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

SILVER SCREEN SIBYLLA

Yes, I am a fan of retro consignment shops. LIV-Glam has released the classic "Sibylla" gown, with a HUD that changes it to six different color combinations. Only L$55? Really? Even though it's brand new, and doesn't smell like Bal-a-Versailles and mothballs?



The timing was serendipity itself. I just purchased Curio's "Vintage" skins in a Mega Pack at Gala's fifty percent off sale. Every single skin she sells is half price until May 4th, when she will close her shop and re-tool everything with brand new skins. So if there is a skin pack you wanted but couldn't afford, now is the time!



This skin came in a pack with ten skin tones, multiplied by twelve makeups, everything with or without freckles. That comes to TWO HUNDRED FORTY skin options. If I photographed them all, this would be a really, really, really long post!



Oh yes and a darker eyebrow tattoo for good measure. All for L$1000. You can't beat that can you?



Gown: LIV-Glam "Sibylla"
Earrings: Dark Mouse "Deco Squared" (unavailable)
Shoes: SLink "Vintage 2-Strap Pumps" (for wear with mesh feet)
Hair: Exile "Break Away"
Skin: Curio "Vintage" (50% off Sale)
Eyes: Ikon "Ardent"
Lashes: LeLutka "Photoshoot II"
Feet: SLink "Medium Height Barefeet"
Poses: by oOo Studio

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

A MONOCHROME SPRING

The outfit is rather minimalist but, honestly, I was more interested in the hat. And the makeup. They were so beautiful that I wanted to simplify everything else.



Glam Affair has these sweet little hats at Collabor88 right now and I was feeling rebellious so I chose not to blog the ones in all the cute pastelly colors. I decided to leave all the color on the skin instead. I layered over a flowered eye makeup which explains what is attracting all these butterflies! 



Hat: Glam Affair "Oly Hat" (at Collabor88)
Gloves: Boom "Dame Elbow Gloves"
Shirt: House of Fox "Peplum Top Leather"
Pants: ColdLogic "Higgins" Trousers
Shoes:Bax "Booties Black Reptile"
Hair: booN "WMO003"
Skin: Glam Affair "Amberly Petal Edition"
Makeup: Kooqla "Winterbloom"
Eyeliner: Miamai "DecoShadow" (unavailable)
Eyes: Ikon "Horizon"
Lashes: LeLutka "Photoshoot II"
Poses: by oOo Studio

Love,
Serene

COOL AT DUSK

Last evening I was playing in my closet and thinking not-so-profound thoughts, about upcoming holiday mayhem, the kidster, how inconvenient it is to be sick in December, yada yada, whilst making an outfit and messing with lighting and poses. Thinking that I miss Gala Phoenix and her fall and winter releases, so I pulled out last year's Christmas skin to remind myself and you. Thinking about the amazing generosity of (most) people in Second Life.



And the talent. Don't forget the talent. I have long since ditched all my other online foolishness, but I still keep coming back to Second life, to buy pixel shoes. And hamsters. I have a lot of hamsters.



Shirt: Celoe "Rhonda Top True" (mesh)(old group gift still available)
Skirt: Ingenue "Lauren" (mesh)
Shoes: Ingenue "Scorpius" (mesh)
Hair: Exile "Tempest"
Skin: Curio ":GP: Angel-Happy Holidays" (2011 Christmas Gift)
Eyes: Ikon "Horizon"
Lashes: Glow Studio "Innocent.eyelashes - pure"
Facelight: NLight FREE 2.0 (available on SL Marketplace)
Poses: by Animazoo and oOo Studio,
           modified by Berries "Headfreezer"

Love,
Serene

SUEDE

All the suede of this Hucci outfit feels so decadent to me! ... True story, this year I was groaning as I passed by all the suede shoes at one of my favorite shops. I love suede, but let's face it, it doesn't last long enough. Hard to clean, chafed spots show wear too quickly, and before you know it, you are throwing away your favorite shoes. In this regard, Second Life is obviously superior, your nice things never wear out, although the inventory monster might munch on a few of them occasionally ...



I know you've seen this stuff from Collabor88 already, it's all fabulous. I think the coordinated palette is wonderful and working together must be so much more fun for the designers. The Schadenfreude boots are delicious and HUD-driven to control the leatherwork details. Amazed.



Dress: Hucci "Soure" (mesh)(at Collabor88)
Leggings: The Secret Store "Blue Wool Tights"
Boots: Schadenfreude "Amargosa Boots" (mesh)(at Collabor88)
Rings: Yummy "Boho Rings" (at Collabor88)
Earrings and Necklace: LaGyo "Titiana"
Hair: Ink Hair "Natum" (this color was exclusive at Hair Fair)
Skin: Atomic "Grace"
Eyes: MADesigns "Eyes Nature Ocean Deep" (okay these are really old!)
Eyeshadow: by Miamai
Poses: by Label Motion and oOo Studio

Love,
Serene

RITA

Solidea Folies is offering three outfits at Vintage Fair that are based on the same mesh Gown, but with varying system, flexi and sculpted attachments. This outfit is called "Sabrina" and in addition to what pieces you see here, it also includes a belt and gloves. I like the complete outfit but I dressed it down a little bit by leaving some pieces at home. The outfit felt frilly enough for me with the fabric flowers and netting. I appreciate that flexibility.



Today I wanted to show you Essences Indy skin in black. I like how it looks with the soft vintage hair; I think the texture looks like something a black woman might get with a relaxer and pomade. These TuTy hairs are pushing the the edge of shiny-ness but I like them in the darker colors, black, browns, and there is even a nice dark red that reminded me of Jessica Rabbit :D



Gown: Solidea Folies "Sabrina" (also includes a belt and gloves)(Vintage Fair)
Hair: TuTy's "Diva"(Vintage Fair)
Skin: Essences "Indy Black" (Vintage Fair)
Eyes: Ikon "Horizon"
Lashes: Glow Studio "Innocent. eyelashes - pure"
Poses: by oOo Studio (Vintage Fair)
Location: Bayjou Theater in Bay City

Love,
Serene

NIGHT ON THE TOWN

Ready for a glamorous night on the town? Loovus Dzevavor will have three new glam gowns at Vintage Fair. Fabulous, metallic, clingy in golds, silvers and coppers.



Eclectica's antique art nouveau jewels are lovely, elaborate and come with a HUD that both retextures and tints the tiara, earrings, necklace, bracelet and rings. Adore!



And I just had to photograph this classic car parked in the Monarch shop, suitable for Hepburn or Bacall. But they also have vintage military vehicles, limousines, taxis, even an old curtained hearse. Stop by for a visit!

Gown: Loovus Dzevavor "Novo Vestito" (mesh)(Vintage Fair)
Puff Sleeves: Bliss Couture "Puff Gloves" (Vintage Fair)(I cheated and wore only the puffs)
Jewels: Eclectica "Nouveau Leaves" (Vintage Fair)(texture/tint/shine HUD)
Hair: booN "DARE82"
Skin: Mother Goose "Dirty Dolly" (chosen for the pencilled eyebrows)
Eyes: Ikon "Horizon"
Shadow: Cheap Makeup "Zeitgeist Eye Makeup"
Lipstick: Redbird "Candied Lips Apple"
Poses: by oOo Studio (Vintage Fair)
Car: by Monarch
Location: Vintage Fair ... opens August 4th

Love,
Serene

LOVE ARGYLE

I do love Argyle. Once I got on the texture kick I had some difficulty restraining myself from adding more. I'm not exactly sure where the line is between "enough" and "too much". I wanted to add La Gyo's new paisley necklace and earrings. Should I have? I like Paisley too.

No, I didn't go shopping for Yellow Argyle leggings. I already had them in my closet. :P

And I can't say enough about this hair. It's mesh and gorgeous and I plan to wear it with Japanese and Fantasy outfits too. I drooled all over the sexy curves of the ponytail and the avant-garde angled fringe. <3 

Shirt: Sakide "Favorite V Long Pull" (Culture Shock benefit item)
Dress: Sakide "Lozenges" (mesh)(Culture Shock benefit item)
Leggings: Riddle "Argyle Stockings"
Shoes: GField "Alex -patent:yellow" (Culture Shock gift!)
Purse: Je Suis "Coquet" (mesh)(Culture Shock benefit item)
Earrings: Mashooka "Kanti" (group gift)
Glasses: Reek "Junior" (texture change)
Hair: Exile "Groove Theory" (mesh)(Culture Shock benefit item)
Skin: Your Skin and Your Shape "Jenny Culture Shock" (Culture Shock benefit item)
Eyes: Ikon "Sunrise"
Lashes: Glow Studio "Innocent. eyelashes - pure"
Poses: by oOo Studio (Culture Shock benefit item)

Love,
Serene