#Best Platform for E-Store

[legalfirmindia]

Data Protection: Legal Safeguards for Your Business

In today’s digital age, data is the lifeblood of most businesses. Customer information, financial records, and intellectual property – all this valuable data resides within your systems. However, with this digital wealth comes a significant responsibility: protecting it from unauthorized access, misuse, or loss. Data breaches can have devastating consequences, damaging your reputation, incurring…

[erpcall]

Powering Your Retail Store with the Best Software Provider Near You

Choosing a retail store software provider near you offers the advantage of local expertise and support. They understand the unique challenges and requirements of the local retail landscape, including tax regulations, payment methods, and customer preferences. This local knowledge ensures that the software solution is customized to meet your specific needs and provides prompt support when needed.

[imarketer4udma-blog]

6 BEST E-COMMERCE CMS FOR ONLINE STORE

Do you own an online store? Good for you! Owning an online store is a great business opportunity and it has become a necessity today. But if you have not started your website yet, then there is no doubt that you should go for an e-commerce platform. The good news is, there are several good e-commerce platforms that help you create a website for your business. So, which are the best e-commerce platforms available in the market right now? Here’s our listicle to help you choose among all these platforms!

FEATURES OF CMS FOR E-COMMERCE WEBSITES

Content management system (CMS) – is a web-interface or computer program that is used to:

adding, editing, deleting     information on the site (site content, such as texts, pictures, documents,     videos, documents, product descriptions and characteristics);

presentation of content in a form suitable for     perception, navigation and search;

managing the structure and sometimes the     appearance of the site;

publishing content on the Internet.

 Sites are created with the help of content management systems, and they include a data storage system (usually a database management system), a content control panel, a visual (WYSIWYG) page editor and a file manager to manage site files.

Modern CMS provides not only the tools for information management, but in fact provides a full-fledged website on the Internet. There is also the notion of content manager, denoting the kind of professional activity associated with a content management site.

CMS – a tool that allows “not a programmer” to manage the site and the information placed on it. CMS also called the system of site administration or, more simply, the engine of the site.

Pay attention! To run the site, you will also need to rent a hosting and domain!

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING A CMS FOR AN ONLINE STORE

In order to choose the right engine, you need to understand what to look for. We offer you a simple checklist that will help you choose the right CMS:

Functionality

Simple technical optimization, responsible design. The ability to manage access levels and blogging is also important. These are not all the features you need for the online store, but the most important.

Ease of setup

It is important to choose a CMS with a balance between ease of operation and functionality. Yes, the task is not easy, but with our rating, you can make the right choice.

Integration with third-party programs

Quality CMS should be able to connect plugins, third-party services, statistics and analytics, etc. Thus, get to create a quality online store.

SEO

Since without SEO there is no point to create a website, pay attention to the presence: the indexing of pages, metadata management, robots.txt file, etc.

The possibility of customization

Also, CMS can be paid and free. Of course, the first version will be more functional, so depending on your needs, choose your option. If you choose WordPress, then it is enough to complement it with plugins that will allow you to customize the site as you and your users need.

THE BEST CMS FOR CREATING AN ONLINE STORE

When choosing an engine for your online store, you can act in two ways:

Choose a special system that     is fully customized for online sales.

Opt for a free CMS and     simply install e-commerce plugins.

To say exactly which way is better, it’s difficult. The fact that the choice depends not only on the preferences of the webmaster, but also on the goals and objectives. Consider the best options and compare them with each other.

POPULAR CMS FOR ONLINE STORE

WooCommerce (WordPress)

The WooCommerce engine is actually one of the plugins of the WordPress platform, so it is the most popular in the world. Its popularity guarantees its users a quick fix for bugs in updates and limitless opportunities for self-learning and finding experts to maintain the site.

Advantages

WordPress + WooComerce – a     friendly system for beginners;

price – the software is free     and open source, with no subscription or other licensing fees.

installation – easy to install     and configure the WooCommerce system;

flexibility – the ability to     freely modify the platform and add many features;

personalization – advanced     options for personalization, modification and customization of the     platform in terms of appearance and functionality;

plugins – numerous extensions,     add-ons, plugins for WooCommerce and WordPress, which will fit the     solution for your online store;

products – selling any type of     product: physical products, services, software, music, e-books, etc.

updates – frequent and regular     system updates, ensuring security and compliance with the latest     technological requirements and e-commerce trends;

additional options – the     ability to launch a store with multiple language versions and multiple     currencies;

statistics – reports and statistics     on sales, orders, customer information and inventory;

data export – ability to export     store data in csv or xml format;

email notifications –     transactional emails sent on store orders: new orders, order status     changes, notes and customer information;

graphics – a very wide range of     graphic themes (templates), the ability to choose a theme or implement     your own design;

development – full control of     the owner over the development of the store, very large development     possibilities, access to the source codes;

specialists – easy access to     subcontractors specializing in the implementation of WordPress and     WooCommerce.

Disadvantages

overloading the site with     modules of the basic WordPress core;

high     requirements for hosting;

the need to pay for and configure     hosting, themes, extensions, and other things;

the need to create the original     site on WordPress, which costs money;

many add-ons are paid for by     subscription.

Conclusion: WooCommerce creates mostly small and medium online stores with traffic up to 100 thousand people/month. This CMS is not installed “out of the box” and requires a lot of money and attention at the stage of creation.

OpenCart

This content management system is focused exclusively on the e-commerce sector. The OpenCart engine is completely free and has in its “bare” form sufficient functionality to start an online store: catalog, shopping cart and payment page.

For full functionality and good sales will need to buy a lot of paid extensions. It is quite difficult to set them up on your own, so you will have to resort to the help of specialized companies.

Advantages 

allocation     of access rights;

detailed     SEO-configuration;

more than 3,000 free and 9,000     paid extensions;

a large variety of statistical     tools;

data     backup;

management of several online     stores simultaneously;

wide selection of design     themes;

free     updates.

Disadvantages

complicated admin panel,     training is required to get started;

relatively high cost of     extensions;

no technical support, any work     is paid for at a fairly high rate;

many additional modules from     little-known developers create risks of installing extensions with     critical vulnerabilities;

the initial setup requires the     involvement of specialists.

Conclusion: OpenCart is an attractive CMS for those wishing to create a small online store once and then do not modify it. For other cases this engine will be too expensive and problematic.

Shopify

Shopify is one of the world’s most popular content management systems. Due to close cooperation with Amazon, Google, Facebook, it is able to significantly stimulate global sales. The engine can be optimized with more than 500 free plugins.

Advantages

import of the customer base;

detailed analytics on orders,     marketing, customers, etc.;

advanced statistics on the     smallest indicators;

recovery of an interrupted     purchase;

an unlimited number of product     items at any tariff;

round-the-clock     support;

minimum     bugs and freezes;

daily     backup;

built-in     inventory module;

support of gift coupons, promo     codes;

control     via mobile app.

Disadvantages 

charging     commission on sales;

admin panel only in English;

limited     SEO-settings.

Joomla!

Free engine Joomla! has an open source and allows you to upgrade the core system. Install Joomla! will be able to people, even not familiar with HTML and CSS.Initially installed engine provides the most minimal functionality, and all the useful features you need to install additional paid or free extensions. Thus, a professional module for the online store will cost from $40.

Advantages

available to people with no     experience in creating websites;

more than 8,000 free     extensions, including those for the online store, are freely available;

free     of charge;

low     server requirements;

thousands     of free templates;

modular     system;

advanced     SEO-settings.

Disadvantages

no     responsive tech support;

after platform version updates,     many free modules lose compatibility, and changes are made slowly;

poor     security.

Conclusion: Joomla! suitable only for beginning entrepreneurs who sell a small range.

Magento

The Magento CMS system went from eBay to Adobe a few years ago. Such high patrons account for the main advantages and disadvantages of this engine for online stores.

Advantages

The second most popular CMS     system in the world;

flexible and deeply detailed     customization;

high     stability and performance;

much more functionality “out of     the box” than others;

more     than 1,000 themes;

functional     free version;

good     scalability;

perfect adaptation to mobile     devices;

huge knowledge base and     extensive user communities;

the platform can be maintained     by entrepreneurs themselves.

Disadvantages 

the high cost of customization;

exorbitant price of the paid     solution – $22 000;

unintuitive     inventory accounting system;

improper configuration leads to     a noticeable speed decrease.

Conclusion: In general, the engine is quite handy and will suit both small and large businesses.

BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a popular international content management system for medium and large sites. The engine is similar to Shopify, not only in features, but also in rates. The minimum monthly subscription will cost $30.

Advantages 

Delivery, inventory and return management     system;

detailed     fragmentation of customers;

detailed analytics on orders,     marketing, customers, etc;

more than 70 kinds of     promotions and discounts;

unlimited disk space and number     of managers;

user-friendly     admin panel;

integration with Instagram,     Facebook and Pinterest;

mobile app to work with CMS.

Disadvantages

limited     SEO settings;

insignificant discounts for     annual payment and license renewal.

Conclusion: When choosing a CMS for your online store, consider the number of products, anticipated traffic, target audience, the ability to administer and other features of the business.

CONCLUSION

Building an online store using an e-commerce platform takes a lot of time and requires knowledge about coding languages. Furthermore, you need to understand how e-commerce works and how to find the best way to build your customized website. But there is a solution to this and it is easier than you think. There are several e-commerce platforms available on the market that can help you create a store in no time at all. Specially designed for users with little or no experience building sites, these platforms make it extremely easy for you to manage your online shop. You can select the best e-commerce CMS based on your business needs, your budget, and the extent of customization you want out of your online shopping site. Ultimately, it is a good practice to spend some time properly researching your options to ensure that you are buying something that will meet your specific needs.

IM4U DIGITAL MARKETING AGENCY IS HERE TO BUILD YOUR E-COMMERCE WEBSITE

Get Your E-Commerce Website Now with IM4U Marketing Agency! Our agency is ready to help you. For more information, just call us, and we’ll help you become e-commerce ready!

[apptmart]

Looking for the best e-commerce platform for your Kirana store? Check out our guide to the top platforms that can help you take your online business to the next level.

[shopifyagencies]

Why should business people opt to rely on Shopify e-commerce solutions?

It’s a dream to have your own online business. But are you a bit flustered about how to create a mass presence in this comparative web world? Surprisingly with the help of tools, apps and expert guidance, you can create one without any hassle. But the question here is who can give that leverage and wide popularity. Speaking of which, Shopify e-commerce solutions come to the forefront. Of course, you will discover a few significant pointers that vehemently support why you should opt for Shopify.

All in one Hub

Shopify is a powerful eCommerce solution enabling business owners to create online stores. Indeed they can sell their products and services with complete ease. It is an all-in-one platform that provides everything a business needs to create a successful online store. Here you can get all sorts of features right, From designing and developing the store to managing inventory, processing payments, and shipping products. Thus having Shopify keeps you in the front seat always.

Designed for the business of all sizes and genres

With Shopify, you can excel in your business quickly. It is because Shopify offers coverage for all sorts of industry and niches. From large setups to start-ups, all can have Shopify as their selling platform. Even different packages are there to create online stores that too in a personalised way. Of course, it is designed to meet all sorts of typical requirements of the clients.

The Interface is easy to use

Those planning to use Shopify for the first time have this apprehension that it might demand a bit of technical or programming language. However, that is not the case with Shopify at all. Shopify uses an interface that is designed for all kinds of users. It comes with inbuilt themes and templates, allowing you to customise the look of your online shop.

Easy management of inventory

Once you are done with the shopify store setup, the next thing that might bother you is managing the online store. Well, with Shopify, that again becomes an easy chore; you can easily stock, enlist and display products.

Final Thought

Thus, With Shopify Ecommerce Developer, you can relax but simultaneously have your own business. So please don’t waste time and go for it.

[jewelrydigitalmarketing]

Best Online Jewelry Marketing ideas for your jewelry brand / business | How digital marketing for jewelry can benefit your jewelry business.

Create a user-friendly website for your jewelry which can engage more online shoppers.

Online E-Commerce Jewelry store for your business would be more beneficial. Make sure your E-commerce website is SEO compliant and can be use as an online e-commerce jewelry store for your brand with proper inventory and ordering management facility. Using such websites you can do e-commerce jewelry store marketing using any good jewelry e-commerce advt services provider.

Get SEO (Search Engine Optimization) done for your website by proper jewelry digital marketing agency who has expertise in jewelry marketing for jewelers or jewelry business.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) plays very important role if you want to promote your jewelry business online. SEO of your jewelry website will be the important step for moving smoothly towards the digital marketing for jewelry sale.

Carry out email marketing for your jewelry promotion and convert shoppers into your regular clients by your jewelry advertisement through email.

Email marketing can be a great tool for your jewelry business in order to carry out online jewelry store marketing. Proper email marketing can even engage customers on your website and can create loyal customers.

Create strong social media presence which engages visitors, drives awareness of your brand and convert the visitors into your clients and achieve sales through it.

Create a strong digital marketing platform for jewelry promotion using social media and online tools. Avail service of agencies that provide Social Media Marketing for jewelry business. Social media marketing for jewelry business helps you a lot in order to improve your reach to your potential customers. Facebook and Instagram also provide paid promotion / advertisement facility using which you can fulfill various online jewelry marketing goals. Lead generation for jewelry sale can be one of the important aspects for your online jewelry marketing.

Run ads for jewelry as PPC (Pay per click advertising) advertisements for faster sales.

PPC and / or Google Ads are very important for digital marketing of jewelry or online jewelry promotion for sale.

Write related blogs regarding your online jewelry store or your online jewelry sale which attracts your potential clients.

Write proper blog which spreads awareness about your jewelry business among potential customers because blog also plays very important role in your jewelry advertising or online jewelry promotion of your brand.

learn more

[pinievsev]

R E W I N D

Request: yes!

Warnings: none that I can think of tbh, lmk if you find something warning worthy tho!

Pairing: Bang Chan x male reader

Genre: angst to fluff-ish

Word count: 1,2k

Enjoy!<3

© pinievsev on all platforms

You sit on the porch of your small, rural home, staring out at the vast landscape that had become your sanctuary. The distant sound of wind rustling through the fields is the only noise breaking the silence, and for the first time in years, you're at peace—well, as much as you could be. This quiet, simple life is a far cry from the chaos that once consumed your days. A chaos that once had a name.

Bang Chan.

His face flashes in your mind, uninvited and unwanted. Even after all these years, the memories cling to you like scars. Your fingers instinctively trace the faint lines of your wedding ring that no longer exists on your hand. It’s been years since the divorce. Years since everything fell apart, since your families tore you both apart.

And yet, here you are, still trying to pick up the pieces.

---

Weeks pass uneventfully, the same routine grounding you, until one day, your peace is shattered by the arrival of a stranger. At first glance, he's just another person, passing through the province, but something about him catches your attention. He’s tall, broad-shouldered, with a kind of quiet warmth in his eyes that draws you in.

“Excuse me,” he calls out, his voice gentle but unfamiliar. “I’m looking for the nearest convenience store... I seem to have gotten a little lost.”

You stand up, dusting off your hands, and offer a polite smile. “The store is a couple miles down the road. I can show you the way if you’d like.”

He grins, and for a brief moment, something about his smile sends an odd flicker of recognition through your chest. But you shake it off, dismissing it as nothing more than a fleeting thought. He introduces himself as Chris, and from that moment on, your life starts to shift.

Chris becomes a regular presence in your days. You bump into him in town, exchange pleasantries, and before long, he’s helping you with odd jobs around the house. He’s easy to talk to, and for the first time in a long while, you begin to feel something like hope stirring inside of you again.

He’s different—safe.

Or at least, that’s what you think.

---

One evening, as you’re both sitting on your porch, the sun setting behind the mountains, you find yourself opening up to him in a way you haven’t with anyone else in years.

“Why the province?” he asks, his voice soft. “Why here, so far away from everything?”

You hesitate, your chest tightening. You’ve never talked about it, not since you left. But something in Chris’s eyes—makes you want to say it.

“I needed to get away,” you admit, staring out into the distance. “There was someone... someone I loved, but it didn’t work out. Family issues, you know?” You laugh bitterly. “I thought it was for the best, but—” You stop, realizing you’re saying too much.

Chris is silent for a long moment, and when he finally speaks, his voice is barely above a whisper. “Do you still love him?”

You blink, caught off guard by the question. “I... I don’t know. It doesn’t matter. He’s gone.”

But Chris doesn’t reply. Instead, he looks away, his jaw clenched tightly as if he's holding back something. And then, before you can question him further, he stands up abruptly.

“I should go.”

---

It’s only later that night, as you lie in bed, replaying the conversation in your mind, that it hits you.

The voice. The smile. The way he always seemed to know what to say, how to comfort you without ever asking too much. It all clicks into place, and your heart drops into your stomach.

It’s him.

Chris... Chan.

Bang Chan, your ex-husband, the one person you swore you would never let back into your life. He’s been right in front of you this whole time, lying to you, pretending to be someone else.

You feel sick.

---

The next day, you don’t bother going into town. You don’t bother doing anything at all, really. The hurt is overwhelming, suffocating. You trusted him. After everything, you let him back in, and he couldn’t even tell you the truth.

There’s a knock at your door, and you know it’s him. You can feel it in your bones.

“Go away,” you call out, your voice breaking. “I don’t want to see you.”

“Please,” Chan—no, Chris—says from the other side. “Let me explain.”

“There’s nothing to explain! You lied to me! You pretended to be someone else! I—” Your voice falters, and tears blur your vision. “I never want to see you again.”

There’s silence, and for a brief moment, you think he’s left. But then, you hear his voice again, softer this time, broken.

“I never wanted to hurt you. I thought if I came back as myself, you’d push me away before I even had a chance. And I—I wanted another chance.”

You stay quiet, too hurt to respond.

“I know I messed up. I know I should’ve told you from the start, but I just... I didn’t want to lose you again. I’ve spent every day since our divorce thinking about you, about us. And I—I want to make it right. No more families, no more conflict. Just us. I want us to have a family, our own family.”

Your heart aches at his words. Part of you wants to believe him, wants to let him in again. But the hurt is too fresh, too raw.

“I can’t,” you whisper, shaking your head, even though he can’t see you. “I can’t go through that again.”

There’s a long pause, and when Chan speaks again, his voice is thick with emotion. “I’ll wait for you. As long as it takes, I’ll wait.”

And with that, you hear his footsteps retreating, leaving you alone with your thoughts.

---

Days pass, and the weight of everything hangs heavy in the air. You try to go back to your routine, but it’s impossible. Chan’s words echo in your mind, and no matter how hard you try, you can’t shake them.

“I’ll wait for you.”

Eventually, you find yourself walking down the familiar path to his hotel your heart pounding in your chest. You don’t know what you’re going to say, but you need to see him. You need to know if you can forgive him, if there’s any part of you that’s still willing to try.

When you finally reach his door, you hesitate for a moment before knocking.

It swings open almost immediately, and there he is—Chan, standing in front of you, his expression a mixture of hope and fear.

“I’m sorry,” you say, your voice barely above a whisper. “I’m so angry, and I don’t know if I can ever fully trust you again, but... I don’t want to lose you either.”

His eyes soften, and he steps forward, closing the distance between you. “I’ll do whatever it takes to earn your trust again,” he says, his voice steady. “I’ll wait as long as you need.”

You look up at him, your heart pounding, and for the first time in years, you allow yourself to hope.

“Okay,” you whisper. “Let’s try.”

---

Taglists:

All: @camphxam , @expelideliciousjoshua

Stray kids: @dominos-palast

[gejo333]

A Misunderstanding

Father Miguel O’Hara x Mother Spider Reader

—> pt. 2

Summary: Your relationship with Miguel was doing amazing. But when you find out your pregnant Miguel begins to close himself off . You decide it’s best not to tell him and end things. But what happens when you see him again after five years and learns that he is a father?

There is a sensual scene, if you feel uncomfortable just scroll past it.

I was going to write it all in one post but I decided to do a part two. Part 2 will be posted tomorrow. I apologize for any grammatical mistakes I missed.

Hope you enjoy🤗

Wc: 3.2k

____________________________________________

A heavy breath leaves your lungs; sitting on a piece of rubble, you stare at the anomaly being taken away by another spider back to HQ. On a mission like this one, an anomaly of this low stature wouldn’t make you sweat. But for some reason, you had a hard time defeating it.

Peter B comes up to you, lending you a hand. You gladly take it rising from your makeshift seat. After walking through the portal back to HQ, Peter puts his hand on your shoulder, stopping you.

“Are you feeling alright, Y/n?” Peter looked concerned about your tired complexion.

“I’m fine. I must not have slept well last night. But thanks for checking in and for your help with the mission.”

“No problem. Are you reporting back to Miguel?”

“Yeah. I should tell him about the mission getting out of hand. I’ll see you around.” You wave goodbye before making your way to Miguel’s office. When reporting missions that didn’t go exactly to plan, spiders asked you to report to Miguel.

Before you began dating him 6 months ago, you still had a close relationship with him. Ever since he recruited you, he’s had a soft spot for you, never once getting mad with you.

Walking into his “lair,” as most spiders called it, you tried to shoot up a web to him, but your web shooter malfunctioned.

Miguel jumped down from the platform, walking towards you. His gaze crossed your entire body, checking to see if you were hurt.

“I heard the mission went a bit south.” Miguel wrapped his arms around your waist, pulling you against his chest. He lifted your chin and leaned down to kiss your lips lovingly. You wrapped your arms around his neck, lifting your toes to press deeper into the kiss. Breaking apart, you caress his cheek as he leans into your touch.

“Yeah, I needed to call backup. The anomaly was more to handle than I thought. I’m not sure why. I just don’t feel my best today.”

“How about we get some delicious empanadas near my apartment and watch a movie. How does that sound? We can leave right now if you want?” A smile graces his lips as he gazes at you with so much love waiting for your response. You smile back at him as your e/c meets his mahogany eyes. You were the only person to see his true eye color.

“That sounds perfect.”

Pressing a few buttons on his watch, Miguel opens the portal back to his universe. The two of you walk through, entering an ally a block away from Miguel’s place. Both of your suits dissolve underneath casual clothing hiding underneath.

The two of you walked into the little store that sold the best empanadas in all of Nueva York, as Miguel had told you multiple times.

“Miguel! Mi cliente favorito. Cómo te va?” An older woman walked around the counter, hugging Miguel, which he gladly accepted.

“Estoy bien. Y usted?” Miguel said as he led you fully into the store. You loved seeing this side of Miguel. He only revealed his true warm side when he was back in his world or alone with you on missions or at HQ.

“I’m doing good. Business is good. And who is this gorgeous woman by your side Miguel?” The woman looks at you with a bright smile. You look up at Miguel as he looks down at you with a smile.

“This is Y/n. My girlfriend.” Miguel’s response made the woman beam with joy as she hugged you.

“It’s so nice to meet you, Y/n. It’s so nice for Miguel to find such a nice woman as you. The usual order Miguel?” The woman returns behind the counter, grabs a box, and puts in empanadas.

“Sí, plus a few extra.”

“Of course!” She adds a few more before handing them to you. Miguel pays her before adding $500 to the tip jar. The woman looks astounded and takes the money out, trying to return it to him. He closes her hand, pushing gently back towards her.

“Miguel, this is too much.”

“Nonsense. You make the best empanadas in all of Nueva York.” The woman hugs Miguel again as tears brim her eyes.

“Thank you so much. You truly are a good man Miguel.”

“Until next time!” He waved goodbye before leading you out of the store.

Miguel opened the door, letting you go first before making your way to the kitchen, setting the empanadas down on the counter. Miguel places both arms at your sides, trapping you against the counter. You turn to face him, leaning back a bit against the counter. Hands run up his chest and wrap around his neck. You run your hands through his hair as he leans his back, enjoying the sensation of your hands through his hair.

He leaned down, lips centimeters from yours. His gaze goes to your lips, his eyes starving for your touch. You give him a quick kiss.

“Let’s choose something to watch.”

“Yeah.” Miguel calms down his breathing before letting you go. The two of you grab an empanada and head to the living room as you get comfy on the couch, putting a blanket over the both of you. You rest your head against him.

Almost halfway into the movie, your gaze is directed toward Miguel as he stares ahead. He shifts slightly, uncomfortable. Your gaze falls down to his lap, where a tent appears. Sliding a hand to his lap, you pull down his sweats, setting him free as you give him a handjob.

Miguel’s head leans back, a groan escaping his lips.

“Y/n” You continue your movements as you feel your hand getting covered in precum.

“You like that?” You lean towards him as you kiss his neck towards his lips, where he hungrily captures yours.

“I need more of you, mi vida.” He groaned before removing the blanket. He grabbed you by the waist, sitting you on his lap as he ripped your panties off, thrusting himself fully into your wet folds.

“Those were my favorite.” You moaned out. A pout was on your face before Miguel captured your lips.

“I’ll buy you all the new pairs you want,” Miguel whispered into your ear as he thrust his hips into you.

“Miggy!” Your moans grew louder as his pace quickened, sending you into euphoria.

You awake from your bed in a sweaty state, your breath uneven. Sitting up from your bed, you place your head against your knee as you calm your heart. Why that memory again? You’ve had that same memory plague your dreams for the past week.

Looking at your phone, it was 8 am. You get up from your bed and go to the room next to you. Opening the door, you walk up to the small race car bed. Leaning down, you brush the dark brown hair from your son’s face and press a kiss to his forehead.

You watch his eyes flutter open, his big brown eyes tiredly staring at you.

“Good morning.” You say, gazing at your five-year-old as he wakes up. He jumps into your arms as you pick him up.

“Are you excited for today? It’s your first day of kindergarten!”

“Yes!” His arms went up in excitement. You set him down as you grab the outfit you prepared for him today. After the both of you got dressed, you went to the kitchen to start breakfast.

“What would you like?”

“Pancakes! With chocolate chips!”

“How about pancakes with blueberries? Make it a bit healthier.” You suggest as you already begin making the batter.

“I love blueberries!” He cheered.

You place the small pancakes in front of him as you finish getting ready in your room. After you finish putting on your makeup, you see your son walk in with a face covered with syrup. You chuckle at the cute site as you get up and bring her to the bathroom to wipe her face and hands.

“Mommy, can you do my hair how I like it?”

“Of course!”

You set her on the bathroom counter as you brush his hair. You combed your fingers through his hair. You look at him through the mirror. Distinct brown hair and eyes. Warm honey-toned skin. He was the spitting image of his father.

It’s been almost six years since you last saw him. Ever since that fateful day, you wonder if you made the right decision. But he made it clear to you.

“Mommy?” You’re brought out of your thoughts.

“Sorry, sweetie.” You finish the combing his hair. You grab your purse and his brand-new fire truck backpack. Grabbing his hand, you walk out the door and towards the school.

Arriving at the school, you walk through the front doors to his classroom. You see the other 5-year-olds entering the classroom or clinging to their parents. Arriving at the door, you see the teacher come out.

“Hi! My name is Ms. Williams. And who might this be?”

“This is Mateo (L/n). Say hi, Mateo.” You say to your son, who clings to you. Hiding his face behind your leg.

“Hi.” Mateo slowly waves to the teacher. Ms. Williams holds out her hand toward Mateo. Mateo looks up to you as you smile.

“It’s ok, Mateo. Go make some friends. Mommy will be here to pick you up in a few hours.”

“Promise?” He holds his pinky out to you, which you hook with yours.

“Promise.” Mateo smiles at you before taking his teacher’s hand, walking him into the room. He turned to wave goodbye before disappearing into the room.

A tear escapes you as you wipe it away. You couldn’t believe he was already 5. It went by so fast.

After drying your tears, you make it back to your apartment. Sitting at your desk in your bedroom, you stare at the drafted article before you. Since you quit Spider Society, you got your job back as a journalist.

Your mind drifts off from the work before you.

Sitting on the edge of the toilet seat, you stare down at the small object in your hands.

Two lines. These two lines answer the question that was in the back of your mind all day.

You were pregnant. Your body jumps up when you hear someone walk into the bathroom. Unlocking the door to the stall, you quickly wash your hands and clean off the stick before hiding it in a secret pocket of your spider suit.

A beep from your watch tells you to go to Miguel’s office. Miguel… what would he think? You rush out of the bathroom and towards his office.

Ben Reilly and Jess are talking with Miguel about a mission. Standing next to Miguel as he continues talking. However, everything he said was unheard as your thoughts raced.

“Y/n?” You came back to reality as Miguel placed his hand on your shoulder.

“Yep! Understood.” You say, hoping he didn’t notice you drifting off into space. Miguel dismisses Ben and Jess as he turns to face you.

“Is everything ok?” His eyes grew concerned as you weren’t your usual happy self. You decided not to tell him yet. You were too nervous to tell him. Since movie night, Miguel has been nonstop busy and stressed from work. You didn’t feel you should stress him out more with your news.

And it’s only been 6 months since you started dating. You didn’t know if he wanted children, especially after what happened to his daughter.

“Yeah! I’m good. Just tired. So my mind is a bit off.”

“How about you go home and rest. I’ll do the mission with Jess and Ben.”

“It’s ok. I can still go on the mission.” You try to reason with him.

“No mi amor. Go home and rest. I don’t want you getting hurt on the mission if you’re tired.” You decided to listen to him as he would not change his mind.

“Ok, fine. See you later tonight.” You give him a kiss before saying goodbye.

…

“You’re 2 months pregnant.”

The doctor’s words shocked you. You didn’t think you were that far along. It’s only been two weeks since you found out you were pregnant.

After leaving the doctor’s office, you head back to HQ. Going to the doctor at HQ was free, but you knew word would get back to Miguel, as everyone knew you two were in a relationship.

Spider HQ felt off today as barely anyone was here. You go to Miguel’s office but find all the lights turned off except one of his monitors.

Miguel sat in his chair, his head resting in his hand. He looked so sad. You never had seen him this way before.

“Miguel?” You walk closer to him, resting a hand on his shoulder. You look at the monitor. It was a video of him and his daughter.

“Y/n? I thought you weren’t coming in today.”

“I wasn’t. But I’ve barely seen you for the past two weeks. I wanted to just check in on you.” He moved his chair to face you. As he opens his arms to you, you sit in his lap. Wrapping his arms tight around you, he nestled his head in your neck. You comb your fingers through his hair to help comfort him.

“Today’s her birthday.” He mumbled against your skin. His words clenched at your heart.

“Miguel…” You lifted his chin to look at you as you softly caressed his cheek. He leans into your hand, looking at you with red eyes. Not his normal ruby red, but red from tears.

“She would have been ten this year.” A tear slipped from his eye, trailing down his cheek, which you gently wiped away. You never have seen him in such a vulnerable state before. It made your heart break seeing him like this.

Would it be ok to tell him now about the pregnancy? To try and lift his spirits? Maybe it was too sudden. It was Gabriella’s birthday, after all.

“The thought of having another child is unbearable. I couldn’t handle the pain again if something happened.”

His words shattered you. He didn’t want to have more kids. You placed a hand on your stomach. It would be pointless to tell him. He didn’t want to be a father again.

His watch suddenly beeped, indicating that there was an anomaly he needed to deal with.

“Maybe you should let someone else do the mission.” You got up from his lap as he continued to sit in the chair.

“No, I’ll do it. He stands from his chair as he opens the portal. Before he leaves, you gently grab his arm.

“I can go with you.” He smiles at you as he brushes some of your hair behind your ear.

“I’m going to do this one myself, Hermosa.”

“Oh, ok. Be safe.” You say before he walks into the portal.

…

You gaze at the surroundings of HQ, seeing various spiders interacting with one another. Ever since Gabriella’s birthday, you’ve barely seen Miguel. He buried himself in work. You tried several times to see him, but he was so distant from you that you decided to stop visiting him.

That was a month ago. Now 3 months pregnant, you have a baby bump, so when you came into HQ today, you decided to wear casual clothes that hid your bump. For what you’re about to do. You didn’t want anyone to know, especially Miguel.

Anxiety blossomed at the bottom of your stomach as you walked to his office. Were you being selfish? Maybe you should wait until he’s better. But time would run out in 6 months, and you didn’t want to face the truth of him rejecting his child. You wouldn’t be able to bear it.

You reach his office, where he talks to Peter B. and Jess about past missions. The three turn when they notice your presence.

“Y/n! It’s been so long! You’ve barely been to HQ this past month!” Said Peter as he went to hug you. You quickly give him a side hug so he wouldn’t find out your little secret. Peter gave you a confused look at your gesture but decided to ignore it.

Your gaze shifts to Miguel as he looks back at you. He’s barely seen you this month. Longer even.

“Jess, Peter. Is it ok if I talk privately with Miguel for a few minutes?” Your serious tone makes the two briefly look at Miguel and back at you before leaving his office.

Miguel walks up to you and places his hands around your waist.

“Is everything alright, cariño?” His gaze turned serious when you didn’t wrap your arms around him like you used to. Bile felt like it was threatening to come out of your throat. Not from the pregnancy. But what you were dreading telling him the past few days.

“I’m quitting Spider Society.” His eyes widened slightly before worry and confusion replaced them.

“What for?”

“Other life commitments need my attention back in my universe.”

“Like what?” He pushed you to tell him.

“Just other things.” You can see hurt in his eyes by your answer.

“You don’t have to quit. You can take a break if you need it.” He suggested.

“No, I’m sure of my decision.”

“Fine. But we’ll talk about it later. I don’t think you should quit. You’re an amazing Spiderwoman. I’ll come over after work with some food.” He wasn’t happy about your answer, but he let it slide.

“Miguel…” His heart dropped when you moved out of his arms.

“I have loved every second we’ve spent together…”

“Y/n?” You held up your hand to stop him from talking to let you finish. Tears began to threaten to spill out.

“But our lives are starting to go in different directions. I think we should stop seeing each other.” Tears spilled down your cheeks as you saw how hurt he looked. You felt terrible.

“Mi amor…” He tries to caress your cheek, but you move your face away, breaking him further.

“It’s for the best, Miguel. I hope you find someone who brings you happiness and love.” You turn away from him. But he grabs you by the arm and pulls you into an embrace. He kisses gently up your neck.

“You brought me that. I’ve never been happier in my life when I’m with you. Please don’t leave me.”

You wanted to melt into his arms and forget everything you said. But you couldn’t let your guard down. Removing his arms from your waist, you walk away from him. You turn to look at him one more time.

“Goodbye, Miguel.”

Tears fall onto your computer as you relive those memories. Even after five years, the look in his eyes broke you. Your heart still aches for him. There were times when you thought of reaching out. But you remembered he never came to your universe to fight for you both. To say he wouldn’t accept you breaking up with him.

You knew you told him it was over. But you still hoped he would run after you. Looking at the time on your computer, you realize you need to pick up Mateo.

You wipe your tears before grabbing your wallet, phone, and keys. As you were about to open the door, you heard a knock. Your spider-sense was going off, which you didn’t know why.

Slowly you open the door. The air from your lungs briefly left you as you dropped everything in your hand.

“Miguel?”

____________________________________________

Hope you enjoyed it.🥰

[putschki1969]

Hello Sarah, I hope you are doing well! Since the time for the advance ticket sale is close, and this is my first ever attempt for a lottery ticket, I thought of asking. (Yes, I'm a complete noob when it comes to this, so seasoned fans out there, I hope you can bear with me). What is the usual procedure? I plan to try through Wakana's FC only, since the registration to Keiko's FC seems impossible 😩 (I can send you my experience for that if you want to know what happened, it may help other fans) Anyways, back to the questions! Are you expected to pay the price of the ticket in advance or only if you won? If you pay in advance, do you lose your money if you don't win? How can you claim the ticket? Email or physical? If it's only physical, can we collect it at the venue entrance? Tenso say it's a contraband item for them, so proxy service doesn't seem to handle them unless there is a loophole I'm not aware of. Any other tips will be greatly appreciated. 🙏 Apologies for the bazillion questions, and I look forward to your reply!

No worries.

Regarding your most recent issue with the Keiko FC application, I saw your comment about the Tenso address but I honestly have no idea why you are having trouble with it😔

As for your questions:

What is the usual procedure? Getting tickets for Japanese concerts is a challenge, especially for us overseas fans. It's an extremely complex matter for which there are no simple answers. Throughout the years, I've made countless posts describing the difficulties and hurdles of the ticket application process. Not sure if you've seen any of them but it should be common knowledge by now that it is anything but easy. Unfortunately, there's not ONE specific guideline you can follow since the procedure is very different depending on the ticket platform. I don't want to sound pessimistic but I think it might be a little too late to start dealing with all those things just now. It might honestly be too troublesome (if not to say impossible) for you to get everything you need for a variety of ticket platforms at such short notice.

Anyway, we don't know yet which ticket platform they will use for the lotteries (will make a detailed post once we have more infos) but my best guess is that they will rely on traditional services such as e+ or Lawson Ticket. Usually, you need a registered account to get tickets on those sites. That can be quite tricky since they require an SMS verification via a Japanese phone number. They also only accept Japanese credit cards or convenient store payments so you'll need someone in Japan to handle the payment for you. Sometimes, with FC lotteries, you don't need to use your own ticket platform account, for example, it wasn't necessary to use my Lawson account to apply for Kaji Fes. FC tickets last year. If you are lucky, it will be the same for the Kalafina live so at least the lottery application itself can be done without much trouble. With Wakana's FC, there's also a high chance that they will use SKIYAKI TICKET as platform which I already talked about HERE.

Are you expected to pay the price of the ticket in advance or only if you won?/If you pay in advance, do you lose your money if you don't win? Don't worry, you never pay anything in advance. You apply, wait for the results and if you win, you have a few days to make your payment. If the payment isn't registered in the system before the deadline, your ticket will automatically be canceled.

How can you claim the ticket? Email or physical? Depends on the ticket platform. Newer services such as SKIYAKI are completely digital so you claim your ticket as QR code in a dedicated app. For older services, it's usually an app or paper ticket. As far as I know, the dedicated apps for those platforms are not always available in foreign appstores (I know I struggled with the e+ app but I think the Lawson Ticket app is available) but I never use them so I have no idea how foreigner friendly they actually are. With paper tickets, you usually have to pick them up at the convenience store with your payment number.

Can we collect it at the venue entrance? No, this is only ever an option for on-the-day sales or special overseas ticket services. e+ sometimes offers tickets for overseas fans with very easy procedures so you can pick them up at the venue. However, as of right now, we do not know if they will have those overseas tickets available or not. Usually, the sale gets announced after the FC and general lotteries are over.

Tenso say it's a contraband item for them. Yes, that's true. Tenso has never been a suitable service for tickets. There are some proxy services though that might be able to help you get your hands on a ticket. For example, SOSJapan handles Fan Club and Ticketing Service for overseas fans. They can also respond to very specific requests which is quite conventient. Friends of mine have had good experiences with them so I can recommend the service.

[miffysstash]

eddsworld | matt/reader SFW alphabet

A = Affection (How affectionate are they? How do they show affection?)

Matt is super affectionate! He’ll show affection whether it be planting sweet pepper kisses all over your skin while lying on the couch or running up and hugging you from behind while yelling out your name.

B = Best friend (What would they be like as a best friend? How would the friendship start?)

Matt would love a best friend who indulges in his hobbies and guilty pleasures, whether it be something like spa days or shopping trips! He would also love someone who would be patient with him, and help him with things he can’t understand at that moment. Matt would first meet you in the mirror section at a local hardware store, accidentally bumping into each other resulting in a few broken mirrors and a few laughs. 

C = Cuddles (Do they like to cuddle? How would they cuddle?)

I see Matt cuddling very often, he’s not very good at it seeing as he’s tall and lanky but he very much enjoys it. He usually cuddles holding you because of his size but LOVES being held by you, he adores your attention. When he’s holding you though, his chin always rests atop your head. 

D = Domestic (Do they want to settle down? How are they at cooking and cleaning?)

I could see Matt wanting to settle down! He might be weary at first but he quickly comes around. With the cleaning, besides his room, he’s an expert at it. He makes sure the house is almost always cleaned for you when you get home from work. Sometimes, he goes back into his old habit of buying antiques that clutter your guys’ house but you make sure he sticks to the dedicated rooms and shelves. 

E = Ending (If they had to break up with their partner, how would they do it?)

This man would be so ashamed to face you, to the point that he would send a letter to your house and block you on all social platforms. Even sending a text would be too much for him as he could see if you had read it. At least with the letter, he could tell himself you threw it away.

F = Fiance(e) (How do they feel about commitment? How quick would they want to get married?)

As I said, Matt is weary about the commitment at first, the feeling and dread of change scares him. But only for a short moment! Once he talks to you about it, all his worries wash away when he looks at your pretty smile and how excited you are for him to be your husband. He would want to get married straight away after that talk.

G = Gentle (How gentle are they, both physically and emotionally?)

Physically, he is not very gentle. He has his moments for sure, but usually, he’s a ‘go go go!’ type of person and that includes after a bit into your relationship. Emotionally? I think he will try his very best. When he can recognize them, he takes your emotions seriously and will sit down with you to talk about them.

H = Hugs (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it? What are their hugs like?)

Matt makes sure to at least give you one big hug every single day, he loves hugging you and he wants to make sure you feel loved by him. His hugs are very long, whether they be from behind while you walk through the house or scooping you up and bringing you to his messy bedroom to cuddle on his bed. Like I said, he’s not very good at cuddling/hugging in general but the both of you don’t really care. 

I = I love you (How fast do they say the L-word?)

It took him a while to say ‘I love you’ into your friendship because Matt simply does not like change, the thought of changing the way your friendship was and losing you terrified him but he decided to go for it one day from a pep talk with his friends. 

J = Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they’re jealous?)

Oh, he’d get jealous so easily, and he gets super jealous (not in a possessive way). Matt calls people out when he’s jealous. And the thing is, sometimes he’ll put himself in danger with his jealousy. Like Matt no, the big muscular guy was not looking my direction, he’s going to beat the shit out of you. 

K = Kisses (What are their kisses like? Where do they like to kiss you? Where do they like to be kissed?)

Pepper kisses are his specialty, whether it be on your face or your neck, he loves planting small but plentiful kisses all over your body. He also loves kissing you on the lips, but only for short moments. He loves it when you kiss him on the face and lips, ESPECIALLY if you have lipstick or lipgloss on. He’ll admire the lipstick marks for hours in front of one of his mirrors. 

L = Little ones (How are they around children?)

He’s ok with children! Besides the face-painting incident at Easter, he gets along great with them as he lets the wonderlike persona come out. “You saw a fairy around here somewhere? Ooo, let me see!” I can see him wanting lots of children until you sit him down and tell him babies are a lot of work and attention. If you want to have one or two children, that’s fine! If you don’t want any children at all? That’s fine too!

M = Morning (How are mornings spent with them?)

Mornings are busy! Helping you come up with a morning skin routine as he does his own, hour-long showers at your place as he buys the best products for your hair and skin. If you have skin allergies (like I do), he’ll make sure to triple-check each bottle as he hands them to you from the other side of the shower curtain. Oh, and he’ll totally help you pick out an outfit for the day!

N = Night (How are nights spent with them?)

Nights are a bit less busy, he’ll bring over mini foot spa buckets from his house and relax on your couch with you after a long day. He’ll also pull up your hair (if it’s long enough) and help put a mask on your face. After all, a bit of self-care and relaxation is key for a glowing radiance! After your all done with the night routine, he holds out his arms to you for you to fall into his arms on your couch. 

O = Open (When would they start revealing things about themselves? Do they say everything all at once or wait a while to reveal things slowly?)

This man is open with you from day ONE. He tells you everything whether it be the lady in front of him in the grocery store gave him a funny look or one of his roommates/friends was calling his antiques junk again. This also includes things about himself, he’ll tell you that day if he’s not feeling good about himself (which is actually more common than you think) and hope you can help. 

P = Patience (How easily angered are they?)

Matt has no patience whatsoever, but he rarely ever gets angry angry. He might get irked when your food is late at a restaurant but will calm down after you speak to him that it’s been only 20 minutes. He never gets angry with you, only with the people around you. 

Q = Quizzes (How much would they remember about you? Do they remember every little detail you mention in passing, or do they kind of forget everything?)

I’d like to think he tries super hard to remember everything you tell him, whether it be your likes and dislikes, your taste in fashion, music taste, etc. He doesn’t get it right every time but hey, it’s the thought that counts right?

R = Remember (What is their favorite moment in your relationship?)

He loves to constantly think about the moment when you first said ‘I love you’. Sure, he had said it multiple times to you at that point, but to finally hear it come out of your lips without him having to say it first? Lives in his head rent free. 

S = Security (How protective are they? How would they protect you? How would they like to be protected?)

He’s protective of you, for sure. Not overly protective but will glare at someone and call them out if (he thinks) they look at you funny. He would protect you by stepping in front of you, arms sprawled out as he would say something like, “Hey buddy, that’s MY partner! Figure out how to get your own!” Matt would love to be protected by you, blushing and kicking his feet like a school girl as you did so.m

T = Try (How much effort would they put into dates, anniversaries, gifts, everyday tasks?)

Matt puts all his efforts into everything in your relationship, whether it be fancy nights at dinners or hundreds of your favorite flowers delivered to your apartment’s doorstep. For anniversaries, only the finest for you! Especially if it’s his proposal, he will make sure everything goes right that night (with the help from his friends of course).  

U = Ugly (What would be some bad habits of theirs?)

His refusal to listen to you when he’s being told he’s wrong about something, Matt does NOT like being told he’s wrong or constructive criticism in general. 

V = Vanity (How concerned are they with their looks?)

Matt is VERY concerned with his looks, as we all know of course. Getting cleaned up for dates doesn’t exist because he’s ALWAYS cleaned up.

W = Whole (Would they feel incomplete without you?)

Before meeting you, he kind of laughed at the idea of other people needing their partner to feel whole. After all, all he needs is himself, right? Well, that mindset has been completely destroyed by your presence. Matt IS lost and only half of him without you. You are his rock.

X = Xtra (A random headcanon for them.)

Matt has a small picture framed of you he carries around in his overcoat pocket wherever he goes, and of course he keeps it next to a picture of himself but those two pictures are what get his day going and keep him motivated. 

Y = Yuck (What are some things they wouldn’t like, either in general or in a partner?)

Matt would not like someone who would criticize and put him down all the time. It would be fine if you criticized him for his well-being of course, but someone who would make fun of him all the time is a no-go. 

Z = Zzz (What is a sleep habits of theirs?)

Matt’s sleeping habits are all over the place, one day he’ll sleep in, and the next he’ll wake up at the crack of dawn. The man has no sleep schedule whatsoever. One thing is for sure however, he needs you in his arms to fall asleep.

[sitp-recs]

HP Rec Fest, Day 28

I’ve been reccing underrated fics since this blog was created and so I thought “there’s no easier @hprecfest prompt than this one” lol famous last words, this post took me ages to prepare 😂 I was initially overwhelmed by the amount of fics that came to mind, and going through my bookmarks and old recs only made it worse. How was I supposed to shortlist?? In the end I gave up and decided to rec 2 Drarry fics + 2 rare pairs. I could have included so many more but I really didn’t want this to become a tl;dr post and these rec blurbs are already going out of control, so here we go!

Day 28) an under-rated fic:

Drarry

In Dreams by @moonflower-rose (E, 38k)

Harry wasn't expecting to ever see Draco Malfoy again. He also wasn't expecting to walk into a political conspiracy that morning either, but apparently that's exactly what the day has in store for him.

I’ve screamed quite a few times about this fic (see my rec here) and every time I do it’s in the hopes that more folks will stop whatever they’re doing and go feast on this. not only a delicious and intriguing case fic with Rosie’s trademark epic dialogue and superb sense of humour, this also wins the award of best fic opening I have ever read. the way I gasped at chapter one and am forever haunted by its utterly devastating ending oh my god!!! my heart belongs to this gritty Harry, and the slow burn is masterfully crafted within the urgency of their teamwork to solve the mystery combining comfort, grief and hope in a thrilling, poignant and perfectly paced adventure. plus, the emotional payoff is chef’s kiss, honestly I cannot recommend this enough!

Survival of the Species by @romaine2424 (E, 47k)

Draco approaches Harry on the 9 ¾ platform, after their sons have boarded the Hogwarts Express, and invites him over for tea. The discussion they have leads them on an adventure that neither could have expected. There be dragons! HPDH compliant but before any other canon info had been released.

considering this masterpiece was published back in 2007 I think I’m allowed to say this is definitely a formative story when it comes to the creature genre, more specifically Veela fic. I first read this a couple years ago and my jaw legit dropped at the amount of world-building and carefully researched lore that went into this. so detailed and intricate and different from everything I’ve seen before or since, I was truly fascinated and couldn’t stop reading. kudos to the amazing slow burn covering years of their struggles stuck together in a dragon cave and having to rely on each other to survive. I loved seeing the hardships and how they genuinely came to care for each other, definitely one of the most moving and convincing Veela love stories I’ve read in the fandom.

Rare pair

With a Look by earlybloomingparentheses (Ginny + Deamus, E, 5k)

Now, twenty years old and done with boys and looking forward very much to putting her hand down some lucky girl’s shirt later this evening, Ginny looks at Dean Thomas’s gold-painted fingernails and feels heat pool between her legs.

I think about this fic every now and then - such a sensitive, thought-provoking and beautiful homage to the 🏳️‍🌈 community. the visceral and contemplative tone takes it beyond your regular PWP, and I’ve rarely seen gender and queerness explored quite like this. seeing Ginny figuring out and owning her identify is mesmerizing. her voice is powerful, sexy, earnest and articulates so many complex and layered feelings - I was particularly moved by the inner turmoil of not looking “queer enough”. I’m sure this fic will be eye-opening and comforting to so many people out there, and that’s why I never cease to rec it. an intimate character study, a sinfully hot and self-indulgent threesome but above anything, a poignant love letter to the queer community.

Passion, Patents, and Pen Pals at the Ministry by @violetclarity and @yrfrndfrnkly, art by @anaxandria-writes and @veelawings (Hermione/Pansy, T, 32k)

After an extremely ill-timed lovers'-tiff-turned-food-fight at the Ministry leaves her less one boyfriend and suspended without pay for six months, Hermione pleads for some position–anything–to fill her days until her suspension is up. The good news is, her temporary position in the Magical Games & Sports's Ludicrous Patents office is just down the corridor from Harry's office in General Inquiries. The bad news is Harry's officemate is Pansy Parkinson, the Ministry's operations are shockingly outdated, and every altercation between Hermione and Pansy winds up a headline in MoM's internal rogue gossip zine, Hot Goss.

rivals to secret pen pals to lovers yes please?? this hilarious Pansmione is a ship triumph and yet criminally underrated. I had a blast getting into the world of Ministry gossip & politics, and immediately fell in love with all the characters, l especially with this lovely meddling Harry. it’s SO MUCH FUN to watch poor him (and Blaise omg what a duo) in the middle of a ladies’ tug of war. I’m impressed by the amount of world-building especially around their workplace, not to mention all the side interactions and the fun, organic slow burn. I love this take on identity porn with tons of banter and Pansy and Mione connecting through their shared worldview and feminist principles, such a power couple ✊🏼 the mix of semi-epistolary, witty dialogue, dorky meddling friends and mild angst make for peak entertaining, I laughed non-stop and cheered so bad for them. femslash ftw!!!

[popcorn-plots]

Hey there! We are a family of 5 (4 youths, one 55 year old) planning a 10-day trip to England and Scotland in month of June 2024.

We are planning to spend 4 days in London, one day trip from London to either Oxford or Wales. 1-2 days in Edinburgh, around 2 days in Inverness. Any other recommendations?

Can you guys help me with some pro tips? Some things we are interested in are

hidden gems/off beat attractions

local activities

best/cheap travel options - car rental for Scotland? Trains are expensive - are they worth it?

What's the best way to reduce too much walking for the 55 yr old family member? Maybe like scooter rental options? - Lime e-scooters?

vegan food options

Recommended stay options - recommended serviced apartment under 250 GBP a night?

Money saving tips - visitor oyster cards, London pass, Explorer pass. I've read britrail pass isn't worth it? What are things I can book in advance apart from accommodation and train tickets?

Best way to spend - contactless forex card

Things to buy

Things not to do

What to carry - a raincoat, water resistant shoes, layers for clothing

Any month specific attraction? - Mayfield Lavender fields

Is there anyway I can catch a play/show that stars celebrities during this time? (no points for guessing I'm interested in anything with Benedict/Martin)

Sherlock related attractions - shooting locations, souvenir shops, found this awesome BBC Sherlock Guidebook

Anything else you recommend?

Thanks a lot!!

Okay, I'm finally getting around to answering things-- (sorry it's taken so long)

Anyways, I'm not completely sure what your budget it, so I'll just go from my experience. As for the trip itself, I hope you guys have so much fun! London is amazing and I wish I could come with you.

Now prepare yourself for an academic essay (not really) of a post with pictures included (below the cut) because I am a nerd.

For the day trip to Oxford or Wales, I loved both places (Wales in a really fun cultural experience), but if you're concerned for time, Oxford is closer (1 hour drive) while Wales is a 4 hour train ride. My group did a tour of Oxford college while we spent a good two or three days in Wales. I was in Oxfordshire at the same time Benedict Cumberbatch was, but he was 23 miles away and I was so sad

As for Inverness, Inverness Castle is a really cool stop and Loch Ness was so much fun to see. I would definitely bring an umbrella though. My entire group forgot their umbrellas and we got absolutely drenched. Also, if you have a little time on your hands, the Hogwarts Express bridge from Harry Potter is just an hours drive from Inverness and it has a great hiking spot and a fun little gift store. It's at Glenfinnan Viaduct and it was fun to see. There's also a Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross Station (I know there's been a lot of stuff with JK Rowling, but liking Harry Potter and liking JK Rowling are two very different things and it's perfectly fine to like Harry Potter and hate JKR.)

One of my favorite things to do as a tourist is to... be a tourist (which sounds weird) so I absolutely love to go to all the major attractions. However, I've found some really fun places. Gelato shops, for one, are very nice (and tasty!). Speedy's Cafe from Sherlock is an actual place, as well as 221B Baker Street. Speedy's Cafe is on 187 N Gower St, Euston Rd., London NW1 2NJ, United Kingdom, and it can range from 1-10 pounds a person for food. That same street with Speedy's is the filming location for the outside of 221B Baker Street. The real Baker Street is a little ways away, but there is a Sherlock Holmes museum. With a student ID, tickets are around 8 dollars a person (otherwise, it's 16). The wait time is a bit much, but it's worth it. There's a lot of Sherlock Holmes tours that are really exciting, but if you don't want to go on a guided tour, they filmed in a lot of easily recognizable parts of London such as Trafalgar Square. There's also a lot of tourist sites online that have said locations, and it helps that London is an easily walkable city (and the public transport is a literal godsend compared to Utah). Bletchley Park is also a must-see, but only really for people who are interested in the behind-the-scenes of WWII, in a way, and Alan Turing. And yes, it looks exactly like it did in The Imitation Game. However, tickets are a bit pricey and the hour train ride to Bletchley is also quite pricey.

Arthur Conan Doyle was actually born in Edinbrough so there's some things to do there, if they put the statue back. Edunbrough Castle is a great visit and it is supposedly the inspiration for Hogwarts. There's also a grave with the name Tom Riddle in what is supposedly one of the most haunted cemeteries in the UK if that's interesting for you. Also, in Endinbrough, there are bagpipes everywhere. There is, quite literally, a bagpipe player on every street corner. It's amazing.

When I did the study abroad, my group rented two coaches for Scotland (we had 29 people -- 22 students, two directors, and then the five of the directors families) so I don't have a lot of experience with the trains. My advice, however, is to create a spreadsheet somewhere and make a list of what you want to do, how much it would cost, and how much you're willing to spend and go from there. Find train and car rental websites and find one that works with what you plan to do. Also, if those sights have any reviews, look at them. Find what other people are saying about the particular service -- everyone has different opinions, but if one site has more positive reviews from more people, than that could be a good starting place for what you want.

London has really great public transportation, and Oyster Cards are very useful for getting around. Most of the tube stations I went on have both stairs and elevators, and the busses are enjoyable for tourists. Other than that, I'd find some tourist websites that talk about accessibility in London.

Again, I'm not completely sure about stay options as my group had our accommodations provided by the college (but ooooh boy that is a long story--), so I would recommend the spreadsheet and travel websites. AirBnB's are also a good option.

On money saving, Oyster Cards are incredible. I don't know how much they cost, but I used mine at least two times a day, sometimes even four during the entire 3 week stay. Definitely get an oyster card. I'm not completely sure about the other passes, however (SPREADSHEET). Other things to book might be some activities -- London has a lot of fun tourist areas that may be enjoyable. For example, Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, etc. Also, in terms of souvenirs -- it's really exciting to get things on site, and sometimes that's the only place you can get stuff, but a good rule of thumb is that you can generally get the same thing for a lot cheaper somewhere else. An example would be that I wanted a SIX sweatshirt when I went and saw it life. Sweatshirts were around $60 dollars while Amazon had them for around $20. You don't have to get everything from Amazon, but if you're worried about it, there are cheaper options elsewhere.

Some advice about European Culture if you didn't know them already: take-out is called take-away, and you usually have to flag the waiter down at restaurants (or simply raise your hand). Also just be polite, and Americans are generally really loud compared to Europeans so, assuming you're American, just be aware of your surroundings. In other parts of Europe, like Greece, pick-pocketing is a big deal, so we had to keep a closer eye on our belonging (I would hold my phone or put it in a front pocket). I'm not sure if this is a big thing in London, but still -- be aware of your belongings. General safety also applies in trusting your gut, using buddy system, and not being out alone at night.

One of the best tips about London is Tesco. If not for the joy of having a row with the local pin machines, than for the 4 pound meal deals -- a main, a side, and a drink. My family lived on these lunch deals. They are pretty good, they have a decent selection, and are in literally every single Tesco you go to. Tesco also has pretty decent prices and, if you're smart about it, you can feel a family of 5 for a week on one trip.

For things to carry: umbrella (in the summer the rain isn't so bad, but it's there), good walking shoes, definitely layer up. London can go from 90 degrees to 50 in an hour, and can go from not a cloud in sight to torrential downpour. My SH tour was caught in the second one -- that was an experience to say the least. Don't forget things like an oyster card and maybe some extra cash if you feel you may need it.

I have no idea about celebrity shows, but West End is literally the Broadway of London (but a whole lot cheaper). My family saw 10 shows on West End during our 3 three week stay. It was amazing, and if you fancy a night out, China Town is literally just around the corner.

That's pretty much all I have right now! It's pretty long, but I hope it's what your looking for! If you have other questions, feel free to ask. (spreadsheets will be your best friend if you know how to use them)

[thedashshop]

The Evolution of Local Shopping: How DASH Shop is Leading the Way

Shopping locally has always been more than just a transaction; it’s an experience. From the friendly banter with store owners to the joy of finding that perfect item, local shopping has been a cornerstone of community life. But as times have changed, so has the way we shop. Today, DASH Shop is at the forefront of this evolution, transforming local shopping into a seamless, technology-driven experience that blends the best of the past with the innovations of the future.

A Glimpse into the Past

Back in the day, local shopping was all about brick-and-mortar stores. People would stroll down Main Street, popping into their favorite shops, chatting with neighbors, and enjoying the tactile pleasure of seeing and touching products before buying them. It was a social activity, a chance to connect with others and support local businesses. However, as convenient as it was, this traditional model had its limitations. Store hours were fixed, inventory was finite, and sometimes the perfect item just wasn’t available.

The Modern Challenges

Fast forward to today, and the landscape of local shopping has drastically shifted. The rise of e-commerce giants has posed significant challenges for small, local retailers. With the convenience of online shopping, customers can browse endless aisles of products, compare prices, and have their purchases delivered right to their doorstep. This convenience has drawn many away from local shops, making it harder for small businesses to compete.

Local stores also face logistical hurdles such as managing inventory, offering competitive pricing, and meeting the high expectations of today’s consumers who demand quick, efficient service. The pandemic further accelerated these challenges, pushing even more shoppers online and leaving many local retailers struggling to stay afloat.

Enter DASH Shop: Revolutionizing Local Shopping

DASH Shop is here to bridge the gap between the traditional charm of local shopping and the modern demands of convenience and efficiency. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, DASH Shop is revolutionizing the local shopping experience in several key ways.

Instant Delivery:

One of the most significant ways DASH Shop is transforming local shopping is through its instant delivery service. Gone are the days of waiting weeks for an online order to arrive. With DASH Shop, customers can enjoy the convenience of having their purchases delivered to their doorstep within hours. This not only meets the high expectations of today’s consumers but also gives local retailers a competitive edge.

Robust Analytics:

DASH Shop provides retailers with powerful analytics tools, offering deep insights into sales trends, customer behavior, and inventory management. This data-driven approach helps retailers make informed decisions, optimize stock levels, and tailor their offerings to better meet customer needs. It’s like having a crystal ball for your business, ensuring you’re always one step ahead.

Seamless Integration:

One of the best parts about DASH Shop is its ability to integrate seamlessly with existing sales channels. Retailers don’t have to overhaul their entire system to benefit from DASH Shop’s features. Instead, the platform enhances current operations, adding value without disruption. This means smoother transitions and minimal hassle for business owners.

Community Engagement:

DASH Shop also helps retailers connect with their communities in meaningful ways. The platform supports local charities and community initiatives, fostering goodwill and strengthening community ties. By aligning with social causes, retailers can enhance their brand image and build customer loyalty.

Building Trust and Excitement

DASH Shop isn’t just a platform; it’s a movement. It’s about reimagining local shopping for the 21st century, combining the best of the old with the innovations of the new. By addressing the current challenges faced by local retailers and providing solutions that enhance the shopping experience, DASH Shop is positioning itself as a pioneer in local e-commerce.

So, whether you’re a retailer looking to boost your business or a shopper seeking convenience without compromising on community spirit, DASH Shop is here to lead the way. Join us in revolutionizing local shopping and experience the future today.

[stylesavingssavvy]

Redfynd: Stop and Shop. 

The One-stop Shopping Solution for Fashion and Beauty Enthusiasts. 

Shopping online can be difficult. We have so many websites and brands to choose from when we want to order or shop. It can also be difficult to find the right discounts or deals for the products we wish to buy. We have the best platform that will not only help you reduce your time and effort, but also make your shopping experience much easier if you are looking to buy something related to fashion and beauty. Redfynd is the one-stop solution. 

Photo by Tamanna Rumee on Unsplash 

Key to more than 100+ stores on a single platform. 

Redfynd brings over 100+ stores related to e-commerce onto a single platform. It's like a buffet of your favorite brands on a table; you only need to pick your best deal and shop. Not only this, but it will also give you cash back in return. This signifies that a shopper can get a wide range of products in one place, making it easier for him or her to pick and order after comparing the prices and deals, which can help him/her save more money. 

If a user is looking for a shirt, lehenga, shoes, watches, jeans, etc. for a special season or any beauty product or fashion-related products, Redfynd has your back 

Comparing Prices and Cashbacks 

What makes Redfynd different from other e-commerce shopping platforms is that it gives you the option to compare prices and provides cashback. With the listing of 100+ stores, Redfynd gives its users an option to explore and hunt down their favorite products, helping users save time, money, and the unnecessary hassle of switching tabs and adding products to every possible e-commerce Wishlist. 

In addition to this, Redfynd also offers cashback on every verified purchase, giving you cherry-on-top experience. Users can get a certain percentage of cashback, which can be redeemed later with every verified purchase. This feature makes users happy and gives a soothing experience to shop more and save more. 

1 Million Plus Happy Users 

Since Redfynd was born it has served more than 1 million users, giving them a reason to stop and shop from Redfynd. The number of happy users is increasing day by day as well. With access to 2million+ products from over-the-top 100+ plus stores Redfynd carries something for everyone. 

No matter whether users are looking for fashion, beauty or any special attire Redfynd is never back with anything.  

AI-Powered Shopping Search Engine 

Artificial intelligence Whenever we hear this word the first thing that comes to our mind is robot, algorithm, or smartness. Redfynd has worked on this only to make its website more and more efficient, giving its user an easy-to-shopping search engine experience. Redfynd uses AI to search millions of products online to find the exact product that a user is looking for in a fraction of a second. This feature helps users to save money, time, effort and in return gives cashback as well. 

Product Customization 

The customization option is another feature that separates it from other e-commerce platforms. Redfynd uses artificial intelligence to read a user experience on the platform and recommends products according to their budget and preference which will help them and also allow them to save money for every verified purchase. Users don't need to visit multiple websites looking for the same products, applying custom filters and comparing prices one after the other. All features of Redfynd sum up heaven for fashion and beauty enthusiasts. 

A user-friendly interface with search and filtering capabilities 

Redfynd friendly user interface helps a 12-year-old kid or a 60-year-old person to operate smoothly. It has so much sorted user interface which helps its users to look for their customized products. Filter features can help users narrow down their shopping lists by men/women, price, brands, colors, stores and many more. Redfynd filter feature helps its user to personalize their shopping experience. 

Conclusion 

Redfynd is a revolutionary shopping platform that is changing the whole game of shopping for all users across India. With access to 100+ stores and 2 million products and counting Redfynd is helping users to customize their shopping experience and giving them cashback on addition. So, what are you waiting for? Visit Redfynd ASAP and make you save money, time and effort on every purchase.  

Google Redfynd Right now. 

[gonzalez756]

Starting an e-commerce business can be an exciting venture with immense potential. However, with the opportunities come challenges and uncertainties. Before diving into the world of online retail, it’s crucial to plan carefully and set a solid foundation. Here are some essential tips to consider before launching your e-commerce business:

1. Conduct Market Research

Understanding the market is fundamental to any successful business. Start by identifying your target audience and analyzing competitors. Research trends, customer preferences, and potential gaps in the market. Tools like Google Trends, social media analytics, and industry reports can provide valuable insights. This research will help you tailor your products or services to meet market demands and differentiate yourself from competitors.

2. Define Your Business Model

E-commerce offers various business models, such as B2C (Business to Consumer), B2B (Business to Business), C2C (Consumer to Consumer), and subscription-based models. Determine which model aligns with your goals and resources. Each model has its own set of challenges and requirements, so choose one that best fits your product or service and target market.

3. Create a Solid Business Plan

A comprehensive business plan serves as a roadmap for your e-commerce venture. Outline your business goals, strategies, target audience, marketing plan, financial projections, and operational plan. This document will not only guide your efforts but also help secure funding if needed. A clear plan can keep you focused and organized as you navigate the complexities of launching and running an e-commerce business.

4. Choose the Right E-Commerce Platform

Selecting the right e-commerce platform is crucial for the success of your online store. Popular platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and BigCommerce each offer unique features and capabilities. Consider factors such as ease of use, scalability, customization options, payment gateways, and integration with other tools. The platform should align with your business needs and provide a user-friendly experience for both you and your customers.

5. Develop a User-Friendly Website

Your website is the face of your e-commerce business. Ensure it’s designed to be user-friendly, visually appealing, and optimized for mobile devices. A clean, intuitive layout with easy navigation will enhance the shopping experience and reduce cart abandonment rates. Focus on high-quality images, detailed product descriptions, and a seamless checkout process. Additionally, implement search engine optimization (SEO) strategies to improve your site’s visibility in search engines.

6. Implement Secure Payment Processing

Security is a top priority in e-commerce. Customers need to trust that their payment information is safe. Choose a reputable payment gateway and ensure your website uses SSL certificates to encrypt data. Additionally, offer multiple payment options, including credit/debit cards, digital wallets, and other payment methods that are popular with your target audience.

7. Plan Your Logistics and Supply Chain

Efficient logistics and supply chain management are vital for e-commerce success. Develop a strategy for inventory management, warehousing, and shipping. Decide whether you’ll handle fulfillment in-house or partner with third-party logistics providers. Consider shipping options, delivery times, and costs. A smooth and reliable fulfillment process can significantly impact customer satisfaction and repeat business.

8. Craft a Marketing Strategy

Effective marketing is essential to drive traffic and sales to your e-commerce store. Develop a multi-channel marketing strategy that includes social media, email marketing, content marketing, and paid advertising. Create engaging content, run promotions, and leverage social media platforms to build brand awareness and attract customers. Monitor and analyze the performance of your marketing efforts to refine your strategies over time.

9. Focus on Customer Service

Exceptional customer service can set your e-commerce business apart from competitors. Provide multiple channels for customer support, such as live chat, email, and phone. Ensure timely responses to inquiries and resolve issues promptly. Building strong customer relationships and encouraging feedback can enhance customer loyalty and drive positive reviews.

10. Monitor and Adapt

The e-commerce landscape is constantly evolving. Regularly review your business performance, track key metrics, and gather customer feedback. Stay informed about industry trends and technological advancements. Be prepared to adapt your strategies and operations based on insights and changes in the market.