The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 59,000 times in 2014. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 22 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
“Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.
His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night! ~ Clement Clark Moore
Available, right now, at Gizza’s is this limited edition scrumptious gown, “Chicago Blues.” It harkens to a bluesy, jazzy time where the men were gentlemen and the women were elegant arm candy. The front of the bodice is silver sequined, the skirting a softly feminine satin and taffeta all delightfully bowed up like a prezzy in the back. Now all I need is to find a gentleman. Figures.
As an aside, the makeups at Zibska are positively glam, very in line with the makeups currently being worn in the fashion rags, so if you get a chance go check them out, they have clothes, hairs, jewelry, you name it. Simply gorgeous.
Outfit One:
Gown: Gizza, “Chicago Blues”
Hairs: LaViere, “Ambush”
Collar: Zibska, “Hedge Collar”
Makeup: Zibska, “Saskia”
Outfit Two:
Makeup: Zibska, “Saskia” Eyeliner
Necklace: Zibska, “Hedge”
Hairs: LaViere, “Ambush”
Hat: LaGyo, “BonTon” Black Veil
I just love the designs at Boudoir, Vitabela Dubrovna and her sister Precious Restless, create the most amazing fairytail and designer items. This is an older previously unblogged picture, but as you can see the creative nature of the outfit never goes out of style. The dress is “Bad Butterfly” and is gorgeous with its winglike skirt. The actual wings are from Material Squirrel, the jewelry is the “Caoimhe Angel” set from Finesmith (see Draakje? someone thinks I am an angel. *adjust’s halo*) and the black headpiece is from Ladies Who Lunch and is called “Faint! Alejandro.” Not all fashion modeling is pret-a-porter, so explore and find the genre that is just right for you!
I know, the title of the blog, it’s sad, but oh so true. Life is often hard, sometimes frustrating but then aren’t the best things in life the things we have worked so hard to achieve? Sure, anyone can dream, but why just dream? Why not make your dreams come true? You’d think being a model in Second Life would be easy. But really it takes hard work, a strong sense of style, and a large dose of humor on the best of days. Lags no fun when you are walking around in a store, it’s down right brutal during a runway show. But if being a model is what you really wish to be, it is also fun and rewarding. No you won’t get rich, but the people you meet, the things you create, the looks you inspire, are irreplaceable.
I think of modeling as a way to chronical the history of Second Life Fashion because history and art are “my thing.” The degrees to which the fashion industry has evolved over the years is quite simply, breath taking. And I am not just speaking of the technology, I mean, who doesn’t remember teleporting from one SIM to another and losing your hair and half of your clothes? I also mean the creative skill set of so many of the Second Life designers as well. I am thankful to be a model at a time when Second Life fashion so seamlessly follows the real world fashion industry. How else could I afford these haute couture styles? Well, really, how could a girl from a tiny little fishing village in Florida even find anything haute couture? I live in the bathing suit and shorts capital of the world.
So get out there, make the best of your time as a model, enjoy the ride, because it is truly a one of a kind experience. As an aside, I have a NC with tips for reducing lag, if anyone is interested in snagging a copy, drop me an Instant Message or notecard and I’ll drop it off to you.
Today I am going to show a new item from one of my favorite Second Life designers, she is not my favorite because I am her manager, she is my favorite because I love her like family. I am drawn so completely to creative thinker’s, they inspire me and Mila Tatham of *SoliDea FoliEs* is very inspirational, not only to myself but to many like minded artists/models. Since I typically do these blogs in pairs, instead of showing something from the newer line, I think I’ve done pictures of most everything, I fell back to a comfortable favorite.
I just love Mila’s “Noir” series and still it is one of my faves. The line always made me feel like some dark Noir 17th century figure, richly textured in black satins and feathers, the dark colors emphasizing the paleness of skin. I felt somehow I should be walking quietly along a darkened cobblestone street, being chased by the whispering wind. This dark on pale haute couture is a look, I think, that should be at least a small part of every models portfolio. Even if just a picture or two. It takes the service-able model to a greater depth, sort of a separation of the Every-Day-Wear model from the Couture Runway model. So explore this area if you are so inclined, you can make some dramatic works of art with it.
This second *SoliDea FoliEs* outfit is the new “Estro” created for supermodel Ellendir Khandar during her bid for Miss Mundo Virtual. It is a high-impact and gorgeously feminine outfit with its body wrapping flowers, brightly shimmering pearls and feathers! Yes! I said feathers! There is no need to walk into a crowded room and make a lot of noise to be noticed. In this gorgeous offering from *SoliDea FoliEs* in the silence that fills the room as you enter it, all that will be necessary is the sound of the gently fluttering feathers that move sensually about you as you walk.
But hey! If this scrumptious outfit is not to your liking, *SoliDea FoliEs* is one of the participants of The Couturier’s Dock which opens at 9:30AM today! You can pick up Mila’s item and the items of many others designers for half off. But you will have to hurry, the unique items from these designers are limited to a lot of 35! I know you will love the treasures at the Couturier’s Dock, the items I’ve had a sneak peek of, I adore! And not just because LovelyMi named her makeup after me! 😉
Here’s a carpet ride to The Couturier’s Dock: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SaliMar/61/194/23
Forget to do laundry again?
Don’t worry, the Couturier’s Dock round 3 starts today!
And this is a list of the designer’s participating this round:
AD Creations
Blackliquid
Chantkare
Countdown
H.M.A.E.M.
Kooqla
[[LD]]
LibDescent Poses
LovelyMi
*LpD*
Purple Moon
*SoliDea FoliEs*
TreiZe
White Widow
an chailín álainn 