The Unofficial Second Life® Fashion and Shopping Blog

KiKi Miranda has been one of my dearest friends since pre-SL days. In truth her SL addiction is all my fault and I’d pretend to be sorry, but what’s the use? (Besides, Bri got me hooked…) Kiki is one of those annoyingly talented “can do anything she puts her mind to” people that turn me pea green with jealousy. A Jill-of-all-trades who makes a stunning set of furniture, then gets bored with it and starts making other things when I can’t even rez a prim properly most days…

…but I’m not bitter…

At any rate, when Kiki IMed me with a brief note to say the she was trying her hand at jewelry I nearly wet my pixels.

These are a couple of pieces from the Tapa Set by Kiki who sells her wares out of the Aitui store. There just isn’t enough casual jewelry of this quality out there (yes, yes, there is Shiny Things — we all have everything from Shiny Things, but we need *more*). I love the detail of every prim of it - from the beads to the pendant to the suede lace knot that ties in the back.

So long as I’m devoting an entry to gal pals taking their turn at jewelry making - I’d be remiss if I didn’t send out a squee to Amelia Abernathy. Ame and I befriended back when she volunteered to be my interior designer ages ago. She introduced me to her other half - the drool-worthy jewelry maker Elexor Matador and the rest is history. Friend or jewelry pusher? Do I really have to choose?

Ame has been building up a modest inventory creating some lovely items - and she really did all SL fashion junkies a favor recently when she released her Essential Hoops set. You get six classic hoop earring pairs (gunmental, gold, and platinum solid along with each of those three metals done over with encrusted diamonds on the outer side of the hoops) for L$100 (that is not a typo).

And her newest release - the Forziera is another instant favorite for me. I love the retro use of gold and tortoise shell. Plus the set includes a simple choker for gals like me, and a cascading necklace of rings for those who must have more 70’s flashback wear.

Kiki and Ame also tend to include bracelets with their sets, but, as we all know, I’m mostly about the earrings and necklaces. Aren’t talented buddies the best thing since flex-prims?

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It’s NOT what you’re thinking…

The other day I got an IM from my friend Grace McDunnough taunting me with numminess:

Grace: OMG! I found something that is so adorably you.
Salome: (makes spoiled, whimpering, gimme-gimme-gimmie noises)
Grace: Hmmm. I don’t know. Maybe I should keep them as Christmas presents…
Salome: (makes louder, spoiled, whimpering, gimme-gimme-gimme noises)

The Fox Fur Jacket from Muism is absolutely yummy. It comes in about eight colors including two animal prints. With each set you get the full-sleeved jacket, a vest-only version and the prim fur lining. And while it is very much a lovely must-have for any Winter wardrobe, it is the Knee High Fur Socks that really tousled my tinsel.

Yes, it’s a very simple concept and yes, they’re brilliant. Right now they come in a handful of colors (no white yet, I’m pushing for white - but designers are harder to pout to than my friends who are conditioned to accept my fashion begging habits) and they look amazing in all of them. I think the black go particularly well with the Natasha Boots by Insolence. And, frankly, I’d be content to wear nothing else, but just so you understand that they also look good with the right clothes:

When you have all the colors you can mix and match (did I mention we need white?) and if you’re like me, you’re already envisioning how the red ones will play into your favorite holiday costume.

For those who will ask:
Outfits: From left to right — Nicky Ree, Simone, Armidi.
Hair: Top shot is Abigail by Armidi, bottom shot is Breathe from the Abyss

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My advice is to take a LONG, hard look at the new releases for the past week, and make short shrift of getting out there to SHOP!

Rebel Hope released a one-shouldered gown, Gala, that gives a long view from the neck down. If you need just the right makeup for it, Roslin Petion, Tete a Pied, did Soiree, inspired by the dress. Sachi Vixen’s, AdamnEve, new outfit, Aperitif, brought me up short. Sheer, sheer, sparkly sections that go a looong way down the back. Also be sure to pick up her 75L$ limited release cocktail dress, Holly, and Damen Gorilla’s special 50L$ Stompi boots.

You’ll be short of a bob or two if you like Aleri Darkes’, Diversity Hair, two new hair releases. At long last Tigerlily Koi and Haedon Quine of Calla have got some new hair, for both guys and gals. Check out Gypsyweed, especially if you own one of Nicky Ree’s gypsy outfits. It’s made to fit Nicky’s newly released Gypsy Headscarves, but comes with it’s own wreath.

Lux Yao, Amaretto, added what she calls a “trampy Ms. Claus“, cause life’s too short not to have some fun. Kitridge DeSantis, Kitchy, came along with tops, a foxy belly baring sort of open weave sweater, and a nice set of tanks.

If you long for more casual attire, check out DoC Eldritch’s, DE Designs, Amaranth, a nice corset-sweater-pants combo. It’s been a long time coming, according to Elika Tiramisu, but Toleah Goodliffe has opened Simply Toleah on ETD Isle, and has some nice casual tops for sale. Janie Marlow, Mischief, in the long run did cute long, sculpted sleeve tops and sweaters, and in the short run there are mini tweed skirts.

If you’re looking for something to wear long after dark, Designing Nicky Ree released Sexy Rose Lingerie. Katy Angel, Lavish Style, also has lingerie, Come Tease Me, and it’s very aptly named, too. Mona Howitt, Pretty Magic, is offering a sweet deal. Her most popular cloak and hat combos come with a cute snowman wearing the same.

Caroline Apollo, Caroline’s Jewelry, has long, lovely Cameo Locket Pearl Necklaces this week. It’s just a short trip over there. Lyra Muse, Last Call, posted the cutest little ballet flats ever, Ninette, which I predict won’t stay long on her shelves

Antonia Marat, Artilleri, did some nice cargo pants for you guys, good for the long haul. Shai Delacroix, Casa del Shai, has a list for men as long as your arm. Cardigans, sweater vests, jeans, and a marvelous 3 piece suit are waiting for you to make short work of them. Six Kennedy, GuRL6, has some new hairstyles for men, too.

To cut a long story short,

Signing out for now, I’m…

When Salome asked me to cover the Nuclear Boutique fashion show for LL, I right off hoped my schedule would permit it. Nuclear Boutique is one of those stores that I have visited to purchase from and yet somehow never got around to doing a thorough revisit. Also NB is one of those stores that doesn’t seem to get much press, so I was eager to see how they handled a press event.

The show took place on a Saturday, which is always a good SL day for me, and I arrived early as per the “get there early so stuff will rezz” protocol. Once at the store, I decided to visit the show location before poking around. This ended up a lucky choice because they were having a pre-show rehearsal allowing me to snap some fully-rezzed pictures, and chat with NB owner/designer Arikinui Adria.

I also met up with Avenue Agency owner, Rusch Raymaker, and their PR person, Annette Wilder. Everyone at the show was quite helpful to the press that showed up and I was delighted by the friendly, professional atmosphere.

The first outfit I saw was this black and white corset dress named Subtle, worn here by model Juliane Beaumont It made me wish for Salome’s “tackle av and steal outfit” button, but absent that, I merely settled for screaming, “I NEED that!” I used my inner voice. Honest. There is a certain sex appeal that dresses like Subtle posses that remains classy; I think of them as smouldering conference room ensembles.

Next to catch my eye were these Destiny pantsuits, which have a sort of high-society-meets-biker-girl appeal. Stylish and designed with an eye on quality, but somehow a little gritty and naughty around the edges. The blue used on these strongly reminded me of the “Union Blue” shade you see depicted from US Civil War films, but this might be simply because the suits were so obviously inspired by military uniforms. Which reminds me — anyone know where I can get me a Harley in SL?

Read more about the Nuclear Boutique Grand Re-Opening after the cut…
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