The 2014 Christmas Expo and Breedables Fair - Relay for Life

By DrFran Babcock

My boss, Bixyl, suggested I apply to be a blogger for this Relay for Life event, so I applied. I was not surprised to be accepted, because I know that the organizers want as much coverage as possible, and rightfully so! In my opinion, Relay for Life is the best, most selfless thing that goes on in Second Life™.

What is the Expo and Breedables Fair?

This year, the Holiday Expo and Breedables Fair spans six sims, filled with clothing items, things for the house, and breedables. Each year, this off-season Relay for Life event allows some of the best content  creators in SL to sell their wares as long as they offer at least two items for sale in Relay for Life Vendors. Last year I complained that most of the items in the vendors were not worth buying. It seems that the organizers of the event: Dawnbeam Dreamscape, Jessii2009 Warrhol, and Johannes1977 Resident were listening. There are a lot of things to buy that are just lovely. Also, last year, the build was one of the most scrumptious I have ever seen, but it so overwhelmed the merchant’s goods that I wandered around instead of going into the shops.


My Review Rules

I do not accept gifts or freebies to review. I know that I have received some from the creators, and I thank them for their generosity. However, I went to the Expo and looked around, and selected the items I wanted to review. The items that I am showing here follow these basic rules:
1.       I have paid for the items that I review.
2.       I have purchased only items that were in official Relay for Life vendors.
3.       I have chosen the creators and stores that I like.
4.       I don’t review breedables for a number of reasons not suitable for this article.
That said, I again want to praise the organizers of this event with all my heart and soul. I found this year’s arrangement of sims and stores to be much more navigable than last year.

My Three Favorite Things

After going around the sims twice, taking notes, I went back and made three purchases. The purple Emma gown in the photo was purchased from a vendor in Purple Moon. What I love about it is the graceful line and sweep of the gown. The creator smartly added flexi prims to the bottom of the mesh so that there’s lots of movement. I can picture myself wearing this gown to the Nutcracker Ball, which is the annual closing event for Relay for Life.

It was just a coincidence that the next item I bought was the elegant Lazuri jewelry set, complete with earrings, choker, bracelets, and and rings for each hand. Even better, the metal, pearls and gems can all be changed into almost infinite combinations just by touching them, and choosing from a menu. I love color-change items, because then I can wear them with almost anything. The quality of this Lazuri set justifies the price (1100L), because it’s so versatile.

The last item to share is my new friend, the silver dapple unicorn from Demons and Angels. It’s a wearable, so you can “rez” it anywhere. In addition, the flowers and vines in the mane are color change, so I just made the flowers purple to match my gown and jewelry. The unicorn comes in bareback and saddle styles, and it can pose as well as be ridden. It has more features than I could list, and is extremely handsome—or beautiful, because you can even change its gender with the supplied HUD. I had lots of fun riding it around the sims.

While doing so, I found a friend and co-worker wandering around. Gemma Cleanslate looked adorable in her Feyline Santa’s helper costume. Although she had purchased it last year, they were available at the Expo this year. I love Feyline for making the majority of the items in there shop for sale in Relay vendors. I love Feyline for making the majority of the items in their shop for sale in Relay vendors. They have Santa’s Helpers outfits, kilts, and pajamas all in pretty red and green fabrics, and the prices are moderate. I will be buying one of these as soon as I submit this article to the SL Newser.

I recommend the Expo highly this year. Come on down, and if you see me riding by on my as yet unnamed unicorn, say hello. You can access the sims by searching: Xmas Expo in your map. Happy Holidays to all the readers of the SL Newser, and look for more posts from the Expo.

Dates:
December 4, 2014 - The Expo & Winter Breedables Fair will open to the SL public
December 15, 2014 - Last day of the Expo & Breedables Fair
2014 SL CHRISTMAS EXPO & WINTER BREEDABLES FAIR SOCIAL MEDIA WEBSITES

DrFran’s Alt Goes Shopping

By "Desirée"

Poor DrFran is suffering from horrible writer’s block, so I am taking over her position for a while. Although she is quite inactive, I have been all over the grid, because October is my favorite month. After all, it’s the month of Halloween—time for ghouls and ghosts, and DrFran’s favorite: bats.

Join me for a look at some of the mostly free (no more than one Linden) items available, as well as a look at two of the scary sims featured on the Destination Guide for horror month.

An Entire Look, Entirely Free

For October there are gifts and hunts galore. It’s always easiest to find clothing, but I worked especially hard to find skin and hair that were free. So this first batch of photos is a look that can be had for no Lindens!

Photo 1: Taken at Havenhollow. This build was in world last Halloween, and provided days of fun. Not only is the build an accurate recreation of a small town in the Fall, but it’s also a place where you can go Trick or Treating! Grab a bucket and go, or just hangout out in the neighborhood playground. It’s fun and unpredictable.

Picture 1 - Desirée is wearing:

Skin: Lumae Evie – Lady Death - October Group Gift (free to join). What a great skin for the season. Half ghoulish/half gorgeous; it makes a perfect base for your Halloween costumes. Hair: *Milk* http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Pink%20Ambition/151/133/6   Chatterbox – *Milk* has morphed into *SOONSIKI* Hair, but if you go and join the new group (free), you can get this hair that is long and flowy, but has an added bonus. The hair comes with a whopping ten HUDs that will change the color of the hair to almost any shade you might want. I chose dirty blond, but you have almost one hundred colors from which to choose.

Shoes: Lindy’s New and Retro Shoes Odea Boots. I love the texture on these boots that are free in the Into the Darkness Hunt.

Dress: This slinky dress that comes with guns and hip holsters is from the 007 James Bond Hunt, and it’s by MishMash Fusion. There is also a man’s suit in the prize. (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bougainvillea/197/215/3001 )

Jewelry: Lazuri Touch of Stone Fuschia Necklace and Earrings. Lazuri makes great jewelry, and these items are available free in their main store. (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/5th%20Avenue/119/120/22 )

Stockings: Free on the marketplace: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/318School-TightsBlack/5992879

Not Free, But Almost

The second batch of goodies were photographed on Nightmare at the Park (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Rowdy/153/122/22 ). Grab a flashlight, and explore the house on the hill.

Outfit: Miss Mischief Halloween Gift for the Heebie Jeebie Hunt. (one Linden)

Jewelry: Lazuri Color-change Pearl Drop Earrings and Beads. I love color change items, because they can be worn with so many diferent outfits.

Booties: Lindy’s Aiden Boots from the 007 James Bond Hunt

Do You Need Halloween Decorations?

I want to share with you one more hunt, because the prizes are all free, and are of very high quality. The Malice in Wonderland Hunt is a winner for a few reasons. First, it is a pretty easy hunt. There are only ten prizes (multiples in some boxes), and they are in one store, and not too difficult to find. You are looking for ten brains, zombie fans, and they are filled with entire trees and grasses, and a spooky house, and great fog, that DrFran is using at a Halloween party, if she ever gets moving again. Check out the photo to get an idea of the quality of the prizes.

Happy Halloween

It’s up to you to take advantage of all the special love that happens at this time of year. Let the holidays begin!

Links for Hunts:

Into the Darkness Hunt: http://huntsl.com/2014/08/11/into-the-darkness-hunt/ 007 James Bond Hunt: http://www.fiscreations.com/hunts/

Heebie Jeebie Hunt: http://funwithhunts.blogspot.com/

Malice in Wonderland Hunt: http://inwonderlandfullperm.blogspot.com/

DrFran Gets Furry – The Quest for Cover Hunt

By DrFran Babcock

A while ago I wrote an editorial about how hard it was to find decent freebies for Furries. With the Quest for Cover Hunt, I have had to take back my words. This free hunt has 40 shops in it, and the items to be won range the gamut from clothes to avatar modification kits.

I am usually human, but to humor her friends and boss I can become a fur. My favorite fur is a Siamese cat, so I donned it and went looking for the hunt item, a kitty shaped donut. There were prizes for males and females, but you will only see the female ones (Any males out there who want to do hunt articles on male items? I hope I never have to don a male alt. That’s all I will say on this topic.

I did not cover every item in the hunt, and as always I show what I want to show. The hunt runs until August 11^th, so shake your tail, and get hunting.

A Selection of Hunt Prizes

QFC Prize 1 from Furry Fashions – These mesh leggings come with a HUD that allows you to change colors. They come in five different sizes, to fit all avatars, but I had to remove my lower legs for them to fit correctly. I like color-change items, because I can wear them with a lot of different outfits. Furry Fashion:http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Furry%20Fashion/125/33/1235

QFC Prize 3 – I am always amazed when someone gives away a really valuable and nice item in a free hunt. This Ladies Pleasure Small Tack House is a delightful petite building. H0ney Heart, the owner of Ladies Pleasure is a great builder. I have seen her work at the Builders Brewery Show and Tell. This is definitely a keeper, and only 11 LI! http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Cherry%20Island/221/28/21

QFC Prize 4 – This prize box came with a number of items in it: Several pairs of eyes, and other items, but it was Winry's Whimsey Blueburry Soap Typer that I liked the best. This mouthie is adorable, but what makes it really fun is the bubbles it releases when you type. Sadly the eyes didn’t fit my avatar, but maybe they will fit yours. Winry’s Whimsey: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Saturnia/180/83/91

QFC Prize 7 – What would a fur event be without a tail? Well, you needn’t worry because Cubic Cherry Kre-ations Tail is here to save the day. The tail isn’t animated, but it’s curly and just might be the right touch from some outfits.  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sania%20Isle/87/107/3281

QFC Prize 8 – Some may find these Hybrid Ears a bit odd, but I like them, because they are so different. They are made by Fujiwara's World and can be found here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sania%20Isle/32/99/3277’

QFC Prize 10 – This was my favorite of the hunt, not only because it was a cute dragon hoodie from VOIDVOIDVOID, but because it was provided along with the Photoshop texture, so that if I want I could retexture the hoodie in any colors and textures I want. The hoodie is available here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Furry%20Fashion/172/158/1203

QFC Prize ? - Murder of Ravens Enderbeast Avatar. This is a crazy, crazy avatar. I kind of think that  the missing arms are actually because this is a mod? Help me furries. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife//209/212/251

QFC 13 and 14 – Simple Prim Glasses from Static http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caisteal/221/84/31 and Katatonik Color Change Bowhttp://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Katat0nik/157/120/91

QFC Prize 25 - Lyrieal's Boutique: All Tangled Up: Large assortment of clothes. Here's the red tangled outfit that just screamed Panther, so I changed avatars.http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Isle%20of%20Miracles/54/97/474

Taken at La Botanique http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Miriam%20Brown/22/179/610 In many, many colors.

That’s only a little over half of what’s in store, but I figure this article will be too long to read if I keep going.  I have to say that I am convinced that there’s hope for the future of free furry fun (sorry, couldn’t resist the alliteration).

Interested in the Quest for Cover Furry Hunt? All the information you need is right here: http://questfurcover.tumblr.com/

DrFran Babcock

DrFran’s Alt Goes Hunting And Freebie-Finding

By DrFran Babcock

Desirée is always happy to go look for Freebies or Cheapies at any time. The beginning of a new month is always a great time to go look for new items on the grid. Thus, when I asked her to check out some of the goodies for May, she was more than happy and got started immediately.

You are going to want to stop what you are doing (bookmark SL Newser, so you can come right back to it!), and pick up some of these items ranging in price from two Lindens to zero Lindens.

The Cotton Candy Hunt

Back in the days when DrFran did a lot of hunts, she adored The Cotton Candy Hunt. Ladies, what can you say negatively about items that are cute and pink? You will want to go on this hunt if you think like this. The items in the hunt are two lindens per prize, but they are so well worth the tiny expense, because how often do you get quality hair and skin? Look for a little cotton candy for the hunt prize, of course.

There are a whopping 111 Stores participating in this hunt, and Desirée did not complete the whole thing, but put together a complete outfit from the prizes. The only item in the picture that is not from the hunt is the Eaters Coma Group Gift hair (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SIXTY%20NINE/128/126/501 ) that is her favorite:

Picture 1

Top: Lolita - Cotton Candy Top  (comes with an adorable pink mini skirt, not shown)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/AMERICAN%20BAZAAR/90/96/26

Makeup: Pink Acid KoolAid Lipstick - Pink Lemonade

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Body/245/35/21

Horns: !TLB (The Little Bat) - Sugarfied Horns  - covered with sweets

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nuvoletta/46/76/22

Bracelets: GFD: Metal T O Y Bracelet (comes in all colors shown)

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Island%20Of%20Joy/83/99/24F

Earrings: .::PiNK CHERRY::. Strawberry Earring with Pink Bow

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Roxbury/88/115/23

Shorts: alterego candy dukes

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Toxxic/172/123/23

[ bubble ] Cotton Candy Wellies

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/District/95/192/29

.::WoW Skins::. TCC hunt Lisa

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Mawaii/151/23/2504

Stockings: Static Ripped Leo Stockings

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Travers%20dAlliez/138/195/28

The picture was taken at the great Relay For Life Fantasy Faire, that has already raised over a million Lindens for the American Cancer Society! The build is a knockout. (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Fairelands%20Junction/150/133/22)

Sexy and I Know It Hunt

This is the second year for the Sexy and I Know It Hunt. This time around is just as good as the first, and the one Linden items are again worth their weight in “keeping this in my inventory.” With 119 prizes, there is something for everyone, but Desirée’s taste run to hair and clothes.

Again, everything in the picture is from the hunt except the Free analog dog hair, that is still available on the beach at analog dog: (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Analog Dog Hair/100/29/999 ).

Picture Two – Sexy and I Know It Hunt 2

Pants: alterego legacy denim jeans – (come in pink and teal)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Toxxic/172/123/23

Sneakers: Asteria Creations - Sneakers Pink Summer Breeze

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Arya/192/42/2502

Whims: Summer Breeze Top (Desirée’s top pick!)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/New/47/163/22

Skin: Drop Dead Gorgeous ::DDG:: Unadorned-Honey DB Cleavage

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Guernsey%20Island/48/130/2099

This picture is also from The Fantasy Faire. It was fun to interact with the builds on the many sims, and shoveling coal is great exercise, even if only virtual.

The Chapter Four Gifts

But wait; there’s more. If you don’t know The Chapter Four, after this article you will. The Chapter Four presents top content creators in Second Life™ four times a year, and DrFran is often shelling out Lindens there. However, the big news is that this time there are dozens of Freebies put out by the vendors to celebrate the one year anniversary of the event. All you have to do to get the free gifts is to join the group, go to The Chapter Four, and click on the gift boxes located next to each creator’s display. The only SLurl you need is the one to The Chapter Four:

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Compotista/172/33/3250

This picture was taken at the interactive and fun Linden Endowment for the Arts installation, Sauce by Maya Paris. This is a satirical piece on dating, and is definitely a must to see. (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LEA25/36/176/1801)

Picture 3 – The Chapter Four

Dress: Tokama - Damara Autumn Dress (Allsize) If you have yet to try a mesh Allsize dress, you are in for a treat. These dresses fit most avatars nicely.

Eyes: *(OO)* YUKIJela Gift Eyes

Hat: *LODE* Headwear - Ooo

Ring: (TCF 1st Year Anniversary) .Atomic. Celebrate! Cupcake Ring (TCF Birthday Gift)

Necklace: CF Bday Special .Tokame. Heart in a Cage

Purse: (Amita Rose) /// offbeat /// nyanyanaya purses – adorable cat purse

Glasses: 2PM. Bon bon glasses / black

Balloon: ::C'est la vie!:: happy balloon -TCF bday gift- (fun balloons with poses)

Hair: Moon {Hair}. Unreflected

Bracelet: [Deadwool] Bracelet Gift (unisex)

About the Events:

The Cotton Candy Hunt

http://candy-events.blogspot.de

The Sexy and I Know It Hunt 2

http://demonsecondlife.blogspot.com.es

The Chapter Four

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Compotista/172/33/3250

DrFran Babcock

DrFran’s Alt Goes Hunting: April 2014

The Sinister Goth Sinner’s Hunt – Vanity, Sweet Dreams are Made of This Hunt, and Rock the Basket Hunt

By DrFran Babcock

It’s a new month, and that means lots of new hunts starting up. Desirée was eager to get going on a new round of freebies and dollarbies. Along the way she stopped at two of the sims on the Destination Guide, in between scooping up some nice items that are on display here.

Hunt Etiquette

There are several rules that are best followed when hunting. The first of these is to not call out the locations of hunt objects to other people. The idea of a hunt is to find objects, as in hunting for them! It’s fine to take a friend or two with whom to hunt, and can even be a lot of fun.

The second rule is to not bother the content creators excessively. I have had times when the object found was not set for sale. In every one of these cases an IM to the content creator, and a wait of a few days was usually sufficient to rectify the broken hunt item.

Last, do spend some looking in the hunt stores if you like the prize you have gotten. DrFran has spent thousands of lindens in shops simply because of some great hunt gifts.

The Hunts

The SLurls for the items are given below, because they were readily available on the hunt websites that are listed below. The items below were selected by Desirée, and reflect her tastes. Of course, your taste in prizes may differ. This is a good thing, because there are dozens of more prizes available in all of the hunts, and all of them last until the end of the month. Enjoy yourself as you realize that you do not have to spend a ton of money to look good in Second Life™.

Picture One: Taken at Frisland. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Laluna%20Island/120/222/22/  According to the Destination Guide: A place where time stands still that was inspired by a mysterious phantom island in the North Atlantic.  Desirée found it to be a place of hidden romantic spots, and a fine place for a date, even though she was alone.

Outfit: {Peachy} Vanity Corset Outfit/Gown with Mirror and Boots! http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Rubens/219/169/22

 

Hair: La Noir Soliel Designs LOLLY Hair: Comes with color-change bow: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Born/245/52/33

 

Skin: {AIMI} Claire Natural, with ruby red lips: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chinwah%20Island/233/24/1805

Picture Two: Taken on Isla Okiddo, an art gallery in a lush setting.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Santa%20Maria%20Island/188/60/21

Outfit: VERO MODERO Wind Frill Gold http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Vero%20Modero/119/151/28

Skin: Gold [.Riel.] Jezebelle-Moonbeam http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nocturnum/173/144/43

Picture Three: Taken at DrFran’s house on Varney.

Vanity with poses and props: Elegant Goth Vanity http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Eldritch/118/163/46

 

Necklace: Souzo Elen Narcissus’s Looking Glass (color change) http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Jinn/164/161/2503

 

Dress: Miss Jewell Mesh Sweater from the Rock the Basket Hunt  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Maekju/235/163/702

Sweet Dreams are Made of This Hunt

Picture Four (SDAMOT)

Cats: Storax Tree Siamese Cats in Love decoration: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Blue%20Heron%20Island/241/175/20

 

Outfit: VIPs Creations Red mesh with boots and red pearls.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Fireheart/56/31/21

Picture Five

Clown Avatar: VIPs Creations, the male gift for the SDAMOT Hunt http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Fireheart/56/31/21

Cloud: NR Designs Cloud Nine for two with naughty and nice poses http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Business%20District%20Kilo/21/95/28

The Sinister Goth Sinners Hunt – Vanity

April 1 to April 30. Look for the small silver mirror

http://thesinisterfollowing.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html?zx=18c7ef38e23cb5f0

Sweet Dreams are Made of This Hunt.

April 1 to April 30. Look for the white pillow

http://inkantationhunts.blogspot.com/p/sdamot-application.html

Rock the Basket Hunt:

April 1 to April 30. Look for the sculpt basket http://madlyuntamed.weebly.com/rock-the-basket-hunt.html

Free or Low Cost for Furries: A Rant and Some Good News

By DrFran Babcock

Our esteemed boss and editor, Bixyl Shuftan is a fox. I don’t mean he’s handsome, although that’s true. I mean that he’s a fur. If you look at the roster of reporters for SL Newser (http://slnewser.blogspot.com/p/meet-crew.html ) you will find that there are many on the crew that sport furry or animal avatars. DrFran has been to known to don a Siamese cat or obsidian panther at times, and her alt Desirée is a white tiger when not a human. Thus, the aforementioned Desirée set out to explore freebies and low-cost alternatives for the furs in Second Life™. There was sound reasoning to back this: If the staff is fur then perhaps the readership was made up of some furs. With that in mind Desirée set out to find some fur freebies.

The Rant

There are many people in Second Life™ who decry the wealth of freebies that are found in many stores. Some folks who have businesses think that good quality free items hurt their profits, and keep people from shopping. I disagree totally with this stance. You may have guessed that I love hunts, and finding freebies. A grid-wide hunt can send me hopping from store to store to store searching out items. What many store owners realize is that if I find something I like in a hunt, I do go back and look at the inventory in the shops. I have spent tens of thousands of Lindens buying items from stores I would have never known about had it not been for a hunt item I found there. Hunts are good business, in spite of the hordes of people who will grab the freebies and never come back. When I find something good on a hunt my friends want to go to the shops, and they often spend a lot of money as well.

That said; let me talk about the dearth of high-quality free items for furs. I was horrified when I check the marketplace for furry items and found mostly tails and mods that looked like they were circa 2006. What’s up furry creators? Many fur avatars cost a decent amount of money, and if someone spends that, they will want to dress up that avatar in a similarly fine manner.

Why are there so few free or low-cost freebies for furs? Desirée quickly reasoned that since most anthro-furs could wear human clothes, that maybe it was not a bad idea to do a hunt that was not specifically for furs, because there were no hunts running right now that were for furs. Clearly, if there’s a smart furry outfitter out there, this is the time to get going!

Femboy Hunt 4 – 2 Lindens per prize item

Before you fall off your seat…The Femboy Hunt (http://femboyhuntsl.blogspot.com) has always been a favorite of DrFran’s, because while supposedly for male avatars that like to dress female, the hunt usually has great items that anyone can wear. As you will see, Desirée was not disappointed.

The theme of this fourth hunt was Gender-Bending Grimms, and each of the gifts was linked to a different fairytale from the Grimm Brothers. What’s really nice is how the website is organized to provide a link to information about each of the fairytales, so that if you are interested you can find out more about each story. Desirée had little difficulty finding the hunt object, a sculptie that says: femboy, but she will only show you her favorite hunt finds. As you will see, they are fine for female furs.

FBH4 – Photo One: Taken at LeFevre Mansion, a breathtaking new build: http://slurl.com/secondlife/The%20Lefevre%20Mansion/149/133/24

The outfit in this photo is based on the fairy tale Trusty John, that was unfamiliar to me, and it does come in a male and female version. Vero Modero (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Vero%20Modero/120/149/28  ) created this lushly textured outfit with cape and hat.

The hair was inspired by the story of Hansel and Gretel, and it’s a wonderful value, because it comes with three HUDS that allow you to change the hair color. It is a mesh hair, but fit Desirée perfectly. Just in case it doesn’t fit, there are unrigged versions of the hair. The hair is from LCKY (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/My%20Home/34/240/1920  ), and it was the first time visiting this store that had some wonderful anime-inspired hairs.

FBH4 – Photo Two: Taken at Arabian Nights - Shahrzad Palace http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/1001%20Arabian%20Nights/55/101/23

Desirée is sporting Nixie Silks, inspired by the story The Nixie of Mill Pond. These kinky silks with spines from .::[HTxDZ]::. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife//64/104/1302 are saved from an X rating by the Puss in Boots Hat with Hair Ayashi http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zora/53/71/1702 , looks good on men and women.

FBH4 – Photo Three – Taken at St. Patrick's Day Town http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Elizabeth%20Town/124/157/21

Who says furs can flaunt mesh? Desirée looks stunning in this fire-engine red ensemble inspired by the fairytale Little Red Cap, another obscure story. The outfits is from Rainbow Rock Candy (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Antovic/105/145/1921 ), and it looks just great in contrast to the green holiday that is approaching.

FBH4 – Photo Four - Taken at The Velvet Vixen Burlesque http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/TROPICANA/41/85/23

This prize, from Gomun Horangi (http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Antovic/122/175/1921 ), based on the well-known tale of Sleeping Beauty. This was Desirée’s favorite prize, and came from a store that was unknown prior to the hunt. DrFran brought many friends to get the prize, and all of them looked around, and may spend some Lindens eventually. This ethereal and sexy outfit comes with many layer options, and is complete with the shoes, and topless variations.

In summary, fur creators need to get on the freebie bandwagon and start to offer some quality goods to their audience. If I am not aware of opportunities, please tell me I am wrong. If you want more fur articles, please let the fox, Bixyl Shuftan know. 

Until next time, this is DrFran aka Desirée saying: “Hunt well!”

DrFran Babcock.

Steelhead Shops Participate in Steam IX Hunt

By Grey Lupindo

Steampunk fans have been eagerly awaiting the Steam IX Hunt because it is the only Victorian steampunk-themed hunt that covers the entire SL grid.   The Hunt began March 1 and will run through the end of the month.   There are over 125 shops participating this year, including three that are located in Steelhead:  SparkWorks,  Luminous Designs, and St Helens Dry Goods.   

         SL resident Perryn Peterson organizes the Steam hunts.   He does a great job of keeping everyone informed about updates and issues while the hunt is in progress, too.   Peterson is also the Mayor of Mieville, where the Hunt begin.  The information center is at Mieville Doyle Victorian Steampu, Mieville Doyle (79, 72, 26).    Although I started there, I soon went off to Steelhead to check out the shops there.

          SparkWords is located at 135 Harbor View Way in Steelhead and can be found at SparkWorks, Steelhead (149, 224, 25).    It is Shop #58 in the Hunt, and located on the corner end of a Victorian brick building.  The space is long, narrow, and at least 2 stories high.  It sells a number of Steampunk gadgets and weapons.  

         Most of the shops in the Hunt will post a hint to help you find the steampunk gear that holds the prize and the landmark to the next shop.    The hint at SparkWorks read, “Don't get lost in all this space."    This was a tricky hint since it could mean a number of things.   The shop occupies a large area (space), but it also includes an item or two that are space related.    I began looking high and low for the elusive gear. 

           While I was hunting, resident RoseRed Ruby entered the shop.   I could tell she was also searching.   After a few minutes of hunting she zipped away, apparently having found the gear.   It took me a few more minutes of hard searching, but I finally found  it, too.   I can’t say any more about it, or the clever prize inside, because it might give away its location.   

           Next I went to Luminous Designs, which is at Steelhead St Helens (214, 33, 37).   I had a little trouble finding it by using the Hunt landmarks.  I teleported in but then had to walk a short distance to find the store.   However, the walk was very pleasant.   The cobblestone sidewalks are lined with pines and beautifully landscaped.    The store is very tall and easy to find. 

           By the time I reached Luminous Designs I was ready for a quick rest.   The decor, as well as the items in this shop, are very upscale.  LD sells Steampunk, pirate, kimonos, and other glamorous clothing for both men and women.   Near the stairs I spotted an ad for SL Newser hanging on the wall, another sure sign of a quality establishment. 

         The Luminous Designs store is very large, but it has an efficient teleporter.   I zipped up to the Steampunk section and began to hunt.    I found this gear very quickly, which left me some time to shop.   I took the steps up to the top floor, where there was a sale sign, and ultimately ended up looking all around the store.  

          The third shop on Steelhead is the dry goods shop found at Settlement 601 - St Helens Dry Goods Frontier Supplies, Steelhead St Helens (68, 156, 38).    St. Helens Dry Goods is Shop #117 in the Hunt.  They offer a very good cup of expresso to visitors, which I enjoyed while I looked around.  

             They have all the items you might expect in a dry goods store, including a little furniture, some lamps, a variety of hats, and even gentlemen’s walking sticks.    Plan to spend a few minutes looking around this quaint shop.  

           The other shops are located all over SL.   I visited Tamiron Forge, which is shop #11, located at Tamiron Forge, Island Dream (154, 38, 21).  The prize there is a Heavy Heart Neck Chain, which I am wearing in some of the pictures.   I found the gear in Shop #8, Lindy Modern & Retro Shoes, located at Mieville Twain (209, 168, 22).  I was rewarded with a beautiful pair of Lindy Alexia Special Red Boots.    I love boots!

           A few gears have eluded me, but I plan to find them before the Hunt is over.    One of these places, The Steam Rose, has secret rooms and lots of hidden treasures to see.   Find it at The Steam Rose, Chillium (175, 81, 1596).  It is one of the most imaginative places in SL and well worth a visit even if you don’t participate in the Hunt.  But I have a feeling that the prize here will be worth the effort.   I couldn’t find the gear during my first trip, but I had a great time looking for it.   Two other shops are nearby, Steaming Ahead and Gothics Musing, both located on Chillium and connected to The Steam Rose by paths, bridges, and teleporters.

           More information about the Hunt, including pictures of some of the prizes, can be found at http://historicalhunts.blogspot.com.    Happy Hunting!

Grey Lupindo

DrFran’s Alt Finds the Best of the Hunts

By DrFran Babcock

The information in this article reflects the highly opinionated views of Desirée as she surveyed the current crop of February hunts. Granted, February hunts will be filled with Valentine’s Day goodies, but even amongst all the red and pink hearts there are some other great finds. In fact, the finds were so wonderful that Desirée was able to convince DrFran to grap some prizes.

So, join us as we romp through the grid, collecting freebies or dollarbies with abandon. There is even one group lucky board item worth mentioning.

Picture 1: 

Follow Your Heart Hunt #16 Latex Station – It’s really hard to make latex shine correctly on clothing without using mesh, but the creator at Latex Station has mastered this technique. Desirée looks positively diabolical as she poses on the perfect sim to match her catsuit: Hell. Her little friend looks on quite approvingly.

Latex Station: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Latex%20Station/208/128/24 Taken at The Devil's Lair, on the sim of Hell. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hell/154/45/79

Visit Hell (156, 44, 79)

Picture 2: 

1.     Follow Your Heart Hunt#19: Pink halter dress: BlackRose Halter Dress in Pink. This is a materials enabled dress that really sparkles nicely. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Mortgage%20East/20/28/22
2.     Follow Your Heart Hunt #14 Loordes of London Boho Shrug. This shop is most often known for it’s great shoes and boots, but they seem to be branching out, and it’s a good decision they have made. Ihttp://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Blue%20Heron%20Island/185/131/3505
3.     Follow Your Heart Hunt #9, 10, and 11: Uni-qu3 in Rainbow's Custom Jewelry and Mini-mall. There are three prizes here, and if you find them all, you will walk or fly or TP away with a nice set of pants, top and pocketbook. All three are in mesh, as are most things nowadays. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Horizon/172/169/21
4.     Follow Your Heart Hunt #15:Toxic Love Outfit VIPS Creations http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife//55/6/21

Picture 3

Left: Tainted Love Hunt #46 - MiChiCGaNs ShAcK Cuddle Heart-Shaped Bed. This bed has single and couple poses in it, and is just an all-around nice texturing job. One single pose will have you on your stomach at a laptop with Second Life™ on the screen. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hawk%20Land/131/169/21

Right: Tainted Love #37*paper moon* Obsessive Love Altar. What an adorable build this is. You can slip your own photos onto the three frame surfaces, and DrFran was compelled to equip the alter with her favorite bat. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Port%20Seraphine/77/144/26

Picture 4

Last, but not least, DrFran headed over to the lovely Edloe Island, Edloe (146, 106, 28) home of everyone’s favorite, Crap Mariner, to pose in one hunt prize and one Lucky Board Group Gift.

Left: Jack or Jill Hunt #18: Sassy! - White Lies Dress. The shine and shape of this dress make it a keeper. The wrinkles in the front of the mesh dress are very well done. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sassy/80/120/33

Right: **milky-way* Spring Sweater and Pleated mini, Lucky Board Group Member Gift. The group is free to join, and there are other Lucky Boards in the adorable shop.  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Little%20Cat%20WestBlue/17/113/24

So, here are a few goodies for you, but you must hurry. The Tainted Love Hunt and Jack and Jill Hunt end February 28^th, and The Follow Your Heart Hunt ends on the 22^nd.

I also heard a rumor that DrFran is going to get furry and go look for freebies and finds, but that may be just a rumor.

DrFran Babcock

DrFran’s Alt Goes Hunting – The Kubes Hunt

By DrFran Babcock

To be honest, Desirée hunts just a bit too much. In fact, she hogs DrFran’s internet resources on such a regular basis that it prevents the Dear Doctor from getting in her regular quota of serious feature articles in SL Newser. So, if you miss The Oldbie Project, blame Desirée.

There are always many hunts taking place in Second Life™, and some of the shops are in almost every single one of them. Desirée was very excited to find the Kubes Hunt, because the names of the stores participating were not the usual assortment. This is a one Linden hunt, with 35 stops (some were not actually available), so it will cost you about 35L to complete, but that’s really a small price to play, because many of the gifts are worth more than that on their own. The theme of the hunt is anything cubic, which means that there were many seating options, as you will see.

For this hunt Desirée will provide all the information you need to either do the whole hunt path, or to fetch those items that interest you. Come along and see the prizes that are in store in The Kubes Hunt.

Picture One – Taken on Linden Endowment for the Arts 14 (LEA14) The Art of Birding (This scene is from a very famous old horror movie. Can you name it? IM DrFran Babcock with your answers:

Kube #1: OPAL Jewelry – Plum Necklace (and ring) – Materials Ready http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Spring%20Island/185/22/21

Kube #2 - MIRUS - KISS Red Mesh Dress http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bubblegum/106/136/23

Picture Two: Taken on LEA29 – Are there strangers among us? This is a fun sim to explore but, be careful the aliens don’t get you.

Kube #5 U-Refined{U..R.} Case Closed Dress (Desirée says: really nice ) http://slurl.com/secondlife/AZZURRA/95/131/1282

Kube #15 JOOPS Colourful Cube RIngs http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Athenea/243/136/22

Picture Three: Taken on LEA17 with statue by DrFran’s old friend Corcosman Voom http://slurl.com/secondlife/LEA17/190/122/21

 Kube #6 Senso Kubes hunt Top and Skirt - this outfit has no panties, so you need some, but the flippy skirt is just darling.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tropical%20Beach%20Land/161/224/22

Picture Four: Taken at Desirée’s secret platform:

Kube #16 Virtual Textures Soft Squares - 12 fabric textures that are used as the background in a few of the pictures here. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sunspot/106/114/71

 

Kube #7 Bacidalucia cubik lace body suit – this not PG outfit is very well done, but does require pasties to be worn in public.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sleepy%20Forest/160/99/25

 

Kube #3 Kaerri Planter Seat http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Maven%20Homes/227/9/497

 

Kube #9 Frogstar Birdhouse (color-change) http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Guidance/102/146/1704

 

#29 Phoebe - Dices Belly Piercing (close-up in inset) http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Little%20Rascals/128/38/22

Picture Five:

Kube #16 Virtual Textures background(again)

Kube #20 irrie’s Dollhouse {DH} Vintage Origami Cushion Galland Homes Floating Cube Table http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Galland%20Homes/127/33/23

 

Kube #30 A&A Animated Love Wall Art http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dark%20Eternal%20Rose/128/123/27 Kube #27 Potpourri Design Ceiling Light http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Indus/26/88/939

 

Kube #11 cae.b Retro Cube Dress http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Cologne%20Bay/179/217/28

 

Kube #22 orage designs cubes earrings http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Orage%20Creations/145/130/25

 

Kube #21 Marymac Choker http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Mayfield/128/64/32

Picture Six:

Kubes #35 BOHEMIAN GYPSY Kubes Hangout with 7 animations http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/V%20Gen/230/185/25

Kubes  #38 Jess's Dream Dreaming of Cubes Dress and feather Boa http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife//55/62/651

Picture Seven: taken on LEA19 the Interim Project http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LEA19/99/152/44

#13 LNLGothic Outfit http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Borgatti/234/60/3440

Picture Eight:

Kube #34 Akeana’s Architecture Cozy Comfort Cube, with many poses for the bed

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hellswind%20Evolution/159/242/22

Kube #28 Jess’ Dream – Dreaming of Kubes Gown and boa

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Malchior/55/62/651

Picture Nine: There were many seating options in this hunt. This is a few of them:

Kube #31 ODDZ N ENDZ - Kubed Mesh Shelf & Ottoman (left and center objects) http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/GoldenBusiness%20Area2/41/98/1301 

Kube #33 (In)Discretions - Kubz Crate Shelves with Geek and Nerd words in them http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Country%20Meadows/165/222/22

 

Kube #24 {Sickly SWEET} Square Pouffes - Aqua http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Owendale/192/212/27

Picture Ten: For this last photo Desirée gathered up a few of her friends to demonstrate her favorite find in the hunt.

Kube  #17 Prestique -Granite Kubes with 6 sits. The textures on this multi-sit object are very well done, and the poses are fun, and fully adjustable. http://slurl.com/secondlife/Gleannbogh/213/218/25/?title=Pestique

Everyone in the picture is wearing prize number 19 from the hunt:

Kube #19 meshTheory Black Mesh Tee with Cube graphic http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SunDream/128/128/2

Desirée gives this hunt her highest rating, because most of the objects are found easily, the prizes are worth the one linden, and the majority of the shops were unknown to her, and she will go back and spend tons of DrFran’s hard-earned money in them. Until the next hunt or freebie event, ciao.

 SLurls and Hints for the Kubes Hunt:

http://kubiktags.wordpress.com/participating-stores/

DrFran Babcock