Month: February 2010

Fifty Linden Friday’s Fabulous Fireplace

Fifty Linden Friday’s Fabulous Fireplace

by Lisa Millar ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

 

 

Fifty Linden Friday, by it’s very nature, is a hit and miss affair. Because of the variety of designers and products included each week it’s impossible to guarantee that everything on the list will be to your taste, and I’ve not fallen for much on it recently it has to be said. But the quality of the items are always consistent, so I make the effort to check it out, just in case. I’m glad I did this week, because there are a few items that prove that sometimes it’s worth fighting with the lag and the crowds to get to the goodies.
Sometimes you get really lucky and find a ‘Bombshell’ item that is so utterly nommilicious that you just *have* to have it, and become almost evangelical about it too. That’s happened to me this week; I feel the need to shout across the entire grid and tell them to get their collective arses over to ‘PENNY DREADFUL ARCADE’, lest they miss exceedingly pretty fireplace. It’s stocked with books and the mantel is ideal for littering with candles as you and your beloved snuggle together in front (there are poses included in the cushions) It’s outrageously simple and that’s why I’m so excited about it, sometimes in Second Life we get so hyped up by all the frills, faff and frippery that we miss the really good stuff. This is textured and crafted so beautifully that it puts a lot of the more reknowned designers on the grid to shame, and it’s what, FIFTY LINDENS?! Are you insane?! You should take care not to miss this one. L$50 is bugger all in the grand scheme of things, and I’m leaving this in situ long after Valentine’s weekend. (Oh, and by the way, check out the DECO items on the list this week, as well as the goodies from BOTANICAL…both excellent choices if you ask me:)

RIP Alexander Mcqueen

RIP Alexander Mcqueen

by Lisa Millar ♥ 2 Comments

I’m feeling so sad right now as I write this, even though I didn’t know the person I am writing about.  BUT, I knew his work, because walk down any high-street and you will see his influence everywhere;  in every window you will see clothing styles influenced by the genius of Alexander Mcqueen,who has taken his own life at the age of 40.  Make no bones about it, this is a huge loss to the British fashion industry, and indeed to fashion the world over.  You may not have realised it, but you will have seen his work and his influence everywhere: from spiky heeled, studded rock-chic boots  to the ‘Bad Romance’ video starring Lady Gaga.  Lee ( his real name) was probably the most prominent fashion designer at the forefront of popular culture in recent years. If you know me in real life, you may find it surprising that I’m writing this post; after all, I live in sweat pants and hoodies for 99% of my time. But I’ve always had a secret love of couture, with Rifat Ozbeck, Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, Vivienne Westwood and Alexander Mcqueen being my most beloved designers. But one of the reasons I joined Second Life and stuck with it was because I could buy posh frocks and ‘designer’ clothing, something I’d never be able to do in real life. With his work being featured in esteemed locations  such as the Met, Alexander Mcqueen was recognised as  a working class lad gifted with prodigous talent. Here was a chap who worked his way up to reach the pinnicle of the fashion world, and he has left us with a legacy of work that will endure and continue to influence designers in both the real and virtual worlds for years to come.

A comforting thought indeed.

You can see some of his work and read an obituary by clicking here.

Witchy Wednesdays- A Trip To ‘Prim Ordial’

Witchy Wednesdays- A Trip To ‘Prim Ordial’

by Lisa Millar ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

 

Clever name huh?
Describing itself as a store that retails quality Wiccan goods and artefacts, ‘Prim Ordial’ offers subtle and refined wares. There is nothing flamboyant here; just simple honest to Goddess Wiccan fancy made with quality textures and great attention to detail. There are no textures here that will give you indigestion for example; there’s one particular shade of purple that is very popular with Pagan content creators and I always suffer when I see it…ahem, but it really was a relief to NOT find it here at all.
There is a limited collection of goods to buy in store, but each one is very good indeed, and great value for Linden. Everything is L$200 or less. The range is compact, but covers all the required basics: altars, candles, athames, wands, cauldrons and crystal balls. The store uses vendors, which can be a bit laggy, but be patient because the kit here is seriously worthy stuff. Dolly Vyper is the creator, and I can tell you very little about her because there isn’t much written on her profile, but I can tell you that she is very accomplished at what she does. Original works such as her wooden altar pentacle replete with candles, and her spectacular athames, either crystal-tipped or with a nice chunky handle, are excellent choices for purchase. These are clearly marked as decorative items and they would really enhance a ritual space. There are also 3 cauldrons to choose from with different animations in each, and a couple of lovely, simply animated crystal balls too. Prim efficiency is key here, but scrimping on prims does not mean scrimping on quality and finish. The altar bell for example is 2 prims and has a white ceramic glaze, embellished with a black pentacle. It’s simple and pretty and perfectly matches the sculpted chalices that are also available in a variety of designs.  There’s also a simple goddess statue which you can resize to make a perfect fit on any altar space.
Speaking of which, there is a variety of altars here and all of them are substantial numbers in a variety of finishes. My particular fave is the Wooden Pentacle Altar that is a mere 3 prims,including cloth, and would look the part kitted out with either the God and Goddess Candle Set, or the Elemental Candle Pack which features four coloured candles again with ceramic bases. You can mix and match to your hearts content in here, and I think a great idea would be for Dolly to make a ‘Wiccan Altar Basics’ pack using all her matching items because I’m sure it would be a big seller.
Personally, I believe the range may be particularly appealling to the male Pagan community in-world, due to the clean lines and non-fussy approach to design, but don’t be misled into thinking the range here is overtly masculine in any way. It’s not..so go and take a look, because this simple approach to design really worked for me and I think it will for you too.

Gothic Kitty Valentine@ ‘I <3 Originals'

Gothic Kitty Valentine@ ‘I <3 Originals'

by Lisa Millar ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

It’s the “I ❤ Originals” fair at the moment, and I’m sure if you’ve read the feeds you’ll be sick of hearing and seeing about it by now..BUT the reason it’s getting such a vast amount of press is because, quite frankly, it’s bloody good.
Whenever I attend a fair or event I always feel you can predict whether it’s going to be a goody as soon as you rez there..if the build itself is quality, in my mind, I know it’s going to be great. Throwing together a couple of generic stores and hoping for the best just doesn’t cut the mustard with me, but if I rez there and feel excited by the environment, then I’m sure as hell going to be excited about shopping there!
Not only does it look great, it features an easy to follow layout and LOTS to tempt your pocket-book with. There are names you will recognise, and names that you won’t, and every store features fabulous original content and design. Incidentally, this fair isn’t just about fashion; it’s about original content in any form, which means you’ll see some stunning furniture, find some cracking reading material from Mike Stackpole, bewitching jewellery, fabulous outfits and a few stores have original artworks on display, some of these are real investment pieces! Your only problem here will be the lag. My best tip is to lower your ARC and visit first thing in the morning if you’re a UK based avvie like me. By that I mean get up at 7am, grab a brew and sit at your PC. Ok you may be bleary eyed but your experience will be a ton better, as our chums across the pond are all sleeping soundly in their beds, and it’s worth making the effort on this one, trust me.
Look out for the letters and freebies that are dotted around the stores too, there’s a mini-hunt going on and you need to collect the letters
(which will spell out a phrase) but each letter has prizes inside too, so get busy hunting for those! It’s hard to pick favourites because each store here is well worthy of a visit and your support. I do of course have a number of recommendations. ‘Cad and Tart’jewellery just continues to amaze me with the design quality, I love the male jewellery that I’m so going to be dragging Jez along to see ( If you’re a fella and have been after an ankh necklace for an age, the best one on the grid is on sale here) As you know I’m not a gown person, but the gowns at ‘L’Abel and Ivalde’ and also at ‘Tres Beau’ are just outrageously good, perfect for your romantic Feb 14th celebrations! ‘Jessentials’ has created some cracking cottage furnishings, and if you have L$500 to spare and like art, then take a hike over to ‘Dacob Paine’s store and invest in some original work to hang in your home. ‘Dark Mouse’ and ‘Bailers Outfitters’ both have Valentine jewellery for sale to compliment your outfit.
The fashion store that really stood out for me though was ‘Glam Affair’, a label I’m not familar with at all but this ensemble that I’m wearing is their gift and I’m completely loving it..it’s sooo not my usual kind of clothing choice, for starters you can’t see my norks, but I love the lacy embellishments upon the sleves and the leggings and find the completely covered up styling so sexy!
Finally, see the skin I’m wearing? This is a new release at the fair, from Airedine Poe of ‘Adore & Abhor’. It’s hard to believe that these highly stylised skins are her first, because they are perfectly presented. Lily Milk in ‘Love Me’ and ‘Romantic’ both arrive with a cleavage option too (perfect in uber tight Gothic corset) and cost a very reasonable L$350…a quality bargain purchase, make no mistake. So, what are you waiting for? You can’t afford to miss this one; check out The Artist’s Voice blog for the complete store listing, and also for the timings of the events that are going to be taking place at the fair, including a live reading from Mr Stackpole himself which I am desperate to attend as I have a bit of a Kitty-crush on him…ahem.

Oh, and a final note..stock up on your Lindens on your way in. ALL of these exhibitors are worthy of a purchase or two, so come along and show your support for original designer content in Second Life.

CLICK HERE TO TP TO THE EVENT

(NOTE: I’ve added some glove nails from Candi Nail, ring from Callie Cline and hair by Magika to complete this look. I’m also wearing my very soon to be released Valentine 2010 shape. None of these are featured in the fair)