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Publisher/Editor-In-Chief Reign Congrejo Fashion Editor Bronxie Asst Fashion Editor Shantal Gravois CONTRIBUTORS CompE Sammie Audion Jamee Sandalwood Arya Braveheart Sita Writer Yhishara Cerise Magissa Denver Matt Thomson COVER PHOTO: Magissa Denver COVER MODEL: Ame Starostin Diamondgem Destiny Jamee Sandalwood Reign Congrejo

BOSL Magazine February 2021 Edition

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MEET MISS VIRTUAL WORLD 2021

OCEAN PEARL

LOVE IS....

WINTERS LAST STAND 56

FASHION TREND-YOUR LOVE IS KING

ART TO WEAR: LUXE PARIS 102 Bosl edition

Meet Miss Virtual World 2021 When we last checked in with Ame Starostin Cheveyo, she had moved to the finalist stage of the Miss Virtual World Contest. That was so 2020 ago. In 2021, Ame wears the crown, but it does not go to her head. She is friendly, a down to earth and hard-working lady in both worlds. Our queen is humble, grateful, and proud of her accomplishments— rightly so. Making it as a pageant finalist alone is quite the accomplishment. With judgings, competitions, and on-stage presentations before scrutinizing eyes, Miss Virtual World is no cake walk. But Ame takes the cake. “I was stunned,” she laughs, recalling the day she won the title. “Of course you hope that is the outcome of any pageant, but I remember thinking, ‘Did they just say my name?” Indeed, they did. “I hoped but never imagined this would become reality,” she adds, interviewed by BOSL from her SL home. “I have dreamed about this for 12 years.” Her dream became a new chapter in a Second Life.

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“The beauty of Second Life is being able to do all the things you would not or could not do in RL,” she added about life in the alternative world. “Ever since I was young, I have loved fashion and modeling, so doing it here was an amazing possibility. BOSL and MVW are the first exposure I had to it in SL, and I have wanted to be a part of it since then.” Reminiscing about her first-time entry into the BOSL contest, she notes, “We were challenged and stretched in ways that really made you think. That being said, I really enjoyed it and I learned a lot.” The hours were long. “I easily spent 10 and probably more like 25 to 30 hours on MVW,” she remembers. Take her clothing design challenge: “Between research, finding the pieces, putting them together, then deciding I wanted to go a different direction, the hours added up.” She adds, “Photo shoots are always an hour-ish anyway, so I expected that. But it takes love for the craft to stay committed.”

Article by: CompE|Photography: Shantal Gravois|Jamee Sandalwood

She continues, referencing the contest requirement of designing an outfit. “The challenges required you to think outside the box. We were tasked with creating combinations of designers and colors to make it our own. Most of my modeling experience was ‘wear this and make it look like this.’ Not a lot of room for individuality, so to speak.” That is not the case for MVW. “I really enjoyed the interview,” she recalls about the ‘get to know you’ part of the program. “It was a chance for me to talk about the other things I’ve done in SL and how I can bring that to the table.” What she brings to the SL table is RL experience. Ame’s background includes a career in management and training with emphasis on travel and tourism. In SL, she owns and runs Fire Within, male and female avatar clothing and accessories. The store’s products are her creations based on Photoshop and computer graphics classes, as well as SL time spent learning, reading, and experimenting. “I find that just playing and experimenting to find the right things works for me,” she adds. “This year will be devoted to learning mesh.”

Also in SL, she is a DJ-choreographer and dancer in addition to the reigning queen. Ame assumed the MVW title on January 1st. Less than a month into the role, she comes with a new crown, new energy, and new ideas. “As I see it, the job of Miss Virtual World is to be a brand ambassador,” she insists. “I plan to attend all the events that BOSL holds for this year. My goal is to reach out to the SL communities and groups that may not be as familiar with BOSL and the fashion industry, such as the Arts and Charity components.” Her other goal is bringing attention to the good things offered in this virtual world we call home. “My marketing challenge was based on Celebrating Diversity, and that’s where I plan to focus this year,” she says. She also wants to bring attention, both RL and SL, to the country she represented, Kenya. “I’ve always admired Kenya and the African spirit; the arts and its love of life. They are also a very diverse country with many different tribes and ethnic groups. It was an honor for me to be able to showcase some of that.”

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In her pageant application, Ame noted, “I entered the MVW contest not just for the glamor, but for its altruism. “I wanted to join an organization as committed to charity and the arts as much as fashion. MVW would be an incredible honor.” The contest taught her how to have grace under pressure and time management skills. The marketing challenge was her most intimidating challenge, but she admits, “Each challenge has been equally difficult in different ways.” She faced all challenges, was victorious over each, made her way to the finals, and became the winner. Long live the queen.

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OCEAN PEARL Most modern societies these days are, to some degree, diverse communities, which presents significant advantages. The diversity generally provides higher standards in any aspect of life as the individual members typically contribute a wide variety of talents and skill sets allowing those communities to prosper. These compelling advantages don’t come without their challenges, of course, as it contradicts with parts our heritage. Biologically speaking, tribalism used to be a matter of survival. Often extended family, kinship groupings, even clans formed tight bonds with the purpose of survival. The concept is simple really: “Us against all the danger out there.” This survival instinct is still with us, deeply embedded in our minds. Therefore, diverse communities contradict with some our basic instincts. How can we observe this basic instinct in today’s world, then? Interest groups, work crews, sport teams, even street gangs rely on this instinct. Since our society is a bit more complex than the Neanderthal’s was, the social landscape has shifted— the original tribalism becomes less relevant. It is quite common to direct the tribalism instinct to sports (my team), joy, shared interests. However, tribalism can also stand in the way of success for a healthy diverse society. In history, we find many examples of abusing the tribal instinct for political power and outlandish ideologies. If the level of separation or polarization becomes too high, the ‘tribes’ tend to contradict with the social environment of which they are part. People outside the group often refer to these groups as sects or cults. Conclusively, the tribalism instinct can be observed in society in a wide range ways: healthy ways like sports, hobbies, or work; or – on the other end – disruptive ways like conspiracy theories or bigotry. One might wonder how this has anything to do with any location in Second Life (SL). The creator of Ocean Pearl made the interesting choice to populate the sim. By doing so, little subgroups of this community have been created that don’t seem to have anything in common at first glance. On second glance, however, we can observe and perhaps even enjoy to colorful interactions that take place seemingly unaffected by each other. For instance, there is a group that seems to be dock or port workers. It appears they currently have an election going on for the port authority.

Article & Photography by: Sammie Audion Another remarkable choice made by the builder is the apparent randomness of characters chosen. A geisha is looking at a flowering tree, deeply indulged in the beauty of the plant. A few feet away, a man is talking to a young woman. The purpose of the gathering is up to the observer’s imagination. Architecturally, the place is built on various levels, allowing for a natural separation of the subcultures. In a shopping area, various people are browsing, perhaps for a little souvenir or a snack. Further back, a guy seems to be charming up a young woman – obviously, some things never change. Down at the water there is some kind of club with a pole dancer, and a woman who seems to be hungry and obviously came here for the famous barbecue they serve. In the background is a guy, dressed all in black, showing an eerie resemblance to Arnold Schwarzenegger. However, to limit this sim to the industrial dock community would be a mistake. Beautiful flowers can be found in the water, along with some species of the animal kingdom that cannot be found in any book on marine biology, I suppose. Ocean Pearl is certainly a different kind of destination, showing a flourishing, diverse community implying that the different elements of this community do work together quite efficiently and harmonically where they need to – separated enough where they have to be. While it is unknown to me what the builder’s intentions are, it can be concluded that the more awareness one has of the different elements of the culture he or she lives in, the better understanding one has of the environment (hopefully using some sort of scientific reasoning), the importance of tolerance, and the social responsibility needed to avoid losing the crucial advantages of a diverse community in a complex world. This is still a matter of survival; it simply grew more complex. In that sense, stay kind and curious! http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ocean%20pearl/202/177/21

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LOVE IS... Beauty. Some say it is timeless, others say it is in the eye of the beholder, and still more believe that the concept of beauty is constantly shifting. When Prince Charles wed Lady Diana Spencer at the end of July 1984, millions of people around the world watched in excited anticipation. Here was a fairy tale they had only read about in books or seen in romantic movies coming to life: the dashing royal groom marrying his blushing bride to live happily ever after.. In the months leading up to the eventreporters inundated the couple with a flurry of pre-wedding interviews. Their first official interview, held in February of that year, was the most memorable …and, perhaps, the most infamous. When a reporter asked about how they were feeling, he tagged on the question “And, I suppose, ’in love’?” Diana, demurely, with the same downcast head and bemused smile she became renowned for, replied, “Of course!” And then Charles remarked, “Whatever ’in love’ means...” While not really the strong affirmative answer one would have expected, one can’t really blame the prince for saying such a thing. After all, people have been struggling with trying to define what ”love” is for centuries. So, what is “love”? The dictionary defines it in two ways: “an intense feeling of deep affection” and “a great interest and pleasure in something.” At its heart, love is an emotion just like hate or fear. And just like hate or fear, it affects people in different ways and to different degrees. For some, it might manifest itself with quiet adoration for another living entity. For others, it might be strong passion leading to physical expression. Whether it falls under either of those two extremes or somewhere in between, we must acknowledge that only our response to the emotion is under out control— not the emotion itself. Deborah Anapol, Ph.D., in her article entitled “What is Love, and What Isn’t” for Psychology Today described it in two ways: that “love is a force of nature” and that “love strikes like lightning: unpredictable and irrefutable.” Like lightning, love is uncontrollable.

Article & Photography By: Yhishara Cerise No one will ever be able to make someone love (or, in some cases, stop loving) anyone else. Many people have tried to evoke loving feelings by buying gifts, jewelry, flowers, trips, or other material goods to somehow another love them in return. It doesn’t work that way, though. While they may buy companionship for a while— maybe even a physical relationship —genuine love can’t be manipulated that way. Dr. Anapol points out: love is not a tangible commodity that can be bought or sold. In treating love like it is controllable, some also may use ‘love’ as kind of operant conditioning: “Behave one way and I will give you my love, misbehave and my love will be withheld.” Genuine love doesn’t work that way, either, as it doesn’t change due to someone’s behaviour. In fact, you may love someone despite their behaviour. Many in abusive relationships can relate to that as they truly may love their abuser. However, tough as it might be, love for someone else doesn’t mean turning a blind eye to hurtful behaviour. If we genuinely love someone, we will want to help them if we see them going down a bad road where they can hurt themselves or others– even if we can’t ultimately walk that road with them. Sometimes it is an exceedingly difficult thing to do, to watch someone suffering and know we can’t do a thing to help. But the heart still loves even when it’s breaking. In that regard, love is both persistent and protective. Abuse isn’t the only thing that can have a negative effect on a relationship. Several other feelings masquerade themselves in an attempt to imitate love, such as obsession, lust, and infatuation. Obsession and infatuation are built around perception rather than fact of who a person is. Lust, on the other hand, is based on objectifying certain traits possessed by another person. (It doesn’t have to be physical. It can be lust for the power or wealth that person has.) When reality overtakes the illusion or the thing that attracted them to the person initially is lost, the relationship begins to falter.

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That is, perhaps, the most important facet of love: it’s real. The fact that it’s real makes it the most beautiful and precious thing we can experience, whether in the real world or in Second Life. Happy Valentine’s Day!

WINTERS LAST STAND Spring is almost upon us! Get ready to wave goodbye to the snow and ice and look forward to the thaw. Soon we will be heralding in the new growth and the season of hope. However, we have one more month to wait, so we will fill this one with love and enjoy spending the time inside beside the fire. A lot of people have no choice but to be at home, so we will applaud your efforts and dedicate this article to all of you out there in lockdown. This gorgeous Ana Loft is from Scarlet Creative and is available in a ground and a sky version. I have mine on the ground surrounded by snow, but it would look equally wonderful as a skybox up in the blue. It has multipurpose rooms, and I really love the wee balcony that you get to through a loft-styled window, as well as the ladder from the stairs up to the bathroom. I love it when designers get creative and create homes that break the rules. Second Life gives us a chance to step outside the box and live in homes that we couldnâ€™t in RL. I have chosen to use the downstairs as kitchen, lounge, and bedroom areas while the loft space becomes a bathroom area with a fab view from the bath. But, you could choose to lay it out however you wish as it does not have defined areas (i.e. set bedrooms, etc.). I really like builds like this as I can make them my own. As it is a new year and we have a new season approaching, perhaps this is a good time for you to splurge on a new home and some delicious new furniture and accessories. Lots will be on offer as we dive into February and beyond. So, I am going to wish you a Happy Valentineâ€™s Day, however that looks for you. I am also hoping that you all have a safe and peaceful February.

Photos and Article by Arya Braveheart BEDROOM: GOOSE - Obelisk WHITE big +Half-Deer+ - Neatly Folded Blankets - Pink Floral KraftWork - Rounded Pouf MINIMAL - Comfy Bed Decor Mithral * - Plant Trio + Shelf (Pack A), Caged String of Hearts (Concrete) Muniick- Llewellyn Books and Magnifying Glass, Llewellyn Wool Rug Scarlet Creative - Venice Wardrobe Wood, Rough Luxe Clutter Chair, Highlands Radiator, Monteverde Console Table, Alexander Timeless Pictures TENTACIO - Travel with me. Luggage {vespertine} - spring tulips - multi {what next} - Devon Nightstand, Springtime Tulip Planter (pale pink) ENTRANCE BALACLAVA!! - Alma Storage Boxes (White) Scarlet Creative Love Carriage Chair MC Serenity Style - Blue Winter Table, Blue Winter Roses Vases, Blue Winter Books, Blue Winter Cushions, Blue Winter Picture, Let your imagination fly tarte. - paisley greenery basket

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KITCHEN AND DINING: Apple Fall - Bohemian Coffee Press, Latte Decor Bazar - Toronto - Kitchen shelf A and B [Merak] - Grandma’s Delight, Autumn Cake, Bread and Cheese delight, Pumpkin Soup Muniick - Devil’s Ivy in Ceramic Planter, Llewellyn Table Plant Scarlet Creative - Ana Kitchen Wall, Rustic Table and Chairs, Darcy Runner Rug Navy, Darcy Plant, Darcy Coat Hook with Bags and Shoes, Wool Booble Rug [Schultz Bros.] - Cafe Espresso - 18. Wall Art - But First Coffee Serenity Style - Aurora Shelves {what next} - Kitchenette Coffee Maker, Kitchenette Toaster, Tea Kettle {Your Dreams} - Rustic Kitchen - Lilies, Microwave Black LIVING ROOM: Apple Fall - Books - Arrangement 10 Architect. Oliver Bean Bag (brown leather I) Ariskea - [January] Office Shelf BROKEN ARROWS - Cozy Moments - Painting 3 - Blue Blanket KAZZA - JoinSpaceChair - pg chair, areca palm, floor lamp, window Mithral * - Bowl Planter (Pack A), Branch Wall Display (White Ceramic) Pitaya - Morocco Dreams White- Seat pillows three Scarlet Creative - Grace Armchair, Sienna Marble Coffee Table, Rough Luxe Painted Rug, Monteverde Pattern Sofa, Highland Gold Lamp, Darcy

Plant, Nerites Plant in a Cage, Annan Love Birds tarte. - paisley greenery basket

BATHROOM: [CIRCA] - “Aziza” Hanging Fern Basket (long), “Lavelle” Floor Planter - Tall Slim Fern {moss&mink} - Face Creams, Face Towels, Face Wipes Muniick - Chalet rue Chabot: Towel Cabinet, Towels (In Cabinet). Toilet Paper Stand, Toilet,Toilet Paper Basket, Vanity; Devil’s Ivy in Ceramic Planter Scarlet Creative - Ana Vintage Bath and Shower, Darcy Runner Rug Navy Serenity Style - Refuge Slippers Decor BALCONY: crate - Junkyard Art Messy Stack KAZZA - MorningDear - table and chairs, giraffe, bread, bread & butter KraftWork Drum Planter . Green .peaches. - Scia Entryway - Plant Scarlet Creative - Annan Patio Chair, Lyra Blanket Pile, Annan Low Patio Chair, Brooklyn Plant

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lllalejandralll

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Head: Genus Classic Body: Maitreya Lara Hair: Vanity Hair:Soiree Accesories: .PSG. Pearl Earring Moon Elixir x MUSE - Penthouse Princess - Necklace Outfit: Dead Dollz - Basic Sheer Stockings Dhoma - Angelica Lingerie Panties, Bra & Garter Belt Cynful - Anticipation Robe

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AME STAROSTIN

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SELENE SNOWPAW

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Hair: TKW , Shino Jewelry: Mandala, Origami Rooster Set, Gold and Ruby. Kunglers Grazia Ring. Be;loved Jewelry, Dynasty hairpin, red. Clothing: Dhoma, Maika Lingerie, top and bottom, red. Erratic, Allure satin Robe. Crimson. Shoes/Boots: R/icielli, Phaedra Sandals/ Over the knees. Tattoo: Custom, self designed. Japanese plant, Aucuba Japoica. Red and Gold CASE GUITAR: {Limerence} Guitar case(Holder ver.)-SET1

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YHISHARA CERISE

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AVERIL NOVA

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Dhoma - Shayla Robe Open (M. Lara) Maitreya & Erratic - Reve Blush Set N-core GLITTER Stockings Maitreya White Stockings by Pink Lemon (Yummy) Gala RIngs - Maityrea *LODE* Head Accessory - Pine Single Flower [pink] KUNGLERS - Tessa necklace N-core JADA “Fatpack” for Maitreya High Feet TRUTH / Soiree

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TADEU GARTNER

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MMORGANWHITFIELD

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Luas - “Ryo Babydoll” - pink Moon Amore - “Blossom Time Garters” ninette creations - “Chantilly Lingerie White” Dead Dollz - “Koibito Flowers Top” Dead Dollz - “Okobo” Half Deer - “Sakura Petals” monso - “Ikki” Glam Affair - “Ryn Lip Gloss BOM” Mai Bilavio - “Harajuku Babe Cutie”

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ADONIS HANSOME

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VELOUR HOMME: Athletique Briefs - Kiss White .::4BIDDEN::. Sleeve Harness NOCHE. Leather Arm Band Zibska-Usha Hand Zibska-Dunya Collar & Headpiece

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JAN BACON

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Bra: UC_Natalia_open_cup_bra_pink Underbust: [Glitzz] Lunar Underbust Panty: erratic/colette panty/ivory Necklace: [Glitzz] Lunar Necklace Stockings: [Glitzz] Polca Stocking - fatpack Bracelets: KUNGLERS Carissa Bracelets Hair: Doux Ines hairstyle Earrings: *AvawAway* April Set Eyeshadow: LUXREBEL - Class girl eyeshadow (CATWA) Lipstick: LUXREBEL - Diva Lipstick (CATWA)

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LIAM NETIZEN

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SC TRACY

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ART TO WEAR-LUXE PARIS Becoming LUXE Paris’ Look of the Year opens many doors; Avalon Chrome is tangible proof. The current ambassador of the brand has joined Parisian Skytower and Mika Palmyra within the LUXE Paris design team. And what a beginning! Chrome presents the LUXE Paris BREWIN collection, nothing less than art to wear: ten outfits created from the works of her husband in real life, Canadian painter Dave Brewin. Vibrant and expressive, Brewin’s acrylics burst with a joyful and daring ardor and blend wonderfully with the haute couture styles of LUXE Paris. “scAvalon and Dave are both very talented, and the pooling of their creativity has given birth to an extraordinary collection of which we are very proud,” said Parisian and Mika, co-owners of the LUXE Paris brand established in 2012. “Art lovers will find in this collection a new way of living their passion. Rather than leaving their favorite painting at home, they can now take it with them, let it shine through their lives.” “Achieving the status of designer

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was certainly high up on my SL bucket list.” - Avalon Chrome The new designer is just as enthusiastic, delighted by the turn of events. “I knew I’d have some fun as the brand ambassador for LUXE Paris, but I had no idea there would be such a diverse abundance of opportunity,” she relates with passion. “Achieving the status of a designer for such a prestigious brand and designing my own collection was certainly high up on my SL bucket list, but was one I thought wouldn’t happen for a long time, if ever. “So, I’m really delighted and proud to present my debut collection. I’m also grateful to Mika and Paris for their support, encouragement, and for sharing their expansive knowledge.” “Pretty cool to see my work on virtual clothing!” - Dave Brewin

Article by: Mika Palmyra|Photography: Jamee Sandalwood

Dave, Avalon’s husband and the star artist of this collection, was amazed at the whole experience, his interest growing as the clothes took shape. “I’m really quite honoured that LUXE Paris wanted to use my art in their designs and I must say it’s pretty cool to see my work on virtual clothing,” he confides. “I’m also very pleased to have a new audience for my art. “I’ll admit that I know very little about Second Life and its fashion culture. In fact, I paid little attention to the whole Second Life thing and never really understood my wife’s fascination. But I could see that she was very passionate and committed to it, and that it was a great hobby for her. “I particularly saw her passion when I had to pick her up off the floor after she’d just won the LUXE Paris Look of the Year pageant. I came running into the room when I heard her screaming and crying, as I thought there was a fire or some terrible accident. Once I realized what was happening, I was very proud of her because I knew she worked very hard for it.

Now, I’m even more proud of my talented wife for the beautiful designs she created from my art. I’ll admit that when the idea was first presented to me, I wasn’t sure what to think. But when I saw the outfits as they were being made, I was really quite impressed. I think the combination of our creativity has created something very special. “I’d like to say thank you to Mika for suggesting we make this collection. I appreciate that she and Paris love my art, and it was a fun collaboration. I found the virtual clothing designing process quite interesting and was glad to offer my input once in a while. Now I hear there might be another project in the pipeline. I can’t wait to see what my wife comes up with next!” Shhhh..... It is still a secret, Dave! A Bold but Resolutely Chic New Designer On the style side, the LUXE Paris BREWIN collection reveals a bold but resolutely chic new designer, in perfect harmony with the brand’s image. Avalon Chrome signs dashing and very couture, but quite easy to wear, outfits.

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All the outfits in the LUXE Paris BREWIN collection are delivered with a certificate of authenticity signed by the painter. Customers can also view the original artwork that inspired their outfit on the artistâ€™s website at https://www.artisbrewin.com/ The LUXE Paris BREWIN Collection is on sale in the mainstore at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bao/56/72/26

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