I have a friend who is a Cao. She is a beautiful, smart, funny (retired) model who makes me laugh and cry when I read her blog. From her antics with Spanx to the tales of her Jack Russell Terrorist and her Date Night escapades to her touching, insightful posts about life, love and death, her blog is one I never miss.
As I mentioned, she is a retired model, so her unique shape is sacrosanct. She created it to achieve a look that set her apart in the Second Life fashion world. Couture is not my forte, so while I am unschooled in Second Life modeling practices, I have no doubt it is similar to the stories we hear about RL fashionistas: fiercely competitive with some models doing anything to get ahead. From what I have read in Cao’s blog, there are many models who are friends and friendly with one another – even helpful – but there also those who, sadly, try to sabotage others.
During Hair Fair, Cao – who has been personally touched by the loss to cancer of someone she loved – offered up her shape to the highest bidder, with the proceeds going to Wigs For Kids. During the auction, someone in the modeling community threatened to steal and sell her shape. This upset her on more than one level – yes, her shape certainly assisted her in her modeling career and to see it hawked on Marketplace for sale to anyone with a few Lindens was distressing, but more so it was the fact that this person would potentially take away bidders for her shape and real dollars for this wonderful charity. So she changed the rules – anyone who bid at least 1000L (her original opening bid) would receive a copy of her shape AND she would contribute an additional 10,000L of her own to this cause. And she ended up contributing 56,502L to Wigs For Kids through this unselfish exercise.
Can you see why I love this little Cao? And why I “bought the Cao”?
Nothing is simply black and white with Cao. She had asked anyone who bought her shape to send her a shot of themselves in her shape, with our interpretation of her style, against a plain, white background and she would then put them together for a blog post. The opening photo is one that I shot for that post. I was going to wait to use the photos myself until after she had completed that blog, but Cao has come up with another wonderful cause and I’m going ahead and publishing this to help publicise it – she is auctioning herself, this time with the highest bidder winning three hours of her time:
To shop, style, dance, chat, photograph, be photographed, I am selling myself to the highest bidder. If you want virtual sex, no, I am not offering that. Ever. Love is too spiritual to me to ever give away or sell. But if you want to help a friend in need, please bid. I ask that the bid start at 3,000 L’s, and I hope some of you will step up for such a worthy cause.
~ Caoimhe Lionheart, “En Vogue”
The proceeds will go to help Squinternet Larnia, creator of Donna Flora, a Second Life designer who is fighting her own battle against cancer. Many of the best creators in Second Life have come together for a sales event with proceeds going toward assisting Squinternet with the alternative therapies her insurance won’t cover. Every designer has at least one item that contributes 100 percent of the sales to help her and any others you see at this event will have some portion assisting this cause. You can visit the event yourself here at the “Love Donna Flora” event. But hurry – there’s only one week left and there are some absolutely gorgeous items to be found there!
I’m not sure exactly how long Cao’s auction will be going on, but please, consider placing a bid for her time. Click on the link in the quote above for the details of how to place your bid. She is truly an angel and I know she will be a gracious and fun companion. Trust me, you will not regret buying the Cao. Update: The final bid is 8000L and Cao will be matching the donation. Thank you to everyone who placed a bid and I hope the winner understands what a precious gift they have given…and how special the prize truly is.
By the way, she really isn’t a cow. Her name is pronounced KEE-va. But we do love our Lil Cao ♥
Pretty stuff I’m wearing:
Shape: Caoimhe Lionheart Wigs For Kids by Caoimhe Lionheart (not for sale)
Skin: [PXL] Creations [PXL] JADE SK PleaseMe Lips MEB C2 by Hart Larsson
Makeup:[PXL] Creations [PXL] JADE SK Smokey Eyes (tattoo) by Hart Larsson
Hairbase: Amacci Hairbase Tattoo 2 – Swedish Blond by Carina Larsen
Bandana: *TSM* Hairfair 2013 Bandana – Wings of Hope – Flower Mix by Mel Vanbeeck (Hair Fair closed)
Jacket: (Kunglers Couture) Isis – colibri jacket by AvaGardner Kungler (Previously at TDR Fusion)
Leggings: Maitreya Tights * Xanadu by Onyx LeShelle
Choker & Earrings: [MANDALA]Nyorai_Silver by kikunosuke eel
Hands: Slink Mesh Hands (av) Casual by Siddean Munro
Hand Appliers: [ PXL ] Creations [ PXL ] Slink Hands Appliers SK
Poses:
First photo: GLITTERATI – Hat – 10 by Katey Coppola (No longer available)
Second photo: GLITTERATI – Model pack 28 – GLITTERATI – 276 by Katey Coppola (No longer available)
Third photo: GLITTERATI – Model pack 28 – GLITTERATI – 280 by Katey Coppola (No longer available)
Pics by Peep 
I am crying. So much. In joy though Peep. I no sooner than announced my blog for Donna Flora and selling me, and had to do an emergency 4 days of “nanny sitting” for an over curious ( yes I know. Me at the same age(my mothers a saint)) 6 year old. 4 days in, exhausted, stressed bc my thought to do just one small thing for a person struggling with breast cancer went awry because of rl, I was depressed. Just to find this. I am just a lil Cao, and you are an angel I have been so virtually blessed with named Peep. Bc at the end of the day you understand, its not about you, or me, or where we want to go in SL. Its about one person who gave so freely to us when she was well. What kind of people would we be to turn our back when one of our own, a virtual friend, colleague, is struggling to survive life itself? If you don’t want a thing to do with me, thats OK. But you buy clothes daily… Please buy something at the Love Donna Flora event from the designers you buy from all the time anyway. Or do this. Check out the sim, where so many designers created things specifically for Squinternet Larnia. If you find nothing you like, move on. If you find things you do? Live with a smile. You did something to lift up a person fighting the battle of a lifetime. Peep? I know, usual Cao word and peace, but after 4 days of exhaustion with a 6 year old, you reminded me, so well, the challenges we face day to day are so small compared to those faced with just the challenge of living one more damn day. I love you and i am so glad we met and so proud to call you a beloved friend. :**
*smiles and wipes away your tears* You are an inspiration to me, my dear Cao. Yes, this is about helping one person (Squinternet), but you were doing a wonderful thing for someone in your RL. No need to be depressed about doing that – be proud to be such a special Lil Cao ♥
Peep and Cao, you are both amazing women. Thank you for blogging this. It was so lovely to read. Cao you are amazing, how u care so much, hw u go out of your way to help people in need. For that you are an angel in this crazy world. If I coud afford to buy a date with you, i would but I will promise to shop n promote lovedonnaflora, I wish i had known about u seleig ur shape, i must of missed that blog but omg you girls, u r angels and amazing
What an inspirational post. Thank you, Peep, for sharing this. From what I’ve seen, everything you have said about Cao is absolutely true. Cao’s gesture really makes me want to contribute to something bigger than my own pursuits and what a perfect opportunity she’s given us to help. Bring your deep pockets Peep, because you’re going to have a little competition on this one 😉
Bring it on, Becky! ❤
Oops..this was supposed to be the reply to Cao. I need to take “Commenting On Your Own Blog 101”!
Awwww this is such a lovely post. Proud of both of you especially Cao for helping so may people, how generous you are is beautiful. how u care Cao, you are a angel, i believe that strongly. Please dont ever stop being the wonderful person you are. I probably cant afford a date with miss Cao but I promise to shop there and help promote the event, I wish I had a chance to help Wigs for Kids by blogging ur shape. I must of missed that blog. hugs you both ❤
Thank you, sessie 🙂 Cao is such an inspiration, as is Squinternet. Hugs you back (( ❤ ))
sorry didnt mean to post that twice ❤ thak you peep for such an amazing blog ❤
Not to worry 🙂 I approve all first-time commenters to protect from spam, but I try to get to them quickly (unless I’m sleeping, and even sometimes when I am!)
Thank you for stopping by – I wanted to help share our Lil Cao’s generosity in any way I could ❤
Awww this is so nice … my own best friend is going through cancer atm and I lost my mother and several others to it as well so I know what a hard battle it is and how important having good support and friendship can really make a difference. But affording the so important treatment is important as well!
I have been to the Love Donna Flora event and was blown away at the amount of amazing wonderful items for sale there it is so worth the visit … I promise everyone will find at least one item they will feel they must have … if not many many such items!
I wish I had known about the selling of your shape cause I sure would have bought one 🙂 I wish I could buy you as well! We would go and have a riot at some of your fav spots and maybe fit in a fun amusement park … The one on the Carter and Dar show this week sounded like a blast! Mainly because I feel you deserve the award of having a special day just for YOU Cao for what a loving giving person you always are! I hope you break the bank on bids!! You are worth it ❤
Love Osprey
Hugs, Osprey. I don’t imagine there are many people who haven’t been touched by this horrid disease. I hope everyone who can makes it to the Love Donna Flora event before it closes. I am constantly touched by the generosity of the SL community, and this is no exception.
And I agree with you totally about our Lil Cao…she’s the bestest of the best 🙂
two lovely ladies, exceptional post
Thank you, Selene 🙂
Reblogged this on Colleen Criss's Weblog and commented:
A friend has a friend who is a Cao. She is a beautiful, smart, funny (retired) model who makes me laugh and cry when I read her blog. From her antics with Spanx to the tales of her Jack Russell Terrorist and her Date Night escapades to her touching, insightful posts about life, love and death.
Thank you so much, Colleen! ❤
Im so glad woman are supporting woman in sl (well mostly). Good luck Cao with your action..that was very brave of you, not to mention the money outlay. Im with the few who wont be bidding but wish I was 🙂 Great cause.