#And it's so warming to pay homage to one of my favourite posts in this community. Especially me being a new member~

[toadallytickles]

"Ticklish tomboys are always welcome." // inspired by this post ♡

[cutestkilla]

Fic Rec Wednesday

Hey hey! So while I actually am hard at work on CO content for the Picture Book Project (several illustrations of the gang in third year for @captain-aralias’ amazing take on Simon Snow and the Third Gate), I have nothing that’s really ready for main in terms of sharing. Thanks to everyone who continues to tag me over these past weeks (I tag you all back under the cut for today, or Sunday or to share your own fic recs)! I do love to see what you all are working on even when I have nothing shareable.

I thought I might do a little fic rec post today instead, dedicated to one-shots that were posted in the mad rush of December that I love and think are a little underappreciated. There’s such a flood of amazing content during COC that it’s hard to keep up, and then once we move on to January, there’s still new amazing content coming out. As a result there are some real gems that folks may have missed out on. And so, here is a short (no doubt incomplete because I myself am still catching up) list of my fave hidden gems from December 2022.

And We Still Do by @facewithoutheart (T, 8K)

This is the fic that inspired me to write this post, actually, because I was discussing it with @facewithoutheart earlier and saying I can’t believe more folks haven’t read it. Anyway, it’s so great! The story includes a bunch of AU meet-cutes/meet-uglys framed by post-SFC Simon and Baz being fluffy and cute, with a bonus ACTUAL first time they met via the crucible. Each AU is a great little one-shot in itself and to quote the comment I left on AO3, “I loved them all, I would read a full fic of literally ANY of these”. (That is not actually a direct quote because I appear to have misspelled the word “would” somehow, but I digress.) You get post-canon fluff, a Boy Band AU, a Royalty AU, a couple of really neat canon-divergence AUs, and a combo Coffee Shop/Sci Fi AU all rolled into one, with amazing results. I think it’s brilliant like everything that comes from Christina’s mind and everyone should check it out.

Baby It’s Cold by @larkral (T, 2.6K)

This is a post-canon story told through a series of vignettes with Simon helping Baz accept something (something cold, maybe?) about himself in a really cute and creative way. It’s just really sweet, the prose is lovely as one knows to expect from this author, it gave me the warm fuzzies in a major way and guess what else? IT COMES WITH 3D LEGO ART. It’s short and sweet so you have no excuse not to check this one out folks.

Nice Spread by @messofthejess (T, 1.2K)

Post-canon Brobelove! The age old mystery of whether tea actually can be served on Niamh’s thighs is solved! And just generally this is packed with excellent banter, excellent novelty mugs and excellent tea puns. Very fun!

Another Way We Match by @thewholelemon (M, 1.7K)

Gotta include some spice, amirite? This one is post-canon and packed with great dialogue and banter that pays homage to some of my favourite fanworks (This Will All Go Down in Flames by @facewithoutheart, Monsterfucker, Baby by @sillyunicorn and Property of Tyrannus by @starwarned and @seducing-a-vampire, to be specific) in the funnest way. Simon and Baz are doing sexy roleplay! Only all of Simon’s suggestions are causing Baz eye-rolling injuries. Really hilarious, sexy and also with the perfect amount of domestic fluff mixed in. I love me a sex scene full of funny dialogue and awkward moments, and this sure fits the bill.

I could go on and on with this list, only I’m supposed to be working instead of writing this post, so I’ll stop here for now. Hope you all check these out!

Tags: @alleycat0306 @aristocratic-otter @artsyunderstudy @basiltonbutliketheherb @blackberrysummerblog @chen-chen-chen-again-chen @confused-bi-queer @facewithoutheart @fatalfangirl @forabeatofadrum @frjsti @hushed-chorus @ileadacharmedlife @ivelovedhimthroughworse @j-nipper-95 @johnwgrey @larkral  @martsonmars @nightimedreamersworld @onepintobean @palimpsessed @shrekgogurt @stitchyqueer @takitalks @tea-brigade @technetiumai @theearlgreymage @thewholelemon @whatevertheweather @you-remind-me-of-the-babe                             

[munsonsduchess]

Summer Lovin'

summary: a day at the pool turns into something more for you and eddie w/c: 2,401 warnings: mentions of scars, mentions of injury, mentions of pregnancy, mentions of body dysmorphia, fingering, p in v sex, unprotected sex (don't be a dummy ok), creampie, breeding kink, belly bulge and i think that's it a/n: so i was gonna wait and post this tomorrow but then my lizard brain went "no! we require validation" so here we are, as always if you like this then please comment or reblog or just pop into my inbox to say hey (requests are technically open i just work slow) the title of this is of course paying homage to the late great Olivia Newton John.

this is part ... six of the god and goddess of hellfire and you can find the other parts here:

one.

two.

three.

four.

five.

(moodboard by me)

Summer had come to Hawkins, hot and humid and heavy. It had crept in slowly and before anyone had a chance to fully prepare. People on the radio talked about global warming and a 'hole' in the 'ozone layer' which apparently meant warmer summers and colder winters which really you couldn't see why that would be a bad thing. 

You did however eat your words when on the fourth of july it was 100 degrees in the shade and no amount of plug in fans or window ac units helped to cool down the house. You and Eddie had taken to sleeping with just a sheet on the bed and pulling Rose's crib into your bedroom instead of her nursery for fear the baby might overheat in the night without either of you realising. 

The public pool was of course a hive of activity each day. Steve had taken a part time job as a lifeguard since he was extremely qualified in both looking after children and water-based activities. He still worked at the video store but was apparently also looking into trade college to get a teaching diploma,

"Coach is retiring after the christmas semester and I dunno I think it would be cool to go back?" he'd said one afternoon while you watched Eddie, Rose and the kids play in the shallow end of the pool,

"Only  you Steve Harrington would want to go back to high school" you'd laughed, "but I suppose if anyone is qualified to take over the athletic department it would be their former King" 

"Oh come on not you too" Steve groaned, "I get enough of the King Steve crap from Munson" 

You'd just laughed and walked off to start buying snacks for when the kids and their big kid leader would tire of the water. Or Rose would need to go down for a nap. 

➽───────────────❥

Summer had never really been your favourite time of year, you were much more into fall. Halloween, pumpkins, hot chocolate by the window and watching the rain pelt down onto the tarmac. These last two summers however had changed your mind, especially after the Spring Break Vecna "Welcome to the creepy supernatural shit you didn't know existed" Incident. 

You and Eddie had more or less holes yourselves away from everyone else after he'd been released from the hospital and his name had been cleared. You'd both figured now that things were 'getting back to normal' neither of you would be welcome amongst the group at large. 

You'd been mistaken. It had started with phone calls you'd ignored, eventually taking the phone off the hook and leaving it that way. There could be nothing good from answering, it was likely just a small minded hick on the other end of the phone who wanted to tell Eddie that no matter what the official story was they knew better. 

Then Dustin Henderson and Robin Buckley had invaded the trailer and brought you both kicking and screaming into the sunlight and refused to let go. Nancy had helped Eddie study so he would pass his finals and graduate. Steve had driven everyone to graduation day and you'd cheered loudly as Eddie walked the stage in his green gown and cap. 

They'd all been there for you when you found out that summer that you were pregnant with Rose and you still remembered the younger teens crowding into your house to see their new sister, Henderson especially refused to call Rose anything else but his little sister. 

You were a strange family but one you were immensely glad of, especially for Eddie's sake. It had just been him and Wayne since Eddie was ten and his old man went away and as much as you and your parents tried to help out you knew the toll it took on Eddie, especially in those early years.

You smiled fondly as your grown husband played with a group of sixteen year olds, all of them careful of the baby and of Max who while more or less fully recovered still suffered with aches and pains associated with breaking both arms and legs. She had to wear special glasses now as well to correct her eyesight but she never once complained instead insisting that they just made her look cooler,

"Hey babe I think Rose is getting a little fussy" Eddie called from the edge of the pool, "I think she might need a nap" 

Sure enough you could see the tell tale signs on your little daughters face. She was still only a year old so this much excitement was almost too much for her. Truthfully you'd thought that once Rose passed the year mark you and Eddie would have more time for each other but that hadn't really happened so you were holding out for another while,

"If you guys want I can take her" Steve offered immediately, "Tina will be here in like five for her shift and I'm sure the gremlins can find their own way home" 

"Steve I couldn't ask that of you" you tried to decline the offer, surely Steve wanted to stay and hang out with the kids. To play in the pool as well? 

"You don't have to, that's what family is for. I can drop her off again later or if you guys are cool I'll keep her until the barbecue" 

It was apparently fourth of july tradition for Steve to use his big empty Mega Mansion on the rich side of town to host a family barbecue in the afternoons and watch the fireworks in the evening. According to Robin they'd all just usually hang out at Steve's all day seeing as he had a pool of his own but since he'd had work everyone came to the public pool instead. 

"That would be amazing Harrington, real life saver" Eddie appeared by your side, soaked to the skin with droplets of water clinging to his hair, "I'll grab her diaper bag and we'll see you later" 

The whole thing happened almost in a blur. Eddie handed Steve the diaper bag and the baby, took the car seat out of his Impala and put it into Steve's BMW, there may have been some talk of Steve getting his own car seat or maybe you imagined that, but then they were off. The kids complained about their ride leaving but Robin effectively shut them down and commanded their attention for a swimming competition.

Which left it as just you and Eddie. Alone. WIthout any responsibilities. With a free house until later that evening. 

Neither of you needed to speak.

➽───────────────❥

Eddie almost didn't make it the entire drive home. It was only a few blocks but he almost came in his shorts just from the idea of getting to be alone with you. Sure you'd been able to mess around a little in between Rose's schedule, work, life in general but this was the first time you'd both have the whole afternoon free to do whatever you wanted. 

Eddie crowded you up against the door as soon as it shut behind you both. Hands gripping your waist and pulling you flush against him as he crushed his lips on yours. The kiss was rushed for sure but Eddie was just making up for lost time,

"God baby. Can't get enough of you" 

"Just fuck me Eds. I can't wait much longer" 

You were equally as wrecked sounding as Eddie felt, you wanted this so badly it was almost hard to breathe. Eddie slipped one of his thighs between yours, kicking your legs open wider and grinding his hips against your own,

"Fuck, gonna cum in my pants"

"I can think of better places to cum than that" you teased nipping on his bottom lip, "take me to bed" 

Not one to waste time, Eddie scooped you up into his arms and hoisted you over his shoulder, taking the stairs two at a time before kicking open your bedroom door and throwing you onto the bed. All at once he was on top of you, the hair that had fallen out of the messy bun he'd put it in before tickling your skin.

Eddie moved quick, undoing the straps of your bikini top before kissing his way across your chest. His mouth and hands massaging your breasts, tongue flicking out across hardened nippes, teeth grazing soft flesh before biting down hard. You were going to have marks for days after this and a part of you was giddy to show them off. Take that Brenda Cummings at Mommy and Me. 

Eddie kissed along the soft expanse of your stomach, it was something you'd been self-conscious about after Rose. You didn't look like you did before, you had stretch marks now, parts of you were rounder than they had been but Eddie had been quick to let you know just how much he loved you still no matter what. 

After all it would be pretty hypocritical of him to find fault with your physical appearance after you'd kissed every one of his scars and told him how beautiful he was. How strong he was for protecting Dustin and buying Steve and the others time. 

Eddie hooked his thumbs into the waistband of your shorts and bikini bottoms, looking up at you to make sure this was still ok that you still wanted to go through with this. You nodded fervently, if he stopped now you might actually cry because you were so worked up. 

"I'm not gonna last long" he told you, "god baby you're so perfect, just fucking perfect for me" 

"Love you Eds" you gasped feeling two fingers breach your entrance, you'd been wet almost from the moment you sat in the car on the drive home, so worked up thinking about this moment. Eddie curled his fingers as he reached that spot inside that made you see stars. He wasn't messing around right now.

"Wanna kiss your perfect pussy so much but I gotta be inside you" 

"Please Eddie" you whined, "need you inside me now" 

Eddie nodded quickly, hair flying around him and making him look like a bobble head on someone's dashboard. He was quick to remove himself from his own shorts letting his cock spring free, it made an obscenely wet noise as it slapped against his stomach and you couldn't wait to blow him later and feel the heaviness of it against your tongue. For right now you needed him to fuck you senseless and then you could both take your time later. 

Eddie lined himself up with your entrance and pushed in, the burn was always delicious whenever he did so and you'd missed the sensation of being split open like this. Feeling as though your entire body was on fire as his cock slid home inch by perfect inch. When your hips were finally flush against one and other, Eddie leant down for a sloppy kiss before he started moving. 

He set a brutal pace from the beginning, neither of you wanting to draw this out for longer than you had to. Eddie kissed and nipped at your throat, your chest, anywhere. His fingers were digging into your hips and you knew that was going to leave bruises as well. 

You felt every inch of him as he pulled out almost all the way before slamming back in. Your hips slapping against one and other and the sound of laboured breathing filling the empty spaces in the room, 

"Fuck Eddie, feels so good" 

"Feel like fucking heaven baby, perfect pussy always taking me so well" 

He angled his hips and found that spot he'd brushed earlier with his fingers making you moan loudly and dig your nails into his shoulders, dragging them across his back, 

"Do that again" and so he did, again, and again, and again. Eddie's hand pressed down over the outline of his cock in your stomach and you moaned again, you were so close to the edge, so close to giving in. 

Eddie only had to take one look at you  to know how close you were. His skilled guitarist fingers coming to rub fast circles on your clit, whispering filthy words into your ear until you came with a cry of his name and he could feel you clenching down around him. 

You hardly registered Eddie fucking you through your orgasm as you came back down again, it was only when you felt his warm release inside of you that you became aware of your body again. You could feel Eddie's hot breath against your neck and you smiled before pressing a kiss against his shoulder,

"That was incredible love, you did such a good job" 

Eddie preened at the praise. He loved to hear that he'd made you feel good, that you'd enjoyed yourself, that was all that mattered to him at the end of the day. Being able to cum himself was a secondary thought. 

You lay there for a while until it began to get uncomfortable and Eddie pulled out, causing you to make a noise somewhere between a moan and a hiss. You could feel yourself spilling onto the bed and knew you'd have to change these sheets, Eddie however had other plans as he scooped up your collective release with two fingers and pushed it back into your spasamsing pussy,

"Keep it in there for me sweetheart, keep it safe, gonna fill you up so many times. Put another baby in you" he whispered and your pussy clenched around nothing, 

"Eddieee" you whined, far too sensitive and blissed out right now to even attempt what he was suggesting, even if the idea of him filling you up again and again was making your skin tingle. 

You were vaguely aware of him leaving the bedroom and coming back with a washcloth to clean up anything that had already spilled out, throwing the cloth into the corner of the room with the rest of the laundry when he was done. 

Eddie manoeuvred you both so that he could lay behind you and wrap you in his arms. Your face buried in his chest as he kissed the top of your head, 

"Get some rest babe, we've only just gotten started" 

You had a thought just before you drifted off to sleep, that you might end up being late for Steve's barbecue. 

Taglist: @pillow-titties @shenanigans-and-imagines @prettyboyeddiemunson @eddiesmutson @eddiemvnsonss @hellfireeddiemunson @boomhauer @xbreezymeadowsmunsonx @that-lame-ghoul9000 @flashyourgreeneyesatme @ches-86 @jobean12-blog @anxiousstark @ruinedbythehobbit @winnifredburkleismyhero @inluvweddiemunson @wheaty-melon @lucciaa9 (if you're striken out it means tumblr won't let me tag you properly)

If you want to be added/removed from the tag list just let me know and if I've missed someone please let me know as well.

Love you 💖

[invisible-pink-toast]

i remember seeing a post about that weird trope in media where there’s a ✨makeover reveal✨ but the makeover is such a downgrade from the original and it inspired me to go back to some of my least favourite  “makeovers” and see what i would do differently 

aka me rambling on about costumes hair character and symbolism for something that i spent way too long on but annoyed me too much to stop

a classic is giselle in enchanted 

after a whole makeover montage the reveal is... this? and at a medieval ball? obviously they’re trying to be symbolic, especially with her love interest robert wearing a prince outfit when he’s normally in a suit - but while his outfit looks great, hers looks really ugly jdfl;sadkhf;sadkhf

there are modern dress styles that are much nicer, more flattering, and fits giselle’s character better. no other disney princesses have purple as their fancy dress colour, but a more vibrant shade of either darker purple or lilac is prettier than that faded purple-red colour that really doesn’t go with amy adam’s hair. 

given that enchanted is full of references to classic disney movies and fairytale tropes, other options they could have gone with are a blue or yellow modern dress, this would pay homage to cinderella or belle even if the style was different. would also work symbolically, as it shows giselle in a modern dress style but the colours show her fairytale roots. 

no other princess has orange as their main colour either, so they could have done an orange dress instead of purple, as long as they checked the colour fit with amy’s hair (she’s worn orange dresses in the past and looked lovely). 

one trend in these downgrade makeovers is that they almost always straighten a character’s curly hair. fuck that. 

there are plenty of modern styles giselle could have gone with that kept her curly hair. also if they wanted another contrast to how she usually looks, they could have put her hair in an updo. also her jewellery is really ugly and doesn’t seem to have any symbolism. giselle loves flowers and nature so her jewellery could have represented that.  

.

one of my least favourite makovers is marisa in maid in manhattan. 

after another makeover scene, in the moment where she puts herself out there to have the cinderella night of her dreams, she looks like this. it’s both very unflattering and doesn’t fit her character. 

jennifer lopez is beautiful, but that colour and warm tone isn’t doing anything for her. if they wanted a blush pink colour, there’s options up there that would have looked so much better. also the actual dress is horrible. looks like a sheet and that it’s about to fall off. there are similar dress styles that look sexy and classy. 

personally i don’t like the dress colouring/style for her character here. for context, marisa is a maid who was mistaken to be a hotel guest, and was invited by a political candidate (senator? governor?) to be his date to a fancy dinner. when she walks in she has the attention of everyone in the room. j-lo could do that, but this dress couldn’t. it’s bland and forgettable. 

why not go for something unusual and striking? it’s not a ball, it’s a dinner, so a unique modern dress would be fitting and would catch everyone’s eye. in this moment marisa isn’t “herself” she’s “caroline” (or cinderella). how about a cape, or sparkles, how about a red dress - the colour of passion as she risks her career to go after love? 

as a maid, marisa wears her hair in a bun for most of the movie. so why on earth do they put her hair in another bun!? this is literally the night where she is finally able to let her hair down - so why isn’t she? her hair is straight for the whole movie - why not let j-lo show off her curls? 

even if they desperately wanted an updo for some reason, the one they picked is too severe and the bun is really odd. letting some hair down for a softer look would have looked way better 

.

ah. the makeover that gave me insecurities as a child. how fun. 

the fact that mia is 15 in this movie, and they decided to change basically everything about her appearance to make her more ‘attractive’ and ‘acceptable’ is very troubling. that her curly hair and glasses are seen as ugly is something i hate so much and i know that many other girls who also looked like og mia hate it too. 

ok so she’s a princess now. they want her to look presentable. ugh. instead of destroying straightening her hair, why not just style it? curly hair is beautiful. also it’s 2001. where are the butterfly clips and coloured clip ons? 

glasses are not ugly. if they wanted a “makeover” change why not just give her a different set of glasses. there’s even ones that come with little jewels in them to fit with the ideas of pretentious rich royalty. 

.

emma swan’s change from tough saviour to fragile princess is one of the most disappointing character arcs i’ve ever witnessed. in the 6th season after emma’s character development was thrown out - when she marries killian her dress is grace kelly’s wedding dress. 

not even “inspired by” or “based on” it’s literally just grace kelly’s wedding dress. (that they stole! they don’t even credit the og designer helen rose). it’s from the 50s, when grace kelly married prince rainer of monaco, and that was a controlling and isolating marriage where kelly was depressed (so idk why?? they would want to emulate that as a modern fairytale???)

the dress is incredibly feminine, conservative and old fashioned. it doesn’t fit emma’s character. the design of the dress doesn’t even work in the dance scene. it also makes no sense in universe - why is emma’s dress an exact copy of grace kelly’s? she’s a princess from the 21st century getting married in a medieval fantasy land, why is her dress from the 50s? does emma like grace kelly? it’s never mentioned. it also doesn’t fit with any of her other wardrobe choices?

her actress jennifer morrison was a main force behind this dress, wanting to pull from a “real life fairytale” (her words). it’s less pulling and more stealing but okay. she then went on to say it’s: "a dress that represents the elegance and simplicity of classic timeless strength mixed with the delicacy of femininity and vulnerability. it is the ultimate balance that emma has been fighting for throughout the 6 seasons. a wholeness. a balance. not all one thing or another - but rather, a moment that is genuinely, truly, authentically her without barriers and walls.”

ok. doesn’t make sense for the character and i hate everything about it and everything about her quote. anyway. 

if they wanted to “pull” from grace kelly’s wedding dress (like a lot of other famous and modern wedding dresses have) there are a lot of ways they could go about it. lace sleeves, ballgown skirt, a lace collar. these are beautiful features that can be done in a modern way, as seen with the top three dresses. 

of course, instead of pulling from a classic dress, why not make a wedding dress as unique as the princess/saviour wearing it? the most obvious option being a SWAN inspired wedding dress. emma is a bold character, she can be tough, sexy, stubborn - she’s a modern, forward thinker. her dress can be feminine, but a real “balance” for her character is a mix of classic and modern, feminine and sexy, bold and sweet. 

emma almost always wears her hair down. the only time her hair is pulled back in a bun is when she is dark!emma when she’s like possessed with evil or some shit i stopped watching the show a while back. 

her hairstyle is also exactly like grace kelly’s (except blonde), and once again makes no sense. it’s also boring. honestly any other style would work, given that she often has her hair out, having some sort of updo would have been nice (a braid, a half-up-half-down, etc.). she’s got lovely hair, it should be a feature of the look. 

the veil is also wrong for her character, and the headpiece is so outdated and overpowering, if they wanted a veil it should be more subtle, and her headpiece should have been a CROWN. OR TIARA. SHE’S A PRINCESS. 

there were so so so many cool things they could have done to make an incredibly beautiful and unique dress. why not a swan feature? why not a cape? why not incorporate her signature red colour somewhere? 

OR HER LEATHER JACKET! emma’s classic look is a leather jacket, wouldn’t it have been cool to have her wear one with the dress at some point, or have a custom white leather jacket for the dress! a fancy dress and a white leather jacket - that really does sound like a balance for her character. 

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tiana! so this one if less of a makeover but i’m still counting it. in so much of tiana’s concept art she has such wonderful hair, ranging from 3b to 4b in many different styles

for the concept art of tiana’s final version, at least two of the designers are lorelay bove (who is spanish) and bill schwab (who is a white american). tiana’s character design was done by tom ellery, eric goldberg, kevin gollaher, rick maki & bill schwab. you wanna know what all these people have in common? they are all white men. jean gillmore was on the list as well, but uncredited, she is a white woman. tiana’s main animators were tim allen, rachel bibb - both white. art direction was done by ian gooding - white. 

they really couldn’t get any black women? or even black people? you’re designing and creating the first black princess - but of course these white men should be at the forefront of designing her and her hair. ugh. 

tiana’s outfits in the movie are gorgeous and numerous, but she only has a couple of hairstyles when she’s not a frog and they are very similar 

as you can see here in just a few of tiana’s concepts, she has many different beautiful black hairstyles. unfortunately i can’t find who these original concept artists were (the information is probably in ‘Art of the Princess and the Frog’ but i don’t have the money for that, it’s over $300 cmon). 

any of these hairstyles would have been beautiful, and she could have had different styles throughout the movie (especially considering that the end montage takes place over months!)

black women should have designed tiana, or at the very least have been involved. there needs to be more black women behind the scenes - this reminds me of candice patton’s hair on the flash being the same for years whereas the women in black lightning have different styles every episode 

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the latest cinderella movie was disappointing in pretty much every way (except for idina menzel’s vocals) but the big dress transformation moment was something i thought might actually be good. it wasn’t. 

a forgettable, bland look, with no real colour, that’s really weirdly designed and is honestly ugly as all hell. the skirt is ridiculous, the unattached sleeves are unnecessary, and the corset isn’t fit right and actually looks like it is falling off. 

in the context of the movie, cinderella wants to be a designer and this dress is her design, but one that she admits she would not be able to create. her fabulous godmother uses magic to create it for her to show off her design at the ball. it really needs to be a better design then...

in all of the advertising material for the movie the dress is purple. i’m not sure why they did this, maybe they hated the dress too, but in that frame of thought a purple dress would be beautiful! no version of cinderella has had a purple dress, it would look stunning and catch the attention of the room. it would also work in the context of the movie - as purple is a very expensive colour that cinderella would not be able to afford, but her godmother could create with magic. 

similarly, no version of cinderella (or even any princess or ball/dance scene) has a mint green dress (fiona has a dark green dress). it’s a beautiful, soft but striking colour and would make a unique and memorable dress for yet another cinderella adaptation. 

i think the beige colour they went for is supposed to be a reference to the golden colour that’s in earlier versions of the fairytale (gold slippers, sometimes also a gold dress). but if that was the case, they should have gone for an actual gold colour instead of beige with sparkles. a dress can also be ornamental without looking stupid. 

they could have also gone for a silver or blue in reference to disney’s cinderella, but in quite a different style, or a light purple dress (also a little used colour). anything except this one really. 

her hairstyle is also weird. the low bun looks like it’s falling out, and she spends the whole movie with her hair back anyway. 

what do movie hairstylists have against curls? i know it’s racism like with maid in manhattan, this is cinderella’s night to let her hair down! so show off camila’s beautiful hair and curls! if they wanted an updo, there are plenty of styles that are more flattering. it’s supposed to be done by magic! 

also camila’s looked more like cinderella on the red carpet than in this movie ajsdfl;ashdfl;h

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an adaptation from animation to live action. a classic, golden dress to a banana failure. 

making a copy of belle’s dress for the live action movie would have been wonderful to see such a stunning gown in reality - like with maleficent. making a very different dress that was clearly still inspired by the original and makes sense for the character would have also been wonderful - like with cinderella. 

instead we end up with whatever this is. not the original, not unique, no corset or structure, bizarre colour, forgettable except in how terrible it is. i love emma watson, but her input on this dress was not good. she is an actor and activist, not a designer. 

what was so disappointing about the live action dress is that COSPLAYERS have been making completely gorgeous versions of belle’s gown for years! Here we have Everything Disney, Annarichdesigns & Fiore-de-luna. Each dress is a different colour, from soft yellow to gold, with different embellishments - and each is completely incredible. They were crafted carefully with a clear respect for the original design, and each is a faithful adaptation. 

so if cosplayers can create such amazing gowns, or face actors can have wonderful gowns as they walk around at theme parks - why can’t a multi-million dollar film with a whole design team manage it??

if they wanted to go in a different direction, a great option would be going for a more historically inspired dress. which would make sense because the other gowns in the movie are clearly rococo inspired. so belle’s dress would have made sense within the aesthetic of the film. Mimi Reaves cosplay of belle went in this direction and is so beautiful and unique. 

also if they wanted a dress that was inspired by belle’s, but also clearly different, why would you emphasise the yellow instead of the gold? and especially that shade of yellow?? i still don’t understand

most of the hairstyles in the movie are lovely, including belle’s. so this one was very underwhelming. they could have gone with this kind of style but done it up more. or gone with a style that was a reference to the original belle’s - either in the ballroom scene or her classic ponytail. 

a more done up hairstyle would also make more sense in the context of the film. belle leaves the castle in this outfit, and as the movie goes on she gets more dishevelled as she tries to get back to the prince. a fancier hairdo would be able to come undone and work with her abandoning the dress

the accessories here are also very odd choices. at least their gold colour is well chosen. but her necklace is a tree? why not, oh i don’t know - a rose!? the main symbol of the beauty and the beast franchise?? either in gold to match or in red. her only hair accessory is leaf inspired?? what does belle’s character have to do with leaves? instead what about birds! symbols of freedom, or of being locked in a cage. 

or what about something to do with books. you can see here little rose (!!!) pins made out of book pages. what about instead of a pointless scene of a book transporting belle and the beast to paris, we have a scene where they are cleaning out the old library. they find some damaged books, and belle is upset to throw them away (as she has had such little access to books through her life). the beast gives the books a new life and painstakingly creates these accessories as a thoughtful gift to belle. it would show his caring side, how he listens and appreciates her, and then her wearing them would be very romantic. 

belle originally has gloves too. full length golden gloves are quite a statement piece, but yellow or gold lace gloves are beautiful and could have been a nice nod to the original outfit (and could be another aspect of the outfit to be discarded later). 

. 

overall this is a very long list! but everything that ends up on screen has been painstakingly chosen, so for an important makeover the look should:

fit the character 

hopefully have some kind of symbolic meaning

work within the context of the story 

actually look nice

it should also not perpetuate horrible tropes - that curly hair is ugly, or that a woman is only valuable when feminine. there should be more women (especially poc and lgbtq+ women) behind the scenes. 

some “makeovers” did not make this list because there was no reason for a makeover in the first place and what happened couldn’t be salvaged in any way: allison in the breakfast club, tai in clueless or sandy in grease for example. 

some wonderful makeovers include: julie in julie and the phantoms, anne in anne with an e, andie in how to lose a guy in 10 days, elena in one day at a time, anya in anastasia, valkyrie in thor ragnarok, cinderella in cinderella (2015), okoye in black panther, catra in she ra and the princesses of power, jane in jane the virgin, sal-lee in barbie: star light adventures & nia in supergirl

[novelconcepts]

I saw that you posted about Imagine me & You and that is my MOST favourite movie. One of my top 5. What did you think of it when you first saw it? Do you have a favourite scene?

I came across a Twitter post where they showed the sort of parallel between the IMAY scene of "I dare you to love me" and the Bly scene of "I'm actually pretty in love with you it turns out". Just love the fact that the show and movie are similar in little bits here and there. 🥺

I saw it for the first time when I was still in...high school, maybe? It was a good minute ago now. I just remember feeling so warm and happy, because I think it was the first lesbian movie I’d ever seen that didn’t end in tragedy. I loved the cast, I loved how soft the whole thing was, I developed a crush on Lena Headey that got super confusing come Game of Thrones...it was a lovely time. Favorite scene is proooobably...y’know, I don’t know, it’s been a minute since I last watched. I’m very soft for the first-kiss/I won’t remember anything else scene, for sure. But the whole thing just is such a comfort film. 

I could be misremembering, but I want to say that the final episode of Bly is directly paying homage to this film. I know it was done by a queer woman, and I seem to remember reading something about how the flower shop is explicitly meant to reference Imagine Me and You, and just thinking, Yeah, that sounds right. 

[vegetacide]

Veggie art’ing Part II complete…  This is a continuation of THIS 

Also for something a bit new as I had several notes asking what was going on with the previous pic I wrote a little something to accompany this.  It took a rather unexpected direction on me as I had ordinally intended for this to be a reconciliation picture..   Just were my mind veered for some reason.. I blame these two idiots…

I have spent far too long plunking away at this so bare with me if its absolutely crap. 

Anyway.. if you wish to read it.. look check out below 

Working title: …haven’t come up with one yet.. meh. Sue me

Blanket warning: Hints to adult subject matter that some might find offensive or triggery..mentions of past trama…. etc etc

Rating: Teen.. I guess

Word count: 2726 words 

Characters: Virgil/Kayo

Fandom: TaG’verse A/U

Location: My made up beach house located somewhere on Tracy Island..  

Veggie notes:   Any errors are completely my own and I am sure I will catch them at some point on one of my obsessive read throughs of self doubt.  :D

Enjoy…

o0o 

Damn, how in the world had it come to this? 

Virgil watched as she padded on quiet, bare feet across the beach house deck.  Retreating again and effectively shutting him out.  Her slender shoulders so small under the too big flannel of his shirt, were hunched as she protectively wrapped her arms around herself. Closing off like she always did when things got too close and too real for her to deal with. 

His chest hurt, a dull ache behind his breast bone and he rubbed at it subconsciously.  Like his heart was too big and in its floundering it was trying to break through the meager sack of flesh that housed it.

Cursing, he rubbed at it again and resisted the urge to drive his fist in the plastered wall of the beach house.  The effort wouldn’t serve any meaningful purpose anyways other than splitting his knuckles. There was no detracting from his present circumstances and potential broken bones wouldn’t change that. 

He should have taken more care with his words instead of letting his thoughts run free as he did and he kicked himself for his short sightedness,  not that it fixed anything.  He’d been too caught up in his own little world,  completely forgetting the reality they were living and now here they were. 

On opposing ends of a vast chasm.  Him holding on with all his might to keep his family whole while Kayo fought against it. The horrible twisted image of family that a mad man had imprinted on her at too young an age warping her view on things to the detriment of them both.    An idea she had been fighting her whole life to make different and one she couldn’t escape, it seemed no matter how hard they tried to.  

The old doubts and worries were always just beneath the surface just waiting to spring forth to bugger things up. The present being a prime example.  

The morning had started out completely different and felt almost like a dream to where they were now.   Warm and lazy with a vague like quality one found just upon waking.   

Kayo had been snuggled in his arms. Her legs tangled with his among the rumpled sheets. A sweet ocean breeze blowing through the gossamer curtains and dancing pleasantly over their satiated bodies.  Wicking the dew of sweat from their skin as their pulses slowed and their minds drifted back from the bliss of carnal sensation. 

His fingers had been lazily tracing up and down her back, over the sinewy grace of her shoulders and down the curve of her spine. Paying homage and mapping every glorious inch to his artist brain. 

He’d been lost in a day dream of what could be. The gentle rise of her hip, the varied valleys of her ribs  directing the course of his thoughts.  A picture was forming of a future, one that stretched out before them like a blank canvas, waiting for them to take up the brush and fill it with colour and life. 

A story in images had started to sketch itself  in his mind’s eye.  The two of them, together.  Healing, growing and evolving with a world of opportunity before them and nothing to hold them back. 

Not being able to contain himself as he lazed with her, Virgil had voiced his thoughts. Letting loose all that he’d hoped for.   A tumble of words spewing forth that had Kayo suddenly growing still and stiff to his touch. 

“Virgil,  stop…”  Had been all she’d uttered before she’d turned from his embrace and slipped from the soft comfort of their bed.  Her hair a tumble of love tousled ebony, hiding her face. 

“It would be a nice picture to paint.”  He’d replied, mind still on other things and not on the present.   “Go anywhere, wherever we want.  Take in the sights for a change instead of just jetting by them.  Go to that little cabin by that lake I told you about… it would be a perfect spot to..”

“Enough! …” The abruptness of her raised voice had him snapping his jaw shut.  

With jerking motions, she’d grabbed up his shirt.  The match to his favourite pair of lounge pants.   The one she loved to cozy into and entice him with. A glimpse of flesh here as it rode up her thighs, a flash there as supple mounds peaked out between the row of loosed buttons. Now though it covered her in a different manner entirely.  Like a shield, she clasped it tightly 

He’d pushed up to his elbows, brows dropped low with concern as he’d finally taken note that something wasn’t quite right..  “Kay?"  

She’d cast her gaze back at him then.  The briefest of looks had been enough for him to catch the shadow of disquiet in them.  Their usual vibrancy muddied by brewing clouds of anger that had him sliding from the sheets and reaching for her. 

“Don’t.” Was all she said, shaking her head as he’d risen and moved towards her.  Her hands held aloft to hold him back as she’d strode from the room.  

“What… Tin,  what’s going on?”  

Grabbing up his pants Virgil had stumbled after her, hopping as he yanked them on amid a  litany of colourful words. 

“Shit… Wait..”  

Steps later he was confronted by a fury he hadn’t expected considering where and what they had been doing mere moments before.  

She had been pacing like a caged animal,  across the expanse of the living room and back again.  Rage flowing from her with each hurried step. 

“What…?”  Was all he managed to say before she turned on him.  Fire in her gaze,  colour high on her cheeks.  

“You know what?”  She seethed, poking a finger in his direction as she did another circuit of the room.

He’s own anger bubbled to the surface,  “Actually, I don’t. So would you enlighten me to whatever erroneous infraction it is that you think that I’ve done?”  

“Oh, don’t give me that.  You know exactly what the problem is.”

Virgil’s brows shot up as her words had struck a chord in his grey matter. “Problem? You really think…”

“What in the hell were we thinking?!”  She growled out, shoving a chair out to the way and knocking it over with a crash. “Selfish..Stupid.”

“With the lives we lead….You can’t ask this of me!”   

Her words had been like a physical blow and Virgil had taken an involuntary step back. She’d wanted her words to hurt and she’d succeeded.  She never did pull her punches and her aim was as impeccable as ever.

He’d seen the realization of what she’d said flicker through her gaze but she’d quickly buried it. Instead of saying more, she shook her head, turned  her back on him once more and walked out the open sliding doors putting more than just distance between them. 

And he’d let her go,  his shoulders slumping at the writing between the lines of what had been said. In his mind there was only one option open to them but maybe for her that wasn’t the case. The implications of those options was something he couldn’t dare to fathom…but it was a road he wouldn’t let her travel down alone.  

He had a responsibility to uphold,  as  her husband and as the man he prided himself on being.  A rescuer in dark times, when there was no one else capable of the job and sometimes those that needed rescuing were closer to home.

Squaring his shoulders he went after her.  She was begging for a fight. An obvious distraction from the core reasoning behind her lashing out at him but he wouldn’t take her up on the invitation.   He wouldn’t let her push him away to deal with whatever this was on her own. 

Passing through the doors,  his eyes scanned over the deck and his breath had caught.   

She looked so small, fragile and it had brought him up short. Slumping,  he braced himself between a support post and the beach house wall.  An uncanny exhaustion suffusing him as he saw the uphill battle of the task ahead.  A task he was determined to see through to the end, no matter the outcome. 

He hated seeing her like this and despite her best efforts to push him away, Virgil knew her too well.  Had spent most of his life knowing her.  He could read her nuances, gestures and mood even when she tried to close off from him like she was trying to do now under a mask of anger.  

“Tin,”  He said carefully, dropping his hand and pushing away from the post.  He drew in a breath and let it out slowly, letting the tension slip from his shoulders.   Approaching her with all guns blazing would only crank her defenses up higher and wouldn’t get them anywhere.

He watched her stance with a practiced eye as he stepped closer.  She was like an abused animal.  Even with all of her training, when she was emotionally compromised as she was right now the scared little girl she had been came to the fore.  The one they met when she’d first came to live with them, hiding behind her father’s leg.   

He hadn’t known her history then,  the actions of her uncle and the effect that it would have on the rest of her life.  How it would shape her into the strong, determined woman she was today.  Never letting anyone get close enough to see the frightened child she closeted away inside.  Virgil though had managed to find his way inside,  found the cracks in her apparent impenetrable armour and had broken through to  the core of the woman inside.  The one she tried desperately to hide from the world in a shell of fierce resolve and purpose.  

Under it all was a woman, who had seen too much.  Abused, battered, basically orphaned by her absentee father and desperately afraid.  To top it all off, she hated the weakness and fought tooth and nail to hide it from everyone.  With the exception of him,  she didn’t have a choice there. He’d wormed his way in and he wouldn’t stand by and let her retreat from herself or from him.  

Gently he placed his hands on her tight shoulders,  cupping their slender, wavering strength and he whispered her name again.  “Tanusha…”  

Her head bowed further,  a meager attempt to hide in the fall of her hair but he could feel the quiver in her body now,  hear the soft stuttered intake of her breath.  She was crying and trying oh so hard not to be. 

Pain and love swelled through his chest, and an undeniable protectiveness.  

Virgil pulled her back into his embrace, encircling his arms around her waist and with little resistance she melted.  

“I’m sorry,”  He whispered over the curve of her ear,  brushing his lips across the elven-like arch of it.  “I’m so sorry.”  

He put all his love he could into the words, hoping that by apologizing for something he wasn’t wholly the cause of would help alleviate her suffering in some way. 

“I wasn’t thinking and it was insensitive of me.”  He tightened his hold on her,  reassurance imbued into the gesture and slowly began to rock giving her the time to pull herself back together again. 

The slight tremor slowly dissipated,  her breathing settling into a somewhat normal rhythm and he knew that she was ready to hear. More so when she dragged in a ragged breath and exhaled a long drawn out sigh. He could almost hear her counting to ten in her head.  A method she used to reign back in some of her control and a calm he knew well creeped back in. One that camouflaged a great deal of hurt. 

He did the same,  his warm breath stirring her hair and ghosting across the smooth column of her neck which peeked out from the drooping collar of his shirt.   

“You know we’ve got this, right?”  He questioned though he wasn’t expecting an answer.  “Yes,  he’s out…”  She stilled once more in his hold but Virgil couldn’t stop now,  Kayo needed to hear this even if it was just a band-aid to the problem.   He couldn’t sit by and let her lose herself in fear so he pushed on. There was too much at stake.

“Yes,  he’s upped his game in a big way.  Dad knew he was capable,  your Dad knew….” A flinch at the mention of the absentee man but again he pressed on.  There was no backing down now.  What he had to say, needed to be said.  

“We were unprepared but we know better now and I promise you, Tanusha Kyrano Tracy;  just like I did on the day you said ‘Yes’.. That I will never,  ever let that man hurt you again.”  

He slipped a hand down,  between the soft folds of flannel,  across her silky, soft skin that concealed honed muscle and deadly skills. Brushed the edge of fine lace and stilled, cupped and shielded that which was only known to the two of them.  

With strength of purpose his chest swelled,  a determination unlike any he had ever known bulked up the threat behind his next words.  “I’ll do everything in my power to protect both of you, I swear it or the Hood will regret the day he heard the name Tracy.”

She turned, taking his hand in her own and lightly brushing her lips across his knuckles. “You’re too good for me Virgil Grissom Tracy and I don’t deserve you.”  

The brief storm of anger has fled from her eyes, leaving behind only doubt and fear.  “But I don’t think it’s as easy as that. You’re too good a man to stoop to such levels and I don’t think I could live with myself if you made that sort of sacrifice on my behalf. 

Besides,  what sort of life could we offer with him out there.   He’s already been the cause of so much pain.  You and your brother’s have suffered for years because of it..I don’t think I would have the strength if he was to get you or….” 

Virgil’s frowned.  “Tin,  I married you.  All of you and everything you brought with you. I knew full well what I was marrying into but that man,  that bastard… he can’t come between us and what we want unless you let him.”  

Her gaze dropped and with gentle fingers he lifted her chin and waited for her to meet his pleading eyes.  “Don’t let him win… not in this. Please God, not in this.”  

“We may not have a choice…” Came the whisper of her response, her forehead resting against his own as a lingering tear slipped from her lashes. 

“Tin, please….”

“Virgil, I love you.  God, how I love you but I can’t tell you what you want to hear.  Not right now. If the Hood found out…. 

Just then the island klaxon blared  and Virgil’s comms started to ping with urgency.

Kayo took a step back from him and he stared after her. Brain going a mile a minute with words he wanted to say,  emotions he wanted to express.   

“Go…” She said with resignation, her arms once more crossing over her frame.   “You’re needed..” 

“I’m needed more here.”  

His comms buzzed again followed by the voice of his star loving sibling. “Virgil, you’re needed in Ops. A.S.A.P.  Please confirm.””  

Conflicted, Virgil stood unmoving,  his fist clenched at his side.   Trapped between the woman he loved and the life they’d chosen.  

“Go,  I’ll be here when you get back..”   

His brother’s voice sounded again from his comms, pulling him in two directions at once.  The hint of stress he picks up in it though had him unfreezing and heading for the underground access to the hanger.  

Passing through the automated door and hitting his comms to reply to John, he looked back at Kayo.  His heart sinking and doubt filling him as he watched her turn away from him.  

Uncertainty prickling across his skin as he questioned the validity of her words but there was nothing he could do right now.   Lives were at stack…more so than just those that needed rescuing and his hands were tied… 

“FAB John,  on my way…”

FIN….????

[otonymous]

I just found this and omg,, i’m in love with your writing and stories!! I read your nsfw alphabet for Lucien, how about one for my man Victor? :D

Hi dear Anon! 

Thank you so much for checking out my work and your super sweet comment!  💕Here’s a NSFW alphabet for everyone’s favourite pudding-making, time-controlling CEO!  Hope you like it and happy reading! 😊

Warning: NSFW/18+: Explicit/graphic language - reader discretion is advised.

The ABCs of Victor (MLQC Headcanon - NSFW)

A = Aftercare (What they’re like after sex)

Victor enjoys taking a warm, luxurious bath with you after sex, your back laying flush against his rock hard pecs and the man soaping every deliciously sore body part with the gentlest of hands, as if paying homage to a goddess who took him to new heights of pleasure.  Expect to be surrounded by lit candles with beautifully subtle scents

Afterwards, relax and rejuvenate in his silk sheets and a mattress so comfortable you have to double check to ensure you’re not sleeping on a cloud

Victor already had his butler prepare a sumptuous yet healthy spread for the two of you, left on a cart outside his bedroom door

You can bet he’ll have some of that pudding from Souvenir as a special post-coital treat

B = Body part (Their favourite body part of theirs and also their partner’s)

He loves your collarbones: loves pressing kisses and running his tongue along them.  Gets a certain sense of satisfaction in buying you the most exquisite necklaces to further highlight their appeal

Just the slightest peek from the collar of your top has the blood rushing to his cock

Victor is proud of his broad shoulders and arms, especially his biceps: they’ve always been naturally buff, and he loves to bounce you in the air for some hot standing sex (bonus points if there’s a mirror nearby)

C = Cum (Anything to do with cum)

This elegant man loves to give you an equally elegant pearl necklace by cumming on your neck and chest

He also loves it when you swallow (please see “Dirty Secret” below)

D = Dirty Secret (Pretty self explanatory, a dirty secret of theirs)

Victor loves to see your mouth glisten with his cum, and he especially loves tasting it from your lips

The CEO cannot resist pulling you in for a deep kiss after you’ve taken his release in your mouth

E = Experience (How experienced are they? Do they know what they’re doing?)

Victor knows what he is doing: his attentiveness to your physical and emotional needs will keep you beyond satisfied and coming back for more

He had a past relationship with an older, more experienced female who gave him a crash course in sex, sensuality and seduction

F = Favourite Position

Like Lucien, Victor has a couple of favourites

He loves to bounce you onto his cock while he’s standing up, your legs hooked over his elbows and pressed against the solid bulge of his biceps

There is no shortage of mirrors in his bedroom: this man loves to watch as he impales you onto his rock hard erection, fully drenched in your arousal

He also enjoys good old Missionary with a twist: your head is hanging off the edge of the bed, the position making your collarbones more prominent.  Victor cannot help but mark them up with fervent kisses as he’s pounding into you, the blood rushing to your head as well as your pussy

G = Goofy (Are they more serious in the moment, or are they humorous, etc.)

Overall, Victor tends to be more serious when it comes to lovemaking, although there have been times when you’ve made him chuckle with an odd comment

H = Hair (How well groomed are they, does the carpet match the drapes, etc.)

Victor is bare.  Completely bare.  Feel free to suck his balls into your mouth

You wouldn’t even know if the carpet matches the drapes because the man keeps his personal aesthetician busy

I = Intimacy (How are they during the moment, romantic aspect…)

Victor is incredibly big on romance and affection

Throughout the act, he’s looking deeply into your eyes, kissing your lips, the tip of your nose, your closed eyelids, pressing his forehead to yours, burying his face into the nape of your neck to inhale deeply

Contrary to the brusque way in which he usually speaks on a daily basis, words of devotion and admiration are spilling from his lips

He’s telling you he loves you, that you’re his everything and the one thing he cannot lose in his life.  That he would willingly throw everything away for you if that’s what it took to make you happy, that the fruits of his hard labour would amount to nothing if you weren’t there to share them with him

And he means every word

It may not be readily apparent, but Victor needs you to tell him you love him with all your heart as well; for someone who comes off as completely confident and self-assured, you might be surprised to find that he always craves this reassurance

J = Jack Off (Masturbation headcanon)

The CEO masturbates around 2-3 times/week

Victor prefers to remain pent-up to heighten your lovemaking sessions when they finally do happen

K = Kink (One or more of their kinks)

As mentioned previously, Victor loves to watch as you make love: his bedroom has a number of well-placed mirrors and he has made recordings of you guys in the past (all securely encrypted, of course)

When the CEO does jerk off, he’ll often refer to these videos

He also loves fucking you in the ass (only if you’re down with it, of course)

L = Location (Favourite places to do the do)

Places that are comfortable, luxurious and completely private…so in his own home or the penthouse suites of the most expensive hotels

M = Motivation (What turns them on, gets them going)

Needless to say, you’re his biggest motivation (see “intimacy” above)

The sight of you riding a horse also does things to him

Victor is putty in your hands when you kiss his.  Suck his long, tapered fingers into your mouth and shyly lick at his knuckles and the CEO will be restraining himself from ripping off every article of clothing from your body

N = NO (Something they wouldn’t do, turn-offs)

Like Lucien, Victor does NOT share

He wants you in your entirety and would be completely broken on the inside if you even mention adding another participant into the mix in the bedroom

O = Oral (Preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc.)

Definitely prefers to give oral and THE MAN IS SKILLED & THOROUGH

Don’t get me wrong, Victor loves having your lips and tongue on his cock as well, but he really gets off on giving you pleasure and tending to your every need

He really wants to please you

P = Pace (Are they fast and rough? Slow and sensual? etc.)

At least initially, Victor tends towards slow and sensual because of his MASSIVE COCK

He is patient and meticulous when it comes to his foreplay: he knows how important it is to ensure you are fully aroused, opened and properly lubricated before he even considers entering you for fear of hurting you

Once you have comfortably acclimatized to his size, the pace and depth of Victor’s thrusts will start to increase

He will never, ever be needlessly rough (the man always has your comfort in the back of his mind)

Q = Quickie (Their opinions on quickies rather than proper sex, how often, etc.)

Not a big fan of quickies

To Victor, lovemaking is a ritual and cannot be rushed

If he had his way, he would devote an entire day to enjoying each other’s bodies, relishing the time spent in really getting to know one another incredibly well: the places to lick to make you moan the loudest, the frequency with which his fingers should press and curl deep inside you to make your legs tremble and shake

He would rather forego sex than engage in a quickie, waiting for the opportunity to take you to his home or at least a luxe penthouse suite at the best five-starred hotels

This also has the added benefit of getting the two of you so pent-up that the sex is absolutely EXPLOSIVE when you finally get the chance to be alone together

R = Risk (Are they game to experiment, do they take risks, etc.)

Victor himself tends to be a bit more reserved, but he’s willing to experiment for your sake if you express interest in something (as long as it doesn’t involve a third party — see N above)

S = Stamina (How many rounds can they go for, how long do they last…)

Victor is a swimmer and fit as shit, so you know the man’s got stamina for DAAAAYYYSSSS

Quality over quantity: the CEO can go a couple of rounds per lovemaking session, but each round lasts a while

He’s able to exert incredible control over his body, pulling back at the right time to delay his release, then slowly building it up all over again

T = Toy (Do they own toys? Do they use them? On a partner or themselves?)

Victor doesn’t have toys to use on himself

But he does have a vibrator from that time you expressed curiosity in how it would feel to be double-penetrated. That toy has since seen many uses.

U = Unfair (How much they like to tease)

Victor isn’t much of a tease at all

Believe it or not, he actually lives to please you — so feel free to tease him as much as you want if that’s what you’re into

V = Volume (How loud they are, what sounds they make)

Mr CEO is not known for being loud in the bedroom

That’s not to say he won’t pant hot and moist in your ear just as he’s about to come

Expect heavy breathing, the odd moan and groan here and there

That doesn’t mean your man is silent: Victor loves to talk, his language both sweet and filthy at the same time

W = Wild Card (Get a random headcanon for the character of your choice)

Before you have to part, the man likes to reach between your legs to gather and smear your arousal on several of his pulse points, much like he would with cologne, just so he can have the subtle hint of your scent remind him of you for the rest of the day

Contrary to his usual exacting and stern external façade, Victor is actually super, super soft for you - this is typically revealed during moments of intimacy

X = X-Ray (Let’s see what’s going on in those pants, picture or words)

Victor has a BIG COCK (see Pace above)

The man is long AND thick

Not much curvature

Cut and completely bare

Y = Yearning (How high is their sex drive?)

His sex drive is average (see Quickie) — the man is able to delay gratification until he’s capable of properly fucking you well and good

It also cannot be helped that the man is so busy keeping tabs on so many things at LFG — he simply cannot afford to be thinking about sex all the time

All the same, his sex drive goes from zero to sixty at the slightest remembrance of you

Z = ZZZ (… how quickly they fall asleep afterwards)

Doesn’t fall asleep quickly after sex

Victor needs time to come down from his high even after all that physical exertion and his climax — hence he enjoys taking a nice, warm bath with you afterwards: you’re able to clean yourselves off while relaxing and preparing for a nice post-coital slumber

——————————————————————————————-

Thanks for reading!  Check out more of my work here! 📚

[cherry-interlude]

(Incomplete) Review of Lust For Life

This is the first half of my unfinished review of Lust For Life by Lana Del Rey written on my Wordpress (canwetalkaboutthatthing) which I’m trying to convince myself to finish. Also, all of the written things are my opinion AND I haven’t proofread or anything!

You would only have to know me for ten minutes to discover how much I love Lana Del Rey and her music. Despite the criticisms she has received for things she has said and the glorification of drugs, violence and death, I personally feel there is more to her than that; positives that outweigh the negatives. I feel she is a talented artist - musically, lyrically and visually - and she has a spirit as beautiful as her voice. However, I don't allow this worship of her to halt my own opinions of her music - ones that may differ from the mainstream critics that have already dissected her record - which leads me to this badly-introduced post on her newest album (forgive me, I'm rusty).

When she released Lust For Life this year I felt blessed with her new offering of music - and opinionated. Listening to her album on near-repeat throughout the end of summer and entirety of autumn has given me the chance to pull apart each track and decide precisely how I feel for them. Some I became hooked on immediately - I sang along, I cried and I recognised the familiar 'Lana Del Rey' vibe she consistently has in her previous albums. Others I felt unsettled with, as I couldn't connect to them nor did they have the traditional 'Lana' vibe. Not to say that they're bad songs, nor to say that they are objectively the lesser songs on the album, but in my own personal opinion some were not as favourable as others.

Beginning with the opening track, Love - her first release for the album - I was pleasantly and wonderfully surprised. Whilst it had some new additions to it (directing the song towards her beloved fans, referring to us as 'kids', the pleasant vibe which is rarely seen in a Lana Del Rey song) it still had the familiarity of her vaguely retro music and the lyrics including her favourite "vintage music". It's a beautiful song, easy to get into and gives you a warm vibe. Paired with the futuristic video of shooting stars, floating cars and a beaming Lana, it is a purely joyful and reflective song, paying homage to the fans that, like her, are just young and in love. It's the essence of the majority of her music - to be in love, to fall out of love. Love is a central theme for most of her songs and lyrics. This track takes a positive approach towards it, introducing the album with a lust for life.

This continues into the second single and second track of the album - Lust For Life - her first duet out of the five. It is still Lana with a hint of something new - the familiarity of the doo-wop music and the Americana references to Hollywood go beautifully with her ecstatic joy for life rather than the consideration that we're all really born for death. Once again Lana croons with The Weeknd (previously in Prisoner, Stargirl Interlude and at the end of Party Monster in The Weeknd's albums Beauty Behind The Madness and Starboy) and it's impossible to deny that their voices are made for each other. Both sweet and swooning, silken to listen to, they're a musical match made in heaven, and it makes the line "my boyfriend's back and he's cooler than ever" that much more adorable. Lyrically, the song is about the joys of being with that special someone, seeing the wondrous hope in the world and enjoying being alive, just stripping down and taking off your clothes to only enjoy one another's company - or perhaps "taking off" the serious wall around our true emotions and selves after the worrying events of 2017, an idea that's more believable due to the politically-aware theme of the album. Comparing Lana's almost spoken, low verses with a hint of smiling in her tone to her swooping, sing-a-long choruses, it's another track to make you feel good inside and want to twirl around on the H of the Hollywood sign with the person in your life.

Both of these tracks - happy, and featuring Happy Del Rey - are soon followed by the return of traditional Lana: a cinematic, sweeping opening, a quote from the vintage film (Carnival Of Souls) and devastated confessions of how it hurts to love someone but you can't help yourself: 13 Beaches. Once again, Lana has given us a song to cry over, to lie back and envision the gorgeous imagery she invokes throughout the song - sunlit beaches, dripping peaches and ballroom dancing (as randomly as it sounds). Though it is a song dedicated to the impossibility of being alone when you're famous, and the complicated relationship with fame (loving it and hating it), it can still be taken as a sweet song for a lost lover, and it's these interpretations that make her music on the whole so much more enjoyable for each person individually. It's pure Lana Del Rey, just as brilliant and upsetting as The Blackest Day, Pretty When You Cry or Blue Jeans - though feels slightly disconnected to a real love interest due to the roots of who it's really for: fame.

The fourth track, and one of the shortest, is decidedly my favourite. It's a song that fills me with so much joy as it does sadness that I can't resist it at all. It's a song I frequently listen to and sing along to as there are so many elements that make it so fabulous. Firstly, once again the Lana-isms return: stunning imagery of cherries, wine, rosemary and thyme, and the difficulty in loving a dangerous man who is no good for you. Secondly, the music itself - I think it's a fun and sexy song, especially when you see Lana perform it live - and it makes it that much more enjoyable to sing and dance to with friends. Thirdly, its connection to the previous song: In 13 Beaches, she delicately references to eating "dripping peaches", a stunning image. However, in Cherry, she informs us that her peaches are "ruined". It's a beautiful link, and she has often reused and linked lyrics in many songs before. In this album, peaches, black beaches and summer bummers are recycled in the first few tracks, linking these opening songs together - and connecting them further is the vibe. Moving onto the fourth thing I adore about Cherry is the swearing. Between verses and choruses, and at the end of the song, she exclaims a muffled "Fuck!", and peppers the latter half of the song with "Bitch". It's spiteful and sexy, a comeback that both deals with the emotions and ruin as well as calling out the one who made her snap. The insults honestly make it more fun, especially when you can shout them out loud when no one is around and imagine you're a sneering Lana looking down upon the man who destroyed the things she loved.

White Mustang, the second short track, takes a slightly different turn. Rather than being directly insulting towards the ne'er-do-well, she instead laments over him. He was a big man with a big car, clearly a dangerous man like the one who made her feel as if she was "smiling when the firing squad was against [her]" - the "revving"/"lightening" brings to mind danger and potential damage. It's a gentler song, with a soft piano throughout and slower choruses. This song is definitely a close favourite for me, keeping in line (once again) with recognisable Lana Del Rey imagery (cars/horses) and the dedication to a man she loved who she couldn't keep up the pace with. The switch from white Mustang the car to white mustang the horse is swift and cute, and my favourite part of the entire song is the whistling at the end. It brings along the slightly Western vibe, of a typical American cowboy which contrasts perfectly with the modernised addition of racing car sound effects. I just basically enjoy all these little things - subtle sounds and shifts that only layer it and add to the imagery.

"Summer"/"bummer" was a rhyming couplet in White Mustang and it only foreshadowed her next track (surprise, surprise, Summer Bummer). Her second duet and first of two with Asap Rocky (and Playboi Carti) begins with an entirely different piano vibe - a dark, quick paced throb of built-up energy which Lana flawlessly introduces. It feels big and explodes into a brilliant track starring Rocky in the second verse and in the backing vocals, but Lana has her own way of rapping: delicately listing "white lines and black beaches and blood red sangrias" to give it the summery vibe. This hip-hop track feels guided away from the usual Lana Del Rey but it's fresh and cool as a summer salad cucumber, her lazy vocals woven with her wavering warble towards the end of the track. It's not my favourite and I often prefer to skip Rocky's part (sorry) but it's still a great track.

Locky return with Groupie Love, my most likely close second on the album. I have to take a moment to mention how much I adore this song: the first time I listened to it, and most of the times following, I cried. I find the sweet lyrics, the gentle, bubbling music and the adorable, adoring tone so overwhelming. In some ways it's a parallel to White Mustang: both songs repeat their title over in the chorus, though whilst White Mustang sounds unhappy and longing, Groupie Love sounds radiant. It's a song that chokes me every time and returns to the theme of the follower of a brilliant man but this time rather than losing him or yearning for him, he returns his love to her. Rocky is sparkling on this track, his rap more low-key than his previous song, and their voices together remind me of the National Anthem video - the kisses they blew and the way they held each other as Jackie and John F Kennedy. The sweetest moment? The way they both sing "You and I, til the day we die." Lana and Rocky have sung together before (obviously on Summer Bummer but also on Ridin', an unreleased track) and they compliment one another wonderfully. Where The Weeknd and Lana share a similar voice that can drip like honey, Lana's lighter vocals oppose Rocky's harder, deeper tone, but it's just as beautiful, especially in a track so cute.

This to me is the where the best part of the album ends - seven strong tracks, definitively Lana Del Rey, each of them some of my favourite songs. When In My Feelings begins, I feel like the record takes a slight nosedive. In My Feelings is a song that I always feel is out of place. It doesn't feel quite like something Lana would sing to me, and whilst I understand she may experiment with styles and it's a song many fans favour, I can't connect with it. Does it have her smokey, filtered vocals? Of course, and they're as pretty as ever. Does it have the incredible imagery? Definitely: cigarette smoke, guns and coffee to name a few. However, it feels sort of empty, not quite with the rest of the album. It's a strong song aimed at a certain someone, warning them that she may be a beautiful rose but she's anything but delicate, unafraid to get her thorns out, and I can't say I don't enjoy the "tough bitch" she is expressing. But for me it just falls flat and doesn't quite feel right, especially when the bridge becomes a messy demonstration of her high notes that make it difficult to hear the lyrics. It's not a bad song but it's not the best.

Coachella - Woodstock In My Mind. I've been debating about this track for a while in all fairness. It has its positives but also its unmissable negatives, and usually I just skip the track rather than debate with myself whether or not I enjoy it as much as most of her other work or not. The message is excellent, where she sings of festivals and wondering about the future generations, and I like how Lana is taking the opportunity to use her music as a message to her impressionable fans - and get them thinking too. However, it doesn't feel quite polished and finished, the trap beats too heavy and the chorus a bit messy when it layers with several vocals. It feels like a hurried track, not yet ready for release out of production. I will say though, it did have heightened meaning to me following the Manchester terror attack this year, and after the tragic event occurred I found myself listening to Coachella at a whole new angle. I just can't consistently get into it as a song itself, nor can I relate to it.

God Bless America - And All The Beautiful Women In It is yet another song that just doesn't feel right to me. I'm not saying it's bad - it's quite beautiful - but it doesn't have the same vibe that made me fall in love with Lana's music a few years ago. Of course, she changes over time, and experiments, but to me I can't quite feel like I'm listening to a Lana Del Rey album. This is the point where you take the first few tracks and realise it doesn't sound anything in the same line as them; the music itself is different, a gentle guitar strum that brings to mind ABBA each time I hear it.

To be continued

I do love all of her music but this is an *attempted* non-bias, objective (ish, it hasn’t worked, I still gush about her) review of her music from my opinion.

UPDATE: -> Complete review <-

[fayewonglibrary]

A light that never goes out (2012)

by Divia Harilela

As the saying goes, behind every great man is a great woman. In fashion, however, it's the high-powered stylist that makes or breaks the woman. Lady Gaga claims she would be a fashion mess without best pal and style guru Nicola Formichetti, and Rachel Zoe transformed Lindsay Lohan and Nicole Richie from spoilt brats into style stars.

While the West has seen its fair share of celebrity stylists, no one in Asia comes close to Hong Kong's Titi Kwan. While his name may not ring many bells, people will definitely recognise his most famous client, pop diva Faye Wong. For more than 15 years, the pair have collaborated on show-stopping and edgy looks that have earned Wong the moniker of 'Madonna of the East'.

Kwan, Wong's official 'image director', has stayed in the background, preferring to let his work - and muse - do the talking. He keeps to himself, shuttling between Hong Kong and his second home in Paris, rarely granting interviews and avoiding public appearances.

Last October, during Paris Fashion Week, Kwan broke his silence at the unveiling of a fashion line which he was launching after a three-year hiatus. In true Kwan style, the presentation was at a quiet gallery near Rue Saint Honore and attended by a few select invitees.

It's early afternoon, but Kwan has just woken up from a nap and is dressed in an old T-shirt, pink jeans and a banged up leather jacket. He is nervous and speaks slowly. He starts to loosen up when we broach the subject of his new line and latest project, a fashion boutique that will open this month in Chai Wan.

'It will be based on the concept of my apartment,' he says. 'When friends come to visit me in Paris, they love going through my wardrobe. I've collected so many things over the years and don't know what to do with them, so why not open a store? I'll sell pencils, rubbers, silk blankets - whatever I want that's part of my lifestyle. I will also bring in some designer friends and special pieces.

'I'm opening it in Chai Wan because I like the area; most of the studios and industry people are there. For me Chai Wan is Hong Kong. I don't know Central that well. When I hear Central, all I think about is the bank.'

Perhaps industrial Chai Wan reminds Kwan of his upbringing: he grew up in a public housing estate in Kwun Tong with nine family members in a 200 sq ft flat. As a young boy, he would watch and copy his father, a tailor who worked at home.

'I don't know if he was an influence exactly, but the fabric inspired me,' Kwan says. 'I am a curious person, so I observed him and tried many things myself. I made clothes from fabric that was left over and discovered the bias cut this way.'

Kwan also has a rebellious streak. During his teens, he frequently got into trouble for dying his hair red or stapling together his school uniform. While these may seem like typical adolescent pranks, his mother got fed up and shipped him off to Paris at 15 to stay with his older sister.

'I was uncomfortable with my surroundings in Hong Kong. I was lost and felt uncomfortable. Really, I just wanted to be different,' says Kwan, 43.

'It was a shock when I moved to Paris. But then I went to the Centre Pompidou and admired the punks in the streets. It was during the boom of the new wave, and I loved the fashion, the safety pins, everything. Everyone was accepted. Finally, I didn't feel that different.'

Kwan's exposure to fashion continued in high school, where he observed the chic style of young French girls in high heels and miniskirts. At 18, he enrolled in Paris' famed fashion school Studio Bercot. To pay his tuition, he took a part-time job as a waiter in the evenings and studied during the day.

'Studio Bercot opened my mind. That being said, I didn't have time to do the work and was always rushed, although my teacher always complimented my work. I believe compliments kill your creative spirit, which is why I hate them,' he says.

'Eventually, I quit because I was so busy with other styling work. I knew I had to learn in the field, and I needed the money. Styling was new at the time, and people were hungry for stylists. I was really lucky since I was one of the first Chinese faces.'

Fate intervened when he met Wong during a trip home after an eight-year absence. It was the mid-1990s, and Kwan was looking for an artist to feature in a new fashion magazine, so he made an appointment with Wong's management team. While locals were wearing late '80s bling, Wong and Kwan bonded over young and edgy names such as Dries Van Noten, Helmut Lang and Martin Margiela, who were just starting out.

'The first outfit was a Versace dress mixed with flip flops - plastic ones that were very Chinese looking,' Kwan says. 'It was a shock to most people, but she was happy with it. The vibe between us was right. She was such a nice person and the opposite of what I expected. She wasn't an ice queen; she was a warm person.'

Since then, Kwan has worked almost exclusively for Wong. It wasn't until the singer decided to take a four-year break from show business in 2004 that Kwan was free to revisit his first passion - design.

'I always wanted to be a designer, but I took a different path,' he says. 'A few years ago, Faye decided to take a rest, which was perfect for me. I took this time to clean my mind. I saw so many collections that when I designed clothes, I lost my own personality. It was easy to be influenced by others, and I knew what was sellable and what was strong. I wanted to try something new and different, so I stopped looking at fashion for three years,' he says.

He launched his first collection in 2008, which caught the attention of French fashion icon and retailer Maria Luisa. Although it was shortlisted at the prestigious Hyeres Fashion Festival, he didn't feel confident and put designing on the back burner until late last year. This time, he has a much bigger support network for sales and distribution.

Under the name Alibellus, the 70- to 80-piece collection is divided into three lines: luxury casual, which is a collection of separates; dresses featuring handmade pieces; and limited edition, one-of-a-kind styles made from vintage fabrics from Kwan's personal collection. The line will be stocked at retailers around Asia including Liger and Shine in Hong Kong.

'I like classic pieces, but I twist them. I keep telling myself I must get bored of myself before people get bored of me. I need to keep reinventing things. Faye is perfect for me in this way,' says Kwan.

'My customers are women I know. They want something functional and have a different point of view on how to dress. They want something simple, but they want to stand out. I put a lot of effort into the proportions, so the look is slimming. I don't like things that are tight.'

The starting point for the collection was a photograph Kwan took of the sky while on a flight. The silhouettes are clean yet soft as seen on the jumpsuit with frayed edges and long draped white dress that pays homage to Madeleine Vionnet, one of his favourite designers. A white dress made from lace resembles clouds, and a zip-up dress is covered in fabric petals.

Highlights from the collection include dresses made from layers of plastic, muslin with exposed seams, gold brocade and lame.

Of course, Wong has already been photographed in several of the pieces, almost guaranteeing the line's success before it lands in stores on February 1.

'I now have three branches to grow which gives me lots of choice. Meanwhile, I have professionals to make decisions on where the brand is going. I don't need to think about that side of things. I don't want to make big money, I just want to make things right in fashion, things that I like. People may love it for the fact that I am well known, or they may hate it for the same reason,' he says, smiling. 'We'll see.'

Three Titi Kwan created for Faye Wong's 2011 world tour.

1. This structured white mini dress was made for the winter section of the show's four seasons theme. The headpiece is by Paris-based designer Erik Halley. Kwan also crafted the chandelier microphone stand, which contains more than 10,000 crystals

2. Cut from a single piece of fabric, this shoulderless gown was inspired by the Chinese idiom that 'a goddess' robe is seamless'

3. Kwan used almost 100 metres of chiffon for this multilayered masterpiece, which moved and 'flew' on stage with dramatic effect

------------------------------------------------------------------  

SOURCE: SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST

[zacharybosch]

fannibal self recs S4

@hannibalficwriters are doing a thing and i am participating in the thing!!

i am sharing Dust, which is my second post-TWOTL fic (but might as well be the first because the actual first one i wrote was the first hannibal fic i ever wrote, and honestly it’s pretty shit and i forget that it exists a lot). it was written as part of a big bang that happened last year - it was meant to have art with it, but my partner went AWOL at some point during the process and i never heard from them again ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

vague summary: will disappears after the fall and hannibal goes on a super angsty roadtrip to find him

1. What does the piece mean to you?

i’m not entirely sure tbh. it was just an idea i resurrected from the depths of my google docs and then i got stuck on it for ages and eventually managed to cobble it all together just before the deadline of the big bang. i’m really trying to think of something deep to say about it lol, but honestly i don’t have many strong feelings regarding it. 

it was interesting to write a post-TWOTL conflicted will - i generally like to write season 2 era stuff because i am 100% addicted to that whole conflicted honeytrap nonsense. even tho every s2 fic has gotta end badly just by virtue of the time period, i kind of feel like this post-TWOTL fic ends on an even more hopeless note? like it’s understandable that will is fighting with himself in s2, and you know eventually you’ve got the payoff of murdering the dragon together to look forward to, but when will is still struggling with it all even after s3 it’s just like dang, is this guy ever gonna be ok with himself? probably not.....

i guess this fic is also a kind of homage to all the poppy z brite books i used to read when i was a teenager, i was really into that whole swamp goth aesthetic. i dunno. it’s just a nice (angsty) little fic i guess, i don’t hate it so that’s a plus 👍

2. What was your favorite line in your piece/what was your favorite comment that you’ve received on the work?

i can’t pick one favourite comment. it sounds cheesy and trite but honestly, every comment i get warms my heart so much and i feel so grateful for them all and they are basically the only thing that keeps me going.

my fav line from the fic is probably this one:  “Do it. Do me like you did in your kitchen. Make me pay for what I did.”

because i love angst and will being angsty and finding more ways to punish himself like he thinks he deserves

3. What are you most looking forward to in Season 4?

just more of that top notch hannibal shit. love that damn show so much. just the way they *clenches fist* murder all those ppl

[vsplusonline]

‘The idea is to have fun with chefs’

New Post has been published on https://apzweb.com/the-idea-is-to-have-fun-with-chefs/

‘The idea is to have fun with chefs’

Chef Boo Kim and Pablo Naranjo Agular are standing outside Dirty Buns in Kamala Mills, Lower Parel and sharing a laugh. Both are flaunting similar shirts – Kim has beach chappals printed all over, and Agular’s is printed with bare feet. “We’re twinning,” says Kim, as we step inside. A neon pink sign, ‘Let’s get dirty’, stands out, along with the shiny disco ball and the line of yellow bulbs going all the way on the ceiling that dips into a wall installed with mini television screens. The vibe is chill, and we’re “in for some fun,” Agular quips. He is sporting a new hairdo, his earlier messy look has been mowed cleaned.

Creative collaborations

For that particular Thursday, Agular took over Boo’s kitchen to created 10 dishes inspired by his Colombian-Hungarian roots. This is part of Kim’s ‘Boo’s Crew’, a pop-up night once a month on a Thursday where he invites a chef to take over his kitchen. The collaborations began with Vicky Ratnani dishing out a lamb shank, sumac prawns and kerala beef in the breads the first month to more recently with Seefah putting her Thai prowess to use.

The idea stemmed from Boo Kim’s time in Chicago, where chefs would take over bars and kitchens of peer chefs, and have a night out for the industry folks. “The idea is to have fun with chefs and turn it into a chill night. As chefs we are either stuck behind the bar or kitchens and no one has the time to step out and take some time off in the week. This becomes a ritual of sorts,” says Kim. At Dirty Buns, most dishes have something inside a bun, bao or roll. “This is a great experience for the kitchen staff, as they get to learn a new cuisine, work with a new chef and cook a change from the regular menu. We bounce off ideas together, and then chef works with team. We work on the cocktails together.”

Episode three

From Agular’s menu, a dish inspired by his grandmother stands out. Dolly’s Muchacho Bao, which comes with an eight-hour slow cooked braised buff. “Coffee, coriander and jaggery – these are three flavours that remind me of my grandmother’s kitchen. She used to make this braised buff dish, and I am only attempting to recreate it. I asked her too late in her life for the recipe. She was too sick by then and had forgotten the recipe. The addition of coffee in the dish is my nostalgia. Her meat would have this shiny coat from the jaggery caramel. I finish it off on the grill to give it crunchiness,” say Agular. For the vegetarians Agular, has steered clear from mushroom, paneer and potato. Instead, he plays with the winter carrots which are going out of season. Citrus being his favourite flavouring, he uses orange for tanginess.

Food buddies

Boo and Agular met four years ago, when they moved to Mumbai three months apart. “We hang out a lot, this makes it easy to work together. For the cocktails, we just went with the flow,” the duo laughs, as we raise an eyebrow at Breakfast, a cocktail made using Breakfast Cereal stout, ice cream, strawberry jam and peanut butter. Turns out, when we try it in the night, it is what Boo promised: Adult milkshake.

Our favourite drink is Black Out, inspired by their days of partying and discovering bars in Mumbai. A shot of Jim Beam, smoked cinnamon and orange liquer, it is a balanced recipe that keeps us warm all night.

The favourite dish of the evening, coincides with Boo’s – the prawn ceviche. It is acidic, spicy with sriracha and sweet finish thanks to the pickled onions. “This dish reminds me of my childhood. One of my uncles was a Mexican and this dish reminds me of his cooking,” says Boo.

Dessert gets a touch of bitter with citrus, vanilla, peppercorn and mint. “I’m using grapefruit to add a hit of bitter. It is a risk because Indians like their desserts sweet, but I am most excited about this one,” says Agular. We slide a spoon into the sponge cake, which has been topped with a vanilla cream foam. The dense cake marries the light cream, and the grapefruit leaves a bitter aftertaste. It is not so bitter, we tell him. “You should have tried the original version,” he laughs. The second layer is a decadent chocolate fudge, accompanied by a hot chocolate sauce, with a tequila jelly that cuts right through the sweetness.

Kitchen confidential

From the earlier-pop ups, Kim has plans to incorporate a version of Seefah’s crispy pork bun. “It is not the same dish, but I will pay homage to the dish she created. “The dishes that we made at our collaboration were Thai Spicy Chicken Bao, Lamb Massaman Bao, Okonomiyaki, Cripy Pork Belly with chilli and garlic, Prawn Kushi Katsu with Japanese Curry Mayo. Collaborating with other chefs or restaurants is always fun for us. It is important because such events are always a great learning experience meeting new chefs and playing with new ingredients,” he tells us. When we prod him about which chef will helm the new pop-up, Kim refuses to let us in on the name. But he promises it will be a delicious wait.

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[jessicakmatt]

The 10 Best Hip Hop Sample Packs

The 10 Best Hip Hop Sample Packs: via LANDR Blog

You love spending time in the studio crafting hip hop beats–there’s nothing more fun than putting together the perfect drum break or chopping up a sensual piano jam.

Who doesn’t crave that rush of adrenaline when you find samples so juicy you can already hear the drums, vocals and every other part coming together in your mind.

But finding royalty-free samples that you can actually use in your tracks without getting snuffed out by the major streaming platforms isn’t all that easy.

Plus, searching through thousands of samples in a sample library can be tedious and distract from your beat making.

Get back to the fun, creative part of building beats.

Here’s the 10 best hip hop samples and sample packs we’ve come across to date:

1. The Park by Triangle Park Music

Bring New York hip hop style together into one pack of high-quality one-shots, vocal loops, and more.

The Park was created by the Triangle Park Music production team, a legendary beat making crew hailing from New York.

For this hip hop sample pack, the collective drew on their experience working on acclaimed hip hop and R&B albums including D’Angelo’s Voodoo.

If you’re looking for a vintage sound that can hang in a modern context don’t snooze on The Park.

If you’re looking for a vintage sound that can hang in a modern context don’t snooze on The Park.

Our favourite sample from the pack: Gab I Do

2. The Lo-Fi Drums Collection

The Lo-Fi hip hop sound pioneered by producers like J Dilla and a Tribe Called Quest has crept its way into beat making palettes yet again.

This drums sample pack embodies those hissing, gritty and slightly off-kilter grooves you love to hear underneath a sensual Rhodes jam.

Cruise through this sample collection when it’s time to make a beat to chill to.

Our favourite sample from the pack: Dillah Demo

3. Dave Foreman Composition and Samples Vol. 1

Sometimes the perfect thing to add to a hip hop beat is a ripping guitar part.

But if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right. So why not add a guitar part by one of the world’s best?

Dave Foreman is a sought after guitarist who has worked for countless A-List artists like Will Smith and Bruno Mars.

If there’s anyone who knows how to lay down a funky guitar lick it’s Dave.

If there’s anyone who knows how to lay down a funky guitar lick it’s Dave.

Check out his composition sample pack and add some tasty 6 string to your hip hop tracks.

Our favourite sample from the pack: Uncle Dave Riff in A Minor

4. The Hip Hop Drum Kit Collection

To make great hip hop beats there are times that call for those classic drum sounds that defined the genre way back in the 90s.

Get trunk those classic trunk-rattling 808s and crispy sampled drums you need to build out your groove box with LANDR’s Hip Hop Drum Kit collection.

It’s chock-full of every essential drum sound you could ever want from the 90s into the 2010s.

Our favourite sample from the pack: FL 90H BACKBEAT

5. The Beatmaker Lo-Fi Collection

Dreamy piano, crackling vinyl loops, and vocal hooks make up the melodic building blocks of lo-fi beat-making.

Dreamy piano, crackling vinyl loops, and vocal hooks make up the melodic building blocks of lo-fi beat-making.

Get that groovy, chilled out vibe that’s so popular in lo-fi hip hop with cleared piano samples ripe for chopping up in your sampler.

Beatmaker Lo-Fi is a lo-fi hip hop sample pack that’s sure to satisfy your melodic lo-fi sample itch.

This sample pack is full of classic synths, pianos, and ambient sound effects that will complement every lo-fi hip hop beat.

Oh, and did I mention there’s a free version with eight awesome starter samples?

Our favourite sample from the pack: EDPTK Trust

6. Yujin – Lofi Hip Hop from Apex Audio

The producers at Apex Audio have pieced together Yujin, one of the best hip hop sample packs you’ll hear this year.

This extensive sample collection fits together perfectly and offers a lot of variety for you to get creative and build a chilled out lo-fi beat.

Get everything you need to make lo-fi hip hop including drum samples, chopped piano, synth, Rhodes, and more.

Our favourite sample from the pack: AAYJ Piano Kids

7. Autonomy – Hip Hop and Trap from Apex Audio

Moving towards the trap heavier side of the spectrum, but still staying true to its hip hop roots comes the Autonomy sample pack from Apex Audio.

The sample pack focusses on the booming 808s, bells, and high tempo high hats found in trap music while still staying true to the lo-fi warmth, and crackle that lo-fi hip hop beatmakers love.

Don’t skip this great, modern-sounding sample pack that still pays homage to its past.

Our favourite sample from the pack: AAAU Full Drum

8. Lo-Fi Hip Hop from Kits Kreme

Grab this Chance, Kanye, Dilla and 9th Wonder influenced hip hop sample pack and get sunny, nostalgia-inducing piano melodies and synth lines.

Kits Kreme assembled an essential collection of jazzy melodies, chopped piano, and warm lo-fi textures.

Kits Kreme assembled an essential collection of jazzy melodies, chopped piano, and warm lo-fi textures.

As a huge fan of jazzy piano and synth-heavy producers like Kiefer and Bonobo, this sample pack is my personal favourite on this list.

Our favourite sample from the pack: Melodic Piano

9. Soul Trap Lofi Hip Hop from Function Loops

For those looking for ambient synth textures combined with punchy drums, this sample pack is a must.

The pack’s soulful chopped piano loops combine nicely with tape saturated guitars, laid back drum grooves, and trappy sub-bass.

Great for producers inspired by Flying Lotus, Future, and Boards of Canada.

Our favourite sample from the pack: FL SHH Guitar Loop 1

10. Iconic Hip Hop from Epic Stock Media

If lo-fi beats aren’t your thing, throwback to the 90s with the Iconic Hip Hop drum sample pack from Epic Stock Media.

Add some truly vintage flare with a big library of vintage-sounding drums including saturated snare drums, booming kick, and crispy hi-hats.

Our favourite sample from the pack: Iconic Hip Hop Kick Thump

Get the Best Hip Hop Samples for Your Track With LANDR Samples

Hip hop samples aren’t the only kind of samples you can find with LANDR Samples. Our sample library contains over one million unique and royalty-free samples.

Not to mention that Selector, our AI sample suggestion tool, is always there to help you sift through our library and find the perfect sound.

You can see how Selector works to suggest cool sample ideas in our new blog series Sample and Hold.

Now, go find some cool samples and make a sick hip hop beat!

  The post The 10 Best Hip Hop Sample Packs appeared first on LANDR Blog.

from LANDR Blog https://blog.landr.com/hip-hop-samples/ via https://www.youtube.com/user/corporatethief/playlists from Steve Hart https://stevehartcom.tumblr.com/post/190643818759

[s3661125-blog]

VICTORIAN ARTS CENTRE

The Arts Centre is widely known around Melbourne for its entertainment and is positioned along St Kilda Road, Melbourne, close by the Yarra River. Guests often go to enjoy live music, theatrical and comedic performances held in their grand theatre halls. Approximately 4,000 performances and public events are held at the centre every year!

Construction of the Arts centre began in 1973 and was completed and opened in October 1984. Roy Grounds (architect) was originally appointed the position of designing the building but by 1979 John Truscott was to redesign and plan new interiors for the Melbourne Concert hall and Theatres building.  The Arts Centre comprises of: “The Hamer Hall”, “State Theatre”, “Fairfax Studio” and “ Playhouse”. What makes this building so remarkable and recognisable is the tall spire attached to the main building. It was completed in 1996, reaches 162 metres and the steel in which it is built from weighs an amazing 97.7 tonnes.

The Arts Centre has quite a long and complicated history. Here is a brief timeline of events to give you an insight into its interesting background.

1887: “Cooper & Bailey's Great American International Circus” establishes its tent on the site

1907:  “Wirth Brother's Circus” takes over site for 50 years to follow until their building was destroyed by a fire, 1953

1959 : Roy Grounds ( architect) is designated to the project of the Arts Centre

1973 : Construction began!

1982 : Hamer Hall ( was called “Melbourne Concert Hall)

1984 : Arts Centre Completed

1996 : Spire officially completed

From this timeline of events, you are able to see that this site has been used to entertain the people of Melbourne from the late 1800's up until till now. This is something I find quite significant and unique.

Roy Grounds (1905-1981), the original Victorian designer/architect for the Arts Centre is known for his modern take on design. He focused particularly on geometric based design elements. He was more well known for his modern home designs, which he helped introduce to Australia.  I believe his design concepts contrasted against others as he was ahead of his time. Grounds modernism and primarily geometric focus were sometimes criticised by other designers and architects, as he had a unique interpretation of the modern style. Modernism emerged in the late 19th century-early 20th century. Features of this design era included: clean lines, basic shapes and forms, linear elements, reinforced concrete, glass, steel. Function and practicality helped dictate design in this era. Most of these elements can be seen in the Arts Centre Melbourne, ie the spire.

Whilst saying this, The Arts centre also combines and uses Post-modern features with modernism, creating a visually unique building. This is particularly seen inside of the building. For example, the soft textures, bold colour choice and large mirrors indicate the shift in design style. These particular elements emulate features of 1920's Art Deco style. Post-modernism  (mid-late 20th century) liked to recycle past historical trends and events which can be seen in the Arts Centre. Post-modernism was a reaction to modernism and in this case, both styles seem to compliment each other.

In terms of the exterior, the Spire is the most intriguing feature and the triangular steel design reflects Grounds love for geometry and modern design. The spire has a sharp and long white spire reaching up to the sky almost resembling the Eiffel Tower. The spire also lights up at night and looks quite whimsical, similar to the Eiffel tower. It dominates the surrounding landscape due to its scale and appearance. Its delicate yellow steel framework leads your vision up to the very top and its gravitational pull is what makes it a strong focal point amongst the other buildings. Whilst its dominance evokes this sense of grandness it also creates a magical atmosphere ( particularly at night). Looking towards the bottom of the spire, you can see the beautiful curvature of the framework. It appears as if the spire has attached itself to the main concrete foundation of the building resembling an underwater creature such as a starfish or octopus. This way, the building allows the viewer's imagination to wander, which brings a fun playful element to its design. The simple rounded concrete design of the main building reinforces the contemporary style of the centre.

The Arts Centre is probably my favourite interiors of the three buildings. Guests are welcomed by a rich colour palette of reds and gold. Deep red carpet can be seen throughout the whole building, including the stairs. The balustrades are gold, including some of the pillars. The interior walls are either of creamy colour or are made up of a light brown timber. Some of the walls are lined with large mirrors creating an illusion of a more spacious area, emphasising its grandness. Lighting is kept simple and classy. Furniture is kept quite simple and minimalistic in the waiting rooms and foyer, emphasising the modernistic design. The choice of plain brown chairs and bench seating means the furniture doesn't distract from the beautiful interior. The combination of a tasteful colour pallet, warm lighting and beautiful large mirrors leaves an impression of high class and elegance. This may encourage guests to have a more enjoyable evening as they may feel a sense of royalty. Such glamorous design elements indicate the post-modern aspect of the interior and references back to Art Deco style.

Hamer Hall is one of the most well known performing spaces. Hamer Hall is a multi-level concert venue for orchestral performances. It originally opened as the “Melbourne Concert Hall”  but was renamed in 2004, paying homage to former Victorian Premier Sir Rupert Hamer. By 2012 the Hall had undergone major redevelopment. This includes new modern foyer spaces, river entrances, stairs, improved acoustics and seating, disabled access, and more. Hamer Hall is more modern and minimalistic compared to the rest of the buildings more post-modern interior.

The Halls' walls are painted in patterns and colours which are said to reflect Australia's gemstone deposits.  This gives the impression that the building was carved out of a hillside. This natural textural appearance reminds guests that the hall is underground and makes their experience even more memorable. The hall seats 2462 which are now better than before and are of a Spanish design. With all the refurbishments the hall has undergone, it aims to create the most comfortable experience for guests. The earthy, natural design and minimal colour pallet ( mainly shades of light brown) and wide open space creates a tranquil atmosphere allowing guests to escape from the world above. The design also allows for guests to focus solely on the performers and to enjoy the music travelling throughout the room. The contemporary refurbishments stay true to Roy Grounds original project vision.

The State Theatre is probably the grandest in terms of design and reflects the same elegant features that can be seen in the foyer. The theatre is underground and the stage is one of the largest in the world, apparently equivalent to the floor space of eight suburban homes! The theatre is typically used for ballet and musical productions such as the opera.  As guests enter they are faced with the same deep red colour scheme that can be seen outside the theatre.  Almost everything is of red colour with exception of the stage and the seating barriers on the 2nd and 3rd floors.  The red scheme accompanied with the ceiling lights creates a very warm and pleasant environment making guests feel welcomed straight away. Seating is tiered ( 3 floors) and space is large enough to hold 2,000 people. As the lights dim, 75,000 small brass cups decorate the ceiling above can be seen, which helps create an enchanting atmosphere. The heavy red-draped stage curtain is decorated with hand-painted windflowers, the state's Coat of Arms and the outspread of a lyrebirds tale. The gold paint shines brightly in the night and mesmerises its audience. The State Theatre falls nothing short of being majestic and timeless. The bold expansive space encourages the audience to comfortably appreciate performances in all their glory. Guests may be overcome with feelings of excitement, curiosity and joy even before the show has started. There is a stark contrast between the design of this theatre compared to Hamer Hall. The theatre space represents a 1920′s design whilst Hamer Hall remains simple and modern.

Having been to the Arts Centre myself, I can express the significant way in which the design and environment captivate guests as they walk through the door. There are no other words than timeless, elegant, royal and majestic that can describe the design and emotions that guests are able to feel.

REFERENCE:

References

"Our History | Arts Centre Melbourne", Arts Centre  Melbourne, date accessed :14/04/2018, https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/en/about-us/our-history.

Conrad Hamann, "Biography - Sir Roy Burman Grounds”, Australian Dictionary Of Biography, date accessed : 14/04/2018, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/grounds-sir-roy-burman-12571.

"Roy Grounds", Wikipedia, date last edited : 22nd October 2016, date accessed :14/04/2018, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Grounds.

"Modern Architecture", Wikipedia, date last edited: 8th April 2018, date accessed:  14/04/2018 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_architecture.

Openlearn from the open university, “Modernism: design in a nutshell”, Youtube, date uploaded :May 8th 2013, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDCEtnXlA4Y

"Hamer Hall | Arts Centre Melbourne", Arts Centre Melbourne, date accessed :  14/04/2018, https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/Visit/Theatres-and-Spaces/Hamer-Hall.

"Melbourne’S Hamer Hall Reopens: Is $136 Million Money Well Spent? , Stage Whispers, published in the September / October 2012 edition of Stage Whispers, date accessed: 15/04/2018,   http://www.stagewhispers.com.au/articles/197/melbourne%E2%80%99s-hamer-hall-reopens-136-million-money-well-spent.

"State Theatre”,  Arts Centre Melbourne" , date accessed : 15/04/2018, https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/en/visit/theatres-and-spaces/state-theatre.

*I ADDED MY IMAGES FOR THE ARTS CENTRE HOWEVER IT WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO POST WITH PHOTOS* (no idea why)

[almostdiplomatic]

One of the best things about Berlin is brunch. I love how it’s such a huge thing in this city – especially on weekends. It’s my favourite meal, after all. Breakfast food without having to wake up early plus mimosas? Why, count me in!

So, it’s only fitting that I do a series paying homage to my favourite Berlin weekend tradition. Our first stop? Brunchette by Dînette.

Brunchette is done on Sundays and you’ll have to call in advance for a reservation. Dînette, the restaurant that hosts this brunch affair, usually announces its availability via their Facebook page.

Excited brunch faces!

If Dînette wasn’t located all the way in Friedrichshain, I would prolly be there almost everyday. I guess this is really where your kiez (neighbourhood) comes into play. It’s a bit of a distance from my kiez but I am more than willing to make the trek maybe once every few weeks.

The Brunchette Ambiance

The small restaurant gives off a cosy, laid-back vibe. We went during the last few days of summer and the temperature was already dropping despite the sun still showing itself on the daily.

Upon entering the restaurant, you’ll notice the warm lighting while the huge windows flood the area with sunlight. That is, if the sun’s around. We were pretty lucky that day.

Some coffee to get things started.

It won’t be Berlin Brunches without the food

Ah, the menu. Where do I even begin? Theirs s pretty concise yet solid when it comes to selection. You have perfectly poached eggs and a choice of gravlax or bacon for a decadent Eggs Benedict.

There’s also the Transcroque that comes with spinach, onions, mushroom, truffle oil, and Béchamel.

The first two dishes went to the men. For my friend Sarah and I, it was pancake day. We’ve been craving for a while and we just had to get some that weekend. Especially after a botched attempt at making some after I misread some German instructions at the back of a pancake mix box. It was a rather difficult week for my ego and I knew I had to have some.

Look at that fluffy goodness. My only complaint is that I only got one! This pancake came with some self smoked ricotta, maple sirup, bacon, and fried, sunny-side-up egg. The yolk went oozing all over my pancake the moment I broke it – just the way I like it.

As for the price point, it’s on the mid-range scale. A meal at Brunchette would cost you an average of EUR15 per person. It may be pretty steep for Berlin considering there are places where you can go for a EUR6 brunch buffet.

Take this is a ‘treat yo’self’ kind of thing for the weekend – especially if you’ve been good with your finances the whole week. The servings are also pretty filling so you may not reach for something to eat until way later in the day. You can also taste that the ingredients are of really good quality. So, all in all, it was really worth the money.

The area where Brunchette is held is only a stone’s throw away from the Spree. The riverbank offers a good view of the Oberbaumbrücke, making it perfect for a post-brunch walk. There’s also some pretty cool architecture that will make you want to snap some photos.

Brunchette (Dînette)

Lehmbruckstraße 9 10245 Berlin Phone: 030 755 66 038 Facebook page Website

Accepts reservations Accepts card payments

More later!

Love,

Carol

Berlin Brunches: Brunchette (Dînette), Friedrichshain One of the best things about Berlin is brunch. I love how it's such a huge thing in this city – especially on weekends.