PHOTO: GIN BLADE MODELS: CAESAR LANGER & LOLITA PARAGORN
PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Reign Congrejo
CONTRIBUTORS
Arya Braveheart
Cara Paine
Coco St. George
Compe Lockwood
Gin Blade
Ivoceno Rossini
Jamee Sandalwood
Jay Anson
Némesis
Sita Writer
Stevie Basevi
LAYOUT
Viktor Serrao
COVER PHOTO
Jamee Sandalwood
COVER MODEL S
Reign Congrejo
Sonia Edge
Jamee Sandalwood
MODEL: JAN BACON
PHOTO: GIN BLADE
PUSUSAARI: A WINTER WONDERLAND UNVEILED
Arya Braveheart
As the enchanting days of autumn transition to the crisp quiet of winter, the idyllic PusuSaari sim has undergone a magical transformation. The stunning setting, renowned for its yearround beauty, has been utterly transformed into a breathtaking, snowkissed winter sanctuary, a true testament to the creative genius of its celebrated designers/owners, Lu and Leeloo. They have replaced the vibrant hues and sun-drenched fields with a tapestry of glistening snow and cosy, inviting light, establishing PusuSaari as the ultimate, essential winter destination that captivates every visitor.
PHOTOS: ARYA BRAVEHEART
The journey begins at the welcoming landing zone cafe, PusuSaari’s main hub. This beautifully designed structure features a clever open-air viewing area with deeply comfortable seating, books, and the inviting flicker of a fireplace. From this vantage point, visitors are treated to an unobstructed, panoramic view of the majestic horses grazing peacefully in the snow-dusted field, the imposing, steadfast lighthouse standing sentinel across the shimmering bay, and, most spectacularly, the stunning, boundless night sky. For the ultimate visual impact, be sure to adapt your shared environment setting (EEP) to truly capture the full, ethereal beauty of Lu and Leeloo’s vision.
The undisputed centerpiece of PusuSaari’s new winter aesthetic is the expansive, natural iceskating area. Lu and Leeloo transformed this area into a glistening expanse, surrounded by snowy banks and with a central area to sit and take a well-earned break. Getting on the ice is simple: visitors can bring their own skates or grab complimentary group skates rink-side. Just touch the ice and accept the invitation to begin gliding. To ensure a serene atmosphere, the area is limited to 20 skaters at a time, perfect for quiet reflection or a gentle skate with friends. Don’t forget to turn off your AO!
PusuSaari’s enduring magic is rooted in its profound commitment to the spirit of discovery, with nearly every nook, bend, and hidden corner generously rewarding the curious explorer. The most wondrous secret is the Home of Butterflies. Stepping inside this hidden cave, you leave the winter frost behind for a vibrant space filled with flowers and delicate butterflies— rare in winter. By touching the ground inside and accepting the subsequent invite, visitors can catch ethereal updrafts, allowing them to soar peacefully and gracefully among these breathtakingly beautiful insects, a moment of pure, unexpected joy.
One of the most dramatic and significant structural changes to the sim is the strategic relocation of the iconic PusuSaari chapel. This small, humble structure, which has long stood as the mostphotographed symbol of the sim, has been dramatically moved from its traditional seaside location to a breathtaking mountain peak. This elevated, serene vantage point offers unparalleled vistas across the entire sim. After taking in the view, visitors can cross a wooden bridge leading to a small, secluded cabin, where they can warm their hands by a welcoming, crackling fire. Following this cozy break, they have the option to rent complimentary skis or a toboggan to enjoy the expertly groomed slopes or embark on an exhilarating sim-wide skiing adventure, taking advantage of the vast, snow-covered landscape.
The sim’s trademark field, with its friendly, familiar horses and donkeys, remains a quintessential must-see, now accompanied by other enchanting winter animals such as playful reindeer, charming penguins, and graceful deer scattered thoughtfully throughout. As visitors walk across the field, they should be sure to look for the stunning crevice— a specially designed split in the terrain that filters the light, creating an ethereal, almost otherworldly path. This captivating path ultimately leads to the artistic corner winter build, a secluded haven of creative inspiration. This retreat is complete with a cozy fire, a piano, a deep, inviting sofa, and a painter’s easel, perfectly positioned for capturing the panoramic, snow-dusted view.
From the solemn beauty of the mountain chapel to the casual comfort of the open-air café, PusuSaari’s comprehensive redecoration offers a multi-layered, magical experience for everyone. The numerous intimate nooks and the many fireside retreats are perfectly tailored for couples seeking romance and quiet moments, while the exhilarating, expansive ice rink and the ample opportunities for sim-wide exploration ensure that singles and photographers alike will find delight and discovery at every turn. Lu and Leeloo have once again crafted an enchanting, beautiful escape into the essence of the winter season. Come and fully immerse yourself in the magic today!
A huge thank you to Lu for allowing me access to the sim while he was still transforming it into a winter wonderland, and also for the great tour!
A TIME FOR GOALS & GOOD INTENTIONS PLANNING
YOUR YEAR AHEAD
Coco St. George
As a veritable child of her times, Missy Buttons was determined to make the most of the upcoming year and leave behind a lifetime of failures, broken promises, and unfulfilled dreams. She was anxious to claim for herself her fair share of Life’s bounty: the wonderful experiences she had heard so much about but that had never happened to her. Where was the marvel? Where was the wonder?
“This year is going to be my year,” she told me, an excited spark in her eyes. “I’m tired of just waiting to see what Life deigns to throw my way. This time, I came up with a brilliant idea to be in control.”
She paused with an enigmatic smile on her lips, and I understood she was expecting me to ask what that brilliant idea was.
“What is that brilliant idea?” I asked, playing along.
“One word,” she announced brightly. “Goals!”
“Goals?” I repeated with a touch of disappointment at the laconic answer.
“Yes, goals! I’m going to set a series of goals for 2026. And I’ll do everything in my power to achieve them, of course.”
“You mean like New Year’s resolutions?” I asked cautiously, trying not to sound too harsh while downplaying her ‘revolutionary’ idea.
“No, no! Resolutions? What do you mean? That has nothing to do with my goals!”
“Well, to an untrained eye like mine, goals sound pretty much like resolutions.”
She fixed her gaze on me, as if trying to decide whether I was being sarcastic or not. But she said nothing; instead, she stood up and took a notebook from her desk.
“Look, next year is going to be supercalifragilistic… at least for me,” she said, smiling as she opened the notebook, where I could see several pages filled with scribbles.
“You could say this is my plan for next year,” she continued. “A program, if you will, that will take me to a place where I can be my true self, where I can realize my full potential.”
That sounded wonderful— "supercalifragilistic, as she had said —but I was still struggling to see the difference between the New Year’s resolutions everybody makes and Missy’s newfound goals, plans, and programs.
She must have detected my skepticism, because she added:
“Look, resolutions are for losers who know, even from the moment they make them, that they will never put them into practice. Three or four weeks into the new year, those resolutions are as good as dead, buried, and forgotten,” she explained vehemently.
“Can’t you say the same about goals?”
“Of course not! Goals are totally different. They are grounded in reality; they take into account the conditions in which our lives are currently
PHOTOS: COCO ST. GEORGE
developing. They are a call to action— an encouragement, if you will —to take your life in your hands, with your sights set on a better future.”
Apparently, those words triggered some ideas she needed to “put down in writing right now, before I forget them,” as she said, taking her pencil and scribbling something in her notebook. I noticed on the cover of that notebook the words: “2026: A Plan Comprising Several Strategic Goals.”
“Look,” she said, and started reading from her notebook. “The thing with resolutions is that they are usually made to fix problems from the past. They’re more ‘solutions’ than ‘re-solutions,’ get it? As such, they’re doomed to fail. You see them as something you have to do, not something you want to do. Notice the difference?”
I was still trying to digest her words when she continued:
“Resolutions are made by looking back at the past, see? That’s why they won't work in the future. Years ago, you decided to start smoking, and now, every year, you make a resolution to quit and fix, so to speak, that wrong decision. Or you neglected your health, and now you’re in terrible shape, so you make the resolution to exercise, lose weight, and get fit. And year after year, you wonder why that doesn’t work. You may even join a gym just to prove to yourself you mean business when you say you want
to work out. You pay a small fortune for a yearly membership even though, deep down, you know you’re wasting your money— because after a few weeks, you’ll never set foot in the gym again.”
“That makes sense,” I had to admit. Actually, Missy’s words had struck a nerve, since I can’t recall how many “yearly” gym memberships I’ve wasted, only using them for four or five weeks.
“Of course it does. A resolution is a need imposed by your circumstances. A goal is something you want to achieve. Obviously, you rebel against that imposition and stop going to the gym.”
“So, what are your goals for next year?” I asked, now with sincere curiosity.
“First off, I’m gonna get a car and make a road trip,” she answered, her eyes sparkling. That surprised me, since Missy had always struck me as a real homebody— someone completely untouched by any sense of adventure. The only trips I knew she’d taken were when her Francophile mother dragged her to Paris.
“And I also want to do something risky,” she added. “Like taking up surfing or dating a bad boy, like Danny Zuko from Grease.”
Somehow, her goals and plans ceased to sound reasonable. Don’t get me wrong: I enjoyed Grease as much as the next girl, but I would never take that hymn to toxic masculinity as a model for “embettering” my life, as Missy said.
But she looked so enthused over her plans and goals that I couldn’t find a way to express my doubts without sounding too harsh. I decided to take my leave, since it was obvious there was nothing I could say without hurting her feelings.
Her words, though, lingered in my head as I walked back home. Honestly, I couldn’t dismiss all of Missy’s ideas just because of the one rotten apple of Danny Zuko. A nagging idea began to take shape in my mind. Should I set some personal goals for next year too? What if I wanted to work out? Yes! That was a good plan. I decided to go straight to the gym and get a yearly membership.
ATHENE FORDER & *GODDESS APPAREL*
Compe Lockwood
Athene Forder remembers the early days. About 16 years ago, she entered Second Life like most of us do— with curiosity. She learned metaverse navigation, made new friends, and explored the brave new cyber world with her RL and SL husband, Autov. But one thing was missing: decent clothes. She discovered the newbie look sucks.
Other projects and offerings followed. Athene notes, “Period clothing led to costumes of various sorts, while formal gowns turned to cocktail dresses. I have been working at expanding my offerings for men and also more casual clothing for women and men.”
Starting an SL clothing and design store from scratch includes many obstacles. Athene smiles, adding, “Prims do not always do what you want them to do.”
“The clothing in SL was so very simple back when I joined,” she explains, interviewed from her SL workshop. There had to be a better way. Her goal was to find that way, learn it, and share what she learned with others.
The end product was her clothes and fashion store, *Goddess Apparel*, with the motto “For the Immortal in Everyone.” But the road to get there was a learning curve.
“My initial focus was on formals and period clothing, specifically Greek and Roman togas,” she recalls. “I really grew in those areas as period gowns and formal gowns overlap greatly. I have an entire Phantom of the Opera Collection to prove that.”
She is self-taught, a student under the tutelage of the dynamic duo, Trial and Error. Her initial projects were for herself. “What I created for personal use allowed me to feel a bit upgraded in appearance,” she recalls.
Word spread about her inspired endeavors. Athene manifested a desire for attire.
She deliberated, ‘Maybe I can do this for an SL living.’ Her husband encouraged, ‘Yes, you can.’
Autov Forder was the first to tell her to go for it. “Autov thought my work had details that some other designers were missing. He encouraged me to give it a try.” And so she did.
Her business started from humble beginnings. “Originally, I sold my work to friends in a small dance club,” she remembers. “I was blessed to have friends who were supportive of what I was doing.”
Athene was undaunted by the competition. “Yes, others were miles ahead of me,” she recalls about the competitive field she chose for an SL livelihood. “Knowing they were ahead encouraged me. It gave me something to aim for.”
In 2009, Athene’s store opened for business in a kiosk. Months later, she realized the need to formalize a storefront. *Goddess Apparel* was the end product.
PHOTOS: CARA PAINE
Almost two decades later, her store is still here, a rarity in Second Life. Though it has been 16 years, to Mr. and Mrs. Forder, it seems like yesterday.
“I still remember the thrill of the first notice I got of a sale on Marketplace,” she reminisces. “The news came through as an email that a sale had happened. I shrieked in joy and surprise. Autov heard me, ran into the room, and asked if I was
Describing doing business in the other life, the retired public school teacher says, “I found the creativity of SL designing was a good balance to the pressures of teaching, and I had the pleasure of relaxing in my design program and letting my creativity in teaching take a different turn by ‘sewing’ something gorgeous, or that I hoped was gorgeous.”
She continues,
“There is a feeling of accomplishment. someone else found value in something I created! Sure, it was, what, a dollar in RL sales? To me, it was validation.”
se, focusing mostly on what she would like to wear and/or requests from friends.
SL entrepreneurs often note that running an SL business within an RL world is continuously a juggling act of cyber and reality. Athene agrees and melds the two worlds into one for the betterment of both.
As for the future of *Goddess Apparel*, her goal is the same as it was on day one: “I want to grow and learn more.”
For more information or shopping at *Goddess Apparel* visit Athene’s store at Taupo (64,170,43). *Goddess Apparel* is also available on Market Place.
THE ROSE AND ROOSTER PUBLIC HOUSE: A PUB FOR EVERYONE
Jay Anson
Iarrived before Chip did. I knew that this was all her, and without compromises. All done in Physically Based Rendering (PBR) and her own 3D mesh. She bought very little from the Market Place: the dance machine, a playable pool table, and darts.
She considered. “The White Pearl closed somewhat unexpectedly, and it left a large hole, left girls with nowhere similar to go. It was missed by many.”
For those of you unfamiliar with the White Pearl Salon, it was established by Robin (robinpalmer7) several years ago and was intended to cater primarily to the trans community. It was intended as a safe space for a group that is known for being abused in both RL and SL.
Although a friend of several years, this would be the first time I would see her soul in her own creation.
Her project? The Rose and Rooster Public House. A bar, restaurant, billiards and darts room, and a dance floor. In short: a pub.
An attractive, middle-aged redhead, she walked in with a wide smile. Pleasantries exchanged, I spread my arms and turned around before we sat at the bar.
“Wow.” I said. “Just...wow.”
She favored me with a smile and, open and attentive, asked: “What do you want to know?”
“What made you want to build it?”
Chip went on, “So, I built the v2 and v3 White Pearl, but I didn’t have complete control of the design.” The Rose and Rooster is hers. All of it.
“Would you say your reason was to create a safe place for girls? Or trans girls? Or both?”
Her expression was frank, “Anyone, really; it’s a non-sex-driven meeting place for all genders.”
She ran a hand through her shoulder-length hair. “It’s more social,” she said, “and if the other things develop, you can take it elsewhere. No furniture here goes beyond a cuddle. I went for the realism of an English country pub; same rules, similar atmosphere.”
“I get that,” I said. Apologies to some other clubs in SL, but the Rose and Rooster is not a meat market, and is intended as a safe place for her clientele.
She smiled and went on, “Well, a different group maybe...like the Pearl, people talk openly in local. No need to have people having sex in the corner to make the place ‘exciting’. Every other club in SL does that.”
I couldn’t disagree. “Frankly, I find that obnoxious.” She just looked at me and giggled.
“So, bottom line,” I said, “this is a family-oriented corner pub that caters to anyone who treats everyone else with respect. Do I have that about right?”
PHOTOS:
She ran a hand through her hair again, “Not family as such, still 18+. Adults. I think there is a large group of girls, and some guys, that want a place where they feel comfortable being themselves without the pressure to date or have sex with everyone they meet; a place where someone just finding their sexuality feels safe and welcomed by like-minded people.”
She continued, “I know a lot of people who go out in SL as something other than what they want to be because of the places available to go to.”
“And the Pearl’s absence was the impetus for this?”
“Well, I wanted to give those people an alternative, yes. I started small, and we’ll see how it goes. I hope to just let the place run itself…”
Having some experience with running a club, I said, “Okay, I understand. But if you plan on having DJs, etc., it won’t run itself. You’ll need to have at least some contact with staff.”
She had an interesting solution: “Scheduling is a job, yes, but I’m also going to allow ‘impromptu’ DJ sets— come when they can, bring their own crowd…like busking.”
I smiled at long-ago memories of growing up in the Bay Area and the singers in Golden Gate Park or along the Embarcadero. “Is there anything that you really want people to know about this place?”
She smiled at me. “Simple really: come meet people, chat, be yourself, enjoy yourself talking, dancing, playing pool, whatever. Most of all, feel safe here being you...with others like you.”
Second Life has always been a place to be oneself. To be what one truly is. And in the company and comfort of others of like desire.
In the boundless universe of Second Life (SL), creativity is more than just an asset — it’s a living, breathing force. Among its most astounding contributors are the virtual world’s builders and designers, the magicians behind SL’s pulse. These digital artisans transform pixels into palaces, dreams into destinations. Yet few creations capture the imagination quite like the meticulously crafted
30% building. I have just completed the Thutmose III temple and the surrounding gardens of the entire complex.”
Long before Cleopatra captivated the world, it was Hatshepsut, Egypt’s first female pharaoh in a time of prosperity, who commanded legions and reshaped the perception of female power. Intelligent and strategic, she broke with tradition by declaring herself pharaoh, donning the regalia of kingship at a time when no term even existed for a ruling queen. With values rooted in discovery, trade, beauty, and justice, her reign was golden — marked by peace and progress.
virtual replica of Deir el-Bahri, the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut— one of the most intriguing rulers in history. For the past eight years, the passionate builder of this magnificent site, NebetKa-Neferu-Re, has conducted in-depth historical research, consuming ancient texts and maps and combining them with modern archaeological techniques to recreate this wonder in SL: simply called Deir el-Bahri, the original temple was built in the 15th century BC.
“Building this temple was a suggestion that turned into a gift for a dear friend,” said Nebet-Ka-NeferuRe. “I didn’t understand what I was getting into, as my roots are Japanese, but I was encouraged and helped by my professor in RL. All can say is that 70% of my time is spent reading and researching,
She nurtured, was regent for, and then later coruled alongside her stepson, Thutmose III, the biological heir of her late husband; Thutmose III extended Egypt’s realm and established it as the leading power of the ancient world. Her chief architect Senenmut is often credited as the architect of her monumental temple— and possibly her heart. Some believe the pair were lovers, their bond immortalized in the exquisite design of the temple at Deir el-Bahri. Senenmut’s own tomb is rumored to lie hidden beneath the complex.
The virtual Deir el-Bahri in Second Life is far more than a static monument— it is a breathing piece of digital archaeology. The build is astonishing in its historical accuracy and attention to architectural detail. From the graceful ascending terraces carved into the cliffs of the Theban mountains to the beautiful reliefs chronicling Hatshepsut’s journey to the fabled land of Punt, every element exudes authenticity and reverence.
Stepping into the temple feels like stepping into the past. One can almost hear the chants of ancient priests or smell the aromatic flora that once lined its luxurious gardens. The gardens are being built by Eveanna (Annastina Resident) as she is an expert on
ancient Egyptian gardens. This immersive quality makes the build so extraordinary— history rendered with heart, scholarship sculpted in stone and script.
Behind this masterpiece lies a team of dedicated digital artisans whose commitment, research, and passion breathe life into ancient stone. Their work is not static; this virtual monument continues to evolve with new discoveries and ongoing reconstruction, both scholarly and artistic. The creators have painstakingly fused archaeological accuracy with the aesthetic soul of ancient Egypt. Amazingly, like in RL, this complex also includes other mortuary structures built for King Mentuhotep II and Thutmose III.
This temple is more than a replica: it is an educational experience, a place where avatars can walk among hieroglyphs, climb divine terraces, and rekindle one woman’s story of strength, intellect, and leadership. In a world driven by data and speed, buildings like Deir el-Bahri remind us that craftsmanship and storytelling still matter— even more so when digital terrain becomes the canvas of history. For more information, visit https://kemet-in-secondlife.com where you will find further details and photos of each major construction phase.
SO YOU WANT TO BE A MODEL HOLIDAY COUTURE
PHOTOS: JAMEE SANDALWOOD
MODEL: NASIRA TAKEDA
MODEL: TREN JACKMAN
CREDITS FASHION STYLE CARD
FAWN COBALT
Skirt | Cameo 6ixx - Iva
Blouse | Baiastice - Chrisy
Coat | Dernier - Sabrina
Boots | En Yo Shops - Storm-P
Beret | Dernier - Veronika
Necklace | Chop Zuey Couture Jewellery - The Chanel
Necklace
Earrings | SAS - Blizzy Red
Bracelet | Heol Star - Bracelet Gold
Ring | Exquisite - Seraphim Wedding Ring Silver
Hair | Truth - Poetry
LILYFURY
Dress I Lilleth - Delicate
Jacket I Big Beautiful Doll - Colette Fur White
Drape I Utopia - Sofia
Shoes I GOS - Karima Sandals
Crown I Slavia - Flocke Crown
Hair I Stealthic - Aroma
Panty I Layla's - Stockholm
Ring I Caprice - Deluxe Middle Finger Ring Silver
Piercing I Caprice - Diamond Nose Piercing
Jewelry I Son!a-Edge - Secret Garden Set
Body Glitter I Fontaine - Natural Body Blush
NASIRA TAKEDA
Corset | Lyxia Walters - Dark Green Corset
Corset | Dernier - Mona Corset Sparkles
Gown | Dernier - Red Gown
Hair | Punklist - Pretty P
Pine Accent | Irrisistible - Christmas Goddess Pine Accents
Sparkles | Irrisistible - Christmas Goddess Prim Sparkles
Jewelry | November - Nasira Statement Choker and Earrings
Bracelet | November - Lashelle Diamond Bangle Gold
Eyeshadow | Goreglam - Angel Eyeshadow Green
Lipstick | Purple - Basic glossy Lipstick
Eye Liner | Babe - Darcie Liner and Highlight
Nails | Hologram - Santa Christmas
TREN JACKMAN
Coat | Gabriel - Six Haori Coat
Pants | Archivefaction - Psycho Trousers
Jacket | Jeys - Mizpah Suit
Shoes | Native Urban - Double Monk Shoes
Hair | Volkstone - Oliver hairbase
BOSL Arts MAIYA GANT
BOSL ARTS EMBER HORIZON
MAIYA GANT
REKY CORVINUS
MAIYA GANT
MAIYA GANT
REKY CORVINUS KEEPER OF THE LIGHT BOSL ARTS
MAIYA GANT
MAIYA GANT
BOSL ARTS WATERFRONT
Gallery MAIYA GANT @
Maiya Gant is a dynamic AI art enthusiast and seasoned fashion photographer, celebrated for her innovative fusion of technology and creativity. A proud graduate of Visionare Photography School, Maiya has dedicated years to capturing the essence of fashion, translating real-world aesthetics into the vibrant realms of Second Life. Her commitment to community and artistry is evident through her active participation in numerous charity art auctions and exhibitions, including Relay For Life, Seekers of Hope, and Rock Your Rack. Embracing the evolving landscape of digital art, Maiya now pioneers the integration of AI tools to craft immersive and thought-provoking visual experiences, solidifying her role as a trailblazer in the virtual art world.