#but this scarf costed 50 candles! | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

cashmerebabyblanketblog · 3 years

Text

Why Newborns Love Cashmere Baby Blanket

A traditional cashmere baby blanket means your favourite sweater won't ever exit of fashion. What do most of us do after we discover that one great pair of girls's jeans? Sure, it may take a while to build up your cashmere assortment however if you begin to feel the necessity for a brand new color in your life, you'll know exactly where to go. However, these qualities together with the complicated, time and labor intensive cashmere manufacturing methods make the fabric very costly. It is normal to see cashmere sweaters in luxurious designer retail stores priced at several hundred, even a thousand dollars. Prices differ on the type of cashmere fabric, as well as the standard of building.

A school official has a respectable educational curiosity if the official must evaluation an schooling document to have the ability to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. • The right to request modification of the student’s schooling information that the mother or father or eligible pupil believes is inaccurate or misleading. Additional data regarding the listening to procedures will be provided to the father or mother or eligible pupil when notified of the right to a listening to. This woodsy floral makes your space really feel as cozy as your favorite sweater. If you need to ship your items to a special location, choose it below.

Pure Cashmere Scarf

Cheaper cashmere products have turn out to be hugely in style just lately. These claim to supply the standard of cashmere for a lower cost, some might use a barely decrease grade of cashmere, or completely different processing methods to make the tip outcome extra inexpensive. And whereas they are comparatively low-cost, they're still usually a minimum of twice the value of wool. Our cashmere products in particular are produced from one hundred pc Grade A Mongolian cashmere, making certain the standard and longevity of our clothes. We don't use “cashmere blends” that compromise the product, which means our pieces have the traits that this material should have.

Store By Fit

Cashmere is soft and feels great in opposition to the pores and skin because the fibers are much finer than wool and are spun tightly to supply a clean, delicate texture. Not solely does cashmere maintain you warm with out including bulk, it also has natural stretch, so you'll be able to transfer easily whereas sporting it. Ease into fall in perfect sweaters for now and later. Powdery musks add an expensive interpretation to the iconic Kush candle. Connotating opulence and craftsmanship this scent hits deep with textured cashmere woods, white amber and earthy vetiver. Discover the distant and unknown via this exotic tonic of heady pot flower gum.

From cashmere hats to scarves, they’re a sumptuously delicate addition to any cold-weather outfit – and make the proper present too. You’ll additionally find sustainable knitwear that’s been spun with recycled cashmere fibres. Cashmere is a wanted and costly material, usually used in high-end clothes and textile products. It has a combination of distinctive properties which have earned cashmere its popularity as a luxury materials and justify its premium price. These properties are why cashmere is the material of choice for Jet&Bo journey equipment.

Sipping on a warm vanilla Chai and a getting lost in a good e-book. Lower-quality cashmere with a brief fiber length could additionally be more susceptible to shedding. Add a teaspoon or two of baby shampoo or wool wash, and swish it around. The tiny scales that make up the surface of the fiber are smoother and fewer than these on sheep’s wool. So regardless of being warmer than wool by weight, cashmere doesn’t overheat you simply.

Due to restricted, handmade production, these are after all very, very expensive. The cashmere goat has a protecting outer coat of coarse fibre that is four to 20 cm (1.5 to 8 inches) in length. The downy undercoat is made up of the nice, delicate fibre generally known as cashmere, which ranges from 2.5 to 9 cm (1 to three.5 inches) lengthy. Most of this down fibre is plucked or combed out by hand during the molting season. The annual yield per animal ranges from a quantity of grams to about 0.5 kilogram.

Pure cashmere, ensuing from removing animal grease, dirt and coarse hairs from the fleece, is estimated at about 6,500 tons . It is estimated that on common yearly production per goat is a hundred and fifty grams (0.33 lb). The wealthy, contrasting tones of Grey, Black and Charcoal make this impeccably-crafted throw vital accessory for upgrading your house décor. While the gentle touch of wool and cashmere create a grab-anytime piece you presumably can lay throughout your lap (and someone else’s) for those cozy nights in. Pompeii Quartz is made with natural stone products and shade variation is inherent.

Stick With Basic Colours

The data generated by the cookies about your use of the Site might be transmitted to and saved by Google on its servers, turning into accessible to webmasters by way of Google Analytics providers. Today the historical past of cashmere passes by way of the workshops in Solomeo, where since 1978 Brunello Cucinelli’s instinct has bestowed upon this yarn a model new enchantment and modern colours. Since then, the historical past of this wonderful yarn has cut throughout the evolution of different civilizations, tying together the East to the West, conventional heritage to up to date creations. We requested the consultants to inform us the difference between a $50 cashmere sweater and a $500 one. [newline]Then we found our six favorites at a wide selection of prices.

The Means To Wash Cashmere Within The Machine

This listing wouldn’t be complete with out this sustainably and ethically made staple. Naadam is all about sourcing its supplies in a way that’s finest for both the surroundings and every individual involved in the manufacturing process, including the goat herders in Mongolia. And whilst you may be skeptical of a 100-percent cashmere sweater that costs less than $100, maybe the 50k+ 5-star reviews will assist change your thoughts. The perfect method to layer up, our cashmere cardigans never go out of fashion.

High-quality cashmere-coating materials usually comprise less than 5 % of the coarse hair; fine-quality sweaters contain lower than 1 %. The fibres have diameters finer than those of the best wools. The Kashmir goats of China and Mongolia yield fibre with diameters ranging from 14.5 to 16.5 micrometres; that of Iranian goats is 17.5 to 19.5 micrometres. Colour, often grey or tan, varies from white to black. Additionally, an entire process goes into the creation of this materials.

And if value isn’t a problem, you may as nicely go for The Row. The model, which is designed by Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, focuses on crafting attractive staples you can put on for years and years and years. The PureWow editor who recommended this stunner couldn’t overstate just how soft and splendid the material feels and the way, although she’s petite, the match is just the right amount of oversize. If I might solely buy one merchandise from the laundress, it will be this.

Prep for the fall with our new and improved Cashmere Wrap. For the best expertise, we use cookies and related tools to assist Etsy function, for efficiency, analytics, personalisation and advertising. Join the Good On You community to discover much more moral and sustainable fashion. At Good On You, we all the time recommend checking a brand before you buy from it.

Cashmere goats have two layers of hair — thick wiry guard hairs and a super-soft cashmere undercoat. While a sheep can produce a minimal of three kilos of wool each year, a cashmere goat will solely give you around 200 grams. The precise material comes from the wool of pashmina and cashmere goats, creatures as playful as they're valuable. Not to be confused with sheep , cashmere undergoes a unique process to turn out to be what we come to know and love.

The material having two identical sides also allows for the creation of reversible kinds. From reversible jackets to reversible coats and even clothes, this stuff are actually versatile. The pinnacle of pure fabrics is double-face cashmere, and it is an important element of the signature Akris look.

It's frizzy and dry and no matter what merchandise I've used up to now, nothing helps. I tried Olaplex which is a bonding system so many people love but it did completely nothing to improve the feel, breakage and dryness in my hair. I'm beyond satisfied and happy and shall be shopping for this again and attempting out you are different products as well. Thank you to the In Common girls for bringing this to us at house. I do have a Brazilian blowout treatment at present, and my different products usually assist blowout/air dry with physique and no frizz.

"I'd be scouring vintage retailers for the proper toss-on-and-go cardigan that I might wear with a tee or by itself, and this was the first one that checked all the packing containers," she says. Its gentle, relaxed silhouette and darling buttons make this a bit you'll have the ability to put on with anything. Quince is a minimalist's dream, providing up beautiful, basic cashmere pieces for wallet-friendly costs. The brand, which was created from the ethos that good issues should not be expensive, is home to the $50 Cashmere Crew.

Trading in industrial portions of raw cashmere between Asia and Europe began with Valerie Audresset SA, Louviers, France, claiming to be the primary European firm to commercially spin cashmere. The down was imported from Tibet by way of Kazan, the capital of the Russian province of Volga, and was utilized in France to create imitation woven shawls. Unlike the Kashmir shawls, the French shawls had a special sample on both sides. The imported cashmere was spread out on large sieves and beaten with sticks to open the fibers and clear away the dust. After opening, the cashmere was washed and youngsters removed the coarse hair. The down was then carded and combed using the same methods used for worsted spinning.

But as all the time with quick trend, if you get a low value, somebody or one thing is paying, someplace. But nowadays, with the advent of quick fashion (her again?), it’s turn into simple to seek out cashmere beanies, scarfs and crewnecks at very aggressive prices. Nowadays, cashmere still comes from Asia, where it’s produced and refined before being sent West. We’re engaged on a cashmere buy-back Program to scale back waste and provides your used cashmere a second life. All our cashmere is fair-trade & cruelty-free—and we always put the wellbeing of our shepherds and goats first.

Let the warm tones and 100% cashmere contact of this reversible throw transport you to a place of sweet internal peace and on a regular basis bliss. Two soothing shades of Beige ready the mind for deep rest while a contrasting shade line adds an elegant, modern twist for a recent look and feel. This fetching cardigan is all in regards to the fringe advantages. Doubles as a light-weight coat for chilly evenings or morning espresso outdoors. They are sheared once a year and a full grown grownup buck will yield as a lot as 2.5 pounds of fleece. The fleece consists of two kinds of fiber, cashmere and guard hair.

The 10 Greatest Child Blankets For 2021

This darling little cashmere baby blanket will add slightly sparkle to any baby's room. Kit includes Baby's Best yarn proven in White Sparkle/Grey or select any Baby's Best colors. Four pretty crochet child blanket designs, nice to give as items.

For an optimized shopping experience in your local forex attempt ordering from our European store.

Handmade with love and care, every of our blankets and quilts is exclusive with its personal candy details and is assured to offer baby a delicate place to nestle. The perfect gift for that artful someone special. Send a present card to any member of the family or friend by email. This is a kit to knit a sweater, bonnet and booties. Shown in Pink or select any color. A darling double ruffle border and a bouquet of roses for that special baby.

Cashmere baby blanket with wealthy textures and delicate lace border. Just a contact of lace shown in Mary Maxim Baby's Best makes the Lacy Edge blanket a particular gift for any family welcoming a new addition. The crafter is rigorously led spherical after round via the border of the Lacy Edge Blanket, building upon the center panel to create a delicate body of lace. Kit consists of Mary Maxim Baby's Best yarn. Our baby swaddle blankets are perfect for wrapping your new child up tightly, making them really feel safe and serving to them to sleep longer and more soundly. Our safety blankets — warm, delicate, thick and huggable at sixteen by 16 inches, are a baby’s good companion. We also provide three-layer quilt blankets, which you need to use to swaddle your child, wrap them as you carry them and so many different uses.

The Grace Lutheran congregation is involved as nicely, donating new child outfits and diapers for the babies to take residence as they are discharged. They usually have fun their year-long effort with a baby shower luncheon, but as a result of COVID-19 protocols, they were unable to assemble the whole group. The crochet sand stitch is a great stitch to be taught to showcase yarn colours that are daring and scream for attention!

In concept, the idea ought to work. But I surprise if the thickness of the fleece would cause the seam to be bulky. I'd recognize any suggestions should you've used fleece for a self-binding blanket. Begin by folding collectively the sides of the blanket to type a point within the corner. Smooth out the material to create a triangle within the nook of the blanket. Now it's time to sew the top to the bottom.

You can wrap your baby up nicely on this spacious blanket from Grandmas2Share, cool in color but ultrasoft, and heat in a pure cotton knit cloth with a delicate pattern. For parents who're all the time hitting the street or skies, you’ll desire a blanket that’s not just cozy, but travel-friendly. This highly rated minky blanket from Boritar is tremendous delicate and could be rapidly rolled up when not in use. [newline]It’s additionally machine cleanable for when the inevitable occurs. These candy flannel receiving blankets are produced from one hundred pc cotton and are available packs of seven. If you’re looking for an everyday blanket at an excellent worth, this may be a strong option. Bathing fits for youths are another nice child bathe reward for the summer.

At the HealthAlliance Hospital in Kingston, NY, as an example, the housekeeping staff buys 3, % cotton blankets a yr, and often makes use of 4 to 5 of them for every new child. Wondering what these white curds are in your baby's poop? Here are the possible causes behind it and when you need to speak to a physician. Parade’s blankets come in one measurement and get rave reviews from dad and mom. However a couple of note that the coloring truly does range from what you may see within the pictures, so manage your expectations accordingly.

We can’t think about a listing of one of the best child blankets that don’t have the Aden + Anais classic swaddle blanket at the prime of its listing.

Set your machine to the zig-zag sew .

It’s a crochet sew sample that’s easy to make however nonetheless intriguing to the attention.

To train your right to direct Brooklinen to not sell your personal info, please visit Do Not Sell My Info .

Alternatively the velvety exterior and fluffy interior of our Dreamsack™ is certain to keep your little LOVE heat and comfortable.

But in addition to being a cute memento of a second in time in baby’s life, they’re additionally extremely useful. Cool Casual Design Leanne Ford kids collection A recent lineup of furnishings, decor and accessories designed for kids who like to create, play and make magic together. All Little Giraffe products are created from the best quality, softest textiles, and supply not only consolation, however soothe and calm baby for restful sleep.

Givenchy Kids

One giant granny square labored in an eye-catching pattern. Shown in Rainbow or select any shade. This cute blanket will deliver a smile to everyone.

Organic Cotton Child Romper

I love utilizing flannel for baby blankets. It's soft, comes in plenty of patterns and colors and is cheap. It's also great for beginners because it's straightforward to sew with. Hopefully you now know tips on how to make a blanket so you might make cute child bathe presents. These are so easy to make, I stitched up a number of in new time.

This minky blanket is a perfect measurement for swaddling baby and for utilizing as a breastfeeding cowl. [newline]Keep your precious infant warm, cosy and fashionably cool with a luxurious designer blanket, baby nest or baby sleeping bag. Our carefully picked edit includes solely essentially the most fabulous luxurious labels from leading designers around the globe. You’ll find every thing you need in our assortment to maintain your baby wrapped in luxurious while they sleep. We have designs and styles to suit every nursery, and a few delightfully understated designer baby blankets perfect for christenings.

Adorable rattles for your little one! Each kit contains Amigurumi yarn, embroidery floss, crochet hook, tapestry needle, rattle insert, wood ring and polyester stuffing. When it comes to the best stroller blanket for child when she’s on the go, look no further than the Pottery Barn chamois blanket. It’s not too heavy or cumbersome, but not too flimsy either; it’s the proper weight for many days outdoors. We love the whimsical dot and stripe reversible pattern, out there in 5 basic, match-with-anything colors. This candy blanket is monogrammable like most Pottery Barn products, so you’ll by no means have to surprise which one is yours.

Every soft blankie shares the sensation of affection and a hug. Browse all of our child blankets now to surround your baby in comfort. This soft and cozy blanket from Hudson Baby is a superb choice for newborns. Not only is it super soft and snuggly, it comes with an identical stuffed animal lovey. Plus, with multiple gender-neutral prints to choose from, this set is ideal for gifting.

We search the world for the few materials that meet our excessive requirements so we could be certain you’ve by no means felt something softer! Our materials retain their luxurious finish and heirloom high quality after years of easy care. All of our materials retain their luxurious finish and heirloom quality after years of simple care. Simply drop your Little Giraffe plush blanket in a cold-water wash cycle and hold or dry flat to preserve the ultrasoft hand feel. Avoid utilizing bleach when washing blankets for infants and keep away from heat to guard the polyester fibers.

The groups of double crochets look like they're made in a zig-zag pattern. It is a versatile stitch that would swimsuit a variety of totally different yarns and tasks. The side saddle crochet stitch is just a combination of single crochets, double crochets, and chains, yet it looks so distinctive. It has an attractive, geometric pattern when seen straight on. Whether you are designing a collage or printing a single picture, creating the right customized product is fast, simple and enjoyable.

Dog Baby Blanklette

Whether you're buying for your friend's child shower or creating a present registry of your personal, baby swaddles are a useful item for any parent-to-be. For a thoughtful newborn gift concept, pair the child swaddle blankets with bibs, stroller blankets and bandanas in comparable prints. Wrap your baby in soft, trendy baby blankets from Crate & Kids. Choose the perfect infant blanket for your bundle of pleasure from our number of knit, waffle and 100% cotton materials. For an extra-cozy (and extra-cute) option, select a hooded child blanket.

Plus, the bag has facet slits so you can safely use your stroller or car seat’s straps to keep baby safe. By now you realize that babies should sleep with absolutely nothing of their crib except a mattress and a breathable crib sheet. But if you’re concerned that your little one might get a bit chilly, these wearable blankets are a nice way to safely keep them heat as they snooze. These one hundred pc cotton muslin quilts from Little Unicorn are a favorite of our editorial director.

It never appears dated or cutesy or Disney. Avoid child blankets with attachments like tassels, hanging ribbons, or buttons. Anything that may potentially fray, fall off, or cause a choking or tangling hazard must be averted. The Urban Bundleme bunting bag has a heat and comfortable sherpa lining.

We have plenty of free and simple patterns in your favorite yarns corresponding to Bernat Baby Blanket. Baby blankets are nice for novices, or for advanced knitters to jazz it up with a chevron design. Baby blankets come in a variety of sizes from the traditional receiving blanket to much bigger, thicker choices. You would possibly want quite a lot of sizes and thicknesses for different functions, from swaddling to tummy time. Keep in thoughts that you just would possibly need a special weight for cooler weather versus within the spring or summer season.

1 note · View note

princeboop · 4 years

Text

I love art.

I hate fine art.

I admire it and enjoy it. I hate how much it costs and how it came to that value. Museums are needed and good things, but they don't display the right things or the right things aren't displayed in the right way. Art is only appreciated if it's costly and in a form of status and popularity. Protest art becomes what it claims to protest against. Banksy is a peice of shit, con man. All the artists most people know as amazing creators who suffered in their depression or life should not be idolized. Van Gogh beat sex workers for fun. Even the art or artist that had a good head on their shoulders and weren't horrible in some way got their images or work stolen and profited off of in modern day. Frida Kahlo deserves better.

There is so much more art then painting. More then the classics, the abstract or modern art deco crap that costs over 100k. They don't cost that much cause they're good or amazing, it's all status. Art collectors are peices of shit.

I'm so angry everyday at the cost of these things. The world these artists and collectors live in as if they are so great and creative for being rich. How cultured they art for collecting peices from so called 'third world' countries. I hate it.

I hate art.

But I love art. I love making things and creating. And see others make so much. A clay pot with toads on top, because it's cute. A scarf that's also a bag that's also a fish, because they wanted it. Fanart via cosplay of creating a real life perfect replica of a 2d creation. Doodles of someone's original characters laughing or recreating a meme. Beautiful landscapes done in 10 minutes to test a new tablet. Candles made of multiple colors of someone's pride flag they made themselves. Make up inspired by a quote off twitter. Someone's deeply emotional story they wrote and thought up from a shitpost prompt on tumblr. A video of someone playing their favorite TV show opening on piano. I love that art.

Why does that art get criticized for costing more then $20 half the time? Why is $50 for a watercolor painting on etsy considered to be costing too much? The cloak someone made is $150 is apprently over priced cause it's just fabric? The artist who once made free to use video game music is now making a patreon to help them pay for food is suddenly 'not doing it for the love'.

The gap is huge. How one becomes fine arts and costs millions, when not every peice is old and 'esteemed'. But the fine arts of the middle class and poor is treated like it should be free and fast and constant.

There is a lot more to this and I'm really just ranting cause I'm upset. But ugh.

Just getting thoughts out even if incomplete thoughts.

Fuck fine arts and everyone who steps into my work place and pays 10k without a second thought on a poster they got from a museum gift shop. Fuck em.

#boop merps #long post #sorta #im just upset about things im dine i gotta..work now

4 notes · View notes

ourladyhart · 5 years

Text

Ethical Gift Giving (But On A Budget)

I stumbled across this today and I absolutely love it! This is a fantastic chart to get you thinking about ways you can give during the holiday season whilst reducing our future impact on the environment and get creative at the same time. Definitely a win/win!

I have a couple of extra tips to add for those of us on a low income or those who are on a tight budget. The holiday season can be particularly tough when you’re living below the poverty line or are barely making your pay check stretch month to month. It can make us feel excluded or even ashamed of ourselves; and whilst this couldn’t be further from the truth – you are so valid regardless of your financial position – there are lots of different ways that you can still give and feel included with little to no funds.

Give Memories: Lovely photo frames are easily found at $2 shops or op shops; and if you don’t have access to a printer, you can print from your phone or USB at Kmart for about 10 cents a print. Our generation often forgets how nice it is to have physically framed photos and getting a photo that means a lot to your friend or family is a beautiful personal touch.

Total cost: Less than $5

Experience days don’t have to be a trip to the movies, an escape room or ice skating, and the cost of these activities can rack up quickly. Instead, you can make a “movie day” at home for you and a friend. You could even give them this gift in the form of a handmade “IOU 1 Movie Day”. Set up a picnic on the living room floor and watch your favourite movie together. You can also bake together or get some cheap snacks from the supermarket whilst you both veg out.

Total cost: Less than $10

Give Your Time:

I love this one! Again, you could hand make cute vouchers for these, “1 Day of Helping You Organise Your Wardrobe” or “1 Day of Building Your Website”, etc etc.

Remember, in this busy day and age sometimes all we want is actually just time spent with the people we love; and your company is often enough. If your friend suffers from chronic pain or a mental illness; they may love some help with cleaning. Perhaps they don’t often eat a home cooked meal and you could whip something up for them. These actions are often invaluable.

Total cost: Free – Your time

Upcycle:

Well you know this one is absolutely going to be my favourite! I am huge on street finds and items I procure; fixing them up and then passing them on. You can often find great items of furniture or knick knacks in council clean ups. It’s a good idea to check out when the next dates will be in your area; so you can get ready for some “late night shopping”!

If friends give me hand me down items throughout the year, they often come with “Oh, it was almost perfect, but…”. I listen to what they didn’t like about the original item then give it a total up cycle before giving it back to them. It’s often a lovely delight! My favourite of these was when an old flatmate gave me a sad looking lamp. I gave it a really good Tiki Bar sort of look (which she was obsessed with) and gave it back for Christmas. To this day, it’s her favourite object she owns.

Total cost: Free – $50 depending on which materials you use

I’m going to add three of my own sections in here:

Re-Gift:

We all get gifts throughout the year that we’re not sure why they were gotten for us but you’re not really sure what to do with. SAVE THESE ALL! I put all mine in a bag or box in my laundry so when Christmas time comes round, you’ve already got a haul of presents to give. My husband and I often get thank you gifts of alcohol from the community, but neither of us drink. Other people certainly do though and this is a lovely gift for people who do drink to receive.

I know there is a bit of controversy on re-gifting, but I know if I gave a gift that wasn’t quite right, I would love for it to be passed on to someone who could truly appreciate it.

Total Cost: Free

Save The Accessories:

I can’t recommend hanging onto gift bags, used wrapping paper, birthday candles, banners, and cards throughout the year. You can even ask friends or family at the end of their parties if you can have the gift bags or wrapping if they’re going to just throw them out. This saves SO MUCH money each year on having to buy new wrapping equipment, and it’s readily on hand when you need it. If you haven’t been doing this already, start now and put them in with your re-gifting stash for the end of each year. You’ll thank me next Christmas!

Total Cost: Free

Ask:

Your friends and family probably have a whole heap of storage stuff they haven’t been through in ages; and once they do will be looking to unload a lot of stuff. I love to help my friends organise their stuff in exchange for anything they want to give me. The old adage “Ask and you shall receive” is gold here, so pop on your thrifty hat and don’t be afraid to ask those around you if they’ve got anything they want to get rid of.

Total Cost: Free or Time

Buy Second Hand:

Op shops are my definitely jam, with about 95% of my clothes being second hand. My wedding dress was a $45 vintage dress from Vinnies Newtown.

Op Shops (or Thrift Shops for our American friends) are TREASURE TROVES of second hand trinkets, clothes, furniture, and weird things you can only imagine. Give yourself plenty of time to wonder around and let objects or clothes let themselves known to you.

Boutique antique stores can often come with a boutique price tag, but you can find just as wonderful vintage and antique pieces at markets or throughout op shops.

eBay and Gumtree are also great places to find items for a lot cheaper than RRP prices and you can often barter for a lower price or find something similar for a lot less.

Total Cost: $2 plus, depending on what you’re after

Make: One of the most sentimental gifts I made was with a $2 ball of wool and some knitting needles. I sat night after night and knitted my friend a scarf for her birthday. Along with it, I included a beautiful note about how the scarf helped me with my recovery after a hospital stay in June; and that I wanted her to always be warm and cosy. She wore it every day of Winter this year! Other things I’ve made over the years for gifts include hats (of course!), costume pieces, spell jars / spell kits often for success and love, candles, cookies, paintings and general pretty things.

Cooking or baking makes a lot of treats for minimal bucks. You can bake up a large batch of cookies, and even save a bit more cash by buying recipe boxes when they’re on sale at the supermarket. Decorate them then pop some into a tie up bag, it’s a super cute and delicious gift!

Total Cost: $2 plus, depending on what you make

Buy:

Finally, if you must buy; buy independently. Buy from small businesses, buy from artists. Your money will be funding groceries for another week for a family, or maybe even a special treat like going to the movies or purchasing new towels. Buy compassionately and support those who need it most. I can promise you the gift of support you give to these businesses and artists will cause the biggest smiles for Christmas; and that’s what spreading the true joy of the season is all about.

Bonus Tip!

You can also save money on feeding the masses by opting for food options designed to feed a lot of people at once. Meals like spaghetti bologanise, BBQ, pizza, rice and so forth may not be typically Christmassy; but they will stretch to feed a lot for less.

You can also ask everyone to bring a dish and then all the guests can share a bounty of food whilst keeping in with the community spirit.

Total Cost: $5 plus depending on what you make

#DIY #Christmas Ideas #Christmas Gift #diychristmas #tipsandtricks #lowincome #christmas on a budget #thrifty gift

6 notes · View notes

swanqueeneverafter · 5 years

Text

What Dreams May Come, Pt.27

Henry's Dreamscape. Kingdom of Valencia. The Bottle Yard. (Queen Madelena and Gareth enter the tavern in the middle of a brawl. Upon spotting their king and queen however, the patrons settle themselves.) Bearded Man: "Crown!" Queen Madelena: “So, how does this whole bar-fight thing work?” Gareth: “Well, usually, we have a pint or two. And then I catch someone looking at me, I insult his mother, and then away we go.” Queen Madelena: “Oh, good. Let's start. (Looks around:) Oh. What about him? He gave you a momentary glance.” Gareth: “Mm. Did he? (Walks over and shoves the man:) Oi! You got a problem?” Bald Man: “Uh, none at all, uh, Your Highness.” Queen Madelena: “Well, you should. King Gareth just called your mother a two-bit hussy.” Bald Man: “Oh, uh, right you are, My King! My mother is a hussy. In fact, she's the biggest hussy in the land.” Bald Man’s Mother: “Indeed, I am, your grace!” Man 2: (Stands:) “My mother sells herself, as well, Your Majesty.” Man 3: “Mine too! Filthiest woman in the whole red-candle district.” Man 4: “My father's a hussy!” (Soon all the patrons are shouting indistinctly. Annoyed, Gareth turns and leaves, Madelena following him out of the tavern.) Enchanted Forest. Past. (David and his faithful dog, Wilby, are walking through the woods on their way to Longbourn.) David: (Notices something in the dog’s mouth:) “What did you find, Wilby? A cup. Why don't you let me hold your treasure? Come on. We got to get to Longbourn before dark. (The dog whimpers and returns the way it came:) Wilby! Wilby! (Follows:) Wilby! Wilby! (Barking:) Wilby!” (The dog leads him to a wagon, standing alone in the forest.) Peddler: (Stepping out from behind a tree:) “Can I help you?” David: (Turns to face him:) “Oh, sorry to intrude. My dog got something into his head.” Peddler: “Say, that's my cup you have there. Went over a bump a while back and dropped it. I thought it was lost. Not good for a traveling merchant to be so careless with his goods.” David: “Well, that explains it then. Wilby must've gotten the scent of it. My mother says he's a bloodhound in a sweater. (Hands over the cup:) Sorry it's a little battered.”

Peddler: “Oh, that's all right. Worth it to see such a fine animal like this. (Crouches down to pet the dog:) You are a fine little fella, aren't you? (Chuckles:) Made camp here last night so no brigands would find me.” David: “Brigands?” Peddler: (Stands:) “Oh, yes. I usually never travel this road alone. Say, which way are you headed?” David: “To Longbourn.” Peddler: “Fate has smiled upon our heads. That's exactly where I'm headed. Perhaps we can travel together? My name’s Gabriel.” David: “David. (They shake hands:) That sounds fine.” Gabriel: “Hop on up. I'm eager to get started for the day.” (While David heads to the front of the wagon, Gabriel opens the back, revealing several large chains, armour and axes.) Elsewhere In The Forest. (Blue, still in her human form, walks alongside Snow White.) Blue Fairy: “Do you really have to go, Princess Snow? The fairies can help you. Surely there is a way other than leaving your home.” Snow White: “Home is where your family is, and by now, that's pretty much just the woman who's trying to kill me.” Blue Fairy: “There's an old fairy saying. If someone believes in you, you are never alone. All the people love you.” Snow White: (Scoffs:) “Love.” Blue Fairy: “Love is the most powerful magic in the world.” Snow White: “Really? You know that brooch I sold? My father gave that to my mother because he loved her. She treasured it because it was from him. After she died, you know what he did? He gave it to Regina because he loved her, too. She treated it like trash. His love meant everything to my mother and nothing to my step-mother. See, love doesn't hold its value. The only thing that's maintained its value this entire time is the brooch, and I can't afford to invest in anything less. (Holds up a pouch:) This? This can buy me something that can actually change my life... a ticket out of here. (They hug:) Goodbye, Blue.” Blue Fairy: “Be careful. Danger can look harmless at first.” Henry's Dreamscape. (Ella, Richard & Roberta ride upon their one remaining horse when it stops walking.) Richard: “It stopped. This is what happened to the last one.” Ella: “Okay, okay. Let's just try giving it a kick. It worked before. One, two, three. Kick.” (They all attempt to prod the horse into walking, but the animal does not want to move:) Great.” Richard: “It's useless. (They all climb off the horse:) How could things have gone so bad so quickly? Those stupid bats ate all our food. We all got the same cold. Worst of all...” Ella: “Please don't say it again.” Richard: “We had to eat that family of hobbits.” Roberta: “Ugh. Richard, look, I'm sorry we had to eat hobbits. But we didn't have a choice. We're starving.”

Richard: (Notices a signpost up ahead:) “Hold on a minute. ‘Sir Arnold Galavant’s Swordsmanship School.’ Huh. This sounds promising.” Ella: “Uh... No. (They turn to face her:) We don’t have time to enroll you in some sword fighting class, if that’s what you’re thinking.” Richard: “Why ever not? Neither of you two have managed to train me.” Ella: “That’s because we’re always too busy fighting off bandits who want to rob and kill us while you scream like a little girl.” Richard: “That is not- (Glances at Roberta:) Okay, fine. But it’s a school. At the very least they’ll have food.” Roberta: (Pleading:) “We ate hobbits.” Ella: “No, we have to keep moving. Look, I'm sure we could find a warm bed and a nice meal in literally any other direction. (They turn to look at other signposts. One reads ‘Nothing for 20 miles’. Another reads ‘Nothing for 50 miles’ and the last simply says ‘This way to certain death’:) Oh, fiddlesticks.” The Land Without Magic. (Emma and Regina are driving back to Storybrooke.) Regina: "So, do you want to talk about what happened back there?" Emma: "What part in particular? The fact that Henry is now trapped in the dreamworld, or the part where we have to ask our friends and family to form an army to save him because we can't?" Regina: "Then you agree, we should stay behind?" Emma: "What? No, I just meant that-" Regina: "Because I think you should seriously consider sitting this one out." Emma: "Me? You're the one who's pregnant here." Regina: "Yes, I'm pregnant, not disabled." Emma: (Winces:) "Look, I'm sorry, but I know what you were gonna say. You think it's a bad idea for me to go through the curse again." Regina: "I saw how you were with Facilier." Emma: "Hey, I did fine with Facilier." Regina: "Only after you realised it wasn't him. I think that speaks volumes." Emma: "I'm not talking about this. I'm going, end of discussion." Regina: (Glares at her, coolly:) "Pull over at the next stop. (At Emma's look:) I have to pee. I’m pregnant, remember?" (Emma nods but says nothing, clearly aware that the discussion is far from over.)

Storybrooke. Outside Granny’s Diner. (David sits across from Jefferson, a destroyed hat between them.) David: “Can you get me through?” Jefferson: “No.” David: “Can you get them back? Can you get it to work?” Jefferson: (Laughs:) “If you only knew.” David: “Okay, I know you have others so use one of them and take me to wherever Henry and Hook are being held.” Jefferson: “They're in Morpheus’ realm, that's for sure. I just can't go there.” David: “Can’t or won’t?” Jefferson: “I already meddled in Morpheus’ affairs once and it cost me dearly. You can’t win in his world.” David: “So you won't help me?” Jefferson: “My days as a portal jumper are over. I tried to warn you people this would happen and now it has. It’s out of my hands.” David: (Grabbing Jefferson by the scarf:) “I’m not letting you off that easy. How about I just throw you in a cell until you agree to help me?” Jefferson: “Then all we'll do is both sit, thinking of those we’ve lost... Double the pain. Double the suffering.” (Jefferson tips over the table and flees. David chases after him, but is stopped by Lily.) Lily: “David, stop!” David: “Get out of my way!” Lily: “No, what is going on?” David: “He has the way!” Lily: “The way? The way to what?” David: “To saving Henry... (Realising:) And your father.” Lily: “My father? What’s this about?” David: (Sighs:) “Henry and Killian are trapped in the Dream World, and I’m trying to find a way to get to them.” Lily: “And you think the best way to do that is by threatening everyone?” David: “Jefferson’s been there before, he could easily take me there if he wanted to, but he refuses.” Lily: “You want to put your trust in the Mad Hatter’s hat? The rules of that thing change with the wind, it’s far too unstable.” David: “Then what’s your big idea, sheriff?” (Without waiting for an answer, David storms away. Watching him leave, Lily thinks for a moment before getting an idea.)

Henry's Dreamscape. (The trio arrive outside the swordsmanship school and Ella is still not convinced.) Ella: "Listen, we don't have time for this. I promise to train you myself while we continue our search for an army." Richard: "Unless you can train me while we eat, I'm not interested. (To Roberta:) So hungry." Roberta: "Yeah. (They walk through the gates together:) I wonder if dinner is steak?" Richard: "Hear, hear." (Up ahead, the sound of children can be heard.) Arnold: (Carrying several children:) "Ha ha ha! Ah, greetings! Come in. Boys, make way, make way, make way. Welcome, welcome. (Beckoning them inside:) Come, come, come.” Roberta: “You have a lovely home, sir.” Arnold: “Thank you.” Richard: “You have a lot of children. Your wife must be so sore.” (Roberta hits Richard in the chest chidingly.) Arnold: (Chuckles:) “They're not mine. I run a swordsmanship school for at-risk youth. Have been ever since I retired from the heroics game.” Ella: “A school for children?” Roberta: “Should’ve seen that coming.” (They enter the practice area and are swarmed by more boys.) Arnold: “Hey, boys! Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! One at a time.” The Land Without Magic. Roadside Cafe. (Returning from the bathroom together, Emma walks ahead as Regina takes a seat at a table.) Emma: “David said Jefferson won’t help us, so we’ve got- (Notices Regina isn’t behind her, turns and walks to the table:) What are you doing? We can get a drink to-go.” Regina: “I’m not going anywhere until we talk about this.” Emma: (Pulls out a chair and takes a seat:) “All right, let’s talk.” Regina: “Even if you were willing to relive the curse, you still wouldn’t be able to save Henry.” Emma: “We’ll figure something out. We always do.” Regina: “But that’s just it. Morpheus isn’t going to allow us to share a dreamscape. You’ll be reliving the Black Fairy’s curse and I’ll be god knows where.” Emma: “Then what, Regina? We just give in, let Morpheus rule over us all?” Regina: “At least there’s a chance we’ll still be together.” Emma: “Yeah and there was a chance Hades would’ve lived among us in peace, right up until he killed Robin Hood and almost killed you.”

Regina: “Fine, then what do you suggest? That we walk blindly into the Dream World and fight Morpheus on his terms?” Emma: “I don’t know what we’re going to do, but I do know that sitting here won’t accomplish anything. (Stands:) So, you coming?” (Regina watches Emma closely, troubled by what lies ahead for them, and for her wife especially.) Henry's Dreamscape. Swordsmanship School. (Richard stands in front of the other students, sword in hand.) Richard: “All right, boys, who's gonna train me? (The boys stand in a line and all draw their own swords:) Oh. (One boy steps forward, twirling his sword menacingly:) Oh! Watch the face! What's wrong with you? (They begin to train:) Good Lord.” (Watching from above are Ella and Roberta.) Ella: “You know, there was a time when I would've paid good money to see this.” Roberta: “It's nice that he's good with kids, though.” Richard: (From below:) “Why, you little... Come here, come here! Ow! Ow! Ow!” Roberta: “Ella, I'm starting to worry that Richard won't be ready when the real battle comes.” Ella: “Careful, Roberta. You're starting to sound like someone who cares for the guy.” Roberta: “In love with him? Me? (Scoffs:) What? I'm not in love with him.” Richard: (From below as the children attack him:) “What's wrong with you people?!” Roberta: “At all.”

Enchanted Forest. Past. (David and Gabriel continue travelling together through the woods.) David: “I didn't think we'd break so soon.” Gabriel: “Oh, my poor old horse needs a good many breaks. And I like to take a look at the local scenery. Don't think Wilby's complaining, either. (David Chuckles:) Drink up. No more breaks after this. We can make it all the way to Longbourn in one leg.” David: (Takes a drink:) “Thanks.” (David immediately feels woozy, falling to his knees.) Gabriel: “You all right, mate? Oh, mate, you shouldn't take drinks from strangers. (David collapses to the ground, panting. Wilby whimpers:) He's just sleeping. And I have a fun game for you and me to play in the meantime.” Elsewhere In The Forest. (Snow White is walking alone, when she hears a branch snap. Turning quickly, arming herself with a heavy rock, Snow is relieved to see Wilby walking towards her.) Snow White: (Crouching down to greet him:) “Oh, hey. Where did you come from?” (She gasps as an axe lands beside her.) Woodcutter: “I see you met my friend.” Snow White: “The Woodcutter. How did you find me?” Gabriel: (Removing his hood to reveal his face:) “You're nothing but a lost princess. And I came across an excellent sheep dog. They're great at finding strays. They just need to get a scent. (Wilby whimpers and runs off. Snow spits in the Woodcutter’s face, who laughs:) Oh, come on. I'm not gonna kill you. (Grabs her face:) I'm just gonna take you to the queen and get a reward. She'll kill you.”

#sq #swanqueen #swan queen

7 notes · View notes

jewishshadowhunters · 6 years

Text

Judaism 101: Signs & Symbols

Mezuzah

And you shall write [the words that I command you today] on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. -Deuteronomy 6:9, 11:19

On the doorposts of traditional Jewish homes (and many not-so-traditional homes!), you will find a small case like the one pictured below. This case is commonly known as a mezuzah (Hebrew for doorpost), because it is placed upon the doorposts of the house. The mezuzah is not, as some suppose, a good-luck charm, nor does it have any connection with the lamb's blood placed on the doorposts in Egypt. Rather, it is a constant reminder of G-d's presence and G-d's mitzvot.

The mitzvah to place mezuzot on the doorposts of our houses is derived from Deut. 6:4-9, a passage commonly known as the Shema (Hebrew: Hear, from the first word of the passage). In that passage, G-d commands us to keep His words constantly in our minds and in our hearts by (among other things) writing them on the doorposts of our house. The words of the Shema are written on a tiny scroll of parchment, along with the words of a companion passage, Deut. 11:13-21. On the back of the scroll, a name of G-d is written. The scroll is then rolled up and placed in the case, so that the first letter of the Name (the letter Shin) is visible (or, more commonly, the letter Shin is written on the outside of the case).

The scroll must be handwritten in a special style of writing and must be placed in the case to fulfill the mitzvah. It is commonplace for gift shops to sell cases without scrolls, or with mechanically printed scrolls, because a proper scroll costs more than even an elaborately decorated case ($30-$50 for a valid scroll is quite reasonable). According to traditional authorities, mechanically printed scrolls do not fulfill the mitzvah of the mezuzah, nor does an empty case.

The case and scroll are then nailed or affixed at an angle to the right side doorpost as you enter the building or room, with a small ceremony called Hanukkat Ha-Bayit (dedication of the house - yes, this is the same word as Hanukkah, the holiday celebrating the rededication of the Temple). A brief blessing is recited. See the text of the blessing at Affixing the Mezuzah.

Why is the mezuzah affixed at an angle? The rabbis could not decide whether it should be placed horizontally or vertically, so they compromised!

Every time you pass through a door with a mezuzah on it, you touch the mezuzah and then kiss the fingers that touched it, expressing love and respect for G-d and his mitzvot and reminding yourself of the mitzvot contained within them.

It is proper to remove a mezuzah when you move, and in fact, it is usually recommended. If you leave it in place, the subsequent owner may treat it with disrespect, and this is a grave sin.

Tzitzit & Tallit

They shall make themselves tzitzit on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and they shall place on the tzitzit of each corner a thread of techeilet. And it shall be tzitzit for you, and you will see it, and you will remember all the mitzvot of the L-RD and do them and not follow your heart or your eyes and run after them. -Numbers 15:38-40

The Torah commands us to wear tzitzit (fringes) at the corners of our garments as a reminder of the mitzvot, kind of like the old technique of tying a string around your finger to remember something. The passage also instructs that the fringe should have a thread of "techeilet," believed to be a blue or turquoise dye, but the source of that dye is no longer known, so tzitzit are today are all white. There is a complex procedure for tying the knots of the tzitzit, filled with religious and numerological significance.

The mitzvah to wear tzitzit applies only to four-cornered garments, which were common in biblical times but are not common anymore. To fulfill this mitzvah, adult men wear a four-cornered shawl called a tallit during morning services, along with the tefillin. In some Orthodox congregations, only married men wear a tallit; in others, both married and unmarried men wear one. In Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist synagogues, both men and women may wear a tallit, but men are somewhat more likely than women to do so. A blessing is recited when you put on the tallit. See the text of the blessing at Donning the Tallit and Tefillin.

Strictly observant Jewish men commonly wear a special four-cornered garment, similar to a poncho, called a tallit katan ("little tallit"), so that they will have the opportunity to fulfill this important mitzvah all day long. The tallit katan is worn under the shirt, with the tzitzit hanging out so they can be seen. If you've ever seen a Jewish man with strings hanging out of his clothing, this is probably what you were seeing.

There is no particular religious significance to the tallit (shawl) itself, other than the fact that it holds the tzitzit (fringes) on its corners. There are also very few religious requirements with regard to the design of the tallit. The tallit must be long enough to be worn over the shoulders (as a shawl), not just around the neck (as a scarf), to fulfill the requirement that the tzitzit be on a "garment." Likewise, it should be draped over the shoulders like a shawl, not worn around the neck like a scarf, though that is commonly done. A longer tallit is commonly folded over the shoulders, to prevent the tzitzit from dragging on the ground. The tallit may be made of any material, but must not be made of a combination of wool and linen, because that combination is forbidden on any clothing. (Lev. 19:19; Deut. 22:11). Most tallitot are white with navy or black stripes along the shorter ends, possibly in memory of the thread of techeilet. They also commonly have an artistic motif of some kind along the top long end (the outside of the part that goes against your neck). This motif is referred to as an atarah (crown). There is no particular religious significance to the atarah; it simply tells you which end is up! It is quite common, however, to write the words of the blessing for putting on the tallit on the atarah, so you can read the blessing while you are putting the tallit on.

If a blessing is written on your tallit, you should be careful not to bring the tallit into the bathroom with you! Sacred writings should not be brought into the bathroom. For this reason, many synagogues have a tallit rack outside of the bathroom. Conversely, if you see a room in a synagogue with a sign that tells you to remove your tallit before entering, you can safely assume that the room is a bathroom.

Tefillin

Bind [the words that I command you today] as a sign on your arm, and they shall be ornaments between your eyes. -Deuteronomy 6:8

The Shema also commands us to bind the words to our hands and between our eyes. We do this by "laying tefillin," that is, by binding to our arms and foreheads leather pouches containing scrolls of Torah passages.

The word "tefillin" is usually translated "phylacteries," although I don't much care for that term. "Phylacteries" isn't very enlightening if you don't already know what tefillin are, and the word "phylacteries" means "amulet," suggesting that tefillin are some kind of protective charm, which they are not. The word "tefillin," on the other hand, is etymologically related to the word "tefilah" (prayer) and the root Pe-Lamed-Lamed (judgment).

Like the mezuzah, tefillin are meant to remind us of G-d's mitzvot. We bind them to our head and our arm, committing both our intellect and our physical strength to the fulfillment of the mitzvot. At weekday morning services, one case is tied to the arm, with the scrolls at the biceps and leather straps extending down the arm to the hand, then another case is tied to the head, with the case on the forehead and the straps hanging down over the shoulders. Appropriate blessings are recited during this process. The tefillin are removed at the conclusion of the morning services. See a general outline of this process and its blessings at Donning the Tallit and Tefillin.

Like the scrolls in a mezuzah, the scrolls in tefillin must be hand-written in a special style of writing. A good, valid set of tefillin can cost a few hundred dollars, but if properly cared for they can last for a lifetime.

Menorah

One of the oldest symbols of the Jewish faith is the menorah, a seven-branched candelabrum used in the Temple. The kohanim lit the menorah in the Sanctuary every evening and cleaned it out every morning, replacing the wicks and putting fresh olive oil into the cups. The illustration at left is based on instructions for construction of the menorah found in Ex. 25:31-40.

It has been said that the menorah is a symbol of the nation of Israel and our mission to be "a light unto the nations." (Isaiah 42:6). The sages emphasize that light is not a violent force; Israel is to accomplish its mission by setting an example, not by using force. This idea is highlighted in the vision in Zechariah 4:1-6. Zechariah sees a menorah, and G-d explains: "Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit."

The lamp stand in today's synagogues, called the ner tamid (lit. the continual light, usually translated as the eternal flame), symbolizes the menorah. Many synagogues also have an ornamental menorah, usually with some critical detail changed (for example, with only 6 candles) to avoid the sin of reproducing objects of the Temple.

The nine-branched menorah used on Hanukkah is commonly patterned after this menorah, because Hanukkah commemorates the miracle that a day's worth of oil for this menorah lasted eight days.

Kippah/Yarmulke

Cover your head so that the fear of heaven may be upon you. -Talmud Shabbat 156b

R. Huna son of R. Joshua would not walk four cubits bareheaded, saying: The Shechinah [Divine Presence] is above my head. -Talmud Kiddushin 31a

R. Huna son of R. Joshua said: May I be rewarded for never walking four cubits bareheaded. -Talmud Shabbat 118b

The most commonly known and recognized piece of Jewish garb is actually the one with the least religious significance. The word yarmulke (usually, but not really correctly, pronounced yammica) is Yiddish. According to Leo Rosten's The Joys of Yiddish, it comes from a Tartar word meaning skullcap. According to some Orthodox and Hasidic rabbis I know, it comes from the Aramaic words "yerai malka" (fear of or respect for The King). The Hebrew word for this head covering is kippah (pronounced key-pah).

It is an ancient practice for Jews to cover their heads during prayer. This probably derives from the fact that in Eastern cultures, it is a sign of respect to cover the head (the custom in Western cultures is the opposite: it is a sign of respect to remove one's hat). Thus, by covering the head during prayer, one showed respect for G-d. In addition, in ancient Rome, servants were required to cover their heads while free men did not; thus, Jews covered their heads to show that they were servants of G-d. In medieval times, Jews covered their heads as a reminder that G-d is always above them.

Whatever the reason given, however, covering the head has always been regarded more as a custom rather than a commandment. Although it is a common pious practice to cover the head at all times, it is not religiously mandatory. For example, it is widely accepted that one may refrain from wearing a head covering at work if your employer requires it (for reasons of safety, uniformity, or to reduce distractions). You can take off your yarmulke for a job interview if you think it will hurt your chances of getting the job. There is an amusing article about this dilemma, The Kippah Debate, at Aish.com.

There is no special significance to the yarmulke as a specific type of head covering. Its light weight, compactness and discreteness make it a convenient choice of head gear. I am unaware of any connection between the yarmulke and the similar skullcap worn by the Pope.

Magen David/Star of David

The Magen David (Shield of David, or as it is more commonly known, the Star of David) is the symbol most commonly associated with Judaism today, but it is actually a relatively new Jewish symbol. It is supposed to represent the shape of King David's shield (or perhaps the emblem on it), but there is really no support for that claim in any early rabbinic literature. The symbol is not mentioned in rabbinic literature until the middle ages, and is so rare in early Jewish literature and artwork that art dealers suspect forgery if they find the symbol in early Jewish works.

Scholars such as Franz Rosenzweig have attributed deep theological significance to the symbol. For example, some note that the top triangle strives upward, toward G-d, while the lower triangle strives downward, toward the real world. Some note that the intertwining makes the triangles inseparable, like the Jewish people. Some say that the three sides represent the three types of Jews: Kohanim, Levites and Israel. Some note that there are actually 12 sides (3 exterior and 3 interior on each triangle), representing the 12 tribes. While these theories are theologically interesting, they have little basis in historical fact.

The symbol of intertwined equilateral triangles is a common one in the Middle East and North Africa, and is thought to bring good luck. It appears occasionally in early Jewish artwork, but never as an exclusively Jewish symbol. The nearest thing to an "official" Jewish symbol at the time was the menorah.

In the middle ages, Jews often were required to wear badges to identify themselves as Jews, much as they were in Nazi Germany, but these Jewish badges were not always the familiar Magen David. For example, a fifteenth century painting by Nuno Goncalves features a rabbi wearing a six-pointed badge that looks more or less like an asterisk.

In the 17th century, it became a popular practice to put Magen Davids on the outside of synagogues, to identify them as Jewish houses of worship in much the same way that a cross identified a Christian house of worship; however, there’s no real explanation of why this symbol was chosen, rather than some other symbol.

The Magen David gained popularity as a symbol of Judaism when it was adopted as the emblem of the Zionist movement in 1897, but the symbol continued to be controversial for many years afterward. When the modern state of Israel was founded, there was much debate over whether this symbol should be used on the flag.

Today, the Magen David is the universally recognized symbol of Jewry. It appears on the flag of the state of Israel, and the Israeli equivalent of the Red Cross is known as the Red Magen David.

Chaia

This symbol, commonly seen on necklaces and other jewelry and ornaments, is simply the Hebrew word Chai (living), with the two Hebrew letters Cheit and Yod attached to each other. Some say it refers to the Living G-d; others say it simply reflects Judaism's focus on the importance of life. Whatever the reason, the concept of chai is important in Jewish culture. The typical Jewish toast is l'chayim (to life). Gifts to charity are routinely given in multiples of 18 (the numeric value of the word Chai).

Hamesh Hand

The hamesh hand or hamsa hand is a popular motif in Jewish jewelry. Go into any Judaic gift shop and you will find necklaces and bracelets bearing this inverted hand with thumb and pinky pointing outward. The design commonly has an eye in the center of the hand or various Hebrew letters in the middle.

There is nothing exclusively Jewish about the hamesh hand. Arab cultures often refer to it as the Hand of Fatima, which represents the Hand of G-d. Similar designs are common in many cultures. Why it has become such a popular symbol among Jews? I haven't been able to find an adequate explanation anywhere. My best guess: in many cultures, this hand pattern represents a protection against the evil eye (a malignant spiritual influence caused by the jealousy of others), and the evil eye has historically been a popular superstition among Jews.

For some lovely illustrations of Jewish variations on this design, see here.

#judaism 101 #resources #original #jewish life #moda A

5 notes · View notes

jonasmaurer · 6 years

Text

2018 Holiday Gift Guide for Her

This gift guide includes tons of gift ideas for the women in your life: your mom, your BFF, your aunt, grandma, or even yourself.

Hey hey! Happy almost-Friday! What are you up to this morning? I’m checking out a new workout – I’ll report back!- and getting started on wrapping the mountain of gifts. I only have 2 more holiday gifts to pick up plus gift cards for teachers, and we’re calling it good.

If you’re looking for gift ideas, I saved the best gift guide for last: for her! These are all ideas that would make amazing gifts for any of the women in your family, your best friend, or yourself. I totally take advantage of holiday sales and treat myself to a little somethin’ here and there. What are you doing for your mom or grandma this year? I’d love to hear any new ideas!

2018 holiday gift guide your BFF (or yourself!)

Accessories and clothes:

– A leopard scarf! Only $19.

– A crystal dot necklace.

– This beautiful birthstone pendant.

– A pretty cable-knit sweater.

– My fave everyday low-top sneaks.

– A comfy robe.

– A heart of gold bangle.

Home and kitchen:

– If you’re shopping for yourself, get a eufy. It’s a gamechanger! I use it pretty much every day and am constantly shocked by how much dust and Caro hair it picks up.

– A new juicer. I’ve had my current juicer for almost 10 years (and it’s still in Valdosta), so I think it’s time to upgrade and bring the juice game back.

– A spiralizer. This one is $17.99 and has great reviews.

– An Instant Pot. This is my #1 most-used kitchen appliance right now. I use it almost every day, whether it’s to cook rice, sweet potatoes, chicken, our entire meal, or some boiled eggs. It’s so versatile and if I got rid of everything else in the kitchen, I’d want to keep the Instant Pot.

– A Daily Harvest gift card or subscription! Their bowls and smoothies are my fave and make really convenient breakfasts and lunches.

– A Homesick candle. Love that the scents are customized for various states.

Beauty:

Beautycounter necessary neutrals palette. We’re the #1 most Googled beauty brand! Pretty exciting stuff.

New nudes lip glosses.

Watermelon sleeping mask. This smells like a lovely watermelon cocktail or Jolly Rancher.

The best toner!

Moroccan oil. My hair is worthless without Moroccan oil. When I don’t use it, I notice that it feels extremely dry and brittle. It makes a huge difference in texture and shine, and I’ve been using it on the girls’ hair for years. Tangles are never an issue because of Moroccan oil!

New makeup brushes.

PHLUR perfume. I’m obsessed with this perfume. They use nontoxic ingredients (and clearly label all of them) and the scents are gorgeous. You can order a sample pack and the cost of the sample pack goes towards a full bottle.

Experiences and personalized gifts:

– Plan a fun girls’ night out with cocktails and a show or a movie

– A class pass or punch card to her favorite workout studio

– Treat your friend to a spa service (bonus points if they serve lunch + champagne).

– Shopping for a new mom (or any mom)? Attach a little note that says, “Good for one nice long nap or some time alone, whenever you need it.” And let her use it! I promise you’ll make her whole day.

What’s on your own personal wish list this year? Did you take advantage of any of the incredible holiday sales?

To spice up this year’s gift guides, I’m including some surprise giveaways. Leave a comment below and I’ll pick a lucky winner to receive a PHLUR candle and full bottle of perfume in a scent of their choice. For a bonus entry, like and comment on my most recent IG post.

Gina

*Note: none of my gift guides are sponsored, and companies are not able to purchase spots on my gift guides. These are all items I curated myself and genuinely think they’d make awesome gifts for someone you love. Affiliate links are included, which don’t affect purchase price but enable me to earn a small kickback. Thank you so much for supporting this little blog. <3

More of this year’s gift guides:

For the Men

For hostesses and under $50 faves

For your Fitness-loving friend (or yourself)

For the Kiddos

The post 2018 Holiday Gift Guide for Her appeared first on The Fitnessista.

2018 Holiday Gift Guide for Her published first on https://olimpsportnutritionde.tumblr.com/

1 note · View note

hoynovoy · 3 years

Text

13 Things To Try If You're New To BDSM

So you think you’re turned on by BDSM and kink. You’ve thought a lot about it and maybe you’ve even done some of the things that the experts recommend you do before you get started with BDSM. You’re ready to start thinking about and planning your first “session” but… You’re not totally sure where to start. Perhaps your fantasies are more varsity level than JV and you want to start slow, or maybe you’re just at a loss for ideas because, well, you’re a newbie.

Before we even get into activities, though, I want to take a minute and reassure you a little bit. I know that BDSM and kink can get kind of a bad rap in the media, like it’s some kind of deviant activity that only messed up people are into. BDSM and kink are practiced by all kinds of people with all kinds of backgrounds — and they play a huge role in the fantasy lives for a large proportion of women.

In fact, the data underscores just how common BDSM is. One article in the Journal of Sexual Health and Medicine found that 46.8% of the population sample, which was based in Belgium, had performed a BDSM-related activity. Twenty-six percent of respondents said they were interested in BDSM, and another 7.6% identified as “BDSM practitioners.”

Let the numbers soothe you: there is nothing wrong with being into kinky sex play and it doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you. All it means, in the end, is that you’re into kinky sex play!

Good Vibrations staff sexologist and author of The Sex & Pleasure Book: Good Vibrations Guide to Great Sex for Everyone Carol Queen, PhD, tells Bustle that before you do any BDSM play, you have to have some explicit conversations. Starting with what you're interested in because the world of BDSM, Queen says, is vast. And, "if one person is thinking cushy, bondage gear, and dripping candle wax and a blindfold, and the other one is thinking whips and chains and painting, [you] may talk past each other," Queen says. She suggests having a conversation not when you're already getting to it, which can feel like a high-pressure situation, but before.

"It's maybe better to do it outside of that context, like, 'Hey, I was wanting to talk to you about something kind of frisky. Do you have some time to hang out with me and have this conversation with me at dinner? Or do you want to have a glass of wine?'” Queen says. "Not too much wine when you have these conversations, though, because you want to remember what your focus is."

Now that we have that out of the way, it’s time to get down to the nitty gritty. As a certified sex educator, I have a million kinky friends (well, maybe not a million, but quite a few) who are happy to share their expertise on great entry-level kink and BDSM activities for those of you who are 100% new to the game. I decided to focus specifically on suggestions made by Miette Rouge, 43, and Jenna, 26, both of whom are active members of their respective kink scenes.

1. Hair Pulling

You might have already started this BDSM 1.0 level play: Hair pulling. A lot of people reach for the hair automatically in the throes of the passion. The journal Sexualization, Media, & Society surveyed nearly 2,000 pornography users and found that 50% of them have engaged in some hair-pulling.

Miette suggests hair pulling as a good way to start getting into kinky play. It’s easy, doesn’t require any toys, and can be as gentle or as rough as you want it to be.

Of course this (like every other type of BDSM play) requires conversation before doing it. Don't just jump in and yank on someone's hair. Queen recommends using a "yes, no, maybe" list before doing anything to make sure you and your partner are on the same page.

2. Light Spanking

Spanking is definitely a common fantasy. A nationally representative U.S. survey titled, “The 2015 Sexual Exploration in America Study,” found that about 30% of respondents had engaged in spanking in their lifetime. So starting with light BDSM is a good idea — with the option of ramping it up as you go, of course. Start with hands and then incorporate toys as you and your partner(s) become more experienced.

“I found it really exciting as a beginner to be told I had to count the number of blows I was going to receive, because it was not only a pain thing, but a power thing,” Jenna tells Bustle.

And spanking doesn't have to just be on the butt. Queen points out that many people like to be spanked all around their genitals.

"Some people love really 'thuddy' spanks, whether it's from a hand or paddle," Queen says. "Because it starts to move around your muscle and fat layer so close to your genitals, it adds sexual excitement to the experience for people who may not have even been thinking about the front of themselves when their spanking started."

3. Pre-Negotiated Language

Miette suggests incorporating aggressive language into your play. Words like “slut,” “whore,” “jerk,” “wimp,” and “f*ck” are all good places to start. Name calling, however, should definitely be pre-negotiated, as one person's turn on may be another person's major turn off.

Queen has another note about language, but it's about how to slow play rather than speed it up: Safe words. A safe word is a word that wouldn't normally come up during sex play, but if someone utters it then it's a signal that it's time to either slow down or stop the scene.

"The safe word typically would be something like red, yellow, and green — like red light, green light, like traffic lights," Queen says. "Green" means keep going, "yellow" means slow down, and "red" means you need to stop everything altogether.

4. Tying Up With A Scarf

A lot of people fantasize about bondage, and scarves are a good place to start because they’re soft and it’s hard to do real damage with them — unlike, you know, rope and handcuffs. That same U.S. survey also found that about 20% of respondents report having been tied up before, so you’re in good company if this piques your interest. And even more people want to be doing it. One Canadian study found that 72% of male respondents and 59% of female respondents fantasized about getting tied up.

However, an inexperienced bondage fan can really mess someone up if they do rope bondage incorrectly, from cutting off circulation to not being able to untie them at all. So stick to scarves if you're just getting started.

Miette’s main tip is to make sure that two fingers can be slipped between the tie and the skin in order to avoid cutting off circulation, which definitely can do damage. Pick one that's strong enough to take a little pulling and have fun.

5. Under The Bed Restraints

Once you’re ready to move on from scarves, Jenna recommends trying out under the bed restraints or “just canvas strap restraints.” These types of restraints, which can be found in most sex shops, make it easier to tie someone down without having to stop and fumble around with knots. They're also quick-release, which means you don't have to worry about knots tightening to the point of being difficult to remove, which is a great plus for a beginner.

“Even if you don't do anything else besides fool around, if you've never done it before giving up control over your body is an exciting intro to BDSM for beginners,” Jenna says.

6. Incorporating “Sir” Or “Madam”

In addition to aggressive language, Miette advises that a “sir” or “madam” can do wonder to set the stage. It’s a simple way to establish roles in a dom/sub scene and keep you both involved in the fantasy.

It's also great because it doesn't cost anything and you don't have to add any gear. Using "sir" and "madam" language is a cheap, easy, and very low-impact way to see if that particular kind of BDSM play works for you and your partner.

7. Biting

Biting is a great entry-level way to play because you can test different levels of pain. It's also, similar to using certain language, something you can do without any gear or any cost to you and your partner.

However, Miette warns that talking about biting beforehand is essential — and part of that talk should be about marks. Some people are into them and some people really aren’t, so make sure you know where your partner stands before you start chomping down.

You should also be clear about how hard you want to be bitten, before the biting starts. You could even make it a fun, kind of silly game with your partner biting you at different intensity levels so that they know what's going to work — and what isn't.

8. Subbing/Topping Role Playing

In BDSM-speak, "subbing" is performing the role of the submissive sex partner, while "topping" is playing the role of the dominant one. (And just in case you were curious, about 22% of the general population has tried role-playing before). But you don't have to jump right to full-on costumes and whips. You can ease your way into sub/top role play with a couple of additions to sex acts you're probably already doing.

Jenna suggests that “something as simple as having your arms tied behind your back while performing oral sex” can be a really hot entry level activity for people who are just getting started. Other suggestions might include begging (for sex or punishment) as well as being put in or putting someone in a submissive physical position.

9. Play With “Pervertables”

Miette is really into what she calls “pervertables,” which are every day objects that can be transformed into toys. She recommends things like wooden spoons, brushes, spatulas and narrow things like canes, thin belts, and rulers with the metal guide on them if you want to make a mark. The best thing about these toys, according to Miette, is that no one but other kinksters will recognize them for what they are. They’re like a kinky secret signal.

Queen cautions, however, that different materials create different sensations. And while some might be really pleasurable for people, others won't be.

"When you're choosing your implements for impact play that some things are going to be thinner or a harder edged material — like say latex would be stingier feeling to the body — and things that are softer material — suede and things like that — or wider wind up feeling 'thuddier.' And some people have a preference one or another."

10. Sensation Play With A Blindfold

Both Miette and Jenna recommend blindfolded sensation play. What does that mean, you ask? Basically, you lightly restrain someone (or are restrained yourself, depending on your preference), blindfold them, and then introduce various sensations with various objects. So maybe you run a feather over them or you pinch them or you give them a spank or tease them to edge of orgasm.

The idea of this kind of play is to allow the non-blindfolded person to have control of everything that’s happening and for the blindfolded person to surrender control to them. And for the blindfolded person, not being able to see what's going on can make each physical feeling even more intense.

11. Floggers

A flogger is a kind of whip, specifically one with a woven leather handle and lots of woven tails. They're used for impact play, which means hitting of some kind. Some people like to use both ends of the flogger for a variety of sensations.

A flogger is more like a BDSM 1.1 step rather than a BDSM 1.0 step, according to Jenna. She recommends to newbies, though, because the pain it provides isn’t very intense but it looks scary, which can heighten your enjoyment of it.

Her second tip when it comes to this kind of pain play? “Leave the cane for once you've experienced a little more, because that sh*t hurts.”

12. Clothespins

Jenna thinks that clothespins — which can be adjusted and removed quickly, if need be — are a good way to start exploring pain thresholds. She recommends trying them out on nipples, stomach, and inner thigh at first as you start to understand your or your partner’s limits.

Queen says that while you'd think the painful part of clothes pin play would be when you put them on, it's actually the removal that creates the most sensation.

"When the blood flows in the nerves are like, 'Wait, what?' and it can be quite painful for people who don’t enjoy intense sensation," Queen says. "Do something distracting at that time when the clip is coming off — like if it comes off a nipple, add sucking or licking to the nipple right away or do something else on another part of the body that can distract them, clitoral touch or some spanking if they like it. That kind of thing. Distracting [away from] that sensation can be a useful technique."

13. Candle wax

Candle wax is another way to play that Jenna says, “seems scary but isn't, isn't that painful, and is an exciting way to intro/explore pain.” Her only warning is that you do some research beforehand about different types of candles, as certain kinds burn hotter than others and those are the ones you don’t want.

If you try out a couple of these entry-level BDSM activities and find that you like it, you'll be well on your way to further exploring kink with your partner. Have fun, be safe, and feep communicating.

Experts:

Good Vibrations staff sexologist and author of The Sex & Pleasure Book: Good Vibrations Guide to Great Sex for Everyone Carol Queen, PhD

Studies:

Holvoet L, Huys W, Coppens V, Seeuws J, Goethals K, Morrens M. Fifty Shades of Belgian Gray: The Prevalence of BDSM-Related Fantasies and Activities in the General Population. J Sex Med. 2017 Sep;14(9):1152-1159. doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.07.003. Epub 2017 Aug 7. PMID: 28781214.

Herbenick D, Bowling J, Fu TJ, Dodge B, Guerra-Reyes L, Sanders S. Sexual diversity in the United States: Results from a nationally representative probability sample of adult women and men. PLoS One. 2017 Jul 20;12(7):e0181198. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181198. PMID: 28727762; PMCID: PMC5519052.

Renaud, C.A. & Byers, E.. (1999). Exploring the frequency, diversity, and content of university students' positive and negative sexual cognitions. Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality. 8. 17-30.

Style Select styleAMAAPAChicagoMLAHarvard1.Bridges AJ, Sun CF, Ezzell MB, Johnson J. Sexual Scripts and the Sexual Behavior of Men and Women Who Use Pornography. Sexualization, Media, & Society. December 2016. doi:10.1177/2374623816668275

Get More Dating Advice Here

0 notes

newstfionline · 7 years

Text

How Post-Holiday Clearances Can Slash Your Budget All Year Long

The Simple Dollar, 26 Dec 2017

Today is that special time of the holiday season: the beginning of deep discounts on all the stuff that’s red, green, or gift-oriented. Everything must go! (If only to make room for Valentine’s Day items.)

Every year a lot of holiday stuff goes unsold, and the stores don’t want to hold on to it. Turn the retailers’ loss into your gain by stocking up not just on cards and wrapping paper, but also on other things you’ll use for the next 365 days.

Think it’s all dented dolls and tired tinsel? Some of it might be. But if you pick your spots, you can stretch your giving and household budgets further than you ever dreamed.

The following tactics can help. Although the stores will be crowded, the savings can be worth it.

Buy some clothes. Clearance prices will be available on both holiday-oriented and everyday winter fashions. (I know a woman who paid less than $4 for a dress in order to get its belt, since a new belt would have cost much more.)

If you have kids, buy clothes at least one size up, for next year. The longer you wait, the steeper the price drop--and the younger the child, the less the motif matters.

Buy next year’s holiday gifts. Some people do the whole next year’s worth of shopping on Dec. 26. That’s dedicated frugality.

And if that’s you, congratulations. Personally, I suggest looking for a few presents, as opposed to stressing out about it. Do what you can, rather than setting yourself up to fail.

Get birthday gifts. If you’ve got kids, assume they’ll be invited to parties in the year to come. Have games, stuffed animals, books, art kits, and such on hand, and you won’t have to make extra trips. Bonus: You paid rock-bottom prices.

Got nieces, nephews, or godchildren (official or honorary)? Buy toys for their natal day celebrations, too. If they were born in January, hit the calendar kiosk for a useful and potentially beautiful gift.

Stock an evergreen gift closet. As noted above, parents who have toys on hand are ready for the inevitable birthday party invites. But grownups have birthdays, too, so look for items like hat-and-scarf sets, picture frames, books, and accessories.

Treat yourself. High-end skin care kits and gift sets are deeply discounted after the holidays, according to Helene Massicotte of FreeToPursue.com.

“It’s a low-risk way to try new products and save significant money per ounce,” she says. “And just a few kits can last you for months.”

Foodie baskets and spa packages are all over the stores until Dec. 25--after which retailers can’t get rid of them fast enough. At half-price or less, treat yourself to something tasty or luxurious. Or you could…

Treat someone else. Food and spa packages make nice gifts for others, too. Your first-time-mom sister might love to plan a long, hot soak with frou-frou scents and fancy lotions to follow. If you live nearby, offer to sit with the baby while she locks herself into the bathroom for her first alone-time since parturition.

Remember, too that Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. That basket of barbecue items or set of sybaritic potions might be perfect for Feb. 14.

Stock your household. Sheets, blankets and throws. Candles. Bakeware. Dishes. Table linens. Towels for kitchen and bath.

Paper plates and cups can become part of your emergency kit. Or use them at your next party or barbecue. Teresa Mears of Living on the Cheap says great January deals on red and green products work fine for informal parties the rest of the year, as long as you don’t use them together.

Storage containers, sometimes marketed as “ornament storage bins,” are deeply discounted after Christmas. Doesn’t matter if they’re red or green, or printed with wreaths--they’ll be stuck in the attic or the crawlspace where nobody sees them.

Stock your pantry. Holiday-printed paper towels, napkins, and storage bags and containers will be available at half-price or less.

Ditto certain baking supplies and food items, so check supermarket clearance bins for things like fancy coffee and tea, chopped dates and pecans, holiday cereal (yep, that’s a thing), eggnog-flavored pudding mix (not making this up), canned pumpkin, cranberry sauce, and black-eyed peas.

Even everyday products like coffee may be deeply discounted if it’s in holiday-themed packaging. And guess what, “Christmas blend” coffee tastes just fine in January.

Don’t forget the drugstore. Head for the “seasonal merchandise” aisles, advises Stephanie Nelson of Coupon Mom. You’ll see discounts of at least 50% the first few days, quickly followed by price cuts of 75% to as much as 90%.

Toys, gadgets, clothing items, and even small appliances will be remaindered. One year Nelson picked up a $40 blender for 75% off--and then sent in a $10 mail-in rebate attached to the box. “So my blender was actually free,” she says.

Linsey Knerl, who blogs at 1099 Mom, has five sons who use Old Spice body wash, deodorant, and other products. Last year she saved 75% on more than a dozen Old Spice gift sets. “I’m happy to go back again this year to stock up,” says Knerl, whose family owns a small farm in Nebraska.

Stockpile holiday supplies. Wrapping paper, gift bags, and ribbon. Ornaments, strings of lights, wreaths, and trees. Holiday cards. If you have a place to store even a few such items, pick them up at a discount and next year’s celebration will be noticeably cheaper.

Stockpile holiday craft supplies. Do you make your own décor or gifts? Buy the raw materials now, when everything’s being remaindered. Those snowman candy molds will cost lots more next November.

Look for open boxes. Starting today, people will clog the stores to return gifts that didn’t work out. This, too, can work in your favor.

According to Erin Huffstetler, frugal expert for The Balance, some “open-box” electronics and other returned items can no longer be sold at full retail.

“One man’s Christmas return could become your next big bargain,” she says.

More tips from the pros:

Do a major inventory of what you have, and write down what you need. Pay attention to that list.

Well, most of the time: If a deal is just too good to pass up, get it. That $10-but-actually-free blender is a good example.

Get there early, because the good stuff might go quickly. But if you can, revisit the stores in early January. Those 90%-off sales should start kicking in by then.

If you’re apt to overbuy, bring only as much cash as you can afford to spend, and leave the plastic at home.

Know what things usually cost. If something was marked way up in anticipation of the holiday, then half-off still isn’t that great a deal.

As always, if you don’t need or can’t use it, then it’s not a good deal.

#frugality #post-holiday clearances #clearance sales

2 notes · View notes

shoppingscapes-blog · 6 years

Text

Top Ten Gift Ideas for Your Female Buddy

8. Calendar. It is the holidays, so a new year is coming up shortly. She probably wants a new calendar to the new year. Think about what her interests are and get her a calendar based on that. There are many distinct types, choosing the right one will get your present hung up on her wall to the entire next year. 9. Candles. They always make a great present for a girl no matter what the occasion is. It's a very sweet gift she can always appreciate. A favorite amongst women would be the fruit scented candles. They will smell the great odor of the candle while it's lit and who will they think about every time? You, the one who purchased them . 1. Designer Purse. Ladies love handbags, why don't you get them one they are able to go show off to each of their friends and brag about it? There are lots of designer purses on the market, such companies would be Gucci, Fendi, and Chloe. You'll find one of these in your local mall or search on the web. They are not as costly as you might think, there are always sales and a great designer purse can be purchased for approximately $30-$40. 5. Season 10 of Friends. If she enjoys"Friends" and does not have the latest season yet, then that is essential have for her. This hysterical comedy series is a beloved show among everybody, she'll definitely love this. 7. Personalized M ; Candies. Want to get creative? Well, personalized M M; Candies is a great way to prove that you have put thought into the present. At $46 a box, you can customize what you want it to say on the M ; also it makes a fantastic gift. It is going to surely bring some laughter and appreciation from her. 6. Scarf. It is the winter season and everybody is striving to stay warm. I'll wager she'll really appreciate and a nice scarf that you hand picked out yourself. Think about what kind of woman she is, does she love to wear large chunky scarves? Or conventional sized knitted scarves? What color does she like best? Those are some questions to keep in my mind while looking for a scarf for her. 2. MP3 Player. Does she's an mp3 player? Or if she doesshe need one that could hold more songs? New music is constantly coming out and everyone's music library is getting larger and larger. The best 3 mp3 players to consider are the Apple IPod, Creative Labs Zen, and the newcomer, the Microsoft Zune. Any of these are available in a number of hard disk alternatives, which range from 1gb-80gb. The cost of these can go from either $75-$600, depending on how big the hard disk. 10. Board Games. Can she love to play monopoly or trivial pursuit? Well, there are many brand new board sport themes on the market. What's her favourite show? Is she into pop culture? Many board games these days are based off a specific series or just pop culture generally. Again, think about her pursuits and base your decision off of that. 3. iDog. What is that you may ask? Well it's a cute, fun, singing and singing dog! It permits you to plug into your music player into it, and it will dance and play with the audio out of the built-in speakers or through headphones. If you put it around a speaker, then it is going to hear the music and move to it. It's a great and cute gift your female friend would adore. The cost is about $30. Among the most difficult types of individuals to shop for if you're a guy is your female friends. You aren't their boyfriend so that you don't wish to get them anything really special, but then again, they're your friend and you'd like to get something. In the following guide, there're 10 gift suggestions to present your female friend. 4. Cell Phone. Is her cell phone getting old and so is she always complaining about it? Well, she's probably in need of a brand new one. There are lots of cellular phones which you're able to get her but not get her something cute. The new Motorola PEBL is a small, curved, clam-shaped phone that every woman would like. It has all of the advantages from Motorola, features of the popular RAZR, but little and adorable. The cost for one is from $50-$100.

0 notes

meganlclickfl · 6 years

Text

Santa Monica Holiday Specials & Events

There’s so much to experience in Santa Monica during the holiday season – from ice skating just blocks from the beach to enjoying some of the best holiday feasts. Moreover, no need for snow gear here! Just grab a scarf and explore the Santa Monica holiday events, Christmas & Hanukkah menus, hotel deals and seasonal specials all being offered throughout the city. SANTA MONICA HOLIDAY EVENTS For New Year’s Eve events, visit our “Celebrating the New Year in Santa Monica” page. ICE at Santa Monica November 3, 2018 – January 21, 2019 Every holiday season, Downtown Santa Monica brings a little ice skating to the beachside community and transforms the corner of 5th Street and Arizona Avenue into ICE at Santa Monica, a premier outdoor ice skating rink. The 8,000 square foot rink by the beach offers residents and visitors a little taste of winter without the bite. A great location to celebrate the holidays, ICE at Santa Monica is the perfect place to hang out with friends and family, throw a party in a private event cabana, enjoy a first date or sign up for skate lessons. Join the fun and visit Downtown Santa Monica this season to experience ICE. Wonderland by the Water November 19, 2018 – January 6, 2019 For the first time in over a decade, the Pier is getting in the holiday spirit! View the “Seadragons Village” in the windows of the pier’s historic merry-Go-Round building. With the help of some of LA’s best event producers to, the pier will host holiday events all season long, including Story Time in Wonderland, Photo Ops with Holiday Mermaids, giveaways and more. This series of events is perfect for locals and tourists alike! See all of the Wonderland by the Water events here! The Nutcracker by Westside Ballet November 24 – December 2 Westside Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker is a Los Angeles tradition dating all the way back to 1973 – the longest running Nutcracker production in Los Angeles. As featured in the Los Angeles Times, the artistic direction captures the spirit of the legendary George Balanchine, passed on by Yvonne Mounsey, who created the Nutcracker role of Center Spanish during the peak of her career as principal dancer with New York City Ballet. City of Santa Monica Official Tree Lighting Party November 30 Join Santa, Mrs. Claus and City officials as they light the Official City of Santa Monica Holiday Tree on the world-famous Third Street Promenade. Sing classic Christmas carols with some of Santa Monica’s most talented vocalists while the little ones indulge in a kids’ craft station where they can create their own letters to Santa. The Jolly One will be on hand for photos to help you design that all-important holiday card. Main Street Holiday Party December 1 Join Main Street Santa Monica in a festive night! Stroll Main Street and hop from shop to shop for goodies and good times. There will be music, photo ops with Santa, a tree lighting and a candle light walk, all part of the family festive fun on Main Street in Santa Monica. This annual tradition that starts with a tree lighting at the Heritage Lawn followed by a walk led by Santa, to the famous Shopping Cart tree at Edgemar. You’re invited to a festive night of carolers and holiday parties hosted by your favorite Main Street businesses! Menorah Lightings on Third Street Promenade December 2 – 9 Join local synagogues and community groups as their members celebrate the Festival of Lights this Hanukkah season. Lighting the menorah will begin shortly after sundown each evening. Shalom! Montana Avenue Holiday Walk December 8 Find wonderful gifts, have your photos taken with Santa, listen to live music, indulge in great food and drinks. This is a fun night for all! Pico Holiday Celebration December 8 Celebrate the holiday season at the Pico Boulevard farmers Market! There will be live music performances by McCabe’s Guitar Shop, Morgan-Wixson Theater, and Sound Roads Music. Santa Monica Pub Crawl December 8 – 9 Santa Monica’s most festive day of the year returns for the 10th Annual SANTA Monica Pub Crawl, on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018 at 5 p.m. This holiday fundraising crawl offers four routes to choose from with more than 30 bars and restaurants across the city offering food and drink specials to those with the official pub crawl wristband. Over the past 9 years, this popular event has raised enough money to provide a half million pounds of food for those in need through a partnership with the Westside Food Bank. Join thousands of crawlers as they fill the streets dressed as jolly Santas and naughty elves, and help raise money for the less fortunate! The Fairmont’s Meet me Under the FIG Tree December 9 Meet Me Under the FIG Tree is an afternoon for the entire family and a reason to gather together for the holiday season! The day’s festivities include: live entertainment, pictures with Santa Claus, whimsical gingerbread houses, seasonal crafts, a bounce house and snow! Please bring nonperishable food items to contribute to the largest canned food drive on the Westside. Santa Monica – Venice Christmas Run December 15 The Santa Monica-Venice Christmas Run is Los Angeles’ largest holiday running event and a great fundraiser. In fact, the race is one of the most popular running events in Los Angeles, regardless the time of year. The event was started in 1977 with 10,000 runners participating in the race. For over 3 decades, it has not only remained a highly popular local run but the event has become an integral part of the Los Angeles community during the holiday season. For many, the Christmas Run is the true start of the holidays. The Santa Monica-Venice Christmas Run has a 5k and a 10k run that winds through the beautiful streets of Santa Monica and Venice, California, including a long stretch along the famous Venice Beach boardwalk. UNIQUE Market’s Holiday Pop-up December 15 – 16 This holiday season, shop local on the pier! In celebration of its 10th birthday this year, UNIQUE LA is bringing you a holiday shopping experience SoCal style! Come shop from more than 150 curated, independent designers and emerging brands to get all your last-minute holiday shopping done. Grab the crew, bring the whole family and find one-of-a-kind gifts, enjoy beautiful ocean views, relaxing shaded lounges, free drinks and more! Back to Top

SANTA MONICA CHRISTMAS & HANUKKAH MENUS Check back for dining options. Back to Top

SANTA MONICA HOTEL DEALS Cal Mar Hotel Suites 10% off when booking directly at 310-395-5555. Ask for the Fall/Winter Special. Valid September 24-December 27, 2018. Back to Top SANTA MONICA SEASONAL SPECIALS Daily Grill Mondays 3pm – Close Monday Night Football Specials Enjoy $5 well drinks and $10 You Call It cocktails El Conquistador Burger & Beer $15 Smothered Tots $8 Valid September 17, 2018 through January 27, 2019. HaleARTS Take 10% off entire purchase at this local art & gift gallery in Santa Monica Place. Featuring one-of-a-kind, unique Santa Monica, Los Angeles & California souvenirs, mementos and original works of art from local artists. Valid October 1 through December 31, 2018. Le Méridien Delfina Le Méridien Delfina is hosting Happy Hour with football at the bar every Sunday, Monday and Thursday! Happy hour is 4pm to 6pm everyday (including weekends), featuring small bites, seasonal beers on tap, wine and craft cocktails. Valid year-round. Lemonade Santa Monica Lemonade has launched special picnic boxes! Each box costs $13 and comes with a choice of sandwich, seasoned kettle chips and a freshly baked cookie. Order today by contacting [email protected] or calling (310) 463-9998. Valid year-round. Melisse Restaurant Mélisse will begin offering a pre-theatre menu. The three course menu will change frequently based on the produce offered at the farmers market each week, and supplemental items like our Egg Caviar will also be available. Seatings will be Tuesday-Friday’s from 5:30-6:30pm. Valid March 6-December 31, 2018. Paws & Whiskers Pet Spa Get a photo with your pet, or take a photo with one of our rescue cats! Proceeds benefit the Meow Salvage Kitten Rescue. Get a high-quality digital photo with your pet, just your pet, or with one of our rescue kittens (we have several black ones just for Halloween!). Package costs $40 and you get all the photos from the shoot. 100% goes to the non-profit kitten rescue. Valid September 21 through December 31, 2018. Puzzle Zoo Weta Statues are now $9.99 each while supplies last. Marked down from $49.95. Valid February 23-December 31, 2018. Salon Tru 50% off your first facial! Offer valid for first-time skincare clients. Free travel size Oi Milk or Love Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner with Davines purchase of $60 or more. Offer valid while supplies last. Valid September 19, 2018 through January 1, 2019. Santa Monica Tickets Receive 5% off all in-store purchases of $100 or more. New customers only. Valid September 19, 2018-January 1, 2019. Thai Dishes Thai Dishes on Broadway is offering $5 cocktails during happy hour from 4pm-9pm. Valid February 22-December 24, 2018. The Hydration Room Santa Monica Free B12 Shot for new patients. Valid September 1 through December 31, 2018. Back to Top Are you a Santa Monica business with a holiday special or event? Submit here The post Santa Monica Holiday Specials & Events appeared first on Santa Monica.

source https://www.santamonica.com/holiday-specials/ from Santa Monica Day https://santamonicaday.blogspot.com/2018/11/santa-monica-holiday-specials-events.html

0 notes

santamonicaday · 6 years

Text

Santa Monica Holiday Specials & Events

SANTA MONICA CHRISTMAS & HANUKKAH MENUS Check back for dining options. Back to Top

from The Insider's Guide to the Beautiful City of Santa Monica https://www.santamonica.com/holiday-specials/

0 notes

anneedmonds · 6 years

Text

Christmas Gift Guide 2018: For Her

Here we go then, bang on time with my Christmas Gift Guides (I get lots of complaints when I leave them any later): we’ll start with presents for the ladies in your life. Mums, sisters, friends and daughters or, alternatively, yourself. There’s no shame in forwarding this page to whoever might be buying you a present. Just an idea.

I’ve mixed the luxury with the budget, the classic with the novelty, the useful with the stuff that’s completely useless but nice to look at. A big old mix and match. I you’ve found any great buys yourself then do feel free to link to them in the comments below – I know many of you are ridiculously organised and have already done your Christmas shopping.

Personally, I don’t think that Christmas would be Christmas without a panicked, sweat-inducing race around the supermarket on December 24th, trying to find serviceable presents that don’t look like they’ve been bought from the twenty-four hour petrol station. To that end, I’ll be putting up a last-minute gift guide closer to the big day – things that look thoughtful and well-prepared but that can be picked up on the ready-made-cranberry-sauce-and-emergency-loo-roll dash.

For now; beautiful stuff that we’d all be pleased to find in our stockings.

Let’s start off posh. The classic Mulberry Lily handbag in suit-all beige; £795 at John Lewis*. Then some gorgeous lingerie from Dita von Teese at Figleaves – it’s so unusual, so special. The balconette bra is £60 here*. Cashmere socks from Boden* – a classic Christmas present that never fails to please. And then a smart 2019 diary from Liberty in an on-trend neutral, £50 here*.

Aurelia’s Body Oil is one of the best-smelling oils you can buy; it’s £48 at Space NK here*. And I have a thing for Alex Monroe’s floral alphabet pendants – just a little bit different and a really special, thoughtful gift. £135 at Liberty*. Then the ultimate stocking filler, my Colab no-white-residue dry shampoo. Smells amazing, lifts lank roots and is a steal at £3.49. Find it at Feelunique* where it’s currently 3-for-2! (I am a founder of the brand.)

The brilliant pencil pot above really tickled my fancy. It’s actually the “chewing gum” room scent diffuser from Anya Hindmarch. The pencils are the sticks and the perfume oil is alcohol-free and long-lasting. Find it at Liberty* – it’s £99. I’ll balance that quirky find with a very useful one – the blanket scarf from Accessorize, which comes in loads of designs and is huge enough to use as a makeshift wedding marquee. It’s £20 – find it here*.

Moving on. Pink Cloud face cream, my current crush – £42 at Space NK here*; Sali Hughes’ amazing beauty book Pretty Iconic, £10.81 here*. A strangely gorgeous incense holder from l’Objet, £70 at Liberty* and the best cook book of the year, Gizzi Erskine’s Slow, £12.99 here*.

Heres an eclectic little collection; the Lavinia apron from Anthropologie* (Anthropologie is great for gifts of every kind), a tiny soap tin from delectable brand MOR, £5.99 here*, the brilliant “Hop to it” Bottle Opener, £14 here* and a luxurious silk sleep mask from Slip, £50 here*.

Now taking it dark and sexy with a selection of after hours treats: I want this Gucci cat card wallet a little too much, it’s £330 here*. You can’t go far wrong with Charbonnel & Walker truffles (or, as I call them, “gone in sixty seconds”); a ready-made, good-looking present at a reasonable price point, it’s a little box of luxury. £14 at Amazon here*.

You might have been wondering when bees were going to make an appearance and here they are; this time on a set of gorgeous pyjamas from Figleaves*. At £40, they look a lot more pricey than they actually are. Conversely, you’d think that this little bottle of sparking wine would be cheaper than it is, considering you only get a measly 125ml medicinal dosage. Good job it looks the part – very Alice in Wonderland and a witty little stocking filler. It’s £12.99 at Selfridges here*.

Some gifts that make a statement; the new red version of Chanel’s No5 is limited edition and definitely one for the collectors. It’s £130 for 100ml here*. The Lulu Guinness lips portable charger is as useful as it is witty and it’s easy to find at the bottom of your bag – £35 here*.

Compagnie de Provence’s Black Tea Soap is as smart as they come and is £19 here* and Aquanova’s textured bathmats are so utterly beautiful that I’ve now bought two. I don’t let anyone actually stand on them but there we go. Find the range at Amara here*.

Some excellent, not-too-expensive ideas to suit all tastes: Kate Spade thermal mug, £16 here*, and the Snow Doll Christmas candle, £16 here*. I’m tempted to buy the candle myself because I’m intrigued to know what happens to the face when the wax melts, but there’s possibly something dark and disturbing about that so we’ll hurry on…

Lanolips Coconutter Hand Cream, £8.99 here*, large ceramic tiger vase £51 here* and the Newgate Alarm Clock £25 here*.

More animal kingdom action with the Anthropologie jewelled bee headband, £32 here* and the brilliant monkey light from Seletti which is £156 here*.

The candle with bunny ears and beast feet needs a little explaining; it’s from amazing candle brand No22 and is actually wearing a sort of Candle Accessory Wardrobe. The ears are on a clever candle lid and the beast feed form a candle stand – such a brilliant and wonderful idea! You can find No22 at Liberty here* and on the No22 website here.

The elephant cup and saucer is ever so pretty and costs £20 from Amara*.

And finally (this post has taken me about eight years to write, so far – I’ve grown a beard) an assortment of useful and interesting bits. The makeup mirror from Simple Human emits a simulation of natural sunlight and has two magnification levels so that you can see your whole face or zoom in for more detailed work. It’s £220 from Selfridge’s here*.

You already know my love for the Elizabeth Scarlett bee bags (bees again) – they’re £25 at Amara here* and the little manicure kit is excellent, all the tools you need in a miniature case, £12 here.

I’m pleased to end on a Rory Dobner note; I have the cushion with this cat design on and it’s a constant source of delight to me. The giant tray is £73.60 and you can find it online here*.

I must go and remind my family that I still exist but I’ll be back with the men’s gift guide and – hopefully – one for the kids. Remember to add your own ideas in the comments if you’ve had any genius brainwaves for unique, thoughtful things!

The post Christmas Gift Guide 2018: For Her appeared first on A Model Recommends.

Christmas Gift Guide 2018: For Her was first posted on November 22, 2018 at 2:21 pm. ©2018 "A Model Recommends". Use of this feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this article in your feed reader, then the site is guilty of copyright infringement. Please contact me at [email protected] Christmas Gift Guide 2018: For Her published first on https://medium.com/@SkinAlley

0 notes

speedygal · 7 years

Text

Not a logical intervention - part 50

A/N IF YOU THINK THAT THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER WAS THE LAST OF ROMULAN LANGUAGE, YOU’RE WRONG. YOU HAVE TO SUFFER WITH ME LEARNING THIS LANGUAGE JUST FOR THIS FIC! >:3

It was Kirk who wrapped a long colorful fabric around Lyionel’s forehead then applied tape to the edge. Lyionel was in a new form of attire, a two piece gray outfit that seemed quite large on him. It seemed to have a definite Vulcan style with the way the collar was folded and set. He was in large dark boots that were tight. His hands were laid in his lap.

“There,” Kirk said. “No one is going to pay attention to that.”

Lyionel raised a scarred eyebrow once the translator repeated.

“Are people like me not accepted?” Lyionel asked.

“Romulans have a bad reputation in Star Fleet,” Kirk said. “we had a war with them one time. People died in it. A lot of people,” Spock came to Kirk’s side picking up Italian. “Never saw them.”

“Then why am I wearing this scarf thing?” Lyionel asked.

“Vulcans will easily know you’re not a Vulcan with that forehead,” he twirled his finger at the man’s forehead. “There are some Romulan members who look like Vulcans,” Lyionel’s left ear was pointed unlike his right ear. He could have blended easily had he not been born with the forehead crest. “Comes to a disadvantage when they are spies.”

“I think I understand,” Lyionel said, as Kirk put away the remaining fabric into a small box.

Kirk stood up then came over to the panel at the back end of the ship. They were being too kind. Lyionel wondered to himself what he did to earn this rescue. Spock had explained to him on the ride to Federation Space that Lyionel was a defector from the Romulan Empire. Explaining away his injuries but unable to explain the scars on his skin. Flashes of memory came when the elder picked up a glass of tea during the talk. Honey. He smelled honey rather than bitter scent from the tea. It was one of the first memories that had returned. Seeing a flickering flame on a man made candle holder on a desk. Flickering yet the wax melting. Light poured into the shuttle craft. He looked scared at the sudden change of light. Spock closed the communicator.

Spock held his gloved hand out for the young man.

“Digaer,” Spock said. Home.

The word sounded promising from the elder.

“Digaer?” Lyionel asked. Home. “Re?” Free.

“Re,” Spock said. Free. “hravher hia eirhiss.” You not property.

Spock gestured toward the end of the shuttle craft that was open.

“Re,” Lyionel said, taking the elder’s hand overhearing the cat’s mew. Free.

Italian mewed rubbing against the leg of Lyionel. Lyionel stood up to his feet by the Vuilcan’s side Spock was guided out of the shuttle craft with Lyionel in tow. Lyionel looked around, alarmed, in awe. The hangar of the starbase was massive. A strange individual with unusual ‘v’ shaped ridges above the eyebrows that went to the nose and large pointy ears. Lyionel noticed the individual had highlighted hair. A odd and unusual short being about the size of a child jotting down the cost of the damage on the ship. The rental didn’t seem to be happy.

“Sorry about the ride being damaged,” Kirk said,. “Star Fleet will cover for that.”

“Uh huh, and I am going to get taller,” the rental said. “I get told that and they never do.” Kirk smiled back.

“Admiral Miller, at your service,” Kirk said, taking out a small light blue transparent card.

“Oh my--” the rental said, then looked up with a steaming face. “Oh---i---I---I am sorry.”

“Swipe on the board,” Kirk said. “No apologies needed.”

The rental slid the card onto a slot in the board then was handed back to Kirk. Kirk took the padd then changed the allotment that he was paying. He handed it back to the unusual short Xelayan. The rental almost jumped looking at the federation credits left over from all the deductions. The rental looked up in shock toward the group.

“TH-T-t-t--t-that’s enough to cover ten new shuttle crafts for my service,” the rental said. “I am in your debt.”

“Someone likes you deserves better customer service,” Kirk said. He turned toward the three. “let’s go.”

“Enriov kheh-os?” Lyionel said, confused. Admiral Malter?

“Tohr fviudh,” Kirk replied. Long story.

“Maenek Janeway ifvhe rhae hravher, Lyionel,” Spock added. Doctor Janeway operate on you, Lyionel. Lyionel grew tense. “rhanne ilhra diivher.“ I trust them.

That phrase calmed him as the two older men with their cat guided him toward the doors.

Lyionel sat in the waiting room alongside Kirk rubbing his hands with a lowered gaze. He was terrified. Kirk registered the familiar tell tale signs. Sweating, focusing on his hands, and thinking about it constantly getting goose bumps under his skin. Anxiety was prying on the young impressionable man. People gave them odd looks. Spock was speaking with Janeway regarding the patient and was given extensive files regarding physiology should the surgery start dipping in red alert. Kirk looked over toward the young man.

“Lyionel,” Kirk said. Lyionel looked over. Then Kirk quietly finished, “Spock emael uhtra.” Spock not see.

“Ssuaj-ha,” Lyionel said. Understood.

“Daelft,” Kirk said. Good. “gaenoh ru crawae efvi.” Okay to feel fear.

“Hravher thaebe Rihanha doaege?” Lyionel asked. You learn Romulan Language?”

Kirk nodded.

”Mosdrihænaen,” Kirk replied. Extended.

Spock exited the hall then met the two men’s direction.

“Lyionel,” Spock said.

Lyionel stood up alongside Kirk then buried his terrified feelings and came after the Vulcan.

“Hravher chon aihkh iethul?” Lyionel asked. You here after surgery?

“Ourhhe ssiun hravher,” Spock said. Wait for you.

By the doorway to the operation room stood a red headed woman whose hair was in a bun and her hands linked behind her back. She gestured into the room then he went inside. Lyionel turned his attention away then went in the woman’s direction. Spock stroked Italian, gently, watching Lyionel until his footsteps were away. Kirk came to the side of his husband looking over in concern.

“I don’t know how the kids are going to react knowing we have a visitor,” Kirk said. “Having to leave and go without getting to know him a little bit?”

“My husband, I have arranged for that during our trip when you were resting,” Spock said.

“Hm?” Kirk said.

“Your parents have, ‘miraculously’, received a extra week off,” Spock said. “Da’leek insists that we come over for cookies during that week. He loves the children. And I have heard they enjoy him. ” Kirk smiled back, quite happily.

“I love how I can always count on you,” Kirk said, holding his two fingers out.

Spock had a smile in return matching the gesture by his side.

“It is my duty as your significant other,” Spock replied.

Kirk tipped forward lacing a arm on the Vulcan’s left shoulder then planted a kiss onto the Vulcan’s ear that slowly grew a bright shade of green. Spock retained his stoic demeanor. “Jim,“ Spock stressed as his free hand clasped with the admiral’s warm hand. Not in front of the patients. Kirk had a bemused snort. Spock fought back the urge to smile. The corners of his mouth went up. Kirk watched the familiar, large and aged smile appear. Italian purred sitting in the corner of Spock’s arm.

“Whose a cutey Vulcan?” Kirk cooed. “Yes, you are. Whose adorable? You are! No, don’t try to make yourself small----you’re beautiful. Everyone should see that beautiful smile. How many times have I told you today you’re beautiful?”

“Three hundred thi---” Spock began.

“Verbally, Selek!” Kirk said. “That does not count.”

“Five,” Spock said. “So far.”

Kirk looked over toward a patient, who was knitting, in a chair.

“Doesn’t he look gorgeous?” Kirk asked.

The aged woman smiled then nodded.

“He looks good for his age,” the British sounding aged woman said.

Kirk turned his attention onto the Ambassador.

“All right, all right, husband,” Kirk said. “Let’s go watch the surgery.”

And off they went leaving the waiting room.

#space fic #my fic

0 notes

brunchbeforebocce · 7 years

Text

BRUNCH

(Written by Dave Hoos & Max Nantes)

Having supper?

Brunch. Supper is an unbuttoned shirt, dinner is a normal creased shirt. But brunch is the top button done up on a button down shirt. Maybe even with a cravat or pocket tie in the breast pocket.

Pocket tie. And a jacket. Not to be worn, but slung over the shoulder and draped across the back of the chair. Because this is brunch. Brunch is a Panama hat, with a cheeky, young riesling in a chilled ice bucket. A fruity, zesty little number with that wonderful woody aftertaste, with just a hint of rope. Brunch.

Sunday brunch.

This is brunch, brunch is the San Pellegrino of mineral waters, it is the gorgeous Scottish lamb wool when it comes to tartan picnic rugs (not plaid, never plaid)…brunch is the coffee bean picked by the gifted viola prodigy in Brazil. Brunch is life, brunch is what we live for…..brunch is simply lush.

Especially Sundays. Sunday is for brunch, afternoon tea, and supper. The conversation would go something like this…

————————————————————–

Hoos: “That would be wonderful. I’ve got a couple of bottles of riesling on ice. No, they cost around $80 a bottle. Don’t worry about the price, it’s wonderful. I usually don’t even look at the cheap ones, but these are superb. Alright, see you at 11.00.”

[Meanwhile, a voice calls from the kitchen]

Mrs.Hoos: “Darling, can you give me a hand for a minute? Breakfast is nearly ready.”

Hoos: “We’re having brunch. It’s Sunday.”

Mrs.Hoos: “Darling, it doesn’t matter.”

Hoos: “Doesn’t matter? That was Nantes on the phone. He’s coming over for brunch, not breakfast. He’s bringing his jacket especially. It’s going to be 35 degrees. Nobody brings a jacket with them in this weather unless they’re having brunch. He’s got his pocket tie ironed expressly.”

Mrs.Hoos: “Can’t you just…”

Hoos: “Brunch.”

Mrs.Hoos: “How about if we…”

Hoos: “And after brunch we were going to take a couple of bottles and take a stroll through town and toss pennies at the street vendors and market diners.”“

Mrs Hoos: "But can’t we just serve him this and call it brunch?”

Hoos: “No, he will know it’s not brunch, brunch has a feeling to it, a certain mood…..it’s when the birds are singing a certain song and that first sip of young riesling makes you feel a little dizzy and a little bit naughty…but you remember that it’s fine. Because it’s not breakfast, it’s brunch, it’s cool jazz playing, it’s when you stretch your legs, you can’t camouflage breakfast or lunch as brunch”.

Mrs Hoos: “But darling please it’s 35 degrees and I’ve been cooking all morning and it’s ready”.

Hoos: “Sorry sweetheart, brunch waits for nobody, not even brunch”.

Nantes: “Yes, and then my blazer is casually left draped on a chair and then I forget to take it with me so Hoos has to bring it over after supper, so we can then sit in our velvet smoking jackets and corduroy trousers and have a brandy with a fine Cuban cigar whilst discussing the virtues of Shakespeare’s sonnets.”

————————————————————–

Brunch is for a late lie in. Waking at ten. Having a morning stroll to the place where Jean-Pierre had his delightful little rustic café, Le Pantalon. There’s new owners now, no matter. Stroll in, even if the place appears closed. When one of the wait staff comes to tell you that they’re not yet open for lunch, give them a casual wave of the hand, and inform them that you don’t care for lunch…you’re here for brunch.

Show them your loafers.

Then tell them that this afternoon you’re having a tennis lesson with Gustav. Watch their faces. Make sure they notice that your shirt is unbuttoned at the top.

Languid. Relaxed. Brunch.

Bien sûr.

Brunch is champagne with orange juice, it’s a sharp cheddar and a watercracker with sweet fig paste….for you see brunch is autumn, it’s the cute naive exchange student from Belgium with buckled shoes that almost walk with a skip and a mouth that laughs at all your jokes even though her English is poor, brunch is the colour ocean blue, not sky blue, but the ever changing reflection of ocean blue, it’s the Oleg Markov of meals, the faded paperback book with personal footnotes written in cursive with a pencil, it’s for when a pizza is too filling but toast is too beige, but an omelette is just right. Brunch is life.

Happy brunchtime.

Brunch. Brunch is the sound of autumn leaves crackling under your loafers, it’s the imagery of a silk scarf waving in the wind from a 50’s convertable, it’s the crossaint slowly dipped into the bowl of hot chocolate. Brunch is the sound of the flame on the soy candle flickering, you don’t use it for light, but for fragrance, it’s peach and honeyblossom. Brunch is driving past Chadstone, not to go in of course, but to smirk at the shoppers wasting their time at brunchtime, it’s the feeling of getting into a lavender-infused bath and wondering if it’s too hot but then realising it’s perfect, it’s quail eggs and caviar, it’s boiled ham en gelee with parsley, rillettes of duck with prunes d'Agen, free range crispy scotch egg with homemade piccalilli on toasted sourdough bread. Brunch is young lovers carving their names on an old oak tree, it’s simply frozen grapes…it’s simply brunch.

You know, sometimes I try to imagine a life without brunch, and you know what I do? I cry…..that’s right, I cry, in fact I weep……tears running down my face like drops of condensation running down a glass of mimosa at brunch. Sunday brunch…

————————————————————–

Nantes: “I just had a chicken and salad roll, not very brunchy”

Hoos: “Chicken and salad you say? I see your point. No matter how nice the roll, chicken and salad will always be lunch. And there’s nothing wrong with a nice lunch, I had one yesterday. Ham and cheese. Delightful. But not brunch.

Never brunch.”

Nantes: “Never brunch, not even with a side of hand-cut sweet potato wedges with balsamic vinegar. Never brunch.

I think I’ll have noodle soup tomorrow. But that’s not really brunchy either.”

Hoos “Not really. If it’s minestrone soup, with a serving of ciabatta bread, roughly torn by hand (never sliced), and an attractive, attentive waitress grating thin shavings of parmesan cheese into the minestrone for you to taste until it’s…just perfect.

Then it’s brunch. But only when the wine arrives. Chilled, but not cold…sharp, but not tart…dry, but not arid…cheeky, but not inappropriate…just right. For brunch.

Always underrated.

Always, brunch.

A fry-up for brunch.”

Nantes “A fry-up is more breakfast, not brunch, but breakfast. I think the best cure at brunchtime would be coffee. Not just one, but tastings. Remember to discuss your review on each cup in terms of flavour characteristics”

Hoos “You’re right about the fry-up, of course. What was I thinking? It just seemed too late for breakfast, and a touch too early for lunch. How about brunch? Would a delightful brunch omelette help with a hangover I wonder? Perhaps it needs to be washed down with a nice bottle of white wine. Just the thing for 11:00AM with a hangover.”

Nantes: “You were thinking poorly, like a drug addled teen who uses the Pakenham line or a Western Bulldogs supporter. You know that brunch is a burgundy and cream cravat, a Perrier over frozen cantaloupe balls, for brunch is simply brunch….brunch is wine-stained tea towels from your auntie’s cellar, it’s hardback books of Russian literature without dust covers because dust covers are just so lunch, and not brunch…brunch is that cute Croatian gal who can’t quite order a Boost Juice, so you help her order amongst giggles and mumblings about banana bread….she doesn’t order banana bread, but you both express the virtues of said slice. Clean your loafers, always pay overs…this isn’t lunch..it’s brunch.”

————————————————————–

…with a robust riesling drizzled over a dozen naked oysters, your shirt unbuttoned at the sleeve, yet not still rolled up…

…it’s inviting guests for supper leftovers at eleven, then making them wait until twelve, it’s spilling wine all over your shirt and pants at the neighbour’s garden party…and then waiting to see who offers to help pat it dry…

Brunch is explaining to the dumbstruck waiter that your shoes are being worn expressly for the purpose of Sunday brunch, and taking him outside into the carpark, to proudly show him a car that isn’t yours…

Ah yes…brunch.

‘Tis brunch, I can’t add anymore other than simply…cufflinks…if your blazer is matched with your Oxford shirt appropriately….then one word, cufflinks, for brunch. Sunday brunch.

————————————————————–

Pancakes for brunch.

Mrs.Hoos: Hoos, I’m thinking of making pancakes for…

Hoos: BRUNCH!! What an excellent idea, darling. My tweed cap with the ostrich feather in the left hand side will be perfect.

Mrs.Hoos: It’s a bit overcast, darling. Perhaps we shouldn’t sit…

Hoos: Nonsense darling. Not a bit of it. You can just pop open the cantilever once you’ve laid the alfresco dining table. Set for three. Nantes is bringing his antique butterfly net. He picked it up for a song at the flea market down by the pigeon fanciers emporium.“

Nantes: "I was planning on bringing a quiche and a canapé, but it might clash with the pancakes. Are you sure she’s making pancakes? I always thought crepes were more brunch-esque, never mind will do, but don’t forget the fresh strawberries from that little gourmet orchard stall, you know, the one Alfredo told you about, it’s lush. I just can’t decide on the loafers, the hickory brown ones with the tassels, or the tawny brown without tassels. Ahh decisions. Brunch.”

Hoos: “I have an old tassled jacket that will go well with your loafers. Sorry about the pancakes. As I was perusing the wine section in the off licence (I asked them, unsuccessfully, if I might see their range of chilled, brunch rieslings) next to the, sadly, unremarkable supermarket. Whilst there, I was accosted by a 41 year old dental assistant, who accused me of stealing her aubergines from her shopping trolley. As I deftly deflected her clumsy advances and sent her crashing into a shoddily assembled grapefruit display…her left elbow grazed the container of pancake mixture that was earmarked for our delightful brunch.

I returned the damaged article at once. The risk was too great.”

Nantes: “We all know the sort, always planned on being a dentist but said she would wait until her 30’s, and then bang…40’s come around and she’s still an assistant. She says that’s what she prefers but everyone knows she’s just apathetic and takes her frustration out on dapper gentlemen in loafers trying to find brunch riesling. Then goes home to nothing more than her Beagle named Frank and her Ikea decor.”

Hoos: “Yes. And ruins brunch pancake mixture. Crepes would have been more appropriate (you are correct), but then that would have been even more of a disappointment. Luckily we still had Alfredo’s strawberries with cream and sugar to enjoy in place of the pancakes. My loafers were, thankfully, unscathed. Neither spilt pancake mixture, nor dental assistant’s spittle, in any way interfered with the integrity of my delicate, yet comfortable, early autumn footwear.”

Nantes: “Have you come from the cleaning cobbler who gave your loafers a polish and shine I suspect?”

Hoos: “A shiny coin was his ample reward. And some kind words…

"Ladislav, you are an honest, hardworking man. Do you know, I sometimes paint? Yes, yes. When I have the time, and the work has all been delegated, I like to paint. I have just finished a lovely piece, depicting a common, nondescript street cobbler, slipping and falling in a puddle of mud and filth, outside an expensive bistro, while a group of diners are watching him. Drinking, laughing, enjoying their brunch. It’s called, The Clumsy Oaf. It is magnificent. One day, with hard work, one day Ladislav, you can come up to my house and shine my shoes. And look at my painting. And if Nantes is bringing wine for brunch…shine his shoes too. He wears tassles. He will not forget. He will bring his shoes to you again.

You missed a spot.”“

————————————————————–

Brunch is being able to laugh at itself. Even if you couldn’t find your panama and had to wear your fedora. Whether the waiter is impressed by your monogrammed handkerchief, or simply confused as to why you’ve asked to see the brunch menu in a place that’s only open for lunch…it doesn’t matter.

It’s brunch. Sunday brunch.

It’s healthier, one meal instead of two with greater time in the afternoon for Bocce.

Or croquet. Or a stroll onto the golf course. Take your drinks, take the bottle. Hit the tiny ball occasionally. Let the 'golfers’ play through. It’s not why we’re here. We’re still having brunch.

END

0 notes