#soap boxes bulk

[themailerboxofficial]

The Science of Soap Packaging: Ensuring Product Integrity with Custom Solutions

Behind each soap product lies a fastidious science that stretches out past definition to the domain of packaging. Custom soap packaging isn't only a visual material; a logical undertaking assumes a vital part in shielding item trustworthiness and guaranteeing a consistent excursion from the maker to the buyer. In this blog, we dig into the complicated study of soap packaging and how custom solutions stand as sentinels of item protection and quality confirmation.

The Delicate Equilibrium of Insurance

Soap, a fragile combination of normal fixings and painstakingly created details requires the greatest possible level of security from outside components. Custom soap packaging is intended to keep up with this fragile equilibrium:

1. Hindrance Determination: The decision to package materials turns into a science in itself. Custom soap boxes consolidate progressed hindrance solutions that safeguard the soap from moisture, UV beams, and ecological impurities, saving its quality and adequacy.

2. Temperature Control: Soap's arrangement can be delicate to temperature vacillations. Logically designed packaging maintains a controlled climate, protecting the cleanser's surface, scent, and helpful properties.

3. Influence Flexibility: Custom soap packaging is intended to endure the afflictions of transportation and care. The influence of safe materials and primary respectability guarantee that the soap arrives at its destination unscathed.

The Oxygen Condition

Oxygen, however fundamental forever, can be inconvenient to soap life span. The study of soap packaging handles the oxygen condition with accuracy:

1. Oxygen Obstruction Movies: Custom soap packaging frequently integrates oxygen hindrance films that hinder oxygen particles from saturating the packaging. This obstruction jelly soap newness and forestalls untimely oxidation.

2. Broadened Time span of usability: The study of oxygen control expands the soap's timeframe of realistic usability, guaranteeing that buyers get items that hold their intensity and quality long after creation.

3. Quality Confirmation: With custom solutions, brands can unhesitatingly guarantee buyers of soap quality, supported by the logical standards of oxygen decrease and safeguarding.

Stickiness The executives

Stickiness represents a critical danger to soap products, possibly changing surface, scent, and appearance. Custom soap packaging utilizes logical procedures to oversee moistness:

1. Desiccants and Sponges: Logically incorporated desiccants and sponges inside custom soap boxes effectively manage dampness levels, shielding soap from an overabundance of dampness that can think twice about trustworthiness.

2. Dampness-Safe Obstructions: High-level dampness-safe materials make a defensive case around the cleanser, protecting it from surrounding mugginess and keeping up with its unique state.

3. Item Consistency: The logical way to deal with moistness the executives guarantee that shoppers get soap products that reflect the quality and consistency imagined by the brand.

Maintainability and Rack Dependability

The study of soap packaging stretches out past security to manageability and rack steadiness:

1. Manageable Decisions: Logically organized eco-accommodating materials add to maintainable packaging rehearses. Custom arrangements that focus on natural cognizance line up with present-day purchasers' assumptions.

2. Limited Debasement: Custom soap packaging solutions guarantee that the soap's properties stay unaltered after some time, limiting corruption and augmenting rack solidness.

3. Logical Approval: Brands that put resources into logical packaging solutions can certainly introduce their soap products, realizing that each part of safeguarding and insurance has been thoroughly approved.

Cooperation for Logical Greatness

The logical honesty of custom soap packaging is a cooperative undertaking that includes packaging specialists, materials researchers, and soap manufacturers:

1. Material Development: Team up with materials researchers to investigate innovative packaging materials that line up with soap conservation necessities and maintainability objectives.

2. Testing and Approval: Thorough testing and approval conventions guarantee that custom soap packaging solutions meet logical benchmarks for assurance, protection, and rack steadiness.

3. Nonstop Progression: The study of soap packaging is a continuous excursion of progress. Brands that stay focused on logical progressions constantly refine their packaging solutions for ideal item respectability.

Custom soap packaging is a logical creativity, an orchestra of materials, design, and safeguarding rules that work amicably to guarantee item uprightness. In the many-sided dance between security and show, custom solutions stand as a demonstration of a brand's obligation to convey soap products that rise above assumptions. As you investigate the universe of custom soap packaging, recollect that behind each case lies a logical story that ensures packaging, yet the conservation of the actual pith of your soap products.

[r0ugarou]

I know its been years but the thing that baffles me to this very day about the whole "Raymond from animal crossing" fiasco is that you can get a fully functional bootleg AC amiibo for like less than 5 dollars on etsy. They work and look exactly the same (and arguably are better bc they're usually on a thick plastic card and thus are more durable.)

Like people were sending death threats and spending hundreds of real actual money to get this boring cat and bootleg amiibos were. right there.

[sen-thebootmutt]

What basic things should people know about caring for leather?

Oh, how I love all the questions /genuine 💞💞

Okay!!!

So, leather is a skin, right?? It’s a hide. How do we care for our own skin?? Your basic steps:

Rinse

Clean

Rinse

Moisturize

A light spray of water, clean with a gentle soap (non-scented glycerin soap or saddle soap and a small horsehair/badgerhair brush), rinse and wipe off all the soap residue, and moisturize!

“Sen,” you say, “how do I moisturize leather?” Good question!! It’s going to depend on the type of leather.

There’s two big categories of leather; oil tan, and high shine. Oil tan leather is matte, soft, and more flexible (think of old leather dress shoes or casual boots). High shine leather is, well, self explanatory lol (shiny, less flexible, more glossy).

With oil tan leather, you’ll use a leather conditioner! Most bootblacks recommend Hubberd’s Shoe Grease (a heavier, denser conditioner), Obenauf’s Heavy Leather Preservative (more waxy), or Aussie Saddle conditioner (like Obenauf’s, but has a higher beeswax content). These are all pretty easily available online, and can even be bought in bulk and put into other containers!

For high shine leather, you use polish! There’s lots of different brands, but most folks get their start with Kiwi shoe polish (not super high quality, but readily available at big box stores like Walmart and Target). Most experienced bootblacks will use Lincoln or Angelus polish (your choice will depend on things like local humidity, altitude, experience, and technique). Apply a thin layer of polish to the boot, mist with a light spray of water, buff with a horsehair boot brush, and finish with a fine cotton buffing cloth!

I love bootblacking, and I love teaching. If anyone wants, I might record myself the next time I do my boots, so y’all can see these techniques in action!

[hurtspideyparker]

For a request how about a fluffy winterhawk doing shopping to refill their first aid kit? I imagine between the two of them it sees a lot of use.

The pair walk at a leisurely pace in the 24 hour CVS.

There's a number of odd characters, including themselves, but that's what they get for shopping at 2 am. There's the goth cashier, a man in an oddly tall cowboy hat, a couple of teenagers messing around in the chip section, and of course the two Avengers with blooming bruises from the fight they just finished. Which is really not their fault. I mean, who does crime after midnight? Bad people, probably.

"Wanna get some ice cream?" Clint asks while tossing some frozen peas into the basket Bucky is carrying.

"I don't think we'll have enough room."

"Come on man, one Ben & Jerry's isn't gonna break the bank."

"One, really? For both of us? You threw a spoon at my head last time I poked in your pint. I just wanted to try the flavour."

Clint thinks on that.

"Hm, you're right, you're right. We'll do a wrap around at the end and I'll just carry it."

They leave the icy doors and head straight for the first aid aisle. They spot the gauze and bandages first, taking a moment to analyze the different brands, sizes, and types, before Clint takes an arm to the shelf and swipes the entire thing into their basket. Bucky nods approvingly before speaking up.

"This is your fault y'know, you procrastinate."

Clint scoffs, "I'll have you know it was your week to do the shopping."

"The first aid kit's been empty since last week, when you sprained your wrist. Remember when you tried using a compression sock as a wrap. Also, you're bleeding on the flyers."

Clint looks down at the paper. That indeed is his blood. Another drop falls from his nose onto the shelf, "oop, my bad." He grabs Bucky's sweatshirt and uses the corner to wipe up the blood.

Bucky rolls his eyes and grabs a box of band-aids off the next shelf.

"Just for that I'm getting you the hello kitty ones," Bucky pulls out an evil looking purple bunny and then tosses the box into the basket.

He peels it open and places the bandage with care over the bridge of the archer's nose.

"Joke's on you, Kuromi fits my colour scheme."

Bucky stares at him blankly for a moment.

"I speak 7 languages and yet I still manage to not understand you in your native one, which is honestly more impressive."

"Why thank you," Clint gives a cocksure smile.

They move along, tossing in some medical tape, 4 types of pain meds in giant bulk containers, and heat packs.

Bucky picks up a bottle of rubbing alcohol.

"Woah man, that stuff isn't right for you anymore. It's all about good ol' soap and water now. Don't you keep up with medical news?"

"No, and I doubt you do." he says with a raised brow.

"Okay fine, Bruce told me, but still."

While Bucky doesn't trust anything Clint finds online, he does trust Bruce Banner, so he puts the bottle down.

"Vaseline's in the beauty aisle, brb."

Clint jogs around the corner and Bucky calls out to his back, "stop saying abbreviations out loud!"

Bucky continues wandering on his own, collecting a few random things into the quickly filling basket.

"Incoming!" Bucky doesn't even react as a jar of Vaseline and some tweezers come flying over the shelving and land perfectly on the pile.

Bucky isn't even in his original spot anymore, how did—nope, not going there. If he asks, he'll just get told "because I'm fucking Hawkeye," with that stupid charming smirk that secretly gives him cuteness aggression.

Bucky Barnes does not get cuteness aggression.

He turns around the corner the same time Clint steps back in front of him.

"Hiya, did you miss me?"

"No," Bucky says, placing a little kiss on Clint's lips.

"Aw, you totally did." Clint fists Bucky's top and pulls him in for another kiss.

The man goes easily, melting into the familiar taste of copper and the sting in his lip from where someone hit him in the face with the butt of their rifle. The stubble is an even more familiar roughness, closer to a tickle. Clint pulls back with a salacious pop, bringing his thumb up to wipe away the spare saliva in the corner of Bucky's mouth.

They hear a strong tone of throat clearing nearby, looking up to see cowboy hat staring at them in disgust with a cart full of dog food.

"Evening sir," Clint waves, then gives a little tip of his imaginary hat. The man just shakes his head then needs moving.

"C'mon, get your ice cream and lets go."

Clint acquiesces, reluctantly pulling away from Bucky's warmth.

After getting the promised ice cream they head straight for the self checkout. The last time they went to a cashier-only pharmacy to restock their first aid they got stared at like they were planning on cutting up the cashier and selling her kidneys (the sewing kit really didn't help), so dumping the pile of gauze away from the employees prying eyes saves them from talking to the cops.

The receipt takes ages to print, Clint grabbing more and more of it like a magician pulling scarves from a hat.

"Babe, will you tie me up with the CVS receipt and do dirty, dirty things to me later?"

Bucky huffs out a laugh and pushes at the other's shoulder, "shut up freak."

Cowboy hat decides to pull up to a nearby checkout just at that very moment, freezing and sending the pair a look like he's personally casting them to the depths of hell.

Clint turns to him, a mischievous smirk that could mean nothing good.

"Sir, would you tie me up with this CVS receipt and—"

Bucky clamps a hand over the man's lips and forcibly drags him out of the building.

[ghcstao3]

before the military, seeing how the rest of his family’s body types were, ghost was for sure just gangly at one point—all height and long limbs and the grace of a newborn giraffe, and gaining muscle mass was the only thing that had him really growing into himself

so as can be imagined, when soap stumbles upon a box of old photos ghost keeps hidden (not very well, in soap’s opinion), he doesn’t recognize the pictures of ghost to be ghost from when the man was fresh-faced in the military, because there’s no way the absolute tank of a man was anything less at any point of his life. this whole time, soap has been half-convinced he just spawned into existence that way

and when soap brings that picture to ghost and asks who it’s of, ghost just stares at him in an are you serious? kind of way—until he realizes soap isn’t kidding. then he goes on for the better part of an hour trying to persuade soap into believing the photo is, in fact, of ghost (though even by the end of that, soap doesn’t buy it)

it isn’t until the photo is taken to price, who’d known ghost when he was less bulk and recognizes the man immediately, does soap finally leave it alone (he is still suspicious) (also weirdly upset for not having been able to know ghost when he was far less coordinated and eerily graceful)

[anonmousegosqueak]

Im going for the pasta and don't dare you ruin everything! (/j) You can add your own headcanons on how they cook pasta too:)

Ghost: Thus fucked barely knows how to cook eggs, or not burn milk, so i guess I have to say that he probably has watched a tutorial every time he cooked something outside of those two things and that by such his pasta is usually just either plain penne or broken spaghetti, usually with some tuna or just cut tomatoes because he doesn't know how and when to add the sauce

Price: he knows just enough to not make his mother's souls hunt him for the rest of the month (she knew how to cook decent pasta compared to him). He probably tried conchiglie and orecchiette more for their form than for their paracticality when eating, but je found that when he is on leave, if he ears slower, he gets less stomach aches, so he uses these "hard to eat" shapes so he paces himself better.

Nik: this man has had fresh pasta with soup for a good half of his life (cheap and relatovely easy to buy) and by this he cannot cook it any way that doesn't contain soup. So he often eats stelline or mini macaroni in either thick or thin soup.

Roach: This man is American. I do not believe in any way that he would be able to cook pasta in a way that I can describe without having a heart attack. Two words. anonmousegosqueak. Airfrier.

Soap: because his mother taught him some level of pasta cooking he can cook spaghetti without breaking them and if he is doing something fancy he might add some swordfish (it tastes much better than it sounds)

Gaz: husband material, he can cook and he can make it taste incredible, the only problem is that he doesn't read the minutes on the box and his pasta is always overcooked, and by this it is usually too soft to feel good in your mouth unless it's the feeling you are going for.

Red: Australian man near the stove? Yeah… no… Red ge the fuck away from the stove, you are going to birn down the whole house!

Hehehheeee-

(same characters, we're going in my order though)

Price:

He can cook... Decently well? Nothing fancy, he's not a cook, but he can definitely boil boxed pasta (*sigh*... without breaking it). Sauces aren't very good though. I'm talking mostly he just melts a slab of butter and calls it a day, maybe some canned tomato or something but that's only if he's trying to get in Nik's pants later. Doesn't salt the boiling water, will run cold water over the strainer noodles to cool 'em faster.

Ghost:

You said it best- no cooking skills. Now, it's not like he's a total man-baby, he can take care of himself, but that 'taking care' is mostly just knowing what food to order that is healthy. I also see him as the kinda guy who unironically eats those bulking protein meals you see on tiktok. Like yeah, unseasoned chicken on his broken and overcooked spaghetti. It's easy and simple and it... Well it doesn't taste good but he can choke it down. He's more of a desserts and baking kinda guy, doesn't care too much about savory food.

Soap:

Unpopular opinion but this man can cook! I'm not saying he's Scottish Gordon Ramsay, but he knows his way around the kitchen just fine. Listen- mamma MacTavish is a brilliant woman who can work a kitchen, she wanted to pass those skills down to her kids. So when her toddler son wandered in while she was trying to teach his older sister how to cook an egg... Well I guess he's her new student! Johnny was always the most interested in cooking, way more than any of his sisters. Now he's wowing Simon on their date with his fancy hand-made pasta and fresh pesto sauce (he gets some good head in return)

Gaz:

MY HUSBAND. Literally! He's the cook in his and Red's relationship- making dinner almost every night. (Don't worry, Red cleans up in return). He loves to experiment, always finding recipes and putting them to the test. He really does excel in sauces though. His pasta...? A bit overcooked. Still tastes amazing though, the flavor beats texture every time. He also definitely makes those protein bulking meals- except it actually tastes good. His spice rack is full (not a euphemism (unless you want it to be)) and so is your belly. Red doesn't mind the texture problems as well, their shitty teeth thank him every time. It's actually why they've never corrected him, they like being able to eat without their jaw hurting. Everyone else suffers but they don't care, it makes Gaz happy whenever he gets compliments on his food.

Nikolai:

Nikolai. Can. COOK. Makarony po-flotski from home, ravioli from Italy, fuck- he can even make an amazing macaroni and cheese like the AMERICANS YEEEEHAAAWWWE- (I'm talking enough butter to give a horse a heart attack and enough cheese to kill a dead horse. Breading as well). He's traveled the world, picked up recipes all around as well. And even before then? Well he was a starving man who quicky learned how to make a lot from a little. Everything is a stew with some sort of meat, vegetables are optional (he couldn't always get fresh veggies) but preferred, but always *always* some sort of pasta. I'm sorry but you do not get to that amazing size from eating like shit- a proper bear needs proper meals. He knows quite a few recipes just from memory as well- and again, from all different types of places.

Roach:

Roach... Roach is allergic to everything (especially tomatoes) and an American (sometimes). You really think he can make pasta? Boxed Mac&Cheese (not Nik level), broken spaghetti, and everything is always overcooked. He can make some good sandwiches though!

Red:

It's not even the Australian! It's the pyromaniac-y-ness. Besides, they never really learned how to cook with spices. I mean, when you live in a tiny compound that grows all its own food, you don't exactly get a lot of cooking experience. They can make bread! But pasta? They're lighting the noodles on fire for fun before Gaz kicks them out of the kitchen or Topino kills them and feeds them real food. The only time they even tried to make their own fresh pasta, they were drunk out of their mind and made a semi-sweet orange flavored monstrosity. Red and Roach are banned from the kitchen, Gaz cooks food because he cannot trust them (and cooking brings him joy)

Topino:

Italian.

[mojojorp]

What happen if Claw got too many catnip?

Zoomies..absolutely zoomies..

Masterlist

Puffing out a cloud of smoke from his mouth Price relaxed in his office sitting on his dingy sofa

The smell of cigars scattered around his office, he's done with his paperwork and reading the report

"Hmm...at last some quiet time.." closing his eyes while exhaling the cigar, so unusual that the boys (and one hybrid) become so quiet these days, but at least they didn't do anything ajjs@!jq#qjk or something disaster

Or so he thought...

A loud thump of boots coming from outside then his door is slammed open

"No knocking?" Said Price not opening his eyes, but his forehead could be seen frowning

"S-sorry Cap, its urgent" Gaz approached Price slightly huffing, let out a hard sigh Price put out his cigar and adjusted his hat

"Who is it this time?" asks Price as they walk out of his office

"It-" Before Gaz could even tell him, they heard a loud crash and a couple of distressed voice

then there they saw....

"NYAHAHAHA I'M UNSTOPPABLE!!"

"F***! "

"Someone block her way!!"

"Fuckin' trying over here!"

"Nyahahahaha!!"

Price furrowed and pinched the bridge of his nose shutting his eyes tried to hold down the headache, the fluffy hybrid ran around the trail puff of smoke spreading everywhere where she transformed into a cat and a human

Some of the recruits that helping Soap try to catch her coughing because of her smoke

"I-I don't know why she getting like this, but after she got a package from someone, she's been like this"

"Did you go search for the package?" asked Price, he got a very bad feeling about this

"Well...she hid it in her room its like she doesn't want us to know what's inside the package, now Ghost went to investigate it" explained Gaz, on time Ghost arrived with a medium box in his hand

"That damned..Mexican Cat lovers.." mumbled Ghost as he showed them inside the box

"Cat nip..." grunted Price

"Bloody hell...and so many variations.." Gaz stare at it flabergasted

"she's getting high on a Fucking Catnip" Ghost narrowed his eyebrows, cursing certain Mexican cat lovers

"Not that all that Professor of her secretly send a bunch of snack to her " huffed Ghost, the moment he entered and searched around her room he found a secret snack stacks there

"aside from that scary face she has, she does have a soft spot for Claw... " Gaz muttering about the stoic cold face of old Professor

"what the plan Price?" gruff Ghost still holding the box

"let's catch the fluff --"

 "CAPTAINNN~~!!" squealed a certain hybrid as diving herself into Price

Wh- UAGHH!" suddenly his face was being struck by a soft sensation, Gaz gasping and Ghost just stood there like a statue watching their Captain fall off on his back while his bulk arm wrapped around the hybrid waist

As the other recruits stared wide eyes, Gaz tried to take Claw off Price he could almost see Price's soul just snuff out from his mouth

"C'mon sweetheart off you go --" he grabbed her shoulder, then Claw swatted his hand away hissing at him 

"NO! NO! My Captain!!"

.

3 hours later...

They manage to calm Claw down and put her to sleep on the sofa, the panting Soap lets out a sigh of relief as he crouches beside the sofa and caresses her hair

"Damn... she's really wearing us out, good job there lads... ya can go now.. get some rest" Soap waves to the recruits that helping him as they walk out and wave back at him with a grunt some of them snicker in amusement

"Gonna ban those catnip" grumbled Ghost crossing his arm and eyes on the hybrid

"Couldn't agree more...you okay over there Cap?" Gaz glances at the slumped disheveled Price, his hat placed on his lap you can see a red bump on his forehead

"....Just..leave me alone..and let me rest" Price almost forgot that he got another troublemaker...a big one infact, then he raise his head stare at the sleeping woman on the sofa

Huff in amused, he just couldn’t be mad at her no matter what  

Just another day in 141 base...

taglist: @lilpothoscuttings @unicorngirly1 @kaoyamamegami

[vixhound]

141 headcanons (family & their fav sport)

Soap being hard of hearing and having a bum knee. Huge family, really close with cousins. Likes hockey, but got in trouble a lot as a kid for being too aggressive on the ice. Doesn’t play it anymore because of the memories but still roots for his family’s team.

Gaz I think about his family a lot. Has a couple sisters, an extensive skin care routine, and able to do hair/makeup from helping his sisters and mom. I think his dad taught him a lot about responsibility and protecting the ones he loves. Also think he got Gaz into a lot of different sports and he got really good at football (soccer for us Americans)

Price is only child. Used to leading and taking charge from a young age but had a hard learning curve about making space for others. I think his dad worked a lot, probably military, so it was kinda pushed onto him this expectation to take care of his mom while dads away. Baseball was an easy sport to practice on his own and easy enough for his parents to participate without having to put a lot of effort in.

Ghost well… I like referencing his comic backstory a lot so I think that covers what his home life was like. I don’t think he really got into sports till high school before then he was just too scrawny. Really went for anything physical. boxing, wrestling, etc. probably found his way into an underground fighting ring used it to make money to care of his family. Once he started bulking up after his growth spurt it was easy enough to pass off being older than he was. Prefers rugby now because it wasn’t something he ever got into in his teen years.

[dinosaurchurch]

I gained quite the collection of Lush perfumes over the past four years since I started collecting them. I've branched out a little bit from the brand although I'll admit most designer perfume houses don't capture the kind of scent I personally like so I tend not to indulge in them.

So here's all of the Lush scents I own. I've tried the bulk of what they have to offer including some discontinued scents. Detailed below I have reviews for the thirty-two scents I own. Lush makes some very unique scents, some I absolutely adore and have yet to come across anything like it.

Hopefully this provides a little bit of insight in what they offer, I don't like to blind buy scents myself so I like to share my thoughts!

1000 Kisses Deep:

Available only in the 100ml liquid format and part of Lush's 'black label' collection. This scent is very much jasmine forward, if you're not a fan of jasmine - you will not like 1000 Kisses Deep. The biggest things that shine about this scent is the resinous amber and mulled fruit scent of apricots. I personally would not call this a 'sweet scent', there's nothing gourmand about it spite the fruit notes, they land more dried florals and fruits than fresh plump and juicy.

Definitely a year round scent, 1000 Kisses Deep is like a warm hug with a bit of a shimmery sparkle of a scent. It's very romantic and sensual. The jasmine turns clean and powdery on skin, reminding me of fuzzy sweaters and hugs over kisses. It's fairly similar to another scent that Lush currently offers called "Keep it Fluffy" - it's slightly more heady and full bodied.

Projection is decent, not super overpowering. Lasts around 5-6 hours on skin.

7/10. Warm jasmine fragrance for special occasions.

Alina:

Available as part of the core collection and in a solid, 30ml, and 100ml bottle formats. There's nothing that currently smells just like Alina, this is a scent made up of three different perfumes blended together representing three different generations by the perfumer Alina herself (which is neat). Old Songs are Waking is one part of this fragrance, there's a scrub that's offered around Mother's Day that has been release both this year and last year that makes up the sweet, syrupy berry vanilla of this busy scent.

Overall this is a spicy (from cloves and pink pepper), resinous, woody scent that holds a bit of a floral/soapy note. The sweetness sits in the background along with a mature white floral, I would argue this is a bit of a feminine scent spite Lush's marketing of all of their scents being unisex. The biggest standouts is the spices and clean woody notes for me, on skin it settles with the pepper note being the most forward. I'd say this a more 'warm weather scent', the other parts of the fragrance get to shine in the heat versus the cold so for me, I wear this in the late spring/summer. I will warn folks that this is a BUSY scent and has a lot going on - definitely one I'd highly recommend testing first before purchasing; not blind buy friendly.

Projection is decent, this is a fairly strong scent from Lush's collection and easily lasts on skin for about 6-8 hours with only a few sprays.

7/10. Good spicy/clean frag.

Baked Alaska:

Only available in the December 2024 kitchen subscription box it bares the same scent as the 'Baked Alaska' soap that typically comes back as part of the Christmas collection every year. It's also only available as a solid perfume. Baked Alaska is a very fresh, clean lemon scent that has a tinge of herbal/floral notes kicking around in the background, on skin it doesn't change much. The closest thing Lush currently offers would be "Dad's Garden Lemon Tree" body spray which is slightly brighter/green as a scent overall. The two are very similar, so imho if you have one you don't really need the other.

Projection is very surface level and the scent lingers on skin for about 4 hours at most. Overall I prefer Dad's Garden body spray, both are fairly straightforward and aren't anything wild.

5/10. Mid. Nothing special.

The Bees Knees:

Available as part of the core collection in solid, 30ml, and 100ml formats. I want to warn folks that there's nothing gourmand or sweet about this fragrance spite what they might think when they read the name. The Bees Knees is a smoky, herbal, medicinal, hay scent. It's warm, earthy, and only has a faint honey scent on the dry down. There's a slight spiciness that comes through with the smoky note.

It's personally one of my favourite scents that Lush has to offer and there's nothing else they've made that's like it. It's unique and to me very nostalgic as it takes me back to crisp winter mornings through wheat fields with a woodstove going in the background. It's very cozy once it dries, I will also say that the solid versus the liquid is slightly different - the solid is less smoky and carries a more medicinal/herbal take on the scent with almost a hint of creaminess. I prefer the liquid although the solid does perform well and lasts for several hours.

Projection is average. The scent lasts for about 5-6 hours and is easily layered with other scents. I enjoy pairing up vanilla scents with it giving a smoky/sweet fragrance.

9/10. Perfect cold weather scent.

Breath of God:

Available only in the 100ml format as part of the 'black label' collection. Breath of God is definitely what I'd call a cold weather scent, reminiscent of Tibetan mountain temples it's smoky, woody, airy with a heavy dosage of incenses. There's a sweet underbelly to this scent that gives it a more lively take and mellows nicely with the smoky side of the fragrance. Very unisex, and easily layered with either green scents or even bright citrus scents.

Hands down another favourite scent of mine. Breath of God isn't for everybody but it's gorgeous and is fairly strong. Projection is good and it can easily last 10-12 hours with just 3-4 sprays. I can still smell it on my clothes the day after wearing it. Highly recommend for anyone who wants to smell just like what I described, it really is a magical fragrance that transports me to another place.

10/10. Lush's best 'smoky' fragrance.

Confetti:

Unavailable here in Canada, this fragrance was actually brought back to US shops in the 100ml 'black label' format only. Confetti is a violet forward floral fragrance that has a jammy pear note that's combined with sandalwood and rose. It's exactly as the name implies and definitely gives me the mental image of confetti or glitter especially when it dries down turning more sugary than the initial spray. There's a hint of a green freshness but overall it's somewhat heavy of a fragrance and is definitely a rougher blend.

If you don't like rose or violets, this is not the fragrance for you. It's a very much in your face kind of floral.

Projection is vast, lasts easily the whole day on skin even with just two sprays. Confetti is a powerhouse of a scent from Lush and one I'd argue is probably a contender for their strongest. A little bit goes a long way. I personally bought my bottle when it was being disconned, it's technically 'expired' but still performs just like the day I bought it.

8/10. Very floral heavy and rough around the edges.

Dad's Garden Honeysuckle And Chamomile:

Unavailable currently; was disconned last year sadly. This is a well light airy floral scent with both jasmine and orange blossom. To me it's spring time in a bottle - reminiscent of grassy fields blooming with wildflowers on a bright dewy morning. It's a pleasant scent that easily wearable and it's overbearing. With a bit of green/grassy note pairing up with the florals it invokes bright sunny gardens. Very fresh, very gentle with a subtle sweetness - the chamomile shines through with a photorealistic scent. Spite having no actual honeysuckle, you can definitely smell honeysuckle.

Projection is average. Lasts around 5-6 hours on skin with a few sprays. Light and not at all cloying definitely a favourite of mine.

9/10. Spring/Summertime everyday floral.

Death and Decay:

Available in only 100ml format as part of the 'black label' collection. I'm not usually someone who goes for powdery florals but Death and Decay is something else. it's an almost one for one of funeral bouquets and the tears someone might've shed holding one. It's got a sopping sad yet beautiful scent of fresh lilies and jasmine flowers with a touch of sweetness from the tonka. It's a very gothic, feminine fragrance that really stands well with it's name. It's heavy yet soft and powdery especially once it dries down. There's something nostalgic about it, something very unique that I've yet to come across out of the dozens of florals I've smelt.

It's not light and playful but Death and Decay also isn't a mature floral either. Definitely one I'd recommend giving a sniff before dedicating yourself to a whole bottle.

Projection is decent, lasts about 7-8 hours on skin with a few sprays. sticks to clothes like crazy. Definitely worth having.

8/10. Brooding, powdery floral for special occasions.

Fantabulosa:

Unavailable currently. Fantabulosa is a very unique scent, definitely what I'd coin as "Tank Battle's sweeter sister". The labdanum and the chamomile oil give this scent it's signature sweet ever so slightly herbal undertone. It's a strange one with oakmoss, seaweed, and violet composing the rest of the scent in equal parts however it doesn't come across as 'green' or 'earthy'.

I can totally understand why people get banana from this scent, although that initial note dies down pretty quick to an almost aquatic mellow resinous sweetness that I find difficult to describe. Absolutely not blind buy friendly but I would argue that if you like the aforementioned Tank Battle, you'd probably like this to an extent. It just doesn't hold the wet, metallic note and replace the initial blast of bubblegum with banana and that's pretty much Fantabulosa in a nutshell.

Projection is average. Sadly has very little lasting power on skin. I have to spray it on clothes for it to stick any bit, which it still only lasts about 4 hours. Reminds me of another scent Lush offers that has the same problem - Sun, gorgeous scent, little staying power. I don't think I'd buy Fantabulosa again for that alone.

5/10. Polarizing, but doesn't last.

Fresh As:

Available in solid, 30ml, and 100ml bottles as part of the year round collection. If you want pine, then look no further. Like putting your face into an evergreen tree it's fresh and bright with the scent of pines and fir. Very wintery, more masculine leaning as a fragrance and is easily layered with other scents of a wide variety. It's pretty straightforward and doesn't change much scent wise once it dries down. It's a very photorealistic scent and definitely transports me to a Christmas tree farm during early winter or late autumn.

Projection is good. Lasts about 7-8 hours on skin. Well worth the money.

8/10. PINE TREES.

Furze:

Available in 100ml 'black label' bottle only. The solid version was only available in recent years as a kitchen box exclusive. This is a summery grassy, coconut scent with a hint of warm creamy florals of neroli in the background. It's definitely a summer scent as implied, bringing back days at the beach. Personally I find it smells just like coconut playdough especially for the solid version considering it's much more creamier than the liquid. Not quite my taste but someone else might love it.

Projection is okay. Lasts about 4 hours on skin.

4/10. Better coconut summer scents exist; not my cup of tea.

Ginger:

Available in 100ml 'black label' bottle only. I've had two bottles of Ginger, the formula has been slightly different out of the two so I'll be reviewing the current one which is the black label that you can still buy from Lush and not the old white label. Old formula smelled more of pickled ginger for anyone who is curious, I personally like the newer batch better.

Ginger is very much a retro floral as implied by the description Lush gives it on their website. It's a nostalgic, very 50s/60s floral with a bit of pepperiness along with the prominent ginger fragrance. It's absolutely stunning and has an earthy, dry woody note in the background. It's reminiscent of an age gone by and makes me long for those times even though I wasn't alive to witness them.

The scent does change slightly on the dry down, for me I get a smoky scent that pulls through with the ginger and the dried geraniums. It's an interesting scent for sure and one I'd definitely recommend people try if they want something spicy.

Projection is decent. Lasts all day on skin, although it draws closer to the surface as the day goes on. Perfect for not wanting to drown in a scent and sits lightly on the skin without ever becoming overpowering.

9/10. Retro spicy florals at their best.

Goddess:

Available in the 100ml 'black label' bottle only. This is a deep, dark, yet sensual scent. Holding equal parts spices, florals, and a grounding woodiness Goddess is unique and one that stands out from Lush's lineup. There's a sparkly fizziness that's reminiscent of cola from this scent that shines through from the oudh. Very luxurious it definitely has an almost alluring glitter with how the jasmine intermingles with both the osmanthus and the rose (both of which I wouldn't be able to pick out if it wasn't listed in the ingredients). There's also a slightly smoky element to it that peeks in to find a place among the rest of the scent.

Goddess very much reminds me of the colour purple for some funny reason and hilariously enough Lush does offer a purple sparkly bath bomb that just so happens to be purple with this scent. It's very much a cold weather scent for me, I think it's a bit too heavy for the warmer months of the year.

On dry down it gets a little more woody for me and mellows. It's definitely one I'd say to test first and not blind buy if you can help it.

Projection is good. Lasts easily 8-10 hours on skin with a few sprays and sticks to clothes extremely well. I'd highly recommend if you enjoy heavy woody/spicy scents.

9/10. Very aptly named.

Go Green:

Unavailable currently. The solid was exclusive to the July 2024 kitchen subscription box, this review is based off that version considering I've never smelled the long disconned liquid version.

Earthy and grounding, Go Green is a lovely mixture of sandalwood, vetiver, and citrus giving it an almost lemony scent with oakmoss. It's warm yet bright and comforting with a tinge of sweet creamy citrus to pull through. On skin the citrus takes a little bit of a backseat as it melds to a more cozy wood scent, I'd definitely buy a bottle if it was ever rereleased in it's liquid format.

Projection is minimal. Lasts about 4-5 hours on skin but really mellows out as time goes on, loses the citrus almost completely.

5/10. Cozy, but doesn't last.

Grass:

Interestingly enough this is the only scent in the current 'black label' lineup that's available in not only 100ml, but also a 10ml travel size. Grass is bright, green, and very mellow of a scent. It's a woodsy floral that invokes the cool mornings of early summer and the scent of fresh cut grass. It's not a vegetal scent and I would argue that it's not super photorealistic but it's a very fun and playful green scent out of Lush's lineup that I adore.

Sandalwood, neroli, and bergamont are the ingredients that makes up this scent and they come together perfectly to make something that's very refreshing. On the dry down, it becomes more mellow reminding me of late summer afternoons with a touch of warmth that gives me quite the nostalgia. Very much a summer scent, although I wear it year round because it's one of my favourites.

Projection is good. Lasts about 7-8 hours on skin with a few spritzes. Not heavy, cloying or overpowering and definitely gets lighter as the day goes on. Absolutely lovely and also very easy to layer with other scents, my two favourites to pair with it is Breath of God and Dad's Garden.

10/10. Bright grassy summer afternoons in a bottle.

Karma:

Available as part of Lush's year round collection it comes in solid, 10ml, 30ml, and 100ml bottles. This is a very nostalgic 60's bright 'hippie' scent with patchouli, orange, and pine. The old formula used to be more patchouli heavy (which I liked better), but the current rendition has a stronger orange and pine note. Karma is bright, very playful and very easy to layer. Doesn't change much on skin and is definitely a scent staple for anybody who enjoys Lush's scents.

Karma was actually what got me into Lush perfumes in general, I absolutely loved the Karma Kream body lotion they had with the same scent. I'm currently on my second bottle of Karma. I would definitely argue that it is, through and through, the essential 'hippie' scent.

Projection is good. Lasts a good 8-10 hours on skin and is easily wearable year round. I can see why it's part of their core collection.

9/10. Easily wearable hippie shop.

Kerbside Violet:

Unavailable currently as it was disconned last year. Kerbside violet is fifty percent florals, fifty percent fresh cut grass with the two melded together primarily by violet flowers budding up through cracks in the concrete. This scent instantly transports me to a spring time rainstorm in a field of grass and flowers - very green. It's not a heavy floral whatsoever but does have an almost earthy/wet element to it. Absolutely recommended for anyone that enjoys green florals. Bright and fresh I'd argue this is a timeless scent that can be worn by anybody.

Projection is fantastic. Lasts all day on skin and sticks to clothes for at least a few days. An absolute shame this has been disconned, I'm hoping Lush brings this back one day because I'd absolutely buy another bottle.

10/10. Essential green floral for everyday wear.

Lord of Misrule:

Available in solid, 10ml, 30ml, and 100ml bottles from Lush's year round collection. Somewhat similar with Karma on the patchouli note Lord of Misrule also has black pepper and vanilla. It's absolutely a one of a kind scent that I have yet to smell anything remotely similar to. Sweet, yet spicy the vanilla and the patchouli create an almost syrupy scent.

This is definitely a scent I would recommend trying on skin before buying because it'll bring out different parts of the scent majorly depending on the person. I tend to have a much more sweeter dry down than what's initially sprayed, however some folks get the peppery side of Lord of Misrule (I wish my skin did that). It's easily layered with other scents and lends itself nicely to some that I've already mentioned namely Fresh As and Breath of God are my go to.

Projection is fantastic. Lasts all day on skin and sticks around on clothes for at least a couple of days. An essential fragrance from Lush.

10/10. Sweet and Spicy. Very Autumn/Winter.

Lust:

Available in the solid, 10ml, 30ml, and 100ml bottles as part of Lush's year round collection. Heady, in your face, sweet jasmine with a very sensual touch is Lust in a nutshell. It's a very bold, very confident fragrance that just screams floral. If you do not like jasmine, then you're not going to like this scent. There's vanilla, ylang ylang, and sandalwood that round out this fragrance and give it it's signature sweetness. The jasmine is like sticking your face into a pot of fresh flowers and almost drowning in them.

The projection for this scent is insane. Lasts forever and is definitely another contender for one of Lush's strongest fragrances. If you love a dirty, hefty floral and just so happen to love jasmine then look no further.

10/10. Sexiest jasmine scent you'll ever own.

No Way To Say Goodbye:

Available in solid, 30ml, and 100ml bottle formats from Lush's year round collection. This is a blackcurrant heavy scent, with rose, litsea cubeba oil and tonka to back it up. Very syrupy, very jammy, and very sweet almost like fresh berries. No Way To Say Goodbye is definitely different out of any of the other sweet scents that Lush has to offer. It's heavy yet playful almost in the same sense that Confetti was except this is more mulled fruit with a sticky sweet rose to combine it with. Not a mature floral by any means and certainly not green either. I could see a younger audience really loving this scent.

On skin, at least for me, it dies down to a more creamy, less jammy version of itself. Almost like a berries and cream with rose. I personally really like it but I don't know if I'd buy a big bottle since I'm not someone who reaches for sweet scents as a general rule of thumb.

Projection is decent. Lasts about 5-6 hours on skin. Performs okay for what it is.

7/10. Syrupy and fun.

Orange Blossom:

Unavailable currently. Part of the handful of fragrances that were disconned last year. This is one of the few really strong florals that I adore, Orange Blossom is not for the faint of heart. With bitter orange oils and extracts to give that signature orange blossom scent, it's rounded off slightly with both bergamont, rosewood, and beeswax to take the edge off of this potent fragrance lending to an almost spicy finish. This definitely mellows with wear, the dry down is not as sharp considering there's a bit of green/vegetal note upon spraying.

Reminding me of warm summer days or very late spring when the flowers on the fruit trees are in full bloom I'd consider Orange Blossom a more warm weather scent. It's got a good amount of depth and warmth to it once it dries and becomes more smooth with a woody base.

Projection is amazing, similar to Lust. This sticks like a punch in the face and lasts on skin all day with just a few sprays. It's very potent and spite it being slight rough at the start it settles nicely as time goes on.

9/10. In your face summer floral.

Prince of Darkness:

Available only in solid format from the October 2024 kitchen box subscription. Prince of Darkness smells exactly as it sounds, patchouli with rich lavender. It's simple but gorgeous of a scent with almost a hint of sparkle behind the two main scent notes - very reminiscent feel of what Goddess gives with how it smells from the get go.

For a solid it performs really well, projection isn't crazy but it does last 5-6 hours on skin with a few swipes. I would love to see Lush come back with a liquid form of this scent or even something similar. Pairs really well with some of the heavier scents or even Karma or Lord of Misrule.

7/10. Witchy yet simple; leaves you longing for autumn/Halloween.

Rentless:

Unavailable currently, but definitely one I long to come back. Rentless is absolutely not blind buy friendly but it's a gorgeous cold weather scent that screams autumn/winter to me. It's a very complex scent that's well rounded with a layer of sweet spices and a hint of smoke. With the main base being being of patchouli, labdanum, tonka, and vanilla I would've never of guessed either of these were there if someone didn't point it out to me. The biggest things that stand out besides the well rounded earthy, subtly sweet base is the whiff of citrus mainly of grapefruit and the cinnamon/anise that shines through - the very same that you get from holiday cookies or cakes without the sugary sweetness.

I wouldn't call Rentless gourmand or sugary by any means, its resinous, slightly woody, a touch leathery with a good layer of spice. For me when it dries my skin brings out the patchouli/labdanum a little more and creates almost a woody/spicy scent. It's warm, comforting and reminds me very much of the beginning of winter when you get the first cold snap.

Performance wise, this is a powerhouse. Two sprays and I can smell it the whole day, my bottle is over four years old and it still performs like new. It's well worth every penny I paid for it and will probably last me a long time because I don't have to use much to enjoy it.

10/10. Spiced winter/autumn staple.

Rose Jam:

Available currently in solid, 10ml, 30ml, and 100ml bottles as part of Lush's year round lineup. There's also a body spray worth mentioning that lasts forever with a slightly stronger lemon note compared to the perfume that deserves a nod to.

To me Rose Jam screams Valentine's Day with it's jammy, almost sugary rose scent that met with a bright candied lemon. It reminds me of rose sweets, or white chocolates you can buy for the romantic holiday. Very fun, playful and not at all a green or powdery scent, Rose Jam runs as a youthful fragrance imho.

Projection is decent. Lasts all day on skin with only a few sprays. Performs really well for what it is even if it can be very simple/one note.

8/10. Valentine's Day in a bottle.

Shade:

Available in solid, 30ml, and 100ml bottles as part of Lush's year round collection. This is an interesting scent and definitely one of the few that Lush offers that I would argue is a true unisex scent. Shade starts out a woody, powdery scent with a touch of citrus - more particularly lime and almost reminds me of a gentle house cleaner in the best of ways. It's definitely one that I recommend trying if you enjoy warm woodsy scents because this has almost a feminine softness.

Not overpowering in the slightest on skin it dries as a very grounded wood fragrance that easily layered with other scents. Slightly keeping the powdery note it settles nicely into something very intimate that's great for getting up close.

Projection is average. On skin it lasts 5-6 hours and is definitely on the lighter side. I personally really like shade, I mainly have it for layering which I think it's best for.

7/10. Unisex intimate layering woody scent.

Sikkim Girls:

Unavailable currently. I managed to get my hand on a decant of this disconned beauty. Sikkim girls is a heavy white floral featuring frangipani, tuberose, jasmine and vanilla. The biggest thing I pick up is the frangipani and the jasmine, it has almost an incense quality to it but it grounded with the sweetness of the vanilla which sits very much as the backdrop of this fragrance.

I will mention it since I get it from the frangipani note that there's a certain ureic scent that I pick up from it on initial spray but thankfully it dies down to a more softer, creamy scent overall. Kind of has a slight musty smell and might turn people away, I can see folks either loving or hating this scent. It's definitely another that's not for the faint of heart and is absolutely what I'd consider almost an old age floral that transports me back a century ago. A very Victorian edge that transports me to old temples with a certain exotic touch. Not something that I'd recommend people blind buy, that's for sure.

Projection is crazy large. Lasts forever on skin and you'll feel like you're drowning if you spray too much. An absolute powerhouse of a fragrance and one that doesn't need any more than two to three sprays per wear.

9/10. Heady white florals not to be worn on a whim.

The Smell of Weather Turning:

Available only in 100ml 'black label' bottle, disconned in both the US and Europe so I would imagine Canada will follow suit soon which is a shame. This is hands down one of Lush's most unique and wearable fragrances, it's a wild ride start to finish and really needs time to settle as it mellows out over time.

I adore this scent, the peppermint is stunning - electric even that I haven't seen in anything else even other mint forward scents. The Smell of Weather Turning is a medicinal, herbal blend that dries down to a mellow hay/tea/chamomile scent that's very nostalgic and brings me back to playing as a kid in the wetland not far from my house in the summer humidity. Very refreshing, the opening has a very prominent mint scent that holds a cooling feel and sits like the wet rain on skin. Both the beeswax and the bay leaf oil compliment this scent nicely bringing out an overall sweetness and a touch of green herbs to the blend. There's definitely an airy, breezy feel to the initial touch but warms when it dries with an almost aquatic feel.

Projection wise is decent. Lasts 10-12 hours on skin and far longer on clothes. Not at all heavy or cloying and lays lightly even after hours of wear. Absolute perfection. Highly recommend.

10/10. Refreshing/unique light scent with the oncoming storm.

Tank Battle:

Available only in the 100ml 'black label' format. There's nothing quite like Tank Battle, it's Lush's weird and quirkiness at it's finest. Composed primarily of labdanum, patchouli, and clove oil this is a wet, earthy dirt scent like sticking your face into a mud puddle in the best of ways with a bubblegum sweetness.

Upon first spray this scent actually reminds me exactly of pickled beets (which I love), that moment when you crack open a fresh jar that someone made themselves at for turkey dinner is exactly what I smell. Once it starts to dry it becomes this cool, metallic, wet concrete scent that's complete with an earthy dirt to join in. Mellow and not at all overwhelming, it's something that is unforgettable as it sits quietly yet loudly at the same time. If silence made a sound, this is partly what I would imagine. It evokes images of a city being overtaken by nature in my mind.

Projection is decent. Lasts 10-12 hours on skin, Tank Battle like some of Lush's other labdanum/patchouli scents sits for a long time without choking someone out. It's quite the blend but very refreshing.

10/10. Weird in the best kind of way; one of kind experience.

Toil And Trouble:

Only available as part of the community fragrance releases from November 2023 and only in a 30ml bottle. Toil and Trouble is another patchouli/labdanum fragrance that has a bit of a twist with both the sage and orris oil changing the scent to be this witchy, earthy, yet almost fruity fragrance. If you've ever smelled the scrub by the same name that comes out every year with Lush's Halloween releases then you know exactly what this smells like because they're one for one.

If you love green, very herbal, strong patchouli scents with an almost fizzy spiciness then this is definitely something that I'd say go for it. I personally love the scent, it's deep yet bright. Reminds me of a cocktail of potions inside a witches hut, very Halloween, very much a cold, sharp autumn night with a layer of frost. It's a shame that this was limited edition and only released in a small format.

Projection is average. Lasts on skin for 6-8 hours. Makes me want to buy dozens of tubs for the scrub just for the scent.

8/10. Witchy and patchouli heavy that screams Halloween.

Tuca Tuca:

Unavailable currently. This was another scent that I slept on and ended up getting a decant of. Tuca Tuca is absolutely delicious, it's a sweet berry violet flower scent that has the same jammy/sticky goodness that Rose Jam has without being heavy on the florals. It's a playful, youthful scent that packs a punch but holds a syrupy note to the point it's almost gourmand.

It's the same scent family as Don't Rain on my Parade, however for me, the dry down has a caramel note that really shines through that I get when I move that the shower gel didn't have. It's definitely more on the juicy berry side than the other iterations of the scent, something that I'll warmly welcome considering they're far and few between without being muddied by other scent notes.

Projection is decent, doesn't stink out a room but it's definitely noticeable and is my personal most complimented scent. Lasts 10-12 hours on skin with just a few sprays. If I could bathe in this I would.

10/10. Delicious berry violet scent that turns heads.

Two More Hearts:

Unavailable currently, got axed during the culling last year. This is the other fragrance that screams Valentine's Day to me. If Rose Jam was the sweets, this is the fuzzy sweaters, the warm hugs and the playful kisses. Two More Hearts is Keep it Fluffy's more fun, sweeter sister - all the goodness of sweet florals without dipping into being powdery or mature like its counterpart. Definitely the fun fragrance that wants to live life and go out to whatever celebration is planned.

It's rose and jasmine with a touch of santal wood and sweet citrus creating a fuzzy, resinous scent that's very much romantic. Youthful and exciting, this is sadly one that I think a lot of people slept on including myself for the longest while.

Projection is fantastic. Lasts easily 12 hours or more on skin, I can always smell this the day after on my clothes with just 3-4 sprays. It's a shame this was disconned, Keep it Fluffy should've been the one to go imho.

10/10. Sweet Romance in a bottle.

V:

Available in only 100ml 'black label' bottle. This is Lush's other sweet violet scent, but V has a deep brooding spiciness to it that isn't present in any of the other scents. Very gothic with it's mulled fruit, aged woodiness, touch of clove, and the deep violets. The violet in this scent is very similar to that of Tuca Tuca - V is like her older foreboding sister that hangs out in the crumbling castle walls during the winter months. This is a strong heavy scent, and definitely isn't for the meek.

Spite how dark V is, I wouldn't called it a 'mature' scent by any means - there's still a youthful shine with how the violet is presented; almost syrupy and sweet.

Projection is average. Lasts 6-7 hours on skin and much longer on clothes with a few sprays.

8/10. Spiced sweet violets for cold mornings.

In conclusion:

I've tried a lot more of Lush's scent library than this and my tastes have definitely changed over the years but this is my impression of the ones that I have. I do only buy what I enjoy. Hopefully this helps folks decide whether or not they're for them because I find reviews can be all over the place and not always accurate, people do have different sniffers!

If I was to say a top five of mine I'd probably have to choose Grass, Dad's Garden Honeysuckle And Chamomile, The Bees Knees, The Smell of Weather Turning, and Tank Battle. Runner up would be between Rentless, Breath of God, or Tuca Tuca depending on how I'm feeling.

There's a couple of fragrances I'm looking to grab sometime this year from Lush - Devils Nightcap and Time of the Season - both are supposed to be more green scents (my favourite type of scents!).

I'll be doing up reviews of the Lush body sprays next so keep your eyes peeled!

Cheers!

[wildemaven]

meant to be | javier peña

-> pairing: javier peña x f!reader

-> wc: 1645

-> content warnings: 18+ blog; domestic javi, established relationship, unprotected p in v, fluff, talks of starting a family, reader has zero descriptive features

-> a/n: this was posted on my other account and i am moving it here now. it is also a rewrite of an older fic i did with frankie.

masterlist

Fall is settling in nicely in Texas. The days are still warm, but the weekends no longer hold as much daylight as they did weeks ago. 

Everything transitioning into its autumnal journey, your yard drenched in rustic hues and sunshine. 

You and Javier both loved taking advantage of the nicer weather, wanting to soak up as much of it as possible before the shift into a colder season, deciding to spend your evenings on the patio as the days wound down and the sun set behind the pasture on the west side of the ranch.  

Chores were the first thing that needed to be tackled. Divide and conquer seemed to work well for you both. You took on the inside duties of laundry, dusting, and food prep, while Javier managed the outside— mowing, tree trimming, truck washing. 

Bed made with clean sheets, a load of dirty clothes placed into the washer– the previous load hung in the backyard on the clothesline, dinner prepared and waiting– your list of to-do’s dwindling as the day went on. Now you find yourself planted at the sink of dirty dishes, your kitchen window a front row seat to the old barn, your eyes glued on your husband as he washes his truck. 

His striped sky blue shirt encapsulates every detail of his back, sleeves tight around the bulk of his arms, muscles flexing as he scrubs the soapy sponge back and forth across the metal surface– and you thank whoever designed his well-fitted jeans.  A week's worth of dirt slowly slid off the sides of the old ranch truck, a prized possession that had been passed down from Chucho when Javier had decided to take on more responsibilities around the ranch. 

It has been two years since moving into the home Javier grew up in, wanting something big with the hopes of starting a family in the future. Chucho insisted you both move in, stating the house was far too big for just him— he moved into the ranch’s guest house down the dirt road. Memories tucked to every corner of the house, old family photos still hanging in the very spot his Mama placed them.

Javier must sense he’s being watched when he turns towards the kitchen window, catching your eyes on him. His gaze lingers a bit, soap and water dripping from the sponge in his large hand. He shoots you a wink with a smile that makes you instantly weak. 

“Shit!” The mug you had been washing slips from your soapy hands into the water below, water splashing back at you, soaking the thin material of your dress, your attention drawn back to the sink and the remaining dishes. Somehow Javier still makes you flustered after all these years with just a simple look thrown your way. 

Glancing back out the window again to find Javier is no longer there, the suds freely dripping off the truck door and sponge discarded on the ground. The creak of the screen door lets you know exactly where your husband is as you proceed to dry the drinking glasses and place them in the cupboard. His shuffling around in the living room does little to help you know what he’s up to. 

“Javi?” You call out to him as you finish putting away the last of the plates and bowls, wiping the counter off before you go in search of your husband. 

The slight crackle of a record starting makes you aware of his location– the living room. His old collection of records and record player had been boxed away in the attic after he moved away. Last Spring, while you were putting away the winter blankets, you stumbled upon his music collection– something from nearly every genre. You pulled everything down one weekend while he was busy in town with Chucho, having everything set up on the bookcase and a record going when he got home. It became a habit that one of you would slip on a new record, windows open allowing the breeze to carry the songs throughout the house. 

A familiar tune begins, it instantly brings a smile to your face.

“Wise men say...”

The low timber of his voice sends a tingle down your spine any time he sings your wedding song. For such a reserved man, who refuses to indulge in karaoke, he jumps at any chance to serenade you within the walls of your home— one of the many things you love about him.

A set of arms wrap around you, welcoming you back from your walk down memory lane, pulling you against his chest as he begins to move about the kitchen with you. Your bodies swaying together as the music continues, his face nuzzled in close to your cheek as he hums along with the song.

“Like a river flows

Surely to the sea

Darling, so it goes

Some things are meant to be…”

Your body leans into him, the rest of the chores fully abandoned as you both waver about the kitchen, savoring how easy it is to create new memories in your home.

“You sure know how to get out of chores Peña.” You tell him just as he spins you around so you’re facing him, looping your arms around his neck while his hands settle on your back— Javier singing along completely ignoring your comment. 

“If I’m not mistaken Querida, I’m pretty sure you were hardly putting an effort into yours.” He teases you before grabbing your hand to send you twirling around. You can’t contain your laughter, living for these spontaneous moments of ease with the man you’re so completely head over heels for. Your body is pulled back into his, resuming the energetic flow between the two of you. A sweet rhythm of bliss now strumming through your body as you melt into his arms. 

“Hmm, I don’t know what you’re talking about…” Hiding your smirk into his warm neck, knowing full well what he’s referring to. 

“That wasn’t you gawking at me through the window—“

“I was not gawking, Javi!” As you playfully pat his chest. “I was just admiring the view.” 

“You were in fact gawking. I think I clocked you at 10 minutes from the first moment I noticed you hadn’t moved.”

“You are so exaggerating!” He’s definitely not wrong though, it’s hard to pull your eyes away from such a thing of beauty. 

“How about we take this to the bedroom, Querida– and I’ll show you exaggeration!” He taunts into your ear. 

 “Javier! Your truck is half washed in the driveway— and I know you’re going to be pissed about the soap drying on it right now. Plus, I already made the bed.” 

He’s dragging you back towards the stairs that lead to the bedroom, his infectious smirk displayed across his stupid handsome face, your body doing little to stop itself from his magnetic pull. 

“I’ll just wash it again. I’ll even set a chair up for you to admire up close. Get you one of those ice cold beers too.” He says as he falls back into the bed, pulling your body on top of his. 

“And I’m pretty sure this won’t be the last time we dirty these sheets this weekend…” His voice muffled against your neck, his lips planting kiss after kiss as he pleads his case– you easily succumb to his antics.

His hands work at the line of buttons that trail down the front of your dress, your own undoing his buckle before working at the button and zipper of his jeans– he hisses as your hands hastily move over bugle straining behind his jeans. 

Your dress is open and hanging off your shoulders as you slowly sink down on Javier’s cock, the stretch of him a welcomed adjustment, his length hitting something delicious as you settle at the base of him. 

“Fuck, Javi!!” Hands splayed over Javier’s firm chest for support, your head thrown back as a rapturous whine pours out into the room, a slight bounce to your breasts as you move— the cups of your bra pulled down, the cool air has your nipples pebbled and tight. Javier is taken by your angelic state— you're a sight to be seen. 

Javier’s fingers are digging into the meat of your thighs, the slow stuttering roll of your hips as you move over his cock has him worked up faster than he has anticipated. 

“Querida— Shit! Baby, I’m not gonna last— you look so good riding my cock like that!” His hips bucking up at the feeling of your cunt clenching around him. 

“I’m right there with you, Amor!” 

A few swipes over your throbbing clit and a string of quick thrusts, both of you cresting the euphoric peak in unison. 

You collapse on top of Javier, a strong arm wraps around your waist, a hand cupping your neck, Javier determined to keep you as close as possible— you fully melting into his touch. 

Breathing ragged and hearts racing— bodies perfectly satiated and filled with an intense love for each other. 

“I should probably get up and get dinner started. That should be plenty of time for you to rewash the truck.” You don’t show any signs of actually doing so, too relaxed to care about finishing the rest of your chores. 

“Or— we can just lay here a little longer. Save the food and truck washing for tomorrow. We can go into town later and get dinner instead.”

“A man after my heart. I’d marry you if I wasn’t already.” He rolls you off him onto your back, hands roaming over your dewy skin as he kisses you slowly. 

The lull of the record player echoes through the house as the music fades out, clothes and sheets are thrown about the bedroom, the day’s plans forgotten as you both seek out a more exhilarating afternoon. 

[hedgehogsaretheultimatelifeform]

Kinktober 2024 Day Fifteen

Car Sex

John "Soap" MacTavish/Kyle "Gaz" Garrick

Soap lent over his tool box, gritting his teeth when he saw that Gaz had ‘borrowed’ some of his things again.

“Hey, Soap?” Speak of the devil.

“Yeah, Gaz?” Soap sat back on his heels and looked back to find Gaz leaning against the side of the car they were meant to be working on. By his lax stance and huge grin, Soap guessing that Gaz’s reappearance wasn’t made in good faith, with the intent of getting back to work.

“You got ten minutes?”

“Ten? Give me some credit.” Soap stood, rounding on Gaz and caging him against the car. “As for you, you horny fucker, it’s hardly been an hour since I last fucked you. Are you completely incapable of keeping it in here?”

He reached down, grabbing Gaz’s hard on through his overalls.

Gaz groaned, tilting his hips up into Soap’s hand. “Basically. There’s a Mercedes just come in…”

“It had better not be one of those ones with the fucked-up suspension again.”

“No, no.” Gaz shook his head. “Just, spacious back seats.”

“Good.” Soap kissed him. “Get to prove to you, again, that I don’t need some fancy tech to make a car shake.”

“You’re promising?” Gaz grinned again, slipping his hands down inside the gaps of Soap’s overalls to grab handfuls of his ass.

“Yeah.” Soap grabbed Gaz’s wrists and pulled his hands out, holding them at Gaz’s sides as Gaz pouted. “If you tell me where my things are first.”

“They’re on my station. Sorry.”

“Sure, you are. Get going, and get ready for me.”

Gaz chuckled as Soap backed away from the car, letting Gaz free to grab Soap’s collar to kiss him once more before wandering away further into the garage to where the Mercedes was waiting.

He grinned when he found it again, grazing his hand along the bonnet as he walked around it. His fingers left lines in the dust behind him as he passed the front door, and opened the back one. He sank onto the seat, sighing as he kicked his boots off, leaving them abandoned on the floor as he slid back into the car, closing the door after him.

Gaz settled in the middle seat, grinning at his reflection in the rearview mirror as he stripped, spreading his shirt and overalls out on the seats underneath him. He shivered as his bare back hit the leather upholstery, reaching around to lower the headrests, as it made them easier to grab onto than when they were up at full height. He’d already rolled the front seats forward before he’d gone to find Soap, giving them all the extra room possible.

Now satisfied that the car was set up ready, Gaz looked down at his dick. He’d already been half hard from anticipation, which had been either helped or not helped, depending on how you looked at it, by Soap grabbing it. It had helped, in that he was now fully hard, but hadn’t in the sense that Soap had told Gaz to prep himself, and Gaz now had to do that whilst also being careful to not come before the main show.

Gaz groaned and turned over onto his knees, facing the tinted window in the other back door as he grabbed the backseat headrest to his right, exhaling slowly as he ran his hand down his side, moving it to his asshole and trying to push a finger inside.

He winced as pain spiked through him as he tried to push too much in too fast. Slow down, Gaz, he told himself, instead settling for gently massaging his rim. Soap would bring the lube and do the bulk of the work. Gaz just had to get it started. He grunted, holding his lip between his teeth as he sat up on his heels, slowly working his thumb into himself. He let his lip go as he groaned again, and then gasped when the car door opened.

“Now that’s a view…” Gaz turned his head, eyes wide as he saw Soap leaning down to look in on him. He dropped a small bag onto the seat by the door, and wagged his finger at Gaz. “Budge up.”

Gaz rolled over to sit in the seat furthest from him, watching as Soap undressed, leaving his clothes on the ground outside the car before he climbed in and shut the door again.

“Nice digs, huh?” Gaz managed, sparing a glance at the bag Soap grabbed and tucked away in the door well.

“Sure.” Soap leaned up, distracting Gaz from it by pulling him up and turning him over onto his knees, shoving his shoulders down to the seats to give Soap access to his ass. “Can you manage to stay like this for me?”

Gaz nodded as best he could with his head tilted to one side, pressed to the seats, as he watched Soap out of the corner of his eye, uncapping the lube and dribbling it over his fingers as he tugged on Gaz’s hole with his thumb.

“Did you prep for me?” He murmured down at Gaz, patting his back.

“Yeah. Did good, right?”

“Very good. Trying to apologise for dragging me away from my work then?”

“Uh huh, sure. That.” Gaz grunted, pushing his hips into Soap’s hands. “Super sorry about that.”

“You’d better be. This is the third time today you’ve come after me.” Soap tugged Gaz’s hole open, prodding his lube covered fingers into it. “What’s it going to take to keep you satisfied, hmm?”

“I can think of… a few things.” Gaz whined, already wanting more as Soap toyed with his hole.

“You want a lot for someone who should be apologising.” Soap spread his fingers inside Gaz, slowly pulling them back to show Gaz’s open hole, fluttering around his digits as Soap spat down into the gap.

“I’m apologising! I’m…” Gaz groaned.

“You’re doing a crap job of it.” Soap taunted, removing his hand from Gaz’s back to spread lube on the head of his dick, still massaging inside Gaz’s hole with the other. “Lucky for you, I’m feeling nice.”

Gaz groaned, his arm shooting out to brace himself against the back of the driver’s seat as Soap pushed his dick into him. He dragged his shirt up under his face, to stop himself from drooling on the sears as his mouth hung open, letting out his groans with each thrust Soap made as he worked his way into Gaz’s ass.

Soap groaned when he bottomed out, steadying himself with one hand on Gaz’s hip and the other pressed to the roof of the car. He exhaled, lowering his hand slowly to Gaz’s pack, patting it in an attempted warning before he grabbed both of Gaz’s hips and started fucking him properly.

Gaz groaned louder, writhing beneath Soap as he fucked him hard. Gaz’s overalls slipped under his knees, in a way the leather seat wouldn’t have, as Soap leant down over Gaz, the new position forcing him to shift his pace from long back and forth strokes, to short thrusts as he kissed up Gaz’s neck to his ear, leaning close so Gaz would hear him as he whispered.

“Hey, Kyle?”

“Y-yeah?” Gaz responded, shakily wiping his mouth on his hand as Soap kissed his pulse point, marvelling at how hard Gaz’s heart was beating.

“Say I come inside you this time…”

Gaz squeezed his ass tight around Soap’s dick as he begged. “God, yes, cum in my ass, Soap, please, Soap…”

Soap leant on his elbow, freeing his hand so he could cram his fingers into Gaz’s mouth and speak without being interrupted. “Say I come inside your ass this time… Will that be enough to keep you satisfied until the end of the day? Until we get home? I can’t keep fucking you on company time.”

Gaz tried to speak around Soap’s fingers as Soap ‘forgot’ to remove them.

“Oh, what was that? I can’t quite hear you…” Soap said, but soon pulled his fingers out of his mouth.

Gaz swallowed and tried again. “It will. Promise. That will keep me satisfied.”

“Are you sure?” Soap asked, brushing his knuckle down Gaz’s cheek, making him repeat, and commit to, the lie.

“Yes. I’ll wait.” Gaz tilted his hips up as Soap slowed his thrusts. “Soap. Soap, please…”

“I hear you. One load to fill you up, and then we get back to work.” Soap kissed Gaz’s neck, bracing his hands either side of Gaz’s head as he sped up again, feeling his gut tighten, before he groaned and emptied himself in Gaz’s ass.

Soap leant down on Gaz heavily as he came, and Gaz sagged under him. Soap quickly realised that Gaz hadn’t come with him, and reached underneath him to find his leaking cock, wrapping his fingers around it and giving Gaz a quick tug, until he whined, shuddered, and came over his overalls.

“Well done. Good lad.” Soap murmured in Gaz’s ear, slowly sitting up, pulling out of Gaz’s ass, gripping Gaz’s hips to keep him knelt up as Gaz tried to roll over, as Soap reached back for the other item he’d brought with him in the bag. “Just one last thing…”

Gaz moaned as Soap pushed the plug into his ass, making sure it was snug and secure inside him before he patted Gaz on the back and let him collapse onto the seats as Gaz’s legs gave out.

“There we go.” Soap chuckled as he watched Gaz feel behind him, to where the plug sat in his ass.

“Soap…” Gaz whined, sitting up to pout at him.

“Uh, uh. You said, filled up until the end of the day.” Soap cupped his chin, rubbing it carefully. “I’ve got to get back to work. Don’t make a mess, now.”

Soap’s words left Gaz stuttering, as did his abrupt exit, opening the car door, scooping his clothes off the floor. Gaz expected the door to slam again, shivering as cold air rushed into the warm car, only to look over and see that Soap had left it open, making sure Gaz got a nice view of his hairy ass as he walked away.

[thecglcatalog]

Medical Punishments for Bad Baby-Sub Behavior

Nothing impresses the seriousness of a misdeed on your ageplay slave like a trip to the doctor for a very special punishment.

Special-ordered for the occasion or stowed on the top shelf of the closet as a warning of what’s to come, these Medical Punishment Sets come in threateningly simple storage boxes upholstered in white quilted nylon.  Molded and lacquered card holds each tool in a sturdy purpose-built hollow.

Cocklet Milking Punishment Set.  Scary shiny medical implements all in stainless steel include a simple wire cock cage that holds the little dingle straight forward for Doctor’s convenience in sounding (it has a small wingnut that adjusts the length with an alarming series of loud clicks).  Vibrating hooked anal probe allows targeted prostate stimulation; hollow urethral dilator set opens up the little cumhole; and vibrating bullet has hardware to attach to the base of the cock cage.  Or swap out the cage to help stroke out little one’s cummy-come into the Veterinary Semen Collection Sleeve.

Enema Punishment Set.  It’s a classic for a reason!  Two nozzles – a chilly stainless steel one and a stay-put inflatable – join stark white silicone enema bags in pint and quart sizes.  Two silicone bulb syringes, one white and one translucent, provide a quick shallow refresh or help fill the bags.  A large white bar of harsh extra-lathering soap comes with a special steel blade for flaking off a punitive quantity, a pouch of Bulk-Up Enema Solution ensures painfully heavy “contents” to wash out, and a jar of Humble Bumble Backdoor Douche Concentrate gives a numbing flush to the entrance for a scary sensation in the pucker to go with the interior burning and cramping.  Mark appropriate punishment severities on the chalkboard timer to monitor baby’s sentence.

Lactation Punishment Set.  Lactating breasts get heavy, achy, and leaky – making them an uncomfortable long-term punishment and an imposition that increases a slave’s dependence on caregiver’s hands.  In this box, find a pair of battery-operated pulsing suction bulbs, plus a pair of manual rotating lever suction tubes.  Menacing little jar of Prolactin Plus Bosom Ointment should be applied with gloves two to four times a day.  Herbal Lactation Tonic builds up in the body to increase engorgement once milk comes in; a clear plastic dosing spoon allows you to administer a just-right amount.

Nipple Engorgement Punishment Set.  Sore titties that rub against clothing and bedding are an appropriate punishment on their own – and reddened, inflated sensitivity makes an easier target for ongoing disciplinary whacks.  Start by swabbing the nipples with Bottom Blusher – a rub-in cream that promotes sensitivity and blood flow – then draw them into the clear plastic syringe nipple suckers while you prepare the injections.  Large amber glass bottle of safe-to-inject saline sits in a light red insulator sleeve.  Inject manually with the large syringe and pack of fine hypodermic needles – or set up drips with the pair of reusable silicone hanging bags, each with a forked tube for letting saline flow slowly under the skin from either one or two needle insertions.  Caramel-colored elastic nipple enhancers wait in a screw-top prescription bottle to keep fluids in.

Tattoo Punishment Set.  Set of single-use tattoo punches place an agonizing stick-poke design all at once!  Sterile-packaged tongue depressors spread thick ink over sterilized skin, then the punch is placed on top and rapidly depressed twice, followed by a second layer of ink and a thorough wash.  Box includes rubbing alcohol for sterilizing, clear-window dressings for covering, and beeswax-based, powder-scented balm for care. The punches sit in two ominous rows in the package, each depression labeled with the design: BAD BABY, BAD KITTY, BAD PUPPY, CAREFUL IT BITES, CUMSLUT, DIRTY MOUTH, FUCKTOY, NAUGHTY, STUCK UP SLUT, TANTRUM THROWER, UNGRATEFUL, a pacifier, a diaper, and a buttplug with keyhole.  Specify three ink colors: black, brown, pink, blue, green.

Medicinal Refills

Bulk packages are available to keep your nursery, dungeon, or exam-room well stocked.  We carry rubbing alcohol, safe injectable saline, lathering enema soap, Bulk-Up Enema Solution, Humble Bumble Backdoor Douche Concentrate, Prolactin Plus Bosom Ointment, Herbal Lactation Tonic, Bottom Blusher, tattoo inks, sterile tongue depressors, sterile cotton pads, and sterile needles in minimally-packaged bulk quantities for your medical discipline, medical play.

[lumine-no-hikari]

Dear Sephiroth: (a letter to a fictional character, because why not) #542 (Part 2)

Hi!! I have returned with even more shenanigans!!

So this is a bulk goods store that is maybe a quarter mile (roughly 402 meters) walk from the Greig Farm place:

The Ozone, I guess. And goodness me, they really do have all kinds of stuff. Like for example, plain bases for soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and other bath and cleaning stuff, with things to scent them with in jars above it:

...One of the jars was filled with rose petals. I thought of you...

This place, also, surprisingly, had honey. In jars, and in combs. Along with beeswax candles.

But!!! Wait 'til you see their bulk foods and spices section!

Here's something you might like. Though, we don't need to get this one; I already know how to make it at home:

Oh! And! I even found...!!! Check it out!!! It's a reusable cotton tea filter thingy!!! I didn't know this was a thing that exists!!!

So like...! I could put the loose-leaf teas in here, cinch it up, brew it, and then!! When it's done!! Wring it out to squeeze out all the flavor back into the cup!!! Isn't that RAD???

...I didn't get it, though. I'm... not really sure why. Maybe I was still in some kind of, “absolutely NO tea things!!” kind of mode. But you can bet your booty that I'm gonna get it next time we go!!!

The place also had refrigerators. And in those refrigerators were things like bulk yeast, tofu, soy sauce, kimchi, peanut butter... all kinds of stuff!!

Look!! This is the kimchi!!! And it smelled so good, too!!

Say, Sephiroth? Have you ever had kimchi? Do you like it? I wonder...

Some other section had oils and vinegar and stuff:

Of course, the thing is, you have to bring your own containers for this stuff. And since this was an unexpected stop, we... didn't do that. But! We will probably do it soon; J found the bulk unscented laundry soap especially appealing, and so I suspect we'll be back at least for that. And... if the nice lady at the counter can tell me how to infuse the rose petal scent into the shampoo and conditioner, you can be sure I'm gonna snag up some of that, too!

Anyway. We walked back to the Greig Farm place. We found the spot where the indoor seating for the cafe is:

J and I split a burger with mushrooms, bleu cheese, and bacon; it came with herbed french fries! And we also split a cup of gazpacho soup. Gazpacho is... it's basically pureed salsa with chunky avocado bits in it! It's fresh, cold, delicious, and wonderful on a hot day!

Here's a picture of the cute little plant that was chilling with us at our table, too!

Once we were done, we decided on the things to bring home; we gathered up some berries, some garlic scapes, some bacon cheddar bratwurst, some miso sausage, a couple boxes of those tea biscuits (corn, and pecan!), those lovely soaps, a bottle of honey, and... haha... the garlic jelly, just because it was too weird to not try!

...We put it all in the plane with the rest of our stuff, and then we went home!

I guess I'll start on a new section of today's letter now. Because I'm just about out of room for pictures again.

I love you!!! Back in a little while!

Your friend, Lumine

[injestedsoap]

https://www.tumblr.com/zeenmrala/710983885953138688/blossoming-romance-writing-prompts-accidental

#22 pretty please for GhostRoachSoap

blossoming romance writing prompts

22. playful teasing

On Monday Roach went to put on his boots and pulled his foot out with a yell.

"Dude," Gaz yawned, giving him the best approximation of a scowl he could when it was six in the morning.

Roach signed sorry before reaching into the boot nervously and shivering when he closed his hand around something cold and hard and... he pulled out a tiny glass duck. He rolled his eyes.

Soap.

Soap had found out you could bulk order little bitty rubber ducks and now it was everyone's problem.

Well.

Everyone but specifically Roach and Ghost. Sure Gaz has found ducks in his dresser drawers and his pockets and sitting on his contact holder. Price had found them in all of his desk drawers, his hat, his secret cigar box everyone knew about, and in all of his pencil cups. But Ghost and Roach seemed to find them everywhere.

On Tuesday Ghost went to put on his mask and it took him much longer than it should have to notice little tiny lump on the very top of his head. When he pulled out the little duck he forced down a grudging smile even as he rolled his eyes. Crafty little fucker.

At breakfast he gave Johnny a thump on the back of the head and put the duck down beside his coffee. "Keep out of my mask."

"I don't know what you're talking about, Lt," Soap said, smiling as he took a bite out of his toast.

When Ghost went to get his food and make his tea there were two little ducks in with his favorite tea bags. When he turned back to glower at Johnny he was very busy spreading jam across his English muffin.

On Wednesday the Humvee Ghost and Roach were riding in was utterly infested with ducks. One in each cup holder, a handful in the glove compartment, at least ten scattered across the dashboard, and one in each seat. Roach went to lower the sun blocker a duck fell into his lap.

"This is getting bloody out of hand," Ghost muttered, collecting the ducks up.

Don't throw them away!

Under the mask Ghost felt himself blush. "Why not?" He asked, he hadn't been planning on it. He supposed he probably should, it didn't make any sense to give them back to Johnny only to be bothered with them again. He looked to Roach who was carefully collecting them and placing them in his pocket, even behind the goggles Ghost could tell the younger man was avoiding eye contact.

"You know he'll just cover our bunks with them if we give them back, right?"

Roach made a little humming noise behind his mask and held one of the ducks up to look at it more closely. Ghost stayed silent and watched. He could wait.

Roach finally deposited all the ducks in his pocket before signing in a way that made it clear he was mumbling, It's fun.

Ghost made sure his eye roll was as visible and audible as possible and ignored the little laugh behind Roach's mask. "Fun," He muttered, "Yeah tons of fun with these little fuckers." he shoved his share of the ducks into his pocket and started up the Humvee. Fun.

On Thursday they got bad information and Roach's bullet proof vest did its job but didn't stop four ribs from breaking.

On Friday Ghost took a knife to the hand that looked like extended leave.

On Saturday Soap put in a request for the exact same amount of time off as Roach and Ghost

And on Sunday Laswell reached out to them about a health spa hotel she was booking them all stays at.

The three room suite was perfect, Roach decided. He healed fast but his ribs were still tender and knowing that he had Ghost and Soap nearby if he needed them was a real weight off his mind. They each had a bathroom with a shower and toilet and sink but then they also had a massive private spa accessible by any of the three rooms. The heated pool was big enough that Ghost could swim laps if he wanted to and the view it offered was pretty damn spectacular.

"Should have brought your ducks." Ghost joked, clapping Soap on the back with his good hand.

"Aye," Soap said in a distracted way before they had all broken off into their separate rooms. Roach, for his part, was fucking exhausted. He fell asleep almost as soon as he hit the pillow. It was hours later when he woke up, the sun was low in the sky and he wondered if he could see the sun set from the spa. He started to sit up and let out a noise of surprise when... things fell off him. Roach scrambled for the light and when he turned it on he threw his head back and groaned. Ducks! Ducks, ducks, ducks! In the adjacent room he heard a string of swears from Ghost who must have also woken up in the same state. Roach sat up and climbed out of bed, careful of the ducks leading off the bed set in a very neat row leading to... Roach felt a funny kind of excitement in his chest as he followed the trail of ducks to the spa door. He had... well he had a hope he was going to find something on the other side of the door. Roach reached for the knob when his door was flung open and Ghost walked in. He looked around and huffed, "You too?" He asked, then looked to the door that Roach was standing next to, "Well let's see what the fucker wants I guess,"

Roach was fighting a grin as Ghost opened the door. How one of the smartest people Roach knew was able to miss such blatant signals was amazing.

The door whipped open and Soap, grinned up at the two of them. The sunset behind him set the sky on fire in streaks of orange and pink and red, it was beautiful, but Roach couldn't take his eyes off the naked man in the water smiling at the two of them.

"Hey," Soap said, swimming over to them, his gorgeous ass bobbing in the water as he did, "You followed the ducks."

Next to him Ghost let out a little 'oh', in the heated pool Soap smiled broadly, pushing his hair out of his face before reaching out and beckoning the two of them in.

[vile-wizard]

Life would be perfect if I had enough money to buy coffee with whipped cream + sprinkles + peppermint syrup (forever), a bike, socks with colorful designs on them instead of the black and white bulk packs, a bedframe, 20 different suncatchers for my bedroom window, those giant heart shaped boxes of chocolate, a chia pet, rainboots because I've never had rainboots, an umbrella that don't break after one use, box of tiktacs to keep in all my bags, a slow cooker, binders in my size, one of those big drawing ipad tablet things with the pen idk what they're called, moon sand, the giant psyduck I saw at the store but was too expensive to buy, a wind chime also for my window, winter gloves especially the kind that you can type with, a rice cooker, fancy soap, a wizard hat, band merch, a paid out bus card, baking tins shaped like fun things, desk and desk chair, many potted plants, skin care stuff, shoes that fit (maybe even multiple pairs), double sided tape, red heart print boxers for comedic effect, a dresser for my clothes, more raccoon stuffed animals, a pink or orange lavalamp, a beanbag chair, that blow torch thing you need for creme brulee, a new toothbrush (possibly electric), chocolate cherry cake with lots of whipped cream, Bluetooth headphones, and a sword (real).

[tomb-of-flora]

You know what, I've decided I'm not done rambling and oversharing for today.

So in my personal life, I am not quiet about the fact that I really liked High Guardian Spice. I don't even really understand what people didn't like about it (and I don't want to hear it, so fuck off with that). I find the characters really endearing, I LOVE the character designs, I was excited to learn more about the old/new magic divide and what was going on with the world, I really vibe with its sense of humor. In some ways it honestly feels like it was made for me—and I've seen it 3-4 times so I can confirm that those feelings hold up to rewatch. It was a lot of fun and it had a great voice!

I love a lot of the characters, but my particular favorites were Amaryllis and Snapdragon. I love any character who calls people "poors" with her whole chest and just has such a fun time with being an asshole, but I also love how Amaryllis acts with people that she *does* like and getting to see her personality persist while still seeing a kinder side of her. I love that she is terrible, but also like, a person at the same time. Snapdragon is a whole different story, which is kind of what I wanted the bulk of this post to be about before I got on my soap box about this show.

Snapdragon's arc as it was forming has to be one of my favorite depictions of a budding trans girl that I've ever seen. I love the way she flocks to the mean girl because she gets to feel at home there. I love the way she's so torn up by insecurity and the idea of who she is supposed to be that everything she says/does feels so confused and twisted up by those emotions. I love the way she's sweet when she's comfortable and you really get to see those pieces of her when she feels like she can be herself, but it's so often cloaked in every other part of life that's been draped over her against her will.

Most of the perspective characters I have written in the past and will write in the future are trans women (a consequence of wanting to feel seen by media, I suppose) and honestly I just hope they're half as good as Snapdragon. I felt so seen in who I was growing up and all the ways I was aching to just exist. I felt so seen in the pace of her progression and the way it was so confused and felt like it was going to come with so many sidesteps, but from an outside perspective the trajectory is very clear and exciting. Truly one of the most comforting and fulfilling depictions of someone like me that I could ever hope to see, and when I feel doubt about the characters I'm writing and the ideas I have, I just remember how happy that character makes me and it really pushes me to keep going and sharing pieces of myself in the hopes that someone else can see them and appreciate them too.

I really love this show, and so many things about it felt so catered to me and my taste, but that's something that I will genuinely always carry with me with tenderness and gradtitude. High Guardian Spice reminded me how amazing it feels to see yourself in art, and it made me want to share those pieces of myself.

(anyway all this to say, Snapdragon my beloved. Her and Sam from Get in the Car, Loser leave my heart so full)