Lil Preview - Sh*t Happens

Mastermind behind Sh*t Happens and awesome blogger Ana Boogiewoogie was lurvely enough to send a few teaser snapshots to me of one of the new outfits she has designed as part of a Japanese streetwear line. This is called Kawaii Kappuke-ki, don't say it 3 times fast, but lookit!


I haven't done any photoshoppy things to it except add my own pink border (I can't stand plain photo edges, in case you care). I'm loving this! The pure mix-and-matchiness of it all, the socks, shoes, and the different patterned layers make this a quirky number, and all the better I say. I had a quick visit to her store at Lame Designs Mall and she has already developed cute quirky style, but now I'm keen to see what more comes from Ana's vision of Japanese streetwear.

According to Ana, we'll see the whole line,which includes several more oufits, in about 2 weeks. I couldn't think to say it better, so here it is from her:

This complete outfit comes with two different skirts, bracelets for both sides, gloves, two ties, socks, shoes, white cardigan on jacket layer, top, glitch pants, hair, and even a shape! All the clothing and textures are 100% hand drawn; No photosourcing here!!!

Prices on her existing stock seem very reasonable (..cheap!), but even if it's more expensive, look at all you get included. Ana also credits this outfit as a collaboration between herself, Gaia Goodnight, Noelle Hathaway for the shape, and Kimberley Foss of Overdose for the hair pictured. Keep a look out, Ana's got more coming soon.

Marlys Steamy 'Dos

In my first few weeks in SL, I quickly learned that hair was going to be my downfall. When I found countless stores that made every style, colour, and length I could ever want, my first reaction was to literally gush 'oooooooooohhhh' out loud to my computer, and get the tingles. Then when I found places like Marlys, I threw away all hope of keeping my lindens.



There are so many hair creators, and only a handful that match the texture, style, and colour that pleases my too fussy tastes. When I went into Marlys, I liked the clothes and wandered upstairs and found elegant, classic hair heaven.

These pieces have excellent highlights, I'm a fiend for black styles done well, and the highlights on these were superb. I didn't have to struggle to fit them either, and the styles are incredible. I know a lot of stores have updos, but these you can make into anything, period, retro, rock, go nuts. I'm not wearing the latest releases here, I just wandered in a while ago and picked some favourites from my inventory, so definitely go check out everything she has to offer, including hat hairstyles and a few slinky numbers.

Visit In-World:
Marlys at ENVY

Read Marlys blog:
Marlys Vintage Clothing & Hair


Friends List: No -- Review Copies: No

The List:

Hair: Marlys - Clockwise from top left - Eveylyn Existentialist
Zade Sophisticate in Smoke
Shazy's Congo in Black
Michelle's Mystery Man in Black


Skin: Loveys - Chai Ashlin (nekid) (188, 161, 30)

Earrings: Muse - Kailena Earrings (143, 151, 49)

Freaky - Deek

I've been busy with a few side projects, and as this blog is purely for fun, I haven't been too strict on myself for letting it get this long since my last post, but here I am. I've got a few things going at the moment, so posts may not be every day or two, but I ain't ditched the blog yet, and any cool things I find I'll be letting you know! :)

Enough about me, a good friend of mine Marni released her first set of sunglasses yesterday and kindly dropped the set on me. And oo-ahh! Talk about quirky, these are so different and colourful! I was a bit wary of them at first, I've seen so many of the RL styles I was used to the neutral tones and similar styles a lot of them have in common, but after wearing them for a few mins I was hooked.


The shape is a bit odd, but in a great way! I haven't seen frames like these before and I have to say I feel a little more cutting edge when I wear them, they give me an artsy vibe. The colour choices are excellent too, some more neutral tones for those that prefer them, or you can go all out and get something really bright. The texturing is well done too, you get the brightness of the colours but the shading means you don't get that harsh flat colour I see too often in clothing.

Pricing makes it a lot easier to take the plunge too. 100L each or the complete set of seven for 450L. I haven't shown all the colours, but I dare you to try one of the brighter ones, and tell me you don't love 'em!

Visit In-World:
Royal Blue Main Store


Friends List: Yes - Review Copies: No (but gifts yes)

The List:

Skin: Lovey's - Chai Antonia (nekid) (189, 165, 30)

Hair: ETD - Janae in Smoke (219, 220, 27)

Top: Nylon Outfitters - Sweater Layers (143, 175, 17)

Earrings: Miriel - Bauble II Earrings in Silver (117, 202, 23)

Urban - Kooky - Cute

If you're looking for unique accessories with a lot of originality, something to add fun to your outfit, look no further. Pushbutton Industries is chock full of strange and wonderful creations with so much character they will be feature pieces of your outfit. You just have to visit this store, there's something for pretty much every part of your body, and in the quick visit I had before I crashed, I grabbed some kooky and fantastic stuff.

I'm wearing the Moustache Ride shirt here, and I'm in love with the texture. The shading is excellent and the length is perfect. The amazing thing is when you buy this, you get all the layers, and it comes for both guys and girls. You also get this kyoot moustache, and I went a bit silly when I saw it in there. I also love the Ouija choker, I'm wearing the Talking Board in Red. The detail, like everything else I've seen at Pushbutton's store, is perfect. The texturing on the choker is fantastic, and was easily modded to fit my neck. My favourite though was the Grim Fandango belt. I'm a fan of the pc game, and it brought back happy memories, so I bought it. The colours are great, and the belt is so well made, there are also so many other styles to choose from.

Huge talent, and some of the oddest and greatest creations I've seen, this is what you'll find at Pushbutton Industries. Currently the main store is at Envy, and has just had major renovations, but you can also find some of her building skills Downtown , she's also the mastermind behind the Velvet, a great urban build made as a place to hangout and have some fun, and also features some great shops.

Visit In-world:
Pushbutton Industries - ENVY

Friends list: No - Review Copies: No


The List:

Skin: Lovey's - Chai Ashlin (188, 161, 30)

Hair: Kin - Amaunet Black (93, 229, 36)

Bracelet: Miam Miam - Her Majesty in Sterling Silver (170, 178, 30)

Pants: Savvy Lucas Pants in Slate (102, 229, 23)

Ms B - Hair Thief??

****UPDATE****

I have kindly been informed that MsB has a reputation for hair thievery, the "Precious" style looks exactly the same as ETD's Preppy. As a relative newcomer I had no idea that people were so blatant about stealing others' creations and selling them as their own, and will be confronting this woman about it. How does a long term resident get away with doing this to not only ETD, but also apparently Gurl 6?? Ugh, it makes me sick. If anyone has any more information please come forward, I did not have any conversations with the seller before posting, but I'll be asking some serious questions and I am appalled someone would blatantly steal and profit from it.

Preview!

Okay so here's a quick teaser shot...Queen Couture will soon be releasing jewelry...including a crown! Here is a set of earrings worn by the queen of couture herself. Great prim detail, more coming soon!

Interview: Esmerelda Oh

Fabulous accessories do not happen every day, and those of us who appreciate the finer prims in life also know that great designers don't happen every day. I had the pleasure of interviewing the owner of Queen Couture, an upmarket boutique showcasing beautiful bags, sunglasses, and very soon, hats. Esmerelda Oh has just opened her flagship store at the LAME designs mall, and she took the time to answer a few questions.


SA: What brought you into SL?

EO: Starting out in The Sims Online as the notorous "Abusive Granny" allowed me to meet many people whom I have made a connection with. After The Sims Online got old and boring, me and my entourage made the transition to Second Life. I was appalled at the people, the buildings, and the lag that consumed everything. I spent many a day protesting sloppy building and unattractive things, then left. Recently, I have made my comeback and reconnected with a few lost friends and I am now much more pleased.


SA: How long were you in SL before you realised you wanted to create?

EO: I can remember in my Second Life infancy how much I wanted to create things and bring beauty to the players. It was only recently that I began working with objects and really making the wheels of design turn. I owe it to my friend, Kimbery Casanova, who inspired me and kept me from giving up.


SA: What was the hardest part of starting your own business?

EO: The hardest part would be finding and paying for the perfect location to display your designs. At the moment I am a small boutique located in the famed "Lame Designs Mall". I feel that it is truly the perfect place to start a name for myself, and I have made great alliances with many great designers there. Finding the funds for starting your business is very challenging, so location is key.


SA: Do you have a design philosophy?

EO: Discover yourself, and fashion will discover you.



SA: Do you seek out inspiration or let it find you?

EO: Inspiration is all around us, we must meet it half way.


SA: Who/what inspires you?

EO:I get inspiration from all things in History. I believe that in order to move on you must take parts of past events and incorporate them in your personalized designs.


SA: Who are your favourite SL designers?

EO: My all time favorite designs are The sisters of Paper Couture. I see a lot of myself in them, and find myself identifying with their designs and lifestyle.


SA: What do you find the most tedious about SL fashion/accessory designing?

EO: I am a perfectionist. I will not rest until they designs are flawless and no prim is out of place. The lines must line up, color must be perfect. I find creating or finding texture to be by far the most difficult and tedious part of design.


SA: What is your favourite item in the store right now?

EO: Designs, like children, should never be favored above another. A good designer would not have a favorite because each peice should hold its own place in his or her heart. I do not release an item until I am satisfied completely with it, therefore all of my designs are equally perfect to me.


SA: What will you be releasing in the upcoming weeks?

EO: In the upcoming weeks, expect to see hats and jewelry. I have not yet perfected the art of clothing, so I ask of all my fans to join the Mailing Group I have created so you will not miss important dates or announcements.


SA: What else do you enjoy about SL besides creating?

EO: Shopping and interaction with others.


SA: Anything you would like your customers to know?

EO: I hope that my designs will inspire others as much as they have inspired me.



Esmerelda's creations are indeed of similar quality as Paper Couture, the simple elegance and sophisticated designs make her bags and clutches high fashion must-haves. While she is still filling her store, some of the first releases I had the opportunity to snap up I have shown here.


These items are already favourites of mine, the oversized sunglasses I can't take off. As Esmerelda stated, she has a mailing list for new releases and her store at LAME designs mall is open. I'm looking forward to her upcoming hat creations and what comes in the future from Queen Couture.

Visit In-world:
Queen Couture

Truly Royal

Marni Grut has, in the small space of two months, transformed from a fresh name no-one knew to a creative force that I think will become one of the most acclaimed. Royal Blue is a truly original label in that each piece you can see experimentation and development, she is always doing something to push herself and her clothing shows she is not following the well-travelled road most designers take when starting out, as you won't find tees and basic everyday outifts here. Marni's risk-taking in her style means she offers ensembles that you will not find anywhere else, and I have the pleasure of showing you some of her collection.




This dress, to me, represents Royal Blue from the beginning. The print gives it an English sense, and the paint splatters throw in a bit of edge. This was the first dress Marni released and it shows how she had already mastered the system skirt, using the print to distract your eye from the usually obvious waistline. The frills shirt I have on underneath was something I was lucky enough to see while she was still experimenting, and that collar just blew me away. I hadn't seen anything like it yet, and it was obvious this girl wasn't starting small.




Royal Blue is couture in it's purest form. The Anti Reactionary Dress on the left shows how risk-taking goes right. It would be so easy to turn this outfit into a mess, but Marni's created a piece of art. The sleeves have subtle detailing and use flexi to their advantage, softening up the sharp angles. The puff skirt is dramatic but not silly, and the whole outfit is pulled together to create more a piece of art than a dress. And the Peacock dress, using a simple series of cuts around the chest, can change a simple dress into a design. Just excuse the whiteness under the fishnet petticoat, that's my photography to blame.


I am already a fan of Marni's work, and while she is just starting out and developing her techniques, she has developed a classy and unique place for herself. Royal Blue's new main store has just opened in the LAME designs mall among other well-known and talented designers, where I'm sure her constantly growing collection will impress.

Visit the stores in-world:
Royal Blue Main Store

Friends List: Yes Review Copies: All except Tartan Dress

The List

Hair: Photo 1 Random - Faye - Chocolate Brown
Photo 2 Marlys - Evelyn Exitentialist Black (40, 97, 652)
Marlys - Michelles Mystery Man (155, 88, 22)

Skin: Celestial Studios - Vogue Amber Mid-Red (36, 219, 26)

Eyewear: Queen Couture - Oversized Sunglasses (196, 236, 23)

Bracelet: Miam Miam - Her Majesty Bracelet in Sterling Silver (170, 178, 30)

Well-crafted Casual

I had the fortune to meet Kat Palmer at the MO Islands Fashion show a little while ago, and besides being a genuinely nice person, she is also a dedicated designer, locking herself away to learn and create her mix and match lines. She has a wide array of styles and is building up her collection with her latest set for her label Immortelle, which I have the pleasure to preview for you.



Gaia is exactly what the name implies. Earthy and womanly. The fabric on the skirt looks like natural fibres, very comfy looking as well as being easy to fit. The length is perfect, it just grazes the knee and looks very classy. The jacket is very well made, flattering the shape and with a drawn bow. The shirt is gorgeous on it's own, but also works very well put together. All three are available in a wide range of colours, the jacket and skirt are ecru, the shirt is a rust colour. You can purchase a fatpack with every colour, or buy to your tastes.






The Hibiscus halter I'm wearing here is a fantastic example of Kat's style. Simple, but can be worn with practically anything for any time of day. It also comes in a few colour choices, and the top comes in the shirt layer, with a jacket layer extension piece which is perfect for me, I'm a big fan of extended tops. The folds on the Hibiscus are also noteworthy, because they're so good. It's balanced so well, a few folds in the right places, and look so realistic. These jeans are available in light, dark, and a darker wash, and look very realistic as well as having a good, low waist. As part of a trade I also scored the Gitana top, which features prim sleeves (that are already perfectly fitted), and a mini corset waist. This feature is unique to me, I've only seen full corsets, and I love that she's messed with it a little and made it something both feminine and a little sexy. My other purchase was the Black and White Bamboo top, sexy casual elegance you can dress up or just pair with jeans, another classic example of Kat's talents at creating styles that become staples in your wardrobe.

Kat is currently working on a new, larger store to fit her future lines. She is a relatively new designer but shows talent in her creativity and design skills to add feminine flair to staple pieces.

Visit In-world:
Immortelle Main - Dashton

See her blog:
Immortelle

Friends List: Yes - Review Copies: Gaia Set, Gitana (gift)


The List:

Hair: ETD - Naomi in Ash (212, 216, 26)

Skin: Canimal - Innocence Light Aerial 02 (198, 68, 26)

Shoes: Sand Shack Surf Co. - Delia Flats in Black (115, 142, 23)

Bangles: Turnstyle - Choco Bloo Bangles Set (232, 141, 398)

Clothes: all Immortelle

Last Call Renovation Sale

Starting soon, the ad speaks for itself...

Always highest quality design, fly over and grab some bargains :D

Natural Tones

My experience with jewelry is limited, and very much like RL, I haven't got a huge collection that I can mix and match every day. Until today. I was motivated to find some pretty things and came across Earthtones at the Promenade. I had a quick look and decided to check the main store for the complete range.

I'm not big on the coloured stones, I prefer subtle silver jewelry usually, but when I saw the Boho sets I was in awe. Every piece has beautifully done textures, but what instantly grabs me are the unusual shapes and originality in design which make these wooden sets flawless. The Boho Gypsy Necklace I'm wearing here is my instant favourite, the off center loops and random placement of wicker and wood are eclectic and unusual, and the tones are simultaneously dusky but bright, and so completing any outfit day or night. On my wrist is the Giraffe Bangle (stacked), from the Animal Fever collection. In each bangle set you get a stacked in the print, a few stacked thin bangles (shown below), and a single thin bangle and I love that you get extras from the display shown. The Solitaire ring is a cute simple design offered with a colour-changeable crystal.


I couldn't help myself, I also had to buy these Figured Wood Earrings which are also from the Boho collection. They look so earthy, as if shaped from clay in an exotic far away place, like Morocco. The necklace is another piece in the collection I had to have, it has a bit of a harder edge than the rest and goes great with a more urban look. Both the necklaces were easy to fit, after they appeared a little in my chest to start I got them to align perfectly in a minute. Although this may be a case of deformity on my part, I really am an amateur at tuning my shape but I'm working on it.

Lucas Lameth seems to be pretty well known for his jewelry talents, and I can see why. He has mastered small prims and if he ever gives classes on texturing I'm right there. I was also really impressed with the main store at Bushido Bay, it's one of the best designed I've seen. Of extra note is that most sets are also sold in their separate pieces for your choice of co-ordination.

Visit In-world:
Earthtones Main Store

Earthtones blog:
Earthtones

Friends List: No Review Copies: No
The List

Jewelry: All Earthtones

Skin: Loveys Chai - Blueberry (nekid) (187, 161, 30)

Hair: Naughty - Paris II - Warm Sand (80, 168, 24)

Top: Refuge - Adoration top (55, 67, 24)

Designers, get your creativity on!

Tanya Book of SL Fashion Notes is putting together a fashion directory. I placed an ad in the previous edition, and these books are great, you just wear one and you can browse through picture advertisements for a ton of great designers. It's 1000 pages, and Tanya is currently taking ad submissions from designers for a couple of weeks still. This is a great opportunity for newer designers to get their names out there and for established labels to take some risks and create some special ad pieces.

If you'd like to be involved, contact Tanya through her blog (linked on the right), or contact her in-world. There single and double page spaces available, and you're only limited by your imagination. Get to it!

Beachwear with couture talents

One of the first landmarks I made sure I kept was Sand Shack Surf Co. Beachwear was something that a lot of people did, but Emma Gilmour has made it a style all of her own. I have consistently returned to her stores and am always amazed at the new levels she reaches with every release. I've covered here some of my favourites from the store as well as some brand new items.

The polkadot is a hard pattern to master, and Emma's done it with Dotalicious Halter, seen here in Chocolate. Her jeans are an excellent fit, an and can be modified easily while keeping the look intact. Her talent at handdrawing these jeans is obvious, the seams are perfect, and like everything I've seen so far, the texturing is an asset to the clothing. I'm not sure why there is no extra beltline detailing, but the low waist is fantastic and goes perfectly with long tanks or a bare midriff. Her hair talents have been growing, and the first hair I saw was Lola, a loose ponytail secured by pins that really stays true to her beachwear theme, I bought three colours and love them all. The texture is excellent and I didn't have to fuss around with fitting it to my head, it's pretty much perfect.

While I'm also not an obsessive sunglass wearer, these Splash shades were too fantastic and too cheap to pass by. At 95L I almost feel guilty. Almost. I have these in the Chocolate shown and blue. If you look on the side of the frames you can see her logo, and included in the set are a pair that rest on top of your head...cute! The Shoulder top is a new item, seen here in Storm. The off the shoulder style keeps it casual, I'm wearing the Taggy Top in white underneath. My favourite so far, the Funky Fringe jacket, is a little more dressed up but keeps that wearability to make it a staple item. It shows off the best features of this designer in that you can mix and match with other items to make wholly different outfits. The detailing on this jacket is great, particularly the actualy fringing on the collar which is subtle but adds to the originality. I'm wearing the jacket in lime here, but I couldn't stay away from the reds as well. Finally, the shoes! Flats aren't done too much, and there are only a few that do them well. These are done well. Available in solid colours, or pay a little extra for the patterned styles, the Delia flats look like they took a lot of painstaking hours to create, but also look so comfy! Boardwalk are the ones I'm wearing, and the textures on these give them that casual natural fibre look.

Visit Emma's Main Store in-world here:
Shopping Islands (115, 142, 23)
(I'm still working on slurls, give me time!)

Or see her blog here:
Everything Beachy



Review Copies: No Friends List: No

The List

Earrings: Canimal - Natural Earrings (198, 68, 26)

Bangles: turnstyle Choco-Bloo Bangle Set (232, 141, 398)

Belt: Last Call Fascienne Belt (no longer available) (116, 79, 22)

Skin: Loveys Chai Vanilla (nekid) (187, 161, 30)

Everything else: Sand Shack Surf Co.

In the Beginning..

With all the great fashion popping up all over SL, I decided to keep my record of shopping events so that the fabulous designers creating these pieces are recognized and appreciated. I have been in SL since April 2007, so I'm a total bebe, and while online communities were foreign to me before, I've taken to this crazy SL like a freakin fish. I've been learning a lot, so while this blog is up for all to see, I have not had professional experience in reviewing, and have based the posts on this blog on my sole opinion.

I have been reading all the fashion blogs from the very beginning, loving every minute, and with the dramas of review policies and just plain rumours that flare up every once in a while, I'd like to state my guidelines and where I stand on a few points. Just to cover my ass.

Statement of Intention

1. With every review the reader will be notified whether the item(s) are from friends, are review copies, what they are and where they came from. Also I will include slurls for user- friendliness!

2. I do not and will not ever ask/request for a free sample/review copy. I wanna blog it, I will buy it. I do accept review folders, but never at my solicitation, and I do reserve the right not to blog something that is sent.

3. I will communicate openly with designers about reviews/anything, you will be notified when I have received a folder, and when you have been blogged. I will not say for sure I will choose not to blog something, but I will let you know if I decline to blog your item(s). If you don't get a response in a timely manner, please ask for an update, I'm a humble creature and will kick myself for making you wait.

4. I am a designer myself, and will never blog about my own stuff. That's just egomaniacal and looks dumb. I have my store listed in links but will never use this site to promote my own business.

5. I will be honest. While I may decline to blog if I believe the item is that bad, if I notice basic design flaws, or anything that doesn't match up to what you see/believe, I will make it known. But please don't get me wrong, I will not scream from the highest hill purely negative drivel to further my own self-importance. I know how great it is to get a good review, I also know there are people out there looking to blog-bash and patronize others. That just ain't me. I'm still learning photoshop! There are just picky people out there, and I'm one of 'em. :D

6. I am always approachable and responsible for my opinions. It does not give me free licence to spin all kinds of bullshit, and if you read something you feel the need to call me on, do it! Leave a comment (although please make it constructive, I am always trying to improve), see me in-world, I'm more than happy to discuss any issue!

Okay, enough preaching, on with the fun stuff! Coming up soon will be the first of hopefully many reviews, stay tuned.

Eyva :)