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*

Faire Jackalope

Fantasy Faire closes its portals today at midnight. With 8.4 million lindens gathered for Relay For Life (and still going), it has been a record breaking Faire in many ways. It was also the first time I was in the backstage and got to run around and multitask things like I was a professional juggler and repeat the caf-fei-nate mantra to myself as the general cure to everything. It’s a contagious kind of insanity, I must say. Extremely delightful one, too.

Most of the time I ran around the Faire as a jackalope. Gowns so bad for running, after all. Since this is how a lot of people got to meet me the first time, I decided I would blog the official Faire Jackalope look as my last one. After this it’ll be a year again before the Fairelands rise like world-versions of phoenix, every year brighter. Until then the Faire Jackalope offers her thanks and an extra nose wiggle as a farewell.

The jackalope outfit is really designed for fauns, it’s Dyisi by Evie’s Closet, available in Magnificat. The horns with roses are by ::{Elysium}:: and can be found in Lumenaria and the makeup by Beautiful Freak is located in Crimson Fields.

Scene: Magnificat

Body: Skin: Essences – Clover 01 *pale dust* brunette | Hair: Analog Dog - schnapp natural black | Eyes: Poetic Colors – Classic Frozen Silver Bright | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Makeup: Beautiful Freak – Odetta Blood Red* | Ears & Tail: [D]oki – Fawn Ears & Tail | Horns: ::{Elysium}:: Maenad Red Rose Crown (with Antlers)

Outfit: Outfit & Boots: Evie’s Closet – Dyisi 

Poses: Pose Plastique – By the Water 1 | aDORKable Poses – 3 of 25 2012

52 Colours: Gold

I was really tempted to go pure gold for this, but realized I had done that not so long ago so poked at my inventory until I found an alternative look. I don’t really know where this modern blonde half-drow girl came from, but she definitely has the dark elf attitude mastered. The Femme Fatale dress by Perception had not only the right colour, but plenty of attitude to slink about in the shadows with. The poses with cell phones are by aDORKable Poses from With Love <3 Hunt and they somehow nailed the modern ‘run things with a cell phone’ vibe for Miss Gold. The Alexis hairstyle by Alice Project is currently available in FaMESHed. I also had to add a lot of jewelry since surely it would be no proper post about gold without piles of chains all around. The necklaces are by Maxi Gossamer from With Love <3 Hunt and the wonderful Kelpie’s Bridle by Evie’s Closet is from the current round of Zodiac. The skin is one of The Arcade gacha ones by Glam Affair, there’s in total three that work for dark elves, which is always a happy-happy-joy-joy thing.

Scene: Garden of Dreams – Tibetan Temple*

Body: Skin: Glam Affair – Renee Dreary Soul 02 RAV | Eyes: IKON – Kaleido Eyes Day XL | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Makeup: Beautiful Freak – Jackal eyes Orange* | Hair: Alice Project – Alexis*

Outfit: Dress: *Perception* – Femme Fatale Gold* | Necklaces: Maxi Gossamer – Paris Black Diamond Combo All Gold | Face Jewelry: Evie’s Closet – The Kelpie’s Bridle

Poses & Phones: aDORKable Poses – Call Me 5m & 2

The Good, The Bad and The Lucky

There’s something about contrasts, opposites that makes both clearer. By defining what something is not is also defining what one is. For example, when you define something as ethereal, peaceful and slightly detached while still good, you might end up with this moonlit creature.

If you move to the opposite direction, you can find physical, intense and fully alive while possibly more bad. That seems to be the division between the two in classic fantasy: good is often more emotionally detached while bad is driven by their passions.

I personally favor the storytelling that turns this around and teaches the luminous beings how to breathe and how to feel, even if it would come with a price. On a less serious note: the dark side does have all the cookies. I’m not sure what Arachnos here puts in her cookies, but I’m quite convinced she has them.

The skin, loincloth, spider legs, eyes and the extra eyes on forehead and cleavage are all a part of the current fortune teller prize in Fallen Gods Inc. The teller will be joining hands until November 3rd, but the skins will be for sale later. The lighter counterpart, Anima, is one of his latest creations as well. Anima’s jewelry is by Tekeli-li, who is also having a Halloween sale at the moment. Hairs are by Alice Project, the colour change HUD with control over select parts of hair was perfect for contrasting. The web collar on Arachnos is by Scrub, from the latest round of Horror Haute.

As for the title, the Lucky is of course you.

Bodies: Skins: Fallen Gods Inc. – Anima & Arachnos* | Hairs: *Alice Project* – Bliss* | Eyes: The Plastik – Bloodless Silver (Anima) & Fallen Gods Inc. – Blood Eyes (Arachnos) | Makeup: Nuuna’s Skin – Azen White (Anima), M.O.C.K. Cosmetics – Aos Si Winter White Masque (Anima) & Zibska – Ting Coal (Arachnos)

Outfits: Skirts: Evie’s Closet – Lumina Nymph Aerie (Anima) & Fallen Gods Inc. – Lava Loin Cloth (Arachnos) | Jewelry: Tekeli-li – Inanna Set (Anima) & Scrub – Webcollar (Arachnos)

Poses: LAP – BG1-Barbie9 PR4 | N/A | Olive Juice – Dramatically Sexy

 

 

 

52 Colours: Tyrian Purple

Tyrian purple is historically the colour for royalty, for the Byzantium controlled imperial silks among other things. Children of the emperors were said to be born in the purple. That said I obviously had to go historical with it and get a gown from Evie’s Closet for Miss Tyrian Purple.

To get away with the fantasy influences and era/style clashes, I made her a vampire. Could even be a modern picture of a very old one with historical tastes, after all. The Roman Bath is by Garden of Dreams, full of bathing, lounging and cuddling animations and poses. It’s 208 prims with a footprint of 30×30.

The butterfly necklace by Maxi Gossamer, skin by Glam Affair and the updo with the colour change headband of jewelry by D!va are all in the current Collabor88. It’s full of awesome things, what with it being their first birthday. Much huzzah for the first year of collaboration!

The curliques around her eye are a part of separate makeup by M.O.C.K. Cosmetics, as is the lip colour. I just couldn’t resist a touch of eccentricity. That said, would you come for a relaxed toga bathing party if she invited you over?

Scene: Garden of Dreams - The Roman Bath – 208 prims 30x30m (cuddles, single sits, meditation spots)*

Body: Skin: Glam Affair – Roza BaroQ 03 D HB | Eyes: The Plastik – Frozen Soul Sunset | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hair & headband: D!va – Manon Onyx | Makeup: M.O.C.K. Cosmetics – Memories of Mardi Gras Makeover & Mauve Lip Creme

Outfit: Evie’s Closet – Elizabeth Pink | Necklace: Maxi Gossamer – Jewelled Butterfly Short Gold

Poses: aDORKable Poses – 17 of 25 / LAP – BG1-Barbie9 PR4 / Sparrowtree Studios Poses – daringdiva3 

The Good, The Bad and the Tiny

It sounded better than Various Butterfly Ladies, don’t judge! All the said ladies are wearing dresses by Evie’s Closet and all of the said pretties are available tomorrow (April 21) when Fantasy Faire opens its doors at noon SLT. You can spoil yourself all but rotten with fantasy and help American Cancer Society at the same time!

I took all the pictures in the faire sims: the red gowned lady posed in The Tides, the wicked lady in Shadow’s Claw and the tiny fairy princess in Meandervale. I am warmly recommending taking your time and exploring the sims, all of them are gorgeous, representing various sides of fantasy extremely well.

The hair with all the butterflies is by Yasyn’s Odds and Ends from the Crazy Hair Hunt, which is still going on for the whole of April. I loved its casual updo style with all the glowy regal butterflies, perfect for the Greco-Roman lady in red. The red Elora II gown is a pre-release and the other colours will be released on a later date. At the moment this is the only colour out and conveniently available in one of Evie’s RFL vendors.

The golden little fairy princess flittered about admiring the gigantic butterflies and fruit, glad of her wings (one version flaps only when you fly, brilliant!) since that way she can never trip in the hem of her gown… not that she would! I added Monique by Wasabi Pills’ petite hairdos to the look, goldielocks with an ickle braid. Perfect.

I obviously had way too much fun with the wicked butterfly lady. The Lenka dress is a new release, the other colours are for sale in the faire as well, but this darker Henbane-version is in a RFL vendor. The hair is Evie’s as well, her prize from the Crazy Hair Hunt. Since this lady obviously needed more butterflies, I added Evie’s new butterfly crown to it as well. I’d also like to point out the Thassa-necklace — better visible in the triptych — by T R I D E N T Jewelry. Such delightfully coincidental matching with the thorned mask! The horns by ~Illusions~ are an old hunt gift, but fortunately Siyu has placed several other curly horns for sale in the faire so you’re not left wanting! Last but not least — I spied with my sim-oggling eyes that [ni.Ju] had these claws available in the faire as well. Go forth and enjoy the stories: others’ and the ones you create!

- Greco-Roman Lady in Red in the role of Good: 

Fantasy Faire: Dress: Evie’s Closet – Elora II Ruby 

Crazy Hair Hunt: Hair: Yasyn’s Odds and Ends – Effervescent Chrysalis

Other Credits: Skin: Pink Fuel - Ember <Milk> – New Blood | Eyes: The Plastik – Aleria Fool-Flare | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Make-up: M.O.C.K. Cosmetics – Mardi Gras Elegant (eyeshadow) & Falu Red Glace Lipcolor | Pose: Glitterati – Drink 4

- Petite Princess in Gold in the role of Tiny: 

Fantasy Faire: Dress & Wings: Evie’s Closet – Elizabeth Golden

Other Credits: Petite: Fallen Gods Inc. – Petites Pale Natural | Hair: Wasabi Pills – Monique Golden | Pose: aDORKable Poses – Chill 2

- Wicked Butterfly Lady in the role of Bad: 

Fantasy Faire: Dress: Evie’s Closet – Lenka Henbane | Butterfly Crown: Evie’s Closet | Necklace: T R I D E N T Jewelry – Thassa Necklace IV Black

Crazy Hair Hunt: Hair: Evie’s Closet – Butterfly Effect Hair

Other Credits: Skin: The Plastik – Lionheart Pale Serial Killer | Eyes: Repulse – Demonic v3 Eyes (Red) | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Tattoo mask: Sn@tch – Thorns Makeup Red | Lips: M.O.C.K. Cosmetics – Bella Vetro Gloss [Guardsman Red] & Clear Lipgloss | Claws: [ni.Ju] – Black Tipped Claws | Horns: ~Illusions~ Cylindriculus Horns | Pose: D.Luxx – Pencil 06

52 Colours: Royal Purple

With a name like this it was obvious Miss Royal Purple had to be a queen. Evil sorceress queen, duh. Are there any other kind?

Of course I went to my Evie’s Closet folder for this. Luxuriously rich colours and all the style a fantasy queen could possibly want. Since I was lacking in crowns I went for a big hair instead. This one is an old Crazy Hair Hunt gift by Curious Kitties. Speaking of, a new round has just started!

I did find a cute crown by Violet Voltaire from my inventory! Too small for evil queens to wear, but just perfect to tempt mortals with. What would you give for it, pretty one?

Obviously I had to go all the way purple, so even the skin by Heartsick, lipstick by M.O.C.K. Cosmetics and the eyes and the mask tattoo by The Plastik are all purple as well. I tried to find a golden throne for her, but failed. In the end I took her to Athan because I knew I could trust in Alia’s elven builds to have the right vibe. And so they did~

Credits: Skin: Heartsick – Deity Unseelie | Eyes: The Plastik – Bloodless Grape | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Lipstick: M.O.C.K. Cosmetics - Saffy Violet Lip Gel Redux | Tattoo Mask: The Plastik - Soul Ink Reloaded://LaVenta-Prudence | Hair: Curious Kitties - Queen of Hair V2 | Dress: Evie’s Closet – Aventine Gown Purple | Gloves: Sn@tch - Leather Gloves (Black) | Crown: Violet Voltaire – Frilly Frou Crown: Black & White | Poses: Niqotine Poses – WhoMe3 / Diesel Works – Julie 13 / E.inK – Random

Purple, Green and Gold

We don’t celebrate Mardi Gras or any form of carnival in Finland, adding one more holiday to a surprisingly long list of only-virtual-parties for me. Thus I’m also sort of clueless about which day/s it’s actually on where and when and if I’m already late posting about it or not, so I am completely excusing myself with my nationality. So there.

I went to Siyu’s Mardi Gras Masquerade party, not only once, but twice! The Gods of Carnival pranked big time and locked her sim on Saturday, so she graciously continued the party on Sunday. Two days of hopping like a flapper in a ball gown! Speaking of the gown, yes, it’s another of Evie’s gorgeous creations spiced up with a Schadenfreude mesh corset. The latter is from Flux event, along with the fan and make-up.

When we were not plotting the future society of our obvious alternate universe bubble where we were trapped, I took pictures! Which is always slightly tricky when dancing and extra tricky when you have to keep the graphics to event-level. I had even changed the viewer to stay stably glued on the dance floor. Regardless, I like some of the shots.

As much as Rio-style might be fun, I must say I am rather partial to this type of Venice carnival. Revelries in ball gowns and masks leave so much more to imagination!

 

Flux Event: Corset, fan, make-up: Schadenfreude – Underbust corset, Mardi Gras Fan, Langwidere Mardi Gras Eiraku Eyes/Lips/Nails

Skin: League – Sia Fair Bloom | Eyes: The Plastik – Aleria Fool Purple | Hair: Sky Everett – Kiera black | Dress: Evie’s Closet – Aventine Purple | Shoes: Shiny Things – Delphines gold | Mask: Illusions – Mardi Gras 2012 Masquerade Mask | Pose: !bang – Stand 139 

52 Colours: Dark Raspberry

Miss Dark Raspberry provided surprisingly much trouble for me. I found out early on in the week that dresses categorized as ‘pink’ in Evie’s Closet are pretty much perfect for this colour, I located some berries from the Marketplace, found an orchard/vineyard sim and took some pictures… and hated them the next day. In addition to some technical difficulties I won’t go into, they lacked the spirit. So, I logged back on and went to Alirium instead. I feel better about these, although I still feel like something is missing…

I knew Miss Dark Raspberry would wander around in summery locations barefooted, though, so Alirium was perfect for this.

The carelessly stylish hairdo is one of the first mesh ones by Exile, a subscribo-gift back in the day. The earrings are by Zaara — I should remember to wear her stuff more often, they are gorgeous.

It’s a shame flutterbies don’t eat berries — she’d share!

 

Skin: League – Sia Fair Bloom | Eyes: Shiva – lovestruck | Lipstick: M.O.C.K. Cosmetics – Bella Vetro Gloss [Nightshade] | Lashes: Redgrave – 39- Luscious | Hair: Exile – Mesh GG Brown/Purple | Earrings: Zaara – Anjami Chandelier Gold | Dress: Evie’s Closet – Nathalie Pink | Poses: Olive Juice – Betty / aDORKable Poses – 16 of 25 / Diesel Works – Julie 13 | Berries: Spazztastic Creations – Meeroo Pink Berry Bunch Nom

52 Colours: Patina

Miss Patina was a very obvious character. She had to be a statue! (Patina is the tarnish that forms on bronze and similar surfaces in time. Think of Statue of Liberty, for example. When old statues turn green.) So I turned my Miss Patina into a sort of a Greek statue and ran around in the Pillars of Hercules posing.

The aqua tone of Plastik’s Ataciara skins was pretty much perfect patina. The Mochi hair by Wasabi Pills in aquatic tone is slightly off from the patina, but was the closest one I could find. I was aiming for sort of Greek-Roman statue curls, but couldn’t find hair that would have nailed it perfectly and in the end I was really happy with the cutesy round curlettes of this one.

I had a lot of fun trying to find places where a statue could be placed, such as this. All the poses are by aDORKable Poses, lovely combination of unassuming cuteness. The Will ‘O The Wisp outfit is by Evie’s Closet. It worked as a sort of ragged toga enough for me.

The real question is of course where do all these lifelike statues come from? Visit the Cave of Medusa and you might understand… I was really happy to see how playing with windlight and viewer settings could produce texture changes on the skin, but what would have made me -really- happy is finding body tattoo layers to mimic either the patina or the bronze. I really wanted a sort of flaked look to the statue, perhaps even some cracks to the surface. If you know of any, please share!

Don’t look back! …too late.

Skin: The Plastik: Ataciara-Elven-Aqua-Naked | Hair: Wasabi Pills: Mochi-Aquatic | Dress: Evie’s Closet: Willow ‘O The Wisp-Green | Poses: aDORKable Poses: 14 of 25 – Chill 7m – 3 of 25 – Ice 3m