Ballet Gothique

Sometimes inspiration for the right costume or even the right look can come from those who know you best.  A few weeks ago, I was trying to come up with the perfect outfit to wear to a surprise birthday party for the lovely Saiyge Lotus and was feeling particularly blocked.  It was a Goblin Ball, but not being very goblin-y myself, I decided to just go with something dark.  You’d think that would be relatively easy for me, but I still found myself struggling to come up with something fun and unique.  Enter the wonderful Gabby Panacek, who I was chatting with via IM at the time.  When I told her of my dilemma, she casually suggested I go as a Goth Ballerina.

 Cue the light bulbs and fanfare!  That was something I knew I could pull off, which I did.  And, I enjoyed the look so much that I decided to blog it as part of my mix and match Halloween Costume series, with a few slight variations.

Take The Plunge

There are certain essential summer items one must have: sunglasses, swimsuits, shorts, etc.  Tank tops are definitely on that “essentials” list.  They can be dressed up or dressed down.  They can be comfy and casual or pretty and feminine.  Or, as is the case with the newest tank tops from Riddle, they can be sexy as hell.

Do You Flirt?

So if you didn’t hear, ~flirt~ opened a brand new redesigned sim this weekend.  The lovely designer behind ~flirt~, Skinkie Winkler, was kind enough to give a few bloggers a gift card to her store, and I had a hard time choosing what to buy.  ~flirt~ has so many great pieces, but I did my best.
 
The first thing I bought was something I’ve been eyeing for quite some time, the FRAGILE! line.  I really love the thought process behind this line of jewelry, and the look of it is something I’ve not really seen before.  It was designed as a set of High Couture pieces, but I believe it’s versatile enough to wear with any look you can create.  Here is part of the notecard you’ll receive from ~flirt~ when you buy the set.  I think this says it much better than I can.
 
“The FRAGILE! series of  high couture statment jewellery from ~flirt~ is a range of individual pieces hand-crafted from glass and sterling silver.  The dichotomy of the materials is a reflection of the human condition.  More specifically, FRAGILE! represents our innermost self and how we choose to display it to the outside world.  Oftentimes  our core is tender, easily broken, sensitive.  We choose either to display this and risk damage, or to protect it, sheathing it from harm, but also covering it’s reflective beauty.  Considering these two states, Skinkie Winkler created a range of dramatic pieces to be worn as a statement, alone or combined with others in the range.  It is purposeful that no “set” of necklace, earrings and bangles has been put together: No two individuals are the same, and Skinkie feels it is not her place to choose on your behalf which goes with which.  Predictable, Unpredictable, Swayed, Twisted or Split… what makes up your unique self?”
 
All of the pieces are exquisite really, but in the end, I chose those pieces that spoke to me the most:  Unpredictable & Twisted.  Sounds like me, right?  For this look, I wanted to do something in true “Arcadia Style,” and even though it’s not Couture, I think it turned out pretty well.

Sing Blue Silver

When I’m putting together a look, I generally start with one main item and work out from there.  99% of the time, that main item is a shirt, or a pair of pants.  A skirt, perhaps. Sometimes even a dress, though not often. The last thing I always do is accessorize, but just because I put it on last doesn’t mean that I don’t know the importance of a good piece of jewelry.  The right jewelry can really take an outfit to that next level, whether it be chic and elegant, or urban and outrageous.  It is the finishing touch, the final piece of the fashion puzzle.

With this in mind, I decided to honor the closing of Violet Voltaire’s amazing jewerly store by not only showcasing some of her fabulous creations, but also by building the outfits from the jewelry itself.  What once was last is now first.  All of the pieces I use in these next few posts were purchased at Violet Voltaire during her 50% off sale.  This sale, which includes all but a few select items in the main store, is going on until the 16th of May and if you haven’t gotten yourself over there yet, I suggest you stop reading this and do so now.  Well, maybe read this first.  

But definitely check it out before it ends.  In addition, she has put out some fabulous dollarbies and deeply discounted items in a building behind the main store, which just so happens to be the first store front she ever had.  There’s lots of fun stuff in there, including lucky chair items and whole collections from Halloween and Christmas, all at bargain prices.

AYUMI x 3

A few weeks ago, Ayumi Shinn dropped a review item on the SL Bloggers Network in world, a cleavage enhancer that she designed and is selling in her store.  I’d never heard of her store, [AYUMI], before so I decided to go check it out.  She has some really cute stuff, but my favorite was the Button Up Shirt with it’s plunging necklace and thick belt underneath the bust line.  It comes in five colors, and she’s selling them for 150L each, or 250L for the fatpack.  Never one to pass up a deal, I grabbed the fatpack and decided to see what kind of looks I could throw together using this daringly sexy shirt.