#and let’s not forget how GORGEOUS the album packaging looks too!!!

[goldennika]

i honestly don’t know if i could pick a favorite concept for minisode 3 bc they’re all so special to me 🥹

Light had blonde ot5 in balletcore…

Ethereal was giving LO$ER=LO♡ER and Reality vibes…

Romantic was angsty lonely royalty…

and Promise gave off lost prince in dark modern AU…

how could you pick just one!!

[izzy-b-hands]

A Rainy Saturday Afternoon

A fic inspired by Tim’s monologue in a song called ‘The Right’ from an album he made as a part of the band Morgan (I transcribed the whole monologue last night, it is a wild and delightful trip lol.) 

Tim/Reader (gender neutral.) A hook up that’s meant to clear just general horny feelings for both of you, but instead turns into maybe something more. 

But this is also still mostly smut lmao. 

My love to all who read/like/reblog!

You didn’t make it a habit to go home with anyone. It wasn’t out of a lack of want exactly, but that you were picky and the local boys were...something, and-

None of them were this boy, that was for sure.

He was gorgeous. And, according to him:

“Painfully fucking lonely,” Tim sighed as you followed him to his room at the hotel. “Not just for things like this, I mean, though I’m very glad to have you over of course.”

He swung open the door, and immediately blushed.

You couldn’t help but do the same, giggling at the not-badly-put-together homemade blow up doll propped against the wardrobe. “Are we to have a third with us?”

“No!” Tim darted forward and tossed the doll into the wardrobe, staring at the doors of it as he slammed them shut. “I-I’m sorry. That...shouldn’t have been out and...”

He sighed and turned to you with a sorrowful look on his face. “You can leave. I understand; you’re not the first to see that when I didn’t mean you to, and any feelings you have about it are valid-”

You made sure the hotel door was locked, then strode into the room and interrupted him with a finger pressed to his lips. “I don’t care.”

“You don’t?” he asked. “Every other person I’ve brought back was...well, horrified. Found it pathetic, said awful things about me for having it.”

“Fuck ‘em,” you smiled, and pulled him towards the bed by his hips. “Well, more accurately, fuck me, and forget them. You’re a grown man, yeah? And you’ve been lonely and horny and are apparently quite creatively talented; why shouldn’t you have made your own companion for the time being?”

He grinned. “Thank you. I don’t know how honest you’re being, but-”

“I’m being honest,” you interrupted him with a quick kiss, and leaned in close to his ear. “So honest, that I ought to let you know I’d happily get myself off while watching you fuck that doll, or jack yourself off, your choice. If you’ll have me around again, that is.”

He nodded as you stepped back, and you let him help you tug off your clothes, your own hands working at his. Maybe this was moving too fast, but you didn’t care. You didn’t know for sure how long Tim would be around, or if he would keep in touch once he did leave.

You wanted this now, as close to something stable as it could possibly be, even if it was only for so many weeks. You could deal with any lingering feelings after he was gone.

Besides, you couldn’t bear the thought of stopping it all now. Of course, if Tim had asked to stop you would immediately, but luckily he was as comfortable as you were.

Comfortable being a mild way of putting it, with both of you touching every inch of bare skin as quickly as you could (there was simply no way to get your fingertips everywhere you wanted all at once, neither of you had hands enough for that) and kissing hard and hot. First at each other’s lips, then anywhere else you could get to as you flopped onto the bed together.

The mattress let out a frighteningly loud groan, and you couldn’t hold back your giggles.

“It won’t break,” Tim reassured you. “I think. It hasn’t yet, and I’ve um...given it a good workout by myself, if you know what I mean.”

“I think I get the gist,” you replied. “But you could still give me a demonstration later. I’d like that, to make sure I’m really understanding you.”

“How did I not meet you earlier?” Tim asked as he ground his cock against your thigh. “Wouldn’t have even needed the damned doll then.”

“You weren’t ready for me yet, and maybe I wouldn’t have been ready for you,” you mused, reaching a hand between the two of you to gently run your thumb over the head of his cock. “But I certainly am ready for you now.”

The condoms and lube in the drawer near the bed were still in their packaging, and you couldn’t help but smile as he fussed and swore at them.

“Will you get that upset when we have to buy more and break into them again?”

He had slipped to lay beside you as he fought with the packaging, and turned his head now. “More?”

“If I have my way, and if you want the same,” you said. “I intend to run out that supply of yours there. Likely before you leave, so we’ll need to get more.”

Tim looked excited at that prospect, but his smile faltered for a moment. “I will have to leave, is the thing...”

“I know,” you sighed. “And I’ll miss you, I’m sure. You might even miss me. We can exchange addresses and phone numbers and maybe write letters to each other. And if we find we miss each other enough, maybe we’ll have to make some travels and meet up again.”

“I barely know you,” Tim said as he finally freed a condom and rolled it on. “How on earth am I already so attached?”

You shrugged, and took the lube from him to use on yourself. “Same way I am, I suppose. I barely know you, but I know that right now, even if we weren’t going to fuck, I’d still rather be here in your room with you than anywhere else.”

He nodded, and took the bottle from you to set it back on the bedside table. “Are you alright? I mean, ready, or-”

“I am, but I like being teased,” you interrupted and lay back, gesturing for him to climb back on top of you. “So you can take your time, if you like.”

He did, the condom slicked in lube as he moved against you, and you could feel him shiver even as he tried to move slowly.

“Since we’re getting to know each other,” you murmured in between kisses to his neck and chest. “I should give you a compliment.”

“Yeah?”

“You’ve a lovely cock,” you replied, grinning as he blushed and laughed. “What? You do! And it isn’t even in me yet, that’s saying something.”

“Let me make sure you really like it then,” Tim said as he slipped gently inside you. “Still okay?”

You groaned happily into his neck as you pulled him close, wrapping your legs around his waist.

“Can I get a yes or a no?” Tim asked, and you lay your head back and opened your eyes.

He was beautiful, a halo of dark hair and eyes sweetly watching your face for any sign of your discomfort. You’d never had any such care from any of your prior rare hook ups.

But then, this didn’t feel like just a hook up anymore.

“Yes,” you replied. “I’m okay. More than okay. Or I will be, once you move.”

He kissed you hard, and answered you with the movement of his hips, meeting yours awkwardly for the first few thrusts.

But it was only a moment or two before you found rhythm with him, and moaned with the feeling of it.

There was the sound of a hand slapping at the wall near the bed, and you slapped a hand over your own mouth. “Sorry!”

“It’s alright,” Tim laughed. “Just my bandmate, ignore him.”

“Are we making him jealous?”

“Maybe,” Tim replied. “I don’t rightly care, honestly. He can deal with it, because you’re mine only.”

“Good,” you murmured, and focused back in on him.

Which frankly, was a joy. He didn’t hold back any moans or whines, kissed like he needed your touch to breathe, and nuzzled his face into your shoulder the rest of the time.

You had intended to try and hold off, to come as near to when he did as you could, but it was too much.

“You’re too good at this,” you managed to gasp out just before you came, mumbling his name and kissing him at every bit of skin you could reach.

“Fuck,” he sighed happily as he kept thrusting, working you through your orgasm. “I could feel that. I need to make you do that again.”

“I’d love that, but what about you?”

“I might need a bit after this,” Tim replied, his hips jerking against yours. “But we’ve got all night, and if you really meant it before...you know, that you’re in no rush to go...”

His eyelids fluttered shut as he came, and you pulled him in for a deep kiss, moving to meet his movements as best you could.

You waited for his eyes to open again, his head dropped against your shoulder, an adorable blissful smile on his face.

“I’m in no rush to go anywhere. I only just met you, and I feel like I ought to have known you for ages. Might be nothing more than puppy love, but I’m not going to turn that down if there’s the chance it might be more. So we’ve got time to make up for.”

He nodded. “We do. Shall I get up and clean us up, and in a little bit we can do this again?”

“Probably should, or we’ll fall asleep like this,” you replied. “I can barely keep your gaze; I’ll get lost in your eyes otherwise.”

Tim giggled as he slipped out of you and rolled off the bed. “Do you sweet talk everyone you fuck?”

“Only the ones I actually like,” you said, watching as he tossed away the condom and retrieved a few small towels from the hotel bathroom. “And I’ve not liked any of them enough to actually do that until now, so you’re the first. Congratulations, pretty boy.”

He let his towel fall to the floor and tossed yours there as well as you finished cleaning yourself, then dropped back beside you onto the bed. His arms wrapped around you, and it was delightfully warm and loving and comfortable.

“Pretty boy? I’ll have to think up something to call you,” Tim smiled.

“I’m sure you’ll come up with something,” you chuckled. “Nothing too mean though.”

“Never,” Tim sighed. “I think sweetheart is good for now.”

Your heart leaped at that. Oh, it was going to hurt when he left. For both of you.

But for now, he was safe in bed with you, and there was plenty of time to spare.

You wouldn’t waste a single minute of it.

[thisislizheather]

July Jiffs 2020

This was me all month.

The key word being was. We bought an air conditioner! We’ve been an A/C-free family for some time now, but since we’re spending so much time at home, we figured now was the time to be cool. In other news, everything still blows! What a shock! Here’s how I spent July.

I didn’t even know another Halloween movie was being made but of course I’ll go see it even if it turns out to be trash, you gotta support classic horror franchises, that’s just basic horror etiquette 101.

This is the most basic, boring-sounding sandwich on planet earth, but it tastes incredible I promise you (I didn’t add bacon, but I did add fresh mozzarella) and whatever bread you use, it’ll still be great. I find myself constantly forgetting about the greatness of mayo because I, my dear, am an idiot.

I ordered a bunch of new address labels on Zazzle because they were having a Christmas in July sale, so I bought some seasonally inspired labels to use over the next few months. If you’re not seasonally co-ordinating your return address labels, are you even living?

I’m still doing Nathan’s podcast on Patreon incase you’re interested. (You can find more clips on his Instagram.)

I attempted to watch the new Baby-Sitter’s Club on Netflix and it’s really not meant for me. I was never into the books or the movie or any of it, I never liked the idea of kids caring about making money, it seemed too sad to me. “Just be a kid!” I’d always thought.

Speaking of childhood nostalgia, I have started to watch reruns online of Sweet Valley High, which I loved as a kid. It’s no Breaker High, but it’s still pretty great to rewatch. God, Jessica really was an absolute bitch.

Some other things that I’ve rewatched: Con Air (practically a perfect movie, will always love, *Nic Cage forever* might be the only tattoo I’d ever get), Supermarket Sweep is on American Netflix and I was so excited (for about three episodes) then I moved on with my life, Sleepless in Seattle (still a very nice, average, reliable movie), Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (actually a really great summer movie, will always be a fun time to watch, will forever be a huge Keanu fan, I just feel like I could trust him??), and Dick Tracy (will always love this movie even if it has eight million too many montages, the set design is gorgeous, and this one outfit that Madonna wears makes me question… everything).

Some new movies that I’ve watched: Always Be My Maybe (so, so great! How did it take me so long to see this! So many good scenes, such a good movie), The Karate Kid (insane that I hadn’t seen it before, kids were uncomfortably mean in the 80s, favourite part was when Mr. Miyagi beats up the children, great movie), The Stepfather (pretty fun time, so happy we’ve starting watching horror movies again), Eat Pray Love (ugh, I don’t know, I do love movies about women just leaving and doing fun shit alone and abandoning their lives, but this was pretty lame, I hated James Franco’s character more than life and truly didn’t understand how Julia Roberts was even briefly into him), and finally the original The Hills Have Eyes (which I loved weirdly enough despite being incredibly tense the entire movie, I just thought it was so well done and scary and incredible, the rape scene is of course awful and I shut my eyes for that part, but that was the only thing I hated, it doesn’t make sense that I liked this movie so much).

I don’t know how to word this, but something is off with the reasonably priced (and almost too cheap) parmesan sold at Trader Joe’s. It melts weird. It doesn’t taste like normal cheese. Something is afoot and I won’t buy it any longer. I’m truly dreading and equally anticipating the day that all of Trader Joe’s secrets are exposed. Be warned.

That being said, obviously I’m in love with the seasonal summer candles that TJ just released. We have a complicated relationship.

I made this gruyere mac and cheese with caramelized onions (I used almond milk and it still came out good) and can every recipe just include caramelized onions? The world is ending, let’s just put sweet, tiny, brown onions on everything and call it a day.

Ennio Morricone passed away last month and I find myself listening to the Cinema Paradiso soundtrack on repeat.

Read this great piece about summer blockbuster movies which also has just some great ideas for movies to rewatch right now.

I have to remember that Essie’s vibrant colours just f-ing suck. Only their muted/bland colours are good. They should really just stick to those. And if you’re looking for loud colours that stand out, the summer collection at Urban Outfitters is my go-to (and there’s always a 3 for $10 sale with them).

I listened to Taylor Swift’s new album and so far my favourites are definitely: the 1 and this is me trying.

Ugh, Astoriaaaaaa, DO BETTER.

I’ve been thinking about cancelling my Ipsy subscription again (because I think I don’t care about makeup at this current moment in time) and when I logged on to cancel, they let me choose one of the items being sent next month as if they knew I wanted to leave! So I chose a Sunday Riley product (because any sample I’ve tried from them, I’ve loved) so maybe I’ll cancel next month?

I tried a sample of Drunk Elephant’s shampoo & conditioner (which smelled so lovely) and my hair did seem softer the next day. There’s something about this brand though, I feel like they might be tricking us with their beautiful packaging and minimalist persona.

I bought and tried the ancient Biore Strips and I have absolutely no idea if they did what they’re supposed to do. Are you supposed to see the blackheads or whiteheads come off onto the strip? It felt like it just tried to peel my face off. No idea what’s going on with these.

I have been in love with the Peter Thomas Roth Correction Pads, I use one pad before bed each night and I think they’re doing something good because I always wake up with no new pimples. It has even started erasing all of the redness I’ve been experiencing lately from the summer heat and sweat and mask-wearing. At this point, I can definitely see myself rebuying when I run out, and if I do then I’ll definitely not get them from Sephora because you can get them way cheaper at other online retailers.

I’ve also started using this Dr. Dennis Gross All-In-One face cleanser and I think it’s a good one. It’s hard to tell because I started using it the same day at the correction pads I mentioned above (yes that was a bad idea but here we are), so maybe they’re working together to make my face good? We’ll revisit this. 

I finally opened up this Belif set I bought a few months ago and it’s really nothing special. I think the face cream is probably the best item in there because you truly don’t need to use a lot to feel moisturized. But the face cleanser? Meh. I don’t think it does very much, it definitely didn’t help any redness. And the toner? Don’t get me started on how I kind of think toner might be a scam. And the “eye moisturizer”? Seems superfluous. My eye area is plenty moist, thanks.

Perfect summer soap scent: Fresh Rainfall. If I can’t travel this year, I will escape into this scent. (Send help.)

Very excited to hear about Lindy West’s new book.

So I heard that Lady M now ships their cakes to Canada and I was able to scream in excitement for approx. four seconds before looking into it and seeing that it’ll cost you over $100 to get ONE cake sent. THE GALL, I tell you. THE GALL.

I briefly looked into the app Sweatcoin after hearing good things, but it really just seems like an app where its main goal is to track you. And yes, your phone already does that whether you’re aware or not, but I think I’ll pass on the extra tracking.

I heard that the upcoming Halloween Bob’s Burgers episode will “follow the kids as they try to deliver a burger to the hotel on their street.” It’s such a sad little bit of tiny information, but I love their seasonal episodes so much that I’ll take any crumbs available.

Actually helpful tips on how to clean your home efficiently.

Christ, why do I keep forgetting that Bareburger is absolutely nothing special? Why in the good fuck is it taking so long for a Shake Shack to come to Astoria?!

I ate on the patio at Hoja Santa in Astoria and the tacos were nothing to write home about. The service, drinks and chips were outstanding though, so I may have just ordered badly.

New favourite beer alert.

Best tweets of the month over here.

I tried Thai iced coffee and it was so wildly sweet and too aromatic, I probably wouldn’t get it again. And I also tried a Vietnamese iced coffee and it was the perfect level of sweet! What’s the difference between the two, you ask?

I finally tried the katsu sandwich at Hi-Collar as takeout in the East Village and it was absolutely nothing special. No idea why people are so into it.

I haven’t been to Bite in so many months, so it was nice to get takeout earlier this week. God how I’ve missed their ciabatta bread. They use it on their sandwiches and it comes from Balthazar each morning and it’s always heavenly.

I have found the perfect, light summer blanket and I’m trying not to focus on the fact that it came from Amazon.

I tried a grapefruit shandy and holy shit, it might be my favourite new summer drink. 

I ate on the patio at L’Artusi since it just reopened and good god, that carbonara will change you. So psyched to see they have the wagyu steak tartare on the menu now, too. The burger, the panzanella salad and the charred corn were all great, but that carbonara was the standout.

Some things I’d like to do this month: I’d love to try this tomato toast with blue cheese mayo, I’m going to start using a new clothes steamer I just bought with the hopes of getting rid of my iron & ironing board, I rebought a tube of Revitalash because of how great my lashes were looking when I used it a few years ago so I’ll start using it on August 1st and track my progress to prove how great this product is, I can’t wait for Moesha to be coming to Netflix this month, and I am waiting waiting waiting until I can find time to return to Lilia (on the patio) to eat this incredible tomato focaccia & garlic butter (shown below).

If you’ve got any interest in reading last month’s roundup, you can see what went down in June over here.

[dragracereviews]

My Ultimate Top 10 Favorite Drag Race Queens

#10 - Kameron Michaels: NGL, Kameron is partially on this list because I would fuck her in a heartbeat. I actually plan on making a list later of queens I would sleep with in and/or out of drag and you will definitely find Miss Michaels high on there. I’ve seen her live on the Werq the World tour and I 100% regret not getting Meet and Greet though I probably would’ve just drooled on her and made a fool of myself so maybe it’s better that I didn’t. It’s a known fact that Kameron is an incredible lip syncer (if you haven’t watched season 10, please do so just to see her in action because honestly, she’s one of the few good things about that season) and she did NOT disappoint. Her dancing was only beat out by Vanjie who you may or may not see later on this list. Kameron if you’re out there reading this (LOL, we all know she isn’t) and you ever feel like experimenting with an actual biological woman, hit me up!

#9 - Sharon Needles: And here we have another attractive man out of drag! Sharon was the OG underdog and while I’m not going to sit here and bash Phi Phi O’Hara because she’s actually talented AF (checkout her Harry Potter cosplay, it’s soooo good), Sharon definitely didn’t deserve all the shade thrown at her on season 4. Her drag aesthetic has always been equals parts spooky and equal parts fabulous, but she’s actually improved over the years and it’s made me love her even more. My favorite Sharon moment ever is during a “Queens Reading Mean Comments” video on WOWPresents’ Youtube channel where someone said they liked her old teeth better and she just goes, “Well my old teeth just looked ridiculous with my new lips!” Get ‘em, girl.

#8 - Jinkx Monsoon: I want Jinkx to be my mom. There, I said it. Also, if you don’t get that reference, get your shit together and subscribe to WOW Presents on Youtube you fucking bumpkin. Jinkx was the loveable weirdo on her season and received a lot of hate from her fellow queens but I loved her from the start. I have since forgiven Roxxxy Andrews for her cattiness because of her rudemption on All Stars 2 (insert her Read U Wrote U verse here) but nothing was more satisfying than watching Jinkx go from the underdog to America’s Next Drag Superstar. I don’t know what’s more iconic; her tendency to fall asleep at inopportune times, her laugh, or all the jokes about her being a full blown swamp witch. Either way, it will always be Monsoon season in my eyes.

#7 - Nina West: Hands down, the DEFINITION of Miss Congeniality! This choice was so obvious, I don’t even know why they took a vote. I think that even if they left it up to the fans, it would’ve been her. I fucking LOVE Nina. I’ve actually met her IRL and my first thoughts were 1: she’s HUGE (hello, she’s a six foot tall man in like 6 inch heels and I’m barely over five feet) and 2. she just radiates happiness! She is the only queen I’ve met that asked me my name (though shout out to Plastique Tiara for calling me gorgeous as if she’s not the most beautiful creature on the planet) and she didn’t make me feel like an idiot when I just stared at her adoringly and just word vomited “you’remyfavoriteiloveyousomuch”. Class act people!

#6 - Bianca del Rio: Do I even need an explanation for this one? Hands down, the undisputed winner of season 6, and that’s coming from a die-hard ***** fan (see entry #2). Did she wear the same silhouette 10+ times? Yes. Can she kind of be a bitch sometimes? Definitely. But is she the funniest fucking person alive? Probably! My love for Bianca is infinite but I still wouldn’t want her to read me, at least not in person. Actually, scratch that, I’ve seen her Twitter feed and getting read online is almost worse. I fucking love Hurricane Bianca and the sequel even though it’s one of those so-bad-it’s-good type of film series. I sadly missed her last tour because it was the same night as Sasha Velour’s Smoke & Mirrors show and as amazing as Sasha was, my heart was broken that I couldn’t go to both. But you better believe the next time she’s in town, I’m forking out lots of $$ for VIP and I may or may not faint at Bianca’s feet #noregrets

#5 - Vanessa Vanjie Matteo: Mother. Fucking. Vanjie. OKAY, I’ve met this bitch IRL and let me tell you, she is the cutest fucking thing. Like Nina, it shocked me how apparent it is that she’s a man (square jaw, hello?) but she can still paint for filth and look fishy AF even with her boyish features. Also, AMAZING performer! I waited 3 hours after the M&G for her to actually come on stage and perform only two songs (that’s a story for another day) but let me tell you, it was worth the fucking wait. I showered that bitch with Canadian monopoly money and I would’ve given her more if I wasn’t such a broke millennial. And to top the whole night off, I got woken up at 5 am to my friend screaming because Vanjie had reposted my photo in her story so I was essentially Instagram famous for all of like, a day. Thanks girl xo

#4 - Bendelacreme: I love me some Dela. This queen proved in both her regular season and All Stars that she is a force to be reckoned with. Season 6 wouldn’t have been the same without her and did I want to yell at Darienne Lake for being a bitch to her? Absolutely! (Gia Gunn pun intended) And I honestly think that if she hadn’t eliminated herself, she would’ve won AS3 (though if you read my #1 entry, I am 100% satisfied with who did win). She completely deserved her Miss Congeniality title, and while I see where the others AS3 queens were coming from when they suspected she was trying a little too hard to keep up that image, I did appreciate her trying to play the game with some class, because we don’t see that often on Drag Race. I also love her friendship with Jinkx and it’s definitely on my bucket list to see one of their shows one day. You know what they say, the Creme always rises to the top!

#3 - Brooke Lynn Hytes: Full disclosure, I’m Canadian but that’s not the only reason why I love Brooke (she is the Queen in the North though, and I’ll fight you if you say otherwise). This queen is fucking TALENTED! Season 11 would have failed without her, IMHO. She can design and sow a complete outfit, read people to filth, sort of sing (I still listen to Queens Everywhere daily, especially her verse), dance circles around ANYBODY, and lip sync like her mother fucking life depends on it. Did she, by the end of the season, forget that’s there’s more to a lip sync than being on pointe? Yes, absolutely. But that doesn’t change the fact that she is literal perfection and I think that’s why Ru gave Yvie the crown instead of her (though I love Yvie so don’t come for me). Brooke’s biggest downfall was the fact that she wasn’t relatable and I am 100% okay with that. Sometimes you just have to worship the unattainable. The only issue I have with Brooke is her and Vanjie not being officially together anymore because yes, I am one of those fans that ship queens together, especially queens that have actually dated. I will never get over #Branjie, just saying.

#2 - Adore Delano: "I'm a fucking Libra!" As soon as these words left her mouth, I knew I was in love with Adore Delano. Season 6 is by far my favorite season (spoiler alert if I decide to make a Top 10 Best Seasons list) and if it weren't for my #1 pick, she would 100% have the top spot. Hell, before I discovered WOW Presents, she WAS my #1 pick (read my next entry to understand what I mean). Adore is simultaneously adorable (pun intended) and fierce AF. She's beautiful, hilarious, and did I mention beautiful?! She is the reason I say "party" at inappropriate times. She is the reason I wish I was a Libra instead of a fucking Scorpio. She is the reason I insist everybody start their first Drag Race binge with season 6 because I know they’ll fall in love with her as much as I have. Adore, if you’re reading this, I fucking adore you.

#1 - Trixie Mattel & Katya Zamolodchikova: Of course these two are tied as my number one spot. Individually, these queens are fucking fierce and extremely talented (go download Trixie's country albums if you don't believe me), but together they are pure gold. If you've only ever watched their run on season 7, you probably don't understand why I love them so much, so do yourself a favor and go watch All Stars 2 & 3, as well as their web shows "UnHhhh", "The Trixie & Katya Show", and “Queens Who Like To Watch”. I can even give you a list of other stand alone videos of them to watch (ex. "Besties for Cash", "Fashion Photo Review", compilation videos of the pair in Palm Springs... I think you get the gist). Truth be told, I'm absolutely obsessed with these two, so much so that I may or may not have indulged in some online fan fiction about them from time to time...don’t judge me, okay?! I love a friends-turned-lovers love story, and I know I’m not the only one wishing #Trixya would happen IRL. I've also shelled out so much money to Trixie alone on her merch and makeup, and I'm waiting very impatiently for them to go on tour together so I can go full Futurama and just scream "take my money" as I buy the most VIP package they have. Trixie and Katya are the ultimate definition of All Stars and I'll fight anyone who says otherwise.

[thesinglesjukebox]

DIXIE CHICKS - GASLIGHTER

[7.67]

Well, we're ready to make nice...

Jessica Doyle: I made the mistake of reading some of the hell-hath-no-fury-like-Natalie-Maines-on-vocals early publicity, and ended up expecting something a lot less jaunty. If you played "Gaslighter" for a non-English speaker, I'm not sure they'd hear the angry breakup from the music and vocals alone. That stray "Look out you little--" heading into the chorus at 2:05 sounds downright affectionate. This makes for a less emotionally clean song, and the video feels like overcompensation (was the "Daisy" ad really necessary?). But it makes a certain sense. This isn't a fictional story à la "Before He Cheats"; the Chicks chose to eschew the luxury of marinating in two-dimensional righteousness. Adrian Pasdar, as much as he will now forever be known as That Guy Who Did Something on Natalie Maines's Boat, is also presumably tied up irrevocably with Maines's two sons and a couple decades' worth of her memories; she's allowed to refrain from hating him straightforwardly. "Gaslighter" is less cathartic than it could have been -- it might get bellowed into karaoke mics less often than it could have been -- but truer. [6]

Katie Gill: Someone please just tell me what Adrian Pasdar did! I suspect that part of my love of this song is sheer nostalgia. I adore the Dixie Chicks and I'm so happy to see them make a comeback now, even if I worry that, with the current state of country music, it won't go anywhere. And I am here for the big divorce energy this single has. It's wonderful to see that the Dixie Chicks can summon up the beautiful cathartic anger that made their last album, Taking the Long Way, so good even over ten years later. And that anger is matched with gorgeous harmonies (that, granted, are a little bit too hidden by the arrangement), a cathartic chorus, and a brief moment of wonderful vulnerability from Maines near the end. Top that off with one of the best lyrics in 2020 in "you're sorry but where's my apology" and, look, I just can't wait for this dang album to come out already. [8]

Alex Clifton: "Gaslighter, you broke me/You're sorry, but where's my apology?" has rung in my ears for nearly two weeks. I wrote a boatload of bad poetry for years around that sentiment, and the Dixie Chicks sing ten words what I couldn't do in a thousand, and I love them for it. [10]

Wayne Weizhen Zhang: "You're sorry, but where's my apology?" So many lines in "Gaslighter" speak truth to my experience of being emotionally and psychologically manipulated, but every time I hear this one in particular, several things happen. First, my blood starts to boil and race and I feel my hands get clammy. Then, I instinctively clench my teeth and get the urge to pump my fists in the air. Finally, I remind myself that if the Dixie Chicks can get through the past decades, I can too -- and my anger dissipates like air from a balloon. That's the argument the Dixie Chicks are making here: winning the argument means not letting anyone else's actions consume your emotional state. [7]

Tobi Tella: "Repeating all of the mistakes of your father" cuts like a knife, the harmonies are tight, and the lightness of the production makes it clear that they can still do fun. If there's any justice in this world, this would be a hit on country radio. [7]

Michael Hong: "Gaslighter" is the Dixie Chicks' first single in fourteen years, and by virtue of being that, is interwoven with each thread its own narrative: 1) the story of the Dixie Chicks -- the rise, the fall, the good, the bad, all of it always culminating in the idea that the women had something to prove. 2) Jack Antonoff on writing and production, straying into bold country territory, furthering his influence in modern music. 3) The rampant use, and in some cases, overuse, of the term "gaslighting," and how it's already led to thinkpieces on whether or not Natalie Maines was actually gaslit. And finally, 4) the politicization of the Dixie Chicks, broadcasting the political as a mirror of the personal. All of these narratives matter, and yet, none are necessary to understand "Gaslighter." The track is compact in all the right ways, with tight harmonies on top of fiddle and banjo arrangements and verses that pick up right where the chorus lets off. The Dixie Chicks package the gleeful realization of the truth into a chorus so jovial you can't help but sing along. All that's to say, even divorced from every narrative that you can throw at "Gaslighter," "Gaslighter" still demands you turn the volume up when you hear it through your car stereo. [7]

Alfred Soto: The inevitable emphasis on the dropped hook is purest Jack Antonoff, not Dixie Chicks, but the best of their tunes relied on outside help anyway. "Gaslighter" squeaks by on chutzpah, skill, and nostalgia from the silent minority of lib country listeners. But Antonoff's infatuation with percussion gives the Chicks the gaslighting urgency necessary to sell the songs in Labelle, Lynchburg, and Mena. They're still not ready to make nice -- except with Taylor Swift's producer's platinum cred. [7]

Joshua Lu: Jack Antonoff is perhaps the last producer I'd expect or want to produce a Dixie Chicks comeback song, largely because his limited palette of plinky pianos and muted synths isn't something I'd think I'd like to hear in country music. To Jack's credit, though, "Gaslighter" is a veritable romp, even in spite of how unfulfilled some of the instruments are and how the chorus sounds like it's coming from a couple of rooms over. The real charm, though, is in the lyrics, so full of the charm and wit that really signify that this is a Dixie Chicks song -- "you know exactly what you did on my boat" alone makes the song a perfect addition to the sizable "My Partner Cheated on Me and Now I Must Destroy the World" section of the country music canon. Fourteen years might've been a long wait, but at least it was worth it. [8]

Jackie Powell: So while 2020 has absolutely been an abysmal year, here's it's one redeeming quality: it set up an absolute glorious return for the Dixie Chicks. Their new single "Gaslighter" comes in at the right place at the right time. So do we have Taylor Swift to thank for this? Is it fair to assume that their vocals on "Soon You'll Get Better" (which might be the most beautiful song on Lover) were an introduction to Jack Antonoff? His signature drums on the second chorus and beyond provide the track with the train that will entice stans of Spacey Kacey Musgraves. A divorce anthem that is also reflexive to frustration with the world in 2020 is so on brand I want to cry. But tears of joy this time. The Dixie Chicks were some of the original victims of cancel culture. But really they were gaslit by their entire genre. Tomato-gate didn't happen until 2015, but the sexism the Dixie Chicks faced preceded the incident. What's fascinating about their return is they won't be in this fight with their genre and the country music establishment alone. Since the Dixie Chicks' hiatus, Musgraves, Maren Morris, The Highwomen and others have taken a spot on the no bullshit mantel next to the trio. It's refreshing. In classic Natalie Maines fashion, she regrets nothing, calling the repercussions of "Not Ready to Make Nice" a "blessing." But really, in 2020, we are the ones who are really truly blessed. [8]

Jacob Sujin Kuppermann: "Gaslighter" is triumphant both in its specificity ("you know exactly what you did on my boat"!!!) and its broadness (the harmonies, Jack Antonoff's shiny-as-hell production.) Despite that glory, though, "Gaslighter" feels a little empty at its core. It's the rush of the breakup without the consideration of the fallout, the thrill without any crash. [8]

Edward Okulicz: On first listen, this sounded too small, too restrained, too modest for its concept. These aren't things that you would expect from the big ambitions and big voices of the Dixie Chicks. But when the chorus comes in a second time with the drumbeat, it works as a mantra for a protagonist no more ready to forgive than she is to forget. And, as if you needed to be told, their voices still sound gorgeous together. [8]

Oliver Maier: A tumbling boulder of rage for a chorus and Jack Antonoff graciously refraining from turning "Gaslighter" into a big echoey 80s-inflected synth pop confection. "We moved to California and we followed your dreams" is such a great opening line for the verse, charging the events of the song with a mythological, Dust Bowl-era resonance and signalling the relationship's disintegration before it even occurs, like something out of a Steinbeck novel. Maines rattles off each charge against her ex just vividly enough to get the raw emotional beats across, without fixating long enough to stall the song's momentum. A relationship is cremated and catharsis is achieved; no need for an autopsy when there's no ambiguity left. [8]

[Read, comment and vote on The Singles Jukebox]

[goodproofingwater]

Wildfire Records - Chapter Eighteen

Word count: 3441

Playlist:

Knee Socks - Arctic Monkeys

Graveyard Whistling - Nothing But Thieves

Warning: graphic sexual content Andy straightened his shirt out as he waited in the coffee shop down the road from the apartment, Cindy having chosen it so he had to do as little as possible to meet her. Everything in him was screaming that this was a terrible idea, but he figured there was no harm in trying and there was no one to stop him from going anyway.

Cindy had refused the band once before, and part of him wanted to ensure the woman saw them for what they were now - a success without her help. That and he couldn’t help but be curious as to what she would offer.

He stood as the blonde walked into the cafe, knowing what she looked like half from the fact she said she had a straight blonde bob and half from the description that Juliet and Victoria had offered when they had been bitching about her. He could already see what Juliet meant about her being a force to be reckoned with, her stern face looked strict even when she smiled and he sat down after shaking her hand.

“I got you a latte,” he started, “I didn’t know what your normal order was.”

“Oh God, it should be me buying you the coffee!” Cindy spoke, pulling the mug toward her but not touching it. Andy sipped his cappuccino, licking his lips and eyeing her with curiosity, “I just wanted to have a quick chat with you really, how are you doing?”

Her energy was strange, unlike anything andy had experienced before and that was saying something. He had deliberately come to this meeting sober and he was glad for it because if he had even an ounce of coke in his system he would have laughed in her face.

“I’m alright thank you…” he sipped his coffee once more, sitting back on his chair and resting an ankle on the opposite knee, “listen I’ll cut the crap here. I know that you manage Juliet and that her and Victoria came to you with our EP a few months ago and you turned us down. Why are you approaching me now, and why did you call me and not ask Juliet to call us all in?”

Cindys face fell, and Andy was careful not to smile. She had either expected him not to know or not to care about the cross over. He enjoyed defying people’s expectations.

The blonde covered her expression with a fake smile, chuckling and sipping her latte as she carefully crafted the words in her head.

“Listen, we both know who’s in charge of the whole operation. Juliet and Victoria may have started this little experiment and put money into social media and whatever, but you’re the reason they even have something to be doing in the first place.”

Andy nodded, smug at her words and acutely aware that she was working him.

“So it would have been stupid to come to anyone but you with this proposal.” Cindy continued, pulling a paper folder from her bag and sliding it across the table. “In there is a contract for a 2 album record deal, a management package and a U.K. tour with possibility of extension to the US if the U.K. tour hits certain targets.”

Andy tried not to look as excited as he was, instead busying himself by opening the folder and letting his eyes run over the contract. It was all there in black and white, a contract worth almost a million dollars which allowed them everything they had worked so hard for. The U.K. tour only had to hit capacity on three of its dates for them to tour the US, and the venues for the US were already listed. This was everything they had wished for and more, and although he so badly wanted to continue with the company that they had started, it seemed stupid to pass this opportunity up.

“So?” Cindy spoke, and Andy looked up at her with a grin, no longer able to contain just how excited he was,

“Absolutely.” He spoke, making the decision without even thinking further of the others. This was something that he knew was going to be good for all of them, something that would make them all a shit ton of money and see them rocket to fame in the process. Sure Wildfire had been fun and had gotten them where they needed to be for this offer, but how could he say no to this? The girls would be pissed, and he hated the idea of making Victoria’s face look the way it did when she caught him with Lizzie, but at the end of the day they could still live with them, could still experience everything. They could even come on tour with them if they wanted. The money they would make off of merch sales alone would be enough to ensure that they could be along for the ride.

The blonde smirked, sipping her coffee once more as she slid a pen over the table, “we would obviously need the three of you to sign, so once you have, take this to the others and give me a call when you’re ready to hand it over.”

Andy nodded, his stomach falling when he realised that Josh and Danny may not be as comfortable with this as he was. They had always been the ones with the better moral compass.

“Oh and one more thing?” Cindy spoke, leaning forward with a glint in her eye that she hoped Andy didn’t notice, “this contract says that you’ll need to cut all ties to Wildfire Records. That means stripping them from your website, Spotify, gig listings…”

“Yeah, yeah..” andy shrugged, already knowing that this would have been the case

“And you’ll have to cut ties with any employees there,” Andys eyes darted up to the blonde, heart wrenching in a way he had never felt before as he realised what she meant. Juliet worked for Fieldworks so that wouldn’t be an issue. This clause had been added specifically so that Victoria couldn’t be involved and Andy would be willing to bet it was because she had quit.

“You mean..” he spoke, trying not to think about the way she would look at him when he told her that she had to move out, that she couldn’t speak to them again. He would have to forget any chance he had at being back in her bed, would have to tell Josh to stop whatever they had started. Would it be worth it considering this contract gave them everything they had ever wanted? The very thing they were in England for?

“No contact. We can’t have you sharing industry secrets with our competitors now can we..” she smiled like the snake she was, and Andy gulped as he weighed up everything. Surely the girls would understand?

—

After a perfect morning of waking up in his arms, his soft kisses on her shoulder rousing her from slumber, she reluctantly pulled on clothing and stretched out. She had never woken feeling so satisfied, and she felt her heart skip as he glanced up at her from where he was sitting. Everything had shifted last night and you could feel it in the air. They were no longer just friends, there was no longer sexual tension between them because they had already felt each other. She bit her lip as she suppressed the urge to crawl on top of him and kiss him hard, to strip once more and spend the day as they had spent the evening.

“You ready for this, baby?” He spoke, his gorgeous accent slipping over the words, the pet name making her heart skip once more as she realised that she was his. They hadn’t made anything official, hadn’t even spoken about anything as they had been too busy bringing each other to the edge, but she was. She felt like she always had been.

“I’m not sure..” Victoria chuckled, and he moved closer to her, taking her face in one hand and pressing a soft kiss on her lips. She bit her lip as he pulled away and his lips quirked into a small smirk.

“Don’t be using my weakness for you biting your lip against me now alright?” He grinned, holding her chin up with his forefinger as he kissed her softly again.

“Mmno promises..” she giggled, and she kissed him once more before they crawled from the tent.

Juliet and Danny were already up and making breakfast, and Victoria felt herself blush as she watched Danny’s smirk at his best friend.

“Sleep well?” Juliet spoke first, and Josh met Victoria’s eyes with a small smile before she answered.

“Oh yeah, the fresh air always helps me sleep better..” she sat on the bench next to the fire as Josh grabbed their toothbrushes and some water

“Hmm…” Danny spoke with a smirk on his face, “fresh air huh?”

Josh didn’t meet his friends eyes, instead choosing to look up at Victoria who was doing the same thing. He passed her her toothbrush and the toothpaste and Juliet and Danny smirked to each other, choosing to let it go for now as they obviously didn’t want to talk about it. The moans coming from the tent the previous evening spoke for themselves, and if they didn’t, the hickey on Josh’s neck sure did.

The drive back to London was just as smooth as the drive out. On more than one occasion, Josh’s hand slipped to Victoria’s thigh, her denim shorts allowing him to touch warm skin. It was more a comfort thing than anything else, but it was winding the redhead up more than she could let on. They hadn’t voiced that they weren’t going to tell anyone what had happened, but they both had the same feeling. They wanted to ensure that everything was settled before they let anyone know they had slept together. Victoria hoped that this wasn’t a one time thing, that it wasn’t just because they had been in a tent together in the middle of nowhere. As if to answer her, he slipped his fingers between her own when they were at a red light and bought her hand to his lips, kissing it softly with a smile and a sweet look in his eyes that made her heart race.

She hadn’t felt this way in a long time, hadn’t been with a guy who understood her and made her so happy before and she swallowed hard at the realisation. She had already been falling for him before they were together, and she hoped more than anything that he felt the same way.

They had a harder time hiding the fact that they had slept together when they got back to the house. She felt like her fingers were itching every moment they weren’t touching him, and there was only so many times he could sneak a kiss without anyone noticing.

*After a night of charged looks and touches across the dinner table, of almost kisses as he tried to teach her to French inhale more, she wasn’t surprised to find him sneaking into her room. She was glad for not being too high when he climbed on top of her, her legs instantly parting for him as his lips met her neck.

Soft giggles at his touch turned to moans, “Josh..” she grinned, soft kisses on her lips warping as his tongue dipped in her mouth and ran along her bottom lip.

“You’re like a drug,” he whispered, lips moving back to her neck, the smell of his aftershave mixed with tobacco and marijuana washing over her as she moaned softly. “I never wanna stop making you feel good..”

He smirked against her lips as she moaned, a hand moving to silk pyjamas and slipping inside to feel her bare beneath them.

“No panties?” He looked down at her, eyes burning with lust, “god could you get any hotter?” She grinned as he kissed down her body, pulling the fabric from her and licking his lips as he settled on his elbows between her legs. Nerves ran through her as she realised that they hadn’t done this yet. They barely cared for foreplay when they were camping, so desperate to unravel each other.

“J—“ she bit down on her lip as he gazed up at her with lust filled eyes, and she was sure she had never seen him so turned on, “god you look so sexy..” she bit down on her lip and he smirked once more.

“Wanna know a secret, baby?” He whispered as he kissed slowly down her thigh, nipping every now and then and blowing softly on her pussy before he did the same with the other thigh. “Mhm…” She nodded, biting her lip harder as he spoke, “I absolutely love giving head..”

He placed a soft, open mouth kiss on her clit, eyes never leaving her as she gasped at the contact, “and I’ve been wanting to taste you for so long..” his voice was an octave deeper, and she was about to respond when her voice caught in her throat.

His flat tongue gave a solid lick from entrance to her clit, a small flick of his tongue at the end against the most sensitive part feeling like a master signing off his work with a flourish. She let out a loud moan at the feeling, his smirk against her so sexy that she completely lost it. Hands flew to his hair, gripping softly as he worked her clit in perfect circles, two fingers easily slipping inside of her.

“God you taste so good…” he moaned, kissing her clit once more, “and you look so good moaning my name…” he groaned against her as she pressed her hips up toward his lips, smirking before he went back to work.

He alternated between licks and sucks, fingers never relenting their wonderful assault on her g-spot. Her orgasm hit her hard and without warning, her back arching so far off the bed that the angle made his fingers press even harder against her spot.

“Fucking hell Josh..” she moaned out, cumming hard and he groaned against her pussy as he lapped up everything she had to give him. When her body had calmed to shaking softly on the bed, he moved his fingers from her to gently rub at her overstimulated clit.

“B-baby..” she moaned, legs jerking in pleasure as she felt herself begin to build to another orgasm. As if he knew, he continued to roll the small bundle of nerves in perfect circles, making his way up her body to kiss her softly. His smirk was one of the sexiest things she had ever seen, and she let out moan after moan as his tongue swiped across her nipples and up her neck.

“I’m gonna make you cum once for every time I’ve thought about you, twice for every time I touched myself over you and three times for every time I looked at you and wished you were mine,” his words, mixed with the way he was looking at her and how good his fingers felt on her clit tipped her over the edge again, and just when she thought she was coming down, he slipped his hard shaft inside of her.

“Holy s-shit J…” she spoke, tears leaking from her eyes as she was in so much pleasure she could barely stand it.

“God baby I..” he looked down into her eyes, wanting to tell her how much he liked her, how long he had wished he could hold her in his arms, but he couldn’t vocalise any of it without sounding desperate. “Fuck.. V you’re so perfect..”

He buried his head in her neck as he began moving inside of her, latching down onto her neck as she writhed in pleasure. She hitched her legs up on his hips, and he grabbed the headboard with one hand as he kissed her, moving back to allow his shaft to almost completely remove from her before slamming back in.

“J, oh my go-od..” she moaned, blinking tears of pleasure away as she looked up into his lust filled eyes. She had never seen his eyes so dark, his face so full of pleasure and his expression so territorial. He was so fucking sexy, so perfect and she couldn’t tell if it was the weed or the multiple orgasms but she never wanted anyone but him ever again.

“You’re so tight baby..” he groaned, “fucking so perfect..” he slammed hard into her faster, the wonderful wet noise of skin on skin filling the room, mixing with their moans and there was no way someone hadn't heard them.

Groaning as she looked up at him, she gasped for air as he slowed down, pushing deep and deliberately against her spot. He kissed her passionately, moans fighting moans as their tongues danced and he pulled away only to rub his nose against hers.

“I want you to cum on my cock, V” he whispered, “cum for me again, beautiful girl..” his fingers moved down to her clit and she cried out in pleasure, one twist of his finger over her drenched sex sending her out of control once more, and she gripped the headboard and his back as she came hard. Tears free flowed down her face as she came harder than she ever had done, nails digging into his back. He kissed her fiercely as he came inside of her, expletive after expletive whispered against her lips as his sloppily thrust to the tune of the end of their orgasms.

He lay above her for a moment, face buried in her neck as they tried to catch their breath. Victoria felt like everything around her was sensual, her body so hypersensitive from cumming so many times in quick succession, and she even moaned as he pulled out of her, the feeling of him moving inside of her even to pull out making her walls jolt.

“Fuck..” she whispered, staring at the ceiling completely star struck and not even caring the mess they had made, “Jesus Christ J..” she turned to face him, thighs slick with their sex but she could barely move.

“Mm..” he grinned, laying with his head on the pillow next to her looking completely satisfied, “I’ve been wanting to do you like that for a while…” he licked his lips as his eyes ran over her spent body. Maybe it was the post-sex haze, but he felt his heart skip a beat at the thought of waking up next to her everyday for the rest of his life.

“You’re amazing…” she whispered against his lips, kissing him softly over and over and pulling back only when her body denied her the luxury of holding their mess any longer.

He watched as she walked to the bathroom, pulling the duvet over his naked lower half and realised that he felt deeper for her than even he had realised. She was everything he had ever wanted and more.

—

*Andy sat on the roof terrace by himself after everyone had gone to sleep, drinking a beer and smoking a spliff as he read through the contract once more. He wanted to make sure that he fully understood everything that it said before he presented it to the boys. He knew there was a chance that they wouldn’t want to go for it, and he wanted to be ready to convince them in that case, ready to argue any angle.

He had been having second thoughts about it when he had come home, but then he had dinner and saw the way Josh and Victoria were looking at each other, saw them cuddling up on the couch the way that he and Victoria had once done, and had heard her moaning his name from across the apartment. He had thought for a moment that she was the best thing to ever happen to them, that she was the key to their success and his happiness, but she hadn’t understood why he had to sleep with Lizzie so she would never understand what it took to be successful in this business. There had been a moment before he fucked Lizzie where he had been hesitant, but him being selfish had gotten them the radio interview, and it was about to make them famous.

The sound of her voice moaning Josh’s name resonated in his mind, and he shivered slightly before he picked up the pen, signing her out of his life for good.

[nuttydefendorpenguin-blog]

How To Pick A Wedding Photographer For Your Marriage ceremony

Hochzeitsfotograf Frankfurt How to Choose Your Wedding ceremony Photographer As your marriage ceremony day is booked, the location, the automobile, and all these great factors that make your marriage ceremony day a day to don't forget, and in that record one particular of the most essential items to bear in mind to do is to e-book the photographer. It is his or her responsibility to capture those valuable times on in your wedding ceremony images that you will have for the relaxation of your daily life. But when it will come to choosing your photographer how can you be sure you have identified the proper one particular? Job interview Your Marriage ceremony Photographers A excellent photographer will know how to get the best from the wedded few and their friends and will be capable to decide on the greatest mild and backgrounds for the images. When you fulfill a photographer who might probably be the photographer for your wedding, inquire about creativity and his or her suggestion for creating the wedding album in conditions of style of photographs. The photographer you select has a part that goes outside of basically having pictures. A great photographer will know how to produce possibilities and eventualities that will produce fascinating and exciting pictures. Remember, your idea of exciting may not be the very same as your photographer. For case in point, at a latest wedding I photographed the Bride was picked up and held by the Groom and the Groom's Males and the Father's of the Bride and Groom whilst she reclined in their arms. This is a widespread picture, but not one that I individually would ever suggest as it is just not my concept of either a wonderful image or a enjoyable thing to do. Even so, it is what they wanted and I was pleased to go together with the display. Your Photographer's Character This provides me to the following critical thing to keep in mind, the marriage is your working day, not the photographers, this is a day for you to have fun and have a excellent time. Folks relate otherwise a variety of individuality types. Pick a friendly wedding ceremony photographer that can make you smile, a single who can perception the mood of the visitors and let items to stream by natural means and with a feeling of pleasure for the situation. This will make pictures look more all-natural and comfortable. Consider to have a pre-marriage ceremony photograph shoot, this will aid you to recognize your photographer and far more importantly him to comprehend you and how you really feel in front of the camera. With the exception of your associate you will commit more time with the photographer than with any one else on the working day of your wedding, so make positive you can get on effectively with him or her. Assess Portfolios What is the most gorgeous image in the planet? You may possibly have an answer, but another person might disagree with you because the reply is subjective. The old declaring is real 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder.' The portfolio of any great marriage ceremony photographer will look good to most folks you need to make sure it looks excellent to you. Seem at their portfolio to make certain that the photographer's design reflects your very own type and creativity. If a set of pictures or a sample album seems to be excellent, inquire to see all the photographs from that wedding. If the photographer has frequented you at your home and this requires a seconded check out, then so be it. Get Estimates Most marriage photographers suggest various "packages", permitting you to choose a offer that will best suit your funds. Examine the pricing packages of numerous photographers to uncover your best choice for assessing the value alongside with all the other factors, including good quality of their function, critiques by other clients, their flexibility and persona. Do not just go for the cheep and cheerful selection either you are paying for talent and potential. A Adaptable Approach A photographer ought to be flexible with their timetable for the day. Make positive that they will be close to by way of each marriage ceremony and reception if you require them to be. A excellent photographer will only book 1 wedding on any 1 working day, as he or she will know that things can go incorrect and the photographer might want to continue to be a minor more time. As a photographer I have taken visitors to the reception simply because the taxi has not arrived. Absent and gathered gasoline and balloons to beautify the corridor, stayed later on than predicted (not too long ago by six hrs) because there has been a issue with guests or loved ones and the photos would not have been taken if we had caught to the original settlement. For all of these items there was no added demand, as it is all portion of the service that a photographer need to give if he or she is each adaptable and personable. Verify The Paperwork There are 3 or probably four factors it is worth checking with your photographer, and dare I say you need to inquire to see the proof of. I can only talk from a British Photographers Point of check out on this as other nations around the world will have various organisation and principles, but nonetheless check out! Very first, check the photographer's General public Legal responsibility Insurance Plan, if Great Aunt Agnes journeys on the tripod and fractures her hip is the photographer covered? Second, check out the photographer's Expert Indemnity Insurance policy if the photographer looses all your pictures can you get compensation? Third, is the photographer a member of a specialist physique like the British Institute of Professional Photographers? Inquire to see his or her ID Fourth, is the photographer's automobile protected adequately with breakdown protect? If his or her auto does not commence will they get to your marriage ceremony? Ultimately, if you do uncover you need to have help with those little extras like getting attendees to the reception venue, ask if the photographer's automobile insurance policies handles organization, simply because if not, then your friends will not be insured to journey in the automobile.

[thisislizheather]

March Magic

Forgive the lateness of this post, but March was a busy month so LET’S TALK ABOUT IT.

So after leaving Ipsy last year (for various reasons), I’ve missed receiving a little package every month full of makeup samples. I was all set to try Birchbox, but they wouldn’t accept a Canadian billing address so that didn’t work out. Instead I opted to give PLAY! By Sephora a chance. I was a member for three months before cancelling last week. My reason for ending it was mainly because I barely got any lipsticks or highlighters or anything FUN. I don’t know if it’s because they know that I’m in my mid-thirties or because they just have an influx of specific products, but a bitch doesn’t need twenty sample size cleansers. Not this bitch, anyway. Also, sending out a foundation sample (no matter the luxuriousness of the brand) makes ZERO sense because finding the right shade makes all the difference in the world for foundations. Also, I barely wear foundation. So I ended it. Also, am I the only one who hates getting tiny perfume samples? I feel like I have so many that I feel bad about throwing out, so I just keep them in the washroom and then use them instead of air-freshener if someone (or myself) stinks up the room (#lizadvice).

I was briefly intrigued by Frank & Oak’s clothing subscription box but decided after an hour of research that it’s probably too expensive for what you’re getting, even if the clothes are gorgeous.

Of course it was upsetting to hear that Luke Perry passed away. He was definitely one of the first men that I loved on television (god, I remember every single detail of that 90210 when his wife Rebecca Gayheart was killed). Such a good actor. So wildly attractive. And man, he was one of the best parts of Riverdale. I hate thinking about that show without him.

I absolutely love spring peas, so I made this Lemon-Basil Orzotto and it was really good.

I tried this charcoal that’s supposed to clean your makeup sponge and it was kind of annoying to use. It just takes too long to get a good lathering, and my foaming hand soap does the job much better and quicker.

I’ve only used it once so far, but I think I’m really into this Bliss Jelly Glow Peel Exfoliator that I got at Target for $10. No irritation at all and my face felt crazy smooth afterward.

I have a mini version of Sunday Riley’s Lactic Acid and it’s kind of really good, too. Only a million dollars more expensive than other good facial products! Sweet! Also, you’d think having “acid” in the name would frighten people away but I guess not. Obviously never going to buy the full size because it’s not magical or anything, but happy to have tried it.

Ate at this Mexican place Pulqueria in Chinatown that was pretty good. The location is pretty cool (very NYC out of a movie) and the inside is gorgeous. The food? Pretty decent! All in all, nothing to write home about but definitely worth remembering if you’re in the neighborhood.

Got some ice cream at Taiyaki and it was the definition of plain-as-a-dick. Nothing special here.

Finally ate at Lilia in Brooklyn! Honestly, it was really great and I can’t wait to go back. I made Nathan get the spicy lamb fettuccine so that I could try it and I got the mafaldini with pink peppercorns. His was fantastic, but mine was only so-so (it was way too al dente) - I think I just ordered badly because everything else we had was incredible. They had this herbed focaccia with ramp butter special that blew our faces off. I’ve never heard of a bread special before and it’s a brilliant idea, more restaurants should do this, people go nuts for fancy bread (myself included). The cauliflower appetizer (with spicy soppressata, sicilian pesto & majoram) was amazing and the dessert soft-serve swirl was wild. I already know what I’m ordering next time: the sheeps milk cheese filled agnolotti with saffron, dried tomato & honey. The service was of course great, and the space itself is gorgeous. No idea it used to be an auto-repair shop. Is the pasta better at L’Artusi? I’ll have to order the agnolotti before I answer that question. One must be well informed before making such declarations.

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On my birthday, I took advantage of a free-facial offered from Smith & Brit in the city and it was beyond lovely. Claire (the owner) is such a fantastic woman who really knows what she’s doing and she made it such a wonderful experience.

I also took advantage of the free birthday brow arch they offer at all Benefit locations and whoa. I almost exclusively thread my eyebrows every few months, so I was excited to have them waxed for a change. I have pretty sensitive forehead skin, so I did have tiny bumps around my eyebrows for a few days afterward, but it still was worth it. They do an “eyebrow map” of how your eyebrows would best look and then wax them accordingly. And then they follow that with filling them in with Benefit products. I usually use a combination of Colourpop’s brow pencil and Milani’s waxier eyebrow pencil, but when she used the Benefit eyebrow gel wand, I was floored at how much fuller they looked. Really considering buying the mini and seeing if I can achieve that same look. Look how full!

Above Photo: Excuse the horrifying closeness of the above photo

I tried both 2019 birthday gifts from Sephora and Ulta, and talked about both of them here.

I watched all of Shrill in one evening and I can’t imagine not watching it that way. It’s perfect. I can’t stop playing this song on repeat, WHY IS IT ONLY ONE MINUTE? Other thoughts: I had no idea that the morning-after pill doesn’t work for women over 175 pounds, that’s insane!? The mother/daughter storyline is so well done it hurts. ALL of the outfits on pretty much every single woman are so fucking lovely. I rewatched that one part with the woman in red walking and buying flowers over and over it just made me so happy, I can’t describe why. And the pool party episode? I may have sobbed through some of it, and not in a sad way but in a cathartic way. It just made me feel so many things at once. Mostly about how sometimes you feel invisible if you’re self conscious or self-loathing about your body, and you feel like you don’t matter unless you fit into this idea of what you think people expect you to look like and how if you don’t fit into that, then you’re essentially a worthless piece of garbage, so you treat yourself that way on a daily basis. And how this type of thinking can last you a lifetime because it’s all you’ve allowed yourself to believe for years and years. There are so many ways that a person can feel inadequate or less than, and it’s so internally normalized because you truly believe that you’re not good enough and you never will be. It’s a depressing way to live and so many women especially live this way, myself included obviously. So that whole episode really just felt like a fucking dream of a reality. I really hope there will be more episodes of the series, I’ve never related to a television show more in my life.

I tried the watermelon makeup wipes from Sephora and even though they smell amazing, they don’t take off all of your makeup. Pass. The Avon one is still my all-time favourite.

I tried the cleansing pads from First Aid Beauty and they’re tingly, fun and great. Perfect alternative for when you don’t feel like washing your face. I don’t know if that’s their intent, but that’s how I’m using them.

Nathan’s second album came out on iTunes! Buy it! Love it! Or not! Do you!

I’ve been having trouble sleeping and one thing that has helped? Taking a hot shower before bed. Is this such common knowledge that I’m a moron? Maybe. In any case, very happy to have learned this.

Started and finished watching the final season of Broad City and it was really, really good. I always forget how good this show is. I wish it existed when I was a teenager.

Practically in LUST with Trader Joe’s Everything But The Bagel Seasoning. I’m so late to this party, but at least I finally got there. I’ve only even tried it on top of some buttered bread and I was floored at how good it is.

Can’t stop rewatching all the old Ready or Not episodes on YouTube. Also, Degrassi Junior High.

You know how sometimes you have irrationally dumb opinions on things you know nothing about? That was me with dry shampoo. I didn’t really understand it. Also, I thought it was exclusively for white women, I don’t know why? Obviously I tried some (this Amika one) and I mean… it’s kind of spectacular. I maybe shouldn’t have discovered it because I might never wash my hair again.

I visited the Everlane store in Soho (because apparently YouTube ads really do work on me) and even though it’s beautifully minimalist, it’s way too overpriced.

Tried the pizza at Lions & Tigers & Squares Detroit Pizza and it was really good. They don’t offer single slices, but it’s the perfect place to go with someone to split one. So in love with Detroit style lately. (Also, can I accept world-wide-credit for the massive amounts of pepperoni pieces you’re seeing on pizzas these days?! I’ve been ordering triple-pepperoni-well-done pizzas for DECADES and I’ve been harshly judged endlessly because of it and LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE NOW! Full credit.)

Above Photo: Pepperoni pizza from Lions & Tigers & Squares, NYC

The penultimate episode of this season of This Is Us was wildly good. There was so much relatable couple stuff, it’s so hard to even get into if you didn’t see the episode/don’t care about the show, but if you did? Email me. I could talk about it for an hour, it was so well done. It’s essentially about the give and take in a relationship and about how it’s rarely equal, and man… so, so well done. Loved every minute.

Remember how I tried and liked Bumble & Bumble’s Thickening Spray? Well, I still do but definitely don’t spray it on your roots, it works much better if you use it sparsely on the rest of your hair when damp. Maybe that’s already obvious but I’m very new to using any hair products, so forgive my stupidity.

SO excited for Jenny Slate’s new book.

I went to Beacon’s Closet for the first time and whoa. I didn’t find anything I loved, but it’s definitely one of those places you should stop in every once in awhile to see what’s there. The space is a little overwhelming, but the things that I’ve seen people get from there are gorgeous and so inexpensive.

I tried to find my colour in the Fenty collection of concealers and nothing matched, but it’s not a huge deal since I’m happy with the NARS one I’ve been using. And speaking of concealers, Colourpop just released their own and they were kind of good?? Again, I still prefer the NARS one, but the Colourpop one is actually kind of good, especially for being $6.

Finally ate at Raclette and I don’t think I’ll be returning. There are basic rules for making a good grilled cheese. I mean, I’m no scientist but you should be able to hold up the sandwich. And that just didn’t happen here. I had to use a knife and fork, which is… sad. Astoria Bier & Cheese understands these rules and still remains the best place to go if you’re in the mood for one.

I accidentally tried smoked salmon for the first time and it was really good, who the hell knew? Apparently everyone but me. I’ve never ordered it because I really only fake-like cooked salmon, so why the hell would I like it uncooked or *shudder* smoked? Also, it looks so gross! I should’ve known better though because it’s almost always true that if something looks gross, it probably tastes amazing. That’s a thing, yeah?

I tried samples (because I own a million fucking samples of every cream on planet earth) of Kiehl’s avocado eye cream and passssssss. It left my under eyes crazy red and zombie-like, so never again.

Bought a new white living room carpet from Carpet Factory Outlet on the Upper East Side and it was so cheap and great, have to keep this place in mind.

Absolutely hate this Tarte mascara, it stays on your lashes for days after you think you’ve washed it off and I don’t know why anyone would want that.

Since I’ll forever love Trader Joe’s, we tried the new broccoli and kale pizza crust and it’s even better than the cauliflower crust that we love. This one also doesn’t burn as easily in the oven as the cauliflower one, so I think this is the new favourite.

There’s a new flavour of banana pudding at Magnolia Bakery: chocolate hazelnut. It was sold out when I tried to get it, but I did get a sample and yikes. Obviously it’s the greatest.

Ate at Al Di La in Brooklyn and it was not fantastic. Their version of “gnocchi” was confusing and 1000% too spinachy. The tagliatelle al ragu (below) was obviously good, but, like, it’s so hard to fuck that up.

Above Photo: Tagliatelle Al Ragu at Al Di La, Brookyn, New York

Found this lovely-as-hell store in Park Slope, Habit. Literally everything felt and looked beautiful. In love with this one specific brand they had.

Went to a Mortified show with Harmeet who was visiting me, and it was good! We only stayed for the first half because honestly my feet hurt and we were standing and I think we both just decided, “Yeah, we get it… we’re good” and then went to Ample Hills Creamery around the corner. Love it when friends decide to leave an event early together for something more fun, not enough people do this.

FINALLY made it to Daily Provisions. Maple cruller? Heavenly. Everything-bagel-flavoured croissant injected with cream cheese? Delightful. Danny Meyer continues to do no wrong. Favourite breakfast place in Union Square.

Above Photo: Maple Cruller from Daily Provisions, Union Square, New York City

Still very much in love with this song, and as I was listening to it one day I started reading the comments as I was listening and this one YouTube comment… my god. So sweet. Maybe parts of it are definitely corny or too much or something, but my god, in the moment, I loved it:

“I heard this song when I woke up un-groggy for the first time after an abortion. It was the first time I heard it. And riding in the car beside my Mom, who had been pro-choice her entire life until the moment she was staring that decision right in the face, both of us were silent the entire song. Through every lyric, it was as if Sara had written a eulogy of my life. Everything we had been through, everything I had suffered. Everything I had seen. Every time I had to grow up sooner than I should have. Everything I had to push to the back of my mind so I didn’t lose myself completely. Everything surfaced through these lyrics. This will just be another comment lost among this thread. But if someone happens to read it - if someone who NEEDS to see this comment see’s it - know that things will always be better. TIME HEALS ALL. Even if it seems as though no one would care if you were gone. Even if it seems as though you have no purpose in this world. YOU MATTER. It doesn’t matter how many mistakes you have made. It doesn’t matter how many times you have sworn to God “you’d change” if he just forgave you for this one mistake. Hell. Even if you don’t believe in God. If you don’t know what to believe, if you’re lost, if you don’t know what to do - just keep going. Keep doing. Keep moving in any direction that is away from the heartache and pain that keeps you tied down. Let go of the past. Let go of the fear and hurt your heart endures on a daily basis. Just keep living. Keep going. Forgive. Never forget. Learn from your mistakes. Better yourself. Live for you. Find your happiness. Love unconditionally. Live.” — Shelby Grimm

Went to Momofuku Noodle Bar for the second time and it was so much better than the first time. I also ordered better. The chilled spicy noodles with sichuan sausage, thai basil & cashews (shown below) were incredible and I tried some of the broth of the spicy beef ramen that Harmeet ordered and holy shit, it was good. I’m still too… not into the idea of ramen, but that broth was fucking nuts. ALSO, their dessert special (caramelized white chocolate pie with hazelnut and puffed rice was F-U-C-K-I-N-G memorable (also below). Christ.

Above Photo: Chilled Spicy Noodles from Momofuku Noodle Bar, NYC

Above Photo: Caramelized White Chocolate Pie from Momofuku Noodle Bar, NYC

A few months ago I got dinner at Pil Pil on the Upper East Side and since it was good, I stopped in there for lunch recently and it’s probably the best lunch I’ve had in that area for sure. There’s a $4 happy hour sangria special and their lamb sliders are incredible. The fries are maybe my favourite restaurant fries in the city, they’re so crispy and drizzled with this spicy aioli and they also have a chocolate-hazelnut dessert cake that is unbelievable. I know it sounds like I love everything everywhere, but I swear I don’t.

There is a place in NYC where you can rent out really nice digital cameras for 24 hours FOR FREE and no one knows about it (the only hiccup is that you need to have state-issued ID). Sony Square is a “public space committed to showcasing innovations in products, music, movies and gaming” - which essentially means that every few weeks they change up their aesthetic to showcase new Sony products, but the camera-rental service is an always-available option. Insanely cool thing to offer.

Found amazingly soft and comfortable leggings (cheap too!) at Aerie (thank you Marla!) that I will exclusively buy from now on. (No more trash Aritzia leggings that disintegrate every three months!) Bought some of their workout pants too that have pockets (!) that were incredibly soft, too.

I saw the movie Us and really liked it. Mostly because yeah, it’s a good movie. But also because IT’S AN ORIGINAL MOVIE. I’m so sick of remakes and superhero movies that I love it when movies like this get made. I know it’s classified as a horror movie, but it’s not really, in my opinion. Plus I love when you finish watching a movie and you want to come home immediately and research as much about it as possible. It’s good, go see it!

Harmeet and I went to Manhatta for lunch (because apparently I have a Danny Meyer obsession) and it exceeded all expectations. First of all, it’s not crazy expensive despite the fact that it’s in the fucking sky (60th floor). We got the mushroom soup, the scotch snails with pork sausage in garlic butter and the French onion burger and everything was amazing. Service was perfect. Views are insane. Perfect place to take someone who’s visiting, especially for lunch. Will definitely go back.

Above Photo: View from Manhatta, NYC

Above Photo: Harmeet! In all her beauty!

Above Photo: French Onion Burger from Manhatta, NYC

Lastly, I watched the Leaving Neverland documentary on HBO. I also watched all the episodes of Surviving R. Kelly. I watched both of these within a few days and I don’t recommend anyone viewing all of these things in such a short amount of time unless you want to cry endlessly and (irrationally? Or understandably?) loathe an entire gender for a few days. And look, if you know anything about me, you know what a huge fan I am of Michael Jackson. From his music to the connection of meeting Nathan, I’ve forever loved this man in the way that all of his fans love him. For years I would think (and sometimes, ugh, say) “I don’t know that man personally. I don’t want to know about his personal life. I can’t judge him if I don’t know him.” And I’d say these things as a way of deflecting from the fact that I didn’t want those beautiful songs tarnished in my mind, as dumb as that sounds. And in an extremely similar way, I acted the same with R. Kelly. I didn’t WANT to take “When A Woman Loves” off of my iPod for years because I didn’t want to believe someone who could sing so beautifully could be some kind of monster, which makes zero sense but seems like a rational thought to people who still don’t believe these victims. The way that we worship these artists/abusers, without actually knowing anything about them (or sometimes knowing complete details of their abuse), wanting them to continue to achieve success no matter what the cost, is so unhealthy and odd and is part of a larger culture that is already designed to idolize anyone with status or more money than us. I didn’t want to watch Neverland. I knew it’d be bad. I only took down my Woody Allen poster in my childhood bedroom last year (to be fair, I don’t live there, but this should’ve happened years ago). I rarely spoke up in favor of these men, but I did stay silent when they were discussed because that was easier to do and basically what most everyone else was doing and made it feel acceptable, which is awful. I feel horrible that it took this many years for victims to be believed and it makes me sick that I’m apart of the group of people who made it impossible for victims to be heard. As hard as these things were to watch, I think they’re wildly important to see.

This one part from Surviving R. Kelly sums up one of the problems so well.

“Our society tends to compartmentalize the things we don’t want to look at, and magnifies and glorifies the things that we do. For example, if an individual is providing something to the society as music, cinema, politics - we’re more likely to compartmentalize the negative behavior and minimize it, as a way of accepting what they’re contributing.”

Jesus, a lot happened in March. Excited for April! Some upcoming things that you can expect in next month’s post: I’m going to start taking collagen (I’ve heard it helps hair growth), a family trip to Niagara Falls, a Best of Astoria post & thoughts on the new Twilight Zone. Hello, April!