The Body Beautiful

Second Life being the wonderland it is, offers people from all walks of life a platform for creative expression.  Come with me down the rabbit hole as I take a look at Lovit Avatars, a valued advertiser at Sweethearts Jazz Club and vendor of a range of bodies beautiful.

The creation of skins and shapes in Second Life is an art.  Creators such as Rockward Waco of Lovit Avatars, spend hours developing complete avatars, tediously creating the perfect illusion for our virtual reality.

A skin and shape creator must skillfully transform the pixels of the Second Life avatar into a desirable character. They will often work with real world images to perfect the physical features of our virtual selves, creating a flawless appearance for our avatars.

To Infinity and beyond ....

Infinity Estates is a cost effective mainland residential estate brought to you by Spicy Braveheart.

In real life she is a busy southern California girl, who not only has a day job, but is a business major at the same time.  This entrepreneurial lady was brought to Second Life by someone she regards as her SL father, to head up his CCS (CoLA Combat System) clan.  They first met through another game that, at the time, she was an administrator on.  Spicy said “I sort of beat him up, lol.  So began a fast friendship that has lasted for the entire duration of my journey in SL.” 

Queen Shannon - Miss AZUL 2015

I caught up with our very busy Shannon to find out what’s been going on in her Second Life recently.  I’m sure that many of you know that she recently participated in the Miss Azul contest and WON! 

 Not that it comes as a surprise of course, we all know just how lovely and smart she is.

Razzle dazzle with Razmataz ….

Razmataz is one of Sweethearts Jazz Clubs loyal advertisers.  Melonie Romano brings you custom poses, animations for builders, items with full perms, model poses, HUDs, AOs, walks, group dances, swimming animations, bathtubs with MLP, wedding walks, cuddle rugs, hot tubs with MLP and much more under the brand name of Razmataz.

Melonie has a strong passion for Art, Dance, Music and Fashion.  In real life she enjoys modern dance and ballet.  She received a medal on balance beam and plays guitar for leisure. She came to Second Life for fun, and to make friends.  She decided she didn't like the animations available and so now she am the owner and creator of Razmataz Art, Poses & Animations.

"A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms."

FlowerDreams by Nile Karas is one of the design houses with a satellite store on the Sweethearts Shopping Plaza.

I personally have a couple of the gowns designed by Nile and when I wear one of them, compliments for the gown abound.

In real life Nile lives in Istanbul, she is educated in journalism and PR and has always had an interest in PC games and virtual worlds.  Her SL journey began in February 2007.  Initially she joined SL to occupy some of her free time.  Over time some the wonders of the creativity SL offers attracted her attention and so began her journey as a builder, starting with simple flowers and plants, over and above this she had a sim with an art gallery and a dance venue, run in conjunction with her partner.

A man's best friend @ Realistek

Dogs and horses don’t generally speaking get along in real life, but in Second Life they get along like a house on fire.

Zed Avedon owner and creator of Realistek, is the man responsible for making these animals get along so well in SL.

The human behind the pixels of Zed, is an artist from Auckland, New Zealand, who has a background in architecture and the fine arts.  Seven years ago, an ex-girlfriend suggested he might like Second Life and he said "what is Second Life?"  …..

Zed started creating dogs and horses when his, as he put it, social grouping dispersed.  They were a role play group in which he was a Centaur.   He said “Trouble was, I didn't really like the way it looked at all. I tried making it better, but noticed it kept reverting back by itself!”  Then he found a freebie horse head by chance, and was he was really excited to think he could be a proper horse.  He added “I needed to wear the head and make myself invisible from the hips up... so I worked hard on just that.”

Don't be left out in the cold

This week’s featured designer on the Sweethearts Plaza has been Snowpaws.  The design talent behind the brand is the gorgeous Carrie Snowpaw.

The human behind the avatar currently lives on the east coast of the United States. Her background is in fine arts and graphic design. She originally came to Second Life after reading an article about it somewhere. She logged in, looked around and left... It held no draw for her. But luckily for the fashionista’s of SL, about six months later she was bored one day and decided to take another look. And she was hooked.

After being in Second Life for several months Carrie became interested in SL clothing. She loved buying clothes but was never quite satisfied with what she had bought. She always thought she would like the outfit better if this part were different or that part was shorter. So that dissatisfaction is what put the idea of designing her own line in her mind.  She said “Why purchase clothes that I want to change? Just make the outfit I really want!”

Her design style is creating for herself. When she is am making a dress, she makes something that she wants to wear, and that she thinks is pretty. Her design aesthetic is feminine, elegant and sexy but not overly so. She thinks the flood of club wear and slut wear in Second Life is really is what helped to make her store successful in the beginning.  Back in 2009 when she opened her store sexy clothing was everywhere. She said “I think elegant feminine clothing was a little difficult to find. So when I started offering outfits that were different from every other mall store women noticed.”

Τα ελληνικά νησιά σας καλωσορίσω - The Greek Islands welcome you

Mykonos Greece

In RL Greece is a country in South Eastern Europe consisting of 2 mainland peninsulas and thousands of islands throughout the Aegean and Ionian seas. It's often called the birthplace of Western civilization, and Athens, its capital, retains ancient landmarks including the 5th-century-B.C.E. Acropolis citadel and Parthenon temple. Greece is also known for its beaches, from the black sands of Santorini to the party resorts of Mykonos.

And in SL we have the Greek Islands, run by Edemon and  Frederikia Gausman. Sweethearts Jazz Club is proud to feature The Greek Islands as one of our loyal advertisers.

Edemon is Greek and lives in Greece. He graduated from an American College in Greece and he runs his own computer related business. A good friend of his recommended that he join SL as a way of expressing his creativity with building in particular.

He started the Greek Islands with one region at the end of 2013. His rationale for starting the estate was, and still is, to present Greece in SL as Edemon said “To show the spirit of our white and blue.” The estate currently consists of 13 regions, Greece, Santorini Island, Myconos, Zakynthos, Ios Island, Parthenon, Dionysus Symposium, Yakynthos, Dilos, Super Paradise, Euboea, Frederika, Strofades, all named for RL Greek Islands or locations, apart from Frederika which is named for his partner.

Mischief is as Mischief does

This week the featured designer at the Sweethearts Jazz Club Plaza is Miss Mischief by Cerridwen Melody.

In the real world Cerri lives in the UK and works in a leading Cancer treatment Hospital.  Second Life has always been a fun and interesting way to let off steam and meet people from around the world for her.

She went into fashion designing when in her first few weeks In SL she met a lovely Avatar named Phoebe, who introduced her to building and creating clothing using prims. Cerri said “She had the patience to teach me how to use Photoshop and to create Images of the items I had made. 5 years later I'm still designing and creating and loving every moment of it.  Phoebe has my eternal thanks.”

Miss Mischief clothing is bright, fun, energetic and affordable.  Cerri uses beautiful, high quality textures from some fantastic texture creators in SL and some of her own too. 

Not the same old same old....

Last weeks Sweethearts Plaza featured vendor was Rejuve's Raggs.  Raggs is a bit of a misnomer for the amazing outfits and gowns that can be found in this store.  I set out to find out a bit more about the creative talent behind the brand.

She goes by the name Christiane Armanii.  This avatar’s human is resident in Ontario Canada.  She has extensive life experience which has stood her in good stead in tackling all that SL has thrown her way.  Initially a stay at home mom until her chicks were old enough, she then went on to be a bartender and offered private housekeeping services.  In her spare time she came up with various creations to stimulate her creativity.

Somewhere between decadence and virtue lies the charms of an angel

Last week’s Sweethearts Jazz Club shopping plaza featured vendor was Jewelry by Jake.  The ever so charming Tjake Kearny let me take a peek into his Second Life.

His human self is Italian born but has been transplanted to the USA.  He said “I LOVE football!  WATCH EVERY GAME... and yes MY GIANTS are going to take it all the way this year!” He came to Second Life with a very beautiful lady he met from another game.  It was nothing like SL but that is what brought them both here. 

I asked him how he got into the SL jewelry design business and he said “When I began in SL.. it was quite a while ago.. we were allowed to gamble.. camping paid a lot more than it does now.. but unfortunately I talk a lot!.. and since I was not making a great living, Sommes told me to go out there and get a job!.. Like real avi's.. I'm kidding!.. Actually Sommes was the inspiration behind me beginning with jewelry design.   I began very small.. Earrings.. necklaces.. bracelets..  and umm.. wait a second that is exactly what I do now...”

Sweethearts Own Shannon Bramlington at the Miss Azul Press Conference

Follow Miss Azul Contest Finalist Shannon Bramlington Backstage and on the runway at the Miss Azul Press Conference on Saturday.. Read More Here

Seen at Sweethearts ...

ShantillyLace - Sweethearts hostess

Just some of the few gorgeous people seen at Sweethearts Jazz Club, showing off their finery and having a fabulous time on ShatillyLace's watch ...

Vika and Littlemissflame

Burton

It's always time to dance and have a good time at Sweethearts Jazz Club.

It's time to celebrate

It's celebration time at Sweetheart's Jazz Club....

Oh and a little bird told me that it is a certain beautiful lady's birthday too, what could be better than birthday cake, fireworks and amazing music - now that's the ingredients for a party second to none.

Good things come to those who wait

Blake and Shannon facilitate romance and love in Second Life with their Sweethearts Jazz Club and Sweethearts Select, of that there is no dispute.  What follows is another Sweethearts love story which is testimonial to what it is that Sweethearts is all about.

This is Elita and Cyle’s story.

Elita came to Second Life after seeing and ad.  Six years later she is still here.  Cyle came to SL to help his sister who was ill at the time, and seven years later he too is still here.

Elita took a job as hostess for Sweethearts and Cyle was a regular patron.

Cyle said “I would stand up on the balcony watching the room when this girl would drop in from the sky and jump on stage and start hosting, I could watch her for hours.”

In doing her job she would greet the patrons in local chat including Cyle, and encourage him to come down.  He was a bit offhand about it and he told her “when I have something to come down for I will be down.”  Day after day he continued watching her come down from the sky, and go about being a hostess.

Laws of Attraction

Most of us seek a partner, for life or at least for a while, but how do we choose? The Laws of Attraction apply to Second Life as much as they do in real life. And how often have you heard your pessimistic friends complain that it is so difficult to meet anyone in Second Life, only to complain when they do get a date that they could “do better”.  Does that mean that their expectations are unrealistic?  Do they have onerous checklists that potential dates need to live up to? How often do you find that what you want and what you get don’t always share the same boat?  The bottom line is to balance our dreams, desires and wants with what is also realistic, and being ‘realistic’ means to have found the means to be content with both the good and the bad.

Lonely in Second Life

“When you're surrounded by all these people, it can be lonelier than when you're by yourself. You can be in a huge crowd, but if you don't feel like you can trust anyone or talk to anybody, you feel like you're really alone.”   ― Fiona Apple

Being lonely in SL, is that even possible, I hear you ask.  It most definitely is.  I would even go as far as to say that at one time or another we have all suffered from a bout of loneliness in SL, some of us more than others. We all get lonely at times. It doesn't mean there is anything wrong with us.

Most of us need someone to validate our existence, but at what cost?  Sometimes we end up doing things that aren’t true to ourselves, and what for, a bit of fleeting attention, only to be left hollower than we were before, and with an actual physical pain.  It's an ache in your chest, a heaviness that you can't shake, a longing that only the connection to another person can soothe.

Sweethearts Jazz Club Love Stories

Sweethearts Jazz Club is all about romance and friendship and the owners of Sweethearts, Shannon and Blake, epitomise what their venues represent in Second Life.  Although they did not meet in SL they have grown as a couple because of SL.  This was made most evident at their marriage vow renewal ceremony a year or so ago.

Blake said:  “I've never had a moment's doubt. I love you. I believe in you completely. You are my dearest one. My reason for life.” By Ian McEwan from Atonement.  I believe this quote encompasses all that Blake went to great lengths to share with us about how he feels for Shannon.  Those of us present at the ceremony were left in no doubt that he truly loves his beloved Shannon.

Dance and Love a match made in heaven

Sweethearts Jazz Club is all about romance, it is the very essence of who we are.  It is our mission in Second Life to facilitate romance, friendship and if we have anything to do with it, helping our friends in the pursuit of love itself.

Socialising is one of the main features of Second Life and our venues provide an elegant setting to do exactly that, socialise….

We know it can be somewhat daunting though, this socialising business in SL.  The hanging around waiting for someone to speak to you, can be tiresome and makes you feel a bit like a cow at a cattle market.  But when someone eventually chat’s to you and then asks you to dance, it makes it all worthwhile.  Obviously you won’t make a significant connection with everyone you dance with, but when you do there is nothing more gratifying.

Sweethearts Jazz 3rd Annual Alzheimer-Dementia Fundraiser

Be an Alz-Star at Sweethearts 3rd Annual Alz.org Fundraiser!

 January 27, 2015

8am - 8pm SLT

at Sweethearts Jazz Club

                           Location:  http://tinyurl.com/Visit-Sweethearts

 
Sweethearts honors those loved ones fighting their battle with ALZ/Dementia
and we memorialize those that have been taken from us.

If you have a loved one that you'd like to honor or memorialize during our event, submit their name to the
Wall of Loved Ones kiosk in our ballroom
Location: http://tinyurl.com/Visit-Sweethearts

This event and all others are in honoring tribute to Jim Hart, Charles Johnston and all of our loved ones surviving or that have passed from ALZ/Dementia.

Thank you to our sponsors and a special thanks to The Firestorm Project, Jessica Lyons and Linden Labs' Destination Guide guru Morgan Linden.

Want to make sure you donation is really going towards ALZ.org? Check the Sweethearts Tribute page on the Alzheimer Dementia website, you can also donate on the tribute page if you can't make it to our event! Sweethearts Tribute Page located HERE

(please remember that our goal page on the alz.org website may take up to 3 weeks to post as we have to cash out Linden$ in order to process to alz.org. the donation made at the event will NOT be instant due to Linden Labs' processing cash out policies. However feel free to check back to verify and to see our end totals!)


For more information on this event or the other charities that Sweethearts Supports Visit us at http://www.sweetheartscentral.com/index.php/layout/78-template-details/design-a-features/71-charity-events