Steamland Summer

 

Summer in the Steamlands can be a tad warm for we ladies who usually wear full corsets and sweeping skirts.  It was a lovely surprise to find in my "mailbox" this gown from sachi Vixen of Adam n Eve fame.  She was thinking of us ladies when this Angelina design.  In Pearl, the lace ruffles accented with satin bows drapes over a light bodice with an insert panel of butterflies in shades of teal, cream and bronze.

 

Angelina in classic black with the butterfly panel in crimsons and golds is just right for an evening gathering.  For those who enjoy a bit of burlesque, the long skirt is detachable with the result being a "wow" dance hall outfit.

 

Since I loved these colors, I popped over to Adam n Eve to do a bit of sight seeing shopping.  The other shades of Amelia are lovely, but a plaid gown Amelia caught my eye.  There are several plaid shades to pick from but the red was just what I wanted for a hot July. Just the thing to wear while gardening over in Winterfell or just hanging out on the terrace listening to Radio Riel, especially on July 11th for the Riel Day for Life broadcasts supporting Relay for Life.  

~ Credits

Gowns - Adam n Eve - Angelina and Amelia

Hair - Truth - Josephine

Skin - LAQ - Pearl - Fair

Heartfelt Changes

 

My Caledon Rothesay place has been my virtual home since December 2008.  The big white Victorian has moved me with from "before" Caledon to Caledon II in early 2008 and finally to Rothesay.  Here is where I displayed photographs from my real life on the walls, tucked scrapbooks on shelves and tables, covered the mantle with special flowers (thank you Denver Hax), and my oldest dearest furniture sat in a comfortable circle in front of the fireplace. We Merry Widows drank tea and laughed together; Audrey and I sat many a night talking about our lives in Australia and Missouri, US.; and Junie dragged me out of the garden to go adventuring.  The floor was usually littered with bags and boxes from my shopping trips. Since I tend to forget to "lock" prims, Iason dropped one night right through the front porch to the ground when I thought I was cleaning up the shopping bags and blew off the front of the house.  When I changed the conservatory to a kitchen, you could practically smell the bread baking in its little virtual oven.  In so many ways - even the shopping bags on the floor, this virtual home copies my real home.  Oh, I don't have a big white Victorian in real life but wicker furniture, books, and family definitely connect the two.  Several weeks ago, I decided either my homestead in Winterfell or my Rothesay parcel would have to go - I mean really how many prims does a girl need? With talking to myself, friends, making lists of pros and cons, I purchased a full sim now tucked safely away as my Winterfell Harbor.  Where does that leave Caledon Rothesay? My quarter sim is up for purchase but I still have almost two weeks left on the meter. With my rl going to became crazy in the next couple weeks, I went ahead and packed away my big white house.  It was a good thing my typist was home alone since tears were shed and tissues piled up by the keyboard.  Amazing how attached one can become to what is virtual pixels.  After Friday evening, I know for some it is just "land" and a business this place we call Second Life.  For myself, this is my home for now and don't ask me to give it up until the last tick of meter stops.  Even without my house, I still will call Caledon home of my heart.

Down Memory Lane - Arundel Designs

Rust Watering Place Day Gown - Cost 50L

Do you have a gown by Arundel Designs tucked in your virtual closet? Many of us do have trunks full of Arundelain Dumart's historical designs.

 Melody Garden Party Gown - Cost 50L

In my early days in Caledon, I fondly called her gowns my "cupcake" dresses.  I would dress in flowing bustles, ribbons, and flowers - a fantasy Victorian creation.  Since Ms. Dunmart has quietly ceased designing for Second Life, one tends to forget about her gowns that really were way ahead of many other designers.

 Meghan Spring Polonaise in Peach - Cost 50L

As I cleaned out my closet, I discovered I even had unopened gowns still sitting in their shopping bags.  To assist with sorting, I took a chance of going to Arundel's Main store in Antiquity.  There it still stood - vendors displaying their wares for ladies and gentlemen.

Rylie Steampunk - Cost 50L

(includes Steampunk top hat, jewelry, boots, and hair)

The good news for all new residents of the Steamlands who need historical gowns for Steampunk, Victorian, Elizabethan, Regency, and Pirate Attacks is that every single gown, suit, and outfit is for sale for only 50L each.

 Molly Roberts' Pirate Costume - Cost 50L
(includes pirate hat, jewelry, and boots)

Yes, the boots may be "old school" and the shapes and hair included with many of the gowns are not current with today's Second Life avatar standards.

 Rylie Steampunk accessories includes top hat with brass decorations, necklace & earrings with spinning cogs, and the gorgeous steampunk goggles in blue to match the outfit.

However, the gown's textures are still beautiful with the accessories such as top hats and jewelry are well worth the purchase price alone.

 Gentleman's Formal Victorian Suit - Cost 50L

If the lag at the Fashion Fair 2010 is too much for you, 

take a step back into the past for a glorious gown for only FIFTY$L.

~ Credits

Gowns - Arundel - Main Store - Antiquity Township

Hair - Truth - Lillian - Chocolate (Victorian Gowns)

Hair - Argrace - Soft Breeze - Dark Brown (Pirate Costume)

Skin - LAQ - Pearl - Fair 01

P.S. Just in case you wonder about the good ol' days, here is the link back to one of Caledon's Companion's past postings. Love those cupcake dresses!

Victorian Purples

 After a suitable period of mourning, Victorian ladies could gradually leave their blacks for subdued colors such as gray, mauve, and purple.  Being a Merry Widow, my closet seems to have several mourning purple gowns.

Gown:  Goth1c0  Ophelia Victorian in purple and black.

Love the striped corset with the belts circling the waist. Includes a high collar with a bow plus the top hat decorated with flowers and ribbons.

Gown: Grim Bros - Miss Vapeur Plum

This gown definitely has touches of steampunk brass and cogs on the collar and sleeve cuffs which come in two options of purple to match the dress or steampunk brown.