The First Ball Of The Year

The winter holidays were over. The gift boxes were all opened, the beautifully decorated Christmas tree started to wilt slowly, almost invisibly… the first fragrant needles were already scattered around in the room. Yet, Melusina didn’t feel sad or exhausted or sorry. She was preparing for the first ball of the new year. The snow was white and fresh in the garden, and the new silk dress felt similarly cool and crispy under her gentle fingers.

Yes, the old year had ended, but a new year just began, and Melusina was looking forward to whatever she would encounter during the forthcoming months. She put on her new necklace, a lovely surprise from her family, then she touched her nose tip with a powder puff, and cast a big happy smile at her reflection in the mirror. Yes, beginnings were always exciting and wonderful, Melusina thought... and she swept out of the room, the first tunes of the very first waltz already ringing in her ears.

A Happy New Year and happy beginnings to you all, too, dear readers and followers! :)

Skin: Mother Goose’s “Lene” – Lucky Board gift in the main shop (0 L$).

Hair: Exile „Violetta” in Autumn - Subscribo gift in the main shop (0 L$).

Eyes: Sterling Artistry “Starlight Eyes” in Astral Blue – camping prize in the main shop (0 L$).

Tattoo: White Widow „Shine” in White/Black – Christmas hunt gift in the main shop. You must look for some tiny white gift boxes, each containing a male/female tattoo (10 L$).

Outfit: PurpleMoon „Winter Queen” in Ice – December group gift (0 L$); the group membership fee is 50 L$.

Jewellery: Finesmith „Happiness!” New Year VIP group gift (0 L$); the group membership fee is 365 L$.

I didn't use any poses for the pictures, just started clicking at Petit Pas. :)

Wearing more brown

Yep more brown, most of my recent blog posts appear to be featuring mostly shades of brown recently not that it is intentional. Anyway what's not to love about all this brownness, I mean will you look at these shiny shiny boots! pure liquid chocolate, that's what they remind me of. I don't have anything more to say on the matter, thanks for looking though <3


Hair: 50L - Sunday - beach blonde > Maitreya
Skin 1L - Nadine > Mother Goose's
Dress: 0L - customer appreciation gift > Priss
Boots: 390L - gator star boots - brown > Pia
Scarf: 30L - Gause scarf - almond > Humming
Bag: 0L - group gift - chocco bag  > !1MM

A covered up nude

I've found that recently I've been so tied up with other things that my bargain hunt instincts has been pushed aside, well not for long! it was bubbling away and has rose to the surface so off I trotted and came back with these little gems to share with you.

The nude dress I just love,  is from Vanguard & an opening gift which looks like mesh, but isn't to my great relief  and any of you older Mac owners like myself that cannot see mesh will be pleased to hear. This dress comes in a package with another nude coloured dress which a little more floaty and summery. If you join the mall group (fee of 150L) there's a host of other freebies on a table to collect too.

The bag is a gacha item from Tee*fy and there are loooooads of colour options (there is another yummy beige dress on the luckyboard instore) The hair is a bargain 40L at Fri.day, there is a section of cheapies so it's worth a look.

Hair: 40L - Cameron 2 - moody brown > Fri.day
Skin: 0L - Luckyboard item - Ariel  > ::Mother Goose's::
Dress: 0L - mall opening gift  - oversized dress > Vanguard
Bag: 55L - Gacha item - crossbody bag  > Tee*fy

Chasing The Kraken

Captain Kitty Shadowsail never felt so angry and impotent in her entire life. Her beloved clipper was stranded and seriously damaged, the cargo was floating around the wreck, the crew fled… they were cowards anyway, she thought while she wanted to skin them alive. 

Her family had dedicated themselves to hunting down the Kraken. She was never allowed to forget about this quest… and if she was to give up, a glance at her Grandad’s gold pocket watch was enough to rekindle the fire in her chest. Grandad was fabulous, he had told her so many lovely and frightening stories about the gigantic octopus he and his forefathers had been chasing around the globe. Yes, Captain Kitty was a true member of the Shadowsail clan, she had already lost an eye during a particularly vicious encounter with the Kraken… and now she lost her beloved ship. What a shame.

Yet… Captain Kitty suddenly felt weird. She heard a sound… a hated, yet way too familiar sound… the deep booming voice of the Kraken. It was singing, and it was singing for her, wanting her back, wanting her to continue the eternal chase. Captain Kitty listened, and she suddenly felt revived. Oh yes, she was to rebuild the clipper, she was to restart the hunt. She listened to the song of the Kraken, she grabbed her Grandad’s pocket watch with a defiant yet happy smile, and in her single feline eye there glowed a wild unextinguishable fire. 

„Steam the Hunt 6” is on, and many shops offer lovely gifts for the indefatigable hunter. I’m a great fan of the Victorian Steampunk style, so this hunt is a true prizes galore for me. Let me show you some of my favourites here… and if you want more, check out the hunt locations and hints here. The hunt will end on March 31st so you have some time to complete the challenge.

Outfit: = Brain Circuit Inc. = Sea Voyager (Female Outfit), including the mechanical eye patch, tool belt and tricorn hat - Steam6 Hunt gift (0 L$).

Boots: A&S Visions Aftershok Steam Boots - Steam6 Hunt gift (0 L$).

Watch: *Amaranthus* Compass Rose Pocket-Watch Antique Gold - Steam6 Hunt gift (0 L$).

Hair: „D!va” hair „Akane” group gift in Topaz (0 L$ and it’s free to join the group).

Skin: ::Mother Goose’s:: Jamil-II(B) Lucky Board gift (0 L$).

Eyes: Sterling Artistry Feral Eyes in Ginger (it was a formal hunt gift, now it’s available for 65 L$, the 6-pair pack is 260 L$).

Poses: Embody M Flex No. 3. in the first picture (it was a formal hunt gift, now it’s available for 49 L$, the 5-pose pack is 199 L$), HelaMiyo Look In The Sky No. 5. in the second picture (free pose pack gift available in the shop). 

The pictures were taken at the Black Spot Shipyard, a must-see for all aspiring SL pirates. :)

Roll on pay day!

It's a bargain find blog post that's what! I blummin well love all these things and need say no more on the subject... other than i'm skint, it's payday next week but hey look at these super finds! though I'd better just mention the shoes, they were a free gift at the SGB anniversary festa by Roly Poly and were available when I put the outfit together, however when I went back to grab the slurl today they seem to have been removed & I checked all the Roly Poly stores but couldn't find any, sorry folks - hate it when that happens :(

Hair: 280L -  wm0003 - brown > Boon
Skin: 0L -  Nell > Mother Goose's
Dress: 0L - Luckyboard item > Yome shoujo
Socks: 0L -  watabi green > Muu workshop

Hearts and flowers

Just a couple of brief things to mention. These amazing boots can be purchased from a little skybox while the main store of 1990 is under construction so don't be alarmed when you tp in. Can't wait to see the new store!!

Hair store Tekuteku is having a closing down sale (boo hoo) so go grab while you can.

I couldn't click on the table to see what it's price was but it's still part of the collection detailed below. That's all folks....

Skin: 1L - Soomi By Mother Goose's @> SGB anniversary Festa
Hair: 39L - Marshmallow > TEKUTEKU
Roses in hair: 0L  - Hair stick by N*Rose @ > SGB anniversary Festa
Top: 0L - Zombie popcorn hunt prize > paper.doll
Shorts: 30L - shortpants - brown > ::humming::
Socks: 0L - Luckyboard prize > Mother Goose's
Shoes: 695L - lou bootie - Taupe > 1990
Scarf: 200L - long scarf - sepia > Maitreya
Pose: 0l - Part of a set from the womenstuff hunt > CS shapes

Furnishings
All part of the Summer Blossom collection  > Tupelo honey
Chair: 200L
Rug: 50L
Candle bowl: 20L

And by 10.30 she had gone......

Skin: 0L -  Hami > Mother Goose's
Hair: 99L - Esther - blacks > Tameless
Dress, Belt, boots & bag: 99L - Lilith outfit by D'astre clothing @ > XYROOM
Jacket: 125L - Cheetah print jacket - pink > Pink lip gloss
Necklace: 250L - Dreaming Klimt necklace > Biensen & MaiTai

Tweed

Loving the tweed this season thank you very much! and so the new release outfit from Vero Modero was a huge hit with me! detail on the fabric is superb too although not clearly shown in my pic as i've added a bit of opaque and sepia to give it a little vintage feel.

I happened to stumble across this cute little hair & skin store which is new to me and going to be a firm favourite too I reckon! there aren't many hair styles to choose from at the moment, but what there is I love and for only 100L for the hair I certainly can't complain. Oh p.s Fashionably dead has a half price hair sale too if you're a hair junkie like me.... woot!

Oh yes Woot! being a huge fan of all things WOot I adore these tibetan looking wood bracelets, there is a set for the left & right although I'm only wearing one set in this picture.


Skin: 0L - Luckyboard item - Hena2  > ::Mother Goose's::
Hair: 100L - Hair 3/ black > Slow Loris
Beret: 0L - group gift > !1MM
Jacket & trousers: 650L - tweed set - Autumn > Vero Modero
Bag: 0L - Gift (under tree) Lang suede satchel - dark brown > PRISS
Bracelets: 150L - wood bangles  WOot
Skybox: 0L - Subscribo gift - Winter cliff house > The sea hole

How did I end up here with this guitar?

Hair: 0L - Diamond is mine hunt item (comes with 2 style options & you can opt for flowers or without & change their colour) > D!va

Skin: 1L - Bomi (box on floor next to luckboards) > Mother Goose's

Jacket: 125L - Casual Blazer > Love

Dress: 150L - or 499L for fatpack of 8 colours - Sorrento dress - Violet > Rock me Amadeus

Tights: 0L - Group gift - knit tights flower ( comes in dark & light options) > Luce

Boots: 199L -  double buckle ankle boots  > Skifija

Nails & rings: 0L - Group gift - sugar cat nails > MonS

Guitar: 0L - Luckyboard item - huggable guitar  > Libber's

Pose in main pic: 50L - for set of   Rollergirl 05 > P.M.P poses

All shapes in my blog posts come from CS shapes

A taste of SL & a splash of the black market

There are some truly spectacular exclusive creations that have been released recently and I want to share just a few. Firstly I've always been a fan of Dreamscapes creations and I can't be enthusiastic enough about this weeks releases for The Taste of SL event (more details found at HERE) all the furnishings are part of the event so do be quick to bag a bargain! The Fireplace with cage books & candles are on offer but if you wear your TOSL group tag you will get  'Frames & more' free!

Next I want to gush lots about the skirt! I can without any hesitation say that this is the most beautiful, wonder skirt that I've ever owned in SL. I know that mesh can produce such incredible creations however try as I might I just cannot see mesh, regardless of what viewer I use & I was utterly convinced that this skirt by 22769 was mesh. I'm thrilled to say it isn't!! I can wear it! it has such a vintage feel to it with the most fabulous William Morris style print. It also has a high waist band (not best illustrated in my pics I have to say) and what's more is you can detach the bottom prim to make a pretty parachute style knee length skirt ..ahhhhhh fantastic!! It's only available until 13th December though as it's an exclusive design for The Black market event.


Skin: 0L - Luckyboard item - Ulika > Mother Goose's
Hair: 88L - Soft by Elikatira [e] @> Collabor88
Top: 0L - group gift  - Morning waits - green > tulip
Skirt: 100L - High waisted skirt - By 22769 @ > The Black Market
Jewelry: 0L (bracelet, necklae & headband) - group gifts > Fairy tail
Furnishings: 99L -The Old fireplace   > Dreamscapes Art Gallery
Pose: 10L - from the Elvira set > Purple poses

All shapes in my blog posts are from CS Shapes

On a circus theme

Vero Modero currently has a Circus themed range of outfits which has just been launched . They have a real  classic vintage feel to them and of course are wonderfully dramatic reflecting the theatrics of  a good old fasioned Circus perfectly. Here are a small selection of my favourites from the collection.

Skin: 0L - Horang - Luckyboard item > Mother Goose's
Outfit: 500L - Alii - white >  Vero Modero
Boots: 260L - Turin boots - Red > Vero Modero

Skin: 800L - Jenny -  Red bronze > Al Vulo
Hair: 200L - Persuasion - Black > Alice project
Dress: 500L - Helter Set - Red >  Vero Modero
Boots: 0L - part of the Twilight hunt item > Lovecats
Pose: 10L - From the Magda set > Purple poses



Skin: 800L - Jenny - Red bronze > Al Vulo
Outfit: 650L - Eda gown - black >  Vero Modero
Hair: 200L - Persuasion - black > Alice project
Pose: 10L - From the Magda set > Purple poses

All shapes used in my blog posts are from > CS Shapes

Fur & fringes

Skin: 0L - Luckyboard item - > MOTHER GOOSE'S (I am wearing eyelashes so the eyes look darker than usual in these pictures)

Hair: 0L - group gift - Naomi - Onyx  >  D!VA  (comes with or without a headscarf which is texture changeable & many colour options for the hair)

Dress: 1L - Autumn dress - Brown  > HUMMING (every month this store has a couple of 1L offers be quick to take advantage of them)

Shawl: 250L - Feral fox fur - Charcoal-less > (available in 4 different shades options) ECLECTICA

Socks: 80L for pack of 4 - knit socks - Ivory > MARY"S LITTLE LAMB ( socks have a prim attachment that I was unable to wear because of the boots alpha layer)

Boots: 260L - Autumn Rise boots - camel > VERO MODERO (3 colours available)

Eyes: 199L for pack of 4 - Aquilus eyes - Rebel > APHOTIC EYES

Pose: 10L for individual poses from - Lysie range >  PURPLE POSES

Susanna

I adore this new luckyboard offering at Awram Viie the red ethnic top with it's billowy sleeves. and couldn't wait to team it up with these gorgeous shorts that I've been itching to wear. They are a marketplace special and come with with a colour change belt, shirt and the fishnet socks for 0L!

Yipee tis the season to introduce boots and I couldn't be more thrilled to own these new releases from Les Petits Details. They're so on trend I love the detail, the colour choices, everything about them - I can see these being part of just about every outfit I wear for a long time!

Hair: 0L - Murret hair - Brown/black > Rock Candy
Skin: 0L - Luckyboard item - Maria > Mother Goose's
Top: 0L - Luckyboard item -  Red Ethnic top > Awram Viie
Scarf: 0L - Luckboard item  Scarf Tai - type 04 > Nerd project
Shorts , tights & belt: 0L - Hot denim - light wash > Bukka
Boots: 200L - Oh Susanna - Beige > Les Petits Details

Autumn colours

Loving the autumn fashions that are making their way into all the stores the moment and in particular this  lovely vibrant red hair which is a Red seal hunt gift from Raspberry Aristocrat, the hunt gift also includes an outfit by the way. The scarf  from Zeerys THE best scarf store in the whole of SL is also a gift from the same hunt. The hunt is a sim based hunt and you must join the group to be able to get the gift, slurls & hints can be found HERE.

The beautifully shimmery hazelnutty brown eyes are a 10L weekly special from Sterling Artistry so be sure to head down there ASAP if you want to get them at this bargain price. Oh oh and the glasses which are fantastic and part of the taste of SL weekly event by Acid & Mala come with 5 wear options - a fabulous thoughtful idea, I particularly like the option to wear them on a chain around your neck.

Hair: 0L - Red seal hunt item > Raspberry aristocrat
Skin: 1L - Henna III (box on the floor)  > Mother Goose's
Eyes: 10L - starlight eyes - sienna shine > Sterling artistry
Glasses: 60L - Magenta reader glasses > Acid & Mala
Dress: 0L - luckyboard item > !1MM
Scarf: 0L - Red seal hunt item > Zeerys

Make mine a Raspberry mule

My latest look I've decided is one of effortless sophistication , a look that says 'just going out for cocktails' in a nonchalant way. It's kind of understated glamour  which was inspired by the skin, yet another great one by Mother Goose's. I just adore the way it looks as if I took a little pot of eyeshadow put some on my eyes then rubbed my finger in the pot and smudged it in a quick but professional manner across my lips.

The dress too is a delight, I like the way it hangs but it's one of those dresses that you'll wear over and over. Yes throw it with a fluffy red cape and you have instant glamour, put on a pair of sandals and a hat and you have a great summer look or equally wear with a pair of tights and a sweet cardigan for a preppy autumn look oh the list is endless!

Don't the shoes just finish the look perfectly? they're amazing, the quality is fantastic and again because there are so many colours they'll go with so many outfits I call them my tutti frooti shoes. *glides away to get her Raspberry mule*

Hair: 0L - more than 15k group members celebration  gift > D!va
Hair accessory: 0L - hair accessory gift > A.M.K.R
Skin: 0L luckyboard item - Horang > .:Mother Goose's:.
Dress: 0L - luckyboard item >  Beetlebones
Cape: 0L luckyboard item > Awram Viie
Belt: 90L - Thin belt -  coral > So many styles
Shoes 0L - stilettos serendipity > Prim & pixel

A small taste of Sl week 61

And for todays look I shall be mostly imitating Alice in her whimsical wonderland, but let me start by talking about Taste of SL. The theme this week is 'wet & wild' and I've picked a couple of my favorites from that event, for 2 reasons. I love the items of course but I also very much like the creators interpretation of the theme. First is this totally gorgeous washstand from Dreamscapes art gallery it's so pretty and I totally love the accessories.

Next is the 'I'm not feeling very well' eyes from Izzie's which has various options  of which I am wearing a very subtle version but there are sad eyebrow shapes, tears with or without run mascara and 4 different shades of eye colour.  I think this is such a great item, i've seen run mascara & tears before but nothing with such great detail and options as this package.

The rest of the outfit consists of a pretty floral & gingham print dress which is a monthly 1L item at Humming and the undershirt is just the vest layer, collar & cuffs of the 'Bow shirt' from the Coco sale.




Hair: 0l - group gift - WH1 > Yuna's HAIR
Skin: 1L - HoRang (box on the floor) > .::Mother Goose's::.
Shirt: 100L - Bow shirt - white > Coco designs
Dress: 1L - floral check dress > ::Humming::
Earrings: 249L  - cascade earrings - moonstone (comes with 8 gem options) > Bewildebeest
Eyes with Tears: 90L - TOSL item > Izzie's
Washstand: 99L - TOSL item > Dreamscapes art gallery

The gallery gift shop

There are so many great  themed events going on in SL & I often wonder  how people just know about these things, more often than not I just happen to find out by chance & so when I do I want to share it. Well here are a couple of my finds, firstly I want to mention the eyes aren't they amazing! well they're from Sterling Artistry (yes Dagmars favourite eye store) which have a weekly deal offering a pair of eyes for 10L, so this particular pair won't be around long but you'll be sure to pick up another equally wonderful pair for a bargain price.

Next is The Gallery gift shop, where a whole load of designers/ artists display their goods which gets rotated on a monthly basis. There is a whole host of different things there and  you won't find them in the sellers own stores. I especially like this outfit from 22769 (male version available too) in particular the cuffs, I love that kind of detail!

Then last but not least the seasons hunt i'm sure you're all well aware of this one (you're looking  for a shark), I've been waiting to do this hunt with a lovely friend but we keep missing each other, so I sneakily picked up a couple of the hunt items already, shhh don't tell her! anyway please check this link for the store listings & landmarks. Have fun....

Skin: 0L - luckyboard item - Namhee > Mother Goose's
Eyes: 10L -  mystery eyes - enigmatic gray > Sterling artistry
Eye makeup: 0L  The Seasons hunt item > Cheap makeup
Hat: 0L - The Seasons hunt item > NuDoLu
Hair: 225L - Bunny - Babelicious brunettes > Sugarsmack
outfit:120L - Denim skirt outfit > 22769
Bag: 0L The seasons hunt item > Berries Inc

Blues

Just a super quickie post - here is my 'wear with everything' scarf from beggars banquet which I blogged about a couple of posts ago - baggy pants are from the super cool Vilena & have tintable braces - now this awesome sweater is from another of my new favourite stores crazy, it's inexpensive and has some super- cool designs , don't believe me? see for yourself! on a last note before I dash to do more decorating check out Muu workshop for some quirky accessories & homewares where I picked up this cute armbrace/bottle holder..... tra!


Skin: 0L - luckyboard - NamHee > Mother Goose's
Hair: 0L - luckyboard > Heart softens
Scarf: 50L - skeleton scarf > Beggars banquet
Sweater: 25L - baggy blue sweater > Crazy
Jeans: 250L - low baggy pants - dark blue > Villena
Shoes: 50L - blue flat shoes > Solita
Arm strap with bottle: 0L luckyboard item > Muu workshop
Bag: 0L - small doctors bag > Tram

Peaches & cream

I have so much fabulousness to share at the moment (yes yes I am aware that fabulousness is not a word be it should be). I am loving this new release outfit from Vero modero, which also comes in black, but I rather like the cream one.It has a lovely plunge neckline as you can see but what you can't see is that it is backless very sexy!

Oh and check out the hair! a new group gift from Exile..oh I do love some lovely flowing locks I do! and yet another great skin from Mother Goose's with juicy peachy lips, a colour that isn't so wdiely used I don't seem to think but is the perfect compliment to this whole look I'm sure you'll agree.

Skin: 0L Luckyboard item - Trudy II > Mother Goose's
Hair: 0L new group gift > Exile
Dress & headress : 350L cover dress - cream > Vero Modero

[switching to ginger... and boobs]

Ever since my fellow blogger Dagmar introduced the "Switch your gender for 0 Linden"-challenge, I have been snooping around for nice looking items to create a female avatar, and here she is: Darla, the ginger-haired summer fairy - or at least that is what she reminded me of, even without wings.



The skin was easily found and is a prize of one of the 28 (!) Lucky Boards at Mother Goose's. Most of the skins you can win there are female, but the owner, Milok Hermit, always makes sure to have some male items around as well. Since I hardly ever like the pre-made shapes floating around on the grid, I made one on my own to match the skin, and you can scoop it up in the Eclectic Equations group for free. ::Umedama Holic:: was the provider of Darla's eyes; they have a really stunning, realistic look and seem to be a permanent freebie in store. Hairwise, Exile is the place to go to collect a wide variety of female (and male) styles for free, and they all come in fatpacks, too!



At *ICING* I discovered this pretty, summery dress for 0 L$, and there are two additional garments, shoes, and a couple of other freebies to be found in their "freebie wardrobe" in store. Joining the Maitreya subscribo will bless you with a fatpack of the lovely pumps Darla is wearing, and last, but not least, the marketplace helped me with the accessoires: the light-pink nailpolish is a gift from BabyPrincess, and the subtle looking pearl necklace an offer from Curious Kitties!

Skin: .::Mother Goose's::. - HENA(2) (Lucky Board prize)
Hair: Exile - Ali (free fatpack in store)
Eyes: ::UH:: - GemStone eye G04 (free in store)
Shape: [EE] Darla for Mother Goose's HENA (2) (free in the notice archive)

Dress: *ICING* - Pizzicato Poppies (free in store)
Shoes: Maitreya - Group Gift Pumps (free fatpack when joining the subscribo)
Necklace: *C:K* - Simple Pearl Necklace (free at the marketplace)
Nailpolish: BabyPrincess - Pink nails (free at the marketplace)