Friday, December 21, 2012

Humanoid
Rating: ✭✭✭✭✭

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It is with great pride and honor that Gabs and I are happy to present to you all....HUMANOID!  Without question, the very best looking Sim that we have both come across in our combined 8 years as members in this amazing community known as Secondlife, and the VERY FIRST FIVE STAR rated Sim in the short history of Here, There -n- Everywhere.  Not only is this a great looking place, but with its shear number of places to see you will enjoy yourself whether alone or with that special someone...So, sit back and enjoy our guided tour of this amazing place.


This saying at the landing gives little hint to the wonders that await visitors



Upon landing in Humanoid...the first thing that will strike you is how rich and inviting the colors are.  The effect of the grasses and water against the sky are simply phenomenal.  After zooming out to see the thought provoking and inspiring message... 

Serenity awaits a step through the doorway...
You find yourself surrounded by a series of eight doors...seemingly placed at random.  Don't worry, you will very soon find out that their placement here is anything but.  Now, in doing this review...I debated back and forth with myself (yes, my kids DID think I had lost my mind) whether or not to do a step-by step review or not.  In the end...I decided to just give you all a small taste of what Humanoid has to offer so you can all discover the joys, wonders and secrets that are scattered throughout this breath-taking location yourself.

Bareback riding at it's finest :)
One of the first doors Gabs and I went through brought us to this almost surreal circus-like location. Complete with a giant rolled up rug, placed in a meadow filled with flowers.  A tight rope with great animations and of course an amazing carousel complete the picture.  The colors and textures used are astounding.  I am sure many a photo has been snapped here with many more to come.  Back through the doorway portal and on to the next...

Alice and her wonderland ain't got nothing on this place
where we find ourselves in yet another dream scape of colors and textures, random inspirational saying, floating musical instruments and to the lovely Gabs delight...a swing :)

Any doubts why I have dozens of photos from this visit?
Back through the portal to the eight doors and on to the next and this time we find ourselves in a stunning world with gorgeous white dandelions glowing against a black background.  To say this place is photogenic is the grand daddy of all understatements.

May want to grab the anti-hystemine before visiting :p
After clicking away like mad on the snapshot button...back to the doorways and on to the next...this time an amazingly romantic setting with a boat floating lazily on the water.  Loaded with great couples animations, you special someone will LOVE this spot.  The animations were for the most part very well done, and even had a few we hadn't seen.   Always a welcome surprise for SL vets

Are words even needed?
And on and on it went...It took Gabs and I two nights to take them all in, and if that were all the Sim consisted of it would be awesome...(puts on my infomercial voice) But wait! There's more!!  LOL...sorry, just had to do it.  Anyways, as if all of the amazing destinations through the 8 doorways weren't enough, the Sim proper itself is scattered with stunning locations, such as...


And...


AND......


Getting the "picture" yet? lol....


Final Thoughts:  Wendy Xeno, the brilliant talent behind Humanoid needs to be applauded for her amazing work.  We can only hope that this masterpiece will not be her last.  Gabs and I have seen a LOT of Sims in our time here in SL, but nothing has ever taken our breaths away like this place has.  Amazing colors, fantastic textures, the sheer brilliance of the artistic randomness of the place is astounding and definitely someplace that EVERY resident of SL should find their way to at least once.  You wont be sorry, just....make sure you leave yourself time to explore :)



Additional Pics:


Best carousel EVER

I can see forever in those eyes....

Beauty is a never ending symphony

I can still hear the music

Poetry in motion

Awwwwww

Sorry baby, I just had to take this one ;)

so innocent....

ok....never mind that last caption....lol

My, what a pretty little birdy you are

Redefining the term "swinging" one photo at a time

Wow!



Saturday, December 1, 2012

Rez Nightclub& Mall
Rating: ✫✫✫✫


Whew! It's been a lot of fun, but finally have reached the last of our series of 4 reviews of the clubs making up Phil Kearny's Ambrosia Entertainment Group...Rez Nightclub and Mall.  Rez is Ambrosia's sister club and bares a striking similarity to its older sibling...an ultra-popular club sighted amidst a mall full of great shops.

This bonehead looking the wrong way proves that even the obvious arrows to the club aren't idiot-proof (looks closer..."oh crap, is that me...)

Like Ambrosia, upon landing you find yourself surrounded by shops from some of SL's top designers and very clear and easy to follow arrows directing you to the club.  Fortunately the walk is a bit shorter here...lol

The bars on either side of the stage feature good wholesome fun....BODY SHOTS!!!
Upon reaching the club we were immediately welcomed by the friendly dancers.  Again, this is something we both admire about all 4 of the clubs in these reviews...the friendly and helpful staff.  More clubs should follow this example in my opinion.  

Little known fact...most Rez dancers are also part time Sunday school teachers :p
Rez does have a little bit smaller of a dance floor when compared to Ambrosia but with so many beautiful people there, is that such a bad thing?  The club also features the sibling of famous Ambrosia mascot Pepper...Salt, to keep the peace.

whispers...."Here we see Salt eyeing up yet another freebie wearing noob..."
No matter what part of the world you call home, you will always find Rez staffed with a live DJ 24 hours a day.  If you are a fan of dance remixes and dubstep then this is the place for you.  

"You put your left leg in...you take your left leg out...."
As always, easy to find dance balls on either side of the stage have a TON of dance options whether alone or dancing with that special someone.  Whether you are looking for fun and silly or hot and sexy, you will find them all here.


Final Word: Rez, like all of the clubs in the Ambrosia Entertainment Group is always a ton of fun waiting to happen.  With great staff and a welcoming atmosphere, you will enjoy yourself whether a "regular" or visiting for the very first time.  Two minor things that I did notice that were a little frustrating...the dance balls are VERY close to tip jars and trying to click on them to change the dance would instead result in a message saying I don't have permission to log in to the tip jars. I shouldn't need to change my view in order to change the dance.  The other thing, similar to Ambrosia, because of the HUGE shopping complex, when the club gets packed lag can become a major issue...especially if your not running a super fast machine or blazing internet speeds.  Other than that, yet another great club...my congratulations to Phil Kearny for creating what is almost an SL institution...impressive in a world where everything changes so fast!


Additional Pics:

A birds eye view....if flying were allowed
mmmmm....what kind of fabric softener is that baby
oooo...baby! Body shots....baby? where ya going???
straight up yummy!
Rez "balls"......sorry.....just HAD to go there

Monday, November 26, 2012

Ambrosia Dance Club
Rating:✭✭✭✭1/2

Almost there...think Phil needs to add a tram line from the landing spot to the club

The third of out four reviews of Phil Kearny's hot spots finds us at the EXTREMELY popular Ambrosia Dance club, the first of the four clubs featured in this series to hit the land of Secondlife. Ambrosia can best be described as a non-stop party just waiting for you to join in.

OMG! Room on the dance floor.....RUNNNNNN!!!!!!!

Upon landing at Ambrosia, you find yourself at a bus stop on the far end of the Sim from the club surrounded by shops from tons of SL's best designers...club wear as far as the eye can see.  Fortunately for us, arrows in the floor point the way to the fun that awaits.

Like connect the dots...SL style, or just follow the floor-thumping bass
Once you arrive at the club (likely a few Lindens lighter...damn shops!) you are almost always greeted far before the patrons have even rezzed by one of Ambrosia's friendly dancers/hostesses.  This is something that all four of the clubs that make up the Ambrosia Entertainment Group have in common...I love this and other club owners grid-wide would do well to copy.  We have all been to the club where you feel awkward and unwelcome because your not an "insider"

Uber-friendly Ambrosia Dancer Rissa....conservatively dressed as usual :p
Ambrosia features live DJ's 24 hours a day, seven days a week spinning the hottest dance music for your listening pleasure.  We have always found the DJ's to be entertaining and more than willing to play your requests....unless it is one of the wisely banned songs on the list hovering to the left of the stage

Yes...with YOUR generous tips, this down-on-her-luck DJ will be able to afford the WHOLE dress next time
Once you find your spot on the always packed dance floor being watched over by the ever present mascot "Pepper" (so popular he has his own FB page, sadly with more friends than I have)...

"survival of the fittest" indeed, Pepper keeps the non-tipping, bling-wearing NOOB population under control
Dance balls easy to spot on either side of the stage, both solo and couples, provide an almost ridiculous number of dances to choose from.  Ranging from hot -n- sexy to classic dances that have been around forever (literally) you can set it on random and never see the same dance twice.

Despite my having "Moves Like Jagger", the stunning Gabs steals the spotlight as always
Final Thoughts:  Typically boasting 40+ on the Sim, Ambrosia Dance club is the place where something is ALWAYS happening.  Great tunes and staff make this one of the most popular destinations on the grid.  The one thing that can be an issue is the lag present in the club.  Likely a combination of the huge multitude if scripts running between both the shops and the typically large crowds.  If you have an older computer or slower internet service it can get a tad frustrating.  That being said...we would DEFINITELY recommend Ambrosia if your in need of night out!





Additional Pics:

Not saying he hears voices, but....Phil's Field of Dreams moment...."if you build it, they will come"
The Hip-Hop line dance just never seemed to quite catch on :P
Pepper looking for dinner....now where did that bling-wearing noob go?
"Ever have that horrible dream where you are walking thru a crowd...and realize your missing your pants? :p
Ambrosia does have a fully stocked bar if you need a little "liquid courage" to ask that girl to dance
"I think I see the club....just a little further!  We can make it!!"
WOOHOO! Drinks on Phil!!!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Rebel Hope- The Designer, The Store

Rebel Hope
Rating: ✬ ✬ ✬ ✬  (Super Star)


 I was asked recently "Gabriella, Why do you want to showcase your competition in SL"?  To this I replied, "To me this is not competition, this is inspiration and I desire and long to be compared to the best designers in SL.  For me it is not about the linden and it is not about the "said competition",  I am here to showcase designers that I feel, deserve the recognition and compliments.  I love shopping in SL and I love to see the artistry that SL designers create on a day to day basis.  These are the people I strive to become.


I was so excited when I asked Rebel Hope if I could review her store, if she would have said no I probably would have done it anyway but its always better when you have someone's blessing.  I design here in SL and I am designer obsessed when it comes to the fashion here at Rebel Hope.  If you are looking for high quality, second to none dresses, this is where you look.  When I arrived, I wandered around the store to see everything that she had to offer.  If you love eye catching, bright colors and tight fitting dresses to show off those sexy curves... this is the place to shop!  Before I decided on what dresses to purchase, I walked around the whole store and I saw a little clearance section.  I walked into the clearance section, took a quick spin and then went along on my journey.  I know from experience what is like to start from scratch and learn each and every day on how to become a better designer and see where you came from to where you are now.  Rebel has become an amazing designer and I got to take a quick peek from where she was to where she has become.  It is amazing what you can learn about someone from not even talking to them.  It might be the designer in me, or just my long term stay in SL that makes me read into the beauty that SL has to offer.  


The first dress that I selected was the !Rebel Hope - Heidi Mesh Dress Merlot.  This dress is beyond sexy and it accentuates my curves perfectly, if I do say so myself.  I had to refrain from buying it in every color but the color that I picked was the perfect choice for me.  




The thing about the Heidi Mesh Dress is that you can dress it up for a night on the town with fancy jewelry or you can tone it down for a day at the office.  I think we all agree how this dress is a NEED and not a want!

It was a hard decision choosing my next dress.  Did I want to go formal or flirty?  Well even tho they have many awesome gowns to choose from like the one below, I went with something that I could wear every day and have fun accessorizing.

The next gown I selected was the !Rebel Hope - Kennedy Mesh Dress Pepper.  This dress is slim fitting, fancy and available in so many colors and I selected Pepper.  Why did I select Pepper?  One, I look great in black and another, I love jewelry, and I have a lot ,and I figured I could wear it with this dress.  So many options and it was hard to decide what hair to wear and what jewelry would compliment it best.  



Can you see why I adore this dress so much?  Fashionista at its best!  Rebel Hope has the best mesh dresses and gowns that I have ever seen in SL.  Rebel Hope offers wedding dresses, men tuxes, flexi dresses, jewelry and more!  Stop by and take a look at what all this hype is about because I know as long as Rebel keeps coming out with new dresses, I will be shopping at her store!


Below are some additional photos of her store and a 100L gown she is offering at this time:
 Just waiting on my date *taps foot*

 Is the 90709986 time a charm?

 Men, this is the type of tux we want to see you in, not the painted on noob look!
 Who knew Hollywood was so close by.