When you are given a gift, it is important that you show your gratitude. I have been given a gift of a marvelous woman whom I call my sister. If you read my blog even occasionally, you know her name is Rwah.

Rwah and I became friends through our blogs, encouraging one another, offering constructive criticism and always showing support. We are different. Slightly off-centre, but in different ways. We both speak our minds, but while I tend to be more reserved, Rwah is exuberant. We are both creative, but I am more conventional, Rwah, totally avante garde. We are both loving, but while I tend to hold my caring close to the vest, Rwah wears her heart on her sleeve.

When I suffer insecurities, I hold them in – except with Rwah. She listens, digests, then gives me a needed kick up the backside along with a healthy dose of encouragement. She helps me focus by forcing me to find my own inspiration. She is far from ordinary, but and her extra-ordinariness is what give the spice to her quirky personality.

She is a perfectionist, often to the point of indecision, allowing her vision to be clouded by too many brilliant ideas at once. Her perfection is a storm of chaotic creativity clashing with a constant need for change. She is much more likely to completely discard a stunning creation – by other’s criteria – and start again when it doesn’t meet her exacting standards than to let it languish as anything less than stunningly superb. For some, 98 percent is enough. For Rwah, nothing less than impeccability will do.

She is stubborn, forceful and generous to a fault. There is always a chance if you visit her sim there will be a struggling artist somewhere on a platform or rezzing a structure on her land. She also frequently blows up her inventory and leaves a box of goodies for me to find somewhere. It is like an Easter egg hunt while Trick or Treating at Christmas. Brimming with gacha prizes that have lost their lustre for her, they are bright, shiny and inspirational for me.

The contents of some of those boxes were the catalyst for today’s photo, along with a couple of tips on styling. Just a bit of tweaking of an already good idea – that is what I count on from Rwah’s advice. Unless total destruction is required, she will just nudge me in the right direction. Unless, of course, it is demolition-worthy. She would tell me that, too. That’s what a good sister does.

I called this photo “Mannequins in the Candlelight,” based on the image alone. But I renamed the post “Inspiration Amidst the Cast-offs” as a tribute to the beautiful woman named Rwah.

It just seems fitting.

Pretty stuff I’m showing off:

Lingerie: *LACUNA* Cleo Lingerie – White by LacunaInc
Skirt: Kyoot – Pretty White Dress (dress prim) by Saeya Nyanda (heavily edited)
Earrings: Maxi Gossamer MG – Earrings – La Cerlique Earring – SILVER by Maxi Gossamer
Hair: Analog Dog AD – mode – dark reds by Queue Marlowe
Skin: -Glam Affair – Amberly II skin – America 05 D by aida Ewing
Body, hands and feet: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V1.0 by Onyx LeShelle
Eyes: IKON Promise Eyes – Maldives by Ikon Innovia
Lashes: Mon Cheri *MC* “Falsies” Eyelash by Freya Oliveri

Mannequin/pose: {anc} mannequin. Prince 5Li RARE by Aki69 (gacha prize)
Moon: {anc} garden. ladyinmoon 1Li by Aki69 (gacha prize)
Candle trio: Pixel Mode – Victoria’s Bath – Candle Trio by Tya Fallingbridge
Lanterns: .:revival:. linen lantern I & II white by Momentous (gacha prize)
Candle jars: *Tatty Soup* Candle Small, Medium & Large by Tab Tatham (no longer available to my knowledge)
Crown: Tres Blah -tb- Crown and Candle by Julliette Westerburg (gacha prize)
Candle with rose petals: LISP – Noir Petals & Candle by Pandora Popstar
Votives: [ keke ] spring candle tin – brass by Kean Kelly
Lantern: {what next} Amberley Floor Lantern (plain candle) by Winter Thorn (available at Collabor88 May 2015)
Candelabra: {anc} EDEN.candle / old 1Li (gacha prize)
Stool: .:revival:. original stool grey by Momentous (gacha prize)
Portrait: Tres Blah -tb- Spring Living – Romance by Julliette Westerburg (gacha prize)
Jar of roses: Tres Blah -tres blah- Workspace – Silver Mason Jar of Roses by Julliette Westerburg (gacha prize)
Light trees: tarte. garden tree by Alixxbella
Rug: junk. cream animal rug. by Tab Tatham
Build: Apple Fall Rural Farmhouse RARE by Warehousefifteendesigns (gacha prize)

Photo taken using the LumiPro HUD by Stefan Buscaylet