I am a pants person but I am not a gown enemy!

Gowns – Usually something outside of my comfort zone!

Normally I am used to say, I am not that much of a gown person. Somehow that is true, but not because I do not like gowns! It is more the fact, that in SL you cannot do as much with gowns as you can do with mix and match outfits or pants outfits – styling wise and picture wise.

With a gown your poses are automatically very limited to something, that does not spread or move your legs too much. Sitting mostly does not work without damage on lower part of the mesh gown and in the past with flexies it was even worse, when all the prims were hanging through your body. So what is left… mainly standing poses if you do not just go for closeups or crops. To me that can become boring very fast as you have a lot of ambience in your picture or you just stand there in an amazing environment and look like as someone forgot to pick you up :p

The next limitation you have is the styling itself. Certainly you can play with several accessories, jewelry, shoes and hair but the gown itself you rarely can transition to something different that just the gown and not many gowns to allow you a style category change. Gowns usually are meant to be formal or maybe even goth but still somehow elegant. I do like twisting style categories and changing purposes of certain clothing and as well I am addicted to mix and match to create a new look for me, that does not look like the one I saw on the vendor.

Not because I have to be always different and unique, just because I want to get a connection to the clothing I am wearing, to make them my own.

Everyone has an idea about the character and avatar that they play. Some do like the beauty side, some like the more ordinary looks, or even do like the imperfection and some are just looking at things and get a vision for them together with their avatar. I never did limit myself to a certain category, I just went with the flow for every outfit I was given with free styling reigns. I am not siting here and have to force myself to get a different or certain look, mostly it just happens step by step with every item I add to it. Sometimes beautiful, sometimes dark, sometimes weird and sometimes just simple casual.

When I saw the amazing “Samal” gown from E-Clipse Design, I immediately had a vision for it. I saw a black gown, some funky accessories and color! Maybe even something color popping like I do remember it from the 80s ;). I first played with red and black, but for what ever reason it had to be a more striking color, something that does scream color at you – if that makes sense. I was trying some neon green and yellow before I stumbled over a teal shading. The “Tista” lipstick from Zibska did a lot to my color decision as well. I loved the two-toned stong colors so much and it was a headache to find accessories in the same tone. So I ended up to re-color our bento gloves from the “Joan” outfit, the “Oakes” hair from KoKoLoReS and my LeLutka hair base (thank god we have the tinting option!) to match the color of the lipstick.

The gown is a firework of texture/fabric combinations. You have a more cotton looking fabric for the straps, the amazing detailed lace for the waist part and then you get a satin impression for the bottom of the gown.

Maybe some will question the term ‘gown’ for this outfitΒ now – I don’t.

It can be worn very elegant as well and if you are brave enough, you can wear it on a red carpet or to a dance event as well – Lady Gaga showed what can be called gowns and used like it πŸ˜‰

It is always in the eye of the beholder how you define certain things but with the tight body part and the wider floating bottom it is a perfect gown to me πŸ˜‰

The “Samal” gown and as well the awesome “Old Phone” glasses that I used for todays look, can be found on the ongoing Black Fair 2017 until the 20th or October. If you read this post afterwards I am sure you will find the designs in the main stores of the creators πŸ˜‰

So after all I am not a gown enemy, I just need the right gown and the right mood to get a vision for style and pictures πŸ˜‰

Details

Outfit & Accessories:

Gown: E-Clipse Design – “Samal” (Maitreya) – NEW @ The Black Fair 2017

Gloves: Wicca’s Wardrobe – “Joan” (Maitreya, Bento, part of the Joan outfit) – NEW @ The Black Fair 2017

Glasses: [Since1975] – “Old Phone Glasses” – NEW @ The Black Fair 2017

Necklace: Minimal – “Chelo”

Hair & Makeup:

Hair: KoKoLoReS – “Oakes”

Lipstick: Zibska – “Tista” (LeLutka Applier)

Body & Tattoo:

Body: Maitreya – “Lara 4.1”

Head: LeLutka – “Simone 3.0”

Poses & Props:

Poses: Foxcity

Model & Photographer:

Wicca Merlin

 

Freak? – Beyond the Ordinary!

I gotΒ  wonderful present from my sister Daff – Those 2 awesome dragons!

The whole post and pictures turned out different from I first thought of it. Many times I was called freak and weirdo, but does that always have to be bad?

What does it mean to be a freak?

“In current usage, the word ‘freak’ is commonly used to refer to a person with something strikingly unusual about their appearance or behaviour.” does Wikipedia say.

If that just means different from the mainstream and as well a little crazy – I take the freak. Sadly to many ppl freak has some bad taste, probably because of the old sideshows, where people with genetic abnormality looks were showcased. That all usually was thought to scare people or as well to show them ‘creatures’ live among us. To me it is sad how some people react to such abnormal things, but probably that does belong to the fact, that many people being frightened by things they do never saw or do not know more about.

Maybe that as well applies to those who call me freak in a bitter and bad way. They are scared off things they did not see or do not understand, or they just have no fun in any life and have to make others miserable. For those I just feel pity. It must be horrible to wake up everyday and the only thing you can think off, is trash and bad mouth other people…

Those do not earn one minute of your thoughts, as their only intention is to make you feel sad. No word or argument can convince them to change their mind, because they are not looking for any serious facts πŸ˜‰ Just don’t feed the troll and ignore them. Any word you will give them will be twisted and changed as long as it fits their own arguments – you can’t win, it is senseless and wasted time. You can use that time for so many other and more productive things πŸ˜‰

I am not trying to be all different or force myself to not look ‘mainstream’ like. Sometimes it just happens when I style. I do not think about my styles too much. I just go and play with different accessories, clothing and makeup. Sometimes it does turn out freaky and sometimes not. For making pictures the more crazy looking ones are usually more interesting than just a sweet outfit on a random SL sim, but all have its right to exist and as well their certain purpose.

Secondlife to me is a place where you can express and do so many things that you either can’t do in RL OR that are just impossible by nature. We do not have dragons, or fantasy creatures and most of the time humans have no wings or hooves or what ever you can do in Secondlife.

I do enjoy the fantasy side a lot, as it gives you the room for creativity. I know some people enjoy the realistic side more and that is ok too. For me it always depends on my personal mood and emotions what I wanna go for when I start playing with my inventory.

To me Secondlife should have the freedom of doing what you enjoy no matter what as long as you do not hurt other people and their feelings. I do not want my Secondlife being a 100% mirror of my real life, because then there would be no reason to log in πŸ˜‰ I love to experiment, to play Barbie with my pixels and dress them up to what ever I feel or want.

I was only playing around with them first, but the more I tested them the more I wanted to do something with them. The “Fierce Dragon Brother” are a gacha rare and they are animated! The move by themselves on default and in certain poses they even react to the movement. You need special bento poses, as the upper dragon uses the wing bones and the lower one reacts on the hind leg bones.

At 4Mesh I saw one of the new releases from Zibska. With the headpiece and the shoulder/chest part of the outfit, combined with the new “Fenris” dress from Moon Elixir, that I found at Weβ™₯RP it was the perfect outfit for the dragon brothers.

As much as I tried to make the whole style not be too dark – I guess Halloween is too close and I am way to excited for my favourite ‘season’ of the year – It became darker and darker with everything I added.

The dark “Lexa” eye makeup from IGOTIT and as well the “Blacktop” lipstick from Zibska just pulled it more into the darkness and so I gave in and just went with what it led to πŸ˜‰

I loved the makeup, as it looks like a loosely painted black stripe over the eyes, lightly messy but as well somehow mysterious. The wonderful rings are bento enabled rings from MEVA. The “Victorian Bento Rings” come with a huge HUD. With the HUD you can hide single rings and as well can color all the gemstones separately. I really do like those options!

The sharp, long stiletto nails are made from Slackgirl. They do have a HUD as well and you can change the color of the nails AND as well the color of the little gems on the rings which are attached to them!

Enjoy YOUR Secondlife and do not let anyone tell you what you should do and what you should not. You are the one to make your desicions no matter what πŸ™‚

Details

Clothing & Accessories:

Dress: Moon Elixir – “Fenris” (Maitreya) – NEW @ We β™₯ RP

Boots: Diamante – “Laced Thigh High Boots” (Maitreya)

Headpiece. Chest & Shoulderparts: Zibska – “Alured” – NEW @ 4Mesh

Armor: [LAB737] – “Berserker Female”

Rings: MEVA – “Victorian Bento Rings” (Maitreya)

Nails: Slackgirl – “RingQueen Nai” (Maitreya)

Hair & Makeup:

Makeup: IGOTIT – “Lexa” (LeLutka Applier)

Lipstick: Zibska – “Blacktop” (Omega Applier)

Body & Tattoo:

Head: LeLutka – “Simone 3.0”

Body: Maitreya – “Lara 4.1”

Tattoo: [White~Widow] – “Lights Out” (Maitreya Applier)

Poses & Props:

Aii the Ugly & Beautiful – “Fierce Dragon Brothers” (Gacha, Rare) – NEW @ Arcade

Model & Photographer:

Wicca Merlin

End of Summer

End of summer… the days getting shorter and colder, fog is on the fields on the morning and we get more and more rainy days in Germany.

Enough reason for having one last sweet summer post πŸ™‚

This time it is something special as India and me found a matching dress from Tiptoes. It was at one of the Gimme Gacha gacha events and it looked so sweet – ok I admit it was India looking at me with sparkling eyes asking if we could do a partner pic with those dresses πŸ˜‰ Usually we both are not much of dress girl, but I guess she just loved the idea of having the same dress for both of us πŸ˜‰

We had a lot of fun doing the pics and play with the amazing props from Lil’Bug. The “Daisy” gacha set contains 8 common poses and 2 rares. For the post we used the common ones since the rares are couple poses which did not really match for our idea.

O hope you enjoy your last days of summer as much as we did πŸ™‚

Details

Clothing & Accessories

Dress: tiptoes – “Shimmer Princess Dress” (Maitreya, Gacha)

Choker: pr!tty – “Branch Choker” (Gacha, SoI)

Head Piece: pr!tty – “Nature Kitty” (Gacha, SoI)

Hair & Makeup

Hair: pr!tty – “Hippy” (Gacha, Super Rare)

Makeup: Zibska – “Delight” (LeLutka Applier)

Lipstick: Zibska – “Felicity” (LeLutka Applier)

Body & Tattoo

Head: LeLutka – “Simone 3.0”

Body: Maitreya – “Lara 4.1”

Poses & Props

Lil’Bug Poses – “Daisy” (Gacha)

Models: India Amari & Wicca Merlin

Photographer: Wicca Merlin

Sporty Moment

Yes, sometimes even me has a sporty urban moment*giggles*

This time it was the shoes that totally got me and when I bought them at the last sale of Reign. I always was in love with that shoes, but when they were in the sale I could not anymore resist.

The shoes come in 3 different colors if you get the fatpack and all 3 are just awesome πŸ˜‰ They are made of 2 parts so you could wear them as short ones too without the upper thigh parts.

First I wanted to do a baseball looking style but I did not find all the stuff I wanted for it so I decided to go with a ‘Sporty Spice’ look πŸ˜‰

That kind of style is out of my personal comfort zone, but sometimes it is fun to try those as well πŸ˜‰

 

Details

Jacket: Sabotage – “Sports Bomber Jacket” (Maitreya)

Top: GizzA – “Lucy Tank” (Maitreya)

Pants: [sYs] – “Ride” (Maitreya)

Shoes: Reign – “Suicide Heels” (Maitreya)

Hair: Mina – “Indica”

Necklace: Minimal – “Chiker Bow Tie”

Makeup: Zibska – “Noir Pack 06” (LeLutka Applier)

Basics

Head: LeLutka – “Simone 3.0”

Body: Maitreya – “Lara 4.1”

Shape: Selfmade

Set

Background: anxiety – “Sunday pack %83”

Poses: Poseidon

Model & Photographer: Wicca Merlin

Dark Visions

Dark Visions

There’s something hidden
In the depthsof the night
From a placenot forbidden
But deprived of light
A landscape of mistery
Is the other side
Derying the limits
Of the mind

Dark Visions
Fragment of a story that’s not a lie
Dark vision
Image of an existence destinedto die
Dark visions

A raid into the unknown
Enigmatic strangeland
Where the incognito’s grown
Harder to understand
The faceof silence
The likehood of fear
A reflex that will slowly
Disappear

Nightmares and dreams
Fictions or realities
Dark Visions

[Alien Produkt]

Details

Clothing & Accessories:

Outfit: Zibska – “Lilitu” (Maitreya) – NEW @ The Secret Affair

Shoes: Reign – “Kendall” (Maitreya)

Nails: glYph – “Apex” (Maitreya, Bento)

Hair & Makeup:

Hair: Analog Dog – “Pipe Dream”

Makeup: Slackgirl – “SecretFreak” (Omega Applier) – NEW @ The Secret Affair

Body & Tattoo:

Head: LeLutka – “Simone 3.0”

Body: Maitreya – “Lara 4.1”

Poses & Props:

Poses: Poseidon

Props: E.V.E Studio – “KOI Square Confetti Ring” & “Sugarflies {Red}”

Model & Photographer: Wicca Merlin

I won’t back down

I Won’t Back Down

Well I won’t back down
No I won’t back down
You could stand me up at the gates of hell
But I won’t back downNo I’ll stand my ground
Won’t be turned around
And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down
Gonna stand my ground
And I won’t back down

Well I know what’s right
I got just one life
In a world that keeps on pushin’ me around
But I’ll stand my ground
And I won’t back downHey baby there ain’t no easy way out
Hey I won’t back down
Hey baby there ain’t no easy way out
Hey I will stand my ground
And I won’t back down
No I won’t back down
[Tom Petty]
Details
Clothing & Accessories:
Dress: United Colors – “Simone” (Maitreya)
Shoes: Hucci – “Itabuna Boots” (Maitreya)
Armstraps: L’Emporio – “Harness Arm” (Maitreya)
Headpiece: PFC – “Roach”
Makeup & Hair:
Facepaint: PFC – “Roach” (LeLutka Applier)
Makeup: Zibska – “Noir Pack 06” (LeLutka Applier)
Hairbase: Mina – “Myla” (LeLutka Applier)
Body & Tattoo:
Head: LeLutka – “Somine 3.0”
Body: Maitreya – “Lara 4.1”
Tattoo: [White~Widow] – “Brimstone” (Maitreya Applier) – NEW @ On9
Poses & Props:
Poses: Poseidon
Set:
Trees: Little Branch – “Spooky Tree 1 & 4”
Branches: [we’re CLOSED] – “Shrub Large Bare”
Skulls: [Kres] – “Dragon King” – NEW @ We β™₯ RP

The Darkness Inside

I did think a long time about a title for this post and pictures and after a conversation with a dear, sweet friend today, I suddenly had the idea – “The dark beast inside of me sometimes needs some release”

We all know that feeling I guess. You often just try to be polite and kind even if you feel that the inner beast tries to break free. In my life I learned that his beast has two different sides. It is very emotional and hot-headed on one side and sometimes it can be very dark ironic and sarcastic on the other. That is why I learned to control it and keep it locked in chains inside of me.

Certainly I was told to not always swallow all my emotions and everything that I get told, but the same time there is way how you can express this in a polite and adult way.

The most difficult it gets when you feel hurt. Because then this beast inside just rambles and rattles with the chains, developing immense power so that I sometimes really be afraid it would break that chains and just break free.

But exactly those situations taught me the most. When I was able to still keep it inside, it felt as a success to not let it win over me just because of someones judgement, rumors, gossips or words.

Every time I was able to keep it locked away, I felt that I did grow stronger. It was a long process and it took me years and sadly it is still not perfectly locked. But maybe it does not have to be, because everything has an end as well and so does patience, understanding and politeness. Sometimes people really need to know when they overstepped a line or did hurt me even if they will not believe nor change their behaviour – most of the time because they can’t as they have nothing in their life than trying to make others miserable. Then you do not even need to argue with those, because you can’t win. Anyways what you will say to prove them wrong they will turn it around and again use it against you no matter what. So all you can do is let it go, turn around and move on.

If you move on, you will meet new people in the future who will treat you with more respect and in an adult way. Certainly not only those, but all the others will wait for you left and right as well and maybe it is the personal challenge of everyone’s life to pass those who do not matter to meet those who DO matter – if that makes any sense. That does not mean you should not take any critiques, but you can learn to decide between the good and the bad critique. The bad, that only was used to hurt, blame or accuse you without any content OR the one that sometimes hurts too a bit – because you might have seen it different – but that as well contains facts and things that let you learn and grow from.

In the end you are the one, that has to make the decisions in your life – nobody can do or should do that for – as long as you can.

For me it feels better to have a mainly positive life (all of us have bad days or experiences) instead of a hate filled, jealous and not satisfied one. I always ask myself – before I react on things – if it would be worth fighting or arguing about something, or just smile and say thank you, turn around and move on. Both cases did happen and both will happen in the future, but if I argue or discuss I try to stay with the facts, be polite and kind and as well stay adult and not just release the inner beast without thinking. If that happens, I exactly would do that, what I do not want be done to myself – hurt, accuse or become personal and unobjective – and that is not an option to me if I can control it. I have to admit, over the years I became way more calm in such situations and maybe it is the age that lets you think before you take any action πŸ˜‰

Details

Clothing & Accessoires:

Outfit: Salt & Pepper – “Strapped” (Gacha, Maitreya)

Arms Straps: L’Emporio – “Harness Arms” (Maitreya)

Shoes: Bax – “Regency Boots”

Chains: E.V.E Studio – “{Apocalyptica} Cyber Snake Chains”

Makeup & Hair:

Hair: A&Y Bunker – “Cyro Hair”

Hairbase: Mina – “Myla Hairbase” (LeLutka Applier)

Makeup: Zibska – “Ballard Makeup” (LeLutka Applier)

Body & Tattoo:

Head: LeLutka – “Simone 3.0”

Body: Maitreya – “Lara 4.1”

Ears: Swallow – “Pixie Ears”

Arms: Zibska – “Speckles” (Maitreya Applier)

Poses & Props:

Pose: Poseidon

True Friendship

“And now to something completely different!”

In RL my English teacher – back when I was at school – used to say that if he was changing his topic, and after a roll of post apocalyptic posts (one is still missing), I wanted to do something different and finally my mind was able to do something else *giggles*

I am always fascinated from white pictures and rarely – if I try one – , they come out as I want them too.

But this time it did! I wanted to do a combination of power and fragile moments in a very soft environment.

All I added for the set were the “Waving Bioluminescent Fungus” in white and the “Rapunzel in Evie White Tower” in front of a white background. The “Rapunzel in Evie White Tower” reminded me of the thought of your inner voice, that talks to you if you have decisions to make or that you ask when you are down and do not know who to ask. It looked great in the background for the idea of the picture.

Do you know that moment, where people want you to be strong and you feel right the opposite but cannot show that, because you have a task to end or you have to be there for someone?

It is like an inner fight with yourself, trying to not let the fragile side win. Sometimes you need to be strong, no matter what. Even if I have been told several times to not hide my feelings – if you have a true friendship, sometimes your own feelings have to be pushed behind to be there for your friend. Thank god it does not happen too often that those 2 ‘souls’ come up to the same time. Would you not expect the same from a true friend – to be there for you when you need him or her most? and even if I am always afraid to bother someone with my problems and moods. But IF I do, I really to expect close and true friends to be there for me. And saying that I would even get up in the middle of the night and drive 500 and more kilometers to help , when it would be needed and possible.

True friendship is rare and even more rare in an online environment, but it is there. Many times you might be disappointed from people who you thought you know but if you stop trusting… you never will find those who are true and honest. You would cut yourself off to meet people who could be potential true and honest friends. I do not know if that makes sense – bear with the German – but I hope you know what I am trying to say.

In the past 10 years in SecondLife, I met many people. Some I still talk to, some quit playing and some just vanished. It was a rollercoaster journey in terms of meeting people. A few I let come close to me and they ripped out my heart and left me in pain for weeks. sometimes I even thought I will quit playing Second Life. But then there are some that I met, which caught me, gave me the feeling of being close to them and those I would not want to miss again. It might only be a handful people who really do know me – know more behind Wicca’s pixel – but those I highly value and I could not think about a life without them anymore. Even if we never met, we shared tons of hours on skype or inworld, even further on mobile communication tools and they became part of not only my Second Life but my real one as well.

Friendships are different – Some are super close and with some you share moments and experiences but you do not talk to them on an everyday base. That does not have to be bad though, they are still friends I do care for and in the moment we meet we have the biggest fun ever πŸ™‚

I never would wanna change the past, as it did make me to what I am now – SL and RL. Even the pain made me learn something –Β  I never stopped to trust people or give people a chance to know me and become new, true friends.

Sometimes it is hard, but if you go out to find new true and real friends maybe do not give them the burden or the doubt out of your past experiences. They are not responsible for that, nor they know.

I hope I did make sense with what I was trying to say – if not… maybe holler at me inworld and you can help me doing it better πŸ˜‰

Details

Clothing & Accessories:

Outfit: Plastix – “Solaris” (Maitreya)

Shoes: Essenz – “Calgary” (Maitreya)

Shoulder Piece, Necklace & Brows: Zibska – “Verad” (Gacha)

Makeup & Hair:

Makeup: Zibska – “Verad Eye Makeup” (LeLutka Applier)

Lipstick: Zibska – “Adia” (LeLutka Applier)

Hair: enVogue – “Carley”

Head, Body & Tattoos:

Head: LeLutka – “Simone 3.0”

Body: Maitreya – “Lara 4.1”

Poses & Props:

Poses: Poseidon

Props: E.V.E Studio – “Waving Bioluminescent Fungus” & “Rapunzel in Evie White Tower”

Model & Photographer: Wicca Merlin

 

Post Apocalyptic – What is that?

As promised, I will today talk a little bit about post apocalyptic styles in comparison to cyber/cyberpunk, which I wrote about in one of my last posts (https://wiccamerlin.de/cyberpunk-what-is-that/).

Maybe lets start again with a general description from Wikipedia and then go from there πŸ˜‰

Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction is a subgenre of science fiction, science fantasy or horror fiction literature in which the Earth’s technological civilization is collapsing or has collapsed. The apocalypse event may be climatic, such as runaway climate change; natural, such as an impact event; man-made, such as nuclear warfare or resource depletion; medical, such as a Pandemic, whether natural or man-made; or imaginative, such as a zombie apocalypse, cybernetic revolt, technological singularity, dysgenics, or alien invasion. The story may involve attempts to prevent an apocalypse event, deal with the impact and consequences of the event itself, or it may be post-apocalyptic, set after the event. The time frame may be immediately after the catastrophe, focusing on the travails or psychology of survivors, the way to maintain the human race alive and together as one, or considerably later, often including the theme that the existence of pre-catastrophe civilization has been forgotten (or mythologized). Post-apocalyptic stories often take place in a non-technological future world, or a world where only scattered elements of society and technology remain.

[Wikipedia]

Post apocalyptic is the time after an apocalypse, that means the world like we know it is gone and we have to live from all that is left over. Most likely electricity is not working in general.. maybe via a few generators that are left as long as we have the fuel to run them. Water might be rare, so the everyday shower probably has o be skipped as well πŸ˜‰

It probably is a martial, warlike environment, where all just try to survive – anyways how.

Let’s think about what you could wear then or what kind of fashion would be most certain…

I would say makeups will be a rare case, maybe we can use coal or clay, maybe even some berries or fruit that survived, to bring color on our faces. I do not see that very colorful or even neon looking.

For the clothing, when we looted all existing warehouses and clothing stores, we most likely have to wear what we can find, or what we can create out of that. Maybe that’s why I love that genre so much as it is very simple but as well can be very creative in terms of fashion and creating outfits.

Because of the fact, that I really do love post apocalyptic clothing and environment, I really was happy when I heard that there will be an event exactly for that. From the 18th to the 27th of August, the Thereafter event is taking place.

A full sim created in a post apocalyptic style, with many amazing designers who designed fashion, furniture, ambience, poses or landscaping items for exact that futuristic imagination.

Thereafter has a tight schedule of many events. Dj’s, live musicians and a cool fashion theatre are taking place! Event Schedule: https://thereaftersl.wordpress.com/event-schedule/

The outfits and props for my todays post are all from the event and as well the pictures are taken there. Don’t you love it when you can go shopping and as well take amazing pictures or walk around in the perfect environment for the event?

For my first post I chose the “Bena” dress with the amazing belt and scarf. The dress comes in many different colors and together with the 2 amazing accessories it just looks totally amazing, even if you can wear the dress without those as well.

From Boom I used the super cool shoulder plates, that are made of car plates – I just love such neat little details!

Last but not least I am wearing the event exclusive from ~isil~, the extraordinary mask of the “Survival Mask & Helmet” design. You can choose to wear only the mask or the helmet with the HUD that comes with it and as well lets you retexture the whole item to many different colors – even the little light in the mask you can colorchange.

For the rest of the look I am wearing many parts of DeathRowDesign, that are as well the creators of the amazing building in the background of the pictures. The “Sewer Shelter” is a wonderful collection with all kind of fantastic furniture and as well a built that you can use as your perfect post apocalyptic hideout πŸ˜‰

Over the next few days I will have a few more exciting news from the event, as it became an addiction to make pictures on the Thereafter sim πŸ˜‰

If you like this kid of style as much as I do, or if you are just curious and want a kick ass experience, even if you just love making snaps in cool scenarios – you should NOT miss out on the Thereafter event!

Thereafter Taxi: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sarastro/159/171/26

Details

Outfit: Miss Chelsea – “Bena” (Maitreya) – NEW @ Thereafter

Right Leg: Wicca’s Wardrobe – “Naesala Boots” (Maitreya)

Left Leg: DeathRowDesigns – “Post Apocalyptic Prosthetic”

Shoulderpieces: BOOM – “Plate Armor” – NEW @ Thereafter

Arm Armor: DeathRowDesigns – “Female Armor”

Bracelet right: Lapointe and Beastchild – “Swear Holiday Corded Bracelet”

Mask: ~isil~ – “Survival Mask & Helmet” – NEW @ Thereafter

Hair: Discord Designs – “Senay”

Skin Dirt (incl. nailpolish): Izzie’s – “Body & Face Dirt” (Maitreya/LeLutka Applier)

Makeup: Zibska – “Noir Pack 06” (LeLutka Applier)

Props: DeathRowDesigns – “Sewer Shelter” – NEW @ Thereafter

Poses: Poseidon

Basics

Head: LeLutka – Simone 3.0″

Body: Maitreya – “Lara 4.1”

Shape: Selfmade

Model & Photographer: Wicca Merlin

Location: Thereafter

Time to relax… now!

 

Today my post might be different as most of my other ones. I had a year full or work and joy, a year of stress and the most fun I ever could imagine.

About a year ago, in May 2016, an idea was growing inside my head. After seeing a wonderful musical, done by kids and adults of an amateur dramatic society not too far from my home, an old dream of mine came up again.

I always wanted to do a musical with mainly kids from a school I am working at. Until that time I never had the right people around me, or I was not allowed to do such a huge project as it would interrupt and interfere the normal school schedule too much and so many other reasons, which I do not even remember.

But this time it should be different.

I spoke to a very close friend of mine, that as well works at the same school and with me. She was at that musical I was talking about before as well and when I joked about, if we could not pull off something like that as well, she only answered “Why not?”. I told her about my weakness of organizing things and my strength of creativity, music and passion for musicals. She is like a soul mate for me or even the sister I never had, so I was totally honest about my fears. She only did listen and did not say a word until I was done talking and I already was scared that she would tell me I am crazy – Which would be no news :p

I was staring at her to wait for her reaction. She looked at me and said “If you are taking the responsibility for everything that has to do with music and dance and all the sound engineering stuffs, I can help organizing stuffs, help with reversals and costumes and as well I can do all the calculation with you”. I must have stared at her with an open mouth and she started to joke about it and asked me, if I did really listen to what she said.

I was speechless as I never would have expected such an amazing reaction. So all that was left – before proposing the idea to our school principal – was to find a musical, that could be done by kids and teens but as well would attract teens and adults as audience. We have kids from the age of 10 up to 18, so it should be something that catches all of them, plus it had to be something with cool costumes and many possibilities of accessories and styles. It took me about 4 weeks to find something that was affordable, would allow changes by me and as well sounded cool enough for the kids.

I found a muscial version of Dracula twisted for kids and young adults with a lot of humor and still the basic Dracula story in it. It was called “Dracula – the ultimate Grusical”. When I told my friend about it, she was all up for it immediately and already saw certain costumes and styles behind her inner eyes. Now the most difficult part was coming up… I had to propose the idea to our boss. He is a passionate musician himself, but as well he leads a school and so I was not sure what he would say about our idea.

His first question was, if I would be sure about all the work and effort and I told him, that I was part of a school musical 3 times before myself and that I am not exactly sure how much work it would be, but that I would know it would not be easy and as well a lot of unpaid extra hours, but the same time, that it would be a life time dream of mine and that I am not scared by a huge work load.

He said he would not have anything against the idea but all the other teachers would have a say as well, as some rehearsals would maybe go through some usual school times. When I entered the teachers room a few days later, I had really wonky knees as those folks who usually work with me, now would have the decision about my dream. Their reactions were amazing and they all told me I would have full support and even had ideas how we could connect the musical project with regular lessons and classes like making accessories and all the stage buildings in arts and have some parts of the text to work in the German language lessons. I was totally overwhelmed and more than happy.

After some mailing work with the publishing house of the musical, I got the text, the music, the songs and everything that we needed – by then it was July 2016, shortly before the long summer holidays. The holidays gave me enough time to adjust text and music according to some requests of our principal and as well to the roles for the kids. When school started again in September 2016 I was done with all this and as well had made a first choice of who would play certain roles. Now I just needed to ask the kids if they would agree and as well I needed my friends help for some more role assignments.

To make along story short, some kids did not like the idea and bailed out even 2 month after we started rehearsing and each of them nearly gave me a breakdown and I saw the whole project die more than once, but we always found a solution andΒ  asked a few former pupils to take part as well. It was a very rough and exhausting year but I do not regret one second. It was a great time to know the kids way more than during a ‘norma’ school year and they all worked super hard. In May 2017, we got another shock 6 weeks before the premiere… Our Dr Van Helsing got a cruciate ligament rupture while playing beach volleyball and I again saw the whole project going down. But again there was an angel, who offered to help and a 16 years old guy stepped up and took over that major role.

14th of July 2017 – Premiere!

I have no idea how we made it and time seemed to fly in the last 3 weeks but we made it to rock the first show of 4 with a sold out house of 200 people in the audience. we are a small school and only have round about 120 kids and having a sold out premiere was more than I ever expected. The kids were super nervous, none of them had done such a huge project before. The musical is about 2 hours long and we added a little break of 30 min between the 1st and the 2nd act. 2,5 hours of high concentration, lots of text and singing. In the end we had about 70 kids involved with acting, speaking, singing on stage, a choir and the school band. All had costumes and makeups and we had amazing help from a few parents who helped with all that behind the scenes during the shows. During the break we had Dracula themed snacks, cakes, sweets and drinks, sold by the association, thatΒ supports all kind of our school activities.. it was so amazing really.

Now after the 4th and last show… I only can look back and I am so grateful for all the help and support we got. The kids grew on that project in an unbelievable way and already asked when we would do something like that again.

I probably do not have the power and strength to do something like this right again, but I did not say “Never” either πŸ˜‰ We will see what the future brings πŸ˜‰

Maybe now some of you do understand, why I was not blogging as much as I used to in the past months, or why I was not online that much in the past weeks… but that project really took a lot of me – not only time wise – but I do not regret even one second! But now it is time to RELAX – at least for a bit πŸ˜‰

Details

Outfit: PurpleMoon – “Oriana” (Maitreya)

Shoes: Eudora3D – “Nina” (Maitreya)

Hair with Hat: EMO-tions – “Paola”

Rings: MEVA – “Boho Bento Rings” (Maitreya)

Glasses: Earthstones – “The Yesterday”

Necklace: BEO – “Vanessa”

Nailpolish: Nailed It! – “Lace Set” (Maitreya Applier)

Lipstick: Zibska – “Lami Lips” (LeLutka Applier)

Tattoo: [White~Widow] – “Silence” (Maitreya Applier)

Vehicle: Atelier Visconti – “Paolino”

Location: Wicca’s Wardrobe

Basics

Head: LeLutka – “Simone 2.7”

Body: Maitreya – “Lara 4.1”

Eyes: IKON – “Hope Eyes”

Shape: Selfmade

Model & Photographer: Wicca Merlin