Fantasy Faire 2017 - Addio Venexia

She knew that pleading for her husband was in vain, even dangerous. The Council of Ten was appointed to watch over the security of the Most Serene Republic, and they took their job seriously. Her husband might have been a Tiepolo, descendant of noblemen, but the Council could overthrow even a Doge, and they sent her husband to exile for treason. Marina Barbarigo de Morosini knew she would never walk with him in Piazza San Marco ever again... yet every evening, when the shadows descended upon the lion statues and the Campanile, she lit a lantern and walked to the seashore. Maybe her husband’s eyes could pierce the darkness and the mists, and see the light that Marina faithfully lit for him in the Venetian twilight.

Fantasy Faire item:

Gown: „From the ashes comes life: Brigid” by Beyond Persuasion / Enrapturing Elegance Couture – 449 L$.

Another splendid and delicate outfit by Elizabet Skyward (Savira) that absolutely deserves your attention! She is one of the great discoveries of this year’s Fantasy Faire for me, with her caringly designed gowns and with her attention to small yet very important details. “Brigid” is also a RFL donation item, and you can find her and her equally lovely sisters in The Fallen Sands sim. This softly floating fitted mesh gown comes with a set of adjustable wings and an adjustable headpiece, not shown here.

Other items:

Head: Catwa Kimberly.

Body: Maitreya Lara.

Bracers: “Quala Bracers” in Gold by Luas – gacha prize (rare) available in the shop, 50 $ per play.

Halo: “Angelic Halo” in Copper by Acios – 99 L$. Previously a FF item, now the halo is available at the main shop of Acios in various colours. Acios is also present at this year’s Faire; you find the shop in The Fallen Sands.

Hair: „Hilda” in Burgundy by Bliss Hair – not available any more. It is a true pity that Amutey DeCuir has left SL and closed her Marketplace shop as well...

Lantern: „Plain” Lantern by Remarkable Oblivion – gacha prize (common) available in the shop, 100 $ per play.

Pose: “Subtle 1” by HelaMiyo – 300 L$. The collection of five delicate and expressive “Subtle” poses (plus their mirrors) is a Pose Fair exclusive by Miyoko Magic. It’s quackalicious, Miyoko! :-)

The picture was made at The Rose, the sim Alia Baroque built for this year's Fantasy Faire.. if the Faire is a dream, then this land is a dream within a dream. Visit it before it is too late and the Fairelands fade away in the mists....

The Sea Witch - "Filling The Cauldron" Event

Lorelei Blackwave, the lonely sea witch stood on the seashore and she was very sad. She had been exiled from her home under the sea so many years before that she almost forgot how the lights used to dance on the corals and how she used to play with the tame fish. An elaborate incantation went wrong, terribly wrong... and the council of the surviving sea witches and warlocks unanimously decided that she had to leave. She used her incantations on Earth plants ever since, she grew an entire forest of never-seen creatures around the little cave where she lived... but each and every evening, at sunset, she went as close to the salty waves as the ban curse permitted, and whispered goodnight to the deep silent waters.

Many items are from the “Filling the Cauldron – Ember’s Cauldron” event; and while you can shop for “Ember’s Cauldron” until 19^th April, the “Filling The Cauldron” event ends this weekend, on 9^th April, so hurry up before the kiosks and the exhibition at Holly Kai Park disappear!

Donation items:

Skin: “Cosmic Snake” by Fallen Gods Inc. (990 L$), a “Filling the Cauldron – Ember’s Cauldron” donation item. Alia Baroque has decided to make a unique exception and release this skin (a special thank you gift that was previously available only to the participants of the annual Fallen Gods photo contest in 2015) to the public, in order to help Elicio. It really is a unique opportunity to grab this amazing and exclusive skin during the “Filling The Cauldron” event and also in the FGInc. shop until 19^th April!

Head jewel: “Vaeri Headchain” by Lumae for the “Ember’s Cauldron” event – 100 L$.

Gown: “Whistles – Poesia dei fiori” in Purple, an exclusive colour for the “Ember’s Cauldron” event by Faida and Fallen Gods Inc. – 260 L$.

Other items:

Ears: “High Elf” Uni Ears by Soul – 499 L$.

Hair No. 1 (the hanging part): “The Flutterbee Hair” by Olive in Bubblegum – a gacha item not available any more.

Hair No. 2 (the flying part): “Tempest” by Tableau Vivant – a gacha item not available any more.

Eyes: “Dragon Eyes Golden Sight” by Sterling Artistry – 65 L$.

Jewellery: “Revenge” bangles and crown by Luas (modified) – 100 L$.

“Double Hagoromo” in Gold by Aii The Ugly And Beautiful (modified) – 99 L$.

The not so little mermaid

Ariel had taken a gamble, she had known it at the time but in the heat of the moment, with passion and the dream of a new life blurring her vision as she gazed across the wave rocked surface of the sea; she had not cared. Giving everything up for love was the thread running through all the tales shared with her friends in school. The others, so strong and determined, had found their romance close to home, or so she understood. Only recently had she tasted what they may have long known, the disintegration and re-imagining of what life meant through one look, one sight, of the one face. She had gone to the wise woman, not for advice - this she had refused to hear. Her voice had been taken, part-price of her wish. She had risen to the surface, swum to shore to find him. Each step on the feet which had replaced her fins was fire, was the rasping stab of knives, the tearing bite of the shark but she carried on. She found him in his palace by the sea. For the first time he saw her, and they danced, they danced, pain and joy welling tears in her eyes. These tears in time washed away the illusion, as they fell at each dance. This new world had accepted her, a great beauty, welcome at the court. His heart loved another, he danced with her for sport. She would not do as she was commanded, she would not dance for their wedding, she would return to the world without pain, beneath the tide. In time, so the wise woman promised, her beautiful tail would return, and again she would sing. 

Utterly unplanned we are mer bound on the blog this week! There must be a cosmic plan (or at least it's mer season in SL?) I've been delving around The Fantasy Collective - a bi-monthly shopping event with an ever changing fantasy theme - this round it's all about the Mer.

The Fantasy Collective

Hair :  [RA] Jewel Hair - Ombres  L$ 275
Lovely hair with 8 HUD driven colour options can be worn with or without the decorative chopsticks.
Dress :  Valentina E. - Siren Gown Seaweed  L$ 285
Amazing ombre colour fade and texture to this beautifully shaped dress.
Mer outfit : LUAS - SIA ROSE. L$ 99
Highly detailed shell and pearl outfit - all pieces can be moved / resized to fit perfectly.

When I was scouting out locations I visited the RP SIM of the Deep Canyon Mers (third image above). Here while I was looking around one of the SIM owners, Chastity Starspear, arrived, and invited me on a proper tour - in a seahorse drawn carriage no less! The SIM has an established history, with many locations worth investigating - please feel free to check it out!

Deep Canyon Mers

Sparkling Mermaid

Spindrift Flotsam Leaper was a treasure-collector, gathering finds from the beach and ocean and creating caches of interesting and beautiful objects. When she was in good mood (which she was often), she leaped alongside the prows of boats, and cheered up the sailors immensely. They adored her long wavy seafoam hair, the sparkling blue skin, the opulent jewellery... until one day a greedy seaman had the idea that those lovely baubles would look better on his plain human wife. He reached for his harpoon... Spindrift jumped into the air, frightened and deluded, then plunged back into the ocean, and no mortal eye has ever seen her again.

Two fantasy markets are about to close their gates soon, so this is a last-minute notice again. :) The splendid deep blue skin is a current offer by Fallen Gods Inc. at the monthly We Love RP shopping event, together with the long Electra hair in many colour packs. The strikingly beautiful "Mata Hari" jewellery set is on sale at The Secret Affair.

Skin: Draco Odyssey/Laguna by Fallen Gods Inc. - 590 L$ at We Love RP. There are 10 male and female versions available (scaled/smooth, with/without tattoo marks, snake scales), the full pack is 1980 L$.

Hair: "Electra" in Merfolk by Entwined Hair - 185 L$ at We Love RP.

Eyes: "Dragon Eyes" in Mystic Crystal by Sterling Artistry - 85 L$.

Ornamented Hair Chain "Tribal" (Common), Chest Lace with Chains (Rare), Dancer Jewels "Blooming" (Common), Epaulettes "Tribal" (Common) - "Mata Hari" gacha prizes by Devious Mind - 75 L$ per play at The Secret Affair, running until 29th January.

Tiara: part of the "Revenge" jewellery set by Luas - 100 L$ on the Marketplace.

The picture was taken in the magical underwater garden at Ode.

O Shepherdess Where Are Thyne Pastures?

The last lamb was exhausted and weak. It looked up to the centre of its tiny world, the shepherdess, the benevolent caretaker and the source of all goodness, and it silently begged for water. "Oh my dear... I am so very, very sorry..." - whispered the young girl, and hugged the little woolly body closer. "There has been no rain for ages, the pastures are fenced, and we are not permitted into town. But I shall not leave you alone, my dear." The thirsty, exhausted girl kept the thirsty, exhausted lamb in her arms, and she was waiting for whatever fate was mapped out for them.

As far as gacha machines are concerned, I made a vow some time ago. "I shall play one gacha machine three times, and I shall be happy with whatever I receive" ... and, oddly enough, the spirits guiding those machine handles reward me with rare or ultra rare pieces amazingly often.

Many of the items I'm showing you here are from the current round of The Fantasy Gacha Carnival, already duly introduced by my swifter-than-the-wind fellow blogger Vyl here. You can tempt your luck at Acerbus Silva until August 31st (or, according to the notice you receive when landing, until September 8th), so you still have a few days to walk around, pick and play.

Dress: "Mei Mei" by May's Soul in Green (common) - 75 L$ per play.

Headpiece and collar: "Lifa" by Zibska, full set with colour HUD (rare) - 50 L$ per play.

Face jewellery: "Miradi'el" by Keystone in Onyx (rare) - 50 L$ per play.

Necklace: "Eloise Chain Collar" by The Forge in Black (common) - 75 L$ per play.

Hand jewellery: "Aaliya Hawk" by Luas in Metal (common) - gacha machine available in the shop, 50 L$ per play.

Sheep: "Sheepie" by Adore & Abhor in Licorice - a previous Zodiac Event gacha prize now available in the main shop, 50 L$ per play. I'm a RL Aries so I'm quite taken with this sweet cutie, you know...

Skin: "Fairy" by Mudskin, blogged here.

Nails: "Basic Prim Nails" by Candy Nail in Monotone 10 - 70 L$.

Hairbase: "Curls" by EMO-tions in Black - a previous group gift.

Eyes: "Immortal Eyes" by IKON in Sage - group gift June 2014, now available for sale in the main shop (150 L$).

Pose: Gesticulate - an old gift from the FabFree Headquarters, not available any more.

The picture was taken at El Laberinto Perdido, the latest build by Romy Nayar - quirky and bizarrely cute, as her creations usually are.

A Pirate's Life

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.

We pillage, we plunder, we rifle, and loot,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot,

Drink up me 'earties, yo ho. Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.

We extort, we pilfer, we filch, and sack,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

Maraud and embezzle, and even high-jack,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho. Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.

We kindle and char, inflame and ignite,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

We burn up the city, we're really a fright,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho. We're rascals, scoundrels, villains, and knaves,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

We're devils and black sheep, really bad eggs,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho. Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.

We're beggars and blighters, ne'er-do-well cads,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

Aye, but we're loved by our mothers and dads,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho. More from the fabulous Fantasy Gacha Carnival.

There are so many designers here, most with at two different gacha machines - so very dangerous! I've come the hard way to learn that if there is one item you really really want from a gacha - you are likely to spend far too much trying to get it! That said - all of the items I've ended up with are amazing!

First set :
Headdress : [Tia] Empress Headdress - RARE  L$ 75
Hair : little bones. Pirate Wench DipDye&Fades L$ 99
Top : -Pixicat- Crew.Vest - White   L$ 75
Fans : [BlackPearls] War Fans v08 common  L$ 50
Skirt : *{JuneBug}* Flowing Skirt [Crimson] M  L$ 50
(Anyone looking for any swaps from Junebug - let me know! I have the skirts and bows in all colours, and two of the Ultra Rare sets - I'm looking for the Rare set in Crimson or Black!)


Second Set :
Headdress : ! !Sax Shepherd Designs ~ Gatcha ~ Buccaneer Beads ~ Barataria Headpiece  L$ 50
Hair : little bones. Pirate Wench DipDye&Fades  L$ 99
Dress : =Kio= Oriental Desire - Purple  L$ 75

Third Set :
Hair : .ploom. YAR!- Candy RARE   L$ 99
Necklace :  .Enfant Terrible. Moonchild necklace black   L$ 75
Top and Skirt : Luas - Valkiria - Red   L$ 50
Gauntlets : *sweet Kajira* Awildr   L$ 75
Stockings : .Things. - Viking Stockings Red   L$ 75
Pose :  Infiniti . - Paper Birds - 12  L$ 50

Taxi :Acerbus Silva

Skyfall to a new World

The world had changed. The sky had fallen. One way of life ended, and another began. The change had been abrupt, though it had started decades past. People had refused to see it. People had denied it, even once the effects of change were manifest. Only once it was too late did their eyes, blinded by scales of profit, finally clear. Only then went up the cry of the elite, echoing that which others had sung for years. "We need to change!" All too soon these belated truths turned to others... "It's too late." Denial turned to despair, and the aching search for someone to blame besides themselves. "Why were we not told?" "It's not our fault..." Shards of sky fell, tumbling down, scything through oceans and smashing the cities. High above, there was a new sky, and far below, new people to enjoy it. Not everything from the world before had passed into nothingness, it never had and it never would. New beings formed from all things into which creativity had been poured. All which had been loved found new form here. From the cloth she had once been, the weaver's care gave her breath. The world's old desires and pleasures gave her purpose, and a hunger. Her old design still lingered, silvery light now on her skin, her past showing clear. Her creator's taste for donuts found a place in her also, never anticipated, she intended to enjoy it, and this new world, for all it was worth.

There are times when I can be misanthropic. Even at those times, so I'm told, my rantings are hilarious enough to make it worthwhile. Other times, I'm blown away by how helpful people can be - cue the superfriends who can pick out and name a hairstyle I'm looking for from an image with no credits! <3

Skin :  :Sugar: [5] DB Avril - Teeth
Lolas : Lolas ::: Tango ::: Mesh Breasts
Tattoo :  Folly - Tintable Glaze - Serpentine - Light
Hair :  Magika [Hair] Shimmer (03)
Hairband : .{yumyums}. {Pinkie} EatMe Headband
Eyes :  .::Kre-ations::. Eclypse eyes{Neptune / Pluto}
Dress : Luas Tarna - Black

Folly, formerly Skinthesis, has opened a new mainstore, and Cane has produced some amazing tintable tattoos for the occasion. They come in Dark, Med and Light tones, but can be modded to your heart's content. They also come with appliers, making them even more versatile for those with body add ons!
Folly

The lovely Io at YumYums is at her headband madness again - seriously some of the upcoming releases are so glittery I nearly died -. This donut version was a taster (groan - didn't even intend that pun as I typed it) - keep eyes out at the mainstore for newness soon!
YumYums

There is a free script available on Marketplace which allows more flexibility with clothing layers on your Lolas. I know in the past I have managed to have more than one layer showing, but I'd be damned if I could recreate that spark of genius. This script - produced by the Lola's creator - allows this with ease. The images above show the applier blending the skintone, 'dress bra' showing the tattoo, and 'dress top' showing the dress. All changeable by HUD, or by chat command. Perfect!

Spring blooms...

As sunlight with more than the warmth of winter reached through bare branches to stroke across the sodden land, Mae had awoken.  Under bark and beneath the leaf litter her presence was felt. A slow warm breath caressed sleeping seeds, bulbs buried deep in their earthen beds. Each night she slept a little less, frosts no longer banishing her to slumber. Movement in the woods, slowly at first, more and more as each day passed.

Green shoots unfurled, breaking through the chill of earth to broaden and grow in the sunlight. Sap rose, leaves blossoming, the great trees taking in and giving out the first breath of the new season as Mae took her first steps. Each year though born anew she was as old as time and life itself. Even in the heart of a city, her influence was felt, paving stones cracked and crumbled under the tendrils of moss, the searching roots of clover. Here in the woods she emerged, gathering strength against the creeping grey misunderstanding of civilisation. Mae would never be tamed, never caged. This freedom was the hope of the world, free to all should they choose to follow. All it ever took, was a walk in the woods.

Ok, so I'll let you all into a little secret. Of all the shopping I manage to do, I never buy skins. All right, not never, but rarely enough to make it something of note. I have been fortunate enough to blog some amazing skins, and this one is no exception.

I went to the Skin Fair (which closed yesterday - my timing is EPIC) and wandered around the stores, finding things I liked here and there... then pow!  [theSkinnery] blew me away with this skin. As I mentioned, skins tend to be big purchases for me, something I would only think about buying if I fell in love with it, or if I had a specific look I was going for in a post destined for this blog, and couldn't get the damn imagined image out of my mind. Like this...  Still, as with life in general, I find that if I go back to a store to look at something three times, it's something I want enough to buy. So, after the three visits to see the Quiana skin, here we are!

The skin itself is beautiful, very natural, with the kind of 'flaws' like freckles and moles that make it real. 

L$990 for [the Skinnery] Quiana  - Bare Face - in Toffee as shown here - gets you nine skin versions, with differing brow and cleavage options. Three 'system' eyebrows, and an alpha mask to get rid of those pesky system eyelashes. Two 'tattoo' options for blush and glow. There's also a 'Lip Intensity System' enabling you to choose from eight different 'intensities' of lipstick, and two glosses - the colour possibilities of which are endless. There's also a handy notecard which explains this a lot better than I do.

I also bought separately the Slink appliers for MESH hands and feet.

Skin : [the Skinnery] Quiana - Bare face(toffee).  L$990
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Camomile/24/95/23
Slink Applier for hands : [theSkinnery] Slink Skin Appliers-Hands-toffee. L$175
Slink Applier for feet : [theSkinnery] Slink Skin Appliers-Feet-toffee. L$175
Hair : Truth Hair - Harley (Browns) L$250
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Truth/128/128/2
Dress : LUAS Tarna Ivory gown with Lola's Appliers L$150
https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/88795