#new arrival long kurtis

[shreeisspecial]

As the Autumn-Winter season approaches, it’s time to revamp your wardrobe with the latest trends in ethnic wear. The AW24 collection is here to redefine style with a mix of traditional elegance and modern flair. From rich fabrics and intricate patterns to bold colors and innovative designs, this season's ethnic wear offers a fresh take on classic styles. Whether you're shopping for festive occasions, casual outings, or office-ready looks, the AW24 Collection has something for everyone. Let’s dive into the fashion trends for women this season and explore how you can incorporate them into your wardrobe.

[kurtisoutfits]

Which Ethnic Attire Would Make You Look Elegant and Classic?

Ethnic Wear in Classic Colors - Since their introduction, ethnic costumes have been the most preferred choice among Indian women due to its timeless elegance and appeal. Ethnic clothing will never go out of style or lose its lustre. They are available in a variety of fashionable and inventive styles, designs, patterns, materials, colours, and lengths. Ethnic clothing can make any woman look gorgeous, sophisticated, and spectacular. As a result, ethnic wear manufacturers are one of the most popular outfits, and they continue to captivate the fashion industry.

Patrons of Shree can look into Kurtis & Kurtas collection at Shree and buy ethnic kurti set at best prices. We have made sure that the outfits we design for our clientele are of high quality and provide them with the assurance of looking elegant and classy at all times.

While fashion designers are constantly updating and upgrading ethnic garment patterns and cuts, as well as introducing wonderful contrasting hues to those outfits to make them more attractive and glorious. Whether it is an ethnic kurti set or a short kurti with sharara, you can get everything at Shree.

Ladies' ethnic clothes come in a variety of colors. Many of them have outstanding contrasting colours, making them more gorgeous and elegant. Try ethnic attire with a gorgeous contrasting hue if you want to seem attractive and dazzling at any function.

It doesn't take much to stand out with ethnic dress, especially if it's an ethnic set. So, why be concerned? You can learn how to style your ethnic set or designer ethnic set to look like a diva at any event or occasion. Shree offers festive kurta sets for women as well as casual ethnic wear for women. All you need is the proper type of garment or ethnic wear, as well as the right styling advice.

Looking for such advice on the internet? Look no further, since Shree has great styling tips straight from the designers' desk. Do you want to know how to dress stylishly and elegantly in ethnic wear?

Go on and check out these top 3 ethnic attires that are sure to make you look elegant and classy.

 Ø  A Fuchsia Ornamental Printed Kurta for a Classy Lady

Fuchsia is a color that makes you look elegant while making you blush in your outfit. So, we have brought you this classy fuchsia ornamental printed kurta that is ideal to be worn by a classy lady.

https://byshree.com/products/women-fuchsia-ornamental-printed-kurta-1?variant=41183518457988

You've come to the right place if you're looking for the best occasion dress kurtas or kurta sets. Get this fantastic fuchsia decorative patterned kurti at the cheapest price at Shree. The fuchsia ornamental printed kurta has unique elements such as a mandarin collar neckline, three-fourth sleeves, and a straight-cut hemline. The fuchsia kurta is embellished with a beautiful gold-toned decorative design, making it look more festive and event appropriate. This kurta is perfect for a family gathering or casual wear. Aside from that, the fuchsia decorative kurta is made of poly silk, which is a highly soft and comfy fabric. The kurta's forefront features a lovely button-down design.

 Ø  A Grey Ornamental Printed Kurta Trouser and Dupatta Set for an Elegant Woman

Grey is a color that neutralizes even your style and fashion, which is why we, at Shree, have brought forth this classy piece of grey ornamental printed kurta trouser and dupatta set that is ideal to be worn by an elegant woman.

https://byshree.com/products/charcoal-grey-ornamental-printed-kurta-with-trouser?variant=41183536808068

 This particular grey ethnic set is a holistic suit set that is made of charming velvet fabric. This ethnic attire is going to make you look classy and elegant as it has excellent features, such as long sleeves, a mandarin collar neckline, and a perfectly straight silhouette. Go for this everyday wear outfit to look as gorgeous as ever!

Slay the day, girl, in outfits like these!

We all appreciate expensive things and well-dressed clothing. But we don't have a lot of money to spend on anything we desire. As weddings and the festive season approach, we will require a large number of ethnic pieces to complement the events. While luxury garments are out of our price range, there are many methods to dress smartly and seem like a million bucks. It all boils down to selecting the appropriate parts and properly coordinating them.

To bring in elegance, there’s another factor to look into which is the fabric of the outfit that you choose.

The foundation of the entire aesthetic is a high-quality fabric. As a result, you must correct it. Silk has a special role in ethnic clothing. Splurge on elegant fabrics such as silk, linen, cotton, chiffon, and so on. Instead of net, choose for a high-quality lace fabric.

Now that you know how to style yourself elegantly, be ready to receive those compliments and blush on as you receive them.

Make your attire even better with the right accessories and footwear.

Feel free to surf through the website – ByShree – and buy more and more classy ethnic outfits.

Happy Shopping from Shree!

[zelenxa]

1310 - The Kensingtons, Lottways, & Beaumonts

Marci wills a wobbly smile at Cassandra, nodding along, sympathy clear on her sister-in-law’s face. They both know well the feeling of losing a child, even after months have passed. It feels cruel to know the Watcher has taken not one but many children from her and her dear friend.

Marci lets her gaze fall away from Casandra’s for a moment to check on the twins. Her niece, Brynn, is currently (or very likely) teasing Emiliano. By the grin on his cheeks, he doesn’t seem to mind.

For the first time, the Kensingtons have managed to have the Lottways and Beaumonts in the present with one another. Last year round, trouble with traveling had rendered the Lottways unable to make it to the family gathering on time. Marci knows that not technically all the Beaumonts are here—really only one—but with the recent news she’s heard from Dayana, she expects her cousin won’t share the name for too long.

“Dayana Allaire would sound quite nice, wouldn’t it?”

A hour prior…

Kurtis arrives in tow with his wife and daughter, stepping foot on pathing as he maneuvers the girls off the bandwagon. Although not showing as much as she normally did with their past children, Casandra was once more pregnant. They hadn’t told anyone yet in fear things would turn out like last time, yet Kurtis suspected Mrs. Turner knew well already. The journey to the countryside had been rather troublesome this time around, though nothing like the delay of last year. He had visited a few months prior, earlier in the year, whilst in the countryside for an order his Ser had made for a local blacksmith around here, yet the visit was brief. Luckily for Kurtis, however, Ser Ager was a well-adjusted family man and had sympathized with Kurtis’ want to spend time with the only living relative he had. Kind, given how busy the city gets during Fall. He’s certain Ser Ager could use extra hands, especially his squire of which.

Speaking of his relative, Kurtis had immediately noticed a newly renovated part of her and Esteban’s home. The small house the Kensingtons occupied had improved slightly in space. Kurtis supposes it made sense given the four nieces and nephews he now had. A ting of guilt passes through him, and he ignores it in favor of ignorance.

“Auntie Marci!” Kurtis hears Brynn say, snapping him out of his thoughts. He watches the normally stoic little girl run up to hug Marci. He knew Brynn loved it here with her cousins. Huffing, he readjusts his grip on their belongings, following right along with Casandra.

“You’re Kurtis?” Dayana says, sitting down on the twins’ bed. The man beside her (who only vaguely resembled Marci in looks) looks upon Dayana with partial surprise, back straightening.

“Yes. You’re Dayana,” he responds, voice unexpectedly disinterested for a reunion with his cousin. Dayana thinks back. Had she ever met Marci or Kurtis as kids? Perhaps surely during her infanthood.

They sit in long silence before Kurtis cuts in, “I remember my mother speaking many words of her sister—your mother.”

“Oh,” she mumbles, hands fiddling with her dress to keep busy.

He hums, the sound nearly drowned out by the multiple of conversations occurring in the small house.

“Not good things I presume?” Dayana says a beat later, no stranger to the Lottways’ hostility to Gloria. Although maimed for different reasons, she knew her mother was never really a likable person. Not during Dayana’s upbringing at least.

Kurtis’ eyes don’t bother looking back at Dayana when he answers. He seems preoccupied. “No. No good things.”

His eyes cut to hers, just for the moment. His soft words do not dwarf his warning. “Do not do the same as your mother has to our family,” he says, tone even and unchanging.

He looks away then, and Dayana feels a distinct awareness that he is not only stating a warning but a clear indication he seeks no relationship with her. Sitting in silence, it is gutting, she realizes, to see her mother’s actions reflect on herself.

For the rest of the night, she does not try to prompt conversation with Kurtis any longer than she has to.

a/n: writer's block has been kicking my ass so I hope this isn’t bad! took me a while to even get to it and I just wanted to finish it to get it out. also, you might notice a different writing style in the next upcoming udc posts. anyway, I’m back! I’m committed to being active on tumblr so hopefully I’m back for good good this time around.

next (chrono) // previous

[omegaremix]

Sunday Records, 2022.

It’s early June and I’m in the middle of eleven days off from work. I cannot tell you how stunning these last few weeks have been for me. For the first time in a long time I’ve been feeling great about many things. I have been at the top of my game. Relaxed, tranquil, and level like never before. I went to Sacred Bones’ 15th Anniversary and experienced a feeling like no other. I’ve met a few friends from the alternative-music circle whom I haven’t seen in years. I’ve been tasked to do an amazing amount of summer radio shows at WUSB. The Roman goth girl who’ve I’ve been in contact with since February taught me to face my fears, to not be afraid of bad news, and see the greatest, truest value in people. It’s not even halfway to June and I feel something great is yet to happen.

I’ve been spending money on music without worry. It’s a winner-take-all tour of Long Island’s record stores and at this point I’ve hit up three so far with astonishing results. Sunday Records would be my fourth on the list to visit and it had to be. It’s my only Sunday off in the foreseeable future and, still true to its name, only opens on that one day. I didn’t have a choice, did I? It took me only 30 minutes to get there and closing time was 5PM. It’s 2PM as I walked through those doors so I had three hours to Autobahn it through the entire store. No shelf or rack was left unsifted by me.

The layout of Sunday Records hasn’t changed one bit. Nothing’s re-arranged. Upper wall racks of 7” singles and 45’s hovered above the 12” vinyl bins. There was a maze of LP’s front to back, side to side, and in the middle. What also hasn’t changed was the owner’s system of classifying records unique to the store. If not a genre, it’s chart position, week, and radio station. Brian (the owner) was obsessive to detail and nostalgic like that. Then again, so am I.

There’s a section on the front left side of the entrance. It’s where the electronic, dusty classics, and un-priced arrivals sections were. Less than .01% of its stock was electronic and I sure wasn’t going to waste time sifting through Fifties and Sixties jazz greats. I just knew. I turn to my right and there were plenty of funk, groove, and R&B LP’s and 12” singled there. I looked under the bins and there were boxes of records not priced out. That’s where I found various hip-hop and rap singles, uncharacteristic for a store that specialized in vintage jazz, Seventies radio rock, and everything Eighties. It was all fair game and I took what I could. Unstickered singles by Black Moon, Big Daddy Kane, Kurtis Blow, Jeru The Damaja, Fu-Schnickens, Double XX Posse, and an early pre-fame DMX e.p. (“Born Loser”). I knew Brian wasn’t the type who was into West Coast jams or boombox anthems and made me think why he took them in the first place. No matter. It was a lucky out for someone like me to easily stock up on hip-hop and rap vinyl.

Now the 45’s. Sunday Records was always good with pricing them on the cheap. What I purchased in 7” singles from West Babylon’s Looney Tunes, I tripled that here. These 7” singles of Eighties hits from my Atari / Nintendo childhood meant not having to purchase full albums for one or two songs. Why not acquire them? Plenty of synth-pop, new wave, and pop rock. One 7” I might have passed up the last time around was Re-Flex’ “The Politics Of Dancing”. The single that gave me these Sunday vibes was finally in my hands. This visit’s surprises? Gary Numan’s “I Die: You Die” b/w “Down In The Park” and Killing Joke’s “Adorations” for $4.00. Then I came across The Normal’s “T.V. OD” b/w “Warm Leatherette” The good news was that I discovered it. The bad news? It was a $14.00 hit…and without an original artwork sleeve. The price you pay to take home synthpop history.

When that was over, I took a deep breathe and dove into all the vinyl inventory. The great thing about Brian was that almost nothing was out of place. He’s incredibly meticulous in that everything was in alphabetical order and with almost nothing in the wrong bin. Also with Looney Tunes, a good amount of records were alphabetized or sorted by artist, allowing me to fly right over large chunks of sections and straight to the others. What wasn’t hip-hop / rap and categorized by chart position, week, and radio station ended up on the lesser expensive side. Like the 45’s, I sped through furiously through the LP bins and acquired a lot of hits from my childhood. A recent discovery now in my hands? Captain Sensible’s “Wot” for $5.00.

And what I made up in value, I would lose later with some essential finds. That’s even avoiding the new vinyl section. Towards the end of searching was where it started to hurt. The least of my worries? The Cars’ Panorama for $8.00. The Shirts’ debut and Anti-Nowhere League’s The Perfect Crime for $9.00 each. But that’s not all. I found essentials in The Young Gods and Pere Ubu where it stopped at the $10.00.

Now the heavy stuff. No one remembers or know who The Innocent was. The Roman goth girl I mentioned earlier? She’s insanely obsessed with Tent Reznor. While doing a Nine Inch Nails run, I learned he was part of said band right after leaving Option 30. The Innocent’s only album was found in one of the bins and I grabbed it for $14.00. Had I not known about them, I would’ve zipped past it without even knowing. One album I passed up during my last record-store tour was Cabaret Voltaire’s The Crackdown. I found it twice in unopened condition for $20.00 at several stores and gave it up at least twice, thinking I could l buy it for less. Well, four years later I was right on that one. I finally found it again and for $14.00 opened I wasn’t going to pass it up a second time. While there, Sunday Records still maintained a good selection of other industrial and related releases. They had more Cabaret Voltaire records including The Pressure Company (!) and even the new ones (Shadow Of Fear and Dekadrone) which I was impressed that Brian carried. Front 242 e.p.’s were also in the bins and several Ministry records starting with Work For Love (the overseas pressing of With Sympathy), some Twitch-era singles, and all the way up to Psalm 69.

Here comes another unexpected hit in the kneecaps: Kraftwerk’s The Man-Machine for $20.00. Any time I buy Kraftwerk on vinyl I pay that price; nothing less. That’s how much I paid for a used copy of Radio-Aktivitat at a record fair held in Amityville’s veteran hall. Again, take no chances. Finally, a record that I hoped to find in the wild because it was so good: The Raveonettes’ Pe’ahi; $20.00 asking price. Decisions had to be made but not necessarily now. I held on to it for the time being, having to decide to take it now or pass it up and find it again somewhere else for less. Looks like I will take my chances.

It’s not an understatement when I say this, but 99.99% of Sunday’s stock was all vinyl. The other .01% were used cassettes and CDs placed right near its listening station at the front-right of the entrance. I passed it all up as nothing there interested me. So far, Sunday- is the only store where it was all vinyl.

Ten minutes to closing. It’s about time to make some decisions. Brian greeted me and started counting everything up. Of the 75 I had in my arms, I gave five back to him including the Raveonettes album. He was amazed. He tried selling it back to me because he also knew it was a great album. Oh, I agreed. But as I told each and every one of you, I held off just in case. His laptop lost its’ juice so there was no easy way for him to add it all up and keep track of what he sold me. He ended up taking photos of everything I bought and took him about a good fifteen minutes to calculate it all. Then I gave in. I’d take the Raveonettes’ album after all. Take no chances, right?

“You should come here more often!” he told me in an exasperated manner. “Really?” I laughed. It’s not every year that I do this, Brian. I’d try real hard to keep up if I did. Now I knew why he said that.

“That’ll come to $348.00”. Yikes. That was at least triple of what I spent at my last visit here. I was sweating like Rodney Dangerfield on his worst night. (Plot twist: he never had one.) Despite Brian giving me all the hip-hop records for $20.00, the other records made up for it. No coupons, either. But, I had all the confidence in the suburbs to spend with no worry. The stack was so hefty that Brian got me a box from the back to hold all the 12” records in and bagged all of my 45’s so that they wouldn’t slip out of position. I was relieved in the end to nail that Sunday like I wanted to. But the day wasn’t over yet.

After I thanked Brian for everything, I loaded my purchase in the trunk. I had plans on seeing Candy, a Jewish ginger whom I haven’t seen since we left Brentwood. She has a family-owned restaurant out in Calverton and I promised I’d visit the next time I was nearby. I went west on Route 25 and started the peaceful, sunny journey to her eatery. It’s not every day I’m out in Riverhead or Calverton. I took all the time in the world driving through the scenic route of vast farmland and sparse local businesses along the long, quiet roads; ready to catch up with her and walk down a beautiful but bittersweet and tattered memory lane.

Prince: “1999” b/w “How Come U Don’t Call” 7”

Re-Flex: “The Politics Of Dancing” b/w “Flex It” 7”

Normal, The: “TV Overdose” b/w “Warm Leatherette” 7”

Gary Numan: “I Die: You Die” b/w “Down In The Park” 7”

Pet Shop Boys: “It’s A Sin” b/w “You Know Where You Went Wrong” 7”

Robert Palmer: “Simply Irresistible” b/w “Nova” 7”

Pet Shop Boys: “What Have I Done To Deserve This” b/w “A New Life” 7”

Bananarama: “Cruel Summer” 7”

Belinda Carlisle: “Heaven Is A Place On Earth” 7”

Dead Or Alive: “Brand New Lover” 7”

Joan Jett: “Little Liar” 7”

Killing Joke: “Adorations” b/w “Exile” 7”

Mike & The Mechanics: “Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground) b/w “Par Avion” 7”

Tone Loc: “Funky Cold Medina” 7”

Suzanne Vega: “Luka” 7”

Human League: “Don’t You Want Me” b/w “Seconds” 7”

Escape Club: “Wild Wild West b/w “We Can Run” 7”

Erasure: “Chains Of Love” b/w “Don’t Suppose” 7”

Don Henley: “All She Wants To Do Is Dance” b/w “Building The Perfect Beast” 7”

Starship: “We Built This City” b/w “Private Room” (ins.) 7”

Todd Rundgren: “Hello It’s Me” b/w “Cold Morning Light” 7”

Huey Lewis: “Stuck With You” b/w “Don’t Ever Tell Me That You Love Me” 7”

Stevie Winwood: “The Finer Things” 7”

Wings: “With A Little Luck” b/w “Backwards” 7”

Robert Palmer: “Addicted To Love” b/w “Let’s Fall In Love Tonight” 7”

Bananarama: “Venus” b/w “White Train” 7”

Joan Jett: “I Hate Myself For Loving You” 7”

Mike & The Mechanics: “Through The Living Years” b/w “Too Many Friends” 7”

Stevie Winwood: “Higher Love” 7”

Don Henley: “Dirty Laundry” b/w “Lilah” 7”

J.J. Fad: “Supersonic” 12”

Black Moon: “I Got Cha Opin” b/w “Reality” 12”

Big Daddy Kane: Raw ‘91 12”

Kurtis Blow: “If I Ruled The World” 12”

Jeru The Damaja: “Come Clean” b/w “D. Original Dirty Rotten Scoundrel” 12”

Fu-Schnickens: “Ring The Alarm” 12”

Young MC: “Bust A Move” 12”

Chaka Khan: “Crush Groove (Can’t Stop The Street)” 12”

Big Daddy Kane: “I Get The Job Done” 12”

Double XX Posse, The: “not Gonna Be Able To Do It” b/w “The Pure Thing” 12”

Domino: “Sweet Potato Pie” 12”

Masta Ace Incorporated: “Jeep Ass Niguh” b/w “Saturday Night Live” 12”

Fonda Rae: “Over Like A Fat Rat” 12”

River Ocean ft. India: The Tribal EP

Grandmaster & Melle Mel: “White Lines” b/w “Melle Mel’s Groove” 12”

DMX: “Born Loser” 12”

Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five: “On The Strength” 12”

Anti Nowhere League, The: The Perfect Crime 12”

Mr. Mister: “Is It Love b/w “Broken Wings” 12”

Thompson Twins: “Lies” 12”

Roxette: “The Look” 12”

T’Pau: “Heart And Soul” 12”

Dire Straits: Extended Dance EP 12”

Flora Purim: “Stories To Tell” 12”

Raveonettes, The: Pe’Ahi 12”

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark: “If You Leave” b/w “La Femme Accident” 12”

Nu Shooz: “Point Of No Return” 12”

Falco: “Vienna Calling” b/w “Rock Me Amadeus” 12”

Shirts, The: self-titled 12”

Belinda Carlisle: “I Get Weak” 12”

Captain Sensible: “Wot!” 12”

Young Gods, The: self-titled 12”

Men Without Hats: “The Safety Dance” 12”

Level 42: “Something About You” 12”

Killing Joke: “Sanity” b/w “Eighties” 12”

Pere Ubu: The Art Of Walking 12”

Kraftwerk: The Man-Machine 12”

Innocent, The: Livin’ In The Street 12”

XBXRX: Gop Ist Minee 12”

Cabaret Voltaire: The Crackdown 12”

Cars, The: Panorama 12”

[theressomethinghappeninginparis]

A lot...has happened.

It's been a while and you can trust me, I took some time off because I needed a moment to process all of this. Currently I am safe, all is cool, don't worry. But the path there has been so overwhelming and honestly crazy I just...needed a moment.

Transcript of the first and second page: All I see is...particles. Some kind of shield glowing. I can hear gunshots and I see Lara Croft shooting Eckhardt, it has to be him.

What the fuck?

Okay they're busy and I don't care and I can't care since I need to fuck off. There's two floors above, metal platforms in the shape of a circle, and I'm still looking for an escape. Is there a way out??

My pen died. I am dying mentally.

There's a ladder and it goes up to the first floor. I need to get there. There's so much screaming in the middle and I need to leave and my head hurts and my ears are pierced by the sounds. I need to leave, I'm not as durable as Lara Croft.

What the heck, here is something hanging from...the ceiling? I don't have much time, I'll try to sketch out what I see. I'm upstairs, and I can barely write. There is something? Hanging? From there, it looks kinda humanoid, not quite. Could it be a true nephilim? The one Eckhardt wanted to use?

There's also a platform with a golden disk and it is looking like this: Somehow it's flower shaped, has symbols surrounding it, spaces for five pieces to be inserted, the stuff hidden in the Obscura Paintings! I think this could be the Sanglyph. It's five golden pieces and they could be used (unreadable)

Transcript of the third and fourth page: Okay I'm not sure what to do, what happened or anything. Honestly all is a blur. I woke up and there's a lot of rumble, dust and chaos. The Sleeper is gone, the room is destroyed. Eckhardt is gone, so is Miss Croft, so is my head, it hurts fucking badly. I'm okay, I think, my head is shit, I have cuts, my already sore knee is bleeding, it's...aweful. There's an open gate on the ground floor, and I hope it leads outside.

It has to.

In the debris I've seen a small piece of this flower-shaped thingy. It's a metal part that I think belonged in the Obscura Paintings. I took it with me. I'm on my way to the train station...finally. If Lara Croft is really the archeologist I think she is, she'd be interested in the piece. If I manage to offer her this metal plate, maybe she'll talk to me about her knowledge of the Paintings, Eckhardt, and the Sleeper?

I am finally back at civilization and am seeing living human beings again. I got myself a new Shirt, washed myself and my wounds and got medical gauze to treat my knee. My head stopped hurting when I drank plenty of water, luckily I was only dehydrated. Surely if I ever tell anybody about what I had seen I'll be considered a maniac...I thought about what to ask Miss Croft. I made a small list:

Is Eckhardt really this 500 year old alchemist?

Who is Kurtis Trent? What'd he got to do with the LV?

Was he responsible for the Monstrum killings since I assume you weren't?

What do you know about the Sanglyph?

The Periapt Shards can kill Eckhardt, right?

What purpose serves the Sanitarium?

Transcript of the fifth, sixth and seventh page: I'll be in Paris soon. I slept until now, the train ride takes so long and I'm just so exhausted. This journey is almost over, but I might be able to find even more. In case of Lara Croftwants to talk to me. I'll write her an email. Will she reply?

We're arriving at Paris. I wrote her a mail with a photo of the Sanglyph piece, asking her whether she'd like it in return for some answers. I even offered her to send her this notebook. I'm sure she'll return it either way, I trust her reputation, and I can prove my volicity and that I'm not a paranoid stalker or something.

UPDATE: It's been a week since I arrived back home and I got a LETTER via CURIER, can you believe that? Lara Croft is indeed interested in the piece and she invited me to London. She had the tickets in the mail, too. I cannot believe it!

She writes she is delighted I survived (I laughed here) and I should come over within two weeks. And that in case I come over with bad intention she's going to shoot me. I think...I think she means that.

Transcript of the eighth and ninth page: The tickets are valid for two weeks for any flight in first class. A ticket to get to London AND come back.

I'm really on my way to London. Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. I'm a bit nervous obviously, and the spartanic answer is more than I thought I'd get, but still. Meeting her in person while knowing what she went through is like...we've been in the same places. Seen similar things. I know about this maniac that wants to take over the world, that accused and framed her for murder, I know about the Lux Veritatis and their only member that is still alive (if he is, now). I'll miss the Sanglyph- it's the only thing that can confirm my story. But in Lara's collection not only will it be safe, but it won't do any damage no more. Maybe through her I can also contact Kurtis Trent? He can answer about the LV way more I think. I'll take some pics of the manor if I may. Oh! I'm excited.

Transcript of the tenth and eleventh page: I arrived at the airport in London. I also got a new pen since I've written so much in this book I needed one. It's almost as if I'm at a new chapter right now and since I'm moving countries again- yeah. I think I'm on a good way. The butler, his name is Winston, picked me up in a black cab. I got checked thoroughly for weapons, metals, cameras and whatnot and now I'm on my way to the Croft Manor. I've gotten a few wishes by Miss Croft concearning the talk:

I'm not allowed to take photos of the Manor, but she'll hand me one of the Sanglyph.

She'll hand me the post adress of Mr.Trent and contact him first

I can write down the interview, yet I am to keep it to myself.

So, only here we have the truth.

It's been two hours since I've been here. I had lots of tea, a lot of food and some rest in one of the guest rooms. Lara was slightly cold in the beginning, but as I showed her this book, my photos and talked to her about my findings, like Carvier's death (poor soul), Rennes, Werner's appartment, the poor, poor souls in the Sanitarium, everything she saw I've seen as well. Tomorrow she'll talk about my questions, she listened to me being tired as hell. She got me a key to lock my room and I'm cuddled up in a blanket.

I just noticed how muchmy body hurts. I really need a good rest.

[bigfeathercouter]

Summer Kurti Trends: Light And Airy Designs For Warm Weather

Staying cool and fashionable In summer, it can be a challenge. But worry no more! Kurtis, a wardrobe staple for many, are your perfect ally this season. Big Feather Couters brings you a guide to the hottest summer kurti trends, designed for comfort and style in the scorching heat.

Light and Breezy Fabrics are Key

Cotton Reigns Supreme: Breathable and soft, cotton keeps you cool even on the hottest days. Look for trendy cotton A-line kurtis or chic ethnic sets.

A-Line for All: Flattering on all body types, A-line kurtis come in various lengths, making them perfect for any occasion. Pair them with trousers or leggings for a comfy look.

Embrace the Prints: Floral, geometric, and abstract prints add a fun touch to your wardrobe. These cool and refreshing designs are ideal for summer outings.

Beyond Cotton: More Breathable Options

Linen’s Luxury: Known for excellent breathability and moisture-wicking properties, linen kurtis in pastel or earthy tones offer a sophisticated summer look.

Flowy Elegance with Chiffon and Georgette: These fabrics drape beautifully and provide a soft, airy feel. Opt for long kurtas for a graceful and feminine look, perfect for any occasion.

Trending Designs to Elevate Your Style

Soft Hues for a Cool Effect: Pastel shades like mint green, baby pink, and lavender create a calming effect and keep you cool.

Floral Forever: From delicate florals to bold statement prints, florals are a summer must-have.

Modern Twist: Asymmetrical Hemlines Add a contemporary edge to your outfit with kurtis featuring uneven hemlines. Pair them with leggings for a chic look.

Ethnic Charm with Embroidery: Ethnic motifs, mirror work, and block prints add a touch of tradition to your trendy kurti.

Functional Meets Fashion: Pocket Kurtas

Practicality is in style! Look for stylish pocket kurtas that are both fashionable and convenient.

Designer Flair for Special Occasions

Make a statement with a designer kurta featuring unique designs, high-quality fabrics, and intricate detailing.

New Arrivals: A Fresh Take on Kurtas

The fashion world is ever-evolving, and new kurta designs are constantly emerging. Keep an eye out for unique cuts, patterns, and embellishments.

Mix and Match for Versatile Looks

Kurtis offer endless outfit possibilities.

Trouser Pants for Modern Chic: Pair your kurti with comfortable and stylish trouser pants for a modern look, perfect for any setting.

Effortless Elegance with Ethnic Sets: Ethnic sets with pants and a dupatta provide a complete and coordinated look. Choose light fabrics and summer-friendly designs.

Bohemian Vibes with Skirts: Create a breezy and stylish outfit by pairing your kurti with a long, flowy skirt in chiffon or cotton.

Shopping Tips for the Perfect Summer Kurti

Fabric First: Opt for natural and breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, chiffon, and georgette.

Lighten Up with Color: Light colors reflect heat. Choose pastels, whites, and light neutrals for a cool and fresh look.

Comfort is key. Summer is about feeling good. Choose loose-fitting kurtis that allow for better air circulation.

Quality Matters: Ensure good stitching, strong fabric, and well-made embellishments.

Online Shopping Convenience

Find Your Perfect Kurti Online: Whether you seek long kurtas or party wear styles, numerous websites offer a vast selection.

Read Reviews: Gain valuable insights into quality, fit, and comfort by reading customer reviews.

Size it Right: Refer to the seller’s size guide to ensure a perfect fit.

Deals and Discounts: Take advantage of online sales and promotions to get the best deals.

Know the Return Policy: Ensure a hassle-free return or exchange process in case you need it.

Embrace Summer Style with Big Feather Coutures

From A-line kurtas to pocket kurtas, Big Feather Couters offers a variety of options to keep you cool and stylish this summer. Focus on breathable fabrics, comfortable fits, and vibrant prints. With these trends and tips, you can elevate your summer wardrobe and let your style shine through.

Shop with confidence and embrace the summer kurti trends!

[thelensofyashunews]

North Carolina's Mez Shares The Loading EP + "Hot Spot" Video ft. Isaiah Rashad

Making waves for over a decade for his immaculate pen game and keen visual eye, North Carolina rapper Mez has guided the creative of many of the game's biggest artists. Finally ready for his moment in the sun, the multi-talented artist comes through with The Loading EP, his first official project of the streaming era. The seven track EP covers miles of ground, following Mez's perspective as he explores the nature of love and friendship on "Around The World," with help from Leon Bridges, reflects on a cold and uncaring universe in the contemplative "Devil Is A Judge," and rattles off tongue-twisting tales about his pursuit of the bag in lead single "Call On" ft. Kurtis Wells. The diverse EP features production from talents as diverse as Los Angeles's Tae Beast, Chicago underground sound architects Monte Booker, Phoelix & Cam O'bi, hard-hitting Atlanta native DJ Mark B, and more. Featuring additional guest appearances from Isaiah Rashad, MAVI, SAINt JHN, and Childish Major, The Loading EP is available everywhere via Mass Appeal.

Says Mez about the new EP: "The Loading EP symbolizes the (Un) Loading of my thoughts. My ideas. My fears. The (Re) Loading of my love for music after so many things felt in the way. The (Down) Loading of new energy. New courage and strength. New ideas. The Loading EP is conceptualized around the way I think. Making connections between things that might not always fit together. Creating something from the void in-between. Just bossing up in general."

The EP arrives with a brand new video for "Hot Spot," the standout collaboration with Isaiah Rashad, directed by Mez himself.  Produced by Monte Booker, Phoelix & Cam O'bi, the track finds the two talented musicians reflecting on relationships they’ve had over the years, never giving up on romance despite its challenges. Mez compares his unbreakable connection with his girl to a phone’s hotspot, taking the metaphor even further in the video with his love interest's face being covered by a screen. Isaiah Rashad delivers a verse for the yearners, starting off completely separated on the screen from his love interest but slowly working his way closer to her as his verse goes on, symbolizing that modern romance is indeed possible.

The Loading EP marks the latest phase in a long and varied career for Mez. Emerging out of Raleigh in the early 2010s, Mez was a leading light in a fertile NC rap scene that birthed underground and mainstream stars. Mez's sharp lyrics and assured artistic vision helped convince some of music's biggest stars to trust him with their creative visions. Then known as "King Mez," the rapper was one of the driving forces behind Compton, Dr. Dre's long-awaited third album, appearing on nine tracks and writing on several others–his efforts drew praise from the likes of Pitchfork, NPR, Vulture, and many others. Mez has been a regular affiliate of his friend and fellow North Carolinian J. Cole, and has contributed several verses to Dreamville compilations, including Revenge Of The Dreamers III and last year's Creed III: The Soundtrack. Mez is also a renowned video director, stepping behind the camera for clips like J. Cole's "Middle Child" and "a m a r i," Dreamville's "Sleep Deprived" (on which he also raps), plus videos for Ari Lennox, Isaiah Rashad, and more. Most recently, Mez earned a writing credit on J. Cole's chart-topping surprise album Might Delete Later, contributing to the Ari Lennox-sang hook on opening song "Pricey" ft. Ari Lennox, Young Dro & Gucci Mane.

With The Loading EP out now, Mez proves that he is an artistic force to be reckoned with in the rap game and beyond. Stay tuned for more.

[aksbynidhi]

Unveiling the Best Designer Cotton Kurti Suppliers and More

In the world of fashion, cotton kurtis have carved a special place for themselves, offering both comfort and style. Whether you're a boutique owner, a reseller, or simply someone with a passion for fashion, finding the right designer cotton kurti suppliers and wholesale options is crucial. In this blog, we will explore the top sources for the best online cotton kurtis wholesale, the latest cotton kurtis wholesale designs, and other wholesale fashion gems like Jaipuri kurtis, sarees, and more.

Best Online Cotton Kurtis Wholesale: When it comes to sourcing cotton kurtis in bulk, online platforms have become a game-changer. You can easily connect with trusted suppliers and explore a wide range of options. Look for suppliers who offer not only competitive prices but also a variety of designs and sizes to cater to your customers' diverse preferences. Some popular platforms include Alibaba, IndiaMART, and Wholesale Bazaar.

Designer Cotton Kurti Suppliers: To stand out in the market, it's essential to offer unique and trendy designs to your customers. Seek out designer cotton kurti suppliers who stay ahead of fashion trends. These suppliers often provide catalogs of the latest designs, which can be a valuable resource to keep your inventory fresh and appealing.

Cotton Kurtis Wholesale Designs: The world of cotton kurtis is ever-evolving, with new designs and patterns emerging regularly. Whether you're interested in traditional, contemporary, or fusion styles, there's something for everyone. Look for suppliers who regularly update their collections with the latest fashion trends, ensuring your customers have access to the freshest designs.

New Wholesale Kurtis Catalog: A new wholesale kurtis catalog can breathe life into your collection. It's a comprehensive showcase of the latest styles, fabrics, and color palettes. Make sure to subscribe to newsletters and follow suppliers on social media to stay informed about their new arrivals and upcoming catalogs.

Wholesale Sarees Suppliers: Expand your product range by partnering with wholesale sarees suppliers. Sarees are a timeless and elegant addition to any fashion store. Ensure your saree suppliers offer a variety of fabrics, designs, and price ranges to cater to different customer preferences.

Jaipuri Kurti Wholesale: Jaipuri kurtis are renowned for their vibrant colors and intricate prints. Sourcing these beautiful pieces from reliable wholesale suppliers can add a touch of ethnic charm to your collection. Look for suppliers who specialize in Jaipuri kurtis and offer a range of options to choose from.

Wholesale Kurti Manufacturers: Consider building a long-term relationship with wholesale kurti manufacturers. This can lead to better pricing, customization options, and a more reliable supply chain. Establishing trust and communication with manufacturers can be a game-changer for your business.

Wholesale Saree Price: Price is a significant factor in the wholesale fashion industry. While looking for suppliers, compare prices and negotiate for bulk discounts. Keep in mind that quality should not be compromised for a lower price. Striking the right balance between price and quality will ensure customer satisfaction and repeat business.

Conclusion: In the competitive world of fashion retail, choosing the right designer cotton kurti suppliers and exploring diverse wholesale options like Jaipuri kurtis and sarees can set your business apart. Stay updated with the latest trends, build strong relationships with your suppliers, and prioritize quality to create a successful and thriving fashion business. Happy sourcing and happy fashion retailing!

[indigoprintedkurti]

5 Ideas to Purchase Unique Kurties & Traditional Dresses Online

Online shopping opportunity unlocks the doors of more convenience to both sellers and buyers. Despite being a time-saving option, many shoppers find ecommerce sites more lucrative in terms of fresh collections and the discounts they offer. Online clothes shopping is now a hot trend, allowing more fashionistas to join the clan to explore the variety of Western to traditional Indian clothes on any gadget they use. Shop for the exclusive collections of kurti, long and short kalamkari dress with pants, and dupattas from your favorite brand online and get attractive offers, as well as, on-time home delivery. 

Almost all the reputed clothing brands are now online, offering astounding offers and discounts on their ecommerce platforms. Indulge your shopping spree to the next level by shopping exquisite sanganeri print kurti, bagru print dresses, Indian fusion wear sets, western outfits, and accessories.

Here are five ideas to purchase unique kurties & traditional dresses online—

Shop from the most relevant app or website

Look out for the most celebrated ecommerce shopping destinations showcasing the finest collections of traditional Indian clothes such as ajrakh print kurta, bagru print dresses, kalamkari kurta, Bengal cotton kurti, etc. of various brands.

Smartphone users prefer shopping from their phones. If you also prefer doing the same, download the best-known shopping apps exhibiting the Indian traditional dresses for women. In a few simple steps, add the chosen kurti, Anarkali sets, palazzos, pants, bagru print dresses, etc., in the cart and safely pay online. Use the filters to find the dresses of exact designs, colors, sizes, patterns, and prices.

You can also use websites that are mobile-friendly these days, ensuring the best online shopping experience for their buyers.

Learn about the trending kurti before shopping

Before you purchase the traditional dresses randomly, search for the trending traditional kurti, dresses, and Anarkali dresses dominating the current fashion trends. For instance, a bagru print kurta with straight cotton pants or palazzo is quite in fashion these days.

If you’re mesmerized by these unique designs from Madhya Pradesh, India, then a few ecommerce destinations will cater to you with the finest designs and quality kurtis on Bagru print besides Ajrakh, Bandhej, and other variations. 

 Try & Buy

There are a few ecommerce sites and apps that offer the facility of ‘try and buy’. You’ll be given the option to try the apparel and then pay for the delivery for that option. They might charge for it separately.

Explore the “New Arrivals” 

If you want to bag the latest designs and fresh collections, don’t forget to click on the ‘new arrival’ option. You can find it in the ‘sort’ section which will serve you with the fresh collections from the database without taking much time.

Compare the rates before adding the dresses to the carts 

Finally, you should compare the same product on other sites to pay for the best price. Online shopping of the trending Indian traditional dresses can provide this opportunity!

Follow these tips to shop the most unique collections of kurti online. 

[hotwings0203]

Hello!!! Soooo I came up with a few headcanons for Muslim Bakugou, JajkjGhoA I can't wait to read your response! 😫🤲💖

Okay! So he is definitely the good husband who does house chores! He actually helps around the house, knows how to do all the chores, and all the other girls are so jealous of you lolll

He will make you the best food! He knows all your favourite dishes, and will spoil you with his cooking! Also he will make your favourite desserts as a form of apology for when he pisses you off or makes you upset

Will feed you when he's trying out new dishes, and when you're getting married during the mehndi, when you feed him laddu or gulab jamun, he will blush so hard but also holds your wrist to "guide" you, as everyone giggles and teases you two for being so flustered and blushy around each other

If you make his favorite dishes?? Like okay imagine you make his fav dish (after asking the bakusquad cuz he's hard to approach lol) and subtly give it to him or maybe get Kirishima to give it to him as you leave the mosque or arrive at some community party or something, homeboi will blush so hard and will not let anyone have even the tiniest bite of your cooking

As a thanks he will buy you churiyan! He will see you admiring them and will come up and awkwardly but gruffly ask you if you like that certain churiyan set (that is like a pretty red and gold) and when you say yes, he will proceed to buy it for you, and omg if the bakusquad see this, Denki and Sero will definitely tease him and be like you should put them on her! While you're like omg! Wait, the adults will see! And he just surprises everyone as he gently grabs your hand and puts them on you and just admires how soft your hands are, and how they fit in his hand, and thinks about how pretty they would look with a wedding ring on them, and you are just standing there blushing so hard, and when he sees you wearing those churiyan at other events he feels so proud and possessive and happy

Weak for your smile and laugh, and very protective of you, will blow someone's head off for making you upset or for disrespecting you. Your parents love him so much, will immediately say yes to the rishta! Also, his parents love you so much, you and Masaru are the calm to Bakugou and Mitsuki raging tempers lmfaoo

You're the only one who gets to see his soft side and soft while without being threatened with death loll lucky youuu~ Also! Everyone will tease him sooooo much for being soft for you, the girls and aunties always giggle when they see how soft he is with you when you guys are out in public and he won't deny it either loll

In public he's kinda reserved with pda, but likes it when you hold his hand or loosely hook your arm around his muscled arms. He will however, put an arm on your lower back to steer you away from an uncomfortable situation or will step in front of you to protect you

In private he will be cuddly, loves wrapping his arms around you, forhead kisses too! You will be a blushing, flustered mess as he leans down by your ear and teases you about it in his low gruff voice. Also just loves the feel of your soft body against his

Also! Omg say its eid or something, and you're getting your mehndi done, the bakusquad will push him to sit with you and help you since you're mehndi is still wet. He will gruffly compliment your mehndi design, will get you food and feed it to you, will softly but hesitantly brush your hair away from your face when he sees that its bugging you, and this will make your both blush, and omg he will have the softest look in this eyes at that moment, and his hand will linger by your pretty earnings, and will just gaze at your lips with a lustful gaze as you softly whisper thank you

When the mehndi dries, and Denki makes a comment about how dark and rich the color is and is like damn Bakugou you really have it bad for y/n huh? Both of you will be so flustered and while Bakugou chases Denki while yelling that hes gonna blow his head off, you just stand there will Mina and Ochako and giggle at his antics, and the girls will tease you about you have gotten Bakugou wrapped around your fingers and that you shouldn't be surprised when his parents approach your parents with a rishta

AunwQniwa anyways Muslim Bakugou will love you so much and cherish you and just RIP to your heart 😫😭💖

YO YES MY GAWD LETS ASSESS THIS MFKIN FOOD YOU JUST GAVE US

okay so 100% YES!! Y’all seen mitsuki? She ain’t havin none of that “I’m the only son so treat me like a king” bs. No no, our girlboss femdom Mistski Auntie has her two boys cookin and cleanin every weekend and massaging her feet, as she SHOULD!

These habits carry on to when he gets married also. His wife could be doing the dishes one day right after their wedding and he would walk by, peeking over her shoulder at her hand-to-sponge technique.

“You’re doing it wrong dumbass. Use the hard side to scrub the crumbs off and then the soft side to polish it.” He snatches the plate from your hands and starts vigorously rubbing it the way you couldn’t. You stare at him, flabbergasted that a mom in the desi community has actually succeeded in raising her son right.

“‘The fuck are you looking at?”

“Nothing,” you quickly say, stepping aside to let him work his magic. He merely grunts and picks up the next bowl.

In a moment of bravado, you lean over to kiss his cheeks. He stops scrubbing and just stares at the sponge in his hands, his face slowly going red as a beet.

When you two fight, you already know he’s gonna be yelling at the top of his lungs and stomping around the house, the explosions from his hands searing the furniture around you.

It’s enough to set you off and storm out of the house too. You need a fucking break, he can be so much to handle sometimes.

It’s around late evening that you come back in the garage from wherever you decide to cool off from. The house is silent and dark from the outside so you assume he fell asleep with the usual scowl on his face.

You sigh and drop your keys and purse on the counter, exhausted from the day’s drama. Form the corner of your eye you see a small candle on the kitchen table alight, and you walk over to put it out.

Except right in front of the candle, there’s a small plate of mithai(sweets) that has a note attached to it.

“Sorry for being an ass” is written in his chicken scratch writing. You smile and shake your head, taking a bite from the surprisingly well-made gulaab jamun.

It’s a good thing Katsuki hid Sato’s recipe in one of the cabinets before you came home.

And just like you said, the man is WHIPPED for your cooking. He’s always pulling you to the kitchen and lightly shoving you around the stove, gruffly telling you to add more spices that he knows you can recreate to a T.

Whenever the Bakusquad comes over to hang out, you try to cook the same way you know Katsuki likes (extra spicy), but for some reason on those exact days you can’t seem to find any of your special ingredients…

At other times maybe before your marriage, when he first began falling in love with you he would see you admiring a vendor’s churiyaan and earrings.

He would quietly walk up behind you maybe a foot or two away, observing how you fit the bangles on your wrist.

“I like the red ones on you,” he says lowly, making sure to dwindle down his usual aggressive tone.

You turn and gently smile at him. “Oh yeah? And why’s that?”

“Because red is what brides wear.”

Your heart beats fast as he takes your wrist, oh so delicate compared to his callous large hands.

“And the silver makes me think of the ring I’ll have on you in no time soon.”

Bakugo closes his eyes in front of you and inhales, letting you know that everything about you draws him closer.

When you guys walk around a college campus or even in town, he’s always looking left and right shiftily, convinced that every man within a mile of you is trying to steal you away. He’ll stand in front of you when a guy asks you where a certain building is, he’ll glare at his friends when they get too rowdy and rough with you, but he still gets nervous for PDA. He knows how fast word travels around in desi communities so he doesn’t want to do anything in public, but fuck when he gets home he’s pinning you on the bed and resting his entire weight on you.

At eid as stated above^^ he’ll see you in your lengha or kurti and get INSANELY nervous and flustered at your beauty. The way you sit poised and laughing with Mina and ochako while your mehndi is being done makes his palms sweat and his armpits prickly. He has to wipe them on his kameez almost three times before taking one last look at you and walking away.

Well, at least he tries to walk away. He’s promptly sought out and grabbed by his three cronies, who drag him by nail and tooth towards you. No amount of swearing and growling threats to ‘blow their ass up so bad people will piecing them back together for weeks” stops them from bringing him closer to you.

“Yeah yeah, you said that already,” Denki smirks and playfully zaps his ass so that he helps and lurches forwards towards you.

The commotion makes the girls look up and wave excitedly when they spot the rowdy men.

You bite your lip and give Bakugo a meek little grin, which makes steam curl from his ears.

“Heyyy ladiesss, got room for one more?” Sero drawls and throws an arm over the simmering grenade of a man.

“Hmm,” Mina mockingly contemplates for a minute before she slowly starts to get up, uraraka following pursuit. “Not at the moment, but maybe we could make some room…” she tackles Bakugo and Kirishima also kicks the back of his knees so that he folds cleanly into the chair next to you.

You look bewildered at everybody while they snicker at Bakugo’s vermillion face.

He glared at them and after an oblivious moment or two they get the hint and wink before backing off.

“So, uh, how long have you been getting your hand done for?”

You grin at his inexperience with these kinds of things, but still indulge him.

“About 25 minutes or so.”

“25 min-“ his eyes grow wide and the whole hall turns to him as he screams at your poor designer for making you ‘sit on her cute ass for such a goddamn long time. And why the hell doesn’t she have food yet??’

At least he thought you were cute

💓💓

[niemernuet]

Hello! I would like to request a 73 or a 112 with Ginodi please and thank you!💕

Thank you so much for the prompts, dear anon. I wrote a ficlet for nr. 73 because it turned out I already wrote a Ginodi-fic for nr. 112!!! It's from another prompt-list I reblogged sometime in Januar, and when I saw the prompt it immediately came back. XD

You can read it here: i’ve never seen anyone look so cute and ridiculous at the same time, and the best @ticiie (🧡) in the world translated it into German here.

Now prompt nr. 73 was quite a challenge. 😅 I just can't imagine Odi and Gino being so angry with each other to the point of calling each other names but I tried, and I hope you like it.

"Stop being a fucking prick!"

Never again Marco would take the absence of wind for granted. Even now, after two weeks, he was still glad to be back from China. He stepped out into the fresh air, and took a deep breath. It was cold, yes, but the usual cold, the one he was used to; not the kind that forced its way under every piece of clothing, and made his head feel as if he had eaten ice cream too fast.

He looked out over the Austrian mountains that rose high into the sky. Even though it was almost mid-morning, the sun was only reaching halfway down into the valley, and the hotel lay still frozen in the shadows. Through the windows he saw Chris sitting in the breakfast hall, deeply immersed in his second cup of coffee and the newspaper. Marco checked his phone again, just to be sure, and waited. Soft humming sounded through the trees, the noise of the cars driving through the valley, Germans and Dutch and English on holidays, all aiming for the slopes and tracks on the mountains. After a few minutes, something interrupted the constant noise, another engine that had left the main street, and was now coming closer. Justin honked as he screeched to a halt right in front of the entrance, and jumped out of the car.

"So warm," he sighed, and stretched his limbs after the long drive before he pulled Marco in a hug.

"Welcome," Marco said, and patted Justin on the back. His hair was still atrociously red, though the roots were beginning to shine through. Loïc appeared from the other side of the car. Marco only needed one look to see that underneath his neutral expression he was seething.

"When did you leave Silvaplana?" Marco asked.

Justin checked his watch. "Two hours and twelve minutes ago," he announced proudly. "New personal best."

Loïc's expression turned even more neutral and he stomped to the back of the car where he began to pull out bags and suitcases with almost excessive force. Marco smiled, and opened the side-door of the car.

"Hey!"

Gino hastily closed his phone and slid it into the pocket of his coat. "Hey!" he said, and climbed out, right into Marco's arms.

Marco kissed him tenderly. "I've missed you," he whispered.

Gino buried his face in Marco's neck. "I missed you too." He smiled at Marco, and combed his hair back with his fingers. "My champion."

They carried the bags inside, checked into their rooms, and changed into their gear for a first training. Only then did the bus with the coaches arrive at the hotel.

"JUSTIN!" Kurti bellowed, and flew past Marco without sparing him a glance.

Marco laughed, and turned around. "Did he steal the keys? Or why did you let him drive?"

Gino flinched, as if he had been pulled out of deep thoughts. He shrugged. "I didn't really care", he muttered.

After Justin had been scolded appropriately, which as always left no impression on him, they were finally allowed to go skiing. Justin gave Marco a play-by-play about everything that had happened after he had left Beijing, sometimes interrupted by Loïc, while Gino looked out of the scratched windows of the gondola down onto the mountain. Marco slid closer until he could rest his chin on Gino's shoulder.

"The first time I was skiing on our snow after I came back, I almost wept," he confessed, and smiled at his boyfriend.

Gino smiled back absent-mindedly, and scooted closer to the window, away from Marco's touch. "I can imagine. Can't say I'm going to miss Yanqing."

Marco frowned slightly, and stroked Gino's thigh. "Everything okay?"

Gino nodded, still smiling. "Just feeling the jetlag," he explained.

They sped down their private slope, the one reserved for the better-paying customers, until the coaches had prepared the timers for a short course. Marco went first, whipping around the gates with ease, and waited at the end.

"Ha ha!" Justin mocked Marco when he realised that he had been faster, and left for the chairlift without waiting for the rest. Gino came last, with more than a second behind.

"At first it felt really strange," Marco began when they sat together on the floating chair. "Like I was glued to the ground. Even though I knew it was as always."

Gino did not budge, his eyes fixated on the few white clouds above the horizon.

"Gino!"

He flinched. "What? Sorry! I was thinking."

"About what?"

Gino shrugged. "Just…things."

Marco cocked his head. "You're really weird today."

Gino shook his head. "I'm sorry. It's just the…"

"Jetlag, I know," Marco finished for him.

Gino chuckled, and leant his head against the armrest, eyes closed and nose poking at the sun. Hannes gave them a few tips for the second run, and one after the other they raced down again.

"Do you still have the old wax on?" Marco asked during their second ascent.

Gino blinked, tearing his eyes away from the view. "What?"

"Because you're kind of slow today," Marco explained. "Is it the wax?"

Gino stared down at his skis that were dangling in free air, high above the ground. "Don't know," he said. "Maybe." If he saw the pensive look Marco shot him, he ignored it.

"Well done, Marco," Hannes said once they were at the start gate again. "Let's do this again. Gino, you need get closer to the gates. Try to follow the line."

The third ride was spent in complete silence, with Marco getting more and more worried. He glided over to Chris who was waiting with another pair of skis to try out. Gino stood near the starting gate, propped up on his sticks, and looked out over the slope. Chris dove into one of his lengthy explanations, and Marco could not hear what Hannes was saying.

"Well you're helping fuck-all!" Gino suddenly yelled. Chris and Marco whirled around.

Hannes threw Gino a hard look but chose to ignore his outburst. "You're not listening to me. You haven't even tried to…"

"That's because your advice is shit! There's nothing to listen to!"

"Gino!" Renzo exclaimed.

"Okay, that's it!" Hannes said, and turned away. He walked over to the pile of backpacks spread out on a plastic sheet, grabbed one, and threw it towards Gino. "Go! Your training is over!"

"Hannes!" Marco tried, and picked the backpack out of the snow.

"No discussion!" Hannes growled.

"He didn't mean it…"

"Of course I did!" Gino yelled. Marco's mouth shut, and he looked at him with wide eyes. Gino pushed his sticks into the ground, slid over, and yanked the backpack out of Marco's hands. He was livid, red-hot anger shining in his eyes.

"What's your problem today?" Marco asked incredulously.

"You're the problem!" Gino spit. "You and your stupid questions! Why are you so slow Gino? How come you're so far away from the gates Gino? How, who, why, why, why Gino? Can you maybe stop being a fucking prick?"

Nobody said anything when Gino turned away, and raced down the mountain. He had disappeared in the forest, down the path that led into the valley, when Marco shook himself, and hurried over to where his skis were lined up.

"Don't!" Chris said, and put a hand on Marco's shoulder.

"But…"

Chris shook his head, and Marco acquiesced. With hanging shoulders he stared on the ground.

---

The sun had left the valley again when they returned to the hotel, exhausted not just from the training. Marco brought his skis and boots down into the cellar where Chris had spread out his things, and without a detour to his own room, he went to see Gino. To his surprise, the door was not closed, the sleeve of a jacket pressed between frame and door. Carefully he pushed the door open, and stepped inside. Clothes were strewn on the floor, and ski boots had been thrown into a corner. Marco pushed the jacket back, and closed the door with a click. Gino lay still on the bed, with his back towards Marco, one arm under his head. Slowly, Marco walked around the bed, and laid down next to him. The bed was small, and their faces almost touched. Gino still did not budge. His eyes, red-rimmed, the lashes still wet from tears, saw nothing. Marco looked at him, and waited.

"They're throwing Mauro out of the team for next season," Gino eventually began. "They say he's not making enough progress."

Marco's heart clenched. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

"It's just so unfair," Gino said as new tears welled up in his eyes. "You give everything, year after year, and in the end they throw you away like a piece of trash. In the end, nothing you do will ever be good enough."

Marco leant forward, until their foreheads touched, and grabbed Gino's free hand, stroking it with his thumb until his tears subsided.

"How long have you known?"

"Last week."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Gino took a deep breath, almost a sigh, and finally looked Marco in the eyes. "I didn't want to disturb you. You were supposed to rest for the end of the season. You can't get distracted now."

Marco snorted softly, and kissed Gino. "I rested enough. And I'm your boyfriend, not just a random guy."

"I know…"

"You don't need to bottle this stuff. You have me."

Gino smiled, pulled his hand out from under his head, and wiped the tears away. "Is Hannes very angry?"

Marco nodded. This time, Gino sighed for real.

"We can stay a bit longer," Marco suggested. "He'll be here for a few days."

Gino laughed softly. "Okay." His smile was still tinged with sadness. "Sorry I called you a prick."

Marco shrugged with the one shoulder he was not lying on. "Eh, sometimes I am one."

"But not today."

They kissed again, and Marco's hand wandered over Gino's body. He could not take away Gino's sadness, and he could not carry it for him. But he would do anything to make it lighter for him.

[zelenxa]

1301 - The Lottways

Knight Ager pats Kurtis on the shoulder, the weight of his hand tough and rough against Kurtis’s attire. Kurtis gives a small, proud smile to his mentor before heading off for home, the cool January air hitting his face and his freshly cut shaving. Leaving the outskirts of the city and entering in anew, Kurtis steadies the horse he rides, the horse not his but Knight Ager’s—who was kind enough to allow Kurtis to care for it in the time being. Just today, Kurtis has gotten news of his promotion to Squire. The rough six years in work as a Page finally proving worth it.

Feeling distorted by the loud commotion of city life, Kurtis drops off Knight Ager’s horse inside a stable in the outskirts, the crowded and dense part of the city leaving him no choice but to walk on foot. It’s only been a few months since Kurtis married Casandra and moved into the city with her. Casandra had expressed desire to stay close to her parents and sisters, and with news of his sister moving closer by (with her serf husband he no less disapproved of), it appeared his move was orchestrated by fate. He wouldn’t deny Casandra and the expectant manner of the Turner family. First out of the house, Kurtis’s dearest wife, Casandra, was the eldest sister to two other siblings, Marisol and Emma. No male heir was seen in sight for Mrs. and Mr. Turner, both of whom were well past their age of child-caring. It left the assumption that Kurtis would be inheriting. An assumption Kurtis tried plenty to respectfully ignore.

Entering through the door, Kurtis runs his eyes down his new home, paid in due by the sizable dowry left by Casandra’s hand in marriage. He is still unused to living in the noisy atmosphere of the city, much used to (and much preferring) the dense countryside. He had heard news from his sister, Marci's, most recent visit to the city of living in a place similar to where they once did when their parents were alive. Though, Kurtis did not mind it here. The city… was growing on him. Even if he did not initially like it.

Knocked out of his current thoughts by the sound of footsteps, Kurtis looks up just in time to meet the gaze of his lovely Casandra. Her brown hair, a much lighter shade than his own darker hair, lays on her collarbone, freshly braided and wrapped underneath a scarf. Her eyes are a lovely shade of honey that contrasts well against her pale skin. Her lovely amber eyes, of which he immediately notices, are doused in panic.

Casandra, Kurtis finds out rather late, is pregnant, and as if the Watcher were playing some type of game with Kurtis, it so happens Casandra’s water breaks the day of their anniversary. Immediately the two of them are overcome with panic. Silently, Kurtis is aware of how badly he wishes they were not in this position, that Casandra was not about to birth a child, his child. Yet, he pushes those thoughts away to aid in his wife’s labor and goes to fetch a midwife. The deed is done and the child is coming anyway. However, badly, Kurtis wishes it was not.

With her hair now unraveled and not long after the midwife arrives, Casandra gives birth to a little girl. Kurtis sits with his hands pressed tightly together, he and Mr. John Turner being the last to know details of her delivery. Kurtis had done what they had planned months ago. Fetch the midwife then the family. Mrs. Alicia Turner and Casandra’s two sisters had spared no time leaving the two men behind to tend to Casandra. The action was heartwarming, and it made Kurtis miss the equally warm assurance of his own sister.

Finally, when Kurtis is allowed to see his wife, does he meet his daughter. His daughter. Kurtis is careful, so careful, when Marisol gently hands the baby girl to him and tells him of her name. He doesn’t even process the little feedback he was allowed to give on choosing the little one’s name. Kurtis holds little baby Brynn with the fragility of cleaning glass anew. He looks down at her for the first time, and he feels something he can’t quite understand.

A few months later, when Kurtis comes to find out that Marci had birthed a child on the very same day as Casandra did, does he find name of the tightness that’s occupied his chest since Brynn’s birth. Contempt.

1307 - The Lottways

Kurtis's mood is tinged with solemn relief as he watches Brynn blow out the candles of the sponge cake Casandra baked for her. Today marks her sixth year on earth, and while Kurtis wants to love his daughter as dearly as his wife does, he can not help but feel her arrival was much too soon. Kurtis forces a smile onto his face and leans down to pat Brynn on the shoulder, the little one immediately moving in to encase him in a hug. Startled and tempted not to show it, Kurtis hears Casandra speak of a festival her parents are hosting. He perks up when she mentions Marci will be there.

Upon arrival, Kurtis is stumbled when Casandra and Brynn immediately run off to talk to the rest of the Turner sisters, both of which still remain unmarried. Mumbling an complaint under his breath, Kurtis makes his way into the main dining hall. He’s hit, first, with loud music played by hired musicians and a silent bard not yet buddying in the musical piece, and then the clank of forks and drinks being placed upon tables. Speaking of tables, Kurtis spots his sister sitting next to her husband, Esteban. With haste, Kurtis moves in to hug her, the position it puts them in awkward yet not thought of as they hold each other tighter. Once they part from each other, Kurtis’s eyes land on Esteban with a silent nod of acknowledgment. Initially, Kurtis had disapproved of his sister’s decision to enter serfdom for an unfree peasant. He was certain she had not fully understood the consequences of her actions, that she was being reckless. But his sister was stubborn; going behind his back, not telling him anything until months after the decision was done, and while he disdained the position she had put herself and her future children in, he couldn’t punish her for it—No. Not when the two of them were the only ones they had left in the Lottway line. Kurtis just knew his mother, Gabriela, would disapprove of holding such a useless grunge, so, he had forgave her, had promised to help her in whatever way he could, however limited she was in her situation.

Esteban, sensing the mood, and recognizing the need for a one-on-one after months apart, excuses himself with the motion of checking up on the kids. Kurtis takes his seat, getting comfortable as conversation flows between he and Marci. It’s like they’ve never spent the last few months apart since his last visit.

A time later, as the conversation comes closer to a close, Kurtis feels his troubles on the tip of his tongue, ready to be voiced if only he allowed it, to finally speak of his conflicted emotions toward his unwanted child. Yet, judgment scares him. He says nothing.

Casandra is once more pregnant by the end of Summer.

next (chrono) // next (lottway) // previous

[omegaplus]

# 4,076

Sunday Records, 2022.

It’s early June and I’m in the middle of eleven days off from work. I cannot tell you how stunning these last few weeks have been for me. For the first time in a long time I’ve been feeling great about many things. I have been at the top of my game. Relaxed, tranquil, and level like never before. I went to Sacred Bones’ 15th Anniversary and experienced a feeling like no other. I’ve met a few friends from the alternative-music circle whom I haven’t seen in years. I’ve been tasked to do an amazing amount of summer radio shows at WUSB. The Roman goth girl who’ve I’ve been in contact with since February taught me to face my fears, to not be afraid of bad news, and see the greatest, truest value in people. It’s not even halfway to June and I feel something great is yet to happen.

I’ve been spending money on music without worry. It’s a winner-take-all tour of Long Island’s record stores and at this point I’ve hit up three so far with astonishing results. Sunday Records would be my fourth on the list to visit and it had to be. It’s my only Sunday off in the foreseeable future and, still true to its name, only opens on that one day. I didn��t have a choice, did I? It took me only 30 minutes to get there and closing time was 5PM. It’s 2PM as I walked through those doors so I had three hours to Autobahn it through the entire store. No shelf or rack was left unsifted by me.

The layout of Sunday Records hasn’t changed one bit. Nothing’s re-arranged. Upper wall racks of 7” singles and 45’s hovered above the 12” vinyl bins. There was a maze of LP’s front to back, side to side, and in the middle. What also hasn’t changed was the owner’s system of classifying records unique to the store. If not a genre, it’s chart position, week, and radio station. Brian (the owner) was obsessive to detail and nostalgic like that. Then again, so am I.

There’s a section on the front left side of the entrance. It’s where the electronic, dusty classics, and un-priced arrivals sections were. Less than .01% of its stock was electronic and I sure wasn’t going to waste time sifting through Fifties and Sixties jazz greats. I just knew. I turn to my right and there were plenty of funk, groove, and R&B LP’s and 12” singled there. I looked under the bins and there were boxes of records not priced out. That’s where I found various hip-hop and rap singles, uncharacteristic for a store that specialized in vintage jazz, Seventies radio rock, and everything Eighties. It was all fair game and I took what I could. Unstickered singles by Black Moon, Big Daddy Kane, Kurtis Blow, Jeru The Damaja, Fu-Schnickens, Double XX Posse, and an early pre-fame DMX e.p. (“Born Loser”). I knew Brian wasn’t the type who was into West Coast jams or boombox anthems and made me think why he took them in the first place. No matter. It was a lucky out for someone like me to easily stock up on hip-hop and rap vinyl.

Now the 45’s. Sunday Records was always good with pricing them on the cheap. What I purchased in 7” singles from West Babylon’s Looney Tunes, I tripled that here. These 7” singles of Eighties hits from my Atari / Nintendo childhood meant not having to purchase full albums for one or two songs. Why not acquire them? Plenty of synth-pop, new wave, and pop rock. One 7” I might have passed up the last time around was Re-Flex’ “The Politics Of Dancing”. The single that gave me these Sunday vibes was finally in my hands. This visit’s surprises? Gary Numan’s “I Die: You Die” b/w “Down In The Park” and Killing Joke’s “Adorations” for $4.00. Then I came across The Normal’s “T.V. OD” b/w “Warm Leatherette” The good news was that I discovered it. The bad news? It was a $14.00 hit…and without an original artwork sleeve. The price you pay to take home synthpop history.

When that was over, I took a deep breathe and dove into all the vinyl inventory. The great thing about Brian was that almost nothing was out of place. He’s incredibly meticulous in that everything was in alphabetical order and with almost nothing in the wrong bin. Also with Looney Tunes, a good amount of records were alphabetized or sorted by artist, allowing me to fly right over large chunks of sections and straight to the others. What wasn’t hip-hop / rap and categorized by chart position, week, and radio station ended up on the lesser expensive side. Like the 45’s, I sped through furiously through the LP bins and acquired a lot of hits from my childhood. A recent discovery now in my hands? Captain Sensible’s “Wot” for $5.00.

And what I made up in value, I would lose later with some essential finds. That’s even avoiding the new vinyl section. Towards the end of searching was where it started to hurt. The least of my worries? The Cars’ Panorama for $8.00. The Shirts’ debut and Anti-Nowhere League’s The Perfect Crime for $9.00 each. But that’s not all. I found essentials in The Young Gods and Pere Ubu where it stopped at the $10.00.

Now the heavy stuff. No one remembers or know who The Innocent was. The Roman goth girl I mentioned earlier? She’s insanely obsessed with Tent Reznor. While doing a Nine Inch Nails run, I learned he was part of said band right after leaving Option 30. The Innocent’s only album was found in one of the bins and I grabbed it for $14.00. Had I not known about them, I would’ve zipped past it without even knowing. One album I passed up during my last record-store tour was Cabaret Voltaire’s The Crackdown. I found it twice in unopened condition for $20.00 at several stores and gave it up at least twice, thinking I could l buy it for less. Well, four years later I was right on that one. I finally found it again and for $14.00 opened I wasn’t going to pass it up a second time. While there, Sunday Records still maintained a good selection of other industrial and related releases. They had more Cabaret Voltaire records including The Pressure Company (!) and even the new ones (Shadow Of Fear and Dekadrone) which I was impressed that Brian carried. Front 242 e.p.’s were also in the bins and several Ministry records starting with Work For Love (the overseas pressing of With Sympathy), some Twitch-era singles, and all the way up to Psalm 69.

Here comes another unexpected hit in the kneecaps: Kraftwerk’s The Man-Machine for $20.00. Any time I buy Kraftwerk on vinyl I pay that price; nothing less. That’s how much I paid for a used copy of Radio-Aktivitat at a record fair held in Amityville’s veteran hall. Again, take no chances. Finally, a record that I hoped to find in the wild because it was so good: The Raveonettes’ Pe’ahi; $20.00 asking price. Decisions had to be made but not necessarily now. I held on to it for the time being, having to decide to take it now or pass it up and find it again somewhere else for less. Looks like I will take my chances.

It’s not an understatement when I say this, but 99.99% of Sunday’s stock was all vinyl. The other .01% were used cassettes and CDs placed right near its listening station at the front-right of the entrance. I passed it all up as nothing there interested me. So far, Sunday- is the only store where it was all vinyl.

Ten minutes to closing. It’s about time to make some decisions. Brian greeted me and started counting everything up. Of the 75 I had in my arms, I gave five back to him including the Raveonettes album. He was amazed. He tried selling it back to me because he also knew it was a great album. Oh, I agreed. But as I told each and every one of you, I held off just in case. His laptop lost its’ juice so there was no easy way for him to add it all up and keep track of what he sold me. He ended up taking photos of everything I bought and took him about a good fifteen minutes to calculate it all. Then I gave in. I’d take the Raveonettes’ album after all. Take no chances, right?

“You should come here more often!” he told me in an exasperated manner. “Really?” I laughed. It’s not every year that I do this, Brian. I’d try real hard to keep up if I did. Now I knew why he said that.

“That’ll come to $348.00”. Yikes. That was at least triple of what I spent at my last visit here. I was sweating like Rodney Dangerfield on his worst night. (Plot twist: he never had one.) Despite Brian giving me all the hip-hop records for $20.00, the other records made up for it. No coupons, either. But, I had all the confidence in the suburbs to spend with no worry. The stack was so hefty that Brian got me a box from the back to hold all the 12” records in and bagged all of my 45’s so that they wouldn’t slip out of position. I was relieved in the end to nail that Sunday like I wanted to. But the day wasn’t over yet.

After I thanked Brian for everything, I loaded my purchase in the trunk. I had plans on seeing Candy, a Jewish ginger whom I haven’t seen since we left Brentwood. She has a family-owned restaurant out in Calverton and I promised I’d visit the next time I was nearby. I went west on Route 25 and started the peaceful, sunny journey to her eatery. It’s not every day I’m out in Riverhead or Calverton. I took all the time in the world driving through the scenic route of vast farmland and sparse local businesses along the long, quiet roads; ready to catch up with her and walk down a beautiful but bittersweet and tattered memory lane.

Prince: “1999” b/w “How Come U Don’t Call” 7”

Re-Flex: “The Politics Of Dancing” b/w “Flex It” 7”

Normal, The: “TV Overdose” b/w “Warm Leatherette” 7”

Gary Numan: “I Die: You Die” b/w “Down In The Park” 7”

Pet Shop Boys: “It’s A Sin” b/w “You Know Where You Went Wrong” 7”

Robert Palmer: “Simply Irresistible” b/w “Nova” 7”

Pet Shop Boys: “What Have I Done To Deserve This” b/w “A New Life” 7”

Bananarama: “Cruel Summer” 7”

Belinda Carlisle: “Heaven Is A Place On Earth” 7”

Dead Or Alive: “Brand New Lover” 7”

Joan Jett: “Little Liar” 7”

Killing Joke: “Adorations” b/w “Exile” 7”

Mike & The Mechanics: “Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground) b/w “Par Avion” 7”

Tone Loc: “Funky Cold Medina” 7”

Suzanne Vega: “Luka” 7”

Human League: “Don’t You Want Me” b/w “Seconds” 7”

Escape Club: “Wild Wild West b/w “We Can Run” 7”

Erasure: “Chains Of Love” b/w “Don’t Suppose” 7”

Don Henley: “All She Wants To Do Is Dance” b/w “Building The Perfect Beast” 7”

Starship: “We Built This City” b/w “Private Room” (ins.) 7”

Todd Rundgren: “Hello It’s Me” b/w “Cold Morning Light” 7”

Huey Lewis: “Stuck With You” b/w “Don’t Ever Tell Me That You Love Me” 7”

Stevie Winwood: “The Finer Things” 7”

Wings: “With A Little Luck” b/w “Backwards” 7”

Robert Palmer: “Addicted To Love” b/w “Let’s Fall In Love Tonight” 7”

Bananarama: “Venus” b/w “White Train” 7”

Joan Jett: “I Hate Myself For Loving You” 7”

Mike & The Mechanics: “Through The Living Years” b/w “Too Many Friends” 7”

Stevie Winwood: “Higher Love” 7”

Don Henley: “Dirty Laundry” b/w “Lilah” 7”

J.J. Fad: “Supersonic” 12”

Black Moon: “I Got Cha Opin” b/w “Reality” 12”

Big Daddy Kane: Raw ‘91 12”

Kurtis Blow: “If I Ruled The World” 12”

Jeru The Damaja: “Come Clean” b/w “D. Original Dirty Rotten Scoundrel” 12”

Fu-Schnickens: “Ring The Alarm” 12”

Young MC: “Bust A Move” 12”

Chaka Khan: “Crush Groove (Can’t Stop The Street)” 12”

Big Daddy Kane: “I Get The Job Done” 12”

Double XX Posse, The: “not Gonna Be Able To Do It” b/w “The Pure Thing” 12”

Domino: “Sweet Potato Pie” 12”

Masta Ace Incorporated: “Jeep Ass Niguh” b/w “Saturday Night Live” 12”

Fonda Rae: “Over Like A Fat Rat” 12”

River Ocean ft. India: The Tribal EP

Grandmaster & Melle Mel: “White Lines” b/w “Melle Mel’s Groove” 12”

DMX: “Born Loser” 12”

Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five: “On The Strength” 12”

Anti Nowhere League, The: The Perfect Crime 12”

Mr. Mister: “Is It Love b/w “Broken Wings” 12”

Thompson Twins: “Lies” 12”

Roxette: “The Look” 12”

T’Pau: “Heart And Soul” 12”

Dire Straits: Extended Dance EP 12”

Flora Purim: “Stories To Tell” 12”

Raveonettes, The: Pe’Ahi 12”

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark: “If You Leave” b/w “La Femme Accident” 12”

Nu Shooz: “Point Of No Return” 12”

Falco: “Vienna Calling” b/w “Rock Me Amadeus” 12”

Shirts, The: self-titled 12”

Belinda Carlisle: “I Get Weak” 12”

Captain Sensible: “Wot!” 12”

Young Gods, The: self-titled 12”

Men Without Hats: “The Safety Dance” 12”

Level 42: “Something About You” 12”

Killing Joke: “Sanity” b/w “Eighties” 12”

Pere Ubu: The Art Of Walking 12”

Kraftwerk: The Man-Machine 12”

Innocent, The: Livin’ In The Street 12”

XBXRX: Gop Ist Minee 12”

Cabaret Voltaire: The Crackdown 12”

Cars, The: Panorama 12”

[thelensofyashunews]

Mez Announces The Loading EP, Coming April 19th via Mass Appeal

Respected in the industry for his multimedia mastery and incisive perspective, North Carolina artist Mez follows his muse wherever it may take him. Today, the artist formerly known as King Mez announces The Loading EP, his new EP, and first official project in the streaming era. The upcoming effort finds Mez enlisting assistance from kindred spirits from across the music landscape, who share Mez's playful sense of soulful musicality and his dedication to the grind.

Leon Bridges and Isaiah Rashad appear on previously-shared singles "Around The World" (covered by Essence, Hits DD, HipHopDX, and more) and "Hot Spot" (mentioned in XXL and 2DopeBoyz, among others), respectively, while luminaries like SAINt JHN,MAVI, and Childish Major join him on to-be-released EP highlights. The EP features forward-thinking production from some of the game's most creative beatmakers, including Tae Beast, Monte Booker, DJ Mark B, and many more, including Mez himself. Featuring an appearance from Kurtis Wells on lead single "Call On," The Loading EP arrives on April 19th via Mass Appeal.

Emerging out of Raleigh in the early 2010s, Mez was a leading light in a fertile NC rap scene that birthed underground and mainstream stars. Mez's sharp lyrics and assured artistic vision helped convince some of music's biggest stars to trust him with their creative visions. Then known as "King Mez," the rapper was one of the driving forces behind Compton, Dr. Dre's long-awaited third album, appearing on nine tracks and writing on several others–his efforts drew praise from the likes of Pitchfork, NPR, Vulture, and many others. Mez has been a regular affiliate of his friend and fellow North Carolinian J. Cole, and has contributed several verses to Dreamville ;compilations, including Revenge Of The Dreamers III and last year's Creed III: The Soundtrack. Mez is also a renowned video director, stepping behind the camera for clips like J. Cole's "Middle Child" and "a m a r i," Dreamville's "Sleep Deprived" (on which he also raps), plus videos for Ari Lennox, Isaiah Rashad, and more. Most recently, Mez earned a writing credit on J. Cole's surprise album Might Delete Later, contributing to the Ari Lennox-sang hook on opening song "Pricey" ft. Ari Lennox, Young Dro & Gucci Mane.

Pre-save The Loading EP: https://massappeal.lnk.to/loading

[shreeisspecial]

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, fashion enthusiasts eagerly await the unveiling of the season's latest trends. This year, SHREE is set to redefine style with its Autumn-Winter 2024 (AW24) collection—a stunning blend of tradition and modernity that celebrates cultural richness and innovative design. More than just a seasonal update, this collection offers a fresh perspective on ethnic wear, with each piece reflecting the essence of the top fashion trends for 2024. Whether you’re seeking festive flair, elegant simplicity, or versatile everyday options, SHREE’s AW24 collection promises to elevate your wardrobe.

[its-poojagupta-shree]

Fashion is more than simply clothes—it's a declaration and an expression of personal style. In the world of ethnic wear, kurtis hold a special place for their versatility and timeless appeal. As we step into a new season, it's the perfect time to explore the latest trends and elevate your style with trendsetting ladies' kurti designs available online.