Or as I really wanted to call this post, “This Christmas – Give a Shit!” Hello; I’m the vampire Lord Winter Jefferson. The fabulous Barry Singe is allowing me to take over her blog (again) because… lets face it, she can be pretty slack at times. Can’t style herself either, takes second rate pictures and carries a whiff of curried mangos with her wherever she goes. I’ll admit to being somewhat fond of her, but only very occasionally and after a helluva lot to drink. This post does come out from both of us though, and it comes from some place pretty sincere. In Strawberry’s case it would be her heart but with me I’m not entirely sure as mine stopped beating a good 248 years ago. Self preservation perhaps; I like to maintain my food source in good working order.

This time of year… for most of us, we are so lucky. Sure everyone is doing it a lot harder, I won’t deny. But there’s usually enough to eat, we don’t have to boil our water before drinking it and we are mostly free to live our lives in a safe way. If you have the freedom to be online and read this post then you are doing relatively well. No one begrudges you this and it’s wonderful to see. We’d just like to invite you to take one extra step outside, as Second Lifers have proven themselves to be such a generous community on both local and global levels in this quite frankly crappiest of years.

What we would love is to open up comments to things that you do for others, share and provide inspiration for small acts that can provide cheer where it is least expected – and most needed. As an example, I give my family chickens in a card each year. It’s kind of hard stuffing them in and neither of us seems to enjoy the experience much, but I saw it as an idea on the Oxfam site  and I didn’t really bother reading it closely so I just put my own spin on it… no, really. What happens is you buy the card, and the cost goes towards giving a family in places like Laos a brood of chickens. You can give a friend crabs  (or as I call it “every other Friday night”) and you genuinely can give a shit. I personally recommend sending this one to your boss.

There are lots more ways that can be used to add some extra sparkle. That lonely old widow on the end of your street? Invite him around for some festive nog. That really ugly patch of weeds at the park? Pull an eco ninja and plant some flower seeds there so that everyone gets a Spring surprise. Leave a comment on the blog of someone you do not know. Throw in toll fare for the car behind you. Babysit for your harried friend. Write a letter instead of a text. Compliment a stranger on their style. Pat that strange cat winding its way around your ankles. Create little origami animals and leave them on park benches to delight small children. Reassure Berry that she doesn’t smell like rotten mangos… which means totally lie through your fangs.

I know that we don’t all believe in the same things. It doesn’t matter, beauty is non  denominational. Share with us what you do to make this season special. That’s the first step right there.

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” Plato.

What Berry Is Wearing and She Obviously Took This Picture Too And Was Quite Upset That I Didn’t Let Her Get An Ass Shot Into This Post:
Skin: Glam Affair Linn by Aida Ewing
Hair: Elikatira Early Black by Elikapeka Tiramisu
Boots: Slink Tall Leather Thigh Boots Curvy Red by Siddean Munro
Outfit: B@R Rolled Up Santa Girl Red by June Dion

What Winter Is Wearing:

Lap Warmer: Strawberry Singh by… well presumably Mr and Mrs Singh
Hair: LeLutKa Olja in Arctic by Thora Charron
Antlers: Illusions Florissinae by Siyu Sien
Skin: Tableau Vivant Vincent in January by M4r1lyn Magic
Eyes: Fashism in Pale Silver by Ikon Innovia

Chair + Pose: {.:exposeur:.} Cozy Santa Chair by RubyStarlight Writer

For today’s male fashion post I got to interview the stylish couple, Gabe Bookmite and Garrett Ceriano. I met and got to know Gabe and Garrett on plurk. Gabe has an innocence about him that is not only lovable but hilarious at the same time. His plurks and responses always leave me giggling to myself. Garrett on the other hand, well I’ll be honest here, he kinda intimidated me at first. LOL But after a while I realized he’s quite a nice guy and not so intimidating. :P

Now they have come together and started their own fashion blog. If you haven’t seen it yet, check out: The Cerianos | Love and Fashion

So while I was taking their pictures, I of course had to do my usual poking, prodding and asking completely innocent questions. I love their responses because they really made their personalities shine. Here’s a glimpse of the Cerianos. <3

Berry: How long have you guys known each other in sl?
Garrett Ceriano: 5 minutes
Berry: lol
Gabe Ceriano: two years
Gabe Ceriano: well one
Gabe Ceriano: almost two

Berry: and what made you guys decide to start a blog together?
Gabe Ceriano: Um, Garrett has a nice style and I was getting bored of just me
Garrett Ceriano: I chose to blog with him because it’s what’s good for me.
Berry: were you threatened and blackmailed to do it?
Gabe Ceriano: Yes I did.
Garrett Ceriano: Well, my life is in danger
Berry: hahahahahaha
Gabe Ceriano: I told him he has to blog with me
Garrett Ceriano: We had intended on blogging together but I had never gotten around to doing that with him because I resisted and also had something “better” to do
Berry: hahahahhahaha I love your bluntness.
Garrett Ceriano: So we just decided since we get dressed up and such to go to functions together we could do the same for a blog
Garrett Ceriano: And i’ll give him credit for our new blog totally being his idea and it gives me something to use my creativity on, I’m more productive under pressure lol
Berry: awwww, you guys make a good team.

Berry: ok Garrett, tell me what you like most about Gabe. :P
Garrett Ceriano: afk
Berry: hahahahahaha
Berry: I think he’s running away from the question
Gabe Ceriano: he is. He dislikes me T-T
Gabe Ceriano: So Garrett what do you like about me? lol
Garrett Ceriano: We just met like 5 minutes ago
Garrett Ceriano: The things I like most about him are…
Garrett Ceriano: He can stick to scheduling better than I can
Garrett Ceriano: He can wear anything and pull it off, I can’t…
Berry: I would have to agree with that (him being able to pull off anything)
Garrett Ceriano: He puts up with my temper
Berry: you have a pretty bad temper huh?
Garrett Ceriano: NO COMMENT
Berry: hahahha

Berry: ok Gabe you tell me now, what do you like most about Garrett
Gabe Ceriano: I typed this when garrett was talking so
Garrett Ceriano: He likes that I cut him off when I’m still talking
Gabe Ceriano: Garrett is very passionate with everything he does. He has his view points as is very unwilling to change his view points. Sometimes he lets me be the boss. Sometimes. He’s sweet and kind and childish and he fixes my typos. He always makes me laugh…like now <-<
Berry: awwwwwwww you guys are totally adorable.
Garrett Ceriano: I think we keep each other grounded

I really had such a fun time chatting with both of them. They are both very down to earth and friendly, not to mention incredibly stylish. So do check out their blog when you get the chance.

Thank you Gabe and Garrett for posing for me. <3

And now here's what they are wearing:

What Garrett Ceriano is wearing: (left)
*Skin: -Belleza- Ashton Medium Bald (chest hair) by Tricky Boucher
*Eyes: MADesigns- EYES_NATURE ~ Island Green by Maddox DuPont
*Hair: RAW HOUSE :: Flatliner [DkBrown 01] by Jay Khaos
*Hairbase: .::MADesigns HAIR::. ~ Hair Base ~ Dark Brown VIII
*Piercing: =Razorblade Jacket= – Sweet Spiked Face by Kehl Razor
*Glasses: *Muism*- Alibi shade [L] by Icemocolo Voom
*Jacket: Dirty Hands – Punk Outfit Male – Leather Jacket by Traveller Bade
*Shirt: /artilleri/- Bowling shirt *Flames – Black/Color* by Antonia Marat
*Watch: *chronokit* watch no.36 Dio Red by Kit Pizzacato
*Tattoo: AITUI TATTOO – Guided Stars by Jesseaitui Petion
*Pants: HAVANA- Checkmate Pants Red & White by Ricco Saenz (currently only available on marketplace, sold by Keebo Kidd)
*Boots: *Muism*- Troy boots_Black by Icemocolo Voom

What Gabe Bookmite is wearing: (right)
Hair/hairbase: [CheerNo] Hair DIAS / Dark 3.1
Eyes: CheerNo ~ Ollie. Prim Eyes Loked Brown
Skin: Tableau Vivant~ Vincent December
Nails Mstyle~ Male Nails – B&W+
Beard: NANUK ~ birk beard black
Vest: *Muism* Biker Vest/Grey p01
Shirt: [pivaaca] -Homme- Printing Cut ‘n Sew *09*
Pants: Adjunct Denim – Santa Fe Jean – Smokey Quartz
Boots: COCO ~ Homme EngineerBoots
Piercings: [CheerNo] Ears GAUGE Full SET 2

I am happy and delighted to start up my male fashion posts again and boy do I have a bunch of fantastic men lined up to shoot. Today I got to drool over Mr. Bronson Twine.

I remember the first time I interacted with Mr. Twine, he was plurking the words to “The Loco-Motion” and of course I couldn’t stop myself and joined in. But the lyrics to awesome girly pop songs is not the only thing Mr. Twine knows well, he also knows how to create one of the most stylish avatars on the grid. If you’ve never had the pleasure of reading his blog, don’t wait another second and check out (ir)regular guy.

While I was snapping his pictures, I of course could not resist asking him a bunch of questions and admittedly flirting a little. :P

Strawberry Singh: ok so first question is…where have you been all my life? joking (not really)
Bronson Twine: hahaha.

Strawberry Singh: What else do you do in sl? Other than blogging and looking handsome.
Bronson Twine: Very little, really. For quite a while SL has been about blogging and photography for me.

Strawberry Singh: Are you as stylish in your RL as you are in SL?
Bronson Twine: Probably not. I get to wear stuff in SL that I would in RL if I had the money and confidence. In RL I’m pretty much a t-shirt and jeans kinda guy. And I usually am here too.

Strawberry Singh: Is there anything that inspires you to create your looks? Or does it just come to you?
Bronson Twine: Inspiration can come from all sorts of places. Often I can pick op a piece and build an outfit around that. But music is also a major inspiration and I’ll sometimes build a look based on a particular musical style or genre. But mainly it’s whatever pops into my head when I start pulling a look together. Which is always a good thing….

Strawberry Singh: What do you love about SL the most?
Bronson Twine: The people. The creativity. The freedom to look and be whatever you want to on that particular day.

Strawberry Singh: So the next question is for all the girls…are you single? :P
Bronson Twine: Yes. Yes, I am. By choice, though.

Strawberry Singh: Is locomotion your most favorite song ever?
Bronson Twine: It comes pretty close. More songs should have dances that go with them. Closer by Nine Inch Nails is also a favourite. It’s a tender love song.
Strawberry Singh: you know I am gonna write that in the post that you said locomotion is pretty close to your fav song ever
Bronson Twine: I guessed you might. But everybodies doing a brand new dance now….

Strawberry Singh: LOL, so what’s your biggest pet peeve in SL?
Bronson Twine: People who stand at landing points and then yell at you when you land on them is a peeve. Then theres always the eternal issue of bling…

Strawberry Singh: I knew I shouldda busted out my bling shoes today
Bronson Twine: I’m sure you look wonderful in them.
Strawberry Singh: You are quite the charmer.
Bronson Twine: Full of shit, some people might say. But I try to be the nicest person I can be.
Strawberry Singh: Well I think you are very nice.
Bronson Twine: thank you. I think the same about you.
Strawberry Singh: oh so then you will partner me?
Bronson Twine: Possibly….
Strawberry Singh: lol, could be fun
Bronson Twine plays hard to get.
Strawberry Singh: hahahaha, you know if you reject me I have skittles as a back up
Bronson Twine: We all have Skittles as a back up.
Strawberry Singh: LOL that is SO going in the post
Bronson Twine: Shes going to kill me…bless her pink, fluffy cotton socks.

and this is where I’m gonna end my post so I can watch the lovely Magenta DeVinna (AKA Skittles) kill him. :) My work here is done!

Thank you Bronson for taking the time to pose for me. Your work is inspiring, it was a pleasure meeting and talking to you. <3

This is what Mr. Twine is wearing:
Jeans: [NSD] 25Jeans – Dark Blue
Shirt: Schadenfreude White Oxford, full messy tails
Coat: ::[ Mr.Poet ]::Peacoat_Black/Jacket
T-Shirt: AITUI – Decollete – Driftwood
Facial Hair: NANUK birk beard brown with sideburns
Freckles: L.Fauna EXTRA FRECKLES [Pale]
Facial Hair: the body co. Hunter (01 Fair) – facial hair – scruffy
Hair: >TRUTH< Liam Streaked – walnut
Badges: Modified from =Black Kettle= Vest (Worn Union Jack)
Boots: DECO – Engineering Boot – Worn
Necklace: KOSH- THE KEY NECKLACE chest -male-
Glasses: Reek – Augie Glasses
Skin: the body co. Hunter (01 Fair) – brown brows
Eyes: [LeLutka]-Ellis-Cloud/S

Mens 24 is an event just for the fashion conscious men of Second Life (or the ladies with male alts :P). It started on August 19th and will run through the 27th. 24 established menswear designers have created limited edition items for this unique event. The outfit I am wearing above is a limited edition from GizzA which will only be available at this event to 100 lucky shoppers.

The skin I am wearing is the latest from Belleza. Jacob was released ten days ago and comes in 5 skin tones: Pale, Medium, Sunkissed, Tan and Deep Tan.

There is also an exclusive edition of Jacob that is currently available at the Mens 24 event. I am not wearing that limited edition but you can view it here on the Belleza blog. Only 100 copies of this special edition will be available.

There will be many fashion shows and parties as well. Check out the SecondNights website for all the details, then take the slurl and join the fun!

What I’m wearing:
First Picture:
*Skin: Belleza Jacob Deep Tan 4 by Tricky Boucher
*Hair: Discord Designs Lilith Cool Brown by Kallisti Burns
Outfit: GizzA Oriantal Male Outfit by Giz Seorn (Available at Mens 24)
*Pose: Diesel Works by Rogan Diesel
Location: Africa

Second Picture:
*Skin: Belleza Jacob Deep Tan 4 by Tricky Boucher
*Hair: Discord Designs Lilith Cool Brown by Kallisti Burns
Shirt: *VERVE* Basic Tee Short Sleeve (Pebble) by Atomicsparkle Skytower (Available at Mens 24)
Necklace: A:S:S deLuxe – Le Papillion Noir (male) by Photos Nikolaidis (Available at Mens 24)
*Poses: Diesel Works by Rogan Diesel

*Promotional copies

Photography by the fabulous Miaa Rebane for LE.LOOK! Fashion & Style.

LE.LOOK! Quality Fashion District is happy to announce our first ever flickr contest! One lucky winner will walk away each month with L$10,000!

We are very excited to have the focus of this contest to be on STYLING rather than just photography. We would like you all to use your creativity to create a look using items that are currently available at LE.LOOK!
The more items you wear from LE.LOOK! the greater your chances of winning.

Contest starts on July 1st, 2011.
Contest ends on July 25th, 2011 at 11:59 PST.
Winner will receive L$10,000

HOW TO ENTER:

> Take a picture of yourself wearing items currently available at LE.LOOK! quality fashion district and submit it in the LE.LOOK! flickr group

> Tag your entry with ‘LELOOKYOURSTYLEJuly‘ or it will not be eligible.

> In the description of the picture list full styling credits with exact slurl to items that are currently available at LE.LOOK! quality fashion district along with the full SL name of the stylist in the picture (if there is more than one, the first stylist listed will receive the funds)

> Up to 5 entries allowed per person

> Post processing is allowed however please make sure the styling and clothing stands out and is not altered in any way from its true form.

The winner will be announced at the end of the month and will be chosen by the following judges:

Strawberry Singh & Sawyer Campese

If you have any questions about the contest, please ONLY IM or email Strawberry Singh (strawberrysingh@gmail.com).

Now take the slurl to LE.LOOK! and start styling!

Thank you and best of luck!

I’m really looking forward to judging this contest and seeing all the stylish entries!!! I also wanted to give a shout out to ICON Magazine for the interview they did of the adorable Sawyer Campese. Check out his interview in the July issue of ICON on pages 94-99.