sparkle skye

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    Linden Lab Paid Me for My Pain and Suffering

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
    0 Comments
    Ocean

    Gaeta 1 is staying, baby.

    This whole thing is going to go down as Gaeta Gate in Second Life history, the time Linden Lab tried to remove a small, unfinished continent, only to completely reverse course a few months later. I waited forever to be relocated from Gaeta 1 to New Zindra, but it never happened, so I eventually started selling off the land I’d bought there piece by piece because I’d already acquired quite a bit of snow land and figured I was simply going to move on.

    Then on Monday I received an email from Linden Lab basically saying, “We’re giving you some money for your pain and suffering, and by the way, Gaeta 1 isn’t closing anymore.” Suddenly the whole situation changed. You can stay if you want to. You can still move if you’d rather have a parcel in New Zindra and keep Gaeta 1 too. If you’ve already moved, you cay stay or come back to Gaeta 1! I have to admit I’m pretty happy with the outcome, even if this has been one of the biggest rollercoasters I’ve watched Linden Lab put residents through. From the original announcement until now, it’s been one surprise after another, and I still don’t think the ride is completely over.

    If you look around Gaeta 1 today, a huge amount of land is marked “On Hold,” which most of us assume means former residents are deciding whether to return. I’ve already noticed some of the larger land barons making their way back, but it does raise an interesting question about whether people will end up keeping both their new land or coming back to their original Gaeta 1 land. After all, the original reason Linden Lab gave for closing Gaeta 1 was the massive amount of abandoned land, and that problem isn’t automatically solved just because some previous owners decide to move back.

    I think Linden Lab knows they need to move quickly, and the August 17 deadline they gave everyone in the email makes that pretty obvious. I didn’t wait around because I’m easy. I replied immediately and told them I was staying, mainly because I have absolutely no interest in moving to New Zindra. I was originally interested, but have you seen the horrendous new grass texture? No thank you! My guess is they want to wrap this entire situation up as quickly as possible so Gaeta Gate becomes nothing more than a strange chapter in Second Life history, after which they can start selling and auctioning parcels in both Gaeta 1 and New Zindra again. I could even see them experimenting with more double-prim parcels if it helps encourage people to buy mainland, although I don’t expect they’ll spend time finishing the unfinished west coast of Gaeta 1 when they already have so much abandoned mainland elsewhere on the grid.

    Ocean

    I love land, so after all of this, I decided to officially move into my little Gaeta 1 parcel instead of letting it go. My friend Malayaa decorated the cozy 1,500 sqm oceanfront property for me, and it’s exactly the right size. As long as my neighbors don’t move back in tomorrow and completely ruin my view, I think I’m going to be pretty happy here.

    Ocean
    Ocean

    What I’m Wearing:
    Exile – Prisma
    The Kiwi Co – peaches Set (Top, Shorts, FlipFlops)
    Sparkle Skye – Emily Pearl Headband
    Glam Affair – Gwen (L003)
    LeLutka – Ubon Mesh Head

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    Frankly, My Dear… I’ll Continue Wearing LaraX

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
    3 Comments
    Frankly, My Dear...

    “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.”

    Most people know this iconic line from Gone with the Wind, but have they actually sat through all four hours of the movie? If you haven’t, you should at least once. Scarlett O’Hara isn’t exactly likable, but she was a survivor, and that’s probably why she’s remained such a memorable character all these years later.

    I recently rewatched Gone with the Wind to get in the mood for photographing my current obsession from this round of The Arcade.

    My friends were absolutely gushing over the Monique dress from PurpleMoon, and of course we all wanted the rare Floral version. With the right styling, it looks like something Scarlett herself might have worn while dramatically descending a staircase at Tara. As you all know, I have a weakness for period-inspired fashion, so even though the print does remind me a little bit of a floral sofa, I was willing to overlook that minor detail. The gloves are a lovely touch, and I’m even wearing the matching heels underneath the dress, though you can’t see them in these photos.

    I normally don’t pay much attention to gacha these days, but once in a blue moon I’ll keep playing until I get exactly what I want.

    Frankly, My Dear...

    Speaking of that famous line, let’s circle back to it for a moment.

    The thing amusing me this week is watching some designers encourage other creators to drop support for LaraX, while also suggesting customers should simply switch bodies instead.

    This dress is made for LaraX. I bought it because it’s made for LaraX. If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t have.

    I’ve never switched mesh bodies just to wear a particular outfit, and I probably never will. If something isn’t made for the body I’m using, I move on. There is so much talent in Second Life that no single brand is irreplaceable.

    Until something better comes along, I’ll continue wearing Maitreya LaraX. It does everything I need it to do. It’s funny to me that there are still residents happily wearing system bodies, yet some people act as though using a mesh body that’s still one of the most widely supported on the grid somehow makes you outdated.

    I’m not resistant to change. I’m not afraid of trying new things. I’m just not interested in switching to something that doesn’t offer me anything better than what I already have.

    So frankly, my dear…

    I don’t give a damn.

    Frankly, My Dear...
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    Hair Fair 2026

    Bygogo Events, Fashion, Hair, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
    4 Comments
    Hair Fair 2026
    Truth Collective – Mochi

    Hair Fair is open!

    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.

    Hair Fair 2026
    Kuni – Manu
    Hair Fair 2026
    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.

    Hair Fair 2026
    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.

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    The Fantasy Faire AI Drama Was So Predictable

    Bygogo Brands, Events, Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized, What I think
    0 Comments
    The Fantasy Faire AI Drama Was So Predictable

    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.

    ## See you soon in the real Reservoir Zero

    — Jaimy & Eowyn

    Other blogs covering this story:

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    Second Life Brands That Understand Loyalty

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
    2 Comments
    Spring

    Even though many brands in Second Life create amazing products, the way they treat customers can leave a sour taste in your mouth. When that happens, it makes you think twice about spending money with them again.

    I’ve encountered more than a few brands I’ve supported that ignore simple customer service issues, like refunding a double purchase or answering a basic question. I’m sure most of us have experienced being completely ignored by a store owner or customer service rep. Some people know how to create great things in Second Life, but they never learn how to build loyalty.

    On the other hand, the brands that go out of their way to be kind and helpful earn my support for years.

    One example is Everfaery. Every time I’ve had a question or needed help, they’ve responded in a way that was even nicer than expected. Honestly, the fact that they respond at all already puts them ahead of many brands. Recently, I asked a question on Flickr and got a quick reply. That reminded me they also give L$50 monthly store credit to group members. On top of that, creator Fever Fae is incredibly talented, making clothing, hair, shoes, décor, and more. She has range, and she’s had staying power in SL for years.

    Spring

    Another brand that consistently treats customers well is Izzie’s. I’ve said it before, but it’s true. A few days ago, I saw their Nail Beds set and thought, “I didn’t even know I needed that.” Now I can’t imagine not having it. It adds another layer of realism, and I appreciate creators who think of those details. Plus, Izzie Button has always come across as genuinely kind.

    Then there’s Truth. Creator Truth Hawks regularly gives gifts to the VIP group and runs solid sales throughout the year. I’ve also been a Truth hair blogger for years, and their relationship with bloggers has always seemed professional and respectful. That kind of relationship-building is one reason some brands last so long in Second Life.

    My list of brands doing it right is actually pretty long. There are many wonderful creators in SL. But when a brand ghosts me after I’ve supported them, I remember it. I’m too classy to name names, but you know the type. We’ve all encountered them.

    There’s one brand where I used to buy every fatpack. Now? Maybe I’ll grab a single item during a weekend sale and spend the equivalent of a real-life quarter. Why reward bad customer service with full-price loyalty?

    At the end of the day, customer service matters. Talent may get people through the door, but kindness and reliability keep them coming back.

    If there are any brands you love that treat customers right, let me know in the comments!

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    Moving to New Zindra, Gaeta 1 Continent Closing

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized, What I think
    3 Comments
    Homebody

    Even though I rezzed in Second Life in 2006, the first 13 years of my SLife were spent on private regions. I bought my first region in my first year, so mainland was never something I paid much attention to. I didn’t even get Premium until I got my first Bellisseria home on April 15, 2019. Ever since then, I’ve been buying mainland here and there, holding snow land, bidding on auctions trying to get beach land, all of it. I love land. I don’t always love mainland chaos, but I love nice waterfront land enough to keep dealing with it.

    So when I read the post about Gaeta 1 closing, I’m not even going to lie, my first thought was where the hell is Gaeta 1? Then I kept reading and saw they’re offering size for size replacement parcels and will work with owners to find something comparable. The second I read that, I went straight over there and bought land.

    Gaeta 1
    Gaeta 1 continent in Second Life

    If owning land there is my ticket into the new Zindra continent, then I bought my ticket and I’m ready to move.

    There’s a town hall Monday, April 20 at 11am SLT, so I’m hoping they give real details then. For residents like me that can move instantly, I hope Linden Lab lets us rush in and claim spots first. I’m not going to waste anyone’s time going back and forth for weeks. Just give me what was promised, a comparable parcel. Every piece of land I bought on Gaeta 1 is waterfront, so yes, I expect waterfront back.

    What makes this fun for me is I remember when Bay City launched, and I remember Horizons too, but I wasn’t Premium back then. Now I am, and I am readyyyyyyyy.

    The Adult land part does not bother me at all. I’m an adult. I also don’t think everyone is about to throw up sex clubs all over the ground. I think a lot of people will do homes, gardens, cute builds, and nice parcels like anywhere else. What I do hope for is some kind of covenant. No ugly visible ban lines, no giant prim walls killing views, no trash in the sky. Let’s start this continent off right.

    This is not a fashion post, but I still need to say go get the new Margot tee from ISON. I wasn’t even going to buy it until I saw they were giving a free print HUD with any color pack. The prints are cute, it got me immediately, and now I own it.

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    Galentine’s Day

    Bygogo Events, Fashion, Hair, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized, What I think
    1 Comment
    Galentine's Day

    It’s Galentine’s Day, and two of my favorite girls in Second Life just released the cutest stuff. The kind of things you gift to yourself and conveniently “accidentally” buy for your friends too.

    First up is the Versailles Love Cup from Flair, which is definitely Gogo-approved. I love holdables, and I love them even more when there are options so I can match it to my outfit.

    Sparkle Skye also just released the Fiona Collection for Gacha Arcana, so if gacha’s your thing, go play. The best part is you can mix and match all the pieces, which is dangerous for me because I’ll absolutely convince myself I need every variation.

    I’m currently obsessed with the Fiona ring, which is a Vault item, but don’t ask me to explain how to play Gacha Arcana because I genuinely don’t know. Sparkle tried to explain it to me, and I nodded like I understood, but I wasn’t retaining any of it. I think it has something to do with getting rewarded for playing a lot. That’s all I’ve got.

    After I put together today’s outfit, I realized it was giving equestrian vibe. Which is funny because I don’t plan outfits based on themes. I wear things based on whatever pops up on my radar.

    Galentine's Day

    Like this Stella top from Tres Blah, which popped up again because it’s on sale. I already owned it, so I just grabbed a redelivery for LaraX and suddenly it felt like I bought something new without spending money. I love when brands update older items for previous customers. It’s one of the few things in SL that still feels genuinely nice.

    This new hat hairstyle is from Wings, and you can customize the logo area with your own text. I made it my name because the template was easy to use with clear instructions. I normally don’t customize anything because I’m lazy, but this one was worth the effort.

    While Gacha Arcana from MadPea is fresh on my mind, I want to say something as a resident and customer. I think there are way too many events in Second Life, and I’m saying that as someone whose main hobby in SL is literally shopping.

    Even I only go to maybe one or two events a week, and when I go, I mean I teleport in, hit the brands I already know, buy what I came for, and leave. I’m not wandering. I’m not browsing. I’m in and out.

    Meanwhile, every month, I watch event companies create even more events, and all it does is spread the same sales thinner and thinner for everyone.

    And to be clear, I’m not personally calling out Gacha Arcana here. This applies to pretty much every event company over the past year that has not only created more monthly events on top of their existing ones, but also added marketplace counterparts, weekend sales counterparts, one-off holiday events, and even brought gacha back into the mix. At some point, all of this stops helping creators and starts hurting them.

    Recently I heard that some creators participating in Gacha Arcana noticed the low traffic and lack of sales, so they brought it up with the organizer. The organizer blamed it on the real life economy affecting sales in SL. And yes, that’s true. The economy is weird right now. People are cautious. Disposable income is tighter.

    But event organizers in SL also need to take some responsibility for the mess they’ve helped create. When you keep stacking events on top of events, you create an economic downward spiral. The user base isn’t big enough to support an endless stream of new events popping up just because organizers want to squeeze even more event fees out of creators for their own benefit.

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    Briar Wings

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Skins, Uncategorized
    3 Comments
    Sparkle Skye - Briar Wings

    If you don’t get excited about a nice pair of wings in Second Life, can you even call yourself a resident? Even though I own all types of wings, from angel wings to fae wings and even wings made out of branches, I still get that little spark of excitement when I find a new pair I don’t already have.

    These Briar Wings from Sparkle Skye are currently at Midnight Order. They’re made with delicate branches, tiny pearls, leaves, and strands of twinkling lights that you can turn on and off. I don’t really know where I’m going with this look yet, but I’m honestly just so pleased that they match my dress perfectly.

    Bryce

    And can we talk about skins for a second? Why are there so many good ones being released right now? I’m extremely picky, yet I just fell in love with the new Bryce skin from Glam Affair. This skin has some of the nicest lips I’ve ever seen. I honestly wish I could get the default lips on a tattoo layer so I could wear them with everything. Aida Ewing, the creator of Glam Affair, has also been absolutely killing it with the brows. I don’t usually love default brows, but lately I’ve been loving all of them. I still wear the tintable version though, just so I can make them light brown.

    Even though I’ve already added enough of Izzie’s tattoo layers to make this skin perfect for me, I still tried on another skin anyway… and of course I love that one too. I’ll save that for the next post. Stay tuned!

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    Festive

    Bygogo iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
    0 Comments
    Festive

    Now that Halloween is over, it feels like everyone is ready to skip right past Thanksgiving and jump straight into Christmas. I’m already seeing so many festive decorations and accessories popping up this weekend, and I’m not complaining. I love it. The colors are perfect. I love the classic red and green just as much as the soft pastels and icy winter blues.

    Sparkle Skye is releasing the Noel Hair Wreath at the MadPea Gacha Arcana event. Even though I have mixed feelings about gachas, I do think they have their place in Second Life for people enjoy inexpensive items. Gachas are great if you don’t care what you get, and because they’re transferrable, you can gift some extras to friends. ‘Tis the season of giving, after all!

    Check out the Shopping Guide and visit: https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/MadPea%20Base/76/163/33

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    Stillwater Village

    Bygogo Fashion, Hair, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
    1 Comment
    Stillwater Village

    Hello from Stillwater Village! I needed a pretty place to show off my pretty new teacup from Sparkle Skye, so I found this gorgeous estate and decided it was the perfect backdrop for these photos. The trick to crashing an estate in Second Life is simple: act like you belong. Stand in front of houses or public buildings, but steer clear of homes where people are inside. I’ve never once been asked to leave. Most estates are surprisingly welcoming to bloggers and photographers.

    A little bird told me that today is Truth Hawk’s birthday, so happy birthday to one of the most prolific hair creators in Second Life. Thank you for two decades of beautiful styles! One of my earliest memories is wandering into Truth’s shop in an urban region, back when he only sold clothing. Are you old enough in Second Life to remember that? It feels like things have come full circle now that Truth is releasing clothing again. This top might be a little nipply, but I don’t care. It’s cute, it’s still modest in its own way, and I love it.

    Stillwater Village

    I spent the entire month of August without shopping. I survived retail blackout and came out the other side.

    Now I’m back just in time for autumn cozy vibes and everything the grid has to offer.

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