Alecto - A Touch of Evil

Alecto by House of Rage

We are told that evil is about to evolve. Will it be subtle and seductive? A soft kiss and the flick of a serpent's tongue? That evil is here now. We see it in the new Evolution line of fashions at the House of Rage. Designs of grace and charm with a touch of evil. So it was that I was drawn in by the charming veneer of a most sinister outfit called Alecto. It's a fitting name for a design coming from the House of Rage. In ancient Greek, Alecto means unceasing anger.

Click on the pictures to enlarge them for better viewing.

In Greek Mythology, Alecto is one of the Erinyes, called the Furies by the Romans. The Erinyes are three sisters, daughers of Gaea (Earth), who sprang from Gaea as she was fertilized by the blood raining down from Uranus (Heaven) when Cronus, their son and leader of the Titans, castrated the terrible deity at the urging of his mother, as told by the poet Hesiod in his Theogony. The sisters are Alecto (unceasing anger), Tisiphone (avenger of blood), and Magarea (the jealous one).  The Erintyes are avenging deities who persecute unpunished criminals with unrelenting fury, especially murderers guilty of patricide, matricide, or fratricide. The sisters unmercifully pursue their guilty targets, howling at them by day and tormenting them in their dreams at night. Their attacks are  devastatingly psychological creating unbearable pangs of conscience. So relentless is their pursuit that their victims either go mad or commit suicide. In appearance, the Erinyes are frightening - coils of serpents crown their heads and their eyes dripped blood. They are lead to the guilty by the flaming torch carried by their leader, Alecto.

The Matricide Orestes Pursued by the Furies by Willam-Adolphe Bouguereau (1862)

When I wore Alecto in public for the first time, I was immediately greeted at my favorite pub with 'Mariko, you look ravishing.' This dress has a very affecting allure. It's charm is evident; but, the spiked fur collar hints of the diabolical. Alecto was designed by Lybra Rage, one of the three fashion designers at The House of Rage who created the Evolution line, the others being Topaz Joubert and LovelyMiwako7399 Men. Alecto comes with ripped top, fur jacket, collar fur, miniskirt, miniskirt prim, miniskirt fur, and hose. It sells for L$700.

You can also remove the fur collared jacket and fur skirt to get an attractive look that is quite fetching. I like how it graces my figure.

This really cute shag is from HairARt and is called Sayen. Sayen was designed by Sebass Easterwood and sells for L$220 for one color. Sayen means sweet and lovely in the language of the Mapuche, a native american people indigenous to Chile. This hair style must give me a 1950 retro look. I have been told by various people that I look like Audrey Hepburn, Leslie Caron, and Elizabeth Taylor in this hair. Of course, I'm so flattered and thrilled when people say my avatar reminds them of those classic Hollywood lovelies. What avatar wouldn't be?

House of Rage
http://slurl.com/secondlife/The%20Regis/224/49/24

HairARt
http://slurl.com/secondlife/FANTASTIC/112/104/75

The outdoor scenes in this picture collection were taken at World's End Garden. The two interior backgrounds are taken in my Heritage Park mansion in Ocelot Valley.

World's End Garden
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Dernier%20Lamento/104/136/21

I came across Alecto and the House of Rage in the fashion blog of my good friend Meimei Shiu. MeiMei modeled Alecto and other outfits for House of Rage. She looks fabulous. See for your self and take a look at her blog.

Meimei Shiu

http://meimeishiu.wordpress.com/

Related Post:
Whom the Angels Name Lanore (April 17, 2011)
http://marikomagic.blogspot.com/2011/04/whom-angels-name-lenore.html

Theme from Sleepy Hollow - some music to listen to while viewing this post

Autumn Nymph

Autumn Nymph at Vita's Boudoir

The Fall Season is officially here, and, right on cue, the trees are donning their colorful autumn regalia.  It's a spectacular show, and I'm joining in and becoming part of the dazzling fall  foliage wearing this fanciful woodland costume aptly named Autumn Nymph. 

Click on the pictures to enlarge them for better viewing.

My impersonation of Sandro Botticelli's The Birth of Venus

Autumn Nymph was designed by Precious Restless, skin and fashion designer and co-owner with her sister of Vita's Boudoir. Precious and her twin sister, Vitabella Dubrovna, are renowned real life fashion designers and owners of a popular boutique in Zagreb, Croatia also called Boudoir. Autumn Nymph comes with shirt, panties, 2 autumn leaves attachments, and an autumn hat. I am not wearing the autumn hat; although I will show it later in the post. I wanted to enhance the mystical quality of the look by wearing a head cover from another pastoral costume from Vita's Boudoir called Pandora Festive Outfit. In my post on that costume, I describe the head cover as 'spirit tree seeds floating on diaphanous parachutes of gossamer fluff that form a magical garland adorning one's head.'  It was perfect for the look that I wanted to create.



She wouldn't put poison ivy in this dress, would she? No, that's not like Precious. Not intentionally.  

In Greek mythology, nymphs were minor nature goddesses, spirits of nature, who were closely associated with the places they inhabited. To the ancient Greeks, the wonders of nature were surely manifestations of the divine, and the sensations of awe, delight, and even terror evoked by a phenomena of nature were attributed to the presiding deity. In these pictures, I am a Dryades, one of the beautiful nymphs of trees, forests, and sacred groves. Dryades never die of old age; but, their life force is closely tied to trees that spring from the earth at their birth. The Dryades are the guardians of their trees and as they flourish, so do they. But should the trees die, their guardian nymphs perish with them. Nymphs are often depicted as nubile maidens given to dance and song and to amorous romps with satyrs, their male counterparts. Hmmm ... but that's only a myth.
  

My hair is from EMO-tions and is called Magdalena. Magdalena was designed by Mirja Mills, owner of  EMO-tions. As I remarked in my last post,  EMO-tions has a large collection of styles and designs, many are exceptional. Magdalena is priced at  L$245 for a single color.

This is the colorful autumn hat that is included with the outfit. Isn't it a sumptuous celebration of Fall? It also comes with this animated squirrel! Thank goodness that you can wear the hat with or without the rodent.



This picture has become one of my favorite self portraits.

Vita's Boudoir
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Bonaire12/161/130/997

EMO-tions
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Hells%20End/153/159/25

I wanted a fairy tale look for the background in these pictures. The giant mushrooms found along a stream in Bewitched - Haunted Dark Forest fit the bill. Bewitched - Haunted Dark Forest was formerly known as the Bentham Forest and is in a new location. These pictures are  windlight free.

Bewitched - Haunted Dark Forest, Elven Mist

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Elven%20Mist/29/18/23


Previous Posts for Vita's Boudoir:

Tra la It's May (May 1, 2011)
http://marikomagic.blogspot.com/2011/05/tra-la-its-may.html

Creme Brulee (June 6, 2010)
http://marikomagic.blogspot.com/2010/05/creme-brulee.html

Avatar Inspired Second Life Fashion at Boudoir (February 22, 2010)
http://marikomagic.blogspot.com/2010/02/avatar-inspired-second-life-fashion-at.html

New for Fall - MEB Bea

Bea from the MEB 2011 Fall/Winter Collection

In my native Hawaii, we have only two seasons - winter and summer, if you can call them that. Basically, the difference between the two is that the weather gets a little cooler, a little hotter, a little wetter, a little dryer. In the islands, the climate is always mild.  It's paradise, after all. But, since I've been going to school in the Northeast and experiencing real changes in the seasons, all four of them,  autumn has become my favorite time of year. I glory in the cool, crisp air, in the vibrancy of the yellows, oranges and reds of a sunlit foliage, and in the ectasy of falling leaves. And I'll gladly suffer the chiding of my friends for shuffling my feet through the piles of fallen leaves and kicking them into the air. Having never enjoyed such autumnal delights in my childhood, they can forgive me for indulging in them now. But...I am not unaffected by the barren landscapes and gray skies of late autumn. In the quiet twilight of evening, they evoke a pleasant melancholy that invites introspection and perhaps, just perhaps, stirs a longing to find contentment in the arms of someone special.

Click on the pictures to enlarge them for better viewing.

With the change in seasons, there's excitement in the air as Second Life  fashionistas and fashion aficionados greet the arrival of the new fall fashions.  Especially exciting  for me is the release of the MEB 2011 Fall/Winter Collection by my favorite Italian fashion designer and friend, MariaElena Barbosa, owner of MEB Fashion. The collection is stylish, sexy, and so flattering. There is so much to choose from. But I chose to highlight a lovely casual outfit from the collection called Bea. Why Bea? Because it's a charming little number that's sure to catch the eye of a special someone; yet, it's playful enough to wear when romping and stomping through those piles of autumn leaves.
  

Bea comes with a blood red, short chiodo suede jacket, gray tank top, and gray flexy skirt. Best of all, it also comes with these long black boots. Oh, by the way, a chiodo jacket is Italian for a bikers jacket. Bea is priced at L$450.

My hair is from EMO-tions and is called Fresh. Fresh was designed by Mirja Mills, owner of  EMO-tions. EMO-tions has a large collection of styles, and the designs and textures are first rate. Fresh is priced at  L$245 for a single color. That is high priced for just one solitary color and not a set of shades in that color. But good hair is hard to find, and I own a number of hair styles from EMO-tions. But at that price, I am more particular and buy fewer items than when shopping at a hair shop that offers more for the same price or even more at a somewhat higher price.

MEB FashionMain Store

http://slurl.com/secondlife/KLIO/86/200/23

EMO-tions

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Hells%20End/153/159/25

Photos were taken at Provence Coeur and at the residence of my dear friend Jaysun Dagger.

Provence Coeur

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Provence%20Coeur/29/189/24

Previous Posts for MEB Fashion:

Princess Anna (November 16, 2010)

http://marikomagic.blogspot.com/2010/11/princess-anna_16.html

From the MEB Spring Collection - Vogue (March 2, 2010)

http://marikomagic.blogspot.com/2010/03/from-meb-spring-collection-vogue.html

MEB Photo Contest Winner (November 15, 2009)

http://marikomagic.blogspot.com/2009/11/meb-photo-contest-winner.html

MEB Anette at Mimi's Choice (August 21,2009)

http://marikomagic.blogspot.com/2009/08/meb-anette-at-mimis-choice.html

I hope that you enjoyed this look at MEB Bea. Take a trip to the main store of MEB Fashion and see the other wonderful outfits in the 2011 Fall/Winter Collection. You're sure to find some fashion magic there that's just perfect for you.

Deadly Sexy

I love black lace. And I  look so sexy in catsuits. So, naturally, I wanted a black lacy catsuit. Wouldn't you know it, I found exactly what I wanted, and it's aptly called Deadly Sexy. Now, I'm ready to go on the prowl.

Click on the pictures to enlarge them for better viewing.

Deadly Sexy is the creation of KiRaDaRk Jigsaw, fashion designer and owner of PeKas Design. PeKas Design specializes in Gorean fashions; but, the collection ranges widely from fantasy to casual to formal. The outfits are extremely well done with great detail and design. Deadly Sexy comes with shirt, pants, undershirt,  underpants, a belted skirt, gloves, and arm warmers. It is priced at L$250.

Darkness Falls at Pandemonium is a wonderfully spooky place that provided these highly atmospheric backgrounds for the pictures. The misty forests and swamps of Darkness Falls are made to order for this prowling feral feline. But be very cautious. The place is delightfully haunted. 

I'm wearing Deadly Sexy without the belted skirt to get that the sleek feline look that I want.

This is the complete outfit with the belted skirt. It's also a great look. 

My hair is once again from [kik] hair and is called Fine. Although the collection of styles at [kik] is small, the hair designs are wonderful, and the quality is equal to the best that I have seen in Second Life. Each color set sells for L$100. A six color pack is available for L$300 and a 12 color pack for L$450.

My earrings are from Mandala and are from the store's third anniversary collection called Kabuki. The earrings come in a set of four styles that sells for L$347. They are designed by the store's owner, Kikunosuke eel.

PeKas Design:
http://pekasdesigns.blogspot.com/

[kik] main store:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rhizome/135/70/33

Mandala:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/TEMPURA%20SOBA/93/109/23

Darkness Falls at Pandemonium:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Bentham%20Hollow/106/134/21

Related Post:

Avatar Inspired Fashion at Boudoir (February 22, 2010)
http://marikomagic.blogspot.com/2010/02/avatar-inspired-second-life-fashion-at.html

Established ... Just Because

Established at Just Because

To establish – to bring about, to gain full recognition, to put beyond doubt. To be established is to have achieved all that. And Established by Annie Melson, fashion designer and owner of Just Because,  is a statement of who you are and what you made of yourself.  Established tells him that you're confident and independent.  'I know where I've been, and I'll get to where I'm going'. 'You're with a strong and undeniably sexy woman.'

Click on the pictures to enlarge them for better viewing.

Well, that's quite a statement I must say. I've been featuring a lot of great leather outfits recently. But this one is truly exceptional. The attention to  detail gives this leather jacket a realism that is unsurpassed. Such fine craftsmanship is a hallmark of Annie Melson's collection at Just Because. But it is the casual grace of the whole look that is creating wonderful fashion magic. In the world of Second Life fashion, Established would certainly get my vote for the title of Best New Outfit of the month. Girls, it really is a must have item for your fashion wardrobe.

Established comes with a  leather jacket with sculpted sleeves, coat bottom, and collar, a black button down shirt in all layers with sculpted rolled sleeves and collar,  *JB* Original Brown Jeans with sculpted pant bottom prims - relaxed and cuffed, and a sculpted prim dark brown belt. Established is available at Just Because for L$450.  At the Just Because store in world , you can choose which permissions you want. You can choose this outfit in Copy/Mod or in Mod/Transfer, so you can buy for yourself or for that special person in your life. Gift boxes are available to make your gift giving all the easier.

Established can also be worn without the leather jacket for another great look.

The black shirt with rolled sleeves can be worn tucked in or untucked.

The hair that I am wearing is from [kik] hair and is called Olive. Each color set sells for L$100. A six color pack is available for L$300 and a 12 color pack for L$450. My necklace is from Vox, and it's from the Vox Golden Lucidity Jewelry Set designed by Eidolon Aeon. The Lucidity Jewelry Set sells for L$390.

Just Because store at Warwick:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/The%20Warwick/145/35/25

[kik] main store:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rhizome/135/70/33

Vox:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Mugunghwa/119/228/876

These pictures were taken at the German Castle Ruins in Deutsche Burgruine, Frisch. The pictures are windlight free.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Frisch/175/182/78

Related Post:

City of Darkness (February 14, 2011)
http://marikomagic.blogspot.com/2011/02/city-of-darkness.html



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Patchwork Colorful

I've become so relaxed since returning home to Hawaii after graduation. I've been spending mornings leisurely walking the beaches and becoming reacquainted with paradise. I was so winter pale when I arrived in the islands that I look like a tourist, so says my sister. So I'm also working on a tropical tan, and it's coming along gorgeously. And now I want a new colorful dress in Second Life to match my happy mood. Look what I found at Nils Island Store. It certainly is colorful and eye catching isn't it. It's called Nilsy Beaded Patch Leather Dress.

Click on the pictures to enlarge them for better viewing.

I wanted colorful and found it in abundance at Nils Island Store. The dresses are as bright and vibrant as a tropical island and very sexy. The store has a large collection which includes tropical dresses, formals, casuals, retro, and even winter outfits. Nilsy Beaded Leather Patch dress was designed by nils Tomorrow, owner of Nils Island store, and sells for L$300. I just love this patchwork and these ruffled sleeves. When wearing this dress, I'm constantly being asked where I got it. It definitely attracts a lot of attention.

For the photo shoot, I took the outfit to Cerridwen's Cauldron main gallery, a floating island owned and designed by Elicio Ember. Cerridwen's Cauldron specializes in fantasy plants, many of which are interactive and even carnivorous, and the gallery reflects Ember's interests in science, nature, myths, and magick. I think that you'll agree that Nilsy Beaded Leather Patch dress looks fabulous against this lush fantasy jungle and in the gallery's Tower of Dawn.

      

My hair is from DrLife and is called Ju. DrLife's hair employs a fantastic color technology which consists of 11 color textures and 10 filters that can be combined using the menu to create over 100 different colors. Ju sells for L$350.

NILS Island Store, Saint Lucia
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Saint%20Lucia/247/126/22

DrLife Skins and Hair are available at Mariko in Mont Saint Michel

Mariko
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Mont%20Saint%20Michel/228/117/31

The photos are taken at Cerridwen's Cauldron

Cerridwen's Cauldron Main Gallery, Floating Islands
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Griffin/73/123/674

Related Posts:

Avatar Inspired Fashion at Boudoir (February 22, 2010)
http://marikomagic.blogspot.com/2010/02/avatar-inspired-second-life-fashion-at.html

Fire and Ice

Some say the world will end in fire

Some say in ice.

From what I've tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire.

But if I had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate

To say that for destruction ice

Is also great

And would suffice.

Fire and Ice by Robert Frost

A dear friend gave me this attitude provoking leather outfit as a graduation present. I liked it so much that I wanted to feature it in my blog and so went looking for an edgy sim for photo backgrounds. I  took a  peek at a new dystopian post-apocalyptic role play sim called Thinis and was just totally floored by its stark visuals of a world cleansed by nuclear fire. The opening stanza of the poem Fire and Ice by Robert Frost immediately came to my mind. I thought that it might be very evocative to juxtaposition the alternative ends of the world suggested in the poem - fire and ice. I hope that you like the results.       

Click on the pictures to enlarge them for better viewing.

This outfit is called XTC Constrictor Leather Catsuit. Constrictor was designed by Xaviar Thunders, owner of XTC Leather - Xaviar Thunders Clothing where it sells for L$400. XTC Leather makes realistic leather clothing for men and women. Constrictor comes with leather pants, gloves, and two leather tops - zipped and a sexy unzipped. My hair is from CaTwA and is called Reem Flexy Hair Style. Reem was designed by Catwa Clip and sells for L$250 per color set.

XTC Leather
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Burning%20Moon/45/106/38

CaTwA
http://slurl.com/secondlife/CaTwA/128/9/22

Fire was photographed at Thinis
Thinis
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Thinis/122/186/24

Ice was photographed at Ethereal Nature Winter Market Place
Ethereal Nature Winter Market Place
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Loire%20Valley/45/193/68

Related Posts:
City of Darkness (February 14, 2011)
http://marikomagic.blogspot.com/2011/02/city-of-darkness.html

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