#valerie Simpson

[chaptertwo-thepacnw]

solid, ashford & simpson |1984|

[tani-b-art]

Pastor Shirley Caesar, Dionne Warwick, Yolanda Adams, Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, Valerie Simpson and Patti LaBelle

[negrolicity]

Watch "I Don't Need No Help / Valerie Simpson" on YouTube

This is what very few of the new vocalists do. I can hear Kandace Springs taking this song on.

[poptartcrush]

Valerie Simpson “Exposed & Valerie Simpson”

[filosofablogger]

♫ You're All I Need To Get By ♫

After seeing Clay Jones (Claytoonz) post that my man Stevie Wonder was at the Democratic National Convention last night, I just had to have me some Motown!  I would have played some Stevie, but I’ve played all my favourites in the last year or so.  So, I turn to Marvin Gaye and found this one that I haven’t played since May 2021 — over three years, so it’s ready for a redux!!! Released in 1968,…

[spilladabalia]

Ashford & Simpson - Found A Cure

[thewhitneyhoustonblog]

[walls-to-the-ball]

My favourite watermarking newspaper image seller had a picture of my favourite songwriting due featured in a drawing from 2021 that is a part of this larger project about Joyce Wieland.

[julio-viernes]

Ray Charles no necesitaba un doctor. Uno de sus mejores números rítmicos, canción escrita por Nick Ashford & Valerie Simpson, que pasó desapercibida en el original cantado por el propio Ashford, y ojo que es muy bueno ese original, pero Nick no tenía el nombre establecido de Ray y fue el genial músico invidente el que la llevó al éxito. 

“I Don´t Need No Doctor” es tan buena que es un claro antecedente de cosas como “Headin´ For The Texas Border” de los Flamin´ Groovies. El riff es prácticamente el mismo.

[classichorrorblog]

Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers (1988)

[theknucklehead]

I've been playing the heck out of Monster Prom

And all I can say about this game

This game is hilarious!

Polly Geist easily has to be my favorite out of the cast (and yes I'm adding her to my list of favorite girls who are weird, hyper, and crazy)

[lowcountry-gothic]

All Together Now: 25 Years of Photographing American Music by David McClister

[spookytuesdaypod]

spooky tuesday is a (now not so new!) podcast where we’re breaking down all of our favorite slashers, thrillers, monster movies and black comedies on the new scariest day of the week.

they didn't put an extra ~camp~ in the title for nothing! sleepaway camp ii: unhappy campers (1988) is the sequel that did the absolute most by doing the absolute least. what this movie lacks in plot, it makes up for in pizzazz — and "party hats" galore. seriously, it has its own in-universe tit patrol, and business is booming at camp rolling hills. but while this flick may not have reached its full potential (a few camp songs does not a musical make), its CLEAR references and low-key celebrity siblings mean it's still more than worth a watch. on our latest spooky tuesday, we're comparing notes on our favorite quotes and kills as angela returns for a second summer of fun.

give spooky tuesday a listen on apple podcasts, spotify, iheart radio, or stitcher

[bestfictionalhome-tourneygirl]

THE LIST IS COMPLETE!

(Only for non-anime contestants. I will have a third party chose the anime contestants at random because there are too many. Sorry for any disappointment submitters!)

In NO PARTICULAR ORDER

The AMPGB Contestants are:

Luz Noceda - The Owl House

Adora - She-Ra and the Princess of Power

Bloom - Winx Club

Twilight Sparkle - My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Anne Boonchuy - Amphibia

Juniper Lee - The Life and Times of Juniper Lee

Lunella Lafayette - Moon GIrl and the Devil Dinosaur

Ruby Rose - RWBY

Tulip Olsen - Infinity Train (S1)

Lake - Infinity Train(S2)

Aja Tarron - 3Below

Bee - Bee and Puppycat

Tuca - Tuca and Bertie

Bertie - Tuca and Bertie

Blossom - PowerPuff Girls

Carmen Sandiego - Carmen Sandiego

Carol - Carol and the End of the World

Clawdeen Wolf - Monster High (G3)

Cybersix - Cybersix

Draculaura - Monster High (G2)

ENA - ENA

Fionna - Fionna and Cake

Frankie Stein - Monster High (G1)

Grace Monroe - Infinity Train (S3)

Raven Queen - Ever After High

Harriet M. Welsch - Harriet the Spy

Iris - LoliRock

Jane - Jane and the Dragon

Jenny Wakeman (XJ-9) - My Life as a Teenage Robot

Mandy - The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy

Marinette Dupain-Cheng (Ladybug) - Miraculous Tales of Ladybug and Chat Noit

Maya - Maya and the Three

Miko Kubota - Glitch Techs

Pomni - The Amazing Digital Circus

Rapunzel - Tangled: The Animated Series

Sharon Spitz - Brace Face

Star Butterfly - Star vs the Forces of Evil

Will Vandom - W.I.T.C.H.

Hilda - Hilda

Strawberry Shortcake - Strawberry Shortcake (2003)

Kim Possible - Kim Possible

Bluey - Bluey

Penny Proud - The Proud Family

Korra - The Legend of Korra

Princess Sofia - Sofia the First

Kipo - Kipo and the Age of the Wonderbeasts

Sabrina Spellman - Sabrina the Teenage Witch: The Animated Series

Barbie Roberts - Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse

Molly McGee - The Ghost and Molly McGee

Maisy Mouse - Maisy

Dora - Dora the Explorer

Angelina Jeanette Mouseling - Angelina Ballerina

Ruby - Max and Ruby

Madeline - Madeline

Princess Tiabeanie Mariabeanie de la Rochambeau Grunkwitz (Bean) - Disenchantment

Blue - Blue’s Clues

Ms. Valerie Frizzle - The Magic School Bus

Cleopatra - Cleopatra in Space

Doc McStuffins - Doc McStuffins

Unikitty - Unikitty!

Eliza Thornberry - The Wild Thornberrys

Samantha Simpson - Totally Spies

Reggie - Twelve Forever

Zuri Love - Young Love

The brackets will be posted within the week!

[lieutenantfloyd]

Top Gun + Top Gun: Maverick ~ Book Recommendations

A masterlist of books I recommend to anyone who enjoys Top Gun, Top Gun: Maverick, and/or TGM fanfiction!

Disclaimer: Please note that most of these contain romance and/or mature themes. They also may contain heavy, dark, and/or possibly triggering plot points, Including but not limited to - death and near-death experiences, PTSD, sexism, racism, sexual assault, and (possibly graphic) depictions of war.

I’ve linked the Goodreads page for each book so you can read more about each one and (hopefully!) add them to your library!

Romance books with a male love interest that reminds me of Top Gun characters

The Unhoneymooners by Christine Lauren -> Jake “Hangman” Seresin 

Summary:

Olive Torres is used to being the unlucky twin: from inexplicable mishaps to a recent layoff, her life seems to be almost comically jinxed. By contrast, her sister Ami is an eternal champion...she even managed to finance her entire wedding by winning a slew of contests. Unfortunately for Olive, the only thing worse than constant bad luck is having to spend the wedding day with the best man (and her nemesis), Ethan Thomas. Olive braces herself for wedding hell, determined to put on a brave face, but when the entire wedding party gets food poisoning, the only people who aren’t affected are Olive and Ethan. 

Suddenly there’s a free honeymoon up for grabs, and Olive will be damned if Ethan gets to enjoy paradise solo. Agreeing to a temporary truce, the pair head for Maui. After all, ten days of bliss is worth having to assume the role of loving newlyweds, right? But the weird thing is...Olive doesn’t mind playing pretend. In fact, the more she pretends to be the luckiest woman alive, the more it feels like she might be. The Unhoneymooners is a romance for anyone who has ever felt unlucky in love.

 *My review*

A fresh take on the classic enemies-to-lovers trope, the main male character is a hot, arrogant, and complicated man you just can’t help but love. Despite their rivalry, the chemistry between the FMC and the MMC is off the charts from the beginning. Not to mention this book is genuinely hilarious.

Link to Goodreads

The Admiral's Bride by Suzanne Brockmann -> Beau “Cyclone” Simpson

Summary:

When six canisters of a lethal nerve agent are stolen from a military testing lab, It's up to Admiral Jake Robinson to infiltrate the compound where religious fanatics have stored the deadly toxin. His partner—posing as his wife—is Dr. Zoe Lange, a biological warfare specialist and an expert in espionage. And though their marriage may be a hoax, Jake's growing feelings for Zoe are anything but make-believe. With each hour he's in Zoe's company the stakes get higher, and the situation within the compound is escalating…

*My review*

This is the book that first inspired this post. Admiral Robinson reminds me so, so much of Cyclone! He’s both a living legend and the man of everyone's dreams (even if he himself doesn’t think so). His character and morals are very strong, so getting to read his unique perspective along with hearing his internal struggles was really special. This honestly feels like a long-form version of some of the fantastic Cyclone x Reader fics I’ve read on here. The pining and use of the “will they/won’t they” trope was great as well. This is military romance at its best. Overall this book is refreshing, fun, and one of my very favorites!

Link to Goodreads

Under The Bayou Moon by Valerie Frazer-Luesse -> Robert “Bob” Floyd

Summary:

Restless with the familiarity of her Alabama home, Ellie Fields accepts a teaching job in a tiny Louisiana town deep in bayou country. Though rightfully suspicious of outsiders, who have threatened both their language and their culture, most of the people in tiny Bernadette, Louisiana, come to appreciate the young and idealistic schoolteacher as a boon to the town. She's soon teaching just about everyone--and coming up against opposition from both the school board and a politician with ulterior motives.

Acclimating to a whole new world, Ellie meets a lonely but intriguing Cajun fisherman named Raphe who introduces her to the legendary white alligator that haunts these waters. Raphe and Ellie have barely found their way to each other when a huge bounty is offered for the elusive gator, bringing about a shocking turn of events that will test their love and their will to right a terrible wrong.

*My review*

This book single handedly made me believe in love. Raphe is a little rough around the edges (in a good way), but my lord if he isn’t just the sweetest southern boy. The way he loves Ellie is everything.

Link to Goodreads

The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros -> Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw

Summary:

Beckett,

If you’re reading this, well, you know the last-letter drill. You made it. I didn’t. Get off the guilt train, because I know if there was any chance you could have saved me, you would have.

I need one thing from you: get out of the army and get to Telluride.

My little sister Ella’s raising the twins alone. She’s too independent and won’t accept help easily, but she has lost our grandmother, our parents, and now me. It’s too much for anyone to endure. It’s not fair.

And here’s the kicker: there’s something else you don’t know that’s tearing her family apart. She’s going to need help.

So if I’m gone, that means I can’t be there for Ella. I can’t help them through this. But you can. So I’m begging you, as my best friend, go take care of my sister, my family.

Please don’t make her go through it alone.

Ryan

*My review*

I think this sentence from the top review of this book on Goodreads sums this book up better than I ever could.

“The Last Letter is so much more than a romance. It’s a testament to the strength of bonds forged from trauma and loyalty. It’s an exploration of motherhood and the importance of family. But above all, it’s a story of survival, forgiveness, and the healing power of unconditional love.”

This book tore my heart out and stomped on it. I can’t recommend it highly enough. 

Link to Goodreads

Love her or lose her by Tessa Bailey -> Mickey “fanboy” Garcia

Summary:

Rosie and Dominic Vega are the perfect couple: high school sweethearts, best friends, madly in love. Well, they used to be anyway. Now Rosie’s lucky to get a caveman grunt from the ex-soldier every time she walks in the door. Dom is faithful and a great provider, but the man she fell in love with ten years ago is nowhere to be found. When her girlfriends encourage Rosie to demand more out of life and pursue her dream of opening a restaurant, she decides to demand more out of love, too. Three words: marriage boot camp.

Never in a million years did Rosie believe her stoic, too-manly-to-emote husband would actually agree to relationship rehab with a weed-smoking hippie. Dom talking about feelings? Sitting on pillows? Communing with nature? Learning love languages? Nope. But to her surprise, he’s all in, and it forces her to admit her own role in their cracked foundation. As they complete one ridiculous—yet surprisingly helpful—assignment after another, their remodeled relationship gets stronger than ever. Except just as they’re getting back on track, Rosie discovers Dom has a secret... and it could demolish everything.  

Link to Goodreads

The Ocean Between Us by Susan Wiggs -> Pete “Maverick” Mitchell

Summary: 

After years of following her navy officer husband on assignment around the world, Grace Bennett realizes that she’s left something behind—herself. Her husband, Steve, can’t understand the unraveling of his wife’s heart and is determined to set things right. Their already-strained relationship is pushed to the edge when old secrets are revealed. Now, with plenty of space to ponder the true distance between them, Grace begins to reinvent herself. But, just as her new self is coming to terms with her family life, the unthinkable happens: a disaster aboard Steve’s ship. A navy wife’s worst nightmare collides with the cold truth that life’s biggest chances can slip away while you’re busy looking for guarantees.

Link to Goodreads

OTHER BOOKS

Armed Forces/FBI romance fiction:

Deadly Descent by Kaylea Cross

Over The Edge by Suzanne Brockmann  (book #3 in a series)

Meant To Be by Jessica James

I’ll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios

The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann (book #1 in a series)

Making Faces by Amy Harmon

Dear Aaron by Mariana Zapata

Under Fire by Catherine Mann (book #3 in a series)

The Woman Left Behind by Linda Howard (Book #2 in a series)

Life Flight by Lynette Eason (book #1 in a series)

The Thing About Love by Julie James (book #7 in a series)

General military fiction:

Hunt The Wolf by Don Mann (book #1 in a series)

Terminal List by Jack Carr (book #1 in a series)

Historical military fiction:

Wives of War by Soraya M. Lane

Pacific Glory by P.T Deutermann

The Nugget by P.T Deutermann 

Other (related) books you should read:

Catch 22 by Joseph Heller

Drift by L.T Ryan

Flyboys: A True Story of Courage by James D. Bradley

-

tags:

@thevortexclubposse, @marchingicenotes7, @rrocky0ah, @possessedbytheinternet, @xoxoabs88xox, @antbee17, @elenavampire21, @sometimesanalice, @maggieromanov, @galactic-marvelettes​, @daisyflower221​

[fashionbooksmilano]

Style File The World's most elegant dressed

Iké Udé aRUDE Magazine

Foreword by Valerie Steele Introduction by Harold Koda

Collins, New York 2008, 224 pages,26x33,5cm, ISBN 9780061464201

euro 100,00

email if you want to buy booksinprogressmilano@yahoo.it

Iké Udé's Style File is a remarkable volume that profiles more than 55 of the most influential arbiters of style in the world today. With a foreword by Valerie Steele, director of the Museum at F.I.T., and an introduction by Harold Koda, curator-in-charge of the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this beautifully designed book provides an intimate perspective on these unique and influential men and women, offering frank insight to their views on fashion and life through evocative interviews and lush photography. Included among the many notable designers, artists, and public figures are John Galliano, Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, Isabel and Ruben Toledo, Victoire de Castellane, André Leon Talley, Dita Von Teese, Francesco Clemente, Christian Louboutin, Diane von Furstenberg, Lapo Elkann, Frédéric Malle, Hamish Bowles, Scott Schuman, Romeo Gigli and Lara Aragno, Seidou Keïta, Iris Apfel and many others.

Style File also features numerous editorial features that deepen the book's exploration of enduring style. Annotated photo albums examine the work of premier style-making photographers such as Scavullo, Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, Coreen Simpson, Seydou Keïta, and Maripol. Illustrated essays including those by journalist and professor Nicholas Boston on the popular blog The Sartorialist and by George Pitts, associate chair of photography at the Parsons School of Design, on the Motown Look explore a range of fashion eras, influences, and influencers, from the Belle Epoque to the late visionary stylist Isabella Blow. Evocative archival and portrait photography of fashion legends from Marchesa Casati to Diana Vreeland, select aRude fashion editorials that point to recurring themes in the intertwined cultural-political-style landscape, and style-related aphorisms are featured throughout. This comprehensive, gorgeous book is a rich exploration of personal style that belongs in every well-dressed library.

03/05/24