The Seasons of Persephone: Winter

Summer was always too short. The time to return took her by surprise every year despite the signs beginning to appear: her skin paled, her hair lost its vibrant colour, the summer greens changed to darker winter tones.

The butterflies transformed to small spirits, twirling around her, eager to return back to Hades. Flower decorations became chains and bones, metals and gemstones. 

The blooming lines across her body sharpened into a strong mask befitting the Queen of the Underworld, the one whose name was barely whispered aloud in fear it would call her attention. Call the attention of the one carrying into effect the curses of men upon the souls of the dead.

As the nature quiets into its winter hibernation, Persephone returns to Hades: the realm and the god. She returns and she rules by his side until the awakening spring calls her back to the warmth of summer.

The dress by Fallen Gods Inc. & [FAIDA] is one of the exclusives in The Epiphany. You can acquire the exclusives by redeeming in your gacha prizes, that way you can get rid of the commons you don’t want and get exclusive shinies in return! The halo by Cerberus Xing is a gacha prize in the same event. The tattoo by Fallen Gods Inc. is available in Create Your Own Tarot event, the skin by Fallen Gods Inc. is from Wayward Carnival, the hair by EMO-tions from Hair Fair and the necklace by !deviousMind from the current Underworld round of Genre.

Scene: Annon

Body: Skin: Fallen Gods Inc. – Pure Ivory* | Tattoo: Fallen Gods Inc. – The Emperor Complete + Gold Filigree* | Hair: EMO-tions – Stephanie | Eyes: IKON – Immortal Eyes Parchment | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hands & Feet: Slink | Body: Maitreya

Outfit: Dress: Fallen Gods Inc. & [FAIDA] – Jour Reveur Diabolique* | Crown: Aisling – Savage Winter Crown (snow) | Halo: Cerberus Xing – Tsukiyomi’s Halo (Gold + B) | Necklace: !deviousMind – Lasombra – Vampire Necklace Gold/Silver* | Bracelets – Bliensen + MaiTai – Mano Bracelets Gold* | Spirits: Cole’s Corner – Mana Comet Companion, Mushi Chain Companion, Water Faerie Companion*

Poses: Picture This! – Jewelry Model 3 | {NanTra} – Eternal Beauty 8M | {NanTra} – Eternal Beauty 1M

Golden Gaze

It’s the golden eve, the heat of day having exhausted every living thing, the rays of sun slowly drawing out the very last pieces of focus and coherence, leaving behind only lazy lounging instinct, the primal indulgence of basking in the sun.

There’s luxury in the warmth, delicious decadence in the heat where the only reason to adorn one’s body is for decoration.

The haze shifts perception into rose-gilded illusions, into acute sensitivity of each pearl pressing against warm skin, the stark contrast of shade and sun like cooler stripes painted on the world.

Luscious, opulent, intoxicated from the warmth, the delightful incoherence affecting the vision until the whole world is gold. Gold and the scent of dreams.

The corset dress with all the pearl accessories by !deviousMind and the mask by Alchemy are both available in The Secret Affair. The boots by lassitude & ennui are currently available in We Love RP and the bed by Kalopsia in Genre. The hair by EMO-tions can be acquired from Hair Fair.

Scene: Bed: Kalopsia – Le Lit de La Marquise (Gold)

Body: Skin: Essences – Clover 01 Pale Dust Brunette | Hair: .:EMO-tions:. – Envy | Eyes: IKON – Immortal Eyes Parchment | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hands: Slink – Casual

Outfit: Corset Dress with Pearls: !deviousMind – Satine La Rouge Pearl | Boots: lassitude & ennui – Marquise Boots Cream* | Mask: Alchemy – Dreams Filigree Mask Cream 

Pose: !bang – Taurus 4 | Part of furniture.

Splashing in the Sun

“Yes, you may play with pandas, just watch out that you don’t fall… ah. Well, swimming is good in the heat, splash some extra while you’re there, I’ll pick you up in just a moment. Yes, Adler, I know your paws can’t reach the drink, just take it as a tummy cooler for now. Now someone help me liberate this poor seal pup of this outfit, surely he can’t be comfortable in this…”

“Everyone safely out from the water and drying in the sun? Good good. What’s this… ah, sun screen spreading service hedgie, most kind of you. Mr. Squirrel, you dropped an ice cream on Adler’s head? I’m sure he’ll find it refreshing, not to worry.”

“Yes, I do agree that my shoes make perfect perches, well spotted. …sure, you may use that as a floating device, little hedgie, or possibly a hat for two. Picnic ready and mostly not nibbled? Excellent.”

“No, I don’t need the hat right now, feel free to play with it, I have tweeties to carry anyway. Remember to build a big guest room to the sand castle, I have a feeling we’re going to need it. Oh, and someone water the flower vases. Not you, Adler, you can’t reach.”

“Everyone alive, relaxed and counted for? No pair of paws lost or splashing too far? Good. Countdown to otter relaxation in three… two…”

It’s summer. I poked at my inventory curiously to see what would fall out to make a post and this simply happened. There’s plenty of stuff that was from the June’s Arcade round or Summer Fest or even earlier, but a little critter picnic needs what it does, no arguments. I did manage to sneak in some things that were still current, though.

Today’s the last day of Oh My Gacha, so if you want the eyes by Pin Me Down, skin by .Birdy., panda floaties by D-LAB or the seal pup by Alchemy, hop over here in a hurry. It’s also the last day for Creation.jp, where the ruffly summer outfit by *Edelweiss* is from. The top comes with a HUD so you can click more ruffly layers on it to form a romper, but I felt the weather was too warm for that. You have more time to shop for the things from the Season’s Story like the flower vases by [ keke ], the blanket and the sketchbook by 8f8 and the summer orange tart by Poche. The hair and all the little tweeters around are of course by !Ohmai and can be acquired from Hair Fair: the separate little birdies are a freebie that comes with a cage, but it’s modable and therefore unlinkable if you want your birdies to be freeee.

Scene: D-LAB – Panda Floats | Miamai – Floatie Panda Blue | !Ohmai – Hedgehogs, Mochi Bunnies, Steampunk Squirrels, Otters | 8f8 – Our Secret Hideout Meadow Soft Spot & Little Sketchbook, Strawberry Ice Cream Please, Oops! Ice Cream | ANE – Slon Set Moka Pot & Coffee | Second Spaces – Beach Day Pale Skin (Sunscreens) | [keke] – summer tray with flowers red | +Half-Deer+ Summer Delights Waffle Cone Hat | Vespertine – Lemonade Box, Stack of Blankets, Picnic Basket, Fruit Treats, Tea Time/daylight | Zigana – Banjo Peace | Poche – Summer Orange Tart & Shaved Ice Grape| Lassitude & Ennui – Bijou Heels for Slink Med Feet Pearl* | Sari-Sari – Summer House Beach Step Ladder Rare | Botanical – T2C Campfire & Log Seat

Body: Skin: .Birdy. – Summer Skin Porcelaine Kitty Black | Eyes: Pin Me Down – All about the eyes Sapphire* | Lashes: Redgrave- 39 – Luscious | Hair: !Ohmai Salon: Eli w Tweeter & Sue’s Nesting Tweeters | Hands: Slink Casual | Feet: Gos Barefoot

Outfit: *Edelweiss* Irie | Seal Pup: Alchemy – Seal Pups Hello Sailor

Poses: Picture This! – Jewelry Model 3 | Vibe – ATRC_1202

 

Fancy Fox

Or vixen, in this case. All about pearls and lace and ribbons and fancy things, adorable and innocent like… well, a fox. All the stories and myths are vile propaganda!

A friend of bunnies and fluffy critters, practically vegetarian. Just a piece of sushi sometimes, surely. Perhaps an ear-nibble. A friendly one.

Times change, forests diminish, humans gain absolutely unfair advantages… what is a cunning creature to do? Live amongst the hunters, of course. Human disguise is not that big a deal for a fox, after all.

Today is Bandana Day and the last day of the Hair Fair. You can read more about it here, but it’s already a tradition to remove your hair and wear a bandana for the day. There’s a bandana booth on each of the Hair Fair sims, for example here. I couldn’t decide between my two favourites (Ohmai and Aisling), so I’m wearing both of them. Because there’s no vulpine law to stop me! The dress by Dead Dollz, the bunny plushie by Ohmai and the nails applier by Orc Inc are available in the Love Donna Flora event. The skin by Essences is from the current round of Collabor88.

Body: Skin: Essences – CHO skin Light Rose 02 Brunette | Eyes: Poetic Colors – Summer Breeze Bright | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Liner: Beautiful Freak – Jackal Eyes Orange* | Hands: Slink – Mesh Hands (av) Casual | Nails: Orc Inc – Pastel Shimmer*

Outfit: Dress: Dead Dollz – Chocolat | Bracelets: Mandala – Pearl Rain Season 2 Cream | Bandanas: Ohmai – Hair Fair 2013 Bandana by Anya Ohmai & . a i s l i n g . – Bandana Day Fox | Bunny Plushie: Ohmai – LDF Hope Bunny Plushie

Even Papercranes Dream of Flying

Stuck in a mobile, twirling slowly around the same routine every moment of their lives from the creation to destruction: same motion, same string tying them in place with no escape, with no ability to escape.

Yet they feel the call of the sky, long for freedom so much they could taste it if they had mouths, know what it would feel like to spread their wings and fly. Know and dream.

For if they were not meant to fly, why would they have wings?

The dress by SAKIDE, the papercranes by Vespertine and the nail appliers by Orc Inc are all from Love Donna Flora event. The hair and roses by Ohmai can be purchased in her booth at Hair Fair. The necklace by HANDverk is available in the current round of Zodiac.

Scene: Forest (mostly): Studio Skye – Enchanted Forest | Papercranes: Vespertine – Papercrane Mobile Baroque & Mix Static

Body: Skin: Essences – Noodles Light Rose 02 Brunette | Hair & Roses: !Ohmai – Kun & Rosie Posies | Eyes: Poetic Colors – Cosmic Dream | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hands: Slink – Mesh Hands (av) Casual | Nails: Orc Inc – Pastel Shimmer

Outfit: Dress: [SAKIDE] – Lace Bonbon Dress* | Necklace: [HANDverk] – Lion Tail Necklace Bright* | Ring: Mandala – Motsumame Ring Red/Gold

Poses & Held Cranes: Vespertine – Papercrane Wearable Props

Sea Orchid

Mermaids of tropical waters are never just blue or green tailed. They most definitely do not have pale human skin like some of their more traditional cold-water cousins. No, the tropical mermaids flourish and flaunt their colours like the local fish do.

They bloom amongst the coral reefs, flicker about near the surface, splash water with their tails at unsuspecting sailors. They are the orchids of the mermaid garden, full of strong colour combinations and surprises.

They play, they dance, they explore. They collect random shiny things from wreckages, combine them with corals and fishbones, twine bright sea plants in their hair.

They are the sun-warmed water, the sound of friendly waves hitting the shore, the playful breeze on the surface, the current that sweeps you off your feet — or fins. They are the wavedancers, the laughter of the seas.

The original rigged mesh mermaid tails are a new release by The Muses, available in 24 different colour options. The hairdo by [Gauze] is one of their Hair Fair releases that you can find in their fair booth. The Ulani collar and hat by Zibska are a part of the The Gallery Gift Shop’s Second Anniversary. The half-mask is a group gift by Zibska.

Scene: Cerridwen’s Cauldron – Hydra Anemones, Giant Clam Blue Adult, Jellyfish Weed Bladeleaf | Fantasy Flora – Sea Grass Blue & Purple, Bubble Plants Blue & Purple

Body: Skin: +Nuuna+ Crayon skins v2 Orange | Eyes: .{Rue}. Eyes/Pluto: Diva* | Hair: [Gauze] – Demara  Gems & Ivy Hair Decoration | Mask: Zibska – Maaike Purple* | Eye Makeup: Zibska – Alia Purple* | Hands: Slink – Mesh Hands (av) Elegant1 | Purple Hand Blends & Orange Nails: Orc Inc*

Outfit: Mermaid Top & Tail: The Muses – Ondine Midnight* | Collar & Hat: Zibska – Ulani*

Poses: Musa – Fantasy Pose 056 | Exposeur – Underwater 7 | !bang – Intuition 2

Grapes and Cream

Ice cream, that is. Cakes. Coffee. Noms of all sort. Cocktails, milkshakes, cherries and whipped cream. There’s something surreally decadent in delicacies that also look good, like they were made to give a feast to your eyes long before the taste registers, before that first bite.

One could argue that the looks of food have nothing to do with their nutritional value, but I beg to differ. There’s a different level of nourishment acquired through eyes, through nose, through mind. The expectation, the anticipation, the admiration… it all increases and adds to the taste, making it all the more delicious for it.

It’s exactly the indulgence in several senses instead of just one that makes them taste so good, the enticing sweet things. Take the time to crave for that bite and it will be immensely more satisfying.

The cake stand, cappuccino, tea and sugar bowl by Culprit, the cocktail, parfait and soda float by [CIRCA], the flower ice cream by Retro’,  the corset by Perception, the grapes jewelry set by Weather or Not? and the fruity Slink nails by Orc Inc are all available in Food Fair. Analog Dog’s Tunnel Cake hairdo is available in their Hair Fair booth and the extra surreal lashes by [ #7 ] can be found in The Gallery Gift Shop.

Scene: Building: Garden of Dreams – The Roman Bath* | Furniture: ~Libertine~ Marquis Complete Set* | Noms: Culprit – Dotty Cakestand, Cappuccino, Tea, Sugarybowl | Other Noms: [CIRCA] – Pineapple Chichi Island Cocktail, Epicure Ice Cream Parfait CookieCream, Double Cherry Soda Float SnowCream 

Body: Skin: Essences – Clover 01 Pale Dust Brunette* | Eyes: NoirOptix – Pale Violet Eyes | Liner: Beautiful Freak – Odetta Goblin Green* | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Surreal Lashes: [ #7 ] D I S C O V E R Y  portia’s pleisure lash add-ons | Hairdo: Analog Dog – Tunnel Cake Splash | Hands: Slink – Mesh Hands (av) Casual | Feet: Slink – Mesh Feet (Av Enhance) Medium | Nails: Orc Inc – Slink Nails Fruit* 

Outfit: Corset: *Perception* – Sweetheart Overbust Aqua w/ Grapevines* | Jewelry: Weather or Not? – Vineyard Grape Necklace & Earrings Merlot | Held Ice Cream: Retro’ – flower ice cream vanilla

Poses: Part of furniture.

Taste of Cherry

It sounds like a name of an anime series, doesn’t it? Especially with the cover picture like this. The heroine is clearly a supernatural alien princess in disguise, therefore the green hair with pink stripes, of course.

There’s no lollipops nor cherries or even sugar on her planet, therefore the lollipop addiction. The shades are necessary to cover the glittering pink non-human eyes. The loyal sidekick has to pose as a stuffed fluffy toy bunny and try not to move or speak when there’s humans nearby. Challenging task, but he gets bribed and rewarded with the said lollipops, too.

The reason why the said alien princess is on Earth is very simple: to research the miraculous variety of tastes in the local bakeries, of course. Or possibly to hunt down a villain who stole the royal cupcake recipe. Or to hide from space monsters who have heard she’s made of marzipan. (Lies and slander, she’s really more of a marshmellow.) Or maybe she just wanted a holiday, take your pick!

The glasses and lollipop by Culprit and the dress and headbow by Violent Seduction are all available in the current round of Genre. The hairstyle by Alice Project is one of her new Hair Fair releases, hop straight in the booth here. The skin by Essences can be found in Collabor88 and the materials ready earrings by [HAND]verk in The Boutique.

Body: Skin: Essences – CHO skin light rose 02 brunette| Eyes: Poetic Colors – Cosmic Dream | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hands: Slink – Mesh Hands (av) Elegant1 | Hairstyle: Alice Project – Mika*

Outfit: Dress & Headband: Violent Seduction – Roseraie Dress (Mint) | Earrings: [HAND]verk – Enamel Elephant Earring.white* | Rings: Donna Flora – BACI ring | Bunny: Pink Fuel – Sad Bunny| Glasses & Lollipop: Culprit – lolihearts & LoliLolly Cherry*

Poses: Exposeur – Advent Gift 22 | aDORKable Poses – 22 of 25 2012

Alice’s Angels

Good things often come in threes. Wishes from a lamp. Guesses for a name. Deities. Quest tasks. Even good stories or well working jokes are divided in three: beginning, middle, the end. Two to create a pattern, third as a punchline. Rhetoric speakers don’t list two or four things, it’s always first, second and third. It appeals better to the human mind like that.

What about Charmed and the Power of Three? Obviously bringing older beliefs and preferences to the present media. What about Charlie’s Angels? That’s a classic trio we all know as well. It’s a simple concept, really. A brunette, a redhead and a blonde. All given personalities we associate with the said hair  colours.

The blonde is always the pretty but ditzy one, isn’t she? Redheads get to be fiery sexy with temper. Black or brown haired one has the brains. I wonder how long it will take before such stereotypes are formed about non-natural colours. After all, a lot of people who are blonde, redhead or black-haired are not so naturally. It has nothing to do with personality, only the associated concept. What are people with blue hair like? Green? What about purple? (Except awesome.)

Hair colour is one of the defining features that we categorize and accept in our heads. We divide people based on their hair colour, often adding plenty of associations with the tone, which is ridiculous considering the woman in the pictures could be the same one with wigs, after all!

All the new hairstyles by Alice Project are available in Hair Fair, hop right into her booth here. Erika, the short bob, is a fair gift to the visitors so go grab it while you try the demos of the whole five new releases! As for colours, I’m sure you all know that the hairdo is pure white when you buy it and then you get to dye it with the HUD to what and how you wish. There’s more HUDs for sale if the included one isn’t enough for you. If you use only a few colour combinations ever, you might want to consider the Create Your Own versions which include a HUD of -all- the colours and textures Alice has, but allows only five different copies of the hairstyle made. The Infinity versions allow re-dyes for ever and ever, but include only a mini-pack of colours to begin with.

The Noodles skin by Essences is available in the current round of The Dressing Room Fusion and it was so adorable that I had to use it with all three colours.

Body: Skin: Essences – Noodles light rose brunette | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Eyes: Poetic Colors – Summer Breeze | Aurora | Frozen Silver | Hairstyle: Alice Project – Veronica | Wendy | Erika*

Outfit: Necklace: [HAND]verk – Strand necklace carnelian&gold | opal&gold | ivory&silver*

Freya and the Forest Magic

It’s easy to believe, isn’t it? There is magic in the forest. Human civilizations have moved further and further from living within it, marking clear borders between organized, familiar, human territory and the unknown, wild one. It’s not so far back in the history when a forest was almost a reality, a plane of existence of its own.

The forests have been portrayed as evil and good, luring the traveler astray and lost, or helping one to hide from their followers, bringing solutions to problems through magical creatures and events. It was the unknown: anything could happen, and did. It was easy to believe when the forests were as uncharted as space and there could have been anything in their depths.

These days most of the fear has gone with the diminished state of unknown and all there is left is the lingering sense of magic that comes not from dread, but the feel of life. When you walk into a forest and close your eyes, you are just as surrounded by a full ecosystem of growth and life all around you as if you were diving deep in the sea. You swim through it as it continues its steady pulse of life: both insignificant little speck of life yourself and a part of it all. If that’s not magic, I don’t know what is.

The Freya braids by Calico Ingmann Creations are available in Hair Fair, you can port right into the booth here. The hair comes with a HUD-customizable headband, there’s several colours for the band and several patterns for the metal parts. The Eryssel gown by Senzafine is for sale in the current round of We Love Role-play Event and the Cancer skin by Essences can still be acquired from Zodiac.

Body: Skin: Essences – Cancer Light Rose Brunette | Eyes: IKON – Ascension Eyes Sahara L | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hair: Calico Ingmann Creations – Freya | Hands: Slink – Mesh Hands (av) Elegant1

Outfit: Dress: Senzafine – “Eryssel” Elvish Gown Grey Havens* | Necklace: lassitude & ennui – The Queen’s Gambit necklace silver* | Bracelets: The Muses – Vanha Bracelets Silver*

Poses: aDORKable Poses – Smart 3M & 25 of 25 2012