The Night Flight

There’s a feeling of depth in the sky when it darkens. It reaches down, covers the world, becomes a more tangible part of it. Gone is the illusion of distance, of the various shades dancing on the edges of blue covering the heights above us: during the night sky is all around us.

The night makes it all a part of the same in our mindscapes, closes all distances, brings everything within touch range. It hides the sharp lines of logic and reality from our eyes and lures out the other senses, invites imagination, becomes a sensation instead of a sight.

Enough so that if you look up to the calling depths around and above, you could almost believe that all it takes is letting go and diving upwards. For the sky is just another sea.

The feather hat and accompanying accessories by Zibska are available in The Gallery Gift Shop. The Concubine dress by [ SAKIDE ] can be found in World Goth Fair Port Seraphine. The skin by +Nuuna+ and makeup by Beautiful Freak can be purchased from World Goth Fair Cursed. Speaking of World Goth Fair, it will close 12 hours later than originally intended since it opened 12 hours late: you have time to goth-shop until noon SLT on June 1.

Body: Skin: +Nuuna+ Khalida Skin 1 Goth | Eyes: Repulse – Cyborg v3 Eyes Violet | Makeup: Beautiful Freak – Nierika Eye Makeup Black* | Hair:  Lamb. – Cities In Dust Milk | Wings: [europa] – Nyxus wings Magpie

Outfit: Dress: [ SAKIDE ] - Concubine Dress White* | Head Accessories: Zibska – Loon Zeyphr & Zeyphr Orbit*

Poses: Exposeur – Spinning 2 | Orc Inc – Vamp 3

Out of the Shadows

Into the sun. It’s in a way exactly what the Sophie Lancaster Foundation is about: working on spreading tolerance to include also the people who simply dress differently. It’s rather mind-breakingly sad that this has to be any kind of issue, but we all know it is. The world is exactly that sometimes: mind-breakingly sad.

There should be a base respect within us for other human beings, no matter what they look like or how they dress. It is strange how much easier it is to channel all the negativity you feel toward anything different than to face what is really the matter. No one can change how people react toward differences, but we can change what is considered different. Eventually.

Most importantly, we should — everyone should — stop trying to hide in the shadows and simply be who you are, no matter if it fits in the norm or not. Same of course vice versa, don’t try to be something you are not. Simply be yourself. Be so proudly, in the sun. The norm will change in time: gradually, eventually, one person at a time.

Almost everything in the look can be found in the World Goth Fair that has just opened. Evie’s Closet, lassitude & ennui and +Half-Deer+ can be found in Port Seraphine and The Plastik, Beautiful Freak and Pin Me Down are on Cursed.

Scene: World Goth Fair Cursed

Body: Skin: The Plastik – Astrali Skin Rapture Heavy* | Eyes: Beautiful Freak – Chloral Goblin Green* | Liner: Pin Me Down – The liners 1* | Hair: Alice Project – Steph*

Outfit: Dress: Evie’s Closet – Morrow* | Necklace: lassitude & ennui – Macabre silver_red* | Skull: +Half-Deer+ The Necromancer’s Headdress (Black Stripes)*

Poses: PoseMonster – Stand 56 & 52*

City Dragon

Surely they have adapted and camouflaged into human societies, the dragons. Shapechanging is a trivial trick to them and walking on two legs in a smaller, less scaley form is considerably more peaceful for one’s state of mind: the amusement that comes from frying suicidal knights can last only a few centuries, at most.

Humans provide much more entertainment when they think you are one of them, after all. They share so many similar personality traits, too. All the primitive attempts to gather hoards, the lust for power and gold, the clever games they play with each other… much better entertainment than the repetitive damsel-stealing just to see what they’d do this time.

The best part of it all is that these days one could walk around with wings and claim it being an especially designed movie-prop that one purchased from eBay and the humans would be in awe. No one would pick up as much as a single sword. In comparison small horns are a fashion statement!

The said fashion statement horns by .{Rue}. can be found in the We Love Role-play event. The rest of the city dragon look is mostly by Zibska, with the addition of the red clutch by [HANDverk].

Scene: Garden of Dreams - Tibetan Temple*

Body: Skin: League – Sia Fair Bloom | Eyes: Poetic Colors – Poison Ivy | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Makeup: Zibska – Cannand Olive* | Hair: Lamb – DIY Obsidian | Hands: Slink – Mesh Hands (av) Bag & Elegant  | Horns: .{Rue}. – Hetaera: Horn*

Outfit: Dress: Zibska – Calliope Olive* | Jewelry: Zibska – Cateline Set* | Clutch: [HANDverk] Scale Clutch.red*

Poses: Sparrowtree Studios Poses – daringdiva1 | Exposeur – She’s Crafty 3

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

White Tea

I doubt the tea itself is white, but the look demanded the title. As much as a coffee addict I might be it was very clear that this character would be drinking tea and speaking in a British accent.

Villains in white has always been an enchanting twist on the stereotypical colour-role-division. Even though these days we don’t take anything for granted, the base stereotype still lives in our minds: black for evil, white for good. Switching them around on purpose has always been a classic intrigue.

If she did not have the gothic makeup and the tiny skulls in the earrings, you would probably take her as a benevolent character: possibly a sophisticated ice queen, perhaps neutral third party with the power both struggling sides want to obtain, but not the villain. As soon as you add the makeup you know she’s going to be the calmly speaking villain on a throne with a pet cat and a knowing smile.

Regardless of this, I’m sure you would not decline a cup of tea if she such offered. Even when the tea is poured into a tentacle cup.

The full length of slinky glamour is Pearl River Gown by SAKIDE, available in Fashion For Life. The villain-defining gothic makeup by Pin Me Down can also be purchased there. The tentacle dishware by Schadenfreude hide inside a gacha machine in The Arcade. The appropriately pale Clover-skin by Essences can be purchased in the Skin Fair.

Scene: Skybox: Garden of Dreams – Piano Bar* | Tentacle Dishware: Schadenfreude – Tako Cake Stand, Teacup (tea), Teapot, Plate-Petits Fours&Orange

Body: Skin: Essences – Clover 01 Pale Dust Brunette* | Hair: Exile – Crazy in Love Frost | Eyes: Poetic Colors – Classic Frozen Silver Bright | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Makeup: Pin Me Down – Tili (lips & eyes)*

Outfit: Gown: SAKIDE – Pearl River Gown* | Earring: House of Rain – Horror Holiday Earring moonstone/jet/silver*

Poses: aDORKable Poses – 19 of 25 2012 | PoseMonster – Stand 43 & Stand 13

Nothing But Skin

It is a vulnerable state, wearing nothing but your skin. Leaving the cultural taboos and sexuality aside, nudity exposes us. There is nothing between us and the surrounding world, us and the other people. No layers of cloth to form an armor, no distractions, no pretension.

We’re not used to such openness anymore, we’re used to being able to select what kind of mask of implications we present for the world to see. When we are robbed of our covers, the timidness easily settles in.

Underneath the protection of all the masks and armor there is sensitivity bruised by the lightest of touches, spirits wishing to be understood and accepted, hiding in the darkness under the layers of shields out of fear, out of tiredness.

Perhaps, just perhaps, if we dared to look in the mirror without wearing a mask, if we dared to leave the armor aside for just a moment, we could learn to understand and accept ourselves. Whether the others do or do not depends on who we meet, but if we do not accept ourselves first, how could they?

Skin Fair has opened its doors and Essences is releasing a new Clover skin line there. I have adored their soft shading and strong eyebrows for a long while now, but what really delights me is the pale skin tone options. Most skins on the grid are way too tan for my taste and so every skin designer who makes truly pale tones is a triumph to find.

Scene: Studio Skye – Enchanted Tree Tunnel

Body: Skin: Essences – Clover 01 Pale Dust Brunette* | Eyes: Poetic Colors – Classic Frozen Silver Bright | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hair: Alice Project – Sunny*

Poses: Poise – Vogue 10 | Exposeur – When You’re Smiling 3 | aDORKable Poses – 3 of 25 2012

Yes, You May

Have this dance. Kiss my hand. Charm me. Be enchanted. You may also pour me a drink. Sit down and relax. Not all red queens demand your head to be cut off. Some prefer it right where it is, much more interesting conversation to be had that way. After all, decapitation sprees might be entertaining for a moment, but after that it’s endless boredom. One must cultivate their pleasures and learn to balance between them. A spared neck today is entertainment tomorrow.

Scene: Skybox & Beds: Garden of Dreams – The Roman Bath* | Decorations: ~Libertine~ Cushions, Tray with Rubens wine goblets, Decorative Jewel Egg*

Body: Skin: League – Sia Fair Bloom | Eyes: IKON – Eternal Eyes Peak XL | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Makeup: Beautiful Freak – Jackal Red* | Lips: M.O.C.K. Cosmetics – Crema Lipcolor Sanguine | Hair: Sky Everett – Cerdwin Rococo Black diamonds (modified) | Hands: Slink – Mesh Hands Casual

Outfit: Dress: Pale Empress – Serpentine Blood | Jewelry: House of Rain – Horror Holiday Necklace, Earrings, Bracelets Ruby/Jet/Silver*

Poses: PoseMonster – Stand 69 & Stand 4*

Silver Lining

It’s always there if you know how to look. The very least there’s the experience you’ve gained, but usually it’s much more than that. It’s difficult to see when in the middle of the events that make us wish for one: it tends to require stepping back, taking a deep breath and observing for a while from the distance.

It’s especially difficult to see if you’re dragged down by the weight of worries, kept too close to the problems by a collar of thorns that limits your sight and forces your gaze to be fixed and unmoving. Raising your head to look into the horizon can feel like an overwhelming task, but if you just dare to lift your gaze, it will be there to greet you: the silver lining.

The whole look was inspired by the Moriko collar and hat set by Zibska. They felt like they had a story to tell with their intricate sharp twists and turns. After I set them to silver I knew I wanted to play with whites and greys. The pictures are not desaturated, the look just consists purely of monochromes. I don’t usually credit windlights, but in this case I had to since it pretty much crowned the shoot.

Windlight: Strawberry Singh Silver

Body: Skin: Nuuna’s Skins – White Skin | Eyes: Fallen Gods Inc. – Glowing Eyes v.2 | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Liner: Nomine – Megaliner Tattoo Swirlique* | Lipstick: Zibska – Anya Nine* | Hair: Analog Dog – schnapp winter | Body tattoo: Fallen Gods Inc. – Children of Void Intense Silver

Outfit: Pants: LeeZu – Lea Vivendi Silver | Collar & Hat: Zibska – Moriko Set* | Brow attachment: Zibska – Zed*

Poses: aDORKable Poses – 3 of 25 2012 | PoseMonster – Behind 1*

Burlesque, Take Two

I’ve been meaning to do this for a while now. Actually, every time I look at my site stats. My most viewed post that I constantly get hits on is from  February 2011 and it’s called Brief Burlesque. I have no idea if it’s in some strange gallery somewhere or if people just do ‘burlesque’ searches all the time and end there, but regardless: time for take two.

When I saw that deviousMind has a gacha of these outfits, I was porting over faster than you can say ‘feathers’. Then I obviously had to recreate the spirit of that first photoshoot and use a dance instead of static poses. Which resulted into hours of dancing around and taking pictures because yegads, trying to catch the right angle when shimmying about is not easy. Obviously wasn’t having fun at all. Noes, never.

As for the runner-ups stat-wise I’ve already done a take two on the golden skin so guess next I have to re-do the Minoan snake goddess… as soon as I see an updated outfit for that.

Scene: Miamai – Victorian Room prop with poses

Body: Skin: League – Sia Fair Bloom | Lipstick: Izzie’s – Red Lipstick | Hair:  Love Soul – Hair*055*Jet Black | Hands: Slink – Mesh Hands Casual 

Outfit: Outfit: deviousMind – Vayne Vamp | Boots: Schadenfreude – Leith Boots | Necklace & Earrings: Maxi Gossamer – Baroque Teardrop Gold (FaMESHed) | Bracelet: Mandala – Milky Way Bracelet Hawthorn Red

Dance: Studio4D – S4D_flamenco_82

 

The Sense of Story

There’s something within us that feels the need to perceive beginnings and endings: we divide our lives into series of events, try to pinpoint when they began and why, name when they ended and how. It appeals to our sense of story, I guess. We see lives as stories, whether they are ours or others. Thus the beginning of a new year tends to feel like opening the first page of a new storybook, full of possibilities and potential. We take a moment to look back to evaluate and even judge how the previous storybook worked out: did it go as we planned, did it bring us joy and satisfaction, did it make us cry, was it full of tedium and unnecessary details, what could be done to make it better? That is where and when the resolutions arrive: this year, this story will be better. No more same mistakes, less dull repetition, more laughter, more love, more meaning, more moments to cherish and remember. Then we blink and suddenly it’s year later and the time to turn the last page again. No matter whether we manage to keep our resolutions, no matter what the story will become, today is the day to feel hope and celebrate the story still continuing. We are all writing our own sequels: let’s make them good ones!

Scene: Kukuvaya – Whitaker Studio

Body: Skin: League – Sia Fair Bloom | Eyes: Poetic Colors – Classic Frozen Silver Bright | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Makeup: M.O.C.K. Cosmetics – Ginger Chocolate Makeover | Hair: Exile – Believe Again

Outfit: Dress: *Perception* – Bustier-Dress Black/Gold* | Jewelry: Zibska – Zivit Necklace & Earrings*(opening gift at Zenshi) | Champagne Glass: Schadenfreude – L’Elephante d’Or Champagnte Glass

Poses: WetCat – M3 | LAP – TC-Timid Girl PR4