#edit: changed it a little for zest

[aurae-rori]

DR RATIO ANALYSIS PT 3 BUT IT'S JUST GAY

Now, you might be saying - "Aurae, you've done part one, and part two, so why do we need a part three?" The answer is because of two things - one. I made a deal with the Tumblr Peoples that if one of my posts hit more than 50 likes I would do this analysis. Two. Mihoyo is making this shit canon. I CAN'T MAKE THIS UP. So, let's delve into my usual disclaimer, as we might have some new people joining us for the first time with my insanity.

I have been researching psychology personally for about six years, so although I am not a professional (crawling my way there through the education system. I will be one, one day.) I do have some experience with analyzing homosexuals. Psychology hours, my children. They don't call me "chronically cooking" for nothing. Maybe I should change my url to that...

NOW THAT MY LONG AHH DISCLAIMER IS OVER, LET'S GET INTO THIS! It's time to deconstruct these homosexuals like a modern airplane, because they might as well be taking off with how canon they are.

"It can't be canon," they say, but then Mihoyo DOES PAID SPONSORSHIPS WITH THESE FUCKERS BEING GAY. We've all seen the paid partnership edit. We've all seen the video where Aventurine has the audio of "nice rack" as he talks to Dr. Ratio. PAID SPONSORSHIPS. Now, if that piece of evidence isn't enough for you - let's dive into their actual relationship, which is just a HOMOSEXUAL MESS. I will be focusing more on how Dr. Ratio sees this guy as this is a Dr. Ratio analysis™, but hey, the crumbs.. we eat 'em all. Amen.

Let's start off (I say as I write this part three days later) about how people are like, 'Aven is Ratio's favourite idiot' WRONG. Ratio does NOT consider Aventurine to be an idiot and knows that he is smart and capable in his own right. While Ratio is book smart, Aven is extremely street smart and holds his own very well. Ratio does not consider Aventurine to be an idiot as he takes off his plaster head around him and actually indulges in his whims around him. This is a blatant showcase of fondness because although he is emotionally constipated and can't be affectionate through words without sounding semi-backhanded because he's never had true affection in his life, he showcases his love through actions rather than words. He's just bad at showing love, okay? But he does love Aven. Or like him, to some extent, if you don't want to see them as romantic, which is fine. However, no matter what you label their bond as, it's obvious that they care for one another.

Also, the fucking ZEST FEST that was 'keeping up with Star Rail'. He says, "wait a minute - MUTUAL?" which indicates that he has respect for Aventurine in the first place. He LITERALLY TOLD US that he respects Aventurine and he was commenting on Aventurine's playstyle & everything.. also, at the end, he was here because 'I appreciate this show's dedication to knowledge' - his TONE. Kudos to the VA because that was not convincing at all. Bro was NOT here for the knowledge, bro was here to be GAY!!! Also his little own bathtub couch. We all know Aven bought it for him. Trust, I am John Hoyoverse.

"The Charming Audacity" HUH? BRO? Okay this is hilarious to me because this is the first time that we ever really see them interact with one another, and we get absolutely bitchslapped in the fact that Dr. Ratio calls this guy's audacity 'charming'. That's GAY. That's HOMOSEXUAL.

Also, comparing him to a peacock.. a very beautiful bird.... Must I say more?

Now, the part that I really want to focus on is the part where he gives the Doctor's Note to Aventurine. This shit is important. And I agree with the people who are like - Acheron helped him. Because she did. She was a big part of it and she helped Aventurine get back on his feet in the void. Dr. Ratio is not his only reason to live, but the note, showing that someone will stay by his side? Showing that someone truly cares for him? Someone who's waiting for him when he get back? This bond that he has with Dr. Ratio isn't fake. He already has a starting point to get back to - an anchor to return to. Dr. Ratio is his anchor. Whenever he goes off to do crazy shit, Veritas Ratio will be there when he returns. Because Ratio is loyal. Ratio cares. He cared enough to almost jeopardize their plan to make sure that Aventurine was going to be okay. He cares so damn much about Aventurine that he decided that this man's emotional state after the fake betrayal was more important than all of fucking Penacony.

If you want an example of "I would let the world burn for you," it's Ratio. He's a romantic not in the traditional sense, but he cares and loves Aventurine so damn much it makes my heart hurt. "Do stay alive," he says, knowing that Aventurine struggles with living. Those three words mean the whole fucking world to someone who struggles with suicidal ideation and suicidal thoughts. Someone wants you to live. Someone wants you to stay. Someone wants you by their side.

Dr. Ratio cares. Let me say that again - he cares. He banters with Aventurine, tries to create an environment where Aventurine can feel a little bit more comfortable with the two of them, even in a place as dangerous as Penacony. He will put his own life on the line for Aventurine.

He cares. He cares so damn much. I hate gay people. They make me VIOLENTLY homophobic.

Dr. Ratio after expressing his care indirectly and complimenting Aventurine indirectly: Did I do it?

Aventurine, who has caught none of the hints:

Anyway, thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.

[writtenbyjos]

Starlight and Shadows: Gravity Falls Prologue #1

Prologue 1: Vagabond

((ALL FAN-FICTION RELATED CONTENT AND OC'S BELONG TO ME))

Gravity Falls, oh it is good to be back! I am BEYOND excited to share this with you guys, I've put my absolute heart and soul into writing this story, but I'm going to post chapters 1-5 whenever I can finally get them polished, edited and formatted the way I want. But this is the first prologue out of two that's going to set up the story before the story even begins. It'll introduce Eliza and Matilda, (Matilda's Prologue COMING SOON) and gives some context for where we'll pick up later in the story. It's going to be a full fledged story with all the angst, romance, mystery and adventure your heart can handle. To let you know what you'll be getting yourself into, we have a very charming and mysterious male antagonis with unknown intentions named Trick, changlings, vampires, the darker, more sinister side of Gravity Falls, inter-dimensional travel, heartbreak, a character who can see and communicate with ghosts, flashbacks and delving deep into some angsty Pines Twins content. What the people (AND ME) love to see. I've posted some artwork of my OC's, Eliza and Matilda if you wanna go check it out! I am so hyper-fixated on this fanfiction, its actually insane. Like, Gravity Falls has literally taken my mind and heart hostage and I am a WILLING participant. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this little story as much as I have enjoyed writing it! :) <3 Attaching the Spotify playlist I created to read along with the stories. Enjoy!!

(ALL GRAVITY FALLS CONTENT BELONGS TO ALEX HIRSCH AND THAT KING ON EARTH ONLY WE ARE HUMBLE SERVANTS)

Summary:

PROLOGUE PLOT:

The first prologue (Vagabond) revolves around the happenstance meet cute and completely chaotic situation that Stanley and Eliza find themselves in. Eliza is an ex-pageant queen hailing from a wealthy family business, but escaping to big cities to live out her dreams of being on stage while haboring a complex darkness she can't seem to break free of. But right now, performing nightly at a seedy variety club downtown with her two best friends will suffice. After a heist gone very, VERY wrong, Stanley Pines, hunky drifter, takes cover from a cop chase and drug bust into an alley where he stumbles through a back door-- and onto Eliza, in a robe, smoking a cigarette out the door before she goes on for her first set. Their meeting would set off a butterfly effect, and set many events into motion. And the rest, my friends, is history.

MAIN PLOT (IN PROGRESS): After a year of sailing the seven seas and repairing their strained relationship and re-discovering their love and zest for life, Stan and Ford Pines return to Gravity Falls to spend a highly anticipated second summer with Dipper and Mabel, fresh off the track of their first successful year of high school. Dipper and Mabel have been trying to figure out how to be teenagers under the strain of their parent's failing relationship while Ford and Stan have made a fortune from their research. But while still trying to re-adjust to normal life after the traumatic events of defeating Bill and surviving Weirdmageddon, everyone still feels weary of calm waters and still haven't found their footing. But they know as long as they'll have each other, they can make it through anything. After the reunite, it was as if they had never left. The whole gang is back and better than ever. But in Gravity Falls, all is not always as it seems... and when Stan's long time old flame Eliza resurfaces and her estranged, mysteriously charming lover Trick comes looking for her, he brings with him a looming threat that no one could have ever imagined. This would be the summer where everyone's lives changed forever.

It was a hot, soggy-aired late afternoon where the days of august seemed to drag on like a bad movie. In Las Vegas, you needed three things, a tough hide, a sharp mind and a little dumb luck. In 1978, 'Grease' had just been released, and dancing was the capture of everyone's attention, but anew kind. Big cities like these offered the opportunity for young people with big dreams to think they could take the world, where it was almost still possible for people to have hope for the future, everything was so unknown, so mysterious. Stanley Pines was no exception. After a disastrous attempt to pull off a heist that involved certain "illegal" and "counterfeit" goods, exotic animal smuggling and a fake ID ended in being busted by two undercover cops. Stanley was once again evading the arrest and capture as he hurtled himself through the busy streets of one of his favorite cities in the world. He'd become well acquainted with the unpredictability and excitement of las Vegas. In other words, Stan had successfully learned how to be a full time criminal, evading the grasp of the LVPD many times in the past year. But this time… this time he may have taken things just a little too far.

As his heart pounded in his ears, he made sharp turns on street corners, jumped over chain link fences and ducked into a few port-o-poties eventually pushing some sad sack off their tourist bike and making a mad dash for the south side of town, where he knew he could find enough chaos to blend in with or a seedy bar to hide in. He cycled through the sidewalks and lights like a race car on a fast track.

He had become addicted to the feeling of escaping the authorities, it was the same rush he would get when he'd do something to get him sent to detention in high school. There was still no feeling like it. But he was so caught up in the adrenaline of outrunning the police, he nearly crashed into a construction site surrounding a large pot hole gaping in the middle of the sidewalk. He swerved around and barely missed it, laughing as he looked back, pounding a fist proudly into the air.

"Suckers!" He cackled. But what happened next was no laughing matter. He felt a small bump underneath the tires and his heart sank as the wheels began to pedal slower and slower.

"Goddammit, not now, not now! Fuck! Shit!" He cursed to himself, pulling over by a brightly lit club and hopping off into its hidden alleyway. He examined the front wheel: busted. There was a giant nail stuck in the tire, presumably from the construction site he almost fell face first into moments ago. He grabbed his hair in his clutched fists frantically and paced back and forth, in a disheveled suit he had sticky fingered from an old thrift store for this exact occasion. He put his hands on his knees and tried to catch his breath.

"He went that way! We got him now!" He heard voices yelling from the street not too far away and knew he had to think of a plan and fast, if he didn't want to be locked up and sent off to the big house. He looked around frantically for an escape, and spotted a back door that was slightly open, cracked. He didn't think twice, just forward and lunged for the door, opening it and hurting himself inside. He managed to get himself through the door and flattened himself against the wall just as the cop car zoomed past the alleyway in the opposite direction, away from the club. It was one of his more graceful exits. But what wasn't so graceful, was his crash landing. He'd gotten his boot stuck in part of the ply wood that stuck up from the ground and fallen face first onto the dusty floor. Luckily, his giant nose broke his fall. He lay there for a minute, unsure if he could move his anything. He sighed and turned over to lay on his back, grimacing from the pain of falling flat on his forehead.

"Hey, this is a closed smoke session, buddy." A gravely voice startled him almost half to death, and it was coming from a short-torso-ed, long legged, blonde leaning against a door frame with a lit cigarette in her left hand, taking a long drag. Before he could say anything, she stepped over to him where he was sprawled out on the floor like a complete idiot about to make a snow angel with no snow. She was wearing nothing but a pink robe with fluffy cuffs and red platform heels—a specific detail that Stan would remember fondly for years and years to come. With every step closer she got, her heels echoed in the hallway full of metal shafts and a boiler sitting in the corner huffing like a train engine, presumably about to burst open. She seemed to walk in sync with the bursts of hot air, like the world was her stage and it beckoned to her every move.

"I—uh…sorry…" He scrambled to his feet as she towered over him, a look of annoyance plastered on her face as she took another drag and puffed it into the already clouded air. When he got to his feet and brushed his jacket off, he winced at the still open door that spilled into the street that he'd just been chased down. He closed it with two hands and huffed, turning back towards this mysterious stranger. And from this angle, he was almost stricken with how beautiful she was.

"Hey I'm smokin' here! Why'd you close the door?" She whined.

"I think you'll live." Stan muttered, catching his breath, searching around the room for something to barricade the door closed.

"Who the hell are you, anyways?" She asked, more inconvenienced than upset, watching him scramble about.

"No time to explain! Just help me keep this door shut, toots!" She eyed him suspiciously and crossed her arms. He looked at her with a pleading look and sighed, rubbing his eyes together with one fist. "Please?" He asked. The woman groaned and dropped her shoulders.

"Fine, fine." She said huffing. She threw him an old pipe from a pile of metal scraps and broken show signs in the hallway and Stan made a makeshift lock so that no one could barge in without exerting a good amount of effort. She came up right behind him and fastened a small chair and placed it underneath the door handle, making sure it was secure. She took her arm in his and put out her cigarette on a small ash tray by the door and lead him hastily to a small door down the hall. Upon entering, it looked like makeshift dressing room. He ran in and caught his breath, the lady shutting the door abruptly behind her.

"Y'know, most times I don't let strange men into my room until at least the third date." She said putting her hands on her curvy hips. Stan propped his forearm on a beam and wiped the sweat off his forehead panting a little from all the excitement. When his head cleared enough for him to realize she had just back handedly insulted him, he felt his face turn red.

"Hey! I'm not strange! Besides, y-you're the one who pulled me in here!" He said smoothing out his beige leisure suit and shook his head. "Strange men my ass…geez, women are so paranoid." He muttered under his breath, irritably. He'd had just about enough of today.

"How about I throw you back onto the street? Hello? I'm also the one who saved your ass back there!" She said, strutting over to him and poking an accusatory finger into his chest with force. "Where's my thank you?" She said crossing her arms definitely. Stan sighed and decided he needed turn on his charm to smooth his way out of this one, that is, if he wanted to stay hidden from Sergeant Amos and Deputy Jones. He grabbed her chin between his pointer finer and thumb, giving her a warm smile.

"Thank you, princess." He noticed her face flushed with a rose tint.

"I…y-you're welcome." She was trying to act big and tough, but Stan could see a quiver of weakness in her eyes, and he thanked his lucky stars for his natural wit and charm, and that he wasn't his twin nerdy twin brother.

"You got a name, sweetheart?" He asked. She gave him a look and smiled.

"Eliza. Like in 'My Fair Lady'." She held out her hand and Stan took it gently in his, grazing her knuckles with his stubbled lips. "But you can call me Liz." She said, walking her fingers up Stan's torso.

"My fair lady indeed….Liz, I like it. Pretty name for a pretty gal like you. I'm Staley Pines. But…you can call me Stan. Nice to meet ya." He said with an award winning smile.

"So, you man of mystery, I know I'm probably gonna regret asking this and regret letting you into my dressing room but, who or what exactly, did I just save you from?" She took a few steps closer with each word til she was inches away from his face, fiddling with the hem of his coat. He didn't know if she was pickpocketing him or just feeling him up. Either way, he didn't care.

Stan gulped and tugged on his jacket collar.

"See, if I told you, where's the fun in that?" He chuckled nervously.

"Oh look—my dressing room telephone…" She pulled away and grazed her hand over a pink rotary next to her lit up mirror and a few make-up brushes. "Hello? Hello operator? There's a strange man in my dressing room that won't leave me alone…" She pretend to be on the phone and twisted the wire between her little fingers, feigning fright.

"Alright, alright! I'll tell you, just—just put the phone down, shortcake." He held out his hands cautiously, as if he were talking her down from the ledge. "But… how do I know you're not just gonna call the cops for real?" She put her weight on one foot and played with the belt of her robe.

"I guess you'll just have to trust me." She said bopping him on the nose.

"Meh, cut it out!" He chuckled, gently swiping her hand away. "Fine…I was uh, I was sorta being…chased or something." He said sheepishly.

"Or something?" She asked, holding back a chuckle. "Who was chasing you?" She crossed her arms.

"Charley and Hudson Combs, L.V.P.D. Precinct nine." Stan waited for her to make the usual judge-y, freaked out or doped out reaction he'd usually gotten from everyone else, but she never did. She just nodded and raised an eyebrow, pulling a box of cigarettes from the breast pocket on her robe. She lit another cigarette and motioned for him to continue.

"I was… s-supposed to meet a few fellas about getting a few tigers and an alligator down across the boarder. Know what? I shouldn't be telling you this. You need plausible deniability." He winced, but there was still no reaction out of Liz except a slow, exhale of smoke from her drag and a nonchalant shrug of reassurance. Stan sighed. "…But when I met up with the buyers to seal the deal, they turn out to be undercover cops! They tried to arrest me but uh…" He chuckled proudly. "Let's just say these hands can get away from anything, out of any situation. I managed to outsmart 'em and get them off my trail…maybe just long enough to buy me some time to figure out my next move. But twiddle-dee and twiddle dumber put a slash in every one of my tires! Gonna cost an arm and a leg, too.

"So how'd you end up on the floor of my Long story short, I've been trying to outrun these asswipes for half an hour now!" He exclaimed.

"Well, why the hell didn't you just say so?" She asked casually, still holding out her cigarette with a bent wrist.

"What?" He asked, surprised at her accepting nature…or was he skeptical?

"Why didn't you say that earlier? It would've made things a lot easier! There's a secret stairway that goes up to the attic, dummy." She said matter of factly.

"Well, in a city like this, who knows who you can really trust? Or if…if you're a guy like me…" He said shifting uncomfortably. Eliza half smiled, knowingly.

"A hunky drifter with a thrill problem?" She asked giving him a look down. Stan ran his fingers through his hair and shot her a hand gun, winking.

"Haha, yeah!"

"Wait here." She said, turning around briskly and meandering towards the back of her boudoir.

"Look, Eliza… I appreciate you and all of this but I don't exactly have time to wait. I need to figure out what the fuck I'm gonna do! What if they come looking for me here? I left the bike outside, I mean…I'm toast! Christ on a saltine cracker…" He took a flask from his pocket and guzzled down a large swig of whiskey.

"Calm down, mon cher," she had disappeared behind a drape and he heard her fiddling through what sounded like a dresser or drawer of some kind. "You're bumming my good mood. Besides, all you need, is a little wardrobe change!" She sang.

"What the fuck?" Stan muttered to himself. "What the hell does a wardrobe change have to do with getting me off the hook? So I can take a prettier mugshot?"

"God. Men are so lucky to have women. You're all hopeless. Without us, you'd be chasing your tails, itching your fleas and off starting wars." She called. "Oh wait, too late."

"That's debatable." Stan muttered, taking another swig of his drink.

"Hey pal, I have a strict alcohol policy here." She said coming around the corner with a new suit, some make up and a bag of mystery supplies. Stan put his flask away quickly and blushed trying to play it off cool. She set down her haul on her make up table and put her hands on her hips.

"No alcohol allowed." She frowned.

"Damn, you really know how to have fun, don't you?" He asked, putting it away.

"I said, no alcohol…Unless you're willing to share." Eliza extended her hand expectedly and Stan felt a sly grin grip at the corner of his lips. He shook his head and sighed.

"Guess I misjudged you, kid." He said handing her the flask. She twisted one the top.

"Guess you did." She said taking a giant swig, both alarming and impressing Stan at the same time.

"You nervous or something? What's got you so thirsty?" He chuckled, amused as she wiped her mouth with her arm and handed him his flask back.

"Pre-show nerves. And there's a very devilishly handsome stranger in my boudoir." She hummed.

"Devilishly handsome, eh?" Stan tried to appear more confident and put together than he really was and leaned on the side of her mirror, like he'd seen James Dean do many a time in the movies."Hey, what's the plan with those? This devilishly handsome stranger needs to make like a bird and fly out of here, y'know…unseen." He stroked his chin, looking at the pile of stuff on her table.

"Cops can't arrest you if they don't recognize you." She said smiling, holding out the suit for him. It was flashy alright, it was black with electric blue lighting strikes and a silky pant to match. She had picked out a wig with long brown hair, and a fake mustache to tie it all together. It was a stretch, but better than anything he had on hand.

"Huh. You really think this disguise can hide me from the cops? Don't you think it's a little too…sparkly? What if I just draw attention to myself?"

"Thats the point! If you were trying to outrun the law, the last thing you'd be doing is going to a sketchy variety show at a dingy night club. You'll be hidden in plain sight! Besides, I've never met anyone who can grow a mustache in under half an hour, Stanley." She raised her eyebrows and Stan felt his stomach settle for the first time all day. This might actually work.

"I like your style, kid. That's impressive. Crazy, but we might be able to pull this off." He said taking the costume and draping it over one arm.

"Are you crazy? Of course we will. I didn't grow up learning how to make myself eight years older with my pageant make up for the fun of it…" She paused and winked. "I did it to help disguise shady figures and get them into the witness protection program."

"Pageants, huh?" Stan asked, masking a snort. Eliza was amused that he didn't even question her comment about the witness protect program.

"Yes." She gritted her teeth and pushed her hair behind her ears.

"Isn't Miss America supposed to be a role model or something? Like a goody two shoes in an expensive dress?" Eliza rolled her eyes.

"You have no idea." She shivered slightly and rubbed her arms quickly.

"You know doll, I did have this under control. But I appreciate the help anyways."

Eliza smirked.

"Right. Until you came stumbling in here with a broken bike and into the arms of a half naked stranger in a leotard? Yeah. Sounds like you have everything under control." She looked amused and Stan blushed. "It's a good thing you're cute." Stan puffed out his chest and cracked his knuckles.

"What can I say? I'm adorable! People can't get enough of me, even the cops keep ridin' my ass from here to New Jersey." Eliza giggled into her hand and adjusted her robe. Stan couldn't help his wandering eyes as they surveyed this lovely stranger he'd stumbled upon, literally, and the slip in her robe near her chest that was opening up just enough to get a better look. She was a good foot and a half shorter than he, with high cheekbones, long blonde hair and big, blue eyes. She had a small trail of freckles lining her nose, and they way her small waist and big hips swayed with every word she said, beckoned Stan to come closer.

"That's debatable." She smirked, turning around, hair hitting Stan square in the face. But he didn't care—it smelled like vanilla ice cream and babies' laughter.

He watched as she made her way behind a curtain and motioned him to look away. "Do you mind? I have to get ready… And you need to get into that suit, pronto."

"R-right, sorry…" Eliza slipped behind a pink curtain by the velvet couch and disappeared. He instinctively turned around and crossed his arms, hearing a zip and a tug here and there. Stan's face flushed and began to shed his layers and put on the blue suit while Eliza was still getting her dress on.

"Where did you say you were from?" She called.

"Uh…that depends. I've been banned in seven states including my hometown…"

"Seven states? No way." She said impressed "And you're hometown…Which is…?" She asked.

"Glass Shard, New Jersey. Born and raised. But like I said, I'm not exactly…allowed back. Got a lot of angry people with fake pitch forks waiting for me if I ever do." He chuckled.

Eliza peered around the satin drape and looked pleasantly surprised when she got a good look at Stan. And vice versa. Her robe had disappeared and she was now wearing a sparkly a two piece set, with a white, bedazzled, form fitting tank top and matching pants with bell bottoms and platform heels that almost brought her up to Stan's chest. She had on big, circle, blue tinted glasses and her hair was teased.

"Very nice. Very Bowie." She said signing Stan to do a turn around with her twirling finger.

"Not so bad yourself, toots. Damn. You're a sight for sore eyes. What I wouldn't give to be walking around the streets of Vegas with a gal like you on my arm." He took her hand and twirled her around slowly, ending her in a dip, locked in his arms. They stayed like this, locked in time for a minute and Stan's eyes wandered to her pink lips, so soft and so thick.

"I mean…if you play your cards right…" She said, the breath taken away from her by their embrace. There was a moment—just a fleeting moment—where he thought she might want to kiss him back, but before she could there was a knock at the door and Stan nearly dropped her on her head before catching her mid fall. She hit his arm and dusted herself off, scoffing. She put a finger to her lips and motioned for him to be quiet.

"Eliza? Your little girl group is on in fifteen. Sage Green is finishing up her last set." A male voice called from the other side of her door.

"Thanks Julio." She called, turning back to Stan, she sighed and went to get the fake mustache and matching wig. "Now then, after you put this on, you're on your own. I have a show to do." She took the mustache and applied a thin line of glue on its sticky side, and stood of her tip toes to reach Stan's upper lip. She stuck it under his nose and smoothed the edges, her fingertips brushing against his lips every now and then. Next, she fitted the wig over his head. Her hands pulling and tugging at his hair was doing more than he'd care to admit. But the look was pretty convincing…and Stan couldn't deny her obvious expertise.

"One more thing…" She reached for her makeup palette and grabbed a brush readying herself to work on Stan's face.

"Woah, woah, woah…that is not touching my face, doll face." He said defensively. "Guy's don't wear makeup! I'm not some kind of sissy." Eliza raised an eyebrow and snickered to herself, dipping the brush in a red color, then a blue, then a black.

"There is so little you understand about the world, Stan. Get your head out of your ass. Do you want to look convincing for the cops or not?" She asked. Stan looked at her, then the make up brush with powder on the end and sighed.

"Fine. But you better not make me look bad." He said. After a few moments of breathing in Eliza's perfume which was a heavenly blend of amber and childhood wonder, he began to grow tired of the poking and prodding of the prickly brush and wondered how the hell women could sit still and do this for hours when he could barely sit still for five minutes. He had a newfound respect. He liked having Eliza stand so close to him, he could hear all the small catches in her breath as she honed in her focus, their lips barely inches away from each other. "I still don't understand how this is gonna help."

"Of course you don't," she sang. "C'mon, admit it, you secretly love this. I know you do." She found his discomfort quite hilarious but Stan just groaned in annoyance.

"Oh yeah, I love getting stabbed in the eye. Feels like I'm kissin' a porcupine. Hey!" He flinched. "Be careful with that thing—you're—you're getting powder in my cornea!" He blinked, scrunched his face up and tried to rub the make up out. Before he could start messing up all her hard work, Eliza scolded him and slapped his hand away. "Great, just great!"

"You big baby. Hold still…" She hissed. "Aaaaand…all done." She stood back and tilted her head. She looked pleased with herself. "Take a look." She stood behind him as he checked himself out in the mirror. And he had to admit it, she make him look like an entirely different person. The wig and mustache combo made him look like a young and hip club goer, and the suit didn't look half bad. What really threw him was the fake black eye she had given him, he assumed with the red and blue make up.

Somehow, she had managed to re-sculpt his face with what little make up she used and he was amazed. He put his hands on his hips and beamed. "And thus, Stanwick Pinestone was born." She winked at him through her reflection.

"You can really do all this with make up?" He looked intrigued, admiring his newly sculpted jaw line.

"Duh! I told you! Make up is the most magical tool in the world. It can turn you into anyone you want to be; on stage and off. Now that's my kind of thrill. It probably doesn't beat illegally smuggling exotic across the Mexican border or being on the FBI's most wanted list, though." She eyed Stan who was rubbing the back of his neck."One thing I do know, is that those guys aren't looking for someone with a black eye and a mustache." She crossed her arms and cocked her hip to one side with pride.

"Lizzy, you're a genius! But the good kind!" He picked her up by her waist without thinking and spun her around in the air. She laughed and gripped tightly onto his forearms, throwing her head back with pride. The thin, blue veiled skirt attached to her was it billowed around and twirled as she did. When he put her down they both took a beat and chuckled uncomfortably.

"I just meant—you—well…thanks. For this." Stan rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "You really are somethin' else." This time, he found it in himself to give her a real, genuine smile.

"Just don't get arrested, I will need that disguise back." She laughed. "And you know what? The mustache combo isn't a bad look for you, in fact, I think it's kind of sexy."

"Yeah, not bad, huh? Let's just hope its enough to keep me out of trouble…for now." He checked himself out in the mirror a few more times, smoothing his fake hair back and stroking his brand new stache.

"Not that I'm not enjoying our little pow-wow, but I do have to get to stage before they cut our act altogether. Are you good from here?" She asked, grabbing a little tiara from a shelf by the door and placing it on her head.

"I'm good from here…" Stan paused when he turned around and noticed the glimmering crown placed carefully on her head. "…Princess." He flashed her a smile.

"You can stay and watch y'know…if you want…" She said.

"Hey, I gotta act the part anyways, right? Can't give it away too soon." Stan said cooly. "Might as well stick around and pretend like I'm having fun. Y'know, sell the look."

"I swear to god, if my girls don't show up soon, I'm going to throw up." She said adjusting her hair and costume.

"Your girls?" Stan air quoted, squinting.

"Ellie and Betty…they're my partners. We sing together? In the variety show."

"What's your act?" Stan asked.

"We're all named Elizabeth…does that count?" She shrugged making Stan chuckle. "The Three El's…it's—it's a work in progress." He could see her blush in the mirror as she powdered her face.

"Oh joy. There's three of you?"

"Hey, I'll have you know we're very popular! Any day now and we'll have a real residency here in the city. Just you wait." She squinted and pointed, getting right up in his face.

"I have no doubt about that. Who wouldn't love you?" He said, coming off as way more confident than he felt, and it was secretly making Eliza's knees weak. She blinked and shrunk off her tip toes.

"If they show up…I hope they're okay. They know how important this show is for us! It's exposure!"

"Hey doll, cheer up! Even if they don't…who need's em? You've got that crowd in the palm of your hands. Knock 'em dead! Break an ankle! Isn't—isn't that what they say in theatre or whatever?" He asked, rolling his wrist.

"Something like that…You're not totally wrong." She said, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

"Course I'm not! I'm always right!" He gave her shoulders a reassuring squeeze.

"And hey…" He lifted her chin. "If you need someone to play off of, I'm already dressed for the part, huh?" He stretched out his arms and did a turn around.

"You know, you're pretty alright. For a criminal." She winked.

"You're not so bad yourself, y'know… for a pageant queen." He replied. She looked side to side, taken a back slightly.

"How did you…my title?" She shook her head, scanning his face.

"I used to live in Jersey! A.k.a, pageant capital of the East. I know a first place tiara when I see one, kid." He looked up at the little, silver crown on her shelf right above them, picked it up and fitted it on the top of her head gently and she blushed furiously, stunted for words. He mustered all of the courage he didn't have and bent down to kiss her quickly on the cheek. Her face was completely red now, she absent mindedly touched the place he had kissed with her fingertips and smiled, immediately snapping out of it and the color from her face draining at the reminder that she had to go on without her two counter perfomrers.

"Well—partners or no partners! The show must go on! I've gotta get going! Shoo!" She ushered him out the door and she waved as she fled through the hall, but not before turning around, running up to Stan and giving him a quick, hesitant peck on the lips, returning the favor and leaving him stunned and frozen in place. It was…electric. It made him wonder what her lips might've really tasted like.

"Thanks for the drink, Stanwick. See you out there! At least try to act like you're having fun." She saluted him and disappeared into throw two big, double doors, leaving Stan to his own agenda. He already missed her, and wondered how could so much change in the span of half an hour, after having lived without her his entire life.

He entered the main stage area complete with a piano, a bar, a microphone and sea of weirdos clinking glasses and dancing with the disco music blaring from the speakers. He did exactly as him and Eliza had planned, he grabbed a drink, mixed and mingled and tried to stay as calm as he could. He was actually starting to feel like things were going to be okay, until he saw the two cops that were chasing him, slip through the back way and spill into the room. All sense of confidence abandoned him and he began to worry that their entire idea was a bad one that would put him directly in arms reach of the people he was running from. Stan anxiously began to shuffle through the crowd, dodging investigative eyes.

He started to panic, to fear, to imagine himself locked behind bars with no family that cared enough to come and find him. His thoughts were racing, till he felt pressure on his wrist. For a split second, he wondered if his time had finally come. But when he turned his head, he saw Eliza, practically glowing underneath the disco lights, grabbing a hold of his wrist.

"Eliza?" He pulled her in close, sure she could hear the pounding of his heart. She pulled away with a panicked look as well—had she seen something she didn't want to?

"Stanwick, I need your help!" She looked at him with pleading eyes, and Stan melted under the veil of sweet relief that he hadn't been caught yet. Her disguise was working. She pulled him to a back room behind the stage and caught her breath, fanning herself. "I'm going to kill them, I'm going to kill them!" She said frantically.

"Careful, sweet thing. You're still in ear shot of the cops, they came through the front like fifteen minutes ago!"

"Well, they haven't found you yet!" She said dismissively. "Look. You gotta help me. El and Betty—my scene partners, bailed on me! They were supposed to be in costume with their heinies on stage fifteen minutes ago, and no one has seen them! And I need someone to fill in for them and make this a duet. And that someone is gonna be you!" She took his shoulders and shook him.

"Woah, woah, woah there is no way that I'm getting up there with this—"

"You said you'd help me!" She frowned and it was adorable. "Consider it pay back for saving you life!" She put emphasis on the end expectedly.

"Doll, I can promise you, nobody, and I mean nobody—including you—wants to hear me get on that stage and sing. It ain't happenin'. Being a silent stage prop, now that's more up my alley." He said defiantly. Eliza huffed and looked around, as if to find an answer to her situation. "Besides, I thought you said you could handle it by yourself?" Stan said.

"Thinking about doing it yourself is a hell of a lot different than actually doing it by yourself, you know! I didn't think they'd really bail on me!"

"Not…happenin'." He said firmly.

"Look, if you help me with this, I—I'll get you a ride. Anywhere you need to go. I know a guy that works here at the club with a limo we can borrow." She said. Stan looked apprehensively at the stage doors, and then back to Eliza's pleading face. He must've been absolutely out of his damn mind. "Seriously, he can get you anywhere you need to go, but I can't go up there alone and sing a song meant for two or three people by myself!" She pleaded, clasping her hands together. Stan sighed and his shoulders dropped.

"Fine. Since you're practically humping my leg…I'll…I'll do it." He said begrudgingly. Eliza squealed, throwing her arms in the air and then wrapping them around Stan's neck happily.

"Thank you, Stan! I'll make it up to you, I promise!" She hung around his neck like a necktie.

"Kid, this ain't gonna be pretty. I'm warning you now." Eliza dropped down to her feet and grabbed his wrist, pulling him through the bustling dancers and to backstage.

"Just follow me, I'll lead. And…don't worry about those cop guys. They won't bother you." She said slowly.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, kid."

The next few minutes were spent getting the stage equipment ready for singing, and touching up their hair and costumes. It was a smaller club, but everyone involved seemed to be eager to put on a quality show for their patrons. The stage lights shifted and Eliza and Stan stood with hand held microphones with anticipation, his bad and her's good. She took his hand in hers and gave it a little squeeze as the club owner, a tall man with about fifty gold chains around his neck and a mouth full of silver grills announced them.

"Give our little girl a round of applause. To continue our night of nostalgia variety show, Eliza and her—friend will lure us into a night of romance with their rendition of a timeless classic." He said, turning around to face them. He whispered to both them within ear shot:

"If I see those two, it's their heads and your ass. Don't fuck this up." They both nodded.

As the curtains pulled back, the heat and harsh light from the stage lights nearly blinded him, throwing a hand over to shade his eyes out of instinct. Eliza was already posing, holding the microphone like she'd rehearsed what spot to be in. She was absolutely beautiful under the glow of the overheads. But it didn't distract Stan from the burning sensation in the pit of his stomach. The last time he'd gotten up on stage was when he was faced with the decision to be in a high school production for community service hours or face suspension because he had busted into the gym and stolen equipment and left a half smoked joint behind. He was usually prepared for anything, but this wasn't something he was ready to jump head first into.

Stan immediately recognized the song being played on the piano as 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough'. This was gonna be rich.

Stan put on his ultimate con-man facade, to pull off one of the greatest scams ever, tricking this crowd into thinking he could sing. He followed Eliza's lead clumsily but kept up pace. He noticed the uproar in the crowed when Eliza's verse came on and her smooth as silk voice echoed through the microphone. She had the audience completely captivated, and as they came together in harmony, they soon both had them eating out of the palms of their hands, cheering and moving to the rhythm blindly. Eliza's stage presence was unlike anything Stan had ever seen in his life, she was graceful, smooth, confident and…shining. Literally, she was glowing like a star in the night sky. The way her hips moved, and how to crowd moved with her, was intoxicating. It almost made Stan enter late on the second chorus.

As they sang, Stan noticed the two cops swaying in the audience too, as if they had been dismissed from duty like nothing had happened. They even made eye contact once or twice and…nothing. It was like they'd been caught into a trance of some kind…weird. It got him excited enough to really let loose on stage and get caught up in the rhythm of his singing partner and of the song. He and Eliza made a very convincing duet, their chemistry was electrifying the whole room, wether they intended for it to happen or not. Without the fear of being caught, Stan finally let his fun side run wild. He busted a move and tangled Eliza into his arms at every chance he got, conjuring a few excited screams from the ladies in the crowd. After shedding his jacket and letting his gold medallion shimmer in the disco ball's reflection, a pair of underwear was thrown at him and he smiled egregiously. He hadn't had this much fun in years.

Then just as the song ended, the crowd went wild and cheered for the new not-so-power couple. He saw the two cops high five and leave through the front entrance. He had never felt so alive. It was a rush like he had cheated death or gotten away with murder. He and Eliza joined hands and took a bow together, exiting stage left to make room for the other performers. As soon as they were back stage, they burst out into laughter and embraced passionately.

"That was so fucking awesome!" Stan let out a belly laugh, spinning Eliza around in his big arms. "Did you see those moves? I was on fire!" He cheered.

"And to think you tried to tell me that you couldn't sing! You lair! That was amazing!" She pushed a pointer finger into his chest. "I don't think I've ever seen someone throw underwear at a variety show!"

"I've never done anything like that before…I felt so alive. Being there with you—kid—that was…thanks. And…the way you saved me from jail tonight, nobody's ever stuck out their neck like that for me before."

She gave him a warm smile and looked at her feet.

"Don't mention it. You saw them leave too, right?"

"Walked right out that door after looking right at me right in the face! Idiots! Don't know how the hell that happened but who am I to argue with fate?" He ran his hand through his hair, still shaken up by that entire performance.

"Do you…still need that ride?" She looked up at him, a twinge of sadness in her big, pale, blue eyes.

"Well, I mean…if I got those guys off my back, maybe I could…stick around town a little longer. Y'know if the mood strikes me. I've got places to be and suckers to scam. Y'know how it goes." He tried to play it off as aloof, but wished he could just take her in his arms and never let her go again. Because the thought of walking away from someone like her was almost unbearable to think about. Funny how fast things can change on a dime.

"Well, you're always welcome on my dressing room couch. I could use a partner like you…maybe I'd actually be able to get out of this city, make a name for myself." She glanced over to the stage doors.

"Look, I know I con people for a living, so take what I say with a grain of salt but kid. I'm being honest when I tell you I've never heard a voice like yours before. And I've even been to Minnesota!" He barked.

"Thank you, I think?" She half smiled, unsure wether to take it as a compliment or not, considering who she was talking to. Nevertheless, she couldn't ignore the feeling in her chest, that felt like the warm glow of a sunset on an august evening like this one, where everything seemed absolutely perfect. They paused, unsure of what to say but very sure that neither of them wanted to part ways yet.

"Do you…I was supposed to get dinner with the girls but…they aren't here so…" She said twirling her hair anxiously.

"Girls shmirls…They didn't even bother to show up! I mean, you'd have to be pretty dumb to pass up an opportunity like that." He said.

"I just hope they're alright…It's not like them to miss a performance." She rubbed her arms, shivering slightly. Stan realized how cold it was back stage now that they were out from under the heat of the moment and of the crowded, musty stage room. He paused, then draped his suit jacket around her arms.

"I'm sure they just just got caught up in traffic or they're doing lines somewhere. Isn't everyone these days?" Stan smiled at her. "But hey, I gotta admit…kinda glad they didn't show up." Eliza blushed and pushed a strand of loose hair out of her face, almost completely engulfed in how big the jacket was, and how small she was.

"Yeah, who needs 'em anyway?" She said. It was then that Stan noticed a little dimple in the left corner of her mouth and a small gap between her front teeth. She was about as adorable as they come.

"So, you were inviting me to dinner?" Stan chuckled.

"It's funny…I seem to remember you offering to pay." She said sneakily.

"Hey, hey, woah…Let's not get ahead of ourselves here, what kind of man would I be if I enforced those toxic stereotypes? This ain't the nineteen-fifties anymore, baby. But if you're nice to me, maybe I'll buy you a shake."

"What a gentlemen." She said sarcastically.

"Come on, let's get out of these clothes. The sequins on this damn top are making my tits itch." She pouted.

"What happened to the 'third date' rule?" Stan put his arm around her and pinched her cheek. "Did'ya finally find your exception?" He grinned from ear to ear.

"Not a chance." She said putting her head on his shoulder as they walked to her dressing room. "I just don't wanna be worried about getting burger grease on this outfit."

They got back to her room, just as they had left it. Stan felt as though his life was now divided into two parts, before he met Eliza…and then everything that comes after. She freed herself of his grip, and disappeared again behind her changing curtain. Stan looked long and hard in the mirror before he took off his disguise. Was this some divine intervention to get him off the streets for good? Was Eliza some kind of heaven sent protector? He glanced over to a pair of arms that were held up and visible above the curtain rod. Her top was coming off and she stretched, letting out an adorable little grunt.

He changed back into his old clothes, that felt sweaty and smelled like cigarettes. His reflection turned from hunky drifter back to a lost, disheveled, low-life, con-man. Far from the world of glitz and glamour that he'd just been exposed to. He slumped his shoulders and sighed. Where had everything gone so wrong?

"Stan?" Eliza appeared in the mirror next to him, brushing his arm. She had removed her make up and her hair was now up in a messy ponytail, her small stature being devoured under the fabric of a baggy hoodie. The dark circles under her eyes were more evident now, she looked tired. Normal. Angelic.

"Nice to know you're still there under all that make up." Stan teased. She shoved him lightly in the arm and gazed at herself, standing next to him. Maybe she wouldn't let him in on it yet, but seeing them stand side by side brought her a great deal of comfort to her.

"Nice to know you're still an asshole under that wig." She reciprocated.

"Touche." He muttered. "So this is you? The girl behind the pop star?"

"I can be both…" She fixed her hair slightly and sighed.

"I don't know about you, but you better be careful, baby. I could get used to this." He chuckled and turned to face her, running a hand through her hair. She let her face rest in his giant palm and before either of them could think, they both leaned in, their lips touching at last. It was the perfect kiss, tender with purpose and meaning. Stan cupped her small face into his hand and ran his thumb along her ear. After what felt like an eternity of bliss, they pulled apart and looked at one another. Neither of them would admit it, but this was the first time in either of their lives that they felt they had been truly seen by someone else.

"Well, I could get used to that." Eliza said smiling. She was about to lean in for another kiss when she purposefully missed his mouth and whispered something in his ear instead. "Shakes first, kissing later." Stan shivered at her voice in his ear.

"You're making this so hard." He teased. Eliza looked down at his pants and then back up at him with a raised eyebrow and a smug look.

"No… just you." She bopped his nose and took his arm, leading him out the back door into the alleyway where he had entered from. He followed up with a loud, 'HA' and pointed a finger gun at her quick-witted remark.

"You're trouble alright…I like trouble….Maybe if you're sweet to me who knows where the night'll take us?" He escorted her down the street and into the bustling Vegas street.

"Who knows? If you buy me dinner, I might be nice to you." Stan stopped in his tracks and gave her a long knowing look. She was the one. He was done searching, but he'd never admit it to her, not till he was sure she felt the same way.

"What?" She asked, still holding his hand.

"Nothin'. Just thinking about how good that shake is gonna be when you pay for it." He chuckled and tickled her waist, bringing her back into a warm, tight embrace. They walked together, side by side, hand in hand to a greasy old diner underneath a train track that looked like the toilet water would give you sepsis, but as far as they were concerned, it was absolutely magical.

The rest of the night went off without a hitch, she laughed at all his jokes at the right time, and he listened when she told him about her dark and twisted past with American beauty pageants, her strained relationship with her mother and step father and how she planned to take over broadway one day. It was the best of times, and it was the worst of times. It was no secret both of them had had it hard the past few years trying to make it on their own, but they agreed that finding other people to sit in the shit-storm with you, made it considerably less horrible. It was the start to the beginning of a new chapter for both of them and they could feel it. It couldn't have been a more perfect night, and Stan even paid for the shakes.

[seraphicsimmer]

[Pictured: The Landgraab-Goths... or is it the Goth-Landgraabs?

Not pictured: Johnny ”Zest” and family, Alexander Goth and family. Grab some popcorn, the lore is wild.] ____________________________________________

Geoffrey Landgraab – The ever-so-charming Southern gentleman who plays the real estate game like Monopoly. Geoffrey’s docile demeanor hides a cutthroat landshark mentality. He’ll snatch up your property before you’ve even had a chance to flip through the latest Vogue. How a genteel man like Geoffrey ended up with his platinum[card] blonde is anyone’s guess.

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Nancy Landgraab – The powerhouse (pun intended) behind Landgraab Power. Whether she’s in the spotlight or not, Nancy’s gaze is omnipresent, especially when it comes to the Goths. Her distaste for Bella Goth is no secret, but the reasons remain as shadowy as her business dealings. Nancy managed to bend Cassandra to her will—who do you think persuaded her to drop her maiden name? Now, her sharp jade eyes are set on her granddaughter, who seems to be her very clone. Is she on the inside too?

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Malcolm Landgraab – A man torn between his mother’s ruthless ambitions and his father’s honest work ethic. Malcolm’s life has been a tug-of-war between power and virtue, shaped by summers at Osteer Ranch and lessons in cutting-edge business. His romance with Cassandra brought a brief respite from the shadows, but their daughter Priscilla’s arrival changed everything. Malcolm’s recent career move puts him right under Nancy’s thumb—now, which empire is he really preparing to inherit?

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Priscilla Landgraab – Welcome to Sim City, little Landgraab. I’ve had my eye on you for quite some time. Overprotective Cassandra vowed not to let her daughter grow up as isolated as she did, so she’s been hovering over every detail of Priscilla’s life. But here’s the million-simoleon question: what’s worse—being tossed to the wolves or raised under a microscope? Something tells me Cassandra and Priscilla might not see eye to eye on this one. Priscilla may have been raised in the shadows of Sim City's elite, but she’s wrapped in more mystery than her designer wardrobe. And believe me, the intrigue is only beginning. There’s nothing quite like watching a sheltered socialite take center stage. Will she crack under the pressure or rise to the occasion? My guess? This little Landgraab is facing a choice, much like her dear daddy, Malcolm, once did.

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Cassandra Landgraab – Oh, Cassandra. There’s no tale quite as tragic as that of our resident gloomy girl. Raised by a father who indulged her artistic soul and a mother who loved her... from a safe distance, Cassandra had all the solitude and inspiration to become the musician she always dreamed of being. But music doesn’t pay the bills. Isn’t that right, Nancy? After graduating from Britechester University, Cassandra was swept up in the Landgraab empire. Now she plays the role of their financial advisor... or so they let her think. On weekends, you might catch a glimpse of her sulking in the back row of a symphony orchestra, drowning her sorrows in violins. That is if Geoffrey decides to let her out. Poor Cass, always playing second fiddle in more ways than one.

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Mortimer Goth – Famous gallerist, better known for marrying up. Some say Mortimer Goth has it all: a high-paying job that lets him curate his passion, two picture-perfect children, and a smoking hot wife with a past as mysterious as her present. Maybe the Landgraabs and Goths have more in common than we think—like the fact that both families’ matriarchs run the show. Even Bella, who disappears more often than a limited-edition Fabergé egg. But is Mortimer truly happy, or has he learned to keep his questions to himself? After all, ignorance is bliss, right? Something tells me dear Cassandra didn’t quite get that life lesson from daddy dearest.

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Bella Goth – The ever-enigmatic Bella Goth, Sim City’s very own Mona Lisa with secrets behind that famous smile. Once a model and forever a mystery, Bella Bachelo traded in the runway for a life of high society as Bella Goth. And let’s just say, the intrigue hasn’t stopped since. But while Mortimer lives in his art-filled bliss, Bella’s not just playing house—she’s playing a much bigger game. Always jetting off on one "business trip" after another, you have to wonder what’s really keeping her away. Of course, it’s all very hush-hush. But with her sharp mind and sultry charm, it’s clear Bella isn’t just a pretty face at fancy galas. Whatever she’s up to, one thing’s for sure: she’s definitely not on Nancy Landgraab’s guest list. Nancy may control half of Sim City’s power grid, but Bella? She’s always two steps ahead. The real question is, how long can she keep everyone guessing?

You know you love me! XOXO, Sim Snitch.

[fortifice]

gep playlist explained.

safe and sound / taylor swift & the Civil Wars. thinking serval lullaby sort of vibes here. general war vibes is also very much gep coded in my brain bc fight fight war war.

would anyone care / citizen soldier. very much leaning onto the when you are strong for so long you are also suffering. people not seeing what he's enduring, how exhausting it is to push and push and the battle has no end in sight.

heavy is the crown / draughty. it's for this one verse specifically about soldiers for me, see those who are sent to war die like lambs sent to slaughter, the toy soldiers being the guard upon the preservations altar. there's a couple of other stray verses here which feel gep shaped to me. a shield always withstanding.

Army Dreamers / Kate Bush. there's alot of tiktok edits going around with this song rn and they're all regarding soldiers who die early and that's very guard shaped to me. the chorus is also showing what they could have been and what they won't be because they will die young, they will always die young.

Running up that hill / Kate Bush. again, emphasising the encouragement to not express how it feels, about how it does hurt, about how the deal they made is going to cost them their lives. and the if I only could make a deal with god to change their places being regarding those who have died and Gep could not save them.

hymn for the missing / red. this is very much grieving the lost, what it feels like to march on as a soldier when people you care about very dearly die and you see them die. the only place they meet again is in renditions of their death and life in dreams and it's just reaching for them but being unable to touch. you took it with you when you left being the bond and the happiness that others create in your life. scars referring to the ones that litter alot of gep's body from conflict.

little lion man / mumford and sons. the not as brave as you were at the start really does speak to the way Gepard was when he joined the Guard and was filled with zest for protecting and where he stands now, the weeping could be grieving. you know that you have seen this all before, death, death more death.

avalanche / bring me the horizon. Am I broken, what's the chance I will survive reflecting onto processing grief, what it means to exist beyond the death of comrades, what it feels to be broken for the first time. the square doesn't fit the circle is very much Gepard needing to fit the paragim that's been inherited by his name and how he's not the perfect fit. the whole chorus just really reflects on inner turmoil, I cannot think how to precisely articulate it but it's like, the shaking of his world to the core by death and fighting and anguish.

monster / epic the musical. this is very much self reflecting on the things he hasn't prevented, the supreme guardian's corruption, working in tandem with that and realising how much you stand for isn't what you thought it was. men dying, again.

ruthlessness / epic the musical. this is sort of a aha the vibes are there for me but it's also Gepard father reprimanding him for being weak willed when you listen to it in my brain atleast.

my goodbye / epic the musical. thinking conversation between Gep and his father, thinking about how not viewing others as assets and weapons leads to being soft, sentimental, that he did not teach him this way. Odysseus' s part in this is him talking back to him, telling how he's enduing every single death that occurs on the front lines, that his father is blind to that reality.

just a man / epic the musical. survivors guilt !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

remember them / epic the musical. this is very much the preservation of the will of those who perish on the battle field, even the way he sings it really slams that home to me. the fire they continue to stoke is the will they preserve and the way they push on is for the sake of their fall brothers.

playing his game / death note musical. i added this last night thinking about sampard LMAO i don't have an excuse this is just sheerly the vibe of understanding each other getting under each other's skin.

[ladyhoneydee]

30 Day Song(fic) Challenge: Day 2

I really thought I was going to fail this challenge on Day 2 when my creative juices ran out this afternoon, but I had a midnight rush to the finish line, so here I am! It's before midnight somewhere, right?

Today’s fic for my homebrew Song(fic) Challenge is for the prompt “a song that makes you smile no matter what”. I went for a more recent edition to my musical repertoire: "Mellow" by Keina Suda--which you may know better as the OP from the summer 2023 anime "Skip to Loafer"! The dance in the original OP always got me smiling when watching the anime, and so the song does too. And when I looked at the English lyrics for the first time today, I just knew that it had to be SkSw zelink.

Blue and Yellow

Game: Skyward Sword, both pre- and post-canon

Pairing: Zelink

Word Count: 1271

Keywords: healing, love realization, fluff

He knew, suddenly, that he was in love. So deeply in love that his heart might overflow with it, that his feelings might splash all over the bank of Lake Floria and mix with its cerulean currents in a proliferation of life. In the warmest of blues.

Read the fic on Ao3 or under the cut!

The first time Link met Zelda, he had thought she was completely yellow. From behind—to his four-year-old eyes—the blonde of her hair was the same shade as her buttercup-colored dress. And then she’d turned around, and he’d been blinded by the golden sunshine of her smile. It wasn’t until he’d gone home to his parents that he recalled through the starburst afterimages her beaming grin had left in his vision that her skin was peachy, like his, and her eyes were blue. Still, when he looked at her, all he saw was gold. 

The year he’d turned eight—overlapping with his best friend for a glorious three months—everything changed. The adults told him it was the flu, but the flu had never stolen almost one person from every house before. One from Zelda’s. And two from his. 

The world had gone cold. The loss of his parents left him achy and tired; the placement in Fledge’s house with his two surviving parents and older siblings and pet remlit—why did Fledge get to keep all of them? it wasn’t fair—sharpened the few words he did speak like a knife, until he stopped using them at all. Even when he went to Zelda, seeking the yellow warmth of her zest for life, she had turned blue too. She had no smile to bestow upon him. She had no words that could help him, either. And so the children that had always chattered brightly sat together in gloaming indigo silence. 

He couldn’t pinpoint the moment the colors began to shift. At one point, Zelda was overcome with the red of anger, and he’d never been so scared for her before. He himself fought daily against the choking haze of emerald envy. But as months passed, and then years, all the colors began to lighten to a bearable pastel, shot through with that long-missed yellow. 

Laughter began to break through the silence again. Zelda’s first, and the sound had been so shocking that the impact of it against his eardrums sent him physically staggering back. And his own followed a moment later, swooping from his throat like a loftwing. He’d thought it would be raspy and strangled, but it was the same as always, and the surprise on his face made ten-year-old Zelda point and laugh, and he found himself—as always—tumbling after her. 

He always stayed a little more blue and green than she did. She always beamed more yellow and pinkish-red than he would ever muster. But, as Groselle once explained in an art class—their different colors were still complementary. And Zelda always reminded him of the beautiful things that were blue, too: the lake they splashed in during the hottest days; the berries they stole from the bushes near the pumpkin patches; the beetles he dared her to lick; the open sky they soared in side-by-side. 

He came to accept his blue, and the way it made the yellow he felt in her company feel even brighter. 

Of course, he didn’t have that much time to bask in it. The tornado. The quest. His introduction to the world of red red red at last, through the blood he spilled and the blood he lost and the blood-boiling rage he felt when Ghirahim dared threaten her. 

When it was all over, they’d switched places. Zelda was once again a mottled blue, bruised from the loss of another beloved companion and protector, no matter how she tried to hide it under feigned interest in the Surface. Link was still stained all over with the red he pushed away and clung to in turn. Once again, they clutched one another in silence, hands grasping for the other’s shirts and hands and memories. 

Until, one day, they began to talk. 

“Can you wash the knife? I don’t feel comfortable holding it, after…everything.”

“Of course I can, Link. Is it…because of what you went through? The violence?”

“...no. It’s… No blade feels right in my hand, anymore. They’re not Fi.”

A comforting touch on his shoulder, despite the wetness of her palm that soaked his simple shirt. “She’ll make her way back to you someday. Even if it’s in the far future.”

And he knew she would. Demise’s curse would make sure of that. They would be stuck repeating these fleeting moments of joy within an immense future of heartache. And yet…

Just like they had when Link was a child, the colors began to lighten, and the skies began to brighten. His red washed through with the familiar blue more and more, but he found he preferred it. Anger had made him strong, once, when he needed to be little more than an extension of his blade—but now, he wanted to accept his weakness. Now that he had someone by his side once more to help hold him up when his knees buckled, and would allow him to steady her in return. 

Springtime on the Surface was bright sun, strong breeze, the sound of birds. He’d woken that morning to a note on the pillow beside him. 

Come find me, sleepyhead! You get one hint: the true blue banks.

He trekked to the shores of Lake Floria with an endeared, indulgent smile on his face, and some pastries brought down from Piper’s restaurant in his satchel. The air was warmer here, with the heat sink of the waters having kept the weather in the area more mild, and he lifted the simple knitted cap—his best work was still ugly as a bokoblin’s mug, but Zelda had been so excited for him upon its completion that he smiled every time he grabbed it from their hat rack—he’d taken to wearing on cold days off of his head and stuffed it into his satchel as well. His hair immediately blew into his face. Unlike frustrations of flights long-past when he’d just started learning, the distraction was amusing and nostalgic to him now.

He turned the corner. And there she stood.

Yellow. In the sunlight in her spun-gold hair. In the open curiosity of her gaze as she gently fingered the petals of a freshly-blossomed flower. In the sundress she wore, so like the one he’d met her in. In the bright, peaceful happiness illuminating her like a dandelion halo. 

For a moment, it was all he could do to stand there and stare at her. He’d always known she was beautiful, inside and out, but there was something about her hair in the wind, free as a bird…the perfect curve of her pink lips…the curve of her upturned face as she sought the warmth of the sun…

Oh.

He knew, suddenly, that he was in love. So deeply in love that his heart might overflow with it, that his feelings might splash all over the bank of Lake Floria and mix with its cerulean currents in a proliferation of life. In the warmest of blues. 

He called her name—her name, not the hand-me-down from the goddess of their people—and she turned, smile overtaking her whole face. She waved excitedly, and began to call a greeting.

But he was racing across the clearing already, springing haphazardly over patches of flowers in his way so he and Zelda could admire them later, thudding heart like a loftwing’s wingbeats in his throat. He opened his arms so she could see what was coming—he saw her widened eyes curve into affectionate half-moons and her own arms raise—

And he crashed into her embrace, feeling a soul-rending rightness like never before as her warmth encompassed his entire being.

They were the sun and the sky. 

“Good morning,” he whispered. “I love you.”

[cleverhottubmiracle]

Creams and liquids may get all the hype, but the best powder blushes are still the backbone of many a beauty editor’s routine. Unlike their spillable, smearable sister formulas, which require learned finesse, powder formulas feature buildable pigments that yield sheer finishes with little trial and error, never looking greasy by midday. Powder blushes are available in a vast selection of minimal mattes, stunning shimmers, and everything in between, with longevity to boot, even if you skip setting powder. Now, enough rambling and more rouging—below, our editors (and a few makeup artists) chat all things powder blush, including application tips and favorite products.Our Top Powder BlushesFrequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonBest Overall: Kosas Blush is LifeAllure commerce editor Sarah Han applying Kosas Blush is Life in Hype Sarah HanWhy it's worth it: The beauty of the Kosas Blush is Life is that it’s actually two subtly shimmery shades combined (or, in this case, baked) into one for a multifaceted finish. Although baked blushes tend to feel slightly drier than other blushes, Kosas’s pick has a moisturizing upper hand, powered by a duo of squalane and hydrating hyaluronic acid. No matter which of the eight shades you pick up, you’re guaranteed glowy results.Han before applying Kosas Blush is Life in Hype Sarah HanHan after applying Kosas Blush is Life in Hype Sarah HanTester feedback from commerce editor Sarah HanAccordionItemContainerButton“Did Kosas read my mind when brainstorming names? My inclination is yes because blush has been my life for the past year or so, and it doesn't seem to be leaving anytime soon. My preference has always been swayed towards cream blushes but Kosas has me giving powders a second chance. Blush is Life is light, airy, and definitely doesn't cake or settle into texture like other powder blushes tend to do. Hype (a warm poppy pink) brightens my face instantly.” —Sarah Han, commerce editorAccordionItemContainerButton“Blush truly IS life when you have this in your makeup kit. These colors are simultaneously new and classic; Heartbeat is a juicy nectarine-style red, and Chills is an ultraviolet-style berry, for instance. These are pigments we're familiar with, but with the kind of zest I like to think only the LA-based Kosas can bring. They're truly weightless (as an eczema sufferer and a fine-line lady, I can feel and see when a product isn't so seamless) and so smooth, which lends itself to an easy blend. Because the pigment payoff is high, though, it's not as goofproof as some cream-based blushes, so make sure you have a good brush to diffuse the color for a more natural look.” —Shanna Shipin, shopping directorAccordionItemContainerButtonFinish: luminousShades: 8Best Shimmery: Nars Powder BlushAllure senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor applying the Nars Powder Blush in Orgasm Jesa Marie CalaorWhy it's worth it: In 2024, Nars relaunched its iconic Powder Blush—which made Orgasm a totally normal thing to say in the middle of a department store—and Allure editors loved the new edition so much that it won a Best of Beauty Award that very same year. The main difference is that talc is now absent from its formula, making ashy finishes a thing of the past for deeper skin tones. Despite that change, this revamped formula still features the same vivid finish that we’ve known and loved for 25 years.Calaor before applying the Nars Powder Blush Jesa Marie CalaorCalaor after applying the Nars Powder Blush Jesa Marie CalaorAccordionItemContainerButton“As a decade-long fan of the Nars Powder Blush, I didn’t immediately notice a difference in application—that’s a good thing, as it’s the blush’s easily blendable texture that made me fall in love with it in the first place. The powder felt silky and quickly deposited the peachy-pink pigment and gold glitter. It took very little effort to blend and buff it out." —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior editorAccordionItemContainerButtonFinish: shimmer, matteShades: 21Best Hydrating: Haus Labs Color Fuse Blush PowderHaus LabsColor Fuse Talc-Free Blush PowderAllure social media manager Bianca Richards applying the Haus Labs Color Fuse Blush Powder in Watermelon Bliss Bianca RichardsWhy it’s worth it: It might sound counterintuitive, but Haus Labs’ Color Fuse Blush is a redness-reducing blush that actually works. The pigmented powder is infused with skin-loving fermented arnica, which helps protect against external irritants that trigger unwanted flushing. Vitamins C and E deliver antioxidant-rich conditioning, and plant-derived squalane ensures skin stays nourished. Swipe on a brushful or two for a natural, second-skin flush, or build it up for even more impact.Richards before applying the Haus Labs Color Fuse Blush Powder Bianca RichardsRichards after applying the Haus Labs Color Fuse Blush Powder Bianca RichardsAccordionItemContainerButton“My friends say I suffer from blush blindness, and honestly, they might be right. I can't get enough of the Haus Labs Powder Blushes, especially the Watermelon Bliss shade. As a certified dewy gal, I try to avoid looking too glowy in the heat since it can be mistaken for oily. So I opt for a powder blush, which helps balance my radiant routine, giving my look a more natural finish—neither ultra dewy nor overly matte. With just one swipe, I'm able to add that bright pop of color that ties in my look together. It's velvety and incredibly pigmented, which speaks to how rich and high-quality the formula is.” —Bianca Richards, social media managerAccordionItemContainerButtonBest Matte: Tower 28 GetSet Blur + Set Matte Powder BlushTower 28GetSet Blur + Set Matte Powder BlushAllure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Tower 28 GetSet Blur + Matte Powder Blush in Feliz Fresca Sarah HanWhy it’s worth it: Tower 28’s GetSet Blur + Matte Powder Blush stepped up to the plate to serve what many of its rosy-cheeked peers are missing: staying power. This blush formula actually mimics that of Tower 28’s GetSet Blur + Matte Setting Powder, so you know the brand is taking longevity seriously. It’s sweatproof (hydrophobic silica does the gentle repelling) and transfer-proof (lauroyl lysine keeps things grippy), and comes in seven shades. Go for a warm fuchsia via Feliz Fresca, or keep things moody with the deep mauve Samo Spritzer. This is a true matte, so you won’t find any secret sparkles hanging around.Han before applying the Tower 28 GetSet Blur + Matte Powder Blush Sarah HanHan after applying the Tower 28 GetSet Blur + Matte Powder Blush Sarah HanTester feedback from commerce editor Sarah HanAccordionItemContainerButton“I’ve never fancied myself as a powder blush girlie, but I Cannot. Stop. Reaching. for this Tower 28 blush, especially in Feliz Fresca. Practically, I love that it’s self-setting, so I know it won’t fade or slip throughout the day, and oil-absorbing. My pores are quite large and troublesome, but I do notice a slight blurring effect…but nothing major. I’m not afraid of pigmen,t so I love that this color comes off strong with just a few dabs in the pan. (But there are plenty of colors within the range that are softer in nature!) I take my time to blend everything in and dust some across my nose bridge. I’ll sometimes sweep/tap leftover product across my eyelids if I’m in a particularly pink mood (so, often.) This blush gives so much life to my face in seconds; I’m obsessed.” —Sarah Han, commerce editorAccordionItemContainerButtonBest Sheer: Hermès Rose Hermès Silky Blush PowderHermèsRose Hermès Silky Blush PowderAllure senior news editor Nicola Dall'Asen applying the Hermès Rose Hermès Silky Blush Powder Nicola Dall'AsenWhy it's worth it: Even those with a chronic case of blush blindness can comfortably pile on the Hermès Rose Hermès Silky Blush Powder, as its sheer pigments diffuse with each swipe to create a natural-looking result. Better yet, this 2021 Allure Best of Beauty Award winner’s light, airy formula is so breathable that you’ll probably forget you’re wearing it at all. Don’t fret about this sheer formula fading away throughout the day because its fine powder formula clings onto skin and complexion makeup for long-lasting wear.Dall'Asen before applying the Hermès Rose Hermès Silky Blush Powder Nicola Dall'AsenDall'Asen after applying the Hermès Rose Hermès Silky Blush Powder Nicola Dall'AsenAccordionItemContainerButton“If you prefer to look like you just spent a day at the beach or went for a run when you put on blush, I can't recommend Hermès's range of soft, velvety powders enough. Despite being very well pigmented, this blush is really buildable; it's nearly impossible to overdo it, which lends itself to that natural-looking finish.” —Nicola Dall’Asen, senior news editorAccordionItemContainerButtonMore powder blushes we loveBest Multiuse: Valentino Eye2Cheek Blush & EyeshadowValentinoEye2Cheek Blush & EyeshadowWhy it's worth it: Miami-based makeup artist Natalie Dresher loves the versatility and shade range of the Valentino Eye2Cheek Blush & Eyeshadow compacts. “While it is a powder blush, the pearlescent shimmer in it gives the skin a luminous glow without having an overly dewy finish, and I love that you can use it on the eyes and cheeks for a monochromatic look,” she says. All 11 shades feature a hefty hint of shimmer, but if you want highlighter-level glow for your next makeup look, grab one of the ultra-shimmery shades: Roman Sky, a pearly pink, and Sweet Rebel, a warm, glitzy rose.AccordionItemContainerButtonFinish: shimmeryShades: 9Best Light-Reflecting: Hourglass Ambient Lighting BlushHourglassAmbient Lighting BlushWhy it's worth it: For moments when you want a striking (not blinding) glow, Kasey Spickard, a New York City-based makeup artist, suggests swiping on the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush. “These are super dimensional and give a gorgeous glow without being too shiny,” he says. These baked blushes have a marbled effect for a multi-dimensional finish that combines blush and highlighter with every swipe.AccordionItemContainerButton“I fall in love with just about every iteration of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edits, and last year’s Evil Eye particularly caught my eye (ha!). The shade Pink Fusion is a beautiful medley of deep and light pinky hues with cool undertones, which of course pairs perfectly with the finishing powder in Soft Light I use a dense-ish brush to pick up an ample amount upon the first sweep, though I usually go in with a soft second sweep to amp up the color—I love bold blush, what can I say?" —commerce editor Sarah HanAccordionItemContainerButtonBest Radiant: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Glow BlushArmani BeautyLuminous Silk Glow BlushWhy it's worth it: If you need a visual example of a truly radiant formula, Armani Beauty’s Luminous Silk Glow Blush is a pretty excellent one. Spickard calls this blush a staple in his kit for its pigmented formula, which creates a subtle glow on the skin without reaching full-on glitter territory. “The pigment load is amazing and the finish has the slightest hint of glow without being a highlighter,” he says. If you are craving hyper-shimmer, the brand has an ultra-glittery peach-pink shade, Euphoric, that’ll satisfy you.AccordionItemContainerButtonFinish: radiant, shimmerShades: 8Best Cream-to-Powder: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy BlushRare BeautySoft Pinch Matte Bouncy BlushWhy it’s worth it: ICYMI, Rare Beauty makes some of the best blushes out there—and the Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy Blush is no exception. This cream-to-powder formula delivers a soft-focus, blurred finish that lasts all day without feeling heavy. Tap it on with your fingers for a hint of flush, or use a brush to build up to full swoon. It’s an airy matte that won’t settle into fine lines, transfer onto white tees, or disappear at the first sign of sweat.AccordionItemContainerButtonFrequently Asked QuestionsHow are powder, cream, and liquid blushes different?Beyond their varying textures, New York City-based makeup artist Neil Scibelli notes that each type of blush features different ingredients in its composition, resulting in varying longevity, benefits, and finishes. “Powder blushes are very different than cream and liquid blushes because they're made with soft powder ingredients like mica, talc, minerals, and other dry formulas,” he says. “A cream or liquid blush will have a more emollient, creamy finish, whereas a powder will sit more on the top layer of the skin rather than bind to the skin.”As for which blush formula you should reach for, London-based makeup artist Marie Bruce previously told Allure that it's ultimately a matter of preference. And don't feel limited to just one: Bruce likes to layer a cream under a powder for an extra-pigmented look, but warns: “Skip the cream base if you want a more subtle look.”How do I find the right blush shade for my skin tone?“Test a shade on the apples of your cheeks to see if it ‘clashes’ with either your natural lip color or lipstick,” New York City-based makeup artist Daniel Martin offers. Makeup artists agree that finding a blush that complements your skin tone is essential. “If you're fair, you'll want to go with a blush that contains less color pigment, and the deeper your skin tone, the more pigment you'll want to show up in your product,” says Scibelli. Dresher advises keeping your undertone in mind when looking for a new blush shade. “If you have more of a warm tone, a warmer blush shade will complement the skin more, and if you are more cool-toned, it would be the opposite,” she explains.How do you apply a powder blush?“Just use a fluffy blush brush to tap into the blush and buff onto the cheeks, cheekbones, nose bridge, and temples,” Spickard recommends. A quick tip: For a subtler, more buildable finish, Dresher advises tapping off any excess product before applying. The beauty of a powder blush, according to Spickard, is that its sheerer pigments are more beginner-friendly, so application isn’t as intimidating as denser formulations. We love to hear it!Meet the expertsHow we test and review productsBefore reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?For our review of the best powder blushes, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.Our staff and testersA beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.Discover more of our editors' favorite base makeup essentials:Now, watch KATSEYE spill secrets:Shop all of our latest obsessions in one place! And don't forget to follow Allure on Instagram and TikTok—or subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on all things beauty. Source link

[norajworld]

Creams and liquids may get all the hype, but the best powder blushes are still the backbone of many a beauty editor’s routine. Unlike their spillable, smearable sister formulas, which require learned finesse, powder formulas feature buildable pigments that yield sheer finishes with little trial and error, never looking greasy by midday. Powder blushes are available in a vast selection of minimal mattes, stunning shimmers, and everything in between, with longevity to boot, even if you skip setting powder. Now, enough rambling and more rouging—below, our editors (and a few makeup artists) chat all things powder blush, including application tips and favorite products.Our Top Powder BlushesFrequently Asked QuestionsAccordionItemContainerButtonBest Overall: Kosas Blush is LifeAllure commerce editor Sarah Han applying Kosas Blush is Life in Hype Sarah HanWhy it's worth it: The beauty of the Kosas Blush is Life is that it’s actually two subtly shimmery shades combined (or, in this case, baked) into one for a multifaceted finish. Although baked blushes tend to feel slightly drier than other blushes, Kosas’s pick has a moisturizing upper hand, powered by a duo of squalane and hydrating hyaluronic acid. No matter which of the eight shades you pick up, you’re guaranteed glowy results.Han before applying Kosas Blush is Life in Hype Sarah HanHan after applying Kosas Blush is Life in Hype Sarah HanTester feedback from commerce editor Sarah HanAccordionItemContainerButton“Did Kosas read my mind when brainstorming names? My inclination is yes because blush has been my life for the past year or so, and it doesn't seem to be leaving anytime soon. My preference has always been swayed towards cream blushes but Kosas has me giving powders a second chance. Blush is Life is light, airy, and definitely doesn't cake or settle into texture like other powder blushes tend to do. Hype (a warm poppy pink) brightens my face instantly.” —Sarah Han, commerce editorAccordionItemContainerButton“Blush truly IS life when you have this in your makeup kit. These colors are simultaneously new and classic; Heartbeat is a juicy nectarine-style red, and Chills is an ultraviolet-style berry, for instance. These are pigments we're familiar with, but with the kind of zest I like to think only the LA-based Kosas can bring. They're truly weightless (as an eczema sufferer and a fine-line lady, I can feel and see when a product isn't so seamless) and so smooth, which lends itself to an easy blend. Because the pigment payoff is high, though, it's not as goofproof as some cream-based blushes, so make sure you have a good brush to diffuse the color for a more natural look.” —Shanna Shipin, shopping directorAccordionItemContainerButtonFinish: luminousShades: 8Best Shimmery: Nars Powder BlushAllure senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor applying the Nars Powder Blush in Orgasm Jesa Marie CalaorWhy it's worth it: In 2024, Nars relaunched its iconic Powder Blush—which made Orgasm a totally normal thing to say in the middle of a department store—and Allure editors loved the new edition so much that it won a Best of Beauty Award that very same year. The main difference is that talc is now absent from its formula, making ashy finishes a thing of the past for deeper skin tones. Despite that change, this revamped formula still features the same vivid finish that we’ve known and loved for 25 years.Calaor before applying the Nars Powder Blush Jesa Marie CalaorCalaor after applying the Nars Powder Blush Jesa Marie CalaorAccordionItemContainerButton“As a decade-long fan of the Nars Powder Blush, I didn’t immediately notice a difference in application—that’s a good thing, as it’s the blush’s easily blendable texture that made me fall in love with it in the first place. The powder felt silky and quickly deposited the peachy-pink pigment and gold glitter. It took very little effort to blend and buff it out." —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior editorAccordionItemContainerButtonFinish: shimmer, matteShades: 21Best Hydrating: Haus Labs Color Fuse Blush PowderHaus LabsColor Fuse Talc-Free Blush PowderAllure social media manager Bianca Richards applying the Haus Labs Color Fuse Blush Powder in Watermelon Bliss Bianca RichardsWhy it’s worth it: It might sound counterintuitive, but Haus Labs’ Color Fuse Blush is a redness-reducing blush that actually works. The pigmented powder is infused with skin-loving fermented arnica, which helps protect against external irritants that trigger unwanted flushing. Vitamins C and E deliver antioxidant-rich conditioning, and plant-derived squalane ensures skin stays nourished. Swipe on a brushful or two for a natural, second-skin flush, or build it up for even more impact.Richards before applying the Haus Labs Color Fuse Blush Powder Bianca RichardsRichards after applying the Haus Labs Color Fuse Blush Powder Bianca RichardsAccordionItemContainerButton“My friends say I suffer from blush blindness, and honestly, they might be right. I can't get enough of the Haus Labs Powder Blushes, especially the Watermelon Bliss shade. As a certified dewy gal, I try to avoid looking too glowy in the heat since it can be mistaken for oily. So I opt for a powder blush, which helps balance my radiant routine, giving my look a more natural finish—neither ultra dewy nor overly matte. With just one swipe, I'm able to add that bright pop of color that ties in my look together. It's velvety and incredibly pigmented, which speaks to how rich and high-quality the formula is.” —Bianca Richards, social media managerAccordionItemContainerButtonBest Matte: Tower 28 GetSet Blur + Set Matte Powder BlushTower 28GetSet Blur + Set Matte Powder BlushAllure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Tower 28 GetSet Blur + Matte Powder Blush in Feliz Fresca Sarah HanWhy it’s worth it: Tower 28’s GetSet Blur + Matte Powder Blush stepped up to the plate to serve what many of its rosy-cheeked peers are missing: staying power. This blush formula actually mimics that of Tower 28’s GetSet Blur + Matte Setting Powder, so you know the brand is taking longevity seriously. It’s sweatproof (hydrophobic silica does the gentle repelling) and transfer-proof (lauroyl lysine keeps things grippy), and comes in seven shades. Go for a warm fuchsia via Feliz Fresca, or keep things moody with the deep mauve Samo Spritzer. This is a true matte, so you won’t find any secret sparkles hanging around.Han before applying the Tower 28 GetSet Blur + Matte Powder Blush Sarah HanHan after applying the Tower 28 GetSet Blur + Matte Powder Blush Sarah HanTester feedback from commerce editor Sarah HanAccordionItemContainerButton“I’ve never fancied myself as a powder blush girlie, but I Cannot. Stop. Reaching. for this Tower 28 blush, especially in Feliz Fresca. Practically, I love that it’s self-setting, so I know it won’t fade or slip throughout the day, and oil-absorbing. My pores are quite large and troublesome, but I do notice a slight blurring effect…but nothing major. I’m not afraid of pigmen,t so I love that this color comes off strong with just a few dabs in the pan. (But there are plenty of colors within the range that are softer in nature!) I take my time to blend everything in and dust some across my nose bridge. I’ll sometimes sweep/tap leftover product across my eyelids if I’m in a particularly pink mood (so, often.) This blush gives so much life to my face in seconds; I’m obsessed.” —Sarah Han, commerce editorAccordionItemContainerButtonBest Sheer: Hermès Rose Hermès Silky Blush PowderHermèsRose Hermès Silky Blush PowderAllure senior news editor Nicola Dall'Asen applying the Hermès Rose Hermès Silky Blush Powder Nicola Dall'AsenWhy it's worth it: Even those with a chronic case of blush blindness can comfortably pile on the Hermès Rose Hermès Silky Blush Powder, as its sheer pigments diffuse with each swipe to create a natural-looking result. Better yet, this 2021 Allure Best of Beauty Award winner’s light, airy formula is so breathable that you’ll probably forget you’re wearing it at all. Don’t fret about this sheer formula fading away throughout the day because its fine powder formula clings onto skin and complexion makeup for long-lasting wear.Dall'Asen before applying the Hermès Rose Hermès Silky Blush Powder Nicola Dall'AsenDall'Asen after applying the Hermès Rose Hermès Silky Blush Powder Nicola Dall'AsenAccordionItemContainerButton“If you prefer to look like you just spent a day at the beach or went for a run when you put on blush, I can't recommend Hermès's range of soft, velvety powders enough. Despite being very well pigmented, this blush is really buildable; it's nearly impossible to overdo it, which lends itself to that natural-looking finish.” —Nicola Dall’Asen, senior news editorAccordionItemContainerButtonMore powder blushes we loveBest Multiuse: Valentino Eye2Cheek Blush & EyeshadowValentinoEye2Cheek Blush & EyeshadowWhy it's worth it: Miami-based makeup artist Natalie Dresher loves the versatility and shade range of the Valentino Eye2Cheek Blush & Eyeshadow compacts. “While it is a powder blush, the pearlescent shimmer in it gives the skin a luminous glow without having an overly dewy finish, and I love that you can use it on the eyes and cheeks for a monochromatic look,” she says. All 11 shades feature a hefty hint of shimmer, but if you want highlighter-level glow for your next makeup look, grab one of the ultra-shimmery shades: Roman Sky, a pearly pink, and Sweet Rebel, a warm, glitzy rose.AccordionItemContainerButtonFinish: shimmeryShades: 9Best Light-Reflecting: Hourglass Ambient Lighting BlushHourglassAmbient Lighting BlushWhy it's worth it: For moments when you want a striking (not blinding) glow, Kasey Spickard, a New York City-based makeup artist, suggests swiping on the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush. “These are super dimensional and give a gorgeous glow without being too shiny,” he says. These baked blushes have a marbled effect for a multi-dimensional finish that combines blush and highlighter with every swipe.AccordionItemContainerButton“I fall in love with just about every iteration of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edits, and last year’s Evil Eye particularly caught my eye (ha!). The shade Pink Fusion is a beautiful medley of deep and light pinky hues with cool undertones, which of course pairs perfectly with the finishing powder in Soft Light I use a dense-ish brush to pick up an ample amount upon the first sweep, though I usually go in with a soft second sweep to amp up the color—I love bold blush, what can I say?" —commerce editor Sarah HanAccordionItemContainerButtonBest Radiant: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Glow BlushArmani BeautyLuminous Silk Glow BlushWhy it's worth it: If you need a visual example of a truly radiant formula, Armani Beauty’s Luminous Silk Glow Blush is a pretty excellent one. Spickard calls this blush a staple in his kit for its pigmented formula, which creates a subtle glow on the skin without reaching full-on glitter territory. “The pigment load is amazing and the finish has the slightest hint of glow without being a highlighter,” he says. If you are craving hyper-shimmer, the brand has an ultra-glittery peach-pink shade, Euphoric, that’ll satisfy you.AccordionItemContainerButtonFinish: radiant, shimmerShades: 8Best Cream-to-Powder: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy BlushRare BeautySoft Pinch Matte Bouncy BlushWhy it’s worth it: ICYMI, Rare Beauty makes some of the best blushes out there—and the Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy Blush is no exception. This cream-to-powder formula delivers a soft-focus, blurred finish that lasts all day without feeling heavy. Tap it on with your fingers for a hint of flush, or use a brush to build up to full swoon. It’s an airy matte that won’t settle into fine lines, transfer onto white tees, or disappear at the first sign of sweat.AccordionItemContainerButtonFrequently Asked QuestionsHow are powder, cream, and liquid blushes different?Beyond their varying textures, New York City-based makeup artist Neil Scibelli notes that each type of blush features different ingredients in its composition, resulting in varying longevity, benefits, and finishes. “Powder blushes are very different than cream and liquid blushes because they're made with soft powder ingredients like mica, talc, minerals, and other dry formulas,” he says. “A cream or liquid blush will have a more emollient, creamy finish, whereas a powder will sit more on the top layer of the skin rather than bind to the skin.”As for which blush formula you should reach for, London-based makeup artist Marie Bruce previously told Allure that it's ultimately a matter of preference. And don't feel limited to just one: Bruce likes to layer a cream under a powder for an extra-pigmented look, but warns: “Skip the cream base if you want a more subtle look.”How do I find the right blush shade for my skin tone?“Test a shade on the apples of your cheeks to see if it ‘clashes’ with either your natural lip color or lipstick,” New York City-based makeup artist Daniel Martin offers. Makeup artists agree that finding a blush that complements your skin tone is essential. “If you're fair, you'll want to go with a blush that contains less color pigment, and the deeper your skin tone, the more pigment you'll want to show up in your product,” says Scibelli. Dresher advises keeping your undertone in mind when looking for a new blush shade. “If you have more of a warm tone, a warmer blush shade will complement the skin more, and if you are more cool-toned, it would be the opposite,” she explains.How do you apply a powder blush?“Just use a fluffy blush brush to tap into the blush and buff onto the cheeks, cheekbones, nose bridge, and temples,” Spickard recommends. A quick tip: For a subtler, more buildable finish, Dresher advises tapping off any excess product before applying. The beauty of a powder blush, according to Spickard, is that its sheerer pigments are more beginner-friendly, so application isn’t as intimidating as denser formulations. We love to hear it!Meet the expertsHow we test and review productsBefore reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?For our review of the best powder blushes, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.Our staff and testersA beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.Discover more of our editors' favorite base makeup essentials:Now, watch KATSEYE spill secrets:Shop all of our latest obsessions in one place! And don't forget to follow Allure on Instagram and TikTok—or subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on all things beauty. Source link

[celiarecipes]

Apple Cider Vinegar Detox Recipe For Weight Loss!

Some mornings, I’d wake up feeling puffy and slow, even if I’d eaten light the night before. Sound familiar? I used to just push through tired, a little bloated, craving something sweet before 10am. But after I hit 40, those little things started adding up. That’s when I gave this apple cider vinegar drink for weight loss a real shot and honestly, it changed everything. It’s simple, takes under a minute, and makes me feel lighter, clearer, and more in control. If you’ve already tried my Brazilian Mounjaro Recipe or the natural 4-ingredient version, you’ll love this too. Let me show you how I use it. This is my go-to morning detox blend—bright, tangy, and energizing. Why You’ll Love Apple Cider Vinegar Drink RecipeWhat Do You Need to Make This Apple Cider Vinegar Drink?How To Make Apple Cider Vinegar Detox RecipesWhy I Keep Coming Back to This DrinkHonest Talk: How This Drink Actually HelpsWhen’s the Best Time to Drink It for Maximum Benefit?How I Actually Use This Drink in Real LifeResults From Real People (Reddit Edition)More Mounjaro Smoothies and DrinksFAQs – Apple Cider Vinegar Drink for Weight LossYour Turn to Try It And Don’t Forget to Share Why You’ll Love Apple Cider Vinegar Drink Recipe I didn’t expect something so simple to make such a difference. But this little drink? It became a quiet game-changer for me. Most mornings, I just want something that helps me feel good without needing a whole routine. This apple cider vinegar drink for weight loss is that thing. It’s clean, quick, and honestly makes me feel lighter before I even eat breakfast. It gives me that just right feeling — like I’m doing something kind for my body without overthinking it. No more dragging through the day or feeling puffy by noon. Here’s what I love about it: It takes under a minute to make I throw it together while the kettle’s still warm.The flavor is bright, tangy, and a little zippy like a wake-up call in a cup.It helps with cravings and keeps my belly happy, especially after a weekend of “whatever” meals. I’ve been making it almost every morning for months now. And funny enough, my husband keeps asking, “You making your feel-good drink?” Yup. Every time. It’s a small thing. But some days, that’s exactly what we need. Detox Apple Cider Vinegar Drink Recipe Learn how to make this zesty apple cider vinegar drink recipe with a handful of ingredients for a morning cocktail full of health benefits! 1 cup pineapple chunks (or 1/2 cup 100% pineapple juice)2 Tablespoon raw honey (or pure maple syrup)2 to 4 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar (adjust to taste)2 fresh mint leaves (chopped, plus extra to garnish)1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric (adjust to taste)1/2 teaspoon grated ginger (optional)1 to 2 Tablespoons lime juice6 to 12 ounces sparkling water (to taste)crushed ice and/or sliced lime (optional, to garnish) If using diced pineapple, place all the ingredients (minus the sparkling water, ice, and sliced lime) in a blender. If using pineapple juice, whisk all the ingredients (minus the sparkling water, ice, and sliced lime). Blend or whisk until combined. This creates the concentrated/base of the drink. Taste and adjust as needed.Pour the concentrated mixture into an airtight bottle and store in the fridge for up to 6 weeks.Once ready to drink, simply add sparkling water (start with 6 ounces then adjust to taste) and optional ice. Lime and mint to garnish. Prep Tips – For extra spice, add more cayenne. For more zest or tang, add additional apple cider vinegar, mint, and lime. DrinksWellnessApple cider vinegar detox drink, Apple cider vinegar fat burner, apple cider vinegar weight loss drink, gluten-free, Healthy Drink, Natural weight loss drink What Do You Need to Make This Apple Cider Vinegar Drink? This isn’t just any detox drink — it’s bright, refreshing, and a little spicy, like sunshine in a glass. I make it with simple, feel-good ingredients that support digestion, energy, and that light, bloat-free feeling we all want.

Here’s what you’ll need: Simple ingredients, powerful detox. 1 cup pineapple chunks or ½ cup 100% pineapple juice2 tablespoons raw honey or pure maple syrup2 to 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, adjust to taste2 fresh mint leaves, chopped, plus extra to garnish¼ teaspoon cayenne powder¼ to ½ teaspoon ground turmeric, adjust to taste½ teaspoon grated ginger (optional, but great for digestion)1 to 2 tablespoons lime juice6 to 12 ounces sparkling water, to tasteOptional: crushed ice and/or sliced lime to garnish Celia Tip: If you’re new to ACV, start with 2 tablespoons and build up from there. The pineapple and honey really help smooth it out, so it tastes more like a tropical tonic than a vinegar shot. Wellness benefits of key ingredients in Celia’s Apple Cider Vinegar Drink for Weight Loss How To Make Apple Cider Vinegar Detox Recipes It comes together in minutes, but the benefits last all day. Ready-to-go fridge detox for busy mornings. Why I Keep Coming Back to This Drink I’m not a doctor just a 40-something mom who’s tried a lot of things to feel better in her body. And honestly? Most “miracle” drinks overpromise and leave you feeling let down. This one’s different. It works with your body in a gentle, natural way. No extremes. Just real ingredients that have helped me — and so many of you — feel lighter, less bloated, and more like yourself again. Apple Cider Vinegar This is the heart of it. ACV helps balance blood sugar and supports digestion, especially when I drink it before meals. I notice fewer cravings and way less afternoon slump when I stay consistent. Healthline even breaks down the research behind it — it’s not hype, just simple science. Pineapple Pineapple gives this drink a natural sweetness and it helps with digestion. It’s packed with bromelain, which makes everything feel easier on the gut. When I’ve had a heavy weekend, this is what I reach for. (Medical News Today) Lime Juice Lime gives it that fresh kick — and it’s not just for taste. The vitamin C helps support your liver and keeps everything moving. I’ve found it especially helpful when I feel “stuck” or sluggish. Raw Honey or Maple Syrup I don’t do extreme detoxes — I like balance. A little raw honey makes this drink soothing and gives it just enough sweetness to be satisfying. Plus, it’s easier on the body than processed sugar. (NIH) Cayenne Just a pinch is all you need. It gets the blood flowing and gives your metabolism a little nudge. On cold days, it even warms me up from the inside. (Mayo Clinic) Turmeric This one’s for inflammation and bloat. I started using turmeric after reading about curcumin’s benefits — and honestly, my joints and belly both thank me. It adds depth to the drink and makes it feel more comforting. (Healthline) Mint Mint cools everything down and makes the drink feel refreshing especially in the afternoon. If I’ve had a salty meal or I feel tight in the waist, mint helps take the edge off. Ginger Totally optional, but I add it when I want more digestive support. It’s warm, grounding, and has helped me through bloated, off-balance days more times than I can count. Real Talk This isn’t a quick fix or magic cure. But when you drink it consistently, it does make a difference. You’ll notice your body feels more supported. Less bloated. More energized. A little more you again. That’s why I keep coming back to this drink. It works naturally, gently, and without pressure. Let me know if you want this section reformatted for Pinterest or turned into a visual carousel next! Spice it up or sweeten it down—this drink fits your vibe. Honest Talk: How This Drink Actually Helps Let’s clear something up: Drinks like this won’t melt fat overnight. I’ve seen too many posts promising “instant belly fat loss” from one glass. That’s just not how our bodies work especially after 40. Here’s the truth: this apple cider vinegar drink for weight loss doesn’t “burn fat,” but it does support your body in the ways that

matter by helping improve digestion, reducing bloating, balancing blood sugar, and keeping you hydrated. And those small shifts? They add up when you stick with them. This isn’t a magic cure but it does support your body’s natural processes if you stay consistent. When’s the Best Time to Drink It for Maximum Benefit? I used to drink this whenever I remembered sometimes late morning, sometimes after lunch and honestly, I wasn’t sure it was doing much. It tasted good and felt refreshing, but the results? Kind of “meh.” Then I started drinking it first thing in the morning, before anything else even before coffee. And that’s when things changed. My belly felt flatter before breakfast. I didn’t crash by 10am. I even noticed fewer cravings later in the day. It was such a small shift, but it made a big difference. Turns out, I’m not the only one. One small study published by the Journal of Functional Foods found that people who took apple cider vinegar before meals saw a significant reduction in post-meal blood sugar which might explain why I wasn’t reaching for snacks all morning. There’s something about having it on an empty stomach it feels like giving your body a clean slate. A little reset before the day gets going. So if you’ve been sipping it here and there, try drinking it first thing in the morning. It’s a simple tweak, but for me, it made all the difference. How I Actually Use This Drink in Real Life I’ve been making this drink for a while now, and honestly, the reason I’ve stuck with it is because I made it easy. No fancy steps. No pressure. Just little habits that fit into real life. Here’s what works for me: I make a batch every Sunday night and pour it into a glass jar in the fridge. It takes five minutes, and then I’m set for the week. I don’t even think about it in the morning I just shake, pour, and sip. I drink it first thing in the morning, before food or coffee. I’ve found it helps me feel less bloated and way more in control of my cravings especially around 11 a.m., when I used to want something sweet. My husband’s into it now too, which surprised me. He adds extra mint and lime and says it tastes like something you’d get at a juice bar. Win. When it’s cold outside, I skip the sparkling water and use warm water instead. It feels more soothing and still gives that little morning kick I need. If I know we’ll be away, I pour a small bottle to take with me. It travels well, and I feel better sticking to the routine especially when I’m eating more than usual. It keeps in the fridge for a good 4–6 weeks, but I usually go through it faster. If it starts to taste off or separate too much, I just make a fresh one. No big deal. Some days I pair it with a boiled egg or fruit, but most mornings, I drink it solo while getting the kids ready or checking emails. It’s become part of my rhythm. These little things make it easy to stick with no pressure, no perfection. Just one small thing I do for myself each day that actually makes a difference. Results From Real People (Reddit Edition) I went down the rabbit hole of Reddit — reading threads from women and everyday folks who’ve tried apple cider vinegar, ginger, lemon, and cayenne drinks. The feedback felt honest, real, and actually helpful. Here’s what stood out the most: More Mounjaro Smoothies and Drinks Detox Apple Cider Vinegar Drink Recipe Learn how to make this zesty apple cider vinegar drink recipe with a handful of ingredients for a morning cocktail full of health benefits! 1 cup pineapple chunks (or 1/2 cup 100% pineapple juice)2 Tablespoon raw honey (or pure maple syrup)2 to 4 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar (adjust to taste)2 fresh mint leaves (chopped, plus extra to garnish)1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric (adjust to taste)1/2 teaspoon grated ginger (optional)1 to 2 Tablespoons lime juice6 to 12 ounces sparkling water (to taste)crushed ice and/or sliced lime (optional, to garnish)

If using diced pineapple, place all the ingredients (minus the sparkling water, ice, and sliced lime) in a blender. If using pineapple juice, whisk all the ingredients (minus the sparkling water, ice, and sliced lime). Blend or whisk until combined. This creates the concentrated/base of the drink. Taste and adjust as needed.Pour the concentrated mixture into an airtight bottle and store in the fridge for up to 6 weeks.Once ready to drink, simply add sparkling water (start with 6 ounces then adjust to taste) and optional ice. Lime and mint to garnish. Prep Tips – For extra spice, add more cayenne. For more zest or tang, add additional apple cider vinegar, mint, and lime. DrinksWellnessApple cider vinegar detox drink, Apple cider vinegar fat burner, apple cider vinegar weight loss drink, gluten-free, Healthy Drink, Natural weight loss drink FAQs – Apple Cider Vinegar Drink for Weight Loss Your Turn to Try It And Don’t Forget to Share This drink has become one of those small rituals that helps me feel lighter, less bloated, and more like myself especially on busy mornings. If you try it, I’d love to hear how it works for you in the comments below. And if it helps you like it helped me, don’t forget to pin this post on Pinterest so you can come back to it anytime.

[tameblog]

A treat straight from the chefs; these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese from Nordstrom Cafe are lemon bars extraordinaire with mascarpone cheese and toasted coconut. They are quite simply the BEST! Not that any of you have lost sleep wondering where the heck I’ve been but I realize today as I edit this post that I haven’t posted since before Christmas. What the heck, Barb? Well, I have been busy, maybe just not cooking so much? Still I’m glad I made time for these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese from Nordstrom Cafe; I needed a reward! 🙂 I moved into my home five years ago on 12/31. An easy day to remember because it was a ridiculous day to move. I had lived with friends for 8 very long months before this house was ready and those five years seem to have flown by. I have said too often the past couple of weeks, ‘FIVE YEARS!’ Want to save this recipe? Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week! Still, it’s true and I’m not even done with things I thought would be complete years ago. Blame it on the garden. I left a beautiful garden, breathtaking even. I had devoted untold hours to it for many years and it was that place that melted away my stress and anxiety and I knew I would miss it but I thought I was over the backbreaking labor. Especially since my move was predicated by a knee injury that made gardening more difficult. I was nuts; If you are a gardener and need both the beauty of a pretty landscape and the work that goes into it; you can’t just stop. I know that now. I moved into a brand new home with one tree in the front yard and a couple of totally wrong bushes against the house. I’ve spent five years changing that with several trees and even more bushes and perennials. A deck went on in 2017 and a large flower/vegetable garden went in last year and I honestly might almost be there. Sadly I’ll never completely achieve the same nirvana; houses here are too close and others don’t really care like I do but I’m trying to create my own little oasis here in this southern metro neighborhood of Denver, Colorado. These photos are from this past summer and I must admit; summer without my garden pots of herbs would not be the same. I don’t plan a huge vegetable garden but herbs and flowers are my friend! So now that I have the garden almost to the point of only requiring maintenance, I’ve started to delve more into the work I wanted to get done inside plus find time to bake and make these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese! In the past couple of months I have completely changed my office with a new desk, filing cabinet, chair and fun cocktail photo and I’ve worked on the soft furnishings in my bedroom. Next my bedroom. I’m painting 40year old dark furniture…wish me luck! Because of all of these projects my time has been stretched VERY thin. I recently made my favorite old fashioned Lemon Bars using gluten free flour and they were fantastic so I decided to mimic that effort and do the same with another favorite lemon dessert that we love. My daughter Lauren worked at Nordstrom’s in both high school and after college and we met often in their cafe for lunch. One day she was interested in something sweet and spied Lemon Bars on their menu so we ordered two of them. Lo and behold, they were not the Lemon Bars we expected; the one with a crispy crust topped with lemon curd. No, and I think they are even better! These Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese included toasted coconut in the crispy base for a start. After the lemon curd filling is baked and cooled, they are topped with a combination of whipped cream and mascarpone cheese and finished with lemon zest and more coconut. These are truly divine little morsels! Best of all? The chef was happy to share his recipe with me for these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese. So I’ve made these for big occasions (I posted about them years ago; time for a photo redo and sharing with new readers; they should not be missed!) and I think Easter might be perfect. This recipe makes a LOT which is why I love having it for parties but if your needs are not as great, simply cut the ingredients in half and use a smaller pan or make the entire recipe and freeze individual squares; you’ll be happy to discover them when you need a quick dessert. The little quarter lemon slices on top are not an absolute but I absolutely love them! More Favorite Dessert Bars PIN IT! ‘Lemon Coconut Bars – Nordstrom Cafe’ Lemon Coconut Bars – Nordstrom Cafe Barb A fantastic variation on Lemon Bars these include mascarpone cheese and coconut and are perfect for a party! Prep Time 15 minutes minsCook Time 40 minutes minsTotal Time 55 minutes mins Course Cookies, Brownies and BarsCuisine American Servings 50 ServingsCalories 202 kcal For the Crust2 cups Flour¾ cup Sugar1 teaspoon salt2 cups coconut flaked, toasted, cooled4 ounces butter cubed and chilledFor the Filling3 cups sugar8 large eggs2 lemons zested¾ cup lemon juice fresh squeezed and strained1 tablespoon flour1 ½ teaspoons baking powder¼ teaspoon saltFor the Whipped Mascarpone Topping2 cups whipping cream8 ounces mascarpone cheese1 tablespoon vanilla½ cup powdered sugarFor Topping and Garnish3 cups coconut – not toasted1 lemon zest¼ section lemon slice for each bar optional To Make the CrustMake the crust by pulsing all dry ingredients in food processor. Add the butter and pulse until a grainy dough forms. Press into a papered, buttered, floured pan (be sure to use parchment paper or it’s difficult to remove from pan). Bake crust at 350 degrees for 10 minutes until light brown.To Make the FillingPlace filling ingredients in the processor and blend. Pour filling over hot crust and bake at 350 degrees until slightly brown and set, 25-30 minutes.Freeze to set firmly and cool before proceeding.To Make the Whipped Mascarpone ToppingWhip cream to stiff peaks. Add vanilla and powdered sugar. Fold in mascarpone. Spread over the chilled filling.Top with coconut. Freeze, unmold and cut into bars.Garnish with lemon zest and put 1/4 lemon slice on each serving (optional) This makes a lot; we used a large, rimmed cookie sheet and were able to get almost 70 small pieces from it. Cut it in half and use a jelly roll pan if you want considerably less portions. Nutrition FactsLemon Coconut Bars – Nordstrom CafeAmount per Serving% Daily Value** Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Keyword coconut, dessert, lemon bars, mascarpone cheese Source link

[ramestoryworld]

A treat straight from the chefs; these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese from Nordstrom Cafe are lemon bars extraordinaire with mascarpone cheese and toasted coconut. They are quite simply the BEST! Not that any of you have lost sleep wondering where the heck I’ve been but I realize today as I edit this post that I haven’t posted since before Christmas. What the heck, Barb? Well, I have been busy, maybe just not cooking so much? Still I’m glad I made time for these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese from Nordstrom Cafe; I needed a reward! 🙂 I moved into my home five years ago on 12/31. An easy day to remember because it was a ridiculous day to move. I had lived with friends for 8 very long months before this house was ready and those five years seem to have flown by. I have said too often the past couple of weeks, ‘FIVE YEARS!’ Want to save this recipe? Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week! Still, it’s true and I’m not even done with things I thought would be complete years ago. Blame it on the garden. I left a beautiful garden, breathtaking even. I had devoted untold hours to it for many years and it was that place that melted away my stress and anxiety and I knew I would miss it but I thought I was over the backbreaking labor. Especially since my move was predicated by a knee injury that made gardening more difficult. I was nuts; If you are a gardener and need both the beauty of a pretty landscape and the work that goes into it; you can’t just stop. I know that now. I moved into a brand new home with one tree in the front yard and a couple of totally wrong bushes against the house. I’ve spent five years changing that with several trees and even more bushes and perennials. A deck went on in 2017 and a large flower/vegetable garden went in last year and I honestly might almost be there. Sadly I’ll never completely achieve the same nirvana; houses here are too close and others don’t really care like I do but I’m trying to create my own little oasis here in this southern metro neighborhood of Denver, Colorado. These photos are from this past summer and I must admit; summer without my garden pots of herbs would not be the same. I don���t plan a huge vegetable garden but herbs and flowers are my friend! So now that I have the garden almost to the point of only requiring maintenance, I’ve started to delve more into the work I wanted to get done inside plus find time to bake and make these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese! In the past couple of months I have completely changed my office with a new desk, filing cabinet, chair and fun cocktail photo and I’ve worked on the soft furnishings in my bedroom. Next my bedroom. I’m painting 40year old dark furniture…wish me luck! Because of all of these projects my time has been stretched VERY thin. I recently made my favorite old fashioned Lemon Bars using gluten free flour and they were fantastic so I decided to mimic that effort and do the same with another favorite lemon dessert that we love. My daughter Lauren worked at Nordstrom’s in both high school and after college and we met often in their cafe for lunch. One day she was interested in something sweet and spied Lemon Bars on their menu so we ordered two of them. Lo and behold, they were not the Lemon Bars we expected; the one with a crispy crust topped with lemon curd. No, and I think they are even better! These Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese included toasted coconut in the crispy base for a start. After the lemon curd filling is baked and cooled, they are topped with a combination of whipped cream and mascarpone cheese and finished with lemon zest and more coconut. These are truly divine little morsels! Best of all? The chef was happy to share his recipe with me for these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese. So I’ve made these for big occasions (I posted about them years ago; time for a photo redo and sharing with new readers; they should not be missed!) and I think Easter might be perfect. This recipe makes a LOT which is why I love having it for parties but if your needs are not as great, simply cut the ingredients in half and use a smaller pan or make the entire recipe and freeze individual squares; you’ll be happy to discover them when you need a quick dessert. The little quarter lemon slices on top are not an absolute but I absolutely love them! More Favorite Dessert Bars PIN IT! ‘Lemon Coconut Bars – Nordstrom Cafe’ Lemon Coconut Bars – Nordstrom Cafe Barb A fantastic variation on Lemon Bars these include mascarpone cheese and coconut and are perfect for a party! Prep Time 15 minutes minsCook Time 40 minutes minsTotal Time 55 minutes mins Course Cookies, Brownies and BarsCuisine American Servings 50 ServingsCalories 202 kcal For the Crust2 cups Flour¾ cup Sugar1 teaspoon salt2 cups coconut flaked, toasted, cooled4 ounces butter cubed and chilledFor the Filling3 cups sugar8 large eggs2 lemons zested¾ cup lemon juice fresh squeezed and strained1 tablespoon flour1 ½ teaspoons baking powder¼ teaspoon saltFor the Whipped Mascarpone Topping2 cups whipping cream8 ounces mascarpone cheese1 tablespoon vanilla½ cup powdered sugarFor Topping and Garnish3 cups coconut – not toasted1 lemon zest¼ section lemon slice for each bar optional To Make the CrustMake the crust by pulsing all dry ingredients in food processor. Add the butter and pulse until a grainy dough forms. Press into a papered, buttered, floured pan (be sure to use parchment paper or it’s difficult to remove from pan). Bake crust at 350 degrees for 10 minutes until light brown.To Make the FillingPlace filling ingredients in the processor and blend. Pour filling over hot crust and bake at 350 degrees until slightly brown and set, 25-30 minutes.Freeze to set firmly and cool before proceeding.To Make the Whipped Mascarpone ToppingWhip cream to stiff peaks. Add vanilla and powdered sugar. Fold in mascarpone. Spread over the chilled filling.Top with coconut. Freeze, unmold and cut into bars.Garnish with lemon zest and put 1/4 lemon slice on each serving (optional) This makes a lot; we used a large, rimmed cookie sheet and were able to get almost 70 small pieces from it. Cut it in half and use a jelly roll pan if you want considerably less portions. Nutrition FactsLemon Coconut Bars – Nordstrom CafeAmount per Serving% Daily Value** Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Keyword coconut, dessert, lemon bars, mascarpone cheese Source link

[alexha2210]

A treat straight from the chefs; these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese from Nordstrom Cafe are lemon bars extraordinaire with mascarpone cheese and toasted coconut. They are quite simply the BEST! Not that any of you have lost sleep wondering where the heck I’ve been but I realize today as I edit this post that I haven’t posted since before Christmas. What the heck, Barb? Well, I have been busy, maybe just not cooking so much? Still I’m glad I made time for these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese from Nordstrom Cafe; I needed a reward! 🙂 I moved into my home five years ago on 12/31. An easy day to remember because it was a ridiculous day to move. I had lived with friends for 8 very long months before this house was ready and those five years seem to have flown by. I have said too often the past couple of weeks, ‘FIVE YEARS!’ Want to save this recipe? Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week! Still, it’s true and I’m not even done with things I thought would be complete years ago. Blame it on the garden. I left a beautiful garden, breathtaking even. I had devoted untold hours to it for many years and it was that place that melted away my stress and anxiety and I knew I would miss it but I thought I was over the backbreaking labor. Especially since my move was predicated by a knee injury that made gardening more difficult. I was nuts; If you are a gardener and need both the beauty of a pretty landscape and the work that goes into it; you can’t just stop. I know that now. I moved into a brand new home with one tree in the front yard and a couple of totally wrong bushes against the house. I’ve spent five years changing that with several trees and even more bushes and perennials. A deck went on in 2017 and a large flower/vegetable garden went in last year and I honestly might almost be there. Sadly I’ll never completely achieve the same nirvana; houses here are too close and others don’t really care like I do but I’m trying to create my own little oasis here in this southern metro neighborhood of Denver, Colorado. These photos are from this past summer and I must admit; summer without my garden pots of herbs would not be the same. I don’t plan a huge vegetable garden but herbs and flowers are my friend! So now that I have the garden almost to the point of only requiring maintenance, I’ve started to delve more into the work I wanted to get done inside plus find time to bake and make these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese! In the past couple of months I have completely changed my office with a new desk, filing cabinet, chair and fun cocktail photo and I’ve worked on the soft furnishings in my bedroom. Next my bedroom. I’m painting 40year old dark furniture…wish me luck! Because of all of these projects my time has been stretched VERY thin. I recently made my favorite old fashioned Lemon Bars using gluten free flour and they were fantastic so I decided to mimic that effort and do the same with another favorite lemon dessert that we love. My daughter Lauren worked at Nordstrom’s in both high school and after college and we met often in their cafe for lunch. One day she was interested in something sweet and spied Lemon Bars on their menu so we ordered two of them. Lo and behold, they were not the Lemon Bars we expected; the one with a crispy crust topped with lemon curd. No, and I think they are even better! These Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese included toasted coconut in the crispy base for a start. After the lemon curd filling is baked and cooled, they are topped with a combination of whipped cream and mascarpone cheese and finished with lemon zest and more coconut. These are truly divine little morsels! Best of all? The chef was happy to share his recipe with me for these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese. So I’ve made these for big occasions (I posted about them years ago; time for a photo redo and sharing with new readers; they should not be missed!) and I think Easter might be perfect. This recipe makes a LOT which is why I love having it for parties but if your needs are not as great, simply cut the ingredients in half and use a smaller pan or make the entire recipe and freeze individual squares; you’ll be happy to discover them when you need a quick dessert. The little quarter lemon slices on top are not an absolute but I absolutely love them! More Favorite Dessert Bars PIN IT! ‘Lemon Coconut Bars – Nordstrom Cafe’ Lemon Coconut Bars – Nordstrom Cafe Barb A fantastic variation on Lemon Bars these include mascarpone cheese and coconut and are perfect for a party! Prep Time 15 minutes minsCook Time 40 minutes minsTotal Time 55 minutes mins Course Cookies, Brownies and BarsCuisine American Servings 50 ServingsCalories 202 kcal For the Crust2 cups Flour¾ cup Sugar1 teaspoon salt2 cups coconut flaked, toasted, cooled4 ounces butter cubed and chilledFor the Filling3 cups sugar8 large eggs2 lemons zested¾ cup lemon juice fresh squeezed and strained1 tablespoon flour1 ½ teaspoons baking powder¼ teaspoon saltFor the Whipped Mascarpone Topping2 cups whipping cream8 ounces mascarpone cheese1 tablespoon vanilla½ cup powdered sugarFor Topping and Garnish3 cups coconut – not toasted1 lemon zest¼ section lemon slice for each bar optional To Make the CrustMake the crust by pulsing all dry ingredients in food processor. Add the butter and pulse until a grainy dough forms. Press into a papered, buttered, floured pan (be sure to use parchment paper or it’s difficult to remove from pan). Bake crust at 350 degrees for 10 minutes until light brown.To Make the FillingPlace filling ingredients in the processor and blend. Pour filling over hot crust and bake at 350 degrees until slightly brown and set, 25-30 minutes.Freeze to set firmly and cool before proceeding.To Make the Whipped Mascarpone ToppingWhip cream to stiff peaks. Add vanilla and powdered sugar. Fold in mascarpone. Spread over the chilled filling.Top with coconut. Freeze, unmold and cut into bars.Garnish with lemon zest and put 1/4 lemon slice on each serving (optional) This makes a lot; we used a large, rimmed cookie sheet and were able to get almost 70 small pieces from it. Cut it in half and use a jelly roll pan if you want considerably less portions. Nutrition FactsLemon Coconut Bars – Nordstrom CafeAmount per Serving% Daily Value** Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Keyword coconut, dessert, lemon bars, mascarpone cheese Source link

[angusstory]

A treat straight from the chefs; these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese from Nordstrom Cafe are lemon bars extraordinaire with mascarpone cheese and toasted coconut. They are quite simply the BEST! Not that any of you have lost sleep wondering where the heck I’ve been but I realize today as I edit this post that I haven’t posted since before Christmas. What the heck, Barb? Well, I have been busy, maybe just not cooking so much? Still I’m glad I made time for these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese from Nordstrom Cafe; I needed a reward! 🙂 I moved into my home five years ago on 12/31. An easy day to remember because it was a ridiculous day to move. I had lived with friends for 8 very long months before this house was ready and those five years seem to have flown by. I have said too often the past couple of weeks, ‘FIVE YEARS!’ Want to save this recipe? Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week! Still, it’s true and I’m not even done with things I thought would be complete years ago. Blame it on the garden. I left a beautiful garden, breathtaking even. I had devoted untold hours to it for many years and it was that place that melted away my stress and anxiety and I knew I would miss it but I thought I was over the backbreaking labor. Especially since my move was predicated by a knee injury that made gardening more difficult. I was nuts; If you are a gardener and need both the beauty of a pretty landscape and the work that goes into it; you can’t just stop. I know that now. I moved into a brand new home with one tree in the front yard and a couple of totally wrong bushes against the house. I’ve spent five years changing that with several trees and even more bushes and perennials. A deck went on in 2017 and a large flower/vegetable garden went in last year and I honestly might almost be there. Sadly I’ll never completely achieve the same nirvana; houses here are too close and others don’t really care like I do but I’m trying to create my own little oasis here in this southern metro neighborhood of Denver, Colorado. These photos are from this past summer and I must admit; summer without my garden pots of herbs would not be the same. I don’t plan a huge vegetable garden but herbs and flowers are my friend! So now that I have the garden almost to the point of only requiring maintenance, I’ve started to delve more into the work I wanted to get done inside plus find time to bake and make these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese! In the past couple of months I have completely changed my office with a new desk, filing cabinet, chair and fun cocktail photo and I’ve worked on the soft furnishings in my bedroom. Next my bedroom. I’m painting 40year old dark furniture…wish me luck! Because of all of these projects my time has been stretched VERY thin. I recently made my favorite old fashioned Lemon Bars using gluten free flour and they were fantastic so I decided to mimic that effort and do the same with another favorite lemon dessert that we love. My daughter Lauren worked at Nordstrom’s in both high school and after college and we met often in their cafe for lunch. One day she was interested in something sweet and spied Lemon Bars on their menu so we ordered two of them. Lo and behold, they were not the Lemon Bars we expected; the one with a crispy crust topped with lemon curd. No, and I think they are even better! These Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese included toasted coconut in the crispy base for a start. After the lemon curd filling is baked and cooled, they are topped with a combination of whipped cream and mascarpone cheese and finished with lemon zest and more coconut. These are truly divine little morsels! Best of all? The chef was happy to share his recipe with me for these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese. So I’ve made these for big occasions (I posted about them years ago; time for a photo redo and sharing with new readers; they should not be missed!) and I think Easter might be perfect. This recipe makes a LOT which is why I love having it for parties but if your needs are not as great, simply cut the ingredients in half and use a smaller pan or make the entire recipe and freeze individual squares; you’ll be happy to discover them when you need a quick dessert. The little quarter lemon slices on top are not an absolute but I absolutely love them! More Favorite Dessert Bars PIN IT! ‘Lemon Coconut Bars – Nordstrom Cafe’ Lemon Coconut Bars – Nordstrom Cafe Barb A fantastic variation on Lemon Bars these include mascarpone cheese and coconut and are perfect for a party! Prep Time 15 minutes minsCook Time 40 minutes minsTotal Time 55 minutes mins Course Cookies, Brownies and BarsCuisine American Servings 50 ServingsCalories 202 kcal For the Crust2 cups Flour¾ cup Sugar1 teaspoon salt2 cups coconut flaked, toasted, cooled4 ounces butter cubed and chilledFor the Filling3 cups sugar8 large eggs2 lemons zested¾ cup lemon juice fresh squeezed and strained1 tablespoon flour1 ½ teaspoons baking powder¼ teaspoon saltFor the Whipped Mascarpone Topping2 cups whipping cream8 ounces mascarpone cheese1 tablespoon vanilla½ cup powdered sugarFor Topping and Garnish3 cups coconut – not toasted1 lemon zest¼ section lemon slice for each bar optional To Make the CrustMake the crust by pulsing all dry ingredients in food processor. Add the butter and pulse until a grainy dough forms. Press into a papered, buttered, floured pan (be sure to use parchment paper or it’s difficult to remove from pan). Bake crust at 350 degrees for 10 minutes until light brown.To Make the FillingPlace filling ingredients in the processor and blend. Pour filling over hot crust and bake at 350 degrees until slightly brown and set, 25-30 minutes.Freeze to set firmly and cool before proceeding.To Make the Whipped Mascarpone ToppingWhip cream to stiff peaks. Add vanilla and powdered sugar. Fold in mascarpone. Spread over the chilled filling.Top with coconut. Freeze, unmold and cut into bars.Garnish with lemon zest and put 1/4 lemon slice on each serving (optional) This makes a lot; we used a large, rimmed cookie sheet and were able to get almost 70 small pieces from it. Cut it in half and use a jelly roll pan if you want considerably less portions. Nutrition FactsLemon Coconut Bars – Nordstrom CafeAmount per Serving% Daily Value** Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Keyword coconut, dessert, lemon bars, mascarpone cheese Source link

[tumibaba]

A treat straight from the chefs; these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese from Nordstrom Cafe are lemon bars extraordinaire with mascarpone cheese and toasted coconut. They are quite simply the BEST! Not that any of you have lost sleep wondering where the heck I’ve been but I realize today as I edit this post that I haven’t posted since before Christmas. What the heck, Barb? Well, I have been busy, maybe just not cooking so much? Still I’m glad I made time for these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese from Nordstrom Cafe; I needed a reward! 🙂 I moved into my home five years ago on 12/31. An easy day to remember because it was a ridiculous day to move. I had lived with friends for 8 very long months before this house was ready and those five years seem to have flown by. I have said too often the past couple of weeks, ‘FIVE YEARS!’ Want to save this recipe? Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week! Still, it’s true and I’m not even done with things I thought would be complete years ago. Blame it on the garden. I left a beautiful garden, breathtaking even. I had devoted untold hours to it for many years and it was that place that melted away my stress and anxiety and I knew I would miss it but I thought I was over the backbreaking labor. Especially since my move was predicated by a knee injury that made gardening more difficult. I was nuts; If you are a gardener and need both the beauty of a pretty landscape and the work that goes into it; you can’t just stop. I know that now. I moved into a brand new home with one tree in the front yard and a couple of totally wrong bushes against the house. I’ve spent five years changing that with several trees and even more bushes and perennials. A deck went on in 2017 and a large flower/vegetable garden went in last year and I honestly might almost be there. Sadly I’ll never completely achieve the same nirvana; houses here are too close and others don’t really care like I do but I’m trying to create my own little oasis here in this southern metro neighborhood of Denver, Colorado. These photos are from this past summer and I must admit; summer without my garden pots of herbs would not be the same. I don’t plan a huge vegetable garden but herbs and flowers are my friend! So now that I have the garden almost to the point of only requiring maintenance, I’ve started to delve more into the work I wanted to get done inside plus find time to bake and make these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese! In the past couple of months I have completely changed my office with a new desk, filing cabinet, chair and fun cocktail photo and I’ve worked on the soft furnishings in my bedroom. Next my bedroom. I’m painting 40year old dark furniture…wish me luck! Because of all of these projects my time has been stretched VERY thin. I recently made my favorite old fashioned Lemon Bars using gluten free flour and they were fantastic so I decided to mimic that effort and do the same with another favorite lemon dessert that we love. My daughter Lauren worked at Nordstrom’s in both high school and after college and we met often in their cafe for lunch. One day she was interested in something sweet and spied Lemon Bars on their menu so we ordered two of them. Lo and behold, they were not the Lemon Bars we expected; the one with a crispy crust topped with lemon curd. No, and I think they are even better! These Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese included toasted coconut in the crispy base for a start. After the lemon curd filling is baked and cooled, they are topped with a combination of whipped cream and mascarpone cheese and finished with lemon zest and more coconut. These are truly divine little morsels! Best of all? The chef was happy to share his recipe with me for these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese. So I’ve made these for big occasions (I posted about them years ago; time for a photo redo and sharing with new readers; they should not be missed!) and I think Easter might be perfect. This recipe makes a LOT which is why I love having it for parties but if your needs are not as great, simply cut the ingredients in half and use a smaller pan or make the entire recipe and freeze individual squares; you’ll be happy to discover them when you need a quick dessert. The little quarter lemon slices on top are not an absolute but I absolutely love them! More Favorite Dessert Bars PIN IT! ‘Lemon Coconut Bars – Nordstrom Cafe’ Lemon Coconut Bars – Nordstrom Cafe Barb A fantastic variation on Lemon Bars these include mascarpone cheese and coconut and are perfect for a party! Prep Time 15 minutes minsCook Time 40 minutes minsTotal Time 55 minutes mins Course Cookies, Brownies and BarsCuisine American Servings 50 ServingsCalories 202 kcal For the Crust2 cups Flour¾ cup Sugar1 teaspoon salt2 cups coconut flaked, toasted, cooled4 ounces butter cubed and chilledFor the Filling3 cups sugar8 large eggs2 lemons zested¾ cup lemon juice fresh squeezed and strained1 tablespoon flour1 ½ teaspoons baking powder¼ teaspoon saltFor the Whipped Mascarpone Topping2 cups whipping cream8 ounces mascarpone cheese1 tablespoon vanilla½ cup powdered sugarFor Topping and Garnish3 cups coconut – not toasted1 lemon zest¼ section lemon slice for each bar optional To Make the CrustMake the crust by pulsing all dry ingredients in food processor. Add the butter and pulse until a grainy dough forms. Press into a papered, buttered, floured pan (be sure to use parchment paper or it’s difficult to remove from pan). Bake crust at 350 degrees for 10 minutes until light brown.To Make the FillingPlace filling ingredients in the processor and blend. Pour filling over hot crust and bake at 350 degrees until slightly brown and set, 25-30 minutes.Freeze to set firmly and cool before proceeding.To Make the Whipped Mascarpone ToppingWhip cream to stiff peaks. Add vanilla and powdered sugar. Fold in mascarpone. Spread over the chilled filling.Top with coconut. Freeze, unmold and cut into bars.Garnish with lemon zest and put 1/4 lemon slice on each serving (optional) This makes a lot; we used a large, rimmed cookie sheet and were able to get almost 70 small pieces from it. Cut it in half and use a jelly roll pan if you want considerably less portions. Nutrition FactsLemon Coconut Bars – Nordstrom CafeAmount per Serving% Daily Value** Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Keyword coconut, dessert, lemon bars, mascarpone cheese Source link

[romaleen]

A treat straight from the chefs; these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese from Nordstrom Cafe are lemon bars extraordinaire with mascarpone cheese and toasted coconut. They are quite simply the BEST! Not that any of you have lost sleep wondering where the heck I’ve been but I realize today as I edit this post that I haven’t posted since before Christmas. What the heck, Barb? Well, I have been busy, maybe just not cooking so much? Still I’m glad I made time for these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese from Nordstrom Cafe; I needed a reward! 🙂 I moved into my home five years ago on 12/31. An easy day to remember because it was a ridiculous day to move. I had lived with friends for 8 very long months before this house was ready and those five years seem to have flown by. I have said too often the past couple of weeks, ‘FIVE YEARS!’ Want to save this recipe? Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week! Still, it’s true and I’m not even done with things I thought would be complete years ago. Blame it on the garden. I left a beautiful garden, breathtaking even. I had devoted untold hours to it for many years and it was that place that melted away my stress and anxiety and I knew I would miss it but I thought I was over the backbreaking labor. Especially since my move was predicated by a knee injury that made gardening more difficult. I was nuts; If you are a gardener and need both the beauty of a pretty landscape and the work that goes into it; you can’t just stop. I know that now. I moved into a brand new home with one tree in the front yard and a couple of totally wrong bushes against the house. I’ve spent five years changing that with several trees and even more bushes and perennials. A deck went on in 2017 and a large flower/vegetable garden went in last year and I honestly might almost be there. Sadly I’ll never completely achieve the same nirvana; houses here are too close and others don’t really care like I do but I’m trying to create my own little oasis here in this southern metro neighborhood of Denver, Colorado. These photos are from this past summer and I must admit; summer without my garden pots of herbs would not be the same. I don’t plan a huge vegetable garden but herbs and flowers are my friend! So now that I have the garden almost to the point of only requiring maintenance, I’ve started to delve more into the work I wanted to get done inside plus find time to bake and make these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese! In the past couple of months I have completely changed my office with a new desk, filing cabinet, chair and fun cocktail photo and I’ve worked on the soft furnishings in my bedroom. Next my bedroom. I’m painting 40year old dark furniture…wish me luck! Because of all of these projects my time has been stretched VERY thin. I recently made my favorite old fashioned Lemon Bars using gluten free flour and they were fantastic so I decided to mimic that effort and do the same with another favorite lemon dessert that we love. My daughter Lauren worked at Nordstrom’s in both high school and after college and we met often in their cafe for lunch. One day she was interested in something sweet and spied Lemon Bars on their menu so we ordered two of them. Lo and behold, they were not the Lemon Bars we expected; the one with a crispy crust topped with lemon curd. No, and I think they are even better! These Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese included toasted coconut in the crispy base for a start. After the lemon curd filling is baked and cooled, they are topped with a combination of whipped cream and mascarpone cheese and finished with lemon zest and more coconut. These are truly divine little morsels! Best of all? The chef was happy to share his recipe with me for these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese. So I’ve made these for big occasions (I posted about them years ago; time for a photo redo and sharing with new readers; they should not be missed!) and I think Easter might be perfect. This recipe makes a LOT which is why I love having it for parties but if your needs are not as great, simply cut the ingredients in half and use a smaller pan or make the entire recipe and freeze individual squares; you’ll be happy to discover them when you need a quick dessert. The little quarter lemon slices on top are not an absolute but I absolutely love them! More Favorite Dessert Bars PIN IT! ‘Lemon Coconut Bars – Nordstrom Cafe’ Lemon Coconut Bars – Nordstrom Cafe Barb A fantastic variation on Lemon Bars these include mascarpone cheese and coconut and are perfect for a party! Prep Time 15 minutes minsCook Time 40 minutes minsTotal Time 55 minutes mins Course Cookies, Brownies and BarsCuisine American Servings 50 ServingsCalories 202 kcal For the Crust2 cups Flour¾ cup Sugar1 teaspoon salt2 cups coconut flaked, toasted, cooled4 ounces butter cubed and chilledFor the Filling3 cups sugar8 large eggs2 lemons zested¾ cup lemon juice fresh squeezed and strained1 tablespoon flour1 ½ teaspoons baking powder¼ teaspoon saltFor the Whipped Mascarpone Topping2 cups whipping cream8 ounces mascarpone cheese1 tablespoon vanilla½ cup powdered sugarFor Topping and Garnish3 cups coconut – not toasted1 lemon zest¼ section lemon slice for each bar optional To Make the CrustMake the crust by pulsing all dry ingredients in food processor. Add the butter and pulse until a grainy dough forms. Press into a papered, buttered, floured pan (be sure to use parchment paper or it’s difficult to remove from pan). Bake crust at 350 degrees for 10 minutes until light brown.To Make the FillingPlace filling ingredients in the processor and blend. Pour filling over hot crust and bake at 350 degrees until slightly brown and set, 25-30 minutes.Freeze to set firmly and cool before proceeding.To Make the Whipped Mascarpone ToppingWhip cream to stiff peaks. Add vanilla and powdered sugar. Fold in mascarpone. Spread over the chilled filling.Top with coconut. Freeze, unmold and cut into bars.Garnish with lemon zest and put 1/4 lemon slice on each serving (optional) This makes a lot; we used a large, rimmed cookie sheet and were able to get almost 70 small pieces from it. Cut it in half and use a jelly roll pan if you want considerably less portions. Nutrition FactsLemon Coconut Bars – Nordstrom CafeAmount per Serving% Daily Value** Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Keyword coconut, dessert, lemon bars, mascarpone cheese Source link

[monaleen101]

A treat straight from the chefs; these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese from Nordstrom Cafe are lemon bars extraordinaire with mascarpone cheese and toasted coconut. They are quite simply the BEST! Not that any of you have lost sleep wondering where the heck I’ve been but I realize today as I edit this post that I haven’t posted since before Christmas. What the heck, Barb? Well, I have been busy, maybe just not cooking so much? Still I’m glad I made time for these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese from Nordstrom Cafe; I needed a reward! 🙂 I moved into my home five years ago on 12/31. An easy day to remember because it was a ridiculous day to move. I had lived with friends for 8 very long months before this house was ready and those five years seem to have flown by. I have said too often the past couple of weeks, ‘FIVE YEARS!’ Want to save this recipe? Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week! Still, it’s true and I’m not even done with things I thought would be complete years ago. Blame it on the garden. I left a beautiful garden, breathtaking even. I had devoted untold hours to it for many years and it was that place that melted away my stress and anxiety and I knew I would miss it but I thought I was over the backbreaking labor. Especially since my move was predicated by a knee injury that made gardening more difficult. I was nuts; If you are a gardener and need both the beauty of a pretty landscape and the work that goes into it; you can’t just stop. I know that now. I moved into a brand new home with one tree in the front yard and a couple of totally wrong bushes against the house. I’ve spent five years changing that with several trees and even more bushes and perennials. A deck went on in 2017 and a large flower/vegetable garden went in last year and I honestly might almost be there. Sadly I’ll never completely achieve the same nirvana; houses here are too close and others don’t really care like I do but I’m trying to create my own little oasis here in this southern metro neighborhood of Denver, Colorado. These photos are from this past summer and I must admit; summer without my garden pots of herbs would not be the same. I don’t plan a huge vegetable garden but herbs and flowers are my friend! So now that I have the garden almost to the point of only requiring maintenance, I’ve started to delve more into the work I wanted to get done inside plus find time to bake and make these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese! In the past couple of months I have completely changed my office with a new desk, filing cabinet, chair and fun cocktail photo and I’ve worked on the soft furnishings in my bedroom. Next my bedroom. I’m painting 40year old dark furniture…wish me luck! Because of all of these projects my time has been stretched VERY thin. I recently made my favorite old fashioned Lemon Bars using gluten free flour and they were fantastic so I decided to mimic that effort and do the same with another favorite lemon dessert that we love. My daughter Lauren worked at Nordstrom’s in both high school and after college and we met often in their cafe for lunch. One day she was interested in something sweet and spied Lemon Bars on their menu so we ordered two of them. Lo and behold, they were not the Lemon Bars we expected; the one with a crispy crust topped with lemon curd. No, and I think they are even better! These Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese included toasted coconut in the crispy base for a start. After the lemon curd filling is baked and cooled, they are topped with a combination of whipped cream and mascarpone cheese and finished with lemon zest and more coconut. These are truly divine little morsels! Best of all? The chef was happy to share his recipe with me for these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese. So I’ve made these for big occasions (I posted about them years ago; time for a photo redo and sharing with new readers; they should not be missed!) and I think Easter might be perfect. This recipe makes a LOT which is why I love having it for parties but if your needs are not as great, simply cut the ingredients in half and use a smaller pan or make the entire recipe and freeze individual squares; you’ll be happy to discover them when you need a quick dessert. The little quarter lemon slices on top are not an absolute but I absolutely love them! More Favorite Dessert Bars PIN IT! ‘Lemon Coconut Bars – Nordstrom Cafe’ Lemon Coconut Bars – Nordstrom Cafe Barb A fantastic variation on Lemon Bars these include mascarpone cheese and coconut and are perfect for a party! Prep Time 15 minutes minsCook Time 40 minutes minsTotal Time 55 minutes mins Course Cookies, Brownies and BarsCuisine American Servings 50 ServingsCalories 202 kcal For the Crust2 cups Flour¾ cup Sugar1 teaspoon salt2 cups coconut flaked, toasted, cooled4 ounces butter cubed and chilledFor the Filling3 cups sugar8 large eggs2 lemons zested¾ cup lemon juice fresh squeezed and strained1 tablespoon flour1 ½ teaspoons baking powder¼ teaspoon saltFor the Whipped Mascarpone Topping2 cups whipping cream8 ounces mascarpone cheese1 tablespoon vanilla½ cup powdered sugarFor Topping and Garnish3 cups coconut – not toasted1 lemon zest¼ section lemon slice for each bar optional To Make the CrustMake the crust by pulsing all dry ingredients in food processor. Add the butter and pulse until a grainy dough forms. Press into a papered, buttered, floured pan (be sure to use parchment paper or it’s difficult to remove from pan). Bake crust at 350 degrees for 10 minutes until light brown.To Make the FillingPlace filling ingredients in the processor and blend. Pour filling over hot crust and bake at 350 degrees until slightly brown and set, 25-30 minutes.Freeze to set firmly and cool before proceeding.To Make the Whipped Mascarpone ToppingWhip cream to stiff peaks. Add vanilla and powdered sugar. Fold in mascarpone. Spread over the chilled filling.Top with coconut. Freeze, unmold and cut into bars.Garnish with lemon zest and put 1/4 lemon slice on each serving (optional) This makes a lot; we used a large, rimmed cookie sheet and were able to get almost 70 small pieces from it. Cut it in half and use a jelly roll pan if you want considerably less portions. Nutrition FactsLemon Coconut Bars – Nordstrom CafeAmount per Serving% Daily Value** Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Keyword coconut, dessert, lemon bars, mascarpone cheese Source link

[iamownerofme]

A treat straight from the chefs; these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese from Nordstrom Cafe are lemon bars extraordinaire with mascarpone cheese and toasted coconut. They are quite simply the BEST! Not that any of you have lost sleep wondering where the heck I’ve been but I realize today as I edit this post that I haven’t posted since before Christmas. What the heck, Barb? Well, I have been busy, maybe just not cooking so much? Still I’m glad I made time for these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese from Nordstrom Cafe; I needed a reward! 🙂 I moved into my home five years ago on 12/31. An easy day to remember because it was a ridiculous day to move. I had lived with friends for 8 very long months before this house was ready and those five years seem to have flown by. I have said too often the past couple of weeks, ‘FIVE YEARS!’ Want to save this recipe? Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week! Still, it’s true and I’m not even done with things I thought would be complete years ago. Blame it on the garden. I left a beautiful garden, breathtaking even. I had devoted untold hours to it for many years and it was that place that melted away my stress and anxiety and I knew I would miss it but I thought I was over the backbreaking labor. Especially since my move was predicated by a knee injury that made gardening more difficult. I was nuts; If you are a gardener and need both the beauty of a pretty landscape and the work that goes into it; you can’t just stop. I know that now. I moved into a brand new home with one tree in the front yard and a couple of totally wrong bushes against the house. I’ve spent five years changing that with several trees and even more bushes and perennials. A deck went on in 2017 and a large flower/vegetable garden went in last year and I honestly might almost be there. Sadly I’ll never completely achieve the same nirvana; houses here are too close and others don’t really care like I do but I’m trying to create my own little oasis here in this southern metro neighborhood of Denver, Colorado. These photos are from this past summer and I must admit; summer without my garden pots of herbs would not be the same. I don’t plan a huge vegetable garden but herbs and flowers are my friend! So now that I have the garden almost to the point of only requiring maintenance, I’ve started to delve more into the work I wanted to get done inside plus find time to bake and make these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese! In the past couple of months I have completely changed my office with a new desk, filing cabinet, chair and fun cocktail photo and I’ve worked on the soft furnishings in my bedroom. Next my bedroom. I’m painting 40year old dark furniture…wish me luck! Because of all of these projects my time has been stretched VERY thin. I recently made my favorite old fashioned Lemon Bars using gluten free flour and they were fantastic so I decided to mimic that effort and do the same with another favorite lemon dessert that we love. My daughter Lauren worked at Nordstrom’s in both high school and after college and we met often in their cafe for lunch. One day she was interested in something sweet and spied Lemon Bars on their menu so we ordered two of them. Lo and behold, they were not the Lemon Bars we expected; the one with a crispy crust topped with lemon curd. No, and I think they are even better! These Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese included toasted coconut in the crispy base for a start. After the lemon curd filling is baked and cooled, they are topped with a combination of whipped cream and mascarpone cheese and finished with lemon zest and more coconut. These are truly divine little morsels! Best of all? The chef was happy to share his recipe with me for these Lemon Coconut Bars with Mascarpone Cheese. So I’ve made these for big occasions (I posted about them years ago; time for a photo redo and sharing with new readers; they should not be missed!) and I think Easter might be perfect. This recipe makes a LOT which is why I love having it for parties but if your needs are not as great, simply cut the ingredients in half and use a smaller pan or make the entire recipe and freeze individual squares; you’ll be happy to discover them when you need a quick dessert. The little quarter lemon slices on top are not an absolute but I absolutely love them! More Favorite Dessert Bars PIN IT! ‘Lemon Coconut Bars – Nordstrom Cafe’ Lemon Coconut Bars – Nordstrom Cafe Barb A fantastic variation on Lemon Bars these include mascarpone cheese and coconut and are perfect for a party! Prep Time 15 minutes minsCook Time 40 minutes minsTotal Time 55 minutes mins Course Cookies, Brownies and BarsCuisine American Servings 50 ServingsCalories 202 kcal For the Crust2 cups Flour¾ cup Sugar1 teaspoon salt2 cups coconut flaked, toasted, cooled4 ounces butter cubed and chilledFor the Filling3 cups sugar8 large eggs2 lemons zested¾ cup lemon juice fresh squeezed and strained1 tablespoon flour1 ½ teaspoons baking powder¼ teaspoon saltFor the Whipped Mascarpone Topping2 cups whipping cream8 ounces mascarpone cheese1 tablespoon vanilla½ cup powdered sugarFor Topping and Garnish3 cups coconut – not toasted1 lemon zest¼ section lemon slice for each bar optional To Make the CrustMake the crust by pulsing all dry ingredients in food processor. Add the butter and pulse until a grainy dough forms. Press into a papered, buttered, floured pan (be sure to use parchment paper or it’s difficult to remove from pan). Bake crust at 350 degrees for 10 minutes until light brown.To Make the FillingPlace filling ingredients in the processor and blend. Pour filling over hot crust and bake at 350 degrees until slightly brown and set, 25-30 minutes.Freeze to set firmly and cool before proceeding.To Make the Whipped Mascarpone ToppingWhip cream to stiff peaks. Add vanilla and powdered sugar. Fold in mascarpone. Spread over the chilled filling.Top with coconut. Freeze, unmold and cut into bars.Garnish with lemon zest and put 1/4 lemon slice on each serving (optional) This makes a lot; we used a large, rimmed cookie sheet and were able to get almost 70 small pieces from it. Cut it in half and use a jelly roll pan if you want considerably less portions. Nutrition FactsLemon Coconut Bars – Nordstrom CafeAmount per Serving% Daily Value** Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Keyword coconut, dessert, lemon bars, mascarpone cheese Source link