These are a few of my favorite things…

Right off the bat, I want to tell you that nothing funky or new was found for this post.  I wanted to do an article that was very close and personal to me.  I wanted to say something about myself that I wouldn’t otherwise say and thus show you all a side of Maev Ceawlin that few get to know.  And that is I am a huge formal junkie.  The first dress I bought in Second Life was a ball gown, the first hair I bought a romantic up do, and one the first places I searched for upon rezzing (which will be three years ago Saturday) was a ballroom.  I love to dance and it is one of the ways I meet people (it was how I met my fiancé).

So I wanted to share with you some of my favorite looks and gowns.  I am always looking for the next best thing, and my aesthetic has always been (and will always be) simple, graceful, romantic, and natural.  The same skins I wear for casual wear are invariably the same skins I use when in formal attire.  To dress them up, I change lashes to something more full and dramatic (hint, hint).  Shoes aren’t in this post, because they are usually hidden by the long gowns, but when dancing, the skirt often reveals the footwear so here is some advice:  get open-toed heels in at least two colors, black and white; while pumps are okay, they aren’t dressy enough.  Keep it simple; a ball gown is supposed to be about accentuating the waist, bosom, and visage, not your feet so always match as close as you can to your gown and please, no bling.

I guess it’s the little girl still within me that loved to play dress up, put on mama’s jewels, put some Vivaldi on, and dance around the living room with my biggest teddy bear, but I can never resist the urge to slip into something silky and exquisite, go to the more popular ballrooms and dance the night away.  I recommend the indulgence, even if you don’t like to dance; what better way is there to see what everyone else is wearing! XD

SySy’s is a top priority for me when it comes to gowns.  I subscribe to the updates and own at least a half-dozen of SySy Chapman’s gowns.  They are classy and well made.  I am a woman who, above all else, prizes versatility and economy, so Redgrave’s pale Jennifer skin in smoky is a staple of mine.  The dramatic eye and pale lips go with everything in my wardrobe, and the ample cleavage provides the sex appeal where the dress demands it.  Aden’s Suri hair goes perfectly with its flirty and romantic curves.

With Spanish flair, this gorgeous gown is from Son!a.  I saw this on another dancer at a ballroom I frequent and had to have it  The lace is beautifully done (with options that allow it to be opaque or see-through for those more brazen), the color rich and the applique detail at the bottom very graphic and modern.  League’s Misty skin is just as detailed as Redgrave’s, but you get different cleavage options.  I enjoy how bright this skin is and its refinement.  The style of my hair has seen a trend recently, and that is that it usually has something to do with Truth Hawk’s ever-growing collection of delicately coiffed dos.  Here I am wearing Rosa, an àpropos title for an up do that comes with three different colored roses that you can interchange to match your outfit.  This picture doesn’t do them justice, they. are. gorgeous.  The attention to detail is absolutely, completely, and masterfully crafted.  I want a whole dress just out of the roses, heeheehee.

I told you I keep it simple, lol.  This SySy Chapman gown is as basic as they come; a rich velvety brown that drapes off one shoulder.  But how many times have I gone to the dance halls and all I saw was red, pink, and boobs?  Brown might be earthy, it might be neutral, but it stands out in a sea of color.  I always pair this dress up with Maitreya hair, because both are realistically made and go well.  I’m using the dramatic lip option that Curio skins come with, which is a blessing, because I would never buy them on my own.

Another important dressmaker that I have visited for years is Nicky Ree.  This woman has always put out a stunning gown and she’s been one the best in the business forever and a day (SL time).  This gown I’ve had for almost two years (I just realized that number and gasped; I had no idea I was that old lol) and I love the rich brown, but also the fun stripes in the top that make this unique.  Atomic’s winter skins have been good to me this season; I love the shading on the cheek and the brows are the perfect shape for my face.  Fri.day’s Quinn makes an appearance in this blog, being the more styled long length in my inventory.  The color and delicateness goes wonderfully with the skin and gown.

Kungler’s is relatively new on my list, and this is the only dress I’ve bought from there so far, but I am very impressed by their elegance.  This is actually a more avant-garde piece; with these almost wreath-like wrappings going down the back and up around the front of the dress, but I think the colors are amazing.  The wine tulle is brought out even more by the taupes and blue-greens of the straps.  To me this dress is very earthy and so I usually wear leaf earrings and a more natural hair style (in this case Maitreya’s Dylan in almond)

This gown is new to me and it’s from Skin Flicks, purveyors of fine formal and semi-formal wear.  I love the draping and light lavender color of this dress.  I feel pretty and ethereal when wearing it.  Going with that idea, I used a loosely gathered hairstyle from Fri.day, Jasmine2.  Tendrils frame and cover my face just as romantically as the dress drapes my body.

If you noticed, I started out dark, with the deep tones of passion and sensuality.  We end here with lighter shades of romance, bringing elegance and discernment to the forefront.  This dress is one of the few in my closet that comes from the same designer that I get my haute couture.  I must say that Lelutka has crafted a piece of the highest quality in this gown.  It’s just drooling with sophistication and realism from the sash around the waist to the structured bodice.  If I want to make a statement to all those I come across in the dance halls, I wear this beauty.  I usually wear Lamb!’s bumped ponytail because for me it equals the simple splendor of the gown.

And there you have it!  My secret pastime is exposed!  Though I can’t say I didn’t enjoy immensely this article.  My jewelry choices here were from Luc (formerly Earthtones when I bought them) and I didn’t vary from this because I usually don’t vary in real SL.  I like jewelry to be complementary, not the focus, so I make them small accents in my ensemble (another good hint).

Auld Lang Syne

Now is the time to don your newest party dress and celebrate the end of the year like it was the last!  Here’s a toast to a new year and a decade of fashion and I can’t wait to see what Second Life brings in the future.

This month I was lucky enough to sample the new releases from Fab.Pony and I must say that I am happy to see Tatianna Faulkes is still ahead of the curve.  Her greatest addition this season?  Unitards, which should be the first fashion trend for the new year.  Leggings have come back in the last few years and now that same lycra magic can spread all the way up the torso.  Accessorize a unitard and you have created a perfect outfit for a party or event where trendiness is imperative.

Ringing the New Year in with:

FAB.PONY Confetti Dress, Froo! Dress, and Unitard

[ATOMIC] Skin Winter_Porcelain – Spice Cookie

:+*U&R*+: LE.LOOK! la femme – Earrings

Hair left to right:

!lamb. Say – Sunset

(VW) Pushed and Shoved – Blonde Tones

.:[ Tiny Bird ]:. Girl Anachronism – Caramel

Shoes left to right:

Maitreya Neyya * Patent Leather Black

*ordinary design* -Jaguar-

ANEXX_TripleFringePumpus

Left outfit finished with:

(Madsy) Blazer – black

MichaMi: Carmela Belt in Black

A Very Merry Christmas

Greetings and felicitations to all this season!  I hope the year was eventful for you all and that you are glad to be done with it!  XD

This year I started blogging and I have to thank everyone who has made it a success.  My fellow fashion bloggers, readers, and developers have responded with such positive comments that I count myself very lucky to be a part of such a dynamic industry!

I also have to be thankful for meeting the man who will soon intertwine his second life with mine.  I have always been a woman who was always whole and happy on her own, discovering the world by her own voice, but after three years I have found out that having someone along for the ride and listening to them can bring even more understanding and appreciation to an already plentiful experience.

So here’s a toast to this year and the next: go out into the world and do well, but more importantly go out and do good!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Let the seasonal tradition of overeating begin!  It’s actually pretty warm here, with this turkey day being the coldest this week, and I am waiting for the chance to bundle up and feel the cold chap my cheeks.  But like most things, Second Life can provide us with the platform to live our fantasies.  This time I took a look at the Winterfest showcase and I found Angel Woods.

 

This little gem is nestled amongst the bustle of the mainland and provides a very intimate scenery.  Plenty of nooks and crannies for peaceful reflection or for couples.  With the snow gently falling, I thought it was the perfect time to experience some new, wonderful designs by SL’s hottest designers.

 

Angel Wood

What I use to keep warm:

:GP: Petal Frex [Light] Winter-Sniffles 1 (the new skins from Curio are so cute and are perfect for exploring the outdoors.  Just the right amount of red nose and cheeks means fun in the snow.  If you want to theme it up this season, winter skins should be on your Christmas list)

fri. – Cassie – Passionate Red

Zaara : Anaya cluster earrings *onyx*

*COCO*_CheckSwingCoat_Blue (I love plaid, and this new coat from Coco is just so natural looking.  It drapes beautifully and flatters the figure.  I can’t imagine leaving the house this winter without it)

*PERSONA* Dita knit blouse – white  (for the plaid coat, I thought a knit would be best for underneath.  Just so happens that I stumbled upon this sweater that I have had for just about forever.  Always important to coordinate your textures and prints.  Knits and plaids have had a centuries old love affair with each other that can’t go wrong)

*COCO*_SlimJeansBelt_Brown (it’s the little details that really tell the world that you are smart about your appearance.  In other words?  Wear belts!)

[LeLutka]-WOOL PANTS-gray

Black Lace Gloves from *{JB}* Ariadne IV

Ring black saphire / oversize  / R *REDGRAVE*

Headline: New York Divorcee Spends Thousands at Husband’s Expense

This sweater reminds me of all the extremely stylish matrons of world renown who are the woman behind the man.  Jackie Onassis, Brooke Astor, etc.  They were larger than life women with class and pride.  I found this sweater by Chantkare and for the first time in my second life, I want to put on white hair, talk about botox, and dress like my life depended upon it.

Manhattan Power Wife

My story for this character is a first wife; there for her man when he was just a lowly stock trader.  He is now a titan of industry, but resentful of all that she has done for him.  To assert his fledgling identity, he has been sleeping with a young model and like that it is out with the older, and in with the teenybopper.

But hell have no fury like a woman scorned.  She has hired the best divorce attorneys and hawked all her priceless jewelry to pay for them.  She still dresses like a queen, but her throne is in danger.  To show her husband, and the world, that a wife isn’t so easily dismissed, she has gallivanted and strutted her way into half his fortune and his company.  They might not be man and wife, but he’ll be pleasing her until his dying day.  Women like this always have the last laugh.  It’s catty and empowering.  I love it.

What the bitch is wearing all the way to the bank:

*League* Skin Pale -Misty- Golden Glow Dark Bald BT

fri. – Jules – Melancholy White

ROLE OPTIC SG-53 Eternity

p.c; Vintage Black Earrings

CHANTKARE- Paula SWEATER DRESS  IVORY

Zaara : Vanisri wrapped necklace *amythest-silver*

fri. – Wide Waist.Belt (Bright.Lime)

::: B@R ::: Emanuela Purple

M * A * ii * K * I Long Legging Pearl

Maitreya Neyya * Violet Leather

Vixen Files

Talk about going from cute to sexy in four hours!  Last night, I was checking out what was new at Lamb (post about that later), when I got caught up in the Designers United event.  Really laggy, even with my mere 576 ARC (please people, you can still look great AND be considerate to others) but most everything was a steal if not free and were of impeccable quality.  The crow theme?  Unbelievably genius!  After that I swung by LeLutka to grab a demo for their new Eclat skin.  Wasn’t even looking to buy, but O.M.G… had to break my piggy bank and snag some of that right there and then!

All Business

I have to admit that the skins I typically buy have more natural makeups.  Sure, when I try demos on I often love the deeper lipsticks and the colored lids, but when it comes time to click and pay, I opt for neutral shades.  This time I was at that same place: do I get the bolder color or do I stick to the middle of the road?  Well I went for it peoples.  I figured: it’s LELUTKA, if you can’t be daring with a design so couture, when can you be?  I went bright red and I never went back.

So for today’s outfits took a formal approach with more texture, unique accouterments, and less saturation to let the skin and makeup standout.

Both have on…

[LeLutka]-EclatPale-makeup6

[LeLutka] – Cleavage Volumizer A(PALE)

Eyes Leona -SageGreen- *REDGRAVE*

*Beauty Avatar* REGINA – Eyelashes 03

 

Left Ensemble…

fri. – Kate – Melancholy White

!Ohmai : FeatherCardigan WHITECROW

*Miss 80s* CROW QUEEN necklace

[LeLutka]-OLIMPIA pants/black

Right Ensemble…

MMShair-O’HARA – Charcoal

Zaara : Isis Shirt {pitch}

p.c. Black Pearl Drops Earrings

(Milk Motion) My feather necklace

* Baiastice_Regalwool pant-black

BAX Ankle Boots Black Patent (ji)

Autumn Leaves Start to Fall

This week has been less about fashion and more about socializing for me in Second Life.  I have casually been shopping some new stores, but for the most part I’ve been hanging with friends and exploring.

Looking this casual is hard work.

These two looks are very different but share commonalities.  One is rural while the other is urban.  One is modern while the other is traditional.  But both are cute and comfortable with flats that keep my feetsies warm in the cooling weather and thick pants for lovely days in the fall weather.  They are multipurpose outfits, perfect for this week when I was all over the grid.

Both have on…

[PF] Skye <Milk> – Beestung  (dkbrow)  <— Has a rosy cheek perfect for outdoor apparel

Eyes Leona -SageGreen- *REDGRAVE*

*Beauty Avatar* REGINA – Eyelashes 03

Lefty is wearing…

fri. – Kate – Timid Brown  <— Gotta love Fri.Day releases

Intrigue Co. – Love Love Love (black) shirt <—- offers a hint of color that sets off this other wise monotone ensemble

MichaMi: Carmela Cardie in Black

Schadenfreude Pearl necklace with cameo <—- I love mixing old and new, so a cameo on a multicolor pearl strand is perfect for making this contemporary outfit more eclectic.

MichaMi: Carmela Belt in Black <— Shiny patent belt adds interest without standing out and becoming the focal point.

{SMS} Shiny Denim Black  <—- They’re supposed to be denim, but I swear that they look so much like leather.  This adds contrast to my other cotton textures that again adds “zazz.”

*AuMa* *KNITTED Boot’s GRAY*

Righty has on…

fri. – Rashelle – Passionate Red

*ARGRACE* COAT ” Traveler”  (Rose) Lady <— an amazing job.  I love how versatile and realistic this jacket looks.  And it comes with optional sweater underneath (wearing)

:::Sn@tch Cashmere Scarf:::

(Ducknipple) Barks – Brown  <— I have always loved plaid pants.  They are a perfect alternative to jeans.

MIEL ANT FLATS – BROWN DERBY

(poses by Fri.Day)

I Miss My Sky

I have had dreams in which I can fly all my life.  I just lift off the ground and soar like a bird.  However, the closest any of us mortals can get to that ultimate feeling of freedom and wonder is to use an airplane.  In one, someone can look out their window and behold the endless horizons around them.  The fluffy, white clouds floating below them.  Not even the birds reach you… awww, I love to fly.

Another place on my travels around Second Life is Abbott’s Aerodrome.  This airfield provides hours of fun with sky diving and demo planes, balloons, helicopters, etc.  Very realistic sights and sounds, not too mention six sims of open space, provide for a very unique experience.  I am a girl who lords quality, and I am very impressed by everything Cubey Terra has created.  To prepare for such aeronautical gallivanting, I planned an outfit that is both trendy yet vintage; couture yet relevant.  I want to look good flying off of the runway by taking ideas from the other runway, .

Amelia Eat-Your-Heart-Out

This is a couture costume itching to have wind rush through it.  I feel like one of the early female combat pilots who trained during World War II.  They are some of the unsung heroes of American history that are just starting to get the recognition they deserve.  My influence was Amelia Earhart, if you can’t already tell.  From my hair to my boots, I found inspiration for this ensemble from the highest sources in fashion.  Now I’m ready for takeoff.

Aeronautical sophistication achieved with…

… LeLutka’s pale Moscow skin…

… Curio’s Betty Boop in red.  Amelia Earhart’s hair was often cropped, but it had a natural curl to it that if it were longer, I have no doubt that Betty Boop would have been out of luck claiming this symbolic style, heehee…

… Armidi Gisaci’s Lifestyle Aviators in light silver doesn’t need an explanation.  The name of the style and of where you can get them tells you what to use them for and how fabulous you’re going to look doing it..

… Muism’s leather Bomber jacket in brown.  Same deal, different purveyor…

… an ivory scarf from Aoharu.  It was important in the early days of aviation to keep warm.  That required bulky scarves, thick gloves, and padded hats.  Today’s aircraft come equipped with heating, but a thin scarf is a small detail that makes major impact when finishing an outfit…

… Zaara’s Isis blouse in white.   A button down with a simple collar would have been just what Amelia Earhart would have wanted.  The comfortable cotton is what keeps any pilot comfortable on transatlantic trips…

… Last Call’s breeches.  The store might have closed over a year and a half ago, but nobody did work clothes like LC.  Their breeches and other riding outfits are primary pieces in my wardrobe to this day…

… and finally J’s new long boots in sand.  The new thing for designers is to just make the boot all one prim and hide all the rest with invisiprims.  It creates quite a stunning and unified appearance.

Flight of Fancy but an Eurail Pass

To be young and travelling is an important dream for my friends and me.  For a lot of us that dream is an actuality and many of my friends have moved on to big cities or Europe, but for now I have to rely on Second Life to be my window to the world.  I love exploring sims and the things people have created.

I think Showcase is a great tool for this, and if you don’t use it on a regular basis, then you are missing out on something profoundly mind blowing.  More often than not I find essential places for relaxation or hanging out.  Whether it be real life representations or something truly fantastical, Second Life is infinite in its variety.

And it inspires me to create functional outfits.  I want to be a trendsetter, but I don’t want to wear four inch heels in a nature sim.  I attach myself to the imagery, so for me it becomes a whole lot believable to be in a setting if I’m dressed for that setting.  So for this post, I was inspired by Club Visiwa Estates, a beautifully done community encompassing eight sims.  It is mediterranean inspired and includes a business district and both urban and rural residences.  Almost venetian in its decor, it includes canals and entertainment.  The second I saw it I knew I would be coming back again and again.

American Tourist

My outfit fits the type of tourist that wants total immersion in a culture.  She’s tired of being sheltered by friends and family and wants to get away from school or work and just finally experience the world.  She’s cute and fashionable, but she also wants to be comfortable.  She’ll often wear what she finds in her travels and she packs very little; instead she wants to be spontaneous and free to go where and when she wants.  This requires her clothes to be translatable to many different situations.  Cottons are a must and skirts can be a versatile way of going from casual to dressy.

The only thing she doesn’t skimp on is the shoes, heehee.  Three or four pairs of day wear and one evening are a must to keep the blisters at bay.

The clothes on her back…

Skin is the new Skye line from Pink Fuel, available at the Skin and Shape Expo on KMADD Events Sim.  It’s the lightest tone, Milk, and the makeup is Beestung.  I love it because it gives me the natural look I’m always going for and the lips are unique in their coloring.  It’s the time of year when the tan fades and the skin starts to get that cold, rosy look.

My blouse is a standard in my wardrobe; and Armidi Gisaci Milla Milla in Ajan Creme.  The Oxford is perfect for the student-on-holiday perspective I’m going for.  I guess that’s why they call it that, LOL.

The skirt is new from Nikukyu at the new Switch Mall.  It’s cute and comes in two different versions with optional belt.  Also has lace underneath for a total package that’s amazingly under 100L.  Whohoo!  I like it because it completes my reminiscent look.

The shoes and bag are from Miel, a wonderful store that I’ve just discovered.  Really nothing better than a comfortable pair of slip-ons and the bag was a subscription gift!

The hair is Fri.day’s Eloise in Moody Brown.  When you live in Hostels, the simplest hairstyles are the best.  Fri.day is my favorite place to get hair now, because the textures, to me, are the best.  I love every color, and that’s saying a lot.  I also love that I can get every color for a reasonable price.

I’m adorned by Fab.pony’s Leaf earrings in gold and Argyle’s winter gold bangles.  Enough bohemian to pull it off, I think, :p

Thanks to Bingo Poses and  Katiya Rhode-Singh for her amazing textures

Sascha’s Designs

I got the chance to experience Sascha Frangilli of Sascha’s Designs’ newest creation, Malicious, and I must say, that such a name for this dress is apropos.  Wearing this is malicious… to other people who cannot come close to competing,

Midnight Affair

Not only is it gorgeous, and classy, and opulent, it is extremely versatile.  With no less than ten color variations, two tops, three chest attachments and six different skirts (with available train), there is little chance of two people going to a party in the same outfit.  The beading is exquisite and the colored silk is iridescent and dynamic.  This is definitely one of the times were I felt like I was over the top and it felt great.

And the response has been phenomenal.  I turn quite a lot of heads and elicit praise every time I have donned one of the versions and strutted it.

Palette Opulente

With just one purchase, someone can satisfy their formal needs for several occasions.  In fact, I love all the oppurtunities I have with this gown so much, that I have gone beyond one dress and mix-n-matched different hues.  For my Christmas greeting cards this year, I’ll definitely be putting some of the excelent complementary draping Sascha has provided to theme the green or red dress.  Truly, the quality and detail put into this gown will flatter any polished fashionista and needs to be seriously considered the next time they need to be seen.

Accessorized with…

… ETD hair;  all in the “Elika’s brown” shade

… 10 Pale Skin -Jennifer- / smoky1 *REDGRAVE*

… Cake – Bedroom Lashes – Tintable

… Jewelry by Muse and Redgrave

… Shoes by J’s

… and Quinn Donogal, my male model.  He is wearing:

Uw.St  Hibiki-Hair  brown wolf (Uncleweb Studio)
-Belleza- Johan Pale 0
LOOKR ~ Form (Men) ~ Shirt ~ Black
LOOKR ~ Form ~ Blazer ~ Black ~ Rainstripe
LOOKR ~ Form (Men) ~ Tie ~ Black
Armidi - Classic Slax – Charcoal
*REDGRAVE* STRAP-Loafers -Black-