Gridlocked Clique

A New Location and a FREE GIFT From Kittylicious

2009-02-10T23:31:00.000-08:00

Kittylicious has moved (again) but wherever they go I'll follow. I've gotten some of my favorite things that I wear all the time from them. And I'll say this, too. Every time they move it just gets better. I went to check out the new store and it's HUGE!

Also, join their group! I am in it, and they always give out the best free gifts! Check out the totally adorable heels that they're giving out right now in celebration of Valentine's Day! Stop by, get your pair... and check out the new store!

While I was there check out what I picked up for myself... I just can't resist shopping there! haha

Um, how cute is this? $150L

I got both pairs you see on this table. $300L ea.

Funny!

2009-01-08T16:27:00.000-08:00

Get A First Life

I happened upon this website completely by accident and couldn't help but laugh!

A New Year, A New Look

2009-01-03T18:39:00.000-08:00

Have you seen the new look of the Second Life website?

The main page now looks like this:

Some of the boxes are movies that will play, giving examples of all the things you can do in SL.

I understand wanting to update things, but at the same time, things in world have been so laggy and glitchy lately that I almost wonder if the time and budget would be better off spent on streamlining what is already there, the foundation needs to work first.

Since we are talking about updated websites, I guess this is the perfect time to let you know that the GC will be undergoing a makeover! And there will be a few cool new features coming along with it!

Forever Love,
Chloe

It's Their World: We're Just Living (and Spending) In It

2008-12-27T15:19:00.000-08:00

It seems that a bug that LL was having with their LindeX system this morning has created quite the dramatic issue. Many residents paid their hard earned RL money for Lindens which were never credited to their accounts. In this failing global economy, you would think that LL would have a better handle on their system, or that in the case of something like this happening they would have a way to easily credit a person once the issue is resolved. Instead, they are making residents wait days for the Lindens to be credited to their accounts. One resident reported exclusively to me that the people she dealt with on the phone at the LL Billing department were rude, unhelpful, and misinformed. She expressed getting different answers from various "supervisors" who seemed to be more interested in what they have to say than in helping this resident, who is a big spender, get the correct information it takes for her to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Apparently, there is no one available to offer refunds or credits to residents on the weekend. So buyer beware: buying Lindens is not the same as going to the bank. They can, apparently, hold you RL funds until it is convenient for them to credit you, and there is no official action you can take other than to submit a support ticket and wait a couple of days while your money sits there and your Linden balance remains the same.

This resident claims that when she finally got off the phone with LL, she found she was banned from her account for 3 days due to "Abuse of Support Staff". This came off as a retaliatory action, and she was able to call back LL, speak to the same supervisor, and have her access to her account reinstated. I don't think they would have done this if it was warranted in the first place. Do you?

I have to say that it is the platform of Second Life, and the people who live in this world: the friends, the lovers, the content creators, the club owners... that keep me coming back to SL. I have never personally found LL to be helpful with anything. They have always acted like they are somehow doing us a favor by being there to answer the phone at all. Whether reporting harassment, or situations like this one: I have never really seen LL do anything at all to resolve anything. Ya know, until they can get around to it...

Let this serve as a reminder. This is their world, and we are just living in it. And the laws that bind RL businesses seem to not matter very much at all to this virtual one.

Tis The Season!

2008-12-24T19:45:00.001-08:00

Happy Holidays everyone! I hope yours is full of laughter and love.

xoxo
Chloe

ps: GC group members, don't forget to send me your note card to get your gift from me!

The breakdown on the outfit:

dress from T.A.R.T.
hat, candy cane, reindeer backpack from CatNip
skates from Chapeau tres Mignon

What's Up With SLtopsites.com?

2008-12-10T07:38:00.000-08:00

If you go to their site there's just a godaddy.com parked page. And their link in my lower right hand column isn't showing up anymore. Anyone know the dish on what the deal is?

VIP Interview: Starfleets Ruska, Builder

2008-12-10T07:16:00.000-08:00

Chloe: When did you start on SL and how did you stumble upon it?
Starfleets: I was in a RP clan that played Halo PC and one of my friends invited me into the game to show me how to make some money iRL. It turned out he was a crappy realestate agent,

Chloe: Tell us what you do here in SL...
Starfleets: Well I used to run my store, SFD, but its not been getting much attention recently and sales are nonexistant.. I recently was picked up by Loki Dancer, owner and operator of Dirty Lynx and have been modeling for him and his store ever since (and actually making some L)

Chloe: How did you get started with that?
Starfleets: Well my first week iSL was building... then I found sex... no more building... got bored of sex... took it back up.

Chloe: What advice can you give to our readers who are also interested in becoming successful in your field? Were there mistakes you made that they can avoid? Something or things you did *right* that catapulted your success?
Starfleets: Honestly, I wasnt doing well at all for over a year... then I took the initiative.. searched "urban" went to every place on the list that was a store, right clicked the first thing i saw, and IMed the creator and asked for a job.

Chloe: Approximately how much $L did it cost for you to start your business, and how long did it take for you to turn a profit?
Starfleets: Well nothing, per say, for the first year i sold on SLX, over that entire year I made 50KL, every L spent back again on advertising. About a month ago, Loki gave me the option to sell my items on the same land as Dirty Lynx while I was working for him. It hasn't done much better in world either, but just one item for Loki brings in 2k a week, and I only make a percentage of that. One thing that i would suggest is that you have a large product line before you start. That or join a large store that already has a customer base.

Chloe: Tell us your favorite...

clothing designer/shop:
Starfleets: Dirty Lynx
hangout spot:
Starfleets: My workshop
place for skins:
Starfleets: Naughty
toy or gadget:
Starfleets: Omicron
coolest/prettiest sim:
Starfleets: The Nameless Isle
place for hair:
Starfleets: Dirty Lynx
AO:
Starfleets: LostDog Designs
any other favorites you want to tell us about:
Starfleets: nope

Chloe: Does your Avi look like the RL you? How is it the same? How is it different?
Starfleets: Naw, I shave iRL, not as muscular :D

Chloe: How do you feel about romantic relationships in SL? Have you had any of significance? Crossed over to RL at all? Horror stories?
Starfleets: ugh, I'm much more weary now that I used to be. Horror story? I've had like 6 relationships iRL... and i have 6 horror stories

Chloe: Biggest jerk, liar, or psycho you have encountered so far? Do tell!
Starfleets: CHERRY MANILOW/SWEETHEART HONEY Stay the helllllll away from that psycho.

Chloe: Do you have a residence here in SL? Do you rent or own?
Starfleets: Nope.. dont have a use for it

Chloe: Mind telling us what sim it's on?
Starfleets: um... pie.

Chloe: Where did you get your house? Is it a prefab or did you have it built? If so by who? Mind sharing a pic?
Starfleets: If i had a house i would make it myself

Chloe: Tell us your 3 favorite movies:
Starfleets:

Forrest Gump
Tropic Thunder
We Were Soldiers

Chloe: Favorite 3 songs on your playlist right now?
Starfleets:

Molly - MSI
Planet of the Apes - MSI
Kill the Rock - MSI

Chloe: We have all heard of drunk dialing... ever been drunk SL-ing?
Starfleets: Once or five times...

Chloe: Funniest thing you've seen so far:
Starfleets: Giant penis man

Chloe: Lamest pick-up line that's been tossed your way:
Starfleets: "Nice hair" (standing in the middle of a hair store)

Chloe: To "Mute" or not to "Mute"? What makes you cut someone off like that?
Starfleets: Mute. when i mute you, i dont give a fuck what you have to say - your done talking.

Chloe: Got anything coming up you want to plug? Any friends whose ventures you want to tell us about? If you have a blog, tell us the URL here!
Starfleets: Every Sunday at 2pm SLT Im at the Lummerland show and tell showing off my most recent build

Chloe: Go ahead and get the last word! Tell us anything you think we should know that I haven't asked... say anything you want, at all here!
Starfleets:
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Pregnancy and Childbirth in SL

2008-12-10T06:25:00.000-08:00

I have to be honest, I don't really get it with the prim babies and the pregnant av's with talking bellies that tell them to eat or go to the bathroom or that the "baby" is kicking. There are even birthing options... You can get a water birthing room, complete with animations for mother, father, and doctor... for "only" $1850L. It's one thing to form an emotional connection with a REAL person who is behind the av's we deal with every day, and quite another to become attached to a 100% prim baby. I have already heard of SL relationships that have been permanently ruined by arguments over their partner not "paying enough attention to the baby" or "not helping enough with the baby" and I think it's kind of ridiculous. The "baby" is made up of nothing more or less than your furniture is. What's next? SL custody hearings and child support being demanded for "supporting" the prim babies left behind?

I'm wondering what you all think of this trend? Speak out in the comments section!

FOUND INVENTORY!

2008-11-25T14:07:00.000-08:00

If you have noticed items missing from your inventory... or if you are like me with well over 12,ooo items in there so that you might not have noticed missing items... well CHECK YOUR LOST AND FOUND FOLDERS because the Lindens found a bunch of our stuff and sent it back to us! I checked my inventory and some but not ALL missing items were found there. I am still missing quite a few things... like a super cute Untone outfit I used to love and wear all the time... and some really amazing lounge chairs for by the pool from Glossy... or either one of two chimera's full of dances that have disappeared... But this gives hope.

Maybe they will find it all! Go check yours out and see what may have been found!

Forever Love,

Chloe

Technical Difficulties?!?!

2008-11-19T10:08:00.000-08:00

Um, WTF: I haven't been able to log in for almost an hour. The log in screen just stays like this for ages until it finally gives a pathetic attempt at an ~~apology~~ excuse.

Now everyone all together:

"Thaaaanks, Lindens!"

Forever Love,
Chloe

Some Portraits...

2008-11-06T11:44:00.000-08:00

EMJ is Closed, and Good Riddance!

2008-11-02T16:11:00.000-08:00

Elexor Matador Jewelry USED to be one of the best places to go for gorgeous high prim jewels. Today I was doing a round of shopping and was looking for a stunning modifiable choker, and thought of EMJ. I followed the LM I just recently got from the Jewelry Expo, and wound up on a large empty field, where the owner ([redacted former owner of EMJ]) was standing. I walked over to greet him:

[15:58] Chloe Cantrell: hello there!
[15:58] Chloe Cantrell: am i in the wrong place?
[15:58] [redacted former owner of EMJ]: yes
[15:58] Chloe Cantrell: your LM sent me here :)
[15:59] [redacted former owner of EMJ]: do you see anything?
[15:59] Chloe Cantrell: um
[15:59] Chloe Cantrell: well obviously not
[15:59] Chloe Cantrell: would it be too much trouble to give me the correct LM?
[15:59] [redacted former owner of EMJ]: for what>
[16:00] Chloe Cantrell: your store
[16:00] [redacted former owner of EMJ]: I don't have a store.
[16:00] Chloe Cantrell: EMJ jewelry
[16:00] [redacted former owner of EMJ]: again, do you see a store?
[16:00] [redacted former owner of EMJ]: its gone. I tore it down.
[16:01] Chloe Cantrell: is there a reason you are being rude about it? seriously i think i am asking pretty nicely and to be honest i have blogged about your things
[16:01] Chloe Cantrell: i mean, no need to offend people who have spent money with you
[16:01] Chloe Cantrell: i didnt know you took down your store
[16:03] [redacted former owner of EMJ]: Chloe. I don't care. There is no store here.
[16:03] Chloe Cantrell: ok but you didnt need to be rude about saying so
[16:03] Chloe Cantrell: talking down to someone being perfectly nice to you
[16:04] Chloe Cantrell: "do you SEE anything here?"
[16:04] Chloe Cantrell: "again do you SEE a store"
[16:04] Chloe Cantrell: do you SEE a reason to be a jerk to someone who had no idea and obviously liked your items?
[16:04] Chloe Cantrell: NO
[16:04] Chloe Cantrell: "so sorry chloe, i shut it down..." or something would have been much more classy and polite. good day
[16:04] [redacted former owner of EMJ]: Thanks, mom.
[16:05] Chloe Cantrell: im not your mother, OR your child, another reason to not be RUDE
[16:05] Chloe Cantrell: i did nothing to you
[16:05] Chloe Cantrell: but support your business
[16:06] Chloe Cantrell: im sure no one would take kindly to a stranger talking down to them for no reason

With an attitude like that, it's no wonder his business has shut down. Not only have I spent upwards of $1500L per item at his store, I have blogged about it as well, free of charge out of admiration for his work. But when you treat adoring customers like $#!T just because you can no longer make a pretty penny off of them, it is a HUGE turn off. If he reopens his shop, I will not be back. And I encourage you all to save your time and Linden for use elsewhere, with people who will appreciate those who admire their work and help pay their tier.

Shame on you!

Photo Contest WINNER!

2008-11-02T00:37:00.000-07:00

Winner of our contest "What keeps you coming back to SL?"... sorry for the delay but RL circumstances kept me from doing things with this contest the way I wanted to. Better late than never though, and I just LOVE this beautiful picture! Congratulations and enjoy your $1500L!

SL gives me the opportunity to find beauty in unexpected places, and to express myself visually using fashion, and my own tools. Aethetics are important to me and they gratify me. I am visual and I am here because they let me create, I keep coming back because of other's creations.

This picture keeps me coming back, and taking thousands more.

~Mocksoup Graves

Just when you thought you'd seen it all...

2008-10-14T09:09:00.000-07:00

That contest I just posted got me thinking... and I just had to share this with you guys!

A few weeks ago I was wandering about and found my way to Carnal Knowledge, one of the many SL fetish hangouts. There was a nice group of people gathered and we were all chatting along to each other... not realizing for quite some time that there was someone else there with us who was not participating in the conversation. Sixy Graves, the owner, went over to investigate.

"Who put a camper in here?" she thought out loud, and we all came to see what she was talking about.

Turns out what we thought was an inanimate object, a camper someone had put in her club (though WHY someone would do that we just could not figure out!), was actually someone's AV. He was a sub who had apparently displeased his Mistress, and for punishment... well get this:

He was turned into a human toilet! He was paying out $20L per minute to pee into his mouth. Of course we all took a few turns, made a couple hundred lindens each... but when the boys tried to give it a go, the rig somehow rejected them.

Go figure.

Sometimes a song says it best...

2008-10-14T08:56:00.000-07:00

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN
Snow Patrol: Chasing Cars

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Kudos Fashion Show: Sunday, October 12, 1pm

2008-10-11T08:33:00.000-07:00

Leezu Baxter Designs will be releasing the following gorgeous new designs in time for the Kudos Fashion Show this Sunday...

Clouds of silk in delicate watercolours and a barely-there gilded bodice makes for a breathtaking vision of a dress. Reminiscent of nostalgic holidays in far away places, the floral accent for the hair completes this romantic, regal, captivating dress. The colour options alone put a scent in the air - Lilie, Orchid, Tulip and Rose.

Also new from LBD, the sexy Nightlove jacket combines satin velvet and sheer flexis to devastating effect. Beautifully paired with Nell in 4 new darker colours and wraped in shape- delicious!

And for all who missed it:

These items will be released after the Kudos Show! Sunday, October 12, 1pm
Click here for a lift!

Venice Beach, CA

2008-10-11T03:38:00.000-07:00

Click here for a direct flight!

We're #1!

2008-10-11T03:02:00.000-07:00

WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!!
Out of 480 registered sites, the Clique proves it's the place to be!

Just Some Thoughts...

2008-10-11T02:15:00.000-07:00

Part of what is interesting to me about Second Life is the sociological experiment that it really is. The longer you are in this world, the more challenges present themselves. You build relationships, you gain a reputation. You may have ex's of some sort, frenemies, neighbors you might not get along with. If you are in business you might get ripped off (my good friend Iota recently had some copybots steal from her)... But there is something to be said for sticking it out. There is something to be said for those who remain, who don't buckle to the pressure to disappear, leave SL, or move on to some alt that becomes your next shot at doing it all over again. As in RL, wherever you go, there you are. Better to stick with the life you've made for yourself, good and bad, and make changes to improve things rather than escape your escapism.

We turn to SL for a reprieve from our RL. But some people then make such a mess of their SL's (probably a reflection of their RL's...) that they have to escape their SL to another SL, or leave SL altogether. Or there is something that they are having to deal with that they would rather run from than face. Or they created a problem for themselves and the people around them and they can't see a way out. There are so many things that could be the cause of it... You can not run from yourself, people. The life that you have, your real lives, your second lives... how they are and what becomes of them is in your hands and every day that you open your eyes is an opportunity to do something different if you so choose. You can't run from it. You must either accept it or change it but it's always there in your hands to choose. And a clean slate will only result in the same picture you already see if you don't create change within yourself first.

I wouldn't be surprised if whoever was behind the alt's who brought copybots into Iota's shop are just as low brow and shady in RL. You can copy someone's work, try to imitate one's designs, whatever it is... but you can not take their ideas, their content, their talent, away. I bet the obnoxious neighbor in SL also complains in RL that his neighbor's tree limbs are over the property line. I wouldn't be surpised if those who deceive in some way in SL also do it in their RL's... it's the same soul behind the wheel. To these people I say: it's never ever too late to turn your life around. It isn't always easy, having integrity. Sometimes doing the wrong thing is so tempting, especially in a virtual world where in so many ways we are masked behind anonymity. But it shines through when you could be that way, but you decide not to be. Because you are just that kind of soul behind the wheel.

Forever Love,
Chloe

Niven Fashion Show

2008-10-10T21:57:00.000-07:00

I logged in today to a last minute invitation to view the new line by Scarlett Niven at a beautiful fashion show closing with the release of doves. The theme was black and white to best showcase the vivid colors she used. As you can see from the slideshow above, she had innovative designs and textures such as rocks and stone, animal prints, and florals. To check it out yourself in person click here for a lift!

PRIVATE PARTY 2008: A SPACE ODYSSEY

2008-10-08T02:14:00.000-07:00

Only group members will be getting invited to this PRIVATE PARTY, so if you aren't in the Clique, get in where you fit in and then shoot me an IM for your invite. Group members don't need to do this, I'm delivering it right to your door!

My friend Jegor is throwing this event and the last party of his I went to was a blast! Don't miss this one!

EVENT: Opening of four Yip Exhibit @ KMADD

2008-10-08T01:36:00.000-07:00

Impressione Announces the Opening of a New Art Exhibit Featuring the Works of four Yip at the KMADD Center for the Arts

In the tradition of showcasing the most creative, talented people of Second Life, KMADD welcomes four Yip to KMADD Center for the ARTS. The exhibit opens on Friday, October 10th, at 3pm SLT, followed by Mitch Triellis (http://www.allanpetersen.cl) live from Chile singing famous old school jazz songs (Bobby Darin, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin) on the KMADD City Plaza beginning at 4pm slt. Kirk, Maddox, and four may take a moment to drop by during the opening!

Building up to the Friday's gallery opening, four Yip was a guest on Sunday night's Tonight Live with Paisley Beebe, http://slcn.tv/tonight-live-paisley-beebe

four Yip is a shining star in 2D digital art. She is a master with graphic manipulation in Photoshop, where she turns snapshots of avatars she meets and creates realistic portraits that look like a combination of a painting and a photograph. Often whimsical, always evocative, Yip's work stands powerfully on its own. It opens wide the window to the soul of the player behind the avatar, picking up on clues of that person's personality from their style and appearance. Some may recognize Yip from her notable presence in the SL Flickr community, others from her tiny, quirky shop in which she "sells" everything for free from a propeller swing for four, to winged, stork-legged bird chairs to a Charlie Chaplin cinema package (moving background included).

The exhibit opens October 10th and is part of KMADD City's one year anniversary celebration running from October 9-12.

Click to go to: KMADD Center for the Arts Location
Click to go to: four Yip's shop location
Click to go to: four Yip's Flickr
Click to go to: New World Notes Interview with four Yip

SL's Huge Maze

2008-09-26T02:28:00.000-07:00

I found this cool maze featured on the Showcase tab of Search, and went to check it out. I won't say how long it took me to finish it. I honestly had to walk away a couple of times to calm down, lol... but I did eventually make it out of there! If you have some time to kill, alone or with a friend, it's a cute thing to check out. Click here for a lift!

Just A Note...

2008-09-24T04:06:00.001-07:00

With so many new subscribers lately (YAY!) I wanted to just take a minute to remind everyone that if you read about any freebies, gifts, or treats from past articles that you may have missed out on, feel free to send me a note and let me know you would like either all of them (and I will drop you a box) or which ones specifically.

Forever Love,
Chloe

Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! Iota Ultsch Get's The Last Word: Literally

2008-09-07T01:08:00.000-07:00

We all remember the recent tiff that went down between Iota Ultsch and a certain German "fashion blogger"... winding up with said blogger on the receiving end of a swift stiletto to the tuchus on her way to the ban line. I guess that's what happens when you try to corner designers into giving you free stuff or else... The image posted here has done it's share of circulation, and the comments section went wild after Iota and I decided to make it a little contest to guess who the sheisty trashionista was. For the record, the contest lasted all of 10 minutes, so I guess when people read "Think German SL, think scammer, think inflated ego", they knew right off the bat who it was. Just for shits & giggles, the now infamous capture:

Why is this coming up again? Well, Iota being Iota, she just had to get the last word. Today she distributed to members of her Tres Jolie group, a gesture she made in Miss Nadja Baxter's honor. I don't know if I can do it justice but I'll try.

In her own voice, you hear Iota saying "Hey! ROADKILL! Smile for the camera!!!" as the words pop up on your screen. As you say "Hey! ROADKILL!", your Av will wave... and when you say "Smile for the camera!!!", you will gesture as if you were holding a camera, and you hear one flashing away.

No she didn't! Um, yes. She really did.

Gridlocked Clique group members will all be getting copies of this sure to be talked about gesture as well! So if you aren't in the Clique... get in where you fit in.

A "Dear John" Letter To The Lindens

2008-09-05T14:01:00.000-07:00

Things were going really well for a while. No major drama, at least on my end. But if it's not one thing, lately, it's another. Today, it's this:

Dear Lindens,

I love you, I do. And I want this to work, so very bad. But it's not me, it's you. You can't seem to keep it together. I spend plenty of time with you, generously spoil you with more $L than I care to admit. I've even started this here blog in your honor. And what is the thank you I get? The appreciation? Faulty log in's, missing inventory, slow rezzing even though I have an insanely fast internet connection and a second generation MacBook Pro. Please, help me help you. What can we do to make things better? Come on, let's make this work!

Forever Love,
Chloe

Kittylicious NEW Mainstore & Merchandise!

2008-09-05T09:55:00.000-07:00

I just love Kittylicious, so you can imagine my excitement when I went to check out their new Mainstore location! It's probably about twice the size. There is a big main area where the clothing and accessories are, a hair shop, a tattoo shop, and a shoe store. Not only that, but they have added plenty of new merchandise, from skins to tops and shoes! If you are group member (which I am!) they have the most adorable pair of shoes as a gift to thank us for the support! Waiting for a friend to TP in? Lean up against the LUSH pink convertible. Definitely check it out and don't forget to get a new landmark for your inventory.

VIP Interview: Takamura Keiko, SL Musician As Featured On MTVs True Life

2008-09-03T12:44:00.000-07:00

((To view the entire True Life episode, click here!))

Chloe: When did you start on SL and how did you stumble upon it?
Keiko: My rez-day is 12/13/2005. A friend showed me the link to the Second Life website and raved about it. Humble beginnings, indeed!

Chloe: Tell us what you do here in SL...
Keiko: I am a live musician and part-time barista at Keiko's Cafe. Mostly a live musician.

Chloe: How did you get started with that?
Keiko: Ladies an gentlemen, take a seat and gather 'round for...

THE TALE OF KEIKO TAKAMURA

Keiko began as every other female resident avatar of Second Life starts out -- thin, with whoreish makeup and a lilac-colored top with L$200 to her name. Eventually, she got a makeover. After that mission was accomplished, she stumbled upon Multiverse Records where she saw a hefty, chainsmoking avatar named Derek Tones playing his guitar. She and the fat man became friends, and he showed her the ancient art of audio streaming.

She started playing regular shows, building up an in-world fanbase, and is currently immensely enjoying the positive reaction she gets from her crowds.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the screen was Amy Te, a native Californian who had a guitar in her hand and a song in her notebook for seven years. All she lacked was an audience. Now, with the support of her friends and family and other SL musicians, she plans on bringing her music to her real life (or "RL" as we refer to it in-game).

Chloe: What advice can you give to our readers who are also interested in becoming successful in your field? Were there mistakes you made that they can avoid? Something or things you did *right* that catapulted your success?
Keiko: If you want to be a live musician in SL, take advantages of the resources that are available now, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Make sure you're doing it for the right reasons. There's got to be a passion for music.

If you want to be a live musician in RL, then *I* need advice as much as you do!

Chloe: Approximately how much $L did it cost for you to start your business, and how long did it take for you to turn a profit?
Keiko: This isn't a business. Music is LOVE. <3 style="font-weight: bold;">Chloe: Tell us your favorite...

* * clothing designer/shop:
* Keiko: Amerie's Naughty and BP*
* * hangout spot:
* Keiko: I'm usually hanging around at Keiko's Cafe.
* * place for skins:
* Keiko: ROSEMAR and Gigi Couture
* * toy or gadget:
* Keiko: Kabuki Ewing makes these awesome animated freebies, like an animated broom or a tray of food that makes you trip and spill everything.
* * coolest/prettiest sim:
* Keiko: Straylight... and I have to send a shout-out to Hathian. (Columtreal College REPRESENT! WUT WUT!)
* * place for hair:
* Keiko: Gritty Kitty
* * AO:
* Keiko: Happy Dispatch
* * any other favorites you want to tell us about:
* Keiko: Insert Coin Arcade! They have all sorts of playable arcade games, and you can win tickets to redeem for prizes like... a SPIDER RING!

Chloe: Does your Avi look like the RL you? How is it the same? How is it different?
Keiko: I've always tried to make my AV as much like the RL me as possible. Down to the glasses and rice-belly. The only thing I'm jealous about with my AV is that her hair never gets messed up and she never, ever sweats.

Chloe: How do you feel about romantic relationships in SL? Have you had any of significance? Crossed over to RL at all? Horror stories?
Keiko: I married the guy I met in SL. How's that for significant? I had MTV call him my "boyfriend" on the True Life episode, but that's because we eloped and I didn't want my extended family getting confused. My mom knows, though, and has given us her blessing.

Chloe: Biggest jerk, liar, or psycho you have encountered so far? Do tell!
Keiko: There was this one chick who wanted to steal my man... she was pretty looney. I ended up writing a song about it, so at least the whole ordeal was fodder for my creativity.

Chloe: Do you have a residence here in SL? Do you rent or own?
Keiko: I rent a house with my BFFles, Meesha and Unhe. We call it the Cougar Den, because we're always on the prowl.

Chloe: Mind telling us what sim it's on?
Keiko: Flotsam Beach, where it's ALL at!

Chloe: Where did you get your house? Is it a prefab or did you have it built? If so by who? Mind sharing a pic?
Keiko: It's a Barnesworth Anubis prefab. Pretty swank. Three bedrooms upstairs, so we each get our own room.

Chloe: Tell us your 3 favorite movies:
Keiko:

The Princess Bride
Galaxy Quest
Edward Scissorhands (or possibly The Little Mermaid).

Chloe: Favorite 3 songs on your playlist right now?
Keiko:

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - The Sweets
K'Naan - In The Beginning (Harold & Kumar Soundtrack)
Marakesh - Zhdat (from the GTA4 soundtrack)

Chloe: We have all heard of drunk dialing... ever been drunk SL-ing?
Keiko: I was desperate one night to have a White Russian, but I was out of milk, so - and I am not proud of this - I mixed the Kaluha with Coffee-Mate and soy milk. And then I went back to my computer and told my friends, who were rightfully disgusted with me.

Chloe: Funniest thing you've seen so far:
Keiko: Two noob lesbians who were most likely both men trying to figure out their sex poseballs.

Chloe: Lamest pick-up line that's been tossed your way:
Keiko: "hi c2c sexy chat plz"

Chloe: To "Mute" or not to "Mute"? What makes you cut someone off like that?
Keiko: I only mute a person if they're obviously a griefer/spammer or if they've horribly offended me in some way. Most times, I forget who I've muted and take them off my muted list.

Chloe: Got anything coming up you want to plug? Any friends whose ventures you want to tell us about? If you have a blog, tell us the URL here!
Keiko:

I'm in San Francisco, so if you're in the Bay Area, make sure to friend me and let me know, so I can keep you up to date on the RL shows!

Chloe: Go ahead and get the last word! Tell us anything you think we should know that I haven't asked... say anything you want, at all here!
Keiko: Don't ever agree to do a reality show, for serious. It's a pain in the ass.

New Designs By House Of Nyla

2008-09-02T17:19:00.001-07:00

Nyla Cheeky has done it again with some great new designs for House of Nyla. If you aren't already in the know, House of Nyla is an in world expression of Nyla's RL designs. The textures and over all quality of her designs are above standard, worth every Linden!

This time, she is bringing us back to school with the most adorable school girl outfit I have seen in a long time! And we all know how much I love a good school girl outfit! But this one is not your every day, played out interpretation. Nyla add's a, well cheeky top hat, and cute-as-a-button blazer, with matching shoes.

For the naughty under the skirt, Nyla brings us yet another set of detailed and feminine lace lingerie!

Be sure to stop by, especially if you have never been! But for those who are long time lovers of her line, make sure to pick up these sure to be classic new pieces!

CONTEST: Show LionSkins Your Beauty Is More Than SKIN Deep

2008-09-02T17:18:00.000-07:00

You don’t just need a skin, what you NEED is a PERSONALITY!

We stand behind that statement here at LionSkins, and just to prove it, we’re giving YOU a chance to show us your personality. The rules are simple. Take your picture, professionally or just a snapshot, and send it to Olyvia Zenovka. You must be wearing your favorite LionSkin, and be IN the LionSkin Update Group. Yes, it’s just that SIMPLE.

Deadline for entries is September 20th at 11:59pm Second Life Time.
All submissions will be verified for LionSkins Update Group Membership
You can enter as many times as you want, but only one entry per skin!

Send your Picture along with the following information:
Your Name
Skin Name
Personality: Tell us what you’re about!
Title your picture LIONSKINS - Your Name

Top Prize will win the entire Suzana Line in one Tone! Take a good look around, that’s well over 70K linden in Skins!

Second Prize will receive their choice of 15 Skins

Third Prize Will win 7 of their choice of Skins.

#1 in News on SLTopSites!

2008-08-31T14:44:00.000-07:00

Gridlocked Clique has been around since May, and in only about 3 months has managed to become (as of this date and time) #1 for News!

To continue to show your overwhelming support, please click the button below and vote for Gridlocked Clique! And for those of you who have been coming back since May: thank you for making this blog the success it is slowly becoming!

With A Rebel Yell

2008-08-29T20:34:00.000-07:00

Location & Tattoo's: Dermagraphicus Rex! Tattoo's

Endless Summer

2008-08-29T19:30:00.000-07:00

I fell in love with the nerd glasses Akasha had on in the last picture I posted with her interview, and when I asked her where she got them I was sent to Artilleri. I've been to Artilleri a million times, they really do have some great retro pieces. As always when shopping, I am there for the glasses and end up picking up these super cool beach loungers, the Magda Lounger, complete with tanning reflectors! I got two so I can sit and tan with a friend! They are also color changeable, with 5 options. It comes with adorable accessories as well: a magazine, towel, tanning lotion, shades, and a cool beverage. For only $180L, this is a must have for any bathing beauty!

Me and one of my best girlfriends Janise: laying out and catching up!

VIP Interview: Akasha Wachmann of CatniP

2008-08-29T17:09:00.000-07:00

Chloe: When did you start on SL and how did you stumble upon it?
Akasha: --Well my born date is November 2, 2006...a friend of mine from an old messageboard I used to frequent asked me if I had heard of Second Life, I hadnt so I was promptly ushered in.

Chloe: Tell us what you do here in SL...
Akasha: --ahhh lets see, I build...try to keep my store running smoothly (CatniP), goof off with my friends, sex my man up and start trouble as often as i can

Chloe: How did you get started with that?
Akasha: --Im guessing this question is about my building/store xD...well I have a pretty active imagination and I just had an urge to share my insanity with others. Thank God there are alot of twisted people out there who get my sense of humor and like my builds.

Chloe: What advice can you give to our readers who are also interested in becoming successful in your field? Were there mistakes you made that they can avoid? Something or things you did *right* that catapulted your success?
Akasha: --My advice to be successful-do what you love. If you enjoy what you're building, chances are others will too. A huge mistake that I made in the beginning was bringing in friends as business partners. Things turned sour pretty quick and friendships were damaged over business related arguments. I have since learned from that mistake and run solo ^.^
Something I did right? Building what I love, adding humor to my products...and just treating every customer with respect.

Chloe: Approximately how much $L did it cost for you to start your business, and how long did it take for you to turn a profit?
Akasha: Oh lord that was so long ago its hard to tell...Didnt really cost all that much to start up the business, I was fortunate to have had the land and building donated. I began seeing profit in about two months.

Chloe: Tell us your favorite...

* clothing designer/shop:
Akasha: Monogrind-Huge crush on his prims
* hangout spot:
Akasha: Hysteria
* place for skins:
Akasha: MiaSnow
* toy or gadget:
Akasha: My shoulder sitter from Mew
* coolest/prettiest sim:
Akasha: Relic
* place for hair:
Akasha: Magika / black maria
* AO:
Akasha: Torrid
* any other favorites you want to tell us about:
Akasha: Homicide Designs, Eko, Magika hair also rocks my socks...Oh fav Singer on sl is ColeMarie Soleil--very close personal friend and her voice is freaking amazing...brings tears to my eyes.

Chloe: Does your Avi look like the RL you? How is it the same? How is it different?
Akasha: --Yea, pretty much except my avi has giant, fantastic jugs--In rl Im lacking in that department.

Chloe: How do you feel about romantic relationships in SL? Have you had any of significance? Crossed over to RL at all? Horror stories?
Akasha: -- I think SL is a wonderful outlet to meet and interract with people, of course romance will naturally weave itself in. Romance in SL can be magical or heartbreaking you just have to be careful on who you give your heart to...its so easy to decieve when you can hide behind a monitor, and sadly many take advantage of that.
Ive had two really significant relationships while in SL...the first was a horror story--basically I found out he had been living a double SL life, complete with another digital wife. That episode really crushed me emotionally. The second relationship, is the one Im in now...he healed me and we have fallen head over heels in love with each other and plan to meet in RL in the near future.
**waves to her hubby Skirnir** <3

Chloe: Biggest jerk, liar, or psycho you have encountered so far? Do tell!
Akasha: ahh damn what a loaded question lol...well Im not into naming names but I have run into a few very bad apples on here.

Chloe: Do you have a residence here in SL? Do you rent or own?
Akasha: Yeah, me and my best friend Piper, and my hunnie Skir share a sim together, where we can run around and be total asshats without bothering anyone else.

Chloe: Mind telling us what sim it's on?
Akasha: Jareth

Chloe: Where did you get your house? Is it a prefab or did you have it built? If so by who? Mind sharing a pic?
Akasha: Well the sim started as a project, we were going to recreate the movie Labyrinth...but we got sidetracked. So now Its a mixed theme of Labyrinth, vamp and Alice in Wonderland. We all share a beautiful, gothic pre-fab castle

Chloe: Tell us your 3 favorite movies:
Akasha:

Natural Born Killers
Labyrinth
Army of Darkness

Chloe: Favorite 3 songs on your playlist right now?
Akasha:

Deftones - rx queen
Beautiful -10 years
Rev 22:20 - Puscifer

Chloe: We have all heard of drunk dialing... ever been drunk SL-ing?
Akasha: lmao, all the damn time

Chloe: Funniest thing you've seen so far:
Akasha: heh, impossible to pinpoint--everyday me and my friends are doing something totally retarded and side splitting.

Chloe: Lamest pick-up line that's been tossed your way:
Akasha: you sex me now yes?

Chloe: To "Mute" or not to "Mute"? What makes you cut someone off like that?
Akasha: Well I went about a full year without having anyone muted, but now there are a few stalkers and content thiefs on the list.

Chloe: Got anything coming up you want to plug? Any friends whose ventures you want to tell us about? If you have a blog, tell us the URL here!
Akasha: Well Of course my shop CatniP!! I always have new, fun stuff coming out each week-If you havent been by yet you should come check it out, I guarantee you will find something there that amuses you ^.^
Also My good friends lilsparklez Sprawl and Nerolus Mosienko owners of Homicide Designs & Bruisers skins are about to open a fantastc new sim that will have residential and shop space for rent--they are both so freaking talented and I highly recommend checking them out.

Chloe: Go ahead and get the last word! Tell us anything you think we should know that I haven't asked... say anything you want, at all here!
Akasha: Loosen the hell up! Have fun on SL and dont let things get to you. Be who you want and live out your fantasies, thats what this place was made for.

Fashion With Passion: Fashion Show For A Good Cause

2008-08-29T16:47:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow from 12:30-2:00pm SLT, stop by this fashion show that is being thrown to raise money for The Faith Foundation. Here is some info on the cause... and as always, click the pic to TP there!

The Faith Foundation founded in March of 2004 is a 508(c)(1)(a) Non-Profit organization dedicated to ending the problem of children’s homelessness worldwide on the premise that stability begins at home, without the most basic needs of shelter being met, there is often little hope. These innocent little ones who through no fault of their own are without food, clothing, shelter, and need your help. By donating to the Faith Foundation you are assisting in programs to meet the desperate need that has been presented to you today.

Homeless Children Just In America Alone.......
More Than One Million Homeless Children
• At least 1.35 million children are homeless during a year’s time.
• On any given day 800,000 people are homeless in the United States, including 200,000 children in homeless families.
• Families with children are among the fastest growing segment of the homeless population.
• Most children living with homeless parents are very young (42% are under the age of 6 years).

Remember Our Children are Our Future! The way they are treated today is how we will be treated tommorrow! (And that a little goes a LONG WAY!)

While any amount that you can generously give will always be accepted for our Sponsors who donate 30,000 lindens (equivalent to $100.00 USD) will also receive a free one page website and listing if preferred on the Faith Foundation website as a Sponsor.

What other items that can be donated:

1. Lindens
2. Cash (visit: http//www.faithforveterans.org)
3. Space: For our vendors (for what you would charge to rent those spaces is what you will receive the tax deductible receipt for that amount in USD)
4. Buildings: For our charity events, auctions, fund raising socials, etc. (for what you would charge to rent those spaces is what you will receive the tax deductible receipt for that amount in USD)
5. Items: Any usable item for resale, auction, etc. If you would like to donate an item please search for: FaithFoundation Held and drop those items to him.
6. Services: Any skills that you would like to donate for what is your normal fee is what you will receive the tax deductible receipt for that amount in USD
7. Time: Volunteers needed to help raise funds in both SL & RL

Support the Faith Foundation by becoming a Member of the Faith Foundation
Join the Faith Foundation Group Today!
Click: Search>Groups>Faith Foundation

For more information, please contact:
Faith Foundation
Paul B. Deosaran aka Xannon Javelin
11585 Woodview Blvd.
Parma Heights, OH. 44130
(Phone): 440-842-2759
teknobase@hotmail.com
if you would like to just donate in regular funds please visit:
http://www.faithforveterans.org
(Currently underconstruction as we are switching to a larger server please check back often)

Lost In The Subway

2008-08-26T20:21:00.000-07:00

Head To Toe:

Skin: Gigi Couture- Kawaii
Hair: Boon - Tom14 (Brown)
Hat: Chapeau tres Mignon - Lacroix Hat (Yellow)
Dress: Heartattack & Vine - Skullcandy Dress
Gloves: Cachet - Cachet Gloves (Cyan)
Bracelet: House of Phoenix - Whole World Charm Bracelet
Anklet (L): .+*aya V*+. - Ribbon Anklet
Anklet (R): .+*aya V*+. - Gold anklet
Hosiery: Short & Sweet - Black Fishnets
Shoes: Canimal - Shock Value Stilettos (Turquoise)

I was moved to tears...

2008-08-26T18:24:00.000-07:00

170 Posters of Missing Persons. Can you help? 109,000 people around the U.S. have vanished without a trace. Come read their stories... This is a nonprofit location.

To TP there just click the pic!

Urban Spirit Sim

2008-08-26T15:28:00.000-07:00

If you love urban grunge, you are going to LOVE the Urban Spirit Sim. Something else to love about it: almost everything you see, from the textures to the garbage trucks, are free for anyone to take a copy! I've made a folder of my finds that will be delivered to GROUP MEMBERS only! If you are not in the Gridlocked Clique group, you can search "Gridlocked Clique" in your group tab in Search. If you want to join but not take up group space CLICK HERE to TP to my subscribe board. Just touch it and click subscribe!

A great place for photoshoots or just hanging out... PLEASE don't forget to make a donation to the creator, Astin Miles! How generous of him to make all his items FREE, when he really could get away with selling them for hundreds of Linden! YAY!

CLICK HERE TO TP TO URBAN SPIRIT!

2008 Hair Fair

2008-08-24T23:37:00.000-07:00

From the Rezzable website:

There are almost 90 participants, spreaded across 4 sims. The Hair Fair is sponsored by Rezzable, who have donated the islands for this charity event. Hair Fair donates proceeds to Locks of Love, an organization that donates wigs to children who suffer hair loss due to cancer, burns, and other conditions. This year, all designers at the fair will donate 50% of one hair style to the charity. And of course, you can just donate without getting virtual hair in return on location too.

I just HAD to go check it out! I mean, 4 Sims of just hair? And the fact that some of the proceeds go to such a great charity, Locks of Love, makes it easy to justify a bit of a shopping binge. Here are the styles I picked up:

Not only were there simply TONS of styles to choose from, but sooo many freebies and dollarbies! Here are my favorites:

These are my favorites out of literally hundreds of hair styles, and there were skins and outfits and other fun goodies thrown into the boxes too!

Definitely stop by the Hair Fair, you don't want to miss it! You only have until September 7th so don't delay! CLICK HERE TO TP!

Check out this lovely movie Mal made of the wedding!

2008-08-24T17:17:00.000-07:00

If you were there or are a friend of either of them, feel free to post comments of well wishes as a guestbook for them!

Forever Love,
Chloe

Um...

2008-08-24T13:53:00.001-07:00

**UPDATE**
Back in business... the grid is open!

**UPDATE**

Still can't get back on. And now it says THIS!
Ugh.

This lovely little box has popped up 3 times in the past hour.
Um, yuck. Get it together, Lindens.

Cribs: Chloe Cantrell

2008-08-23T16:38:00.000-07:00

One of the things I wanted to feature in the "Hoods" section was a look inside people's homes! Might as well start with my own, so follow me and I'll give you a tour!

.+*~ Inspiration Island ~*+. is 8192 sq. m. and is a corner parcel. I was lucky in that when I found the land there was no one on the Sim at all yet, so I was able to choose any location on the Sim. I of course wanted the corner to get the most out of the view. I situated the house on the corner as well so the rooms would all have stunning views. As you can see, I like a very modern and fun interior. A lot of my furniture has a feature that lets you color change the entire piece. This can cost a little more, but it's worth it. If you like to redecorate, you will only have to buy new accessories instead of entire new rooms of furniture if you have the color change feature.

I was permitted to terraform the land, so I added a few caves and a stream. There is a boat tour which auto rezzes a boat that will take you around the property, through caves and waterfalls until you reach the big cave. A nice place to have some private time.

One of my favorite things about it is the landing point. The waterfall gushes water into a kind of small lake that makes up the walkway to the house. I added an invisible prim over the water so that you can walk on it, and put some free swimming fish, turtles, and coral in there. If you mouselook and look down, you can see a beautiful array of fish swimming below you.

Want a tour? IM me in world!

It would take forever for me to give you the link to every item you see, but if you want to know where I got something, feel free to send me an IM in world.

** I want to feature YOUR HOME NEXT! **
Send me an IM in world if you want your home to be considered for CRIBS!

Americana

2008-08-22T13:46:00.000-07:00

To browse full size images click here.
* Editorial styling, photography, and editing by Chloe Cantrell.

Fallen

2008-08-22T02:47:00.000-07:00

Head To Toe:

Skin: PXL Creations - Linda (Red Cat Eyes)
Hair: House of Heart - Tuli (Silver)
Hat: Chapeau tres Mignon - Skull Hat
Neck: Kyoot Army - Wilted Wednesday Vest
Top: House of Nyla - Skull & Roses Corset
Skirt: Kyoot Army - Dead Naga Mini
Shoes: Canimal - Shock Value Stiletto's (White)
Bracelet: Decollage - Kabbalah Yarn

To browse full size images click here.
* Editorial styling, photography, and editing by Chloe Cantrell.

The Cutest Little Accessories Shop...

2008-08-17T16:04:00.000-07:00

Click here to read my review of Japancakes! Info on their freebie, too!

Tragically Hip

2008-08-16T20:54:00.000-07:00

Head To Toe:

Skin: Redgrave - Scarlett (Natural)
Hair: Cake - Wish (Mocha)
Sunglasses: Nylon Outfitters - Supa Dupa Frames (Black)
Scarf: Creamshop - Check Charm Stole
Tank: Nylon Outfitters - Sequins Tank (White)
Vest: Armidi Limited - Itimo Leather Vest (Charcoal)
Skirt: T.A.R.T. - Leather Zip Skirt
Shoes: Stiletto Moody - Silver Stud Pump (Black)
Gloves: Cache - Cache Gloves (White)
Bracelets: Cake - 80's Pop Bracelet

To browse full size images click here.
* Editorial styling, photography, and editing by Chloe Cantrell.

Lost Angel Poses: Encouraging Intimacy Across The Grid

2008-08-16T19:54:00.000-07:00

I have a new crush! This place is amazing. Even if you aren't a model, the single poses are just awesome for adding to your current AO or using when you take pics, and if you have ever been searching for poseballs for some great group photo's or couples pose balls for couple's photo's or for your home, this is one place that should definitely be on your list. I bought 8 single poses from them:

All I can do is cry
Follow me
Just shhh
Red-hot thinking
Hottest Body
En vogue
Hold me
Delicate

For the photographer, they have some really cool props for your photoshoots. For one, they have poseframes... a really creative and fun idea. Picture frames with a built in pose. Each frame is also color change to coordinate with the rest of your shoot. There are five different options but my favorite is "Starry Night", seen here:

You can buy them individually or in a pack of all five.

Secondly, something no SL photographer or absolute diva should be without is the Boudoir Set. Consisting of the chair, chaise, pillow, and puff these items can also be purchased individually or as a set. The furniture has built in poses ( the chaise has 10!) and can also be color changed.

And yes, there is a free pose! In the store next to the display of the Boudoir Set, is the Emo collection of poses. Look for the one called "gloominess" (its 6/21 if you are scanning through), it's FREE!

Click here for a lift there!

Check out their blog: http://lostangel-sl.com
Check out their Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/groups/lostangel

Total Eclipse Of The Heart

2008-08-16T14:50:00.000-07:00

The Full Moon parts the curtain of that which is hidden from conscious view, to reveal that which is buried in the caverns of the subconscious. This stage of the Lunar Cycle offers Illuminations - whether large or small. Some trigger an automatic reaction or habitual tendency. What is it you go into auto pilot about? Shake yourself awake… As the Full Moon spins in an unusual fashion resting in the sign of Aquarius.

On August 16th (today!), the Full Moon in Aquarius is also joined by a Lunar Eclipse. This symbolizes a powerfully intensified Full Moon energy. Yeah, a full moon with turbo jet engines. You may cry buckets or you may over analyze them and be detached from the emotions. The opportunity arises to find innovative ways to express how you feel and extend the compassion into the Community and Earth as a whole. We may feel inspiration flowing in...

One way to feel connected and tune into the positive energy of this Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse is to participate in a Global Gathering of some kind. Find a group of individuals who share similar vision or like mind and mingle. Enjoy!

Saaghir Nightfire & Maleficent Benoir's Wedding

2008-08-16T14:04:00.000-07:00

Saaghir was one of my very very first friends in SL, if not THE first. She has seen my avitar morph slowly into the creature it is now. She has seen me go through heartbreak, 2 homes, watching this blog grow from nothing, and been a supportive friend and ally since day one, protective and nurturing. I have seen her go through her own heartbreaks and changes, and it makes me happy for her beyond words that today I was present for her lovely wedding to the beautiful Maleficent! I arrived late (of course), but there is no way I would have missed it.

Saag, sweetheart, I wish you both the best of luck and love! May it live always on and on... growing stronger with every accomplishment, and even every mistake! Be there for each other always!

Forever Love,
Chloe

"Nuke the church, bring back the sexbox..." ~Maleficent Benoir

La Reve: Dream Awake

2008-08-16T11:10:00.000-07:00

Someone very special to me brought this beautiful Sim to my attention... and I just had to share it with you guys! I could try to describe the Alice in Wonderland type chess set, the huge abstract human figures, the impressionistic type coloring, and all the cozy little spots to sit and talk or dance and just be flush in such lovely surroundings... but the pictures will convince you much more than my words possibly could!

Click here for a magic carpet ride there!

* Editorial styling, photography, and editing by Chloe Cantrell.

A Little Bit About A Daddy's Girl

2008-08-16T03:42:00.001-07:00

Jhuzen Ketsugo (who happens to also write for the same publication as Nadja, Vain Inc.) had to reach into my sexual fetishes for something to throw in my face. (see comments in the article below). If I were ashamed of any aspect of my life I would not have it so clearly represented on my profile knowing I write blogs and people will surely see it. As for "shit flinging" (such classy turn of phrase!), I chose to post about this particular situation because I happen to be a blogger who writes reviews on clothing/skins/shoes/gadgets etc that I actually purchase, use, and love. I do not think that being a blogger entitles me to attempt to get free products that people spend much time out of their own RL's to make. I have spent a great deal of money in Iota's shop, among others, and have never asked her or any other vendor in all of SL for any type of discount or free gift in exchange for a review or advertising. I think if it is out of your budget to purchase, then you should not be blogging about it. If you can not afford it, blog about what you CAN afford.

As far as my "twisted Daddy-Daughter RP Crap", let me enlighten you, dear ignoramus. You are speaking about things you obviously don't know or understand. The Daddy Dom relationship is not about age play, or even incest. Only people from the outside looking in who have no insight whatsoever, and take it face value, mistake it for that. Here are some links that will help educate the simple minded folk like yourself, as to what this relationship is really about.

I did not present a one sided story. I presented a humorous bit of tabloid journalism that made more people laugh than your own "shit slinging" retort. The message behind it: quit trying to work your remedial writing skills into free merchandise you couldn't otherwise afford, and resorting to attacking that vendor's reputation and worth when the answer you get is NO. THAT my dear, is a one sided article. It put's designers in the position of "give me free stuff and I will write a rave review, say no and I will write a poor one."

Shame on you.

BLIND ITEM CONTEST: Blogger Booted

2008-08-13T00:25:00.001-07:00

Okay: it's been a while... I know it! But I've missed you all! Well it looks like I'm back and for those of you who missed me too, I've got a humdinger of a story... and a bit of a contest. Details at the bottom of the post:

Okay so get this: what well known German fashion blogger/event coordinator was recently 86'd from Tres Jolie? And why? Well it seems this blogger, irritated at being denied free couture in exchange for giving rave reviews, scathed about the quality and value of the merchandise in her posting. Records indicate that said blogger has never once purchased an item from the store, so how she can vouch for quality in either direction, or ponder the justifiability of the prices against the quality without ever having worn an item or seen it outside of a picture is beyond me. The stores designer and owner, Iota Ultsch spotted this blogger in her store, and couldn't resist a bit of confrontation. After pointing out the hypocrisy of the blogger, who reportedly "don't buy a dress for 800 or 1000 linden to post it on my blog" yet who claims to own 4 sims and can easily afford to... Iota then quipped "The point is, you insult me and my business and then stand in my shop like a hypocrite....and you think I don't care? I should ban your ass... in fact I will..."

And that she did, as the blogger stammered "B-b-but I'm doing a fashion expo!", voice trailing as her av soared. Iota was able to catch this image:

Totally giggle worthy.

Okay so here's the fun part: You gotta guess who it is! The first person to post the correct guess in the comments (and this means correct spelling, too, kiddies!) will win $1000L from Tres Jolie, along with a free Tres Jolie "Fashion Assassin" Parasol, and an additional $500L from GridlockedClique.com! That's $1500L and one of the season's hottest accessories, ladies! Get crackin!

More "Inspiration"?

2008-06-18T18:44:00.000-07:00

More hypocrisy from one who claims to not get her ideas from RL or SL designers:

Bianca F

Prada

Makes this ad of hers all the more amusing...

lol

More Lies From Bianca F.

2008-06-18T16:54:00.000-07:00

On Bianca's blog, under "Ethics & Journalism", Bianca said, among other things, this:

I have sent a response for the criticism I have received. They have not pubblished it and if they will, they will push "saint Digit". Instead they have cut and paste only the parts which interest them. This is not ethical.

/me sighs, rolls her eyes, and chuckles before saying:

Excuse you, but in the very first post I made about this, I put TWO of your responses IN FULL. I also posted the pics you gave about the outfits in question AND the initial pics I received from my source. I didn't HAVE to do either, but I CHOSE to to be FAIR. So quit trying to make this seem like something it isn't. God you just have a new lie every day, don't you? Ugh. Poor Poor Bianca, everyone is picking on you for NO reason!

How about at least ADMIT that to some capacity you were "inspired" by at least SOME of Digit's work. IT IS SO OBVIOUS. Otherwise, shut up already attacking the individuals who blog about this. You know good and well you were given opportunities to say your piece. Your "responses" have been posted all over the web. Quit calling out unfair treatment. We are just posting the news and gossip. You are "creating" it.

Why Panic?

2008-06-17T15:03:00.000-07:00

Let me catch you all up. Since I posted the article about this scandal involving Bianca F. and Digit Darkes, the blogosphere has began a ripple effect, with posts popping up about this all over the net. Over at Shopping Cart Disco, Tenshi Vielle talked about it, and I have been checking the comments on her page as well as others to see what people are saying and see what Bianca is saying, more specifically, in her pathetic attempts at self-defense.

Tenshi had said "You know, I’d like to see some of Bianca’s RL designs sometime. Can someone procure those?"

Well it just so happens that in our 3 hours long interview, Bianca volunteered to send me an image of a RL dress design she CLAIMS is hers. I do not know WHY she offered this image to me. But she did. I left a comment letting Tenshi know I have it and would love to share it.

Within MINUTES I received an IM from Bianca in a raw state of panic, practically pleading with me to not blog this image. She threatened that it was a violation of the TOS. I'm not sure what all the panic is about BUT, the TOS clearly states:

"Linden Lab has designed the Service to be experienced only as offered by Linden Lab at the Websites or partner websites. Linden Lab is not responsible for any aspect of the Service that is accessed or experienced using software or other means that are not provided by Linden Lab."

That being said, here it is:

I wonder if she is so afraid of this pic being blogged because this is just a random pic she took off the internet, slapped her name on it crudely, and is trying to pass off as her own design (sound familiar?) to somehow legitimize herself as an SL designer. Which is truly ignorant because the skills involved in RL design are totally different when it comes to construction than the skills required to do so in SL. Either way, NOW I'm posting it just because she doesn't want me to. The panic is there for a reason. Let's see what it is.

Bianca, after all you have said to me, all the lies, all the threats: now it's personal.

Kiss my ass.

Nothing But The Facts

2008-06-17T14:20:00.000-07:00

IP addresses can tell you the location an email is being sent from. This is EASY to find out. You look in the header of an email, you see the IP address, copy it and paste it into a site like this, this, or this...

I confirmed the accuracy of these sources by testing it out with my own IP address. It accurately displayed my internet service provider, however it showed a few towns away as where it was coming from. Research revealed that it showed the main location of my local ISP.

So... if you say you are in Texas for example, and are in Antonio, it might show up as Austin. BUT. If you say you are in Germany, it will not show up as somewhere in the US. Unless you are in the US.

This is common knowledge. Just wanted you to know I know.

BLING for a GOOD CAUSE!

2008-06-16T16:35:00.000-07:00

I have just received the following Press Release:

Alienbear Gupte, one of the most famous and prolific designer of the finest jewelry in Second Life, has created a pair of limited edition one-of-a-kind crowns for prom king and prom queen to be auctioned off at 4 PM SL time (GMT-7) on Sunday June 22 to complete the DiS Relay for Life “RFL” prom event to benefit the American Cancer Society.

The pair of crowns are extremely detailed with baked shadows and glistening jewels, totaling over 700 prims, each prim painstakingly hand placed by the master jewelry maker Alienbear Gupte herself over the span of a week. They are to be worn on multiple attachment spots. The pair of crowns reflect the DiS RFL Prom theme of “Celestial Life,” and also that of Relay for Life. In Alienbear’s own words, “I get the inspirations from the UK Royal crowns… ‘Cross’ represent the ‘Jesus' love’. A Cross in between the flying heart just imply ‘the love of all people around the world join together to share their love to the Cancer patient & their family.’”

Designer CaSimone Aquitaine, the master builder of this immersive high school comments on the crowns, “Alienbear dedicated so much time and effort to truely make these crowns into strikingly beautiful works of arts.” Fashion Consultant and Designer Ina Centaur, also the Artistic Director of the SL Shakespeare Company, asserts that, “These are truly the most detailed crowns I have seen on Second Life.”

The DiS RFL Prom event was held 5/14 and 5/15 evenings in a totally immersive 4-island virtual simulation of a real life high school event. The high school portion of the build included a “working” high school—uncanny levels of details with dozens of classrooms each containing different academic subject posters and chalkboards, library, car shop, offices, locker rooms, and working shower and lav, and everything else. The prom was held in a giant gym spanning two island simulators, and decorated by over one hundred and eighty designers in the Designers in Seclusion “DiS” group. DiS raised close to L$200,000 this weekend, bringing the team total to nearly L$1,000,000.

The bidding begins at 4 PM on Sunday June 22. All who arrive will receive a small gift from Alienbear whether or not they are the prom king and queen to take away the crowns.

To preview the crowns, please TP to:
Alienbear One Of A Kind Crowns

Bianca F "Defends" Her Logo

2008-06-16T14:44:00.000-07:00

This image was sent to her group:

Whether from Balenciaga's vintage logo or current logo, it is obvious she copied it. The vintage one. Fine. What point are you proving? That you went into Photoshop and turned one B into an F?

Here are the two logo's we ALL have seen Bianca use:

and

Looks pretty obvious to me...

BREAKING NEWS! Digit Darkes VS. Bianca Foulan: Blatant Thievery & Lies

2008-06-15T14:52:00.000-07:00

Saturday, a source sent me the following images, which urged me to start doing some research about what would prove to be a very complicated and many layered scandal in the world of Second Life fashion, involving two very popular and prominent designers.

I immediately began digging. I spent literally hours hearing out both sides, viewing all kinds of evidence (that will all be posted here, as promised to all parties), and am trying my hardest to get to the bottom of all of this. I have made GREAT PAINS to be fair and accurate through my research regarding this. Accusations like this can do a great deal of damage to someone's business, and I would never want to jeopardize anyone's success or progress. However, the facts will speak for themselves.

I am going to start from the beginning, and move this forward. Digit Darkes first opened her doors in June of 2006. She met Bianca through an IM Bianca sent to her in the beginning of October 2007, letting Digit know that she had written about Digit's clothes in her magazine and what a fan she was of her work.

They realized they had a lot of things in common so they began to chat. This evolved into the two deciding to go in on a Sim, Addictive, together. Bianca covering about 1/3 of the cost of the Sim and responsible for 1/3 of the tier.

Bianca has left the Addictive Sim just this week, and has moved to a new location on the Velvet Sim. Both parties claim they thought they left the transaction on good terms. Digit was even so kind as to allow Bianca to leave a teleporter to her new location on the Sim.

At this point, I decided it would be only fair to go to Bianca and let her know that I would be doing a story involving her and out of fairness and journalistic ethics, I wanted to give her the chance to state her side. She told me she thinks she already knows what this is about, and asked if it was "the story that she is copying someone". I confirmed that it was.

(**NOTE: It is against the SL TOS to copy and paste directly, IM conversations. However it is within the TOS for me to quote things said to me in the fashion I am using here. If there is ANY question as to the 100% accuracy of my quotes, I am happy to send copies of my chat logs to ANYONE, which IS allowed by the TOS. So feel free to ask. If it were up to me I would post the chats directly, but I sadly can not.**)

I showed her the images that were sent to me, which you already saw above. She in turn, sent me the following images in her defense:

A comment from me: if neither designer copied Gaultier directly, that would mean that these are both "original interpretations" of his design. What are the odds they would both "interpret" his design in the exact same way? Though the texture is different, the cutouts are EXACTLY THE SAME.

Bianca gave me the following statement to include in my post, directing what she said to the one who gave me the images that started all this:

To Whom it May Concern:

You are accusing me of an injustice and hurting my name and my brand regarding dress designs I created long ago and are no longer selling. I would like to take this opportunity to tell you the TRUTH, as I believe you to be misinformed.

I would also like to say that I find this very odd that these accusations are surfacing at a time when I no longer have a store on the Addictive sim and have just recently built my on sim. Furthermore, Didit Darkes and I have been friends for some time and created Addictive together and even produced a fashion show together in November 2007, punkromantik .

YOUR SAD PICS
(see above)

Digit Darkes did not invent the latex dress or crossbondage top (Gaultier did for first) and there are many, many designers that have reinterpreted this concept, both in rl fashion and on the Internet. There is never a way to control how fashion uses different images and concepts and there is simply no way that these conceps originated with Digit Darkes.

From my own personal observations, it would appear that photoshop software was used to retouch my owns designs and to make a copy very similar but not an exact replica.

I would be glad to provide you with any information you would like to reaffirm my original creations and the timing of these to clear my name and my brand. I am a rl fashion designer for more than 20 years and live in the one of the world's major fashion capitals, I need not to copy anyone.

Best,
bianca foulon

Thus began my questioning. Bianca said that she felt this was all a made up farce meant to attack her because she has moved on to her own Sim. She went on to tell me she "upload those file we talk about in october 2007". She later went on to tell me and even show me evidence of that it was actually in July of that year. Not October. That was the first inconsistency, but could have been an innocent mistake, and so I gave the benefit of the doubt and we moved on. Bianca said that the images that were sent to me, the first ones posted in the article, were tampered with in Photoshop and made to look more identical to Digit's design than they really do. I asked her to let me have a copy to try on for myself so I could see in person, and offered to return them to her if she wanted, as this is not me trying to get free clothes, but discover the unbiased truth for myself.

Bianca did give me a copy of the blue latex outfit featured in the images you have seen. I put them on to check it out for myself. Here are my images. Other than adding text they have not been altered and I can show the original copies without the text to anyone who would like a copy.

No matter which angle I looked from, the highlight marks do line up to be almost exact to the texture of Digit's dress. Of course the "almost" might be due to the way this texture appears to be made. From an image taken of the original texture. Though the highlight marks are in identical places, they appear more blurry and stretched on Bianca's version.

If this texture was made from scratch by Bianca, why would she release it with such awful seam lines? They don't even line up and the back and front are not aligned properly either. This is either the result of a photographed texture or shoddy craftsmanship. Either way, if I bought this outfit and it was made like this, I would be livid.

I asked Bianca if she had any copies of her files to show the progression of trial and error making the items in both sets of pictures. She said she did but as of this date, she has not sent them to me.

Bianca emphasized to me repeatedly, in our talk which lasted well over three hours, that she had taken the pictured items out of her stores and hasn't had them available for sale since December. She wondered to me why they would be just now discovered when they haven't been in world since December, and pointed out the coincidence that the timing of this revelation was parallel to her leaving the Addictive Sim and moving to another one.

This point had me very confused also. If the designs haven't been available since December, but this was just being brought up now, 6 months later... then that did raise some valid questions.

Digit and I were finally able to sit down to talk about her side of all of this much later on in the day. I let her know that Bianca claims the designs haven't even been in world since December, so why and how is this just coming up now. It was at this point I was given the following screen shot of a transaction history from the night of when this all came about. An alt was sent to Bianca's store and purchased the cut out looking top just last night. Here is the screen shot of that transaction:

I then went right then to the location where the top was purchased just the night before. Since the purchase had been made, the entire layout of the store had been changed, and the top was suddenly no longer there. Considering that Bianca already knew about this issue when I first contacted her, and that the top that was under debate was purchased, not in December as she claimed, but just the night before... and was suddenly missing from the location the next morning... well it doesn't look good at all. In fact it was an outright lie. She knew about this issue, and intentionally removed the items in question as soon as this was exposed. And then lied to me and told me they had not been in her stores since December knowing full well she had removed it only THE SAME MORNING we spoke!

I IM'd Bianca to ask her one more time when it was that she removed the items in question from her stores. She again said in December. I then said, then how can you explain that I have in front of my a copy of a transaction that took place just the night before? And that now, suddenly the very next day after this has come out, said items are gone. I reminded her that December was long before last night. She claims she "forgot" that just THE SAME MORNING she had removed the top she had repeatedly told me hadn't been available for sale since December. She... forgot? You are being accused of stealing, in regard to this specific item you JUST removed, but you "forgot" to mention it when you said December over and over for hours? Is that the best you can do? Do I look like I was rezzed yesterday? I think not.

Bianca sent out a statement to her group regarding this issue. Here is the memo in full:

To Velvet Group and Bianca F. Group....

I feel it is very important to make you aware of a situation that has come about in SL. And tell you the TRUTH before you read in any newspapers or blogs.

As you may well know, I was partners with Digit Darkes on the Addictive sim for many months. We both had stores on the sim, produced fashion shows together and generally shared a deep love of fashion design. I even helped her by sharing some of my textures like glitter and she did the same with me.

Now that I have built Velvet sim and have new store, there are rumours and accusations that I copied many of Digit Darkes designs. The truth is a flat out, NO, I did not.

As many of you know, in RL, I live in one of the major fashion capitals of the world and have been a successful RL designer for more than 20 years. I have designed for many of the best fashion brands of Italy. When I came to SL, I began to use the same passion to create designs for the women of SL.

Now it would appear that several dresses, I designed and no longer sell are being said to have been copies of Digit Designs. These particular dresses were concept dresses influenced by some ot Italy's top designers but were original creations, no copies from anyone in RL or SL.

Furthernore, it is suspect to me why these rumours and accusations are coming to light at this time...I am no longer involved with Digit Darkes in any business venture and have closed my store on Addicitive. Velvet is my future here in SL and when left Addicitive, I thought it was on friendly terms with Digit.

So, I wanted you my friends and customers to know before the rest of SL knows that yet another fashion drama is headed my way but you now know the truth. I hope you will help to dispell any further rumours or accusations.

Fondly,
bianca foulon

The first thing I noticed was... in the statement she gave to me to post in this article (see above) she says, and I quote: "Digit Darkes did not invent the latex dress or crossbondage top (Gaultier did for first) and there are many, many designers that have reinterpreted this concept, both in rl fashion and on the Internet." She was speaking of the cutout top, and says both in this Memo and in her IMs with me, that her top was inspired by Gaultier. She even uses one of his images above side by side with her own. However in the notice she sent to the group, she says, and I quote: "were original creations, no copies from anyone in RL or SL.".

If all there was to this were just these items, it would be bad enough. But let's take a closer look at some of the items in Bianca's collections, and compare them to some of Digit's designs.

Digit gave Bianca her version of these gloves for use in a fashion show. They were as yet unreleased. Coincidentally (ha, right?) Bianca came out with the above pictured gloves not too long after.

In this image above, you see a main image, and 2 inset images. The main image is of Digit's tulle skirt, one of my favorite pieces from her. The 2 smaller inset images are of Bianca's outfit. Strikingly "similar" aren't they? In the image below, you can see the Digit top that Bianca was "inspired by". Like Digit, she paired the latex and tulle. Digit has had this outfit for AGES.

In regard to the cutout top, Digit was immediately able to provide me with the following images as proof she did create the shirt on her own:

It seems even Bianca's logo is a rip off of Balenciaga's:

There are just too many similarities to shrug off. I will be updating you all with further information if and when it becomes available. In the meanwhile, my advice to you dear readers, would be: the best way to show your support for original creativity would be to shop with the designer you feel is the innovator, and boycott the copy cat. Who is who? Decide for yourselves.

VIP Interview: Arthur Fermi & Kai Eldrich Of The Fermi Sandbox

2008-06-14T01:43:00.000-07:00

Chloe: When did you start on SL and how did you stumble upon it?
Arthur: I ran across SL back in early 2006 in Wired, they were talking about virtual weather which seemed very interesting to see, and the description of the world I thought I would go check it out. Then, on the June 15th, 2006 I rezed.
Kai: My brother in law and sister had been playing SL for about a year and had told me a lot about it. I’d wanted to play but didn’t have a computer that would run the graphics till March of 06 when I promptly got an account and have not left since.

Chloe: Tell us what you do here in SL...
Arthur: I own, with my business partner, Kai Eldrich, Fermi Sandbox and University. We have about 160 shops around the sandbox and about 40,000m of bulding area, plus a large class area for the university. In addition to that I build and script, hang out, and help those who ask. This also means I spend a lot of time fighting griefers.
Kai: With the Sandbox and the University I find myself playing catch up a lot it seems. There’s always things to take care of random rule breakers that need to be reminded to behave, disputes, renters that need a group tag or advice, griefers, people that just need someone to listen, events to coordinate and plan, the never ending dialogue of how can we do things better, grow more, and implementing those ideas. I do love to shop, decorate and dance whenever I get the chance to as well.

Chloe: How did you get started with that?
Arthur: When I came to SL, I traveled, and built, and go tired of the sandboxes, so I bought some land so I could build, and knew I wouldn't use it all the time, so I made it Fermi Sandbox, 1536m, and it grew from there.
Kai: I blame Art for this! Lol. I was buying land, fixing it up a bit and reselling it to make my $L when we met. He told me of his plan to make a small sandbox, which I helped him find and acquire. Having been to many sandboxes myself I knew there was a need for a private monitored sandbox. It wasn’t long before it just made sense to combine our separate ventures into one and become full business partners.
Both: An Excerpt from Fermi Sandbox, a history, and why we run a sandbox
The beginning Huk and Beadal

As my record keeping skills in SL are on par with my RL record keeping skills, I don’t know when exactly I started Fermi Sandbox, but it was late July early August of 2006, in Huk, 1536m, it was huge to someone who hadn’t owned more than 512m. The idea was it was a place to build small things, jewelry, furniture, script, etc. This sim itself was and is typical mainland, house, stores, casinos, and one of the banks that started up.

In October, Kai became more involved in the Sandbox, it was no longer an I but a we in things that were done. We moved on October 3rd to Baedal, the sandbox was now 2560m. This was the first parts of the current sandbox layout, traffic was pretty good, and people wanted to sell things, so you could rent a 10m x 10m x .5m spot for not too much, only 10 prim. We had a free weapons area (bad bad idea!) and pose stand area. We need to sell the land quick, and I think it was purchased by one well known Sarah Nerd … funny how paths cross :)

Chloe: What advice can you give to our readers who are also interested in becoming successful in your field? Were there mistakes you made that they can avoid? Something or things you did *right* that catapulted your success?
Arthur: Don't ever run a sandbox, unless you are committed, and by that I mean the padded room type of committed. By and large we are successful because we didn't listen, and we didn't not have a goal of riches in mind. We started with my Sandbox, Kai's Mall, and a Joint Club, all which slowly came together in one unit. The club is gone, so much work, and outside the reward of naked fun after 9pm, there is a burn out factor in it. Now we have the shops, which support about 50% of the tier for the sandbox, donations comprise most of the rest, and some comes from us RL out of pocket. The key of course is the commitment and dedication, running a business in SL is just like RL really, time, money, commitment, risk, adventure, and a good part of luck.
Kai: Just because something looks easy or profitable doesn’t always mean it is. When going into business in SL or RL you really need to weigh all the costs that it will require. I’m not just talking about the bottom line of expenses vs income. How much time and effort, frustration, headaches and heartaches is it going to cost you? Is it worth it? What do you consider success? One huge warning I’d like to give people is about “buying land.” If you’re not paying tier directly to the Lindens you don’t really own your land, you are renting it. There is no binding contract when you “buy” from a private sim owner that can change their terms at anytime and you have no real recourse. So buyer beware!

Chloe: Approximately how much $L did it cost for you to start your business, and how long did it take for you to turn a profit?
Arthur: about 5,000L for the first sandbox of 1,536m, we have not turned a profit, we maybe never will, we just hope to cover tier. We don't do it for the money, we are, in essence doing it for the good of SL kind, we love it here, and we enjoy it.
Kai: I started off with about $20,000L that I used to buy and sell land quite successfully for the first year (back when land prices were reasonable). The profits I made from that helped to shape the sandbox we have today. As Art said now days I’m just happy if I don’t have to pay so much out of my pocket tp cover tier.

Chloe: Tell us your favorite...
* clothing designer/shop:
* hangout spot:
* place for skins:
* toy or gadget:
* coolest/prettiest sim:
* place for hair:
* AO:
* any other favorites you want to tell us about:

Chloe: Does your Avi look like the RL you? How is it the same? How is it different?
Arthur: I look like a skinny tall version of me. But the eyes, hair, and look is kinda like me. As for the clothing, I dress so much better here.
Kai: I worked very hard to give my avi a very realistic look, but I can’t say I really look that good in RL. That’s the beauty of SL we don’t have to look like our real selves here, even though I do find my avi does resemble the real me. Like Art, I dress a lot better and sexier in SL.

Chloe: How do you feel about romantic relationships in SL? Have you had any of significance? Crossed over to RL at all? Horror stories?
Arthur: I have partnered twice in SL, and am still the best of friends. First was with Kai Eldrich, my business partner, she found another in SL, and it was difficult, however, they are together in RL, which makes me very happy. Kai is a spectacular person, and with out here, none of this would exist, it is because of her, that I am who I am. The other is Cirasolei London, she is so totally cool, we are best friends RL and SL, and talk regularly :) As of now I'm single, but seeing a few people who are all exceptional.
Kai: I’d had “internet relationships” before and had them cross over into RL and found it just never worked out. Till I met Michael, my SL husband and my RL bf and my whole life changed forever. We are lucky and blessed to have found a real, lasting love of a lifetime in SL.

Chloe: Biggest jerk, liar, or psycho you have encountered so far? Do tell!
Arthur: Barber Shepherd, small dicked, spineless, worthless mother fucker, who has no honor, integrity or purpose on this earth, he is simply using oxygen that could be used by pond scum to reproduce. Ahh the story of this gene puddle escapee. He was the partner of a good friend, and he purchased a sim. We moved there, we bought 1/2 the sim for 310,000L, and paid $160.00USD per month in tier. About the time we got out new sim we were in negotiations to buy the rest of the sim we were on, well we couldn’t pass up a free sim, so we moved with the agreement that we could sell our land. Well he sold the estate and he told the new owner we had no rights, so we were out about 120,000L(with the way sim pricing lowered right as we were going to sell). If you ever come across Barber Shepherd, know that he is a womanizing, piece of crap. His idea of a good night is beating submissives and enjoying the deep loving only your own hand can give you, though I'm sure its small strokes.
Kai: I personally took a big loss financially in RL when we were not able to sell the land we’d bought from Barber Shepherd with the agreement that we’d be able to sell when we were ready to expand. (Actually the saved logs of our agreement were that he would buy the land back from us at cost because we were helping him out by paying his tier on land that had sat empty for too long.) Aside from that there’s always some risk when interacting with people, an emotional one when you become friends and the relationship ends badly like this one did.

Chloe: Do you have a residence here in SL? Do you rent or own?
Arthur: Do I have a residence, yes, and no, kinda and not really. Fermi Sandbox is my home, when I leave SL I go home to the sandbox. I do not have a house, or a building, the sandbox is all of that. I think one of the reasons we make so much of an effort on the sandbox is because it is my house, people build in my house, and when people grief, they do it in my house, and I don't take kindly to that.
Kai: Currently I am “homeless” since we moved to our new sim I’ve not had time to figure out what I’d like for my private space, but I usually keep a private residence somewhere in SL.
Both: We own Fermi estate/sim, as in we pay the bills and are its keeper. However it was donated, the estate and the sim by Steffen Menjou, and that being said another thank you needs to be said, a shout out. Should you meet Steffen, know that he gave Fermi Sandbox more than it could have dreamed of, and would have never asked for.

Chloe: Mind telling us what sim it's on? Fermi

Chloe: Where did you get your house? Is it a prefab or did you have it built? If so by who? Mind sharing a pic?
Arthur: Come See the Sandbox :)
Kai: I’ve had several houses here in SL. Some of them I built, some Art built and I even bought a few.

Chloe: Tell us your 3 favorite movies:
Arthur:
* Shawshank Redeption
* Lord of The Rings (All three being "a" movie)
* Truman Show
Kai:
*Pleasantville
*Out of Africa
*The Stand

Chloe: Favorite 3 songs on your playlist right now?
Art:
* Sookie Sookie – Grant Green
* Brand New Caddilac – The Clash
* Mercy – Duffy
In Love With A Girl - Gavin DeGraw
Kai:
• Superman by Lazlo Bane (Scrubs theme song)
• Across the Universe cover by Fiona Apple
• Symphony of Destruction by Megadeath and NIN

Chloe: We have all heard of drunk dialing... ever been drunk SL-ing?
Arthur: not yet
Kai: probably (I usually head to Bad Girls, lol)

Chloe: Funniest thing you've seen so far:
Kai: Between the club and the sandbox I’ve seen a lot of hilarious stuff.

Chloe: Lamest pick-up line that's been tossed your way:
Arthur: your hot, want to fuck me
Kai: “You look pretty. I like your hair. Here's a drink. Are you ready now?” oh wait that’s from WOW…

Chloe: To "Mute" or not to "Mute"? What makes you cut someone off like that?
Arthur: Well usually when someone needs to be muted they are fun to mess with. I usually mute them when I get bored taunting.
Kai: When someone is being overly irrational, just being confrontational without a point or anything to really say.

Chloe: Got anything coming up you want to plug? Any friends whose ventures you want to tell us about? If you have a blog, tel us the URL here!
Arthur: www.fermidesigns.com still a work in progress, new home to my blog, and the gateway to all things Fermi. Come out to the sandbox, you will probably find Kai or myself there.
Kai: The moves to the new Fermi sim and my RL one really put a damper on a few projects I was working on. But I am happy to announce the first edition of the Fermi Magazine will be available soon. This magazine will highlight what we have available at the sandbox , as well as some of the people and retailers. We are also including some building tips and editorial commentary on the sandbox and university and all that goes along with it. It will be available for free at the sandbox and at other locations yet to be determined, as well.

Chloe: Go ahead and get the last word! Tell us anything you think we should know that I haven't asked... say anything you want, at all here!
Arthur: Enjoy your SL, don’t take things to seriously. Last come out to Fermi Sandbox, Kai, myself, or any of our sandbox managers and say hi, we are a very friendly place.
Kai: It’s your second life if you’re not having fun and enjoying yourself you’re doing it wrong!

FYI

2008-06-04T18:19:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Please be patient with my lack of posts! I just did a RL move and am busy unpacking and getting situated... but I will be back to the grind within the next couple of days! There are so many things to share once I have the time! Including... shhh... a PICTURE CONTEST!

As you all should have gotten the message I sent, the Sim the VIP suite was on has been sold! This means I will be relocating... AGAIN! Ugh.. So stay tuned for updates on that as well!

If you simply MUST have a dose of some great SL blogging of news, gossip, and drama... then check out http://www.slinworldtoday.com to quench you in my absence!

Forever Love,
Chloe

Finally! It's TREASURE HUNT Time!

2008-05-29T23:10:00.000-07:00

This weekend ONLY! Click the pic to TP right there!

Free Gestures With Attitude :P

2008-05-25T23:27:00.000-07:00

A good friend, Long Pausch, has generously allowed me to give you these 3 awesome gestures he made for FREE as a gift! YAY LONG!~

They are so cool! And they definitely have attitude! One says "shhhhhhhhut the fuck up" in a low whisper, and the other two throw hands up in the air, while one says "What? You wanna go bitch?" and the other says "Lets go mawfucker!"!

It's enough to send you into a fit of giggles... and this is free to group members only so if you are in the Clique, they've already been delivered to you!

If not... better get in where you fit in!

Now say "Thank you Loooong!"... hehe!

Sneak Preview of New Limited Edition VEGAS Line By Tres Jolie

2008-05-25T21:28:00.000-07:00

I have been lucky enough to be given an exclusive sneak preview of the new Limited Edition line Tres Jolie is working on! What does "Limited Edition" mean? There will be only 50 dresses per color in all of SL! So the likelihood of showing up to a party in the same dress as someone else, has just diminished tenfold... and we *love* that!

Iota Ultsch, famed designer of couture, furnishings, and sims showed me a dress from the upcoming Vegas line. This dress is stunning in a range of fun and fabulous colors! The dress will come in both a short and mid-calf length, with a bow tie and a bitch stick! Expect to see an in depth feature on Iota coming soon!

Here is me wearing Une Femme de Fer by Tres Jolie, posing next to the Timber Sphere chair I just had to have for my new house!

Click the pic to TP to her in world store!

Bitch Beach Party!!!

2008-05-22T23:26:00.000-07:00

Part of what's so hot about being in the Clique are the exclusive event invites shared with GROUP MEMBERS ONLY! The last one? The Bitch Beach Party, thrown by Jegor Umarov of Chicks and Bitches, the in world group (look them up!) for bratty fashionista's and fussy metro's, hehe. Here's the group info:

Hey bitches & friends! Do you take at least 5 snapshots of yourself daily? Do u have over 15'000 items in your inventory and still bitch u have nothing to wear? Are gossips your daily food? And of course: Do u like to party? Then THIS is your group! Ask Fina, Stella or Jegor for a group invitation to share cool stores, places and parties!

¸.•*That's HOT, bitch!`*•.¸

I am a member, and they are of course, in the Clique! So we were invited! Notices were sent out to all of you! The party was off the hook! DJ Serdan Mendes was on the turntables the entire time, and I actually kept my music ON! hehehe That says a lot.

If you missed it, you missed out. Here's some pics Jegor took:

And of course my cocky ass had to take some of my "so you think you can dance" moves, hehe:

Yes those are blow dryer's on my belt! Go ahead, ask for a blow job and see what happens!

**Chloe Cantrell giggles wildly**

But if a picture is worth a thousand words, a video is worth a million. Here's just a bit of me and Janise taking up residence in front of the DJ booth!

Wanna make sure you don't miss out on the next event? Better get in where you fit in and Join the Clique!

Fashion Weeks Freebies

2008-05-17T18:32:00.000-07:00

Yet another reason to stop by German Fashion Weeks: the awesome freebies they are giving out! And I don't mean one or two "just kinda so so" freebies... there is some REALLY great stuff and I counted up to 36 unopened packages and folders before I said to myself "Damn, nevermind!", lol. There has to be at least 100 pieces here! For both women AND men! Clothes, shoes, eyes, gestures, skins, shapes... there is sooo much! Almost every store has a freebie, and the ones that don't usually have something on sale for $1L, which is still pretty much free. Seriously. I bought other things too, and found it really fun to discover some new designers (which I plan to share with you as soon as I can!). But for those of you bargain shoppers, this is a FIELD DAY for you! I took pics of what each freebie box looks like. I didn't take pics of the ones that are for $1L though. You can find those on your own, tee hee. If this is what is out there now, I can't wait to see what they are going to have for the "treasure hunt". On your mark... get set... GO! (( click here for a lift there! ))

*giggles*

I haven't opened them all yet, but my favorite one so far?

By, of course... Mimikri.

Hope these pics help you on your search!

German Fashion & Style Weeks: May 17, 2008 - June 14, 2008

2008-05-17T13:08:00.000-07:00

Today kicks off the start of German Fashion & Style Weeks! I just had to stop by and see what it's all about! Designers across SL have made some special outfits just for this event, and there are shops set up all around, and a runway for the upcoming shows!

A special "treasure hunt" will be taking place on May 31st, so make sure you mark that on your calendars as I'm sure there will be some great stuff!

There is also a photo contest going on where you can win up to $10,000L! Here is info from the notecard:

Do you have style? German style? Visit the German SL Fashion and Style Weeks.
Take a pic and win 10.000 Linden in Cash. Let your imagination fly...
You don't have to take the photo on the Vanity Universe SIM, but the theme has to be the "Me and the German SL Style Week"

Prizes
=====
1. price: 10000 L$
2 price: 5000 L$
3 .price: 2500 L$

...and some gift certificates sponsored by designer from the German Fashion Weeks!

Submissions: May 17- June 05
Public Viewing (the best 30 Pics) : June 7 – June 14
Judging: June 14

HOW TO REGISTER AND SUBMIT PHOTOS
Please put your photo on a notecard ( with full perms and please name it your Avatar Name !!! ). Drop it into the Box on the German Fashion Week on Vanity Universe. You can find the box in front of the lobby area.

Ladies this is a BIG deal! I mean, think of all the gear you can get with $10,000L! As always, click the pics for a TP and MAKE ME PROUD! If you enter the contest let me know, and send me a copy of the pic, I'll post it in my Vanity section!

Brooklyn Is Watching

2008-05-17T12:29:00.000-07:00

"Brooklyn is Watching is a hybrid RL / SL art project. When you are here you can be viewed by visitors to the internationally known Brooklyn, NY art gallery "Jack the Pelican Presents". "

What an awesome concept! I had to go check it out... a few seconds after walking in, the "camera" came up to me, and I started up my Chimera and did a little dance for the gallery goers in Brooklyn to see, hehe.

The installations are pretty cool too! Definitely worth stopping by! You know the drill by now, to TP: click the pic!

This Weeks Music Stream...

2008-05-17T09:57:00.000-07:00

Better late than never! Here goes this weeks tunes:

http://n90.mediamaster.com:8000/plist/3000157204/chloe.cantrell

In no special order:

Playgirl / Ladytron
I Wonder If I Take You Home / Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam
Je Veux Te Voir / Yelle
I Would Die For You / Prince
Bilingual (Dirty Mix) / Jose Nunez
Stop & Stare / One Republic
Sweetness / Jimmy Eat World
Non-Verbal Language / Frank Richards
Ride A White Horse / Goldfrapp
Universal Pussy / Chicks On Speed
Standing In The Way Of Control / The Gossip
Piece of Me / Britney Spears
What You Got / Colby O'Donis
Needy Girl / Chromeo
Music Sounds Better With You / Stardust

Feel free to copy and paste this weeks music stream to your land! No land, but you wanna hear it? Go directly to the URL and listen to it via your browser!

Foxy's Smoke Shop

2008-05-16T14:55:00.000-07:00

So my new favorite toy is this awesome cigarette from Foxy's Smoke Shop. They have cigars, cigarettes, cigarettes in holders, like the one I got, bongs, joints, pipes, incense... and so very much more. What makes the items really special is the features you can add. You can purchase a smoke HUD that will help you personalize things like the intensity of smoke and how often you take a drag. When you buy your cigarette you can choose the "switch" kind, which is what I got. You attach one to your mouth and one to your hand, and then it switches on its own to make it look like you are really smoking. Your mouth will shape to an exhale and inhale as well. Additionally you can add the French rings option which will let you blow rings of many shapes: I of course, chose the heart shaped rings.

There is no easy way to describe how cool and realistic the effects are on this wonderful item, so I took a little movie to show you. I hope you enjoy!

Dreamgate Rentals

2008-05-16T02:46:00.001-07:00

This beautiful grassy sim offers rentals of quaint and cozy cottages and clean modern skyboxes. The sim is only a month old, and owners Tricia Chestnut and her partner Makkiavelli Toland put it all together in only 2 weeks time! The hard work has paid off though, as the sim is lushly landscaped and beautifully terraformed.

Rentals for cottages range in price from $500L/week with 190 prims to $750/week with 250 prims. Skyboxes are $500/week with 200 prims. All houses come already furnished, but you can also return the furnishings to use your own. The weekly rental is only one week, so you won't have to pay a ton of money up front for a full month.

The pictures speak for themselves! Definitely check out Dreamgate Rentals. You can visit their rental center by clicking either of the images above.

VIP Interview: Natalie Niven of SLInWorldToday.com

2008-05-15T22:12:00.000-07:00

Chloe: When did you start on SL and how did you stumble upon it?
Natalie: I rezzed into sl dec 14th 2006 because I read about anshe chung in the rl paper. I thought I could definatly make a million dollars...yeah right lol I havent yet ,But I am having fun still lol

Chloe: Tell us what you do here in SL...
Natalie: I am the purveyor of LOLs ,I like to write funny stories and I own the fun newspaper slinworldtoday.com. I am also a high maintenance heatbreaker and breaker of the unbreakable

Chloe: How did you get started with that?
Natalie: It was Jan 07 and I started writing my column "what natalie did next..." at slnewspaper.com but I wanted to do things a bit different from all the other sl media so in july 07 I created slinworldtoday.com.

Chloe: What advice can you give to our readers who are also interested in becoming successful in your field? Were there mistakes you made that they can avoid? Something or things you did *right* that catapulted your success?
Natalie: I suppose it has a lot to do with what you mean by success.I have the noteriety in certain circles but sl is a big place and I have many friends still to meet. I am not a writer in rl and I wouldnt say I was really good with the commas and stuff but I got famous because of the way I wrote the stories and the way I told the story.Its good to know I make people lol. The media field is a very cut throat bitchy place the only advice I can give is to keep friends close and enamies closer, never give people bricks to throw at you, never throw anyone elses bricks for them, never hurt anyones rl, and never fuck with anyone on the way up cause you will meet them on the way back down. Oh and never believe your own hype this is sl and its fun.

Chloe: Approximately how much $L did it cost for you to start your business, and how long did it take for you to turn a profit?
Natalie: omg emmm wellll I am here for the laugh my sl doesnt make me money. In this new edition of slinworldtoday I will sell advertising.all monies I make will pay for inworld advertising and whatevers left will pay the contributers to the site. So if ya wanna be a millionaire dont make a newspaper lol.

Chloe: Tell us your favorite...

* clothing designer/shop:
Natalie: Digit Darkes, Armidi, Tesla miles, Artiller, Rock me amadeuas and storm schmooz
* hangout spot:
Natalie: Mens Dance and The Warehouse, anywhere I can have a laugh or anywhere my good friend Kromus is DJing
* place for skins:
Natalie: Adam and eve
* toy or gadget:
Natalie: omg I have so many devious mischievious toys
* coolest/prettiest sim:
Natalie: Mystique Isles and artilleri sim
* place for hair:
Natalie: Sirena
* AO: * any other favorites you want to tell us about:

Chloe: Does your Avi look like the RL you? How is it the same? How is it different? Natalie: Well I tried to make Nat much like me, but I am very tiny in rl and Nat towers above everyone and she has legs that go on forever. lol now ya mention it I am just looking at nat now and I have just checked out my jammies and I reckon she doesnt look like me at all lol .we have the same sense of humour though.

Chloe: How do you feel about romantic relationships in SL? Have you had any of significance? Crossed over to RL at all? Horror stories?
Natalie: lol omg,well I tend to keep sl and rl seperate I have dated a lot and been married in sl ONCE. Horror stories I am taking that as you meaning stalkers of which I have had a few..I embrace them I think its brill when I get one they arent long unstalking me. I am the unstalkable lol and far to devious for them.

Chloe: Biggest jerk, liar, or psycho you have encountered so far? Do tell!
Natalie: jeez where do I start ? I have met about a million of them but there is about 3 who stand out in my mind for being liars and jerks. Naming has never been my thing,they know who they are. Psychos, I meet on a daily basis, for some strange reason I have always attracted the crazies of the grid.

Chloe: Do you have a residence here in SL? Do you rent or own?
Natalie: I have 3 residences, an apartment a ground house and a photostudio and probably some I cant remember. I own them. I have no idea where the apartment is from it was a gift but the house is by the very fabulous Sergio Botha

Chloe: Mind telling us what sim it's on?
Natalie: Streibs and I cant spell the others lol

Chloe: Where did you get your house? Is it a prefab or did you have it built? If so by who? Mind sharing a pic?
Natalie: sure

Chloe: Tell us your 3 favorite movies:
Natalie:

Monsters Inc
dawn of the dead
28 days later

Chloe: Favorite 3 songs on your playlist right now?
Natalie:

closer to god -nin
up alnight matt- willis
gimmie shelter -rolling stones

it changes every day lol

Chloe: We have all heard of drunk dialing... ever been drunk SL-ing?
Natalie: are you kidding me its the best way to play, I love to log in the next day and see who has muted me or threatened to have me banned.I remember Kinda living in sl with this guy and I logged in to find all my stuff hanging from the palm trees outside my house. for some reason the stuff hadnt went in my inventory and it took me a while to work out it was my stuff. I know I really annoyed him and to this day he still wont tell me what I actually said for him to do it,but I know it must have been brill lol.

Chloe: Funniest thing you've seen so far:
Natalie: lol I have saw so many things in my sl that have totally cracked me up but the sl orgy rooms and "free sex" hotspots of sl make my day. I got a crowd of naked men one time to show me their mastubation animation lol. Also around halloween we left deformer packs on my ex sl husbands sim and there wasnt a day went by when I didnt see at least 15 people get hit with it. I used to tell them they looked fine on my screen....I suppose that was bad but I couldnt help it.

Chloe: Lamest pick-up line that's been tossed your way:
Natalie: " Come Fallow now with me please, I want to Fook you"

Chloe: To "Mute" or not to "Mute"? What makes you cut someone off like that?
Natalie: I dont mute anyone, I like to have the last word. I know a lot of people have muted me though.

Chloe: Got anything coming up you want to plug? Any friends whose ventures you want to tell us about? If you have a blog, tel us the URL here!
Natalie: yes the new edition of slinworldtoday.com is ready and everyone has started to bring their fun to the back office. We are also thinking of having a summer party but just cant decide to have it this summer or next lol.I am also gonna be doing the wurlitzer live voice talk show again so anyone who wants to come just drop me a line and come join the fun.

Chloe: Go ahead and get the last word! Tell us anything you think we should know that I haven't asked... say anything you want, at all here!
Natalie: I am a whole lotta fun lol

PANHANDLER

2008-05-15T20:35:00.000-07:00

* JASON LEWINTER *

Do NOT give this newbie money. Forewarned is fair-warned. Everything he says is a lie, to get L$ (from where he is from to his job in RL) and he will delete you immediately after! Numerous reports of this outside of Armidi!

Master(bater)'s

2008-05-15T14:39:00.000-07:00

Ask anyone who knows me, even a little, if I am a submissive girl... and they will laugh in your face. By nature, I'm not submissive, quite the opposite actually. But those who know me well, have a deeper understanding of my nature. Generally speaking, being submissive is seen as a weakness of character. I would have to disagree with that, however. To submit to someone who is deserving of that kind of control and influence, takes strength. For me, it is a challenge I face head on, because it is outside of my usual manner. So why do it? When you have a Master who really knows what it means to be one, he is taking responsibility for your growth. He wants you to evolve as a woman (or man) and be something better than you are. He sees your potential and wants to help you to fulfill it. It's almost a relief to have that pressure taken off my shoulders, the pressure of being solely responsible for every decision, every situation. I find comfort in the guidance and the able hands.

Now, SL offers an abundance of Masters. Drop by the House of V, or Bound and Determined, or any one of the many places in SL that cater to the BDSM world, at any time and you will find plenty of them. But... I assure you, just because a man calls himself a Master doesn't make him one. To so many it seems to be about mainly the sex. But let's be honest: sex in SL is what it is. Virtual. So there just has to be something more to it...

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE!

Rock Out With A Knockout

2008-05-14T13:47:00.000-07:00

$#!+

2008-05-12T02:43:00.001-07:00

Damn it. hehe...

VIP Interview: Orion Tristan of House of O and Needful Thingz

2008-05-12T01:24:00.000-07:00

Chloe: When did you start on SL and how did you stumble upon it?
Orion: October of 2006. I found an article on SL in a business magazine at work and decided to check it out.

Chloe: Tell us what you do here in SL...
Orion: Owner of House of O and Needful Thingz, as well as Master and Trainer.

Chloe: How did you get started with that?
Orion: Seems like every relationship I was getting into in SL, the girls would ask Me to Master them even before I took on the role, so it came naturally. Clubs I started building within a few months of being in SL, have ran quite a few, among them Club Exotica and Deviant Station. Have also been a Manager over at Escort Alliance for quite some time. My store, Needful Thingz, came when I decided to create furniture with changeable textures.

Chloe: What advice can you give to our readers who are also interested in becoming successful in your field? Were there mistakes you made that they can avoid? Something or things you did *right* that catapulted your success?
Orion: First and foremost, NEVER go into the club businesses for the purpose of making a profit, this is why clubs come and go. Second keep a small staff not including dancers. Too many chiefs and not enough indians is always a club killer.
If you are going into business, create a store based on something you love to build or make, and keep with a certain theme; a variety tends to gives your customers mixed ideas or too much to look through.

Chloe: Approximately how much $L did it cost for you to start your business, and how long did it take for you to turn a profit?
Orion: Aside from the land I purchased, none whatsoever. I built My own store and club. Spent maybe 4k total on dance poles and tip jars, perhaps 2k on dungeon equipment. The store I spent maybe 1k on vendors to put My things in,the rest I built.

Chloe: Tell us your favorite...

* clothing designer/shop:
Orion: DE Designs Men's Clothes
* hangout spot:
Orion: House of O
* place for skins:
Orion: Naughty Island
* toy or gadget:
Orion: Force HUD and Port Kar Bullwhip
* coolest/prettiest sim:
Orion: Lost Gardens Of Apollo
* place for hair:
Orion: Pazzaz Hair
* AO:
Orion: FORM from Vixens
* any other favorites you want to tell us about:
Orion: heh, good place for a plug bcause I love all My vendors in My store as well as My own superhero T-Shirts Needful Thingz

Chloe: Does your Avi look like the RL you? How is it the same? How is it different?
Orion: Yes it does, I designed the shape and was lucky enough to get a close skin, maybe dont have the 6 pack but close to being that tone.

Chloe: How do you feel about romantic relationships in SL? Have you had any of significance? Crossed over to RL at all? Horror stories?
Orion: Heh, they all end up horror stories. SL is a bad place to get rmotionally involved because people say things and do things they would never do in RL. It has been My experience that though they dont mean to be this way, when it comes to the actual RL of it, most people will shirk away. Perhaps out fo fear, who knows. It is sad where we live in a day and age where people are even afraid to give out phone numbers, whereas a decade ago, it was our main way of communicating.

Chloe: Biggest jerk, liar, or psycho you have encountered so far? Do tell!
Orion: bloodjewel Babii.
After 3 months of her being My slave and talking rl on the phone, I wasted $1000 rl money to go visit her. Not only did she NOT show up, but she was in sl joking to her friends about it.....waste of a trip, time, energy, emotions, and money.

Chloe: Do you have a residence here in SL? Do you rent or own?
Orion: Own of course, rent is waste of money when you can resell.

Chloe: Mind telling us what sim it's on?
Orion: Tridens

Chloe: Where did you get your house? Is it a prefab or did you have it built? If so by who? Mind sharing a pic?
Orion: Arwen makes the best houses!!! ~*AE Industries*~

Chloe: Tell us your 3 favorite movies:
Orion:

Moulin Rouge
Knight Tales
Star Wars (well top 3 I could think of out the hundred)

Chloe: Favorite 3 songs on your playlist right now?
Orion:

Anything by Nickelback

Chloe: We have all heard of drunk dialing... ever been drunk SL-ing?
Orion: No

Chloe: Funniest thing you've seen so far:
Orion: teenies, AV's no bigger than your sl finger.

Chloe: Lamest pick-up line that's been tossed your way:
Orion: on first meeting...."can I be your slave?"

Chloe: To "Mute" or not to "Mute"? What makes you cut someone off like that? Orion: Never mute...I am strong enough to handle what anyone else can say. It's a cowardly act to mute if you ask Me.

Chloe: Got anything coming up you want to plug? Any friends whose ventures you want to tell us about? If you have a blog, tel us the URL here!
Orion: House of O Membership
Membership fees are $300 a month. This entails you to come in and take any non-Member on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. This includes any Dancer or Escort of the House of O...or Friends of the House. The only excpetion are other Members and Madams of the House. Members Day starts at Midnight SL time and ends Midnight SL time. Any non-Member not complying with the rules can be reported to the Owner or Madams and will be banned from the House. This is what you pay for, this is what you will get. Most of all, you will be among the elite and prestiged.

Contact Orion Tristan, Amber Kazan, or go to search for House of O Members to Join.

Chloe: Go ahead and get the last word! Tell us anything you think we should know that I haven't asked... say anything you want, at all here!
Orion: Have fun, remember who your REAL friends are and for god's sake, look up from the screen time to time, there is a whole world out there.

OX DOS HUD: Automatically Locate Lucky Chairs With Your Initial On Them!

2008-05-11T17:34:00.000-07:00

Here's another cool way to get some great FREE STUFF! You attach this HUD, and it will tell you where there are lucky chairs with your qualifying initial on it! Go from place to place and scoop up your goodies! It's like a really fun treasure hunt!

I am giving this HUD away FREE but only to my VIP Members, so if you aren't in the Clique, join up! For those of you who ARE members, you can get a copy by going to the VIP Suite, and clicking on the subscribe board! Click on the button that says "HISTORY" and then click on the number for the message that says "MEMBERS ONLY FREE GIFT"!

It will be sent to you from there!

Gridlocked Clique VIP SUITE: Version 2.0

2008-05-11T17:13:00.000-07:00

For reasons that I will delve into when I have the time and patience to write a whole blog about it, I have left the old location and moved on to a new one. To be honest, it was something I was considering anyway. The old place wasn't a divided parcel, and so I couldn't do a lot of things I wanted to there. Well, the new land is so much better! I have total access over my parcel. The music stream I post up for you all to use each week is playing there at all times (I will be adding new songs to the stream later on today! I'll post to let you know when it's up!), and instead of landing on some random landing point, you land right on my land! The VIP Suite itself is much bigger, as the parcel is 1024 in size. I purchased extra prims so I can make it as beautiful as possible!

There is now a pool, a campfire to sit and chat around, the pool table you can play for FREE, a beautiful indoor garden with chairs made from trees, a lounge, a dancefloor with a danceball for those of you who don't have a dance hud, and a working game of spin the bottle! And of course the slideshow of art inside that you all seem to love so much! I'll be alternating some new images into it soon so keep checking back!

Make sure you come by to check it out! Click the pic above to TP!

What Not To Wear

2008-05-11T16:46:00.001-07:00

UGLY SHOES! AHHHHH!!!! hehehe

The Landing Strip: Strip Club

2008-05-11T16:10:00.000-07:00

Absolutely one of the best places in SL to see the most beautiful and sexy women take it all off is at the Landing Strip! They keep the stage full of some of the loveliest women with the best personalities, and you will have a good time every time you go!

Make sure to say hi to Janise Dreamscape who is not only a dancer there, but Manager of the club and a DEAR friend of mine! She's GORGEOUS!

...And remember: tipping is not a city in China, guys! hehe

Sore Losers

2008-05-11T14:09:00.000-07:00

Daku Hax and Raiya Hastings, of that stupid ass club I gave a negative review to (the club name will not be mentioned again because they don't deserve the name recognition, same reason I took down the "review"... why should they get free publicity for sucking? lol) have gone on to stalk, harass, and otherwise pester me and my group ever since the day the blog was posted.

For people who "don't care", they spent over 5 hours harassing my group IMs... some of you already know this first hand. Well I of course ejected them from the group, but somehow they were still able to grief the chat. I changed everyone in the group over to the subscribe-o-matic system to avoid you all having to deal with the crap I'm dealing with. I reported the incident to LL.

Then, they rented the space next door to the original VIP Suite. When I approached the owners of the land, they were uncooperative. I opted for a refund on the month I had prepaid, and left in search of land that was better for me anyway. And happily found it.

Within minutes of sending out a group IM announcing that the new location was open, Daku, Raiyna, and sirobone appeared, almost predictably at this point. Went on to yet again rent the space next door to me. Luckily for me, I log ALL my chats. I appealed to the owner of the sim, and sent her a notecard documenting the harassing threats and comments, and explained to her that these people have stalked me from one sim to another. Thankfully, the owners of the sim I currently live on are more reasonable, and intelligent enough to see their tactics for what they are: a violation of the TOS and of the covenant on their sim: no stalking, no harassing. They were removed from the location they rented next door, and from what I currently know of, no refund was issued due to the fact that the reason for their eviction was violation of the covenant.

I have all 3 of these quality individuals muted. And all but sirobone are banned from the sim the Suite is on. However, as we speak, these obviously MATURE GENIUSES (lol) are camping out just outside the sim bounderies... here is a screen shot:

My thoughts? Where do I begin. I went to their location in search of ad space, as I have been putting ads for the blog and the VIP Suite all over SL. I was visiting the locations in Popular Places, hoping to not only find places to rent ads, but to also find somewhere cool to review for the blog. Like I said before, as I was rezzing I sent literally 5 people who were close to where I was standing, invitations to join my group. Then Raiya goes into my group IM and thanks me for "spamming" her club, before a word has been said to just me. She then IM's me individually, and tells me she will be reporting me to LL for spamming her club.

At this point I am taken aback completely. I was confused. How did I violate the TOS? I didn't. I know I am somewhat new to SL, but I also thought spamming was if you send things to an entire location, not to just a couple of people. And maybe I am wrong about that. But no one ever complained before. EVER. And to be honest, had she simply IMd me privately, and not in my open group chat, and said we don't like people to do that here, can you please not send unsolicited invites, I would have, OF COURSE said okay sure no problem. I probably would have even apologized to her.

But instead I get put on blast to my entire group and threatened with an abuse report. Before I said a word to her. Now, though sending unsolicited invites might not be allowed in their club, doing it isn't a violation of the TOS. And I was pissed at her going into my group to say what she said rather than come to me and speak like an adult, or even attempt to handle it civilly before making a threat. I think that was a cunt move, so I called her one. I let her know that I have a blog, and I was going to blog about it. Her boyfriend, Daku, then IM's me. You all hopefully saw the chat logs I posted on this the other day, because I have since taken them down. More threats, and a bunch of illiterate garble.

Since then they have been harassing me on a daily basis. They are trying to intimidate me to take down the blog. They are somehow justifying their obsessive stalking psycho behavior with that I wrote a blog about their club. All the time insisting that "they don't care", but spending most of their time on SL and plenty of $L retaliating to my little old blog posting.

I have to ask myself, why do they care so much? I mean, this is a relatively new blog. I am still building my readership. I write my opinions and experiences on here, and I try to share the things I find that are awesome. But I am also going to share my experiences that aren't so good. Why? It's all part of SL. The good, the bad, and the ugly. I am writing about MY experiences. Why do they care so much about the opinion of one person? Why have they taken this on as some kind of crusade? It just isn't normal. It really isn't.

The reality is, I'm not taking down my posting. Freedom of speach is a right. Freedom to harass and stalk is NOT. I am not the only person who blogs about their SL experience, and I am sure this isn't the first time a location has gotten a bad review. You win some, you lose some.

A professional person would take it as part of life. Part of the business. They rubbed a blogger the wrong way and it got posted. Another reality is had they handled me with adult professionalism in the first place none of this would be going on. When you run a business, whether in SL or RL, you can't just randomly talk to people however you want just because it's yours. You CAN, but you won't find success that way. You never know who would have been your best customer, or who is a reviewer, or what damage you are doing by treating people poorly.

What's ironic is, if I was so wrong for "spamming" by inviting 5 people to join my group, how can they not think that what they have been doing is so very much worse. I have not been retaliating to these attacks other than to defend myself, ie: contacting the sim owner when being harassed.

The owners of the last land were passive to the point of ignorance. And when I asked for a refund on my "3 extra weeks", they gave it to me, and immediately returned my things when I still had 1.5 days left on the current week I was in. Also not professional or good business. So I would stay away from business dealings with Cheran Snook and Rene Wilder. I had done nothing to violate any rules of their land, I appealed to them about the harassers who moved in next door. They wouldn't do anything about it so I opted out. However I did that knowing I had 1.5 days left in the current week. I specifically asked for a refund on my "extra 3 weeks". My plan was to finish out my current week there, and use that time to find another location and change the landmarks that were included in the ads I placed. It was NOT explained to me that a refund would mean immediate eviction, because had it been I would have not taken that option. So you can imagine my surprise when all my items were returned to me. Totally unprofessional and rude. If you rent in blocks of a week and ask for a refund on 3 extra weeks, who would think that means you are forfeiting the 1.5 days of the current week block you are in? Anyway, I wouldn't do business with people who make those kinds of choices. Decide for yourself.

What I'm learning from this? On SL, play at your own risk. I have reported all of these things to LL and have yet to see anything actually happen. I don't feel I can count on LL to have my back in a situation like this. Which might be why people resort to griefing. There is no "police" in SL, and people are free to pretty much do what they want. I have yet to personally see someone suffer a consequence for violating the TOS. Is that right? No. But like I said, be aware of it and play at your own risk.

At this point, what they are doing is exhaustive. I am not going to take down the blog. I am less inclined to do so now than I was days ago. Other than being annoying, they can't really do anything to me. They are all muted, and if I were you, I'd mute them just to avoid ever dealing with them in person, lol...

I tried to reason with sirobone, who seemed somehow a touch more mature than the other two. And maybe even felt like I was getting somewhere with him for a minute. But then he TPs her to the land just outside my sim so she can harass a guest I had and make threats to him as well. And then the phrase "birds of a feather" came to mind and I realized I was being too nice giving any of them the benefit of the doubt.

I had to get this out. I mean so many of you have been IM-ing me confused about the group switching, the locations switching... and it's so much easier to say all of this once in the blog than over and over in IM's. As of right now I am washing my hands of this issue. They can do this until they tire. I am not closing my VIP Suite, I am not taking down my blog or the posting, and I am not leaving SL.

NO.MATTER.WHAT.THEY.DO.

It's almost flattering that my opinions I write here mean so much to them. And that they are obsessed with me now and following me all over SL. But now I'm bored with them. All 3 are muted, 2 are banned from the sim. The rest is just the noise of a fly buzzing around my ears.

Thank you and good night.

VIP Interview: Cy Whitfield of Whitfield Estates

2008-05-09T14:27:00.000-07:00

Chloe: When did you start on SL and how did you stumble upon it?
Cy: I joined briefly back when SL first came around and quickly lost interest. It was very buggy and clunky back then. I started anew on February 25, 2007. I don't recall exactly how I got lured in the second time, , but I am very happy I gave my second life a second chance.

Chloe: Tell us what you do here in SL...
Cy: My first venture into business in SL was in estate development. It remains one of my biggest passions here. I had the fortune of meeting some very talented people to help me along the way, and as a result we have some very pretty sims and very happy residents.

Chloe: How did you get started with that?
Cy: The first land I bought in SL was a quarter of a private tropical island sim. When I purchased it, I was under the impression that I would be able to subdivide most of it and rent the parcels out. That turned out not to be the case. I did manage to convince them to let me build two structures on the land; one big house with lots of rooms, and a more modest tiki house on the other side. I rented the rooms in the larger house to help cover the tier. Over time I became increasingly dissatisfied with the estate management. Almost weekly they would harass me about something and were very impolite. I decided then to grow my own estate and put a strong emphasis on customer service. Most people that buy from us have horror stories about previous ownerships, and it strikes me that the people they were dealing with have no concept of how important it is to keep your customers happy.

Chloe: What advice can you give to our readers who are also interested in becoming successful in your field? Were there mistakes you made that they can avoid? Something or things you did *right* that catapulted your success?
Cy: The first mistake I made was believing that "if you build it, they will come." When first starting out, nothing could be farther from the truth. My first sim sat mostly empty for months, costing me thousands of dollars in tier. Once we started a rather aggressive (and expensive) marketing campaign, the land sold rather quickly. Make no mistake, money spent on marketing is better than money spent on tier.

Once you have the land sold, make a point to go above and beyond your customers expectations. I cannot stress enough how much that has helped me. At least once a week I have people asking me if I have land for sale that were referred to me by existing customers. As your estate grows, your customers, if kept happy, will do your marketing for you.

Chloe: Approximately how much $L did it cost for you to start your business, and how long did it take for you to turn a profit?
Cy: In $L, the cost of the first sim was about 450,000. The lindens have recently lowered the cost of private islands, so you can get one today for about 265,000. WIth each island, you take on a monthly obligation of about 78,000. Now before that scares you off, once the land is sold you can actually realise a slight profit. The trick is to get it sold in the first month, before the lindens start charging you. As of this moment, we are seeing a loss because we took a large piece of Sheltering Sky as our home, but with the next two sims we expect to start turning a profit.

Chloe: Tell us your favorite...

* clothing designer/shop:
Cy: I am a pretty simple guy. As long as my wieiner isn't showing, i really don't care who made the clothes. My favorite shop, which sadly does not exist anymore, is a place called Dead Punk. It is the place I first decided on a punk look, and in my early SL days it was a place I would just go sit around for the music.
* hangout spot:
Cy: Tied for first place: A rock club called Zone Out, and the Galaxy Cruise ship
* place for skins:
Cy: I still have the first skin i ever bought, and I got it at a place called CryoGen .I remember it had skins of various movie-stars there. I thought that was pretty cool.
* toy or gadget:
Cy: Where to begin.. I have a real love for toys, and my hellish inventory speaks to that. I have to say my favorite is the club stuff I got from Maya. Go there if you are starting a club. I literally own everything they make.
* coolest/prettiest sim:
Cy: I have to say that Sheltering Sky is one of the prettiest sims I have ever seen. I could go with the generic answer and say Straylight, but in all honesty, bias aside, I absolutely LOVE how sheltering sky looks. Since it is a private estate I will not give out a landmark here, but if you want to see it just drop me a note and I'll give you a tour!
* place for hair:
Cy: My favorite hair comes from the now defunct Dead Punk.
* AO:
Cy: I am a big fan of Vista animations for AO. I have lots of animations from other sources that I have added to it, but the ones I use most often came with it.
* any other favorites you want to tell us about:
Cy: Yes, some of my favorite people: 5erena Vella, Angelle Marquette, Bambii Boucher, Bella LaSalle, Caliope Blackadder, Cephiros Dryke, Chloe Cantrell, DBDigital Epsilon, Doc Lukas, Lacey Ellison, Midnight Capalini, MissLouise Lilliehook, Phil Cagney, Polgara Weyland, Polly Riederer, Random Demina, SunDrop Sucettes, and Tanker Zamani.

Chloe: Awe, thanks for including me in that, Cy!

Chloe: Does your Avi look like the RL you? How is it the same? How is it different?
Cy: I truly believe that an individual's avatar is a reflection of how they would appear to others if they could get away with it in real life. It represents a lot of things. How a person wants to look is only one of them. Things like how they want to be perceived as a person, e.g. attitude, conformity or the lack thereof, degree of promiscuity, etc. They all subconsciously impact how your appearance develops. You can look at me and draw your own conclusions ;)

Chloe: How do you feel about romantic relationships in SL? Have you had any of significance? Crossed over to RL at all? Horror stories?
Cy: I think they are an inevitable byproduct of such an enormous social network. To me, SL is not an extension of RL, it is a parallel. These ARE real people you are interacting with. It's akin to a town social event, where people who may have otherwise never met get to know each other and maybe develop a relationship. I have been engaged to Caliope Blackadder since Christmas Eve of 2007. We fell in love in RL and SL at the same time. I bet that happens quite often with others as well. Horror stories? Sure i have them, but there is an old saying about the reopening of old wounds.... so I will keep those to myself.

Chloe: Biggest jerk, liar, or psycho you have encountered so far? Do tell!
Cy: While I have met a few, the vast majority of the people I have encountered here are simply wonderful. Honest, decent folk. Besides, if you don't have something nice to say about someone, you shouldn't say anything at all :)

Chloe: Do you have a residence here in SL? Do you rent or own?
Cy: I have had several ranging from a VIP suite aboard the Galaxy Cruise ship to a mansion that spanned over 1/4 of a sim and consumed 2,300 prims unfurnished. Currently Cali and I own a little over 12K of land.

Chloe: Mind telling us what sim it's on?
Cy: Sheltering Sky, of course!

Chloe: Where did you get your house? Is it a prefab or did you have it built? If so by who? Mind sharing a pic?
Cy: We are having a home custom built that will be fitted with custom furnishings. After a year of pre-fabs, I think we deserve it :) The house is being built by Cephiros Dryke, and the furnishings by Sundrop Sucettes. Both of these talented ladies work for us as part of the estate. Since the home is not done yet, the best I can do is give you a picture of its current state:

This is the right hand section that will be mirrored for the left side. The plan is that it will be U-shaped and wrap around the mountain. Once inside the front door, you will be able to see straight back to the waterfall behind the house, and semi transparent glossy floors will reveal the river flowing underneath.

Chloe: Tell us your 3 favorite movies:
Cy:

A Clockwork Orange
The Shining
Full Metal Jacket

Chloe: Favorite 3 songs on your playlist right now?
Cy:

30 Seconds To Mars - Fallen
Tool - Sober
Deaf Pedestrians - Hail To The Geek

Chloe: We have all heard of drunk dialing... ever been drunk SL-ing?
Cy: Absolutely! What's a party without booze? Additionally, just like real life, I have had those mornings where I sign on to "last location" and I am in a place I don't remember, naked. Filled with a sense of dread with the first thing coming to mind: "Jesus, what did I *do* last night? Then sitting around drinking Gatorade to rehydrate waiting for the inevitable IM reminding me of just what that was.

Chloe: Funniest thing you've seen so far:
Cy: I see lots of things, almost on a daily basis, that are unintentionally funny. LOL funny. There was one moment that stands out, though. I was at a rather large wedding reception when a small airplane crashed right in the middle of the crowd. Smoke and fire everywhere. I laughed so hard I choked on my beverage.

Chloe: Lamest pick-up line that's been tossed your way:
Cy: A naked female newbie walked up to me and said "Follow me, I have xcite!"

Chloe: To "Mute" or not to "Mute"? What makes you cut someone off like that?
Cy: Generally I dont mute anyone. Perhaps it is that I don't want to be in a position of not reacting to them when they talk smack.

Chloe: Got anything coming up you want to plug? Any friends whose ventures you want to tell us about? If you have a blog, tel us the URL here!
Cy: We are expanding the estate very soon. The next sim will be a clone of Sheltering Sky, and the one after that we are considering making into a combination of commercial lots and rental properties. All this and more will make its way to http://www.whitfieldestates.com - a site that is a combination of estate business and my personal ramblings.

Chloe: Go ahead and get the last word! Tell us anything you think we should know that I haven't asked... say anything you want, at all here!
Cy: I have met some wonderful people in SL, many of whom I am proud to call my friends. When I was hospitalized in early January, the outpouring of care and concern really touched my heart. Cali sent me flowers!

Take care and thank you for asking me to participate.

Definitely Not Vanilla

2008-05-09T01:52:00.000-07:00

Hair: Aden (Annyka in Light Blonde)
Skin: Celestial Studios (Vogue Skin in Canimal Glow Purple, Bronzed, Freckles)
Eyes: *amerie's NAUGHTY* MainShop (Pop Star Eyes in Ocean),Sparkling Eye Particles, and CAKE (Bedroom Lashes)
Outfit: Bijou (Focus[Brakeshot(white)])
Belt, Choker, Bracelet: UnTone Quilt (Hearts Collection, sold seperately)
Gloves: Cachet (Gloves in Blue from the Color Pack)
Shoes: Armidi Gisaci (Unisex Classic Moccas [White])

Gridlocked Clique VIP Suite OPEN!

2008-05-08T23:11:00.000-07:00

I am very excited to announce the opening of our VIP Suite! Hopefully the first of many throughout SL. I have spent a lot of time and Linden making it just the right place for all of you to come and hang out, shoot some pool (yes the pool table DOES WORK!), check out some cool ART... and kick it with your friends! This is also the main place to add our group without taking up group space! Rather than searching us in Groups, just go to the VIP Suite and click on the board. It will save your group space and allow you to still reap all the benefits of group membership! There are a lot of new and exciting things to come, and all of the goodies are for MEMBERS only!

Stop by to check it out and let me know what you think! You can TP by clicking on either pic!

To Voice Or Not To Voice... That Is The Question

2008-05-08T17:26:00.000-07:00

I didn't ever click on the voice button until a few weeks into my SL when I met a now Ex-Master (the uncharacteristically accurately self-proclaimed "Psychopath"... no I'm not kidding, at all, sadly... please note I am using the term "Master" somewhat loosley when referring to the likes of him...) who demanded that anyone around him *must* be on voice, or they can pretty much fuck off. Ha. I know. But I digress.

It was easy then to get to know each other, and it was more natural and connected than typing or emoting. Once I had voiced with him and my then-sisters a couple of times, I felt comfortable, and it was kind of cool to just log in and hang out with them, all of us talking on voice everywhere we went.

There are things about going on voice that are fun, and then also, some that are kind of annoying. Like... sometimes I just don't want to talk. I get in a mood where I have no problem typing, but I just don't feel like talking. And sometimes, typing is more convenient. I might be doing things in RL and can keep up better with typing when I can't give my undivided attention.

I think it's also very telling of a persons intellect, the way they type. When someone misspells every other word and just can't seem to string a proper let alone amusing sentence together, it's no wonder they want to be on voice all the time. Seeing how someone emotes gives a different kind of insight into them, that voice might not tell you.

Don't get me wrong, though. Going on voice can sometimes also be very sexy. I won't lie. I once orgasm'd at Rigi on voice. And it was definitely quite the turn on.

** Chloe Cantrell looks around innocently and says "What?", then shrugs her shoulders and giggles playfully... **

I guess I like it both ways...

Forever Love,
Chloe

Freebies That Don't Suck

2008-05-06T15:27:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love a good freebie? I will spend however much Linden it takes to get the look I want, but a freebie that "doesn't suck" just makes my day! Here are a few that I have found so far on my missions in SL, and they are all worth the TP.

* ((click on the image to TP))

These are "sparkling eyes" particles... one attaches to each eyeball, and gives you a random particle sparkle in your eyes.

This is the best free hair I have found ever! Digit actually told me about it, and I am so glad she did! You get ALL the colors! I am wearing it in a few pics here in the blog... and right now, even!

These fur lined gloves are just simply ADORABLE!

The Anatomy Of An Outfit

2008-05-05T05:12:00.000-07:00

After a bit of shopping last night, I got some really wonderful things. Mixed and matched them with some pieces I already have, and I have to say this is one of my favorite outfits! So I just had to share...

The dress was upstairs at a store I happened upon by accident. *UnTone* (you can check out their blog HERE). They have mostly accessories (reasonably priced, too!), and beautiful... I got quite a few things! But upstairs there were a few really well done clothing items. This dress was one of them. For $185L, the quality is beyond worth it, that's a STEAL!

I paired the dress with another new purchase. I found the coolest tights at *amerie's NAUGHTY* MainShop. I got a few pairs, but this pair really complimented the dress well, and bought out the black crochet detail. These great earrings came from there too! I can already tell these will be my new favorites for a while... TOO CUTE!

I also found some new eyes there! I really like the color, and shading... but what's special about these is that if you can get a close enough look, there are tiny white stars in them!

The shoes I matched up with this look I already had in my inventory. They are from Maitreya, and I warn you now not to go on there unless you are prepared to buy MANY MANY pairs of shoes! I am really going to have to do a whole feature on this store. But I'll save that for another time. The shoes are the Dawn Shiny/Suede Tan Mix. And they are gorgeous in every way.

Last but not least: the anklet. Why don't more jewelry designers make anklets? They are such a great way to add some flair to your feet! This one is called the Gold Ribbon Anklet, from .+*Atelier AM*+.. There is a matching necklace as well (which I bought, of course!).

Check these places out! They all really do have a lot to offer! And remember, don't be afraid to mix and match and get creative with your look. Put something together that is unique and your own, and you are guaranteed to stand out from the crowd!

This Weeks Music Stream...

2008-05-05T04:25:00.000-07:00

http://n90.mediamaster.com:8000/plist/3000157204/chloe.cantrell

Feel free to copy and paste this weeks music stream to your land! No land, but you wanna hear it? Go directly to the URL and listen to it via your browser!

This weeks songs, in random order:

Playground Love / Air
Only Women Bleed / Alice Cooper
You Know I'm No Good / Amy Winehouse
Living Proof / Cat Power
I Want You / Erykah Badu
Closer / Goapele
Strict Machine / Goldfrapp
I've Been Thinking / Handsome Boy Modeling School
The Only One I Know / Mark Ronson
Paper Planes / MIA
Boys Wanna Be Her / Peaches
Give Me A Reason / Portishead
Your Mangled Heart / The Gossip
Swimming Pool / Freezepop

ENJOY!

Out Of Proportion

2008-05-04T17:06:00.000-07:00

Today some guy told me my avi is too skinny and small. Not that this is any of his business, but... this lead me on a mission to discover my actual height in SL. I found a height meter (click here to TP to it) , and it said that I am 5'7". (When measuring your height, dont forget to take your shoes off. I was 5'7" without them on, and 6'1" with them on.) That is a normal height. Considering how short I look compared to most other avi's, SL must be a world full of 8' amazonians! LOL Considering my height, I think my body weight is proportionate. At least to my own liking, and I don't seem to get regular complaints, in fact quite the contrary, ahem... LOL yeah... I also think my breast size is proportionate. If there was a way to measure breast size in SL like you can measure height, a lot of you out there would be sporting 32 Z's or something. I'm not trying to look like SL's very own Pamela Anderson.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking your knockers, ladies. There are plenty of women in RL with breasts that are just bigger than my liking. This wasn't about you, it was about me. It is my diary after all.

;)

Forever Love,
Chloe

AO HUDS From SEmotion Studio

2008-05-04T02:12:00.000-07:00

Such a big part of what set's us apart in SL is our AO. It's our walk, our stance, our mannerisms. I've gotten quite a few comments on mine, so I thought I would share.

I got mine at SEmotion Studio. I have the Glamor & Beauty combination HUD, and just purchased their new sets in a combo HUD also, Irresistible & Luxurious. All of the poses you see in the pics I've taken in the VANITY section, are sit poses that came with the AO's. They are easy to use and it's nice to be able to sit down anywhere, without a poseball.

With the click of a button on your HUD, you can stagger your Sit to on or off. When it's off, you can sit on a poseball or piece of furniture without having to say "ao off" in open chat or looking funny. You can also stagger your Type on and off, and select whether or not you want your poses to circulate randomly, or in sequential order.

Something else I really like about the HUD is that ability to add your own walks, poses, and sits. The process is actually pretty simple, but I had a hard time the first time I tried. Marie Sims, proprietor, came to my rescue and walked me through it step by step personally. That definitely speaks volumes, as customer service isn't always there for you in a lot of places in SL.

When you detach your HUD, and then reattach it, it will automatically search for updates and deliver them to you. Convenient!

Aside from all that, what makes them really special is the consistent flow of movement. Each stand pose and sit pose has subtle changes as you sit or stand. You might examine your manicure, or check your watch... or you may bounce your leg up and down, or cross and recross them as you sit. Fluid motion.

All their walks, poses, and sits are also available to purchase individually to add to your own existing HUD, if you are attached to the one you have. Or if it's attached to you, hehe!

They do also have AO's for men! Definitely check them out, guys! They're hot!

Second Life Isn't "Just A Game"...

2008-05-04T01:34:00.000-07:00

According to dictionary definition, the word game means: "a competitive activity involving skill, chance, or endurance on the part of two or more persons who play according to a set of rules, usually for their own amusement or for that of spectators". Second Life is not a game. Let me say this again. Slower, for those of you who are thick headed: Second. Life. Is. Not. A. Game. Now that doesn't mean people don't play games within Second Life. You can play everything from board games to headgames in-world. But the virtual world itself isn't any more a game than Real Life is. Equally competitive, equally obscure rules we really define for ourselves within the confines of the law (or TOS, lol). In fact, I've put thought into the word virtual as well: "not physically existing as such but made by software to appear to do so". I can see using that as a definition for something like the Sims game I play on PS2. The characters are just that. Characters. Programmed to say and do things. To "appear to physically exist". But there are real people behind each and every avi in Second Life. Real emotions. Real beings that do exist, that are speaking for, thinking for, and feeling for this representation of themselves. So then though not in a literal form, the avi does exist physically. Just not in the same place at the same time.

I didn't realize this about SL at first. I mean, I did realize that there were people behind the avi's, yes. But I came into SL curious, and more a spectator. As I have met more and more people, created a space of land that is my own little cozy haven, and developed relationships in-world that walk with me long after the computer is off... I have learned that SL and RL are not as distinctly separate as I thought. Running parallel to each other, almost.

SL, as in RL, gets more interesting... and challenging... as time passes. I wonder what tomorrow will bring...

Forever Love,
Chloe

Digit Darkes

2008-05-03T19:38:00.000-07:00

Definitely one of my favorite designers in SL, if not THE favorite so far, is Digit Darkes! Everything about her items are just amazing. With every piece, you can tell that attention has been paid to even the smallest detail. I find myself wearing her things more than any others in my inventory. I even break apart outfits and mix and match the pieces. The textures she makes are so incredibly realistic, maybe even almost better than real. Sequins shine, satins have sheen... there is actual TEXTURE to the textures used, and that to me, is just as important in SL as actual FIT is in RL.

It's not just the textures. Her designs are innovative and modern. Her styles range from sexy to playful to innocent, equally effective all around.

Her shoes are just beautiful. The pair I wear the most? The Paris boot, in Silver. Another favorite item of hers? The Tulle gown in black. I have worn it in so many ways! You can dress it up for a formal event, or make it kind of punk rock, with a sexy little top and killer accessories.

A new addition to her line: skins! Digit gave me a few to test out and I am telling you... not only are they reasonably priced at about $800L, but they are original, not the same old same old you see everywhere else. The lipstick on the skins looks very real, and highlights in all the right places without being over the top. The glitter looks very real, around the eyes, on the Starz skin. It's become my new favorite when I want a red lip. What's special about her skins though, is that the body looks just as wonderful as the makeup on the face.

Better even is each skin comes with eyebrows, prim lashes that are PERFECT, and a facelight. Facelights are to SL as skin cream is to a woman in RL. The first one I ever got was the Sweetlight from SweetFaces. I think I paid upwards of $600-800 for it. The one Digit gives away with her skins is equal to that one, and worth the price of the skin in and of itself!

I really can't rave enough. I have broken the bank more than once in her store. She has numerous locations throughout SL, but her main location is the biggest with the most items available. I dare you to go in there. Double dare. You'll fall in love, like I did. I promise.

Tell her Chloe sent you! I'll even give you a lift: Digit Darkes Main Store

Expect to see more about Digit on the VIPs section soon! Not only is she a talented designer, but a beautiful and intelligent business woman! Expect big things!

Urban Angel

2008-05-03T05:28:00.001-07:00

A Fine Day For Sailing

2008-05-03T05:26:00.000-07:00

Stranded

2008-05-03T05:25:00.000-07:00

Pin Up

2008-05-03T05:14:00.000-07:00

A Little About Chloe Cantrell...

2008-05-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

I look at the world around me through street smart yet vulnerable eyes. I am slow to trust but hard to discourage. I am brutally, painfully honest. I am emotional and... that is a double edged sword. I yearn to be humbled by the fresh insights of worthy people who bother to think and are unafraid to challenge others. I appreciate the beauty of art in all its forms. I view SL as another means of travel... to a world we are all co-creating cumulatively. I think there is a fascinating parallel that can be drawn between what we are creating in SL, and what we have created and are creating in our real world.

I wear my heart tucked into the sleeve of my couture...

Advertising Rates and Info

2008-05-01T04:44:00.000-07:00

There is no time limit to how long your ad runs. It will stay on our page until it has been viewed the amount of times you have paid for!

These rates are introductory, since my blog is new!

1,000 ad impressions $750L
2,000 ad impressions $1,500L
5,000 ad impressions $2,750L
10,000 ad impressions $5,000L
If you offer an exclusive "treat" for my readers at your time of purchase (this is a free gift for my group members only, offered nowhere else as free), I will provide you with an additional 500 ad impressions, as an incentive and a thank you!

When my blog hits 5,000 impressions (pages), my rates will increase to:

1,000 ad impressions $1,000L
2,000 ad impressions $1,750L
5,000 ad impressions $4,500L
10,000 ad impressions $8,000L
If you offer an exclusive "treat" for my readers at your time of purchase (this is a free gift for my group members only, offered nowhere else as free), I will honor my introductory pricing for that cycle only, as an incentive and a thank you!

When you are ready to purchase your ad space, you can email me by clicking on the contact button on the sidebar. In your email, include your ad image as either a .jpg, .gif, or .png file. Your ad size can not exceed 199 x 125. Please try to keep your file size below 50K.

Please specify in your email whether you prefer to pay via PayPal or In-World. (Please note all PayPal transactions must be a minimum of $10USD). Upon receipt of your email and file, you will be sent an invoice via PayPal, or contacted In-World for payment. If you would like to offer a "treat" for the above mentioned incentives, please specify that in your email, and you will be contacted for further information upon processing.

All ads will be processed within 24 hours of receiving your payment. When your ad has been posted you will receive an email detailing the current page impressions at time of purchase. And you will also receive the number of page views that will signify your ad expiration. For example:

At the time your ad was posted, the counter on the sidebar reads 421 pages. You purchased 2,000 impressions. Your ad will expire when the counter reads 2,421 pages.

You can check the stats anytime right on the blog counter! You will be notified via email when you are close to expiration! A 10% discount will be offered when you renew your ad space!

Feel free to email me or contact me in-world with any questions!

*We reserve the right to refuse an ad at our discretion.

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