Group Gift of the Month - July

Well, this was a huge month for dresses and gowns - Dina from Evie's Closet, Cayon Classic from LMC, Satin Shine Glitter Gown from Nicky Ree, Amicitia Amy from Tuli, Vivaci from Kouse's Sanctum, Elsinore from Beauty Avatar and Amity from PixelDolls. Any one of these would have made me happy for the month, much less the hair from House of Heart and Philotic Energy or jewelry from Earthstones and Baiastice. There were also poses by Long Awkward Pose and Striking Poses as well as elemental particle effects for hands from Designs of Darkness. Maitreya gave away a terrific casual belt, silent sparrow gave a richly detailed suit and LeeZu Baxter treated her group to a great pair of leggings. An abundance of riches for sure, so I parked myself for a few hours and tossed on various combinations to try and get as many included as possible.

This was a month for a lot of group changes - some closed their doors, some were inactive, some overly spammy. I also dropped a few where all the notices seemed to be about my adding the store to my picks (which have even more limited numbers than my groups). That opened a few doors, however, and this month's winning gift came from one of those - the Ewing Events group. I joined this group after attending several of their Linden birthday runway events and have been overjoyed by some of the terrific post show bags from a variety of designers - not to mention the opportunity to attend some amazing events. One of the "party favors" just screamed winner - the House of Heart gift bag with 9 different hairstyles in colors to make everyone happy - even Ruth. ;)
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Ewing Fashion District at Ischia

(Group Name - Ewing Events VIP Guest List, Cost to Join - IM Required, L$0, Group Tag - Ewing Events VIP)

Group Gift of the Month - June

June was an absolutely fabulous month for group gifts. It seemed like nearly every day one group or another was showering me with notices. ::69:: was in the summer spirit with a variety of sandals for both men and women, Pixeldolls gave out a box that included a lovely indigo bikini. Philotic Energy sent out a gift bag with both gift hair and demo hair and EarthStones sent a Nature's Beauty ring in Bloodstone to the group.

As always the dresses were bountiful and beautiful with Kouse's Sanctum's Spirit in Blood and a gift box of tea dresses from Baiastice in grey, black and white. Most groups this month gave multiple gifts in boxes or bags and the Gift of the Month for June also came from a doubly generous source. LeeZu Baxter's La Vie En Fleur Flexi Dress in Night was one of two gifts from LBD along with the Leila Blouse in Forest. La Vie En Fleur is a confection in black with silver accents shot through the bodice. The strapless style and airy feeling of the dress make it the perfect "LBD" for summer.

LBD Main Store at To The Nines
(Group Name - LeeZu Baxter Designs , Cost to Join - L$0, Group Tag - LBD Diva)

Group Gift of the Month - May

Wow - this was a very tough month once again. Kouse's Sanctum not only gave the group the traditional gorgeous monthly gown, but to celebrate the grand opening of their Avilion Vale location, there were specials and freebies galore for the group. The regular May gift was the Calliope gown in Blush. ::Tuli:: released the new S6 skin line with three skin sets named Emily, Nikki and Celeste and distributed 6 free skins from these to group members. Either of these would be perfect candidates for this month's outstanding group gift, but since they are coupled with major changes or releases, I'm giving them their own posts and taking them out of the running for group gift - still, they deserved mention for sheer generosity.

::69:: gave a box of bangles and trinkets, adorable as always. Pixeldolls gave away Ribbon Boots and the Indigo Gloss swimwear - both very nice spring wardrobe additions. House of Heart gave away some lovely hairstyles (Antonia, Valencia, Victoria, Vivienne and Waverly) and I'm going to count the Digit Darkes Aegina Silver Bikini that was the Mother's Day Gift. This month, however, Baiastice gave group members a huge mix and match (4 skirts and glitch pants, 8 tops) of colors in light, breezy fabrics perfect for spring. The skirts are iridescent, the tops are gorgeous as separates - the entire box makes for a wonderful wardrobe addition. Baiastice gives monthly group gifts as well as regular freebies at the store, but I guarantee once you see the gorgeous clothes, you won't make it out with just the gifts.

Baiastice Main Store at Best of Italian
(Group Name - **Baiastice** by Sissy Pessoa , Cost to Join - L$0, Group Tag - *Baiastice*)

Group Gift of the Month - April

After being away from SL for much of April due to First Life stuff, it was like Christmas digging through all my group gifts for the month. I would have thought that after the huge number of hunts and giveaways in March there would be fewer group gifts. I was wrong.

Cachet sent out a pink Chanel inspired suit dress with a jaunty matching hat that set the tone early for a great month of group gifts. LBD's Zelma Shorts and Top in white inspired me to go shopping for a pair of breezy espadrilles. Kayliwulf Kingdom regularly sends out group gifts during the month and the two colors of the Fetishdoll 2.0 Latex Moonlight Gown (Chianti & Dandelion) definitely put the fetish in evening gown. Another designer gifting multiple colors was Silent Sparrow where members got the Beloved Shirt with lace in four colors (Cream, Fire, Rose & Twilight).

This month, however, Kouse's Sanctum led the pack with the Serena Gown in Midnight. With both Empire and Ballgown skirts, the fitted lace bodice and arm lace combine for a look that flatters any shape. The texture is lovely and the movement of the gown is graceful. Kouse's Sanctum, like Evie's Closet (currently on sabbatical), gives a member gift each month and they are consistently beautiful.

Kouse's Sanctum Main Store at Sea Breeze

(Group Name - Kouse's Sanctum , Cost to Join - L$0, Group Tag - The Incomparable)

Group Gift of the Month - March

Wow, this was a huge month for gifts and hunts and holiday freebies from almost every single one of my favorite designers. For the second month in a row, ::69:: is way up on the list, giving out the matching outfit to last month's Tartan Pumps and then raised the bar again with six freebies from hunting for rings at their new store location - each ring was a pair of unique and stylish pumps. Evie's Closet had several group specials including a Romany Kiss Recolor that was also a Clothing Fair freebie. I also loved the March gown Midnight Kiss from Kouse's Sanctum and the group exclusive color Jeanius outfit from Veschi.

Still, when I lined everything up and started trying them all out, the incredible detail and thought and effort that went into Sparkle Skye's March group events put them over the top. First there were three weekly dresses in three lengths, followed by a St. Patrick's Day shamrock and pot of gold hunt for hats, shoes, dresses, even wands and wings. All mix and match in shimmering greens with lace and rose detailing. In addition to the gifts from Sparkle Skye, Alienbear Designs gave a coordinating jewelry set to match each week's gown. Thank you to Sparkle Skye and all the designers that made March so much fun with Easter Egg and Shamrock hunts and gave such terrific group gifts.

Sparkle Skye Main Store at ImagineNation

(Group Name - Sparkle Skye Designs , Cost to Join - L$0, Group Tag - Simply Irresistable)

Group Gift of the Month - February

When I first started doing this, I had a few ideas for "special" posts, one of which was to save my group gifts from the month, try them all on and pick the one to feature. Little did I know two things when I decided to do this - the first was that there would be so many great gifts and the second was that I'd wind up picking a skin. Interestingly enough, my second choice was another skin, so I guess it was inevitable that my maiden post in this category would require some creative photography. I have to admit that I paused a few times before uploading the pictures today, but a skin post is kind of pointless if you can't see the skin. Plus, it seemed appropriate for the opening of the Skin Fair today.

February brought some great Valentine's Day inspired gifts in reds and blacks to play with for months to come, the Valentine's Pumps from ::69:: were adorable and the Evie's Closet Chimera Gown in Diamond (exclusive group gift color) is simply gorgeous. I also spent an afternoon trying demos so I could use my L$500 Fleur skin group gift card - great fun for me since Fleur (formerly Tete a Pied) make up a large percentage of my skins. With all those great choices and more, I have to go with the ::Tuli:: S5 Skins group gift as my pick of the month, however.

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The day I got the group announcement and attachment, I had just been thinking that what I really needed as a special occasion skin was one with a very natural look and dramatic eyes. Now, I don't often change my skin unless a particular outfit or look really demands it, so having not one, but 7 skin tones with a natural makeup and fabulous eyes drop out of the sky on me just made my day. Ranging from goth to exotic with everything in between and a variety of tans and tones, there is a skin here for nearly every occasion or event. A big thank you to ::Tuli:: and all the groups that are so generous with their members!

::Tuli:: Main Store at Le Zoo

(Group Name - Tuli Update Group, Cost to Join - L$0, Group Tag - TULI-holic)