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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Tra la it's May

Picnic Chic by Boudoir

Let's see ... May Day ... a spring festival celebrating renewal and fertility. That sounds about right. It is that time of year, afterall. And we want to be at our prettiest and be most attractive. Spring flirtations can become summer romances. Well, I just found the prettiest spring dress at Boudoir. It's called Picnic Chic.

Click on the pictures to enlarge them for better viewing.

Picnic Chic is designed by Precious Restless, skin and fashion designer and co-owner of Boudoir. It sells for L$550. Picnic Chic is absolutely the cutest thing. It comes with a blouse, skirt, and hat.  The whites and pastels of the dress are so refreshing. But, it's the hat that makes this outfit so irresistable. 

The Royal Wedding has made hats the latest rage. This hat is a must have in Second Life. Have you ever seen a more gorgeous hat? Its abundance of spring flowers makes it a fabulous celebration of the season.  

My hair is from ARGRACE and is called Wish. It was designed by rika Oyen. Wish comes in nine colors - black, dark brown, light brown, red, copper, amber, platinum, blonde and dark blonde. They sell for L$250 per color. All nine colors are available in a fat pack for L$1500.

My necklace, earrings, and ring are from a collection called Sakura created by Alienbear Gupte, jewellry designer and owner of Alienbear's Designs. They are a graduation gift to me from my dear friend Stevie.

Boudoir:

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Bonaire12/161/130/997

ARGRACE Mainstore

http://slurl.com/secondlife/shin%20zushi/150/162/26

Alienbear's Designs
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Bratz/181/203/29

The photos were taken at Opar, my personal estate. All visitors to Opar are my welcomed guests. 

Opar
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Opar/30/140/26

Previous Posts for Vita's Boudoir:

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

Tra la, it's May, the lusty month of May

That lovely month when everyone goes blissfully astray

Tra la, it's here, that shocking time of year

When tons of wicked little thoughts merrily appear.

From Camelot by Lerner and Loewe

Tra la la la la

Happy May Day Everyone

Whom the Angels Name Lenore

Dream-like images of the romantic hold a fascination for me.  Myths and folklore. Scenes of ruined landscapes. Ancient estates and families, once thriving, now long fallen into decay. Dark Bryonic scions of aristocracy struggling with hidden secrets, inner conflicts, and repressed passions. Hauntingly lovely, yet fragile, heroines who are drawn to their fates like moths to an all consuming flame. The rational giving way to the irrational and the fantastic. It's a deliciously atmospheric mix. This collection of pictures presented here is my hopeful evocation of romanticism and a portrait of  'the rare and radiant maiden whom the angles name Lenore.'

                                                                                        

Click on the pictures to enlarge them for better viewing.

               
                 Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
                 Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortals ever dared to dream before

And this maiden she lived with no other thought

Than to love and be loved by me.

All that we see or seem

Is but a dream within a dream.

                       Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
                       And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
                       Eagerly I wished the morrow;--vainly I had sought to borrow
                       From my books surcease of sorrow--sorrow for the lost Lenore--
                       For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore--
                       Nameless here for evermore.


                       Excerpts from The Raven, Annabel Lee and A Dream within a Dream
                       by Edgar Allan Poe

I found this wonderful dress for my Lost Lenore at Shiki, in their 50% off discount room. It's called The Vermillion Dress. It was designed by Shinichi Mathy,  ower of Shiki Designs, and is on sale for L$300. The Vermillion dress comes complete with a short sculpted skirt, sculpted sheeves with ribbons, a ribbon belt, and a long flexi prim skirt with a beaded belt. I was initially atracted by the dress's japanese chrysanthemum print - which is a well-known japanese textile design.  Although, not a historical period fashion, it worked so well in evoking a romantic sense of innocence and delicate beauty that I wanted for Lenore.

And this hair is so perfect for this dress and for my Lenore. It's the latest hair from DrLife and is called Qian. 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. Qian sells for L$350. 

Shiki Designs

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Shiki/125/143/23

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

Mariko

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

The pictures were taken in the grotto under the Villa Vesuiana in Westphalia. These photos are windlight free

Principato di Melioria, Villa Vesuiana in Westphalia

http://slurl.com/secondlife//186/107/30

Fashion from Miss Virtual World - Miss Philippines by AlaFolie

View of Venice from the Ponte di Rialto - Dressed in Miss Philippines by AlaFolie

Miss Virtual World is the premiere beauty contest in Second Life. The finalists in the contest all have sterling pedigrees in the Second Life fashion industry - all are popular models in the top agencies and are graduates of the prestigious modeling academies. The pageant that crowns the new Miss Virtual World is a feast for connoisseurs of fashion. Some of the finest designers in Second Life create the outfits worn by the finalists in the pageant, and their creations are eye-popping fabulous. One that especially caught my eye this year was designed by Pixivor Allen of AlaFolie for Fuzz Lennie, Miss Philippines, 2011. Naturally, this stunning fashion creation is called Miss Philippines in her honor.

Click on the pictures to enlarge them for better viewing.

Silvery sequined Miss Philippines is shimmering excitement. And Fuzz Lennie was absolutely breathtaking in this outfit; indeed, as any girl would be. I love how its low cut and form fitting elegance grace my curves and combine with strands of sequins to conjure irresistible magic. Delighted would be that special someone that falls under its spell. Miss Philippines comes in three versions: Club (version 1), Formal (version 2), and Mini (version 3). I am wearing and featuring the Club version of Miss Philippines. Each version sells at AlaFolie for L$1000. All three are available for L$2000. Group members get a discount.

Midnight Rendezvous

The hair that I am wearing is from DrLife and is called BaoChai. BaoChai was designed by dear friend Leena Ying and sells for L$350. The skin that I am wearing is also from DrLife. Leena creates the absolute Best Skins in Second Life. Their artistry and details are unsurpassed by any other skin designer. I wear DrLife skins exclusively.

Fascination in Venice

I have already attended a number of events dressed in Miss Philippines. Let me tell you, you'll make a grand entrance in Miss Philippines. I am so thrilled to have this outfit in my wardrobe, and I know that you will be too.

AlaFolie

http://slurl.com/secondlife/AlaFolie/138/145/38

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

 Mariko

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

The pictures were taken at Venice Venezia and Villas de Revello. Venice Venezia is an astonishing recreation of the city of Venice that is amazing in its details. These photos are windlight free.

Venice Venezia Showcase City

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Prada/118/86/30

Villas de Revello

http://slurl.com/secondlife//141/191/31

City of Darkness

Loshi by GothiCatz

There's something about the look and feel of leather that is so irresistible. Maybe because it's so evocative.  Leather is attitude, confidence, individualism, and rebellion. And maybe because I look so darn hot and sexy in leather. Well, I always have my eye out for that magical leather outfit. So look at what I found at GothiCatz. It's called Loshi.

Click on the pictures to enlarge them for better viewing.

 

Created by Looloo Beck, designer and owner of GothiCatz, Loshi has a powerful look that is dark and post apocalyptic.  Loshi comes with a highly detailed, tight leather jacket with sculpted folded up sleeves, a black feather collar, and matching pants with sculpted cuffs and belt. It  has deletable menu driven resizers and sells for L$520. Loshi shouts High Adventure! Well, I was up for it. So donning the outfit, I set out looking for danger and intrigue in the Walled City of Kowloon.

Nightfire in the Walled City

Kowloon, The Walled City, in Second Life

Infamous and shadowy, the Walled City of Kowloon was an accident of history, a no-man’s land situated between China and the New Territories of British Hong Kong. Originally, a Chinese outpost with formidable defensive walls, the fort was attacked and briefly occupied by the British in 1899 which established a tenuous British claim on the city. During WWII, the Japanese tore down the walls and used the material to build nearby Kai Tak Airport.  After the Japanese surrender, the city was left totally ungoverned as neither the Chinese nor the British exercised control. The Walled City became a haven for criminals and fell under the control of organized crime syndicates known as Triads. The city was infamous for its many brothels, gambling parlors, opium dens, and unlicensed doctors and dentists. Yet, it offered a unique freedom that attracted 33,000 residents to its 6.5 acres. The Walled City grew rapidly into a dystopian megacity. Buildings were constructed on top of each other, and they merged to form a single solid block of construction that reached a uniform height of about 10 stories. The construction was so dense that the city’s lower levels never saw sunlight and had to be illuminated by fluorescent lights. It was a City of Darkness.  In the 1970’s, a series of massive police raids broke the control of the Triads.  In 1987, the Chinese and British jointly agreed that the decaying city should be torn down. In 1994, the Walled City was demolished and replaced with a public park.

I hope you enjoyed this look at Loshi by GothiCatz. If you have a taste for high adventure, head out to GothiCatz and get acquainted with Loshi. And then set sail for Kowloon, a Second Life treasure, and explore the alleys of that City of Darkness.

GothiCatz

http://slurl.com/secondlife/GothiCatz/121/82/23

Kowloon in Second Life

http://slurl.com/secondlife//144/10/24

Video: City of Darkness - Life in Kowloon, The Walled City

Russian Snow Princess, Encore

Russian  Snow Princess at Lemania Indigo Designs

The highlight of winter in Second Life are the gorgeous winter scenes found on many of the sims, islands, and properties in the virtual world.  They  provided me a welcomed opportunity to create a new set of photos of my favorite winter fashion - Russian Snow Princess.  This outfit is a wonderful period piece that seems inspired by Tolstoy's Russia. Last year, I featured Russian Snow Princess in this blog, and it continues to be one of my most popular posts. But, I was so pleased with these new pictures that I wanted to share them with you. Well, I thought, why not bring back Russian Snow Princess for another performance? She deserves an encore and another bow. So allow me to present once again for your enjoyment, Russian Snow Princess 

Click on the pictures to enlarge them to their original size for better viewing.

Mariko Nightfire as Anna Karenina

Russian Snow Princess was designed by the marvelous Lemania Indigo, prolific designer and owner of Lemania Indigo Designs. Russian Snow Princess comes with corset, pants, gloves, stockings, footwear, a fur hat and a number of fur pieces, a flowing flexy skirt, and a prim skirt. It currently sells for L$495. You can create a number of different looks with this outfit. For a more complete description of Russian Snow Princess, please visit my original Russian Snow Princess post.

First Snowfall

About the pictures. Usually, when taking pictures for a fashion post, I use default settings so that the fashions are presented as most people will see them in Second Life. However, with these pictures, I wanted to use the winter backgrounds to create moods. To manipulate the color shading, lighting, and contrast of the backgrounds, I went off the default settings. But, in none of these pictures do I use windlight. By windlight, I am referring to atmospheric shaders.

Windlight is used by Second Life photographers to create sumptuous atmospheric and lighting effects. It's great for landscape photography. But, when the picture's subject and center of attention is avatars, I rarely use windlight especially when I want realism. Windlight does not favor avatars. It's harsh light can remove up to fifty percent of the details of a finely crafted skin.  That is why avatars will look like cartoons or plastic dolls under windlight. We are all familiar with that flashlight-in-your-face plastic look that we see in many SL pictures. Now, I understand that some people do like a cartoony look for their avatars. But, in general, avatars under windlight are cold and lifeless, just like a store mannequin. In these pictures, I applied various sky settings in the environmental settings, just like using windlight, but with atmospheric shaders turned off. I am also wearing a soft facelight with a narrow range. I get the mood creating backgrounds that I want. And my avatar is warmer and softer and light falls on me more realistically than under windlight.

Windlight or not, Russian Snow Princess is magical isn't it? Get it at Lemania Indigo Designs while it is still in season. And experiment taking portrait pictures of your avatars without windlight. You may be surprised at how lovely your avatars really are.

Lamania Indigo Designs Main Store

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Lemania/190/187/58

Pictures were taken at Ocelot Valley, designed and owned by Painter Meriman, at Cap Estel, a wonderful public park designed and owned by Maurice Messme, and at the residence of my dear friend, Jaysun Dagger.

Ocelot Valley
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Ocelot%20Valley/108/175/25

Cap Estel

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cap%20Estel/198/136/26

Original Post for Russian Snow Princess

http://marikomagic.blogspot.com/2009/12/russian-snow-princess.html

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A Classic Christmas Rose

Christmas Rose by G Sloane Couture

I love fashions that capture a time and place. And what better time than the joyous Christmas Holiday and what better place than a nostalgic bygone era to which we yearn to return if not for a visit. Christmas Rose is a sumptuous and elegant holiday dress that truly captures those Classic Christmases of yesterday and brings them to our own time. I adore this dress. And I'll be wearing Christmas Rose throughout the holiday season in Second Life. This charming outfit was designed by Geryn Sloane, owner of G Sloane Couture. You can find Christmas Rose in the Christmas Shop located on the third floor of flagship store. Santa Claus is there too. Be sure to sit on Santa's lap to recieve a free gift.

Click on the pictures to enlarge them for better viewing.

I have recieved such glowing compliments wearing this dress. Christmas Rose comes with a rose shirt with fur cuffs, a Christmas ribbon skirt, a golden sash, and a golden neckwrap. It seems like it was designed with a gorgeous gift wrapping for a Christmas present in mind. Christmas Rose sells for L$500.

I do feel like a beautifully wrapped Christmas present in this outfit. Saying that, I can just hear my more flirtatious male friends (you know who are) saying that they can't wait to unwrap this present. Well, naughty boys don't receive presents on Christmas. They get coal in their stockings and a right cross to their jaws.

The Christmas Fashion Wreath that I am wearing about my hair was designed by Precious Restless, skin and fashion designer and co-owner, with her real life twin sister Vitabela Dubrovna,  of Boudoir. This wreath is a free holiday gift from Boudoir. It's wonderful, isn't it. Thank you Precious and Vitabela.

G Sloane Couture Flagship Store:

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cedarwood/234/45/24

Boudoir:

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Bonaire12/161/130/997

Photos were taken at my home community of Ocelot Valley and at the residence of my dear friend, Jaysun Dagger

Ocelot Valley:

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Ocelot%20Valley/108/175/25

Related Post:

Russian Snow Princess (December 17, 2009)

http://marikomagic.blogspot.com/2009/12/russian-snow-princess.html

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace,

good will toward men.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Princess Anna

Princess Anna by MEB Fashion

The MEB 2010 Winter Collection from MEB Fashion was officially released earlier this week. There's always excitement around the release of the seasonal collections of MEB's owner and designer, MariaElena Barbosa. Oh, I may have built up the wrong expectations for this post. No, I'm not featuring items from the Winter Collection today; but, they are exciting. Look for them in future posts - guaranteed. What I want to blog, while autumn is still in the air,  is my very favorite outfit from the 2010 Fall Collection. Its a delightful creation called Princess Anna.

Princess Anna is exactly what I want and expect from Italian fashion. It's smart and stylish. It's playful and sexy. And it's so flattering on me. Can an outfit be all these things? Well, you tell me. Princess Anna will have you answering with an emphatic yes. Princess Anna sells for L$490 at MEB Fashion. 

Click on the pictures to enlarge them for better viewing.

Where to photograph a princess? At Le Mont Saint Michel, of course. Mont Saint Michel is a Second Life treasure. It is an accurate and full size replication of the famous tidal island in Northern France. This small rocky islet was consecrated to the Archangel Saint Michel in 708 AD and is famous for its Benedictine abby, a 13th century Gothic masterpiece, towering over 500 feet above the sea. Mont Saint Michel is actually an outcropping of granite conspicuously jutting out of a vast sandbank and exposed to powerful tides that can rush in over the tidal flats at speeds, famously described by Victor Hugo, ‘as swift as a galloping horse.’ The rocky islet is entirely surrounded by water twice a month, becoming a tidal island. The actions of the tides give Mont Saint Michel a wonderful mystical quality. I wanted to photograph Princess Anna with the medieval charm of the island's village as a backdrop. I hope you like the result.

The hair that I am wearing is from DrLife and is called Leena. Leena was designed by Leena Ying and sells for L$350. With Leena, you get 9 hair colors which you can select from a menu.

Strolling and Shopping on the Grand Rue at Mont Saint Michel 

Well, didn't I tell you that Princess Anna is all that. And there's more fashion magic at MEB Fashion. Be sure to catch the new 2010 MEB Winter Collection. I'll be blogging my favorites from the collection. So stay tuned.

MEB Fashion Main Store

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

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

Mariko

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

Previous posts for MEB Fashion:

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

Learn more about Le Mont Saint Michel in Second Life

http://mariko-nightfire.blogspot.com/2009/11/le-mont-saint-michel-in-second-life.html

Posing in front of Mariko, my fashion boutique in Mont Saint Michel