#I was thinking of the color of foam on top of hot chocolate lol but she do look a little raw

[gaycrittercentral]

hellooooooooo here's one of the things I drew for the stream last night! :D made this sketch sometime last week and I just thought it might be a good candidate for the old lineless treatment teehee. Well, partially lineless, anyhow. listen I just think Sam deserves some kids to cuddle lmao

also shoutout to everybody accusing Lacey of being raw or sunburnt lmaoooooo I did give her a bit of an unfortunate color scheme in retrospect ^^;

[fefairys]

all the pics of the food and drinks we got from the cafe! forgot to get a pic of the highblood and the batterwitch drinks, but we tried those as well! my reviewz of them under the cut bc ppl said they were curious for the tl;dr: everything was lovely!

first image - Dave's apple juice - yeah its just apple juice with a candy apple cold foam which was DELICIOUS and i loved a little appy juice treat :3

second image -

Sburb Soda Beta: Mtn Dew with green apple flavoring Sburb Soda Alpha: Mtn Dew Code Red with Dragon fruit flavoring

these were both really good! they kinda tasted like gushers since they had gushers in em. just soda with some nice flavors in there! super sweet! the sburb alpha was my favorite

third image- the mayor strawberry - i didnt eat the strawberry part but the chocolate was nice and Juice says the strawberry wasn't great, since it isn't strawberry season. he says "it was okay!" enthusiastically lol. it was a real big strawberry 😳 and it was super cute :3

fourth image - Grimsnark Milk Tea: Passion fruit, Jasmine, Marigold, and rose milk tea with a green matcha cold foam - not actually the fuckin neon green color from that picture requiem shared lol! i didn't care for this cause i'm not a fan of how strongly rose-flavored it was? but juice enjoyed it, and the green matcha cold foam was nice :3 Strawberry Lalonde: Strawberry and Rose lemonade topped with sprite - delicious!!! i think the rose part of it gave it the slight flavor of tasting like it was spiked, which was fitting lol and it also came with pink rock candy!!

fifth image - The Pumpkin Rodeo: uhhh i cant find the official description of this but it was two waffles with pumpkin ice cream, whipped cream, green sprinkles, and a candied orange slice! - SO FUCKING GOOD but expensive! but the waffles were fresh and hot and it was so awesome. yummyyy i miss it

sixth image - juice holding the Sopor Slime Pie which was just some key lime pie! it was like, super potent lime flavor.. it was pretty tasty i enjoyed it :) but definitely only recommend it if u like key lime pie a lot cause its like a STRONG one lmao. but it was suuuuper fluffy! very pleasant texture :3

not pictured (sorry i forgor but u can find pics on the instagram it just looked like the picture) - High Blood: Blackberry butterfly pea tea and lavender lemonade Batterwitch Latte: Cake flavored latte with actual Betty Crocker ingredients u could definitely taste all of the ingredients listed in the highblood it was a very nice combination, i enjoyed the blackberry ^u^ two of my friends who tried it gave it rave reviews as well! and the batterwitch was a really good, sweet coffee drink i enjoyed it a lot!!! definitely getting that one again, i think it was my favorite. love me an ice coffee..

[snailvalley]

The bachelors and bachelorettes go-to Starbucks orders!

Enjoy! Maybe if someone wants I’ll do the other non-marriageable villagers? 🤞

First, the bachelors!

🛹Sam-a caramel frappuccino and a cake pop lol. He loves sugar.

🚬Sebastian-probably a cold brew or a shaken espresso. Loves a good cold coffee and a cigarette haha. (Drinks PSLs when they’re in season even though he constantly bags on them)

✍️Elliot- a London fog, two tea bags, extra hot. He’s very particular about it.

🏈Alex- a refresher or something. Doesn’t like coffee. He’d probably get a breakfast sandwich on the side for some extra protein!

🩺Harvey-probably a black coffee with a couple packets of sugar and cream. But he’d get one of the special brews. He wants to enjoy all the lil flavor notes!

🐥Shane- would be mad they don’t have Joja Cola. Goes to the 7-11 next door instead lol.

Bachelorettes!

📓Penny- an iced chai tea! Maybe with some cold foam on top if she’s feeling adventurous.

💎Abigail- a dragonfruit refresher. She loves the color of it!

🍃Leah- I think Leah would get a green tea lemonade or something like that! Maybe a matcha latte?

📷Haley- she is a pink drink girly hands down. You cannot convince me otherwise.

🧬Maru- I think she’d go for a caramel macchiato! And maybe a chocolate croissant on the side.

🦜Emily - Emily is definitely a matcha latte enjoyer.

[fruggin-bitch]

ask game from this link

1. chipotle order? I haven’t actually ever eaten chipoltle :/ 2. thoughts on veganism? I think vegans are really cool and come up with great alternatives for meals without meat that have the same amount of nutrients! 3. a specific color that gives you the ick? That tone of yellow-green that looks like baby vomit. Also super bright hot pink hurts my head 4. mythical creature you think/believe is real? Honestly- I’d believe that anything could be out ther in the ocean. Mermaids? Why not. So much of the ocean is undiscovered so there could be legit anything out there 5. favorite form of potato? Twice baked potatoes or McDonalds fries 6. do you use a watch? Nope, I did for a while but I hated the weight on my wrist 7. what animal do you look forward to seeing when you visit an aquarium? Turtles!! 8. do you change into specific clothes for the house when you get home?  Not really. If im gonna change for whatever reason I’ll just throw of whatever pajamas I have clean or a big hoodie n shorts 9. do you have a skincare routine (and how many steps is it)? Nope even though I probably should lol 10. on a plane, do you ask for apple or orange juice? Ive never actually been on a plane BUT I do prefer apple juice 11. anything from your childhood you’ve held on to? I have a stuffed hippo from when I was a little baby and a stuffed dinosaur that my childhood best friend gave me when we were five that I named after him 12. brand of haircare/bodycare/skincare that you trust 100%? Uhhhhhhh idk man I just grab Walmart brand 13. first thing you’re doing in the purge? Honestly I got no clue id probably just like walk into the bakery I work at and take some of the stuff that I don’t wanna pay for that looks tasty 14. do you think you’re dehydrated? Probably I don’t drink enough water 15. rank the methods of death: freezing, burning, drowning. uhh freezing cause I think it would be quicker and id get nerve damage, then burning for the  same reason cause id definitely get damaged nerves and would feel less I think, then drowning cause you’re completely aware of the water and pressure and augh im so scared of drowning dude 16. thoughts on mint chocolate chip? LOVE IT god I love mint stuff its so tasty 17. an anxious compulsion you do everyday? Chew on my nails and pick at my skin 18. your boba/tea order? Mango or peach tea with black boba pearls, mango jelly and cream foam 19. the veggie you dislike the most? Broccoli. Cant stand the shit 20. favorite disney princess movie? Does moana count? Otherwise I rlly like brave 21. a number that weirds you out? Hmm I don’t know, maybe three 22. do you have an emotional support water bottle? nah 23. do you wear jewelry? Yeah I have a necklace that I wear every day with a witch’s pentagram on it and a bracelet from one of those save the ocean groups 24. which do you find yourself using, american or british english?  American mostly with some British spellings thrown in there 25. would you say you have good taste in music? I mean I like my music taste but that’s really subjective 26. how’s your spice tolerance? Absolute shit dude, my tastebuds are so weak 27. what’s your favorite or go-to outfit? My favorite ripped jeans and a collared shirt with a crewneck sweater over it with converse, and for summer its jean shorts with a blue knit tank crop top and converse 28. last meal on earth? Uhh mac n cheese or pho 29. preferred pasta noodle? Mmm I really like farfalle or ziti

[tabithalovesstuff]

CottageCore Starbucks Drinks And How to Order

These are drinks I personally have tried as a starbucks brista and really like. Also this is a note that I personally am not the biggest fan of coffee (I know, its ironic I work for starbucks) so most of these drinks will either have no coffee or it will not be very strong. Also feel free to modify these however you want! Let me know what you guys think!

Snowy Field Latte 🏞❄

How to order:

Ask for a Matcha Green Tea Latte

Add vanilla bean powder

Add java chips

Sub soy milk

Its a sweet, slightly earthy drink thats a nice dark green. Ask for whipped cream for the "snow" part of the drink. Can also be made as a frappuccino (which is the drink in the picture). This drink has no coffee in it.

Subtle Sweet Peach 🍑

How to order:

Ask for Black Iced tea

If they ask if you want it sweetened say yes

Ask for them to add peach tea

Add light soy milk

Add vanilla syrup

Optional: Ask for a Black ice tea lemonade if you want it to be sweeter

This drink has no coffee in it. The taste is subtle but it is peachy and sweet and the contrast in the cup is really pretty too. The size in the picture is a Venti but you can get any size. Fyi: the drink might taste different every time you're ordering it cause the barista probably won't put the same amount of ingredients in it each time.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries🍫🍓

How to order:

Ask for an iced Mocha

Add white chocolate mocha

Ask for strawberry puree in the sweet cream

Add vanilla syrup

Add foamed sweet cream

This drink has coffee in it. This drink also has milk products in it. This drink if for you coffee lovers, its a chocolatey drink and the strawberry cold foam is sweet and light when it mixed with the drink. The color scheme is more or less like a chocolate covered strawberry, as the name includes. The chocolate is smooth, though the coffee makes it a bit more bitter, and the sweet cream with the puree tastes almost like melted strawberry ice cream or strawberry milk.

Tabby Cat Delight 🐱

How to order:

Ask for a vanilla latte

Sub heavy cream

Add vanilla bean powder

Add Honey

Optional: Can be made hot or iced, picture is iced for aesthetic reasons (and cats like cold milk 😉)

Optional: Ask for a vanilla steamer instead of a latte if you don't want coffee in your drink

Warning: Heavy cream is very fatty and is not good for you to drink often! If you are watching your weight do a different milk option. This drink has coffee in it. It is very thick and creamy, the sweet or the vanilla and honey and the bitter of the coffee really compliments each other with this, the coffee taste very subdued. It gets its name because it reminds me of something a cat would love to lap up (cats are lactose intolerant though so don't give them heavy cream please!)

Apple Pie Macchiato 🥧🍎

How to order:

Ask for a caramel macchiato

Ask if they will make it half apple juice half milk

Add cinnamon dolce syrup

Add cinnamon topping (note:some stores has this as a topping you can add yourself)

This drink probably tastes best hot, however I made it iced in the picture for aesthetic purposes (the iced version was good too though)

Optional: can be made as a frappuchino too! Just ask for a caramel frappuchino instead of a caramel macchiato and follow the rest of the steps!

This drink has coffee in it. It really does taste like apple pie! Its really good and the apple isn't too strong and mixed with the cinnamon nicely. You can add whipped cream if you want too! I know the picture is kind of bad but I couldn't get a good one while I was working (and the lighting sucked lol) but its good I promise 😭

Toffee Mountain Frappuchino 🗻

How to order:

Ask for a Violet Drink

Optional: ask for the very berry hibiscus refresher of you don't want milk included

Ask for it blended

Add vanilla bean powder

Add toffeenut syrup

Optional: Add heavy cream if you want it to be more like a milkshake!

Warning: Heavy cream is very fatty and is not good for you to drink often! If you are watching your weight then don't get heavy cream. This drink does not have coffee in it. It is a very sweet drink with a nutty, salty tang that is very pleasant. The fruit and toffee nut compliment each other surprisingly well! It comes out a nice pastel pinkish-purple. Note: you'll have to ask if you want whipped cream with the berry inclusions on top!

Peppermint Addiction Milkshake 🍬🐄

How to order:

Ask for a green tea frappuchino

Add peppermint

Ask for only half the matcha (this is what makes the green tea part)

Sub heavy cream

Warning: Heavy cream is very fatty and is not good for you to drink often! If you are watching your weight I would just avoid this particular drink and trying something else instead. This drink does not have coffee in it. This tastes a lot like the McDonald's shamrock shake, except better cause it doesn't come out of a machine. Its nice and thick and creamy like a milkshake and the peppermint works really well with the sweetness of the cream and matcha. Would highly recommend!

[txtdiaries]

extra elongated tag game O.o

tagged by the main bitch @gohyuck​ thanku ray ily

tagging: @hi-mishamigos​ @sweetsoobinie​ and @bffsoobin​

O N E

tell me the first song that made you stan your current fave group and why did your faves attract you so much?

ummm I’ll go with three groups: txt, nct, and ateez. for txt the song was crown I think! nct (dream) was boom (even tho I stanned long before it was released, boom locked me in) and for ateez it was HALA HALA.

—

TWO

rule: answer the ten questions and write your own!

what’s your unrealistic goal for life?

to be a millionaire by like,,, 30.

if you had known that we would be in a global pandemic, what’s one thing that you would’ve done before things shut down (if they have for you)?

My heart says miss more days of school but my brain says hang out with friends more.

what’s an unconventional thing that you carry around with you when you go out?

I always carry headphones around even if I never use them when I go out, just incase.

favourite type of plushies and why?

the long, super plush kind that mold to your touch.

favourite song right now?

selfish by madison beer (not my FAV but I’ve been listening to it a lot lately).

something that you’ve always wanted to learn?

how to not be so irritated at everyone all the time lmao.

tell a funny story about yourself (or just something that you’ve witnessed)

IM A CLOWN idk if I have any funny stories per say??? my whole life is just kinda tragic. the first story that popped into my head: once in high school my best friend and I snuck out of an assembly and hid in the bathrooms because we hated our school and everyone else in it (+ couldn't leave campus cause we couldn’t drive yet), so we stayed there for the rest of the hour just playing music and hanging out in the handicap stall. not funny but shows the kinda person I was in hs lol.

headphones or speakers? why?

headphones most of the time but speakers when I’m in my room writing at like 2 a.m.

craving any food right now? what are you craving?

at all times I am craving chicken alfredo

which music streaming platform do you prefer? why?

I use Spotify!

ten questions (by raya, answered)

1. favorite item of clothing?

I really like a lot of my long trench coat jackets I have! I think they’re rly classy and pull an outfit together.

2. if you had to smell like one scent for the rest of your life what would it be?

Lavender OR the oatmeal and shea butter body wash I use bc it smells lovely.

3. favorite painter? why?

I don’t really have one.

4. what’s your favorite horror movie (and if you don’t like horror, why not?)?

Silent Hill just bc it was the first ever like, FUCKED horror movie I ever watched without my parents.

5. iphone or android?

Iphone.

6. favorite tiktok trend (and if you don’t like tiktok, you can talk about how much influencers suck)?

I don’t have tik tok nor do I like it but I REALLY like the one trend where people play i’m just a kid by simple plan in the background and recreate their kid pictures (only bc I’m a nostalgia enthusiast lmao).

7. if you could wake up with any new ability what would it be?

I’d want the ability to time travel / teleport.

8. favorite superhero/supervillain/antihero?

Peter Parker / Spiderman has been my favorite since I was a kid (Tom Holland is v cute and amazing, but my personal fav is Andrew Garfield just bc his Peter was so SOFT and patient and dorky).

9. if you could only dress in one color for the rest of your life which color would it be?

black.

10. who’s your ult and give me five reasons why.

my ult is na jaemin (he’s the literal sun, his smile is beautiful, he’s fkn weird, he’s patient, and he’s kind).

ten questions of my own:

what is your favorite movie of all time?

describe your childhood in three words?

favorite holiday?

favorite vacation spot?

what do you think of the education system? are u a fellow slave to the gpa?

what is your hair color?

what talent do you wish you had?

what is your major + why (if you’re in hs, what do you plan on majoring in)?

do you like kids or do you merely tolerate them?

any pets?

—

THREE

rule: bold the statements that apply to you, italicize your aspirations, then tag nine people.

AIR ༉⋆͙̈

i have small hands / i love the night sky / i watch animals and birds when i pass them by / i drink herbal tea / i wake to see the dawn / the smell of dust is comforting / i’m valued for being wise / i prefer books to music / i meditate / i find joy in learning new truths from the world around me

FIRE ༉⋆͙̈

i don’t have straight hair / i like to wear ripped jeans and overalls / i play an organized sport / i love dogs / i am not afraid of adventure / i love to talk to strangers / i always try new foods / i enjoy road trips / summer is my favorite season / my radio is always playing

WATER ༉⋆͙̈

i wear bracelets on my wrists / i love the bustle of the city / i have more than one set of piercings / i read poetry / i love the sound of a thunderstorm / i want to travel the world / i sleep past midday most days / i love simply lit dinners and fluorescent signs / i rewatch kids shows out of nostalgia / i see emotions in colors not words

EARTH ༉⋆͙̈

i wear glasses or contacts / i enjoy doing the laundry / i am a vegetarian or vegan / i have an excellent sense of time / my humor is very cheerful / i am a valued advisor to my friends / i believe in true love / i love this chill of mountain air / i’m always listening to music / i am highly trusted by the people in my life

AETHER ༉⋆͙̈

i go without makeup in my daily life / i make my own artwork / i keep on track of my tasks and time / i always know true north / i see beauty in everything / i can always smell flowers / i smile at everyone i pass by / i always fear history repeating itself / i have recovered from a mental disorder / i can love unconditionally

—

FOUR

the ultimate tag: answer whichever ones you want to because there are a lot and then tag a few blogs you’d like to get to know better!

PERSONAL

name: n/a (lol)

nickname: lana

birthday: April 19 2000

zodiac: aries bitches we ride at dawn

nationality: american (gag)

languages: English, Spanish, some Korean, some French

gender: female

sexuality: idk man. straight? I guess?? (im romantically attracted to males + females but not sexually attracted to females) god. who fkn knows.

height: 5'3 ish

BLOG STUFF

inspiration for muse: idk! music I guess. it gives me lots of inspo

meaning behind my url: I wanted to represent my blog with something really intimate and chronologically laid out, and also personal. txt for Tomorrow X Together and diaries bc diaries are where you tell your deepest secrets and for me personally the first time I ever wrote stories of my own was in my diary when I was young.

blog established: may / june ish of 2019

followers: 987

FAVORITES

favourite animals: dogs, elephants

favourite books: I have a LOT idk I love a lot of the classics

favourite colour: sea foam greenish blue / sea blue / dark coral

favourite fictional characters: theodore finch (atbp), olly bright (everything, everything), four (divergent)

favourite flower: lavender 

favourite scent: lavender, shea butter + oatmeal (I have a body wash that smells like that and oof), and uhhh the smell of fresh laundry???

favourite season: autumn, winter

RANDOM

average hours of sleep: 10 on a good day, 6 on a normal day.

cats or dogs: dogs

coffee, tea or hot chocolate: coffee

current time: 9:46

dream trip: London or SK

dream job: I’d love to work with idols / entertainers in the music industry. I’d also love to be a fashion editor / designer. 

hobbies: writing, reading

hogwarts house: slytherin

last movie watched: wicker park (funny story actually, the airport scene from wicker park influenced the final airport scene in six twenty-four, aha)

last song listened to: the scientist by coldplay

no. of blankets you sleep with: one duvet and one fluffy blanket over the top of that

random fact(s): uhhh I make up the 1% of the population that has all of: the INFJ-T personality type, red hair, and green / hazel eyes.

—

F I V E

5 things i can’t stop listening to (was 10 but I can’t think or find 10 isjfsfk)

selfish - madison beer

not mine - day6

thanxx - ateez

inception - ateez

21 - gracie abrams

[thatwitchyblog]

20/20 Tag

I got tagged by @lunestudies , thank you so much!!

Rules: answer 20 questions and tag 20 followers you would like to get to know better

Name: Alanna/Ash/Artemis. Depends on where I am as to what I go by

Nicknames: Lanna, Blurazbry, 

Zodiac sign: Aquarius/Pisces cusp

Height: 5′4″

Languages spoken: English, ASL, Spanish, only english is fluent though

Nationality: American

Favourite fruit: Mango, pineapple, oranges

Favourite scent: Lavendar, coffee, my S/O

Favourite colour: all the colors. Currently maroon or sea foam green

Coffee, tea or hot chocolate: hot chocolate unless it’s one specific iced tea from caribou lol

Average hours of sleep:6-7?

# of blankets you sleep with: 1 in summer and like 8 in winter

Favourite fictional character: Magnus Bane and Simon from the mortal instruments

Dream trip: Like half of Europe. London, Scotland, Ireland, France, Greece, and Italy are my top priorities though

Last book read: Blue is the Warmest color <3

Blog created:Forever ago. I’ve had this blog for a few years I think and I have like half a million sideblogs too haha

Tagging: If you’re reading this I’m tagging you. Idc if we’ve never talked or anything. Do this and tag me so I can see it :)

[purplesurveys]

286

What's your favorite snack? Corndogs have got to be in my top 5 of favorite food. What's your favorite ethnic food? CURRYYYYYY. I would take any type of curry over anything, any day. What country would you like to visit most? Right now I’m really aiming at Thailand. What color hair does your mom have? Black. We all have black hair.

When did you last go to a theater to see a movie? Three weeks ago - we watched The Shape of Water!

What is the last movie you watched? I haven’t seen anything else after The Shape of Water, but I did have to watch a documentary on Daniel Ellsberg for my media law class. I saw it yesterday. What's the last thing you cooked? Me? Cooking? Whose birthday is closest to today's date? (someone you know) My dog is celebrating his next week, but the thing is I never actually knew when he was born so I invented a birthdate for him when I was 10 haha. But whatever, March 16 stays. What's your favorite number? I don’t have certain numbers that I stick with. Have you ever been in love? Sure. Do you believe in ghosts? I’m not an avid believer but I embrace conspiracy theories, ghost stories, reported ghost pictures, haunted areas, and the supernatural in general. Have you ever been to a haunted house? No...I would be too scared to go in, should I ever come face-to-face with one. Is your house haunted? No, not a trace. We moved here just ten short years ago. What's your favorite chocolate bar? Twix for days. What kind of tissues do you prefer? Uh. Plain ones? Ones that clean up nicely, I guess? What color hair did you have when you were in 9th grade? Black. I have never dyed my hair, and especially not when I used to be in Catholic school. Do you have a cat? My sister does. I don’t claim ownership of it. Do you know anyone in another country? Yeah. I was active in a fanbase several years ago and I made friends with so many people from both the US and various places in Europe. It was so much fun but my interests and theirs shifted after a bit and we kind of just grew distant. I only keep in touch with one now - she’s from Pennsylvania, if I’m not mistaken. How old are you? I’m 19 but I turn another year older in a month! How many US states have you been to? Approximately zero. How many Australian states have you been to? About zero. Have you ever been to the Great Lakes Mall? I’ve never heard of that. What face wash do you use? I don’t use products all that often but I do have a spare Tony Moly foam cleanser that I use from time to time whenever I want to feel fresh haha, that is if cleanser and wash are the same thing. Do you have long or short hair? Long. After my mom had complete control of my hair up until I was 10 and made sure my hair never made it past my ears, I vowed never to get short hair again. What's your favorite book? The Septimus Heap series by Angie Sage gives me a boost of nostalgia whenever I think of it–and it was the only series I read religiously as a kid–but it’s a bit much to call it my favorite. I don’t have a favorite book. Do you drink more water or pop? Water. I don’t drink soda at all. What's your favorite flavor of Kool-Aid? We don’t have Kool-Aid here so I’ve never tasted it. Do you watch Survivor Man? No. Have you ever wanted to be on a game show? Yep LOL Family Feud seems like a lot of fun. Do you know who Ben Bailey is? I’m afraid not. What's your Myspace URL? Do you eat organic food? Sometimes, but I don’t keep track of it. Are you an insomniac? No...I think...possibly? I have the symptoms but I don’t want to go right ahead and self-diagnose. Do you watch wrestling? I do actually. I was a bigger fan in my childhood and teens, and I usually only come around for the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania seasons now. Do you wear glasses? Yeah. I am helpless without my glasses - my right eye barely functions as one these days. How many candles were on your last birthday cake? 19, but I never actually got a cake. What kind of music do you listen to? My music is all over the place. Just yesterday I started studying with piano music, then I got tired and switched to horror and ska punk. Then a little after I was listening to One Direction hahaha. Do you wear matching socks? Most of the time. How many pairs of jeans do you have? Enough to have one a week, but I always just use the same three pairs. Where will you go tomorrow? My family drags us to church every Sunday, so that’s for sure. Not sure if we’ll go anywhere after that - but I hope not, since I have a midterm to study for bleeegggh. Do you make fun of people you don't know? No? Do you reject Satan? I don’t believe in them. Are you violent? When my borderline-like mental illness strikes then yes, I can be. Do you like ginger ale? Noooooooo hate it. Do you eat fast food a lot? Not really. Probably once or twice every two weeks. Have you ever gotten in a fist-fight? No, that sounds super scary. Did you play pokemans as a kid? POKEMANS Do you believe taking a picture of someone is taking a piece of their soul? Kinda like Insidious hahahaha also no. Would you rather be hot or cold? Cold. Do you use Wikipedia? Sure, when I want to know about something. I never use it for research, though. Do you spend a lot of time on YouTube? OMG yes. Guilty as charged. Do you use google search or yahoo? Google. I haven’t used Yahoo! in about a decade, my dudes. Have you ever been locked up? Nope. Was your step mother terrible? My biological mother is, most of the time. Can you eat in the dark? I mean technically I can but I never do it. Do you know anyone who doesn't care about anything but themselves? MY BROADCAST PROF!!!!!!!! IS SO SELF-ABSORBED!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you mean to people you don't know? Nooooo that’s horrible. Are you trustworthy? You’re going to have to ask my friends this. Have you ever been hospitalized? Yes, once.

[fakefancyfoods]

How to plan an elaborate dinner

I wanted to create a post that broke down the process of planning for a fancy/elaborate dinner, instead of just offeringa menu idea. I’m using things I learned as my (albeit short) time as a culinary student in France, so at the very least, we can pretend that all of this is fancy, insider knowledge. (To clarify: I studied at a patisserie, took two cooking classes, and studied gastronomy for a month; it was mostly for fun and college credits) Ready? Allons-y!

Step 1 - Identify

Identifying what sort of mood and tone you want for your meal is more important than you think.

Start with identifying the mood you want to create. Ask yourself: What sort of event is this? A dinner party with out of town family? Coworkers? An intimate date night with your love?

Take note of the season. If it’s going to be a warm afternoon, you can plan a picnic on the patio. If it’s going to be a cool, rainy evening, maybe a warm soup can be the appetizer. This also helps with menu planning, so you can look up what ingredients will be freshest and most flavorful.

Step 2 - Planning the ambience

Now that you have a better idea of what tone your meal will need, make a tangible plan.

Make a list of things you’ll need other than food to set the tone.

Consider a centerpiece. Will it add or distract from your meal and company? Bouquets and decorations that are too tall can alienate guests from one another, but carefully crafted pieces can add to the room. Try a dry-run before the dinner to see if the decorations will help or hinder what you’re trying to achieve.

Lighting is more important than you think. A romantic dinner may call for a bit darker lighting, accented with rich colors from the tablecloth or decoration, but a lively dinner amongst friends should have a lighter route - fuller lighting with decorations ranging from neutral to however bright you think is appropriate.

Table cloth and napkins have been lightly touched on in the previous point, but I think they need their own moment. It’s okay not to have fancy linens, or even cloth napkins or table covers. You don’t have to spend a lot to make it look like you put in a lot of effort. Tablecloths should provide a neutral area so the food and the decorations will stand out more. Of course, this isn’t necessarily a rule. If you have a bright and/or patterned tablecloth, especially if it fits a particular theme, use it! Napkins can provide an accent color, but they definitely do not have to. Ultimately, they’ll be used to wipe up messes and clean off faces. Don’t stress.

Step 3 - Planning the menu

I know this particular step can cause a lot of stress. I’ve spent a lot of time on pinterest trying to come up with full meal ideas. Hopefully this can make it easier.

Determine how many courses you want, and in what order. I will list the order, description, and suggestions/explanations of courses as I’ve learned them, but you can customize and cut or add anything you’d like. It’s your dinner!

Appetizers

Will you have finger foods set out for guests to pick on as they wait, or will the appetizer require sitting at the table? (Think a veggie tray vs. soup)

Picking an appetizer also depends on when/if you want a salad course.

If you’re going for a heartier main entree, you may want to go with warmer flavors for your appetizer, with a salad course fitting between the two so as to cleanse the palette and give a bit of a break between the two heavy foods.

If you’d prefer a salad after the main entree (I’ve learned this is to aid in digestion and is also served with a cheese tray), offer a variety of cooked and raw veggies, dips, and crackers as an appetizer.

If you want to skip a salad altogether, be sure to have vegetables incorporated in the apps in some way.

Some tips to keep in mind - if you’re unsure of how to pair the app with the main course, the easiest thing to do is to pair a warmer app (think butternut squash or a sweeter crostini) with a heartier meal (braised meats or roast beef). Lighter main entrees (something that features more fresh veggies or fruit) may do better with a grainer side dish (rice of some sort) rather than a put together app. When in doubt, serve a veggie tray or a build-your-own crostini station.

Salads

Choosing a salad all depends on where in the meal they will be served. Will it be before the main course? After? During?

Before - Is this the appetizer or is this after the appetizer? If it’s in place of the app, add in a variety of veggies and set out options for dressing. If it’s after the appetizer, focus more on serving a homogenous salad that feature certain herbs, paired with a light vinaigrette.

During - If you’re serving the salad as a side to the main entree, add a bit of variety and have options for dressings. I wouldn’t go for a specific salad unless it compliments the main entree. Too flavorful of a salad (I know, an odd complaint) can take away from the overall dinner experience because it distracts from the other flavors offered by the rest of the meal.

After - If you’ve chosen after, I will definitely recommend keeping it fairly plain with some mixed greens and herbs and a light vinaigrette. No one wants to be burping red onion or ranch dressing while waiting for dessert. I also suggest serving a cheese tray. The reason for this is, it increases satiety, leaving guests feeling full for longer.

Some tips - If you’re unsure of what salad to serve, look at the veggies in your main meal. Are there tomatoes, corn, carrots etc.? Then don’t put them in the salad. It’s an easy way to use up leftover veggies, but it’s also an easy way to make your meal go bland.

Main Course

Your dinner should focus around your main course, so plan this part first.

Do a bit of research to see what fruits and vegetables are in season. It’s best to incorporate the freshest ingredients for the best taste.

As mentioned earlier, plan the course around the mood and setting. Cooler days, especially when rainy and dreary, deserve heartier meals. Hotter days need fresh and light flavors.

Some tips - Don’t feel like you need to learn how to cook complicated recipes to wow your guests. It’s better to pick something that you know how to do, and do well, than something that looks pretty on pinterest. It won’t be too simple, because this is a large meal - there will be other foods that will compliment and accent the flavors featured in your main dish.

Cheese

Unfortunately, I do not know much about cheese pairing, but once you have your main course set, it’s just a google away to figure out what the best option(s) will be to serve. Definitely focus on plating for this one (as in, artfully arrange it on a plate or tray. Maybe add an herb leaf or two to accent the dish)

Sides

Sides should compliment the food, not act as a stand-in for the main course

Unless you know your food pairings well, I don’t suggest mixing lighter, sweeter foods with heavier meats and dishes. It’s very easy to get it wrong and to feel as though you didn’t plan ahead.

The easiest sides to serve are grains and starches. Having some sort of braised meat? Add a potato dish. Something sweeter and features more fresh veggies? Rice. Both are extremely versatile.

The best rule I’ve learned is, don’t serve warm, cooked vegetables with raw ones, unless it’s a salad. So, I wouldn’t serve hot green beans as a side if the main course is a caprese salad. I’m sure there are some tasty exceptions to this idea, but it helps me rule out sides faster.

Some tips - If you’re serving a meat dish that isn’t cooked with other vegetables (the way a traditional pot roast would be) consider a variety of cooked veggies, like ratatouille. Apps can also double as sides - if you’ve got a garden party and you’re serving lettuce wraps, keep the veggie tray out. Now’s the perfect time to try new dips and hummus flavors.

Bread

I know bread is sometimes a staple in our diets and is oftentimes presented as an appetizer. Do not fall for this! It’ll fill you up way too soon and then this many courses will be painful to sit through (lol) trust me. Bread is used during the main course to wipe sauces and other flavors from the plate. It’s a carby vehicle to get more flavors to your mouth, not a side of its own.

Dessert

The main dish dictates what other foods will be on the table, including dessert. Desserts are the easiest to pair with other foods, in my opinion.

Ask yourself a few questions: How heavy was the main course, including sides? Was it starchy and meat-heavy? If so, maybe forgo the thick chocolate cake. Fruits should be the more prominent component of the meal.

Consider making dessert customizable. This doesn’t require much more time in the kitchen, surprisingly. Make shortbread or crepes and leave them plain. Serve them with jams and other toppings/fillings so guests can get exactly what they want.

Coffee

The coffee after dinner is totally optional (I suppose all of these courses are, though). I suggest decaf or added with milk, like a cafe-au-lait (or cafe-con-leche, whichever culture you’re more familiar with). If it’s been a big, heavy dinner, adding the foamed milk will definitely make guests feel sleepier, so keep that in mind. You don’t want your guests to fall asleep at the wheel on their way home!

I know this is a long post, so thanks for sticking with me! If you use this post as a reference, please post pictures of your dinner and food and tag it #fakefancyfoods! I’d love to see what you make :)

[lovemesomesurveys]

A Do you live in America?: I do. Favorite Animal?: Giraffes and dogs. Do you like Apples?: Meh. They’re okay. I couldn’t tell you the last time I had one, though.  Would you ever be an Astronaut?: Nooo. Just the idea of outer space terrifies me. Do you shop at American Eagle?: No.

B Who is your Best Friend?: My mom. Do you have a Boyfriend?: No. Are you Bisexual?: No. Did/Do you play with Barbies?: Yeah, I was obsessed with Barbies. Do you have a Baby?: No.

C What is your favorite type of Chocolate?: White chocolate. What's your favorite Candle scent?: I like autumnal scents. Do you celebrate Christmas?: Yesss, I love Christmas. What's your favorite Color?: Pastels, rose gold, sea foam green, coral, and yellow. Do you like Cats?: Sure.

D What holidays do you Decorate for?: Halloween and Christmas. Are you scared of the Dentist?: Yes. I always have the worst anxiety beforehand and during. Do you like doing DIYs?: I’m not the crafty type. When was the last time you went to the Doctor?:  This past Tuesday. What's your favorite alcoholic drink?:  None. I don’t drink.

E What do you do for Easter?: My family and I have a nice dinner. What is one thing you do Every day?: Drink coffee. Have you ever seen the Eiffel Tower?: Not in person, but I’d love to. Would you say you're Emotional?:  Yes. What's your favorite thing to Eat?:  Wingstop garlic parm and lemon pepper boneless wings and ramen.

F How many Friends do you have?: Zero. Have you ever been Frisked by the police?: When passing through airport security. Do you enjoy French Fries?: I do. How often do you Forget things?: I have a pretty good memory, generally. Have you ever gotten into a Fight?: No.

G Are you a Girl?:  I am. Do you believe in God?:  Yes. Do you have a Girlfriend?:  No. Are you Gay?:  No. Are you Glad to be taking this survey?: I wouldn’t say I’m glad.

H Do you dress up for Halloween?:  No, not anymore. I haven’t the past few years. Hello, How are you today?: It’s only 6 in the morning, but I’m alright.  Do you like Horses?: Sure. Have you ever been High?:  Yes. Do you like Hot weather?: Noooo. I dread summer. I don’t do well with the heat.

I Do you think this survey is Incredible?: I wouldn’t go that far, sorry. What's your favorite flavor of Ice cream?:  Strawberry. What is one of your Interests?: Surveys. Did you do the Ice Bucket Challenge?: I did, actually.  Have you ever been Ice skating?: No.

J Tell me a Joke.: Nah. What is your favorite Junk Food?: Sourdough bread and dip. Is there any Jewelry you wear every day?: Nope. What's your favorite type of Juice?: None. I don’t like juice. Do you believe in Jesus?: Yes.

K Who was the last person you Kissed?:  Joseph. Describe your first Kiss.: It was awkward, but I was all giddy about having had my first kiss lol. Have you every Kicked someone in the balls?: No. Will you break me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar?:  Sure. What's your favorite Kids' show?: I still like watching Rugrats, Hey Arnold, and Doug.

L Are you a Lesbian?:  No. Are you in Love?:  Nope. Do you like Lemons?: I like lemon flavored things, but I don’t eat actual lemons.  What do you eat for Lunch?: If I have lunch, it’s probably breakfast food, pizza, or leftover spaghetti and meatballs from the night before. Do you Lose things often?: No.

M Do you watch Markiplier?:  I don’t even know what or who that is. Do you know someone named Michael?: No. Do you play Minecraft?:  Nope. I’ve never played. Do you Miss someone?:  I’ll always miss my loved ones who passed away. Do you like Mozzarella sticks?: I do. Damn, those sound really good right now I haven’t had them in awhile.

N Would you consider yourself a Nice person?: I think so. What's your Nickname?:  Steph or Sis. Do you get your Nails done?: Nope. I’ve only had them done once and that was for my 8th grade promotion. Do you listen to Nickelback?:  Yeah. I don’t know when it became a thing to hate on them. Have you bought anything New?: I recently bought some journaling stuff and a Bible study book.

O Do you sleep with your door Open?: No. Do you know anyone who has really bad Odor?: No. Would you ever be in an Open relationship?:  No.  Do you like being at the Ocean?:  I love going to the beach and being near the ocean. Watching and listening to the waves crash in and out and feeling that cool air is very relaxing to me. How Old are you?:  31.

P Do you watch Pewdiepie?:  No. Have you ever Puked mid blowjob?: Wow, you just threw something like this in the midst all casual. Uh, I’ve never given one. Do you like People?:  I much prefer dogs.  What are your favorite Pizza toppings?: Feta and ricotta cheese, spinach, crumbled meatballs, garlic, and pesto. Do you have any Piercings?:  Just my earlobes.

Q Are you a Quiet person?: Yes. Have you ever Quit a job?: I’ve never had a job. How Quick are you getting ready to leave the house?: I just change my clothes, brush my teeth, throw my hair up or put on a hat or beanie, put my shoes on, put a jacket or hoodie if needed, and grab my stuff and go. It doesn’t take me long. What is your favorite Quote?: I have numerous favorites. Have you ever met a Queen?: No.

R Have you ever had Rabies?:  No. Are you close to your Relatives?: I am with my immediate family. What ended your last Relationship?: He did. Do people call you a Redneck?: Uh, no. Rate this survey.:  I don’t know. It’s fine.

S Do you like sports?:  No. What is your favorite Sex position?: -- Do you like to go to Six Flags?:  I did when I was younger.  Is Summer your favorite Season?:  Ew, nooo. I hate summer. Do you like to Shout?:  No. I’m not a loud person.

T Do you Toast your Poptarts?:  I always liked just eating them out of the package. Do you like to be Terrified?: I enjoy scary movies and psychological thrillers and getting a little scared or creeped out is what makes them good, but being terrified is on a whole other level and that’s definitely not something I want to be. Are you on Tinder?: No. I’ve never used any dating apps or websites. Do you like Tacos?:  Sure. Have you ever played Tennis?:  Nope.

U Are you wearing Underwear?:  Yes. At a restaurant, What's your Usual?: Chicken tenders and fries. Quick! Look Under your bed. What's there?: I don’t have to look I know there’s nothing there. Have you seen the movie Up?:  Yes. Would you say you're an unorganized person?: I kind of am now, but I didn’t used to be. I just don’t have the energy or motivation anymore. I’m a mess of a person.

V Do you like Velcro?:  Uh, sure. What would be your perfect Valentine's day?: It’s really just been another day for me. I’ve never had a boyfriend or date for Valentine’s Day. Have you ever seen a Velociraptor?:  Well, not a real, living one obviously.  Have you ever Visited a Volcano?: No. What Vehicle do you drive?: I don’t drive.

W Do you like the Water?:  Not especially, I just drink it cause we have to. It’s not something I really enjoy like I do my coffee. Do you like Wendy's?: Nah, they’re my least favorite fast food. Do you like Walruses?:  Sure. Do you hate Waiting?: I’m very impatient. Waiting makes me anxious. Do you like Waffles?: Yes.

X Have you ever played with a Xylophone?:  Yeah, in elementary music class. Have you ever had an Xray?: Numerous times throughout my life. Did you ever wish you had Xray vision?:  No. Do you still love your EX?:  No. Do you hate the letter X?: No. 

Y Is your favorite color Yellow?: It’s one of them. What has been your favorite Year?: Childhood years. Do you hate being Yelled at?:  There’s nothing enjoyable about that. What did you do Yesterday?: Same stuff as always. What was your favorite thing to do when you were Younger?: Play Barbies, playing with my cousins, watch cartoons.

Z Have you ever went to the Zoo?: Yeah. Do you hate getting Zits?: Yes. Thankfully, I rarely get them now. Do you like Zebras?:  Sure. Do you like eating Zebra cakes?: Yeah, those are good.  Do you use Zedge?: I don’t know what that is.