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

OH MY YES.

I came back with my boutonniere as I promised. It and the matching tophat are garnished with lovely copper springs, cogs, dipped roses, and bits from an old clock. And an extra surprise! Not only does the clock function, but it chimes on the hour ... Perfect.

The delightful NachtMusik suit is darker and more conservative than most of the others in their shop. But you know I like the dark. I paired it with an antique but spotless cravat from To-a-T. (Had little choice because the neckcloth that came with the suit was sized for men.)

This Walking Stick I acquired on a previous Steam Hunt, and I am sure it will continue to serve me for years to come.

And oh my yes, there are new boots. Until now I have always eschewed above-the-knee-boots for the obvious flaws in their craftsmanship, but no more. Ms. Ennui has sewn these lovelies that flex at the knees perfectly, and have delicious emboss'd leather details that I cannot resist. I thank you!

(Please click on the photos to see larger detailed photos)

Suit: NachtMusik “Steamy Velvet Damask” Jacket, Corset and Leggings (Steam Hunt)
Cravat: To-a-T “Ravenswood Regency Cravat” (unavailable)
Boots: Lassitude and Ennui “Overknee Boots” (mesh viewer required)
Hat and Boutonniere: Hatpins “Spare Parts Top Hat and Boutonniere” (Steam Hunt)
Walking Stick: Oddments “VS Steam 4 Walking Stick”(unavailable)
Earrings: PixelDolls “Earrings – Bathory” (mesh viewer required)(gift)
Hair: Truth “Zaria”
Skin: Curio “:GP: Ecru-Doily” (unavailable)
Eyes: Fashism “Sunrise”
Poses: by Animazoo and Long Awkward Pose

Love,
Serene

STEAMPUNK

While the charity events have been running, I put some other things on hold. I thought I'd start with some highlights from the Steam Hunt. I just can't pass this one by for its ambiance and originality. This season's hunt was fantastic, as usual. If you haven't visited yet, you really should pencil it into your calendar. It runs through March 30th and is great fun.

First I wanted to show off the Grim Bros. "steam hunt goggles". The package includes both rose and green lenses, but if you would like other colors I believe more shades are available in the store. This picture can't really do them justice, as some of the cogs and parts are animated. Lovely.

The BlakOpal "Tramontane Tophat" is embellished with a large brass compass at front, and the coggy bronze and teal hatband looks like it was made to go with this jacket.

At Hatpins, Reghan Straaf's "R.G.B. Steamer" is scripted to emit red, green or blue steam, using a handy little HUD control system, and includes the matching monocle. Or perhaps it is a technical loupe? You'll have to ask a steampunk scientist.

The "Gents Steampunk Regency Top Hat" from To-a-T might be better sized for a lady, but the craftsmanship is top notch. Mine was not resizable but perhaps that was a system glitch.

And the "Visions of Flight" by the Mad Hattery ... what can I say? It's outrageous but completely in theme. There is a pulsing stream of blue energy that runs around the front of the hat, which is much more striking in person than it can be in this still photograph.

... And so much more. If you love vintage victorian, steampunk, or creative anachronism I can't really recommend this hunt too much. If you are new in Second Life, the journey will also introduce you to many of the finer sims and shops in the genre.

There is an inworld group for the Steam Hunt if you would like help, and you may also visit the official Hunt page at steamthehunt.blogspot.com/, which even has photos of many of the hunt prizes. Have fun!

also worn:
Jacket: silentsparrow "Toxine Suit"
Hair: UncleWeb Studio "Rigel-hair"
Skin: Ricochet "Tristan Dark"
Eyes: MADesigns "EYES_LIGHT – copper"

Love,
Serene

THE BLACK WIDOW

The Widow in Black. Is she a figure to be Pitied? Rescued? Feared? Her beauty is seductive, but being close to her is always a risk.

This vintage ballgown is a lovely backdrop for the sophisticated necklace I purchased at Alchemy's Attic. (I added a lace collar and black undershirt to the gown to provide a dark dramatic backdrop behind the necklace.)

Like a widow confined to her mourning garb, a black widow spider is trapped in the amber charm, preserved in her beauty forever.

Necklace: Alchemy Immortalis “The Black Widow Amber Prayer Necklace”
Gown: To-a-T “Edwardian Blossom – Black Orchid 1903 Ball Gown”
Gloves: Mimikri “Gloves/black”
Lace Collar: PixelDolls “Bella.Black.LaceCollar” (from the Bella Dress)
Black Undershirt: I made it myself, easy peasy!
Earrings: Alchemy Immortalis “Sephira Teardrop”
Eyes: Poetic Color “Night Rain”
Hair: Sky Everett Designs “Kiera”
Skin: Your Skin and Your Shape “Emma Milk”

Love,
Serene