Cocktail of Color

Have you ever gotten on a color kick, where you find yourself gravitating over and over to a particular color?  It can tell you something about where you are in life.  I have been on an orange tangent, as some of you may have noted in my posts.  So I thought I’d do a little color psychology, to see what my subconscious may be trying to communicate to me. You see, in real life, orange is a color that looks abysmally awful on me.   I never wear it and don’t decorate with it, as it turns me a lovely jaundiced yellow.  In SL, however…I love, love, love it, and it has been a dominant theme in my clothing, decorating, and posts as of late.

I learned in my Google research that orange is the color of creativity, which has always been what SL has been about for me.  Orange is also indicative of a need or desire for change, and can supposedly help one adjust to changes. Curiosity is a characteristic of this color, when it comes to exploring new things.  This makes sense when I consider at my current stage of life, I am seeking a job change that will move me out-of-state, and also bring closure to a 3 and a half-year relationship I’ve been in.

Orange also is a powerful healing color, excellent for those who need a boost of self-esteem; and wearing orange during times of stress is said to balance the emotions.  I can certainly use some of that with all the changes I’m embarking on.  So if you find yourself trending towards a particular color in your SL or RL, it can be interesting to do a little color analysis to see if there is a special message there for you.

Styling:

Dress: Cocktail Koi – Lush by CoCo

Necklace/Earrings: Zelda Necklace and Earrings – HANDverk at Collabor88

Bracelet: Winter Berries Bangle – Chop Zuey

Eye Makeup: Nyree Storm, no lip – Face Paint

Lips: Dailyn LIpgloss Rasberry – Izzie’s

Hair: Dolce Bournville – Lelutka

Poses: Mesh Dress and Slim Dress poses – Poet’s Heart

Location: Alirium

Comings and goings: For the love of shopping

Saturday turned into a mega shopping day for me, visiting some of the events just coming in, and making one last run to some of those that are going out.  Here is a sampling of some of the finds and finery from my shopping trip.

Going out end of day July 28th. The Home Show, where I found this flower table-scape from Circa Living, and Hair Fair, where any budget I might have gone in with was…gasp…quickly out the window for the love of hair. You still have time today to make one last round before these great events close down.

Events coming in…I Love Donna Flora, where I snapped me up some spunky green sandals for my Slinks.  I love shopping for a good cause, with so many lovely exclusives donated by the designers especially for this event, and knowing that funds are going to help a wonderful lady, Ms. Donna Flora herself, Squinternet Larnia.  So, I figured I had every excuse to indulge.  Also new this month is this luscious halter babydoll dress from Shine by [ZD], with its satin sheen.

Additionally, Zodiac just rolled out.  As you may have guessed from my lion tail necklace from HANDverk, this roaring round is celebrating Leos.  Finally, finishing things off is one version of the new Nyree eye makeup from Face Paint.  Yes…named after me, and to say I’m flattered and honored would be an understatement. This collection comes in a variety of colors, with and without lipstick option, which makes it wonderful for layering.

Styling:

Hair: Bianca Dark Brown – Slink at Hair Fair

Dress: Neckholder Babydoll – shine by [ZD]

Earrings: Burst Carnelian – HANDverk

Necklace: Lion Tail Necklace Grass – HANDverk at Zodiac Leo

Shoes: Boudoir Slippers Green – Slink at I Love Donna Flora

Eye Makeup: Nyree Green no lip – Face Paint

Lips: Dailyn Gloss Medium Tomato – Izzie’s

Pose: Shopaholoc – Glitterati (no longer available)

Scene:

Table: Summer Reflections Coffee Table – Circa Living

Flowers: Paradise Reef Candle – Circa Living at the Home Show

Couches: Hufnie Sofa’s Green – The Loft

Picture: Wall Art Deco 3 – Mirage Arabian Treasure Company

Screen: Japanese Screen – Abadutiker

Rug: Natural Inspirations Bamboo Sauna Rug – Zen and Serenity Shop

Letting go

You’ve been letting me go, little by little for a while now, and I’ve been moving away.  You’ve been my temporary home, and in that time, more of a partner to me than others who vowed to love me till death parted us, but left far sooner.  You’ve never promised this to me, nor I to you, and yet you’ve shown your commitment to me in myriad ways, mostly by letting me be me, and loving me despite my quirks.

With you, I feel safe emotionally.  Safe enough to gradually…ever so gradually…let you go, because it is time, and I need to, even if I still love you.  We’ve both seen it coming, the love still there, but the reality of a future together dimming.  The gentle pulling away, spending more time living separate lives, clinging together briefly in moments of passion and panic, as though trying to reassure each other that it isn’t ending, but knowing in our hearts what is on the horizon.  Don’t speak of it…let’s not speak of it aloud.

Sometimes love isn’t enough, when what each one wants in life is so different. And still we love for today…letting go a little more each day, knowing there will come a day, in the not so distant future, when there is that last kiss goodbye, that final embrace, and then just feeling lost for a time without the other, hoping that what we had can eventually become an abiding friendship as we both move on to whatever life holds for us.

No…don’t speak of it today.  Don’t say it aloud, because today, I am still here.  You are still here.  We will love for today and let tomorrow unfold as it will.

Styling:

On Nyree:

Shirt: Girl’s Slim Mesh T Pastel Green – shine by [ZD]

Shorts: Mesh Girls Cargo Shorts Brown – shine by [ZD]

Necklace: Burst Necklace Carnelian and Silver – HANDverk

Lashes: Long Prim Lashes – Face Paint

Liner: NIC Perfect Liner Black – Face Paint

Lips: NIC Perfect Gloss – Face Paint

Hair/Hat: Lola Mesh Hair Chocolate – Wasabi Pills

Shoes: Sabia Espadrilles Linen – Tabloid

On Darion:

Shirt: Mesh Vintage Tee Plum – sharp by [ZD]

Shorts: Summer Cargo Shorts color-change – JLB Apparel

Hat/Hair: Boy/Girl 18 – Dura

Necklace: Men’s Happiness Choker Chaine – Wicked Gear

Scene: Mangrove Tree Bridge – Rustica

Pose: Follow – Glitterati

How to be a Modern-Day Robin Hood

Legend has it that Robin Hood robbed from the rich to give to the poor. At initial glance, we often tend to view that story in terms of an exchange of money, and many of us say; “I would love to make a difference to those in need, but I can barely make ends meet myself.”

The story is, in fact, a wonderful metaphor. For we are all rich in something, and what is valued most about you is rarely your finances. Maybe you are rich in creativity, or maybe it is compassion.  Perhaps you are rich in faith, and know beyond doubt that no matter how bad things may be today, this too shall pass.  Perhaps it is the ability to make someone else smile, or find the silver-lining in any situation. You may criticize yourself for being quiet, while others delight at what a good listener you are. We take these things for granted, as they tend to be part of our personality.  Rarely do we think of them in terms of any real value.

And perhaps they aren’t of much value to us personally.  They aren’t meant to be.  These are divine gifts that are meant to be given away, for there are others so very hungry for them, as they lack them in their own lives. These are your divine gifts to give; “divine” for they bring hope.  Hope is the real message behind Robin Hood, and you can be a modern-day Robin Hood.  The only cost is caring.

Styling:

Outfit: Femme Fame Hoodie Circus – LeeZu!

Shoulder Accessories: Scale Pauldron Silver – HANDverk at We Love RolePlay

Necklace: Orion Necklace – EMO-tions

Ring: Funky Ring – N@N@

Clutch: Scale Clutch Gold – HANDverk

Shoes: Rose Pump Tangerine – HANDverk

Eye Makeup: Gidget Tangerine No Lip – Face Paint

Poses: Ginger and Eleos Poses – The Muse Poses

Scene: Enchanted Woods – Studio Skye

A Spring Fling

There is something so light-hearted about springtime.  I think it is all the soft colors, new growth and sunshine.  It inspires a bit of whimsy in me.  I know some people go into spring-cleaning mode.  I get the bug to redecorate.  I had an “ooooh…look what’s in the box,” moment when I opened up Circa Living’s latest designs.  I found myself looking around the house for what I could fling, or at least tuck away, so I could freshen up the place, and ring-in the spring with these great new home accessories.

Styling:

Hair: Celie – EMO-tions

Necklace/Bracelet: Strand Bracelet and Necklace in Silver Quartz – HANDverk

Dress: Mesh Ruffled Collar Mini-dress  – shine

Eye Makeup: Gidget Blue No lip – Face Paint

Lips: Faith Lipgloss Pink Natural – Izzie’s

Pose: Model Poses 115 – Focus Poses

Scene:

Birdhouse: Springtime Birdhouse with Sparrows Periwinkle (group gift) – Circa Living

Teacup: Easter Sunday Teacup Fern – Circa Living

Chandelier: Easter Sundy Teacup Chandelier – Circa Living

Pictures: Queen Anne’s Lace and Wheat Fields (part of the Divine Artisian Baking Table Set) – Circa Living

Topiary: Lit Topiary Bucket – Trompe Loeil

I need you

Baby take a good look at my face. You know my smile looks out of place.

If you look closer it’s easy to trace, the tracks of my tears: Lyrics: The Tracks of My Tears, by Smokey Robinson.

On Nyree:

Hair: Sunshine Dark Brown – EMO-tions

Makeup: Audry 6 – Face Paint

Belt/Dress: Mesh Shiny Mini Dress w Belt in Rose – Shine

Poncho: Paula Poncho Beige – LpD

Pants: Jenyfer Pants Brown – Chloe

Shoes: Victorian Chic Feather Boots – Gizza

Ring: Macarons Multi Ring Color-change – LaGyo

Umbrella: April Showers Umbrella Black Couples – HANDverk at The Pose Fair

Poses: April Showers Sitting and April Showers Melancholy – Exposeur at The Pose Fair

On Darion:

Coat: Mesh Trench Coat Grey – Sharp

Pants: Mesh Suit Pants Grey – Sharp

Scarf: Camoni Scarf Grey Check – Splendeurs Surfwear

Shirt: My Street Tank – Delirium Style

Hair: Dura Boy 28 – Dura

Shoes: Male Dress Shoes – Gabriel

Pose: Here Comes the Rain Again – Exposeur at The Pose Fair

Off Kilter

My life has gotten a little off-kilter somehow, and my tendency now is to look for what I can change.  When it gets like this, I’m not looking for a small correction either, it means something drastic is about to happen..something drastic I am going to do…to force it to happen, because there is that part inside me that demands its voice and it says “Enough is enough.” I know, that sounds rather extremist, but it has never failed me before.

In the past when things have really turned around have been those moments of sudden awareness and even anger when I took a stand and said “Stop…I am the maker of my destiny, and this is what we are doing now,” and I take my power back.  It is funny how it often takes the pain building up to the breaking point before one is reminded that we have that power.  Until then we go along, go along, because it is easier to float with the tide.

When we let life sweep us this way and that, we ought not to be surprised to wake up and find we are in some strange and uncomfortable destination, and yet we usually are.  We wonder how things could possibly have gotten to this point.  It’s time to turn the rudder, rock the boat, drive a stake in the ground and mark the day.  Today is the day for reckoning, and change is on the horizon.

Styling:

Hair: Strangelove Dark Brown – EMO-tions

Makeup: Pure Drama Red No Lip – Face Paint

Shirt/Blazer: Open Mesh Blazer with Tee Red – Shine for SL Buddy Walk

Purse: Flamingo Clutch Mango – HANDverk at L’accessoires

Shorts: Linda Mesh Shorts (Group Gift) – Blueberry

Stockings: Ripped Stockings – Erratic

Gloves: Leather Gloves Black – Izzie’s

Necklace: Zaza Necklace Color-change – Zibska

Boots: Black over-knee stretch boots – Baiastice

Lips: Dailyn Lipstick Dark Cherry – Izzie’s

Poses: Natya – Diesel Works and Model 127 – Focus Poses

You look wonderful tonight

It’s late in the evening, she’s wondering what clothes to wear. She puts on her makeup, and brushes her long dark hair.  And then she asks me; “Do I look alright?” And I say; “Yes, you look wonderful tonight.” lyrics by Eric Clapton.

It was while dancing in Molichino’s Liri dress that I came to fully appreciate the artistry of it.  It caresses the body much the way real silk does, with beautiful draping that clings gently to belly and hips, teasing at the shape beneath it with each sashay. This design debuts at Fashion For Life, and comes in an exclusive shade of lavender for the event.

The soft elegance of Liri lends itself to myriad styling options.  I chose to keep things very feminine, playing with soft green and peach accents from HANDverk, EMO-tions, Finesmith, and Redgrave, finishing with the casual updo, Semiramis, from EMO-tions featured at Fashion For Life.  You have a few more hours today to give to a great cause and gather up some EMO-tions hair specials, only 99L each at Fashion For Life.

Styling:

Hair: Semiramis Dark Brown – EMO-tions for Fashion For Life

Dress: Liri Dress Cream – Molichino

Necklace/Earrings: Eternal spring – EMO-tions

Ring: Louise Luminous Pearl Color-change – Finesmith

Clutch: Leather Feather Clutch Green – HANDverk

Eye Makeup: Sunkissed Summer 2013 – Face Paint

Lips: Dailyn Lipgloss Medium Rust – Izzie’s

Shoes: Doro Color-change – Redgrave

Poses: Model Set 127 – Focus Poses

Scene:

Home: Darth Mesh Home (group gift) – Creative Decay

Hanging Light: Imbue Orb Pendant Light – Circa Living

Standing Light: Crysalis Shaft Light Standing – Circa Living

Rug/Chair/Table/Tea Set: Part of Aurora Takai IDX 6.0 Bedroom Suite – Akaesha Designs

Plant in basket: Okinawa Bamboo Tree Small Floor – Zen & Serenity

Bamboo Floor Vase: Japanese Vase – Bahia Tiki

Screen: G7 Japanese Screen – Abadutiker

Out on the town

As the U.S. springs forward, I thought I’d step out on the town dressed for windy pre-spring weather for some distraction-free me time.  Just me today, out and about, with no one to chase through the toy department or extract from underneath the clothing racks.  No one pestering about “are we done yet?” or nudging me for ice cream.  As much as I love them, sometimes I appreciate them even more after a little me time.

Today is about a little power shopping with a focus on finding a great statement accessory.  In this case, my impact item is a snazzy scarf from Shine, pulling together the wines, blacks, and purples in my outfit so harmoniously. March may bluster, but I’m cruising, feeling relaxed and unhurried.

Styling:

Coat: Belted Coat Fur – Gizza

Scarf: Pashmina – Shine

Hat: Nikola – Lode

Hair: Gesella Soil – frou-frou

Earrings: Spots and wire earrings strada purple – LaGyo

Gloves: Marlene Gloves – PurpleMoon

Makeup: Grace Pink – Face Paint

Boots: Equestrian Boots Autumn Collection – Gos

Pose: Model 111 – Focus Poses

Geometrics

Shine’s spring collection is out, and one of their many items includes this off-the-shoulder dress harkening back to the seventies, covered in a myriad of circles within circles. This flirty tunic dress was the perfect pairing with BSD’s Oprahouse heels, that look like the roof of the Sydney Opra house in Australia, in black with a purple heel and base. EMO-tions high braided Siiri poneytail furthers my girly seventies look

From circles to triangles.  Handverk’s cute Tetrahedron clutch is available currently at L’assessoires in colors to match all your outfits, and EMO-tions has expanded their offerings to now include jewelry. I’m wearing their new Vari set in silver and black.

I must be rockin the geometrics, because it looks like someone wants a date. How long do you think I should play coy?

Styling:

On Nyree:

Hair: Siiri Dark Brown – EMO-tions

Dress: Mesh Blouse Dress with Ribbon Violet – Shine

Jewelry: Vari Silver and Black – EMO-tions

Clutch: Tetrahedron Lilac – Handverk at L’accessoires

Makeup: Smokes Storm – Face Paint

Shoes: Oprahouse Raw – BSD Design Studio

Poses: Model 124, Model 125, Casual Girl 3 – Focus Poses

On Darion:

Jacket: Military Jacket Black- Sharp

Shirt: Dubble Layer Sweater Blue/Purple – Delirium Style

Jeans: Denim Jeans – Gabriel

Hat/Hair: Dura x Arai Braid w Hat Dark Brown – Dura

Necklace: Hot Tiger Men’s Necklace – Chop Zuey

Shoes: Leather Bootie Black – Gabriel

Pose: Model Man – Impacto Poses