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rosyfingereddawnn · 4 years ago

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only the black rose (chapter 4)

pairing: jimmy page x layla porter (oc)

warnings: bordering on nsfw, a little fluff, and yet another pretentious description of a zep song :)

words: 3.9k

summary: in the blink of an eye, it’s 1975 and layla’s suddenly joining led zeppelin for their north american tour. throughout the chaos, the band take a liking to her, she builds friendships with the boys, and love blossoms. but all good things must come to an end.

author’s note: i blushed countless times writing this chapter. also things are heating up folks!!! not beta’d as always! hope you enjoy!

masterlist

playlist

chapter one

chapter two

chapter three

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The dressing room of the Rotterdam Ahoy was certainly not a palace of luxury, with its plush navy couches and line of chairs pushed against the wall, next to a long folding table packed tight with refreshments. A full-length mirror sits in the corner, casting refractions of faint yellow light onto the off-white brick walls. John Bonham lounges on the loveseat, drumming out an intricate rhythm on his knees, brown eyes far away as he stares off into the distance. John Paul Jones perches on the chair nearest to the door, strumming a tune reminiscent of rockabilly on a beautiful mandolin, nodding his head to keep the beat.

Looking up, Jonesy spots Jimmy across from him, occupying the couch next to Bonzo. Jimmy is tuning up his acoustic guitar, no doubt the precious gift he had received just days before. Every so often, Jimmy would pause in his focused tuning to shift in his seat with a wince, stretching out, before finally resuming.

“You okay, Pagey?”

“...Hm?” Jimmy grunts out, concentration stolen completely by the beautiful guitar in his hands. Heavenly notes swirling around the small room, mixing seamlessly with the sharp harmonies of the mandolin. Jimmy did always preach about unity, after all.

“Are you okay? You keep wincing, and you’ve shifted in your seat about 20 times in the past two minutes.”

“My back is a little sore, I must have slept in an odd position. Nothing serious.” This is punctuated by a crackle as Jimmy stretches once more.

“Well, you did have a nice pillow though, didn’t you?”

“Jonesy—”

“I hope you know that Robert has pictures, Jim.”

“You’re joking.”

“Nope,” Bonzo chuckles, popping the P, and smirking at the man across from him, who has finally stopped plucking the strings of the guitar. Jimmy wrings his hands together, stopping only to thumb at his nose. “No need to be nervous, Page. I’m sure he’ll only show a couple of them at the wedding, which reminds me. We need to know her ring preferences. Stones are important to girls, or something.”

“He took more than one? Wait… Rings? We’re not… I’ve known her for like, 5 days! Marriage? She doesn’t even like me like—”

“Who’s getting married?” Layla questions, voice floating through the open door as she walks in, arm in arm with Robert, who is sporting a cheshire grin. The blond sends a subtle wink at Jimmy, strolling further into the room.

“Layla, quick question.”

“Oh no. Should I be scared?”

“Only a little bit.” Jonesy cuts in, chuckling at the helpless look on Jimmy’s face.

“Bonzo, I-I really don’t think—”

“Pagey, shush,” Bonzo interrupts the guitarist, who splutters, dumbfounded at the exchange taking place. He moves to stop Bonzo from speaking, but Bonzo shoves him back onto the couch behind him, Jimmy landing with a huff. “Now, birdie… What is your favourite gemstone?”

“Garnet. Do I want to know what this is about?”

“Probably not.”

“Great. Well, as fun as this has been, I’ve got to go find Peter, he wanted to talk to me about something,” Layla drawls, a smile just evident in the slight curl of her lips, painted a pretty pink in the artificial light of the room. She catches Jimmy staring her way, and her smile grows wider, taking in the stunned expression on his features. “I just thought it would be a good idea to rescue Robert from the horde of groupies that had him surrounded first.”

“Very smart. It would be rather hard to play without our frontman. Unless… Bonzo, how quickly can we get Coverdale in here?”

“Jonesy, I’m hurt. You know my voice is better than his.”

“Every single day, I am astounded at how humble you are, Robert. Truly brings a tear to my eye.” Layla laughs, turning towards the door, when a soft voice pipes up from behind her, paired with the sound of footsteps, muffled by the carpet under their feet.

“Mind if I join you, petal?”

A soft smile graces the woman’s lips at the sound of Jimmy’s dulcet voice, and she turns around to face him. Gazing up at him almost shyly, she nods, and they walk out together, Jimmy’s arm comforting around the woman’s shoulders. As they exit the dressing room, Robert pokes his head out, a mischievous smile growing slowly.

“Use protection, you two. Can’t have any little Page-Porters running around the venue.” Before the duo could retort, Robert retreats into the dressing room once more, his golden curls and the sound of his cackle following. Embarrassment colouring his face, Jimmy releases his hold on Layla, but is stopped by a hand at his wrist. Forest green and golden brown meet once more as she nods lightly. Jimmy, confident that Layla is comfortable with his touch, wraps his arm around her shoulders once more, as they walk through the venue in search of Peter Grant.

“For a man of his stature, I hadn’t anticipated how hard it would be to find him.” Jimmy laughs, which causes Layla to look at the man. His laugh may just be one of her favourite sounds, she thinks. Jimmy, sensing Layla’s eyes on him, looks down at the woman, whose head dips shyly, so different from the sassy exterior she lets people see. He lets his gaze linger, taking in the unruly chestnut ringlets that frame her tanned face perfectly. Her brown eyes hold unimaginable depths, and he is frightened by how often he gets lost in them. Her lips, the colour of lovely flowers in the bright morning light, are bitten cherry red out of nerves. Layla looks up at him then, and instead of shying away, this time he holds her gaze.

“Jim, can I ask you a question?”

“Of course petal. Ask away.”

“I’m just… a little curious,” Layla says, smiling as she stares right back, biting her lip for an entirely different reason now. “Why exactly do you call me petal?”

“Because I can make you blush the colour of a rose in bloom.”

“...That was so cheesy. I hope you know that, Jimmy,” Layla says, a giddy laugh bubbling out past her lips. “You know, I need a nickname for you now, so we’re even.”

“Oh, is that right, petal?”

“It is, actually. How about… angel? I mean, just look at that face.”

Jimmy’s breath hitches, audible even through the bustle of pre-show preparations. His free hand moves up to scratch at his neck once more, a nervous tick, of which he has many, that Layla is now accustomed to. Recovering quickly, Jimmy smirks, eyes glinting mischievously.

“Actually, petal, I think I might be a devil in disguise, but that’s something for you to figure out.”

“Right, because a devil would definitely check up on me, and help me when I was drunk out of my mind, and make me morning coffee exactly the way I like it.”

Knowing he’s been beat, Jimmy’s gaze falls to his feet, suddenly very interested in a particularly deep scuff mark. Layla chances a look at the man, and smiles softly at his reaction. Stepping in front of him, she puts a hand to his shoulder, wiping off imaginary dust from his shirt. His eyes follow her fingers, which finally land on his chin, lifting his head to face her. Layla moves in closer, tucking the hair falling into his face behind his ear.

“I appreciate your help trying to find Peter, but you have a show to get ready for, don’t you, angel?”

“I—”

He is interrupted by the whisper of soft lips brushing his cheek, and the fading scent of the woman’s perfume as she slips past him.

“Damn, she’s good…”

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Maneuvering through the maze-like hallways of the arena, Layla finally spots Peter, who is in deep conversation with a stage-hand, back turned to her. Moving closer, she can hear snippets of conversation detailing stage lights and lasers, and she wonders just what she had gotten into. Peter, hearing the padding of Layla’s footsteps approaching, finally turns around, grinning the moment he sees her.

“Layla! I’d like to speak with you for a moment, if that’s okay?”

“Of course, Peter! In fact, I’ve been looking for you everywhere!” Layla exclaims, falling into step with Peter as they trek through the long hallways once more. “You had said you wanted to talk to me earlier?”

“Right, yes. You had expressed interest in helping out in the wings during the tour,” Peter says, leading the woman with a paternal hand at the small of her back, ensuring she doesn't get lost once again. “But I was wondering if you had wanted to maybe experience this show in the audience? I only ask, because the experience is much different from the crowd, and I wouldn’t want you to miss out.”

“I would love to, Peter, but if you do need help…”

“Go have fun, dear. A front-row view at a Led Zeppelin show doesn’t come very often, after all.”

“Thank you so much, Peter!”

“It’s my pleasure, Layla. Now, we’ll be on in about 30 minutes, so we better get you to your seats sooner rather than later.”

Peter riffles through the pockets of his blazer and produces a rectangular piece of paper, no doubt the tickets themselves. Layla is led to an usher, and Peter, with a wink and a smile, turns on his heel, walking away, no doubt to check on his boys. The usher leads her onto the floor, right in front of the stage. Layla thanks them, a gleaming smile making her glow.

The venue is already packed to the brim, and with a glance behind her, Layla spots an ocean of faces, eyes glued to the stage in anticipation. At the sight of this, Layla can’t help but reciprocate these feelings.

“Hell,” Layla mutters under her breath, shaking her head lightly. “I’ve seen them play in the studio… How much better could it get than that?”

In the relative darkness of the large room, she can see shadows moving out from the stage wings, the hollers of the crowd growing deafening.

Here we go.

A booming voice erupts out from the speakers scattered around the stage. Layla can’t help but join in, letting out some cheers of her own, wide smile nearly splitting her cheeks.

“Ladies and gentlemen, Led Zeppelin!”

A soft click cuts through the sea of white noise like a knife, and the stage is illuminated by a giant sign reading, ‘Led Zeppelin’ in bold, lit letters, which ignites the flame of excitement once more. A smug look passes between them and the band starts to play, catching the audience off guard. Bonzo’s sharp drumming serves as a count-in for Jimmy and Jonesy, their combined excellence creating a solid wall of pure sound, only penetrated by Robert’s masterful wails. Jimmy, gleaming in a suit accented with shining panels of silver, looks absolutely decadent, enraptured by the music he is playing. The chorus sounds, echoing slightly, across the great sea of faces, who are relentless in their fiery adrenaline. Robert glides across the stage, singing as if the crowd were snakes and he was a charmer, entrancing them with his stage presence and golden voice.

“It's been a long time, been a long time, been a long lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely... time.”

Finally, the last notes fizzle out, Jimmy improvising a run under the blanket of unity courtesy of the rhythm section, and the crowd’s screams grow thunderous, a reward for the incredible first song. This trend remained throughout the entirety of the concert, every song fueling the fire.

Layla is completely in awe, eyes blinking rapidly in hopes of comprehending exactly what she had just witnessed. She had known exactly how talented every one of them was, she had seen it just days ago when they had played in the studio, but what she hadn't anticipated, was just how much the stage lights and the crowd brought them to life. They looked holy, faces painted with pure concentration and confidence. Throughout the show, she couldn't help but hang on to Jimmy’s every move. Up there on stage, bliss apparent in the uptick of his rosy lips and eyes full of ecstasy, he was hypnotising, beautiful strong fingers tickling the fretboard in hopes of squeezing ethereal notes from it. The woman wonders what it would be like; for the guitarist to touch her like that. To make her whimper like the guitar he manipulates every night. She wonders what it would be like to touch unmarked, alabaster skin, to bury her fingers in jet black hair as perfect, pink lips rock her world. The touch of callused fingers making her skin tingle and hum and burn in euphoria.

“Layla, you’re going to start bleeding if you keep biting your lip like that. Are you alright, my dear?”

Looking up abruptly, Layla is met by the whiskered face of Peter Grant, smiling softly as he looks down at her. She shakes her head to banish the illicit thoughts, curls flying wildly about her head.

“I’m… Peter, that was incredible!”

“Why don't we sneak you backstage so you can tell the boys what you think?” Peter says, smirking at the astonished face of the young woman in front of him. “They've been asking about you ever since they got off stage.”

“Lead the way!”

The two make their way to the dressing rooms, idle chat between Layla and Peter the soundtrack. Walking through the dressing room doors, she sees the boys facing away from her, celebrating a job well done. Robert is reclined on the couch, two beautiful blondes on each side getting his full attention. Bonzo and Jonesy are chatting in the corner of the room, sipping on bottles of whatever liquor they could find. Jimmy stands alongside them, laughing softly, dimples rising on his cheeks. In the harsh light of the dressing room, the sweat dripping from Jimmy’s body makes him glow, and Layla can’t help but stare.

“Boys, it seems we have a guest.”

Four pairs of eyes lock on her, and she smiles winningly, the beginnings of a giggle bubbling up her throat.

“Excuse me, ladies,” says Robert, as he extricates himself from the arms of the blondes, smiling apologetically. “But I really must greet the little dove.”

Immediately, arms surrounding the young woman, and as bad as the boys smelled, impressively sweaty after such a wonderful show, she was too excited to care. Pulling back finally, she gives her friends a megawatt smile.

“Guys, that was… That was truly amazing! I don’t know how you did it,” exclaims Layla, hands flying every which way to prove her point. “But you completely exceeded my expectations! I thought your little studio performance was excellent, but… This!”

“Wow, Layla. You’ve got such a way with words.” Jonesy jokes, putting an arm around the woman, leading her into the post-performance chaos. Bonzo pours her a shot glass full of something unidentifiable, vodka perhaps, and Layla tips it back quickly. Liquid courage firmly in place, she catches Jimmy’s eye. Wrestling out of Jonesy’s arms, Layla struts over to the raven-haired man and guides him to the corner of the room, a small hand slipping into his.

“Petal—”

“Shush! Jim, that performance was… I don’t know what to say! Everyone had a great show, of course, but your guitar,” Layla rambles, speaking so quickly that the guitarist can barely hang on to a word the woman is saying. “... And Stairway. Oh my god, I don’t think I looked away once during the whole song! And—”

“Layla—”

“... Communication Breakdown ended way too soon, but the way you moved your fingers so quickly across the fretboard. I just don’t even—”

“Petal, please calm—”

This time, Jimmy isn’t interrupted by the ranting woman, but rather a set of slightly chapped lips on his, and a soft hand cradling his cheek, the other a warm weight on his shoulder. Layla is… kissing him. As soon as he makes this discovery, the lips against his turn down into a slight frown, and begin to pull away. Frantic at the thought of Layla pulling back, Jimmy brings a hand to her face, the other threading through her unruly curls to land at the back of her head. Deepening the chaste kiss, Jimmy’s eyes close. If he had been less preoccupied, he would have seen Bonzo, phone in hand, calling home in hopes of talking to his lovely wife. He would have seen Jonesy, laughing and pressing ever-closer to a beautiful brunette, a hand pushing back her long wavy locks. He would have seen Robert walking closer with a smirk set on his lips.

Jimmy finally pulls away, staring deep into Layla’s chestnut eyes, glazed over slightly as she blinks back at him, lips a luscious red from the heated kiss. Jimmy opens his mouth to speak, but another voice beats him to the punch.

“Goodness, little dove, if I knew you were handing out kisses like that for a good performance, I would’ve walked off before Jimmy. Hell, I’d’ve shoved him to get to you.”

Layla scoffs at the blond’s words, her hands twined around the guitarist’s neck. “Sorry, blondie, I’m not handing those out to just anyone. Besides, don't you have two beautiful blondes looking to take a bite out of you?”

“Ah, you're right, little dove. Excuse me, but I must get going.” Robert says with a wink, strolling back over to the two women.

Layla looks back at Jimmy, to find him staring at her. They remain there, gazes locked on one other, until Jimmy finally looks away, scanning the room.

“Let’s go somewhere a little more private, hm?” Jimmy whispers, taking Layla’s hand in his and leading her out the door.

Walking through the maze of hallways, hand in hand, Layla is struck by the parallels of the last time her and Jimmy were here. Only this time, she hadn’t just kissed him on the cheek. Her cheeks flush a dark scarlet at the thought as she is pulled into a deserted room, hand still linked with Jimmy’s own.

“Layla, I…”

“That was…”

The couple speak in unison, nerves taking over. Jimmy takes a deep breath, gripping Layla’s hands tightly in his, as he looks down at her, green eyes twinkling like stars in the midnight sky.

“Are you,” He starts, clearing his throat as he gazes down at Layla, who is looking up at him in reverence, reminiscent of the look she had given him on the plane. “Are you okay, petal? You don’t seem like the kind of person to just… kiss someone like that.”

“Honestly? Angel, I’ve been thinking of doing that for a while. Since the moment I first saw you, really.”

“Well… The feeling is mutual, but I mean… I think we should talk about this.”

“Jimmy Page, always the pragmatist.”

The man chuckles, smirking at the woman, places a hand beside her head on the wall, leaning in close. “Hey, you’ve never complained about it before, so why start now?”

“Maybe I did, behind your back. You would have no way of knowing, would you?” Layla says, a sweet smile on her lips as she bats her eyelashes; the image of false innocence.

Jimmy smiles at the woman, until it slips off his face, his downcast eyes troubled. He reaches up a hand to thumb lightly at his nose, and she realizes that he’s nervous. Tilting his head up with a finger at his chin, she meets his eyes.

“Jim, what’s wrong? Did… Did you not like it? The kiss, I mean?” Jimmy startles at this, quick to reassure her with a hand at her cheek, rubbing his thumb in soothing circles along her cheekbone.

“Of course I liked it, petal. How could I not? I just… I want to do this right, Layla.”

“Mhm.” Layla hums, moving closer to the man, smirking softly at the nervousness that plagues the guitarist.

“You’re not just… You’re not just some groupie to me, y’know?”

“Mhm.”

“I don’t want this to be just a one night stand, or… or a fling, or a friends with benefits situation, Layla. I want you.”

“Right.”

“I think we should take this slow, and see where… When did you get so close to me?”

Layla leans forward, placing a peck on his lips, and pulls away, leaving him stunned. He shakes his head, and tries again, brow furrowing in determination. “Layla, I’m serious, I really—”

This is met by yet another peck of the lips. Jimmy opens his mouth to speak, trying once more, but he is thwarted by yet another sweet kiss. Finally giving in, Jimmy deepens the kiss, hands landing in her hair. He spins them around, and crowds Layla against the wall, pulling back briefly, which elicits a soft whine from the brunette.

“Jimmy—”

“Are you okay with this, petal?”

“... Get over here.”

She pulls him in once again, and they resume where they left off. Jimmy laps at the opening of Layla’s bottom lip, asking for entrance, and his request is granted. The couple battles for dominance, their hands roaming anywhere they could reach. Jimmy’s palm slides down to rest at her back, dangerously close to slipping lower. Layla smiles against his lips, and pulls away, breathing heavily. She presses one more breathless kiss to Jimmy’s lips, and smiles widely, taking in the man before her. His hair is a mess, his lips are swollen, and his eyes are locked onto hers, searching her face with a hint of a smile. She wants this to work; for them to work.

“Angel, I want to take this slow too. I don’t want to lose you to someone else, just because we rushed this. I do, however, hope we can still kiss like that on the regular.”

“We’ll see, petal.” Jimmy laughs, winding a familiar arm around her shoulders, as he presses a kiss to her cheek.

“Oh, how the tables have turned… I’m usually the one dishing out cheek kisses.”

“That may just have to change, then.”

“Be careful, I could very well just go and find Robert right now. You know, maybe I'll go steady with him instead…”

Laughter follows behind them like a shadow as they walk back to the dressing room to find the rest of their crew. Jimmy’s arm still rests around the shoulders of the woman, and as they enter, the band take in the disheveled state of the couple.

“Oh my god—”

“Come on, boys, we have a plane to catch!”

“Actually, Pagey,” Jonesy interjects, smiling at the couple, eyebrows waggling. “We still have a few minutes. What happened while you were gone?”

“Did you guys, like… have a quickie in the custodial closet or something?”

“God, Bonzo, we—”

“Wouldn’t you like to know, Bonham.” Layla interjects, kind smile cutting through the sarcasm of her response. Bonzo smiles back, clapping Layla on the shoulder. Robert pouts playfully, curls bouncing as he lowers his head slightly.

“That should have been me…”

Peter chooses this moment to walk in, alerting them that it’s finally time to leave. One taxi ride later, everybody piles into the Starship, making themselves comfortable. Jimmy and Layla take a spot on the comfortable loveseat, and fall asleep right away, leaning up against one another.

If they wake up, backs sore once again, it’s worth it to them.

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taglist: @jimmys-zeppelin @salixfragilis @timetraveller4 (let me know if you want to be added!)

#only the black rose #led zeppelin #jimmy page #jimmy page fanfiction #jimmy page fanfic #led zeppelin fanfic #classic rock fanfic #jimmy x oc

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keiyokoi · 5 years ago

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Reflection “Essay” #2

Hey everyone! I just wanted to take some time this week and talk about something that I think is extremely important, so buckle up, because this piece is kind of long.

Activism is something we encounter in our everyday lives, whether it be in social media, the news, or something ordinary like laptop stickers. Most recently, Black Lives Matter was under the spotlight (as it should) in the wake of America’s track record of police brutality and George Floyd’s death. Unfortunately, the movement that was fueled by public outcry and outstanding shows of allyship in the early summer months has largely vanished.

The voices of many celebrities and influencers on platforms Instagram and Twitter have gone silent, moving on as the news turned away from BLM protests despite the thousands of people that continued to rally around the country and the world. As we wrap up election season and move into December, what the US is focused on now is the soon-to-be former POTUS and other political news. (My point is that the world of media has largely deemed BLM “no longer relevant” despite the ongoing struggle BIPOC folxs continue to face even after thousands of protests nation AND worldwide.)

To all the people who posted black squares with the hashtags #BlackoutTuesday and #BlackLivesMatter, where are you now? Where is the support, the public outcry that had been so loud in June? Why do civil rights only matter when they’re relevant in the media, when you can score easy clout from it?

I’m sure most of them had their hearts in the right place, but the fact remains true that they fell victim to ‘ally theater’, a term that Anderson and Accomando credit Princess Harmony Rodrigez for coining. The two authors go on to say, “The concern here is about activists who focus on performing an identity for an audience of disadvantaged folk rather than doing the hard and often unseen work of social change.” (P 713) and “To get out of the surface-level ally theater loop, white people need to challenge other whites about racism—even when no one else is watching.” (P 714) in their article The Pitfalls of Ally Performance.

That’s where many people fail the first step of being an ally; they mistakenly believe that for a month of sparse posts concerning awareness, they gain the privilege of being an ally. They forget that allyship is a title that needs to be earned. It’s not enough to play activist for a month and then move on with your life—to be an ally, you must continue to be an activist, even if that’s something as simple as shopping at BIPOC small-owned businesses instead of Amazon. (Here’s a little help for those of you who don’t know where to start: 42 Black-owned beauty brands to shop at instead of Sephora, and 108 Black-owned businesses you can check out.) You have to acknowledge the hard work of POC the exact same way you praise white celebrities and influencers for being ‘woke’. A fantastic example is Harry Styles.

For the 2019 Met Gala, Styles showed up to the red carpet in heels and a sheer black Gucci blouse. This made fans go nuts; they praised him for being a camp icon but glossed over equally stunning outfits like Billy Porter’s golden, winged ensemble (who was carried in on a litter!!! by SIX MEN!!!) or Lena Waithe’s suit. This year fans ran to social media again, this time to gush over the photo spread of him in a dress, thanking Styles for ending toxic masculinity (yes this was a Tweet I read with my own two eyes), congratulating him on defying gender norms, and completely forgetting about others who did it before him.

Male and AMAB (assigned male at birth) non-binary stars like Billy Porter, Jared Leto, Ezra Miller, and JVN are only a handful who’ve appeared in public in dresses and/or skirts before, making it unfair for people to heap gratuitous praise onto Styles’s photoshoot. I’m not trying to bash him or anything and I think that cover was gorgeous, but you can’t be an ally while you idolize Harry Styles for wearing a dress but ignore POC/queer folx who did too.

Now, the second topic I wanted to address: a second helping of fake allyship, this time in the corporate realm.

I love June, but it’s also a mentally exhausting month queer individuals who are sick and tired of fake allyship. Cisgenderists crawl out of the woodwork to whine about ‘straight pride’ as if they don’t have enough of it, influencers capitalize on Pride’s popularity to promote their brand, and large corporations break out the rainbow merch to make a pretty penny off the same people marginalize the other eleven months of the year.

June is for people like me to celebrate our identities together, whether it be at a public Pride event or in the privacy of our own homes. It is not for big businesses to slap rainbows on their merchandise and boast false claims of LGBTQ+ support when corporations like Walmart and Starbucks have done nothing at all to support the message or the mission of Pride.

Building an Abolitionist and Trans Queer Movement With Everything We’ve Got by Bassichis, Lee, and Spade writes “transgender and gender-non-conforming people are repeatedly abandoned and marginalized in the agendas and priorities of our “lead” organizations” (P743) and I couldn’t agree more. The fact of the matter is that under this capitalist regime, queer individuals are just another tool for the privledged elite to take advantage of.

Mega corporations claim to be on our side for a month, playing at queer allyship with rainbow beer cans and happy ads that feature more rainbows and scripted proclamations of LGBTQ+ support, but disappear just as quickly come July.

Certain celebrities tweet during Pride, garnering the applause of the public and cause people across social media to ‘stan’ celebrities that post “Happy Pride!” just for the shallow allyship it grants them. And it’s so normalized for public figures to post all month long about Pride, and suddenly stop in July that we don’t question it.

Donald Trump occasionally preaches about his support of the queer community (which we all know is a joke) and how he’s “the first president to openly support the LGBT community” despite the fact that he gutted LGBTQ+ legislation and his terrible track record concerning queer folx. If he really was a queer ally then why, as Bassichis, Lee, and Spade say, is there “ no inheritance, no health benefits from employers, no legal immigration status, and no state protection of our relationship to our children.”?

That’s why I want to put the spotlight on a game called The Last of Us: Part II. It’s a post-apocalyptic survival horror game so it’s the last place you’d expect to find LGBTQ+ representation, but the main character is a lesbian who has a (Jewish) girlfriend and has an Asian (not white!!) transman, along with another character I strongly believe is aromantic and/or asexual. Their character arcs tie into the story well despite many fans calling out the game developers for pandering to the queer community, and the exhilaration I felt when I saw myself (mostly) represented in a character (who was voiced by an Asian transman!) is unparalleled.

They didn’t have to include any LGBTQ+ content or accurate representation, could have left the main character’s sexuality presumably heterosexual, but they went where most bestselling games don’t, because they’re genuine allies. They brought in voice actors who were Black, Asian, and Latinx to voice characters who were Black, Asian, and Latinx.

That’s what we need more of, not trendsetting celebrities and people who say trans rights just to feel better about themselves.

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champagnesugamama · 6 years ago

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All That Glitters Ch.1: The Proposition

Moving Day

Viktor Drago x Ofc(Athena Creed)

Author: Champagnesugamama

Summary: Athena Creed, twin sister to the legendary boxer Adonis Creed, has been expanding her business of natural hair and skin care products, when another unexpected business venture lands in her path, but will it cause more harm than good?.....

You guys it literally took me so long just to start this first chapter! I rewrote the first paragraph like 50x! I hope you guys enjoy my little series.

“What the fuck do you mean you have to move to to the Ukraine?” Fuck, Adonis is already giving me a headache. I rubbed my eyes and answered him for the fifth time.

“Adonis I already told yo ass why five times! I have to oversee the building and manufacturing of my two factories! You know the taxes over in the Ukraine are significantly lower than in the United States. I have to base my factories over there if I want that 50 million dollar tax break.” He acts like I haven’t explored all options before deciding this. I don’t want to move to a foreign country where I will be ostracized from my loved ones, but this money doesn’t make itself. He ain’t the only one in this family who got bread. Matter of fact I’m richer than his ass. I worked my ass off in Harvard to get to where I am today, and I will be damned if my irritating ass little brother stops my bag.

5 YEARS AGO HARVARD UNIVERSITY

“So, you got the stuff?” A masculine voice said through my dormitory door.

“Yea you got the money?” I replied with a straight up attitude. Shit you would be mad too if this high ass senior was knocking at yo door at 12 am.

“Yea, open the door Ma, I just wanna see what you got.” I know this nigga don’t think I’m about to let him in my dorm at no 12 o’clock at night.

“No Sir, yo girl already sent in her order and you are just supposed to pick it up, ain’t nobody say you could browse the merchandise after hours. Now slide the envelope under the door and wait for your product.” He sucked his teeth and slide the envelope under the door. I counted out the necessary $150, and unlocked my door, but still keeping the chain on, I handed the man his shit.

“Yo tell Keisha she ain’t special, if her ass can’t come between business hours she is just gonna have to get it shipped to her dorm.” I said rolling my eyes. I know that girl ain’t got shit to do, but lay up with her nigga.

“Aight, I got you Ma. You know this shit is like crack to the females out here.You even got my momma and homeboys pullin’ up on me for this shit. What you really be puttin in this shit?” Now why he ask me that like I’m gonna tell him?

“None of your business sir. Now go give my home girl her hair and skin shit, she been looking a little ashy lately.” He laughed, but I was straight up serious, bitch been lookin’ a lil flaky lately.

“Oh shit, Imma tell her you said that shit too, night little mama.” I rolled my eyes and shut my door. I fed my money in the safe’s automatic counter and saw my day’s earnings were reaching up to 10,000 dollars. I’m gonna have to start looking into a bigger manufacturing place cause this ain’t cuttin it. I still have 25 back orders for just this campus alone. The secret is that I have two different pricing menus. One is for the stuck up rich kids at the school, and the other is for the chill homies, and scholarship babies. I gotta make my money somehow.

1 YEAR AGO SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

“Hello, This is the office of Athena Creed. How may I help you?” My assistant Keisha answered the phone.” Now y’all must be wondering, “This bitch got a whole ass secretary? Since when?”, since I expanded my business and went national with a few small factories. I graduated top 5% of my class in Harvard, and expanded my business before I graduated. I am now the youngest self made Billionaire in the United States.

“Ms. Creed, P. Diddy is on line one and your finance manager is on line 2. You also have to get back to the Supply manager about the shortages on the shipments to Ulta and Sephora. The online orders are also being backlogged for some reason, and there is a protest at one of your factories about the “supposedly anonymous” tip about animal testing and what not. Should I put them on hold or patch them through?” See this is why need a second assistant.

“Patch through P. Diddy, tell my finance manager I’ll call her at 3 o’clock, tell the supply manager to email me the problem, hire a online order manager, and call the cops on the protesters outside of the factory. The whole 15 acres around the factory is private property and they are in violation of the privacy laws. Call Oprah to do a walk through interview with me and my factory manager to silence the protesters. They are only protesting because this is a black made business with black investors, and they want to burn it to the ground like black wall street, but I rebuke that Caucasian devil.”

“Ms. Creed you so crazy, but I’ll get right on that.” I waited 20 seconds after I saw the red light turn on to answer. I can’t let these niggas think I’m too excited to be in their presence.

“Hello, this is Athena Creed.” I said in my professional black voice. Y’all know the one you use for corporate niggas.

“Hey baby girl, you got time for lunch today?” Sean has been a friend of my family since the early ‘80s, since before my dad passed. My parents met Sean at one of my dad’s fights at the MGM casino. We’ve been close ever since.

“Yea Unc, What’s up?” I asked concerned, because my uncle has had it pretty hard recently, with the passing of the love of his life Kim Porter.

“Nothing, I just have a business proposition for you to expand your reach in the business world. Ya know it’s always good to have different eggs in your basket. I know hair and skin is your passion, but I hope you’ll have an open mind with your uncle today.” Alright now what does he want.

“Alright Unc. I’ll meet you at Urasawa on rodeo drive in about an hour. Make sure you come dress like we’re having lunch and not going to the met gala.” I laughed. He has a tendency to go overboard with his day to day outfits. We hung up and I made my way to my house to change out of my office clothes and to take a shower, I smell like the office.

“Hey Keisha, you can go home after you post the job to the job sites, and organize the food for the next staff meeting on Monday. Have a good weekend, oh and redirect my calls to my business phone while you’re at it. Thanks sweetheart.” I said from the elevator.

“Sure no problem Ms. Creed. Have a nice weekend.” She said with a smile and a wave as the elevator closed.

I got out of the bath, and I put some of my super growth oil, curling cream, and rice water aloe Vera gel in my hair to make my curls pop. I did my edges, and put on my chill day makeup. You know I had to support my girl Rihanna and buy her body lava. I mix one drop in with my moisturizer and rub that on my face and neck. It gives me a natural glow without makeup, cause I’m lazy.

Okay, so I know I said I was gonna chill, but I’m going on Rodeo Drive today, Imma stunt on them bitches. And since I’m stunting on some stuck up bitches we might as well go all out and bring out my new baby that I treated myself to as a present for making the Forbes list.

I stepped out of the car and threw my keys to the valet and gave him a band to not scratch it. My bodyguard met me at the sidewalk and escorted me to the door through the paparazzi and fans. I don’t know how they keep getting my location, but Imma need them to chill. The waitress automatically escorted me to my Uncle’s table. You can tell we come here way too often, but my uncle knows I’ll blow a check on some sushi. The waitress lead me to the back and up a set of stairs behind the grand piano, behind a draped, white, sheer chiffon curtain to the only table in the back V.I.P. area of the restaurant. “Hey Uncle Sean. How are you?” I asked him as he got up to hug me and pull out my chair. “Hey, Athena. I’m hanging in there. What about you, sweetheart?” He said as he sat back down in his chair. “I’m good Uncle Sean, but I’m hungry as hell. We need to order before I waste away.” I laughed as I signaled the waiter over to us. “Hello, welcome to Urasawa. What can I start you guys off with?” The waiter asked. I squinted hard as hell to read his name tag. Okay Kenji I see you. He’s cute or whatever. “Hey Kenji, did I pronounce that right?” I waited for him to reply, while giving him the bedroom eyes. I looked him up and down, making sure he knew I was interested. I peeped Uncle Sean rolling his eyes at me, but I don’t know why he’s complainin’, I learned it from him. “Yea, you’re the first person to pronounce it right on the first time. What can I get for you beautiful.” Kenji the waiter asked me, as he eyed my body, and proceeded to commence with the fuck boy tendencies, and bite his lip and “seduce” me with his eyes. Okay he’s canceled. I can’t take the fake ass california valley “swag”. Shit disgusts me.

“Um. I’ll take the Ama Ebi, Ikura Gunkan Sushi, and the Toro with a sprite. Thank you.” I handed the menu back, and turned to uncle Sean.

“Well shit I’ll just take what she’s having.” He said handing his menu back. Alright now it’s down to business. I put on my Big Boss Bitch face and folded my hands on the very neat and crisp tablecloth, and turned my gaze to my uncle.

“So, this ‘business’ proposition….What is it?” I asked impatient as hell. He just leans back in his seat and folds his hands in his lap.

“Can’t we just eat first before you upset your stomach with all them nerves. You’ve always been impatient as hell, even as a baby. Cryin’ n’ shit. Being spoilt by everyone who looked at you. Man I couldn’t walk in yo parents place without a Cinnabon for your greedy ass.” He laughed, and I looked at him out the side of my eye. So that’s why I was a 90lb kindergartner. This nigga been trying to give me type 2 diabetes since I was two. “Uncle Sean you ain’t right for that! You were over the house almost everyday! You was trying to kill a nigga!” I said rolling my eyes at him. He laughed at me, but I was dead ass serious! I had breathing problems in pre-k all because this nigga couldn’t say no to a toddler.

“Alright, I’ll spare a nigga. The proposition is for you to open up your own alcohol brewery.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tag List:

@dragothishole @marvelheaux @honeychicana @harleycativy @avengersandlovers @amethyst1993 @sdcyumyum @the-lululemon

@almostpurelysmut @itshinothey @titty-teetee @laubluered @pananegra

@est1887 @bugngiz @ginghampearlsnssweettea @chaneajoyyy

#All that Glitters #florian munteanu #Viktor Drago #viktor drago x reader #adonis creed

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queenofthearchitect · 6 years ago

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Liquid courage.

A/n: this was an idea where the reader and Seth like each other but neither one of them will admit it cause their pride, so the readers friends decide to get them together one way or another.

The artist that helped me write this was Bishop Briggs.

Warnings: smut, cussing.

This is my first OC and I’m excited.

A little about the character. Names Arielle, she had rose pink and pastel pink hair, her eyes are green, she’s 5’4, she’s a girly girl but not all the time. She’s also cocky asf. This reader will wear this to the party. Just with pumps

Please enjoy 🧚🏼‍♀️

I just got done in my match against Nia Jax and lord did she throw me around like a rag doll, I picked up the victory with a ddt and I locked in the figure 4 and she instantly tapped, I walked through the gorilla and walked to catering “you did great out there Arielle.” I turned and smiled at Seth. “thanks Rollins I know.” I turned around and kept walking I couldn’t help the stupid smiled that krept on my face, god Seth giving me a compliment gave me butterflies and I couldn’t stand it. I got a Text from Sasha and I opened it see you Wednesday I text back quickly see you Wednesday.

Wednesday rolled around faster than I was hoping, I looked at the dresses I had ladies out and I decided to wear a black lace jumpsuit that was a little reveling but oh well I threw my black pumps on and curled my hair. I threw on some make up and a red lip and walked out my door, a few people started at me but I couldn’t care I knew I looked good. I didn’t plan on getting with anyone I wanted to look good for myself. My mom always told me confidence is the key so I always had confidence in myself and I couldn’t care if others liked it. I got in my car and drove to Sasha’s I stopped by the liquor store and got some whiskey and vodka and a bottle of wine for those who couldn’t hang with the big dogs.

I paid and I was on my way to the party when I pulled on her road there were cars in her drive way and in the street so I just parked behinds some ones car and walked up to her front door, I knocked she opened and took my outfit in “Damn girl you care out to break hearts didn’t you.” I smiled at her “you know me the heartbreaker, I brought gifts.” I held up the bottles and Sasha smiled “that’s my girl.” She opened the door and let me in and a few peoole looked at me, the guys definitely took in my outfit, I went to the kitchen and there were Seth, Dean and Roman, I put the alcohol down and poured me a glass of wine.

Roman walked up to me “damn Arielle you look hot.” I smiled “I know, I guess I wanted to show you guys what an actual woman looked like.” He chuckled and walked back to his brothers I knew they were talking about me cause they would look at me every now and again, I decided to go into the living room and dance, ayy ladies by Travis porter came on and I couldn’t help myself I started dancing I guess that’s why I took pole dancing classes and yoga so I could be flexible and strong but still dance, I felt a few eyes on me while my girls were chanting “go Arielle fuck it up.” Let me tell you I proudly did I fucked that living room floor up.

I had a few more glasses of wine and I can’t remember when I switched to vodka but it happened at some point and I was feeling the affect of the alcohol I consumed. Baron Corbin walked up to me and smirked “I’ve never see anyone dance like that before.” I couldn’t help but laugh “thats cause I don’t dance in front of people I guess I had liquid courage.” I shrugged him off and took another drink “you know maybe we should go out some time.” I looked at Corbin and smiled “thanks for the offer but I don’t think so.” He frowned “why not?” I poured myself another drink and looked at him “no offense but I don’t date boys, I’ve seen how you’ve treat girls before and I’m not going to be another one of your hits or anyone else’s in that fact.” He looked at me and I could tell my words upset him “you would be lucky to date some one like me Arielle with out me you will continue to be a nobody.” I took another sip of my drink and I laughed at him “actually baron I think it would be me who would make you a somebody, cause last time i checked I’m booked and in that ring every night, and I know for a fact you can’t say the same.”

He went to say something else but Seth interrupted him “Corbin go away it’s obvious she doesn’t want you so you can leave now.” I turned to look at seth and he looked pretty pissed “stay out of this Rollins.” Seth quickly shot back “no I’m not going to stay out of it Corbin especially when it comes to my girl.” I was shocked to hear Seth say that and I didn’t Shoot him down like I would have done anyone else if they would have called me their girl. Baron walked away and I looked at Seth “thanks for that.” He smiled at took a drink of his drink “no need to thank me he’s a creep.” I smiled and sighed, it was just a few people left at the party. everyone else I guess left earlier “I guess tonight over.” I looked at Seth and I don’t know if it was the fact i liked him or if it was the alcohol and I couldn’t stop my mouth. “It doesn’t have to end.”

He looked at me like he didn’t understand me and I looked at him “are you drunk?” He shook his head “no I only had a drink or two why?” I smiled “drive me home please.” He nodded his head “sure thing roman take the rental back to the hotel.” He nodded at Seth and I grabbed my vodka and walked out the door and unlocked my car, I threw my keys at Seth and got in the passenger side Seth quickly followed my steps and while we were driving I started rubbing his thigh and occasionally I would rub where is dick was in his pants, he shifted in the seat and adjusted his self “Arielle I need you to stop.” I looked at him and hummed “why’s that.” He looked over at me and put my hand back in my lap “because I won’t be able to wait and I’ll pull over right here and just fuck you.” I smiled at him “well maybe I don’t want to wait.” He looked at me and I unbottoned his pants and pulled his hard dick out and I put in my mouth and he drove with one and and his other was on my head.

A car honked and he whipped in the lane he was suppose to be in I lifted my head and he looked at me “your in trouble.” We got to the hotel and he quickly fixed his jeans and I got out and walked into the hotel I finished the bottle of vodka off and I threw it in the trash, Seth hit the elevator button and we both got in once the doors closed he slammed me into the corned and started kissing me. He thrusted into me and his bulge hit me and I moaned the elevator stopped and he parted away from me and two couples got on and we both out of breath and they got on and the doors closed and you could feel the awkwardness in the elevator our floor dinged and we both got off and I started laughing, Seth smacked my ass, I was having a hard time getting into my room so he grabbed my key and got us in he slammed the door shut and pushed me up against the door.

His hand traveled to the back of my neck and he ripped my jumpsuit, I gasped and he looked at me “I’ll get you a new one but right now I need you.” He pulled down my panties and he took his shirt off and his pants and underwear I grabbed his dick and started pumping it in my hands and I felt him throb and I bit my lips, he quickly slid in me and we both groaned he snapped his his and I felt him throb in me “god you feel so good.” I kissed his lips and his beard and my hands flew to his back while I had my grip on him he decided to go faster, his hips smacking against mine the sound of skin and skin filled the room besides my moans, I clawed his back and he growled, “you teased me all night and I thought I was going to explod when you started dancing.” I bit my lip and he threw me on the bed and continued his assault with his dick, he pumped in and out of me the head board was hitting the wall making a lot of noise and I could feel my orgasm coming and quick.

“S-Seth I’m close.” he painted “me too baby girl I’m so close just keep doing what your doing.” He pulled out and I took that time to roll us over and I started riding him, he gripped my hips hard enough I knew there were going to be bruises by morning, I sank down on him and tightened around him “f-fuck Arielle p-please move.” I went up and down on him but apparently I wasn’t going fast Enough because he took the pace into his own hands he slammed me up and down on him and he trusted into him “I felt him hit my g-spot and I tightened around him and I came “f-fuck Seth.” His thrust grew sloppy and he pulled out and stuck his dick in my mouth and started thirsting I felt his cock twitch twice in my mouth and his hot cum soon filled my mouth. I swallowed with pride and smiled at him. “So I’ve had a thing for you.” I huffed in between breaths, He smiled and kissed my forehead “me too, since I know that now will you be my girlfriend?” He said in between paints and I smiled “I will most definitely be your girlfriend.” I snuggled up to him and he got up “how about round two in the shower?” I smiled “sure thing baby.” lets just say we had a memorable night together and it all started with liquid courage.

A/N: sorry this was long but I’m not complaining, I hoped yall liked it.

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kentonramsey · 4 years ago

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All The Best Looks From The 2021 Emmys Red Carpet

The 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards are here to honour the best in prime time television over the last year. And though we might be a bit biased from having literally nothing else to do during lockdown, it feels safe to say that we're in a golden era of television. From Mare of Easton to Sex Education and Hacks, we've been pretty spoilt for choice. While last year's awards were hosted over Zoom due to the pandemic, this year's event returns in person, bringing together a host of talent in Los Angeles, California. And from the looks on the red carpet — both from veterans and those that are new to the scene — it seems that TV’s biggest stars are ready to bring the noise, even giving the recent Met Gala red carpet a run for its money. A welcome departure from the pared-back fashion that usually reigns at the Emmys, this year we're seeing guests take things up a notch with literal claws courtesy of Emma Corrin in Miu Miu, uninhibited glamour from Nicole Byer in Christian Siriano, and modern corsetry inspiration via Kerry Washington's chic Etro slip dress. Read on for all the best looks from the 2021 Emmys Red Carpet.

Billy Porter in Ashi StudioGetty Images

Nicole Byer in Christian Siriano

Dan Levy in Valentino

Angela Bassett in Greta Constantine

Anya Taylor-Joy in Dior

Issa Rae in Aliétte

Tracee Ellis Ross in Valentino

America Ferrera

Emma Corrin in Miu Miu

Yara Shahidi in Dior

MJ Rodriguez in Versace

Sarah Paulson in Carolina Herrera

Mandy Moore in Carolina Herrera

Kerry Washington in Etro

Samira Wiley in Genny

Amy Poehler

Cynthia Erivo in Louis Vuitton

Gillian Anderson in Chloé

Annie Murphy in Valentino

Elizabeth Olsen in The Row

Carl Clemons-Hopkins

Michaela Coel in Christopher John Rogers

Kate Winslet in Armani Privé

Aidy Bryant in Simone Rocha Getty Images

Jennifer Coolidge in Christian Siriano

Kaley CuocoGetty Images

Seth Rogen

Beanie Feldstein in Brandon Maxwell

Uzo Aduba in Cristina Ottaviano

Taraji P. Henson in Elie Saab

Olivia Colman in Roksanda

Bowen Yang in Zegna

Devery Jacobs in Lesley Hampton

Hannah Einbinder in Prada

Rachel Lindsay in Christopher John RogersGetty Images

Sophia Bush

Emerald Fennell in Valentino

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

The Internet Loves These Sex Education Charactersi

All The Looks From The 2021 Met Gala

Unbothered Picks The Best TV Shows Of The Year

All The Best Looks From The 2021 Emmys Red Carpet published first on https://mariakistler.tumblr.com/

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womenofcolor15 · 5 years ago

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The Oscars Were Pretty Dry, But The Afterparty & Watch Party Scene HIT – The Wades, The Wests, The Wilsons, Klay & Laura, Kerry, Tracee, Tessa, Lena & MORE!

In case the Oscars didn’t do it for you, the afterparty scene was super LIT. Go inside to see how your faves Kanye & Kim West, Gabby & D.Wade, Ciara & Russell Wilson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Tessa Thompson, Lena Waithe and tons more hit the afterparty scene….

This year’s Oscars ceremony was REAL white, dry and unseasoned.

However, the afterparty scene was lit with melanin and celebs def brought their A+ fashion game to Vanity Fair’s annual Oscars afterparty - hosted by Radhika Jones - held at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. All the “IT” folks were there to mix, mingle and have fun.

OK...we see Gabrielle Union and her hubby Dwyane Wade coordinated their party 'fits.

Rocking a spring-inspired floral look, the former “AGT” judge slipped on a white strapless Giambattista Valli midi dress that featured white 3D flowers cinched at the waist with a diamond-encrusted belt. She paired the dress with a bomb pair of Jimmy Choo’s ‘Thyra’ sandals.

In case you've been under a rock, catch up on all the deets involving Gabby and her departure from "America's Got Talent" HERE.

Coordinating with his wife, the retired NBA baller rocked a white blazer with lace detailing, black trousers and black shoes.

Mr. & Mrs. West were in the building! Rapper Kanye West showed up at the soiree in an all black Alfred Dunhill 'fit while his wife Kim Kardashian West rocked a dramatic Alexander McQueen dress for the festivities:

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Before The Wests went to an Oscars party.... #KanyeWest #KimKardashianWest

A post shared by TheYBF (@theybf_daily) on Feb 10, 2020 at 5:54am PST

We see you Queen!

American Son actress Kerry Washington killed this Zuhair Murad couture outfit, styled by Luxury Law.

If you haven't heard, she's starring opposite Reese Witherspoon in Hulu's upcoming miniseries, Little Fires Everywhere. Peep the explosive trailer HERE.

Another win for Zuhair Murad!

"black-ish" starlet Tracee Ellis Ross looked like goddess when she hit the carpet in this gold Zuhair Murad Spring 2020 Couture gown with a pleated cape.

The Golden Globe winning actress accessorized her look with Jennifer Meyer Jewelry.

Twirl sis!

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@vanityfair portrait by @markseliger and BTS images by @katiecouric #vfoscars

A post shared by Tracee Ellis Ross (@traceeellisross) on Feb 10, 2020 at 1:01am PST

The Wilsons have been super busy this week, hitting up fashion shows and doing date night. Ciara had to get cut out her dress, Russell Wilson has been getting clowned on social media for his new hair. Either way, they've been outside, bumping along with their growing baby.

The "Level Up" singer is pregnant with her third baby STILL out here looking like a bag of money:

The "America's Most Talented Family" judge stunned in a custom sparkling Ralph & Russo gown that featured a thigh-high slit and crystals.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ciara (@ciara) on Feb 10, 2020 at 10:22am PST

Sheesh. We love to see it.

We were counting on Chrissy Teigen to gives us some meme-able moments during the ceremony, but that sadly didn't happen. However, chick was on the afterparty scene with her hubby/EGOT John Legend.

The "Lip Sync Battle" color commentator floated on the carpet in a seafom green Georges Hobeika couture gown.

Speaking of EGOT...

Oscar nomiee Cynthia Erivo was in the running in two categories and had she won one, she would have officially reached EGOT status. Not only that, she would have been the youngest person and the one who reached the big feat the fastest. Unfortunately, she didn't nab an award last night, however, chick slayed the Oscars red carpet and the afterpary carpet.

The British born actress wowed in a lilac and teal gown with a thigh-high slit. It resembled her white Versace gown she wore on the carpet.

After chatting it up with celebs on the red carpet for the Oscars before the show, "POSE" actor Billy Porter changed from his Giles Deacon couture gown to something more dance ready. The Golden Globe nominated actor slipped into this custom purple and lilac Christian Siriano 'fit, topped with a custom Sarah Sokol Millinery brimmed hat, and a "F*CK U PAY ME" clutch by These Pink Lips.

Billy stay shutting down a carpet, honey.

Kiki Layne is def becoming one of our faves to see on a carpet because chick hardly ever disappoints. Like, ever.

The If Beale Street Could Talk actress looked regal in this sparkly gold Michael Kors gown, styled by Wayman and Micah. The hair, her skin...walking perfection.

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#reginaking x #prada Hair: @larryjarahsims MUA: @makeupbylatrice x #vanityfair

A post shared by Wayman + Micah (@waymanandmicah) on Feb 10, 2020 at 8:59am PST

After getting kissy with Brad Pitt, Oscar winning actress Regina King hit the afterparty scene in a baby blue and black Versace gown, styled by Wayman + Michah.

"Westworld" actress Tessa Thompson looked bomb on the carpet in this mint green trimmed in black vintage Versace high slit gown. Sis snapped with this one.

Actress Megalyn Echikunwoke posed it up at VF's afterparty after cheering her man Chris Rock on during the ceremony.

The "Almost Famous" actress posed it up in a white strappy Hamel gown paired with Stuart Weitzman heels.

Fab directress Ava DuVernay follows a specific blueprint when it comes to her red carpet looks and her Oscars look didn't stray from what works for her. The "When They See Us" director wore an emerald green Galia Lahav gown, styled by Jason Bolden.

On the carpet, the SELMA director snapped shots with EMMY winning writer Lena Waithe.

"The Chi" creator - who recently announced she was getting a divorce after less than a year of marriage - rocked Rich Fresh threads for the Oscars afterparty.

Television producer Shonda Rhimes was all smiles on the carpet in a printed black and white dress.

Oscar winning producer Spike Lee kept his custom Gucci suit on where he paid tribute to the late NBA icon Kobe Bryant. His wife, Tonya Lewis Lee, joined him on the carpet.

Yasssss! Fashion model Halima Aden totally killed this look. She was styling and profiling in a custom-made Atelier by FANG signature pleated fan gown. It was def a one of a kind look that she pulled off perfectly:

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I MEANNN!!!! Dream dress thank you sooo much @katie.keim & @byfang_official for this one of a kind LOOK

A post shared by Halima (@halima) on Feb 9, 2020 at 10:46pm PST

Hmmm...no. We're not feeling model Joan Smalls' Schiaparelli look. What about you all?

"This Is Us" actress Susan Kelechi Watson was picture perfect in Naeem Khan and Stuart Weitzman heels.

"Grey's Anatomy" star Jesse Williams hit the carpet solo, sans his girlfriend/ZOLA actress Taylour Paige.

Rapper Wiz Khalifa put his blunt down long enough to snap a flick on the carpet.

Hmm...do y'all see what we see, or are we reaching?

After celebrating her man's birthday, BlacKKKlansman starlet Laura Harrier posed it up with her BAE/Golden State Warriors player Klay Thompson.

The Spider-Man: Homecoming actress wore a Louis Vuitton ensemble that featured a bustier and a stripped skirt.

Los Angeles Lakers player Anthony Davis brought his longtime girlfriend/mother of his daughter Marlen P. Both. It's rumored he may propose soon.

Singer Miguel and his wife Nazanin Mandi looked goodt.

Looks like singer Usher - in a silk Balmain 'fit - saw something that caught his eye.

Singer Anderson .Paak was too cool for school.

"How To Get Away With Murder" star Aja Naomi King looked like a princess in a Mylah Morales dress, styled by Wayman + Micah.

Come all the way through, Jurnee Smollett!

The Birds of Prey actor looked amazing in a black LBV plunging neckline hooded jersey gown, Jimmy Choo heels, styled by Luxury Law.

View this post on Instagram

Sometimes you just need a little bit of Grace in your life. #vanityfair #oscars

A post shared by Jurnee Smollett Bell (@jurneebell) on Feb 10, 2020 at 2:33am PST

Musical icon Chaka Khan came though looking like the musical goddess that she is...high slits and all.

Bad Boys For Life actor Martin Lawrence brought his fiancee Roberta Moradfar to turn up.

"When They See Us" actor Michael K. Williams pulled up on the party scene.

"Parks & Recreation" star Rashida Jones wowed in a long, black gown.

Our political queen!

Congresswoman Maxine Waters looked like a bag of money.

Maya Rudolph - who presented during the ceremony - kept it cute in a maroon mini dress.

Trans activist/"POSE" executive producer Janet Mock posed it up alongside "POSE" actor Angel Bismark Curiel.

"Queer Eye" star Karamo Brown and his fiance Ian Jordan got kissy on the carpet.

EMMY winner Keegan-Michael Key brought his wife/film producer Elisa Key as his date for the afterparty festivities.

View this post on Instagram

Tradition #vanityfairoscarparty

A post shared by Gabrielle Union-Wade (@gabunion) on Feb 10, 2020 at 8:33am PST

Photos: Getty/MEGA/Backgrid/INSTAR

[Read More ...] source http://theybf.com/2020/02/10/the-oscars-were-pretty-dry-but-the-afterparty-scene-brought-out-all-your-faves-%E2%80%93-the-wade

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wasalwaysagreatpickle · 5 years ago

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Tuesday 5 April 1825

12 10/60

I had lain musing above 1/2 hour –

After going to the cabinet wrote the copy of a longish note to Lady Ouseley which filled the first half sheet note pages small and close then washed and dressed –

Wrote a note to lady Ouseley which Cordingley took when she went out after her dinner 49 upper grosvenor Street giving Mrs B- [Barlow’s] address and apologising for her not having written saying she had been ill etc. but would write soon –

Breakfast at 11 1/4 – Looking over the map of London and dawdling over 1 thing or other till 1 1/2 – then took the porter with me to Hatchett’s (white horse cellar) where the coaches stand that go to Kensington, Hammersmith etc. in Piccadilly (a little way from the Burlington arcade) and got into one – 2 women in it – the coach man knew nothing of Captain Dawson – did not get out till the very end of Hammersmith and then on inquiring found I had gone back a long way, to nearly opposite Saint Mary’s chapel – after many inquiries got to the house at last – Mrs McKenzie came first shewed me into the dining room where the cloth was laid and a large cold, cut, tongue was almost off the edge of the table – she then took me upstairs into her father’s drawing room where I sat with her about 1/4 hour – said we had had a blow-up at Place Vendome – Mrs B- [Barlow] had taken and furnished lodgings and I had been staying with her ever since January 15 – did not wish to inquire Madame de B- [Boyve] but would say to Mrs McK- [McKenzie] I thought her a most dangerous woman – what she said might be true or not – if ill-natured I should never believe it she had said things to affect he character of Mrs B- [Barlow] and it was through Mademoiselle de S- [Sans] the thing got out – said I now liked Mrs B- [Barlow] very much – ah! said Mrs McK- [McKenzie] I thought that would begin before we left – It seems she had thought of go[in]g to the de B-‘s [Boyve] again – now she says she shall not, but will write to Mrs B- [Barlow] whom she said she (Mrs B- [Barlow]) had behaved ill in not writing, I merely said she hardly wrote to anyone – Delivered the buckle and brooch and black pin, and received 4 [shillings] 6 [pence] for the 5 1/2 francs I had paid Mrs B- [Barlow] on leaving the room, Mrs McK [McKenzie] pointed out her own picture taken at 19 – I said I had been so sickened of flattery by Madame de B- [Boyve] I could now hardly say a civil thing – said McK- [McKenzie] – ‘It is certainly very pretty and they all said it did not do me justice – near the door I observed the picture of a handsome woman and inquired – said Mrs McK [McKenzie] that must be nameless – it is the mother of my fathers last children – I pretended ignorance – ask[e]d to see Miss McK [McKenzie] she was in the kitchen below – mamma called her – up she came with a small pitcher of ale in her hand – the poor girl [?] a little – I laughed and said ‘you have something that looks so good there I long to taste it, but dare not’ – mamma made some apology, saying she must not come up empty handed – she must do something – I saw my staying longer just then was not convenient – the old man always dined at 3 and the sight of a stranger would incommode him – a distant glimpse of him respectable looking old man in black – the McK-‘s [McKenzie’s] going home at 5 this evening – Mrs McK [McKenzie] made me promise to dine with 31 Sloane Street at 5 tomorrow –

Walked leisurely back as far as almost to Sloane Street – in passing through Kensington inquired for the house of Sir Hector Maclean – 1 Allen Terrace (very neat small houses) – turned back a little to reconnoitre it – passed and repassed – hesitated whether to call on old Coll and Breadalbrane – said I to myself here I am no carriage – no friends – with me – no servant – it wont do – had I a dashing equipage I would call to inquire after Miss McL- [Maclean] – c’est ça – and I quietly pursued my way back – near the end of Sloane Street got into a coach – 2 respectable looking 1/2 ladies of the city, and a respectable looking man – the coach stopt at Saint Paul’s, and set us down – I went to the general post-office Lombard Street the office I wanted – to get M- [Mariana’s] letter not forwarded to Paris because unpaid for – was shut – shuts at 2 p.m. –

In returning along cheapside turned down Bread street (opposite to Milk street) I went down towards the river as far 18 Bread street hill – went into the warehouse – Mr Hancock at dinner – he was called down – saw and spoke to him for a minute – asked if he would supply [James?] in the country – no! against the custom – they could not do it it would interfere with the retailers where they supply – did not even supply his uncles and aunts – said I had wished to ask the question of himself knowing the thing to be not customly, but being desired to know whether he could do it or not – sorry to have given him the unnecessary trouble of coming down – he was very civil – very good, white, clean teeth – struck me as a handsome likeness of Mrs Cunliffe’s cousin the Mr Kingston we saw in Paris – a thorough tradesman – his partner’s name Hog – the street very narrow – a mere lane – not a good house in it – Mr H- [Hancock’s] house painted in imitation of red brick – 3 storeys I think – 2 smallish windows in a story – a poor looking place for all but making money –

He had a black coat and waistcoat and fawn coloured trowsers on clean neck handkerchief and looked clean and neat but thoroughly a tradesman he was at dinner it was a quarter past five, his civility was that of a civil tradeship tradesman when I apologized for calling him down so unnecessarily he said ‘oh not at all I am sorry you have come out of your maam as I walked away along the street I kept exclaiming to myself again and again god bless my soul then thinking of her aunts letter said twenty times over in her own words il ny apas de choix thought it is enough how could she admire him could he even at place vendome seem like a gentleman how could she then think of him seriously how can she do so now she has owned she did not like the grocership before knowing me why lay so much stress on not being able to like him on my account said I to myself I will see what sort of a place bury hall is –

In returning just on this side Temple bar, got into a Fulham coach thinking I should thus get home in 1/4 hour by 6 – the man stopt on the way – I said I would get out – then said he you must pay [their] fare though it was only 2 or 3 minutes since I had got in – after all I got out in Coventry Street – the fare was 18 pence I would only pay a shilling – a gentleman within had it would be enough – the coachman insisted – I went into sort of gin shop when he had stopt, to inquire if it could be right to pay the whole fare to Fulham for going so short a distance – the people said the mad had a right to his full fare if I had only gone 20 yards, and would [incur] a penalty if he did not charge it – said I the man often takes less – there is a gentleman with n who constantly gives him a shilling the fellow attempted to deny it, but could not – he saw the gentleman had told me – however I saw it was useless disputing therefore paid the 1 [shilling] 6 [pence], and after all just got ho[me] at 6 – washing my hands and waiting for soup which they fancied not ordered made not have my dinner till 6 3/4 – gravy soup and haunch of mutton, and a small butter pudding yesterday – mock turtle soup, and boiled beef and tarts today – I only drank about 1/4 my pint of wine yesterday –

I am sure someone has taken at least a glass –

After dinner wrote the last 7 lines of p. 270, and pp. 271, 272, and some far of this and had done at 11 1/4 – very fine day – warm – Felt a good deal harassed and unwell just looked so ill and old, wrinkled under my eyes, this morning I was quite struck with myself – Mrs McK- [McKenzie] when I told her I had been ill, said she had thought I was looking delicate – Cordingley asked me tonight if I was ill, saying I had looked much worse these last 2 or 3 days – I said no – perhaps I was a little tired – perhaps the climate did not agree with me just at first – I had eaten no meat in Paris from the time of my consulting M. [Dupuytrus] – taking meat and wine may have affected me, as well as the fatigue of the journey – I feel the blood in my head, and if my head was swelled and full –

#anne lister #1825 #anne lister code breaker

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fashiontrendin-blog · 7 years ago

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Children’s clothes that are so cool we wish they came in adult size

https://fashion-trendin.com/childrens-clothes-that-are-so-cool-we-wish-they-came-in-adult-size-2/

Children’s clothes that are so cool we wish they came in adult size

Blame it on Prince George and Princess Charlotte, (and pretty soon Prince Louis too) we’ve never been so obsessed with what the famous tots of the world are wearing.

Children’s clothes have their own brand of adorable trends for this season. Just as gorgeous as the ready-to-wear collections, the little ones’ are embracing prints, zebra print and florals as much as we are. In fact, some of it is so great we wish they’d make it in adult size too.

Prepare for the fact that your little girl may out-do you in the style stakes this season with their mini-me party dresses, sparkling flats, floral blouses and backpacks.

As for the boy’s collections, logo sweatshirts, printed swim shorts and cool jeans are the top looks for little dudes. And when it comes to shoes, boys can be just like dad with cool trainers for running around in. We don’t know who’s more excited about shopping these stylish wares, us or them.

From designer to high street, we’ve rounded up the children’s clothes for you to smarten up their back to school wardrobes with. From mini-me party dresses to see them through important events such as their best friend’s birthday party, to bold, printed satchels to be the envy of their friends at school.

We’ve included the must-have Gucci kidswear (the first kidswear collection to be available on Net a Porter), and don’t get us strated on the Chloe overalls and Miss KG unicorn trainers!

We’ve got some seriously cute babygrows for newborns, too. From bunny embroidered styles to designer logos, these are some very Instagrammable ensembles.

But if you don’t have the caviar budget, the high-street is bursting at the seams with achingly cool children’s clothes. All our go to brands for our own wardrobes, like Nexr and Mango have amazing ranges.

From the cutest newborn baby clothes to the kids clothes we wish they made for adults too, we’ve compiled the top children’s clothes available to buy right now. Scroll down to shop our edit…