MY3FBlog: Form Follows Function

The ICI Art and Fashion Blog

http://My3FBlog.blogspot.com

Go Go Dancer from BuyCostumes.com

Hula dancer from BuyCostumes.com also

Spanish Flamenco Dancer

And my very most favorite, Native American dancers (all photos from PowWowImages.com)

Shawl Dancer

Shawl Dancers – Ready, Set…

The website doesn’t say where these pictures were taken, but it looks like the Gathering of Nations Powwow I attended in Albuquerque, NM in 2001. What a trip! One of the largest powwows in the Northern hemisphere. It was all about the dancing for me. There were some mighty fine looking men there too. Speaking of men, how’s this for a costume?

This picture courtesy of GatheringofNations.com.

What Your Halloween Habits Say About You

A bit of an introvert, you like the special occasions just as much as everyone else. You just have your own unique way of celebrating Halloween.You definitely think of yourself as someone who has a dark side. And part of having that dark side means not showing it.Your inner child is full of wonder and very sweet.Your fears are irrational and varied. It’s hard to predict what you may be afraid of on any given day.You’re logical, rational, and not easily effected. Not a lot scares you… especially when it comes to the paranormal.You are picky and high maintenance. If you wear a Halloween costume, it’s only when you really feel like it. And it has to be perfect.

What’s Your Halloween Personality?

I totally think that BuyCostumes.com is the best place online for costumes. I’ll show you some examples of why I think that. Gypsy is my all time favorite thing to be on Halloween. Their gypsy is totally IT:

This is interesting:

** A Brief History of Gypsy Costumes **

The gypsy people were called Roma or Romani. They are made up of loose nomadic tribes that wandered much of the European countries during the Middle Ages and often lived in caravans. There are still nomadic gypsies in the world today.

In the 15th and 16th centuries, the basic dress of the woman was a simple robe gathered at the neck worn over an under gown made of chemise. They also wore a length of cloth which was draped down the back, around the opposite waist, up the front and tied at the shoulder (think Roman toga). A turban was worn on the head.

As time went on, fashions changed. For the most part, gypsies actually dressed very similar to the peasants of the area in which they traveled and cultural dress of the time. Most of the style of gypsy clothing that we picture today probably came from the Renaissance period when laced vests, flounced skirts, men’s breeches and pirate shirts were more popular.

I was a saloon girl for a couple of years too. My dress looked a lot like the one I call Saloon Woman. It’s a Plus Size. She looks good, don’t you think? I was also working in a restaurant/bar. It was a great costume. And of course that little Saloon Girl looks hot! But they’re sold out. Sorry about that. I’ll get Halloween done much earlier next year.

I always wanted to be a flapper. Something to aspire to…

This is called Jazz Time Honey Adult, from buycostumes.com.

Leave it to Martha Stewart to have the best decorating pictures. The first four pictures on this page are from her site, which also includes how-to instructions (of course).

Halloween Magazine is designed for the entire family. They strive to provide the best in fun and information regarding Halloween. Everything from decorations to music to history.

The History of Halloween by the History channel. ALL about the history of everything to do with Halloween.

Maye Englebreit’s bottle cap folk art treat bowls. Here for how-to.

More from M.E. Here for full description.

I’ll begin at the beginning.

“Second Life is a 3-D virtual world entirely created by its Residents. Since opening to the public in 2003, it has grown explosively and today is inhabited by millions of Residents from around the globe.

• From the moment you enter the World you’ll discover a vast digital continent, teeming with people, entertainment, experiences and opportunity. Once you’ve explored a bit, perhaps you’ll find a perfect parcel of land to build your house or business.
• You’ll also be surrounded by the Creations of your fellow Residents. Because Residents retain the rights to their digital creations, they can buy, sell and trade with other Residents.
• The Marketplace currently supports millions of US dollars in monthly transactions. This commerce is handled with the in-world unit-of-trade, the Linden dollar, which can be converted to US dollars at several thriving online Linden Dollar exchanges. “

More technical stuff next week. Let’s look at some fashion! This is all from Second Life Fashionista blog/magazine, Issue 12.

“To the left on the photo there is the sunny Junknitz dress, a short sunflower yellow babydoll with the cutest leggings to go with them. In the middle there is my favourite, Water. All those different shades of blue with the contrasting yellow and gold tones, it is as easily combined with a pair of heavy duty boots for the kick ass look, as with some stilettos and jewelry for a more boho chique style. To the right you see Prairie which is just a lovely dress in warm natural colours. I love the green that designer Cristina Elvehjem came up with.”

You can even get skin and hair to match your outfit:

“Skin with all 3 outfits is the new limited Octobre 2 in Buff from Tete à Pied. The hair is from Truth Hawks. Pearly to match Junknitz, Sunday for Water and Toni Tail for Prairie.”

Above – Verstec is the designer.

By Grazia Horwitz on Second Style Fashionista Blog, Issue 12 | October 6, 2007

Reader Style is a regular feature where the blog reader submits a pic of their avatar and if they win, the picture is in the next blog.

“Sweater is “Maya” by Bare Rose :: Shorts by Tuli :: Hair is “Janine” by ETD :: Shoes are Chucks by Darkstar Designs :: Tatto is “Star Tat” by Sh*t Happens :: Skin is Vogue – Cashmere (Vamp – Seduce) “

By Grazia Horwitz on the Second Style Fashionista blog, Issue 12 | October 10, 2007

For those of us who exercise in the water, either by preference or out of necessity, the fabric of these suits is indispensable. It’s called ChloroGuard and it’s guaranteed for one year not to get that limp, stretched out, worn out looking consequence of frequent exposure to chlorine. Yeah, you could get a new suit at Wal-Mart every month (if you live in the right climate), but that’ll end up costing you twice as much these days. This fabric feels good too; it’s not like some of the other guaranteed swim wear fabrics I’ve tried that won’t stretch enough for you to get in the darn thing until you’ve already worn it for a year or so (here’s a hint: S****o).
Now for the fun stuff. How these garments look. No matter what your body type, I think you’ll be able to find a flattering style. Plus size? You want to cover some things up a bit, and you want adequate support. Check these great styles out:

I’m off for some healthy fun in the pool. We’ll check out some more functional, fashionable swim wear next Friday.