Mail Order Sims

Vima - Taking a quick look through the site, because Dane and I have some more exciting plans then hanging around the house looking at a Mail Order Catalog, I enter. The site has some really drab tones that make me a bit sad. The layout and design are good, but some of the graphics could use a little smoothing.

The objects section has a small selection of nice little objects that are fairly good, with a tiny bit of roughness around the edges. I believe there are a few tutorials out there that could help fix that small problem.

There are some terrific holiday flowers available during the Easter season, though I haven't tested in the game. If they look like the pictures, it will be a shame to see them go after the holidays. Grab them now! "Hurrumph! Dane is being cheap. He won't buy me any flowers."

They really had something going with that picture holder, but it's in the clearance section. What a shame. Come on, fix it!

The skins selection is a small collection of works by two artists. Morgan and Mandy. How cute. M&M. I'd like to delve into their work a little more because I see potential for some really good skinning, but a few short comings.

Mandy has grasped the ideas of highlights and textures; however, the edges seem a little rough around some of the necklines. A little anti-aliasing on either the selection tool or the paintbrush should fix that problem. The highlights show that she's probably used the opacity adjustments to create some definition of the body. If a little more time were taken to create some shadows under the hemline or around seams, it would make the skins far better.

Morgan uses a lot of texture in her skins, but falls short in the highlights and shadows as well. She's taken some time to create some really nice outfits with some nice styles. Again the rough edges on the clothing. The shapes are all there and I think I see some improvement with some of her newer skins with a little attention to highlighting.

The use of shadows would really create some nice depth, such as with the Flower Vest Dress Set. A little extra time could be taken to make the vest appear to hang by adding shadows under the edge. Smooth out the neckline of the vest a little (anti-alias the line tool or whatever is being used to cut) and it will be terrific. The Chex FX dress does have a green neck though. Might want to fix that ;)

Most of these skinning techniques come with time and both of these artists show a lot of potential.

3 martinis...

Skyler - My first impression is a very good one! What a clever idea to make the objects appear through "mail order." I'm not an earth tone kind of gal, but I can deal with these colors no problem. Everything blends nicely and is so easy on the eyes. I hate pop ups however Geocities is one I can deal with because it's not as obnoxious as others I've seen. Navigation is easy and the pages load fast.

All of the news is right on the main page with links to the new items. I just loved the flowers they have for Easter. Even if your faith doesn't celebrate Easter, these are gorgeous arrangements you can pick up for any occasion (hint, hint Dane... Vima would LOVE some just because)

On to Brand New Specials... Very nice screen shot at the top of this page, giving credit to all object creators directly below it. These tables are so cute/pretty! I picked up a couple while I was here and really just adore them. Some are wood, wood with glass, and cute little table clothes over the others.

Now lets Browse Older Catalogs... I'm still searching through the pages and there are lots of kick knack's! Most of them are really very good too. They look very clean. A lot of nice porcelains, now I'm seeing a cute terra cotta garden hose caddy and it even has a few drops of water on the ground from the hose. It's little details like that, that make or break truly good items. Click... Just rush delivered that one :) They also had a cute little breakfast table on the first page. I liked it quite a bit, but the color was kind of non discript. I'd love to see that set in maybe blue, yellow, green, or even mauve, for a kitchen setting.

Skins... Nice selection, but not so big you get exhausted just looking through it. One thing I really like and wish more sites thought of this, is they have their Sims modeling the clothes in three different angles: front, side, and back. Nice touch! I liked the selections here very much. A few of them need just a smidge more shading and shadows, but most of the textures are fabulous, and colored coordinated ;)

I recommend you stop by this site if you haven't. It was a pleasure to review. I toast them three martinis, lots of bubbles, and a definite bookmark!!!

CC where are you? Still playing with bubble machine, and stars again no doubt ;)

Sister Cecilia C. Robertsim
Pastor of the Church of Simmintology - Well Skyler I think that you should be the first to congratulate me, I have entered into the state of holy matrimony, No living in sin for me. Not that I would throw a stone...oh Heavens no! Judge not lest ye be judged! Hallelujah!

As you know I was at the Multi Denominational Revival this weekend and the honorable Pat Robertsim, leader of the Sim moral majority swept me off of my feet. The way he stood at the pulpit the veins in his forehead bulging, the red of his face as he thundered down the good word to us, I knew right then that it was love, and when he called a ban on the manufacture of all bubble machines well I was sure....by Tuesday we were in his car and heading for Las Vegas where we were married by an Elvis impersonator, cannot remember the name...strange name, smash, clash, crash, claw, saw, craw...hmm it eludes me now. Oh but it was a lovely wedding...Praise Be!!

My Pat is a bit worried about me coming and doing these reviews but I just explained to him that this is as much a community service as sending care packages to the lonely and neglected on holidays, and more widely appreciated in some circles. So I have his permission to continue to be a light to all the Christian Simmers in this fine community. But poor Delores she was a bit upset dear thing, you know I don't like to gossip but she was a bit taken with him herself. Thou shalt not covet my dear!

Well I love catalog shopping; Pat and I sat down and browsed through Mail Order Sims together.

Oh my, Morgan's Designs well this is talent, the clothing is very proper for any Christian God fearing woman! Dresses to the knees and beyond. There was no wide expanse of chests to be seen. Modesty and simplicity are the watchwords!!! I am happy to recommend any person to order themselves one of Morgan's designs. Pat bought me the lovely Lace cream dress on the third page, nothing could be more plain or perfect for Easter services!

Now if you like knick-knacks well then this is also the place to look. There is plenty here to purchase and all of it designed to sit attractively on an end table in your sim's home. The objects were nice but I do like things a bit less cluttered at my house. Like I have said before, the Good Lord loves the simple mind!

Well the site itself was nice, easy to read font, which is a must when dealing with all ages and visual capabilities. The cream and mauve was easy on the eyes nothing too garish or loud.

I am giving three and an half communion cups, I am heading to the lounge to drop this off and then Pat is taking me to a special Bingo Night that was called in our honor! Oh wedded bliss.... Lord be praised! Don't be envious Skyler some day your prince will come!

Storel - Mail Order Sims has an unusual concept for a web site: a mail-order catalog. Every item's description has a note saying to allow a few weeks for delivery, but if you click on the "Rush Delivery" button (really the download button) the item gets downloaded to your computer right then and there. New items are in the "New Specials" section, while previous items are in the "Older Catalogs" section, and objects with "problems" are in the "Big Discounts Clearance" section. (Each item in the Clearance section has a "30 Second Warranty" button that you can click to find out what the exact problem is.)

At the moment, Mail Order Sims specializes in knick-knacks, tables (to display the knick-knacks), and clothing, although after an upcoming relocation they plan to release four new bookcases, one of which is previewed on the home page. While I'm not a fan of knick-knacks myself, many Simmers love the way they add ambience to a home and make it feel more lived in, so if you're one of them there's a lot here for you.

Currently the Specials page contains several interesting variations on the "Imperious Island" end table, especially the three-tier glass-topped one. The end tables that had tablecloths covering them all the way down to the ground didn't do much for me, though.

Clicking "Browse Older Catalogs" brings you to a page where you can choose to look at objects or skins. The first page of objects has an interesting one-tile "Breakfast Nook" table and matching stools. The table has two versions, one with a bud vase in the center and one without, both of which come in the same zip. If you click on the "30 Second Warrenty (sic) Info" button, though, you find that the table has a problem with letting the Sim's knees show through from one angle, though all the other angles are fine. I wonder why this item isn't in the Clearance section with the other problem items?

The rest of the "Older Catalogs" section is knick-knacks and bric-a-brac. Most of them seem attractive enough, and they're usually pretty good about getting objects at the correct angle, too, although some items -- especially the teapots -- are a bit off. Unfortunately, there is no way to navigate this section other than by hitting the "Next Page" or "Previous Page" buttons. It would be helpful if there were a table of contents so you could jump directly to pages that sounded more interesting, instead of having to look at every page in sequential order. Real catalogs let you flip directly to certain pages, after all.

The skins are divided into two designers (sections). Morgan's Designs are more formal and mature, while Mandy's Summer World has more casual things. I like the way they show every design from three different angles, including the back. Unfortunately, all the pictures seem a bit faded, so it's hard to tell what the clothes really look like. Perhaps they got compressed a little too much to reduce the file sizes.

Basically, if you love lots of little decorative items for your counters, tables, and end tables, this site is worth checking out. Even if you're not, the end tables and skins (and bookcases, when they arrive) are worth a quick look. Three martini glasses.

Squeegee - Nothing like a Netscape collapse to start off this review. It's not the fault of the website. It's actually my lack of trying to save copies of the review as I type it so that I don't end up losing the complete review like what just happened. I swear, I spent the last 15 minutes typing up a review and lost it. Life does goes on.

Anyway, the title of this website has got my inspired imagination going. I am ultimately proud to say that there is at least ONE person out there in the Sims Community who is willing to devote a website to inform others on the advantages and disadvantages of a mail order Sim marriage. I am still waiting to hear back from the Sim company that promised me a blond haired, blue eyed female Sim from one of the old Eastern Bloc nations of Europe. It's a good thing that Simoleon's have a very low net worth or I would be in the poor house.

With all kidding aside. This website is NOT about Sim mail order nuptials. No, it's rather a inventive way to make up a distinctive approach to offer objects and skins to the Sims Community

First of all, just the normal Geocities ad on the top right corner. Nothing that is annoying to me. The format is uncomplicated and with no frills. The navigation buttons are hard to read. I think the font on the buttons is just not right for the look of the page. If you browse the offered catalogs of objects and skins you will see nifty little creative details like prices plus a shipping and handling (S&H) charge as well as the amount of time required to send that item to your Sim household. Things you would normally see in a catalog. It's an style that I have not noticed from any of the other websites in the Sims Community. I really like this creative approach.

The "Specials" area features a large amount of end tables and then a large selection of recolored "tables" that have colored tablecloths over them. I think there is just too many recolored items offered. But it is a unique and original object being offered and that is admired.

There is a nice looking antique picture stand offered in the clearance area. Sort of bears a resemblance to an antique that would be featured on "Antiques Roadshow".. :)

You will find some skins in the "older catalogs" area. I took a peek into each area and found what I think are nice looking skins. But the images are so small that I can't scrutinize the quality. I can almost make out the designs, but the images are too small. I wonder if the person took the image in the game. And if they know that you can get closer images if you use SimShow and do the Windows command "alt + PrintScreen" to capture the image?? You can then get closer shots that will highlight the work of that Sim clothing. Again, I like what I saw, but I won't download something that I can't get a good look at. This is my own personal taste.

Well, well, well.. I finally found out why Netscape crashed on me. I had thought that it was an error on my fault. But, it is actually what happens if a person clicks on the "Your Rights Disclaimer" and that page loads up. Before it's finished, it will crash Netscape. Not a good thing, it might be a simple HTML error or something. It's worth a look into. I just can't stand it that I lost a good 15 minutes of time because of it.

To review, I have to say that I like the approach of making the website like a real catalog that would include all those details such as shipping and handling and the "6 to 8 weeks" that you would see. This style is unique and I like it. The format is decent. It's nothing to call home about, but it serves the user well. Too many different recolored versions of the same object and the skin images were too far away to get a good impression of what was offered.

I must submit a review of two martinis and an extra chewed up cherry..