I'm spreading the news....

These vagabond shoes
Are longing to stray
And step around the heart of it
New York, New York.

...or at least take a stroll on down to Ingenue and check out their offerings.

Known for their yummy 1940's-50's inspired outfits, the creator is now breaking out into separates and this suits me just swell.

I am fairly accustomed to cannibalizing her dresses for the pencil skirt bottoms, but now I can just wallow in them to my delight as they are made available in a multitude of colours and gorgeous textures......and this is a creator who gives the customers exactly what they are looking for.

For example ~ all parts of the skirt, high top waist and bottoms are available on multiple layers ~ so that no matter what look you are trying to achieve ~ you are sure to be able to pull a delicious outfit together without a struggle.

The only problem you'll encounter is trying to decide which one of her linen or tweed skirts to wear! :3






From a neko point of view these are *tail friendly* items.

I paired it with a sweater from Oyakin which took a bit more work for a kitty. The swing bottom to the sweater is lovely, but interferes with my tail & I found that it overwhelmed the smooth sillouette of the skirt (basically hiding that nipped-in waist). Since it's copyable I could change the point of attachment to deal with the tail issue...but... I chose to not wear that prim at all, instead shortening the jacket layer of sweater to give it a more stylish bolero fit. With the addition of the prim cuffs, a nice flexi scarf and pair of black leather gloves I was almost set for a autumn stroll in the big city.

Usually I opt for a chunkier heel, but the narrow perfection of these stillettos just extended the long line of my sillouette to complete the look.




I took my 40's inspired self for a walk down in Old New York City to explore the Brooklyn Bridge and surrounding neighborhood, and was blown away by the photographic potential of the place. Another sim that is on my list for a return engagements!




.......=^..^=.......

Skin: ::VOODOO:: ~ female white leopard 2

Eyes: .::\AMIS/::. ~BlackNekoEye yellow-green

Nails: bijou ~ PSWarm (rosequartz)

Hair: JUNWAVE ~ natural short black

Scarf: MichaMi ~ Ebba scarf black

Shoes: Mairtreya ~ Verve Black 2L

Stockings: ShinyThings ~ solid thigh high charcoal

Sweater: Oyakin ~ knit carde long (blue) without prim bottom

Shirt: CallieCline ~ black ribbed racer tank

Skirt: Ingenue ~ vintage basics Memo black

Gloves: YV ~ Vivien Shiny black (silver)

Poses: LAP

Location: Old New York

The leaves are falling.....

Autumn has been slowly creeping across the Second Life landscape and while in my opinion it's the most beautiful time of year, I suspect that it will also be the briefest ~ since the holiday season is just around the corner and I know people are itching to pull out the conifers and paint all vistas snowy white.

For my part I am making a point of wallowing in the fall colours and while my closet is crammed with lovely soft sweaters and smart jackets ~ the thing I have been hankering for the most is an honest to goodness, bold, in your face autumn kimono.

Bless the Japanese and their attunement to the seasons *^___^* because the creators at Yumeji didn't disappoint! This week they released their autumn kimono selection and I pounced upon one featuring red momeji leaves scattered on a black backround for dramatic effect.

This outfit is a hurisode, which means it is only available with the long sleeves ~ ah but lovely flexi prim sleeves they are. Elegant movement is paramount to wearing kimono and I am always happy when a designer keeps this firmly in mind ~ so the wearer isn't thrashing about stiff bolts of cloth then they sweep their arms gracefully to assume gentile kimono-appropriate poses.




The obi (belt) on this garment has modern flourishes ~ with a strand of milky pearls for an obijime and fancy ribbon blossom tucked just above ~ the former arrives in full bright mode, but luckily the creator gives the customer the option of turning down the glow on the pearls. While these elements don't distract from the overall effect ~ I personally would have been happy with a simple obijime or to be given the choice between it and a more traditional one. I am however NOT complaining. It's a wonderfully designed item and fun to wear.

The outfit thoughtfully includes a pair of lovely matching zori too!

I'd love to have been able to find a kanzashi for my hair that sports a few maple leaves, but instead settled for a pair of hair sticks from Falln that have flexi ribbons attached ~ which allow for a very natural movement effect when worn. Azriel at Falln knows many of his clients have other head attachements (neko ears/horns) so he automatically attaches the hair accessories to the mouth to make dressing simply a matter of adjusting to the hairdo and not the entire head :3

The hairsticks also allow the user to adjust the brightness, in this case I turned them *on* to match the non adjustable obi and collar.

So dressed in kimono I went shopping at landscaping centers....as winter will soon be visiting my valley and I must be ready! The little park on Seychelles is a lovely example of what can be done with their trees, while over at the Green & Wild Garden Center a person can run wild through their display areas. I had to tear myself away from the Japanese garden though....reminding myself that Spring follows winter and the latter is my priority for the next little while ;)

Speaking of winter...I wonder what the creative minds at Yumeji are planning for their next seasonal release? I can hardly wait *^__^*


.........=^..^=.........

Skin: ::VOODOO:: ~ female white leopard 2

Eyes: .::\AMIS/::. ~BlackNekoEye yellow-green

Kimono: :::YUMEJI::: ~ Hurisode Maple black ~ limited

Nails: bijou ~ SyrupColors (orange)

Hair: W&Y ~ Hair 16 *type*A

Hairsticks: Falln~ Megami Hairstick Single (orangeblack)

Poses: MNK~ K**stand_free

Location: Seychelles Park / Green & Wild Garden Center

Falln for their Kimono

When I first landed in SL ~ my dearest friend in RL took me under a wing with advice on what to look for when shopping for clothing inworld ~ about mysterious things called *prims* and how to fit clothing, and why the best creators are considerate enough to produce items on enough layers so that a person can tweak their look or mix n match outfits to their hearts content.

One of the designers that was floated was Azriel Demain of FallnAngel Creations and eventually I ventured down to the shop and my poor little neko brain melted on the spot at the banquet of gorgeous choices available.

After a lot of consideration (we are talking hours) I finally settled on this kimono ~ deciding to make a seasonal choice.

First thing I noticed about the kimono when I first opened the file was that it came with instructions on how to alter the body (bosom) in order to allow the garments to fit correctly and why this is in keeping with true kimono wearing.

I knew before I'd even rezzed the glitch pants that I was going to like this outfit because so much care had been taken up front to instruct the customer on how to make it fit WELL.



And oh boy did it!

The kimono comes with various sleeve lengths, obi and coloured eri(collar) so one can wear it in various capacities (geisha/maiko etc.) and options for skirt fulness ~ all of which are neko friendly.

Not only does one no lose their tail ~ the manner in which the obi and prim skirt is structured allows for the tail to move freely without being engulfed by the material or emerge unnaturally from the fabric.

The textures are lovely ~ seamless and thoughtfully combined to create a pleasing effect. One thing that I particularly appreciate is the flexi prim hem ~ there is little that annoys this kitten as much as watching my geta or zori kicking out from the solid prim as I wander about in kimono. I wish all kimono designers would embrace the flexi prims because even when wearing the kimono AO, the sight of my feet flicking in and out of a solid print makes my fur stand on end. If the prims move and flow the effect is much less visually jarring.

I think Azriel is going to do major damage to my SL wallet if this item is any indication. *purrs*

As an aside ~ I need to mentioin the Aught & Feast Sims which are side by each, and the latter with it's ForestFeast landscape shop ~ lagalicious though they might be, the area is beautifully concieved and a treasure for photographers in SL. While my list of landmarks is growling for interesting places for photoshoots ~ this is perhaps one of the most diverse regions and keeps beckoning me to return. :3

.........=^..^=.........

Skin: ::VOODOO:: female white leopard 2

Eyes: .::\AMIS/::. BlackNekoEye yellow-green

Kimono: FallnKimono ~ Autumn Floral Splendor

Nails: bijou~ NailPS(warm) - Amber

Hair: W&Y Hair 16 *type*A

Kanzashi: 2 Hairsticks Ruby&gold by HPDAA Avro

Pose: {SMS} Oh!

Location: Forest Feast ~ Fantasy Garden

http://slurl.com/secondlife/feast/255/141/26

Cue the runway music

Tired of shoe shopping, originally uploaded by cobaltdragon.

Up until this point I seem to have had a need to share endless opinions about what annoys me about Second Life instead of just getting on with and talking about the things I love ~ fashion & photography.

That is probably due to the fact that when one starts wandering around SL they get hit by a Culture Shock truck and are left lying in the road wondering WTF a lot of the time.

Well 4 months in I've had some time to learn how to walk without always bounce off walls all the time, and master at least the basics ~ so it's time to share some of the things I've found and learned.

I'll try to not complain about the things that are annoying. I can't promise that I won't but I will try to keep it to a dull meow.

This image was taken in the first few weeks of my being in SL and looking at it reminds me to do several things when taking photos ~ like documenting WHERE I took the piccie.

*face palm*

Also ~ to make a note of the items of clothing I'm wearing and their creator. I think I can eyebal some of this but the rest of it is going to be probably impossible to find in my inventory without investing a silly amount of time.

At some point I will start to remember to note the creator of the *pose* too!

.....*face desk*

Having said that, looking at it also reminds me why I love the photography aspect of SL ~ something that I was blind to until I walked into this mystery shop, was wowed by the decor and thought...."gosh that would make a great background for my black and white skin!"

In other words, this photo was the lightbulb going off in my head.

Do they play RL in SL?

Messing with a mouse, originally uploaded by cobaltdragon.

I've been awol from this blog for a month due burying my head in SL sand & observing inworld fashion. Reading opinions & watching avatars stroll, strut and flounce by while contemplating my reaction to them.

Style and taste, while it can be swayed by the opinions of others is none the less subjective. Do the same rules of engagement apply in the SL where fashion is concerned as they do in RL? Should I care?

In reality while I adore fashion and have many opinions to share on the subject, I am by nature; lazy, cheap and not willing to suffer for any look that binds. So if it gives me a cramp in the feet, crotch or pocketbook it just isn't going to happen.

The physics of SL works wonders for the imagination as it allows a person to do things they'd not ever be capable of in the real world....and this extends beyond the ability to jump off mountain tops & fly or walk on the bottom of an ocean ~ it includes clothing.

Second life is wonderfully liberating as nerve endings are nonexistent. Want to wear 6 inch stillettos and dance around the clock ~ no problemo. Have a need to sport a thong made of dental floss? Knock yourself out. It's all a brilliant fantasy where anything within, and even beyond, the bounderies of the imagination IS possible.

But...just because you can...should you?

I spent the first month in SL frothing at the bit because of the parade of sleeze I encountered at every turn until the mental wedgie got so big it was ruining my ability to enjoy the place.

SO I started to climb down from my high horse ~ telling myself that someones 'garbage always has the potential to be another's treasure ~ and I have no right to judge. Heck...I'm a neko! I know there are assumptions made about and prejudices against my species....even more so against my *furry* brethern...so what right do I have to judge another's choice of apparel?

As I have mentioned, I have learned that neko are far reaching in their personalities and tastes in clothing. I myself have 6 different styles that I enjoy wearing;

1) Kimono
2) Sleek 1940's influenced highwaisted style
3) Kawaii Lolita/dolly flounce
4) Jeans and stylish casual tops
5) Victorian Gothic velvets
6) Modern Fashionable Knits

Only can I ever hope to pull off #4 in real life ~ the rest are prohibatively expensive and as I mentioned...I'm laaaazy. I do however know EXACTLY what I like and adore SL creators for allowing me the chance to wear what I love ...even if it's only pixels.

Should I deny others the same right because I think it's inappropriate or it offends my sensibilies?



Because the same SL physics that lets me bound around in heavy brocade or velvet on a whim, without dry cleaning bills or needing an assistant to help me dress is the same physics that allows women to walk around with jeans stuck to their thighs but showing so much butt clevage (and other things) that you are struck wondering why they bothered to dress at all?

Okay so taste is one thing ~ what about taking care to fit your clothing to your body? Just because you like a pair of shoes or garment doesn't mean you can't pause to adjust them so they are not being eaten by your body parts before you dash out the door.

Just because you can buy madly twinkling accessories that could get you get mistaken for the Las Vegas strip doesn't mean you have to wear it...but okay you love the bling. However, when it makes it look as though beacons of light are shining out of your butt, nips, nostrils or ears I have to question your ability to SEE.

Of course it takes time to learn how to make items fit, but consider that I'm only 4 months old and seriously technologically challenged. By seeking out forums & blogs as well as reading the notecards that come with items in the first 2 months, I sussed out how to get dressed in the SL morning! If I couldn't make an appropriate adjustment then I'd either ask the creator or just not wear it!

See in RL the biggest mistake we make is not checking to see what view we are presenting from behind. You would think that women who wear white semi tranparent pants would not choose to wear bright /dark printed underwear. Not so. They do it all the time. Perhaps they just don't have a good mirror at home....

...but there is NO EXCUSE in SL. You look at your backside all the time as you move around.

Does this explain the faux pas of the front?

Nope. Everything worn is selected first in the shop and then pulled out of inventory to wear ~ it's not like you got dressed in the dark. In fact a lot of the nightmares have portable facelights that follow them everywhere, illuminating the fugly fits.

So here I sit atop my miniature pony ~ because I don't think I'll ever completely convince myself not to care about how people dress in SL.

While there is no accounting for taste, sloppy dressing in SL is just a matter of laziness. A person can look REALLY good on the cheap if they aren't miserly with their time. Seeking out nice freebies (including skins) or dollarables takes a bit of effort but it is doable. Playing with the sliders and/or items to make sure they fit is also simple and free....as is not insisting on wearing something that is not designed for the body shape you sport

If your feet are too big for the shoes, your butt too big for the pants, your head too small for the hat....embrace SL physics to change your body or toss the clothes and find something else, but please dont subject others to the visual barrage of your ass eating your belt while you dance around on the spot.

The irony of all this is that my inworld persona is much more concerned with how she looks than the one in the RL. When it comes to throwing on something before I dash out, I am definately NOT lazy in SL. So it begs the question ~ are the people who carelessly dress their avs in SL just pressed for time or ignorant or ....

*climbs down off pony and perches on a sheep*

...maybe fashion is just a bunch of clothes they throw on in SL so as not to get booted from a sim and they are there for an entirely different reason.

I will cut them that slack. I won't however stop staring at them in wonder and thinking...eww...that's gotta hurt. ;)

------- =^..^= -------


Skin: ::VOODOO:: female white leopard 2

Eyes: .::\AMIS/::. BlackNekoEye yellow-green

Nails: :bijou: ~ nail PS(warm)(Moonstone)

Hair: *EDT* ~ Natalie Black

Necklace: .::TBP::. ~ Twisted cultured Pearl Necklace (colour change ~ black)

Bangle: Eclectica ~ Morris Peacock Dragon Bangle

Shoes: J's ~ Ankle Boots Round Black

Socks: *SMS* ~ Shiny Black Tights

Belt: *Fri* ~ Wide waist belt charcoal

Shirt: *SMS* ~ Transy Black Shirt

Dress: Elate ~ Nivaya Emerald Dress

Skirt: Igenue Bye-Bye Baby (Charcoal)

Shirt: *ARGRACE* camisole Black

Gloves: YV - Vivian Ring Gloves (silver)

Refencing the bounderies of your mind

When I arrived in Second Life ~ I had no expectations to be dashed as I was not a gamer, hence I was not to be frustrated by the lack of a holy grail to chase.

Most people who play games online or in RL tend to be goal oriented ~ the point of the exercise is to win. Not so with SL as it simply is, and becomes whatever it is that you make of it.

I pretty much fell like Dorothy, out of the sky and woke up in a universe where relality is a relative concept. Gravity and physics have their own set of rules; objects (trees, buildings...cows) can be placed above ground to float in space and will hold their positition until moved ~ and yet gravity exists ~ so that if you step off a floating island, you WILL hurtle toward the ground if you do not slip your avatar into *fly* mode.

Until I played at SL, I'd not ever experienced an immersive technology and found the virtual reality of the place to be a bit of a brain twisting experience. In particular when I am drowning in the *spatial immersion* of the place.

Spatial immersion is defined as occuring ~ " ...when a player feels the simulated world is perceptually convincing. The player feels that he or she is really "there" and that a simulated world looks and feels 'real'. "

I first found this happening to me when I would be wandering around in a place and the owner of an area (shop, landscape) had so cluttered the space with items (trees, walls, objects) that I was becoming frustrated by the fact that I couldn't see where my avatar was walking. My line of sight impaired by tree branches for example or clothing displays, would just make me growl with annoyance, cursing shop owners for not considering their clients ability to move around in their stores.

However, it was nothing compared to teleporting to a place and find that the *landing spot* had been set BELOW a building and there was no way for my avatar to walk out of the space. This would not happen intentionally...people re-landscape regularly, but might forget to reset all their landmark telepoints floating around in SL.

As the surroundings begin to *rez* into place, the walls and ceiling form around my avatar ~ I'd realize I was about to be boxed in and start desperately trying to find a way out before I was *trapped*

......the thing is....I can't ever really be trapped. After all.....I'm not really THERE and besides....my avatar can just teleport out of the space to someplace less confining.

The mindf**k is that I really DO feel a sense of panic rising within myself. The horror of being boxed in IS real and I start to panic as my RL heart would start to race and no doubt the adrenaline start to flow.

I'm working on this...having realized that I must keep my wits about me so that with a few simple clicks I can just teleport myself above ground in the same latitude/longitude rather than beating a hasty retreat to my safezone (a place I'd set as home). However it has amazed me that a simple program has been able to tap into my brain and trigger feelings of claustrophobia.

Because of the ability of this medium to tap into emotional centres of our being, it's no surprise that artists have started to play in the cyber world and explore yet another way to bring us a visual and emotional experience. IDIA Laboratories is such a a place ~ where an artist in residence creates a landscape that is a piece of art ~ but one which a person participates in by putting themselves into the work and exploring it from every imaginable angle.

It is utterly fascinating how individiual's SL fantasy/goal in some way touches upon and enriches anothers who turn around and rework the experience into something personal and like dominos the experience flows out in all directions knocking us off our feet and making us question definitions of reality ~ because what is real? Is the heart trying to crawl out of my chest real if the cause of the palputations isn't? Is the sigh at the beauty I see any less real because the experience is in pixel form rather than a genuine sunset?

Such is the Second Life experience.

If you are inworld ~ go immerse thyself:

http://slurl.com/secondlife/IDIA%20Laboratories/89/158/545

It's what's under the hood that counts.

Kulta in the parking lot at VLS,

"Does the dress make the neko or does the neko make the dress?"

This is a question that I've been pondering since landing in Second Life, because when I arrived and donned my kitty skin and appendages, I had a pretty firm handle on what the definition of a neko was....until I found it challenged at every turn.

Neko ~ is the Japanese word for cat. While felines in human form (kami or spirits) appear in Japanese mythology, it is the modern interpretation that appealed to me. My interest was piqued by the cat-eared boys & girls found in anime and manga, and it was probably through those people who were simularly exposed to these creatures, that the first sets of neko ears & tail started to rez in SL.

Whether it was Westerners or Japanese creators who introduced the prim attachments is irrelevent. The fact is that these elements were here to stay.

Now you have to understand that neko in Japan lean heavily on the element of cute. So adorable it makes your teeth ache. To be sure, this is a visual fetishization, but it literally drips with innocence. It's alluring, but clean and pure. It's a sex kitten...make no mistake about that, but it's more the tease then in your face pussycat.

Whether the neko is male or female ~ they will flash a bit of leg or arm, show a delicate sweep of the neck and/or shoulder and suggest clevage or ...other attributes ...but the cat is kept mostly in the bag.

Because of my interest in Japanese fashion, (traditional and modern) the idea of combining both my love of neko and these amazing clothes had me over the moon with joy....

...so you can imagine my abject HORROR when I discovered the apparent definition of neko in SL.

The western twist on the neko started of course with the attraction to the ears and tail. From there it launched itself off in a similar yet completely different direction ~ neko not as subtle fetish but rather as full blown sex toy. Neko became synonymous with sleeze.

Shop ANY *neko* store (one that sells itself on catering to neko) and the first word that comes to mind will be *Ho-wear*.

Neko is apparently thought to be either dressing for the back alley or spending all ones time on the street corner ....

There is nothing subtle, classy or cute about the so-called SL neko garments. It's all about the exposing as much skin as possible and still saying you are wearing clothing.

Sorry kittens...nipple tape AIN'T a garment.

Now I don't care if some (many) other neko buy into the idea that to be neko is to prance about with your tail in the air and yowling for attention from stray Toms. What I do care about is that this is apparently THE definition by NON neko as to what ALL neko are about...because ...we most definately are not and I am insulted to the bone that people would look at me inworld and think *slut*. Just plunking a pair of pointy ears on my head does not mean I'm easy. Swishing my tail as my walk does not signal that I'm available.

WHAT other subgroup within SL has this reputation just because of their fantasy appendages?

Sorry to break any bubbles, but the fact is that being neko is waaaay more than the fabrics (or scraps of) we wear on our backs. Designers have got to get over this idea that a cat-eared person wants to look like something advertising for a toss in a dumpster.

For my part I am learning that just because a neko dresses like they are hooking, doesn't mean they are. Some of the sweetest kitties wear little more than their fur. This is part of the fantasy play of SL and I'm starting to accept that side to the place and ease off on my biases...however;

Neko gear should, by definition, be clothing designed in such a way that tail or ear attachment points don't conflict or interfere with a vital element of an outfit or accessories.

Neko style is whatever each individual feline wants to wear. A cat doesn't ask others what is right or wrong...they just do their own thing.

The cat makes the clothes, not the other way around.


------- =^..^= -------


Skin: ::VOODOO:: female white leopard 2

Eyes: .::\AMIS/::. BlackNekoEye yellow-green

Hair: *W&Y Hair 16 *Type A*

Necklace: *pop feel* 9e Black beaded necklace

Shoes: Evoke - Chunk heeled pumps - patent black

Socks: No.9 Nylons Vintage *Black60*

Sweater: **en Svale** Cardigan (Red)

Skirt: Igenue Bye-Bye Baby (Charcoal)

Shirt: *ARGRACE* camisole Black

Gloves: YV - Vivian Ring Gloves (silver)

Location: YV http://slurl.com/secondlife/VLS/94/88/1112