GINGERBREAD LADY

I kind of missed last Christmas. Last year a little before Christmas my Dad passed away and months just went by hazy. After all this time I'm trying to get back to enjoying some of the things I used to. So here I am playing around with my old toys. 



Back to dressing up this virtual doll occasionally. Digging into my closet I found some things that I picked up last year before Christmas that I never got around to blogging, like this apron and boots.



Apron: Atomic "Merry Baker - Merry Apron RARE"
Boots: fri.day "Greta Boots (Santa)" (gift)
Stockings Applier: Luxuria "Lace Trim Thigh High Socks"
Gingerbread Cookie: Silentsparrow  "Ginger Lady" (old gift)
Hair and Hat: Olive "Addie"
Glasses: Random Matter "Yeol"
Skin Applier: by Essences
Eyes: Song "Toki"
Head: Catwa "Catya"
Ears: by Aitui
Body and Hands: by Slink
Lipstick: Arise "Nicci Pack 3"
Blush: Izzie's "Winter Blush" (gift)

Love,
Serene

SHOWING MY AGE

I've always loved to mash-up outfits with bits of this and that and mix old and new. I wore pointy ears and wings before it was the "thing" and I'm still wearing them after it was the "thing". This outfit contains rigged mesh, unrigged mesh, sculpted prims, system clothing and flexi-prims. The top half of my body is my system shape, the bottom half is a mesh body, because my kewl new pants are appliers-only. I wish Second Life had more appreciation for longevity; just because something is getting older doesn't mean it isn't still beautiful, like this scarf, which I bought in 2009. Hmm? What do YOU still have in your inventory that has stood up to the test of time?



Scarf: by Argrace (probably unavailable)
Wings: Fancy Fairy "Lilt Scripted Wings" (old but still available)
Undershirt: Silentsparrow "Lysi" (unavailable)
Lipgloss: Sugar Heart "Lip Shine" (store is gone)
Hair: Lelutka "Vent" (old gift but still available, great to wear under hats)
Boots: Lassitude and Ennui "Nostalgia" (fabulous rigged mesh with materials amazeballs!)
Leggings: Lassitude and Ennui "Hisa Pants" (appliers only, NEW at We Love Roleplay)
Hat: Tentacio "Admiral Lenore Hat Green" (previous round of the Arcade Gacha)
Corset Dress: Tentacio "Admiral Lenore Dress Green" (previous round of the Arcade Gacha)
Cuffs: Tentacio "Admiral Lenore Cuffs Black" (these were unrigged so I could move them)
(I sure was disappointed that I didn't win the Admiral's matching prosthetic leg!! LOL)
Ears: Mandala "Steking Ears" (change-everything HUD)
Eyelashes: Mon Cheri "Falsies" (texture-change HUD)
Skin: Essences "Galadriel"
Blush: Izzie's "Winter Blush" (gift)
Body and Hands: by SLink
Eyes: by Ikon

Love,
Serene

SLEEPY

I'm really tired now, so if you don't mind I'm going to bed early. These fleece pajamas are cozy, and I'm going to cuddle with my stuffed betta plushie that I picked up today at Silentsparrow for Fifty Linden Friday. If you like the PJs, they are unisex fitted mesh with a HUD that includes six eight cute prints. See?



Pajamas: Phunk "Fleece PJs" (available here on SL Marketplace)
Fishie: Silentsparrow "Magic! - The Betta Fish" (today for 50L Friday)
Slippers: Boom "Animal Slippers (fox/grey)" (gacha)
Mask: Teefy "Sleepy Bunny Sleeping Mask"
Hair: Wasabi Pills "Ellie"
Skin: Essences "Imogen"
Eyes: Ikon "Ardent"
Ears: by Aitui
Hands and Feet: by SLink

Love,
Serene

HOLI DAYS

If you want to visit a Holi Festival inworld? They are having one over at the Magic of Oz sim. You know, that festival where they celebrate Spring by throwing colored powders? Sounds a little asthmatic to me, but I still like the idea! Hunt for the little pots of color and collect cute colorful prizes in the shops. Read about how the hunt works here at their website ...



Dress: KatatOnik "Holi Dress" (Holi hunt prize)
Hairbow: Half Deer "Butterfly Hairbow" (Holi hunt prize)
Skin Paint Tattoo: Fallen Gods "Holi Fallen Gods Phalgun Purnima" (Holi hunt prize)
Shoes: Schadenfreude "Splattered Classic Nouveau" (Holi hunt prize)
Stuffed Animal: Silentsparrow "Lalu Lambie Pie" (Holi hunt prize)
Undershirt: Sassy! "Lace Bodysuit"
Hair: Ploom "Sharla"
Skin: Essences "Rain"
Lipstick: Essences "Rain Lipstick09"
Eyes: Ikon "Ardent"
Lashes: by LeLutka
Hands: by SLink
Pose: by Long Awkward Pose (unavailable vintage)

Love,
Serene

LUPINE

I love to put together an outfit that mixes old bits and new. For example this is a mix of newer mesh pieces over older system layer clothing. The belt rig is lovely but I don't think it would fit well with many mesh pants.



Rawr. I feel like Hercules wearing the pelt of something I killed all by myself.  Alchemy made the furry headgear and the arm bracers. I really love their roleplay gear!



Furry and Toothy Hat: Alchemy "Winter is Coming"
Belt Rig: Ane "Holster Bag"
Sweater: Coco "Open Front Cardigan" (gacha)
Arm Bracers: Alchemy "Drengr Grimmr"
Boots: Lassitude and Ennui "Thylacine Boots"
Bodysuit: Nemesis "Friendship Bodysuit" (vintage unavailable)
Vest: Silentsparrow "Fenris Leather Vest" (system layer)
Shorts: Phoenix Rising "Taylor Shorts" (system layer/sculpted cuffs)
Bangs: booN "JOPE57"
Skin: Essences "Alice OMGacha08" (probably going back to the Mainstore after event)
Ears: by Aitui
Eyes: Ikon "Ardent"
Lashes: by LeLutka
Hands: by SLink

Love,
Serene

CLOCKWORK LOVE

If you haven't gone yet, the Clockwork Spiral fundraiser is running through October 1st, so you still have a few more days to combine you love of charitable giving with your passion for everything steam/diesel/goth/punk/Victorian or whatever combination of those bits gets you all tingly. I love fusions and creative anachronism, so this kind of thing makes me happy. I also love that it benefits the National Kidney Foundation. Win-win!



Sometimes I get frustrated with my self-imposed guideline: I try not to use more than three pictures in a post to keep it short and sweet. Sometimes that means jettisoning the medium sized views or portraiture, so I can show details like these coggity eyes. Didn't you didn't realize I am one of the automata?



And I have to say, these boots look tough enough to survive whatever comes next, whether its a dirigible disaster or the rising of the undead next month. (October is coming, after all.) Are you ready?

Hat: Deco "Officer's Cap"
Jacket and Belt: Senzafine "Echelon" (at Clockwork Spiral)
Cravat: To-a-T "Ravenswood Regency Cravat" (vintage)
Pants: Silentsparrow "Severin Suit Pants" (part of outfit)
Boots: House of Rain "Decadencia Boots" (at Clockwork Spiral)
Ponytail: booN "DRJ224"
Hairbase: booN "gathered mid hairbase black"
Skin: Essences "The Greek Goddess"
Eyes: Chop Shop "Gear Creature 1" (at Clockwork Spiral)
Lashes: by LeLutka
Hands: by SLink
Poses: by Frooti and Juxtapose

Love,
Serene

THE INTERGALACTIC PIZZA PRINCESS

I was looking around in my blogging folder and there is a lot of bits and pieces of random things I like in there. This time I noticed that there were two different pizza-themed things in there; and voila, an Idea was born! An intergalactic Pizza Princess! You know, like Princess Leia, only with pizza instead of Cinnabon hair.



Into the chute, flyboy!!!

Pizza Gun: Teefy "Pizza Gun" (former Arcade Gacha)
Armwarmers: Silentsparrow "Pizza Snugglewarmer" (former Arcade Gacha)
Goggles: Krieger "Tactical Goggles"
Jacket: Ison "Nova Tribe Jacket"
Pants: Maitreya "Couture Leggings"
Hair: Exile "L.A." (former Arcade Gacha)
Skin: Essences "Alex08" (gacha at Kustom9)
Eyes: Ikon "Ardent"

Love,
Serene

KANDY KANE

On my little slice of the human family tree, Christmas runs through January 5, followed by Three Kings Day on January 6. A good enough excuse to keep showing you Holiday goodies? I think so!



Dress: ColdLogic "Seasons Greetings" (multipack gift)
Shoulder Frippery: ieQED "Antler Pauldrons" (gift, also in green)
Christmas Stocking: by Schadenfreude (this year's includes a Silentsparrow plushie!)
Jewelry: Schadenfreude "Bright Idea" Set (Fifty Linden Friday)
Boots: Ingenue "Brigita Boots" (VIP Group gift)
Leggings: The Secret Store "Christmas Tights" (2012 sorry)
Hair: Alice Project "Tessa" (Advent Calendar gift)
Skin: Essences "Lorde03" (at the Dressing Room)
Eyes: Poetic Color "Christmas Tale" (gift)
Eye Makeup: Nuuna "Yule Green 2" (multipack gift)

Love,
Serene

I LOVE RUDY

This outfit is a little dark so I woke it up with some red. Rudy the Reindeer is today's Fifty Linden Friday special over at Silentsparrow, so you have only a couple more hours to go get it at that price! Offered in regular and transferrable gift-giving versions.



This sweet furred jacket from LIV-Glam came with some eighties-retro baggy pants that I couldn't bring myself to wear because no matter how totally rad they are, I already lived in the eighties once. LOL. That's okay, I adore the jacket's side zipper, leather trim and structured shoulders. And this Furry hat and hair by Lamb is an instant fave cause it includes a HUD to retexture the hat to a bunch of cute fabrics.



Hat and Hair: Lamb "Desire Lines" (at Collabor88)
Plushie: Silentsparrow "(Rudy) Holding Deer-ee" (for Fifty Linden Friday)
Jacket: LIV-Glam "Love on Top" (outfit also includes pants)
Leggings: Maitreya "Couture Leggings"
Boots: Moda "Lady's Work Boots"
Skin: Essences "Dyana"
Blush: by Essences
Lipstick: Pink Acid "Dolly Lip Smack"
Teeth: by Dead Apples
Eyes: Ikon "Ardent"
Lashes: LeLutka "Photoshoot II"
Hands: by SLink
Nailpolish HUD: by Adore and Abhor
Poses: by Body Language and Label Motion

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

THE UNLUCKY ONE

The Wizarding Faire has been great fun. I don't even mind how much moolah I spent, it was just lovely! Beetlebones has a lovely Frog and Toad gacha, and Silentsparrow brought us several varieties of Newts. I have several adorable new pets. And one that isn't adorable at all.



I thought I was pretty lucky to receive a Rare frog out of the Beetlebones gacha, but apparently the Surinam Pipa toad is considered Unlucky. It certainly is weird. Even gross ... I read about them on Wikipedia. There are baby toads embedded in their Mother's back. Eww.



And several beautiful Hogwarts-themed props. I couldn't resist the Quidditch set and some Charms textbooks. Three of the little books are flying around!

Frogs: Beetlebones "Desert Rain Frog" and "Surinam Pipa" (Wizarding Fair)
Newt: Silentsparrow "(Green) Newt! Derp" (Wizarding Fair)
Shoes: Lassitude and Ennui "Batty Shoes" (Wizarding Fair)
Quidditch Crate: Standby "Quidditch Crate" (Wizarding Fair)
Charms Books: Lark "Charms (Books Animated)"
Outfit: Fateplay "Jenny (Ravenclaw)"
Necklace: Merlin's Beard "Time Turner"
Hair: D!va "Giz"
Skin: Essences "Lily"
Lipgloss: Essences "Honey Lipbalm 08" (Candy Fair)
Hands: by SLink
Poses: by Animazoo, Bang and oOo Studio
Bookcases: Alouette "Georgia Bookcases"
Potions Textbook: Quality Quidditch Gear "Advanced Potion-Making"

Love,
Serene

RETURN TO INNSMOUTH

Well I figured if I was going to blog clothing with tentacles, I had to set up camera in Innsmouth. I haven't visited there for a while, and I'm happy to say that this happy little tourist spot has improved its ambiance since my last overnighter! Here's my first shot with a friendly native New Englander, we just met but it seems like we've been friends forever!



I couldn't resist an extra shot of their quaint old-timey seaport ...



I've been collecting these tentacle bits from Silentsparrow and Schadenfreude for a while, the collaborative vest and stockings have recently appeared at Fifty Linden Fridays. I thought this gorgeous Deco hair went with my antennae just perfectly. Really! Just don't miss the Deco booth at Hair Fair. I wanted to buy it all, but settled for a fatpack of this coif. (This odd angle I photographed just to show the hair from the side.)



Had to add a little nose-sushi. Actually this Nose Ring is a group gift from Epic, which color changes, but in green it looks like a little bit of something evil is escaping my sinuses. Eww.



Shirt: Schadenfreude "White Oxford Shirt"
Vest: Schadenfreude "Green Tentacle Deep V Vest" (past 50L Friday)
Tie: Schadenfreude "Octopus Electrocute Tie"
Culottes: The Sea Hole "Odette Culottes" (vintage)
Stockings: Silentsparrow "Tentacle Socks" (past 50L Friday)
Shoes: Violent Seduction "Tacky Shoes"
Nose Ring: Epic "Succubus Snake" (VIP group gift)
Tentacles: Silentsparrow "Grassies Head Tentacles" (vintage)
Hair: Deco "Hiveish (mold)" (now available at Hair Fair)
Skin: Essences "Cho" (browless version)(sorry the dramatic lighting hides it)
Lipgloss: Croire "Mischief Night Gloss Slime" (vintage)
Eyes: Rue "Grimalkin Firefly"
Poses: (I forgot to write these down oopsie)
Location: Innsmouth

Love,
Serene

THE HORNED ONE

I'm up at sunrise and I don't like that on Saturday. Don't mess with me.



Grr. (Just Kidding. Yes it is hard pretending to be a monster all dressed in pink.)



Sweater: Silentsparrow "(lust) snug cardigan" (this color unavailable)
Shirt: Schadenfreude "White Oxford Shirt"
Tie: Schadenfreude "HUD Controlled Tie"
Corset:  Schadenfreude "Underbust Corset" (mesh)
Pants: Silentsparrow "(lust) moonchild suit pants" (this color unavailable)
Boots: Lassitude and Ennui "Phoebe" (mesh)
Horns: Lassitude and Ennui "Slightly Monstrous Horns"
Hair: Gotzche "Elizabeth" (mesh)(unavailable)
Skin: Kooqla "Ojen"
Makeup: Kooqla "Splatter Trap"
Eyes: Mia Snow "Ebil Blood"
Balloon: Schadenfreude "Pink Spider Balloon" (gacha)



The Eyes, Horns, and Balloon came from the Monster Beach Party!Along with lots of other spooky goodness. Make sure you go visit!

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

THE PHOENIX

The mythological Phoenix always rises from its ashes.



But I bet those flames hurt every time.



Still, I suppose while anyone is suffering, it's good to have friends.

Skin: Curio ":GP: Moonbeam [Light] Lovely-Firehouse 2"
Dress: Schadenfreude "Phoenix Firefield" (mesh)(One Voice Fundraiser)
Dollie: Silentsparrow "Phoenix Owl-ee" (mesh)(One Voice Fundraiser)
Hair: Exile "Break Away" (One Voice Fundraiser)
Leggings: The Secret Store "Red Wool Tights"
Boots: Lassitude and Ennui "Flutter Boots" (mesh)
Headband: Silentsparrow "Jolie Headband" (texture change HUD)
Eyes: Ikon "Horizon"
Lashes: Glow Studio "Innocent. eyelashes - pure"
Facelight: Nlight Free 2.0 (free on SL Marketplace)
Poses: by Long Awkward Pose (unavailable)

Love,
Serene

ON THE WILD SIDE

If you are ready to trade in your fancy ballgown for a walk on the wild side, the Fashion for Life event can set you up for that too. I fell in love with this fabulous jacket and corset, so in true spoiled fashionista way ... I bought both. Don't worry, I had the foresight to pay my rent before I went shopping. :)

Look in my eyes ... do I look like I feel guilty? (You should click to take a close look at these beauties from Ikon! An incredible unconventional color combination.)


The boots come in two different colors of leather, each with a HUD that changes the pattern on the folded cuff. Yes yes, I bought both of those too!

(The jacket and corset are not charity benefit items, but purchasing some for-profit items is what makes it possible for these businesses to donate to charity in the first place. Thank you to all the designers!)

Jacket: Lapointe and Bastchild "Drift" (available at Fashion for Life)
Corset: NV "Corsetry Bengali" (available at Fashion for Life)
Shirt: Silentsparrow "Severina Suite Top"
Pants: Silentsparrow "Ryou Suit Pants"
Boots: GField "Long Cuff Boots Sepia" (Fashion for Life Benefit Item)
Ring: Earthstones "Kameron Ring" (Fashion for Life Benefit Gacha)
Hair: booN "WMO003"
Skin: Hush "Amy TangerineKiss" (Fashion for Life Benefit Item)
Eyes: Ikon "Sunrise Sand" (Fashion for Life Benefit Item)
Tattoo: Plastik "Soul Ink Reloaded Yupa" (Fashion for Life Benefit Gacha)
Poses: by Long Awkward Pose

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

RIDICULOUSLY

Don't hate me just because I am ridiculously good looking. It is not without effort! Today I employ the fabulous hairstyling services of Gauze, my personal stylist ...

My own patented Look, I call it Mysterious Steel ...

A kilotonne of attitude ...

And of course I must always have dominating boots. You want to smell the leather now, don't you?

Collar: CheerNo “Lory”
Shirt: Plastik “Hale”
Pants: silentsparrow “Moonchild Suit Pants”
Boots: Lapointe and Bastchild “Laceup Platform Boots”
Hair: Gauze “Wisp”
Skin: Plastik “Vaelian”
Eyes: Fashism “Sunrise”
Eyeshadow: Aleida “Makeup 1” (old Skin Fair gift)

Love,
Serene *dies laughing*