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

Steam The Hunt IX - When Angels Fall

She had been the Guardian since... since Eternity had begun. She couldn't recall a moment when she was not watching, alert and dedicated. She had always been true and sincere. Yet, suddenly, she was ruthlessly scrapped. Why...? Maybe because a cogwheel or two needed replacing? Because she required more maintenance time than those shiny stainless steel automatons recently introduced by Management? So nothing but economy mattered now? What about human qualities, such as... loyalty and faith? Are the Machine Guards becoming... plain machines right now?

You still have a few days to pick up the amazing gifts along the path of the ninth Steampunk Hunt. Although - as Glorf Bulmer smartly observed - this hunt was mostly about hats, there are plenty of non-hat surprises as well... such as the stunning "Adriael" female avatar by Mobius Creations. Crosswired Deanimator, the self-confessed building maniac behind the company name offers you a male avatar as well, "Archronus"... so, why are you still here, hesitating? Pick up the landmark and run!

"Adriael" complete avatar - Steam IX Hunt gift by Mobius Creations - 0 L$.

Ready to Rock

There was nothing like music in her life. Unfortunately the moments on which she could enjoy them were unbearably rare. But there the parties. Initiated to make sure that the houses would not start to fight each other. For her they meant hours of boredom until all the really important people had left. After that she and the other younger ones enjoyed the opportunity to listen to music  - so loud that the floors vibrated.

Captivity Poses created an awesome pose prop for the Rock Attitude Fashion Fair 2014. It is a set of speakers with 16 different poses. Some of them are funny some sexy but all are great. The Fair will start at the 29th March and run till April 11.

Hair: /Wasabi Pills/Erika Mesh Hair - Iceberg
Shirt: *Fishy Strawberry* New York Deep V Shirt - Red (sold at Collabor88)
Skirt: *Fishy Strawberry* Frankfurt Pencil Skirt - Black (sold at Collabor88)
Shoes: Ingenue :: Maryse Heels (Slink Feet Add-On) :: Noir

Pose: Captivity Poses- ReAmped Exclusive for RAFF! (16 poses)

RMK Gothic Bunny Hunt 2014 - The Red Princess

The Red Princess was ready to become the Red Queen... oh yes, she was ready and greedy to rule. Yet, the current Red Queen was so impolite as not wanting to abdicate in her favour. What a shame. She was still young and energic, she said, and she planned to spend another decade on the throne. Or maybe two, if she couldn't finish her plan and have all the necessary heads chopped off... and, of course, there were those roses to be painted red, every year. "I'll die a princess if I don't come up with a plan soon!" - the Red Princess thought. "Mummy, Mummy, I'd rather you reconsider that abdication...or else." Her lips curled up into a nasty smile as she started walking towards the rose garden.

It's March and the capricious bunnies are back to the RMK Gothic sim, to be waited on front and back paw and to be silently begged to drop a precious gift card. If you want to know everything about this unusual hunt and/or patience game, read the instructions at the RMK Gothic website; or, if you want to read a truly thorough review of what's going on (with lots of pictures), visit Deoridhe Quandry's blog.

Dress (complete with collar, stockings and hat; the latter not worn here): Ambrosia RMK Bunny Hunt gift (0 L$).

Necklace: Insanya RMK Bunny Hunt gift (0 L$). I love those rabbit ears! :)

Skin: The Skinnery "Haruko" in Milk - The Chapter Four gacha prize (100 L$ per play).

Hair: Ayashi RMK Bunny Hunt gift (0 L$).

Staff: DDD Alice's Chess Rod, "Red King" - gacha prize (40 L$ per play).

Eyes: Sterling Artistry "Dolly Deadly" in Danger (65 L$).

Nails: Pulcino RMK Bunny Hunt gift (0 L$).

Pose: Theater Chain "The Duchess" - from the "Alice in Wonderland" 10-pose pack (150 L$).

Luck o' the Irish Steampunks

It was the luck of the Irish, so some said. Others saw fate's manipulation in the slowly turning cogs and gears, those hidden behind the veil, beyond the mist. Each theory had it's acolytes, those who would spread the word, and the belief, along with the spoils to any they counted close enough to be worthy of the secret. The fluttering beat of the smallest moth's wings would send ripples around the world. Gold would shine from the depths, where only earth had lain before. Ghosts would ride these currents, alighting here and there, bringing fortune fair and foul. The bees would fly, their tiny furred bodies carrying with them the secrets of the dead to tempt the living with knowledge they could scarce afford to learn. As the black velvet and spirits began to flow, those caught up by the luck, or by the design came to their feet. Fortune would never find you sitting in one place, you had to go looking for it, had to chase the rainbow's end, follow the eternal workings of the great wheel.

Gacha Gacha Gacha

Two Gacha events!

From March 15-31, MadPea is hosting a steampunk-themed gacha fair at Mad City Park. More than 25 vendors are there, with gachas overflowing with steampunk goodies.

Depraved Nation's Luck of the Irish Gacha Fair is running until the end of March - you can pick up fantastic items from merchant's gachas here... http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Metropolis/161/86/53

Here featured are some fantastic finds from +REDRUM+ available at these fairs!

From the MadPea Steampunk Fair

Top image         +REDRUM+ Moth Dream Top Hat
                        +REDRUM+ Moth Tattoos - Neck
Middle image    +REDRUM+ Nerd Glasses - Wood Bees
                        +REDRUM+ Moth Tattoos - Face and Neck

From Depraved Nation's Luck of the Irish Gacha Fair

Middle image     +REDRUM+ KNOT DRESS GREEN
Bottom image     +REDRUM+ WARMER BOOTS IRISH4

Twisted Spring 2014

Twilight was the time for her magic. The day to plan, dusk to summon, all night for work and fun. Chalk smeared across stone, curls and crosses, the path the spirits would walk. Candles would light their way, alcohol and tobacco would tempt them, urging them from their rest. Shafts of light dappled by tree and stained glass moved across the floor. Behind her, the mirrored surface of the looking glass shifted. As her arms raised in greeting, in welcome to those who may come, so did arms reaching through from the other side, the orb held in their feather light touch began to spin...

In the darkness of the hall, magic changed, and so would she. With the turning of the earth, the moon rose, green and pale. Heavy pages of the ancient book curled, sliding across each other with ease as she read the arcane text, eyes shining brighter than candle flames. Arms still outstretched in welcome, what would come was twisted, and dark. It would be brought out into the light. She was not the only one calling. There were many out there searching in the darkness, searching for the darkness. Some would be lucky enough to find it and when they did, it would change them forever. Twisted is here again!!!

Running throughout March - 104 stores to hunt in for the spinning hellish cube, before you reach the mindbending endgame. All prizes are free - provided by the twisted merchants - but you are going to have to work for them. This isn't known as the hardest hunt in Second Life for nothing. My best advice - join the group, it's the only place to get any hints!

http://twistedhunt.com/participating-merchants

Scene 1
Shape : DramaZone - Hasi shape
Skin :  Vivid Avs Twisted Hunt Marley Magick Skin
Hair and hairbase : LaNoir Soleil [LNS HAIR] TWISTED MIRANDA
Horns :  [ bubble ] Ritual Horns
Eyes : -{The Attic}- Mesh Eyes v3.2
Circlet : ~*Souzou Eien*~  ~*S.E.*~ Celestial Sorcery Circlet
Tattoo :   .:CoLLisions:. Scribe
Dress :  :::Sn@tch Spellcraft Gown

Mirror : ~v~ ImmateriA~v~ Orb of Endor
Voodoo : Paper Moon  *pm* Papa Legba Veve
Building : Lilith's Den  - Uraia Temple Hall
Poses : Elephante Poses - Under Your Spell

Scene 2
Skin :  DramaZone - Hasi skin
Eyes and Tattoo :  ~SongBird~ Arcane Consecration
Makeup :  [ bubble ] Ritual Make-Up
Necklace :  .::Distorted Dreams::. Fantasia Necklace
Corset and Skirt : !TLB - Oracle

Building : Lilith's Den  - Uraia Temple Hall
Table and pose : (Rook) Poses - Calling of the spirits

Retake the night

Out of the darkness they came. From shadows, creeping from doorways, sliding through pools of neon spilled out on the pavement. Signs glowed high overhead. Medecin. Hotel. Cafe. Everything aglow at a distance. Until none feared to walk the streets they would come. Too long had fear ruled the streets, the businesses, the homes. They would be the darkness, the lawyer, the manager, the police. They would stand, men and women alike, to protect each other, and those targeted by the jealous, the weak, the cowards. Fighting in courtrooms, in offices, in the streets. Until none had to fear mistreatment for difference. Until difference was celebrated. They would fight.

It's International Women's Day!

An opportunity to celebrate everything the female is and can be, regardless of your own gender. A time to think about what each of us can do, in our own ways, each and every day, to make life and our brief time here on this planet better for each other. Go and enjoy each other!

Hair : /Wasabi Pills/ Teeloh Mesh Hair - (BOOBS) - Royal  L$ 250 (Blacks pack - 4 colours)
Hairbase :  MADesigns-Hairbase-braIniac
Eyes :  REPULSE - Rigor Mortis v2 Eyes (Dilated) L$ 99
Blood :  +REDRUM+ BLOOD 3 +Bloody Mess+ +REDRUM+ L$ 129
Mask :  +REDRUM+ GAS MASK BLACK LEATHER  L$ 119 (Pack of 2 masks!)
Dress :  +REDRUM+ Collar Dress RED VELVET - M  L$ 149 (Pack of 2 dresses!)

Wasabi Pills    http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Coraline/202/103/1003
KMADD - MADesigns   http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kmadd%20Enterprise/123/101/23
REPULSE   http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/REPULSE/180/158/1094
+REDRUM+  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Death%20Row/196/83/55