A Sweater Girl

Love this 50's dress!! Second Wave Apparel has caught my attention. Although this Siren Sundress did come with a great red cropped sweater, I was wanting something with a bit more contrast, so off I went to find a black cardigan. You would think it wouldn't be difficult to find something so simple. The length was crucial and I needed it on just the right layer.

Please, please, please - Could someone make quality cardigans that are the length of the sweater in the above pictures? Yes, i am a tad spoiled, I want great textures in lots of colors with fun/detailed buttons - I want to wear them with skirts and capris from the 50's.

I would also love to see sneakers of a high quality (such as Keds). When i think of vintage sneakers - those are what in envision.

Well, time to head out and travel the grid!


Sweater - ::Soda:: Black Cardigan (comes with a tank also)
Earrings - Artilleri double cherry earring (silver and gold metals are in the pack!)
Bag - Artilleri - Cherry Bag (no longer see this one available at the store,but they do have other great ones that would work)
Shoes - Maitreya ChiChi Black
Hair - Hiccup - Amelieish - Black
Bracelet - *Funk-O-Rama* *F.O.R.* Totally Kickin Bangle (Cherry)
Dress - Sec0nd Wave Apparel - SirenSundress-

/me Whispers

The very first time I turned on voice - I heard him breath. I was scared, so scare I scrambled and turned the sound off. He sent me text...laughing at me.

It was a long long time later (months) that i actually heard his voice say "hello". He didn't sound odd, i could understand him...heck we're both from the same state. I was still so nervous and scared - I have no idea why. I hardly said a word I was so nervous. Damn...two strikes for me, this voice thing was too awkward.

Third try, his mic wouldn't work but mine did. He could hear me but only text his replies. Hmmm...so we went to explore a few sims. I found myself relaxing little. We began to tease back and forth (he in text and me in voice), I stopped whispering (finally). I found it a bit empowering that he couldn't talk back.

Seems the third try made a difference. I've still not spoken to other people. Kairos and I text most of the time, but every once in awhile we hear each others voices.

Don't get me wrong - text does have it's advantages:

• You don't put your foot in your mouth as much
• You can express yourself in text in ways you might be embarrassed to in rl
• It gives you a bubble of privacy no matter what is going on around you.
  

But voice has some advantages too:

• it is sooo much easier to explore the sims together this way
• in voice you can tell if the other person has had a rough day. A tired sigh:)
• you have fewer misunderstandings with your sweetie. I kid you not, sometimes when you read text you look for hidden meanings. In voice, tone is everything.

I guess I was afraid that voice would ruin the "magic", but I am happy to say it didn't. It took baby steps for me. The first baby step you need to take if you have never used voice - is to turn it on. Listen to other people with your mic off. Go to stores or gatherings where you will find lots of people (like Ahern). Sit, move your camera about, zero in on the people with the green waves over their heads, and just listen.

OK, I admit it - I have been known to eavesdrop in the game - but dayum, you hear some of the funniest conversations that way. Besides - they could have taken it private .....but they didn't.

Well - I am out of here to have some springtime fun - I'm ready for something bold and fun. What a fun dress - and i just had to go with this bright bold lime color. Yvette comes in four great spring colors.

Dress - Ivalde - Yvette in green (also comes in violet, firebrick and blue)
Hair - Etd - Xaria - Black Green
Shoes - Maitreya - Slinky Stilettos Patent Lime Green
Jewelry - (Caroline's) Natural Green Necklace - Why can't more fun beads like this be out there?

The Pink Lady

Whether you have participated in Living History programs or not, you will fall in love with this dress. So many flexi dresses have that bouncy bouncy effect - and to be honest - it makes me feel so girlie when they bounce:). The Victorian dress I have on right now is not necessarily about the bounce (but it does indeed have a subtle bounce), It feels ....I guess you could say, heavier. It has that feel of a subtle drag in the skirt - like Victorian dresses should have.



This beautiful soft pink will bring out your girlie side and make the men on the grid gather round to see if you need help:) Gotta love those guys:)

Take a good look at that cameo. It's perfect. This cameo feels like it has substance, it is delicate and very feminine. Did I mention - It comes with the dress!!!


Be sure when you put the dress on (if you are short) to cover the sweet shirt tails in the front. Ladies in the time would never show their shirt tails.

The hair was a winner - worn up like a lady but soft enough to make a man feel like he could drop it down your back with just a touch.

The skin is a new one by Gala Phoenix found at Skin Fair (Yes!! it is still up!). Honestly, she has done some stunning work with skins. You MUST try these demos.

Dress - Gaslights Emporium - Port Babbage, Promenade Dress comes in SIX colors! Take your sweetie with you - tons of great stuff for the men here.
Hair - ETD Aiiyanna - Mahogany
Skin - go to Skin Fair - to the Gala Phoenix Booth - :GP: Classic-Sienna

Experiments

My partner Kairos and I tried a little experiment this past week. We decided to open up our relationship to others. Mind you this was MY idea. Since we've been together a year now, I thought it was time to add a bit of excitement to the relationship! Think about it - you keep the lover who means so much to you AND get occasional shallow sex on the side. Hey...it could work.



So off he went to gather new friend cards (in the quest for shallow sex)....and I went off to find mine. As he started to get card..after card.....after card, I started to get a little miffed. I did flirt, I have been told I have it in me to do it:) but I kid you not, no cards for me. So I looked at the two avis trying to find the problem.

Well - we didn't hide the fact that we were partners. OMG - is there a secret guy code no one told me about??? No one wanted to flirt with a partnered woman?

Kiaros on the other hand was having the time of his life! Yes, he told me every detail (that can be kinky too:). The ladies were all over him, to hell with the fact that he was partnered, in fact .... some seemed to get a charge out of trying to pull him away from me *cough* bitches *cough*

Sure, I could have gone to a free sex room, but that's just not the same. I'd had enough, and to be honest, he knew it bugged me that he was getting all the attention:). So he called the experiment to an end.

My question for couples out there - Would a little swapping out there hurt the relationship? It did not hurt ours this week. Yes, we did look at the swapper groups but all you find in those groups are singles. Hell, I'd be happy with couples we could just hang out with.

Anyway that was my adventure of the week.
Guess it's time to show you what I picked up yesterday.


Skin -Belleza- Douceur pale LM night Amethyst
Dress - Silentsparrow - Coronis Suite, Silver (lots to mix up in this group)
Maitreya Anklets
Maitreya Slinky Stiletto (free)
Necklace 1 - Simply Spoiled - Pearl Choker, black
Necklace 2 - Bonita's Jewelry & Funique Shop - Black Bead Low Shine X Long Knot Necklace (This place is a pearl paradise!!!)
Hair - Philotic Energy - Jyoti Black

Fresh From the 40's

Hey all!

Check out this stunning new dress over at Ingenue (Polynesian Princess - Red Tide). the textures are incredible. The wrap over the waist gives the dress a smooth contour and the swishy tail in the back satisfies the flexi girlie part of me:)

I just had to wear a 1940's hairstyle for this one so i went with the Ingenue ~ Rachel ~ Noir Black. this kind of classic 1940's style really brings the whole look together.

Shoes - Maitreya Slinky Stiletto (the freebie at the front of the store)
Skin - Fleur Vivant Buff Paon 2 ( i love the sets she does with the fuller lips!)
Eyes - *Sin Skins* Intense Garnet/Gold Eyes
Bracelet - Grazia Bracelet, BloodstoneS -EARTHTONES
Lashes - *Sin Skins* Fluff Lashes
Dress at Ingenue - (Polynesian Princess - Red Tide)
Hair at Ingenue - ~ Rachel ~ Noir Black

Time to Get to Work!

I love to build and my next project is an old schoolhouse. I do hope to set it out very soon. Thought i would drop a teaser in here and do the photos this time at the workshop of Vignette.

I saw a mention of this dress and just could not resist it. This Victorian School Teacher looks like it might be her first day in class. I made a point of selecting a skin with very little makeup. I wanted it to feel sort of..real.


To be honest there are some flaws on the dress, but come on - how great is this look? I can EASILY overlook the minor things. I am sooo going back to this store. Hmmmm.. she seems to carry lolita:). The school books were part of another outfit i have listed below - and what a great prop they make! The updo hair was soft and and had a great fit. I did recolor the hairbands to compliment the ribbon on the dress. The clean skin gives the look a certain freshness.

Gothic Teacher - Passionate Neko Dreams
Hair - ETD - Adrienne, Ebony
Skin - :GP:, Classic-Pure (bought at skin fair)
School Books - Icing, came with the outfit "Study Date" came with the dress!
School - coming soon to Vignette:)

More Places to go and Things to Do

Well today is a great day to explore, so I threw on something casual but still vintage...and off I went. I added this group of SURL's to my column of places to visit.

So grab a date and have some fun!!

Tranquility Gardens
Squeebee's Mystery Science Theater
Cocololo Island Resort
Paradise Falls
Tunnel of Light> Glow your Mind (A Rezzable Sim) Please use WindLight to look at this one.
The Dump
Tempstaff
La Romantica
NTT DoCoMo
MyWorldOFSports
Jericho Hill (SL Hockey)

A reminder to new folks who read my blog - i dont' give lots of information about the suggested places - cuz I love surprises:)

Hair - [ND] "Maya" - Black Pearl
Skin - Fleur Vivant Buff Blossom 3
Dress - Ingenue - Tricky Little Wicky, Watermelon, this is a RFL dress - go grab it while you can! (4 other colors will also be available at the store)
Hair Flowers - artilleri orchid hair flower *pink*

Hunting Eggs!!

What a GREAT weekend! All the egg hunts..i am trying to make each and every one:)




I started at Ivalde where she had more that 20 eggs hidden. I found at LEAST 20 - yay for me!! In the photos you will find the Nille Black Dress from egg 18, puffy retro sleeves and all! In the picture next to it i removed the puffy sleeves and just added the short red panda cardigan from egg 19. It's a great look either way:)


Reds and black - i cant get enough of those colors!

As for the shoes - they are of course the Slinky Stilettos (Patent Red) at Maitreya. I love the red shoe with the black trim on the underside. It's the little details that count.

The necklace are the ever so affordable ones at *G&S* (Black Pearl Strand Necklace). I did get the black pearl earrings there too.

the hair is the new TRUTH hair Natalia - great hair - it does fit in well with the retro type look.

The skin is from GALA :GP: Classic-Vex which I bought at the skin fair. For me this skin in incredible real - right down to the tiny shine on the nose - this skin is worth every penny.

Medieval/Renaissance/Middle Ages??

I had a GREAT time at the Relay for Life Clothing Fair

All 3 of the above were purchased there (I went ahead and listed the store links too), but please, try the fair first. Give what you can, it's important to all of us.

All three of the above have something in common - You would see them all at your local Ren Fair. I see them as Renaissance/Medieval/Middle Ages. I admit it, I had to look this one up. Where does one age end exactly and the other begin? I am thinking 1400 - 1650 on these. The experts out there might want to whisper in my ear if I'm wrong.

#1
Gala - Medium-Mod Lips II-Pash
[SK] Elven Splendour (tanzanite) ([SK] - is Stonekeep)
Hair - Intersection - blonded from Gurl 6

#2
Dress - Evie's (freebie at RFL)
Skin - Fleur Vivant Buff Blossom
Hair - Nadia at ETD

#3
Dress - [SK] Ale Wench (mocha)
Skin -Belleza- Douceur pale 2
Hair - Eva from Maitreya

Squeels!!

Not too long ago Truth sent out a message to the group - If anyone had suggestions for hair to send them his way. So i combed thru google, found a few and ...well, tadaaa! Sure, some variations were made to this one, but dayum, it turned out great. I didn't have to resize it, it didn't interfer with my prim lashes, the hair tucks beautifully around the band AND it keeps up with my ao (which is no easy feat!). Oh, and there is a cherry on top - the band changes color!!!

OMG - best hair ever! Keep an eye out for this one, not in the store yet , but bet it will be soon.

I do think the hair worked very well with this 1950's reto look.

I know, I know - everyone hates system skirts - but get over it. This skirt...no - the whole fat pack of these skirts should be in your closet if you are into reto looks. (Artilleri - Gina highwaist Pencil Skirt)

The sweater is a classic turtleneck from {Gisaci} at Armidi, Classic Cashmere Turtleneck - White
The shoes are Maitreya Verve BlackPumps.

Goodies!

Wow!

Best week ever - St. Patrick's, Clothing Fair and Easter Goodies - all rolled into one.

I started my Monday with a trip to Ivalde's because I had heard there was a half off everything green sale. To be honest - green is not my color, but I was happy to run over there and look at the green stuff.

Since this blog not only covers retro/vintage BUT things that encourage me to indulge in fantasy or role play, well....umm

I guess I should tell you now and get it over with - I freaking love the Lolita thing. I like the elf fairy thing too and ummm...other stuff.

Get a good look at the detail along the bust, and the beautifully done laces.
Skin- Fleur Vivant Buff Terre 3
Boots - TESLA - rZiggy *lucky*
Socks - [MG fashion] knitted socks - dark olive
Dress - Ivalde - diana dress, olive
Hair - >FD Hair< Jesse - Burgundy

Ok - I admit it, I swear I had to have bought at least 4 dresses there last night. Yesh!
Well - off to Clothing Fair to see if i can find a few vintage type things.

Lots to Do

Don't you love those days in SL when you just have tons of stuff you want to do? I am having one of those days.

The SL wedding of friends, parties to attend, something I am anxious to build - and the cherry on top - my partner is back in town:) I needed something special to wear today.

In RL when I go shopping with the girls, it never fails - someone gets trapped in the dressing room and we all bring her things she must try on. Things she would never think to wear or just something she would never notice. This little game has been behind some of our funniest moments. It has also been the source of our greatest finds!

So when I saw this dress at Artilleri, I paused - it was one of those dresses for me. That is why i bought it. Just like the little RL game I play, I slipped it on... and grinned like an idiot - it was indeed one of those dresses, it was a greatest find.

The shoes are not too blue - they make the outfit a little less predictable.
Jewelry - As you can tell, I don't wear alot of it. I like simplicity and jewelry is the one thing in sl I would rather a gentleman give to me as a gift. So if your a retro fashion junkie, when he asks "Baby - What can I get you for your rezzday?" Tell him pearls..black, pink, white, he'll get the idea:)

Dress - Artilleri (Carrie Dress comes in blue, red or yellow)
Hair- TRUTH (Lucy in sable)
Necklace - *G&S* Black Pearls
Shoes - Maitreya (blue, Verve Pumps)
Eyes - [E] at Elim (Babydoll - Blue Skies)
Skin- Fleur Vivant Buff Paon 3

Waiting

Ok - at work today I .....um.... took a peek at the blogs and saw it - ETD is having a St. Patty’s Day shamrock hunt! All I have to do is find the luck clovers!!!

I raced home, turned on the computer, feed the kitty and.....crud, It's impossible to get into ETD, heck my map wont even show a grid shot of the place. It must have crashed. Well - I WILL be patient, really, I will. Maybe I should reboot.

Rebooting didn't make any difference. An hour has passed and i still can't get the map to show the quad. While I am being patient - check out these adorable new pants from Veschi. The moment I saw them I thought of the old Lucy Show. I could soo see Lucy wearing these pants (high waisted, wide legs all the way down). what a great retro look.

Check out the rear on these pants - love the seam right down the middle - a very gutsy detail that pays off.

Because the highwaist is on the jacket layer - pretty much any shirt can work with these pants. I really thought the hair and jewelery at artilleri brought the whole look together.



Hair - Artilleri
Jewelry - Artilleri
Shirt - Artilleri
Pants - -Veschi- Jeanius Pants Black
Shoes - Shiny Things - Lollies, black
Skin - Fleur Vivant Buff Paon 2

Two hours later i find that the ETD sim itself is relocated..(i think) but the lm's should still work. What is that all about? But on a positive note - I made it to the hunt and found all 5 clovers! Woooo!! now to head back to Vignette to check out my goodies:)

Vignette

Hey all - last night spent a little time working on my favorite project - Vignette. I am setting aside a little corner for the 1920's. I still have a few touch ups to take care of on the filling station but that particular structure is about finished. You're welcome to drop by the Sim and take a peek. The area will always be a work in progress.
The largest structure in the park is is where my furniture may be bought. Feel free to poke about. In celebration of the 20's filling station I decided to go with a 20's look today.

Dress - Ivalde - henny black
Hair/Turban at Bossa Nova - Layla (espresso) - colorable hat!!!
Skin -Belleza- Douceur pale glam Golden brown (no beauty mark
*Sin Skins* Romantic Jade Eyes
Shoes - Shiny Things - Tuxedo Pumps
Earings - ~Muse~ Celine Pearl Earring (black pearl/silver)

Location - Vignette

Time to Work

In the 1940's ....Did you know?

• Teacher's salary $1,441
• Minimum Wage $.43 per hour
• 55% of U.S. homes have indoor plumbing
• Antarctica is discovered to be a continent

The most represented eras in Second Life (as far as I can tell) would be:
1950's
Victorian
Old West

The question is - If someone built a 1920's - 1940's sim - would people come?

























Suit - Ivalde - Vintage Henriette grey suit. It does come with two blouse options in the box and stockings are included:)
Shoes - Maitreya - Slinky Stiletto
Hair - ETD Juliana - Cinnamon
Skin - Fleur Vivant Buff Paon 2
Necklace - Encore, String Pearl Necklace (love the double strand!)
Earrings - Alienbear design (came from the Diamond Star and Pearl Platinum set)

Flapping

I was on a bit of a quest today to find a vintage store. I wanted to find one that would be new to me. After a lot of digging at Onrez, I found Cartunno Couture.

It IS worth checking out.

On many of their items they listed what inspired them. I loved that!!

I looked about for one that might have a hat and found "City Lights" (inspired by a 1927 book). It was simple, had clean lines, and it seemed to have personality.

Dress (City Lights) - Cartunno Couture
Shoes Maitreya Slinky Stiletto
Hair (Flapper) - ETD
Skin -Belleza- Douceur pale 3
[Eyes] Babydoll - Chestnut
Car: Tumanski Heavy Industries - 1923 Model T (only 29 prim!!!)

My current building project is a 1920's filling station - wow - It's almost finished!!

Had to Have it!

The minute it was posted by Neferia i knew I just had to have it.

The playful checkerboard skirt was the first thing that caught my eye. It's not just the contrasting colors - it's the textures on the fabrics. You see every ruffle, every line, every point in great detail. This gown is a stand out!

I do wish i could figure out which era it's from. The bouffant skirt gives it a 50's feel to me, but the sweetheart neckline with those dramatic points - looks a bit 40's. The 40's women were such Divas:). Until someone can give me a little in site to the decade - i will place this as a "Vintage Gown"

I felt the necklace should also have some contrast, so I went with ~Muse~ The Dauphine Necklace (silver/jet/diamond). I'm not sure if this can be found int he store - if not - try the silver/frost for a nice look.
Hair - ETD Janae - Black
Skin - Fleur Vivant Buff Vin 3
Eyes - [Eyes] Babydoll - Grrrrey!
Dress - Ivalde (Gian)

I apologize for the random double post - I went in to make a correction and next thing I knew the thing had posted again. Uggs

Body Lights - I Do Love Toys!

Today I decided too wave at the troops and to share a stage with the GREAT Bob Hope.

At first you may not notice - but I am playing with a new toy. I am using Body Lights this morning. NOT just any body lights, but Cim Coen's nifty toy.

In the first photo - I just have the standard freebie front face lights on.
In the second Photo i connected the body light to my pecs.

Such a difference - I can see my ass!!
(and with just enough shadow to see the curves) I wanted something that would light up more than my face. i wanted something I could wear out of the house.



As you can tell - Bob's lighting hogged the stage! Mine were nice and invisible.

I do my own photos in SL. Sometimes I like a clean shot without shadows but I also like my shots to be a bit "Artsy" at times too. Shadows can be your worst enemy or your best friend. For some folks - the freebie lights are just fine. But on the other hand if you like more control - get the Body Lights by Cel. In the box she has 2 sets - they each have a different connect point. That makes a huge difference.

You get a menu from where you can select:
color, intensity, fall off, radius, on/off



Sometimes you do need that kind of control and you don't want just a light switch. In the photo above - i was playing with a few shadows.



Body Light
Skin -Belleza- Douceur pale glam Goldstar (no BM) the ears aren't great - but damn - the back is GREAT!
Shoes - Maitreya (the freebies at the door - Slinky Stiletto - black)
Eyes - *Sin Skins* Intense Chocolate Eyes
Hair - Ingenue - Sweet Rosie O'Grady ~ Natural Black
Lingerie - comes in 4 yummy colors at Ingenue (Wow - check out the detail on the back)

The Waltons

Have you noticed there are not many designers who work with 1930's clothes? Well, I have. I decided to visit the one store i knew would not disappoint me - Ivalde -

When I saw this dress on the wall i really wasn't sure about it, but the minute i put it on and felt the flow of the dress - I knew it was perfect.



This dress is called the Vintage Margareta. It comes in four colors (black red, black pink, black white and white) - Ivalde
The perfect shoes are at Maitreya These shoes come in 5 rich colors. I gave a little squeel when I realized 3 different shades of brown (light, medium and dark browns) also black and faded teal).
Skin - (Another Fundraiser) Total Betty *BettyB* skin (yay for great causes)
Hair - ETD - Natasha - Auburn
Location - Vignette