Virtual Designs In A Real World

Changes in VRs Empire

2009-08-25T08:53:00.005+01:00

Since my last updates I have moved back to the mainland after having various problems in the private sector. More recently, I have extended the new site and moved into the rental market.

The new site is split into four parts, VR Designs Ladies Fashion, Pippin's Garden Mall, Tessa Jewellery - owned by TE Yates and Club Divine Decandents - owned by Matthew Masingh. We have a great deal on rentals at the moment... for every two weeks you pay for, you get an extra week FREE!! Now that's got to be worth taking the plunge for ;) Just don't say I don't give you anything!!

Want to know where the new site is? http://slurl.com/secondlife/Wainscot/130/98/59 This will drop you into the middle of Pippin's Garden.

Like Hunts? We have one :) Like 7Seas Fishing? Yes that's here... we also have exclusive 'Lucky' customs available for a limited time. So come and swim with the dolphins, hunt for mushrooms, dance, fish, set up a new store and shop at the great stores that are already open.

Large Scale Project In Progress

2009-08-25T08:40:00.004+01:00

The title says it all really.... you didn't expect me to spill the beans on my plans to take over the world did you?

Just watch out for more little hints! They could be here or in my SL profile ;)

* Pure Neglect *

2009-08-13T18:56:00.001+01:00

Is this the most neglected blog you have ever read?

place your bets NOW!!

LapGirl 2009 Collection ON SALE NOW

2008-12-23T22:01:00.004Z

When I first arrived in SL almost 2 years ago I stumbled upon a gorgeous lingerie store, browsed a few times then went head first into my first ever SL purchase. The store in question was LapGirl Boutique and I have been a fan ever since! I was completely unaware who owned the store and made such fabulous goodies because as a newbie I hadn't really got the hang of things yet. I clicked on the 'mailing list' sign because I've always been a sucker for subscriptions. I visited occassionally but over that time I started my own business and tended to spend most of my time wearing things that I made myself, so purchased less and less of anything (clothing & accessories) anywhere.... good excuse for being tight with my L$!!! Then one day I received a mailing from that magic mailing list and it suddenly dawned on me that LapGirl was owned by someone I was a huge fan of... Shep Korvin!!

Now, we all know Shep for inventing the fantastic 'original' Lucky Chair... that's because when Lucky Designs took off LapGirl took a backseat and despite the massive following he had as a 'playboy fashion designer' he threw all his time into the new business. The great news is that he has just released a new collection for 2009, and I was lucky enough to model some of the new lingerie.... how amazing is that? I get to model in the store where I made my very first SL purchase!!

Anyway, be sure to drop in at LapGirl in the November region to check out and buy the new stuff.... sample pics below.... enjoy :)

Feeling a little 'moved'

2008-12-23T10:46:00.004Z

After almost 12 months in a location I love I have to report that I have moved :/ ok, I should rephrase that.... I have been moved! So let's go back a little....

I wake up one day in a location where I'm very happy, traffic is steady, business is good and most importantly everyone seems to know where to find me..... the next day I wake up to find a message from my 'un-named' land management company. They are giving me the good news that they are going to renovate my sim! yippeeeee!! Oh no, what's that next bit? "we need to relocate you" WHAT? that's not good, I'm really busy and can't spare time to relocate......

Let's cut the story short.... I had no choice so I have moved to a new beach location in Aerynth. If you have tried to visit Plush Rho recently you probably got a 'this region does not exist' message because they have moved, renovated and renamed it. Be sure to visit my new location where I have a 'Lucky Advent' calender & a collection of 'Lucky Presents' under my 'Lucky Christmas Tree'!!

I'm HERE!

2008-12-23T10:31:00.003Z

I'm here and can happily report that memory failure doesn't have to be forever! It's a long story but don't worry I'm back now..... all that remains is for me to remember where I am!!

So it must be March now? yes? I best get my spring range on sale ready for Easter then. OOooo I should have a fashion parade..... ok no, I'm not reliving the April 5th day of doom. Merry Christmas, the best present I have had *so far* this year is remembering my password after it completely vanished from my memory! Now I just need to remember my chip & pin number so I can buy everyone some presents!

The Bear Has Landed!!

2008-08-05T22:28:00.004+01:00

I would like to introduce you to my latest Linden Bear.... this time it is Torley's!! This is a cool bear, he's lovely, isn't quite so cuddly, but he *is* interactive, talks and even gave me a delicious slice of watermelon :D

Anyway, I best run.... I'm going to play with him a little more!!

Here

2008-08-04T15:10:00.004+01:00

No, not 'here' as in my blog! Not even blogspot! I'm talking about HERE ;p

I've just visited Torley's island 'Here' in Second Life and it's awesome. If you haven't visited yet WHY NOT? Go now and get your teeth into some of Torley's video tutorials. Even when you think you know it all, you don't know everything... but don't worry... Torley does!!

New Releases @ VR Designs !! Beachy & Sparkle Bikinis

2008-07-25T18:59:00.005+01:00

I have finally got round to posting this one!!!

Here are my latest 8 bikinis, available now for only L$65 each :)

I would also like to give credit to Tilina Matova for the gorgeous skin featured in these pictures.

DonorVend is about to touch down!

2008-07-25T15:34:00.005+01:00

I decided I wanted to cater for everyone. Not everybody can afford to pay top prices, so I thought it might be nice to have a few items available to purchase by donation!

I set about creating a new gadget that would cope with this function.... so I would like to introduce you to the new arrival.... 'DonorVend V1.2'.

DonorVend is now on trial in my stores starting today. There are three at my Plush Rho mainstore, so come over and check them out!!

I plan to put DonorVend on general sale this Monday, watch this space for more information!!

Did you miss me? I have information that could change your life forever!

2008-07-21T08:02:00.003+01:00

Has it really been a month since my last post? No, that has to be a mistake.... where does time go? OK watch out for a few posts this week because I have some new releases and some more Linden Bears!!!!

Back to the reason for this post! I have just heard about a superbly rewarding contest that is happening inworld this week. Shep Korvin of Lucky Designs (inventor of the 'Original Lucky Chair') is offering you a chance to get your face on his latest world dominating product... You could be FAMOUS, this is not like a 'Face of XYZ Inc' contest, this is BIGGER! In addition to some juicy L$, you could win the chance to have your face in not just one, but hundreds of stores, malls, clubs and other miscellaneous venues throughout Second Life. For full details see *this* post on Shep Korvin's blog.

The closing date is 'probably' 25th July 2008.... so Hurrrrrrrrrrry!!

Soooo Cuddly!!

2008-06-19T00:23:00.005+01:00

I've been meaning to post this one for a few days! I got my first Linden Bear from Sidewinder when I met him! I thought I would share him... so here he is!!

Watch out for 'impostor' Lindens!!

2008-06-14T00:29:00.006+01:00

I've just been having a little walk to clear my mind and I came across a real 'impostor' Linden! Now this is sort of cool because I have never met a Linden before... but look... OMG.. it's Sidewinder! You know who I mean, he's responsible for Havok4 (love it or hate it... as you wish!). Now I think Havok4 is great, wasn't so sure in the early days, but who likes change? anyway I can prove it was an 'impostor' because I snapped the above screenshot :)

Remember when impostors were first introduced in 1.19 and society crumbled because people were pixellating left, right and centre? then came the news that it was a new feature!! Hey guess what.. I hated it so much I still have it turned on!!!

Hold on.... that's not an impostor... it's the *real* Sidewinder!!!! OooooMG ok ok ok calm down, he's just a Linden and I'm behaving like I just met Val Kilmer... actually... get a closer look and he looks a little like Val Kilmer!! See the piccy below if you don't beleive me!

Anyway, I just wanted to share my wonderful news... I met and had a conversation with a Linden, and not just any old bod, a real, known, hardworking one!

(disclaimer: All Lindens work very hard so please do not read anything into my 'hardworking' comment!)

3pm Thoughts....

2008-06-03T14:58:00.003+01:00

Just thinking out loud... BUT....

The new Filipa Sandals will be Buy One GET ONE FREE for 48 hours

;)

(To take advantage of this offer buy one as normal, then if I am online IM me, or if I am offline, drop me a notecard with your choice of freebie!)

New Releases @ VR Designs !! Filipa Sandals

2008-06-03T14:27:00.003+01:00

I have just set out a new display in the 'Beach Wear' section of my main store in Plush Rho. This is 'Filipa' a collection of Sandals. There are 15 colour options as well as a 'Bargain Box' at a rediculously great price! They are only 8 prims each so wont hit your ARC too much!

The single packs are only L$50 each and the Bargain Box (containing all 15 sets) is just L$399.

See Pictures Below...

Happy Shopping!

Making my mind up...!

2008-05-31T16:52:00.006+01:00

Remember how many times I have rebuilt my main store? That was necessary to find what I was going to be happy with. The moment I finished that build I knew *that* was it. The same with the logo. I have been through a few now, but finally have *the* perfect one!

I am lucky to be blessed with good friends and certainly couldn't have got to where I am without them. Now that I am happy with my store & happy with my brand I can dedicate myself to meaningful content creation.... bringing my imagination into your world !!

So, when you are looking for genuine VR Designs merchandise.... this is what you are looking for....

Multi-Tasking Rules!

2008-05-21T09:35:00.006+01:00

Now... I'm not going to tell anyone what exactly I've been up to because that *would* be telling!! But a friend very recently asked how I've managed to prepare some new releases while I'm doing all the *other* things I've been doing lately! Well it's easy! I can multi-task!! As a matter of fact, I probably work better when I dip in and out of different things because I get to approach things with a fresh mind time and time again ;)

Anyway I'm only preparing this post to save my bacon.. I promised.. so here it is!!

I have just been taking some pictures of new releases, so..... hot off the press... here they are!! These two are called Jenni & Jolie, they will be in the store by the end of the day! (Darn there goes another promise!)

Oh... did I forget to say... NEW LOGO... so I want some comments because that is something ELSE I've been upto... and it took me Hooooooooooouuuuuuurs!!

In my multi-tasking frame of mind I'll leave you with something a little fun that totally fits in with this post!!!! Enjoy!

Look at me! Look at me! Look at me NOW!

It is fun to have fun, but you have to know how!

I can hold up the cup, and the milk and the cake!

I can hold up these books! and the fish on a rake!

I can hold the toy ship and a little toy man!

and look! with my tail..

I can hold a red fan!

I can fan with the fan, as I hop on the ball!

But that's not all. Oh NO. That's not all....

disclaimer: I did not write and do not have any claim to the
above extract!

Mile High Club

2008-05-17T19:11:00.010+01:00

Has it really been over two weeks since I bored you silly with my windlight delight? Well it's also been almost two weeks since my last Fashcon notice. This doesn't mean I haven't done anything for two weeks, though some may argue that point quite sucessfully!

So, where have I been for two weeks? take another look at the title....
.... no, not what you think *tut*, that's really naughty! I've been hanging around in my mile high(ish) skybox making things! I've been quite productive actually! I just haven't had a moment to take pictures, make boxes and communicate!! How about this... the first person to IM me and correctly tell me why the chosen picture is sooo wrong wins L$500 worth of goodies from my store.

I currently have two events running in the store. The first one (that ends soon) is a treasure trail. To take part all you have to do is click the treasure trail welcome board at the landing point and follow the clues until you find the box of goodies at the end!! The second event is a straight forward treasure hunt... no lollypops to lick this time round, just ten high quality designer items (in their original wall vendors) marked down to just L$1. All you have to do is find them!!! Good Luck!!

The group has not yet reached 100, I am still planning to send a goodie box to the whole group when it hits 100 so spam... no, I mean 'invite' your friends to join!!!

I have changed the music stream at the store to VoltRadio in support of my old friend DJ Sly/DJ Drew who is now a fully fledged DJ! Funny how virtual friends don't have voices... but OMG I just realised... Drew does!! (and I knew him before he was famous!!!!!) Anyway, if you are reading.... I wish you every success in your DJing career and look forward to listening to more of your superb music - any chance of some Meat Loaf?!

I guess this is where I sign off for today. Nag me a little and I will get my new released on sale!! If I haven't posted again by Friday feel free to IM me and call me naughty names!!

It just goes to show, money doesn't make the world go round - nVidia does!!!

2008-04-30T11:54:00.006+01:00

Has it really been over 2 weeks since I last updated? I've been so busy! Doesn't time fly!

SO, here is my latest news. I have just signed a 12 month L$95,000,000 contract with the hottest modeling company in SL.

Actually, I have just installed my new graphics card and this is a picture taken for my favourite stalkers. I cannot believe how much difference a decent graphics card makes! I can wazz everything up to highest quality ..... am still able to walk, fly & tp!!! Magic!!

New product line @ VR Designs

2008-04-15T14:50:00.003+01:00

I have just started making more wierd and wonderful things, they are available to purchase now.... check these out:

New Relases @ VR Designs

2008-04-15T14:35:00.008+01:00

I've been a little slow in doing this, but here are my 5th April New Releases for you. Be sure to drop into my megastore at plush rho and get yours!! Pictures that show box sets are also available in individual colours!

The morning after the night before

2008-04-06T08:41:00.003+01:00

Thank you Second Life® (no generic nouns here to keep my blog PG).

Thank you models, you did a great job with all the odds against you.

Today is THE day - I hope

2008-04-05T16:09:00.006+01:00

The countdown is almost complete but there maybe a small problem. The mothership has sunk and the lab rats can't seem to fix it. The race is on to patch up Phil's Place ready for 'Spring 2008' from VR Designs.

Is this just a big bad nightmare? someone pinch me quick! It's over 12 hours since these current issues started, when do you think it's coming back? Will the show go ahead? So many questions and so many people out here in the real world trembling in fear that the mothership may be lost and unrecoverable.

In the meantime I'm going to visit an alternate universe, one that was introduced by a friend who clearly didn't know how addictive a personality I have...... cross your fingers and hope I can return to normality within a couple of hours - I'm struggling here!!

Asset Server Issues = VR Anger Issues

2008-03-28T22:50:00.004Z

Having had a troublesome week and severe inability to do anything I am ploughing on and getting some odd things ready for next week. I was very naughty *grin* a couple of hours ago... I bought some more land ;0)

With the provision of a little more ground space I have been able to do some shifting and poking, pushing, lowering and pulling. The secret thing in the sky is now... no longer in the sky! wOOt!

Ok ok I'll get to the point :) I have been trying to rez a few items unsuccessfully and started feeling a little annoyed about the time I was wasting until 'return of the little blue dialog box' (does that need a ® or a ™ ?) GGGrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr now I'm blowing steam and turning a nasty shade of green. I would add a picture of how I feel but the advice is not to change clothing, attachments or appearance ;p

Is it just me or is this happening wayyyy too often? Who wants to bet this happens on the day of the parade... errrmmmm no no I'll take that back because it may be interpreted as wagering!!

Second Life and LindeX are trademarks of Linden Research, Inc.

Trademarks & Political Correctness

2008-03-28T10:00:00.004Z

I have been making changes to old posts as would certainly have been noticed by my regular stalkers. Now why oh why would I waste so much of my valuable time? Here is the short, straight forward story!

Linden Lab® have released the 'Second Life® brand centre' and issued guidelines on the legal & acceptable use of all terms that may be related to the Second Life® virtual world. It does not matter that the only people interested in reading my ramblings are Second Life® residents and are part of the same SL™ community as I am, therefore knowing that I do not own or in any way claim to own the Second Life® virtual world or any of the 'tag words' associated with it. Now what happened to Your World. Your Imagination.™ (tagline owned in whole by Linden Lab®, the creators and owners of the Second Life® virtual world).

I apologise if I have missed any registered trademark during my editing, this does not constitute me expressing any ownership or rights to them.

Thank you for reading

Second Life and LindeX are trademarks of Linden Research, Inc.

VRs Luckiest Chair

2008-03-20T22:28:00.006Z

My Luckiest Lucky Chair is now in place and active!!

The chair currently contains 3 gift vouchers; L$500, L$250 & L$100. To claim your goods send me your voucher along with an IM or Notecard listing the goodies you would like, as soon as I get online I will send the goods your way.

Hurry because these vouchers are available for a limited time.

Good Luck Hoppers!!

Fashion from VR Designs - Spring 2008

2008-03-17T14:58:00.006Z

Finally, the news everybody has been waiting for :)

The models are employed and the date is set! VR Designs mania is set to sweep around the world and cause hysteria. Life for me will never be the same again! I'm quite used to having sexy male undergarments thrown at me, but will I ever be able to move for paparazzi photographers snapping away at my every movement! I'll need to be careful who I mix with now because although I will cope with the media exposure, others may feel uneasy about it!

*giggles*

OK "/me comes back down to (virtual) earth" the parade is going to be on Saturday 5th April at 1pm (Second Life® virtual world time of course!). Most of the outfits (almost all) are going to be brand new & unreleased. Do you want to be the first to wear one? I will be setting up 16 bidboxes alongside the catwalk (figure and location correct at time of release) to start and end during the event. At the end of the parade all outfits will be going on general sale with many colour options planned.

The event is listed in the search database, set a notification, but don't trust it to work GRrrrrrrr to be more sure, join my group ~ VR Designs ~ (include the ~ in search or select and join from my profile) as I will be sending out notices and Group IMs as a reminder.... if they work on that day! We all love the Second Life® virtual world!!! Keep popping in here because there *might* be some very sneaky 'sneak previews' over the next couple of weeks!!

** a little message for my regular stalkers.... you *might* catch me wandering around wearing (test driving) some of the new outfits between now and Saturday 5th so pay close attention :))

You can stick your teleports up your.........

2008-03-07T08:03:00.009Z

So I'm happily minding my own business - I do that a lot! - and I need to teleport to another sim to help someone out.... I don't have to, but I'm a good sort and I like to be there for others if they have a problem. Good old community spirit!

I help a stranger in need and return to my 'home' location - currently my parade skybox; because that is where I am spending most of my time!

What the hell? I'm bald, what's that sticking out of my ass?? Oh no, return of the 'stick it up yer ass' teleport bug. Let's take a closer look at what I have collected up my ass today :

One High Heel Shoe
My Hair
Two VR Designs Lovey Dovey Earrings
My Engagement Ring
My AO
A Crystal Gadgets Radar
A Facial FX HUD
My Xcite HUD
A Flight Assisting Nipple Ring
My 'Be Happy' Add-On

Clearly I have a very big ass to fit that lot in!!! Time for a reboot I think!

We Luv the Second Life® virtual world!

New Releases (with a little 'twist')!

2008-03-06T16:24:00.003Z

Brand new in store this week is a collection of bikinis and sarongs. Being mix and match you never have to look 'the same' on the beach!! They are superb value at only $50 each so what ARE you waiting for? come on over and grab some!

The twist...? It's a nice one really! As stated on the picture, if you come over, stand on the X and say... We all love VR Designs ....you'll get a freebie :)

Under Construction AGAIN

2008-03-03T13:36:00.012Z

Sometimes it feels like all I ever do is build and rebuild. I call myself a fashion designer but feel like I do more building than I do designing! One day I'll be happy with my store *maybe*, but until then I'll probably continue with this endless feeling job.

I'm on a pretty quiet little sim, lag is usually not an issue and after looking at the *small* details that I wish to change I finally decide that the time has come to get this project pushing the boundaries of architecture. I don't know exactly what I'm doing or how I am going to do it... but here goes! I have put the boards around my development area - better than closing the store down completely, that's what all the big RL stores do isn't it?

I'm getting started on the work and before I know it I have to stop for a while and tend to RL....... ok back now! I really should be finishing the photoshoot I started.... it'll take maybe 20 minutes out of my busy building schedule. Once that is done my 'things to do urgently' list will be looking a little better and I don't have to feel guilty about moving some walls around in my possibly already *adequate* store.

Photo number one comes up trumps, I'm just about to take number two and................ OH NO not NOW. My region will be restarting in 5 minutes. I can't really move because these 6 pictures have to be identical poses in an identical position from an identical angle. I best rush through them or I'll have to start over. I don't have time to waste. Hold on, only a mere 30 seconds has passed and I have another of these irritating blue boxes.... Region restarting in 3 minutes. Are minutes in the Second Life® world much shorter than RL ones?

Luckily I got the 6 pictures I needed just before my time was up. In panic i'm scrambling around with my mouse trying to get on to the map to TP away before the land is ripped from under my blingy prim shoed feet. Everywhere around me will be restarting too I suspect..... quick.... think of a sim, any sim... just not too local to here.......... Got one.... right, where do I want to land.... Clickety click...TP QUICK

Phewww I did it! Having lived a very boring life recently I can only think of one sim name in a very, very split second.... but I'm there! I've landed in a classy, executive looking courtyard. I'm surrounded by crazy paving and palm trees on the edge of a tropical looking sim. Behind me is the deep blue ocean... I walk forward and see a great sight, Smith Jacobs; a skelleton, clearly he's been camping so long that he's dead! (how many points do I get for working that out?) the hover text reads "Smith Jacobs earned 239l$ so far - time: 27 years 54 days". Now that gives me an idea... I'd like to vaporise all soul-less campers because they drive me mad! I refuse to rent a shop in a mall full of campers because the land traffic figures are nothing more than a fraud.

Anyway, back to the classy place I now find myself in.... the owner of the establishment has a tip Jar, I tip him $50 because he saved me from the darkness and doom of the region restart that threatened to eat me alive! While I am standing here looking upon *hopefully* the fate of zombie campers in the Second Life® virtual world, two people arrive, I wonder if they like this place as much as I do? I'll never know because when they start speaking.... it's in another language!

So 41 minutes after I arrived and hung around making this lovely place look untidy (while I typed this!!) I am going to leave Smith Jacobs to rest in peace! My host will by now have received his *small* token of appreciation and know exactily where I took refuge!!

(and just in case you missed the point of this ramble - I'm making improvements to my store!)

Top Secret Project

2008-02-27T15:25:00.005Z

Ok...so it’s not really THAT top secret. There has been no 007 involvement (not as yet anyway) and it’s certainly not something that hasn’t been done before! The only top secret part was me hiding hundreds of metres in the sky preparing a purpose built venue for….. 'Fashion from VR Designs - Spring 2008'. My latest fashion parade!

The venue itself is a pure self build and has been kitted out with some super gadgets from Lucky Designs and Fnordian Furniture. Plants from Heart Garden Centre & Eric Linden!!

The event will incorporate an auction powered by Bidbox. See something you like in the parade and bid for it there and then!! The date is still to be confirmed (confirmed for 5th April 2008 @ 1pm SLT), watch this space for more information!! You can also join my group ~ VR Designs ~ (search groups and include the ~ OR select the group from my inworld profile and choose join).

When VR Designs Met Fnordian Furniture

2008-02-22T23:36:00.009Z

One morning I was minding my own business - literally - building a new store for my Plush Rho site when I got a new IM; it was from Fnordian Link. I know that name from somewhere… Ah yes, he teamed up with Shep Korvin to provide us with ‘Whats in the box?’ from Lucky Designs. He was also involved in the same testing group for Shep’s 3rd Generation Lucky Chair as I was.

Knowing that I have been a tester before, Fnordian asked me to test his new ‘Security System’, and as I knew he works with some of the better known Second Life® residents, I assumed he was reliable and the project wouldn’t be too time consuming and so was happy to help out. The system is great, very easy to use, menu driven and does exactly what it says on the box. Having run some tests and used the security system for a few weeks with everything running smoothly I was confident that he was a top quality scripter. I visited his new store in Blue Moon and purchased a multiporter system and what can I say? Another high quality product, easy to use and does everything I want… and more! I had a conversation with Fnordian and told him about my current project - still top secret - and to cut a long story short I bought a clever little script from him.

Fnordian’s texture changing script is fantastic, just what I wanted for my project! I had intended to manually change textures by dragging them from my inventory as and when I needed. Now all I have to do - after pre-loading my textures - is click on my 2 prim object to access a menu system that not only gives me the option to use any of the many loaded textures, but also the ability to add colour, bump mapping, shininess, full bright, transparency, etc etc. This script has so many uses, I have also added it to my photo booth (available for public use at the side of my store in Plush Rho). It would be a great tool for builders who want to experiment with texture effects via a menu driven system rather than through the drop down menus within the edit control box; fewer mouse clicks for great timesaving. Once satisfied with their project all they have to do is remove the script and textures to fix the changes. The script is on sale at Fnordian Furniture for a fantastic price of only L$300. Should you have any questions I am sure Fnordian would be happy to help you out, but if you would like to see it in action check out my photo booth, just click the floor to set the floor texture and the background to change the background texture!

The script is also available on SLX and OnRez.

Thank you Fnordian for such a great versatile script at such a bargain price. A retail outlet can only be as good as the materials the owners use!

Itchy Feet And Virtual Removal Vans

2008-02-22T23:34:00.004Z

I’ve been around the (virtual) world, oh yes! I’ve had shops in the strangest of places! Some successful, some not so successful and some expensive mistakes! I have learnt some lessons and no doubt I have more to learn. My main store has had to grow with my business so I have had to move around quite a bit but have hopefully now settled happily on my very own 4096 square metre parcel in Plush Rho.

Initially I ran my business from a 20 prim ‘pod’ at TE’s mini mall in Dingo, then realised that 20 prims just wouldn't do! I moved up to a rented 512 square metre parcel in Bunyip but within three months was running so short on prims that I packed up and moved to a rented 1024 square metre parcel in Canfield.

Canfield was a busy place! I spent a lot of time there in my basement designing, picturing and boxing up lots of new designs, until eventually in October 2007 I outgrew the store.

I moved back to my original starting point in Dingo where I shared a 2048 square metre parcel with TE Yates (around ¾ of it was for my use). This was one of the highlights of my time in the SL™ community. I had great neighbours at 'Knuckleheads Tatoos & More' and it was Halloween - wOOt! I decorated my store with webs and ghosts, dressed up for the occasion and best of all.... I took part in Shep's Hallween Hunt 'Trick or Treat 2007'. I rented a vendor spot over at the central hub and designed some great themed outfits for the event.

Unfortunatly - I knew it was going to happen - TE sold up all her land in December so that she could enjoy a more ‘come and go as I please’ life. I considered my options and decided it was time to buy my own land so I headed over to Anshe Chung’s Dreamland.

On December 23rd 2007 I bought a lovely, peaceful, lag free 3072 square metre parcel in Plush Eta, built my store and installed all my wonderful Lucky Designs paraphernalia. I was happy! I had never imagined life could be THIS free from lag! Not complaining though, it was wonderful to teleport in and have everything there, rezzed and ready to use! But one morning I logged in and was a little confused, was I back on the mainland? I’ve never known lag like it; not even on the mainland to be perfectly honest. I went over to the central island to check the SIM stats and found that performance was running at 20%… ohh dropping to 16%… ohh no dropping again to 12%. I contacted the wonderful Dreamland Angels and the SIM was restarted, there was clearly something wrong as it was only running at 30% after the restart. On my way back to my parcel I noticed some new buildings on the previously empty parcel adjacent to mine. Assuming this probably had something to do with the drained resources I took a look and found that they had built a casino and nightclub. They were running so many scripted items, spinning, flashing lights, particle emitters, moving light rails that were entirely voice activated. I couldn’t believe it. One inconsiderate neighbour had destroyed my peace and 50% of my store wouldn’t even rez. Dreamland restarted the sim several times a day but the situation got worse as the ‘Lag Monster’ neighbour continued to install more and more flashing things. I battled on for a further couple of weeks before getting in touch with dreamland and requesting a move. Within 24 hours I had found the perfect spot, a 4096 square metre parcel in Plush Rho…. My current haunt!!!

Now remember the ‘learning curve from hell’ I spoke of earlier? I really hope I have finished climbing it now!!! I think it’s about time to sit back a relax a little and start designing again !!

Moving every three months is not fun at all so I wouldn't advise it to anyone!! I've got more prims than I could have dreamed of last year so I certainly wont be outgrowing the new store!!

Lag, Lost Inventory & Objects that Vanish On Rez!

2008-02-22T23:34:00.003Z

If you don’t know what lag is you have clearly never been to the Second Life® world! If it wasn’t such a great place to hang out I’d have jumped ship long ago. I’m not even talking about NOW, I’m talking about more like April 2007. I know the lost inventory problems have been going on since long before I joined SL, but I learnt yet another lesson. One weekend every third item I rezzed vanished and I had quite a few customers ask for another copy of a ’No Copy’ item they had purchased, since I had suffered myself I obliged and made my decision to set everything to Copy/No Transfer.

After making this change, only a copy of the item would be eaten, as the original was still (hopefully) safely in the customers inventory! So there you have it… another valuable lesson learnt and eradicated! (also the answer to a question I have been asked time and time again - Why are your items set to No Transfer?)

Empire Building Take Two: One Part Cement, Two parts Sand & One Part Water!

2008-02-22T23:25:00.001Z

I may have climbed the ‘learning curve from hell’ but things would get much easier from here for sure! I had shown my work to my friend TE Yates along the way and she offered me a small shop in her mini mall. Thank you TE, where would I be today without you? In return for her kindness I gave her a full perm copy of my two dresses for her to put into her Lucky Chair - whatever that was - and asked her to set the perms for next owner to ‘No Copy’ when she distributed them. She did exactly as I asked and I tested it with her - though it took many resets to get the chair to call a V - I figured that it would be nice to let people pass the dress on to a friend if they hated it or had already won one. Mistake number…. What am I up to? Three??

One morning I logged in and went over to my little shop only to find somebody had rented the shop next door and put my dresses up for sale at half the box price. How could this be? I was very upset, after all I had gone through, someone was trying to sell MY hard work as their own. As it turns out they were single copies that he had won from the Lucky Chair a mere 20 metres away. Once TE came online and I spoke with her it was cleared up quickly but I my confidence had been dented. The freeloader himself actually became a friend, though sadly he has since left the SL™ community completely. SO just in case you ever read this, thank you Ernesto, you helped me in the hardest of ways!

So having learnt a lesson about the lack of morality in our previously lovely, happy, flowery world I decided that freebies were best set to No Transfer! I continued to grow my collection and opened a bigger store on a rented 512 square metre parcel in Bunyip. I installed four of these ‘Lucky Chair’ things that TE had and business started booming. So my third big thank you is to Shep Korvin of Lucky Designs for his fantastic invention. If you don’t know what a Lucky Chair is… where have you been? Get yourself over the Bermuda immediately and start living a lucky life!!

Pictured Right: Bunyip April 2007- my first 'real' store... featuring my four lucky chairs (spot me on the left in my 'little black dress')

Empire Building Take One: The Sand And Water Way!

2008-02-22T23:06:00.001Z

I started building my empire in January 2007 and had lots of fun learning about the wonders and pitfalls of working with flexi prims! Ok I admit I was useless! I made some lovely skirts and as soon as I added flex they drooped and hung around my knees and ankles! Mmmm I must have been doing something wrong! I worked on it for a few days before realising that the flex clearly works from bottom to top rather than top to bottom! I had cracked it! I made my first two flexi dresses, Lava Queen and Blue Lagoon.

Ok so that was surely it, I could just make clothes now! wOOt! I decided to make a cute black leather zip-up corset and thong set; your virtual life isn’t complete until you own one and ladies can wear them too!! I downloaded a set of Chip Midnight templates and set to work. It didn’t take very long and soon I was ready to upload. First was the corset, everything went great and it looked cool, not bad for a first try! Then time for the thong, how could anything go wrong now? I paid my L$10 for the texture upload and created a new set of underpants but strangely something HAD gone wrong!! My thong - from the front - looked like a pair of shorts that had split up the inner leg. I took another look at the texture and decided I had obviously created too much fabric so I started to reduce it, shorter and shorter. A dozen or so uploads later I gave up, I was defeated. It was a painful experience and I couldn’t think about anything else for days. “OK one more try” I thought to myself, and this time….. It worked!!! I wished there had been a way to test the textures without paying L$10 each time, but accepted that succeeding was worth all the L$ I had wasted! It took me many more months, but I finally found the preview clothing feature on the upload screen!!! “Can I get my wasted L$ back now please?”!!

Hello and welcome to my first ever blog!

2008-02-20T19:35:00.001Z

Ok so the title is a little unimaginitive! ..but it is a description of the aim of my new blog!

I am VictoriaRose Daniels and I own 'VR Designs Ladies Fashion' in the Second Life® virtual world. I hope to have some lovely pictures and information here very soon so watch this space! In the meantime why not check out my store inworld at Plush Rho.

This picture is of me at a friend's wedding in one of my earliest outfits, made especially for the wedding. I also made this outfit in Blue and Green!