Romance

Everyone can use a little romance in their inventory, and The Secret Store’s latest release is just the way to do it! Romance is an adorable babydoll type shirt that features a high neck and a sculpted prim skirt. I really love how shiny the texture is and how soft the colors are. Six color combinations are available for L$189 each or L$1,000 for the fatpack. Two special edition color combinations have also be left out from a previous Lazy Sunday event for only L$70 each!  Grab them before they are gone!

I really needed a cute pair of black leggings to go with the adorable Romance top; so, I headed for my favorite shopping place of late… the marketplace! It’s so easy to just type in what you are looking for and browse through the choices; it really cuts down on all the time you would spend looking through various shops! I do have to be honest, however; sometimes I am a little nervous about buying products from vendors I have never heard of. I hate spending money on clothing that looks fantastic in a picture and absolutely horrible on me. I typically prefer to grab a freebie from a store as a basis for quality before I spend Lindens, but since the leggings from Art Decade were only L$30, I decided to give them a shot anyway. I have to say that I am completely impressed with my L$30 leggings! The texture is absolutely beautiful, and at such a cheap price, I can afford the fatpack of seven colors for only L$150! I just had to visit the store in world as well, and I really love their products. You just may be seeing more posts featuring Art Decade products!


Credits
Clothing: [Shirt] *Romance in Light Pink by The Secret Store and [Pants] Leggings in Black by Art Decade
Shoes: Buckle Flats in Black by Phoenix Rising
Shoes: Brande in Cynical Black by fri.day (SALE)
Skin: Elf 2 [Dark] Sprite 2 (Sundust) by Curio
Pose: *Knee High Fashion 5 by !Bang
Background by FairieGoodMother

* Denotes item provided by designer for review.

Week 18 of 52 Weeks of Color - Ecru

It’s hard to believe that I have stayed with the 52 Weeks of Color challenge for eighteen weeks. Before I know it, a half a year will have already passed! I hope that Miss Luna is thinking of another year long challenge; I’m not sure if I like the thought of a ‘no challenge’ week.

My outfit for the ‘Ecru’ week really came from a mishmash of stores. The beautiful top I am wearing is the contribution of Kyoot to 50 Linden Friday. I really love the pattern and the color of the shirt. It makes me think American Southwest, which I suppose is why it is colored "Santa Fe". I’ve always wanted to visit; perhaps someday I will have the chance. The shirt comes in several options including wearing the shirt and undershirt together or separately. I personally love the layered look.

My very hot pants are from Phoenix Rising. I purchased the Mona Pants in Ice when the store was having their closing sale last summer. They are honestly my favorite pair of virtual jeans that I own, and that is saying something since I have quite a few pair. The texture is so soft and has a very worn and comfortable look. I was upset that I only bought one color and wished for quite a while that I could purchase other colors. Needless to say, when I found out that Phoenix Rising does indeed still have a store open, I rushed over and bought the Mona Pants in all colors! I’m wearing the tan color for my photo, and I love them just as much as the ice. For L$25, you really cannot beat these!

The skin I am wearing is the only thing officially colored ecru. I blogged the entire line of the Swedish Essentials Skin when Siss Boom first released it a couple months ago. I love the skin today as much as I loved it then. Highlighting and shading always make or break a skin for me. I absolutely hate it when a skin’s shading ends up looking like dirty knees and elbows. Of course you will not find that in the skins from Siss Boom. Lestat Reuven has taken a lot of time to make sure simple details are not overlooked. The highlighting and shading is done very well, and I love that random moles and freckles can be found throughout the body.

I'm only wearing two pieces of the very beautiful set of jewelry that League put out for 50 Linden Friday.  Here lately, I haven't been loving a whole lot of the items that have been placed out for the sale, but this set was a definite win!  I would have worn the included necklace as well, but it was a bit too bulky for what I was going for.  It is still definitely very pretty and worth way more than the L$50 I spent on it.


Credits:
Clothing: [Shirt] Book Worm in Santa Fe by Kyoot and [Pants] Mona Pants in Tan by Phoenix Rising
Jewelry: Wanderer by League
Shoes: Providence Riding Boots in Dark Brown by Mon Tissu
Hair: End of Summer in Brown 3 by Head Mistress
Skin: *Swedish Essential Makeup 2 (Ecru) by Siss Boom
Poses: [1] Long Hair 10 and [2] Long Hair 2-2 by Glitterati
Background by FairieGoodMother

* Denotes item provided by designer for review.

Designer Showcase

If you haven’t checked out the Designer Showcase lately, you may want to head on over. Since my last post, the event has fallen under new management and lots of new designers have joined up. As they say… Variety is the spice of life!

One of my favorite designs currently being offered at the showcase is Swan Lake by Riddle. I’m not typically a huge fan of sweaters in Second Life since they tend to have large prim pieces that many designers do not know how to blend correctly. Not that I could do it any better, but I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to adjusting prim pieces and small details drive me crazy! You will not find non-blending with these shirts, however! Prim attachments are included for the arms and of course for the bottom of the shirt. Not only does this shirt blend beautifully, but it has an amazingly gorgeous design on the front as well. Six colors of the shirt are included with your purchase for only L$99!

I paired Swan Lake with an amazing pair of sculpted heels by Jaqueline’s titled Calla. These black shoes contain bling on/off scripts, options for jewelry on/off, a hud to control texture, skin color and toe color, and an AO. The shoes also contain heel sounds. I haven’t had a pair of shoes with heel sounds since I first started playing Second Life; I had forgotten how much I like it! I love the sound of heels in real life, but unfortunately I cannot wear them due to tendonitis in my feet. It’s nice to still be able to experience the sound in my second life! You can pick these shoes up for only L$99!

As you have probably noticed if you have read my blog for any length of time or kept up with the blog feeds at all, Lemania Indigo Designs ALWAYS offers some pretty amazing deals. Lemania’s contribution to the showcase is no exception. Debutante is a lovely short blue dress with delicate floral designs. In true Lemania fashion, shoes are also included with your purchase. I love how the skirts on Lemania dresses flow.  If you love to go dancing, you should try one of her designs!  The effect is absolutely beautiful.  This dress is perfect for Spring and is available for only L$99!

I know I have said it before, but I really love that I have opened up to wearing different skins by various designers. A few months ago, you couldn’t have paid me to wear a different brand of skins. I truly love the Abigail 01A skin offered by Style by Kira at the showcase. The highlights and shadows blend beautifully with the skin, and the makeup is very soft. I so love the lips on this skin! The shimmer is absolutely beautiful; I wish I had some gloss like this in real life!! You definitely cannot beat a skin this pretty for only L$100!

I have wanted a set of pearls that had a mouth attachment for several months, but every time I saw one in a store, something just wasn’t right about them. Thankfully, my search is over! Bonita’s Jewelry has contributed a black pearl necklace titled Messy & Broken to the discounted collection at the showcase. I really love that this set of jewelry comes in two pieces just in case I don’t want to walk around Second Life with pearls stuck in my mouth. These pearls are very pretty and add just the right amount of class to any formal or casual outfit. To get the shine on the pearls as pictured, make sure your graphics are bumped up a bit. These can be yours for only L$75!


Credits:

Photos 1 and 2:
Clothing: [Shirt] *Swan Lake in Grey by Riddle @ Designer Showcase and [Pants] Mona Pants in Ice by Phoenix Rising @ L$25
Shoes: *Calla by Jaqueline's @ Designer Showcase
Hair: Mood in Brown 08 by [elikatira]
Skin: *Abigail Skin 01A by Style by Kira @ Designer Showcase
Pose: [1] Saw Her Standing There by Estetica and [2] Tea Party Whore by Olive Juice
Background by JoesSistah

Photos 3 and 4:
Clothing: *Debutante by Lemania Indigo Designs @ Designer Showcase
Jewelry: *Messy & Broken in Black Pearl by Bonita’s Jewelry @ Designer Showcase
Shoes: *Included with Clothing
Hair: Midori in Mocha by TRUTH
Skin: *Abigail Skin 01A by Style by Kira @ Designer Showcase
Poses: *Poofy by aDORKable Poses
Background by JoesSistah

* Denotes item provided by designer for review.

Week 16 of 52 Weeks of Color - Teal

Teal has been a much easier color for Luna Jubilee’s 52 Weeks of Color than I originally thought it would be. As it turned out, I already had a lot of teal clothing in my inventory. Who knew? I really need to get organized!

The dress I am wearing is another beauty from Phoenix Rising. The last time I featured this store, I stated that it was closed and only select items were available via the marketplace. A very sweet person left me a comment with a SLurl to Phoenix Rising’s permanent discount store. I just assumed, I suppose, that this store would already be closed since the closing sale happened months ago. I guess amazingly crafted clothing set at only L$25 really continues to sale! So, if you missed the sale last summer, don’t worry! Click the link below for a TP to the discount shop.

A month or so ago I discovered a new fantastic skin designer while I was visiting one of the many discount shops in SL. Filthy Skins has now joined up with another newly formed discount shop titled The Fashion Garrett. Like many other discount stores, all items are between L$30 and L$70. I’m still amazed, but very thankful, that so many good skin designers participate in these stores. At one point in Second Life, good skin was a luxury. Until next weekend, you can pick up this skin, titled Annabelle, for only L$50… Super affordable!

While I was visiting The Fashion Garrett I picked up this stunning necklace from NHA, titled Nancita. When I was younger, I always thought pearls were for old women. The older I get (and I’m really not that old), the more I am falling in love with them. They speak elegance and beauty to me now. At only L$50, this set is a must have!

The hair I am rocking is the new design released from [elikatira], titled Novel. I really love how the style mixes playfulness with a touch of nostalgia. The beautiful flower and adorable hair band (which have a preset teal color!) are definitely a nice touch. It reminds me of a sweet spring or summer day and has me longing for warmer weather. I’m so tired of freezing!


Credits:
Clothing: Encounter by Phoenix Rising
Jewelry: Nancita/Pearl Necklace by NHA @ The Fashion Garrett
Hair: Novel in Brown 08 by [elikatira]
Skin: *Annabelle by Filthy Skins @ The Fashion Garrett
Pose: [1] ILY Tyra and [2] You Betta Work! by Olive Juice
Background by JoesSistah

* Denotes item provided by designer for review.

Jasmine

I was a little more than just excited when I saw via the fashion feeds earlier this week that Curio would soon be releasing a new skin. Since my first purchase from Curio a month or so ago, I have been impatiently awaiting the opportunity to snag another set, and the release of Jasmine was my perfect chance!

Jasmine is an Asian inspired skin which was released to coincide with the Chinese New Year this past week. Although it is an Asian skin, it still looks beautiful on a non-Asian shape such as the one I am wearing. I absolutely love how realistic Curio skins are without losing the artistry of a drawn creation. This skin line features a lot of red tones as well as very dramatic makeups along with more subtle makeups as well. If you are looking for a skin pack with variety, this would definitely be it!

With this release came a few new skin tones: amber, honey, shell, swan and teak. In true Curio fashion, each skin tone comes with a light and dark option, two versions of each makeup and freckles/no freckles options giving you a total of 48 skins per tone. As if that wasn’t enough, Gala has packaged the skins differently for this release; instead purchasing each makeup by tone or all makeups by one specific tone in a fatpack, Gala is offering all tones of an individual makeup for L$1,500 per each pack or the new megapack for L$3,000 which includes all makeups of all tones! That is an amazing 240 skins in the megapack at L$12.5 per skin! This purchase is an absolute amazing deal!

Credits:
Clothing: Intentions by Phoenix Rising
Hair: Details in Black 04 by [elikatira]
Skin: Jasmine [Dark] in Shell by Curio
Tattoo: Lash Set 3 by Apple May Designs

Week 14 of 52 Weeks of Color - Black

I was so excited last weekend when I saw that the color for the coming week in 52 Weeks of Color would be black. Finally a color that I wouldn’t have to go to the far ends of Second Life to find! Finally a color I could easily pull straight out of my inventory!

Unfortunately, the dress I am wearing is no longer available as it is by the now closed Phoenix Rising. The dress was designed as a tribute to Coco Chanel. Many Chanel designs are created through the combination of many small, intricate pieces. That concept is most definitely displayed in this breathtaking gown. The many individual roses come together to make a stunning upper skirt which is an impressive 202 prims; an underskirt is beautifully decorated with the rose pieces as well. Phoenix Rising does have items available on the marketplace; however, this dress is not currently being offered.

If you have visited my blog more than once, you are more than likely aware that EarthStones is one of my favorite virtual jewelry designers. I picked up the piece I am wearing now many months ago when I was modeling; it just went so perfectly with the outfit I was wearing for the day, I just had to have it! Of course, I could say that about almost every piece at EarthStones and go broke within a matter of minutes! The necklace shown in the picture is titled Knotted Elegance III in Tahitian Black Pearl. It is so elegant and matches perfectly with both formal and casual designs.

The skin I am wearing is most definitely different from what you would typically see me in. Jadis DAMA in Natural was the offering at The Dressing Room last weekend by Glam Affair. Although I would normally not purchase a skin this dramatic, you just cannot pass up a skin that would otherwise be L$999 that is currently marked at L$70. You just can’t! Or, I can’t rather. I have a horrible habit of purchasing things just because they are on sale even if I do not see an immediate use for them. Thankfully, this one worked out for me!


Credits:
Clothing: Coco Chanel Tribute by Phoenix Rising (No Longer Available)
Shoes: Move Pumps in Onyx by [elikatira]
Hair: Details in Black 04 by [elikatira]
Skin: Jadis DAMA (Natural) by Glam Affair @ The Dressing Room
Pose: Hula Hoop 1 by !bang

Week 10 of 52 Weeks of Color - Sienna

I cannot believe that it is already week ten of Luna Jubilee’s 52 Weeks of Color! What is even more unbelievable is that I have stayed with it this long! I am absolutely horrible about starting a project and never finishing it. Of course, we are quite a way from the finish line, but this has been a pretty good start!

I almost went into panic mode yesterday when I realized week ten was almost here and I hadn’t even been looking for anything sienna. Thankfully, Whippet & Buck came to the rescue with their contribution to Fifty Linden Friday! The Maddy Lace-Inset Top is absolutely adorable; it features beautiful shading which gives it a realistic look and a wonderful lace layer over each of the shoulders. Your purchase comes complete with multiple wearing layers and three colors: baby baby, orchid and sienna.

Don’t you just love my necklace?! I don’t wear a lot of big jewelry in real life, but I love wearing it in my second life! I thought a big piece would go beautifully with this top and knew just the place to go and pick up such a necklace. Donna Flora is not only a brilliant clothing designer, but she is also an absolutely amazing jewelry (and shoes!) designer. All of her pieces include such rich texture, and you honestly cannot beat the price. The Monia set comes with a necklace, earrings and rings for each hand. This set is color change with six color options; the center stone, smaller stones and pearls can be changed independently of each other giving you an extreme amount of options! The set is set for L$500, but it's like getting an entire fatpack!


Credits:
Clothing: [Shirt] Maddy Lace-Incet Top in Sienna by Whippet & Buck @ L$50 FLF and [Pants] Mona Pants in Ice by Phoenix Rising (No Longer Available)
Jewelry: Monia Necklace by Donna Flora
Shoes: Secret Boots in Winter by [elikatira]
Hair: Mood in Brown 08 by [elikatira]
Skin: Shimmer (Rapture) by Heartsick Skins
Poses: [1] You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere by Don’t Freak Out! And [2] Long Hair 2 by Glitterati

And It Was Love

It’s hard to believe that a couple months ago I only owned one brand of skin and had no intention of ever changing that. I just didn’t look ‘me’ in another skin. One of the great things about Second Life, however, is that you can change ‘me’ on a daily (or hourly lol) basis! You don’t have to be stuck with one look or one style. When I first started modeling for Lemania Indigo Designs and Wondrous Strange (now Siss Boom) in Second Life at the ripe old age of three months, I was always fascinated and awe struck at the beautiful skin in the vendor pictures. When I finally figured out about two months later… I’m not really sure why I never asked… who the extremely talented creator was, I quickly teleported to Curio. Still being relatively young in Second Life, I was not about ready to pay ‘that’ price for skin! Haha… No way! Not me! I went on about my merry way and didn’t really think much more about it.

Last week, a friend IMed me and told me that Curio had a free skin in the Gala & Rita Design Announcements group. My curiosity perked back up, and I joined the group to try the skin. Let’s just say that I instantly fell in love all over again. The skin looked absolutely beautiful on my ava; the lips were so colorful and luscious and the eye shadow had just the right amount of color. Needless to say, I once again teleported back to Curio to drool over all the amazing skins. Although L$3000 is still quite an investment to me, it’s not an absolute out of the question purchase decision to me anymore. I took a few demos and tried them on periodically over the next couple days. As I said, L$3000 is an investment for me as I am sure it is for most people in Second Life, and I wanted to make sure without a shadow of a doubt that I really LOVED the skin I would buy. Of course, I could have purchased a single makeup pack, but then I would just end up wanting the rest. In the end, I decided to purchase the Elf 2 Sundust makeup pack, and I couldn’t be happier with my purchase.

I think the vendor pictures at Curio may be a bit misleading; you actually get an extreme amount of skin options in the pack that I didn’t realize way back when by just looking at the pictures. Each makeup comes in two versions, two skin tones (light and dark), and an option for freckles in both makeups and both skin tones which gives you a total of eight options for each ‘makeup’. If you purchase the fatpack, that is a total of fourty-eight skins! When you look at it like that, L$3000 doesn’t seem quite as bad; that is only L$62.5 for each skin.

The skin from Curio looks amazingly realistic. Apart from the face, my favorite part is the collar bones. It almost looks as if Gala has taken a picture of someone with beautiful collar bones and uploaded it on her skin. I’m sure, however, that they are hand painted, and that, my dear readers, is pure and amazing talent! The colors on each of the eyes blends so perfectly together, just the right amount of blush is added, and even in the very light lips, they are all still so luscious. If you have never tried Curio, I urge you to at least join the Gala & Rita Design Announcements group (free to join) to try the free skin. If you are anything like me, you will soon be falling in love, and it probably won’t be long until you are wanting more!

Credits:
Clothing: [Dress] Wisk by Phoenix Rising (No Longer Available) and [Tank] Billie Lace Tank in Black by Pink Outfitters
Jewelry: White Pearl Set by Alienbear's Designs
Hair: End of Summer in Brown 3 by Head Mistress
Skin: Elf 2 (Sundust) by Curio
Pose: Model Pose 026 by Glitterati
Background by RubyBlossom

Need Some Color?

Do you need a little color in your Second Life? If so, Amacci released new, crazy hair colors this past week which are available in all Amacci styles. The new colors include blue, blueberry, cherry, lilac, lime, red, pink, and purple. Best of all, the crazy color packs are discounted to L$35 until November 30! After the sale, prices will return to L$250 per pack.

Clothing: Fann's Touch by Phoenix Rising (No Longer Available)
Hair: *Kathleen in Red, *Jessica in Lime, *Eva Long in Blue, *Lara in Pink, *Michelle in Blueberry, *Mikki in Cherry, *Mindy in Lilac and *Minna in Purple by Amacci
Skin: Pearl 2 (Peach) by LAQ
Pose: Long Hair 2 by GLITTERATI




* Denotes item provided by designer for review.

New @ Amacci

Amacci released SIX new ponytail hair attachments this past week. If you are into saving lindens, this is definitely the way to go since they cost L$100 less per pack than normal styles! Six to eight color packs are available for L$150; packs containing all forty-five colors are available for L$550. You will also need to purchase an Amacci hairbase (sold separately) for the ponytail attachments to look correct. Hair base tattoo packs with a hair knot included are L$400 for six to eight colors or L$600 for all forty-five colors.

Clothing: Miss by Phoenix Rising (No Longer Available)
Hair: (1) *Nettie, (2) *Nicky, (3) *Nikita, (4) *Tasha, (5) *Tina and (6) *Tonya in Mocha by Amacci
Skin: Pearl 2 (Peach) by LAQ
Pose: *Pencil 5 Mirror by aDORKable Poses




* Denotes item provided by designer for review.

New @ TRUTH

I think Thursday may start being my new favorite day of the week! I always look forward to seeing what new hair styles TRUTH will be releasing. This week TRUTH has three new female styles and one new male style for us. Chantelle is a fabulous updo with a lot of volume, Madeline is an adorable, loose side pony and Nina is a sassy mid-length style. Don't forget that you can purchase TRUTH products in world or on the SL Marketplace; free demos are available at both locations.

Clothing: Whisper by Phoenix Rising (No Longer Available)
Hair: (1) Chantelle in Mocha, (2) Madeline in Treacle and (3) Nina in Sandlewood by TRUTH
Skin: Pearl 9 (Peach) by LAQ
Pose: (1) Pencil 1 and (2) Pencil 4 by aDORKable Poses