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wh0reforcoriolanussnow · 1 year ago

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It Couple || Young!Coriolanus Snow x Capitol!reader

GIF by @youremyvioleta and divider by @firefly-graphics

Summary: just you and Coryo being the it couple at the academy 🤭

Warnings: fem!reader, idk if there’s anything else

Wc: 691

A/n: pls send thru fic requests for Tom!!!!

In the bustling halls of the Academy, you, the epitome of popularity, gracefully navigate the sea of admiring glances. You weren't particularly sure what factor of you made you so popular, maybe it was your kindness, looks, money, name? Whatever the reason may be you liked to bask in it, not in the cocky manner.

Your perfectly coordinated and confident demeanor were enough to turn any mundane day into a spectacle worth watching. Coriolanus Snow, the charming heartthrob of the academy, with his disheveled yet effortlessly handsome appearance, awaited you by your locker.

As he caught sight of you, a charming smile graced his lips, and he fell into step beside you. "Good morning, my love," Coryo said, his voice a velvet murmur that sent shivers down your spine. "Good morning, Coryo," your replied with a playful smirk, your eyes meeting his as you exchange a knowing look.

The chemistry between you was undeniable, and it added an extra layer of glamour to the 'it couple' status you both held. The title for it really came from a joke by Clemmie at the cafeteria as fellow students from younger years would shamelessly stare at you and Coryo doing such simple things, which in that case, was simply walking to your table.

From that day forward, the title flourished and spread around the academy. Instead of referring to you and Coryo in the context of you being together, they referred the two of you as the 'it couple'. It was quite undisputed, turning heads and sparking envy among your peers.

As you and Coriolanus walk side by side through the halls of the academy, whispers of admiration trail in your wake. Your relationship with Snow was the talk of the academy, maybe even the Capitol due to your high statuses. The two of you becoming a symbol of perfection, setting the standard for others to emulate.

"Snow and Y/l/n, they're practically royalty around here,' a hushed voice echoed from a cluster of students, "I wish I could be in their group for projects, It's like a ticket to instant success,' another voice chimed in.

Meanwhile, Coriolanus slid his arm around you waist, pulling you in a little closer with a smirk on his lips. "Do you see the way everyone's looking at us," he remarked, his eyes glinting with a mixture of pride and mischief.

It was undeniable that Coryo loved the attention. Even before the two of you started dating he would get attention, but now, it was different. "You just love the attention, don't you?" You teased, leaning into his touch.

He chuckled, a low, melodic sound that resonated through the hallway. "Guilty as charged. But it's even better when I get to share it with you, dove." Coryo purrs, his grip on your waist tightening as you giggle.

The day unfolded with the usual whirlwind of the classes, but it was during the partnered projects that your unity truly shone. In the lab, you and Coriolanus blended intellect and charm seamlessly, leaving your classmates in awe.

"How do they nail it every time," Io Jasper sighs making those around her chuckle, as they agree after seeing the elaborate model you and Coriolanus crafted. Coriolanus, known for his silver-tongued wit, had a way of making even the most tedious assignments feel like a delightful escapade.

Most, if not, all of the Academy's social events became your stage without you giving it much thought, and you and Coriolanus were the headline act. A grand ball celebrating the academy's founding anniversary was the the definition of lavish.

Dressed in a gorgeous dress that rivaled the stars, you walk into Heavensbee hall, your arm linked with Coriolanus. People around the entrance elicit gasps as the spotlight found the two of you.

Arachne rolls her eyes, observing the two of you with a group of friends. "How do they manage to look flawless all the time?" she comments, shaking her head. "It's nauseating." She finishes, tilting her head back to savor a sip of posca. Clemensia chuckles softly, "Well, there's a reason they're known as the 'it couple,'" she says, shrugging casually.

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breadbox-draws · 1 year ago

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KK LOOKS SO GOOFY AS DJ F-LIGHT/pos!!!! I WANNA HEAR MORE ABOUT THE TWO CHARTER AUS!!!!!

i'll be honest, i'm a little (pleasantly) surprised to see enthusiastic interest in these silly ideas- not as a self-deprecatory thought, mind, but more of an unexpectedness since this is a space where i just toss random doodles to the wind hdowjfjdk

i appreciate it very much though! yall folks and friends have been very kind <3

onto the ask at hand, i'll start with some preliminary details. Both iterations are some years older!, meaning that KK would be around his early thirties when he becomes a charter with a newly built district to his name (he's currently 27). Maxismum, the district, is relatively thin in width, and would likely be located on the outer rim of the city. While KK didn't originally want to become charter, in these AUs he's pushed or motivated to aim higher, so that he can provide a happy space for his friends and for Vinyl City. He takes this in two different ways, explained under the read-more!

(Foreword: these ideas are a wip, so the designs of the costumes and districts might change later on)

DJ F.Light

Route A is the Normal Route. Here, KK keeps his old stage name, DJ Dragonflyte, and just shortens it into an alias sometimes (the exact reason why is still pending, maybe as a way to get around without his reputation preceding him). KK continues with his philosophy of living the PLUR life (rave acronym for peace-love-unity-respect) and utilizes his status + district as a means of bringing attention to smaller and/or up-and-coming artists! It's sort of why his outfit is less flashy and looking like an ordinary event organizer, with some design inspirations coming from the look of aircraft marshallers.

Maxismum A:

This Maxismum has a topside and an underside, with the former being split up in quarters by cardinal direction.

The east and west quarters are long sections of bright neon roofed mall space, called Holiday Row East and West, respectively. They primarily function as a space where people can acquire 1) party paraphernalia (think Party City vibes) and 2) reasonably priced materials that can help someone kick off their own music career! So like instruments, costumes, sound equipment, etc, etc. The items are sort of generic though, since the inventory has to cater to a wide variety of people, so he encourages folks that do more specialized work, like costume and set designers, to advertise their wares at Holiday Row :]

The north quarter connects to an airport! Maxismum and Holiday Row also act as sort of touristy place, to be the first impression of Vinyl City (the airport + air tram access is also because it fits with his theme- he thought it would be cool). (i might not keep this idea)

The south quarter is residential, and while the apartments are well maintained, they're a bit tight on space and see a lot of foot traffic outside.

The underside is specifically used for performances, plural. It works similarly to underground warehouse raves back in the day, where there are separate "rooms" (buildings, at this size) that musicians can rent out for performance venues, and he'll accept any and all genres to take a crack at a real stage. The atmosphere of this layer is always generally dim, with streetlamps and blacklight fixtures and neon lights that decorate the area and lead people to places with 'ascension' motifs (airplanes, rockets, rising stars...you know, for Rising Stars).

DJ F.Light's venue, called the Blacklight Runway (a slight nod to a track by the same name from Dirty Androids), is the largest one there, and when he holds a concert, he never does it alone. He always invites other DJs or artists of similar genres to perform with him, where they cycle out the person playing after a certain amount of time. Each DJ is credited when it's their turn to play, and F.Light is always the last one to go. Anyone unfamiliar with his concerts might be surprised to see that...he was both the ticket guy at the door and the guy in the crowd that was *really* going ham with the cheering during everyone else's performances.

== ==

DJ Apotheotic

Route B is the "Bad" Route. This KK lets his nerves get to him and takes on the theme of the Sophisticated Techno Night Club. He transitions out of his old Dragonflyte theme completely and feeds into the idea that he *has* to look and act more "professional" in order to be taken seriously. Initially, that was in the spirit of benefiting Vinyl City, but he soon got lost with his vision and aimed for power and popularity instead, becoming dead set on being the Best.

Maxismum B:

Instead of "Party City Music Mall", the district looks much more like a futuristic minimalist, with architecture consisting of high rise polyhedral towers plated with sleek, black chrome and neon strips. (Think Tron: Legacy, for those that have seen the movie).

Instead of topside being split into quarters, there are just two halves: the business and residential districts.

Maxismum's offices are chic but practical, with a primary focus on digital equipment, like monitor screens, sound programs, and even gaming hardware. While not as artistically fancy as Dream Fever, there's definitely an energy of trying to be like 'what is sold or served here is of high quality, furnished with the latest upgrades and reputably sourced, and deserving of respect'.

The residential district is like...brutalism's chrome and neon cousin. Though the apartments are a little pricey, but they're close to air tram stations that connect to other parts of the city, and the living conditions and spaces are great, as long as you're okay with moving into a. block. It's all in the name of efficiency.

(The district sounds a bit bleak but it does have something of an active nightlife, with entertainment in darkness-themed establishments like arcades, laser tag, and bowling alleys. he hasn't completely gotten rid of his roots ey).

What stands out the most in the district is his venue, called...I'm less solid on this name (pun intended), but it's something along the lines of The Perfect Prism. It's a large building built on tall supports with an outer facade that changes its shape into different simple polyhedrons, like pyramid, cube, diamond. Sometimes a sphere. His concerts are the *only* official concerts allowed to happen in his district, and he runs his shows like he's the hottest thing in the city. I almost hesitate to say he's like a priest at his turntable pulpit because he's not...giving sermons or holding some kind of 'music Mass', but in the those calm breaks in the music when the DJ talks, he's definitely saying stuff like "my music will save your fucking soul (metaphorical)". And he doesn't just have his finger on the pulse of the party, his music *is* the pulse of the party, and he's "gonna deliver you from your troubles with a lotta noise, baby".

#bread art #art #oc art #nsr #nsr oc #no straight roads #KK #once again kinda proud of being able to knock out environments a little faster these days #doing the interior of Holiday Row and the exterior of Maxismum B took like 30 mins tops?#the writing took much more work to organize- welcome to the first of the text walls on this blog KJFDLASKF #i also- dont know why these images are so massive apologies #Charter AU

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akmedrah · 3 months ago

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Hostile Takeover [One-Shot]

Trying something new so if you like it, let me know.

[Earth, 2753]

"On this day, we celebrate!" Erin Grotto, President of the Terran Republic cried out, "over two hundred years ago, we humans as a species made a choice! A choice to lay down our arms, and instead focused on developing ourselves and our allies."

A large crowd of non-humans cheered loudly. Erin continued, "Where once we produced weapons, we now produce commodities. Where once we trained soldiers, children play. We have achieved something that many of our ancestors could never have dreamed of. Now, I would invite Empress Gulshik of the Horvan peoples to the stage."

A slimy looking woman with eight sets of legs and two sets of arms crawled forward, and up the podium her diminutive form letting her stand on the podium and have the mic at the right height. She spoke in her native language of chitters and pops, and it was translated by the universal translators. "Thank you President Grotto."

The Empress looked out across the crowd. "One hundred and fifty years ago, my people made contact with the Humans, not through war, but in commerce. We were frightened, and these beings who were so clearly built for combat surely would take what they wanted and leave nothing in their wake. Instead, they told us what they called a 'Peaceful acquisition.' They had been eyeing a planet that bordered our space, and rather than capturing it, they wanted to buy it."

Many of the political representatives on the elevated stage chuckled at the sense of déjà vu they had from their first meetings with the humans, The Empress let the chuckles die out before she continued. "We agreed to sell them the planet, and it sparked a long-lasting alliance with the Human peoples, as well as a golden age for my people and the peoples of the United Galactic Assembly as the humans became the leading financial power in the UGA."

A cheer ran through the crowd. "So it is my honor and privilege to welcome you all to the two hundred and sixth annual unity festival here on Earth. Let the festival begin!"

At that moment fireworks went off and recording began playing in each language, letting the attendees know that he festival would run all month and that free transport to the lunar transit hub was included with each ticket to the festival.

"Now," the Empress said, turning to President Grotto, "I think we had best adjourn to our other meeting shall we?"

"I suppose so," Erin said, looking longingly at his family who were headed into the festival, "let's get this done so we can all enjoy the festival."

The Empress, President Grotto, and the other political representatives all walked into a waiting shuttle and were taken to the lunar transit hub, where they took a teleporter to the massive space station halfway across the galaxy.

[United Galactic Assembly headquarters, 2753]

As the Empress and President Grotto materialized, they moved off the platform to join the streams of people walking through the UGA headquarters. They all flowed into a large room, where a single being of scales and teeth stood in the middle of the room.

A viscous looking woman, stands after all the seats are filled. "I call to order the United Galactic Assembly, and call for the final vote on the induction of the Ur'Hullan to the UGA."

The Scaled being in the middle of the room stood as a statue and waited to hear the verdict on his people's induction. The votes poured in over the next fifteen minutes. Finally, it was announced by the viscous woman, "The final vote is seven hundred thirty-eight for and three hundred fifteen against. The United Galactic Assembly welcomes the Ur'Hullan people into its fold and welcomes Ambassador Tix as their first ambassador."

A cheer ran through the crowd of dignitaries. The speaker relinquished the stage to Ambassador Tix, who was expected by tradition to make a speech and a request.

The scaley man stepped forward and waited for silence. "Thank you, lady speaker, I am honored to be here, and my people, while shamed to be welcomed by one so weak, are grateful nonetheless."

A murmur ran through the crowd, and there were rumblings about the universal translator AI still adapting to the language of the Ur'Hullan. Ambassador Tix continued, "I understand that it is customary for the newly accepted peoples to make a request, either of the UGA as a whole or to a singular people. My people have a demand to make of the species that you all kowtow to, the Humans."

President Grotto got a sinking feeling in his gut. He stood to face the new Ambassador. "I will hear your request on behalf of humanity."

Ambassador Tix chuckled, "Our demand is that you soft humans quit playing at having power and turn over the machinations of your economic power to the Ur'Hullan immediately."

President Grotto quietly pressed a button inset into his wedding ring and then spoke. "That is quite the request. What happens if Humanity refuses."

"Then my people will kill your people one by one until you accept." The scaled Ambassador said with a wicked smile. "Starting with your own family."

Just then several more Ur'Hullan marched in with President Grotto's Wife and three children. The Ambassador smiled, "What can you do Mr. President? I mean you said it yourself earlier today, that over two hundred years ago Humanity lay down their weapons."

Empress Gulshik was in shock, and she was preparing to issue orders to support Humanity after President Grotto accepted the demand, she looked at the President. In all her many years of working with the man, they had grown to be good friends; their children played together, and she had never once seen anything but a warm smile from the man, even when he was upset.

Now, all the Empress saw in the eyes of the man she called friend was a cold focus that made a portion of her brain scream in fear. The President stepped forward and slowly walked to the ground level, across the open space, and up onto the raised center dais. He stood there looking at the scaled creature that was roughly his height.

"Tell me, Ambassador Tix, do your people hold to the old ways?" The President said, taking off his watch, and beginning to undo the many buttons of his dress shirt.

"We do not follow the ways of a weak species such as Humanity!" The Ambassador roared.

"No, I meant the old ways of your people," The President said, undoing the cuff buttons of his shirt, "your people follow the path of Ur Na Hallten, correct."

A brief look of surprise washed over the face of Ambassador Tix, "Yes, we do, what is it to you, weak Human?"

"In your path, you have the concept of Ki'Gara." The President said, removing his dress shirt leaving his undershirt in place, "and I challenge you to Ki'Gara as is my right according to your own path."

The roar of laughter that came from every Ur'Hullan in the hall was boisterous. Finally, after wiping the tears of mirth from his eyes, Ambassador Tix responded, "You would challenge me to single combat!? Very well, why not? As the challenge, I get to determine the stakes. If I win, Humanity will surrender its resources, as well as fifty thousand young men and women, to serve as slaves for my people. If you win, We will relinquish our claim, and my people will lay down their arms and become pacifists. Now tell me, Human, what are the conditions for victory?"

The President finished stretching as he looked up at the Ambassador, "To surrender or death, of course."

The Ur'Hullan warriors laughed again, and the President, already enraged, roared out at a volume that shocked all who were watching this happen, "Silence!"

A shocked moment allowed President Grotto to regain a modicum of calculated composure, "you asked what the conditions were and I answered, now either forfeit or prepare yourself."

The crowd remained silent as the two men prepared themselves. Finally it was time, and they squared off against each other. The President brought his fists up, and began to bounce lightly on his feet. As they circled each other, President Grotto spoke, "Tell me Ambassador Tix, did you happed to look at Humanity's history prior to us laying down our weapons?"

"Why would I care for the history of the weak!" Tix raged and lunged for the bouncing President, who dodged out of the way.

"You should have; you would have seen that my people were not always weak as you say," The President punched the Ambassador in the face after dodging another bestial lunge. "you might have seen that we were athletes and warriors of an astonishing level. You might also have seen that when we lay down our arms, we made changes to our society."

Ambassador Tix roared and launched a ferocious string of attacks, which President Grotto dodged most of, catching the claws of the Ambassador's left hand on his right shoulder. The Ambassador snarled, breathing heavily, as he continued to rain down blows.

President Grotto looked relaxed, dodging under sweeps and tossing counter attacks where he could, he spoke as they fought. "The changes that we made to our society, was to place the responsibility of safety and security onto the individual."

The Ambassador was flagging, his breath coming in desperate gasps, his arms leaden. He lunged for one final attack, intending to end the fight, and instead found himself in a chokehold. He felt the shocking muscle density contained beneath the pink human skin flex and begin to tighten down on his throat. Ambassador Tix opened his mouth to signal surrender and found himself unable to do so due to how little breath he could get.

President Grotto flexed, closing the chokehold tighter and tighter, and as the Ambassador rode the fleeting edge of consciousness, The President whispered in the Ambassador's ear, "You think that just because we lay down our weapons, we are weak, we simply do not have any adequate challengers. And you think the move to make is to threaten my family. I should kill you."

The President squeezes slightly harder until Ambassador Tix goes limp and then tosses him to the ground. "I think that I win. If you wish to wait for him to wake and surrender, I am fine with that."

The Ur'Hullan warriors dropped their weapons and let The President's family rush to him. Applause started quietly and rose to a roaring sound. As the assembled dignitaries cheered for him, President Grotto reassured his family he was okay and watched as Ambassador Tix Was woken up by the other Ur'Hullan.

When he finally woke up, President Grotto stepped forward between the Ambassador and his family, "Do you yield?"

Ambassador Tix, his teeth grinding brutally together, spoke with barely contained rage, "I... Yield."

The Ambassador turned to leave, but the President stopped him, "Ambassador Tix before you go, there is the matter of what was promised."

Every Ur'Hullan present flinched, and President Grotto continued speaking, "As is my right as victor of the Ki'Gara, I will absolve you of responsibility in upholding your agreement. Let this serve as a reminder that just because we have decided to be peaceful, does not mean that we will lay back accept a hostile takeover."

The Ur'Hullan looked relieved as they left, and President Grotto was glad that everything had turned out as it had. Before he forgot, he pressed another button hidden on his wedding ring, standing down two-hundred-year-old protocols. President Grotto looked at his children, "Shall we go home?"

They all nodded, and President Grotto left with them.

[Earth, 2753 - the next day]

As President Grotto stood with his wife, smiling at their children as they rode a traditional carnival ride, he heard a familiar voice.

"Hello, Erin."

"Empress Gulshik! What a surprise, I did not know you would be joining us today," President Grotto said with a smile, "to what do I owe the honor."

"I was hoping I might speak to you for a moment of your time about what happened yesterday." The Empress said, unsure how to deal with this man who she was not sure she knew anymore.

"Of course," The President kissed his wife on the cheek and began to walk with the Empress, her security group giving them a small bubble of space as they moved, "so what can I do for you my friend?"

"To be blunt," The Empress said, deciding to cut through the bullshit as she usually would with him, "What the fuck?!"

The President chuckled and the Empress continued, "What was that, I thought you were weak, as a people comparatively, I knew that there were powerful individuals among humanity, but I was unaware that you are one such person."

"Oh, I'm not," The President said chuckling once more at the look on the Empress's face. He took a seat on a bench seat, allowing her to climb up on the bench and situate herself before he continued, "when we lay down our weapons, we did so for many reasons."

"Yes, because you had grown past your violent ways, all the history books say this." The Empress said dismissively.

"That was part of it, certainly. What I am about to tell you is not necessarily a state secret, but it is something that we humans play close to the chest." The President looked amused at the excited look on Empress Gulshik's face, "Humanity has a past that is far bloodier than anyone in the UGA realizes, and when we first encountered the UGA, we rapidly realized that very few, if any, other species manage to get to the point of interspecies relations if they have as violent a history as we did."

The Empress was shocked; while she did not know much about human history before her time, she had thought they were always like the mild-mannered, kind, and caring people, she knew them as. The President continued talking. "We did some scouting and quickly realized that if we wanted to, we could take over the UGA through force quite easily. We estimated it would not take much longer than a week. At that moment, we decided that it was not something that we wanted, so along with some social reform, we mothballed our military weapons and ships, leaving only the planetary defenses in operation."

Empress Gulshik's eyes widened; she did not know that it was possible to have defenses on a planetary scale. She listened to the President talk for almost an hour about the social changes and how Humanity became a unified collective with peace as a goal, but also unilaterally decided that every man, woman, and child would train in combat and weapons usage under the guise of sports. When he was done, the sun had started to set, and the Empress felt like she was sitting next to a monster of some kind.

"So what questions do you have?" President Grotto asked.

"I have one question, why? Why do all this? What could possibly drive you to do this." The Empress was desperately trying to understand.

"I have three answers for that. Firstly, because of that," President Grotto chuckled, gesturing to his children who were playing with a group of children from several different races, "the hope that our children could grow up in a world where their friends could be any race, and they could go visit any world they wished to."

The Empress nodded, "And secondly?"

"For things like today," President Grotto said, "we are prepared to defend ourselves and those we care for. As a species, we are prepared to defend all our allies."

The President's tone had grown serious, and The Empress was unsure if she wanted to know the third reason. President Grotto didn't give her a chance to back out, though, and spoke. "The last reason is that the multiverse is a large place, and while we have been fortunate that almost every single race we have met has ended up being some kind of friendly, we hold no delusions. One day, the UGA will encounter a race that is hellbent on death and destruction. On that day, Humanity will take up arms once again and go to war."

Those words sent a shiver down the back of the Empress. She didn't know what to say, and was spared having to try and figure something out by President Grotto rising and bidding her farewell, and moving to join his family.

The Empress thought only one thing as she made her way back to the lunar transit hub.

"Thank the gods for Peaceful Acquisition."

---===--- If you like this story and want to see more like it check out my writing on these other platforms.

#akmedrah #hfy #fantasy #writing #stories #science fiction #creative writing #one shot #one off #full writing

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religion-is-a-mental-illness · 1 year ago

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Killing America - Man of Steele Productions

Full film: Twitter, Substack and Rumble.

https://twitter.com/Hebro_Steele/status/1761471883349004483

For the last several months, I've been working on a 38 minute documentary, "Killing America: Can America's Schools be Saved?" I'm proud to release the trailer today and it is below.

What happened in southern Israel on October 7th shook the world in many ways. Most of us never imagined that the ripple effects would reach our public high schools in America, but they did and what they revealed was a shockingly strong current of antisemitism among teachers, students, and staff.

This comes after years of anti-white and anti-Asian hate. Where was this tribal hatred coming from, especially after 60 years of diversity efforts that promised us unity? That is why I decided to do a deep dive investigation in the Bay Area schools and Killing America is the result.

In the comment section, I will post updates re screenings, locations, and ticket sales.

https://twitter.com/Hebro_Steele/status/1776396571699294718

After enduring a week of unwarranted takedowns of the Killing America trailer on @Youtube and @Vimeo as well as receiving a baseless cease and desist letter that seeks to prevent my documentary from being shown in its original form, I’ve decided to release the full (38 min) version of Killing America on this platform.

Let’s be clear, @TheMAChronicle claims that this is a copyright issue, but it is not. Our work is fully protected by the Fair Use doctrine, which allows us to use even copyrighted footage under certain guidelines. (See explanation in comments section.)

These left-wing activists cannot stand dissent or opposition to the ideological order they seek to impose in our schools as well as our larger society. What you are witnessing here is the weaponization of the copyright law in these ugly culture wars to prevent my film from being shown in its full form. This is nothing less than suppression of free speech, which includes artistic expression and free thought.

The "crime" that Killing America commits is telling the truth during these ideological times. Watch the film and you’ll see why extremist ideologues are doing everything in their power to censor the film and why I decided not to play their game and go straight to you, The People.

Lastly, I have made the point to release this film as widely as possible for free because I want the word out. We've been too far timid and we've allowed ourselves to be intimidated for too long, so please share this film widely.

At the same time, people have asked if they can donate small fee for watching the film or make a contribution to cover the cost that I personally incurred during the making of the film as well as legal fees (lawyer consults). I truly appreciate this because this film was a labor of love for me, a continuation of my family’s legacy of civil rights activism that dates back to 1942: https://donate.stripe.com/cN24ja95E06SgLe5kk

Teachers who behave like activists need to be fired and decredentialed.

#Eli Steele #Killing America #ethnic studies #ideological corruption #corruption of education #antisemitism #equity #diversity #inclusion #diversity equity and inclusion #pro palestine #palestine #pro hamas #hamas supporters #israel #islamic terrorism #islam #religion is a mental illness

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void-galaxy-shenanigans · 1 year ago

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just had a Thought™¹. ✨Reader discretion is advised✨, AKA read at your own risk and hate will be blocked.

¹ based on conversations with my ex-Mormon friends & Christian friends, & my attempts to understand and reassure them

~~~~

¿what if suffering is the worst sin? ¿what if building a life that brings you joy is the ticket to heaven?

~~~~

in more detail:

¿what if causing suffering of any kind unto others is the worst sin? ¿what if letting your suffering hurt other people is the worst sin?

¿what if telling everyone they’re sinned and doomed to hell is enacting the worst sin? ¿what if telling children they are unholy and sinners is the worst sin? ¿what if “holy” wars are the worst sin?

¿what if being “kind” and “charitable” only for status or out of fear of eternal punishment is a sin?

or even.... ¿what if forcing yourself to eat something you don’t want to is a sin? ¿what if submitting to “the grind” is a sin? ¿what if complacency is a sin?

in reverse, ¿what if joy is the ticket to heaven? ¿what if going on that trip you wanna go on is the ticket to heaven? ¿what if being kind just to be kind & for no personal self-gain is the ticket to heaven?

¿what if telling people they are sacred and holy and loved (truly loved, for who they are & not in spite of it) by God is the ticket to heaven? ¿what if telling children that (because Jesus died for their sins) they are protected and holy just for being alive?

¿what if knowledge, and wielding it wisely is the ticket to heaven? ¿what if the lesson of Adam and Eve was to remind us of what was sacrificed to bring knowledge to us, making knowledge itself holy and of God Himself?

¿what if the lesson of Lucifer the Devil is not to fear him but to love his complexity and embrace him as God’s son? ¿what if God told the tale of his fallen son to remind us all to love our children dearly? ¿what if God was sharing his deepest regret— that he did not love his son as deeply as Lucifer needed?

¿what if the tale of Abraham and Isaac is to remind us that your children are just as important as God? ¿to show us that loving and protecting your loved ones is, in fact, to love God Himself?

¿what if kindly alerting the waiter/waitress or server that something is amiss (you received the wrong food, or it’s cold when it should be warm, or the cooks / preparers forgot to add or remove an ingredient, or etc.) is a ticket to heaven? ¿what if revolution and standing up for what you believe in is a ticket to heaven? ¿what if using your voice is a ticket to heaven? ¿what if using your privilege to protect others is a ticket to heaven?

¿what if self-love and self-respect are a ticket to heaven?

¿what if love and respect and unity are holy and lead to heaven, but hate and division and ignorance and complacency lead to hell?

¿what if the reason it’s a staircase to heaven is because you have to evolve and heal and grow as a person, to resist and re-evaluate instinctual feelings (and written languages, and spoken languages, and thoughts) before acting upon them, and that takes a lot of work?

¿what is the whole point is to show God you are willing to work on yourself and build connection with others before you are allowed into his home and around his children (angels, beloved pets, and other deceased souls)?

¿what if it’s a highway to hell because you can stay complacent and blind and are easily manipulated (highway hypnosis), and because you can hurt animals and people easily, and because you’re on autopilot and instinct and thoughtless power saving mode, all of which are easy and require very little from you?

¿what if it’s a highway to hell because you can crash blindly through wilderness, through homes, through living beings, and hardly notice a bump in the road? ¿what if mindlessness and carelessness are the fuel (gas, battery power, etc.) to drive to hell?

~~~

¿Do you hear me? ¿Do you understand?

(Also semi seriously, ¿should I start a branch of Christianity / a church based around this concept, with its own commandments that are freeing and gentle and loving?)

~~~

~Nico (he/they)

#christianity #deconstruction #deconstructing christianity #sins #sinning #heaven #hell #reevaluation #~Nico #healing from trauma #healing

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dojae-huh · 2 years ago

Note

https://twitter.com/xoxodo0/status/1728733506552181247?t=Cz7UP3FMRJKOALjLz3HIlA&s=19

Did you see the hug got tightens in the middle😭😭😭😭....huh him.. I cant...I dont ship them...just put aside all shipping things...I dont knw what to say...I am literally crying...dotae is something that I grow with...even tho I came to the fandome very late, they become my safe zone pretty fast..since then I dont knw what happens to me when I see them tgther..like i have been there with them in their 11years of friendship...I ship them with other neos but if they r tgthr I forgt all that...like they really makes me smthng...their talk care love evrthing...I am down bad for them..dont knw how to live without ty around dy nd nct ....I hate military...why the hell they need to do the mandatory military service when there r ppl willing to do it...aaah....my poor ty...nd his team...even haechan nd mark got emotional nd cried today....their heart must have felt the sadness that they poured their tears like that...again it might be their last con with full membrs ...I dont feel like writing anymore...going to cry...bye...

Link

Aren't we all jealous of this friendship? It's no wonder Do thinks 127 meeting is destiny considering how many bonds members have developed.

There are concerts already scheduled for Japan and some Asian countries. Taeyong should be there. SM can't sell tickets without announsing which members will be missing (like with Taeil). The merch for Unity also offers 8 members.

#ask me away #the second boyfriend

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jingleholidaybazar1 · 6 days ago

Text

Discovering the Majesty of Akshardham Temple, Delhi – A Spiritual and Architectural Wonder by Jingle Holiday Bazar

Introduction: A Spiritual Encounter at the Heart of Delhi

The capital city of India is a rich cloth woven with ancient tradition and contemporary miracles. Between archaeological forts and lively markets, there is a shelter of peace and divinity - Akshardham Temple Delhi. Holy for its amazing architecture and holy environment, this Kolopal Hindu temple is not just a religious complex; It is a part of India's magnificent cultural, spiritual, and artistic heritage.

At Jingle Holiday Bazar, we design unforgettable travel experiences, and Akshardham Temple Delhi is a must-have in every journey. Be a pilgrim, history buff, or a tourist in search of beauty and ideas; this much-loved landmark has it all.

Architectural Brilliance and Cultural Depth

Built under the instructions of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha and opened in 2005, Akshardham Temple Delhi depicts the majesty of Indian craftsmanship and faith. Every stone of this temple talks of faith, harmony, and age-old tradition.

The principal temple is constructed with complex carved white marble and sandstone, without a single piece of steel. It has more than 20,000 careful sculptures of gods, sages, and mythological beings. It includes a 9.5-foot-long statue of Lord Swaminarayan in the central sanctum sanctorum, which has been passed down from the images of his spiritual heirs. Excellent carvings, domes, and columns take inspiration from the designs of the ancient Indian temple, which is full of a heavenly appearance.

Highlights of Akshardham Temple, Delhi

Sahaj Anand Water Show: An imposing multimedia water show on an old legend, integrating lights, lasers, fire, and fountains to convey a forceful message on inner peace and self-discovery.

Yagnapurush Kund: The world's largest stepwell, where the water show takes place, is a paragon of symmetry and sacred geometry.

Exhibition Halls: Interactive exhibitions like Hall of Values (Sahajanand Darshan), Cultural Boat Ride (Sanskruti Vihar), and Neelkanth Darshan (IMAX-style movie on Swaminarayan's youth) offer a penetration into India's culture, values, and contributions to mankind.

Garden of India (Bharat Upavan): Well-landscaped garden featuring bronze statues of India's heroes, seers, and warriors.

The temple complex is as much a center for worship as it is for learning and contemplation, turning Akshardham Temple Delhi into an inclusive cultural event.

Spiritual Significance and Visitor Experience

Apart from its royal design, Akshardham Temple Delhi is also a spiritual source that wants to carry forward peace, harmony, and devotion. The temple reflects the teachings of the ancient Vedic traditions of Lord Swaminarayan and unity, non-violence, and selfless service.

Visitors often describe the experience as both astonishing and calm. The silence inside the sanctum sanctorum, a calm environment, and spiritually charged environment, allows one to disconnect from the chaos of daily life and connect with something high.

Jingle Holiday Bazar makes your visit as peaceful and enlightening as it is awe-inspiring. Our customized guide services, skip-the-line ticketing, and carefully selected tips will make your trip to Akshardham Temple in Delhi hassle-free and rewarding.

Visitor Tips and Practical Information

Opening Hours: The temple is open from Tuesday through Sunday, 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM (closed on Monday). Admission to exhibitions and the water show generally closes at 6:00 PM.

Entry Fees: Temple complex entry is free, but tickets are necessary for exhibitions and the water show.

Dress Code: Modest dress is essential. Refrain from sleeveless or short dresses.

Photography: Mobile phones, cameras, and bags are prohibited within. Cloakroom facilities are provided.

For an issue-free visit, Jingle Holiday Bazar offers pre-booked passes, travel coordination, and full itinerary management.

Why should Akhadham Temple, Delhi, go on your travel agenda

Architectural Masterpiece: From its complex carvings to its grand domes and gardens, the temple is a feast for the eyes.

Spiritual Sanctuary: A peaceful return, perfect for prayer and meditation from the city's chaos.

Cultural showcase: Through demonstrations, the temple brilliantly revealed India's gift for philosophy, science, art, and spirituality.

Family-friendly experience: Educational and inspiring performance, it is great for travelers of any age.

By adding Akhshadham Temple Delhi in your tour plan with Jingle Holiday Bazaar, you are not just watching a monument - you are entering a story of trust and excellence that crosses time.

Conclusion: A Pilgrimage to the Soul of India

Akshardham Temple Delhi is not just a temple; it's an invitation to discover India's soul in its spirituality, heritage, and art. Whether one is looking at the sacred idol in the sanctum or is awestruck at the vivified tales in the exhibition galleries, the experience stays deep within.

At Jingle Holiday Bazar, we think that travel cannot just be about places—it has to be about discovery, emotion, and memory. Let us guide you to behold the grandeur and tranquility of Akshardham Temple Delhi, one of the best representations of India's immortality.

Book a Delhi spiritual tour with Jingle Holiday Bazar and see Akshardham Temple in a whole new way. Have your travel ignite your soul.

Ramayana Yatra Tour Packages

Charan Paduka Vaishno Devi

#Akshardham Temple Delhi #delhi ncr #chandni chowk delhi #Delhi

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dizcoverpraveg · 16 days ago

Text

Everything You Need to Know About the Statue of Unity

Gujarat Tourism has always been working on creative ideas to boost its tourism sector. When the Statue of Unity was inaugurated, there was a big rise in the number of tourists in the state, which has been a marvellous tourist spot for travel enthusiasts. Many of us probably don’t know that the Iron Man of India statue, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, was inaugurated on his 143rd anniversary. Today, it has been visited by many tourists because of its grandeur and mesmerizing structure. Here is a comprehensive tour guide for people planning to visit the SoU for the first time and make an informed decision.

Tallest Statue in The World

https://www.dizcoverpraveg.com/assets/img/blog/Panoramic-Sights-with-a-Good-Environment_10.gif

The SoU witnesses millions of tourists every year because it is labelled as the tallest statue in the world, which is 182 metres tall, under the budget of 3000 Cr. The statue was constructed in a record time of 33 months, all the hard work and dedication of all the engineers and the crew. SoU is situated near the Narmada River, and it is 200 km away from the heritage city of Ahmedabad.

Ticket Price and Timings

SoU offers different types of tickets:

1. SoU Entry Ticket: It is operational from 8 am to 6 pm which includes Audio Visual Gallery, Exhibition, Valley of Flowers, Sardar Sarovar Dam Viewpoint and Bus Service for above places. Visitors cannot go through the Viewing Gallery using this ticket.

2. SoU Viewing Gallery: From 8 am to 6 pm, visitors can visit the Viewing Gallery along with the SoU entry. In Addition, with this ticket, visitors can gain access to Exhibition, Audio Visual Gallery, Valley of Flowers, Dam Viewpoint and Bus Service for above places.

3. SoU Express Entry: Operational timings are from 8 am to 6 pm, and you don’t have to stand in a long queue. With this ticket, you can enjoy the Viewing Gallery in addition to SoU entry, complimentary access to the Light and Sound show at the M&VC terrace area (seating is on a first-come, first-served basis), Valley of Flowers, the Dam’s Viewpoints, and Bus Service.

How to Reach?

If you are planning to go by bus, you can reach the closest Bus Stop in Kevadia, which can take you to SoU directly. You can also hire a local auto to reach the destination. The closest railway station to SoU is located in Kevadiya (KDCY), followed by Vadodara. Once you arrive at the Vadodara railway station, you can simply get into the public transport or take a cab to reach SoU. The nearest airport to SoU is located in Vadodara (BDQ), which is around 90 km from it. Once you reach the airport, you can get a cab to reach the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel statue.

Things to do at SoU

The entire premises at SoU are dedicated to the legacy of Iron Man of India – Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The statue was built as a tribute to him to showcase his life and achievements. A museum includes around 2000 photos of the life of Sardar Patel, which are an inspiration for everyone. Must visit the Valley of Flowers, which is filled with thousands of elegant flowers, and their fragrance will leave you spellbound. Sardar Sarovar Dam is one of the amazing things to witness because it offers breathtaking views of the 256 km long reservoir surrounded by the Vindhya and Satpura mountain ranges.

Interesting Facts

1. Statue of Unity is not only the tallest statue on the world but also it is also famous of being one of the largest monuments too.

2. SoU is 89 metres taller as compared to Statue of Liberty and 29 metres to the Spring Temple Buddha statue in China.

3. From 300 engineers to 3000 workers have been working together to construct this gigantic monument.

3. SoU can withstand earthquakes and bare the wind speed up to 100 km per second.

4. High-speed elevators have been integrated into the statue that can take 26 individuals to the top in just 30 seconds.

5. 200 people can view the Sarovar Dam from the statue’s Viewing Gallery, which is situated at 152 metres.

Where to Stay?

Well, there are many places to stay near SoU, but if you are looking for a luxurious stay, Tent City Narmada is your ideal place. This resort offers lavish amenities and well-appointed tent stays that will provide you with complete serenity near nature. You can enjoy swimming, savour veg food at their multi-cuisine restaurant, and explore the nearest attractions. The resort was constructed to provide a glamping experience to visitors who are looking for adventure with luxury.

Summing Up

SoU is a masterpiece when compared to other monuments in the world. If you are planning to visit the Statue of Unity, make sure you do not miss a single thing here and enjoy the complete adventurous trip by stay near Statue of Unity. Be proud and stay motivated by visiting the Statue of Unity in Gujarat.

#tent city naramda

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gujaratdarshan · 19 days ago

Text

Plan a memorable family trip to the Statue of Unity with these 7 useful tips, including travel advice, hotel suggestions, ticket details, and fun activities for kids to ensure everything goes smoothly.

#StatueOfUnityTrip #FamilyTravelTips

0 notes

statueofunitypackage · 2 years ago

Text

Statue of Unity Package Online Booking | SOU

Looking for the best Statue of Unity Package Online Booking? We offer Full Day Packages; Night Packages; Cab Booking and more. Book now

#statue of unity tour package #statue of unity package #statue of unity online booking #statue of unity ticket price online booking #statue of unity ticket online booking #statue of unity online booking price

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cakermonsblog · 2 months ago

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Find the Best Cake Shop in Kolkata: CakeRMon's Amazing Creations & Franchise Opportunities

Kolkata, the city renowned for its food culture, harbors an eternal passion for sweets and cakes. Amidst its busy streets and dynamic life, CakeRMon stands out as the most popular and best cake shop in Kolkata, mesmerizing the locals with its inescapable masterpieces. From rich birthday cakes to sophisticated anniversary desserts, this bakery harmonizes tradition with innovation, leaving every occasion unforgettable.

Celebrate Life's Moments with CakeRMon

Being the most popular birthday cake shop in Kolkata, CakeRMon designs fantastical cakes for all ages. From a superhero cake for a kid to a classy fondant cake for an adult, their creativity has no limits. Likewise, their status as a top anniversary cake shop in Kolkata is due to their capacity to infuse emotions into edible art. Imagine lush flower arrangements, customized messages, and layers of decadent flavors that represent love and unity.

Why CakeRMon Stands Out?

Though Kolkata has numerous bakeries, CakeRMon stands out in its quest for excellence. With high-quality ingredients, skilled bakers, and innovative creativity, each cake has a story to share. The menu ranges from traditional favorites such as chocolate truffle and black forest to innovative choices such as red velvet cheesecake and mango mousse, so everyone will find something to their liking.

Own a Piece of Success: Cake Shop & Bakery Franchise in Kolkata

Apart from being a favorite bakery, CakeRMon presents a profitable new business opportunity in Kolkata with its bakery franchise and cake shop franchise in Kolkata. budding entrepreneurs can step into the F&B industry's booming business of the city through a tested business model that ensures:

Though Monginis franchise in Kolkata, it has always been a sought-after option, CakeRMon restores Gangurams vintage look maintaining the same quality with a new approach, varied menu, and focus on customization provide an edge. What's more, with increasing demand for high-quality baked products in Kolkata, putting money into a CakeRMon franchise guarantees scalability and profitability.

Kolkata's Sweetest Business Venture

For those seeking a new business opportunity in Kolkata, CakeRMon’s franchise model is a golden ticket. The city’s evolving consumer preferences, combined with the brand’s innovative offerings, create a recipe for success. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or a first-time business owner, this franchise minimizes risks while maximizing returns.

Join the CakeRMon Family Today

From indulging in the finest cakes in Kolkata to being a successful bakery franchise owner, CakeRMon is revolutionizing celebrations and entrepreneurship too. Stop by their flagship outlet or inquire about franchise opportunities to make your love for baking turn into a goldmine.

Celebrate taste, tradition, and triumph with CakeRMon — where every bite is joy, and every franchise is a step toward success.

CakeRMon

www.cakermon.com

Phone: +91-8100480282

#cake shop franchise in kolkata #best cake shop in kolkata #birthday cake shop in kolkata #anniversary cake shop in kolkata

0 notes

tameblog · 3 months ago

Photo

Sister publication Gifts & Decorative Accessories recently spoke with experienced retailer Carol Schroeder, co-owner of Orange Tree Imports in Madison, Wis., who shares advice on how to price products amid economic woes, plus how to propel the buy local movement and boost local small businesses. Good, Better, Best Q: Should we stock goods at lower price points during these tumultuous times? We’ve heard that shoppers are likely to be more cautious about their spending this year. A: These are indeed choppy waters for independent retailers to navigate, especially with the big unknown of tariffs on goods from certain countries. Customers may see prices creeping upwards due to these surcharges, and it’s hard to predict how that will impact their purchases. The safest way to protect yourself from big changes in shopping habits is to offer goods at a variety of price points. This classic approach, which became popular in department stores in the 1900s, is based on the concept of stocking three different quality levels – good, better and best – for your most popular categories of merchandise. An example would be tapers offered in a no-frills bulk pack, as a pair tied together with a ribbon, and as a gift box of hand-dipped candles made by a local artisan. This strategy is sometimes known as Goldilocks pricing, because it offers something for everyone. You might think that would mean that shoppers would choose the price level that best fits their budget, however consumer behavior is more complicated than that. The good option does of course appeal to customers who can only afford a no-frills product. But those who can afford the luxury level will often choose the better option because they don’t need the features of the best product – or because they are being economically cautious. In this case, the fact that you offer items at a higher price point makes them feel better about choosing the ones in the middle range. Of course there are those for whom price is no object. Pam Danziger of Unity Marketing, who has spent decades studying the ups and downs of the luxury market, recently noted that “in the current economic climate, affluent consumers are taking a more measured approach to luxury spending.” While often turning away from expensive products that evoke status, they are still frequently interested in buying products that are at a higher price due to their quality. There are also middle-income shoppers whose high-ticket purchases are aspirational, spending beyond their budget to show that they appreciate well-made, durable merchandise. As a retailer, you will find that one advantage to stocking the G-B-B price points is that you can learn from experience which level of goods sell best for you. Your shoppers will vote with their dollars, allowing you to concentrate your inventory purchases on the range that is strongest for you in today’s economic climate. Buying Local Still Important Q: Our area’s shop-local organization lost some key personnel during the pandemic and hasn’t been active lately. Is that a movement worth our time and effort? A: Take a look at the enormous gains made by online shopping – especially Amazon – during the five years since the start of COVID-19, and you’ll see the reason for the declines that many independent stores have experienced since the pandemic began. While it was predicted in 2021 that the majority of consumers would be prioritizing shopping at neighborhood stores and buying locally sourced products once it was safe to shop in person, that hasn’t turned out to be the case. Buying online is so easy, and with the availability of free and almost instantaneous delivery, two of the major pain points have been removed. How can we convince customers to come to brick-and-mortar stores? First and foremost, we need to offer a shopping experience that is worth their while. Coming into your store needs to be a convenient, efficient and enjoyable option. The goods we offer must be what they want to buy. You can welcome shoppers warmly and have a delightful ambiance, but that doesn’t mean anything if your inventory doesn’t include the items they expect you to have – along with the serendipitous discoveries that make shopping in person so exciting. There are also great advantages to our communities having locally owned stores that are unique to our area. Our businesses support the regional economy, create jobs and have a positive social impact. It is also better for the environment since buying locally sourced merchandise reduces transportation costs, both at the wholesale and the consumer level. The best way to tell this story, and to remind customers of its efficacy, is through the buy local movement. By joining together, we can get the word out much more effectively. Together with the Small Business Administration (SBA), American Express has contributed enormously to this effort through Small Business Saturday. This annual event champions shopping small nationwide on Thanksgiving weekend, with an estimated $200 billion spent at small businesses since its inception in 2010. But we need to work locally to make this a year-round effort. If you don’t have a buy-local organization in your area, reach out to your business neighbors to work together to promote this concept to the public. An existing chamber of commerce or town government might be willing to sponsor your group. Be sure to include restaurants as well as service businesses and retailers, since everyone benefits from more local customers. You’ll want to establish some goals for your organization. Perhaps you primarily want to educate and engage your community around the issue of shopping and dining locally. You might also want to sponsor some events or create window signs and a website. Even a shared hashtag can be an effective way to show that your business community is committed to working together to promote this shared goal. Our group started using #monroestreetmadison a few years ago, and there are now more than 10,000 Instagram posts linked to that. While there are no longer strong national buy-local organizations to turn to for leadership, you can find inspiration and actionable ideas from dozens of localized initiatives around the country – and the world. Researching statistics supporting the economic benefits of shopping local is also important so that you have current material for social media posts and press releases. In a shopping environment becoming increasingly dominated by online sales (especially Amazon), it’s essential that we let our customers know the many reasons why shopping local matters. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '693453330863834'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

#HOME_DECOR #ACCENTS #BUY_LOCAL #CAROL #CAROL_SCHROEDER #HOME #PRICE #PRODUCT #SAVVY_STORE_SOLUTIONS #SCHROEDER #SMALL_BUSINESS #TIMES #TODAY #UNCERTAIN

0 notes

ramestoryworld · 3 months ago

Photo

Sister publication Gifts & Decorative Accessories recently spoke with experienced retailer Carol Schroeder, co-owner of Orange Tree Imports in Madison, Wis., who shares advice on how to price products amid economic woes, plus how to propel the buy local movement and boost local small businesses. Good, Better, Best Q: Should we stock goods at lower price points during these tumultuous times? We’ve heard that shoppers are likely to be more cautious about their spending this year. A: These are indeed choppy waters for independent retailers to navigate, especially with the big unknown of tariffs on goods from certain countries. Customers may see prices creeping upwards due to these surcharges, and it’s hard to predict how that will impact their purchases. The safest way to protect yourself from big changes in shopping habits is to offer goods at a variety of price points. This classic approach, which became popular in department stores in the 1900s, is based on the concept of stocking three different quality levels – good, better and best – for your most popular categories of merchandise. An example would be tapers offered in a no-frills bulk pack, as a pair tied together with a ribbon, and as a gift box of hand-dipped candles made by a local artisan. This strategy is sometimes known as Goldilocks pricing, because it offers something for everyone. You might think that would mean that shoppers would choose the price level that best fits their budget, however consumer behavior is more complicated than that. The good option does of course appeal to customers who can only afford a no-frills product. But those who can afford the luxury level will often choose the better option because they don’t need the features of the best product – or because they are being economically cautious. In this case, the fact that you offer items at a higher price point makes them feel better about choosing the ones in the middle range. Of course there are those for whom price is no object. Pam Danziger of Unity Marketing, who has spent decades studying the ups and downs of the luxury market, recently noted that “in the current economic climate, affluent consumers are taking a more measured approach to luxury spending.” While often turning away from expensive products that evoke status, they are still frequently interested in buying products that are at a higher price due to their quality. There are also middle-income shoppers whose high-ticket purchases are aspirational, spending beyond their budget to show that they appreciate well-made, durable merchandise. As a retailer, you will find that one advantage to stocking the G-B-B price points is that you can learn from experience which level of goods sell best for you. Your shoppers will vote with their dollars, allowing you to concentrate your inventory purchases on the range that is strongest for you in today’s economic climate. Buying Local Still Important Q: Our area��s shop-local organization lost some key personnel during the pandemic and hasn’t been active lately. Is that a movement worth our time and effort? A: Take a look at the enormous gains made by online shopping – especially Amazon – during the five years since the start of COVID-19, and you’ll see the reason for the declines that many independent stores have experienced since the pandemic began. While it was predicted in 2021 that the majority of consumers would be prioritizing shopping at neighborhood stores and buying locally sourced products once it was safe to shop in person, that hasn’t turned out to be the case. Buying online is so easy, and with the availability of free and almost instantaneous delivery, two of the major pain points have been removed. How can we convince customers to come to brick-and-mortar stores? First and foremost, we need to offer a shopping experience that is worth their while. Coming into your store needs to be a convenient, efficient and enjoyable option. The goods we offer must be what they want to buy. You can welcome shoppers warmly and have a delightful ambiance, but that doesn’t mean anything if your inventory doesn’t include the items they expect you to have – along with the serendipitous discoveries that make shopping in person so exciting. There are also great advantages to our communities having locally owned stores that are unique to our area. Our businesses support the regional economy, create jobs and have a positive social impact. It is also better for the environment since buying locally sourced merchandise reduces transportation costs, both at the wholesale and the consumer level. The best way to tell this story, and to remind customers of its efficacy, is through the buy local movement. By joining together, we can get the word out much more effectively. Together with the Small Business Administration (SBA), American Express has contributed enormously to this effort through Small Business Saturday. This annual event champions shopping small nationwide on Thanksgiving weekend, with an estimated $200 billion spent at small businesses since its inception in 2010. But we need to work locally to make this a year-round effort. If you don’t have a buy-local organization in your area, reach out to your business neighbors to work together to promote this concept to the public. An existing chamber of commerce or town government might be willing to sponsor your group. Be sure to include restaurants as well as service businesses and retailers, since everyone benefits from more local customers. You’ll want to establish some goals for your organization. Perhaps you primarily want to educate and engage your community around the issue of shopping and dining locally. You might also want to sponsor some events or create window signs and a website. Even a shared hashtag can be an effective way to show that your business community is committed to working together to promote this shared goal. Our group started using #monroestreetmadison a few years ago, and there are now more than 10,000 Instagram posts linked to that. While there are no longer strong national buy-local organizations to turn to for leadership, you can find inspiration and actionable ideas from dozens of localized initiatives around the country – and the world. Researching statistics supporting the economic benefits of shopping local is also important so that you have current material for social media posts and press releases. In a shopping environment becoming increasingly dominated by online sales (especially Amazon), it’s essential that we let our customers know the many reasons why shopping local matters. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '693453330863834'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

#HOME_DECOR #ACCENTS #BUY_LOCAL #CAROL #CAROL_SCHROEDER #HOME #PRICE #PRODUCT #SAVVY_STORE_SOLUTIONS #SCHROEDER #SMALL_BUSINESS #TIMES #TODAY #UNCERTAIN

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alexha2210 · 3 months ago

Photo

#HOME_DECOR #ACCENTS #BUY_LOCAL #CAROL #CAROL_SCHROEDER #HOME #PRICE #PRODUCT #SAVVY_STORE_SOLUTIONS #SCHROEDER #SMALL_BUSINESS #TIMES #TODAY #UNCERTAIN

0 notes

angusstory · 3 months ago

Photo

#HOME_DECOR #ACCENTS #BUY_LOCAL #CAROL #CAROL_SCHROEDER #HOME #PRICE #PRODUCT #SAVVY_STORE_SOLUTIONS #SCHROEDER #SMALL_BUSINESS #TIMES #TODAY #UNCERTAIN

0 notes