Young Love

A few days agos the theme for the Funky Feats synchronized dance group was "Young Love". DJ Letzo provided the tunes and Funkie's Leader Jeni led our feet in the steps for dancing. I think we all had a great time, I know I did.

I had decided I would log on and split the two hour gig time between the belly dance at the medieval/fantasy land of Sylvhara and the Funkies. But when I did log on, I realized I was in the mood for casual apparel; in particular crops. While I was checking notices etc and trying to find the white crops I wanted (maybe they exist only in my imagination), the group chat popped up

Hevy Malibu: Young Love Dance..............at Rock Land........ DJ LetzGo Parkin and Leader Jeni Luik!
Hevy Malibu: you may get to "hold hands"!
Letzgo Parkin: I will take your requests and dedications that bring you back to your first love!
Hevy Malibu: remembers  his arm falling asleep at the movies......
Jeni Luik: Ladies.....we need you!
Hevy Malibu: 4 blonds here  3 of them men!
Jeni Luik: This is the first dance where I was the only gal
Casandra: oh my! and you are complaining Jeni? It sounds like a dream come true!
Casandra grins
Hevy Malibu: Cassy!
Hevy Malibu: waves*
Casandra waves and smiles
Casandra hi Hevy!!
Hevy Malibu crashes his bike into a tree waving back.....

That little interchange began a fun exchange between my friend Hevy and myself, which I don't think he will mind my sharing here. I'm going to leave out everyones comments that don't fit in with the "role play" to keep this post shorter and less confusing. We all had a great time chatting and telling stories about things that happened to us when we were young.

Casandra "oh dear!!!"
Hevy Malibu pops up quickly  to show he is not hurt.
Casandra runs over and helps Hevy up
Casandra "oh whew!"
Hevy Malibu * turns red  taking her hand *
Casandra smiles and blushes
Casandra can't think of anything to say (the cat has her tongue)
Hevy Malibu: realizes he has been staring and  well says........  Great new top Cassy.*
Casandra manages to collect herself and says "oooh, thank you Hevy!"

At this point I managed to find something I enjoy wearing and arrived at the dance:

Jeni: Hi Cas!
Bryan Hey Cassandra
Hevy Malibu: hooo Cassy!
Casandra: hi!!!
Janelle: Hey there Cas
Casandra grins
Letzgo Hi Cas
Hevy runs and trips right before trying to give a hug!
Hevy squeeks out "darn growth spurt"
Casandra stiffles a giggle and is amazed to see such a nice tall man tripping all over himself to get to her!!
Janelle *Giggles insanely*
Casandra looks up at him "you are so tall now!"
Hevy smiles to himself......... "she said man"
Hevy swallows hoping his new lower voice comes back...
Hevy Thank you Cassy......
Casandra wonders if heels would make her tall enough to look into his eyes
and can she walk in them???
Janelle Parkin (janelle.korobase): Wear boxers and let em all hang out Hevy
Janelle Parkin (janelle.korobase): that'll help
Casandra shakes her head "oooh no! That is not attractive at all!"
Hevy thinks to him self *well she is getting quite top heavy*
Casandra smiles
Hevy Malibu: wwonders if she can read his (thoughts*eyes) her expression said she did *
Crayola Camel: you are little.. casandra
Casandra decides she has to practice walking in her pretty new heels
Later ~~
Hevy Malibu: anyone got good first date stories!
Hevy Malibu: going to the movies?
Hevy Malibu: a sock hop?
Jeni Luik: how long have you got, Hevy?

I don't have permission, so I'll just share one of my memories:
Casandra: I remember on my birthday my dad saying "sweet sixteen, and never been kissed" and then his head did a sharp swivel "HAVE you been kissed??? I didn't want to be chaperoned on movie dates. Dad said he would sit behind us. At that point I couldn't imagine anything worse.

Hevy Malibu: whispers into Cassy ear.
Casandra leans closer to hear what Hevy says

Snow!!!

Snow!! I've never gotten over my fascination with the fluffy white stuff. I remember staring out the window in class during high school when the first snow of the season was expected "is that snow I see? I think so. noooo.............Oh, now it is!"

When I was growing up, the best spot to get the full effect of a wintry evening was the back porch where the yard light shown through the tree branches and you could see the snow in all of it's glory and judge how much was on the branches. If there was any ice coating the branches, the scene glistened.

Now we live at sea level half way down the east coast of the United States, which means we get very little snow with the low elevation. The best location to see how much it is snowing and the size of the flakes is the breezeway...burrr. The next best would be the windows over the couch. So last evening when the fourth snow of the season began, there were a few times I could be seen kneeling on the couch with the drapes and sheers thrust to the side, looking out at the snow and smiling.


This morning we have about three inches and it is forecast to snow until noon. 


My poor mother, it's been a stormy winter for her. The past week has been the worst with two blizzards (she couldn't see her neighbor's house) dumping two feet on her, and two more days of snow on top of that. Plus horrendous lows, - 18, 8, -2, -20 this morning. 

Fae Fashion no. 3

This Fae Fashion post shows off a new gown by Angelwing entitled Fall Fairy.

The design is loaded with pieces! The russet dress with three skirt variations, a corset in gold, a green bolero, leg ribbons, arm wraps of vines, a hair wreath and two wing variations (with and without falling leaves)

Wear it without the jacket in the warm autumn sun, and add the bolero jacket on those cool autumn nights....

Cas smiles as she sees Emy attired elegantly in the long dress version but wonders if the behavior will follow suit and what she is thinking.

Emy thinks to herself "how does Lady Casandra ever walk in something as massive as these skirts" She kicks at the material and can't wait to get back into her short skirts again...

Emy taking a much deserved break from the photo session

The ivy hair wreath can be seen in more detail by clicking the picture for a close-up

Emy dancing with fellow fae, Jordon. Emy and I love to dance, and the lush skirt moves beautifully.

Did you notice the leaves printed on the gold of the long skirt?  there is really a lot of detail in this skirt. and the ruffle on the velvet jacket is edged with gold embroidery.

My thanks to Emy for all of the help with this post, pictures and captions. She posted the dance she enjoyed with Jordon after we completed the photo session!

Emy~~
Wings ~ Ragged Fairy Wings ~ Seven's Selections (tinted: green upper, gold lower)
Skin ~ Elle BR Fair Group Gift ~ Belleza
Hair ~ Bright Bloom n Butterfly ~ Nikita Fride Design

Casandra ~~
Wings ~~  Bloodvine Burning Wings (Burning Man special) ~ Fancy Fairy
Skin ~ Embrace in Cameo ~ Cupcakes
Hair ~ Nur in Cherry ~ Ava-Tare
Poses ~ ImpEle (formerly Imperial Elegance)

Both ~~
Outfit ~ Fall Fair ~ Angelwing
Jewelry ~ Leaf  ~ G Field
Location ~ Elven area at Everwind

I Do Believe in Fairies! Jewelry Fair, Fae Fashion no. 2

'I do believe in fairies' That is proclaimed to all who read this delightful little star around my neck. And I do. I grew up reading my grandparents set of storybooks for children. Each book had a collection of fairytales, tall tales, or folktales. I think they were called Trailways. You've seen circles of toadstools haven't you? I have! Did you ever wonder if it was a faery circle where the wee ones dance?

I flipped through my wardrobe and chose this sheer chiffon design from Staged. Then donned my faery wings! The necklace is extra perfect for me, since I role play a fae queen on the Isle of Arran.
If you click on the picture you will discover falling leaves on an optional over layer.

Both the kini and the bust area are made of opaque layered leaves.The gown itself is sheer and comes in additional colors.

I was very taken with Miao's ribbon bracelet called Kate. It is unusual, feminine, and whimsical. Both the ribbon and the pearls are color change! I'm sure I will wear it often.

The Jewelry Fair ended today. Both worlds have been busy for me, so I am late, late with my post. However I did want to spotlight these two items in particular. If you didn't make it to the fair, you will be able to find them at the Miao store.

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~
 
Outfit ~ Mother Nature ~ Staged
Jewelry ~ both pieces ~ MIAO
Wings ~ first set ~ Portobella ~ Fancy Fairy
Wings ~ second set ~ Woodland Fairy ~ Seven's Selections
Skin ~ Embrace, Cameo, Miracle ~ Cupcakes
Hair ~ NUR in Cherry ~ Ava-Tare
Poses ~ [ImpEle] Imperial Elegance ~ closed until further notice
Location ~ Isle of Arran ~ House Waves sim

SteamPunk/Victorian Fashion

'

Several months ago I learned that Stani seriously likes SteamPunk. He even has two SteamPunk tie clips in RL! Majorly cool!!

We love to dance together, so I went in search of a ballgown. It was easy to find imaginative SteamPunk dresses.I did not see anything I thought of as SteamPunk that I would wear to a ball, so I went strictly Victorian without the SteamPunk influence. After a couple of disappointments with textures, I found this vision in satin and embroidered tulle by M'Lady Fashions. I feel like a princess in it, especially after I put on my jewelry and have my hair done.

;

Gorgeous it may be, but it was also fly-away! Many times the layers of netting covered both of our faces. And the gloves must be replaced, they are the same texture as the skirt, which translates to streaky in satin gloves.

I didn't manage a good picture of Stani. He is wearing the new gift from BlakOpal (bottom of the stairs) as seen here. It really does need good boots, shoes won't work.

This soft skin by Tuli is and the pearl choker by Rhiamon's Realm are perfect for my Victorian clothing, helping complete the look.

You can also find appropriate footwear at Lassitude & Ennui, BlakOpal and Arundul.

Outfit ~ Princess Sissi ~ M'Lady Fashions
Jewelry ~ Victorian Ivory Cameo Choker ~ Rhiamon's Realm
Skin ~ Hope (pale/br) ~ Tuli
Hair ~ Hikaru Updo ~ Pocket Mirrors
Poses ~ n/a
Location ~ Baby and Jim's palace

Emy's Birthday Party

Last weekend was my good friend Emy's RL birthday. I treated her to brunch at Ruby Tuesdays. We try to get together in real life every few weeks to catch up. We had fun sampling the crab omelet and apple cranberry crepe (we split and I took a box home).

She has a regular Sunday night dance event from 6-8 pm SLT that she choreographs. Last Sunday she invited everyone to her birthday party. Jim and Baby decorated their palace for the event complete with balloons and a huge chocolate cake.

She wanted to do a couples dance, which is difficult to pull off in SL. Many of us have a special person in our lives, but a specific time to meet for an event frequently doesn't work out. Jim encouraged everyone to make a special effort for her birthday and the turn out was really good. The only way the sim didn't overload was that everyone wasn't there at the same time.

Almost all of the ladies dressed in a soft light neutral shade and the gentlemen worn evening suits and tuxes.

Winston, who DJ'ed and Emy. Doesn't she look lovely?

Stani and I dressed in Victorian/SteamPunk, and Tulsa and his date worn modern evening attire.

Fazzled in RL

My work day is over thank goodness. My energy level was somewhere below sea level by the time I took lunch at 3:35. I multi-task with customers (work with two or three at a time). That is frequently the only way I can help everyone who wants to work with me. I felt as though I had a few steps left in me, but I had walked my last mile. I told the two customers waiting for me that I just had to go eat. Surprisingly I didn't feel as though the ground were coming up to meet me, which meant my blood sugar wasn't hitting rock bottom. I had a multi-grain bagel with low fat cream cheese for breakfast and took half with me to keep me going until lunch. I had a chance to take a couple of bites around 1:00.

We were busy and everyone working was worn out. I called the owner's son up to my department to cut fabric for my break. He didn't show. I went in search of him and his mom said he wasn't there, so I asked her to take over for me. She can't run the register, but she can cut fabric. That's better than the owner, who can cut fabric but can't run the register or put the phone on hold and page someone. I'm not criticizing either of them; she runs the stock room, he has had several small strokes.

All I wanted to do was go home and crash. I felt frazzled and stretched. Every time my name was called, I could feel myself square my shoulders and turn around to assess who it was and how badly they needed me; not good. One of my customers told me she could tell I needed a break as in a serious vacation. I had mentioned that the owner suggested I work Sunday or Monday this Labor Day weekend and get caught up. As though that would be sufficient!

But eight or nine uninterrupted hours would be a god send. I could get my fall table with displays finished, rehang one end of a quilt that managed to unhook itself, hang the new patriotic quilt from Kathy, whose husband came in today to let me know how his job search was going, And take down an oriental display and put up the Christmas displays, and coordinate the jelly rolls (forty 2-1/2" x 44" strips of fabric that are rolled together) that has literally been waiting weeks for my color sense (I've managed to roll five). Today my assistant asked if I was ever going to get the kits she cut out for sale? And I was able to tell her two days ago the IT guy finally got the shared printer working with the four computers running Vista, XP & Windows 97 so now I will be able to print the instructions I wrote for the project as few weeks ago as soon as I can discover why the printer says it needs ink, when it has ink. I just wish I had a good way to hold the quilt flat for pictures, mine doesn't look professional. Besides the two shipments I got out, three more came in for me the last of the week. September has hardly begun; I will probably have a good 600-700 bolts come in this month. Can I escape to a tropical island somewhere?

This is the quilt. It's "Nana's Garden" with a few changes to fabric choices. The yellows and greens are softer in person. The tan is bunnies: leaping in the stripes and sitting with their backs to you in the border. Hopefully Tuesday I'll be able to print the instructions, which I tweaked to comply with the fabrics and added some clarification.

It's cute, and I have a buyer for it when I am finished with the display! Yay!

Lunch always revives me. I exercised this evening. It's lovely here, 80 degrees and 31% humidity.