Saturday, 30 November 2013



GO WILD ON A RAINIE DAY!

This dress (designed by the Ambrosia Entertainment Group DJ Rainie) has something of the wild look about it. 

The SL Marketplace entry describes it as Biscayne Bay, although when I initially saw the dress I had leopards in mind - until I noticed the colours. Even so, it looks just at home with the jungle backdrop as it does on the dancefloor!  The design of the dress beautifully wraps around the figure and is a perfect dress to wear at any party.

I have tried to accessorize the dress simply.  The necklace is the Akita style by Bandit and the bangles by Choodiya. However, whilst the dress is relatively inexpensive at L$99, the necklace is certainly not at L$1480! 

I look forward to future designs by "my girl" Rainie!

Bangles: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Zaara-Nizam-Choodiya-bangles-white/603048



Please note that all posts are unbiased opinions and that I receive no sponsorship from any source whatsoever!  Mel xx

Friday, 29 November 2013




WINGING IT!

Checking SL Marketplace recently I stumbled across a designer called EclecticWings.

From what information I can gleam EclecticWings is an Australian-based designer.  I base this on a number of antipodean references within certain items.

Many of the items within this designers ranged between L$150 and L$350.

I am pictured left wearing a sparkle top and short skirt created.  Each are available in several colours and are just a small selection.












EclecticWings also make a series of min-dresses such as the one pictured on the right.  Do you recognise the style?

It is quite clearly based upon the dresses worn by female crew members of the original series of STAR TREK.  The dress comes in a number of colours similar to those on the TV show

The dress is available at L$350.






Dress: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/e-SciFi-Dress-Red/4221970

Please note that all posts are unbiased opinions and that I receive no sponsorship from any source whatsoever!  Mel xx



INSPIRED BY VICKY!


Earlier today on BBC Breakfast News (here in the UK) the resident sports presenter interviewed the world famous soccer player David Beckham.  

During the interview a number of photographs were shown, one of which was David's wife Victoria dressed in a tuxedo-style blazer worn with a top and tight leather pants.  I have attempted to recreate something similar.

In the photograph, Victoria was wearing a black jacket. However, in my outfit I have decided to opt for a red one.  Red often compliments blondes, especially when coordinated with black.  All black might suit Victoria, but I personally think it is a touch overpowering.

In true Melanie "mix'n'match fashion I have used a couple of designers to create the outfit.  The jacket is by Real Rage and retails at the amazingly excellent value price of just L$25!  The remainder comes from EclecticWings.  Both the pants and the tank top are mesh - as is the jacket.  To be honest, I did have alpha issues with the tank top and the jacket together but with a touch of size adjustment I was able to achieve an acceptable result

Jacket: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/RR-The-Taylor-Tuxedo-Blazer-Scarlet/5198870
Top: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/e-Sparkles-Top-Night/3918145
Pants: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/e-Natalia-Pants-Jacaranda/3405969

Please note that all posts are unbiased opinions and that I receive no sponsorship from any source whatsoever!  Mel xx


Tuesday, 26 November 2013


NAILING IT!


 Earlier today the Ambrosia Fashion Crew posted the fingernails shown (right) asking for opinions about whether you would ever wear such decorated nails.  My answer would be a firm YES!

My Second Life avatar has worn such nails for quite a while.  Originally I wore MiLady nails, but some time ago I came across Leverocci.  This store also deals with clothing and shoes, but they also have an impressive selection of nails.

Shown in the main photograph is the "fatpack" selection available at L$500, but the individual selections are available at just L$30 each! Application of the nails is extremely easy and in my case needed no adjustment.

Just a word of caution should you decide to buy the shoes at Leverocci. Although the shoes come with a "shaper" there is no alpha. However, the shoes do not work with standard SL avatar feet.  You have to buy special mesh feet from Slink.


Please note that all posts are unbiased opinions and that I receive no sponsorship from any source whatsoever!  Mel xx





Saturday, 23 November 2013



A MODERN MARILYN STYLE?


After bringing you the Monroe-esque gown in my previous blog, here is yet another amazing offering from Rebel Hope. Could Mariyln have worn a dress like this if she was of our time?

The dress has many similarities with the previously featured gown with its deep plunging front and open back.  The main difference is the knot and trailing ribbons at the base of the plunge.  The detail of this dress is amazing!

The dress comes in 8 colours and retails at LS350!

To accessorize the dress I am wearing N-Core Tribute (available in the N-Core mainstore.)

Dress: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Rebel-Hope-Traci-Mesh-Mini-Dress-Gold/5010795

Please note that all posts are unbiased opinions and that I receive no sponsorship from any source whatsoever!  Mel xx



Friday, 22 November 2013


HAPPY BIRTHDAY,
MR PRESIDENT!


As I type this blog, we are drawing to the close of the 50th anniversary of the tragic shooting of the then-serving President of the United States of America - John F Kennedy.

As my tribute to this great man, I recreate a look similar to the woman who sang "Happy Birthday, Mr President!" a few days prior to his 45th birthday on May 19th 1962.  Although this is not identical to the gown Marilyn Monroe wore at this event - held at the Madison Square Gardens,  New York - this gown is very similar to the gold lame gown she is famous for wearing. The gown was designed for Marilyn to wear in the movie "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes".  The gown she wore at President Kennedy's "birthday"  was sold at an auction in New York for $1.26 million!

Marilyn controversially died from an overdose of barbiturates less than 3 months later.

You might recognise the style of this gown if you follow my blogs as I recently reviewed the black version of it recently.  The gown is produced by Rebel Hope and retails at L$725.  Although in SL Marketplace the colour is shown as "Earth" the actual looks appears to be gold.  The hair is the "Teddy" style produced by Truth Hair

Hair: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/TRUTH-HAIR-Teddy-Non-Rigged-Mesh-blondes/4625104


Please note that all posts are unbiased opinions and that I receive no sponsorship from any source whatsoever!  Mel xx




A TARTAN TRIUMPH


I was watching a comedy music quiz show on a British digital TV channel recently,  One of the guest contestants was the singer Rita Ora, who was dressed very smartly in a Celine Dion tee-shirt with a smart tartan blazer, together with skinny leather or PVC pants in shiny black.

I thought that I would attempt to recreate something similar - although Celine Dion tee-shirts are difficult to come by on Second Life. I was unable to locate a blazer, but I think that I came pretty close with a parka jacket in Royal Stewart tartan. This is the tartan of Queen Elizabeth II and it is appropriate for all subjects of her to wear this tartan as the Queen is technically the "clan chief".  This jacket is produced by Poison and retails at L$230.  The "Evil Queen" tee is by Imp-Tail and sells at L$50.  The pants and ankleboots (out of frame) are by Lapointe & Bastchild and retail at L$349 and L$599 respectively.

Although I had no issue with the clothes alphas, I did have to play around with the garment sizes.  However, I am very pleased with the way things turned out.

The location of the photograph is the Great High Church is the Inverness City sim.

Boots: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/FATPACK-SWear-Bianca-Neutrals-Ankle-Boots-Set-Smooth-Leather-Non-Rigged-EZFit-Plus-vResizer-16-Colors/5224679


Please note that all posts are unbiased opinions and that I receive no sponsorship from any source whatsoever!  Mel xx


Thursday, 21 November 2013



TAKING THE PLUNGE!



I love my dresses and gowns to have a certain sex appeal about them, but rarely have I worn anything like this outfit.  This extremely daring gown comes from Rebel Hope and doesn't leave much to the imagination.

The gown comes in 9 different colours (available separately) and retails at L$725.  The material the dress emulated appears to be satin-effect, which I am sure make you the centre of attention.  The gown is backless, but most of your audience will be drawn to the front.

To compliment the incredible plunge of this gown I have added a couple of items from the Bandit Jewelry catalogue.  The necklace around the neck is one of the Akita range, and the heart-shape pendant is of the Passion range.

Pendant: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/59-BANDIT-DESIGN-Passion-Necklace-RED-Diamonds-resizable-bling-transfert/588852

Please note that all posts are unbiased opinions and that I receive no sponsorship from any source whatsoever!  Mel xx


YOU SHALL GO TO THE BALL!
(But what to wear?)




There are many elegant gowns available on SL Marketplace. Many of the gowns seen is the ballrooms are sculpted, but a growing number are of mesh construction.  Some are flouncy in style, but I like my gowns to be clean and glamorous.

The gowns seen above are produced by Rebel Hope and are ideal to wear for the upcoming Christmas balls and dances. What makes the gown especially appropriate for Christmas is the glittery scoop neck. The scoop at the back is especially gorgeous.  The gown hugs your figure and will probably have the guys falling at your feet.

This gown is available in 11 colours (available individually), but at L$725 is not a cheap item.

My thanks go the Romantic Paradise Ballroom for the chance to use their location for the photographs.


Please note that all posts are unbiased opinions and that I receive no sponsorship from any source whatsoever!  Mel xx
     

Wednesday, 20 November 2013


WINTER IS COMING...TIME TO PARTY!


 

As I type this blog, Britain is feeling the first taste of Winter.  I just hope we don't have a blizzard otherwise I might get lost in a snowdrift with this white combination.  One again I am mixing and matching. The designers this time are Fanatik, Ricielli and Bootgasm.

I tried to make this outfit as much fun as I could and I decided to wear a simple pair of calf-length boots to compliment the top and skirt. When I tried to copy & paste the URLs for these items I have to say that I was surprised at the price of the boots.  I am sure that when I bought them, Bootgasm was charging about L$600 or so. Today, the "Jen" range are priced at just L$99!

I would like to thank the owners of Barbarellas Nightclub for the facilities.


Please note that all posts are unbiased opinions and that I receive no sponsorship from any source whatsoever!  Mel xx

Tuesday, 19 November 2013


WINTER ENCHANTMENT


Before I continue, I must express my appreciation to the owners of Enchanted Snow Village!, Enchanted Isle (128, 128, 21). This beautifully detailed location is only "live" until the end of the year.  After that, Enchanted Snow Village will disappear...until...    The detail of the scenery is so realistic you feel that you can touch the trees, the animals and the buildings.  In this picture I am inside the bandstand building.

In this photograph I am wearing a very practical red coat designed by coldLogic.  I am a great fan of coldLogic and have several of their dresses. The coat is available in 4 colours and comes with two alphas and relevant selection of wearing with or without a blouse or skirt. It retails at L$475.

To compliment the coat I am wearing a pair of PVC zipped pants from Lapointe & Bastchild. If you select your normal size with the coat you might have to select one size lower than normal with the pants. Staying with L & B I bought a pair of ankle boots which go perfect with the pants. These boots are available in 16 colours selectable by a HUD.  Essentially you have 16 pairs of boots for L$599 - and that has to be good value!

Boots: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/FATPACK-SWear-Bianca-Neutrals-Ankle-Boots-Set-Smooth-Leather-Non-Rigged-EZFit-Plus-vResizer-16-Colors/5224679

Please note that all posts are unbiased opinions and that I receive no sponsorship from any source whatsoever!  Mel xx

PS: Enchanted Snow Village is a rental location and all houses are prefabricated and come with limited prims - although they are well furnished.  However, due to the short timescale of this location and the seasonal existence demand is very high and at the time of writing this blog no properties were available to rent.

Monday, 18 November 2013


MELANIE 
IN A 
WINTER WONDERLAND

Unless you live in the Southern Hemisphere or somewhere near the Equator it cannot have escaped your attention that the temperatures are beginning to plunge.  Over here in the UK we have had a pretty good year so far, but as I type this blog we are preparing ourselves for the first icy blast of Winter.

No doubt some groups will be preparing some group entertainment and some my even hold it in the snow. Obviously high heels are totally inappropriate, so perhaps something more sensible is needed.

Once again, in true Melanie-style I have mix 'n' matched a number of items and come up with the above look.  Eagle-eyed viewers may notice that my pants are those I wore in my "Brown is Beautiful" blog.  These Ricielli pants are paired with a pair of Ugg boots by Alyce.  The boots are excellent value at L$90, especially as you have 60 colour choices! The jacket is produced by "grasp" and retails at LS390.  The scarf is by BoHo and comes in a variety of colours (available idividually) at L$120.
Finally, it is little point wrapping up warm if your hands are cold, so the mittens are available from Meli Imako at L$100.

Well...I'm wrapped up warm and ready for Winter.  How about you?

Please note that all posts are unbiased opinions and that I receive no sponsorship from any source whatsoever!  Mel xx



BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!


It may be cold outside, but here in Second Life it is beautiful and warm - especially in this gorgeous fur coat from LaRosa.

In my real life I would never go anywhere near a fur coat unless it was faux fur.  I do not believe in wearing animal fur for decorative purposes. However, in Second Life no animal gets slain.

This LaRosa coat is a sculpted item and comes in 3 colours - black, white and pink. It retails at L$199




Please note that all posts are unbiased opinions and that I receive no sponsorship from any source whatsoever!  Mel xx

PS: Modesty forbids me to tell you what else I was wearing beneath the coat. I leave you to make up your own mind about that!  ;)

Sunday, 17 November 2013



 BROWN CAN BE BEAUTIFUL!



The Mix'n'Match Girl has been at it again!

I love the challenge of trying to match up clothes from different designers. Normally, the alpha files prevent many of these garments from working together. However, with a little bit of work, you can overcome this problem.  

This time the combination comes from Ison, Ricielli, Viva la Glam and N-Core.  

Jacket: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/ISON-bubble-bomber-dusty-rose/4893477
Pants: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Ricielli-Mesh-Highwaisted-Leather-Pants-beige/5122295
Shoes: Check N-Core Mainstore
Tank Top: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/VG-Beater-Tanktop-in-Black/1815945



Please note that all posts are unbiased opinions and that I receive no sponsorship from any source whatsoever!  Mel xx

PINK n BLACK


I just love the challenge of mixing and matching clothes designed by different creators - especially where mesh is involved. Of course the greatest challenge is working out how the individual creator has designed the alpha layout.  Occasionally you might end up with a disaster, but with a bit of luck and some hard work and you might end up with an amazing outfit!

During a real life shop the other day I saw a pink jacket very similar to this and was trying to work out how I could co-ordinate it.  This is where the magic of Second Life comes in handy.  I already had an outfit in my SL wardrobe which had a "sculpted" red leather jacket. I removed the jacket and replaced it with the pink one seen above.  This was not the first jacket I tried, but was the most successful.  Belgravia produce similar jackets in a variety of colours.

The cami admittedly is not mesh and does not cause any mesh issues. The PVC pants are from Lapointe & Bastchild from their S-Wear range.  I have long been a fan of their clothes, but on a recent visit to their Marketplace catalogue I discovered a leather pencil skirt.  However, unlike much of their other clothing this skirt comes with a colour-change HUD (20 colours).  Imagine...20 high quality leather pencil skirts for L$499!

Shoes: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/N-core-LULU-Pink-Floral-Edition/3899705



Please note that all posts are unbiased opinions and that I receive no sponsorship from any source whatsoever!  Mel xx

Saturday, 9 November 2013



BACK IN BLACK



Christmas  is getting very close and the parties will be getting more plentiful.  I couldn't of a better excuse for us ladies to go shopping!

Why don't you treat yourself to new dress? You deserve it!

This gorgeous dress comes from D E Designs and retails at L$325. It is available individually or as a fatpack of 3 dresses.  The fatpack retails at LS650 which in essence means that you get 3 dresses for the price of 2! The dress is available in 6 patterns - 3 in black/white, 1 all black, 1 Gold and 1 Red.

The first thing that attracted me to this dress was the stripe detail along the side. On its own it looks striking, but as soon as you begin to move it moves with you.  Look at the second picture to see how well the dress emphasises your curves.  

To accessorize the dress, the necklace is by Bandit Jewelry (Akita), the stockings by No.9 Nylons and the shoes by N-Core (Aura)

Shoes : https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/N-core-AURA-Noir-Intense/1998778

Please note that all posts are unbiased opinions and that I receive no sponsorship from any source whatsoever!  Mel xx