I also wanted to be in the reopened Drowsy sim, where you can find cool gifts in round leather boxes like the ones you see here. The gifts include binoculars, helmets and animal cages. Of course! Today is the last day of the For Whatever Hunt, so you should dash off to Azoury to pick up these awesome animalistic boots.

Credits to creators
[MB] Pocket Dragon – Persican Peach (gacha)
Azoury, Talons Shoes (For Whatever Hunt gift through January 31st)
R.icielli – EVA minidress/bronze including belt (on sale for 50L)
{SMS} Lace Leggins Brown (former event item)
HS : Love : Muse : Dazzle (MC / Brows) (was a New Year’s VIP gg)
- Glam Affair – Stella Eyes n4 (came with a skin)
Cheap Makeup-Latex Liner dark burgundy (old free gift)
tram A811 hair / (old group gift)
La Malvada Mujer – Persiguiendo el Dragon[necklace#2]
Silence – Gilded Horn Ring (rhand) (not available)
:::Sn@tch Nail Candy (Onyx)::: (old freebie)
pose one: marukin
pose two: tapoe (cheap on Marketplace)
Pics are GIMPed, but mostly the background.

At first I was intimidated by the drama of Aliza Karu’s Balance 4 outfit; and I felt shy about the sensuality of the Tendresse Fleur lingerie from Chocolate Atelier. But when I put them together, I concocted the perfect Pleisure ensemble. (Ahahaha. Together they were even scarier, but I managed to bumble my way through this shoot, thanks in large part to the letter from a new Glitterati pose prop and a lot of Pixlr magic. I even used someone else’s abandoned photo box because it was better than the ones I make. I should quit while I’m ahead, huh?)

There’s something about an outfit called Balance that makes me want to tip it over. That’s because I’m perverse as hell, see. In addition to the giant hat and makeup shown here, the Balance 4 outfit boasts a baroque, oversize, open-front gown. If you want to see the ensemble in its full glory, you should visit Dantelicia and Xari Xofan, who did particularly beautiful shoots. Don’t visit Ms. Karu’s own website, or you’ll be afraid to take off your hat….

Credits to creators
Look one
[ #7 ] Sula _(closed eyes series) skin (TGGS item until January 14; ty Shortcake Sugarplum!)
[ #7 ] Sula _lashes (TGGS item until January 14; ty Shortcake Sugarplum!)
Plastik, Reloaded Third World tatoo (recent La Venta Eventa item)
chocolate atelier, Tendresse fleur “Black” (TGGS item until January 14; ty YukaChoco Magic!)
AD Creations Doll House Aliza Karu, Balance 4 [only the hat] (Horror Haute event till January 31st; ty Aliza Karu!)
N-Core, Ultraplatform Noir Intense
booN, JPN670 blueblack
Glitterati, People will read again [modded] (VIP gg)
pose by blah!

Look two
[ #7 ] Sula _(closed eyes series) skin (TGGS item until January 14; ty Shortcake Sugarplum!)
AD Creations Doll House Aliza Karu, Balance 4 (Horror Haute event till January 31st; ty Aliza Karu!)
pose by Es’cusi (old gift)

Stones is my third av. I designed her to be belle laide, like a lot of the hipper avs out there. (Still can’t get that cartoonish thing going, however. Some sensibilities depend on skills I don’t have.) Jesylilo’s new Julie skin allows Stones to be her weird-faced self with some makeups that give her a raw look. In addition to number 4, worn here, there’s an even barer makeup, number 1, with a variation that gives your av pink bags under her eyes. Good for roleplay I could say, but it’s closer to what people look like in real life. Imperfect. Anyone planning on doing a makeup with stubborn patches of dry, flaking skin? Cause that would be timely at this stage in the winter. Stones’ shawl and earrings are gifts at Meena, which is related to Boho Hobo, the shop that donates proceeds to an organization supporting the women of Afghanistan. Check out some Meena looks on Neuilles Newman’s Flickr.

Credits to creators
LpD, Etnic Chic Suit Red (NEW; ty Nevery Lorakeet!)
Jesylilo, Julie LightSkin*J4*BT (closeup) and J1 (long shot) (NEW; ty Lilo Glom!)
Meena, striped Afghan shawl (gg)
Meena, Afghan Kuckhi hoops (gg)
Pesca, Linen and wood sandal red leaf (may have been a gift but similar styles are available)
LeLutka, Rykiel Rita Dark Reds
Para Designs, Deadly Spades Dark tat
(r)M, silver rings (dirt cheap on Marketplace)
poses by Olive Juice
location: one of the apartments at Saikin
GIMPed? Yes’m, but gently.

I went nuts this week at the Curio sale at Truth District, buying not only Pout 2, with my fave makeup shown here, but also Summer, which I’d never demoed before. Sometimes in order to stop myself buying stuff in SL, I tally up the real-world dollars cost. Sometimes I avoid that little exercise. Those are the naughty fun times. I was going to say it’s like having sex with a stranger, but it’s not. It’s like having sex period. (If I remember correctly.) The lamb necklace that Portia wears here is one of the most beautiful pieces I’ve seen in SL and it’s free, a group gift from Ey:No.

I love the smell of pomanders, which I associate with Christmas, and which take a f*ck of a long time to make. This tray is the latest gg from December. Portia’s fd hair and Sea Hole skirt are available for a few more days at Collabor88. Don’t get so drunk on the smell of oranges pierced with cloves that you neglect to pick up these goodies. Oh, and just in case you think I didn’t struggle to get these shadows, think again. Exodus is now crashing my Mac Crash Logger as well as itself. I guess that’s what passes for a sense of humor.

Credits to creators
The 1%
(epoque hair) Hibernation I – Tamed Flames [RARE nyah! nyah!] (Seasons Gatcha)
{mon tissu} Prudence Cardigan – Orange
[ glow ] studio – Aztec Nose Chain (wo beads) (TDR)
Curio, :GP: Moonbeam [Dark] Summer-Humid 2
- Glam Affair – Stella Eyes n4
Label Motion, Noel pack

The 99%
(fd) Lopsided Lilly – Sweden (comes with freckle tat) (Collabor88)
*Fishy Strawberry* Impromptu Cardigan Tangerine M – Brown Belt (MESH ALERT)
The Sea Hole – Heron Skirt – Dusted (Collabor88)
Curio, :GP: Moonbeam [Dark] Pout 2-Indulged 2 [my fave of the pack]
[EY:NO] Vintage Lamb Necklace (Groupgift)
December, Pomanders Tray (gg)
[LeLutka]-Pow Pumps (Tan)
::Mother Goose’s::. socks-autumn 01 (UPDATE: LB at SGB location only; check profile of Milok Hermit for TP)
::UH::GemStone eye G04
Label Motion, Noel pack (combined with the December gg)

location: the cafe at Warrumbungles
I barley GIMPed.

Seven hours. That’s how much time I spent yesterday commuting to and from the university in order to deliver 75 minutes of content and hold a lonely office hour. I only do this twice a week, so the absurdity is going to get to me before the mileage does. Even if I’m reading on the train, it feels as though I am in a state of near non-existence. Despite what I said the other day about the sexiness of commuter rail, the only way to endure that long a journey is to put one’s desires on hold. Unfortunately, that feels a lot like depression, which I am struggling against, trying to beat so that I can regain my power to write and my confidence in myself. And thus get a better job.

As you can see, I am back today with more dresses from the latest release at Priss. Erin Winterwolf’s palette and textures are lovely as always. In the first picture, Portia wears the Ish Bow-Tie Dress in coal. Here she sports a combo of the Chung Belted Dress in moss with the scarf and sleeves from the Ish dress in red. Portia’s hair is an awesome dip-dye job by fashionably dead, available at Collabor88 with a cool white face tattoo.

Credits to creators
Thanks to Erin Winterwolf of Priss.
Look one
Priss, Ish Bow-Tie dress in Coal (NEW)
Priss, Bow-Side Leather Pumps in Choco (NEW)
Jane, lil piggies tights.fuzzy.pr mahogany (not so old subo gift)
Le Poppycock, Carpet Bag Sky Father (gacha)
Olive Juice, Clever Girl and No Pants Lance pack (store is closing so poses are 25L a piece and packs are half price)
Look two
Priss, Chang Belted Dress in Moss [modded] (NEW)
Priss, Ish Bow-Tie Dress in Red [modded] (NEW)
December, Glasses no.76 for Cafe Hunt (Cafe Hunt item)
Throughout
Mother Goose’s, Sasha shape and Sasha4Teeth (sold together)
Mother Goose’s, pointed lashes 2 (LB)
fd, Michelle Tea Mexico (at Collabor88)
Olive Juice, Hipster Male pack (store is closing so poses are 25L a piece and packs are half price)

location: Boystown subway
I GIMPed. In the second pic I made the dip-dye colours more intense.

Portia hadn’t realized that her passion for art was mutual. Today, Portia wears Artemis, a hunt gift available this week only from Hugo’s Designs. You need to find 13 small red and black boxes scattered throughout the spacious store. *cough Phoenix Area Search cough* There are exposed and clothed versions of the top and bottom. Whereas one bottom option gives you a bikini, another features only a strategically placed white chain. Yeah, I kinda wish I’d shot a picture of that too. The artworks by Chase Sinclare of Paparazzi are available for purchase at The Gallery Gift Shop. They sit on the floor of your loft, leaning against the wall, demonstrating that you own so much art that you’re casual about its display. Or you are too depressed to hammer a nail into the wall.

Credits to creators
artworks by Paparazzi (Chase Sinclare) at The Gallery Gift Shop
*HD* Artemis (free: hunt for 13 small red and black boxes to get the complete outfit)
(Paper Couture) Parted Hair Updo – Black
BAX, Booties Appaloosa
Curio, :GP: Petal [Dark] Pout 2-Big Baby 2
pose: shopo.O_5KneelPosePack1
I had to GIMP like a maniac to straighten out the stark white lines of this outfit. In the process, some things got distorted. Not just the size of Portia’s posterior.

Among the new items at Priss are these ingenious leather pumps with a curved heel and bows on the sides. They are available in black and in a light chocolate shade, shown here.

The Chung Belted Dress comes in a range of muted colours including a tart moss and a mellow blue. Priss clothing fits small and isn’t resizable, so you’ll want to fish out one of your girly shapes for the girly dresses. I reached for Sienna from Mother Goose’s for both the shape and the skin.

So you know that everything at LaGyo and LaGyo Mademoiselle is 50% off, right?

Credits to creators
Priss, Bow-Side Leather Pumps in Choco (NEW; ty Erin Winterwolf!)
Priss, Chung Belted Dress in Choco (NEW; ty Erin Winterwolf!)
Mother Goose’s, Sienna shape and Sienna 1 makeup
fd, Sweden Set tattoo freckles (from Collabor88)
LaGyo, Lobster turbant oranges (50% off this week)
North West, Ruba Tights A pink
Maitreya, Leather Satchel Mustard (MESH ALERT) (former 50L Friday item)
R.icielli, Iris Skull Ring Gold goldgems (50L; everything in store is 50L)
ID. Colors of Fall Orange (old Seasons Hunt item)
Olive Juice, Hipster Guy (sale) and Olive Juice, Great Lengths for Long Hair (sale)
location: Boystown
GIMPage minimal

I tried to stop myself buying Blah’s Peek-a-Boo dress in black. I joined the VIP group to get the gift version, a striking emerald green, but to no avail. There’s something about cleavage that calls out for black. I also tried to stop myself buying these shoes from Debrah’s, on account of them being for strippers. But I couldn’t resist the extreme look. There’s no demo for these babies, and I am not at all happy with the limits of the HUD when it comes to skin tones. There are also ugly grey lines on the feet, which I’ve seen on other shoes with this type of HUD. What’s that about? If I’d been more daring, I’d have bought the version with long toe-nails curling over the edge of the shoe. Eew but cool. [UPDATE: Debrah Windlow was kind enough to contact me to make sure there was nothing wrong with the shoes. And there isn't. I just don't like the grey shading. Will it keep me from wearing the shoes again? No. 'Cause they're hot. Do I want to be able to demo shoes with sculpty feet and HUDs? Yes!]

There’s a sale at some of the shops at Truth District this week. The recent Truth releases are half price, so I bought Loica a black Helena to balance Portia’s blonde. Curio skins are also marked 50% off. I don’t know if 750L is half off for individual skins, but 1500L for a mega pack sounds like a deal. The provocatively sexy Pout is one of the discounted skins.

Yes, well, I wasn’t about to let winning the most boring colour gacha necklace get me down. Undefined Lilies’ Fur Ball Face is too cute to consign to my “gutted by gacha” file.

Credits to creators
Blah. (My Peek-a-Boo Dress / Sexy Black)
undefined lilies, fur ball faces (creme/gold) (Seasons Gatcha)
>TRUTH< Helena – espresso (half price this week at Truth District location only)
Debrah’s, “Coty” HighHeels Black Snake
Curio, :GP: Petal Frex [Light] Pout-Whine 1 (half price this week at Truth District location only)
Irezumi-ya tattoo251 thigh
.ID. Colors of Fall / Orange (old Seasons Hunt item)
(amper) ka-pow! : lashes (not available)
pose one: Olive Juice, Avedon Pose Pack (sale)
pose two/three: Olive Juice, Defying Gravity Pack (sale)

I have to admit that Loica’s argyle sweater is an odd choice for Pleisure, which is not exactly the prep-school express. The sexy new pullover from Poised is available in a number of other patterns, so you needn’t go in for the stolid lozenge look, unless you’re a closet argyle fetishist like me.

Six years ago, the sexiest man I’ve ever met came to my party dressed in an argyle sweater. I was floored. To my mind, argyle equals establishment. So here was the establishment, in my home, touching my stuff, breathing my air. I had to trust that he was wearing the sweater ironically, or my plans to make him my sex slave would have to be scrapped. Admittedly, I myself owned a pair of argyle socks, which I had picked up at a dollar store in NYC when my feet were unusually cold. At first the socks were something I planned to toss out, a joke, but I soon discovered that they were quite pleasing to my eye. Black with subdued blue and red argyle lozenges, the socks became a favourite pair, but I always told myself that they were a secret twist in my otherwise bohemian outfits or a perfect match for my ironic blue suede shoes. After what happened today, I don’t think I can pretend I’m just joking about argyle.

Shopping for socks, I immediately spotted a pair of black argyles. I couldn’t get myself to browse the racks, couldn’t stop myself from buying them, even though I know that the crappy in-store brand—which includes a troubling “1% other material” in its fabric—will not last. I can only conclude that I am a full-on fetishist of argyle socks. What’s worse, this fetish has nothing to do with the sexiest man I ever met. He turned out to be even more conservative than his outfits let on. He turned out to be happily married. I bet his socks are all plain old navy blue.

Credits to creators
[Atomic] Grace Skin (DB)_Buff – Red Hot (NEW; TDR Blue item)
[UMEBOSHI] TGGS doe eyes -Frozen Moss- Large (The Gallery Gift Shop item; ty!)
(amper) ka-pow! : lashes (not available)
::Poised:: Me Sweater Soft (NEW, comes in other patterns; ty Poise Collins!)
[Plastik]-Boudoir-Glimmer Glam (worn underneath) (old 50L Friday)
[Aura] – Bullet Proof – Ruffled Pencil Skirt (MESH) – L – Plain (MESH ALERT; WLA hunt item, not available, but other patterns are for sale)
*Dura-Girl*27(Black)
[Sleepy Eddy] Gacha hat (Black-a) (Seasons Gatcha)
Maitreya Gold – Allure-Tights Black
poses built into phone booth and bike by
location Seoul
GIMP was waged