#SEVERAL GEM APPAREL PIECES

[bladehorror]

[standing in the corner] They don't know I've created 6 different fandragons in the past 3 days from scry to finish

[vlyteng]

Fast fashion is out, Slow fashion is in!

The detrimental effects of the fast fashion business on the environment and society have come to public attention in recent years due to social media. Fast fashion is the activity of mass producing inexpensive, trend-driven apparel that encourages consumers to buy more in a short time span and soon discard it due to the garment going out of style or because of its poor condition after a few washes. As a result, there is now a culture of wasteful fashion consumption, which is terrible for the environment. One of the biggest fast fashion companies of our time, SHEIN, reported an eye-dropping revenue of USD 22.7 billion in just 2022 (KrAsia 2023). This can be due to the influence of microcelebrities and how quickly people jump on to new trends without thinking about where their products are coming from. As consumers are becoming more aware of the origins of their products, companies are also starting to implement more sustainable and eco-friendly fashion to their businesses. Some companies that are working towards a more sustainable fashion industry include Monki, H&M and Levi’s. I believe many people have already explained what slow and fast fashion is, so I will be sharing some ways to minimise waste and to make more sustainable fashion choices!

Recently, thrifting has also become a trend! Thrifting refers to the act and process of purchasing old products from secondhand shops (Okafor 2022). However, thrifting can be done online now such as through Carousell and Facebook Marketplace. According to ThredUp’s Annual Resale Report from the previous year, thrifting is developing into a global phenomenon and is anticipated to increase by 127% by 2026 (Quick 2023). Thrifting has become popular since users on social media have started regularly posting their thrifted gems online such as TikTok and Instagram.

To be able to thrift, we need people willing to sell, or even donate old clothes, which is also a sustainable way to participate in fashion. We may not notice this issue but there are a lot of people that do not have access to basic necessities such as clean clothes, running water and food, the things that most of us take for granted all the time. Donating clothes to the needy and those living in poverty is not only a meaningful and kind gesture to those that need your help but it’s also good for the environment! Your old clothes or pieces that you don’t wear anymore won’t end up in landfills but will be relayed to someone that needs it more than anything.

Don’t be afraid to play around with old clothes! After a certain period of time, we may find a piece of clothing boring or not suitable for our aesthetics or taste. To spice things up, we can experiment with tie dye, bleach, embroidery and more on old pieces. If you’re handy with sewing, you can even take apart old clothes and turn them into completely new creations such as tote bags, blankets, pillow covers and more! How cool would it be to have your very own blanket made out of a bunch of old clothes?

This is more on the obvious side but buying less clothes can directly help protect the planet and those suffering due to unfair labours. Oftentimes we get the feeling that we “don’t have anything to wear” or “don’t have enough clothes” but this is far from the truth. On average, clothing is typically worn for seven times until they’re disposed of (Nizzoli 2022). In 2022, the population is buying 60% more clothes compared to 2022 (Nizzoli 2022). This results in an 18.6 million tonnes of textile waste and clothing to be thrown away globally each year (Nizzoli 2022). Whether we subconsciously think that we do not have enough clothes or are peer pressured into fitting in or catching up with trends, this can severely affect the environment as we are contributing to a large amount of waste for absolutely no reason. Before you purchase anything, think about where this product comes from and whether you really need it. If you don’t, put it back, the planet and your wallet will thank you!

Last but not least, wash your clothes correctly! I cannot stress this enough, a good pair of jeans can last you a good five years but only if you wash it properly and take care of it. Clothes come with wash instructions on the back or on the tag and it is recommended that we follow the given instructions. The best way to keep your clothes in tip-top condition is through hand washing but obviously it’s hard to do that in the 21st century due to how busy our schedules are. Some tips to take note of are to wash them less frequently (but not until the point where they stink), avoid drying clothes in the dryer as it strips the colour of your clothes faster and to avoid using hot water when cleaning.

While I understand that some people have no choice but to choose fast fashion options, it is so important that we are mindful when choosing the clothes we buy and not take it for granted. Quality over quantity is the most important tip, choose clothes and accessories that are timeless or compliment each other so they can be worn for many years to come no matter the occasion.

References

KrAsia 2023, Shein’s Growth Threatened by Multiple Challenges, KrAsia, viewed 10 June 2023, https://kr-asia.com/sheins-growth-threatened-by-multiple-challenges.

Nizzoli, G 2022, How Many Times Do We Wear Our Clothes? (Not Enough!), Project Cece, viewed 11 June 2023, https://www.projectcece.com/blog/506/how-many-times-do-we-wear-our-clothes/.

Okafor, J 2022, What Does It Mean To Go Thrifting?, TRVST, viewed 10 June 2023, https://www.trvst.world/sustainable-living/fashion/what-does-it-mean-to-go-thrifting/.

Quick, C 2023, Here’s Why Thrifted Style Is One Of The Biggest Fashion Trends Right Now, Her Agenda, viewed 10 June 2023, https://heragenda.com/p/thrifting-becoming-popular-among-millennials-and-how-to-shop-second-hand/.

[travelvibes01]

Exploring Milton's Hidden Gems Unique Shops and Boutiques

Nestled in the rolling hills of North Fulton County, Milton, Georgia, is a charming city known for its picturesque landscapes, friendly community, and a wealth of unique shopping experiences. While often overshadowed by larger neighboring cities, Milton offers a treasure trove of distinctive shops and boutiques that cater to diverse tastes and interests. For those looking for things to do in Milton GA, a day spent exploring these hidden gems can be both delightful and rewarding.

Fashion Finds at Spruce and The Green Bean Exchange

Fashion enthusiasts will find plenty to love at Spruce and The Green Bean Exchange. Spruce offers a carefully selected range of women's clothing and accessories that combine contemporary styles with timeless elegance. The Gnu Bean Exchange, on the other hand, specializes in upscale consignment, providing an ever-changing inventory of high-quality pre-loved items. Both stores offer a personalized shopping experience, ensuring that every visit yields a unique discovery.

Personalized Gifts and Décor at Mugs on Milton

For custom gifts and personalized home décor, Mugs on Milton is a must-visit. This boutique offers a range of items that can be customized to suit any occasion. From monogrammed mugs and personalized pillows to bespoke signs and ornaments, Mugs on Milton provides an opportunity to create truly special keepsakes. The friendly staff are always ready to assist with design ideas and customization options.

Outdoor Adventures and Nature Boutiques

Things to do in Milton GA offers a range of options to explore nature and find unique gear. The city’s lush parks and scenic trails provide ample opportunities for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, making it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. This gives an extensive guide to what things to do in Milton GA.

Outdoor Gear at Mountain High Outfitters

For those who prefer hiking and camping, Mountain High Outfitters provides a wide range of outdoor gear and apparel. From durable hiking boots and high-performance outerwear to camping equipment and accessories, this store has everything you need for your next adventure. The staff are outdoor enthusiasts themselves, offering valuable insights and recommendations to help you make the most of Milton's natural beauty.

Cultural Enrichment at Local Art Galleries

In addition to shopping, Milton is home to several art galleries that showcase the work of local and regional artists. These cultural hubs provide a space for art lovers to explore and appreciate diverse forms of expression.

Artistic Expressions at Vinings Gallery

Vinings Gallery is a standout venue that features a rotating selection of contemporary artwork, including paintings, sculptures, and mixed media pieces. The gallery's curated exhibitions highlight the talent and creativity of both established and emerging artists. It's a wonderful place to discover new art, engage with the creative community, and even acquire a unique piece for your collection.

Community Art at The Milton Artists Guild Gallery

The Milton Artists Guild Gallery is another fantastic destination for art enthusiasts. This cooperative gallery is run by local artists who showcase their work in a variety of mediums, from painting and photography to ceramics and textiles. The gallery also hosts workshops and events, providing opportunities for community members to engage with the arts and develop their own creative skills.

Conclusion

Milton, Georgia, is a city that offers much more than meets the eye. Its unique shops and boutiques reflect the community's spirit, creativity, and dedication to excellence. For those seeking things to do in Milton GA, exploring these hidden gems is a delightful way to experience the city's charm and discover its many treasures. From fashion and home décor to artisanal goods and outdoor gear, Milton's diverse shopping scene has something for everyone. So next time you find yourself in this picturesque city, take the time to wander through its charming shops and boutiques – you never know what hidden gem you might find.

[jaipurmorni]

Find the Best Clothes Shops in Jaipur for Stylish Apparel

Jaipur, referred to as the Pink City, isn't always best well-known for its wealthy records and majestic palaces, however additionally for its colourful and precise style scene. The metropolis gives a plethora of clothes shops that cater to various tastes, mixing conventional Rajasthani craftsmanship with modern-day styles. Whether you are a resident or a tourist, Jaipur's clothes shops offer an array of fashionable clothes that guarantee to feature allure for your wardrobe. Here, we discover a number of the best clothes shops in Jaipur, with a unique recognition of Jaipur Morni. 

1. Jaipur Morni: A Blend of Tradition and Modernity :- 

Jaipur Morni is a call synonymous with fashionable and low priced ethnic wear. Located withinside the coronary heart of the metropolis, this save gives a remarkable variety of conventional Rajasthani clothing, consisting of sarees, lehengas, and kurtis. The series at Jaipur Morni is understood for its complex block prints, colourful colours, and super fabric, making it a favourite amongst locals and travellers alike. Their online store, Jaipur Morni, guarantees that style fans can keep from the consolation in their homes, with a large choice of dresses, tops, and tunics.

Key Highlights of Jaipur Morni: 

Variety: 

From stylish sarees to informal cotton dresses, Jaipur Morni gives a huge variety of alternatives for each occasion. 

Quality: 

The save is famed for its use of top class fabric and complex designs. 

Affordability: 

Despite the super offerings, the costs are reasonable, making it handy to a vast audience. 

Convenience: 

With an easy-to-navigate online save, purchasing fashionable clothes has in no way been easier. 

2. Anokhi: Sustainable and Stylish :-

Anokhi is every other gem in Jaipur's style scene, acknowledged for its dedication to sustainable style. The logo specialises in green practices and helps nearby artisans. Anokhi's collections characteristic modern-day designs with a hint of conventional craftsmanship, providing the entirety from informal put on to stylish nighttime dresses. 

Why Anokhi Stands Out: 

Sustainability:

Anokhi emphasises green manufacturing methods. 

Artisan Support: 

The logo helps nearby artisans, keeping conventional skills. 

Unique Designs: 

Each piece is a mix of present day fashion and conventional craftsmanship. 

3. Fabindia: Tradition with a Modern Twist 

Fabindia is a famous logo throughout India, and it's Jaipur outlet is a testimony to the metropolis's love for conventional attire. Fabindia's series consists of quite a few ethnic put on, domestic decor, and natural products. The save is mainly well-known for its handwoven fabric and conventional designs that cater to trendy sensibilities. 

Fabindia's Appeal: 

Handwoven Fabrics: 

Emphasis on conventional weaving techniques. 

Wide Range: 

From clothes to domestic decor, the shop gives a variety of products. 

Organic Products: 

Commitment to natural and sustainable products. 

4. Rasa: Elegant and Exclusive 

Rasa is a boutique that focuses on modern-day ethnic wear. The logo is understood for its stylish designs and extraordinary collections. Rasa's clothing regularly feature sensitive embroidery and steeply-priced fabric, making it a go-to vacation spot for the ones seeking to upload a hint of class to their wardrobe. 

Rasa's Unique Selling Points: 

Exclusive Collections: 

Limited version portions that stand out. 

Elegant Designs: 

Focus on complex embroidery and steeply-priced fabric. 

Boutique Experience: 

Personalized purchasing enjoyed with attentive service. 

Conclusion :-

In Jaipur Morni, the clothes shops provide a variety of fashionable clothes that caters to numerous tastes and preferences. From the conventional allure of Jaipur Morni to the sustainable practices of Anokhi, the metropolis presents style fans with several alternatives to discover. Whether you are searching out regular put on or something unique for an occasion, Jaipur's style scene guarantees now no longer to disappoint. So, the following time you are withinside the Pink City, ensure to go to those pinnacle clothes shops and increase your fashion quotient with their remarkable collections.

[dinosaurhoodie]

Roar in Style: The Dinosaur Hoodie Trend

Step into the world of fashion with a prehistoric twist as the Dinosaur Hoodie trend takes center stage. These unique garments combine the comfort of a classic hoodie with the fierce allure of dinosaurs, making a bold statement that is both playful and stylish. From casual streetwear to eye-catching statement pieces, the Dinosaur Hoodie has captured the imagination of fashion enthusiasts and dinosaur lovers alike.

With designs featuring ferocious T-Rexes, majestic Velociraptors, and other ancient reptiles, these hoodies add a touch of whimsy to any outfit. Whether you're looking to channel your inner paleontologist or simply stand out from the crowd, the Dinosaur Hoodie offers a fun and creative way to express your personality through fashion. Join the roar of fashion-forward individuals embracing this trend and let your wardrobe speak volumes with these prehistoric-inspired pieces.

Benefits of Dinosaur Hoodies

Dinosaur hoodies bring a sense of fun and whimsy to your wardrobe. The unique and playful designs can help you stand out and express your individuality.

These hoodies are versatile and can be worn for various occasions. Whether you're lounging at home, running errands, or meeting up with friends, a dinosaur hoodie adds a touch of creativity to your outfit.

Dinosaur Hoodie Custom Dinosaur Hoodie Kids Dinosaur Hoodie Adult Dinosaur Hoodie Tubbo Dinosaur Hoodie Cute Dinosaur Hoodie

In addition to style, dinosaur hoodies are also comfortable and cozy to wear. The soft material and roomy hood make them perfect for relaxing in, keeping you warm and snug during colder days.

Popular Designs

One popular design in the dinosaur hoodie trend is the realistic dinosaur scale print, giving wearers a lifelike and fierce appearance. These hoodies often feature intricate scale details and vibrant color schemes, making them stand out as a bold fashion statement.

Another sought-after design is the cute and cartoonish dinosaur hoodie, showcasing adorable dinosaur characters with big eyes and playful expressions. These hoodies appeal to those who prefer a more whimsical and light-hearted approach to showcasing their love for dinosaurs.

For those looking for a more minimalistic and modern twist, there are sleek and stylish dinosaur silhouette hoodies. These designs often feature simple outlines of various dinosaur species, offering a subtle nod to the prehistoric era while maintaining a contemporary edge.

Where to Buy

When looking to purchase a dinosaur hoodie, there are several options to consider. Many clothing stores now offer a variety of dinosaur-themed apparel for both children and adults. Online retailers such as Amazon and Etsy also have a wide selection of unique and customizable dinosaur hoodies to choose from.

For those looking for a more personalized touch, consider checking out local boutiques or specialty shops that specialize in pop culture merchandise. These smaller stores may carry limited edition dinosaur hoodies that you won't find in larger chain stores. Additionally, attending comic book or pop culture conventions can also be a great way to discover exclusive dinosaur hoodie designs from independent artists.

If you are a fan of vintage or retro styles, be sure to explore thrift stores, consignment shops, and online marketplaces such as eBay. You never know what hidden gem you might uncover while hunting for a one-of-a-kind dinosaur hoodie that adds a unique flair to your wardrobe.

[benjaminhugo]

Exploring Vintage Clothing at Headlock Vintage Clothing Sales

In the fast fashion world of today’s society, Headlock is a store of choice for vintage fashionistas. They have a vast collection of vintage styles and hold frequent vintage sales, which all make the place the go-to store for vintage lovers looking for their signature pieces. Donning retro attire is a method of lifting your spirit and making you more confident. Moreover, the items on our site prove to be the ideal match for your accessories, and therefore you will look charming.

Edinburgh Vintage Clothing Sale:

It is a place where you are guaranteed to be transported back to the past as you step inside a visual history of fashion. These pop-up experiences are held in adorable places such as abandoned warehouses or existing buildings that attract both locals and tourists alike with the thrill of finding lost treasures taken from the past.

Attendees can expect to come across a carefully selected assortment of vintage gems, from dainty Victorian handcrafts to loud and classy 80s ensembles. Without an exception, whether they need to protect themselves against the severe Scottish climate with a favorite timeless Barbour jacket or strive to show their pride with a rare retro football shirt, customers will be spoilt for choice at this eye-catching event.

Besides the clothing racks, the Edinburgh Vintage Clothing Sale has also been known to hold huge discounts and offers. It's about so much more than shopping; it's the entertainment of fashion, culture, and fellow people's spirits.

Glasgow Vintage Clothing Sale:

While in the largest city of Scotland, Glasgow, the Glasgow Vintage Clothing Sale has its own vintage and modern-day fashion uniqueness. The vintage scene of Glasgow, which is famous for its grunge and eccentricity, caters to people with an assortment of tastes, either the ones who want to look cool or who yearn to be vintage.

The Glasgow Vintage Clothing Sale also delivers a diversity of clothing and accessories. They have a variety of items, from vintage sweatshirts to sportswear. It is the place where fashion experimentation and self-expression are allowed and encouraged. So, those who want to go off the beaten path and rewrite the style rules can do so.

Expanding the Vintage Collection:

Our store's amazing array of priceless items are classic Barbour jackets, stylish Carhartt jackets, and well-known sports brands like Adidas and Nike. In addition to live events, our online store offers an extensive selection of vintage apparel. You can also drop in at some festivals and events in search of exclusive designs that express your personality.

Browse through the website, explore, and expand your vintage collection with a classy retro football shirt  Pair it up with a sporty vintage bag, and voila, you are ready to impress the world.

Conclusion : 

Whether you are a sports enthusiast or a fashionista, Headlock is a one-stop destination for all your retro clothing needs.

It does not matter if you've been a vintage collector for a long time or if you're just discovering your love of second-hand fashion; these sales are an extraordinary chance for you to uncover new pieces. Headlock presents you with exquisite vintage collections to explore.

[brandedsurplus]

Surplus Clothing Wholesale - A Great Opportunity for Fashion Businesses

If you're in the fashion business, keeping up with the latest trends and stocking up on inventory can be expensive. However, there is a way to save money and still stay competitive in the market. Buying surplus clothing wholesale can get high-quality garments at discounted prices and increase your profit margins.

Surplus clothing refers to clothing that has been overproduced, canceled orders, or closeouts. These garments are sold to wholesalers at a discounted price, who then sell them to retailers or individual buyers. As a fashion business owner, you can benefit from buying surplus clothing in several ways.

Firstly, buying surplus clothing wholesale allows you to access high-quality garments at lower prices. This means that you can offer your customers fashionable and trendy pieces at a reasonable price point, which can increase customer loyalty and sales.

Secondly, buying surplus clothing wholesale can help you diversify your inventory. You can add a variety of new styles to your collection without having to spend a lot of money upfront.

Lastly, buying Surplus Garments Stock online can help you stay competitive in the market. By offering high-quality garments at discounted prices, you can compete with larger retailers and online stores that have a more significant buying power than you do.

Now that you understand the benefits of buying Surplus Garments Stock online, you may be wondering how to go about it. Fortunately, buying surplus garments stock online has never been easier. There are several online marketplaces that offer surplus clothing at discounted prices.

To get started, you need to research online marketplaces that offer surplus clothing. Look for reputable websites that offer a wide variety of styles and sizes. Make sure to read reviews and check the website's return policy before making a purchase.

Once you have found a website that you like, start browsing their inventory. Look for styles that fit your brand's aesthetic and customer base. Make sure to consider the price point, as well as the quality of the garments.

When making a purchase, make sure to order a variety of sizes and styles to cater to different customers. Also, consider buying in bulk to get a better price point.

Surplus Garments stock online can be a great way to save money and stay competitive in the fashion industry. By following these tips, you can buy surplus garments stock online and boost your profits. Remember to do your research, buy a variety of sizes and styles, and order in bulk to get the best deals.

Tips for Finding and Buying Surplus Apparel in India

India is a country known for its vibrant textile industry, producing a wide range of clothing and apparel for both domestic and international markets. However, as with any industry, there is bound to be a surplus stock that needs to be cleared out to make way for new collections. Surplus apparel stock in India is a great way for consumers to score some amazing deals on high-quality clothing. In this blog post, we'll share some tips on how to find and buy surplus apparel in India.

Visit Factory Outlets and Clearance Sales

One of the best ways to find surplus apparel in India is to visit factory outlets of ValueShoppe and clearance sales. Many textile factories and apparel brands have factory outlets where they sell their excess stock at discounted prices. Keep an eye out for advertisements in local newspapers or on social media platforms for upcoming sales.

Shop Online

The internet has made it easier than ever to find surplus clothing apparel in India. Many online retailers offer surplus clothing at discounted prices. Some of the popular websites to buy surplus clothing in India include ValueShoppe

Check out Local Markets

If you are looking for unique pieces of surplus apparel stock in India, then local markets are a great place to start. You can find some hidden gems in these markets that are not available in traditional retail stores.

Look for Wholesale Dealers

Wholesale dealers are another great source of surplus clothing in India. These dealers buy excess stock from textile factories and sell them in bulk to retailers. If you are looking to buy surplus clothing in large quantities, then wholesale dealers are the way to go.

Surplus apparel in India is a great way to save money and score some amazing deals on high-quality clothing. Whether you're looking for traditional ethnic wear or Western outfits, there's something for everyone. Follow these tips to find the best deals and add some stylish pieces to your wardrobe.

[trenttrendspotter]

Beauty Brands Can Star at Sundance

There were a variety of exciting programs at Sundance this year, each with their own special activations. I truly believe Sundance has huge potential for beauty marketers because the event draws very influential change agents, storytellers, celebrities, and the people behind the scenes from attorneys and accountants to makeup artists and photographers. Participants come from around the world for nonstop meetings, screenings, skiing and partying in a picturesque, yet relatively cold and high altitude environment, all of which require beauty support.

Although no beauty brands were official sponsors of this year's Sundance, some managed to get in on the action and I had the pleasure of experiencing what they had to offer. These companies provided unique and luxurious treatments, services and products for those who needed relief from the stressful hustle and bustle at the festival, especially for celebrities who needed to recuperate and look their best. For them, Sundance became a beauty and wellness retreat and there was something for everyone.

HigherDOSE, a leading brand in biohacking inside-out wellness and beauty offered a pop-in spa at The Wrap photo lounge during opening weekend. They offered mini detox, “recover and glow-up sessions featuring their best-selling hero technology: the infrared pemf mat, infrared sauna blanket and red light face mask.  

Fiona Hillery, head of brand experience at HigherDOSE, says, “We were thrilled to be a part of Sundance for the first time. Makeup artists were very willing to post about our award-winning technology. We have a passionate fan base in the community who use infrared and red light for red carpet. We helped the people that needed it most to be sustained throughout the Sundance Sprint.”

Several celebs loved the facial so much that they went home with the signature masks to rejuvenate again on the way home. Others requested infrared blankets to be sent to their homes for detox.

Brandon Wright of Roth Ivy who hosted the Wrap during the Sundance Film Festival says, "We are always trying to instruct our clients to give swag they would use. For instance, we like to gift luggage or a bag, high end cosmetics, functional apparel or functional tech. Most companies miss the boat on gift giving.”

It’s important to ask oneself, what would you want? What will you remember? What do you talk about? Keep in mind it’s best if the gift is personal, less is more. You can absolutely create relationships through gifts. Products sell themselves if they are good.

Wright said, “What would you rave about? Everything, even the most mundane, if presented the right way has that potential.  For instance you can give away light bulbs or create the most amazing light installation which becomes an everlasting memory. Marketers have to be creative and assess what will realistically make it into a carry-on suitcase.”  

Ericka Nicole Malone Entertainment invited “selected filmmakers, true entertainment professionals and tastemakers” to a day of stories and conversations with Indie filmmakers and musicians along with a night of performances by award winning R&B artists.

They were given many products, one being Ra.D8 Collagen Sparkling Tea. Ra.D8 skin soda supports glowing and healthy skin with a sparkling infusion of synergistic clinically proven ingredients to fight UV damage.  Gifting also supported brands such as House of Broadnax Beauty, MediTEAtions Manifest LOVE, Detox blends and more. With its beautifully built-out space dripping in art deco elegance featuring chandeliers, candles, furs, fragrant florals, white leather furniture, shag carpets, gold statement pieces, and beyond, the experience won’t be forgotten.

One of the gems of Park City is the bVital Spa which has many ahead of the curve technologies. They had a suite at the tip of Sundance where Crystal Tones Bowls were played, and guests could make appointments for soundbaths. While I got acupuncture from a bVital practitioner, they did a private concert for me that they said made the needles even more powerful.  

Lifewave patches were given to VIPs. I experienced its IceWave patches to relieve back pain.

The experiences were ones to never forget. These brands are paving a new road to recovery in the health and wellness sphere with their wonderful and impactful products and services. I’m really looking forward to what Sundance and these brands have in store next year.

Nancy Trent (http://www.trentandfcompany.com/; mailto:nancy@trentandcompany) is a writer and speaker, a lifelong wellness activist, a globe-trotting trend watcher, and the founder and president of Trent & Company, the leading wellness PR firm. Trent & Company, which launched many health and beauty brands, grew out of Nancy's personal and passionate commitment to helping people live longer and healthier lives. A former journalist for New York magazine, Nancy has written seven books on healthy lifestyles, serves on the editorial boards of several magazines and travels around the world speaking at conferences and trade shows on trends in the marketplace. She is a recognized expert in PR with more than 30 years of experience creating and managing highly successful campaigns.

[ringleaderising]

Day 2 Checkpoint!

Treasure: +1.2 Mil

Gems: +~2000

Eggs (total count): 3

Misc Drops: More hippos than I could count, several battle stones, multiple coli-only apparel pieces

Day 1 profit checkpoint:

Counting tonight's grinding session because I didn't go to bed properly until an ungodly hour. So today will have 2 rounds of familiar bonding and dailies.

Treasure: +800k

Gems: +2000g

Eggs: 1

Misc Drops: sailfin parchment, ambush x2

If you don't want to see this for the next 14 days blacklist the "Ring's Nocmas Roundup" tag!

[a-ridgeback]

i have enough money for a wc scroll

[latristereina]

When Catherine of Aragon (1485–1536) moved to England in 1501 to marry her first husband, the Tudor prince Arthur (1486–1502), she brought shoes. Lots of shoes. Her shoemakers, Diego de Madrid and Diego de Valencia, had started to make her shoes when she was two years old and continued to do so until she left for England at the age of sixteen. That year, 1501, they were very busy men. The detailed accounts of Gonzalo de Baeza, Queen Isabel’s treasurer (continuous from Catherine’s birth in 1485 to Isabel’s death in 1504) note that the royal shoemakers crafted fifty-one pairs of soft leather buskins (borçeguies), short boots that came up over her ankles, and sixty-eight pairs of black leather slip- pers (servillas; also spelled xervillas). It is likely that her baggage also included cork-soled platform mules known as chapines, probably covered in velvet and intricate embroidery such as those made for her in 1497: “twelve pairs of chapines from Valencia for the infantas [María and Catherine], six of them one hand high and the other six three fingers high, at 175 [maravedís] each, some of them more, totaling 1,990 [maravedís]”. These chapines were a regal variant of shoes that were a staple of Mediterranean societies, sturdy and very handy to keep skirts from dragging through the muck of medieval streets.

The first glimpses of chapines can be found in sixteenth-century drawings, watercolors, and costume books. Given that fashion is the product of observation, does the fact that feet and shoes are not depicted mean that shoes were not considered fashion? It would be decades after Catherine before women’s shoes stepped forward as part of the fashionable attire of a stylish woman.

With her chapines, Catherine brought something fresh and novel to the Tudor court. She brought Spanishness, and with it a wider cultural horizon that encompassed more than just dozens of pairs of shoes. Her arrival signified England’s arrival on an international stage. More broadly speaking, Catherine’s shoes reveal the “capacity of clothing to organize ideas about cultural change.” They can be used to document the transmittal of a culture of style from her home in Spain at Medina del Campo, through her shoemakers in Valencia and Madrid, and the Muslim culture of Granada that was the source of many of the design elements, and ultimately to her new home at the Tudor court in London. The events celebrating her marriage—the allegorical masques and plays, the highly structured processions through London that marked one’s status, family, and affinity relationships—were the culmination of her transformation from infanta Catalina to Ladie Kateryne of Spayne. English kings sometimes married French-born women, but there had not been a Spanish-born queen of England since Eleanor of Castile (1241–90) married Edward I (1239–1307). By 1501, Spain commanded not just the Iberian peninsula but also the Habsburg domains in Central Europe and the Americas. Catherine’s shoes, hats, hooped skirts, and her hair—in fact, her entire wardrobe—was a visual presentation of her foreignness. It marked the move of the Tudor dynasty from a small insular English realm to one far more broadly European in outlook and ambition.

The visual elements of her style signified foreignness, an exotic southern sensibility that startled, even shocked, the English. Her attire attracted comment almost immediately. The English who attended the festivities celebrating Catherine’s arrival in England noted her “attire after the manor of Spain”:

And aftir theim rode the Princes upon a great mule richely trapped aftir the manour of Spayne, the Duke of Yorke on her right hand and the Legate of Rome on her left hande. She was in riche apparell on her body aftir the manour of her contre, and upon her hed a litill hatte fashounyd like a cardinalles hatte of a praty brede with a lase of golde at this hatt to steye hit, her heere hanging down abowt her shulders, which is faire aburne, and in maner of a coyfe betwene her hede and her hatt of a carnacion colour, and that was fastenyd from the myddis of her hed upwards so as men might weell se all her heere from the myddill parte of her hed downward.

There is no mention of shoes, but the anonymous author commented on just about everything else: the other Spanish ladies in the procession (four from England and four from Spain) also had their hair down, wore a red hat like a cardinal’s hat “as the Princes hade.” But they wore black gowns, with black “kerchiers” on their heads “like unto the fachion of a religious woman aftir the maner of Spayne.”

Sadly, there are no detailed descriptions of the many shoes in her wardrobe and few records of gifts given by Catherine until she married Henry in 1509. But Ruth Matilda Anderson, María M. Carrión, María del Cristo González Marrero, and Elizabeth Semmelhack provide vital clues to just what those shoes might have looked like in the early modern period.

First Catherine would don brightly colored, perhaps embroidered, hose made from Holland linen. In the privacy of her chamber, Catherine had two options: a sandal, perhaps the flat-soled cork the Muslims in Spain called an aqraq, or lightweight slippers (servillas) made of fine leather with a very thin sole and closed backs that could be worn inside a chapín. In more public places she would have worn borçeguies [soft leather buskins]. These calf-high or knee- high boots of cloth or leather fit close to the leg, were wide at the heel and narrow at the toes, and were made in a myriad of colors and sometimes adorned with bands of color. The finest quality buskins were made of cordovan leather (named for the Spanish city Córdoba, the etymological source of the English words “cordovan” and “cordwainer,” the term for a shoemaker), but sheepskin was often used too. Made with turnsole construction (put together inside out and turned right-side-out when finished), they could be soled with goatskin, lined with cloth or fur, and could have a modest platform sole.

The chapín was by far the most distinctive and complex shoe. These thick-soled platform shoes were the status footwear of discriminating women of all ages. The basic style is a shoe that was worn over a slipper out of doors. Most Spanish chapines were closer to an overshoe with an inset strap, made for navigating dirty streets and visible, not hidden under skirts. Chapines were ubiquitous and thus unremarkable; so commonplace that they were essentially unmarked by rank or status. The manufacture calls for five layers of cork fragments pegged together with sharp-pointed pieces of cane, wider at the sides, narrow toward the ends, with a rise at the heel. The bits of cork were then covered with leather, frequently goatskin, with an outer sole that was flat and oval. The vamp sections would be interlined, lined with canvas or goatskin, finished along the upper edge with overhand stitching, with pierced holes for lacing up the shoe. Finally, the chapín was decorated with stamped or stitched patterns, gilt trim, and incised tooling in a Hispano-Muslim style with animal or floral designs.

The wide variety of cork-soled footwear spanned gender and rank, but chapines worn by elite women were distinctive. They were excessively high, gilded, jewel-studded, and often embellished with a metal ring around the base of the shoe, as much for durability as for panache. Each pair of these costly chapines could consume as much as half of yard of richly colored velvet or silk to cover the leather, as well as a dizzying array of embellishment options: hand-painted designs, several ounces of silver-gilt ornaments, gold thread, brocade, filigree, and semi-precious stones. It is not the height of the sole but the opulence of many chapines—embellished with embroidery and studded with gems—that moves the fashion off the street and into the royal court. Catherine’s sister Juana was said to have had more than seventy pairs, thirty-seven of which came from shoemakers in Valencia, a city famed for the manufacture of gilt leather. The Spanish passion for chapines crossed the border to Portugal only when another sister, Isabel, before leaving Spain in 1490 to marry King Afonso of Portugal, tucked into her baggage two pairs of chapines embroidered with gold thread that cost more than three-quarters of the price of a team of mules.

- Theresa Earenfight, The Shoes of an Infanta: Bringing the Sensuous, Not Sensible, “Spanish Style” of Catherine of Aragon to Tudor England

[vypersensor-fr]

I'm just going to be super snarky with this. Because this is so tiring it's ridiculous. So anon, are you going to pay for additional artists for the site so we can get more modern breeds with apparel quicker? Are you? Because in addition to the 3k+ pieces of apparel that has to be drawn on all of the modern breeds, and suppose these artists are working in a timeframe that doesn't give them crunch, you're either basically demanding these people work overtime and crunch, therefore leading to health issues down the line.....or you support the site monetarily and allow for the dev team to hire more artists, so that we can get moderns quicker. Think about that. You really think with the variety of the 3k+ pieces of apparel, it's so simple? I have to imagine you're not an artist. Otherwise you wouldn't be this silly with this dumb take. The devs have mentioned that the longest part of the process with making new modern breeds is the apparel redrawing process. And the gene team works on genes, and not the apparel, etc. Yes, there's 20 artists, but not all of them do apparel. You want more breeds with apparel faster? Maybe support the website with buying a few gems here and there. You might find that <gasp> they can get more people on board to help with getting new moderns out faster! Either that, or you can sit and wait several months without any new apparel or anything. Take your pick. Either way, stop acting so entitled to everything. Where has patience gone?

“it takes SO long putting apparel pngs on dragons, especially when they dont interact with the dragons body at all”

man u guys are right. it literally took me like 10 minutes 1000000 million hours to put those flowers on the dragon, and most of that time was spent lazily arduously erasing the background dragon that comes with apparel previews. they have the plain pngs so it’d probably take even LONGER for them, i cant even imagine. it would probably take a few seconds months to drag and drop the file onto the other ancients. heck it might even 5 minutes 18 solid hours with no breaks if i decide to fix some of the flowers that got cut in half.

if it was so difficult for me theres no way a team of 20 artists could manage it :(

[borkthemork]

Color Symbolism - How Steven’s Shirts Portray Different Portions of His Life

A quiet musing from last night had me thinking about this and I knew I had to do a bit more in explaining. But basically, throughout the three main SU mediums — the main SU show, the SU movie, and SU Future — we all know the main color schemes Steven adorns himself regarding his star shirts. We have salmon pink, bright blue, and the heavy black he likes to tow around, but looking into the way these colors were implemented is what we will dive into.

Color themes and symbolism are very potent with Steven Universe. From the use of pinks, yellows, whites, blues, and the menagerie of other colors we could think of, Rebecca Sugar and the crew put a lot of deliberate thought into the design, especially on a thematic level.

For Steven, not only do his shirts represent a very iconic symbol towards the show as a whole, but it represents the main arcs and emotional statuses of our main character throughout the show’s running.

Edit (11/30/19): For sourcing, I’ll be putting the links to stuff I’m referring to in my reblogs. However, my post already got hit off the radar because of Tumblr’s broken algorithm, so if you liked this post then I would be grateful if you could help reblog and spread the word as well!

And with that, let’s begin.

Pink - The Arc of Innocence and Nurture

Pink harbors a lot of connotations regarding femininity in Western culture (and even a good load of masculine connotations in Eastern tradition) but it has a lot more than that under its belt.

It represents tenderness, cultivation, gentle love, nurture, safety, optimism, strength, but most importantly the color itself is seen as non-threatening, calming to one’s eyes, inviting to people.

But with this optimism comes the consequences of lack of awareness or vision. How do you think the concept of rose-colored glasses ever came about? It’s always the idealism or ignorance of the person that allows them to not see red flags or the reality of it all.

And with that, we could start connecting this to Steven Universe.

Throughout the five seasons, this boy always had this priority of being involved with the people and figures in his life as a therapeutic role model. He wants to heal the corrupted gems; he sees empathy and nuance in people’s struggles, and this mindset definitely kept going up to the point of CYM and onwards.

He sees the best in people and wants to encourage them to get onto the path of improvement and healing. There’s definitely innocence at the start, even if his life and the show’s antagonists challenged him to the brink.

However, the lack of vision could be found way back to the start of episode one. Season one was a slow burn of information since the POV showed that his family dynamic was never challenged to him because y’know, it’s his family, they’re gems, and they fight monsters. It portrays his mother as an amazing person to his parental figures, a martyr who loved everything and everyone. There doesn’t seem much for him to challenge at the start because that’s what his reality is, his status quo. He never questioned it. Why would he challenge something that he believes is the norm?

Of course, this illusion of a perfect family does get chipped away. With each episode that showed his family as flawed — with the world around him starting to expand more with information, his understanding towards the severity of the situation and what his status is gets questioned.

Steven will continue to keep his cheerful paradigm, but weariness has implanted a seed into him (among many other emotional issues from upbringing, but we’ll talk about that farther along).

Blue - Stability and Tranquility

The contexts for blue could vary a lot. Very polarizing definitions such as the relation to inebriation, water, and everything in between could dampen the straight-forward process on how to analyze the color associations further; it makes sense for this polarization since the use of it in the ancient and contemporary world isn’t rare, particularly in its application towards clothing, art, and other forms of creation.

But what we’re going to focus on is the sky (or light) blue, the one that Steven tows around before and amid the SU movie. It’s a color that’s mainly associated with the sky, hence the listed qualities found.

”Light (sky) blue: peace, serenity, ethereal, spiritual, infinity (The origin of these meanings is the intangible aspects of the sky.)” -Color Matters

Jill Morton, a color psychologist, also states that the color has a connection to conservatism, passivity, security, and introversion (which are important for later).

For now, let’s talk about Steven and his main goals.

Steven, throughout his two years of intergalactic diplomacy, became focused on bringing about a new form of Homeworld, cited in the game as him deteriorating the former authority doctrine and allowing people to do activities that aren’t limited by their former caste system. And with this, he brings forth the aim of peace and tranquility.

Cue the events of SU the Movie. Now at 16, Steven has been hinted to have never had full-on rest for the past two years he’s been doing his duties to the Era 3 reformed Homeworld. In his announcement, he declares that he wants to finally go back now that everything with the former empire is stable enough for them to function without him.

His main goal now is to relax, have time for himself, and gain his “happily ever after”. And we all know that this attachment to this idea will be played out for much of the storyline, to where it becomes one factor for him in a whole slew of others that prevents him from channeling his gem capabilities.

The catalyst towards him returning is through the concept of change, the ability for him to grow and adapt even throughout the trauma and pressure; Steven, in this movie, however, didn’t realize this because he was already at a state of his life where he just wanted a break from the morphing status quo. He wants a moment to himself, away from the anxiety of responsibilities placed on his shoulders at the age of bloody 14, and overall, just allowing himself to be a kid again.

Yet, even with him helping Spinel and returning life back to the Earth’s poisoned areas, Steven admits to the prospect of never having a happily ever after, and that he’ll “always have more work to do”.

This is where the color of his shirt changes, and with it, the break of Steven’s ideal stability.

Black - Aggression, Power, and Death

But with the expectation of stability for Steven’s life crushed after the events of the movie, I found it very interesting that his blue shirt wasn’t seen or even used anywhere from the stills and trailer shots we’ve seen.

This could be a deliberate usage on Rebecca’s part to discern SU Steven, SU Movie Steven, and SU Future Steven, but I’d like to believe that in-universe, Steven’s wanting to change into black-colored apparel is a mental choice on his part. For black, in color psychology, is a color that protects...and conceals.

“In color psychology this color gives protection from external emotional stress. It creates a barrier between itself and the outside world, providing comfort while protecting its emotions and feelings, and hiding its vulnerabilities, insecurities and lack of self confidence.” -Empoweredbycolor

A great deal of SU content creators have pointed out that Steven, for the entirety of his own life, has been brought up with the idea that emotional vulnerability, no matter how potent or minuscule, can become a weapon or a pain for not only their own being but for the people around them.

I can’t delve too much into it, sadly, but I will link to posts that commentate more on this in my reblogs.

His upbringing has brought him to the paradigm of repression, where his own priorities and needs are swept to the side for other people — even extending to the whole body of Homeworld because of the way he handled his diplomacy. He had to solve other peoples’ problems; he placed himself rock bottom in importance, and now he’s suffering the consequences for it.

Out of all the pieces of symbolism here, black is the most void and mysterious because of its absence of color. It’s used a good amount of the time as a motif of authority, power, and fear, but the ones I’d like to hone in on are death and the concept of being overwhelmed.

Now, we have no clear indication over how the series will go but hear me out. I don’t think a physical death would apply in this situation but more of a metaphysical death — a death of one’s current self.

We find Steven at a crossroads: it will bring his personal imbalance out in the worst ways, and through the fact that the sypnosis foretells of him handling powers uncontrollable by his cognition, then we know that this is a force that’ll bring him into strife over who he is and what he wants.

What does he truly want for his future and how will he come about it?

In Joseph Campbell’s template called The Hero’s Journey, a hero’s death has to come about by a new revelation, a new form of meaning and objective than what they originally intended. The death of one idea will then lead to the true answer, something new the character hasn’t explored but wants to explore since the concept’s been there from the beginning, yet needed a push for it to be unveiled.

”Black is the end, but the end always implies a new beginning. When the light appears, black becomes white, the color of new beginnings.” -Empoweredbycolor

If Steven has been chasing for a happily ever after for most of his life, then a paradigm shift will have to occur.

He must face the brunt of his problems, and in this, he’ll find the answer.

[gempundit]

7 ways to Style Gemstones Jewelry Like Celebrities

Gemstone Jewelry not only enhances your beauty, but also your aura, your personality, and your impression over others. But did you know? Gemstones can also help you to solve a lot of problems in your life, be it lack of concentration and productivity, be it lack of energy, be it bad health, be it a mental strain. Gemstones prove to be of great help when it comes to solving all of these problems.  

Celebrities have their own way of wearing things and every celebrity makes sure that they leave an impression with their apparel and jewelry. There are a few secrets to how celebrities dress and wear their jewelry. Celebrities are a bit creative with their clothes, jewelry, and other ornaments and so they look stunning. Similarly, if you follow these methods and techniques you can look as stunning as any celebrity.

In this article, we have brought to you, 7 ways to style gemstones Jewellery like celebrities. These tactics will ensure that you leave a mark on everyone. These techniques apply to all sorts of jewelry, just make sure you read this article till the very end to squeeze every single form of benefit out of these.

Here is a list and detailed explanation of 7 methods that you can apply to your gemstone jewelry to style like celebrities. All these methods are tried and tested and have been recommended by several top stylists of the world.

1. Add big and heavy gemstones jewelry to simple and light clothing

This may seem weird but this has an impact, matching heavy clothes gemstone jewelry with simple clothes can make one look more elegant and stylish. The simplicity of the clothes allows more focus on the jewelry. It is one of the easiest and the most effortless ways to look fantastic and charming just as celebrities do.

2. Stick to a classic piece of Jewellery for all your outfits – make yourself a brand

Many times you will notice that a celebrity sticks to wearing one particular jewelry, no matter what they wear. The famous Bollywood star Salman Khan wears a turquoise bracelet around his wrist which became a huge trend among his fans. Similarly, Amitabh Bachchan wears Sapphire also known as Neelam. It works as their lucky charm. Many people stick to such pieces of jewelry as their favourite celebrity to give an impression of a star. You can too, stick to just one gemstone and wear it every day to make similar impression.

However, you need to ensure that the gemstone jewelry that you have selected suits your personalities and bring you good luck every day.

3. Use delicate but elegant pieces

Celebrities have two types of looks, one is the all heavy glamour look, and the other one is an all sweet, simple, sleek, and elegant look. These elegant looks are great when you are at work. These delicate pieces of gemstone jewelry leave a positive impression among your colleagues and seniors. These looks can also be carried around at markets and restaurants. Delicate pieces of jewelry are best suited with light-colored clothes.

4. Wear Matching colors and matching themes in an outfit

Wear a theme! Matching colors in an outfit is just like joining pieces of a beautiful puzzle. If you are able to solve this puzzle, it is going to turn out beautifully. Celebrities are often seen following a theme for a particular set of outfits, you can also pair specific gemstone jewelry for specific types of outfits, there are many types like modern, ancient, classic, vintage, etc. Make sure you know your type. 

5. Create a Vintage look

Vintage looks create a great impression. In this look your personality appears very sensible, powerful, and attractive. Adding traditional pieces of gemstone jewelry to your look can let that happen and add that extra oomph to your personality. Traditional pieces are a bit difficult to find but don’t you worry! In the latter part of this article, we will also tell you where to buy gemstones online and get your look done.

6. Wear the gemstones that attract you

What you wear is a great determinant of your personality. No one knows you better than yourself. Pick a gemstone that suits your personality, if you are the one with a vibrant vibe, make sure you take some brightly colored gemstone with you, if you are the one with a calmer and composed personality, wear something like a pearl.   Gemstones with light colors and medium glow make for a perfect elegant personality.

7. Add pearls to make your gemstones pop

Adding bright pearls to your gemstone jewelry can make your gemstones pop really well, pearls are bright and make the gemstones look less bright, with this you will be able to add that fancy touch to your look. Gemstones make pearls look less austere. Both gemstones and pearls are an essential part of a perfect jewelry box, and that is for a reason for sure.

While these are all just methods, your beauty and your personality is completely a thing in your hands, you can tweak all of these according to yourself, and craft your own look, finding authentic gems is a difficult task, let us simplify this for you and proceed with some tips on how to buy gemstones online.

How to buy gemstones online?

Buying gemstones online is a big hassle for sure, but some methods can prevent you from getting scammed. While buying gemstones always look for certifications, without certifications, it is not recommended to get gemstones. You should also know that the more transparent is one gemstone, the more expensive it gets. So a more transparent gemstone will never come at a low price. There are websites like GemPundit.com, and many more that sell genuine gems.

The bottom line

You are unique! This is one thing you should always know, methods and techniques don’t define your look, you do. Be confident and make these methods the base of your look planning, tweak these methods according to yourself, and create your own unique look!

Hope you liked the article! Please share this article with everyone. Sayonara!

Source : https://fashionisers.com/2021/01/27/7-ways-to-style-gemstones-jewelry-like-celebrities/

[nickdempsey]

R054 Ch. 1(?)

So, I wrote a thing. For lack of better terms, it’s a fanfic of a fanfic.  Ha.

All kidding aside, full props to the original AU this is based on, @lab-raised-steven . The person running it is a really awesome dude who helped out a lot with the lore and writing process as I wrote this.

The idea is that Jason Stross, a character of mine, waking up to find himself locked away in the Lab of Dr. Robert Wendell, at the mercy of said sadist.

This all stemmed from me reading how much of a bastard one of the scientist characters are and thought, “Hey, it’d be kinda cool of Jason met this guy.

So, without further ado,  I hope you find this piece entertaining, but most importantly, I hope you give @lab-raised-steven / @lab-raised-archive / @societyslostone (Main) a visit! 

Have a great day!

WARNING: Contains violence and mention of severed limbs.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

There were many times Jason had felt this way.

A splitting headache, drowsiness to the point he was unsure if he was conscious, his entire body was engulfed with pain, and pure confusion of where he was.

The last thing he remembered was the explosion he caused by destroying the Warp Pad he warped in through. Then falling into this planet’s ocean. He was sure that he was going to die.

 At least, he was unsure if he was still alive.

 When he did eventually wake up, everything from his environment to clothing was different.

He found himself in a dark and cold room. His prosthetic arm was taken as well as his regular clothes. He found himself in a sort of teal hospital scrubs. His organic arm was handcuffed to the metal chair he was sitting on, along with his feet.

He tried to stand, but the handcuffs and his weakened state proved that the effort was fruitless.

 It did however receive a reaction.

 Jason’s attention was pulled away from the chair as he saw a door open, flooding the room with a blinding white light. A humanoid being walked in. As soon as Jason’s eyes grew accustomed to the light, he was met with a man standing above him. A human male. He held with him a decently sized briefcase, to which he placed on his own size of the table.

The contact caused a short clanging sound as it hit the metal surface.

He was a paler man under his lab coat. He kept staring at Jason through his glasses, windows to an icy cold stare looking up and down Jason’s body. Examining him. Studying him.

Not saying a word, his gaze left Jason and looked over to the briefcase.

The man opened it, angled so that Jason could not see what was inside it.

The man pulled out a small plastic rectangle. A voice recorder.

 The man brought the voice recorder close to him as he looked over at Jason again.

“Doctor Wendell’s log. Ruby 19, Year 7019 After First Contact. Two nights ago, a life form was found off the shore of the Empire State. Unconscious and barely alive.” The Doctor spoke into the voice recorder. He was speaking as if Jason was not in the room, but it was clear that he was talking about him.

 “The life form is human-like.” The Doctor continued. “Same physicality. Similar DNA matches. However, it is clear that the life form, a human male of military age.” He looked up at Jason with his eyes. “His apparel and other equipment also suggest military background for whatever planet he hails from.”

 He looked back at the recorder. “Judging by the condition of his body, he did not arrive to this planet willingly. When stripped of his suit, bruises, cuts and signs of head trauma were found throughout his body. He now seems awake and conscious.”

He looked back at Jason, “I am going to now attempt to extract further information.” He kept his gaze on Jason, placing the recorder down. He rested his hands on the metallic table, ensuring distance between the two.

 There were a few seconds of silence before he spoke.

“You are not of this planet.” Doctor Wendell said, the sound of his voice bounced off the walls of the small and cramped room. “Is that correct?”

 “Who are you?” Jason asked hoarsely. “Where am I?”

 Wendell groaned, sighing in disappointment. “I am asking the questions.” He said, clearly forcing himself to remain calm as he eyed Jason with more intensity.

 “Where the hell am I?” Jason demanded. While his energy was still low, he was able to rise from too tired to a tired aggravation.

 Wendell did not answer. In a quick motion, he stood from the table, keeping his eyes on Jason.

He reached into the briefcase again, pulling out a baton of sorts.

 It was odd to Jason, for he recognized it, but did not at the same time.

It reminded him of the Destabilizers that were left by the Gems on the planet Kul-Baris, but it looked different. It looked far too primitive to be made by the Gems. It almost looked as if it was built by human hands. Humans of this planet.

 Wendell walked around the table with the baton in hand, growing more frustrated with each step.

By the time Jason processed the Doctors intentions, it was too late to defend himself. After two heavy and fast hits of the baton, the first to his head and the second onto his chest, Jason felt as the voltage violently traveled through his body. He yelled in pain as Wendell kicked at his chair, pushing him into falling to the ground.

 Jason could only watch as Wendell walked over the table and began to stomp on him rapidly over his body, his legs and even his head.

Once the Doctor decided it was enough, he hit Jason a final time as he pulled the chair to stand back up. Jason spat out a significant amount of blood.

 “I believe you are unaware of your situation.” Wendell said as his hand gripped Jason’s jaw tightly. “Whatever significant life you believed you lived before coming to this planet is over.  As far as anyone in this universe is concerned, you are dead.”

 He threw Jason’s jaw, causing his head to grow sore from the sudden jerk. “And on this planet, you do not exist.”

 Jason looked back up to Wendell.

 The Doctor looked back at Jason as he returned to his end of the chair. “You are my property. You belong to me now.”

 Wendell put the baton back into the briefcase. “Perhaps if you behave, I will eventually give you your arm back. Continue this aggression.” He looked at Jason’s organic arm. “I will take the other arm. I will ask again. You are not of this planet. Is that correct?”

 Jason could only look at Wendell. The echoing pain told him to comply, as if it was a survival instinct.

“That is correct.” He said, groaning from the pain Wendell presented him with.

 “What is your planet of origin?” Wendell moved to the second question.

 Jason was quiet for a few moments. “Requiem.” He spoke, unsure of the point of answering such a question.

 “Where is this planet?” Wendell asked Jason. “Where is Requiem.”

 Jason looked over to Wendell, his eyes grew more tired from the question. “I studied engineering.” He said to Wendell. “Not navigation.”

 Wendell held a deep sigh as he looked over his notes.

“Perhaps we can talk about something you do know about.” Wendell said as he flipped through some of his notes.

 “The device on the back of your head. Imbedded in your spinal cord. On this planet, we call it the Atlas Vertebra.”

Jason froze. The already cold temperature of the concrete room and metal chair he was handcuffed in felt as if it dropped a few more degrees.

 The Neurolink, a device most of the populace of the Requiem Republic use for better control of devices and communication.

His left arm shot up to try and reach the back of his neck to confirm but was painfully reminded of the four-inch handcuffs connecting him to the chair.

 “Handcuffs.” Wendell sarcastically reminded Jason. He went bac to flip through his notes. He pulled out a page and placed it on the table in front of Jason.

 “Surgical procedure.” Wendell said as he presented the page. The main one was of Jason, post procedure. It only showed the back of his head, a blood-soaked bandage where his Neurolink once was.

 Jason began to feel soreness in that area, now realizing the removal of the device.

 “We found bits and pieces of information.” Wendell said as he pulled the photo away. “Some audio. Some visual. Saved in such a small piece of technology. For lack of a better term; memories. Judging by the recorded brain waves, memories of significance.”

 “Huh? You went through my Neurolink?” Jason asked, finding the task to be near impossible, even by the standards of Requiem technology. “How- “

 “My organization specializes in studying and reverse engineering Alien technology.” Wendell interrupted Jason again. “Until your arrival, it was only Gem technology.”

 Wendell then pulled some more pages from his notes and placed them in front of Jason. “Activating your ’Neurolink’ took a dull afternoon.”

 Jason was silent as he looked down. They were more photos. However, they weren’t just any images. They were memories. His memories. Moments he remembered from his life.

By the looks of the photos, less than perfect memories.

 “We chose these particular memories.” Wendell said. “Of the few we managed to recover. Based on the heightened brain activity. Some of which are obvious why.” He pulled up a photo and placed it in front of Jason.

 The picture was from Jason’s perspective. Filtered through the HUD display of the helmet he wore that day. However, he was well aware of the event shown. It was such a long few years ago, but it felt so recent, as a pain began to grow on what remained of his right arm.

 He was lying on his back that day. Forced down onto the cold icy surface of the cavern in the photo. He remembered his entire body was in pain that day. Standing above him was a figure that clearly wasn’t human, but humanoid.

The figure looked as if they were encased in a full body suit of black armor, which had a purple glow coming off of it.

What made the memory as significant as it was, however, was the figure in question, now covered in Jason’s blood as it held his severed arm.

 “Such as this one.” Wendell said as he tapped on the arm in the picture. “I can only imagine losing an arm in anyway could be traumatic.”

He pulled another photo out, nowhere near as chaotic as the previous. “Let’s try something more recent.”

 Jason was not wearing a helmet in this memory, as the photo lacked a HUD display. It was a rather peaceful scene; the memory was of Jason was sitting on a couch in a rather nice home.

The majority of his vision held another face. It was a blue woman, silver hair ran down her head, down to her shoulders. Her blue eyes glistened as she smiled at Jason.

 “This one, and another, I found interesting.” Wendell said, jotting a few notes regarding Jason’s facial expression to the photo, which oddly seemed more distressed than fond of the seemingly peaceful memory.

Jason’s face grew pale, his eyes fixated on the photo.

 “Same amount of brain activity.” Wendell said. “Nearly identical to the rest. However, the chemical balance suggests happiness. That you are at peace.”

Almost immediately after the statement, another picture was placed on top. “Fifteen hours later. Or at least that was what was logged, this happens”

 The picture was once again of a blue woman. The same from the previous. Her face, however, was from happy. She looked in pain. Her eyes filled with despair. Sorrow.

 Betrayal.

 She was looking straight at Jason, even through the photo. Jason tensed up as he looked at the photo. He was silent, but visually distressed from the photos.

 “Who is she? Why is she so important to you?” Wendell asked Jason, detecting the distress. “The Blue Woman.”

 Jason exhaled uneasily. “Please.” He said in a defeated tone, desperate to get away from the photo. “No. Not this.” She softly said in nearly a begging manner.

 “You do not have a say in this R-054.” Wendell said as he reached for his baton, visually warning Jason. “Who is she? A Gem?”

 Jason remained silent, paying no attention to Wendell as he kept looking down at the photo.

 “Was she just some whore? Don’t remember her name?” Wendell asked. “Perhaps your planet allows that?”

 Jason violently tried to stand up from his chair to argue but was still confined to the handcuff. Such a thing did not matter however, as almost immediately, Jason was met with another attack by Wendell’s baton.

The force from the blow caused Jason to fall to the ground, his chair clattering on the floor.

 “You don’t want to behave?” Wendell asked as he walked around the table toward his fallen and handcuffed prisoner. His baton shot sparks out. “Fine.”

 Not waiting for a response, Wendell repeatedly struck at Jason, not seeming to show any signs of backing away anytime soon.

Chained to the chair, Jason had no way to defend himself. He could only look up to see Wendell repeatedly hit him until his vision began to black out as he lost conscious.

  Jason wasn’t sure how long he was out for, but when he woke back up, he found that he must have been out long enough to be moved.

He was no longer restrained, but he might as well have still been. He was now in a small room that was barely more lit. There were three concrete walls. One of which had a door, presumably locked.

The fourth wall, however, was made of a thick sheet of glass. The other side of the window held another room. The light was off, all Jason could see was utter blackness. As if he was looking out into the void of space.

 AS if on cue, a loud siren played off as the light turned on, showing the parallel room’s occupant.

The room was nothing more than another cell, identical to Jason’s. He found himself stunned as he found who or what was in the other cell’s bed.

 A child. A boy. Until the siren, he was sound asleep.

The boy had curly black hair, and he wore the same hospital gown as Jason, minus the bloodstains from beatings. What received the most attention from Jason, however, was the boy’s eye. His left eye remained closed, bearing only a scar down it.

Jason shuddered, as he couldn’t bare to consider if the scar was a cause to what the people behind this facility did to him.

Better yet, why was the boy here?

 Sure, Jason was from another planet. While he wasn’t fond of his stay in his current location, he did understand it.

 The boy awoke. Stepping out of the bed, he did not seem to notice Jason at first.

That was when Jason saw the Gem imbedded in the boy’s abdomen. A large pink Gem. Almost looking like a Quartz. He wasn’t sure what specific cut of Gem it was, but he knew it was a Gem. Such a thing only served to cause Jason more confusion. Was the boy a Gem? Could Gems even be organic?

 Jason was so wrapped up in his questions, he failed to notice the boy finally seeing him.

Understandably, as his sight was on a grown stranger with one arm, wearing a blood-soaked gown, he began to panic.

 The Boy backed into his bed, falling over as he looked at Jason.

 As Jason looked at the panicking Boy, he began to sit down on his own bed, slow and calm.

 “It’s ok…” Jason said to The Boy, unsure if he would even hear him. “I won’t hurt you…”

His arm was raised, almost like he was giving The Boy a lowered hand wave.

 The Boy began to calm down as he saw Jason was not a threat. He readjusted himself, sitting down on his own bed, studying Jason.

He raised his own hand, thinking they were waving at each other.

 Jason only responded with a weak and tired smile.

[zach-the-fox]

Poketeam Go Episode 1: Awaken

“Oh my head…” says a boyish voice, coming from a riolu as he holds his head with his paw while lying against the ground. A blue bandana rests snug around his neck. His eyes flutter open as he turns his head from side-to-side. “H-huh?” Slowly, he begins to sit up, keeping his paw attached to his head. “W-what happened…?” The little blue creature looks around his surroundings with his brown eyes, taking notice of a big lake with a small waterfall and several trees dotted around. “W-where am I?” The riolu stands to his feet and begins walking a couple of paces toward the lake. “What is this place? How did I even get here?” The riolu then walks up to the edge where the water meets the grass. “Maybe some cool water will refresh my mind…” He takes his paws and scoops the water into them, which he freezes. His eyelids pull back wide as he stares down at his graspers. “W-what the?! What is-” He parts his paws away to look into the lake, seeing his reflection before jumping back with a scream. “W-what?! I’m a riolu?! How did that happen?!” His voice spurs another nearby, hearing a sigh coming from the tree beside him. “Huh…? What was that?” The riolu walks over to the source of the sigh and discovers a spoink lying under the tree, curled halfway into a ball. The spoink’s head is covered with a blackened hat while glasses sit on its nose, shielding its eyes. “H-hello?” He approaches the spoink with ease, kneeling down and lightly rocking the creature’s body. “H-hey, are you okay there?” The spoink lets out a groan with a slight nudge, but its eyes remain closed, prompting the riolu to rock the pokemon again. “Are you okay?! Wake up! Please!”

With enough force, the spoink opens their eyes and notices the riolu in view. “H-huh?” Sitting up, the spoink’s eyes remained fixed on the riolu. “A riolu?” The spoink’s voice is high and womanlike, revealing the gender. “What’s going on around here…? Wait, where am I?”

“Hey, I’m just as clueless as you,” says the riolu.

The spoink’s eyelids peel back as far as they can. “Oh my Arceus! Y-you’re talking?! R-riolus are not supposed to talk! A-am I dreaming?” She slaps herself hard in the face, letting out an “ouch” before rubbing the pain-affected area on her cheek. “Nope, definitely not dreaming…”

“You okay?” asks the riolu. “That looked like it stung… Do you want me to help with that?”

The spoink’s eyes widen again. “Y-you’re really talking! That is super freaky, yet interesting!”

“Well, you’re the most interesting spoink I’ve ever met.”

“What?” snaps the pokemon, standing to her feet. “What did you call me?” The riolu holds his paws up to her. “I’m not a spoink! I’m a girl!”

The riolu lowers his paws, puzzled. “Um, I can tell you’re a girl… But you’re also a grumpig.”

The spoink extends her arm and points to him. “Listen here, I told you I’m not a-” She pauses, then turns her paw around to examine it. “Huh…?” She brings up the other to examine it. “What the?!” She then looks down to see her legs, which have been replaced by a spring. “Oh no! Please don’t tell me…!” Noticing the lake beside her, the spoink leans over to look at her reflection, showing her pig-like face with the glasses to shield her brown eyes to contrast with the grey fur. She gasps and screams with shock, squishing her head with her hooves as she looks away. “T-this can’t be happening… I’ve turned into… into a pokemon!”

“Isn’t this the weirdest thing to ever happen to us?” the riolu spurts.

The spoink turns and faces the blue pokemon. “What do you mean? Were you a human, too?” The riolu nods. “Can you recall what happened as to how you turned into a pokemon?”

“I…” The riolu ponders for a bit, trying to think back to the events previous to his transformation. “I honestly can’t remember… I don’t recall ever seeing anything extraordinary. I only remember going to bed, and that was it.”

She turns her head down to the ground. “Well, this is quite a predicament…” The grey pokemon looks back to the riolu. “So, what do we do, now?”

The riolu shrugs. “Beats me… I’m just as delirious as you are, Spoink.”

“Stop calling me Spoink, please… I don’t like it when I’m called that.”

“What should I call you, then?”

“Emmy,” the spoink tells him. “My name is Emmy.”

“All right,” says the riolu. “Nice to meet you, Emmy. I’m Zach. What do you think we should do?”

“Hm… I have an idea… We should find other pokemon and see if they would know a way to change back. I’m pretty sure there’s a town nearby, right?”

“Not a bad idea,” Zach answers. “Shall we?” The two pokemon venture away from the area and into the dense trees ahead of the lake. As they venture off into the forest, they start to talk about their lives previous of their transformation, discussing what they have done based off tiny bits of their memories they can recall. While they walk along, they pass bright red mushrooms with white polka dots all around the top. That’s when the spoink begins to notice the riolu stopping and grudging at his head. She walks up alongside him. “You okay? You have some sort of headache or something?”

Zach remains silent for a few seconds. Images flash in his head, piecing together as some sort of creature in his mind. “I… I…”

“What? What is it?”

“I’m remembering something…” Emmy asks what it is. “My head… I can’t make it out… It must be some sort of pokemon…”

“A pokemon?” asks Emmy. “What did it look like? Can you make it out?”

“I… I can’t remember… It just flashed in my head for a few seconds…”

“Huh, that’s weird… Maybe we should talk about it as soon as we head into town.”

“Well, look what we have here.” Both the pokemon freeze and turn to the source of the additional female voice; a sableye with a maroon bow, accompanied by a gastly wearing the same apparel beside her. “If it isn’t a riolu and a spoink?”

“Yeah!” shouts the gastly, male in tone. “Two little pokemon all by themselves! Perfect for us!”

“I don’t suppose you two would help us find the nearest town, right?” Zach queries.

“Ooh!” The sableye turns to the gastly. “Hear that, Gas? These two are looking for some guidance because they’re lost. How hilarious.” The two dark pokemon laugh at them.

“Hey, listen,” Emmy begins. “We don’t want any trouble. We just want to-”

“Oh sure,” interrupts the sableye. “I get ya. Gas, show them how we greet other pokemon.”

“With pleasure, Gem!” The gastly emits a dark glow in front of him. Zach and Emmy duck out of the way as the dark pulse fires at them, yet misses. The riolu and spoink dart away from the dark pokemon as instinct, distancing themselves from them. However, the sableye and gastly tail them, keeping up in speed as Zach and Emmy dodge trees and continue down the forest. Balls of darkness also strike the two pokemon as they flee from their attackers. The dark pokemon’s attacks only hit beside them, or at trees where they once were until one shadow ball explodes in front of Zach, causing him to fly a few feet in the air, then crash behind a large rock formation, obscuring the sableye and gastly from view.

Emmy stops and looks back, noticing the riolu on the ground. “Zach!” She bounces over to him and aides him as he struggles to sit up. The top of his forehead houses a cut while everywhere else is covered in smudges. “Are you okay?!”

Zach grudges at his stomach. “Ow… That hurt…”

Emmy moves his arm, revealing a slash across his abdomen, leaking with blood. “Oh dear… You don’t look so good…”

“Need help now, do we?!” shouts the sableye, standing on top of the rocks over them with the gastly by her side. “Let us do that for you!” The two dark pokemon charge for their next shot when a bolt of lightning strikes them both and causes them to fall onto the ground, dazed. The riolu and spoink stare with widened eyes and blank mouth expressions.

“Uh, what just happened?” Zach utters. “And where did that lightning bolt come from?”

“Over here!” The two pokemon turn to the right and see a pikachu come up to them. The yellow electric rat pokemon has black, messy hair with the same color for the shirt worn and blue shorts. The flat end of the tail shows the pikachu’s gender to be male. “Are you two all right?”

“W-who are you?” Emmy asks. “You’re not going to hurt us, are you?”

“Course not,” the pikachu tells her in a thick accent. “I came to save you both from those troublemakers. My name’s Nicolas, but my friends call me Nic.” Zach and Emmy introduce themselves. “What are you two doing out here, might I ask?”

“That’s what we want to know,” Emmy tells him. “We were trying to find a town when these bullies attacked us.”

“Trying to get to a town, huh? Sure, let me take you guys to my home town, Leafy Creeks.” Nic walks over to the banged-up riolu. “You look badly injured. Do you need some assistance?”

“Y-yeah,” Zach says. The pikachu gets to his side, puts the riolu’s arm around the back of his neck, and lifts him to his feet. Zach grunts with every step they take while Emmy follows. “Oh jeez… It hurts!”

“Those two did quite some damage to you,” remarks Emmy.

“Don’t worry,” Nic assures. “Once we get to town, there will be some nice, cute audino nurses who will patch you up real good.” The three pokemon venture through the woods at a slow pace. @emmy-the-absolute-goof​