Second Style Magazine

The first issue of Second Style magazine was published in April of 2006, here we are now…. April 2011. Five years is a feat for any magazine, virtual or real. We’ve been providing our audience with the latest trends in virtual clothing, accessories, furnishings, etc for as long as most Second Life users can remember. So it comes with great sadness for HeatherDawn and myself that we have to tell our faithful readers that we will be closing our doors.

I have personally been with the magazine for nearly two years now, and I have immensely enjoyed the opportunity to be a part of such a great project. The people I’ve had the opportunity to work with, the excitement of seeing each issue go to “print”, I’ve learned so much, and have grown so much through this experience. To say this goodbye is anything but heartbreaking would be a lie. I know HeatherDawn feels the same, probably for her the sentiment is doubled, or tripled because she has been with the magazine since the very beginning, and really this is her baby.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. The downturn in the Second Life economy has been difficult to combat, and our resources have become too low to maintain the magazine any longer. We’ve discussed numerous options, cutting back here or there…but it wouldn’t be fair to anyone – - our staff, our readers, or our advertisers.

We are endlessly grateful to everyone for having supported Second Style over the years, and are so proud of the integrity our magazine has maintained throughout. Over the next few weeks we will be sharing here some of our April 2011 issue, which has not, and will not be released in the “magazine format”. We hope you all enjoy seeing the stories and editorials.

Thank you again for the endless support, and an amazing 5 years.

The Omega, the BIG O in ancient Greek, is the name of this dress from Sn@tch. The Omega is the end. The ultimate. It’s the completion of a cycle and signifies that something new will come. It’s been used throughout history to signify  insignificance but that seems in error. Because as the Alpha is a beginning the the Omega is what cannot be escaped. The Omega meets everyone. Read the rest of this entry »

We’re back, and better than ever!
Our February issue will not be all candy hearts and flowers.  We’ve found some clever ways to give you lots of looks for you, your home, and possibly your loved ones, without any sort of lovey dovey overkill.
To decorate your home, Kenzie has stepped in for Jennaa for our 43rd issue’s Fashionable Furnishings, giving us a home that will fill up your heart with warmth and send you shopping.  Kenzie has also kept up with her Take Two, giving the girls AND boys some looks you can take right to the bed!
Ely’s all new Fantasy spread gives us a look at a very unusual love affair, meanwhile Ry has taken us on destination this month, for a very romantic Valentine getaway idea.  While we are thinking about love – Fayne’s Fresh Faces is featuring the love child new store: Mon Tissu, you won’t want to miss that read and interview with the brilliant duo.
James’ Bleeding edge as well as his February photo spread stray from the pink and red that you might have been expecting, giving us some extraordinary visuals, the later still romantically inspired in a unique way.  To celebrate some of the month’s other fun events our guest photographer Rosenrot Nemeth is taking us on a walk down the red carpet in a tribute to award shows.
Ali’s rounded things out in her Mini Guide’s clever jewelry picks, aimed at readers who are looking for something for their someone special, and I’ve also given you quite a few accessory suggestions that will sparkle and shine just like the apple of your eye in this month’s Editor’s Picks.
Finally, Sophia’s sharing yet another amazing interview with our February Second Style Icon – Kyoot’s Saeya Nyanda, and of course…we couldn’t leave the issue without a little bit of valentine’s lingerie with our gorgeous Gabby!
Even though our pages aren’t plastered in all things romance…we do wish you a very Happy Valentine’s, and hope you will continue to be ours <3

READ ISSUE 43

Jennaa Loire, from SL House & Garden, and who also writes Fashionable Furnishings for Second Style, sent me a private plurk… “Did you get your trophy?” I rushed to dig through my inventory as fast as RL would allow. This is what I found!!!!

Thank you for the nominations and votes for Best Magazine in the SL House & Garden Group Awards. I’m very honored and feel very grateful to be recognized. This award would have not been possible with out the hard work and dedication of my team. They make the magazine what it is with the beautiful content provided both in words and photography.

I huge thank you to my editor and friend, Felicity Blumenthal. She is the backbone of the operation and I wouldn’t be able to do any of this on my own.

Ivalde. Just the name brings to mind classic garments, done with much love and an eye for detail. Neferia Abel is a genius that dances between fashion eras and does so with much grace. Nef is a true Second Life fashion icon.

Her latest release, the Noela coat is perfect for this time of year. I adore the wide fur lined bottom and am a big fan of the collar. Very pretty. I paired it with the Maitreya Moxie shoes which I wear very very often and seriously, only in SL can sandals with socks be sexy. And they are. Very.

I am going to take this opportunity to wish you and yours the very happiest of holidays. I hope all of you reading these words feel as loved, cherished and blessed as I do.

Merry Christmas from my home to yours.

xo – Sophia Harlow

~Ivalde~Noela black coat
-Glam Affair – Nina 02 one eleven
[e] Season – Essentials Mix 3  – one eleven
Maitreya Gold * Moxie

Mimikri is a store that I have loved for years. I blog most of the new releases and each time I say….omg this is my favorite, EVER! Until the next release. Her latest release Frou Frou is….pretty freaking awesome. The name sums it up….it is girly, feminine and so well made.

I finished alll my Christmas shopping today so I am exhausted and off to bed.

xo -Sophia Harlow

* Mimikri – Frou Frou nude
Mood Madame Royale Pearls
Glam Affair Jadis
Truth Madeline
EarthStones Tarnished Gypsy Bangles
luc Opal Knotted Nest Ring
ellabella Gabrielle’s inheritance rings
Atomic Ribbon leggings

Come here…I have something to tell you. Closer. Come on now…don’t be shy.

The Secret Store…have you been there? If not, how come? Do you not like well made and very cute clothes at extremely affordable prices? I hope your answer is yes. Visit The Secret Store. Totally worth it.

This new skin from Glam Affair…is just gorgeous. I know it is all over the feeds but seriously, if you do not have it…go demo it. It is beautiful work. The skirt I have on is from DeLas and tbh, I have no idea how old it is because I bought it on Marketplace.  I typed in brown skirt and viola! There it was. So. Easy. Tesla boots and Maitreya finish off the look with just the right touch.

who told you that it was alright to love me
certainly not me

I was not looking for no love affair
and now you wanna fix me
I was not looking for no love affair
and now you want to mold me
Was not looking for no love affair
now you wanna kiss me
Was not looking for no love affair
and now you wanna control me
hold me

xo – Sophia Harlow

The Secret Store – Ribbon Sweater – Brown
=DeLa*= Skirt & Belt “Belinda” Dark brown
The Secret Store Wool tights
-Glam Affair- Jadis – Tan
::UH::Rebirth eye (Wood)
Maitreya Joy II – Browns Pack
- Tesla – (bag) Kensington *chocolate* Tall Boots
EarthStones Eternally Garnet
(luc) Opal Knotted Nest Ring (Silver)

Happy Holidays from all of us at Second Style!

For this, our forty second issue we are celebrating the season.  Don’t worry though, we’ve not coated every page in red and green, nor have we gone over-kill with the reindeer and glitter.  However, we do have some very clever home and clothing tips, for decorating and wrapping yourself up in cheer.

Jennaa Loire’s Fashionable Furnishings gives you a wide array of ideas not only for your interior decorating but also some great ideas to literally spruce up your space.  In this month’s issue James Schwarz is inspiring us to wear our best, even while keeping warm in his photo-spread, but meanwhile keeping it casual with his bleeding edge piece.

Sophia Harlow has managed to get the well know, and ever fantastic Grazia Horwitz to sit down for a one on one as our Style Icon, you won’t want to miss a word of this interview.  Fayne Khandr has also grabby up an interview for our Fresh Faces piece, sitting down the designer behind The Secret Closet.

Of course the issue wouldn’t be complete with out some very clever ideas on what to wear for your big night out this New Year’s, so Gabby Panacek has graciously accommodated in her To Top It off looks.  Speaking of what to wear, we all need a few good sweaters, right?  Alicia Chenaux’s Mini-Guide provides 4 staples for your winter sweater wardrobe.

Our newer addition Makenzie Irling is back again with her Take two, that will go from holiday party to snow ready!  I haven’t forgotten to give you my picks for accessories either, and you have a great selection of some warm pieces to toss on when you head out.  Of course the perfect accessory is the one you will be kissing under the mistletoe, so Rylan Carling has given us just The Look you will be wanting to wear for that occasion.

And of course Elysium Eilde has her festive holiday vacation twist on the season’s festivities, which you won’t want to miss.

We do hope you enjoy this really well rounded issue, and wanted to take the time to let you know that Second Style will not be publishing an issue for the month of January.  HeatherDawn and I are taking a MUCH needed break (as well as giving our terrific staff a bit of a breather), we’ve been rolling out the monthly issues for at least the last year and a half!  We will be back refreshed and ready to help you fill up your closets again in February, so keep an eye out and until then…

We wish you a very Happy New Year!

READ ISSUE 42 NOW

Mmmm…new hair from Truth…new boots from Gos. Really? Could it get better?

Gos released the most delish boots that I have seen on the grid and trust me…I am a boot snob. These are gorgeous and it would be sinful not to have a pair or all of them in your inventory. Gospel Voom has always been good..but these boots have put him in a whole different league.

Speaking of being in their own league, Truth gets it right every single week . Whether he releases four styles or one…they are always lush and perfect.  Therefore, I won’t go on and on about how amazing the latest release, Serena is. It is though. Really. The guy just knows what he is doing.  <<33

xo – Sophia Harlow

• >TRUTH< *Serena
• Gos Slouch Boots
• *COCO*_SleevelessBlouse&Cuff_White
• *COCO*_PencilSkirt_Black
• *COCO*_BalloonPants_Black – only wearing the leggins
• ::DT:: VIPsONLY ::JoLiE:: V2
• Zaara : Kaya Onyx
• Glitterati Poses
• .:ellabella:. Gabrielle’s Inheritance (rings)

I am having a weird reaction to the just released Milan Pants from LeeZu. Do I love them? I think I like them a lot. It may not be love but we will call it a fling. Maybe even a hot fling. Don’t look at me like that….most of us have had one at one point or another.

Know what I do love though? The new Holiday Hill makeups from Glam Affair for Eva. Gorgeous.

Long day. Hope you are all feeling blessed and happy. Now go shop.

xo – Sophia Harlow

• -Glam Affair- Eva Holiday Hill
• [LeeZu!] Miss Mara Scarf /ethno graybrown
• [LeeZu!] Milan Pants
• Maitreya Joy III – Browns Pack
• >TRUTH< Sophia Boots [chocolate]
• [LeLutka]-TANK top1/navajowhite
• (luc) Opal Knotted Nest Ring (Silver)
• .:ellabella:. Gabrielle’s Inheritance (rings)
• Zaara : Sadaf paua bracelets

Sean Black is just about one of the best dressed men I know…if not the very best. He always looks good and I swear if SL was scratch and sniff, I am positive he would smell good too. Yeah. Really. I asked him to do a guest post and because he is just oh-so-sweet, he agreed. Let’s not discuss the perfectionist he is that it took him over almost two weeks to give it to me. It was worth the wait <3

*************

We’ve hit that time of year where we don’t know if we’re going to get rained on, snowed on or blessed with a bit of sunlight. In the part of the country where I live, this time of year is usually very dreary with lots of freezing rain and clouds. One of the things I love about Second Life© is being able to play in that sort of weather and not having to worry about wet feet, or freezing fingertips. So, after hopping around from place to place picking up bits for this outfit, I decided to go somewhere and have a bit of fun in the rain.

Unfortunately, I had no idea that the winds on the grid could be so strong. While doing my best “Singing in the Rain” rendition, the SL© weather gods decided it’d be funny to hit me with a few guts, nearly dragging me off my feet as my umbrella caught them. 

Credits:

Body:

• Skin ~ Daniel LT Face00 Dark by Hart Larsson @ PXL
• Hair Base ~ Hairbases :: Army White by Aeon Jiminy @ No.07 (currently unreleased)
• Eyes ~ Glass Eyes – Lagoon by DurtTrashDurt Zipper @ <<< negaposi >>>

Clothing:

• Hat ~ Hunting Cap – Type D By rika Oyen @ Argrace
• Jacket ~ Leather Blouson – Gray by machang Pichot @ Aoharu
• Sweater ~ Argyle Knit – Navy by mappy Handrick @ Arai
• Turtleneck ~ Cashmere Turtleneck – White by machang Pichot @ Aoharu
• Jeans ~ Washed – Tortoise  by Wavie Haller @ Valiant
• Shoes ~ Urban Oxford by Guu Winter DiPrima @ LAQ Apparel

*Poses by LISP and Glitterati

Shot at Von Trips

Oh…sweet sweet new skins. The grid was hit today with new DNA and new LeLutka. I got my friend Rob Moonites to blog with me again so he could show off the new DNA. Oh, you want a close up of Rob? Okay…coming up.

There are these tiny freckles, so handsome. His pea coat is an absolute favorite of mine, it fits well..it looks amazing and it is by one of my favorite stores in SL, en Salve. Rob’s pants are actually his own brand, Fir & MNA and there is also a female version that I have blogged a few times. They make your ass look great, just sayin’.

Now my turn…LeLutka released one of my now favorite skins, Natasha. The face reminds me a bit of London, which I adored.  Love…you need to go demo it. The face is so soft and sweet I feel like a virgin again. Oh shush, someone had to say it. Let’s talk shoes…Maitreya released Moxie today and the whole grid nearly collapsed in female sighs of happy. Not me of course, I kept it cool. For the 10 seconds it took me to unpack and try them on.

xo – Sophia Harlow

Rob is wearing
Skin: [ DNA ] .::.:DAMIEN:.::. [_TYPE 1_] [_BALD_]BEARD
Eyes: [Curio] Tragic Eyes – Dark Brown
Hair Base/Tattoo: AITUI – Limited Edition Tattoo – The Day the Sun Exploded (One Eleven)
Hat: *COCO*Homme_KnitCap_Black
Pants: *FIR & MNA* Carter Pants Khaki
Jacket: **en Svale**  Pea Coat Navy
Tee: *Valiant* plain dark blue tee
Boots: Reek – Boston Boots – Brown (Fifty Linden Friday)
Sophia is wearing
[LeLutka]-Natasha/GOLDEN
Maitreya Gold * Moxie
**en Svale** Knit skirt(Brown)
**en Svale** Cardigan (Moss)
Truth – Kitty
Mandala Luck Earrings
Zaara Patra Silver bracelet