THE BEST OF SL MAGAZINE MAY 2021 by The Best Of SL Magazine

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Photography By: Sammie Audion

Publisher/Editor-In-Chief Reign Congrejo Asst Fashion Editor Shantal Gravois CONTRIBUTORS CompE KoKo Carlucci Sammie Audion Yhishara Cerise Arya Braveheart Sita Writer COVER Magissa Denver COVER MODEL: Yhishara Cerise

BOSL Magazine May 2021 Edition

Photography By: Sammie Audion

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CONTENT

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TRIBUTE TO SONATTA MORALES

POUGHKEEPSIE

CLEAN POOL 49

FASHION TREND-WELCOME TO THE MET

SL MARTINDALE FAIR 102 ITS A STRESSFUL LIFE 118 THE PERFECT HONEYMOON 134 Bosl edition

A Tribute to Sonatta Morales “Don’t spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door.” — Coco Chanel

This Coco quote is the way Sonatta lived. She was a realist, a historian of the best vintage styles in SL, and a woman of Mata Hari intrigue. I loved her and will miss her always-– many will. No one in SL is like her in terms of her niche for vintage fashions and personality. I will never forget the first time I saw Sonatta Morales… at Eldorado, a club popular in RL during the Weimer era that lasted from 1918 through early 1930s in Berlin. The city was obsessed with the arts, caught up in séances, striptease, burlesque, and transvestite balls… and Sonatta was the enchantress.

A visit to the Eldorado perfectly captured this time period within the backdrop of the vintage role-play sim of 1920s Berlin. Historically, the club featured regular performances by the likes of Marlene Dietrich, Claire Waldoff, and the Weintraub Syncopators. in SL, the club hosts the one and only Sonatta Morales… and many minions and fans. So much fun.

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Article by: Sita Writer|Photography: Jamee Sandalwood She told me years ago: “The Eldorado belongs to Berlin; I don’t like to call myself ‘the owner.’ I’m here to keep it alive and bubbly. I can be a performer or a hostess, it really doesn’t matter. My goal is to throw a big party every Saturday and have fun. Good 1920’s style wild fun! Berlin at that time was an incredibly busy cultural centre with a liberated nightlife; cabarets were everywhere and the focus of their entertainment. Performers flocked to Berlin, the real Eldorado made history, and I keep that history alive.” Sonatta Morales was a keeper of world culture and history. She embraced fun and style, she loved to have fun… kind, gifted and, oh, she loved the golden age. I know she is a star in the firmament-– shining, always… hopeful and full of encouragement, style, and happiness with a dash of I dare you!

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CREDITS: Photographer: Jamee Sandalwood Desireme Fallen Top |NX-Nardcotix - Sia Bottom | NX-Nardcotix - Sia Coat | Rowne. - Olesya Lace Coat Boots | NX-Nardcotix - Sabina Hair Accessory | Fellini Couture-Yuko AvaJean Westland Zohra Gown Brittainy Collins Incens Pants and Top Desireme Fallen Astor Trench Coat EleanorJean Jay Dress Amara Hair Jamee Sandalwood Aat Gown Lady Pearls Set in Gold Dory Hat from Art in Hats 2015 JonelleDevonshire Bonnie Dress Lua Vendetta Elbe Dress Naarnisse Seda Dress Selene Snowpaw Thistle Dress

Jamee Sandalwood Aat Gown Lady Pearls Set in Gold Dory Hat from Art in Hats 2015 JonelleDevonshire Bonnie Dress Lua Vendetta Elbe Dress Naarnisse Seda Dress Selene Snowpaw Thistle Dress

POUGHKEEPSIE It is quite common to understand Second Life (SL) to be a fantasy land. Indeed, we can decide how much of our Real Life (RL) we choose to bring into this SL of ours, creating a new sort of virtual existence— admittingly with some limitations. The residents of SL have a variety of motivations to use SL, perhaps to give life to their most secret fantasies. Sometimes, those fantasies can become quite thrillingly real. Looking at SL from this angle, the virtual world can certainly be both a blessing and a curse. It is a wonderfully creative thing to design clothing, to build, or to decorate a dream home in SL. We can talking safely with a friend in an idyllic park or picturesque village in SL during this ongoing pandemic. Schools offer classes in SL with experts teaching on various topics, just to give a couple of obvious examples on the ‘blessings’ side. However, this freedom also gives room for a wide variety of abuse. It is certainly easier for a bully to abuse someone, given they can simply retire the avatar when caught and continue with a new one. The same is true for people with behavioral issues. The issues don’t have to be faced but relived, perhaps, also in new avatars over and over again. To describe SL from this mindset, we could use an admittingly extreme, hence obvious, analogy: “What can be done with a screwdriver in the hands of a craftsman or a murderer varies widely.” Hence, it can be concluded that everyone brings their flowery fantasy as well as the nightmares to SL. Moreover, many come to SL with expectations to be entertained or given the attention they are perhaps missing in RL. Some even come to SL to find proof that their struggles in RL are unfair and not their fault at all. Granted, this might sound like a wildly convoluted concept when looking at things that way. However, it could be put much, much simpler. When arriving at Poughkeepsie, I did not expect anything other than a well-made, creative sim. But right at the landing spot is a sign that really puts those convoluted concepts described above into one simple phrase: “WARNING: You are about to enter someone else’s dream”

Article/Photography: Sammie Audion That is after all, what SL is: A sum of dreams! This is actually a wonderful thing, especially during these troubled times we are currently in. Once looking beyond the sign, Poughkeepsie is a well created sim with much to explore. There are many cute sitting areas to hang out at and chat about the things that did or sadly did not happen in one’s RL day. It has a certain kind of atmosphere that can be much enhanced with the right windlights. Granted, everyone might get an entirely different impression from a place, but for me, it was the feel of a cloudy, perhaps mysterious day when the sun never even tries to put a single beam of sunshine on the land. That is not to say Poughkeepsie is a dangerous or spooky place— far from it! Animals can be seen playing and having fun. Cozy houses and lovely yards invite the visitor to hang out for a while to get a feel for the simpler things of life, like talking and actually listening to each other for a change. Furthermore, there are games out that can be played inworld. Perhaps going for a quick walk and later hanging out at one of the many sitting areas to enjoy the inspiring and relaxing landscape might be the thing one needs after a busy, stressful day. But just as the sign is teaching us, this is just one person’s dream. As we can observe in RL, this does not mean that the next person feels the same way. Additionally, we must account for the fact that our mind does make up for all the missing elements— like RL’s touch, smells, facial expressions, just to name a few —with a huge dose of wishful thinking. Keep in mind that every SL resident is creating their own fantasy land. We have the privilege— sometimes blessing, sometimes curse —to enter this world with our own fantasies. To be aware that this can be a fragile undertaking is certainly good advice. Perhaps this is why many believe that in SL, people tend to be more tolerant then they would be in RL? Be that as it may, SL can be wonderful world as long we are respectful, to ourselves and to each other.

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Happy exploring!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Royal%20Oaks/80/202/23

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Clean Pool May is here. Time to clean the pool and start getting ready for warmer weather, sunshine, and an end to chilly days and sweaters. Cast off those sneakers and find the flip flops; they will be somewhere at the back of the wardrobe. You may also need to try on the swimwear, because you know it has been a long year inside, eating! Luckily for you, Second Life is a place where that doesn’t matter, and you can don the swimsuit with confidence! It is also time to change the house on your land and drag out the swimming pool. If you don’t want to change the home, then how about a change of furniture and decor to get ready for those long summer days by the pool?

I have decided to go for this awesome new home from Trompe Loeil called the Kierna Ranch. It has a Land Impact of 81 without the separate kitchen or 94 with the kitchen in place. I personally like the kitchen, as it divides the living space from the other half of the house. It also gives you another wall to place furniture next to, which is always handy in a room with lots of windows. I had fun throwing the rooms together to add a bit of spring colour and to start thinking about the outdoor area in readiness for pool time. With this in mind, I also created outdoor nooks for eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner depending on where the sun is. There is a spot for every time of the day! Who wants to eat inside when there is a great view, warm days, and sunsets to be enjoyed? As this house is currently up high in the sky, the views from all the decking areas are truly amazing. This house can be land-based or just as perfect on a platform wherever your pot may be.

Photos and Article by Arya Braveheart

I hope you enjoy this last month of spring. Appreciate the colours and the green hues before summer arrives and things begin to dry off a bit. Enjoy the beginning of longer days and time outside preparing the pool and the barbecue for the months ahead. I also hope this finds you safe and well wherever you may be in the real world. Have fun decorating in SL! CREDITS: Trompe Loeil - Kierna Ranch 22769 - Croissant Breakfast, Leather Flip Flops, Potted Areca Palm ACORN - Apron Wall Decor -Hygge Architect. - Giorgio Floor Lamp (silver) Ariskea - [Lian] Comfort Ottoman Black . Sand - Misha Sofa Fatpack Botanical - Boxwood Bush v2 I CHEZ MOI - Honeycomb Shelves Light, Jacob - Chair, Floor Lamp, Hippie Rug, Brown Rug, Shelves, Terra Plant Vase, Tribe Breakfast Set [Consignment.] - The Cuddle Daybed - A - White crate - Dandelion Daybed Accent Tree Dreamland Designs - Amailia Bed Set dust bunny - wanderlust . blanket ladder

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JIAN - 5-tier Cat Tower KAZZA - INSIDEoUT- pool lounger Set, couch KraftWork - Alexa’s Farm Kitchen Clutter - Book Holder, Plate Display, Bar Counter Clutter Dark Aluminium, Breakfast in Bed Rustic Little Branch - Norway Spruce Tree.v2{Animated}*4Seasons Marke.- Arto Vase Mithral * - Tiered Lime Hederaceum (Pack A) Muniick: Loro 4-Door Wood Locker, Large Snake Plant in Bronze Planter, Small Snake Plant in Rustic Metal Pot, Wickman Budding Flowers in Tin Pitcher, Tote Bag with Old Books v2 Pitaya - Branch Lamp - long SILVER Scarlet Creative - Great Elm Cloth Rug, Sienna Marble Coffee Table, Barton Rug, Darcy Plant, Tulum Planter Monty Serenity Style - Spring Colors Breakfast Set tarte. - paisley greenery basket Thaino Designs - Pansy trio, Lousie garden stool with candle, Pansy trio with blue tit, Lousie wheel planter, .:YouNeed:.- Wall clock White, Sideboard Lein White {YourDreams} - Charming Decor - Pallet Sofa, Books & donut, Basket Table, Glasses, Orchid vase, Hidden pool - Popsicle Pool Float {Green and Yellow}

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AVAJEAN WESTLAND

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JAN BACON

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LIAM NETIZEN

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DESIREME FALLEN

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SC TRACY

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BRITTAINY COLLINS

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JONELLE DEVONSHIRE

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BENJAMIN BANE

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Photographer: GinPhx Jan Bacon BOSL FT Met Gala (Jan Bacon) Dress: UC_Skull_Ensemble_Jacket Dress_White_Maitreya Collar: Wicca’s Original Ayda Collar Hands: Wicca’s Wardrobe: Nemesis Arms Hair: Zibska~ Loki Lashes: Zibska~ Woo Lashes Earrings: Montauk Stone Feather Earrings Heels: AZOURY - Plastic Doll Tattoo: .:Vegas:. MAITREYA Tattoo Life and Death Eyeshadow: Zibska Chiharu Eyemakeup Lips: Zibska Orli Lips [Fit B] Liam Netizen Hat | Zibska Inner Hat Shoulders | Zibska ~ Fiachra Shirt | FAKEICON / monet shirt Pant | -David Heather-Desi Trousers 1/Black Shoes | kotte - buckle leather shoes

Photographer: Shantal Gravois Brittainy Collins Gown: Celestina’s Weddings - Princess Vivians - Gown Dress Pink Shoes - Nardcotix Hedi Stiletto - Gold Hair - Tableau Vivant - BunB*tch Accessories: 1. !dM Midsummer - Butterfly Ribbons 2. !dM Sylvari **ROSEPETAL** Accessories 3. Lode Vlora hair piece 4. **CC** - Fairy Gold Dust Halo 5. Tiny stars Gold Particles Jewelry - GeWunjo: Emma Gold Necklace and Earrings\

BenjamineBane Headpiece / moca Loup - Glitter Branch Headpiece Hair / moca Loup - H0928 Hair1 Stole / Garrete Moonkill - Fat cat stole Cane / LiamZander Resident - Djinn Cane CuffLinks / Nino Heartsdale - Metro Man Silfer Cufflinks Shoes / Shake Krovac - CA Class Shoes Tuxedo / saby Clary - Utopia Thyago Jacket Pin / saby Clary - Utopia Thyago Jacket Pin

JonelleDevonshire Hair:[monso] Lalisa Hair alaskametro<3 “Ice” eyeshadow Accessories: MET GALA HEADPIECE Made by JonelleDevonshire Zibska Silje Collar Cascade Zibska Silje Headpiece Zibska Silje Headpiece Orbit FAKEICON / glace hand gems FAKEICON / mary gems collar DarkFire Sparkling Body Shimmer Outfit: [Glitzz] Eliza Body - White < IDEALIA > MONA Top AtaMe - Dare Sleeves Pink AtaMe - Kora Latex Skirt Pink

SL Martindale Fair Walking through Martindale Fair, even first-time visitors feel like they have been here before. In many ways, we have. This is the county fair we grew up with. Here are midway rides we experienced as kids and a food court where cotton candy is real again, only in a cyber world. Martindale Fair is fast becoming a favorite of visitors— lots of them. Since the amusement park opened in March, over 28,000 visitors have walked through its gates. That is not a typo. As of this writing in April, almost 30,000 guests visited in about 30 days. “I was able to get into the destination guide fast,” site creator Tani recalls. “Then I made it to the editor’s pick page, which I feel brought in most of the traffic.” She adds, “I really love amusement parks. I built a smaller site last year for a different hangout and gained new interest for the mainland recently when exploring. I loved the different stops a person can make off the road and thought it would be an amazing place for an amusement park since people often are ‘driving by.’”

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Except here, one does not drive by. One puts on the brakes, enters, and explores. Fans come for the rides; most are replicas of real-life midway attractions. Chances are, you have ridden on Martindale Fair’s venues in parks around the world. A favorite and centerpiece is the massive Ferris wheel. The towering structure centering Martindale’s neon midway dominates the skyline. The Ferris wheel is easy to find with two-word directions: “Look up. You can’t miss it.” Like most good carnivals, walking through Martindale’s midway— experiencing the sights, sounds, and smells —is half the fun. The first thing noticed when landing at the site is unexpected: it’s raining, but not for long. With a quick stroll down the street the shower wanes, and the state fair of your youth awaits. It is a simpler time, when families laughed and played together. Like those days of old are back. With 11 major midway attractions and many smaller ones, there is something here for everyone and everyone is here.

Article: CompE Photography: Cara Paine

Here are three of the rides available for your consideration; again, you’ve probably experienced all of them in some version in the real world. Today, they are real again. The Ferris Wheel. Buckle your seatbelts. Blue, green, and pink lights blink and blaze on the 4-story wheel with 32 passenger gondolas. It is time for lift off. As the wheel turns, you and fellow passengers behold the beautiful vista below: Martindale Fair in all its glory and flickering lights. Life is good. The Mad Fall. As big as Martindale’s Ferris wheel is, it is not the tallest attraction on the lawn. The Mad Fall is. Rivaling city skyscrapers, the structure’s concept is simple: strap yourself in a seat, rise to new heights, and plunge back to earth, quite often while screaming. Bars come down over your shoulders, securing you in place. Riders are then lifted to the top of the structure where the view is breathtaking.

just before your breath is taken away. Without warning, you drop in a free fall and then bounce back up from a close encounter with earth. Pro tip: don’t eat before riding. The Side Winder Holding up to four people per car, the Side Winder is yet another opportunity for spills, chills, and a round-trip lunch. Strap in with a friend to offer comfort in the car adjacent to yours. The ride spins in a fast rotation vertically. Yes, there are times you are upside down. Oh, man, it’s fun. Tani comments, “I studied carnival midways and rides on YouTube and Google. I learned the images and tried to find inspiration from it. The rides and the park also draw from my own experience in real life at our county fairs and small carnivals.” The midway also offers tamer attractions, too, such as the Tea Cup Ride and other child fare. Various skill games are available including ring toss and shooting arcade type venues. And don’t forget the cuisine.

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“I added different types of foods and tried to add different cultures since Second Life is basically a melting pot of culture,” says Tani. Entrees include Asian, Jamaican, fish and chips, corndogs, hamburgers, and more. Order from food trucks, booths, and on-site kitchens. Even strolling through the food court adds to the park’s realism. Like real world fairs, time passes quickly at Martindale. Unlike real word carnivals, which often pitch their tents, plug in the rides, then vanish during the night, Martindale Fair is here to stay. “We are open all year,” Tani notes. She also plans to change up the decorations for holidays and seasonal events. But for now, the neon spectacle, a nostalgic reminder of carnivals past, is here today at Martindale. Meet me at the fair.

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It’s a Stressful Life January 2020 is when everything changed. Since that time, the COVID 19 pandemic has changed the way we do our jobs, socialize, pursue an education, shop, attend appointments– even just walking out the front door became more complicated. Seemingly overnight the world seemed to fall apart as plastic screens went up and face masks went on. Many lost their jobs, their homes and even their lives. One did not even need to test positive to be affected. People felt a wide range of emotions – overwhelmed, scared, frustrated, angry, lonely, and stressed out as we began isolating ourselves from family and friends. With seemingly no end in sight, it is understandable that people would be stressed. But when does stress move over into something more serious like depression? Both stress and depression take their toll on our physical, mental, and emotional health. They both cause us to feel sad, frustrated, anxious or worried; affect our sleep (insomnia, sleeping too much or too little) which can leave us feeling lethargic, tired, or restless; create changes in desires and interests. They also come with physical manifestations such as headaches or just various body aches and pains. Appetite changes related to them can result in weight loss/gain. Another similarity is that they both affect concentration, decision making, and memory. It is also in the mind where the differences between stress and depression stand out the most. For stress, the above symptoms are where it ends. For a depressed person, the emotional and mental symptoms are much more serious. They feel guilty, worthless, hopeless, and empty. Some believe that you can tell someone is depressed if they cry a lot. While that can be true, anger and irritability are also characteristics of depression. Perhaps the most tragic symptom is the desire to take one’s life and every year, throughout the world, 800,000 people make that choice.

Article |Photography: Yhishara Cerise One important thing to mention is self-harm (or Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Disorder/ NSSID). Self-harm and suicide are not the same thing as they are not done with the same intent. Though they are both based on inflicting physical pain on one’s body, the person engaging in self-harm is doing it to alleviate the above stressors so that they can carrying on living. The intention of the suicidal person is to cease living all together. Regardless, those that suffer from NSSID and suicidal thoughts do have things in common such as a history of trauma or abuse, a lack of effective ways to deal with stressors, alcohol/substance abuse, or feelings of mental isolation even when surrounded by other people. So how can a person on the outside looking in tell when they are dealing with someone just dealing with depression and / or considering suicide? According to healthline.com there are a few things to look for: Are they talking about death/dying? Are they getting rid of things that mean something to them? Are they talking about feeling like they have no way out? Are they pushing people away or choosing to be alone rather than with others? Are they engaging in behaviour that could harm them? When they say goodbye to you is there more feeling than normal without a visible cause? If you can answer ‘yes’ to some or all those questions, there are ways to help. Most importantly, just listen. Invite them to spend time with you but be patient if they say no. Do not take it personally but do stay in touch anyway. Refrain from giving advice or minimize what they are feeling. Never say things like “Get over it” as they will not be able to do that. You will not be able to ‘fix’ them either as that is only something they can do for themselves.

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While reaffirming that you will be there for them, you should also gently encourage them to seek out professional help. Depression is no different than any other serious illness. Just as a cancer patient would go for chemotherapy or a Type 1 diabetic would administer insulin, a depressed person can use counselling and medication to treat their own illness. There is zero shame in this as over 264 million people worldwide suffer from it. In one of his Ted Talks about this topic Andrew Solomon stated the following: “Depression is the family secret that everyone has.” While it is possible that many will struggle with this terrible mental health issue all their lives, they do not need to struggle alone. There is help.

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The Perfect Honeymoon Finding the perfect place for an unforgettable virtual honeymoon is in many ways similar to finding the right place in the Real World (RL). To begin with, it needs to be considered if the place is selected by the best man or the bridesmaids, the wedding organizer. Perhaps bride and groom prefer keeping control over this rather private decision in their own hands? While this question of control is very important and requires to be answered first, it does not change the importance of a couple of decisions that have to be made in this process. Those decisions typically include: Location Style, outdoor vs. indoor Activities Price and lease duration Service and Decorations of the place Location The location is of course crucial in the decision process. While location in a virtual setting might be a little different compared to RL, a wedding and honeymoon have a considerably higher level of immersiveness then most activities in Second Life (SL). Hence also here, the old real estate rule ‘location, location, location’ rings true. So this decision requires serious careful attention. Does a couple like the coziness of a warm fireplace in a romantic cabin situated in a mountainous winter wonderland? Or do they rather enjoy the sun cuddling at a secluded beach of a tropical island being served drinks with umbrellas?

Article |Photography: Sammie Audion ? How about the tranquility of a Zen inspired Japanese landscape? Perhaps a dreamy coast village is the perfect place to be with a cute little bistro and seaside paths for lovely walks or a romantic Tuscan village in summer?

Style, Outdoor vs. Indoor The style is another key point. While the wedding itself is also for the guests up to some level, the honeymoon should be uniquely tailored to the couple’s likings. The styles vary greatly as the preference could be glamorous, sophisticated, fairytale-like, romantic, simplistic, luxurious or even ‘sustainable’ (with for the environment as in being for instance carbon-neutral or in no way negatively impacting the environment). The housing itself also plays a big role. Some might prefer a suite in a top hotel. The hotel should include a lush and royal dining room perhaps? Note that there are also locations with specific flavors, such as rooms that are furnished in BDSM style (even dungeons if the two should be so inclined). On the other end of the spectrum, the perfect place could also be a tent in a lovely outdoor setting - even a cave! Gor style settings find quite a big popularity. However, for a more outdoor-like setting, a bungalow (or cabin) with view over the sea (or lake) on sunset might be suitable for many.

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Activities Depending on the couple, activities can be a very important element to make the honeymoon more eventful. Perhaps the couple fancy a horseback ride, scuba diving, sailing, or hiking? Perhaps a balloon or tram ride? How about a museum or park? There are many exciting attractions to choose from before the couple retires to the honeymooner’s residency. It goes without saying: the activities should not be overdone, but one or two extra treats can certainly contribute to creating a truly unforgettable honeymoon for couples who like an active lifestyle. Price and Lease Duration The couple also decides how long they want their honeymoon to last. After all, everything is possible in the virtual world. Will it be an hour or two, a half a day or a day, a week? Who said a couple cannot celebrate their honeymoon in their new dream home? Prices for honeymoon rentals vary much. After all, everything around weddings is somewhat pricey. Some amenities are rented hourly, others daily, some are based on standard weekly conditions. Short-term honeymoon rentals often include entire themes to choose from, which will - no surprise there - end up on the more expensive end of the price range. Services and Decorations

Typically, the ‘hourly’ deals are fully furnished and decorated - ready to move in. As mentioned above, they might offer different themes. Daily deals often require some level of decoration, whereas weekly deals typically allow for decorations by the wedding organizer or the couple. While the hourly deals with everything included might be convenient, it is certainly not very personal (which is not meant judgmental). It all depends on the level of involvement the couple prefers to have and how special the day actually is planned to be. After all, not every wedding is the same. Summarizing, the honeymoon choices are very personal. It is quite common that the broom is keeping this a well-protected, secret surprise. Regardless of who is doing the planning, it must be something that suits both broom and bride - no one else. Generally, the honeymoon includes some sort of winding down after the fast paste of the wedding itself. It is a celebration of the wedding the newlyweds share to make their special days truly memorable. Even though there is no audience, the time invested in planning is time well spent to share an unforgettable, perfect honeymoon. Examples: Elysium Luxury Suites http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Honey%20Isle/63/123/23 Asian Dreams: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Quinarius/190/60/16 Costa Bella Weddings: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Costa%20Bella/97/175/23 Oahu Vacation and Honeymoon Resort: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Oahu/150/138/38 Love Blooms Suites: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Moorslough/189/194/1057 Rizzi on the Beach: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Soft%20Voices/169/100/28

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Meet Me At The Met The Costume Institute was created by Irene Lewisohn in the late 1930’s and, due to its success, became part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1946. It’s collection and prestige has only grown since then, with the collection now home to 33,000 fashion related artifacts – some dating back as early as the 1400’s. It has undergone many changes since its inception to keep it current: from name changes to honor major contributors, to technological advancements that enhance the visitor experience, to the ever-changing special exhibits they put on. And then, of course, there is the Met Gala. When the Gala was started in 1946 by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert, it was limited only to a midnight supper for high society New Yorkers. Coinciding with the opening of the annual exhibit, it now includes a pre-tour of the exhibition, cocktails with a formal sit-down dinner, live entertainment, and a walk on the red carpet by the various attendees. In its inaugural year, tickets were a mere $50.00. Today, they can cost upwards of $30,000– even more if one wants to be a sponsor. Sponsorship is especially important for an event like the Met Gala, and some huge non-fashion brands have done so such as VH1, Amazon, Yahoo, and Apple. In 1973, the Government of Spain itself was a sponsor when the theme was ‘The World of Balenciaga,’ showcasing Spanish fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga and the luxury brand he started in 1917. Though some have said it is like the “Oscars of the East” in that they both showcase fashion and talent, the Gala serves mainly as a fundraiser for the Institute to cover operating costs incurred throughout the year. As a result, it has raised millions throughout its history ($12 million in 2014 alone).

Article |Photography: Yhishara Cerise Diana Vreeland, known for her time at American Vogue, was the first Gala co-chair to set an event theme, and they have been a unique feature ever since. The theme is important, as it determines what the attendees are to wear at the event. Some of the themes include ‘About Time: Fashion and Duration’ (2020), ‘Camp: Notes on Fashion’ (2019), and ‘Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology’ (2016). ‘Heavenly Bodies– Fashion and the Catholic Imagination’ (2018) was the most attended exhibit, with 165 million visitors during its run. The ‘China: Through the Looking Glass’ exhibit in 2015 inspired the film “The First Monday in May” – a collaborative effort by a select group of journalists, social media personalities, and photographers. Andrew Rossi directed, and it was produced by Conde Nast Entertainment, Vogue magazine, and Relativity Studios. As there is a heavy restriction on social media and a strict ‘no-selfie’ rule, this behind-the-scenes documentary gives us a rare glimpse into the incredible amount of planning and organizing that takes place to pull off the Gala. This task was often put into the hands of a single person to act as co-chair for the event. From 1973 to 1993, Jane Engelhard, Jackie Kennedy, and Phyllis Ellsworth Dillion all took a turn at this role, but from 1978 onwards it was held exclusively by Pat Buckley. In 1994, the role of co-chairperson was expanded to allow for more than one person to act in that capacity. Some of the notable names who have held this position were Kate Moss, Marie Chantal (Crown Princess of Greece), Nicole Kidman, Gong Li, Idris Elba, and Pharrell Williams, and they most often worked alongside the present American Vogue editor, Anna Wintour.

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Perhaps the most popular was Rihanna, who not only acted as co-chair for the China themed exhibit but also performed at it. And who can ever forget her choice in outfit for that occasion: that incredibly stunning yellow cloak with a sweeping train and hand stitched embroidery by Chinese fashion designer Guo Pei? Long after the event was over, people still talk about it. The clothing worn by those in attendance also serve as an inspiration to those both in and out of the fashion world.

The same could be said of Second Life designers, as there have been many whose contributions to the Second Life fashion world live on even if they do not log in anymore. Many of them took part in events such as Relay for Life, an event that had an impact beyond mere pixels and into the real world.

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