Out with the New; In with the Old

For awhile now, I've been pondering the direction of this blog.  I started it, not because I thought I had any sort of fashion sense whatsoever, but because I felt like I had something to say.  I began by mostly posting substantive ponderings about a year ago, but lately, it's been all about fashion.  That's a bit sad, sort of, because honestly, I have no sense of style.  I'm the type of person whose clothes are regularly thrown out on What Not to Wear, and I think, "Hey!  I love that outfit!"

So, I've decided to go back to my roots, to the origins of this blog, to actually saying something.  So, what can I say?  I wander around SL observing, mostly.  I've always been more of an observer than a doer.  People fascinate me, and what I find most fascinating about SL is the adaptation of real life phenomenon into the virtual medium.  I've already written about social control, the presentation of self, and building community. I think those posts are some of my favorites, but there are too few them.

I'm also a teacher, and that career path pushes me towards communicating to others what I know in ways that may be useful.  The teacher side of me led to posts like How to Hunt Without Driving Yourself and Others Crazy and How to Not get Picked up in SL.  The "how to hunt" post is the most popular post in this blog, and it makes me feel like I'm actually contributing something to the SL community.  I like that feeling, so I will be returning to that sort of blogging (while, of course, pretending to be all fashionista-like.  Bwahahahaha).

So, like, don't have a cow if you see something academic in this blog.  (Hey, I had to work that cow in somehow, didn't I?)

*Cheers*

~Isa J

Credits:
Hair - !lamb. Bang Bang Bob - Ink
Skin - L.Fauna{Lapine.Pale 1}[Midnight-FR]
Outfit - *~*HopScotch*~* Betty Dot - Red
Glasses - [Curio] Black Glasses (freebie)
Necklace - LacieCakes - Betty Natural Pearl Necklace (old hunt gift)
Shoes - [V] Vignette Betty Dots white/black (freebie)
Cow - Altya's Dream Creations - Cow (freebie - fell from the sky)

Forever Searching

When the evening falls
and the daylight is fading
From within me calls
Could it be I am sleeping?
For a moment I stray
then it holds me completely
Close to home, I cannot say
Close to home, feeling so far away


As I walk the room
there before me a shadow
From another world
where no other can follow
Carry me to my own
To where I can cross over...
Close to home, I cannot say
Close to home, feeling so far away


Forever searching, never right
I am lost in oceans of night
Forever hoping I can find memories
Those memories I left behind

Even though I leave
will I go on believing
that this time is real
- am I lost in this feeling?
Like a child passing through
Never knowing the reason
I am home, I know the way
I am home, feeling oh, so far away

From Enya, Watermark, "Evening Falls"

Credits:
Hair - VIXEN - Jasmine - EspressoCurls (group gift)
Skin - Gala Pheonix - :GP: Moonbeam [Dark]Cupid-Allure 2
Lashes - Glow Studio - Innocent. eyelashes - soft
Tattoo - moloko - Stardust Tattoo Female
Top - Sn@tch - Sister Velvet Top - Blood
Skirt - Sn@tch - Nightmare Skirt - Red

Ode to Mom

I Love Olive's new release, Doris, of course, got me thinking about my mom, also named Doris.  She is an amazing woman.  A feminist ahead of her time, a self made person who grew up in poverty, put herself through school, and made a career for herself alone in the 1950s.  She has selflessly raised an autistic son, and always been there when she was needed.  She is a wonderful mother, and my best friend.


Credits:

Hair - I Love Olive - Doris Jet Black R
Skin - Gala Pheonix - Moonbeam Frex [dark] Cupid - Allure
Top - SYSY's - Chandni top - aqua R
Capris - {Frick} - Maggie - Black Leather Capris
Socks - Moonshine Designs - Socklet w/Ruffle - Cotton Candy
Shoes - Tesla - High Oxfords Black
Necklace - House of Darcy - Mercenary - Part 1 R

Don't Forget About Frick

Frick was one of my first SL discoveries.  I bought my first skins there and fell in love with the artistic, unusual and under-priced skin collections.  Fricka Morgath, Frick's creator, designs clothing as well as skins.  And her latest release, the little mini dress on the right is cute and versatile.  It can be worn as a tank top or a dress, and can be mixed/matched with other colors in the collection.

All of these outfits are LESS THAN 100L!  I'm wearing skins from the Betty line - each makeup version is only 129L and features light or dark brow and freckle or no freckle options.  The fatpacks are only 599L for 6 different styles of makeup.  The skin comes in 4 skin tones.


Each of these outfits come in multiple colors and are available in fatpacks.  For the price, you're getting exceptional quality.  I have to believe that Fricka really must underestimate her talents. I almost feel like I'm getting away with highway robbery at her shop.

Credits:

Left:
Outfit:  {Frick} Blood Lolly
Skin: {Frick}Betty in Peach - Dk brows - Frex

Hair: !lamb. The Glow Deux - Group Gift
Shoes: Daini Ken shoes Zebra/black

Middle:
Outfit: {Frick} Maggie - Deep
Shoes:  A-Bomb - Dolly Pumps
Skin: {Frick} Betty in Peach - Dk brows
Hair:  I Love Olive - Ettie/Jet Black

Right:
Dress: {Frick} Morta in Black
Shoes: HOC Apparel - Knee Boots Female - Plain colors
Skin: {Frick} Sophia in Peach - Dk brows
Hair:  Little Heaven - LH_hair52_holly_lilac

Just a Look of the Day - Cats & Dolls

I was just going through my inventory wasting time and re-discovered some of my favorite things.  I went with a little bit of a retro theme to go with this new release from Pheonix Rising.  The colors and detail are just gorgeous, and I especially love the rose chain belt.

























Credits:
Hair - Truth - Sileny - Espresso
Skin - L. Fauna - Lapine. Pale 1 Mulberry
Outfit - Pheonix RIsing - Brace (Ruby)  (R)
Glasses - Air - Black Cat (free on xstreet)
Necklace - Violet Voltaire - Doll Face Cameo - Goth
Shoes - Meil - Hai Boots

Dance the Ghost with Me


Ghost dancing is what we used to call the slow, introspective, fluid dance you might see at the goth clubs many years ago.  It was a stark contrast to the angry tempo of the music and reflected the spirit of the movement.  This picture reminded me of that groove.

Credits:
Hair - Analog dog - Noel in Red 
Skin - :GP: Moonbeam Frex [Light] Cupid-Allure 2
Tattoo - Moloko - Stardust Tattoo
Dress - A Netherworld - Black Romance Dress
Necklace - Lolapop - Blood vial
Stockings - Blowpop Seamed Fishnet Tights

Brought to you by:

Fly Through the Air like a Silent Sparrow

In the Silent Sparrow lucky chair is a sweet little red and black outfit, the Sanguine set.  It is red, of course, but it also leaves one hopeful and optimistic, as it's name would suggest.


I'm also wearing the prize for pics top - the Sanguine Gutter Glitter top.  It was something I couldn't do without.  



Gutter Glitter is also a song by one of my favorite bands, Switchblade Symphony.  It's even my ringtone on my cell phone.  I'm such a geek (hence the wonderful necklace from Lolapop spelling out G33K with computer keys).


Credits:
Hair - !lamb. The Glow - Ink
Skin - :GP: Moonbeam Frex [Light] Cupid-Allure 2
Eyelashes - [ glow ] studio - Innocent. eyelashes - soft
Piercings - Virtual Insanity - IPEENCH PS (MM Prize)
Tattoo - Moloko - Stardust Tattoo
Necklace - Lolapop! G33k Keys Choker
Bra - ~silentsparrow~ (sanguine) gutter glitter half-top 03 (Prize for picks)
Outfit - ~silentsparrow~ Sanguine Lucky Bird Set (group only - 250L to join)
Shoes - *Fukmi* Looking Glass Flats (former hunt prize - may no longer be available)
Pose Prop - ~Scribble~ Pearl Trapeze 11 Poses DU3 Exclusive (no longer available)