#Anastasia's 50 followers celebration

[promenadewithme]

hello darling! I'm so happy you have reached that milestone so quickly! but not surprised because everyone can see your writing is amazing ❤️

Can you write something for your 50 follower challenge with the song 'Can't help falling in love' by Elvis Presley and Anthony Bridgerton? My pronouns are she/her.

you have absolute creative freedom!

Keep being amazing darling 🌼

Thank you so much, Lalla!! You are so sweet💙   I had so much fun writing this and I hope you like it!

Pairing: Anthony Bridgerton x fem! reader

Song: Can’t Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley

Warnings: fluff and Cressida being a b-word

Word Count: 1,3k

Can’t Help Falling In Love

_____________________________

Dearest Readers, 

it has come this this author’s attention that the Viscount Bridgerton has begun courting Lady (y/n) (y/l/n) earlier this week. The pair have been seen promenading on several occasions and Mr. Bridgerton has sent flowers every day. Are we to expect a new Viscountess in the ton? Rest assured, if they are to wed, this author will find out.

Yours Truly,

Lady Whistledown. 

_____________________________

“Do you truly think he will propose, mama?” your asked your mother. She had woken you up with the latest society papers in hand.

“Of course he will! I would not be surprised if he dances with you four times at tonight’s ball!” your mother replied, a proud smile on her face.

“Don’t be absurd, mama! That would be extremely improper!” you exclaimed, but a crimson blush still appeared across your cheeks at the mere possibility of being close to Anthony for that long. It was no secret that the eldest bridgerton had your affections, but you were not sure if you had his. Despite his actions, the Viscount was known for being a rake of the worst kind and didn’t tend to show his emotions aside from the occasional smile or brooding demeanor.

“My daughter! A Viscountess! Who would have thought?” your mother hugged you tightly, grinning like a cheshire cat.

“Don’t be hasty, mama. You forget he has not yet proposed, he might not at all.” you answered. 

“Don’t be absurd my dear! Tonight you shall wear the family diamonds!” she declared and stepped out humming joyfully. 

You didn’t want to rush into this, but your thoughts circled back to him during the day and you realised I can’t help falling in love with you, Anthony Bridgerton.

“Do you think she will be here tonight?” asked Eloise to her eldest brother.

“She guaranteed she would.” Anthony replied, the same brooding look as always on his face as he looked at the entry expectantly. 

“My son, why don’t you dance with one of the other ladies? I’m sure they are just as fine dancers as Miss (y/l/n)!” the Dowager Viscountess said, already looking around for someone appropriate for her son.

“I do not wish to dance with anyone else, mother.” he responded, still looking at the door.

“My son, bear in mind that you are choosing the future Viscountess Bridgerton, this is not just one more of your affairs. You have only been courting her for a week, it’s still the beginning of the season. Only fools rush in.” Lady Violet muttered so only her son could hear, a smile on her face to keep away the prying eyes and ears of the ton.

Anthony finally looked back at his mother and said “This is not just another affair. (y/n) is different. I -” he looked around then back at his mother. “I’m falling in love with her.”

Violet’s eyes softened, a small smile appearing on her face. This is all she had ever wanted for her children, to find love and live a happy life.

“Well then, I think you would like to know that your dearest has arrived.”

Anthony’s gaze went straight to you and, smiling softly, he thought you looked like an angel. You were wearing a white gown with gold details, long gloves, diamonds and a small tiara. He immediately made his way to you and bowed.

“If I may be so bold, Lady (y/n), you look absolutely stunning. May I have your first dance?” he said with a shy smile. You blushed at his comment.

“Of course, Lord Bridgerton. It would be my honour.” with that, he took your gloved hand, ever so softly, and guided you to the dance floor. 

The scenery was truly breathtaking. It was an outdoors ball, so light of the moon and the stars shone upon you. There were also a few lamps scattered, but just enough so the ambience was filled with romance. Taking your place in the midst of the other couples, you looked at each other as you waited for the music to start. 

“I meant what I said earlier, you look breathtakingly beautiful tonight.” your heart was beating much faster that normal as he held one of your hands and placed the other on your waist. 

“Just tonight?” you remarked in a humorous tone, trying to distract yourself from the feeling his compliment brought you. Only Anthony didn’t catch on, his eyes widened and he stuttered.

“N-no! Of course not! Not just tonight! I-” you felt pity for the poor Viscount and replied “I’m only joking, my Lord.” he relaxed his tense shoulders, chuckling.

“Of course you are.” he mumbled with a smile before spinning you and pulling you back in his arms. This was not part of the dance, so you gasped and started laughing, throwing your head back. Anthony looked at you in awe and thought like a river flows surely to the sea, darling so it goes, some things are meant to be.

“You always take my breath away.” he mumbled tenderly. The song ended and you parted, you looked back and he was still looking at you with a silly smile, making you giggle. You turned your gaze forward right before bumping into someone.

“Cressida! How lovely to see you!” it wasn’t.

“I know what you are doing, (y/n).” she said with the fakest smile you have ever seen.

“And what would that be?” you asked, truly curious as to what she was talking about.

“Don’t be daft, darling. It’s not very attractive. Everyone knows you are trying to seduce the Viscount.” she stepped closer to you and continued “This will never work. He would never marry someone like you. A Viscountess should be elegant, beautiful, sociable and everything else you are not. So, do yourself a favour and bow down while you have time. Wouldn’t want to embarrass yourself when he chooses me over you.” she was grinning when she stepped away and you were holding back your tears. 

Not wanting anyone to see you cry, you went to a more secluded part of the garden. What you didn’t know was that Anthony saw the expression on your face as you left and ran after you.

Sitting on a bench you found far away from the party, you cried, hands on your face. The scene broke Anthony’s heart. He stalked to you and said angrily “What did she say to you?” you were startled at first, but when you saw that it was Anthony, you relaxed a bit. 

“It was nothing, just Cressida being Cressida.” you tried smiling, but failed miserably.

“It was something if you are here alone and crying.” then he realised. You were alone, unchaperoned. But you were also crying and obviously sad. Shall I stay? Would it be a sin? he thought. Anthony looked back one more time to make sure no one was coming and hugged you, wiping away your tears. 

“I can’t stand to see you this way, can’t stand that she hurt you.” he muttered. You looked him in the eyes and asked “Why?” he didn’t know where the sudden confidence came from, but still he said “Because I can’t help falling in love with you.” 

You were shocked, but still answered smiling. “I’m falling in love with you too.” The Viscount grinned at that, holding you tighter in his arms.

“I know it is still early in the season and I have only just started courting you, but I can no longer wait.” he knelt to the ground and continued “(y/n), take my hand, take my whole life too. Would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?”

“Yes!” you exclaimed. He stood up laughing, spun you around and gave you a soft kiss on the lips.

“Are you going to tell me what Cressida said to you, future wife?” he asked with a satisfied grin. You laughed and looked at him sheepishly.

“She said you would never marry me, that you’d choose her and that I was not fit to be a Viscountess.” 

“Well then” he linked his arm with yours, walking back to the party “I think she will be very surprised with our wedding invitation.” you laughed at that and he resumed. “As for the last part, to me you are perfect and that’s all that matters.”

General tag list: @power-of-words23

Anthony Bridgerton tag list: @multifandomfix

Tell me if you want to be added to any of my tag lists!!

[royalhouseofcarrington]

300 Followers!

Holy shit. I recently hit 300 followers. I never expected to get 50 followers, let alone 300!  

Thank you all so much for following my story and I hope you have as much fun reading it as I do writing it! There’s a lot more in store for the Carringtons, and a lot more story to tell (I can’t wait to get to Anastasia cause it’s a TIME and I can’t wait for it and also Claire and Jim’s upcoming bebe). 

As celebration, here’s a photo of the ALL future children of Richard and Elissa, Isabel (albeit aged up cause she’s done having kids), Katherine and Claire and  Jim!

I won’t give any spoilers about the kiddos, their names, or when they’re born or their futures, but I can’t wait to start these stories! Some have already been introduced in my story, but some of them haven’t just yet, and I can’t wait to get to them.

These aren’t there final looks yet, because my mind is always changing what clothes they might wear or what their style will be but it’s a pretty close idea as to what they will look like!

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 4.30

311 – The Diocletianic Persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire ends. 1315 – Enguerrand de Marigny is hanged at the instigation of Charles, Count of Valois. 1492 – Spain gives Christopher Columbus his commission of exploration. 1513 – Edmund de la Pole, Yorkist pretender to the English throne, is executed on the orders of Henry VIII. 1557 – Mapuche leader Lautaro is killed by Spanish forces at the Battle of Mataquito in Chile. 1598 – Juan de Oñate begins the conquest of Santa Fe de Nuevo México. 1598 – Henry IV of France issues the Edict of Nantes, allowing freedom of religion to the Huguenots. 1636 – Eighty Years' War: Dutch Republic forces recapture a strategically important fort from Spain after a nine-month siege. 1789 – On the balcony of Federal Hall on Wall Street in New York City, George Washington takes the oath of office to become the first elected President of the United States. 1803 – Louisiana Purchase: The United States purchases the Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million, more than doubling the size of the young nation. 1812 – The Territory of Orleans becomes the 18th U.S. state under the name Louisiana. 1838 – Nicaragua declares independence from the Central American Federation. 1863 – A 65-man French Foreign Legion infantry patrol fights a force of nearly 2,000 Mexican soldiers to nearly the last man in Hacienda Camarón, Mexico. 1871 – The Camp Grant massacre takes place in Arizona Territory. 1885 – Governor of New York David B. Hill signs legislation creating the Niagara Reservation, New York's first state park, ensuring that Niagara Falls will not be devoted solely to industrial and commercial use. 1897 – J. J. Thomson of the Cavendish Laboratory announces his discovery of the electron as a subatomic particle, over 1,800 times smaller than a proton (in the atomic nucleus), at a lecture at the Royal Institution in London. 1900 – Hawaii becomes a territory of the United States, with Sanford B. Dole as governor. 1905 – Albert Einstein completes his doctoral thesis at the University of Zurich. 1925 – Automaker Dodge Brothers, Inc is sold to Dillon, Read & Co. for US$146 million plus $50 million for charity. 1927 – The Federal Industrial Institute for Women opens in Alderson, West Virginia, as the first women's federal prison in the United States. 1937 – The Commonwealth of the Philippines holds a plebiscite for Filipino women on whether they should be extended the right to suffrage; over 90% would vote in the affirmative. 1939 – The 1939–40 New York World's Fair opens. 1939 – NBC inaugurates its regularly scheduled television service in New York City, broadcasting President Franklin D. Roosevelt's N.Y. World's Fair opening day ceremonial address. 1943 – World War II: The British submarine HMS Seraph surfaces near Huelva to cast adrift a dead man dressed as a courier and carrying false invasion plans. 1945 – World War II: Führerbunker: Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun commit suicide after being married for less than 40 hours. Soviet soldiers raise the Victory Banner over the Reichstag building. 1945 – World War II: Stalag Luft I prisoner-of-war camp near Barth, Germany is liberated by Soviet soldiers, freeing nearly 9000 American and British airmen. 1947 – In Nevada, Boulder Dam is renamed Hoover Dam. 1948 – In Bogotá, Colombia, the Organization of American States is established. 1956 – Former Vice President and Democratic Senator Alben Barkley dies during a speech in Virginia. 1957 – Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery entered into force. 1961 – K-19, the first Soviet nuclear submarine equipped with nuclear missiles, is commissioned. 1963 – The Bristol Bus Boycott is held in Bristol to protest the Bristol Omnibus Company's refusal to employ Black or Asian bus crews, drawing national attention to racial discrimination in the United Kingdom. 1973 – Watergate scandal: U.S. President Richard Nixon announces that White House Counsel John Dean has been fired and that other top aides, most notably H. R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman, have resigned. 1975 – Fall of Saigon: Communist forces gain control of Saigon. The Vietnam War formally ends with the unconditional surrender of South Vietnamese president Dương Văn Minh. 1980 – Beatrix is inaugurated as Queen of the Netherlands following the abdication of Juliana. 1980 – The Iranian Embassy siege begins in London. 1982 – The Bijon Setu massacre occurs in Calcutta, India. 1993 – CERN announces World Wide Web protocols will be free. 1994 – Formula One racing driver Roland Ratzenberger is killed in a crash during the qualifying session of the San Marino Grand Prix run at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari outside Imola, Italy. 1999 – Neo-Nazi David Copeland carries out the last of his three nail bombings in London at the Admiral Duncan gay pub, killing three people and injuring 79 others. 2000 – Canonization of Faustina Kowalska in the presence of 200,000 people and the first Divine Mercy Sunday celebrated worldwide. 2004 – U.S. media release graphic photos of American soldiers abusing and sexually humiliating Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison. 2008 – Two skeletal remains found near Yekaterinburg, Russia are confirmed by Russian scientists to be the remains of Alexei and Anastasia, two of the children of the last Tsar of Russia, whose entire family was executed at Yekaterinburg by the Bolsheviks. 2009 – Chrysler files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. 2009 – Seven civilians and the perpetrator are killed and another ten injured at a Queen's Day parade in Apeldoorn, Netherlands in an attempted assassination on Queen Beatrix. 2012 – An overloaded ferry capsizes on the Brahmaputra River in India killing at least 103 people. 2013 – Willem-Alexander is inaugurated as King of the Netherlands following the abdication of Beatrix. 2014 – A bomb blast in Ürümqi, China kills three people and injures 79 others.

[scentedflowersong]

The Swan-Mills Saga Annual Couples’ Awards

Ladies (and in broader sense gentlemen), welcome to the most prestigious event of the year - The Swan-Mills Saga Couples’ Awards!

Tonight, we are going to celebrate the accomplishments of love. A jury of thoroughly selected individuals cast their votes and you are welcome to witness their picks of the best couples.

Following rules were chosen for this year’s contestants:

1. the couple must feature in Sins of the Past, The Once & Future Queen  (by the ever so talented @swanqueeneverafter​) or both,

2. during these two stories, the couple must pass a major relationship milestone.

We sincerely hope you’ll enjoy our picks...

!!!WARNING - SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

Rocky Road to the Chapel of Love

Pairing: Ella of Valencia/Henry Swan-Mills Status:  married Henry and Ella Swan-Mills went through a bit of a rough patch with Henry letting his fianceé go on an adventure alone (or well not alone, which was half of the problem), but in the end, they managed to overcome all hurdles and as far as we know are happily married and living in a house of their own.

The Star-Crossed Lovers

Pairing: Tristan/Isolde Status: Isolde is dead Quite the opposite fate awaited the pair(s) in our second category. Before Romeo&Juliet there were Tristan&Isolde. Although not exactly the milestone most couples want to go through, the death of Isolde brought the pair immortality AND a place in our contest (which makes it almost worth it in the eyes of our jury).

Honourable mention: Zelena Mills/Robin Hood 2.0

The Old Married Couple

Pairing: Xena/Gabrielle Status: engaged Contrary to what the title of this category (and their behaviour of the last 50 years give or take) might suggest, the Warrior Princess and the Battling Bard of Potidaea have yet to seal the deal. Finally, at the end of TO&FQ Xena asked her soulmate for to marry her, and I think it’s pointless to say that the jury is crying tears of joy even now.

Cottage Core/Teashop AU

Pairing: Tinkerbell/Tiger Lily Status: dating With a few twists in the timeline caused by an impromptu trip to the past (of which more later), the couple taking our next award are literally a pair of your fairy aunts who will sell you delicious herbal tea spiced up with fairy dust in their newly opened shop. Not counting X&G, Tink and Tiger Lily are quite possibly together for the longest time of all the couples featured here. Certainly a very pleasant surprise.

The Fresh Meat

Pairing: Drizella/Dr Whale Status: dating And from the ‘oldest’ to the very freshest twosome in the United realms. With both of her sisters married, Drizella decided that she’d like to put a ring on it too. The jury could not be happier fo her and Storybrooke’s hottest surgeon, Dr Victor Whale, to find love after their past hardships. Perhaps we’ll even get invited to their wedding soon...

The Wholeass 10-course Meal with a Cherry on Top

Pairing: Merida/Anastasia Status: married Speaking of weddings, this one was the titular cherry on top. Where to even start with Anastasia and Merida? They got it all, meet cute, crush/flirting without noticing but everyone else knows phase, the meet the dead relatives stuff, True Love’s Kiss AND a wedding/coronation! Looks like Scottish lasses know how to get thing done, eh? (the jury hereby asks for a step-by-step instructions)

Once Upon a First Time

Pairing: Emma Swan-Milla/Regina Swan-Mills Status: married Before you start to protest against Swan Queen getting awarded despite already going through all the standard relationship milestones, let us point out a very simple fact - thanks to the aforementioned trip back in time Emma, Mulan and Tiger Lily were forced to make, Mrs Swan-Mills met a pre-Evil Queen version of her wife and managed to be Regina’s first lover. Thus making their night of passion in a tent their first time thirty years before they officially meet in the “You’re Henry’s birthmother?!” scene, which is by the jury unanimously seen as an award worthy relationship milestone (not that Emma needed any more reasons to be smug little shit about it).

Something to Talk About

Pairing: Lena/Zelena Mills, Lena/Kara Danvers Status: unknown And so we’ve come to our last category. As the title may suggest both of these pairings are about to be the talk of the town for weeks, if only we knew which of them. During her journey from darkness, Morgana Pendragon left behind (among other things) her name and chose a fresh start where else than in Storybrooke as a new mayor. It goes without saying that as such, Lena is one of the best catches in the United Realms, the question is, who is gonna capture her (literally magic-filled) heart - the former Wicked Witch who saved her life, or the cunning new reporter with Daily Mirror? ;)

Now, thank you all for reading, let us know what you think of our picks.

A special thank you goes to the one and only @swanqueeneverafter​ for giving us all of the pairings above and much much more (just through the course of SOTP and TO&FQ twice the number of couples were featured).

May we meet at another celebration of The Swan-Mills saga again soon!

[iamkatehardy]

21 Questions

Thanks for tagging me @clubcheapwhitewine ❤️

Nicknames: Kate, it gradually became my official name actually. Katy, Tisha, Kakes, Ariel, Anastasia ( because of my hair and how much I love these princesses 🙈)

Real Name: Cátia, but no one calls me that 😂

Zodiac: Virgo

What ⏰ is it: 18.10

Favourite Band/Group: This is a really hard question! I have so many, I don’t know if I cam chose one 😱 Queen, Nirvana, Slipknot...I could put like 50 😂

Favourite Sports Team: Sport Lisboa e Benfica, always ❤️ I’m really passionate about football in general, but I literally cry for my team, even just listening to our hymn on the stadium 🙈

Other Blogs: I don’t have other blog ��

Do I get asks: Yes and most of them are really nice and I’m grateful for every single one of them 😍Thank you for taking a bit of your time to make my day better! ❤️

How many blogs I follow: 963 and counting 🥰

Tumblr Crush: All of the people who keep showing me love and appreciating my work❤️ Especially @clubcheapwhitewine and @outofbluecomesgreen who put up with me every single day, for the good and the bad, like a “sister from another mister” 😁 ❤️ And @deaflikehawkeye , @innerpaperexpertcloud , @chellestrash and many other who are amazing human beings who have been absolutely crucial in my blog and in my life ❤️ Y’all brighten my days 😭❤️

Lucky🍀 Number: I don’t know if it’s considered a lucky number, but I really like 6.

What am I wearing now: A fluffy pijama 🙊

Dream Vacation: I’d love to go to Russia 🙈 Although I fucking hate planes 😂

Dream Car: I don’t drive, so I don’t really think about this 🤔 I find Minis really adorable! But if we’re talking about luxury cars, I really like Lamborghinis.

Favourite Food: I can’t chose one 😱 But I like sweets a lot 🥰

Drinks of choice: Coke and coffee. Tea, when I’m feeling like a gourmet bitch 😂

Instrument: I learnt how to play multiple instruments, but my favourite is piano.

Language: Portuguese, English, a bit German and a bit Italian. I studied French in school so I can survive 🤔 And Spanish, although it’s more understanding than speaking 😁

Celebrity Crush: I know most of you never really noticed this... As shocking as this may be, my celebrity crush is Tom Hardy 😂

Random Fact: Because everyone calls me Kate and I’m an unusually pale being with light eyes, people keep asking me if I really am Portuguese. It annoys me 😂

I’m tagging @outofbluecomesgreen , @chellestrash , @deaflikehawkeye , @innerpaperexpertcloud and whoever else wants to do this ❤️❤️❤️

[au-universes]

The Final Chapter

By Luci

July 9, 2015: The First Day of Comic Con

Exactly 4 months since Steve disappeared in the Real Life AU

Exactly 1 month since Steve had died

Steve felt wrong.

He remembered everything. Every portal, every almost-death, every moment with his soulmate, Jimmy. And now, here he was, in a car on his way to Comic Con with the seven people who had been there that day, all of them claiming to have no memory of Captain Kirk kidnapping Steve during dance class.

Steve had asked them all together and individually about that day. Kara said all she remembered was Steve prepping for a left turn then going right. Ashley said Steve left in the middle of class then stopped showing up. Paris said she forgot who he was until he appeared a few months ago in their basement, crying and claiming he had died.

To be honest, Steve wasn’t sure why they kept him around after that. Gacé said the same.

It had been a month since that incident. It also happened to be the day of the Rhythm Fusion’s dance show. When all the RFs - Ashley, Paris, Gacé, Kara, Matt, Kaia, and Colleen - had come back to the studio after the show, they found Steve sobbing in the basement. They were all dumbfounded, and Mozy had called the cops. In the end, Officers McCain and Malfoy chalked it up to Steve had been kidnapped and escaped and now he was home. 

Steve went along with it, not knowing what else to do.

He had tried to explain what he had been through to the officers, but they told him he was in shock. Steve knew he was in shock, but he also knew what had happened to him.

He traveled through alternate universes with Jimmy Kirk, his one true love, because of a curse placed on them by the wizard Sarumon.

Now, Steve sat, numb as always, in the passenger’s seat of a van, reluctantly going to Comic Con with the RFs. Gacé was driving and Paris, dressed as Honey Lemon from Big Hero 6, was reading out loud from an article that was sweeping the internet.

“Love is in the air this July as a fourth surprise celebrity couple announces their engagement.

“It started on June 9th, when Daniel Radcliffe, best known for playing Harry Potter, and Supernatural’s Osric Chau announced their engagement.

“‘We had been dating for years in secret,’ said Radcliffe. ‘Something just felt right, and we wanted the world to know about our love.’

“They were the first of many. Next, Jensen Ackles and Misha Collins, also from Supernatural, announced they were together. Their costar, Jared Padalecki, got engaged to his long-time girlfriend Ezri Guide, shortly after that.

“‘I am so happy for Ezri and Jared,’ said Ackles on Twitter. ‘I can’t think of a better couple.’

“Most recently, Felicia Day, known for playing Charlie on Supernatural, and Liv Tyler, Arwen from the Lord of the Rings, announced their engagement.

“With all these happy couples making their way into the spotlight, we at Sixteen Magazine want to know: who’s next?”

“Wow,” said Kara, crammed in the back with Colleen, Kaia, and Matt. “I feel like this is out of a fanfiction!”

“But it’s all true!” said Paris. “It’s hard, almost impossible to believe, and yet…”

Steve stopped listening. He knew it was all true, but he was closer to the situation than everyone would believe. He was happy the friends he made in the AUs were happy, but nothing felt the same. He couldn’t even be sure they were the same people, but this was too close to be a coincidence.

The last place Steve wanted to go was Comic Con, where the actors who portrayed some of his closest friends would be. It would be too painful. Yet he knew the RFs would drag him to see the Supernatural cast, just like they dragged him out of his room to go to the event in the first place. This was 2015, afterall, and the RFs were still big fans of Supernatural.

Steve tried to tune out their excited chatter and pay attention to the radio. Stay With Me by Sam Smith was playing. Tears welled in Steve’s eyes. This was their song…

“This song sucks!” said Kara. “Pass me the aux.”

She plugged her iPhone 5 in, not needing an adaptor or anything, and played Basketball by Kurtis Blow. Steve took deep breaths, calming himself down. As Kurtis Blow sang, the convention center came into view. Gacé parked the car, and they all piled out. Everyone was dressed up for the occasion. Well, everyone but Steve, who had decided to wear his okayest pajama pants and a Homestuck t-shirt, which he figured would allow him to blend in. Matt was dressed as Dean Winchester and Gacé was Sam. Kara, Kaia, and Paris were characters from Big Hero 6. Colleen was dressed as the Zebra Goddess, who she claimed was from a really popular movie, yet no one knew what she was talking about. Ashley was supposed to be Anastasia Steele from 50 Shades of Grey, but to Steve she looked like she was just wearing regular clothes.

“Alright RFs, who’s ready to do this!” Ashley said.

The gang cheered and followed her to the doors of the convention center.

Steve stayed back for a moment, looking around at all the people streaming into the building.

“Feeling overwhelmed?” Paris asked.

Steve took a deep breath. “Yeah. This is the first big thing I’ve done since…” he didn’t finish. He didn’t have to.

“If it’s too much we’ll leave,” Paris said, looking like that’s not what she wanted to do at all.

“No, I’ll be okay. Let’s do this.”

The gang walked around for a while, seeing as many booths as possible and doing the things people do at Comic Con.

About an hour in, and Steve was feeling good. He bought himself a new Steven Universe shirt and a churro. The gang was rounding a corner when Steve saw him, and his heart stopped.

There, at the Sharknado 2 booth, was Billy Ray Cyrus.

Steve knew this wasn’t his Billy Ray. It couldn’t possibly be. But everything about the man was familiar. From the way he stood to the way he was laughing at something his costar, Kelly Osborn, said.

Steve didn’t know what came over him. He dropped his churro and ran right at Billy Ray. He could hear the RFs yelling after him, but he didn’t care. He had to know.

Suddenly, Steve was grabbed by two beefy security guards. He tried to get past them, but they were too beefy. So he did the only thing he could.

“Billy Ray! Billy Ray Cyrus!” he yelled in desperation. “Please, do you remember me?”

Billy Ray looked up, and right into Steve’s eyes. Steve would never forget the next words Billy Ray spoke.

“Sorry partner, I don’t believe we’ve met.”

Steve stopped fighting and the guards dragged him out of the room.

“This is embarrassing,” Matt muttered as the RFs followed the guards to where Steve was being held.

They were told that Steve was to sit in Comic Con jail for the rest of the evening and they could come pick him up when the convention closed. They were now on their way to get him.

“We never even got to go to the Star Trek booth,” Paris said sassily.

“That might have been too much for Steve,” Ashley said. They all vaguely knew what Steve had told the police when he returned, and they all avoided the subject of Star Trek as much as possible. 

“At least we got that picture with Jared and Jensen!” said Gacé.

“Whatever, let’s just get Steve and go,” said Colleen. “I need me a fry pile.”

The gang nodded in agreement.

The convention hall was pretty clear, so they didn’t think they would have a problem getting Steve out safely.

No one said anything as Steve emerged from the room he was being kept in. 

“Sorry guys,” Steve said, not meeting any of their eyes.

“It’s fine, let’s just get out of here,” said Kara.

As they walked through the convention center, no one said anything. Nearly every booth was empty. Except one.

The Star Trek booth.

“Oh no,” someone said, as Steve stared at him.

It wasn’t Jimmy, not his Jimmy. But Zebra Goddess, did it look like him.

There stood William Shatner, talking to Walter Koenig, who played Chekov. Several other cast members from the original series stood around, listening to something Walter was playing on his iPod.

“It’s not that bad!” said Willy Shatz, laughing.

“Oh yes it is!” said Nichelle Nichols, or as Steve had known her, Uhura.

Steve listened closer and realized they were listening to William Shatner’s cover of Bohemian Rhapsody. 

“Come on,” said Paris, grabbing Steve’s arm and trying to stop him from gawking.

William Shatner seemed to notice the commotion. He looked up from his conversation and at Steve. There was something familiar in his eyes, something Steve recognized.

Could it be…?

William Shatner broke away from the crowd as the music swelled and made his way over to the RFs. Steve was frozen in shock.

“We have to get him out of here,” said Ashley, pushing Steve from the opposite side Paris was pulling.

Gacé was preparing to pick Steve up and carry him out of the convention center to avoid what would inevitably be a disaster. 

Kara stepped in front of Steve. “S- sorry, Mr. Shatner, we were just leaving,” Kara said.

William Shatner pushed past her and walked up to Steve. Paris, Ashley, and Gacé backed off.

“Have we met?” said William Shatner. “You look very familiar.”

“I - I don’t believe so, no,” said Steve, looking down at his ratty shoes.

From across the room, Walter yelled. “Oh, what the hell?” He was fiddling with his iPod. Bohemian Rhapsody cut off and Cherry Pie started playing. 

“Yes,” said William Shatner, smiling, ignoring his friend. “I know you.”

He took a step back and the music grew louder. A yellow light appeared from his chest and he was lifted into the air. He started spinning, the light growing stronger and rainbow sparkles emerging. He was going through a magical girl transformation!

He landed on the ground, kneeling, head down. When he looked up he was no longer William Shatner. He stood, and before Steve was Jimmy Kirk. His Jimmy Kirk. In full Star Trek uniform, looking as young as he had on the show.

“I’ve waited years for a love like you,” said Jimmy, smiling. “Did you really think I’d give up so easily?”

Steve and Jimmy embraced and kissed. The gang and the cast of the original series had no choice but to stare, confused.

“Jimmy,” said Steve breathlessly. “I knew you were real.”

“Let’s get out of here,” he took his communicator out of his pocket. “Scotty, beam us up.” He took Steve’s hand.

“Will, that’s just a prop,” said Walter.

Jimmy ignored him. One final portal appeared before Steve.

“I made this last universe just for us,” said Jimmy. “Ready to go, Cherry Pie?”

Steve looked into his lover’s eyes and smiled. “I’m ready.”

Together, they walked through the portal and into the rest of their lives.

[wheredidhiseyebrowsgo]

I think Tumblr ate my ask but idk so sorry if your seeing this twice? But any good Sterek with Nerd!derek (like wearing glasses and blushing all the time Nerd)? Thank you! You guys are amazing

AND

Anonymous said:I just finished reading stilinskisparkles’ Losers fic and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it *^* so I was hoping if you could recommend me some popular jock!Stiles and shy, awkward, nerd!Derek? Thank youuuuuuuuu

AND

Anonymous said: Hi, can I ask for a Sterek fic recommendation wherein Stiles is the popular kid at school and Derek is the shy/nerd/quite kid at school who has a secret crush on Stiles? We have so many popular/jock Derek and I want to switch it up a bit for a change xD Also, totally a plus if Stiles has a not-so-secret crush on Lydia at the beginning and then develop feelings for Derek,

I do love nerdy!Derek. It’s a nice change. Here’s the tag.  - Anastasia

Losers by stilinskisparkles

(1/1 I 34,234 I Explicit)

Where Derek is new to college, eager to spend his time learning, and Stiles is everything he didn’t want in a room mate. He’s loud, he’s into sports, and he keeps trying to make Derek do things.

Or, the one where Derek falls for a jock, Erica will cut you if you disturb her studying, and Jackson is a closeted romantic who pretends to hate everything.

***

[podfic] you in that dress (my thoughts I confess) by reena_jenkins

(1/1 I General)

Derek Hale is the hot guy in color guard. (He’s the only guy in color guard.) 

A Thing of Chemistry by auroreanrave

(1/1 I 638 I Explicit)

Because nothing says ‘I love you’ like screwing on your chem lab table.

Te Amo, Je T'aime, I Love You, Ich Liebe Dich, Etc by AnonymousActions

(1/1 I 1,084 I General)

Derek is a nerd and likes to tell Stiles he loves him as much as possible in as many languages as possible. Stiles seems oblivious.

True Love by anglophilia

(1/1 I 1,409 I Not Rated)

Stiles is at a party and falls in love with Derek’s butt.

Action and Reaction by orphan_account

(1/1 I 2,299 I General)

“Stiles intrigued Derek, and because Derek thought everything had a formula, that everything was action and reaction, he wanted to know what Stiles was reacting to.

The whole punk thing? It was a social commentary. It was someone standing up for something, and Derek wanted to know why Stiles thought he had the right to stand up for when everyone else was just trying to get through the day.”

Have Yourself A Nerdy Little Christmas by AsagiStilinski

(1/1 I 2,858 I General)

He was on his fourth weird cucumber-cracker… thing…. and generally wishing Lydia would just serve desserts and pizza bites like a normal college student, when he happened to glance up at just the right moment

And all of a sudden, his entire night turned around

“PUG!”

The guy in the ugly Pug themed Christmas sweater jumped, turning to Stiles with what could only be described as a look of utter fear in his eyes

Here We Lie, Outstretched by redeyedwrath

(1/1 I 3,455 I Teen)

“I couldn’t sleep,” Stiles says, and he shrugs, twiddling with his thumbs. The moonlight catches in the hollows of his cheekbones.

Derek snorts. “So you thought that if you couldn’t sleep, neither should I?”

Or, in which Derek and Stiles are neighbors and they’re Make Out Buddies

Strut into Your Heart by Brittanica2015

(3/3 I 4,059 I Not Rated)

Derek is a college freshman who’s working as a barista in order to get enough money to satisfy his book addiction. Everything is fine until one day his favorite model, Stiles Stilinski walks in and completely changes his life.

all i want for christmas is you by haleofStilesheart

(1/1 I 4,140 I General)

The annual Christmas office party at Hale and Associates Law Firm was one of Stiles’ favorite times of the year.

flawless by bibliosexual

(1/1 I 4,919 I Teen)

“I know you and I are, like, werewolf-married, but dude, if I ever met Lydia Martin in person … All bets are off, is all I’m saying.“

It’s not like Stiles really means it (does he?), but it still makes Derek’s hands clench into claws on the steering wheel.

“Yeah, if,” he says, and keeps his eyes on the road.

Approximation by inatshej

(1/1 I 6,638 I Explicit)

Derek’s type is a self-confident, blonde girl. Her grin is almost dangerous, her laugh’s loud, and she may seem arrogant – but if anyone has a reason to be arrogant, it’s her.Stiles’ type is a genius, strawberry blonde girl. She looks perfect no matter the time of a day, her taste’s impeccable, she’s popular as well as respected – but taken.They turn to each other, struggling with the choices and people around them.

atom to atom by jadore_hale

(2/2 I 8,983 I Teen)

“So, you’re telling me that you hate Derek so much that you wouldn’t leap at the chance to jump his bones?”

“That’s different!” Stiles cried.

“How exactly?”

“Because unfortunately for me, Derek’s hotter than the Earth’s mantle. All we need is one rough hate-fuck— Preferably in the chem lab, role-playing sexy chemist while he bends me over one of the tables—and I’ll get him out of my system. That’s as far as our relationship will ever go.”

Stiles glanced across the cafeteria to where Derek was still fail-eating his lunch and sighed so put out.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go make fun of Derek eating organic baby carrots.”

Bid on Me by Stereksale7

(2/2 I 9,471 I Explicit)

“Don’t celebrate yet. I’m only bidding on him if no one else does. Which will never happen because everyone wants him.” Derek said, smirk turning triumphant at Erica’s exasperated expression.

“Oh come on Der-” Erica started to whine, but quickly cut herself off when the auctioneer (Derek was pretty sure he was the frat’s president) called out “And one of our last auctions of the day, Stiles Stilinski!”

Derek’s heart dropped to his stomach in anticipation, waiting for the moment where some hot busty blonde or some Calvin Klein model guy bid on Stiles and won.

Except. It never happened.

“Shit Der, are you magic or something? Does everything you predict turn out to be wrong? Quick, say ‘Erica will not suddenly be handed a million dollars’ out loud for me”. Derek rolled his eyes and waved Erica off, watching as the auctioneer listed off qualities of Stiles, dropping the starting bid from $50 to $30 to $25, all the way down to $5.

Derek was drowning in secondhand embarrassment. And judging by Stiles’s badly concealed hurt expression and pink cheeks, he was suffering from a whole lot of first hand embarrassment.

These Stars Will Guide Us Home by anodyneer

(1/1 I 9,937 I Teen)

Derek fell for Stiles from the first time he saw him in a crowded planetarium, and the feeling was definitely mutual. For as well as they got to know each other over the weeks that followed, Derek still couldn’t help feeling like a piece of the puzzle was missing - namely, the piece involving Stiles’ home life. When Stiles disappears just before Thanksgiving break, Derek learns the truth about his boyfriend - and it’s crazier than anything he could have imagined.

A Love Like Religion by alisvolatpropiis

(1/1 I 10,696 I Explicit)

“Derek, my man, you missed an epic party on Saturday. Seriously, dude, I know morning Mass is like, your thing, but come on. You’re missing on out so much life has to offer, bro.”

Big hands land on shoulders with a thump and a squeeze while Derek stands at his locker, loading his gigantic calculus book into his backpack. He gives his best friend a practiced sidelong glare, which of course just encourages him. “You’ll change your mind when I tell you who sucked me off in Lydia Martin’s bedroom,” Stiles snickers into his ear.

Despite himself, Derek is curious. He tries to hide it by focusing on his books, but he knows the heat in his cheeks betrays him. “Who,” he asks, giving in, knowing he will eventually.

Falling in Love is a Free Action by rainproof

(1/1 I 37,252 I Teen)

Derek had a gaming group. A gaming group! After long months of playing the quiet outlier in BHHS’s nerdiest clique he considered a tabletop game to be a serious step up the social ladder.

So the game wasn’t a system he was familiar with… that was alright. Derek had played Traveler and GURPS, White Wolf and Star Wars with his group back in New York, but never straight-up Dungeons and Dragons. He could make it work. And sure, his character was a little ridiculous – a snarky, badass, leather-wearing werewolf version of himself…but that was okay too.

Because he had a gaming group, and it was being headed up by Stiles Stilinski, undisputed nerd-king of Beacon Hills High School.

If You Wanna Be My Roomie (Lover) by Stereksale7

(23/23 I 65,056 I Explicit)

Realistically, Stiles knew that the local University’s popularity and commonality meant that many members of his graduating high school class would be starting the Fall 2016 semester alongside him, but he never expected his longtime crush to be one of them. Even more so, he never expected said crush to be assigned as his roommate…oh boy.

Put Down in Words by paintedrecs

(31/31 I 203,776 I Mature)

“Oh,” Stiles said, his voice coming out low and breathy, “fuck me.”

“I don’t think that’s on the syllabus, but we can check to see if there’s a spot open in any of his classes,” Scott said, grinning.

“This isn’t an actual professor, though,” Stiles insisted, unable to resist brushing his thumb over the sharp line of the man’s bearded jaw. He was laughing at something off-camera, the shot taken in three-quarters view, his coat collar casually rumpled and opened to reveal a sliver of a simple grey t-shirt. The whole thing was deliberately calculated to lend him a more accessible feel, and god help him, Stiles was falling for it.

*

When Stiles signed up for Dr. Hale’s intro to history class, he had two goals: knock out the credits his advisor was bugging him to complete before he graduated, and spend a few hours a week daydreaming about his sexy professor’s salt and pepper beard.

Derek, a few months away from turning forty and not sure when his life had started feeling so damn lonely, had never encountered someone like Stiles before. Bright-eyed, sharp-tongued, determined to throw Derek’s carefully cultivated world into disarray…and absolutely the last person Derek should be falling in love with.

[harlockauxillia30k-blog]

Harlock’s lost lady love and her life without him, go.

Lady Myrene Anastasia Galm, a summary:

Lady Myrene Galm is remembered as a brilliant stateswoman, benevolent leader, and the main party responsible in House Galm’s long standing position as centuries long dominating party on the planet, completely eclipsing the formerly dominant house Gloriana. Her rule began some 35 years following the creation of the Centauri-Imperial Trust, which effectively made the Centauri System a self governing federal state with the Emperor as its chief executive, with an autocratic ‘first among nobles’ being a kind of ‘lesser emperor’ or prime minister over the Centauri star system; with further limits on numbers of troops and ships permitted to planetary defense and the imposition of Imperial Common Law and the Imperial Truth, while still allowing local lawmaking and policies to exist, with the High Lords of Terra acting as a supreme court for large scale decisions, and the Centauri Council of Lords acting as a representative body and Supreme Court for lesser matters.

Myrene’s policies were expressly humanitarian, lowering taxes in general on goods and services while freeing up commerce by breaking up long defunct and awkward banking clans and merchants guilds to allow for a controlled free market economy. By tactfully taxing imports and exports, the Centauri State enjoyed a decades long boom that reshaped much of the planet and allowed for the creation of multiple space ports, allowing Centauri merchants the luxury of extremely short travel times from spaceport to natural resource or urban hub. This broke up a longstanding policy on Centauri Prime for Centaurius, its capitol, to be ‘first in all things’, and was seen as a wise and prudent change, which indirectly improved living conditions planetwide in general by approximately 10%.

Personal sources cite Lady Galm as being calm and prudent, always willing to listen to all opinions before coming to a rash decision, albiet a bit indecisive at times. She was described as something of a book-worm intellectual in her developing years, but enjoyed court pageantry and celebration, to such an extent that her ‘50 year jubilee’ - her 50th birthday, constituted a 2 day long planet (in some cases, sytem wide) public celebration and holiday that cost the court several billion imperial credits purely in labour lost and expenditure. Nevertheless, she did not show the cruelty typical in many centauri noble’s rule, and strictly seperated herself, and to a lesser extent her house, in the political and noble infighting and backstabbing that so charachterized her father’s reign. Lady Galm never took any suitors or concubines, which eventually spawned lurid rumors of debauchery that the Galm media empire ruthlessly suppressed and litigated into oblivion. Also unfortunate, Lady Myrene Galm’s long and surgery ridden battle with her figure gradually was lost as the autocrat gained weight, which added to insufferable rumors and whispers by power hungry houses that could find no other fault with her charachter or reign. Unfortunately, that physical trait seemed to be one shared with many other later Galm rulers, who were infintely more indulgent than Lady Galm ever had been, marring her good deeds by their shared name and lineage.

[[OOC notes, as this was never private knowledge: Lady Galm never got over her very brief affair with Harlock, and brushed aside all suitors when she realized the horrid lengths her family, and the living-breathing organism that was the House Galm organization itself, would go to ensure her ‘rightful marriage’ - it was a private personal rebellion of sorts, one which grew even stronger as protest against the pundits and mouthpieces, often in her own family, who demanded she take a lover and produce heirs. Galm had plenty enough of that already. Instead, she used her considerable personal wealth and power to watch Harlock’s adventures for much of his first century of service to the Imperium. It was a depressing thought that the two would never be united, for despite being an autocrat, Myrene knew house Galm was who truly had real power- not her, a mere individual within it. It was her promise to Harlock then to build a Centauri that was worth fighting a forever war for, and her lifes work achieved much of that, just as Harlock won her secret affection through noble heroism in the field of battle. As far as her looks were concerned, Lady Galm became tired of ceaseless lurid advances thrust upon her by males of other houses, and gave up wasting so much of her time upon her image to instead focus on macro-economics and statecraft, which she proved extremely adept at.]]

Lady Myrene Galm’s death was a national tragedy, as at 78 years of age, the lady suffered a severe heart attack and stroke in her bedchambers, and died of complications the following morning. Her cause of death was deemed to be natural, as she had taken no juvenat, organ transplants, or cloned tissue during her reign, earning her the affectionate title ‘The Pure Monarch’ for her trouble. It also meant a natural life expectancy, though 78 was considered young even for natural human deaths for the nobility of Centauri. Some blame, especially at the time, was laid on the ceaseless smear campaigns of rival noble houses, and the great stress of being one of the first leading political figures of the Imperial Trust period- a time of uncertainty and transition as the old Star Empire evolved into a self governing Imperial System under Terra’s control. In any case, mourning lasted a full standard Terran week, and her death marked the end of the high point of the Centauri Golden Age- though it is often said to continue for much of the next century to a lesser degree.

-From “A brief history of the Centauri Star Empire and Centauri Imperial Trust”

[promenadewithme]

Heyy, congratulations on 50 followers! Could you write something for Finnick Odair (fluff with a little bit of angst?) based on the lyrics "How would you feel, if I told you I loved you? It's just something that I want to do, I'll be taking my time, spending my life, Falling deeper in love with you, So tell me that you love me too" from 'How would you feel' with a female reader. Please make whatever changes you want, absolutely adore all your writing :))

Ok so I loved this request because I love Finnick so much!! I really hope you like this! I'm sorry I took a bit longer to write this, I had a lot of uni work and studying to do this week.

requested by @boxofsilentwords

This is my first Finnick fic, so I'm nervous... Any and all feedback is more than welcome!

Pairing: Finnick Odair x Female! Reader

Song: How Would You Feel - Ed Sheeran

Warnings: Mentions of killing (nothing graphic), swearing, the hunger games, pining, fluff. Just before the 75th Hunger Games (Catching fire book/movie), but I changed the plot a bit so it would fit the story, Mags doesn’t go with Finnick, the reader does. 

Word Count: 1,2k

Divider made by me on @promenadewithme-graphics​

How Would You Feel

There were soldiers surrounding all the victors as you got up on the platform. Your whole body was shaking. ‘Why is this happening? I already won! I’m not supposed to be here’. You looked to your right and saw your best friend, Finnick Odair, and 3 other male tributes. To your left was Annie Cresta and Mags, who was squeezing your hand.

“As always, ladies first!” said the district 4 escort with a wild grin. You don’t understand how they slept at night, sending people off to fight to their deaths every year, watching like it’s fiction. These were real people, who had families, lives, dreams. You had dreams. 

The escort grabbed one of the envelopes and walked back to the microphone.

“Let’s see...” he opened it and with glee he exclaimed “(y/n) (y/l/n)! Come on over, dear!” 

You looked at Finnick with desperation in your eyes before giving Mags’ hand one last squeeze and walking away. You felt like the world around you was shrinking, like there was no air to breathe. The escort’s voice was but a whisper until your heard what you dreaded more than your own death.

“Finnick Odair!” you looked at your best friend with fear in your eyes. Most would be happy to go into the arena with an ally, but this was Finn. This was your Finn. Well, you couldn’t exactly call him yours, you two were just friends. But you have always loved him. Despite his many lovers, you always stood by him, hoping he would see you. He never did.

“May the odds be ever in your favour.” 

‘And let the hunger games begin’ you thought, looking over at Finnick. He was looking back at you with a plain face, but you could see the pure terror in his eyes. ‘The arena messes with all of us, no matter how tough or brave you are. What happens when you go in twice?’

“And those two are Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark from District 12, they won last year’s game.” depicted your escort. You and Finnick were staying at the tributes building. Fourth floor for district 4, as per usual. Over the past days you had come to terms with the fact that you were going back into the arena. That didn’t mean you weren’t scared shitless.

“What else do you know about them?” asked the man. You had watched the games last year. For the first time, you actually liked the victors. So you exposed what you knew.

“Katniss is a hunter, excellent with a bow and arrow, great survival instincts. Peeta is very strong and good at camouflage. The two of them are getting married. Well... at least they were before all this.” you frowned and Finnick scoffed.

“Do you seriously believe that they are in love? They must be jumping with joy that they get to call it off.” he shook his head.

“What do you mean? You saw the games last year, they are obviously in love. They were going to die together.” you refuted, turning to face him.

“Please! The two tributes that are chosen are actually secretly love each other to the point that they would die for one another, they both win the game and live happily ever after? This is the real world, (y/n). These things don’t happen.”

Your heart tightened, but he was right. The couple had given you hope that maybe Finnick would love you too, that even the worst situations could bring some sort of happiness. You now realised it wouldn’t happen. Your love was unrequited, the two of you were going to the arena, but only one of you would come out. If both of you weren’t killed, that is.

“You’re right, they don’t.” you frowned. Your escort continued to talk about the games and how to look good in the eyes of the public, but you didn’t care. It’s not like you’d make it out alive a second time. You barely did the first, in the 66th hunger games.

You went in a year after Finnick, you were so young and so was he. Maybe that's why the two of you bonded in the first place, having to be strong so early in life isn't something easy. Having to carry the weight of killing that young isn't either.

"Excuse me." you muttered before going to your room, Finnick following suit.

"What's wrong?" he demanded.

"What's wrong? Are you seriously asking me that? What's wrong?!" you exclaimed. "What's wrong is that we already went through this. What's wrong is that this happens every fucking year and no one does anything to stop it. What's wrong is that I am terrified that I'll die, or even worse, that you'll die. Because I don't think I can live without you." tears were streaming down your face as you continued, voice getting lower with each sentence "What's wrong is that I am head over heels in love with you, have been for years now by the way, and you never even noticed me."

You gasped and covered your mouth. What have I done? you thought as Finnick looked at you in shock.

"What?" he mumbled.

"Nothing, just please forget I ever said anything." you begged, going into the bathroom. Yet again, Finnick followed you.

"You love me?" he gawked.

"No?" you tried answering, but it came out sounding like a question. You wanted to dig a hole where you could hide, you were mortified. But when you looked at Finn, he was grinning.

"You love me!"

"Oh God." you hid your face in your hands "Please don't tease me about this."

You felt a pair of hands on yours, removing them from your face.

"Look at me." he whispered. You hesitated for a second, but did what he said. He was smiling softly at you.

"How would you feel if I told you I loved you?" he asked and it was your turn to be shocked.

"What?"

"It's just something that I want to do. Well, I've been wanting to do it for a while now. I just didn't know you felt the same." he confided and you grinned, but it quickly turned into a frown.

"What do we do? The games- We..." tears were forming in your eyes again. He put his arms around you in a tight hug.

"I'll get us both out, I swear I will." he vowed.

"You can't promise me that, Finn. There can only be one victor."

"There was an exception last year, why can't we do it again? But that's no what I'm planning. There's- " he stopped for a second "I can't tell you right now what I know, but I promise we will get out. And after that," he smiled at you, caressing your face "I'll be taking my time, spending my life, falling deeper in love with you. So tell me that you love me too."

You wanted to argue with him, make him tell you, but you didn't want to ruin the moment. So, you put your head on his chest and let him hold you.

“I love you, Finnick.” you mumbled into his chest, wishing it could last forever. Wishing you didn't have to go back to the arena or at least that the odds would truly be in your favour.

General tag list: @for-bebbanburg @power-of-words23 @elenapatricia99

The Hunger Games tag list:

Finnick Odair tag list:

tell me if you want to be added to my tag list!

[bansheephan]

RULES: Tag 10 followers you want to know better!

I was tagged by @weasley-is-our-king-

I tag: @fuckyeahgeekystuff , @misscbalfe , @totallynot-awerewolf , @funnyfacelouis , @stiles24obrien , @hi-you-shmy , @stydiduh , @stealmygirl16 , @mishasfandom , @dxsneylife

NAME: Julia

STAR SIGN: Cancer

HEIGHT: 5′5″

MIDDLE NAME: Eve

PUT YOUR ITUNES ON SHUFFLE. FIRST 4 SONGS THAT POPPED UP?

1) 4 Minutes (Feat. Justin Timberlake)- Madonna

2) 50 Ways to Say Goodbye- Train

3) Live Me Like You- Little Mix

4) Since We’re Alone- Niall Horan

GRAB THE BOOK NEAREST YOU AND TURN TO PAGE 23. WHAT LINE 17?

“Standing there, staring at me, was the ghost of Frank Bellarosa” (it was the end of the chapter so oh well)

EVER HAD A POEM OR SONG WRITTEN ABOUT YOU?

No way

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU PLAYED AIR GUITAR?

Ummmm whenever I last heard Kiwi by Harry Styles

WHO IS YOUR CELEBRITY CRUSH?

Dylan O’Brien OR Christy Altomare

A SOUND YOU HATE?

Nails on a chalkboard

A SOUND YOU LOVE?

The clicking of a pen

BELIEVE IN GHOSTS?

Not really

ALIENS?

I believe in like microorganisms that live on another planet but I’m not positive about like intelligent life

DO YOU DRIVE?

Yes I do as of April

HAVE YOU EVER CRASHED?

Teeny fender bender the night of my prom

WHAT WAS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ?

The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan

LIKE THE SMELL OF GASOLINE?

Nah m8

LAST MOVIE YOU SAW?

Mission Impossible: Fallout

WORST INJURY?

Fractured my pinky toe the first dress rehearsal of my school’s musical

OBSESSIONS RIGHT NOW?

Okay, so I have some constants such as Percy Jackson, Dan and Phil, Anastasia, and Stydia

But then I have Miraculous rn which is effing me up and got to read fanfic again sooooo... (it’s good shit)

DO YOU TEND TO HOLD GRUDGES AGAINST PEOPLE WHO HAVE DONE YOU WRONG?

I hate that I do but yeeeah

IN A RELATIONSHIP?

Nope and never have been 

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 4.30

311 – The Diocletianic Persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire ends. 313 – Battle of Tzirallum: Emperor Licinius defeats Maximinus II and unifies the Eastern Roman Empire. 642 – Chindasuinth is proclaimed king by the Visigothic nobility and bishops. 1315 – Enguerrand de Marigny is hanged at the instigation of Charles, Count of Valois. 1492 – Spain gives Christopher Columbus his commission of exploration. 1513 – Edmund de la Pole, Yorkist pretender to the English throne, is executed on the orders of Henry VIII. 1557 – Mapuche leader Lautaro is killed by Spanish forces at the Battle of Mataquito in Chile. 1598 – Juan de Oñate begins the conquest of Santa Fe de Nuevo México. 1598 – Henry IV of France issues the Edict of Nantes, allowing freedom of religion to the Huguenots. 1636 – Eighty Years' War: Dutch Republic forces recapture a strategically important fort from Spain after a nine-month siege. 1671 – Petar Zrinski, the Croatian Ban from the Zrinski family, is executed. 1789 – On the balcony of Federal Hall on Wall Street in New York City, George Washington takes the oath of office to become the first elected President of the United States. 1803 – Louisiana Purchase: The United States purchases the Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million, more than doubling the size of the young nation. 1812 – The Territory of Orleans becomes the 18th U.S. state under the name Louisiana. 1838 – Nicaragua declares independence from the Central American Federation. 1863 – A 65-man French Foreign Legion infantry patrol fights a force of nearly 2,000 Mexican soldiers to nearly the last man in Hacienda Camarón, Mexico. 1871 – The Camp Grant massacre takes place in Arizona Territory. 1885 – Governor of New York David B. Hill signs legislation creating the Niagara Reservation, New York's first state park, ensuring that Niagara Falls will not be devoted solely to industrial and commercial use. 1897 – J. J. Thomson of the Cavendish Laboratory announces his discovery of the electron as a subatomic particle, over 1,800 times smaller than a proton (in the atomic nucleus), at a lecture at the Royal Institution in London.[1] 1900 – Hawaii becomes a territory of the United States, with Sanford B. Dole as governor. 1904 – The Louisiana Purchase Exposition World's Fair opens in St. Louis, Missouri. 1905 – Albert Einstein completes his doctoral thesis at the University of Zurich. 1925 – Automaker Dodge Brothers, Inc is sold to Dillon, Read & Co. for US$146 million plus $50 million for charity. 1927 – The Federal Industrial Institute for Women opens in Alderson, West Virginia, as the first women's federal prison in the United States. 1927 – Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford become the first celebrities to leave their footprints in concrete at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood. 1937 – The Commonwealth of the Philippines holds a plebiscite for Filipino women on whether they should be extended the right to suffrage; over 90% would vote in the affirmative. 1938 – The animated cartoon short Porky's Hare Hunt debuts in movie theaters, introducing Happy Rabbit, an early version of Bugs Bunny. 1939 – The 1939-40 New York World's Fair opens. 1939 – NBC inaugurates its regularly scheduled television service in New York City, broadcasting President Franklin D. Roosevelt's N.Y. World's Fair opening day ceremonial address. 1943 – World War II: The British submarine HMS Seraph surfaces near Huelva to cast adrift a dead man dressed as a courier and carrying false invasion plans. 1945 – World War II: Führerbunker: Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun commit suicide after being married for less than 40 hours. Soviet soldiers raise the Victory Banner over the Reichstag building. 1945 – World War II: Stalag Luft I prisoner-of-war camp near Barth, Germany is liberated by Soviet soldiers, freeing nearly 9000 American and British airmen. 1947 – In Nevada, Boulder Dam is renamed Hoover Dam. 1948 – In Bogotá, Colombia, the Organization of American States is established. 1956 – Former Vice President and Democratic Senator Alben Barkley dies during a speech in Virginia. 1957 – Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery entered into force. 1961 – K-19, the first Soviet nuclear submarine equipped with nuclear missiles, is commissioned. 1963 – The Bristol Bus Boycott is held in Bristol to protest the Bristol Omnibus Company's refusal to employ Black or Asian bus crews, drawing national attention to racial discrimination in the United Kingdom. 1966 – The Church of Satan is formed in The Black House, San Francisco 1973 – Watergate scandal: U.S. President Richard Nixon announces that White House Counsel John Dean has been fired and that other top aides, most notably H. R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman, have resigned. 1975 – Fall of Saigon: Communist forces gain control of Saigon. The Vietnam War formally ends with the unconditional surrender of South Vietnamese president Dương Văn Minh. 1980 – Beatrix is inaugurated as Queen of the Netherlands following the abdication of Juliana. 1980 – The Iranian Embassy siege begins in London. 1982 – The Bijon Setu massacre occurs in Calcutta, India. 1993 – CERN announces World Wide Web protocols will be free. 1994 – Formula One racing driver Roland Ratzenberger is killed in a crash during the qualifying session of the San Marino Grand Prix run at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari outside Imola, Italy. 1997 – Ellen DeGeneres' character on her sitcom, Ellen comes out as gay, making the show one of the first major television shows featuring an openly gay main character.[2] 1998 – Daniel V. Jones, an American maintenance worker, commits suicide on live television in Los Angeles, California. 2000 – Canonization of Faustina Kowalska in the presence of 200,000 people and the first Divine Mercy Sunday celebrated worldwide. 2004 – U.S. media release graphic photos of American soldiers abusing and sexually humiliating Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison. 2008 – Two skeletal remains found near Yekaterinburg, Russia are confirmed by Russian scientists to be the remains of Alexei and Anastasia, two of the children of the last Tsar of Russia, whose entire family was executed at Yekaterinburg by the Bolsheviks. 2009 – Chrysler files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. 2009 – Seven civilians and the perpetrator are killed and another ten injured at a Queen's Day parade in Apeldoorn, Netherlands in an attempted assassination on Queen Beatrix. 2012 – An overloaded ferry capsizes on the Brahmaputra River in India killing at least 103 people. 2013 – Willem-Alexander is inaugurated as King of the Netherlands following the abdication of Beatrix. 2014 – A bomb blast in Ürümqi kills three people and injures 79 others.

[sfdfmoviereviews]

Upcoming Flicks February 2018

Films coming out in Australia in February 2018.

February 1

·         Den of Thieves

Den of Thieves follows a group of bank robbers who have their eyes set on the Federal Bank, while the elite unit of cops with unconventional police morals chase them around every turn. Genre: Action Director: Christian Gudegast Stars: Gerard Butler, 50 Cent, Pablo Schreiber, O'Shea Jackson Jr., Recommendation: Skip it. There is nothing new here.

 ·         Molly’s Game

Molly’s Game based on the true story of Molly Bloom who started a high stakes poker tournament for celebrities and the super-rich, but it didn’t take long for her to be noticed by the FBI. Genre: Drama Director: Aaron Sorkin Stars: Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner, Michael Cera, Rachel Skarsten, Joe Keery, Chris O'Dowd Recommendation: See it. Aaron Sorkin is a brilliant writer and it’ll be interesting how he handles his first directing gig. Also, Jessica Chastain is always a pleasure to watch on screen.

 ·         Phantom Thread

A well-known dressmaker, Reynolds Woodcock, has his life turned upside down by a young and beautiful woman who becomes his muse and his lover. Genre: Drama Director: Paul Thomas Anderson Stars: Daniel Day-Lewis, Lesley Manville, Vicky Krieps Recommendation: If you are a PTA fan than go and see it. The few things I have watched of his I haven’t been interested in and based on the trailer this could have the same affect on me. It is up for 6 Academy Awards, all the big ones included, i.e. Best Picture, Director, Actor so I am sure it is nothing to sneeze at.

 February 8

·         Fifty Shades Freed

The third and final instalment of the Fifty Shades’ franchise, we finally see the how Christian and Anastasia’s relationship ends up. Genre: Drama/Romance Director: James Foley Stars: Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Kim Basinger, Eric Johnson, Recommendation: The only good thing I can say about Fifty Shades Freed is that it’s the last one. Skip it.

 ·         Insidious: The Last Key

In her own home this time, Dr Elise Rainier must face her most fearsome haunting yet. Genre: Horror Director: Adam Robitel Stars: Lin Shaye, Javier Botet, Caitlin Gerard, Spencer Locke Recommendation: I’m mixed on this. Some of my horror friends in the US have said it isn’t that great but the trailer seems to have creeped me out, just out of pure curiosity I’m going to see it.

 ·         Stronger

Jeff Bauman is a man who lost both his legs in the Boston Marathon bombing of 2013. This is his fight for survival. Genre: Biography/Drama Director: David Gordon Green Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Tatiana Maslany Recommendation: It looks like a movie about the perseverance of humanity and the strength to overcome the extreme odds to survive. Those movies are always good.

 ·         Tad the Lost Explorer and the Secret of King Midas

Tad Jones, who is a better explorer and adventurer in his mind than in reality, must rescue his love from a millionaire who is seeking King Midas’ treasure. Genre: Animation Director: Enrique Gato, Javier López Barreira, David Alonso Stars: Óscar Barberán, Michelle Jenner, Adriana Ugarte Recommendation: Skip it. It may please the youngsters, but it doesn’t seem like it will be one that the parents can sit though willingly and enjoy the movie.

 ·         The 15:17 to Paris

Three American soldiers discover and thwart a terrorist attack on a train to Paris. Genre: Historical Drama Director: Clint Eastwood Stars: Spencer Stone, Anthony Sadler, Alek Skarlatos, Judy Greer, Jenna Fischer Recommendation: I like Clint Eastwood’s style and choice of films to direct generally. This looks like a great story of heroism. See it.

  February 15

·         Black Panther

Marvel furthers than universe with the popular character who made his debut in Captain America: Civil War, Black Panther takes his place as King of Wakanda after his father died whilst two of his foes join forces to destroy him and his Kingdom. Genre: Action/Drama Director: Ryan Coogler Stars: Chadwick Boseman, Andy Serkis, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, Sterling K. Brown, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya Recommendation: It’s Marvel. Of course, you should see it!

 ·         Lady Bird

An angsty seventeen-year-old girl and her mother struggle with their relationship through her final year of high school, Genre: Drama/Comedy Director: Greta Gerwig Stars: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf Recommendation: I love a good coming of age film. This particular one is nominated for several Academy Awards. The trailer is engaging and relatable and Laurie Metcalf is a fantastic actress, so I think it will be worth the price of admission.

  February 22

 ·         2:22

Synopsis from IMBD: A man's life is derailed when an ominous pattern of events repeats itself in exactly the same manner every day, ending at precisely 2:22 p.m. Genre: Thriller Director: Paul Currie Stars: Teresa Palmer, Michiel Huisman Recommendation: I’ve read the synopsis, watched the trailer and I still don’t know what it is about. And it isn’t something that has me wanting to solve the mystery of what’s meant to be happening. Skip it.

 ·         Game Night

When a group of friends meet for a regular game night, they find themselves entangled in a kidnapping that they need to solve, while still thinking it is all a game. Genre: Comedy Director: John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein Stars: Rachel McAdams, Jason Bateman, Michael Cyril Creighton, Jesse Plemons, Kylie Bunbury, Lamorne Morris Recommendation: I’m not keen on a lot of Bateman films, but this one seems pretty decent. It doesn’t seem to be an over the top comedy that we have been exposed to lately but more of a subtle humour that appeals to me. See it.

 ·         Finding Your Feet

A woman’s proper life is upheaved when she discovers her husband is having an affair. Genre: Romance/Comedy Director: Richard Loncraine Stars: Imelda Staunton, Timothy Spall Recommendation: Brit comedies are the best. They have such heart mix with their humour that is much more real and relatable than the SNL style American comedies. This trailer was very fun. I want to see it.

 ·         The BBQ

Dazza gives his neighbours food poisoning from his barbequing and seeks to learn from the best, a tyrannic Scottish chef. Genre: Comedy Director: Stephen Amis Stars: Shane Jacobson, Magda Szubanski, Julia Zemiro, Manu Feildel Recommendation: I don’t think this is one that is going to win any awards but if you want a down to earth Aussie comedy I think it’ll serve you well.

 ·         Winchester

The Winchester house is famed for being haunted, or believed to be haunted by Sarah Winchester, the heiress to the firearm fortune. So, to confuse the spirits she had rooms added on, and on, and on to the mansion. Genre: Horror Director: Michael Spierig, Peter Spierig Stars: Helen Mirren, Jason Clarke, Sarah Snook, Angus Sampson Recommendation: Helen Mirren in a horror film about the Winchester house!!! Hell yes!

 My picks for the month are Black Panther, Lady Bird and Winchester.

  -Terry

[memoistore]

National Lipstick Day. Yep, It’s A Thing

It’s National Lipstick Day 2020, which means we all need to pucker up and wear our favourite lippy, or shop the load of lipstick deals that are happening right now to celebrate National Lipstick Day.

Beauty Bay is offering buy 1 get 1 free on selected Anastasia Beverly Hills lips products.

If you’re a fan of Morphe and you love their matte lipsticks, you can buy a Mega Mattte Lipstick for £5 when the original price is £12.

Glossier has a special discount on its Core Lips Kit which includes a balm, a gloss, and a lipstick. It’s usually priced at £35 but it’s now £28. 

Selfridges have a limited time offer on Pat McGrath’s lipsticks.

M.A.C, a longtime participant in National Lipstick Day, is offering customers who spend $30 or more a free, full-size lipstick in their choices of the shades Marrakesh, Lady Danger, or Dubonnet. The offer lasts through July 29.

Urban Decay is giving away a free Vice Lipstick in select shades with any purchase of $25 or more. The deal runs through July 30.

Sephora – the makeup mecca – is having a sale of up to 50% off for TODAY ONLY.

We earn a commission when you follow the link to make a purchase.

from Red Carpet Fashion Awards https://ift.tt/3hO4CWq via IFTTT

[tessavirtueandmoir]

1. Who was the last person you held hands with?

Daniel aka one of the Finnish guys cause I didn’t want to get lost in the club (I also hate club so it was like a double whammy)

2. Are you outgoing or shy?

Is outgoingly shy a thing? I used to be super shy and still am around guys, but im definitely more outgoing in everyday life than I used to be

3. Who are you looking forward to seeing?

MY BESTFRIEND WHO FREAKING FLEW TO ENGLAND THE DAY I CAME HOME AND I HAVEN’T BEEN ABLE TO SEE HER YET.

4. Are you easy to get along with?

Depends on who you ask, I guess.

5. If you were drunk would the person you like take care of you?

More likely than not.

6. What kind of people are you attracted to?

Blond hair, blue eyes… the eye colour doesnt really matter tbh but that seems to be the trend. Not douchey.

7. Do you think you’ll be in a relationship two months from now?

Uhh.. that’s wishful thinking.

8. Who from the opposite gender is on your mind?

Those dang Finnish boys #lifecrisis

9. Does talking about sex make you uncomfortable?

Yes.

10. Who was the last person you had a deep conversation with?

Probs one of those Finnish boys

11. What does the most recent text that you sent say?

I sent an article to my mom about how Canada was gonna be colder than Antarctica and mars. lmao I love this freaking country.

12. What are your 5 favorite songs right now?

Freedom 90 - Pitch Perfect Cast

Saturday Night - Whigfield

New Year’s Day - TSwift

New Rules - Dua Lipa

Hopeless Romantic - Scott Middough

13. Do you like it when people play with your hair?

Yeah dude point me to a girl who doesn’t

14. Do you believe in luck and miracles?

Lmao no not really

15. What good thing happened this summer?

I turned 20 and apparently had a life resolution. Ditch those crappy people y’all, they aint worth your time

16. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?

Debatable…

17. Do you think there is life on other planets?

18. Do you still talk to your first crush?

Don’t even remember who my first crush was so that’s probably a no.

19. Do you like bubble baths?

Yo. My kryptonite. My res only had showers for the 4 months I was there and I legit cried when I say my bathtub so.

20. Do you like your neighbors?

As long as I can’t hear them, I don’t really care

21. What are you bad habits?

Getting super snippy when I’m hungry. Um… constantly being on my phone? Idk what else. Being blunt?

22. Where would you like to travel?

I just want to go back to England at this point

23. Do you have trust issues?

hahahah AHAHAHAHAHHA bye

24. Favorite part of your daily routine?

the fact I didnt wake up until like mid afternoon in the uk… now literally nothing

25. What part of your body are you most uncomfortable with?

My stomach? Or maybe my arms

26. What do you do when you wake up?

Check my phone notifs

27. Do you wish your skin was lighter or darker?

Maybe a tad darker because im literally pale af but otherwise no

28. Who are you most comfortable around?

my best friends aka girls

29. Have any of your ex’s told you they regret breaking up?

No? One of my ex’s once told one of my friends to check on me though cause he was worried.. it was strange.

30. Do you ever want to get married?

Also, debatable. I’m loving my alone life right now.

31. Is your hair long enough for a pony tail?

If it wasn’t I would literally cry so. Every time I get it cut we make sure it goes into a pony because of dance and stuff.

32. Which celebrities would you have a threesome with?

Anna Kendrick and is Tessa Virtue a celebrity? I think she is. Wow… that is quite the threesome honestly. Gotta have different life experiences I suppose.

33. Spell your name with your chin.

grasysdoihj

34. Do you play sports? What sports?

Dance and soccer. dance is a sport dont argue with me

35. Would you rather live without TV or music?

TV I guess. But either option would be pretty lame.

36. Have you ever liked someone and never told them?

In my 20 years, yeah probably

37. What do you say during awkward silences?

Nothing, I usually check my phone or something

38. Describe your dream girl/guy?

Not an inconsiderate douchebag. And someone that lives in the same country as me.

39. What are your favorite stores to shop in?

NEWLOOK, River Island, ASOS, RW and Co, Dynamite (sometimes the Bay)

40. What do you want to do after high school?

Be a lawyer.

41. Do you believe everyone deserves a second chance?

Nah man.

42. If your being extremely quiet what does it mean?

I’m fucking mad and u best walk away before I slit you in half. Or I’m tired. Or im not comfortable with the situation

43. Do you smile at strangers?

I barely even look up so no

44. Trip to outer space or bottom of the ocean?

Bottom of the ocean

45. What makes you get out of bed in the morning?

That maybe it’ll be cold enough for me to take a bath at some point… I have a lame Canadian life. And I also don’t wanna be a university drop out so there’s also that.

46. What are you paranoid about?

People following me… like not on social media. Just like in general

47. Have you ever been high?

Nope

48. Have you ever been drunk?

Potentially? Idk man, probably not

49. Have you done anything recently that you hope nobody finds out about?

Oh yeah. But I told my friends about it so does that really count?

50. What was the colour of the last hoodie you wore?

Navy

51. Ever wished you were someone else?

Everyone wishes they were T Virtue so.

52. One thing you wish you could change about yourself?

I wish I could make myself want to go to the gym an exercise. But yet, here I am

53. Favourite makeup brand?

Anastasia Beverley Hills/Tarte/Fenty Beauty

54. Favourite store?

Did I not already answer this?

55. Favourite blog?

Mine. Shameless self promo

https://graysonwadsworth2.wixsite.com/hayitsgray

56. Favourite colour?

Grey/Teal/Burgundy

57. Favourite food?

G A R L I C B R E A D

58. Last thing you ate?

I’m about to eat a huge ass bowl of oatmeal

59. First thing you ate this morning?

This huge ass bowl of oatmeal. It’s 9:25 PM in case y’all were wondering.

60. Ever won a competition? For what?

Many. For dance.

61. Been suspended/expelled? For what?

No, I’m an angel. Just kidding.

62. Been arrested? For what?

Nope.

63. Ever been in love?

Yep.

64. Tell us the story of your first kiss?

Happened on a cruise ship in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea and I stupidly decided to play a game where we were trying to get our faces as close as possible without kissing… I was dumb okay lmao.

65. Are you hungry right now?

Mildly.

66. Do you like your tumblr friends more than your real friends?

I talk to my Tumblr friends more than my real friends

67. Facebook or Twitter?

Twitter

68. Twitter or Tumblr?

Why is instagram not a choice. Tumblr I guess.

69. Are you watching tv right now?

I’m watching the movie what not to expect when you’re expecting

70. Names of your bestfriends?

Harneet, Keira, Emmy, Katerina, Andy, Meghan x 2, Madi, Sydney, Emily, Lauren, Cassidy… wow… that’s so many

71. Craving something? What?

Not to be sick.

72. What colour are your towels?

My personal towels are teal. But we have brown, black. and grey ones in the bathroom too.

72. How many pillows do you sleep with?

there’s 6 on my bed right now

73. Do you sleep with stuffed animals?

does one laying at the foot of the bed count cause otherwise no

74. How many stuffed animals do you think you have?

I legitimately cleaned out my entire closet this week and found my ENTIRE collection of webkinz so if we’re gonna count those probs like 300 lmao

75. Favourite animal?

Elephant

76. What colour is your underwear?

Pink

77. Chocolate or Vanilla?

Vanilla

78. Favourite ice cream flavour?

Cookie Dough OR French crisp from Laura Secord

79. What colour shirt are you wearing?

Grey

80. What colour pants?

Grey, white and pink

81. Favourite tv show?

GREYS ANATOMY

82. Favourite movie?

Moulin Rouge or Angels and Demons

83. Mean Girls or Mean Girls 2?

Mean girls who are you

84. Mean Girls or 21 Jump Street?

Jump Street

85. Favourite character from Mean Girls?

Janice

86. Favourite character from Finding Nemo?

Dory or Crush

87. First person you talked to today?

I honestly have no idea, probably meg though… or I definitely snapchatted people

88. Last person you talked to today?

Meg

89. Name a person you hate?

Well, that would be mean.

90. Name a person you love?

My British bestie, honestly, I don’t know why I love her so much. It’s strange. My cat is the next backup.

91. Is there anyone you want to punch in the face right now?

No? Violence is never the answer. Passive aggressiveness is

92. In a fight with someone?

Not that I know of

93. How many sweatpants do you have?

All of my sweats are basically roots, and I honestly have too many

94. How many sweaters/hoodies do you have?

TOO MANY

95. Last movie you watched?

Pitch Perfect 2

96. Favourite actress?

Anna Kendrick OR Reese Witherspoon

97. Favourite actor?

I am currently blanking on male actors at the moment. Let’s just go with Ryan Reynolds cause he’s funny af and married to Blake so

98. Do you tan a lot?

I burn a lot.

99. Have any pets?

A really bitchy cat

100. How are you feeling?

Sick #iloveairplanes

101. Do you type fast?

Yes, unnaturally fast. I can also type without looking at the keys which weirds a lot of people out.

102. Do you regret anything from your past?

Doesn’t everyone? It wasn’t stuff that I did myself though

103. Can you spell well?

Usually yes, lately no. I need to go back to school obviously

104. Do you miss anyone from your past?

My grandma

105. Ever been to a bonfire party?

Yep

106. Ever broken someone’s heart?

Accidentally on purpose yes

107. Have you ever been on a horse?

Yes, and I got bucked off and now refuse to ride another horse

108. What should you be doing?

Writing an essay that’s due on Friday

109. Is something irritating you right now?

The fact that I can’t fall asleep, but that’s the norm so

110. Have you ever liked someone so much it hurt?

Only when they broke my heartttttt

111. Do you have trust issues?

I swear to god I’ve already answered this one

112. Who was the last person you cried in front of?

My best british friend. She legit left me crying in the middle of the club

113. What was your childhood nickname?

Gray gray. Or Gray goose.

114. Have you ever been out of your province/state?

Yes

115. Do you play the Wii?

I used to. My console is in my closet now though

116. Are you listening to music right now?

Yes, always.

117. Do you like chicken noodle soup?

MA FAVE. It’s the only soup I eat.

118. Do you like Chinese food?

YES. MY OTHER FAVE.

119. Favourite book?

13 Reasons Why, or Atonement. Soon to be: Scrappy Little Nobody

120. Are you afraid of the dark?

No.

121. Are you mean?

I am blunt. Sometimes those two can get confused

122. Is cheating ever okay?

No, y’all are scum bye

123. Can you keep white shoes clean?

Uh… if my white shoes get dirty I clean them so they’re white again

124. Do you believe in love at first sight?

No, but I believe in crushes at first sight #themodel

125. Do you believe in true love?

I mean.. maybe.

126. Are you currently bored?

Yes, hence why I’m answering all these questions

127. What makes you happy?

My friends

128. Would you change your name?

I currently am, but not my first name.

129. What your zodiac sign?

Cancer the crabbbbbb

130. Do you like subway?

Uh…. sometimes. But it’s not my go to

131. Your bestfriend of the opposite sex likes you, what do you do?

Yikes, this has legit happened to me and I had to dip so fast im not even lying

132. Who’s the last person you had a deep conversation with?

Definitely one of those Finnish boys

133. Favourite lyrics right now?

Take back your picture in a frame

OR

sometimes the clothes do not make the man

134. Can you count to one million?

Who would ever try that? It would take forever.

135. Dumbest lie you ever told?

When I told all my profs I couldn’t write my midterm cause I had a concussion and I went to the Dominican instead #rebel

136. Do you sleep with your doors open or closed?

Closed

137. How tall are you?

5′ 3″

138. Curly or Straight hair?

Straight hair that is curled

139. Brunette or Blonde?

Blonde

140. Summer or Winter?

Neither, I hate both. But if I had to choose, summer

141. Night or Day?

Night

142. Favourite month?

May

143. Are you a vegetarian?

No, I’d literally die because I hate vegetables

144. Dark, milk or white chocolate?

milk

145. Tea or Coffee?

T E A

146. Was today a good day?

Tbh I laid in bed all day so that’s pretty ideal

147. Mars or Snickers?

Mars

148. What’s your favourite quote?

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind - Dr. Suess (how philosophical wow)

149. Do you believe in ghosts?

Nope

150. Get the closest book next to you, open it to page 42, what’s the first line on that page?

The young team were still getting most of their ice time in Ilderton and were preparing for the Western Ontario sectionals in the juvenile category, but in late autumn of 1998, just a week before sectionals, Scott broke his right arm playing flag football. That is the longest sentence ever wow.

[neverisalongtime-ja-blog]

Chapter 43: Silver Lake Conservatory Gala

Read Chapter 42

-          Are you going to the Silver Lake Conservatory Gala? – Mandy asked Anastasia while they were hanging out at the pink-haired-girl’s house in Hollywood Hills.

-          I think so, Richard wants to go – Anastasia was looking at something on her computer.

-          Wow! It’s gonna be like presenting him to society – Mandy laughed – What are you looking at?

-          Melissa, my realtor, is looking at houses for me and she sent me some, wanna see?

-          Are you going to move? – Mandy asked shocked.

-          I think so. I love my house, I love the view but the neighborhood is being invaded by this litter of new young celebrities and the privacy of the community is at stake, so I really want to leave. Besides I want to live in a place far from anything. Look at this one; I’ve been seeing houses since yesterday and I always come back to this one, it’s in Topanga.

The house was located on the top of a hill with a view of the beautiful Topanga scenery, which was far different than the one Anastasia woke up to every day. This time she could enjoy seeing trees and nature everywhere. It was rustic styled with five bedrooms and five bathrooms, a pool and a spacious basement where she could put together a music studio, besides it was 5,500 sq ft, had a pool and a fully functional vineyard with a wine cellar included. 

-          It costs almost four million dollars, but according to Melissa my house is going to sell for three million and I can easily pay the rest – Anastasia said.

-          The wine cellar is my favorite part – Mandy said.

-          I know! Barbara is going to love it!

-          We can make our own wine.

-          We don’t know how to make wine.

-          We will figure it out. It’s going to be called ‘Rich Bitch Wine’ – Anastasia started to laugh.

-          Stop it! – She told her friend – So, what do you think?

-          Do it! - Mandy said with enthusiasm – Topanga is beautiful, even though it’s far. I won’t be able to see you often…

-          Your exaggeration knows no limits. It’s not as far by car.

-          Almost a one-hour drive.

-          That never stops us from going to Malibu every time we want.

-          Well… I guess that’s true.

-          Besides I’m going to be near my monster twins.

-          Buy it! – Mandy said – I can’t wait to help you move.

-          I give you six months for you to buy the house next door.

-          Well, since I’m getting married I can convince Peyton in three months now – Both laughed.

Anastasia did not waste any time and called Melissa to confirm the purchase. She was feeling so good, getting her life in shape but a part of her couldn’t help but wonder how long it was going to last.

Things with Richard were going great as well, but the schedules were though on them, they could only be together a few days at a time. Soon, An would have to travel to New York to take part in The Meadows Festival with Dead Curse and Richard would travel to London for some concerts.

-          Did I tell you that I bought a house in Topanga? – Anastasia told Richard one night having dinner at her Beverly Hills soon-to-be former home.

-          Topanga is beautiful! We recorded there a few songs on the last record, our producer lives there – He answered – I’m so proud of you – Richard, who was just wearing a black tee shirt, very underdressed for his style, stared at Anastasia directly into her eyes. She just smiled – You just made an amazing record that’s going to take your band to the next level, you just bought another house… I could marry you right now – That took Anastasia by surprise. She laughed nervously. Was he just saying it or being real? It was definitely early in the relationship to talk about marriage and the guy got divorced a year ago. She decided to follow his lead.

-          Well, let’s go to Vegas right now and get married – She couldn’t believe what she was saying but Richard laughed.

-          You deserve so much more than a wedding in Vegas. Besides what would Mandy say if she finds out you got married without her?

-          It’s true. I can’t do that to Mandy.

-          But what do you say if we do a little trip to the desert right now and watch the sunrise there?

-          I can’t believe we are talking about this – Anastasia ignored Richard’s petition.

-          Why?

-          Because you got divorced just a year ago.

-          Darling, a year is enough time and I got over my divorce way long ago. My marriage was a mess, I already told you that.

-          And you want to get married again?

-          Why not? Just because I failed once doesn’t mean I’ll fail again – Richard smiled and his dimples appeared on his face, that always made her weak.

-          I think I’ll take that sunrise in the desert.

-          Grab a jacket then.

This time the vehicle was a lot more comfortable, it was a red roofless jeep Richard had, it was the perfect car for a good desert trip. Thank God she grabbed a warm, thick jacket because nights in the desert were really cold. Richard pulled up in a place away from the road, they just enjoyed the night with a bottle of wine he brought and she just imagined how living with him and making wine in her new Topanga house would be.

They watched the sunrise between kisses. Anastasia was never a romantic person but she found out it was because she hadn’t met the right man to be romantic with.

-          Ready to see the house? – Mandy told Anastasia while standing at the door of her current house.

-          Who is this? – Anastasia realized Mandy was carrying a dog in her arms, a very small Yorkshire terrier.

-          His name is Hercules – Mandy said – Peyton gave him to me yesterday. He said that since we were going to be officially married we needed someone to take care of and practice for kids – Anastasia’s jaw went to the floor.

-          Kids?! Mandy! We are kids!

-          We aren’t. We are 28 years old. It’s time for you to realize that this adult thing is getting over us and we should embrace it!

-          I know… Richard and I talked about marriage the other day…

-          Really? – Mandy said with a confused look on her face – But you’ve only been dating for a couple of months.

-          I know, but… Nothing seems strange with him. I remember one time Josh talked about marriage and kids and I freaked out, and now… I don’t know what’s wrong with me.

-          It’s the 28th, my friend.

-          But seriously… Hercules? – She asked her friend suspiciously.

-          What? It’s my favorite Disney movie! – Mandy handed the dog over to her friend.

-          He’s the cutest!

The house was more than what Anastasia could have expected. Barbara joined them to see the property, and, of course, she freaked out when it was time to check the wine cellar. The kitchen was quite small but it was open and connected to the living room and the dining room. The basement had an independent entry and it had the perfect size for a recording studio. She was over the moon. The place was incredibly beautiful and had a huge garden surrounded by a lot of nature. The only thing she would have to add was a strong, big fence, privacy was her main concern.

-          I’ll see you tonight at the Silver Lake Gala? – Barbara asked Anastasia.

-          Yes. I’m going with Richard – She answered.

-          Great! Can’t wait to meet him.

-          Don’t you dare scare him away – Mandy said to Barbara.

-          Don’t worry. Not after I see the stupid in-love-face you make every time you talk about him – Barbara laughed.

Anastasia wore a red off-the-shoulder dress a pair of also red pumps, while Richard went for black trousers, a black shirt with a white print and a pink leather blazer. They looked amazing together and everybody at the Gala realized.

-          Did you get inspired by my hair for your look? – Mandy asked Richard and he laughed – Meet Peyton – They shook hands. Now it was time to meet Barbara.

-          This is my sister – Anastasia introduce them.

-          I finally meet you – Barbara could say the strangest things sometimes so she was worried – I’ve been hearing such amazing things about you and I was dying to meet you – Richard smiled and Anastasia breathed.

-          I’m so glad to meet you too. You are the favorite sister as I heard – He pointed to An.

-          She is more like my only sister, actually – Anastasia said.

A large group of Anastasia’s friends from the music scene were present and she was happy that Flea managed to gather even more people than the year before, where she gave a speech; she couldn’t believe it had been over a year ago. One of those friends was John Mayer, who was auctioning some guitar lessons and his board price tag was: ‘Priceless,’ that made Anastasia laugh so hard.

-          If I pay for you, are you mine? – She asked John while they were having a drink.

-          I’m yours for free – He answered.

-          Stay on your lane, boy – She said laughing – I’m a taken woman.

At the end she paid 50 thousand dollars for those guitar lessons, but she managed to give them to the best guitar student at the conservatory and she added some lessons of her own for the little boy. That gesture made Richard happy and even more proud of the woman he had by his side.

From a side of the venue, Josh never stopped looking at the couple, which was ironic enough since Lauren was joining him that night, wearing a silver sequin mini dress, flaunting her body for everybody in the room. But that made Anastasia relaxed; she wasn’t feeling guilty for being with Richard in front of Josh for once. As usual, the Peppers performed some songs and Lauren screamed and cheered with exaggeration, grabbing everyone’s attention.

Anastasia was amazed by how easy Richard joined conversations with her friends and family, he wasn’t that sociable but more political and that was great for her. She looked at Josh a couple of times and realized he wasn’t that happy but she didn’t let that ruin the moment for her.

Now it was time for The Meadows Music & Arts Festival in Queens, New York, and time to say goodbye to Richard again. Relationships in this business were hard because all of the time they had to spend apart, it was especially tough when the relationship was starting, but it would only be a couple of weeks, the guys in Richard’s band had children too, so they needed some time off now and then to see their families.

It was specially hot in New York that day, so An wore a pair of high-waisted leggings and a sports bra that read “Not your babe” in the front. She enjoyed the early hours of the festival, had some food and did an interview with an important magazine called “The Music Issue”. The show wasn’t as amazing as others, but the band gave their all. Then, it was time for the Peppers to take the stage but Anastasia preferred go sleep because she had to wake up early next day to attend the photoshoot for the interview she gave at the festival.

She walked out of her hotel room and faced Josh leaving his room too. That was an uncomfortable situation, but deep inside she was happy to see him and, apparently, he was glad too because he gave her a big smile.

-          Where are you going this early? – Josh asked her while they were waiting for the elevator.

-          I have a photoshoot. Promotion begins! – She said referring to the new record.

-          Cool! – Josh looked at the floor.

-          What about you?

-          I’m just going for a walk.

-          Do you want to walk with me to the photoshoot location? – She just asked without thinking.

-          Yes! – Josh answer shockingly and smiling.

That walk was so easy, like the old times. Like when he and she walked through the cities they performed at on the tour. It was her friend Josh again. She told him she was going to move and he was glad to know she was leaving Beverly Hills, “I love your house but visiting you was a pain”, he said laughing and she punched him slightly on his shoulder.

-          I wish I could take my house and put it somewhere else – Anastasia said.

-          Like that episode of The Simpsons where Homer filled Springfield with garbage and they have to move the entire town away? – Anastasia was amazed by that Simpsons reference, because she loved the show.

-          Yeah! And Then Homer says to Marge he is going to Moe’s and he just jumped from trailer to trailer on the highway – both laughed – We’re here – She said while they arrived to her destination.

-          I’m going to have some coffee near here and maybe visit a museum. Give me a call if you need something – He told her.

-          Alright – She hugged him and it felt like both wanted more than a hug but Richard’s face appeared on her mind violently, so only the hug happened.

The photoshoot was fun; she hadn’t had one in a while. It was everything pastels and she got to wear pretty clothes. Modeling was weird to her but her mom’s genes showed when she had a camera in front, it was awkward but easy. When she was done, Mandy texted her, telling her they were in a bar having some drinks. Anastasia decided to join them and after a while Josh did too. Everything just felt like months ago while they were touring. She was happy, she had peace… finally. 

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Anastasia Mann: All in the Details

Anastasia Mann has never been one to follow a path laid by others. As a child actress in 71 movies, she was always more interested in helping the director create a great performance than in the actual acting.  At her first job in the hotel industry as a corporate sales director for Hilton, she created an incentive program that rewarded loyal customers with special corporate rates. The program was a first for the industry and is still in effect today.

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Like this story? Subscribe to The Dossier Luxury Travel Advisor’s only newsletter, covering unique destinations and product news for affluent travelers. Delivered every Tuesday & Thursday. When she moved to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, she was a groundbreaker once again, serving as the first female director of sales and marketing at any major hotel in the country. Leadership was clearly in Mann’s DNA; when she shifted to the travel industry side of the business it was as the U.S. president of a London-based travel management firm. Her hotel and airline friends, however, who knew her independent mindset, kept encouraging her to put out a shingle of her own and she did that by opening Corniche Travel in a key West Hollywood locale on Sunset Boulevard. As for those encouraging buddies? They donned overalls and laid carpeting and painted the walls to help her make it feel more like home.  That was a fortuitous start and in her first four months alone, Mann generated $5 million in revenue. Corniche Travel was on its way and growing at a rapid pace as her former corporate accounts — including Getty Oil, ARCO, MGM and CBS — came on board. Her book of business was also fueled with many, many celebrity clients, entertainers, politicians and writers. Getting the Los Angeles Dodgers’ travel account was a major coup and the first time in history the team used a travel management firm. That was 33 years ago and what is still ever-present is Mann’s uncanny ability to envision what people need from a trip. It’s her innate attention to the details to bring her clients’ visions to life that has been the key to her success. So has the fact that her knowledge of the world is vast; after almost 50 years in the travel industry, Mann has visited 147 countries.

An affair with Africa: So great is Mann’s love for the destination, she launched Anastasia’s Africa, which operates separately from the travel division with its own dedicated team of Africa experts. Here, she is seen at the Great Plains Conservation, Okavango Delta in Botswana, Southern Africa. Today, Corniche Group is a $35 million enterprise comprising three divisions: Corniche Travel (leisure and corporate), Corniche Entertainment (handling meetings, incentives, conferences, and entertainment services for them), and her personal favorite, Anastasia’s Africa. As always, though, Mann’s vision for her business is a bit different from the norm. Her biggest concern these days, she says, is the proliferation of so-called “luxury” brands; her pet peeve is the misuse of the word “bespoke,” a British term traditionally reserved for custom-made suits. Her mantra is that what is luxury for one person is not necessarily luxury for someone else. The value of travel is not about the cost of a trip, she believes, but rather what the experience brings to the customer. “Luxury in Iceland or in Bhutan is going to be very different from luxury in New York or Paris,” she says. At Corniche, Mann’s focus is on detailed crafted itineraries to destinations where the crowds do not follow. She believes clients should visit the iconic sites in the world but is careful to balance those places with visits to less-traveled locales, as well. Last summer, for example, when a friend said she wanted to revisit Venice, Mann advised her to go to Capri instead. Mann believes the biggest threat to a meaningful travel experience is overtourism; she prefers sending clients to remote spots in Spain and Portugal, in shoulder and off-season, wherever possible. And, of course, to Africa. (More on that later.) Corniche is a big player in the luxury travel arena; however, Mann firmly believes she and her team should do whatever is possible to realistically work within a client’s budget so they have the best possible experience. Every client should be given her team’s full attention, no matter the size of his or her budget. Though she has hobnobbed with Cary Grant and enjoyed her first-ever martini with President George H.W. Bush, she feels that no piece of business is unimportant, and every client is worth your time and best effort.  In fact, from the very beginning, Mann built her business by treating all customers equally, be they stars or their assistants seeking to book a weekend in Hawaii. “I never tell someone I’m not going to take their business,” she says. “Everybody deserves a great vacation, and I want to give them the most luxurious experience they can afford. And I know that 25-year-old assistant taking her first trip can one day become my biggest corporate client or plan a three-generation safari worth $100,000.”

Redefining “Travel Agent”

Mann from the very beginning brought a unique and forward-thinking approach to the role of the travel advisor. Thirty years ago, the industry thought of travel “agents” as order-takers who simply delivered whatever the customer asked for. And indeed, she recalls the night at the Beverly Wilshire when a buffet for 1,000 really did run out of shrimp in 20 minutes as the travel agents in attendance wrapped them up in napkins and put them in their pockets to take home.  But even then, she envisioned the kind of travel advisor we see today, knowledgeable and skilled, offering that true special service that comes from listening to what a customer hopes to achieve on their vacation, and offering professional — and honest — advice.  To that end, she has represented travel advisors on commissions and boards in California and around the world. She was a founding member of the California Travel and Tourism Commission and chaired the international board of directors of the Travel & Tourism Research Association. She’s been the president of the California chapter of HSMAI; a founding member of MPI and a PATA board member. She is the founding chairman of the West Hollywood Visitors and Convention Bureau and participated in a Trade Mission to the Soviet Union. She was also named as a representative to the historic White House Conference on Tourism, and, for the past 30 years, has served on the Board of Governors of the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism. 

Mann at the Real Alcázar in Seville. These days, though, Mann leaves much of the advisory board roles to her executives and employees and focuses more on training and mentoring her own advisors and others in the industry. Corniche now has 25 full-time travel advisors and 10 independent contractors. As she hired each one, she emphasized that Corniche is a business, and that their role is to advise and guide and provide great service to their clients. Beginning with that great mix of corporate and leisure business from day one, Mann has always strived to have her corporate clients become leisure clients and vice versa.  “It’s about being able to create experiences that are memorable and life-enhancing, where the client will be in awe,” she says. “You have to talk to people and understand their expectations and guide them into an experience you are confident will make them happy. And you have to be honest; I’ll say, ‘On the budget you have, you really are not ready to go to Africa. You will have to wait.’” Today, Corniche Travel’s business is about 80 percent corporate and 20 percent leisure; the Africa division is about 90 percent leisure. The corporate clients bring volume and an upper echelon of C-level executives who fly first class and stay in luxury properties; these customers frequently book their personal vacations through Corniche, as well.  

Congressman Adam Schiff (above) of California presenting Mann with the District Woman of the Year honor in 2018. Mann advises that while a good business itinerary is built around proximity to the meeting place, a great leisure vacation begins with a great hotel, no matter where in the city it is located. “The hotel is your centerpiece, where you wake up in the morning and go to bed at night; it’s your home away from home,” she says. “If you have to spend 10 minutes extra to get somewhere, that doesn’t matter; it’s the hotel that is critically important to your experience.” Her takeaway? “Be sure to invest in a really fabulous hotel, where you are the center of their attention.” Another key part of the Corniche Group is Corniche Entertainment, which works with corporate event planners and travel companies to provide full planning services. Corniche Entertainment also provides top artists for live performances as well as produces concerts; it even oversees and directs artists’ careers. Its roster of entertainers includes the Latin jazz/R&B bandleader, singer, composer, master percussionist Louie Cruz Beltran; blues artist Betty Bryant; and singer Carol Welsman; as well as the acclaimed comedian Mike Marino.

A Special Love

Mann has been enamored with Africa since her first visit there in 1980, and she speaks of her visits, and of the Anastasia’s Africa division, with real love. She recalls walking down the airline steps onto a dirt taxiway at dawn on that first trip and watching a huge dustball in the distance transform itself into a giraffe as it got nearer and nearer. As the giraffe ran past she stood there agape — and she was smitten. “It was chilling and exciting. I was frozen on the spot and in awe; I was transfixed,” she says. ��Apart from my late husband, for whom I had the same reaction, Africa is the love of my life. I’ve tried to talk everybody into going there, and all my advisors into selling it.”  So great is her love for the destination, she launched Anastasia’s Africa, which operates completely separately from the travel division with its own dedicated team of Africa experts who share her passion and knowledge of the destination. The company, which provides highly customized experiences, works with outside travel businesses and pays travel advisors a 15 percent commission. “I truly want every person on this planet to give themselves the gift of seeing Africa for themselves,” she says. Success stems from passion; Anastasia’s Africa sold approximately $12 million worth of trips in 2019.  In addition to leisure trips and larger groups — including one three-generation family that spent $350,000 last year — Anastasia’s Africa organizes corporate trips and events. Several years ago, it ran a corporate safari for 100, using small luxury lodges and negotiating traversing rights throughout the Sabi Sands, a rare opportunity indeed.

The Business of Travel

Moving into 2020, Mann’s focus is on taking care of existing clients to enhance their travel opportunities. New business tends to come through referrals, brought in by those who know Corniche’s strong attention to detail. Customer satisfaction is of paramount importance to Mann. Case in point: A top executive at Corniche, Jonathan Cowley, has the title of “vice president of sales and client services.”  At this point in her career, with so many satisfied clients and many team members who have been with Corniche for almost 40 years, Mann’s priority for 2020 is to take care of what she has.  “I’ve never been motivated by money,” Mann says. “Sure, I’d love a Gulfstream. But that’s really not the way I look at this business. Once you get to a certain place in life, you can be comfortable making enough income to just maintain everything you have.”  With rents and wages on the rise in Los Angeles, and other expenses going up, as well (especially in an agency that pays 100 percent of its employees’ health insurance), she examined each expense line for potential savings. In the end, she also re-evaluated and increased client fees for the first time in years.

Globetrotter: Here seen in Seville, Spain, Mann has a great knowledge about the world, having visited 147 countries. Her marketing efforts last year and into 2020 include a dedicated focus on the Corniche Club, a beautiful color magazine she sends out to 12,000 top clients, and posts online, three times a year. It’s also distributed to about 500 travel advisors at other agencies who have requested it. These advisors, who have heard Mann speak at industry conferences and met her at local events see Mann as a mentor, and that falls right in with her key values. “It’s important that all of us share information and knowledge, so that we all support our industry in an educated manner,” she says. Still, there are many things she hopes to do and see in 2020. She would like to try a Ponant cruise and is looking forward to the new Pendry Hotel scheduled to open on the Sunset Strip in a few months. Looking further down the road, even after 50 years in the business, she really doesn’t have an exit plan. “My business consists of my employees, who are truly my family, and our clients, whom I love. They are my first consideration when I think about the future,” she says. “I know at some point I have to be decisive. I would only hope for a match with a person who shares our ethics and values.” Her tips for other travel advisors? “Travel is a wonderful, but extremely low-margin business. Making a living at it requires a focus on the numbers,” she says. “You can’t just expect to get into the business to travel for free. You have to really know your stuff and be able to connect with partners, to build the relationships that you can carry with you. It takes a service mentality, experience and knowledge, good taste and honesty.” Another key tenet at Corniche? “Equally important, always treat your suppliers with respect.” At her two offices, she mandates that everyone come out when a supplier comes to call. “They are taking time from their own busy days to come by and meet you, and the day will come when you need a favor and that face-to-face relationship pays off,” says Mann. That indeed played into her own experience: There was that day when President Bush called to say he and Barbara wanted to sail for just one leg of a cruise itinerary, not for the entire voyage. Mann knew who to go to to make that happen; she called an old friend who was the head of a cruise line and got the approval for the Bushes to board at one port and get off at the next. To top it all off, she had martinis delivered to their suite in memory of that very first martini he had shared with her in 1974. It’s clear there’s a lot of glamour and history to Mann’s travel career but carrying through to this very day are the core beliefs she’s had since the very beginning. “I was very into the details way back then and I still am today,” she says. “At Corniche we’re still all about taking care of our clients, and I am still all about taking care of my Corniche team.” 

More Glory: Mann has also been honored by ASTA’s prestigious Diamond Award.

Corniche Group

Chairman & CEO: Anastasia Mann Headquarters: West Hollywood, CA Annual Sales Volume: $35 million Divisions: Corniche Travel, Corniche Entertainment, Anastasia’s Africa Number of Advisors: 25 plus 10 ICs Affiliations: Signature Travel Network, ARC, ASTA, SKAL, TTMA, TTRA, CLIA, Four Seasons Preferred Partners, Marriott STARS, Marriott Luminous, Langham Couture, PROST, West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, NARA, Visit California, Cal Travel, Los Angeles Vendors

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