Saturday, June 28, 2014

Changes On the Wind -- Featuring h.m.a.e.m., KMADD/Moda, [AMARELO MANGA], GAALL, Summer Fashion Festival, Kandinsky, and Moondance Boutique

A new day, a big decision and I'm off like a rocket or a rabbit or something! I know it seems like a rash decision sometimes when someone tells me this thing or that they want to change, but then again I don't know how much time they invested in their decision TO change. My decision to refocus my blog has been a long time coming. When Eve Express closed Face Paint late in 2013, I thought it would be a good time to evoke other changes. Little did I know that life had bigger changes in store for me and what had always been an annoying kidney problem was something far bigger, and more fear inducing and life changing.
I've known my kidney issue for my whole life. We're not best friends or anything, but I get it. It's as much a part of me as my ears or my toes. Cancer was not part of the plan. When it pranced into my world late last year, I went through something else, something completely different. Good news cometh! The surgery was successful, and with hopeful optimism doctors have given me little increments of time to return and see them to be sure nothing new arises, but meanwhile, I have felt better than myself than a long long time. The energy I have had the past couple of weeks felt like jolts of Dr. Frankenstein's energy pumping through my veins.
With that new found zing, I knew I was ready to finally make those changes to my blog. I'm amazingly grateful for all the designers who contributed to my blog, clothing in exchange for me doing my very best as a marketing device. I believe sincerely a designer gets a great deal of exposure through use of blogs, bloggers and social media. I have decided to respond to the ever growing popularity of events, and submitting applications to blog those events. It gives me a chance to network in the fashion industry, meet new people every month or two, and wear and style clothing from every corner of the grid. And with the new found time, I'm going to get better with the artistic style and point of view of my photograph. I want my work to leave a big 'wow.'
One of the designers I have treasured working one on one with is riri, designer for h.m.a.e.m. I learned what the initials stood for after I'd blogged her a couple of times and I just had to grin. I like it when people take life not so seriously yet make fabulous things to wear. Jeanette comes from this month's Couturier's Docks, one of h.m.a.e.m. choices of color shown in the photo with other colors to choose from when you drop by the Docks. From Summer Fashion Festival, GAALL has an outfit, Terra, from which I pulled a bracelet and earrings. Kandinsky has quality items and is relatively new to me. I've enjoyed the pieces I've been able to use, in this case, the sunglasses and matching heels, plus a red lipstick. Passionate Hearts applier from Moondance Boutique decorated my hands and I pulled a golden belt from an [AMARELO MANGA] dress (Nicole). I had some poses from KMADD that I'd not yet shared and wanted you to see that they're not just great at a few things, KMADD/Moda is superb at many many things including poses!

Wow, I'm so grateful to each of these designers:
Featuring from KMADD/Moda Runway Poses
Featuring from Summer Fashion Festival Gaall Terra Bracelet and Earrings
Featuring from The Couturier's Dock h.m.a.e.m. Jeanette Top and Skirt
Featuring from Kandinsky Willow Straps Mary Janes and Sansa Red Lips and Sunglasses
Featuring from [AMARELO MANGA] Nicole Dress (belt only)
Featuring from Moondance Boutique Passionate Hearts Nail Appliers
1. SLink: Elegant 1 Hands
-- High Feet Female
2. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Marigold Skin Tone
3. *~Damesfly*~ Kippar Rigged

To ALL Of You - Designers With Whom I've Worked - For You and Your Sponsorship

Dear Designer - my friend,

I'm so thankful for the way you've allowed me the privilege of working with your designs over the past months and even years. Each time I received new items, I felt like a little girl on Christmas mornin. My financial background made it a challenge to participate in the fashion industry so I determined to make up for my lack of Lindens by working with as many different designers and products as I could, to learn and earn the respect I so desired. I knew the business would demand a lot of me and I eagerly sought out elements that would challenge and inspire me. To greatness, maybe? To the best Caryn could be. Yes, always!

I want to take me and my blog in a new direction. I had intended to do so around the early part of January, but life got bumpy and instead of making a lot of online changes while so many off line changes were in progress, I maintained a status quo with regard to styling, blogging, writing and other jobs related to this business. I will only ever be able to do 100% Caryn. I'm not Angela or Steve. I've never compared myself to anyone other than myself. I want to be better than I was yesterday and more than I am tomorrow. This new step, I hope, brings me closer to that dream.

The trade - free items for the effort put into blogging - it's a fair trade. In my case, I've often worn items one time, the time I blogged it, and then it went to inventory. I know there are some who've taken advantage of the system over time, claiming to be a blogger, but seriously in it for the free clothes. Because I spent all my time blogging, and by all I mean all, I never went anywhere socially to wear those clothes. I could exist a long while in Second Life wearing pieces and parcels of items I've blogged, from head to toe, and that's a wonderful thing.

I know that fashion can only be popular for about a half second. Then it's time to focus on something new and then new again, for as long as there are designers and couture and people doing very unique things with their creative genes. There are items I have in my folders from 2006. Yes, nostalgic mostly, but a few pieces anyway to remind me of the past and show me how far SL, fashion and Caryn has come during the time from then to now.

I've committed to a couple of groups that host events, like Siren Productions and SAVIAD. I like the events because multiple designers participate, including always some new designers. I have several, through the fall, that I'm already registered for so for now, I'm going to keep those commitments, and make sure I honor their requirements as each thing comes. I may end up blogging something one of YOU made, as part of Expos and Charity events and so much more. That would be fun too because I can be nostalgic.

I said all of this to say that I'm withdrawing my name as an official store blogger. It's not personal, one store and not another. I will leave the blogger groups I'm in now, and ask that you as designers remove my name from your Scribo so that I don't receive your items. Some of you I've worked with and for since the very beginning, and others are relatively new. Each of you came to represent more than a business agreement, and became something much more important, a friendship.

Everything has its season, and for me, this is the right time to make this choice. I had planned for it as the close of 2013 approached, and it's taken a little while to get to the actually doing it, letting each of you know, and assuring you that each thing you've given to me has been treasured more than words. I talk about each of you, share your skills and artistry with new people who are seeking this or that experience. I know you're good people because you've been so good to me.

I'm not disappearing from the grid. I'm not sad about some contest I didn't win. (I haven't entered any contests! LOL) I'm making a conscientious change. It's not a lighthearted choice, nor is it an easy choice, but I think it's the right choice and the best choice, and I hope that makes a difference.

My best to each of you, and I'm certain our paths will cross in time,
Caryn Ashdene

Thursday, June 26, 2014

A Twisted Bride -- Featuring Silken Moon and !:Lybra:!

As I was tweaking the last few items to wear with this new dress from Silken Moon, a friend said, "You look like the top of a wedding cake." I chuckled because the dress is called Twisted Bride, and if any model blogger is twisted, it's me!
I turned the hat upside down, and realized it looked just like a vase at that point, so I had to find a bouquet of flowers. Maybe they're left over from the wedding party? The next girl to get married is... ~drum roll
I have had fun getting to a point where I really want to make some bit of art with each new outfit I put together. Though my friend thought I looked like a wedding cake topper, I was thinking more about the Flying Nun, though that may be too far in the past for some of you to even know the reference. The new !:Lybra:! Nori hair in white definitely made me think of feathers and flying. I just had to create a cake though, a twisted bride indeed!

My thanks to each designer who made this style possible:
Featuring from Silken Moon Twisted Bride
Featuring from !:Lybra:! Nori Hair White
1. Gaeline: Stella Lashes
2. KMADD/Moda: Mesh Eyes
3. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Orchid Skin Tone
-- Blond Eyebrown #20
4. Sexy Mama Valentine Manicure
5. Blacklace Beauty: Rainbow Lips 3
6. Q Creations Flowers For Vase
7. Poseway: Wind Set

A Little Bit Of Everywhere -- Featuring [Liv-Glam] at Designer Showcase, *Stars*Fashion* at Summer Fashion Festival and !:Lybra:!

[Liv-Glam] already has items out for the next Designer Showcase. I used the same dress here but two different color combinations from the HUD that had six options to choose from...
The jewelry from !:Lybra:! added one more reason why I love this store. If you haven't been lately, you might want to pop in and see what's new.
A whole array of items have been added, from hair and makeup to purses and other accessories thanks to the new addition of items from Natzuka Miliandrovic.

This blog was possible as a result of these amazing designers:
Featuring from Summer Fashion Festival *Stars*Fashion* Aurora Rigged Mesh Heels
Featuring from Designer Showcase [Liv-Glam] Love Never Felt So Good
Featuring from !:Lybra:! Aarushi Pearls Set
1. SLink: Elegant 1 Hands
-- Female High Feet
2. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Mocha Skin Tone + Makeup 11
3. Gaeline: Fantasia
4. EMO-tions: Greece
5. Apple Spice Poses
6. KMADD/Moda: Mesh Eyes

As Old As a Dinosaur In SL-years -- Featuring Carrie's Lingerie and {{BSD Design Studio}}

I shot this first set of photos that I'm sharing today just before bed last night. I was unpacking another item from a business that has an owl rest on your shoulder instead of a bag appear in your hand (or box) and it was the second time I'd had something from them. The owl fascinated me, and it made for a fun pose to share this Carrie's look. Lingerie with a tiny little skirt, a separate piece that's the corset, wear all the pieces or mix and match.
I put on a pair of BSD Design studio heels and then worked with pieces of jewelry from several different sets. The shape I use with Carrie's Lingerie, and a few other designers who focus on nightwear or swimwear is a bit different. She's got curves to go with her hot sawssss... and she knows how to use them. I even pulled out a pair of earrings I received as a gift and kept, and the designer no longer exists in world so there are no creators. I'm as old as a dinosaur in SL-years!

I'm so thankful for the designers who support my blog:
Featuring from Carrie's Lingerie Katie Blue Ornate
Featuring from {{BSD Design Studio}} Love BSD Silver/Purple
1. Eclectica Relic Necklace Silver
2. ((SS)) Chrysalis Earrings - Designer No Longer In World
3. cae.b: Starfall Bracelet
4. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Mocha Tone w/ Makeup 11
5. KMADD/Moda: Mesh Eyes
6. EMO-tions: Greece
7. Noya: Silver Music Manicure
8. Image Essentials: Accessorise Set

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Are You The Hottest Thing Since Boiled Peanuts? Flora Raven Invites You To Flora's Fashion Contest

It takes a lot of time and patience, more than most people realize, to put together a fashion show, a contest, an in store pageant, and all those other things where by the time we the general population see it, it looks flawless and easy as pie. When all the right work is done by people who love what they do, that easy as pie really is their goal. I've never found pie easy to bake nor have I found it easy to get people together to work on a single project. When someone else does, I rejoice with them in their success.
This evening, Flora Raven (floraniana Resident) sent me a notice regarding her next fashion contest. She's hosted several and has a wide array of designers who've helped by supporting the contest with winner's gifts. Judges will review the first round via photographs posted to Flickr. From that set of photos, they will choose the best of the best for the next round. If you're a creative genius like me - cough - or just want to have fun, you should participate in this contest. The details are laid out here, http://ravenflora.wix.com/florasfashioncontest#!parties/c23gj and if you have questions, the names of those who are behind the scenes of this event would be happy to respond to your questions. There's just a little bit less than one month before you have to turn in your first photo. You can do it!

Never Give Up -- Featuring !:Libra:!, From Summer Fashion Festival Brii Underground Wear, and !Elemental Jewelry

Near the end of 2013, I was thinking intensely about how I could work with my blog in 2014 and do something more with it than 2013. I evolved a great deal between 2012 and 2013 and wanted the same to be true the next year. Then I really wasn't here. Yes, I blogged continually, coming in just long enough to style and blog an outfit, then heading back to bed. It put a damper on my ability to add to what I'd started, and for a while, I felt really badly about it, mostly giving myself a hard time. Then I realized what I would say to someone else, if they came to me with the same story, the same sense of guilt or remorse, and that look, you know the one, hands in the air, eyes rolling, and that face that says "I give up."
Well I haven't given up, because I had the same talk with myself that I'd share with a good friend. If I'd tell my good friend that it was okay to be human, to falter, and that health and things like that surpass anything related to the net and if friends and coworkers didn't understand, then I would still need to do what was good for my body. It was a good little pep talk and I feel more rejuvenated as a result. It may almost be July, but I think despite my health's roller coaster January through June, I've done a lot of blogging and none of it looks worse for the wear. I had fun with it. It helped me avoid thinking about self and focusing on negatives. In essence, it was exactly what I needed it to be when I needed it.
Today, I worked on a concept photo. I know there are enormous numbers of people who are awesome photo work experts. They can take a common little simple blank background picture and turn it into a masterpiece. My dearest Ms. Oh-la-la can do it. I've seen it in other photographers' portfolio as well. But I've barely begun to put my toe in the water, and certainly not ready to jump into the deep end! I had the inspiring new hair from !:Lybra:! It made me feel like a ray of light and energy, and I do often feel like that's my role, not connected to any business in SL or out, to share a ray of light, a bit of life and positive energy. New swimwear from Brii Underground at Summer Fashion Festival, bright white (or black as the other option) suited my brilliant light I wanted to translate to you via my photograph. For a concept photo, I hope it worked. I know it's a lot of fun to really play with a photo once it's taken and now that the bug has bitten me, I hope to share others in the near future.

My warmest thanks to those who designed the elements that ultimately became this styling:
Featuring from Summer Fashion Festival Brii Underground Wear Diana White Risque Style
Featuring !Elemental Earrings Persephone
Featuring from !:Libra:! Forren Hair White
1. Carrie's Lingerie: Stockings w/Slink Appliers
2. SLink: Elegant 1 Hands
-- Female Feet High
3. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Papavar Skin Tone
4. KMADD/Moda: Mesh Eyes
-- Hairbase Perfect
5. .::MS::. Flexion Poses

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

All Dressed Up and No Place To Go! -- Featuring from Summer Fashion Festival ArisAris and ::EGO, News from Moondance Boutique and Mimi Noire

I think photos often tell the viewer just how much fun the person in the photo had while taking them. That's certainly true in this playful pair of photos. I found the youthful energy playing on the dress and carried it through the rest of the look. The dress comes from ArisAris at the Summer Fashion Festival. You'll also find the moccasins at SFF, created by ::EGO. If you look at the little girl on the front of the yellow dress, you'll notice long string hair. I could make MY hair match hers... so I set to work creating a little head of string hair for my avi. I think it came out preciously, and paired with a bow recently released by no. 7 from the Pop Art Headbows series, it was perfect; it's not quite the girl on the dress but it's pretty darn close.
I also pulled some mesh nails from Moondance Boutique and thought they would suit the overall look well. Moondance has done a great job of providing nails of several different kinds so that no matter what format you exist in on your day to day Second Life, one of their nail options works for you. There are basic prim nails, mesh nails and there are also SLink appliers for SLink hands. This set of nails is called Pearls. If you look carefully, up close and personal-like, you might notice that the earrings look as if they were made to be worn with everything else I have on... and the irony is, while I was looking for something else in my endlessly chaotic inventory, I found these earrings instead of the other pair and loved them. Mimi Noire makes quality products that you'll use and reuse often.
I think I've done all the wiggles and squirms necessary to catch a man's eyes, but maybe they're too wiggly or too squirmy. Alas! My life in Second Life is destined to be lived out alone and pining for someone to share it with, someone who wants to get involved in fashion and share the passion I have for the whole of it, from the design process to the marketing to every other detail. So far, I have the cute clothes, the sexy, the hawt, and everything else possible. I'm just missing one key detail, for things like a date. (Huh? People still go on dates?) or maybe I'll meet someone who wants to come up to my place - gack he really doesn't - for a cup of coffee that really is coffee and not a euphemism for quick sex. I'm sure it's out there, just looming, looking my way. Who's going to lassoo him for me!?

None of this would be possible without support from each designer AND each of you!
Featuring from Moondance Boutique Pearls Mesh Nails
Featuring from Summer Fashion Festival EGO Nautica Moccasins
Featuring from Summer Fashion Festival ArisAris Hello Dress
Featuring from Mimi Noire Balance Earrings
Featuring from Caryn Doll Hair
Featuring from no. 7 Pop Art Head Bow Yellow w/ Blue Dots
1. Morphine: Kazumi Eye Shadow
2. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Orchid Skin Tone 
-- Captivate Lips Bubble Gum
3. KMADD/Moda: Mesh Eyes
4. Maxi Gossamer: Party Lashes

Miss Knight In Shining Armor? -- Maybe! -- Featuring !Lyrical B!zarre Templates, [[j'adore]], and EMPORIUM

Since he posted his version of these photos first, Loredana has already had a taste of how I took her latest creation for The Couturier's Docks and made it suit a Caryn. I can tell why some designers who aren't savvy when it comes to mesh or sculpts would go to a terrific sculptor creator and buy Templates. Lyrical B!zarre Templates provide just that, and with all the things you could do to transform what you get there, you could have that many unique outfits from just one purchase.
Kodaijin Starfall answered my request to a group we're both part of and came over to help stand on the pose so we could showcase the pose designer as well as the outfits. I received an array of single poses, runway poses, from [[j'adore]] quite some weeks ago and showed you all of their single poses. They also had a selection of pair/couple poses and with lacking a partner, those pose pairs always catch me unaware. Some have suggested creating a male version of me, so that I could be my own date. The irony in this tickles me! I'm sure it works for many and for many reasons.
I much prefer the playful repartee that occurs when two people, new people like Kodaijin and I exchanged while setting up and snapping the photos. I already work with the greatest photographer, however, knowing there are many with skills and beauty to share make me smile. Second Life is big enough for all sorts of artistry. And Ms. October has been doing what she does for a long time. This new fella, Kodaijin Starfall made it fun and he snapped a photo with his own lighting system and 'photographer's eye and posted it on my wall and his as well I think.
I found the Thorpe outfit fun to modify and if you like it, you should hustle over to TCD because all items shared there are limited versions. I pulled on a pair of SLink read heels from EMPORIUM, the first time I've shared them here, called Warhol. Some of the tiny prints for the nails emulate Warhol's artistic point of view. All in all, I had more fun than a barrel of monkeys, though truth be told, I've never played in a barrel of monkeys and Kodaijin didn't bite or pull my hair like I imagine monkeys might. So...

Many thanks to the guest model and each designer represented here who made this style possible:
Featuring from [[j'adore]]: *Gift* In Love mf-001 -- SWOON!!
!Lyrical B!zarre Templates - Thorpe From The Couturier's Docks
Featuring from EMPORIUM Warhol SLink Heels High
1. Gaeline Mesh Lashes: Illusia
2. KMADD/Moda: Attnetion Eyes
3. SLink: Elegant 1 Hands
-- Feet flr High Heels
4. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Alabaster

Monday, June 23, 2014

I Love Flowers -- Featuring FINESMITH

Some days feel as if they sling by me! Other days drag onward towards a slow and tired end. It's all in a 24 hour time period, but my brain processes those 24 hour periods very differently each time a new one comes. If time really is a construct of the human mind, I imagine that time looks nothing like it did when people in centuries past looked at it.
While I don't seem to have enough time to show all the beautiful items from different events, wonderful designers, and creative people, I don't have to worry about hand washing the clothes in a stream of water and hanging clothes on hemp rope to dry. I enjoy food, primarily as a pescetarian, I don't have to spend the day cleaning the fish and salting the fish and cooking the fish and curing the leftovers.
I can only begin to imagine how terribly L - O - N - G those days could get. Today I played with the elements of a new outfit released by FINESMITH recently that included some beautiful floral pieces that expanded in three dimensions in addition to the top, pants and heels that are included in LOVE Flowers. I added a bit more from FINESMITH, the CEN Necklace and the FLORA Belly Jewel. Many new releases this spring and summer have included both jewelry and clothing. If you haven't been by to see recently, you might have missed some of the beautiful new designs.

This blog would not have been possible without the support of these designers:
Featuring from FINESMITH Love Flowers
1. Corpus Poses
2. Maxi Gossamer: Wild Full Thick Lashes
3. KMADD/Moda: Mesh Eyes
4. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Marigold Skin Tone Hannah
5. SLink: Female Feet High
-- Elegant 1 Hands
6. Morphine: Juliana Eyeshadows Pack Purple w/Liners
-- Freya Plain Lips Pack Blight Plain Dark Lips
7. Indyra Originals: Garbo Glove Cuffs
8. Pure Poison: Couture Umbrella Hat (hood)
9. FINESMITH: Flora Belly Jewel
-- Cen Necklace

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Celebrating the Silent Beauty Of Show by Living Imagination at The Couturier's Docks, Plus New from Gaeline and Poses from KaTink

I'm certain it's the season for weddings and bliss and all things good that come to couples in love. When I read of weddings, I think of warmth and sunshine and white gowns like this one by Living Imagination called Silent Beauty Of the Snow. I didn't receive it as a dress specified for such a ceremony but it still has that feel to me. Maybe I'm just lost in the idea of love and the fun of the moment. That cannot be a bad thing! Being lost at The Couturier's Dock is never a bad thing either. There are a limited number of this gown, so you should visit soon. Many awesome designers contribute to the sale there, and each piece is special.
I went to a folder called ((Celestina's Wedding)) to see what I had that would accompany this new gown and found jewelry I don't think I've ever used; a sweet discovery indeed at any time. This jewelry set is called "Twist Chain Set" and it has a HUD that allows for all sorts of color changes, making it a dynamic set suitable for many outfits.
I put together the outfit and then looked at the great new set of poses released by KaTink Poses, the Dilan set. Sometimes pose sets are specific to a certain style of clothing, other times they're tailored to show an item off more than other items in the outfit, like a pose to display jewelry or shoes. I think the Dilan set offers a good variety of options in the set, and whether you're in a gown like I am, or wearing a casual look, the poses would work. To me, that makes them more valuable. I like flexibility of use in any item. It helps me stretch my dollar farther.
I had a great time perusing Gaeline's lashes recently. I had recommended them to a good friend because of the ease of use of the HUD. When I went to find them on Market Place, I realized there were a host of new releases I didn't own. Gasp! I had to get the new ones and have been showing them to you this week. This particular style called Stella have little gems on each lash, glamming them up a notch or two, and making them unique to the other lashes I have by Gaeline.

I hope you enjoy these designers as much as I have as I put this style together:
Featuring from KaTink Dilan Pose Series 1-10
Featuring from the Couturier's Docks *Living Imagination* Silent Beauty of the Snow
Featuring from Gaeline Stella Mesh Lashes
1. *~Damesfly*~ Drewleigh
2. KMADD/Moda: Mesh Eyes
3. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Marigold Skin Tone Hannah
-- Innocence Pinks and Teals Shadow
-- Silver Metallic Lips
4. SLink: Feet Female High
-- Elegant 1 Hands
5. ((Crystal Line)): Twist Chain Set

Wedding Gowns and Lingerie -- Featuring Carrie's Lingerie, Truth, Gaeline, Kastle Rock Couture, JUMO, FINESMITH, {{BSD Design Studio}} and Image Essentials

Every month, a new creation appears for a limited time at Carrie's Lingerie. These limited delicious gowns/lingerie appear at the beginning of each new month, then disappear at month's end, into a vault.
This month, Carrie's has focused on Weddings, for June is the month of weddings, and the limited Trinity gown has all the accoutrements of a wedding gown from head to toe. And as you peel away the layers, hidden underneath is a gorgeous lacy lingerie. I appreciate the detail added to every new Limited, but I think this month's Limited exceeds all previous experiences I've had with the Limiteds. This gown is over the top. And if you always wanted to be a bride, but don't want the hassle of the relationship, visit Image Essentials Props and Poses for this handsome stand in, new this month!

Another monthly treat I look forward to at Carrie's Lingerie happens because I joined as a VIP member 3 years ago and ever since then, in addition to getting a discount on new releases and a special sale wall each month available only to those who are VIPs, there's also a beautiful VIP gift (one for the ladies and one for the gents).

I show the basic VIP gift in the black bra, panty, gloves and stockings set of the first photo. But then I added a wee twist to the photo of the same outfit zoomed in closer. Carrie's gone GACHA crazy and there are corsets in a variety of colors. The first one I got was the basic black and white, and for me, it was PERFECTLY suited to this styling.

Besides the new lingerie, you'll see new TRUTH hair, only released this week, Zoella. new heels from BSD Design studio, and a face veil from Kastle Rock Couture. Gaeline has several new sets of mesh lashes (on their very easy to use HUD system); I'm sharing Phantasmogoria in this series. For the black based lingerie, I only used one small piece of jewelry, the Labradorite ring from JUMO, and with the wedding photos, I used a new release from FINESMITH, called Three. I modified the earrings so they're each sized differently, so when you look at the photo, I don't want you to fret that you might get earrings that don't match. They doooo, I promise!

I'm grateful to each designer who added their artistry to make this style possible:
Featuring from Carrie's Lingerie June 2014 VIP Gift
-- Also Featuring from Carrie's Lingerie NEW Gachas Like Variety Underbust Black 1
Featuring from {{BSD Design Studio}} Supermodel Essentials Black
Featuring from Truth Zoella
Featuring from Gaeline Mesh Lashes Phantasmagoria
Featuring from JUMO Reina Labradorite Ring
Featuring from Kastle Rock =Mirage= Nashida Niquab in Pink/Black
1. KMADD/Moda: Mesh Eyes
2. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Latte Skin Tone

Featuring from Carrie's Lingerie June Limited Wedding Gown
-- Shown with other elements included
Featuring from Carrie's Lingerie the Limited June Design Trinity
-- Full Gown, Night Gown, Basic Lingerie and many more combinations for you
Featuring from FINESMITH Three Gift Earrings and Necklace
1. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Blossom Skin Tone Flowers from Asia
2 EMO-tions: Love
3. Maxi Gossamer: Fatpack
4. FINESMITH Roxaane Diamond Bracelet

Friday, June 20, 2014

Sadly Saying Farewell To FFL 2014 -- Featuring Baboom! from Fashion For Life, Tchelo's from Summer Fashion Festival; New from Liv-Glam, Gaeline and KMADD/Moda

I'm always just a little sad when an event comes to its end but today, it's just a little more sad than the usual. Fashion For Life has run since the beginning of June and tonight, it closes its doors. I believe it's been a successful endeavor to raise money for the Relay For Life/American Cancer Society that are both at the heart of the Fashion For Life project.
I have a sailor's dress and cap from Baboom! that made me smile. I was in the US Navy and remember those caps the boys wore well. In dungarees and boondockers, those hats were so very NOT a fashion statement, but with this cute outfit, Kyra Camel hit it out of the park, and the hat add a saucy playful note to the overall aesthetic. This is the last item I saved to blog for FFL.
In addition, I have a new purse by Tchelo's from Summer Fashion Festival, great SLink related heels from Liv-Glam new this week for sale, brand new released lashes from Gaeline and one of the hair styles I've not yet shown you from KMADD/Moda. The array of new items from around the grid fit together like that 'playing Barbie' puzzle that I love about blogging! I hope you enjoy.

It's not too late to contribute to the Fashion For Life fundraiser. You can go to the sim, or go to their website: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=37321408&fr_id=61576&pg=personal

Thank you to all the designers who contributed to this look and made this blog possible:
Featuring from Fashion For Life Baboom! Sea Day Dress and Hat (Last Day)
Featuring from Summer Fashion Festival Tchelo's Summer Purse
Featuring from Liv-Glam Natasha High Heels SLink
Featuring from Gaeline Natura Mesh Lashes
Featuring from KMADD/Moda Matt
1. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Spring SLink Nail Appliers
-- Latte Skin Tone Ultra Makeup 04
-- Ripe Grape Matte Lips
2. Moondance: Sayuri Jewelry Set at Fashion For Life (Last Day)
3. SLink: Elegant 1 Hands
-- Female High Feet
4. KMADD/Moda: Mesh Eyes

Thursday, June 19, 2014

A Birthday Bash -- Featuring from Summer Fashion Festival ArisAris, KL Couture, Kawaii and Chop Zuey, Plus New EMO-tions

I had the neatest evening. There was a gathering of people from all sorts of places who knew Marcus Lefevre and celebrated his birthday. They were dressed in costumes of all sorts, and one of my favorite live in world singers opened the party with her beautiful voice, Tamra Hayden. (She was dressed like Storm, dressed to kill!)
I snapped a couple of photos there because as I was preparing for my next blog, I realized the party was beginning and I wanted to be there. I already had the gorgeous jewelry set from Chop Zuey, The Sea Mist, earrings, necklace and bracelet, and had just opened a belly chain when I remembered the time. When all you have on is a beautiful skin (thank you Kyxe Skins & Shapes) and beautiful jewelry, and there's a party with tons of people from all walks of SLife, and I wasn't sure of the theme, what to wear?

So I put together a chic little get up that had piece in it from all over the grid and decided after I'd arrived and realized it was super hero themed, that I was Penny from Inspector Gadget. It suits me and my personality really well, and Penny was just a brilliant girl wearing normal clothes, fixing all of Gadget's problems.
I had new items from Summer Fashion Festival from ArisAris, KL Couture, and Kawaii, the new jewelry I mentioned from Chop Zuey, and fantastic hair that's a group gift at EMO-tions were all key elements. I've never been a sunglasses indoors kinda girl but somehow it suited the summery look just right so there I was, dancing to amazing music, seeing some really fascinating people, and being a chic grown-up-ish version of Penny at a party instead of 'posing' for a blog. Fun!!

My blog is possible because of these terrific designers contributions:
Featuring from Summer Fashion Festival ArisAris Charismatic Sunglasses
Featuring from Summer Fashion Festival KL Couture Malawi Pants
Featuring from Summer Fashion Festival Kawaii Owl Bikini #1 (top)
Featuring from Summer Fashion Festival Chop Zuey The Sea Mist Set - Bracelet Earrings and Necklace
-- PLUS The Sea Mist Belly Chain
Featuring from EMO-tions Kendra
1. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Blossom Skin Tone
2. SLink: Female Feet Mid
-- Elegant 1 Hands
3. Poses from Vista Animations Dance HUD

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Fashion, Fun, and Charity - Runnn -- Featuring from Fashion for Life Xen's Hats and ~*Moolala*~, Summer Fashion Festival ~ghee and POMPOSITY, and Zanze

You haven't been to Fashion For Life yet???
Fashion for Life Information and donation site: http://ffl.iheartsl.com/

Gasp!!

Hurry. It's open through the 20th. Two days countdown.
The hat from Xen's hats, Mango from a very fruity set of hats, and the leggins from ~*Moolala*~ are both from Fashion For Life and great reasons to head over. I had to blog a designer named Moolala because of my love of Cao. And she's urging you to head to Fashion For Life too: http://anchailinalainn.com/
You'll find the cute little ~princess~ anklet from POMPOSITY a wonderful option instead of shoes in summer. I found the anklet and the ~ghee bikini top in Summer Fashion Festival items, and they'll be available to buy very soon. Watch this space!

All things possible because of these great designers:
Featuring From Fashion For Life Xen's Hats Mango
Featuring From Summer Fashion Festival ghee Paisley Mystery Bikini (top)
Featuring From Fashion For Life ~*Moolala*~ Leggings Hudded
Featuring From Summer Fashion Festival POMPOSITY Anklet ~ Gacha ~ Princess
Featuring New From Zanze Aria Blue (jacket)
1. FINESMITH: Mango Earrings
-- belly gems 02
2. SLink: Elegant 1 Hands
-- Mid Feet
3. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Orchid Skin Tone
-- Glamour Lips Ocean
4. KMADD/Moda: Mesh Eyes
5. Maxi Gossamer: Wild Lashes
6. Countdown Chaise Lounge with Poses

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Begin At the Beginning -- Featuring Tori's Sin and EnvyMe from Fashion for Life; Featuring Tuckinowaga from Summer Fashion Festival and Gaeline

It means a lot to me when someone pages me and asks if I will review their item for this or that event; this store or that sale venue. There was a time when I cajoled, pleaded, yes even begged for a chance to review items. Everyone begins at the beginning.

In recent weeks, I've been wholly and completely focused on Fashion For Life because above all other things I do in Second Life that takes a business-ish format, I love to work with charities. It just makes me feel like I'm doing something far bigger than me, reaching around a world that I love to live at my fingertips but touching the real people at their desks, in their work place, living their life.

I also have a certain number of designers to whom I've pledged time and commitment to promote new releases on a certain schedule by month, and I want to be sure that in the midst of the special events and the people to whom I've given my word, that I don't begin to drown in folders. (Where's the inventory life jacket? i still haven't found that thing!)

When someone asks me about blogging things now, I offer names of bloggers whom I know, the ones who share here and on blogspot and wordpress and other private paid for blog pages. I also offer to do a note for them here in FB, to help advertise their desire to find good bloggers. If you're a committed blogger, there will always be someone, somewhere, seeking your services and work.

If you'd like me to refer you, I would be happy to do so. Like I said, everyone begins at the beginning. Let me know.

Fashion for Life has run from June 7 and will run til June 30. That means there are only three more days for you to participate. I hope you find time to head over there, if for nothing else than to drop a few pennies into the piggy bank. The money raised goes to the project Relay for Life which in turn raises money for the American Cancer Society. If you do shop, designers have created a tremendous array of fashionable items to buy with proceeds donated to the charity. If you like to donate directly follow this link to do so:

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=37321408&fr_id=61576&pg=personal

This style is possible because of these wonderful designers:
Featuring from Fashion For Life EnvyMe Sphere V3 Boots
Featuring from Fashion For Life Tori's Sin Renatta
Featuring from Summer Fashion Festival Tuckinowaga Edia
Featuring from Gaeline Illusia Lashes
1. KMADD/Moda: Mesh Eyes
2. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Latte Skin Tone
-- Kyxe Tangy Orange Gloss
3. Moondance: Oscar Diamond Jewelry Nail Set
4. SLink: Elegant 1 Hands
5. Corpus Poses
6. Baboom: Necklace and Earrings Set

Monday, June 16, 2014

What Does the Fox Say? -- Featuring from Fashion for Life Legal Insanity; Featuring from Summer Fashion Festival Divina

As the Fashion For Life event winds down, I knew I wanted to show you Legal Insanity's exclusive, this Evita gown. I paired it with a cute little hood that makes me think of the "What Does a Fox Say" video. I can't find the creator, fairly sure their not in game anymore. ~le-sigh~

The bolero peeks out from under the dress, and comes from Carrie's Lingerie. Several of her pieces have bolero half jackets with different prints suited to the overall style of that outfit. This particular one comes with Candice.
I love the opportunity to showcase one of BSD Design studios pair of shoes, not even hidden because of the lovely shape of the gown. These are black and white "Love" heels. I'm a sucker for hopeful romance!

The first item I have to show you from Summer Fashion Festival - I wear my sunglasses at night! Divina's sunglasses are just one of many items you'll find at this event.
Please take a few moments to donate to the Fashion For Life, Relay for Life, American Cancer Society:
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=37321408&fr_id=61576&pg=personal

Thank you so much to the designers who made this styling possible:
Featuring from Fashion for Life Legal Insanity Evita Gown
Featuring from Summer Fashion Festival Divina Sunglasses
Featuring from {{BSD Design Studio}} Love BSD blk dots
1. Cute Cat Hood
2. Carrie's Lingerie: Candice Bolero Jacket
3. SLink: Elegant 1 Hands
4. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Blossom Skin Tone
-- Captivate Lips Coffee Black With Cream
-- Freckles
-- Teeth
5. KMADD/Moda: Mesh Eyes
6. Corpus Poses

Celtic Warrior Princess Diva Extraordinaire... Um... Yeah! -- Featuring -AZUL- and EMO-tions

OMG gorgeous new LIMITED gown from Azul ALERT. This gown called Limited Kay Sapphire has everything you could ask for in a gown by this talented designer.
When I spoke to her about blogging some of her things, I was so in awe of her, and then she said yes and I had those misty eyes. Sometimes life just finds its balance if you work a while, and have a little patience.
Eww patience. It's not my forte, however, it really might be the most necessary thing to possess when you work in Second Life fashion, maybe ever!

With joy and thanks, I used items from the following designers:
Featuring the Limited Kay/Sapphire by -AZUL-
Featuring EMO-tions Connor
1. Morphine: Freya Cat Eyeshadow Blue Full
-- Freya Blight Plain Lips
2. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Orchid Skin Tone
-- Glamour Lips Ombre Ocean
3. Bliensen+MaiTai: Bolero Heels for Female Slink High
4. Spring Gems Makeup Accessories by Caryn
5. KMADD/Moda: Mesh Eyes
6. EMO-tions: Anaconda Staff
7. Maxi Gossamer: Inverted Crown Lashes
8. PosESioN: Morgane Poses

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Slinky Hot -- Featuring !Lybra and FINESMITH

I'm going out of town for an overnight so I wanted to share several photos before I left.
I know it feels like a flurry of information and from every nook and cranny I could find in Second Life. YES!! It is.
This dress comes from !Lybra and I loved the subtle orange tiles that add dimension to this slinky hot dress. You'll love the jewelry designed for the RECOLOR HUNT at FINESMITH. These jewels are a part of that.

I'm grateful for each designer who made this style possible:
Featuring !Lybra Jeannette Glimmer
Featuring FINESMITH RECOLOR HUNT Late Bloomer Coral
1. Bliss: Juicy
2. KMADD/Moda: Mesh Eyes
-- Lush Lash
3. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Marigold Skin Tone
-- Blonde Brow 1
-- Glamour Lips Sunset
4. Face Paint: Classic Prim Square Nails
5. Manifeste Poses

Swim Sexy -- Featuring HOLY SHIrT from Designer Showcase

From Designer Showcase, two different items are available on sale from HOLY SHIrT. The hoodie comes in several colors as does the bikini.
For my encore, I shall be traveling to Siberia for bikini in the snow photos.
No... Wait... That's what they do at Sports Illustrated. I stayed nice and warm for these photos.

The spirited beach scene styling was made possible by these designers:
Featuring From Designer Showcase June HOLY SHIrT Polka Dot Bikini Bottom
Featuring From Designer Showcase June HOLY SHIrT Cropped Hoodie Pink
1. Exile: Voodoo Extreme
2. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Marigold Skin Tone
3. KMADD/Moda: Mesh Eyes
4. SLink: High Feet
-- Elegant 1 Hands
5. {ZOZ}: Mesh Nails
6. FINESMITH: RECOLOR HUNT Mango Earrings Blue
7. Vista Animations Stands

To Byzantium -- Featuring Chop Zuey from Arts in Hats; sYs from Fashion For Life and {{BSD Design Studio}}

I learned that an event, Arts in Hats, began today and runs through the end of the month and that Chop Zuey had this fascinator hat named Sailing To Byzantium for sale at this event.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Boutou/80/65/22

I looked up the poem by William Butler Yeats, learned a bit about it and found the treasured hat that much more a treasure. It's as much jewelry as it is a hat, and beautiful.
Where is your Byzantium, your world to which you sail with grateful cheer knowing that regardless of age, in such a place you find peace?
I wish you all such a place and cherished Belle Roussel, creator at Chop Zuey, for calling to mind such a tangent journey today.

The new shoes Love from {{BSD Design Studio}} peek out from beneath the floor length gown, and wink their beauty at you in black and white.

You'll find the dress from sYs at Fashion For Life which runs through the 20th of this month. You may buy exclusive items like this and in the process support the charity that's raising money for Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society.

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=37321408&fr_id=61576&pg=personal

My warm thanks extends to the designers who made this style possible:
Featuring from Arts In Hats Chop Zuey Sailing To Byzantium
Also New From Chop Zuey MOH The Gambler Men's Ring
Featuring sYs from Fashion For Life NAIADES Gown
Featuring {{BSD Design Studio}} Love
1. Truth: Dove
2. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Blossom
-- Glamour Lips Ombre Passion
-- Innocence Eyes Spring
3. KMADD/Moda: Mesh Eyes
4. Chop Zuey: Nose Diamond Blue in White Gold
-- White Gold Circle Spike Earrings
5. Gaeline Mesh Lashes: Felicia
6. Manifeste Poses



Friday, June 13, 2014

Finger Likka Good -- Featuring LIKKA HOUSE from Fashion For Life - Also Featuring {ZOZ}

I've never tried anything by LIKKA House but when I tried on this precious outfit, I fell in love immediately. There's a black and white option that's shown in my photos and there's also a red/white/gold option.
You can find this set of outfits at Fashion For Life, and you've got to get there! It's on for 7 more days. Only a week, now. We're all doing an incredible job together to raise much needed funds for American Cancer Society cancer research for a cure.
If you'd like to donate directly, please use this link:
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=37321408&fr_id=61576&pg=personal

Thank you to each designer who made this style possible!
Featuring from Fashion For Life LIKKA HOUSE Carousel-West of the Moon
Featuring {ZOZ} Classic Avatar Mesh Silver Nails
1. >Asset<: Steampunk Hair
2. Maxi Gossamer: Wild Full Thick Lashes
3. KMADD/Moda: Mesh Eyes
4. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Orchid Skin Tone
5. JUMO Armorial Black Lips
6. Poses in Studio at Image Essentials Photo Studio

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Royals -- Featuring from Fashion for Life *Schoen* and JUMO

I don't know if anyone will ever create an actual time machine, but the world that Second Life presents to us all allows us to travel into time, back, forward, sideways, upways and downways. I love putting on flamboyant costume, bold and unique gowns, representations of so many eras of fashion, and embracing them each with love and thought for those who lived in that era.

I put on this brightly colored, wildly adorned dress from Fashion For Life and ahhh'd at it's majesty. It not from Elizabeth's era, but it's one of those gowns that commands attention. You could not be a wall flower wearing *Schoen*'s Auffaellige Rosen. The jewelry comes also from Fashion For Life, by way of the artistry of JUMO, the Faraji set in Emerald.

I've done quite a number of styles from Fashion For Life. It's an event that I passionately hope has been embraced radically, transforming a 'little video game that some people play' to a backdrop to raise millions for research for the cure for cancer. If you haven't visited FFL, you should. Designers worked hard to make it an adventure of fun and shopping, and at heart want the same thing I do, success in the form of financial support for Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society.

Donate directly: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=37321408&fr_id=61576&pg=personal

This look was created by the following designers. Thank you!
Featuring from Fashion For Life *Schoen* Auffaellige Rosen
Featuring from Fashion For Life JUMO Faraji Set Emerald
1. >Asset<: Hurricane Hair
2. [NikitaFride] Ludic Lashes
3. KMADD/Moda: Mesh Eyes
4. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Blossom Skin Tone Lyric
-- Nail Appliers Gems and Pearls
5. SLink: Elegant 1 Hands
6. Morphine: Cat Eyeshadow Purple
7. Pichi: Rich Shimmer Lip Color Ruby
8. Corpus Model Poses

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Liv-Glam Does Specials! -- Featuring 55L Thursday Liv-Glam; Also Featuring Bliensen+MaiTai from Fashion for Life

This is the other outfit I wanted to share today to say thank you to all the designers out there who do bargains and specials. Liv-Glam has one nearly every day of the week, so whether you're a casual clothing lover and would enjoy something like this top and shorts casual outfit, Save the Hero, one of Liv-Glam's 55L looks...
Or you like club gear, glam and elegant... if you poke into Liv-Glam during each week, you're bound to find something that suits and you might just find it at a price you have to love.
Kandinsky, a relatively new designer to me, created such a plethora of unique items for one of the recent events I did, I set aside some of the pieces so I could use them later, like now. The shoes are called Sansa Black Bootie Heels. If you're a fan of Game of Thrones, you might recognize the name. I think it might be the inspiration behind the heels. Even so, it made me think of her!
I have more to show from Fashion for Life. Bliensen+Mai Tai have several items, and this set of jewelry with color change options, called Yasemine, can be found there. Also this hair style (seen on another blog of mine) by *~Damesfly can also be found there. If you haven't been to see yet, you should!
To donate directly, please visit:
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=37321408&fr_id=61576&pg=personal

My blog would not be possible without these designers. Thank you!
Featuring Liv-Glam for 55L Thursday Save the Hero
Featuring from Fashion for Life Bliensen+MaiTai Yasemine Jewelry
Featuring Kandinsky Sansa Black Bootie Heels
1. From FFL - *~Damesfly Jase
2. KMADD/Moda: Mesh Eyes
3. Kyxe Skins & Shapes: Walnut
4. NailedIt: RPH Set
5. SLink: Mid High Female Feet
6. Avante Poses
7. WetCat: Crow Sitting Pose and prop