New Feature – Be a Noob, Just Don’t Look Like One

By DrFran Babcock

Welcome to this new feature, that will contain short blasts about freebies, group gifts, one Linden items, and lucky board prizes. Desirée is really excited to show you hints and tips so you can look like an oldbie even if you have only been on the grid a few months. Also, you don’t really have to be a noob to take advantage of some of these good buys.

There are a few simple things you can do to change your look from flat to fabulous. If you find a good skin alone, that will go a long way to improving your look.

Skin

Nothing identifies a noob more than a poor skin. The skins that come in the Linden Lab library, while better than they have ever been, are still a far cry from acceptable. You can join the Al Vulo group for free, and be treated to a monthly gift skin. The skin for January is just about the best I have ever seen, rivaling skins that cost 1000L or more. The Al Vulo kinder red brow fairy is a delightfully innocent skin, with a dazzling sprinkling of freckles. Visit Al Vulo here: (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ReMix%20Yo%20LIfe/128/128/2  ) and join the group. Touch the sign right at the landing point.

Eyes

The second thing that identifies a noob is eyes. There are a lot of ways to get nice eyes for free, but this time I will tell you about the wonderful HUD and free mesh eyes from KMADD (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kmadd%20Enterprise/72/107/5 ). You can change the eyes to about 35 different colors, and Desirée looks just perfect in the pale green version.

Hair

The third noob tip-off is how one’s hair looks. D!va  (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/CalanDiva/148/157/25  ) always has free hair in their shop, and it’s always a keeper. The hair on the lucky board now is Kalli (Type B) in the delightful Ruby shade that is a trademark D!va color, delicately combining pink and red hair.

Makeup

OK, DrFran is not a big fan of makeup, but her girlfriends all agree that it really can change the look of an avatar. The lipstick on Desirée is a good example, It’s just subtle enough to change the lips without taking over the look of the face.  These Candy Lips are the Watermelon and Peach version. A whole bunch of soft colors is a group gift from CCM Cotton Candy Monster: (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife//104/229/22 ). You have to join the group to get the gift, but it is a free join.

Clothes

There are more free clothes on the grid than anything else, but there is a lot of junk through which to sort. Desirée hopes to help you with this, understanding that everyone has their own taste, so mileage may vary.

A good place to start to look for free clothes is the FabFree Headquarters located at The Wash: (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Wash/81/145/25 ). The items displayed in the photo are just a small sampling of what is available:

Pants: Connors Knit Pants Winter Marine

Top: [AB] Mesh Denise Top Je t’aime

Necklace: Bliensen + MaiTai November Necklace

Shoes: Bliensen + MaiTai Slow Waltz Shoes

Conclusion

This freebie/newbie column could become very regular, because Desirée knows that folks are always looking for good things that don’t cost too much. Please show her some comment love, and the column will become a regular feature of the greatest SL journal on the grid. Peace out.

DrFran Babcock

The "Oh What The Future Holds" Hunt

By DrFran Babcock

The past year was a trying one for DrFran…unlucky in love, strapped with some financial woes, and destined to be another year older. The only break is the chance to go out and do a short little hunt or two to break the monotony of work, sleep, work, sleep. Of course, being too tired to hunt is a reality that means Desirée is going to be sent out for the task.

The Oh, What the Future Holds Hunt (OWTFH) is small enough to be completed in a short time, and the prizes are free. You are looking for a flat prim with a clock face on it, representing the passage of time and the future. The title of the hunt did not always match up with the prizes, but that’s of little consequence, because it’s really about the prizes. There was a nice mix of objects and clothes in this little hunt, and some stores that were different from the usual suspects.

Desirée not only hunted for the prizes, but set up her pictures at a few of the more interesting places in Second Life™. Here is what Desirée found: (SLurls will be provided this time, as they were available on the website.

Picture One – Taken at F R O S T (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Metropolis/135/221/24 )

Outfit: LC Designs (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Animus%20Dream/31/120/999  ) Gemini Suit – comes with jacket, skirt, and nice mesh boots.

Ear Jewelry: Tres Belle (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/JayJays%20Fantasy%20Land/31/178/3496 ) – What the future holds ear jewelry. These elaborate attachments come with a color change HUD to modify the beads on the ear.

Hair: A&A Nadira Hair Sunset (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Wonderland%20Beach/160/113/24)

Picture Two – Taken at Rebecca Bashly’s Metales (http://metalesperformance.blogspot.com/)

Sweater with Shirt: Costarlos (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Mortgage%20East/33/32/29 )

Picture Three – Taken at Amhas Cairn Gor (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Amhas%20Cairn/147/137/233 )

Dress: Rozymyndi’s (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Rouse/111/229/37  ) OWTFH Dress – this is a very old school type dress without any mesh, but it has a nice ethereal look to it. Desirée did not venture into the Gor Role Play area, but the grounds around it were very pretty.

Picture Four: an assortment of objects from the hunt.

1.     Fireplace (no poses) eXplicite Desgins (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gigli%20Virtuosos/99/84/22 )
2.     Mini 3D Tardis and saying for your wall – Dahlywood (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dementor%20Isle/236/43/23 )
3.     Freeview TV (streams content into SL) : Rainbow Gallery (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Boreal/15/210/118 )

4.     Think Positive Animated Pictures – SANNA Science and Art (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/HalluciNation/111/127/3000 ) If you have never been to this store, I won’t spoil the surprise…just go.

Picture Five:

This is a really useful prize. This Stitches Creations (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bramptom%20Island/38/221/24 ) Texture Change Snowy scene is very versatile. You can adjust both the picture in the frame and the type of wood from which the frame is made. Desirée chose the Tompkins Square Park scene, because she’s a New Yorker.

Picture Six:

The last item in the hunt is a gigantic fun ride created by Kerhop Seattle of KerhopsInnovations (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tustin/28/135/21). Kerhop is an old acquaintance of DrFran’s and their paths have crossed many times, most recently at Blender Classes at Ditko University (more about that another time). This prize is an awesome demonstration of the things that cam be accomplished in Second Life™. Perhaps it is best to let Kerhop describe the ride, in his own words, from the notecard packaged with the prize:

This single lap roller coaster features perfectly vertical climbs with swooping tilting where the visitor is flipped both upside-down and back right-side-up all with appropriate rolling-wheel and lift-hill sound effects. Inspired by first life "Screaming Squirrel" attractions featured around the world riders will smoothly move along the side-mounted track via non-Physics low impact scripts created with Vehicle Movement System V2 Low land impact vehicle created with both mesh and prims It has very minimal script impact, both when in use and not in use Images.

So, that’s the Oh, What the Future Holds Hunt—short, manageable, and with a nice assortment of prizes. The hunt runs until the 31^st of January.  For more information, and hints for the prizes: http://inkantationhunts.blogspot.com/p/owtfh-hint-and-slurl-list.html

See you on the hunt trail!

DrFran Babcock 

Peace on Earth Hunt 6: Prizes 101-206

by DrFran Babcock

In my opinion, The Peace on Earth hunt is the best free hunt in Second Life™. If you have been following Desirée’s progress, as you should be doing, you know that she was unearthed some spectacular prizes, and she still has over 100 to go!

Out of respect for the creators of this hunt I am not giving SLurls to the locations of the hunt prizes, but I am telling you the names of the stores in which the prize object—a globe with three doves on it—can be found. There are hints for this hunt, and they can be found here: http://peaceonearthhunt.wordpress.com/poe6-hunter-guide/

That said, let’s conclude Desirée’s marathon of unboxing:

Picture One: Who says Christmas and Holidays have to be only red and green. This neutral skybox from Silent Woods is a great backdrop for a picture:

Eyes: Sterling Artistry Eyes

Hair Jewelry: Vintage Jewels - Fascinator

Background: Silent Woods Frostbite Skybox

Shape: Magic Avi Small Shape

Picture Two: 

 Every once in a while a prize comes along that is so good that even my friends who disdain freebies have to go and get it. This Vintage Teal Gown from HUDSONS is one of those prizes. How can you resist?sit

Gown: HUDSONS Vintage Teal

Jewelry: Exquisite Falling Hearts Necklace, earrings, and bangles

Picture Three: 

 Gowns, gowns, and more gowns. The Peace on Earth creators realize how many formal affairs take place during the holidays. Here’s just a few:

1.     INNUENDO Italian Style APPLE Gown BK – sunglasses
2.     Ever An' Angel Siochain Gown, comes with gloss and eyeshadow tattoos
3.     Flowerdreams Creations by Nile Karas: Innocence Gown...not mesh
4.     Morea Style Eleonore Kingly Gown

Picture Four: 

A complete outfit requires a nice location. Here, Desirée poses at Christmas Town:

Outfit: ~*~Felicia's Fashions~*~ Gillian Christmas Set

Picture Five: 

This picture has another one of the things for which the POE Hunt is known, and that’s fun. Hanaya’s Home and Garden’s Rideau Canal Skating Shack not only lets you set up shop renting skates, but gives anyone who touches a nice set of animated skates. Here is Desirée, alongside the Hiro Canal in Varney, dispensing fun.

Desirée is wearing:

Hair Bow: Xen's Hats Alva Headband

Dress: LavandaChic Kokeshi Peace & Love Bag Wilson's Closet Mesh Dress

Picture Six:

1.     Egoisme Funky Dress - Alpha
2.     [[ Masoom ]] Sexy Salma Dress
3.     Grumble Mesh Materials Tuxedo Gown with pearls and headbandNew York Couture Techni Color Dream Coat
4.     G Sloane Green Plaid Tunic and Stained Glass Music Box
5.     AIDORU joyful Dress (with appliers, not worn)
6.     Glitterati by Sapphire Minx Top and Leggings

Picture Seven: 

Desirée invited Angela over to help model the posable peace sign from PM Poses:

Dress: Sassy!: Qipao Dress 

Peace Sign: [PM] Poses Peace on Earth Poses

Picture Eight: 

1.     BitsyB Divine Party Dress
2.     ~ ghee ~ Satin Burnout Gown
3.     Bubblez Design Angel Outfit – sadly, the beautiful ethereal wings are not show
4.     DG Designs Princess Coat, Folded Ankle Boots. and Holiday Snowman Stockings
5.     Immerse: Carrie Red Dress
6.     The Wish List Shoppe - Pajama Pants and top...this may be for men, but it looks cute

Picture Nine: 

It’s hard to make a nice mesh gown, but this flirty number from Kawaii Designs will be useful long after the holidays:

Gown: Kawaii Designs Toujours Dress 

Jewelry: Timeless Designs Crystal Magic jewelry

Picture Ten: 

Arlene's Fashions and Designs: POE Glitter Gown with earrings and heels

 

Necklace: Image Factory Peace Necklace 

Makeup: Shellac Frost Fest Silver Makeup

Picture Eleven: 

Furniture

1.     Dreamscapes Gallery Holiday Console Table
2.     [ba] barnesworth anumbis holiday fireplace
3.     Poetic Furniture Classic Table "Peace"
4.     [kusshon]"Bergen"christmas rug with tree
5.     ~*~ Inspired ~*~ Peace On Earth Bridge. In the background:*K* Snowflake Tree (decorated) for POE

So, that’s it for this year’s Peace on Earth Hunt, and it may take poor Desirée all the way to next year before she’s rested enough to hunt again. We hope you have found something you want here. Above all: May there 

DrFran Babcock

Peace on Earth Hunt 6: Prizes 51-100

By DrFran Babcock

DrFran’s alt, Desirée, is working her pixels to the bone completing the Peace on Earth Hunt. She keeps asking DrFran if she can stop and rest, but DrFran is pretty adamant: “The readers of SL Newser deserve the best coverage—keep hunting.” So, dear reader, below you will find the edited and selected booty from hunts prizes 51-100. Please remember that the names of the store are given, but no SLurls. It is really not hard to find the stores with Search. If you need any help, do not hesitate to IM DrFran for a lesson in finding things. She taught Desirée everything she knows, and look at the results below.

Note on Presentation: There are a lot of pictures and items here. In order to preserve space and time the pictures are presented along with the venues from whence they come. For more information, and some hints go here: http://peaceonearthhunt.wordpress.com/poe6-hunter-guide/

Photo One:

Dress: Live Me a Dandelion Dress

Bench: Sleepy Hollow Farms Believe Bench

Statue: Ub  Yifu Gallery-Asian Woman Statue

Photo Two: 

(This gown was from the 1-50 numbers in the hunt. I neglected to show it, and it’s one of Desirée’s favorites)

Gown: Kastle Rock Julia Gown

Harp: Couture Harp, that plays an assortment of classical harp tunes

Decorations: Joyous Living Wreath and Candle

Photo Three:

If you have ever shopped for skin you know that good skin is usually very expensive. This BLUSH Skin is more than a good value, since it’s free! BLUSH Skin: RAE

Photo Four: The Peace on Earth Hunt always has a plethora of holiday dresses and gowns for women (and men who wear women’s clothes), and this round is no exception:

1. Debutante: Grecian Gold Gown (also comes in silver in the prize globe)

2. Dressed by Lexi: Opulence Green Gown

3. Shoenique Livia Complete Outfit with fur jacket, dress, shoes, and earrings

4. Romance Couture: Starlight Gown

5. Artizana Soulstice gown in amber

Photo Five:

Pond: Finishing Touches: Angel of Peace Sanctum-this large piece comes with choice of snow or grass groundcover.

Tree: Callie Cline Peace Tree-Callie explains that the dove is removable, allowing Peace on Earth all year round in your home.

Dress: MASH – Paige Dress

Photo Six: 

This was Desirée’s Favorite prize (so far):

Pelleterria Morrisey Western Boot – What is extraordinary about this prize is the hype-realistic texturing on the boots. This is a prize that is not to be missed.

Photo Seven:

Furnishings – hue are you? Mesh curtain, table, stool, and gift packages

Dress: SHIKI – White Party Dress

Photo Eight: 

1. Paisley Daisy Angel Lace Gown (Taken at Christmas Town – Elizabeith Town sim)

2. Blue Moon Enterprises – POE Dress – complete with 3D scene in the skirt

3. Hair with Hat: ChiChikie  - Comes with HUD to change hair texture and hat color

Coat: ArisAris Stars Mini Coast

Pose: Morgane Batista (comes with snowballs, not shown)!

4. Jewelry: Beloved Jewelry – Noel Set
 

Photo Nine: 

1.Tee Shirt: Citrus 2 n 1Citrus

   Pants - *TuttiFrutti* Sweet December Mesh Jeans

   Jewelry - (Dahlinks )Dreamtime Unisex Bracelet

2. Bed - An Lema Bed, Table and rug

3. Decorations - Sonata Morales: Tree, Wreath, & animated train.

   Table and Chairs - Piddlers Perch Cottage Dinette for Two

   Dress - 1Hundred VIP Dress

So, if you didn’t see something here you liked, stay tuned, because there are still about 100 prizes to go!

DrFran Babcock

The Peace on Earth Hunt 6, Part 1

by DrFran Babcock 

The Peace on Earth Hunt (POE) is my favorite hunt every year. It comes during the holiday season, and offers free gifts from most of the major content creators in Second Life™. I have friends who look askance at freebies in SL, but in my opinion, not only are they great, but hunts can introduce you to new stores and new shopping opportunities. This year, the sixth time the hunt is being offered, there are over 200 prizes, with delights for everyone: Skin, poses, men's clothes, furniture, jewelry, and gowns galore. 

A Little Disappointing News - Maybe: 

My usual hunt report procedure is to show the prizes, and give the reader a SLurl to the prize location, but the Peace on Earth Hunt organizer, Sequoia Nightfire has not provided  the names of the  participating venues. I will provide you with the names of the content creators, but I will leave you to find the stores, and locate the hunt item: a globe of the world with doves on it. The hint blog is here: http://peaceonearthhunt.wordpress.com/poe6-hunter-guide/ . Join my alt as she shows you items selected from hunt prizes 1-50. 

Picture One 

The quality of the gifts in POE6 is not up for negotiation. The white cat that circles Desirée, my alt, is from the great KittyCats who make breedable kittens that interact in very lifelike ways. This kitty, chasing a halo and moving its tails and paws does not require food, and will happily accompany you on all of your rounds. Remember that this is free, and very much worth it. 

The dress is from LivGlam, the Dance Like This, and it's original mesh, with delicate ruffles on the neckline and cuffs. The shiny black pumps are from Lindy Modern and Retro Shoes, and will remain a staple of Desirée's wardrobe.The screen and carpet are and by Sequoia Style , the bah humbug signs by Nexus Arts, the skin is the Elena Skin by Styles by Kira. Everything you see is free, even the hair which is an old group gift from Eaters Coma. 

Picture Two 

This picture was taken at the Christmas Town 2013, (Elizabeth Town sim), and highlights just one amazing complete outfit, the Très Beau "Celtic Crimson," that looks to me like something a Russian princess would wear. 

Picture Three 

Sascha's Design's prize is this amazing sky blue gown, that would be perfect for any holiday event. Sascha Frangilli has been designing since 2007, and has won several Avi Choice Awards. Her gowns are well known for their glamorous details.  

 Picture Four 

We are so happy the Sway Dench (Sway's) is back in world and creating. For POE6 she offers a Yin-Yang Shelf that comes, as shown, with items in it, or bare, so you can put your own goodies in it.The POE Shirt and Sweater come from Legal Insanity, and make a nice alternative from all the holiday glitter. The neko ears and fluffy tail come from Shattered. There are also undecorated ears and a slender tail in the prize globe, and everything is animated. 

Picture Five 

Desirée went wild with these gold items, although DrFran doesn't much care for prim nails. The stunning dress by Journey for Prism is the Babe, and the +WTG+ Holy Gold  jeweled nails come with a great sizing HUD, so that they will fit almost everybody. 

Picture Six 

The Shimmer Dress from Gizza was one of the nicest items in the hunt. It's old-school in that it's not mesh, but the sparkle layer on the skirt is dazzling. Paired with the blue skin from Dulce Secrets,  the Bliensen + MaiTai Ison Earrings, and Chop Zuey's Men's Gift—Black Tooth Grin Necklace Desirée looks mighty attractive, and she didn't have to spend a lot. 

Picture Seven 

This Epais Dress from Snowpaws is very reminiscent of the dress worn by Shimmer in the first Hunger Games movie. It is ethereal and whimsical at the same time. Desirée opted for the Ison earrings again, because they went so well. 

 

Picture Eight 

The last picture displays an astounding, complete holiday living room that is complete with working fireplace, and comfy chairs with great sit poses. Dench Designs has created a true masterpiece. Desirée remained in this room, and had to be cajoled to continue the hunt. She finally agreed to continue, and left wearing the mesh  QUEEN gown from EVOLVE. 

The Peace on Earth Hunt 6 

This hunt will run until January 6, 2014, and since it's so big, you had best get started now. There is a hunt group, and its members are chatty and helpful. Of course, there is more to come. Stay tuned for a summary of the choicest gifts from POE6.

DrFran Babcock

DrFran Goes Shopping on The Marketplace

By DrFran Babcock

Sometimes you are at work and can’t log into Second Life™. Sometimes the grid is down. Sometimes, the only place to go for a Second Life™ fix is the Marketplace. However, this month you can go to the Marketplace to do a hunt! The Lag Free Marketplace Hunt began on November 1^st, and runs until the end of the month. Without a doubt, it’s the easiest hunt I have ever done, and well worth the small effort it takes.

The Lag Free Marketplace Hunt

The theme of the hunt is Night and Day, and with the handy url list, all one has to do is go to each Marketplace shop and search for either Day or Night. Once you find the gift that is only One Linden, you buy it, and it will go right into your Received Items Folder. I did the whole hunt in a few minutes, and then I logged into Second Life™ to see what I had won. I was not disappointed, especially with the male and female prizes from Vips Creations, who had sponsored the hunt.

The female Vips Creations outfit is a mesh red dress, reminiscent of the speakeasy saloons of the 1930s. The outfit is generously accessorized with earrings, necklace, ring, purse and shoes! The complete look is very retro and chic.  The men’s gift is a mesh business suit, that made me think of MadMen, and the business look that most advertising executives wore in the 1950s. It is always so difficult for men to find decent clothes in Second Life™, and this suit is a find. It comes with glasses and shoes, and a mesh shirt and tie. Run and get it if you need to be more formal, but not fussy.

The other gifts in the hunt are worth getting, but none are as complete as the Vips outfit. I loved the Isle of Dee Moon-Sun Oracle Ring. This luminescent gem attached to your hand, and with just answers a question for you. The answer to my question, according to the oracle, was “yes.” My question—none of your business, hehe. Since my childhood with a Magic 8 Ball I have loved oracles. Get this ring, if you are like me.

I liked also the Remi Lalique Mesh Owl Tee Shirt because of its design, and my partiality to owls. I had never heard of Remi Lalique until this hunt. After all, isn’t that the purpose of a hunt? I can’t even count the number of times I have discovered a wonderful new store while in the process of conducting a hunt.

Other Marketplace Booty

The Marketplace is a treasure trove for freebie hunters. Just a little simple searching and I found two other gifts I want to share with my dear readers.

The first is a green dress from Scandalous, that is a nice combination of fabric and see-through lace. Lace is so very popular in fashion now. I just returned from Europe and lace skirts and dresses were everywhere. This lovely item is zero Lindens on the marketplace.

The last item I will share is another piece of jewelry. I love jewelry that can be modified, and this is changeable in the best way possible. The b.nuts Free Love Medallion is a locket that opens and closes. What’s so nice about it is that the picture texture in the locket can be changed, so that you can carry a picture of your love, your cat, or your ex (as I did) inside the pendant. This is a one Linden gift on the Marketplace, so you can even send it out as a gift.

So, if you are broke, or it, like me, you just like a good bargain, take a look around the Marketplace. All the information you need is below. See you next time, or maybe I will send my alt out again, my inventory is getting to heavy for teleports.

The Lag Free Marketplace Hunt: http://lagfreemarketplacehunt.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html

Vips Creations Male Suit and Female Dress and accessories: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/18961

Isle of Dee: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/149989

b.nuts Free Love Medallion: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/bnuts-love-medaillon/676405

Scandalous-Free-Betsey-Dress: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Scandalous-FREE-Betsy-Dress-Fairway/5331341

Remi Lalique Owl Mesh Tee: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/141857

DrFran Babcock