Xen's Pen
Fashionable ramblings from Xenobia Foxclaw's virtual pen.

There are two very frustrating things about the annual Hair Fair: (1) crowds and (2) lag. The large crowds make it very difficult to get into the fair the first week. If you are patient, you can usually get in fairly easily the second week, but none of us really wants to wait–we want to get in as soon as it opens. (Be honest now–don’t you want to get in there as quickly as you possibly can to buy new hair?)

Once you finally manage to get into the sims, you can barely move. Part of it is due to all the prims everyone seems to think they need when looking for hair, many of which have scripts in them. All of that affects the performance of the sim and slows things down so that it seems like you are trying to walk through thick gelatin. Good grief, people, wear the bare minimum and leave your high-prim-scripted-hair at home. If you must have hair and your skin doesn’t have a hairbase, get one of the hairbase tattoos. (Amacci, Miamai, Tiny Bird, and W&Y have tattoo hairbases.) If everyone would do that, it would be easier to get around and you might be able to get one of the demos to rez in less than half an hour.

I recently joined the Hair Fair DEMO Group. It’s a group that is free to join but, of course, requires that you have a group space available. The wonderful benefit of this group is that you get a lot of the demos of hairs that will be available at the fair. That means you can try them on at home where they will rez quickly and go to the Hair Fair to buy them. I love that! All of the photos will feature demos.

I’m going to do a few short blog entries that feature hairs I think I have to have. I’m making my list and checking it twice. (I got that line from Santa himself.) When the Hair Fair opens, I’ll be there–as soon as I can get in. I’ve been saving my Lindens just for this event. Here are the first two on my list.

!Ohmai Salon

!SyDS! Hair

Style Sheet

First Photo Hair

Second Photo Hair

Both Photos Other

When I first saw the illustrations of this amazing gown, I was dazzled.

Maybe it’s because there are two skirt options and three bodice options with sleeves on two of them that have ruffles or not.

Maybe it’s because everything but the lace is sheer.

Maybe it’s because I love lace, and Agnes Finney’s lace bits are strategically placed, or maybe it’s because I’ve always had a fascination with dragons and, whether she meant to or not, it looks like there’s a lacy dragon’s head on the upper right thigh.

Maybe it’s because this outfit is just down right sexy. (By the way, you won’t find this one on the vendor illustration.) (Don’t tell Ms. Finney, but I think this bodysuit is my favorite part.)

I haven’t shown this to my sweetie yet, but when I do, it’s going to be with no skirt and no ruffles to get in the way. I think he’ll love it. What do you think? It’s Agnes Finney’s newest gown (and bodysuit)—Narcisse.

Style Sheet

Gown: My Precious – Narcisse

Shoes: G Field -Short Ribbon Boots “Anna” (Black)

Skin: CUPCAKES – Seduction (Copper/Glitter)

Hair: Miamai – Hairbase (Brown) and Xeena Tail (Brown)

Eyelashes: Miamai – NoAlpha Lashes No3

Eyes: Silhouette – Marble (Blue)

Fingernails: Ema’s Secret – Princess2

Poses: Striking Poses

Model and Photographer: Xenobia Foxclaw

When I saw the gown Agnes Finney designed to honor Mui Mukerji, one of the top models in SL,  it was instant love. The lace bodice was beautiful and a bit daring with deep cuts in both front and back, and the pants with the bodice formed a body suit fit for a pinup girl. Add to that a filmy skirt and you have the perfect gown for a romantic evening with the one you love.

Such a beautiful gown, and yet I longed to remove the skirt and add some comfy jeans–go figure. The search for jeans was on because they couldn’t be any old jeans, they had to be jeans with lace. And it couldn’t be just any old lace, it had to be lace that looked good with the bodysuit.

I searched and searched and searched and searched. Weeks went by and I had searched at all of my usual places–sometimes more than once. I had also gone through my inventory–okay, it’s not as organized as it ought to be, but I tried on every pair of jeans I could find already there. No luck did I have.

Then, one day, when I least expected it–I found them. I had gone to AOHARU for the first time looking for something I had seen in another blog–I don’t even remember what it was I was looking for now. When I saw they had a nice selection of pants, I started looking. And there, amidst numerous other styles, I spotted them–the perfect pair or of jeans. They had been carefully designed with lace insets where they had obviously been mended after rough use, but that’s what I like, well-worn jeans because that’s when they’re at their softest. Each patch had stitching around it adding even more interest to the jeans. They were perfect, but they only had two choices with white lace, and I wanted (thought I must have) white lace.

I happily purchased the light blue and it was at this point where I needed to contact Agnes Finney and ask for a copy of the lace pants on the underpants layer. She kindly fulfilled my request, and I was very content until I started styling them. I discovered that I wasn’t entirely happy because it just didn’t fit the “fuzzy” picture in my head. So I went back and got the other choice with white lace–pink. For some reason, the older I get, the more I like pink, and pink was the right color because it inspired me to style.

Unfortunately, I’m not one of those lucky ladies who can just whip together an outfit. It takes me awhile. Sometimes weeks. I spent a lot of time trying on different items of clothing–jewelry, shoes, accessories, hair. I ended up with a pretty good luck that was still missing something. I showed it to a few trusted friends who concurred that what it needed was a jacket.

I tried on every jacket in my inventory. Searched some of my favorite stores. Turned my avi around in front of some jackets trying to picture how they would look on. In the end, I went back to AOHARU thinking they might have one in the same shade of pink. They have a lot of jackets to search through, but sure enough, there was a jacket that looked perfect.

Finally, with all of the major pieces selected, the outfit came together. It’s in my favorites folder because I love it. I love the look of lace and denim, the juxtaposition of formal and casual, and, of course, pink.

Style Sheet

Gown (Bodysuit): My Precious – Mui Gown

Jeans: AOHARU – Lace Crash Denim (Pink) (Includes belt)

Jacket: AOHARU – Roll Up Open Shirt (Pink)

Tie: DeLa – Ribbon “Keira”

Earrings: Cailyn’s Classic Jewelry- Safari Earrings (Pink Zebra)

Bracelet: Baubles Jewelry – Stoned Bangle Ironwood (Obsidian)

Shoes: G Field – Short Lace-Up Boots (Black)

Hair: TRUTH – Julia (Almond)

Skin: CUPCAKES – Seduction V2 (Copper/Glitter)

Eyes: Silhouette – Marble (Brown)

Eyelashes: Miamai – No Alpha Lashes No. 3

Poses: Striking Poses

Model and Photographer: Xenobia Foxclaw

Agnes Finney of My Precious has just come out with what may be her most flexible set yet–Brigitte. The bodice is a sexy white lace confection with deep Vs in the front and back. The shoulders are covered with sculpted cap sleeves that add a delightful dimension. Just beneath the breasts is a wide black belt that enhances a luxurious figure and that can be accented with either a front bow or a white pin of five large white pearls—each choice gives a very different and elegant feel. An additional option for the bodice waist is a short flounce that adds a sassy look.Slender skirts are black and are short or long.

The long skirt may be worn with a mermaid skirt that has a lacy white border print that compliments the white lace bodice. For a really formal feel, you can add a train to the mermaid skirt.

Style Sheet

Gown: My Precious–Brigitte

Shoes: G Field–Ribbon Slingback Shoes (Black)

Hair (casual): D!va Hair–Chika2 (Black Amber)

Hair (formal): Tukinowaguma–Jenny (Brown)

Skin: CUPCAKES–Seduction v2 (Copper/Obsession)

Fingernails: CaNDy NaiL–#021 (Clear Pink)

Eyes: MAI–Gift Eyes Vol. 1 (apparently no longer available)

Wheelchair: The Free Bazaar in Stillman–Wearable Wheelchair (0L)

Poses: Striking Poses

Model and Photographer: Xenobia Foxclaw

You don’t want to miss the July Fashion Show at My Precious on Saturday, July 17 at 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. SLT. You will be treated to gorgeous gowns from My Precious and Entre Mares,  joyous jewelry from Alienbear Designs, and chic shoes from Stiletto Moody.

Here is your limousine to My Precious Dream Runway.

Three or four times a year Agnes Finney adds a few carefully selected ladies to her group of models. Each month several My Precious Models have the opportunity to show Agnes’ delicious designs. What’s more, they receive jewelry gems from Alienbear Designs and chic shoes from Stiletto Moody. You could be one of those lucky models who show this amazing apparel. See below for more information on how to cast.

TP to My Precious now.

Kimmera Madison has been designing in SL for several years now and she has an impressive collection of clothing. I showed you a suit she had designed (and I love) recently. In this blog I’m going to share some other items from her shop. Some I have modeled in shows and some she sent me to review. The gown above is  called Aurora. I love the gold-on-silver color scheme–neither the gold nor the silver is bright–they are both sort of hazy colors. I also love that Ms. Madison draws all of her own textures–a gift that I envy.

Gown: Tres Beau–Aurora (Haze) (1000L)

Hair: CriCri–mShorto4-B (170L)

Earrings: CentoPallini–Pearl Flower + Heart Earrings (1L)

This gown, Tulip, is a very metallic silver texture with large black tulips forming a border print. The tulips are slightly abstract in nature, which partially explains why I wondered at the name of this gown. (I wore it in my first show for Sophisticated Secrets Modeling for a show i which the theme was blossoms.) I had been so taken with the amazing ruffle that I hadn’t noticed the tulips themselves. When I finally noticed the name of the gown, I went back to look closely at the entire gown and felt a little foolish that I hadn’t noticed the tulips before. I love the drama of this gown, and I can guarantee that you will get attention when you are in it.

Gown: Tres Beau–Tulip (800L)

Hair: Little Heaven–hair 13_rabi (Black) (200L)

Earrings: kraftika jewelry–Earring No. 124 pearls (200L/set)

Ring: Cailyn’s–Oval Stone Ring (Silver/Moonstone) (150L)

Exotique lives up to its name. It is exotic, but it’s also sexy, and it’s something I want to wear when I’m with my long-time beau who would think it was très beau indeed. The textures are so well don that I can almost feel the smooth satin of the skirt and the soft fur of the stole. In comes with everything you see except the jewelry–perfect for a romantic evening, don’t you think?

Gown: Tres Beau–Exotique ()

Hair: Mira Style–Riha (200L)

Necklace and Earrings: Alienbear–Princess Felicity (380L)

Bracelets: Alienbear–Yukiko (250L)

I always have the strangest urge to play with the eyelet ruffles on the back of these panties. This would be a marvelous addition to a trousseau–perhaps something to wear under a wedding gown with a full skirt. It even has the “something blue” in the little blue bows that many brides want to add to their ensembles. Speaking of wedding gowns…the gown below I wore for the grand opening fashion show at the new Fashion Institute on May 1.

Lingerie: Tres Beau–Eyelet (300L)

Hair: Uw.St--Anji type A (Cinnamon) (190L)

Shoes: Basevi Moda–Sculpted Stiletto Pumps (White) (140L)

I’m taking modeling classes at the Fashion Institute and have earned a position as Pro Model at Sophisticated Secrets Modeling–not an easy task. One of the things we are taught is how to write gown descriptions. (Yes, I know I’ve been doing that for months here in this blog, but I thought I’d share with you what I wrote for the show.)

“Xenobia joins us wearing Romance, a delightful bridal gown from Tres Beau that is perfect for the woman who wants to be simply elegant as she walks down the aisle. A princess-style neckline is the perfect choice for this intricately detailed white-lace-on-pale-pink bodice that is realisically shaded. The skirt, that may appear at first to be a solid fabric is actually layers of delicate white netting over more layers of the palest of pink satin. Xen’s neck is encircled in a choker of four strands of pearls with a pink floral clasp, and simple white pearl studs grace her ears. Her hair is adorned with white-and-pink lilies entwined with white netting above a white veil that flows to just beneath her waist. The gown is completed with pale pink opera length gloves. She makes a beautiful bride in Romance from Tres Beau.”

So there you have it–five outfits from Tres Beau that are very nice indeed. (“Tres beau” means “very nice” for those of you who, like me, do not speak French.) I would be remiss if I did not mention that Tres Beau is have a sale right now. Unfortunately, none of these items is on sale, but Ms. Madison has put many of her great designs in a special place for you to snap up. when you land at the region, look for one of the large red signs that will teleport you to the sale area.

Gown, Veil/Flowers, and Jewelry: Tres Beau–Romance (2000L)

Hair: Tukinowaguma–Deborah A (Ash) (300L)

All pictures:

Skin: CUPCAKES–Seduction (Copper) (800L)

Poses: Striking Poses (50L/pose)

Model and Photographer: Xenobia Foxclaw

Agens Finney has a special gown during her show that is available today only, so you’ll want to pop over and pay the 10L it costs. Don’t wait or it will be gone.

The lovely floral print and large sculpted flower make the name April Blossom perfect for this spring dress. At the show you’ll see gowns by Agnes Finney of My Precious and Sykao Adamski of Entre Mares as well as the amazing jewelry of Alienbear Gupte of Alienbear Designs. This is a show you will not want to miss.

The next show starts at 5:00 p.m., so come over and watch it–get there early as the region will probably be full. Click on the ad below for the SLURL.

You may have thought that Kimmera Madison, designer and owner of Tres Beau, only designed gorgeous gowns and dresses. However, her designs go far beyond that. I’m only going to share one outfit in this post, but it’s amazing indeed.

The design of this suit, New Soho, is remarkable. The stand-up collar is sculpted, and the challenging texture is well done. The pill-box hat is adorable, and the feathers on the side are the perfect touch of whimsy.

This suit is a classic with lots of details–careful shading, breast pockets, color-matched buttons, wide notched cuffs, a belt with a silver buckle, an optional peplum skirt for a little kick. She even added black gloves. All I needed to add were pearl a necklace and earrings and black pumps. I feel elegant in this suit and think my RL grandmother would have approved of this look. In fact, she could probably have reproduced it for me in RL as she was a talented seamstress, and this suit brought her quickly to mind.

I was so tickled with the look that I took a little trip to Tres Beau to do a little more shopping.

Style Sheet

Suit: Tres Beau–New Soho (500L)

Jewelry: .:: TBP ::. Tahitian Pearl Earrings and Necklace White) (apparently the designer is no longer active)

Shoes: Basevi Moda–Sculpted Stiletto Pumps (Black) (140L)

Skin: CUPCAKES–Seduction v.2 (Copper/Replica) (800L)

Hair: Bryce–Richie (Natural Browns/Bark) (200L)

Eyes: InSight Eyes–Stars (75L)

Poses: Striking Poses (50L/pose)

Model and Photographer: Xenobia Foxclaw

Agnes Finney of My Precious has been playing in a rose garden designing dresses, and the results are spectacular.

La Rose is a delightful dress to wear. I could almost smell the gentle scent of roses wafting about me as I took the photos which, by the way, don’t do the dresses justice. The colors are soft, the patterns subtle, the sculpted roses amazing. I love the large rose corsage on the left breast and the larger hair corsage that fit beautifully.

The colors in La Rose II are bolder as is the rose worn in the hair. I pulled out a dramatic hair style that I thought was the perfect match for the rose. This dress has a sash of roses that extends over the left shoulder. One of these dresses will be shown Saturday, April 24 at 9:00 a.m. SLT and again at 5:00 p.m. SLT at the next My Precious fashion show, so you can see it for yourself. There will be another rose gown that is equally spectacular, but I’m not going to show it here, if you want to see it, you’ll have to come to the store or to the show. Of course, at the show, you’re likely to get it at a discount, so if you’re watching your Linden dollars, you don’t want to miss it. Arrive early because the region tends to fill up.

Style Sheet

First Dress: My Precious–La Rose (850L/set)

Second Dress: My Precious–La Rose II (600L)

First Hair: Zero Style–*Salla*(Ginger Brown) (300L/Dark Pack)

Second Hair: Modern Gypsy–!Labieja! Donna (blanc) (150L) (The main location is temporarily closed for renovation.)

Skin: CUPCAKES–Seduction v.2 (Copper/Princess) (800L)

Eyes: Insight Eyes–Stars (75L)

Shoes: Basevi Moda Shoes–ColorChange Stiletto (295L/2 Pack or 445L/Megapack)

Poses: Striking Poses (50L/pose)

Model and Photographer: Xenobia Foxclaw