Gidge Uriza has been doing a fun weekly word challenge over at It’s Only Fashion, and I finally remembered to take part in it. I’m a day late, but ever since I saw that last week’s word was “elevate”, I’ve had “up, up, and away in my beautiful, my beautiful balloon” firmly lodged in my head. This is my attempt to finally let that go. I think the balloon is an old hunt gift from Julia Collection, but you should still check out the shop even if the balloon is unavailable.

Here’s a close-up of the outfit I’m wearing on the balloon. It started as a contemporary spin on the “these boots are made for walking” era with the white mesh boots from TenFifteen. (Insert a squeal here for heeled boots that fit me!) Then I saw that the Sn@tch-N-Grab Special at Sn@tch was 5 colors of the Serenity dress for only L$75, and it felt like the perfect complement to the boots. At that point, I had to go with Exile‘s Valerie for the hair, and purple just seemed like a fun choice.

Body
Skin: LAQ Mini – [Peach] – 08
Hair: Exile Valerie:Roots-Passion
Lashes: Exile Lashes – Lush
Eyeliner: DAMNED BodyShop Tribal Make-up
Eyes: Shine Monet Iris

Clothing
Dress: Sn@tch Serenity (Aqua)
Boots: TenFifteen Kimberly Boots – White Leather (Size Four)

Pose
Terho The Fluffy Girl 2A (Only available on the marketplace.)

Today I visited Collabor88, a new monthly event where designers put new items at discounted prices. The items will rotate on the 8th of each month, and I’ve heard that future months will include collaborations between multiple creators as the name would suggest. My first purchase there was the adorable vintage camera from Artilleri. I have a bit of a “thing” for both Artilleri and camera props, so this was a must-have for me. For your L$88, you get a camera to hold (shown below), a camera without the hold pose, and the camera on a tripod. Such a bargain!

While shopping at Collabor88, I also picked up a set of 2 tank tops from Boom because I love the wide stripes and bright colors. My jacket and skirt cover up a lot of it here, but the name of the tank started a subtle theme that I didn’t even notice until I was writing up the credits. This is the Boom Ice Cream Tank in cotton candy swirl paired with a plum jacket from The Secret Store, a wine skirt from Sn@tch, grape shoes from Zaara, LAQ Mini skin in peach, and Exile’s Nomi hair in pecan. And I wasn’t even hungry when I was putting this together!

Body
Hair: Exile Nomi:Roots-Pecan
Skin: LAQ Mini Peach 02
Eyes: Shine Monet Terra

Clothing
Jacket: The Secret Store Les Bleuets – Plum
Top: Boom Ice Cream Tank (cotton candy swirl) at Collabor88
Skirt: Sn@tch Noblesse Skirt (Wine)
Shoes: Zaara Ilaida Mojri *grape*

Poses and Props
Pose: Long Awkward Pose Stance 17 Mirror
Camera: Artilleri Lumoflex camera at Collabor88
Bench: Clutter Botany Bench

I think the theme of this post is versatility. Let’s first look at this stunning Corbie Suite release from silentsparrow. I purchased it in azure, but there are also other colors available. When I first started throwing on the many layers of this suite and mixing them around, I loved the look of the sweater underneath the dress bodice because it gave lovely coverage while adding a dash of bright embroidery and still showing off the detailed bodice.

Then I took off the sweater, and thanks to the enhanced cleavage on this drow skin that is currently a free hunt item at Mynerva, my first thought was va va voom. The suite also includes two other skirt types, a ballgown and a layered option, along with panties, garters, and stockings, so there are so many ways of putting this together and mixing it with other pieces you already own. In particular, I noticed that pieces in this azure Corbie Suite mixed really well with my azure pieces from the older Dominion collection from silentsparrow.

Another versatile item is makeup! I continue to be thrilled with the makeup tattoos that are out in abundance these days because of how quickly I can now customize my skins. This Mynerva gift skin is great on its own, but then with the addition of the white makeup from Kyoot, I think the skin gets a whole new flavor.

Body
Skin: Mynerva Bday Gift – Night Drow Cleavage
Makeup: Kyoot Makeup – Cateye 1 (Winter 1)
Hair: Exile Sasha / arctic
Faun Legs: Gauze Faun – Black
Horns: Illusions Cylindriculus Horns (These were a hunt gift, but there are styles similar to this available at the store.)
Eyes: Shine Garden City ForgetMeNot

Clothing
Everything!: silentsparrow (azure) Corbie Suite

Poses
Terho – I forgot to note the particular poses, but all of them are from The Fluffy Girl and The Fluffy With Long Hair sets.

Achariya may have stopped blogging at her own site, but she’s still floating around Flickr and some group blogs from time to time. It’s because of her that I found Miss Shippe’s Studio and some of my favorite makeup layers. Maybe that’s why I ended up wearing so much orange with this outfit.

Body
Hair: Exile Laya aqua
Skin: Mynerva Group Gift 1
Eyes: Shine Monet Atlantis
Makeup: Miss Shippe’s Studio Mako’s Girl Shark Face (Seawater Blue)
Tattoo: silentsparrow fire belladonna:lepidoptera tattoo

Clothing
Top: Artilleri Annie top orange
Skirt: Grixdale Payote summer – burnt (May not be available now. It was a Fifty Linden Friday Kids special.)
Socks: Shiny Things stripe knit thigh highs – retrostripe
Shoes: UBU PornStar Lo-Tops

Poses
Terho The Fluffy Girl 3B

I spend most of my time in SL up in the sky on one sky island or another. It’s usually pretty quiet in my little world, but recently a fluffy little gift initiated a storm of activity. Meet Eunice Hyacinth Coriander, my little purple sheep.

Eunice Hyacinth Coriander had big dreams of becoming a rock star, but she felt her size was holding her back. It was either that or her lack of a singing voice or perhaps her lack of opposable thumbs, but those all seem like minor details when you have a dream. When she met me, she decided she finally had her vehicle for stardom as she perched on my head and suggested I pick up a guitar.

Finally little Eunice’s dreams were becoming a reality! Then she heard a series of clicks and was blinded by the bright lights of the paparazzi’s flash bulbs. It was all too much for her, so I shielded her the best I could and prepared to fight off the intruders with my handy pillow if necessary.

Body
Skin: Pink Fuel Kumi – Amethyst at Pacific Crisis Fundraiser
Hair: Exile Evangeline / whiskey
Eyes: Shine Monet Antique

Clothing
Top: Zaara Yauvani tank *lilac* (This color was a Fashion for Life item and may not be available now, but other colors are available.)

Poses and Props
Poses, Guitar, Pillow: Terho, the shop formerly known as Lazy Places, at Pose Fair 2011
Sheep: Adore&Abhor Sheepie Purple (from gatcha machine near new releases)
Greenhouse: Funky Junk Weathered Greenhouse
Teacup decor in greenhouse: LISP Bazaar

The Pacific Crisis Fundraiser opened today, and I just wanted to share a quick shot of one item you’ll find there before I get lost in the many wonderful items that have been generously donated. This Sakura hair from Exile is available in a naturals pack that includes the Coffee, Mink, Sand, and Scarlet hair colors. The flowers change colors, but my favorite is the pink shown here because they pair so well with some of my favorite wings from Material Squirrel.

Body
Hair: Exile Sakura / mink (at Pacific Crisis Fundraiser)
Skin: Pink Fuel Skye – Pink Pearl
Eyes: Shine Monet Antique

Clothing
Wings: Material Squirrel Twig Fairy Wings – Shimmer Pink
Tattoo: AITUI Cherry Blossoms
Dress: Rotten Toe Vintage Ballerina (I believe this is from a hunt and no longer available, but the shop has similar items.)

Pose
Ana_Mations Fairy AO

It seems fitting to come back to my blog on my 4th rezday, which I just remembered a little bit ago. There’s been lots going on, but very little of it related to SL, so I won’t go on about it. Instead I’ll go on about all of these goodies, some related to Valentine’s Day and some not, that make me feel like I’m walking around wrapped up in loving wishes from awesome people.

I have to point out that everyone needs a hair or two named Brandy, so run to Exile immediately! I’m a fan of fun hair, and this one is just adorable. It makes me think of an updated 80s ponytail for some reason, and that kind of set the theme for the rest of the outfit. This great high-waisted skirt in a black and white leopard print with the big floppy bow was a Christmas present from a dear friend, and it’s perfect for my mood. I really need to go pick up more of these at [ bubble ] because it was a breeze to fit and so cute!

I know I’m late to the party when it comes to gushing about this Emma skin from Tuli, but I don’t care. I just can’t be quiet about the cute little nose and the pretty lips.

My necklace is an incredible bargain from Lolapop! Just go there and buy up the little purple hearts for L$1 each to get this Stupid Cupid necklace in all the available colors. I had to go with purple of course. Another item for all you bargain seekers is my Valentine date, the Mustache Snug from Lazy Places. Either wait at the lucky board to get him for free if your letter pops up, or buy him for yourself or for a friend through the box by the lucky board.

Body
Hair: Exile Brandy2 / whiskey
Skin: Tuli Emma / fair / bl :: 02 Orchid with Tuli Emma / fair / lips Ruin and Tuli Cleavage / fair :: Boost tattoo layers
Eyes: Shine Monet Antique
Lashes: Exile Lashes: Lush

Clothing
Top: Plastik Courtesan BlackSun
Necklace: Lolapop! Stupid Cupid Necklace – Purple
Skirt: [ bubble ] High-waisted skirt Leo
Tights: TaP Opaque Tights (no longer available)
Heels: *G Field* Bow Strap Shoes “Kate” -plum-

Poses and Props
My Valentine: Lazy Places Mustache Snug
Other poses: Clique Take Me Somewhere Nice

It’s time to head back home after spending a few days with my parents and brother, and I thought I’d take a few minutes to post a photo that my mom likes as my last post of 2010. Mom regularly reads this blog and checks up on my Flickr account, but for some reason, she won’t actually use the SL avatar we set up for her a couple of years ago. Perhaps I’ll be able to convince her to try again in 2011.

Mom loves to see me dressed up in retro-inspired outfits, and I’m sure my love of the same comes from years spent going through her photo albums and yearbooks. Neither of us is particularly crazy about wearing yellow, but it’s perfect against the black and white here. The dress is from The Secret Store by Maylee Oh. Mom specifically requested the Exile Mavis hair as it’s one of her favorites, but I have to admit she would prefer either whiskey or mink over the pearl texture I’m wearing here. We’ll call it my mini act of rebellion. The pose is from the Zaftig collection at aDORKable Poses.

I Heart Purple is a small grid-wide hunt where all of the items are purple. Violet Voltaire put out a purple version of her Harajuku Girls set as her hunt prize, and you can see the tiara in the first photo. I chose to pair that with the necklace and earrings from the Lolapop! hunt item. I think all the shades of purple work together.

I added some additional purple not in the I Heart Purple hunt with the Belle Epoque set from Frick in the crow color and the violetdawn shade of the Mavis hair from Exile. I like how the tiara fits perfectly with the updo. The pose is from the bbw pose set at Gesticulate! and I’m always happy to have more poses that not only fit my shape but even fit my shape when I’m wearing a poofy skirt. You’ll be seeing more of Gesticulate! poses in future posts here.

Body
Skin: Exile September Sunsplash Outlaw
Hair: Exile Mavis violetdawn
Eyes: Shine Monet Hyacinth

Clothing
Dress: Frick Belle Epoque – Crow
Shoes: *G Field* Kate -plum-
Tiara: Violet Voltaire Harajuku Girls: Violet Tiara
Necklace and Earrings: Lolapop! Lucretia

Pose: Gesticulate! BBW std2

Hair Fair 2010 officially opens September 4 (tomorrow!), and I can finally show off the hair I’ve been wearing for days now. Exile will have 5 new hairs at Hair Fair, and once it’s opened tomorrow, you can go straight to the Exile booth to buy your favorites.

I should probably be working on a blog post for the Exile blog, but Kavar went to sleep finally, and I decided to play with shadows. Venus brought out the faun in me, so I ran off to the Alirium forest sim for photos.

Body
Hair: Exile Venus brownsugar (Currently released only at the Exile Hair Fair location.)
Skin: Pink Fuel Basil Shy Fawn – cleavage
Faun Parts: Titania’s Court Female Faun Chestnut

Clothing
Top: Evie’s Closet Faery Leafy Top – Plain (This color was a RFL special, but Evie has lots of other gorgeous colors at her shop.)

Poses
Close-up: Reel Expression Casual Curvy AO – Stand 8
Full body: Long Awkward Pose Miss Pretty