Vive la Separates!

There is much to tempt us in Neferia Abel’s latest releases from L`Abel and Ivalde over the past week. She continues to astonish us with her understanding of the line and style of contemporary as well as vintage design. Today i draw your attention to the new Winter L`Abel release. The dresses are just delightful and , as we have come to expect, Nef’s masterful texture handling lifts all of her designs to an even higher plane. This post however is all about SEPARATES! What a fun selection to choose from for mix and matching! I was immediately drawn to the Daija Cords, with their soft earth-tone colors. There is quite a variety of tops ranging from colorful knits to warm jackets and cardigans of all sorts to pair up. I picked the Toni top for the soft color match with my cords. Nef has long been encouraged to bring out a line of separates, and she has with marvelous results. She has certainly come through with the style and quality which are the hallmarks of the L`Abel label. Don’t take my word for it drop by L`Abel to see for yourself.~kym

Model/Photographer – KymSara Rayna
Wearing – Toni Top and Daija Cords by L`Abel Couture
Hair – Bryar by Damselfly
Skin – Emma by Tuli
Jewelry – Mara Hoops by EarthStones
Shoes – Beebee Boots by SLink
Poses – Perfection is Style

52 Weeks of Color Challenge: Emerald

Is 6 weeks to the day away from the day we exclaim “Erin go Braugh”, so new designs which are Emerald, this weeks Luna Jubilee’s 52 Weeks of Color Challenge , are still a little scarce. I thought i had the perfect match when i first saw the terrific little Taja knit dress in L`Abel’s latest release. However, in the studio light it seemed perhaps a bit more of a forest hue. What to do, what to do . . . . AHA, i have it . . .or rather i should say the “eyes” have it! I struck upon showcasing the Frog King Fairy Eyes from Poetic Eyes, which are an exquisite emerald match. Then joy of joys, i can still share my new favorite super comfortable (near-emerald) knit dress with you this week. The Taja is a modest dress with vintage texture and weave, yet very hip SITC sensibility, a dream of comfort and warmth. Only one of the many new designs at L`Abel Couture, found exclusively at Ivalde.



Model/Photographer – KymSara Rayna
Wearing – Taja Dress by L`Abel
Hair – Sandy by Amacci
Skin – Emma by Tuli
Eyes – Frog King Fairy by Poetic Eyes
Jewelry – Sensual Heart from Aurora Borealis
Shoes – Pinup Pumps by Stiletto Moody
Poses – Perfection is Style

52 Weeks of Color Challenge: Indigo

We continue to work our way through the Luna Jubilee’s 52 Weeks of Color Challenge box of Crayola’s, can’t you just smell the paraffin? How fitting that this week we feature a gown from the Edwardian era, which just so happens to be the time period when crayons were invented. A delightful match, for this weeks color Indigo, was found at Ivalde Vintage Fashion. The Trifidr gown is bold in blue textures, accented with eye-catching floral patterns in a sea of deep rich Indigo, the skirt moves with a wonderful flow. A stroll along the avenue or a garden i might be able to make do without my parasol, but a lady is never without her hat. There was no doubt in my mind that i would find the perfect hat to coordinate with this gown at Hatpins, where Reghan Straaf’s period designs offer a tantalizing array of choices. So many choices. in fact, it is always difficult to visit and to come away with only one hat, i settled on two, and chose her Lady Effie for this ensemble. I love to wear Cameo jewelry with this era styling. This set from Second Mirage is unfortunately, no longer available. I have it on good authority though, that a certain jewelry artist, who is my sister and shares this blog with me (not that i am naming any names), might be persuaded to add custom cameos to her line! Would that be so amazing?! ~kym



Model/Photographer – KymSara Rayna
Wearing – Tifridr Gown from Ivalde’s Edwardian Collection
Hair – Miss Banks by Historical Heroines
Skin – Emma by Tuli
Jewelry – Silver Cameo from Second Mirage
Hat – Lady Effie from Hatpins
Shoes – Lady Rose Boots by G Field
Poses – Perfection is Style

52 Weeks of Color Challenge: Green

Luna Jubilee’s 52 Weeks of Color Challenge for this week was GREEN. Having worn a several seasonal Holly-Green outfits through holidays, I was pleased to see that the sample color swatch offered was more of a jade green. And even more pleased to find some lovely gowns at a newly discovered shop — Bella Donna on Rodeo Drive.




Bella Donna owner and designer Bree Flanagan’s lovely Green Oriental gown really caught my eye from my arrival in the store. The color was right and the detail work, incuding the woven gold trim which follows the plunging neckline and deep cut back, adds an elegant finish to the shimmering floral Oriental silk.

Model/Photographer – KymSara Rayna
Wearing – Green Oriental by Bella Donna
Hair – Joy by Analog Dog
Skin – Molly by LAQ
Jewelry – O2 Earrings by Finesmith
Poses – Perfection is Style



I thought i was finished and was celebrating my shopping success when I spotted yet another beautiful silk gown in soft pastel shades of jade. I hope Luna will be fine with our submittal of two gowns to her challenge this week. It was terribly difficult to decide and the Coco Elegant dress was difficult to pass up.



Bree emphasizes soft femininity in the Coco Elegant design with a sheer waist sash and a nicely contrasting satin bodice in soft gold. I am delighted to present both of these gowns and to welcome Bella Donna to Notions of Style. ~ kym

Model/Photographer – KymSara Rayna
Wearing – Coco Elegant by Bella Donna
Hair – Adena by Amacci
Skin – Molly by LAQ
Jewelry – Leaf by G Field
Poses – Perfection is Style

One Fine Day…

Hal*Hina is not a new store on the grid, but it is a fresh discovery for me. I dropped by on a tip about their lovely hair and was enchanted with the delightful line of dresses there. I spotted the Classic J9080 (interesting name :)) and knew i had found a designer i would return to often. Simple lines, lace, bows and more lace. Definitely my kind of dress! The soft rose grey color is also one of my very favorites. Zhao’s AprilStar ankle boots seemed like a perfect match for an afternoon stroll around Wanderstill and SBecky Kidd’s new animated poses from Perfection is Style were just right for pictures in the garden. Now i must get back to Hal*Hina to check out that hair! ~ Kym

Dawn on the Delta

Just a few words are in order regard this latest in the monthly series of Member Gift outfits from Ivalde’s Neferia Abel. Unlike so many other stores whose gifts to members fall far short of the quality and design of their for-sale items, The Ivalde series has been consistently first rate, reflecting Neferia’s commitment to authentic period design and quality of workmanship. The Ellie, a cool and comfortable gingham print sundress for these last sultry days of the season, reminds me of the ‘living is easy’ line from “Summertime.” So I headed for the Mississippi Delta sim to shoot the pictures, and found the new line of poses from Perfection is Style, by Sbecky Kidd, just the right choice. The new Espadrilles from GoS might be a trifle dressy for the cotton fields but, just right to head into town for a fun day of shopping, or perhaps a picnic by the lake with that special someone. ~ Kym