I was recently pointed toward the designs of Faery Sola, owner of Studio Sidhe and I’m certainly glad I got a nudge. I didn’t know what “Sidhe” meant but looking it up told me it’s the Gaelic word for peace and can also refer to a supernatural race in Irish mythology. Perhaps I am on the only one who gets curious about names and branding…but anyways

Though I am showing you Faery’s newly released suits, there is a whole host of items at Studio Sidhe to check out - beyond clothing, there’s hair and hats, and accessories good for both men and women.

On to the suits, which are nicely done in a subtle velvety texture. You can buy the whole suit or pick the pieces you fancy since they’re also sold separately. These are the chocolate and slate suits, which were my favorites since I can better mix and match with basic colors. But the suits also come in many brighter colors as well.

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There is delicate lace on the skirt (which comes in three flexi prim pieces) and optional jacket cuffs that sets off my favorite piece, which is the very pretty and versatile cami. Now, you may notice the lack of buttons on the jacket. That’s because they come as an optional prim attachment and kept getting buried whilst posing. For that reason, I do prefer drawn buttons on most items. Last thing to mention is why the hell I am showing the skirt base? I wanted to point out two things 1) I think it’s cute on it’s own ^^ and 2) I appreciate when a designer treats that layer as more than just a base and applies consistent detail (like the lace here for example). Seems obvious but sometimes it’s missing and can make for a much more complete look in most any pose.

These are on sale at Faery’s new Hopes Point outpost for $175L each.

P.S. I went back to TaP yesterday and got my hands on more prettyful skins. Expect to see more of those as I cycle through the new additions to my stash.

Hair ~ Naughty (Paris II); Skin ~ TaP (Vivant Almond Basic Nude 3); Earrings ~ Queen Couture

Mimi Coral of <3 Cupcakes has been churning out the new releases lately and this makes me very happy because sometimes, you just need something sweet (I could have said fattening but that wouldn’t have fit). If you haven’t been to Mimi’s shop, she has something for everyone - including skins.

Here are a couple of my faves from the new stuff…a last gasp at summer where I live

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The “khaki jumper” comes with jacket layer jumper, skirt base, and 3 flexi skirts - from modest to teeny weeny. You can add your own top as I have done here or you can wear it bare. I also added Mimi’s leggings for the smaller skirts so that not so many people have to suffer my arse. It’s only $150L and so many ways to wear it.

Next is the “Blue Jumper” dress, which comes with jumper top (alert - add a shirt underneath), skirt base and 2 flexi skirts. It has the sweetest little pink button and loop accents, and the skirts are very flouncy. I think this is a fun look and you could add leggings underneath if you’re more comfortable covering up a bit. This dress is $150L.

Finally, just about everyone can find a use for leggings come autumn. And, with so many colors and styles, they’re very versatile. In addition to the white (shown with stars here), you also get basic white and another pattern stars, as well as basic black. Mimi gives us all these for only $100L.

That’s the new “Rita” hair by Antonia Marat just released at Artilleri. It’s a non flexi short ponytail with the sweetest curled bangs. It comes in packs of 3 hairs in reds, blacks, blondes or browns for $190L each. Another great hair from Antie indeed.

Visit <3 Cupcakes

Hair ~ ETD (Madeline II) and Artilleri (Rita); Skin ~ Karamia (Indie in medium tone); Shoes ~ Maitreya; Bracelet ~ Miam Miam

I saw designs this week by Pin Upshaw, designer for Pin Up Dolls in the fashion feed but hadn’t heard of the store before. I logged in to some samples, but with a busy week, I’m a little late. Still, here’s my take - showing a few different ones and different colors. There are two styles at Pin’s stores - Pin Up is more consistent with the va va voom era and B-Line, slightly more modern adaptations.

Another late one on my part are the jewelry designs by Eyva Matova, who recently re-branded and opened her new store, Bebe, to much fanfare. All the jewelry I am wearing is by Eyva and there’s so much more in the store you should see. From left to right: Galaxy lime earrings, Sangria earrings, and After Six necklace in white trim (click for full size).

First from the B-Line offerings is “Sassy,” a skirt and top shown here in orange. You can wear it with the skirt or go for the little shorts option, which is cute with the belt that comes with the top. It also comes with matching bangles. Things I like about it are the color and the shading on the shirt. I do think the edges on the top could be more finished, but Pin is a new designer and this will be only the beginning. This outfit is $215L.

(click for full size)

Next is “Lola,” which is from the Pin Up line. I felt a little bit exposed in this ^^, but in keeping with the pin up theme, I understand it. It comes with stockings, garter (pants layer), flexi skirt and two layers of bottoms so you can wear the garter if you choose. I am wearing the new hair from Celestial Studios in this snap, Veronica II in shadow, which is not retro at all but I wanted to show it :P. Lola is $250L.

Next is the “Bouquet Tea Roses” dress from the B-Line fashions, which is simply top, skirt base and flexi skirt. You can also wear it with the little shorts. This dress is $200L.

Finally, “Roberta” from the more retro Pin Up line is my favorite. Know why? Yep, because it’s simple, classic and makes the right use of a system skirt. You get top, skirt top, skirt base, system skirt, gloves, and prim glove cuffs. This outfit is $250L.

Pin Up Dolls; Bebe; Celestial Studios

Lastly, I’ll point out that my friend, Aradia, finally got me to go back and try the Minnu Model skins from Minnu Palen again. I have been wearing this one for a day to get used to it

Hair ~ ETD (Tyra), CS (Annie May II), CS (Veronica II); Skin ~ MM (pale, skingloss, smokey); Jewelry ~ Bebe; Shoes ~ Maitreya

When I spoke with Rose Farina about one of the new dresses from her first foray into couture, I was honest that I am not a purple lover. But Rose was very tolerant of my strong opinion (read: “how about making it in black?”), and went ahead and made “Whimsy” in black (and two additional colors as well!). I hope you’ll take a look at all the work Rose has done on these dresses because bold designs like these should be appreciated. I love the result of the black Whimsy dress in particular.

Here is Whimsy (in purple and black), which comes with top, glitch pants, flexi skirt and hat. Anyone who knows me knows that bows, frills, feathers, or other dramatic accents are really interesting to me in the right context. For instance, take a look at the bow at the back of the Whimsy skirt. It’s pretty dramatic and I think works well with what Rose was going for. Yes true it’s not for every day, but none of the really fun stuff is. (click for full size)

Next is “Well Bow Me Over” (lol!), which by name alone, should have been tailor made for me. It comes with top, system skirt, stockings, prim accents (belt and cuffs), and hat. The only nit I had with this dress is that there isn’t a skirt base, so it would be a little harder to make your pixelself decent considering that most lingerie in SL isn’t really supposed to be worn as a foundation garment :P. Of course, just add stocking tops or anything but a thong (!!) and you’re good to go. This dress is fun and the jacket in particular will be very usable with other items in your virtual closet.

Both these dresses are $250L - as are all the pieces from Rose’s new collection. Be sure to check them out!

Visit Rose Petal Creations

Hair ~ Naughty (Flirt in sable); Skin ~ Celestial Studios (classic glitter, silver, champagne tone); Necklace (peaking out in one of the snaps) ~ Bebe (post coming soon)