Early Christmas Shopping at Dench Designs

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

 

Thanks dench 005

Can you believe another year has passed since we saw turkeys and Santas? Well, it is time again to go shopping for decorations for your regions and your homes, and gifts of course. I have started collecting landmarks for places I like to shop and recommend. Before we get into trees I had a notice today that one of my favorites, always first place to write about has not only Christmas Shop open but has added a Thanksgiving shop too so I took a run over. This is Dench Designs.

There are great Thanksgiving tables ready for dinner and some lovely fireplaces with the holiday décor.

If you would like to honor the Pilgrims by adding them they are waiting for you. Some cute smaller décor is available and I love the Happy Thanksgiving banner for the outside of your home. Go Look! ( Good Prices too)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Rookery/238/21/21

After that visit I set out to check out the wonderful Christmas store that is always set up at on the Rookery with great bargains and items for everyone. When landing you will see all sorts of outside scenes. I always look for the Skating Santas and other figures on the ice. Stop in the little cottage in the corner before you dive in the huge shop.

Inside the shop all sorts of scenes await. The first floor is loaded with different déco.

 

The second floor is great for those looking for bargains. That is where you will find the gifts and gifts for non members and members. I recommend joining this group for all the benefits , like gifts and discounts on everything in the regular store and special setups too. I checked out the Bar and had a glass of wine with Santa. Need a band for decoration? Look there. Animesh greeters, dancers, are everywhere.

I love the wearable dancing companions . They have a wonderful AO that works for any kind of music. You can try the dances by just hopping on the demonstration dancers. Try them. The bargain corner always has little items you would love to get for 5L . Look all around for more big bargains on the walls. I love those little elves, gnomes and the mice that sing by the outdoor Lantern. Check them out along with the myriad of items on both floors. Get going on your early shopping. This month goes quickly and we need to be ready by December 1!.

 

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Rookery/25/36/222

Gemma Cleanslate
 

All Hallows at Moochie

 

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

 

“The veil grows thin and [All Hallows is ready to welcome you into its ghoulish embrace. May your month be filled with flickering lanterns, crisp leaves, and a touch of haunted magic. Happy October, everyone! “ Yay! One of my very favorite places to roam among the brilliant foliage and discover all the attractive hidden places for sitting and talking or for taking photos. Bring you honey or your family and wander in the forest. This is not the scariest Halloween places I will visit but one of the most enjoyable.

At the entrance pick up a map to carry with you and postcards to send to your friends . Couples will find a rezzer for walking together. Turn on the shared environment and be sure to turn on your music for eerie sounds, stories, and music to accompany you on your travels. I had to brighten the environment for photos . If you check the railway car you will see a map of the whole region with indicators of scenes you don’t want to miss. There are those who rent certain areas to celebrate the entire month. You will be warned if you wander onto those properties so you can just turn around and leave. They are mostly along the west side of the region.

From the large circle surrounded by hay bales and pumpkins and hundreds of candles and other expressions of Halloween there are paths that go in all directions making it easy to find your way to all sites. Find a dance ball(candles) above the center décor and enjoy. Before you take a path check out the “snow angel”, and the gallows. Or become part of the décor in the hearse. Walking along the paths little scenes to sit or touch will give you a chance for a great photo. I think a whole family will enjoy the areas with carousel, monkey bars , other toys to play with.

Along the water of the small harbor goulish servers, Cressida Wretched and Henrietta Hagwort and offer drinks and Halloween food to try. Henrietta has a terrible story , check her profile..sad. I did eat and survived so go ahead. Out on the water there is a cute game, Trick or Treat Trail Game. I did not try it but think I will when I return with friends. Take a swan boat ride. On the other side of the harbor is a charming restaurant to try also.

I did not stay on the paths but wandered into the woods to enjoy autumn colors At one point I did find the little outdoor theater showing an old black and white movie fit for the season. I have visited about four times so far and still have not found all there is to be found so shall plan on coming back during the month that it will be there I did not get to the church yet!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Moochie/170/182/23

Gemma Cleanslate 

 

More Halloween Shopping: Khargo and Halloween Town in Portland

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

 

Khargo is another terrific place not only to shop but to enjoy the fun scenes for Halloween.

The various skeleton scenes are cute rather than scary but that is part of Halloween too, being amusing. Skeletons rule performing all kinds of spooky activities . It seems they like the water in this region and have boats that would look good if you have a waterfront property anywhere. Listen for sounds and use the shared environment for the best experience.

They also have a beach filled with skeletons sunbathing, serving drinks and having a great time. If you have a beach to decorate check here. Elsewhere I saw a burnt out house filled with skeletons that evidently make it out that would be a decoration for a dark region or parcel.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Yellowstone%20Falls/216/113/22

At this “shop” not only can you do your shopping but you can do it by taking a ride and buying as you go along. Take a tour of Halloween town at Portland , Maine. There are many little scenes for sale. 

There are three tours to chose that are really fun to ride and see wonderful views ... not all of  the tours show items that are for sale, just a great Halloween experience. It is getting closer and there will be so many experience tours and rides to just sit back and enjoy in a scary way. I will be visiting some and let you know. 

Since I recommended checking out several full perm shops for Halloween items you might like to go over to see what they are offering at the Full Perm event til November 15. There are advertised “40 full perm stores in one place. Full perm mesh, animations, sounds, textures, builders kits, mesh templates, creator kits. B2B event, market, fair. *by entering this land you will automatically be added to our subscribers list* / Halloween party mesh” I checked it out and you should too.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Cartier/24/160/3760

Gemma Cleanslate 

 

Early Halloween Shopping

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

 Halloween looms. In one chat I heard the other day someone said they saw a store full and posted a slurl. Another remarked ,”I had better check my Christmas decorations” Well, it is not around the corner but Halloween shopping has opened at various popular stores so it is time to start looking. I flew over to one of my favorite Halloween shops I knew would be open to look . There is so much! Dench is a shop where I always find cute décor for any holiday.

 The Halloween shop is massive as usual. Before you enter the building itself check the outside lawns filled with outdoor décor for your parcels. Inside find skellies , wanderers, wearable spooky dancers that you can try out by sitting on them, and so much more. Check out the ghouls and goblins and lots of pumpkins.Some moan, or groan and add to the spookiness. How about getting a full avatar for the holiday. There are always gifts for group members and so many bargains! There is a whole wall full of 5L decorations. Large and small . Do not miss it!!

 

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Rookery/20/33/222

I have a friend who always gives me a rezzday or Christmas gift that she created from a collection of fun things. I finally asked her where she gets the pieces she puts together so well with animation and sound sometimes. She pointed me to full perm places to look at the offerings. I went over to two just to see what was available. The places are amazing ! The walls of both full perm sites were full of items that could be used to build a display of your liking. Some of the stores have vendors on the wall that are collected for the holiday or type. Others are spread around all the walls. So searching for Halloween or autumn related items takes a while. Caming is necessary. I did see a couple of shoppers flying to be closer to choose what they wanted. Regular builders probably are used to this and have no problem. That is not me . Go take a look though if you love to combine items or pass them along to others .

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Optimal/230/244/21  

 

Also, there is the Sweetlips store which had great pumpkins!!

I love the name of this place, Meshed Potato.
 

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Graybar/135/93/21

There are many more autumn and Halloween sales to check out and I will be back with a few more.

Gemma Cleanslate

Burnal Equinox

 

 By Gemma Cleanslate

 

 

Burn2’s Burnal Equinox opens this Friday at 5:00 pm slt. This annual spring event is so interesting this year since it mixes two seemingly opposing themes into one as you can see in the Poster above. Creators have done a wonderful job of mixing. The whole weekend gives you a chance to experience these builds as well as the parties taking place daily leading up to the 12:00 burning of the effigy on Sunday. Don’t miss it! Fortunately this weekend is also the European change of time and we will all be back together.

In the town of Gerlach, at the edge of the Playa, all is in place. Information about the Principles of Burning Man of which Burn2 is a regional. They are in many languages. There is clothing and help for new residents of SL available there too. Many donated gifts of all sorts are ready for all the visitors so be sure to stop and pick them up. Lots of fire attachments are in some of the boxes. I love the Walk with me Hud so friends can walk together through the streets and roads of the event.

As you walk through the Horseshoe gate a small into a small western town you have the opportunity to rezz a horse to ride through the entire playa or you will also find a variety of art cars designed for the event. They are lots of fun and are created by members of the Burn2 group. Clockwork is evident in the buildings and in the sky. I even found Mesas never seem before on the Playa.

I climbed up onto the Mesa and found SHINY (Shiny Starchild) putting finishing touches on his installation of a steampunk western distillery waiting for customers. Get up there to see it and the others nearby. As I was leaving I found Little Suzi (LittleSuzi98 in her Saloon. She was also getting the drinks and games and stage ready for Friday. Stop by when you come in through the gate.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Burning%20Man-%20Deep%20Hole/147/29/24

Gemma Cleanslate

 

Dove's Dream

 

 By Gemma Cleanslate

It is time to recall Palomma Casanova the former owner of The Free Dove who passed away a few years ago. She was an old friend and from the first years of Second Life began and never stopped helping new residents , and old , with free avatars, outfits and so much more donated by the creators. It is was her birthday on March 11.

To celebrate, 89 designers have set up booths at Dove’s Dream. The owner of Palomma which is a continuation of The Free Dove, Shelby Monitor, a close friend of Palomma and has continued her vision of assisting SL members by keeping the original store open to all. She was keeping watch and doing announcements when I visited the event.

At one end of the site there is a tribute to Palomma where one can stop and reflect. It is called The Stairway to Heaven.

On Galli the Palomma is open 24/7 with all kinds of wonderful outfits for both men and women. I still stop over there to check out the new donations. On the upper level there are many shops of the designers who are donors and I often shop there also. Thanks to Shelby for being such a constant friend to all , new residents, old residents and shop owners. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gallii/180/62/33 original store.

I picked up several outfits as well as lots of gifts available at most of the booths . I could not resist this one made by Vamila Vela, a reminder of the Dove and a cute casual outfit.

To visit the event for great shopping travel here and be prepared to walk on water. 

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gallii/125/182/4061

Gemma Cleanslate

 

More Christmas Shops

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

I have been doing some of the Advent Calendars this year but since I am almost out of groups I decided to stick with those where no group is necessary. While I was at a region I took a good look around at some and saw the nice arrangement of items they had in Kiosks or all over the property. I picked some that had really nice or unusual décor for sale and am passing the along to you in case you are a late shopper or are looking for that special gift.

“Santa Claus dropped his presents through the Christmas Wonderland event. There are free gifts in the large calendar and EXCLUSIVE very cheap Christmas outfits in front of it. Don’t miss them and grab them all – Date: Dec 1 to Dec 24 – Contact Person: Rani Rosenhauch “

Rani said it well. Santa has left some great items all over the region. There are many boxes in front of the calendar for sale really low prices! Then take a walk around to see the nice items for sale at the stands.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Forgotten%20Mountains/21/118/27

LouChara sells Furniture and decorations and has weekend sales right at the entrance . Her furniture is divided in to the various types in each building there which makes it easier to shop. The Christmas area had terrific items on display.

I really enjoyed looking at the variety of styles and ended up buying one new holiday bench.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tropical%20Bay/137/171/4001

Another wonderful furniture venue with a calendar is C.M.D. Christmas store. All sorts of Christmas décor is scattered over the region. 

 

What caught my eye was a cute little fairy pushing huge snowballs. Maybe it is not unique but I have never seen it before. There is another one throwing snowballs too.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Thee%20Enchanted%20Forest/203/183/21

 

One more super area to visit for those last minute decorations inside or out is Christmas Delights. Again this is a marvelous place filled with sweet décor. I am happy to see a nice selection of flat décor that is only one prim and looks great . It is good if you need to watch your prim count.

Santa’s Closet is a whole wall filled with all sorts of Christmas clothing with a choice of elegant or cute.There is also a rezz area for greeter bots , AI bots and animesh bots so you can try them out before buying. Stop over there to check them out. RAGDOLL/183/193/1801

I hope you are finished shopping now and can begin enjoying all the winter fun areas that I will be writing about for you.

Gemma Cleanslate

 

Snuggle Christmas Store

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

When I go to another favorite Christmas shopping site I plan on spending time. I go there after Dench because I love the name... Snuggle.

 

The Christmas shopping area is set on several regions. Walking to check out all the outside décor takes a while. There are so many items I would love to put on my property but no room sadly! It is good that there is a teleport board showing all the different types of décor areas to help the shoppers.

The Santa barn has all kinds of Santas. Some are climbing, some collapsed, some sitting or walking about ready to grace your region or home. There are cute skaters if you have a pond. Of course you can find trees and more.

I love the gift shop. Racks of cards for relatives, sweethearts, friends and more line the wall.

I love the gift shop. Racks of cards for relatives, sweethearts, friends and more line the wall. There are pop up cards that are amazing and directions for passing them along. Great gift boxes are available for you to fill with your gifts. I fell in love with the hanging balls that spin slowly .

Of course I left my wallet at home because the gift shop has the most gorgeous snowglobes and I am addicted!! Many are transfer or copy so you can choose. They make wonderful gifts!

Have fun while you are there !

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Snuggles%20Holidays/25/160/27

Gemma Cleanslate

 

Design

Dench Christmas Shop

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

As usual one of my first shopping stops for Christmas is Dench Christmas shop. Not only can one get the greatest freebies and group gifts and Advent Calendar but Amanda Dench always has such lovely gifts. Her decorations are charming and low priced.

The outside décor will enhance a region or a front yard. If you want a Santa wandering around the region look here. Her Santas range from small to huge ! They skate , roam ,wave and ride bikes and some say Merry Christmas. Watch out for the bucking reindeer! Look all around! Trees and trucks to carry them dot the snow with cute winter creatures, and snowmen scattered about. One item I wanted but have no place to put it is a gorgeous fountain with a hud that rezzes partridge, sparrow , snowdrop flowers and other cute décor as you wish. I could not believe the low price!

I love going in and up the stairs to check the freebies and the bargains in the corner . There is always something I missed before and can grab now . Amanda has such great gifts every month and at holidays for group members. This year there are 5L specials also . Check out the walls .

If you love companion dancers with super huds check them out . Just sit on each to try them and see how you look. When I bring one to a party there are always compliments on how cute they are. The huds have a huge choice of dances to fit any music being played . Sometimes there is one for a group gift also. I will be checking out many of the Christmas markets going on starting this weekend. I took a peek at some that were already under construction but showed lots of promise for holiday shopping and this year in SL. It is always a wonderful experience and many locations have all kinds of winter sports and photo opportunities.

This is the Christmas store itself http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Rookery/241/21/21

Gemma Cleanslate