Second Style Magazine

To really do this topic justice I would have to shoot probably 100 different photos — the new ETD opens tomorrow January 1, but Elika graciously invited her update group members to stop by a day early and get the scoop — so here’s your preview of what’s on tap for tomorrow when the new sim opens to everyone at 10am SLT. (By the way, Canimal and Starley will also be opening their new sims tomorrow at 10 too.)

First, Elika’s completely revamped the way she handles textures on her hairs. There’s now 30 core textures, and 4 varients of each core — regular, blackened, frosted and burnt. So when you buy a color pack you get four wigs in it. A willow pack now consists of all 30 cores + each variant for a total of 120 wigs per style. (And each willow pack is priced at L$2000, which seems like a total bargain.) Single color packs are priced at L$175 and the combo packs are L$300. I really like this new system of packaging and pricing. Of course if you lost your favorite ETD texture maybe you won’t be as sanguine, but this really seems like a fair way to handle pricing/packaging to me.

Second, in addition to around several dozen new hairstyles, Elika’s been hoarding up several clothing releases. As before some of my favorites from all of the new releases are her “business” type releases, including this awesome pinstriped set. Obviously, there’s way more than I can cover in a simple paragraph, so the best bet for a comprehensive preview is by scrolling through Elika’s blog for December. She’s been slowly posting sneak peeks over the last two weeks.

And finally, there’s new shoes too! I fell in love with the buckled calf boots shown in the picture to the far right. But there’s also a set of ballet flats look great and several different pairs of strappy heels which I enjoyed (but I decided I had enough strappy heels )

If you’re lucky enough to be in Elika’s update group, I definitely recommend a stop now since I’m positive the sim will be absolutely crushed when it opens to everyone at 10am tomorrow.

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In the left photo: skin: light (kissed) by Maia Blackthorne, Maia; hair: Reese by Elika Tiramisu, ETD; top and pants: Pinstripe 4 piece by Elika Tiramisu, ETD; shoes: Lace up heels by Elika Tiramisu, ETD (discontinued)

In the right photo: skin: Redhead Trendy (indigo) by CJ Carnot and Roslin Petion, Tete a Pied; hair: Couture: Half-Up (rust) by Elika Tiramisu, ETD; earrings: Fer by Canimal Zephyr, Canimal; halter: Belted halter (green) by Elika Tiramisu, ETD; pants and hip buttons: Sobriety (3/4th length) by Kaysha Sion, WRONG; boots: Buckled calf boots by Elika Tiramisu, ETD

Maia Blackthorne’s just came onto many fashionista radars… she’s gotten exciting press on Appearance Mode, and over on Queenie Extraordinaire’s blog, so I knew when QQ posted another mention, this was a place I’d have to go shop. And shop I did. I think I bought the every single outfit on offer, plus a set of her skins, which you can see to the right.

Those of you you’ve been looking for a skin with a little character — some moles, some minor imperfections, something other than the airbrushed perfection we normally get with SL skins will definitely want to head over to Maia’s store and try on her demos.

And if your normal clothing style is goth/punk, you will certainly be on as much of a shopping spree as I was over there. If I have only one complaint it is that will Maia has a little truckload of awesome tops and super funky dresses, the selection in terms of bottom seperates is a little limited right now. I’m sure we’ll be getting more variety in the future.

In the meantime, I am more than satisfied with my new collection of skins and all of the great dresses and tops I bought. Maia will also be the ETD featured designer for January 2007 and has a blog with a bunch of other outfits not shown here.

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In these photos: skin: Light (kissed) by Maia Blackthorne, Maia; tattoos: skulls by Maia Blackthorne, Maia; eyes: Midnight Sun by Miriel Enfield, Miriel; Lashes: Hollywood (long) by Lynnix Muse; hair: ETD Disturbed (dirty/pink) by Elika Tiramisu, ETD (far left), ETD Canima by Elika Tiramisu, ETD (right two); corset: Long corset (black) by Maia Blackthorne, Maia; skirt: Black with white belt by Sol Columbia, Luminosity; boots, gauntlets and collar: Phobos and Lilith by Etain Peregrine, Dark Eden

Check out Willow Zander wearing Charlotte Morellet’s new Gutter Glitter release! There’s another outfit out now too: Argyle Tramp which is super fun and looks great. You’ll just have to click through to see that one, though. Gutter Glitter would be a fantastic choice for a last minute New Year’s shopping spree — if you’re still looking for that sexy flirty look to ring in the new year.

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In this photo: model: Willow Zander; skin: Vogue by Starley Thereian, Celestial Studios; tattoo: Henna by Tuli Asturias, Lollypop; hair: Party Girl by Lost Thereian, Naughty Designs; outfit: Gutter Glitter by Charlotte Morellet, Soda

According to the Second Life website as per today we have way over 2,2 million residents. Non of them look alike… well.. maybe the first hour in world or so and the occasional twins that really choose to be eachothers clone. I think that the possibility to personalize your looks in Second Life is one of the biggest attractions of the game, and ofcourse a major pillar in the local economy. Next to that it is just entertaining to wander in Second Life looking for the perfect items that match your personality, whether that one is close to your first life you or a totally different character that you have adopted in Second Life.

Speaking of diversity…. Aleri Darkes from Diversity Hair has understood so well our need to stand out and distinguish. In the building that she shares with her SL sister and my fellow blogger Digit, she has a vaste range of different hairstyles on display, from which it may be difficult to choose. Female and male hair.  Recently she has released several new hairdo’s as well as redone a lot of her textures.  The result is fabulous. Her hair goes from super classy to mega sassy and from conservative to ultra modern….. Or, as Aleri puts it, it’s “Modern, sexy, and sophisticated. And of course Diverse”.

Aleri has been learning a lot lately about new techniques and creating textures, hence she has moved pretty much of her older hairdo’s to the discount section of her shop where these still gorgeous styles can be purchased in total fatpacks for a real smart price….And that is, after all in a month like December and the holidays’ aftermath of January, not bad. Not bad at all….. As for the new hair….it’s delicious. In the pictures I show you the curly Starlet in auburn, the classy Prissy updo in yummy butterscotch and the playful girly Brat in black purple.

Diversity Hair is located in Dacham (14, 136, 401)

Credits: ~~ Starlet~~~ skin: Tete à Pied Redhead Vixen Brown, clothes: Naughty Design’s Wrap green, ~~ Prissy~~ skin: Nora Entice Almond Earth, clothes: Dazzle’s Thelma, ~~Brat~~ skin: Tete à Pied Bronzage Light Vixen Candy, clothes: Relika Itamae’s rollneck sweater Fuchsia. In all three photo’s I wear Lynnix’s lashes long and thick… how could we have we ever done without them……

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Following suit with Celebrity’s last post, yet another stunning hairstyle to strike Second Life. I loooove long hair, in both lives. I’m passionate about it. My inventory reads like a who’s who when it comes to the straighter long styles. Well December has been a great gift for us long-hair lovers, including the Ember releases from Calico Creations and the Party Girl releases from Naughty Designs in the past week. For me, Viletta by Babyboo Glitterbuck of Here Comes Trouble takes the prim cake.

This style is a mix of big, sweeping waves and spiky, straight flyaway strands with just a little bit of flex to keep it interesting. Unintentionally I ended up taking quite a yearbook worthy picture, in a pretty odd way. The hair itself is very classic, but something about it moves it back and forth between stilettos and sneakers in my mind. Viletta’s not a tomboy, she’s not a priss, she’s got an identity all her own.

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In this photo: skin: Alina (Glimmering Angel Pink lipstick) by Lost Thereian, Naughty Designs; eyes: Romantic (Rose) by Portia Sin, Sin Skins; lashes: Dramatic by Lynnix Muse, Lynnix Lashes; hair: Viletta (brown) by Babyboo Glitterbuck, HCT; earrings: Hoops by Santana Lumiere, Nevermore; overshirt: Vintage Torn V-Neck (white) by Lost Thereian, Naughty Designs; undershirt: Torn by RedX Boyoma, Parallax View; bra: Intime (rose) by Ginny Talamasca, Dazzle

This was one of those finds I’d wanted to write about much sooner — but better late than never. This is “Ember” by Calico Ingmann. As you can see it’s a super long — almost floor length — super curly hair design. Ember comes in four different lengths varying from “fantasy floor length,” calf-length, butt-length to something a little more practical — this mid-back length in Ember IV.

The construction used in these hairs is innovative to say the least. Each style is flexible, but the way Calico put all of the flexible parts together — using a set of transparent and semi-transparent cylinders is quite novel. Although this hair looks fabulous in photos, it doesn’t look bad walking around or moving. However, some of the illusion is muted by the way the hair moves behind the avatar. That’s probably more due to the limited physics in Second Life itself rather than some kind of construction flaw.

Also, I am in love with this red head texture named “Fire.” It’s a beautiful and wild combination of red-yellow, orange and true red. Yeah, it screams “this color never occurs in nature,” but why bother ourselves with that too terribly much in Second Life? After all, when was the last time you met an anthropomorphic unicorn at your local library? Yeah, thought so.

Ember comes in several different colors and hues, from normal hair shades (try dirty blonde, for example) to punk to pure fantasy and the four lengths I mentioned. L$0 demos are available too, so you can check out the style on your avatar before you commit.

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In this photo: skin: Redhead Seductress Scarlet by CJ Carnot and Roslin Petion, Tete a Pied; hair: Ember (fire) by Calico Ingmann, Calico Creations; jewelry: Snowflake LE by Lyra Muse, Dazzle; gown: Holiday Gown (silver) by Alaska Metropolitan, Opium Addictive Fashion; clutch: Red Paillette by CJ Carnot, Tete a Pied; shoes: Libertine (sable) by Lyra Muse, Dazzle

Sol Columbia is holding a grand opening of Luminosity’s new sim, Luminous Island tonight at 6 pm SLT. Sol and Lur Sachs have been working overtime to put together this amazing looking store build (you can see two snaps of the build here). It’s probably one of the most beautifully landscaped stores I’ve seen in Second Life. Dress is decidedly black-tie — so impress with your best formal and show it off.

Other upcoming events:

• Friday 12/29, Simone Stern is hosting a fashion show and auction to benefit Ayeshe Millions
• Thursday 1/4, Girls’ Night Out will visit with Stroker Serpentine, lead by host Cory Edo. (More details here)

I like to blog new designers, but what is maybe even more exciting is when a designer that we know from her lovely formal wear goes crazy and starts designing hot casuals! And that is excactly what happened. I went to Innovations earlier today just to see some lovely gowns, and instead I walk in to some serious cool casuals and clubwear. Sherona DeGroot has gone wild on daywear!

I promised myself to take blogging slow for the rest of the year.. but what I saw here caused my heart to skip not just several beats… I seriously risked a cardiac arrest. And so, I just had to write this right away even if i really don’t have time for it right now, so it’s a bit of a hasty posting…..So many colourful casuals on display. I’ll show you two of them. The first is an elegant sun dress.The girly kind. Sleek and lovely with a pink paisley pattern. Totally awesome and it makes me want to throw al garlands, wraths and trees away and start o plant some palms in my garden. Please let the winter be short and spring be hot as this dress!!!

Was the dress something that we still might expect from Sherona, elegant and feminine as it is, the next outfit is positively shocking… or should I say rocking… Plaid pants in vibrant colours, a sexy fishnet shirt and a tiny top underneath that barely covers up your boops. Provocative and absolutely über cool. Remind me, I should get a tatoo before i start wearing this in public.. and more rocking hair as well. OMG… and this is only two of the new releases that she has on display….

Hmm.. grabbing my air guitar and dancing off into he sunset…..

When you gonna give it to me, give it to me.
It is just a matter of time Sherona
Is it just destiny, destiny?
Or is it just a game in my mind, Sherona?
Never gonna stop, give it up.
Such a dirty mind. Always get it up for the touch
of the younger kind.
My my my i yi woo, my my my i yi woo.
M M M My Sherona, M M M My Sherona, M M M My Sherona, M M M My Sherona.

Visit *DG* Innovations at:  Innovations (102, 126, 31)

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Hmmm… with a slightly odd feeling I returned yesterday from a Christmas celebration with my family down south… maybe a little too much to eat and just a bit too much to drink. Boxing Day for me is traditionally a day of dolce far niente, just being lazy, doing a bit of reading, having a good glass of wine and, in this case, catching up with some other blogs and see what is around.

I was struck with the little retro dress that Miriel Enfield has just released. It’s perfect for this time of year. Christmas is over, but the holidays are not! I went over and bought myself a beautiful purple one, although I was really tempted to buy the whole lot (a smashing 16 different colours!) for little more than the price of two of these fab little numbers. I like the simplicity of the design, the assymetrical shoulder and the “New Look” skirt. When you look close you’ll see the seams on the fabric, a level of detailing that I really like.

I decided to wear it with several other new things available in SL. Roslin Petion from Tete à Pied dropped a set of new Vixen skins on me and in this picture I wear the delicious, creamy Bronzage Light Vixen Candy, with some gorgeous vinyl shine kissable lips. The jewelry is Earthtones’ Dragonfly Amethyst earrings and the awesome Grape Symphony pendant. The only thing being not recently released is ETD’s hair Grand. It comes with a cute tiara in 3 different metals, but as I said, Christmas is over… and I do not want to go around looking like a  christmas tree with too much of the jewelry department.

Miriel’s shop is located in: Nouveau (113, 203, 23), Tete à Pied: Nouveau (220, 165, 22), Earthtones: Tersa (155, 99, 396) and last but not least ETD: CoutureIsle (221, 125, 50)

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When I first read this post by JellyBean Madison at Appearance Mode, I’ll admit I didn’t run right out to check out Maia Blackthorne’s store, MAIA, and let me tell you that I’m regretting that choice quite a lot. Maia’s release tonight was the tipping point, and I ran out (after sending a few enthusiastic instant messages) to grab Instinct.

I’ve got a thing for fishnet, I won’t lie. I would buy this outfit for the stocking alone, which have a smaller version of the panther that covers the left breast on the back of the left calf. As for that main panther however, it had me a little concerned. When it comes to adventurous necklines, you have to be careful about which skins you wear them left to avoid pulling a Tara Reid. I tried this dress out with about a dozen skins and had no problem.

If you don’t like the belt, a version of the skirt is included without it. I don’t normally like oversized belts, but this one offsets the panther very nicely. This dress isn’t a traditional party dress, but it’s something so original and sexy that it’ll bring out the punky gal in any priss.

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In this photo: skin: Rose Medium Vixen (Berry) by Roslin Petion, Tête à Pied; eyes: Deep (Violet) by Starley Thereian, Celestial Studios; lashes: Dramatic by Lynnix Muse; hair: Ginny (chestnut brown) by Elikapeka Tiramisu, ETD; outfit: Instinct (pink) by Maia Blackthorne, MAIA; boots: Old Laceup Boots (black) by Fallingwater Cellardoor, Shiny Things

I’m a study in contrasts. I like my hair long and kinky or short and sleek, and it’s obvious which mood I’m in now.

I picked up “Street,” a short stylish do from Gurl6 a few weeks ago but I was so into my big !BooPerFunk! dreads that I just stashed the new do. But we’re about to enter a brand spanking new year, and I’ve got a real life birthday coming up–no, I’m not telling my age–so I figure it’s time for a change. And since I decided to add the primOptic glasses in black with a red tint in the lens, I’m really digging the new black hairstyle so I thought I should give the do its due.

OK, so my rhyming is lousy (too much Christmas duck and chuck–pot roast that is–maybe?). But this hair is anything but. In my opinion, there aren’t nearly enough short, sassy hairstyle offerings in SL.

The diamond and ruby cherry-drop earrings, which I picked up during an impromptu window shopping spree in Pando, are by Alyssa Bijoux, and simply adorable.

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Who spends her holidays in SL or blogging about SL? Someone who already opened all her presents, naturally. But you know most of us don’t always get what we wanted. You smile and you’re grateful anyway, because it’s family and they (usually) tried their best. Sort of like when you were little and every pair of socks you unwrapped was like a dagger in your heart… All you wanted was a golly gosh darn toy or four. Well this isn’t going to be a booming day for releases, but Chicanery Turnbull has set this floppy pink and blue patchwork pup, the Little Fricking Dog. In his forum post, he says:

People come up to me all the time and say wearing Little Fricking Dog makes them not want to go around punching people in the face and now you can too.

And just because Aunt Mabel who always gives you cheese baskets probably can’t take another dislocated jaw, pick up this floppy little friend to make up for those little holiday pitfalls and get you through to New Years. Unless you’re single, then maybe a few days past New Years.

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In this photo: skin: Charmed Glitter (Snow) by Starley Thereian, Celestial Studios; eyes: Romantic Obsidian by Portia Sin, Sin Skins; lashes: Spike by Lynnix Muse; hair: Party Girl II (drift wood) by Lost Thereian, Naughty Designs; shirt: Long White Tied Top by Chloris Hathor, G.L.A.M; jewelry: Inamorata (snowflake set) by Lyra Muse, Dazzle