#european lily-of-the-valley

[creativecommonsplants]

European Lily-of-the-Valley by paolilli on iNaturalist.

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. 

[yayobabydoll]

[blackhairedjjun]

flowers of every color

a series

pairing: choi yeonjun x gender neutral reader

summary: when your father is assigned as the new head gardener to the royal family, you are also tasked with helping him maintain the castle's many gardens and extensive floral arrangements. by chance you find yourself crossing paths with the "ice-cold" crown prince, choi yeonjun... who turns out to be not as ice-cold as everyone says he is.

genre: royalty au, prince!yeonjun, gardener!reader, strangers to friends to lovers, fluff, angst, the language of flowers, multiple endings (1 good and 1 bad)

featuring: choi soobin, choi beomgyu (the choi line are all distant relatives here)

warnings: see chapters for specific warnings

status: complete!

author's notes:

do not expect historical or botanical accuracy here! the flowers chosen in each chapter are mainly for aesthetics and symbolism, and might not accurately reflect their cultivation or growing seasons. the language of flowers used here is based on western victorian floriography (rather than other countries' systems) since the royalty au here is already heavily based on european aesthetics.

the first half of the story or so will be fluff, while the next will be angst with a bit of hurt/comfort towards the end. after that there will be both a good and a bad ending.

the first chapter was written in one sitting as a "let's get this idea out of the system" kind of thing, so the quality might be a different from later chapters. i may go back and make an edited version of the first chapter if it have the time and energy to do so!

taglist (CLOSED) @seosalad @lilplilplilp @yeonboy @pyuae @hyuneyeon @strawbrinkofdeath @yushiu @mazeinthemoon @banggyu0308 @shytubatu @kyaneosprincess @agustdiv1ne @whippedforbeomgyu @justineasian @skywithf1 @wrongbathroom @choizzn @bangchansbae @huskyhunny @catsyoon @flowerbe0m

masterlist

chapter 1: irises

chapter 2: yellow roses

chapter 3: lilies of the valley

chapter 4: pink roses

chapter 5: sunflowers

chapter 6: red and purple zinnias

chapter 7: striped carnations

chapter 8: sweet peas

chapter 9: purple hyacinths

chapter 10: red roses

good ending: daffodils

bad ending: white lilies

this fic has also been crossposted to ao3 here

disclaimers:

all depictions of real persons in this work are purely fictional and may not accurately reflect how they are in real life.

this work is by me (blackhairedjjun). the only other version of this story that i allow is on ao3 as linked above. DO NOT REPOST.

[vandaliatraveler]

The High Rocks Trail along the Highland Scenic Highway offers an easy, 3 mile out-and-back hike featuring one of the best views in the Central Appalachians. Perched on a sandstone outcropping at over 4,000 feet (1,219 m) above sea level, the overlook provides sweeping views toward Virginia to the east and the Greenbrier River Valley to the south. I imagine this would be an ideal spot to do some stargazing, as there is very little light obstruction from the valley below.

From top: views from the High Rocks overlook at the end of the trail; false Solomon's seal (Maianthemum racemosum), whose plume of white flowers gives way to a cluster of waxy, gold and red-speckled berries in late summer; two of the most impressive speckled wood lilies (Clintonia umbellulata) I've ever come across in my travels; American lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majuscula), a more robust and less densely-colonizing cousin of the more familiar European species, native to the Appalachian mountains from Southwestern Pennsylvania to North Carolina and Tennessee; the gorgeous mountain angelica (Angelica triquinata), also known as filmy angelica, an Appalachian endemic that produces the most impressive compound umbels of greenish-white flowers in late summer; and a gregarious woodland fungi, perhaps sulphur tuft (Hypholoma fasciculare)?

[juliasgoodusername]

@miseria-fortes-viros I have a separate big brain project dedicated to finding the "real" Henrietta (spoiler: there isn't one) and I agree that Maggie took inspiration from local place names in her naming conventions! Plus other Maggie Things™ like Catholicism and art lol

Here are my theories:

Blue Sargent = Blue Ridge Mountains + John Singer Sargent. I think we all realized that when she obsessed over Sargent in the dreamer trilogy. But in case it wasn't obvious enough, BLLB is a reference to Carnation Lily, Lily Rose, an absolute banger of a painting by him.

Lynch = Lynchburg, VA + David Lynch (the Twin Peaks guy, but also a traditional artist who often waxes poetic about the nature of art and imagination.)

Ronan = Saint Ronan, a high born Irish saint who exiled himself from his home, performed miracles, and sort of fell in love with a male peasant. There's parallels is all I'm saying.

Henrietta = the name Henry (which means "ruler of the estate" + popular British king name) + maybe a play on Harrisonburg, VA, which is either where Maggie grew up or the biggest city close to where she grew up

Singer's Falls = Singer's Glen, VA - About 15 minutes north from Harrisonburg, matches the description in the book pretty well of being mostly farms

Adam Parrish = Maxfield Parrish + Adam from the Bible + Adam Miller, one of the first Europeans to settle in the Shenandoah valley, and the remains of his home is another short field trip from Harrisonburg. His property was nicknamed "Green Meadows" and I think that old timey farmer tradition is what inspired Maggie to call the Lynch Estate "The Barns." Might be more common on the east coast or Ireland or something but where I grew up farms and properties don't have nicknames, so it felt like an ah-ha moment for me.

In conclusion, if you're insane then we're insane together <3

[bluejaysandblackbats]

Lily of the Valley

Fandom: DC Comics, Batfam

Summary: Jason Todd dies and comes back to life. As the League takes him in, he navigates his morality and family values over the years.

Chapters: 19/?

Characters: Jason Todd, Talia al Ghul, Ra’s al Ghul, Damian Wayne, Barbara Gordon, Dick Grayson, Bruce Wayne, Sheila Haywood

Relationships: Jason Todd/Original Character(s)

Additional Tags: Immortal Jason Todd, League of Assassins Jason Todd, Protective Talia al Ghul, Good Parent Talia al Ghul, Jason Todd Needs a Hug, Good Sibling Jason Todd, Hurt/Comfort, Adopted Children, Resurrected Jason Todd

Chapter Nineteen: European Yew

Jason stood outside his old apartment before he dropped Saru’s hand. “Jason, you don’t have to—.”

“There’s—. The last time I was here, the place was made up like a—. It’s a memorial,” Jason interrupted. Saru frowned. “Going in there is like stepping into a coffin… And I won’t do it again. If you go down that alley and head up the fire escape, it’s the one in the middle on the second floor.” Jason pointed her in the direction of his apartment. Jason hugged himself as he watched Saru go up the fire escape. She disappeared, and he pulled his hood up and put on sunglasses, hiding his face.

From the street, Jason had a perfect view of the group home. It looked so friendly on the outside, but Jason knew how places like that were. He glanced backward at his apartment and sighed. His conscience couldn’t let him turn a blind eye to the evil in that house. “Saru… I didn’t leave you. I promise,” Jason mumbled. He rushed across the street to the group home and snuck around back. A few of the boys were out back, boxing. Some of the boys looked excited, while others looked apprehensive. “Hey, kid! You new or somethin’?” a boy shouted. Jason nodded. The boy stood nearly a foot above Jason and approached at a threatening pace. “Come on. Let’s fight.”

Jason chuckled. “No,” Jason answered.

The boy shoved him. “Come on. Are you scared?” he asked.

“I’m not… Trust me,” Jason replied, “And you’re not gonna be able to tick me off.”

The older boy smacked Jason upside his head. “You’re not going anywhere until you fight me… House rules, Princess,” he teased as he yanked Jason’s hair. Jason swatted his hand away and sighed.

“I’m not governed by the law of the house. I’m here to talk to the witch of the house,” Jason replied.

The boy spit in his face, and the other children gasped. Jason bowed and chuckled and wiped the spit from his cheek and glasses. “That wasn’t polite,” Jason replied. Ra’s and Talia trained him better than that. The boy hocked and spat in Jason’s face a second time. “Okay… You won’t get a third time to do that. I promise you this won’t end well… I’m not here to fight.”

Without a word, the boy moved to knee Jason. Jason blocked him, sighing as he knocked the boy off his feet and rolled the boy over onto his stomach as he broke the boy’s arm. The older boy shrieked in pain. “Excuse me. Can any of you point me toward the woman of the house?” Jason asked politely. A gangly boy with glasses nodded and beckoned Jason with an awkward twitch of the head toward the shed. He led Jason halfway through the backyard and stopped.

“You don’t wanna talk to Ma Gunn… You seem like a tough guy. But trust me... Ma Gunn’s no Mother Teresa—.”

Jason pulled the tall boy aside. “That’s what I wanted to know. What’s going on in this place?” Jason questioned. The boy shook his head.

“You don’t wanna know. Trust me,” the tall boy replied. Jason frowned, deciding to leave it be for the time being.

Jason approached the shed and knocked on the door, and the woman blew cigar smoke in his face. She looked past Jason at the commotion in the yard and chuckled. “You break Garrett’s arm?” Ma Gunn asked. Jason nodded. “You’re a tough little shrimp… I’ll give you that. What do you want?”

“Who’s Willis, and why did you think I was some kid named Jason?” Jason asked. He didn’t want anyone in Gotham to know he was alive, but he had to know why she knew them.

“Willis is my son… And Jason’s his son. You’ve got Willis’ hair… But you couldn’t be his kid. His kid died,” Ma Gunn replied, “Willis is dead too.”

“Well, maybe you should get your head checked before you ask a guy if he’s your dead grandson… And I’m serious about your boys. You really should keep a better eye on them. Someone could get killed,” Jason threatened.

“I’d eat you for breakfast, Kid… Come see me when you’ve got a couple of whiskers on your chin,” Ma Gunn teased. Jason huffed and went on his way.

When he reached the sidewalk, Saru ran toward him, grabbed him by his hoodie, and embraced him. “I thought you left me,” Saru whimpered. Jason wrapped his arms around her.

“Let’s go home, okay?” Jason replied. He rested his chin atop her head. “I wouldn’t leave you here alone.”

Saru nodded as she let go and backed away. “Sorry, that was—. That wasn’t—. Yeah. Let’s go home,” Saru stammered.

*

Saru was near-silent on the jet. She lay on the couch watching Jason cook. “Am I allowed to ask about earlier?” Jason questioned.

Saru sat up straight. “Do you remember me telling you that I had a brother?” Saru asked. Jason nodded, glancing up from his vegetables as he watched her unbraid her hair.

“Imay?” Jason asked. Saru nodded.

“Yeah. Imay was the only family I had. We grew up in the League together. I was a baby when our parents died on assignment in England. My brother was six or seven. Imay wasn’t like me. He didn’t take to killing people like I did. He feared me… That’s why he raised me as a Buddhist. He thought it’d make me appreciate the sanctity of life more… So, I don’t kill unless I have to.

“I loved my brother more than anyone in this world. His last assignment was with me. I was supposed to watch his back… Jason… Imay rushed ahead of me when he saw our target. There was a tripwire. He should’ve seen it, but I—. I was so far behind him I didn’t see it either. A flash of light blinded me. When I came to, I was covered—. I was in shock. I stood up and started searching for him.

“So, I thought—.” Saru hid her face in her hands.

Jason frowned. “Saru… I’m so—. I won’t scare you like that ever again. I promise,” Jason whispered. Saru breathed deeply before collecting herself.

“Where did you go? You never said,” Saru replied.

“Oh… I met my grandmother today. I hate her,” Jason replied, “The evil old crook I told you about is my grandma.”

Saru chewed her lip and nodded before laughing. Jason chuckled. “It’s a good thing I didn’t kill her. I can’t kill your grandma, even if she is evil,” Saru roared with laughter. Jason tried to contain his amusement, but it was written all over his face.

“I would’ve forgiven you. I think half the kids there would’ve forgiven you… We can always return and kill my grandma together,” Jason half-joked. Saru walked over to the kitchen and tapped her fingers on the counter. They met eyes, and Jason’s confidence quickly faded. He set the knife down, offering Saru his full attention. “Thank you… For reminding me that I’m alive.” Saru flashed a sweet smile, but her eyes were filled with tears.

“Thank you for letting me see your home,” Saru replied. The tone of her voice carried a sweetness to it, rendering Jason speechless. He could only swallow hard in reply.

[jellojolteon]

I think if I could time travel I'd go back to the place where my childhood home is but in like

Idk

1490 or something

And I'd spend a year or two there. Maybe not even necessarily full-time 24/7, depending on how frequently it would be reasonable to hop back and forth, but

The older I get the more I wonder about what it looked like before anyone came a-colonizing, from a standpoint of native flora and fauna. Would the hillsides look the same? Would there be trees? Would I be plopping down in a field? A village?

I learned today that death cap mushrooms are not native to the US

and I've known my top three favorite flowers aren't either— daffodils, lilies of the valley, and lilacs

When would passenger pigeons roll through, would I see the occasional Carolina parakeet? How many chestnut trees could I forage from?

How different would it sound? With wolves? Without the house finch or the European starling or any of the cabal of Shakespeare's birds?

What things are there still but are now pushed into rarity? Would my mom's echinaceas dot a wider expanse, would I see more monarchs?

Would I come to miss the forsythia in the spring? Which immigrants to this continent would I begin to identify with in their absence, alienated in a place that is my home and yet not?

[chasingfictions]

I looked up mourning and sympathy bouquets in my Victorian floriography reference book and idk if it was an accident or not but whoever arranged those flowers got strangely close. Like the flower selections aren't all accurate but the substitutions are definitely what I could find in SoCal if I was picking flowers from public parks and people's front yards. The white and yellow flowers are definitely chrysanthemums and daisies, possible also marigolds? Chrysanthemums are for condolences, marigolds for grief. Daisies aren't traditional grieving flowers but they do represent innocence and purity which I could see Spike associating with Joyce and also Dawn. I can't tell what the purple flowers are but probably Salvia or butterfly flowers given the location which are aesthetically close to European mint flowers which are traditional mourning bouquet flowers (consolation) and I also see a sprig of some kind of evergreen leaf which I think is a substitute for cypress (mourning) and then lastly there's some clover which usually means good luck but based on the shape/placement I think argument could be made aesthetically it's a substitute for lily of the valley which is more traditional mourning flower and is a promise of better days ahead. So Spike's little bouquet is Victorian Floriography approved with substitutions that make sense given that he picked the flowers himself and had access to SoCal front lawns. He's so 🥺

WHAT THE FUCK WHAT THE FUCKING FUCK. im so glad u looked into this i was trying to look up the bouquet a while back but i didnt have a good victorian flower language source available easily and just kdfjksdflsdf . this is such a good analysis and he put such THOUGHT into it. special boy!!!! special gentle boy!!!! who loves his mother in law!!!!

[friedfriedchicken]

Can i politely request some flower language (European or Hanakotoba) for Dinobot? (Code of Hero, my beloved...)

OH BOY YOU HAVE ACTIVATED MY BRAIN AND I'M RUNNING ON LATE NIGHT ENERGY LET'S GO!!!

Camellia

In Victorian Flower language, white camellias represent admiration, respect, and perfection so they've had history with being used at weddings and funerals. Pink camellias symbolize longing for someone. It can be used both platonically and romantically and can be sent to someone to say "I miss you." Red and yellow camellias represent passion and uniqueness respectively.

In Hanakotoba red camellias represent love and "perishing with grace" due to the fact that camellias lose their entire head when they wilt instead of one petal at a time. There's a term for that called ochitsubaki, translated as "fallen camellia", as samurai would avoid planting these flowers because of their style of wilting looking similar to how samurai would behead people during executions. Bad luck vibes there. Also yellow camellias represent longing in Hanakotoba and white camellias mean waiting!

Lily

Victorian Flower Language assigns white lilies the concept of purity and is often associated with mothers. Orange lilies represent revenge and/or hatred while lilies of the valley represent sweetness and tiger lilies means wealth! Lilies also represents the soul of the dead returning to a peaceful place when present at a funeral. Pairing that up with Dinobot, especially considering how Code of Hero ends, feels super fitting to me. QwQ

Hanakotoba says that white lilies are a symbol of purity while red spider lilies symbolize final goodbyes (which is why you get a lot of them in anime and stuff lol). Other than that, lilies share most of their Hanakotoba meanings with its' Victorian meanings.

Zinnia

For Victorian Flower Language, yellow zinnias equate to honoring and remembering someone daily because of its similarity to the sun. Red zinnias represent the heart, bonds, and eternal love (romantically or platonically!). Pink zinnias represent lasting friendships and love as well as love for one's father. As the trend continues, white zinnias mean pureness.

For Hanakotoba, I don't have much resources on zinnias besides the fact that they are a symbol of loyalty and faithfulness but that fits Dinobot anyways, especially with his arc in Code of Hero.

WHEW ALL DONE

Scrambling around to gather up flower pictures felt like I was a busy little mouse in an old kid's story book hee hoo

ANYWAYS- thank you for the request and I hope you have fun with the flower info!

[slytherindisaster]

Full Name: Elisabeth Marigold Parker

Nicknames: Lizzie (everyone); Liz; Lisa (by Jacob)

Birthday: July 29, 1973

Zodiac: Leo

Blood Status: half-blood

Gender Identity: who even knows at this point (mostly goes by she/they)

Sexuality: bisexual

Nationality: British

Hometown: Maidstone, Kent, England

PERSONALITY

Myers-Briggs Type: ENFJ (The Protagonist)

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral

Strengths: intelligent, ambitious, loyal, honest, creative

Weaknesses: competitive, stubborn, hot-headed

Interests/Hobbies: researching, writing, duelling

APPEARANCE

Faceclaim: Lindsay Lohan

Voiceclaim: Ciara Baxendale

Height: 5ft 6in / 167cm

Build: average

Hair: red

Eyes: green

Skin: pale, freckled

Body Modifications: pierced ears, several tattoos

Scars/defects: multiple small scars on her hands, wrists and thighs; chipped left ear

Fashion:

WITCHCRAFT

1st Wand: Aspen, Unicorn Hair, 12 inches, reasonably supple

Wand-quality aspen wood is white and fine-grained, and highly prized by all wand-makers for its stylish resemblance to ivory and its usually outstanding charmwork. The proper owner of the aspen wand is often an accomplished duellist, or destined to be so, for the aspen wand is one of those particularly suited to martial magic. Aspen wand owners are generally strong-minded and determined, more likely than most to be attracted by quests and new orders; this is a wand for revolutionaries.

2nd Wand: Red Oak, Unicorn hair, 11 inches, solid

You will often hear the ignorant say that red oak is an infallible sign of its owner’s hot temper. In fact, the true match for a red oak wand is possessed of unusually fast reactions, making it a perfect duelling wand.

Animagus Form: orange cat/european shorthair

Patronus: kneazle

Boggart: Jacob (later Rowan) saying she is cursed and blaming her for not being able to save their loved ones

Riddikulus: she listens to what they have to say instead of casting the spell

Amortentia

what do they smell like to others?: elderflower, cocoa, pine, hay

what do they smell?: butterbeer, floo powder, broom polish, mowed grass

Favorite Spells: Bombarda, Incendio

Misc. Magical Abilities: Apparition; Nonverbal Magic; Occlumency

HOGWARTS

House: Slytherin

Best Subject: History of Magic, DADA

Worst Subject: Potions

Third Year Options: Care of Magical Creatures, Astronomy, Divination

N.E.W.T.s: History of Magic, DADA, Transfiguration, Charms, Care of Magical Creatures, Herbology, Astronomy

Extracurriculars: Duelling Club (4th to 7th year)

Quidditch Position: Keeper (3rd to 7th year)

AFTER HOGWARTS

more of less tbd as of now

RELATIONSHIPS

Father: Anthony Parker

Mother: Perpetua 'Tilly' Parker (née Brokenshire-Rosier)

Half Brother: Jacob Mallow Parker

Pets: a toad named Roger

Dormmates: Merula Snyde; Ismelda Murk; Liz Tuttle; Jules Farrier @cursebreakerfarrier

Closest Friends: Rowan Khanna, Ben Copper, Bill Weasley, Andre Egwu, Jae Kim

Friends: Nymphadora Tonks, Tulip Karasu, Barnaby Lee, Charlie Weasley, Julian Bennett, Irena Janda; Jules Farrier, Azariah Steele, Margot Dawes, Will Scarborough, Kester Stagg @cursebreakerfarrier; Katriona Cassiopeia, Reid Van de Lune @kc-and-co; Marti Venturi @smarti-at-smogwarts; Ryan O'Donnell, Sara O'Donnell, Cara O'Donnell, Conor O'Donnell @unfortunate-arrow; Isabelle Dubois @endlessly-cursed; Lizzie Jameson @lifeofkaze; Cato Reese @catohphm

Love Interests: Jae Kim, Erika Rath

FAVORITES

Color: emerald green

Food: dark chocolate

Flower: lily of the valley

Drink: butterbeer

Book: Quidditch Through the Ages

Music: anything by Queen

Season: autumn

[improperingenue]

Spring Awakening Headcanons Part 2

These are flowers I think the kids would like/the flowers I associate with them — except plot twist, I limited them to flowers that grow in Germany

Melchior: Snowdrop. They bloom in the winter and that just screams,,,rebellion tbh, but then that’s offset by a kind of naïveté in their appearance and name

Wendla: I considered Baby’s Breath, but Wendla is not defined by her innocence, so I’m thinking Lily of the Valley. They have a quiet elegance that she would admire and they represent humility and happiness which are some of her core values

Moritz: Forget-me-nots. Everything about them screams Moritz. Okay, I’m going to be sad now

Ilse: Edelweiss (cue The Sound of Music) Okay but other than that the flower is known for being able to bloom in difficult conditions and I think Ilse would like to know that something beautiful could still arise from hardship

Martha: Marigolds, which are kind of strange because apparently they have a double meaning, signifying grief and pain but also strength and inner light,,,which is incredibly Martha

Hanschen: He seems like he’d respect a good red carnation. They’re associated with esteem and affection, plus they’re a quiet symbol of socialism (which fits the theme of Hanschen being as smart and wanting change as much as Melchior without being loud about it)

Ernst: German chamomile. I don’t really have a good explanation other than the vibes match

Thea: Hyacinth — maybe this is because of the colors I associate Thea with, but I feel like she’d appreciate that pop of bold color they bring to otherwise small and rather quaint surroundings

Melitta: Melitta’s a buttercup girl. She’s a really such a sweetheart and a good, chaotic friend

Anna: European spindle — they’re not super well known or appreciated (like Anna), but they really have strong personality and are gorgeous in bloom

Georg: Cornflower? That shade of blue is actually stunning though. Maybe Georg has more layers of appreciation for things other than his piano teacher than we thought

Otto: Daffodil. Idk man he just gives off those vibes

Please me know what headcanons you want to see! (I’m not that creative I need ideas)

[creativecommonsplants]

Lily-of-the-Valley by liz west on Flickr.

This work is licensed under CC BY 2.0. 

[xtruss]

Fjord-like … Perast town in the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro. Photograph: Olga_Gavrilova/Getty Images

Wild East (Alternative Europe): Five Balkan Countries To Discover For Your Next Holiday

Done Spain, Italy and Greece? These countries offer spectacular landscapes, unspoilt swimming spots, ancient towns – and affordable prices

— Rachel Dixon | Sunday 7 August 2022

Montenegro

With the Adriatic to the south and mountain ranges in the north, Montenegro is an easy place to combine a beach break with a more active holiday. The beach scene is centred on the medieval walled city of Budva, which has a 22-mile strip of sandy and pebbly coastline. Lake Skadar, southern Europe’s biggest, is about an hour’s drive away, perfect for boating among water lilies and Dalmatian pelicans.

Fjord-like, Unesco-listed Bay of Kotor, encircled by mountains, is unmissable. There are several medieval towns, numerous churches and monasteries around its shores; from baroque Perast, sightseers can visit the islet of Our Lady of the Rocks. In Kotor town, 1,355 steps lead to the Sveti Ivan fortress, with spectacular views.

Budva. Photograph: Kuriyama Chikara/Getty Images

Heading north, sights include the mountain-top mausoleum of 19th-century ruler Petar II Petrović-Njegoš; Cetinje, the former capital; and the Ostrog Monastery, built into a cliff. Durmitor national park, with its forests, lakes and mountains, is the ultimate destination for outdoor adventure. Zabljak, highest town in the Balkans (1,456 metres), is a good base. Visitors can zipline across the 1.3km-deep Tara Canyon; go white-water rafting on the Tara river; swim in the Black Lake; or brave wolves and bears as they hike 25 marked trails.

Kosovo

Mirusha waterfalls are in a protected park in central Kosovo known for its canyons and karst landscape. Photograph: Olivier Wullen/Alamy

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and remains a largely undiscovered tourist destination for Britons, who perhaps still associate it with the year-long war in 1998. But today it is a safe place to travel, with few crowds and low prices. Landlocked Kosovo comprises two major plains surrounded by mountains with 50 peaks over 2,000 metres. That means great hiking, horse riding and skiing. With no sea, swimming in natural pools is popular: the Mirusha Waterfalls have canyons, caves and 13 lakes. There is a lively nightlife scene in Pristina, the capital, and in the second city Prizren. It’s partly thanks to this Balkan state having the youngest population in Europe – more than 65% of people are under 30. The two cities also have many mosques, museums and monuments, including Pristina’s Emin Gjiku ethnographic museum and the Newborn monument, unveiled for independence and painted in a different style every year.

Elsewhere, top sights include four Unesco-listed monasteries and churches – Dečani, Peć, Gračanica and Ljeviš; the Bear Sanctuary, home to European brown bears rescued from captivity by the charity Four Paws; and Gadime Cave, full of crystallised stalagmites and stalactites.

Slovenia

Ljubljana is a city of baroque and Habsburg buildings. Photograph: kasto80/Getty Images

Slovenia has a charming capital city; mountains, lakes and forests; fine wines; and even a short stretch of coastline. Ljubljana, the compact capital, is built around the river Ljubljanica, with baroque and Habsburg buildings on both banks. A glass of wine on a riverside terrace is hard to beat, but the city also has a hilltop castle, art galleries, theatres and museums (featuring Europe’s only complete mammoth skeleton at the Museum of Natural History), iconic 20th-century architecture by Slovene Jože Plečnik, and wooded Tivoli Park.

Piran is the loveliest town on the Slovenian coast, with Italianate architecture reflecting centuries of Venetian rule

In the north-west of the country, the top sights are the spectacular Lakes Bled and Bohinj in the Julian Alps. On the other side of the mountains, the less-visited Soča Valley offers hiking, rafting and kayaking in summer, and skiing and snowboarding in winter.

Heading south, must-visits include the Postojna and Škocjan caves, and Predjama Castle, built into a cave mouth. Piran is the postcard town on the coast, with Italianate architecture reflecting centuries of Venetian rule.

East Slovenia is wine country – lively Maribor, the second city, boasts the world’s oldest vine – and is a good choice for a farm stay. Ptuj, the oldest town in Slovenia, is a pretty place for a day trip.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Hikers in the Sutjeska national park. Photograph: Witold Skrypczak/Alamy

Another country associated with 1990s warfare, Bosnia and Herzegovina is back on the backpacker trail. The capital, Sarajevo, has been likened to a miniature Istanbul or Jerusalem, with its old town, Baščaršija, full of bazaars, mosques and restaurants. But recent history hasn’t been forgotten: the Historical Museum and Tunnel Museum both tell the story of the four-year siege that killed 10,000 people in the 1990s.

Mostar, in the south, is the second-biggest draw, famed for its beautiful Old Bridge – visitors can pay to dive off it if they dare. Less touristy (and longer) is Arslanagić Bridge in the pretty town of Trebinje in the far south-west. Other notable towns include Travnik, the former Ottoman capital, and Jajce, with a spectacular waterfall.

Baščaršija, Sarajevo’s old town. Photograph: Federica Gentile/Getty Images

White-water rafting is popular from March to October; one of the best rafting regions is around the town of Bihać, handy for the rapids of the Una river. Other active options include multi-day hikes in the Sutjeska national park, overnighting in mountain huts, and the 10-day TransDinarica mountain biking trail from Mostar to Sarajevo. Riders stay in B&Bs and homestays and eat homegrown food. In winter, there is affordable skiing in the Bjelašnica and Jahorina mountains south of Sarajevo.

North Macedonia

North Macedonia is blessed with lakes. Photograph: AleksandarGeorgiev/Getty Images

North Macedonia – so-called since 2019 – is a mountainous but green Balkan state. While it may be landlocked, it is blessed with lakes: most famously Ohrid, one of Europe’s oldest and deepest, but also Prespa, Dojran and more than 50 smaller glacial lakes.

Unesco-listed Lake Ohrid is the top attraction, surrounded by ancient monasteries, beach bars and seafood restaurants. Activities include lakeside cooking classes, e-biking, boat trips and paragliding. The town of the same name is full of churches and monuments, and dotted along the lake are picturesque fishing villages.

Church of St John at Kaneo, Lake Ohrid. Photograph: Saraginov/Getty Images

Skopje, the capital, is less immediately appealing, but retains a Byzantine fort and an Ottoman centre, plus modern additions such as the Museum of Contemporary Art. Mavrovo national park, on another lake and home to bears, wolves and lynx, offers hiking, biking, horse riding and swimming in the summer, and skiing in the winter. It’s also home to the picturesque, 11th-century Sveti Jovan Bigorski monastery. The other national parks are Galičica, found between lakes Ohrid and Prespa, and Pelister, a mountain with two glacial lakes.

[colorholicsmarketplace]

European and American pre-loved lily of the valley emerald set stud earrings necklace 24K mist real gold electroplated rhinestone set

Product attributes   Materialalloy Processing technologyplating Set combinationEarrings + Necklaces Item numberE23566 OriginQingdao chain styleo word chain Pendant materialartificial crystal patternplants flowers colorWhite green

[unit2-ss24]

The 1950s - part 1

The key silhouette of the 1950s was the “hour glass”

After the simple fashions of the war, women were ready and excited to embrace the new world of fashion.

The images below show the feminine look which controlled the 1950s, dresses were fitted at the waist and once again required a curvaceous figure.

Christian Dior

Dior was founded in 1946 so by the 1950s it was taking centre stage as a fashion house, it captured the very essence of 1950s glamour. His "New Look" collection was the catalyst to this new era of fashion and his pleated skirts and gathered tops of his ‘Lily of the Valley’ collection were an instant success.

In 1951 for Princess Margaret's 21st birthday party she commissioned Dior to design her ball gown shown bellow. This was unfamiliar from the British Royal family as Dior is not a British brand and she was questioned for not promoting British fashion, however by bringing European fashion brands to England she became a huge fashion inspiration to the public.

Haute Couture houses began to coordinate outfits from head to toe in perfect accordance to the customer's order. This marvellous ensemble below establishes the elegance of the 1950s showing how the dress, sandals and bag are all made from the same fabric.

The silhouette of 1955 is narrow at the shoulders and flares slightly all the way down. This silhouette was called the tulip shape, it featured narrow slender skirts with generous tops or dresses with a wide v-necked collars.

The era saw the introduction to cocktail dresses. They were a must have item for any women of 1950s society.

This cocktail dress is made of slipper satin printed in burns colours featuring a full flared skirt (1956).

The Peter Russell suit of 1954, the year in which his house closed. The suit shows the influence of the air hostess image. The envelope bag matching the line of the skirt was also very popular.

The small image below shows how mass production were able to copy a 1955 Givenchy dress making it available to more people for the ready to wear trade which is now considered the norm today.

This beautiful evening gown was designed by Yves Saint Laurent in 1958.

At age 21 Yves Saint Laurent had taken over the design house of Dior when Christian Dior unexpectedly died at the age of 52.

Laurent brought a youthful feel to Dior and the gown showcased below is timeless.

In 1954 Jacques Faith created this stunning evening dress exploring a ground sweeping skirt with deep inverted pleats. In addition to this an oversized two tone sash added that sense of drama.

During this time fashion became more advertised therefor photoshoots were put in place to showcase the garmets. Limousines were often used as backdrops in fashion photographs to emphasize the exclusive nature of Haute Couture.

Pierre Balmain

Balmain was the designer of this masterpiece below was known for his exquisite construction. His gowns were often exstreamly tight, firmly boned and featured strapless bodices this permitted the maximum exposure of expensive jewellery. In 1955 this delicate fan helped to create the romantic mood for which Balmain was famous for.

“More Taste than Money” 

Even inexpensive dresses were given major attention to detail. Hat, gloves, handbag and jewellery were paired to create extravagant outfits creating a very polished stylised look.

Fur was still a very popular aspect of fashion in the 1950s and most Haute Couture designers used it in their collection.

This image below defines the sheer elegance of the 1950s shape showing a waist nipper combining corset and bra petticoat in which is all made from the new man-made fibre, Nylon.

Hubert Givenchy

Christobal Balenciaga

[theeclecticwitchblog240]

~THE WITCHES HERBAL

pt 3~ {BANEFUL HERBS }

MANDRAKE EUROPEAN (Mandragora officinarum)

Gender:hot

Planet:mercury

Part used:root

Element: earth

Basic power:protection, fertility, love, health

WOLFS BANE (Aconite napellus) Gender:feminine

Planet:Saturn

Part used:root

Element: water

Basic power:protection, invisibility

WORMWOOD (Artemisa absinthium) Do not exceed 1/2 g of the dried herb. Gender:masculine

Planet:mars

Part used:leaf

Element: fire

Basic power:psychic, protection, love, calling spirits

BELLADONNA (Atropa belladonna) Gender:feminine

Planet:Saturn

Part used:berry, root

Element: water

Basic power:astral projection

BROOM (Cytisus scoparius) Gender:masculine

Planet:mars

Part used:flower, root

Element: air

Basic power:purification, protection, wind, spells, divination

CALAMUS (Acorus calamus) Gender:feminine

Planet:moon

Part used:root, seeds

Element: water

Basic power:luck, healing, money, protection

CASTOR (Ricinus communes)

Basic power:protection

Parts used: beans

CELANDINE (Chelidonium majus) Gender:masculine

Planet:sun

Part used:root, stalk

Element: fire

Basic power:protection, escape, happiness, legal

CHINA BERRY (Melia azerach)

Powers: luck Parts used: seeds carried as good luck charms/ bring change

CHRYSANTHEMUM (Chrysanthemum sinense)

Gender:masculine

Planet:sun

Part used:flower

Element: fire

Basic power:protection

DAFFODIL (Narcissus spp.) Gender:feminine

Planet:Venus

Part used:flower

Element: water

Basic power:love, fertility, luck

DAISY (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum)

Gender:feminine

Planet:Venus

Part used:flower

Element: water

Basic power:lust, love

DATURA (Datura stramonium) Gender:feminine

Planet:Saturn

Part used:seed pod, leaves,

Element: water

Basic power:hex-breaking, sleep, protection, breaks spells,

FOXGLOVE (Digitalis purpurea) Gender:feminine

Planet:Venus

Part used:flower, leaves

Element:water

Basic power:protection

HEMLOCK (Conium maculatum) Gender:feminine

Planet:Saturn

Part used:flowers, juice

Element: water

Basic power:astral projection

HENBANE (Hyosycamus Niger) Gender:feminine

Planet:Saturn

Part used:flower

Element:water

Basic power:love , attract rain

HIGH JOHN THE CONQUEROR (Ipomoea purga)

Gender:masculine

Planet:mars

Part used:root

Element: fire

Basic power:money, love, success, happiness

LILY OF THE VALLEY (Convallaria majalis)

Gender:masculine

Planet:mercury

Part used:flower

Element: air

Basic power:mental powers, happiness

MALE FERN (Dryopterisfelix mas) Gender:masculine

Planet:mercury

Element:air

Basic power:luck, love

MAY APPLE (Podophyllum peltatum) Gender:masculine

Planet:mercury

Part used:root

Element: fire

Basic power:money

MORNING GLORY (Ipomoea spp.) Gender:masculine

Planet:Saturn

Part used:flower, seeds,root

Element: water

Basic power:happiness, peace

OLEANDER (Nerium oleander ) Gender:feminine

Planet:Saturn

Part used:flowers

Element: earth

Basic power:love

PENNYROYAL (Mentha pulegium) Gender:masculine

Planet:mars

Part used:herb

Element: fire

Basic power:strength, protection, peace

POKE (Phytolacca decandra) Gender:masculine

Planet:mars

Part used:leaf, berries

Element: fire

Basic power:courage, hex breaking

SQUILL (Scilla maritima) Gender:masculine

Planet:mars

Part used:flower

Element: fire

Basic power:money, protection, hex breaking

YEW (Taxus baccata)

Gender:feminine

Planet:Saturn

Element: water

Basic power: raising the dead

** THESE HERBS ARE POISONOUS HERBS , DO RESEARCH BEFORE USING OR IN SOME CASES TOUCHING! MOST DEFINITELY DO NOT INGEST!

BB!