New Years in Russia: Father Frost

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In Russia, Father Frost looms large this time of year. In an old Russian folktale, Father Frost showed mercy on an unfortunate unloved step-daughter left outside to die. He gave her warm clothes and jewels. When her wicked step-mother sent her own daughter outside hoping to get more jewels, Father Frost delivered swift punishment. Russian Winter is nothing to trifle with.

New Years is the biggest holiday in Russia and lasts for 10 days. Huge tree-like structures are decorated for New Years. A special New Years address is delivered by the president. Olivier salad is eaten and much champagne is consumed. Gifts of the new year's zodiac animal are exchanged. 2014 is The Year of the Horse. For my friends in Russia, С Новым Годом!

Brrr... Feel that chill in new skin by Fallen Gods, Draco Glacier, at the December round of We <3 Role play. I combined it with the frosty Breeze tattoo hunt prize from Madpea's Holiday Havoc. The cool Eldar Armor Regal armor by The Forge is also on sale at We <3 Role Play. Another fun event for Role Players is the 25L Holiday Bizarre. Many great items for only 25L including the Arcana outfit by The Fallen. I tinted it to match the color of the armor. The Skull Sword by TGW is fully scripted and also 25L. This cool headdress by GizzA is free at the Jewelry & Accessory Expo. Watch out for low hanging branches with this one. lol. And the White Walker eyes are a current gift By Snow.

While you are shopping at We <3 Role Play, don't forget to pick up the gifts and cheapies under the trees in the cabins. The 25L Holiday Bizarre also has many gifts under it's tree. Fun!

On him, Father Frost:

Armor: The Forge Eldar Armor Regal [mesh] (We <3 Role Play) (299L) 25% off

Skin: Fallen Gods  DRACO Glacier male +FGInc.+ Scaled [mesh] (We <3 Role Play) (495L) 50% off

Kilt, Boots: The Fallen Arcana Black Tunic, boots (edit tint) [mesh] (25L Holiday Bizarre) (25L)

Weapon: TGW Skull Sword [mesh] (25L Holiday Bizarre) (25L)

Tattoo: Fallen Gods BREEZE +Fallen Gods Inc.+ LARGE 70% (Madpeas Holiday Havoc)

Eyes: By Snow White Walker Eyes [mesh] (free)

Headress: GizzA XMAS Horns (Jewelry & Accessory Expo)(free)

Hair: Wasabi Pills Teeloh MALE - Iceberg [mesh] (250L)

Hands: Slink Male Hands Relax, Closed (450L each)

Location:

twentyFIRST

Avi Choice Awards

There's still time to cast your ballot for your favorite creators, groups, and events! VOTE here

The Avi Choice Awards is the premier annual awards presentation recognizing the people and talent of SL’s™ amazing creations, completely chosen and voted on by SL™ residents. The Avi Choice Awards will be presented during the Avi Choice Program held at The Christmas Expo, in the Auditorium, on Sunday afternoon, December 15th, at 3pm SLT. NOTE: This is a black tie/formal event.

- from AviChoiceAwards.com

Christmas In The Caribbean

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Last year I did a series on different Christmas traditions around the world to honor my friends. This year, I'm bringing it back! The first image is for my friend from Barbados. He says they make an excellent Black Rum Fruit Cake for Christmas and if you do it right, it will last a whole year! He sent me a link to the song, "Christmas In The Caribbean" by a local Barbados band. (Hey maybe Rihanna should cover this? -^ )

I'm from Florida. So shorts, palm trees, beaches and seagulls are much closer to my Christmas than parkas, Christmas trees, snow, and reindeer! lol. I took this picture at the awesome sims of Las Islas that recreate the feel of the Caribbean. I love it! It feels so much like home to me!

Above I am wearing the cool new dreads and cap by Tableau Vivant available at Collabor88. It comes with a color hud for changing dread and cap color. There is also a smooth textured version that comes in all the standard T.V. colors. The super cool makeup is by Lovely Disarrey from the Invitation Only Hunt. The leather jacket, Dean, comes from FateWear and it includes leather materials. The metal collar is by Rozoregalia. And lastly, for my impractical beachwear needs, the rare dalmatian fur coat from the Curio Obscura gacha. lol

On Him:
Hair: Tableau Vivant Dreadlow Hair [mesh](Collabor88)(188L)
Makeup: Lovely Disarray Slayer (Invitation Only Hunt)(free)
Jacket: FATEwear Jacket - Dean - Void (with leather materials) [mesh](300L)
Collar: Rozoregalia *HYDRA*NECKLACE1 (400L)
Coat: Curio Obscura Luxurious Fur Coat Dalmatian RARE , gacha [mesh] (100L)
Skin: Tableau Vivant Nathan - tone 6 - dark (990L)
Eyes: Aii Ugly & Beautiful Designs Kitsune Red Eyes (50L)

Location:
Las Islas

Second Life in News: Spycraft in virtual worlds

The New York Times:
Spies’ Dragnet Reaches a Playing Field of Elves and Trolls

Hamlet from New World Notes reacts:
Of Course the NSA is Spying on Second Life - It Would Only Be Surprise If It Wasn't

Christmas Gifts 3: Saint Lucia

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Today is December 8th. In Sweden that means Saint Lucia Day. In honor of my friends in Sweden, I want to show you really fast this the awesome Saint Lucia outfit at Ginza Jewelry Kohime for today. The dress comes with an option to wear the lace drape or not. Has two Lucia poses for hands. Also, you can buy the Alice Project 2012 advent hairs with color streaks of red and green next to the 2013 advent gifts.

Thanks for the tip Kagemaru!

Christmas Gifts 2

1 - Death Row - new red group gift boots, & past gifts mask and eyepatch. [mesh] free to join.

2 - Coco - reindeer outfit and past santa bunny avatar. free. [mesh] Also, 50% sale going on.

3 - IKON - new mesh eyes with precise huds control system group gift. [mesh] free to join.

4 - Koowlan - find the gacha machine to win Santa Anime Girl avatar. [mesh] Tote bag festival. free.

5 - Chimeric Arts Mask. Invitation Only Hunt [mesh] free.

6 - LockHearts - steampunk X-mas top hat. REVERIE hoodie. [mesh] Steampunk X-mas Hunt. (1L)

7 - Hanaya - skate cabin that gives out free ice skates. Peace on Earth Hunt #164. [mesh] free.

8 - Mudhoney - metal Christmas tree decoration from the Four Walls hunt. [mesh] (20L)

9 - Breeder's Choice - free Donkey avatar for purchasers of BC mesh horse. [mesh] Also under the tree are a huge number of nice gifts for horse fans. free.

10 - Souled Out - Steam Pirate mask. Steampunk X-mas Hunt. [mesh] (1L)

11 - Vitamen - a goodie for the guys at the Gay Archipelago 2013 'Winter Dreams' Festival. Lots of gifts can found in the stores. Events runs Dec 6 -15th. (Note: adult)
BONUS:  tou-Gen-kyo - for the guys, Santa has a naughty gift under the tree for you. (Note: adult)

12 - Never Totally Dead - lantern. Steampunk X-mas Hunt. [mesh] (1L) Mr Poet - Scarf. free.

BONUS:
Rotten Defiance- Closing sale all store items 10L. past group gifts for girls and guys free.

Designers shown in image above:

Aii, Breeder's Choice, Chimeric, Coco, DEATH ROW, Devin Vaughn, Discord Designs, Fatewear, Fruk, Ginza, Hanaya, HOD, HPMD, IKON, Koowlan, LockHearts, Looking Glass, Mr Poet, Mudhoney, Never Totally Dead, Remarkable Oblivion, Rotten Defiance, Sleepy Eddie, Souled Out, Tableau Vivant, tou-Gen-kyo, Vitamen, Yasyn

Thanks for the santa anime girl tip, BlueSkyBerry!

Christmas Gifts 1: Advents

Pictured above:
1 = Alice Project, 2 = Abranimations, 3 = Kinzart
4 = Coepio, 5 = Madpeas Advent, 6 = Advent Courtyard
7 = Storax, 8 = KittyCats, 9 = Ginza Jewelry Kohime

Advents are so addictive!  Everyday racing to get a gift, meeting other people on the advent trail, opening the gifts to see what's inside, followed by shenanigans with your buds who do things like torture your peppermint bat avatar with their voodoo doll. lol. Here's is my handy of list of cool places to visit:

For Everyone: 
22769 Casual Couture - starts Dec 12th - free
Abranimations - daily only - free
Advent Courtyard - search various stores for hunt object Rudolph - can get past days - free
Akaesha - requires group membership, free to join - random prize drops and gift cards - free

CIRCA - requires group membership, 1L to join - free
Chop Zuey - starts Dec 12th - free plus group membership prizes, 350L to join
DarkMoon Creations - daily only - free (accepting donations for UNICEF)
Elephante Poses - starts Dec 12th - free
Kinzart - daily only - free
KittyCats - daily only - free (Note: limit one gift per IP)
Madpeas - get the clue and hunt the gift at Mad City - group required, free to join - can get past days
Storax - free - can get a few past days
Sway's - must search for stars to gain password - daily only
Yasum - group required, free to join - can get past days

For Guys:
Coepio - requires group membership, free to join - daily only
EMO-tions - group required, free to join - daily only (Note: there are girls and guys gifts each day)\
LeCock - daily only - free (Note: adult)

For Girls:
Alice Project - daily only - free plus group membership prizes
Ginza Jewelry Kohime - daily only - free
JCNY - free gifts under tree, plus lucky board gifts
Virtual Impressions - group required, free to join - daily only - free

For a huge list of Advents, go here: Yermawn