Secrets

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There are a lot of sales events in Second Life. Some may say there are too many. And some don’t get a lot of press. There are arguments that the events take away from designers’ stores and prevent others from getting a foothold in the market if they are not allowed into the top-tier sales events. Others may argue that some events are a waste of time because they don’t include the best designers and are simply a way for the organisers to make a profit from the upcoming creators by collecting entry fees then not promoting the event to generate sales.

Many events have fallen by the wayside after not achieving enough interest – or cash – to continue. I find most of the events I attend by scoping out Seraphim, the self-titled “premier Second Life sales and event blog”. I admit that I have an affiliation with this blog as a blogger for their very own sales events, The Seraphim Social and Serafilms, but I have been a reader of this web page for almost as long as it has been in existence and have just covered my first event for them. They include not just the prime events, but the smaller and lesser-known sales and hunts, as well. And I have visited many of them.

I guess my argument is that whether there are too many events or not, each of these gives a designer in Second Life an opportunity to get their name out there. I have discovered many brands I probably wouldn’t have had it not been for traipsing through so many events. I’m not talking about the Maitreyas or Truths or Cheeky Peas of our virtual world; I mean the JfL Hats, the VIVID, the Thaino Designs, the Sax Shepard Designs, the Eternal Dream Poses in Second Life. These are all talented designers who do what they do best – create lovely things for the rest of us who are unable to bring to life the vision we might have of the perfect hat, the ultimate dress, the amazing house, the quirky accessory, the exquisite pose that we have been looking for.

So the secret is out. I have blogged items from all of them. I have been fortunate enough to become a blogger for some of them. But first, before that occurrence, I have purchased the items from these designers that I have showcased here on my blog. And in every case, I found them at one of the lesser-known sales events.

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Only one of those designers is featured in this post – Sax Shepherd Designs – but you can find all of the others in the archives of this blog. You will continue to see them here because it is no secret that once I find a designer I like, I stick with them. Oh, I will always add more to my repertoire because I’m always on the lookout for another divine creation. I do well at keeping secrets, but not when it means hiding these little gems from the rest of the world.

Pretty stuff I’m wearing:

Outfit: Asteria Creations-Graceful Outfit Ivory-Blouse-Mesh Short-Scarf by katherine Asteria (available at Limited Bazaar)
Boots: Maitreya Thigh High Boots – Black Gold Snake by Onyx LeShelle (available at Collabor88)
Glasses: Sax Shepherd Designs ! !SSD ~ 80’s Glam ~ Pince Nez by Sax Shepherd (available at The Theme Park)
Bag: [glow] Studio Precious Heart Bag RED by Anemysk Karu
*Earrings: Cae ::Pemberley :: Earrings by Caelan Hancroft (available at The Seraphim Social – can be purchased as a set or separate pieces)
Ring: Cae :: Promise :: Ring by Caelan Hancroft
Hair: [LeLutka]-SALOME hair – Jessica by Thora Charron
Nail appliers: {Wicked} Peach – Melody by Autumn Amaranth (available at The Theme Park)
Skin: [PXL] Creations – [PXL] JADE NAT “Love Edition” MEB C2 by Hart Larsson (February Group Gift)
Hands: Slink Mesh Hands (av) Casual by Siddean Munro
Hand appliers:[PXL] Creations – [ PXL ] Slink Hand Appliers NAT by Hart Larsson
Eyes: Amacci Gaze Eyes – Ocean Blue by Carina Larsen
Lashes: Mon Cheri *MC* “Falsies” Eyelash by Freya Oliveri

Pose: *PosESioN* Secret 2 by Dahriel (available at Kustom9)

Cellar Under The Angels

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I think that’s what Piwnica pod Aniolami means – anyway, it is the best translation from Polish to English I could find for it. All I know is it is a lovely little place in Second Life with a quaint courtyard, a playground and yes, there is an angel hovering. It made a nice backdrop for the new things I found at Collabor88.

The jacket and top, skirt, hair and necklace all came from this event. I picked up a few more things but for me, it was a restrained shopping trip. There are lots of well-made items, but this month’s theme of Supernova just didn’t speak to me. At least not as loudly as this event normally does. Which is probably a good thing, at least for my wallet. I did like that some of the regulars teamed up with another designer to create complimentary items. The bomber jacket and skirt match perfectly and are from a collaboration between House of Fox and Emery. The jacket has the bonus of an optional top you can wear (as I did) with separate alphas to accommodate either look. And although they didn’t make it into the photo, I found a pair of cute shoes from tulip. that are a great match, even though they teamed with ISON.

I’ll close with a photo of the courtyard, without me in it. It is worth a visit, whether you speak Polish or not. Rather like traveling in real life – you don’t have to speak the language to appreciate the beauty of a place.

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Pretty stuff I’m wearing:

Top: Color.Me.H.O.F Mesh [Satin Bomber[Emerald] by Fashionboi Landar (available at Collabor88)
Skirt: Emery Two-Tone Skirt Marc Green by sunami Beck (available at Collabor88)
Necklace: Noodles – Galaxias Necklace Silver by Natalee Oodles (available at Collabor88)
Hair: [monso] My Hair – Elsa/ Red by Morphine Janick (available at Collabor88)
Earrings: (Kunglers Extra) Lexie earrings – Silver/coffee
(gacha prize at L’accessoires)
*Nail appliers: {Wicked} Peach – Nails – Pride by Autumn Amaranth (preview – will be available at The Seraphim Social Feb. 14-28)
Skin: [PXL] Creations – [PXL] JADE NAT “Love Edition” MEB C2 by Hart Larsson (February Group Gift)
Hands: Slink Mesh Hands (av) Casual by Siddean Munro
Hand appliers:[PXL] Creations – [ PXL ] Slink Hand Appliers NAT by Hart Larsson
Eyes: Amacci Gaze Eyes – Ocean Blue by Carina Larsen
Lashes: Mon Cheri *MC* “Falsies” Eyelash by Freya Oliveri

Pose: !bang – stand 354M by Luna Jubilee

On Being A Sow’s Ear

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I’m taking a break from working on some photos I did for friends a couple of days ago. I made a mistake using a couple’s pose I never should have used, so I’m kicking myself for not checking it closer while I was shooting. The result was two hours of agony as I tried to make a purse out of a sow’s ear. Fortunately, I used more than one pose so I can finish those and not feel so bad.

Speaking of making a purse out of a sow’s ear…I thought I would show off this lovely dress from Maitreya, available at this round of Collabor88. It’s everything feminine and delicate that I love, but tend to avoid. I usually feel like an impostor when I dress up like a lady. Girly, yes…but this is the stuff I usually only see myself wearing in my dreams.

Break time is over. Back to Photoshop with me. Oh, and that sow’s ear I referenced is me…not the dress!

Pretty stuff I’m wearing:

Dress: Maitreya Vintage Lace Gown – Romantic by Onyx LeShelle (available at Collabor88)
Shoes: Slink Hera Wrap Heel Silver by Siddean Munro
Hat: *LODE* Hat – Glitter Rose By Chirzaka Vlodovic
Jewelry: Cae :: Knotted :: Ensemble by Caelan Hancroft
Hair: “”D!va”” Hair “Giz” (Type A)(Garnet) by Marisa Kira (Gacha prize)
Skin: [PXL] Creations – [PXL] JADE SK Peach Lips MEB C2 by Hart Larsson
Hands: Slink Mesh Hands (av) Casual by Siddean Munro
Feet: Slink AvEnhance Feet High by Siddean Munro
Hand & Feet appliers:[PXL] Creations – [ PXL ] Slink Hand & Feet Appliers SK by Hart Larsson
Eyes: Amacci Gaze Eyes – Ocean Blue by Carina Larsen
Lashes: Mon Cheri *MC* “Falsies” Eyelash by Freya Oliveri

Pose: !bang – stand 331 by Trieste Minuet