Welcome to Graciana McMillan!
We might need to make the magazine a monthly experience simply because we’ve been able to bring another fantastic blogger onto our team because of it.
Justine Babii sent me a series of incredible pictures for the magazine and when I complimented her on them, she explained that her friend Graciana had taken them. I immediately IMd Graciana and offered her a place on our crew. I can’t tell you how happy I am that she has accepted!
Graciana is multi-talented. She is a gifted photographer and an incredible writer. She has also achieved considerable success as a model and we feel very fortunate to be able to work with her!
Welcome Graciana, we’re thrilled to have you!
Bonus Day
Today I had the great luck to find two yummy sexy freebies, which only proves that wandering around the grid is not only fun but fantastic for finding quality sexy loot.
The first offering I got is called O My Red Gauze! Originally offered as a Halloween freebie but still quite available it takes gauze to a new and definitely enticing level. There are many options available on this outfit and it’s really giving me thought to just how sexy gauze can be, strategically placed. It comes with two flexi Gauze pieces, red ripped gloves, red gauze jacket, red gauze panties without and with garters, red gauze pants with and without garters, a red gauze shirt and undershirt, and stockings with and without the clips for garters. It’s really a stunner and very free, I think I will be playing
with gauze for some time to come. Just shows that the ancient art of mummifying using gauze has quite a live kick to it! Check it out at Battered Boudoir.
The second outfit is called Pink Rose Lingerie Set and is comprised of a bra worn on the undershirt layer, a thong worn on the underpants layer and a Prim Baby Doll attachment which fits on one’s stomach. This attachment adds the layered Baby Doll look to the outfit. I find it a really sweet sexy lingerie outfit, and I love the heart that is shown in the “heart of things” placement. The pink roses on the bra add a really nice looking touch as well, and it’s innocent, yet alluring at the same time. Made by amyemily Francis, it can be found on the second floor here.
Sale at Simone!
I was talking to Alexandra Nichols this morning and she reminded me about the L$100 sale at Simone! going on right now. There is precious little that is not on sale over there for L$100 or less. “How long will it be on sale?” asked I.
“Until Simone gets tired or people stop coming, probably,” was her answer.
Fortunately for us, Simone doesn’t tire easily, but still, if you have a minute, or several, go on over and look. There are things for sale all over the sim, not just in the store, so there’s an element of adventure to finding all the goodies, in addition to the great deals.
Woodland Wind – Lying in Wait for you
I stumble across some fantastic stores when I’m out exploring, and Woodland Wind is certainly my fab find of the week. Kutjara Niles’ open air store seems to specialise in pretty prim work that exposes generous amounts of flesh, so if you’re looking for some themed silks, this is a great place to look.
As creative with her naming as with her clothing, Kutjara offers ‘Ambuscade’, a cloaked ensemble that would certainly provide great camouflage if you intended to wait to pounce on a selected victim. The outfit is set by a cloak, draped straight on either side of the body and trimmed with fur: the large roll over collar encompasses the shoulders with the material falling from beneath to the floor. While I like the design and do enjoy parading about in such things, I did find that my arms passed through the back quite a lot because my AO really isn’t designed for this, but I think that would be something most capes and cloaks in world share as a design flaw.
Beneath you’ll find the barely-there shirt with irregular zigzag lacing up the back and either side. The seams are quite noticeable as there is a slight alignment issue, but I’ve shown this in the picture so you can judge for yourself if this would be an issue for you. The tight pants are similarly designed, generously textured as the cloak and the shirt, making you feel as though you’re wrapped in wonderfully soft pelt.
The real art here though is the primwork, which is definitely where the beauty shines through. The spotted gloves sit just under a pair of beaded bracers, constructed from bands of hide and bound together with brown leather cord. The laces run through a smattering of green beads, also placing two animal claws and another accent carved from stone. The rustic assembly has a wonderful charm to it, and this is continued by way of the upper arm cuff and the central wrap which snake about the body in a purely decorative manner, both bearing the beautiful leopard fur texturing. I am also hooked on the double corded belt which sits high on the hips, dropping at the back into a single piece which holds the pelt flap in place. The design is similar to the front but with more feathering, a curved flask and a covered pouch featuring at either side.
The boots mimic the rest of the costume, flat and cord bound with a sole that actually rucks up where the strings are drawn, which I think is a wonderful touch that makes these believable and particularly good as role play costume. The claw and stone detail from the bracers appears on the foot, and slung fur is patched at the calf for some added interest.
If you liked that, then see what you make of ‘Hunter’, shown here in the darker version which I prefer on my light skin. This is all primwork and has certainly met with the general admiration and approval of everyone who has seen me in it so far.
The bra top is pieced together from wood, cord and tawny fur, large and haphazard stitches across the front beam with the modesty section flapping precariously. Two large feathers sit to the front for that little bit extra. How this holds itself up is anyone’s guess, but I don’t give two hoots. I love it. You’ll also find two upper arm cuffs which are carefully pieced together and finished with the double feather mark that features everywhere in this set.
The rope belt is made of several strands, woven together and splitting and dipping intermittently. You’ll find all you need by way of weaponry poorly concealed on either side, but if you still feel lacking there are several throwing knives at your disposal if you reach to your thigh, or for the more personal approach, a curved blade attached to the right boot. Excellent for panther girls and perhaps even eco warriors who are tired of the unwashed ripped jeans look.
The skirt is styled exactly like the bra, and is minimal to say the least. I should warn you that there is no underthing supplied, so if you’re not willing to bare all then you’ll need to find your own. I love the way this barely conceals my bum when I’m walking – heck, when I’m just standing there - the continuation of the ragged pelt flaps, crude stitching and repeated quilling works very well.
Woodland Wind pushes all the right buttons for me, and I can assure you that there’s plenty more where these came from. If you like what you see, go and take a look around, you’ll undoubtedly walk away with something from this distinctive collection.
NB. No animals were harmed in the making of this review, although a few passers by did walk into immovable objects, which I’m guessing made them feel silly and possibly damaged their kudos. Shame.
Hunter Dark, $599L ; Ambuscade set, $715L
Battered Boudoir: Eve
When Eloria LeShelle of Battered Boudoir dropped this pretty gown on me, I tried it on straight away, and ever since I’ve been trying to find myself a suitable party to gatecrash.
‘Eve’ comes in two distinct styles; one mid-length and one full length. You get both in each colour pack with all the trimmings to match. I’m modelling here in black and red, but there are twelve colours to choose from in the store.
The gown is halter neck with crossed back straps that draw around the front and form an under bust strap. The deep V front presents the body beautifully, triangle cups gathered and sewn to the banding. Back and front benefit from micro mesh panelling which sinks at the middle, meeting the skirt top. The panels run together for a neatly gathered look, the ruffled hem clearly defined. In the cropped version, this just skims the thigh, while the full length skirt sits smartly at the ankles. Sheer elbow length gloves complete the look.
The texturing is crisp, both to the skirt and the top, meaning that even in black this doesn’t seem flat. The lighting runs through the threads to give a brilliant shimmer, adding to the appeal of the piece.
I should also mention the tapered glitch pants which are actually blended and fade as they go down the leg, making for a much better match with your hosiery. I like original ideas that work, and this one really does.
This dress gives a sexy but graceful silhouette that will have everyone clamouring for the next dance. At $500L per colour or $2999L for all twelve, it’s a reasonable price for a ravishing gown.
Wardrobe Trunk: Warming the Winter Nights
The nights are getting colder, and it doesn’t hurt to have more than one way of keeping out the chills. I just love this feathery dressing gown from Wardrobe Trunk, which comes complete with lacy negligee.
The robe itself is bordered with great plumes of feathers which conceal enough to retain your modesty while suggesting there’s plenty of chance for further exposure. The feathers are well matched with the sheer cloak beneath, which is itself embellished with delicate velvet motifs for a lavish feel. The skirt is long and lies open to the front, but looks fantastic from all angles provided you keep your legs in lady-like positions: too much of the lunge and this does fall foul of the usual system skirt smears.
If you take off the feathers and skirting, you’re left with a beautiful wrap around jacket that displays the crochet top beneath. With spaghetti straps and a moulded neckline, the shirt is long and sits below the hip, the scalloped edge laying over the panties – also see-through. The hold ups that come with the set are very pretty, with laced and banded tops and a tabbed ridge detail running down the backs of the legs. These look fabulous with high heels and can be mixed with any number of outfits as you so desire.
The outfit is well made but there are some seams visible due to the patterning and lacework: still, I was not too concerned by any of it as the design is busy enough to draw eyes elsewhere.
Taliah Talamasca has a good sense of style and I am certainly pleased with what she has to offer; this particular outfit will set you back $500L. Get yourself down to Wardrobe Trunk and see what takes your fancy.
As Right as Right Can Be
I felt pretty thrilled to receive the small enticing taste of Nuclear Boutique’s new lingerie that was handed out to Arikinui Adria’s update group, whetting my appetite greatly for her upcoming new releases. Celebrating her first year in Second Life is pretty cool- not to mention the lingerie, which is pretty hot. I am modeling envy and wow, the smoke is rising here.
Arikinui is calling this part of her Decadence Collection. I am wearing her pewter colored bra on both shirt and undershirt layer and thong panties… and salivating for more decadence.
My second outfit comes to me from Simone Stern- long known for her gowns, casual outfits and her scrumptious “slut wear” which I have long admired. This hot number is called Gigi and I can almost hear the ohh-la-la as I model it. It is comprised of a body suit bottom, body suit top shirt, garters, gloves and stockings along with a saucy flex skirt, which adds some flounce. Selling for L$300, Gigi is Très chic and puts me in mind of the Folies Bergère. It’s no wonder I started humming “Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay,” A smart and stylish girl you see, Belle of good society, Not too strict but rather free, Yet as right as right can be!
With that in mind I set out scouring the grid in my ever-fun quest of my next dose of sexy.
A&k – Andie Leather
Walking around in minimalist designs does tend to attract attention, and I have been called many things in my time. Still, today is a first: someone actually started ‘singing’ the lyrics of Maneater at me as I sauntered by. Oh how I smirked.
The new Andie leather set from A&k Designs is a wet-look ensemble which is an essential for the wardrobe of any self respecting dominatrix. The halter neck lifts the chest and presents an open front, perfect for displaying elaborate jewellery or simply your cleavage. The corset is composed of solid cups with opaque centre and side panels, all held together by ring laced string cord which dangles loose to the front, with a drooping bow at the back. The cut off sleeves leave the shoulders beautifully exposed, encasing the arms and drawing down to flared lace cuffs.
The mini skirt covers everything – until you bend over, of course – the leather wrinkling a little to the top to give the impression that removal will demand careful attention, peeling back inch by inch from the hips to uncover all that is hidden beneath. There’s a belt detail which doesn’t quite carry through to the back: a shame, but not enough to cause too much distress. The pleats hold well together, offering movement without too much flow which reflects the weight of the material. Glitch pants are there to provide cover if you do pull your legs too far apart (guilty as charged… what can I say?)
Andie retails for $300L for single colours, or $1200L for the five colour fatpack. Available now from A&k Designs.
Miss Fancy Pants Deigns to Work
All six of you who read this blog AND the Second Life Herald already know that Justine Babii finally snapped. She made yours truly the Post 6 Grrrl this week. It has been a good experience so far and I’m grateful have been asked.
How did I celebrate my newfound fame? I TP’d right into the middle of one of Arabeth’s photo shoots while wearing half a bustier, clashing shoulder prims and glitch shorts. Yes, glamour is my middle name, grace is my other middle name. Jaime thinks it’s karma coming to get me for having sent her that robe.
I consoled myself later by slipping into Scarlett from Insolence. No one makes better SL lingerie than Camilla Yosuke and Scarlett is a favorite of mine. I have it in black and an incredible red wine color called Bordeaux. The lace trim alone is worth the price of admission. Comes in 4 colors, L$ 290 a color.
Sintimacy
I happened across SINTIMACY quite by chance, and when I IM’d Istephanija Munro to enquire about her range, she told me that she had only rented the boutique in that particular shopping centre that morning. I love such coincidences.
SINTIMACY’s range is made up of body suits of varying descriptions. While I was spoilt with many review copies, I picked out a few of my favourites to share with you.
‘Snake Skin’ was my first choice, largely because of the unusual texturing. The set comes with jacket, bra top, thong and flared pants, each emblazoned with a signature ‘S’. The jacket is open, sleeveless with highlights on the chest. The back of the jacket cuts a straight line across; the backing in that lovely snakeskin with a large logo set to the centre. The bra top is barely there, strapless and slung low at the back with signature to the catch. The front covers nipples and little else, the flat band slimming to prongs which are linked with criss-cross cords. I have to mention that there are slight seaming issues on the sides, so if you’re a perfectionist do bear it in mind.
The trousers I love as you get to see much more of that gorgeous print. This is available in black and plenty of other colours to suit your taste, but brown hits the spot with me. The texture is a mottling of colour tones, the end effect something of a bronzed patina. I feel perfectly sculpted, polished even, particularly to the back where you feel the full effect as you admire your freshly buffed buttocks. Beautiful. Special attention has been paid to the stitched belt detail, and the thighs benefit from sewn black banding for distinction. The included thong is simply cut and textured to match the outfit.
‘Body Art’ is another design I really liked. This is the black version, but there 
are several other colours to pick from. This isn’t the limit of your choice though, as each suit offers three transparencies – 100% opaque (pictured), 75% and 50%. The coloured spandex areas are the ones that gradually reveal a little more and this works to great effect. Still, even at 100% opacity, this looks hot. The suit is high necked and covers everything on the surface, skin tight with a slight kick on the legs to suit boot wear if the mood takes you. The latex catches the light on all the appropriate points, although the most noticeable gleam is on the stomach, which is an interesting feature. The showy panels are abstractly textured, which makes a nice change in the usual trends for symmetries; there’s also a skewed star placed low at the back, especially nice when the transparent versions are worn.
Finally, have a look at ‘Asphalt Cowgirl’. You get a shirt and pants combo which I liked best in this deep wine red: the cropped top covers all it needs to, arcing low between the breasts to accentuate your cleavage. The back is high and has an innovative torn pattern, scratches interlaced to form a large cross. A smaller version of this cut-out style features centrally to the front, accented with a starred stud. Similar fastenings provide a finishing trim underneath the bust.
The trousers feature a metal belt with star button details all around and an enlarged version to the buckle. The fly zipper gleams at the crotch. Again, the real beauty in these is the texturing, swirling motifs working down the leg to a wide hemline on the flared leg. I can’t neglect to mention the shading on the butt though: I admit to having a fascination with this on tight pant suits, and Sintimacy doesn’t disappoint in this area.
Istephanija is a proficient designer who has some creative ideas and is showing great promise in bringing them to life. I wouldn’t mind a little more fuss with the cuffs and collars, but if you like simple lines and figure hugging material, SINTIMACY offers some well made, sassy outfits at reasonable prices. Why not pay a visit to the main store and pick out your own favourites?
Snake skin (Brown): $240L ; Body Art (Black): $330L ; Asphalt Cowgirl (Red): $220L
