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Category: second life blogs
Video review: Kitty's an 'Easy Rider'
Well, I am in this jacket at least! In fact, I liked it so much that I vlogged about it!
You'll find this gorgeous jacket is available for both men and women from the WINTER TREND SL event, which will be opening later today…Enjoy!
Kitty@Home: Stockholm & Lima's Perfect British Christmas
So as regular readers know, in the past few weeks RL got in the way and dropped a blinder on me. I'm getting back on my feet and although I'm still feeling winded by it all (and it will take me a while to recover) I've found so much solace in Second Life in recent days. (I've also received some lovely messages of support, so if you're reading this please know that your words have made a difference, and I'm grateful for them:)
To cheer myself up I've decorated my skybox for Christmas/Yule. It's funny how we do that in the virtual world, isn't it? Mind you, it's a lot easier; no broken baubles, tangled lights or pine needles stuck in the carpet, or even worse, the sole of your foot!
Unlike some of the wonderful interiors that you would see on the pages of LTD mine isn't themed nor is it especially grand, it's just your regular lots of red and green tinsel and lights for me and Jez to enjoy, but hey, I am enjoying it, and I will continue to do so for the rest of the festive season.
I've got all kinds of Christmas goodies stashed away in my inventory that I've collected over the years. Some I've had to throw out, but some I just can't bear to part with even though they use more prims than an entire homestead in their construction! But something I definitely wanted and never had was a proper Christmas dinner set-up, and you'd be surprised by how difficult it's been to source one. I didn't want anything overly fancy, just the kind of super-informal setting that you'd enjoy with family and friends before crashing out on the sofa and watching the Doctor Who Christmas Special. (It had better be good this year BBC, you've been warned!)
I found just what I was looking for at STOCKHOLM & LIMA. Granted, this was actually released in December 2015, but it's still available and absolutely worth your time and Lindens; I haven't found anything quite as good this year, which has surprised me, but no matter; the detailed mesh is perfect for my needs. (I mean, check out the sprouts and the Yorkshire's what more could you need?!)
I fancied a slightly different table and chairs to my usual favourite BAZAR set; so I ventured over to THE LOFT where I found this 'Roxanne' set. The table is especially nice with a lovely, chunky wrought-iron base and the matching industrial style light feature (just out of shot) really looks the part. I picked up a texture change table runner while I was there, along with some tableware and voila! My work here is done:)
- STOCKHOLM & LIMA 'It's A British Christmas' Gacha machine is L$50 per play, located in main building. It's on the left as you walk in, third section down, next to 'The Alchemist' Bar set.
- THE LOFT 'Roxanne' Table, chairs, rug, wall word-art and lighting feature (not shown) are all available as individual pieces or a set. Table runner and place setting are part of the 'Casolare' range in store.
- PILOT Tall candlesticks,
- R(S)W Votive candles
- ARIA Giada drawer cabinet
- TARTESSOS ARTS 'TA212' NY wall art
- AMUSE Wine bottle (which dispenses filled glasses that I've used on the table)
MBA:Make Mine A Baggy One!
My final choice from MBA this round, and it's a classic. In real life, I like nothing more than sweaters and leggings at home, and this translates into SL too, so I was delighted with VINYL's releases for MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY.
This is the 'River' Sweater. It's baggy and each pack includes 2 options (print and plain). There are 16 options available 199L each/1,200L fat pack. There are quite a few cat-themed prints in this release and of course, I had to wear one of them for the snap. There are also some Capri leggings available at the event, but I opted to slop around in my skybox.
I'm still sporting the TRUTH VIP gift hair, 'Sugar' because quite frankly I adore it. It's the most perfect updo I've ever encountered in-world, and I just don't want to take it off, although I ought to as I bought a shedload of lovely TRUTH hair in the recent Black Friday sale. I'm still sporting the ENTICE nylons that I featured a few posts ago because, well, why not?
It's been a great round of MBA, and you've got one more day left to buy all the things from this illustrious event.
SKIN: AMARA BEAUTY 'PRIYA' CATWA applier /MAITREYA body applier in 02 Ivory
(Kitty wears this on Catwa 'Dyana' mesh head and Maitreya 'Lara' body – lipstick from Catwa 'Dyana' HUD)
EYES: CATWA Mesh Eyes (Un-rigged)
EARS: MANDALA 'Steking' – Season 5
EARRINGS: REIGN 'Pentagram' Earrings
HAIRBASE: L'ETRE'Candy' (Black)
HAIR: TRUTH – 'Sugar' (Gingers) – TRUTH VIP GROUP
TATTOO: SPEAKEASY 'Catnip'
CHOKER: XYZ Tattoo Choker
NECKLACE: YUMMY 'Palmistry' necklace – Silver
SWEATER: VINYL 'River' Baggy Sweater MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY
STOCKINGS: Featured on this blog post, part of the ENTICE lingerie set MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY
MBA:Dressed for Success!
Oh, how I love a good frock. (I said frock, now stop that!)
And this, dear readers, is the embodiment of a good frock.
It's from MOON ELIXIR for MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY and it's a bit of a corker, as I hope you can tell. It's a kind of safari-style dress, so is quite formal with an ever-so-slightly popped collar, buttoned sleeves and buckled belt but then, WOAH, it's open at the front so pretty much all your wares are on display. There's even the suggestion of nipples through the fabric (well, it is November after all!) which makes this rather more sexy than conventional. I really like it; the mesh is good and the styling means that if you enjoy wearing tattoos and statement necklaces like I do then this is a great way to style them. I found a great pair of heels from MBA as well to team with this look, these are the 'Sicilia' sandals by KC COUTURE. This is a brand that's really come into its own during 2016, and that doesn't surprise me one bit when you consider the quality of the releases that they've made this year. 'Sicilia' are a real treat too; they come with an absolute multitude of customisation options in the 40 colour fat pack, including removal of the stud embellishments should you so wish, something I haven't encountered on similarly styled shoes. The triple gemstone embellishment at the front looks very pretty and for L$195 you'd be hard-pressed to find a better value pair of heels that you can style so personally. These will look great over Christmas, don't you think?
You've got one day left before MBA closes for this round, don't miss out!
SKIN: AMARA BEAUTY 'PRIYA' CATWA applier /MAITREYA body applier in 02 Ivory
(Kitty wears this on Catwa 'Dyana' mesh head and Maitreya 'Lara' body – lipstick from Catwa 'Dyana' HUD)
EYES: CATWA Mesh Eyes (Un-rigged)
EARS: MANDALA 'Steking' – Season 5
EARRINGS: REIGN 'Pentagram' Earrings
HAIRBASE: L'ETRE'Candy' (Black)
HAIR: TRUTH 'Sugar' (Gingers) – TRUTH VIP GROUP
TATTOO: SPEAKEASY 'Catnip'
CHOKER: XYZ Tattoo Choker
NECKLACE: YUMMY 'Divining Crystals' Necklace (Silver)
DRESS: MOON ELIXIR 'Wanderlust' MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY
STOCKINGS: Part of the Entice Lingerie set that I blogged HERE MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY
HEELS: KC COUTURE 'Sicilia' Heels MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY
POSES: Kitty's Own
MBA: And so, to bed..
One of my absolute favourite things to do in real life is sleep. It sounds ridiculous, but seriously the whole concept of naps was probably written with me in mind. I can't think of anything better than getting a blankie, a mug of cocoa and even better, a hot water bottle and snuggling down on the sofa to gaze at the inside of my eyelids. Bonus points if a dog or cat joins me too ( they usually do!)It's natural then that I would re-create this in Second Life, and luckily for me, THE ANNEX has provided the perfect prop at MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY. It's a simple, draped mesh blanket with a chunky knit texture and a satin seam that makes for some gorgeous photographs..and snoozes! There are 5 options (pink, white, yellow grey and blue) priced at 199L each. Note: There aren't any poses in this blanket, so adapt it to suit your own (it's not difficult to do). Right, you must excuse me, I have some sheep to count, once I've moved the cats off the bed!
SKIN: AMARA BEAUTY 'PRIYA' CATWA applier /MAITREYA body applier in 02 Ivory
(Kitty wears this on Catwa 'Dyana' mesh head and Maitreya 'Lara' body – lipstick from Catwa 'Dyana' HUD)
EYES: CATWA Mesh Eyes (Un-rigged)
EARS: MANDALA 'Steking' – Season 5
EARRINGS: REIGN 'Pentagram' Earrings
HAIRBASE: L'ETRE'Candy' (Black)
HAIR: TRUTH – 'Sugar' (Gingers) – TRUTH VIP GROUP
TATTOO: SPEAKEASY 'Catnip'
CHOKER: XYZ Tattoo Choker
BLANKET: THE ANNEX Blanket MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY
HOT WATER BOTTLE: SWAY'S ( from a previous round of The Arcade)
POSE: Kitty's Own
Witchy Wednesday: Crimson Witch
It's rare that an outfit I post to Plurk gets such a reaction as the one this did when I posted it to my timeline earlier, but it was really gratifying that it did. I needed that, as I am absolutely FULL of germs in RL. You know how some people come into work and share their illness with everyone else? Yeah, I got double-barrelled; the guy who sits opposite me had just returned from Belgium and brought back more than beer, and the girl who sits beside me was a shivering, snotty mess. With odds like that, I had no chance, and I'm suffering. My chest feels like it's full of particularly dusty feathers, and when I cough, well, put it this way, not one of my furry companions wants to sit with me, and don't even get me started on the boyfriend! Anyway, onto more important things; this look. Sometimes an outfit just works, you know? Don't laugh, but I think I stress more about my image in Second Life than I do in real life. Actually, scratch that, I KNOW I do, when really all I need to do is open my inventory, take a rummage through it and see what sticks. This outfit is a prime example of that; I felt bobbins so just threw everything on that I'd recently acquired and wow, it worked!
The main elements of this are from THE EPIPHANY gacha event; I'm sorry, don't hate me. I managed to get in and went in hard; I had a list and a budget and left with about 50% of what I had wished for, so if anyone can recommend some good Gacha sales featuring Epiphany items PLEASE let me know! Your main machines for this are the ones from APHORISM, REIGN and MOON.
So, onto the outfit: red and black with a witchy twist, the top is from APHORISM and I paired it with a skirt from REIGN that I really wanted because it has such a Killstar Clothing feel to it. To be honest, I wasn't sure if the shape of the skirt and the top would work together, but I needn't have been concerned, it looks perfect.
I also chose accessories from the REIGN gacha ( the coffee mug and the necklace, I need to go back though because I need pretty much everything else) and because I'm REALLY into eyewear added some fave shades from GLAMISTRY. My hairstyle is by MOON, it's called 'In-Between Days' which *has* to be a reference to the most excellent song by THE CURE of the same name. It can't actually be a reference to how hair should look in-between (washing) days because never in a month of Sundays can I get mine to look anywhere near half decent unless I've shampooed it BUT ANYWAY I DIGRESS *breathes*, it's a fabulous hairstyle and I was ruddy delighted that I dropped the black and white pack. I love how it falls over my shoulder meaning my pentacle earrings, also from the most excellent REIGN gacha is on display.
Some final flourishes from KIBITZ complete the look; I absolutely adore KIBITZ and their range of eclectic jewellery and accessories, and this planchette style bag finishes off my look perfectly. I've also added my favourite witchy ring set which is also a KIBITZ item.
Last but not least, I'm wearing my CATWA 'Dyana' mesh head along with CATWA Mesh eyes which are currently usurping my usual IKON favourites, and of course I'm sporting my MAITREYA 'Lara' body coupled with a favourite AMARA BEAUTY skin, the ever stunning 'Lucie', which is probably my favourite skin release of the year (although there are a couple of months left and I'm fickle like that!)
Of course, you need a decent pair of shoes to match the outfit, and I am LOVING these new 'Rose' heels from Glamistry. These feel flamboyant and glamorous and work perfectly well in red and black for this look, but imagine them with denim jeans and a tied shirt and you have immediate Rockabilly style! Thinking further on, slap on a short frock and tease your hair up into a beehive and you have a look that I'm sure Amy Winehouse would be more than happy to wear. As you can see from the image below they come with the usual quality options that only GLAMISTRY can provide, and I will be wearing these throughout the spooky holiday season! I feel shagging awful; when I cough I really do sound like a goose farting in the fog; so it's nice to have been able to log into SECOND LIFE to create this look and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! Good luck getting into THE EPIPHANY! and enjoy these glorious GLAMISTRY shoes!
( Last but not least, Kitty's ears are from Mandala and pose from !bang, adapted using Animare. Inspiration for post title from this list: Top Ten Witch Songs)
All things Witchy shall leave you SPELLBOUND!
I haven't written anything remotely witchy on the blog for ages. My bad; I hold my hands up and acknowledge that fully. It's not that I haven't wanted to necessarily, it's just that I haven't had the time. Plus, perfectionist that I am I've wanted to do the subject matter the justice that it deserves and that means lots of photos, lots of writing and lots of additional chores that I just haven't really had the facility to manage. However, I am starting the month of October with the very best of intentions to try and make amends, and what better time to begin?
SECOND LIFE truly comes alive at this time of year (which is somewhat ironic when you think about it, being a time traditionally associated with death!) , and right through until Halloween (Samhain), the grid is simply bursting with buzzing with events and themed sales, parties and celebrations. It has to be my absolute favourite season and it's the perfect month to celebrate being a Witch in the virtual world, so if you seek some witchy inspiration, let me start by sharing a few places you REALLY need to visit.
First of all, let me share my absolute favourite Witchy sim..SPELLBOUND!
OK, I know what you're thinking : Spellbound is a hair store!?! But the store, and the sim itself, is for me one of the most perfectly witchy places upon the grid. The occult vibe hits as soon as you land outside the main store, where absolutely everything in sight is beautifully built and carefully placed. Even the font that adorns the sign above the door (on a gothic mansion no less) is just perfect for the theme, and it really does leave you feeling, excuse the pun, spellbound!
As you enter there's a cauldron bubbling furiously away, as incense curls patterns of smoke above the counter. Crystals and potion bottles decorate the shelves along with grimoires and arcane sketches that hang on the wall, and there's the ever watchful gaze of an owl and a somewhat friendly looking hell-hound looking after the store in the owner, Kohana Xue's absence. Despite the nature of these objects, they all have a colourful, modern bohemian twist, which resonates perfectly with the product she sells.
She's changed the landscape a little since I last visited; I *think* that there used to be a stone circle here at some point but sadly that's no longer present (but there is ample space for one to be erected!)
Why does Spellbound mean so much to me? Because it's so beautifully and artfully created. You can tell that the store build along with the environment that surrounds it, was truly a labour of love during their creation. Not only that but the contents inside all reflect the theme perfectly; from the way that the store advertisements are lit by candles and crescent moons to the names of the products that she sells, Kohana Xue leaves you in no doubt of her witchy credentials that surely (like mine) extend beyond the virtual home that we share.
Another reason why I adore it so is that despite Spellbound being a store, it puts the majority of the actual Pagan/Witchcraft stores and learning locations you'll find in-world to shame. I don't visit many of those places purely because they look shite. There's no delicate way for me to put this, so I'm not going to; they're full of builds and artefacts from the early days of the metaverse and it's a crying shame. Take important places like Witches Island that have served the community for many years. I'm not being disrespectful to the groups that meet and socialise there but the place looks terrible. Ask yourself, where would you rather hang out? A place filled with badly textured builds and furniture that probably looked great ten years ago, or somewhere that really looks the part? It's especially annoying when you consider how much content creation has moved on in-world; there's no need to settle for such an uninspiring environment when there's clearly so much better out there.
While we're at it, another thing that galls me about such places is that they're always bloody filled with reproductions of renaissance paintings and copies of artworks made by esteemed real life pagan artists like Mickie Mueller, Lisa Parker and Ann Stokes to name but a few. It makes me incredibly angry to see this, as does any copyright theft in SL, but we've all talked about that until we're blue in the face enough now to know that ignorance is not bliss, and there's no excuse for it. If you fill your sim with reproductions and copies then I'm not going to frequent it, simple as. Trust me on this, use search and see what kinds of places you find, not one of them look a patch on Spellbound and that upsets me greatly, especially because Kohana has proved beyond a doubt that you can have a Pagan themed environment in-world without cruddy textures, naff styling and copyright abuse. If she can create like this then surely other people can too?
Well, actually there are some amazing artists that demonstrate the same skills as Kohana. If you're wanting to establish your own altar in-world then SPELLBOUND sells a few items that can set you on your way. It's not just hair you know; there's a gacha in store that is teeming with splendid items that are perfect for decorating your sacred space and there are a couple more quality Witch, Wiccan and Pagan retailers that are more than worth a glance too. I strongly recommend you check out the work of Kalia Firelyte (the creative genius behind JIAN) and Corwin Lacourte who is the brains behind HEXTRAORDINARY. Not only will you find magical pets and mysterious creatures at his store, but also fantastic Rune and Tarot sets, incense holders, crystal points, scrying bowls and fantastic furniture and exterior builds too! (I'll be talking about a creation of Corwin's I've recently discovered in a few blog posts time, so stay tuned!) Last but not least we have the legendary Robin Sojourner in-world too, who sells items at her 'Broom Closet' store, which is located next to the Wiccan Learning Centre that she has hosted in Second Life for many years now. If you're looking for an actual build suitable for your own witchy space you'll find there are two to consider that are both ideal and available to purchase at Spellbound as well. First of all is the rather grand, formal build that is the 'Temple Of Illumination'. This impressive structure is styled as a medieval illumination temple and is perfect for formal group meetings and circle workings, but be sure to check out the 'Atrium Skybox' that is available in-store too. This is a very crisp, clean and light build that would be perfect for informal pagan group meetings up in the clouds,although it would be just as fantastic to live in.
I'm going to wrap up these witchy ramblings by sharing something with you: my dream in Second Life has long been to establish a working group in-world for witches to hang out in and chat as well as celebrate Esbats and Sabbats. Sadly I just don't have the cash to do that just yet, and I've never felt that the buildings and accessories are available to be able to do it in style. As Kohana's work, and that of her peers proves, Second Life has now reached a stage in build quality where my ambition might prove slightly more achievable. Alas, I need the land to do it (and some Lindens too) but one day it will happen, and if you're interested in joining me on this adventure in the future please let me know, it would be lovely to have you along for the broomstick ride! Until then, I'll keep visiting Spellbound to get my witchy hair and home fix. Click HERE and you can do just the same!
I'll Tumble For Ya!
I will never tire of how SECOND LIFE fashion really challenges me to create new looks and wear things I wouldn't normally try in a month of Sundays. Here's an example, I really wouldn't have given this EN VOGUE 'Milly' hair a second glance had I not thought, "Oh to hell with it, just try it" and I'm so glad I did! I balked at the idea of the voluminous plait piled on top of the head, but it works beautifully. There's an almost 1940's vibe to the style and I think it would work extremely well styled in a Rockabilly/Vintage fashion with a tied shirt and jeans, but I'm wearing it with a cracking group members freebie from CYNFUL. This is the 'Cynnosence' dress and you'll get three different colour combinations in your gift, ready to fit Slink, Belleza or Maitreya bodies. I really love all the colour combos but I had an urge to wear blue, so I did! I added some of my favourite ZOOM shades ( I often wear glasses in SL, contrary to popular belief you do get plenty of passes!) and the very latest GLAMISTRY release, these exceptionally cute 'Hortensia' heels. They're a simple heel style embellished with a bow, and of course, the shoes come replete with the famous GLAMISTRY colour-change HUD meaning that you can mix and match your footwear to match your style, which is precisely what I did. A fat pack of these beauties costs just L$479 and I really encourage you to treat yo'self! As a final note, I want to draw your attention to my rather splendid head. This is 'Tumble' from CATWA and it is quite possibly my favourite head release yet; I love the softness of the face shape in the cheek area and the overall feeling of roundness to this release.See what I mean? Despite the fleshiness to the main body of the face the overall look is really quite delicate and youthful, and of course, she's transformed by whichever skin applier you choose to wear. Using the animation HUDS she's incredibly expressive and an absolute dream to wear. I don't get chatted up very often in SECOND LIFE these days, but, I have to say that wearing 'Tumble' has changed all that for some reason!The combination of this CATWA head and the AMARA BEAUTY 'Priya' skin (which I refuse point blank to stop wearing at the moment, it's glorious!) just seems to be bringing all the boys to my yard. They can sod off though; if there are any milkshakes to be had I'm calling first dibs…Here's your shopping list-ENJOY!
SKIN: AMARA BEAUTY 'PRIYA' CATWA applier /MAITREYA body applier in 02 Ivory
(Kitty wears this on Catwa 'Tumble' mesh head and Maitreya 'Lara' body, eyeshadow and lipstick from Priya palette)
EYES: IKON 'Triumph Eyes' in 'Storm'
EARS: L'ETRE Gem pierced ears
HAIRBASE: L'ETRE'Candy' (Black)
HAIR: enVOGUE HAIR 'Milly' Ombres
DRESS: Cynful Cynnosence – Maitreya Lara – Version 3
SHOES: Glamistry : 'Hortensia' heels
SEPTUM: ARISE Calla Septum / Black_Gold
RINGS: Kibitz – Nightmare ring set – left – copper
GLASSES: [Z O O M] Clubber Glasses
MBA: A Perfect Illusion
So MESH BODY ADDICTS is back for another bi-monthly round and this month is a good 'un! I KNOW that we all suffer from event fatigue these days because there are way too many going on in-world and it's so hard to keep up with all of them (thank goodness for SERAPHIM!) but I promise the MBA BI-MONTHLY is totally worth your time!
For a start, if you don't visit you'll miss out on this fabulous dress from CUTE OR DIE! It's certainly incredibly sweet and very simple; a plain dress with a tight, vest style body accompanied by a slightly more voluminous skirt. So far, so simple, but then turn around and look at the back and you're in for a surprise! I love this scooped, open-back style that is finished with a large ribbon. It struck me that this can be worn in a myriad of ways (and would even make a very effective Bridesmaid dress if you're so inclined) but I chose to go for a fresh and funky urban feel. I added these cracking 'Sabrina' sneakers from ILLI which are just bursting with detail; big and satisfyingly chunky with contrast colours and there are even see-through air pockets built into each sole which add a neat retro vibe. To accessorise I threw on some favourite ATOMIC shades and my favourite tattoo-style choker, but it's the hairstyle that really brings this look together, and I'm wearing an absolute belter. This is the newly released 'Battlefield' hair from SPELLBOUND and I'm in love with it. That's surprising to me as I initially thought this hair wouldn't suit me, but, of course, I threw on a demo and I'm so glad that I did because I immediately fell in love!
The style is pretty simple really; hair piled up to add volume at the crown is capped with a sweet, messy bun and finished with two plaits that frame the face, but what really sets this style apart are the funky touches; you can add hair rings to your plait and they look awesome! It sort of feels like they shouldn't work, but they really do and enhance the look perfectly, giving it a street-style vibe.
I really love this look. It's not very often I wear white but it works so well here,don't you think? The ribbon and the trainers really pop with colour against the bright white dress and the hairstyle just complements it all incredibly well.
Incidentally, if you're looking for something to wear underneath then be sure to check out this fantastic lingerie at the event from SALT & PEPPER. This is 'Skye' and that's a very appropriate name, it's certainly angelic with the straps adding a naughty element. Scrumptious, isn't it?
Kitty Wears:
SKIN: AMARA BEAUTY 'PRIYA' CATWA applier /MAITREYA body applier in 02 Ivory
(Kitty wears this on Catwa 'Dyana' mesh head and Maitreya 'Lara' body)
EYES: IKON 'Charm Eyes' in 'Brown'
EARS: L'ETRE Gem pierced ears
HAIRBASE: L'ETRE'Candy' (Black)
SEPTUM RING: CHARY -7 (Gold) RARE (No longer available, store closed)
NECKLACE: XYZ Tattoo Choker (MP Item, L$50)
SHADES: ATOMIC 'Stella' Shades
HAIR: SPELLBOUND 'Battlefield' (Catwa fit) Chapter III Magic
DRESS: CUTE OR DIE! 'Tenshi' dress MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY
SHOES: ILLI 'Sabrina' Sneakers MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY
POSE: ARTIS 'Aerial – Stand Model 3' POSE LOVER & FRIENDS
(Title of post inspired by Lady Gaga's AMAZING new single, check it out here)
FETISH FAIR: Here Kitty Kitty!
What is a Fetish, exactly? Well, the dictionary definition is thus: a form of sexual desire in which gratification is linked to an abnormal degree to a particular object, item of clothing, part of the body, etc. "a man with a fetish for surgical masks" Yeah, you can get things to cater to that particular whim in Second Life. You can find pretty much every fetish catered to across the grid, and you'll find some of them amply represented at THE FETISH FAIR. Now, truth be told, I don't think I have any fetishes unless you count an acute longing for a nice cup of tea and a slice of cake, but there's nothing sexual in that. (In fact, I dare say a good slice of Victoria Sponge could be considered better than five minutes of lustful behaviour in some quarters; wash it down with a mug of PG and I'm sold but anyway, I digress..)I'm not into fetishized behaviour, but I can appreciate that some people are and I do understand the impact that fetish culture has made on fashion and lifestyle in the modern age. Corsets have gone from being mere undergarments to being perhaps the most easily accessible (and adaptable) item of fetish wear, and there are plenty to be found at the event. There genuinely is something for everyone, but I really liked this corset from WONDERLOST that I picked up at the event. I like the contrast leopard print at the front (it always has to be leopard print, you should know that by now!) and the straps on the thighs. I paired it with a mask that I found and naturally had to have; this is the cat mask from BITCH FACTORY that is available at the event. I like the open structure of this, and it looks like it would sit very well with the haute couture crowd. I have to go back to FETISH FAIR 2016 because it was busy and I'm sure I've missed loads of stuff (correction, I KNOW that I have, check out Seraphim's coverage HERE) but I was pretty sure I fancied a change from boots to go with this look. Lucky for me then that GLAMISTRY released some excellent heels that can easily adapt themselves to a fetish theme. The 'Camilla' heels feature eyelets and cords that actually give a shibari feel, and even though aren't sold at the event they're a perfect match. I chose mine to match and perfectly coordinate with my outfit; styling them in black with matching cords and adding a red Laboutinesque sole. The little suede tag on the cord can also be coloured to suit your whim and is ever so suggestive of a blindfold. The fact that they're even called 'Camilla' fills my head with images of dominatrix galore…If there was ever a pair of shoes designed to make you utter the phrase "Yes, Mistress!" these would be it I think!
Here are your shopping details…
- Basic information including makeup and skin details can be found on my previous post.
- Outfit items available at FETISH FAIR 2016 (Click on brand names for TP to main stores)
- 'Camilla' heels are available exclusively from GLAMISTRY
I'm back-did you miss me?
I've missed you guys too, but sometimes you need to take a break, and I've had a jolly good one. I've been away from the blog for almost a month, and I confess I haven't missed Second Life at all.
We've had a relatively decent summer here in deepest, darkest Derbyshire so instead of enjoying the fact that it never rains (unless you want it to) in Second Life, I've stepped out from behind my keyboard and relished that fact that, just for a change, it actually hasn't been raining too much in real life either!
In fact I've been out and about, catching Pokemon aplenty in the local park (Level 22 y'all) and not even thinking about SL. That's not to say I haven't missed it because I have, but I haven't felt the intense pressure to log-in at all this summer, other than to pay my rent.
I've often said it, but when Second Life becomes a chore it's time to leave. You'd be surprised how many times I've seen Plurk friends who also happen to be bloggers say that they don't want to log-in. Usually, this is because they're over-stretched by blogging commitments and who can blame them with the amount of events and designers that we have in-world now?
This year, in particular, I've seen many people leave; from store owners to sim owners who have just realised that Second Life, for them at least, has served the purpose it was meant to and it's time for them to move on. Let's be realistic; Second Life has been around for a long time now and it's only reasonable to expect that some people will feel that they've gone as far with it as they can and it's time to switch to pastures new. Perhaps these people will be tempted to return in some way when Project Sansar hits the grid? Who knows, but I can understand their feelings and appreciate that sometimes as the virtual fixation starts to fade, the compulsion to log in starts to leave and real life takes over completely.
Leaving Second Life has never been an option for me. I genuinely do adore it way too much and have invested too much time and money into my virtual space to consider leaving permanently. But a sanity break is often required, and in fact it's something I recommend. I have been through my total addiction phase, where you eat, sleep and breathe Second life and forget that you have an identity outside of the virtual world, but for some people the lines are so blurred that it's hard to appreciate where the real life and virtual personalities separate, and that's precisely why a break is so important, plus you come back with fresh eyes ready for a change; whether that's a completely new avatar or even a sparkling new skybox; being refreshed and reinvigorated helps the Second Life adventure start over, all shiny and new again.
I'm buzzing with new ideas about features and articles for my blog. I was writing down in my notebook last night ideas for themed postings in the lead up to Christmas, but before then we have my favourite time of year to be in SL, Halloween. I'm even considering a complete remodel of the blog (and if anyone reading can help me with that I'd really appreciate it!)
I confess that before my break I was starting to feel really fatigued by all the events that are overwhelming the grid and an element of 'sameness' was starting to creep in. I was starting to see the same kinds of clothes, hairstyles and furnishings everywhere I looked and it wasn't making me feel inspired enough to even consider putting pen to paper, let alone log-in. Then, of course, there was the whole sorry saga regarding the Oculus Rift viewer, or lack of it. If you recall I was aghast that there was no viewer, and after my post went viral Linden Lab finally released one that was absolutely appalling and unusable, and unsurprisingly no sooner had it been released then it was withdrawn. This all left me feeling very disillusioned and I needed my time out.Now after my break I'm back to my favourite feeling of all; that eager anticipation that builds up during the afternoon before I leave work. I arrive home, get changed and pour a glass of wine before I settle down at my PC and log-in..
It's been a great summer, but it's so good to be back, and I'm straight back into it with some items from *gulp* the FETISH FAIR 2016, from WE DO SL. It's a professionally styled and easy to navigate occasion and is rather more focused towards elegant kink than sleaze, and you'll find a wonderful array of wearables of all kinds that fit the fetish theme. Of course, skins are going to be a huge deal at an event like this and AMARA BEAUTY have provided a duo of absolutely top notch skins at this event. In the snap above I'm sporting the AMARA BEAUTY 'Kandi' skin in Ivory. I've added a layer of glorious light fuschia lipstick from the accompanying lip palette along with adding lashes and eyeliner (that is practically a spot-on match to the lips) from EUPHORIC @ the latest round of COSMOPOLITAN. To finish, I'm wearing my favourite pierced ears and hairbase from L'ETRE, along with a septum piercing by MONS and of course I rarely wear any eyes unless they're from IKON. My hair is by BESOM, and my jewellery is a fantastic choker by MINIMAL. I'll be sharing some more images from FETISH FAIR 2016 over the next few days..
MBA: Bohemian Like You
..is drawing to a close. It's been an excellent round, and I've rocked some awesome looks this month, but I think this one is particularly special in an understated way. It's often the case when you first try something on you're just not sure how to make it work, at least it was for me with this top from VINYL. VINYL as a brand has built up quite a fervent following and it's no wonder; they make great individual pieces, but when I tried this leather top on I just wasn't feeling it. That is until I added these trousers, part of the 'Lia' set from ELEGANCE BOUTIQUE. The unusual cut-out feature below the hip and the fabric texture works really well against the short styling of the VINYL 'Katy' top and as a combination, they're perfect together. They have a boho vibe, enhanced even further by this statement necklace by YUMMY for N21. To complete the look I added a gorgeous style by RUNAWAY HAIR that I purchased at HAIR FAIR 2016, and added these absolutely perfect statement sandals from GLAMISTRY. These 'Columbine' sandals are just divine; the perfect combination of strap and sole with fabulous details such as rivets and textured bands. As you can see from the snap below they complement the trousers beautifully; both are so well constructed due to their texture choices that they just ooze quality. The snakeskin effect just takes the detailing on these onto the next level; they're an absolute must-have for summer 2016! Oftentimes a look works for me because I can totally see myself wearing it in real life; this is one of those occasions. A simple look that's upscaled despite the simple styling due to the statement necklace and great textures; it's my absolute favourite creation from the latest round of the MBA BI-MONTHLY for JULY 2016.
You've got just a few days left to enjoy the event, don't delay!
Kitty Wears:
SKIN: AMARA BEAUTY 'LIZA' CATWA applier /MAITREYA body applier in 03 Peach (Kitty wears this on Catwa 'Gwen' mesh head)
Part of the 'Buy Now' event, links for demos as follows:
- https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/amara-beauty-Liza-Catwa-Applier-DEMO/9410253
- https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/amara-beauty-Liza-Lipgloss-Catwa-Applier-DEMO/9410254
EYES: IKON 'Triumph Eyes' eyes in 'Storm'
LASHES: ARTE 'Gem Lashes' (Catwa) Set 01 THE CHAPTER FOUR
SEPTUM RING: CHARY -7 (Gold) RARE (No longer available, store closed)
NOSE STUD: AMALA 'The Circle Nose Stud'
NECKLACE: YUMMY 'Paradise Pendant Collection' (Gold) N21
HAIR: RUNAWAY HAIR 'Jenna' (Ombres-materials) HAIR FAIR 2016
TOP: VINYL 'Katy' Leather Top (Maitreya)– MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY
TROUSERS: ELEGANCE BOUTIQUE 'Lia' Ivory (Maitreya) – MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY
SANDALS: GLAMISTRY 'Columbine'
(Poses are by Striking Poses and are so old it's ridiculous, so sadly they're not available in-world anymore..)
MBA: The Desert Rose
So, managed to get into HAIR FAIR 2016 yet? I have, cue a smug kitty purring like the proverbial cat that got the cream! I had a mooch around on Friday night and I was super impressed; guys this year there are some pretty amazing hairstyles on offer with every taste and whim catered to. I think it's the best one for a couple of years truth be told, and I found it much easier to navigate and shop than during previous events. This year the sim is styled like a movie lot with small bungalows used as shops displaying the wares. There are camera rigs and equipment scattered around that suggest a bustling movie-making environment, but none of the set dressing detracts from the main event: SERIOUS HAIR SHOPPING.My first assessment suggests that there are more bobs and mid-length styles this year, which pleased me no end (even though I tend to wear my hair longer these days, typical!) and it's been incredibly hard to pick a stand-out style; plus when I visited there were some vendors that hadn't been set up yet, so clearly I'll need to visit many more times! I know that it is frustrating if you're struggling to get in, so the best advice that I can offer is to join the HAIR FAIR 2016 group in-world because it is FULL of demos for you to try. Make a list of what you like, and BE PATIENT. The first few days of an event like HAIR FAIR 2016 are always insane; if you can wait a few days then go midweek when people will be at work or busy doing other things. For super safety as well, remember to wear a very low ARC avatar. I've mentioned before that I basically strip everything down and remove all my mesh attachments, clothes and shoes and either go wearing an invisible avatar or just my underwear. Despite what you may think Hair Fair isn't an event to be seen at, it's an event to shop at, and any lag reductions are always appreciated.
Anyway, here's a lovely style that really caught my eye. It's by ELUA and what really appealed to me about this was the body at the crown; I love a voluminous ponytail and when it has as much oomph as this it's a sure-fire hit with me, isn't it grand? (Because I'm wearing a mesh head there's a bit of an edge to the way the style sits; to combat this I added a substantial hair base from L'ETRE, a store that sells some amazing hair bases that you can use with a variety of mesh heads. This one has been available for a while and it's not very often that you'll see me without it, I do love it so!) Wearing a style with dark roots allows for better blending with the hair base, so as you can see it looks perfectly wearable and very smart. I love the way that the hair falls to either side of my head from the ponytail itself, and it frames my features beautifully.
Speaking of which, check out my face Kitty readers! This is the 'Liza' skin from AMARA BEAUTY and of course it's yet another winner from Shantia Soulstar. (This skin features in this month's 'Buy Now' Marketplace event) This one has a heavy brow that is just perfectly applied and I love the juxtaposition of the brow against the hairbase. The brow frames the features beautifully; in fact, all that is needed really is a strong lashline and you can get that from your Catwa HUD, but I've opted to use some lashes that I found at THE CHAPTER FOUR.
These are the ARTE 'Gem' lashes and they're beautiful. They're nice and long they frame the eyes without the need for extra liner, and as you can see they look perfect. In fact, the face is pretty simple here and all I've added for extra definition is a nice strong toffee lipstick from the 'Liza' palette. I'm wearing an old favourite septum piercing along with a nose stud that was a rather splendid 'Fifty Linden Friday' choice by AMALA and neither distract, but complements the make-up perfectly.
Onto my outfit and I'm wearing a rather wonderful dress by KAITHLEENS from MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY. This is the Maitreya fit; it's a little generous to the bust and shoulder area but I do like the shape and the contrast bow belt at the waist makes for a very feminine look.
To finish I added a super chunky YUMMY 'Tuareg' necklace from the UBER 'Sahara' event and I'm good to go.
Kitty Wears:
SKIN: AMARA BEAUTY 'LIZA' CATWA applier /MAITREYA body applier in 03 Peach (Kitty wears this on Catwa 'Gwen' mesh head)
Part of the 'Buy Now' event, links for demos as follows:
- https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/amara-beauty-Liza-Catwa-Applier-DEMO/9410253
- https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/amara-beauty-Liza-Lipgloss-Catwa-Applier-DEMO/9410254
EYES: IKON 'Triumph Eyes' eyes in 'Storm'
HAIR: ELUA 'Xanthe' Ombre Basic HAIR FAIR 2016
LASHES: ARTE 'Gem Lashes' (Catwa) Set 01 THE CHAPTER FOUR
SEPTUM RING: CHARY -7 (Gold) RARE (No longer available, store closed)
NOSE STUD: AMALA 'The Circle Nose Stud'
NECKLACE: YUMMY Tuareg Beaded Necklace UBER-SAHARA
DRESS: KAITHLEEN'S Tied Dress – Fatpack Maitreya – MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY
MBA: My Tears Dry On Their Own
Another day and another vintage inspired look courtesy of this month's round of MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY. Incidentally, it doesn't have a vintage theme, it's just how I've decided to style my snaps this time, but I do think it works, especially with my outfit choice for today. I'm wearing an absolute bobby-dazzler of a frock from HILLY HAALAN. There's so much to love about this, from the button detail to the ruffles and the general shape of the dress. It fits my Maitreya body very well but here's the best bit: using the HUD you can change the ruffles, bodice and chest of the dress to create a style all of your own, which is PRECISELY what this Kitty did, see? Even better than that? There are FIFTY options on the HUD for this dress and it costs just L$125. Which is crackers. It's so worth getting, and so much fun tweaking the outfit options on the HUD. I especially like the choice of patterns and it's super fun to mix them with plain elements to make a unique dress.
To add the vintage feel but with a modern twist I added my beloved VANITY HAIR 'Winehouse' style (I think Amy would have liked this dress), I and added some big shades from GLAM AFFAIR, that I had totally forgotten I had but was delighted to rediscover them covered in dust and a bit of old chewing gum at the bottom of my inventory..
I'm still sporting my ALASKA METRO 'Pride' manicure and my CAROL G 'Lovely Roses' tattoo, but the sharper eyed amongst you may spy that I'm sporting a different skin. This is the 'Alice' skin from WOW SKINS that is available at this round of MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY and it offers some lovely detailing to the face and body. (Yes, I know you can't see properly owing to sunglasses, I will show her off a little later this week, OK?)
SKIN: WOW SKINS 'Alice' CATWA applier /MAITREYA body applier in Milk (Kitty wears this on Catwa 'Gwen' mesh head) MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY JULY 2016
EYES: IKON 'Triumph Eyes' eyes in 'Storm'
HAIR: VANITY HAIR 'Winehouse' (F)(MAT)-Ombres
DRESS: HILLY HAALAN 'Akira' Dress MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY JULY 2016
SEPTUM RING: CHARY -7 (Gold) RARE (No longer available, store closed)
SUNGLASSES: GLAM AFFAIR – Vintage Sunglasses Black
TATTOO: CAROL G 'Lovely Roses' MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY
MANICURE: ALASKA METRO 'Pride' PULSE FUNDRAISER
MBA: Let The Sunshine In!
So the latest round of MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY is well and truly underway, and it's full of wonderful treats and fantastic clothes, shoes, skins, manicures and everything you need to make your avatar look her very best.
For my first official post this round (although I did feature the tattoo in my last post as a sneak peek) I wanted to share this gorgeous 'Lisa' dress from LX. I confess that this was the first thing I opened purely because of the name (yes, it's my RL name if you didn't already know) so it was with some trepidation that I unwrapped the blogger package to reveal the goodness inside. I wasn't disappointed, this is a GREAT outfit and as you can see from my snap it lends itself to vintage styling incredibly well.
In fact, although this is a dress it really does evoke a two-piece bathing suit to my mind, can you see that too? Not that it matters especially but it does make for a cracking virtual beachwear outfit.
As you can see I added the amazing APHORISM 'Bella' Sandals to this dress to create a sassy, summery look with an old-skool vibe. It's a cracking round of MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY, and I'll be featuring further items on the blog this week.
SKIN: AMARA BEAUTY 'DANA' CATWA applier /MAITREYA body applier in 03 Peach (Kitty wears this on Catwa 'Gwen' mesh head)
EYES: IKON 'Triumph Eyes' eyes in 'Storm'
SUNGLASSES: MAXI GOSSAMER Monroe Florida 50's Classic
BODY: MAITREYA 'Lara'
EARS: SWALLOW Pax in 'Silver' THE ARCADE JUNE 2016
TATTOO: CAROL G 'Lovely Roses' MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY
MANICURE: ALASKA METRO 'Pride' PULSE FUNDRAISER
DRESS: LX 'Lisa' MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY
SANDALS: APHORISM Bella Wedge heels INDIE TEEPEE
Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves!
One of the many joys of being in the SL BLOGGER SUPPORT group is that we are occasionally granted early access to events. Often, at first glance, an event won't necessarily fit in with my own personal agenda, but I'll still visit in case I'm surprised and find something absolutely smashing that I just have to have. Today I visited an event that is a perfect example of just that!
DREAMFUL describes itself as an event themed around "..dreamy, blossom, cute and romantic items for kids and adults avatars.." and if I'm being honest it's the kind of thing that I generally avoid, but in truth, I'm seriously pleased that I dropped by. I spied some lovely hair and dresses and some uber kawaii items that will appeal to a wide audience, including this cracking shirt and hairstyle that I'm wearing in the picture above.
This hair is by FOXY; a new-to-me brand that retails an eclectic range of sunglasses and chokers, yoga accessories and journals in their store. They're certainly worth your time and Lindens, and it seems like they're expanding their range into hair now too with three styles at current events; the must-have double plait/ponytail combo that seems to be on every blog called 'Skinny Love' which is available from THE CRYSTAL HEART FESTIVAL, a loose bob called 'Melt' available at TRES CHIC and this Swing Out Sister inspired style called 'Heartbeats' from DREAMFUL. It's a short, sharp and sassy style, seriously reminiscent of Corinne Drewery and Louise Brooks and tied close to the skull with a thick headband. I look forward to more equally inspired hairstyles from the brand. I've teamed my style with a fabulous cold shoulder style 'Peekaboo' denim shirt from LAZYBONES (also available at DREAMFUL) and the result is a quirky, 80's inspired look.
The accessories that I'm sporting in this snap are both from the PULSE FUNDRAISER, which is raising funds for the victims of the ORLANDO SHOOTING. You'll find an absolute plethora of items donated by some of the biggest and brightest designer names in SECOND LIFE and it's a wonderfully inspiring way to show your support and raise funds for those affected by the tragedy. I just had to get this fantastic Mani/Pedi from ALASKA METRO called 'Pride' which features an absolutely essential selection of glitter and rainbow designs which I'll get tonnes of wear from. I'm also sporting a rather wonderful wristband from IZZIES too; it's also called 'Pride'and is an open leather cuff design that features interchangeable messages to show your love and respect for all members of the LGBT community.
Last but not least my AMARA BEAUTY skin, 'Dana', looks great with this outfit.
SKIN: AMARA BEAUTY 'DANA' CATWA applier /MAITREYA body applier in 03 Peach (Kitty wears this on Catwa 'Gwen' mesh head)
EYES: IKON 'Triumph Eyes' eyes in 'Storm'
BODY: MAITREYA 'Lara'
HAIR: FOXY 'Heartbeats' DREAMFUL
SHIRT: LAZYBONES 'Peekaboo' Blue DREAMFUL
MANICURE: ALASKA METRO 'Pride' PULSE FUNDRAISER
BRACELET: IZZIE'S 'Pride' Bracelet PULSE FUNDRAISER
Pose is by KIRIN, Fashi Pose 3. I changed the hands slightly using ANIMARE
Viva La Glamistry!
I'm really rocking the vintage feel in this snap. I wanted a less formal look than my beehive and frock which I posted previously, so opted for an old pair of denims, an on-trend tied-tee ( have you seen how many items you can get in world at the moment that are tied? Who would have thought a knot could make such a difference!) and an updo that really gave off the vintage vibe. The bandana around this style makes it feel less formal than your standard headwear, but it's the combination of these fantastic shades and heels from GLAMISTRY that really take this look outta time!
The sunglasses are classic styling- a thick rim with metal details to the tips of the frame and the sides. They're easy to change via HUD, and rather than use them as sunglasses I opted to change the lenses to a totally transparent look so that I have the perfect everyday spectacles to match my outfit. (Also it costs a mere L$247 for a pack of twelve essential colours!! BARGAIN!) My heels are really rather special; these are the GLAMISTRY 'Ramonda' pumps and the animal print I chose to wear really pushes them back into the decade of Rock 'n' Roll but with a thoroughly modern twist. Guys, these are well-worth a close-up look. For a start the texture is incredible, a brushed fur effect to the animal print is juxtaposed against a pin-sharp heel and a metal stripe to the rear of the show and the front. Like all GLAMISTRY footwear you have great options here to change various elements of the shoe, so because the majority of my jewellery on this look is silver I opted for that choice in my footwear too.The look is decades fresh and incredibly wearable, and I got complimented upon it at SL13B, where I was due to contribute to the latest DRAX FILES RADIO HOUR broadcast. Alas, as is my luck, I had a massive hardware failure as I took my seat upon the stage which meant I couldn't contribute, and I sloped off with very wounded Kitty pride. Still, even though I was silent I looked bloody hot, even if I say so myself!
Interested in this look? Here are the details and as always, happy shopping!
Kitty Wears:
FEATURED ITEMS: GLAMISTRY 'Ramonda' Heels and PU2003 Glasses
SKIN: AMARA BEAUTY 'DANA' CATWA applier /MAITREYA body applier in 03 Peach (Kitty wears this on Catwa 'Gwen' mesh head) worn with JUST MAGNETISED Perfect Eyebrows Set 04 for Catwa and NOVA 'porsha' Eyeliners (Catwa Applier) COSMETIC FAIR
EYES: IKON 'Triumph Eyes' eyes in 'Dusk'
EARS: SWALLOW Pax in 'Silver' THE ARCADE JUNE 2016
HAIR: TRUTH 'Sadie' (Blacks & Whites 05)
BODY: MAITREYA 'Lara'
TOP: TRES BLAH 'Knotted Raglan' in Red
JEANS: COCO 'Boyfriend Jeans'-teal blue (Old group Gift)
JEWELLERY: CAE 'Choupette' necklace and 'Cherish' ring
Oculus Rift? Oculus MIFFED more like!
So shiny! So beautiful! But this picture shows a development model, NOT the commercial version, which is different.
Something I really enjoy is new technology. I get completely swept up in the hype and count down the days until the release of the latest must-have gadget, and in recent years the one item that particularly appealed to me above all other was the OCULUS RIFT, especially when I heard it would be able to use it in SECOND LIFE. I could hardly dare imagine the possibilities, and when it started to get coverage through esteemed SLebrities like Draxtor Despres and Jo Yardley, to name but a few, well, I practically expired from the excitement. They shared how this amazing piece of virtual hardware could bring our metaverse to life and I was sold.
In fact, reading the articles published all over the internet about this amazing piece of tech would have led you to believe it was the next logical step for Second Life to take, and this was further suggested when an official viewer with Oculus Rift support was released. Torley Linden even made a video showing you how you could use it in-world, and that was it. I got my PC upgraded ( an Oculus needs a serious amount of power) and even read 'Ready Player One' in eager 'preparation' for what was to come. (Excellent book by the way, it's going to be a Spielberg movie and you simply must read it!)
As soon as the development stage was through and the commercial release date was released Jez and I ordered it*. This was way back in 2015, with an expected shipment date of March 2016. Then, unfortunately, we got an email to say it was delayed until June, but hey it didn't matter! I was so excited that I knew I could cope with the wait, and I had plenty to do in Second Life to keep me occupied! Also, that would give me a chance to save up the serious moolah that it would cost, but I knew it would be worth it. In fact, I put it to the back of my mind until this week when the email arrived to say the Oculus Rift was on its way. HUZZAH! ( *Full disclosure here: After talking it through I decided to go halfsies with Jez so we could share the goodness because he's far more of a gamer than I am and would be able to use it for more things than me. My interest was purely Second Life related.)
THIS is what I received this week. So shiny! So beautiful! So doesn't work with Second Life! GAHHHHH
Unboxing the thing was like opening the ark of the covenant. It's beautifully packaged and you definitely get your money's worth, and it was with some serious excitement and trepidation that got ready for the next step in my virtual life. I downloaded the official viewer. I re-watched Torley's video in preparation and took a deep breath…and it failed.
Numerous other attempts were made with no joy. Panicked I looked online for an alternative, and this is where the whole sorry saga started to unravel. First of all, the official viewer with Oculus Rift capabilities hasn't been updated since 2014. There is an alternative third-party viewer which I downloaded to try, the CtrlAltStudio viewer, but this one hasn't been updated since 2015, so of course it didn't work.
Was I going mad?! (Well, you guys know me, so let's say madder than usual) There's an Oculus Rift on the pigging Second Life homepage for all to see, so what gives?
And here lies the issue: those pesky Lindens have done it again. (They can be pretty lax when it comes to updating the basics, have you ever noticed that?) What I didn't realise was that yes, Second Life will work with an Oculus Rift using that viewer, BUT only if it is the DEVELOPMENT MODEL. My commercially released treasure is more powerful, and NONE of the viewers have been updated to support it. To say that this sucks balls is an understatement.
Granted, it's an absolute #firstworldproblem and I am sure I will enjoy using the Oculus on occasion for other things BUT my main reason for purchase was so I could use it in-world. I don't 'play' any other games or subscribe to any other virtual experiences EXCEPT SL, and I truly believed that seeing as it was advertised on the bloody homepage they would have kept up with the development of the viewer. As it stands it's about seven versions behind.
I expect that Linden Lab will make Project Sansar VR ready, which is fine, but that's at least 6 months away and as I understand it many of the objects I own in Second Life won't translate across into the new viewer, which means I'll be effectively starting from scratch. Anyway, I want to be able to explore my current virtual life in full virtual reality glory, not my next one!
To say I'm fed up is an understatement. I have tried out the Rift with some of the games and experiences that are available and it is absolutely outstanding (which makes this crap situation even worse!) Had I been able to use it in-world, well, I don't think I would have wanted to take it off and come back to reality at all. (Perhaps that's a good thing? No, no it isn't-this whole thing stinks!) My beloved has had some serious late nights since we took delivery of the Rift and I'm £250 richer. But I feel really sad that I haven't had the opportunity to enjoy my Second Life in glorious virtual reality. Unfortunately, it would appear that ship has sailed and it seems that Linden Lab had no intention of Second Life being on it and more fool them. Think of the possibilities people! (Actually don't, it makes it worse.)
Lindens, get your bloody act together!! Having an Oculus Rift on your front page suggests you can use the current version in-world and you absolutely cannot. It's not fair to lead people to believe that Oculus will work, you need to put a disclaimer on there too. Had I known any of this I wouldn't have put any money aside for a new unit at all. I would possibly have looked into getting a second-hand development model but even if I had I would have known that no matter how good the experience with the commercial release it could have been even better, and therein lies the rub. You need to keep up with the times guys, you make a hefty profit courtesy of us avatars, and an updated viewer was surely not too much to ask? I'm so disappointed.
Gee Baby Ain't I Good To You
Every so often a look that I post is so flipping special to me that I'll share it on my RL FB feed. It's not very often that it happens, and when it does it's always because I think that I've made something rather good and I want to share it with my RL family and chums. Now, all my friends and family know how much I adore Second Life, so I've never held back on sharing that side with them, but a lot of people just don't get it; and although that's fine too I like to try and share elements of my Second Life with them so they realise it's not quite as weird as they think. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is I was so seriously proud of this snap that I just had to share it with a wider audience, and at the time of writing this blog it's got some seriously positive feedback which has made me super kitty-happy:)
The reason for the share is because of VINTAGE FAIR 2016. You can read all about it on the Pale Girl Productions website, and also enjoy perusing the shopping guide too while you wait to get into the event. There are many eras included in the fair, from the Roaring Twenties through to the Eighties, Nineties and early 00's (which doesn't feel *that* vintage to me, gulp!) but one of the most popular decades is undoubtedly the 1950's and you'll find plenty from that amazing decade to wear at the event.
I love the 1950's styling; it's something I dabble with on occasion adding tattoos and piercings for a more Rockabilly/Suicide Girl-style. Anyway, I found a frock that is an absolute must-have if you like anything associated with that decade at all. It's from a brand called EPOCH, it's called 'Frenchie' and there is a selection of patterns available but obviously, I went for the Leopard print. I teamed it with my favourite beehive from VANITY HAIR, added the YUMMY 'Ellery' spectacles(my absolute favourite SL specs) and I'm still wearing 'Reilly' from AMARA BEAUTY here, but this time teamed with a vibrant lip from the HUD. I've worn the no brow option and added some JUST MAGNETIZED brows. The joys of applier cosmetic layers, they just add so much to your look!
Here's your taxi to the VINTAGE FAIR 2016
Kitty Wears:
SKIN: AMARA BEAUTY 'RILEY' CATWA applier /MAITREYA body applier in 03 Peach (no make-up options worn, kept this plain and simple) WE ROLEPLAY (Kitty wears this on Catwa 'Gwen' mesh head)
EYES: IKON 'Triumph Eyes' eyes in 'Dusk'
EARS: Pax in 'Silver' THE ARCADE JUNE 2016
HAIR: VANITY HAIR 'Moon River' (Ombres)
BODY: MAITREYA 'Lara'
DRESS: EPOCH 'Frenchie' Dress VINTAGE FAIR 2016
Summer Breeze
It's amazing how different you can make a skin look by adding a makeup layer. It's one of my absolute favourite things to do cosmetically in Second Life, and it not only extends the life of your skin but it gives you so many options too; far and above the standard extras you tend to get in a regular skin package. ( I would say Amara Beauty are the exception to that rule, you sure do get a lot for your money with Shantia's skins!) The skin is exactly the same as in my previous post, but I've added a longer hairstyle that a mermaid would be proud to wear and a splash of tropical eyeshadow from
The skin is exactly the same as in my previous post, but I've added a longer hairstyle that a mermaid would be proud to wear and a splash of tropical eyeshadow from VEECHI, along with this gorgeous seashore inspired necklace from REALEVIL INDUSTRIES. Perfect holiday look and you'll find the necklace, eyeshadow and so much more at the TROPICAL SUMMER FAIR 2016. This is a really lovely event that's got EVERYTHING for virtual Summer 2016. You'll find bags, bikinis, beach footwear, LOADS of jewellery and body art and it's a real joy to walk around and explore.
The hairstyle is from DE LA at UBER and it's so beautiful, it tumbles perfectly over the shoulder with just the right amount of tendrils and side-sweep to frame the face. I love how it looks at the back too, it hangs beautifully down the back and looks very realistic and I would ruddy kill for this amount of body in my hair in real life, alas no amount of volume spray is going to give me that so I shall just stick to my virtual version for now! Shopping list ahoy!
Kitty Wears:
SKIN: AMARA BEAUTY 'RILEY' CATWA applier /MAITREYA body applier in 03 Peach (no make-up options worn, kept this plain and simple) WE ROLEPLAY (Kitty wears this on Catwa 'Gwen' mesh head)
EYES: IKON 'Sovereign' eyes in 'Field'
EYESHADOW: VEECHI 'Lush Tropic Shadow' (Catwa)
HAIR: DE LA 'Leah' Amazing Pack UBER
BODY: MAITREYA 'Lara'
NECKLACE: REALEVIL INDUSTRIES 'Eden' TROPICAL SUMMER FAIR 2016
NOSE RING: KUNST 'Septum Keeper' (Right)
She's Just Being Riley!
I'm keeping my looks pretty simple at the moment; no tattoos or anything uber fancy. Sometimes simple is enough you know? In fact it's nice to let the skins speak for themselves, and that's precisely what I'm trying to do here with 'Riley' the latest from AMARA BEAUTY.
Like their previous release, 'Amelia', there's a freckle option and I've kept it. It adds a sort of vintage feel to this look made even more awesome by this excellent JUST BECAUSE dress and this cracking LAMB hair from the latest round of THE ARCADE. I've not blogged about THE ARCADE yet, suffice to say it's a pretty good round indeed and unfortunately it's supplemented my cat addiction, yeah, thanks for that MUTRESSE! (Pictures of skybox cat havoc will be forthcoming imminently!)
I'm loving the HUD for this skin, yet again, Shantia's nailed it with the amount of eye shadow options and lip colours in the HUD. The on/off button is there for freckles too, along with multiple shades for brow, along with a no brow option and a tintable one too.
Back to the happy snap- I'm trying to add more depth to my pictures by playing around with shadow settings. It really does make a difference, although I find that the windlight settings are a bit dark. To add a little light to the important bits I resort to adding that most reviled of Second Life accessories- A FACE LIGHT! *Gasp!* The horror! If you weren't around in the old days these things were reviled, as basically they turned you into face-melting beacons of doom, and were the most unsubtle of lighting tools. Times have changed though, and the one that I'm sporting actually comes with the LELUTKA 'Stella' mesh head. I don't see the problem with them for snaps, provided you remember to take them off before you leave your platform and mooch about in public.
I think I look like I should be chewing gum, riding a bicycle and drinking milkshakes in a 1950's diner. Here's your shopping list!
Kitty Wears:
SKIN: AMARA BEAUTY 'RILEY' CATWA applier /MAITREYA body applier in 03 Peach (no make-up options worn, kept this plain and simple) WE ❤ ROLEPLAY (Kitty wears this on Catwa 'Gwen' mesh head)
EYES: IKON 'Sovereign' eyes in 'Field'
BODY: MAITREYA 'Lara'
DRESS: JUST BECAUSE 'Zoey' tee dress in grey
HAIR: LAMB 'Loomer' (Variety/Ombre/Eccentric) THE ARCADE
NOSE RING: KUNST 'Septum Keeper' (Right)
Windlight setting: Shadows-Bright Day/Face Lamp used by LELUTKA (comes with 'Stella' mesh head)/Pose: MARUKIN – (Clinic) Black Eyed
Sunday Sublime
A sublime Sunday indeed, especially because of the AMARA BEAUTY 'Amelia' skin that I am wearing in this snap. It's beautiful, and I love it. This is the first skin I've tried of hers that features an optional freckles layer, that is accessible via the HUD. I very rarely bother with freckles or moles in Second Life ( I figure I have plenty in my real one) but I may have to keep these on because they're so neat.
Shantia is REALLY making fantastic HUDS for her skins; this one features an absolute plethora of lip colours, along with some very pretty eyeshadows and all the brow options INCLUDING the ability to tint them yourself. Oh yes, and there's the freckle layer I mentioned before too.
Oh, another thing, this applier is for CATWA (hence my wearing it) BUT it's for the 'Candy' head, which I don't have. I took a gamble therefore and used it on my 'Gwen' head, and I think the results speak for themselves! I'm not wearing any make-up, just the base layer skin with dark brows in 'Beige' tone. Shantia always makes great brows and these frame the face perfectly, but there is a no brow option should you fancy something different. (If you check out my previous blog post you'll see I'm wearing the same skin but with different brows; it looks very effective and just as good, but in a stronger, more defined way.)
Amelia is available at the AMARA BEAUTY mainstore. Here's your taxi!
Saturday Electric
I don't tend to experiment with colour nearly as much as I should. In a virtual, technicolour world I should surely be free to wear an absolute myriad of tones and shades, but alas, the mindset of the real world tends to stay put and I wear any colour, as long as it's black. Not today. Today I dared to be different and went all out for pattern and colour. I grabbed myself an APHORISM 'Jas' skirt from SHINY SHABBY, paired it with a slogan tee by VINYL for MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY and went all out, looking for trouble. The 'Jas' skirt is simple, short and sassy and features zips on the hips. I like simple shapes for essential basics; this works perfectly and dressed up or down looks super effective. Add leggings and boots for a more urban grunge feel, add elegant heels and a long top for a more dressy style. I added the GLAMISTRY 'Edelweiss' heels, which aren't quite a shoe, but definitely not quite a boot. A shoot perhaps? Well, who cares, because they look amazing. As per usual Glamistry doesn't skimp on options or details, and these can be styled a myriad of ways. I opted to add a shiny grey texture with contrast blue laces and tassel embellishment; these look so darn good they're practically edible, don't you think? I could fixate on these a wee bit too much, given half the chance. Look at the stitching and the shiny patina to the leather. I just don't understand how GLAMISTRY do it, it's witchcraft for sure, but I'm so very glad that they do! To finish my look I added hair from RUNAWAY, a hair brand that is fast becoming an obsession of mine. I also added a simple cat necklace courtesy of AMALA along with a more complex necklace by RANDOM MATTER, of a pair of hands holding a crystal ball. It's an absolute delight, very unusual and a must-have if you're at all magically inclined. Last but not least I'm sporting another fabulous AMARA BEAUTY release (more on that later!) along with some freebie pink lip gloss that I picked up at the latest TRES CHIC event. So many events, so little time but it's so much fun shopping around when you can create looks like this one.
Here's your shopping list!
SKIN: AMARA BEAUTY 'Amelia'CATWA applier /MAITREYA body applier in BEIGE 03
(Worn with Eyebrows by L'Etre (and free gift lipgloss) @ TRES CHIC )
EYES: IKON 'Hope' eyes in Denim
EARS: MANDALA 'Steking' – Season 5
BODY: MAITREYA 'Lara'
NAILS: PICHI 'Aztec Nail Lacquer-1' THE SECRET AFFAIR
HAIR: RUNAWAY HAIR '' Ombres & Roots
TATTOO: LETIS TATTOO 'Ixchel' ULTRA
TOP: VINYL 'Nowell' Top MESH BODY ADDICTS BI MONTHLY
SKIRT: APHORISM 'Jas' Skirt in Blue SHINY SHABBY
ACCESSORIES: RANDOM MATTER 'Marssandra Choker' THE SECRET AFFAIR AMALA – The Kitten Necklace-Gold KUNST – Septum Keeper (right)
London Living By Ria Bazar @ 6REPUBLIC
You still have a few days left to get yourselves over to 6Republic and shop for goodies for your virtual abode, and if you don't actually have an abode then may I make a suggestion? How about nabbing yourself one of the nicest, and most original, skyboxes that is currently available in Second Life? Let me back up a bit: this current round of 6Republic is a tale of two cities: London and New York to be precise. The furnishings and builds at the event have all been inspired by these locations; think prints with skyscrapers, fire hydrant fittings and industrial style furniture as well as union flags galore, but it's the builds which really evoke the spirit of these great cities, and the latest mesh skybox from Ria Bazar is the Second life equivalent of having your very own London penthouse.First of all the exterior of this build is a real 3D treat- you actually have a London street featuring building facades and greenery. This is great scene setting; you can use this exterior to take pictures in, or just enjoy the view from your balcony window. The skybox sits within this street surround so you get a great view from all of your windows, and it really does make it feel just right. It's perfect for pictures!The skybox interior is nicely textured with features like working windows and doors, along with radiators and UK plug sockets. The walls have been decorated to suggest a revamped apartment that has seen slightly better days, and there's a bold Banksy inspired print adorning one of the walls to give a really modern edge to the environment. The build centrepiece is the lift (elevator). That's right; rather than a staircase there's a working lift to take you between floors, how classy is that?! The detail upon this is pretty dazzling and I urge you to have a gander! Check out the construction of the lift capsule itself, the rope pulleys and mechanised elements all look pretty dazzling and very unusual. There's plenty of living space too for you to decorate and the textures that have been used here combine perfectly to evoke a modern space ripe for dressing. I particularly enjoyed the bathroom; it's tiny but I used pieces from the Bazar 'Floria' Bathroom to fill it and make a space that I could imagine relaxing in at the end of a long, hot London day. I can just imagine lazing in the tub with the window open, listening to the sounds of the birds and the traffic from the street below…I love a good skybox; I love placing furniture in them and I love where they take your imagination to. This one definitely took me on a journey to the best city in the world, and I'm sure it will do the same for you. Be sure to check it out at 6REPUBLIC, and then the BAZAR main store!
BAZAR – skybox, 866L
London Skyhome, 46x46m, 86 LI, c/m/nt, demo via TP, 866L.
Some decorative pieces featured in this from APHORISM @ THE GACHA GARDEN, along with bathroom accessories by VESPERTINE and PILOT.
MBA: Looks to make you go 'WOW'!
More MBA BI-MONTHLY goodies to share gang. First up, check out this bloody lovely skin from WOW SKINS. To be honest, I don't tend to wear many skins other than my beloved AMARA BEAUTY ones these days so it has to be something very special to make me want to change.
This WOW SKIN is definitely worth my time though; it's called 'Mimi' and I'm wearing her in tan. The CATWA applier that I'm sporting is simply sublime; a gorgeous, lustrous lip and slim arched brow offer great facial definition, and the tone is evenly and expertly applied across my Maitreya bod. The applier HUD is neat and offers three brow shades along with a no brow option, and there are five eye makeup options included too. I'm incredibly taken with it, as I'm sure you can tell!Moving on to my outfit and I'm absolutely loving this ABSOLUT VENDETTA 'Liloo' Yoga Top. This is an easy to wear wardrobe essential; add jeans or a skirt and it will look great however you style it. It's shaped really well and I love the ribbon tie at the back; it's very nicely modelled and looks realistic. The top is actually three parts: the main body, then there are the bra straps and the centre of the bra – these can all be coloured separately and you can wear without the bra should you so wish. against the thigh. I've had a lot of fun testing out colour options on this, but I've opted for the orange because it always looks so effective against denim blue, and that's the colour of the shorts I've dressed it with. These shorts are from SORBET. These are pretty simple fayre, and denim shorts are ten-a-penny in SECOND LIFE but these stand out because of the graceful scalloped edge that sits neatly against the thigh. I've added some of my favourite accessories to create a lovely look for a lazy Sunday afternoon.
If you're curious about my surroundings this is the SCARLET CREATIVE and TARTE treats that were featured in the inaugural LUXEBOX. I'm incredibly pleased with mine and will talk about it some more over the next few posts!
(Picture 1)
All items as below except Hair is 'Marion' MINA from HAIROLOGY
Bra is by ERRATIC.
(Picture 2)
SKIN: WOW 'MIMI' CATWA applier /MAITREYA body applier in Tan MBA BI-MONTHLY
EYES: IKON 'Triumph' eyes in Storm
EARS: MANDALA 'Steking' – Season 5
BODY: MAITREYA 'Lara'
HAIR: RUNAWAY HAIR 'Mona' Ombres & Roots Available from WE ROLEPLAY
TOP: ABSOLUT VENDETTA 'Liloo' Yoga TOP+BRA MESH BODY ADDICTS BI MONTHLY
SHORTS: SORBET Short Festonne [Classique] MBA BI-MONTHLY
ACCESSORIES: YUMMY Chunky Crystal – Purple and Pentagram Pendant – Gold – Purple
KUNST – Septum Keeper (right)
Pose is !Bang – Stand 554 (m)
Kitty speeds on over to TMR and MBA
So much to blog and so little time! Well, I had LOTS of time, but unfortunately, I had a bit of a dental emergency, meaning I've spent the past few nights in a Codeine induced fug! But I couldn't wait to get back in-world as soon as I was able so that I could share some wonderful things with you, so without further ado here I am wearing a fantastically sporty VALENTINA E dress which has been released for MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY. It has a really athletic feel and if you zoom in you'll discover that the texture of the fabric is a kind of weave; it's really unusual and not something I've seen in-world before finish-wise and I really like it because it's so original! I love the contrast stripe down the side of the dress too, along with the styling around the bust and to the rear which is a slightly different take on a normal tank dress. It finishes just above the knee and has lots of creasing detail around the waist and down the skirt. You can dress up with heels or down with sneakers, but above everything else it's an essential summer frock, in a cracking range of colours, from one of the most well-established brands in-world so you'd be plain silly to miss it.
In keeping with my relaxed styling I've kept my hair simple yet beautifully effective, and I have RUNAWAY HAIR to thank for that. This style is 'Amber', and I'm wearing it in a beautifully coloured ombre which also features 'materials' meaning the surface detail is just exemplary. I love the shape of this style and the way that it frames the face and falls over my shoulder. I'm a really recent convert to RUNAWAY HAIR and it's a brand I'm embracing with gusto because it's so darn beautiful.
Last but not least I'm sporting a fantastic CATWA applier courtesy of AMARA BEAUTY. This is 'Arielle', she's actually an applier for the CATWA 'Aisha' head, but I don't own 'Aisha', so decided to test her out on my 'Gwen' head, and as you can see she works beautifully! Arielle is a joy to wear, with Shantia's trademark strong brow framing my face perfectly. I also love the new HUD that Shantia has launched with this CATWA applier, it's a one-stop shop for lip and eye makeup for this skin and very well thought out indeed.
You can find 'Arielle' at THE MAKEOVER ROOM event, and I strongly suggest that whatever flavour of CATWA mesh head you sport you give her a try.
I've been looking at this snap and getting a real sense of Gisele Bundchen from this look, what do you think? (or is it the Codeine making me delusional?) Ah well, I think I look stunning. I hope you do too, and if you want to discover any elements of this look for yourself here's your shopping list, and remember to tell 'em that Kitty sent ya!
SKIN: AMARA BEAUTY 'Arielle' CATWA applier /MAITREYA body applier in 02 Fair (worn with lipstick and eyeshadow from HUD palette) THE MAKEOVER ROOM
EYES: IKON 'Charm' eyes in Brown
EARS: MANDALA 'Steking' – Season 5
BODY: MAITREYA 'Lara'
HAIR: RUNAWAY HAIR 'Amber' Ombres & Roots Available from WE ROLEPLAY
DRESS: VALENTINA E 'Built For Speed' MESH BODY ADDICTS BI MONTHLY
PIERCING: SUICIDAL UNBORN 'Medusa' Piercing (Mesh) GROUP GIFT
GLAMISTRY are Kitty's new 'sole' mate!
I'm delighted to share that I'm going to be blogging some of my favourite GLAMISTRY shoes and boots on these pages, and I've started with an absolutely belting pair of heeled boots which you'll want to wear all year round!
Cast your peepers over these beauties. Aren't they fantastic?! These my dear readers are the GLAMISTRY 'Peony' boots and I'm in love with them, they're an absolutely stunning creation from the esteemed GLAMISTRY brand. The chunky, solid sole coupled with a skyscraping pin-thin heel makes them an up to the minute fashion choice to couple with any outfit. There's a double buckle feature which works perfectly with the leather body; the whole creation just oozes quality.I really do love these boots; I've had so much fun styling them and I've discovered they're incredibly easy to wear with slinky dresses or leather pants, or the bespoke 'Peony' outfit available from GIZZA that perfectly matches. Zoom in on these boots and you'll be very happy because they feature great surface detail and I especially love the attention to detail where the seams between the leather body and plastic elements join, where you'll find authentic looking stitching which really does make these boots so lifelike. There's even a lined interior as well as a pattern on the base; with no element missed it's little wonder that these boots look so realistic they're practically 3D! As you can tell, I'm pretty dazzled by these. I love that I get to live vicariously through my Second Life, and after breaking my ankle so badly (in real life) last year I'm afraid that my days of wearing towering heels are well and truly over. But not in the virtual world; I get to enjoy beautiful footwear creations like these 'Peony' boots and that makes me a very happy Kitty indeed; besides, with virtual boots you don't get blisters the first few times you wear them or cry when you scuff the heel on your new very expensive boots!But then that's the other joy of virtual footwear isn't it? You can pay an absolute fortune in real life for a quality pair of boots, but these cost a mere L$497 for a pack of six colours, which is just under L$83 a pair. It doesn't get much better than that!
I think these are a pretty legendary pair of boots, but don't take my word for it. Go and check out these along with the matching outfit by clicking HERE, you won't regret it!
Purple Pain
I'm so sad that we've lost Prince. Really gutted.
This picture was my way of sort of sharing my grief.
RIP you glorious bastard you; the music you created will stay with us forever.
SKIN: AMARA BEAUTY 'Lucie' CATWA applier /MAITREYA body applier in 02 Fair (worn with lipstick from matching lip palette) Available from WE ROLEPLAY
HAIR: WASABI PILLS 'Cleo' (Lunar Palette) Fantasy Faire 2016
EYES: BUZZ 'Glacier Eyes-Storm (RARE)' THE EPIPHANY
EYE MAKE-UP: DEESSES 'Fierce' Eyeshadow set (Catwa)
DRESS: LA PETIT MORTE 'Violetta' Gown in Plum THE BLACK FASHION FAIR 2016
MANICURE: DARK PASSIONS Koffin Nails – 'Something Wicked' Fantasy Faire 2016
Any colour, as long as it's black
I think I've mentioned before on these pages how much blogging has changed in general since I started all those years ago. These days there's far more emphasis on designers seeking out a select few bloggers to actively promote their wares, rather than bloggers approaching them directly. The latter still happens, but I guess these days it's a bit passe. The general consensus is understood to be that you find out who's looking for bloggers, and you see if you meet their criteria. If you do meet their requirements then job's a carrot and you apply and hope/pray/sacrifice to the Gods that you're accepted. Now there's nothing wrong with this approach, but it does have flaws. For example, designers can have certain criteria that some bloggers find very difficult to attain. A recent example of this was DEAD DOLLZ. Now, I'm a huge fan of the brand but I didn't stand a cat in hell's chance of being accepted as a blogger for them. Nor did a lot of other people, cue tantrums and snark and cries of "It's not fair!" Perhaps it isn't, but here's the thing, if you make something and you're going to give it away for free then I think it's your right to choose who blogs it. Suck it up Buttercup, move along and if you like something THEN BUY IT! Yes, I know it seems to be the same bloggers who get the goodies every time; well, look at their work and you'll see the reasons why they've been chosen. It sucks not to be selected, I get that. After all my time in-world I still apply for events and I don't qualify for many more, but I never give up. (It comes down to this; blog for yourself, for enjoyment above all else, and anything else that comes along is a bonus!)
Anyway, I went to THE BLACK FASHION FAIR 2016 this morning after a considerable lie-in (boy, I needed that!. ) I rezzed in-world and zoomed over to the event and I was generally very impressed by the quality of the wares on display. I was also very pleased by the layout of the place; it's easy to navigate and makes shopping very accessible. There's a lot of lacey numbers on display, along with plenty of tops and short slinky dresses. I spotted some gorgeous gowns too, and some great jewellery. (You'll also find quite a few quality freebies, including a set of three poses from PURPLE POSES that you mustn't forget to pick up. PURPLE POSES are a great pose brand and I do like their work, so anything free from them is a proper treat!)
Anyway, going back to my intro I picked up this cracking dress with suspenders by DEAD DOLLZ at the event and I think it's a bit of a corker. It's called 'Jude', and is made for my Maitreya body so fits perfectly. The HUD that comes with it allows for a few texture change options along with metal and fabric colours for the suspenders, and three different stocking styles. I've teamed it with a hairstyle that will be available at TRES CHIC. It's by BEUSY, and it's called 'Lolita'. This is a prime example of my trying something that I wasn't too sure about and it working utterly perfectly. I love the plait across the crown and the tendrils that frame the face. It's also very easy to resize too, which helps!
Of course, I'm still wearing my 'Lucie' skin that I blogged yesterday, along with DEESSES eyeshadow to emphasise my peepers, which are from BUZZ at THE EPIPHANY. It takes a lot to get me out of my IKON eyeballs, but this brand is a close favourite of mine, and I luckily dropped a rare on my first try! I'm also sporting a few freebies in this shot. First of all these earrings and my black manicure are all gifts from THE BLACK FASHION FAIR 2016, along with an aforementioned pose by PURPLE POSES. Last but not least my location is actually a prop that I won in a Gacha at TRES CHIC from L'etre.
Here's your shopping list! Happy Saturday!
Kitty Wears:
SKIN: AMARA BEAUTY 'Lucie' CATWA applier /MAITREYA body applier in 02 Fair (worn with lipstick from matching lip palette) Available from WE ❤ ROLEPLAY
HAIR: BEUSY 'Lolita' TRES CHIC
EYES: BUZZ 'Glacier Eyes-Storm (RARE)' THE EPIPHANY
EYE MAKE-UP: DEESSES 'Fierce' Eyeshadow set (Catwa)
DRESS: DEAD DOLLZ 'Jude' THE BLACK FASHION FAIR 2016
SHOES: REIGN 'Onyx Heels' (Maitreya High)
EARRINGS: SN@TCH 'Akasha' Earrings – FREEBIE- THE BLACK FASHION FAIR 2016
MANICURE: PICHI 'Black Manicure Nail Lacquer' – FREEBIE- THE BLACK FASHION FAIR 2016
POSE: PURPLE POSES 'Callie 02'-FREEBIE- THE BLACK FASHION FAIR 2016
I Love Lucie
..and I do, I really do. It doesn't matter how many skins I wear (and I must have worn hundreds during all my years in Second Life) nothing, and I mean NOTHING, beats the feeling of putting on a new skin and realising it's the closest thing to perfection you've ever encountered. Well, at least that's until the next slice of perfection comes along, which is pretty frequently in our virtual world these days, but forgive my capricious nature and allow me to indulge myself when I say for that moment nought comes close to that skin that you're inhabiting.
I refuse to believe that I'm the only one in Second Life who gets giddy when it comes to these things. You cannot stop camming in upon yourself and you find yourself practically drooling into your keyboard as you twist and turn on your pose-stands. Ever experienced that? It's a real rush as you rummage through your inventory to find the perfect styles, the perfect make-ups and the absolute must-have outfits to match the dream skin you're sporting, and you become ever-so-slightly obsessed with it to the point that you're disappointed when you look in your real life mirror and don't see that skin looking back at you..those blurred lines between your reality in the virtual world and the physical one are never more fuzzy than when you find something so perfect.
So, what am I prattling on about? My latest skin obsession, which is LUCIE from AMARA BEAUTY. If there was ever a skin that could shine bright like a diamond then folks, this is it! I'm wearing here my CATWA 'Gwen' head, IKON eyes and MAITREYA 'Lara' body, along with my MANDALA ears. Nothing else, no make-up or additional in-world lighting; this is just a raw shot from my skybox. Gorgeous ain't she?
What makes her so special for me, in particular, are a couple of the component features that Shantia Soulstar has used so expertly to create this beautiful face. I've written on these pages many, many times about brows being 'the coathangers of the face' and how skins don't work properly if the brows don't work. It never ceases to amaze me how many esteemed designers in-world just don't understand that simple fact! You can apply as much shade and tone to the base skin as you like but if your brows are dodgy then you may as well just throw your dice in the bin, do not pass 'GO' and go straight to jail. Fortunately, this is something that Shantia Soulstar has proved that she understands very well because the brow featured on 'Lucie' is the very definition of 'on fleek'. This is a thick, well-defined slim arch that sits beautifully upon the browbone of the mesh underneath.
The next critical feature is the mouth. Both brow and mouth need to balance out; I'm talking in terms of their weight and feel rather than colour. Again, some designers struggle with mouth shapes, and when you throw a mesh-head into the mix that complicates matters. Again, we aren't let down here; this is a substantial lip that a certain Jenner girl would covet. Worn bare it's plump and pouting; add lipstick and you've found your canvas.
The body is of course just as crucial to matters as the face, and anatomical details have to be present and correct. To that end you'll find everything in check here; highlights fall upon natural curves and shading accentuates the parts that matter. Nipples look right whichever skin tone you choose (I'm wearing 02 Beige throughout) and knees, elbows and ankles ( all those bony bits!) have been worked upon to blend into the rich base tone.
Shantia never skimps on the extras either: the lip palette that is available for LUCIE features an entire spectrum of juicy shades but of course, you can find appliers galore across Second Life to wear with her. As a base for make-up she's a real treat; I've been revelling in everything that DEESSES produce recently for both my LELUTKA 'Stella' and CATWA 'Gwen' head, and I've found the DEESSES 'Fierce' eyeshadow palette and the 'Luxe' eyelashes set both work absolutely beautifully with LUCIE.
But back to the topic at hand: this skin is an absolute winner. She's versatile and I've styled her in countless ways over the past few weeks that I've been wearing her, and I am so enjoying her. Even though there have been recent skin releases from brands that I really adore I haven't flinched, I've stayed true to LUCIE because she's just resplendent. Of course, I'm a fickle mistress and I will change to another skin soon enough I'm sure, but for now I am quite honestly happy to simply revel in her.
**Find 'Lucie' exclusively at WE LOVE ROLEPLAY until the end of April (booth 29)**
Kitty Wears (top picture):
SKIN: AMARA BEAUTY 'Lucie' in 02 Fair (worn with lipstick from matching lip palette)
EYES: IKON 'Triumph' Eyes 'Storm'
EYE MAKE UP: DEESSES 'Fierce' Eyeshadow Palette
HAIR: LITTLE BONES 'Thoughts'
TOP: ZAARA 'Ruhi' Layered Blouse (Ivory) COLLABOR88
NOSE RING: ZAARA 'Goa Party' Baga Nosering
POSES: Picture 1: RK POSES 'Cara' 5 Picture 2: AMTIE 'Aire' 5
MBA: Teenage Kraze
In real life, I genuinely don't have much of a shoe fetish but in SECOND LIFE, I really do. It's not nearly as bad as some people mind you, I know tonnes of avatars who own enough pairs of virtual shoes to kit out a football team a zillion times over, but still virtual footwear is an art form all of its own. There are some absolutely amazing shoe designers out there now, and every single one of your footwear fetishes can be catered to at the drop of a hat. From slouchy boots to towering heels, everything's available, and that makes me one happy Kitty:) MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY has been featuring some great shoes during recent events ( I featured a cracking pair of Gladiator sandals from ILLI here) and the latest addition to my armoury are these scrummy 'Kenya' boots from KC COUTURE. They're beautifully textured with a big chunky heel and sweep over the foot to a false fastening to the side, which is embellished with fringing and a thin strip of leopard print. Subtle but ever-so-easy to wear and incredibly dressy; these look great with both dresses AND trousers (might I suggest these?) and I love the open toe making them perfect for Spring/Summer wear. These heels include a texture changing HUD with multiple options for a mere 295L.I dressed mine up with a great FIFTY LINDEN FRIDAY find, this 'Lana' dress comes from VINYL and features a HUD with 11 colours for just L$50! Yup, it's an early start for this Kitty, but I think it's going to be a VERY Good Friday indeed! Happy shopping, and Happy Easter!
BODY: Maitreya 'Lara' V3.5
HEAD: Catwa 'Gwen'
SKIN: Amara Beauty Beige Maitreya Lara applier SKIN FAIR 2016 (Sim 2, booth 10)
HEAD APPLIER: Amara Beauty:' 'Kat' (Beige) Catwa Applier SKIN FAIR 2016 (As above)
EYES: IKON 'Triumph' Eyes – Dusk
HAIR: Little Bones 'Luna' (L- Ombres)
SEPTUM PIERCING: Swallow 'Nisha' Septum Piercing (Black)
DRESS: Vinyl 'Lana' FIFTY LINDEN FRIDAY
SHOES: KC Couture 'Kenya' MESH BODY ADDICTS
BAG: Reverie 'Haight-Ashbury' Bag (Brown)
MBA: Weekend at Jez's
I don't do well waking up in a strange bed, but Jez's new place is a bit of a fancy home-from-home, so I woke up feeling pretty rested after lugging my massive suitcase full of outfits there for the weekend. It felt very odd though; no cats for a start (my skybox is festooned with them!) so I've spent most of the day trying to convince him that he needs one, or two. Perhaps three. Anyway, today I wanted to keep it pretty and simple, so I hung around the pad listening to music and dancing around in my BLUEBERRY 'Milly' Leather Shorts. These are short, stylish and oh so tight that they almost gave Jez a coronary! But despite being leather shorts you can actually dress them up really well; I combined mine with a kimono and some statement jewellery and looked pretty neat, even if I say so myself! A soak in Jez's BAZAR 'Toronto' tub allowed me to think about the important things in life, like can the neighbours see my mimsy because Jez's curtains are the very definition of inadequate? No matter, we've all seen virtual vajay-jay before, so out of the tub I hopped into my lovely DOLLE robe (still available at WHORE COUTURE FAIR 5) and made like I knew what I was going to wear tonight..Which of course I didn't. It's fair to say I had NO IDEA what I would be wearing. You know when you have a drawer with personal items stored in it at your boyfriend's house? I have a whole rail of clobber and of course, I'd brought a suitcase full yet I had no idea what to wear! GAH!Fortunately, MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY saved me again! This beautifully embellished lace and pearl cocktail dress from UNITED COLOURS makes a statement without needing any additional items such as bold earrings or necklaces. It fits my MAITREYA body perfectly with just a hint of a cinch at the waist. A slick of lipstick from my AMARA BEAUTY 'Kat' Lipstick Palette (to match my CATWA head) and I'm good to go!
So the question is, where's Jez?!
BODY: Maitreya 'Lara' V3.5
HEAD: Catwa 'Gwen'
SKIN: Amara Beauty Beige Maitreya Lara applier SKIN FAIR 2016 (Sim 2, booth 10)
HEAD APPLIER: Amara Beauty:' 'Kat' (Beige) Catwa Applier SKIN FAIR 2016 (As above)
EYES: IKON 'Triumph' Eyes – Dusk
HAIR: Spellbound 'Your Ghost' (Chapter I- Earth Tones) WCF 5
SEPTUM PIERCING: Swallow 'Nisha' Septum Piercing (Black)
Picture 1:
KIMONO JACKET/TOP: Tres Blah 'Summer' Kimono (M)
SHORTS: Blueberry 'Milly' Shorts MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY
NECKLACE: Yummy 'Dreamcatcher'
EARRING (Right ear, cross) Maxi Gossamer
POSE Bee. Bu 'Venus Fly' collection POSE FAIR 2016
(The other earring is no longer available in world)
Picture 2:
Kitty is lounging in the 'Toronto' Bath from BAZAR
Picture 3:
Bedroom furniture by BAZAR
ROBE: Dolle 'Short Robe Sleepwear' – White WHORE COUTURE FAIR 5
POSE: Amitie 'Aire' Collection
Picture 4:
DRESS: United Colours for MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY
POSE: Amitie 'Aire' Collection
*All pictures were taken at Kitty and Jez's new home in Pemberly*
MBA: It's Cynful!
Say "Hello" to my new favourite party frock! Actually, what you should say is a big fat "Hello lover", because this is a bit of a treat. Maxi-dresses are a lot easier to wear in-world than they are in real life (for me at least) and this is one that has LOTS to offer. Bloody hell, it's scrumptious. Sometimes I put things on in-world and straightaway I'm absolutely transfixed; this is one of those items and I'll probably be wearing it and sleeping in it all week until Jez stages an intervention!
This dress is by CYNFUL for the MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY, and as you would expect from such an esteemed and well-established brand, it's outstanding. The chevron print is bang on-trend, and the solid coloured bodice area covers just the right amount of flesh to allow for finishing touches, like statement necklaces or wraps, that kinda thing. I'm wearing it on my MAITREYA LARA body, and as you can see it fits wonderfully. The detail is good too; if you look at the main picture on the left and you'll see hints of creasing above the line of the skirt and it's been done very well. You know how much I love my creases to add a hint of realism to an outfit, especially when the fabric is obviously quite silky. The long, slim fit of this dress makes for an incredibly elegant silhouette and it looks especially good with an up-do.
It's posh, but can also be dressed down, especially for the forthcoming summer. Go for a lighter colour choice, add beads and bangles and voila, perfect festival attire! Here's another look using the same dress, but different hair and makeup:
This time, you can see I've gone for the strappy option and changed the colours. Isn't this dress a wee beauty? Trust me, if you're reading this, then you NEED this frock in your life. Go on then, go and get one by clicking HERE!
BODY: Maitreya 'Lara' V3.5
HEAD: Lelutka 'Stella' 1.3
SKIN: Amara Beauty 'Beige' Maitreya applier SKIN FAIR 2016 (Sim 2, booth 10)
HEAD APPLIER: Amara Beauty:'Kallie' (Beige) SKIN FAIR 2016 (As above)
EYES: IKON 'Hope' eyes– 'Denim'
HAIR: Magika 'Plenty'
TATTOO:Arise 'Lisa' SKIN FAIR 2016 (Sim 2, booth 45)
SEPTUM PIERCING :Chary 'Septum Ring' 7 (RARE)
ENGAGEMENT RING: Cae 'Cherish'
DRESS: Cynful 'Maxi Dress' (Strapless) MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY
FURTHER ACCESSORIES: (Picture One)
MASK/EARS: Oleander ~ Taffy Cat Headband/Taffy Lace Mask: Black
NECKLACE: Yummy-Victorian Garden Key C88
HAIRSTYLE: Exile Full Of Grace
FURTHER ACCESSORIES: (Picture Two)
HAIRSTYLE: EMO-TIONS 'Keisha' hair (brunettes) ON9
JEWELLERY: Maxi Gossamer -'Summertime Easy Living'
Incidentally, the poses featured in this post are from the ON9 event– they're by AMITIE and I absolutely love them! They're so good- go and get yourself some right now by clicking HERE!
MBA: Crazy For 'Carrie'and 'Hera'
This, dear Kittywitchin' readers, is my bedroom. It's a place you should all be pretty familiar with by now, because it serves as the backdrop for a lot of my posts. Why wouldn't it? I spend a LOT of time chilling out with my many cats and trying out poses and new clothes. I also spend a lot of time snuggling Jez here, and well, I'll leave the rest to your imagination! I genuinely love my bedroom, but since I introduced my BAZAR Glam Closets I love it just that little bit more. But of course despite all my newly found closet space, I still cannot find anything to wear..ever. However, fear no more! The latest round of MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY has landed and as a result, I am impossibly happy, because I get to wear awesome things like this dress and these shoes. HURRAH!Now, far be it for me to blow my own trumpet, but I look bloody outstanding don't I? That is due to a number of things. First of all, this AMAZING skin from AMARA BEAUTY (formerly ZOUL CREATIONS) that can be found at SKIN FAIR 2016. (You can read all about it in the previous post on this blog!) The skin is one that you just have to show off, and I can think of no better way to do that than by wearing this absolutely divine frock from JUST BECAUSE. It's called 'Carrie' and it's a short and incredibly sexy wee number. I immediately fell for this because straight away you can see how well modelled the mesh is: there is creasing galore, and you would expect that because this is a silky dress, so that's a win! But what I also like are the straps and the lacing detail at the back….See what I mean? Stunning isn't it? What could make it better? Well, I can answer that actually-HUD DRIVEN HAPPINESS, THAT'S WHAT! Yus; the dress has texture change options via a HUD, and even better than that, KNICKERS! (No, I'm not being rude!) This frock is made super-special by the fact that it includes panties that are also colour change (and may also be removed, should you not require them for any reason…) I'm pretty stoked by this dress, but was struggling for footwear ideas. For some reason, I just didn't fancy heels, nor a full-on boot. Luckily for me, ILLI stepped into the fray with their rather excellent 'Hera' Gladiator-style sandals (alas, no Russell Crowe in sight!) These fit my Maitreya frame incredibly well. They're a substantial build and when you zoom in there are spot on with their rivets and stictching and leather effect finish. I always like it when I see elements that add authenticity to a clothing item; these have a zip at the back so win on the realism ticket for me! I really feel that the MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY is an event that's going from strength to strength, and when coupled with all the shopping and information at the dedicated MESH BODY ADDICTS sim you really cannot be living in the dark-ages anymore. There's just too much quality shopping to enjoy, and I hope you can see that when I say quality I really mean it. Do yourself a favour, click HERE and go get some seriously satisfying shopping done!
BODY: Maitreya 'Lara' V3.5
HEAD: Lelutka 'Stella' 1.3
SKIN: Amara Beauty 'Beige' Maitreya applier SKIN FAIR 2016 (Sim 2, booth 10)
HEAD APPLIER: Amara Beauty:'Kallie' (Beige) SKIN FAIR 2016 (As above)
EYES: IKON 'Hope' eyes– 'Denim'
HAIR: Magika 'Plenty'
TATTOO:Arise 'Lisa' SKIN FAIR 2016 (Sim 2, booth 45)
SEPTUM PIERCING :Chary 'Septum Ring' 7 (RARE)
ENGAGEMENT RING: Cae 'Cherish'
DRESS: Just Because 'Carrie' MBA EXCLUSIVE
BOOTS: Illi 'Hera' Gladiator Sandals MBA EXCLUSIVE
*Kitty quicky: Looking for a perfect Greek Goddess look? This dress in white, with the straps in gold + the gladiator sandals make for PERFECT Aphrodite inspired apparel!
NSFW: Something Kinda oOo!
..to evoke just the right kind of mood. The irony here is that these poses aren't even from the forthcoming POSE FAIR 2016, they're actually from oOo STUDIO, and they're the FIFTY LINDEN FRIDAY offering in store today. You get seven poses for your L$50, which is excellent value. All I did was change my facial expression, change the lighting in my bedroom and, well, I added a 'prop' (which was a freebie!) and there you have it, some seriously saucy snaps to enjoy for not really much money at all. I do love a good SECOND LIFE bargain! Huzzah!
SKIN FAIR 2016: AMARA BEAUTY 'Kallie'
Feast your eyes on this bare-faced beauty! You're gazing upon the gorgeous 'Kallie' from AMARA BEAUTY (formerly known as ZOUL CREATIONS) and as you can see she is absolutely stunning. Shantia Soulstar has embraced the challenge that mesh heads provide for skin creators, and she hasn't let us down. She has created two beautiful mesh head appliers, both available at SKIN FAIR 2016, for LELUTKA and CATWA mesh heads. In this picture, I'm wearing the LELUTKA mesh head applier on my 'Stella' mesh head, and frankly, she's a revelation.
Shantia has been creating skins for mesh bodies for a while now so has gathered some valuable skin-making experience and she never disappoints when it comes to details. Every anatomical detail is present and correct and beautifully applied. The same skill that she's honed for her base skins now applies to her mesh head creations too, as I hope this picture clearly demonstrates. Guys, this is a seriously breathtaking face.
The thing that ALWAYS gets me about Shantia's skins are her brows; in my opinion she creates the best eyebrows in SECOND LIFE. As you can see they arch perfectly and are just the right shape that frames, rather than overpowers, the face. Cheek contour is always subtle but well applied, and as a foundation for mesh-head makeups 'Kallie' proves a worthy ally. In fact as a bare canvas, even with the limitations that mesh heads currently provide, you can create some beautiful looks with 'Kallie' that will make your avatar look unique.
It's incredibly gratifying for me as a blogger to see a skin creator that you admire continually develop. I first started wearing Shantia's skins (back when they were ZOUL CREATIONS) in 2014. That's not that long ago, but she's clearly advanced as a skin artist and has a fantastic portfolio which I hope that she is proud of, because each one of her skins are incredibly wearable still.
Personally, I believe AMARA BEAUTY will be one of the success stories of SKIN FAIR 2016. I really hope so, not just because Shantia deserves her success and has worked hard for it, but because it's high time this range of skins got the full recognition that it deserves.
(A quick shout out to ARISE who are also exhibiting at SKIN FAIR 2016, for this stunning under-bust tattoo that I'm sporting. It's called 'Lisa', so how could I resist? <giggle> (Yes, that's my real name, hence I just had to have it!) I really love it actually; I do enjoy wearing tattoos in-world but sometimes I prefer something a little more understated rather than an over-the-top number, and this perfectly fits the bill. I'm a huge fan of ARISE and I wasn't disappointed by their range of body enhancements on show at SKIN FAIR 2016. I don't think you will be either!)
A final word also for this pose that really caught my eye at POSE FAIR 2016 earlier this evening. I've had a very brief shop there and found a couple of tasty poses that I'll be using in my blog posts over the next few days, but this one in particular, the snappily titled (ahem!) 'Headshot F #3' from BLACK TULIP really caught my eye. It's a real asset to a blogger to have an unusual way to frame a head-shot, and this pose has a real couture-like feel to it, if you get my drift. It feels like a pose that a model would strike on the pages of 'Vogue' or some other high-fashion magazine. It's rather striking and very effective for pictures where the focus isn't on clothing or hair, and one that I think I'll get a lot of use out of!
BODY: Maitreya 'Lara' V3.5
HEAD: Lelutka 'Stella' 1.3
SKIN: Amara Beauty 'Beige' Maitreya applier SKIN FAIR 2016 (Sim 2, booth 10)
HEAD APPLIER: Amara Beauty:'Kallie' (Beige) SKIN FAIR 2016 (As above)
EYES: IKON 'Hope' eyes– 'Denim'
TATTOO – Arise 'Lisa' SKIN FAIR 2016 (Sim 2, booth 45)
SEPTUM PIERCING –Chary 'Septum Ring' 7 (RARE)
ENGAGEMENT RING – Cae 'Cherish'
POSE –Black Tulip – 'Headshot F#3' POSE FAIR 2016
NSFW: A visit to THE SEX SPA (Pt.1)
"I eat my dinner in my bathtub
Then I go to sex clubs
Watching freaky people gettin' it on…" Tove Lo 'Habits'
Sex in SL has NEVER been something that has appealed to me at all. I know that for some avatars it's an incredibly important part of their Second Lives, especially when they're in relationships with partners that they don't live with; but it's something I've never felt the need to investigate. Besides, I've always thought of it based on my original experiences of rezzing into Adult areas, back in the heady, early days of Second Life. It was never a pretty sight, and I could never fully understand how someone could get in the mood when there were distracting pose balls dotted all over the place, let alone animations that were jerking in all the wrong ways and making the avatars meld into one globule-like, writhing mess, with elbows jutting through foreheads and prim-phalluses popping out of the back of the avatar heads. It never struck me as especially erotic, so I left well alone.
I would never have bothered to explore that side of SL again either, had it not been for my curiosity being piqued quite by chance. As most shopping savvy avatars are well aware, WHORE COUTURE FAIR 5 has just launched and it's an absolute must-visit event with over 100 stores promising to fulfill your every whim and desire. There are some seriously sexy items on show, from lingerie skins and hairstyles to poses and, erm, 'equipment'. It really cannot be missed, but missing it I was because I couldn't find a ruddy LM anywhere! Luckily for me, I knew the event was the brain-child of the esteemed Missqwerty Pevensey, so I looked up her in-world profile, to see if I could source a landmark. (Now, before we go any further let me confess I do read (and judge) people on their profiles. I love a good profile read, and picks do work because I go to so many of them. (I've found hundreds of new to me stores and locations through profile picks so the message here is do not neglect your profile folks, you never know who could be reading!)) ANYWAY, it was while I checked out Missqwerty's profile that I happened across her picks, and it was there that I learned of THE SEX SPA.Now, I hold MissQ in pretty high esteem in-world (although she doesn't know me from Adam, I'm a long time fan of her brand AMERICAN BAZAAR and a fan of the events that she curates) so upon a complete whim I clicked on the link, and I was transported to another place entirely..Looks cracking doesn't it? I have no idea what I expected to find when I clicked on that profile pick but the SEX SPA definitely wasn't it, because this is a truly stunning place; a gorgeous and well put together place for intimate relations without an iota of sleaze about it. We're talking high-class kink, with beautifully chosen and arranged furnishings throughout. Every element of decoration has been thoughtfully placed to evoke the feeling of an actual spa. Don't get me wrong, the number one priority here is to get laid, but to do so in absolutely lovely surroundings, the kind that I had no idea existed in Second Life. More fool me. It truly is a spa as well with massage tables, a gym and sauna, as well as treatment rooms that you can enjoy singularly or as a couple. I had a blissful time soaking my tootsies. I was a tad apprehensive if I'm honest, having never been to one of these places it was making me wonder if an avatar would rez in and lunge at me or something worse. Fortunately, that didn't happen which meant that I could really enjoy my surroundings: I was definitely enjoying the soothing and relaxing but could it really offer more? I continued to explore and discovered a tub for two..There is a fantastic pool and jacuzzi to be enjoyed outside too, with lovely sofas to relax upon under the virtual sky, or not as the case may be. I spied a couple who certainly weren't gazing at the stars, so I retreated to a hot-tub to sit and ponder what I'd stumbled across. Despite the activities that were taking place a few feet away, I didn't feel threatened or even embarrassed. I didn't feel especially aroused either, despite my enjoyment of the location. I was merely a visitor taking my time to enjoy the space around me. But I would be a liar if I said I didn't suddenly feel curious…This place had certainly got me thinking; is Sex in a virtual world just as bad as I thought it was, or is it actually an experience to be enjoyed, encouraged even? Just how much of an experience can it really be, indeed is there any point to it at all? It's not an easy question to answer, but already my perceptions were being changed by what I was experiencing at this place. The fact was, I had to be open to the experience to really see what it was like before passing judgement so I decided to be objective and return with my trusty partner Jez to see what the SEX SPA was really all about…
Tune in for part 2 if you want to know more, here's a NSFW sneaky peek!
KITTY WEARS (Main picture)
BODY: Maitreya 'Lara' V3.5
HEAD: Catwa 'Gwen' (worn with Bold & Beauty 'Lindsey' applier 'Light Fair'; also wearing Maitreya body applier and eyeshadow and lipstick from the range)
EYES: IKON 'Triumph' eyes– Dusk
LASHES: Deesses 'Luxe Eyelashes-Catwa' WHORE COUTURE FAIR
HAIRSTYLE: +Elua+ 'Jaycee' (Ombre Basic)
EARS: Mandala 'Steking' V. 3
HAIRSTYLE: Little Bones 'Lemonade' (L – Dip dyes & fades)
ROBE:{dolle}Short Robe Sleepwear – Black WHORE COUTURE FAIR
ENGAGEMENT RING: Cae 'Cherish'
POSE Muka Pose #4 WHORE COUTURE FAIR L$5 'gift'
(Other pictures: HAIRSTYLE: +Elua+ 'Jaycee' (Ombre Basic))
Dancing On My Own
Make no mistake guys and gals, March is going to be a BIG month. First of all, we've got the first THE ARCADE round of 2016, and the previews suggest that it is going to be an absolute belter. Then we have SKIN FAIR 2016, which I'm incredibly excited by, and that's just TWO of the events that will be depriving us of our hard earned cash! This all means of course that I have to be very careful with my pennies, so I'm trying to refrain from shopping as much as possible at present. This isn't easy, especially when you consider I haven't even made it into UBER yet, and virtual shopping for me is very much an itch that I have to scratch, often!So cheap and cheerful was on the cards for me today. I wanted to try and replicate the monochromatic colour trend that's doing the rounds at the moment. If you aren't familiar with it, it's when you have the same colour on eyes, lips and nails. It's a very uniform look, and when it's done correctly it's rather beautiful. Problem was, I didn't want to spend an absolute shit ton on new skins or appliers for my LELUTKA 'Stella' head. Not to worry, I found exactly what I was after at DEESSES, which is firmly becoming an absolute favourite of mine for all things applier. For the princely sum of L$99 each i purchased the 'Fleek' eyeshadow palette, and the 'Sexey' lip palette and applied them to my mush. Et voila, monochromatic marvellousness without too many Lindens spent and how professional do my chops look? I think I look bloody beautiful! Of course, it helps that skin I am sporting, (DEETALEZ 'Jolie' Lelutka head applier and European tone Maitreya Lara body applier)provide the perfect base, but you can't fail to be impressed by the finished look. I'm also sporting a freebie in this picture too, the glorious 'Hanky Panky' lingerie set from BLACKLACE. I've been wearing this brand of virtual lingerie for absolutely donkey's years and they continue to go from strength to strength. They're also very generous with the group gifts too, as this set proves. I'm wearing it on my virtual booty courtesy of the Omega applier system, and it's very swish indeed. It's sheer , so you get a delicious hint of what lies beneath..naughty then, but not too OTT, although the stockings and suspenders really take it up a level. I'm really into my virtual undies at the moment with DEAD DOLLZ, MILK TEA and of course, BLACKLACE being real favourite brands of mine so I'm often to be found dancing around my skybox in my almost naked on a rainy Saturday afternoon… Anyway, TL;DR: You don't need to spend a fortune to look good. Check out your groups for gifts like this one, and hit up places like DEESSES for appliers that can really make all the difference to your look! Enjoy!
BODY: Maitreya 'Lara' V3.5
HEAD: Lelutka 'Stella' HUD 1.3 (worn with DeeTaleZ 'Jolie' Lelutka head applier and European body applier)
EYES: IKON 'Triumph' eyes– Dusk
HAIRSTYLE: +Elua+ 'Jaycee' (Ombre Basic)
EARS: Mandala 'Steking' V. 3
LINGERIE – Blacklace 'Hanky Panky' Beige Vintage Set GROUP GIFT
SHIRT – The Sugar Garden 'Master's Shirt'
SEPTUM RING: .ARISE. Calla Septum / Black_Gold
ENGAGEMENT RING: Cae 'Cherish'
Ready To Wear…
What do you like to do on a Sunday? I like to mooch about a bit, something that you can do incredibly well in Second Life. So mooching is exactly what I've been doing..mooching about in my apartment, bemoaning that I have *nothing* to wear (much to Jez's disgust) which is clearly not true because I hit SHINY SHABBY with gusto yesterday and found some absolutely lovely stuff!First of all, check out my underwear. Isn't it pretty? It's by the always-awesome DEAD DOLLZ and it's called called 'Gwen' and is available in five colour options. Unusually for me (as I normally go straight for red) I opted for the plain white version. It's so darn pretty! This little lace combination looks butter wouldn't melt but don't be fooled; there are cutaway pieces for easy access to the, erm, important bits. I think it's absolutely mind-blowing; it ticks all my boxes for being something absolutely beautiful to wear and textured to perfection, yet it has just enough of an edge to make it incredibly naughty too. The ribbon detail at the back over your bum is just to die for. It's so simple yet so effective and enticing and for most of the morning I've just been looking admiringly at myself in this and thinking, oh yes. YES. I'm sure when Jez has stopped being cross with me he'll feel the same way....or perhaps not. He's such a grump! Actually, he really should stop being cross with me because courtesy of Ria Bazar I've FINALLY got organised! Well, OK, there are still some clothes strewn across the floor but not many because LOOK! I finally have the built-in wardrobes that I've always longed for..HUZZAHHH!In all seriousness, I've long coveted a closet. My current residence of choice doesn't allow for a big walk-in wardrobe, so BAZAR's latest release for the RFL HOME & GARDEN FAIR 2016 , the 'Glam Closet', is just what I need; being both modular and versatile. Each piece can be arranged how you see fit with male and female design options available. To reflect the fact that I live with Jez I opted to mix elements of both the male and female sets into my build, so there are my bags and shoes on display, along with his suits and ties. If you have more space to play with you can really go to town with this set; Ria has thoughtfully included corner pieces to allow for perfect fitting around your space and there are blank versions of the units so all those little pieces you collect from Gachas that would look perfect in this kind of setting can finally find a home! (If you look towards the far right of the pic above you'll see a collection of some of my gacha make-up winnings..huzzah for organisation!)
The pic above was taken at RFL so you can see a bit more of the available options. Some of the hanging clothing items that you can see above have been recoloured to suit personal taste, and the actual build is available in a white or textured wood finish. I've opted for white because it fits perfectly into the overall ambiance of my apartment and I like the way that the colours of the bags and shoes pop against the white background. There are a couple of additional elements available too; a large ottoman that I'm lounging on in the snap above, featuring male, female and couple poses that really adds a luxurious polish to any dressing room. It's colour change too; there's a velvet beige (seen above) blue leather (uber masculine that one!) and a warm, brown leather (my personal preference, see pic #2). You can also decorate your space with a female jewellery box and a male watch collection that really make a statement as well.Last but not least a shout out to this glorious style from ENTWINED @ Shiny Shabby called 'Alexis'. I've opted for the light browns selection and I love the cut. Bobs make me a very happy kitty indeed and I think this one looks puurrffeeecccttt! Incidentally, it's Shiny Shabby's birthday so there are absolutely TONS of freebies up for grabs as well as exemplary shopping. Of course, that makes it an absolute nightmare to get into, but I've managed a quick hit and I found these fantastic 'Boyfriend Jeans' from COCO which I teamed with a free bag by N-UNO and also a tribal necklace from YASUM to complete a look that's perfect for Sunday shopping. Which it seems I'll be doing on my own because the boyfriend got fed up of waiting…
Anyway, TL;DR version, go to RFL and buy these amazing 'Glam Closets' for yourself, and then once you've done that try and get into Shiny Shabby to buy this lovely lingerie and hair and pick up all the presents (so that you can take up all the room in your new closets with them!)
Happy Valentine's Day!
Happy Valentine's Day with lots of love form Kitty & Jez xxx
Sunday Stylin' -Favourite shirt!
A kitty quickie* for you today! ADDAMS have released some absolutely STONKING shirts at their mainstore in a variety of plain and tartan/check textures. they look blinking outstanding (as do most things for ADDAMS) and fit incredibly well.
The shirt caters to most currently available body types, and I especially appreciate the fact that in each pack comes a fitmesh option that allows for your wearing a skirt! There's a bra included (that you can toggle on or off) and this has options via a HUD. I quite liked some of the pattern choices but was a bit disappointed that the bra has white seams; this means that some of the pattern choices don't quite work as well as they should, in my opinion: for example, the leopard print would look far better with black edging than white, but all things considered that's a minor gripe for an incredibly well-made piece that is set to be a really popular item in SECOND LIFE. I wasn't surprised that the shop was crowded when I dropped by to buy one!
I chose to wear my shirt with a favourite BUENO denim number and my REIGN thigh-high sneaks. I also added a REIGN tattoo choker and my treasured YUMMY necklace to complete the look. My hairstyle is an absolute find, and is by MINA for THE GACHA GARDEN. Isn't it beautiful? I was the luckiest I have ever been with a gacha machine; dropping the fatpack on my first attempt! To finish I added some ADDAMS 'Cat Glasses' (of course!) and some attitude for a look that's casual but bang on trend, and perfect for chilling out at home on a Sunday. Hope you approve – now go get that shirt!
*A 'Kitty Quickie' is going to be a blog device that I use more frequently on these pages. It's a way of publishing a quick post (with links) without the long shopping list covering EVERYTHING that takes ages for me to add once I've written the main article. All the outfit key-elements are covered so don't worry, you can still go shopping, it just means I can be a bit lazy from time to time!
MBA: One Night Only..
If you're still craving fantastic fashion then Mesh Body Addicts is still going strong and most definitely NOT failing this city! Check out this epic body suit from MASOOM, which allows you to get in touch with your inner heroine. As I've previously commented this round has to have been the best yet for MESH BODY ADDICTS across the grid, and I've enjoyed wearing some absolutely fantastic items that I've no doubt will stand the test of time! This is undoubtedly a gorgeous catsuit and I think it works equally well as both a fancy dress and a fetish item, but don't just take my word for it, zoom on over to MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY and see for yourself!
BODY: Maitreya 'Lara' V3.4
HEAD: Lelutka 'Stella' HUD 1.3 (worn with Laura applier, Asia tone)
EYES: IKON Triumph Eyes – Dusk (ML)
HAIRSTYLE: Action Inkubator 'Emily'
OUTFIT: Masoom 'Mahagony' outfit from MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY
MBA: I love a bit of VINYL!
Well, I do, and it's pleased me no end that there was an upsurge in sales of vinyl records and traditional record decks over the past few months. There's something very comforting about listening to music from an LP; it sounds 'warmer' and the occasional crackle and pop as the needle bounces in and out of the grooves just adds something to the whole experience.
In-world, you can get the same warm, fuzzy feeling from VINYL clothing. I love the designs that are available in-store and I'm a huge fan of the brand. It's all about the details for me, and even something as simple as this 'Beal' dress (and trust me, it is incredibly simple, in fact we're talking 'catch-your-death' short!) features plenty of them. Great shape and texture are a feature across the entire VINYL range and 'Beal' is no exception, but it's what you can do with this dress that counts. It's perfect fodder for embellishment, and I added my all-time favourite jacket by EMERY, along with these absolutely essential FRI.DAY heels to make the perfect outfit for dancing!
Short, sassy and simple-is it me or has this been the absolute best round of MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY yet?
Here's your shopping list with links! Enjoy!
BODY: Maitreya 'Lara' V3.4
HEAD: Lelutka 'Stella' HUD 1.3 (worn with Laura applier, Asia tone)
EYES: IKON 'Hope' eyes– Denim
HAIRSTYLE: Action Inkubator 'Emily'
EARS: Mandala 'Steking' V. 3
JACKET: Emery 'Hollywood' Denim Jacket
DRESS: Vinyl 'Beal' Dress + panties MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY
SHOES: Fri. 'Portia' Heels in Cherry COLLABOR88
ACCESSORIES: XYZ // Tattoo Choker [black]
KUNST 'Septum Keeper' KUSTOM 9
POSE: Glitterati 'Dance Off'
LOCATION: Commoner
MBA: You Know that I'm no good..
..actually, scratch that, I'm better than good, I'm AWESOME!
Especially when I'm wearing this stunning 'Helen' silk dress from KAITHLEEN'S @ MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY. This dress inspired a whole look because of the styling; it reminded me of a dress that Amy Winehouse once wore at a public appearance. Unfortunately I can't find a picture of her in it anywhere, but no matter, it inspired my whole look and Amy was nothing if not an inspiration. (Regular readers will already be aware of my love for Ms. Winehouse.)
The dress is available in some lovely colours. There's a fabulous taupe, dazzling peacock blue and of course my favourite red which I'm sporting here:) (There's also black and white too, along with a neutral shade but the colour options are really what sells this dress, in my opinion.
To add an element of Amy to this dress I opted to rummage around into my inventory for some long forgotten tattoos and added one of my favourite hairstyles of 2015, the fantastic 'Winehouse' by VANITY hair. Last but not least, I am still wearing my 'Stella' Mesh Head by LELUTKA too. My friend told me I looked like a cylon, but I have to disagree; I am incredibly taken with it and the main reason why is because not only does it look good, I don't have to do any post-production to any of my photographs in-world since I started wearing it. Yup, that's right, all my shots since I started wearing the mesh head are totally raw from Second Life. If that's not a benefit then I don't know what is!
Also, a shout-out to my manicure; I'm a fan of DARK PASSIONS 'Coffin Nails' range of manis and pedis and the new releases that are on-show at MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY 'Guen's Grace' and 'Make A Wish' are especially nice and excellent value, and I love that the detailing on them is so precise; zoom in to get the full benefit.
Here's your shopping list and links!
BODY: Maitreya 'Lara' V3.4
HEAD: Lelutka 'Stella' HUD 1.3 (worn with GLAM AFFAIR 'Laura' applier, Asia tone)
EYES: IKON Triumph Eyes – 'Dusk'
EARS: Mandala 'Steking' V. 3
DRESS: Kaithleen's 'Helen' Dress – Red – MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY
HAIRSTYLE: Vanity Hair: 'Winehouse'
MANICURE: Dark Passions 'Koffin Nails – Guen's Grace' MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY
POSES: Both no longer available in-world, I'm a bugger for using old poses, sorry!
MBA, FLF and Project Limited too!
As I type this, David Bowie is playing in the background. I'm listening to the 1983 album 'Let's Dance' which features some absolutely astonishing tracks, including some personal favourites such as the title track, along with 'China Girl' and 'Cat People (Putting Out Fire)'.
I've always loved David Bowie; I saw 'Ashes To Ashes' on TOTP as a little girl and became fascinated with him. The fact that he's gone is such a loss, but what a legacy he has left behind, and his last album, 'Blackstar' is definitely worthy of your time, although it now makes for a poignant listen.
I'd say this look is Bowie-inspired, but that would be a bit cheeky of me; it isn't really, although the flash of colour to my lips and the slightly punk feel to my outfit would be perfect for wearing to a concert of his. Alas, I'll never get the chance now.
BODY: Maitreya 'Lara' V3.4
HEAD: Lelutka 'Stella' HUD 1.3 (worn with GLAM AFFAIR 'Laura' applier, Asia tone)
EYES: IKON Triumph Eyes – 'Dusk'
EARS: Mandala 'Steking' V. 3
HAIR: Barberyumyum 73 (brown) FIFTY LINDEN FRIDAY
TOP: Valentina E 'Gwen' Tank & Peekaboo Bra (Khaki) FIFTY LINDEN FRIDAY
SKIRT: D E Designs 'Sheryl' Skirt MESH BODY ADDICTS BI MONTHLY
:Z.S: Pagan choker – Witch PROJECT LIMITED
[Z O O M] Lince Eyes Glasses PROJECT LIMITED
POSE: Get Bent (no longer in world, sorry!) 'Lean This Way'
MBA: I didn't Mean To Turn You On
Little black dresses are a fashion staple for a reason and that's because they lend themselves to any occasion. From cocktail parties, to funerals (well, it's true isn't it?) they can be styled for any event and worn with confidence every time.
There are literally squillions of little black dresses in Second Life, but the ones that stand out are the ones that have clever little details and eye-catching elements built into them. For me, this LBD called 'Chained Angel ' from the absolute powerhouse that is VALENTINA E definitely counts as one of them. Actually, you don't have to buy this in black, it's available in other colours too, but for me it's absolutely perfect worn this way. The black offers a perfect contrast to the gold chain that adorns each cut-out side of this dress too. Despite the depth of tone attention has still been paid to the texture used on the dress; the fabric suggests a heavy-weight little number, again suggesting quality, but what would you expect from VALENTINA E?
I also like the fact that there's a ton of creasing on the skirt, this lends a really authentic air to the dress because when you're sat down in a dress like this it does crease.
To make this look super classy you can dress this up with pearls and an elegant wristwatch or add statement earrings and an updo for a really stand-out look. (I'd suggest one of the fantastic updo's available from VANITY HAIR, especially if you want to make a modern twist on Audrey Hepburn's timeless look! Note, I'm NOT wearing that in the pic..)
This dress needs the right shoes to be truly effective. Plain heels just won't cut it; you need something to balance out the colour and chain decoration too. So luckily you'll find a cracking pair of heels that match perfectly at the Mesh Body Addicts event too; these ILLI 'Sara' heels also feature decorative stud elements that you can change the colour of via HUD. The T-bar strap adds an elegant feel, and the zip to the rear offers a really authentic touch. They're very impressive, and add the perfect finish to an absolutely stunning ensemble.
Yes, you need this dress and shoes in your life: here's your taxi!
BODY: Maitreya 'Lara' V3.4
HEAD: Lelutka 'Stella' HUD 1.3 (worn with GLAM AFFAIR 'Laura' applier, Asia tone)
EYES: IKON Triumph Eyes – 'Dusk'
EARS: Mandala 'Steking' V. 3
DRESS: Valentina E 'Chained Angel' @ MESH BODY ADDICTS
SHOES: Illi 'Sera' Heels @ MESH BODY ADDICTS
Mesh Body Addicts – Yoga Practise
Sundays, a day of rest and relaxation. Well, for some of us, like my cat Mylo in the background it's definitely a day to be chill. Me? I've put on some relaxing tunes and I'm throwing down some yoga moves in style!
MESH BODY ADDICTS is back and personally I think it's the best round yet, with some fabulous fashion from formal to casualwear, which is what I've opted for here. These fantastic Sunday separates are from CYNFUL, which is one of those brands that seems to have been around forever in Second Life, but still manages to grow from strength to strength. That's because the quality of the items they sell never ceases to amaze. I mean,
The items I'm wearing here are the pretty simple (and perfectly titled) 'Lazy About' top and sweatpants, yet they're textured to perfection (check out the crease-shading on the top, oosh!) and you can even change the colour of the drawstrings and eyelets on the pants via HUD. I'll get a LOT of wear out of these items; worn together they're super casual yet the top would look great with denim (jeans or skirt, no matter) and the bottoms will look mighty fine with all kinds of tees and sloppy jumpers.
The pants are low-riders which means you can see my underwear which is from LUXURIA at ROMP. I have an affinity for all things Japanese, so seeing the Sakura blossom pattern on this lingerie meant I obviously had to have it, and like all LUXURIA pieces it fits like a dream and looks beautiful too. (It's odd but I actually don't like my avatar to not wear underwear; any other readers find themselves doing the same?)Last but not least let me give a shout-out to another awesome event that has just started, and that is HAIROLOGY. There are some utterly fantastic styles on show this round.
A couple really caught my eye too; both by PR!TTY Problem is, I tried the demos for both but neither fit my mesh head properly, and being a mesh-head noob I'm not sure how to rectify that (any ideas?). Don't let that put you off trying them out though, I've started to really enjoy wearing longer hairstyles over the past 12 months and both of these are incredibly sweet.
As you can see I opted for short and sharp while I busted my asana on the yoga mat; this style is called 'Natia' by AMACCI and I really love the shape of the cut. It frames the face incredibly well, starting short on the right hand side, but with a feeling of being swept through before it reaches the left hand side where it's left long and full and covers the eye. It's super feminine and an absolute joy to wear.
Blimey, three events in one blog post! I have to say there is some cracking retail therapy to be had in-world at the moment, but you definitely shouldn't give MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY, ROMP* or HAIROLOGY a miss!
*Especially if you don't know what 'Figging' is. I didn't and I now consider myself educated..
BODY: Maitreya 'Lara' V3.4
HEAD: Lelutka 'Stella' HUD 1.3 (worn with GLAM AFFAIR 'Laura' applier, Asia tone)
EYES: IKON Triumph Eyes – 'Dusk'
HAIRSTYLE: Amacci 'Natia' HAIROLOGY
TOP: Cynful 'Lazy About' Top – Dark Grey MBA EVENT
BOTTOMS: Cynful 'Lazy About' Sweatpants – Dark Red MBA EVENT
UNDERWEAR: Luxuria 'Sakura' ROMP
Poses provided by BAZAR 'Toronto Yoga Mat' and GOS 'Pose Pouffe-Tan'
Wrap up! It's time for The Season's Story
..and I have *just* the thing. One of the problems with Winter coats is that usually they're so darn formal; big and heavy structured woolen numbers that look perfect when you're all dressed up but when you want something warm yet dressed-down they just don't work. The perfect solution then is a parka, and rejoice for APHORISM have released just the thing at THE SEASON'S STORY (opens 10th January)
The Winchester Parka is available for both sexes (You'll see the male version at TMD, available now) and is the perfect casual Second Life winter jacket. The female version includes the always handy Maitreya Autohide option to make wearing super easy, but really all you need to decide is which option to go for, because there are plenty of great colours to choose from.
I chose to go all bright and pink because, well, why the hell not? In fact, this is a GREAT look; add some leggings and flats, or just rain-boots and you're good to go! Stick on a beanie and some headphones and you're urban to the max, especially if you add jeans and sneakers. As usual (for me anyway) a lot of the joy I get from Second Life clothing is knowing whether I could wear this in real life, and I so could. The material looks chunky and dense, and the texture is spot on; a bit of twill and rib and lots of wrinkles and shading in all the right places make this a must-have item.
Do not miss this; it's a cracking coat and one that is sure to prove extremely popular in-world and with good reason. Right, I'm off for a pint…
BODY: Maitreya 'Lara' V3.4
HEAD: Lelutka 'Stella' HUD 1.3 (worn with Laura applier, Asia tone)
EYES: IKON Triumph Eyes – Dusk (ML)
HAIRSTYLE: Action Inkubator 'Emily'
COAT: Aphorism 'Winchester Parka' (Camo Pink) THE SEASONS STORY
PS – Yes, I'm wearing a mesh head after swearing blind (not that long ago either) that I would never wear one. What can I say other than I got bored over the festive period, gave one a whirl and fell in love! I'll talk more about this epiphany very soon..
The MBA Bi-Monthly Is Almost Here!
So, here we are. A new year, a new start, and a very HAPPY NEW YEAR to all KITTYWITCHIN' readers!
Forgive me if I'm sounding a little melancholy but 2015 was a hard year for so many of us, myself included. Add to that international events that saw the world so divided, and you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who wasn't glad to see the end of the old year, and welcome the new.
I've spoken many times on this blog about my own personal attitude to blogging, about it being about pleasure rather than commitment first and foremost, and that's why you'll see that I barely posted over the festive season. I gave myself some much needed time off from life in general. This week I've had a week off work to just relax, re-focus and just BE. It's done me the power of good, and whilst I can't say that I feel re-invigorated (it's a damp, dank January so far after all) I sure do feel rested.
So here's the first blogpost of 2016. I haven't actually logged in world much at all during the festive period but I'm glad I did today because it's been lovely to receive some gorgeous items to share with you that are part of the MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY event. This dress is the first item I opened and as soon as I saw it I knew it would work perfectly with this hair that I blogged from 'Winter Trend' last month, 'Miriam' by EN VOGUE.
The dress, called 'Audrey', is from PPD (PINK PEARL DESIGNS) and it's a nice take on an often-repeated Second Life wardrobe staple. The stud embellishment across the torso looks good, and it winds itself around to the back of the dress. I didn't find any major fit mesh issues that couldn't be corrected via HUDS, and the dress fits BELLEZA 'Freya' and 'Isis' along with Maitreya 'Lara' (worn here) as well as SLink. Because of the long sleeves and the shape of the dress it has a formal feel, and in my opinion it works particularly well when worn with updos and of course this beret style.
You'll be able to purchase 'Audrey' from the MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY EVENT that opens on the 10th, and promises to be a corker. I'll be sharing some more of the goodies that you'll be able to buy from the event on these pages over the next few days, so watch this space!
BODY: Maitreya 'Lara' V3.4
SKIN: Glam Affair – Katra – Polar – August NB
EYES: IKON Triumph Eyes – Dusk (ML)
EYEBROWS: Nar Mattaru 'Power Brows' (Pitch Black + brow highlight)
LASHES: Hush 'Flirt'
LIPS: PXL 'Sweet Lips' v1.4
HAIRSTYLE: enVOGUE HAIR – Miriam WINTER TREND
DRESS: PPD 'Audrey' (Black) MESH BODY ADDICTS BI-MONTHLY
NECKLACE – 'Cae' – Choupette (Christmas present, lucky me!)
POSE by ADORKABLE POSES (No longer available, sorry)
Merry Christmas Kittyreaders!
Well I was hoping that I'd be able to blog a lot more before Christmas but as you can see the blog has been scarily quiet since the beginning of the month. The TL;DR version is that my RL work, instead of quietening down, turned the volume up to 11 and as a result I've been too exhausted to blog! Not to worry, here's the last post of the year and Kitty's all ready and waiting for Jez with one of her many cats in front of the fire; I can't think of a nicer way to see in 2016. Have a wonderful time guys! Here's wishing all my wonderful Kittyreaders a fantastic Christmas and a very spiffing new year celebration.