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

Black and White

Sometimes they are both red. Every story has at least two sides to it and often one is painted black, the other white. Fairytales do this, many books and movies do this, presenting the side that the main character is not on in simplistic unlikeable hues. One can always recognize a more realistic story from having more than two sides, none of them truly evil or good, but with more developed agendas of their own.

Despite all this we all enjoy a story with clear cut division. We were raised on fairytales, with heroes and villains, with arch-enemies worth an epic struggle. There are many such pairings in fantasy, but one of the more popular ones in recent years has been vampires and werewolves. Both traditionally evil, simply different viewpoints to their supernatural existences. Vampires tend to at least pretend to be urban, civilized, cultured and decadent. Werewolves are seen to represent nature, uncontrolled passions, rage and brutality.  Maybe that is why they have been so popular lately: a step away from black and white, both dancing in their own shades of grey, always ready to be covered in red.

No matter which side of the red you favor, both skins by Fallen Gods Inc. are currently available in the We Love Role-play event and you can locate the werewolf’s scale pauldrons by [HANDverk] in there as well. Both outfits are new releases by [ SAKIDE ] and both hairdos are by Alice Project, the vampire’s curls can be found in the current round of FaMESHed.

Vampire: Skin: Fallen Gods Inc. – Ghost xx War SB* | Hair: Alice Project – Serena* | Eyes: Repulse – Mystic Eyes Red | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Lipstick: M.O.C.K. Cosmetics – Sarah Jane’s Bloody Lipcolor | Blood: A Netherworld – Mmmm Blood! | Outfit: [ SAKIDE ] – Prima Outfit & Voulez-vous Corset* | Necklace: [HANDverk] Pearl Necklace Black/Silver*

Werewolf: Skin: Fallen Gods Inc. – Fur xx Red/beast runner* | Hair: Alice Project – Sari* | Eyes: Repulse – Lacerated v2 Green | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Outfit: [ SAKIDE ] – Lush Top Black, Lush Leather Shorts & Appeal Boots Black* | Pauldrons: [HANDverk] Scale Pauldrons Black Small*

Poses: aDORKable Poses – Melancholy 4&4M | Exposeur – Call the Shots 3&3M

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

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*

Rainha

There are days when no amount of polite diplomacy will do. Rainha is experienced enough to know that any good queen needs both armour and a weapon sometimes.

She did not get where she is by laying about in beds waiting for a random prince to come over to kiss her or losing her slippers. She might appreciate partnership and company, but no one needs to save her: she already saved herself.

There’s no laws about warrior queens having to look manly: Rainha certainly doesn’t. Impeccable outer appearance has always been an important part of leadership, after all. Don’t believe the vile rumours coming from her fortress lair, all lies and slander! Just because she likes huge updos and the colour red doesn’t mean she’d be a villain. Stereotypical propaganda!

Rainha is a combination of armour and leather dress and it’s a new release by The Muses. The dress and the cape are rigged, the armour is made out of garment layers and the rest of the attachments are non-rigged for re-sizing.

Scene: Annon

Body: Skin: League – Sia Fair Bloom | Hair: Sky Everett – Sovereign Black | Eyes: IKON – Utopia Eyes Dark Red | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Makeup: M.O.C.K. Cosmetics – Hearts Desire Makeover Daytime | Liner: Beautiful Freak – Jackal Eyes Red*

Outfit: The Muses – Rainha Black & Red* | Earrings: Finesmith – Noir | Sword: Tekeli-li – Bloodlight Twohander

Poses: aDORKable Poses – 19 of 25 2012 | PoseMonster – Behind 1 | Exposeur – Advent Gift 15

Curiata Curliques

There’s something irresistibly alluring about masks: temptation of the unknown, promise of adventure, theatrical illusion, the base premise of being something or someone else than you are.

Perhaps it’s that combination of unknown and adventure that also makes them so sensual. Especially when so intricate and covered in decadent curliques as this Curiata mask by Illusions. The equally sensual lingerie set by SAKIDE can be found in Perfect Wardrobe until February 9th.

There had to be gold in the look: rich, luxurious hues of it. Like in these Bali earrings by Bilo, for example. Or in the Timea ankle boots by lassitude & ennui, both new releases. Something about the way the closures of the shoes twisted made them a natural companion for the mask.

As for the furniture, going for the Marquis set by ~Libertine~ was an obvious choice. If you’re going to be draped in decadent curliques, might as well lounge in an area to match the mood.

Scene: Furniture: ~Libertine~ Marquis Full Set*

Body: Skin: League – Sia Fair Bloom | Eyes: Poetic Colors – Summer Wheat | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Eyeshadow: Beautiful Freak – Flamina Sunset* | Lipstick: M.O.C.K. Cosmetics – Crema Lipcolor Sanguine | Hair: D!va – Asami Type A | Hands: Slink – Mesh Hands Casual

Outfit: Mask: *~*Illusions*~* Curiata Mask | Lingerie: SAKIDE – Glitter Love Lingerie Black* | Shoes: lassitude & ennui – Timea ankle boots black/gold* | Earrings: Bilo – Bali Earrings Warm Reds*

Poses: D.Luxx – Secrets 03 | Part of the furniture.

As Winter Falls

It’s time for wool and hats and mittens that I am completely lacking in the pictures. The title comes from a combination of this Winter sweater dress by Geometry and the jewelry set it was inspired by: As Darkness Falls by House of Rain. The sweater dress is available in Gothmas by Gaslight and it is one whole item with the skirt to make sure it moves well together.

The fringe boots are a new release by SAKIDE. They come in several colours full of quirky winterness. The Lumi-hair by Wasabi Pills is available in the current FaMESHed round. With that name I would have bought it no matter how it looked, but it’s adorable with the texture change winter hat. Lumi means snow in Finnish, in case you were wondering.

All I need is some hot coffee now… and those mittens.

Scene: Ely’s home

Body: Skin: League – Sia Fair Bloom | Eyes: Poetic Colors – Classic Frozen Silver Bright | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Lipstick: M.O.C.K. Cosmetics – Crema Lipcolor Carnation | Hair & Hat: Wasabi Pills – Lumi Mesh Hair Night Shadow | Hands: Slink – Mesh Hands Casual

Outfit: Sweater Dress: Geometry – Winter Red* | Necklace & Ring: House of Rain – As Darkness Falls Opal* | Boots: SAKIDE – Fringe Boots Red* | Stockings: Sn@tch – Raggedy Socks Black

Poses: Magic Nook – Natural Modeling Pose P4 | aDORKable Poses – 1 of 25 2012

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

Rose in the Snow

This is a post to simply wish everyone wonderful holidays, no matter which one you celebrate and what you call it. Or wonderful ordinary day of December if you do not celebrate any. In Finland we call Christmas joulu, from Swedish jul, just like yule. The same word is used no matter what your beliefs are, the word itself implies absolutely nothing about whether you just like ham and presents or feel more spiritual about the day. I like the idea of wishing that people are happy and leaving the rest of it to themselves.

When you look at history it’s clear that the human mind -needs- a midwinter holiday. Whether it’s to reassure ourselves about sun’s return in some way or simply needing a break from the dark and the cold, there it is: celebration in the middle of the darkness. When you exist with just a few hours of daylight per day, you need a marker telling you that soon, soon, it’ll all turn around, the peak is reached, the journey back toward summer and sun begins. It’ll be alright.

I’ll stop myself before I’ll ramble too much. Feel free to blame wine for all of this and be grateful I decided I wouldn’t blog anything that needs tinting while tipsy. Hauskaa joulua, everyone! It’ll be alright.

Sim: Athan

Body: Skin: League – Sia Fair Bloom | Eyes: Poetic Colors – Classic Frozen Silver Bright | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hair: Rosy Mood – Satsuma Black | Lipstick: M.O.C.K. Cosmetics – Opal Lipcolor Mocha

Outfit: Dress: League – Burlesque Rose Yule | Ribbon: lassitude & ennui – Ophelia Roses and pearls necktie

Poses: !bang – Stand 131 | Frozen Panty Poses – HI5-BUNNY-07

 

 

52 Colours: Amazon

Two years of colours comes to a close with Amazon which despite its name works well as a festive tone. I want to thank Luna Jubilee for running the colour challenge for so long, that’s over 100 posts from all of us just for this. Admittedly, I did ram the fifteen first colours in one post since I joined the challenge a tad late the first year, but still. So much squinting, swatch tone comparing, brainstorming, look and concept pondering… it gave rhythm to my blogging, these weekly colours. It was an important part in my becoming consistent blogger, posting at least a few times a week since I always felt there should be minimum one post between the colours. Thank you, Luna, thank you all the other colour bloggers, have a wonderfully colourful next year, even without any official challenge!

The dress is one of the limited edition holiday dresses from Bilo, available only for December, so go get yours while you still can! The hairstyle is from Alice Project’s advent calendar and the poinsettia choker by Chaos, Panic & Disorder can be found in Gothmas by Gaslight. The pose and the scene are both by Luna, to wave goodbye to the challenge properly.

Scene: !bang

Body: Skin: League – Sia Fair Bloom | Eyes: IKON – Horizon Eyes v2 Dark Turquoise | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hair: Alice Project – Koko Christmas Black | Makeup: M.O.C.K. Cosmetics – Basically Silver and Chelsea

Outfit: Dress: Bilo – Carol Pine* | Choker: Chaos, Panic & Disorder – Poinsettia Choker

Pose: !bang – Stand 141