#Featured online retailer

[catforsley]

Beautysense.ca - My Skincare Choices For Mature Skin

Hi Guys! Today I have a Feature on Beautysense.ca and some of the products they carry. Beautysense.ca is Canada’s Beauty Store where you can shop online for everything skincare, makeup, haircare, wellbeing products and so much more. If You have Mature Skin (35+), keep reading – these products are great and are perfect to get you going for Spring. Time to reboot and refresh that routine. — Let’s…

[batsinurbelfrey]

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[wizzy-ai-powered-site-search]

Why Smart Autocomplete is Essential for Enhanced E-Commerce Search - Wizzy.ai

Why smart autocomplete is a game-changer for e-commerce search. Learn how this advanced feature boosts search accuracy, enhances user experience, and drives higher conversions. Leverage Wizzy to elevate your online store's performance with smart search solutions.

[fashionholic]

Transparent Heels For Girls

Transparent Heels For Girls

Transparent Heels For Girls

Nothing beats a well-designed pair of Transparent Heels For Girls. for comfort and style. This product description will explore the various types, key features. and benefits of transparent heels, helping you choose the perfect match.

The Ultimate Guide to Transparent Heels: Style, Comfort, and Versatility

A Modern Fashion Statement

Transparent heels have taken the fashion world by storm, especially among women aged 18-45. For any event, these translucent shoes provide the ideal balance of modern flair and sophistication.I've seen how the subtle yet striking presence of these shoes can turn an outfit from plain to striking.

Types of Transparent Heels For Girls

Running Shoes: Popular for their comfort and support. Running shoes also feature excellent breathability, making them suitable for long runs.

Basketball Shoes: Offering both performance and style. Basketball shoes have a sleek design that makes them suitable for casual wear as well.

Soccer Shoes: These shoes provide excellent grip and control. Making them a practical choice for soccer players. They offer a performance feel to basketball shoes but specialize in the sport.

Casual Shoes: Ideal for everyday wear. Casual shoes are from durable materials that provide both comfort and style. They are versatile and can be with various outfits.

Training Shoes: Perfect for those who engage in various types of workouts. Training shoes offer support and flexibility, making them suitable for activities.

Benefits of Wearing Transparent Heels For Girls

Read More

About Fashionholic

Fashionholic is a manufacturer, importer, exporter, and online retailer of Ladies, Mens, and Kid Shoes, Handbags, clothes, and undergarments Since 2008. We are Registered Vendors of Several ladies shoe brands in Pakistan. Like ECS Shoes, Stylo Shoes, Clive Shoes, Borjan Shoes, Servis Shoes, SNF Shoes, Grace Up Shoes. Maha Fashion Shoes, Starlet Shoes, Metro Shoes, Sana Safina Shoes, Ideas Shoes, Polka Dot, Heels Shoes. Hocks Shoes, Zara Shoes, Charles and Keth Shoes, Gucci Shoes, Elegancia, Insignia, Walkeaze. Hubo, Hush Puppies, Taal store, Stepmov, Valencia shoes, Unze London, 1st Step, Hutch. Adoro, Brand City. If you want your Designs with Your Logo then Contact Us. Follow our social media profiles: YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin, and Tiktok.

[ahex-technologies]

Odoo E-commerce Development: The Smart Way to Grow Your Business

Industry forecasts indicate that by 2025, the global e-commerce business would have grown to an astounding $7.4 trillion in the digital age. Businesses require strong e-commerce systems as online shopping becomes the standard in order to scale effectively and satisfy customer demands. One such solution is Odoo e-commerce development, a strong tool that works smoothly with the broader Odoo ecosystem, helping businesses to optimize operations and boost their online presence.

This article explores how businesses may grow wisely by improving customer experiences, automating tasks, and cutting operational expenses with Odoo e-commerce development's all-in-one solution.

What is Odoo E-commerce Development?

Odoo e-commerce development is more than simply an online store; it's an essential component of Odoo's range of business tools. Odoo's entire ERP solution enables organizations to manage all aspects of their operations, including inventory, sales, accounting, and CRM. The beauty of Odoo eCommerce is its versatility; businesses can customize the platform to meet their specific needs, from managing product listings to streamlining the checkout experience.

Additionally, Odoo provides unrivaled flexibility. Whether you're a small or large business, Odoo's open-source platform provides for extensive flexibility, ensuring that your online store grows alongside your company.

Key Features of Odoo E-commerce Development

Seamless Integration with odoo Apps:

One of the standout features of Odoo eCommerce is its seamless integration with other Odoo applications. Businesses can connect their e-commerce store with Odoo CRM, inventory management, and accounting tools. This interconnectedness ensures real-time data flow, enabling efficient management of orders, stock levels, and customer interactions without jumping between multiple systems.

Customizable Storefront:

Odoo provides easy-to-use drag-and-drop tools that allow you to design a fully personalized storefront. Whether you're aiming for a minimalist design or a visually rich shopping experience, Odoo’s tools make customization effortless, offering a user-friendly experience for both developers and non-developers alike.

Payment and Shipping Integration:

The platform supports multiple payment gateways and shipping methods, making it easy for businesses to cater to customers globally. With Odoo’s payment and shipping integration, you can streamline transactions, minimize cart abandonment, and provide a hassle-free shopping experience for customers.

Mobile-Friendly Design:

Mobile commerce is growing exponentially, and Odoo ensures that your e-commerce store is optimized for mobile devices. With responsive design tools, your store will automatically adjust to various screen sizes, delivering a seamless shopping experience across devices.

SEO-Optimized Tools:

Odoo provides built-in SEO tools that allow businesses to rank higher on search engines. From meta tags to URL optimization, Odoo e-commerce helps businesses drive organic traffic by making it easier to implement best SEO practices.

Benefits of Odoo E-commerce Development for Business Growth

Streamlined Operations:

By automating key business functions such as order processing and inventory management, Odoo e-commerce development streamlines workflows and reduces manual tasks. This automation frees up time for teams to focus on high-value activities, ensuring better efficiency and productivity.

Cost-Efficiency:

Managing multiple platforms can be costly. With Odoo’s all-in-one solution, businesses can avoid the expense and complexity of maintaining different systems for CRM, inventory, accounting, and e-commerce. This cost-efficient approach enables companies to scale their operations without ballooning costs.

Scalability:

One of the greatest strengths of Odoo eCommerce is its scalability. The platform can accommodate the growth of businesses, allowing them to start small and expand their capabilities as needed. Whether you're a startup or a multinational enterprise, Odoo can adapt to your evolving requirements.

Improved Customer Experience:

With a seamless shopping experience, from product browsing to checkout, Odoo e-commerce development ensures that customers can navigate your store with ease. Personalized product recommendations, fast-loading pages, and secure payment options all contribute to a superior customer experience, which is crucial for increasing retention and conversion rates.

Why Odoo E-commerce is the Smart Choice for Growing Businesses

Odoo provides a unified solution that eliminates the need for separate platforms to handle different business functions. Its open-source nature allows for extensive customization, giving businesses complete control over their online store. Furthermore, Odoo’s business intelligence and analytics tools offer real-time insights into customer behavior, helping businesses make data-driven decisions to optimize their sales strategy and customer service.

Real-World Applications of Odoo E-commerce Development

Many industries have successfully implemented Odoo e-commerce solutions, from retail and fashion to electronics. For example, a fashion retailer can use Odoo to manage product catalogs, handle returns, and integrate with Odoo’s inventory management module for real-time stock updates. Businesses in the electronics sector can benefit from Odoo’s sales and inventory management integration, ensuring smooth order fulfillment and customer satisfaction.

Steps to Get Started with Odoo E-commerce Development

To begin your Odoo e-commerce journey, it’s essential to start with a clear strategy. Define your business goals, identify your target audience, and customize the platform according to your needs. Odoo makes it easy to integrate key functionalities, whether it's payment gateways, shipping options, or customer support tools. After launching your online store, continually optimize it by tracking performance, improving customer journeys, and utilizing Odoo’s advanced features.

Conclusion

Odoo e-commerce development is the smart solution for businesses looking to grow their online presence. With its modular design, seamless integrations, and powerful customization options, Odoo simplifies the process of managing an online store while ensuring scalability and efficiency. Whether you're a small business or a large enterprise, adopting Odoo for your e-commerce needs will empower you to enhance operations, improve customer satisfaction, and achieve sustainable growth.

Take the first step towards transforming your business by exploring Odoo’s solutions today, and see how its robust e-commerce platform can drive your business success.

[netincomesource]

Auctane Networth and Revenue

As e-commerce continues to dominate the global retail landscape, the importance of efficient, streamlined shipping has never been more critical. Enter Auctane—a pioneer in logistics, helping businesses of all sizes enhance their shipping processes. With e-commerce showing no signs of slowing down, the role of dependable shipping solutions is paramount, and Auctane has emerged as the go-to…

[persolaise]

Persolaise Masterclass – Episode 11 – The Industry – Independent Online Retail

Brooke Belldon, founder of Sainte Cellier, on the challenges of running and maintaining an independent, online perfume shop.

For the most recent episode of my occasional Masterclass series, I veered away from ingredients and moved into the equally complex world of perfume retail. Guiding me through the journey was Brooke Belldon, bona fide fragrance enthusiast and founder of the online perfumery, Sainte Cellier. During our chat, Brooke explained some of the challenges she faced when setting up her shop, why she thinks…

[martin-james2121]

Ride the Wave of the evolution of e-commerce and strategies for online retail success

In recent years, the landscape of retail has undergone a momentous shift with the exponential growth of e-commerce. The convenience, accessibility, and wide array of options offered by online shopping have revolutionized the way consumers engage with brands and make purchases. 

And as the e-commerce industry continues to ascend to new heights, it’s essential for online retailers to stay ahead of the curve and adopt innovative strategies to prosper in this competitive landscape.

Check out these key trends shaping the rise of e-commerce leading to retail success.  

1. Mobile Shopping Takes Center Stage

With the expansion of smartphones and mobile devices, consumers are increasingly turning to their mobile devices to shop online. Mobile commerce, or m-commerce, has emerged as a dominant force in the e-commerce industry, with a significant portion of online transactions now taking place on mobile platforms.

To take advantage of this trend, online retailers must prioritize mobile optimization, ensuring that their websites and shopping experiences are seamlessly accessible and user-friendly across all devices.

To Read More Click here...

[bekkathyst]

BEKKATHYST 10th Business Anniversary Giveaway!

~This giveaway is in no way affiliated with Tumblr.~

Please read thoroughly before entering!

Hello lovely Tumblr folk! It’s that time again- I have a giveaway for you all. This one is extra special because my business/shop turned 10 years old earlier this year! 💜

We have an online store that could use your support!

You can also find us on Instagram.

About us: My business is a small, family-run establishment that I started here on tumblr in 2013. I’ve been lucky enough to grow to the point where this supports me, my partner, and our daughter. In the US we also had a brick-and-mortar shop in which I employed my mom and a few of my siblings. However, we closed it to be able to move to Austria, my home country! 💜 I strived to put compassion and ethics above all else in my business, and I hope that shines through. We have a website but also run many fun sales directly here on Tumblr!

One of our long-term customers graciously asked to sponsor this giveaway, so I'd like to give a huge thank you to @classicintp !! Also thank you to everyone who voted on which crystal should be featured in the giveaway. Opal won in a landslide!

This giveaway will have two winners.

What the first winner receives:

The two amazing specimens of opal shown above! The darker piece is a boulder opal from Australia with a hole drilled through it (so it can be worn as a necklace) and the lighter piece is a massive rough chunk of welo opal from Ethiopia. The retail value of both of these opals is approximately $650.

What the second winner receives:

A $50 gift card that can be used for our online store or tumblr sales!

Rules:

You must be 16 or older. (If under 18 you MUST have parent’s permission)

You can be from anywhere in the world! I am shipping from Austria.

Shipping is entirely free, I will cover it. But if you live in a country that charges import tax on gifts, you are responsible for it. If it gets sent back to me, you will need to pay shipping to have it sent again.

You must be following me, so you can get updates if anything about the giveaway changes.

Please check out our online shop!

Reblog this post to enter. Likes count as additional entries. No giveaway or spam blogs. If you reblog on a side blog, let me know in the tags what the name of your blog is that you’re following me with.

Please don’t spam people with reblogs- limit 2 reblogs per blog per day.  

At the end, each entry will be assigned a number and the winner will be chosen by a random number generator.

The giveaway ends Tuesday, August 1st, 2023.

The winners will be messaged and must respond with their full name and address within 24 hours, or a new winner will be chosen.

Please respect me and my rules, and have fun!

[askagamedev]

There’s a lot of noise online about live service games being detrimental to the quality of games, such as initial launches being bug ridden and with incomplete features. Is there any truth to this last statement? And are the spending patterns reflecting the idea that people are dissatisfied with this model of monetization?

I think that it is true that initial launches are indeed more bug ridden today than they were before day 1 patches were possible, but the reason for this is much less nefarious than most are imagining. I was already working in games before that big change happened and I saw what happened from the inside.

Before we could patch, producers would cut content and features much more mercilessly because we lacked the time to finish that content properly and still pass certification. We couldn't ever modify or add stuff to the disc or cartridge, so we had to make sure that what went out was the most stable thing we could. Stability was more important than scope, so we'd see stuff get cut near the end all the time. There were a lot of features and content that players never saw because we couldn't get them polished and stable before the game had to ship. If we were lucky we managed to save some of it for expansion packs but most of it never saw the light of day. The last few weeks of the project were mostly wasted sitting around and waiting because we couldn't ever risk making any changes that weren't addressing cert-blocking bugs and we would mostly wait around to find out if cert had gone through.

Back then, the burned and duplicated disk sent to retailers was the final pencils-down-step-away moment. The gold master is what got used to duplicate all of the discs and we couldn't make a new one. Further, all of those duplicated disks out in the wild would forever hold the "final" version of the game, bugs and all. The only way a new version was possible was another print run, and that only occurred in very rare cases where the entire first print run sold out and there was enough demand to print a second run... and the publisher felt it was worth going through certification a second time.

With the advent of internet-connected game consoles and networks, we got the ability to push out post-launch patches including day 1 content updates. With the ability to patch came the potential to finish some of that nearly-complete content that we used to have to cut for stability purposes. Instead of focusing on stability, we could actually push fixes later and fit more content into our releases. This meant that we could also shift people to work on post-launch content, rather than simply sitting around and doing nothing while waiting for cert results. We could fix bugs and work on new content and features during that time and we could leverage all the expertise and experience we had earned in the years of development up to that point.

To summarize - in the olden days, we had to cut a lot more content and features that were close to being finished because we needed to go pencils-down for certification. Today, we can continue working on content that would have been cut because we can patch fixes into the game. This results in overall buggier content and features on average at launch but it also results in significantly more content and features on average at launch than before.

[Join us on Discord] and/or [Support us on Patreon]

Got a burning question you want answered?

Short questions: Ask a Game Dev on Twitter

Short questions: Ask a Game Dev on BlueSky

Long questions: Ask a Game Dev on Tumblr

Frequent Questions: The FAQ

[lackadaisycats]

I’m so sorry if you’ve already answered this somewhere, but how do you design your characters?

I’ve been trying to make an OC from the prohibition era and it turns out there’s basically nothing to work with for men’s outfits, so I’m curious how you made this many that look unique and fitting to the characters

There is so much to work with, though! You will tend to find more of a focus on variety in women's fashion, but there is still quite a lot of menswear to ogle too. I suppose it's just a matter of searching out ideas and inspiration in the rights corners. Here are a few suggestions:

Old Clothing Catalogues -

Collections from Sears-Roebuck and other popular clothing retailers are pretty easy to find compiled into relatively inexpensive books, or just floating online.

A fair bit of it is in the public domain now.

--Here's an entire 1922 catalogue of stuff to flip through.

-----------------

Contemporary Artwork -

Some phenomenal illustrators were working in this field amidst the "Golden Age of Illustration" and featured prominently on the covers of magazines and on the ads inside. There was a lot of emphasis on fashion.

Collier's and The Saturday Evening Post are a couple of the more prominent and easily searchable resources. The costuming on the cover art always has a lot of personality.

There's Rockwell, of course, and it's almost impossible to go wrong with J. C. Leyendecker. He's probably best known for his Arrow Collar ad art, but even his sock ads are like…

There were numerous other amazing and influential illustrators working at the time too. Here's a list of some of them. Here's a bonus Henry Raleigh featuring some of his fabulously-dressed people.

-----------------

Blogs and Articles -

There are so many of them! If you want historical accuracy, be wary of write-ups pulling all of their references from film and television. There's nothing wrong with using those for inspiration if you aren't too concerned with historicity, but there are some pretty comprehensive and well-researched things out there with more of an eye on actual fashion history too:

--Gentleman's Gazette - What Men Really Wore in the 1920s

--The Fashionisto - 1920s Men's Fashion

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Digital Collections -

There are numerous digital historic image collections stemming from universities, museums, libraries, and the government that are free to peruse too.

--The Metropolitan Museum has a searchable catalog of exhibits that includes fashion and photos

--Here's some things from the New York Public Library

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Photos at Large -

If you aren't sure where to start, image searching for any of Hollywood's early celebrities will typically turn up a bevy of production stills and promotional photography featuring a variety of fashions. Here's a random Getty images search for Harold Lloyd. A lot of standard 3 piece suits, but a lot of stuff with added character too.

Photography was generally quite accessible by the 1920s, though, and you can find a lot of authentic photos of people from all walks of life, out in the wild wearing all sorts of clothes.

This is by no means the limit to the resources available, but hopefully it'll provide some leaping-off points for designing looks for your characters!

[wizzy-ai-powered-site-search]

Why Smart Autocomplete is Essential for Enhanced E-Commerce Search - Wizzy.ai

Why smart autocomplete is a game-changer for e-commerce search. Learn how this advanced feature boosts search accuracy, enhances user experience, and drives higher conversions. Leverage Wizzy to elevate your online store's performance with smart search solutions.

[sexymemecoin]

The Metaverse: A New Frontier in Digital Interaction

The concept of the metaverse has captivated the imagination of technologists, futurists, and businesses alike. Envisioned as a collective virtual shared space, the metaverse merges physical and digital realities, offering immersive experiences and unprecedented opportunities for interaction, commerce, and creativity. This article delves into the metaverse, its potential impact on various sectors, the technologies driving its development, and notable projects shaping this emerging landscape.

What is the Metaverse?

The metaverse is a digital universe that encompasses virtual and augmented reality, providing a persistent, shared, and interactive online environment. In the metaverse, users can create avatars, interact with others, attend virtual events, own virtual property, and engage in economic activities. Unlike traditional online experiences, the metaverse aims to replicate and enhance the real world, offering seamless integration of the physical and digital realms.

Key Components of the Metaverse

Virtual Worlds: Virtual worlds are digital environments where users can explore, interact, and create. Platforms like Decentraland, Sandbox, and VRChat offer expansive virtual spaces where users can build, socialize, and participate in various activities.

Augmented Reality (AR): AR overlays digital information onto the real world, enhancing user experiences through devices like smartphones and AR glasses. Examples include Pokémon GO and AR navigation apps that blend digital content with physical surroundings.

Virtual Reality (VR): VR provides immersive experiences through headsets that transport users to fully digital environments. Companies like Oculus, HTC Vive, and Sony PlayStation VR are leading the way in developing advanced VR hardware and software.

Blockchain Technology: Blockchain plays a crucial role in the metaverse by enabling decentralized ownership, digital scarcity, and secure transactions. NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) and cryptocurrencies are integral to the metaverse economy, allowing users to buy, sell, and trade virtual assets.

Digital Economy: The metaverse features a robust digital economy where users can earn, spend, and invest in virtual goods and services. Virtual real estate, digital art, and in-game items are examples of assets that hold real-world value within the metaverse.

Potential Impact of the Metaverse

Social Interaction: The metaverse offers new ways for people to connect and interact, transcending geographical boundaries. Virtual events, social spaces, and collaborative environments provide opportunities for meaningful engagement and community building.

Entertainment and Gaming: The entertainment and gaming industries are poised to benefit significantly from the metaverse. Immersive games, virtual concerts, and interactive storytelling experiences offer new dimensions of engagement and creativity.

Education and Training: The metaverse has the potential to revolutionize education and training by providing immersive, interactive learning environments. Virtual classrooms, simulations, and collaborative projects can enhance educational outcomes and accessibility.

Commerce and Retail: Virtual shopping experiences and digital marketplaces enable businesses to reach global audiences in innovative ways. Brands can create virtual storefronts, offer unique digital products, and engage customers through immersive experiences.

Work and Collaboration: The metaverse can transform the future of work by providing virtual offices, meeting spaces, and collaborative tools. Remote work and global collaboration become more seamless and engaging in a fully digital environment.

Technologies Driving the Metaverse

5G Connectivity: High-speed, low-latency 5G networks are essential for delivering seamless and responsive metaverse experiences. Enhanced connectivity enables real-time interactions and high-quality streaming of immersive content.

Advanced Graphics and Computing: Powerful graphics processing units (GPUs) and cloud computing resources are crucial for rendering detailed virtual environments and supporting large-scale metaverse platforms.

Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI enhances the metaverse by enabling realistic avatars, intelligent virtual assistants, and dynamic content generation. AI-driven algorithms can personalize experiences and optimize virtual interactions.

Wearable Technology: Wearable devices, such as VR headsets, AR glasses, and haptic feedback suits, provide users with immersive and interactive experiences. Advancements in wearable technology are critical for enhancing the metaverse experience.

Notable Metaverse Projects

Decentraland: Decentraland is a decentralized virtual world where users can buy, sell, and develop virtual real estate as NFTs. The platform offers a wide range of experiences, from gaming and socializing to virtual commerce and education.

Sandbox: Sandbox is a virtual world that allows users to create, own, and monetize their gaming experiences using blockchain technology. The platform's user-generated content and virtual real estate model have attracted a vibrant community of creators and players.

Facebook's Meta: Facebook's rebranding to Meta underscores its commitment to building the metaverse. Meta aims to create interconnected virtual spaces for social interaction, work, and entertainment, leveraging its existing social media infrastructure.

Roblox: Roblox is an online platform that enables users to create and play games developed by other users. With its extensive user-generated content and virtual economy, Roblox exemplifies the potential of the metaverse in gaming and social interaction.

Sexy Meme Coin (SEXXXY): Sexy Meme Coin integrates metaverse elements by offering a decentralized marketplace for buying, selling, and trading memes as NFTs. This unique approach combines humor, creativity, and digital ownership, adding a distinct flavor to the metaverse landscape. Learn more about Sexy Meme Coin at Sexy Meme Coin.

The Future of the Metaverse

The metaverse is still in its early stages, but its potential to reshape digital interaction is immense. As technology advances and more industries explore its possibilities, the metaverse is likely to become an integral part of our daily lives. Collaboration between technology providers, content creators, and businesses will drive the development of the metaverse, creating new opportunities for innovation and growth.

Conclusion

The metaverse represents a new frontier in digital interaction, offering immersive and interconnected experiences that bridge the physical and digital worlds. With its potential to transform social interaction, entertainment, education, commerce, and work, the metaverse is poised to revolutionize various aspects of our lives. Notable projects like Decentraland, Sandbox, Meta, Roblox, and Sexy Meme Coin are at the forefront of this transformation, showcasing the diverse possibilities within this emerging digital universe.

For those interested in the playful and innovative side of the metaverse, Sexy Meme Coin offers a unique and entertaining platform. Visit Sexy Meme Coin to explore this exciting project and join the community.

[samwisethewitch]

What Non-Pagans Need to Know About Fiction Featuring Pagan Gods

In light of Marvel's Loki show dropping a second season and a new Percy Jackson series on the horizon, I want to say some things about how fandom spaces can be respectful of real-life pagan religion.

Let's get one thing out of the way: literally no one is saying you can't enjoy fiction that uses pagan gods and heroes as characters. No one is saying, "Stop writing stories about our gods." In fact, many ancient cultures wrote fiction about their gods -- look at Greek theater or the Norse Eddas. The act of writing fiction about the gods is not offensive in itself.

But please remember that this is someone's religion.

The gods are not "just archetypes." Their myths are not "just stories." Their personalities are not a matter of artistic interpretation. For many pagans, the gods are very much real in a literal sense. I don't think Thor is a metaphor or a symbol -- for me, Thor is a real, autonomous spiritual being who exists outside of human perceptions of him, and who I have chosen to build a relationship with. Even if you are a hardcore atheist, I would hope you could at least be respectful of the fact that, to many modern pagans, the gods are both very real and very important.

When authors are not respectful of this fact, they reduce the gods, these very real objects of worship, to fictional characters. And here's the thing about fictional characters: they are fundamentally tools for authors to use to draw a desired emotional response from an audience.

Dracula's personality and behavior is wildly different depending on who is writing him, because different authors use Dracula to create different reactions in their audiences. In the 1931 film starring Bela Lugosi, he's equal parts alluring and disturbing, a symbol of America's mixed desire and disdain for foreigners. In Nosferatu, he's more strictly frightening and disgusting. In Francis Ford Coppola's movie, he's a tragic, romantic figure clinging to the last scraps of his humanity. In Netflix's Castlevania, he's an incredibly powerful being who has grown bitter and apathetic in his immortality. All of this is Dracula, and all of it is fine, because Dracula is not and never has been a central figure in anyone's religion.

Let's take a look at what happens when authors give this same treatment to real gods:

In Hellenic polytheism, Apollo is one of the most beloved gods, both historically and today. Apollo loves humanity, and humanity loves him back. He is the god of sunlight and of medicine, but also of poetry and song. He is one of humanity's most consistent defenders when one of the other gods gets wrathful. And while he does have dangerous or wrathful aspects of his own (he's also the god of disease, after all), he's also kind and soft with humanity in a way other gods often aren't, at least in some historic sources.

In the Lore Olympus comic series, Apollo is a villain. He's characterized as an abuser, a manipulator, and a violent man child. LO!Apollo is downright hateful, because the author wants us to hate him. Lore Olympus is a retelling of a myth about an abduction and forced marriage. Lore Olympus is also a romance. In order to get the audience to sympathize with Hades and root for his relationship with Persephone, Rachel Smythe needed to make someone else the villain. Apollo is the most obvious and extreme character assassination in Smythe's work, but several other gods (notably Demeter) also get the asshole makeover to tell the story Smythe wants to tell.

Here's where this becomes a problem: Hellenic polytheism is a fairly small religious community, while Lore Olympus is a massively popular webtoon with 1.3 billion views as of August 2023, print books available from major retailers, a TV adaptation in the works, and a very active online fandom. Rachel Smythe currently has a MUCH bigger platform than any Hellenic polytheism practitioner. Smythe and other authors are shaping how modern culture views the Hellenic gods, and that has a very real impact on their worshipers.

This means "Apollo is an abusive asshole" is becoming a popular take online, and is even creeping into pagan communities. I've personally seen people be harassed for worshiping Apollo because of it. I've seen new pagans and pagan-curious folks who totally misunderstand the roles Apollo, Hades, and Persephone play in the Hellenic pantheon because of Lore Olympus and other modern works of fiction.

There are tons of other examples of this in modern pop culture, but I'll just rattle off a few of the ones that annoy me most: Rick Riordan depicting Ares/Mars as a brutish asshole hyped up on toxic masculinity; Rick Riordan depicting Athena as a mother goddess; Marvel depicting Thor as a dumb jock; Marvel depicting Odin as a cold, uncaring father; DC depicting Ares as purely evil; whatever the fuck the Vikings TV show was trying to do with seidr; the list goes on.

All of these are examples of religious appropriation. Religious appropriation is when sacred symbols are taken out of their original religious context by outsiders, so that the original meaning is lost or changed. It requires a power imbalance -- the person taking the symbols is usually part of a dominant religious culture. In many cases, the person doing the appropriation has a much bigger platform than anyone who has the knowledge to correct them.

When Rick Rioridan or Rachel Smythe totally mischaracterizes a Greek god to tell a story, and then actual Hellenic pagans get harassed for worshiping that god, that's religious appropriation.

Religious appropriation is a real issue. This isn't just pagans being sensitive. To use an extreme example: Richard Wagner and other German Romantic authors in the 19th century used the Norse gods and other Germanic deities as symbols in their work, which was a major influence on Nazi philosophy. Without Wagner, the Nazis would not have latched onto the Norse gods as symbols of their white supremacist agenda. To this day, there are white supremacist groups who claim to worship our gods or who use our religious imagery in their hate movement. We are still reckoning with the misinterpretation of our gods popularized by Wagner and other German Romantics almost 200 years ago.

Again, no one is saying you can't enjoy fiction based on pagan mythology. But there are a few things you can do to help prevent religious appropriation in fandom spaces:

Above all else, be mindful that while this may just be a story to you, it is someone's religion.

Recognize that enjoying fiction based on our gods does not mean you know our gods. You know fictional characters with the same names as our gods, who may or may not be accurate to real-life worship.

Do not argue with or try to correct pagans when we talk about our experience of our gods.

Don't invalidate or belittle pagan worship. Again, this mostly comes down to recognizing that our religion is totally separate from your fandom. We aren't LARPing or playing pretend. Our sacred traditions are real and valid.

If you see other people in your fandom engaging in religious appropriation, point out what they are doing and why it isn't okay.

Please tag your fandom content appropriately on social media. Always tag the show, movie, book, etc. that a post is about in addition to other relevant tags. This allows pagans to block these fandom tags if we don't want to see them and prevents fandom content showing up in religious tags.

For example, if I'm posting about Athena from the Percy Jackson books, I would tag the post #athena #athenapjo #percyjackson #pjo. You get the idea.

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[bitchiswild]

Brat

GP Kazuha x F! Reader

Word Count: 2.1k

Warnings: smut, creampie, slight choking etc.

A/n: based somewhat (literally just a quote) on a book

Kazuha's voice echoed through the grand foyer, cutting through the air like a sharp wind as you walked through the door, laden with bags from designer brands. The contrast between the opulent shopping spoils and the tension in the atmosphere was palpable.

"Where have you been?" Her voice boomed, demanding an explanation that you weren't quite ready to provide. You met her gaze with a nonchalant shrug, as if shopping were a perfectly reasonable response to whatever had transpired in your absence.

"Shopping," You replied, your tone casual, as your eyes fixed on the stairs ahead.

Before you could go, Kazuha grabbed your arm, bringing you to an abrupt halt. Exhaling a frustrated sigh, she eyed the bags in your hands with disbelief. "We had an argument earlier, and you're just shopping?" Her words dripped with incredulity, a mix of frustration and annoyance etched across her features.

You wrestled your arm from her grip, a defiant glint in your eyes. "Sometimes, a little retail therapy is the best remedy for a disagreement," You retorted, your attempt to deflect the tension not going unnoticed.

Just as the standoff continued, Kazuha's phone buzzed in her pocket. She fished it out and glanced at the screen, a call from an unknown number. Hesitating for a moment, she answered, unsure of what awaited on the other end.

"Ma'am, we're calling to verify that you made a purchase for $500,457.48 today at Dior. And $250,426.10 online at Chanel. If you cannot confirm it or it is fraudulent, we can cancel the transactions," a voice on the other end stated.

Kazuha's eyes sharpened, and she shot you a questioning look. You couldn't help but smirk. “$500K and $250K?" She muttered. The tension in the room shifted, and for a moment, the weight of our argument seemed to be overshadowed by the sheer absurdity of the extravagant charges.

"No, it's not fraud. That's just my future wife throwing a tantrum. Go ahead and run the bills through," Kazuha grumbled into the phone before clicking it off.

Kazuha's head snapped towards you, and before you could react, she grabbed your arm, forcefully dragging me up the stairs and pushing you into yours and Kazuha’s room. Stumbling inside, the bags in your hands scattering all over the floor. Kazuha stalked towards you, her eyes darkening with a mix of frustration and a glint of desire.

As you stood frozen in your spot, Kazuha's hand gripped your jaw, her breath brushing against your lips. You shuddered at the proximity, feeling a rush of both fear and desire.

"You're such a fucking brat, you know that?" She questioned, her eyes boring into yours with an intensity that made your heart race.

You stared back at her, the defiance in you unyielding. "A brat that is your future wife," You retorted, a smirk playing on your lips.

She chuckled darkly, pushing you backward towards your bed until your knees hit the mattress, forcing you to sit. You looked up at Kazuha, who towered over you with a captivating intensity. Desire flickered in her eyes as she gently caressed your face.

"My pretty brat, indeed" She muttered before pushing you down onto the bed, making you lie down. The room seemed to pulse with a mixture of tension and anticipation as she hovered over you, trapping you in between her arms.

Her eyes locked onto your body, hunger flickering within them. She teased her finger across your chest, tracing invisible patterns, before sensually gliding it down to your covered core.

Her touch sent shivers down your spine. The anticipation hung thick in the air, each moment stretching with a palpable tension. Her gaze remained fixed on mine, a silent exchange of desire and consent unfolding between us.

Her hands reached up to your neck, gripping it before pulling you into a hungry kiss. Her kisses moved from your lips to your neck. You tilted your neck to give her more access, letting it shine from the spit of her kisses.

Her kisses became more greedy and her touches became more rough making your thighs clenched, “Please, fuck me already,” You whimpered, you were getting frustrated with her teasing. But Kazuha just laughs at how desperate you were getting.

“You think brats deserve to get fucked?” She questioned darkly, her hips grinding slightly against your clothed center, making you instinctively buck your hips into hers.

"Please," You whimpered, tears brimming in your eyes as you stared at her. Kazuha shook her head, her eyes raking over your body once more before locking with yours. Her cock was straining in her pants at your pleas, loving how desperate you sounded. Needy, just the way she likes it.

Kazuha gripped your pants, yanking them down in one swift motion, leaving you bare in front of her. You spread your legs, revealing your wet core. Her eyes locked onto it.

"No underwear?" She questioned, kneeling down to get closer to your core. She looked up at you with one eyebrow raised, waiting for an answer. You shook your head, prompting a disapproving sound from her. She then kissed around your center, making you squirm, but she held you in place.

“So pretty, so so pretty.” She mumbled as she stared at your core. Her hips bucked at the sight, you were wet and ready for her.

With your legs over her shoulders, the tip of her tongue teased your entrance, making you gasp at the warm sensation as she licked up and down your folds. Kazuha buried herself in your cunt lapping up all your juices, like she was starving.

You gripped anything you could have your hands on as pleasure surged through your body as Kazuha abused your cunt. “S-Shit Kazuha!” You moaned loudly, as your hand found its place in her hair.

“You taste so good baby,” Kazuha moaned against your core, sending vibrations that made your body shiver.

"Fuck, just like that—your tongue feels so fucking good." Your breathy moans echoed through the room. Kazuha wrapped her lips around your clit, her tongue flicking it, causing your hips to stutter and pushing yourself closer to her face.

"Shit, I'm gonna cum," your legs began to quiver around her head, your hands still in her hair. Kazuha's lips wrapped around your clit again, flicking her tongue faster to bring you to your edge. Your moans became louder, a symphony to her ears. Her cock throbbed in her pants, begging to be released and paint your insides with white.

"Cum, baby, cum on my mouth," she murmured against your cunt. Your body started thrashing around, and your legs shook. "Oh my god—" you gasped, your eyes rolling back. Moaning your back arched as your orgasm washed over. Kazuha held you down, helping you ride out your orgasm.

Your legs twitched as she continued her assault on your pussy. Kazuha looked at you, pulling away, and gave you a passionate kiss, making you taste yourself on her tongue.

"Fuck me with your cock," You whimpered.

Kazuha swiftly discarded all her clothing, leaving only her boxers on. She kneels beside you, helping to remove the remaining fabric from your body. As you sat up, anticipation heightened as you grabbed her boxers and pulled them down. Her thick and lengthy cock slapped against her stomach, coated with glistening pre-cum. The tip, visibly red and pulsating, begged for attention, ready to be sucked.

Your fingers wrapped around Kazuha's cock, pumping it with a firm yet teasing touch. Her moans filled the air, and she gently caressed your hair. Taking a moment, she gathered your locks into a makeshift ponytail. Guiding your face closer to her pulsating cock, she let out a throaty sigh as you eagerly complied, parting your lips and sticking your tongue out to welcome her. Your plump lips enclosed around her throbbing shaft, creating an irresistible sensation. Kazuha responded with a slow and controlled thrusting motion, the rhythm building as she began to gently fucked your mouth.

"Fuck, baby, your mouth is so good," Kazuha moaned, her head falling back. You looked up at her as she continued to fuck your mouth, the raw pleasure evident in her expressions and moans.

Her thrusts quickened, prompting moans from both of you. The vibrations traveled up Kazuha's cock, intensifying the pleasure. "Shit, baby, I'm gonna cum in your mouth," she grunted, her hips stuttering as she came hard in your mouth.

Pulling away, Kazuha gripped your jaw, a commanding edge to her voice. "Show me, then swallow it," she muttered. You opened your mouth, revealing her cum on your tongue, and then swallowed it all. Opening your mouth again to prove it, Kazuha pulled you into another kiss.

"That's my good girl," she murmured. Then, with a swift move, she flipped you onto your stomach, pulling your ass towards her hardening member. Rubbing herself on your ass, she teased your tight, soaking entrance with the tip of her member, pushing in slightly and then pulling away. Frustration built within you. "Fuck me already!" you groaned.

In response, Kazuha, in one quick thrust, pushed her member inside of you. A choked-out moan escaped your lips at the stretch, and you grasped the sheets, the sensation overwhelming yet undeniably pleasurable.

"Who knew how desperate you are for my cock," she said with a smirk, her words laced with a teasing tone. The rhythm of her thrusts intensified, each motion sending shivers of pleasure through your body. The audible slap of her balls against your clit added a new layer of sensation.

The bed frame began to knock against the walls with the force of her powerful thrusts. "Shit, Kazuha, just like that, baby," you moaned, your body jerking in response to the relentless motions of her vigorous thrusts.

"Next time, don't be a brat, baby. I won't be as forgiving," she said venomously, her thrusts growing harder and faster, eliciting screams of pleasure from you. Kazuha then flipped you back onto your back, maintaining the relentless speed of her thrusts. The air was thick with tension, a blend of desire and dominance that fueled the heated encounter between you and Kazuha.

Her cock stretched you just the way you'd always craved, your walls fluttered around her throbbing member, creating a tight embrace that sent shivers down your spine,driving you to cloud nine. Trembling under her, you felt the warmth of your juices dripping onto the bed.

"My baby is so, so pretty, fuck-, underneath me," Kazuha moaned, the raw desire evident in her voice. Her fingers dug into your skin, seeking more leverage, as she continued to thrust with unrelenting passion.

Kazuha reached down to rub your clit, prompting a cry of pleasure to escape your lips in response to the increased sensations from her thrusts. Your cunt throbbed of her relentless pounding. Her tip twitched while skillfully caressing your G-spot, intensifying the pleasure coursing through your body. Your cunt tightened around Kazuha's cock, the powerful thrusts threatening to leave you delightfully raw as the pleasure continued to build.

Kazuha lifted her head, attentively watching your responses to each of her thrusts. With a final roll of her hips, she pushed you over the edge, and you unraveled beneath her, your thighs quivering in pleasure. The intensity of your climax triggered Kazuha's own release. Her hand released your hips and planted itself beside your head. As her head shoved itself in your neck.

"I’m—" Kazuha grunted, her member being embraced by your warm and tight wet pussy. She drove herself deep, her heavy balls filled with cum tightening as she poured everything into you. "Cumming" she breathed out, filling you with her warm and sticky cum. Each twitch of her swollen tip sent warmth spurts deep within you, and your walls clenched so tightly around her that she struggled to contain it all.

Kazuha panted for air, struggling to catch her breath as her heart pounded against her chest. Her cock remained buried deep within your snug walls. As you slowly descended from your high, your hands and breath shaky, you released Kazuha, who gazed down at you adoringly before carefully pulling out.

Kazuha headed to the bathroom, returning with a wet rag to help clean you up. Afterward, she guided you both under the covers, wrapping her arms around you. You were already dozing off, your body faintly trembling in the aftershocks of the intense orgasm.

Leaning down, Kazuha's lips gently pressed against your cheek. "I love you so much, baby. We'll talk about our argument when we wake up from our nap," she mumbled, placing kisses along your jaw and cheeks as she felt you cuddling closer to her. Kazuha wrapped her arms around your waist, eventually succumbing to sleep alongside you.

[tamapalace]

Bandai Japan Details 2024 Tamagotchi Ichiban Kuji

Back for a second year, and better than ever!

We already knew the lottery, known as the Ichiban Kuji was coming back for 2024 from the announcement back in July, 2024, and we’ve been drooling over the recent pictures of the prizes at the 2024 Tokyo Toy Show.

Now, Bandai Japan has detailed all of the prizes officially on the Tamagotchi Ichiban Kuji website!

Prize A is that beautiful Tamagotchi Connection limited edition Ichiban Kuji shell.

Prize B is a large Tamagotchi Mametchi clear case, which is perfect for storing things, with a large capacity so you can see what is inside.

Prize C are Tamagotchi pouches, which feature characters on top of them and a clear circular case with a keychain.

Prize D are Tamagotchi Connection card holders a total of six designs from the Entomb and Uratama era!

Prize E are Tamagotchi acrylic keychains, a total of six designs ranging from Tamagotchi Connection themed, to a Tamagotchi iD themed one too!

Prize F are die-cut towels with Tamagotchi Ichiban Kuji graphics on them! Featuring the Tamagotchi Connection 20th Anniversary graphic, Keitai Tamagotchi, and even some vintage screen sprites too.

Prize G consists of Tamagotchi zipper bags, in various deigns, perfect for storing small items, and phone tab and decorative stickers.

Last prize is the large 60cm Kuchipatchi Hug Plush! Super cute, super soft, and features a Tamagotchi Connection 20th Anniversary logo on him too!

You know the routine, the Ichiban Kuji starts in Japan on November 22nd, 2024 at various retail locations (Lawson, Ichiban Kuji Official Shop, Ichiban Kuji Online). Simply locate a store display, purchase a ticket and see which prize you earn! Tickets are ¥700 including tax. The Ichiban Kuji will run until February, 2025! Good luck!