#Floppy Hats Online

[mimicmerchant]

Sorting my mess of files and stumbled upon this sketch of Ranni that I will literally never finish. enjoy!

[freebooter4ever]

Are the lines on your drawings stylistic choices or are they measurement/guiding lines? Either way, they are cool, but just wondered. I dont understand drawing at all, might as well be a magic spell to me. I was looking at the pencil (?) sketch of Malkin with the cheesecutter hat on.

i, uh, definitely did not google 'cheesecutter hat' until after i saved out these images. :/ sorry about that. if you'd like the other one broken down, i can do that too lol. my reading comprehension when im tired is kinda lazy i just saw 'cheese' and imediately thought 'omelette'. SO here's the 1) initial sketch, 2) 'clean' sketch, and 3) final lines for the omelette boy drawing instead:

also i have had a cumulative of about 9 ish hrs of sleep total for the past two days so keep that in mind for if this explanation makes no sense, its not my fault. :( anyway! the way i draw definitely has changed over the years but currently im really trying to focus on the line i "see" rather than the one that is actually "there". i've been applying this to my writing for years (story vs happening truth) and you know it never occurred to me that i could do it in my drawings too till like...a few years ago. in general these lines seem to form the planes of the subject. if you google 'stanford bunny' you can find an easy example of a 3D surface turned into triangles. I do this too - see things in relative triangle proportions, except i've been doing it long before i knew how computers worked. i cant begin to tell you how long d*sney and cartooning's obsession with round building blocks of anatomical structure fucked with my brain until i finally decided i could cast that teaching aside completely.

ANYWAY sorry off subject again. so we have these sketchy under lines, and usually as im trying to find the proportions and form of the subject these lines end up being where the light/shadow hits. here i saved out the 1) 'flat colors', 2) the 'light', and 3) the 'shadow' parts on their own (i lightened the background for the 'shadow' so its easier to see):

the light is like four or five 'overlay' layers of pale yellow/orange. you can see how each of these layers follow one of those sketchy lines i did initially. and the same with the shadow but instead its a dark red color set to 'multiply' for each layer. and when you combine everything together you get:

some bullshit :). anyway you know that anniversary edition of beauty and the beast that featured the version previewed to nyc audiences in 1990 with the glen ke*ne sketchy keyframe animation of the beast's transformation? i watched that - must have been sometime after i graduated college - and i felt robbed that THAT version was never presented as a final piece. the 'unclean' drawings had so much more life and movement and intensity to them. tldr i like the messy lines, i hate 'inking' with a passion (HATE. IT.), and when i finally allowed myself to stop giving a fuck drawing became way more interesting. but my art is shit and i will never be glen k*ane so i dont really feel like the best advocate for this "style". alas. there was this one artist on tumblr who i fucking loved whose sketches were SPECTACULAR but the asshole racists in the m*c*ha*nz*o fandom bullied her off tumblr and ive never been able to find her art anywhere else since. she was also very negative about her 'unclean' sketches and it made me so sad. there was also this other artist whose sketches were awe inspiring but all she drew was p*rn and well...we all know what happened on tumblr in december 2018.

also i 100% stole the lighting scheme from The Bear which is currently one of the most gorgeous shows on television right now in my opinion

im really really sorry if this makes no sense, if im feeling motivated maybe i'll try again when my brain is fully functioning but with the actual 'cheesecutter hat' doodle ^_^

[fozmeadows]

the older I get, the more the technological changes I've lived through as a millennial feel bizarre to me. we had computers in my primary school classroom; I first learned to type on a typewriter. I had a cellphone as a teenager, but still needed a physical train timetable. my parents listened to LP records when I was growing up; meanwhile, my childhood cassette tape collection became a CD collection, until I started downloading mp3s on kazaa over our 56k modem internet connection to play in winamp on my desktop computer, and now my laptop doesn't even have a disc tray. I used to save my word documents on floppy discs. I grew up using the rotary phone at my grandparents' house and our wall-connected landline; my mother's first cellphone was so big, we called it The Brick. I once took my desktop computer - monitor, tower and all - on the train to attend a LAN party at a friend's house where we had to connect to the internet with physical cables to play together, and where one friend's massive CRT monitor wouldn't fit on any available table. as kids, we used to make concertina caterpillars in class with the punctured and perforated paper strips that were left over whenever anything was printed on the room's dot matrix printer, which was outdated by the time I was in high school. VHS tapes became DVDs, and you could still rent both at the local video store when I was first married, but those shops all died out within the next six years. my facebook account predates the iphone camera - I used to carry around a separate digital camera and manually upload photos to the computer in order to post them; there are rolls of undeveloped film from my childhood still in envelopes from the chemist's in my childhood photo albums. I have a photo album from my wedding, but no physical albums of my child; by then, we were all posting online, and now that's a decade's worth of pictures I'd have to sort through manually in order to create one. there are video games I tell my son about but can't ever show him because the consoles they used to run on are all obsolete and the games were never remastered for the new ones that don't have the requisite backwards compatibility. I used to have a walkman for car trips as a kid; then I had a discman and a plastic hardshell case of CDs to carry around as a teenager; later, a friend gave my husband and I engraved matching ipods as a wedding present, and we used them both until they stopped working; now they're obsolete. today I texted my mother, who was born in 1950, a tiktok upload of an instructional video for girls from 1956 on how to look after their hair and nails and fold their clothes. my father was born four years after the invention of colour televison; he worked in radio and print journalism, and in the years before his health declined, even though he logically understood that newspapers existed online, he would clip out articles from the physical paper, put them in an envelope and mail them to me overseas if he wanted me to read them. and now I hold the world in a glass-faced rectangle, and I have access to everything and ownership of nothing, and everything I write online can potentially be wiped out at the drop of a hat by the ego of an idiot manchild billionaire. as a child, I wore a watch, but like most of my generation, I stopped when cellphones started telling us the time and they became redundant. now, my son wears a smartwatch so we can call him home from playing in the neighbourhood park, and there's a tanline on his wrist ike the one I haven't had since the age of fifteen. and I wonder: what will 2030 look like?

[worms-for-brains]

hey artist to artist, i love your price drawings but i wanted to know how do you draw the boonie hat? im trying to draw him like one of those grumpy pixar dads where the boonie hat covers his eyes and you can only see his expressions by how the rim moves. but im having trouble trying to even draw the boonie hat in the first place, could i get a tutorial on how you do it? your cartoon style looks the closest to mine and im just trying to figure out how to make him look like that dad from cloudy with chance of meatballs, i would send you the pic of what i got so far but this chat box dont have an add photo option.

AGHKFFJHIDHWIJCKDWOFJWDKO Tyyy sm!!

My advice for drawing the boonie hat? Don’t. Jk lmao. Uhhhhh. I’d say just use a lot of reference from online and I picture it kind of like a floppy plate and bowl sort of structure!

And when you said grumpy Pixar dad all I could see was something like this

also @ceylon-morphe286 I’d love to see whatever you have! Come find me on instagram or in my tumblr DMs

[seafoamreadings]

week of january 7th, 2024

these are written predominantly for the *rising* signs but they are also intuitively "channeled" enough that they should work for any dominant energy you have! (try your sun if you don't know rising, or more advanced readers can try moon, anywhere you have a stellium, etc and see what works best for you!)

aries: it is a great week to be you. but it may not feel like it. the reason is that the sun is squaring the nodes and that's a lot of clashing cardinal energy, like maybe you have ten million things to do at once. but really - mars is doing so much good stuff behind the scenes. trust the process.

taurus: the aspects this week are invigorating and strengthening. your sign is known for kind of languishing in relaxation and it's actually good for you nearly always but this week? please go outside, please get up and accomplish things. it is so auspicious for you to be in movement and flow right now. crash on the weekend if you must.

gemini: you may feel quite antsy about staying at home, like you can't bear to see your own walls a moment longer. alternatively, or even simultaneously, there may be a feeling that you can't handle the public eye. maybe it helps to go wander around in disguise, or at least with big giant sunglasses and a floppy hat on.

cancerians: the new moon in capricorn is fresh relationship vibes. a new romance, a breakup, an engagement are all possibilities. no, probably not all at once. set an intention around how you want your commitments to actually look in real life, regardless of what happens to you at this time.

leo: this time of year can be hard for solar creatures like you, especially north of the equator. but this week is bookended by two lunar ingresses that are quite supportive to you, especially if you are out there looking for love. create something new. it can be just for yourself. it should probably involve glitter.

virgo: you have a lot of supportive astrology all week in taurus and capricorn. go out of your way to create, learn, and grow. granted, commitment is not really your thing right now. dabble and have fun and if you need to shed a few things, people, or situations, do so.

libra: even though lots of great things are likely to happen this week, the quality of the period can be quite frazzling to your typically very delicate constitution. watch for omens but make what changes you can if you don't like what you see. you don't have to resign yourself to a bad lot.

scorpio: this is a great week for your relationships. ALL kinds of relationships. it's okay, and indeed quite good, to nurture romantic ones! but do NOT forget all the manifold other ways to love. go out of your way to spread love in your community locally, online, to children, to animals, to the vulnerable, to your friends, to your family... what else can you think of?

sagittarius: be cautious with mercury-things, yes even though it's direct now, because it is right at the end of your sign preparing to move. it's still in the shadow zone, and especially at the so-called critical degrees it can feel like you just went back in time a week or two for a moment. probably not in a good way. just be careful.

capricorn: you're in a good, steady, stable place and picking up momentum. mercury re-enters your sign and mars gives you a major boost. you're getting things done and probably not feeling too depleted by the effort. one caveat; mercury is still retracing its retrograde path, so you're not done with the themes of the last few weeks yet, you're just wrapping them up. probably in really nice littel satin bows.

aquarius: beneath all the jolly jupiter vibes lies the constant hum of electric current due to your ruling planet uranus. rebellions in the name of justice do well at this time, but on a smaller scale too you might want to revolutionize your own life.

pisces: expect a little agitation early in the week. but keep in mind that agitation can serve as a boost to improve things. so it's not a time to be lazy, but it is a time to scry for omens, at least figuratively. scry and then act.

[all-the-things-2020]

Stalker - A Late Night Talking Story

Pairing: Dieter Bravo x OFC (Emily)

Rating: PG

Warnings: description of online stalker behavior, gun violence

Summary: Not long after their wedding, Dieter and Emily realize they have an online stalker … who wants to replace Emily.

Word count: 4400

Tag list: @rhoorl @avastrasposts @readingiskeepingmegoing @runningmom94 @gwendibleywrites @weho2kcmo

Wedding photos started popping up on the internet right away. First were the ones our family and friends posted on their social media accounts, which were copied and posted elsewhere by fans. Dieter had posted a few photos of me on his Instagram with the caption “My beautiful wife” and those had gotten quite a reaction. Then the ones People had bought from our photographer hit their website and all hell broke loose on Tumblr.

I was on the couch, scrolling on my phone, laughing at some of the comments and tearing up at others, when I came across something rather disturbing.

“Hey, have you seen this?” I asked Dieter. He was on his iPad, reading a script that his agent had emailed him.

“Hmm?”

“This comment on your Insta post,” I said, showing him my phone. He put down his tablet and took my phone.

“Holy shit,” he said.

“That was my reaction, too,” I said. Most of the comments were congratulations or a series of heart emojis or other positive messages. This one was … not.

“Fuck that whore bitch to hell! Stealing my man. She’ll pay.”

Dieter logged into Instagram on his tablet, deleted the comment and blocked the user. “Sorry about that, babe, I should have gone through all the comments and caught that.”

“No worries, there were thousands,” I replied. I used to go through all my comments but after getting so many followers, I couldn’t keep up anymore.

Out of curiosity, I checked my list of followers and sure enough, the same username was on my list.

“Mrsbravoforreal ,” I read. I clicked on the account and scrolled through her photos. They were all pictures of Dieter, some of them photoshopped poorly to include a woman who I assumed was the account owner. She was in her twenties, wore way too much makeup, had badly dyed blonde hair and tight clothes that did nothing to flatter her.

“Should we be concerned about this?” I asked.

Dieter scrolled through her photos and nodded. “I’ll talk to my manager in the morning,” he said. “I wouldn’t bother except for that comment. There are always wacko fans out there, but something about this doesn’t seem quite right.”

I shuddered. Not quite right was an understatement. I poked around on Tumblr until I found a blog with some of those same photos. “Oh, shit,” I said. This account was called “oneandonlymrsbravo” and included not just photos but some rather detailed and graphic fan fiction written about Dieter himself, not his characters.

“Now what?” Dieter said, and I showed him a post that described in excruciating (and badly written) detail how the narrator gave him a blow job in the back of a limousine on the way to a movie premiere.

“That … that was …,” he just shook his head.

“I know,” I said. “It’s got to be the same person. The photos are the same.”

“Write down that username,” he said. “And get some screenshots just in case she takes it down later.”

“You should have taken a screenshot of that comment before you deleted it,” I said.

“Shit, yeah,” he said. “Did she post anything on your account?”

I scrolled back through my posts, checking the comments carefully. Sure enough, I found several:

“Die bitch,” on a photo of me and Dieter at a friend’s birthday party.

“Fat old cow,” on a photo of me in a bathing suit and a floppy sun hat reading a book by the pool.

“Fuck you, he’s mine,” on a selfie of me and Dieter at the park eating ice cream cones.

“I’ll kill you, bitch,” on a picture of me in my wedding dress getting ready for the pre-wedding photo shoot.

“Maybe we should call the police instead of your manager,” I said, as another shiver ran down my spine.

************************************

We reported mrsbravoforreal AKA oneandonlymrsbravo to the police, who sent us the forms to file a complaint but said they couldn’t do much. They would try to find out her real name from Instagram and Tumblr but their privacy policies might not allow them to release that information. Unless they did, we would have no idea who this woman was or where she lived.

“Honestly, until she actually tries to do something, we can’t do anything,” the officer told us. “If she shows up on your property, we can charge her with trespassing, or if she tries to physically harm either of you, we can charge her with assault. Otherwise, our hands are tied.”

Dieter hung up the phone, which we’d had on speaker. “Well, they weren’t much help,” he said.

“I just hope she’s not local,” I said. “I don’t like knowing she’s out there.”

He opened his arms and pulled me into a tight embrace. “Neither do I,” he admitted. “Maybe we should hire some security and upgrade the alarm system on the house.”

I hated the idea of having to hire security guards but with the police admitting their hands were tied, it did make sense. “That might be a good idea,” I said quietly.

“It’ll be okay, sweetie,” he said. “She’s not going to hurt us. I promise.”

****************************

The alarm company came out the next day to upgrade our system, installing about a million motion sensitive cameras around the perimeter of the property and putting in a control panel that made the dashboard of the Millenium Falcon look like a pocket calculator.

“I think I need to get a degree in electrical engineering to operate this thing,” I said, flipping through the instruction manual.

“There’s a video on the website,” the technician said. “It’s not as complicated as it looks.”

“You don’t know my husband,” I told him. “I just barely taught him how to delete voicemails off his phone.”

“Hey,” Dieter said, swatting at my arm. The technician laughed.

Later that afternoon, the private security company that Dieter had contacted sent out a pair of security guards. They were large, heavily muscled men with military style haircuts. Charles was African American, soft spoken and very serious. Leandro was Latino, boisterous and joking.

“Can you show us what information you have on this woman?” Charles asked. I showed him her social media accounts and the screenshots of her comments on our posts.

“Bat shit crazy,” he said after a few minutes. “We’ll take care of you, ma’am, don’t worry.”

The two of them sat down with their phones out and started asking us our schedule for the next week. I didn’t have much going on, but Dieter had some commitments and Charles and Leandro quickly set up a schedule. When Dieter was out and about, one of them would follow him, while the other stayed with me; if we were both at home, one of them would be on call while the other kept an eye on our house. We all exchanged cell phone numbers, so we could quickly get hold of them in an emergency. We also gave them access to our alarm system app.

“Okay, I’m on tonight,” Leandro said. “I’ll be outside in my car for the most part, but I might do a perimeter patrol once or twice. I can watch the camera feed on the app, but I’ll turn off the alert function if I do a patrol so it doesn’t go off and scare you.” He laughed. “Forgot to do that one time and the family’s abuela came at me with a chancla. You do not want to piss off a Mexican grandmother, I’ll tell you.”

When we went to bed that night, I couldn’t settle down. We’d set the alarm on “STAY” mode, which meant we could walk around the house without setting it off, but I was still worried it would accidentally go off.

“Go to sleep,” Dieter said, snuggling close. “The alarm is on and Leandro’s outside. Nothing’s going to happen.”

“I know,” I said. “I just feel like we’re being held captive in our own home. I mean, she’s the crazy one and we have to be locked up like prisoners.”

He smoothed my hair and pressed a kiss against my forehead. “I know, it sucks,” he said. “Hopefully, she’ll get bored and move on and we can forget about the bodyguards.”

I murmured my agreement and kissed him back, but I wasn’t so sure this woman was going to give up so easily.

****************************

I had blocked Wacko Lady (as we’d taken to calling her) on all my social media accounts, but after a week or two I noticed some familiar comments on my posts. This time, the username was thereallyrealmrsbravo and while the first few comments were relatively mild, they soon turned extremely nasty. I took a screenshot of every one before finally blocking her again. A week later, I started getting comments from iamtherealmrsbravo and I got really scared.

“You’re going to die, bitch. Watch your back.”

“Nice house. I’m gonna like living there.”

“You’ll look nice in that dress in your coffin.”

I took screenshots and forwarded them to Charles and Leandro, as well as blocking her and reporting her to Instagram yet again, then called Dieter. He was in New York for a few days doing some promotional stuff for a theater company he’d worked with in the past.

“I’m getting really scared,” I told him. “She’s nuts.”

“I know, she’s posted some shit on my account, too,” he said. “I was talking to some of the folks here, and one of them suggested you create a tumblr profile and start asking around about her, see if anyone knows who she really is. Maybe send messages to some of the people who react to her posts.”

“Yeah, maybe,” I said. “The police certainly aren’t doing shit.” Every time she posted another threat, I emailed it to the LAPD officer who was assigned to our case, but didn’t get much feedback from him.

“Or we could hire a private detective,” Dieter suggested. I liked that idea.

“Even better,” I told him. “I’ll look into that.” I sighed. “Sorry to dump all this on you, babe.”

“I’m sorry I’m not there to help you deal with it,” he replied. “Hang in there, sweetie, I’ll be home the day after tomorrow.”

“I know,” I said. “Love you.”

“Love you, too,” he said. We hung up and I started searching the internet for private detectives in Los Angeles.

**************************************

Charles walked discreetly a few feet behind me, close enough that it was clear he was my bodyguard, but far enough away not to invade my personal space. I was starting to get used to being escorted this way, mostly because both Charles and Leandro were so good at their jobs.

We went into the high rise building on Wilshire where the private investigator I was thinking of hiring had her office. She was an expert at cyber crimes, which was why I wanted to talk to her. If anyone could figure out who Wacko Lady was, it was Miranda Cortez.

As we walked through the lobby, I caught a glimpse of peroxide blonde hair heading out the other door, but whoever it was was gone by the time I could turn my head. I got startled every time I saw a fake blonde in my peripheral vision, and there were plenty of bottle blondes in L.A. so it happened a lot. I dismissed the incident from my mind as Charles and I got on the elevator and rode silently to the 22nd floor.

Ms. Cortez’ office had a sleek, modern waiting area, where I left Charles. I was ushered into her private office, which was much homier, with dark wooden bookshelves and comfy leather armchairs. Cortez herself was polished and professional, in a grey suit and red stiletto heels.

“So you have a stalker,” she said once I was settled into the chair across from her.

“Yes,” I said. “Have you had a chance to look over the screenshots I sent you?”

She nodded. “I took a glance. With my connections, I should be able to help you find out who she is. After that, you still have to rely on the police, but at least you’ll know who you’re dealing with.”

She slid a piece of paper across the desk with an obscenely large figure written on it. “I know my fee is high,” she said apologetically, “but high tech is expensive and so is this office.”

“I understand,” I said. I was still getting used to being what most of my friends and family would call “rich.” I had full access to both Dieter’s personal bank account and the corporate one. We could afford Ms. Cortez’ fee.

“Let’s do this,” I said.

“Okay, Mrs. Bravo,” she said. “Let’s find out who this crazy bitch is.” She laughed and pulled out a contract for me to sign.

I signed the contract, giving her permission to access all my social media accounts, and gave her my passwords and other login information. “I may need to create some new accounts in your name or under fake names,” she said. “If I need any photos or other information, I’ll let you know.”

We said goodbye and I collected Charles. “How’d it go?,” he asked.

“Pretty good,” I said. For the first time in a while, I felt like we were getting somewhere. “Want to stop for a smoothie or something on the way home? My treat.”

Charles shook his head. “I’m working,” he said.

“Okay,” I said, shrugging. I’d tried to get Charles to relax a bit but he was always one hundred percent on task when he was working. Leandro on the other hand … he would have tried to talk me into getting a beer instead.

We retrieved my car from the parking garage and I sat back in the passenger seat as Charles drove back to the house. I’d seen another flash of blonde hair as we were paying the parking fee, but I didn’t think anything of it. Miranda Cortez was on the case, and I let myself relax.

************************

I got very detailed daily updates from Ms. Cortez, as well as a phone call every afternoon. She opened a tumblr account under the username mrsbravoforreallyreal and gave me the login information.

“Post some photos,” she told me. “Make sure they’re things that haven’t been posted anywhere else, so it’s clear that you’ve got original content. I want to try to bait her into responding to the account. The more she posts, the more data my team will have to work with.”

She also asked me to take and post some specific photos on Instagram and Twitter, basically different content on all my social media platforms. Since she could also log in, she could see every comment. It wasn’t long before there were some responses.

About a week after I’d hired her, I got an email from her with the subject line “Bingo!”

“Deet!” I called, summoning him from the backyard where he was messing around with the pool filter. I’d told him just to call the pool guy but like a typical man, he’d insisted on “looking at it” first.

I showed him the email. “Cortez knows her shit,” he said approvingly.

Wacko Lady was Samantha Bixby, a 23 year old dental technician school student from Fountain Valley who worked part time at a Jamba Juice. Cortez’ team had found her Facebook account and, as she said, “if you have the cash, Facebook will sell you anything you need.”

I felt a bit of relief at finally having a name, but knowing she was local was very unsettling. She could have been any of those glimpses of blonde hair I’d seen over the past few weeks.

I forwarded the email to Charles, Leandro, and the police officer, then replied to Ms. Cortez, thanking her profusely.

“Now what?” Dieter asked.

“Cortez said we have two choices,” I said. “We can just sit on the information and see what she does, or we can have a lawyer draft a letter to her letting her know that we know who she is and that we’ll take legal action if she doesn’t cease and desist.” I ran my hand through my hair, a nervous habit I’d picked up from Dieter. “That might scare her enough to make her back off, or it might tip her over the edge, depending on how unstable she is.”

“What do you want to do?,” he asked.

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “I just don’t know.”

************************************

In the end, we decided to let Samantha Bixby know we were on to her. If the lawyer’s letter scared her off, the problem would be solved. If it provoked her to step up her harassment, then maybe we’d finally have some reason for the police to get involved. It was risky, but with the alarm system as well as Charles and Leandro, we felt pretty safe.

Two weeks after the letter went out (delivered by registered mail, so we knew she’d received it), there hadn’t been any comments from any of her accounts, even though Dieter and I had both posted several photos. I was starting to relax for the first time in months. Then the power went out.

It was a windy night, one of those Santa Ana winds that just keep blowing and blowing, grinding away at everyone’s nerves, fanning wildfires and knocking out power poles right and left. As soon as the lights went out, my cell phone rang. It was Charles, who was on duty that night.

“Looks like power’s out on the whole block,” he said. “Your alarm should switch to backup battery but I don’t think the cameras will work, so I’ll walk the perimeter every so often until the power’s back on. If you need anything, call me.”

“Okay, be careful out there,” I replied. I knew how crazy the winds could be, sending flying debris everywhere.

Dieter found some candles and our battery operated lantern. “Charles?,” he asked when he came back into the room.

“Yeah, he’s going to do perimeter checks until the power comes back on, since the cameras won’t work, but he said the alarm itself should switch to backup.”

Dieter shook his head. “No, it won’t,” he said. “They called yesterday to say there’s been a recall on those batteries and they’ll be out next week to replace it.”

“Shit,” I said, texting the information to Charles. Even though Samantha had been quiet lately, the power outage and the wind had me nervous again.

“It’ll be okay,” Dieter said, wrapping his arms around me. “Charles is out there. Let’s just call it a night and everything will be fine in the morning.”

He blew out the candles and let me into the bedroom, holding the lantern ahead of him. I started giggling, because it reminded me of Phantom of the Opera, when the Phantom is leading Christine into the catacombs on the way to his lair.

“‘What’s so funny?” Dieter asked.

“All you need is a mask and a cape, and you’d be a perfect Phantom,” I said.

“Aw, shit,” he said, shaking his head. “Just don’t expect me to sing, okay?”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” I said. “But maybe I’ll sing for you.” I started humming “Phantom of the Opera” but he turned to face me and pressed his finger against my lips.

“No, we are not going down that road,” he said. “You get started on musicals and that’s all I hear for the rest of the week.”

“Spoilsport,” I said, but I stopped humming. We undressed and crawled into bed. The tree outside our bedroom window was tapping at the glass as the wind gusted, and I knew it was going to take me a long time to fall asleep. Dieter drifted off after about twenty minutes, but I was still staring at the ceiling an hour later.

I was just about to get my phone off the nightstand and check the SCE website for an update on the outage when I heard a noise. It was probably the wind, but something didn’t feel quite right. I palmed my phone and slipped out of bed.

As I reached the bedroom door, I saw a shadow move in the hallway, and then suddenly I was on the floor.

“Got you now, bitch,” a voice hissed in my ear.

She switched on a flashlight, blinding me for a second. As I turned away from the light, I thumbed open the Phone app and pressed “call” on the last incoming call, then shoved the phone behind the door so she couldn’t see it. I only hoped that Charles didn’t start talking too much when he didn’t hear me on the line.

“Let me go,” I said loudly, hoping to both clue Charles in on what was happening and wake up Dieter.

Samantha laughed. “Oh, I’ll let you go,” she said. “Go to hell!”

Dieter sat up, switching on the lantern, which he’d left on the bedside table on his side of the bed. “What the hell …,” he said, cutting off as he saw Samantha crouched in front of me, a flashlight in one hand and a gun in the other.

“Hi, honey,” she said with a demented giggle. “Stay in bed, baby, I’ll be there in a minute. Just got to take out the trash first.” She dropped the flashlight and pointed the gun at my head.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Dieter said. “Don’t hurt her. Just … just tell me what you want and you’ve got it. Just don’t hurt her.”

“He’s right,” I said. She looked at me and I shuddered at the hatred in her eyes. “If you hurt me, he’ll never forgive you.”

She narrowed her eyes. “But if I don’t kill you, how can I take your place?”

“Think about it,” I said. “If I leave, if I go away and never come back, you can have him. But if you kill me … do you honestly think he could be with the woman who killed his wife?”

She cocked her head to one side, but kept the gun pointed at my head. “But … but how do I know you’d stay away? How do I know he wouldn’t still want you?” She started laughing. “Oh, how stupid I am … why would he want you after he had me?” She sat back on her heels and smirked. “I’m young, I’m skinny, I’m blonde, I’ve got perfect boobs, I can give him babies,” she said. She was actually preening, even as she kept the gun trained on me. “I’m everything you’re not, you fat old cow,” she spat.

I heard a noise behind her and I started sobbing to cover it up. Please be Charles, I thought. “You’re right,” I cried. “You’re right. He deserves better than me. Just … just don’t hurt me and I’ll leave. I’ll go away and never come back. You win. You win.”

She smiled at me, and then her face hardened. “No, I think I’ll still kill you,” she said.

As she leaned forward to press the barrel of the gun against my forehead, I saw Charles creeping up behind her.

“Samantha!” Dieter shouted. It distracted her just enough that her attention wavered. “Please, don’t do it. I’m yours. I’m yours, baby. But not if you kill her.”

She started to pull the gun away from me and that was enough for Charles. He lunged through the doorway, slamming her to the ground. She pulled the trigger and the gun went off, sending a bullet into the wall behind me. Charles quickly disarmed her and pulled out some zip ties from his back pocket.

Dieter was already on the phone with 911. “Yes, she tried to kill my wife. Our security guard has her subdued but we need an officer out here now.”

Samantha was squirming beneath Charles’ bulk, screaming obscenities and practically foaming at the mouth. I leaned against the wall, trying to breathe and trying not to look at the bullet hole two feet to my left. Then Dieter was at my side, and I buried my face in his shoulder as he wrapped his arms around me.

“If I hadn’t had the phone in my hand,” I gasped. “If Charles hadn’t known what was going on …” I dissolved into sobs for real this time. Dieter rubbed my back, choking back his own tears, trying to be strong for me while I had a mini breakdown.

“It’s okay, baby,” he said over and over. “It’s okay.”

Leandro burst into the house a few minutes later, having been alerted by Charles, and soon after the police arrived. They dragged Samantha out of the room, then the officers took our statements. Charles went first, calmly telling them everything that had happened from his point of view, the power outage, his perimeter patrol, getting the phone call from me and overhearing Samantha’s threats. When the officer turned to me and Dieter, I was more composed, but still shaking.

I tried to tell everything in order, but the events were already starting to get jumbled in my mind. Dieter kept rubbing my shoulder and back, reassuring me without words that I was doing fine. When I finished, he kissed my temple before giving his own statement to the officer. After what seemed like hours, the police left and we were alone with Charles and Leandro.

“We’ll both be outside if you need anything,” Leandro said. “Just try to relax now. Everything is fine.”

They left and Dieter and I were alone on the couch in the living room. We sat in silence for several minutes, then I crawled into his lap, leaning my head on his shoulder and slipping my arm around his neck so I could press a kiss to his throat.

“I have never been more scared in my life,” he said quietly. “When she pointed that gun at your head ….” He wrapped his arms around me and squeezed me tight. “I thought I was going to lose you,” he said, his voice ragged with emotion. “I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you.” He buried his face in my hair, kissing my neck and shoulder while his tears smeared across my skin.

“Me, too, sweetie ,” I said. “Me, too.”

We stayed on the couch, curled tightly together, until the sun came up and we finally felt safe enough to fall asleep. The nightmare was over, but it would take us a while to recover.

[primatechnosynthpop]

Was seized by the supernatural urge to redraw some of my old nkotr art (mostly based on my own fics/aus because that's uhh pretty much the only time I drew them in an interesting way heheh)

[ID: two versions of an alternate cover image for Your Computer has a Virus, and it's Killing Your Online Friends. The new kids are in their jumpsuits from Computer Fighters. Neil is holding a floppy disk labeled "virus" and looking over his shoulder with a scared expression as multicoloured glitch effects surround and overtake him. Below this, Kevin grits his teeth and makes a fist while Ryan sadly puts a hand on his shoulder.

The colours in the new piece are more saturated and the glitch effects are done differently, and there's shading. Neil has his helmet, which was missing from the original, Kevin is visibly sweating and his fist is on the other side, and Ryan looks more resigned whereas in the original he has his mouth open. End ID]

[ID: two versions of a piece featuring fantasy versions of the new kids standing in front of a colourful roulette wheel marked with ominous symbols. Kevin is a human fighter, Neil is an elf bard, and Ryan is a tiefling warlock. The dark purple background is lit up with hot pink at the top and bright orange, purple, and green behind each of the guys to contrast their respective colour coding.

The old piece was done in an attempt at a realistic style, while the new version is in the artist's usual more cartoony style. The new kids' poses, expressions, and outfits are all changed to varying degrees; most notably, Neil's elf ears are bigger and Ryan's skin is red rather than a human skin tone. Ryan also has a cape instead of a jacket this time. In the original, they all look rather apprehensive, while in the new version they look more excited. Text has been added above them reading "The Only Lich Lair... With A Wheel!!" End ID]

[ID: two versions of a piece where Neil and Ryan are catboys and Kevin is a dogboy. Neil is in a cutesy pose with his hands raised like paws, Ryan is sitting or crouching with a dead mouse in his mouth, and Kevin is holding a football with scuff marks on it. In addition to the regular clothes they're wearing, Neil and Kevin have collars; Neil's has a bell in the shape of the lemon demon logo.

The colours in the original are washed out and there's a little dog logo on Kevin's football which is missing in the newer version. The colours of Neil's outfit are different and his leg is bent more, Ryan now has a box to sit on and has cat pupils while the others still have human eyes, and Kevin is now wearing a baseball cap. A gradiented blue background has been added along with yellow text at the top reading "Guar-NYAN-teed Video", with a paw print in place of the G*V logo's asterisk. End ID]

+ a couple bonuses:

[ID: a follow-up to the "Only Lich Lair" piece. The new kids are now injured and look miserable. Kevin has grown a beard and lost his hair, and is wearing a blindfold over where his eyes would be. He's also lost his armour. Neil's hair is frazzled and he's covered in singe marks, and he's lost a hand and got a chunk taken out of one ear. His instrument is also missing. Ryan has an eyepatch, has the tip of one horn taken off, and is frozen. He's also lost his wizard hat and the clasp for his cape. The bright lights in the background are gone save for the pink at the top, which drips down like blood; the text is also removed. End ID]

[ID: a sketch of Kevin wearing a sweater and scarf, holding half a broken sword shouting angrily, based on a scene from I'm Gonna be the Anti-Hero. An old version of this doodle is shrunken down in the upper left corner. Colour has been added to the new version, as well as blood spatter on Kevin and tears in his eyes. End ID]

[bblgumbbgirl]

pt. 2 costume inspiration - simple DIYs ! ◥(*`꒳´* )◤

hi friends ! we're getting closer and closer to that time , so i will try to make sure my mini-blog is complete before halloween so you all have time to prepare ! keep an eye out for some DIYs i have linked throughout

here's some fun DIY ideas !

Parts :

pt 1 . character costumes

pt 2 . simple DIYs

pt 3 . profession costumes

pt 4 . matching costumes

pt 5 . costume alternatives

simple do it yourself costumes

source below

🕸ꜝ⌗✧･ﾟ🎃 𝗯𝗈𝗼 ! ◥(*`꒳´* )◤ 🧙‍♂️ .⠂🔮꒷꒦ﾟ･✧⌗ꜝ🕸

here are some fun animal ideas ; inspired by this site !

🎃 deer - fawn have spots , and big guy dear have big horns ! sport your favorite brown outfit and let's get to frolicking

🕸 kitty - kitties come in all colors ! be sure to throw on some ears and a tail - here's a tutorial to a style of diy cat ears i tried one year ! i managed to braid , flat iron , and hairspray some thin braids into cat ears . don't forget the face paint !

🎃 panda - black and white and oh so fluffy ! this is a good idea for those who get cold on halloween night . wear something big and comfy !

🕸 fox - so sneaky ! so fast ! sport some speedy orange and get to zipping around for some candy !

🎃 dog - ive seen a diy where you stuff two socks and fabric glue them to a headband to make floppy doggy / bunny ears ! if i find a tutorial i will be sure to link it

🕸 koala - good for those extra cuddly babies - suit up in your comfiest gray clothes and start snugglin !

🎃 tiger - here's a fun DIY mask from crayola ! there are many other styles and options online too !

🕸 owl - bonus points for feathery scarves !

🎃 bear - bears come in many different shapes and sizes ! get creative - you can be any bear you want to be ! pooh bear , smokey bear , yogi bear , a polar bear ! theres so many options to choose from

🕸ꜝ⌗✧･ﾟ🎃 𝗯𝗈𝗼 ! ◥(*`꒳´* )◤ 🧙‍♂️ .⠂🔮꒷꒦ﾟ･✧⌗ꜝ🕸

here are some spooky ideas i came up with ! photos linked respectively !

🕸 ghost tutorial . a classic sheet ghost ! simple , discreet , and cost effective !

🎃 zombie - this can be achieved with any level of tattered clothing , face paint , and cosmetics ! you can be a barely zombie or you can be a crazy super zombified zombie !

🕸 clown - this too can be achieved at almost any level ! wear your brightest , silliest , most mismatched clothes . you can add different layers and textures if you want to get real wild with it . if you want to be a scary clown you could throw on some makeup / cosmetics !

🎃 vampire - try all black ! i have noticed a lot of vampires have a highlight color (ex . vampires being associated with black and red) - mix it up with your own color ! do a black on pink , black on green , be a crazy vampire ! capes + fangs might help you achieve this look

🕸 mime - i think a mime would be super fun ! i would dress in stripes , wear a funny hat , and play pretend all day ! good option for those nonverbal regressors ?

🎃 magician - cape , top hat , and a spunky outfit ! this could also be a good opportunity for a matching costume (cg magician + bunny regressor ?) here's a fun DIY with a link to a homemade magic kit for tots

🕸 scarecrow - i did this one year ! i dressed in a flannel and stuffed my sleeves with leaves ! you can do some cute button nose makeup or add a straw hat !

🎃 jellybeans - this has to be the most simple and cutest DIY ever !

🕸 superhero - pick your signature color and add a cape ! what will your super powers be ? and most importantly , must you conceal your identity ?

🕸ꜝ⌗✧･ﾟ🎃 𝗯𝗈𝗼 ! ◥(*`꒳´* )◤ 🧙‍♂️ .⠂🔮꒷꒦ﾟ･✧⌗ꜝ🕸

and a few more simple ideas i wanted to add on the fly <3 !

🎃 waking up - pj comfy clothes to the max !

🕸 lobster - orange and reds , add some big oven mitts as your claws !

🎃bumble bee - black and yellow , or yellow and black ?

🕸 sheep/lamb - fluffy soft light precious little baby

🎃 beanie babie - so simple and cute ! somebody has to give it a try

🕸 fairy - you can be any type of fairy ! grab your wings and let's go !

🎃 unicorn - i dressed up in a pink fluffy tutu and found a decently priced unicorn horn ! so much fun !

🕸 sunshine - all you need to wear is yellow and a bright smile on your face !

🎃 royalty - you could be any royalty from any time ! modern , victorian , medieval , or even something else ! maybe you're dressed out of the ordinary for some reason , like a royal spy ! im sure you have a story here's a crown DIY that ive done before for fun !

[birchwoodu]

Best Movies on Cybersecurity Watch in 2024

Hollywood has been fascinated by cyber security, cyberattacks, and the criminals that carry them out for almost fifty years. Since the turn of the twenty-first century, there has been a global explosion in the demand for and popularity of these kinds of films due to growing reliance on and acceptance of technology. This collection of films is ideal for anyone seeking a thrilling escape or to explore the world of information security in movies. Each film on this list either directly addresses cyber security, has multiple scenes that focus on the topic or captures the essence of why safeguarding sensitive data is so crucial.

You might be surprised to learn how similar the situations and characters in these stories are, as they are frequently based on actual occurrences. You might be surprised to hear that, for a number of these films, there are lessons that cyber security experts like us can all use in our day-to-day work.

New Releases in 2024 (Predicted):

Ghost Protocol (working title): A cyberwarfare thriller starring Chris Hemsworth as a black hat hacker turned asset for a government agency, navigating a complex international plot to hack into a powerful AI system. (Release date TBD)

Zero Day: A documentary exploring the rise and fall of Stuxnet, a weaponized computer worm targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, and the ethical and geopolitical implications of cyber warfare. (Release date: Early 2024)

Firewall Down: A high-stakes heist film where a team of skilled hackers attempt to pull off a daring cyberattack on a global financial institution, facing off against a seasoned security expert and unforeseen moral dilemmas. (Release date: Late 2024)

Must-Watch Classics:

The Matrix (1999): This sci-fi masterpiece explores the blurring lines between reality and the digital world, raising questions about data security and individual control in a technologically advanced society.

WarGames (1983): A teenage hacker accidentally accesses a military supercomputer capable of launching nuclear missiles, highlighting the dangers of cyber recklessness and the importance of responsible technology use.

Blackhat (2015): Chris Hemsworth portrays a convicted hacker forced to collaborate with the FBI to track down a cyberterrorist targeting nuclear power plants, showcasing the potential consequences of large-scale cyberattacks.

The Conversation (1974): Francis Ford Coppola's suspenseful film centers on a private investigator obsessed with surveillance technology, raising concerns about privacy in the age of digital eavesdropping.

Sneakers (1992): A lighthearted heist film featuring a team of ethical hackers recruited by the NSA to steal a government decoder, offering a glimpse into the world of cryptography and Cold War-era cyber espionage.

Ex Machina (2014): A thought-provoking sci-fi drama exploring the nature of consciousness and artificial intelligence, with themes of digital manipulation and the potential dangers of advanced technology.

The Great Hack (2019): This Netflix documentary investigates the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica data scandal, highlighting the vulnerabilities of personal information online and the ethical implications of social media influence.

The Net (1995): Sandra Bullock plays a systems analyst who works from home in California. After obtaining an enigmatic floppy disk that contains a backdoor into a well-known computer security system, she gets entangled in a fatal conspiracy. Numerous cyber security themes are covered in the plot, such as early instances of cyber terrorism, spoofing, and identity theft.

Ghost in the Shell (1995): One of the most significant cyberpunk entertainments in popular culture, this neo-noir animated thriller is based on Masamune Shirow's manga of the same name. Highlights include a plot centered around the hunt for a hacker known as the Puppet Master and philosophical questions regarding an individual’s place in a hyper-tech-reliant world.

Tech Thrillers:

Who Am I - No System is Safe (2014): German thriller about a young hacker drawn into a dangerous online game with real-world consequences.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009): A skilled hacker and investigative journalist team up to uncover a dark conspiracy involving cybercrime and corporate corruption.

Eagle Eye (2008): Two strangers are thrust into a high-tech chase orchestrated by a mysterious AI, exposing vulnerabilities in our interconnected world.

Cyber Heists:

Gold (2016): A group of friends plan a daring cyber heist targeting a global bank, using their unique skills to outsmart security measures.

Now You See Me 2 (2016): Masters of illusion return for an even grander heist, incorporating cutting-edge technology and cyber magic to pull off mind-bending stunts.

Ocean's Eleven (2001): The classic film gets a modern twist with the inclusion of tech experts for a daring casino robbery relying on intricate digital manipulations.

These are just a few examples, but many other movies explore the world of cybersecurity. Enjoy your movie marathon in 2024!

[varadchavan123]

Cleaning and Conditioning Leather Kolhapuris

Don’t wait, shop your favorites now!

Keep your Kolhapuri Chappals looking fresh by regularly cleaning and conditioning the leather. Use a soft brush to remove dirt and grime, then apply a leather conditioner to keep the leather supple and moisturized.

Storage Tips to Preserve Shape and Quality

When not in use, store your Kolhapuri Chappals in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Stuff them with tissue paper to help maintain their shape and prevent any creasing. Remember, happy feet = happy Chappals!

Shopping Tips for Authentic Kolhapuri Chappals

When it comes to buying authentic Kolhapuri chappals, a little know-how goes a long way. Here's what to consider:

Where to Find Genuine Kolhapuri Chappals

Visit local markets in Maharashtra or reputable online stores specializing in Indian footwear to find authentic Kolhapuri chappals. Look for brands that prioritize traditional craftsmanship and quality materials.

Navigating Online Purchases for Authenticity

When shopping online, look for detailed product descriptions, customer reviews, and photos that showcase the craftsmanship of the chappals. Ensure the seller has a good reputation and offers a secure payment process for peace of mind.

Styling Tips: How to Incorporate Kolhapuris Into Your Wardrobe

Kolhapuri chappals are versatile footwear that can elevate any outfit. Here's how to style them like a pro:

Casual vs. Dressy Outfit Pairings

For a casual daytime look, pair your Kolhapuri chappals with flowy dresses or jeans and a boho top. To dress them up for a special occasion, opt for a maxi dress or tailored pants with a chic blouse. These chappals will take you from brunch to the beach effortlessly.

Accessorizing with Kolhapuri Chappals for a Fashionable Look Accessorize your Kolhapuri chappals with statement jewelry, a floppy hat, or a fringe bag to add flair to your ensemble. These chappals are the perfect canvas for showcasing your personal style, so have fun mixing and matching accessories for a fashionable look that's uniquely  conclusion, by delving into the traditional craftsmanship, considering key factors in selecting premium quality, exploring diverse styles, and understanding care and maintenance essentials, you can truly appreciate and enjoy the timeless elegance of Kolhapuri chappals. 

Whether you are a seasoned enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of Indian footwear, these tips will guide you towards finding the perfect pair that not only fits your style but also enhances your wardrobe with a touch of heritage and sophistication. Embrace the essence of Kolhapuri chappals and step out in confidence, knowing you have chosen a footwear masterpiece that will stand the test of time.

FAQs

Are Kolhapuri chappals only suitable for traditional outfits?

How can I differentiate between authentic Kolhapuri chappals and imitations?

Can Kolhapuri chappals be worn in all seasons?

What is the best way to clean and maintain leather Kolhapuri chappals?

[taangerinetiger82]

Must-Have Floral Print Dresses for Your Spring Wardrobe

When it comes to a wardrobe staple that resonates with versatility, elegance, and perennial style, the floral print dress from Taangerine Tiger stands unmatched. As we explore the myriad ways this quintessential item can elevate your style quotient, you'll discover how essential a floral print dress is for every woman's closet.

Why Choose a Floral Print Dress?

Floral dresses have been a beloved choice through generations, and their appeal doesn't seem to wane. Perfect for any setting, from casual brunches to sophisticated weddings, these dresses offer a burst of color and a hint of romance to your everyday ensemble. At Taangerine Tiger, our floral print dresses are designed to celebrate femininity with comfortable fabrics and flattering fits.

Versatility Across Occasions

1. Casual Outings For a day out with friends or a relaxed weekend getaway, a floral linen maxi dress offers both comfort and style. Pair it with sandals or white sneakers, a denim jacket, and minimal jewelry for a look that speaks effortless chic.

2. Formal Events Elevate your floral dress for formal occasions by opting for a long linen dress with a more structured silhouette. Accessorize with elegant jewelry, a clutch, and high heels. Our dresses ensure you look poised and polished, whether it's a wedding or a corporate event.

3. Beach Days A lightweight linen floral dress serves as the perfect beach cover-up. Its breathable fabric and flowy design are ideal for warm days by the sea. Combine it with flip-flops, a wide-brimmed hat, and a straw tote for the ultimate beach ensemble.

4. Brunch with Friends Choose a floral brunch dress from our collection for that perfect blend of comfort and trendiness. Pair it with espadrilles or wedges and a chic crossbody bag to keep things light and stylish.

Seasonal Styling Tips

Spring/Summer: Embrace the warmth with our summer dresses online. Opt for lighter shades and soft floral prints. Accessories like sunglasses and a floppy hat will not only complement your look but also protect you from the sun.

Fall/Winter: Don’t shy away from wearing a floral print dress during cooler months. Layer it with tights, boots, and a cozy cardigan or a stylish coat. Richer floral tones and heavier fabrics make it season-appropriate.

Mix and Match with Linen Essentials

Taangerine Tiger also offers a range of linen essentials that pair beautifully with floral dresses. Linen shorts or a linen jumpsuit can be great additions to your wardrobe, offering comfort without compromising on style. These pieces are versatile, perfect for layering, and easy to dress up or down depending on the occasion.

Shop Your Style at Taangerine Tiger

Explore our exclusive collection at Taangerine Tiger, where we bring you an array of floral dresses, linen jumpsuits, beach dresses, and much more. Each piece is crafted with attention to detail and designed to make a statement.

Ready to Blossom in Style?

Dive into the world of floral elegance and timeless linen classics with Taangerine Tiger. Whether you're looking for something casual or a dress to impress, our selection is sure to enchant. Don't wait to refresh your wardrobe with the best of summer and beyond.Shop Now - Discover the perfect floral print dress and embrace your unique style with Taangerine Tiger!

[clothinginepal]

The Ultimate Guide to Hippie Cotton Shirts and Hippie Patchwork Shirts

When it comes to expressing individuality through fashion, Hippie Cotton Shirts and Hippie Patchwork Shirts stand out as iconic pieces that blend comfort, creativity, and a free-spirited ethos. These shirts are not just garments; they represent a lifestyle rooted in bohemian culture and artisanal craftsmanship.

Exploring Hippie Cotton Shirts

Hippie Cotton Shirt is beloved for their lightweight feel and natural fabric, making them perfect for those who prioritize comfort without sacrificing style. Crafted from 100% cotton, these shirts are breathable and soft against the skin, ideal for both warm and cool weather.

Features of Hippie Cotton Shirts

• Material: Made from pure cotton, ensuring comfort and sustainability.

• Design: Often adorned with tie-dye patterns, peace symbols, or nature-inspired prints that reflect the hippie ethos.

• Versatility: Suitable for everyday wear, yoga sessions, beach outings, or music festivals.

• Ethical Production: Many are produced under fair trade conditions, supporting sustainable and ethical practices.

Embracing Hippie Patchwork Shirts

Hippie Patchwork Shirt showcases a blend of creativity and recycling, as they are crafted from upcycled fabrics, often in a patchwork style that creates a unique visual appeal. Each shirt tells a story through its varied patterns and textures, making it a true testament to sustainable fashion.

Unique Characteristics of Hippie Patchwork Shirts

• Upcycled Fabrics: Utilizes remnants of fabric to create a colorful mosaic, reducing waste and promoting eco-friendliness.

• Artisanal Craftsmanship: Hand-stitched or machine-sewn by artisans, ensuring each piece is one-of-a-kind.

• Bohemian Aesthetic: Combines different textures, colors, and patterns for a whimsical and eclectic look.

• Statement Piece: Adds a distinctive flair to any outfit, reflecting the wearer's eclectic taste and commitment to sustainable fashion.

Styling Tips for Hippie Cotton and Patchwork Shirts

Casual Day Out

• Pair with jeans or shorts for a laid-back, effortless look.

• Accessorize with beaded necklaces and bracelets for a touch of bohemian chic.

• Complete the outfit with sandals or ankle boots for a relaxed yet stylish ensemble.

Festival Vibes

• Layer over a maxi skirt or denim shorts for a vibrant festival outfit.

• Add a floppy hat and round sunglasses to enhance the hippie-inspired aesthetic.

• Carry a fringed bag to complement the free-spirited vibe of the shirt.

Where to Find Hippie Cotton and Patchwork Shirts

For those looking to add Hippie Cotton Shirts and Hippie Patchwork Shirts to their wardrobe, exploring artisan markets, fair trade stores, or ethical online retailers is recommended. These sources often offer a wide selection of styles while supporting sustainable and ethical fashion practices.

Conclusion In conclusion, Hippie Cotton Shirts and Hippie Patchwork Shirts are more than just fashion statements; they embody values of creativity, sustainability, and cultural appreciation. Whether you choose the simplicity of cotton or the eclectic charm of patchwork, these shirts are a testament to individuality and conscious consumerism.

[littlewalken]

jun 20

I don't think the Troompa Loompas we're selling consignment stuff to know that Ghost is a Satanic band or what they even are because I sat there in my Impera shirt watching a man baby get upset they were all out of red hats.

Look, we agree that activists are annoying, those kids with genders and pronouns need to get hobbies, and that guy who put out the hit piece on Wendigoon need to get off the internet for awhile, oh and the restaurant in town that has fried zucchini slices doesn't taste like it used to. We'll leave it at there.

The flour water combo is bubbling and smelling a bit yeasty so I'm going to give it some more flour today and see what happens.

Setting up the dollhouse further, straitening out and culling the books, sewing on my quilt, and/or tidying up the Miraculous Ladybug notes all depends on how my neck and potential migraine go.

I numbered the pages wrong, so it's more like 35 instead of 33. Quite a few redundant theories I'll have to sort out somehow but it's good practice for my brain.

The Mini Brands Retro is nice, there's only a couple of pieces I'd like to get. Got myself three balls yesterday, no duplicates except the gold peanut butter. Found out a different line made Derwent pencils so I did an online order of that and a few other odds and ends.

Basically I want the composition book, floppy disc, cassette tape, and chocolate syrup in a can. Been wanting canned syrup since I missed it in a Re-Ment set.

However my hoarding goes mini things will be hard to resist as I spent my childhood wanting them and if I did get any they'd be broken or missing by the time I came back from school. Tiny plastic food is cheaper than therapy. And easier to get around here.

[omar252525]

Vintage-Inspired Party Dresses: Embrace Retro Glamour

Vintage-inspired party dresses offer a unique blend of nostalgia and timeless elegance, allowing you to stand out at any event with a touch of retro flair. Whether you’re drawn to the sophisticated silhouettes of the 1920s or the vibrant prints of the 1970s, vintage fashion provides endless inspiration for creating unforgettable party looks. In this blog, we’ll explore the charm of vintage-inspired dresses and provide tips on how to incorporate these timeless styles into your modern wardrobe.

The Allure of Vintage Fashion

Vintage fashion is beloved for its ability to evoke a sense of history and glamour. Each decade has its distinct style elements that continue to influence contemporary fashion. By embracing vintage-inspired dresses, you can pay homage to these iconic eras while showcasing your unique sense of style.

Iconic Silhouettes Through the Decades

1920s: The Flapper Dress

Characterized by dropped waists, loose silhouettes, and lavish embellishments such as fringe and beads, flapper dresses epitomize the carefree spirit of the Roaring Twenties.

Styling Tip: Pair with T-strap heels, a feathered headband, and a bold red lip for an authentic 1920s look.

1950s: The Fit-and-Flare Dress

The 1950s brought the hourglass silhouette into fashion, with cinched waists and full skirts creating a flattering fit-and-flare shape.

Styling Tip: Add a petticoat for extra volume, and accessorize with pearls and kitten heels to complete the classic look.

1960s: The Shift Dress

The shift dress, with its straight lines and simple shape, became a symbol of the Mod movement in the 1960s. Bold colors and graphic prints were popular features.

Styling Tip: Go for knee-high boots and statement earrings to channel the Mod aesthetic.

1970s: The Boho Maxi Dress

The 1970s embraced bohemian vibes, with flowing maxi dresses, earthy prints, and eclectic patterns defining the era’s style.

Styling Tip: Enhance the boho look with layered necklaces, bangles, and a floppy hat.

Incorporating Vintage Elements into Modern Fashion

To successfully integrate vintage-inspired dresses into your contemporary wardrobe, consider the following tips:

Mix and Match: Combine vintage pieces with modern accessories to create a balanced look. For example, pair a 1950s fit-and-flare dress with contemporary heels and a sleek handbag.

Focus on Details: Look for dresses that feature vintage-inspired details such as lace, embroidery, or unique buttons. These elements can add a nostalgic touch without overwhelming your outfit.

Play with Patterns: Vintage fashion often features distinctive patterns and prints. Don’t be afraid to experiment with bold florals, polka dots, or geometric designs to make a statement.

Accessorize Thoughtfully: Accessories play a crucial role in achieving a vintage look. Consider adding retro-inspired jewelry, shoes, and handbags to complete your ensemble.

Tailoring Matters: Proper fit is essential for any vintage-inspired outfit. Consider tailoring your dress to ensure it flatters your body shape perfectly.

Where to Find Vintage-Inspired Dresses

Whether you’re shopping for an authentic vintage piece or a modern dress with retro influences, there are plenty of options available:

Vintage Boutiques: Explore local vintage shops or online boutiques that specialize in authentic vintage clothing.

Thrift Stores: Thrift stores can be treasure troves for finding unique vintage pieces at affordable prices.

Modern Retailers: Many contemporary fashion brands offer vintage-inspired collections that capture the essence of past decades with modern fabrics and fits.

Conclusion

Vintage-inspired party dresses offer a delightful way to infuse your wardrobe with timeless glamour and charm. By understanding the iconic styles of different eras and learning how to incorporate them into your modern fashion sense, you can create stunning outfits that stand out at any event. Embrace the beauty of retro fashion and let the nostalgia of vintage dresses elevate your party look to new heights.

[restlessgem]

How many hats can you list without stopping to think too hard or search online?

Off the top of my head, fedora, bucket hat, top hat, baseball cap, winter hat, those floppy summer hats, and beanies. Do helmets count?

[shereen1]

The V-Neck Kaftan: Your Summer Style BFF (Brought to you by Emalina Fashion)

Hey fashionistas! Summer is upon us, and with it comes the desire for effortless style that keeps you cool and feeling confident. Enter the v-neck kaftan: your new best friend for breezy days and sizzling nights. Here at Emalina Fashion, we're obsessed with the versatility and flattering nature of the v-neck kaftan, and we're here to show you how to rock it all season long.

The V-Neck Advantage

The v-neckline is a magic trick in the fashion world. It elongates the neck, creates a balanced silhouette, and adds a touch of sophistication. In a kaftan dress, the v-neck complements the flowy design without sacrificing the relaxed vibe. Emalina Fashion offers a variety of v-neck depths, from a subtle dip to a more dramatic plunge, allowing you to choose the level of elegance that suits your personality.

A Symphony of Fabrics and Styles

The beauty of the v-neck kaftan lies in its ability to transform. Emalina Fashion's collection boasts a range of fabrics, lengths, and patterns to cater to your unique style:

Luxurious Comfort: Crafted from soft, breathable fabrics like silk, chiffon, or rayon, our kaftans drape beautifully and ensure all-day comfort. When the temperature drops, cozy up in a luxuriously soft knit v-neck kaftan – perfect for those cooler summer evenings.

Length is Your Canvas: Emalina Fashion understands that one size (or length) doesn't fit all. We offer v-neck kaftans in a variety of lengths, from playful minis that show off your legs to elegant maxis that command attention. Choose a mini kaftan for a flirty beach look or a maxi kaftan for a dramatic entrance at a summer party.

A World of Prints and Colors: Unleash your inner artist with Emalina's v-neck kaftans that come in a kaleidoscope of colors and prints. From bold florals and vibrant stripes to classic solids and captivating tie-dye, you'll find a kaftan that reflects your personality.

Effortless Style for Every Occasion

The v-neck kaftan is a chameleon, adapting to any occasion. Here's how Emalina Fashion can inspire your v-neck kaftan journey:

Beach Babe:  For a breezy beach look, throw on a short v-neck kaftan over your swimsuit. Accessorize with a wide-brimmed sun hat, statement sunglasses, and colorful sandals for an extra dose of beachside fun.

Effortless Errands:  Emalina's v-neck kaftans in solid colors or simple prints are perfect for running errands or casual lunches with friends. Pair your kaftan with flat sandals or wedges and a tote bag for a relaxed yet stylish ensemble.

Bohemian Dream:  Channel your inner boho goddess with a flowy maxi kaftan in a vibrant print. Layer on some chunky necklaces and bangles, and complete the look with gladiator sandals for a festival-ready vibe.

Night Out Ready:  Transform your v-neck kaftan into an evening showstopper! Choose a kaftan in a luxurious fabric like silk and a sophisticated color like emerald green or midnight blue. Add a statement belt to cinch your waist, elevate your look with heels, and accessorize with sparkling jewelry for a night to remember.

Emalina Fashion: Your V-Neck Kaftan Destination

At Emalina Fashion, we believe every woman deserves to feel confident and beautiful. Our curated collection of v-neck kaftan dresses offers endless possibilities to express your unique style.  Browse our collection online or visit our stores to discover the perfect v-neck kaftan for your sizzling summer adventures.

Here are some additional tips to take your v-neck kaftan game to the next level:

Play with Proportions: Balance the loose silhouette of the kaftan with a fitted belt or a cropped denim jacket for a trendy touch.

Accessorize with Intention: Statement jewelry, a scarf tied around your waist, or a floppy hat can elevate your kaftan look and add a personal touch.

Embrace Boldness: Don't be afraid to experiment with vibrant prints and colors. Confidence is the best accessory! With Emalina Fashion's v-neck kaftans, comfort and style go hand-in-hand. So ditch the stress and embrace the effortless elegance of the v-neck kaftan dress. Let loose, have fun, and discover a world of summer style possibilities