Far and away....

I have seen this moment coming for a while now. It doesn't make it any easier, but I feel it needs to be done.

I'm stepping away from Second Life over the summer beginning May 15th. The constant instability of the grid and the persistent issues with SL, along with the customer service problems of paying for items that are not received, have sucked the joy out of being here.

In addition, I plan on focusing my time and energy on my family and my health. One of my dearest friends has been granted leave from Iraq for a few weeks. This is her second tour in Iraq as a nurse in the US Army. My husband and I will be driving out to spend time with her and the family as we celebrate her son's graduation. While we are out there we will be visiting many family members and life long friends that we rarely see due to time and distance.

I've decided to keep Nuclear Boutique open for the summer, but there will be some changes:

-I will not be adding new items as frequently as I have in the past
-There will no longer be a free item of the week
-I will no longer be offering free lash adjustments when you purchase a pair of lashes from Nuclear Boutique
-I will be closing the classroom and no longer admitting people into the main Nuclear Boutique Group to use the classroom
-Scarlet Vavoom will be assisting me with customer issues, so please contact her in-world if you need any assistance (or email me directly at NuclearBoutique@gmail.com rather than sending me an IM in world)

Come the end of summer, we'll see how things are and if the stability has improved. If, at that time, SL actually functions then perhaps I'll put the time and energy back into Nuclear Boutique as I have in the past. If not, then I'll decide what to do at that time.

Thanks and have a fabulous summer!
Lots of love,
~Ari

Radiating Heat

The swimsuits are in the store....and they are beautiful! Yes, I'm biased.

Enjoy!
~Ari

(Seychelles Bikini in Gold)

(St Croix One Piece Swim Suit in Rose)
Skin: Jasmin By RealSKIN
Glasses: Lauer by Gudshu Glasses
Earrings: Solitaire Diamonds by Xessories


(Tahiti Bikini in Sangria)
Pose: Bootyful from the Boudoir Rouge Set by Codebastard Redgrave

Coolest. Baby. Ever.

I thought I'd share my newest musical obsession. Now I usually start my day with something catchy like O Fortuna the rave version...kind of catchy I think.

But lately I've found a song that sticks in my head and I do so love this kid! Not sure if I love the baby or the song more but here it is: Sid La La Mac .

Ok, together now "all the people in the house la la la la"
:)

Enjoy!
~Ari

Random mutterings and some thank yous...

I've nearly completed the swimsuits and hope to have them in the store by Wednesday...unless SL decides not to cooperate (which isn't outside the realm of possibilities lately). A few sexy bikinis and modest but oh so chic one pieces....all uber stylish. You'll love them, I promise.

With the never ending borkage of SL I truly wonder if things will ever run properly. It's rather disheartening to say the least, yet I shall remain ever hopeful if not a bit cynical.

I did want to take a moment today to say thanks to all of those people who have contributed to my success in SL, but I have never thanked them so, I think it's time to give some credit to those people and to say a heartfelt thank you:

Torley Linden for all of the great tutorials. I never fail to learn something from him, and he always brings a smile to my face...it's nice to have someone like Torley around. Thanks, you watermelon loving educator!

Chip Midnight...his templates rock (and he makes my favorite shredded jeans. Check them out at his shop CMFF in Second Life (TM, C, R).

Johan Durant, the creator of the SL Clothing Previewer. A total stroke of genius! Not only did he design the SLCP, but he offers it free of charge. Support Johan by purchasing some of his cool items on SL Exchange: Johan's stuff

A big thanks for the fantastic Photoshop brushes from Obsidian Dawn . It's been well over a year since I contacted Stephanie of Obsidian Dawn to ask permission to use her brushes for commercial designs and she was quick to respond and to give her okay...which has been so very much appreciated. I could spend hours looking at her artwork as well...oh wait, I have! When you get a chance, stop by her site and enjoy her beautiful creations.

Then there is Nick La's Adobe Illustrator Tutorials . Following these great tuts helped get me started using this incredible software when I didn't even know where to begin. While you're at Nick's site, check out some of the beautiful designs he's created. They are breathtaking.

So thanks to all of those who give of themselves asking for nothing in return. You are appreciated.

Speaking of saying "thanks", why is it such a rare event lately? I know people are a bit irritated with the way SL has been acting up....items paid for and not delivered, constant crashing, things missing from your inventory...it can get to you. But stop for a moment and realize that everyone is having the same issues.

This past month I've had a record number of customers not receiving their items after paying for them, and I do my best to send the product to them as quick as possible. That being said, a simple thank you would not be out of line. Instead, a large number of people are getting rude with their requests and there is simply no call for it. I did not break SL, and I'm not involved in any conspiracy to steal your $L.

Seriously, if you didn't receive something I am more than happy to get it to you...but take a second before you write that nasty IM or email and remember that I cannot control the way SL is working, nor am I in-world every second of every day.

Having a rude attitude doesn't not endear you to me or make me want to help you quicker...I treat all of my customers equally: with respect and kindness. Try it (...the respect and kindness part) and you'll be amazed at how much you can accomplish over being an ass. Yes, I will still assist you...you paid for an item and I will do whatever necessary to get that item to you, but please not expect special treatment because you are in a bad mood.

And try saying "thank you" occasionally. It isn't that difficult. Honestly, I promise it won't hurt.

Now...I'm off to finish those swimsuits! Summer is just around the corner..

~Ari

Beautiful new gown

Yes, I've been watching those old movies again and was inspired to create a classic gown. I've named it ~Classique~ (not very imaginative I know, but I think it's fitting).

Clean lines accent a lace overlay down the center. Flex attachments are worn on both legs for a more natural flow.

The gown includes the top on 3 layers, system skirt (with glitch pants) and flex prim skirt attachments.

Classique comes in Ruby, Golden, Silver, Sapphire, and Night (pictured above), and there is a free DEMO so you can fall in love with it prior to purchasing.

In other news...
I've discontinued the Customer Rewards Drawings. The inability to get in world, the constant crashing when I'm able to log in and the stubbornness of the scripts simply tries my considerable patience. I hope to continue the drawings when (if) things become stable.

So enjoy the new gown and have a fabulous week!
~Ari

Bad Vibes

Although I haven't blogged or released anything in a few weeks, I'm still around. RL has been hectic with it being tax time in the US along with the usual amount of administrative work required to run any type of business. Although my in-world profile says I'm away until April 7th, I'm not on a vacation...just doing the behind the scenes, glamour-less duties.

But to catch you up on what's been going on, Gina Canning was our winner from last weeks gift card drawing and she won a L$2000 gift card and shopping spree on me. I'll post this weeks winner after 3pm SLT (unless I get pulled away again....).

One thing that has been bothering me as of late is the constant negativity that is beginning to permeate Second Life (tm) and the content creator community. Rip offs and scammers are everywhere selling ripped copies of items that they did not make, therefore profiting from someone else's hard work. Yes it upsets me, and yes I wish there was some solution to this epidemic, but as of now our options are limited to filing a DMCA and hoping the offender's alt doesn't show up before the paperwork is filed. These types are rotten to the core and have no place in any community. I do fear it will take a lawsuit to earn any real protection.

While I understand the anger this has caused, and I don't blame anyone for being upset and wanting some type of permanent solution. What I don't understand is the whole "idea copying" issue that seems to stem from the current ripoff trend. In fact, it has me concerned.

No one creates in a vacuum. I watch the occasional television show, I read fashion magazines and watch movies. Obviously I'm influenced by what I see around me. Any other designer could also see these things and be influenced. Just watching the videos of February's Fashion Week certainly got my creative juices percolating...but there was this small voice in the back of my mind wondering if any other creator in SL (tm) was also influenced by these real world designs. Would that lead to accusations of "idea stealing" and if so, what does that do to the reputation of the designers?

But I simply cannot design this way....wondering if my dress looks like a design already out there, or if I made a texture that is very similar to another designer's fabric. It takes too much energy and if it happens, then so be it.

Well this seems to be a rather random posting, but the good news is I do have a beautiful "classic" gown I'll be releasing early next week along with some new hair styles. Spring is in the air which means summer is on it's way, so keep an eye out for some wonderful swimsuits coming out soon.

Have a great weekend!
~Ari

Customer Appreciation...

I wanted a way to say thanks to my customers, so I now have a weekly drawing for those who spend at least L$250 during the week and are members of our subscribe-o-matic group. I'll be announcing the winner here on Fridays after 3pm SLT. This week's winner is Glory Glume. Yay Glory!

Glory won a L$2000 gift card good on any Nuclear Boutique clothing or hair item.

If you'd like to enter, then click on the sign near the Free Gift Area of the business suit building that says "Customer Rewards", spend at least L$250 during the week and be a member of our subscribe-o-matic group and you might win next week!

Have a great weekend!
~Ari