#Best cheap Pinot Noir

[wine-porn]

Since 1962

My absolute FIRST exposure to Santa Barbara wines (and an urban winery before it was cool)–many, many years ago–and still a winner in every category. I revisit occasionally–just to make sure–and across their ridiculously inexpensive roster: never fails to please. Pale chalky transparency in the glass, a blackened ruby fading out to dusty red at the rim. Nose pitch-perfect California Pinot: ripe…

[thiswaycomessomethingwicked]

Do you drink wine? What kinds do you like if you do?

Oh I love wine! Wine is the best!

Im quite partial to a very dry Prosecco, a good valpolicella ripasso or amarone, or a big bold super Tuscan and/or Cab Sauv (…I might have a preference for Italian wines/grapes)

That said, I’ve recently been getting into Primativos and Chiantis

Pinot noirs are fiiiine if I must, but not a fave

Pinot Grigio is very drinkable if I must do a cheap white at the airport, ditto for Malbec or Merlot for the reds

Im incredibly picky about Chardonnays but when I find a good one, they are to die for

I like vihno verde in the summer, also very dry rosés

But yeah—I love talking about wine, drinking wine, tasting/smelling/describing etc

It’s a rich, wonderful world and I love it so much

[ask meme]

Thank you!! 💕💕

[x0filthymartini0x]

rainchecks

Hi! This is my first fanfic ever. I’m starting with a slow burn I think, as I’m trying to get comfortable writing out scenarios and not taking myself too seriously or being too hard on myself. I’ve only really seen Eddie Munson fanfic so I wanted to write one about a female reader x Joseph. This is more of an intro to a series I’d like to continue with, so if you have any suggestions or constructive criticism please feel free to share it. Thanks! :)

You and Joseph have been friends since childhood, but feelings have been building up over time. He comes to your apartment to catch up for a few before your date night, but plans fall out and the two of you are left with some free time.

Contains: Very slow buildup to sensual themes, use of cuss words.

“Fuck.” You let out a big sigh as the text flashes across your phone screen that reads, “Hey, I won’t be able to make it tonight, I wish you the best though.” After countless nights throughout the summer having empty conversations with strangers on restaurant patios, you’ve come to the conclusion that you’ll be taking a much needed break from attempting to find your soulmate until further notice. You toss your phone down on your bed and head to the kitchen to grab a glass of wine.

It’s four o’clock on the dot, the sun peering in through your pale yellow curtains that Joseph has just barely closed so he can still see his laptop screen without a glare blocking his view. He’s slumped over at your kitchen high-top, the table just big enough for two.

He has his head down, but shifts his eyes up to glance at you rummaging through the cabinets for two glasses. 

“You alright?” he asks.

You take a moment to gather your thoughts, staring at the array of glasses in front of you. “Yeah, totally fine. You want a glass of wine before you head out?” There they are! Your favorite wine glasses are hiding in the very back of the middle shelf of the cabinet, roomy enough to hold a full bottle of wine each. Perfect for the night alone you’re about to have while you rethink all the men you’ve had the displeasure of interacting with the past two months. You reach up to grab your glass and pour the entire bottle of a cheap Pinot Noir you snagged from the market.

“Y/N, do you play me for a fool?” Joseph giggles. Nothing ever gets past him. “I know that tone. What’s wrong, love?”

You whip your body around to see Joseph staring at you with his deep, coffee-colored doe eyes, his lips curling up into a cheeky grin. He’s worn the same smile since you two were kids, and though he has remained your best friend throughout his career endeavors, the last few years your feelings have taken a shift into a bit of a crush. How could they not? He’s flourished into such a charming man. Your mom always joked about the two of you growing up and falling in love, but you barely see him anymore. And you’re certain he’s never had such feelings to reciprocate with all the beautiful women he’s in the presence of on a daily basis, being a fucking heartthrob or whatever the magazines call him. 

“Right,” you mutter. “Sorry, I’m just so exhausted of the same old ‘hey, I’m not really feeling this but you’re great, sorry to waste your time’ bullshit excuses from these lousy guys. I’ve lost count of how many dates I’ve gone on in the past few months. I’m raising my glass to loneliness tonight.”

Joseph’s eyes light up, but he leans back in his chair, crosses his arms and pulls his lips into a taunting pout. “Ah, so this means I have to deal with you all by myself this evening?”

You roll your eyes as you walk over to the high-top and climb yourself up into the excruciatingly tall chair, carefully placing your glass of wine down on the middle of the table. “I thought you had a meeting tonight?” You try to avoid making eye contact but you glance over and lock your eyes with his. He’s sporting his usual attire for a Tuesday afternoon with you when he’s in town. A crisp white linen button-down, the top three buttons undone so you can just barely see his tanned chest he acquired over the summer with two dainty gold chains dangling from his neck. His tan skinny jeans look a bit worn in as he’s been traveling all day before he settled in at your apartment. He’s got on his favorite pair of beaten up converse in crimson red, and you notice he’s let his curls grow out a bit. They fall loosely around his ears, one single lock falling over his right eyebrow. God, he’s beautiful. 

“I think I can skip a meeting here and there for my best friend. I haven’t seen you in nearly a year, I miss hearing about the unfortunate male drama you tend to attract.”

“That’s so endearing, Joe.” He hates when you call him that. 

He lets out a hearty laugh and reaches out his hand, palm facing up. “Let me see your phone.”

“Absolutely not!” you exclaim. “I don’t have it on me, anyway. It’s on my bed, and I’m not leaving this table until I finish this glass of wine.” The last time you let Joseph have your phone to mock the boys in your Instagram messages, he came across a text of you telling your friend about the night the two of you went out for drinks for the first time. Your text read, “Went out to grab drinks with Joe tonight, I’ve never heard someone utter the words filthy and martini the way he did. I wanted to open my legs right then and there. I see why the girls obsess over him lol.” You were absolutely mortified when he looked up from your phone, grinning while handing it back to you with the message wide open. You could only mutter out, “Oh, god. I met this guy named Joe and I think I’m just swooning over anyone that offers to buy me a drink, I’m so desperate.” All he could reply with was, “Oh, of course. I’m sure it was a fun night, huh?” He was typically naive to the flirtation that came from other women, and never paid much attention to the fans that constantly followed him and threw themselves at his feet, but this conversation was so painfully obvious that it was about him that he looked a little disappointed when you tried to cover up your own admiration for him. Ever since then, he loved teasing you about it when he had the opportunity to.

“What? Something in there you don’t want me to read, Y/N?”

“Shut up.” You’re too easy to get worked up, and he’s good at getting you there. He’s always known how to completely and utterly annoy you to your core. 

You catch your face flushing and quickly look down at the wine glass. After you nearly chug a fourth of your glass in a few seconds, you put the glass back down and look back up at Joseph. He’s still got his arms folded over his chest, eyes locked on yours as if to make a point of something.

“Isn’t that your special glass? The one that holds an entire bottle of wine?” 

“Yeah, why?”

“You asked me if I wanted a glass and didn’t think to share with me?”

“You didn’t answer me!” you giggle. “You’re more than welcome to share since apparently you don’t have anywhere to be now.”

Joseph reaches for the glass. “Thank you for your permission, that’s so kind of you to offer.” He grins and looks down at wine, swirls it around a little bit and takes a sip. “This is absolutely dreadful, where did you find this?”

You roll your eyes at him and snatch the glass from his hand. “Some of us enjoy cheap wine, you twat.” You take another sip, feeling the warmth of the wine going down your throat, tingling on your tongue as you swallow. “You’re right though, it’s actually not that good. But it gets the job done, you know?” 

“Well,” he uncrosses his arms and props his elbows on the table, his face sitting in his hands about a foot away from yours, “it’s no filthy martini. But it’ll do for the hour.” 

Your heart stops for a second, still staring into his soft eyes. He knows what he’s doing, and he confirms it by parting his lips just a little bit, biting the lower left of his pout while he flashes you a flirty wink. You can hear him chuckle under his breath, almost as if he’s trying to hide the fact that he’s fully aware he’s making you fidget in your seat.

“Go get dressed.” He demands, his soft look turning a bit sly.

“Get dressed?”

“Yes, you heard me.”

“I am dressed.” You’ve got on a pair of black jeans that cuff at the ankles, a plain olive colored v-neck neatly french-tucked into the front waistline that accentuates your cleavage perfectly with the push-up bra you put on for your original date plans, and a pair of black strappy heels that you wear with every date night outfit. If he has suddenly come up with something for the two of you to do, this should be fine to wear out.

Joseph hops out of his chair and moves his eyes from yours, slowly down to your shoes. “I want you to go put on that dress I like.”

Immediately you feel your stomach drop into your knees. That dress. The one he complimented you on two years ago when you got dolled up for your birthday, he had come over to give you a bouquet of lilies, a bottle of champagne and a raincheck that read, “Redeemable the next time I’m in town for more than a day or two. Happy birthday Y/N, looking forward to celebrating you.” He wasn’t sure at the time when he’d be able to make it up to you, but before he dipped out of your birthday gathering to hop on a flight he told you this was his favorite outfit on you. He made you do a little turn, giving you a delicate slow clap before whispering in your ear, “This dress looks amazing on you, love. I’m sure the lucky guy will love it.” A little black dress that clung to your every curve and made you feel fucking hot. Except that night there was no lucky guy, just a night out spent dancing with your friends to ring in the next trip around the sun. 

You snap from the memory and come back to the present moment. 

“Oh?” You were left speechless, your palms glistening with sweat.

“Don’t tell me you got rid of it?” he asks, his face falling into a sulky, sultry look.

“No, no, actually. It’s still hanging up in my closet.”

“Perfect. You want me to find it for you?”

“Um, yeah. Yeah, have fun in there, it’s a mess.”

“It’s just like you!” he laughs. He walks a couple steps towards you, grabs your hand and leads you through the hallway to get to your bedroom.

What is he doing? It doesn’t matter. Don’t overthink this. You’ve waited to feel this sickening tension reciprocated for years, it’s nearly laughable. 

Joseph walks you up to your closet, releases your hand and opens the closet door. “Jesus Christ, Y/N. You weren’t kidding.”

You weren’t. Your closet is an absolute wreck. The dress is in here somewhere, but you’re not even focused on finding the damn thing anymore.

You stand at the door way, looking out into your walk-in closet. Suddenly you feel his hand graze your lower back, his curly hair brushing against your ear. His lips lightly touch your earlobe as he mutters, “I want to see you put it on for me.” He raises his hand from your lower back up onto your shoulder, brushing the hair away from your face. “I’ve waited long enough, haven’t I?”

His voice is dripping with sensuality. You can feel yourself getting aroused, the butterflies in your stomach traveling down to your thighs.

This is what you’ve been waiting for.

[jamiexryan]

open to: @alexmoralesx​    location: some staten island’s bar      

         It was one thing to never be able to come anywhere on time, but to almost miss out on her friend’s birthday gathering, that was unforgiving. But leave it to Jamie to be late and in a result to miss out all the fun. It wasn’t her fault though (it definitely was), because why would anyone have a birthday party in Staten Island? Come on. The only island that counted was Manhattan. Why would anyone ever want to leave it? So it took her some time to get there and naturally, when she made her appearance in some bar she’d never ever come back to, the half of the birthday party was already half-drunk. 

            Making her way towards the bar, in a swift move that was almost perfect, Jamie called over the bartender who didn’t waste any time to come over to the petite brunette who luckily for her, was dressed up in a little black dress - a recipe to get her whatever she wanted. “Get me a bottle of 2015 Tempranillo.” Not her favorite, but also one of the best ones out there. And surely, even this bar had to have it. “What do you mean you don’t have it? It’s Tempranillo. It’s maybe 50 dollars per a bottle, that’s cheap. How do you don’t have it? Jesus,” she muttered to herself knowing better than to get into a fight with a bartender because then nothing would help her, not even her looks. “Scribe’s Pinot Noir from 2018? You have to have that.” But she was met with a quick shake of bartender’s head. “Oh, then just bring me whatever you have that is good.” Where the hell was she? Staten Island wasn’t on another planet, was it? It could have easily been judging by the turn of events. “And it better be the best one,” she shouted at the bartender.

[kingjamesroystonpub]

King James Royston Pub - Happy Hour

With all the stress and worry that comes with daily life, a lot of people need to take some time to rest and relax. People love Happy Hour, which has been going on for a long time and brings people together to talk over food and drinks. We're going to talk about what makes Happy Hour special and what kinds of things are usually served at these events. We shine a light on King James Royston Pub Happy Hour, where the deals are tempting and plentiful.

Happy Hour, what is it?

People who like to drink can get half-priced alcoholic drinks at many places, like restaurants, clubs, and bars, during what is called "Happy Hour." This idea came from the US in the 1920s. Bars tried to bring in more customers during slow times of the day by having "Happy Hour." It turned into a craze that people all over the world loved as time went on.

Why Happy Hour Is So Important

Happy Hour is more than just cheap drinks; it's a time for people to unwind, meet new people, and forget about their troubles for a while. Happy Hour is a fun time to unwind and hang out with friends, whether you're enjoying a big event or just wanting to hang out.

What Can You Get At Happy Hour?

Any given establishment could have a wide range of drinking drinks available during Happy Hour. What about the other types? To give you an idea of what they are, here is a general outline:

Beers -

Lagers: 

A lot of beer fans pick lagers during Happy Hour because they are crisp and cool. Pale lagers, pilsners, and light in colour are some examples.

Ales:

The different smells and tastes of ales make them enjoyable for many. Certain types of beer are very popular, like amber beers, pale ales, and India pale ales (IPAs).

Stouts and Porters:

These beers are rich and full-bodied, so people who like darker, maltier beers tend to like stouts and porters. A lot of the time, this kind of music sounds like chocolate, coffee, or roasted grains.

Unique Beers: 

In the past few years, craft breweries have become very famous because they make so many unique and creative types of beer. Craft beers, like fruity sour ales and strong double IPAs, are a must-have for Happy Hour options. Try some of the unique Burger and British beer pairings at the King James Royston Pub.

Wines-

Red Wines:

During Happy Hour, enjoy a glass of a strong red wine. They are full-bodied and rich. Different types of red wine, like Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, give people a wide range of tastes, from sweet to earthy. 

White Wines:

Happy Hours outside are great with white wines because they are crisp and have a light acidity. A few of the most fruity and acidic types of wine are Chardonnay, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Rosé Wines:

Rosé wines are popular in the summer because they are light pink and have a delicate taste. They are also great for parties outside. Many of these wines, which tend to be on the lighter side, smell like strawberries, lemon, and flowers.

Sparkling Wines:

A classy drink of sparkling wine is the best way to celebrate an important event. Champagne, Prosecco, or Cava are the perfect wines to end a drink party on a high note.

Cocktails -

Classic Cocktails:

Crafting Signature Cocktails like the Martini, Manhattan, and Old Fashioned are always a good choice at Happy Hour. Always in style are cocktails like this one, which are made with fine spirits and taste great.

Tempting Tropical Drinks:

With a Piña Colada, a Mojito, or a Mai Tai, you can escape to a tropical paradise. Enjoy one of these cool drinks in the summer when it's hot outside. They are made with rum, herbs, and tropical fruits.

Artisanal Cocktails:

They push the edges of what's possible in the art form of mixing drinks with each new recipe. During Happy Hour, craft cocktails, like smoked drinks and molecular mixology projects, offer a unique way to drink.

Mocktails: :

Anyone who wants something cool to drink without the booze can try a mocktail instead of an alcoholic cocktail. All of these mocktails, from alcohol-free Margaritas to mojitos without alcohol, are sure to please any taste.

Spirits-

Vodka:

Vodka, with its numerous uses, is an essential ingredient in both traditional and modern drinks. Whether you prefer it neat or in a cocktail, vodka provides a crisp, neutral foundation that brings out the best in other flavours.

Whisky

Whisky flavours and types range from bourbon to Scotch, so there's sure to be one that suits your taste. Whisky enhances any Happy Hour with its rich flavour and complexity, whether enjoyed plain, on the rocks or mixed with other cocktails.

Rum

Many cocktail connoisseurs like rum, a sugarcane-derived liquor that comes in a variety of flavours, including mild, dark, and spiced rum. Rum adds a tropical touch to Happy Hour cocktails like traditional Daiquiris and more adventurous Tiki beverages.

Gin

Many people in the mixology community adore gin for its refreshing flavour and herbal scent. A lot of people who frequent Happy Hour bars prefer gin-based drinks, such as the traditional Gin and Tonic or the revitalising Tom Collins.

Smooth tequila:

Celebration and fiesta are inseparable when it comes to tequila-based cocktails, such as Margaritas and Tequila Sunrises. The blue agave plant is the source of tequila, a spirit that will liven up any cocktail party.

Enjoy King James Royston Pub - Happy Hour 

Famous for its welcoming atmosphere, great Happy Hour deals, and attentive service, King James Royston Pub is centrally located in the city. People swarm to the bar every weekday from 3 to 6 in the afternoon to take advantage of the enticing buy-two-get-one-free offer on certain alcoholic beverages.

A Taste of the Best:

Happy Hour at King James Royston Pub is an event to savour, not merely a time to save money on beverages. No matter your taste in beer, wine, or cocktails, you're sure to find something you love. Enjoy a refreshing pint of beer, a glass of wine, or a cocktail made by the skilled bartenders of the pub.

Enhancing the Beverages:

King James Royston Pub has a tempting assortment of food and appetisers to go along with their drinks, so you may nibble on those as you chat with friends. All of the dishes are meticulously prepared using the best ingredients, ranging from traditional pub fare like fish and chips to gourmet snacks like bruschetta and truffle fries.

Making Memories:

The sense of family that develops during Happy Hour at King James Royston Pub is probably the best part. Gathering around tables with friends, telling tales and laughing creates memories that will remain forever. You can have a fantastic Happy Hour at King James Royston Pub, whether you're meeting up with old friends or making new ones.

Conclusion:

Last but not least, Happy Hour is more than simply a time for reduced beverages; it's a long-standing custom that unites people in a joyous celebration of mundane joys. Enjoying Happy Hour with friends is a great way to relax, mingle, and make lasting memories, whether you're at your local watering hole or the King James Royston Pub from Monday to Friday, from 3 pm to 6 pm. Apart from Happy Hour, we also entertain our customers with Karaoke Night every alternate Friday and Quiz Night every Monday. Those who are interested in Quiz Night can gather a group of 6 and participate to win great prizes.

If you're ever in need of a break from the monotony of everyday life, why not celebrate Happy Hour with us?

[dizzygirlfriday]

notes of a restless girl.

Okay then...

Word on the street is that Tom Brady would come back out of retirement if he only had to work on Sunday's. Okay then... come back.

If you react with kindness, sympathy, and compassion, you put the best part of yourself out there. And that is definitely going to come back to you. Okay then, I have to remember that.

Oh great, now there's lead in Stanley cups! But they only pose a risk of lead exposure if the cover on the bottom of the tumbler comes off and exposes the pellet used to seal the cup's vacuum insulation. Okay then, they're okay to put liquid in.

Okay then...

Here's an old journal entry I wrote in my wordpress page talking about my lovers... (my love of poetry and who were my favorite poets metaphorically). January 2016

my lovers

I’ve danced a thousand beats in time to F. Scott Fitzgerald.  On occasion we sleep side by side, he is a wonderful lover and a fellow hopeless romantic.  We meet on the streets of Paris and dance at the stroke of midnight, reminiscing the roaring 20’s, the age of intolerance with so much jazz and modernness.

I take bubble baths with E.E. cumings, he likes the smell of lavender, and he scrubs my back as he dons his hat smoking his most favorite lush cigar.  We listen to French music, J’ai d’amour, he likes to do things his way, or nothing at all, he’s so bizarre.

I share wine underneath the trees with Robert Frost.  He likes red, Pinot Noir, and whistles show tunes from his lips.  He loves the countryside and to feel the grass between his toes, a giver of life’s beauty... he always hands me a rose.

Charles Bukowski just wants to have sex with me and at times I find that a thrill… a tad arrogant and rude, but still, I respect his undying words, they are so real.  We’ve had many talks about his “whore” ways, but he still makes me giggle as he drinks his cheap whiskey, and smokes like a stack, he’s so frisky.

William Shakespeare whispers softly in my ear, a classical touch so debonair, on a starry night and his words never bore me, thou shall live in my soul and love thee for an eternity.

Edgar Allen Poe, well… what can I say about him?  He has my undying attention, and whispers from his grave where he is safely kept in.  I listen to him on the eve of a moonlit night, his haunting blooms that saturate the sky and succumb to the beats of his heart, where we feast our eyes on the raven’s claw as hollow as the echoes that chant nearby, from the souls of the lost departed, who simply just cry.

[thegrapedcrusader]

Christmas Wine Guide 2023

I'm sure I only did my last festive wine guide around 6 months ago. Time is flying and Christmas will be here before you know it. Here's my guide to what you should be drinking this year with the usual irreverent categories..... Happy Christmas everyone!

The "Champagne is getting a bit pricey isn't it?" sparkling choice - Jansz Premium Cuvee NV Tasmania - £14.49 Waitrose

The rugged region of Tasmania probably isn't the first place you think of for elegant and charismatic sparkling wine but the clever chaps at Jansz are certainly making it work. This blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir is terrific and punches far above its price point. Some stunning value here (currently £4 off in Waitrose) and a regular for us at home.

The "I want to take something a bit different round to my friend's house" wine - Orange natural wine Recas Estate 2022 - £14.40 Tanners

If you're not the only person that rocks up with a natural orange wine from Romania then you're at a very civilised gathering indeed. This blend of Fetească Regală, Muscat Ottonel, Riesling and Pinot Grigio is full of rich apricot and orange notes and has a slightly nutty / brioche finish. This never fails to impress when I open a bottle and being sulphite free is an added bonus.

The "Christmas spirit (no not that spirit)" option - Altamura Distilleries Premium Vodka - £32.50 Master of Malt

Until a few years ago I thought my vodka days were behind me (and even then they were cheap mixer days at best). Having begun delving into the world of fine vodka a few years ago however I've been stunned at some of the offerings available. This vodka is crafted from 100% Altamura wheat, a heritage grain cultivated for over two millennia in Italy's Puglia region. The resulting vodka has a citrus and aniseed flavour which whilst excellent in a high end cocktail is even better on its own with a few ice cubes.

The "You have to have a Pinot Noir with Christmas dinner" option - Domanie de la Metairie d'Alon Pinot Noir Village 2021 - £17.99 Majestic

I've long been a believer in the incredible match that Pinot Noir proves to a Christmas dinner. Typically I've gone New World, particularly Central Otago (NZ). This French example from close to Limoux in southern France really impressed me recently. An elegant and fresh wine with hints of cherry and liquorice that will work well if you're organised and eating relatively early in the afternoon.

Hope you all have a fantastic Christmas!

Richard

[dempsey46linde]

Fake Louis Vuitton Replica Bags

This is a result of the leather oxidizing and absorbing oils from the owner’s skin as they handle the bag. It’s a normal part of the leather’s aging course of. We’re not just saying we provide the best quality replica handbags you possibly can ever see, We keep to our word! Louis Vuitton is continuously coming up with designs exterior of the traditional ones, so it’s good to know their baggage properly. A nice way to familiarize yourself is to check their photos online. Some have claimed that items of leather will normally not cut off at the LV logo, but that is not necessarily true. Adding these extras does not assure authenticity. Many sellers say their bags are leather-based, but are just coated plastic. The result will probably be that eBay will say the vendor has to provide a refund as soon as they receive the bag back from you, and eBay will present a return label. You would want to verify the other options of the bag, such as quality of sewing, matching up of patterns, and so on. as outlined within the article above. However, from the date code alone, it suggests the bag had a production date of the 18th week of 2015 and was made in France. wikipedia wallets If you discover a bag that's marketed as vintage and does not have a patina, then it is probably a fake. Keep in thoughts that this solely applies to Louis Vuitton luggage that function the brand on them. If your bag lacks this, then it gained’t be a dependable approach to authenticate the bag. Check to see if the bag’s date code matches the “made in” stamp. Look for the date code inside the bag right along the highest fringe of the bag’s opening. The date code ought to include 2 letters and a four digit number. In reality, should you look on our web site, we publish tons of various photos that show the inside and exterior design of the bag. Any vendor that's hesitant to indicate you the inside design of their bags most likely has something to cover. As you will shortly uncover that's not the case with our company, as our merchandise are freely open to the public. With a love of all issues designer that dates back to her days spent enjoying dress up in her mom’s closet, Kalina Walther has all the time appreciated the finer things. When not researching replicas, Kalina enjoys spending time together with her son, bringing the latest Netflix collection, a tall glass of Pinot Noir, and the occasional hot room yoga session. When I was shopping for replicas, I assumed I would ultimately discover one convincing enough to draw a couple of initial compliments from friends and family. The fixed compliments simply reinforce how high quality this bag is. I’ve received every thing from amazingly cute and sensible equipment, belts, sneakers and, after all, luggage and purses. While I do have a eager eye for all different accessories, I actually have a particular delicate spot in my heart for purses. What follows is my go-to guide for finding the very best in replica purses on the web. This guide will help you pick the easiest quality without arousing suspicion. I’m joyful to report that there are lots of replica purses out there that do meet that high quality normal. High-high quality replica purses don’t have to burn a gap by way of your pocket. https://phoenet.tw/wallet-purse-replica.html Let’s get one thing clear; there are tons of low quality, cheap replica handbags on the market.

[wine-porn]

Not So Expensive

In the grand scheme of sub-30$ pinots, there’s not a whole number of contenders. ABC obviously. A couple Hitching Post’s. J. Lohr Falcon’s Perch. DeLoach and a smattering of entry-level Sonomas… There’s a few out there. But this one here takes the cake. Clear ruby-garnet in the glass, a grimy, perfectly vegetal nose expressing ridiculous dry berry and pure pinot funk. Gritty and piquant on the…

[kane69kane]

Recommended Replica Baggage Sellers Record

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[not-your-regular-writer]

I wrote this for Valentine's Day this year after I saw this card:

And it totally looked like something Crowley would give Aziraphale haha. So enjoy :)

*Phone rings in the bookshop. Aziraphale picks up. It's Crowley.*

- Hello, Angel. Have I, by any chance, dropped my black leather coat at your place?

- Well, hello, Crowley. Which one, you own too many of them.

- Oh, you know, the... The... Well... You're probably right. Can't even describe it without making it look like the one I'm wearing right now.

- So how do you know it's missing?

- I just know. There's a void in my wardrobe. That's how I know. But it's ok, it's a cheap one, maybe it's in this mess I call a home. And... How are things up there?

- Oh... Things are just fine. Today is a special day, many clients have come looking for books, and I'm very much pleased to notice that people find appeasing to give books as gifts in a special date like today's.

- (hesitant) Special... Date?

- (Azi starts blushing for some reason) Valentine's...

- Oh, sure. That date. Can't stand it. Too much love on the streets. No wonder I've got a headache since I woke up this morning. Everything is so... Pink. And happy. Urgh, makes my stomach...

- (Irritated) I see, Crowley, you hate valentines day. Nothing new about it. If you excuse me, there's a line of clients waiting to get their sweeties a book.

- Oh, fine, then. Talk to you later.

- That remains to be seen.

- Wha...

*Azi hangs up, feeling a bit ouraged. He breathes deeply before going back to the clients, his eyes go over a chair next to him. The black coat is there. He can not only see it, but smell it from that distance. He sighs, reaching discreetly to it. Aziraphale had hidden a little poem in its pocket. He thought it would be sweet if he picked it up today, and found it alone, of course, maybe it would put a smile on his devilish handsome face. He wanted to play Crowley a bit, but he was so unpleasant Aziraphale gave up on the entire joke. He shakes his head, too upset to finish the gesture. But the smell trailed behind him. He felt so much love around him, humans could be so charming sometimes, that he forgot about Crowley for a while. "

Later that day...

*Aziraphale is organizing the last pile of books on the counter. It was a fine day, pleasant, cheery, fun. He made a good sale, and earlier that day he had picked up some roses to give as a courtesy to the buyers. He had cut up lots of pink and red paper hearts to have customers write a message to their sweethearts as a surprise inside the books. He had even baked some chocolate muffins in the shape of hearts, but as a treat to himself, guessing he would probably be alone by the end of the day, as always, but in the company of a good cup of tea and a new prophecy book that had just arrived from the 15th century...*

*The doorbell rings. He raises his eyes. Crowley is coming in, taking his glasses off. *

- Crowley... (hesitant) What a... (forcing a smile) Delightful surprise.

- Hey, angel. (looking around, embarrassed) I thought you'd be finished for today, so I thought we could... Have dinner, or something. You know, nothing special, I mean, we always have dinner, it's...

- (smiling the tiniest of grins, out of sight, still with his back turned to Crowley, putting the books back on the shelf) Oh, yes, just dinner. I suppose the Ritz is going to be a bit... Busy for the night, so...

- Oh. You're right. Maybe it is not the best night to dine out...

- Indeed, my friend. (a bit optimistic) But we could arrange something...

- I don't know, angel. Now that you've mentioned it, it's true. It's gonna be noisy, and... Crowded... And... You're probably right. I didn't really think through it.

- Well, I... (he turns around, getting closer to Crowley, who is still at the door) I could cook for us. I mean, I do not mean to brag about it, but I happen to be a very good cook, thank you.

- Oh, I do know that. We could have some... Pasta?

- I'm thinking a very tasty ravioli, marinara sauce, maybe some corn bread and cheese, and... Oh, we'll see.

- I don't wanna impose...

- Of course not, my friend, it is no imposition.

- Then let me get us some red wine to go along with it.

- (Excited again) Fabulous. Then, I will get dinner done, meet you here in an hour?

- Sure, sure. I will... Get the wine.

*Crowley is out on the street, it's been one hell of a task to find fine red wine around, but he managed. When he was getting back to the bookshop, he saw something that sparkled an idea on his mind... *

*Back to the bookshop. Aziraphale is cooking, much amused and pleased with himself. He's distracted checking the taste of his marinara, and he can't see Crowley coming closer.*

- Aziraphale?

- (Jumping) Oh, for good heavens! You almost never use my name, what has got into you to do that?

- (smiling, a bit shy, unusual for him) I... I... (going to say something, but changing his mind) I found our wine. Your favorite of course. Had to put some effort into it, what one doesn't do for a nice bottle of Pinot Noir?

- Oh... (frowning, a bit confused) Definitely. Would you be so kind to put it on the table, along with the basket of bread?

- Yeah, yeah, no problem. (he picks up the wine and the basket, still fighting with words. He makes up his mind, dropping both, and picking something from his pocket, handing it abruptly to Aziraphale). Here. It's for you.

- (Startled, running his hand on the white apron he put on to cook, a little upset, maybe thinking the should have picked a more appropriate moment to give gifts) Ah... Well... (speechless, he picks up. It's a card, a blank white paper, written in black and white, very simple, very blasé. Aziraphale listens to his heart in his years, reading it intently).

- (Crowley starts talking fastly, trying to distract the mood, the sweetness of the occasion) I know it's valentine's day, but you know, humans send cards to one another, anyway, it just felt weird to just not say anything, so I got you this card. It's not a big deal. It doesn't really mean anything. There isn't even a heart on it. So basically it's a card. Saying hi. (Exhales, embarrassed) Oh, forget it...

*Aziraphale hugs him, tender and carefully, his eyes are glistening, he feels much happier than he can express, but he just hugs him, hoping the gesture speaks for itself. Crowley is still as a rock, eyes wide, hands on his pockets. He tries for a pat on the back, but he can't seem to make his hands work. He notices Aziraphale's face is very close to his, he can smell his skin, his white smooth hair, almost tempted to touch it... They part. Aziraphale is smiling beautifully, like only an angel could. Like only Aziraphale could, actually. *

- Thank you, dear.

*Crowley nods his head, not sure of what he could say, but Aziraphale doesn't seem to need it. He goes back to the stove, still holding the card close to his heart without even noticing. It makes Crowley smile, but he takes the bottle and the basket back to put them on the table. The smile never left his face.*

*They have a nice dinner, talking, joking, discussing, eating and drinking. It was a fine night, like many others they had together. But this one had something to it, a different glow, a lighter atmosphere. Crowley is ready to go back to his apartment, his heart is a little heavy, and he wonders why. It is an unusual feeling, but curiously, he can't remember feeling it towards anyone else but Aziraphale. They stand by the door, Aziraphale has that candid smile again after going in the back and getting Crowleys coat.*

- Here. I was just playing you.

- I knew it! Aren't you becoming a trickster yourself?

- (smiles wider) I've got my charms...

- (low voice) You do. (Louder) Ah, so... I should get going. It was a fine meal, I must say.

- Well, thank you. It was a fine company, as always, my friend.

- Well... Happy... Night. Of February... 14th.

- Ditto, in fact, it's almost February 15th.

- Sure... See you around.

- Definitely

- Bye, Angel.

- Bye, Crowley.

*Crowley walks towards his car, feeling a bit dizzy. It was probably all that love thing in the air. At this hour, a bit more than love should be in the air, in fact. He breathed the air, closing his eyes, holding the coat in his hands. Something fell, and he picked up. It was a pink piece of paper. It had Aziraphale handwriting in it. He frowned.*

- He wrote a poem. For... Me.

*He turns around, looking at the bookshop, but now it's all dark and empty. Aziraphale probably went to rest. He would not bother him, right? Maybe... Maybe he didn't even intended for him to find it, maybe he forgot. Yes, he must have forgotten, he didn't even mention... He looks down at the paper again. The feeling of being completely filled inside, but so empty at the same time. So light and so heavy. So close and so far. He gets into his car, putting the poem back in his pocket. He starts driving, too pleased to admit. But the smile is there, crossing his face with the light of a thousand stars.*

*A light shines in the upper window of the bookshop. Aziraphale watched the entire scene. He eats a muffin, too glad to mind, looking at the card over the table. It was the best Valentines Day he had in centuries. Things were getting better."

[tastesoftamriel]

how does table etiquette differ between races/provinces? would it apply to all the population or only in formal company?

There are many rituals and customs surrounding both cooking and eating in Tamriel, and each race is different regarding what's considered appropriate behaviour where food is concerned. Keep this list in mind if you're traveling across Tamriel, especially if you're staying with local hosts! These rules apply mostly to eating with new friends or out in public, in both formal and semi-formal settings such as homes, taverns, and restaurants. While most Tamrielic peoples are pretty forgiving of poor table manners in informal company and settings, remembering these tips will show your hosts that you're both cultured and polite! ~Talviel

Dunmer

The Dunmer are all about rank, and regardless of whether one hails from the Great Houses or the Ashlands, communal dining is a proving ground for outlanders who aren't familiar with Dunmeri customs. Traditionally, the head of the house or clan gets served (or serves themselves) first, and the serving order depends on one's political ranking, age, and social status. For example, a younger Dark Elf who's a general would be permitted to eat before an elder who is lower in social standing. However, traditional hospitality also dictates that the head of the table can give up their first serving to others as an act of honour. This is common when hosting guests, and if you are given the first serving it means you are a true guest of honour. Don't mess it up by displaying poor table etiquette!

Altmer

For the Altmer, table etiquette is everything. One wrong move at the dinner table, no matter how small, will have you disgraced throughout the Summerset Isles and will ensure you'll probably never be invited to dine at any high society soirées ever again. Even young Altmer aren't excused from the strict rules, and table etiquette is generally studied for years before any Altmer are allowed their debut in high society. It would take years to go through the intricacies of High Elf dining faux pas, but in my experience the biggest atrocity one can commit at the dining table is speaking with your mouth full and chewing with your mouth open. In fact, most meals in Altmer households and taverns alike are usually silent (this is why bards are usually employed to stop things from being too awkward). So if you're ever dining with a High Elf, don't be offended if they don't gush over the food right away- it's a case of eat first, talk later!

Orc

You're probably wondering why I even included the Orsimer at all, because most races are under the (wrongful!) impression that they have no table etiquette. However, being allowed to eat with a stronghold is a huge honour, and they have a couple of rules. Firstly, no fighting until after mealtime! Yes, every now and then someone gets mad at the dining table, but fights are reserved for after meals and they have to be taken outside. Brawling in the dining room is considered to be in extremely poor taste even for Orcs, so don't even think about it. The second rule is showing the chef appreciation at the end of the meal...by letting out a loud, healthy burp. I'm not joking! If an Orcish chef comes up to you, you should express your gratitude for your meal by belching. The louder the belch, the better the meal!

Breton

Of all the races of men, the Bretons are the fussiest when it comes to table manners. When dining in High Rock, be sure to brush up on identifying the right cutlery and glasses. Knowing the difference between a snail and a dessert fork, or which knife to use for fish or bantam guar, is sure to impress your Breton hosts and show that you care enough about their food and culture to appreciate using the correct tableware. And for the love of the Divines, please don't drink anything but wine out of a wine glass.

Khajiit

The Khajiit are fairly laid back about dining etiquette, with a few exceptions. Eating with your hands is common, but only after washing them very thoroughly beforehand! Not washing your hands before a meal is a sign of poor upbringing, bad hygiene, and being greedy. On that note, ALWAYS use a serving spoon when sprinkling moon sugar on your food! Not only is the stuff awfully sticky, but nobody wants to eat from a communal moon sugar dish that's had somebody else's fingers in it!

Imperial

The golden rule when dining in Cyrodiil is to know your wine, which is always present at every meal (yes, even at breakfast for some)! You don't have to be a sommelier, but being able to differentiate between a pinot noir and a merlot is something fairly basic that any fan of Imperial cuisine should master. Not only that, but knowing which wine to pair with your food is crucial- asking for a glass of moscato with your main, for example, is bound to cause quite a scandal. If you're ever in doubt, ask your server or the chef what they recommend to prevent the worst faux pas in the Province!

Argonian

Argonians are actually my favourite people to dine with in Tamriel, because they're extremely hospitable folk who love sharing their food! A common custom with Argonians is to have food brought out in large serving bowls which you can help yourself to, with everyone sitting in a circle on the floor around the serving dishes. Like the Khajiit, eating with your hands is common, and washing them well is a prerequisite (not only for politeness, but also because you really don't want to get swamp sickness). While you don't need to worry about how much you eat, be mindful of the elders and hatchlings at the meal, who usually get a bit more out of respect and care.

Redguard

There aren't many hard rules for eating with Redguards, but it's important to be courteous to your hosts and always offer them the first and last bites. This causes a lot of confusion for foreigners, as Redguards are known for being very pushy with their hospitality, especially when it comes to food. Don't fall for the trick though- it is customary to decline what you are offered no less than three times before you can polish off whatever's left! Accepting immediately is seen as greedy, and flat-out refusing is viewed as extremely rude and ungrateful.

Bosmer

The Bosmer, regardless of whether or not they're Green Pact compliant, are sticklers about food wastage, and for good reason! Wood Elf cuisine is usually difficult and slow to cook, and the best way to express your appreciation during mealtimes is to finish every last drop and crumb in front of you. Trust me, I know it can be difficult especially if you're not used to Bosmeri food, but please do your best to finish whatever you're given or have ordered, because your chef will be very sad rather than offended if you don't (and that's almost worse).

Nord

Finally, we return to my people. Like the Orcs, most people wouldn't think that Nords have much in the way of table manners, but there are a couple of things you should bear in mind when eating in Skyrim. Like the Bosmer, food wastage is viewed with disdain. While you're allowed to eat as much as you like (which is actually encouraged!), be sure to take only as much as you can eat. Leaving leftovers on a plate is quite the affront, but asking for a takeaway box is even worse. Not only is Nord food meant to be eaten fresh on the spot, it doesn't exactly keep well and bringing home your partially-eaten steak and potatoes is seen as stingy and cheap. If you're really struggling, it's totally acceptable to ask your Nord friends to help you out if you're close. If you don't know anyone around you, it's also acceptable to feed your leftovers and scraps to the dogs and pigs. Also, unless you're at a tavern or are told otherwise, wash your plate and put it away or your host may very well smash it over your head for presuming that they'll do it for you!

[yolo1650]

Animal Crossing One Shot- Your Love (ReddxReader)

Summary: After a stressful outing with your family, you decide to let loose and spend the rest of the night with your most recent hookup.

Word Count: 3170

Warnings: This one definitely is rated M for mature just to be safe, talk of sex, slightly smutty, angst, especially at the end, inappropriate drinking, mentions of drug use, two adults being bad examples, reckless behavior, has adult language, minors please do not read

This was inspired by the song “Your Love” by the Outfield. I also recommend you guys check out the PostModern Jukebox cover of the same song, the vibe really fits this fic’s atmosphere

——————————————————————————

Thankfully the streets were nearly empty around this time, which made the trip there quick and smooth. The street lights and buildings flew past you at accelerating speeds as you neared your destination.  

*ping*

You didn't even have to look at your phone to know who it was that texted you, or what it said. Knowing him, it was probably his usual smirking emoji, or an eggplant one if he was feeling particularly frisky today.  

Not that it mattered, because after what you had to go through earlier, you were honestly down for anything.  

It was only after stepping outside of your modest 2012 Honda Civic did you realize you forgot to change out of the clothes you wore to the party. The combined sale value of your outfit and the wine set in your hands had to equal at least triple the sale value of the car alone. Thankfully it was only two in the morning. So no one was around to witness you, the walking oxymoron, lock their rental car before walking across the street.

In all the months that you have done this, this would be the first night where you were reckless like this. You assured yourself that it would also be your last.

The door in front of you opened to a shirtless, grinning fox with a lit cigarette in hand. He was a little bit younger than any of your previous hookups. But you didn't mind, and the sex was definitely much more playful and addicting because of it. Perhaps that was why you found yourself standing in front of his door almost every week for the past three months.  

He whistled a low whistle.  

"You know if you wanted to go out and have dinner, you should have picked a more reasonable hour to meet me."

Trying your best, you repressed a bittersweet laugh. Dinner did sound nice. Then the two of you could remotely feel like a normal couple. Only, you weren't a normal couple. You quickly changed the subject by raising your hands, one which held a wine bottle, and another which held two wine glasses and a wine key.  

"No worries, I have all the dinner we need right here."

Handing him the bottle, you saw his eyes light up in intrigue and excitement.  

Redd never asked you to spend money on him and neither did you, as the two of you knew damn well that these meetings had to leave a paperless trail. If anything suspicious showed up on your credit card statement, your parents were sure to find out and it would be bad news for the both of you. It also did his ego some good too, as there was no way he could ever do better than this fancy bottle of wine.  

You only started bringing a complimentary drink this past month, all usually from your family's cellar. Not that Redd was complaining or anything. You were already one hell of a main course, why not spice it up with a nice little appetizer?  

So what was it this time? A deep, mature Merlot? A fun, fruity Pinot Noir? Maybe it was one of those simple and bold Chardonnay he liked so much last time. He put out his cigarette before turning the bottle over and examining its label.  

"Ahh, you know, I've always wanted to try-"  The length of the name alone was enough to stop him mid-sentence. "Mmm, sorry sugar, I can't accept any gifts with names I can't pronounce."

You chuckled and moved next to him to see for yourself. As you took the bottle from his hands, you gave no protest when he pulled you closer with his hand at your waist. You grinned at the sight of the familiar label.

"It's Pinot Noir," you explained. "More specifically, a Maison Leroy, 1989."  

Redd couldn't help but feel his heart flutter at the sight of that mischievous twinkle in your eyes.  

"My parents are so going to hate me when they find out that this is gone."

Your own eyes met with his own, which held an expression that made your heart stop.  

"Rough day, huh?" He asked.  

"You know it, handsome," you whispered into his ear. A pleasant shiver ran down his spine.  

As you went off to prepare the drinks in the tiny kitchenette he had, Redd closed the door and leaned against it. Usually the pet names were more or less his sort of thing. But every once and a while you would throw in a few of your own and every damn time, it would always drive him crazy. Everything about you drove him crazy. Your soft hair. Your lively eyes. Your amazing body. Your beautiful smile.  

Watching you open the bottle with a little pop, he felt something stir within him. A want to hold you closer than ever before and never let go. A desire to wake up with you curled against him, instead of seeing you walk out the door. A need to share with you his heart, his soul, and his everything.  

But the two of you weren't in that kind of relationship now, were you?

Still deep in thought, Redd didn't even see that you were already carrying your drinks to the bedroom.

You looked back to his piercing, half-lidded gaze and, after interpreting it for a lustful one, flashed a sly grin in return.  

"Well come on then, I didn't come here to be drunk and alone tonight."

To Redd, those words only confirmed what he already knew, that you were only here for a good time.  

~~~

One of the first lessons your parents taught you, as their only child and heir to one of the world's richest corporations, was to be very selective of who to trust. It wasn't until recently that you realized that anyone who gave that advice were the ones that should be distrusted the most.  

How ironic.  

It seemed like from that point on your entire life was defined by irony. You were the most alone when you were surrounded by your family. The deadbeat apartment of a stranger’s was more like home than the pristine mansion that you grew up in. Your most treasured memories were held within the cheap fabrics of a futon. And as you sat on top of the lap of a criminal, next to a half-empty bottle of wine, you swore you've never felt more safe than when he wrapped his arms around your waist.  

Your own arms have found the perfect spot on Redd's shoulders. It brought his face nice and close to your own, which not only made kissing his lips easy, but also his jaw and neck as well. Hot breaths tickled the inside of your ear, causing you to giggle uncontrollably.  

"Redd, you're so drunk," you said as you rested your forehead against his own. Your own words were just as jumbled as the nonsense you heard before. "Whaddjiya say?"

Looking at his flushed face, you watched as his lips curled into a lazy grin as he hummed. His eyes were half lidded and full of adoration. Being this close together, you were sure he could hear how fast your heart was beating.

You didn't even know Redd for very long, or really knew him at all for that matter, and yet with one look he was able to send your heart racing. Well, you knew he was an artist, not only well adept in the visual arts but the art of conning as well. But that never bothered you. You've known some family members who've done far worse, scamming people out of their own pride and disgust for the poor. Redd only scammed because he needed to, and that made him the most honest person that you've ever met.  

And the best part was that you could actually be yourself around him. Without the judgmental gaze of your family or their friends, there were no rules, no worries, no box to be squeezed into. It was just you and Redd, and he has never judged you once for it.  

He pecked your nose with a gentle kiss.  

"I said, ya look beautiful darling, being all dressed up like that and all."

Even after two full glasses, you still felt a new wave of heat rushing into your cheeks. You gave a small, strained smile before locking lips with him once again. The kiss, slow and full of longing.  

At first you liked seeing Redd a little bit drunk. He would get a little more cuddlier, and a little bit more direct with his flirting. With that, it was like you could pretend for just a few moments that you were more than just a hookup. But now it just made your heart throb as you were reminded of the events that brought you here in the first place.  

Pushing those feelings down a familiar one rose up on top. Cupping his face with your hands, you deepened the kiss as you adjusted yourself to sit right on top of his growing erection. As you moved your hips back and forth, Redd moaned underneath you. He moved his hands from your waist, down to grip you from behind, pushing you into him more. After breaking away, the two of you shared a moment of reprieve, as your breaths came out in short pants. You grinned a devilish smile before speaking.  

“While I’m glad you like the outfit, I was hoping you could rip it off me, sport.”

Redd flashed his canines, displaying a sinful glee of his own.  

“Feeling anything in particular today?” He asked.  

You leaned in and whispered hoarsely into his ear. “Just surprise me.”

A low growl came out of Redd's mouth as he pushed you down on top of the futon, making you giggle. You’ve seen Redd’s body on top of you like this dozens of times. But this time, there was a nervous fluttering inside you as his fingers skillfully undressed you. At first you just chalked it up to the excitement of having sex with him.  

But the butterfly sensation remained even as he deeply kissed you. His hands caressed your body, its touch was gentle, leaving every square inch aflame. When your eyes locked with his, the nerves came back stronger than ever, and deep down you knew the real answer. It left only one question in your mind:  

Was it possible to be in love with someone you barely knew?  

~~~

By now, Redd already knew all of your sexual preferences. Usually you liked it a little on the rough side, some days more than others, depending on how stressed out you were. On the occasion when you were in a really good mood, you'd like something more on the teasing side. Him on the other hand, well, he wouldn't say he really had a preference. He always enjoyed sex with you. It wasn't every day where he met someone who's stamina rivaled his own, and the challenge that provided was something Redd was always down for.  

But this time, your request was to "just surprise you," and at that moment he knew he wanted to do something new and different. While you were the same smart, confident and snarky person who walked into the bar and captured his interest months ago, things just felt different now.

Even though you never outright said much about yourself, you never really had to. Whatever you left unsaid you would say it ten times louder with your actions. He knew you came from good money, even your more modest clothes were well over how much he made in a year. But you've never acted like any other booshi he's known. No empty promises and pity looks, no flashy speech to protect your ego and to talk down scum like him. You didn't even bat an eye when he told you how he makes most of his money. In fact, he's never met anyone who yelled "fuck the rich" as loudly or as proudly as you.  

The two of you were kindred spirits. Left bitter by the betrayal of the world and yet still managed to find each other. Tonight was the night where he'd show you that, using his whole body to do it.  

At the end, only breathless gasps were uttered between you. Both of your cheeks were colored red, despite the alcohol having already left your systems. Your backs were leaned against the only pillow that he owned. You were the first one to speak.  

"I don't know if it was the Leroy that did it this time, but that was probably the best sex I've ever had."

Redd swung his arm around your shoulder and pulled you close. He looked at you with a prideful grin.  

"Oh yeah? Care to explain?"

That would have been the second time he's seen you blush like that tonight, like a spark of kitsunebi. Its beauty flashed briefly before disappearing once again, a trick in the light. Your eyes had trouble meeting his gaze. They constantly flitted back and forth between him and your lap as you struggled to find the words.

"If felt..."

Were you embarrassed? You, the one that openly admitted and pursued your alcoholic tendencies. You, the one who, after wrecking a bar because one sleaze couldn't take a hint, nonchalantly left a six figure check into the manager's hand and walked away. You, the one that shamelessly banged as many people as paintings he's forged. Unbelievable. Redd's smile only widened as he witnessed your tongue-tied condition. Eventually you sighed in defeat and turned away. Your answer was just barely above a whisper.

"...I don't know, just different. But in a good way."

He reached out and gently grabbed your chin, turning your face back to him. Your faces were close enough for a kiss. But really, he just wanted to get a good look at that flustered face, and damn did you look adorable. He could just stare at it all day.  

The words came tumbling out of him before he even knew it.  

"Is it crazy that I might be in love with you?"

For just an instant, he saw it. That look of dread, that face that someone made when everything went wrong. It left as quickly as it came because soon enough your hungry lips crashed into him, and he was reminded of the first night you were together. The kiss was forceful, not once giving him time to breathe. Before he knew it, you had him pushed against the wall with an arm on either side of his face. In the next second you had released your hold on his lips and looked down at him with half-lidded eyes.

"Yes," was your only response before crashing in on him again.  

Well, that certainly wasn't the answer he was expecting. He remained stiff and motionless underneath you, unsure how to respond. But the feeling of you on top of him was tempting, to just melt into your touch was too easy. He kissed you back. That look that he thought he saw earlier was probably just his imagination, and what you probably meant to say was that you liked crazy people. Good thing they called him Crazy Redd.

When you bit down on his lower lip, it sent small tingles of electrifying excitement between you two and he pulled you closer. It just felt so right to have you in his arms, he was sure you felt it too. Why else would you be on top of him right after he told you he loved you? As you traced teasing kisses down his stomach he could tell you were asking for a second round. His expectant gaze being the only confirmation you needed to keep going. Any fears he had before ceased to exist once he looked into your eyes, full of passion and confidence. He loved you, and deep down, he knew you loved him too.

Right?

Hearing Redd's soft snores next to you was your cue to start getting dressed. You tried your best to be quick and it wasn't because you were about to be late for work. Grabbing all of your things, including the Leroy, you head towards the door. But before you reached for the doorknob, you dared to turn back at Redd’s sleeping body.  

Even though you've seen his peaceful face countless time, every time, even now, it still felt like it was the first. You felt your heart swell along with the gentle rise and fall of his chest as you walked closer. Looking down, you tried your best to memorize every square inch of his serene face, its slender shape, a cute, twitchy nose, high cheekbones and thin eyebrows, You were even close enough to place a kiss right between those eyebrows. It wasn’t like he was going to wake up, especially after last night. Just a sweet little kiss goodbye before you ever saw him again.  

You breath hitched and you pulled yourself away from his face, suddenly remembering yourself. As you made your way back to the door, you tilted your head back, taking a few gulps of last night’s wine. You urged yourself forward. Redd’s face wouldn’t look so sweet if you stayed any longer. You imagined his fine eyebrows, strained as they knit together in anguish, his bright eyes now simmering embers, and his lips sealed tight into an uncharacteristic frown. Stealing one last glance at the Redd behind you was like comparing day and night. You were doing yourself a favor by having your last memory of Redd’s face be this one, and not the one you’ve been fearing all night.

Finishing up the last of the wine, you left the apartment as the memory Redd's confession last night replayed in your head. If Redd was crazy for just loving you, you had to be downright mental to be driving away like this.

As you bit your lip and clenched your shaking hands onto the steering wheel, you deeply wished the ache in your chest would go away. You wished he didn’t confess to you tonight, of all nights. You wished you didn't go to that party with your family before coming here. You wished you had the choice to just be happy, because in just a few months you were going to marry someone you could never love. The only one you did love you've just left alone in his futon, and you were never going to see him ever again.  

After getting on the highway, you weren't sure whether to feel surprised, agitated or indifferent when you felt hot tears prickle at the corners of your eyes. You swallowed a hard lump in your throat. Unfortunately you’ve just finished whatever alcohol you had on you and your Vicodin was in the other car. Your only condolence was the fact that there was always more time to cry in the shower after you got home.

——————————————————————————

Kitsunebi-also commonly known as foxfire. Used in folklore as a means to lead travelers astray

Ohhhhh booyyyyyyy. I told ya’ll this one was going to be a doozy. 

But also, wow! My first (kind of) songfic! I decided to leave out the lyrics throughout the fic, it just messed up with the flow too much. Especially since I added so much background info, the reader here is just half a step away from being a full fledged oc XD

If you liked reading things like these, I’d recommend Friends with Benefits (a Hetalia fic), by YourHero213 on Wattpad. (It actually has a happy ending lol)

If you’re looking for something with more substance, more unrequited feelings and more romantic tension, I’d highly recommend I’m a Fool to Want You (a Hazbin Hotel fic) by DisneyFanatic2364. I’ve linked the one on AO3, but it’s on fanfction.net as well. 

Both of these writers are a big inspiration for my own writing. So I hope you can show them some love too!

Let me know what you guys think, constructive criticism is especially welcome here :D

-(･ω･)v

[sparklingcookiie]

Sparkling, what all did Noir say about Mary? Herb, just imagine the endless possibilities you have now as a legendary plant cookie. You and Mint could make a plant band! Maybe even Millennial Tree would listen and enjoy.

🎻✨Oh no no no! I just wanna go back to normal. I kinda wanna wait until I'm given this power on my own rather than through some cheap magic.

🌱✨I agree! But still, it's nice to have this kind of power now!

🍠Hey guys!

🌱✨Ah! Hey Purple Yam!

🎻✨Any luck with the tickets?

🍠Huh... not really... just EXTREMELY GOOD LUCK!

(Purple Yam pulls out 6 backstage passes on lanyards with the tickets tucked in them.)

🌱✨Omigoodness, this is so cool! Thanks Yam, you're the best!

🎻✨How did you manage this?!

🍠I'm an adventurer, dummies. Anything I can find that seems of value, I pick up.

🌱✨Well, this is nice actually. For once, I'm ready to rock out!

🍠I know you're excited, but hold onto them OK? We're gonna need them if we're gonna get backstage.

(Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Bloody Mary, Pinot Noire, and Sparkling exited the cab as they looked up to the tall building in front of them. Sparkling gulped as he looked at Bloody Mary.)

🥂Is this really where White Russian lives?

🍅This is his place. Every floor is two housing units. Talk about fancy.

🖋Well, he's a very well known designer, so of course he's gonna have some pretty fancy accommodations. Still... I just hope he isn't such a priss.

🥂Me neither. Or I'll have to deny being related to him.

3/4

[wineschool-blog]

Know Your Wine Bottle

https://j.mp/3xlkIyW Wine bottles are based on centuries of traditions. The wine trade is deeply beholden to those traditions. Even the largest multinational wine corporation (talking to you, Gallo) won’t mess this those cultural norms. In fact, the shape of the wine bottle is the only thing that the entire world of wine agrees on. Did you know that the shape of a wine bottle tells you more than the art on the wine label? Even the color of the bottle can tell you a wealth of information about the wine inside. Call it superstition or respect for history, every winery insists on conforming to a few basic bottle shape rules. This is important since the very same wineries don’t have any compunction on borderline fraud on their wine labels. Table of ContentsWine Bottle ShapesBurgundy BottleRed WinesWhite WinesThe Big WhyReisling BottleWhite WinesRed WinesColor Codes in GermanyBordeaux BottleRed WinesWhite WinesThe Big WhyChampagne BottleSparkling WinesWine Bottle SizesSplit (AKa Piccolo)Half (AKA Demi)Half-literStandardLiterMagnumPretentious Wine Bottle Sizes Wine Tasting Classes Sommelier Courses Wine Bottle Shapes Wine Bottles are named after the wine regions that made them famous. Four are French wine regions, and one is German. Bottle shapes are a quick and easy shorthand for the style of wine in the bottle. Burgundy Bottle Red Wines Three major red grapes use this type of bottle: Pinot Noir, Grenache, and Syrah. A blend of Grenache and Syrah will also use this bottle style. However, no Pinot blend would ever be in one of these bottles: only a monster who eats small happy children would ever blend Pinot Noir: that’s one of the biggest taboos in the wine trade. Waist up portrait of female sommelier holding wine bottle during tasting session in restaurant, copy space White Wines Only a few white wines will be found in this type of bottle. Those include Chardonnay, Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne. While Chardonnay tends to be bottled as a single varietal, the others are often blended. As a rule, winemakers use these bottles for heavier white wines, often ongoing malolactic fermentation, barrel aging, and lees stirring. The Big Why The term “Burgundy” refers to Burgundy, France. The region produces two varietals Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The other classic wine region that uses this type of bottle is the Rhone Valley. Those wines are Syrah and Grenache for reds (along with a dozen others) and Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne (and a dozen others). In Burgundy, no one blends grapes. In the Rhone, pretty much everyone blends. When bottling wines outside the classic Rhone and Burgundy varietals, a winemaker will use this bottle shape for wines she believes are nuanced and elegant. Reisling Bottle White Wines This bottle is famous for Riesling, and deservedly so. If you delve into wine geekery, you may hear this bottle called a “Hock,” an Old English term for German riesling. However, any white wine from Germany can use this bottle. That includes Gewurztraminer. Scheurebe, and Pinot Blanc. In France, wines from Alsace also use this wine bottle. Red Wines This bottle is mostly used for white wines, except in Alsace. In this French wine region, even Pinot Noir is sold in these slender fluted bottles. Color Codes in Germany Wines from the Rhine valley (Mittelrhein, Rheingau, Nahe, and Rheinhessen) are traditionally bottled in brown glass, Bottles from the Mosel are typically green. Before the 1920s, Mosel wines were blue. Bordeaux Bottle Red Wines Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc are traditionally found in Bordeaux bottles. Actually, and wine grape genetically related to Cabernet will be found in this type of bottle. That includes grapes such as Malbec and Carmenere. White Wines Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon are the traditional white grapes in this style of bottle. This bottle is the defacto bottle for most dry, crisp white wines. If a wine is going to be buttery and oaky, the winery tends to offer them in a Burgundy bottle. The Big Why Bordeaux is the French wine region made famous for its red blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. It’s also known for its white wines, which are blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillion. Over time, this bottle has become the default for most dry red wines. Everything from Zinfandel to Nebbiolo will often be sold in this broad-shouldered style bottle. This is the defacto red wine bottle. When winemakers opt to use another bottle style, it’s often intended as a big statement. Another way that winemakers can make a big statement is to use heavier Bordeaux-style bottles. The intended implication is that the heavier the bottle, the more luxurious the wine. Of course, using heavier glass adds to the cost of the wine, and it’s become something of a marketing gimmick at this point. Champagne Bottle Sparkling Wines These bottles are exclusively made for sparkling wines. The thickness of the glass and the tapered design is utilitarian: it helps prevent breakage. Back in the olden days –the 18th Century– champagne bottles had a nasty habit of shattering. A significant amount of CO2 is dissolved in sparkling wines; the amount of pressure is far more than in a car tire. Modern Champagne bottles are designed specifically to withhold that amount of pressure. If you find a bottle of bubbles that isn’t in a Champagne bottle, it is most likely only lightly carbonated. Wine Bottle Sizes There are several sizes of wine bottles as well. While many publications and wine schools make a big deal about this, don’t spend too much time on this issue. Most of these are artifacts of long-gone eras and have little to no value in the modern world of wine. Split (AKa Piccolo) This is a tiny bottle that is often plastic and as cheap as its contents. 187.5 ml of pure junk. Half (AKA Demi) Half bottles were popular in the ’90s but of little consequence these days. 375 ml. Half-liter A favorite bottle size for discount sweet wines is found at the bottom of the refrigerator at your local truck stop. 500 ml. v Standard This 750-milliliter wine bottle is really the only type that makes sense to purchase. This is because the entire distribution, import, and production economy are based on this size. Any other size will cost more to transport, bottle, and store. Liter We are learning our metric system! One liter is typically for a bottle of wine you plan on drinking by yourself in the weed-choked parking lot of a bankrupt shopping mall. Magnum The start of the pretentious bottle sizes. There are arguments made that wines in magnum bottles age better, but that is not true. These bottles are usually filled using two regular bottles and manually corked. These wines are only for show. Buy a Magnum if you value showing off more than drinking. 1.5 Liters. Pretentious Wine Bottle Sizes Are you a total asshole? Then these are the bottle sizes you should buy. This Cheval Blanc 1947 Methuselah is your’s for only $304,375.! Jeroboam (AKA Double Magnum) 3 LitersRehoboam (AKA Jeroboam) 4.5 LitersMethuselah (AKA Imperial) 6 LitersSalmanazar 9 LitersBalthazar 12 LitersNebuchadnezzar 15 LitersMelchior 18 LitersSolomon 20 LitersSovereign 26 LitersPrimat (AKA Goliath) 27 LitersMelchizedek (AKA Midas) 30 Liters Tasting Classes Wine Tasting Cheese Pairing Cocktails Food Pairing Wine Tasting Articles Seven Types of Corkscrews Build a Wine Cellar Know Your Wine Bottle Wine Glass Recommendations Wine Tasting 101 Wine Reviews: The Essential Guide Buying Wine Online Best Wine Shops in Philly By Keith Wallace https://j.mp/3xlkIyW

[megacross-ground-zero-rated-r]

What they like to drink and what they're like when they drink.

Smartass is the wine guy who tries a little bit of everything, pick up a bottle and he can probably tell you what dinner it pairs best with. He likes the sweeter, juicier whites and reds with the occasional bottle of pinot noir, he can also say which cheaper options taste a little more high class. Scotch and bourbon is where he shells out for just below top shelf.

Going out for drinks he likes to pick the oddball stuff on the menu, like a mint julep with orange-flavored syrup, and let's the others taste it. Greasy always gives him crap for this but he still takes a sip most of the time. It’s a little ritual of theirs for him to rib Smartass, act like a snooty enthusiast disgusted with his crass, uncultured palette, and Smartass bein' like yeah, that's me to a T, haha. They both dunk on Wheezy mercilessly.

He has a slightly higher than average tolerance but this does not stop him from saying yes to drinking contests with beings much bigger than him. He becomes even more of a loud, obnoxious motor-mouth drunk, blathering on with no filter, it’s when he's stone cold silent with a glass and a bottle in his paws that should draw concern.

Greasy is also a wine guy with a more extensive knowledge of vineyards. He prefers the drier stuff. For actually getting drunk he'll pick mid-price apple or honey flavored whiskeys, he starts off giggly and gets more emotional the more alcohol he has in his system, which is why he tries to cut himself off once he starts thinking too much about life and feelings and all that. He's the lightweight of the bunch. Going out he typically just sticks to gin cocktails.

Wheezy: Absolute garbage. As long as it's strong he'll slug it down, so a big jug of the cheap stuff is a good way to bribe him. If he had to pick a favorite he'd say tequila. He's the aggressive drunk, the others will let him get his ass kicked, unless Smartass is really drunk, then he might be goaded into helping. If him picking a fight is gonna have consequences for them the others distract him or his opponent and separate them.

Stupid likes Moonshine and Toonshine equally. He's not that picky, but he won't drink the bad stuff unless it's dirt cheap or he has no other choice. He gets a pretty heavy buzz going but just wants to chill. Really high tolerance, only Whezzy is higher than him.

Psycho isn't particularly interested but he'll have a little of Stupid's shine if they're hanging out together, or beer if it's offered, or finish something off for someone else if they need to tap out. He chatters away with Smartass to keep him occupied.