Trinity Blakewell

Loft&Aria also did that terrible thing where you had to pay for each part of a bathroom vanity (so, sink and vanity base were priced separately). In general, I consider their newer stuff overpriced, but occasionally pick up a piece or two. Most of us who have been around a while buying home furnishings in SL know that there are designers who are very, very good to their loyal customers/group members (like Kraftwork, Fancy Decor, Apple Fall, and now Avani) and those who are...not so much.

I thought it was free, but honestly, with all their freebies, it would be worth $L500 to join that group!

If you're not familiar with Avant (home furnishings), this is a good time to check them out. Avani is offering group members early access to their 50% off sale, and their recent generous group gift (a dining room collection) is right at the landing point!

Avani is offering group members early access to their 50% off sale, and that great recent group gift (the dining room collection) is right at the landing point!

(deleted)

The Christkindl Market is a different place. It kinda seems like a bunch of folks who create SL items out of love instead of for profit. Hobbyists, but not in a bad way. Definitely that old European vibe too, but it's the only holiday market in SL where you likely find manger scenes, advent wreaths, etc.

Some other sales of note... Landgraff...70% off. They have some really nice eyes (EvoX, Omega, and BOM). Check upstairs where they have some eye packs for really cheap (recommended: pick up Santiago for $L21). BTW - they are unisex, even though most of the example images are male. Hideki (home furnishings)...everything $L40.

Just checked out some of the sites with Black Friday listings....Velour's body skins are 30% off.

So...which types of items do you pounce upon at Black Friday Sales in SL, and which do you hold off on? I think mesh heads at 50% off is a pretty good deal, but folks might want to take into account that Lelutka has put out gift heads for the last two Christmases (limited time only) and Akeruka does the group gift thing. I don't think I'd be jumping on skins unless it's a brand that I absolutely loved which also avoids weekend sales (most of the major brands participate and many brands feature their new skins on weekend sales). 50% off ends up being several times the cost of paying $L50 - $L99 for a skin. An exception to avoiding skins that I can think of...if Velour's body skins are included in their sale, it would be a good time to scoop up new shades, or body skins for that additional mesh body (if you have one). Makeup is featured so prominently in the weekend sales that I would tend to avoid it on Black Friday, except for a really good deal like what is going on with Opulein right now (and their skin available for EvoX and ADVX heads is also a great deal). Clothing and Accessories are another mixed bag for me...there may be some good deals out there, but again if its a brand that is always present on the weekend sales, and if they typically put new or updated items on sale, those weekend sales are going to be less expensive. On the other hand, if it's a brand that I really like that doesn't participate in those weekend events, I may check out their Black Friday sale. I think if certain top-tier bands of hair on sale I will check them out...but unfortunately of those top 5 or 6 brands, I have most of the styles I like (IMO those brands are Truth, Doux, Wings, Magika, maybe Ade and/or Steathinc - the brands where the texture is so good you can almost pick out individual hairs). I buy most of my shoes these days at KC Couture since they sell fatpacks on the weekend sales. I would likely avoid stores that sell individual colors on Black Friday. While home furnishings are often featured on weekend sales, some of the best brands don't participate, or participate rarely. So if there's a brand on sale with items I want, it's a good time to head over and check them out. Some of their groups are very generous with gifts, and often free, so its a good opportunity to join at that time.

I know Milan was just recently released, but I'm surprised that it hasn't climbed any higher in the charts, since it was available at a discount at the event where it was released. Perhaps because people already have several Lelutka heads? I'm actually very happy with that one, more than Kaya. You might want to try that one on as well. I suspect that the people who are wearing non-free Genus heads are the types that do not update their avatar's appearance very often, because the lack of availability of skins, makeup etc, has become an issue.

@Ayashe Ninetails- give some BOM tights/leggings a try. They are my go-to in SL for dealing with all the too-short dresses. C'est La Vie has some good ones.

That DaD pack is worth the price of joining the group on its own! The lighted wreath without ribbon is 2 LI and the version with ribbon is 3 LI.

And for those of you who may have tried out one of the ADVX heads and might be looking for some makeup, Opulein is having a lipstick and eyeshadow hunt for $L10 - $L20 a shade. Many (but not all) the styles are both EvoX and ADVX. But the poster and the actual purchase dialogue clearly mark what items are both and what items are just EvoX. Most of the eyeshadows are very dramatic, but the lips range from natural to bright to non-traditional colors. EDITED TO ADD: Opulein is moving soon, and they have announced a $L25 sale on all their packs! EDITED TO ADD: Their "ADEA" skin is available in a wide range of Velour Tones, for both EvoX and ADVX, for just $L36 a shade

Yeah, I considered that one, but I wanted something a bit more Christmas-y. I did find this one, though, and checked it at the store, it's not bad at all: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Wreath-Pepper-Pomegranate/16318736

In search of...a pretty, realistic looking pine branch Christmas Wreath that DOESN"T dissolve into unrecognizable shapes just a short distance away. Should have some added baubles or lights but not overly gaudy, and not too country/shabby chic since I will be using on a Newbrooke. I've been to the Christmas Event and didn't find what I was looking for, but that's a huge confusing place (makes sure you don't just go around the exterior loop, there are smaller booths in the center featuring some well-known home decor stores).

Kitchens seem to come in waves. Here is a new one from Chez Moi at Tres Chic.

Well, here you go...from Tres Chic. I honestly don't know why Varsity does this....look at the list of bodies and see what is included and what is not.I would have bought this if it was made for Lara.

I was so tempted. But the designer support just isn't there.

...it is such a shame, as these are the type of fairly realistic curvy body shapes that many of us have been begging for. When I saw that the body is on sale, I really dug into the weekend sales to see if anyone was offering clothing. The pickings are indeed slim.

Erfe Design has two kitchens on sale this weekend. If you head into the showroom and walk to the back, you can see both of them. They are sized so huge, my avi (sized to be 6.12 ft/1.86 meters) looks like a child. Fortunately you can resize.

In cause you're still hungry for kitchens, here are a few more on sale this weekend:Atelier Burgundy - this one was at an event not too long ago at full price. Now the kitchen is on the Saturday Sale, as well as the individual color appliance packs. All the cabinet colors are very retro.

Thanks for the reminder! I've been looking for some rugs with more nude/beige/rust tones and this was a good place to check! They don't have a lot of contemporary rugs, though...if you're looking for something along those lines, a place like Fancy Decor would likely be better.

A modular kitchen available this weekend from Legma - $L66 each for upper and lower cabinets. No appliances included.

Cheezu has some really cute items. Some are really kawaii/schoolgirl style but there are others that are not as obvious in that direction. I really love the new Dear sim. I feel like I have stepped into an oceanside town in South Korea. It even has an iconic red lighthouse at the end of a walkway that has appeared in many KDramas, and one of those pop-up bar/restaurants that you often see in KDramas too. The other shopping sim that is having 50% off sales this week is The Sign. Unlike Deer, it is a nightmare to navigate at ground level. Use the sign at the landing point to teleport directly to stores. Spectaclechic and Wings are among the stores participating.

And once again I am reminded that even Trompe's prop kitchens included in houses have so much better texturing than almost everyone else making kitchens. I really wish Trompe would get back into releasing stand-alone kitchens with animations.