Black & White

I won 2nd place again in a costume contest a couple of weeks ago, but RL has kept me much too busy to blog the outfit until now.

The theme was simply "black & white." All I had to buy for this outfit was the Glam Rock Suit, bracelets, and hair. Okay, I didn't have to buy new hair, but I'm not one to let a good excuse for shopping go to waste. Plus, this style is simply too reminiscent of Cher for me to resist adding it to my wig collection.


Hair: Erase and Rewind by Exile ($1250L FatPack)
Skin: Nellie 02 - Fair - Glow Skin by LAQ ($1999L/10pk)
Eyeshadow: Barbarella Set 6 - 5 by La Boheme ($75L/10pk)
Eyeliner: Mile High Eyeliner - Black by Mock ($40L)
Eyelashes: Victorina Lashes - Noir by Mock ($40L)
Lipstick & Teeth: Ink Lipstick - Teeth by Pink Fuel ($75L/4pk)
Monroe Piercing: Metal Mouth MESH Round Dermals - Silent Rage by Haus of Darcy ($75L/16pk)
Tattoos: Shooting Star - Full Version by Para Designs ($175L)
Bra/Corset/Panties/Feathers: Glam Rock Suit by Gizza ($250L on the Marketplace)
Boots: Thigh High Boots - Liquorice Leather by Maitreya ($750L)
Hands: AvEnhance Hands Female - Casual by Slink ($450L)
Ring - Left Hand: Paragon Ring by Sn@tch (included with the Basic Latex Gloves set) ($155L)
Ring - Right Hand: Nebula by Kosh ($99L)
Bracelets: Boudica Armband - Black by Lassitude & Ennui ($120L on the Marketplace)

All poses by !bang.

Lorelei

I finally made it to Cirque de Seraphim the other night and, though I didn't buy a lot, I did go home with a few things that caught my fancy. The first item was this cropped sweater and slit skirt set by Goth1c0. They're another vendor who's been around since my rez day in 2006, and I was pleased to discover they're still in business. The outfit seemed like something my RL friend Lorelei would like so, even though she's not in SL, I decided to put together a look based on her style. I'd already had my eye on Schadenfreude's Alchemy Stacked Necklaces at this month's Collabor88 and, since I felt they'd go well with the outfit and also fit Lorelei's style, I patiently tried over and over to get to Collabor88 until, finally, the sim was no longer full and I could dash over and buy a few necklaces.



Cirque de Seraphim also yielded a lovely Slink compatible thigh and foot tattoo set from Pervette. (And a second outfit that I hope to blog very soon.) The skirt would probably fit better with heels but, to be honest, I liked the look of it so much while barefoot that I never even bothered to try on shoes with it.




The rings are ones I've had for a long time, but they're both still available (at least on the Marketplace). The eyes were a splurge but they come with a HUD that has an insane amount of customization options. At $395L, they actually feel like a bargain because I doubt I'll ever have to buy another pair of eyes again. I highly recommend grabbing the demo off of the Marketplace and then watching the demonstration video over on YouTube.


Hair: Locomotion by Exile ($1000L Fatpack)
Skin: Nellie 06 [Fair] Glow skin by LAQ ($1999L/10pk)
Eyeshadow: Electric Soft by La Boheme ($180L/10pk)
Lipstick & Teeth: Ink Lipstick - Teeth by Pink Fuel ($75L/4pk)
Eyes: FATEeyes v3.0 by Fate ($395L on the Marketplace)
Glasses: Nerd Glasses - Black by Voxxi ($10L on the Marketplace)
Piercing: Metal Mouth MESH Round Dermals - Silent Rage by Haus of Darcy ($75L/16pk)
Top & Skirt: The Moon Outfit by Goth1c0 @ Cirque de Seraphim ($169L)
Small Necklaces: Digital Alchemy Stacked Necklaces by Schadenfreude @ Collabor88 ($88L for each style in 7 lengths)
Large Necklace: Signature necklace 2013 - Gold by Lassitude & Ennui (Free)
Tattoos: The Deer and The Fox by Pervette @ Cirque de Seraphim ($120L)
Ring - Right Hand: Nebula by Kosh ($99L)
Ring - Left Hand: Foy Porter - Sapphire + Silver by Alchemy Immortalis ($99L)
Nails: Karma *Slink* Manicure & Pedicure by La Boheme ($50L)
Hands: AvEnhance Hands Female - Casual by Slink ($450L)
Feet: AvEnhance Feet Female - Flat by Slink ($675L)

Poses: Various poses included with Modeling Photo Studio S70 VH1.7 by Tricolore (Over 2 Years Old)

All for the Love of Meat Pies

It all started with the boots. When I saw the latest offering from Lassitude & Ennui, I was hit with the instant pang of desire familiar to boot-lovers everywhere - the one which screams, "Want!" (I'm confident my friend and fellow blogger, Nigel, knows what I'm talking about.) Lassitude & Ennui has been selling quality SL footwear for many, many years now, so I knew their new Flutter boots were going to be nothing short of gorgeous. However, before I could make it over to Back to Black to try on a demo, I received a notecard from Nomine that was chock full of photos of new lolita dresses. The Juana seemed like it would be a perfect accompaniment to the L&E boots, so I grabbed my purse and a shoppin' I did go!



I was right about the dress and boots looking lovely together, but wasn't sure what I was going to do about my hair until I remembered this cute little number I recently received from Ari & Co's Midnight Madness board. The moment I placed it on my bald little head, I felt like Helena Bonham Carter, which told me I'd definitely made the right choice. (This messy updo is scripted with 6 different colors, and 8 color options for the pencils that hold it all together.) I then realized that I now had the perfect excuse to buy some of the gartered socks I'd had my eye on at League, so it was off for more shopping! While there, I stumbled across the Raven necklace you see in these photos and couldn't resist adding it to my purchases as well. I love that it hangs from a ribbon instead of a chain, especially since the bow adds a bit of interesting detail to the back of my avatar. This necklace comes with 3 different ribbon colors, 2 different metal colors, and 2 pendant versions, making the $195L price tag quite a bargain.

Speaking of bargains, Alchemy Immortalis is currently offering several of their Foy Porter rings for only $99L. These rings are usually sold in full sets at a more hefty $475L, so this is an opportunity to add a few pieces of intricately detailed jewelry to your collection for next-to-nothing. (Please note this is a marketplace only sale.) For more affordable everyday prices on jewelry, I suggest heading over to Kosh, where I purchased the other ring I'm wearing as well as the cute key earrings which are unfortunately hidden by my hair.



Last but oh-so-definitely not least is the gorgeous skin I'm wearing, offered up by M.O.C.K. Cosmetics for a mere $59L. Just look at those dimples! I also love the light smattering of freckles across the chest, but it was really those dimples that prompted me to add this skin to my collection. I've paired it here with a makeup layer from Adam n Eve, which added a bit more smokiness around the eyes, a barely-there pink lipgloss, and a glimpse of teeth. I found myself at M.O.C.K. Cosmetics because I'd received word of their Grand Opening Hunt (just look for the 12 large candy hearts scattered both in and around the store). They've also temporarily dropped the $250L group fee to $0, and the notices are jam-packed with even more freebies! The group fee goes back up tonight and the Grand Opening Hunt ends then as well. (I have no definite time for this, so I'd get there asap if I were you.) The store is also participating in the Tainted Love Hunt which ends February 29th. You can see most of the many free goodies from M.O.C.K, here in this FabFree post by Love Trill. (FabFree has been one of my go-to blogs for SL deals since long before I ventured into the blog realm myself.) The freebies may have initially drawn me to M.O.C.K, but their is what's going to lure me and my lindens back.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to go rustle up a little something for my tea...



Hair: Morning Mess - Black by Ari & Co. (Midnight Madness Gift)
Skin: Olivia - Cleavage - Tone 1 by M.O.C.K. Cosmetics($59L)
Eyeshadow, Lipstick & Teeth: Glamover Teeth - Pink Gloss by Adam n Eve ($95L)
Eyes: Honey by Insufferable Dastard (January Gift)
Earrings: The Key by Kosh ($99L)
Necklace: Raven Necklace2 - Old Silver - Black Ribbon by League ($195L)
Dress: Jailbait - Juana - Black by Nomine ($300L)
Ring on Right Hand: Nebula by Kosh ($99L)
Ring on Left Hand: Foy Porter - Sapphire + Silver by Alchemy Immortalis ($99L on sale)
Socks: Gartered Socks - Overknee - Dull Brown by League ($149L/2pk)
Boots: Flutter - Raven by Lassitude & Ennui ($280)
Pose #1: Marlon Brando by Striking Poses ($1)
Pose #2: Ashanti by Striking Poses ($0)
Pose #3: Model 21 by unknown
Pose #4: Marlon Brando by Striking Poses ($1)
Pose #5: *V*Busted5 by Vain Inc. (very old hunt item)

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

I've been wanting to put together an outfit around Fashionably Dead's superb Flying Fortress hair ever since I grabbed it on sale a few weeks ago. Then I stumbled across a sale on Angels Base - it seems Ancayi is having a closing sale and some of the other stores on the sim are also selling select items 50% off until January 31st. I grabbed up the pink leather jacket by Bubble and immediately threw it on with the pink Flying Fortress hair. I really liked the Minimini top I'd found in my inventory (a past DSN gift from DeeTaleZ) and the uneven socks from Kosh, but that's where the outfit stalled. For a couple of days I tried on various combinations of pants and shoes but couldn't quite get an outfit to gel; and my determination to wear pants instead of a skirt only seemed to make the process more difficult.



Since the jacket was from Bubble, I took a trip to the main store to see if they had anything to satisfy my picky nature. Unfortunately, they didn't have quite what I was looking for, but I did luck into a wild card on the lucky board and got a brand new freckly, punky skin to go with my outfit. After that it was off to League, another favored store of mine and where I hit the jackpot. Not only did I find a wonderful pair of tatty cut-offs, but they actually fully cover my bum and are completely closed in the front! (Is anyone else a bit weary of pants which display a significant portion of crack and/or are unzipped/unbuttoned?) So thrilled was I, that I decided to splurge on a pair of their leather suspenders, which matched up perfectly with the shorts. (The bracers come on several layers and with silver or gold metal bits as well as optional creases for the waistband of your pants or skirt.)



The black Docs I'd been wearing were switched out in favor of brown cowboy boots, which created a unity between the hat, suspenders, and shoes. Pleased as punch with my outfit, I twirled in front of Dmitr, who said, "You know what you need? A thigh holster." I laughed... and then realized he was right. Damn! Just when I thought my outfit was complete! This launched another search which also lasted a few days, partially because I wanted a holster and gun which looked good, but have no need for expensive scripted weapons. I finally found what I was looking for in Evolution's 9MM Thigh Belts. I'll admit that $350L was a bit more than I wanted to pay, but they're full perm, so I can tweak 'em to my little heart's content. As a finishing touch, I splurged on a thigh flask from Dirtyland, which comes complete with a little chain to keep the cap from getting lost. (You can see that and the other lovely details on the marketplace.)

Now... whadda ya say we blow this joint?



Hat w/Hair: Flying Fortress - Rainbow 10 by Fashionably Dead ($150L/5pk - On Sale)
Skin: Ophelia w/Freckles Dark Brow by Bubble (Group Only Lucky Board - Free to Join)
Eyes: Shine - Mint by MiaSnow ($220L/9pk)
Piercing: Monroe Stud Left - Platinum by Oh Tangerine ($50L)
Tattoos: Cetus MM933 Stars & Piercings by Letis Tattoo ($200L)
Jacket: Short Leather Jacket - Pink by Bubble ($80L - On Sale)
Shirt: Minimini Top - Camouflage by DeeTaleZ ($120L)
Nails & Fingertape: Taped Fingers & Black Nails - Index, Middle by SiniStyle Designs ($25L)
Suspenders: Grandad Braces -Brown/Silver by League ($115L)
Shorts: Frayed Denim Shorts - Warm Blue by League ($150L)
Socks: Stripe Sox - Pink by Kosh (Discontinued?)
Thigh Flask: Pocket Flask Legband by Dirtyland ($165L)
Gun & Holster: 9MM Thigh Belts by Evolution ($350L)
Boots: Cowgirl Boots - Brown by Hoorenbeek ($200L - On Sale)
Pose: I'm Standing Here by Somatica (Closed?)

Location: Sarcastic