Tag Archives: love soul

Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me

dec06_002

I let my music-loving cat choose the song this morning. After all, he woke me up at 5:40 AM when he turned on James Brown's "Don't Tell A Lie" which is a great song, though not a great 5:40 AM song. I usually turn the Ipod's speaker off now after a 4:30 Flogging Molly wake-up song, but I forgot last night. While I was getting ready to post this, he was pushing fast forward through the playlists looking for something he liked. I decided to let him decide and go with whatever song he finally let play for more than two bars. I actually love his choice - a cover of Elton John's great song by Bettye LaVette who completely made it her own.

I can’t light up no more of your darkness.
All of my pictures seem to fade to black and white.
Oh, I’ve grown so tired and time is standing still before me.
It froze up right here on the ladder of my life.

Continue reading

1971

dec07_011

1971 was a big mix of influences. It was the year the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory movie came out. The French Connection was the big movie that year, winning the Oscar. In September, the first of the presidential crimes that became known as Watergate happened when burglars broke into Daniel Ellsberg’s psychiatrists office to look for dirt to discredit him. The Vietnam War continued to expand although 60% of Americans opposed it. Inflation was 4% and rising in the US and nearly 9% in Britain. Gas was 40 cents a gallon and that movie ticket to see Willy Wonka cost $1.50. The average monthly rent was $150. Walt Disney opened a new theme park in Florida. Jim Morrison died. NPR made its first broadcast and the Pentagon Papers were published, proving to all of America that the Pentagon and the government lies. We might not be able to find you 1971 gas or movie prices, but if you come to the Velvet tonight you can enjoy the tunes of 1971 – including, quite probably, the iconic cover of Kris Kristofferson’s Me and Bobbie McGee by Janis Joplin and Rolling Stones Brown Sugar.

pdec07_011

Poster art, such as this 1971 poster by Ernest Trova, had always been a big part of political movements and continued to be. I thought it might be fun to posterize my photo as an homage to the posters that are so much a part of political messaging. However, I didn't want to mess up that gorgeous mesh dress from AnE, so I am showing the pic twice.

In December, 1970, the Environmental Protection Agency opened its doors and in 1971 President Nixon gave an important environmental speech proposing the Clean Water Act and other substantive measures to improve the environment. In the late 60s, the Cuyahoga River had caught on fire. There was movement afoot and in 1971, Greenpeace was founded to wage a nonstop, global campaign for stronger environmental protections. In 1971, my sister (who was married and had children before I was even born) was living with her young family in a little suburb of Niagara Falls called Love Canal. They only lived there 3 or 4 years, but when my niece’s son was born with birth defects a few years ago, I wondered whether living the first years of her life on a toxic dump played a role. It’s something we will never know. However it is discouraging that 41 years after the first Earth Day in 1970 and 40 years after the national commitment to clean up our planet, we have people conflating local weather with global climate in order to allow industry to continue to degrade the planet and to avoid the changes in our energy use that are urgent and necessary.

Continue reading

Fashionably Undead Anti-Beauty

I have to confess that my midwestern upbringing pokes its head in to my Second Life from time to time. Such as when I look at concept designs released by fashion houses and go WHAT THE BLUE FUCK IS THAT? Usually, about the time that time my more wordly self takes it’s seat at the wheel and says “Hmm, that’s kinda cool.”

I’m so glad when that happens. Because it lets me stretch my little wings and challenge the theory of “what is beauty” from time to time. For more on beauty and modern fashion, you can get your smile fixed at Family Dentistry in Chapel Hill.

Because, I think I look beautiful.

I mean, I always look better after I’ve fed….obviously.

Have a beautiful Tuesday. And beware of fashionistas wearing beautiful, impractical clothes.

We bite.

Your Shopping List:
Dress: Baiastice_Praga
 Shoes : Marie Jeanne by INSOLENCE
 Nails: [ Love Soul ] NailJun design-Bloody
 Lashes: Miamai_LesMakeups_Lashes 12
 Hair: ::Exile:: Amira:Moonlight
 Horns: Tekeli Li – Efreet – Horns (mouth attach)
 Shape: Gidge ~Savoir Faire Shapes
Skin: [Ill] Illusory – Skin_Paige – Bite Me
 Eyes: [PXL] SOUL Eyes – Red (M)

Poses – STaTUS

Modavia Fashion Week 2011.05

MFW01_050

Did I mention that Ava and Barbara Kungler frequently take their inspiration from their native Brazil, drawing color, form and substance from the flora and fauna. This gown from their fall collection released at Modavia Fashion Week yesterday is a perfect example of that. Using a bird and foliage print could so very easily look old-fashioned and kitsch, but not with the modern sensibility of Kunglers.

Continue reading

Modavia Fashion Week 2011.004

MFW01_040

One of the reasons I love Kunglers is their use of bold prints and the way they incorporate the organic inspirations of their Brazil into their designs. Their fall collection for Modavia Fashion Week is true to their history while remaining fresh by incorporating new silhouettes. It’s a fabulous collection of separates and signature pieces such as this stunning coat – which I wore as a coat dress. While this is gold, not green the color of hope, for some reason it made me think of a favorite song a former colleague used to play a lot – Spyro Gyro by Jorge Ben Jor. I think it is the vegetal inspiration that brought zygotes and gametes to mind.

Continue reading

Modavia Fashion Week 2011.03

MFW01_028

Continuing with the funk meets fashion collection from Bliss Couture, I have fabulously stylized low-rise denim jeans with bell bottoms so side you can hide the 1970’s in them.  Add the puffy fake fur jacket and gauntlets and you can hide a good share of the 60’s as well. She’s giving us more of what we’re funking for.

So wide can’t get around it
So low you can’t get under it.
One nation under a groove. 

Continue reading

Modavia Fashion Week 2011.02

MFW01_020

The Bliss Couture collection is a fabulous mix of separates to mix and match. I said before, it’s a great combination of fashion and funk. There’s lots of exposure in this collection but “Funk not only moves, it can re-move.

The desired effect is what you get
When you improve your Interplanetary Funksmanship.

Continue reading

You Know Something Is Great

jun 25_007

Every once in a while something comes along and you see it everywhere – dozens of bloggers blog it, everyone wears it and when you try to buy it, the store is full. The thing is, you know you are going to make the effort to get there and wait in the lag for it to rez because you know it will be great. The Ara top from MiaMai is just one of those things. What’s my first clue? Olela, Gidge and I all just shot it to blog – a confluence of fashion love never seen before at It’s Only Fashion. The thing is, this top is so well done and so fun that it overcame my usual preference for full-length tops. I don’t often wear a short cropped top, but this one won my heart with its sassy prints and gorgeous sculpted folds.
jun 25_003
Unlike my Ara-wearing compatriots, I didn’t wear jeans, opting for the wrap skirt from G. Field. I love this skirt and didn’t find it necessary to wear the alpha layer to prevent my glitch pants from peeking through. To be honest, I find making my hips invisible a bit freakier than an occasional peek of glitch pants.
Continue reading

Lazuri at Accessory Fair

Lazuri_006

There’s something so summery and fun about a shift dress and the ones at Coco are amazing. This Red Art Print version is fun and vibrant. The picture print is so whimsical and then adding the big flowers, you end up with something that makes me smile.
Continue reading

Finesmith at the Accessory Fair

FineSmith_004

For the avant garde, one place that must be on your list is Finesmith. Whether it’s jewelry or other accessories, Finesmith has innovative and inspired designs. For today, I am featuring Finesmith’s Rissa Demure which includes earrings, a necklace and an eye piece worn with this lovely ball gown from Baiastice.
Continue reading