#shonda used us as inspiration

[can-we-die-now]

our lives 🤝 grey's anatomy

[avoidthings]

shoot it up | c. tejada

About: You have been dating Cane for months and have grown tired of being in the dark about his elusive lifestyle. Inspired by Shoot It Up by Teyana Taylor. [word count: 2.4k] Warnings: Explicit language, mentions of gang violence, alcohol use, unprotected PIV, oral (female receiving), dash of breeding kink

It was unlike Cane to not speak to you for days, and you were approaching a week of no contact. You had been texting and calling to no avail after the first morning without word from him. By day three, you considered driving up to the Tejada home, but with the heat on their family, you did not want to take that risk. Tonight, you were in your apartment enjoying your pick of medical dramas on Netflix, ‘your stories’ he once called them affectionately, and drinking sugary wine. 

“You sure you don’t want me to come over there?” Your friend Shaunie could be heard on the other side of your video call. She had a right to be concerned, saying that you were coping similarly to when you broke up with your last boyfriend, Tyrell. Except Cane wasn’t officially your boyfriend, and if he was, he’s not acting the part right now. 

“One-hundred-percent sure,” you hiccuped. Shaunie cocked an eyebrow at you. “I got my girls…Stella,” you lifted the peach moscato to the camera, “...and Shonda. I’ll be just fine. I don’t need a man.” You both knew that a man was never a need, but your feelings for him wouldn’t depart so easily. 

“Try not to worry about him too much. He’s probably crashing out on some black Soprano bullshit. I heard they whole family ain’t been right since—”

“Too far, Shaunie,” even if he was being an ass, you knew grief all too well. You could only pray that this was not what his disappearing act was about. Cane didn’t open up himself often, but he had expressed his desires for vengeance, specifically against some college kid that weaseled his way into his family affairs. When he would speak like that his eyes would darken, and just a glimpse of that side of him was enough to send a chill up your spine.

Where you grew up in Queens, it was commonplace to encounter your share of dealers and scammers. Your parents raised you to keep your head down and stay out of trouble, focusing on your studies to stay busy. Unfortunately, that did not stop trouble from coming across your very doorstep. The casualties of a gang war claimed the life of your brother before your sixteenth birthday, he, only five years your junior, while playing on your front yard.

Shaunie quickly realized her misstep and apologized, “I’m so sorry, honey. Just tryna cheer you up is all.” You nodded, trying to brush off any thoughts of Cane being in danger. It wasn’t that easy for him, he was the oldest son, a junior, and the lifestyle was his birthright. Opting out meant putting his livelihood at stake.

“I know, and I love you for that,” you assured your friend, holding the phone just a tad higher so she can see you clearly. You wore your favorite robe, a floral satin number, and adorned a pore strip on your nose. As someone who knew you best, both were among your greatest comforts.

“I love you too, girl. I guess I’ll let you go,” Shaunie bid you a goodnight before leaving you to your own devices. It did not take long before your thoughts returned to your absent lover.

When you first started fooling around with him you knew the risks. Cane meant late nights and clouds of indica on your couch where he’d take you, bent over at its arm and crying for more. He wasn’t scrambled eggs or lounging around for the morning after, when you would yearn for his attention the most. Cane showed his care for you in other ways, like leaving stacks of money on your dresser and buying you your first rifle. For protection, he reasoned, since you refused to let go of your rent-stabilized apartment.

He wouldn’t answer when you’d question him about the scars you noticed when he came over, nor his whereabouts beyond his family home that most knew not to cross. Not knowing whether he was honestly trying to shield you from his life or keep you hidden in it, hurt. You sought to release the burden from your mind, so you tried to start by clearing all traces of him from your phone. Your thumb swiped open the screen to your text thread with Cane, a lone black heart next to his name.

Your heart skipped seeing three gray bubbles hop on your screen, letting you know he was typing a message. Caught between relief and annoyance, you anxiously waited for his text to appear.

I’m outside

The bittersweet feeling in the pit of your stomach had soured completely. He had a key, so the message was just a formality on his end. As soon as the door opened, a scowl greeted him at the entryway.

“What are you doing here, Lorenzo?” Cane winced at your use of his government name. Your eyes, still scolding, scanned him for any signs of injury. To your own disadvantage, you’d come to discover that he was still as fine as the day you met him, cloaked in a jacket you knew cost a few bills.

“I came to see you. Baby, look I know it’s been a couple days—” he stepped forward, and you took one back. He knew he fucked up, but he was not at all prepared for your cold shoulder.

“Five. It’s been five days since I heard from you, and I had no clue where the hell you been,” You snapped, his own expression unchanging. Scoffing, you had little expectation for him to reasonably explain his absence.

“I had to handle some business, a’ight? It wasn’t nothin’ you need to worry yourself with,” you felt dismissed by his ambiguity. It was always business with Cane.

“You’re right, I don’t need to be worried about this shit anymore,” you gestured between the two of you petulantly. He scoffed, shaking his head as if he couldn’t believe his ears.

“Nah…nah,” he muttered to himself at first, “What’re you saying to me?”

Filling the space between you in a few measured steps, you met his gaze. “You can see yourself out. And leave my key on the hook.” His stature was solid against your own, standing close enough to count the rise and fall of his chest.

“So you can give it to some other nigga? Fuck that.” You rolled your eyes at the notion of you being so quick to do so.  Cane would be lying if he didn’t think you looked sexier when you were mad. The days without your touch were not easy on him either.

Crossing the lapel of your robe tightly over your chest, you started to walk away from him, and he caught your elbow in one swift motion.

“Tell me to leave again,” it was his turn to stare as you spun back to his view. He tucked his bottom lip in to his teeth, waiting on your response. You wanted to hold yourself to what you started, but your resolve was cracking. “Cane…” you whispered.

He leant in closer, and his stubble kissed your cheek. “Tell me to go and I’ll go,” his mouth was at the shell of your ear now, knowing a single touch to the skin just below it was enough to make your knees buckle. Cane was calling your bluff, and you knew it. His hands took purchase on your full hips, squeezing at the flesh that stretched the fabric. He was testing his limits with soft kisses along the crook of your neck. You found yourself sighing into the embrace.

He backed away, for you to pull him right in, connecting your lips with fervor. Cane’s mouth was one of your favorite parts of him, sucking you in with sweet nothings and coaxing orgasms out of you with ease. His fingers tugged at the thin belt that marked the barrier between him and your bare skin. A hand spread beneath to hold the curve just above your ass, drawing you closer to feel just how much he’s missed you.

You moaned, allowing his tongue to meld into yours. You didn’t even realize the two of you were moving until the back of your knees met your bed frame. He withdrew from you with a soft pop of your lips parting. You pushed his jacket off his shoulders, shirt and jeans to follow.

Pillowy lips found your neck again, nipping at your collar and jawline. “I need you, Cane,” you whined.

“You gon’ let me take care of you?” he asked with a kiss to the column of your throat.

Your robe fell to a pool of satin at your feet, exposing you to him completely. Cane bit back a noise at the sight as if he hadn’t seen it many times. He followed you up bedding beneath you, fixating on the ways he could make you fall apart.

Cane took your breast into his mouth, swirling his tongue with each kiss until your nipple stiffened. He repeated his motions with the other side and let his hand venture between your thighs. You were leaking on his fingers, busy massaging a dizzying pattern on your clit. Your legs were growing weaker as they spread for more. “So fuckin’ wet for me, so perfect,” he praised you, slipping two digits inside of your hole.

A pleased sigh left your lips as he pumped them in and out of you. He was mesmerized by how you clamped around him, ruining your sheets already. Your thigh twitched when the heel of his palm bumped against your clit. Cane made sure to do it again and sped up his pace, adding a crook to his fingertips with every thrust.

Butterflies frenzied inside of your stomach as he watched you intently. You could barely make out curses between shattered breaths. He swallowed your sounds in a kiss that turned you in to mush. Cane didn’t let up between your thighs when you came, only waiting until you barely caught your breath to taste you. Your mouth dropped watching him bring his fingers to his mouth, a delightfully obscene sight.

“Ass up,” was his command, tapping the swell of your bare hip. You flipped over and braced yourself with your hands on the mattress.

“Arch that shit for me, baby, yeah…just like that.” You teased him with a wiggle of your waist, earning a stinging slap.

Cane lay a kiss on one of your cheeks, spreading them apart for a better view of your pussy, slick and weeping for him. His nose nudged your second hole as he sucked kisses to along your slit, already clenching around nothing.  You scrambled for the sheets above you as he ate you sloppily. “Oh my fuckin’ God,” The sound of his lips smattering made your body eager to drip more on his awaiting tongue. He managed to keep you still beneath his grip until your back bowed forward, the overwhelm of another orgasm sweeping over you.

His name left your mouth in a mantra, tongue still drawing circles around your clit, stopping only to taste what spilled at your entrance. Your knees dug deeper into the mattress as you burst from the pressure.

“Mmm…mhm,” he grumbled, still lapping at your folds. “Please…p-please, Cane!” He finally let up and you mustered any might you had to look where he stood behind you. He had taken off his briefs, and his dick stood tall, jerking against his abdomen.

“How you want it?” Cane kneaded your hips lightly, pressing thumbs at your lower back. You reached underneath to cup him at his balls, and whined, “Fuck me baby, right here.” The grunt that left him prickled goosebumps on your spine.  The first stretch of him seared through you, leaving you gasping for air as he did exactly what you asked.

He pulled out slowly, “This pussy too fuckin’ good, so pretty gripping me,” Cane thrusted back in and bottomed out completely. With his hands on your waist, he helped guide you until you could meet his thrusts on your own. Skin slapped against each other as he sunk in and out, watching you gush atop of him.

Sweat sheeted the dip of your back and dampened the sheets you sprawled on. You were dripping everywhere, chasing your high with each grind of your hips. “You gon’ let me take care of you?” he asks again, hooking a hand around your throat. You blinked back tears and shook your head up and down.

“Yeah? Put you up in that big penthouse downtown,” he gritted by your ear.

You couldn’t tell him no like you have in the past in this position, waves of pleasure caging you in with the snap of his pelvis against yours. Cane’s hold tightened at your neck. “You gonna have my babies too,” he could feel you throbbing around him at the thought.

“How many?” His hand struck you to speak. “F-four baby, I want four...” you couldn’t believe your own ears, he had fucked you delirious. He took control when your hips stuttered, the force knocking you flat against the bed. “...ooh, you’re gonna make me cum,” you huffed.

“Cum on daddy’s dick, let me see you make a mess,” he groaned.

“Oh fuck!” Your body stiffened as your orgasm washed over you. You could feel his pulse inside, knowing he wasn’t far behind. Quickly losing his momentum, Cane lost himself in the feel of you losing control.

 “I’m cumming…I’m cumming,” he groaned. “Shit, ma,” his eyes crossed as you milked him, unable to move as bliss claimed his body.

He slipped out and turned you over, limbs pliant and spent. The sheets were strewn waywardly, and you managed to knock a few pillows to the floor. With your eyes still fluttered closed, you could sense Cane hovering over you. He dropped a lingering kiss to your lips that dared to ignite more. “Baby…” you panted.

“I meant what I said.” Your eyes peeled open, and his face was solemn. “I never mean to scare you baby, I’m sorry,” your breath caught in your throat at his apology. “It’s enough hell in this world I go through to not come home to you.”

“So stay,” you grabbed his face. Cane relented, allowing himself to remain in your embrace for the night.

Author’s Note: Basically, our Reader found herself riding the business instead of standing on it. Yes, Cane is a softie and a trick in my heart. If you made it to the end, thank you!

[jazy3]

Wonka (2023) Movie Review

I went to see the new Wonka movie over the weekend and I highly recommend it! First off, it’s a musical! The marketing for the movie here hasn’t been making that clear at all which is a shame because it’s delightful! The movie made me cry and laugh out loud right off the bat. It’s the first movie that’s made me feel like that in a while. If you loved the original Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory with Gene Wilder you’ll like this one! It’s got the same vibe and spirit to it and the characters feel like ones you’d find in a Roald Dahl novel. It’s a great movie to take your kids too as well!

SPOILERS AHEAD!

In the film, Willy Wonka is an aspiring magician, inventor, and chocolatier. He arrives in Europe to establish his chocolate shop at the Galeries Gourmet. Armed with nothing but a hatful of dreams, he manages to change the world, one delectable bite at a time. He arrives in Paris and after using up his meager savings is coerced into staying at Mrs. Scrubitt's Boarding House by a man named Bleacher who turns out to be her henchman.

After falling into misfortune, he hatches an escape plan and with the help of his newfound friends finds a way to finally bring his chocolates to the masses and free himself and his friends from captivity and oppression. The movie is designed to be a prequel to the 1971 Classic but set in Paris and depending on your interpretation either pre-dates Wonka’s arrive in England or is set in an alternative timeline or universe.

This movie pulled on my heart strings and made me genuinely cry within the first few minutes. It also made me laugh hysterically! The comedic timing was great, and Hugh Grant as an Oompa Loompa was hilarious! I loved the back story they created for the Oompa Loompas about how they came to work for him and why they’re so loyal. It was way funnier and a lot less offensive than I was anticipating. I was worried they’d create a back story for them that would come across as prejudice and offensive, but they didn't. They found a way to make the interactions between Wonka and Hugh Grant’s character funny without being offensive.

What really makes the movie work is Timothée Chalamet’s performance. It turns out he’s a surprisingly good singer and you definitely buy him as Wonka! He brings the same sort of mischievous spirit and kindness to the role that Wilder did but puts his own spin on it. Calah Lane, the actress who plays Noodle, his main collaborator in the film, was excellent! She’s definitely one to watch! The movie featured Colour Blind Casting similar to how characters in the Shonda Rhimes universe are cast. So think Bridgerton meets Whimsical Musical. Speaking of which, Abigail the giraffe totally stole the show! An excellent addition to be sure!

The supporting cast was fantastic! Jim Carter, best known as the Butler from Downton Abbey plays an Accountant; Rowan Atkison, best known as Mr. Bean, plays a corrupt chocaholic priest, and Mathew Baynton from Horrible Histories plays a chocolate shop owner who’s a member of the city’s chocolate cartel. Fellow Horrible Histories alum Simon Farnaby plays Basil, a bamboozled Zoo security guard, Colin O'Brien from Dear Edward plays a young Willy Wonka, and Sally Hawkins plays his mother.

Kobna Holdbrook-Smith does an excellent job of playing a police officer with a conscience working in a corrupt system overrun by chocoholics! Keegan-Michael Key plays the corrupt and totally inept Chief of Police, and Olivia Coleman rounds out the cast as the despicable Mrs. Scrubitt! Part of the reason the characters feel so authentic to Dahl’s work is because they are based on characters from other stories of his. Paul King, the Director, worked closely with the Dahl Estate, and Dahl’s grandson Luke Kelly served as a Producer. The trio of villains known as the Chocolate Cartel were inspired by Boggis, Bunce, and Bean from the Fantastic Mr. Fox and the character of Mrs. Scrubbit was inspired by Dahl's short story The Landlady.

Some of my favourite lines of the film were:

“Judgement has come in the most unexpected way!”

“It's a ruined castle.”

“That does defy explanation.”

“Shouldn’t we be focusing on all those unsolved murders?”

“He doesn’t even work here!”

I thought the movie did a really good job of depicting Parisian culture and how expensive everything is! In real life Paris is beautiful but there are so many things that the movies get wrong about what Paris, France as a whole, and French culture is actually like. In real life, things in Paris are very expensive, you have to be warry of pick pockets, and you have to be careful as many of the people you’ll see have an angle or are trying to get something from you or make money off you. I loved that they found comedic ways to show that while also highlighting just how beautiful and charming the city can be.

I found the back story as to why Wonka hates Slugworth so much and their rivalry really interesting. I wasn’t expecting it and I was pleasantly surprised. The implication from the film, if you take it to be a prequel, is that while Slugworth’s co-conspirators Fickelgruber and Prodnose were finished for good after being exposed he eventually rebuilt his empire which is why the rivalry between himself and Wonka continued. I did find it strange that when they went looking for Noodle’s mom, they just went down the list of people with that name instead of starting with the librarians and book shop clerks in town when they know she was a bookworm based on what Slugworth told them.

I loved the castle building sequence at the end! Although I was a bit disappointed as I thought we were going to see how Wonka expanded his operation to London at the end. FYI there’s a cute little bonus scene soon after the credits start so stick around for that! I loved the epilogue song and them taking the time to tell us that there was going to be bonus content and a post-credits scene right after the bat so you didn’t have to sit and wait for it. If you like musicals and loved the original movie I really recommend this one!

Until next time!

[simstorian-blog]

R A N D O M W.I.P

Penny Pizzazz Apt.

Since I gave Penny Pizzazz a CAS makeover, it was only right that I gave her an "IT" girl apartment redo!

It never made sense to me as to why the kitchen was so huge and she did not have a dedicated bedroom. Looking at my CAS makeover, I remembered seeing a video pop up of Shonda Rhimes touring her NYC apartment, with Architectural Digest, and fell in love. So, I am using it as the inspiration behind the interior. Do you know how strong of an impression something has to make on me to remember it 2 years later??!!

Shonda Rhimes' (left) meets Carrie Bradshaw's (right) is where my mind landed. Here is how Penny's apartment sits currently:

[kamitrendz]

Inspired by the iconic hit Netflix series Bridgerton produced by Shonda Rhimes and the popular Bridgerton book, "Romancing Mister Bridgerton" by Julia Quinn, this design features Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington, formerly Lady Whistledown, in a carriage, with Colin fixing using his fingers to Penelope's dress onto her shoulders with the Colin Bridgerton quote "...I Watched The Way Starlight Dances Across Skin..." to the right of them, on a sticker. Check out Kamitrendz on @redbubble for more Bridgerton art designs and merch! @redbubbleartists KamiTrendz.redbubble.com #bridgerton #netflix #penelopefeatherington #penelopebridgerton #ladywhistledown #polin #colinbridgerton #nicolacoughlan #lukenewton #romancingmrbridgerton #fanart #merch #juliaquinn #shondaland #shondarhimes #kamitrendz #gift #forher #sale #onsale

[themosthopefulmisanthrope]

Why do it?

I became a writer because saying it out loud is excruciating.

I became a writer because my mind is a vortex of thoughts and in order to think straight I let them flow onto paper.

I became a writer because words will never judge me.

I became a writer because it allows me to be vulnerable.

I became a writer because “there are stories to be told that are still untold and characters to be portrayed that haven’t been portrayed correctly So, there’s work to be done.”

- Shonda Rhimes

I DONT want to be Shonda Rhimes. She inspires me to go beyond and be apart of the work that needs to be done. She embodies “black girl magic” and is blazing a path for us to come. We will take notes of her path and make our own.

[fitrahgolden]

I'm working on getting better at composites. This Kate and Anthony wedding photo is inspired by an AU I'm trying to get @newtonsheffield to consider (in a totally not annoying way, I'm sure). However, there's nothing distractedly modern about the photo, so I've decided this is my head canon for the wedding we never got to see in season 2. (Really, Shonda? There are TWO weddings in season 2, and neither of them are the couple the season is about? That will never make sense to me. Anyway...) Yes, she would absolutely be wearing her mother's bangles, but I'm not that good, so use your imagination. I think Kate definitely would have wanted some traditional Indian and Hindu traditions incorporated, and she wouldn't have worn a typical regency gown. Anyway, rambling over. Hope you guys like the picture. I'm proud of it.

[transamorousnetwork]

More Evidence Of The World Getting Better For Transgender People

We assert here at The Transamorous Network that the world always improves for trans people. And, the more a person focuses on improvement, the more improvement they will see. This applies to everything. Including finding love. If a transgender woman or a trans-attracted guy believes there are no eligible people out there, it’s going to be very difficult for them to find a partner.

But when they start looking at all the positive signs supporting their desire, finding a partner gets easier. Then it gets fun. Then the person ends up in a relationship!

This post, however, isn’t about relationships. It’s about the world getting better for transgender people.

As far-right pundits and their followers rage against trans people, just as many people are doing things to support trans people. Far more people actually advocate for trans people than those opposing them. Consider the large number of parents supporting their kids, for example. Think of all those kids supporting each other on social media. And nonprofit organizations offering support in all kinds of ways. Then there, of course, are trans-attracted men doing their part.

But the most recent support comes in the form of news from the movie industry. Hat tip, btw, to Mathea Magdalena for posting this in her Facebook feed.

The news broke back in December. We write our blog posts five weeks in advance. So while the news may be old, its impact on trans people is not. And it’s still worth celebrating. So let’s get to it!

Another movie star takes action

Late last year, Cate Blanchett announced a partnership with USC and her film production company co-founder to annually award $50,000 short-film awards to eight trans, nonbinary and female film makers. The program, called the Proof of Concept Accelerator Program began awarding in January.

According to LGBTQ Nation the actor launched the partnership after a “disappointing” movie set experience. She explained how the industry professed embracing diversity. Yet, when she arrived on set, not only was she the only woman in front of the camera, she said she was the only woman on set.

^^The announcement in LGBTQ Nation

Apparently this is often the case in movies. And while other actresses are making dents in that area, most notably actress/film makers such as Olivia Wilde, Reese Witherspoon, Issa Rae, Shonda Rimes and many, many more, men and their attitudes still dominate the industry. This is well known, but not often publicly talked about.

USC’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, a partner in the accelerator, recently made a notable discovery. Although it’s not earth shattering. According to their annual report, women comprised only six percent of directors across 1,600 top-grossing movies from 2007 to 2022. Meanwhile less than a third of all speaking roles in those films were girls, women, trans, or nonbinary characters.

In other words, Cate’s idea is sorely needed. Especially for trans actors and actresses and film makers.

^^The world we see is the one we create through our thoughts and beliefs. Transgender and trans-attracted people can vastly improve their lives by looking for and appreciating things going right in the world.

Life is getting better

We’ve always said life is improving for trans people. Our friend Mathea is in the film industry. She’s excited about what Cate is doing. I am too. It’s just one more piece of evidence showing how great life is getting for transgender people.

Again, the more we look at things going right in the world, especially for the transgender community, the more things will go right in the world for us as individuals. And as our lives get better, we sow seeds that inspire others to improve their lives.

It’s always good to help another person improve their life. But if that person keeps telling stories about how sucky their life or the world is, improvement will be slow in coming for them. If it comes at all.

That’s why learning to look at life in a positive way can benefit. All my clients are seeing those benefits happen in their lives.

Perhaps you’re ready to see them in yours?

[unit3-fmp]

Queen Charlotte

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is a historical drama series created by Shonda Rhimes. The series is a prequel spin-off of the Netflix series Bridgerton. The story is loosely based on the rise of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz to prominence and power in the late 18th century. 

Here is the trailer for Queen Charlotte showing a quick in sight into the plot of the series as well as some of the many extravagant costumes worn by the characters.

The Inspiration

Lyn Elizabeth Paolo and Laura Frecon, the costume designers of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, sourced inspiration from all over the world in a quest to find the best products available to bring the series to life showcasing the exquisite fashions of the time. They visited museums, silk mills and jewellery houses in Spain, Italy, England and the US. Along with this they custom-made hundreds of 1760s- accurate undergarments in order to fully resemble the fashions of the era.

Furthermore, although the series is fictional nearly all aspects of the costume design was taken from the history of the time; Georgian silhouettes and exact replica crowns created by Italian jeweller Pikkio.

Due to the incredible fabrication of all the costumes Lyn Elizabeth Paolo and Laura Frecon along with assistant costume designer Jovana Gospavic and costume supervisor Alex Locke, were nominated for an Emmy in the Outstanding Period Costumes for a Series category.

To create more interesting costumes and attract a larger audience Paolo and Frecon added a more modern aesthetic to the designs in which Frecon describes as "high fashion meets period style, with a twist."

In particular, 50s Christian Dior and Roger Vivier inspired many aspects of their designs adding these unique element to the costumes, not traditional seen in the Georgian Era. Paola states “Dior was a huge inspiration for us, especially because I think a lot of the Dior New Look actually came from this period, that shape and that silhouette. We were echoing the 1760s and the late 1940s, 1950s, and that Dior New Look is reflected in many of the costumes on the show.”

In addition, to fit with the show's modern take on aristocratic aesthetics we see the men of the show "gallivanting about in fancy embroidered waistcoats".

Jewels

Jewels played a huge part in the show, featured in the hair, embellished on garments and jewellery. Some pieces of Jewellery evoke historic royalty, including a replica of Marie Antoinette’s three-strand diamond bracelet, seen briefly on the young Queen Charlotte’s wrist, whilst others evoke Hollywood royalty, including pieces used in the 1938 film Marie Antoinette, starring Norma Shearer.

The most elaborate piece in the series was Queen Charlotte’s wedding tiara. Frecon said the headpiece was inspired by “historic images of other royals, including Queen Elizabeth II, and this beautiful tiara en tremblant from an Elie Saab runway show."

Queen Charlotte's evolution

While Paolo and Frecon looked to their extensive research for ideas, they also took inspiration from the author herself, Shonda Rhimes. Occasionally, the creator would write costume details directly into the script, for example Charlotte’s speech about her whalebone corset at the beginning.

We see throughout the show the older Queen Charlotte wears a lot of regal reds and golds, whereas the younger character is seen to start the series in greens, pinks and blues however as the show progresses "her greens get softer, and her oranges turn to peaches, and so the two versions become joined in a way”.

In contrast to this, the queen's style never changes as in Even in the Regency scenes, she continues to wear a Georgian-era dress silhouette. The reason for this was the designers wanted to focus the story on her and king Georges love story and therefore “This is the style she wore when she met her husband, when he still recognised her." Showing this piece of sadness and remorse behind her costumes.

Bentley, J. (2023). Behind the Seams: The Secrets of the ‘Queen Charlotte’ Costumes. [Online]. Tudum. Last Updated: 12 July 2023. Available at: https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/queen-charlotte-costumes [Accessed 9 February 2024].

Herman, V. (2023). Forget the village, it takes an army to costume the likes of ‘Queen Charlotte’. [Online]. Los Angeles Times. Last Updated: 16 August 2023. Available at: https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/awards/story/2023-08-16/costumes-queen-charlotte-massive- [Accessed 1 February 2024].

Corsets / Undergarments

Throughout the series we see every garment consist of a variety of undergarments to really capture the iconic Georgian silhouette with the wide hips and cinched waist. From corsets and panniers to drawers and pantaloons hundreds of undergarments were made for the show made to fit each actor perfectly and although they are still highly restrictive and as Queen Charlotte says, "I might be sliced and stabbed to death by my undergarments” thanks to the light, modern fabrics and stretchy panels in their corsets they are slightly more bearable for the characters.

Fabrics and Patterns

The main fabrics used in the construction of these fascinating costumes consisted of taffeta, silk, velvet, lace and mesh fitting with the fashions of the time and truly showing the Georgian style. The patterns however were not as Georgian as other aspects of the costumes, although they still replicated and linked with it, there was a much more modern twist, as the patterns were more muted and simplistic in comparison to the traditional patterns which include a variety of colours rather than the monochromatic theme we see in a large number go garments. In contrast, floral patterns are still the main focus like in the Georgian period, being featured in a number of elaborate gowns.

Shape / Silhouette

The iconic Georgian Silhouette features the large hips and cinched waist and although the hips are not as dramatic and huge as many gowns of the period were as shown below...

... but they still have that essence and style however with a more functional and modernised element. In addition, tight sleeves, square necks and high backs are seen in practically every garment creating this identifiable shape and style lines helping to create this base for my design. Furthermore, another common aspect is the asymmetrical sleeves where they are longer and the back and shorter at the front forming a tiered bell sleeve type of shape.

Cloaks

Throughout the series when a female character is seen to go outside in the cold or at night their gowns are paired with an equaly stunning cloak. The cloaks feature a large hood and a fairly simple design with a solid colour as the base however all with their own unique twist. We see some with frills and detailing around the edges and others with intricate ties at the front such as bows and brooch like designs as shown by some cloaks featured in the series below.

Sack-back Gowns

A sack-back gown was originally seen as an informal garment at the beginning of the 18th century, it was unfitted and loose, falling from the shoulders in a bell-like shape. From here, the gown developed being defined by the row of two double box pleats sewn in at the center of the neckline at the back of the dress which fell loose from the shoulder to the floor with a slight train. Although this is the main feature of the gown, they often feature open fronts, showing off a decorated stomacher and petticoat.

We see sack-back gowns are a popular style for the show, featuring in a number of iconic outfits however mainly seen to be worn by the older Queen Charlotte and young Lady Danbury rather than young Queen Charlotte, however I still love the effect it creates forming such an elegant and structured silhouette whilst also forming such a detailed and sophisticated design really drawing the viewer in.

[blackbird-brewster]

For the fci asks 2 & 9

[Send me 'Cursed' Fanfic Asks]

2. Do you write porn from the perspective of the character you want to be, or the one you want to bang?

If Tara Lewis is involved, I want to be the one getting fucked into oblivion. If I'm writing Jemily -- I'm both. I'm just very very queer and I want to be tied down and fucked senseless by Tara, JJ, and Emily. Is that too much to ask for?

9. Who/what are your inspirations for truly fucked up content?

When I first started writing Jemily back in 2014/15, I was in a Very Bad Place in my life. I used writing as a coping mechanism to work through my own shit (who hasn't done this, yanno?) I actually had a tag back then: #Write Like Shonda Kill Everyone You Love (Shonda Rhimes). And I sure did kill everyone! 90% of my fics had major character deaths. (Happy to say in the year I've been back at writing I have only killed someone ONCE! *Insert Growth.gif*) Here's an ongoing tally of my kill counts --

[daviddshiki]

The Adventures of David Dashiki- Happy Women’s Empowerment Month from Debbie Dashiki

Congratulations to all sisters in the struggle

I seize this moment to give some well - deserved ‘shoutouts’ to those sisters who claim the power and have been using it with dignity, confidence, valor and foresight all year. In unity, there is strength. However, you don’t have to wait to act. We have always been spontaneous. That is the beauty of us. Cute...Unpredictable...Sweet...and Devilish...Some females just never got the memo. Well Sisters I’m here to tell you today, in the words of Maya., “ YOU ARE PHENOMENAL !”

My first ‘shout out ‘ goes  to the receptionist at that hospital in Harlem who refused to give an appointment for my endoscopy because she said that the price was too high. “ Look, Sister. I would not pay that price AND I WORK HERE. This hospital receives a lot of money. It certainly does not need yours. Let those rich white people pay. Besides, they shouldn’t be coming here anyway. They should go to their private physician at their private hospital. Here’s what you do...” 

She directed me through the right channels and I guess I used my insurance. I never paid a cent out of my own pocketbook. In fact, THE PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETED AND i NEVER WAS ASKED FOR PAYMENT FROM ANYBODY. Thank you my sister. 

The above was really my second shout out. My primary was dedicated to Marie Brathwaite, my mother. She was a constant source of love, guidance and affection to me. She never changed her sentiments, belief or thoughts that I was her pride and joy. She made me happy beyond measure. We spent much of our time together in silence. She looked at me with exceptional approval and I marveled at her beauty which never faded.  Age? That was for other people. The moments, which are indelibly etched in my mind and heart , were those of ‘homework time’. I would be seated at the dining room table with books scattered everywhere. She would drag the ironing board into that room to be close to me. Each time she would utter the same words, “ What are you doing?  I would stretch a little, raise my head from the papers and just shout out,             “ Homework, Ma!” Her answer was always that smile of approval. It was all I needed. I would work hours on end for that smile. There was a kiss in it.... an embrace, a snuggle, a cuddle with ice cream on top. My favorite...Butter-Pecan. I loved her for that. 

Here is the list of women to whom I present my shoutouts. They are the inspiration, motivation, wisdom, excellence, genius, vision, joy, happiness, strength, fortitude, zeal, comfort, oracles, exhilaration, advisers, directors, counselors, gurus, genies, pilots, standards and loves of my life. 

ANGELA DAVIS  ( will someone please arrange a meeting with Angela and me.) LENA HORNE, ( Wow ! Did I admire her class and style),  SHIRLEY CHISOLM, FANNIE LOU HAMER, MISTY COPELAND, MICHELLE OBAMA, JUNIE SAUNDERS, MARIANNE FERGUSON, SERENA WILLIAMS, LIZZO, VIOLA DAVIS, KAMALA HARRIS, REGINA KING, LENA WAITHE, SHONDA RHIMES, STACEY ABRAMS...KAREN CLEMENTS ROACH ( a sister whose heart is as big as the moon)

I recall affectionately my first out of home or residence encounter with an empowering woman. I was one of those early schoolers who hated reading...I hated reading with a passion. On one particular day, my official classroom teacher took us on a trip to the library. The class was enthralled. The pupils  actually murmured  favorably about the room and the unbelievable number of books there were...and such a variety of themes, colors, pictures. They roamed the library in awe. There was one who was not at all excited about the experience. There was of course the movies. To me the cine was much more realistic. and, it had popcorn... The librarian was curious about this young student who did not enjoy her library. She sought her out and questioned her.for several  minutes on her distaste for the books she loved so dearly. During the cross examination, the little genius made known to her librarian hat she loved fashion. The next morning, she arrived at school to discover a box  wrapped in colored paper on her desk ,She ripped open the package and there inside was a book with a cute Black girl on the front cover. It was a story about a girl who was a natural artist and was a sweetheart who adored clothes, anything about fashion, style and glamour She started to look through the pages and could not put it down. There was also a note inside..’ If you would other books on the same topic just leave the book you now have in the return box outside of the library.’ And that she did. After 2 months , this student who despised books was the most accomplished reader in her class. I do not know where Ms. Librarian is today. I do not know whether or not she is alive. I just want to say thank you to this empowered woman who empowered.me to uncover  and appreciate a love for books.  I love you and will never forget your kindness and friendship for me. You changed my life.                         

There are so many empowered, blessed and anointed women who did not make my list. I empower you reader to do your own. 

HOLD ON A MINUTE...My husband, Daddy Dashiki asked that I include his Latin teacher , Mrs. Sophie Pasternak. He went to Boys High in Brooklyn. Sophie, as they addressed her without her permission, loved her class. It was to her the United Nations . Students from the entire planet were enrolled , from Armenia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Israel, Ireland and Brooklyn. She encouraged us not to  become discouraged by the rigorous curriculum , “You will reap the benefits one day...And, you will call out my name. “That was little solace then,. We had long nights grappling with hours of translation while our classmates were outside playing ball. She continued with the motivation. 

You are reading Latin works of literature, art and history. But, you are reading them in the original. You will express yourself more articulately. Your knowledge base will be profound. AND, In years to come, you will visit these strange places...YOU WILL CALL OUT MY NAME.  Many years later, I was standing on the Cliffs of Dover in England. Walking the lands of which Juluis Caesar spoke. All I could utter was, “ DAMN YOU, SOPHIE!”

[msclaritea]

Yes, Cumberbitches, let's talk about Benophie.

Let's talk about Shonda Rhimes getting into a very public fight with Disney, them landing immediately at Netflix, where she debuted her hit, Bridgerton, featuring a character named Benedict, who's a painter and not much else, but is supposed to have a romance with a woman named Sophie. But, that storyline was switched to debut next year, yet trolls connected to Sophie Hunter used the characters to make her herself trend, on the back of Doctor Strange promo, all Summer, even giving them the nickname used by Sophie Hunter p.r. for her and Benedict Cumberbatch, Benophie. Let's not forget the show using the Kardashians as inspiration 🙄

Oh look! You've even already picked out their Sophie. She's a red head.

And all of that might not be so farfetched if you hadn't done this before, most recently with a little production at Belgrade Theater; a play called Penguin featuring a girl named Sophie. Then promoted it.

I don't care about names mentioned. All of them or bought or TOLD. But let's talk about the constant thirst of all of you in Team Z to try and keep riding Benedict Cumberbatch's back like tics on a bull. That's all you are and your dirty friends are. So keep being the idiots we know you to be, exposing those helping you.

[kamitrendz]

Inspired by the iconic hit Netflix series Bridgerton produced by Shonda Rhimes and the popular Bridgerton book, "Romancing Mister Bridgerton" by Julia Quinn, this design features Lord Debling and Penelope Featherington, formerly Lady Whistledown, with Penelope semi laying in the grass with Lord Debling who in behind her with his hands on her waste and shoulder and a funny, humorous, hilarious quote bubble that says, "Do you think Colin saw us?" to the left of him on a sticker.

[homeslong]

Shonda rhimes anna delvey

SHONDA RHIMES ANNA DELVEY HOW TO

SHONDA RHIMES ANNA DELVEY MOVIE

SHONDA RHIMES ANNA DELVEY PROFESSIONAL

The surfaces shine, the dialogue is snappy, and the cast has pep. The villains have layers the heroes have weaknesses. The characters are rendered broadly but not cartoonishly. Inventing Anna features a lot of what Rhimes fans enjoy about her work.

SHONDA RHIMES ANNA DELVEY HOW TO

Though Rhimes made her reputation with the hit medical melodrama Grey’s Anatomy, the most influential shows from her Shondaland production company have been the likes of Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder and Bridgerton: stories about the ways the powerful flex their privilege, and the ways they can be brought low by small-timers bearing grudges and guile. This is all prime material for a Shonda Rhimes project, too. It encompasses so many quintessentially New York themes: An immigrant reinventing herself in a land of opportunity the preoccupation with the projection of success over true substance and the sometimes destructive results of FOMO envy in a city where someone is always out-thriving someone else. The Anna Delvey story could be Vivian’s last big shot. She’s also heavily pregnant, but ignores the advice of her friends and husband to take early maternity leave, because she’s determined to regain her lost prestige. She’s now hanging on by her fingernails at her old Manhattan job, stuck in a corner cubicle among the magazine’s unfashionable old-timers, where she half-heartedly chases whatever trendy story her editor assigns. A former rising star, she made a glaring error in a buzzy article and subsequently saw a prestigious new gig evaporate.

SHONDA RHIMES ANNA DELVEY PROFESSIONAL

Inventing Anna begins with Vivian at a low professional ebb. That said, it is worth noting how the character has been fictionalized, because that speaks to what the storyteller thinks makes for a compelling protagonist - and why a journalist’s life might need tweaking to be more “dramatic.” (Pressler’s not really a public figure, so it’s possible she insisted on the change.) It’d be unfair to criticize Inventing Anna based on how closely or not Vivian resembles her real-life inspiration, because that clearly isn’t what Rhimes and her team set out to do.

SHONDA RHIMES ANNA DELVEY MOVIE

Movie and TV movie producers fiddle with the particulars of true stories all the time: for legal reasons, for poetic license, or because using the real person’s name and details might be intrusive. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this switch. While Vivian shares some biographical traits with Pressler - most notably the lingering sting of a big professional embarrassment - the name-change indicates that Vivian shouldn’t be seen as exactly the same person who wrote the New York story. But her character (played by Anna Chlumsky) has been renamed Vivian Kent, and the magazine she writes for is now Manhattan. The show is officially adapted from Pressler’s article and she’s one of its producers. The second major character in Inventing Anna is Pressler … but not entirely. She then became a minor celebrity after her story was told by the reporter Jessica Pressler in a lengthy 2018 New York Magazine profile. Born in Russia as Anna Sorokin, she spent time in Germany, London, and Paris before visiting New York and finding it strangely easy to slip into the social circles of the obscenely wealthy. The first is Anna Delvey (played by Julia Garner): a cunning and stubbornly mysterious con artist who a few years back duped several well-connected rich folks and multiple high-end New York City institutions into believing she was an aristocratic European heiress and fundraiser. There are two main characters in producer Shonda Rhimes’ new Netflix miniseries Inventing Anna, both based on real people.

[doomed2repeat]

Philoise ReWrite

Thinking about how Shonda could tweak Eloise’s story to make it fit the world of Bridgerton the Show better, and now I’ve made myself obsessed with an idea I know we won’t get.

Make Eloise a governess.

Since show!Eloise has more of a feminist independence streak, I’d love it if her desire to do more with her life plus all of her talk of girls needing education inspires her to work, and become a governess. Eloise always talks of hating her society, and the big critique of her character is that she doesn’t do anything to really reject it. A woman of her station becoming a governess would be a step down, but would be a positive direction in her journey to be who she wants to be. Book Eloise was content with being a spinster, but show Eloise wouldn’t be content with relying on her brothers or being stuck in the house her whole life.

With Marina dead, Phillip would be in charge of finding a governess to teach the children, and Eloise would write to him to inquire about the job. Since Eloise and Marina are no longer cousins in the show, maybe Eloise hears about the job from Pen, and that’s how they begin their correspondence. For me, this solves one issue I have from the book where Eloise does not know her cousin had children, Philip never tells her in his letters, and she’s surprised when she arrives. Due to how Phillip and Marina got married, I feel like his show character wouldn’t treat taking on the responsibility of becoming a stepparent so lightly anyway. Show Eloise knows there will be children AND that’s she’s going to mind them on purpose. Instead of using her being surprised as a plot point, they can lean into the fact that Show Eloise has a lot of trauma around the idea of being a mother. Season 1 has her remind daphne about how terrifying it was to overhear hyacinth’s birth and violet almost dying, and season 2 shows daphne singing to her in Anthony’s flashback of the night. I see people saying all the time how Eloise criticizes motherhood so it sucks that her story basically makes her a mother immediately, but in the show it’s so clear that there’s trauma there, and each season so far has dealt with trauma left behind from childhood. This is Eloise’s.

As for the rest of it, I think everything else works for show Eloise- falling for someone over letters before she meets them makes sense for a girl who felt such strong kinship with lady whistledown in season 1 and who’s main resentment of the ton is feeling like she’s being stared at and appraised when she dresses up for a ball. Eloise would be secretive about her letters because she’d want to prove she could do the job before giving her brothers the chance to try to talk her out of it. Instead of Eloise throwing caution to the wind and running away because a man proposed to her by post, she’d be running away because she is looking for independence in a career, but subconsciously is attracted to the potential employer writing the letters. A conflict about independence vs depending on someone would be a great way to frame the season for show Eloise. And instead of giving up one for the other, imagine if Phillip- who had to give up his formal education when his brother died- encourages her to teach/be taught? Opening a village school together would give them more to bond over than her just indulging his love of botany.

But if I can’t watch nice things, maybe I can read nice things, so if anyone has a fanfic like this let a girl know!

[kooks71]

A ponder on the possibilities/hopes for season 3.

As my teens are home for the Easter holidays, I apparently have too much time on my hands. I've read so many plotlines/storyarcs on here and AO3 about how Colin & Penelope can finally get together, leading into Benedict's story...if the rumours are true and S3 is 'based' (hah!) On Romancing Mr Bridgerton.

Unlike S1 which ended the storyline tied up in a box with a blue bow, S2 has ended with more unanswered questions than 'who shot JR in Dallas?' 🤦‍♀️ and its bloody irritating, losing the 'spark' that brings Colin to his senses and seeing Penelope as the woman he should have been with all along.

I'm sure the writers have this already figured out and preproduction is underway. Crossing my fingers 🤞🤞🤞they don't drag the slow burn to the point of it fizzing out 😢

So, following on from this delightful scene:

1) Where do the Featherington family go from here?

The Featheringtons could spend the rest of the season in Bath. Pen using her LW money restores the family's fortune (as per the book). Returning for a new start just as a new London season begins a year later maybe, but choosing to socialise with a small circle of the 'ton' from their time away.

This gives them a chance to recover not only from Lord Jack's betrayal but a genuine reason to distance themselves from The Bridgerton family as per Eloises request. Giving Penelope a chance to recover from her humiliation thanks to Colin delightful declaration 🤦‍♀️

Why not use Bath as a location. The two 'seasons' overlapped and it would be interesting if Colin took the initiative to travel there to find out what's going on. Maybe even having Penelope fall ill even. (Hah...New storyline?)

I personally would enjoy her having met a genuinely decent noble & him courting her. With Colin finding out at his mother's birthday ball. (this has been done to death though) It certainly would open his eyes to view Pen as an attractive woman and with the possibility of losing her, he sees it as a challenge. (The rivalry plotline sigh.) I've said this on other blogs so many times and I apologise.

This could give him that nudge & find out why she left London without telling them. Whilst providing him with the chance to redeem himself with Penelope.

She needs to choose whether to marry for love, settling for it being one sided, or for obligation and the chance to get away from Portia to have a family of her own.

The angst bit comes when Eloise tells Colin Pen is Lady Whistledown just before their engagement ball. Huge argument and early bonkage bringing their wedding forward as he's ruined her. As to why Pen has decided to continue writing is 🤦‍♀️ as its just going to anger Eloise more.

The argument the two girls have seemed familiar. Turns out its the one Pen has with Colin when he's moaning about his lack of purpose and she hits back suggesting he puts himself in her situation. See I said E8 was messy 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

2) Benedict & Sophie

He's currently angry at Anthony for interfering. There is a strong possibility for Benedict to explore his sexuality whilst pursuing his artistic ambitions.

Sophie could be introduced in S3 as a maid, with her & Benedict's romance at the end of S3 with a masquerade ball leading to S4. Unless its Eloise or Francesca's turn.

Shonda did say she had plans for all the siblings stories, just not necessarily in the book order.

Taking some inspiration from Jane Austen, S3 has the capability of being a fantastic one. If any of the writers are on here, I hope they take on board the fans ideas.

Apologies for babbling and coming across as rather passionate about these characters, however it's keeping my mind off a few personal challenges.

@billy-hargrooves @bridgertonallday