#Eco-friendly holiday decor | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

overtake · 2 months ago

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old playing cards!!

I managed a fic under 1k. Please clap.

DECEMBER 2022

Daniel’s fingers tap on the glass table and leave smudges from the sweat and oils coating them. He pulls the sleeve of his shirt over his hand and tries to wipe away the evidence, but he only succeeds at blurring the fingerprints into a hazy circle.

He curls his fingers into the meat of his palm instead, hidden safely inside the too-long cotton cocoon, and stares blankly down. Through the glass, he can see his knee bouncing up and down, just centimetres from banging into the table and bruising his skin.

He startles when a bowl lands in front of him. It’s that eco-friendly cardboard stuff they’ve switched to in the factory cafe, and it’s stuffed to the brim with some kind of chicken and rice dish. Just the smell of it makes Daniel’s stomach churn, and he pushes it to the edge of the table. He ignores Simon’s admonishing glare and crosses his arms across his ribcage.

“Well?” he asks. He knows the sim session didn’t go well. He could hear it in Simon’s constant feedback. He could feel it in his corner hesitation, slamming the brakes like he could fuck the sim into an actual wall and subsequently bracing for impact.

Simon doesn’t answer. Instead, he pulls something from his pocket and passes it across the table to Daniel.

It takes Daniel a second to register what he’s looking at, and it draws a laugh out of him for the first time that day.

“You still have these?” Daniel asks. He picks up the old deck of cards and pulls them from their package.

It’d been a tradition every race weekend since he’d become Daniel’s engineer for the two of them to play a round of war before every session. Daniel refused to call it a superstition, but it was their thing.

He’d bought this particular deck for Simon as a farewell gift in 2018, a joke packaged in amongst the real gift of the expensive watch that still decorates Simon’s wrist to date. Simon had become temporarily obsessed with the Real Housewives franchise, a secret he told Daniel to take to the grave, and Daniel had custom-made him a deck of cards with the housewives’ faces on it.

The pack has clearly only been opened once, the day he received it, and Daniel delights in shuffling them for the first time. The fresh edges are stiff against his hands.

Simon doesn’t speak until the cards have been dealt.

“When are you headed back to Perth?” he asks conversationally. He’s never been one to speak around the matter at hand. Daniel must have really stunk up the sim, then.

“Tomorrow.”

They each flip their first card. Simon’s eight takes it to Daniel’s three.

“And Max?”

Daniel turns over a queen, but Simon shows a king.

“After the holiday party. Are you really that invested in our winter break plans?”

Simon shrugs, unbothered by the bite in Daniel’s words. “Yes. I think you should spend time with your family, eat lots of Christmas ham, and stop thinking about the sim.”

Daniel finally takes a round.

“Is that your way of saying today was so bad, we can never speak of it again?”

Daniel flips over an ace. Simon rolls his eyes and slaps down an ace with Lisa Vanderpump’s smiling face, and they begin doling out cards for war. “We’ll talk about the data in a bit. I just want to remind you to take it easy, alright? Trust yourself. We both know your talent didn’t disappear. You just have to let yourself breathe a little.”

Daniel bites down on his lip, hoping the sharp edge of his tooth in skin will stop the burn in his eyes. “You almost sound like you care about me,” Daniel teases.

Simon shakes his head, but Daniel can see the bemused glint in his eyes.

“Get fucked,” Simon says solemnly when he wins the war and sweeps the pile into his deck.

They play the rest of the game in peaceful silence.

MARCH 2025

“Ready?” Max asks. His race suit is only half-zipped, allowing Daniel to lewdly admire the way his white fireproofs hug the frame of his body. Max sees Daniel mentally objectifying him and sticks out his chest a little.

“Almost,” Daniel promises. Simon’s only got about two cards left in his pile. He refuses to bring the Real Housewives deck, so they’re using a boring one for now, but Daniel plans on finding a themed deck for every other city this season.

Max collapses into the chair next to Daniel and spins himself in lazy half-circles until Daniel takes Simon’s final card and wins the game.

“Let’s go,” Daniel crows, doing a little fist pump.

“I let you win,” Simon lies, like it’s not a game of chance. Daniel boos him, and Max joins in.

“I didn’t miss you two being teammates,” Simon says, waving his hand between the two of them, which only increases their boos. Simon cracks his neck and stands up from the table. “Are you coming?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Daniel says, collecting the cards neatly back into the little box. Max offers him a hand up and lets his fingers linger on Daniel’s skin for a second too long, gently tracing over the four card suits tattooed over the puckered scar on his left hand. “Let’s do this thing.”

#fics #maxiel #however the maxiel is more background in this one #it's really about the power of simon rennie believing in you #finally finished all the prompts in my inbox #two miracles at once! low yap and actually completing a task in full

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pockwashereart · 2 years ago

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Flaming Gavle Goat Ornament Tutorial

You Will Need:

Craft felt in light brown or 'straw' color of choice, red, yellow and orange

Red ribbon in 2 widths

Thread- I used red and yellow; brown, orange or white would give different effects

scissors

Needle for hand sewing

pins or quilter's clips

polyfill stuffing or fabric scraps

a poking implement

a lighter or Fray check glue

paper and pencil

patience / approx 2 hours to waste making a meme for the holidays

To start, I drew a rectangle approx 3.25 in wide by 4 in high and sketched out a geometric goat shape. You could go a bit larger, but if you go much smaller it will be difficult to stuff. Remember that the sewing and stuffing will eat up some of your edges.

Cut out your goat template and trace it on your light brown felt. I used chalk, marker may work depending on how neatly you cut.

(I'll add a nice vectored template to this tutorial later, but I'll have to fight with the scanner first. )

Cut 2 of your goat. It doesn't matter if they're not exactly the same, as you can fudge the edges a little when you sew. If your felt has a front and back you can tell apart, you'll need to pick a "right" side of the fabric and mirror one of the goat base pieces.

I cut my ribbon decorations in advance, wrapping it around the stacked bases to check the length - remember you'll be stuffing this later so you may need to add a tiny bit more to accomodate.

Out of the wider ribbon, you'll need one for each leg, one for the tummy and one for the bridle. The thin ribbon will be to hang the ornament with and to wrap the horns- I did not pre-measure the horn wrapping because I wasn't sure how long it would need to be. Finish the cut edges of the ribbon as you like- I used a lighter to heat seal them but fray check or white glue will work. Glue will be more difficult to sew through.

Start sewing the goat bases together. I used red thread and a basic whip stitch, but you could get a couple different effects by using white or brown thread, or by sewing a blanket stitch.

Here's where I made life difficult for myself- stop when you get to the legs and wrap the ribbon in place, tucking the ends in between the layers. This secures them and hides the edges but is fiddly to pin and sew. You can also wait until you have sewn most of the way around and tack or glue the ribbons on top if you're less fussy about the ends showing.

Continue sewing around the legs and body, catching the ribbons in your stitches and repeating for the bridle ribbon. Stop at the base of the horns so you have room to stuff.

I'm working with modern plastic materials, so sadly (or not) this goat isn't terribly flammable, just meltable. If you want to be eco friendly you can stuff him with scrap fabrics. I'm using polyfill.

Use a chopstick, paintbrush handle or empty mechanical pencil to poke your stuffing into place. Smaller lumps of fluff are better and more maneuverable.

For firmer limbs stuff chopped up bits of your felt into the legs and head and follow it up with the polyfill.

My original plan for the removable flame was to do clever things with magnets, so if you want to give that a try this would be the point to toss one in before you close up the body. I was on a roll and didn't remember until I was working on the horns. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Remember you still need to put the tummy ribbon on and curse your clumsy giant fingers!! Getting everything situated and laying nicely may take a couple attempts. Once you've stabbed yourself with the pins a couple times, sew up the inner curve from the base of the horns on the neck to where the horns meet up again on the butt.

Be careful of where your thread tail goes and the direction of your stitches, it's easy to accidentally loop around the whole body or catch the horns.

There should still be a bitty opening at the base of the horns and at the butt (giggle here), if you flattened your stuffing during the last step and need to poke a teensy bit more in.

Tie your length of hanging ribbon into a loop and set aside.

This is another step where my need to hide the edges made life stupid and fiddly. Tuck the edge of a length of the thin ribbon between the layers on the bottom of the horns and wrap it around, and tack in place with a couple stitches. Loop it a couple of times until you get to the point you want to hang the ornament: I chose dead center, you may want him at a jaunty angle.

Fiddle with bendy felt, slippery ribbon and pins until your hanging ribbon's knot is sandwiched between the 2 layers of the horns and continue wrapping with the loose long piece, securing with pins or clips as needed and hopefully not making a big tangled mess of ribbon.

When you get to the end wrap it around a couple times and cut off any extra length, seal your ribbon and pin or clip into place.

Sew along remaining curves of the horn, making sure not to yank the hanging ribbon out of place and to catch the wrapping ribbon as you go. Accept there's no good way to tuck in this !$@!%%^$ slippery 1/8th BS ribbon and tack the butt end down with a few extra stitches.

Alternately, tack the hanging ribbon in place between the layers, sew the edges and then wrap and secure the horn ribbon with stitches or glue at either end. You could also skip sewing the edges of the horns together before wrapping them, but it will be more sturdy and secure with them sewn.

The fun part! fold some paper in half and draw your flames on the fold. Mine were a little over 2 in tall, and they should be a little smaller than the back of your goat at the base in order to fit in place. Cut out your fire and use it as a template for your felt.

The base layer will need to be on cut on the fold but the rest can be separate. Use as many or as few layers and colors as you like, it doesn't have to match exactly on both sides. You'll be folding this up so that you have 2 decorative sides facing out and a plain inside, so you'll be making two mirrored flames while it's still flat: one pointing up and one pointing down. Sew or glue the layers together.

I used a hidden stitch about a third of the way up from the bottom on the inside of the flame to pinch the sides together and pull it up into a V shape. This can be tucked up into the gap between the body and the horns and will hold itself in place pretty well if you have thick felt.

For more security/ shaping you could sew a loop of craft wire or an opened paperclip to the back side of the flame, or as previously mentioned do clever things with magnets.

Hang him on the tree with or without flames and enjoy!

Options for enjoying your handcrafted goat:

Pin the Flame on the Goat: Hide goat ornament on tree and give your participant (s) the flame (s), first to put them together wins.

Art Imitates Goat: Keep the flames to the side until/ if the real goat burns, and then apply to ornament. Celebrate with hot cocoa or warm winter drink of choice.

Voodoo Goat: Real Gavlebocken hasn't burned yet? Summon the flames by setting your ornament on felt fire! Celebrate with hot cocoa or warm winter drink of choice.

#holiday craft #gavle goat #gavlebocken #christmas ornament #tutorial #hand sewing #also please show me your goats if you make one!

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katiajewelbox · 27 days ago

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Halloween Countdown Day 7

Eco-Friendly Halloween Home Decor

Welcome to my haunted cottage of Halloween cheer! Every year as the spookiest day draws near, my Mom and I resurrect our collection of vintage and handcrafted Halloween decorations to turn our home into a Halloween wonderland.

This vintage and handcrafted decor is the opposite of the environmental horror that Halloween has mutated into in the UK. Recent reports featured in the The Times and The Sunday Times newspaper and other news sources reveal that Halloween is the biggest single use plastic holiday or event in the UK. The monstrous amount of plastic waste comes from cheaply made single use plastic decorations, tacky costumes thrown away after one use, and litter from wrapped sweets.

What can you do to combat this true Halloween horror? I suggest taking inspiration from our home decor and traditions. Some of our Halloween decorations are over 30 years old and still looking ghoulishly good since they are carefully stored year after year.

Our Halloween decor is mostly made of paper or fabric which gives it a softer, cosier appearance than plastic decorations. Store bought and handcrafted Halloween cards from years past are incorporated into the decor to add more visual appeal. Our paper crafts are easy to store since they're flat and if they become too damaged they are easily recycled. Homegrown pumpkins and winter squash are not just for looks, they are all fully edible gourmet fruits that last all winter. Papier mache Jack o Lanterns generate less waste than flimsy plastic pumpkins and are more artistic. If you don't have a compost bin natural, carving pumpkins can also generate a lot of waste since they usually aren't eaten after use. Impressive and creative Halloween costumes can be assembled from clothing in your wardrobe and accessories rather than buying polyester disposable costumes.

I hope this post "scares" you into celebrating a more eco friendly Halloween!

#halloween2024 #halloweentraditions #Halloween #halloweencountdown #HalloweenParty #halloweendecor #halloweendecorations #ecofriendly #reducereuserecycle

#halloweencore #halloween #happy halloween #spooky #spooky season #halloween decor #halloween vibes #eco friendly #reduce reuse recycle #vintage halloween #cottage life #autumn

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sidewalkchemistry · 1 year ago

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more eco-friendly holiday decor ideas than a large plastic tree shrouded in non-biodegradable ornaments

try to reuse & craft as much decor elements as you're able

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positivexcellence · 2 years ago

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Catching Up with Gen Padalecki

The run up to the holidays is packed with parties and festive events, gift buying, travel prepping and wrapping up all the loose ends of the year. Add to that running a business and a book club, acting, being a wife (to actor and entrepreneur Jared Padalecki) and mama of three (two boys and a girl), and things are busy for Genevieve Padalecki. We caught up with Gen, and talked about things from family and their new farm to two of her passions, books and towwn. Short for Take Only What You Need, towwn is a site she started with longtime friend Kelly Mickle to help people sustainably win the battle against burnout, both for themselves and the planet, with tips from eco-friendly kitchen swaps and sustainable sandals to self-care.

You’ve lived in Austin for more than 12 years, what advice would you give someone new to Austin?

Embrace the weird, always say ‘hi’ to your neighbor, don’t judge opinions and views that might differ from yours, rather try to understand where others are coming from.

What do you love about living in Austin?

I love the eclectic collaborative community. I've always felt like I could be completely myself here.

What are you most looking forward to this holiday season?

Family time.

How are you and your family celebrating the holidays this year?

We are doing things differently this year and giving our family an adventure.

What are some of your favorite holiday traditions?

I love all the decorating, crafting, and meal making. I find it therapeutic and I love when my kids propose the activity.

Do you have a recipe you love to make around the holidays?

We love cooking during the holidays and all the kiddos love to contribute. It can range from a great lasagna to a medium rare steak (cooked by our 10-year-old), to my husband's favorite, tomato soup with grilled cheese croutons. The holidays are so fun and gathering with friends and family for a meal is the best part.

How long have you had your book club?

I started my book club when we went into lockdown. I wanted a way to connect with people and have an outlet. I reached out asking for a “this or that” book pick for the month and Southern Book Clubs’ Guide to Slaying Vampires was a fan favorite. Next thing I know Grady Hendrix and I are zooming and chatting about his book. It’s been a wild couple of years and I am so inspired and feel so incredibly grateful for all the insightful, thoughtful and thought-provoking, stunning and beautiful writers I have been able to meet, converse and collaborate with because of it.

What are some you’d recommend for gifting this year?

Pony, Red, White and Royal Blue, The Overstory, Tribe, Letters to a Young Athlete, Why We Sleep and Into Thin Air.

How do you consume books? Do you prefer real books, audiobooks, kindle?

I prefer old-fashioned books I can hold in my hand. There’s something so wonderful about the sensory experience, the weight, the pages in between my fingers, turning a page, the smell of the binding. It just adds to the experience and for me is a delectable rush. I also love a good audiobook, especially with all the driving I do, but it all depends on the narrator.

What’s new with towwn?

towwn is growing so quickly and we’re incredibly proud of our community. We just launched our TikTok channel to help spread our anti-perfectionism message about the planet and ourselves to reach new audiences. We’re also building an informative and fun newsletter.

What do you hope to see in the evolution of TOWWN in 2023?

Our main focus is reaching people who want to find solutions to burnout for themselves and the planet, regardless of background and politics. We’re looking at hosting more events where we can bring people together for these kinds of conversations, curating products to help people solve these challenges. You can learn more on our Instagram @towwn.

You and Jared recently bought a farm…

Yes, we love nature and I’m obsessed with soil health and regenerative farming. I’m hoping we slowly let the land speak to us and thoughtfully nurture biodiversity and tend to the soil as best we can. I’d like to have rotational cover crops as well as grazing animals to contribute to this beautiful symbiotic relationship. It’s also nice having a refuge for our family to get messy and breathe in and get lost in the woods so to speak.

What accomplishment are you most proud of in 2022?

I'm most proud of my family. They are what I am so grateful for.

You went back to ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’ this season in flashbacks, any desire or plans on the horizon to return to more acting?

Definitely, if it works for our family schedule.

You and Jared have been married 12 years, any advice on having a marriage with longevity?

Marriage is the best and most amazing adventure in the world. And like farming, there are some good seasons and not so great ones. Marriage takes a lot of love and nurturing. Throughout our lives we change and evolve into many different people. So, in a partnership, you’re both constantly growing and it’s impossible to always grow together, whether in parallel lines or intertwined at the same time. The best advice that’s been helpful for me is to take time and try and understand where your partner is coming from, and before reacting to anything that maybe feels a bit incendiary or frustrating, give it 24 hours.

What’s something one of your kids did lately that surprised you or made you laugh?

Well, I'm currently watching my 8-year-old try and tell me U2 is the best band of all time I had no idea he knew U2! My oldest sang a song in mandarin at a school talent show and my youngest gave her best ‘Hocus Pocus’ rendition dancing on our kitchen table - all in the last 24 hours! I don't know why I'm surprised by their theater bug, but clearly it's shining through.

Quick Fire Questions

Favorite book of 2022: Four Treasures of the Sky by Austin’s own Jenny Tinghui Zhang was outstanding - and it was her debut novel

Last show you binged: House of Dragons & The Bear with Jeremy Allen White

Favorite method of self-care: Taking a time out for myself and remembering to be kind to myself and set that example.

Favorite restaurant to eat out: Emmer & Rye, Soto, WuChow

Favorite place to order in: Torchys

Go-to cocktail: Extra dirty martini or a good old fashioned beer is really my fav.

If you could have one superpower: To go back in time

#Genevieve Padalecki #melanie jacobs #lauren anderson #stephanie coultress-o'neil #jennifer birn #jenna mcelroy #austin life magazine

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sims4t2bb · 2 years ago

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weekly update

We hope you've had an amazing week, and that the upcoming week is filled with the happiest of things.

Happy Simming — onwards and upwards! ✨

— Base Game

Buy Mode

A link has been added to the top menu, next to the icon, to the "Build Mode" page, for easier browsing.

All items in the "Hobbies" category have been added. The coding for that category has been cleaned up and standardised. Missing items were added, some items were recategorised, and some item names were corrected.

All items in the "Decorative > Wall Hangings" category have been addded. The coding for that category has been cleaned up and standardised.

The link to ladysimplayer8's conversion of the "Edgier Laddercase" has been fixed.

Thank You, Wardrobe conversion by @thimblesims has been added.

Fishing Allowed Sign conversion by @enjatoki has been added.

Atlantis Plumbtrap conversion by TheNinthWave has been added.

Build Mode

A link has been added to the top menu, next to the icon, to the "Buy Mode" page, for easier browsing.

— Expansion Packs

Get Together

Jony's First Chimney, Life is Easy Balcony, Saladin's Chain, Saladin's Fury, Saladin's Hammer, Saladin's Lie, and Saladin's Spear conversions by @kalimero78 have been added.

Eco Lifestyle

Tree To Get Ready, Do It with Some Vine, Three Course Meal Planter, Adopt-A-Plant, Blooming Ordnance, Wow What a Creep! Floral Trellis, Every Day Holiday Vase, DIY Oxygen Triad Planter, and Eco-Ergo Friendly Floral Wall conversions by AdonisPluto have been added.

Snowy Escape

A missing item, Table for Squares - by GeoWerx, and its conversion by @tony-veis, have been added.

Cottage Living

The page menu has been updated.

The coding has been cleaned up and standardised.

Some items were recategorised.

Growing Together

Way-To-Play Playmat conversion by @enjatoki has been added.

— Game Packs

Dream Home Decorator

Fantastical Play Tent conversion by @enjatoki has been added.

My Wedding Stories

It's All Set In Stone conversion by @brandinotbroke has been added.

#weekly update

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toxics-sims-adventures · 2 years ago

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Decided to categorize what I think are the most invasive packs (that I own) in ts4

Explanations under the cut:

INCREDIBLY INVASIVE:

The Base Game is needed to play TS4 at all so I just threw it into incredibly invasive for a giggle.

Eco Lifestyle causes the most annoying effect of turning my neighborhoods into industrial hellscapes just because most of Oasis Springs uses plaster and stucco and Willow Creek uses plastic siding. If I turn it off in settings though, I can’t remove the industrial cloud over Evergreen Harbor. NAPs make people litter my neighborhoods in junk items that I can’t just pick up and delete because it’s not part of my lot, or I end up with the most active kleptomaniacs in any game since my days in the Sims 1 where I’d literally build a treasure vault maze to punish the burglars. I have to turn off NPC voting just to make them all stop. I still get constant popups from each voting cycle saying something won even though absolutely no votes went through and there’s no actual NAP put into place but still. High key annoying.

Parenthood. You cannot escape the character values. They effect every toddler, child and teen, like it or not. You constantly receive school projects in the offspring’s inventory. If there was an option to turn it off at the expense of getting the bonus traits, this would drop straight into only invasive with interaction.

My Wedding Stories literally changes the wedding party. Gone is the simple day of decorating Willow Creek’s cherry blossom park with an arch, a piano and a bar to get an easy progression through your soulmate aspiration. Without mods anyway.

A lot of that Werewolves invasiveness happens because either Greg decides to suddenly visit Oasis Springs for ZERO reason and scares everyone on my street, or because Jake Volkov keeps coming to Copperdale High in full fury furry mode and makes everyone run screaming from the classroom. Like, dude, just stay home, call in sick, take the mental health day. Cripes.

Moderately Invasive:

Seasons adds weather to all worlds. You can turn most of it off though, the only weather you can’t avoid is sunny and cloudy days. It also adds temperature effects to Sims, but you can turn that off completely in the menu if you’re tired of sims overheating or freezing to death. Other than the seasonal life cycle of plants from gardening, which can only be subverted with indoor greenhouses or a pot in your sims living room to shelter the plant, the other thing Seasons does that would be considered annoyingly invasive would be the holidays. Even if you turn off all the major holidays preset in the pack, Love Day, Harvestfest, etc. by deleting them from the calendar, you’ll still get random holidays popping up that keep coming back (without a mod to disable it) like the lottery or fight a sim day, which if you refuse to participate in can give your sim a sad buff depending on their traits.

Get Famous adds the fame system. Everything you do can effect your sims fame level making their lives easier or harder. You can however step out of the spotlight so your painter monkey doesn’t get famous in the basement. (I have never made a painter monkey in the basement but some of you do and I’m as intrigued as I am terrified of you all.) BUT Get Famous also has a reputation system that you CAN’T turn off. Every friendly action/new friend you make will change your reputation positively and every mean interaction/enemy you make will change your reputation negatively. You can end up with a beloved or beloathed sim who when meeting new people will have their reputation precede them and effect their future relationships. Celebrities will show up anywhere, grinding pretty much everything to a halt so NPCs and even your own sims can swoon over them. (Plus Judith Ward and every other celebrity will always walk through your neighborhood no matter where you live, breaking the immersion. Yes even if you live in bumfuck nowhere, Strangerville.)

High School Years WILL NOT STOP MAKING MY TEEN SIMS MISERABLE. Acne all the time! Hair in weird places ALL THE TIME. To stop hair growth I have to go into cas and turn off the option for every body part FOR EVERY DIFFERENT SIM. Acne is in the actual pack settings to turn off. You have to turn off the check in the career tab in-game to stop the popup that asks if you want to follow your teen sims to school, for every teen sim. AND THE RANDOMIZED TOWNIE OUTFITS HAVE GOTTEN WORSE. I hate Trendi with a passion.

Dream Home Decorator. ITS JUST A COFFEE TABLE STOP TRYING TO PUKE ABOUT IT BEING MISSION STYLE! Sims will constantly go around critiquing my shit, even in bedrooms they weren’t invited to! because they like or hate it and it’s getting annoying. It’s not worth the little happy moodlet when they like living in a midcentury modern decorated home.

Only Invasive with Interaction:

Get to Work gave us our first occult sim, not counting ghosts. However, if you engage in the scientist career, you better prepare for absolutely every night to be filled with alien abductions. I never, ever see alien abductions or get pregnant male sims unless someone in the household is a scientist. The illnesses that come with the pack also can’t be disabled which is a little annoying when your previously healthy sim suddenly turns dazed because of a hidden buff of having a cold, or your screenshots are suddenly ruined because someone sprouted orange tiger stripe rashes. The only cure for these illnesses are the medicine bought off the computer, or the shopping for gifts menu from the phone. AND SOMETIMES THEY DONT EVEN WORK COMPLETELY! sometimes you have to wait and take another medicine to completely cure the illness! However it’s largely easy to ignore and easy to fix so I won’t count it as totally invasive when faced with absolutely everything else this game can do to give your sims a billion moodlets.

Cats & Dogs won’t really affect your gameplay unless you adopt one for your household. Yeah, you’ll still see the occasional stray in your neighborhood but that’s it really.

Spa Day only affects gameplay due to the refresh, which gave the new trait High Maintenance. Which is very likely to make the sim with that trait freak out over any little thing under the sun. Including the sun. Sitting makes them uncomfortable. They get weird dreams that make them tense. They need constant spa days and wellness activities or they get angry and tense. if they don’t have the High Maintenance trait though? You will never need the Spa Day stuff close at hand.

Strangerville only really affects the residents of Strangerville. The possession mood only affect the sims that eat the bizarre fruit to get the Infected trait. On occasion you’ll see certain Strangerville townies go possessed but only if you have them invited out from before 1am ingame.

Realm of Magic introduced spellcasters and they really don’t do magic outside of the realm. They’ll ride brooms outside of the realm but they tend to stay grounded if they’re going to walk through your neighborhoods.

Laundry Day is only invasive and adds gameplay IF you put a washing machine/tub and/or a dryer or clothesline on your lot. If you just want the cas and build objects aside from that, you will never see a stinky pile of laundry.

Tiny Living only affects your lot’s number of room tiles when selecting to live in a tiny home residential. If you exceed the maximum number of tiles, 100, you just won’t get the hidden lot traits that benefit your sims from living on a tiny home residential.

Paranormal Stuff only becomes invasive on haunted house residential lots. You will not see a specter, Guidry, or Temperance without going into the paranormal investigator freelance career otherwise.

Not All That Invasive:

Get Together will occasionally give you a notification about clubs or have townies invite your sims to the discotheque.

City Living will give you a notification about whatever festival’s going on and NPCs will invite your sims out to them.

Discover University will give out a popup to remind you that your sims can enroll and get a degree once for every new teen or older sim.

Cottage Living will give a notice every weekend for whatever fair is happening in Henford on Bagley

Dine Out won’t give an effect to your game until you place a restaurant, and even then it’ll just be another location NPCs will invite your sims to.

Wait I have that pack?:

Holiday Stuff (the free pack) adds no gameplay

Island Living is pretty much self contained. Other than occasionally seeing mermaid sims around town, the gameplay is self contained to Sulani.

Snowy Escape gives a residential world with a few vacation lots so your sim can vacation in the mountains. This pack is self contained.

Outdoor Retreat gives a vacation world centered around camping. The herbalism skill doesn’t need to be interacted with and you don’t have to capture bugs. This pack is self contained.

Jungle Adventures gives you a new vacation world and is easily the fastest way to get a ton of simoleons to end your rags to riches nightmares. Just make sure your sim is skilled enough to avoid getting poisoned/cursed to death. Otherwise this pack is self contained.

Journey to Batuu gives you a call and notification that you can visit at any time but you’ll never see a star wars character outside of Batuu unless you make friends with them. This pack is self contained.

Spooky stuff adds a party type and that’s it.

Movie Hangout will give your sims the option to watch movies and you wont’ see any other gameplay unless you toss the popcorn maker into your kitchen, which I consistently forget about.

Backyard Stuff just gives you the option of having a waterslide in your backyard.

Vintage Glamour adds no gameplay except for the butler and the tiny bit that is the makeup table but does nothing else

Fitness Stuff adds no gameplay except for the climbing wall which can help build fitness or climbing skill if you own Snowy Escape

Moschino Stuff fixes the limited photography skill but doesn’t do much else.

Knifty Knitting you can knit and unlock some things in CAS and that’s it.

Carnaval Streetwear adds no gameplay

Moonlight Chic adds no gameplay

Desert Luxe adds no gameplay

Everyday Clutter adds no gameplay

Invasive Until Patched:

Vampires used to visit your sims at night pretty much all the time to bite and suck their blood sorry, plasma and give them a day long uncomfortable moodlet that you had no way to avoid without locking your doors to outsiders or engaging in the Vampire knowledge skill to make garlic braids and prevent feedings from garlic allergic vampires. Now you can turn off their nightly visits by clicking on the front door and disallowing vampire visitors.

Do Not Own:

I don't own a majority of the kits and a good few of the stuff packs, so I can't say what is or is not invasive from the listed:

Bathroom clutter, Simtimates, Pastel Pop, First fits, Little campers, Deocr to the max, Blooming rooms, Modern Menswear, Incheon Arrivals, Industrial Loft, Fashion street, Courtyard Oasis, Country kitchen, Throwback fit, My first pet stuff, Toddler stuff, Bowling night, Kids room, Romantic garden, Cool kitchen, Perfect Patio, Luxury Party

However, since most of these are CAS or build kits, and stuff packs with maybe ONE gameplay object in each, They probably all fit under the Wait I have that pack? category

STAY OUT OF MY GAME FILES:

YOU KNOW WHY BUST THE DUST IS HERE. (If you really don’t know why the Bust the Dust kit is here, unlike Laundry Day, this kit can’t be turned off. You have to buy the stupid vacuums to make your sims clean up the dust overlay on your floors and remove the dust bunnies. It’s annoying and I don’t want this kit even looking at my game files.)

#The Sims 4 #TS4 #Sims 4 #personal opinion #Invasive doesn't necessarily mean BAD but it does mean it affects gameplay or environment in the game heavily

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amandarinnsw · 10 months ago

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Website : https://www.amandarin.design

Address : Cooma NSW, Australia

Amandarin Designs specializes in unique, handcrafted gifts and art pieces including essential oil products, home decor, stained glass, resin art, and upcycled artworks. Based in Cooma, NSW, Australia, the business offers a diverse range of products perfect for various occasions, including Christmas. The designs reflect a fusion of traditional and contemporary artistic styles, making each piece a unique addition to any collection.

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tipsycad147 · 1 year ago

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Your First Pagan Altar: Basic Layout and Ideas

Written by Francisco Huanaco Posted on March 12, 2019

Your Personal Space

The first thing you need is a personal space. It is essential to be able to practice your spells without anyone bothering you, and also to have a place where you can safely store your Witches tools, books and supplies. Ideally, you should have a space apart from your everyday world, such as an attic, basement, a corner of your bedroom, or even a space outside. The important thing here is that you can have privacy and silence to meditate and focus on your goals.

How to Setup a Witch Altar

Your Altar

When casting spells, we use the word “altar“ (not alter) to talk about our work table. Actually, it could be any flat surface and even just a mat on the floor. Your altar will be the focal point of your spells or rituals and it is where most ritual actions and Magical works will be performed.

Setting up a basic altar is quite simple. Usually it’s just a table where you will place the tools you are about to use and any symbols depicting your beliefs.

Rule #1 of your Pagan Altar

Anything goes! The most important thing is that you feel free to decorate, explore, re-arrange, and above all, have fun when creating your altar, which is a never-ending process. Your altar is unique to you and nobody else should be telling you what is right or wrong about it.

Witchy Tip: Before adding any new item to your altar, learn about its meaning. Ask yourself why you like it and how you can use it.

Rule #2 of your Pagan Altar

Don’t clutter it! Remember that this is actually a workspace and you’ll need room for ingredients, tools, and more. Empty it when you’re not using it. Avoid cluttering your altar by finding a nice place for your tools. Store them in a drawer, box, or shelf when you are not using them.

How to Decorate your Altar

Altar Cloth

No matter what kind of altar you are creating, it is advisable to cover its surface with a piece of cloth that will act both as an ornament and as protection from liquids, scratching, and wax drippings. Go shopping for an altar cloth or make your own. If you see any that you like with symbols, be sure to ask about their meanings.

Some Witches like to change their altar cloth according to the type of ritual they are doing, or following the Wheel of the Year, having a different one for each season and each Pagan holiday. If you’re on a budget, simply use any piece of cloth that you have at home.

Or make a DIY altar cloth! Find ideas at the Spells8 Forum: Altar Cloth Suggestions

Religious Symbols

If you are an Eclectic practitioner and feel connected to Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism or any other spiritual traditions, you can add images or figures that symbolize your beliefs and remind you of who you are. If you are devoted to a specific deity, you could add a statue or drawing of them on your altar. For example, statues of the Wiccan Deities.

Some Pagans like to place a figure or drawing of their spirit animal and keep it as company and protection for their altar. If you’re Wiccan, add a pentacle in the center, or keep reading to learn how to set up a Wiccan altar. Set your altar however you prefer but especially in a way that feels comfortable to you.

Candles & Candle Holders

If you plan to work with Candle Magic – and you probably will after Lesson 7 – you’ll need at least one candle holder. Take your time when looking for one. Make sure that it’s sturdy enough to withstand the heat of the candle and that it won’t fall over if you accidentally bump into your altar. I encourage you to work with biodegradable, eco-friendly tools. Materials such as ceramics, glass and metal are ideal.

Incense Burners

An incense burner will come in handy whether you are casting a spell, meditating, or simply using aromatherapy for relaxation. Incense burners come in many shapes and styles. Check out also some incense holders. Alternatively, you could use your cauldron to burn herbs in it.

Creating a Wiccan Altar

In Wicca and Nature spirituality, the building blocks of your altar can be the four traditional Elements, which you can align using the four cardinal points.

Here’s a basic altar layout example:

A bowl of sand, dirt or a plant on the North end of your altar to represent the Element Earth,

A stick of incense in the East can symbolize the Element Air,

A candle or some charcoal in the South for Fire,

A glass or bowl with Water will be facing West.

Witchy Lifehack: The bowl of water will come handy should you need to quickly extinguish anything. Always practice Candle Safety

You can light the incense and candle before a meditation, during a devotional, a prayer, to start your day or before going to bed. Just make sure you don’t leave candles burning unattended. If you’re going somewhere else, simply blow it out or snuff it off with a candle-snuffer.

Some Wiccans prefer to simply use four candles to represent the four directions, and a candle or figure for the Goddess and one for the God. You could use candles in different colors to easily distinguish them. For example:

North = Green candle (Earth)

East = Yellow candle (Air)

South = Red candle (Fire)

West = Blue candle (Water)

You can always just use white candles if you don’t have colored ones. Light all of them at the same time before your rituals, always being careful not to burn anything on your altar. Make sure there’s nothing above your candles, such as a cupboard or shelf.

Combine these ideas in any way that you like. Being an Eclectic Wiccan is all about trial and error. There are no set rules.

An Altar for Everyone

Not everyone can have a fixed altar in a central place of their homes, especially if you live in a shared space with someone who might be offended or annoyed by it.

In the event that the other members of the house don’t want to see your altar, you can keep it hidden by putting together a portable altar which you will assemble at the time of casting a spell, and then fold it back and put it away. Your portable altar could be a folding table or two easels with a board on top, and a nice wooden box with your tools inside.

On the other hand, if you live on your own or with people who accept your beliefs, you can have a permanent altar, for example a small table, dedicated solely to fulfill that function. To others, it may seem a strange exhibition of objects, but for us, not only does it have ritual importance, but it also reminds us of our spiritual path.

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angranchristmas · 10 months ago

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The Varied Traditions of Christmas Trees

The Christmas tree stands as an enduring symbol, cherished by families around the world. Beyond its role as a centerpiece adorned with twinkling lights and ornaments, the Christmas tree carries profound symbolism and is steeped in diverse cultural traditions.

The tradition of decorating evergreen trees during the winter months is deeply rooted in various cultures and civilizations. The use of evergreen trees dates back to ancient times, symbolizing resilience, renewal, and the continuity of life during the harsh winter months. As Christianity spread, the evergreen tree became a central symbol of Christmas, representing everlasting life and hope.

The act of adorning the Christmas tree with ornaments, lights, and tinsel has evolved into a cherished family tradition. Each ornament holds sentimental value, often representing family milestones, cherished memories, or cultural heritage. The process of decorating the tree becomes a joyful occasion, as families come together to express their creativity and share stories through the carefully selected ornaments.

In recent years, the debate between real and artificial Christmas trees has gained prominence, raising environmental considerations. Real trees are often lauded for their biodegradability and the support they provide to local tree farms. On the other hand, artificial trees, though reusable, are typically made from non-biodegradable materials, contributing to environmental concerns. The ongoing discussion encourages individuals to make informed choices that align with their values and environmental consciousness.

To address environmental concerns, an increasing number of individuals are embracing sustainable practices when it comes to Christmas trees. Options such as potted trees that can be replanted after the holidays or community tree recycling programs contribute to more eco-friendly choices. Additionally, the use of recycled and upcycled materials for decorations aligns with the growing trend of sustainable and mindful holiday celebrations.

#Christmas Trees

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trendingsphere · 11 months ago

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Christmas 2023: A Festive Extravaganza to Look Forward To! Introduction: Christmas is just around the corner, and we can't help but get excited about all the delightful traditions and festivities that await us in the coming years. With 2023 fast approaching, let's take a sneak peek into the future and explore what Christmas 2023 has in store for us. From heartwarming family gatherings to the latest trends in holiday decorations, this blog post will give you a glimpse of the festive magic that awaits. 1. A Technological Twist: As we move into the future, technology continues to shape our lives, and Christmas is no exception. In 2023, we can expect to see a blend of classic and modern elements in holiday celebrations. Smart homes will be decked out with dazzling LED lights that change color with a simple voice command. Imagine a Christmas tree that syncs with your favorite holiday playlist, creating a synchronized light and sound spectacle! 2. Festive Decor Trends: Christmas is all about creating a warm and inviting ambiance, and in 2023, new decor trends will make it even more magical. Expect to see unconventional color schemes, such as jewel tones or metallic accents, adorning homes during the holiday season. Natural and eco-friendly decorations will also take center stage, with sustainable materials like recycled paper ornaments and wooden tree decorations becoming a popular choice. 3. Unique Gift Ideas: Gift-giving is an integral part of Christmas, and 2023 will bring forth a host of unique and personalized gift ideas. Virtual reality experiences, personalized holographic portraits, and subscription boxes tailored to individual interests will take gift-giving to a whole new level. Additionally, personalized DIY kits for creating homemade gifts or custom treats will bring back the joy of handmade presents. 4. Culinary Delights: Christmas is synonymous with mouthwatering treats, and 2023 will offer a fusion of traditional favorites and innovative culinary creations. Expect to see unique flavor combinations, such as gingerbread spiced macarons or eggnog-infused desserts, adding a delightful twist to classic recipes. Plant-based alternatives and allergy-friendly options will also be on the rise, ensuring that everyone can savor the festive flavors. 5. Festive Travel Destinations: For those with wanderlust, Christmas in 2023 will be an ideal time to explore new destinations that embrace the holiday spirit. Imagine celebrating Christmas on a snow-covered beach in Australia or indulging in a traditional European Christmas market while sipping on mulled wine. With travel becoming more accessible, Christmas 2023 might just be the perfect opportunity to embark on a festive getaway. Conclusion: As we eagerly wait for Christmas 2023, the holiday season promises to be a delightful mix of timeless traditions and cutting-edge innovations. From smart homes adorned with synchronized lights to unique gift ideas and culinary delights, the future of Christmas holds endless possibilities. While these trends are not essential to the essence of Christmas, they add an intriguing twist and provide inspiration for those looking to infuse some novelty into their festive celebrations. So, let's embrace the joy and wonder that Christmas brings, and let the anticipation for Christmas 2023 fill our hearts with warmth and excitement!

#merry christmas #christmas tree #xmas #festive #christmas #holidays #2023 christmas

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nvrcmplt · 1 year ago

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Master Bedroom is Shane’s room.

Bedroom 2 w/ En suite, is Noah’s room.

Bedroom 3 is Aaron’s room.

1 Kitchen that extends onto the Patio.

Dining / Living Room with a fire place.

Second bathroom, smaller and in the center of the home for guests.

Closet / Linen space opposite Shane’s bedroom

And a large, open Entrance way / with parking space

The building is a modern twist on Japanese life, though western in decoration and living. Wooden floors are non-slip and heated, central heating is expensive but worth it. Air Conditioning is in every room, an electric fireplace and eco-friendly windows to keep heat in and the cold out. State of the arts, almost too much for seemingly three Boys to afford, but thankfully, they don’t pay a dime for the place, as their Parents have built and bought this special place from the ground up.

A small garden, enough for the three of them to have some fun, but mostly to complete the look of the home, as they live on the outskirt of the city, and have neighbors. It’s often used more so for neighbor gathering, drinking parties over the fences, etc etc. Their neighbors are elderly and retired folks that are happy to see the boys thriving with life in the area.

The Leigh’s often get full-blown meals passed to them at their doors from the old baa-baas, it’s a nice feeling of community in the area. ( It’s also a very wealthy area but it’s kept on the hush-hush. )

The Leigh Home, is in the name of their Family.

It was created by approved planning commission for his Parents, when they had Noah. Whilst Noah was in hospital and Shane on their hip at the time, they gathered funds from their holiday plans and instead put it towards buying a plot of land. It took a while, lots of stress and worry but eventually, the Leigh House became what it is today.

The entire home was made with a wheelchair bound occupant in mind, making the door frames wider, ramps to the entrance and backyard, a whole section of low kitchen surfaces and cupboards, with the core value of independence. Noah grew with some confusion in his own bodies condition but with the home being accommodating to his every need, he grew with confidence and knowing when to ask for help and when to rely on himself in a healthy balance.

Aaron, Noah and Shane, occupy the house legally. The mortgage is paid for by his Parents, who are aboard with their jobs and they send living money through Direct Debit every six months in advance.

Shane and Noah, also work for everyday spending and living costs, meaning they have a hefty amount of money saved from their parents to cover costs of any mishaps that happen in the house or medical emergencies. Aaron doesn’t work, but he does get a weekly allowance to spend as he wishes, usually on games or food for lazy nights.

Shane’s qualified to aid with his brother’s medication buying, Noah old enough for his own trips, and Aaron when accompanied to the Pharmacy. Shane is currently teaching Aaron how to read his medication and doctor’s notes to fully understand what and where to buy his meds, and now is currently working on his brother’s confidence in talking to cashiers when getting his medication. ( he steps back at this point and lets Aaron hold his own in the front lines, but he is there when needed. ) This mission was succeeded within a few months and now Aaron thrives during his schooling terms and his hyperactive needs a met well with Volleyball.

When Aaron's volleyball team stop over, they are given futons or the option of using the massive L-shaped sofa to sleep on. Since the house has floor heating, it’s most common for his guests to have the futon since with the floor being a massive heat pad during the night too.

The Parents ::

Miharu Leigh, Mother, 55, Translator PA

Dave Leigh, Father, 57, Architect

Both currently overseas, renewing their vows and overseeing their companies newest builds.

#« ( Aaron ) » HC.#« ( Noah ) » HC.#« ( Shane ) » HC.

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