Auld Acquaintance

Ages ago, my first ballgowns came from Shenlei Flasheart's Prim & Proper collection.  I happened into a late night shopping frenzy by a crazed group of ladies who later I learned were ladies from a place called Caledon. I watched & learned as gowns literally flew around the shop and hats snatched in mid-air.  The gowns sparkled with sequins and lavished with lace hit a chord in that newbie shopper's heart.

Funny thing, just this past week or so, I commented in plurk on how I couldn't wait until a designer offered a mesh ballgown.  The idea of being able to waltz without glitch pants or skirts breaking around my knees seemed like a logical progression in mesh designs. Tonight I noticed a notecard from Carriage Trade announcing new tack for horses and new gowns from the Debutante line. I was about to toss the notice when I scanned the word "mesh".  Hold everything! A mesh ballgown! 

Auld Acquaintance pours over your shape in a long glide downward.  It comes in 3 sizes to fit most shapes.  I usually wear a medium but for this gown, the small fit just fine, thank you very much.  Shenlei, who happened to be at her Welcome Center, mentioned that the ruffle did help with the fit at the top, which it does quite nicely. You have to see this dress move - no more glitch pants!  I picked up the graphite color but there is a complete slate of colors for your selection. 

Just so you can see, this is the real me tucked inside the mesh of the gown.  All my curves with a front knee bent plus swinging my hips sideways and the gown just glides on down.  I did not tweak even a pixel of my shape, so here I am curvy bum and all.  The funny thing is you don't need shoes because your feet are covered by the gown!

If you haven't been over to Carriage Trade, you should make the trip. The sims are lovely to wander around and  the horses are available as rideables and as full avatars.  A mesh horse designed as a rideable is being released this week.  Shenlei Flasheart again shows us all how to take Second Life designs to the next level.  Thank you for your creativity and dedication!

~Credits

Gown: Debutante - Auld Acquaintance - Graphite by Shenlei Flasheart - Carriage Trade

Skin: LAQ - Vilda - Peach

Hair:  EMO-tions - Fabienne

Manicure: Adam n Eve Astrelle Blushed

Jewelry: EarthStones Gothique Set - Silver & Onyx

Poses by Lost Angel and Olive Juice

Pose Anywhere Hud

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