#why is peta so obsessed with celebrities

[orcinus-veterinarius]

Apparently PETA is going after Steve Irwin’s zoo.

[wonderfulworldofmichaelford]

About Me: Favorite TV Shows

I'm gonna be honest with all of you: I'm not much of a TV show guy. I'm just typically not one who likes sinking a lot of time into something unless it's a video game with a lot to do in it. This is why I review movies; they're typically the perfect length for my easily-distracted ass to take in.

But still, there are plenty of shows that have broken that rule and managed to keep me engaged and coming back for more. Some of these are favorites from my childhood, while some of these are more recent shows I finally decided to watch. It's a nice mix, but the main thing here is that all of these shows are something truly special to me considering I took the time to watch them all.

There's a few honorable mentions to go over. The four biggest ones are The Simpsons, South Park, Family Guy, and Rick & Morty. I love all four of these shows... for the most part. My issue with all of them is that despite having stretches that are some of the greatest ever in TV history, they also have huge chunks of absolute dogshit to the point it is debated to this day at which point the shows fell off, or if they even managed to get back on. And sure, every show has bad stretches, but with most of these shows being long running programs and all of them being massive cultural phenomena, it sticks out a lot more. Rick & Morty in particular was hit really bad by this. The reason these shows don't get on while I have other long runners with bad stretches on the list is simple: When these shows are bad, they're offensively bad. Like the middle seasons of SpongeBob are bad, but at least they don't have his giant sperms come to life and impregnate his sister's egg to create a giant incest baby or have an overly long sequence in which he vomits after finding out he fucked a trans woman.

Other honorable mentions include: Batman Beyond, Chowder, Catscratch, Codename: Kids Next Door, Fraggle Rock, Good Omens, Malcolm in the Middle, Heroes, Cardcaptor Sakura, Invader Zim, Ben 10, Gargoyles, and The Mandalorian.

30. Captain Planet and the Planeteers

I had to find a way to squeeze one "so bad it's good" show on the list, but how? Making a show that's pure camp is more difficult than making a movie like that... but they somehow found a way by giving us the adventures of racially diverse eco-warriors fighting against pollution with the held of an absolutely ripped planetary avatar with a green mullet who spouts an endless stream of cheesy puns and one-liners that would make even Schwarzenegger's Mr. Freeze take pause. Every time this show is on, you bet your ass I'm sitting down and watching; it's the most beautiful cheese there is.

29. Bluey

My wife and I caught this on TV during a Disney vacation and we ended up loving it! This turned out to be a blessing, because a while later we had our first kid and she's obsessed with the show (she's going as Bingo for Halloween this year). It's such a cute, charming children's show with relatable messages for both kids and parents, as well as a shockingly good score. It genuinely is one of the best pieces of children's media out there, much better than shlock like Cailou or Peppa Pig (are those shows even still on?).

28. Jackie Chan Adventures

Cartoons based on celebrities tend to suck balls, but maybe they were picking the wrong celebrities the whole time. Maybe instead of MC Hammer, they should have picked everyone's favorite homophobic, PETA-supporting Chinese nationalist action star, Jackie Chan! This show is literally the Saturday morning cartoon. It really had it all: Wild animated action, mystical artifacts acquired through Indiana Jones-esque adventures. all sorts of crazy monsters and supernatural entities, and memorable characters like my man Tohru, who walked so Prince Zuko could run.

27. Sailor Moon

I think everyone remembers their first anime, and this was mine. My mom loved the show, so I ended up watching it a lot back when it was airing on the early iterations of Toonami, and it has made me a lifelong magical girl fan. Maybe Cardcaptor Sakura and PPMM did that whole thing better, but neither show had Sailor Mars, my first anime crush. All that aside, the cheesiness and the sheer earnest power of love and friendship that managed to solve every problem is just peak fiction... I just wish it was nearly as good as the manga.

26. Green Eggs and Ham

If you told me way back when that someday there would be an adaptation of the Dr. Seuss book famous for containing a very limited number of words that expanded on the story, added drama, and threw in a villain who is a blatant spoof of former president and eternal idiot Donald Trump, I think I might have stared at you in utter confusion. And if you told me this show would actually be good, I'd be doubly confused. Thankfully, the show is really damn good, with an impressive cast and good humor that manages to capture the whimsy of the wubbulous world of Dr. Seuss perfectly.

25. Inhumanoids

I think everyone has a soft spot for an 80s toy commercial, but where most would pick Transformers, My Little Pony, or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, my favorite of the lot was this obscure gem of a show. It's such a fun introduction of horror and Lovecraftian abominations to a young audience, and a lot of it is still unsettling and dark to this day. D'Compose will eternally haunt my nightmares between that raspy voice and the gruesome transformations he inflicts on his victims. Good shit!

24. Danny Phantom

Forget that stupid fairy show, this right here is the best thing Butch Hartman ever put his name on. It's a loving tribute to comic book superheroes in the same way Ben 10 was, but I think this show is ever-so-slightly better due to its blend of supernatural and sci-fi working really well (and also it doesn't retcon all magic as being alien energy or whatever the fuck they did with Gwen in the sequel series). The only thing holding it back from a higher spot is how hilariously bad the finale is and the rather scattershot quality of the final season in general. Too many loose plot threads hanging for my taste.

23. The Boys

Seth Rogen has seemingly made it his mission in life to adapt all of Garth Ennis' work in a way that makes it not suck ass, and boy am I here for it. Adapting one of Garthy-boy's most repulsive and spiteful works and turning it into a genuinely great superhero show that satirizes celebrity culture instead of just taking a huge shit all over comic book superheroes was really the way to go, and watching Anthony Starr and Karl Urban command the screen every time they take center stage is a blast. Sure, it's still gory and lowbrow, but it's done in a way where it's honestly appealing as opposed to whatever the fuck Ennis was doing.

22. Mystery Science Theater 3000

I mean, it should be pretty obvious that I love this series, right? If you ever had the misfortune of watching a movie at home with me, you'd know I just do not shut the fuck up and spend a lot of the runtime either pointing out trivia or cracking jokes, and it's mostly because of being inspired by this show. It's also partly because I'm annoying, but that's neither here nor there.

21. Batman: The Animated Series

No fucking duh this is on the list. This is pretty much the definitive portrayal of Batman for a lot of people, one that truly encapsulates everything the character is all about. Kevin Conroy truly owned the titular role, as did his costar Mark Hamill when it came to the Joker, and as if that wasn't enough this is the show that spawned one of my favorite comic characters, Harley Quinn. There's no denying the impact this show has had on Batman as a franchise, but even beyond that it's just a damn good show with really good writing. I sure am glad one of the guys who made it never went and flushed all the good will he garnered from creating this by constantly having Bruce Wayne lust after one of his teenage proteges!

20. Courage the Cowardly Dog

This show is pretty well-regarded for how it showcased some truly weird and fucked up imagery, but I don’t think any of that would be as resonant without the moments of tenderness and heartfelt emotion, the genuinely amusing slapstick, or the often clever writing. When it comes to episodic shows, variety is king, and this show has that in spades.

19. The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy

This show seems to be an answer to a question no one asked: What if they made Family Guy for kids? The black comedy, the negative continuity, the numerous pop culture references, the grossout humor, the musical numbers… it probably wasn’t intentional, but it sure adds up. The biggest difference is that this show is way more consistent in quality and has Jeff the spider, making it the superior show by a mile.

18. Digimon Tamers

What do you get when you cross the silly monster battles of Digimon with the writing of the man who brought us Serial Experiments Lain and a heaping helping of Lovecraft? You get this show, of course! It’s darker and more psychological than the goofier seasons before it, and while normally I’d balk at a series shifting tone like this, since this was my first ever Digimon cartoon I watched from start to finish I embraced it with open arms. Hell, this show is probably where my love of psychological and allegorical horror came from. And of course the show gave me yet another childhood crush, and if you’ve read the Rhine City stories I co-author you’ll know exactly which character it was.

17. The Twilight Zone

The brilliance of this anthology series is just the incredibly wide range it has with the supernatural and sci-fi stories. Sometimes you’ll get a resonant and hard-hitting allegory on a social issue, and sometimes you’ll just get a cool, fucked up horror story where some evil little kid can warp reality and holds an entire town hostage to his maniacal whims. I’ve enjoyed every revival they’ve done over the years, but the Rod Serling original just can’t be beat.

16. Stranger Things

I’ll admit that it’s really the first and fourth seasons carrying this show to #16; seasons 2 and 3 are wildly uneven, with 3 in particular veering close to the shark-jumping ramp with its cartoonish Red Scare stereotypes. But even in the show’s weakest moments, the characters and how they interact with each other have managed to keep me invested. How can I be too mad at season 3 when it gave my boy Steve (the best character) a new BFF, Robin (the other best character)?

15. Elfen Lied

I think it’s easy to write this show off as overly gratuitous because, well, it is. Everything here is turned up to 11, from the gore and nudity to the drama and tragedy. I kind of feel the same way about this show as I do for V for Vendetta, where if they cut the crucial tragic backstory it would make the work as problematic as the haters say. But with Lucy’s heartbreaking backstory left intact, it definitely elevates the story into something greater. The manga is still (mostly) better, but I have to give the show credit for introducing it to me, and also cutting out the character who constantly pisses herself.

14. Smiling Friends

Sure, the wacky shitpost humor and the black comedy are great, but can we just stop and marvel at how uncynical the show is? The core concept is a cheerful optimist and a bitter realist work together in a business that helps people be happy, and despite all the hijinks they get into they typically end up succeeding in one way or another. In a world where so many adult animated shows seem to revel in pessimistic nihilism (cough Rick & Morty cough), it’s nice to see a comedy with similar humor but a more optimistic outlook.

13. Ed, Edd n Eddy

This is one of the absolute funniest shows ever, making great use of the cartoon world to pull off the most wacky slapstick you'll ever see. But I think what truly pushes this series this high is the absolutely fantastic sound effects and music it utilizes. Like, holy shit this show is on another level. It all goes a long way towards making up for the living sexual assault joke that is the Kanker sisters.

12. SpongeBob SqaurePants

This show dropped almost nothing but bangers for three seasons, gave us one of the best show-to-film adaptations of all time, generated a near endless supply of memes, and was generally just really fucking funny. And sure, it dipped in quality a bit in its middle seasons, but I think the first three to three four seasons are good enough that they can fuck up as much as they want.

11. Invincible

Gee Amazon, how come you get to have two of the best superhero shows around? Where The Boys is more of a straight deconstruction of superhero tropes, Invincible feels like something of a reconstruction. We still have an evil Superman and morally dubious good guys, but Invincible himself is utterly unyielding in his desire to be good to the point he manages to break down his evil father’s emotional walls and save the world (for the moment) simply by being a loving son. Unwavering goodness even in the face of genuine horror is badass as all hell.

10. Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Not to be a stereotypical weeb, but this show is simply a masterpiece. Now I will admit, the first half of the show was honestly done way better in the original series, and that one also had some interesting takes on some of the characters once it started diverging from the manga. But this series has a much better finale with way better character moments, with stuff like Envy's final fate hitting harder than anything the original show could muster. There's a reason anime fans suck this show's dick so much; it genuinely is that good.

9. A Series of Unfortunate Events

I’m sure I wasn’t the only one disappointed that the original movie never got a sequel, so my hopes were high going into the Netflix series. Needless to say, I ended up extremely impressed; considering how they managed to incorporate the VFD plotline from the very start instead of throwing it in later in the series, I might even go as far as to call it an improvement on the books. I think the most surprising thing here is that despite expecting NPH as Count Olaf to steal the show, it’s actually Patrick Warburton’s portrayal of Lemony Snicket himself that brings the whole show together.

8. Peacemaker

I think this one speaks for itself.

7. Futurama

I love all of Matt Groening's shows, from the loose family sitcom shenanigans of The Simpsons to the great overarching plotline of Disenchanted. But it's really not surprising that the middle ground between tightly-plotted continuity and great humor is my favorite of his works. The best part of the show is no matter how many times it ends, it always comes back and finds new ways to bust your gut and tug at your heartstrings.

6. Gravity Falls

Disney has had many great TV shows in their time, but quite frankly nothing compares to this animated supernatural mystery series about a pair of twins having their summer vacation at a shitty scam shack. The episodes are mainly episodic with hints at the bigger lore, and it doesn't really ever feel like it's dragging its feet. It also didn't overstay its welcome, telling a fantastic story over the course of two seasons before gracefully bowing out while on top. Very few shows can say they ended in top form.

5. Jane the Virgin

One fine day I came home from work to find my wife watching this on Netflix. Curious, I sat down and watched it, not expecting much... and then proceeded to become so emotionally invested in the show I spent the rest of the series shouting at the screen as if the characters could hear me. It's sweet, funny, and absolutely ridiculous, a loving tribute to the telenovelas that inspired it, and a blessing unto this world for giving us the gift of Rogelio.

4. Avatar: The Last Airbender

Yeah, real bold and daring of me to say this is probably the best Western animated series ever, but it’s hard to deny that it’s true. With a rich world, excellent characters, and a strong story it’s to the point where the worst episode would be perfectly fine in any other show, and the best episode doesn’t even feature the titular Airbender at all. It’s just that good.

3. Breaking Bad

You know me, I love character studies of awful people, and few fictional villains are as awful as the egotistical meth manufacturer Walter White. Watching his rise and fall, the numerous moments where he goes further beyond the pale than before, is endlessly gripping, and the fantastic cast of characters helps keep things just as good even if we aren’t following Walt. Mike, Jesse, Gus, Skyler, the Salamancas, Hank, Saul… all of them are fantastic in their own right and could easily carry their own show. Speaking of which, about that last guy...

2. Better Call Saul

As much as I think Breaking Bad is objectively the greatest show ever, I prefer Better Call Saul. In hindsight, you can kind of tell Walter was bad from the start, but Jimmy “Saul Goodman” McGill? We watch him go from a morally dubious but ultimately well-intentioned man into the sleazy bastard he was in the original show, and it is genuinely heartbreaking. This show makes you truly dread the moment Jimmy fully becomes Saul, and considering how beloved the funny lawyer man was that is no small feat. The story of a good man falling from grace only to ultimately claw his way back to ultimately reclaim his humanity in the end… it’s beautiful.

1. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure

I don’t think I could possibly overstate the influence this series has had on me and my writing. The personalized superpowers, the meaningful names, the numerous musical references, the unashamed embracement of even the most ludicrous elements of the stories… If you read the Rhine City stuff you can clearly see where I’ve let the JJBA influence seep in. But even outside the influence, it’s just a damn good action/adventure series, with no part being truly bad (4 - 6 are my favorites, though). It’s never a dull moment watching what sort of insane feats the Joestar family and their allies will pull off against the increasingly deadly forces of evil; here’s hoping we get to see Steel Ball Run sooner than later.

[runawaymarbles]

Important Questions I Try To Remember To Ask Before Reblogging Political Zingers

1. Do I know who this person is? When a member of Congress tweets, we know who they are, and we generally have a good sense of what they want. The motives are usually obvious. The same is true of an advocacy organization. It’s sometimes true of celebrities, though it’s a lot harder to tell. When it comes from a random person or account, you have basically nothing to go off of.

2. What does this person want me to think? If someone posts a screencap of a headline reading “Senator Blob votes against All Dogs Are Good Boys bill” with the caption “Blob has finally reached a level of heartlessness usually found in Disney Villains,” one assumes that they want you to hate Senator Blob and support the All Dogs Are Good Boys bill.

3. What is a good-faith reason they want me to think this? Maybe the person just really loves dogs, and Senator Blob has a history of anti-dog votes. People should know this before they fill out their ballots. All Dogs Are Good and Senator Blob sucks.

5. What is a bad-faith reason they might want me to think this? Maybe they’re from a different party, and think that Senator Blob’s primary opponent, Aspiring Senator Fido, will be easier to beat in the general election-- so they want to undermine Blob’s support within their own voters. Maybe the poster is sponsored by Fido, and is intentionally misinterpreting facts in a stealth political ad. Maybe they’re part of or own stock in a company the All Dogs Are Good Boys bill is giving money or tax breaks to. Maybe they’re part of a company/demographic that Blob has voted to tax and they want to smear them at any opportunity. Maybe it’s another government who has pee tapes blackmail material and wants Fido in power so they can leverage it. It’s almost impossible to know for sure one way or the other, and going through someone’s old political posts before reblogging/retweeting them is... a lot of work. (Though sometimes you get lucky and their blog description will be something like ‘Meat is Murder, Click HERE to Donate to PETA.’) Which leads to:

6. Did they provide context? Headlines rarely do, which is why screenshots of them are so popular. Maybe somewhere in the bill, it said that girl dogs are NOT good. Or only pedigreed dogs are Good Boys. Maybe there’s a rider on it that defunds all school lunch programs. Maybe Senator Blob is getting campaign money from the kennel industry. Maybe Senator Blob not only hates dogs, but in fact thinks that all animals are bad, and has a history of similar troubling votes. Someone who wants people to be well informed will have a history of linking (reputable!) sources, or explain more of what is going on. Someone who just wants you to be angry probably will not.

7. Once you have context, ideally from an outside source, do you still agree with the initial post? if so, share away.

and then as a bonus: 8. If there’s no context in the original post, is there another version I can reblog, or am I going to have to add it my own self? Sometimes there’s already someone in the notes who has done the work for you. Sometimes there’s not, and you have to be that somebody. Sometimes wading into political debates on the internet is not how you want to spend your energy and it is entirely fine to scroll past the post without sharing or commenting. Sometimes the original "gotcha” turns out to be so stupid that you cannot simply let it go  and you end up looking up just how long Hillary Clinton has been obsessed with jalapenos to see if it predates the release of Beyonce’s hit single “Formation” and then Tumblr announces which accounts were actually part of Putin’s propaganda apparatus and you go down in tumblr history as that Hillary Clinton stan blog who argued about hot sauce with a Russian spy despite the fact that you have never stanned a politician in your life but whatever at least it’s a funny-sad story you can tell at very specific parties now.

[dietgaymags]

A definitive ranking of DWTS Season 29′s celebrities thus far

So I'm obsessed with Dancing with the Stars as much as the next guy. I’ve seen every season since number 11, when I was like 9 years old. But I dropped off a few seasons ago, disappointed that they really had the nerve to put the legend Lindsey Stirling on the same season as the other legend Jordan Fisher. That was not fair to anyone, because Lindsey would have wiped the floor in literally any other season. 

But Season 29′s cast was released and I got excited again. About 80% of these names I was not only familiar with, but were people I enjoyed for some reason or another. Skai Jackson, Nelly, Johnny Weir, AJ McLean, Nev Schulman, Carole Baskin, Justina Machado, Monica Aldama, and the list just goes on. They really said “we need to get young people back into the show.” And they did. I was hooked. And though Len is gone and Carrie Ann is going some sort of which way with her votes (we don’t talk about it), I’ve watched every episode with bright eyes and so much excitement. We have some good dancers this season. And some bad ones. But mostly good. So here’s my definitive ranking of this season’s stars (and, by extension, pros). And if you don’t agree, that’s fine. I am simply a nineteen-year-old girl who likes to watch ballroom dancing. 

NUMBER 15: CAROLE MF BASKIN AND PASHA PASHKOV

Besides the moral obligations to not allow a murderer to appear on the show, I think DWTS did a good job trying to rope people in by bringing her on. When the cast list was released, my jaw dropped because I knew she was going home first and I wanted to be there to see it. 

And somehow, she did not... go home first? She made it another episode? While I’m sure it was a ploy to keep people interested in the show so they didn’t watch the premiere and drop off, Carole Baskin is sure to go down in DWTS history as one of the worst competitors. Her highest score was a 16, sure, but her lowest was an 11. We’re treading Master P territory. And I had a full traumatic episode watching her in a lion-esque unitard. Fuck, I needed to bleach every orifice on my body. (Overall Rating: 1 dead husband/10)

NUMBER 14: CHARLES OAKLEY & EMMA SLATER

You cannot tell me this man isn’t having the most fun he’s had in a minute. He was another easy-to-spot early elimination, but I actually enjoyed watching him to some degree. Emma danced circles around him, but you could really tell he was trying his damnedest and I appreciate it. And his performances didn’t strike cold, dead fear into my heart like other people.

He also got the same average score as Carole over the first two episodes, but one of those was NOT an 11. Slightly better, imo, just a little less improvement than Carole---which is why Derek booted him in the first place. (Overall rating: 1.5 left feet/10)

NUMBER 13: JESSE METCALFE AND SHARNA BURGESS

Did they---did they ever dance? I literally don’t remember anything other than that Newsies dance, which I have to say I particularly enjoyed. It might be because I like Newsies. It might be because Sharna’s hair is gorgeous this season. I don’t know, but it probably wasn’t because of Jesse’s dancing. 

That’s literally all I have to say. (Overall rating: 2 confused braincells/10)

NUMBER 12: CHRISHELL STAUSE AND GLEB SAVCHENKO 

WOAH, she’s coming in with the hot takes! Chrishell hasn’t even been eliminated yet! And look, it’s not even Chrishell’s fault that she’s so low on the list. It really isn’t. She’s been performing, well, okay thus far. Not great, considering her highest score was a 26 on a Paso double where she literally did not even dance (look, I’m not a judge, but I would’ve given it a 21 MAYBE). She’s trying, and she seems to be really enjoying it; I absolutely adore her energy. But most of the issue here is attributed to her partner, Gleb.

His choreography is just... I don’t know... lazy. He throws himself around like a god among men and Chrishell is just there. I don’t really appreciate the pros who prefer to dance over their partners instead of with them. I don’t understand why he thinks this method will get him a mirrorball, but it’s just not gonna happen. (Overall rating: 2 measures of actual dancing/10)

NUMBER 11: ANNE HECHE AND KEO MOTSEPE

Look how happy they look! No, but seriously, they didn’t do that bad. They just had a bad week. Week 2, they had a higher average score than SIX other couples on the show, and they left with a score of 21. I legitimately think that their Disney night dance was underscored. Sure, it wasn’t wonderful, but it didn’t deserve a fifteen.

I know they had no chance to win the mirrorball, but Keo has a history of being stuck with less-than-stellar partners. Anne was not a bad match; they just had bad luck and better competition. I did love watching them, though. And Keo is beautiful, but need I say more? (Overall rating: 3.5 early elims/10)

NUMBER 10: VERNON DAVIS AND PETA MURGATROYD CHMERKOVSKIY

I honestly haven’t enjoyed Peta’s choreography since Season 22, when she and Nyle DiMarco ate up the dance floor and left not a single crumb. She and Peta were another pair where I was like, “Wait, who got eliminated? They’re still here?” The judges were right in saying Vernon had a lot of energy on stage, and look at him here. He’s big cheesin’.

They kind of existed for me is all I have to say. The only reason they’re ranked higher than Anne and Keo is because their average score was just overall better. They never scored extremely well, with their highest score being a 22, but they never did too horribly either. They were meh. (Overall rating: 4 touchdowns/10)

NUMBER 9: NELLY AND DANIELLA KARAGACH

Another hot take? Yes. I can never tell whether or not Nelly enjoys being here until he actually dances. During rehearsal, confessionals, critiques, he always looks a little embarrassed or nervous? I’m not sure. But just like Vernon and Peta, all of their dances have been kind of meh. 

That’s not to put Daniella down in any sense. It’s her first season as a pro, and her abilities definitely shine through in her performance. But like I said about Gleb earlier, she has a tendency to dance over Nelly at times (see: the Freddy Krueger dance from last week). I don’t see Nelly living up to the standards the judges say he’s lived up to thus far, but that might just be my personal opinion. (Overall rating: 5 heeled sneakers/10)

NUMBER 8: MONICA ALDAMA AND VALENTIN CHMERKOVSKIY

Another surprisingly hot take. I actually really enjoyed each of Monica’s dances this season, especially since she’s someone with essentially zero dance experience. I’m still very pissy that the Ratched dance sent her home---it was one of my favorite dances of the night, and I have no clue why she only got a 22 for it (especially when Chrishell and Gleb got a 26). 

Val has always been someone on the show who can take a non-dancer and genuinely make them better. This is the case with Monica. We saw so much improvement with her over the weeks. We’re getting to the part of the list where I love all of the dancers. Still, Monica and Jeannie should not have been the bottom 2 last week, but in the case between the two, it’s right that Monica was eliminated. Still, I would have loved to see her next week. (Overall rating: 6 cheer pyramids/10)

NUMBER 7: SKAI JACKSON AND ALAN BERSTEN

Sure, she got the first 10 of the season. Sure, the Chucky dance was kind of spectacular. But she’s also had the lowest score for two out of seven weeks so far. She has yet to be in the bottom, but I’m sure that’s the fans working for her. I can’t deny her talent on the dance floor, but I would argue that objectively, Skai has made the most mistakes out of everyone this season.

She’s been remarkably inconsistent over the course of the season, but when she’s good, she’s really, really good. She was my pick to win when the cast was released, but now I don’t see that happening unless the fans really come to vote on her, which I think they will. But there is no excuse for an 18 on Week 6. She can do better. I know she can. But until then, she stays in the middle of my list. (Overall rating: 6 Ms. Kiplings/10)

NUMBER 6: JEANNIE MAI AND BRANDON ARMSTRONG

To be completely honest, I had Jeannie Mai pegged as an early elimination from Week 1. But she and Brandon continue to astound me as a team. I love every single one of their dances, sad that they’ve been consistently underscored. That Hannibal Lecter paso was stunning, and the Up dance on Disney night made me tear up a little. 

They’re not higher for the sole reason that others are just better. Not because I don’t love what they put out on the stage every week, but Jeannie just isn’t the strongest technically. Until they get eliminated, though, I’ll be watching with bated breath. (Overall rating: 7 hole-in-ones/10)

NUMBER 5: KAITLYN BRISTOWE AND ARTEM CHIGVENTSEV

Do I just not see what everyone else is seeing when they’re obsessing over Kaitlyn Bristowe? I mean, everything she’s done so far has been wonderful, but she’s not my favorite. Technically, it’s on point 85% of the time. and she has the second-highest point total so far in the competition, but she has yet to do a dance where I step back and think, “Wow.” That’s what puts her behind the top four.

I did not like the Cruella DeVille paso doble at all last week, but I think that was attributed to the song choice more than anything else. I have yet to be taken aback by Kaitlyn and Artem, but their work is undeniably, objectively some of the best on the show. (Overall rating: 7 roses/10)

NUMBER 4: AJ MCLEAN AND CHERYL BURKE

Now we’re at the spot on the list where if any of these guys win the mirrorball, I will be satisfied. Something about AJ is simply magnetic. He has such a kind disposition and wonderful talent on the dance floor, it’s so hard not to love him. His samba is one of my favorite dances on this season so far, and I’m genuinely concerned that he’s been underscored this whole time. 

Cheryl is a mf VETERAN at this, too. She knows how to teach this man to destroy a dance floor. The energy he brings, the life he brings, the nasty footwork that he DEMOLISHES. I did not expect to love AJ as much as I do. In my opinion, the most improvement we’ve seen in a star this season. (Overall: 8.5 backstreets/10)

NUMBER 3: JUSTINA MACHADO AND SASHA FARBER

Justina is living proof that you don’t have to be as big around as my pinky finger to do ballroom dancing well. She’s easily the best female star this season, and Sasha has accentuated her talents on the dance floor without overpowering her, which I enjoy. On top of that, she looks so happy to be here, which translates heavily into her dancing. 

I will say, not every dance from her has been my favorite, but there hasn’t been a single dance out of her that I haven’t liked. Her presence is so powerful and destructive that everyone needs to watch their backs. Remember, this is a sitcom mom, not a professional dancer. (Overall rating: 8.5 days at a time/10)

NUMBER 2: JOHNNY WEIR AND BRITT STEWART

I am a firm believer that Johnny and Britt should have gotten a perfect 30 on their contemporary back in Week 5. I am also a firm believer that they should have gotten a perfect 30 on their Viennese waltz last week. I am consistently blown away by Britt’s choreography every single week, and their chemistry as a pair is unlike anyone I’ve seen in the show’s history. 

What I like about them so much is how much of a team they are. That really makes so much difference out on the dance floor. Their grace and style is completely unmatched, and as a first season pro, Britt is destroying some of the pros who have been here for years... Gleb. I can’t wait to see their performances every single week, and I hope they continue to dance together somehow even after the show is over. (Overall rating: 9.9 triple axels/10)

NUMBER 1: NEV SCHULMAN AND JENNA JOHNSON CHMERKOVSKIY

Hey, quick question: did you expect this? Because I definitely didn’t. Catfish has always been my guilty pleasure show to watch when I’m bored and lonely, and Nev has always been this super dorky guy, so when they announced the cast list, I was like “Oh, this is gonna be funny as hell.” Because it could only go one of two ways: 1) Nev fumbles around like a dork and goes home pretty early, or 2) he wins the mirrorball. 

APPARENTLY it’s the latter. Nev surprised me, and I think everyone, with his natural talent, and Jenna is heavily playing off that in her choreography. She’s been giving him very difficult, technical work and he’s has continued to astound. With the first 30 of the season rightfully deserved, Nev is a force to be reckoned with. Like I’ve said earlier, some of the pros like to dance over their partners to hide their weaknesses. I would go so far as to argue Jenna lets him dance over her. Together, they’re an absolute wildfire, and if they continue at this pace, consider the competition already won. (Overall rating: 10 chest hairs/10)

[surveys-at-your-service]

Survey #315

“can’t breathe to scream  /  suffocating in this dream  /  long way down”

Who was your first big crush? I would probably say this guy in high school named Sebastian. We sat beside each other in Art, and I definitely liked him a lot. Man, my freshman-sophomore years honestly involved a handful of crushes before Jason popped into the picture and I lost all romantic interest in everyone else. Where was the first place you drove after you got your license? N/A Is it a blue sky outside right now? No. All North Carolina has known for weeks on end now is rain. We've had very rare sunny days, but for the most part, it's just gray and gross. Was your last breakup a bad one? Nah, I'd say it ended maturely and with a mutual understanding of "why." When was the last time you were surprised, in a pleasant way? Hell if I know. Is there an ice-cream flavor that you strongly dislike? Which one? Yeah, like strawberry. What was the last sitcom you watched? No clue. ^ Do you have a favorite character in that sitcom? Why is that character your favorite? N/A What does the last group you joined on Facebook concern? I am 90% sure it was this group I joined that is literally just about cute yet dangerous animals lmao, mostly reptiles and invertebrates. "Misunderstood biteybois and where to befriemd them" or some stupid shit like that. Has there been a spider in your house at any time recently? Not that I've seen, no. Do you like wearing make-up? Not at all. I only like wearing it for pictures and then taking that shit off. ^ If so, how old were you when you first started to wear it? I started consistently wearing it my freshman year of high school. Then some time later I just showed up one day without any, shocked all my friends, and then only wore it when I felt like it. What foods are you craving lately, if any? Nothing, really. What were some of your favorite foods as a child? Chicken nuggets of course, as well as spaghetti, peanut butter sandwiches, just the typical stuff that kids tend to enjoy. When you were younger, did you ever have a friend that your parents hated? No. Have you ever talked in your sleep before? That's very normal for me, especially now that I have nightmares like every goddamn night. What was the last song you heard, that reminded you of someone? Well, not a real someone, but "The Ordinary World" by the Hit House is 110% one of Fetch's soon-to-be themes. What has brought you joy today? Nothing brought me "joy," really. When was the last time you won a prize in a raffle? What was it? I actually recently won an art rafle on deviantART hosted by a truly amazing artist, like I thought I had no chance, and she's going to be drawing Moondust!!!! :'''') What is the next non-essential item that you intend to buy for yourself? I'm still paying the bulk of my tattoo in May. Is there anywhere in your town/city that's rumored to be haunted? Oh, I'm sure. When you were younger, did you ever think that a certain place was haunted? Bitch I still do lmao. What were your school meals like? Did you enjoy them? This really depended on the menu for the day. My school lunches were nowhere near as bad as some people make theirs sound, but most things still weren't great. I think school pizzas are the most notoriously bad. What kind of granola bar did you eat most recently? I had a cashew bar earlier today. Do you have any books on your shelf that you've read multiple times? I never reread books. What did your last post on social media concern? That I personally wrote, something regarding subtle racism still being racism, pretty much. How do you feel about people using graphic images as a scare tactic to promote their beliefs? (i.e.: PETA, abortion…) I have mixed feelings on this. Like sometimes seeing the brutal side of certain things is definitely useful in opening someone's mind to things they don't want to see/think about, but then there's that, too: it can just be so invasive and unexpected, and thus very upsetting and even scarring. I'd say I'm most for the "appropriate" social media route: using censorship that the viewer can decide whether or not to remove. But you obviously can't do that in like, a public protest with a sign, so idk. Which is harder for you: writing creatively or academically? Honestly, both are pretty easy for me. I enjoy writing creatively far more, though. Do you think gender neutral bathrooms are a good idea? I think it's fine to have them as an option. When was the last time you voluntarily went outside of your comfort zone? Just talking about stuff in group therapy recently. Would you ever use a dating site that costs money, like Match.com or eHarmony? Have you known anyone who had good experience with such sites? No, and yes. Do you think it’s fair that people are able to make a reasonable salary and live comfortable lives just by making YouTube videos? Yes? It takes charisma and talent in some area (humor, education, etc.) as well as consistency for it to be a reliable career, and just consider how often you hear about creators burning out. That happens for a reason. Entertainment is a valid job category and should not be seen as an unfair joke. Whether you’re in college or not, do you become fearful about whether or not you’ll find a good job? Story of my life. What is something you can only understand if you've experienced it first hand? Deep heartbreak. Do you think it's a double standard that a woman can hit a man and expect to get away with it, but if a man hits a woman it's assault? Obviously. Abuse knows no gender, and hitting another person is just that. I do, however, believe in self-defense, also regardless of gender. In terms of a wedding, put these things in order from what would be MOST important to be perfect, to LEAST important... Engagement ring, dress, hair, venue, ceremony, food, pictures, decorations, honeymoon. This requires too much thinking, haha... but I do know the quality of my honeymoon would be most important to me, given that that's personal time with my new spouse and not a public celebration. I feel like what goes on behind closed doors is more important and heartfelt than how you act publicly. Do you have a go-to small talk conversation topic? Probably video games or music, idk. Define "small talk." Does anyone owe you money? Do you owe anyone money? (Besides credit cards) Mom does. She just a few days ago had to borrow $100 for rent. If someone was going to buy you any practical gift (anything except a house or car), what would you choose? It'd be dope as fuck if someone could pay for Venus' next terrarium, but that's a big purchase that I'd have a hard time accepting. How many people do you know with the same first name as you? At least one, but her name is spelled differently. What in your opinion is the best love song ever written? I'm not sure, but I can tell you that "When It's Love" by Van Halen has always been high on the list for me. Was your mother married when she had you? No, actually. I thought she was until my most recent bday, I think. It was just part of a conversation. How old was the first person you kissed? He was a few months into 18. The first person you were in a relationship with, do you still care about them? Of course, he's a sweet guy. We don't talk or anything, but that doesn't mean I don't care about him. Has anyone ever sang to you? Yes. So, what if you married the last person you kissed? That'd be pretty rad. What are you listening to at the moment? "Long Way Down" from the The Evil Within soundtrack. It's funny, like I've loved the game for many years, but I'm now in a serious semi-obsession phase after watching another let's play of it. Have you read the The Hunger Games trilogy? I only read the first book. I loved it, but just never continued. What is your boss’ (or school prinicpal’s) name? N/A Who is the person you dislike the most? That I personally know, probably a former best friend, oddly enough. Do you text your parents often? If Mom's not home, it's not unusual for us to text. I don't text my dad much because he's not a fan of texting. Do you watch YouTube videos often? Pretty much always. Do you know anyone with celiac disease? Sara, my aunt, and my cousin. Those are the ones I know of, anyway. Do you currently have any alarms set? No. How many cars can fit in your driveway? Barely even two. If someone else is here, they usually just park where the road meets the sidewalk of the cul-de-sac. Do you have the ashes of a family member or a pet? Of my dog Teddy, yes. Have you ever been involved in a car crash? Yes, as a kid. Do you prefer flash or no flash on a camera? Definitely no flash. It's more natural, and especially with people, it obviously prevents red eye. How often do you use hashtags? Just about never. Have you ever had whiplash before? No. Have you ever given another person or an animal a bath before? Pets, yes. I could never bathe another human. Is there a birdbath in your yard? No. Weirdest place you’ve ever had a cramp? Nowhere weird, I think... How many lamps are in the room you’re in? How many are actually turned on? Technically three, if you count my snake's heat lamp. Right now that's the only light that's on. Are there any activities you enjoy doing, but can only do for a short amount of time before you get bored or tired of them? Yeah, reading comes to mind first. Is there anything coming out soon (books, albums, movies, video games) that you're looking forward to? I'm not up-to-date on this stuff at all, not even video games. What is something someone recommended to you that you disliked/hated? I know Girt's recommended me music I haven't been a fan of. We like the same general stuff, but there are specific sub-genres we differ in opinion about. Can you unwrap a Starburst in your mouth? ... There are people who do this to even know in the first place??? What is the last thing you ate? Popcorn. Who is your favorite person to spend time with? Sara. Do you know how to grill a steak? I don't know how to cook, period. Do you have a large dog? We don't have a dog currently, but Mom is looking for one pretty intently. We don't know the size it'll end up being. Do you like walking places? Absolutely not. I can't walk far at all without my legs starting to scream at me because leading such a sedentary lifestyle led to muscle atrophy in my legs. It's incredibly embarrassing. Are you a fan of bands most people don’t know of? That's not uncommon for me. Have you ever sent an X-Rated picture to someone? No. Do you think your voice is higher or lower than average? It's deeper than the average woman's. Do you have a pool? No, but I really, really want one... Given how easily I sweat, I would love to use swimming to strengthen my legs. I could also stop the very moment I feel I need to; it in general sounds like something I could quite easily do. How many times have you been on a plane? Ummm including the trips going back, at least six times. Favorite ice cream flavor? Oh my gooooood, if you haven't tried Ben & Jerry's "phish food"... fucking try that shit. It is innnnnncredible. Do you have a TikTok? Nope. Do you enjoy driving? Fuck no I don't. Your favorite store as a teen? Hot Topic was and still is my fave, ha. Favorite YouTuber? There's this one called Markiplier that I think's pretty cool. How many online accounts do you have? A LOT. My whole life is essentially on the computer, so... .-. Do you tend to always be in some sort of drama? Quite the opposite. Do you collect quarters from every state? No. When was the last time your living room furniture was rearranged? Not since we moved into this place. When you were little did you like watching Cartoon Network, Disney or Nickelodeon more? Disney probably topped Nickelodeon. I didn't watch much CN. Who was the last person to kiss you on the cheek? Either my niece or nephew when saying bye. Have you ever seen a magic show? Yes, as a kid. I even had a magician for my bday once. When was the last time you vomited and why? It's been a year or so. It would've been a side effect of starting a certain med that I didn't stay on because it so consistently made me sick. Where do you usually sit when you eat dinner? Either in my bed (I know) or at the dinner table if Nicole is here to eat with us. What time do you usually go to sleep at night? It's typically around 7:30-8:30, occasionally a bit later. I can't believe as a teen, it was my "rule" that I couldn't go to sleep before 10:30 because it was "too early." Nowadays, I can barely imagine regularly staying up that late. Do you avoid using public restrooms? As best as I can. I've seen some nasty shit. What’s your favorite type of cookie? Chocolate chip. How basic.

[sustainablecontributions]

The Two Faces of Fashion

In 2007, Angel Gurria, the former Secretary-General of the OECD, gave a speech to the Foreign Relations Commission. He enthusiastically described globalisation as “a major positive force which provides key contributions to global progress and prosperity” (Gurria, 2007). While he acknowledged areas for improvement, the speech was overwhelmingly supportive of globalisation. However, it is becoming increasingly evident in recent years that globalisation has a darker side (Saval, 2018).

 In the late 20th and early 21st century, many UK fashion brands, from high street names such as M&S (Adams, 2011), to luxury brands such as Burberry (BBC, 2007), began sourcing garments from the far east and ceasing manufacturing in the UK. Driven by a desire to cut costs and remain competitive, brands were able to benefit from cheap labour in developing nations, and reduced compliance overheads in the UK (Hoskins, 2014). An increased obsession with profitability has encouraged business leaders to turn a blind eye and encourage unsustainable demand, whatever the environmental and social cost. These actions have led to opacity and complexity in supply chains, and it is now difficult for consumers to mentally connect their purchasing decisions with the harm caused by the production of their items.

 While supply chains are opaque, the impacts of globalised fashion are deeply understood. Barely a week goes by without a report exposing forced labour, hazardous working conditions, pollution, unsustainable farming practices and animal welfare issues, to name a few (Young, 2020)

 Fortunately, not all businesses hold profitability as their sole objective. Johnston’s of Elgin (JoE), a luxury garment manufacturer and retailer in rural Scotland has valued quality and purpose since it was founded in 1797. A dedication to serving the communities in which it operates, both in the UK and abroad, makes them an aspirational model for any brand selling physical goods. Their contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals are evident, and they have also consistently delivered economic growth.

While most UK manufacturing communities have been devastated by job losses following offshoring, JoE has retained all manufacturing in Scotland, preserving jobs in a rural community, nurturing skills, and making production decisions that reduce environmental harm.

  The fashion industry is notoriously wasteful, with over 300k tonnes of clothes heading to landfill each year (Ellson, 2018). JoE has not only improved on quality, and therefore lifespan, they also offer a return and repair service, contributing to responsible consumption goals.

 Sourcing cashmere is becoming increasingly unsustainable for similar businesses. In 2015, Simon Cotton, the CEO of JoE, jointly founded the Sustainable Fibre Alliance, an NGO dedicated to enabling the supply of sustainable cashmere from China and Mongolia. Since then, JoE has been instrumental in securing herder livelihoods and setting codes of practice that ensure preservation of rangelands, animal welfare, and the environmentally friendly processing of raw materials, and a transparent chain-of-custody process (JoE, 2019).

 It is inspiring to see a local Scottish business demonstrating that growth is achievable while embracing sustainable practises and serving communities.

____

Reference list

Adams, F. (2011). M&S Switch to Foreign Suppliers Threatens 16,000 UK Textile Jobs. [online] The Independent. Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/m-s-switch-to-foreign-suppliers-threatens-16-000-uk-textile-jobs-740621.html [Accessed 31 Jan. 2021].

BBC (2007). Burberry demo despite £1m offer. news.bbc.co.uk. [online] 27 Jan. Available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6305703.stm [Accessed 31 Jan. 2021].

Ellson, A. (2018). Clothes Worth £12.5bn Are Thrown in Bin. [online] Thetimes.co.uk. Available at: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/clothes-worth-12-5bn-are-thrown-in-bin-b8rqfrcg2 [Accessed 6 Feb. 2021].

Gurria, A. (2007). Reaping the Benefits of Globalisation: the Importance of Public Policies. [In-Person] Available at: http://www.oecd.org/general/38144150.pdf [Accessed 6 Feb. 2021].

Johnstons of Elgin. (2019). Johnston’s of Elgin - Our Philosophy. [online] Available at: https://www.johnstonsofelgin.com/retail/about-johnstons-of-elgin/our-philosophy/ [Accessed 6 Feb. 2021].

Labour Behind The Label (2020). Boohoo & Covid-19. [online] Labourbehindthelabel.net, p.4. Available at: https://labourbehindthelabel.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/LBL-Boohoo-WEB.pdf [Accessed 6 Feb. 2021].

Robinson, P.K. and Hsieh, L. (2016). Reshoring: a Strategic Renewal of Luxury Clothing Supply Chains. Operations Management Research, [online] 9(3-4), pp.89–101. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12063-016-0116-x [Accessed 6 Feb. 2021].

Saval, N. (2018). Globalisation: the Rise and Fall of an Idea That Swept the World. [online] The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/14/globalisation-the-rise-and-fall-of-an-idea-that-swept-the-world [Accessed 6 Feb. 2021].

Tansy Hoskins (2014). Luxury brands: Higher Standards or Just a Higher mark-up? [online] The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2014/dec/10/luxury-brands-behind-gloss-same-dirt-ethics-production [Accessed 6 Feb. 2021].

Young, S. (2020). What Was the Rana Plaza Disaster and Why Did It happen? [online] The Independent. Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/rana-plaza-factory-disaster-anniversary-what-happened-fashion-a9478126.html [Accessed 6 Feb. 2021].

Image Credits - 

1. United Nations (SDG Icons) 2. Johnston’s of Elgin

Podcast Reference list

Bradley-Ross, C. (2014). How Is Cotton Biodegradable and Why Is That Good? [online] The Sustainable Fashion Collective. Available at: https://www.the-sustainable-fashion-collective.com/2014/10/09/cotton-biodegradable-good.

BrotherEarthJp (2014). Project for Combating Desertification in Inner Mongolia -full version-. YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxcSTU4UtXw&t=81s [Accessed 7 Feb. 2021].

Business Insider (2019). Why Cashmere Is So Expensive | So Expensive. YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Fy1suDnO3o&t=39s [Accessed 7 Feb. 2021].

Filei, A.A., Slesarenko, L.A., Boroditskaya, A.V. and Mishigdorj, O. (2018). Analysis of Desertification in Mongolia. Russian Meteorology and Hydrology, 43(9), pp.599–606.

Hernández, J.C. (2017). “We Don’t Exist”: Life inside Mongolia’s Swelling Slums. The New York Times. [online] 2 Oct. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/02/world/asia/mongolia-slums-ulan-bator.html [Accessed 7 Feb. 2021].

Johnstons of Elgin. (2021). Cashmere Clothing & Fabrics | Scottish Cashmere. [online] Available at: https://www.johnstonsofelgin.com/ [Accessed 7 Feb. 2021].

JohnstonsofElgin (2012). Our Story - Celebrating 215 Years. YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEyeWsoISLM [Accessed 7 Feb. 2021].

PETA. (2019). Brands That Have Banned Cashmere Cruelty. [online] Available at: https://www.peta.org/features/international-brands-that-have-banned-cashmere/ [Accessed 7 Feb. 2021].

Sustainable Fibre Alliance. (2021). SFA | The Sustainable Fibre Alliance. [online] Available at: https://sustainablefibre.org/ [Accessed 7 Feb. 2021].

T, B. (2019). Mongolia Has 70.9 Million Livestock Animals Counted. [online] MONTSAME News Agency. Available at: https://montsame.mn/en/read/211029 [Accessed 7 Feb. 2021].

The Economist (2018). The true cost of fast fashion | The Economist. YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLfNUD0-8ts&t=32s [Accessed 7 Feb. 2021].

Timmins, B. (2020). Cashmere and climate change threaten nomadic life. BBC News. [online] 5 Mar. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51315490 [Accessed 6 Feb. 2021].

United Nations (2015). The 17 Goals. [online] United Nations. Available at: https://sdgs.un.org/goals [Accessed 7 Feb. 2021].

Walsh, F. (2008). Partywear and cashmere help Primark beat the gloom. [online] the Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2008/jan/17/associatedbritishfoodsbusiness.christmas2007 [Accessed 6 Feb. 2021].

www.eda.admin.ch. (n.d.). National Rangeland Forum: Caring for our homeland and rangelands. [online] Available at: https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/mongolia/en/home/news/agenda.html/content/countries/mongolia/en/meta/agenda/2017/rangeland_forum [Accessed 7 Feb. 2021].

[thede-vil]

candice headcanons & things.

candice has been an absolute nightmare since she was a child. she’s an only child and her father spoiled her, if only to not have to put up with her bullshit. there was no such thing as no in the da vil household, and no expense to great to get little candice far away from her father and all his importance.

where her father is distant and buys gifts to keep her occupied, her mother is overbearing and applies pressure to young candice’s shoulders. dione da vil expects nothing less than greatness from her daughter, and the older woman never misses an opportunity to remind candice that the world outside their estate will eat her alive if she’s too weak.

everything in the da vil house is a competition; who has the best success story of the night, who can answer the trivia question of the night the quickest. every moment in that house is a chance to show off your superiority and it’s from here that candice gets her competitive streak. 

she calls herself a “self made millionaire” but let’s be clear, there’s not really much self made about her. sure, she built her business and cultivated a fan base and a reputation for excellence and has even gone on to style some of the world’s biggest celebrities; but candice has always had the da vil name to fall back on. she’s always had a leg up on the competition because she got to watch her mother navigate these very waters as a child, she was a master at the game before she’d even entered. 

candice treats everyone in her life as a means to an end. her instagram is filled with pictures of smiling models and celebrities who she adores so long as they keep wearing her clothes. if you’re on top, she’s your best friend, but don’t expect her to help you up when you fall from grace. it’s a great way to move through the cut throat ever changing world of fashion, but it’s not necessarily the best way to treat people. 

candice never really had many genuine friends, only people she needed for the moment. her parents weren’t necessarily the warmest people around, and talking about anything she was going through was only ever met with remarks that she’s got to stop being such a cry baby. so candice’s emotional control is not....the best. she’s always just seconds away from flying off the handle. when she was a teenager a doctor suggested she could have bipolar disorder, and, honestly it made sense why she suffers from such drastic mood swings. candice didn’t see it that way, simply screamed and chased the doctor out of the room waving her stilettos at him. she admits now, it could have been a bit of an overreaction, but how dare he imply there was something off about her. she was perfect. she had to be because of her parents, because of the world. 

candice is passionate almost to the point of obsession. she wants what she wants and she will do anything to get it. she’s ruthless and cruel and has no problem stepping on the backs of former friends and allies to get ahead. it’s just business afterall, and the world can be so cut throat for women. you’ve just got to do what you got to do. 

anyone that knows candice knows her to be intense, driven and egotistical. she wears it like a badge of honor, knows that if she were a man she’d be applauded for being set to her goals as opposed to despised by her peers. 

candice loves art and music, finds small pleasures in going to small galleries or open mics (ok, she can only really stay for like ten minutes because bar people are kind of gross and she doesn’t want them touching her). inspiration strikes at any time and seeing others’ art in different mediums never ceases to give her the creative boost she needs. 

candice has not been able to keep an assistant for more than four months. they always run away crying that she’s too demanding, or that she assaulted them. which, by the way, throwing a lamp at someone for being an idiot isn’t assult, just duck ok.  

any charges pressed against her for alleged assaults are always dropped the second a check is clear. the world need not know she’s a nightmare, that would destroy everything she’s worked so hard to build. 

she is very honest and blunt and you should never ask her for her opinion if you don’t want to get your feelings hurt. 

PETA, as an organization, fucking sucks. like just mind your business ok.  she hasn’t dabbled in designs that utilize fur in a while because she’s afraid of what that backlash will be. she can even be spotted at animal shelters playing with dirty little mutts, er...she means nice sweet dogs in need of love. appearances are everything, and she knows she would be absolutely destroyed if anyone were to ever find about her closet of mink coats and her fur rugs. 

she’s bisexual, but not many people know that small fact about her as she’s certain her parents would not take kindly to such deviance. whatever, it’s not the fucking 1700s. 

WANTED PLOTS/CONNECTIONS. 

boys don’t cry; having you on her arm is honestly just business for her. you’re sweet and have a dazzling smile and everyone just adores you, and she needs people to adore her too, business is good when people like you. mom taught her that. well, unfortunately for candice she doesn’t have a single likeable trait in her body, but that’s ok, she’ll make you think she does just long enough for her to get the positive publicity she needs for her new launch. 

NASA; a past girlfriend/boyfriend. candice is no stranger to physical intimacy. sex is sex and sometimes she could use the distraction, sometimes she needs the release as there’s always just so much tension breathing in between her muscles. but when it comes down to the other part of a relationship, you know, the feelings she turns icy and her gaze can freeze you to that spot. last you heard from her she was going on a business trip and the next thing you know she’s on instagram with her lips on someone else. and when she returns and you bring it up, she makes it seem like you’re the problem in the equation. like it’s your fault that you’re so needy and clingy and you want too much. candice had never been the warmest or fuzziest person around but that level of selfishness and disinterest was shocking, even from her. 

boss bitch; rivalry with another fashion designer or even just an old classmate who she could never get along with. i promise she won’t murder your character, there’ll just be a lot of manipulation and maybe she’ll try to drive you off the road if she gets mad enough. who knows.

ways to be wicked; i’m just here to fight and create chaos so i request villains being villains together ok. there’s nothing more to that. 

devil wears prada; yeah i’ma be a cliche and ask for an aspiring designer to intern. candice can be a mentor and it can be a nightmare for everyone involved but the pay is great and you get to go to great parties and you’ll learn a lot ok. just yanno duck when things start flying. 

i’m down for just about anything and honestly very very chill so feel free to message me for anything your little heart desires. 

[dippedanddripped]

At the AW20 menswear shows, Raf Simons wrapped his models up in slogan-adorned faux fur muffs, buttoned up stoles, and broad-shouldered coats; Dries Van Noten went for fake foxes draped around shoulders; and Vetements’ first show without Demna featured vintage-inspired faux fur ankle length coats, refreshed in electric blue and parakeet green.

The ranks of brands going fur-free are growing. Gucci, Coach, Versace, DKNY, Burberry, Margiela, and Prada have all pledged to ditch fur in recent years. Even Fendi, a renowned furrier, has begun to debut faux fur looks on the runway alongside the real thing. Compounding brands’ individual decisions, the British Fashion Council encouraged labels showing as part of London Fashion Week to go fur-free in 2018. Meanwhile, just yesterday, Peta announced the end of its naked celebrity-featuring anti-fur campaigns, given use of the material is dwindling among designers.

The big fur shun isn’t just contained to the fashion industry. In 2018, Oldham council banned the sale of fur on its markets and in 2019, Islington became the first London council to do the same. From 2023, the manufacture and sale of fur will be prohibited in California, as it becomes the first US state to do so. Cities such as LA, San Francisco and West Hollywood have done the same and in 2018, the Labour party vowed to ban fur imports to the UK – but sadly, we all know how that story ends.

For many, this about-turn from fur is a positive sign, a win for animals, but for others, concern surrounding the environmental implications of turning to polyester and acrylic alternatives is growing. Made in an automated process, faux fur is created using synthetic fibres which are mostly petroleum-based.

The use of plastic in a world already drowning in it is a major concern, with many anxious about faux fur coats languishing in landfill, refusing to degrade for hundreds or thousands of years (of course, one solution to that could be just: don’t throw your coats in the bin). Another major side effect of our global obsession with plastic is microfibres. 83 per cent of tap water samples taken from around the world were found to be contaminated with plastic in 2017, and in 2018 another study found 10 plastic particles per litre in bottled water too. It’s not just us ingesting plastic, though: fish and marine life do too, with an estimated 1.4 trillion microfibres floating in our oceans right now.

The fur industry in particular has taken the plastic argument and run with it, positioning faux fur as a plastic scourge on the environment and real fur as the only real natural and sustainable option. Mark Oaten, former LibDem MP (the party responsible for the ban in Oldham, incidentally) and now CEO of the International Fur Federation (IFF), voiced his concerns in an interview with WWD. “There is a lot of talk about fake fur these days,” he said, “for me it makes no sense to use a product full of chemicals and plastics when you can have a natural and biodegradable fashion item like real fur.”

“It makes no sense to use a product full of chemicals and plastics when you can have a natural and biodegradable fashion item like real fur” – Mark Oaten, CEO of the International Fur Federation

Backing up Oaten’s public stance, IFF launched a global campaign in 2018 to “highlight the colossal environmental damage caused by plastic based fake fur”, and there are some studies to support them. One 2012 report, commissioned by the International Fur Trade Federation, suggested that faux fur coats consume more non-renewable energy, have greater risk of potential impacts of global warming and greater risk of ecotoxicity impacts. Another, sponsored by Fur Europe, found that real fur biodegrades faster than faux fur. However, much like a study sponsored by Philip Morris that says smoking is good for you, they should be read with the underlying bias in mind.

In their list of fake fur’s ‘deadly credentials’, IFF pointed out that “fake fur is produced in factories from chemicals derived from fossils fuels”. What they fail to mention, though, are the many chemicals used during the processing of real fur, which include formic, hydrochloric and sulphuric acid, ammonia, formaldehyde and lead acetate, all of which are, or can be, toxic.

Unsurprisingly, given the high stakes of the real versus faux debate, for every pro-fur study, there’s an anti-fur one to match, pointing out everything from the unsustainable amount of feed it takes to produce 1kg of mink fur (aka 11 minks), to how the industry adds almost 1,000 tons of phosphorus to the environment each year.

But just as the fur industry bankrolls pro-fur studies, the ones that highlight the negatives are often sponsored by animal welfare organisations, leaving people with the feeling that they don’t know who to trust, unable to navigate the best way forward. Consumer organisations in countries such as Denmark, France, the Netherlands and England, however, have tended to lean against the claims made by the fur industry, their argument being that there simply isn’t enough empirical data to support them.

What’s lost in the who’s-more-eco debate, though, are the animals themselves. It’s their welfare, more than environmental concerns, which is often the reason for people boycotting real fur. So should those who will simply never wear it ask why they’re so worried about the synthetic alternative all of a sudden? Especially when they likely have a wardrobe full of synthetics in the form of leggings, underwear, t-shirts, dresses and most other garments you’d pick up in any high street shop.

“Currently the most bio-based faux fur on the market (KOBA) is made with only 37 per cent bio materials, then the remainder is either recycled polyester or just polyester” – Kim Canter, CEO of cult faux fur label House of Fluff

“Of course we are aware of the environmental impact of faux fur, even though we are always surprised to see the intensity of the debate when it comes to faux fur, as we are a small niche, with less impact than animal-based materials,” says Arnaud Brunois, communications manager for EcoPel, a French company which has created KOBA, the first bio-based faux fur. “The defamation campaign created by the fur lobby surely has created a very toxic conversation, as all fibres have their own issues and faux fur has never claimed some sort of perfection,” he continues. (EcoPel has also released a report on faux versus real, showing faux winning out against real on the environmental impact index).

Kym Canter, CEO of House of Fluff, a cult faux fur brand launched in 2017 that has been seen on the covers of Elle and InStyle and worn by Drew Barrymore, Sarah Harris and Oprah, agrees. “Changing the conversation and moving it away from animal welfare, which they can never win, and rebranding themselves as a natural fur alternative was an incredibly smart move,” says Canter, who previously worked as creative director for a fur brand before having a change of heart.

The likes of EcoPel and House of Fluff don’t deny their use of plastics but innovation is happening to move towards more sustainable alternatives. “This year we launched a faux fur made from 100 per cent recycled post-consumer plastic. So it’s made from old straws and bottles that are melted down, turned into a thread and rewoven,” says Canter. The brand also uses Tencel, a cellulose fibre, for lining, and recycles their factory offcuts into plush ‘Scrappies’.

Like EcoPel, Canter is currently working on a bio-based fur made from all natural materials in order to be even more sustainable. “Currently the most bio-based faux fur on the market (KOBA) is only made with 37 per cent bio materials,” she says, “and then the remainder is from either recycled polyester or just polyester. And so, we’re just trying to get a lot better on that bio-based number and hopefully bring it up to 100 per cent.” Canter hopes to bring her bio-fur to market for AW20 but until then, where do vegan, anti-plastic advocates turn?

Vintage fur is great in theory – it already exists, it won’t be using up any more resources, and it’s cheaper. But in reality, many just aren’t prepared to wear it. “I don’t wear fur as it creeps me out,” Clotilde says, while designer Becky said she tried a fur cape that had belonged to her great aunt but “felt icky just touching it”. Vivienne, meanwhile, has concerns about the stigma attached to wearing fur. “I’d worry I’d get abuse!” she says. Her concerns aren’t unfounded.

If you can’t stomach the vintage fur, faux fur as it stands is no worse than most other polyester or acrylic hanging in your wardrobe, and buying it second hand offers a more sustainable approach. But if you’re still feeling plastic-phobic, you might have to place your bets on those bio-fur innovations and hold out for the next gen of faux

[jiggins03]

CONTEMPORARY ART ESSAY PART 1

Jack Higgins

Essay 2 Part 1

This essay will go in depth into a specific piece of contemporary art, followed by looking into a key modernist movement that clearly influenced the manufacture of that piece. Looking into the movements origins, beliefs and goals to find ties to the work I've selected. In summary, looking for characteristics within the piece that tie it to the movement.

The piece of contemporary art being evaluated is Damien Hirst's 'I Am Become Death, Shatterer of Worlds'. Made in 2006 it is a 2134 x 5334 mm/84 x 210 in canvas that is entirely covered in household gloss and the wings of real butterflies. Part of his extensive selection of Kaleidoscope paintings, that all share the use of gloss and butterfly wings. The first Kaleidoscope painting, ‘It’s a Wonderful World’, was created in 2001. Originally inspired by a Victorian tea tray found by Hirst, the works are made by placing thousands of different coloured butterfly wings in geometric patterns into household paint. The ‘Kaleidoscope’ paintings reference the spiritual symbolism of the butterfly, used by the Greeks to depict Psyche, the soul, and in Christian imagery to signify the resurrection. The works are very reminiscent of, and even sometimes directly copy stained glass windows. Their titles similarly often reference Christian iconography.  

"I’ve got an obsession with death … But I think it’s like a celebration of life rather than something morbid" Damien Hirst was born in Bristol in the United Kingdom in 1965. He received his BA in Fine Art from Goldsmiths college in 1989. In the 1990's he was part of the Young British Artists group, or YBA's for short. He has gained much praise as well as infamy for his unique art projects which often include dead animals in some way. He has created works spanning from dead sharks: 'The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living' a large vitrine containing an Australian tiger shark suspended in formaldehyde. Sheep: 'Away from the Flock' shows a sheep that appears to have been frozen in mid run suspended in formaldehyde. Cows: Mother and Child (Divided) Four glass boxes each with one half of either the cow or the calf also suspended in formaldehyde, and more recently butterflies.  

The butterfly being one of Damien Hirst's most enduring triggers in this Kaleidoscope series he's differed from his use of it in his previous works. Previously he included live butterflies in his instillation 'In and Out of Love' in 1991, or whole dead ones in his butterfly monochrome paintings. These works and many others were influenced by a quote someone ounce said to him: “Butterflies are beautiful, but it’s a shame they have disgusting hairy bodies in the middle.” So, he chose to only use the wings of the butterflies in the Kaleidoscope paintings. Removing the ugly and leaving the only desirable part of the butterfly would show the everyday person glancing apon it should appreciate all animals no matter how ugly or disgusting they might appear.

Works from the ‘Kaleidoscope’ series were first exhibited as part of ‘Romance in the Age of Uncertainty’ at London, in 2003. In 2007, Hirst presented a major series of the paintings in the solo show, ‘Superstition’, at Gagosian Gallery, London Davies Street and Beverley Hills.

'I am Become Death, Shatterer of Worlds' is one of the largest ‘Kaleidoscope’ paintings in existence it includes over 2,700 butterflies. Its title recalls the words of the American theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer who, on detonating the first atomic bomb in 1945 recalled the words of the Bhagavad Gita, part of the Mahabharata, “I am become death, the shatterer of worlds.” It sold for 2,169,250 Pounds, being a monumental sum of money for what many consider to be animal cruelty. These works have, not surprisingly drawn outrage from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, who called him a sadist for one of his earlier pieces, and with this one being one of the largest he had drawn their attention again. The group also described his butterfly wing covered bicycle that he had made for Lance Armstrong as "Barbaric and Horrific." But Damien Hirst was never to be detoured as in an interview with the daily mail regarding the bicycle piece he said that he uses real wings because "I wanted it to shimmer when the light catches it like only real butterflies do." Much to the discredit of Damien Hirst he has never really provided an answer as to how he obtains the butterfly wings. Specifically, whether the butterflies were killed for the sake of art or had been collected after they were already dead.

Damian Hirst has long been scrutinised by many people to be psychotic and inhumane in his works, his fascination of life and death shines through all his work. Though many can appreciate seeing butterfly wings used out of context for creative purposes there are also many others who condemn his work as inhumane. He pushes the boundaries to what he can display in a gallery, in his instillation 'In and Out of Love' he has thousands of butterflies packed into a space where the floor Is littered of thousands of dead ones. PETA made the point of if the animal used in this instillation were dogs people that would've sparked a massive outrage, but because they are insects it is looked past. They are right depending on certain people opinion on the matter of animal rights but it's clear to see why Hirst receives all the negative attention, some would say he deserves it. But despite all the negative criticism and personal hatred towards him personally, he keeps going, creating more and more pieces that go against what many consider to be art.

References:

Tate. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/hirst-mother-and-child-divided-t12751. [Accessed 16 March 2018].

The Guardian. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/apr/18/damien-hirst-butterflies-weirdly-uplifting.  

Damian Hirst. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.damienhirst.com/. [Accessed 16 March 2018].

treehugger. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.treehugger.com/culture/damien-hirst-artwork-made-of-thousands-of-butterfly-wings-sells-for-2-million-pounds.html. [Accessed 16 March 2018].

theartstory. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.theartstory.org/artist-hirst-damien.htm. [Accessed 16 March 2018].

[toptshirtsblog-blog]

Nordic style isn't only a fad, but it is how we are going to construct our future

Lowie vets its providers and guides them how they could be green and ethical. Madia&Mathilda listen to four primary sustainable columns: over-consumption, squander, friendly fibers as well as the future of style. To ensure this has been followed , they create their clothes locally in the united kingdom. Any leftover cloth is used for the subsequent year's samples or re-used for fresh layouts. The business has won many awards, like the Sustainability Management Award as well as the Peta Vegan awards. In Nancy Deethey plan to be the most effective ethical clothes brand they could be. Fabrics are largely made from renewable all-natural resources like bamboo and organic cotton. In addition they utilize Modal, an ecofriendly man-made substance originated from beech timber. Nomads' organic clothes helps encourage sustainable style and to safeguard the health and well-being of people who are employed in cotton farms. They have also experienced a Fair Trade policy for more than 20 years making them leaders in the business.

"Nordic style isn't only a fad, but it is how we are going to construct our future." If everybody could just hear this, please. Not just do OrganicBasics concentrate on the big items like our packaging, but the direction of wastewater, also maintaining womens day giftsour transport grounded, they also concentrate on the small things such as the LED lights used within their regional European factories. They simply started their SilverTech 2.0 effort on Kickstarter. They are likely to create the most practical, comfortable, and sustainable staples (panties and T-shirts) for guys made from automatically recycled nylon, easily knitted and medicated using Polygiene for odour control. You may select from a number of natural sustainable materials like organic cotton, organic wool, Peace silk, silk, and bamboo. But wait, there is more. They also offer you innovative sustainable materials like recycled milk and polyester fiber viscose. P.i.C Style was created from an obsession with performing style the ideal way. They know that today people would like to learn where their couple matching outfits garments come from and that makes them. "We all must care for this world, but it's likely to look after and look posh." Their assignment is threefold: To be 100 percent Fair Trade during their distribution chain, to encourage manufacturers from the developing world and also to defend the environment. Their definition of renewable luxury is caliber design produced from a location of consciousness, and they maintain their designers to four renters: natural, re-made, neighborhood and honest. In Rêve En Vert they do not sacrifice style for integrity. Every step of this Solosocks' procedure was carefully designed to make the smallest amount of waste possible. Their socks are sold in packages of seven rather than pairs (so in the event that you lose one you do not need to throw off another one) along with the packs they are in (manufactured from recycled cardboard) work as a box where you could save your brand new accessories. Everybody is going sustainable today but McCartney was performing it since way before it was trendy. Ever since she found her first set back in 2001, Stella was completely, not just fur, but in addition leather-free. Does she make sure her goods are green but she spreads the message into her celebrity friends like when she advised Madonna to quit wearing tha tpersonalized gifts chinchilla coat. Thought is about lowering its effect on Earth and they do this by employing organic, organic and recycled materials. Hemp was their go-to selection but today they utilize innovative materials such as tencel and modal.

As a result of our five decades of expertise in the apparel-printing sector, we can give a service catered to individuals who need sustainably made T-shirts. Printsome functions with brands which don't just utilize organic substances but also guarantee that an ethical treatment of the workers. From the instant that you get connected, among our'printing pros' will answer all your queries and find effective solutions for your requirements. It's our mission to assist you and the surroundings. As a result of high quality clothes and cutting edge printing methods, we can create just about any design. Why worry about logistics or inventory once we can look after this? We cope with the dull stuff so that you have more time to do everything you love.

[seniorbrief]

10 Surprising Things You Didn’t Know About Game of Thrones’ Lena Headey

Shutterstock (2)Straight Out of Bermuda

Lena Headey was born on October 3, 1973 in Hamilton, Bermuda, which is the home of one of the hotels with the most stunning views in the world. Her father was stationed on the Caribbean island as a police cadet. She lived there until she was five, when her family later moved back to England. They settled in Huddersfield, which is close to where her parents were originally from in Yorkshire.

Pardon my accent

As a child, Headey was picked on and bullied because of the elocution lessons her mother made her take. Her mother wanted her to learn how “to speak like a lady.” However, her working-class hometown didn’t take to her “upper class” status.

She told Men’s Health in 2010, “I remember asking this boy where the playing field was, and he was like, ‘Where are you from?’ Then he literally smashed me on the head with his cricket bat because I was different,” she says, and then contemplates, “or maybe he just wanted to kiss me.”

The bullying didn’t stop at childhood either. Headey also recalled a story when she went back home after establishing herself as a successful TV actress in the early 90s. At the time, Headey had been recently cast in The Jungle Book when her old school mates confronted her at a bar.

“I was having a drink with my mates, and one girl (who we always had trouble with) said, ‘Oh, you think you’re so f***ing good coming back here, don’t ya?’,” she admitted to the men’s magazine. “Then she punched me in the eye, and I showed up on my first day of a Disney film with a real shiner.”

Friends with Peter Dinklage

She was already good friends with Peter Dinklage before she was cast in Game of Thrones, which is based on a popular book series that features fierce female characters. The pair met and became friends while making the indie film Pete Smalls Is Dead in 2010. In fact, Dinklage was the one who recommended that the producers cast Headey in the role of Queen Regent of the Seven Kingdoms.

“A lesser actress would play a wicked woman,” Peter Dinklage said of Headey. “But Lena approaches it as a mother lion—maybe because she’s a mother herself. Cersei will do anything to protect her own.”

P.E.T.A.

In 2008, Headey appeared in an anti-circus public service announcement for PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). She described the cruel treatment of elephants and other animals that are forced to perform. “Circus trainers often force elephants, bears, tigers and other animals to perform tricks by beating and whipping them, shocking them with electric prods and jabbing holes in their skin with sharp metal hooks,” she described.

Tattoos

Believe it or not, but she has about nine tattoos on her body, including a large spiraling lotus flower on her back. She also has ink on her right arm, between her shoulder blades, and one of her ex-boyfriend’s name “Jason” on her arm written in Thai.

“I always want more, it’s a terrible thing,” Headey admitted to More magazine. “I’ll be outside a tattoo shop and hear the needle and think, ‘I could just get a little one that nobody would see.’”

During production on Game of Thrones, costume designers and makeup department have to find clever ways to film Headey without revealing her tattoos. Sometime they use body doubles for scenes that show her back or naked, such as Cersei’s humiliating walk. Hopefully, she asked herself these seven questions you must answer before getting a tattoo.

Highest paid on American TV

As of 2017, the main cast of Game of Thrones is the highest paid in TV history. Peter Dinklage, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (one of the celebrity names you’re probably pronouncing wrong), Kit Harington, Emilia Clarke, and yes, Lena Headey all get paid $1.1 million per episode going into season seven and season eight.

Pregnant during season one and season six

While filming season one of Game of Thrones in 2010, Headey was pregnant with her first child Wylie. The producers decided to use a body double, while also dressing Headey in long flowing dresses and robes to hide the pregnancy.

“We just hid the pregnancy,” Headey said to Vulture in 2013. “But even after that, I’m not a naturally pregnant person, so I was having all these hideous post-pregnancy hormonal moments, mentally, and that’s a completely other thing—I was not happy. But that helped for playing Cersei.”

She was also pregnant with her second child Teddy while filming season six in 2015. Here are 10 things never to say to a pregnant woman, especially not the Queen Regent of the Seven Kingdoms.

Pets

Headey has a lot of pets: a beagle named Wizard and a Brussels Griffon originally named Nugget, but later changed to Angela Lansbury when Headey realized the dog looked like the Murder, She Wrote actress. She also owns two Dachshunds named Monkey and Skippy, as well as a rescued dog named Irish. The dogs are valued at over $2 million combined. Headey also admits that she tweets about her dogs too much. Here’s the real reason dogs freak out during a thunderstorm.

Boxing and yoga

To stay in shape, Headey practices yoga and boxing. She’s been boxing since the 90s as a way to stay physically and mentally fit. Staying fit was one of the reasons why she is cast in movies like 300 and its sequel 300: The Rise of an Empire, and TV shows like Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Headey told EW, “I took up boxing as a fitness thing. I got obsessed and I would go every day when I wasn’t working. It’s just an insane sport when you get into it.” If she was wondering, here’s how the best way to clean your yoga mat.

She loves horror movies

Headey has appeared in a number of horror movies, such as The Purge and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. In fact, horror movies are her favorite. “Some people f***ing hate horror films, right? But I love them,” Headey told Vulture in 2013. “I find (Texas) Chainsaw (Massacre) to be a very relaxing film. [Laughs] For me, horror movies are a real escape. I don’t feel like I’m getting anything out, but my brain shuts down, [sigh of relief] and I can fall into this dark, you know, fantasy for a minute. I don’t get anything out of it. I just go, “Oh! That was nice.” Here are 32 of the scariest movies of all-time.

Original Source -> 10 Surprising Things You Didn’t Know About Game of Thrones’ Lena Headey

source https://www.seniorbrief.com/10-surprising-things-you-didnt-know-about-game-of-thrones-lena-headey/

[fashiontrendin-blog]

The Australian swimwear brand fashion editors are obsessed with has finally landed in the UK

http://fashion-trendin.com/the-australian-swimwear-brand-fashion-editors-are-obsessed-with-has-finally-landed-in-the-uk/

The Australian swimwear brand fashion editors are obsessed with has finally landed in the UK

If you’ve ever pulled your hair out swimwear shopping before a holiday, you know you’ve struck gold when you find that bikini or swimsuit that is not only super flattering, but is so comfy you’d think you’re wearing nothing.

Which is exactly why Australian brand Matteau is fast becoming a firm favourite with fashion editors and celebrities (Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Georgia Fowler, Phoebe Tonkin and Camille Charriere are all fans) worldwide.

Sisters Ilona Hamer and Peta Heinsen started the brand back in 2002 when they couldn’t find a simple, classic black bikini anywhere, and from the beginning, their ethos was to offer minimal separates that you could easily mix and match.

Sisters Ilona Hamer and Peta Heinsen

Now they’re on their SS18 collection, which has launched on Net-A-Porter for the first time, and it’s pretty exciting: seriously, once you try them on, you won’t be able to go back.

This season, go for timeless with the black square swimsuit, or for a jazzier vibe, try the equally pretty printed triangle bikini.

Shop now: MATTEAU The Square swimsuit for £240 from Net-A-Porter

Shop now: MATTEAU The Crop printed triangle bikini top for £105 from Net-A-Porter

Shop now: MATTEAU The Classic printed bikini briefs for £105 from Net-A-Porter

Shop now: MATTEAU The Crop bikini top for £105 from Net-A-Porter

Shop now: MATTEAU The High Waist bikini briefs for £105 from Net-A-Porter