The Patriotic Pin-Up

In our first Independence Day post, we featured the Retrology landscape but not its content. I’m righting that wrong with some of my new Sidewalk Sale treasures, and a few past favorites. I actually bought this outfit a few months ago with the 4th specifically in mind. I dress seasonally in second life, and this cheery bustier and high-waisted skirt combo from Ingenue is the perfect retro compliment to a hot summer night watching the fireworks. I pulled on my favorite frilly white socks and a pair of red platform pumps for a little extra sweetness, and grabbed this fantastic strawberry purse from Chapeau Tres Mignon to carry all my date-night essentials. There was once a time when I thought I’d never buy a bag in second life, but not only does this one echo the cherry print on my skirt, it actually comes with smokes and a tube of red lipstick. That’s hard for any bobby-socking bad-girl to resist! I was leaning towards pigtails or braids and came upon this great past group gift from Aoharu, which resulted in my first blonde and brunette post. Don’t worry girls, once a redhead – always a redhead. My skin is a group exclusive from Frick, a “Retro Pinup” makeup variation, and the quirky and sexy specs that really make this outfit are a delicious Dollarbie (!) from VintageWear at the Starlust. This gorgeous waist-cinching Ivalde belt might just be my favorite Sidewalk Sale find, and I wanted to find a really sexy and glamorous way to show it off. Here’s a look at Vintage another way, a little more campy and traditional. Comme Il Faut recently had a half off sale on their red items, and I took the opportunity to slip into this sexy “La Ideal” dress – let me tell you, I’m beginning to understand the name. I decided to go ahead and go patriotic full force and wear my dollarbie Juicy pumps at the same time, and broke out my new Gianetti prim nails. You’ll definitely be seeing these again, they come in a rainbow of colors and are scripted to extend into huge melee kitty claws – it’s great fun. My classic hairdo is a JetDoll freebie available at Savoir Hair, and the bow is from the “Cindy” Pin Up Doll outfit, one of my virtual faves. The sophisticated arctic fox stole is a Megg Demina creation – and don’t worry animal activists, it’s “faux”! This pose was attached to the crescent moon in The New Champagne Rooms where I shot (available for purchase in the club), but the first shot and many of my others recently have been from Long Awkward Pose. Dove Swanson has been offering a slew of sales, and it’s reminded me to begin giving credit to the pose-makers in our posts.

Skin: Frick – Retro Pinup (Group Exclusive Version)
Eyes: Miriel – The Iridescent Collection – Peacock
Hair: Aoharu – Elise in Milky Montblanc
Bustier and Skirt: Ingenue – Miss Lulu Outfit
Socks: Likka House – Alice Outfit
Shoes: Tesla – Felicity Platforms in Shiny Red
Glasses: Vintage Wear – Simple Frames (FREE!)
Purse: Chapeau Tres Mignon – Strawberry Bag
Manicure: Candy Nail – Freebie Nail #5 (FREE!)

Skin: LF Chai – Vedette in Cinnamon
Eyes: Miriel – The Fantastic Realism Collection – Violet Planet
Hair: JetDoll – Vintage Vixen in Black (FREE at Savoir Fair!)
Dress: Comme Il Faut – La Ideal Dress in Red
Belt: Ivalde – Jennifer Stars n’ Stripes Belt (FREE!)
Shoes: Juicy – Classic Pumps in Stars n’ Stripes (FREE!)
Fox Stole: Chapeau Tres Mignon – Faux Fur Stole in Snow Fox Hair
Bow: Pin Up Dolls – Cindy Outfit in Lt. Red
Manicure: Gianetti – Nails & Melee Claws in Crimson Diamond

Pose:
LAP – Glamour Girl Set

Available Props:
Sparkler – Callie Cline – Sparkle Sparkle Outfit (Silver Sparkler)

For Slurls, see our Locations and Designers and Photo-Shoot Locations pages.

Red, White, and Barbecue!

The 4th of July symbolizes a lot of good things: freedom, fireworks, quality time with the people you love, and if you’re really lucky, maybe even some good old-fashioned home grilling. Van and I use any excuse to theme up, so we grabbed our “Independence Day” best and had a ourselves a little date, Retrology-style.

There’s always a rock show on the 4th, but I have a running date to watch fireworks on the concert venue roof with Van every year. I think that made me lean towards more romantic details like the heart stitched on the back pocket of this red mini-skirt. It was an Artilleri group gift from Valentine’s Day, and satisfies my obsession for both high-waists and short hem lines. The puffed shirt and red bowtie I’ve worn before for a Bite Size Candy tutorial, and clearly I’m still charmed by the combination. My striped tank is a G.L.A.M. must-have, and I’d wager you recognize the patriotic-tinted UBU sneakers from your own virtual closets. I picked up the butterfly barrette on a recent Japanese shopping spree, and the Nylon skin many moons ago. The pretty side-pony is brand spanking new from Aoharu, featuring their first “red” texture!!! It’s a bit pink, but I sort of love it in a “Lost in Translation” neon-wig kinda way. Oh! And my sparkly is from Callie Cline’s “Sparkle Sparkle” outfit, modified to be smaller.

Van is manning the grill and indicating just how to show your appreciation. I can’t blame him though, who doesn’t love cooking and kisses? We both had a blast making the most of this Rockabilly location, which has been lovingly decorated for summer. Retrology features some of the best and hardest-working creators on the grid and it was nice to give a little tribute. Van is sporting a little visual love, in the form of a red heart pin from a Nylon Outfitters’ blazer. The vest is Armidi, and the madras plaid button-down is from Shai. He once shamefully referred to this shirt as “over-priced”, and it’s now one of his hands-down favorites. The jeans and red belt are from Indigo, and always deliver a pinch of color when you need it. His bold blue dress shoes are from Jeepers Creepers (who else?), and the skin is Scorpio of course. Armidi is responsible for his shaggy hairstyle, and the quickie spatula was engineered by moi.

On Candy:
Skin: Nylon Outfitters – Urban Eyes in Pearl
Eyes: Miriel – The Fantastic Realism Collection – Marine
Hair: Aoharu – Rita in Red
Shirt: Aoharu – Gingham Balloon Dress Puffed Blouse
Tank Top: G.L.A.M. – Sailor Stripes Tank in Blue
Skirt: Artilleri – Ingrid High-Waisted Mini-Skirt (Valentines Edition)
Socks: Rebel Hope Designs – White Ruffle Socks
Shoes: UBU – PornStar Hi-Tops (Tinted a Patriotic Mix)
Bowtie: Kuru – Plaid Shirt and Bowtie (FREE!, Texture Removed and Tinted Red)
Barrette: Apple Pop – Cho’u Hair Pin in Blue

On Van:
Skin: The Abyss – Scorpio in Dystopia
Eyes: Miriel – The Arctic Collection – Snow
Hair: Armidi – The Poynter (New) in Pomegranate
Shirt: Casa del Shai – Madras Shirt in Blueberry (Tucked Version)
Vest: Armidi – Classic Zion Vest in White
Jeans and Belt: Indigo – Cobalt Gray Jeans (Red Belt Option)
Socks: Sinistyle – Tube Socks (Red Stripe Option)
Shoes: Jeepers Creepers – Carl Perkins in Blue
Pin: Nylon Outfitters – Unisex Jacket with Heart Pin

Available Props:
Sparkler: Callie Cline – Sparkle Sparkle Outfit (Silver Sparkler, Modified to be Smaller)

For Slurls, see our Locations and Designers and Photo-Shoot Locations pages.