel "Drow Night Pure" (w/ a whole bunch of appliers)
Eyes: Dead Apples "Shattered Silver"
Hands: by SLink
Lashes: LeLutka "Photoshoot II"
Horns: Half-Deer "Aventine Horns Black Magic" (gacha)
Poses: by Adorkable and Diesel Works

Love,
Serene

FIERCE

I could use some more Fierce attitude right now. I'm doing my best, but my day-to-day challenges are kicking my butt lately. Maybe I'm expecting too much? For me the hardest thing about waiting for physical healing is that I only have a little energy, and my basic obligations take almost all of it, leaving little for simple fun. It annoys me how much I simply sleep and rest lately because I want to do more ...

Hood and Cape: Alchemy "Lion Hood Golden" (gacha rare)
Mask: Illusions "Gold Alato Mask" (group gift)
Corset: NV Corsetry "Gold Dragon Lady Mesh Corset" (part of outfit)
Shirt: Evie's Closet "Ren Brown Messy Top" (part of outfit)
Hair: Exile "1985" (w/ texture-change HUD)
Skin: Plastik "Astrali Vaaliarah" (this version was for 50L Friday but it comes in lots of colors)
Eyes: Poetic Color "Fairy Eyes Wolf Dark" (vintage vintage)
Lashes: LeLutka "Photoshoot II"

Love,
Serene

BEEN BZZY

Pardon the pun. I've been bzzy, my life the way I knew it has been crumbling and here I am freaking out and trying to rebuild it. Yes there are upsides to the situation, but I'm not enjoying the stress. So I am running away today to Second Life to smell the flowers. How about the flowers on this coat? I think a bee would definitely choose a coat with floral print. :P



I love the flowarrrz!!



Can't wait for spring.

Coat: LIV-Glam "Blue on Blue"
Boots: LIV-Glam "Stella Denimore"
Antennies: Cerridwen's Cauldron "Spiral Antennae" (gacha)
Wingses: Deviance "Sidhe Wings - Bramble" (gacha)
Hair: Ink "Throb"
Skin: Essences "Harper" (at the Dressing Room)
Eyes: Ikon "Ardent"
Lashes: Lelutka "Photoshoot II"
Eyeliner: Kooqla Z-eyeliner (Black) 01"
Tattoo: Plastik "Soul Ink Reloaded :Bomb"
Hands: by SLink
Poses: by Adorkable and Label Motion

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

EARLY DUSK IN HARROWDALE

I went to take a quick peek over at the lovely Harrowdale roleplaying sim. The build is beautiful! The village has a quiet, well integrated feel, rather than the kind of patchwork of mismatched builds I have seen at many other sims. I am tickled that their roleplay is modeled on a Dungeons and Dragons milieu. Wow, that really takes me back ...

If you want to visit Harrowdale, wear medieval dress, read the rules notecard, and wear the embedded visitors' tag. Oh and wave hello to Katerina Bukowski a.k.a. Ulrika, a citizen of the village who was out and about photo-bombing bloggers. (just kidding!)



Oh yes I dressed up this old shredded gown with some nose-chains and a lovely staff from the Fantasy Gacha Festival. Do go see what's over there while you can!



Nose Ring and Chain: Aisling "Xanthe N2 Gold" (Fantasy Gacha Festival)
Staff: The Forge "Aura Staff Common (Worn Bronze)" (Fantasy Gacha Festival)
Necklace: Dead Apples "Antlers Chain Necklace" (last Arcade Gacha)
Dress: Evie's Closet "Tiny Ren Dirty" (less cleavage version)
Shoes: Lassitude and Ennui "Estampies" (oops they're cropped out, but they really are perfect with RP outfits!)
Gloves: Celoe "Mery"
Hair: Wasabi Pills "Sarah"
Skin: Plastik "Astrali Skin Ganymede"
Tattoo: Plastik "Soul Ink Reloaded - Cule"
Eyes: Ikon "Horizon"

Love,
Serene

IN MY SKIVVIES AT THE BEACH

So I sneaked off one last time to the beach before it gets cold. I was trying on pieces from Finesmith's flowery new September gift set, while doing a pinup pose lying on an old rowboat. 

And I was thinking Deep Thoughts about my latest skin obsession, Inka Mexicola's "Essences" skins. I read a skin review the other day by Arica Storaro over at one of my fave newer blogs, The Blogging Elf. Overall she gave a very positive review of Ms. Mexicola's "Cho" skins, but she pointed out the skin's imperfections honestly.

Reading her article made me think about what I expect from these skins. On the plus side, they suit my taste: they have these adorable tip-tilted noses that go just right with my eccentric little shape. The bodies are softer and don't make me look like a weightlifter. I think they hit just the right balance between hand drawn and photo real, neither too smoothly stylized nor too photographic in details. But some of my needs are probably different from some of yours ... As a blogger I like to show lots of skin options, but I rarely ask for review packs. So I look for bargains from the best skin makers. I go to the Dressing Room, the Arcade, the Chapter Four, etc. When I am paying between zero and a couple hundred lindens, I expect I am getting the equivalent of a Beta skin, which may have a couple of very small imperfections. But when I buy full-price skins (L$1000 or more), I expect higher quality: I think a body without visible seams is a perfectly reasonable expectation.

What can I say but ALWAYS TRY ON THE DEMO? Take a close look before you buy. The skin in the picture above came out of the L$100 gacha machine at the Chapter Four. At a moderate distance, I don't see anything wrong with it. But if you click on the photo to go look at the skin close up, there are a couple of artifacts along the seam line running horizontally a couple inches below the bellybutton. A couple more along the sides of the hips. But do I feel cheated? NO! Normally I am fully dressed, in front of a photo studio taking pictures, or teleporting around the grid. Maybe when she has had more time to work on her body template, I will buy some full-price skins :D  ... Love your work Inka!

Flower Accessories: Finesmith "September" (this month's group gift)
Undies: Plastik "Valerian"
Hair: Exile "Just A Reason 10 - Wildcards" (at the Arcade Gacha)
Skin: Essences "Amaterasu 05" (Gacha at the Chapter Four)
Eyes: Ikon "Ardent"

Love,
Serene

RED

I feel fall coming on yay! I love the rich tones and textures of this season best of all. Of course I can't help but have Halloween on my mind, and so I'm jumping the gun again with some skull-themed fun. The other day I picked up this little top from the Plastik. You can style it as a mini-dress if you'd rather but I see a cute long shirt :D in the sweet textures that Ms. Rieko always makes. I'm ready for some Grateful Dead tunes!



And the cute little Skully earrings come out of a Gacha at the Balderdash store in a whole bunch of cute colors.



Now this sofa was such a nice surprise. I have no idea how long it's been sitting in my objects folder but this is a lovely review sample. This sofa and a matching ottoman come with texture change HUDs that change the tufted leather to four colors, and the arms to the same four colors or to four animal furs. Lots of poses, and the tufting is three-dimensional, not just a texture to fool your eyes. Thank you!!

Sofa: Atelier Visconti "Vanessa Dormeuse" (w/color change HUD)
Shirt/Dress: the Plastik "Insidious Tee Dress //Damnation"
Pants: Zaara "Jeans *charcoal* (Classic)" (vintage system layer)
Boots: Lassitude and Ennui "Thecla" (partially tinted)
Earrings: Balderdash "SugarSkulls" (gacha)
Cuff: Baiastice "Spike Studs Leather Cuff" (previous Arcade gacha)
Hair: Lamb "Glass Candy" (w/shaved hairbase)
Skin: Essences "Amaterasu 05 *lait* brunette" (Chapter Four gacha)
Lipstick: Essences "Amaterasu Lipstick 03" (Chapter Four gacha)
Eyes: Ikon "Ardent"

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.

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

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

REVEALING ASTRALI

Coming from the Skin Fair, thirteen heavenly bodies named for the planets and moons of our solar system, lovingly crafted by Aikea Rieko of the Plastik. Each "Astrali" skintone pack includes three body types, a fourth skin to use with Lolas, four unearthly colors of eyes, and eighteen "Soul Ink Reloaded" facial tattoo layers to mix and match.



Venuse, Urane and Lune skintones ...



Jupite, Saturne, and Europa ...



The Ganymede skintone is one of my favorites; you know how I love fantasy skin ...



Plute, Mercure, and Neptune ...



Earth and Marse ...



And finally Callisto, my other favorite, in purple-black. Love it Ms. Rieko!! If you fall in love with this skintone as I have, please try on a demo and cycle through a few of your usual windlight settings. I noticed that in some lighting I could see some striations of color on the chest and upper arms, but you might not see them in your usual lighting.

Underwares: Plastik "Valerian - Knight"
Hair: Lamb "Oleander"
Skin: Plastik "Astrali" (Skin Fair 2013)
Tattoos: Plastik "Soul Ink Reloaded" (Skin Fair 2013)
Eyes: Plastik "Haunt Collection - Sickness"

Love,
Serene

THE ACOLYTE OF LOLTH

Requesting that one of the Drow Acolytes of Lolth submit to photography can be tricky, unless you can offer something they really, really, really want.



"I did stupid posing, now give me Lolly! Now!!"



"Next time you show face in Underdark, you better have more than one. Understand?"

This Draziirah skin was recently a prerelease skin Plastik sold for Lazy Sundays, with the understanding that more skins will appear soon. The pack included some glowing golden eyes I didn't show here. Looking forward to seeing more skintones and makeups! Please note that this skin is very dark so I used an extreme windlight setting to make it easier to see the details.

Underthings: Plastik "Valerian" (this was a Halloween edition but many other patterns in store)
Boots: Lassitude and Ennui "Sugarskull Boots" (mesh)(Gacha)(Unhinged Fundraiser Exclusive)
Lolly: Shabby Tabby "SweetSkulls Mouthy" (Gacha lollies! bet you can't eat just one!)(Unhinged)
Hair: Exile "Miu"
Skin/Ears: Plastik "Drazirah [Aleria]"
Eyes: Poetic Colors "Fairy Eyes - wolf dark"
Adjustable Facelight: Nlight FREE 2.0 (SL Marketplace)
Poses: by ImpEle and Long Awkward Pose (unavailable)

The Unhinged Fundraiser is open until December 15. Read more about it.

Love,
Serene