#I love ballroom culture so this literally. ya

[sunst3rr]

sillayyy ᕕ( ՞ ᗜ ՞ )ᕗ

[blacksapphhicmaddonna]

HAPPY PRIDE MONTH, ALPHABET MAFIA

just a few reminders:

- first pride was a riot

- black & BIPOC queer people are the foundation of our entire nation and the global culture

- we owe most of our rights and progress to BIPOC trans women/femmes and different communities of lesbians, trans/gnc folks and elders.

- trans people have always existed, they are ancient and indigenous to many cultures and places and are SACRED.

- I’m glad you’re here and there is community out there for you, waiting with open arms. Don’t give up just yet, please.

- rainbow capitalism isn’t liberation

- we are all we have, be fucking better to each other

- lesbians have done so much for lgbtqia+ people and should maybe idk stop being erased for no reason

- biphobia is real and just bc your ex cheated on you doesn’t make it bi folks fault, you’re projecting babe

- being queer doesn’t dissolve white privilege, pls touch grass

- be safe at pride. they’re coming for us all and we need to protect ourselves.

- not everyone wants to use the word queer/dyke/fag etc. I’m glad you reclaimed the slurs used against you, me too, but not everyone wants to and you need to respect that. LGBTQIA+* exists for a reason.

- the black and brown belong on the flag.

- the A is for asexual/romantic or agender, not ally.

- get some pussy (or whatever you do (or don’t do)) and make space for joy! because black/queer joy is revolutionary and fucking righteous just as much as our anger is, too

- Juneteenth coming up too, issa parade in my city fr

- asexuals/aromantics belong at pride. Period. Full stop.

- safe sex is the best sex

- get tested!

- it’s okay to not watch the news. america is hell, go take a nap

- people 100% know themselves better than you ever will, people are who they say they are and you don’t get to decide that for them. respect pronouns, identity, etc. or argue w ya mama/god/someone else cause it ain’t finna be me ❤️

- you deserve relationships that feel safe and actually are safe. Don’t settle.

- learn your queer history. they won’t teach us. they took our elders from us.

- Black LGBTQIA+* history IS Black History.

- we all need to be thankful to the house mothers and the ballroom scene and those who gave us what we have now, regardless of who you are.

- don’t call yourself a stud if you’re not BLACK. wit a capital B and at least one BLACK parent.

- not everyone is out. happiest of pride month to y’all. you’re still gang and we love you just as much. 💗

- our collective liberation lies in the fact that we are all tied to each other. if you’re down for the gays but not the theys, you’re not as decolonized as you think you are.

- shout out to fanfiction writers who have been single-handedly providing queer art/content/representation for years while the industry continues to make a mockery of us or intentionally leave us out. one thing we gonna do is help someone find their queer awakening, and get that story right. love us 🤪 go team

- your life means something. it’s important beyond comprehension. you look good. your ass is fat (if you want it to be). get the mullet as a lil treat.

- LGBTQIA+* people across the board have ALWAYS existed in literally every culture and every continent (and Antarctica counts if you count the cute lil gay penguins😌). Don’t let them tell you different. We are not a “mInOrItY”, we have been MINORITIZED. we are not small, we are great and mighty and have ALWAYS been here. And we always will. We exist in the future just as we have existed in the past. We stand on the shoulders of MASSIVE collective ancestors. If that’s not an indication to keep going, keep fighting, keep laughing, dancing, voguing, and keep showing up authentically - then I don’t know what is.

- it’s gonna be ok baby. pinkie promise.

[aslowboattochina]

1-40

:,) Ily

1. I honestly don’t know if I have one?

2. Single

3. rant ahhh uhhh Idk what to rant abt aghfjgnd

4. I think it mainly depends on the artist and what the artist did that haves ppl separate them from their art.

5. I have 4, my main is a kpop blog that I don’t use anymore and 2 side blogs on that blog (this that I use as my main but can’t separate from my actual unused main and a mineblr) and then I just recently made a new main but I haven’t moved over to it yet

6. Oh jeez idk a lot? But I always end up wearing the same pair of vans every day

7. What would you like my opinion on?

8. Idk it won’t let me see on mobile for some reason

9. I don’t think I’m particular to any specific clothing brand? I have a swimsuit from Aerie that I like a lot? And a pair of ripped black jeans I got on sale from express YEARS ago that have lasted really well but idk anything else abt either of those brands so idk

10. I always wanted to name a dog Hades? Or Wenish (inside joke with some friends)? Also Edwardian boy names like Edward are 10/10

11. I can crack a lotta bones bc I have way to much cartilage? I can half decently sing songs I’ve never heard before bc I can just? Predict the next lyrics? (Most of the time) but I can also basically memorize a song after 1 listen through but I don’t think that’s that uncommon

12. Practically every girl in the school was in love with a guy who worked in the office bc he was jacked? Idk if we have a lot of school gossip?

13. I think my friends tried to order a McDick (or McDildo?) from McDonald’s on my phone?

14. I’m not a coffee person if it’s Starbucks I get peach green tea lemonade otherwise I just ask the cashier their tea recommendation

15. I don’t get asked questions very often? Which is sad bc I like answering questions :)

16. Huh idrk? I always think having a dot tattoo in some random spot on my body would be funny just a small dot no one would see

17. “How You Remind Me” by Nickelback according to billboard

18. I like a lot of artists idk if any of them are rant worthy? Oh WAIT OK SO I like BTS but like I hate how ppl act abt it? Like “ohhh your a kpop stan? Ur one of those ppl?” It’s literally just music it means a lot to me (one of my special interests) n I never feel like I can share it with ppl bc they always have a reaction

19. Either my sophomore year World Cultures teacher he’s super dope and I was supposed to go to Japan with him on a school trip before corona or my junior year first semester English teacher who I had for British Literature she was amazing and I love her

20. A Big Mess

21. oh goodness uhh was it Avril who ppl thought died and was replaced by a lookalike?

22. BTS

23. Procrastination or negative self talk/thinking? Anxiety? But I don’t think that’s counts as a bad habit? maybe my indecisiveness lol

24. I’ve been in choir for 9 years and my mom taught me a little ballroom dancing (basic steps for a few dances but I only was ever half decent at beginner waltz, I want to learn more it’s a lot of fun but I also like to just jam ya know? Vibing is great and I enjoy it a lot! I dance and sing like do ones watching I’m constantly vibin

25. Oh gosh I was obsessed with lip balms for awhile? I’m kinda weird abt spending money for some reason lol i spend a lot of time adding stationary to my cart and then not buying it lol

26. Depends on the atmosphere? I’m great with small groups and sometimes I get overwhelmed in crowds unless I’m vibing then I’m good usually

27. Oh gosh I’m not good at packing I’m either packing the night before/morning of or like three weeks before

28. Idk!! I’m not a big celebrity person?

29. I think if someone finds something inspirational or helpful then I think it’s a good thing! I don’t think any of that kinda stuff is bs if it helps/makes ppl happy

30. OHMYGOD my middle school self always wanted like cyan turquoise blue hair? But maybe like forest green? Pink? Mustard yellow was always cool in my opinion uhhh idk? I’m super indecisive and not rlly a big hair-dyer person

31. HA OMG okay idk if I could choose just one? But at the same time I’m pretty happy with my life at the moment? Maybe just like if my internet friends lived near by or something?

32. Idk tbh? I always think I look childish but people always say I look older?

33. Being loved? A peaceful happy future and all its possibilities!

34. OMG OKAY SO I’m a Slytherin! And I love being a Slytherin! Because it suits me P E R F E C T L Y but it’s even better because everyone thinks I’m a hufflepuff!!! Bc I got very hufflepuff tendencies and so when I tell them I’m a Slytherin they’re very surprised :)

35. Home means safety and comfort and happiness and peace where I am cared for and listened to and loved

36. Oh gosh I am such a rule follower I doubt I’d ever be arrested but maybe for protesting? Or murder?

37. Nope never

38. I’ll make a whole separate post abt dream outfits bc wayyyy to many

39. Idk if I have one specific aesthetic? I love a lot (cottagecore, vintage/pinup, nautical beach vibes, dark academia, old castle/royal vibes, street style, etc etc etc)

40. Our principle has calves made of steel that are so intense they could cut diamond? All the freshmen think that if they step on the map in the entrance hall they’ll get thrown in the pool? We have a substitute teacher that’s an actual Old God / Wizard he’s super rad

[rose-photoblog]

Dear Diary, it's true. I sh**t glamour!

Dear Diary,

Last I wrote I was confessing my secret love of milkshake pink. It’s true and really, quite surprising. It’s a color I keep finding myself covered in, from head to toe. And prior to this summer, black on black on black was my go to, no lie!! But this entry isn’t more about that, I swear. Though it is about fashion; a true fashion confession. I’m just getting super real with you lately, aren’t I?

I am the daughter of a costume designer and as a result, can never have enough tulle, lace or sparkle in my life. Yes, I have been known to send glitter bombs. Use caution when opening mail with my return address! I like the shiny so much, that it lead me to a pretty decent career, as a very well-costumed, show pony, on stage throughout my 20’s. Fast forward the tape, to my current life, as a wedding and fashion photographer, I must admit, my love of all things shiny still persists.

I swoon like crazy, over seeing the wedding day fashion, displayed just right for that shot of color and texture, and I literally obsess for far too long, over positioning the wedding ring just right for that bling-bling detail shot; omighad if I don’t get a full body shiver when it’s time for those killer portraits of my couple, dressed to the nines. I LOVE GLAM and I WISH EVERYDAY COULD BE A DRESS UP DAY. I swear!

The preverbal statement ‘devil is in the details’, is most commonly attributed to Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe, a Chicago favorite, for sure. But upon digging a bit further, I found that to be a misattribution and is actually linked to an earlier German proverb - "Der liebe Gott steckt im detail", which translates as 'God is in the detail' - which I tend to like a whole lot more, and can more easily justify my obsession of photographing le shiny, in both material goods and human form! See, I find inspiration in the godliness of the shiny, of the divinity of the human form and perfection of the love story.

I especially love the detail shots, featured below, from A+E Chicago Athletic Association wedding . Did you know the White City Ballroom has it’s own ‘devil in the details’ association? And the history doesn’t stop there. I am on a constant quest to find these awesome architectural gems in every city I get to photograph. Chicago is layered in such rich details of history. When I’m in town, I can’t get enough. On any given, non winter weekday ( see early snowbird status) you can be sure to find me hanging out at the Chicago Cultural Center or at Harold Washington Library, seeking out more good details to fuel my passion for old school glam.

I started my photo career in The Windy City working in weddings, over ten years ago, at the same time I was shooting for print publications. I got cold feet, pardon the pun, and retreated to photograph portraits on non wedding days instead. Then five years down the road, I had more experience and thus more confidence, I returned to my first love of story telling, adding in a confident portrait piece and Rose Photo was born.

Now I draw the parallel of reportage / documentary style and making perfect portraits. I love to find my subjects acting in ways they normally would, and only direct them slightly, to capture the best light on a situation they were already naturally doing.

See, I want that glamour shot, but I don’t want it to feel too poised, cheesy or inauthentic. I think this sets my wedding and portrait work apart from other photographers. There, I said it. Again, just getting real with ya, Dear Diary!

I’m getting really real with you and I kinda like it. I’m not going to share much more today, because I have to get work on a grant application for program to connect really awesome kids, with really awesome camera gear, to empower and inspire more creatives in our world. Dear Diary, if you know any one that wants to help on this project, send ‘em my way, will ya??

It’s been real!

love,

Rose

[blogs-a-clusterfuck]

all of the so/crush questions b/c theyre so cute!!!

1) Describe them in 3 wordsSweetGentleMeme King 
2) Their favourite style of clothingCasual comfy, but a lot of tank tops 
3) What mannerisms do they have?He’s very kind and laughs at everything. He really doesn’t worry what people think about him and he really knows how to treat people with respect and kindness. He always is smiling and his words are soft. However he loves memes and makes a lot of sexual jokes if he is around people who are comfortable with it. 
4) Do they play an instrument?I actually don’t know I really don’t know much about him yet 
5) How did you meet/become introduced to them?He lives in my hall, actually right across the hall
6) Favourite thing they’ve ever said/texted/messaged?“I love Jews” which I responded with “I DO TOO” or Me: “Oh yeah my Siri is Australian”Him: “ yeah well I can understand that. Australians are sexy”Me: “ you got that right.”Him: “ I mean Australian women AND men are sexy”Me: “ YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR PRIORITIES ARE WE GOT THIS IN COMMON.”
7) What do you like doing with them?We have game nights and me and him talk about memes and make really bad jokes, he was doing card tricks tonight and showing me he could wink with both eyes 
8) Their favourite colourI think it’s red or blue??? I think I remember him saying red 
9) Do they keep up to date on pop culture?Not that I know of but I could be wrong 
10) Sweetest thing they’ve done for you?I just met him really, but he calls me funny and he laughs at my stupidity which I like because I try to be funny 
11) Have you dreamed about them?No 
12) Have they dreamed about you? (if you know)Probably not? 
13) Can they dance?I mean depends, he took ballroom dancing and ballet when he was younger. But if you’re talking about like going to a club…NOO he has the worst moves 
14) What does hugging them feel like?HES SO WARM AND SOFT AND FLUFFY. Like I really like it, I hugged him tonight and he just gives the best hugs. 
15) Your favourite thing about them?I really like his smile because his whole face kinda crinkles up and all of his teeth show and it’s so cute and like idk. It’s not awkward and idk 
16) Their favourite thing about you?I’m not sure but he told me he loves my sense of humor and how I act like myself 
17) Best memory of you together?I mean I really only have tonight but we talked about loving Jewish people for an hour straight 
18) What are they like when they’re tired?OKAY THIS WAS LITERALLY TONIGHT. he gets so goofy. You know he’s tired but he just starts laughing at EVERHTHING and he already laughs a bunch. He starts showing you shrek memes and telling you stories. He actually told the cutest story tonight because you can tell he’s a romantic but he’s just so goofy and he fell out of his chair 
19) Could you imagine growing old together with them?I just met this kid so not really 
20) Could they imagine growing old together with you?I don’t think so but idk 
21) What would an ideal date with them be?I have a feeling going to save and busters or somewhere where we could act like kids again would be great. Like I can see us going to a carnival or something and him winning me a prize and ya playing games 
22) Are they competitive?Only a little bit he likes having fun more though
23) What do you do together?Not much as of right now. We have just played some games and talked 
24) Which smells remind you of them?The ocean, very warm cinnamon scents, fall, maybe sandlewood 
25) Do they remind you of any music?Fucking darude sandstorm… nah he reminds me of a lot of Dodie’s stuff and music that sounds like hers because it’s so soft and warm
26) Could you tell them your biggest secret?Probably eventually 
27) Could they tell you their biggest secret?Absolutely I would keep it 
28) How do you greet each other?We just say hey and hug sometimes 
29) What makes you blush that they do?Everything. I can’t really look at him if I’m being honest because he really makes me blush 
30) What makes them blush that you do?I saw him blush a few time when he kept trying to wave his hand in front of my phone while I was taking selfies 
31) Would you say you love themNo yet 
32) Would they say they love you?Not yet or no

[shopgirlanonymous]

I have been tagged in the travel tag by Ena from Pretty, Plus, and Proud.  I could not be more excited, I have not had a chance in quite sometime to really connect personally with my readers outside the realm of retail.  I hope you enjoy the answers and pictures.

What is your favorite place that You Have Visited

Mr. R grabbed this shot while hiking to the Botanical Garden in Ubud

Bali with a close second from Sedona, AZ.  Bali was so enchanting and everything I ever dreamed it to be.   Perhaps it was long since dreaming of visiting (long before Elizabeth Gilbert reignited its hype, ya I’m a cool hipster like that.  But seriously the company I worked for prominently dealt with Bali for our vast and eclectic selection of imports, even before I worked there I would read the description of statues, and other various knick-knacks to learn about their unique culture and beliefs.   Most of my writing in college was inspired by these weekly treks.

If You Could visit Anywhere Tomorrow Where Would You go

This is a tough one between Ireland and Scotland.   I’m sure I could handle both in one trip. 😉

Would you rather go on a city holiday or a beach holiday?

Band playing in the streets of New Orleans Nov. 2015

When I travel it’s all about delving into new cultures and new ideas, that’s where the inspiration is.  If you couldn’t guess it from my blog. 😉

  My Top Three Travel Essentials Are

Items collected flying from Lubbock, to Houston, To Austin, To Dallas, and then Salem, MA

My Journal (I write ant he day goes so I don’t forget)

My Phone/camera

A book, just in case I find a moment to sit still (There are not many of those with Mr. R in tow)

Are you an over packer or an under packer?

I am a notorious underpacker.  Our first stop anywhere is almost always CVS or any other drug store for the fifty little necessities I forgot. 😉

What is your favorite thing about going on vacations?

A woman carrying her groceries home in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

The new adventures that await, and the inspirations that come for them.

Would you rather go on vacation with family or friends?

Roadtrip through Arizona

Catching the Rays in Mexico

Posing on the beach of Matagorda, TX

Exploring the Ghost Town of Terlingua, TX

This is a cruel one, a damned if you do damned if you don’t sort of question.  I love my family and I love my friends.  Traveling with my brothers was so fun growing up, but friends can be quite unpredictable and add an unintended spice to the mix.   However, my husband is great to wander with, and so is my family, while many times friends just want to lay our at the beach.  Though I love me some beach time, I can go to the beach anywhere.

So with my mind explained I must say anyone willing to explore with me.  And I mean anyone, I’ve been known to just grab random people I’ve met that day and take a spontaneous road trip with them!

What is the most adventurous dish you have ever tried from another country?

Man I’m going to go with octopus.  I’m not one to really venture out when it comes to food, I’m too nervous that my stomach may not agree to the foreign substance and lead to a miserable rest of a trip.   I literally lived off of Nasi Goreng the entire week I was in Bali!

So I guess the only real answer I have for you was when I was 20 I went on a trip to Mexico with my family and we were invited into a “restaurant” which was basically a table set up on a front patio of a local neighborhood home.  We were hesitant but felt a bit trapped, and boy am I glad we were!  It was the best Mexican food I’ve ever had in my life, I ate it so quickly that a picture was only an afterthought…of course technology isn’t what it was, and recording everything in pictures was not as much a part of life then. 😉

Mr. R though…you should talk to him about this from his adventure living in Korea.  😉

And of course as always, these posts are really all about spreading the love for the blogs we love right now.

An Historian About Town

Love her blog, love her Instagram, lover her twitter, love her!  So sweet, kind and supportive.  She keeps my scope of perspective open by keeping my blog in the Canadian loop.  😉  Considering I travel for culture, I would love to hear a historian’s perspective of her travels.

Beauty and the Ballroom

One gorgeous mama with a passion for ballroom, I’d love to see where her dancing feet have taken her!

Pirate Patty

Patty I don’t deserve the never faltering support and kindness I have received from you nonstop, even through all the chaos where time kept me from ever repaying your kindness.  I would love to hear about your travels, it seems we have much similar taste in favorite spots. 😉

Boots Shoes and Fashion

Linda is my sister from another mother.   We both share similar passions, interests, and she is one of the best bloggy friends a girl can have!  With her exciting careers she has held I can’t wait to hear about all of her treks around the globe!

Until next time fan boys and girls—>

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When Shopgirls Travel Tag I have been tagged in the travel tag by Ena from Pretty, Plus, and Proud.  I could not be more excited, I have not had a chance in quite sometime to really connect personally with my readers outside the realm of retail.