Dot Lane Raids Kikis Closet

Yesterday I posted some of the free and inexpensive items I found during my tour of Japanese and Korean (I think some were Korean) malls and stores here in SL. There were several stores where I would have bought many more things but as a girl on a budget I couldn't afford to satisfy my shopping lust. I did bring myself to buy a few outfits from kikis closet however, because I was struck by the eye for detail and the sense of fun evident in the clothes. You'll see some expensive (relatively) outfits below, mixed in with some freebies. A few notes for you hardcore shoppers: the skins are Tete a Pied's Vivant in either the "Biba" or "Pin-Up" style, except where noted. The hair is by Calla, with the exception of the last picture which is the "Jenny" model from Bossa Nova. You'll see a free t-shirt from Hanauta, which I blogged about yesterday. I took the photos in Helena's photosphere, but please don't tell her. As always, click on the photos to enlarge them to see me in all my glory.

Enjoy!

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"Handsome" Full Length View

"Handsome" Stocking Detail View

"Handsome" Profile View

"Handsome" is a stylish pink tweed ensemble trimmed in fur suitable for all kinds of events, with the ribbon detail on the left stocking providing a hint of mystery. It cost 120L, and includes everything you see except the shoes.

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"Cynical"

'"Cynical" Showing Stocking Detail

"Cynical" Back View

An outfit called "Cynical"? How could I not buy this immediately? There are three different tops, including the nack strapped version you see above and an unstrapped version. I believe the leather/lace combination isn't what Stevie Nicks had in mind when she sang that God-awful song because you've got both in the same outfit--who needs a guy? Like "Handsome", the left stocking top has a little belted detail for added interest. Oddly enough, the top half and bottom half are sold separately, for 80L and 70L respectively. Except for my collar and shoes, everything you see is included with the outfit.

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"LoveRabbi" Shorts

"LoveRabbi" Shorts with "T-Heart Ladys"

"LoveRabbi" Shorts from the Rear
(the tail does turn into a puffball when SL decides to actually rez it properly)

"T Heart Ladys" Back View

The tank top is free, the LoveRabbi (that's not a typo, and no, this isn't supposed to be a tzitzit) shorts were 50L. I love the safety pins and the fact that the rabbit looks as if it is going to go for your neck. I only wish the cute little tail had rezzed properly, but what can you do?


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"DogRace" Collar

Why another collar? Why not? This one will be perfect for formal dresses as the chain dangles nicely down one's cleavage. What's that? You're disappointed that there isn't any cleavage in this photo? What have you done for me that makes you think you deserve to see it?
That's what I thought.


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"Fuka Fuka Hones" (skin by Tuli)

I switched to blonde so you could see the details of these headphones which apparently double as ear muffs. Perfect sound and soft fur make these a natural for winter. Did I mention that they're free? Free I tells ya!

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Kimono 2008, Full Length

Kimono 2008, Back View

Kimono 2008, Close Up

I don't have much to say about the kimono except that it looks stunning. It is a free gift from Kikis Closet.

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"RinRin"

This item says it is from cafe & shop Rin, but you will find at Kikis Closet. Another freebie, but beautifully made.


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A First Class Ticket to Beauty

The Station Entrance at Fleur

Waiting For My Train

On the Platform--Where are the Pullman Porters?

In the Dining Car--I Haven't Even Started Dinner and the Wine Is Half Gone!

In the Dining Car, Showing the Tete a Pied "Fleur" Skin in Blush


Skating Near the Fleur/Nouveau Border

(click all photos to enlarge)

In the past month or so several amazing sims and stores have opened. I'm particularly taken with Le Zoo, the Fashion Victim HQ sim, and the skating rink at Chapeau Tres Mignon. In a world where too many places resemble strip malls in Florida, these three have stood out as places I want to visit again and again. To this list I'm adding Fleur, the new home of Tete a Pied.

Fleur takes its inspiration from the golden age of rail travel, leading the visitor through a series of landscapes, utilizing a clever trick. One enters the train station via a gleaming reception hall, with the ticket counter before you and departure lounges to your left and right. The vaulted ceiling departure lounges display Tete a Pied's skins and clothes, which I have raved about before. Once your train is called, you head to the platform and board a Pullman coach. I quickly found my seat and the trip started. I had dinner (well, most of a bottle of wine, really) in the dining car which made me feel like Eva Marie Saint in North by Northwest, (see Eva Marie Saint on the train here) surrounded by elegance as the night lights flashed by outside. I woke up the next morning, disembarked at the Nouveau Station, and found myself in an alpine setting. I changed my clothes and was ready to ice skate.

The attention to detail in the sim is first class, from the little enameled plaques on the front of the station which read "Place du Gare" to the news stand displaying magazines which link to various SL fashion sites (perhaps you'll see me there someday!) and the furnishings in the station and on the train. The concept of having one simply walk through a train to get from one station to another station (the train doesn't actually move) is intuitive and seems like it should be obvious, but I've never seen it in SL before. Congratulations to CJ Carnot and Roslin Petion for executing such a compelling vision of what SL can be.

Oh, um the clothes I'm wearing. Right. Let's see....in the departure lounge I'm wearing CKS Designs "Beat" outfit and Shiny Things "Lolli" shoes. The gown in the dining car is "Stella" from Bossa Nova. Ice skating is the "Annabel" sweater, tank, and tights from CKS Designs with a green a-line skirt from WRONG. Hair by Calla, the skin is the Tete a Pied "Fleur" in blush, the collar is from Eat Rice. The vintage suitcase is from Argyle (and to think that I thought I wouldn't have a use for it--ha!) The skates were free.

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Selby Snow Ball

Selby Snow Ball Outfit: "Stella" from Bossa Nova

Close Up Showing the Tuli S4 Skin in Cream/Frost

The Morning After: Reflecting Dreamily at the Selby Waffle Cabin

Last night was the Selby Snow Ball which meant an excuse to put on a gown and shake a tail feather. I quickly threw on Bossa Nova's "Stella" gown and the Tuli S4 cream/frost skin* and then helped (and by helped I mean "sat around and made catty comments") while Kit chose a dress and hair. Kit has, how should I put it, a little "problem" with hair. No, we're not talking about a personal grooming failure, rather she has paralysis by choice issues. When I picture Kit's inventory in my mind all I can think of is the government warehouse at the closing scene of Raiders of the Lost Ark. How she can find anything is beyond me, but she pulled out a perfect style, Tuber arrived, and off we went.

Now I don't consider myself a true Selbyite. I'm more of a hanger on, a groupie (minus the sexual favors thing) if you will, who loves coming to Selby events. How can I ever forget my ride on the sex hippo with Tuber at the Selby Halloween party? Why do I love Selby? Well, the witty repartee is a plus and everyone dresses to the nines. We covered llamas, zucchini, things one probably shouldn't lick, and a host of other issues while listening to the wonderful music provided by Sera. I met a charming RL writer wearing a dress from Ingenue and a good time was had by all. I still can't get over how much it felt like a winter formal--I didn't have a date and the room where we were dancing looked like a Holiday Inn ballroom. Ah, the memories! Thanks again to Joe and Sera for putting on another stellar event.

*The Tuli skin is available at Tuli's Le Zoo location, and was done especially for the opening of the sim. If you like it, hustle on over to pick it up. I love the frost detail! And ow that I look at myself with and without glasses, I'm reminded of Marilyn Monroe in "How to Marry a Millionaire"--doesn't she wear a gown like this in a scene?

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