Reflecting on the Miss Virtual World journey

Coat: Nya’s Shop – FurJacket in white from The Instruments
Bodysuit: Ghee – Blue Ombre Frost Catsuit from the Frozen Fair (You need to see this in person – it sparkles!)
Hair: Tableau Vivant – Snowdrift from Collabor88
Necklace: ZOZ – Unwrap Me Holiday Necklace for the Peace on Earth Hunt
Head piece: LODE – Valle II from The Instruments
Pose: Posesion from the Curtain set for The Instruments

Please read more if you are curious about my post-Miss Virtual World finale reflections.

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I’m not a statistic

There is a great deal of meaning behind today’s photo. No one should have to be a statistic because of what has happened to them. The Second Life event called 2Lei is going on for a week from November 20-30 and it is in honor of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Many people think that feminism isn’t necessary in our world anymore because women stand on equal footing with men. Unfortunately, that is still not the case. Women are a marginalized population that continues to face discrimination. They face the threat of violence every day, just for walking down the street and existing. Rape survivors continue to be subjected to victim-blaming and stigma. There are movements all across the globe pressing for an end to gender-based violence. If it was not evident already, this cause is very close to my heart as a social worker and survivor. It is also close to my heart because violence against women is not talked about very much in Romania and there are few resources to support women in those situations. It is an honor for me to blog these items which will be at 2Lei. 100% of proceeds will go to charity. This event is promoting a great message and I hope you will show your support through attending some of the events or buying exclusive items.

Dress: Lyrical B!zarre Templates – Denera for 2Lei
Face paint: MUA – Fatality for 2Lei
Head piece: Valentina.E – We Are All Made of Stars Crown from The Fantasy Collective
Pose: Posesion from the Halloween set

Inspired by Folklore and the First Miss Virtual World Runway Challenge

Today was quite the day! We had the first runway challenge of the 2015 Miss Virtual World pageant. I was incredibly nervous the entire time. Except for a minor mishap and needing to pose for longer than expected, everything went fairly smooth. The lag definitely hit us when we did the finale! All those ladies brought me close to crashing with their beauty. All the misses were very impressive in their styling and it was inspiration. What an honor to walk with them! In my look I tried to bring some flavor of Romanian folklore, or at least a general Eastern European vibe. It’s really overwhelming to be the first Miss Virtual Romania. Here’s my look! Since it has some new releases, I thought I’d feature it.

Dress: Pixicat – Maiden Dress from The Gathering
Shoes: Pixicat – Maiden Boots from The Gathering
Jacket: Peqe – Bali Shrug from Genre
Brooch and ring: Zuri Jewelry – part of the GIA set
Top: Nylon Outfitters – Lace Top in blue
Hat: Ghee – Russian Hat from their fall collection

The beginning of my journey with the Miss Virtual World organization

Back in June for the first round of three auditions for Miss Virtual World (MVW), I submitted a headshot hoping to get my chance. Sadly, I was not chosen then. Given my trip to Romania (which consequently did not happen this year), I did not re-submit for July but waited for August. In between I found a new skin that I fell in love with and participated in my first post-graduation runway show with Model’s Workshop. In addition, I started my job with Zuri Jewely. For me, it has been a whirlwind since I started working for LivGlam and graduated from modeling school. What a great adventure this is proving to be, despite questioning my aspirations.

As soon as I found out I had been selected for the final audition, the nerves kicked-in. I spent hours upon hours walking through stores to find just the right look. My wonderful friend Zee gave me great feedback on my look. We had to style like the Jean Paul Gaultier haute couture fall/winter 2014 fashion line. When I got to the actual audition and looked around, all the ladies were stunning. It felt like I didn’t have a chance at making it through. My look seemed so simple in comparison. But I was determined to walk and pose to the best of my ability. Choosing the poses for my gown was very difficult! It had cap sleeves which easily distorted and a big slit up the front which I had to try not to stretch too much. The adrenaline definitely was flowing when I went up the stairs and got on stage. The whole experience took less than a minute.

Finding out that I had made it was such a shock. It’s my first time doing a live audition for MVW, so to make it through in just one go-around had me so surprised. But I am beyond grateful. The meeting we had yesterday really helped me feel like an integral part of the whole experience and it made everything completely real for me. Before that it was like a dream. Since then I have been surfing the clouds. There will be so much to do over the next several months. In that time I will have to scale back on my blogging to one or two entries per week only, depending on how many MVW events are happening and how my SL work schedule has to change.

There are no words to describe how happy it makes me to represent Romania in the Miss Virtual World pageant for 2015. While it is not my country of birth, as I will fully admit, it is a country that holds my heart. Few Americans get to experience the beauty and amazing culture that is Romania. I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to travel there many times. Now I have a great deal of friends and family members living there. God willing, some day I will have beautiful Romanian children and no matter where we are in the world, I will share with them the love I have for their heritage. My husband was so excited to learn that I had been selected as Miss Virtual Romania. What an honor for me to represent his country. Thank you already to the outpouring of support from my SL friends and for all the SL Romanians who have reached out to me sending their love and support.

Look: earrings and necklace by Lassitude & Ennui for Jewelry Fair, hair by Truth and gown by Junbug.