Still Swanky

 Hiya everyone! Tonight I have more SWANK event group gifts to share, as there were simply so many to appreciate that it warrants another evening's posting :) The group is free to join, and there are gifts at most of the displays although some merchants have multiple stands so you might only find one gift among their displays. I did notice that some designers have more than one gift out which is quite generous of them, showing the holiday spirit and inspiring me to pick up even more demos to try out and return for some shopping. This season we are usually focused on gifts for others in RL, but I think we still deserve to treat ourselves in SL because it helps the designers and boosts our moods to look extra special.

First we have the *HH* Ladies Mesh Cartique Sweater Cardinal gift, which also includes the classic jeans. Each piece is provided in standard mesh sizes along with Freya, Isis, Venus, Maitreya, Ocacin, Hourglass, Physique, TMP, Tonic Curvy, and Tonic Fine mesh body sizing. I paired this gift with another, the GAS [Holiday Boots Snowflake - 5 Colors w/HUD FATPACK]. These cute ankle boots have a cuff reminiscent of an elf outfit with a few bells decorating them, and will fit classic avatars and Altamura, Belleza, eBody, Maitreya, Slink, and Tonic feet. The provided HUD offers 5 colors each for the cuff, body of the boot, and the sole. There are also 2 metal choices for the bells, so lots of customization potential.

I also claimed this lovely gift which is from AnaSTyle and called Marian Pink. The dress is leaning more red than pink in my lighting, but I am absolutely not complaining since it is a great hue for this time of year. The dress comes in standard mesh sizes as well as Freya, Isis, Venus, Maitreya, Hourglass, Physique, Tonic Curvy, and Tonic Fine mesh body sizes. The high heel mules are sized for Belleza, Maitreya, and Slink high feet, and even the white bracelet is included and unrigged so you can adjust it as needed. 

Next we see a gift that is all about contrasts and ruffles :) The -Sentinus- Bethesa ruffled crop top and short set will fit Freya, Isis, Venus, Maitreya, Hourglass, and Physique bodies, and turns heads with the single long sleeve, bare shoulder, and bared midriff. The accessorizing possibilities are endless, as you can go with more neutrals or pick a vibrant color to add as pops of brightness.

This sensual slip dress is the gift from Magnetic and is named Lumi. The black dress has a dark teal bodice and hem ruffle, and some daring side slits revealing both hips. There are Freya, Hourglass, Legacy, Maitreya, and Petite mesh body sizes included in this gift. I can't decide if it was intended to be a dress or a nightie like lingerie, so I'll say it is up to you how you wish to wear it.

My final look this evening is a real head-turner that will look amazing this holiday or any time of year. It is the TO.KISKI - Spring Sequins. Cherry gift, and is provided in sizing for Kupra, Legacy, Maitreya, and Reborn mesh bodies. That sequined texture in festive red is just gorgeous, isn't it? The slit on the left hip is an incredible detail too, and I recommend finding a nice C-string (strapless panty) to wear beneath. 

A late night hockey game (on the west coast, I'm east) has me screaming and flailing, LOL, a bit distracting for blogging but still fun. Dinner was nice, my mom did what she called a practice run for a new gluten-free pizza crust that we could use on Christmas day when we all make our own pizzas. The woman whose crusts she used to buy just retired very recently, so we need an alternative and this new one had a good texture and flavor. I am not blogging tomorrow evening as my usual weekend break, but I will probably post some Advent gifts again on Sunday morning :) I hope you all have a fantastic weekend ahead, many magical magpie hugs to everyone!!

Credits:

All Group Gifts from SWANK Event:

Photo 1:

Outfit: Hawker's House *HH* Ladies Mesh Cartique Sweater Cardinal $0L Swank Group Gift

Shoes: GAS [Holiday Boots Snowflake - 5 Colors w/HUD FATPACK] $0L Swank Group Gift

Photo 2:

Outfit: AnaSTyle - Marian Pink $0L Swank Group Gift

Photo 3:

Outfit: -Sentinus- Bethesa $0L Swank Group Gift

Photo 4:

Dress: Magnetic - Lumi $0L Swank Group Gift

Photo 5:

Dress: TO.KISKI - Spring Sequins. Cherry $0L Swank Group Gift

Mesh Nails: N.Kolour+KOSMETIK: Omega Coffin Nails - Medium // Maitreya

Head: LeLUTKA Fleur Head 3.1

Hair: TRUTH Makena - Redhead

Skin: 7 Deadly s[K]ins - VIER cotton candy (BOM)

Ring: (BENTO)~~Ysoral~~ .:Luxe Ring Lyanna 4:. (Marketplace)

Body/Hands/Feet: Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara

All Poses: Verocity  (Various Sets)

Get in the Miix

 Hiya everyone! Tonight we are heading to the Miix Event, which is open until the 20th of February so plenty of time to visit their Valentine's round and treat yourself. There are specially priced offers at every display, and are many group gifts as well for their Hype Events group (free to join). I noticed several tattoos that could be unisex, in addition to a gift or two of clothing for the guys, so please don't assume this is a ladies only affair :) The group gifts are found in stacks of alphabet blocks that spell out LOVE, which I think is a perfect choice for a February event round.

My first look this evening combines two thoughtful group gifts, and I am very pleased with the results :) The tops are from the . Yami Yurei . T-Shirt Jessy gift, which consists of 6 versions each in sizes for Freya, Isis, Venus, Maitreya, Hourglass, Physique, and TMP mesh bodies. The one on the left is called S-girl and I'm wearing Fish on the right. The halter harness is built into all versions, and I like the way the left side is knotted up high to show off a flash of belly. The lovely skirt is the [FLIRT] Valentine's Day Skirt - GIFT, a mauve high waisted mini in Cinnamon, Kupra, Legacy, Maitreya, and Reborn body sizing. The seams help it hug our curves, and the delicate polka dot texture is a very pretty touch. 

I chose the Black version of the Yami Yurei gift shirt to wear with this next gift from [Luxury] called Love Skirt. It is a daringly short, pale denim mini skirt with the word Love among hearts and bows/arrows on its texture, very timely and cute :) The gift includes sizes for Altamura, eBody Classic, eBody Curvy, Freya, Isis, Venus, Legacy, Maitreya, Hourglass, Physique, Signature Alice, TMP, Tonic Curvy, Tonic Fine, and Tonic Minim mesh bodies. 

Do you need a hug? If so, please claim the *KR* gift which is this precious LOVE ME TEDDY BEAR PINK. There are versions with and without the heart particles included, both with this built in hold pose. I couldn't resist sharing a snapshot of the one with particles of course, amid a cloud of bright pink hearts, but even if you prefer not to poof hearts your 'without' version has the same texturing with large hearts on the paws, belly, and even cheeks as blush.

Next I had some fun experimenting with love potions, thanks to {Cleo Designs} and their Potion Bottle gift. There are 4 versions each with and without particles so a total of 8 bottles included, and I must admit that the particles look better in person than in a still photo. They have a swirling magic quality that you'll want to see in person :) Each bottle has a holding pose built in as demonstrated above, and a little tag to label them. Personally I think I would do well in Potions class at Hogwarts, as long as the teacher wasn't a bully of course. 

My final look offers a sentiment that I expect many of you will share, at least in part, since video games are fun year-round. The dress is our Videogames Sweaterdress gift from Corvus, with slits on the hips and long crimson sleeves that contrast the black body of the dress wonderfully. The front reads "V is for Valentine Video Games", and if you do not have a valentine this year it would be tempting to plunge into a virtual world of a video game. Even if you do have a valentine, time spent gaming can also be shared or just appreciated as a hobby with or without your sweetheart. Now on the right you'll notice a heart in my hand, and that is another Miix group gift for us to enjoy. It's the Magnetic - My Heart is Yours treat, and all you have to do is right click - add to hold it with its built in bento pose. Then you can click to turn on or off the heart particles that float rather far away from our hands/body to really spread the love. If you're all particled out, LOL, just click and turn it off, easy peasy. 

This evening I became aware of another weather event coming up that might delay my birthday dinner again, since Friday looks like it will have dangerous ice conditions that would prevent being able to get anywhere safely. I am naturally disappointed since I enjoy spending time with my parents (oddity, I know LOL) and was looking forward to that Pad Thai for last week that was thwarted. Mother Nature thinks I should not celebrate this year I guess. However my hockey team won a second game in a row (after 13 losses) tonight so that was certainly more positive :) I hope you're all having a terrific day/evening, many magical magpie hugs to everyone!!

Credits:

All Group Gifts from Miix Event:

Photo 1:

Top: . Yami Yurei . T-Shirt Jessy $0L Miix Event Group Gift

Skirt: [FLIRT] Valentine's Day Skirt - GIFT $0L Miix Event Group Gift

Photo 2:

Skirt: [Luxury] Love Skirt $0L Miix Event Group Gift

Photo 3:

Bear: *KR*LOVE ME TEDDY BEAR PINK $0L Miix Event Group Gift

Photo 4:

Bottles: {Cleo Designs} ::Potion Bottle:: $0L Miix Event Group Gift

Photo 5:

Dress: Corvus : Videogames Sweaterdress $0L Miix Event Group Gift

Heart: Magnetic - My Heart is Yours $0L Miix Event Group Gift

Head: GENUS Project - Genus Head - Classic Face W001 - Mocap 

Hair: TRUTH Eternity - Blonde

Skin: 7 Deadly s[K]ins - RENLY cotton candy (BOM)

Ring: (BENTO)~~Ysoral~~ .:Luxe Ring Lyanna 4:. (Marketplace)

Body/Hands/Feet: Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara

All Poses: Verocity  (Various Sets)

Advent and Joyeux Noel

 Hiya everyone! Tonight I have an Advent sneak peek for you from Entice, and then several prizes from the Joyeux Noel Hunt 2 to share. The Advent prize is for the 6th so it will be ready soon after I publish this post, available for free to all free group members. Non members can purchase it too, and prior days' gifts can be bought as well. As for the hunt, well that is a fun gridwide hunt with prizes from $0L - $2L apiece, hiding inside small giftwrapped boxes. The hints and landmarks are all on the hunt website, with some preview images in a nice slideshow on the page too. The hunt is brought to us by Stuff Your Inventory Hunts, and I must admit that my inventory is extremely well stuffed ;)

First we see the Entice - I Kissed a Girl - Dotted Black outfit, the free gift for the 6th of December on their Advent calendar. The top and panties are each provided in sizes for Freya, Hourglass, Legacy, and Maitreya mesh bodies. I love the way the polka dots and trim of the slit-backed top are mirrored by the solid satin of the panties, which are cut just right to be flirty but not overly revealing. If you are not a group member you can purchase this for $25L, and all prior days' gifts are available for $50L each so if you miss a day it is still possible to obtain these valuable gifts. 

Over on the hunt trail, you can find this wonderful Noelle Outfit for just $2L at [Ari-Pari] in the Joyeux Noel hunt object. Its sweater and skirt each fit Freya, Isis, Venus, Maitreya, Hourglass, and Physique mesh bodies, and there is a handy HUD provided with 10 options each. The sweater textures are all solid, and the skirt choices are matching snowflake prints that you can mix and match as I have done above. I think the combination of long sleeved turtleneck with scallop hemmed miniskirt is such a fun look, warm but not stuffy.

Next I changed into the lovely Auradacious Boutique prize called ::AU:: Katya Coat. This full length coat has a hood trimmed in fur to match the cuffs, and is laced up the back like a corset. Such gorgeous colors! The prize includes sizes for Freya, Isis, Venus, Maitreya, Hourglass, and Physique mesh bodies. It is hard to imagine that this is just $2L when it is clearly worth so much more :)

If you want to make the holidays even more elegant, head to ~MystRie~ to find their female prize called Festive Starlight Gown. I did specify female because there is also a male gift, so two prizes for $1L each. This striking gown comes in a fitmesh M size for classic avatars, plus Freya, Isis, Venus, Maitreya, Hourglass, Physique, Tonic Curvy, and Tonic Fine mesh body sizes. The velvety red and green are accentuated by beautiful golden stars that also remind me of fireworks. 

My final look of the evening is a delightful set of handheld ornaments from Magnetic which can be yours for just $2L when you find that giftbox. Their hunt exclusive Xmas Bauble set has left and right hand versions each of 8 different colors (black, blue, gold, green, pink, purple, red, and white) with various Christmas designs on each. The bento hold poses are very well crafted, and the baubles themselves have charming red bows on each one that add to the festive nature. 

It was a busy but enjoyable weekend here, and I think I am getting more into the holiday spirit this year than I did last year. I know it's still been a rough year, but things will look up eventually :) I apologize if that made you roll your eyes, LOL, and admit that persistent optimism is not always received well, but I have only the best of intentions. I am still trying to work out my schedule to find a morning to post some Advent gifts early enough that you'll still have time to pick them up, perhaps during this coming week. I hope you're all having a terrific day/evening, many magical magpie hugs to everyone!!

Credits:

Photo 1:

Outfit: Entice - I Kissed a Girl - Dotted Black $0L Advent Gift

Photo 2:

Outfit: [Ari-Pari] Noelle Outfit $2L Hunt Prize

Photo 3:

Dress: Auradacious Boutique ::AU:: Katya Coat $2L Hunt Prize

Photo 4:

Dress: ~MystRie~ Festive Starlight Gown $1L Hunt Prize

Photo 5:

Hands: Magnetic - Xmas Bauble $2L Hunt Prize

Head: GENUS Project - Genus Head - Classic Face W001 - Mocap 

Hair: TRUTH Brazen - Redhead

Skin: 7 Deadly s[K]ins - ADORABLE cotton candy (BOM)

Ring: (BENTO)~~Ysoral~~ .:Luxe Ring Lyanna 4:. (Marketplace)

Body/Hands/Feet: Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara

All Poses: Verocity  (Various Sets)

Bring Me To Life

Hiya everyone! Tonight's post starts at the Sun-Sational Summer Cart Sale at The Wash, with fashions and furniture as more examples of the many wonderful offerings you can find there. Everything is $50L or less, with an impressive variety from dozens of talented designers from all over the grid. the post then continues with a dramatic change of theme, thanks to the Gothic Hunt :) This is a $1L gridwide hunt that has us looking for black roses (flat prim image, just the bloom without stem or leaves) with plenty of prizes to appeal to our inner (or outer) Goth. The website has landmarks, hints, and previews for most so you know what you will find in each rose. The outfits wound up inspiring my title, since Evanescence popped into my head while I was enjoying trying them all on.

My first look has selections from two carts, so I will start with the bikini I am wearing. It is the exclusive $50L offer from Magnetic, called Sweet Summer Top&Panties. Each are included in sizes for Freya, Isis, Venus, Legacy, Legacy Perky, Maitreya, Hourglass, and Physique mesh bodies, with that fun summer fruits image on the front and a flirty rear view. The link for the Magnetic mainstore can be found here, and the ending credits has the direct link to their cart. I am lounging cozily in one of the Sequel offers, their Baha Beanbag - Gray, which has a low land impact of 2 so it won't eat up much of your home's prim allowance. It costs just $50L, and when you sit you will get a menu of 9 female poses and 4 male poses to choose from. Above me is another Sequel selection called Summer Pineapple Mirror - Yellow, a cheerful way to brighten your wall with just 1 land impact and a low price tag of $25L. The pineapple in the design on my top is just a happy coincidence :) Sequel's mainstore link is right here, and you can find the cart's link in my ending credits as usual.

Another cart that always has affordable and tempting treats is that of Dark Water Designs, and tonight I randomly chose their DWD Summer Denim Dress, Hibiscus to show off. It is a mere $40L and includes the dress and 2 colors of panties (black or white, which you can see a glimpse of on the right) all sized for Freya, Isis, Venus, Maitreya, Hourglass, and Physique mesh bodies. But that's not all! There is a HUD provided too, with 7 colors to choose from for your floral denim texture. There are other versions of this same style on sale too, not to mention some super sexy bikinis and shorts outfits. You can find them all at the link in my ending credits of course, and their mainstore link is right here.

Over to the Gothic Hunt path, I was able to find the black rose at The Sissy Bar and eagerly claimed their lovely dress which is named after the hunt. It comes in classic M and fitmesh M for classic avatars, as well as sizes for Freya, Isis, Venus, Maitreya, Hourglass, Physique, Tonic Curvy, and Tonic Fine mesh bodies. I appreciate the way it combines feminine ruffles with the dark pattern of skulls and roses in various shades of red and pink. 

This gorgeous outfit is the hunt prize from ~MystRie~ which is simply called Gothic Hunt Gift. The delightfully detailed Rose Dress comes in Freya, Isis, Venus, Maitreya, Hourglass, Physique, and TMP sizing, all with a sheer lacy layer atop the skirt which is adorned with roses, and the top has belts and a zipper textured onto the bodice. The rose choker I am wearing is also included, and it has a built in resize script so you can adjust if need be. Included but not shown are matching rose boots, unrigged so they are not fitted to any particular brand of foot. All in all, this is a very generous prize for just a single linden dollar.

My final look of the evening is from Auradocious Boutique, their ::AU:: Severina Outfit which is hiding inside a black rose just like the other prizes. It starts with the dress, in fitmesh standard sizes plus Freya, Isis, Venus, Maitreya, Hourglass, and Physique versions. Then they generously added the matching boots in Maitreya and Slink Mid sizing, and the charming parasol with built in hold pose. I love the combination of purple and black, so the dress certainly caught my eye because of that, and the little frills and bows really reeled me in. The texture is like a damask pattern but with skulls in the center, very well themed!

I am still in the midst of a heat wave here, and it looks like it will be here for at least 2 weeks, so I plan on taking lots of cool showers and staying indoors as much as possible during the day. I hope you're all having a peaceful day/evening, many magical magpie hugs to everyone!!

Credits:

Photo 1:
Bikini: Magnetic - Sweet Summer Top&Panties $50L Wash Cart Sale
Chair: Sequel - Baha Beanbag - Gray $50L Wash Cart Sale
Mirror: Sequel - Summer Pineapple Mirror - Yellow $25L Wash Cart Sale

Photo 2:
Dress: Dark Water Designs DWD - Summer Denim Dress, Hibiscus $40L Wash Cart Sale

Photo 3:
Dress: The Sissy Bar (TSB) Gothic Hunt Dress $1L Hunt Prize

Photo 4:
Outfit: ~MystRie~ Gothic Hunt Gift $1L Hunt Prize

Photo 5:
Outfit: Auradacious Boutique ::AU:: Severina Outfit $1L Hunt Prize

Head: GENUS Project - Genus Head - Classic Face W001 - Mocap 
Hair: TRUTH HAIR Kaijah - Redhead

Skin: 7 Deadly s[K]ins - MERRY cotton candy (system layer for BOM)

Ring: (BENTO)~~Ysoral~~ .:Luxe Ring Lyanna 4:. (Marketplace)

Body/Hands/Feet: Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara

All Poses: Verocity (Various Sets)