.cuir an t-sneachda.

I love victorian novels. It seems they knew how to make you feel the wintry winds and snows as they fall in flurry’s about the novels characters. Brrrrr makes me shiver to read but its such a wonderful vision. I think if I was a character in a novel, I’d wear one of these gorgeously heavy gowns like above. This is the new gown from Angel Dessous called “Adele.” I admit I don’t wear gowns very often, but this would be the one I would choose. I can’t tell you how honored I was/am that Nando Korobase of Angel Dessous asked me if I would do the advertisement! Thank you Nando and Julie Hastings, my dear friend and wonderful photographer! ❤ I adore you both so much! And readers? Your at the top of my list of fave people as well! I get to speak to so many of you inworld and I just love it. Thanks for the encouragement, friendship and all the smiles! If you get a chance, check out all the wonderful inventory at Angel Dessous, see? I'm in the Christmas spirit, I even included the taxi for you! Taxi:

There is even a divine Christmas edition. Gorgeous!

pic One:

Gown: Angel Dessous, Adele Diamond
Hairs: Boon
Jewelry: Kunglers ❤

Pic Two:

Gown Angel Dessous, Adele, Christmas
Hairs: Vanity Hair, Sinahi
Jewelry, Mandala, Polly
Bag: Baiastice, Secchieli

The.Sun.Also.Rises.

Dress from Angel Dessous

Growing up in Florida there is such a big wonderful Cultural influence to our state, especially Cuban. It truly is wonderful. There is such a richness to their culture, a strong sturdy existence. I love the thought of living life with all the senses. To not only see but to also smell, taste, hear, and touch life. Florida is a heaven with its rich colors and multicultural flavors. You know who I bet lived life with all of their senses? Ernest Hemingway. Did you know it is rumored that while a medic in the war, he was a spy during War World I? He’s one of those really manly heroic men, more legend than reality I suppose. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, a romantic poet at heart, (as witnessed by his four marriages..) But even with his shortcomings, I’ve a feeling he truly lived life. But like all larger than life “characters,” in sickness, his weakness was finally revealed. He committed suicide in 1961. I do want to learn to live, a shame we have to “learn” to live. But wow, think about it, take a risk every once in while, try a new food, experience, learn a new topic, or language. I think the moral is just… do.. I hope to see you there. =)

hmmmmm nothing wakes the senses faster than a strong Cuban coffee in the morning.. yummy! (also Angel Dessous)

Hairs: Miamai, Maitreya
Clothes: Angel Dessous
Jewelry: Mandala
Shoos: Maitreya
Photography: Skip Staheli ❤

The.Show.Went.On.

The show, as always went on. In a one SIM runway show, with an audience and participants reaching a total ebb and flow of 80, the show went on. Amazing, resilient, with fortitude, aplomb and grace. These are just a few of the words I can use to describe the models who took time from their lives to stand with me in awareness of crimes of domestic violence and I could not be more proud. You see, most of us have become spoilt with our two, three and four SIM runway shows. Shows where the audience gets to watch the model as if gazing anticeptically at her through an aquarium glass. These models kicked it up old school, without a complaint, with much humor, and with very little attrition. Yes, almost every one of them stayed. Despite being tossed to the Gods of the Lindens several times. In quasi-runway show walkorder (I had to move them about a bit as they were whisked away by Fate), thank you with all of my heart, CC Teardrop, Kim Rongyu, Mimmi Boa, Blackliquid Tokyoska, Irina Strazytski, Draakje Dailey, Gamp Lane, Kay Fairey, Catlyn Sahara, Jen Tafler, Sessie16 Resident, Jaosi Odriscoll, Algezares Magic, Ekaterina Tolczyner, Alethia Bonham, Tai Galicia, Xia Firethorn, Laura18 Streeter, Amelia Foxtrot, Kathrin Dassin, Jessilyn Brandi, Belladonna Wexhome, Arialee Miles, Annough Lykin, and Catlyn Sahara. A special and love-filled thank you to my little dragon Draakje Dailey, for helping with strong hands, listening to me fuss at times, but always being there as the faithful friend she is. This show would have gone no where without you. I am so honored to have worked with each and every one of you! Thank you for your kind heart to bring awareness to the forefront of peoples minds this week!

But, of course, there would not be a show without the Designers selflessly removing their “labels” from their outfits so we could anonymously wear their products! And Wow! as always you all amazed me, I wish I had just a tenth of the creativity our designers have! Thank you so much for participating! Thank you Aliza Karu for your kind donation of the SIM and to you and MarkWD Hellendale for creating our wonderful black and white, yin and yang runways! A special thank you to my new friend the live vocalist and DJ Scarlet Damour, who held such patience and grace as we tried to free up some lag and thank you to an old flickr friend, Willhelm Ewing, Pyramid Cafè TV, and specifically the video shooting talent of Trisha Abbot, who with no small amount of magic, allowed us to stream the show live for the overflowing audience.

I want to extend a kind thank you to Ramonzita, I honestly do. Thank you Ramonzita for in kindness realizing the import of this show, and allowing us to forge on without wreaking havoc. Most of all, thank you to our audience. I was overwhelmed by your numbers, by your exuberance and oh so proud to stand with you as we raised awareness of 2Lei’s “International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.” We have done so little but we have done so much. If one person in all of the week picks themselves up and helps just one battered victim, we have not only raised awareness, we have won a small victory. Thank you to my reader’s as well, for not wandering away as my blog was one dimensional last week. With happiness, and a touch of sadness that the week is over, I look forward now.

Aware.

November 25, 2012 h. 1 pm SL Time

Please join us as we, women of all ages and socio-economic standards spotlight the designs of the “Anonymous Women’s Designers” of Second Life who have so kindly offered inventory for a runway show highlighting the cycles of abuse so many women endure in our world. We are women, standing up for women less fortunate than ourselves. We are women who have endured abuse at the hands of others and have found a means to break the cycle. We are women who just want to help, to highlight and showcase that we are aware of this abuse and we will find a voice to stop the abuse. Will you please join us to show you as well, want the atrocity to stop?

SLURL of the EVENT:

CSW Island – Taxi:

Tolerance is the Only Way.

Homophobia is a disease that has caused more deaths than HIV through history. Hate crimes occur every day worldwide and victims are people whose only crime is to have different preferences. It is incomprehensible that even today there are more than 10 countries that punish homosexuality with jail, some of them with life imprisonment and another 5 countries still punish homosexuality with the death penalty. Fortunately the homophobes are a minority, but the struggle for tolerance and inclusion is just beginning and we must all do our part to build a better world for future generations.

TO MEET ANOTHER, DIFFERENT FROM ME, BUT MY EQUAL. We would be honored to have your attendence for the fashion shows we are having in support of this inworld event. Come stand with us against homophobia and in favor of Tolerance on October 27th and 28th, 2012 at the Patch Thibeaud Auditorium, October 31 at Solo Evane Agency and November 3 at BeStyle Destrict Agency. Four shows showing unique designs created by the incredible designers of Second Life and modeled by some of the best runway models in Second Life. Once the fashion shows are over an exhibition will be opened where the designs will be shown for a week. The earnings from the designs sales will be donated complete to the nonprofit organization: COGAM (http://www.cogam.es/en/quienes-somos)

Knickers: Angel Dessous’s offering for the event, “Tolerence is the Only Way” (Necklace included)
Hairs: Miamai

Dress: Chic Zafari, “Mugler” for Tolerance is the Only Way, Hat, belt, and arm warmers included
Hair: Laviere, “Natasha”
Shoos: Nardcotix, Shana

Oh.The.Things.We.Can.Dream.

One of my favorite aspects of Second Life is the whimsy. Sure, you can be a “super model” but you can also bend the depths of reality in a majorly creative way. For the 2012 Miss Virtual World Contest, we were given the assignment of being a scary, sexy super-model. I know, right? But the point is, in SL all things are possible with a little bit of imagination. And for these difficult styling assignments I always have a folder filled with Landmarks labeled ‘Designers Who Like to Play Nice.” Anytime I purchase from a designer who allows their items to be “modified” I drop their LM in this exclusive folder.

For this “project” I truly couldn’t think to do the typical “witch” or “demoness” I wanted my character to be a more “believable” scary sexy thing and thought just the right touch of senility, with a major dish of whimsical, might be the trick. Since some of the items were non-modify, the *SoliDea FoliEs* cages at the midsection and the leg, I had to create around these “static” items a persona of what I call the “crazy bird lady.” Once I had my theme, the rest was just a matter of pulling together the accessories. Two of my FAVE! designers for changing and modifying is “Boudoir” and “Eshi Otawara.” Both designers allow a lot of wiggle room but for this style, Precious Restless and Vitabela Dubrovna of Boudoir seemed the way to go. Since it was Halloween they had a lot of goodies on sale and this outfit was created from the use of the “Veinity Fair” dress and the “Burlesque.” I sized and moved the pieces until the veins poked out of the dress in spots, and recolored the bow (which was brown) to a blood red to match the veins. From here, I added jewlery from Finesmith, the stockings, “Love Girl” are from Eshi Otawara, the hat, Boudoir, is the “Little Birdie” hat which pairs very well with Lelutka’s “Rykiel” in a gorgeous red. The boots are Similar Italian, ‘Genova.” To complete the outfit, what would a crazy bird lady be without the addition of “Blackliquid Tears” found easily at Blackliquid Makeup?

I wanted to include this picture, it was from the Angel Dessous Semi-Finals, we needed to be a creature from the Hobbit. This entire outfit was “non-modify” but I needed to stay in the Angel Dessous family since they sponsored the contest. The point being, when you look at the vendors, don’t look at the entire picture, look at the pieces and parts of each outfit and visually create your own unique piece. This is actually the parts of 4 different outfits blended together to form one really “scary” (hey I am always just a Cao) Balrog. The jewelry is Finesmith, and the incredible hairs are from MADesigns, and the headpiece is Miamai.

Try not to think about modeling as being a clothes horse. Go out! play! Have fun with Fashion! ❤

I Thee Wed.

June has long been the favored month for weddings, even in Second Life it seems, and curious, I decided to research why. It seems June has always been the most popular month, because it is named after Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage. A June wedding is thought to be blessed by Juno and by showing her favor she would bring prosperity and happiness to all who wed in her month. Not really the skip down the aisle of wedded bliss type girl, I still enjoyed dressing up in all the frilly’s and fluff. I purposely kept my styling the same for most pictures, because I want the gown to be the feature, not the accessories I choose to wear with them. So for this blog, I just wanted to highlight some of the designer’s I feel have a real pulse on the heartbeat of creating a sensation on your once in a life time day.

So if you are one of these lucky brides, I know how difficult it can be to keep all the details and planning in order, so truly the picking of the gown and wedding trousseau should be the simplest and most joyous of events. That is why Nando Korobase’s Angel Dessous should be a treasured LM during this stressful time! One stop shopping for all of your wedding needs. This exquisite gown, “Gloria” is stunning with its taffeta and lace and elegant flowering accents. It is sleeveless and demure and includes a scrumptious veil. Angel Dessous has a vast selection of gowns to choose from, here, I’ve even called the limo: Limo:

Though never a bride, nor even an intended, I can be just as sappy about weddings as the next female. I think weddings are so romantic! Recently Bouquet Babii of Vero Modero had a gorgeous runway show featuring some of her many wedding gowns. I am wearing the “Amasis” gown, an incredible, frilly and feminine gown with its appealing lace, svelte silhouette and gorgeous mermaid skirt. As you walk down the aisle toward him, there is no losing your guy in the added voluminous flexi’s found in a lot of gowns. Just gorgeous you! No need to worry about losing your hands, or groom, beneath all of your layers. Take a look, I know your dream gown is available in store : Limo:

Now, let’s face it. Not all of us quite fit into the full gown appealingly. I am one of those models. I DO wear them, but perhaps it’s not something I would choose, especially for an afternoon day wedding. I am a little shorter than most and definitely coltish and a bit gangly, which is why this next gown from Azul could be just what I need. I certainly wouldn’t want to trip over my groom, and the odds are always in favor of it when Cao comes walking down the aisle. Mami Jewell of Azul must have heard a higher calling, this dress “Nerola” in pearl is stunning with its tea length ruffled satin and lace. Everything about it shimmers as you walk gracefully toward the love of your life. The flowers, feminine and gracefully cascade across one shoulder and beautifully enhance the trim fitted bodice at the waistline. Gorgeous! Stop by Azul as well, Mami has all spectrum of bridal from the after 6 formal gown to the simple sophisticated wedding. I know you will find something just perfect! Limo:

And finally, I would be remiss if I thought all women dream of a frilly white wedding, this is Second Life after all, and we all can live which ever life style we enjoy most. Life style aside, culturally, weddings are often far misplaced from white formal gown. In some Asian cultures it is good luck to wear red for a wedding. So I just had to include this gown from Aliza Karu of AD Creations Dollhouse. When I put it on, I just fell in love with it. It is predominately black with little skulls, showing the gothic nature of the dress. But what sold it to me? I love the Asian kimono styling! Everything about this choice is simple, yet complex and guaranteed to create a memorable, one of a kind day for you. Check out AD Creations Dollhouse, it’s a second life, define it in your own style: Limo:

If you are a June bride, I wish you all love, prosperity and happiness as you embark on this new adventure! And with these designers on your “must see” lists, I know you will create the perfect, one of a kind, remembered forever event you dream about!

It takes a long time to grow young. – Pablo Picasso

It’s always a milestone when a business in Second Life last’s for any length of time, sometimes it’s hard to be noticed on a city sidewalk, let alone somewhere out in cyberspace, so Chic Management deserves a huge congratulations! They have reached the two year milestone! To celebrate, they decided to let US have the “perks.” The Chic2 venue is a small “grass roots” event that will be ongoing from June 3rd to June 25th, 2012. The great thing about small is there isn’t a lot of moving about to do. I am sure you all have been to those huge laggy Behemoth’s where you crash more than buy? When I checked out the venue on Sunday, I didn’t even have to move, I just panned my camera around perusing from a stationary position, buying and picking up things as I went along. The best part of the event? Of the almost 150 designers, each brand will have one new and exclusive item with a Chic theme. So dust off those stilettos, carry a huge carry-all and go get some of these unique, must have items! It’s going to be fun, I’ve even called the taxi for you: Taxi:

In my first style I am wearing the Chic2 events Je Suis “Aveugle” blindfold, it really should be called a blingfold with the gorgeous diamonds encrusting the band, beautiful enough to allow any diva a restful night! Throw on a silky robe from Tomoto, a designer also at the Chic 2 event and it is simply chic glam. Just perfect for those nights in, with a bottle of wine and a foot message, don’t you think?

This second outfit, “Delice” is from Tomoto as well! It is adorable and frilly, and sweetly romantic. At the same Chic2 event, I found the gorgeous Chloe honeycomb earrings and ring, so one stop shop and styling done! I hope you get a chance to stop by and see some of the great deals at the Chic birthday!

Outfit 1:

Blind Fold: Je Suis Aveugle Chic2 *NEW*
Hairs: Vanity Hair Smoking Room *NEW*
Kimono robe: Tomoto, Haori Retro Orange
Knickers: Angel Dessous
Nails: Je Suis

Outfit 2:
Dress: Tomoto, Delice, Chic2 *NEW*
Jewelry: Chloe, Honecomb , Chic2 *New*
Shoos: Nardcotix, Mana
Nails: Je Suis
Hairs: Vanity Hair, Milano

Fashion is never in crisis because clothes are always necessary. ~Achille Maramotti

Ever have one of those Sunday’s where you just want to lounge around, have some coffee whilst reading a paper or doing a crossword? Not an “I’m so tired” kind of day, but more an, “I so deserve to be pampered” kind of day? This Sunday, pick a favorite time with a significant other and just lounge, talk and declare it your “Second Life, just say no to the hustle and bustle” celebration. Turn off the telly, don’t answer the crackberry, and find again why you fell in love with that guy or girl and be thankful this very special virtual world gave you this partner.

For my Sunday, I choose to wear Poison, a new offering from ANGEL DESSOUS, Taxi: . Poison, as shown, in a rich shade of purple is perfectly dreamy. The sleeveless bodice is a scrumptious soft and silky satin, the knickers a rosily divine lace, and if that isn’t enough there is a beautifully tatted lace skirting. The stockings enhance the graceful length of leg, creating a vision in stilettos. Let this outfit impact all of his senses, the ears are drawn in with the swooshy sound of the skirt as you move, the eyes are sensually impacted by the subtle peeks here and there, begging the hands to reach out and touch. Dab your favorite perfume in your most tender spots, sit back and watch his sensory overload.

As the morning meanders on into evening, even the most restful have to wander out to eat. After such an overcharged morning, why ruin the mood by donning jeans and a Tshirt? Keep the morning implanted in his mind by dressing simple glam and the Rusalka gown is the perfect addition to any wardrobe. I love this gown, first and foremost because it was created for my admired friend and the current Miss Angel Dessous, RUSALKA CALLISTO, but also for the delightful details. It is casual; it is elegant and can cross over to a wide range of events from casual to semi-formal. Again, the bodice is formfitting and sleeveless with the simple gemstone enhancement, it shows the soft appeal of a woman’s de’colletage. The skirt is an exquisite semi-transparent lace, ultra feminine, ultra romantic without being overly frilly. The overall gracefulness guaranteed to keep his mind on you and you alone.

Stop by ANGEL DESSOUS and visit NANDO KOROBASE and GINA BEAUMONT today. I know you will find something you will truly enjoy there! ❤

Look 1:
Outfit: Angel Dessous, Poison
Hairs: Wasabi Pills
Shoes: Maitreya

Look 2:
Outfit: Angel Dessous, Rusalka
Hairs: Vanity Hair
Jewelry: Finesmith
Shoes: Lelutka