I love the start of October. Not only is the weather finally starting to cool down a little and the fall colors are coming in, but it’s also the one time of year when I feel really inspired to pull out all of my spooky-cute things. And what could be more perfect for October than spider hair jewelry? I’m wearing Sparkle Skye’s Along Came a Spider set, which includes spiders and spider webs that you can arrange pretty much any way you like. Scatter them throughout your hair, crawl them onto your clothes, or completely cover yourself in spiders if that’s the mood!
Another thing I love around this time of year is pulling out all of my bloody lips, cuts, scrapes, and other slightly creepy little details. I scored these free Glitter Tears from Pity Party at an event recently, although I can’t remember which one. They’re just the cutest way to cry in Second Life. If you’re going to cry, why not make it glitter tears?
My outfit today is the Dusty Outfit from Ricielli. Ricielli has always been known for quality ensembles and sexy lingerie, but one thing I’ve especially admired about the brand is the way they texture fabrics. There’s something really distinctive about their clothing that looks different from a lot of other brands in Second Life. This knit set is to die for, and I love that the dress and cardigan work just as well together as they do mixed and matched with other pieces in your wardrobe. You can find the Dusty Outfit at the Ricielli store (temporary location).
I remember when Hair Fair was the event to look forward to every summer in Second Life. These days, with shopping events happening every month, it doesn’t quite have the same sense of anticipation. Back then, by the time Hair Fair rolled around, everyone was absolutely starving for new hairstyles.
You can join the Hair Fair Demo Group (secondlife:///app/group/2e30d166-f3e5-e2de-ff72-b3da2d06ded2/about) and have all the demos delivered to you, but I actually prefer walking the event and visiting each store. I like browsing the booths, collecting demos manually, and discovering the gifts along the way. One thing I also appreciate is being able to see exactly how much each hairstyle is donating. Every participating hair contributes a percentage to the charity, but some creators go even further and donate 50% or even 100% of their sales.
There are a lot of charity events in Second Life throughout the year, and I think it’s wonderful when communities come together to support a good cause. At the same time, I think residents should pay attention to where their donations are going and how transparent an event is about its fundraising. That’s one of the reasons I’ve always appreciated Hair Fair. The event’s relationship with Wigs for Kids is publicly acknowledged by the charity itself, and every year Hair Fair posts the donation receipt and thank-you letter after the event concludes. I like that level of transparency. It allows residents and designers alike to see the impact their generosity is making, and you can feel confident that your shopping is supporting a real-world cause.
Kuni – Manu
Exile – Never the Same
I was excited to see some of my favorite brands participating this year, including Truth, Kuni, and Exile. It was also interesting to see Truth represented solely by hairstyles and accessories created by Litterbug. I noticed fellow Truth Collective creator Wasabi at the event as well. One thing I like about collaborations such as Truth Collective is that the individual creators are acknowledged for their work. There are plenty of brands in Second Life that describe themselves as a team, but you never really know who created what. I like following creators and recognizing their individual styles, even when they’re creating under a larger brand.
I also can’t leave Hair Fair without mentioning the Bandana Booth. I picked up this adorable bandana by Alaskametro, and there are several other prints available as well. Pretty much everything Alaskametro makes is beautifully textured. If you’ve followed my blog for any length of time, you already know I’m a fan.
Alaskametro – “Bling” Bandana for Hair Fair
Another new addition this year is Linden Lab’s contribution to the fundraiser. Residents can purchase three exclusive last names: Style, Strand, and Salon, with proceeds benefiting the charity. If I wasn’t already having an identity crisis with my avatar, I’d probably be changing my last name to Style immediately.
Linden Lab will also be auctioning off Premium Lifetime memberships during the event, with more details coming soon. If you’re someone who gets a lot of value from Premium benefits and plans to stick around Second Life for the long haul, it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on.
In honor of Fantasy Faire, I typed in “wand” into my inventory and found this fabulous Unicorn Magic Wand from Insomnia Angel. I have no memory of ever getting this, so that means one of my friends probably gifted it to me because it was a gacha item.
And what does one wear with a wand? A crown, obviously. I pulled out Fairie Queen by Sparkle Skye, which has always been a favorite of mine. I should wear crowns like this all the time, because why not. I’m also wearing the Caroline Gown from Just Because, one of my recent favorite gown makers. The pricing is fair, it’s sold by body type, and this gown has a shiny PBR finish that really works here. You could style it futuristic or regal, the choice is yours. Back in the day, girls used to run all over the grid in full flexi ball gowns like it was casual attire. Shopping, dancing, standing around somewhere. We need to bring that back.
Now let’s talk about Fantasy Faire. I go every year, usually for Jail & Bail with Patch Linden or the Silent and Live Auction during the last few days of the event where I like to bid on Linden-sponsored items. Because of that, Fantasy Faire to me has always felt like a Linden-endorsed event.
That is why all this AI drama looks so bad. Last year, I watched a resident get bullied by Fantasy Faire designers and maybe others too for using AI to enhance photos. I’m not even sure they were an official blogger. They may have just been a regular resident who got piled on so badly they removed a lot of photos from Flickr. Fantasy Faire organizers said nothing discouraging the bullying. That was a bad look, especially for a charity event benefiting the American Cancer Society.
Previously, Fantasy Faire allowed AI use for designers in certain ways, while banning bloggers from using it. Designers could reportedly use it for marketing or decorations as long as it was not being sold. This year they changed the rules again and moved toward banning AI entirely, even for things not for sale.
Then came the DRD situation. According to DRD, they were privately given the green light by organizer Elizabeth Tinsley to use AI posters around their region build. Then later another staff member came through putting up red boxes to mark items for review or removal before opening. Things escalated, and DRD says they felt publicly shamed and harassed.
If that is true, then the problem is not AI. The problem is how this was handled. You cannot privately approve something, then publicly crack down on it later and expect no reaction. Any designer would be upset.
In my opinion, the aggressive anti-AI stance has no place in a charity event, and the selective enforcement looks even worse. AI is a tool. Whether people personally like it or hate it, using it is not against Linden Lab’s Terms of Service. Treating residents like they did something terrible over it is unnecessary.
Fantasy Faire should be about creativity, fundraising, shopping, and fun. Instead it keeps becoming drama over technology. They should release a public statement, explain what happened, and maybe apologize where needed. They also need one clear rule for everybody. Not one rule privately, another publicly, and something else depending on who you are.
They picked the wrong battle, and now it shows.
DRD Statement from their Discord server
We had something special planned for Fantasy Faire this year: our return after 10 years, with a brand-new region and a follow-up story to San Mora.
What should have been an exciting return took a very different turn in the final days. What started as a discussion around AI use escalated **far beyond that**. We were transparent from the beginning and had shown what we were doing early on, with approval to move forward, but 2 days before opening the situation shifted, and how it was handled crossed a line for us.
It escalated into repeated public shaming using hundreds of red glowing prim markers pointing out anything and everything, it reached a point of bullying.
Eventually the entire build was covered in nearly a thousand Fantasy Faire posters. **There’s nothing left of what we created.**
We literally filled the region with Orwell quotes about censorship and authoritarian control and now we’re being silenced and erased in real time. The irony is not lost on us.
This was no longer about being anti-AI or pro-AI. Everyone is entitled to their own stance on that, and we respect differing opinions. What this became about was how poorly the situation was handled.
Things have really changed in 10 years.** It no longer felt like a Faire for charity… it became a protest against AI.**
__We weren’t even allowed to set up RFL vendors to sell our build__ , meaning we were not allowed to raise money for RFL.(?)
It no longer felt like something we wanted to be part of.
We donated the sim to FF to do with it what they wish and to remove the name Reservoir Zero, because that is NOT Reservoir Zero.
**We made the decision to step away completely**. We’re not going to compromise our work or vision just to fit in.
**So here’s what we’re doing instead:**
We’re moving the full, uncensored version of Reservoir Zero to our own sim.
This summer, it will become the **full apocalyptic experience** we originally planned… a proper continuation of the story.
For now, we’ve already started setting things up there together with a few amazing merchants, and we’ll be hosting our own Relay For Life charity event and party very soon.
We’re sorry for the sudden change and any disappointment. **This wasn’t how we wanted our return after all these years to go.**
But we’re looking forward to showing you the version of Reservoir Zero that actually reflects what we built.
Thank you to everyone who reached out and had our back, it meant a lot.
It’s already been a year since Glam Affair collaborated with Not Found to create the Ethereal Essence body skins. I tried wearing it for a while back then, but the shine was a bit too much for me, and I couldn’t get past my initial impressions. I ended up switching to Session Athena body skins, which I still love. That said, I’ve been wanting to go back to Ethereal Essence because the tones match my face skin perfectly without any blending or adjustments. I really wish Session would release something in those tones because they work so well together.
Anyway, onto this new body skin. I say this every time, but did I need another one? No. Did I want one that was actually made to match my face skin perfectly? Yes. I tried on the new Idol body skins from Ethereal Essence and the first thing I noticed was the reduced shine. There’s still some shine around the collarbones and shoulders, but the torso looks so much better now. This body skin also comes with several add on options to adjust or enhance the navel, vagina, cleavage, bone definition, thigh folds, and more. Overall, I’m really happy with both the options and how it looks. I would still add a few of Izzie’s tattoos that I like, such as body veins, foot tendons, and other small details that most people probably will not notice, but I will.
If you’re wearing Glam tones in the 001 to 020 range, definitely check out the new Ethereal Essence body skin because it is a perfect match.
Also don’t miss the Ethereal Beauty Hunt from March 29 to April 12. To celebrate the launch of the Idol body skin line, a few brands are doing free hunts for skins and cosmetics. There is a really nice Glam Affair skin available for free. I’m wearing the lipstick from the Linny gift skin in this post. You can get all 20 tones, you just have to find the gifts hidden around the Glam Affair store.
I was so excited to see Kuni at Hair Fair this year. It’s one of my favorite hair brands in Second Life. The textures look especially gorgeous when you turn on materials because there is a realistic shine that brings everything to life. It blends beautifully with SL skins and really adds to the realism of your avatar.
If you have not checked out Hair Fair yet, you definitely should. Every single item donates a percentage to Wigs for Kids, a smaller charity that could really use the support, especially right now. You get amazing hair and help a great cause at the same time. It’s a win win.
We’ve had proper mirrors in Second Life for almost a year now, and I don’t think I’ve used them as much as I should. Turning on high-resolution mirrors can feel a bit intense, so I don’t always keep them enabled, but I like knowing the option is there.
I stumbled across the Meredith Wallpaper Arch from Apple Fall recently. The wallpaper prints are pretty hideous, but I bought it anyway to turn it into a giant wall mirror. Success! I love how it turned out. Mirrors could definitely make fashion blogging better since you can show outfits from different angles. Have you tried them yet?
I also stopped by Tres Chic because they said there’d be gifts, and I walked away with this cute Zella Corset Top from Little Fox. I’m also holding an adorable little gift, the Adventure Passport from Havoc.
I’m a bit of a body skin collector and often change them depending on what suits my face skin. For years, I wore Pink Fuel body skins; they were my favorite because the shading was not heavy, and the texture was smooth with few imperfections. Even though I have several body skins that I’m happy with (including many tattoo fixes from Izzie’s), I jumped at the chance to try the free Next Level body skins from LAQ. If you use Maitreya, Legacy, Reborn, Belleza, Slink, or Omega (appliers), you’ll be able to wear these body skins. I am currently wearing it on the Maitreya LaraX body, and it’s just as good, if not better, than any body skins currently available from other brands.
I paired the LAQ 1.5 tone with my Glam Affair L005 face skin, but wanted it to be a touch lighter to match better. To fix this, I created body tint tattoos and listed them on Marketplace for L$10. If you want an exact match, like I do, be sure to check these out. You can easily tint the tattoo layers to match any face skin you’re wearing.
Recently, I found myself longing for a smooth body skin without highlights or shadows; I was tired of using dozens of body skin fixes to achieve the desired look. So, I am overwhelmingly impressed by this body skin. Mallory Cowen, the creator of LAQ, is a pioneer when it comes to texture skins in Second Life. She was among the first brands to create realistic skins with beautifully designed signature LAQ faces. I wore them for many years and think it’s nice to incorporate a bit of LAQ into my current look. I have also been asking Mallory to create some EvoX head skins, which I am know will be a success.
The generosity of some Second Life brands blows me away. Teleport to LAQ to get your hands on these free body skins.
Alaskametro creates the finest BoM tattoos on the grid, in case you were unaware. I hold this brand in high regard; the seams and texturing are simply flawless. I’m not just saying that. Few can achieve the level of detail like Alaskametro does, so I was thrilled to see the release of the Doll Parts BoM tattoo, which allows you to transform your existing Second Life body into a Ball Joint doll. This concept is reminiscent of an episode of Black Mirror, where a doll comes to life or where one’s consciousness is forever trapped inside a doll.
I love the idea of evolving my avatar, which I already consider my digital doll, into an actual doll. The Doll Parts pack comes with BoM tattoos along with extra highlight layers. Despite being made with textures, it’s exceptionally well done and looks fantastic. I appreciate that I can layer this over my current skin, ensuring a seamless blend.
Have you ever dreamed of becoming a virtual doll? If so, you can get this enchanting set at Anthology.
After putting this look together, I realized I could totally fit into the world of Bridgerton. I absolutely adore this outfit in Second Life. While I usually stick to casuals, when it’s time to “dress up,” I naturally gravitate toward elegant historical gowns. In a crowd of everyday wear, standing out in something romantic and girly is a delight.
You need to check out these Aurelia Drop Earrings from Sparkle Skye. They’re incredibly versatile and can be customized with different color options in the HUD. The shimmering gems are absolutely to die for! You can find these earrings and more stunning pieces at The Engine Room.
When I’m dressed like this, I feel like I should be called Lady Gorgeous Waterton of Cloud.
What is your Bridgerton name?
“Lord” or “Lady”
Your 1st name (SL or RL)
Add ‘ton’ to the end of the last thing you drank (SL or RL)
I went to the FLF Bday Bash primarily for the gifts but ended up walking away with a new skin! I got the demo, found it super cute, and after a bit of deliberation, I couldn’t resist since it was only L$50. If you’re like me and love free gifts, this event is a treasure trove with tons of them inside the lanterns in front of each shop. I have to admit, I have a bit of an addiction to collecting these gifts— sometimes I use them, sometimes I don’t. But who can resist a great deal?
Now, let’s talk about the skin! It’s from a brand I hadn’t worn before: Akeruka. They’re famous for their mesh heads, but did you know they also create skins? The fatpack is just L$350, but I decided to go for a single tone. I opted for the Lara skin in Porcelain tone because my usual go-to shade, Chantilly, seemed too tan this time around. Many brands produce skins for Velour tones, but Chantilly can vary widely across them. So, I chose a lighter tone and paired it with the Sorbet tone from The Skinnery for a perfect match.
I initially wanted to wear this Lara skin with lighter add-on brows, but the no-brows version wasn’t a good fit. The eyeshadow sits very high and, on the no-brows version, it ends abruptly instead of fading out. Despite this, I’m determined to make lighter brows work eventually because I love the look. For today, though, I decided to go brunette since the skin was too pretty to pass up.
I also rediscovered my love for KUNI hair recently. I went to their store during a hair sale and ended up purchasing four different styles. With Materials turned on, the hair looks incredibly realistic. There’s no AI at work here, only the magic of Second Life. I don’t remember KUNI hair textures looking this amazing pre-PBR, so the combination of PBR and Materials must be doing wonders.
