well its been a while…

Where should I begin? The last 18 months have been ‘eventful’. Since my last full post (September 2009), in addition to many other big life changes, Sugar Daddy and I got married and we decided to make our full-time home in California. After 13 months of going through the immigration process which included what seemed like a rain forest of paperwork, I got approved for my Green Card on Wednesday … yah! Leaving England has been a major upheaval and without boring you with the detail, its meant that there’s been no time for SL at all, hence no blogging or completion of any of the other projects I had in mind. Now my RL is settled and happy, it seems I have some free-time on my hands again. I’ve been brushing up on some old skills and learning some news ones and that has led me back to my second love, Second Life. I’m not sure what I’ll be doing in my next second life, but whilst I’m making my mind up, I really wanted to post some shots I completed before I left; not least because some of the items featured were so very generously donated by designers who I would like to thank and credit. These shots (which I’ll post gradually over the next couple of weeks) were intended for a magazine which I never had the chance to complete. It’s nice to be back – Dolly xxx.

Suivez-moi to London…

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a big lover of London. A surprise I am sure to those not lucky enough to have visited our nation’s capital. The inflated prices, hoards of crowds, and general uneasiness I experience when I go there usually leaves me feeling exhausted and deflated. However, you can’t visit Britain and not visit London, so when Sugar Daddy’s relatives came to stay over the Summer off we trotted to see if the streets are really lined with gold. To my amazement, I actually had a really great time. Unsurprisingly, the streets are not lined with gold, but Dolly certainly is in the outfit I have to show you today!

Dolly’s top 5 suggestions for  things to do in London:

1. Get away from the tourist crowds and eat French at La Sacre Coeur in Islington.

2. Take a flight and enjoy a 360 degree view of the City in London’s top paid for visitor attraction, The London Eye.

3. Learn about England’s bloody past from a Yeoman at The Tower of London and see Henry VIII’s armour whilst your there.

4. Mingle with the rich and the richer at what is claimed to be the World’s most luxurious department store, Harrods.

5. Have a picnic in St James’s Park before strolling up The Mall to Buckingham Palace.

Skin: Curio April Skin in Petal Tulip 1 [Dark] (L$1,000)

Hair: fri.day Deena Hair in Scornful Red (Reds pack) (L$75)

Sunglasses: miel Bella Peepers Sunglasses (scripted) (L$175)

Vest: !Ohmai Summer Breeze Vest in SUNNYSUBMARINE (part of the Summer Breeze outfit) (L$120)

Jacket: fri.day Military Jacket in Original Denim (L$100)

Necklace: Atelier AM Lemmon Necklace (L$100)

Bag: JE*REPUBLIC La vie est belle Bag in Valentine – Valentine hunt gift (no longer available, but very similar style and colour available in-store L$150)

Jeans: Armidi A0001 Capri Jeans in Dark Classic (L$145)

Shoes: Maitreya ChiChi Pumps in Yellow (scripted) (L$450)

There’s been a bit of a debate around fri.day since it’s much anticipated opening at the beginning of August. Well, like them or not and for what its worth, my opinion is that they are delivering as promised. You’ll find a good range of well made basics here in all layer and colour options (yah!) plus a few crackers including some great waist belts, the beautifully styled military style jacket featured in this post, and some truly lovely hair (also featured). The best news is that they’re holding a sale from now until 10th September and most items are discounted at around the L$50 to L$100 mark.

What has never been in question since launching onto the Second Life fashion design scene, is the universal love shown for !Ohmai. I adore the sunny nature of this little yellow vest and applaud Anya’s skill in textures and the innovative use of the system skirt to produce the peplum. I know of only a few other designers who have done it so well – and I am talking about the uber talented and well-seasoned crew at Tableau here!