PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Reign Congrejo
Arya Braveheart
Coco St. George
Gin Blade
Ivoceno Rossini
Jamee Sandalwood
Jay Anson
Namiiko Crosswind
Némesis
Sita Writer
Stevie Basevi
LAYOUT
Viktor Serrao
COVER PHOTO
Jamee Sandalwood
COVER MODEL
Lolita Paragorn
Arya Braveheart
In August 2025, I’ll celebrate my 17th “Rez Day” in Second Life. Over those years, I’ve lived in countless homes and dwellings, from humble ground-level houses to the classic treehouse. But my fondest memories are of the times I spent living high in the sky.
I had a variety of skyboxes over the years, all rezzed on the very land I still rent today. Back then, a skybox was a great way to stay under my prim allowance while still having a beautifully decorated home.
My first was a freebie I found during a hunt, but as my blogging career began, I was able to upgrade to some truly fabulous creations. One of my favourites was the {what next} Studio Apartment Skybox— I think we all had one of those at some point around 2010!
A lot has changed since then, so I wanted to show you what’s available today and celebrate the joy of living above it all. But first, for those who might not know: what exactly is a skybox?
A skybox is a structure built high in the air, typically hundreds or thousands of metres above the ground. Its main purpose is to give residents privacy and a unique environment. Because it’s so high up, it’s hidden from people on the ground, creating a secluded space for living, socialising, or even running a business.
Skyboxes are a popular living option for several key reasons:
Privacy & Seclusion: They offer a personal sanctuary away from the public eye.
Reduced Lag: Being away from crowded ground-level areas helps the skybox load faster and run more smoothly.
Amazing Views: You get an uninterrupted view of the virtual sky, allowing you to create any scene you can imagine, from a tropical island to a futuristic spaceship.
Creative Freedom: They allow you to build highly detailed and themed environments that might not fit or look right on a small ground-level parcel.
Essentially, a skybox is a clever way to use your land by building up, giving you much more space and privacy while keeping your land impact count low.
The seven featured skyboxes come from a variety of creators, and each is uniquely designed for a different kind of skyhigh living. Some even include incredible outdoor spaces and landscapes, giving you a completely private retreat with a view that people in real life pay thousands for.
From my very first freebie to the spectacular builds I’ve shown you today, skyboxes have always been a fantastic way to escape the digital crowds. They offer a unique mix of privacy, performance, and creative freedom that’s hard to find on the ground. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat, a lag-free workspace, or a stunning new view, there’s a perfect skybox out there for you. Why not take to the skies and create your own perfect escape?
NOTE: All of the skyboxes featured have demos available for viewing inworld.
Coco St. George
She was chilling, minding her own business at her favorite dance club under pulsating lights and loud beats. But then, in a sudden lull in the music, the following dialogue caught her attention:
“And that’s how we know that Reptilians can live undetected among us.”
“That makes perfect sense.”
“That’s it,” she thought. “I need a vacation!”
We all have had moments like that, when we feel the need to make a break with the routine; when we think we have to come up for air, or maybe to step aside and have a clearer perspective of a harsh situation in an attempt to find the best course of action for ourselves. In such cases, we need time off from our day-to-day duties to find a new view, in the hopes that this will be better than our current situation: we need a vacation.
A vacation is not only a change of place, it’s also a change of mood, a change of track out of the rut in your life. As its name implies, you not only vacate your place of work, but also your mind, to be ready for the new exciting things that may come your way.
And as the Latin origin of the word might tell you, the concept of making a pause in the daily chores has been around since the dawn of civilization.
Of course, in the time of the Roman Empire, vacations were a privilege reserved for the fortunate few—the ‘patricians’. For the plebs—the ‘hoi polloi’, if you will—the only respite from work came during religious festivals. The idea of having a free day from work every week came only after the consolidation of Christianity as the official religion in the Roman Empire in the late 4th Century. But people back then worked from sunrise til sundown, with maybe a break to take their meals.
We had to wait for the Industrial Revolution and the unionist movements in the mid-1800s to see the Australian government reduce the workday to eight hours for construction workers. In 1917, Mexico became the first country to consecrate the 8-hour workday in its Constitution. Then, Germany followed suit in 1918 after the Kaiser abdicated and the Republic was proclaimed; France in 1919, after the Great War; and the United States in 1938, under Roosevelt’s New Deal, with the promulgation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
As revolutionary as the reduction of the workday and the weekly day off were—workers went from working every day from sun to sun to a limited schedule—, the concept of an extended period of paid time off had to wait longer to be rooted at least in Western Civilization. The first country to offer to all workers a vacation as we know it nowadays was France, under the Socialist government of Léon Blum, in 1936. Employers were mandated to grant twelve paid days off per year to every worker, no matter the industry, the type of contract, or whether they were unionized or not. A big leap from the holidays that both Mexico and Spain offered their workers since 1931: a meager six-day holiday that was only provided to a certain kind of worker.
The French example spread quickly, and by the mid20th century, a paid vacation was a staple in almost every industrialized country’s legislation— with the notorious exception of the United States, where every employer decides how many free days a year their workers will enjoy. The length of this paid free time goes from two weeks a year in countries like Japan and Canada to four or five weeks in France or Germany.
Yes, we’ve come a long way from the brutal working conditions our forefathers endured to the concept of a paid holiday as a right for every worker. The issue we face nowadays, though, is what to do with all this free time. What do we do if nothing is prodding us to leave the bed and go to work? The Summer of 1936 became legendary in France because that was the first year people had time to travel freely. And most decided to go to the seaside. Perhaps because life on Earth began in the water, humans still feel the call of their origin and are drawn to beaches in droves. Thus, when we think of taking a vacation, we most likely picture ourselves lying on the sand, wearing a Speedo or a bikini. Or maybe at a lake house, idling our days away watching the still waters or trying our hand at skipping stones.
In any case, now that Summer is in full swing, we all need a well-deserved break in our daily routine. Not every vacation, of course, must take us away from home. Traveling often comes with a price tag, and when the budget is tight, the expense of transportation, lodging, and eating out may be out of reach. In that case, we can decide to take a ‘staycation’; that is, a vacation where we simply stay at home, enjoying the “dolce far niente,” as the Italians say when they talk about the “sweetness of doing nothing.”
Namiiko Crosswind
When you step into a beautifully curated virtual space in Second Life, you may not realize the heart and history that shaped it. For the creative mind behind Eye for Aesthetics Decor, interior decorating is more than just placing furniture: it’s an act of emotional expression, storytelling, and care. The journey began with a spark—one ignited by a friend named Noodles.
“They could transform a flat piece of land into something magical,” the designer recalls. Watching their friend sculpt vibrant worlds from nothing stirred a fascination with decor that couldn’t be ignored. That curiosity led to research, experimentation, and eventually, a steady stream of small projects from friends. In 2021, that spark became a full flame with the launch of Eye for Aesthetics Decor.
What sets her work apart isn’t just style, it’s soul. “Fashion was my first love,” she says, “but decor feeds a different part of me. Fashion expresses who I am. Interior design fulfills my desire to create beautiful, harmonious spaces.” In Second Life, where identity and expression are limitless, she sees no reason why one’s home shouldn’t reflect the same magic. “This platform gives us the opportunity to make anything we want—why wouldn’t you want a space that matches your dreams?”
One of her proudest moments came from participating in Elevate’s 2025 Decor Contest. Though her modern-themed submission didn’t take the prize, it left her with something even more valuable: proof that she could create something light, luxurious, and low-prim— for less than 220. “It was a challenge because I love clutter,” she laughs, “but I still delivered something airy and beautiful.”
Being photographed in her own space, after years of designing for others, felt like a new experience. It felt empowering. “I usually design for clients, so standing in a space I created just for me… it was motivating. I felt accomplished.”
Her work doesn’t just decorate—it defines experiences. From roleplay to lifestyle photography, interior design shapes the way Second Life residents live, dream, and tell their stories. “Without it, our second lives would be a lot emptier,” she explains. “Our homes wouldn’t feel lived in. Our photos wouldn’t be as rich. It’s all part of building a life here.”
At the core of every project, there’s a quiet empathy. “The version of me that shows up when I’m designing is my most empathetic self,” she reflects. Each space is a collaboration between her vision and her client’s personality. Whether someone wants a gothic lair or a light, family-centered haven, she listens—truly listens—to bring it to life. “I’ve always wanted people to feel safe, comfortable, and seen in the spaces I create for them.”
In the world of Second Life decor, where every pixel has purpose, Eye for Aesthetics Decor is crafting more than rooms. She’s building homes for the soul.
Jay Anson
In my first article for Best of Second Life, I wrote of my father: A dying man in need of socialization. Later, his son explored this new world in search of connection and with a need to deal with his grief.
In real life, I occasionally found him. Perhaps most powerfully, the last time I went to Bodega Bay. Sand between my toes, a chill wind blowing my hair, and the whisper of his voice in my ear as I watched the sun set upon the water.
I may have found him here in this world as well.
Vox Populi, or ‘Voice of the People’, is a full region. It is breathtaking for both photographers and videographers alike. The region sports an art gallery and a pub, not to mention hidden spots on its beaches or other waterside spots.
There is, however, upon arrival, a certain haunting quality to the area. Few trees, sparse grasses among the bluffs overlooking the water… One can imagine the ghosts of sailors roaming the rocks upon which they ran aground.
Although its official opening is not until tomorrow, it has been open since the ninth.
I landed at what appeared to be the center of the sim and looked around. The sun was setting, and I was reminded comfortably of some of my more enjoyable RL backpacking trips. Walking down the hill, I found sheep being herded by a sheepdog near a stone-built house. A reminder of a trip I once took to the Scottish highlands.
It was, interestingly, an emotional experience for me.
A brief walk brought me down to a bay at low tide. Rowboats run aground, and a rocky walk down to the water. I could feel the cold wind blowing in my hair as the salt air filled my head. It was dusk, and soon I would watch the landscape under the blanket of the turning night.
But for the nonce, I walked.
I walked across the neck of the coastline. The water from the bay would eventually create an island.
After a while, I reached an old greenhouse set on a promontory overlooking the water, set to be a gallery and intended eventually to display artwork. Not far away is an ice cream stand and shaded seating overlooking the water. There’s an incongruously lonely yet accompanied feeling.
As I walked, exploring this new place I’d found, I lifted my imaginary rucksack, cinched it down, and nodded at my imaginary father doing the same thing before we moved forward. The man and the benevolent phantom, or was it a memory, exploring this new place that reminded me so much of home and other places I’d felt at home.
Eventually, we found a thatched-roofed cottage surrounded by sheep. The Vox Pub is reminiscent of cob houses lining the Scottish highlands and overlooking the cliffs and the sea below. It is a small but warm respite from the cold sea winds surrounding it— one day, it will host music as well as travelers.
I tp’ed in a friend, and we shared a drink as we sat in the warm interior.
Although not visited, there is a second locale where a castle is set on the bluffs overlooking the sea, with a flat rooftop converted into a communal area for music lovers and perhaps dance.
Eventually, my phantom father and I stood in the dark and watched the light of a far-off lighthouse warning ships of the coastline, and perhaps preventing the proliferation of long-passed sailors already living on this windblown land.
There was much more to be seen. Ruins, some obvious, some to be searched for, still remind me of those passed sailors. A chapel, a long sandy beach, and the ever-present, reminders of old walls standing atop rocky plateaus that the sea constantly and audibly laps against.
I wanted to drop that imaginary rucksack and set up our small camp at the base of one of the rare trees. I wanted to hear and see the water as I slept.
Had it been RL, I would have.
In SL, I will be back. I’ll explore more. I’ll see more. I’ll experience more.
And thank the creators for their gift. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Vox%20 Populi/176/76/33
Sita Writer
My first adventure in Second Life couldn’t have started in a more perfect place—a moody, mesmerizing Goth club that instantly stole my heart. From the moment I stepped in, I was hooked. There’s just something magical about the dark elegance of Goth aesthetics. Imagine the drama of Victorian fashion, the mystique of Medieval tales, and the edgy spirit of punk—all wrapped into one beautifully eerie atmosphere.
But Goth isn’t just about black lace and haunting melodies; it’s a whole vibe. It’s a mindset that embraces the beauty in darkness and offers a home to anyone who’s ever felt a little misunderstood. And in that dimly lit digital club, surrounded by kindred spirits and haunting tunes, I knew I had found something truly special.
Goth culture has always been more than just surface-level style. Emerging from the post-punk scene of the late ‘70s, bands like Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Joy Division laid the eerie groundwork. The moment Bela Lugosi’s Dead echoed its haunting rhythm into the world in 1979, something clicked—and Goth found its voice. The 1980s gave rise to icons like The Cure, whose frontman, Robert Smith, became the ultimate symbol
of Goth’s emotional depth and visual flair. Whether it’s the heartfelt lyrics or that signature smudged eyeliner, Smith’s influence is timeless.
Goth isn’t just a genre of music; it’s a whole mood, a way of seeing and feeling the world. It lives in the pages of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and echoes through the haunting stanzas of Poe’s The Raven, especially on stormy afternoons when the sky feels just as heavy as you thought. It’s about embracing the beautiful eerie, finding peace in the shadows, and drawing strength from the softer, more vulnerable parts of ourselves.
Some express their Gothic identity through dramatic black lace, dark lipstick, and bold eyeliner, a visual homage to their inner world. Others may carry it more quietly, holding onto that deep sense of otherness, of being slightly on the edge of the mainstream. But whether loud or subtle, all Goths share a connection to a rich, artistic legacy that celebrates individualism, depth, and the haunting beauty of human experience.
Even today, Goth is anything but gone. From viral TikTok aesthetics to high-fashion catwalks, the Goth vibe continues to evolve while staying true to its dark, dreamy roots. Whether you’re just dipping a toe into the shadows or you’ve been embracing the darkness for years, there’s always room for you in this beautifully eerie world.
So go ahead—queue up some The Cure, light a moody candle, and lose yourself in a Gothic novel. It’s all about expressing your truest self, unapologetically and with a touch of mystery.
Welcome to the dark side, it’s more stylish than ever.
THROUGH AUGUST 23RD
I am an active Real Life Artist. I have my Masters of Fine Art from Wilfrid Laurier University. I hang at Tag Art Gallery in St. Catharines Ontario Canada. I'm a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. IRL I paint mostly commissioned works and murals as well as do sculpture out of soap stone and metal welding. When life settles down from my busy schedule as also a RL Private Chef & Owner of a RL renovation company, or my 16 different businesses in SL, I find my peace in returning to my studio.
In SL, I've won two Grants from Linden Endowment for the Arts and from Second Life Endowment for the Arts. I actively help new RL artists in SL to negotiate their way through how to exhibit and market their work and I actively participate in donating works to SL and RL charitable organizations for auction.
My main technique is to work either en plein air or in my studio from photos. For abstract, I still use photos to re-inspire the mood and feeling of the experience. When I use a photo, for the most part it is one I've taken or have been given by a commissioned client. Occasionally I'll also purchase stock photos if they fall within the theme of my work and inspire me. I work in acrylic, oil, watercolour, graphite, photography and digital art and my genres are Abstract Expressionism and Realism. If you are interested in buying a RL original painting, please contact me at wilder.steele@gmail.com
NÉMESIS
AVAJEAN WESTLAND
Top | GATO - FLUORS Pink
Jacket | Plastic - Coat PBR
Pants | LS - Groovy Set Pants
Shoes | Pure Poison - Cherry Platforms
Hat | Fashionism - Linda Swim Cap
NAARNISSE ABSINTHE
Dress | Error Sophie Dress
Legging | OD'S Cozy Legging Lovemomma Pink
Boots | Hanatsumi Stacy Boots
Headpiece | Zibska Process
Gloves | Error Carol gloves Fatpack
Hair | Barberyumyum B20 neon
Earrings | XX neon puke plugs
Tattoo | Nuuna Basics fades tats
Make up | Cazimi Neon Makeup Set
FX | MXS taktay
ISSY FLATLEY
Jacket | Rich Fatale - Rosette Set Doll
Pant | Maitreya mesh Leggings - Cerise
Shoes | Reign - Mira Pumps
Hair | Exile - Something Wicked
Makeup | Hexed - Alex Smokey
Makeup | Zibska - Verandi Lips
Hairpiece | Finesmith - timetrap Fuschia
Bodysuit | NYNE - underboob bodysuit fuchsia
Jewelry | Chop Zuey Couture - Estrela Assisi
ADONIS HANSOME
Shirt | Fakeicon - Monet
Trousers | Noche - Latex Leggings
Shawl | Amadeus - Cruella Cape
Shoes | Cult - Silas
Hat | Vesta - Amde
Mask | Wicca's Wardrobe - Valaria
Radio | Contrato- Retro Radio
JAN BACON
Corset | Dernier – Tatiana Corset
Rings | Kunglers – Elara & Elise
Bottoms| Merch – Ivy Imprint Bottoms - Multi
Sleeves| Moon Elixir x Muse – Queen of Everything Sleeves
Eyeshadow | Saint - Shinseina
Lips | Saint - Constricted Lip Elixir
Hair | Tokio Hair - Lybra
Collar | United Colors – UC Dolores Collar
Earrings | Versois et Mailloux – Roped in Ear Cuffs
Light | Rainbow Spotlight
ALEJANDRA
Coat | Moon Amore - Majestic Opulence
Corset | FashionNatic - Lia Corset
Earrings | Shanghai - Colin Earring
Hair | Monso - Ribbon Hair
Nails|Blaxium -Lulu Nails
Necklace | Shanghai - Grazie Necklace Diamond
Pants | Diram - Zara Panta Boots
MILA BLAUVELT
Skirt | Moon Amore - Lady Cruel
Top | Dernier - Andressa Mint
Body | Gizz - Yellow
Belt 1 | Diram - Belt
Belt 2 | Pure Poison -Mila's
Boots | Rowne IIJN -stretch
Necklace | Minimal - Brooks
Earrings | Minimal - Grace
Hair | NO Bob Wig Neon
Makeups | Poema -Tanisha
NEMESIS
Lashes | Clover - MegaLashes
Eyeshadow | Nuve. - Aurora
Lips | 41m - Sayuri / B05
Blush | Dotty's Secret - Glam Rock
Beauty marks 1 | Lilly's Little Things - Beauty Marks
Beauty Marks 2 | Guapa - Gemma
White Base | Dotty's Secret - Goth Queen
Skirt | .cococat. - Amour En Cage
Blouse | La Maldita Bruja - Dolorosa
Pants | Cureless - Miss Romeo
Earrings | Lazuri - Classic Pearls Long
Collar | The Forge - Pearl Collar Gold
Hair | No. Match - No. Blesse
Tiara | Noble Creations - Laurel Wreath
Bag | Purple Moon - Tiana
Shoes | ICHULY. Paige - Loose
GIN BLADE
Bag | Hope Seller - Clock
Bracelet 1 | Kunglers - Carissa
Bracelet 2 | Real Evil - Tangled
Boots | Luna Chelsea - Alegra
Chocker | Yummy - Baroque Choker
Dress | Poison Rouge - Elizabeth
Earrings | Bliensen + MaiTai - Alliance
Jacket | A & Y - Thrasher Cyber
Sunglasses | Veyard - VTF011
NEGLY
Dress | Icona - Japanese Formal - 1
Pantyhose | Dead Doll - Maree BOM Pantyhose
Heels | Yorke - Lucci Pumps
Earrings| Jumo - Giamba Earrings
Choker | Narcisse - Edith Choker
Necklace | AvaWay - Lili Pearl Jewelry Set
Bracelet R | Narcisse - Edith Bracelet
Bracelet L | Mandala - Pearl Rain Bangle
Rings | Kunglers - Elise rings
Liner | Opulein - Eyeliner Set #0001
Lips | Moccino - After Lip Collection
Hair | Lorraine - Coiffure Charlotte + Pouf a la Alexandra
LOLITA PARAGORN
Trouser | Zaara - Navya
Body tattoo | Ivy - Asia
Corset | Ison - kenley geometric corset
Collar | United Colors - Dolores
Coat | Dernier - Whitney
Shoes | Pure Poison - Olly Pumps
Hair | Studio Exposure - Allure & countdown
Tiara | Orsini Jewelry - Nella
Earrings | Yummy - Lenore
