I’ve done a few hunts recently after becoming the proud owner of some fine virtual norkage, and I promised to write about some of the stores I’d discovered. So here’s me keeping my word 🙂 The main store that I want to tell you about today is called ‘Ellemeno’. It retails quality clothing for the female, busty avatar, and by quality I mean pretty darn good!

It’s the first store that caters to the bigger busted avatar that has, for me at least, evoked the experience that you get from some of the higher end retailers in world. I can’t quite put my finger on the reason for that; I think it’s because of the styling and presentation of the store.  The graphics and photo displays look really professional, as does the way items are presented in store.  It makes me want to shop there, and it makes me eager for more.

But of course, the most important aspect of the store is the merchandise. Ellemeno specialises in tops, jackets, dresses, lingerie and even a few costumes as well.  All of them are well made and suitably displayed in store, inviting you to buy them and try them. There’s a presence on the marketplace too, although I did notice that not everything I found in store was listed on there.

So what kinds of goodies await you? Well, first of all let me tell you about this classic little black dress that I’m wearing. It’s actually a hunt prize, can you believe it? Nope, I couldn’t either. A simple style with a contrast belt making it bang on trend, and it was free as part of the ’Hunt For Your Inner Slut’, ahem.   It’s also mesh! I was so chuffed, I teamed it a classic black bob courtesy of Elikatira ( last few days for that that sale guys, don’t forget!) and had a look Anna Wintour herself would be proud of! Incidentally I’m stood next to the pink version which is rather special as all the proceeds from the sale of this dress will go to the Susan G. Komen For The Cure Breast Cancer Foundation. It costs L$250 and is well worth investing in.

One of the strengths of Ellemeno are the gowns. It’s not easy to find a quality gown if you have norks that you don’t actually want to put out on display, but Ellemeno rises to the challenge.  The ‘Long Formal Gown’, at  L$250 is available in five colours, plus black, and has a high front with a slightly draped back.  The gown is plain apart from an embellished pattern that fades after the waist leaving a plain skirt. It oozes quality and as the name suggests VERY formal and just needs an up-do with signature earrings and bracelet as well as fabulous heels to complete the look. The Tuxedo dress and Tiffany gown are also gorgeous too. The Tuxedo Dress, at L$250, is perfect for accompanying your be-suited fella to a virtual function. The Tiffany Gown however is very special, and the white version would make a spectacular wedding dress. I also really like the versions of the gown which feature rainbows of colour across the main body.  You have to see them to truly appreciate the quality, but at L$150 for the coloured versions, and L$300 for the white, they’re great value.  The Lulu Ruched gown and the Tori dress are also worth investing in; the former is perfect for a masquerade ball (as the accompanying poster in-store suggests) and the latter is ideal for a cocktail party or formal beach gathering.

While the weather is cold you’d do worse than popping on a Fairisle Sweater, and there are six to choose from at Ellemeno.  I really like these because the texture and shading are just right, and they’d look great with tights and boots. Again, just L$250 a pop.

There are lots of wonderful items to see in store and I couldn’t possibly feature all of them here, but I do rate the vintage feel of the ‘Doris Dresses’, the selection of  shirts and most of all the  so-called ‘Open Sweaters’ (They’re hoodies, LOL 🙂 You don’t need to be the ‘Fallen Madonna With The Big Boobies’ (you will only understand that reference if you used to watch ‘Allo Allo’ )to get the benefits of these. They’re gorgeous, with some fantastic textures to choose from including cats (Yay! Cats!) mustaches  tattoos and my own personal faves, owls and gaming gear. These are a great addition to your mesh wardrobe, and would look fab with baggy jeans.

Point to note: There are a couple of hunt items that are well worth picking up in store. One is a milk carton from the ‘Hello Titty’ hunt (which finished on the fifteenth so hurry!) There’s the ‘Hunt For your Inner Slut’ heart to find (go look at the gowns 😉

But perhaps the best thing is that selected items in store bearing a pink ribbon are reduced to half price, with 50% of the proceeds donated to Susan G. Komen For The Cure Breast Cancer Foundation.  

Ellemeno is a store I’m adding to my favourites list, and I’m really looking forward to CarrieAnn Lemon’s future releases, in fact, I can’t wait for them! (NOTE: I visited both the mainstore and the satellite store at Cleavage for this post, all hunt items are at the main store)

Kitty wears: Hair By Elikatira, top by QE (at Cleavage), open sweater by Ellemeno and trousers by Sakide.

I mentioned the shopping sim Cleavage in the blurb above, so I want to give a quick shout out to two other stores I found there and really enjoyed; WAFFLE and QE.

QE’s satellite store had only a few pieces on display, but they’re all great, especially the Cashmere Crops, available in an array of colours for L$120 each or a fat-pack of three tones in the same colour range for L$300. I’m wearing a purple cashmere crop in the pic, under the ‘Open Sweater’ by Ellemeno. (It’s a hoody!!) The mainstore is located at Jersey Shore, seems it’s still standing proudly in Second Life!

On the opposite side of the street is WAFFLE, a satellite store with just a few items but all are well-priced and produced. My pick in this store is the Camo Drawstring tube-top. I really love this, and it’s a brilliant price at L$109. I wanted to see a lot more from designer Kiki Paine, so will be sure to check out her mainstore.

Phew! A TON of shopping happy for you there, dear reader! You’d better stock up on those lindens and get your shopping shoes on, it’s time to go pop some tags!