Candy Dreams and Whimsy Wishes

Let me be a kid again, lost in dreams of candylands, fairies, and mermaids.  We all need a little sweetness and magic in our lives, no matter how old we get.

And this post is just a nail and ring fest from two great designers, with  some colorful fun nails from Shellac for your slink hands, and yummy rings, with  couture appeal, that you can find in the gatchas at Circa Living, now that the Candy Fair has closed. Nails come in 6 or more color varieties per pack, and also include the toe nail polish. This is just a sampling of styles and colors for rings and nails.

Styling:

Makeup: Exotical 1 – Shellac

Hair: Locked Brown – elikatira (no longer available)

Outfit: Sohma Tank Tunic Outfit – Senzafine

Jewelry: Vellox Necklace – Kunglers

Shoes: Isabella Sandals Teal – Gos at Collabor88

Pose: Are You Worthy – Neiva Kumasi Poses

Nails/Ring upper left: Lattice Nails – Shellac, & Rock My Candy ring – Circa Living

Nails/Ring upper right: Autumn Palette Nails – Shellac, & Just Been Kissed ring – Circa Living

Nails/Ring bottom left: Angle Cut Nails – Shellac, & Angel Mint ring – Circa Living

Nails/Ring bottom right: Windows Nails – Shellac & Stick Mint ring – Circa Living

Scene:

Toy Box, candy stash: Candy Dreams Wood Chest – Circa Living

Pillow: Candy Dreams Floor Pillow Sugar Honey – Circa Living

Candy Dish: Candy Dreams Candy Dish Lemon – Circa Living

Candy Picture: In the Spirit of Candy – Circa Living

Fall Picture: Fallen Autumn Print – Circa Living

Lava Lamp: Candy Dreams Liquid Lava Lamp Gold – Circa Living

Hanging Lamps: Paper Lanterns Mixed Trio – Dysfunctional Designs

Hanging Wings: Angel Wings with color-changer – Unknown

Shelf: Blank Shelf Small (group gift) – Dysfunctional Designs

Suitcase: Suitcase White – Sickly Sweet

Fairies: Porcelain Fairies (gatcha item) – Baiastice

Mermaids: Mermaid figurines (gatcha item) – Culprit

Book: Where the Sidewalk Ends – floorplan

Rug: Paradise Reef Swirled – Circa Living

Less is more

At this stage in my life, I am finding that in many ways, less is more.  I would rather have less quantity, but more quality.  If I don’t love it or use it, then why keep it?  One example is I have essentially “staged” my home.  I’m anticipating a move in the coming months, so with the exception of a few things that make it still feel like a home, it is very clean and uncluttered, with all excess already packed, or set aside for a yard sale.  Less stuff means I spend less time cleaning now, and will have an easier move when the time comes. And now that it is all packed away with only the essentials I truly use, I find I really don’t miss the excess.

Also, after much deliberation, I am letting go of my SL property in favor of a tidy 200 prim skybox.  This has been a very difficult decision, as I’ve owned my own property for over 4 years out here, and my SL home is a haven for me.  I have come to realize though, that my SL spending is causing me to neglect some important RL budgetting needs.  Not to say I won’t shop. My best friend told me I can sniff out a sale like a drug dog sniffs out cocaine.  But for the first time, I’m styling on an SL budget, and rising to the challenge of still being able to express my creativity and fashion sense with a healthy respect for priorities. That said, most all of the goodies in these pics are on sale right now. Less is certainly more when it comes to finding a great deal.

I guess lately I have been thinking more long-term than short-term, and more RL than SL.  This is actually a healthy shift, I believe, for at times SL has been a diversion, an escape, even an addiction for me.  I don’t see me ever giving SL up completely, for it feeds my creativity in so many ways, but there is an opportunity cost to every decision we make.  If I want to create the RL future of my dreams, it starts with less attachment to my SL life.  Less SL will mean more RL, and in the end, where do I really want to live?

Styling:

Jacket: Alegra Mesh Moto Jacket Fur- shine by [ZD] at Designer Warehouse

Top: TSADE/Body Cuff – Shi. at Collabor88

Skirt: The V Jessy Skirt – Pure Poison currently having a 50% off sale

Shoes: Lace Up Gladiator Sandals Black – Ison at Collabor88

Hair: Windswept – Clawtooth at Collabor88

Makeup: Simply Gray – Shellac

Nails: Solid Darks Slink Nails – Shellac

Purse: Lola Bag Black – Zenith

Poses: June Group Gift – Diesel Works, Careful with the moon – Morphine

It’s the most wonderful time of the year

Have you ever noticed how wintertime gets all the good songs?  I’ve never understood how autumn, in all her glory, got missed. Well, here is my song of the season, sung to the tune of “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.”

It’s the most wonderful time of the year

 They’ll be leaf piles for jumping

And apples for dunking

And nature will give us a show

 

They’ll be pies for the baking

And friends for the making

And carved pumpkins lit all aglow

 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year

Styling:

Hair/Hat: Falling For You – Exile at Collabor88

Sweater: Cold Shoulder Top Spiced Sweater – Drift at The Dressing Room Fusion

Collar: Chic Leather Collar Chocolate – Drift

Pants: Amanda Pants Linen Black – A&C Sweet

Boots: Anais Boots Black – Realizm at Material Girl Fashion Bazaar

Pose: September Gift – Diesel Works

Location: Vespertine

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

Walk about

On a “walk about,” it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.   

When you get to a fork in the road, flip a coin.  Heads is left, tails is right.

See where the journey takes you.

Styling:

Hair: LCA518 – booN

Makeup: Kitty Cat Pink – Face Paint

Dress: Tabby New Orleans – Prism

Tights: Vacay Tights Ocean – LD Major

Belt: Fish Scales Belt Black – Dark Mouse (no longer available)

Collar: Chic Leather Collar Grey – Drift

Necklace: Tarifa Necklace – MG at Collabor88

Bracelet: Chic Bangles Silver – Sigma Jewels

Purse: Handbag White (part of the Handbag Pose set) – BehaviorBody

Boots: Military Babe Pink – BSD Design Studio

Poses: BeBo Runway – BehaviorBody

Playing Hookie

Sometimes you have one of those “manic Mondays” and you are all dressed up for the day, and at the last minute you think to yourself; “I really don’t feel like working today.  I think I’ll play hookie.”  Every now and again, I think it is fine to take an unplanned day for yourself, to indulge a little and grab some “me time.”  So me and the beagle went out for a mint hot chocolate with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.  I’m looking like a schoolgirl out playing hookie in my layered knit top from ColdLogic and a tweedy Taffy skirt from Molichino.

I did bring my Ipad case along, however, so maybe I will still get some work done afterall.

Styling:

Hair: Wish – elikatira

Top: Flockhart marine – ColdLogic

Skirt: Taffy Skirt black – Molichino

Eye Makeup: Ensemble Eyes silver – Madrid Solo

Lips: L’eau Castro Lip Gloss 2 – [mock]

Earrings: Plume earrings color-change – LaGyo at Collabor88

IPad Case: My Ipad case orange – BSD Design Studio

Belt: Double Coin Belt – BoHo HoBo

Socks: Over-knee Socks Aqua – Izzie’s

Shoes: Spectator Slipper black – Volstead at Cinema 2012

Poses:  Falbala Set – WetCat

When the lights go down in the city – Summer Parade and Hair Fair

Strolling through the streets, the stars in the form of twinkling colored lights overhead, it is one of those lazy, hazy summer evenings where I’m taking a break from the day’s rounds of two great events that are criss-crossing right now, Summer Parade 2012 and Hair Fair 2012.

First, let me tell you about my Summer Parade finds, which include color-blocked harem pants in stripes of blush, rose and bordeaux, with chunky blocks of fuchsia from PurpleMoon.  There are so many harem pants on the market right now, but when I saw these, I just had to have them because they have fun color-pops and that “look-twice” appeal that catches the eye.  Also by PurpleMoon, an off-the-shoulder, mid-drift baring top with a sweet boho feel.  Both pants and top come in a myriad of colors, so take your taxi to Summer Parade and pick up these, along with the free earrings available at the PurpleMoon booth.

On a steamy summer night, the last thing you want is hair on your neck, so this short casually messy Karen style from EMO-tions was just the ticket.  This hair is two styles in one, allowing you to switch between the tucked back version held with silver hair clips that I’m wearing, or a shaggy, hair-in your-face version perfect for a rocker or more urban night out.  What I love about all the EMO-tions Hair Fair items this year is, not only are they two styles in one, but they include a darling “messing with my hair” animation to change between styles that I can just watch over and over again, and all for the same price of their normal hairs.

Styling:

Hair: Karen – EMO-tions at Hair Fair 2102

Top: Kade Top in Cream – PurpleMoon at Summer Parade 2012

Pants: Zuleyka in Pink/Bordeaux – PurpleMoon at Summer Parade 2012

Shoes: Skylei Hightop Sandals in White – Aleida (no longer available)

Jewelry: Shells and Pearls – Earthstones at Collabor88

Eye makeup: Supersweet Shadow Two – [mock]

Lips: Gala Grab Bag Microsunberry Pink – [mock] at One Voice

Poses: Model Pack 79 – Focus Poses

Pink Phase

Didn’t we all go through a pink phase at some time in our life ladies? This outfit is reminiscent of my childhood love of pink, the pinker the better, with many fun pieces to share with you.  First, my Dino mesh vest from Secrets, with its cute dino waiting to pounce on you with a playful Rawr!.  This is a great piece to wear alone or layered over a bandeau, bikini, or t-shirt.  Since we are going casual, it just made since to add blue jeans, then continue my pink theme by making them pop with bubblegum pink Surprise boots covered in star flowers, both from Hot Stuff.

To round out my fun, I couldn’t resist Blueberry’s Flower ring to draw attention to these lovely patterned nails from Moondance Boutique.  Being newly introduced to Moondance, I was delighted with the variety of unique nail options they have.  They even carry nails for those of you in Petite form, because nothing says polished like a perfect set of pretty nails, no matter what size you are.

Styling:

Shirt: Vest Mesh Rawr Dino – Secrets on Marketplace

Pants: Clodin Jeans in Blue – May Group Gift – Hot Stuff

Boots: Surprise Mesh Boots – Hot Stuff

Nails: Square Short Saffron Swirls 3d – Moondance Boutique

Ring: Flower Ring in Yellow – Blueberry

Bracelets: Idioma – Finesmith

Hair: Daydream Long Mesh – ploom at Collabor88

Makeup: Izzie’s & [mock]

Backdrop: Cincetta Pack – PNP

Poses: Pinup pack – Purple Poses at Perfect Wardrobe

Delectable New Zaaralicious Skin

I was recently introduced to Zaaralicious Skins as a participant in the Model’s Workshop Spring Break, Spring Forward Fashion Show.  Being a bonafide skin addict, I was delighted at the quality of Zaaraliscious skins and wondered how I had missed them in my travels.  I have some beauties to share with you today, including a brand new skin introduced at the show for women of color.  I am modeling them for you in their unaltered state in some of the available skin/makeup options so you can see their beauty right out of the box.

I typically favor pale skins, so first on my list to share is the Zaara Pale Natural skin.  What I love about this skin is the fresh doe-eyed innocence it gives me.

I had the pleasure of wearing the Zaara Tan Smoke skin in the Model’s Workshop show, which comes complete with the smokey eyeliner for a sultry look.  Here is a picture of me in my MiDiS Patina Tonga swimsuit I wore for the show, which beautifully accentuates my Zaara Tan Smoke skin.

Finally, brand new to the Zaaralicious line, Oluchi Caramel Rio.  I will admit, this is the first time I have worn an ebony skin tone, and I was pleasantly surprised at how well it worked with my shape.  It was like being introduced to a brand new me, leaving me to ask; “Who is that lovely girl in the mirror?”

Visit Zaaralicious Skins to see their full range of skin and makeup options and try the demos to find the one that’s right for you.

Style Card:

Outfit 1:

Skin: Zaara Pale Natural – Zaaraliscious Skin

Swimsuit: Infinity Bikini – Floral Orange – BOOM Clothing

Hair: Venus – Exile

Nails: Balut Tintable Fingernails – Model’s Workshop Boutique

Tote Bag: My Tote Bag *Flowers* – Milk Motion

Jewelry: Diconay Inspiration Bracelet – Finesmith

Shoes: Vintage Wedge – Tangerine – Hucci at COLLABOR88

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Outfit 2:

Skin: Zaara Tan Smoke – Zaaraliscious Skin

Swimsuit: Patina Tonga – MiDiS

Hair: Pun448 – booN Hair

Nails: Metallic White Chalk – PurpleMoon

Jewelry: Concentric Blue – PurpleMoon

Shoes: Knot Wedge Sandals (custom modded color) – G Field

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Outfit 3:

Skin: Oluchi Caramel Rio – Zaaraliscious Skin

Swimsuit: Green Arabesc Bikini – *Reale*

Hair: Hair New 09 – W&Y

Nails: Balut Tintable Fingernails – Model’s Workshop Boutique

Jewelry: Ethnica – June 2011 Gift – Finesmith

Shoes: Sandal Trio – Wilay Stylez

Organic Silk – In a League of its own

League‘s new Organic Silk dress is a wonderful date-night dress that shows the curves and makes you look so touchable.  Clean with modern lines, it has such a visibly soft texture, there is no denying it is silk.  Available in 8 luxurious muted colors, I chose Goldleaf, then time-warped to the future, with Antiope hair by Wasabi Pills and bold Catwalk makeup from Tattanooga.  An added bonus..it is on special right now at COLLABOR88 for an introductory $88L until April when it will move to the League mainstore.

Style Card

Outfit:

Dress: Organic Silk Dress – Goldleaf – League

Shoes: Julia – Champagne – B&G Shoes

Accessories:

Hair: Antiope – Wasabi Pills

Nails: Metallic Bark Brown – PurpleMoon

Rings: ATMA – Donna Flora

Bracelets: Lilium – mE.

Earrings: Pansy Earrings Gold-Orange – mE.

Eye Makeup: Catwalk 007 – Tattanooga

Lips: Natural 01 – Izzie

Blush: Contour Blush Mid Peach – Dead Apples