Fade.To.Black.

The Intertwining of All Things

Hair: Purple Moon, Exa . Headpiece: Miamai, MahiMahi **The Golden Thread** .

Due to real life, I was unable to take part in Miamai’s 2013 Black Label event, the Golden Thread but I know the show went on and was just as enthralling as I blogged it would be. How do I know? Because it is just such a part of my instinctual journey in life. Some people call moments of miracles serendipity, but to me, there is no happenstance, all things have a deep seeded birth within our soul. And just as we all have our spiritual journeys, this yin and yang within us gives birth to all things within our world, there is an interconnection, a correlation betwixt all we see, know and touch and even some things we don’t even know exists. Yes, I know, too much concept for a Cao to possibly express, but that’s the beauty of being spiritual, oft you don’t have to understand, you just have to let it be.

Dress/Wings: Miamai, Elapse (worn without underskirt) **The Golden Thread** .

A golden thread whispers quietly through our lives, intertwining with those we are destined to meet, passing by those who mean nothing more than a moments glance along our travels. It brings rain on our heads, sunshine to our faces, the shade of a tree to dapple our skins with light. But through all things, if you look close enough, you see the whimsy hidden all about you. The grand design of nature as art. Look at the majesty of a tree, hear it rustling it’s leaves with a gentle breeze, it’s old gnarled bark a romance of textures, the sun tickling through the limbs trying to kiss the ground beneath, who could see a tree and feel absolutely nothing? Life is uncertain but the golden thread, it leads and guides us to our individual destiny’s. Will you settle for what is safe and mundane? Or will you forage on and let your greatness bloom, prospering your life with the wonder of possibility? Nelson Mandela once said, “Once a person is determind to help themselves, nothing can stop them.” How? Sounds kinda hard doesn’t it? I’ve got a new mirror post-it for you (write it on a post it and stick it on your mirror). Start each day with a new belief, breathe it in and hold it close to your heart, you are not a solitary figure in this world, your golden thread will bring you in to the proximity of many people who will touch you, some painfully, some with guidance and some with love. How do I know this? Because I truly believe, life doesn’t happen TO you, it happens FOR you. You have the power to choose which path your feet follows.

Boots: Miamai, Karya .

Take from? Yep, it wouldn’t be my blog if I didn’t throw it in. Learning to live with uncertainty is one of the hardest things we do in our life-time and you aren’t uncertain one time and it’s over. Uncertainty will creep into your life over and over and you will have to continually re-learn how to cope. Just remember, there is also something deeply beautiful about uncertainty: it gives you the possibility of optimism, of hope. If the golden thread that creates the story of you truly isn’t written yet, who’s to say it won’t end well and beyond your wildest dreams? Just my wooden nickle on it, take it for what its worth to you. ❤

Excellent video of The Golden Thread by Forren Ashford

Are.the.Things.That.Make.Me.Me. ~A.A.Milne

Happy to report, the doctor said I am me. In case you were wondering, that is. I had two more pictures to share from Morea Style and thought I should keep these seperate, since the items are all Fashion for Life 2013 related. The gown was created by Morea DeCosta, the jewelry set is a work of art by Yula Finesmith of Finesmith jewelry and the pose, another one of the incredible poses from Dahriel of *PosESioN.* . The lipstick is from Ekilem Melodie of Mons and the eyemakeup, also a FFL item is Madrid Solo. I hope your day has been playful and filled with the whispers of dreams answered.

Hair: Osmose <3333 (Come back I love you!!) This pose is by my heart friend NattyZuZu from her store Flighty Pixels.

Hope to see you March 9th 2013 at Fashion for Life! SLURLS on left under A Fashion For Life page. Event will be open on Saturday!

The.Things.That.Make.Me.Different.

Hair: Miamai, Songe. Makeup: Zibska. Lashes: Boudoir,Serious Eyeliner

are the things that make me.~ A.A. Milne. Went shopping the other day. I never could get into (as in SIM full) the Gacha event, so I decided to explore old faves. A really long time ago I was in the Miss Morea Style contest. I even made it to the finals. Having never even been to a modeling class or in a runway show, it small wonder I lost to Serene Faith, who went on a week later to win Miss Virtual World 2011. Heck, I’d reckon I probably wasn’t even top five. Below is my entry picture, goes to show, a photographer (Skip Staheli shot this) CAN make a difference in the initial selling, so get some top pics in the portfolios, aspiring models. boy I’ve changed haven’t I? Then I suppose I have, I am three years older. This picture looks like “stop the madness.” I’ve felt that way at times, haven’t you?

Where does time go? It’s as if while we are busy thinking ourselves all important and dallying with this or that, playing at a Second Life, real life is being gathered under the furniture, collecting itself up into little dust bunny’s, waiting the execution day when the Vacuum gets just the right angle of suction. Kind of sad isn’t it? To think we cower from real life at times. I don’t blame you, as far as realities go, the second one has a lot of the characteristics of the first one. So perhaps it is trading one journey for another. I just sometimes wonder if what I gained from Second Life is worth the loss of 1,825 days?

I love this bear, its a Gacha at the “Depraved Luck of the Irish Fair”Taxi:
But then I think about friends made, friends gone, laughs, learns (and boy have you all taught me quite abit) If not of an intellectual level at times, always of either an inspirational or sociological one. Culture, yes that’s probably the best word. I’ve become an international student of virtual anthropology.

The take from, I think. Is in the virtual world of sameness and “trying to fit in” somewhere. Don’t forget the thing that makes you beautyful is not your sameness, but your difference. We are all born unique, and in this uniqueness we have, we own, something no one will ever have. Show this beautyful uniqueness in both worlds. It is your richest crown.

(outfit notes coming.. (I have to go to the doctor))

Time.To.Roll.up.The.Sleeves.

And get down to business. Yes, its time for Fashion for Life 2013: It’s not just about fashion…

Starting Monday I will begin to blog this event in earnest, afterall it is my favorite charity of all charitable events in Second Life. It hits me right in the heart because of my real life experiences with the ravages of cancer. But for now, me and my family at *SoliDea FoliEs* and Salimar will have a moments quiet for one of our own. Please respect us our privacy, and I look forward to sharing with you our Fashion For Life items and the many incredible items of other SL designers during this week long event. I’ve seen many of the products that will be given with your donation, (100% of the cost of the item goes to Relay for Life) and they are simply amazing!

I hope you will find it in your heart to join me here on the blog and in Second Life at the “Fashion For Life” venues and shows. This year, along with the vendors, shows and raffles, there is a gacha event as well. So literally something for everyone! Over five and a half million was raised last year, lets make this our best year ever. And to make it easier for you, I’ve created a page of the Fashion For Life SLURL’s by designer. Please feel free to use them throughout the week for easy transport within the SIMs.

Every year, hundreds of people in Second Life ™ give their time, creativity and money to help raise funds and awareness on behalf of the ‘American Cancer Society’ at FASHION FOR LIFE.

This year from March 9th – 17th, an incredible 9 sims built by some of the grids best artists and builders will open to the public based on the theme of ‘The Seven Ancient Wonders of the World.’

But it’s not only the very best fashion you can expect to see this year but also dazzling art, beautiful buildings and a schedule of live events and fashion shows produced by SL’s top fashion agencies!

SIM BUILDERS & SPONSORS:

▪ Great Pyramid of Giza – Built by Thoth Jantzen – Sponsored by LAZURI
▪ Hanging Gardens of Babylon – Built by Patch Thibaud – Sponsored by Tres Beau
▪ Statue of Zeus at Olympia – Built by KarlinJames Zepp – Sponsored by Leri Miles Designs, Quality mesh fashion for men and women.
▪ Temple of Artemis at Ephesus – Built by nexuno Thespian – Sponsored by .:EMO-tions:.
▪ Mausoleum at Halicarnassus – Built by Kaya Angel – Sponsored by Sonatta Morales *8* Vintage Couture
▪ Colossus of Rhodes – Built by Rebeca Bashly – Sponsored by Chop Zuey Couture and Jewellery
▪ Lighthouse of Alexandria – Built by Bryn Oh – Sponsored by [sYs] Design
▪ Event Sim Center – Built by Eshi Otawara – sponsored by Miss Mundo Virtual Organization
▪ Event Sim North – Built by Eshi Otawara – Sponsored by Christianraven Resident

VIP SPONSORS:

▪ Tjake Kearny
▪ Giz Seorn

ENTERTAINMENT & EVENTS SCHEDULE:
The week will also host a schedule of live entertainment, music and catwalk events and each scheduled fashion show will reveal different outfits from the all new ‘Fashion for Life 2013’ collection.

SATURDAY MARCH 9TH ▪12:00 PM SLT: GRAND OPENING OF FASHION FOR LIFE 2013!

SUNDAY MARCH 10TH
▪10:00 AM SLT – FASHION SHOW – Produced by: KV Dream Agency

MONDAY MARCH 11TH
▪4:00 PM SLT – FASHION SHOW – Produced by SOLO EVANE

TUESDAY MARCH 12TH
▪4:00 PM SLT – FASHION SHOW – Produced by AVENUE

WEDNESDAY MARCH 13TH ▪4:00 PM SLT- FASHION SHOW – Produced by Elegance Agency
▪6:00 PM SLT – ANTONIO GALLOWAY IN CONCERT!

THURSDAY MARCH 14TH
▪4:00 PM SLT – FASHION SHOW – Produced by UEMA AGENCY

FRIDAY MARCH 15TH
▪12:00 PM SLT – CHANGHIGH SISTERS FIRESHOW of Light, Life and Love
▪4:00 PM SLT – FASHION SHOW – Produced by OPIUM EVOLUTION

SATURDAY MARCH 16TH ▪10:00 AM SLT – GALLIANO COUTURE INSPIRED COLLECTION – Produced by BLVD AGENCY

SUNDAY MARCH 17TH ▪9:00 AM SLT – GRAND FINALE – SL TOP MODEL COMPETITION
▪11:00 AM SLT – CLOSING PARTY – RAFFLE WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT

*BOSL Radio will also stream across all 9 sims in partnership with SL club ‘The Velvet’.

* There will be a public ‘BEST FFL PHOTO CONTEST’ for the duration of this event. The winner will receive items from participating FFL designers.

PRESS & MEDIA NOTES:

“When I saw the amount of new and beautiful creations being made for FASHION FOR LIFE 2013, my head spin like Linda Blair’s in her best moment. How could we possibly showcase all this new fashion in one week while organizing the event at the same time? Thank God for SL FASHION AGENCIES! They all graciously jumped in to give us a hand. I am forever grateful.” Frolic Mills, BOSL & Co, CEO

Fashion for Life Flickr: Taxi:

Fairies.and.other.Flights.of.Fancy.

“Playful Faery on a Soft Spring Day” photo Skip Staheli

Ok, you guys have some ‘splaining to do.. Out of curiosity, yesterday I blogged something I wouldn’t normally. Nawty Cao! –.– Heck, a ton of it was just to see if I could get a laugh out of anyone, but a part, the thinking part, wanted to do a little market research.. Forty more hits than usual. You all have something to tell me?

“Starry Night for the Seaman’s Wife” photo Magissa Denver

One of my FB/SL friends made the comment she was at a crossroads deciding if she would quit modeling or hang in there a little longer. Second Life modeling is a very tough “occupation,” a total flight of fancy for the most part. There are so many models and so little work available. You would think me of all people, the hopeless optimist, would tell her to hang in there. But to be an honest friend, I could not do so. First because no one knows whether it will get better or if the doors will continue to, in her words, “slam in her face and the people choose to toss her in the trash.” I thought on it a few days and this is what I say for what its worth. Probably not worth much. First the obvious, models in SL do not “get rich.” That said, your desire to model must be driven by some other inner need in you. Mine was/is to create art. I love fashion, I have a silly little blog so I take pics and write. I, myself had a lot of doors shut in my face but I chose to ignore this and create my name, the face of my brand, on my own. It can be done, to this day I am more Internet model than inworld.

“Dare to Dance the Tides” by Magissa Denver

So if you find something about SL modeling that you enjoy, perfect it. With this perfection, you WILL be noticed. If you are not noticed how you wish to be, at least you participated to your own enjoyment, not at the whim of someone else. I want to leave you with this. Why these particular photos? Most older models, but perhaps few of the new set of models, know I was in the Angel of Angel Dessous contest two years in a row. I put a lot of my heart into the contest because I love the design line. But most of all, every month I had the chance to create a new piece of art for my portfolio. link to AD flickr set: I suppose from one point of view, two years in a row “the door was slammed in my face,” but I’d be a liar to say that. Because what I earned was so much more. I earned two grand heart friends in Nando Korobase and Gina Beaumont, the designers of Angel Dessous. I earned a plush, robust, art filled portfolio, pictures I am singularly proud of. The fantasy pic’s I am even considering using in a childrens book. So, my dear friend, you do have a choice to make. You need to look into your heart and decide what motivates you, because this decision, no matter how much friends will “guide” you, needs to come from within. Taxi to Angel Dessous:

“Needful Things” by Magissa Denver

As an aside, Angel Dessous has turned their calendar over to a new Angel of Angel Dessous contest. I hope you will give it a try!

Angel of Angel Dessous™ Fashion Photo Contest 2013

Rules :
* each participant of the Angel Dessous Fashion Photo Contest has to be a member of the Angel Dessous in Second Life inworld group
* to set up your pic you must be a member of the Angel of Angel Dessous Fashion Photo Contest Group at flickr (www.flickr.com/groups/angelofthemonth/ )
* each participant can upload one pic each month
* all contest pics must be uploaded at this flickr group
* the pic must be in 1024 x 1024 or 2048 x 2048
* the pic can be shot by yourself or somebody else, take care that you are the owner of all rights
of this pic
* the primarily design you show at the pic has to be a Angel Dessous Design,
its allowed to wear fashion and accessoriess of other designers as stylistic elements.
* you give us the right to show, promote or advertise placed pics public at the Angel Dessous Mainstore , Angel Dessous Website (angeldessous.wordpress.com/ ) and / or SL Magazins
* winners will be chosen by a panel of judges to be announced

Prizes :

* each month we place the 5 best fashion art shots of all submitted shots
* the first placed shot will be shown next month at a prominent double page at BeStyle Magazin
includet with a modell resumee of the current winner.
* all 5 placed shots will gain a 1000 L$ Angel Dessous Store Card
* the pics will be exhibited at the Angel Dessous Mainstore and diverse SL fashion blogs
* also the winner will be the model at the next advertisement pic of Angel Dessous,
excl. shot by one of Seconde Lifes best photographers.
* the * Angel of Angel Dessous 2014 * ( elected in December 2013 ) will be shown at a outstanding 6 double page fashion spread at BeStyle Magazine, shooting of this Photo Story will also be done by one of the best SL Fashion Photographers
…. and the winner will also be shown at this BeStyle Magazin cover page
* the winner will represent Angel Dessous in 2014 at advertisements, shows and events
* there will be also additional prizes for Winner, 1st and 2nd runner up of the final contest
provided by Angel Dessous and friendly sponsors

Timetable :
* the Angel Dessous Fashion Photo Contest 2013 will run from January to November 2013.
In December 2013 we will elect the Winner of 2013 , the Angel of Angel Dessous 2014,
chosen of the 11 monthly winners in 2013
* each monthly contest will start at the 10th and end at the last day of this month
* the monthly placements will be elect at the first days of the following month

http://www.flickr.com/groups/angelofthemonth/

Love.and.the Single.Girl.

Going out without accessories is like parading around naked. Hat Baoba: Fairie, **L’Accessoires**

Being single is pretty cool for the most part. Well it is now, it’s a little slow and uncreative at first, but after you become a pro at it you pretty much find a substitute for everything a regular couple has. You do, honestly! Here, ye of little faith, I’ll spell some of it out for you.

You coupled people; you know how when you come home from work and you rant and rave about the day you had? Your husband/boyfriend/other nods so sweetly and coos and offers to make you a toddy and to rub your feet? Yeah, uh huh, I’d like to meet THAT guy! 😉 Well I come home and tell my Jack Russell Terrior-ist, KT all about my day, she looks at me with those big brown eyes in her microcephalic head, I give her a treat and rub her belly. Hmm not quite the same, but you get the point it has the same effect.

Single girls have plenty of Intimacy. Hey, we do! Don’t be a hater; my best friend B.O.B. (battery operated boyfriend) makes up in innovativeness what he lacks as a conversationalist. Who likes all that sweaty, grunting and groaning anyway? I only wish I hadn’t accidentally taken him to goodwill last week with a bundle of clothes I was donating. (I know, I know, my poor mother). If we were catholic she’d be doing the Sign of the Cross right now.

You know how when you and your “other” get in an argument about his mother, he starts to ping at the little insecurities you have about your body? Oh wait, yeah. I ping at those little insecurities about my body every time I look in the mirror. Just kidding, the best part about enjoying being happily and healthily single is you typically love yourself, faults and all.

Would I throw it on like this, nah, most of the time, less is more. Well in less your naked under your accessories. All From L’Accessoires, except collar: Hat: Baoba, Fairies, Earrings: House of London, Mia Nugget Earrings. Arms: 22769, Nouvette sleeves. Left Hangbag: Handverk, Tetrahedron. Right Hand Bag: Eclipse. Collar: .Shi, Leather lace collar

Don’t get me wrong, I love, love, absolutely love coupledom and I am sure one day I will find “that” one who I think can put up with me for the rest of my life (or until he kills me.) I am just saying I like being a solitary single too. I guess my current happily ever after is to blog, to share teeny bits of my life, and to laugh until it hurts with friends and with you, my someday soon friends. If being this open strikes a smile, a chord of friendship or similarity of being with just one reader, I’d say my purpose to put it all out there is a success. I know it’s a altitudinous goal, but with you all traveling with me, I’d like to think it’s plausible. And in the words of Yogi Berra in my own way I plead, “half the lies said about me ain’t true.” Man, I sure do miss B.O.B though.

Whistles “taxi”: Taxi:

Breathe.Out.So.I.Can.Breathe.You.In.

Kind of quiet today. I have a busy weekend this weekend. Lots of real life to attend to. Not bad stuff, two parties actually, one on a dinner boat, one for the Nascar races. I live alone, so I like going to parties every once in a while. It lets me mingle and meet people. Do I feel I have to have a man in my life?. No, not really. Not now anyway. I often wonder if I waited to long to ever have a someone. But I think thats okay, I’m kinda in love with the person I live with (me). Many people ask me if I am lonely. I do get that way sometimes, but to be honest, I am so quiet I hardly even notice I am there. (thats a joke) Being single is beneficial in a lot of ways, I am not defined by a relationship, I am me. I can go to a Nascar race and not know a single driver. I also don’t have to put up with someone’s annoying habits, we all have them. I take that back, I do have to put up with it, KT snores like a lumberjack, a lot of noise for something that weighs 19 pounds. I oft get scared the neighbors in the condo next to mine will assume its me snoring.

Another great thing about being single? I can date. No, I don’t go to those dating sites, Lawdy knows the way the Internet scares me, I’d be comatose by the time someone tried to hook up with me. But more importantly, I half suspect those sites are used more by married people than singles. Whats up with that anyway? Sheesh! If the grass is so much greener on my side, get a divorce first. Well, hmm, maybe that was a little closed minded. I better stop here. As you can tell, I am mellowing into the weekend, in a feisty kind of way. I might even go out tonight. So you guys hold down the fort, the Cao is going to wander away. I’m going to breathe.

And when I do, you can bet I am going to wear something like these two outfits from Kallisto Destiny of Drift. I just love the dress, it’s roomy and gorgeous with a sneaky little peek of a lot of lower back. I like that, makes him ache to touch me. The dress has a HUD that allows you to change the colors, so one dress equals a lot of different uses. YAY! I’m going to wear the “Morning Tank” to the Nascar party. The weather this weekend will be in the 80’s and its an outdoor party, so I’ll want to keep it cool, no? Take from? Yep. It’s amazing to have someone to share your life with, it truly is. It’s like when you take a breath they are entrenched deeply in to your soul. Some say, the person “completes” you. But while this type of relationship is all encompassing, the person doesn’t “complete you.” You are whole when you are born, your life experience creates the complete you. This lover is an added quality to life, they “enhance” you. I hope you all have an equally enhanced weekend! Drift: Taxi: (all the other SLURLS, “last known page…)

Outfit One:
Dress: Drift, Flirtini *NEW*
Hairs: Exile, Faded Style *NEW*
Handbag: Eclipse, La Petite **L’Accessoires
Necklace: MiWardrobe, The Vintage Landscape **L’Accessoires
Boots: Miamai, Tamara **L’Accessoires
Glasses: Mons, Round Glasses **L’Accessoires

Outfit Two:
Shirt: Drift, Morning Tank (also with color HUD) *New*
Hairs: Exile, Crazy in Love *New*
Shorts: Mon Tissu, Dotted cuffed denim
Jewelry: Mandala, Earring, Ohoshisama. Bracelet, Sitennoah. Necklace, Osenbei *All New*
Boots: Maitreya, Stagioni
Handbag: Handverk, Tetrahedron **L’Accessoire’s

For.Those.We.Have.Lost.

It is so close to the time. So close and I am so excited because this event weighs so heavy on my heart due to my best friend/sister in law dying of leukemia. I look forward to it every year, this is my third in Second Life and I hope you will lend a hand and help too. The wonderful part of SL’s Fashion for Life event is you don’t just donate, you receive a product for your donation, something you would possibly wish to buy anyway. All the designers items at donated to the charity at 100%. One person can make a difference. As stated on the RFL website, “Nowhere is that more evident than with the story of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, which began in Tacoma, Washington. In the mid-1980s, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society office and to show support for all of his patients who had battled cancer. He decided to personally raise money for the fight by doing something he enjoyed – running marathons.” Dr. Klatt walked the track for 24 hours straight for his patients and with his friends raised $27,000 toward the cure. Don’t think cancer is some vague disease that will never effect you. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States alone. I personally lost my best friend/sister in law to leukemia at the age of 36 and watching the disease progress is devastating. There are many types of cancer, but all cancers start with a single abnormal cell. Abnormal cells multiply quickly. They spread to other parts of the body, invading healthy body tissue and organs, yet almost half of all cancer deaths can be prevented with early detection and treatment.

Relay For Life is the signature fundraising event of the American Cancer Society. The Relay For Life of Second Life is the largest, most successful fundraising event in our virtual world, raising more than $5.4 million in 2012. From noon March 9th 2013 to noon March 17th 2013, the biggest, boldest and most fabulous fashion event of the year will take place, helping to raise funds and awareness on behalf of the ‘American Cancer Society.’

The Look: Base Piece, I built the look around. The Jacket. One Word AMAZING! I loved it so much, here’s the taxi! Taxi:

Jacket: Sonatta Morales, *8* Avril Coat
Collar: *CoCo*, Fur Tippet & Pearls
Knicker Short: Leezu! Glitter pant
Shirt: Part of Miamai’s Demi Gown
Earrings: *SoliDea FoliEs*, Aliza **NEW** L’Accessoires
Belt: *Coco*, Wide Waist belt
Handbag: Handverk, Tetrahedron, **NEW** L’Accessoires!
Hat: Lode, Bittersweet [Spring] **NEW** L’Accessoires!
Hair: Miamai, Songe
Eye Makeup: +Nuuna+ Katy
Lips: Blackliquid, Blood Gloss
Boots: Belgravia, Electra Boots

UNTIL THERE IS A CURE. . . .WE RELAY!!