Category: Metaverse

Kitty Plays ‘Catch-Up’

Kitty Plays ‘Catch-Up’

by Lisa Millar ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

As I’m sure regular readers know I work in real life (Shh! I know we don’t like to talk about that!) so my time in-world is often limited.  This means I have to play ‘catch-up’ when I finally come back in, and I have to say that at the moment Second Life is really overwhelming me due to the amount of events that are currently running on the grid. I shouldn’t complain too much though, it’s a good time to be an avatar, especially if you want to be a super-stylish one too!

Problem for me as a blogger is that there are so many events in-world that I know I can’t possibly do justice to them all on these pages. You have to appreciate that these kinds of occasions take weeks of planning and organising so it’s only fair that when they begin they receive the quality coverage they deserve.

Perhaps one of my issues is that when I attend an event I like to take my time and wander around them, and then I  get distracted, go back to stores repeatedly and have another look, and then forget where I saw things that really caught my eye in the first place. I do actually have a notebook that I use to remind me of locations and places where I’ve seen fabulous items, but of course, that only works if you remember to write in it….DOH!

In a situation like this when I feel that there’s just so much going on that i don’t know where to start, I find a good visual aide to be invaluable.  It saves me time if I can see what an event is offering by checking out a dedicated web-site,or checking out the feeds to see what other bloggers are covering.

Fortunately we are blessed with resources like Serpahim which seems to cover the majority of sales and events on the grid. To be honest, I’d be lost without that blog; it’s become my go-to on a daily basis to find out what’s happening and where, and a quick nosy at their snapshots always help me plan my spends ahead.  I’m also  finding myself glued (or should that be pinned?) to Elysium Hyne’s Pinterest selections for event reportage too. Here’s a huge thank you to Elysium and all the team at Seraphim for their hard work!

Anyway, let’s get on to the good stuff. I have managed to treat myself to a few lovely things this week, so I’ll do a quick post about a few things I’ve spotted at a couple of events before I scurry off to check out some more!

First up, The Liaison Collaborative has gifted us with ‘The Boutique’, which features a superb selection of fashion, accessories and poses. The theme is ‘Fresh’, and they aren’t joking, featuring zesty contributions from Baiastice, !Bang, Belleza, Bilo, Cae, CNS Emotion, E! Apparel, Earthstones, Elikatira, Essences, Flowey, Glam Affair, Gos Boutique, Half-Deer, Haste, Hopscotch, Ikon, Inside Lab, Ispachi, Izzie’s, Just Designs, La Petite Morte, Lassitude & Ennui, Lavallie, Leezu, Noodles, NYU, Olive, Rebel Hope, Valentina E. and Vanity Poses. Phew!   I always enjoy these events; they’re not so large as to leave you feeling bewildered, and the selection of designers that contribute are all well-established, quality brands. There’s a real feeling of finesse to this event and I always get the impression that there’s been a lot of care taken by the planners behind the scenes to ensure that they have curated the very best goodies for the event. That’s why you find brands like Belleza showcasing skins, and how I wish they wouldn’t.

</me Kitty shakes fist angrily!>

Because yet again Belleza have adorned their sublime Mya skin with some utterly glorious make-ups and naturally I couldn’t avoid them. As I’ve said before, I love make-ups and it would take some serious coaxing to get me out of my Izzie’s skin and into another, but Ava proved way too hard to resist, with her winged eyeshadow perfection in a variety of colours. It would be just plain rude to not indulge. So I did.

And I look fabulous, see? 

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Don’t even get me started on the totally delicious array of IKON eyes at the event either; I had to walk away lest I spent my rent. Suffice to say that IKON are my favourite brand of eyes in world (I am wearing them in the picture above of course, but these are an existing pair from my collection) and seeing new ones made me all teary and misty-eyed. So to avoid further distress I swiftly departed on to my next destination, The 100 Block.  

This is a ‘Depraved Nation‘ event and it features over 100 participating designers and artists. That’s way too many to list in this post, so if you click HERE you can go visit the official blog and review the selection yourself, but suffice to say I found it very satisfying indeed.  I’ve been zooming all round the, erm, block, most of the morning  with gay abandon and totally relishing the fabulous fashion on display.

There are some really special mesh items on sale and it’s nice to see that there are some goodies for the chaps as well as the ladies, and there’s also hair, piercings and tattoos.

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I discovered a new brand of hair whilst I was at the event.  In the shot above I’m wearing ‘Toffsy’ (Maroon) by Adoness and I really love it. It’s an unusual combination of bob shape with added oomph and curl, and I think that it makes for a winning combination.

But what’s also rather special is this fantastic frock that I discovered at the event.  I’m all about Leopard print in Second Life, well, I am called Kitty after all, and I was really blown away by this stylish gown that I found hanging on the rack at Ellemeno.

I’ve blogged CarrieAnn Lemon’s label before and it’s a relatively new yet well-produced brand that is especially focused upon the mesh boobs market, but don’t let that dissuade you from investigating their goodies because you don’t have to sport mesh boobs to look sensational in them. I was going to wear my Lola’s for this shot, but in the end I thought I looked fabulous enough without.

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Taking a traditional gown shape and bringing it bang up to date with Leopard print is a brave move, yet it works beautifully. Now I wear a LOT of leopard print and there’s one thing I’ve noticed, especially with mesh items. If the textures aren’t carefully applied, and to be frank if a decent Leopard print texture isn’t used in the first place, the result can be a bit..well, rubbish.  But there’s no such worries here with this gown; the print really looks the part and the shape of this dress is nothing short of perfect.

I wish I could wear this in real life, but alas, I’d look like Bella Emberg channelling Bet Lynch.  

But at least in Second Life I can look divine, eh?

So anyway, because I’m still playing catch-up I thought I’d share a small list of events that I really do think you will enjoy checking out, and to make things even more fun for you, I’ve included links (to either Seraphim or Elysium’s posts) so that you can have a peek at the good stuff before checking them out in-world.

Who knows, I may even bump into you at one of these!(You’ll recognise me, a bewildered looking idiot) Be sure to say ‘Hello’ if you do see me!

Happy Shopping! Oh and a thought, if you find something nice why not tell us about it in the comments below? Toodles!

Berry’s Blog Challenge: My Three SL Wishes

Berry’s Blog Challenge: My Three SL Wishes

by Lisa Millar ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I am SO behind on the memes, but I’m trying to catch up, even though I’ll have to write one of my entries from scratch all over again after I omitted to save it. (How I managed to do that I have no idea, but hey, this is me, right?)

It’s very hard to think of just three Second Life wishes, and whilst I was compiling this list I thought of lots more (for example, I wish that land was cheaper) but I’m happy to stick with the three that I’ve published here for your reading pleasure.

So here, dear reader are my three Second Life wishes. (You can read more wishes at Berry’s blog by clicking here)

1. I Wish I Had More Linden Dollars!

Even though I work in real life (yes, there is such a thing!)  I never have enough Lindens in my pocket to buy the stuff I’d like. I get envious on Plurk sometimes when I see the gorgeous new releases and shopping sprees that my Second Life chums  have treated themselves to, but it’s a fleeting thing.  I can (and do) spoil myself on occasion, and I do that with gusto,  but I do wish I had a dedicated and steady virtual income to support my in-world lifestyle.

The fact is shopping sprees in Second Life are actually a lot more fun for me than in real life. Even though the object isn’t physically real I STILL get so much satisfaction from it, be it an article of furniture, a glorious dress, or a sumptuous skin. Also I know that the money I have spent is going straight back to the creator which means that I am supporting them directly. I also know that should I have a quibble I can go right to them and advise them of my problem. (Think about it; that’s the equivalent of speaking to a CEO in real life!)

Here’s an example: Let’s say you bought an Armani dress in real life that you weren’t happy with, you couldn’t march straight up the ladder and speak to Giorgio himself and demand satisfaction, but In Second Life you can. I think the interaction between designers and their customers is what makes the virtual retail market so vibrant, and that’s one of the reasons why I am so keen to support it.

I’m quite materialistic in the virtual world, yet in real life I’m not at all. I shop frugally and love a good bargain.  For me a fabulous real life treat is a meal out or a trip to the cinema; it’s most certainly not the latest frock or pair Laboutin heels. But that role is reversed in Second Life. Stick Kitty in front of a pair of GOS shoes and she’ll be speaking gibberish for the rest of the week!

I have considered making and retailing things as a way of acquiring more spends, but quite honestly there are far better content creators out there than myself, so why would I want to even compete with them when I could be buying from them instead? Still, it’s an option I’m considering.

2. I Wish That Second Life Didn’t Have A Seedy Reputation

You know, for such a vibrant virtual community we do have one hell of a reputation for being something that we’re not.  It’s often the case that when you mention Second Life to people they respond with disdain. This is because of the image that has been portrayed so often in the media, something I have actually spoken about on local and national radio.

I’ve never been ashamed about my participation in Second Life.

I’m actually very proud of it, so I always make sure that in conversation I paint it in a positive light. There is so much good that comes out of being in-world. It allows for creativity to flourish in so many ways, not just in the building of the environments but in the artifacts to furnish them.  From vehicles to transverse the metaverse, to the outfits to sport while doing that, everything has been created by a fellow user. That’s some achievement when you consider it.  There are musicians performing concerts, authors and social commentators hosting discussions, role-players and historical enthusiasts recreating antiquity. Then you have the different sub-cultures in world.

There is so much depth to our virtual existence and Second Life has become a brilliant, vibrant tapestry of virtual culture at its very best, and yet all the media want to focus upon is sex?

I really do think Linden lab should be more supportive to an image change in the mass media. they need more positive promotion. To that end, they should employ people like Draxtor Despres, who is doing them a huge service with his video series  ‘The Drax Files’ which displays Second Life in the best possible light. If I was a Linden I would be shaking Drax by the hand and thanking him for the work he’s doing, because it’s the best kind of publicity produced by someone who clearly has a passion for the subject.

I was browsing Reddit the other day ( I love Reddit)  and came across a post which was really quite negative about Second Life. The responses to the thread were pretty negative too, with one person even saying “People still play that?” I’ll be honest and say that it upset me to read the comments, but I am actually glad that I did. Because these kinds of comments are written by people who have never bothered to experience our vibrant virtual world for themselves, choosing instead to focus on what the media has written  and dismiss it based on shoddy reporting. More fool them I say.

I honestly feel that we’re on the cusp of something big with Second Life, and as it approaches it’s landmark birthday of ten years  I  confidently think we’re going to see our world regain some of the reputation it los and rise in popularity again. I’m so happy, and honoured to be a resident and would love other people to have the same positive experience that I do.

Second Life is a part of me now, I can’t imagine living my first life without it!

3. I Wish The Inventory Were Easier To Manage

Because it can be an utter pig when it wants to be! I’d love there to be some sort of automatic sorting facility, whereby it highlights all the duplicate items that you own. (I’m pretty sure that at least 30% of my items are dupes, if not more) I’d like it to have folders that are easier to manage and most of all I’d like it to load faster! I’d love to be able to click a button and it sort by Copy, Mod and Trans. Can you imagine? Think of the yard-sales I could have if I could just find all my old and unloved trans items that I know are gathering dust in deep, dark corners .

Compared to some people I have a very low inventory volume of just 45k and yet it takes an absolute age to load. It also lies to me; there are many times I’ve thought that I have lost an item, only to find it by changing the search terms from the obvious to the surreal. My inventory really does have a life of its own sometimes and it can be extremely frustrating. That said, it’s always a joy when I’m having a mooch through the contents and I find something I had forgotten about, usually because of some insane naming convention.

I don’t think there are any easy answers to inventory issues and I honestly think that you have to start as you mean to go on, and keep it in check from the get go. I fear sorting through the thousands of items in there will make me go insane, but I do try to have a tidy-up every so often.

And then I get distracted by something shiny, and end up replacing my deleted items with more lovelies..GAH!

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)

Video

The Drax Files: World Makers [Episode 3: Eshi Otawara]

by Lisa Millar ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

The latest instalment of Drax’s virtual adventures introduces us to the esteemed designer Eshi Otawara. Once again this is a fantastic look behind the scenes of Second Life, enabling you to encounter the person behind the avatar and learn a little more about their creative process.
Eshi is an amazing artist in world, and is just as accomplished in real life, as this video shows. She’s also absolutely gorgeous too. I’m loving these sneaky peeks into life behind the keyboard, and I hope this series will continue to showcase the heroes and heroines of our metaverse. It’s essential viewing if you ask me, and the entire series so far is not to be missed! Enjoy!