Have you ever dreamed of being like Cinderella - whisked off your feet by Prince Charming, but without the hassle of three step-sisters and a fairy Godmother? Well, hold on tight because in this week's edition of "$1,000L or Less" I will be giving you insight to three great designers (who are not evil!) that have made beautiful formal gowns that will be sure to turn heads your way! Each look will be complemented by last weeks’ clothing and shoe designers to give you top notch "Belle of the Ball" quality without having to spend more of those precious Lindens!
Rebel Hope is one of the biggest names in SL fashion, as far as I'm concerned. She has such creativity and passion for creations in Second Life, that I *had* to feature her store, Rebel Hope Designs! Her formal style "Enchanted Evening" is sold for a mere $300L and is textured beautifully to accentuate the bust and long waistline, flattering for all body types. The prim skirting can be worn as either black (as pictured) or as silver, giving you an elegant, flowing look. I have paired this evening gown with Sylfie's Prim Seductions' "Origins" in Steel/Black for $200L and Ramos Design's "Square Set Silver & Diamond" for $250L which completes this look totaling at $850L.
I personally am a huge fan of the sweetheart neckline of "Midnight Ice" from Pixel Mode. Tya Fallingbridge has been around Second Life for a VERY long time, almost 5 years in fact. So, she is very well aware what us picky ladies are craving for our wardrobe and she happily obliges! This gown is very romantic and will make your significant other drool in lust wondering what sexy lingerie could be lurking underneath the shimmer and shine. It gives the appearance of twinkling gems as the flexible skirting settles and leads the eye up the body to the beautiful woman wearing the gown! The gown is priced with a more expensive price tag of $600L, but also comes equipped with an elegant flexi scarf and formal gloves, which provide extra glam for this piece. Since the scarf is included as an accessory, all that is needed is Sylfie's Prim Seductions' "Origins" in Steel/White for $200L and a free pair of diamond studs courtesy of Ramos Designs, leaving Lindens in our purse at $800L!
No fairy tale is complete without some kind of wicked character or another. This tale ends with an evil Queen... "Galadriel's Evil Queen" gown, created by the talented Suki Syakumi is anything but evil looking and definitely not what your regular, run of the mill evil Queen would consider wearing! Only an evil Queen with great taste would choose this gown by Suki's Silks and wear it proudly! It features flexi sleeves and skirt and is perfect for attending a fantasy wedding or function! You will be turning heads and hearing whispers behind your back when they find out you paid only $300L! Topping this mysterious look off with Sylfie's Prim Seductions' "Origins" in Steel/Grey ($200L) and Ramos Design's "Solitaire Set Silver & Diamond" ($250L) for a contrasting and modern look at only $750L!
With this weeks review, I wanted to be able to give varying looks that do not break the bank and there are many designers out there that create fabulous looking gowns. Not all of them have mastered flexi skirts so they flow perfectly with the avatar form or have textured the layers properly so they work together for a put-together look. Textures are very important and the higher the detail and quality, the better! If you are ever shopping around SL and are not sure whether a product is flexi (or modifiable to make it flexi), contact any sales support staff or the creator directly. You are better off knowing the details of a product before spending significant Lindens on something you may not enjoy in the end!
As always, if you are a designer or know of a great designer, send me a note card with the landmark and information and I just might shop their location. Make sure you include your name on the note card and you might get mentioned in a featured article! I enjoy feedback from my readers, so you are also more than welcome to e-mail me.
Next weeks edition will feature stores that carry freebies and cheapies for those new to Second Life, so check back to see my new finds *and* what I originally looked like after being born into SL in October 2006!
Nails by Awesome Designs
Piercings by FLIPSIDE
Hair by ETD
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Have you ever wondered where she got that outfit? Believe me, I have. I’m here to dispel some rumors about where I shop for quality items in Second Life. As our reader, you already know the hottest magazine, so now you should know where some of the hottest designers are hiding out. If you’re a picky shopper like me, you love quality design, textures, and prims! Here’s the 4-1-1 on this editions complete outfit.
Starting from the bottom up… HDesign’s “Blade VII” by Hevan Lament -With over 800 prims and immaculate detailing, these boots are *HOT* and at a steal for only $400L. With great jewelry, shoes and accessory options, check out HDesign’s for one of a kind items from a small store that you won’t see on cookie-cutter avatars!
Moving up my legs is Decadent Design’s “Charlcoal Hipster Jeans” and "Off the Shoulder Black Top" by Andrea Sage, located at Decadent Designs Main Store. These jeans come modifiable, so you can adjust them to fit into your favorite boots without worrying about editing prim sizes. Everyone needs a great pair of faded jeans with a detailed belt! This off the shoulder top comes not only in shirt form, but also as a jacket. For a tatooed female such as myself, layer options to create my look more easily is a HUGE plus. Andrea is great with her customer service as well, prompt and reliable and I am personally VERY pleased with her and her products. She has products to fit everyone's style at an extremely reasonable price. The jeans are a modest $100L and the top at $50L.
Has it been a while since you went hair shopping? Wondering where the latest hot spot for a hair make over is? Deviant Kitties Designs! “Katya” by Helyanwe Vindaloo, located at Deviant Kitties Designs, is the name and color red/black is my game. You cannot go wrong with your purchases when they offer not only demos of the hair styles themselves, but also color demos! Every hair style is advertised with multiple color choices, of which “Katya” boasts an amazing amount of 42 possibilities! ONLY $175L each! You are bound to find something you will love from Deviant Kitties to fit the look you are trying to accomplish with not only their amazing stock of hair styles, but also skins and accessories that will not break your bank.
As I pull out my calculator to total up our finds for this shopping extravaganza, I reflect on the amazing style choices that each vendor has to offer. In real life, you can never go wrong with a hot pair of boots, quality new clothes or a great trip to the salon, right? Why not have the same expectations in Second Life? Hitting the total key, we have stayed under $1,000L at only $725L!
Photo by Poptart Skall, PMS Creations
Body jewelry by Alyssa Bijoux Jewelery - and Flipside Piercing Tattoo by Naughty Needles Tattoo's,
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Photo by Poptart Skall, PMS Creations
In this weeks’ news, the United States economy is crashing, while the Second Life economy is still buzzing! I am bringing to you, LOVELY jewelry, an elegant dress and a sexy pair of stiletto shoes for under $1,000L. How do I do it? I am a bargain hunter! And I am shopping around Second Life to find you the best deals on hot looking clothing so you look your best! I am featuring some established creators this week that will not leave you disappointed with that sad, empty feeling in your purse. Since it is spring in the US and the beginning of the wedding season, this weeks’ outfit is perfect for your outdoor gazebo wedding! Every blushing bride needs to look their best! Sit back and relax because it is time for our shopping spree!
I'm sure many of you have heard of the store WRONG . Kaysha Sion has created a franchise with great choices that you can mix and match with just about everything else in her store. I have purchased several of her products and love all of them! Her Amity Dress in white has a nice airy feel to it, which is perfect for spring. Since it is strapless, it gives a comfortable fit and just the right amount of flirt for your cleavage without ruining innocence of the dress. The flexi skirt moves beautifully with your animation override and has delicate ribbon edging along the hemline with a bow on the left hip. It looks great for dinner, dancing, or your simple sunset beach wedding! This dress is available in several different color choices for only $200L.
Like every "typical" woman, I love shoes! Footwear that has been well designed and constructed is something we all desire to have in our inventories. Sylfie Minogue, owner of Sylfie's Prim Seduction , is a creative and award winning builder with beautiful designs that fit every personality. Her "Origins" stilettos (shown in steel/white) are classy and fun and can be worn with everything ranging from a ball gown to a simple pair of denim jeans. Each style shoe offers has a broad color palette that you generally do not see at many stores. I was a bridesmaid for a good friends' wedding last year and we had the hardest time finding shoes that matched the gowns the bride picked for us. I stumbled upon Sylfie's store and found just what the bridal party needed and I always return to her if I'm looking for something unique and fun. The "Origins" stilettos are priced at a modest $200L.
To top off the perfect outfit, you need the perfect accessories. Boys, if you are reading this, take notes! Women love QUALITY jewelry. That sneaky "Q" word comes up frequently in my articles, simply because it is so important to us. With that said, I am featuring the work of xTrojan Ramos, owner of Ramos Designs . Ramos Designs was my savior back in December 2006 by my (now missing in action!) hubby, Cryptkeeper Electricteeth proposed. We could not agree on wedding rings from ANY store we visited until we landed at xTrojan's front door. Not only did we find beautiful wedding sets for the two of us, I also purchased jewelry sets for my bridal suite as wedding gifts. The silver chain with the garnet hearts went perfectly with my bridesmaids' dresses and my wedding gown! The earrings are teardrop styled, with 3 hearts adorning your ears. A graceful silver chain links 5 hearts together and positions very nicely against your avatar for an almost natural look. The set also comes with a matching bracelet, completing the look for only $325L. The garnet set is also available as a gold chain and the gem stone is available in several different color options.
Are you thinking about surprising your new girlfriend with a gift, but do not want to go crazy spending Lindens? Maybe you have not found the right shoe designer that makes you drool with lust and need over a new arrival? Are you desperate for that cute dress you saw on a mannequin at the mall? With my column, we have satiated those urges and spent only $750L for a cute, dressed up look to go out and have fun with and STILL have money left over to buy other fun things! It gives even the baddest of girls the innocent look they sometimes crave!
As always, if you have suggestions for a designer or an ensemble you would like to see featured in my weekly column for SLMS, please send me a note card or an e-mail with the landmark (or SLurl if via e-mail) and information on the designer or piece and I just might shop their location. Make sure you also include your name on the note card and you just might get mentioned in a future column for your great fashion find! I enjoy feedback from my readers, so you are also more than welcome to e-mail me at marjorie.mangaroon@gmail.com with any questions, suggestions or if you would just like to chat! Until next week, this is Marjorie Mangaroon for your total style.
Next weeks edition will feature formal wear, so check back for some great new finds!
<3 M&M
Nails by Awesome Designs
Hair by Gurl 6
Body Piercings by Flipside