Nicky Ree - Dragon Princess Bodysuit

I've loved this catsuit since the day I bought it and no, I'm not going to mix it with anything in my wardrobe simply because it is so many options in itself. Plus, well, it's a catsuit - those pretty much stand alone and this one will definitely put you in your own league. Now, I didn't go into Designing Nicky Ree for a catsuit, I went to look at the gowns. Well, as they say, a funny thing happened on the way - I saw the Dragon Princess bodysuit and couldn't reach for my Lindens fast enough.

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The full outfit has 13 pieces, including multiple layer tops (bikini, midriff, open and closed jacket) and pants (bikini bottom and pants), stockings, gloves with bands and a brushed metal belt that finishes the look. Equally good with ankle boots or thigh highs (or anything in between), the array of options in layers and styles also makes it great for combining with a variety of tattoos and piercings. Sleek and subtle with a muted silver dragon winding its way down the length, the suit manages to look both revealing and understated at the same time, giving you far more places where it fits in than you would think initially.

You get a ridiculous number of options for only L$380 per suit and, even though I didn't mix any of the pieces with other separates, it can certainly be done. The suit comes in six colors, all with dragon in corresponding complementary shade - purple, blue, black, aqua, green and earth. The earth toned suit is particularly spectacular but didn't seem quite right for my coloring, though I think it would be amazing on tall, pale redheads...

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Explore your feline side at the Designing Nicky Ree Main Store.

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All pictures - Dragon Princess Bodysuit by Designing Nicky Ree

Ankle boots - Thetis (Midnight) by Dark Eden

Thigh boots - Thigh High Straps by Bobbysocks

Nyte 'N' Day - Beguile Sweater

Everyone needs those cute casual outfits that can pretty much go anywhere other than the swimming pool or ballroom. Over time I've developed a series of favorites that I reach for over and over because they always look good and are "easy to assemble". Beguile from Nyte 'N' Day is one of those and (shocking, I know) I fell hard for the plum outfit the minute I saw it - so you know it's a winner if I actually bought it in a color. When I put the sweater on with a pair of jeans and then pulled out my violet boots I knew I'd made a great purchase with a lot of casual flexibility and style.

The whole outfit consists of 10 pieces which include the sweater top, collar and sleeves, two jacket tops with 2 belt styles, shorts, skirt and optional frayed belt. I have to admit that I had a bit of trouble adjusting the skirt, but that is entirely my marginal editing skills combined with my shape - nothing to do with the designer at all, I promise. You can get Beguile in scarlet, burnt siena, plum and smoke for only L$215 each and you will more than get your wearings out of any one of them.

For the perfect "lounging by the fire after a night of dancing" sweater, get beguiled at the Nyte 'N' Day Main Store.

On the left:
Outfit - Beguile (Plum) by Nyte 'N' Day
Boots - Bloom (Violet) by Maitreya

On the right:
Sweater - Beguile (Plum) by Nyte 'N' Day
Belt - Lilith by Dark Eden
Jeans - Dahlia by Last Call
Boots - Thetis (Midnight) by Dark Eden

Stiletto Moody - Bitch Booties

Well, I had the blog post all laid out for today and that plan came screeching to a halt the minute I put these fabulous ankle boots on. I changed clothes, went out dancing and had a complete stranger comment on them and ask for the landmark within minutes of rezzing, so I infer from that the boots are just as spectacular to other people as they are to me. Which is very.

Oddly, these seemed a little more difficult to dress for than I had expected. I found that very simple elegant styles or very strong styles worked best, with the first letting the shoes take center stage and the second balancing the incredible level of detail. More "day to day" looks simply faded into the background, so plan to pull out some of your most detailed and texture rich outfits to pair with these. They come in four colors (black, deer, snakeskin and a retro pattern), two detail strap colors (black and tan) and 2 heels (black and champagne) for a ton of options, but if you want a full set, at L$875 each, bring a full wallet with you. That said, expect to be delighted with your purchase(s) whether you buy one or a closet full.

The additional features of the shoes are entirely menu driven by clicking the left shoe. The boots include heel clicks for either stone or wood in a series of speeds and volumes so you can sync it to your walk and personal tastes. You can also manage the included sexy walk AO (off by default) and the soft buckle bling with the same menu system. These boots are not color change, but the Stiletto Moody styles that are change through the menus as well.

Be sure to sexy walk, with heels clicking, to the Stiletto Moody Shoes Main Store location.

Left:
Dress - Booty Call (Red) by Solange
Shoes - Bitch Booties (Black on Black) by Stiletto Moody

Right:

Outfit - Patent Leather Princess by Rfyre

Stockings - Kiss Me Dark Seamed Stockings by Insolence

Shoes - Bitch Booties (Black on Black) by Stiletto Moody

Icing - Puma Jie Skirt

Yes, I know everyone on the planet is blogging this outfit - because it deserves it. I've always been a fan of the form fitting skirt and this is absolutely one of the best I've seen. A new release from Icing, I saw it when I went back to pick up the similarly styled Study Date outfit and simply couldn't resist grabbing this one. Now, I don't own a "dress shape" since, well, women should be shaped like women, in my opinion. Many times that leaves me looking at the rear view and wondering exactly how much junk there really is in that trunk - not so with this skirt. It looks like it was built for me - as do almost all of Icing's vintage inspired outfits.

At L$295, it's a bargain just for the skirt, but don't forget the perfectly fitted and beautifully textured red blouse that comes with it - and the puffy little prim sleeves balance the curves and the simplicity of the skirt to a T. Want something a bit more risque? Slip into the ladies room and make a few quick adjustments - one more button undone, a hint of ink peeking out of the blouse, an extra inch on the heels. Try a simple shirt with an enticing degree of sheerness and an edgy pair of stilettos and you will turn heads as you cut through a sea of floating taffeta and swirling lace.

For a modern version of a vintage flashback, visit the Icing Main Store at Mischief.

On the left:

Outfit - Puma Jie by Icing

Shoes - Succubus Pumps by ::69::

On the right:

Shirt - Open Button White (20% sheer) by X2

Skirt - Puma Jie by Icing

Shoes - Barbed Wire Stilettos by Sentou Yousei

Kurotsubaki - Cardigan Sweater

Previous blog posts to the contrary, I'm probably most often seen in jeans and sweaters. Love the sweaters. And, hey - they aren't even all black, though the one I'm featuring today is. If you haven't been to Kurotsubaki, you should definitely go look around - absolutely adorable sweaters with great textures and eyecatching designs at very reasonable prices. I'm wearing the black cardigan sweater here, which has four attachments to provide the flowing look here. If you are wanting a more form fitting silhouette, just leave them off and it looks like a different sweater.



Equally good with jeans or leather pants, gorgeous over a skirt, the black cardigan has an asymmetrical neckline and bottom adding a ton of interesting detail. Zoom in closely, you can almost feel the warmth in the textures. At L$160, seriously consider picking up all three colors (black, green, purple) or shop around and grab one of the short knit cardigans or a basic turtleneck or two but don't leave empty handed - these are foundation casual wardrobe pieces and you will find yourself reaching for them over and over.

For those cold winter nights, fill your cedar chest with sweaters from the Kurotsubaki Main Store.

On the left:
Sweater - Cardigan (black) by Kurotsubaki
Pants - Iki pants by ::Tuli::
Boots - Bloom (black) by Maitreya

On the right:

Sweater - Cardigan (black) by Kurotsubaki

Jeans - Dahlia by Last Call

Shoes - Barbed Wire Stilettos by Sentou Yousei

Cachet - Grand Opening

Yes, Cachet is now open. Yes, I teleported when the link came through. Yes, I bought several things. Yes, this is kind of cheating since it's not one piece and I'm not mixing it with other things in my inventory, but hey - talk about adding to your collection of wonderful little black dresses...

Besides, you only have a grand opening once. Now, there are empty shelves and hangers all around, promising wonderful things, but there are a limited number of styles and colors at this point. That said, for a gal that loves black like yours truly, it was wallet damaging fun. The first thing I pulled off the racks was the long Greta dress, the second was the shorter Marlene. Starting with a base top and skirt, the three prim skirt components give both dresses a beautiful movement and flow. The fitted tops and hips emphasize the curves in all the right places and both are cut nice and low - the Greta in the back, the Marlene in the front. This will let you play around with tattoos and back jewelry galore, so have fun shopping to accessorize.

And, speaking of accessories, each comes with black veils, handbags and gloves in addition to the dress pieces and Marlene also has a pair of stylized shoulderpads and a neck ribbon to finish the look. I'm pretty sure the only thing missing is a long ivory cigarette holder to look perfect leaning against a piano in a smoky cafe. The Greta dress is $L400, Marlene is $L500 but both will take you to a huge range of places and events and leave you looking stylish and elegant.

Since everyone needs more little black dresses, take a trip to the newly opened Cachet Main Store at Glam World and grab yourself a couple of beauties.

On the left:

Dress - Greta by Cachet

On the right:

Dress - Marlene by Cachet

Shoes - Barbed Wire Stilettos by Sentou Yousei

Maitreya - ChiChi Pumps

Sometimes when something gets blogged over and over and over, it turns into a forgotten fad gathering dust in the back of the closet rather quickly. It becomes yesterday's story almost immediately. Other times, it becomes a classic. The ChiChi pumps from Maitreya fall into the latter category. It is a rare outfit in SL that these pumps cannot be worn with and you will find yourself admiring the stylish heel over and over as you flip through all your options.

Yep, that's right - if the basic shoe isn't glorious enough and 14 colors don't give you all the options you want, they are also scripted for 16 trim colors so you can customize your footwear even further. The shoes come in blue, black, white, brown, red, fuchia, orange, yellow, purple, cream, pastel pink, pastel blue, pastel yellow and pastel green. The trim colors include all of the shoe shades plus grey and champagne. This is in fact, the only thing wrong with these shoes - that the grey and champagne aren't available in the shoe base. ;)

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You have a couple of purchase options at this point - a single pair (which is really 16 pairs with the trim colors) for L$450 or all 14 colors in a Fat Pack for L$4000. The Fat Pack wasn't in my budget (though I know I'm going to regret that in the future) but I've worn the black and white pairs I got over and over with different outfits and different trim colors. This shoe is definitely a perfect piece and a must have for any closet.

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Fall in love with your feet at the Maitreya Main Store.

On the left:

ChiChi Pumps (Black w/ Red) by Maitreya

On the right:

Outfit- Madame de Pompadour Lingerie Set by Nymphetamine

Shoes - ChiChi Pumps (White w/ Pastel Blue) by Maitreya