Ihave been in SL since 2008, and so much has changed in that time— from the boxy beginnings of prim SL furniture to the immersion of mesh, and now into the new PBR era. However, there are a few things that remain foundational to my SL experience. Today, I am going to share seven of those things with you. They are all stores that have managed to weather the storms and adapt to the changing times while still producing quality home and garden items for us all to enjoy. They are also stores that have made my inventory total the epic amount it is today!
{what next} has been delighting residents since it opened its doors in 2009. This virtual haven offers a curated selection of original mesh indoor and outdoor furnishings, decorative accessories, seasonal products, and wearables. With a focus on quality and design, {what next} has earned a reputation for its innovative and aesthetically pleasing creations. Whether you’re seeking to furnish your virtual abode or adorn your avatar with edible goodies, {what next} is the go-to destination for those with discerning taste. Thank you to Winter for continuing to produce quality items after all these years and, on a personal note, thank you for giving me a chance as a blogger when I was new and no one else would!
Bazar an essential treasure trove of H&G items since 2008, has kept with its tradition of high-end items with its eclectic mix of high-quality mesh furnishings, décor, and accessories. From the refined elegance of classic designs to the whimsical charm of quirky creations, Bazar caters to every taste and style. Ria’s dedication to innovative design and meticulous craftsmanship has cemented their reputation as a leading purveyor of virtual goods. Dreaming of a serene escape or a vibrant gathering place? Bazar’s collection can make it a reality.
CHEZ MOI Furnitures is a beloved Second Life store and has been since it opened in 2012. Nanda ensures that her store offers high-quality mesh furnishings, décor, and accessories, renowned for their romantic and cozy aesthetic. From elegant bedroom sets to charming garden ornaments, CHEZ MOI provides everything you need to create a warm and inviting home in Second Life. Nanda’s dedication to quality and attention to detail has made this store a favourite among virtual homeowners, ensuring that every item adds a touch of elegance, sophistication, and fun to your virtual abode.
KraftWork has been consistently producing fabulous home and garden items since its establishment in 2016. This fabulous store offers a diverse range of high-quality mesh furnishings, décor, and accessories, catering to a variety of tastes and styles. From rustic charm to modern elegance, KraftWork has something for everyone. Nodnol’s commitment to innovative design and attention to detail has solidified their reputation as a leading provider of virtual goods. Whether you’re seeking to create a cozy retreat or a sophisticated social space, KraftWork is your one-stop shop for all your Second Life furnishing needs.
Nutmeg has been captivating residents since its inception in 2017. The store offers a huge range of furnishings, décor, and accessories, known for their elegant and sophisticated designs. From contemporary living rooms to romantic bedrooms, Nutmeg provides everything you need to create a stylish and luxurious home in Second Life with both interior and exterior items. Neva’s sense of colour and creative style has made this a favourite store of decorators and people who love clean lines and cosy living.
Scarlet Creative, a prominent force in Second Life’s home and garden design scene, has been inspiring virtual residents since its creation in 2006. This innovative store offers a wide range of stylish and functional houses, furniture, decor, and outdoor items. From sprawling stately homes to cosy cottages, as well as the furniture for both, Charlotte provides everything needed to create stunning virtual homes. With their commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, Scarlet Creative has become a much-loved destination for those seeking to elevate their Second Life homes.
Trompe Loeil, a Second Life home and garden institution since its beginning in 2007, continues to amaze with its breathtaking creations. Cory’s store specialises in creating stunning, realistic environments with a focus on intricate details and immersive experiences. Their offerings include a wide range of high-quality mesh homes, gardens, and furnishings, each meticulously crafted to blend seamlessly with the virtual world. With a commitment to innovation and artistry, Trompe Loeil continues to push the boundaries of virtual design, providing Second Life residents with the opportunity to create truly breathtaking and unique spaces.
These seven Second Life stores offer a diverse range of builds and products to transform your virtual world into a stunning reality. Years of experience and a commitment to innovation and satisfaction ensure they will last for years to come, elevating your virtual home and garden experience.
Selfies Considered as One of the Fine Arts
Coco St. George
Ifound my friend Stacey deeply contemplating her own reflection in a mirror through the camera of her smartphone. I suddenly realized that, lately, I had seen her in poses so strange you would think Anatomy wouldn’t allow them: head tilted down in angles you’d need a protractor to understand, lips pursed as if she had sucked lime juice, arms stretched out to impossible lengths, and legs intertwined in ways not yet known to humanity.
I waited patiently until she finished her photoshoot, amazed at the fact that I knew nothing about my best friend’s latest fad. How could that happen?
“Simply,” she responded after thoughtful consideration. “Ever heard about social media?” she asked contemptuously.
Come on! Who in this day and age is not familiar with social media? In fact, I considered myself kind of a pioneer in this domain, ever since I had my Hotmail account and a page in MSN Spaces. Admittedly, I haven’t been very active lately in either of those, but still…
“MSN Spaces? Puh-lease! You need to update your act, dear. MSN Spaces closed back in 2010… what have you been doing ever since?”
Begrudgingly, I had to admit to myself I had no ‘act’. What was Stacey talking about?
She took out her smartphone and started tapping and scrolling at a speed and with a skill I had rarely seen. Finally, she found what she was looking for and showed me a picture of her, dining at a restaurant with some friends. The screen was so cluttered with comments, hearts, emojis, and whatnot that I had a hard time recognizing her.
“Either you are here, or you are nowhere,” she added in a stern tone. “You can even make a living with social media… that’s what I am working on now.”
PHOTOS: COCO ST GEORGE
Somehow, I felt I wasn’t the pioneer I thought I was.
“You mean to earn money?” I asked just to be sure I had got the idea right.
“Of course! That’s the whole point.”
“Real money, or…?”
“Real money,” she answered hastily. “I wouldn’t get into all this trouble for just Monopoly money. Mmm… okay, let me show you.”
She took her laptop from under her bed, opened it, and after a few clicks and keystrokes, she found the page she was looking for.
“I just don’t want to repeat the mistake I made years ago with Avatars United,” she explained. That was the very first attempt to establish a social network for gamers of all kinds, including of course Second Life residents. We all were very excited to have ‘our own Facebook’, as someone dubbed it.
“Look, this is my profile on Primfeed, the only social media I know of that caters to Second Life residents.”
I was looking at a clean and well-designed web page, consisting mainly of pictures not always captioned with heart icons to show you like what you’re seeing. I scrolled down the page and found some pictures that… well, let’s just say not the kind of pictures you’d show Aunt Maude after your vacations.
“What was the mistake?”
“I was just too invested in it. I blogged, posted pictures, organized debates, and even managed groups. It was great for me. Half of my free time I was busy doing something there. But then, back in 2010, Linden Labs bought the platform and that was it. A few months later, they closed it, without so much as a fair warning or a credible explanation.”
She went back to her laptop and started clicking and typing speedily. Finally, she gestured at me to take a look at the screen.
Ah, yes,” she explained. “Primfeed allows all kinds of content ratings, even in the free version.”
“There is a paid version?”
“Sure, if you want to post pictures with a resolution higher than 1500, among other perks. But for the time being, I’m sticking to the free version. We’ll see what happens down the line.”
She paused as if a painful memory suddenly had struck her.
“This is Flickr, which is also a platform for pictures. It’s conceived mainly for professional photographers in real life, but for some reason, Second-Lifers seem to have taken a shine to it for posting their own pics. So, most of the SL photographers have their Flickr page and flaunt it in their profiles.
And of course, there are many avatars that have an Instagram account. Let me show you mine.”
More clicking and typing before she showed me her page. I took a peek, and I couldn’t help noticing it looked a lot like Primfeed.
“It’s the other way around, of course,” Stacey replied. “Insta appeared in 2010, ages before Primfeed.” Here, as on Flickr, the graphic content is king, both in photographs and videos. But if you want videos,
the place to go is YouTube and, as of 2016, its fiercest competitor TikTok.
I had more questions than when she started explaining. But there was an idea that kept going around in my mind since she mentioned it, so I had to ask about the ‘real money’.
“Influencers get paid based on different criteria. For instance, on Facebook and YouTube, your content may include advertising, and you get a share of the revenues generated by those ads. On TikTok, you get paid based on the number of views and engagement on your videos.”
She took a sip of the iced tea she had prepared while explaining all this to me and fixed her gaze on mine.
“I know what you’re thinking,” she grinned. “You want to know how much.”
Was I that obvious?
“That depends on a lot of factors, as you can easily suppose, and that varies from one influencer to another. For instance, I am on various platforms and have a nice following; that also means a nice revenue.”
”Nice as in how much?” I asked. She laughed warmly.
“Only my accountant has access to that kind of information, dear. But I can tell you that this is the best job I have ever had in my life. And if you want in, you just have to follow my links.”
Primfeed: https://www.primfeed.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/
ZOOBY
Sarah E. Brenham
See everybody? We did make it to 2025! It was shaky for a while, but we did it. With the start of every new year comes the chance for a new beginning. I recently had the amazing opportunity to sit down with Carrie Tatsu to learn the story behind her successful business and, more importantly, what her hope is for all of her products. You may be confused as to how a tale about a company has anything to do with new beginnings. But if you will keep an open mind and heart as you listen to this anecdote, I promise you will see the correlation between the two.
As with all legendary tales, we must start at the beginning.
Carrie Tatsu became a cosmopolite of Second Life on November 13, 2006. The way that she got wind about SL was serendipitous. At the time in Real Life, Ms. Tatsu had recently given birth to her first child, and she and her then-husband moved in with her mother. One day, she was reading their local newspaper and came across an article about Second Life; as a naturally curious person, she decided to give it a look. While I do not know the statistics, I feel that most who check out SL for the first time become hooked. This is exactly what happened to Ms. Tatsu!
Everyone spends their first few days in Second Life differently. In the case of Ms. Tatsu, she learned the ins and outs of SL malls. Why shopping centers? The article she read that inspired her curiousity mentioned that Second Life featured content created by its ‘residents’— and as an artist, this intrigued her the most. One of the first purchases she made was a cat. Upon looking at this animal, she felt that she could make a better one; thus, one of Second Life’s most beloved corporation’s was born: Zooby.
While I found all of Ms. Tatsu’s story fascinating, I was surprised to learn that her first product was not what I thought. Let me explain: I would say that during the first ten years or so of my adventure in
SL, I was focused on starting a family and zoned in on shops that primarily ‘created’ babies. Zooby was and still is one such shop. While they offer beautiful children, I wish that I would have looked at the felines earlier, as I absolutely adore cats!
Did you know there was a time where Zooby almost had to close their doors? Or at least could have gone down a different path? You see, originally Ms. Tatsu co-owned Zooby with her then-husband in RL. When their marriage dissolved, Ms. Tatsu bought out his share of the company, but things wouldn’t be the same. She had lost a business partner and needed to find a new way to manage the business. From what I have noticed, divorces in Real Life are not easy. I cannot fathom going through a divorce and losing your business partner. However, Ms. Tatsu turned this situation into a positive by focusing on her creations and putting together a winning team. She credits her squad for what Zooby is today.
I am so glad that Zooby is still around after all these years and is better than ever. Over tiem, their products have had a joyous effect on my own journey. How so? Ms. Tatsu’s goal for Zooby’s merchandise is that her clientele bond emotionally with her creations. For me, Zooby’s products have helped to fill the void of parenthood and pet-parenthood. Since I am unable to have children or cats in real-life, Zooby allows me to have both in the second one. The beauty of Second Life lies in allowing people to achieve the dreams and goals they can’t in RL.
It is my wish that in 2025, you take Ms. Tatsu’s tale as a sign. If she can make her dream and the dreams of others come true, so can you.
The year was 2007. George W. Bush was president of the United States; Apple Inc. introduced a new gadget called “the iPhone;” and The Best of Second Life (BOSL) became a reality.
Bush led us through 9-11, the iPhone changed communications forever, and BOSL? - You’ve come a long way baby. Indeed you have.
During the 2007 start-up, BOSL was, for the most part, a cyber magazine covering all things Second Life. Fast-forward 17 years. Today the company of note is a third life inside the second one.
In 2013, BOSL was acquired by Reign Congrejo. She embraced the challenge presented by previous owner, Frolic Mills, who believed she could take her acquisition to new heights.
“The early days were intense,” recalls about the empire to be. “I dedicated my first two weeks to understanding every aspect of BOSL’s operations, from the magazine to the modeling academy and pageants.
She went to work, transforming ideas into reality. “Fortunately, I was on vacation in real life, which allowed me to fully immerse myself in learning about my BOSL staff and their roles.”
Today BOSL has evolved into a comprehensive media and entertainment empire, employing 65 people. Its flagship magazine has not missed a monthly publication date since its inception. In addition, the company has an extensive web presence including Facebook groups and pages, the BLVD Fashion house, and much more.
All of the above and more fall beneath the BOSL umbrella.
During the past decade the empire has built a state of the art pavilion for pageants, exhibitions, art exhibits, and more, touching all aspects of Second
Life. In addition, the company’s new mall includes shops and venues for art, wine, food, retail, and much more.
The BOSL complex itself is a testament to their ambition, featuring a full sim designed to mirror the aesthetic of Sonoma, California. Visitors explore shops, restaurants, a winery, an amphitheater, concert stage, fashion runway, art cafe, and gallery. The organization has also expanded into arts promotion through BOSL Arts and education via the BLVD Pro Academy.
One might assume running such an operation requires daily interactions, planning, and updating. The assumptions are correct.
“There is no typical day here,” Reign says, about running BOSL. “We are constantly planning future calendars, ensuring timely magazine publication, and managing marketing for our diverse events.”
Running such an empire requires a lot of behind the scenes work. It requires attention to detail and scheduling. It requires Jamee Sandalwood and DiamondGem Destiny.
We caught up with both of them for a chat around the table at BOSL. During a rare moment of not working, they explained their work and discussed BOSL’s journey, “Officially, I am the chief operating officer (COO) for BLVD,” says Jamee, who has been with Reign’s BOSL undertaking since day 1. “I am also chief operating officer for the Miss Virtual World competition, magazine photographer, and coordinator.”
As for DiamondGem, who also started with Reign during the early years, “I also coordinate the MVW pageant and special assigned projects.” She adds, “I enjoy the challenges of working with everyone.”
Both acknowledge the challenges of constantly staying on top of SL trends and delivering it to the
PHOTOS: CARA PAINE
SL metaverse. But both also enjoy it.
“Everyone is here for a specific role and reason and talent,» says Jamee. “We have the best of the best all around us. I enjoy the challenges of working with everyone. It is a pleasure to be able to lead and guide them.”
Jamee notes, “there is something to do everyday here. When you work with so many different areas of the company there is always something that needs attention. From doing photos, to styling for shows, working with set builders, and artists for the galleries, there’s always something. We have changed things as SL has progressed to keep up with the current trends
Reign agrees. “The day-to-day operations at BOSL are dynamic and multifaceted. There is no typical day. We constantly plan future calendars, ensure timely magazine publication, and manage marketing for our diverse events from fashion shows to art exhibitions and dance performances.”
Looking ahead, BOSL continues to evolve.. Reign notes, “Our plans include reimagining the academy with an innovative approach unlike anything currently seen in Second Life. While traditional pageants are no longer in their future, having “run their course,” the organization remains focused on pushing boundaries, particularly in fashion presentation.”
She adds, “We are currently developing something that will set BOSL apart,” though we are keeping the details under wraps. “What I can say is that we are committed to representing the very best of Second Life. We will continue to be more inclusive in covering previously unexplored territory.”
As CEO and owner, Reign’s vision for BOSL remains clear: “Stay innovative, keep expanding into uncharted waters, and maintain a finger on the pulse of Second Life’s ever-evolving creative landscape.”
On December 14 and 15, BOSL held an anniversary party, as employees and friends reminisced the good ole days when a fledgling company entered an unchartered pixel world.
Party guests celebrated the accomplishments, recalled the past, and praised the present.
Now it’s time to go back to work. For at BOSL, the future awaits, another 17 years down the road.
ZODIAC FASHION SHOW
PHOTO: NÉMESIS
MODEL: JAMEE SANDALWOOD EARTH
ZODIAC FASHION SHOW
PHOTO: NÉMESIS
ZODIAC FASHION SHOW
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MODEL: JAMEE SANDALWOOD AIR
ZODIAC FASHION SHOW
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MODEL: CAESAR LANGER FIRE
ZODIAC FASHION SHOW
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MODEL: JAMEE SANDALWOOD WATER
ZODIAC FASHION SHOW
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MODEL: LOLITA PARAGORN WATER
ZODIAC FASHION SHOW
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MODEL: LOLITA PARAGORN EARTH
ZODIAC FASHION SHOW
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MODEL: LUA VENDETTA
ZODIAC FASHION SHOW
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MODEL: LUA VENDETTA AIR
ZODIAC FASHION SHOW
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MODEL: NAARNIZZE ABSINTHE FIRE
ZODIAC FASHION SHOW
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MODEL: NÉMESIS
ZODIAC FASHION SHOW
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MODEL: NÉMESIS AIR
ZODIAC FASHION SHOW
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MODEL: NAARNIZZE ABSINTHE FIRE
CREDITS FASHION STYLE CARD
JAMEE SANDALWOOD EARTH
Dress | PurpleMoon - Aine Fairy
Wings | PurpleMoon - Aine Fairy
Shoes | Luna Chelsea - Lowry Sandals
Wreath | PurpleMoon - Shabby Dream Crown Beige
Antenna | Souzou Eien - Crystal Antenae (no longer available)
Skin | Damn&Sweet - Vania Fantasy Skin 02
Pixie Dust | Starlight Designs - Pixie Dust Trail
Skin Glitter | amazing - Animated Body Glitter
Hair | Stealthic - Realness
Nails | Eventyra - Autumnal Haze
Rings | Rawr - Saturn Rings
CAESAR LANGER WATER
Skin I Petrichor - Wyldeia
Headpiece I Vesta - Yona Hat
Drape I Petrichor & Ersch - Cupid Cloth
Body Cuffs I Petrichor & Ersch - Arvylinde
Sleeves I Petrichor & Ersch - Laumi Arms
Bottom I Dope+Mercy - Ninth Gate Pants
Shoulder Attachments I ThatChick - Vintage Scale builder set (edited)
JAMEE SANDALWOOD AIR
Gown | Son!a Edge - Neirobi Gown White
Shoes | Triggered - Cassandra Heels
Skin | Fallen Gods - Pure Pearl
Lipstick | Identity Faces - Weekend Collection
Eyeshadow | Identity Faces - Zodiac Collection
Hair | Truth - Delicate
Nails | Eventyra - Pearlescent
Rings | Rawr - Premonition Rings
Bracelets | Rawr - Premonition Bracelets
Necklace | Son!a Edge - Soul Necklace
Headpiece | Nefekalum - Tenebrous Crown
Aura | Elemental - Divine Halo Aura System
Hand vapor | Starlight Designs - Frosty Hand Aura
CAESAR LANGER FIRE
Skin I Faunus - Oni
Headpiece I Azoury - Laurette
Top I Varsity - Coy Jacket
Bottom I L' Emporio & PL - Gavin Kilt with pants
Necklace I Petrichor & Ersch - Averik Collar
Nails I L' Emporio & PL - Vampire Claws
Boots I A&Y - Deuz
Tail I Astralia - Scorpion Tail
Backpiece I Cureless - Anatomical Venus
JAMEE SANDALWOOD WATER
Gown | Madame Noir - Gilda Gown Blue
Cover | Aurora - Sheila chain C-String
Shoes | Tiffany Designs - Felicite Heels
Halo | Aurora - Sheila Halo
Rain | Rain Script Self Made
Nails | Eventyra - Mal-fire Frost
Arm cuff | Sigma - Metal Arm Cuff
Bracelets | Real Evil - Rhea Bracelets & Rings
Rings | Ysoral - Luxe Set rings anelise
Ring | Piece of Me - Amelia Ring Set
Necklace | Rawr - Seahorse necklaces
Hair | Stealthic - Hazel
Lipstick | Cazimi - Euphoria EvoX Lipstick Bold
Eyeshadow | Suicidal Unborn
Face Decor | Rubedo - Marizia
Skin | Damn&Sweet - Jessy Fantasy Mermaid
Scales | Arana - Mermaid Body Shine
LOLITA PARAGORN WATER
Skin | Nuve. Mandy skin - Pearl
Body tattoo | Izzie's - Body Mermaid Scales
Eyes | Avi Glam - Glassy
Hair base & addon | Doux - 2022 Christmas Hairstyle