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

PNP has a new photo box that is the best I’ve tried. It has 19 poses that you can adjust  in all three dimensions. Of the ones I have tried, every one of them worked for my body and the outfit. That was a pleasant surprise. (In one of the poses I did find it necessary to use my Boot Fixer because my foot was at an unnatural angle, but the Boot Fixer worked beautifully to reposition my foot.)

The walls can be recolored in lots of different colors with a click, and the box is modifiable. The only thing you can’t modify is the script. That works for me, especially since I really don’t get scripting. (Ok, I understand the very, very basics, but I call on my partner when I need more than the very, very basics.)

I’m showing off an outfit from Graffitwear I’ve been trying to blog for a week now and just haven’t gotten photos I liked until now. Here you can see it at different angles and with different colors of background. There were lots more options.

What I didn’t do was get a closeup so you could clearly see the latest group gift from Yula Finesmith, the mesh boots from G Field, and the leopard hat from Xen’s Hats. What was I thinking? (Sigh)

I went back in and took some more photos so you could see the hat, necklace, and shoes a bit closer. The hat is one of six that that was on special this week. The great necklace was a group gift from Yula Finesmith and you get several colors. The boots are mesh and are color-change. For me everything was color-change because I bought the fatpack. You can change the color of the boot, the color of the trim, the color of the laces, and the color of the grommets. I had a lot of fun with these boots.

What Xenobia Is Wearing and Other Credits

Hat: Xen’s Hats—Leopard (also available in Cheetah, Jaguar, Tiger, White Leopard, & White Tiger)

Necklace: FineSmith—Heartless (Group Gift; you get several colors)

Outfit: Graffitiwear—Cheetah Chimera

Boots: G Field— Gina Lace-up Boots (Mesh) (Color-change Fatpack)

Tights: Sheer—Tights 02 Nylon (Black)

Skin: Belleza—Eriak (Sk 3)

Lip Gloss: blackLiquid Makeup—Blood Gloss (available soon)

Hair: Dura—Boys & Girls 24 (Black) (Edited a bit to fit)

Fingernails: FineSmith—Nails Solid (Black)

Eyes: Amacci—Emerald Eyes 3

Eyelashes: Miamai—No Alpha Lashes No. 6

Pose Prop: PNP—The Hot Box (Texture-change)

Ankle Straightner: Tatiana Niven—Boot Fixer (Available on SL Marketplace)

Model & Photographer: Xenobia Foxclaw

I chose this title for the post because it was the answer to a crossword puzzle clue in the newspaper this morning and it stuck with me. It seemed like a good reason to me. Although, here I go again showing you a great outfit by some of my favorite designers as well as a designer that is new to me.

I really wanted to show you this new scarf from My Precious’ designer Agnes Finney. You can get it in several different designs, but as I was opening items I had gotten recently to consider blogging, I found this dress from  Sweeter Than Candy that looked as if it had been made to go with the pattern of the scarf.

While Yula Finesmith’s new boots don’t come in the color “ocean,” they do come in  a green that has a blue undertone. I love the hearts on the heel of the boots; while they are appropriate for February, they don’t scream “Valentine’s Day,” so I can wear them year round.The gradient tights from Izzie’s, that I seem to be wearing a lot lately, also come in—you guessed it—ocean. I was on a roll that continued with the FineSmith’s bracelets and her nails.

The hat does not come in this color, but what’s better is that it comes with a hud that makes it easy to coordinate it with whatever you are wearing. So I recolored the hat in ocean and for the band I picked up a tan color that is also in the scarf. The Dura hair needed a bit of editing, but I love it with this hat.

What Xenobia Is Wearing and Other Credits

Hat: Xen’s Hats—Andre (Color-change)

Scarf: My Precious—Agnes With You Scarf (4)

Dress: Sweeter Than Candy—Chloe Dress (Ocean)

Bracelets: FineSmith—Dawn Bracelets (Ocean)

Tights: Izzie’s—Gradient Tights (Ocean)

Shoes: FineSmith—Candybird Boot (Green)

Skin: Belleza—Erika (Sk 7)

Hair: Dura—Boy 20 (Ash Brown)

Fingernails: FineSmith—Nails (Ocean)

Eyes: Amacci—Emerald Eyes  4

Eyelashes: Miamai—No Alpha Lashes No. 13

Poses: Manifeste Poses

Model & Photographer: Xenobia Foxclaw

Mankind has dreamed of flying since the sighting of the first flying animal. In real the dream has come true in ways too numerous to mention. But in SL, we merely need to select the option to fly. I have flown much less in SL than in real because, as I mentioned in an earlier post, I had to learn to walk and the only way to do it was to walk.

Now I’m pretty darn good at walking, so it’s time to fly and to fly in style. To do that, I donned one of Yula Finesmith’s latest designs—Heartology Wings from a set designed specifically for me. Even though the wings and jewelry were designed for men, they fit me just fine and I like them a lot. I’m also wearing her newest boots in Mustard that she calls Candybird because they are so sweet.

I wanted something a bit more daring than I usually wear, so I put on the new Baroque Corset and Funked Up Leggings in gold from Graffitiwear. I also topped the whole outfit with a hat I don’t often wear, but one I really like, the Mr. B bowler that I recolored using the handy hud.

What Xenobia Is Wearing and Other Credits

Hat: Xen’s Hats—Mr. B (Color-change)

Wings: FineSmith— Heartology Wings

Necklace: FineSmith—Heartology Male Necklace

Outfit: Graffitiwear—Baroque Corset Top & Funked Up Leggings (Gold)

Shoes: FineSmith—Candybird Boot (Mustard)

Skin: Belleza—Erika (Sk 2)

Lip Gloss: blackLiquid Makeup—Blood Gloss (Available Soon)

Hair: Exile—Rochelle (Coffee)

Fingernails: FineSmith—Nails (Golden)

Eyes: Amacci—Gaze Eyes (Gold Brown)

Eyelashes: Miamai—No Alpha Lashes N0. 6

Poses: PNP

Flying Poses: BehaviorBody Animations

Model & Photographer: Xenobia Foxclaw

Let’s face it, I am a “crazy cat lady.” In real I have ten cats—yes, that’s right ten, t-e-n, 10 cats. Yes, they are indoor cats. Yes, they have been spayed or neutered. No, they are not any special breed. One is an American Long Hair and nine are American Short Hairs—that’s a nice way of saying they are of indeterminate heritage. The oldest came from the local humane society, all of the others were strays. Yes, they are spoiled rotten. Yes, I can name them all—Topaz, Lori, Angel, Freddie, Alexander, Isabel, Rhubarb, Ishmael, Pip, and Bev.

They take a lot of my time, attention, and money. However, I wouldn’t get rid of any of them. On the one hand, I don’t want any critter in SL that requires any attention (e.g., needs to be petted, fed, exercised). I’ve done my part. On the other hand, there is a little bit of me that enjoys dressing as a feline on occasion. Such an occasion occurred recently when I received a neko outfit. I had fun completing the look.

Here are three of the photos I took while wandering around. I found a very high spot on the France 3D Courchevel sim that looked exactly like a place at least one of my cats, Lori, would climb and wait for me to walk by before leaping, claws extended, to land on my unprotected shoulders. Or where Ish would climb to chase his tail going around and around in circles until he fell off only to sit and bathe himself as though he meant to do that.

What Xenobia Is Wearing and Other Credits

Hat: Wait, what, I don’t have a hat on?! What’s that all about?

Outfit (including ears and tail): Beautiful Dirty Rich—Sweetie (Magenta)

Skin: Belleza—Erika (Fair 7)

Tattoo: Catseye—Tattoo Tiger(Colour-change)

Whiskers: Ephemeral Creations—Dora (brow, 22 whiskers) & Dora (nose, 36 whiskers)

Claws: FineSmith—DRAAKJE Spike Nails

Hair: Little Heaven—Hair 13 Rabi (White)

Eyes: Aimesi—CatEyes (Gold)

Eyelashes: Miamai—No Alpha Lashes N0. 6

Poses: Di’s Opera

Model & Photographer: Xenobia Foxclaw

Location: France 3D Courchevel

You may have guessed from the title that I watch Project Runway on TV. I do indeed, and I like Tim Gunn’s favorite line, “Make it work.” I was casting for a fashion show with a designer with whom I was unfamiliar—Faster PussyCat. I like to look at the work of any designer whose clothing I might be selected to show. I was impressed with this designer’s work. Many of her gowns come with gorgeous hats, and you know I am a bit partial to my own hats. I wanted one of her designs, so I bought a dress that didn’t have a hat and put one of my favorites with it, changing the color to coordinate with the dress.

I think Tim might like this outfit; I took a bit of a risk with it, but I think it works. I styled it with shoes, necklace and bracelet from FineSmith. The jewelry is part of one of the two sets Yula has at the Fan Limited store. She has similar sets at the store that are in different textures.

What Xenobia Is Wearing and Other Credits

Hat: Xen’s Hats—Andre (Color-change)

Jewelry: FineSmith—Chamonix Set (Wood/Onyx)

Dress: Faster PussyCat—Queen of Hearts Dress (Pale Turquoise)

Shoes: FineSmith—Kick! Spikes (Black)

Tights: B!ASTA—Dotty Sheer Tights (Black)

Skin: Belleza—Erika (Sk 7)

Hair: Vanity Hair—Mimmi HP & Base (Teen Blonde)

Fingernails: FineSmith—Metallic Nails (Texture-change)

Eyes: Amacci—Gaze Eyes (Blue Green)

Eye Shadow: blackLiquid MAKEUP—Glitter Shadow (Gunmetal) (Available soon)

Eyelashes: Miamai—No Alpha Lashes N0. 6

Poses: Morphine Poses

Model & Photographer: Xenobia Foxclaw

I was feeling the need for tranquility and found this in lovely sim that is for Counselor Education in Second Life. It was indeed tranquil. I probably should have put on a coat against the cold of the snow, but I wanted you to see this cute outfit. I was also playing with shadows and how they change with the direction I was facing just like in real. Okay, almost like real—I haven’t figured out how light shines through my hat and onto my face in some photos.

What Xenobia Is Wearing and Other Credits

Hat: Xen’s Hats—Charlie (Color-change)

Dress: paper.doll—Peyton (Auqua)

Boots: G Field—Gina Lace-up Boots (Fat pack is color-change)

Tights: SHOP Toshy—Panty Hose (Light Brown)

Skin: Belleza—Erika (Sk 2)

Lip Gloss: blackLiquid MAKEUP—Caramel Nude Gloss (Available Soon)

Fingernails: FineSmith—Nails (Brown Wash)

Hair: CaTwA—Yona (Roots/Pearl) (This style needed minimal editing to wear it with the hat)

Eyes: Amacci—Gaze Eyes (Dark Blue)

Eyelashes: Miamai—No Alpha Lashes No. 6

Poses: Di’s Opera

Model & Photographer: Xenobia Foxclaw

Location: CESL – Counselor Education in Second Life

There was no music when I reached the Blind Pig Music Co. at Ruby Bayou. In fact, there didn’t seem to be anyone around, but I still felt that I was being watched.

I didn’t think it was the skeleton placed so prominently on the table.

No one showed up on radar.

An interesting noise caused me to glance over my shoulder. This was a sound I had heard before, but usually it was from TV or the zoo.

It wasn’t just one chimpanzee, it was three little ones wearing hats. I think they may have wanted mine.

They were very friendly chimps who seemed to enjoy my company. I know I certainly enjoyed theirs.

I was especially fond of one of the little ones. I really hated to leave, but my time was so short.

I tipped my hat and bid them farewell, but I want to go back to visit. Perhaps next time there will be music.

What Xenobia Is Wearing and Other Credits

Hat: Xen’s Hats—Frankie (Color-change)

Jewelry: FineSmith—Synergy Necklace & Earrings (Green)

Jeans & Shirt: VMC—Ohana (Cream)

Jacket: Tulip—Black Sheep (Sage)

Pumps: Loordes of London—Statford Pump (Chainmail)

Bag: Woot—Ahoi

Skin: Belleza—Erika (Sk2)

Lip Gloss: blackLiquid Makeup—Mauve Pink Gloss Lips (Available Soon)

Hair: Amacci—Nettie & Hairbase Tatto (Almond)

Fingernails: FineSmith—Nails (Acid Bronze)

Eyes: Amacci—Emerald Eyes 2

Eyelashes: Miamai—No Alpha Lashes N0. 6

Poses: Adorkable

Model & Photographer: Xenobia Foxclaw

Location: Blind Pig Music Co., Ruby Bayou

In a recent post I took photos of me in the fantastic Sense of Snow outfit from FineSmith. An observant reader asked if I had forgotten to don the mask that comes with mesh gowns. To my momentary embarrassment—I get over things really fast—I admitted that I it was entirely possible that I had done that very thing. So I redressed, being certain to add the mask, popped back to the same sim and took more photos, once again playing with the sky settings. I love how different things can appear with different settings, and some of them really show off this outfit well.

What Xenobia Is Wearing and Other Credits

Outfit: FineSmith—Sense of Snow

Shoes: FineSmith—Kick! Spikes (White)

Tiara: FineSmith—November Tiara

Skin: Belleza—Erika (Fair 10)

Hair & Base: Amacci—Fayne & Hairbase Tattoo (White)

Fingernails: FineSmith—Snowflake (Ice)

Eyes: Amacci—Gaze Eyes (Ice)

Eyelashes: FineSmith—Noir Lashes (Blanco)

Poses: Morphine Poses

Model & Photographer: Xenobia Foxclaw

Location: Elf Forest – Winter

In real, I could live in slacks. Well, I do live in slacks and jeans. It’s a good thing too since I have been known to fall. The truth is that I used to fall a lot in SL too. While Xenobia has been in SL for almost three years, I’ve been active in SL for almost five years. I was in SL for more than a year before I learned how to walk straight. Now that I think about it, I have to laugh. My partner knew that I fell into or off of everything…sidewalks, bridges, mesas, roof tops, dance floors…if there was water anywhere on the sim I was in, I would fall into the water. HE (please read that with the emphasis it had when I wrote it) never had any trouble walking in a straight line. I have to wonder why he was surprised after more than a year that I didn’t know the secret of walking in a straight line. Surprisingly, I’m still with the same partner although he has a different avi too.

Sorry, I got side tracked again. In SL where I can wear anything I like, I still like to live in slacks. So when Agnes Finney, owner and designer of My Precious, dropped me this outfit recently, I could hardly wait to blog it. Better yet, the top and jacket have three-quarter-length sleeves. I wear those all of the time in real. I even stopped by her sim to take the photos of this great outfit. I’m going to keep this outfit close because I suspect I will come back to it often.

Read more about the new hair from Dura here.

What Xenobia Is Wearing and Other Credits

Jacket & Blouse: My Precious—Agnes With You Jacket & Top (Indigo)

Slacks: My Precious—Agnes Calm Tweed Pants

Hat: Xen’s Hats—Andre (Color-change)

Jewelry: FineSmith—In The Flash Deco Broach (Texture Change) (Reduced and moved to lapel)

Shoes: G Field—Short Lace-Up Boots (Moss)

Skin: Belleza—Erika (Sk 2)

Lipgloss: blackLiquid MAKEUP—Vixen Gloss (Not yet available, but soon)

Hair: Dura—Boys & Girls 29 (Butter Rum)

Fingernails: FineSmith—Solid (Red)

Eyes: Amacci—Emerald Eyes 1

Eyelashes: Miamai—No Alpha Lashes N0. 6

Poses: oOo Studio

Model & Photographer: Xenobia Foxclaw

Location: My Precious

In real life, my hair is more white than the dark brown I was born with since a year ago I gave up dying it and let it go natural. I know I would look younger if I went back to dying it, but I taught for 41 years and I earned everyone of those white hairs—I wear them like medals.

In SL, I really like Dura Hair. chiaki Xue, the owner and designer of Dura, always seems to come up with hairs I like and go back to time after time. When I opened the two newest ones, I knew immediately I would wear these a lot because they are great hairs for hats. Let me show you.

Dura Boys & Girls 29

I actually reduced the size of the hat I donned from my inventory by clicking on it, tilted it a bit and moved it over a smidgen. No editing of the hair was needed.

Dura Girl 33

I left the hat exactly as it was above and changed hairs—there is one very tiny spot just above the hatband that shows. I may be able to move the hat forward a tad to take care of it or increase the hat by one.

You can see what I mean about being great hat hair. I like it so much that I took the manager of Xen’s Hats, Calico Silverweb, over to Dura and got her seven-packs of the hairs. Go get your own Dura Hair and then pop over and get some of Xen’s Hat—they are great matches.

What Xenobia Is Wearing and Other Credits

Hair in Top Photo: Dura—Boys & Girls 29 (Butter Rum)

Hair in Bottom Photo: Dura—Girl 33 (Butter Rum)

Hat: Xen’s Hats—Andre (Color-change)

Jewelry: FineSmith—In The Flash Deco Broach (Texture Change) (Reduced and moved to lapel)

Jacket & Blouse: My Precious—Agnes With You Jacket & Top (Indigo)

Slacks: My Precious—Agnes Calm Tweed Pants

Shoes: G Field—Short Lace-Up Boots (Moss)

Skin: Belleza—Erika (Sk 2)

Lipgloss: blackLiquid MAKEUP—Vixen Gloss (Not yet available, but soon)

Fingernails: FineSmith—Solid (Red)

Eyes: Amacci—Emerald Eyes 1

Eyelashes: Miamai—No Alpha Lashes N0. 6

Poses: oOo Studio

Model & Photographer: Xenobia Foxclaw

Location: My Precious