More than Words

TUNES

Now that I’ve tried to
Talk to you and make you understand
All you have to do is close your eyes
And just reach out your hands

And touch me
Hold me close don’t ever let me go

More than words
Is all I ever needed you to show
Then you wouldn’t have to say
That you love me
‘Cause I’d already know

[- Extreme -]
Clothing

Top (incl. Harness): AsteroidBox – “Alina Shirt” (Maitreya Petite)

Skirt: AsteroidBox – “Alexa Skirt” (Maitreya)

Boots: Eudora3D – “Brighton Boots” (Maitreya)

Accessories

Glasses: [CX] – “Farseer Glasses – Gold” – NEW @ The Warehouse Sale // July 2021

Earrings: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Earrings Mads Human EvoX”

Ear Accessories: L’Emporio&PL – “*Vulnus* :: LeLutka EvoX Human– Female”

Septum: -[TWC]- – “Thirst Septum -Silver-“

Piercing: Wicca’s Originals – “Jadeon Piercing”

Necklace: AsteroidBox – “Farren Jewelry – Female Fit” – NEW @ Fifty Linden Birthday Bash

Collar: [CX] – “Sinister Summer Collar – Onyx/Silver” (Gacha, Common)

Sleeves: [CX] – “Lance Bracers Femme – Black” (Maitreya)

Rings: CULT – “Rou Rings Set”

Nails: FORMANAILS – “Eve” (Maitreya, Bento)

Hair & Makeup

Hair: no.match – “No_Mask (size 1)” – NEW @ Tres Chic // August 2021

Eyeshadow: .{PSYCHO:Byts}. – “Drusilla Eyeliners” (Lel. EvoX HD Applier) – NEW @ Midnight Order // July 2021

Face Art:  Nefekalum Tattoos – “Hunger #01” (Lel. EvoX BoM, Materials)

Lipstick 1: [Cubic Cherry] – “{Tenuous} Lipstick” (Lel. EvoX HD Applier)

Lipstick 2: Mad’ – “Daemon Lips” (Lel. EvoX BoM)

Head, Body & Tattoo

Head: LeLUTKA – “EvoX Avalon 3.0”

Teeth: [CX] – “Strigoi’s Fangs – Silver Type.1 ( Size E / Wider )”

Body: Maitreya – “Lara V5.3” + “Lara Add-On Petite V1.1”

Tattoo: .:Vegas:. – “Tattoo ( Dark ) Existence” (BoM)

Poses, Props & Tools

Pose (incl. Chair & Guitar): .:Tribal Tuesday:. – “Guitar Man” (Bento)

Particles: **CC** – “Popstars (Smokey) – NEW @ Crystal Heart Festival // August 2021

Deco 1: 22769 – “The Record Store” (Gacha, Commons)

Deco 2: crate – “Sound Station Full Set”

Amp: .:Standby Inc. – “World Tour – Amp [Silver] (Rez) w/o Cord” (Gacha, Common, store closed)

Clock: Visual Magick – “Retro Vinyl Record Clock”

Shelf: floorplan. – “guitar bookcase”

Model, Stylist & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

Tuning in on your Saxophone

TUNES

You’ll never know that you had all of me.
You’ll never know the poetry you’ve stirred in me.
Of all the stars I’ve seen that shine so brightly,
I’ve never known or felt in myself so rightly,
It’s in me.
And you know it’s for real.
Tuning in on your saxophone.

[- Kate Bush -]
Clothing

Outfit: AsteroidBox – “Kyla Jacket & Bodysuit”  – NEW @ Equal 10 // August 2021

Accessories

Glasses: [CX] – “Farseer Glasses – Gold” – NEW @ The Warehouse Sale // July 2021

Nose Piercing: Wicca’s Originals – “Jadeon Piercing” – NEW @ The Warehouse Sale // July 2021

Septum: -[TWC]- – “Thirst Septum -Silver-“

Rings & Nails: [CX] – “Essential Dirty Claws” (Maitreya, Bento)

Necklace: AsteroidBox – “Emery Jelwery – Female Fit”

Hair & Makeup

Hair: no.match – “No_Wisdom” – NEW @ MOM // July 2021

Face Art:  Nefekalum Tattoos – “Hunger #01” (Lel. EvoX BoM, Materials)

Head, Body & Tattoo

Head: LeLUTKA – “EvoX Avalon 3.0”

Ears: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Akasuna”

Teeth: [CX] – “Strigoi’s Fangs – Silver Type.1 ( Size E / Wider )”

Body: Maitreya – “Lara V5.3” + “Lara Add-On Petite V1.1”

Tattoo: .:Vegas:. – “Tattoo ( Medium ) Siren” (Lel EvoX BoM) – NEW @ Uber // July 2021

Poses, Props & Tools

Pose (incl. Instrument): .:Tribal Tuesday:. – “Feel the Jazz” (Bento)

Particles: **CC** – “Popstars (Smokey) – NEW @ Crystal Heart Festival // August 2021

Speakers:crate – “Sound Station Speaker 1”

Wall Posters 1: DRD – “Neglected Bedroom – Posters A”

Wall Posters 2:DRD – “Neglected Bedroom – Posters B”

Record Shelf: 22769 – “The Record Shop – Records For Sale 1” (Gacha, Common)

Microphone: Wimey – “Speakeasy Microphone”

Model, Stylist & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

“Time of my Life!”

Vintage Fair is going on at the moment and even if the oder was “pre 80s” for the theme at the event, I could not resist to do another colorful 80s post with some items and designs I found there. The center of my style this time was the cool “Discordia” top from The Annex. Certainly you can style that top in a 70s style as well, but as you can see 80s works too.

Believe it or not, the Vintage Fair is one of my favorite events in Second Life. I know many of you know I am a friend of weird and dark things, but vintage styles especially the 20s to 50s are times and styles that really touch me somehow. Maybe it is because of the music. I love Swing, Rock ‘n’ Roll and Rockabilly! I do have some more vintage posts prepared, but I wanted to start with that cool top as it caught my attention from the moment I put it on the first time. The top is available in 5 different colors and made for Maitreya.

What perfectly fit the 80s look where the “Star Boots”, made by [Gos]. The certainly come with a color HUD, but that silver colors was so perfect for that look. On the picture above you can see a few more colors, but not all of the them 😉 In total you get 15 colors for the main boot, 5 for the lining, 2 for the heel, tread and laces and 3 different metals. For the heel, if you want it the same color as the shoes, you simply can chose the main boot color as that includes the heel, too.

Another cool thing I wanted to talk about is the LeLutka Axis HUD. I know, it is around for a while, but I still get asked how I do my facial expressions apart from the ready made ones you can buy for the LeLutka heads. The HUD is not limited to LeLutka only. You can animate other brands heads as well. I tried it myself with LAQ and Logo and I was asking a friend, that uses Catwa and she said it works too. The only tricky part is expressions with the tongue involved as those seem to react a little different. Other than that, the Axis HUD worked on the other heads just fine for me (You always can try the demo). If you want the full information, you always can look at the LeLutka website (http://lelutka.com/blog/axis-hud/)

That HUD opened a new world of close up pictures for me – not only close ups but there you can see the most impact certainly, if you have the face in your focus. With the Axis HUD you can either create a fully new expression OR you can alter expressions that you already have for your head. Since my English is not the best I would like to quote something from the website that explains the most important infos of the HUD:

“Most of what you need to know about getting started can be found on the info pages which show on HUD itself when you first wear it. You can return to those info pages at any time you like by clicking the “i” button on the top of your HUD.

You can click and drag on the point grids to rotate each facial bone on one, two or three axis, depending on the bone. Three axis bones such as the lip bones have an extra row underneath the main point grid which you can use to rotate the bone on the third axis. There are also larger circles at the edges of the brows and lips which allow you to move several bones together. Once you have the expression just how you like it, you can save your animation set into a savorite at the bottom of the HUD if you want to recall it later.

You can also target up to three other avatars and individually set up unique facial animations for group photos or just a bit of fun.”

I tried the HUD not only o myself, but as well with my partner and me no a picture and it worked perfectly.I was wearing the “Simone” head while he was wearing a Catwa one and it worked without any issues (https://www.flickr.com/photos/wiccamerlin/45078595804/in/dateposted-public/)

I was able to create way more moods and expressions, what really raised the bar for my pictures in my view. I am able to even more expressing emotions or having fun moments that without that HUD!

Last but not least – yes that again is a longer post, but there was so many details that should not be overlooked 🙂 – I would like to draw your attention to my hairstyle. It was made by no.match and is called “No.Stress”. You can find it at the actual round of eBENTO. Usually I prefer blond, because of my no eyebrow trademark. But today, for my 80s look I felt I should have some more colored hair, that as well is one of the reasons for me wearing eyebrows today 😉 For me it was the first time, that I touched the ‘unicorn’ color HUD from no.match – after seeing it I know it will not be the last time :p

I hope you enjoyed my little 80s trip as much as I did, tomorrow we will go back a little more in time I guess 😉

Clothing

Top: The Annex – “Discordia Top – Red” (Maitreya) – NEW @ Vintage Fair

Shorts: adorsy – “Sharon Jeans Shorts” (Maitreya)

Shoes: [Gos] – “Star Boots” (Maitreya)

Gloves: L’Emporio – “Fingerless Gloves” (Maitreya, Bento)

Stockings: {Luxuria} – “Spring Summer 19 Knee Heighs” (Maitreya Applier)

Legs: [ SAKIDE ] – “Yleria” (Maitreya)

Accessories

Headphones: BONDI – “The Retro Headphones” – NEW @ Vintage Fair

Collar: -[ darkling ]- – “Angelique Collar” (Maitreya)

Upper Arms: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Pyper 69 Upper Arms”

Piercing 1: BLAXIUM – “Dangerous” (LeLutka Simone, Bento)

Piercing 2: BLAXIUM – “Jaiden Chain Piercing”

Nails: BLAXIUM – “Mikah Nails” (Maitreya, Bento)

Hair &  Makeup

Eyebrows: Izzie’s – “Vintage Summer Brows” (LeLutka Applier)

Hair: no.match – “No.Stress”

Eyeshadow: ALMA – “Alba” (LeLutka Applier)

Lipstick: alaskametro<3 – “New Wave” (LeLutka Applier)

Body & Tattoo

Head: LeLutka – “Simone 3.3”

Body: Maitreya – “Lara 4.1”

Tattoo: ((Mister Razzor)) – “Betina Tattoo – 75%” (Omega Applier) – NEW @ Vintage Fair

Poses & Props

Poses: Poseidon – “Hip Hop” & “Idols”

Set:

Backdrop: Foxcity – “Photo Booth – Neon Storm”

Couch: Foxcity – “Tasty AF (2) Diner Sofa” (Gacha)

Speakers: Daffy’s Gadgetmania Club Equipment and Structure Designs – “-[GFX- 800]- Mesh Advanced Speakers”

Clock: Visual Magick – “Retro Neon Clock – Bepis Cola”- NEW @ Vintage Fair

Sign: Saintstreet – “Neon Lady Symbol” (Gacha)

Model & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

It was one of those days again…

TUNES

Illusion

Being like you are, well, this is something else
Who would comprehend? But some that do lay claim
Divine purpose blesses them, that’s not what I believe
And it doesn’t matter anyway
A part of your soul ties you to the next world
Or maybe to the last but I’m still not sure
But what I do know is to us the world is different
As we are to the world, I guess you would know that
Please don’t go, I want you to stay
I’m begging you, please, please don’t leave here
I don’t want you to hate for all the hurt that you feel
The world is just illusion trying to change you
[VNV Nation]

It was one of those days again…
It was dark, cold and misty outside and sometimes it mirrors to my inner. I would not say I hate that days, they bring out a certain type of feeling and emotions and they make you think about yourself a lot more and as well different. Life taught me to not stay too long in that moments, but as well not try to skip them either. I need them as a part of me and if they happen, I just let them for a while. I have no idea if that makes sense – I hope it does and those who had those moments too, I thin you know what I am talking about.
If I am in Second Life on such days and try to style up a look, it does something to me and my looks. It takes me longer to finish a style and the thought s and emotions go way deeper than with a usual look. It is hard to explain as 90% about it is feelings and emotions and you know how hard those are to describe 😉

Usually on such days I start off with something I bought longer ago and never had the right mood to work on it.
Today it was the “Black Parade Uniform” from CUREMORE. I fell in love with that outfit ages ago and when CURELESS [+] had their sale I could not longer resist and got the fatpack. I adore the way how CURELESS [+] as well as Moon Amore do obviously cute and frilly outfits, but they all have kinda a morbid feeling to them still. The texture work and the mesh details are amazing. Initially I had something Circus like in mind, but the more I was looking at it, trying several things the vision changed. First I added the awesome “Kate Thigh High Boots” from [Gos], which they released at UBER. I am a high boots addicted so those super cool boots were a no-brainer :p, I could not miss them in my wardrobe.

As usual the boots come in all the popular mesh body sizes and with the 3 amazing HUDs from [Gos] – Boutique, Metallic and Blueberry. You do not only have a wide variety for the colors – Even for metals and sole you get several options. As if that would not be already enough, for the “Kate Thigh High Boots” you get the option to chose from a thick or thin heel as well (like shown in the picture above)!
I do not know why, but while I was staring at my pixels to think about what I could do all of a sudden, the “Black Widow” collar from DRD popped up in my mind. First I thought it wouldn’t fit, because the uniform already had such a high neck… but it turned out, that exactly that made it fit perfectly! Sometimes it is kinda fate I guess.
For the poses and props I immediately had an idea after I added the huge back collar. I had blogged some poses of the “Necromatic” pose gacha with the skeleton, but I as well had some violin poses seen in my folder and I had a feeling, those would fit perfectly. First I used the violin and the bow that the pose had included but with the brown violin I felt a little disturbed from my vision. When I started to look for a black violin on MP I remembered I had a black skull violin from Grollwerk like in forever – I have to admit it is an old prim violin and the store already seems to have closed down, but for a picture it would do it I thought and it did 😉
I wanted to wear such a little, cute hat that makes no sense, but looks good and so I had to find a special hair, which is close to the head and not too high at the top. Certainly I found one at no.match 🙂
I love the textures and the way how no.match does their hair. I rarely have alpha glitches even with longer hair and she has the perfect size as well if hair goes down over my chest. If you followed me for while you will know, that I use no,match hair a lot :p.
Now I only needed a special makeup to satisfy my mood. I recently had the honor of being chosen to do a makeup spread in the Eclipse Magazine for ALMA (HERE). That brought ALMA back to my plate – I have to admit I know them for a while but sometimes you forget about cool stores and the more happy I was when I discovered it again and found so many new cool makeups and face art. If you are looking for something out of the box, vibrant colors or really complete, extraordinary face art, ALMA is your place of desire.
Finally after hours I was happy with my look and it did mirror exactly what I was feeling while doing it. That does not happen too often I have to admit, but I do enjoy that immensely.
Then comes that next challenge… what to use as background or scenery?!? Nothing too colorful, nothing clean but as well nothing too dark and nothing too dirty… initially that always feels like a challenge I never can work out. Sometimes I even get frustrated if I can not find the right location or built the right scenery and then I just delete my whole look as on those special days, where I am in that special mood I do not want to make any compromises as they just feel wrong and take all of the depth from the picture. Thank God there is Ironwood Hills! Ironwood Hills has so many different corners and places, that I usually find what I am looking for if I wasn’t able to built something or get an idea of what I would like to have. This time it was the old, rotten theater from Marcus Inkpen, that they have rezzed out there near the landing spot. I just had to add my music items and some broken furniture and it looked exactly as I imagined it and … the best part… it did match my feelings!!! You really should explore Ironwood Hills and I swear you won’t discover all the little details and corners on one day 😉

Clothing

Outfit: CUREMORE – “Black Parade Uniform” (Maitreya)
Shoes: [Gos] – “Kate Thigh High Boots” (Maitreya) – NEW @ UBER
Tights: .::Nanika::. – “Alina Tights Black” (Maitreya Applier)

Accessories

Hat: *BOOM* – “The Baroness Hat”
Collar: .:Avanti:. – “Vexie Collar” (Rigged)
Back Collar: DRD – “Black Widow Collar – Frost”
Rings: [Since1975] – “NoMercy Rings” (Maitreya, Bento)
Nail Polish: {ZOZ} – “Time Reds Polish” (Maitreya Applier)
Instrument: [GW] – “Skull Violin” (Store Closed)

Hair & Makeup

Hair: no.match – “No. Comission”
Eyemakeup: ALMA – “Isola” (LeLutka Applier)
Face Art: ALMA – “Being Human” (LeLutka Applier)
Lipstick: Zibska – “Bussaba” (Maitreya Applier)

Body & Tattoo

Head: LeLutka – “Simone 3.3”
Body: Maitreya – “Lara 4.1”
Eyes: CURELESS [+] – “Seeres Eyes”
Skin: *YS&YS* – “Ginny Vamp Skin” (LeLutka & Maitreya Applier)
Tattoo: [White~Widow] – “Izo” (Maitreya Applier)

Poses & Props

Poses (incl. Stool): Le Poppycock – “Necromantic – The Oldest Song” & “Necromatic – Grim Anthem” (Bento, Gacha)

Note Stand: Fancy Decor – “Music Stand”

Notes: Nutmeg – “Old Music Sheets Floor” & “Old Music Sheets Standing”

Furniture 1: [ zerkalo ] – “Last Refuge – Dirty Matress – PG”

Furniture 2: DISORDERLY – “Overgrown Patio – Table & Chairs” + “Burried Treasure”

Location

Model & Photographer

Into the Groove

TUNES

Music can be such a revelation
Dancing around you feel the sweet sensation
We might be lovers if the rhythm’s right
I hope this feeling never ends tonight
[Madonna]

I am a kid of the 80s. Music, fashion and the whole lifestyle is something, I was not really able to enjoy when it happened, as I really was a kid in the 80s and sometimes I wish, I just would have been born a little bit earlier 😉

The 80s fashion did not last too long but it did and as well does influence the fashion trends a lot. The 80s was the time of big fashion icons like Lady Di, Madonna, Cher, Grace Jones and many more big names. Certainly most of the ones I called by name are musicians – I am a musician myself in RL, so that is my personal favorites not only for fashion.

The 80s brought out some really avant garde models and creations. Even today if you ask people – young and old – they remember leggings, shoulder pads, stretch dresses and skirts, leg warmers, graphic tees and certainly vibrant and neon colors. The other side of the coin for the more cool kids was the vinyl, latex, denim, fingerless gloves or oversized top looks.

 

Even if my style would have been a bit darker, more towards the rocker styles of the 80s, when I saw the “Chala Ice Cream” dress, made by Rosary, I immediately wanted to do a color pop style. I had no idea for along time how to illustrate the look I had in my mind, but when I saw the “Debbie” poses from BellePoses with those huge records – I had what it needed 😉

When I was styling and snapping the pics I heard a lot of Madonna and Cyndi Lauper to get the right mood and groove. The last one even wore this kind of colorful stuff mostly paired with waist corsets.

Certainly according to Grace Jones stylings, I had to find some really vibrant and colorful makeup. What better place I could have thought of that Zibska. Zib ha a great sense for strong and bold colors and how to bring them on your face as an incredible makeup.

I am really curious what else will be brought back from the 80s besides leggings and white jeans and some more we already had in summer. The fashion industry already released some A/W 2018 fashion trends and I saw animal prints, western styles with cowboy boots and sequins coming back – lets see what else they will bring back! I am crossing my fingers for some rock or gothic creations *searches for her ripped fingerless gloves*

Outfit & Accessories

Outfit: Rosary – “Chala Ice Cream” (Maitreya)

Shoes: UTOPIA@Design – “Alice” (Maitreya)

Earrings: Ticky Tacky – “Lick Me!” (store no longer existing)

Headpiece: :Z.S: – “Retro Headband”

Bangles: :Z.S: – “Cheer Bangles”

Nails: Pink Hustler (*PL*) – “Nail #27” (Maitreya, Bento)

Hair & Makeup

Hair: Sintiklia – “Mbali”

Makeup: Zibska – “Yumi” (LeLutka Applier)

Lipstick: Zibska – “Peake” (LeLutka Applier)

Body & Tattoo

Head: LeLutka – “Simone 3.0”

Body: Maitreya – “Lara 4.1”

Face: Izzie’s – “Pores & Blemishes” (LeLutka Applier)

Tattoo: Redfish – “Wonderland” (Maitreya Applier)

Poses & Props

Poses & Records: BellePoses – “Debbie” (BEnto)

Backdrop: MINIMAL – “KPOP Garage”

Model & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

Ice Queen

Azul Sofia 1

[Tunes]

When leaves have fallen
And skies turned to grey
The night keeps on closing in on the day
A nightingale sings his song of farewell
You better hide for her freezing hell

On cold wings she’s coming
You better keep moving
For warmth, you’ll be longing
Come on just feel it
Don’t you see it?
You better believe

Azul Sofia 2

When she embraces
Your heart turns to stone
She comes at night when you are all alone
And when she whispers
Your blood shall run cold
You better hide before she finds you

She covers the earth with a breathtaking cloak
The sun awakes and melts it away
The world now opens its eyes and it sees
The dawning of the new day

Azul Sofia 3

On cold wings she’s coming
You better keep moving
For warmth, you’ll be longing
Come on just feel it
Don’t you see it?
You better believe

Whenever she is raging
She takes all life away
Haven’t you seen?
Haven’t you seen?
The ruins of our world

[Within Temptation]

Details

Gown: Azul – Sofia – NEW

Hair: EMO-tions – “Claudia” – NEW @ Crossroads

Eyeshadow: Zibska – “Rowan 06”

Poses: [Quixotica]

Location: Vintage Romance

Model & Photographer: Wicca Merlin

Wicca’s Wardrobe: Trouble

Today, while I was driving home from RL work, they played an older song from P!NK at the radio – “Trouble”. I did not hear that song in ages and as I arrived at home I had to listen a few more times to it. During that I logged into SL and started my SL day as usually with making some styles for the blog, I saw that little note beside my keyboard that reminded me of styling a casual corset outfit, like I promised in my last corset post.

Still the song “Trouble” from P!NK was running on my itunes and I could not resist… so the casual styling still have to be done somewhen, as this one turned out very punky :p

But even that is possible with the corsets of NV Corsetry 😉 Again I am very glad that I can show, that corsets have such a wide style range 🙂 Even the music industry in RL discovered that again and again. Singers like Lady Gaga, Pink, Sharon den Adel (Within Temptation) and many others include corsets in their stage outfits. They simply add a sexy and elegant touch to everything what you wear and do not disturb any styling 🙂

For the shoes the choice fell on one of the newest Redgrave boots called “Bonnie Boots”. This boots really rock. You will get 2 versions in one pack, one with golden and one with solver hardware and sole. The combination of leather and cotton really makes this super-higheeled plateau boots perfect for every occasion.

To make the look perfect I added one of my favourite LeeZu jeans and a casual shirt as well from LeeZu.

But now it is time to switch the music and say bye bye to P!NK for now :p

Details

Jeans: LeeZu – “Robin Jeans”

Shirt: LeeZu – “Oui Oui”

Jacket: Cipher – “Riders Jacket”

Lashes: Detour – “Cactus”

Skin: Siliken Moon – “Rookie” (special custom makeup)

Corset: NV Corsetry – “Pink Emo”

Boots: Redgrave – “Bonnie Boots” – NEW

Poses: oOo & Everglow

TUNES: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOk9XOzdgeQ)

Model & Photographer: Wicca Merlin