Fowl Feathered Friends

Okay, I can’t help it. I love feathers and I love creative fashion. It’s one of the reasons me working for *SoliDea FoliEs* is such a good fit. Mila Tatham designs very creatively. But there are a lot of these truly creative designers out there. One of the others brands I simply can’t live without is Faint Paulse’s Ladies Who Lunch. I started playing with this outfit Saturday, but it was such a nightmare in SL getting anything to attach I finally said “uncle” and left. I think today was a little better, and I hope you like. I am keeping with the low velocity one more day, so Draakje? short and sweet, so there!

Take from? There is a new round of Hottie Cooterati’s Zodiac, and its Taurus, and I’m a Taurus, so HAVE fun for my birthday month! And buy me lots of prezzy’s, okay? See, so nice, I’ll even include the taxi. Taxi to Zodiac!:

Outfit One:

Skin: Essences, Taurus **Hottie Cooterati Zodiac event** (Thanks Anderian Sugarplum :**)
Hat: [LWL], Blush Veil hat
Hair: Tuty’s, Adorable
Earrings: Mandala, Leather Feather
Makeup: Mons, Burning eyeshadow (**Taurus Hottie Cooterati Zodiac event**)
Gloves: Mimikri
“Wings”: [LWL], Vesuvius, feather part of hip pieces
Shirt: [LWL], MFM11 Aviary Top
Tutu: [LWL], Aviary Tutu
Socks: ALB, Joy (part of a boot set)
Shoos: [LWL], Faint! Precarious Platforms

Save a Boyfriend for a Rainy Day

Time-honored and fashionista-approved, a lush leather piece is more than worth adding to your spring shopping list.

and another in case it doesn’t rain. ~ Mae West . Well it’s that time again. At least I can’t blame my mum this time. This time it’s all my brother’s doing. This is some friend of my brother’s wife’s, brother thing. It gets really scary when it’s that many people removed from people I can actually trust. I can just hear the report on the news when I show up missing, “we aren’t sure who she was last seen with, I think it was the stepfather of her third cousin twice removed,” or some other red-neck sounding thing like that. The last guy I dated that was set up this way, I bought him a down jacket from the local outlet mall, I told him it perfectly matched his personality. He didn’t “get” it. Sometimes, I hate date night. I broke my standing rule too. He is taking me to dinner at some swanky reservations only restaurant. I hope he chews with his mouth closed, I somehow think if I look over at him lovingly and have to stab him with something, they probably won’t have a plastic spork anywhere within reach. I suppose I can bring my own…

Minimalistic shapes, rich colors, and a no-fuss approach to the hair, makeup, and accessories make this look seem like they’re from 2013, not 1983.

The worst part about a blind first date at a fancy reservations only restaurant is you have to dress up. When I dress up, to hide those lines on my slinky cocktail dress I’ll probably wear spanks. (Spanks:) Have you ever worn them? They are wonderful for looking svelte, but you might as well forget eating or drinking much. Both of which kind of negate a first date at a posh restaurant. The eating relates to the restaurant, the drinking to the first date. The first time I wore a pair of spanks, I made the mistake of wearing them to a cocktail party at a friend’s house. I was surrounded by friends, oh and that one guy I was meeting for the first time, you know the poor soul picked to attend just to meet me? Luckily, all but THE guy know me and expect oddities in behavior here and there. To put Spanks on you practically have to lie on a bed and pull and wedge, grunt and coax them up. And I am terrible at consuming alcohol while wearing these things honestly. I guess since I have so little room inside, once I start to drink I fill up fast. It was okay the first few hours; I was the only one going to the bathroom. But by midnight, on my, I don’t know, twelfth or so visit, I ran out of luck. As I was struggling to pull the blasted things up I was groaning and grunting, maybe a little cursing as sweat popped out over my brow. When you’re in the midst of doing this, you aren’t listening to yourself, your just working, you know? Finally redressed, I walk out the door not only to find a line of three hugely smiling friends, but first in line is THE guy, with the oddest expression on his face. .. I wonder if its bad form to call tonight’s date and claim sick? I’m beginning to feel a case of the intentional flu.

Take from? Why not, at this point. When meeting someone for the first time, always be yourself, not some fake version of you. For one thing, it lets him see you as you truly are and there is no reason to keep up an artificial charade if there is a second date. Build a relation on an honest foundation and it creates a familiarity right from the start. Besides, sometimes it’s best to get the worse out there first because then things can only get better. Right? I hope that’s not famous last words..

Outfit One:

Hat: House of Fox, Roller Hat ❤
Hair: Tuty's, Bob
Glasses:House of Fox, 1960's glasses
Lipstick: Mons, LOVE!
Shoulder piece:House of Fox, Lita's shoulders
Belt: Anubis, Leather belt
Jacket: House of Fox, Scarlet Blazer
Shirt:House of Fox, Crop Corset
Skirt: Ricielli, Hi-Waist skirt, python
Shoos: [whatever], CG Spiked
Handbag: House of Fox, Steffani Lux tote
Jacket:

Au.Revoir.

I was speaking with a dear friend in Second Life yesterday. Something recently happened to her in her first life that left her just a little off-kilter. We’ve all been there probably. I think we are given tragedy every once in a while to remind us not to rush through life with single minded purpose, to live with all the senses, to slow down and remember to feel. I don’t mean this to minimize anything anyone is going through, I could never even know what another person is facing, I am speaking in a personal nature of the tragedy’s that have befallen myself. And yes, like everyone, I have had a few. But for myself I say, and in hope it will help some of you, take a little time to savor the pain, it is yours to hold but as time passes, forgive yourself, and let it go. If there was a lesson to be learned from the tragedy, learn it, but always, even you deserve forgiveness, kindness and peace. Life is for the living.

Here at this end of the year, my last blog of the year, I want to thank all of you! I don’t get around Second Life very much anymore, being “old and retired” and all (thanks Zaara and Kim for telling me so!) Thank goodness my Dragon bought me a motorized wheel chair for my rez day.. o.O But anyway, thank you all for always being so funny, so fun and just plain nice to me. I have so many wonderful friends in Second Life and each of you holds a place in my heart. You are all so creative, so amazing, I just know I would adore you in real life too if we were ever to meet! I’ve received a gazillion and one Christmas holiday cards, about as many best wishes IMs and I can’t tell you how much I treasure all of them! So before I cry and get sappy, I wish you the best holiday you have ever had, I hope santa knows your wish list and gives extra, and I can’t wait to start this all over from the beginning with you all on January first! So behave for another day or two, then swing from the chandelier’s if you so wish on December 26th. I figure we have a week to be naughty then its back to “work” again! I want to send a special thank you with love to Draakje Dailey, my dragon. Of all the friends she had to get stuck with it had to be a Cao who is lost more than found! Thank you for all you do to make my Second Life function right. (Though I half think she is the one who keeps making me crash…) She knows so much about things, I think she might have a Linden in her pocket… love you all! Namaste.

Outfit One:
Hat/Jacket: *SoliDea FoliEs*
Boots: Belgravia
Jewelry: Mandala
Hairs: Tuty
Trunk set, What Next?
Mannequins, :AOF:
Pose: Del May

Outfit Two:
Shirt: Mon Tissu, ruffled Shell
Fur: Mimikri
Skirt: Ladies Who Lunch, from the Ava gown
Gloves: Mimikri
Jewelry: Mandala, Watch *NEW* Sitennoah. Necklace, Onigiri. Earrings, Leather Feather. Rings, Motsumame, Annuttra
Hat: Miamai, Memento Fascinator
Hairs: Boon, PKJ371
Pose: Corpus, Love my Dico! ❤

Walking.In.A.Winter.Wonderland.

Reblog: I wanted to reblog this because I feel it is important to me. Well, as important as a silly Cao can be. I want my last two blogs of the year to attempt to say what is in my heart. And this is, after all, my Christmas card to each of you for 2012. I hope you like it. 🙂 What a happy year I have had because of all of you! As I leave here, I am filled with so many thoughts, so much happiness really. I adore and appreciate each and every one of you, you are amazing, supportive, kind, and oh so wonderful! I write just “stuff,” I was going to say crap, but I should be nice, even to myself, in the spirit of the holiday. You all bring me such a huge smile daily because you support me, some hopefully even “get” me. I am thankful even for the anonymous readers who peek in every once in a while and then wander off to their own devices. There are no words to express the honor I feel that for some reason, that day, you peeked! Life is good. I hope yours is as well. But always, lets remember to include those less fortunate than ourselves. Even if all we can afford to spare is an extra big smile and a kind word. Thank you for an amazing roller coaster of a year everyone. Wheee!

This is my “grown up Christmas Wish.” This Christmas let your heart shine a little brighter, be a little more open to possibility. Christmas is not a time nor a season but a state of mind. Cherish peace and goodwill, look to others with a little more forgiveness, and feel the joy of the season with the heart of a child. Be glad, be hopeful and feel the good of the world spiritually. Because there is nothing quite so poignantly sad than to wake up Christmas day and not be a child, soften your view and embrace the season as a child. I hope you wake up in wonder and joy for all that surrounds you. That is the little wish I have for each and every one of you. Namaste.

Outfit:
Dress: *SoliDea FoliEs*, mix of two outfits. Snowball and Glitter
Wings and Wreaths: Caverna Obscura, part of Holly Faerie Outfit (wreaths, neck and head)
Antlers: Boudoir, Frosted Antlers
Legs: Gauze, Demon legs
tights: Dark Midday Designs, Cute Uggs
Nails: Mandala, Polly
Hairs: Dura, Boys and Girls 38
Ears: +pe+ Elder ears, heavy metal
Poses: Pics and Poses and DelMay

Dusting.Off.The.Big.Girl.Knickers.

This blog is for all the MVW misses of 2013. I want to offer solice and courage to each of you, and future congratulations to one of you. Unfortunately, as with all things in life there is a winner and most are “losers.” But I want you to remember, you were a good model prior to Miss Virtual World and if you choose to continue, you will be a better model in the future. Miss Virtual World does not define, or make you who you are. Only you have that power. Hard work and perseverance, dedication to learning, and well, some luck too, are what makes a model rise above other models. So dust off those big girl knickers, rest a bit, and get back out there, work hard and be the best you can be.

Take froms? Someone has to lose, it is an inevitable fact of life (*raises hand* rejection class of 2012) but think about the friends you have made, the little things you have learned, “Losing” for anyone in anything we try to accomplish is an opportunity for true growth in your life. Take a moment to re-evaluate what is important to you, to your life, and to your Second Life hobby. I mean, was this loss really all that important to you in the grand scheme of your life time? Do you think when you are 80 you will even remember the time you lost a Virtual beauty pageant? I certainly hope not. And consider this, by losing, how has your expected future changed? What was really lost? Anything other than time? But also, what was really gained or was potentially gained? Take the loss with a grain of salt, but as well with a grain of sugar, you have accomplished, in the very least a new network of friends from around the world, and most certainly you have grown from the experience. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? So relax, enjoy the last day of the contest, what happens, happens. MVW will not make you “famous” nor make you obsolete, only you can do that to yourself, and if you define obsolete by the demise of a virtual modeling career, it may be time to step back and take a long look at your real life.

A very special thank you to Mila Tatham of *SoliDea FoliEs* for creating this hat and jacket, just for this blog. =** I could never replace a friend and sister like you! Boots: Belgravia, Jewelry: Mandala, Hairs: Tuty, Trunk set, What Next?, Mannequins, :AOF:, Pose: Del May

Sirens.Song.

I wonder why, in Second Life, it is so impossible to pass up on purchasing a dress you wouldn’t dare to wear in real life? I don’t know the answer to the question, but I am glad I can buy it. I just hope my mama doesn’t see me in it.

Outfit:

Hair: Tuty’s, “adorable”
Earring/Bracelet: Mandala, “Ceekeeey” and “Pearl Rain” bangle
Necklace: .Shi, “Stone” necklace
Gown: .Shi, “Toga”
Nipple Cover: Miamai, from the “Rapt” outfit, Rapt:

Never.Say.Never.

I know, I know. I’ve heard myself say it at least a hundred times, “I am retired.” But sometimes, things change, and most times for a really good reason. A reason like, one of your favorite agency’s, BLVD Model Management, and one of your favorite Entertainment Empires, BOSL (Best of Second Life), and two of your favorite designer’s, Gizza and *SoliDea FoliEs* , ask for you to attend. Well, how could I pass all that by, and really, why would I want to? I had a blast! I have to admit, I was a little scared, I’d never been in a show that was threatened with a cyber terrorist attack, heck, I couldn’t even figure out how to mute the big bully. But in the end, good over-powered evil, the show went on, and boy, the entire week was simply amazing! My congratulations to BOSL, BLVD, Metaverse TV, and all of the designer’s who participated! Also, thank you to all who came to watch or watched on TV. There is nothing quite as exciting as walking a runway to the sound of applause and wedding proposals. (*cough* Zachary!) You are all so kind and uplifting, such wonderful friends, thank you always for your support of a silly lil Cao.

Outfit One:

Dress: Gizza, “Baroque”
Hat: LaGyo, “Royal Black”
Hair: Tuty’s, “adorable”
Earrings: [Mandala], “Noodle Geisha Red”
Rings: LaGyo, “Bizarre Flower”
Makeup: Nuuna, “Katy”
Lashes: Boudoir, “Serious Eyeliner”

Outfit Two:

Jacket: Gizza, “Padded Jacket”
Pants: Gizza, “Capri”
Hat: La Gyo, “Propeller” hat
Makeups: Nuuna, “Zion” and “Astro”
Shoes: L&B, “Elise”

Postcard.To.A.Dear.Friend.

Recently, with so much joy, I watched a dear friend of mine turn forty. Forty. Such a milestone! I picture forty as standing on a precipice of Mont Blanc, as you look back you see all the pages of the life you have lived, the little mistakes, the big victories, all the dalliances, pains and joys that have softened your hard edges and just somehow made you softer, wiser, and perhaps nicer than you were at twenty. Hopefully we all become a little less opinionated and a little more forgiving because all we have lived will create the enlightened us of forty. And women always seem more in tune with themselves, more loving and somehow at their most beautiful at forty. Don’t you think?

As the woman of forty turns her view opposite, forward, she will see all the blank pages of her life story yet to be lived, experienced and written. She will intertwine the lessons, the histories, of the first forty years and in the second forty weave it into a more colorful, gorgeous tapestry of a life, a tapestry befitting royalty, a life, a love of those around them, a dedication written in the hearts of all those they have touched. You have already lovingly touched a soft piece of my heart, etched your name deeply, permanently there, my dear friend Mila. I am honored to see the beautiful you of forty, and will be equally honored to travel a few more steps with you as you live your history, as you continue to write your pages, my words dispersed in small snippets through your wonderful pages, I am honored to know I have had a small place there, even if only for the brief moments of letters written on the sand to be erased by the tides of the sea. One day, I may have washed away but at some point, even if only for the waxing and waning of a moon, I am here, I am with you, and I feel joy. Happy Birthday Mila! I hope you like the picture my darling Skip Staheli has made of the *SoliDea FoliEs* “40” dress you so kindly gave to us for your birthday.

On to business. I know this is what my dragon, Draakje Dailey, calls “Cao’s version of “Word and Peace.”” The International Model Agency is having a “Sydney Fashion Week’” beginning August 17th 2012 through August 22nd, 2012. *SoliDea FoliEs* will be having a show on August 19th, 2012 at 5AM SLT. Above is the gorgeously colorful, unique offering created by Mila Tatham exclusively for this event. It has so much of the exquisite colors and feel of a native aboriginal costume, I just had to have it! Isn’t it divine?

I hope you get the chance to support these hard working models by attending the shows. I know I will pop into a few just to see the exclusive apparel these wonderful designers have made! I hope you will too! Have a wonderful weekend!

Look One:
Dress: *SoliDea FoliEs* “40”
Hairs: Tuty’s, “wet look”
Hat: Miamai, “Memento Boreal”
Makeup: LovelyMi Makeups, “Aphrodite”
Tights: Peqe, “Unicef”

Lean.Backward.In.Time.

I am not technically a blogger for Chic Managements 2012 Vintage Fair, but it’s such a cool event, I want to cover at least a tiny bit of it. Especially since some of my favorite designers are involved! Vintage Fair (from Aug 4th – Aug 29th) will showcase 250+ brands each exploring inspiration from the vintage eras of 1920 – 1980. This year there will also be ‘Antique’ fashions (pre 1920s).

I don’t know how one seems to just fall into a genre of style, sometimes a model picks their favorite style and sticks to it, I know a lot of models like that. But other times, it just randomly happens. That seems to be what has happened with me and vintage apparel. Both of these pictures are the creation of the respective designers and they so kindly gave me the honor to model for them. Personally I would think my Asian qualities would make the look difficult to traditionally pull off, but I have been told by several designers who have asked me to model that my features are what they are looking for. I suppose its fragileness, but honestly, these designs are always so incredible, they make anyone look the perfect fashion doyenne.

In the picture above I had the honor to set with Mila Tatham of *SoliDea FoliEs* for the advertisement of her “Salima” and “Sabrina” gowns. Both gowns are so lush and traditional in all ways. Much the sort of faire you would see on a Hollywood starlet in a Hitchcock movie. The dresses are smoothly satined across the bodice and have an exquisite flowered tulle skirting. The kind you can just hear swooshing as you sashay by, because in these gorgeous gowns how can you not sashay? The sheer crinoline material allows a sexy peek of bosom and both gowns are vintage finished, mine with the flowering collar, Mila’s with the banded neckline and traditional shoulder pads. These gowns may be vintage, but they are the sort you would snatch off the rack if you find it in a real world vintage shop because they still have a classic elegance that will never go out of style. Accessory-wise I have on a hair base and piece from Tuty’s and Donna Flora earrings and ring.

This designer, Poulet Koenkamp of Purple Moon Creations has been a special friend to me for over a year now, well, since I won the title “Essence of Purple Moon” last summer. She even designed my lovely Hanbok gown for Miss Virtual World. She is such a dedicated designer, always striving to create top quality apparel, whether it’s jewelry, boho, vintage, summer casual, or gown and I have never been disappointed with any item I have modeled for Poulet and I’ve modeled quite a bit. For this picture I am wearing the “Paula” gown that was offered in the recent “Head to Toe” hunt that was such a success in store. She just re-released the gown in 6 additional colors! The gown has a satiny fitted bodice, with a off shoulder sheer lace cover and sleeves. The skirt a heavy brocade, or toile, moves charmingly outward mid-thigh to create an elegant presence to the wearer’s silhouette. Gorgeous enough to make a Cao look like a grand dame!

With such gorgeous creations as these, how can you not create your own elegance? I had a great time today, I like to think of myself as a glamorous Hollywood siren from the 1940’s or 1950’s. I hope you slip by the Vintage Fair and pick up some of these treasures, because most of them only come around once a year. Have a beautiful day!