Raising Awareness

While this is a fashion blog, sometimes I feel compelled to do what I can to assist good causes. Today is no exception.

The folks over at Sixx Pack have put together an all day event today in order to raise funds and awareness for children and the few adults who survive, Epidermolysis Bullosa. This rare skin disease is an inherited connective tissue disease causing blisters to the skin and mucosal membranes. Its severity ranges from mild to LETHAL. Most children born with this do not live past an average of 2 years. It has been described akin to having 3rd degree burns your whole life and is quite painful.

The University of Minnesota has done a bone marrow transplant on a 2 year old child and found it to be successful, but more research and funding is needed to help, please come down to Sixx Pack today and help the caring folks by bidding on an auctioned item, person, or service or simply donate what you can to the donation jar. All parties today are mixers so both male and female avatars are welcomed to join in.

Right now from 8-10am our very own Kilolo Jenkins is DJing!! but parties will go on all day - I hope you can help us, help them!!!

New Attitude!!

The smoky gaze, that come hither stare, the cutest little upturn to the corner of her lip...she's flirting with you.  This is what I saw when I met Daisy.  She's pint-sized, cute as a button and definitely someone worth getting to know. I was over on the Dahlinks Sim the other day having a look at their new SFL collection of jewelry, when the cutest little thing caught my eye: this bubbly little short lady running around the store.

She was petite, spunky and bouncing off the walls and I totally was taken by her energy.  So naturally, I struck up a conversation with her, eventually asking where she got her shape because it was done really well.  In response, she simply pointed upstairs.  She scrawled on a little napkin "follow me" and up the stairs I went. Reading her profile, I realized I was speaking to Talah Magic, owner of !Stare!, SL's newest shape store.  She doesn't speak; simply emotes and writes messages on biodegradable napkins. But words are simply not always needed.  She showed me around her shop and stopped in front of one of her first shapes and there she was: Daisy

Clocking in at 5"8" this avi is a little shorter than average, has petite, delicate features, but packs on powerhouse punch of spunk and exuberance when paired with the right skin, hair and overall attitude of the person putting it on.  And Talah has just that: a pint-sized, flirty nature that truly brought her creation to life.

Unable to resist the want to try it out for myself, I went ahead and bought the shape (something I've never done not once in SL - I've NEVER bought my own shape! O.O).

I tried to follow the style card (which each shape comes with a style card to help you bring out the best of your shape). But you know me...I had to make it my own. I tried it on my skin, totally didn't work.  So I rummaged through my inventory and found the PERFECT combination!

When I put it on, I felt the bubbles, the batting of the lashes start and I thought to myself, 'oooh...to be someone else for a day...let's see!'.  So after sifting through my inventory, I came up with the look on the left!  I may not keep this look, I was missing my regular skin halfway through shooting LOL, but man was it fun pretending to be someone else for the moment! But I digress. I think...I think I nailed it....but you be the judge.

Take a chance, head on over to Dahlinks, stop ... and !Stare! into a new shape by Talah Magic.  You'll be glad you did!

THE LOOK:

Hair: Maddy in Caramel by Truth
Shape: Daisy limited by !Stare!
Eyes: Black Licorice Eye by Body Politik (now called Logo & Kin)
Skin: Chastity Bronze VI w/ Landing Strip - Makeup 1 by SD Skins
Jewelry: Tribal Belly Piercing by Xcite
Jewelry: "Only You" Earrings and Necklace by Zuri's
Jewelry: Earth Banded Ring by Earthstones
Outfit: Britney (sans Jacket) by Phoenix Rising (closing for good on Saturday 10/30/10 - go get it!)
Shoes: Dangerous Woman Ankle Boots - Texture Changeable by Ispachi

Show Your Spirit...

No fancy blog post. No details on how it falls on the avi. Just one very simple message: STOP the bullying.

In the past few months, more young people (our babies) have been taking their own lives because they have succumbed to bullying for their personal choices, be they loving someone of the same gender, for loving both genders, different lifestyles, color, creed, you name it.

EVERY suicide, no matter the reason, is a tragedy.  EVERY hate crime is a tragedy, no matter the reason. It is NOT OKAY.  We are all human beings, different and beautiful.  And not one single one of us have any right to judge, berate, bully or cause harm to another for being different.


This is one of four FREE male t-shirts that you can pick up today at the front desk of SN@TCH.  Each one has its own message:

I Will Stand Up For You (worn above)
It Gets Better
Homophobia Is So Gay
Teach Our Children Not to Hate (my personal fave :))

Today is National Spirit Day aka "Wear Purple" day.  This marks the day of silent support for our fellow members of the GLBT community as well as our GLBT youth and anyone that suffers from incessant bullying by their peers.  This type of behavior is not acceptable and it needs to end.  So even though it's ... just a shirt .. wear it.  The message is quite clear: stand up for your friends, for yourselves, against hate and persecution for being different.

Don't be a jerk, teach all of our children (and a few of our adults) NOT to hate. The tragedies that have befallen these youth and their families is not race/gender/sexual orientation specific. It CAN happen to you or someone in your family. So stand up. Stop the bullying and the hate. This is too important not to.

xo  Kilolo Jenkins

Vindicated....or not...

When I first posted the blog about "Latex Exploration" I knew I would get a few comments because Kayliwulf has such a large following, what with the brand loyalty and loyalty to the owner, who I agree is brilliant in their marketing and a very nice person. I sit here, baffled actually at the amount of hatred and venom directed AT me for my honest blog. I don't write these blogs to rip apart any one designer, it just happened that on that particular night, I was inspired by the lack of any other designers' latex in the room. I wanted to make a point that, there are in fact other and yes, better options out there.

Make no mistake, I wasn't attacking how "nice" the owner was. Or the fact they sponsor a ton of events grid wide. I know they do. I also know that has helped their business expand beyond the small store they started with into a multi sim megaplex. Designers grid wide can learn a lot from the business model KK has established. Clearly, the brand loyalty is very strong amongst those in SL.

I had no intentions of commenting on the numerous hate-filled comments left on that blog. They didn't effect me in the least as I know they are entitled to their opinions as well. I do appreciate the comments telling me that my information isn't up to date. My question to them is, how would the average Avi who doesn't live in KK items know this without spending the extremely priced amount for the outfit? I was basing my review on items I own, which I do admit was from a year or more ago, however, those items are STILL BEING SOLD. I found them. Yes, boots and all. Unchanged in their advertisements. So how am I to know, they've updated them? Which brings me to a previous point of: why can't KK update to the tech of the times? Send already owned updates out. A good friend of mine actually requested the updated version of an item she owned, only to receive the very same item. So I ask, where have they updated? It's the same old tune as far as I've seen. Now, if I'm shown differently, then I will amend MY OPINION. Until then, I stand by my blog expressing that there are A LOT BETTER options in Latex these days on the grid than Kayliwulf Kingdom.

This is a fashion blog after all, And we pride ourselves with writing the good and the bad to inform the SL consumers. I thank you all for your time in reading the blog, we greatly appreciate your feedback. Those who actually made useful statements that is.... Then we get to the ignorance like the latest comment... and I quote...

"You really are one sad person. People like you should just die now because
you are worthless to society. Go to hell bitch."

Yep, that was posted Anonymously. Cute right? I think it's adorable because they posted all hater like accusing me of being sad and worthless when, they're doing the very same thing except, they're attacking someone on their opinions rather than providing any sort of basis for it. I'm not sure that an SL Fashion blog about SL Fashion would constitute having to die and go to hell, but I admire the writers strong feelings on the subject, it means, as a writer, I've done my job. I've elicited emotion.

Thanks for the compliments loves. I'm not always this harsh on a store. You need only to read my others posts. ;)

Halloween @ Blacklace 2010

Most of you know that I am a HUGE fan of Blacklace.  So it is without a doubt that I ran my butt over to the store as soon as I could afford the new Halloween releases.

Now, not only do they have the cutest little Halloween coloured lingerie, they have come out with some AMAZING costumes.  I HAD to buy them all thats how cute and well put together they are.  For just a little under $2500L you can own all the costumes at Blacklace for this 2010 Season.  Only the ones on the back wall of the Halloween section though….  I love this time of year, and Halloween is no exception.  Getting dressed up and playing that fantasy role for just one night of mischeif and mayhem is enough to last this naughty girl at least… a week *sticks out tongue*  So I will let the costumes speak for themselves…..  Great JOB Blacklace! 

** CLICK PHOTOS FOR LARGER VIEW **

Waiting is Not a Cyn ;-)

It is said that good things come to those who wait. My patience is fickle when it comes to fashion and waiting for content creators to release items I actually wish to purchase. Even moreso when I had a slower computer (RIP Marge) that took forever to rez.  As a result, I've often written off stores that when I rez, I see stuff that while hot for others, doesn't necessarily fit my personality or fashion mood.

For example... Cynful clothing.  I've watched people fall all over themselves to get to Cynful because once a month, they usually put out a L$1 group item, which pulls some in to buy just that, while others buy additional items as a result. My love affair with Cynful was touch and go.  It may be that I'm a bit of a fashion prude, but I have always believed that while it's okay to occasionally let your bottom hang out or the top of it be revealed, not every skirt has to be a micro mini revealing all of your goodies, nor does every pair of pants have to be super-ultra low cut for it to be sexy.

Please understand, I'm not knocking Cynful.  Because they make some HOT clothes!  There are a lot of stores that do this.  Which is why I don't shop at most of them (LOL). It is truly a matter of taking time and looking, which prior to me getting the new puter (aptly named the CT2000 aka "BAMF" for our Dane Cook fans out there) was a massive battle of patience against old graphics card and LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAG. As a result, my personal preferences often led me to shop elsewhere, writing off this store and its fashions because every time I saw a new release, my bits were damn near hanging out of everything.

Well, yesterday morning I was looking for something a little revealing, but cute and figured, "eh, why not.  I haven't been since I got my CT2000, so let's give it a whirl. I land and it rezzes and HOLY NEW STORE DESIGN BATMAN!! It's gooooooooooooorgeous! *drooool*.  I spied this picture with a message reading "more coming in the fall (paraphrasing)" when I first landed. It wasn't what I was looking for when I decided to go shopping yesterday morning, but it was too cute to pass up.

This outfit, simply labeled "Cynful Special item/outfit (? - I'm not inworld...)" was only L$1 and blended my love for high-waist pants/capris/skirts with a short-sleeved cowlneck and matching shoes!! Score one for patience!!! I bought it and put it on and squeed!  I LOVE the texture work on this wonderful little teaser as well as the cuteness of it overall.  The cuffs didn't initially fit my thighs. Luckily, Cynful and gang thought ahead and made the cuffs modifiable so I could stretch to fit to my liking (who needs a resize script when you have copyable, modifiable prims!! YAY!!).

Happy with this purchase, I kept floating about the store, looking at Cynful with new 'puter and new eyes, eagerly looking to see whatall I missed.  Looking at all the stuff that covers your bottom, I went down my list of inventoried items and said, "check, check, oooh...no wait, check" and so on, then saw this nifty little number just hanging there...calling me. It said, "Kiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiilo...I know you waaaaaaaaaaant me....come get it girl ;-)".  So I did and BINGO! I bought it. This awesome bodysuit from Cynful has two options: one with the sleeves and one without.  Comes in various colors and while my computer was a little slow to rezz (thus shoddy looking primwork on the legs), it's actually well made and the linen-like texture on the outfit made it look and feel uber relaxed.

The lack of fabric on the sides made for a revealing number, while still sporting a bit of cover-up for those that can on occasion be a little shy with their bodies (yeah yeah yeah...this is just sl/it's just pixels...doesn't mean I have to dress like a hooker, leaving my cash and prizes (wow...I really need to stop listening to Dane Cook) for everyone's perusal. It's just not my personality. I reveal when needed...like working or for my mate :P). The back is out and the pant portion is a little low, but not so much that you can experience plumber's crack *shudders*.  Mission accomplished? Aye...mission accomplished.

After my purchases, I went walking around the grid and stopped off for a lil bit to meditate at the Love Foundation, thinking about the good things that have come my way of late and how blessed I truly am with good friends, great family and more, then went home to chatter with one of my besties, Nicco (OMG can somebody say Hot dude?!? Back off ladies, he's VERY taken by one of my other besties *big smile*).  Between meditating and our talk, which funny enough, addressed waiting on a completely different and more important topic, I found it kind of funny that my morning completely revolved around waiting, wanting, having patience and then peace with the decision(s) to wait for things to come your way.  I waited for a new computer in order to continue with my DJing since Marge, my old computer died. What I received as a result was new discoveries of gorgeous places like the Love Foundation's meditation spot, new fashions on a gorgeous sim (thanks Cynful and gang!) and appreciation for the details (and people/places/friends/blessings) you miss when you don't want to wait for good (and great) things to come your way.  Amazing what that patience concept brings, huh?

Now if only Cynful would hurry up and release the fall line dagummit!! I got clothes to buy!! LOL

Look #1:

Outfit - Cynful "Special" found at the front of the store (flats included)
Hair - Truth's Gigi in Night
Ring - EarthStones Unisex Banded Ring - Earth
Earrings - Part of a gifted set that I have no idea where it came from :)

Look #2:

Outfit - Cynful White bodysuit (found on the 2nd floor somewhere)

Hair - Truth's Gigi in Night
Ring - EarthStones Unisex Banded Ring - Earth
Earrings - Part of a gifted set that I have no idea where it came from :)
Shoes - Bax Ankle Boots Patent Leather White (remove the anklet prim to wear the cuffs from the outfit)

Latex Exploration

After attending a latex event at a rather popular club last night, I looked around the room at the very limited selection of latex people seemed to be wearing. Folks had what appeared to be the same pieces on, in various colors and combinations. I didn't even have to ask where they got it, because I knew, everyone knows a Kayliwulf Kingdom item when they see it. That crayola monotoned garment with little detailed work to it, but a cute little "shine" applied to a rainbow of the same pieces.... Can we tell I'm not all that thrilled with KK latex fashions? Why you ask? It's boring. Who wants to wear the same shit?! So I went to see what was NEW at KK today... boy oh boy am I unimpressed. I'm not usually one to call out a designer but, I feel this needs saying. THERE ARE OTHER, BETTER OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOLKS!!!!

WHAT?! Something OTHER Than KK to provide latex?! Who would have thought?!

I liken Kayliwulf's products to mass marketed chinese goods. You know, poorly made but cheap and get the job done.. the problem? KK isn't cheap, in fact, for the quality of the product, it's damned expensive!!! The argument can be made that because KK promote themselves through many, many, many clubs and events and give away gift cards all the time, that it in fact isn't that expensive because you can get gift cards, but, honestly, even with a 500L gift card, the quality doesn't support the price. There are so many advancements in SL textures and prims that there simply is no excuse for wearing something that makes you look like an avi straight out of 2006. Even the models in their advertisements look jacked straight out of old school SL!

Okay so, before this blog turns into a complete "I hate Kayliwulf" blog... I better stop. But before I do, I should mention that they've come up with something new. I've not seen this little number anywhere. They've made Boob balloons. That's right, if you like looking cheap, and want that elephantitus of the tit- jugs that could make Dolly herself keel over with "ugh"... then this is the place for you!

Quality, not quantity?I will admit that KK DOES have a few acceptable pieces. Their corsets are pretty good, and I have an older outfit that was gifted to me a long time ago (circa 2008) that originally was called "master's desire" but is now sold as "Domino Delight".*pictured above* But that's about the best I can say for KK. And that's sad when a designer can't move up with the technology available, or improve beyond their first works. I won't even get into their boots... Picture's worth a 1000 words.

So all of that hateration aside.... lets move on to happier topics.... Hugo's Designs - I ADORE their latex designs. Simple, Unique looks that are "finished". IE, it doesn't look like the color just STOPS. There's some kind of visual break so the thing doesn't look painted there. It looks like a garment. It looks feasable to be worn in Real life, the lacey texture to it doesn't look like a mess, you can clearly identify what it is! Hugo's does latex in SL the way it SHOULD be done for today's highly competitive fashion world.

BTW I do in fact own a couple HD fashions. The Soma is fantastic and is only L495!!! But the BEST thing about HD, is the unique and HIGHLY DETAILED textures. My picture is just an example of some of HD's items for sale... Go there, and view all of it for yourself. See what a GOOD Latex creator can bring to the table...

Latex Station. I love latex station because they're not afraid to experiment. The concepts Latex Station has brought to the table range from the normal to the fantastical! You have to see it for yourself to believe it. I honestly can't do the store justice, it's HUGE, but here's a quick shot I took while I was there...

So, with that, to summarize... Corsets, Okay at KK.... Hugo's Designs and Latex Station are creating fashion forward admirable pieces fit for folks to wear and show off their kinky side at a reasonable price for the goods. Hi5 all of you, yeah even Kayliwulf, they did pioneer latex in SL after all...