#Display Material in Victoria

[hpprintingsolutions]

Display Material in Victoria | Visiting Card Printing Near Me

Explore premium Custom Printing Melbourne. High-quality prints tailored to your needs. Elevate your brand today. Order Now.

[s0dium]

Victoria Secret

A/n: For all my Geto lovers, i made sure the fucking was extra juicy. Enjoy!

Synopsis: Your secret indulgence? Buying lingerie. You've managed to keep this "hobby" under wraps until your worst nightmare, Geto Suguru, discovers your secret. Unexpectedly, he proposes a deal: he'll keep your secret, in exchange you help set up his friend Gojo with your roommate, and after that he will even buy you ten sets of your favorite lingerie. There’s just one catch—you have to model them for him. What could go wrong?

"W-what are you doing?" You manage to gasp but Geto just kisses the hollow of your throat. "Why? Do you want me to stop?" He murmurs against your skin. And you know you should say yes, but you shake your head. Like a fool. "Good girl."

Warnings: Teasing, praising, body worship, nipple play and sucking, soft-to-rough sex, unprotected sex, breeding

Word count: 5.5

Every Sunday, at precisely three in the afternoon, you sneak out of your apartment for what you call your "secret indulgence."

Your eyes gaze at the velvet-lined shelves, mentally dissecting the lace and silk items that sit on the red fabric. A familiar, gentle melody fills the boutique, playing overhead as soft light casts a warm glow on the meticulously displayed delicate fabrics. As you run your fingers over each fabric laid before you, you stop when you find one that feels like a whisper against your skin.

This one is perfect.

Carefully you hold the item up on either side, feeling the fabric between your index finger and thumb. Intricate floral patterns cover the lace material and you note the high-waisted cut and scalloped trim that would certainly flatter your figure. You hum in contentment. Yes, this piece of underwear will go perfectly with your collection.

Your "secret indulgence" you may ask? It is collecting lingerie.

Your indulgence was secret for a reason as well. Far too often people assumed that you collected lingerie for a boyfriend or even an audience, but it wasn't like that at all. In fact, it was the opposite, you collected lingerie for you. It wasn't like you never thought about trying it on for someone though, you just never seemed to have an opportunity too. Unlike many of your peers, you're not a social butterfly, never one to attend college parties or gatherings. Even your best friend Shoko has to drag you out of your room every once in a while. Yet, ever since you can remember, there's something about lingerie that captivates you—perhaps it's the delicate lace, the intricate patterns, or how damn good you looked in it. You were simply in love with it.

And up until now, you were pretty damn sure your indulgence was perfectly secret as well.

"Y/n! Just the person I needed to see."

Oh what the fuck.

Your steps halt instantly at the sound of the familiar voice, freezing you in place. You didn't want to look back, you didn't need to look back, you knew who was behind you. You purse your lips as a rush of thoughts floods your mind: Had he seen you leaving the boutique? He wasn't a fool; surely, he'd deduce that the two bags you were clutching came from somewhere significant nearby.

Shit shit shit. Fuck it.

With a nervous bite to the inside of your cheek, you slowly turned around, facing the tall man behind you.

"Geto." You dead pan. There’s a tightness around your mouth, the corners pulled down just enough to betray your displeasure. The usual spark in your eyes is conspicuously absent, replaced by a guarded, cool glare that clearly communicates your discomfort at this encounter.

Geto smiles and takes a few steps toward you. Your first instinct is to step back but you stay in place, taking in his appearance. He's wearing a black tank top today, one that clings to his well-defined muscles and shows off the tattoos covering his arms. He pairs this with casual grey sweatpants that hang loosely around his hips and of course, his long black hair is partially tied up in a man bun like it usually is, while the rest cascades down his back.

Of course he looks good.

Thin sharp black eyes scan you before landing on the two bags you are clutching. His smile grows. You know you're fucked. The last person you needed to uncover your secret.

"Enjoy your shopping?" He chuckles, nodding to the bags and you harshly bite your lip.

"Just some clothes for the summer" You respond dryly, making sure to be heard over the bustling people around you.

"Ah, you don't have to keep secrets from me." Geto chuckles and he gestures to the tattoo and piercing shop across the street. "You know I work there right? I see you go into the little shop every Sunday."

No. No, you did not know that.

You pause before speaking again. "Can I help you with something Geto?"

"Actually, yes you can. I need a favor."

"Favor?" Your eyebrows raise and you scoff. "What could I possibly help you with."

Geto smiles and takes another step forward. "I know we aren't friends, but Shoko is your best friend and she is also mine so I thought maybe we could benefit each other a bit."

You dont respond this time and he continues.

"My best friend, Gojo, im sure you know him."

You have to fight to hide the disgust on your face upon hearing the white-haired man's name. Of course, you knew Gojo, every one on campus knew Gojo, you specifically for the amount of girls he has "toyed" with.

"Yes, I know who the fuck Gojo is." You roll your eyes and you notice Geto has taken another step forward, effectively closing the distance between you two.

"Well, he is head over heels for your room mate-"

"Head over heels or just want to fuck her." You sarcastically snap back, cutting Geto off.

"Is there any difference these days?" he replies, a slight smirk playing at the edges of his lips, challenging the cynicism in your tone.

"And you want me to do what, exactly? Set her up with him? No way," you snap back, your voice rising slightly in indignation. "She's my friend, and I'm not some kind of matchmaker. Gojo can go screw himself."

"No, no, that's not what I'm saying at all," Geto quickly interjects, holding up his hands in a gesture of peace. "I'm just asking you to let her know that he's available, that he likes her. Just make him out to be an option, you know? Your roommate can do whatever she wants with that information."

"Still, why would I want to do that?" you question, your eyebrows knitting together in confusion and frustration. The warmth of the afternoon seems to intensify the tension between you as Geto steps closer, diminishing the gap until he's just inches away.

"Because in exchange, I'll buy you anything you want," he offers, his voice low and persuasive.

"Um, what?" Your response comes out more as a reflex than anything else.

"Let me rephrase that," he continues, nodding slightly towards the bag of lingerie you're holding, which causes your cheeks to flush with embarrassment. "I’ll buy you what you really want."

"No," you retort firmly, feeling the discomfort rise.

"No?" He echoes, his tone a mix of amusement and disbelief.

"Yes, no. Besides, I'm not strapped for cash. I can buy what I want whenever I want—"

"Didn't I tell you you don't have to lie to me?" Geto cuts in, his voice lowering a bit. "Please, I know how expensive that store is, and I'm not offering just one thing. Say, how about 10 sets from that store you love?" he declares, his eyes flashing with a mix of challenge and amusement.

"10? Can you even afford that?" you retort skeptically, your eyebrows arching in disbelief. This game of his was becoming more intriguing and absurd by the minute.

He leans back, a smug smile playing on his lips. "Oh, and I have to go shopping with you and see you try it on," he adds, as if the deal wasn’t provocative enough.

"Why the hell would you want to do that?" You feel the tips of your ears grow red and you scoff. The idea of Geto Suguru choosing lingerie for you sounds so personal sends a shiver down your spine.

"Because," he pauses, his gaze intense, "its not about buying you lingerie, Consider it… a test of trust, can't just give you hundred of my dollars and let you do whatever you want, I want to make sure you use the money the way our deal assures you will which is... buying lingerie."

You pause, absorbing his words, the heat of the afternoon sun pressing down on you, making the moment feel even more surreal. "Fine. We follow each other on Instagram, so I'll DM you when it's done. But like you said, it's up to her what she wants to do with that information."

"Alright by me. See you soon," he replies, his tone casual yet carrying an underlying note of finality.

As you turn away, walking down the busy street, your mind races with the absurdity of the conversation.

What the hell just happened?

Your fingers hesitated over the blue send button, poised to confirm the completion of your part of the unusual bargain.

Earlier, you had shared with your friend the prospect of a date with Gojo Satoru, carefully omitting the details of the deal behind it. As expected, she was ecstatic, thrilled by the idea despite Gojo's questionable reputation—a fact that gnawed at your conscience. But what could you do? The arrangement was already in motion. Now, it was time to let Geto know that you had held up your end of the agreement, and it was his turn to fulfill his promise.

You took a sharp breath through your nose and pressed down on the screen, watching as the word "delivered" appeared beneath your message in the chat. Just as you were about to set the phone aside and start getting ready for bed, it pinged with a new message. It was from Geto Suguru. Your heart raced as you read the simple words.

When do you want to meet?

The sun blazes down as you approach your favorite boutique, the heat making the pavement shimmer like a mirage. Despite the sweltering temperature, you've donned a big, baggy sweater over your shorts—a choice more about comfort and less about fashion, especially since you didn’t want this meeting to scream 'date'. It’s your casual armor, albeit a warm one on a day like today.

As you near the boutique, you spot Geto Suguru waiting by the entrance. He leans casually against the wall, dressed in some graphic t-shirt and black jeans, his eyes hidden behind a pair of dark sunglasses. This time his hair is completely up in a man bun that shows off his black gauge earrings and hints of a tattoo on his back. The moment he sees you, his lips curve into a knowing smile, as if he can read your thoughts about the outfit.

"Hey," he greets, pushing off from the wall to stand upright. His voice is smooth, a calm contrast to the bustling street around you. "I was starting to think you were gonna bail."

"And miss a chance at free money? I think not." you quip. "Hope Gojo enjoyed his date by the way." Sarcasm drips from your words and Suguru chuckles.

"Probably not as much as I'm gonna enjoy this." he counters smoothly. "Come on," he says, gesturing towards the boutique's door. "We got some shopping to do."

The moment you walk through the boutique doors, cool air hits you in refreshing waves, making you sigh with relief. The boutique interior sparkles with delicate lighting and the gentle clinking of hangers, an ambiance you know and love all too well. You notice that the store is unusually quiet today, with no other customers around—just the shop owner standing by the cashier, who flashes you a small, welcoming smile as you enter. As you step further, your eyes lock onto a stunning pink lingerie set draped elegantly on a mannequin right by the entrance. Its intricate lace and delicate details shimmer under the boutique’s soft lighting, radiating an aura of both luxury and temptation. It's new, and most definitely pricy.

"You’re staring," Geto observes with a smirk, catching you in your admiring glance.

"I'm appreciating," you correct him, the corner of your lips twitching upwards. The price tag hanging from the mannequin does nothing to deter you; it's clearly on the pricier side, but today, Geto’s wallet is on the line. "And since you’re offering, I think I’ll indulge."

Geto's laughter fills the air, playful and unbothered. "I should’ve known you'd go for the gold. Well, it’s your day. Let’s make my pockets weep then," he says, gesturing grandly towards the set.

Who were you to deny him?

You dive into the racks, your fingers grazing over silks and satins, selecting the most exquisite pieces you lay your eyes on. One by one, you gather a collection of lingerie sets—each more lavish than the last. There’s a daring scarlet set that promises to captivate, a royal blue ensemble that speaks of deep oceans, and a classic black lace number that's timeless in its elegance. By the time you're done, nine luxurious sets accompany the initial pink one on the counter.

Geto watches with a mixture of admiration and apprehension as the pile grows, his eyebrows raising slightly at each new addition. But he doesn’t protest; instead, he engages in light banter with the shop owner, who carefully folds each set into sleek boutique bags.

As the total rings up—a sum that makes even the shop owner blink twice—you don’t look away from Geto's face, watching for any sign of regret or hesitation. None comes. He simply pulls out his black card, the smirk never leaving his lips as he hands it over.

The transaction goes through with a soft beep, and you can’t help but feel a thrill of victory as he signs the receipt. You reach out to grab the bags and head toward the door, already planning where each piece will go in your wardrobe, when Geto’s voice stops you.

"Where do you think you’re going? We still have the other part of the deal, remember?" he says with no attempt to hide the amusement in his voice.

Geto's reminder hangs in the air, the playful edge in his voice more pronounced now. As realization dawns on you, you let out a low groan, remembering the full scope of the deal. "Oh," you say, hesitance hanging from your voice. "Right, the 'trying on' part."

"Exactly," he grins broadly. "Come on, my car is parked outside."

"HAH! You think I'm going to your house?" you scoff, raising an eyebrow in mock disbelief.

"Why not? Or can we go to yours?" he counters quickly, his grin turning into a challenging smirk.

You bite the side of your cheek. Your place was an absolute mess right now and you don't think you can handle Geto Surguru in your room. "Fine, yours it is," you finally concede.

The drive to Geto's place unfolds in a tense silence, your gaze fixed on the cityscape sliding past the car window. Your heart pounds with a mix of dread and nerves, the quiet amplifying the whirlwind of thoughts in your head. There had to be a way to get out of this. The idea of layering your clothes under the lingerie flickers through your mind, but you dismiss it almost instantly—Geto would see right through that. The thought of making a daring escape through a bathroom window doesn't seem entirely out of the question, though it feels more like a scene from a comedy than a realistic plan.

As you mull over these scenarios, you wonder about Geto's intentions. Was this all just a game to him, a way to tease you? He'd watched you choose each piece with care, so there was no question of you running off with his money. Was this some weird way he got off?

Your so into your thoughts that you dont even realize your at Geto's door.

"Welcome to my humble abode," He says through a grin as he swings upon the door. Rolling your eyes at his grandeur, you step inside, instantly taken by the loft's undeniable charm. The space is open and airy, with high ceilings and large, sunlit windows that overlook the bustling city below. Exposed brick walls add a touch of urban cool, while modern art pieces dot the walls, giving the place a curated yet lived-in feel.

"The bathroom is over there," Geto points nonchalantly towards a sleek, sliding door on the far side of the room. His tone is casual, as if inviting you to try on clothes was an everyday occurrence. He saunters over to a plush couch, settling in comfortably. "You can start whenever you're ready."

Feeling a flutter of nerves, you clutch the bag of lingerie a bit tighter. "You want me to—to try on all of them?" Your voice barely hides your anxiety.

"Nah, just two or three," he responds, his voice calm and nonchalant as he picks up a magazine from the coffee table.

With your heart pounding so loudly you're sure he can hear it, you make your way to the bathroom. The cool, modern aesthetics of the loft seem to blur as your mind races. Was this just a fucking joke to him?

As the door closes behind you, you set your bags down on the bathroom floor.

Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit.

You were going to die, this was it. You were going to die out of embarrassment because of god damn Geto Suguru. Your face burns a deep shade of red, heart racing as you lean against the cool, marble sink. Fuck, you're overwhelmed, your thoughts a tumultuous whirl, but you know you need to pull yourself together. Yes, the task is simple: pick two sets of lingerie, try them on, and get this ordeal over with. Just two sets, then you can leave. That's all.

Peeking through a slight crack in the bathroom door, you see Geto lounging effortlessly on the couch, casually flipping through a magazine as if he hasn't a care in the world. A quiet curse escapes your lips at his composure— god you hated him.

Turning back to the task at hand, you rummage through the bag containing the 10 pieces of lingerie. Each piece is stunningly beautiful, making the choice unexpectedly difficult. The last thing you wanted was to make it seem like you where trying to impress him. After a moment's hesitation, your hands settle on a set of black lace lingerie—bold but the plainest out of all of them.

Slipping into the black lace, you feel the fabric glide smoothly over your skin. The lace is intricate, delicate yet firm, offering a sensation that is both luxurious and comforting. As it settles into place, you notice how perfectly it cups your breasts, enhancing your natural shape without discomfort. The fabric molds to your body, sculpting your curves in a way that boosts your confidence, even in such a vulnerable moment.

Turning to face the mirror, you take a moment to really look at yourself. The lingerie accentuates your figure beautifully—your waist appears slimmer, your hips more pronounced. Yes, this was exactly what you loved about lingerie, how it made you look and more importantly how it made you feel. Despite the situation, you can't help but feel a surge of self-assurance. It's a small victory, but in this moment, it's enough to steady your nerves.

Now was the hard part.

Slowly you step out of the bathroom, your heart pounds fiercely in your chest, echoing in your ears. The moment the door clicks shut behind you, Geto's attention shifts from his magazine to you. He lays the magazine aside, his gaze instantly locking onto you. His eyes rake up and down your figure, taking in every detail of the black lace lingerie that clings to your curves.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" Geto muses, a teasing grin playing on his lips. "If it isn't the bravest fashion model of our time."

"S-shut up," you stammer, trying to mask your discomfort with irritation. "Just remember, I'm only doing this because of the deal."

"Oh, and you're doing it magnificently, may I add. Who knew you hid such bold taste under that sweater."

"It's just underwear, don't read too much into it," you retort, your cheeks warming under his scrutiny.

"Turn for me," he commands softly. "I want to see the back."

"What?" you falter, caught off guard.

"Turn for me, I want to see behind," he repeats more firmly.

Fuck it.

Reluctantly, you turn, exposing the delicate lace detailing on the back.

"Beautiful," he murmurs, almost to himself, his gaze lingering appreciatively on the design.

"What?" you ask, your voice wavering slightly—unsure if you're more startled by the compliment or by the intimacy of his tone.

"Nothing, baby," he responds, his hand dismissively waving as he looks away, pretending to refocus on something else in the room. "Go try on the next one."

You dont say anything, instead slipping back into the bathroom and rummaging through the bag. Your heart still thumps audibly in your chest, but now there's an undercurrent of excitement mixed with the nerves. The flutter in your chest isn't just from anxiety though; it's also from a burgeoning sense of empowerment. You realize that you have control over how you present yourself, a certain power over Sugruru.

After discarding the set you were wearing, you reach into the bag and pull out the pink set you splurged on earlier. The fabric is luxurious, with a hint of sheerness to the bra that would no doubt show your nipples. The underwear is equally bold, designed as a thong with delicate straps that loop around each thigh, highlighting the curves of your hips and legs.

As you slip into the pink lingerie, the fabric settles against your skin like a whispered secret. The sheer material of the bra makes you acutely aware of your own body, and as you adjust the straps around your thighs, the ensemble frames your form in a way that feels almost artistically deliberate.

Yes, just after this you would be done. So why not go out with a bang?

As you step out of the bathroom, the transformation in your demeanor is palpable. The delicate pink lingerie accentuates your confidence, which resonates with each step you take towards Geto. His eyes lift to meet yours, and the moment they travel down to take in the full view, his expression shifts dramatically to one of... shock? His usual composure falters, and he lets out a low, incredulous whistle.

"Jesus Christ," he breathes out.

You shift in place, playing with the silk hem of your underwear.

After a moment, he composes himself slightly and gestures towards him with a slight tilt of his head. "Come here," he says softly, his voice low and inviting.

You pause, the hesitation clear in your stance. The intensity in his gaze and the palpable tension in the air make your heart race even faster.

Seeing your reluctance, Geto's expression softens. He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his eyes never leaving yours. "Please," he adds, a hint of something more vulnerable in his tone this time.

The room seems to pulse with the silent energy between you as you take a tentative step forward, then another, drawn by the magnetic pull of his gaze. The air thickens with a charged mix of anticipation and desire as you finally stop just a breath away from him.

He looks up at you, standing up from his seat, his gaze intense yet tender. "You look incredible," he murmurs. You flinch when you feel his hand his finger trace your jaw and his other hand play with the hem of your lace underwear. He bends down, his lips just grazing your cheek, a feather-light touch that sends shivers down your spine, making your entire body quiver. "If you want me to stop, say it now," he whispers. When you remain silent, he brushes his mouth against the hollow of your temple. "Or now." He traces the curve of your cheekbone. "Or now." His lips meet yours.

For a moment your so shocked that he kissed you, you don't do anything. It feels like you are having an out-of-body experience like you can't believe this as actually happening to you. Then in a matter of seconds, his lips move against yours and you melt. Suguru is gentle at first, then unyieldingly hard. You feel yourself falling —not just physically, but emotionally too. You open for him and his tongue snakes its way inside your mouth. His hands move from your face to your lower back as he pulls you toward him, closing whatever space was left between you. He pushes you against him as he deepens the kiss. One of his hands remains on your hip, while the other travels to cup your breasts.

"W-what are you doing?" You manage to gasp but Geto just kisses the hollow of your throat."

"Why? Do you want me to stop?" He mumbles against your skin. And you know you should say yes, but you shake your head. Like a fool.

"Good girl."

Without a warning, Geto sweeps you up in his arms with an ease that leaves you breathless, carrying you effortlessly across the room to his bed.

Geto stands over you, his eyes tracing the contours of your body splayed elegantly across his bed.

"Shit baby, you let anyone else see you like this?"

You thickly gulp and shake your head.

"Oh thank god." He murmurs, climbing over you to place light kisses along your neck, trailing down your chest. Each kiss is soft yet deliberate, sending a cascade of warmth through your entire body. You close your eyes, allowing yourself to be fully immersed in the sensation.

"Your skin feels like silk," he murmurs.

"Did you steal that line from a hallmark card?" You crack.

"Nope just stating a fact." He skims the underside of your bra with his fingers. "Always watched you come out of the store, always wanted to see how you'd look in what you bought." He lifts his head to give you a wry look "You're so smooth and perfect you know that right?"

You let out a soft gasp when his lips find your nipple, pulling your lacy bra down so soft lips can evoke your nub.

"Oh god sugu-" He doesn’t let you get to the last consonant, his eager, hot mouth enveloping one of your nipples and sucking. His tongue flattens, rolling your peak and swirling around your areola, fast and rough until you’re whining. His ears go hot at the sounds you’re making, all desperate and needy.

"So beautiful, fuck your tits are so beautiful" He groans into your skin like it was cocaine. He then switches to your other breast, sucking and licking until he knows you will be sore. Jesus, your breasts feel so good in his mouth, so soft and sweet, why didn't he do this sooner? How much longer did he think he could maintain this facade of being your 'enemy' when all he truly desired was to have you underneath him?

You are squirming underneath him now, the stimulation of his wet tongue on your nipple is becoming unbearable and so was the growing heat between your legs. Your tits feel so good in his mouth, supple, sweet, far better than his imagination could ever conjure

"God, sugu-"

"Love it when you say my name." Suguru breaths between licks and you feel your stomach twist with.

"Sugu please" you manage to gasp, "please touch me please anything please-"

"Fuck you?" Suguru coos, and the words make warmth blossom from your core.

"Please." You breath.

And who was he to deny you?

Without much of a word he pulls your lace panties down to your ankles, making you instinctively hide your bare cunt with your hands, but he clicks the roof of his mouth with his tongue and swats your fingers away. Then, as he stands over you, Suguru steps out of his black pants and pulls off his t-shirt. As you glimpse Suguru, you feel your breath get caught in your throat. His large, incredibly toned frame is a clear testament to rigorous workouts, and intricate tattoos weave across his skin, adding to the attraction.

You were no longer in the kiddie pool.

You are too immersed in his figure that you dont even notice he has lowered down his black boxers just enough so his long length springs out and slaps against his abdomen.

You thickly gulp.

"I dont think that will-" You stammer, the sheer size or his dick making your gut twist and turn. "I think it will hurt I dont think it will-" As you continue to stammer, searching for the right words, Geto cuts you off with a deep, consuming kiss that immediately shuts you up. When he finally pulls back, a confident smirk plays on his lips.

"It will, baby, it always does," he murmurs, his voice low and dark.

Geto positions himself atop you, his strong legs straddling either side of your body, anchoring him in place. He leans over you, the intensity of his gaze capturing yours as he methodically entwines his fingers with yours. With a firm but gentle grasp, he pins your hands down on either side of your body, his proximity reducing the world to the space between you. The warmth of his breath brushes against your face, his presence both overwhelming and exhilarating, as he holds you there under him, completely in control yet tender in his touch.

Before you can even get a word in, you gasp when you feel large pressure against your hole.

"Slowly baby," he hushes you before you can protest. "I'll go slowly."

Suguru's slow roll of hips hips into you is enough to make you scream. The way his dick parts your walls and fills every single inch of you makes your brain go hazy, especially when his tip smooshes against your cervix, sending blots of electricity throughout your body.

"Talk to me baby," Suguru murmurs, his voice cracking from the vice grip your cunt has on dick. "Want me to move?"

You're too lost in the hazy pleasure to form words, all you can do is nod, making Geto breathe out an air of what must be relief. His thrusts started out shallow and slow, testing the waters for how much he could get away with. What your limits were, and if you could fully take him for what he wanted.

You feel like you are going insane from the pleasure. Your cries came silent from your throat, eyes screwed shut in complete bliss. Your body adjusted rather quickly to him, Suguru coaxing you to relax as he peppers kisses along your neck, sucking and biting your sensitive skin. And as you adjusted, your hips began to buck against him at their own pace, beckoning him to move faster.

Of course, Suguru doesn't miss this, and without missing a beat he speads up his thrusts, the pap pap pap of his skin against your echoing in your ears

"Shit, you feel so good baby." Geto practically whines. You don't know it, but he's starting to lose his grip, the overwhelming pleasure beginning to unravel his usual composure.

The delicious friction of his dick scrapping your walls has your heart pounding in your ears and your breath close to hyperventilating. Everything is too much too good all at once. The proximity of Geto's body is overwhelming, his warm skin against yours, his ragged breath hot against your neck. When you gaze into his face, the sight nearly makes you faint—his eyes scrunched shut, lost in euphoria, beads of sweat lining his black hairline. His mouth is slightly open, panting, a sight that makes your cunt flutter from excitement.

"Su-Suguru, so good you're fucking me so good." you babble and he can only groan in response. Your toes curled and uncurled as he continued to wreck your body with his completely brutal thrusts. The pain of him hitting the tip of your cervix nearly every time mixed with the kisses he peppered on your neck and lips was all enough to end you to heaven.

He knows you're close. And you know it too. The way Suguru is fucking you is truly a primal display of affection; him rutting into your cunt like an animal in heat and you frantically scratching and clawing at his back.

Thats when an idea hits you, no, a need overcomes you, You need Suguru, you need all of him, all of him inside you filling you up and making you his.

"Sugu cum in me please," you beg through a hoarse voice. "Fill me up please please please."

He’s been pressing kisses and biting into your shoulder, but you don’t miss the way he practically whines at your words.

"Course baby, course I will."

As if on cue, you feel your seize up and your mind go blank. It feels like your body is free falling into a euphoric grave, electric arrows of pleasure coursing through your sin and directly to your core.

"Oh shit" Suguru curses at the way your cunt clamps down on him and it isnt to long before he follows you, shooting thick ropes of cum straight into your belly. In a fluid motion without leaving your insides once, he picks you up so you are straddling him, and his bare chest is pressed against yours.

“You’re so warm,” he murmurs into your ear. And you can only sigh in response.

'I'll buy you 1000 more lingerie sets if we can do this again."

[door-insurance]

Ahm, hello Life is Strange fandom- I got an announcement

I have been working on my own LiS fan visual novel

This is VortexVN,

You play as Victoria waking up from a hangover with no memory of the week prior, you are tasked with piecing together what happened between her and one of the 4 love interests.

And of course the love interests are:

-Chloe (Chaseprice)

-Max (Chasefield)

-Kate (Chasemarsh)

-Rachel (Amberchase)

The game starts with a quiz; you unlock a route by picking answers related to the character you wanna romance (they are very obvious)

It takes place in an AU where the events of LiS1 and BtS didn't really happen and there are no special powers, Victoria's still a bi tch- I guess that's her special powers.

Think of this game as a spiritual successor to Love is Strange by Team Rumblebee rather than Life is Strange 1

Gameplay so far is your typical point and click visual novel affair, you will be given options to explore rooms, examine objects and talk to other characters- the interactions will play a crucial part in how the game ends,

You can win the girl or get rejected or worse... It will depend on how Victoria carried herself throughout the game,

Mistreating certain characters may prove to be a dealbreaker for the love interest,

Each girl has two close friends in the dorm that you should not upset (I'll reveal who in the guide pdf)

This game is also perfect for Victoria haters as you can ruin her life

The game has its own journal system that will be different depending on who you're romancing, it also comes with a read button (I blurred most of the text so you can get curious and play the game)

Read button will display the journal content in Open Dyslexic font

In the demo you'll only get to explore Victoria's room and the dorm hallways and you'll get two encounters from Juliet (Showers) and Alyssa (Hallway)

VortexVN is still in development, I have finished part.1 of the project and will start polishing it soon- the initial build of part.1 will be available to play as a demo!

The cutscenes lack color and proper shading at the moment and you will find placeholders as well, the art style is all over the place- this will change after the polishing phase

Download links:

Mac and Windows

Web browser ver (I don't recommend that you play it on mobile, also the web version lacks animation and takes forever to load graphics)

programs used:

-Renpy (visual novel engine)

-Photoshop CS5 (Drawing/rendering/animating/designing)

-Clips studio (Texturing)

-tablet: XP-Pen Artist 13

Note: I'm not monetizing this project nor do I claim ownership of the Life is Strange ip, all materials and assets presented in this visual novel were either created by me or are royalty free- I did not lift anything from the games via data mining or by leaks

This game is not a response to or a gotcha at Life is Strange Double Exposure or Deck Nine, I didn't really dislike the game

Besides, I've had the idea of a Victoria centric fan game since the first LiS back in 2015

I'm open for feedbacks! You can DM me or reblog this with a review or something- maybe write a comment.

[herpsandbirds]

DNA metabarcoding improves understanding of the diet and foraging of a critically endangered grassland bird: the Plains-wanderer, Pedionomus torquatus

Daniel T. Nugent, Erin Hill, Nick Murphy & John W. Morgan

ABSTRACT

Effective conservation of threatened cryptic bird species is often inhibited by limited knowledge about their diet and foraging ecology. The critically endangered and taxonomically-unique Plains-wanderer (Pedionomus torquatus) is a small, mostly terrestrial bird that occurs on treeless plains across parts of eastern Australia. The species is highly cryptic and rarely observed foraging. Consequently, most aspects of its diet and foraging habits are poorly understood. Here, we used DNA metabarcoding to analyse faecal samples and identify important food types and seasonal food preferences of Plains-wanderers in native grasslands of the Northern Plains of Victoria, Australia. Here, we also used miniature GPS units to track movements of birds and assess the influence of food availability on habitat selection at patch-scale. We found pronounced seasonal variation in the dietary content of Plains-wanderers, indicating differences in foraging behaviour across seasons. In spring, diet was characterised by plant groups (likely seeds) including Asteraceae, Crassula and Oxalis, and invertebrates from the genus Philobota, comprising concealer moths. In autumn, diet was characterised by material from the plant genus Atriplex (saltbush). Our tracking data suggest that Plains-wanderers displayed selectivity towards native grassland patches with a higher abundance and diversity of invertebrates and seeds. Our findings highlight the flexibility of Plains-wanderer diet, including the ability to exploit native and exotic foods. We discuss the implications of these findings for habitat management and broader conservation efforts for this species, which is of significant global concern because of its high risk of extinction and evolutionary distinctiveness.

Read more:

Full article: DNA metabarcoding improves understanding of the diet and foraging of a critically endangered grassland bird: the Plains-wanderer Pedionomus torquatus

[mncxbe]

Hello if possible maybe Akutagawa, Chuuya and Dazai when reader drags them out to a lingerie store with them and gives them free reign of what they can pick out for reader

oh my I absolutely love this prompt. I hope you like it♡♡

Victoria's secret

𝑨𝒌𝒖𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒘𝒂, 𝑫𝒂𝒛𝒂𝒊, 𝑪𝒉𝒖𝒚𝒂 𝒙 𝒇𝒆𝒎!𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓

𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: fluff/ a little bit of dirty talk♡

𝑨𝒌𝒖𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒘𝒂

let's start off with our favourite mafioso

you're on a date in town and suddenly spot a newly opened Victoria's Secret store and you just have to take advantage of the situation

as soon as you enter the shop Akutagawa blushes so much and although he tries to hide it you notice

please don't tease him about it too much he'll straight up leave

he's a big fan of black or white laced lingerie and slip dresses, anything elegant and cute; but also has a thing for body harnesses and leather accessories (the port mafia influences)

he ends up buying you a few items that he carefully picked and you both like

One day you're walking around town after Akutagawa finished work. It was late afternoon and the city was bathed in a shimmer of gold and orange hues. Just as you were about to leave the crowded boulevard you were on, a glowing sign caught your eye; it was a newly open Victoria's secrets store.

Without a warning you seized your boyfriend's wrist and dragged him towards the shop.

"We have to go in there Ryu. Come on" you said in a chipper voice.

At first Akutagawa was confused by your sudden actions and words, but then his gaze fell upon the magenta glass that made up the exterior walls of the shop and the 'newly opened' banner that hanged below the store's name; his body grew stiff.

"There's no way I'm going in there" he said in an annoyed voice, causing you to turn and face him.

"Aww come on Ryu they just opened and-"

"No. I'm not stepping foot in that place for nothing. Please, let's keep walking"

"But we'll only stay for a minute" you pressed as you clinged to his arm, leaning closer to whisper in his ear. "I'll let you choose something nice for me, ok? Whatever you want and I promise I'll wear it next time we-"

"Ok ok I got it" he interrupted, trying to conceal the blush that began to tint his face with the back of his hand. "Let's go then."

With that, Akutagawa walked towards the store with you following close behind. A sense of uneasiness creeped into your boyfriend's body as he entered the store; the place was packed with drawers upon drawers of lingerie, faceless mannequins wearing matching colourful sets and flimsy nightgowns and clothing racks bearing dresses.

You spared Akutagawa a quick glance. His face was contorted in a doubtful expression, nose scrunched in disgust.

"I really can't understand how anyone could enjoy... this?" he said, motioning towards the display. "Anyway, let's see what we can find for you."

There weren't many people in the store so you could easily move around maze of shelves and boxes. Akutagawa's demeanour slowly relaxed as he kept digging through the drawers packed with lingerie, carefully considering each piece; at some point you left to look around the store yourself.

Around twenty minutes later he returned to you carrying a baby pink bag.

"All done love. We can leave now." he said, handing you the bag.

You eagerly reached for it, attempting to remove the fluffy material that had been placed on top of the items but he brushed your hand away.

"Wait until we get home, ok? Be patient"

You let out a displeased groan but ultimately closed the handbag. Fingers gently intertwined, you made your way back to your apartment.

Once inside you seated yourself on your cushioned sofa and eagerly opened the bag. It contained two sets of laced lingerie: one of them was fully back and the other one was white, adorned with black and silvery rose patterns. The fabric was soft and lightweight, like a leaf.

"Wow Ryu they're beautiful. I love them so much" you beamed, pulling him into a tight hug. "You're amazing love"

"Wait, there's more." he said in a suggestive voice, reaching inside the pocket of his coat to procure a package. "I just couldn't help myself when I saw it."

You raised an eyebrow at him as you began to unwrap the light pink paper; it opened like a cherry blosson, revealing a strappy bodysuit. The thing lines of leather were bound together by shining circles of metal A blush rose to your cheeks.

"I- uh. It's really pretty love. I didn't know you liked this stuff tho"

"I love it, darling" he said in a honeyed voice, a hint of desire flashing in his eyes. "Now go ahead and try it on dear. The night is still young."

𝑫𝒂𝒛𝒂𝒊

he's such a tease

he doesn't have that much money so he'll only buy you one or two sets but they're picked so carefully

but if he has more cash one week he'll surely get one of those silly animal print panties from the sales section

I feel like Dazai likes beige lingerie the most or those white see-through pieces with butterfly patters♡

trying on the clothes once you get back home is a must; like you're putting on a fashion show for him

It was a wonderful Sunday afternoon and your lovely boyfriend decided to skip work again to join you for a cup of coffee in town.

"Ah my bella if you keep tempting me with all these hangouts I'll surely lose my job" he said in an overly dramatic voice.

"You know the Agency needs you, so don't stress it. Plus, I hardly ever get a free day from work myself. Let's just enjoy it ok?"

Your remark caused a smirk to rise to Dazai's lips. The two of you quietly sipped your coffee before resolving to take a walk around town. As you strolled around the busy city, you suddenly spotted a lingerie store and an idea popped into your mind.

"Say, Osamu" you began in a tender voice "Don't you think you deserve a reward for skipping work today?"

"Oh really? And what exactly do you have in mind, bella?" he replied with a miscievous smile on his face.

You pointed at the lingerie store. "I'll let you buy anything you want me to wear."

Your sweet boyfriend could barely contain his excitement as he took your hand in his and began walking towards the store. "Well then let's hurry bella. I only have an hour until I have to get back to the office."

You've been in a Victoria's Secret shop before, but none of them was as large as this one; hundreads of drawers and clothing racks decorated the sides of the store while the middle was occupied by beautifully dressed mannequins and islands of boxes. People flocked around the cash register, carrying handfuls of garments.

Dazai whisteled in surprise. "There's surely many things I can choose from. If you want to you can go look around too."

You gave him a reassuring nod and with that, your boyfriend left. Around half an hour later, he returned with a couple of garments.

"I found these but I wanted to check with you if you like them." he said in a sweet voice. However, the glimmer of amusement in his eyes didn't go unnoticed. He held a see-through white bra adorned with drawings of vines and pink and red flowers in front of you.

"Look how pretty this is. You know what a perfect view I'll have when I use your tits to-"

"Osamu!" you exclaimed, covering his mouth with your hand. "You can't say that. We're in public"

Your boyfriend only chuckled at your reaction, gently removing your hand from his face.

"Ok ok I'll stop. But you got the point. You'd look amazing in this."

Then he cast aside the set and showed you a beautiful cream coloured silky dress; its cleavage was laced and it had two thin straps for your shoulders.

"I remembered you were looking for one of these a few weeks ago. Do you like it?"

A wide smile rose to your lips as you ardently nodded. It was indeed a lovely dress, which reminded you of a pearl; the material was soft and elegant and the colour perfectly complemented your chestnut hair and brown eyes.

"I love it honey. Let's get them"

"As you wish my darling" he beamed, walking towards the register.

That evening Dazai made sure you put on a show; he made you wear the things he got you, matching them with accessories you already had.

"Wow you look ravishing, dear. Do a twirl"

You obeyed and quickly spun around once, earning a smile from your partner.

"Now I also got you something else. I slipped it to the cashier when you weren't looking. Promise not to laugh, ok?"

"Um.. ok?" you said with a sceptical look on your face.

Dazai took out a pair of tiger print panties with 'Bite me!' on the front. You burst into laughter upon seeing them.

"I just couldn't resist they look so silly. Plus, they were on sale."

"But Osamu how will they even fit me? They look like they're from the kid's section" you said between ragged breathes, wiping a tear of joy from the corner of your eye.

"Well, there's only one way to find out if they'll fit. Go change bella♡"

𝑪𝒉𝒖𝒚𝒂

this man when I tell you~ he's the definition of lemme spoil you babygirl

he's more than happy to oblige you

walks so proudly in the store and immediately starts picking up things from you

unlike Dazai, he doesn't care about the price; if he likes a £200 matching he'll get it so he probably ends up buying half of the store

while he picks up the pieces the likes he keeps telling you how beautiful you'll look in them and how he cannot wait to get home to try out some of the things he got you

Chuya likes black or burgundy lingerie the best, but also anything with straps

"Chuu" you cried out, pulling at your boyfriend's arm "Come on the shop's going to close soon."

You somehow managed to convince Chuya to come with you to the newly opened Victoria's Secret in town by promising him that he can pick anything he wants for you.

"I'm coming darling." he said as he languidly opened the glass doors of the store. "After you, my lady"

You entered the shop, barely able to conceal your excitement. It was packed with people and garments of all colours: elegant lingerie and nightgowns, shoeboxes and bottles of perfume.

"Woah! I didn't expect it to be this big" you exclaimed "What do you think, Chuu?"

Your boyfriend's gaze lazily wandered around the room; he seemed utterly unimpressed by the store.

"I mean, it wouldn't be my first choice for a shop. I prefer things from Bluebella or Bordelle, maybe even Fleur Du Mal. But I'm sure I'll be able to find something for you in here too" he said with a wink as he began walking around the store.

Naturally, you didn't know any of the brands he mentioned but you assumed they were luxurious; Chuya had an eye for expensive things.

Your boyfriend seem carefree as he carefully explored each mannequin and drawer.

"Wow look at this" he said as he held a pair of wine red see-through panties before you "You'd look absolutely ravishing in these."

His hand then travelled along the expanse of a mannequin's chest. It was wearing a matching set of black lace lingerie; the panties were connected to the bra by two leather straps, bound in the middle by a heart shaped metal. One of his fingers hooked under the iron heart, gently pulling at it.

"Oh darling what I'd do to you in this. Imagine how pretty you'd look wearing this and one of my leather chokers. My, my doll we must get this" he said in a teasing voice, causing your cheeks to turn a light shade of pink.

You only had about half an hour until the store closed for the day, but that didn't stop Chuya from buying you six sets of lingerie, two red bodysuits, a silky slip dress and two bottles of perfume. You stepped out of the shop, yoir boyfriend carrying six little pink bags.

"Darling we shouldn't have gotten all those things. They were way too expensive and-"

"Shh dear let me spoil you today, alright? You deserve it." he cooed at you, leaning in to place a feathery kiss on your lips. "Besides, you can make up for it tonight."

"And what exactly do you mean my that?" you said back, copying his alluring tone.

A smirk rose to his lips as his free arm snaked around your lower back, pulling you closer to him His breath was hot against the shell of your ear as he spoke, causing a shiver to run down your spine:

"I think you know exactly what I mean, dear. It involves you wearing that beautiful bodysuit I got you"

[fanaticsnail]

"Kid Pirate" Tobiuo

Tobiuo masterlist

Tobiuo has been asked to temporarily serve aboard the Victoria Punk. Her captain, Trafalgar Law, has given her direct orders to not display any memorabilia or Jolly Roger for the Heart Pirates: including her uniform. Aside from her yukata and her boiler suit, the only other clothes she owns is her bathing suit.

Her boiler suit has everything she needs: wide collar so the material doesn't overstimulate her gills and make her feel uncomfortable, little zips at the back for her shoulder-fins, thick shoes she can kick off to swim in: and she loves it. She feels at home in it.

Considering her yukata and her boiler suit are both Heart-Pirate uniform, with the Jolly Roger embroidered on, she was left to serve aboard the Punk with her dark bathing suit for a little while. While it's not as impractical as a lot of the other elements the rest of the Kid-Pirates wear, she does begin to feel a little out of place.

So, who comes to her aid? The man who enjoys embroidering and making his own corsets of course.

Without much prompting, he asks Wire about her physiology and how certain materials would react to her scales - considering Wire has spent the most time with the Deep Blue folk. It took Heat a little while, and a little bit of indulgence on his part, but he managed to get it done in a few days.

Tobiuo is grateful to be made to feel welcome, and wears her temporary uniform proudly.

References: Heat, corset, suspenders, skirt

[fromthedust]

Natural History Museum - London 

The Museum first opened its doors on 18 April 1881, but its origins stretch back to 1753 and the career of Sir Hans Sloane, a doctor and collector. Sloane travelled the world as a high society physician. He collected natural history specimens and cultural artefacts along the way. After his death in 1753, Parliament  bought his extensive collection of more than 71,000  items, and then built the British Museum so these items could be displayed to the public. In 1856 Sir Richard Owen - the natural scientist who came up with the name for dinosaurs - left his role as curator of the Hunterian Museum and took charge of the British Museum’s natural history collection. Unhappy with the lack of space for its ever-growing collection of natural history specimens, Owen convinced the British Museum's board of trustees that a separate building was needed to house these national treasures. He drew-up a rough architectural plan in 1859 entitled 'Idea of a Museum of Natural History'. The plan was later referred to by architect Alfred Waterhouse in the design of the Natural History Museum. In 1864 Francis Fowke, the architect who designed the Royal Albert Hall and parts of the Victoria and Albert Museum, won a competition to design the Natural History Museum. However, when he unexpectedly died a year later, the relatively unknown Alfred Waterhouse - a Quaker architect from the north of England - took over and came up with a new plan for the Museum. Waterhouse used terracotta for the entire building as this material was more resistant to Victorian London's harsh climate. Construction began in 1873, and the result is one of Britain’s most striking examples of Romanesque architecture — considered a work of art in its own right and has become one of London's most iconic landmarks. Owen's foresight has allowed the Museum to display very large creatures such as whales, elephants and dinosaurs, including the beloved Diplodocus cast that was on display at the Museum for 100 years. He also demanded that the Museum be decorated with ornaments inspired by natural history. And he insisted that the specimens of extinct and living species kept apart at a time when Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution was revealing the links between them. Along with incorporating Owen’s ideas into his plans, Waterhouse also designed an incredible series of animal and plant ornaments, statues and relief carvings throughout the entire building – with extinct species in the east wing and living species in the west. Waterhouse sketched every one of these sculptures in great detail, even asking Museum professors to check the scientific accuracy of his drawings, before creating the fantastic decorations that complement the Museum’s exhibitions.  While the building reflects Waterhouse’s characteristic architectural style, it is also a monument to Owen’s vision of what a museum should be. In the mid-nineteenth century, museums were expensive places visited only by the wealthy few, but Owen insisted the Natural History Museum should be free and be accessible to all. The Museum took nearly eight years to build, and moving the collections from the British Museum in Bloomsbury was a huge job. Relocating the zoological specimens, which included huge whale bones and taxidermy mammals, took 394 trips by horse and cart spread over 97 days. The Natural History Museum finally opened in 1881. The building’s decorative and Romanesque style by Waterhouse is reminiscent of medieval European abbeys, but it is also a monument to Owen’s vision of what a museum should be: the world’s largest and finest institution dedicated to natural history.

https://www.nhm.ac.uk/about-us/history-and-architecture.html

https://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/virtual-museum.html

[sarkofagos]

where are the good outletsss i live in athens too and i can never find anything… “thrifts” and “curated vintage” shops are so expensive

For the sake of maintaining a sliver of my anonymity and online safety, I won't be handing out the exact addresses of the Outlets I frequent. But ☝️ I've been doing this long enough as to be able to provide some general tips about thrifting in Athens (though, I guess non-Athenian/Greek people might find this useful too) that might be even more useful and applicable to your situation than if I simply told you where to go:

For Athens specifically, your options are going to depend on the area you live in or visit. Evaggelismos-Pagkrati-Ilisia-Zografou mostly have curated thrifts like the ones you mention. Syntagma-Monastiraki-Thiseio even more so. If you want actual 5 euro outlets, your chances will be increased by visiting areas like Panepistimio-Omonoia-Victoria (which, by the way, are not as dangerous as the paramythology surrounding them would have you think)(maybe don't wander alone after nightfall too much, though). Outlets are very frequent in these areas and especially in the streets surrounding Omonoia Square. Even as upwards as Agios Eleftherios you can easily find 5-10 euro outlets and I would also urge you to explore your general area for any outlets. They are generally not that difficult to spot but, as you say, it's finding a good outlet that's important.

Now that we've established where you can find outlets, the next step is establishing how to tell a good outlet from a bad one. The easiest way to do this is by meticulously examining the clothes sold by said outlet. Are all or most of them stained, torn or otherwise visually/functionally damaged? You wouldn't want to waste your time going through rack after rack of un-wearable clothes. Also, as a rule of thumb, I would suggest noticing the arrangement of clothes sold/displayed by an outlet at a point in time. Are the racks/shelves suffocating with clothing? Is the store generally untidy? Does it feel dirty? All this seldom indicates a good outlet.

Now to the critical part; finding good clothes. This is where you will have to put some work in and, depending on your a) style and, most importantly b) size, this could be very difficult or very easy (but do not be dissuaded — my best friend is a size L-XL and I am a size S-XS myself and we both frequently find stuff we like and that fits us). There's no shortcut here, you will truly have to go through the racks on your own in order to find a piece you might like. Since most outlets don't accept returns, I would urge you to try on any pieces you intend to buy. Make sure to apply all the usual tips, like mentally creating different outfits with other clothes you already own and making sure it fits you properly (I do have more tips on determining if an article of clothing "works" for you, but that is a different post entirely).

Do not rush — figuring out if a thrifted piece works for you is challenging enough as is; by rushing, you will only make things harder by refusing yourself the ability to properly consider your options, skip stuff you might potentially like etc. Try to enjoy the process of thrifting, elsewise it will exhaust you very quickly. Take in the different styles of clothing, the different brands, the different material etc. Someone used to own this once; to whom? Why did they buy it? Why did they give it away? These are questions I ask myself when thrifting and the most amusing part of it, because I deeply and truly love and have always loved clothing as a medium of self expression, and it is this sociological-esque aspect of thrifting I love the most.

Don't buy anything over 10 euros (or 20 euros maximum for stuff like a genuine leather jacket or something). You're being scammed.

Make note of any brands whose clothes you frequently find yourself liking/trying on. I personally like and have bought a lot of Esprit and Pimkie stuff and I've only ever encountered their clothes in a thrifting context. Keep an eye out for clothes of said brands, and you might find yourself liking a piece you previously might not have paid attention to.

Do not entirely avoid aforementioned "overpriced vintage stores". I am not saying you should buy anything from their standard rotation there but ☝️ many of them do have 5-euro bins and you can find some pretty good deals there (just make sure the product is not defective, a 5 euro bin is where I found that torn belt I was talking about and many vintage store owners will not shy from weaponizing the low price point to sell you unusable products and then act like it's your fault.)

This is a personal preference more than a rule, and it's a luxury that comes with perfecting your thrifting skills, but I am at a point where I would not buy anything synthetic from an outlet. Sorry. I'm looking for good quality clothing at a cheaper price, not fast-fashion polyester products that already costs 5 euros to produce anyway (<- however always do prefer thrifting than directly buying from fast fashion brands, even if it means thrifting synthetic fabrics!)

Vibe and have fun! This is similar to Step 4 but genuinely you truly must enjoy the process, elsewise thrifting can become very tiring very quickly. Take a friend with you and have fun with the stuff you find.

Understand that sometimes, making an investment and buying something brand new is the way to go. I find this to be especially true with heavier articles, such as bags, jackets, shoes etc, especially when the wear and damage are visible (not in a good way). Don't spend 20 euros buying a worn leather bag from an outlet when you can spend the same or a marginally larger amount of money buying a new leather bag from a local workshop (you will also need to put in some work in order to find those. sorry)

all this to say: there's no really such a thing as a "good outlet". you're not going to find anything inherently trendy or cool in there (except for my ed hardy tshirt i got for 8 euros. insane.) do avoid the dirty and untidy ones, yes, but most successful thrifting endeavors come from developing thrifting and, by extension, dressing yourself, as a skill and then applying them on outlets selling mediocre, generic clothing in order to find something you like and that looks good on you.

tldr; have fun + put the work in + always keep in mind whether the product you're buying is worth it and All Will Be Well

[nando161mando]

Breaking! Autonomous activists have shut down the roads entering Webb Dock, stopping workers and trucks from entering the shipping terminals for Toll Group and Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT).

This action targets Toll Group, a logistics company actively facilitating the global transfer of arms, including for display at Disrupt Land Forces, and VICT, a terminal that contracts with "israeli" national shipping carrier ZIM and its partners.

This is a purposeful economic disruption to further anti-zionist and anti-imperialist causes. It aims to economically disrupt the flow of capital to the zionist economy and the global logistics of arms supply.

Activists reaffirm their commitment to material solidarity with all Indigenous peoples who face and resist the forces of imperialism, colonisation and capitalism, from the occupation on this continent to the occupation in Palestine.

FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA ALWAYS WAS, ALWAYS WILL BE

[dynamitedogma]

Tips for Blending Different Styles in Your Dining Room

Designing a dining room that seamlessly blends various styles can be a daunting task. This guide offers practical tips and insights on how to mix different styles, materials, and textures to create a harmonious and personalized dining space. From choosing the right dining table learn more and chairs to incorporating unique elements and finishing touches, discover how to make your dining room a true reflection of your taste and personality.

Choosing the Right Dining Table and Chairs

Selecting the perfect dining table and chairs is the cornerstone of any dining room design. Before diving into furniture shopping, consider the overall style you want to achieve. Whether you prefer a modern, traditional, or eclectic look, your choices should reflect your personal taste and the room's functionality.

Mixing Materials and Styles

Gone are the days when dining furniture had to match perfectly. Today's trend leans towards mixing different materials, styles, and textures to create a more dynamic and interesting space. For instance, pairing a glass dining table with ultra-modern chrome legs with padded, upholstered chairs in a classic shape can create a striking contrast.

Example: The Bonaldo Victoria Chair

The Bonaldo Victoria chair, with its contemporary materials and traditional-with-a-twist design, pairs beautifully with both modern and traditional dining tables. This combination can add a layer of sophistication and visual interest to your dining room.

Incorporating Unique Elements

Even if you opt for a matching dining table and chairs, adding unique elements can elevate your dining room's aesthetic. Consider incorporating an antique Chinese cabinet or a French-style display cabinet to add character and depth.

Bridging Styles with Accessories

Bringing different styles together can be achieved through thoughtful accessories. An antique wall mirror or a silver candelabra can seamlessly blend modern and traditional elements, creating a balanced and personalized dining space.

Understanding Your Space

The success of combining different styles largely depends on the room itself. If you have a Victorian home with high ceilings and period features, you have more flexibility to mix old and new. However, in a modern flat with low ceilings, it might be best to stick with contemporary pieces or conservative combinations.

Adapting to Modern Spaces

In modern spaces, combining contemporary furniture with subtle personal touches can prevent the room from feeling too sterile. Consider adding elements like wall mirrors, artwork, or pendant lamps to bring warmth and personality to the space.

[hpprintingsolutions]

Display Material in Victoria | Visiting Card Printing Near Me

Explore premium Custom Printing Melbourne. High-quality prints tailored to your needs. Elevate your brand today. Order Now.

[uwmspeccoll]

Shakespeare Weekend!

It is time to say adieu to our Limited Editions Club adventure as we present the last volume, Shakespeare’s dramatic comedy, The Winter's Tale, the thirty-seventh volume of the thirty-seven volume The Comedies Histories & Tragedies of William Shakespeare, published by the Limited Editions Club (LEC) from 1939-1940. We will have, however, plenty of other material from our Shakespeare collection to present in the coming weeks. The Winter’s Tale was written and performed in 1611 but was not published until its inclusion in the First Folio of 1623. The play was heavily influenced by Robert Greene’s prose Pandosto: A Triumph of Time, although Shakespeare made several plot changes, most notably saving the life of Hermione. 

British artist Albert Rutherston’s (1881-1953) water-color drawings illustrate The Winter’s Tale with colorfully simple narratives based on his set design for the Granville-Barker production of The Winter’s Tale in 1912. Rutherston studied art at the Slade School of Fine Art in London and experienced widespread fame upon completion with paintings on display at the British Museum, Tate Gallery, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. He has illustrated dozens of children’s books, designed stage decorations for ballets, and created posters for the London Underground. It is said his work does not stir the soul but soothes the eye as can be seen in the pleasant watercolors published here. The black outlines of the drawings were printed from line plates with actual watercolor applied through stencils at the atelier of Jean Saudé in Paris. 

The volume was printed in an edition of 1950 copies at the Press of A. Colish. Each of the LEC volumes of Shakespeare’s works are illustrated by a different artist, but the unifying factor is that all volumes were designed by famed book and type designer Bruce Rogers and edited by the British theatre professional and Shakespeare specialist Herbert Farjeon. Our copy is number 1113, the number for long-standing LEC member Austin Fredric Lutter of Waukesha, Wisconsin. 

View more Limited Edition Club posts. 

View more Shakespeare Weekend posts and stay tuned as we dig into our collection for more Shakespeare materials! 

-Jenna, Special Collections Graduate Intern 

[melodystone57]

Chapter 1: Beware My Power, Green Lanterns Light part 1

"Y/n L/n of Earth, sector 2814, report to Oa immediately"

of course. Why am I always called when I am quite literally in the middle of something?

" Mr. Saltzman, may I use the restroom?", I asked, raising my hand in the air.

" Why did you not go before the test? or before you came into class Mrs. l/n?" He questioned as he leaned against his desk, arms crossed and glaring at me.

"I don't know, why do you have a dad bod? Oh yeah, life happens. Now may I go to the bathroom, or shall I pee myself?" I replied while cocking a brow.

" Go before I change my mind. "

Rushing to my feet, I hurried out the door and towards the bathroom. Charging into the room, my nostrils were attacked by cheap Victoria's Secret perfume with a hint of old-period blood.

" Holy Hell! How many girls have been in here!? It is Rank in here! " I exclaimed, changing into my Green Lantern suit. Slowly the suit materializes across my body starting with my feet and moving up to my head.

"Oh, my good lord. We so desperately need to get a Febreeze." I rant while opening the window and starting to squeeze my top half and my hips through. " Jesus how thick am I?." Once the rest of my body is out of the window, I start flying to oa.

" Green Lantern Salak, not that I don't enjoy your company but why have I been summoned," I ask him on our call through the rings.

"You are needed as a material witness in the Green Lantern Hal Jordan hearing," Salaak said. Great. What has he done now? I swear to Loki himself that if he did something stupid again, he is getting a swift kick where the sun doesn't shine." Might I suggest though, that you use hyperspeed? Hal Jordan will be here any minute and the guardians would like To hurry everything along."

"Thank you for the heads up, Salaak. I will be there shortly" I replied ending our call to engage hyperspeed.

ah oa. you beautiful beast. I started to feel the gravitation pull as well as the change in the temperature. it is strange how oa is colder than space is. You would think it was the other way around. As I fly down, I get to witness the spectacular display of the other green lanterns in what seemed to be their natural habitat. So many of them flying or simply walking around engaging in friendly banter and conversations. It's a wonderful sight to see all types of different species mingling together in peace. if only Earth was able to be so open-minded with its people. I spot Kilowog standing in front of the entrance to the grand hall on my descent down to him.

"Well look who it is. Sargent Kilowog." I said jokingly

"If it isn't the royal hard ass of the green lantern corps. What are you doing here?" He asked while pulling me into a hug,

" I'm here as a witness to something Hal must have done," I replied while pulling away from the hug and walking toward Salaak and Hal.

"Of course you are, always cleaning up Jordans's mess."

"He's not that bad Kilowog. Good Afternoon Salak. Is everyone ready to get this over with I know I am." I said and asked while walking into the meeting hall.

"Ah good you all are here. Let us move forward with this shall we." Apa said very grimly. The others had come into the room and stood next to me.

" Hal Jordan of Earth, Green Lantern of Sector 2814. The viceroy of Demrakk 7 claims that when we assigned you to police crucial peace negotiations you punched him in the face. is this true?" he asked.

"uh, er, no, sir. I punched the viceroy in the stomach. Then I head-butted him in the face...Sir," Jordan replied " The viceroy was a serious dirtbag, who was using diplomatic immunity to cover up his slave trafficking ring" he continued.

"The council Should note that Hal Jordan's claims have since been proven true by Demrakk's authorities." Ganthat intervened.

"That is not the point." said Apa, "This lantern clearly seems to revel in exceeding his authority, ignoring our orders' and making his own.." Apa was interrupted when the ceiling bay door opened and a Green Lantern Ring Dropped down from it and onto the floor.

" Oh,no" Kilowog said.

Hal hovered over slowly and picked up the ring to examine it while saying " We can argue about my conduct later, but right now.....somewhere out there, there's a dead Green Lantern."

"Salaak, whose ring is this?" Kilowog asked as he placed the ring in the middle of Salaak's mobile command center.

" Green Lantern M'Ten," he said while pulling up a picture of him.

"Never seen this guy before in my life," Kilowog replied

"Salaak, Display gaurdian Space." ganthat ordered.

A holographic globe with squares all around it is in the middle of it and displayed high enough so everyone can see.

"There are 3600 sectors of guardian space " Ganthat continued " For millennia, we have dispatched our power rings' to choose a worthy protector of each sector. You are Green Lantern Corps'."

"This part we know" Jordan whispered quietly earning him an elbow to the gut from me.

" Display the homeworld of Frontier Lantern M'Ten," said Ganthat

"Frontier Lantern" Kilowog wondered.

"This is the guardian Frontier, the very edge of our territory," Sayd explained as the globe enlarged into different sections of Frontier space.

"We have seated Lanterns there, but they are few and far between. The vast distance makes contact with the frontier lanterns sporadic, at best."

"Then who trains them?" Kilowog questioned

"They receive limited instruction from their rings. That is all." Says intervened

"What do these lights signify?" Hal Asked.

"These are locations where operatives went offline. Those Power Rings are currently in search of new hosts. Or en route back to Oa." Apa answered. "Meaning they're Dead" I muttered under my breath. Of course, they don't care about what happens to them.

"That is unfortunate, but accurate," Apa replied, hearing me mutter under my breath. I take that back, it's just Apa that doesn't care.

"And you just sit there, doing nothing?" Hal remarked, "You did not even see it fit to inform us about these Lantern deaths?" Salaak Continued sharing Hal's thought process on the whole ordeal.

" There is nothing to be done right now. Flying at top speed you wouldn't reach the frontier for 18 months. We are formulating a plan." said calmly

"There are Lanterns dying out there! We need to get out there and stop whoever is targeting them now!" Hal barked.

"Let me remind the Green Lantern of Earth that the Guardians are not on trial here. He is." Apa Yelled.

"Appa Ali Apsa, it has been an eventful session. Perhaps a period of refreshment is required. Or as our earthman would say; A coffee break." Ganthet Intervened. Thank God. I was about to lose my mind.

"Good call Ganthet. Another minute and I might've said something..." Hal Started to say before Kilowog cut him off "Incredibly stupid? Yeah, I think that ship sailed a long time ago Jordan. Hey, this ain't the way to the commissary."

"Indeed. I thought we might enjoy taking a more scenic route." Ganthet agreed

"Aren't you just full of surprises today?' oops wrong choice of words. My bad. "I am sorry about the brutal word battle that happened in their Ganthet. None of it was directed towards you." I said

"That is quite alright. I understand all of you, and your need to protect those who can't protect themselves. That is why you make an excellent green lantern. That is why the ring choose you."

He replied as we flew over the science center. The docking bay opened up to a beautiful white Matted ship with green accents as well as a green power core.

"Ganthet what is that?" Hal Asked

"Oh, that! Nothing really. An experimental prototype powered by the green lantern energy itself."

" Holy crud," Kilowog said amazed.

"How Fast?" Hal asked, looking at Ganthet with his arms crossed.

"Well, the interceptor is potentially the fastest ship ever created by sentient life."

"Potentially?," I asked

"This prototype is so sophisticated and travels so fast that the nav-computer is an actual artificial intelligence."

"I know that Look Jordan, this isn't one of your earthen jet thingies," Kilowog said trying to shut down whatever idiotic plan Hal is trying or already has come up with.

"Look, I'll take her up and work the bugs out. Then we'll fly to the frontier and we'll take care of the Lantern killer." He explained.

" I doubt that will come to pass. It is much too risky. And all Guardians must be in agreement. Some will doubt the very existence of this Lantern killer." Ganthet explained as the doom doors closed. Once they were shielded shut he started flying back to the Grand Hall.

" Then why show us this?" I asked. Curious as to what is going on in his head.

"I told you, my friends. We're simply taking the scenic route."

" I can't believe I let you talk me into this," I muttered under my breath, as Hal and I walked through the science center halls toward the docking bay.

" Simple, You love me and would do anything for me."

"I'm more likely to skin you alive than to ever like you. Let alone love you."

"You say that now, but just wait. Someone is going to melt that icy heart of yours. And then you will realize that you truly love me." He replied as we hid against the wall. Peaking around the corner, we noticed a Identification Robot, scanning the walkway to the doors.

" Great. Now what?" I asked

"Don't worry, I've got a plan."

This so-called plan was him creating a construct of ganthat, to "float" over to the machine.

"Identification please"

"Ganthet of the guardians," Hal said very deeply.

" Dude he does not sound like that" I whispered harshly in his ear.

"Incorrect. Alarm detected." We both look at each other with wide eyes. Moving from the wall I start shooting at it before it can raise any more attention as to what we are doing. "Contacting secur..."

After the robot fell down we rushed to the motion sensor doors. Bruh, what is the point of an identification bot if the doors are automatic? That's just stupid. Once were inside we slowed down, and walked to the ship. we canvased the area to make sure no one saw us come in.

"I think we're good to go, Hal," I said looking over my shoulder to do a double-check, not paying attention to what was in front of me. Bumping into a wall full of muscle I look in front of me and see Kilowog standing there, Arms crossed and eyes narrowed at Jordan.

"Kinda figured you'd turn up here, hotshots. Just your style. You borrow the ship. Rush into danger. Catch the killer. Save the day. Big heroes." He stated boringly.

"You forgot "get the girl". There's probably a girl somewhere in this, " Hal said "Don't try to stop us, big guy." he continued

"Who's trying to stop you? I'm coming with you! Forget anything?" he asked as he held up three portable batteries. Definitely a good thing that he brought those. My Ring is nearing 30%.

"Okay, you can tag along," I said teasingly walking onto the ship's ramp.

" Oh please, I've been saving your butt ever since boot camp No reason to stop now.Wow."

"Look at that." Hals to say the least was amazed. Walking into the ship it was like looking at any movies based in deep space and the future. The med bay was in close proximity to the Science Cell and the Engine.

"This thing's engine's gigant power battery," Kilowog exclaimed.

"Hey now we have a backup battery for our backup batteries," I said over my shoulder, looking towards the middle of the room there was a small standing area that looked to be some sort of training simulator. Walking further into the ship we head to the cock pit. Hal being ahead of us sits at the main center console housing the winch and runs his hand smoothly across the console.

"Wow. She's beautiful." He stated

"She?" Kilowog and I questioned, raising my and his non-existent eyebrows.

"She. A ship is always she. Wonder how you fly this baby?"

A Small blue orb with a circle in the middle appeared from the console and asked "Please define the term: Beautiful." with a Female voice.

"That must be the AI nav computer," Kilowog muttered to both of us.

"Hello, Aya. We're your new best friends: Hal, Kilowog, and Rory." He Introduced.

"Uh, Hal AI doesn't spell Aya it spells Ayeee." I corrected

" But Aya is a pretty name. A pretty name for a pretty girl."

"Don't you ever stop?" Kilowog Asked.

"New designation accepted. Aya."

"Aya, would you like to play a game?" I asked

"What game?"

"This Game is called Joyride."

"How does one play Joyride?"

After explaining the rules of "Joyride", we start flying over Oa. Waiting for the engine to properly prep for travel, we fly over the open grand hall dome. Catching all of the Gaurdian's attention.

They Start following us.

"Somebody's coming." Kilowog Warned. They caught up to the ship and started tapping on the window. Looking over at them Apa Started tapping harder and pointing to the ground.

" Aya initiate ultra-warp, now!" Hal yelled

"Ultra-warp protocol requires at least 43 minutes to calculate."

"Aya, listen to me. Kilowog, Rory, and I are Green Lanterns. We help people. Right now there's some other Green Lanterns in trouble at the coordinates I gave you."

"It is unsafe to bypass protocols."

"Green Lanterns risk their lives to save the lives of others. Aya, please." Giving in, she disappeared and started up the coils and input the coordinates and calculations for Fronteir's space. Flying faster and forward we started surging into a rainbow sort of opening. We were going so fast it felt like the zero gravity machine at a carnival or fair. Sirens blared and red lights started flashing on the console in front of me.

"Warning! Bypassing protocols have resulted in an unstable ultra-warp field. Disintegration is imminent. Hull integrity at seven point seven five percent." Aya warned.

"Aya, can you convert to manual controls?" Hal asked

"Affirmative. However manual control of a vehicle while in ultra-warp..."

"Do It!"

The winch reappears from the center console, Hal Grabs it a makes a hard right. The right side of the ship started scraping the sides of the ultra warp.

"How is this better?!" Kiliwog asked, yelling at Hal.

"If I can slow us down I might be able to punch through the ultra-warp conduit without breaking the ship apart." He answered.

A few more seconds of us scraping the wall we break through with a blinding green light. We start spinning out of control before stopping at an abrupt stop. We all smack into a console and fall to our butts.

"Oh god, please never do that again?" I asked

Kilowog agreed while getting up and looking out of the window "Wow, frontier space."

"We made it," I said, while staring out the window amazed. This part of space was beautiful. Mixes of blue and reds that never mix, with brilliant white stars lighting the sky.

"I wonder what the odds are for me making my dinner with Carol?" Hal wondered as he fell into his seat.

" A billion lightyears from home, and that's what you're thinkin'? You must've really lost it for this girl." Kilowog teased

"Uh, no!"

"Attention! I am picking up telemetry from a nearby Power Ring." Aya said over the intercom.

Kilowog walked over the the side console and pressed on the intermission signal.

"It's a GL! And Hal, whoever he is, he's alive."

"But not for long. He is in a firefight. And losing." Aya Informed.

"Buckle up, people. This is now officially a rescue mission." Hal Informed.

We arrive on a planet that has many canyons but not many villages. We noticed immediately multiple red lights firing and a dim green light. We head over and see two men, one Lengthy and muscular in his upper torso, and the other one appears to look like a beach ball with arms and legs. Both of them were in a red and black uniform. The two mystery men seemed to be chasing after a GL. We Land the ship and fly over to the Green Lanter to provide assistance. The GL was hit in the back, landing roughly on his stomach and sliding. Trying to crawl away from his attackers, he managed to get a few inches away before getting hit again. Giving into the pain, he stopped and layed on his back looking up at the two men in fear.

"Not bad. In fact, I'll graciously allow you to make up for your earlier squeamishness. You can strike the final blow, Razer. Unless of course, you are too weak!" The beachball said speaking to the other male in red. Razer started to power up his ring and fired. Kilowog and I flew faster and jumped between the wounded Green Lantern and the blast, to create a brick wall. The beach ball roared in anger at us stopping their kill.

"Weaklings! Your feeble constructs are crushed beneath the Red Lantern might!" He said

"Red Lantern? What the Norx is a Red Lantern?!" Kilowog asked while staring at them in pure confusion. We kept the wall up as the "Red Lanterns" kept firing at us.

"These guys I'm guessing. We need to move, fast!" I said over the sound of the ring fire.

"Easy, we're the cavalry here to rescue you," Hal said and he landed next to the hurt GL.

" I'm running low. You have enough juice to fly him back?" He asked Kilowog after checking his ring percentage. Both Hal and I started firing back at the Red Lanterns.

"Big shot GL from Oa, Huh. Maybe I ought to be saving you." The Green Lanter teased at Hal.

"We'll draw their fire while you get the comedian back to the interceptor," I said referring to me and Hal.

"Yeah, I had a feelin' that was comin'. What do you want written on your tombstones?" Kilowog asked.

"Spent the rest of his long life making sure his ring was charged." " She loved herself some good pussy and dick."

"Yeah, no way I'm putting that on there."

" Well fuck."

Distracting the Red Lanterns, we diverted them away from the interceptor. Flying through the air is hard and it's even harder when you are being shot at. Dodging fire I yell over to Hal,

" I got tall and Lengthy, you get Beach ball." I started firing at Razer and leading us away from the other two. Sending a spear towards him, I fly under him to try and get him unexpectedly. But luck is not on my side. He caught the Spear as I started to fly under him and threw it at me. Dodging out of the way he landed a punch to my Jaw and stomach. Kicking him in the stomach I managed to pull away far enough to make a construction to grab and throw him. After he hit the ground, I flew down to arrest him. Thinking he had passed out I tried to grab his wrist only to receive a blast to my stomach that sent me straight into a mountain. starting to see spots I got up to attack but Kilowog beat me to it. Unable to stay awake I fell to the ground and passed out.

I thought waking up hungover was bad, this felt like an elephant was jumping on my brain. Sitting up from a med bed I heard Kilowog's voice.

"Easy, hotshot. Think you're pretty clever charging your ring off the engine like that huh? I say you're lucky not to blow your arm off."

Looking over I saw that he was talking to Hal. Next to him is the GL, he however was still asleep. Getting up, walked over to the other two.

"What going on?" I asked them both.

" Thank god. Your ok, you had me worried for a second." Kilowog said as he pulled me into a hug.

"I'm okay Kilowog. I Promise." Hugging him back I started to feel sleepy. But I wanted to stay awake to see what happened. Pulling away I turn to look at the GL.

" Don't worry about hard cases over there. He's gonna be a little sore for the rest of his life." Kilowog said answering my unanswered question.

"Where are our friends, Ball and Chain?" Hal asked as he got up and started walking to the cock pit.

"Your firework display sent them on a little trip. But I got a bad feeling we'll be seeing them again soon. But in the meantime, who knows Maybe we'll be back in time for your date with Carol after all." Kilowog said.

"Dinner will have to wait. We're here now, we fight them. We stop them. Whatever it takes. However long it takes. We stop them."

[amymmill2]

The Red Shoes Analysis

Directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, The Red Shoes (1948), is a visually and emotionally intense film that delves into the cost of artistic obsession and the conflict between love and artistic ambition.

Rex Whistler, The Red Shoes, Illustration for Fairy Tales and Legends

The film is based on an original dark fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, published in 1845. The story follows a young, unwealthy girl who is cared for by her grandmother. Despite her grandmother’s attempts of a humble upbringing, Karen is consumed by vanity and materialism. One day, she encounters a pair of bright red shoes, which she is seduced by. Against her grandmother’s wishes – who instructed her to buy a subtle pair of black shoes for church- Karen chooses the red ones instead, stunned by their beauty and allure. Unbeknownst to her, the red shoes are enchanted and quickly seize her life. They force Karen to an uncontrollable dance, dragging her through the town streets, leading to her misery and humiliation. The more she resists this fate, the more she is trapped in the curse. Her life now a nightmarish cycle of obsession and vanity, something which she once prided herself upon. She searches for a way to end her self-inflicted suffering, and in desperation, seeks the town executioner, asking him to cut her feet off. The executioner – used to foreshadow Karen’s impending doom- fulfils her request and gifts her with a pair of wooden feet. With the curse lifted, Karen believes she has been redeemed. In this moment of relief, an angel appears, relaying that all her sins had been forgiven. With overwhelming joy, she dies of happiness and her soul ascends to heaven finding eternal peace and redemption. With this origin in mind we are able to make connections to both fairy tale and film in regards to both Karen and Vicky displaying traits of obsession, which lead to their demise.

The Power of Art

A central and complex theme in this film is the metaphorical use of the power of the arts and how this inevitably can make, or in this case, break a person. Art is portrayed not as an enjoyable creative endeavour but as a forceful obsession. It encourages the elevation and transcendence of oneself but equally demands self-destruction. Through the character of Victoria Page and the ballet sequences, the film delves into the dual nature of art and its ability to liberate but also consume the obsessed. In all aspects there is ‘the idea that art can become all-encompassing, shaping every aspect of one’s existence.’ [Alexander, 2024]. In the film, ballet is not just viewed as a performance, but as a symbol of spiritual transcendence through the perfection of the artistic journey. As the central ballet plays out, the stage and reality begin to disintegrate, and the performance becomes a metaphysical experience, delivering the dancer and audience to a dream-like realm of fantasy. This blurring of boundaries between reality and performance, highlights the transformative power of art. There is also a significance around Victoria’s journey to perfection. Evidently, she is intensely devoted to ballet which reflects her desire to elevate in a spiritual manner. Linking to how Lermontov holds ballet as a religion, giving the art a sublime quality. This portrayal gives a divine set of characteristic to ballet, suggesting that Victoria was the anointed one, destined to her destructive fate.

Art can also be seen, through the character of Lermontov, as a force to be mastered rather than an art to be experienced. He takes on a very tyrannical approach with his dancers and engraves -to both them and the audience- that ballet must be worshipped, much like a God. His character successfully embodies the ominous side of the art’s power and how it can consume them into a life of lonesomeness and isolation. Victoria is not only a prisoner to Lermontov but also to the Red Shoes themselves. They metaphorically represent the domineering role of obsession and how dedication can lead to a loss of freedom. Her pursuit to master artistic perfection surprisingly leads to her oppression, enslaving her to the power of the shoes.

The Red Shoes, 1948

The Duality of Love and Art

A metaphor that links to the power of art, is how in the film, Victoria’s relationships with Julian and Lermontov depict the tension between romantic/ personal happiness and artistic fulfilment. Julian represents Victoria’s chance to have a life outside of ballet, filled with intimacy and fulfilment. Whereas Lermontov represents the all-consuming, demanding aspects of dance and how this can destruct her life, much like his. I feel as though these two men serve as metaphors for Victoria’s internal conflict. This conflict highlights the irony of greatness in the fact that perfection can’t be sustained in one area (art) without the sacrifice of another (personal happiness).

The Red Shoes, 1948

Reality vs Surrealism

The use of surrealism as a counterpart to reality is used to primarily amplify the deteriorating internal, psychological state of the protagonist, Victoria Page. As she becomes more dedicated and obsessed with ballet, the boundaries between her external reality begin to crumble. The Red Shoes themselves are an embodiment of Victoria’s inner turmoil posing the question of whether dancing is an experience. When wearing them, she isn’t just performing a ballet, she is being overtaken by the obsessive compulsion to dance, brought on by the curse. The abstract, swirling imagery in the dance, represents the downward spiral of her mind and therefore her reality. Let’s quickly explore the significance of cinematography in the ballet sequence. The camera’s fluid movement and distortion of space, paired with the dreamlike colours, indicate that the dance is not just on stage but also in Victoria’s mind. Once you begin to grasp this concept as a viewer, her fear, guilt and obsession become tangible as you are witnessing her mind’s unravelling. Thus, resulting in the dance becoming an out-of-body experience for the protagonist and on overstimulating watch for the audience.

The Red Shoes also are a representation of the surreal as they are not only symbolic of artists ambition, but a physical manifestation of the power of artistic obsession. Using technicolour these once ordinary ballet slippers are transformed into a maleficent force. In the film we don’t get an explanation as to how these shoes hold their supernatural qualities, suggesting that it is reasonable for them to exist between a plane of reality and the surreal.

The Red Shoes, 1948

Significance of Cinematography and Colour

The Red Shoes is known for its groundbreaking use of cinematography and technicolour which are key elements in portraying the themes of deep emotion and turmoil. Directors Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger, and cinematographer Jack Cardiff, used colour as a narrative tool to enhance the symbolism of psychological unease.

The most powerful use of colour is reflected with the physical use of the red shoes. The colour red is a motif throughout the film, displaying themes of risk, passion and infatuation. The shoes possess a life of their own, and this bright hue of red is tied to the emotional distress and intensity of her character’s journey. It acts as a visual cue for the increasing danger she is putting herself in at the cost of her ambition.

As one of the earliest films to use Technicolour, Powell and Pressburger utilized this as an extended metaphor to mirror the psychological states of the characters. There is a sense of irony as the characters mental well beings are deteriorating whilst the set colours become brighter. The vivid colour palette adds a surreal, dreamlike quality to the narrative. The extravagant costumes, grand set designs and backgrounds create an enchanting environment for the ballet and the audience- both dazzling and entrapping the viewer and characters. The use of contrast with colour serves as a differentiator between reality and the world of ballet. When transported to the theatrical scenes of the dance, the colours are very vibrant and intense eluding to a heightened sense of reality. On the other hand, scenes set in real life have more muted tones of colour, emphasising the dreariness of everyday life, compared to the idealised world of ambition in the arts.

The camera movement, holds a lot of fluidity through the swirling and sweeping motions, making the dance feel dreamlike. This could also be implied as a physical representation of Victoria being lost in a trance due to her obsession. As mentioned previously, the colours of the ballet shifts dramatically, highlighting emotional and psychological disintegration. The Red Shoes are seen to morph into surreal forms, making the dance feel increasingly tense. It could be implied that the colour red in the dancing sequence represents the increasing power of the enchanted shoes, magnified by the distorted visuals.

Overall, I found The Red Shoes to be a powerful exploration of the toxic realm of art and the nature of obsession. Through Victorias character we delve into the tensions between a life of intimacy and a life of relentless perfection. She is morally challenged throughout the film, slowly driving her psyche in a downwards spiral. Ultimately, the film portrays how pursuing artistic transcendence, can lead to self-destruction. It successfully highlights the dangers of allowing an ambition to become all-consuming, and how this will inevitably lead to one’s downfall.

-

-

-

-

-

Bibliography:

Rex Whistler, RW (no date), The Red Shoes, Illustration for Fairy Tales and Legends [Illustration, Photograph]

Available at:

(Accessed: 17 Nov 2024)

Shaquilla Alexander, SA (Jan 01, 2024) The Red Shoes: Beyond The Mirror [Article]

Available at:

(Accessed: 17 Nov 2024)

Gateway Cinephile (2010), The Red Shoes, Theatrical print (1948) [Photograph]

Available at:

(Accessed: 17 Nov 2024)

The Criterion Collection, The Red Shoes (1948) [Photograph]

Available at:

(Accessed:17 Nov 2024)

Deep Focus Review, The Red Shoes (1948) [Photograph]

Available at:

(Accessed: 17 Nov 2024)

[lillslillslilly]

CHAPTER TWO

Chapter two

She had spent the last fourteen hours kneading dough and mixing batter and rolling out mix until her hands locked, her head was light from dehydration and her stomach was practically screaming for something consumable. Though every millimetre of her five-foot-three self was monopolised in a dull ache from the uninterrupted production of baked goods, Maxine was glowing with relief, disbelief and reward at the milestone she had just accomplished.  She was not phased by the agonising hunger and thirst that her body desperately called out for; instead, it brought a subtle sense of peace, of solidarity to her mind, in tandem to the playlist of soft songs levitating from the speaker in the corner of the bakery, like an energy or an aura.

Positioned above the checkout area, the glass display case exposed a heavenly stash of perfectly browned croissants, glazed cinnamon rolls, an array of stacked cookies and chocolate-chunked brownies, buns and a clique of other devastatingly beautiful pastries and doughs. Shelves encompassing the store accommodated sourdoughs, whole wheats, ciabattas, baguettes, paninis, ryes… individually wrapped in some sort of cellophane material, accompanied by a little red ribbon holding it in place. A freshly polished glass casing lined the centre of the back cherry-red wall, occupied by several fresh pies – cherry, blackberry, peach, pumpkin, apple – each one satisfyingly golden and crisp. Pies were always Maxine’s favourites to make; she enjoyed watching them bake, fruit bubbling, seeping through the flawlessly measured lattice on top, eventually settling, leaving a dye of colour around the pastry. Below the array of pie, still filling the casing, lay angelic looking, soft to the touch, heavenly tasting cakes (two teared with a generous layer of butter icing between tears and coating the top of the exterior): Victoria sponge, triple chocolate, red velvet (the greatest creation in the whole world in the eyes of Max) and coffee and walnut. Depending on which she believed would suit best to each specific cake, Max had dusted them with either silver or gold edible glitter – very lightly as if it was from a fairy. The interior of the bakery also looked as though Maxine had waved a magic wand over it: everything was pristine, perfect. The magnolia walls hung paintings of all sorts of baked goods – paintings her best friend had created for her throughout their friendship ready to store in the bakery she always dreamed of, and so she had kept every single one from over the years for this exact purpose. Crimson, cursive LED lights hung above the checkout counter read ‘welcome’ to match the single red wall hosting the pies and cakes. Earlier in the week, Maxine had purchased two small, rounded, metal tables with shiny, metal, basket-like chairs for customers to eat-in. A few cans of red spray paint and an afternoon of DIY later, she had a small seating area to compliment the red theme that she had been going for. And of course, weaved around the legs of the tables and chairs, and among the sides of the checkout counter were fairy lights.

She was finishing writing products and prices on the colossal chalk board that had earlier been fused to the wall, when a faint but familiar knock presented itself at the door. Behind it: her best friend with a face full of excitement. This was the first time that she had let Wrenn see the bakery; the finished result. She wanted it to be perfect before she let anybody else see, not even her best friend, and now it was.

“Holy shit,” Wrenn gasped as she bounced inside of the store, encouraging her roommate to move to the side. “You did it, like actually. God, it’s just how you described it when we were younger.”

She’s looking around now, spinning in circles, her eyes fixing onto all the different views of the room, occasionally humming with agreement. She giggled at the sight of the fairy-lights knowing that Maxine could not and would not resist incorporating them into the design somehow. Amused, she paced around, letting her eyes bring in all of it.

Then she paused, frozen, glaring up at the paintings on the magnolia walls. She was silent for a moment (which was an unheard-of event for ‘Miss talks-a lot’), as she processed the familiar artwork that lay before her eyes. Wrenn herself broke the silence after gathering her thoughts with a near whisper, “You kept them? ALL of them?”

“Of course I did.” Maxine chuckled in reply, gently caressing the signature, Wrenn’s signature, at the edge of one of the canvases with a chocolate cupcake painted onto it.

“I said I would put them in my bakery, so I have. Besides, I think they bring the whole look together, you know?”

After few soft smiles were exchanged between the pair, Maxine found herself being tackled into a bear-hug, both girls still giggling like teenagers at a sleepover.

“I am really, really, really proud of you Maxie.”

“You are?”

“I am.”

It was starting to get darker earlier, October in the UK and all, and colder too. The bitter air bit at the girls sharp forcing Max to wrap her wine-red scarf around her, covering her nose and mouth. She was aware that it would be a late finish and a cold evening, so she had worn her black trench coat too. Maxine had never really minded the cold weather because she argued that one could always layer up to stay warm or drink a hot drink or tuck yourself in bed, and instead hated the summer. Wrenn always gave the opposing argument that summer in the UK was pathetic: it was barely hot, rained a lot and only lasted a few weeks.

“You’ll love summer abroad. We could go to Spain! Or Los Angeles! Or Portugal!” She’d say.

“We could lay in the sun and get tans and drink martinis.” She’d say.

“We can cool off in the pool and wear our bikinis all of the time.” She’d say.

But Max did not want to go to Spain or Los Angeles or Portugal. She did not want to lay in the sun. She did not want to drink martinis. She did not want to cool off in the pool. She did not want to wear her bikini all the time. And she certainly did not want the summer, though she agreed with her because that’s what friends do. However, she’d rather be curled up by a fireplace with a blanket and a book, some fairy-lights and candles glowing, a coffee, and rain splatting the window: undisturbed. That was what she wanted.

They had been strolling back in the direction their apartment for a while discussing their plans for the rest of the evening. Eventually, the two decided that they’ll stop at the coffee house that resides just beside their apartment block and then they’ll order a pizza and watch a movie to end their day. ‘10 Things I Hate About You’ was their final decision for the movie after a pointless debate on what to watch – this settled right in the middle of their choices: romance and comedy. Perfect – it was also one of Maxine’s favourites, so she felt as though she had still won regarding deciding the film.

‘LIVE LOUNGE COFFEE’ was quite vintage, classical from the outside. The exterior was a deep brown with vines growing along the wood like veins. It seemed quite tiny, secluded and still from the outside. It seemed untouched. Why had it taken them both so long to investigate this coffee house? Maxine especially had become dependent on caffeine, so why has she not visited the coffee house that is quite literally attached to her apartment? In a way, it never really crossed her mind; she hadn’t even fathomed that there was a coffee house attached to her apartment until Wrenn’s mentioning of it on their walk home. Better late then never though, she thought.

Wrenn pushed the door open into the shop, which was rather heavy so this must have been an old shop as they figured, and stepped in, Maxine close behind. She was taken by surprise – this is not what she had thought the interior would look like: it was so… modern; unique? Sofas of mix and matched colours and sizes and an additional similar array of armchairs consumed a lot of the interior. Bar stools and taller tables were dotted around two large speakers which outlined a stage-like area towards the back right hand side of the room. Nothing matched except the walls which were all white, however they were plastered in a series of different quotes and posters. Max was a perfectionist: everything she ever worked on was thought about so particularly for it to be perfect. She needed that control. This was nothing like that. This was unorganised and randomised… so why did she like it?

“Hmm, comfy,” she whispered under her breath as she untangled herself from her scarf, to which her friend turned to her with a facial expression of a mix of surprise and satisfaction.

“Coffee, a beverage that smells like fresh ground heaven,” Maxine read from one of the quotes on the wall to her left. “Amen to that.” Her eyes took one last stroll around the interior of the coffee house until they locked with an unfamiliar pair across the counter. She’d been so caught up with the interior that she hadn’t realised how empty it was, except this pair of forest-brown eyes connected to hers.

“Good evening. How are you?” spoke a soft voice – a soft voice that she did not recognise as her own, nor her best friend’s. A beautiful voice. An angelic voice. A calm voice. It was like music to her ears: blissful and sweet, but soft like feathers.

She realised she was still maintaining eye contact with this person’s exquisite set of russet eyes, and she felt herself burning up, turning red. She swallowed and quickly looked down at her feet. ‘What the fuck is happening?’ she thought to herself. Taking a slow and quiet deep breath Max repositioned her eyes once more, desperate to see the owner of the eyes she had connected with. Her muscles tensed and her breathing fastened. Her once blistery cold skin was now forming beads of sweat as she warmed up against her coat.

She started at the bottom so she could avoid the trance those eyes put her in. They wore a clearly loved pair of Doc Marten boots (she could tell from the frays and the scratches that consumed them), shiny and laced all the way to the top of the ankle. They connected to a pair of black jeans pulled over a long pair of legs. Her eyes glided up to their hips, flawlessly curved, falling into a petite waist shaped by a small apron pulled around it and tied with a bow. Her breathing heavied again, falling irregular now. After a moment of trying to collect herself, she continued her eyes on their journey up, analysing this stranger. One of their hands sat dominantly on their waist while the other was twirling the end of one of two long, midnight black braids, which reached just above it. There was a smooth, shiny coat of amethyst purple painted across their nails without a single chip and each of their fingers had a ring, some even having multiple, except for their thumbs and their wedding finger which remained empty. Each ring was a different colour, shape, style to the last – they were mix-matched like the furniture; Maxine shocking liked it, like the furniture. Her eyes were fixed for a second, until eventually continuing their investigation to their arms and shoulder, which were covered by the cotton sleaves of their black long-sleeved t-shirt. Around their neck dangled one singular silver necklace connected to a small charm of the initial ‘V’, which hung in the centre of their chest. Her eyes continued searching, flowing up their goosebump-covered neck. Was she cold? Was she nervous? Max was nervous. Three silver hooped earrings were situated in each lobe and an industrial bar, also silver, positioned itself diagonally at the top of their left ear. Wrenn and Max always debated silver or gold jewellery and she was always team silver; she assumed they were too. Her eyes proceeded to progress down their jawline, to their lips, which were coated in a thin layer of clear lip-gloss, smiling a toothless smile in her direction. Their lips were so full, especially the bottom one – perfectly plump and a rich rose shade. Their lips were flawless, so her eyes fixed onto them longer. Her hands stated to grow sweaty now, and she could feel her skin turning a raspberry shade of red again. Slowly, she inhaled another silent breath hoping to slow her racing heart or at least somewhat cool her down as she started at their lips. Eventually, she pulled her eyes up once again, resuming their travel to a nose ring – also a silver hoop (assuming to match with the lobe hoops) though it is thinner and smaller. Circling around the eyes she once connected with to avoid it happening again, they analysed the arch in their eyebrows, the perfect shape and the bar of jewellery that ran through the one on the right-hand side. Eyebrow piercing? Hot. Those luscious set of brown eyes caught her attention once more and again she was completely monopolised by them. Her breathing was out of control this time and her heart almost jumped out of her chest. Why does this keep happening? She began to get flustered. Her coat was becoming a real issue – it was too hot in here. It was almost like she was out of her own body, like she had no control. She was captivated by those eyes. She inhaled one more time and led her eyes down the long wing of eyeliner running down their face and finally closed her eyes.

“Fine, thanks. How are you?” a voice answered. It wasn’t her voice. It continued, “Wait, are you guys open?” Once she finally had her breath back, Max opened her eyes to look at her friend, who was smiling softly at the stranger behind the counter with the capturing eyes.

“Yeah of course. What can I get you?” the stranger’s soft, feathery voice spoke again.

“A green tea, please and…” she turned to look at Maxine, who had not digested any of the words that had been spoken since they entered the coffee house. She flinched, snapping out of her thoughts.

“Hmm?” she mumbled to Wrenn.

“What do you want to order?” she questioned, nodding her head towards the stranger behind the counter.

“Oh, erm. A coffee, black,” she spoke under her breath, almost a whisper. Wrenn was looking at her again now but with an expression that she wasn’t familiar with. She broke eye contact and returned her eyes to her feet. She felt fidgety, pressing on the skin around her fingernails behind her back.

“Do you want some sugar with that, darling?” the feathery, angel voice sung out once more. Max froze, her eyes still fixed onto her Mary Jane black heels. Shit, do I want sugar? No.

“Erm, yes please.” She answered.

Shit.

“How many?”

None.

“Just one please.”

What the fuck.

The only sound in the room now was the stranger making the girls’ drinks, Maxine’s heavy breaths and pounding heart, although she hoped she was the only one that could hear those last two things.

After a couple of silent minutes, the stranger comes over with the drinks and hands them to the girls, reinforcing the uncomfortable eye contact that Maxine so desperately avoided, yet so desperately craved.

“Here you are,” she smiled as she handed Wrenn her tea, followed by, “there you go, sweetie.”

What the fuck.

Maxine nodded, still maintaining eye contact, however her breathing was becoming more regular now. She still felt like melting on the spot, but she was calmer and so now she just admired the face that she had analysed a few short minutes ago.

“Pretty quiet night for you I’m guessing,” Wrenn voiced.

The stranger hummed in agreement, and Max wasn’t the one to break the fixed eyes this time. The stranger let out a gentle chuckle. “Yeah, I suppose we don’t get many caffeine hungry people this time of night. They won’t sleep.”

“Yeah, I suppose you’re right.”

Back at their apartment, Maxine released a slice of pepperoni pizza from her grip, flopping it back into the greasy inside of the box she had previously taken it out of. She thought that after having all but a croissant today would mean that she would have devoured more than two slices, however her mind was running and therefore her appetite was pretty low. Usually, she would be irritatingly reciting the script of the movie playing in front of her, however today it was merely background noise to her seamless thoughts. In a loop, her mind projected images of those piercing eyes from the coffee house, then to those lips; to the hands and then the waist; to each of the piercings; circulating back to those poisoning eyes – a never ending cycle. But why, why was this happening? Did she really care that much? Did she even care at all? Why would she care? She doesn’t care. Why is she so fixed to this?

An elbow interacted with her hip, sharp but not painful.

“Right, what’s wrong?” Wrenn said looking to her. “You’ve been radio silent since we got in.” It’s true, she had been, though she hadn’t realised; her mind had been on the loudest volume distracting her from noticing.

“Nothing,” she began, “Well, I don’t know. Maybe I’m just tired.”

“Right okay…” her friend spoke, holding onto the tune of the last word, followed by a short hum of thought. “So, I take it that this has something to do with what happened downstairs?” And she could read her like a book, apparently. Maxine didn’t even bother to deny her behaviour – her friend saw right through her, and she knew that from the second she asked what was wrong.

“How bad was it? God, I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

“I mean, you were bright red, fidgety and protruding Darth Vader breaths when she called you ‘darling’ so…” Wrenn went quiet, trying to decide carefully her next words to not stress Maxine out any further. She did eventually chime back up, “I don’t think she noticed though, maybe I just did because I know you so well. It wasn’t so bad. Actually, I think it’s rather sweet.”

That did not offer Max any clarity whatsoever. She swallowed down the last of her coffee and nodded in agreement, though Wrenn knew she wasn’t convinced.

[exhibitionsvisited]

2024

This year I visited 320 exhibitions, this is my top ten:

Francis Alÿs, Barbican, London

Superb show by Alys that is a real lesson in how to curate video art, visually, sonically, conceptually spatially and above all else seriously playful. 

2. Donald G. Rodney, Nottingham Contemporary and Spike Island, Bristol

I was lucky to see this retrospective of Rodney’s work twice and was rewarded by seeing two different ways to tell a story of the artist’s work. Charged, chilling, poignant, poetic, humbling, angry, beautiful and so much more.

3.Martyn Cross, Hales Gallery, London

Best show of painting I saw all year, Cross is doing something that is anachronistic in that it feels like nothing I have ever seen before and reminiscent of much that is good in art from the past. Hugely refreshing and rewarding.

4. Lubna Chowdhary, Graves Gallery, Sheffield

A show with a smile on its face that made me gleeful and indeed put a bouncing smile on my face. Much richness beneath the surface of the work, but wowzers what surfaces on the work, is incredibly materially rich.

5. Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum, Barbican, London

A show I had no expectations for, not having any knowledge of Sunstrum’s work before and actually only popping in to see it while also visiting the excellent The Imaginary Institution of India Art 1975–1998 exhibition. Sunstrum’s work was a real feat in bring the cinematic to painting through embedding the audience into the spatial time and space of an encounter with the narrative. Stunning and surprising.

6. Yelena Popova, Ione & Mann Gallery, London

Stepping into the gallery from the speakeasy-like entrance up the unassuming front door and staircase was like entering a completely different space from the bustling London streets – calm, contemplative, zen-like lessons in slowing down and paying attention.

7. Dan Rapley, Project Space Plus, Lincoln and Angear Visitor Centre, Nottingham

A lesson in how to look with fresh eyes, one body of photographs was displayed sculpturally in the middle of each space, inviting the viewer, like Rapley to look inwards at the materiality of the microscopic in his blown up photographs of details of slides he has sourced. The other body of work beautifully creates new mysterious and evocative compositions, collaged together by layering the found slides on a light box and rephotographing them.

8. We are the Monument, Graves Gallery, Sheffield

I don't think there is a better public gallery than the Graves Gallery at the moment who are considering how to re-energise their collection, largely by letting artists such as Yuen Fong Ling (and at the same time another brilliant show curated by Victoria Lucas. Clever, playful, dynamic in the way of curating, which feels as deft, elastic and magical as Houdini. It is truly an example that i wish others would take note of, not to copy but to see what can be done.

9. Hew Locke - What Have We Here?, British Museum, London

Superbly told through careful curation, excellent text panels that combined objectivity with subjectivity in a brilliant way to address multiple and complex colonial narratives.

10. Japanese Art History À La Takashi Murakami, Gagosian, London 

I was expected to be too cynical but ended up completely bowled over, seduced and in love with Murakami’s new work that brilliantly balanced spectacle with nuance, attention to detail on such a huge scale.

This year I visited the following exhibitions

10th Jan, Zara Sands and Olly Centres, General Practice, Lincoln

12 Jan, Bodies for Practice, Project Space Plus, Lincoln

2nd Feb, Seasonal Strokes, General Practice, Lincoln

9 Fefb, Chris Ofilli and William Blake, Tate Britain, London

9 Feb, Chris Ofilli, Tate Britain, London

9 Feb, Woman in Protest, Tate Britain, London

9 Feb, Richard Hamilton, Tate Britain, London

9 Feb, Yuri Pattison and J M W Turner, Tate Britain, London

9 Feb, Zineb Saleh Tate Britain, London

9 Feb, Cat Flap Blink, Terrace Gallery, London

9 Feb, Victor Bengtsson, Public, London

9 Feb, Martin Aagaard Hansen, Tanja Nis-Hansen & Kazuyuki Takezaki , Union Pacific, London

9 Feb, Mao Yan, Pace Gallery, London

9 Feb, ,Ziping Wang, Unit, London

9 Feb, Zach lieberman, Unit, London

9 Feb, Conversation Galante, Pillar Corris, London

9 Feb, Frank Bowling ,Hauser and Wirth, London

9 Feb, Uman ,Hauser and Wirth, London

9 Feb, Willem Sasnal, Sadie Coles ,London

9 Feb, Anna Barriball, Frith St,London

9 Feb, Emi Otaguro, Masanori Tomita, Nobuya Hitsuda & Yutaka Nozawa , Sadie Coles,London

9 Feb, Come Home, Sadie Coles ,London

9 Feb, Zineb Sedira, Goodman Gallery,London

9 Feb, Marc Chagall, Alon Zakaim, London

9 Feb, Polymythologies, Tiwani Contemporary,London

9 Feb, Jeffrey Gibson, Stephen Friedman,London

9 Feb, Claire Gavronsky, Goodman Gallery ,London

9 Feb, Rose Shakinovsky, Goodman Gallery ,London

9 Feb, Olivia Flax, Holtermann ,London

9 Feb,Burri, Miró , Ermnst, Nahmad Projects,London

9 Feb, Gerhard Richter, David Zwirner ,London

9 Feb, Drawn into the Present, Thaddeus Ropac ,London

9 Feb, Andy Warhol, Thaddeus Ropac ,London

9 Feb, Pauline Boty, Gazelli, ,London

9 Feb, Karel Appel, Max Hetzler, ,London

9 Feb, Alexis Hunter, Richard Saltoun, ,London

9 Feb, Premiums 1, Royal Academy ,London

9 Feb, Entangled Pasts, Royal Academy ,London

16 Feb, Punk: Rage and Revolution, Northampton Museum & Art Gallery

16 Feb, Material Matters, Northampton Museum & Art Gallery

16 Feb, Elke Pollard, Northampton Museum & Art Gallery

21 Feb, Practice Research, Project Space Plus, Lincoln

22 Feb,  Paul Mpagi Sepuya, Nottingham Contemporary

22 Feb, Dora Budor, Nottingham Contemporary

22 Feb, Danica Maier, Beam, Nottingham

1 March, Andrew Bracey, General Practice, Lincoln

8 March, Darren Diss and Brian Voce, The Hub, Sleaford

8 March, Jo Cope, The Hub, Sleaford

20 March, Mirrors Windows Portals, project space plus, Lincoln

23 March, Feng-Ru Lee, Weston Gallery, Nottingham

23 March, Dan Rapley, Angear Visitor Centre, Nottingham

23 March, Saad Qureshi, Djanogly Gallery, Nottingham

23 March, Fascinating Finds from Nottingham's Caves, University of Nottingham Museum

23 March,Peep Show, Bennington Gallery, Nottingham

23 March, Shahnawaz Hussain, Bennington Gallery, Nottingham

23 March, Osheen Siva, Bennington Gallery, Nottingham

23 March, Debsyo Bolaji, New Art Exchange, Nottingham

24 March, Jason Wilsher-Mills, Lincoln Museum

12 April, When Forms Come Alive,  Hayward Gallery, London

12 April, Virginia Verran, Michael Richardson Contemporary Art, London

12 April, Secundino Hernández , Victoria Miro Gallery, London

12 April, Neal Rock, New Art Projects, London

12 April, Salvador Dali, Clarendon Fine Art, London

12 April, Unravel, Barbican, London

12 April, Soufiane Ababri, Barbican, London

12 April, Ibrahim Mahama, Barbican, London

12 April, Lobert Zandvilet, Grimm, London

12 April, Reina Sugihara, Arcadia Misa, London

12 April, Marria Pratts Carl Kostyal, London

12 April, Richard Serra,David Zwirner, London 

12 April, Marcelina Akpojotor, Rele, London

12 April, Fathi Hassan,Richard Saltoun, London 

12 April, Erwin Wurm,Thaddaeus Ropac, London 

12 April, Harold Cohen, Gazelli Art House, London 

12 April, Adam Pendleton, Galerie Max Hetzler, London 

12 April, Nancy Haynes,  Marlborough, London 

12 April, Shizuko Yoshikawa, Marlborough, London

12 April, Shizuko Yoshikawa and Bridget Riley, Marlborough, London

12 April, Betty Parsons,Alison Jacques, London 

12 April, Woody De Othello, Stephen Friedman Gallery, London 

12 April, Peter Blake,  Waddington Custot Galleries, London

12 April, Standing in the Gap, Goodman Gallery, London 

12 April, Ulla von Brandenburg, Pilar Corrias, London 

12 April, Lindokuhle Sobekwa, Goodman Gallery, London

12 April, The Leisure Centre, The Brown Collection, London 

12 April, Shine On,Sadie Coles HQ Davies St, London

12 April, Albert Oehlen, Gagosian, London 

12 April, Gavin Turk, Ben Brown Fine Arts, London 

12 April, François Morellet,Annely Juda Fine Art, London 

12 April, Thomas Allen, Ronchini Gallery, London 

12 April, Darya Diamond, Pippy Houldsworth, London

12 April, Li Hei Di, Pippy Houldsworth, London

12 April, Florence Hutchings, Redfern Gallery, London

12 April, Marilyn Lerner, Spruth Magers, London

12 April, Barabara Kruger, Spruth Magers, London

12 April, Edward Burtynsky, Flowers, London

12 April, Terry Frost, Flowers, London

12 April, Cinthia Marcelle,Sprovieri, London 

12 April, Matthias Groebel,Gathering, London 

12 April, Raqs Media Collective, Frith Street Gallery, London 

12 April, Kati Heck, Sadie Coles, London

17 April, Trim, Project Space Plus, Lincoln

26 April, Marking Time, General Practice, Lincoln

8 May, Cache 05, Anglia Storage, Lincoln

8 May, Sacred Spaces, St Peter and Gowt, Lincoln

8 May, Parting of the Minds, Project Space Plus, Lincoln

8 May, Paul Letchworth, Gallery St. Martin's, Lincoln

11 May, Anna Reading, Uffington Notice Board

12 May, Common Ground, Uffington Village Hall

15 Ma, Groundings, Project Space Plus, Lincoln

29 May, Caravaggio, St Johns Cathedral, Valletta

31 May, Durer, Mdina Cathedral Museum

31 May, Joe Pellegrini Petit Collection, Wignacourt Museum, Rabat

31 May, Anton Agius, Wignacourt Museum, Rabat

4 June, Now I'm Here, Later I'll be There, Cadman studios, Stoke on Trent

7 June, Come to Fruition, Peter de Wint Building, Lincoln

18 June, Meet the Future, Grosvenor Building, Manchester

18 June, A to Z and Back Again, Holden Gallery, Manchester

19 June, Counter Culture, Djnogoly Gallery, Nottingham

19 June, John Newling, Lakeside Gallery, Nottingham

2 July, Oliver Ventress, General Practice, Lincoln

10 July, Sense of Belonging, Project Space Plus, Lincoln

12 July, Donald G. Rodney, Spike Island, Bristol

12 July, Aperiodic, Kit Form Gallery, Bristol

20th July, Text and Texture, General Practice, Lincoln

24th July, Resonating Museum Walls, Lincoln Museum

6 August, The Time is Always Now, The Box, Plymouth

16 August, Al Held White Cube Bermondsey, London

16 August, Joe Bloom, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London

16 August, Muhammad Zeeshan, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London

16 August, Rahima Gambo, Gasworks, London

16 August, Steve Klee, WIP Space, London

16 August, Nudge it, Terrace Gallery, London

16 August, Guild, Fillet space, London

16 August, Francis Alÿs, Barbican, London

16 August, Meera Shakti Osborne, Peer, London

16 August, Steph Huang, Tate Britain, London

16 August, Alvaro Barrington, Tate Britain, London

16 August, Keith Piper and Rex, Tate Britain, London

16 August, Franciska Themerson, Tate Britain, London

16 August, Balraj Khanna, Tate Britain, London

16 August, Henry Moore and Francis Bacon, Tate Britain, London

17 August, Songs of the Open Road, Halycon, London

17 August, London Pictures, Gilbert and George Centre, London

17 August, Damien Hirst, Phillips, London

17 August, Supernova, Flowers, London

17 August, Asi Joy Samuel and Claudia Yu, Frieze no. 9, London

17 August, Yinka Shonibare, Serpentine Gallery, London

17 August, Judy Chicago, Serpentine Gallery, London

17 August, Minsuk Cho, Serpentine Gallery, London

17 August, Gerhard Richter, Serpentine Gallery, London

17 August, Agnes Scherer,  Sadie Coles, London

17 August, Matthew Barney,  Sadie Coles, London

17 August, Isabella Ducrot, Sadie Coles HQ, London

17 August, Bertolt Brecht, Raven Row, London

17 August, Phantom Hymn, Modern Art, London

17 August, Awaken Metamagical Hand, Gazelli Art House, London

7 August, Roe Ethridge Gagosian, Davies St, London

17 August, Minoru Nomata, White Cube Mason’s Yard, London

17 August, Dominique White, Whitechapel Gallery, London

17 August, Archipelago: Winds in Orbit, Whitechapel Gallery, London

17 August, Peter Kennard, Whitechapel Gallery, London

18 August, Yoko Ono, Tate Modern, London

18 August, Jannis Kounnelius, Tate Modern, London

18 August, Inside Job (the Tate Staff Biennale), Tate Modern, London

18 August, Art and Text, Tate Modern, London

18 August, Gillie and Marc, St. Pauls, London

18 August, Lina Iris Viktor, Sir John Soane Museum, London

23 August, Nick Simpson, General Practice, Lincoln

23 August, What? Now, Project Space Plus, Lincoln

31st August, The Kola Nut Cannot be Contained, Welcome Collection, London

31st August, Being Human, Welcome Collection, London

31st August, Jason Wilsher-Mills, Welcome Collection, London

31st August, Penny Slinger, Richard Saltourn, London

31st August, Grace Weaver, Max Hetzler, London

31st August, Rheim Alkadhi, ICA, London

31st August, Vanessa Bell, Courtauld Institute, London

31st August, Henry Moore, Courtauld Institute, London

31st August, Tavares Strachan, Hayward Gallery, London

31st August, Graham Crowley, Domobaal, London

31st August, Contemporary collecting David Hockney to Cornelia Parker, British Museum, London

31st August, Rembrandt and his Children, British Museum, London

31st August, Liorah Tchiprout, Pippy Houldsworth, London

31st August, Hockney and Piereo: A Longer Look, National Gallery, London

31st August, Discover Degas and Miss La La, National Gallery, London

31st August, Don Brown, Sadie Coles, London

1st September, Ed Clark, Turner Contemporary, Margate

1st September, Lynda Benglis, Turner Contemporary, Margate

1st September, Portfolio X Windmill Community Gardens, Turner Contemporary, Margate

9th September, MA Fine Art show, University of Northampton

11th September, MA Fine Art show, Staffordshire University

13 September, Take one A Day, Usher Gallery, Lincoln

14 September, Erica Eyres, Turntable Gallery, Grimsby

14 September, Dale Alcock, Unseen Arts, Grimsby

16 September, MA Design Degree Show, Project Space Plus, Lincoln

20 September, Lubna Chowdhary, Graves Gallery, Sheffield

20 September, PostNatures, Graves Gallery, Sheffield

20 September, Colour, Form and Line, Graves Gallery, Sheffield

20 September, A Passion for Prints, Graves Gallery, Sheffield

20 September, Odilon Redon, Graves Gallery, Sheffield

20 September, Art and Identity, Graves Gallery, Sheffield

20 September, We Are The Monument, Graves Gallery, Sheffield

20 September, Show Your Metal, Millennium Gallery, Sheffield

20 September, Tess Jaray, Millennium Gallery, Sheffield

20 September, Festival of the MindMillennium Gallery, Sheffield

20 September, Festival of the Mind, Persistence Works, Sheffield

20 September, Jack Grinno, Gloam, Sheffield

27 September, Jake Williams, General Practice, Lincoln

10 October, Dan Rapley, Project Space Plus, Lincoln

18 October, Joe Duggan, Russel Square Gardens, London

18 October, Braque, Matisse, Picasso, London

18 October, Elizabeth Magill, Anthony Wilkinson, London

18 October, Douglas Abdell, Ab-Anbar, London

18 October, Murray Clarke, Nahmad Projects, London

18 October, Kehinde Wiley, Stephen Friedman, London

18 October, Fabienne Verdier, Waddington Custot, London

18 October, Susie Hamilton, Paul Stolper Gallery, London

18 October, Hew Locke - What Have We Here?, British Museum, London

18 October, Mathew Cerletty, Herald St, London

18 October, 5 Years, Maximillian William, London

18 October, Pei Wang, Workplace, London

18 October, The Stars Fell on Alabama, Edel Assanti, London

18 October, Jonas Wood, Gagosian, London

18 October, Yelena Popova, IONE & MANN Gallery, London

18 October, Rirkrit Tiravanija, Pilar Corrias, London

18 October, Golds, Ordovas, London

18 October, Jack Whitten, Hauser & Wirth, London

18 October, George Rouy, Hauser & Wirth, London

18 October, Austin Lee, Carl Kostyal, London

18 October, Ella Walker, Pilar Corrias, London

18 October, Alison Wilding, Alison Jacques, London

18 October, Lygia Clark, Alison Jacques, London

18 October, Kapwani Kiwanga, Goodman Gallery, London

18 October, Gary Hume, Sprüth Magers. London

18 October, Anthony McCall, Sprüth Magers, London

18 October, Oscar Murillo, David Zwirner, London

18 October, Pouran Jinchi, Gazelli Art House, London

18 October, Ruba Salameh, Gazelli Art House, London

18 October, Libby Heaney, Gazelli Art House, London

18 October, Heemin Chung, Thaddaeus Ropac, London

18 October, Robert Longo, Thaddaeus Ropac, London

18 October, Danh Vo, White Cube Mason’s Yard, London

18 October, Magdalene Odundo, Thomas Dane, London

18 October, Ibrahim El-Salahi, Vigo gallery, London

18 October, Terry Adkins, Thomas Dane, London

18 October, René Daniëls, Modern Art Bury Street, London

18 October, Jordan Wolfson,  Sadie Coles, London

18 October, Urs Fischer, Sadie Coles HQ Kingly St, London

18 October, Marlene Dumas, Frith Street Gallery, London

18 October, Freelands Painting Prize 2024, Freelands Foundation, London

18 October, Hew Locke, Hales Gallery, London

18 October, Helene Appel, The Approach, London

18 October, Germaine Kruip, The Approach, London

18 October, Gary Hume, Hazlitt Holland-Hibbert, London

18 October, Simryn Gill, Richard Saltourn, London

18 October, The Look, Transition Projects, London

24 October, Georgie Jones, Project Space Plus, Lincoln

25 October, Grayson Perry, Djanogly Gallery, Nottingham

25 October, Paula Rego, Djanogly Gallery, Nottingham

25 October, Race and the League of Nations, Djanogly Gallery, Nottingham

25 October, Donald G Rodney, Bonnington Gallery, Nottingham

25 October, After the End of History, Bonnington Gallery, Nottingham

25 October, Assunta Ruocco, TG, Nottingham

25 October, Mohammad Barrangi, New Art Exchange, Nottingham

25 October, Mailnish Harijan, New Art Exchange, Nottingham

25 October, Dorothy Bohm, Beam, Nottingham

25 October, The Last Horror Show, Backlit, Nottingham

1 November, Anne Stanfield, General Practice, Lincoln

8 November, The Distribution of Shapes in Space, Project Space Plus, Lincoln

12 November, Donald G. Rodney, Nottingham Contemporary

12 November, EM24: Escape Simplicity, Surface Gallery, Nottingham

12 November, Kolam (கோலம்), Primary, Nottingham

25 November, Small Encapsulations of Pleasure, Project Space Plus, Lincoln

10th December, Bodies of Practice, Project Space Plus, Lincoln

13th December, Zeinab Saleh, David Zwirner, London

13th December, On Kawara, David Zwirner, London

13th December, Peter Buggerhaut, Holbermann, London

13th December, Jan Fabre, Mucciacca, London

13th December, Joan Synder, Thaddeus Ropac, London

13th December, Jessica Wilson, Ranching, London

13th December, Enchanted Alchemie, Levy Gorvy Dayan, London

13th December, Susie Macmurray, Pangolin, London

13th December, Motion in Stillness: Dance and the Human Body in Movement, Victoria Miro, London

13th December, María Berrío, Victoria Miro, London

13th December, Gabriel Hartley, Seventeen, London

13th December, Martin Cross, Hales Gallery, London

13th December, Kenia Almaraz Murillo , Waddington Custom, London

13th December, Özgür Kar, Emalin, The Clerk's House, London

13th December, The Equal Right to Live and Blossom, Kate MacGarry, London

13th December, Merlin James, Studio M Maureen Paley, London

13th December, Sang Woo Kim, Herald St. Gallery, London

13th December, Parker Ito, Rose Easton, London

13th December, Merlin James, Maureen Paley, , London

13th December, Somaya Critchlow, Maximillian William, London

13th December, Kutluğ Ataman, Niru Ratnam, London

13th December, Nicholas Hatfull , Josh Lilley, London

13th December, William Wright, Josh Lilley, London

13th December, Sass Popoli, Lungley Gallery, London

13th December, David Nash, Annely Juda Fine Art, London

13th December, Candida Höfer, Ben Brown Fine Art, London

13th December, Takashi Murakami, Gagosian , London

13th December, Miguel Ybáñez, Grimm , London

13th December, Seth Price, Sadie Coles HQ Davies St, London

13th December, Anna Weyant, Gagosian, London

13th December, Salvo and Andreas Schulze, Spruth Magers, London

13th December, Lenore Tawney and Toshiko Takaezu, Alison Jacques , London

13th December, Hank Willis Thomas, Pace, London

13th December, Ernst Love, Goodman Gallery, London

13th December, Mary Ramsden, Pilar Corrias, London

13th December, Alice Barber, Luxembourg + Co, London

13th December, Ndayé Kouagou, Gathering, London

13th December, Daniel Silver, Frith Street Gallery, London

13th December, Klara Liden, Sadie Coles HQ Kingly St, London

13th December, George Shaw, Anthony Wilkinson Gallery, London

13th December, Paul Housley, Cedric Bardawil, London

13th December, Forrest Bess, a.Squire , London

13th December, Lubaina Himid, Hollbush Gardens , London

13th December, Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum, Barbican, London

13th December, The Imaginary Institution of India: Art 1975-1998, Barbican , London

20th December, Joy, General Practice