Author: Lisa Millar

The First Annual Second Life Sand & Sea Expo Is Here!

The First Annual Second Life Sand & Sea Expo Is Here!

by Lisa Millar ♥ 2 Comments

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And readers, you’re in for a treat if you like things watery! (No, not THAT kind of watery, just for a change!) There are contributions here from some of the best creators on the grid and you’ll find a huge variety of items for sale. When you TP to the upper landing point you can gaze out at some spectacular ships, sailboats and watercraft, but that’s not all, because there’s just as much action beneath the waves, where you’ll find an astonishing underwater paradise ripe for exploration. It’s also a great event to capture some fantastic photographs too!

The main attraction for me was the range of sailing equipment and boats and I wasn’t disappointed, because the detailing  on some of them  is absolutely astonishing.  You may not be able to take them for a sail, but you can hop on and in some cases experience certain animations, which is definitely worth a try.

I was excited to see Motor Loon was exhibiting here, because I actually already own his sensational Loonetta sailboat, and I was chuffed to see he was showcasing his soon to be released jet-ski collection.  But I was equally pleased to encounter other watercraft builders too, such as JP Collections and Southern Seas Ships with builds  ranging from the traditional to modern. You can even find an airboat for sale from Tuff  here, which is perfect should you live in the virtual everglades! (Note: I’m going to do a bigger post about sailing in Second Life in the very near future, and I’ll be featuring some ships and boats from these creators in that piece, stay tuned!)

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It’s nice to see representation from the Sailing clubs in-world too. Sailing is huge in Second Life, and is a hobby that I only discovered recently myself and I am already addicted! (I would heartily  recommend anyone give it a try) so it’s nice to find that the clubs aren’t elitist and open to new members approaching them, which is something I am very tempted to do.  I was also intrigued to see a number of real estate vendors had stands here too.  And why not? At least in Second Life you can live your dream of a beach front paradise, even if you live in a grim and dreary rundown terrace in real life!

If your main watery concern is topping up your virtual tan with friends, then be sure to cast your eyes across the ranges from esteemed creators LISP, {What Next} and Chez Moi. You’ll find beach towels, umbrellas and even a glorious hot-tub to enjoy with friends. There are items to suit every budget, and lots of variations upon the outdoor living theme. To be perfectly honest I lost count of the numbers of chairs and fire pots that were on display, but that’s not a bad thing because there is something here to suit every taste  and they are all well worth seeing and trying out! In fact I recommend doing just that and camming around if you can. There are plenty of vendors here where you can crack open a beer and relax, and if you feel inspired to replicate the environment back at home then rest assured you will find everything you need to create  your very own watery haven here, from furniture to bars to actual islands and buildings to place upon them, everything is  ready to be bought and enjoyed back at your home location.

Be sure to check out the Palm Tree House Hut from Jamy’s Shop, and the stunning range of builds from Headhunter’s island. Appearance and function are everything, and the mesh and texture work here is tantalising, from the smallest starfish to the larger sailboats, so believe me when I say that you will need Lindens in your pockets because you will be very tempted by what you’ll find on sale, and you’ll probably discover a new found enthusiasm for all things sailing!  My recommendation? Drop by the {What Next} stand and rez a bicycle, for a leisurely ride around the displays while you make up your mind what to buy. (Hint: ALL THE THINGS!!)

Crashed zero

I mentioned that there was an underwater element to the occasion and it’s well-worth donning scuba gear for. I love the submerged Zero I found whilst exploring.  The underwater vista is really atmospheric.  This section is perfect for Mer-folk and virtual diving enthusiasts, and you’ll discover beautiful seascapes,  pods of cetaceans and the Oceanic Breedable sharks. (Strange as it may seem they’re not the only virtual breedable pet here, I thought it was only Turkish Van cats that liked the water but judging by the Kittycats that are on display it seems I was wrong! Some of them even like surfing…)

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Last but not least there are loads of freebies available here, but you have to be lucky enough to win them. There’s a fun beachcomber event taking place, whereby selected vendors have placed seashells at their booths and by clicking on them you may or may not win a prize.  I’ve been lucky enough to have a sneaky peek at the prizes and they’re definitely worth trying out for!

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Whatever you’re doing this Bank Holiday weekend, don’t miss this event.

List of participants: 

Oceania Breedables
ANA_Mations
{what next}
Fruit Islands
Jamy’s Shop
Jp Collections
Mermaid Treasure and Boutique
HeadHunter’s Island
SSS Southern Seas Ships
Swanky
Triumphal Yacht Club
Leeward Cruise Club
MeadowWorks
Ocean Shores Surf Beach
Weston Marina
Hana Aloha Surfing Paradise
*BOOM* Clothing Co.
CVR
Bee Designs
Nantucket Yacht Club
Action
Deep Seas Mer Outfitters
NDiver
***MnM Designs***
TUFF Old Boats
The Abyss Observatory
Aquatics
Fishers Island Yacht Club
Tideborns
KAZZA
Two Moon Paradise
CHEZ MOI Furnitures
Starboards Yacht Club
Hollywood Real Estate
THE Beachstore

You’ll find the expo runs from 2nd-5th May which isn’t very long, but it could open up a whole new way of virtual living for you.  Right, must dash. I’m heading off to the Blake Sea for some sunset sailing and a rousing chorus of “We Are Sailing!” Who’s with me? 

Click HERE to land above ground, or click HERE to land underwater!

A crush with eyeliner..

A crush with eyeliner..

by Lisa Millar ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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So far my virtual 2013 has been all about two things: tattoo-layer cosmetics and mesh legwarmers ( more on those another time!)

My look has really changed in recent months (for the better I hope) and I attribute this to a number of things, but I think the main influences upon my recent style have been the continued emergence of quality mesh clothing and the development of excellent  tattoo layer and mesh cosmetics.

We all know that uber- quality skins are not cheap. Nor should they be; they take a lot of hard work to create.  Of course, there is huge discrepancy on skin-pricing across the grid, and when you find your perfect skin  forking out for a fat-pack that includes all the make-ups can be an eye-watering prospect.  Fortunately, tattoo-layer cosmetics can help.

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Recently I’ve become somewhat obsessed with eyeliner. I don’t know why I like it so much. As a child I was a little bit besotted with Siouxsie Sioux and Toyah, so it’s probably a throwback to those days. Problem is you need to be expert at applying it in real life to pull it off, and I’m just useless at it.  My attempts at cat-eye/ winged liner in real life tend towards a spidery scrawl, and I can never get the darned flourishes  at the edge of the eyelid to match. Thank goodness the same doesn’t apply to Second Life!

For a relatively small outlay you can spice up your base skin and become the best looking avatar on the grid bar none.  It’s like having your very own virtual Girl’s World; it is so much fun trying out different combinations of skins and tattoo layers and eventually you could end up with a look that is totally unique to you.  Save your creations as outfits and you’ll have a legion of glorious looks to quickly change in and out of. (Plus in real life heavy eyeliner is a pisser to get right, and when it comes to taking it off you need industrial cleanser and a rainforest of tissue before you’ve even penetrated the ruddy stuff.  No mess Second Life wins again!)

The Cosmetics Fair 2013 finishes soon (April 30th) and it’s definitely worth a visit if you haven’t dropped by yet. It’s not a huge event by comparison to other recent occasions but it’s as equally rewarding and I’m confident you’ll spend more than a few happy hours lusting after the products on display. Ekilim Melodie, the event organiser, has brought together some of the very best cosmetic creators that the grid has to offer and you’ll find everything you could possibly need .

The event is sponsored by Action, BOOM, Glam Affair, *LpD*, PIDIDDLE and Pink Acid and features orgasmic creations from the sponsors and guests. Cam around the location and you’ll spy fabulous eye make-up, luscious lipsticks and glosses, natty nails and even some make-ups exclusively for the chaps.  From the avant-garde to the more mundane, it’s all available here.  There’s just so much to enjoy! Discover amazing patterns to adorn lips and lids, as well as practical devices such as a bum-cleavage  layer that hides your  builders bum crack, cheek definition and nose contour. It’s a must-visit.

You can demo a lot of items and I strongly suggest that you do just that before you buy.  Tattoo-layer cosmetics are cheaper than skins, but they can still be pricey items, so you must ensure you’re happy with your prospective purchases before you indulge.

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So what can you do with them I hear you cry? Well, for the picture above I wanted to wear a strong eye-make up to compliment the One Bad Pixel Cheongsam that I’m wearing. (Note: this is a complete fib because there isn’t a single bad pixel on this dress, it’s outstanding.)  At the moment I’m completely besotted with Izzie’s Asia skinline.   The skin I’m wearing in this shot is a medium tone from that range with dark brows.  Izzie  Button really is a talented wee minx, and is also incredibly obliging because she already includes excellent eyeliners, lipsticks and eyeshadows as part of her range, but I wanted something that would really stand out from the crowd. Thank goodness for the ability to layer then. I wore my regular skin, with Izzie’s own  green eye-shadow  and raspberry lipstick to which I then added my first purchase from the Cosmetic Fair, the Blacklace Beauty Exotica V.2 shadows and liners. These are an absolute bargain at L$99 for the package, which includes 11 sensational colourways. Once that layer was applied I was close to achieving the look I wanted, and finished by adding prim lashes and stunning Ikon eyes.

The finished look is a bit of a corker isn’t it?

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Here’s a second demonstration of how fabulous tattoo-layers can be. I’m still wearing the dress, but fancied a change of hair and make up. This time I’ve switched to the Izzie’s Rose lipstick, and I’ve complimented it with eye make-up from Shakeup! Cosmetics. This is the Danielle range, and you get 8 colours in the range for L$150. I like the sparkle on this, and how the water-line of the eye is coloured too.  Scrumptious don’t you think?

So what really got me excited at the show? Well if you’re looking for eye designs you’d be foolish to neglect Mons.  For me, Mons really leads the way when it comes to tattoo-layer make-up, because  they’re consistently brilliant and always look divine.   The alternative-styled  avatars out there will find extremely precise, gothic liners and brows at Nuuna, and if you’re looking for killer lips check out Pink Acid for the glossiest gob on the grid.  Every vendor is a winner and you’re sure to find yourself laden with goodies when you leave the sim.

Before I close this post I must mention Mons again, and insist that you check out the eyeliner I discovered from them at this month’s Zodiac event.  It’s called ‘Burning Eyeshadow’  and it is a total winner. I’m wearing it with a dress that I spied there too from Valentina E,  called ‘Le Matadora’ and  by heck it’s good. I knew I had to have it as soon as I laid eyes upon it! The name of the dress immediately identifies with Taurus, the subject of Zodiac this month, and it’s a beautiful mesh frock with a fabulous pattern and matching scarf.  This is a really elegant couture number that’s available in a selection of colours and is exclusive to the event. I detest bull-fighting but I’m completely in love with this!

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Kitty wears:

Shape: Kitty’s own.

Hair – First picture) Eep. (Second Picture) Magika

Skin – Izzie’s (Medium)

Make-up layers – As described in post (Cosmetics Fair 2013)

Clothing – Cheongsam from One Bad Pixel

‘Le Matadore’ dress from Valentina E (Zodiac)

Kitty LOVES the Floria Bedroom by Bazar

Kitty LOVES the Floria Bedroom by Bazar

by Lisa Millar ♥ 2 Comments

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A few months ago I wrote a review of the BAZAR ‘Arizona’ house. It’s proved to be a really popular entry on the blog of which I’m quite proud, not because I wrote it, but because I honestly believe the house and its components to be amongst of the best dwellings available on the grid.

The shine hasn’t faded since my initial review either. Each time I log in I’m taken aback by how much I adore my Arizona home. The design and texture elements of the house are stunning, but the furniture is just as important as the structure and plays a vital role in bringing the build to life. Fortunately, the creator  Ria Bazar-Mavendorf is just as talented a furniture designer as she is architect, so imagine how delighted I was to log-on and discover her latest bedroom release.

Ria’s Floria bedroom incorporates mesh and as a consequence of this manages to retain an ornate look without causing a detrimental land-impact. The name is inspired I’m sure by the romantic lines and the tones of the set.  There’s a hint of classical French boudoir styling to it, yet it remains contemporary enough to make it capable of working in both modern homes as well as some of the grander mansions you’ll discover in certain corners of the grid.

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The centerpiece is the stunning bed.  It’s utterly resplendent, featuring a large headboard and beautiful turned columns at each corner. It oozes style and has a traditional feel, but what I really adore is the fact that you can change both the colour of the bed as well as the bedding; meaning that you can mix and match your bedroom to suit every mood. How about black wood with red bedding for a sensual night with your loved one, or light wood and crisp, champagne coloured sheets for a Sunday morning lie-in? The options are endless and there are plenty to choose from. You’ll find dark and light wood, as well as solid black, blue, pink and white, and also contemporary striped stylings included. It’s really entertaining trying out all the different combinations that are available.

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The colour change facility applies to the matching bedside tables, vanity and dresser. I love that with a click of a button on a menu you can have an instant brand new look for your room, making Floria a substantial purchase that will provide you with months of wear.

Of course, this being a Bazar bedroom it features some fantastic menu options. If you thought the furniture styling was good, then you are going to be spoiled by the animation and prop options for the bed. You can hang out with friends, or be alone, or use some of the naughtier poses in the adult section of the menu. (Option only available when purchasing the Adult version of the bed)  I must say that the couples animations are exemplary on this bed. These kind of options are not something  that I tend to bother with (usually because I find them a bit cheesy, and also because Jez is never ruddy well in-world when I’m  feeling lonesome) but these are very nice because they offer more sensual poses than some currently widely used on the grid.

You can rez props too.  I’m not going to tell you about all of them, as I believe that this is something you should experience yourself and I don’t want to spoil the surprise, but I do love that you can rez a breakfast tray and laptop among other props. The poses (when used in conjunction with the props) are all sensational.  Each one is well animated and genuinely adds a huge touch of realism to your Second Life.  You know, I can’t think of anything nicer than spending a day in world on this bed!  From breakfast in the morning, to snuggling down under the covers at night, everything is included.

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Move on to the coordinating furniture and you’ll find that this is just as well thought out as the bed. Take the vanity (dressing table) for example. An elegant compliment to the bed and side tables, but again blessed by thoughtful touches from Ria.  You can rez manicure items, moisturisers or a selection of make-up to decorate the table top. By sitting on the accompanying stool you can activate animations to match, meaning that you can paint your nails, apply lipstick and so on.  The option of rezzing items on a whim is a real blessing and again, adds a real touch of authenticity to the room.  It’s so much fun!

The final component is the dresser. Three virtual drawers of happy ready for adorning with some of the decorative items that come with this set, which include picture frames, books, candlesticks, an antique clock, a vase of flowers and tea-lights.

Items are copy so you can rez as many as you need, and I find that this set blends really well with items that I have from other quality content creators in-world.  The finishing touch are the wall sconces, and the matching lamp. You can of course turn these on and off, but for extra ambiance you can choose the colour of the lighting, perfect for enhancing your mood. Yet another touch of quality from Ria’s expert hand.

The Floria bedroom pieces enable you to create  a truly beautiful and relaxing environment.  I find it interesting that I love this style as much as I do because I’m usually attracted to more modern designs, but  Floria has such a broad appeal that I found it hard to resist. Kudos to Ria for creating a bedroom that spans the gap between classical and modern so perfectly.

 I’m pretty sure that you will love it just as much as I do.

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(Note: I’ve added some of my existing items to the above finished bedroom)

Bedroom is available in PG and Adult variations. PG costs L$605, Adult costs L$655.

Set includes: Bed (11LI) Night Table (1 LI) Vanity Table (3 LI) Vanity Chair (2 LI) Dresser (1 LI) Rug (2 LI) Bed Lamp (2 LI) Table Lamp (2 LI) Flower Vase (1 LI) Antique Clock (1 LI) Picture Frame (1 LI) Book Stack (1 LI) Book (1 LI) Candlestick (2LI) Parfume (1 LI)

Total LI (Land Impact) of set as is: 33. All items mentioned above are available separately in-world.

To see the set in Second Life, click HERE. 

Berry’s Memes: SL Names

Berry’s Memes: SL Names

by Lisa Millar ♥ 1 Comment

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This meme writing is like buses innit, you wait for ages then two come along at once!

This was a nice and quick one for me to do though, hence two for the price of one today. The picture accompanying this article has no relevance to the context of the post, it was just  a shot of my putting on my make-up in my bathroom. I was getting all glammed up because the Cosmetics Fair 2013 begins today..and as you can see, I’m rather partial to my eyeliner! Anyway, on with the meme! Thanks Berry!

  1. What’s your SL name? Kitty O’Toole.
  2. What made you choose this name? I’m obsessed with cats, so Kitty was a no-brainer for a first name really. When I joined SL there were only a few surnames to choose from. I wanted something a bit ‘windswept and interesting’, and for me O’Toole fit that bill.  It’s also the surname of one of the best actors of the modern age, Peter O’Toole. So for me, it had a brilliant heritage.
  3. What’s your SL nickname, or what do most people call you? (if applicable) Kitty, or Kit. It’s a nice short name so doesn’t really need to be abbreviated.
  4.  What’s your SL display name? Why do you choose to have one? (if applicable) Kittywitch. This is because the blog is called ‘Kittywitchin’, and also because of my RL spiritual beliefs, that transcend into SL.
  5.  Do you like your SL name? Very much so. Bonus fact, there’s an Irish traditional folk song about ‘Kitty O’Toole, the lily o’ sweet Tipperary’ which I had no clue about for a couple of years until I chanced upon a web page featuring it. ( I blogged about it in 2008, you can read the post here)
  6. If you could change your SL name, what would it be? I’m happy with it, but if I was a male avatar I would have to be called Barry Shitpeas. Just because.
  7. What’s the craziest/funniest SL name you’ve ever seen? Same as Berry’s, I have too seen AnnoyingJapaneseChild Dinosaur
  8. What’s the coolest (your favorite) SL name you’ve ever seen? I don’t think I have a particular favourite. I love that you see new and interesting names everyday, but I was always fond of Dellik Snoring, and Oolon Sputnik. They were pretty cool names (and nice people too!).  Actually, I do like my Dad’s, Leapylee Cliffhanger, chosen because his nickname was Leapy Lee after the singer. The dodgy surname was again from the time in SL when you couldn’t select something original.