Simply Lovely in Second Life

A Sad Day

2007-11-29T22:14:00.000-06:00

look at this adorable totoro!

...

He TOTALLY griefed me :(

The Best Necklace EVER... and it is free!

2007-11-06T09:15:00.000-06:00

I am a sucker for cameos: chokers, lockets, earrings, broaches... you could probably even sell me a blinging cameo. And I thought i had collected every variety until I found this cameo locket with pearls by Caroline's Jewelry. And if there is one thing that rivals my love of cameos it is my love of pearls.
And, so I am in heaven. This necklace is by far my favorite accessory of all time. And, believe it or not, it is Free! Free. I'll say it again... free. All you have to do is IM Caroline to be added to her group.

I have never received a freebie I have loved so much. And I can't say enough about it. It is lovely and delicate and it is a real working locket! It opens and closes AND you can put a real picture inside! Awesome!!!

It is permanently glued to my chest so you will see a lot of it, but here's a closeup (pardon the boobage):

In addition to this locket, Caroline's has a bunch of other beautiful cameo lockets and other great items. Come visit the shop in Lo Lo.

You'll be glad you did!

SL on CSI New York (lol)

2007-10-25T08:10:00.001-05:00

For a good laugh and an incredibly inaccurate portrayal of Second Life, check out the CSI New York episode "Down The Rabbit Hole."

The White Rabbit... lol. Would have been better as a tiny.

Sleepy Hollow & a Grim Babies Halloween

2007-10-13T20:11:00.000-05:00

Everyone seems to be talking about Halloween and places to visit in SL. One place I haven't seen mention that I think should be is Grim Babies in Sleepy Hollow.

This place is an absolute Halloween delight. Spooky yet pleasant, Grim babies offers Halloween thrills both of the shopping variety and the activity variety.

As far as shopping goes, this is a great place to pick up a costume, decorative pumpkins, monster party dance balls, all things doll, spooky monsters and animated scenes to decorate your home and shop, and (of course) Grim Babies. What are Grim Babies? Well, they are like prim babies with a morbid twist. And there is an amazing variety here.

I really like the pumpkin carving kit, the interactive apple bobbing stand, and the ghoststory-telling haystacks.

When you've had your shopping fill, check out the Grim Babies Haunted Orphanage for a creepy adventure.

a creepy voice whispers cryptic antidotes at you as you wind you way through blood-spattered dormitories, cafeterias, human experiment labs, and padded rooms.

And then it starts getting weird...

weirder...

and weirder still...

I don't want to ruin all of the surprises for you, but I will say that the maze is really intense.

Don't forget to pick up a Grim Babies Orphan outfit, IV & survivor t-shirt at the front desk.

Asylum chic!

Visit Grim Babies @ Sleepy Hollow (115,75,27)

New Blog!!!!

2007-10-11T18:52:00.000-05:00

The Argyle Boutique Blog is up and running!!!! Check it out!!!

Sleep now...

I guess the new release will have to wait until tomorrow.

OMG I'm alive.

2007-10-01T15:31:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it has been a month since I have last checked in. Time goes by so quickly when you are busy. And I have been busy.

Doing what? Well...

I was the face of Sh*t happens for September! Whoo Hoo! You can see me in the ads at the Sh*t happens New main store!

I was also one of the winners of the Second Style Diversity Challenge! Um... haven't heard back about what, if anything, happens due to that. You'll know when I know.

But most importantly....

I"VE OPENED A STORE!!!!!!!!!!

I am now the proud owner of Argyle boutique. Simple, elegant fashion and accessories. So far I have scarves, sweaters, gloves, bangles, and a jacket for sale with much more to come!!!!!

Here I am at my first store in the beautiful Doll City:

And here I am at my new main store at the quaint shops of Boootiful Creations:

My main store will have more designs and color choices. I have so much planned and will be releasing regularily. I will also be starting an update group soon and a new blog for the store. I will maintain this blog (and pinky promise to update more regularily now that I have both shops set up) but this will still be for talking about other designers, places, and things I learn on SL. I will post a link to the new blog here when it is up and running.

Right now I have a limited edition pink and black argyle scarf available as a grand opening freebie. Stop by, look around, and grab your free scarf before it is gone!!!!

Goodwin and the first hint of autumn

2007-08-30T14:21:00.000-05:00

The evenings are getting colder now and the breezy outfit you picked out for the warm day may not be enough come twilight.

It's time to pull cardigans and jacket out of the deep recesses of your inventory, time to trade sandals for boots, and above all, it is time to adorn your lovely collar with the best accessory of them all: the scarf.

Presenting the Goodwin scarf set by yours truly. Named after a notoriously blustery street in my town, the Goodwin scarf will keep the chill off your neck from the dawn of autumn into the deep recesses of winter. The Goodwin scarf is a semi-flexi fine knit scarf that has three styles in one! Above you can see the basic scarf which wraps cozily around the neck and shoulders with asymmetrical tails. Perfect for autumn picnics and walks in the park.

Autumn breezes sometimes turn into gales, and the Goodwin scarf has you covered!

The Goodwin scarf has a chilly nights attachment that reached above the lips to keep the biting wind off your face. The extension is a separate attachment that is worn on the lips so your face won't poke through. Extra cozy, the second style of the Goodwin scarf is great for late-night walks through the city or anytime you desire to be incognito.

And when the first frost descends unexpectedly, the Goodwin scarf has another trick up it's sleeve. The Goodwin headwrap keeps your ears warm and dry during the heaviest snowfall.

The Goodwin headwrap is cozy without being cartoonish or bulky and accommodates many hairstyles. Furthermore, it can be worn with or without the chilly nights extension. Versatile!!

The Goodwin scarf set contains three pieces: the scarf, the extension, and the headwrap. It features a dainty dots and floral pattern that is tintable to match any outfit (it is tinted green in the pictures here) . It is also modable, so the size of the pieces and gravity of the flexi-bits can be adjusted to your liking. It can be bold or demure depending on how you tint it and it is always lovely. Also, it is great for any Harajuku outfits you might be creating!!!

It only comes in one pattern now, but i think I will make a few others as I am fond of this creation and may (perchance) sell it someday. I'd love to know what you think, so if you have any constructive criticism please don't hesitate to let me know.

As always,
Noelle

Im capped

2007-08-28T17:22:00.000-05:00

I have only been away for a couple of days, but apparently my IM capped. If you tried to IM me, please send it again as I most likely didn't recieve it.

Sooooo many posts. coming soon. promise.

Love,
Noelle

More Legwarmers by me

2007-08-21T18:20:00.001-05:00

I swear I'm not obsessed with legwarmers...

So, fueled by my recent success in creating a clothing object, I decided to try a more sophisticated item of the same type.

Presenting, Megumi legwarmers in cherry blossom.

Megumi thigh-length legwarmers feature a hand-made texture of butterflies, flowers, and fans. The legwarmers are rolled up at the top and pool around the feet at the bottom. As a special touch, each legwarmer features a Japanese geisha on the calf.

Each legwarmer has three parts: the top scrunchie prim, the legging which uses the socks layer, and the lower legwarmers prim. The texture is slightly distressed and features subtle highlights got a more realistic look.

I like these legwarmers because they are cute, comfy, and still show of the lovely curves of your leg. I think I'm getting pretty decent with making stuff now and it is really exciting. Maybe one day I will have a store. For now though, I enjoy just experimenting.

IM in world if you would like a pair for FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Legwarmers by...me!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

2007-08-18T15:17:00.000-05:00

While putting together my Harajuku outfit, one of the hardest things to find was prim flared legwarmers. Sure there were a lot of Flashdance style ones and the chunky ones by Gritty Kitty that I finally settled on. There were even a couple of flared ones made using the pants layer. But none really suited what I wanted. I was looking for a pair that could be worn with a dress or skirt (and thus could not negate the glitch pants) and I wanted them to be shaped like pant cuffs that covered the shoes.

Wondering what to do, it occurred to me that... perhaps... I could try making them myself. And THIS is the result:
I have named them Rainbow Dream Harajuku Legwarmers. Simple and fun, these legwarmers add some colorful flair to any outfit. You can wear them with skirts or pants too, so they are versatile.They are only 2 prims a piece. They are not flexi, so your feet wont break through when walking and also lets you do sweet moves like this:
They feature a hand-drawn texture (by me!) with a lovely asymmetrical striped pattern in muted rainbow tones. Colorful, yet not primary.

This is my very first creation and I am pretty happy with the result. I plan on making more elaborate ones featuring stitching, bunching, and pooling around the feet. I'm sure I will post too many pictures of them when I do:-)

If you would like a pair, IM me in-world and I would be honored to give you a pair for free! I even made a pair of glitch socks for taking pictures at certain angles.

As I reflect on my accomplishment at the end of the day, I wonder where I will go from here. Accessories? Clothing? Shoes? The possibilities are endless. I have already started work on a long flexi-hair style with a fantasy vibe too it. I would be finished with it too if I wasn't griefed so much in sandboxes. Why I get so much grief is beyond me.

Don't hate me 'cuz I'm beautiful griefers! Lol.

FRUiT Flavored Fashion

2007-08-14T04:16:00.000-05:00

Japan has great urban fashion, but you don't see a lot of it in Second Life. Kimonos...of course. Anime and cosplay...sure. Neko style is probably the closest to Japanese street fashion, but it is grungier and less eclectic.

For those who are not familiar, there is a thriving subculture among the young people in Tokyo(the Harajuku district in particular) famous for their colorful, over-the-top fashions. This street fashion is chronicled in the magazines such as FRUiTs and Fresh Fruit.

I love Harajuku style but I certainly couldn't pull if off in RL. So... I decided to make it in Second life!

Isn't she lovely?!? I am so proud. Putting this outfit together was actually hard work. But it was so worth it. So, here's the look:

Skin: virgo by BP*- Great Japanese skin for only $L300!!! There are many other styles, so check them out!!
Hair: Boho burgundy by Cake!- I had already chosen a hair for this outfit (which I will blog about later when I write on Japanese designers in SL. I have been sitting on that article for a month at least now. Damn my perfectionism.) Then I happened upon an ad by Canimal that featured this hair and I became manic. I HAD to have it. It was just too perfect. So I emailed Canimal and begged in the forum for someone to PLEASE tell me where it came from. All the while, I am TPing to every decent hair store I can think of trying to find it by accident. This went on for a day. I was desperate and distraught. No hair looked even passable now that I had had a taste of what could be. And then, miraculously, I went to Cake for a completely different reason (socks) and THERE IT WAS! This flexi hair has a perfectly placed beanie that is scripted with 20 different textures. My new favorite hair hands down. Canimal never responded BTW (:-s).
Eyes: Black by BP*- Bettie Page makes a bit of everything and they are all great values. These eyes are darling and have a lovely highlight for that sparkling doe-eyed look.
Black undershirt by me- Inspired by a freebie turtleneck, I needed an undershirt with a similar lolita vibe. So I made it, simple but cute. And every outfit needs a touch of black, right?
Dress: Orange LAME Stripey Jumper by Sh*t Happens- Although many "FRUiTs" wear lolita dresses, I wanted a look that couldn't be mistaken as anything else. I wanted a smock shirt or jumper and Sh*t Happens was the only store that really delivered. The dress reminds me of the first attempts of crafty mothers to DIY a toddlers outfit. And I love that. I wanted something that looked homemade and bright. This dress comes in three lovely colors and they are only $L100 a piece. Nice.
Tights: fruit punch by Sh*t Happens- I had originally wanted striped leggings for this dress, but when everything came together I liked the contrast in patterns throughout the outfit. These leggings are a steal at $L25 for 6 pairs in bright colors.
Legwarmers by Gritty Kitty- Legwarmers were one of the hardest pieces I had to find for this outfit. There are a lot of leggings out there, but classic Harajuku leggings are usually one of two varieties: big poofy paw-like ones and loose fabric tubey ones. The Gritty kitty legwarmers are certainly the first type. You get four set for $L200, which is a pretty good deal. They are big and bulky, but they have great button details as you can see here.

Armwarmers: by Canimal- This are simple, cute arm warmers with little buttons down the side. The set comes with 6 colors and two textures. The plain textured ones are a little plain and flat, but the knit textured ones are nice and understated. The colors are subdued and pleasant.
Gloves: by Sand Surf Shack- These gloves came with the free outfit Urban October that you can purchase at the Gnubie Store for $L1. I thought they were the perfect wild touch.
Shoes: Strap Shoes by ***Angelic Doll***- I got this black pair of shoes for free and they are pretty cute. You can pick up a pack with 3 colors for $10.
Necklace: Inyannyan Choker by [Yuki]- You may know [Yuki] for her feather-soft hair, but she also has a few accessories including this adorable silver kitty choker, I thought it married nicely with the undershirt.
Earrings: Harajuku Girl CHIYO by PuNk Couture- I got these for free during the PuNk Couture clearance sale. There are four girls to choose from and you can mix and match to your hearts content. The images are super cute, but you can only see them from the front.
Umbrella: Ami by *TWEET*- I love this umbrella. It is so cute and cheery. The Pack comes with silver and gold detailed umbrellas and a matching scarf. You can get this umbrella in four lovely colors and it is perfect for a rainy day. *TWEET* seemed like an up-and-coming designer, but there hasn't been a release since 2006. This is a shame since all of her designs are darling and unique.

I submitted my new look in the Second Style Diversity Fashion Challenge. I figure I might not have been traditional enough, but I wanted to showcase diversity within a culture as well as showcasing some of the great Japanese SL designs. You can see my entry here. Normally I would say something like "vote for me!" but voting has been down and I'm not really sure what is going to happen.

In conclusion, I think you can agree that FRUiT-y fashion is quite simply...lovely :-)

Camping

2007-08-12T14:36:00.000-05:00

I thought this was so funny I just had to share it:

Strike a Pose

2007-08-01T17:47:00.000-05:00

If you are an amateur SL photographer like me, I'm sure you are interested in model poses. They add an element of character and emotion to your photos. And lets faces it, the standard animations get a bit boring. But I'm not a professional photographer nor a model, and I have not reached the point where I am willing to shell out $L50-100 for a single pose. So, here is what I do to get great poses on a budget.

First of all, there are all kinds of free animation boxes you can picks up in the newbie zones around SL. Yes, most of them are silly animations where your head spins round or you do a zombie dance. However, you can find some decent poses amongst the fodder and they are not always labeled obviously. The best thing to do is to take the time to go through them, delete the useless and rename any good poses so that you call recall them later.

While you can find some decent poses in free animation boxes, they aren't model poses per se. The free animations are more useful as narrative aids than for showing off fashion. Unfortunately, free model poses are not nearly as prevalent as the zombie dance-type animations. However, I have found an excellent box of free model poses made available at
ESB Photography Studios

Just look for the pink box which contains ~30 very useful standing and sitting poses. I use these A LOT.

**UPDATE** I found another great set of free poses at Sirena Hair and Fashion. There are a few repeats from the ESB box, but some great new ones as well. It even has a pose bracelet you can customize for a quick and easy AO. Go to the store and look for the board that says Tutorial Supplies. At the very top of the board there is a poster that says Stand Animations. And that's it! If you want a tutorial for how to put an AO into the bracelet or another object, check out Natalia Zelmanov's AO Tutorial.

**UPDATE** Lots of awesome free poses at Builder's Paradise Freebie store. Look for boxes labeled Free Poses, Free Animations, and Free Sexy Poses. There are many different boxes (there is no real organization here, so check everywhere. The labels are clear.) so you should be set for a while.

Other than the rare freebie box, model poses are hard to come by. One thing to look for is a free pose included with an outfit, skin, shape, or accessory. Some designers will include a free pose with an item or even in their store freebie box. Keep a look out for these when you visit your favorite stores. You might walk out with more than just a outfit.

Another option is to consider items that contain AO scripts. Yes, these items do cost money. Think of it this way: you are going to buy shoes, purses, and accessories anyway. Why not lean towards items that contain an AO script?? Basic items will only contain a sexy walk, but some items contain 4 or 5 standing animations and even sitting animations. These animations are wonderful for exploring and modeling pictures. And you can turn the AO off when you don't want it, so you don't have to worry about high lag areas.

Speaking of pictures, I haven't taken any lately. SL has been so wonky lately it has been near impossible. I have had much trouble with failure to rez and the search function being down. In addition, I lost some items out of my inventory :-( Hopefully things will be back to normal soon so that I can have something to blog about!

The Block is Back

2007-07-22T14:11:00.000-05:00

My friend Prima introduced me to The Block a while back and it has since become one of my favorite shopping areas in Second Life. With its gritty urban-Neko theme and creative store elements, The Block is simply cool. So, when the new sim opened a couple of days ago, I rushed on over to check it out.

Not wanting to look square, I assembled the following look of urban loveliness. The hair is ETD sideswipe in Chestnut Brown, one of the excellent almost-freebies available at the ETD main store. The leather jacket is part of the Heiress suit by Last Call and has excellent buckled cuffs. I added the top from the Embla Sirianne sky blue dress (free at Ivalde) for a touch of color. I mirrored the buckled on the jacket with my French Spirit Buckle boots. My G.L.A.M "Silver"skinny jeans in charcoal, the new Aitui dark denim messenger bag, and PuNk Couture's "Slave to the Music" necklace (LOVE) finish off the polished street look that would turn the haughtiest Neko's head (IMHO).

The first think I noticed is that there is a lot more space for new stores. This makes sense as it had probably outgrown its old sim. The Block is a great place for urban, Neko, and Rockabilly fashion as well as the largest collection of high-quality men's stores I've seen in one place. The Block features such great stores as Gritty Kitty, Jeepers Creepers, Artillerie. With so much room and such great stores already in place, The new Block is certain to become even more of a fashion destination.

My favorite store from The Block is Sinistyle, a grungy urban clothing store for both men and women. While some of their designs focus on urban warfare(bloody items and trash armor), they have some really great trench and military coats.

Fashion is not the only market in The Block. Urban themed "stuff" of all kinds can be purchased here, including grimy furniture and guns. While this is of no interest to me, It is an intriguing aspect of the SL economy for the curious to peruse. Perhaps I should pick up some particle mace?

If you need a quick respite from the streets, you can enjoy the warm atmosphere of Caffeine. Caffeine has plenty of seating, coffee available, free t-shirts, and a decent music stream. It is a nice place to take a break from shopping and chat with friends.

The Block has retained its urban style. The new sim is surrounded with brick tenements placed cleverly to take advantage of forced perspective. The taller building and facade create a deep inter-city feel that was somewhat lacking in the old sim. However, I was very disappointed to see that the Neko-themed area had not been recreated. While there is still construction going on, I could see no place that seemed reserved for its later recreation. Where is the Groomers, the sushi bar, the movie theatre that served kitty snacks? Other atmospheric detail are missing as well. Where is the crane with the swinging wrecking ball?? I sincerely hope that more details will be added in the future as they set The Block apart from other urban sims. It will be a sad day if the most remarkable element of The Block is a Japanese bus stop.

So, The Block is bigger but, it seems, not better. At least not yet. It is clear that shopping at The Block will only improve, but hopefully not at the expense of creativity and soul.

Face of Style Contest

2007-07-20T01:01:00.000-05:00

Entrance into the Face of Style closed yesterday at midnight, so I can finally share the photos I entered! I am so happy because I have been dying to post them for a week. Was I being paranoid by not posting them until now?? Maybe, but you never know.

So, without further adieu, i humbly present to you my first attempt at entering a photo contest:

This was my body shot. I just LOVE the location. The textures are so excellent it almost looks like I photoshoped myself into the picture.

I am wearing the Erin boho dress by Last Call. I chose a water location because the light eyelet fabric of the dress seemed to demand it. However, I thought the elegant black lace would be better served in the darker atmosphere of a rain forest than at the beach. My hair is ETD Survive in Mahogany, but I made a copy and did a white linen retexture on the headband for this outfit.
Other items: Miriel's Casual Excess Necklace in black, Miriel's Bauble Earrings in Black, and Butterfly Bangles by ??? (i will have to do some research to figure out where i got these).

This is my headshot. The pose isn't extremely inspired, but i like the way it allows the details of the dress to be featured. The dress is the gorgeous Regina Dress by last call. I chose ETD Bonita II hair in burnt mahogany for a romantic look that wasn't too formal. My necklace and earrings are Miriel's Moon and Tide in Black with white mother of pearl. I chose this set because I thought the detailing on the dress looked like stars, so I thought a moon necklace would be fitting and I liked its delicate simplicity. Black elbow gloves were added for drama.

This is my profile shot. This was the hardest picture to choose. I love the pose in this picture and how it allows the whole outfit to be showcased as well as a good view of my profile. I love the outfit too, Trixie baby tee and brown plaid pants by Celestial Studios. I paired with it G.L.A.M. metallic pumps color-changed to baby blue, Skool Daze bangles in peach, and Caroline's cameo locket in black and gold. The hair is my signature, ETD Bedded Attitude in mahogany.

I had a really had time choosing between the above shot and the following to be my profile picture:

I loved the background in the alt picture and I loved how the car mirrored the colors in my shirt. However, I did not like how you could only see the top on my outfit in this picture. Also, it sort of looks like one of those Myspace cellphone camera pictures the way my left arm is stretched out. Ultimately, I choose the first picture despite the lack-luster background.

I didn't retouch or photoshop the pictures at all. I'm sure I am in the minority of entrants for leaving my photos au naturale. I just think it is much more thrilling
to capture a really great "candid" photo. I'm sure I could strike a few poses and snap a spangly (spangly??) background behind it and it would look awesome. I think that finding the perfect spot and the perfect lighting and tying your fashion in with the environment is half the fun of of photo shoots. Hopefully others agree.

The results of the contest will be announced on June 24th. I am not holding my breath as there have been hundreds of entries. I am fairly inexperienced compared to many fashionistas I've seen on blogspot and Flickr. I'm not going to say I don't care if I win, but I will say that I have had so much fun doing this that it was already worth it.

And I will also say that it is a great promotion for any SL business. Contests like this are excuses for massive shopping sprees. More contests please!!!

Liverpool: Home of the Beatles

2007-07-17T04:39:00.000-05:00

'Ello Mates! Welcome to Liverpool in Second Life! Birthplace of The Beatles.

I was inspired to visit by my Downtown Dots dress, a funky vintage micromini by PuNk Couture. Me in a micromini skirt? Who knew?? I love everything about this dress except for the neckline, which is a little too Appearance Mode cookie cutter. The dress comes with a matching choker with a red bow. I paired the dress with freebie thigh highs and freebie black velvet knee boots. My earrings are freebie hoops that I recolored white, my red bracelet is from PuNk Couture, the diva glasses from Last Call, and my scripted purse is from ETD (7 sassy AOs for high class ladies). My hair is the casual and sleek Mia bun by ETD with tintable scarf. All in all, a super-fab outfit perfect for exploring the shabby chic streets of Liverpool.

The Liverpool sim consists of two main streets, the dock-side promenade and the famous Matthew Street. Liverpool features many atmospheric pubs, including The Cavern, where The Beatles were born.

There are also many Beatles and Rock n' Roll themed shops with unique items. Want a Beatles band shirt, a piano that plays John Lennon's Imagine, or full Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band costumes? This is the place to go.

The RL British Rock Band "What The...?" has it's base in Liverpool and featured John's sunken bed from the movie Help!

Liverpool has great amenities. There are creative camping spots where you can paint John Lennon's face on a wall or fix a moped. You can also rent bicycles, jet skis, boats, and even scooters for free!

While it appears that there is still a lot of construction being done, the creators of Liverpool have done a good job thus far of featuring Beatles's related city landmarks. For instance, take a look at the skyline:

Look familiar?? Perhaps you will remember the Eleanor Rigby scene from Yellow Submarine:

And speaking of yellow submarines:

There aren't a ton of activities here besides shopping and bar hopping, but one neat thing I found was a fishing game on the dock. You watch your pole until you get a bite and then you type "strike!" to try and reel 'em in. And the best part is, you get to keep your catch!

Liverpool is your one-stop Beatles fix in Second Life. And you don't even need a ticket to ride :-) (lol)

Shedding My Skin

2007-07-14T20:33:00.000-05:00

I haven't posted in a few days because I have been busy. I am sure all of SL is now aware of the Face of Style contest being put on by Celestial Studios and Last Call. If not, you can check it out here.

Yes, I am planning to enter and I have been working non-stop on my photos. No, you cannot see the pictures... yet. The rules for contest require you to wear clothes and skin from one of the two designers. The clothes were easy, as both designers have beautiful, high quality designs(MUCH more to say about that later). What was much harder was committing to a new skin.

Skin is probably the single most important item you can buy for your SL self. It makes you who you are. My first (and until recently, only) purchased skin was Pale-Brick House by Gala. It has given me the face you have come to know and love ;-P

I love the phenomenal makeup detail on my Gala skin, the soft and porcelain skin tone, and the reserved yet accurate "lady parts." However, the makeup I choose for my skin lacks a certain drama for formal occasions. I had been planning to buy a new skin with smokier makeup for evening and darker hair colors. I had been planning on buying from Gala again, but the before-mentioned contest caused me to take a look at the Vogue skins at Celestial Studios.

The CS Vogue skins are completely different from Gala skins and I was shocked at how different I looked as i tried on the demos. The difference was so great that I was not sure if I could make the switch to Vogue, but as I tried the different demos on (for hours btw) I really came to like my new "supermodel" look. The result was this:

The skin I chose was the CS Vogue- Pure skin in Light Noir (how fitting). The Vogue skins are less realistic than the Gala skins and while that might sound like a criticism, it is not. One problem I had with the Gala skins is that the light makeup i chose made me look dead around the eyes in some lights and direct daylight really bleached out my face. My new Vogue skin is much more flattering in a wider variety of light and gives a smoother, more airbrushed look to the face. Vogue pack I bought comes with a plain and freckled skin with the same makeup which is super convenient.

In addition to the skins, the pack comes with 3 sized of awesome prim lashes!!! My previous experience with prim lashes were not so good. I found them so difficult to fit that I gave upon them. Not so with the CS Vogue lashes. They fit easily and they look SO lovely. And they work with my Gala skin as well( fixes the dead-eye thing nicely).

Another great thing about the Vogue skin is that they are semi-modible with sliders. There is limited adjustment of the eyebrow shade to match different hair colors and the lip color can be moded as well. To top it off, there is a little beauty mark near the eye for ultimate femininity.

So, change is hard and sometimes scary, but the great thing about SL is that you can have a face to match every aspect of yourself.

Aaaand... since I'm dying to share even though I know I shouldn't, here's an outtake pic from one of the (many) photo shoots I've done for the Face of Style contest featuring my brand new skin.

Ivalde: My One True Love

2007-07-08T19:48:00.000-05:00

I'm here at ~~Ivalde~~ Village, home of my very favorite store in all of SL: Ivalde Antique and Vintage Clothes.

~~Ivalde~~ Village is a lovely Norwegian sim featuring Ivalde & Ask designs, Hairapy, Second Mirage jewlery, Elegance Hats, & Prim Seduction Shoes. In addition, there are waterfalls, a viking ship, and beautiful strolling areas to explore.

Hair: ETD Bedded Additude Mahogany; Necklace: Miriel's Casual Excess choker in black; Bracelet: Miriel's duel metal bracelet in black/silver

No one designer satisfies me so completely and so often. I have scores of items from Ivalde and a wish list a mile long. Designer Neferia Abel is truly a genius. The beauty of Ivalde (and Embla) clothes is in the detail. Take, for instance, the scalloped neckline of the vintage Audrey dress (above) and how it is mirrored in the hemline. It is beyond gorgeous. It sets this dress apart from countless others in SL with the same basic style. You can always tell an Ivalde design.

Speaking of unique, I present to you Ragna, my first dress from Ivalde. This dress is perfect. The delicate prim sleeves and wispy skirt make me smile every time I wear it. The muted green color is rich and indulgent. It is the ultimate sophisticated, feminine and lovely dress for day or evening.

Necklace and Bracelet: *BBB* Natural pearls; Shoes: Lassitude& Ennui Eva pumps in coal.

Flirty, feminine dresses are a specialty at Ivalde. Take the Siv floral sundress. I don't usually like large floral prints, so this dress was a great surprise. Perfect for a stroll through the garden or afternoon tea, the rose print on this dress is bold without being overbearing and the skirt flows gracefully with your movements.

Necklace: Miriel's Bounded Elegance in silver

Ivalde makes casual dresses and skirts as well. The vintage Margarita dress is so simple yet so sexy. This dress features a delicate floral pattern and intricate lace trim which adds sophistication and grace to this simple and easy dress. This piece is as casual as a pair of jeans, but so much more striking.

The vintage Trude outfit is another great casual look. The spaghetti strap dress has a short flirty prim skirt with floral detail, a cute white belt at the waist, and intricate ribbon detail around the neckline. This dress is great for day or evening and can be dressed up or down.
Neclace: Dhiny Things knotted bead necklace in mother of pearl. Bracelet: *BBB* natural pearls

But it doesn't stop there. In addition to the prim skirt, Trude also comes with stylish high-waisted striped sailor pants with a lower white belt for a more casual look. Trude also comes with an adorable white scallop-trimmed bolero that can be worn with either look. The addition of the bolero creates a beautiful diamond shaped neckline. all of the items are mix -and-match, and easily integrate with other pieces in your inventory.
Necklace: Miriel's Mirror, Mirror in black. Bracelet: Black & White butterfly bangles

In addition to a large selection of vintage items, Ivalde also has a great selection of rockabilly, Lolita, and Gothic styles for when you are feeling grim. I got the Brit outfit for free at the Ivalde Island's grand opening treasure hunt and I am sure glad i did. I would never have bought the outfit on my own since it so 'wild', but it is super cute. I wear it sometimes to live music shows and I even won a clothing contest for best goth outfit with it. Nice!! Brit features a tunic-style cap-sleeved shirt with an asymmetrical hem, black and white striped leggings with matching fingerless gloves. What I like about this outfit is that it has attitude without being gaudy or flamboyant like I find most goth stuff to be. It is really more No-Wave than Goth, but you can swing it whichever way you like.
Necklace: Slave the the music Necklace by PuNk Couture.

Items at Ivalde range in price on average from $L250-400, which is standard for outfits and dresses. But the quality and style is superior to most in SL, so you are really getting a great deal.

There is really no reason not to visit Ivalde or window shop off-grid at the Ivalde website.

Sea-worthy Fashions

2007-07-06T08:31:00.000-05:00

My last post was so long, i figured that I would talk about my cruise ship fashions separately.

The adorable white eyelet dress is the Veranda dress by Miko Omegamu of *ICING*. Featuring a lovely flowing prim skirt and bow, this dress is perfect for daytime adventures on or near the sea. I'll be writing more about *ICING* as they have a ton of super cute dresses and the prices there are excellent. The beaded necklace with fun knotted detail is from Shiny Things. I actually got this for free at the GNubie Store in Indigo. You can get it in Ruby or Mother of Pearl and is one of my favorite necklaces.

The shoes I'm sporting I actually purchased onboard. They are called Diva Pumps by Eye Candy and they cost only $L35! They have optional bling, Sexy Walk, and have 12 color change options. The AO is a little wonky, but they are cute, versatile and a steal!!

My Evening look is the 1897 Tzarina gown in Ruby by Shenlie Fine Millinery. I got this dress on clearance for only $L100. If it is still available, it comes is a variety of dramatic jewel tones and it perfect for the most formal of occasions. My hairstyle is Barbie by Hairapy. This hair is super cute and flirty. I love wearing it with all of my vintage day and party dresses, but I found while writing this piece that it can be great for sporty looks as well. Speaking of sporty...

I'm not super into sportswear, so I made my workout gear from bits and pieces I had in my inventory, all of which were free. The tank is the ETD wifebeater, the pants were part of the LandF Sporty Outfit, the wristbands were from Devilish Cupcake, and the shoes were PuNk Couture hightops. The main PuNk Couture shop is closed until autumn, but they have a kiosk in Emerald City. However, I'm not sure if the hightops are still free.

My skating outfit was also made from a collage of random items. The black gloves were free from a lingerie box. The shirt was the top of the Flexified Lacy Flower Dress (short) found at most of the free stores and warehouses. The prim skirt came from the French Spirit Black and Sexy Flex Dress and the "tights" were a black recolor of a freebie "New Pants." Not to shabby, wouldn't you say?

Cruisin' Aboard the S.S. Galaxy

2007-07-05T15:45:00.000-05:00

The summertime is a perfect time to hit the open seas for a little rest and relaxation. So why not pack your bags and visit the S.S. Galaxy-Queen of the Sagittarian Sea!

This place is huge and reminds me very much of a Royal Caribbean super-liner. If you have never been on a cruise ship and are curious what they are about, you have to tour the Galaxy. It is a wonderfully detailed sim(s) with lots of extras and is just like a RL cruise.
There is so much to see and do here, it is wise to check out the hospitality desk in the main lobby when you first board the ship. There you will find ship maps, an events calender, and a teleporting station to the main attractions of the ship. Don't just TP around though or you will miss a lot of great little hidden areas.
There are lots of little bar and lounge areas where you can grab a drink with a little umbrella or enjoy a fine Cuban cigar *blows smoke rings oo00OOO.*
Make a visit to the bridge to see where all the captain stuff takes place. These things look important...

Culture yourself with a tour of their 2-story art gallery...

Or spoil yourself in their 3-story mall. Goodness...

Another way to blow (or win) some Lindens is in the Ships casino. They have lots of games to play, but I thought the most entertaining to watch was the horse races. Go Green!!!

If you like games, they have a giant chess game and skeet shooting on deck. Am I on the black team or the white team?

Other deck activities include a large pool with a giant slide, a basketball court, jogging, and and ice skating rink!!!! You'll need a pair of ice skates if you want to skate. You can get a free pair at Sarah Nerd's Freebie Paradise that has a basic skating AO. However, if you were looking for some fancier moves, you can purchase a pair of Skoop F Icicles ice skates at the rink for 75$L. These skates are a little clunky, but they come with a bunch of tricks and fancier skating AOs.

If you are looking for an outdoor feel without actually braving the deck, you can take a stroll through the lovely indoor atrium. There are beautiful fountains, foliage, waterfalls, and jacuzzis to relax in.

Not to mention a fair variety of poseballs with romantic possibilities.

If you are famished after an action packed morning, you can enjoy a casual lunch or dinner in the Bamboo Garden Japanese Restaurant. This is actually my favorite spot on the ship.

Isn't it gorgeous? This "outdoor" restaurant is actually inside the ship!! There is a conversation area and dining area with a sushi bar soon to come!

Don't worry, they supply you with the chopsticks. But they don't teach you how to use them!

You can work off your meal and prepare for the evening in the Galaxy Spa.

Did you know the average cruise ship passenger gains a pound a day?

Work on that base tan so you don't scare children at the pool (tanning goggles provided).

And relax and refresh in the sauna. There is no nudity in public areas so they offer complimentary men's and women's towels. Classy!

After you leave the spa, you may want to explore some of the social areas in the evening. There are two boiler rooms on this ship.
The regular kind...

And the kickass danceclub kind.

If you're not dancing the night away, you can take in a movie at the movie theatre (Poseidon is currently showing). However, the main evening attraction is the Zodiac Ballroom. Formal attire is required, so wear your best!!! I hope i didn't overdress :-)

You can visit the Galaxy for just a day, or you can rent accommodations. There are a variety of cabins with different sizes from basic staterooms to the Captain's Suite (below).

All in all, the most fun you can have on a boat in SL. You can spend a whole day here just exploring! And if you cabin fever, take a shore excursion to Sagittaria. I think i have a crush on the skipper.

Bon voyage!!!!

S.S. Galaxy: Queen of the Sagittarian Sea

Residential/ CommercialShopping, free activities, gambling, dining, movies, barsShopping rating: Fair: mostly small designers, varied types of goods sold

Hangin' with the King: Graceland

2007-07-05T05:39:00.000-05:00

All dressed up with no place to go? Put on your blue suede shoes and head on over to Graceland, the legendary home of Elvis Presley. I found this sim completely on accident (there's a freebie area on the left side...lol) and just had to check it out.

So I slipped into something retro (PuNk Couture's Vintage Floral Dress) to explore in.

I love the print and the color combinations of this dress, but I have to say that the flexi skirt is a real pain. Being a full-hipped AV, the skirt on the dress did not fit AT ALL when i bought it and I had a problem with all of the settings. First of all, the gravity and tension were set really low, so it gave me a bad case of bubble-butt and the prims took forever to stop moving. Also, the beautiful green underskirt is linked to the top skirt, so I can't adjust it's placement separately(without hand placing every separate prim). The glitch pants are the color of the underskirt and not the top skirt, so every little gap is HIGHLY noticeable. All in all, I'm really glad I got it at a discount or else I probably would have been disappointed. Even now that I have messed it a bunch it is not near perfect. On the bright side, it has been a great lesson in editing flexi-prim as I have messed with every setting there is.

Anyway, back to the adventure. Having visited the RL Graceland, I can say that this sim does a good job of condensing all of the best parts of Graceland into a cute little mansion. The best part about this place is that they have an all-Elvis music feed, so make sure to turn it on to set the mood.

You can visit the trophy room...

Chill out in the Jungle Room...

Or rock out in the Jailhouse Rock Ballroom. There's a stage and instruments here, so it looks like they might have live events.

I think Elvis is checking me out!!!

They even have a memorial where you can pay your respects to the king of Rock and Roll.

So, come for a quick visit or stay and hang out. There's not a lot of people there, so it is a nice quiet place to enjoy some classic Elvis tunes and relax.

Marly's Scoop: New Hair!!

2007-07-01T22:10:00.000-05:00

Hiya Dollfaces!

I'm enjoying some great Big Band Music at the Cry'n Lion Dance Hall.

I've got some news. While visiting Marley's yesterday working on my last review, I was lucky enough to meet and chat with owner Marleen Vaughan. Not only is she super nice, she is also generous. She offered me an advanced copy of their new hair style, Birthday Dana Hat. Here's some more picks.

Another awesome style with hat built in. This style can be vintage or modern depending on how you dress it. I think it is wonderfully chic and sophisticated.

This style should be released in the next couple of days, so keep a look out!

Chicago: Musing about Marly's

2007-07-01T18:14:00.000-05:00

Hola!
I'm hanging out in Chicago for a day of fun and culture. And... I'm sporting the absolutely adorable Spanky's Spots Dress in sage by Marly Vaughan and Haedon Quine of Marley's.

*Slurp* The Chicago River looks lovely this time of year.

I have been looking for the perfect vintage polka-dot dress. I've flocked to every store that has released one. I've almost purchased one a dozen times at least, but something held me back. Something just wasn't quite right about the other dresses, but Marley's dress is perfect!

There are so many things l love about this dress. The color is great, the pattern isn't distorted and is in perfect proportion. The cute belt is actually attached to the skirt, which is so convenient for sizing.

Um... I'm not sure my horse likes me too much :-s

Something I've noticed about this dress that I do not see in most other dresses with prim skirts is that the prims actually stay together (like a real skirt would) when you are walking instead of flying around like a bunch of streamers.

The neckline is gorgeous and the prim sleeves are subtle and feminine. And, as you can see, the dress is great for both day and night adventures. I make a pretty hot date, don't you think ;-)

The dress comes in five colors (above), and they are all charming. Each dress is only $L225 and the 5-pack is only $L700 ( that's a $L425 saving i.e. almost 2 whole dresses for free).

Being that Chicago is the windy city, It gets bit cooler (and apparently more retro) in the evenings, so I thought I would change into another great outfit... again from Marly's.

Marly's does more than just clothes, they also do great hair. This dashing look is Zade Sophisticate in red. The hat color is smoke, but it also comes in camel for those who wear more brown. This classic style comes with the hat attached, so it is already perfectly positioned.

Here's a look at the back. There is no option to remove the hat, but perhaps they will offer it in the future (I hope).

Now, lets talk about my fabulous dress (jacket??). This amazing piece is called Agent Pushbutton and it is so unique and sophisticated. The fabric is a burnished wool with a contrasting satin lining. I just love the unique cut of the hem and the delicate black edging. This is truly a quality design.

The little handkerchief is optional, but is a great detail in that it pulls the lining color together with the rest of the piece. And the cowled neck is super cozy, perfect for blustery evenings. Agent Pushbutton comes in three colors for $L225 or $L575 together. Here you see it in ash with pink lining. I was so taken with this piece, I had to get all three, so...

Here it is in a lovely pairing of indigo and gold. And...

My favorite color, army and silver. Taxi!!!

I can honestly say that I like every item that Marly's has. Their vintage clothes, hair, and accessories covers many eras for varying taste and they have a lot of great unique items. If you need an example, Zuzu's Sun and Moon dress and Sven Suburbia should quell your skepticism.

So visit Marly's, like...now, at their main shop in Envy or check out the Marly's Blog. and get lovely.

Other Items with Spanky's Spots:

Hair: Hairapy's Barbie in Auburn
Skin: Gala-Pale-Brickhouse
Eyes: French Spirit: Contrast
Pearl set: *BBB* Natural Pearls

Other Items with Agent Pushbutton:

Skin: Gala-Pale-Brickhouse
Shoes: Lassitude & Ennui- Eva in Coal

The Thrill of the Hunt

2007-06-29T00:35:00.001-05:00

Is it possible to find quality stylish fashion items for free (or almost free)?

Oh Yes. There's a bounty of great free stuff if you know where to look. To prove it, I'm wearing all free items in this post!

Free Shops and Warehouses

One of the first things I did when I joined SL was go on a freebie binge at the free shops and warehouses. This is a great way to start building your wardrobe. You can get some cute clothes, prim shoes, a few nice prim hairs, animations, objects galore, and even build objects. There are a bunch of great places exclusively for free or 1$L items, like The GNUbie Store and Free Dove. A search for "free" or "freebie" will yield plenty of places to explore.

Shirt: unknown, Pink off-the-shoulder top, Pants: AE free jeans, Shoes: Free Pirm Shoes by She's So Unusual Shoes, Necklace: Baccara's cameo choker Amber, Bracelet: RC- But I'm not the Only One-Unltd., Hair: ETD WLSB Collection: Bedded Additude in Mahogany.
Like my outfit? It was totally free.

One of the first places I'd recommend for freebies is actually one of the last places I found (silly me): Sarah Nerd's Freebie Paradise. What is so great about Sarah's is that it has a huge selection and most of the items can be bought individually instead of lotted boxes. That way you can choose just what you want. Most items are free or only 1L$

Did I mention it is huge?? There's also a money tree, a lucky chair, and a fun modeling booth for taking profile pictures.

Hola.

Freebie Paradise is located in Sarah Nerd's Nifty Fifty. Everything outside of the Freebie area costs 50$L or less. Not free, but still a great deal in SL.

**UPDATE** Builders Heaven has a large freebie store that has over 6000 items! All types of free items can be found here including some free skins I haven't seen before.

Decent skins were the hardest thing to find for free. The main problems with free skins are crazy, unnatural eyebrows and clownish/whorish makeup. The "CS Passport Skin-Malibu/Brown" is a popular choice, but it is a little too tan and, um, harsh looking for me. The "natural skin-light makeup" is a conservative choice, but it has a sort of porcelain doll vibe.

Sarah Nerd has a small skin shop in Nifty Fifty where you can buy any skin for only 50$L. This is a pretty great deal and the skins are pretty nice.

50$L is too much, you say? Then you may want to try Body Basics.

Dress: Flexified Sequin Crochet 3 Outfits in one (unknown), Necklace: But I'm not the Only One- Unltd.
Hey, look! another fabulous free outfit.

They have a good selection of totally free male and female skins. If you are not ready to invest in a skin, this is a great place to get something a little different than the same few skins you find in boxes over and over. The makeup is a bit intense, but with the right hairstyle and color you can make it work until you are ready to buy a skin. The body details are cute without being too explicit and the displays give you a good look at what you are buying. I wore the Debra skin for a while when I first started.

Retail Stores

Sooner or later, the freebie stores and warehouses will get monotonous. You will find that you keep finding the same things you've seen seven times before. At that point, you need to find a new source of freebies. You may have noticed that many free items include the store or designers name, such as "Bacarra's Amber Cameo Choker." If you like a certain item, search for the designer's store is the first step in getting familiar with the SL fashion world.

Skirt and top: Canimal Phrik Girl, Necklace: Black EmeraldRuby Necklace1 (unknown), Hair: Black Night at Yoursecondplace.com main, Skin: Sexy Vamp (unknown), Stockings: Black thigh highs (unknown), shoes: Black Knee Boots (unknown)

For instance, here I am all grim at the Freebie section of Wilted Rose. Oh, did I mention i have a mysterious alter ego, Noelle Noir? You can tell it is still me by the flower in my hair:) Wilted Rose has a HUGE free area called Freebie Jeebies where I got this Corset Outfit (Canimal Phrik Girl), the skin, and the hair( Black Night).

Top: Shirt from Retro Princess 2 Canimal, Skirt: Rebel Skirt by Canimal

I liked the Phrik Girl, so I searched for Canimal and visited the main store, where I found additional 1L$ items, majorly discounted items and a huge clearance sale! See, the saving can just go on and on.

Wilted Rose's free section is so huge, I should have put it under free shops and warehouses. Regardless, most major designers have some free items in their store, like Calla above. The volume may not be as large as the free stores, but the items are usually higher quality!

Groups

If you are interested in having freebies delivered right to you, you may want to join a fashion group. During your freebie hunt through the stores of SL, you may come across a few designers whose items you just love. You might consider joining their update groups. Most designers have an update group that will keep you informed on new releases, sales, and even give you exclusive free items or demos.

If you just can't decide on a certain store or designer, you can join a collaborative group like Fashcon to get info on tons of designers from one spot. You will get lots of free items from collab groups, as well as info on store releases, new store openings, and events like scavenger hunts (freebie paradise)!

Most groups are free to join, so why not take the plunge?

Final Notes

The strategy for freebies that works well for me is to grab anything that looks remotely promising, and purge often. Find a good spot to act as a changing room and take the time to go through the massive amount of items you are sure to collect. If you have too much junk in your inventory, you are likely to overlook the gems. Yes, it takes some time, but it is worth it.

Also, scan the contents of a box before you buy. You may find that it contains items that you already have. However, you may find that there are new items in with a bunch of repeats.

And remember, you don't have to keep an entire item if you only like parts of it. Like the top of a dress, but the skirt is not your style? keep the top and ditch the rest.

I rename a lot of my items so I can remember what they are easier. However, if there is a designer name, I always leave that in for reference. Nothing is worse that having an item you love and not knowing where it came from. Ok, there might be a few worse things, but it does suck.

*For a great guide on starting out in SL, see Natalia Zelmanov's Second Life Diary.

*For an extensive list of free stores and warehouses, see Anna Zwiers Blog.
Happy Hunting!!!

Introduction

2007-06-28T03:21:00.000-05:00

Hello there! I'm Noelle Eilde.

I'm still fairly new, but I'm making my way pretty quickly and doing a pretty good job if I say so myself.

I came into this world as a Girl Next Door, but I was a born fashionista. I wanted to create a counterpart that was as fabulous and refined as I am in real life :)

Here I am in my birthday suit fresh off Orientation Island.

Not too bad for a NeewB right?

But there was no way I could come close to approximating my fabulousness with the basic package I was born with. And even if I could, what fun would that be, right?!? And so, the quest for exquisite fashion began.

So there I was. New, alone, and lost in a sea of fashion without a compass. I knew I wanted to be fabulous, but I also wanted to stay true to my refined style. No hooker heels for me, thanks. I wanted quality, sophistication, timeless style, and VALUE. Oh yes. But where to start?

Clothing and body accessories are THE main industry in SL. The volume of stores, kiosks, warehouses, etc. are overwhelming and there is no good resource in SL to separate the quality from the fodder (don't trust the search tool rankings, they are not accurate). It took a lot of research, obsessive blog reading and exploring to find the real artists of SL that spoke my fashion language. And the result was this:

Hola beautiful!

Natural style is not the popular style in SL. Sometimes I have been frustrated in my search, pulling scraps from a plethora of blogs trying to extablish a base for myself. I wasn't looking for super sexy, super short, and super trendy. I wanted something...lovely. And there was no one source I could find to guide me to subtle sophistacted style.

And so, I started this blog :D

Hair: EDT Bedded additude in Mahogany , skin: Gala-Pale in Brick House, Eyes: French Spirit contrast, Necklace: Second Mirage cameo choker, Bracelet: BBB natural pearls, Shirt: Top from Ivalde Audrey Black&Teal dress, Jacket: G.L.A.M. Peacoat in black