52 Weeks of Color Challenge: Sienna

In all actuality, I don't know if this qualifies as Sienna?  I saw it and thought it was cute, then also I was having a hard time finding anything Sienna and I'm really a sucker for a good deal so I got it and thought well...it's close!  There's no color description for it but I thought the jacket and tights were a close match lol.  This whole blog happened in a quite humorous way and allow me to tell you my journey!  I got a subscriber message stating that Riddle [which I didn't remember] was a part of Designer's Showcase [which I had never heard of].  It was a whole outfit, and the picture looked cute so I went.  Dude, it really was only 99L and in my opinion I thought it went well with the color sienna...although in hindsight, I might have photoshopped the picture too dark - my bad.  So, I went to try the outfit on and I ended up looking like this.  Felt like shopping some more so I went to YunA's to check out the new hair styles and never even did it.  I got all caught up in messing with her Glitterati hall outside the shop in the TP area that I randomly ended up taking some pictures there and viola...blog done!  Weird right? Such is my SL lol.  It was fun thought, and I definitely like this hallway and all of the fun poses it has inside of it.  Had a blast, once again!  What's next weeks color again? Bah!

Designer's Showcase!

I shed a tear...

 

I also packed up my stalker kit because Aeris is closing MYTH! So I had a moment of despair, followed by anger [this is when I got my stalker box together] and now just a little sadness about all the memories on SL with MYTH involved. It's like the end of an era! My first lindens were spent on Mythology's Denim Skirt & Black Corset set and I wore it with pride! A few months later, there was a group notice and sign stating that Mythology was looking for a group manager. I had absolutely no experience with anything, but I wanted to learn everything I could about SL. So, even though I thought there was no way I would get it I applied for the job. Maybe no one else did, because I got it! LOL and I was so excited to learn everything that I could absorb working with a designer. Aeris was totally sweet and showed me exactly what I was to do, and even gave me some clothes from the store. I wore them everyday, always decked out in Mythwear lol. Thinking back, I was nervous because my acct had been active awhile but I was still learning due to not having used the account for almost a year after signing up for it so people's expectations may have been way higher than I was prepared to know.  Intimidating isn't the word when I found out I had actually got the job, but she made it all soo easy for me and took the time to explain anything I wanted to know. I diligently performed my tasks everyday, hoping to prove myself the right person for the job even though I had no experience to date lol. Lemme tell ya, I got good lol. And slowly we talked more, not just about the shop but other things and one day...we were friends! Now I still harass her in IM and she still runs away from me to her 2 million alts, not to mention she's one of the few people on SL with a tab in my profile. So with all that history, as well as having gone through the countless changing of store locations, the transition from Mythology to MYTH and now the demise of it all I can't help but be a bit sad about it. No more MYTH! Excuse me, I think I have something in my eye...

Anywayyyy...I made her sit her pixels down and explain herself to me...and explain she shall!

OK, so right off the bat everyone wants to know...why would u go and break my heart like this?

Aeris : Its what I do, I break hearts.... really though, months had passed by before I had made anything and I had no desire to continue making stuff and the brand I had worked so hard to build had been fading out in a sad way, of course, because of my own neglect.

What made you decide this was the time?

Aeris : I had originally wanted to do it back in October, that's when I closed down all of my satellite shops and when I began telling people (friends, etc). But *someone* not naming names (anjelyc morales!) kept being a drama queen about it all so I dragged my feet a little bit. I figured I can start the new year out with a change.

See how I always get blamed? UNREAL! Anyway, let's not dwell on who's dramatic right now *ahem* how do you feel about this being the end of MYTH?

 Aeris : A little bit like when leaving summer camp. Your happy to go home but you will miss all of the friends you made. Its kind of a huge relief to be done with it, and when I sent that final notice it was a weight off my shoulders.

What kind of sale prices are all the MYTH lovahs going to have to look forward to?  Well I'll answer that since Aeris took forever and a day to answer all of my questions.  You are looking at EVERYTHING in the store @ a mere 30L!  I mean really...I'm buying things I already have all over again at that price! K let's get back to the questions lollllll

Do you think somewhere down the line you will decide to design again?

Aeris : Meh, I dunno. I'm not super anxious to start a clothing venture. I definitely do need to do SOMETHING as my creative outlet. I'm looking around to see if I can hire my skills on a contractual basis. Like creating an outfit here or there for an already established brand. or doing templates and tutorials. I guess I'll just see what I come up with next. I'm sure it will be something lol.

 If you do, will it be MYTH again? Or will you move on from this chapter in your SL...

 Aeris : I will DEFINITELY NOT be reopening it. This is it, for good. You won't see MYTH coming back 2 months or 2 years from now.

Was I the best store manager ever in Second Life?

Aeris : What? I had a manager? lol kidding!!! You were awesome, whenever I came to the store you'd be there and it was like coming home to a hot cooked meal! BAHAHA. I miss those days lol.

What can I say...I'm pretty awesome lol.  Now...what is the single most bestest ever memory about your time designing MYTH-wear?

Aeris : That time we ran around naked in the store, or we did, you just took pictures and gawked at our pasty bodies lol.

Run tell dat lol, I sure did stay on the sidelines because hispanic people know better than to get involved in the gringo craziness.  We sit on the side and shake our heads while recording the moment.  Holla for having evidence and keeping it.

You lasted for years now, with your own niche on the grid and you did pretty well.  Now that this is the end, do you feel like there is something that designers or future designers need to know about running a business in SL?

Aeris : I didn't want to go out without giving a small bit of advice to people who want to make clothing and open their own store in SL, or maybe who already have one. The three things I wished someone had told me before

1. Never pay for magazine advertisements or any ads besides your classified.  If you decide to anyways just don't spend to much. I've spend hundreds of thousands of L$ for almost every magazine out there and they never pay off, not even a little bit.

2. 99% of the time satellite stores are useless. The most you can hope for are getting new subscribers but for sales? Yeah you'll be lucky to break even. Split profits are good but just remember not to neglect them. I've rented at hundreds of malls, districts, outlets, clubs, etc. whatever you name it. I can count on one hand how many of those paid off and most of those aren't even around anymore.

3. Get a store manager! Don't try to do it yourself! if you can't afford to pay them, give them a commission off of every sale. Otherwise 80% of your time you will be managing hunts, ads, mall requests, FAQ's, bloggers, events, contests, your marketplace store, and all that good stuff that will get your name out there. So you can imagine how insanely large your friends list will get and how easily your IM's will get capped. have your store manager handle all of that for you. Then you can concentrate on doing what you love, making stuffs! Oh and if your photography skills leave something to be desired, try to hire professional photographers whenever possible to photograph your vendor displays! TRUST!

Almost everyone has something to contribute here, so if you think your designs aren't as good as whats popular right now, who cares! A skill worth knowing is one that takes time to build. And last but not least, hold your real friends close, the other ones would sooner throw you to the dogs faster then you can say "free clothes".

She is young, she is wise...and she's pretty cute too if I do say so myself in a non-lesbanim kind of way [she wants more but I fight her off]!  MYTH is going, but it's going out with a bang.  I hope for all of you out there that have never even heard of it go on down and grab a little something.  She was a designer for men and women so guys, don't think you're left out here!  Stop on down and say goodbye to an amazing label that I quite honestly can say I was truly honored to be a part of. 

MYTH Closing Sale - Everything 30L!!!

52 Weeks of Color Challenge : Silver

Is it weird that I know I have a bunch of things in my inventory that are silver and still found myself at a loss?  I think my mind was lost on New Year's Day, hopefully I get that back soon because I kind of miss it!  I was skin digging today, trying out a new look and came up with the idea to do a skin set that I have had for awhile and only photographed once before but never blogged for some unknown reason.

Although I've never done it, I know that role play is huge in SL and when this skin first came out I had no idea what it was.  Everyone was raving about it, and I went to see it and well...chick was silver.  Dark silver and shiny-ish with elf ears.  I didn't get it and duh me, I sure didn't ask.  A few days later in the group chat, I found out what it is!  Elf RP has ages, and the older a female elf is the more silver her skin becomes.  Also, that she is called a Drow hence the name of the skin.  I find that totally fascinating, but it was only a weekend thing.  I had missed the sale and thought there was no other way to be able to get it so I was asking the group if I could photograph someone that had bought the set when the owner, Oceane was nice enough to let me have the skin.  She made the special Drow skin, eyes and ears and they are available for purchase at her shop.  In addition, she has release several other Drow skins with body tattoo's and facial embellishments for a certain pretty little accent that may be a bit different from a normal one and set you apart.  I don't wear it much but I'm sure glad I remembered I had it for this challenge.  I once again stayed away from writing my normal clothing blog and I had a good time with it!  I used a couple's pose by Glitterati and edited out the man part because I didn't need it but I liked the legs up in the air thang.  The hair is by YunA and yay this time I remembered to grab the white to match the eyebrows lol.

Oceane's Body Boutique

52 Weeks of Color Challenge : Green

This is pretty festive, being that the holidays are all about the red & green huh!  Okay so once again, I did a little collage but all the green is from the same place!  Okay let the rambling begin, got to explain all this somehow lol. 

The best time for me is finding a new great store to check out.  New designers are scratchin away trying to be noticed on the grid so I try to do my part to help them out if I can.  All of this lovely green is from a new store called The GrINd.  It's got alot of variety, a new endeavor from Callie Giordano.  She is the former owner of the great jewelry store Freckled Funk, trying a little something new and in my opinion doing a great job!  The first look is a new release, the Penny Grunge Top.  Look at all the cleavage it highlights! lol...there are a bunch of awesome colors and cute little prim buttons you can add to it or leave off - totally your choice.  The second look highlights the Green Punk Pants from The GrINd.  It comes with those suspenders, and prim cuffs at the bottom.  The pants also come in a variety of colors and I have to say my favorite is the light colored net pants.  Super sexy and toosh huggin, and the suspenders are a really nice addition too.  The last look is the short tweed dress, which can be worn with or without the shirt layer on the top.  Without, its a cute mini suspender-ed dress with a teeeeenie bit of nip showing *gasp!* and then there are a variety of shirt colors available to wear as well.  The socks come with the dress, in 2 layers and with cutesy little prim bows on each side.  Lovely little chick in the picture is Vanity Mirror, the manager at The GrINd and they are looking for interested bloggers to stop by and check the store out, see if there's something you would like to feature!  Let her know, she can hook ya up!!

This picture isn't mine, but it's an ad picture from the store that I borrowed for the blog.  I'm all over the green, Luna!! I was prepared for this one hehe. Take a trip down to The GrINd and see what kind of trouble you can get into!  These challenges are going to get hard again soon aren't they...


The GrINd! Mainstore

52 Weeks of Color Challenge : Cerise

Christmastime is soooo hectic!  I've been working my festively dressed pixels off trying to blog so many things, as well as take care of my everyday responsibilities in SL as well as life itself.  Now, although Cerise is not technically pink I have to say my inventory is not really riddled with pink-like shades such as this.  So I went on a mini shopping spree!  As a blogger on a budget, I was off in search of the super cute and affordable to bring my A-GAME to this challenge. 

While I was working, earning my shopping lindens lol I saw a woman come in shoe shopping and I liked her hair.  So, being a nosy type I inspected it and saved the creator's name for later.  Sold some b*tchin shoes, helped some customers and was generally being awesome! LOL afterwards, I searched the name I had stored away and TP'd to her mainstore.  The name of the store was Artilleri, and I fell in love.  My outfit is a few pieces from there although you know as well as I that I just went to check out the hair.  I got that, and the glasses lol the cardigan which is sooo cute! Also, the loverly skirt that I thought matched the color on Luna's blog pretty dang well!  Artilleri is filllllled with all kinds of amazing goodies and I would advise anyone that hasn't yet been to definitely go check it out.  It is very retro vintage incredibleness, so if you are into that at all you must must check out this store. 

My shoes are of course from my wonderful workplace, Similar Italian Footwear.  This is the Venezia, which I have in the 16 color pack and I chose the maroon shade to go with my outfit ta-daaa lol.  The tank underneath all of that Artilleri wear is a simple black tank from {paper.doll} which I love, comes in all layers and really is the perfect go-to tank when you need a little layer affect.  The pose is from my loverly new friend Milli Santos, posemaker extraordinaire of NSA - No Strings Attached.  It is the 'Song in my heart' set and the mic is included for both hands with poses inside of them.  I had a lot of fun with this one, I must say.  I even searched for a Christmas cerise background and this pretty lil ornament came up.  All in all I'd call it a success!  Hope you all have an amazing holiday <3 see ya next challenge!

Artilleri Mainstore

52 Weeks of Color Challenge : Yellow

Alright...this ended up being much harder than I originally anticipated lol.  Apparently, I imagined my inventory was much more riddled with sunny shades of yellow than it actually is.  I got through it though, and actually had fun doing it once again.  Plus side, I didn't scramble on the last day to post something! Go meeeee yippeeeeeee (you have to say it to yourself in a sing-songy voice).

Okay so, first off the DeeTaleZ Sports Outfit comes in alot of colors, and I just happened to have gotten yellow so yay!  I also wore my CStar Skin from september because she has awesome yellow lips and I am so all about the matching.  I just got that hair from Magika and I luvz it lots, its super cute and I don't wear short styles often.  The socks are from Modd.G, which I love that shop is so adorable.  Sneaks are by Truth, from Hair Fair 09 I think...don't quote me on that thought!  The next one, ok I was checking on my horses LOL and I thought to myself I said 'Self!  What clothing do you have that horsey types would like?'  So I dug out my MYTH Plaid top and of course, there was a yellow! Yippeeeee then the blonde hair is like eeeek I'm so rarely blonde but I wanted more yellow lol.  The star lolli in the mouth is from Pink Fuel and changes a bunch of colors.  The skin is soo pretty, I got it while I was attempting the With Love From...hunt @ Glam Affair.  Boots are from COCO, I luvz me a group that gives kick ass gifts hehe.  The last look is actually fairly new, I went to see the new collection @ The Dressing Room and got that cutesy skirt there.  It's by A&A Fashion, which I don't think I had heard of before but I like the skirt lots.  The skin is amazing, with yellow and red accenting on it that I wish now I would have captured closer up.  It's by [sYs] and its simply incredible.  Hair is Truth, no shirt to mention LOL and the boots are Bax!  All of my nifty poses are by Glitterati, I was super honored to be chosen as one of the names added to Katey's blogger list.  The poses are from the model pack, and look forward to many more Glitterati poses in the future.  I know I know...I used them a bunch before anyway lol.  By the way, I know the backround doesn't go at all but I was taking the pics on my land and thinking its so snowy here I look out of place.  That made me laugh, so I kept the theme going...don't judge me!

This wasn't originally part of my blog, but I had to add it.  This house is one of many adorably well made little homes by nordari.  I love the items there, and I was just like O M G YELLOW!  So I took a picture of it because it goes, and I wanted to share!  These challenges sure bring out my creative side on occasion, so I look forward to continuing to do them and meeting amazing new bloggers in the process!  Not new to blogging per say, just new to me :D

Maritima, Inc. Fashion Week

December 4th through the 10th, Maritima Inc. is holding Fashion Week.  In addition to seeing some amazing creations, you can support a worth cause.  Fashion Week is raising money to donate to Amnesty, International.  If you can stop by any shows, please feel free to do so.  See amazing fashion, It's been incredible so far!  Don't miss another day