eu-hein

[rapha-reads]

Rewatching The Doctor Falls because Twelfth versus Simm!Master and Missy, and Cyber!Bill and Nardole and Alit... This episode is magnificent.

Also the more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that the Master's regeneration timeline goes Simm then Dhawan and then Missy. And the one trapped in the Toymaker's golden tooth is either Missy or the one just after her. The Toymaker found Missy dying on the floor of that ship while spying on the Doctor and trapped her. It would explain why Dhawan!Master is so unhinged and feral, having gone through Simm!Master, and why Missy is so hell bent on redeeming herself and helping the Doctor, having gone through all the discoveries of the Timeless Child and seen the Doctor's pain and loneliness, and she herself having gone through that pain and sadness. It's how Missy says "it's time to stand with the Doctor" and Simm answers "no! Never!" - that's what Dhawan fights against his whole time - hating and loving the Doctor, ruining her but also detroying her... Missy knew where it was going, she just knew it would take some work.

Underrated friendship of the whole show: Bill and Nardole. "Bill's back", the sheer relief and joy in Nardole's voice when he says that... And then the pure HEARTBREAK on his face when Hazran shoots at Cyber!Bill and Bill says "I understand". It's just. They're pals your Honor.

One-episode only character that deserved much more screen time: Alit.

"Don't be sorry. You were being kind. Nothing wrong with being kind." - I tend to say that Eleventh is my Doctor but really it's Eleventh AND Twelfth. I adore Twelfth.

Bill Potts is the Best, pass it on. Also, Pearl's acting, can we talk about Pearl's acting? The way she moves like a Cyberman, even when she still perceives herself as a human? Robotic movements, rigid spine... I adore Bill Potts.

Eleventh and the Ponds 🤝🏼 Twelfth and Nardole and Bill > making me feel all the emotions and cry real tears and giving me ideas and thoughts. "Which one of is is stronger, Nardole?" - it's the way the Doctor, for all that he dismissed Nardole all series, actually respects and has a lot of consideration and affection for him. Shut up I'm crying, shut uuuuup. "I never will be able to find the words" - *curls up and sobs*

The Cybermen are so much more terrifying than the Daleks...

And then one of the best speech of the whole show. I've quoted it so many times already, but once more because it's seriously perfect:

"Winning? Is that what you think it's about? I'm not trying to win. I'm not doing this because I want to beat someone, or because I hate someone, or because I want to blame someone. It's not because it's fun and God knows it's not because it's easy! It's not even because it works, because it hardly ever does. I do what I do because it's right! Because it's decent. And above all, it's kind. It's just that. Just kind."

I swear, I heard that speech the first time and immediately incorporated it into my morals and values. Just be kind. Do the right thing, even when it hurts. Even when it's hard. Even if it's not going to work. Be kind and do the right thing. That's it. That's everything. "Always try to be nice, but never fail to be kind."

"Without hope. Without witness. Without reward. Pity. No stars. I'd hoped there'd be stars."

"Where there's tears, there's hope."

"I've been through a lot since the last time we met. So I'll show you around." - Bill and Heather. Love them.

"I never want to change again! Never again! I can't keep on being somebody else. Wherever it is, I'm staying. No! I will not change." contrasted with Eleventh's "We all change, when you think about it. And that's good, as long as we remember all the people we used to be."

[elisiassideb1tch]

⟡ Elisia Brown/Enid Rhee Playlist ⟡

So, this is a mixture of different genres of music that remind me of my fav girlies Elisia and Enid !! And songs that I feel suit them well, or that they'd listen n' vibe to! They both have quite a bit in common imo. (not to mention they're both isfp's with trauma and trust issues-)

Also I'd like to add a TW. Quite a few of these songs are depressing (very much s1 Elisia) and contain topics such as substance abuse, self-harm, eating disorders, etc. My dms are always open if anyone wants to vent/rant/or just talk :). I love y'all, and I'm proud of you!

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy !! 🫶🏻💖

(Also, here is My Masterlist, which is still being edited and updated. It's a wip!!) °♡✧⋆

~｡ﾟ•┈୨♡୧┈• ｡ﾟ~

₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧▶• ılıılıılıılıılıılı. 0₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Bea Miller - Feel Something

Cavetown - Sharpener

Beabadoobee - Tired

Slayyyter - Clouds

mxmtoon - fever dream

Billie Eilish - What Was I Made For?

Billie Eilish - TV

Billie Eilish - Bellyache

Nessa Barrett - Die First

Doja Cat - 4 Morant

Mars Argo - Runaway Runaway

Alex G (ft. Emily Yacina) - Treehouse

The Cardigans - Step On Me

Conan Gray - Comfort Crowd

Conan Gray - Little League

AURORA - Runaway

The Smashing Pumpkins - Today

Peirce The Veil - A Match Into Water

Pierce The Veil - Bulletproof Love

Foo Fighters - Everlong

Against The Current - Weapon

Linkin Park - What I've Done

Alex G - Pretend

Awfultune - redesign

Mother Mother - Arms Tonight

Mother Mother - Burning Pile

Mother Mother - Alone And Sublime

Mother Mother - Oh Ana

Frances Forever - Paranoia Party

Olivia Rodrigo - Jealousy, Jealousy

Olivia Rodrigo - Making The Bed

Olivia Rodrigo - Pretty Isn't Pretty

Olivia Rodrigo - Ballad Of A Homeschooled Girl

Olivia Rodrigo - Love Is Embarrassing

Cults - Gilded Lily

Cults - Always Forever

ROAR - I Can't Handle Change

ROAR - Christmas Kids

t.A.T.u. - All The Things She Said

Pixies - Where Is My Mind

Pixies - All I Think About Now

GIRLI - I Don’t Like Myself

GIRLI - Dysmorphia

Halsey - Gasoline

Halsey - Control

Ethel Cain - Ptolemaea

Jon Bellion - All Time Low

Princess Chelsea - The Cigarette Duet

Steve Lacy - Dark Red

girl in red - Serotonin

M.I.A - Bad Girls

Rebzyyx - Painforever

Maejor (ft. Keri Hilson) - Gamez

Twenty One Pilots - Chlorine

Twenty One Pilots - Screen

Twenty One Pilots - Car Radio

Mitski - A Pearl

Mitski - Francis Forever

Mitski - Why Didn't You Stop Me?

Mitski - Burning Hill

Mitski - Drink Walk Home

Mitski - Washing Machine Heart

Mitski - Nobody

Madison Beer - Spinnin'

Madison Beer - Dear Society

Madison Beer - Stay Numb And Carry On

Madison Beer - Effortlessly

Maggie Lindemann - Self Sabotage

Maggie Lindemann - Take Me Nowhere

Maggie Lindemann - Novocaine

Maggie Lindemann - Girl Next Door

Maggie Lindemann - Would I

Maggie Lindemann - Loner

Maggie Lindemann - Knife Under My Pillow

Maggie Lindemann - Different

Melanie Martinez - Mrs. Potato Head

Melanie Martinez - Soap

Melanie Martinez - Orange Juice

The Neighbourhood - The Beach

The Neighbourhood - Middle of Somewhere

The Neighbourhood - R.I.P. 2 My Youth

The Neighbourhood - Softcore

Paramore - Tell Me It's Okay

Paramore - All I Wanted Was You

Paramore - Thick Skull

Paramore - Decode

Paramore - Ignorance

Paramore - crushcrushcrush

Slipknot - Custer

Slipknot - Duality

Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit

Nirvana - Stay Away

Nirvana - Drain You

Nirvana - Lithium

Nirvana - Heart-Shaped Box

Nirvana - Dumb

Three Days Grace - I Hate Everything About You

Three Days Grace - Painkiller

Three Days Grace - So Called Life

My Chemical Romance - I'm Not Okay

Taylor Swift - You're On Your Own, Kid

Taylor Swift - This Is Me Trying

Taylor Swift - Seven

Taylor Swift - August

Taylor Swift - Cardigan

Taylor Swift - Lover

Taylor Swift - Paper Rings

Taylor Swift - New Romantics

Taylor Swift - How You Get The Girl

Taylor Swift - 22

Taylor Swift - Red

Taylor Swift - The Lucky One

Taylor Swift - Love Story

Taylor Swift - Timeless

Taylor Swift - Look What You Made Me Do

Lana Del Rey - Dark Paradise

Lana Del Rey - Summertime Sadness

Lana Del Rey - Cruel World

Lana Del Rey - Is This Happiness

Lana Del Rey - Flipside

Lana Del Rey - Happiness Is A Butterfly

Lana Del Rey - Get Free

Lana Del Rey - Heroin

Lana Del Rey - High By The Beach

Green Day - Brain Stew

Green Day - Give Me Novacaine / She’s a Rebel

Green Day - Still Breathing

Green Day - She

Green Day - Boulevard Of Broken Dreams

Green Day - Lazy Bones

Deftones - Bored

Deftones - Hole In The Earth

Deftones - Minerva

Deftones - Beware

Deftones - Change (In The House Of Flies)

(Literally any Deftones songs. Especially off the albums Saturday Night Wrist, Around The Fur, and Adrenaline imo !! I feel Elisia would especially love and listen to Deftones, Slipknot, Pierce The Veil, and My Chemical Romance too!)

Now, here's some of my fav wlw songs that remind me of Elisia and Enid ! -`♡´-

girl in red - we fell in love in october

girl in red - October Passed Me By

girl in red - girls

girl in red - i wanna be your girlfriend

Beabadoobee and girl in red - eleanor & park

FLETCHER - girls girls girls

FLETCHER - Becky's So Hot

FLETCHER - Her Body Is Bible

FLETCHER - Suckerpunch

GIRLI - More Than a Friend

Maggie Lindemann - Love Songs

Maggie Lindemann - She Knows It

Clairo - Sofia

Dove Cameron - Boyfriend

Frances Forever - Space Girl

Clara - Girl Like You

Sarah Barrios - Thank God You Introduced Me To Your Sister

Pomplamoose - Oh, Pretty Woman

Studio Killers - Jenny

Katy Perry - I Kissed A Girl

@enid-rhees <3 @ofcutsandoffire <3, thx for helping me out w/ this! Love y'all 🫶🏻

If anyone actually listens to these songs, beware, it's very much an emotional rollercoaster- it's a wild mix of depressing songs and upbeat songs, and everything in between lol. Also, most of these are Elisia coded, so yea :⁠')

I still feel like there's more songs I could add to this list, but can't think of them atm. So whenever I find a new song, I'll update the playlist!

Divider credits: @cafekitsune

[ilikereadingactually]

looking back, because libraries taught me about assessment

imo reading is NOT about quantity, and NOT always about quality. reading is about the pleasure it brings, and that's it! there's no reason to feel shame about what or how much you read, if you are enjoying yourself. that said, for me, i can see the place reading has had in my life changing by looking back at lists of what i read. over the last decade, my pleasure reading decreased by 93%, and the last three years were the lowest (gee, i wonder why). but i did read some really excellent books in those three low years, and i want to start this blog with a shoutout to them before i dig into what i've been reading in 2023.

this is a long post, so here's what you'll find below the cut:

Uprooted and Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

The Ascendant Trilogy by K. Arsenault Rivera

The Pearl Thief by Elizabeth Wein

Binti by Nnedi Okorafor

The Tensorate Series by Neon Yang

When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller

The Mushroom at the End of the World by Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

The Book of Boy by Catherine Murdock

The Scholomance Series by Naomi Novik

Judas by Jeff Loveness and Jakub Rebelka

The Locked Tomb Series by Tamsyn Muir

Uprooted and Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

absolute standouts in the wide field of fairy- and folktale retellings. though i list them together here, they're standalone books that feel connected to me by virtue of style. both feel timeless and a little bit dreamy even as they are rooted in solid, practical, sturdy detail. both pull from Eastern European (and in the case of Spinning Silver specifically, Jewish) folklore and culture. both subvert the story you think you're getting several times before the end, in ways that delighted me. try them if you're into folk magic, women getting things done, and compelling ensemble casts.

The Ascendant Trilogy: The Tiger's Daughter, The Phoenix Empress, and The Warrior Moon by K. Arsenault Rivera

the SCALE of these books! and the STAKES!! i started reading the first one on a whim while i was sitting in the sff section of a bookstore waiting for my friends to be done chatting, and i had to go back to the counter and buy it so i could keep reading it. this is an East Asian-inspired fantasy world, which is always refreshing to me, though there were one or two aspects of the worldbuilding that i bumped on as being on the line between in-universe fantasy racism and real-world racism. i'm not from or deeply educated on any of the source cultures involved, so take that with a grain of salt. but oh, these lesbians live in my heart. i still think about Shefali and Shizuka and their epic, bittersweet story on the reg. THEY'RE TWO PINE NEEDLES, OKAY? T^T try them if you're into queers saying fuck homophobia, horse girls and flower girls, fated/doomed-ish love, fantasy politics, or cliffhangers.

The Pearl Thief by Elizabeth Wein

taken on its own, this is a charming and thrilling mystery story filled with fantastic characters, and it glitters in my mind like sunlight on water. i adore Elizabeth Wein and everything she writes. but i was a little nervous to actually read this book, not out of any fear for its quality, but fear for my emotional state. this is a prequel to Code Name Verity, one of my favorite books of all time, and also the book that has absolutely wrecked me the hardest. i don't think i will ever be able to reread that book. i read it when it came out in 2012, and i STILL can't actually think about it without crying, i am crying as i type this. i have never been so devastated by a piece of fiction, and i was worried The Pearl Thief was going to be hard as a result. and it was, kind of! but also felt nostalgic and kind of sweet to me in a way i wasn't expecting. so! if you read Code Name Verity, read this! if you didn't read Code Name Verity and you have the fortitude for a gorgeous and compelling and tragic and horrifying WWII story about two best friends, read that one first. if you don't have the fortitude for that and never expect to, The Pearl Thief is worth reading on its own. try it if you like historical mysteries, the Scottish countryside, or possibly unreliable narrators.

Binti by Nnedi Okorafor

compact and so beautiful! the kind of science fiction that is so grounded in the emotional struggle of real life that it makes even the most fantastic elements seem real too. Binti comes from a culture based on the Himba people, and her struggle to both break away from her culture and to retain it in her life is extremely compelling and pays off in such satisfying ways. and the sensory details of this book have stayed with me for YEARS! there are some horror elements too, which are sometimes my thing and sometimes not, but in this book they were pitch perfect. i have the complete series in my tbr pile next to my bed, i am so looking forward to reading the rest this year. try this if you like the terror of space, interspecies bonding, Africanfuturism, or defying restrictive systems.

The Tensorate Series: The Black Tides of Heaven, The Red Threads of Fortune, The Descent of Monsters, and Ascent to Godhood by Neon Yang

i'm so pleased that these novellas are all together in one volume now, because they're so so good and one at a time doesn't feel like enough, it's like eating one piece of popcorn at a time. NO! I WANT A FISTFUL! another East Asian-flavored fantasy (i like those, can you tell?) full of really fascinating magic and terrible politics and monsters and people doing gender in cool ways and romance and tragedy and an ensemble cast of characters who were each distinct and delightful to me. i'm SUPER eager to read Neon Yang's newest book, The Genesis of Misery, it's on my list for this year. try Tensorate if you're into unique magic systems, gender fuckery, twins, prophetic visions, or social and emotional struggle that pays off.

When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller

this book won the Newbery in 2021 (an extremely well-deserved recognition) and entered my life at a time when i was still working "temporarily" from home, and i have a distinct memory of reading it while riding my stationary bike, and just weeping so hard i had to cut my workout short. an extremely lovely, family-centered story made magical by Korean folktale elements, giving it a pleasing feeling of cuddling up at home when it's stormy outside; there's danger and fear and thrill but also safety and love. Try this one if you've been waiting all your life for magic to happen to you but are a little afraid of what you would do if it did, had a grandma you loved, or if you're into tigers.

The Mushroom at the End of the World: On the Possibility of Life in Capitalist Ruins by Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing

i don't read much nonfiction because i find it a lot harder to focus on, but this book was really fascinating!! this is exactly what i always want nonfiction to be: presented in an order that builds my understanding, with stories and anecdotes and narrative elements to hold my wandering attention interspersed with just really interesting information and theory. i can't restate the arguments in detail anymore, but the tl;dr stuck with me: that as much as humans impact the environment around us in bad ways, we also create new opportunities for nature in our wake. it gives the sense that there are ways forward through the irreparable alterations humankind have wrought on the earth, and that in fact finding those ways forward might be the only way to coexist. it's a really interesting take on the future of the earth, when that topic is so on my and many minds. try it if you are into mushrooms, the venn diagram where ecology meets capitalism, or worry about our and the earth's survival.

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

GOSH this book was right up my alley!! really beautifully written, a small contained story that was at the same time incredibly broad in its questions, a tightly limited pov, just charming and wonderful and sad. i love many flavors of sad books, and this one was a hopeful sad, a gentle sad. i cried a lot! i loved Klara so much, really felt for her and with her, and rolled around in all the complicated and chewy implications of her presence and consciousness and personhood. also somehow though i own several of his books, i had not yet read any Ishiguro, and this one really confirmed for me that i should get back to those other ones i've been holding on to in my tbr. try this if you're into existential quandaries, dramatic irony, the implications of artificial intelligence, or sweet cinnamon rolls too pure for this world.

The Book of Boy by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

ok listen. i was a Catholic teen, and the bits of that i have hung onto are a love for the aesthetics, the music, and the lore. so this book DELIGHTED me. what could be more fun than a sweet kid who can talk to animals going on a quest with a mysterious pilgrim to steal relics of St. Peter? what i did not expect was to be so cleverly led, and to straight up burst into tears when the suspicion i'd been harboring finally paid off. i love a book with a reveal!!! i love a book filled with charming heresy! i love a medieval setting! i love a mysterious prickly character who is soft inside! what a delight. try this one if you also love any of those things.

The Scholomance Series: A Deadly Education, The Last Graduate, and The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik

this is where i put my bookseller hat on, because these books are not precisely my thing, but i can easily see whose thing they are, and also they're good!! Naomi Novik is back at it again with the white vans. she just has a way of writing that keeps me in it, even when she's not writing for my tastes specifically. there are many fun and familiar elements here, with interesting twists and perspectives to keep it fresh. love a mean and cranky narrator, love to see characters building ride-or-die friendships, love a magic school story. i had some trouble in between the second and third books, i felt a bit like she had written herself into a corner regarding the magical world outside the school and i wasn't sure how she was going to get out of it, but the third book did most of the work i wanted it to do. try these if you are into het romantic storylines, school stories, scholarly magic, the younger generation changing the world, or you like reveals to confirm all your strong suspicions rather than blow your brain up.

Judas by Jeff Loveness and Jakub Rebelka

hell yes, we're harrowing hell. this graphic novel is everything i love, stunning art, subtle writing, angst, and turning maybe the most well-established story in Western culture around like a prism to see other angles. "maybe Judas got screwed" isn't a new perspective, but it's one i could see represented again and again and never get tired of it. i stared, i cried, i drank it in. try this if you like comics, you've ever shipped Jesus/Judas or were a Godspell or Jesus Christ Superstar kid, or you're into interesting visions of the landscape of Hell.

The Locked Tomb Series: Gideon the Ninth, Harrow the Ninth, and Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

MY CURRENT FAVORITE BOOKS OF ALL TIME, likely to stay in my top ten forever!!!!!! what can i even say about these books. they're wild and twisty, funny and devastating, clever and super readable to me. i understand in a general way that they are not for everyone, but they are SO VERY MUCH for me. queer space catholics with magic and swords, huge ensemble cast, a world that gets bigger and weirder and closer as you go. these are books that are stunners on the first read, but continue to hold up on the second, and third, and fourth, and keep revealing new layers of foreshadowing and reference and allegory. i think to some folks they come off as pretentious or tryhard, but they don't read that way AT ALL to me. these books are my weirdo friends that i would tuck in bed with me at night if they were a little less likely to papercut me in my sleep. i am already planning to have some of the many beautiful words in these books tattooed on my body. i am in a constant state of high frequency vibration awaiting the fourth and final book of the series. try these if you're looking for something very fresh and you're willing to go with the flow, if you like a million incredible twists and lots of depressed and unstable women and plots that resist "typical" relationship storylines, if you're queer and you want to see a world with 99 problems but homophobia doesn't exist, if you're aspec, if you like a little horror and a little suffering, if you enjoy Kiwi slang...honestly just try them, and if you don't dig the first 10-20 pages of Gideon then maybe it's not for you but if you DO then you won't be able to put it down anyway. OH! and the audiobooks are spectacular too!!

[tinkeybabes]

A Fusion of Fashion and Art: Unveiling My Latest Design Masterpiece!

Hey, fashion enthusiasts! Ready for something that totally blends the edgy with the timeless? Let me introduce my latest design that fuses art and fashion in a way you've never seen before. Picture this: bold style, fierce confidence, and a touch of elegance—all wrapped up in a single look.

What’s the Vibe? Imagine a glamorous figure decked out in a stunning golden ruffled outfit that just oozes luxury. Now place that in front of a soft, pastel backdrop that feels like stepping into a dream. It’s like high fashion came to life and walked straight off a canvas. Sound intriguing? It totally is.

But the real show-stopper? Those bold red lips and striking blue eyes that jump right out at you. They pop like crazy against the warm skin tones. It's that mix of classic beauty with a dash of modern edge that takes this design to the next level. Oh, and pearls? Yep, they're here too—because who doesn’t need a little sparkle in their life?

The Inspiration Behind It Creating this piece was an absolute blast. I wanted something that felt like the perfect blend of glamour, art, and sophistication. Think old Hollywood glitz meets today’s runway vibes. Whether you're a hardcore fashion lover, an art aficionado, or someone who just loves bold and eye-catching pieces, this design will definitely stand out.

Where Can You Find It? If you’re loving the sound of this, good news! You can check out this design on my Redbubble store. I’ve made sure it’s available on everything from prints to home décor—so whether you want to jazz up your space or add a stylish piece to your wardrobe, this design has your back.

What Do You Think? I’m dying to know what you all think about it! Hop into the comments below and let me know if you’re feeling those luxe vibes as much as I am.

Stay bold, stay stylish!

[ofstormsandsaints]

you're so sexy. i love french people. they are soooo fashion sensed and noble. and you're not a cold person like rest of the french people's general. but i bet you have reeeeaaaallly good fashion sense. can you show us your outfits from pinterest and camera?(it's a love ask but) and how are the french people? thoughts?

I accept the love ask but under certain conditions

Sadly, I don't take pictures of myself, even less of my outfits. I just don't like having pictures of myself or even of my friends on my phone.

But I can show you what I've got on Pinterest!

-Whenever I go somewhere, I always choose to overdress a bit, just in case. But it's not that eye-catching honestly. I simply go for a high-waisted darted trousers with a silken blouse/shirt and my black Jadon Doc Martens. My makeup and rbf do the rest of the job.

-I wear these shoes 24/7, it's not even funny. They're just the most comfortable and versatile shoes in my wardrobe.

-I want my outfits to be both practical and form-fitting. I believe in the small top/big bottom supremacy. I could walk down the streets with my tits out, as long as I have one nice pair of trousers, I'll stay that confident bitch.

-Straight, timeless cuts mostly and I like neutrals that can be co-ordinated with pretty much any colours.

-I love green with a burning and immoral passion. Sage green and forest green more particularly.

-I'd kill to find good bustiers and antique, Florence Welch-type gold jewellery and pearls. Rings and necklaces especially.

-My personal style is a blend of citycore, baroque and minimalist...on a budget.

-My closet is for now... probably 68% second-hand clothes or that were gifted to me. I really love structuring an outfit, even the simplest one. But I also hate having so much stuff, I stress me out and I hope someday to be able to build the timeless wardrobe according to my tastes.

-A hoe for coats and 90% of them are those long heavy coats that actually belonged to my mom.

-Another piece that I wore almost all autumn and spring: a leather trenchcoat that I, again, stole from my mom.

-But I also really want to find a good thrifted leather jacket.

-I think that's pretty much it. I keep it vague to leave you with my pinterest boards. But! to be honest, some outfits look very similar to what I come up with, with what I already have in my wardrobe. But your girl is on a budget nevertheless😔

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

Now about French people... I don't really know what to say and where to start. I could break down or confirm some of the stereotypes but I decided to be lazy today

It's ok. Living in France is a chance compared to other places in the world so I'm not complaining about it or about French people in general. I mean, I like it here.

There is diversity but it ends up most of the time subdued because the government hisses whenever we're talking about a woman wearing a hijab, a polyamorous relationship, or a person who goes by they/them ("iel" in french even though there are many other pronouns). Even if I try to surround myself with open-minded people, it's laborious to learn how to deconstruct patriarcal ideas. especially when the government elects molesters and rapists as ministers

We do our best though - even if I also met people of my age who were racists, sexists and lgbtophobics as hell. But generally these people are ugly fuckers

Anyway, I realise that I'm not good at talking about my country 🙃

I have no sense of patriotism but oh well, that's fine

[english-history-trip]

The Portraits of Elizabeth I (Ranked)

I did this for her father, so it's past time she got one too. It's gonna be a lot harder, because she had a billion portraits and a lot of them are 10s. Nevertheless, let's crack on!

Elizabeth When A Princess, William Scrots, c. 1546

Long before she was queen, so simple and realistic. What's not to love? Her solemn little face, her blazing red hair, her HANDS, the TEXTURE on her DRESS omg. (Hey, just had a thought: if Edward VI's concern in suddenly deciding on his deathbed to pass over his sister Mary for the throne was religion, why skip the Protestant Elizabeth? Convenient that it went instead to John Dudley's new daughter-in-law, hmmmmm) 10/10 blank books

The Armada Portrait, after George Gower, c. 1588

The exact opposite of the above portrait, but no less incredible. The woman here is threatened to be swallowed by the iconography, but she instead is the central icon herself. There are several copies of this portrait, but this is my favorite because she's looking right at you, with the little smirk that says "This Protestant bitch kicked Spain's Catholic ass." 10/10 massive pearl necklaces (there may actually be ten)

The Sieve Portrait, Quentin Metsys, c. 1580

Splitting the difference between the last two: simple, elegant, and realistic, but also keeping the iconography her portraits are famous for (the sieve is something like a virtuous woman can hold water in a sieve, something something virginity). The whole portrait is basically just shades of black and gold, and her face is mesmerizing enough to almost totally distract from the random guys in the background wearing booty tights. 10/10 gold medallions telling a symbolic story that I forget

The Coronation Portrait, c. 1600, after earlier original

The symmetry is terrific, the gown is stunning, she looks so young and vulnerable but also a timeless symbol of majesty. But it can't get full marks because it's a much later copy, and we don't know what's been changed (that's a pretty exacting waistline for the period). 9/10 bowling ball orbs

The Rainbow Portrait, Isaac Oliver, c. 1600

First, I love this portrait. Just a feast for the senses, as it were. The hat is ridiculous, but she makes it work, the ruff is splendid but she's equal to it; she is fabulous. But it doesn't really... look like her. It's more reminiscent of the voluptuous beauty that was then coming into style, i.e. "Rubenesque." Also, she was in her sixties by this time, and this lady is Not. Plus, the symbols in this are a bit too much. The eyes and ears may be about wisdom or whatever, but they don't make for an attractive cloak pattern. And that is not what a rainbow looks like, sir. (Although we do have the fabric for the underlying dress, so that's accurate.) 8/10 disembodied ears

The Peace Portrait, Marcus Gheeraerts, c. 1585

An often overlooked portrait, I like her expression here, tired but happy, without the giant gobs of makeup she's so known for. Although she delighted in the defeat of the Armada, her highest goal was peace (not the least because war was expensive) and so she holds an olive branch and has a sheathed sword at her feet. And. AND. THE LITTLEST DOG. It's probably an idealized image, not done from life, but you can't have it all. 8/10 little bitty dogs

The Darnley Portrait, Federico Zuccaro, c. 1575

This is the portrait people turn to when they want to see what Elizabeth "really" looked like, and they're probably right. Her features seem to belong to a real person, if a little stiff and masklike. I just wish she didn't look so grumpy. Also, apparently the portrait is faded and used to be like neon red, which, yikes. Also her bodice looks like she's in a marching band. 7/10 fabulous feather fans

Elizabeth I With a Fan, c. 1585

This is where we get into the copies section. Portraits of Elizabeth were in high demand, and a bunch of similar-looking ones of varying quality were duly cranked out. Horace Walpole summed up all these cookie-cutter portraits as having "a pale Roman nose, a head of hair loaded with crowns and powdered with diamonds, a vast ruff, a vaster farthingale, and a bushel of pearls." This is my favorite of those; I like the composition, her face is realistic, and I like the way her chin tucks into her ruff. But, uh, I guess they tired out by the time they got to the hands, huh. 6/10 folded hair napkins

The Pelican and Phoenix Portraits, Nicholas Hilliard, c. 1575

It's the same portrait, but different symbolic birds (you can barely see them, but they're on the bodice). The dresses are amazing and are some of my favorites, but the face is just... not there. Just eyes, nose, and mouth floating in a void. 6/10 Epic Armbands I only just noticed

The Ermine Portrait, Nicholas Hilliard, c. 1585

This one just straight-up doesn't look like her. Her lips are too big, her face is the wrong shape. And there's too darn much going on with the bodice; it's a wonder she doesn't fall over forwards. But we've got the little baby ermine with his little baby crown, and who can't love him. 5/10 lil bitty ermine spots

Okay, I've hit ten pictures on this post (some of you are out there putting more than ten pictures, and no one will tell me HOW), so I'll make a second post with the Bad Boys.

[aliceinthepearlgarden]

Thank you so so much my dears @imdistressed @langdonsluxiouslocks ❤ I loved this one!

Share your favorite songs from your favorite bands/artists and share why you like the bands/artists so much 🎶

All these "alternative rock/grunge" bands have literally changed my life. They're like the soundtrack of my life, bc they have helped me to get through the tough times.

My first obsession as a kid. Still obsessed. I love every single song of every single record. Not a bad song.

These two bands have been in my top 10 since I was a little baby. The walls of my room are full of Beatles shit and every time someone sees a beatles-related thing, they buy it for me. They know how obsessed I am 😂 The quality of the music, their ability to change their sounds and still be themselves, their ability to be timeless...

I tag @highponeystoney @stoneseballad @arottenheaven @love-and-truust @templeofalice @j9cantrell @handofbrokennails @stonesponytail

[vickyvicarious]

for the fic title game, a song i'm obsessed with and currently writing a fic to: "heartsigh"

Oooh, okay. Because I'm curious, I'm gonna do a before and after listening to the song, see if that changes anything.

Before: instant angsty introspective/possible pining vibes

Timeless Garcy fic, from Flynn's POV. Possibly a kind of alongside earlier canon up till falling more fully for her and also concerned with his like state of mind/grief also

or CS from Emma's POV, again a more introspective one that contrasts her slowly building relationship with various ways she has had her trust broken or been let down before. Possibly a five+one type format, with the last time being when she doesn't get caught up in memories or push him away, that kind of thing.

and now for after: first off, that is not what I was expecting but I loved it! I mean, assuming I found the right song (by Purity Ring). I think the pining angle still works but less personal angst as much as wanting to support someone else who you love so much.

The CS fic could still work but like... the reverse of what I described above. From Killian's POV as he tries to help Emma and stop her hurts, and how he wishes he could take them onto himself instead.

The Garcy fic actually sounds more like later when they are working together and falling for one another, a fic about how they are a good team and support one another in various ways.

Also, not a ship fic at all, but Ace Attorney. Phoenix loving Trucy or Maya or Pearl and wanting so much to take care of them when he feels like they are supporting him despite all the pain they're going through. Probably a Trucy one, I think.

.

Send me a fic title and I'll tell you what I'd write for it.

[ghouljams]

also coming back to gush about that fae!Price fic that I completely missed--the one about Witch flirting with Price at the bar. GodDAMN that is such a delicious piece. Incredibly classy couple. Whiskey and cigars; pearls and leathers. I can practically hear the sultry blues in the background and smell the cigar smoke. Pure mahogany.

if i could i'd immortalize it on a polaroid with a lipstick kiss on the corner and stash it in my cigarette case

Every time I see your comments/tags on one of my fics I just "!!!!" in my head, pure joy.

They're such goals. The couple everyone envies and adores(and wants to be part of) in equal measure. The absolute sophistication that both of them carries is insane, neither of them is even trying for it. It's timeless, they're above such mundanities.

They're at a 24 hour diner dressed to the nines after dazzling an art opening. They're completely ignoring everyone else in a bar to give each other the most obscene lingering gazes you've ever seen. They're fighting(?) over the bill but you think honestly this might be foreplay for them.