Astrid and the Anglerfish

It sounds almost like a story, titled like that. It could easily be one, too. If you manage to have a pet anglerfish, especially one that magically survives out of water, there’s bound to be a story behind the sharp teeth.

There’s something absolutely enchanting in stories, pictures and views that present to us normality with just one thing out of place. Just one surreal detail breaking the surface, pulling us into a story, into a different setting, thought pattern, mindscape.

Somehow the reality surrounding the one strange thing makes the thing even stranger. If you find a piece of magic in what should be an ordinary day, it stands out against all the dull normalcy even brighter. Makes us look at everything more carefully, more in detail. Makes us think. Makes us see.

Perhaps makes us even realize that if you learn how to look, there is magic in our ordinary lives. You just have to remember to attune to it to be able to see it.

The setting, the dress and the anglerfish are all available in the World Goth Fair. The surrounding temple from *~by Nacht and the anglerfish by Oceania Breedables are available in Port Seraphine and the ottoman by ~Libertine~, red furniture set by Senzafine, the dress by Pale Empress and the eyeliner by Pin Me Down can be found in Cursed.

Scene: Surroundings: *~by Nacht – The Temple WGF exclusive* | Red Furniture Set: Senzafine – Evendim Seating Set in Crimson* | Ottoman: ~Libertine~ Goth Marquis Ottoman v.1.1* | Plushie: Oceania Breedables –  WGF “Love the Dark” Anglerfish Collectible Plushie*

Body: Skin: League – Sia Fair Bloom | Eyes: Poetic Colors – Classic Frozen Silver Bright | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hair: Lamb. – Bang Bang Ink | Makeup: M.O.C.K. Cosmetics – Strawberry Jam on Ice Makeover (eyeshadow/lipcolor) | Liner: Pin Me Down – The liners 6* | Hands: Slink – Mesh Hands (av) Casual

Outfit: Dresss (top&skirt): Pale Empress – Astrid red* | Stockings: LoveLace – Cameo Black* | Boots: lassitude & ennui – Selene black/red* | Bracelets: House of Rain – Horror Holiday ruby/jet/silver*

Poses: Studio Sidhe – The Siddean Foot Fetish 7&8 | middle picture’s pose a part of the ottoman

Zodiac: Taurus

Steady, reliable, practical and patient, that’s the bull of the Zodiac. Often called stubborn, they simply know their goals and work toward them one step at a time with a calm, pragmatic mindset. Once the goal is reached, Taurus will reap the benefits and enjoy them, for it is also the most materialistic of the signs.

Taureans know how to make money and they also know how to enjoy it. They work hard for the rewards and then spend in quality and comfort. These are the lovers of good wine and cuisine, soothing surroundings, fine furnishings and luxury. Considering how sensual this sign ruled by Venus is, one could also say that these are the lovers, period.

Although Taureans generally value harmony in their lives and are stable, calm people, if you do manage to anger one you can prepare yourself for getting your fair share of the horns. Being an earth sign the pragmatism tends to ground them fast enough, though, and the bull returns to its peacefully persistent path toward her goals.

Stubborn, sensual, loyal, patient, romantic, pragmatic and even easily indulgent, Taureans work hard in their lives and then invest both in material wealth and personal harmony at home and in their relationships.

The Patience-dress by lassitude & ennui, Aphrodite hairstyle by Alice Project and Taurus skin by Essences are all available in the current round of Zodiac. The Janna Statement Necklace by Glam Affair is available in FaMESHed.

Scene: Garden of Dreams – Dining Room* | ~Libertine~ Delicacy Tray: fruit and wine, Rubens Leucippus Goblet, Cushions red*

Body: Skin: Essences – Taurus 02 brunette | Eyes: Poetic Colors – Classic Summer Breeze Bright | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hairstyle: Alice Project – Aphrodite*

Outfit: Dress: lassitude & ennui – Patience brown* | Necklace: Glam Affair – Janna Statement Necklace Gold/Orange | Spoon: Illusory – Dessert Bunny Chocolate Mint

Poses: N/A | Olive Juice – Oh, these old things? | PoseMonster – Stand 34

Busy Mode

Sometimes life resembles juggling more than anything else. Keep everything in motion, one part at a time, one movement after another. Don’t think, don’t analyse  just keep going. Catch the umbrellas before the wind pulls them away. Or the privateering bunnies hijack them as an impromptu airship flotilla.

There’s a rhythm to juggling — or keeping all your thoughts balanced and somewhat grounded — if you let one escape you’ll be spending all your time chasing it and when you get back to the others, they’ve floated away as well. Don’t lose focus, stick to the rhythm, don’t let anything distract you.

If everything else fails: prioritize and have a cup of coffee, then start all over. The coffee will help.

The parasols by HANDverk and the poses by PictureThis! are available in Pose Fair until April 14th. You can find the umbrellas in Exposeur’s booth, since they were designed for those poses. I just had too much fun juggling air flotilla bunnies instead of using them as intended. The Bells II hairstyle by Alice Project is available in the current round of FaMESHed. The accessories on Kimallus — the black bad-ass bunny — and the earring on Latte as well as my dress are all new releases by Zibska. Same goes for the Thorny Eye makeup by Beautiful Freak and the bracelets by House of Rain.

Scene: Forest: Studio Skye – Enchanted Woods | Umbrellas: HANDverk – April Showers Parasols* | Coffee Cup: Schadenfreude – Tako Teacup (latte) | Bunny Accessories: Zibska – Luli Earring, SpringSprangSprung Hat, Hailey Fling Pauldron* | Bunnies: Ozimals

Body: Skin: League – Sia Fair Bloom | Hair: Alice Project – Bells II* | Eyes: Poetic Colors – Summer Wheat | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Eyeshadow: M.O.C.K. Cosmetics – Pantone Spring Collection eShadow Poppy Red | Eyeliner Tattoo: Beautiful Freak – Thorny Left Gold* | Hands: Slink – Mesh Hands Casual | Feet: Slink: Mesh Feet

Outfit: Dress: Zibska – Hailey Ruby* | Bracelets: House of Rain – As Darkness Falls Bracelets B Ruby/Gold & Amber/Gold*

Poses: PictureThis! – InMotion1 & InMotion2

Zodiac: Aries

Aries is the first sign of the Zodiac: the one to start things, the one to charge fearlessly ahead, the one with all the energy and enthusiasm. No doubts, no standing still, no wasting time in meaningless details.

Often associated with sports and contests, Aries definitely has a competitive nature. You want something done, tell an Aries you doubt they can do it, the challenge will do the rest. So full of energy they are often about to burst, Aries is not a sign to anger. The ram is already charging as their natural state, you don’t want them to charge at you. Instead invite them to charge with you, they love anything to do with speed and freedom, including vehicles.

Aries lives in the now of things, there never was a sign more fitting to seize the moment. No one needs to tell them to carpe diem, they already own the moment. They also often experience the moments and life like the first time: there’s more to being the first sign than being the one to initiate things. There’s an odd touch of child-like innocence and excitement to them, accompanied with a quirky sense of humour.

They will get straight to the point: brazen, forward, outspoken. If they don’t like you, you’ll know. If they do, you’ll know that as well. Spontaneous, confident and always ready to lead the pack to new adventures, that’s Aries for you.

The new round of Zodiac features all Aries-like things. The skin by Essences, the sheepie by Adore&Abhor, the horns and mask by BOOM, the frames by .lame and all the poses (Exposeur and HopScotch) are available in Zodiac. The jacket and the shirt are from the moving sale of Erratic, which continues to the end of the month.

Scene: House: Greeny Beetle – Raven’s Boathouse | Bike: :~CD~:M&M- Wild Man – Motorcycle | Sheepie: Adore&Abhor – Aries Sheepie Licorice | Horns & Mask: *BOOM* I Am Aries (titanium) mask and horns | Frames: .lame - Bobby’s Frames (MINE)

Body: Skin: Essences - Aries 01 *sunkissed* brunette | Hair: lamb. – Whoop Dee Doo Restaurant Ketchup | Eyes: Poetic Colors – Moon Autumn Bright | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious 

Outfit: Jacket: Erratic – Tory Cropped Biker Jacket Black | Shirt: Erratic – Marney Laser Cut Dress Red | Pants: League – Zipped Leather Pants Dark Red | Boots: lassitude & ennui – Wanderlust boots black

Poses: Exposeur – Call The Shots 2 | HopScotch – Short Tempered 4 | Exposeur – Call the Shots 1 M

F is for Flamingos

Why not? Life is so strange and often challenging that we all could use some random things that make us smile as often as possible. It’s an important skill, being able to smile, laugh, enjoy the little oddities and quirks that the world offers us.

There’s something thoroughly appealing in pixel food. I am not certain if it’s the sense of making the world more real, more alive or if it ties more closely to that lure of unnecessary oddities. They’re perfect, delicious-looking and completely futile things, but yet they call to us. They apparently also call to pandas, so make sure to guard yours!

The quirky flamingo clutch by HANDverk and the adorable pearl collar by lassitude & ennui are both available in the current round of L’Accessoires. The romantic Flora hair by D!va can be found in Collabor88 and the Chibi Bunny skirt by The Sea Hole, Luria skin by Glam Affair and all the things on the table can be won from The Arcade.

Scene: Surroundings: Garden of Dreams – The Village* | Table: Tee*fy – Outdoor Party Table | All the Things on the Table: Schadenfreude – Tako Cake Stand | +Half-Deer+ The Sugar Battalion (Noir) | Intrigue Co. – Plushie Pals: Squee the Panda | Tee*fy – Cake Pop Maker, Cotton Candy Set, Popsicle Maker | Tres Blah – Tea Time Stacked Cups & Tea Cup

Body: Skin: Glam Affair – Luria Skin 02 & Eyebrow 01 | Eyes: Poetic Colors – Classic Frozen Silver Bright | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hair: D!va – Flora Type A Onyx 

Outfit: Top: Pale Empress – Elyria White* | Skirt: The Sea Hole – Lorette Skirt Chibi Bunny | Collar: lassitude & ennui – Viola lace collar rose/white* | Clutch: [HANDverk] Flamingo Clutch.flamingo*

Poses: PoseMonster – Stand 46 & 39

Sky White, Snow Blue

Sometimes I think I’m pre-disposed to liking that combination just because I live in Finland and it’s so prevalent everywhere: snow covers everything for half a year, the second half the skies and the lakes turn blue, almost only additional mix is the green from the forests. Therefore this is a completely self-indulgent post of finding the combination beautiful.

There’s clarity in white: simplicity, purity, visibility. Nothing hidden. Blue is the colour of soothing calm, water’s touch, hue of melancholia, wistfulness. Together they are near-therapeutic to watch: serene, peaceful.

The stunningly beautiful near-white skin by Nuuna is available in the Skin Fair. The butterfly-resembling fans in a necklace by Zibska can be found in The Gallery Gift Shop (March 15th) and the delightfully decorated corset by lassitude & ennui will be in the Adore&Abhor Five Year Anniversary Event (March 16th). The barely discernible white lingerie-styled bodysuit by Pale Empress will soon be released as a group gift in Port Seraphine News, which will cover all the shops in the sim.

Scene: Studio Skye – Enchanted Tree Tunnel

Body: Skin: +Nuuna+ Kati Skin Cleavage | Eyes: IKON – Eternal Eyes Peak XL | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Makeup & Brows: +Nuuna+ Kati Smokey & Eyebrows | Hair: Analog Dog – Wound Up Winter

Outfit: Corset: lassitude & ennui – Elena Corset blue/silver* | Bodysuit: Pale Empress – Elyria White* | Necklace: Zibska – Kiyomi* | Headpiece: LaGyo – Angelie headpiece bridal

Poses: Poise - Vogue 2* | Exposeur – Female of the Species 3

Zodiac: Pisces

Pisces is the dreamer of the Zodiac, the one with a thousand worlds in her head, swimming from one to another with ease. Her inner worlds form such an essential part of her that without learning to know them, you’ll catch only glimpses on the surface of the sea.

She’s said to have a piece of every other zodiac sign in her, being the last one of the cycle. This is why she’s able to understand others, set herself in their shoes, see through surfaces and not only comprehend, but genuinely sympathize with others. If you manage to catch her attention enough to pull her gaze away from those worlds of her own, she will see right through you.

There are two downfalls for the Pisces: escapism and being caught in situations where she keeps helping others and draining herself in a vicious cycle. When the real world is not to their liking, it is too easy for them to escape to those other worlds instead of dealing with the unpleasantries of reality. Their genuine need to help others can land them in unhealthy situations as well and learning to set boundaries and walking away is not easy for them.

Often quiet she is sometimes perceived as shy when she simply is not paying attention or caring about the more normal things in life. Amiable, easy to get along with, but challenging to get to truly know, she drifts with the currents of her imagination, welcoming any odd soul to come swim with her.

The new round of Zodiac is all about Pisces. The dress by lassitude & ennui was beyond perfect for the relaxed, natural and romantic Pisces. The fish-necklace by Perception was quirky-cute enough to work for her and there was a multitude of Pisces-fitting poses from melancholy to fluidity, susceptibility to being underwater.

Scene: Ely’s Home Beach

Body: Skin: League – Sia Fair Bloom | Eyes: IKON – Eternal Eyes Peak XL | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hair: Exile – Lost in Wonderland | Hands: Slink – Mesh Hands Casual | Feet: Slink – Mesh Feet

Outfit: Dress: lassitude & ennui – Naiad Sundress Cream* | Necklace: Perception – Fishy Necklace Silver/Sapphire* | Bracelet: Zaara – Sadaf paua bracelet silver | Ring: Zaara – Raga oyster ring paua silver

Poses: aDORKable Poses – Melancholy 1 | !bang – Stand 324 |  | !bang – Stand 320

All in Your Head

Some days are more surreal than others. There’s whales in the lake and bunnies on the table. Party lights for no reason and way too little coffee to live with it all.

Conversations with fashionista meeroos don’t help much either, all they’re concerned about is how well they match to you.

Even the mystical macaw masked meeroos just keep telling you it’s all in your head. Perhaps so, but what a head it is! Life is never dull if you just take a deep breath and exhale out some imagination into the world.

The clutch by [HANDverk] is available in the new round of L’Accessoires and the bracelets and the macaw mask are available in Global Domination. The fancy bow on the meeroo is by Zibska and can be acquired from The Gallery Gift Shop.  The skin by Pink Fuel and shoes by Gos are both group gifts. The dress by SAKIDE, hair by Exile and the earrings by Zibska are all new releases.

Scene: Sim – Ely’s Home | Meeroo Bow: Zibska – Jolie Collar* | Meeroo Mask: [HANDverk] Macaw Mask.feathered/blue*

Body: Skin: Pink Fuel – Alyx Peach Sultry EyeA/dkbrow | Eyes: IKON – Horizon Eyes v2 Dark Turquoise XL | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hair: Exile – Crazy in Love | Hands: Slink – Mesh Hands Casual 

Outfit: Dress: SAKIDE – Silky Latex Dress Red* | Shoes: [Gos] Grace Sandal  Red Glitter | Bracelets: [HANDverk] Leather Loop Bracelet.brown/gold* | Clutch: [HANDverk] Tetrahedron Clutch.liquorice* | Earring: Zibska – Vonn Deux Earring*

Pose: PoseMonster – Behind 3 | Part of the furniture.

Zodiac: Aquarius

Aquarians are famous for their humanitarian interests, open-minded intelligence and idealism. Being an air sign they love to communicate their ideas and talk, being more concentrated on intellectual level than emotional one.

There’s a quirky, almost strange quality to the Aquarians that often comes with an excellent sense of humor. They are extremely opinionated and not afraid to express those opinions. They are always exactly who they are and don’t change for anyone or anything. They appreciate originality and indulge in moments of rebellion.

The overall friendliness and caring for the world comes with a peculiar emotional detachment. Regardless, once committed to a relationship they are extremely loyal to their partner whom they consider to be their best friend as well as lover.

Aquarius is an interesting mix of near-futuristic visions, world-encompassing ideals and eccentric intelligence.

The hairstyle by Alice Project, skin by Bilo, necklace by Perception, shoes by HANDverk and the poses by Exposeur are all available in the current round of Zodiac. The quirky octopus chair by 22769 [bauwerk] is a part of Four Walls Hunt.

Scene: Skybox: Garden of Dreams - Showcase Snake* | Chair: 22769 ~ [bauwerk] Somewhere beyond the sea chair pink

Body: Skin: Bilo – Elysium (DBrow/Freckle)* | Eyes: IKON – Eternal Eyes Peak XL | Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hands: Slink – Mesh Hands Casual | Hair: Alice Project – Aquarius Zephyra*

Outfit: Shirt: Riggle Room – Popculture Tank Icecream* | Pants: Silent Sparrow – Lupine Jeans | Shoes: HANDverk – Water Pumps* | Necklace: Perception – Aquarius Necklace Silver*

Poses: Exposeur – When You’re Smiling 2M | Part of furniture. | Exposeur – When You’re Smiling 1 M

 

 

Purple Winter

It’s not always just whites and blues, no. There’s the spectrum of violet and purple, almost pink when the sun barely peeks from the horizon to paint the snow in the attempts of warmth before vanishing again. A touch of haze between the cold crystal clarity and darkness.The Lazy Boots by lassitude & ennui are perfect for wading around in the snow, even if you’re too girly for a backpack and prefer a purse like this leather feather clutch by HANDverk. Both are available in the current round of L’Accessoires.

The shirt and the skirt are new releases by SAKIDE, both available in several colours. The shirt comes with lola tango appliers for those more endowed. Then all you need is a scarf and you’re ready to traipse around the wintry grid.

Scene: Leroy 

Body: Skin: Glam Affair – Roza Baroq 01 D | Eyes: Poetic Colors – Moon Autumn Bright | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Liner: Pin Me Down – Liner 8* | Hair: Exile – Turn the Page

Outfit: Shirt: SAKIDE – Spencer Lace Shirt Purple* | Skirt: SAKIDE – Mini Lace Skirt Black* | Tights: Sn@tch – Goth Tights Purple | Boots: lassitude & ennui – Lazy Boots Purple* | Gloves: Sn@tch – Leather Gloves Black | Purse: HANDverk – Leather Feather Clutch Violet* 

Poses: !bang – Stand 130 | aDORKable Poses – 22 of 25 2012