Kitty by name, Kittycat by nature..

Kitty by name, Kittycat by nature..

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Last year, I left the world of virtual breedables behind. It was too pricey for me at the time, and like most people I’d got caught up in the whirlwind of Wildwoods, Ozimals, Amarettos and Kittycats to the point of it becoming silly.  It was costing me an arm and a leg too; so reluctantly I put the whole enterprise behind me and concentrated on real life for a change.  

But here’s the thing; breedables are fun. They are engaging in a way that lovers of Tamagotchi will remember; that virtual pet craze that got millions hooked. And once they get under your skin they can be hard to leave behind..as I discovered recently when I perused the Kittycats website again.

They’ve become even more appealling than they were before, but it’s not just the cats themselves, even though there are more breeds, more traits to breed for and more interaction options for cat owners to enjoy. It’s the package as a whole, and the new facilities that have been created meaning that you actually get a lot more Kittycat for your Linden dollar!

Get this: You can actually keep your cats online now, rather than take up valuable space in-world, and still feed them and breed them! I know right? No more land cluttered with a clowder of cats and no room for anything else. you don’t have to be logged in-world either, you can check out how your cats are doing from the office or even on your I-pad while you sit on the loo!  It’s a spectacular innovation and proves that the people behind Kittycats not only have the right approach to the breedable product, but  it also shows genuine care and passion for it too. 

Another brilliant idea is the Menagerie; where you can send your cats on a one-way trip (ahem!) and redeem them for Kitty dollars which can then be used towards purchasing special items. This function also serves as a way to keep the market fresh; meaning the grid is (in theory at least) not as flooded with cats as it could be, and this of course also enables breeders to still get fair prices for their Kittycats on the secondary market.

Last but not least there’s a pedigree function on the website, replete with visuals so that you can totally trace the heritage of your cat. It’s incredibly well laid out, lovely to look at and easy to understand, and you don’t pay any extra for it either.

So with all these new experiences to enjoy I relented to my inner urges and I treated myself to a couple of cats again, and I must confess, I’m really enjoying having them around:) Gone are the days when I would hatch loads of kitten crates though. I’ll be keeping to two (a boy and a girl) and hopefully I’ll breed something extra special from them. In the meantime, I’m trying to avoid the mainland store. I’ve seen the tigers there! Holy moly, they’re super cute and would look perfect with my decor, but cost oodles of Lindens so are a bit out of my price range. No matter-I’m busily enjoying Damon and Georgie’s company and am really glad I decided to become a Kittycatter again!

Kittywitchin’ changes afoot!

Kittywitchin’ changes afoot!

Because I work in RL (4 days a week, 12 hour shifts, yay me!) it leaves very little time for me to do other things (including Second Life) and I’ve been a tad neglectful of the blog recently.

This vexes me. I don’t like being vexed. So to try and amend this I’m going to change the way I blog;have no fear, Kittywitchin will still be as random as ever, but you’ll see more posts featuring my Bloghud (A fab wee gadget, every blogger should have one!)

This gadget will enable me to do quick posts with pictures for things I find and want to share immediately before I forget and go off and do something else entirely. It happens like that when you get to my age. (Have I had my breakfast? Am I with my family?)  

Of course I’ll still do bigger postings featuring larger pictures focusing on just one or two items, but I’m hoping using the Bloghud will help me bridge the gaps and keep the content fresh and funky, rather than like week-old custard. (Y’know a bit slimy and green round the edges, with the kind of smell that you can only find in the depths of your belly button. Stick your finger in, go on..now take it out and sniff. Yes, THAT smell….ooof!)

Kitty <3's CONCRETE FLOWERS

Kitty <3's CONCRETE FLOWERS

CONCRETE FLOWERS is absolutely one of my absolute favourite places to visit in all of Second Life.   I‘ve unashamedly raved about it before but I care not a jot and I‘m going to do it again because it‘s such an amazing wee gem of a place. It’s such a warm, earthy welcoming store; eccentric, eclectic and with a touch of the esoteric thrown in for good measure it’s not so much a store, as an experience  (Ooh check out Kitty with the big words!) so much so that I just have to keep going back there to see what’s new.

How best to describe? Well, If Concrete Flowers was an item of clothing it would be your favourite sweater. You know the one I mean, the warmest winter woolly you own and have worn to death for years. It’s starting to fall apart at the seams a bit, but you don’t care because you just love it and wearing it changes the way you feel. You could be bunged up with the world’s worst cold and snot dribbling down your chin but you know that if you were wearing your special jumper you’d feel all the better for it; you get my drift? Well Concrete Flowers is that kind of store, for me anyway. And I really hope that it will be for youJ

So why does Concrete Flowers make me feel this way? Because it sells some of the loveliest, well made items on the grid, as well as some of the rudest. It’s a store of contradiction and all the stronger for it, and has a uniqueness that you won’t see repeated often across the grid.

Let’s say you have friends moving into a new virtual home. This is a great place to find a gift; you can find some corking homewares on sale here (although items are no transfer, so you’ll have to contact Lynaja Bade to arrange delivery)
So what about the pressies?. Well, you can’t go wrong with plants, and there are some beauties on sale here. I really love the imaginative ‘Succulents Selection Hanger’ which features tiny buckets suspended by string from an old coat hanger; each bucket holding a different succulent plant. It’s uber-cute and just L$99.

Look around and you’ll also discover Snowdrops and Aloe Vera in old tattered teacups which would look splendid on a kitchen window ledge. There are also a number of large planters, my particular favourite being the Dandelion Love Vase which would look great on your virtual doorstep; it’s very pretty and whimsical. Something a little more quirky is the ‘Pet Snails’ set; this is a large brandy glass acting as a home environment for, well you guessed it, a variety of snails. A great decorative item that I totally adore and it’s just L$99.

If you’re looking for textiles and sturdier items then you’ll discover a worthy selection of rugs, beds and furniture here; including a must have for any Witchy home, the ‘Broom Candle Swing’. There’s also one of the most beautiful kitchens that I have ever seen in Second Life; ‘The Country Kitchen’ which is breathtaking in detail and presentation, and would look resplendent in any home ( real life or second) Oh, and if you’re looking for a place to put your kitchen, Concrete Flowers also sell some sublime skyboxes too.

The store  also sells a fantastic selection of clothing items; everything in this store is so well made and so adorable that it’s hard not to want to buy the store up in its entirety in one trip. The majority of the clothing, with the exception of some deck shoes and tees, is aimed towards the Autumn/Winter seasons, There are also really quirky clothing items on sale here too; many of them aimed at the Autum/Winter seasons, but not that it matters seeing as this is Second Life and it can be any bloody season you wish. I challenge you to find a better selection of leggings on the grid, and if you’re a fella I’ve never seen such corking boxer shorts in-world! I’m glad to see that they still sell an old favourite of mine too; the ‘Bean’ cardigan which is quintessential Autumn wearing with it’s cosy chunky feel a tasselled fringe. It works perfectly with the Flidais flats which look cosy and sport a fetching leafy motif, and with a fatpack of five pairs costing just L$125 you’d be daft not to add these to your wardrobe. I was delighted to find a selection of toe socks on sale as well; and I must say that they’re ruddy fabulous with great detail and pattern choices.

During my visit I also spotted some lovely jewellery just right for Summer: The Shelly bracelet and necklace would look fabulous worn with your bikini and not much else on the virtual sands. I love the fact that they come in male and female versions too.

Moving onto the more comedic items and props. Well, what can I say except they have to be seen to be believed? I never thought I’d find a need to have an ass flute, and check out Granny’s Sippy Cup. You’ll never look at Granny in the same way again!

Like everything else on sale in Concrete Flowers, just because these are ‘fun’ items don’t think they’re any less well-made. There’s just as much love and attention gone into making them as anything else in the rest of the store, and I defy you to walk away from the wall without a purchase to amuse yourself and your friends.

A final note, Concrete Flowers will be taking part in the ‘Depraved Summer Love’ hunt from June 15th-July 15th but if you can’t wait that long for a pressie and it’s your Rez Day, then pop into the store and click the sign by the entrance for a wee giftie.

Concrete Flowers…what’s not to love?

(Oh, btw it’s on a sim called Pickle as well..there’s another reason that it rawks!)

Kitty’s Essential Purchases:

  • Rugs in various designs/shades L$77 each
  • Flidais Flats L$25 per pair/ L$125 fat pack
  • Toe Socks in various designs/shades L$129 per pair
  • Bean Cardigan L$25 / fatpack L$250
  • Shelly Bracelet L$111 and Shelly Necklace L$111
  • Throwable Snuggle Birds L$90
  • A Cup of Dildo (ahem!) L$20
  • Succulents Selection Hangar L$99
  • Pet Snails L$99
  • Broom Candle Swing L$119

 I really hope this post encourages you to go and visit the store, and if you enjoyed your trip please feel free to post your comments below!

This is just the first of what I imagine will be many ‘Kitty Loves’ posts; question is, who will I be lovin’ next week?

Help save Shadow the sick kitty!

Help save Shadow the sick kitty!


Toast Bard has created this unique artwork to help save Shadow, an 11 year old black cat suffering from renal failure, who belongs to Katharine McGinnis owner of ‘Intrigue.’ (Katharine made the awesome cat frock I featured a few posts back:) All proceeds from sale of this print will go towards vet bills; and let’s face it, L$88 isn’t going to break the bank is it? (So I insist, dear readers, that you flock to Collabor88 and purchase said print, even if it’s not your style and you won’t hang it anywhere.) Think of the kitty:) You can read more about Shadow HERE
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