The Call of Winter

She was once a daughter of summer, a child of growth and warmth. Beautiful like a sunny day she caught the eye of Winter, who seduced her to step into the silence, into the realm of ice and snow.

There were attempts to save her, of course, but not before she had tasted the berries, red as the blood in her veins. Not before she had bound herself to the realm of her captor.

Did she know what she was doing when she took a bite? Did she know she’d be forever trapped to travel between the seasons? Did the cold light of winter tempt her to stay willingly? She will never tell.

Never tell how it was a relief to drop her garments and duties, the busy sounds of life, the diverse excitement of all things growing and needing her attention. Never tell how the strength of the blinding light called to her with its single-minded focus.

Called to her until she happily lost sight of everything else and stepped forward to meet it, to embrace it, to be caught in its arms. Seduced.

With the outfit name like Persephone I simply had to do a more season-focused twist on her story. Less about Hades and more about Persephone as the explanation for seasons existing, and even more about her own choices within the situation.

Gothmas by Gaslight is held on two adjacent sims: Cursed and Sium. The skin by Jalwa, the outfit by Pale Empress and the tattoo by Fallen Gods Inc. are all available in the event, the straight booth slurls are in the credits.

Scene: Studio Skye – Enchanted Tree Tunnel v2

Body: Skin: Jalwa – Sameena Gothmas Black Brow* | Makeup: Jalwa – Sameena Gothmas Eyes Ice & Gothmas Lips Scarlet* | Eyes: IKON – Utopia Eyes Dark Red | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hands & Feet: Slink | Hair: Olive – The Anna Hair & The Izzy II Hair | Tattoo: Fallen Gods Inc. – Brier Complete full coloured (main look)*

Outfit: Pale Empress – Persephone Gown, Gloves, Crown*

Poses: aDORKable Poses – 17 of 25 2012 | PoseMonster – Behind 3 | an lar [poses] Being Miss Red One (m) | Kirin – Burlesque Poses Cane Pose 2

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*

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

Growth

Once upon a time I roleplayed a dryad called Halava. She was a lithe little thing, recently re-emerged from her sanctuary tree, fully recovered from the catastrophic wounds of the past but still young as dryads go. She wore a skin from Fallen Gods Inc. and very little else, so when the new tone of Crystals appeared in Skin Fair, I knew Halava would grow up.

More magic-infused than her younger self, she glows of the regenerative powers coursing ever so slowly through the veins that would bleed sap instead of blood. Her resemblance has turned more human due to spending more time with these brief-lived, rushing, nonsensical  creatures.

Experience comes slow to tree dryads as they take their time to observe and consider, not unlike the ents of other myths. Her younger self was oblivious to humanoid cultures beyond ancient mythical Greek ones and considered everything she witnessed with non-judgmental eyes, accepting everything as equally strange and normal part of the human behaviour. Given enough years she would have matured and formed opinions on what is good for growth and what unnaturally detrimental.

I would like to think that despite gaining more experience, more maturity, she would have kept her simple view on life, innocence and acceptance. Nurturing growth and avoiding the rot, as trees do.

The musk tone of Crystal line is currently available in the Skin Fair and they come in both female and male versions, as usual. The only decoration a dryad needs is actually a fascinator by Zibska, a part of the set available in L’Accessoires. The Victoria hairstyle by Alice Project is one of her new releases and it is tinted with the new anime hair colour HUD that is available in the Anime Hunt 2.

Scene: Studio Skye – Enchanted Tree Tunnel

Body: Skin: Fallen Gods Inc. – Crystal Musk OpalFae Gloss* | Eyes: IKON – Eternal Eyes Green XL | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hair: Alice Project – Victoria * 

Outfit: Leaves in Hair: Zibska – Leigh Fascinator*

Poses: aDORKable Poses – 25 of 25 2012 | PoseMonster – Stand 58 & Stand 54

F is for Flamingos

Why not? Life is so strange and often challenging that we all could use some random things that make us smile as often as possible. It’s an important skill, being able to smile, laugh, enjoy the little oddities and quirks that the world offers us.

There’s something thoroughly appealing in pixel food. I am not certain if it’s the sense of making the world more real, more alive or if it ties more closely to that lure of unnecessary oddities. They’re perfect, delicious-looking and completely futile things, but yet they call to us. They apparently also call to pandas, so make sure to guard yours!

The quirky flamingo clutch by HANDverk and the adorable pearl collar by lassitude & ennui are both available in the current round of L’Accessoires. The romantic Flora hair by D!va can be found in Collabor88 and the Chibi Bunny skirt by The Sea Hole, Luria skin by Glam Affair and all the things on the table can be won from The Arcade.

Scene: Surroundings: Garden of Dreams – The Village* | Table: Tee*fy – Outdoor Party Table | All the Things on the Table: Schadenfreude – Tako Cake Stand | +Half-Deer+ The Sugar Battalion (Noir) | Intrigue Co. – Plushie Pals: Squee the Panda | Tee*fy – Cake Pop Maker, Cotton Candy Set, Popsicle Maker | Tres Blah – Tea Time Stacked Cups & Tea Cup

Body: Skin: Glam Affair – Luria Skin 02 & Eyebrow 01 | Eyes: Poetic Colors – Classic Frozen Silver Bright | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hair: D!va – Flora Type A Onyx 

Outfit: Top: Pale Empress – Elyria White* | Skirt: The Sea Hole – Lorette Skirt Chibi Bunny | Collar: lassitude & ennui – Viola lace collar rose/white* | Clutch: [HANDverk] Flamingo Clutch.flamingo*

Poses: PoseMonster – Stand 46 & 39

Night Is Not A Colour

It’s a sensation. It’s a state of mind. A scent, a sound, an understanding. Best felt with eyes closed. Night cannot be a colour for it is full of colours, darkness painted with subtle hues, decorated with lights, constructed of shadows. The longer you watch the night, the more you see that it could never be caught in a one simple hue.

Day reveals what our shapes seem to be, lighting our forms, showing the outer surfaces, bringing every curve, scar and scale to plain sight. Night hides the surfaces and lets you breathe with your senses. It allows you to feel as a whole being instead of a spirit bound in a flesh prison.

Night is not a colour: it is the safety of a hiding place, being unseen. It is the danger of all the monsters in your mind lurking around you. It is freedom from norms, it is a palette of shades, a feeling at the back of your neck that is ancient: be awake, be aware, be wary.

New round of Genre has started and this time the focus is on gothic beauty. The Blood Snakes skin by Fallen Gods Inc., Futakuchi Onna outfit by Bare@Rose and the bench by Painfully Divine are all available in Genre.

Scene: The Ruins: *~by Nacht – The Abbey | Bench: Painfully Divine – Little Gothic Bench Onyx

Body: Skin: Fallen Gods Inc. – Blood Snakes xx + Dark Tears (Genre Special)* | Eyes: Repulse – Demonic v3 Eyes Red | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hair: Alice Project – Zephyra*

Outfit: Bare@Rose – Futakuchi Onna

Poses: PoseMonster – Stand 100 | Part of the furniture. | PoseMonster – Stand 90

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

Drifting

Perhaps there was an accident, perhaps the ship blew up. Perhaps it was taken over by space pirates and she fled through the air lock. Whatever the reason, there she is: drifting in the silence of space.

Slowly maneuvering in the asteroid field, searching for a place to land before her air supply runs out, swimming in slow motion through the dark ocean of stars.

A mysterious space cave on a small moon with atmosphere and air to breathe is perfect. For now. Who knows what the possible inhabitants of the said moon think of the visitor… better make sure the gear is in good order before exploring further.

Just because sometimes one simply needs to adventure in space. When the mood hits, it’s always a bonus when you can look stunning while doing so.

GALLACTIC has recently released space helmets, ray guns and circuit boots to complete the expanding collection of delicious cyber bodysuits. Much rejoicing was had from all the space adventurers across the grid!  The Purple Stripe skin by Pink Fuel is available in a gacha in The Arcade, although I must say I added more stripeness to it with +Nuuna+’s makeups.

Scene: Garden of Dreams – The Space & The Space Cave*

Body: Skin: Pink Fuel – Gacha 01 Purple Stripe | Eyes: Repulse – Mystic Eyes Violet | Hair: Lamb – Whoop Dee Doo Obsidian | Makeup: +Nuuna+ AstroGlam Violet | Tattoo Lashes: Miamai – XGen Makeup_LashNLiner Charme

Outfit: Body Suits: GALLACTIC – Sheer Circuit White & Element Solid Violet* | Boots: GALLACTIC – Circuit Knee Boots Violet/Black* | Helmet: GALLACTIC – Helmet Violet* | Guns: GALLACTIC – Ray Gun Violet*

Poses: PoseMonster – Float 4, Float 7, Stand 59

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*

All in Your Head

Some days are more surreal than others. There’s whales in the lake and bunnies on the table. Party lights for no reason and way too little coffee to live with it all.

Conversations with fashionista meeroos don’t help much either, all they’re concerned about is how well they match to you.

Even the mystical macaw masked meeroos just keep telling you it’s all in your head. Perhaps so, but what a head it is! Life is never dull if you just take a deep breath and exhale out some imagination into the world.

The clutch by [HANDverk] is available in the new round of L’Accessoires and the bracelets and the macaw mask are available in Global Domination. The fancy bow on the meeroo is by Zibska and can be acquired from The Gallery Gift Shop.  The skin by Pink Fuel and shoes by Gos are both group gifts. The dress by SAKIDE, hair by Exile and the earrings by Zibska are all new releases.

Scene: Sim – Ely’s Home | Meeroo Bow: Zibska – Jolie Collar* | Meeroo Mask: [HANDverk] Macaw Mask.feathered/blue*

Body: Skin: Pink Fuel – Alyx Peach Sultry EyeA/dkbrow | Eyes: IKON – Horizon Eyes v2 Dark Turquoise XL | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hair: Exile – Crazy in Love | Hands: Slink – Mesh Hands Casual 

Outfit: Dress: SAKIDE – Silky Latex Dress Red* | Shoes: [Gos] Grace Sandal  Red Glitter | Bracelets: [HANDverk] Leather Loop Bracelet.brown/gold* | Clutch: [HANDverk] Tetrahedron Clutch.liquorice* | Earring: Zibska – Vonn Deux Earring*

Pose: PoseMonster – Behind 3 | Part of the furniture.