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

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

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

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

Every Rose

They all do have their thorns, of course. But what if there is a field of them, a whole sea of vivid blood red beauty? Breathtaking from afar, able to scratch and bleed you when approached.

It takes a wolf’s courage to wade into the roses, ignore the increasing tears, stings and scrapes and take it as the price for the beauty. Thick skin or armor might help the wanderer, but also lessen the actual experience. If you are not stung, how could the vision truly touch you?

Fantasy Faire is open one more day still, you have only Monday to finish all your shopping and indulging in the fantastic sims, so head on over!

The Wolf Maid dress by The Muses, the necklace by House of Rain and the makeup by Beautiful Freak can all be found in Crimson Fields — conveniently in the same booth. The Selene hairstyle by Wasabi Pills can be found in Magnificat and the pose by c( Two Cats ) is available in Evensong Woods.

Scene: Crimson Fields

Body: Skin: League – Sia Fair Bloom | Hair: Wasabi Pills – Selene Night Shadow | Eyes: Poetic Colors – Classic Frozen Silver Bright | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hands: Slink – Mesh Hands (av) Casual | Makeup: Beautiful Freak – Starcrossed Black*

Outfit: Dress: The Muses – Wolf Maid* | Necklace: House of Rain – The Luxury of Tears *

Poses: c( Two Cats ) – Magical 4* | !bang – mini series – overcome 4

The Silence of Yuale Nura

Its frozen, wintry beauty is breathtaking. Or breath-freezing, as winters tend to be. The elven enclave in the treetops of Evensong Woods glows softly in the night of blues and purples, silent and peaceful.

That peace is carefully guarded by the local wood elves, who keep a close watch on any visitors to see how they behave. Perhaps they simply want to make certain no one falls off the bridges or disturbs a hibernating bear with shouting, but perhaps there is something bigger slumbering in the cold.

Whatever the reason for the maintained frozen silence, the elves will never tell. The only response you’ll get is a small smile and a nod of acknowledgement before the polite encouragement to keep your voice down.

One thing elves do not have to worry about at the moment is gear. Fantasy Faire provides all the things an elf could want, for example: The elven Rochon robe by FATEwear is available in Titan’s Hollow, both the Edenion boots by lassitude & ennui and the Deliverance necklace by House of Rain can be found in Crimson Fields, the Faded Warpaint face tattoo by Pin Me Down can be found in Lotus Valley Dream and the elven ears by *~*Illusions*~* are fittingly located in Evensong Woods.

Scene: Evensong Woods

Body: Skin: League – Sia Fair Bloom | Hair: Wasabi Pills – Hawk2 Night Shadow | Eyes: Poetic Colors – Poison Ivy | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Makeup: Pin Me Down – Faded Warpaint 2* | Hands: Slink – Mesh Hands (av) Casual | Ears: *~*Illusions*~* Seelie Ears*

Outfit: Robe: FATEwear – Rochon Emerald* | Necklace: House of Rain – Deliverance Black Cord* | Boots: lassitude & ennui – Edenion Boots grey/gold*

Pose: Poise – Vogue 9

Lost in Caras Calar

It is what Titan’s Hollow in Fantasy Faire is really called: Caras Calar, a glowing filigree city of crystal and metal, suspended by chains in the air. In all its surreally luminescent beauty it felt like a place where lost dolls realize they are not in Kansas anymore. Or toy shop. Or whatever reality they might originally hail from.

It is a repeating theme in fantasy: finding yourself in another world. I believe it is at the very core of any fantasy fiction, whether you are simply introduced to this another realm or if you follow people moving from one plane to another, sharing their bewilderment and wonder as they explore a world they never knew existed.

It is very human to long for moments of surprise and awe, of amazement and enchantment. As our own world grows smaller in our minds, we escape to worlds that exist in only shared mindscapes of imagination, finding solace and excitement in them.

Taking that one step to cross the borders of realms has never been as easy as it is this week: Fantasy Faire is open and it brings you ten new realms to explore, to take your breath away, to immerse in and admire. It’s all just one click away.

The gothic doll dress and jacket by lassitude & ennui, the Luxury of Tears jewelry by House of Rain and Jackal makeup by Beautiful Freak are all available in Crimson Fields. The little Toto-wannabe meeroo’s kin have settled in Lumenaria for the Faire.

Scene: Titan’s Hollow

Body: Skin: Essences – Clover 01 Pale Dust Brunette* | Hair: Analog Dog – Schnapp Natural Black | Eyes: Poetic Colors – Aurora | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Makeup: Beautiful Freak – Jackal Eyes Blue*

Outfit: Dress & Jacket: lassitude & ennui – Gothic Doll* | Jewelry: House of Rain – The Luxury of Tears sapphire/dark silver*

Toto-wannabe: Meeroos – Nocturnal Meeroo*

Waiting for Fantasy

For that moment when reality blurs and changes, for when you truly look around and see everything in such detail that reality becomes surreal.

Bathed in a light from another realm, the realization turns you around slowly — half hoping, half fearing — to meet the horizon. An inhale, a smile, a step forward to breach the barrier between worlds. Abandon the pragmatic precautions, dare to leap. Who knows when the horizon will call again, when the door will next open?

It is almost here: Fantasy Faire. The week in our second lives when we are invited to immerse ourselves into the Fairelands, to expand our minds, to open our eyes to see what was always there, to magnify our souls. To try out new things, to taste the adventure, to feel the rush of excitement and to find peace.

The Fairelands will open their inviting portals on Saturday, 20th April. The breathtaking Starfall dress by The Muses can then be found in the Faire, in Crimson Fields. The fitting poses by Musa will be available in Magnificat.

Scene: Sim: Port Seraphine

Body: Skin: League – Sia Fair Bloom | Hair: Exile – Lost in Wonderland | Eyes: Poetic Colors – Classic Frozen Silver Bright | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hands: Slink – Mesh Hands (av) Casual

Outfit: Dress: The Muses – Starfall*

Poses: Musa – Gown Pose 010 & 003*

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