birds flying high, you know how I feel

I’m really loving Irie Campese’s new releases from So Many Styles. As you already know, I love ethnic pieces and Irie does a spectacular job bringing african flair to high end fashion. Long skirts, knits and chunky beads make frequent appearances, much to my delight. Her new releases are very sexy and lady like, all at once. I was inspired to throw together a look, using pieces from the new collection.

Another inspiration for me are the colors red, white and blue. Call me patriotic if you like, but I can’t help it, the color scheme has style. I threw in a handful of my favorite pieces of NAO, adding up to one lady day outfit and a more tomboyish one. Check it out.

Read on…

Variation on a Theme: summer tank + shorts + sandals

Hi all, I’ve been meaning to do a post like this: easy-breezy, relaxed, pretty summer dressing. When I think of this idea, I think of a comfy tank, shorts and some flat sandals. My default summer outfit! It’s easy to dress this style up or down, and it can go girl-next-door or bizarro or very posh lady. Shorts + tanks + sandals for all! Here are some of my favorite tanks, shorts and sandals to get you started!

I could have really gone off on some tangents here, but I tried (as much as my little rebel heart could) to stay on track with mostly all denim shorts and tanks that were white or close to. Some of my favorite tanks don’t come in white, which is why there are some other ones mixed in. Why only flat sandals? Well, you try walking in heels in the sand! >.< It’s about as fun and graceful as getting your teeth pulled! I love collecting basics irl and isl, and I have accumulated a good collection of well-made basics. I’ve tried to include all my favorites, but some just didn’t make it in this time. I’m also curious if there are some favorite basics that I may not be aware of. Do you have a favorite basic I don’t have listed here? Feel free to leave your input in the comments!

=one= Blowpop‘s Elizabeth N2 skin is rocking my world! I didn’t think I could love it more than the original, but apparently sequels can be better! (Read below for more of my Elizabeth review.) What can I say? I’m still gushing over Garage RH‘s tanks, which have great bordering on the bottom and a really realistic texture. A little bit dirty too. League‘s Booty Shorts, with the pockets all hanging out, perfectly compliment the slightly disheveled look of the tank. I’m a big fan of Lamb‘s Mister Sister hair, which adds the right amount of polish and edge to an outfit. Surf Couture‘s Freedom Flops are 2009’s it sandal. If you can’t decide amongst colors, get gold and silver- the sheen makes them special and they go with e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g.

=two= Another favorite new skin, Misty, by League. League’s first skin release (along with the equally gorgeous Kate). I’m so absolutely enamored with this face, this body, this skin tone…and, and, and. ;)) Foam‘s the Valerie in this particular shade of brown, seems to both meld with and enhance the glow of this skin. Surf Couture‘s driftwood tanks are the thinnest, sexiest tanks around. If you don’t own at least one yet, I question your wardrobe’s intergrity…if only jokingly. Tres Blah’s freebie shorts at the Starlust are, imho, some of the best shorts ever- free or not free. And yes, I love the faux cameltoe.  I’m not sure how, it’s just complete tonal harmony. I dig these hippie chic Kalnins sandals!! A little bit masculine, definitely a pinch of hippie and in white, they ever-so-gracefully balance on the edge of feminine and rustic.

=three= Rockberry‘s Willow in freckles…arguably one of the most adorable faces on the grid. If this skin doesn’t make you look cute, come and see me and I will make you a new shape! lol. I really do hope you followed my advice and went to Miriel‘s closing day, the other day. If you don’t own Gibson Girl, I cry for you, as this style is such a fav of mine…in every color, with everything… The original perfect, goes with everything, basic tank- MichaMi‘s glam tank. Just as timeless and well made as ever, it rides the line of masculine and feminine like an acrobat. I love the play of Yui’s Favorite Things‘ shorts with the glam tank vs. the cuteness of Willow’s face. A perfect tomboy dichotomy!

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I want to make mention of two of the most exciting new skins out there imho. First is Blowpop‘s Elizabeth N2. As you know, I’ve been a huge fan of Infinity by Blowpop’s line since Elizabeth’s first release. Now Annkya has redone the Blowpop faces (+ a new face, Maya) and the new version is stunning. Creamy, softly sculpted, glowy, well-toned skins, with sophisticated-yet-adorable faces, and the best red lip ever, imho. I’m so, so loving this new release and I hope you do check it out soon. It’ll be at your own expense if you wait! ps. There’s a current group gift in the Blowpop group, so clear out a space & join. And stay joined at that!

The second new skin release I’d like to gush about is League‘s skin release debut. I am so taken aback by how beautiful these faces are; they are seriously stunning. The body is well contoured while staying soft and dewy and the skin tones are perfect for summer and for our darker skinned sisters. There are two faces: Kate & Misty and they are equally beautiful, imho. Kate’s features are a little more mature than Misty’s, but as you see, depending on the shape of your ‘bones,’ both skins can leave you with quite a baby face. (Which is something I love. irl I have a baby face, so there you go.) I’m so deeply impressed with Nena’s work and really hope you get out to the shop to try on the demos. Breathe deep, shortness of breath is just a symptom when trying these on…

=four= My sophisticated, exotic, sexy earth mama look. Again, I bring out the ‘I swear I’d never wear it’ Vive9 skin in Belle. Hey, it just goes to show all of us that any piece of fashion, so long as it’s well made, has a place in a stylish warddrobe. You never know where you’re going to be, or who you’re going to be from day to day…fashion helps facilitate it. I love Belle’s slightly asian look. It could go both ways, maybe I’m a hapa here? Not new, but DejaVu‘s Yuria hair is some of the sexiest weekend hair in my closet. EnSvale‘s macho tanks are the closest you can come to stealing your boyfriend’s…Miel makes good of rolled denim shorts! Such a well done classic, you can dress this pair up or down. Yabusaka‘s sandals are some of the prettiest slip-ons out there and they are so versatile! I won mine in fishing too, lol.

=five= League‘s second face, Kate. Just as dewy, sexy, stunning and sun-kissed as Misty. I can’t get over these skins…Anya made some tank tops (inspired by the one and only Umaaaz!) and I’m on the edge of my seat, waiting for more of her creations! Anya, I love them!!! Let’s root her on ok? &bean‘s shorts are some of my favorite, though I will give you a little tip. If you’re a lil girl like I am, have patience when adjusting the prim cuffs. It takes time to get them right, but when you do, you’ll have a roll cuff that’s unique unto itself. I haven’t seen this style anywhere else. BP* just sent out a group gift! A V2 of an old freebie ‘sprig’- this time in 3 versons and with a new, better texture. Seriously though, can Bettiepage do any wrong?! DP*yumyum‘s flip flops have a matching bikini and hat if you like to go matchy-matchy, if not, the flowers will sure sweeten up your toes!

=six= Beauty Avatar Couture‘s Ziva skin has either not really been covered on blogs or I have missed the coverage, but I hope more people discover this face as it’s really quite pretty. I love the pouty, rose-bud shaped lips! yum yum! Glitter‘s Polly hair is a new favorite of mine, especially since I got the pink pack. You’d be surprised how versatile this more ‘extreme color’ is. SUGARCUBE‘s milky tank is seamless in it’s tuck in and has enough detail to it to make it one of those ‘special basics,’ which goes to show you that grandma was always right- a little well placed lace goes a long, long way. Surf Couture….ok, you can do noooo wrong shopping here for summer. Another essential basic, the roll-top shorts, are perfectly executed in their laid-back versitility. Emma is brilliant. End of story. Lotta‘s frilly sandals match my hair and add a little interest to this gettup. Equally pretty with a long skirt or dolly dress…

=seven= Hehe, this is my fav quirky look atm! The lovely December of !Tarnished has made a perfectly tongue-in-cheek skin that’s both gorgeous and hilarious. Her newest line of skins is called Dot, and the face is so unique and the lips are so smoochable!! Another Lamb hair…I am smitten…this was the first group gift ‘way back when’ and I still love it. I love the color and I love the beret and if you don’t love berets, well, you should! Whippet & Buck‘s Hykova tank has three little buttons and comes in a million and one colors and layers. Think of it as an updated verson of MichaMi‘s glam tank. I love the Hykova…I just wish there were a fatty fat pack!!! Decoy’s Stevens shorts are basic and yet so sophisticated! It’s the big buttons in the front. You could easily dress them up with a belted tunic and heels and hit the clubs. And more prim feet! I know, I know, I am hooked. AOHARU‘s ethnic bijou sandals have the cutest lil feet and anything jeweled + a flat sole = heaven for me!

=eight= Curio’s June skin was a follow-up to the ultra-successful and uber-cute April release and I was durn skeptical about it, actually! Not that I’d ever doubt Gala’s work (read: genius), but I thought to myself, “how can you top April?!” Well, she did in my book. A bit more mature of a face, a little more glamourous. Although I love April to bits, I actually am leaning towards June atm. June has a little of that je ne sais quoi magic that only certain faces posess.. Hal*Hina‘s hair is so cute, sometimes I cannot handle it and only with this subdued brown. The longest, cutest pigtails around… more Tres Blah love, this time the plain tanks. The texture speaks to my mind as a soft, worn in cotton-knit. You can wear it under a blazer for sure, or layered up with a silk shirt…but you know how I wear mine… ;)) If you like denim cuffed shorts and want a little more character and decoration to them, En Svale‘s version has a little patchwork in the back and leather loops on the sides. Each pair comes with two versions and the small details really make them exciting for me. Not the newest kids on the block, but Detour‘s flip flops are classic, unisex and more beachy than most. At least to me! It’s the rubber texture…

=nine= Ok did I say that I was leaning towards June?! Really, really now, how can I decide?! That was a silly statement to begin with. Curio does no wrong in my book, never everrrr. If tomorrow God washed all the Curio out of my closet, I think Jesus would be talking to one sad little kitten named Abra. This Redbud makeup is crazy and on first glance would seem unwearable to many people, but trust me, I’ve paired it with everything!! Irollic‘s Mew ‘do is another obsession at the moment! I love these braids and the fact that each color comes with two different style options. The texture is really unique too, lots of colors blended into the base to create an ultra-hilighted look. You wouldn’t think it works, but it really does. Detour‘s abstract tank adds the perfect amount of visual interest, Milk Motion‘s rolled cuff shorts are a more worn in, loved style. (As you can see, I can’t get enough.) And Fashionably Dead‘s jelly sandals are a throwback to summers in elementary school. I’d wear them on the playground for recess in June, and then have to pick the gravel out of their soles when we got back to class. But there was fun in that too!

=ten= My boho romantic look. Had to be Surf Couture‘s beachy-keen skin, with it’s perfectly smudged red lips (it’s from kissing!) and soot rimmed eyes. Lamb‘s Dog Roses hair…I’ll save the gushing for below but <333 to it. Tart‘s half tank is just sweet/tart enough and basic enough to wear with anything. Gigi Courture‘s hippie shorts are probably my favorite on the grid, if only for their fantastic embroidery which reminds me of this Portuguese one. (I want it irl!!! Also, props to my Portuguese bunny friend Umaaz.) And Kookie‘s prim feet goodness!! Kiss my cute, chubby toes, pls!

I’ve been avoiding too much Hair Fair talk on here, since I know you’re already overloaded, but it would be a durn shame if I didn’t express how dumfounded I was when I first laid eyes on Lamb‘s new Dog Roses hair. I know everyone is talking about this style- how could you not?!- and I am no different. Bravo x 1,000 Lamb!!! Check out the Lamb booth at hair fair, for some of the most sexy/laid-back/long/hippie mama hair on the grid.

Hope you’re having a good week! <333Love, Abra

Details Below!

Happiest Day Dizney aka. Minnie & Mickey!

Cheese, anyone? Cheers to my friend December and her new dress, the cutest Minnie Mouse inspired number in SL. I love the puffy pantaloons underneath the polka-dot skirt and who can resist shoes with spats on them?! OMFG, I am so in love with spats!!! Get it at !Tarnished and get happy. =D Upon first seeing it I thought of pairing it with Rockberry‘s awesome character skin that’s been floating around the feeds. Seriously, why didn’t someone think of a sepia toned skin before? Actually I do own another one somewhere, but delicately speaking, it’s just not as freaking mindblowingly gorgeous as RB’s. 

I must be on a roll here, because I stopped by the always stunning Chapeau tres Mignon and found out there is a bunch of Dizzzney inspired accessories there as well. Why haven’t I seen these everywhere yet?! Come on people I was gone for 3 weeks! ;p I’m wearing the killer Mickey Death hat (!!) and Dizney necklace, but there are also some awesome Bambi shades I’ll have to feature later and a badass Duck hat. I seriously love this store to no end, Megg is forever delighting her follower’s imaginations. Worn along side all the cartoon mumbo-jumbo, I’ve chosen to wear my favorite en svale suspender pants, with the ‘male pants attachments’ on for a more belled look and Drowsy‘s endlessly cute ribbon tee. Drowsy is a new shop featuring an all-star cast of collaborators from some of my favorite Japanese shops: sato Yifu & Nico Rotaru of KUROTSUBAKI, BettiePage Voyager of BP* and Mai Runo of Zero Number. (Seriously, could it get any better please?) The girls have cooked up some of the cutest tees on the grid, all with multiple layers & tuck-ins (essential in my eyes) and cheeky-adorable graphics that leave you wanting one of each. I mean it! I had sooo much trouble choosing which ones I liked the best. I don’t know what it is, but something about collaborations just drive me crazy. I think it’s all that combined talent thrown into the pot, each person adds their little bit of goodness and, in turn, the finished product is just something else. It’s like that ‘Stone Soup’ story we read as kids, yea? Enjoy your day, ya brilliant peeps. Love, Abra

DETAILS AFTER THE CUT.

Nerdwerst

 

 

Hahaha…nerdwerst…mmmhmm. It’s what my brother and I call each other when we’re being the ultimate in uncool. It’s actually a compliment, since we all know that to be cool you gotta rock the uncool factor. This outfit has some uncool aspects to it: the thrift store glasses, the ‘classic’ jacket, the fire crotchety hair. I think that’s why I love it. I built this look around the awesome spats I’m wearing. They’re made by my friend December, of Tarnished fame, and I’m totally smitten with them! For me, anything that gives me an excuse to wear legwarmers is automatically on my lust list. Lucky for me, the warmers are built in on this one! Wooo…!!! You can take these shoes in many different directions, and even loose the warmers if you care to (they have a mary jane buckle ankle strap underneath), and they’d be equally cute and interesting paired with a skirt or dress, etc. 

I really love Zero Style hair and I’ve been waiting a while to wear this CSR prize style. When I first saw the hair I thought it would have been easiest for me to take it in a super cute direction and I had to resist. I thought this nerdy look would be a fun way to wear it and I love this ‘Auburn’ color which is rich and warm and nummy. The coat is from Total Betty, from the ‘College Bound’ collection, which is made of neutral colored, classic, staple pieces and all of it is really versatile and charming. I really like the collection and picked up a skirt (not pictured) along with the jacket which I’ll hopefully wear in a future post. (They have been, like most good items, sitting in the depths of my ‘closet’ patiently waiting for their day in the sun. Hopefully soon.) 

The scarf is from Kristen Pick’s Alta Moda store which was one of the first stores I wrote about here, “way back when.” She’s now expanded and her place is in Bijou’s old store location. I’m really excited to see what she brings out as I really enjoy her line. Just check out the fantastic Beyonce Diva shades she whipped up for Uma! I like this scarf, “Ignition”, because it’s shorter and therefore can act as a collar. The TB coat doesn’t have a prim collar so this scarf acts as a good ‘finish.’ The pants are a stand by, Armidi’s skinny pant. I will always have love for them and they do what a good pant should do: come in a ton of colors, they work well with the statement pieces and they make your bum look good. 

My bag is by =E.M.A= and I’ve had it tucked away for a while. I knew I had a good bag which referenced a classic school messenger! The bag is done really well and the attention to detail is great. I wanted to point out the rings I’m wearing. The first is Georgiabean Lately’s Ladybug ring which I have a special fondness for. I just think ladybugs are adorable plus they are considered lucky, which couldn’t hurt. ;)) The bow ring is from Demonade and I stumbled across the store in a random sim. I’d been after a good sculpty bow ring for a while and I was excited to find them in a ton of colors.The ring comes with a version for the left and right hands so you don’t need to adjust them yourself, a nice touch since most of my rings fit on the left hand and I like to pile on accessories. Oh and the Mom glasses from Yummy! What can I say? I love them. They sort of remind me of my grandma, who has light lavender ones that look exactly like these. For me there are only 4 types of glasses: HUGE, dorky, aviator and statement-weird. These are both huge and weird and I love the curve of the ‘arms.’

If you read this today, I urge you to run down to Cybernetic and pick up the free ‘Amy’ skin in the front of the women’s skin section. It was only suppose to be up for a day but it’s still there and it’s sooo pretty!! I hadn’t been to Cybernetic for a long time and after seeing the news of a freebie on the feed, popped on by. My has it changed!! When I was still a ‘noob’ I came across Cybernetic, which back then was very sci-fi looking, and picked up my first goth skin. Times have changed, as the sim is now ultra-luxe and the skins are decidedly softer and subtler. Usually I’m not the biggest fan of freebie skins, though occasionally I’ll come across a fantastic one. The “Amy” line certainly is that. I love the juicy lips with their dusting of sparkle, the small- yet not button- nose and the interesting eye makeups. The makeup I’m wearing is not the freebie one, but you can see it in this post. If you like it, and I’m most certain you will, I’d pop on by the store asap because there’s no telling how long it will be available. xoxo

 

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Hair: “CSR’s Hair01” in Auburn by Zero Style

Skin: “Amy” in Milk 9 by Cybernetic

Eyes: “Night Rain” by Poetic Color

Lashes: “photoshoot” by LeLutka

Glasses: “Mom” by (yummy)

Jacket: “College Bound” in Rusty by Total Betty

Scarf: “Ignition” in Moss by Alta Moda

Earrings: “Gemstone Scroll” by paper.couture

Ring #1: “Ladybug Cocktail” by Georgiabean Lately

Ring #2: “Tea Party with my Corpse” in Sigh by Demonade

Gloves: “V gloves” in Gold by Vette’s Boutique

Pants: “Kogo Skinny” in Indian Red by Armidi Limited

Socks: “yellow” by Kurotsubaki (part of color socks pack)

Shoes: “Cherry Tap Shoes” by !Tarnished

Bag by =E.M.A=

2009 = 11 = 2 aka. numbers behind the years or the complete randomness which is personal style…

 

I love new years. A fresh start, if only hypothetically, makes this girl feel sooo good. Don’t mind the title, I was having a Fiona Apple moment. 

Initially I had three looks photographed for this post. (Somehow New Years always means changing three times or so.)  (It was also suppose to go up New Year’s day, but we got started a lil early this year so…) What happened to my glam look? Eeee…I must dig it up later, as I have seemed to have missplaced it. Am I the only one who finds this delightfully funny? hehehe. Well, on with the show…

The first look accurately portrays me after the 4 glasses of champagne, the cosmo (will always be a fav), the 3 shots of something sweet (bought by the friend who’s always trying to get me drunk in hopes I’ll make out with him) and the gin and tonic (to keep it classy) consumed over the course of New Years 2009. (Or would that be 2008?) Yeah, I’m a lightweight, but I’m also small so there. Somehow whilst intoxicated, I morph into some sort of hummingbird, attracted to all things sweet and colorful and a bit funky. And I pile it on. Bad fashion? For some, sure! But for me, I find it fantastic, especially for dancing. Just don’t loose your rings, child.

 

 

And then there is the next day…brunch after the fact. Cozy, comfy, cute. Keep warm, drink water, eat your favorite meal and use a friend’s shoulder when it turns out to be much to much to keep your head up straight. I do partake in the ‘hair of the dog’ theory by consuming the ever popular bloody mary. Just gimme it extra spicy with all the fixings (that means spicy pickled beans, those lil onions, green olives with pimento and briny asparagus spears, and no less! Don’t piss off a girl with a headache, haha.) A tip: Pile on the makeup to cure the ‘face hangover’ people. Do it well, with skill, but do it. Please, heed my advice. Normally I’m a pretty natural girl, but you know, we are living in the age of cameras…built into everything. I swear, everyone and their spork has a camera now. My friend’s grandma doesn’t even drive anymore, but she’s quite handy with her cellphone’s camera. Be prepared.

BTW, this is my new favorite skin shop. Tarnished!!! December makes the most fantastic & unique skins with the thickest, most kissable lips, ever. I am absolutely smitten! More are to come in the future and you will absolutely be seeing them here. Until then, relish in the beauty which is ‘Midnight Snowstorm’ (my absolute favorite skin OTM) and her sisters. Complete with their own character story, because December is cool like that. xoxo & Happy 2009 my loves!

 

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BOOZIN:
Hair: “NMR32 hair” in chocolate by booN (free!)
Skin: “emmie” in [med/light] plum by {bazy}
Eyes: “deep blue sea” by poetic colors
Nails: “red golden stars” by ** Skin e Liciouz
Tattoos: “private chrysantemum” by GoK
Earrings: “Thunder earring” by (creamshop)
Necklace: “Garnet Nest Necklace” in Red by paper.couture
Tiara: “Harajuku Girls: Rainbow Tiara” by {Violet Voltaire}
Shirt: “Corset” by (Polina-Kaestner)
Bracelet (my L): “Tigers Eye Bracelet” by Serenity Day Spa
Bracelet (my R): “Glam bangle 1” in Hot pink by (creamshop)
Ring: “Times Square Ring” in Kyanite/Dark Blue by paper.couture
Skirt: “Highwaist Sequin skirt” by (Polina-Kaestner)
Leggings: “Footless Multi tights” in Pink/ Gold by Kookie
Shoes: “Ankle High Ballet Boots” by !Fairlight

THE DAY AFTER THE NIGHT:
Hair: “autumn chignon- side” in coffee by BP*
Skin: “Midnight Snowstorm” by Tarnished
Eyes: “deep blue sea” by poetic colors
Nails: “red golden stars” by ** Skin e Liciouz
Earrings: “Polished Wood Hoop” by Paper.Couture
Hood: “animal hood wolf” by *KUROTSUBAKI*
Jacket: “Trench” in Red by (Polina-Kaestner)
Corsage: “Sculpted Corsadge” in Pearl Rose by Swallowtail
Dress: “LongFeltKnitRetroOneP” by **sen*2**
Leggings: “sep2008 wool tights” in red -black polka dot by BP*
Socks: “DARJEELING TEA2” by *MIU*
Boots: “Leather Boots: by BUKKA
Ring: “Times Square Ring” in Kyanite/Dark Blue by paper.couture