Second Style Magazine

Yes. I admit it. I was an English major. Still am, seeing as how I’m still two classes away from finishing my degree. But, I digress. It’s funny how an image can strike you so intensely. The moment I saw this new release from Luminosity, my mind immediately went to The Snows of Kilimanjaro by Ernest Hemingway. The story is about a couple on safari. Well, it’s about much more than that, but you don’t come here for literary analysis. Suffice it to say, that when I read in Sol’s blog that she was inspired by 1940′s era fashion, I understood the connection I’d made immediately.

Where do I begin to tell you how sublime I find this set?
Well, let’s start with the fact that this is a variation on a common theme: safari. What don’t you see here: Animal print. Nor, for that matter, do you see a camera vest. Instead, you get a tailored linen vest with wood buttons, and a satin back. You get a lustrous, olive green blazer with a boiled wool texture, sueded collar, and (oh yes!) princess seams on the front. You get marled, wool socks. Did I forget to mention the semi-sheer, tintable, lace blouse with shell buttons? Did I forget the braided belt (with a shadow!), the deliciously-shadowed khaki pants, skirt, and shorts?

This is not a safari set for the rugged mountain climber. No, this is a safari set for a woman of the Lost Generation. A woman who had enough money to escape the Depression. A woman who wears boiled wool to the desert, not because it’s practical, but because it looks so damn good.Yes, she will pick up a rifle and shoot a wildebeest for fun, but she’s never leaving her tent without mascara and lipstick.

In other words, this is a collection with a built in story. I’m attracted to narrative. I’ve already shared with you my love for this brand. But it is not love for love’s sake. Details matter. Highlighting and shadowing matter. Texture choices matter. Would the blazer look nice without princess seams? Sure. It would still have the boiled wool texture, but it wouldn’t be as refined. It wouldn’t have the personality, the depth. Even in casual clothing it’s the details that determine whether you look pulled together, or thrown together.

And now, the images. In the middle and the left I’ve styled the outfits relatively vintage. I’ve been waiting for a chance to wear my first Kin Keiko hair (far left) and I think it works well with this look. For those of you who are not inclined to go retro, I created the look on the far right. It’s sassy, modern schoolgirl, and autumn perfect. However, all of the pieces in the set are neutral and lend to easy mixing and matching. So you shouldn’t shy away from this, even if desert chic is not your thing.

New items featured:
Sahara West by Luminosity

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In this photo: [All] Eyes: Deep Brown by
Celestial
Studios; Nails: Dark Pack in Merlot by Tete a Pied; Earrings: Pearl Earrings by Raven’s Creations; Glasses: Metro glasses by Luminosity;  [Left and Middle] Skin: Bronzage Dark Sophisticate 1 by Tete a
Pied; [Left] Hair: PinUp in brown (darker tinting added) by Kin Keiko; Blazer, Vest, Shirt, and Skirt: Sahara West by Luminosity; Hosiery: Everyday Silk Stockings in brown from OPIUM by  Alaska Metropolitain; Shoes: Vintage strappy shoes in olive by Shiny Things [Middle] Hair: Sleek Bob in black brown (darker tinting added) by Elysium Emporium; Vest, Shirt, Pants, and Socks: Sahara West by Luminosity; Shoes: Lollies in cream by Shiny Things [Right] Skin: Skin: Bronzage Dark Peach Sorbet by Tete a Pied; Blazer: Sahara West by Luminosity; Sweater: Root beer sweater by Luminosity; Skirt: flexi skirt in brown w/black belt by Luminosity; Hosiery: Olive Plaid stockings by Luminosity; Shoes: Lollies in olive by Shiny Things

While the focus of this blog is primarily fashion, I believe that great design can be found in many places, and this one, I just had to share with you. I was doing some SL blog hopping I came upon this site used to document the building process for the virtual version of the soon-to-be-built aloft Hotel, by Starwood Hotels. There was some news coverage of this venture about a month ago. However, a visit to the blog revealed that the sim had secretly opened for visitors earlier this week. I decided to take a quick peak.

The four images you see are (clockwise): the lobby, a hotel room, pool, and hotel room "window." If you look closely at the last one, you will see what appears to be my reflection in the fogged glass window. Actually, the window is barely translucent. The other side is a bathroom dressing area (that’s Roslin Petion on the other side). It is a sexy, voyeuristic effect. One can imagine spying on her lover as his he climbs out of the shower. Obscured, but not completely…

It is a keen example of the kind of detail one finds here: the wrinkles on the sheets, the shadows beneath the picture frames, the tonal stripe in the carpet. I am showing you jut a small glimpse, there is much more to see (and on your hardware probably in more detail). What I find so fascinating is the idea that while this space exists for us now, it will some day exist for others, in the real world. We get to experience it first; and, I must say, it is an experience I highly recommend.

virtual aloft blog

Visit aloft sim

Janie Marlowe reads at least a few RL fashion magazines because sometimes she makes reference to them in her blog posts. Today’s goodies detailed here consist of four cozy long sleeved striped tops — perfect for fall, two super cute casual skirt outfits (including the pink/grey one shown left) and two plaid dresses, straight from those magazines.

When I saw the group notice pop up in the wee hours of the morning, I headed on over to Illusion to check the newness out — and that pink top with the grey box pleated skirt was such a winner I had to make it mine, so I did. One minor detail that’s in the ad, but I overlooked until I had it on was the super cute socks — they have a kind of ecru argyle pattern. This outfit looks super incredible with Fallingwater Cellardoor’s Lady Victoria ankle boots, especially since they have a really great lace ankle ruffle. It just completes this outfit so perfectly, I wish I’d taken a picture to post with this note. But take my word on it — it’s darling and you’ll look fantastic.

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Nymphetamine’s paeoti Pomeray released Victoria Talbot, an homage to all things Victorian and plaid. There are an awful lot of sweet, sweet details packed into this design — the sheen of light on the bodice, the super cute bows at the waistline, and the multitude of antique lace which runs along the hem of the skirting. If that’s a little too much plaid for you to handle, you can just wear a bit more reserved black satin skirt. paeoti writes that she may create some shorter style prim skirts for this dress in a few days — I think she’s still trying to recover from having to write copy for her 6 outfits in this weekend’s up coming fashion show on DeShadow Isle.

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Something is stirring with LilMiss Ludovico. First there was the release of this pink number over the weekend….

Then last night: suits. Yes, suits: The BusinessOrPleasure suit at 7 Deadly Sins. It’s an adorable little mix and match set with not a piercing, nor a rip–nor even a belly button–in sight.

The biggest and most delightful surprise of all? The set comes not only in gothic-approved gray, but in purple and orange. As well as six other muted and lovely shades. It’s a little something you can wear to the office or on a date with a day walker. No one will suspect for a second that you have full-sleeved tattoos and labia piercings.

If you’re like me and you thought that 7 Deadly Sins only offered cute clothes for those sweet creatures of the night (i.e. cute, but not for me), think again. Never underestimate a good designer. They will surprise you. And being surprised is so much fun.

As for what inspired the suit collection, her blog leaves no clues. I suspect love. But let’s face it, even goth girls need something to wear to work.

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In her post from yesterday, Celebrity mentioned that the brown Spherule skirt from Nyte ‘N Day looked great with the shiny halters from Iki. Since I own said halters, and had just purchased the Spherule set in brown, I was inspired to go do some mix and match magic and try the look out.

From left to right, I call these looks:
See Me After Class
Take Me Shopping
Thank you

In the middle image I’m sporting my new signature bag. Battling for the title would be the new, breathtaking, bohemian, leather creation from Ms. Cellardoor of Shiny Things (worn far left). The Favorite Leather Bag is destined to become just that for many women on the grid. It has an unbelievable texture. It is a shoulder bag, but completely different from the Heiress Handbag…and different is the only excuse a woman needs for adding to her purse collection. View the color options and read the details on the forum ad.

Featured New Items:
Spherule by Nyte ‘N Day; Favorite Leather Bag by Shiny Things
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In this photo: [Left] Skin: Bronzage Dark Sophisticated 1 by Tete a
Pied; Hair: Belle in Dark Chocolate by ETD;  Eyes: Deep Brown by Celestial
Studios; Nails: Dark Pack in Toffee by Tete a Pied; Earrings: Bohemian Earrings by JUNK; Halters: Embroidered Shiny Halter in Caramel and Black by Iki; Blazer: Metro by Luminosity; Skirt: Spherule in Brown by Nyte ‘N Day; Handbag (left): Favorite Leather Bag by Shiny Things; Handbag (middle) The Heiress Handbag; Shoes: Gigis (color change) by KCD.

I saw Katy Angel post these new outfits in her blog, and the lingerie release “Honey” caught my attention — just for sheer detailing alone. As Ginny Talamasca has remarked, “Celebrity, you’re my little detail whore.” Guilty as charged.

It so happens that one of my favorite alterna-bands Morphine has a tune named Honey White. One reason why Morphine’s sound is so distinct and fresh is because they eschew a lead guitar for warbling Les Claypool-esque bass sounds and a fat mile-wide tenor sax line. (Can you dig it, cool cats?)

One reason why Katy Angel’s “Honey” outfit is so distinct and fresh is because of the sorts of details she’s sprinkled over the top of this set. See, for example, the criss cross detailing at the neck, the lace patterns in the shirt and over the skimpy flirty flexi-prim skirt. Oh sure, you could wear this around the grid — but it’s probably more suitable as Katy intended — something to fire up some bedroom sparks.

Honey comes in red and white — both shown left. Katy’s store Lavish Style is located in Oslar. Go check it out.

In this photo: skin: Evolution (fair, smokey black) by Nyte Caligari, Nyte ‘n’ Day; eyes: Realistic Forest Green by Lost Thereian, Naughty Designs; hair: Couture Asymmetrical (rust) by Elika Tiramisu, ETD; outfit: Honey White by Katy Angel, Lavish Style; belly ring: Mata Hari by Solange Cerveau, Solange

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Update: Had to stop by and pick one of these up. It was a really difficult choice between the green silk and the chocolate brown — and in the end, green won. I am wearing Elika Tiramisu’s incredible “Asymmetrical” wig from her new Couture line — I love that hair; I have the Willow pack and it’s still not enough! More, more, please, Elika!

In this photo: skin: Evolution (fair, smokey black) by Nyte Caligari, Nyte ‘n’ Day; eyes: Realistic Forest Green by Lost Thereian, Naughty Designs; hair: Couture Asymmetrical (rust) by Elika Tiramisu, ETD; jewelry: Ice Teardrops by Phia Alexandre, SS Designs; gown: Entwine (silk green) by Blaze Columbia, Blaze; shoes: Diamond Chain Stilettos by Ninja Petion, Digital Dragon Designs

You know you’ve got Tolkien on the brain when you parse the name of Blaze Columbia’s new gown Entwine as Ent Wine. That minor reading faux pas aside, like Blaze’s other recent releases, he’s managed to knock my socks off again.

I am really looking forward to getting a copy of Entwine, especially since he’s experimented a bit using a virtual satin and virtual silk texture, each with its own subtle variations in sheen and saturation even if it’s the same color. This is most pronounced as you flip from the satin mauve dress to the silk mauve dress — look how the silk pops the edges of the fabric off the screen. I would’ve appreciated a few more side-by-side comparisions of satin vs. silk, but I think that’s enough of a demonstration to make the point vivid.

As a special added bonus, female Blaze is modelling Starley Thereian’s beta skins in the detail photos (like the one shown left). If you didn’t make the cut for a skin package, you can join me in drooling over all the goodies Starley’s packed into this new skin line — and you can really see how all that lovely body shading work looks in a truly elegant and superbly crafted Second Life gown. There’s lots and lots of pictures in the slideshow at Blaze’s blog, so have a look.

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Oooo I love this. Sexy. Retro. Velvet. Brown. Phallic. Happy Halloween, indeed.

This set comes to us from Astry Mirabeau of Digital Knickers. She promises that it is the first costume of many. I say, Oh yes! Why run around as one of a thousand naughty witches, when you can sex it up with fishnets and tobacco?

The cigar tray is scripted and automatically dispenses when touched. This is definitely not a costume that has to be saved for Halloween. It definitely lends itself to some bedroom fun.

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Antonia Marat’s released a four pack of 80s inspired dresses in hot leopard prints — and polished off with a huge snakeskin style belt. Named Le Tigre it’s the latest at artilleri. That must mean Antie’s back from Oslo (or maybe she’s just bumming Max’s computer now — I don’t know! ). Anyway, these are tremendously fun and funky dresses — I think they definitely put your avatar into the era of Gordon Gecko, enormous bangs and Enjoy the Silence.

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The moment I saw this ad texture rez from Nyte Calgari’s update group I knew it was something I’d add to my inventory. It comes in a grey variant and this gorgeously shaded brown set (which is definitely my favorite of the pair.) The long flexiprim skirt is great enough all by itself, but when you match it up with the embroidered top Nyte’s included you have a dynamite outfit. I added some fun chunky accessories by the boho-queen elka Lehane and I was so set for book club, an afternoon shopping or hanging out for some drinks with the girls. This skirt also looks incredible with the Iki line of embellished tops.

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Nicky Ree sent me over a couple of these ad textures this morning, and I had to check them out at her store in Plush Lambda. Nicky told me she’d modelled the design on a real NASA space suit, but debulkified and ensexified. She created the space suit template as a costume prop for a friend, and decided she’d take the plunge and redo some of the textures and colors to make them a little less NASAish. I like to think she gave it that classic Nicky Ree catsuit once over, because I had fun wandering around the grid in it.

To the left is Alpha (grey) which is decidedly Barbarella-ish, but Nicky’s also created suits in white/teal with several more colors on the way — including a distinctly Wilma Deering purple hue. She also made suit sets for the men as well — and they come in the same colors.

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