If it had not been for Squinternet’s dear friend Monica Outlander offering up some of her Fashion for Life space to sell Donna Flora jewelry, it might never have been discovered that Squinternet had been working on new jewel options for her Julia set. With just a little help, as Cajsa mentioned, they were finished and are being released at Fashion for Life at a 100% Donation, as Squint would have wanted. Continue reading
I probably would not be organizing Fashion For Life if it were not for Squinternet. It was in an effort to get funds for her treatment and nursing that I organized Love Donna Flora which probably is why folks looking for an organizer this year thought of me. A lot of the time when I am working on this and feeling frustrated, I think of her and take a deep breath and carry on. She would want me to because she loved Fashion For Life.
OK, Squint loved Fashion. She went to the runway shows and participated in the events because she loved them. But Fashion For Life was special to her – even more so when she got cancer. She also loved Second Life finding support and sustenance through her hard times. She charged a small group of her friends with the task of taking care of her store, keeping it open and keeping her alive in this pixel world.
Monica Outlander is one of Squinternet’s dearest friends. In an act of extraordinary generosity, she put aside her own work during Squint’s final month and acted as her hands so some of those wonderfully imaginative designs that were tucked inside Squint’s lively brain could be realized in out world. For Fashion For Life, she has created new exclusive versions and will release them only at Fashion For Life – at 100% donation. She will also reprise her gown for Love Donna Flora – an exclusive that will only be at Fashion For Life.
But in preparing for Fashion For Life a treasure was found. Monica suggested that some of Squint’s recent jewelry be sold at 100% donation at Fashion For Life. While searching for the folders to pack into the vendors, more copies were found with different colors of stones – not quite finished but all the prims and textures were complete. A little bit of effort to finish them up and three new, previously unreleased jewelry sets were finished. All the prims and textures are from Squinternet, the only assistance was placing some textures on the few prims that had not been completed.
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I have this hate-hate relationship with geese. Sure, I like them well enough for a Sunday dinner, but the only good goose is a cooked goose. My parents were big whist players and while they would be playing whist with Gunda and Louie or A.B. and Nora, I would be told to go play outside and sure enough, outside meant geese. Did you know geese bite? They will chase you all over and bite you. As you can see I am keeping a close eye out for dangerous geese as I explore Perambulate – one of the 10 sims for Fashion for Life. Just a few years ago I was walking along the side of the road and heard this hissing in the darkness. This was out in Cedar Hills, a Portland neighborhood that does not believe in street lights or sidewalks. I could hear this hissing sound so I slowed down, walking gingerly and then Whooosh! from nowhere, this goos beat her wings at me and bit my hand. You know how people say “I don’t know who was more scared.” Hah! I know who was scared and it was not the goose. 
However, perhaps I am safe in this lovely top and skirt from Poet’s Heart. After all, isn’t that color called Safety Orange? Continue reading
This gorgeous sylphlike, slinky sequin gown from Sundaara Designs is one of her many gorgeous and oh-so feminine designs at Fashion For Life. Fashion For Life is a fabulous annual event. One of the biggest fashion fairs in Second Life, Fashion For Life brings together over 150 designers united in a common purpose, raising funds for the American Cancer Society through Relay For Life in Second Life. This year, every item on sale at Fashion For Life contributes a portion to the American Cancer Society. Doing good while looking good – that’s my motto. Fashion For Life opens June 7th.
One of the other pleasures of Fashion For Life is exploring the sims. With 10 sims each reflecting the builder’s interpretation of different modes of transportation, it’s intriguing to see how literally (or not) they take their inspiration.
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Shh, don’t tell Gidge, but I am wearing pink! Not that I hate pink or anything, I just generally choose other colors because I know if Gidge likes the same dress, she would probably choose pink most of the time. However, this time she is out of luck. I have it first. I am wearing it. So there!
This gorgeous gown is from Lili’s Couture Collection and is a limited edition release at Fashion For Life. Only 100 copies will be sold, so if you have it, you can wear it to a formal event and be pretty sure you will not see it on another person. It’s made with several options that I left off, preferring a simple silhouette. You can add stockings, gloves, sheer sleeve caps and a full mermaid flounce at the bottom.
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“I think I’m going to be sad. I think it’s today, yeah. That girl that’s driving me mad is going away. She’s got a ticket to ride and she don’t care.” I thought of this classic song from The Beatles when I was shooting this outfit. My mental soundtrack wavered between it and Leaving On a Jet Plane, but really, the shirt made all the difference in settling the duel between the songs. Continue reading
I stopped off at the memorial garden for Squint the other day. I have been thinking about Squint (Squinternet Larnia of Donna Flora) a lot lately. I agreed to organize Fashion For Life, the fashion fundraising event for Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society. I am sure I was asked because of my role organizing Love Donna Flora on her behalf last year. Like most of us, cancer has impinged on my life in many ways and continues to do so.
Right now, my niece is struggling with a particularly virulent form of cancer that has her driving 340 miles to the Mayo Clinic several times a month. A friend and former colleague is flying from Portland to Philadelphia for an experimental cancer vaccine treatment. Who knew cancer came with frequent flyer miles? Another friend’s father just learned Monday that his prostate cancer has not responded as they has hoped and he must try another treatment regimen. Last month yet another cousin died of cancer and I won’t even begin to count the losses in my extended family. My cousins number in the hundreds – so yeah, I don’t even want to start counting.
I do not know how senior citizens do it. I am far away from that demographic and already my calendar is changing from one that was almost nothing but birthdays and wedding anniversaries to an ever-growing collection of anniversaries of loss. And too many of those losses are due to cancer.
That is just one of the many reasons why I support Fashion For Life and through it, the American Cancer Society whose programs not only research better treatments, but advocate for prevention, early detection, provide support to people living with cancer all while focusing on the long term goal of ending this global scourge that takes over 8 million people a year. Whether as a designer or a shopper, you can make a difference. Please go to the Fashion For Life web site and mark your calendars for June 7th – 20th.
There is so much that is smart about this lovely dress from Sassy! for Fashion for Life. For one thing, it is made in two pieces, as a top and a skirt so it can be worn separately and mixed and matched. For another, the chevron shape of the band is flattering and sexy as all get out. For another, the weave of the fabric is gorgeous and I love the light and dark threads. Continue reading
I was about 10 minutes late starting my DJ set on Monday night. I took a nap before the set and lingered in one of those waking dreams where you are mostly awake, but hang onto that dream because you really don’t want to let go. It was a bizarre dream. I was grocery shopping with my mother and searching frantically for some barbecue sauce to make some short ribs while my mom stood in one spot insisting “I would be happy with just a turnip.” It’s not the sort of dream one would cling to, except Mom died in 2006 and it was good to see her, even if she just wanted a turnip. Today is Mother’s Day in the UK and I am seeing Happy Mother’s Day wishes on my timeline and thinking of Mom. I am glad I get to see her from time to time, even in silly dreams with turnips.
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When we can change clothes with a click of button, carrying our entire closet with us wherever we go, we aren’t burdened with the challenge of trying to dress for the office and a date with one outfit. However, I thought it might be a fun thing to try anyway. I will concede the skirt is short for the office, but overall, I think this made a fairly good office look. I wore a lovely structured jacket from Elate with a snug waist that flows into a petal-like near peplum. I added a big fluffy bow from Yummy! to add a touch of modesty to the bodice. The bow was a pale mint, but I tinted it to limit my shades of green to two, not three. Both of these finds are from the March Collabor88.
But when five o’clock rolls around, the jacket is coming off and that fluffy bow is being rotated to hang over the shoulder, so the gorgeous and sexy bandeau style bodice on this fabulous mini from Cracked Mirror is visible in all its glory. You can find this dress at faMESHed.