I loves me some beach clothes. I live in Oregon and when I go to the beach here it’s in 17 layers and hiking boots. But I did go to college in Los Angeles and since I just recently graduated and moved back up here, I’m definitely missing my flip-flops and shorts days.
So I have a little secret obssession in Second Life… and that is habitually stalking beach-wear stores. I’ve tried to contain myself on this blog, but my inventory is bursting full of sarongs, shorts and boho dresses in giant flower patterns. It’s a sickness but I just can’t help myself. In real life it’s the middle of May and STILL RAINING. I love the Pacific Northwest, but L.A. has polluted (ha! ha! I made an elementary funny 
) my ability to withstand weather variation.
Therefore, I was absolutely thrilled when I popped into the Sand Shack Surf, Co. and found the most perfect summer dress ever:
The Kaylee dress has a kind of boho-sailor vibe, with is just fine with me. This is the Summer version, for $350L (a tad-bit spendy for my usual purchases, but I already outlined my compulsive need to buy summer clothing. I plead temporary insanity.) and it comes in three other versions. I actually like this dress better without the bows and I’m particularly partial to the hot seaming on the tush. More designers should place seams on the tush. It is undeniably chic and sexy.
The dress also comes with a mesh over jacket, which I like with outher outfits, but not with this dress. Which is why you don’t see it here, but you could see it in-world or at designer Emma Gilmour’s blog (see earlier link).
I am even more in love with the Hibiscus top (shown here in navy and teal) and Dune Jean Skirt. The top ($115L) is clearly a shading masterpiece and SCREAMS Santa Monica to me. I also adore the hibiscus flower in the subtle accent color on the tee. This top comes on jacket and tee layers but, alas, is only available in the shrug and tee composite. I like my clothes to mix-and-match, but I’ll forgive the top. It’s just too cute to stay angry at.
The Dune skirt (at $80L, much more friendly to the wallet) is FABULOUS. And let me tell you why. While I am often fond of the fabulous prim skirt offerings in SL, they are frequently of the pleated, multi-layered fabric variety. Which is fine and useful and wonderful. I’ve also found some mesh skirts that don’t make me immediately want to hurl. But what I’d really like in SL is a nice mini that does not make my caboose roughly the size of Indiana or take it’s inspiration from Lolita.
And in Dune I’ve finally found it! It is actually a prim skirt with a shorts layer… but the only prim part that sticks out is the little flap right in between the legs. Emma has done an amazing job of lining up the zipper and seams on the prim layer and it REALLY looks like a seamless mini-skirt. It looks better at a distance, but even up close the details and seams are nearly flawless. Brava, Emma! Perhaps the best value in the entire store.
While this entry is already much longer text-wise than most of my entries I also have to throw some love to the accessories available at Sand Shack Surf, Co. Make sure you pick up the freebie basket at the entrance – it has a spectactular straw beach bag, a flexi-grass skirt (luaus here I come) and the piece d’resistance: a coconut thrower.
But my favorite accessories are pictured below:
Arm warmers, leg warmers and a kick-ass guitar case ($300L)! Doesn’t everyone love an av with a guitar strapped to her back? I sure do.
The excellently-textured arm warmers and leg warmers are not available as singles, but the entire pack of 7 colors will only cost you $250L. That’s for 14 items. You can do the math: I majored in English.
Oh and as an aside, I’ve been getting angry IMs from people who apparently tried to strike up a convo with me in-world about my blog and then I rudely disappeared! I’ve been crashing a bit lately because I’ve been using my old PC while a friend tests out my beloved Mac, so I’m sorry if I give you the silent treatment. I don’t mean it. Sowwy.
Credits
- All Clothes: Sand Shack Surf, Co.
- Hair: Sleek in Carrot by Celestial Studios – group freebie!
- Shoes: Garden Party Wedge by Anjo’s Adorables, Wrapped Stiletto Boots in Brown by Shiny Things
- Bangle: Hibiscus cuff by Sand Shack Surf, Co. ($75L)
- Necklace: BF Promo Beach Necklace by boing fromage – freebie!
- Skin: Pandora in Tone 3, Makeup 1b by Adam-n-Eve (sorry, it’s not coming off in the forseeable future)
must.have.The Kaylee dress.now….