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

If you are not a member of Agnes Finney’s My Precious group, you can pick up the blue gown above for 1L. However, if you are a member of Agnes Finney’s My Precious group, you can pick up the blue gown for 1L and then pick up the pink version below for free. Now that’s what I call a deal.

I love the delicate simplicity of these gowns with their empire design and the drop sleeves that leave the shoulders bare to invite a kiss. I love the flaring skirts, the translucent fabric, and the pastel colors. I love the way the neckline lets the focus be on my jewelry. (I’m sure Alienbear Gupte appreciates that too.)

The lines and texture of the gowns may be simple, but they are also elegant and I feel like royalty.

Are you still here? Go–get your gowns–here’s the limousine to My Precious. Here’s the limousine to Alienbear Designs–her annual sale  is going on for a few more days.

I’m working to improve the quality of my photos. Comments and suggestions are welcome.

Style Sheet

Gowns: My Precious–In Love Gowns (Blue Public Gift 1L/Pink Group Gift 0L)

Jewelry: Alienbear Designs–Princess Felicity Sets (lavpink and babyblue/50% off sale 190L/each set)

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

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

Hair: booN–JUN762 hair (Blonde) (200L) and booN hairpiece DARE82 (Blonde) (200L)

Eyes: InSight Eyes–Stars (75L)

Eyelashes: Amacci–Diva (125L)

Poses: Striking Poses (50L/pose)

Simone Stern has come out with some new choices for brides, and I’m reminded that one of the most popular days of the year for marrying–Valentine’s Day–is just around the corner. The color could be described as champagne–perfect for a wedding celebration. The strapless bodice and upper skirt have lovely lace textures. The same lacy texture is in the veil and the overlay of one of the skirts. The gown comes with four skirt choices–I’ve made no secret of the fact that I love options in clothing, and that includes options in the style of skirt. For the ceremony itself, I might wear the Serenity Belle Skirt with Train or the Serenity Belle Skirt with Train and Overlay then switch to the Serenity Slender Skirt with Train or the Serenity Belle Skirt Solid either of which would be great for dancing. I really like option of changing to something that is less likely to “whack” someone else while I’m dancing–okay, the skirt may just go through another avatar and not knock him off his feet, but I hate being swamped by a huge skirt. None of these skirts has such a long train that they will overwhelm my fellow dancers, but if the setting is crowded, a switch to a smaller skirt would be nice to have. The other thing about this gown is that if the veil is removed, the gown could be worn for any event with or without the opera-length gloves also have a lovely lace accent.  Simone really has a wonderful way with textures and little details.

Serenity Slender Skirt with Train

Serenity Belle Flex Skirt Solid

Serenity Belle Skirt with Train

Serenity Belle Skirt with Train and Overlay

Serenity Bridal Gown Closeup

Style Sheet

Gown: Simone! Wedding Shop–Serenity Bridal Gown Four Skirt Set (1250L)

Earrings: Alienbear Designs–Miss Virtual World 2008 (Buy the entire set of Miss Virtual World 2008 jewelry for only 3,000L)

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

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

Hair: Diversity Hair–Delaney (Sunshine Blonde) (Naturals 6-pack/300L)

Eyes: InSight Eyes–Stars (75L)

Poses: Striking Poses (50L/pose)

Have you picked up the newest member gift from Bliss Couture? If not, rush over and get it now before you forget. It’s a beauty named Lavina. The fitted gown is topped by a strapless bodice and finished with a mermaid tail that flairs dramatically from just above the knees. The fabric is navy blue with a lovely red floral print and is perfect for the classic design of the gown itself. The gown is complemented by a pair of opera-length gloves. I’ve added jewelry from among the selection currently on sale for 50% off at Alienbear Designs. I feel gorgeous!

Off you go to Bliss Couture to pick up your member gift and Alienbear Designs to buy some jewelry while it’s still on sale.

Style Sheet

Gown: Bliss Couture–Lavina Gown (Bliss Dolls only–1L)

Necklace and Earring Set: Alienbear Designs–Platinum Queen Felicitas Set (50% off sale–300L)

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

Hair: Novocaine Hair at Truth–Antoinette (Silk) (1L–yes, that’s right–1L for the full pack)

Eyes: InSight Eyes–Stars (75L)

Poses: Striking Poses (50L/pose)

I fell in love with this gown when Agnes Finney introduced it at her second anniversary show at My Precious on December 26. While it was in my favorite color (red) then, it’s in two new colors now. Better yet, the blue and purple colors are 50% off until midnight. Ms. Finney has included two versions of the ruffle and the skirt–one resizable, the other not. I did a little resizing before I took pictures, however, I didn’t perfect them for my figure because I was in a hurry to get these photos posted so you could take advantage of the special price. (I’m also still learning to resize–I’m never quite sure whether I want something smaller or moved and if the answer is “moved,” which of the x, y, or z directions to take. If it were a simple prim, I could easily figure it out, but the prim has been shaped and turned, it’s a bit more difficult for me to figure out, especially when I’m using a menu and not editing the prim directly. The nice thing is that you can click on a button and if it’s the wrong one, you can click on the opposite to undo it. You can always reset it to start over again. If I were editing directly, reversing what I’d done would not always be easy. I suspect that’s why designers have begun to use resize scripts–a lot of us have destroyed skirts and asked for replacements because we couldn’t or didn’t make copies before beginning to edit.)

I assure you that taking a little time to get it just right is worth the effort. The dress is gorgeous no matter which color you select. Ms. Finney has once again used a delightful border print, and this one is a reminder of spring at a time when there’s snow outside for many of us. It’s a welcome reminder that green grass and roses will return in real life not too far in the future. I love the design of this gown. It’s a relatively simple design, but I adore simplicity. I love the full skirt and the upturned ruffle connected with a wonderful solid black bodice that highlights a slender midriff.  The gowns would look lovely with necklaces of sapphires, amethysts, or rubies. I tend to buy diamonds, like the earrings I’ve added here, but I’m going to make a trip to Alienbear Design to find necklaces and earrings in the right gemstones. Since most of Alienbear’s designs are on 50% sale right now, I can afford appropriate gemstones for each gown.

Shopping time!

Style Sheet

Gowns: My Precious–The Rose Purple (50% off 480L), The Rose Blue (50% off 480L), The Rose Red (850L)

Earrings: Alienbear Design–VernaRosa (50% off 75L)

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

Hair: TRITH–Chelsea (Dune) (Sale price 200L/fat pack)

Eyes: InSight Eyes–Stars (75L)

Eyelashes: Amacci–Diva (125L)

Fingernails: Talon Faire–Prim Fingernails Light Wave (200L)

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

Poses: Striking Poses (50L/pose)

January 2nd was a busy day for the lovely ladies vying for the title of My Precious Queen. Each had won the right to compete after winning the monthly title of My Precious Royal Princess. They appeared in two rounds. First they modeled a cocktail dress designed by Agnes Finney accessorized in any way they liked. When they were in front of the judges, they explained what they would do to represent My Precious if they were chosen Queen. During the second round, they wore gowns designed by Agnes Finney accessorized in their own style. Each contestant answered a question that related to My Precious. When the judges made their final decisions, the ladies were called back to the stage where the winners were announced.

My Precious Queen 2009 Janina Scarmon

2nd Place Winner Julia Brand

3rd Place Winner Ireland Anthony

Judges for the event were Will Finney from My Precious; Alienbear Gupte owner and designer of Alienbear Design; Sykao Adamski, owner and designer of Entre Mares Designs; Mui Mukerji, of Alienbear Design; Rusch Raymaker, Founder and CEO of Avenue, Inc.; Jesika Centepomi, Chief Market Officer of Avenue, Inc.; and Agnes Finney, owner and designer of My Precious. Providing music for the event was Jezzika Debevec, one of the best DJs in SL.

Interested in entering the event for next year? It’s never too early to enter…the January entries are being accepted now. Pick up a set of the new rules at My Precious today.

A few months ago I received a lovely pearl necklace with a locket from Kesseret Steeplechase of KessKreations. There was a choice between gold and I’m embarrassed that it has taken me this long to write about such a lovely necklace–especially since I was able to put a picture of my sweetheart in it. I really like being able to wear a likeness of him close to my heart and yet keep it hidden from people I don’t know. Putting the picture in was really simple.

Step 1 Rez the necklace.

Step 2 Turn your camera around. You don’t want to have to readjust the necklace once you have taken it back into your inventory, so just move your camera over and around so that you can see the front.

Step 3 Open the locket by clicking on it.

Step 4 Drag a picture of your choice onto the KressKreations logo in the middle. You have to have permissions to copy the photo or you will get a locked icon–something I learned while working with it.

Step 5 Take it back into your inventory and wear. (I apologize to Kesseret for not having the necklace perfectly fitted; it’s really very easy to do, I just didn’t notice until after I was editing the photos.)

If you know how to build, you can also use the menu to add the texture while you’re wearing it without the need to rez the necklace. Either way is pretty simple, even for a beginner.

Style Sheet

Necklace: KessKreations–Amly White Pearl Necklace (200L) (copyable)

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

Hair: TRUTH–Lillian (Dune) (250L/5-pack)

Eyes: InSight Eyes–Stars (75L)

Dress: My Precious–Glam (Black) (Soon-to-be-released)

Poses: Striking Poses (50L/Pose)

When Tracy Rubble began Trubble almost two years ago, I’m sure she had no idea how prophetic that name would be. In the last year Ms. Rubble has had more than her share of trouble. First, there was a personal issue that kept her out of SL for a few weeks. Then she dropped her computer–smack and crack! She was able to get it repaired enough to make it safe to use a bit but not repaired enough to use it as much as a designer needs to use her computer. While she can use her husband’s during the day for administrative matters, he doesn’t have the software she needs. Been there…done that…it’s no fun.

So, I was thinking that we might be able to help a little bit. Why not stop by Trubble and buy something? I’ve shown you below a few examples of her work. While you’re there, you can pick up the dollarbie and, by subscribing to her group, you can get a free gown. (When I asked if the gown were for new subscribers only, she told me yes–but pointed out that I could unsubscribe and then re-subscribe–thanks, Tracy.) You know, if everyone who reads this spends 250L in her shop, she might be able to get that computer tomorrow. Come on, I’ll make it easy for you–here’s the limousine.

Briony

Swan

Claudette

Yvette

Rebecca

Lillian

Style Sheet

Design 1: Trubble–Briony (595L)

Design 2: Trubble–Swan (499L)

Design 3: Trubble–Claudette (375L)

Design 4: Trubble–Yvette (315L)

Design 5: Trubble–Rebecca (August Dollarbie–1L)

Design 6: Trubble–Lillian (Subscirbe Gift–0L)

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

Skin: CUPCAKES–Seduction v.2 (Copper/Dark Love)

Hair: Truth–Evi (Barley) (250L/5-pack)

Eyes: InSight Eyes–Stars (75L)

Eyelashes: Amacci–Diva (125L)

Poses: Striking Poses (50L/per pose)

If you aren’t a member of the Simone Design Group, you don’t know it, but every time Simone’s designs are blogged, she sends out a group gift. Sometimes the gift is a blouse or a pair of pants or maybe a sweater, but her latest group gift is a copy of a yet-to-be-released gown, Firena. The gift is in response to the blog entry from yesterday A Simone! Moment.

Below is what Simone Stern stuffed into the box: bodice on three layers, glitch pants on both layers, stockings, system skirt, belle skirt with train, split skirt, princess skirt, slender skirt with fan train, and short skirt. The color is such a beautiful, deep blue that is perfect with the silver accents at the waist and shoulder. There is a skirt for any occasion–maybe you should consider joining and digging around in past notices. Then be sure to stay in to await the next gift and notices for sales and other events.

Oh, by the way, I don’t know what colors Simone will bring out in this gown, but you can be sure it will be several. So if you aren’t a fan of this beautiful blue, watch for more–they just won’t be free.

Style Sheet

Gown: Simone! Firena (Yet-to-be-released gown) (Group Gift)

Earrings: Alyssa Bijoux Jewelry–Diamond Burst Earrings (250L)

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

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

Hair: TRUTH–Lillian (250L/5-pack)

Eyes: InSight Eyes–Stars (75L)

Eyelashes: Amacci–Diva (125L)

Fingernails: Talon Faire–Prim Fingernails Light Waves (200L)

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

Poses: Striking Poses (50L/Pose)

If you haven’t stopped by Agnes Finney’s store My Precious lately, you should. She has opened a new store in front of the old one, so you’ll want to stop in, explore, buy several of her delightful gowns, and pick up the five current specials. I love them all of the specials. The gowns/dresses mentioned in this entry are at the front of the store. If you want the member specials, you need to join the in-world group. The joiner is right up front. There are two signs–the one with the pink background is for the in-world group you need to join to get group prices. The one with the lavender background is for the update group; it doesn’t take up a group space, but you can’t get group member prices either. Right behind the sign are the specials I mention below.

Agnes Christell New Members

The two Christell gowns available at My Precious have a lovely pattern that just fascinates me and colors that I love. The neckline is perfect for the Alienbear Princess Yukiko Necklace I’ve added along with the matching necklace and bracelet, and they are on sale for 50% at Alienbear right now.

Agnes Chistelle New Year (VIP)

My Butterfly Princess

The Butterfly Princess dress is a beautiful gossamer that has the prettiest combination of colors. I love the whole bouquet of flowers on the front bodice and the feeling that I might float off at any moment. Pop over to My Precious to pick up this cutey that I’ve paired with Alienbear’s Kriscar II Earrings that are indeed on sale right now for 50% off, even better, they come with a necklace that I didn’t wear here because the dress doesn’t really need a necklace.

Agnes Beautiful Dream for Member

Anges’ My Precious Beautiful Dream gown is the fourth special. It’s a bit more expensive at 50L, but she has redesigned the skirt so that it is editable. This has long been a favorite gown of mine because of the color, and now that I can edit the skirt, I like it even more. I’ve worn the Alienbear VernaRosa necklace and earrings that are on sale for 50% off right now.

My Precious Babe Red

Last, but certainly not least, is this delightful My Precious Babe dress in red. I like everything about this dress, even the 50L price. I adore red and the texturing and shading really enhance the color. I love the two-tiered skirt. I love the princess neckline because it lends itself to so many necklace choices. For this dress I selected the Alienbear Platinum Queen Felicitas Set that is on sale for 50% off.

Alienbear Sale

Once you’ve picked up the specials at My Precious, you’ll want to stop by Alienbear. If you didn’t catch it earlier, Alienbear is having a 50% off sale on most of her jewelry. This is an annual event and one you don’t want to miss. To help you get there, I’ve provided a limousine. Have fun!

Style Sheet

Gown 1: My Precious–Agnes Christelle New Members (1L)

Gown 2: My Precious–Agnes Chistelle New Year (VIP) (1L)

Jewelry: Alienbear–Princess Yukiko Necklace (White) (50% Off Sale/175L)), Yukiko Earrings (White) (50% Off  Sale/75L), Yukiko Bracelets (50% Off Sale/125L)

Gown 3: My Precious–My Butterfly Princess (5L)

Earrings: Alienbear–KrisCar II Earrings (comes in set with necklace) (White) (50% Off Sale/200L)

Gown 4: My Precious–Agnes Beautiful Dream for Member (50L)

Jewelry: Alienbear–VernaRosa Necklace (White) (50% Off Sale/200L), VernaRosa Earrings (White) (50% Off Sale/75L)

Gown 5: My Precious–My Precious Babe Red (50L)

Jewelry: Alienbear–Platinum Queen Felicitas Set (White) (50% Off Sale/300L)

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

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

Hair: TRUTH–Lucy (Platinum) (Sale price 200L/fat pack)

Eyes: InSight Eyes–Stars (75L)

Poses: Striking Poses (50L/pose)

Simone Stern is one of those designers with a gift for textures. Her new gown, Moment, demonstrates this talent beautifully. Just take a look at the details along the top of the bodice, down the front, across the back, and at the top of the gloves. In addition, there is lots of shading that adds depth; the darker shading at the bottom of the skirt is subtle but especially effective. The translucence of the skirts results in a nice visual effect anytime they are moved. Simone also adds lots of choices in skirts all in the same package. You get the belle skirt that has a train, the princess skirt, the slender fan skirt with train, the slit skirt, and the system skirt. That’s a lot of choices and lets you change skirts depending on the occasion. Furthermore, Simone provides you with not one or two but nine different options in color! Every color of gown comes with every skirt option, but I’m just showing you samples. Finally, she provides items on as many layers as possible, and that allows you to add a fur stole or whatever you like. You will find the gown along the back wall at Style Starts Here, but making a decision about which color to buy is going to be really tough–well, may not too tough if you’re on a budget, start with the gold which is only 400L for a limited time. The rest of the colors are 800L but worth more!

Simone! Moment Closeup

Simone! Moment Belle Skirt with Train

Simone! Moment Princess Skirt

Simone! Moment Slender Fan Skirt with Train

Simone! Moment Slit Skirt

Simone! Moment System Skirt

Style Sheet

Gown: Simone!--Moment Gown–(nine colors/800L per color)

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

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

Hair: TRUTH–Lillian (Dune) (250L/5-pack)

Eyes: InSight Eyes–Stars (75L)

Eyelashes: Amacci–Diva (125L)

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

Poses: Striking Poses (50L/Pose)