Shades of Patina

 

























Patina colors ancient metals bronze and copper with a deep blue green shading.  This gown from Evie's Closet is shaded with blues and greens accented with fairy flower lights. Aventine is a gown that is suitable for a ball gown or dancing around a fairy ring. The collar attaches with a tiny silver chain while the fairy flower lights sway as you move.

~Credits
Gown - Evie's Closet - Aventine - Blue/Green
Jewelry - lassitude & ennui Ophelia Roses earrings
Shoes - lassitude & ennui Selene mesh boots
Hair - Truth - Evelyn - Chocolate
Skin - LAQ - Vilda - Peach
Poses - Alchemy Immortalis - Waterhouse Romantic Classicism Poses

Delicious and Dark

Adam n Eve's sachi Vixen dropped these lovelies on me over the weekend. So delicious and dark are the eyes on these four Natalie collections that you can't help but think of candelit bistros, sipping a glass of merlot while listening to blues.

 First, Natalie Baby Blue with just a touch deep blue eye shadow and the most lovely shade of pink lipstick.  Of the four, this is most light in makeup coloring.  Blue eyes would just shine with the blues and smokey eyeliner.

Natalie Burlesque - oh heavens! Classic red lips and nail polish combined with those silvery smokey eyes - pull out your silk stockings, ladies.

 Nataline Magenta give you deep colors bordering on purples.  Loved this one paired up with dark hair and deep dark ballgowns.

Last by not least, Natalie Vine is a deep smokey green eyeshadow with deep rose lipstick.  I added the optional light freckles which are included with all the collections.  Natalie Vine just calls for ginger hair - though I wore it also as a brunette.  You'll also find complete changes of eyebrow hair colors, hair bases, manicure and pedicures in tattoo and layer variations.

~Credits
Skin - Adam n Eve Natalie - Baby Blue, Burlesque, Magenta, and Vine
Hair - Truth Helena Espresso for Baby Blue and Burlesque - Truth Evelyn Raven for Magenta - Truth Padma Chestnut for Vine

Coral and Curving

Since the temperature is unseasonably warm in real life, I pulled out a favorite outfit from G Fields.  It was hard finding an orange shaded coral! This cute floaty top in a gerbera daisy pattern had shades of corals, oranges, and yellows with ruffles here and there.  White rollup denim capris were pulled together with Slink's white denim Shaz platform sandals that have the cutest flowers on one shoe and a clinging tiny frog on the other one. (Looks I'm sitting on the frog shoe!)

I loved these yoga poses from Studio Sidhe.  Of course, they show off those cute painted toe nails of my Slink mesh feet. Really historical outfit? Well, since I'm a child of the sixties, this outfit sure reminds me of a long ago time! Now to start looking for Electric Indigo - wasn't that a band back there in another decade?

~Credits

Blouse and Capris - G Fields

Skin: LAQ - Susan -Fair

Hair:  Truth - Summer - chocolate

Jewelry: Zaara Melange earrings in yellow

Shoes: SLink Shaz sandals

Poses by Studio Sidhe

Pose Anywhere Hud

Champagne 'n Shadows

 

Shall I give it a go? 52 Weeks of Color Challenge starts this week.  Besides the usual time constraints, etc., I'm going to try doing this with vintage, Victorian, medieval whatever fits historically outfits.  Hopefully, I'll be digging into my closet trunks to see what I already own that will suit the color of the week. Of course, I'll be shopping - heavens - me, not shop?! 

The color of the week is champagne which always reminds me of classic fashion.  What better gown to wear than one of Nicky Ree's classic gowns - Lady Aurora.  This lovely creation comes with multiple variations of ballgowns from simple to full grand trains. Designing Nicky Ree's shop has always been one of my favorite shops. With this gown, the lace decorating the skirts and trains is so detailed and looks so expensive that if you were to shop in real life, there would be a major credit card damage being incurred to cover the costs. Most people only go to Nicky's for bridal gowns but you have to remember she has many different departments - not just formalwear.

Pulled a favorite necklace from the jewelry casket - Ami amet deli pencet French Brooch Necklace by Alchemy Immortalis.  It has changeable gems and metals which makes it a "must have" necklace.  Just checked on the necklace in the marketplace - go click now! It's on sale for 99L.  

Now, let's see if I can keep those shadows on the SL viewer!

~Credits

Gown: Designing Nicky Ree - Lady Aurora - Champagne

Skin: LAQ - Susan -Fair

Hair:  Truth - Francesca- pecan

Manicure: Adam n Eve Astrelle Blushed

Jewelry: Ami amet deli pencet French Brooch Necklace by Alchemy Immortalis

Shoes: GF Ribbon Sling Back Shoes

Poses by Striking Poses

Pose Anywhere Hud

Classic Barerose

BareRose - Antonia & Hatpins Floraleigh with Cameo Set

BareRose Tokyo still draws hundreds of Second Life shoppers with their huge variety of designs.  A shop guaranteed to have you shopping - looking up, down, and all over the place. Decisions...decisions!

BareRose Antoinia - Blue

A new Victorian gown release called Antonia was showcased in BareRose's "new" area.  Antonia comes in a package with shades of blue and a deep burgundy rose red.  The jacquard fabric is showcased with a black overlay on lace bodice. The bustle is a layered delight of the colored print, white, and then black accented with tiny bows. Layers detail the slim profile skirt with satin ruffles descending to the hem. Cameo ribbon, gloves, and matching shoes add to set.

I had to add to the set with Hatpins cameo earrings and ring from a past Sixty Linden Weekend sale special  Since it was a hot summer day, I love the straw hat styled with roses in blues - Floraleigh - again from Hatpins. 

Below is Antonia styled in the shades of reds and burgundies.  Topping my hair is the original chapeaux that comes with the sets.  I must say this gown just sways down the sidewalk!

Barerose - Antonia - Red

 From the back view, you can see the detail of the fabric patterns.  Love how that black insert makes my waist look like I cinched up my corset 3 inches!

BareRose - Antoina - Red

Of course, now I have to go back to BareRose to add to my closet.  Wouldn't you know? The designers have added another Antonia set.  This one in Pink and Black which you can see online at the BareRose Tokyo shopping catalog.

Wearing:
Gowns: BareRose - Antonia
Earrings & Ring - Hatpins - Cameo Set
Hat:  Hatpins Floraleigh - Blues
Hair - Truth - Padma

Plurk Pretties

While catching up on my plurks this evening, I was tempted by some of my plurk buddies posts about new pretties.  Even though I shouldn't have, I dashed inworld...just to look, right? Wretched Dollies designer Star Fairymeadow has joined the Silent Lion Troupe of special offerings for only 75L.  This little number is called Cerulean Floral Dress with a cool blue floral print corset and skirt ruffle with the black skirt then a layer of net petticoat flirting underneath that.  The corset is accented with black lace and a touch of silver white. After seeing Kat Alderson's designs for her Cad & Tart jewelry, I knew it would pick up the silver on Star's dress.  Another quick dash across the grid  for silver choker touched with a light blue, two sets of earrings, two bracelets, and a matching headband (which I forgot to wear).  Kat named this collection the Princess Stephanie and it is 25% off right now.  I admired Kat wearing one of the new styles from Truth this week so added another "do" to my closet shelves. Truth should just open a permanent link on plurk so we can shop and plurk at the same time.  Will wonders never cease? Tuli dropped an announcement about her new Audrey release.  What could I do? Grab my group tag and head over to Journey of course. Primped in the mirror while admiring Audrey in tone 4 which is one of two VIP Group gifts.  Now I have managed to shop, blog, and plurk all at the same time!
~Credits
Gown - Wretched Dollies - Cerulean Floral Dress
Jewelry - Cad & Tart - Princess Stephanie

Hair - Truth - Midori

Skin -Tuli - Audrey tone 4 - VIP Group Gift

Casting Spells...

 

Tucked away in the darkness of the manor, there is a private place for study and writing.  Special bottles and potions are locked away for safekeeping in the stone walls deep underground.  Medieval fog swirls around Winterfell Harbor which calls for a gown reminiscent of that long ago time. 

 

 Miss sachi Vixen has a new gown suitable for keeping watch from the castle towers for your prince to come home.  Adam n Eve Clothes' Rosalynd is sewn from brocade with antique gold netting forming a corset twinkling with jewels. 

  

The gown arrives with three skirt variations, the slim skirt shown, grande ballroom skirt, and a flirty short skirt.  All the skirts are trimmed with a drape of gold tulle with bows on the hips. The dusky purple suited the harbor's mist & clouds but the gown comes in six colors.  

Tuli's Jade with the new makeup by Elysium just gave an edge to this medieval lady.  Antheia matched with Jade in tone 2 picked out the colors of the purple with the accents of blue from Hatpins Branwyn wreath in Sky Rose and Snow Lily.  The low cut gown is accented with The Black Widow Amber Prayer Bead Necklace by Alchemy Immortalis.  A black widow spider trapped in amber hangs from prayer chain beads, belladonna seeds, and silver claws.  

 

Time to close the hidden door to the secret chamber and lock away the ancient journals. If you wander that way, beware the sapphire blue potion bottle since a spell will release the black widow's children!

~ Credits

Gowns - Adam n Eve - Rosalynd

Hair - Truth - Eva

Skin -Tuli - Jade Tone 2 with Antheia makeup
Wreath - Hatpins - Branwyn Sky Rose & Snow Lily
Shoes - *G Fields- Ribbon Slingback Shoes Silver
Necklace - Alchemy Immortalis - The Black Widow Amber Prayer Bead Necklace 
(Check xstreet for a special summer sale price on the necklace!)
Props - Shade Fantasy Outfitters - Alchemy Lab (animated)

Pink is Pretty

Since SL is borked, I rummaged in my photo folders.  Totally forgot that I had a "pink" moment a couple of weeks ago.  While on my weekly shopping dash to Hatpins, I just swooned over the dark rose pink of the Lady Nellie.  All shiny ribbons, jewels and a touch of gold netting in the back made it just perfect.  What to wear with this tophat which doesn't fit my usual steampunk copper and bronze colors?  Catching up on reading blogs, I had missed ~silent sparrow~ special offer of a (Geist) Batty Suit on xstreet so with a click I had a new outfit.

The uni-sex suit was toned in white velvet and brocade.  On a whim, I very carefully made copies of the outfit.  Tinting the suit was entertaining though I'm sure Hya would have died at some of the colors I clicked on! Finally, a muted dusty rose complimented the Lady Nellie hat. Pink is pretty!

~Credits
Hat - Hatpins - Lady Nelllie
Suit - ~silent sparrow! - (Geist) Batty Suit
Boots - BAX Coen Designs - BAX Ankle Boots in Black Patent
Hair - Truth  - Grazia - Thank you, Jenica for the social networking research!
Skin - Tuli

Summertime and the living is easy...

 

Summer is an easy time though right now it is so hot that only the lightest of dresses will do. Wretched Dollies Stary Fairymeadow has this darling little sundress spangled in starry tulle fluffy skirt goodness.The bodice is a tiny pattern with a corset lacing up your waist. Necklace of pearls and gold quartz do remind me of Southern ladies who always wear their pearls.  (Thank you Frau Lowey for the plurk reference to Maggie of Cat on Hot Tin Roof!)  Did you hear me squeal?  I was looking for sandals.  Went looking in the closet for my Maitreye Shanti sandals.  Squeal! Found I had the updated Viewer 2 versions! Did a little happy dance with the new skin updated notecard!

Star has a lovely blue Sky version of the Golden but for a limited time, there is the Hyacinth that comes with a white and black skirt.  Just changed my shoes and pearls!  That hot summer afternoon has me tossing my hair up with a bandeau.  I confess if Truth has a new hair, I'm so there.

Now why does a historical vintage lady love these cute skirts?  I have fond memories of my grandmother wearing her starched petticoats to church in the fifties.  Of course, as little girl, I was dressed in the little lady version of the same - petticoats that had been bleached to white then dipped - yes, dipped - into liquid starch and water in the kitchen sink.  The petticoats were then hung up to dry by their skirts.  When you sat down on the church pew, little crinkley sounds echoed up and down the church aisles.  And if the preacher talked way too long in the summer heat, the slow flutter of funeral fans waved the smell of Faultless starch and Shalimar perfume over the congregation.

I think my Maw Maw would have loved this dress which she would have worn with her pearls and peek-a-boo sandals. Really, a southern church lady grandma? Yes, if that Southern grandmother had played jazz piano and danced the Charleston when she was sixteen.  Stay cool during this summer days!

~ Credits

Gowns - Wretched Dollies Stars Are Trump - Golden and Hyacinth (Limited Edition)

Necklace - Wretched Dollies Pearls & Golden Quartz and Black Pearls & Diamonds

Shoes - Maitreya Gold - Shanti Black and Chocolat

Skin - Tuli - Hope Fair and Bella Sunkissed

Hair - Truth - Nora and Riley

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

Weekend Shopping

How does a quick trip for a pair of shoes turns into a major shopping expedition?  I had found *G Fields during the Shoe Fair at their cute boot display.  Two pair of cute shoes and several shopping bags of outfits later I had done some major shopping therapy the other evening.

 

Off-Shoulder Chiffon Top- "Gerbera Orange"

Capri Jeans - White

Strap Sandals - "Floria" - Yellow Tulip with matching Bangle

Since the weather was warm today, a display of pretty chiffon blouses just charmed my bustle right off.  Solid colors, tiny flower prints, and then these tropical springtime prints are offered. The blouse has off the shoulder ruffles with a bow string tie.  The peplum ruffle bottom just floats around as you walk. My feet had been tapping for the strap sandals in flower prints - in this case the Yellow Tulip pattern. These cute sandals also come with two matching bangles.  Just in case I needed them, the whole pack of capri jeans was added since I couldn't decide on a fabric.  The roll-up cuff was easy to size with no problems getting it right under my knees. Now just hoping for a beach party sometime this spring - maybe Caledon will have a RFL beach theme party.

 Maxi Dress - "Mellow" - Rose:Apricot

The "Mellow" gown is available in several prints with shades of colors from springtime pastels to darker evening colors. If a pattern says "rose", that is usually the first one I pick.  This one is in shades of apricot roses with touches of sage green leaves.  A rose corsage gathers the strapless bodice while another rose headdress can be tucked in your curls on either the right or left side of your coiffure. 

The back shows the designer's attention to detail with precise texturing with an adorable bow holding the top together.  There is also an alternate look with an extended bodice with the skirt flaring around your legs from the hips down.  That would make the gown into a vintage look just perfect if you want to be Dorothy Lamour.

Classic Dress "Julie" - Old Rose
Ribbon Sling Back Shoes - Rose

With a nod to historical fashions, this dress is a cupcake of lovely fabric, ruffles, and bows.  To make sure the ruffled shoulder that goes all the way to your waist fits, there is a demo in the shop to try on.  The actual gown comes with three sizes to fit your figure.  Love the fact that it is "not" scripted! The white ruffled corset underlayer is accented with little buttons. The ruffled petticoat and the ruffled bloomers contrast with the skirt and ruffled cute bustle layer. Again, the rose colored gown ended up in my shopping bag, but the choices include spring colors as well as darker shades including a lovely black and white combination. The ribbon sling back shoes are the reason I went shopping in the first place! You can wear the shoes with toe bows, heel bows, or no bows! You can show off your ankles or just peek your toes out from under a floor length gown.

Finally, the "Julie" dress can be changed into a springtime party dress. Drop some of the ruffles and bows and you have a dress ready for dancing.  Enjoy a visit to G Fields soon - even if your only reason to visit is to shop for shoes! (Did I mention her accessories are really cute?)

Gowns:  *G Field*
Shoes: *G Field* 
Hair: Truth - Lilllian Coffee
Skin: Tuli Hope Sunkissed Blush
Poses - Striking Poses - Ballgown Elegance, Full of Grace, and Eye Candy

Pretty in Pink

I practically jumped for joy when I checked my overflowing mail basket.  Teaa Demina had left a sweet note of apology for being absent (that RL does tend to take precedence in our lives for good and not so good reasons).  She delivered an announcement of a pretty springtime dress named M'Lady Bella. Tucking up my hair really quick, I popped over to her main shop.  Being in a "pink" mood, I danced around in the Rose bustled and lace gown. The bodice was white lace with pearl buttons marching down the front with both a lace ruffle high collar and ruffles outlining one's figure.  The bustle was draped in a paler rose pink with more lace - so pretty for springtime.  The gown itself is a striped fabric with matching trim along the hem.

 

However, when you swirl around to peek in the back, there is another matching fabric draping from underneath the bustle - so pretty. Make plans for a springtime shopping trip over to M'Lady's to see the other colors of Bella which comes in Teal and Cream.

~ Credits

Outfit - M'Lady - Bella in Rose

Hair - Truth - Lillian in coffee

Skin - Tuli - Hope - sunkissed blush
Poses - Striking Poses - Ballgown Elegance

Mothers of Invention Library Collection Opening at New Babbage

 

Presented my speech this afternoon at the R.F. Burton Library in New Babbage for the grand opening of Miss Serafina Puchkina's Mothers of Invention collection.  Managed to collect my notecards and present with only a few juggles of sentences being transposed in the chat window.  Since I talked about the first woman to receive a patent for Straw Weaving with Silk or Thread - which means making women's hats or bonnets from straw, I wore one of Miss Reghan Straaf's creations from Hatpins Finery.  This cute chapeaux model is the Lady Imogene - White Lily.  I just love the Lady Imogene that includes the short veil in gold mesh as shown and a longer back veil in the same shade.

  

I discovered PixelDolls again while clicking down my landmark list.  Have always visited Pixel Dolls for their sales of modern clothes.  To my total delight, the shop had a new set of clothing called Timepiece.  Twelve outfits in different variations of the same look were hanging on the wall. When I purchased the outfit, I was happy with the 100L price per outfit. For my library presentation, I wore Timepiece 01 with the Bonney Lass tartan skirt combined with the Bourbon black coat.  I never seem to leave home without my hair tossed up by Truth in the Lillian style.  LAQ's new skin Pearl may be designed for blondes but I love its Fair looks with my chocolate brown hair.

Another version from the Timepiece collection - this one is Timepiece 05 with the Antique Caramel brocade skirt with the Brown Bourbon jacket. I almost wore this one to New Babbage.  How many of the twelve Timepiece sets came home in shopping bags? All twelve of course plus an additional Bourbon jacket in wine color.  Just in case you would like different colors from the traditional brown or black bustle coats, there are additional shades right next to the Timepiece collection. For peeks into those shopping bags, just let your fingers do the walking through the Virtual Vignettes at the top left of the Caledon Companion.

ADDITIONAL SHOPPING NEWS FLASH!

Today - Sunday, March 7th, I popped over to the store to confirm the prices. The price is now only 50L per outfit! In fact, all the new PixelDoll goodies were set at 50L. I left my journal to do some serious shopping again.

New dress from PixelDolls in the Bourbon Dress in Green.  I added the cami from the Timepiece collection.

~ Credits

Outfits - PixelDolls Timepiece collection

Hat - Hatpins - Lady Imogene

Shoes - BAX  - BAX Ankle Boot in Black Patent

Hair - Truth - Lillian - Chocolate

Skin - LAQ - Pearl - Fair 01

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.