Mariko Magic: Moorish Dreams

Staged Summer Suit Set

'You look like Barbara Eden's wicked sister in I Dream of Jeannie.' That was the first time I've ever been described as wicked; but, Gwen meant it as a compliment. Lovely and sexy Barbara Eden played both Jeannie and her dark haired sister in that classic tv show. And the outfit that I was wearing does have an exotic Arabian Nights look to it. The outfit is called Staged Summer Suit Set and is at Staged Skin and Fashion.

The Staged Summer Suit Set was designed by Dezi Jarvinen, owner of Staged Skin and Fashion. It is priced at $395L and is available in a wide range of colors - red, lavander, blue, green, white, beige, dark brown,and black. I am wearing blue. The set comes with short and long pants and a jacket that comes with or without a tank shirt which makes it a fashion choice for both summer and early autumn. Inspired by Gwen's remark, I took this outfit to the Moorish sim of El Andalus with its re-creation of the famous Alhambra. Click on the pictures to enlarge them for better viewing.

The Alhambra in Second Life

For over seven centuries, from 711 to 1492, regions of Spain were ruled by Muslim conquerors from North Africa who gave the Iberian peninsula the Arabic name of Al Andalus. Moorish Spain was glorious. The Moorish city of Cordoba was the most cosmopolitan city in Western Europe at the time of the Muslim domination of Al Andalus and famous for its great Jewish philosophers. The fabulous Alhambra, built by the Moors in Granada, is one of the world's great architectural treasures.

Adding some fashion magic to the enchantment of the Alhambra

On a hill overlooking the city of Granada lies the Alhambra—a magnificient palace-citadel complex that was the jewel of Moorish Spain. The Alhambra dates back to the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries and is famous for its series of courtyards with their slender columnar arches, fountains and light-reflecting basins. The most noteworthy is the Court of the Lions named for the twelve lions of the courtyard's fountain.

The walls are covered with richly beautiful ceramics and plaster work, and the romantic enchantment of the spaces are enhanced by interior arches that serve a purely aesthetic purpose. The architects of the Alhambra wanted to cover every space with decoration. No decorative element was enough. Well, I wanted to make a contribution with my own decorative element - some wonderful fashion magic.

The Staged Summer Suit is for casual wear. So you are not shouting "Look at me!" when wearing this outfit. But, it's attractive charm will garner you more than your share of attention and compliments. I was pleased with how well this causal outfit looked displayed against the glory of the Alhambra. It says much for the graceful composition of its design. So it is well suited for a variety of occasions. Imagine how well it would do when worn in your favorite coffee shop, at a live performance, or for a walk in a garden. The long and short pants and the jacket with/without a tank top will give you four different looks. I just love the sexy look with the short pants shown on the left.

 

DrLife has been expanding their selection of hair styles. The quality of the designs and textures are first rate. The style that I am wearing is called Leah.ld and was designed by Diana XueElla and recently updated by Leena Ying, owner of DrLife. Leah.ld is priced at $350L and that gives you a entire collection of colors including black, blonde, brown, cherry, dark blue, gold, red, and silven. Its a great deal. Leah is one of my favorite hair pieces. It goes well with many occasions and dress from formal to club to casual.
 

Hair by DrLife

The Alhambra, Court of the Lions

Mariko Nightfire provides it all - fashion magic, a history lesson, and a travelogue all in one blog post. And, as always, my pictures are windlight free. I do hope that you enjoyed this look at Staged Summer Suit, and I hope that you visit the Staged Skin and Fashion Mainstore. There are many great designs to see there. And a trip to DrLife is always worth the visit. And tell Leena that Mariko sent you.

 

Staged Skin and Fashion Mainstore:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rigby/160/98/23

DrLife SilkGirl Main Store:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Aquel%20sim/96/229/33

Photos were taken at Al Andalus

Al Andulus:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Al%20Andalus%20Generalife/219/134/40

Alhambra in Second Life Video:

A 20th Birthday Celebration

My Turn as a Birthday Girl

Yesterday, I turned 20 years old.  Twenty is an odd age - no longer a teenager, yet not a full adult. I can cast a vote for president; but, can't enter a bar and order a drink. But that didn't stop me from having a grand time with my friends. No, I didn't get smashed. But Jaysun had planned a night of dancing and celebration. 

We met at the courtyard garden in Jaysun's house

A number of people gathered at Jaysun's place including Leesa, Lulubelle, Selina, and my sister Victoria. We were dressed in formal gowns for our evening out. Like most girls, we all were  happy for the opportunity to show off our formal bests. During the day, I had received so many nice presents. Earlier Leena gave me a helicopter in which we went on a wild ride. Selina bought me a outrageously sexy outfit. Leesa gave me the means to get something marvelous. And Jaysun ... a gorgeous set of antique jewelry. You can see the beautiful necklace and the earrings of the set in the lead picture. Click on the pictures to enlarge them for better viewing.

Jaysun was dashingly handsome in his white tuxedo.

I wore the black and white formal that Jaysun gave me as a gift for another occasion.

Victoria was very eye catching in a wonderful peach colored gown.

Our first stop was at Leesa's warmly comfortable Truth Ball Cafe. The other night, Mimi Carpenter was performing at Truth Ball. She sang a sweet Happy Birthday song in French dedicated to me by Leesa.

Of course, our next stop had to be JudyBlues, the best dance club in Second Life. Our party had gotten considerably larger. We picked up Soy, among others, and Syd, Gwen and Stig also dropped in. Syd and Gwen presented me a great asian themed painting which is now hanging in my townhouse. Mimi Juneau, owner of Mimi's Choice, my favorite fashion shop, sent me a magnificient outfit. And Jaysun and I were dancing up a storm.

The evening ended at the Jittery Junco with Latin music and dancing. It was nice to be back home in Hallelujah. This has been one of the best evenings that I have had in Second Life. I would like to thank everyone, especially my dear Jaysun, for a memorable birthday.

Simple Gifts

Simple Gifts is an old Shaker tune. Its beautiful and transcendent melody captures my emotions and thoughts on my twentieth birthday. The Love of God. The Love of Family. The Love of Friends. These are simple gifts, but how sublime they are. And how fortunate and blessed am I to have received these gifts. I humbly thank God. I thank my family and friends with all affection. I would like to share with you the joy that I am feeling. If you will, please listen to this adaptation of Simple Gifts  in Aaron Copeland's Appalachian Spring and let the music lift your spirit and set it soaring.

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,

'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,

And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gain'd,

To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,

To turn, turn will be our delight,

Till by turning, turning we come round right.

Photo Mariko - October Pictures

Garden Lane at Halloween. The garden in the back of my townhouse

at Hallelujah has been officially named Garden Lane.

October has already come and gone. I have some interesting pictures to post from that month. October saw the outflowing of Autumn's charms and the enjoyment of Halloween, a very special event in Second Life. Avatars really take to Halloween costume parties. After all, we can become almost anything. Be sure to click on the pictures to enlarge them to their original size for better viewing.

My Hallelujah Townhouse is defensively decorated with jack-o-lanterns.

They keep out zombies. Second Life is infested with zombies around Halloween.

Enjoying the last bloom of roses in my Hallelujah garden before

the coming frosts.

Autumn is Second Life can be stunningly colorful. Here I am finding glory in the forest at Japanese Tempura with its spectacular fall follage.

The Pig That Ate Hallelujah.  At the last Tub Talk, Syd bought a pig  to town. Not some shiny little piglet, but the Godzilla of the pig world. Not only did Syd live with this pig, he lived on top of the pig. The pig was HIS HOME.

What sort of man would live on a humongous pig. Well, I am sitting with

the man. He looks kinda harmless. But he lived on a pig. ON A PIG.

Sitting with my sister Victoria at the Jittery Junco. I guess we were relieved that Syd's giant pig didn't eat or foul our townhouse. Some others weren't so lucky. Syd was handed a shovel.

Live performer Sylar Morrisey entertaining a crowd at the first concert held on the new stage in Hallelujah's Town Square.

Brunette in Black at Night.

Nantucket canceled Shantu Selene's 2 o'clock Friday afternoon concerts after a 2 1/2 year run. But the Friday tradition will continue as Shantu will be playing each Friday at the Frank Lloyd Wright Virtual Museum. Hope to see you there.

The Frank Lloyd Wright Virtual Museum:

http://slurl.com/secondlife/DiLemma%20City/50/242/22

I went to the Shantu performance wearing a wonderful Japanese yukata.

A lovely picture of Lulubelle and Kaja.

A lovely floral pattern isn't it. It was placed on the patio deck at Jittery Junco. Look closely and you'll see Gwendolyn Bieler, the new owner and manager of Hallelujah.

Analee Balut of ALB Dream Fashion sent a number of mix and match fashions to selected people inviting them to take pictures of themselves in these outfits for a special fashion book she was planning. Analee is one of the most original and creative fashion designers in Second Life. I just love this mix and match with its large feathery hat and fur cloak (Its pixel fur. No pixel was harmed in its making.) I took the outfit to Opar for a fashion shoot. Like all my pictures, these pictures are windlight free.

This is the picture that Analee selected for her fashion book.
It was the lead picture.

Took this picture of a Linden at the special Halloween public opening

of the Corn Field.

Blue Linden was also at the Corn Field on Halloween as a dragony demon. Blue sent a nice comment to my recent Corn Field blog post.

With my sister Victoria on the patio deck at Jittery Junco

On Friday, Leesa hosted a Halloween costume party at her Truthball Cafe. The party also celebrated Jaysun's birthday. Of course, I just had to dance with the birthday boy. Jay went as an astronaut. I dressed as a 1920's flapper.

We did look good together on the dance floor.

My good friend Selina Heron came to the  party from Beijing.

Naiya was absolutely awesome.

Jaysun thanking Leesa for a wonderful evening.

After the party, Jaysun and I went exploring haunted houses.

Jaysun touched something that he shouldn't.

\

We made some new friends. Jay was very nice, inviting them to stay awhile at his place.

Demon Horses from Hell. At least that's where I assumed they came from.

I had a very frightening moment when, at a graveyard, Death Dealers swarmed all over me trying to take my soul. Jaysun jumped right in to protect me.

A quiet moment with My Hero. Happy Birthday Jaysun.