#and the interior of the house was decorated like a palace I was in awe. and there was this mint drink with like a floral syrup and thats my

[canisvesperus]

Persian humanstuck Eridan… save me Persian humanstuck Eridan…

[journeydb]

September 22 2023 Segovia and Madrid

Happy 72nd Birthday Bruce! My handsome husband is nearly as vibrant today as on the day I first met him when he was only 25 years old. He has slowed down a bit as he has aged but has only become wiser, kinder, more resilient, and more compassionate! This morning, after breakfast at the hotel, our driver, Frank drove us to Segovia to visit the city, the aqueduct, the cathedral, and the alcazar.

The aqueduct is AMAZINGA and even longer than I imagined. We walked the length of it and back to the city center. It was a bit chilly so we stopped in a shop and I bought a lovely, warm, colorful scarf.

We climbed the stone steps to tour the upper part of the city and found the cathedral to be impressive.

What REALLY impressed, though, was the alcazar, which is another name for a castle or fortress. According to Wikipedia:

"The Alcazar of Segovia is a medieval castle located in the city of Segovia, in Castile and León, Spain. It has existed since at least the 12th century, and is one of the most renowned medieval castles globally and one of the most visited landmarks in Spain. It has been the backdrop for significant historical events and has been home to twenty-two kings, along with notable historical figures.

The fortress stands on a rocky crag at the western end of Segovia's Old City, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, above the confluence of rivers Eresma and Clamores. Today, it is used as a museum and a military archives building since its declaration as a National Archive by a Royal Decree in 1998. It has also worked at times as a state prison, a Royal Artillery College, and a military academy.

The Alcazar served both as a royal palace and a fortress for the Castilian monarchs, and its architecture reflects the grandeur and is a notable example of "power architecture": the impenetrable walls, the deep moat, its impressive towers like the Homage or Juan II's, and the strategic location symbolize power and authority. Furthermore, the luxury and opulence of its interior, with lavishly decorated rooms and coffered ceilings, were designed to awe and subdue visitors, reinforcing the authority of the Kings of Castile. Similarly, the legends and rumors surrounding the Alcazar of Segovia have played a significant role in its history.

Despite its stern and fortified appearance, the Alcazar of Segovia has also been a place of daily life. Many princes, nobles, and infants have grown up within its halls, and their presence has helped soften the palace's appearance, making the castle a home for many.

Its history begins in the 12th or early 13th century when the royal family of Castile had quarters in the Alcazar, known as the "major palace". In the Homage tower, the treasure of the Crown of Castile was stored, from which funds were secured to finance Christopher Columbus's first voyage.

In 1437, the books of the royal administration were moved to the Alcazar, establishing one of the first royal archives of Castile and laying one of the foundations for the current General Archive of Simancas. Additionally, the Alcazar housed the royal armory, which served as the basis for the one now exhibited in the Royal Armory of Madrid.

The Alcazar has been the stage for crucial events in Spain's history, such as the Cortes of Castile, held there on multiple occasions; the signing of the Concord of Segovia, which laid the groundwork for the formation of the Spanish nation, took place there; Isabel the Catholic, one of the most significant and influential women in history, left the Alcazar to proclaim herself queen of Castile. It was also the site of the last meeting between Christopher Columbus and King Ferdinand the Catholic before the explorer's death.

The marriage of Philip II to Ana of Austria strengthened the alliance between the House of Habsburg and the Hispanic Monarchy. As the headquarters of the royal college of artillery, in the 18th century, the first military flight for military purposes was carried out, marking the beginning of military aviation, and the chemist Louis Proust, a professor at the Royal College, formulated the Law of Definite Proportions, a fundamental advance in modern chemistry.

The Alcazar of Segovia has made its mark on cinema and popular culture. It was used by Orson Welles in the film "Chimes at Midnight" and served as inspiration for Cinderella castle in the Walt Disney movie."

By the time we finished visiting the alcazar we were famished. We had noticed this restaurant , Casa Vicente, when we began our tour of the upper part of Segovia, so we returned there for lunch.

It was warm and cozy inside, with a roaring fire in the fireplace. Just what we needed to take away the chill! The food was nourishing and flavorful, and as it filled our bellies it made us feel happy and a little drowsy. It was a good thing Frank was driving because I dozed off much of the way back to the hotel.

When we got back to our suite we found that the staff had left a gift for Bruce's birthday. It was a nice gesture but little did they know that I don't like balloons because if they are released into the atmosphere and descend to Earth they create a hazard for birds, turtles, and other animals who may eat them thinking they are food, which can harm and even kill them. Balloons also contribute to plastic pollution. They can take hundreds of years to biodegrade. Over time these pieces get smaller and smaller, eventually turning into microplastics, which can then pollute the water supply and end up being ingested by fish, and then people.

The better gift was the fruit that housekeeping left us when they cleaned our suite! We rested and played games during what was left of the afternoon and then went to Amos Restaurant at the hotel for Bruce's birthday dinner. I was still full from lunch so I didn't eat much but, as you know, if you know, Bruce, he can ALWAYS eat, so he enjoyed the meal a lot!

[princessvictoriamelita]

Hobbies and Passions of the Edinburgh Sisters (part 1)

Princess Marie of Edinburgh (Queen Consort of Romania).

Queen Marie is characterized by being an excellent Amazon like her sister Victoria Melita.

She had a knack for painting so she took classes with Ruth Mercier.

She remembered: "I had mastered Mercier's craft in the use of colors diluted in an abundance of water, so that my flowers, even after drying, kept a velvety depth reminiscent of nature and delighted the eyes.

The Queen also began by decorating books with miniatures, ending up painting two books of great significance and with a skill that had become perfect. 

As for writing, Queen Mary remembered:"Even as a child I was endowed with a vivid imagination and I liked to tell stories to my sisters and later to my children. Beauty plays a big role in everything. Beauty of any kind attracted me, I could see everything I told so clearly so that I made my listeners wander through desolate places, on the tops of mountains, on long shores of the sea, or in awful places where the four winds met. all this, it would be a shame to let such beautiful paintings be erased, you should keep them. You are born to write fairy tales " .

Along with painting and writing, another great passion of Queen Mary was the construction of "dream houses", as she called her residence and the decoration of their interiors. All the residences of the Romanian sovereign Cotroceni, Copaceni, Pelisor, Bran, Balchik, Mamaia were built, arranged or rearranged according to her taste, because, she said: "as a child I built my house in imagination. since then I was a dreamer: proud icons filled my soul. I wanted to make them happen. The visions alone were not enough for me and I wanted to build, to do, to fulfill ".

The first adventure of the young princess Maria in decorating the rooms began around 1900 with the Cotroceni Palace. Queen Maria's biographer Hannah Pakula was of the opinion that: "whatever her current Byzantine taste, Renaissance or Art Nouveau - the queen's domestic environment was always theatrical. Ceiling with caissons, strange walls, painted friezes these were just the frame elements of some rooms. full of carved and gilded furniture, animal skins, silk pillows, silver picture frames and jade statuettes. Everywhere there were piles of flowers at least one or two vases on each table and huge planters on the floor".

Source: Lazarescu Irinel

[crowtrinkets]

Analysis of Vesuvia :) Pt 4 Architecture!

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3A, Part 3B

*cracks knuckles* ok pals lets get going 

Also let me preface this by saying that I am not Muslim and I do not know a lot about Islamic culture or art (because we only spent a week on it in my art history class, which is a shame, and I couldn't afford my textbook cry) but I will try my best to put correct information that I have found all over the internet :)

This one I was waiting to do cause I find it the most interesting. But also while doing my initial research this one made me go HEY WAIT

When I was making the last 3 parts I noticed a common theme in the bgs specifically in the arches and domes

They dont look like traditional Italian domes or arches which makes sense since Vesuvia is said to also have middle eastern influences.

But what I found most interesting while researching the architecture in Venice, I learned that suprise surprise the Romans saw some art form they liked and copied it. 

Notably there are a lot of gothic influences in Venice.

Ex  The Ca' d'Oro or Palazzo Santa Sofia, that for some reason I could only find decent info about on Wikipedia which I was trying to avoid lmao

Lots of little “windows” minature arches, just a lot of extra. The thing about Gothic architecture is that its EXTRA, Vesuvia is just a little more tame.

But what I wanna focus on are the domes

So, domes were primarily a thing in the middle east, India, and the Mediterranean and ofc the Romans were like, I like that so they implemented it a lot into their architecture. Such as the Pantheon or their basilicas

So remember when I said the Romans took architecture from other places? Well yea one of those places was the middle east and more specifically, the Islamic Style of architecture. source that was hard to find for some gd reason

Because Rome sticks out in the Mediterranean it would make sense that trade occurred often especially with other territories so close by.

The Islamic style was input into Venice around 1300-1500, when the gothic style was very prominent, and so it influenced how Venice was designed aesthetically and structurally

In Islamic architecutre, specifically in Mosques theres a wide variety of styles depending on when it was built, but they all share common characteristics. One of which being a dome. Like I said I do not known a lot about Islamic culture so here is what Khan Academy says

“The interior decoration of a dome often emphasizes this symbolism, using intricate geometric, stellate, or vegetal motifs to create breathtaking patterns meant to awe and inspire. Some mosque types incorporate multiple domes into their architecture (as in the Ottoman Süleymaniye Mosque pictured at the top of the page), while others only feature one. In mosques with only a single dome, it is invariably found surmounting the qibla wall, the holiest section of the mosque.”

Source

And here's the mosque in question

Along with domes Islamic architecture also features a lot of arches, the Pointed and Ogee arch styles resemble the arches we see in Vesuvia in my opinion

Vesuvia’s arches are a little more dramatic✨ probably just for aesthetic purposes

Moving back to the domes they don’t exactly reflect European dome styles which are more half circular shaped, the domes in Vesuvia are more “onion shaped” as its called, such as the Taj Mahal, which is considered Indo-Islamic but thats besides the point

Here’s a nifty image I found labeling its parts for fun :) source

Some scholars believe that the Russian’s took inspiration from the middle east and also used the domes in their architecture, however based off what I’ve seen they're not as common in the middle east. Russians be loving their Onion domes I am not 100% sure on this I saw it on Wikipedia but ofc not a super reliable source and there were no citations on the page so apologies

But I feel that you could also argue that they are not onion domes but cupolas (not much difference but they don’t require a building to be on, they can be found on minarets and can be a little more dramatic with their shape), which like the onion dome originated in Islamic architecture, I feel theyre a better fit 

Along with Venice/Vesuvia having very Islamic looking architecture, the gothic style which is very prominent in Venice also takes inspiration from Islamic architecture as well

I think a great example we can look at is the Hagia Sophia, it was built as a Christian church in the 6th century, under the rule of Justinian I. Although it was built to be a Christian church, the Hagia Sophia resembles a Mosque like to the t

There are lots of domes, multiple layers, arches, and it even has the minarets (towers), on the four corners.

It now is housed as a Mosque today :)

I also find the column in the town square intersting, it has a very simple almost Corinthian shape but is also colored like middle eastern architecture typically is. Also the “capital” designs are usually at the top and not the bottom but it was probably the artist taking creative liberties :)

So while Vesuvia was designed with Venice in mind I would say it has very Indo-Islamic features, more so than Venice does. I also think it’s important to learn where styles originate from, especially when ancient Romans are praised for their architectural domes despite them being done before by other cultures

I was originally going to stop this series of posts here but I kinda want to do more about other parts of Vesuvia like the palace, the courtier estates etc and I can do other stories/worlds if you all want something like that :) 

I also wanna apologize for taking so long on this post even tho its kinda short, school is kicking my ass lmao

[doshmanziari]

Architectural Criticism in 2021/2022 || Part 1.5

Before writing a fuller continuation of my previous essay on architectural criticism, I’m inserting a mini-essay that focuses on a particular piece of criticism. Let me be clear: I don’t see Kate Wagner, the person behind @mcmansionhell, as an enemy; I’m just using one of her articles as an example because I had, in my essay, already linked two articles of hers (more accurately, one article and an image from another), and I’d rather elaborate on what I mean when I write “...a vapid buildup to a politically convenient takeaway” than bring in an entirely different item. Wagner, in my view, represents a sort of destabilizing criticism that takes pleasure in tackling “dry” subject matter with breathless, Meme-heavy sarcasm. I find the tone off-putting, but I appreciate it as one attempt to invigorate and broaden the audiences of architectural appraisal. My issue is that by now the joke has overestimated its capacity for judgmental clarity. Really anything can be made fun of if you’re determined enough, and the more of an unquestioning audience you have the easier it is to believe everything you say is true or coherent.

The image was from this 2018 Vox article: “Betsy DeVos’ summer home deserves a special place in McMansion Hell” (a title likely devised by the editor; given the other residences Wagner has lambasted, I would be surprised if she truly believes this is among the worst). My observations won’t make sense unless anyone who is reading this reads her article as well, so please do that if you’d like to follow along. It should take only a couple of minutes.

What I’d first draw readers’ attention to is that Wagner spends the first four paragraphs on the United States’ beyond-vast inequality of wealth. Two of these paragraphs are the article’s largest, and the article is twelve-paragraphs-long, meaning that 1/3 of it is devoted to establishing a socio-economic context -- at least, that is the pretense. Once Wagner writes “...getting paid to make fun of DeVos’s tacky seaside decor is one of few ways to both feed myself and make myself feel better”, it is clear that her personal intent is a kind of vengeful mocking, and that her intent for readers is to prime them to associatively, knee-jerkingly despise anything which could come next with flat-affect “lmao”s. It’s hardly irrelevant to mention economic realities when examining luxury items (and what else is a mansion?), but Wagner’s subsequent analysis is not really architectural or even artistic: it is rather about looking at several photographs of a building, knowing who lives there and hating that person (and also imagining that they were responsible for all design decisions), and then mocking this-and-that in whatever ways one can devise. These grievances are understandable, but understandable grievances do not automatically lead to perceptive criticism.

Please look (perhaps again) at the first image. Note that only four, maybe, of the fourteen details Wagner chooses to focus on -- “no wry comment needed”, “these look like playdoh stamps”, “when you love consistency”, and “oh my god is this a shutter” -- approach anything vaguely resembling coherent criticism; and the other four images fare even worse (with the exception of the highlighting of an apparently absurd interior balcony). The rest are inane attempts at saying anything at all. Writing “hell portal” by an upper porch area may be funny for a moment, but what does it actually express? Well, nothing, except the author’s own irritation which will find whatever it can to announce its contemptuous sarcasm. Wagner’s captions will land only to the degree that the reader is humorously sympathetic.

The aforementioned remarks, excepting the one about the embedded chubby Tuscan columns’ Play-Doh-likeness, suggest that the worst thing a building can do is be formally heterogeneous. The implicative corollary here is that good architecture is eminently justifiable in all of its parts -- consistent, unified, rational. This is as fine a personal belief as anything else, but when it is wielded as dogma against architecture which has no interest in being a Petit Trianon it can only reveal its intellectual self-limitations. Wagner writes that “there is a difference between architectural complexity and a mess”, yet what that difference may be is hand-waved away. We just have to believe that thirteen different windows styles is too much. What’s the threshold? Does it depend on the size of the building? The types of styles used? Who knows.

Now of course bad architecture exists, and sometimes the failure indeed points to deficient editorial acumen; for architecture, like any other art, is as much about what’s included as what’s excluded. But in saying so little about the shingle style itself, Wagner seems to have given no thought to readers concluding that all shingle style houses are freakish -- more specifically, concluding that this freakishness is a damning transgression, and that no self-respecting, punching-up class-warrior would ever be caught dead sincerely enjoying their geometric, “exquisite corpse” escapades. In fact, the freakish tendencies of shingle style houses are just what make them such great fun to see, visit, or reside in. Wagner’s article, as far as I can tell, omits this possibility. When she writes, “Betsy likely went with this style because it is very popular in New England and in coastal enclaves of the rich and famous in general”, one is being pushed to presume that the only probable reason the shingle style exists or could be preferred over another style is to signal élite solidarity.

The photograph right above is of Kragsyde, a Massachusetts shingle style mansion, designed by the US-Northeast-oriented firm of Peabody & Stearns, completed in the 1880s. It was demolished almost a century ago, but the few exterior images of it which remain are, I think, fascinating -- maybe most of all for its enormous archway, possibly a porte-cochère, which has a thin, overextending keystone bizarrely driven into the top like a nail puncturing a petrified rainbow. I bring the building up because Wagner gives us no reason to consider why Kragsyde may have been a genuine architectonic accomplishment and not merely an oversized farce of contiguous pretensions. To the layperson hot off of the Vox piece, there may be no artistic difference between it and DeVos’ place, except that perhaps Kragsyde has a more consistent fenestrative application (would that make it better? if so, why?).

I appreciate that only so much can be said when you’re limited to less than a thousand words, especially when the issue is “complicated” (as the byline for Vox’s First-person series advertises). But the problem I keep coming back to is how DeVos’ mansion is treated as a stand-in for DeVos herself. This makes any architectural critique, no matter how pressed it is for size, flimsily presentist: its durability starts and ends with how alive the architecture’s resident(s) and political presence are. On some emotional level, this is pretty sensible: if we despise monarchical institution, we can find a sort of loophole to enjoying Versailles palace on the basis of it no longer being the residence of royalty. Our awe over its decadence and scope is intersectionally “admissible” on the basis of its having become a UNESCO World Heritage site. Similarly, one can imagine DeVos’ mansion being appreciated in a hundred years (should it still exist then) because the passage of time will have rendered DeVos’ person a historical fact, and perhaps more separable, and then tolerable, in that regard -- even if the building remains private.

But if architecture is, as a craft, critically whittled down to nothing more or less than inorganic expressions of social disparities, with every aesthetic decision a reflection of politically explicable taste, then we must assume that a great deal of the world’s most remarkable architecture is equally ridiculous and despicable, since so much of it was born out of great privilege and required specialized resources. I doubt Wagner actually believes this, because it would betray the entire premise of her McMansion Hell project, which is to demonstrate how so many modern day mansions are deeply unpleasant mounds of visual illiteracy, and cannot hold even a stump of a candle to the luminously learned and eclectic talents of prior great architects such as Mackintosh, Norman Shaw, Lutyens, or Ledoux. So what’s the takeaway here? As far as I can tell, it’s simply that if you hate Betsy DeVos, and if you care about class, you should hate her house too. And I do not think that that is architectural criticism.

[captain-mcdavid]

(pt.1) (pt.2) 

smut: yes | no 

word count: 9.1k (double whoops)

warnings: swearing, angst, smut, unprotected sex, *age difference (disclaimer: this is fiction, i am in no way suggesting that these are colton’s preferences. if you are uncomfortable with a slight age difference, the one in this story is 6 years, then this is probably not a good piece for you.)

Sitting on the couch with puffy eyes and a large bowl of ice cream is not the usual way you choose to spend your Sundays, but right now this was really the only thing you wanted to do, so here you were, stuffing spoonfuls in your face while flicking through the romance section on Netflix. 

Lauren had insisted on coming over after you told her about your seven am escape from Colton’s apartment before he woke up. She brought all your favorites, and you were starting to feel a little bit better already.

You’ve just decided on Pretty Woman, and you’re waiting for Lauren to come back with the popcorn when the doorbell rings. She yells to you that she’ll get it, and you don’t really think anything of it until she’s staring at you with a panicked look in her eyes. 

The way that she says your name is more than enough information, and you know exactly who’s on the other side of your front door. Lauren is asking questions, but all of them are jumbled in your head, and you can’t really hear her clearly. 

It takes you about two minutes to actually get up off the couch, and another two minutes to make it to the door still standing. 

“Colton-” You start but he cuts you off.

“You said what you needed to last night. Now it’s my turn, just listen, okay?”

His words are sharp and fast, and you’re scared for what he has to say but you nod despite that. 

“I know that you’re mad at me, and I know that you feel like I’ve been using you, and I’m sorry, that was never my intention.” He starts, out of breath and then eases into his words. He had to have rehearsed this. “I know that you think we should end this, but I can’t do that.”

You’re about to jump in, tell him that it’s what’s best, but he stops you again. “I think about you every second of every day. The last eight months without seeing you, or hearing your voice... It was torture. I love you way too much to just get over you.” Now he looks like he’s debating going off script, and you see the shift, the mental rip of the speech.

“I think that the worst- I don’t know, it’s, fuck. Like, the hardest part of this- for me, has been that...” His gaze drops while he stutters over his words and you can tell he’s nervous to open up. “I don’t know, neither of us did anything wrong... We didn’t lie, or cheat, I left still loving you.”

His words are coming from the heart now, and you can see his struggle. All you want to do is take his hand and hold it while he talks, but you’re so out of it you can’t actually bring yourself to do it.

His voice drops a decibel for his next sentence, the change in pitch making it resonate even more. “I’m not about to do that again. I can’t live with that kind of ending.”

The dramatic pause while he pulls an envelope out of his back pocket is almost enough for you to guess what exactly is in there, and your stomach drops.

“Colton,” His name leaves your mouth as a small plea not to do what you know he’s going to.

“I leave for St Louis in three days.” When he says it your stomach drops even further. “I want you to come see me, so this is for you. It leaves in a week.” He holds out the ticket but you’re so shocked that you’re frozen in place. “Please just consider it,” He begs, and you finally convince yourself to move, taking the paper from his hand.

He takes a step backward like he’s about to leave, but then he stops like he’s reconsidering, sighing he speaks so lowly that you almost don’t hear it.

“I’m not ready to say goodbye to you yet.”

.....

They were the words he said to you the night you came to his hotel room. They were the words that convinced you to stay then, and they’re the words that convince you to go now.

You’re really not sure why you’re doing this... Why Colton wanted you to come. Was this a detachment trip? Or a getting back together trip?

You hate the way your heart literally flutters thinking about the latter. You’ve gotten your hopes up with him before, so you tell yourself you’re not going to do it again. You’re nineteen, he’s twenty five. No matter how much you love each other nothing will change that. This is a detachment trip. You can’t be together. This is the last time.

You’re pulling your suitcase off of the baggage belt, and for the third time since you got on the plane, you start to regret your decision. But Lauren literally would have put you on the plane herself if you hadn’t talked yourself into it, so you’d be here either way. But this is the last time.

The last time.

You’re saying it over and over again in your head, walking with one final door between the two of you now, your suitcase strolling behind you as you push open the doors from customs. Your eyes scan the crowd, and of course you spot him easily.

His blonde head is sticking up far above everyone else’s, and you can’t help the smile that overtakes your face when you see the bright grin he wears.

When you get to him he pulls you into a hug, but it feels unusual, his arms are stiff, but you can’t blame him after your last meeting. The only contact you guys had had from the last time you’d seen one another, was three short text messages.

You’d sent him a “see you soon ✈️” to let him know you’d made your decision, and he’d simply replied with a heart. Texting you a day later to say “8:45, I’ll pick you up.”

When you pull back you can see his eyes drop down to your mouth, and you can tell he wants to kiss you, but instead he opts to press his lips to your forehead, playing it safe.

You allow yourself to falter for the quickest second though, because if this is your final hello, you don’t want it to be safe. Slinging your arms around his neck to tug him down, you meet him halfway, standing up on your toes to press your lips to his.

He relaxes the moment you do this, arms tightening around your waist to lift you off the ground. Wrapping your legs around his torso is too much for an airport, but you do it anyway, trying to pretend you’re in your own little world.

“I’m really glad you’re here,” He whispers, dipping his head into your neck. You nod in response while he sets you back down, pulling your carry on bag off of your shoulder and onto his own. You’d argue but it won’t go anywhere, so you let him take both your bags and lead you to his truck.

He opens the door for you, and puts your bags in the back just like the gentlemen he is, and you can’t help but smile when he climbs in beside you, wearing the biggest grin. Reaching over to take your hand he leaves them connected and resting in your lap.

Throughout the drive he makes little comments about places, pointing out the window at restaurants he likes or places he’s visited. At one point he pulls your hands up, pressing his lips to the back of your hand while he talks, and you’re trying not to smile so big that it almost hurts.

“This is where we’re going after the first game on Friday,” He announces, nodding his head to a fancy looking restaurant with glass windows. “We’ll go with a few of the boys.”

He says it like it’s no big deal but your heart feels like it’s about to stop at the thought of it. You’re meeting his friends? You’re going to a game? “Huh?” You manage to mumble, and he grins, sensing your surprise.

“That okay?” He asks, and of course it’s not, but you nod anyway.

Colton pulls into the parking garage of an expensive looking apartment building, pulling into a spot before cutting the engine.

You’re starting to feel a little overwhelmed, so you stay in your seat while he goes around to open your door and pull out your things. Stumbling out of the car finally, you’re looking around in awe of the stairwell to the lobby because it’s nicer than the entirety of your house in Edmonton. And it’s a damn stairwell!

The lobby of the building looks like Caesars palace, and your head is turning frantically, looking at all the decor while still trying to keep up with Colton. Once you’re in the elevator, which of course, is super nice, you glare at Colton. “Where the hell do you live? And why isn’t your place in Saint this nice?” You ask, referring to his hometown.

“Kendra and Kennedy picked it,” He laughs, widening his eyes at you while he ducks out of the elevator. “Wait until you see the actual apartment,”

You’d be lying if you said you weren’t in love with the place. It was spacious, modern, and Colton at the same time. Hockey memorabilia and family pictures on the shelves, a noticeable color scheme. He definitely didn’t do this.

“Kennedy and Kendra do the interior design too?” You ask, and he shakes his head.

“They asked a professional.” He says sheepishly, rubbing at the back of his neck. “I don’t wanna hear it, okay?” He interrupts before you can say anything. “I already get enough heat from the guys.”

“I love it Colton.”

He looks at you for a second like he’s worried you might be kidding, but then he grins a little and takes your hand, tugging you closer to him so he can lean down to press his lips to yours. Letting his arms wrap you up is the easiest thing because he feels so familiar and so good, and the transition from your current position to the next is so easy that you barely even notice until you’ve been lifted off the ground. Colton walks easily to the couch, sitting relatively smoothly even with the drop.

His wandering hands squeeze your ass through your jeans, while his lips fall down to your neck. You don’t quite realize exactly where this is going until your heart isn’t the only thing throbbing anymore.

As nice as it is you can’t fully enjoy it, because you know what’s gonna happen, what has to happen. Thinking about it leaves you feeling like you’re going to throw up, and that makes it really easy to side step his advances. Abruptly you stand from his lap, and he looks like a child who just had a toy taken away. “I’m really tired,” You tell him. Lie.

“Oh shit yeah,” He mumbles, getting to his feet. “Sorry.” You know he genuinely means it and you feel so guilty you almost want to suck his dick to make up for it. He is so sweet. “I’ll bring your bags up, and you can get settled. Then we’ll go to bed,”

We.

Fuck. How did it not occur to you that you’d be sleeping in the same bed? God, this trip is going to be torture. The thought of enduring a night next to him when you’re already turned on is making you want to end things now, but instead of turning around to walk out the door, you nod carefully.

You spend the next twenty minutes going through your night time routine, trying not to think about how Colton will be sleeping right next to you. Probably not wearing a shirt. Just picturing it is making you want to slide a hand into your panties. 

Taking a minute to splash cold water on your face, you emerge from the bathroom, trying to avoid looking at Colton altogether. You pretend to be busy, scrolling through Instagram, unable to get through a single sentence because you can feel him coming up behind you.

“These are cute,” There’s definitely a smirk on his face as he runs his fingers over the lace trim on your flamingo sleep shorts.

“Thanks,” You smile awkwardly, crawling onto the bed to get away from him. That’s when you finally catch a glimpse of his attire, or lack there of.

Fuck this.

He’s looking drool worthy with no shirt on, and of course, grey sweatpants. Was this a planned attack? Cause it was certainly starting to feel like it.

He crawls in next to you, and your heart skips a beat when he lays his arm out, nodding his head for you to come closer. It’s your favorite way to sleep, tucked into his side, his arm acting as your pillow. He looks way too comfortable to decline so even though you shouldn’t, you fold yourself into his him, laying your top arm on his torso.

“Goodnight, Y/N.” Lips press into your hair, his hand coming to rest on top of your own. “I’m really glad you’re here,”

And despite everything that you know is coming, at this moment, you are too. 

.....

The next five days breeze past, and you and Colton fall back into your rhythm so easily it’s almost like it’s scripted. Everything is the same, and it feels like this is how it’s supposed to be, which is why it kills you to know that it’s not. 

Almost every part of being here with him is easy. Almost. 

Sidestepping his sexual advances is the very hard part. You’re still not exactly sure why he asked you to come here, but you’re pretty sure it wasn’t just for sex. However, it seems like he thought that sex would be a bonus because he hasn’t stopped trying to get you into bed. 

You’re elbows deep in a sink of distraction dishes when Colton comes home from practice. Their first preseason game is tonight, and you’re going. You turn and take a quick look, forcing yourself to turn back around when he lifts his arm to scratch the back of his neck. His bicep flexes in an all too sensual way and you’re reminded instantly of the heat pooling in between your legs.

“Hey,” He mumbles putting his phone down on the counter. “You don’t have to do those, you know.” He chuckles, pressing a kiss to your temple. His hand lingers on your waist as he by passes you, and you try to squirm out of his hold without being too noticeable.

“I don’t mind, I want to help out.” You scrub the plate in your hand harder, fully aware of the fact that it’s completely clean. It’s one of the last two dishes in the sink and if you finish then you might actually have to talk to him, and that’ll only make matters worse.

In your peripheral vision you see him take a bottle of water from the fridge, taking a sip of it while settling against the counter. You know he’s watching you, and suddenly your skin is getting really hot.

His staring continues, and so does your unnecessary scrubbing. When he starts to walk closer, you start to scrub harder and Colton chuckles, large hands covering your hips again. “I think it’s clean, Y/N.”

When he slides a hand up to your neck you release a shaky breath, squeezing your eyes shut while he sweeps the hair from the area. “Just making sure,”

Colton presses a kiss below your ear while you rinse the plate and it slips out of your hand, clattering into the other clean dishes.

“I really like watching you in my kitchen,” He whispers, “Is that sexist?”

“Totally,” You whisper back, unable to help the way that you instinctively lean back into him. God this is impossible.

“Sorry,” He laughs, warm breath fanning over your neck. “Seeing you here, comfortable, I don’t know there’s just something so sexy about it.”

You tighten your grip on the bowl in the sink, the hot water making you feel even more feverish. His lips press against your skin again, hands pulling your hips back into him. It’s obvious what he wants, and you know you shouldn’t let it go any farther so you make a weak attempt to stop him.

“Colton, my-my hands are wet.”

“Just your hands?”

His response is so quick you can’t help but laugh. “I don’t think it happens that fast,” You reply, loving the way that he nudges your head to the side with his, dragging his teeth across your skin.

Colton snorts, biting your earlobe, and you turn at his sarcastic noise, raising your brows at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing.” He raises his hands and you slap at his chest, leaving a wet spot on his grey shirt.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” You repeat, trying to get to the base of his thoughts. “That snort! That was obviously a sarcastic snort.”

Colton laughs, a hand catching on your wrist to try and pull you into him. And man, you just wanna let him too, but now you’re thinking that you’re onto something. Plus this could possibly prolong the process, and give you some time to gain back your will power. “I know it doesn’t happen that fast, I was just- I mean you were obviously already turned on,” The way he says it so innocently almost makes you miss it completely.

How did he know?!

“Wha- I am n- no! What?” You’re struggling to find words now, trying to deny- what was apparently quite clearly- the truth.

The wide smile on his lips has your face turning an embarrassing shade of red, and he raises his brows at you, shaking his head slightly. “O-kay.”

“Yeah.” You finalize, making a face before turning back to the sink. Dipping your hands back into the water, in a mocking tone a quick you give him a quick, “O-kay.”

You think that you’re done, that you’ve actually managed to side step one of his attempts to get you into bed, but then there’s a sharp sting on your ass and you flip around, scowling at the smirking blonde.

“Tell me what’s got you so worked up,” He insists, the stupid grin still handsome as ever. He twists the tea towel again, winding up for another snap, but you lunge forward to grab it. “Is it my post practice glow?” He wiggles his brows at you and you roll your eyes.

“I’m not worked up.” You say back, matter of factly.

“Sure,” He draws it out, making sure that you can hear the sarcasm.

He watches you intently- obviously finding the whole situation rather amusing- as you twist the fabric and let it fly. It hits his arm and he laughs, barely flinching. “Y/N, we’ve had sex like twenty times. I know what it looks like when you’re turned on.”

“Oh please!” You argue, when did he get so cocky? He couldn’t possibly know just from looking at you when you were turned on.

But then again he was pretty spot on right now. Fuck.

“You’re projecting, Colton.” You try to tread backwards, tossing the towel on the counter, sinking your hands back into the soapy water. “Why don’t you tell me what’s got you so worked up?”

Silence ensues and you wait eagerly for his response, knowing full well that you have not side stepped his advances, and you are most definitely going to end up with your panties around your ankles. Doesn’t mean you’re not going to be difficult about it though.

“You’ve been holding out on me,” He finally says.

“That and your ass looks fucking incredible in those leggings.” He continues, and you squeal when he lands a hard slap on the area. It’s kind of infuriating the way that it only turns you on more. You’re practically throbbing and all he’s done is make witty comments and slap your butt.

His large hand travels up, pressuring the middle of your back hard enough that you fold, bending with the gasp underneath his touch. You’re about to mumble something about your hair getting on the dish water, but when you make no movements his hands are right back on your butt and you roll your eyes.

He slaps it again and you huff, chuckling and standing up stand straight. “Chill,” You mutter, pushing back against him only to pull forward so he’s further away.

The space doesn’t last long though, he’s crowding you up against the counter again seconds later and you try your best to look busy, scrubbing at the bowl in the sink. “You’re playing hard to get.”

“I’m not playing-“ You’re quickly silenced by him flipping you around and planting his lips on yours. He licks into your mouth immediately and despite the soap and water dripping off your hands, you tangle your wet fingers into his hair.

Yeah you’re done.

You say over and over again that you’re going to stop this, but over and over you put yourself in compromising positions. Like being in St Louis. Staying at his apartment. Any smart person would have ripped up the damn plane ticket.

You would swear to anybody that giving up this boy was harder than kicking a drug habit. He was a drug habit. And right now you were dying for another hit.

Kissing him ignited this insatiable hunger in you. You could never have just the minimum with him and it was extremely dangerous.

Things would be so much easier if you could feel this way with someone else, but when he tightens his grip on your hips you’re reminded that you never will. Colton has ruined other men for you.

You’re in your head, and it’s like he can tell. He lightly tugs your hair, tilting your neck to the side so he can put his lips on the skin there, and suddenly every previous thought has disappeared. You’ve only got one thing on your mind now.

One of his hands sneaks forward, slipping underneath the waist band of your panties and leggings shamelessly fast. He’s not doddling around, his fingers dip straight into your slit and you pant out a breathy moan, trying to egg him on.

But then he sinks his teeth in particularly hard at one point and you shriek, jolting away temporarily. The smirk he steps back with is so smug you feel your cheeks heat up instantly.

“Yup, definitely not just your hands.” He laughs.

And then he just fucking walks away.

You look on stunned as he sucks the fingers into his mouth, rounding the corner into the living room. You shake your head, trying to figure out if all that actually just happened.

You slip off the counter, following his trail to find him sitting on the couch, putting his feet up and flicking through shows on Netflix.

“You can not just do that,” You blurt out. There’s no going back from here, you’re not thinking with your brain anymore.

“Do what?” He asks, innocently, eyes glued to the screen. He’s holding back a triumphant smile and you really just wanna suck him off until that smirk disappears.

“You know what!” You cry back, folding your arms across your chest. You should go back into the kitchen, finish the dishes and pretend nothing happened, cause that’s what you’ve been doing for the past four days, but the dull ache coming from your core can’t be ignored after what just happened. She’s had a taste and now she needs a lot more.

“What you’ve been doing to me since you got here?”

For the first time you’re thinking about how he must be feeling, being practically shut out for the last few days. So this was payback then. You ignore his comment, striding over to the couch to stand in front of the TV, “Colton I swear,” You try to sound bold but judging from the growing grin on his face, you sound anything but.

“I thought you weren’t turned on,” He chirps, and you clench your fists, trying to refrain from punching him.

“If you don’t do something about this, I will.”

“Mm,” He hums, finally making eye contact. “Can I watch?”

Your mouth drops open in surprise, shocked by this new side to Colton that you didn't know existed. He raises his eyebrows at you, waiting for a response but you’ve come up empty.

“I mean I’m happy to help,” He starts, “If you admit you lied and ask nicely.”

You scoff at his words, seriously considering alternate options that didn’t involve making his ego any bigger. But all you have is your hand, and Colton’s worked much better than yours did. And fuck, why is this turning you on even more? “Really, Colton?”

He holds a hand out for you to step closer, so narrowing your eyes at him, you do. Once you’re close enough, he’s sweeping your legs from underneath you, dropping you onto your back on the couch. Once the shock settles and you feel his fingers dipping beneath your waist band, you breath out a sigh of relief.

But the feeling doesn’t last long cause all he does is peck your hipbone over the clothing, looking up at you through his eyelashes.

“I’ll spend like an hour down here, just say please,” He sings, pecking your stomach.

His words send shock waves straight to your core, and you groan at him.

“I’m not- You-,” You start, but at this point you can’t say anything other than the first words that come to your mind. “Who are you right now?”

Colton chuckles in response, sitting up from his position, you scramble to the other side of the couch, hoping the distance will mute some of the lust, but of course, nothing. “You’re so cute,” Colton smiles.

The words tumble out before you can stop them, completely contrasting his statement. “Oh go fuck yourself!”

“Woah!” Colton laughs, “I think that’s the worst thing I’ve ever heard you say.”

“I’m thinking a lot worse right now,” You fire back, leaning against the armrest. He just raises his eyebrows, silently challenging you.

Staring at him sitting there, you’re thinking of all the different ways you could get off without him, but none of them sound even half as good as his mouth looks. “I really hate you right now.”

You have to decide what’s more important. Keeping the distance and denying the sex for purposes of detachment, or eliminating all the distance and asking him to fuck you senseless.

Your brain is telling you not to give in. Finish the dishes and find another way to spend your time. But your hormones are asking why you haven’t jumped his bones already. And after four days of bottled up horniness, your pussy is talking way louder than your brain is.

So with a loud groan you hit your head against the couch cushions, “Fine. You win. I lied about being horny, can you please get me off?”

And now he just looks amused, and the small chuckle he lets out is enough to tinge your cheeks red with embarrassment. He tosses the remote somewhere, and grips your ankle, yanking you back to his side of the couch. He takes his time, slowly eyeing you up and down as he scales the furniture until you’re eye to eye. “Took you long enough,”

You’re about to make a smart ass comment back, but Colton vetoes that but pressing his lips heatedly to yours. His shirt comes off quickly, and so does yours, neither of you wanting to waste any time now.

Eagerly you push the waist band of your leggings down, waiting until Colton pulls them all the way off. His lips break from yours, falling all the way down to your thighs. He sucks a hickey onto skin there, before running his thumb down your covered slit. You see his eyes widen, and if you weren’t embarrassed before, you sure are now.

“You’re soaked,” He observes, “I can feel you through your panties.”

“I’ve been like this for days,” You admit, jerking under his touch.

“Fuck, why didn’t you- I could have like,” His words fall off as he pulls your underwear down your legs. “You’re stubborn as hell,” He mutters, and then finally his mouth is on you. His tongue ghosts over your clit and you grip onto his hair, arching your back.

One of his hands slides down, lifting your leg over his shoulder. He sucks hard on your clit and you involuntarily jerk, your heel pushing uncomfortably into his back. He flinches but doesn’t stop, pushing your hips down, until your muscles relax. “Colt,” You mumble, a wandering hand grabbing with no purchase against the couch. 

He draws circles around your clit before pushing his tongue flat to the nub, and you gasp, egging him on. Your eyes are clouding over, shoulders tensing, if he keeps this up, you’ll be done in seconds.

You feel his fingers intertwine with your free hand, and you squeeze hard, enjoying the sensations of his scruff on your thighs. His arm under your leg slides higher, resting under your ass so your back is lifted off the couch, the angle makes it easier for you to effectively grind onto his mouth, and from the squeeze he gives your ass you assume he wants you to, so you roll your hips gently onto his mouth, moaning when he groans into your core. “Oh my god, Colton,” You say breathily, grinding onto his face again. Your grip on his hair is tightening, and your hips are moving faster. At this point you’re pretty sure you’re suffocating him but his tongue is so enthusiastic you can’t be bothered to care.

The roll of your hips combined with him sucking harshly at your clit has your orgasm building quickly. Another flick of his tongue against your clit sends you right over the edge, and you try to stifle your scream as best as you can, jerking around on the couch as Colton’s mouth relaxes. He draws slow circles around your clit, and your muscles slowly start to let go. But then his hand slips from yours, and he’s sinking two fingers easily into your core.

You jolt up on the couch, but Colton’s arm is there to hold you down. “You like that?” He asks, pushing his fingers in again. You feel them moving inside of you, rubbing at your walls and spreading you out. 

“Mm, Colt,” You murmur, jerking and holding his wrist to you when he rubs against your g spot. “Right there,” You tell him, feeling like you’re getting close to your high again so quickly.

“Yeah?” His voice is raspy, and you whine when his fingers slip from you, missing the stretch already. You’re not left wanting for long though, because he slowly pushes three fingers in, grunting when you clench around him. “Fuck,” He mumbles. He’s eyeing you taking his fingers like it’s the sexiest thing he’s ever seen, and all you want to do is kiss the lip that he’s currently holding in between his teeth.

“Colton,” You whine reaching down for his wrist, “Please fuck me,”

“I’m not done yet,” He fires back, your hold on him being easily broken by a particularly hard brush of his fingers against your walls. 

“Holy- unf,” Your body tenses around him, thighs trying to close when he presses his thumb hard onto your clit. You’re already sensitive so one touch has you cumming almost instantly. 

“Fuck, you’re so pretty.” He murmurs, fingers slipping from your dripping cunt. It’s almost instinct for you to open your mouth, wrapping your lips around his digits to taste yourself. 

His hand comes in with more pressure than usual this time, his palm holding your jaw shut. You moan around his fingers while he supports himself with a knee so that he can slide out of his shorts, and you’re not sure you’re ready for him, but you want him. 

His cock springs free, and he slides it through your folds, teasing your entrance a little before pushing in slowly. It takes him what feels like forever to bottom out, but the stretch is so good you feel like you could cry.

His other hand comes to pull your leg up, resting right on the back of your thigh above your knee so that your calf hangs over his arm. He’s effectively pinned you down now with the pressure on your leg and on your jaw, but you’re not even sure you’d be able to move if you wanted to. 

“You feel so good,” Colton is rolling his hips against yours hard and fast, your moans coming out as nothing but vibrations against his fingers. Your eyes clamp shut when you feel another orgasm building, because at this point, you have no control over yourself anymore, and you feel like you might actually pass out. Your walls are involuntarily clenching around him, making him let out a throaty groan. 

“Come on hun, cum for me,” He fucks into you harder if that’s even possible, fingers pushing down on your tongue to stifle the scream that bursts out when you cum again. 

You’re honestly about to lose count of the amount of orgasms you’ve had, or are going to have, because Colton hasn’t finished yet, and the rolling of his hips against yours doesn’t seem to be slowing down. 

Your body shudders as he continues to pound into you. One of your hands clasps onto his wrist, the other scrambling to find anything to hold onto as you feel yourself climbing the hill to another orgasm really quickly. 

You’re so sensitive that the twitch of his cock inside you is enough to send you into your fourth orgasm, tears spilling out of your eyes. Your body feels limp, and you’re so blissed out when Colton pulls his fingers from your mouth that you can’t even talk, let alone push him away when he relocates to between your thighs. 

His tongue is gentle, lapping up all the cum that is at this point spilling out of you. When he flicks over your clit, your body is jerking again, and you have enough strength momentarily to try and push him away from your body, but your attempts are weak, and within no time you’re cumming for the fifth time. 

You’re not even sure how long it takes you to stop panting, and you think you might actually have fallen asleep for a hot second, but Colton is shifting in behind you, pushing the sweaty hair away from your face. 

“How- was that,” When you actually find the energy to speak, it’s not even clearly. “Five?” You manage to get out.

“Five for five days.” Colton snickers, pressing his lips to your hot cheeks. “Sex is part of my pregame routine, just so you know. As of now.” 

You’re so tired you really can’t find it in you to dwell on the fact that he’s putting you into his future plans, so you shut your eyes. “One or two will do next time,” 

And then you’re asleep. 

.....

Tugging at the blues ball cap on your head you look around to take in your sourroundings again. You’re trying not to look too uncomfortable but you can’t imagine you’re doing too good at it. Being in the friends and family box for your first ever NHL game wasn’t something you’d expected, and you definitely weren’t prepared for the questions you were about to get.

When you see a brunette doing a double take you know they’re about to start. “This is a new face,” She chirps, coming to sit beside you. You put on a smile, one that says I’m totally not about to pee myself from nerves. “Y/N?” She asks, before you can say anything.

“Uh- yeah.” You nod, holding out a hand. “Hi,”

She takes it with a smile, making you feel a little less nerdy for starting with a handshake. “I’m Francesca. Patrick’s fiancé. Colton told him you’d be here, you’re from Edmonton?”

You nod again, feeling like an idiot for not knowing who she’s talking about.

“That’s where Patrick used to play. We loved it there,”

That’s when it hits you, Patrick Maroon. Oilers winger during their playoff run. “I had a Maroon t-shirt,” You blurt, chuckling after you realize what you’ve said to make it seem like you’re not just nervous mumbling. “We loved him too.”

She smiles at this, placing a gentle hand on your own for a second as a thank you. “You’re wearing a different color tonight then, a little strange?”

“Definitely,” You answer, starting to feel a little bit more comfortable. “I told him there was no way he was getting me into a jersey. A hat is as far as it’s going.”

You fall into easy conversation with Francesca throughout the game, walking around the concourse during intermissions, talking about home and other things. When the game is over and she’s showing you over to the waiting area, you’re really hoping that she’s one of the couples coming out later with you. Even though she’s not actually from there, she still reminds you a little bit of home, which is really nice when everything is so unfamiliar.

“There’s a group going for dinner, are you coming?” You ask hopefully.

She furrows her eyebrows, “Um, I don’t think so. But I’ll be here next game, so I’ll see you then right?”

You’re not actually sure if she will, cause you have no idea if you’ll still be here, but you nod anyway, feeling a little disappointed. She hugs you goodbye when she sees Patrick and you’re left alone, all the nerves coming back just as easily as they went away.

Waiting here is literally going to give you a nervous twitch because you feel so extremely out of place. Then there’s shock and confusion because all of the sudden there’s some rando kissing your cheek.

Only when you turn around, it’s not a stranger, it’s a very familiar six foot six blonde guy.

“Security!” You call with a grin, making him snort.

“Very funny,” He mumbles, wrapping his arms around you. “I could take them anyway,”

You glance up at his confident smirk with a raised brow. “Hm, pretty cocky there for someone who’s only had two fights. Pretty sure you lost both also,”

“Wow she’s whitty today!” Colton laughs, “You know if you’re just gonna chirp me now I might just leave you here.”

“I only know two people in St Louis, I can’t be on my own.” You sarcastically reply.

“Who’s the other?” Colton asks curiously and you grin.

“Other? The two I was talking about were Francesca and her dog, Bernie. But now I guess there’s three if you’re counting the weirdo that just came up beh-“

“Okay okay,” He interrupts with a contagious smile. You break into a fit of giggles and wrap your arms around him.

“My best insults are wasted on you, it’s a tragedy.” You sigh, resting your chin on his chest while you look up at him. “I should be out there on the ice, throwing shade.”

“Christ,” He rubs a hand over his face to try and hide the smile. “Something tells me you wouldn’t last long out there.” You try to look hurt but he just shakes his head. “What are you, like five two?”

“No!” You burst, giving him a gentle shove, then opting for a firmer one when it does literally nothing. “I’m five four.”

“Oh sorry,” He replies sarcastically, “That’s so tall, you’ll do great against Chara.”

“Look who’s chirping now,” You grumble, trying to resist his affections as he effectively pulls you back into him.

“Lets go,” He chuckles, tugging you towards the door. You follow in tow as he leads you through hallways to the garage. The whole ride to the restaurant Colton is rubbing his massive hand up and down on your leg, and you wish it was doing something to calm your nerves, but it really wasn’t.

“No singing for me today?” He asks, squeezing your leg lightly while you shake your head. “Don’t be nervous,” He whispers, pulling into a spot in front of the fancy place.

“Shit,” You mumble, swiping the ball cap off your head. Colton looks on, amused while you frantically run your hands through your hair, trying to mute the undeniable hat line.

Your heart is beating fast and all you’re thinking about is how much you really don’t want to do this, but you follow him into the restaurant anyway, trying your best to not look so frigid.

There’s a series of barks and nicknames hollered at Colton when you make it to the table, your eyes scanning the expensive looking alcohol that you wouldn’t be able to have. Here anyway.

“Hey boys,” He starts, “This is Y/N.” You give a small wave while all the eyes scan over you.

“Oh, we’ve met!” One announces, and you furrow your brows.

Some of the others stare blatantly for longer than needed and you shift onto your other leg uncomfortably. They look confused, and you feel even worse than you did at the arena.

“I don’t think so, Fabbs.” Colton chuckles awkwardly.

“Yeah totally,” He insists. “You’re the kindergarten teacher, me and Eddy came out with you and Colt for your twenty fifth, yeah?” He tries to explain himself and you start to feel a little sick to your stomach, but you shake your head.

“No- uh,” Colton stutters and everything feels extremely tense for a second. “That- She wasn’t, that was someone else.” He finally gets out.

“Oh, sorry. You guys just looked really similar.” The guy apologizes while the guy beside him hits him on the shoulder, as if to say ‘dude, shut up.’

Well this was a great start. Turns out his friends have met you, or at least the twenty five year old version of you. Colton slides into the booth and you sit beside him, a good foot away.

“Y/N, that’s Robby,” Colton starts, and he waves sheepishly, obviously feeling guilty for his earlier comments. “That’s Joel, and Vince, and the other Robbie.”

“We actually have met.” The other Robbie starts, and you tense up, waiting for the next story about another one of your look alike’s. How old would this one be?

“The hotel in Edmonton, right? I saw you when you came to visit.”

It takes you a minute to realize that you actually have met him, very briefly. He was the one who knocked on Colton’s door for you. “Oh yeah!” You chirp, feeling a little relieved.

“Do you want a drink?” He asks, motioning to one of the many bottles and pre pored shots on the table.

Perfect. Just what you need to make the situation better. Calling attention to the fact that you’re a minor and can’t have alcohol. Even though you’re really feeling like you need it. “No thanks,”

You’re really hoping they’ll just drop it, but of course they don’t. “Aw, why not? Not even just a little one?”

“No that’s okay, I’m really good.”

“What are you, a minor or something?” Robby laughs, and the rest of the boys join in, until they see no amusement whatsoever on your face.

“Not in Canada I’m not!” You offer with a smile, trying to lighten the mood. They chuckle awkwardly and you cringe, this literally could not be going worse. You swear you can hear crickets for a minute and you’re seriously considering trying to drown yourself in the sink in the bathroom when Joel pipes up.

“So are you guys...?” He starts, but waits for one of you to finish the sentence.

“Yeah...” Colton is about to answer, but you can tell he’s not totally sure what to say, so you decide to help out.

“Just friends.” The table goes silent and once again the tenseness has returned. At this rate it’s going to be literally impossible to get through the night sober, so you reach for one of the pre pored shots murmuring a “Fuck it,” Before downing it quickly.

The boys cheer and you smile elegantly, doing a sitting bow. It takes a little while for normal conversation to start, but with another shot and sips (or gulps) of Colton’s drink you’re starting to feel a little looser.

When you have your third, you’re not even thinking about your older look alike anymore.

“Maybe you should slow down,” Colton suggests, and you glare at him. He laughs a little, trying to seem like it was an innocent suggestion when you both know it wasn’t. “You’re little, the alcohol hits you hard.”

“Little?” You take note of the word right away, and you know that’s not how he meant it but there’s been so many cracks about your age tonight that you’re taking everything the wrong way.

“Y/N,” He starts, quietly. But you don’t really wanna hear it, you’re not ready to play nice after learning about the teacher, so you stand quickly.

“I’m gonna go to the bathroom.” You tell him as you turn. You’re a little drunk and all you wanna do is go home. At this point you’re really just feeling like you need some time to process everything you’ve learned.

He tried to date someone who looked like you. Someone who looked like you, but was older. His age. He tried to replace you.

And it hurt. Walking away from him hurt, seeing him with Rachel hurt, but this was probably the worst of them. This actually made you mad.

While you’re dwelling on your anger you’re reminded of what Colton said when he asked you to come here, about why it was so hard to leave, because neither of you did anything to hurt the other.

But now he had. Even if it wasn’t intentionally.

You really should go home. Sober up so you can think about this rationally, but that option isn’t really available, and all you can feel right now is anger.

When you leave the bathroom, you’re greeted with a wave from Vince as he stands at the bar. “Hey, do you want anything?”

Standing here with Vince for a while sounds much better than going back to the table so you nod and stand beside him. “Maybe a rum and coke?”

He flags down the bartender to ask, and you thank him with a smile. “So you’re from Edmonton?” He asks and you nod.

“Ah, another Canadian. I’m from Ontario.”

“Oh awesome!” You start, and you’re really only intending to make casual conversation at first, it’s innocent, but when he glances behind you, you know he’s looking at the table, and you know Colton is watching. Now you’re not feeling so innocent. Might as well trying on make him mad too.“Where in Ontario?” You ask, intentionally quieter so that he has to lean in to hear you. When he moves closer you put a hand on his arm and repeat your question.

“I’m from Peterborough but I live in Toronto in the off season.” He answers. Stepping closer you really hope Colton is still watching.

“Oh, I’m visiting Toronto in the summer with a friend. We’ve never been,”

“Well it’s nice there, I think you’ll like it,” His body language is the complete opposite of yours, and you know that he’s very aware of Colton’s eyes on the two of you.

“Well if you’re there maybe you could show us around?” You take it up a notch, pulling out your phone to give it to him.

Vince furrows his eyebrows at you, but starts typing anyway. “Colton is pissed,” He pauses, eyes wandering behind you while he gives you your phone back. “But you know that already right?”

You felt powerful before, but after Vince’s call out you just feel desperate. Taking your drink from the bartender you nod carefully.

“He’s coming over here,” Vince gulps, “I’m gonna get throttled at practice tomorrow.”

“Sorry,” You murmur, tipping your glass back to get as much courage as you can before Colton drags your ass out of here.

A hand wraps around your waist and you tense, taking a deep breath in. “Ready to go?”

“No-“ You start, but Colton interrupts.

“I am.”

Sighing you put on a fake smile. “Bye Vince!”

Colton gives him a pat on the shoulder before steering you back to the table. You give a wave, saying bye to the rest of the guys on your way out. As soon as you’re out the door you swipe Colton’s hand off of you, picking up your pace so that you’re in front of him.

At this point you’re so overwhelmed with emotions that you feel like you can burst into tears. You’re embarrassed, and upset and you just want to scream.

You slam the car door behind you and Colton starts the engine. He seems much more calm then you are at this point. You bite your tongue the entire drive back to his apartment, thinking over things to say but deciding that none of them are good enough. You’re just so mad at him.

When his door shuts behind you both, you turn on him, watching while he goes into the kitchen. He pours a glass of water, placing it onto the island, pushing it towards you.

You ignore his gesture, hating the way he can’t even look at you. “Tonight went well, yeah?” You say sarcastically.

“Could’ve been better, if you didn’t decide to flirt with one of my teammates.” He says, level headed. Why is he still so calm?

“Oh right, cause that’s what did it in right?” You scoff. “Who were they talking about, Colton? Who was the teacher?” You pause, waiting for him to talk again but he doesn’t.

“A replacement? I’m too young so you find someone who looks just like me but older?” He turns away from you at this point, so you keep going, adding more fuel to the fire. “That’s pretty fucked up. But I should have expected this. Nothing has changed since last time, you still don’t think of me any differently, I’m just some little girl naive enough to hop into bed with you, right?” Your own words have brought you to tears, and you swipe under your eyes before he notices.

But still, nothing.

“I’m sorry that I did that with Vince, but hey, this will make it easier right? At least now you’re mad at me.”

He grips the counter, back muscles tense as you wait for a response. When it becomes obvious he’s not gonna say anything your anger boils over.

“So I think I’m gonna go.” Shaking your head you fiddle with your fingers, “Home,” You add quietly, clarifying your intentions to hop on the next flight to Edmonton. “You obviously don’t want me here anymore.”

This time your words receive a way different reaction. One you’ve never seen from Colton before.

It all happens so fast that you’re not sure it actually does happen until the yelling begins. He grabs a fork that’s sitting on the counter, and then he throws it hard towards the sink. It makes a loud clang against the backsplash before rattling into the sink. “I’m fucking trying! Don’t you get that?”

Now it’s you who isn’t responding, you’re shocked into silence at his sudden outburst.  

“This entire week I’ve been trying, I brought you here, I’ve took you to my game, you met my friends! I don’t understand what more you want! We’ve been acting like a couple, but we’re not one, you made that clear. You are the one that’s throwing up roadblocks. I was the one who had an issue with your age at the beginning, and I’m sorry for that, but I got over it. You’re the one who hasn’t.” He pauses, out of breath shaking his head. “I have been trying so hard  to keep you in my life, but you keep walking out and blaming it on me. So stop acting like I’m the one pushing you out the door, because we both know I have never done that.” He looks at you, face flushed with anger, and his eyes soften slightly when he sees the tears fall. You always hated yelling. He knew that.

When he speaks again his voice softens, but it still holds just as much hostility. “The hotel in Edmonton? You walked out. The party? You walked out. And you’re trying to again. But I’m done feeling responsible for every break up. I just- I can’t-” His voice cracks at the end and he holds up a hand, before letting it drop to his side, defeated.

“Colton,” You stutter out, tears flowing freely down your face, but you’ve come up blank the rest of the way.

“I’m just done.”

The words come out, and the glass of water beside him is thrown carelessly across the room. It hits the wall beside you, shattering everywhere, the pieces littering the floor around you. When it breaks its like something inside you does too. Your eyes meet and it’s like every single time you’ve said goodbye to him hits you at once. You thought things felt over all those other times, but now you’re realizing the finality of his words. He’s done.

The emotion in his eyes is too much to handle, so you break the gaze, biting your lip to hold in the sobs that are constricting your breathing.

There are so many things you want to say to him. You want to change his mind, you want to apologize, but you can’t even form a coherent thought at the moment.

Colton moves in your peripheral vision. You think he’s about to leave, and you literally feel a sharp pain in your chest at the thought. Until you hear his shoes crunching in the shards of glass. He doesn’t say anything, he just gently lifts you into his arms, carrying you away from the glass surrounding you. It hurts your heart to know that even though he’s so mad he’s still trying to protect you.

You can’t even bring yourself to tell him that you just want to stay like this, you don’t want him to let you go but you don’t even feel like you deserve to. You’ve never felt more like a child with him until now, when he sets you down on the counter and peels your limbs off of him like a father leaving an upset toddler.

It’s so hard to watch him walk away, to watch him turn his back on you. Sucking in a deep breath you want to say something to stop him, but you’re too late. The front door shuts behind him.  Watching him get further and further from you, you know now exactly how he felt every single time you were the one walking out. You understand now why he’s done.

[miairviin]

Kunst

If I only had one word to describe Vienna it would be polished. As soon as we stepped off of the plane and sought out the train that would take us to the hostel this was evident. The train smelled like a new house and the chairs were cushioned. The metro station was spotless, except for a few pieces of graffiti that covered the wall. At night, Vienna was very quiet. Our very first night, by the time Madeline and I made it to the hostel it was 11 pm. In Greece and every other country I have visited so far, the streets would be alive with movement. The restaurants would be full of people still eating. In Vienna, however, this was not the case. All the restaurants were empty, the employees sweeping the front steps and stacking chairs on tables. Luckily, we were able to find a pizza place that was just about to close. We capitalized on this, and because they were closing, high tailed it back to the hostel where we feasted like Queens on the last slices of pizza in all of Vienna.

We had an 8 am wake up call, but not necessarily because of a tour or train to catch. Simply to guarantee we would make it to the free breakfast provided by the hostel. We ate as much as we could and put together a couple sandwiches together to go. We were going to milk this breakfast for every penny. Our first day in Vienna was truly one of wandering. It was so liberating to have absolutely nowhere to be and everywhere to go. Vienna continued its pattern from the previous night, absolutely everything in perfect order. I was amazed with the clean streets and the perfectly constructed buildings. We hit the Volksgarden which was a garden complete with statues, a pond where a duck was taking in the morning sun, and unfortunately lines of small trees with brown bags tied over them. The next place we found was the Hoffburg Palace complete with a historical figure who’s name I do not know riding his majestic steed.

Next, we went to the Museumquartier, jokingly following a little girl on a scooter. Our philosophy there being that you should always trust a local on a scooter. And good thing we did, because it brought us to Museum Leopold which we had seen a brochure for in our hostel. Both Madeline and I were familiar and curious about the work of Gustav Klimt, and some of his pieces would be there. We decided to head in. Art museums are always interesting to me. I love looking at the work and reading about the different colors used and the themes the artist is trying to address. But the Museum Leopold offered so much more. They presented an in-depth biography about the artists work at the beginning of their kunst, (art) and once you were in their exhibit, some of the pieces came with a short blurb about the social ramifications the piece might have stirred up, the artists inspiration, and the story the painting was telling. It felt so much different than other museums I had visited. It felt like I was staring back in time. It was easier to picture a distraught Richard Gerstl brushing madly against a canvas when you found out his muse was the wife of his best friend, and the two carried on an affair for some time. When you knew Gustav Klimt's last words were “send for Emilie” it made his work even more beautiful, more complicated. The museum also presented art like interior design, and discussed why one architect faced public outrage when he made cafes a more open concept, appealing to the lower and middle class. Or how posters revolutionized the streets, turning them into an art gallery for the poor man. Museum Leopold left me with so much to think about. Art is truly a revolution.

After the museum, we snacked on our lunch as we walked to the next stop, Belvedere Palace. The next stop was decorated with so many spots along the way. This included one of many parks we meandered through, Beethovenplatz, a butterfly house, and many beautiful buildings. That was the thing, it never felt like I was on the way to something. Everything was a view. Everything was kunst.

Vienna came alive during the day. The part of the city we were in definitely determined the age group that dominated the sidewalks. The older, more European looking Vienna with tall buildings decorated with statues and columns separated by open streets seemed to have an older population. Conversely, the younger people seemed to occupy the contemporary looking office spaces and more city-esque streets.

The Belvedere Palace was nothing short of extravagant. The gardens were kept symmetrical and spotless, the gravel walk looked freshly swept despite the many tourists walking along it. Uniformly groomed trees lined the gravel leading up to the palace. A few empty fountains stood in between us and the palace, their porcelain statues looking only a tad out of place without water showering down upon them. The palace was so wide, so magnificent. It was hard not to think of the grandeur of days past. When people would walk through the grounds just to take the air in. I wondered if they thought one day people would travel far and wide to marvel at their home.

We turned back and headed for the St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The wind and cold chased us into a small cafe so we could stop for a moment to warm up, and from there it was right back outside and towards the cathedral. Much like Florence and the Duomo, you turned down a normal street with a souvenir shop on one side and a bar on the other and there it stood. It was tall, it was ornate, it was holy. We walked around it, trying to take it all in. It was impossible. Because the city had truly grown up around it, there wasn’t much room to wander so our next stop was simply to head in. The inside was just as awe-inspiring. The architecture was exceptionally detailed, portraits of people like Mother Theresa on the walls. There was a quiet reverence amongst all of the tourists as we walked in the specifically designated areas. I’m sure the cathedral would look beautiful in the daytime with sunlight pouring in. But seeing it at dusk gave it a gothic charm I was grateful to witness.

We left the St. Stephens Cathedral and sought out a bathroom. An employee of a souvenir shop informed us the closest bathroom was just a minute away in the metro. When we made it down the escalator, my bladder definitely dancing the delicate line of being too full for comfort, we were faced with a coin machine. Paying for the bathroom was not something new. We had run into this problem in Italy a few times. In part protest of this capitalistic concept and in part because I’m cheap, Madeline and I had taken a stand and decided to refuse these set ups. We would hold it. But not only was this classist, we noticed it was .50 for a women and .20 for a man! It was sexism! We couldn’t believe it. Since we are both angsty feminists, this was a topic of discussion (mainly jokes) that carried on for a little while.

After the bathroom fiasco, we made our way through the maze of a mall that surrounded the cathedral. Stores like Louis Vuitton were the general theme, and we joked about trying to head in and getting stopped by the door man. “You girls work on commission right? Big mistake. Huge.” We would use these lines if we ever came back. We saw the parliament building where stoic statues sat pondering the great issues of our time as they looked out over Vienna. The air was perfumed with the scent of cigarettes and horse, as a few horse drawn carriages were carrying some tourists who probably shopped at Louis Vuitton.

We decided it was time for dinner and set out to find the cheapest schnitzel we could. Ultimately it was a quiet spot down an alley near our hostel. We ate our schnitzel the German way: with ketchup mixed with mayonnaise and beer. It was fantastic. Unfortunately, nothing has touched the jaegerschnitzel I had that first night in Berlin, but it was a formidable competitor.

However our night was not finished yet. We wanted to hit Sigmund Freud park, just to say we did. It was a short walk, marked by only a few signs. There was a small piece of art, benches, grass, and it seemed to be the place to be if you were an Austrian teen on a Friday night. One thing we picked up on is how proud Austria is of their alumni. Beethoven, Motzart, Klimt, and Freud all have squares, streets, parks, and cafes all named after them.

We picked up a few small dessert pastries and headed back for the hostel. I meant to write this post as well as pen a journal entry but the 13 miles we had ended up walking day snuck up on me, and exhaustion creeped in. Plus, we had an early wake up for the bus ride to Budapest, where I am writing this from. Vienna, as Billy Joel promises, will be waiting for me when we return on Monday.

[mcalhenwrites]

A-16, B-9, C-8, D-5, E-3, F-9, G-22

Thank you for the ask!A-16Favorite Kid CharacterMao is my favorite, but following him: Elize, Anise, Sophie, and… does Lambda’s flashbacks count to add him to the list?B-9Favorite Found Family(haha you know me well!)Oh, I’ve got a couple of found family dynamics I really love. One is the Xillia party, with Rowen taking an almost grandfatherly affection to Elize and Leia, and Alvin finding a place among everyone, and Elize giving him that sweet kiss on the cheek and telling him that she’ll be his friend… The other is from Graces, where I half-heartedly OT3 Asbel with Richard and Cheria or just have him single (I don’t have any diehard Asbel ships tbh so I’m rather loose with him and actually prefer him single)…but Asbel being Sophie’s dad, and in an AU, Lambda’s dad. I think he’d take good care of those two. Asbel x dadisms is my true ship!C-8Favorite Plot Twisttbh I never pay attention to these much, so this is a tricky one… But I think I can list one that stands out to me.Finding out in Regulus Knoll that Farah wasn’t truly responsible for the events in Rasheans. I think that hit me hard. D-5Favorite BuildingOhhh this is tough only because I keep thinking immediately of all the places in Fennmont! I love the shop hub, Orda Palace, and Talim Medical School. Oh, and the hotel is nice. The interiors and exteriors of all the homes in Nia Khera, too! The spirit artes used to decorate the outer parts just make it so gorgeous and rustic, and the insides really feel like the kind of inviting place where - if you ever found yourself lost and stumble into some random village - all the townsfolk will make a space for you to eat and sleep among them and it would be homey. :)Oh, and I love the palace in Kanbalar, it’s absolutely beautiful inside. The same goes for all Auj Oule inns, as well. They’re fucking gorgeous, from the textiles to the light fixtures. I’m in awe each time I go inside of one.And the mayor’s house in Hamil! I feel like I could live a very rustic life out in a place like that, and be pretty happy!(Yes, these are all Xillia, I think it has my favorite architecture out of all the games!)

E-3Well this E3 was fantastic, I got all the things I wanted from itFavorite Mystic ArteJade’s Indignation hits high, but he’s completely knocked out of the park by Max’s Elemental Master. That shit is so ridiculously funny in English, I spammed the heck out of it for kicks. “ELEMENTAL… BWHAHAHA!” Jade’s is just impressive in another, less goofy way. :’DF-9Favorite openingTales of Innocence! Specifically not the remake! “Follow the Nightingale” with those visuals was amazing… I loved it so much.Some worthy mentions: Eternia, Zestiria, Graces, and Rebirth!G-22Favorite Halloween costumeOh, this is tough. Meredy, Rita, and Jude all come to mind!I think Rita’s #1 though, simply for nailing my favorite Halloween aesthetic

[c4tto626]

i just found your tumblr and i wanted to say your eso houses are all so gorgeous!! they remind me of those fancy house mods you could get in skyrim, i don’t know how you do it but they’re so detailed and display a lot of personality! they really inspired me to work more on my houses :)

aw omg this made my day! (night? it’s almost 2am lol)

fun fact about me i guess? i have certification in design technique (gestaltungstechnik in german) and while in school for that i spent half a year in an internship learning about interior design at a local design agency in my town! we’d mostly do stuff for the local shopping mall but occasionally also private interior design~ so that’s kind of the basis for this, and i also definitely personally enjoy designing nice living spaces! i happily spend hours on the pts creating cozy homes that look like someone really lives there! :D

i can’t really point to a specific thing for HOW i do it, but i usually start by finding the area i wanna work in (smaller areas preferred) and then decide on a theme: usually i pick a racial style (khajiit, altmer, etc) as the basis to give the place a coherent theme in terms of furniture! i usually create homes so a sleeping space, a kitchen, and some kind of living area are usually a must have for my creations. i pick the necessary furnishings for those spaces (beds, wardrobes, tables, chairs etc) and place them where i want them to go, then i start adding decorations like carpets, tapestries, paintings, plants, food storage, books etc etc... it involves a lot of moving stuff back and forth whenever i change my mind on some placement but eso’s housing editor makes that pretty convenient with furnishing groups and the “backspace” for each action taken~

adding details like pets (especially with their little pet bed and food bowl placed somewhere), food in preparation or a meal ready to eat, books and writing utensils placed somewhere or laundry hung up to dry and folded clothing by the wardrobe all helps add to the personality of a home in my opinion! gotta be able to see that someone lives there!

it’s a big download but i’d highly recommend checking out the eso public test server for anyone who wants to play around with house decorating! make a max level character (little drop down on the top left) and you get 5,500 crowns which you can use to buy anything you want, and everything costs just 1 crown on the pts so you can go absolutely wild hehe

and finally: i find that creating detailed interesting homes is a great way to help me flesh out ideas for my ocs! for example my orc warrior lives in a typical orc tent out in the open, my altmer mage has a large palace and multiple vacation homes, my khajiit rogue has a secret thief’s hideout filled with treasures... someone’s living space can say a lot about their character :D

[rattanachronicles-blog]

Dedicated to my sweet family

SET THE SCENE

I’ve been on my fair share of cruises – Hawaii, Caribbean, and another Alaskan cruise by Holland Cruise lines – and thus, I think I can safely say that I have had enough comparison to write a pretty good review on a cruise ship. The Bliss is the newest and biggest ship to sail the Alaskan waters and I will say it definitely lives up to its ship name. But before I go into the ship, let me give you a snapshot of beautiful Alaska.

Cerulean blue waters with hints of green flow around the gorgeous state of Alaska. The skies alternate between clear blue and a light gray and there is a chill in the air that is a profound welcomed relief from the humid heat of Texas (where I’m from). The air is devoid of heavy pollution and car traffic fumes and every city has its quiet charm. Salmon in every shape and color climb the salmon ladders while bald eagles dominate the skies.

The cold air is contrasted by a hot cup of chowder in chilled hands. One of the little things in life is having your insides immediately warmed by sip of a hot latte. Or being in the middle of a forest surrounded by trees connected together by fairy lights while roasting marshmallows over a large fire.

The most brilliant sharp icy blue glaciers and its pieces float enchantingly and menacingly in the waters. Whales swim by, peaking their heads and showing off their tails as cruisers lean over, awed, with binoculars. Waterfalls bloom out of the sides of mountains with the force of the water creating a thunderous sound.

This state is so breathtaking in every way.

THE BASICS

Time of Travel: July Type of Travel: Family

THE SHIP

Size: While Bliss is definitely not the biggest cruise ship in the world, it definitely appears like the biggest ship on the Alaskan waters when all the ships are parked next to each other at the ports. It’s impressive to see from afar and to walk up to when returning from the city.

We saw so many whales from our cruise ship windows! Not the best photo but I got too excited and eventually put away my camera to just enjoy the magnificent sights

Exterior Décor: The front of the ship is beautifully decorated and my brother and I joked that the artwork definitely invited all the whales to swim up near our ship. I was honestly so surprised by how many whales I saw on the cruise – definitely more than the last time I was in Alaska. The front of the ship is illustrated with the wildlife of the ocean – whales, turtles, and rays. It’s the perfect artwork for a cruise ship.

Interior Décor: The inside of the ship is also tastefully ornamented. In the center of the ship is a gorgeous glass-appearing staircase that wraps around and glitters in the light. The hot tubs are purposefully placed at the tail end of the ship and on the sides so there is a clear view of the ocean. Every room is carefully constructed to its theme.

Service: The staff on the ship is 5/5 stars. They are so incredibly friendly and accommodating and always willing to strike up a good conversation with you but they also know when to leave you alone as well. They always have a smile for you and their response to everything is quick. They all come from different countries around the world and it is fascinating to hear their stories and everywhere they have traveled!

THINGS TO DO ON THE SHIP

Observation Lounge: Located at the front of the ship, this area was one of my favorite areas on the ship. Decked out in large windows showcasing the beauty of Alaska, the lounge is full of comfy arm chairs and the best part? The bar in the middle as well as two buffets of tea time food fully stocked with finger sandwiches, salads, and desserts. On the days at sea, it’s the perfect area to chill with family and friends, play cards, and observe the Alaskan magnificence without being in the cold.

The Pool and Aqua Park: On one of the top decks of the ship is the pool and the incredible water slides on the ship. There is one water slide where you slide down in rafts and there is one thrilling slide that literally hangs over the ocean! There is a fun area where the kids congregate and hot tubs that dot the sides of the ship as well as the rear end. I highly recommend chilling in the hot tubs at the rear so you can see the full view of the ocean behind you as the ship sails.

Race Track: Yes, this ship has a whole level dedicated to a race track where you can race your family and friends either in a single cart or a double seater cart.

TIP: Book your reservations before you get onto the ship! My family and I did not realize that seats were limited so we did not get to try out this part of the cruise.

It does cost a small fee per drive

Mini Golf

Laser Tag: a small fee

Bliss Casino

Video Arcade

Bowling Alley: a small two lane bowling alley. It gets busy really fast! A small fee

Entourage Teen Club: a haven away from the parents – this place has video games, music, movies!

Fitness Center: this fitness center is legit. There is a running track outside and every machine and weight you could possibly need for a week long cruise.

Guppies: A great area for parents and their kids. Many interactive activities

Hair Salon

Plenty of Spas

Mandara Spa and Salon

Spa Salt Room – natural salt caves – halotherapy

Spa Snow Room – an ice cold arctic environment

Spa Thermal Suite

SHOWS

My favorite thing about cruises is the kind of night time entertainment the ship provides meaning the evening shows. I would say my review for this ship’s shows is probably a 4/5 stars in comparison to the other ships I’ve been on. The best shows I’ve seen on a ship still goes to Allure of the Seas, but this ship definitely provides a great entertainment and truly hats off to the hard working actresses and actors!

Happy Hour Prohibition: The Musical – $30 per person. This musical is set in a speakeasy and set in the Prohibition Era. My family and I chose not to see this one just because there was a fee and plenty of other free shows to see

Jersey Boys – such a great show about Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons

Havana – set at The Palace of Lights, this show brings you the beat and culture of Cuba (takes me back to my time in the Cuban capital!)

The great bands on the ship that play across different bars and lounges

Plenty of comedy shows – make sure you book when you get on the ship!

SHIP ROOM

My family of four booked two separate rooms without ocean views. I always encourage people that if you go on a cruise, try to book rooms with ocean views but obviously if it’s not affordable or available, then it is definitely not the end of the world. I only encourage ocean views for two reasons. One, I think it really helps with orientation to time and feeling as though you are not holed up on the ship. A window or a balcony brings light, views, and a breath of fresh air.

But like I said before, if you can’t get a room with ocean views, then it is completely okay too! My family got non-ocean view rooms and we were completely satisfied. The rooms were on the smaller side (but to be expected with cruise ships), but they were clean. The beds were super comfortable and could be put together or turned into two beds. The TV has a huge list of movies to buy but also a great select of TV channels that plays a cycle of movies depending on genre (action, romance, drama).

Nothing better than opening the door to your room and finding complimentary champagne!

BARS AND LOUNGES

There are so many bars and lounges on the ship and they are all excellent. So many options to choose from that I didn’t even get a chance to make it to all of them

Atrium Bar: This is the center of the ship and where a lot of the main ship’s entertainment occurs. There is a stage area and a movie screen where there are nightly movies and hilarious game shows.

Horizon Lounge

Humidor Cigar Lounge

Maltings Whiskey Bar

Mixx Bar

Skyline Bar

Social Comedy and Night Club

Spice H2O – the pool bar

Sugarcane Mojito Bar

The A-List Bar

The Cavern Club

The District Brew House

Vide Beach Club

THE FOOD

The Local: The 24hr pub experience! The two pros of this place is that it is open 24 hrs, the food is free, and there is a great view of the Atrium Bar stage meaning you can eat and watch entertainment one floor below

The Dining Rooms: There are three dining rooms on the ship that you can eat lunch and dinner at. Unlike the other cruises I’ve been on where you had to make reservations ahead of time and to eat at an assigned time, this cruise gives you the liberty to go whenever you would like. Because there are several dining rooms, there is always plenty of space at any time and thus you can dine on your own schedule.

Every day, there is a menu posted outside the dining rooms. You don’t have to look at each of the dining rooms’ menus because they are all the same. The menu does change for lunch and dinner every day

My mom was a bit disappointed that there was no true formal night with a lobster dish as we have found on other cruise ships

The Garden Café Buffet: I have to say that usually I am not a fan of the cruise buffets. The food usually is sub-par, but I have to say I was mildly impressed with the menu at this buffet. My family and I actually ended up eating here more than the dining rooms because of the expansive options and the ever changing menu.

There are hamburger/hot dog stations, Indian food station, a hot food station that changes every day according to the theme, Italian station, cold cuts station, Asian food station, salad station, and a huge dessert station

For drinks, there is a bar and non-alcoholic beverages such as tea, coffee, and different flavored waters

Room Service: This is complimentary and 24hrs a day but there is a service fee!

Restaurants (not complementary)

Ocean Blue – Seafood

Los Lobos – Mexican

Food Republic – Fusion

Cagney’s Steakhouse

Coco’s – Chocolate, Crepes

Dolce Gelato

Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville at Sea

La Cucina – Italian

Le Bistro – French

Q – Texas BBQ

Teppanyaki

The Bake Shop

Starbucks

Tea Time Snacks

Room service juice with my champagne to make mimosas

PROS AND CONS

Pros

The last Alaskan cruise I went on seemed catered to adults, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that this cruise really catered to family and the young kids.

Flexible dining room schedule

Plenty of activities on the ship

Friendly staff

Entertaining game shows that allows most of the ship guests to interact with each other

The buffet food is better than the other cruise ships I’ve sailed with

They have a package that every room gets on the ship – meaning that your price of the cruise comes with every ship getting a certain amount off at each excursion per port or a drinking ticket in which all the alcoholic beverages were free

They were also very big on hygiene and sanitizers

Cons

No main lobster dish

Not a true formal night on the ship (this is a pro or con depending on what your opinion of this is)

Most of the activities on the ship came with a small fee

The room service food was definitely not as good in quality as the rest of the food on the ship

ITINERARY

Detailed itineraries on how to do each port coming soon!

Seattle, Washington

Ketchikan, Alaska

Juneau, Alaska

Skagway, Alaska

Victoria, BC

Basically, I highly recommend this cruise as your first way of exploring Alaska!

Happy Traveling!

— Monica

The Bliss Alaskan Cruise by Norwegian Cruise Line – The Full Review: Following the Whales #travel #travelblog #wander #travelblogger #alaska #alaskancruise #ncl Dedicated to my sweet family SET THE SCENE I’ve been on my fair share of cruises – Hawaii, Caribbean, and another Alaskan cruise by Holland Cruise lines – and thus, I think I can safely say that I have had enough comparison to write a pretty good review on a cruise ship.

[wallpaperpainter]

Simple Guidance For You In Grey Painted Rooms | Grey Painted Rooms

Rust-Oleum has launched its aboriginal anytime bank acrylic in a ambit of 16 archetypal colours.

The acrylic architect is acclaimed for its all-encompassing ambit of appliance paint, absolute for all DIY upcycling projects about the home. But now, with the barrage of its chalk-derived bank paint, households can accomplish a luxurious, avant-garde matt accomplishment for autogenous walls and ceilings.

While there is no agnosticism that neutrals, including the ever-versatile grey, will be accepted hues, we adulation the affluent and buttery Duck Egg aloof as abundant as the bendable and adusk China Rose, and we’re appealing addicted of the abstracted Crumb Blue, too.

Looking to redecorate your active allowance or the hallway? The Chalky Accomplishment Bank Acrylic boasts a ‘scrubbable, stain aggressive blueprint for aberrant achievement in aerial and low cartage areas’, authoritative it ideal for apartment that booty chafe and tear.

The Class 1 abrade appraisement agency it has the accomplished chafe attrition and clean-ability, so about it allows for repetitive charwoman after affecting the corrective accomplishment for up to 10,000 scrubs. Although we achievement no walls will anytime accept to go through that bulk of cleaning!

Rather chiefly though, the water-based acrylic has about no odour, and it can be activated anon to best surfaces including plaster, brick and concrete.

As you would apprehend from any bank paint, Rust-Oleum’s Chalky Accomplishment Bank Acrylic is awful bistered to accord aberrant advantage with a absolute abyss of colour. And it gives

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Design Milk Travels to… St. Moritz, Switzerland

Switzerland’s St. Moritz has long revelled in its reputation as the premiere destination for royalty, celebrities, and the well-heeled to escape from the depressing cast of grey winters in other parts of the world for the elegant ambiance of alpine living. It is in fact the birthplace of winter tourism – the brainchild of visionary hotelier Johannes Badrutt, whose Kulm Hotel first wooed and wowed English vacationers in 1864 with a “love it or your money back” guarantee. Word of mouth would eventually spread to kickstart what would snowball into the glamorous snow-ladden culture now associated with the chic alpine destination in the most expensive country in the world.

Today, the elevation of wealth and landscape on display in St. Moritz continues to extend to extraordinary heights, with opulent accommodations, decadent dining, and death-defying winter pastimes attracting vacationers with promises of 5-star stays graced by 320 days of sunshine a year.

Where to Stay

With its noble Neo-Baroque silhouette standing against the towering sawtoothed Upper Engadin Valley and just a short cross-country ski ride from St. Moritz proper, the Grand Hotel Kronenhof could be mistaken as an anachronistic time capsule of alpine luxury. There’s no denying the hotel is unapologetically grand in demeanor, old world in its charm. A glowing crown atop of its domed front cues all intending to enter, beauty rules this roost.

And indeed, the hotel’s history spans over 170 years – the survivor of two World Wars, weathering a succession of owners alongside the ebbs and flows of the global economy – emerging impressively intact as a magnificent example of a bygone era where resplendent artisan craft embellished rooms from floor to ceiling.

Photos by Gregory Han

The echoes of festivities past are to be found throughout the hotel’s winding hallways, including an antique single lane bowling alley (complete with a totally awesome retro boombox delivering the jams), a newly redecorated smoking room, and a secret speakeasy basement bar embellished with remnants of the hotel’s historic ties to wine and skiing.

Yet the Grand Hotel Kronenhof is in the process of inviting a degree of modernity within, only recently revealing 13 rooms and suites awash in the tastefully calculated contemporary efforts of interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon. The hotel’s efforts have struck the balance between respecting the wishes of generations of returning guests desiring tradition, while also satisfying a new generation of alpine guests appreciative of the hotel’s history, but also demanding of a contemporary experience.

The Grand Hotel Kronenhof’s historic past lives comfortably in harmony with a contemporary spa and indoor pool wing where guests can wade in the warmth of a heated pool on the most frigid of alpine days while watching ice skaters glide by just out its windows. Photo: Gregory Han

Even if you never intend to stay at the Tschuggen Grand Hotel, you may want to book a treatment at Tschuggen Bergoase, the hotel’s architecturally conspicuous 4-floor wellness center. Designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta, the hotel’s adjoining spa and pool facility (free for hotel guests) is housed within erections of Duke White granite stone sourced from the Alps, topped by vertical sails of of glass that take on the glow of enormous lemon slices at night.

If you do have reservations as a guest, you’ll be treated to rooms executed by interior designer Carlo Rampazzi, who has finished each grade of room with a pastiche of colors and textures bordering on the whimsical – a warm and showy effect emphasized against the snowy serenity of the nearby alpines.

The Tschuggen Grand Hotel also stands out as a completely carbon neutral property, designed and constructed for minimal CO2 emissions, offering guests four tiers of pricing intended to offset emissions generated by their journeys to and from the hotel, while also offering complimentary pick-up service for guests arriving by train (a highly recommended and easy mode of arrival and departure from St. Moritz.)

Tucked in the topography of the Engadine Valley, the Nira Alpina’s glass and slatted timber exterior leaves a contemporary and minimal imprint against a mountainside just outside the borders of St. Moritz. Geothermal power keeps the entire interior warm.

If we were to imagine the typical Nira Alpina guest, it would be a *Wallpaper reading vacationer; an avid hiker, skier, mountain biker, and all-around outdoor adventurer appreciative of the veneer of sedate luxury, but most desirous to be outdoors enjoying all the Swiss Alps can offer. 

Rooms are finished with a contemporary confidence, with wood and earthen tones giving precedence to the awe-inspiring views of the Engadin Mountains framed by windows spilling out to balconies and terraces, and an eclectic selection of vintage and contemporary artwork decorating public spaces.

Photo: Hotel Hauser

If luxury ranks secondary to experience in your travel plans, the Hotel Hauser St. Moritz offers an affordable and contemporary home base for the budget design traveler, centrally located in the heart of St. Moritz and just a bus ride and ski lift’s journey from exploring the Upper Engadin.

The hotel’s origins has a tasty past, originally founded as a family operated bakery-confectionary shop in 1892 before slowly transitioning to a modest 18-room hotel in 1955. The hotel’s distinctive exterior is the work of architect Robert Obrist, a self-supporting structure set on pillars, built upon the foundations of the original modest, traditional structure. The 51 rooms are tastefully simple, furnished with moon-phase-harvested larch or mountain pine, supposedly imbued with lunar-aided properties of questionable scientific repute (but undisputedly fragrant and beautiful).

Notable mentions: Kulm Hotel St. Moritz \\\ Auberge Resorts Collection St. Moritz (slated to open in 2022) \\\ Badrutt’s Palace Hotel

Where To Visit

Now its third Swiss iteration, Nomad St. Moritz‘s reputation as a prominent and focused design fair was built upon equal parts far-flung exclusivity and chatter spilled forth from attendees impressed by the intimate experiential installations housed within the event’s 16th-century built, Chesa Planta mansion.

Artist Carsten Höller’s enormous mushroom replica sculpture welcomes guests entering Nomad’s reception “cabin”. Photo: Gregory Han

Established in 2016, the traveling art fair is prominently attended by the set hardly prone to bat an eyelash at artwork, collectibles, and unique contemporary furniture pieces priced in a stratosphere of figures normally associated with car and homes (I on the other hand batted my eyes so often, I eventually just kept them closed). It is at Nomad where collectors and sellers convene to establish the vocabulary of luxury later echoed by media.

The building’s intimate, modest sized rooms present an obvious challenge for those invited to display collections within the classical architecture setting, but there’s an undeniable pleasure in witnessing the skillful efforts used to create an in situ ambiance using the mansion’s pre-existing interior features in relation to a gallery’s temporary display of objects.

Nomad’s “by invitation only” nature makes a ticket in attendance a special thing indeed. So to quote a most mischievous sage, “If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.”

Pritzker Prize–winning architect Norman Foster has left his imprint across St. Moritz, most notably in his bulbous timber clad Chesa Futura, followed up a renovation of the Kulm Hotel’s 110-year-old Eispavillon overlooking the historic five-star hotel’s winter ice skating rink and summertime park.  Photos: Foster + Partners

Notable mentions:  Chesa Futura \\\ Kulm Eispavillon \\\ Parkhaus Serletta and St. Moritz Design Gallery

Where To Shop

The wide swath of international luxury brands lining St. Moritz streets clearly informs of the clientele who come to holiday in the Swiss Alps, with no dearth of options to test the credit limits of even the platinum carded. Only recently the efforts of Parisian architect Luis Laplace bestowed St. Moritz with their own Hauser & Wirth gallery outpost and retailers like esteemed Swiss watchmaker, Bucherer continue to put their best foot forward for shoppers seeking the best St. Moritz can offer.

Photo: Läderach

But personally, I’ve found St. Moritz’s most coveted gifts can be procured in a couple shops only a few blocks from one another at a more reasonable price. Firstly for the sweet tooth: as an avid lover of all things chocolate, I highly recommend leaving enough room in your luggage to come home with a wide selection of fine artisan sweets from Swiss chocolatier, Läderach. I regretfully only purchased two boxes during my last visit, immediately regretting a rare instance of self-control. Confections are made with an eye for design and presentation, making them ideal souvenirs, but as good as they look, they’re exceeded by their immensely satisfying spectrum of flavors.

A two minute walk from Läderach discreetly located in a quiet alleyway is Glattfelder, a family-operated shop dedicated to loose leaf and bagged teas, alongside coffee, caviar, salmon, and spices (apparently covering all of the necessary dietary needs of the average St. Moritz citizen.) Mixed in with the usual assortment of black, white and green teas, a selection of herbal blends made from flowers and plants sourced from the Swiss mountains offer an aromatic gift to bring back home in remembrance of this high altitude paradise.

Photos by Gregory Han

Final Thoughts

St. Moritz’s reputation is built upon its appeal as a wintertime destination, but summertime adventures in this alpine region of Switzerland offers another wholly different yet equally unforgettable experience for those drawn to hike ever upward. In warmer months, mountainside trails are garlanded by alpine flowers, misted by glacial-fed streams, and occasionally garrisoned by sure-footed ibex, greeted by melodious marmots, and most ignored by emo-coiffed Highland cows.

If it’s your first time visiting St. Moritz, consider booking a train ride from Zurich. The four-hour journey will afford you an unceasing opportunity to fill your Instagram with Switzerland’s most picturesque landscape from the comforts of a smooth riding train. If you’re planning to stay for an extended period, a Swiss Travel Pass not only permits access to the Swiss Travel System’s trains, buses, and boats, but also gives free access to over 500 museums and mountain excursion up to Rigi, Schilthorn, Stanserhorn, and Stoos.

If you’ve traveled to St. Moritz, Switzerland and have any additional favorite spots or recommendations for first time visitors, let us know below so we can share (and also check it out ourselves the next time we’re there).

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Roughly halfway between Paris and Disneyland.

Noisy-le-Grand is a tourist destination in its own right. But if you’re staying here you’ll have a lot of other interesting things to hunt down in the area. The Disneyland resort, with two theme parks and accompanying amenities and attractions, isn’t far to the east. While you can take short trips to various châteaux, museums, parks and worthwhile sights in the local suburbs. The elephant in the room is the City of Light, which you can reach in 15 minutes flat on the suburban rail network. There’s nowhere like it for culture, dining and historic monuments. Let's explore the best things to do in Noisy-le-Grand.

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1. Avant-Garde Architecture

Noisy-le-Grand’s population doubled in just 15 years up to 1990. And the cause was a mass of futuristic residential developments. These were led by some big-hitting architects like France’s Dominique Perrault, and Manuel Núñez Yanowsky and Ricardo Bofill from Spain.

See the Arènes de Picasso, a modernist housing complex around an octagonal square, completed in 1985. At the east and west end are two immense cylinders embedded in the buildings and nicknamed the Camemberts by residents.

Also check out Perrault’s sleek building for the EISSE engineering school, and the awe-inspiring Espaces d’Abraxas, a Utopianist housing estate inspired by Hellenistic architecture and a set for the Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2.

2. Château de Champs-sur-Marne

This beautiful early-18th-century property had a line of illustrious owners including the Princesse de Conti, daughter of Louis XIV. But the most lauded would be Louis César de La Baume Le Blanc who was friends with the preeminent literary figures of the day, inviting Voltaire and Diderot to visit.

The Château had another cultural moment in the 1800s when Louis Cahen d’Anvers welcomed Marcel Proust.

You can come for a cultivated day out, relaxing in 85 hectares of grounds and gardens landscaped by Claude Desgots a nephew and follower of André Le Nôtre, inventor of the French formal style.

The interiors are divine and have been picked for Hollywood movies like Dangerous Liaisons (1988) and Marie-Antoinette (2006).

3. Paris Sights

Outlying Noisy-le-Grand is one of the last eastern suburbs before you hit the Seine-et-Marne countryside. But even so, the Gare de Lyon is 15 minutes away on the RER and that can be your gateway to this incomparable city.

You probably don’t need us to tell you all the memorable things you can do in Paris, but we’ll jog your memory and give you some inspiration:

You can saunter arm-in-arm beside the Seine, or take a sightseeing cruise; scale the legendary bell tower at Notre-Dame; amble the 19th-century covered passages; get some snaps of world icons like the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe; get arty Montmartre. But that’s just the merest taste of what lies in store a few minutes away.

4. Paris Culture

If your idea of a perfect day is one spent immersed in a museum or gallery, Paris has weeks’ worth of things to get through.

There’s no hyperbole in that statement either, as the count of world-beating museums for art, decorative items, archaeology, engineering, natural history, and many other fields runs into the hundreds.

You’ll need several days to get through the headliners like the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Musée de l’Orangerie, Musée Marmottan, and Musée National du Moyen Âge.

In the evenings there’s the high culture at the Palais Garnier for ballet and the Opéra National (book well in advance for both), but also legendary nightlife and a superb live music scene.

5. Église Saint-Sulpice

Long before these modern wonders, Noisy-le-Grand was where the Merovingian King of the Franks, Chipelric I had his court in the 6th century.

And this medieval church is supposedly on the site of an ancient oratory built by Chipelric in memory of his son Clovis, assassinated on the orders of Fredegund, an estranged ex-wife.

The current church was finished in the 1200s but was remodeled several times up to the 1800s to keep up with contemporary fashion. This was all stripped away during a renovation between 2011 and 2013 when the portal, bays, vaults, and choir were stripped back to their stark Romanesque glory.

6. Château de Ferrières

This stupendous Neo-Renaissance palace was ordered by Baron James de Rothschild in the middle of the 19th century. Napoleon III inaugurated the property in 1862, and it is seen as the most lavish 19th-century château in France.

In the 1960s it was the estate was in the hands of Guy de Rothschild who put on regular parties, and Grace Kelly, Brigitte Bardot, and Audrey Hepburn were all guests.

Call in between May and September to see the sumptuous decoration and furniture; this was used as a backdrop for a music video by Beyoncé and Robert Altman’s Prêt-à-Porter in 1994.

7. Disneyland Park

The original theme park at Disneyland Paris is Europe’s most popular attraction. Simply put, it’s the dream holiday for every child up to 12. But is full of things that will get a thumbs up from older members of the family.

The Sleeping Beauty Castle, based on the namesake movie, sets the scene in Fantasyland. And from there you’ll have five other “Lands” to journey into, with tons of rides and shows based on Disney characters and movies.

Some of the many high points are Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril, Space Mountain, and Star Tours. Both reopen in 2017, updated with characters and scenes from the new Star Wars prequels.

8. Walt Disney Studios Park

  This newer theme park opened its doors in 2002 and beckons you into the magic of the movie-making business. At the Toon Studio, little ones will get to meet their favorite animated characters on the lot and hop on all kinds of rides inspired by the Pixar movies.

The Production Courtyard has a Hollywood theme, with shows like CinéMagique, which combines a performance by a live actor with moving images projected onto the screen behind. Last up is the Backlot, going into the nuts and bolts of movie production and staging spectacular stunt shows like Moteurs… Action!

9. Château de Vincennes

Ten minutes on the RER is a fearsome castle at the eastern gates of Paris. It’s the only medieval fortress around Paris, and in its day the keep was the tallest in Europe, towering to 52 meters.

These 800-year-old walls have a lot of tales to tell, of Kings of France who married, lived and died here in the 13th and 14th centuries.

England’s Henry V also passed away in the keep in 1422 after being injured in the Siege of Meaux in 1422. After France’s Kings moved to more cultured Renaissance houses Vincennes became a prison for people like Mirabeau, one of the main in the Revolution. Much later, the First World War spy Mata Hari was executed in the moat in 1917.

10. Bois de Vincennes

The château’s hunting ground is now the largest green space in Paris, covering almost 1,000 hectares and constituting a tenth of the city’s total area.

The Parc Floral de Paris within is a botanical garden landscaped in the 60s and boasting a bonsai greenhouse, water mirror and the central Vallée des Fleurs, which is updated with a new theme every year.

These are also complemented by a miniature railway, outdoor music venue, and mini-golf course.

But the Park Floral is just one small corner of the Bois de Vincennes, which also holds the Paris Zoological Park, the Hippodrome running horse races, the Velodrome and the Art Deco Palais de la Porte Dorée containing the Museum of Immigration and a tropical aquarium in its basement.

More ideals for you: Top 10 things to do in Niort

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Turkish artist Gunes Mutlu is the woman abaft Mehry Mu handbags. Her band has an air of affluent ancestry and corruption about it, mainly via Matlu’s best of materiality, apprehension the awe-inspiring clover and the beautification of Eastern architectonics elements. Beautiful.

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Her cast was built-in out of the abstruse alleys of the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul breadth she was aboriginal fatigued to the vibrant ikat fabrics. Her citizenry afflatus doesn’t stop there, as the architectural forms of the domes and palaces that beleaguer her on a circadian base augment into her designs. Who bigger again to admonish on the hotspots of Istanbul?

Gunes Mutlu in EminonuGunes Mutlu

Shop: Midnight Express in Bebek, for a well-curated acquaintance in appearance and lifestyle. My admired allotment is the adornment room! And Fey in Nisantasi, if you like 50s feminine glam. Trez exhibit in Bebek is absolutely absorbing for autogenous design. It is like a home you would appetite to alive in. It additionally has a admirable appearance of the Bosphorus; appropriate beyond the iconic Egyptian consulate. ‘Alaturca’ in Cukurcuma is a hot atom for amazing antiques and ‘Yazmaci’ in the Grand Bazaar is acclaimed for his best and new all-embracing fabrics.

Aurelie Bidermann at Midnight Express@instagram.com/midnightistanbul/

Stay: I anticipate blockage on the Bosphorus and actuality abutting to the sea completes one’s Istanbul experience. The Four Seasons Hotel on the Bosphorus is my favorite, but there are a few added nice options.

Four Seasons Hotel, BosphorusFour Seasons Hotel,

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Soho House Istanbul has a amazing beauty, and its breadth is abutting to the old burghal so it could be an advantage for those who appetite to be absorbed in that allotment of the city.

Soho House Istanbul bedroomSoho House Istanbul

Soho House Istanbul barSoho House Istanbul

Play: The Grand Bazaar forth with the Spice Market and absolutely the accomplished breadth is my amphitheater in Istanbul. I started my business with the fabrics that I bought at the Grand Bazaar years ago. I still go there for inspiration, and both the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market are heaven for a knick-knack junkie. Cukurcuma follows for abundant aged finds and inhaling the abstruse accordance of that different area.

Club: I don’t absolutely club, so Fenix is absolute for me. They serve amazing Asian aliment and cocktails, and afterwards 11pm the restaurant turns into a nightclub.

Fenix IstanbulFenix Istanbul

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Eat: Lucca or Mangerie for cafeteria in Bebek area. They both accept amazing cocktails. Lucca is additionally acceptable for backward night dinners and bodies watching. Delicatessen in Nisantasi; every Istanbulite eats there if they are in the area.

In Nisantasi, Hunkar is a must. They serve acceptable home adapted Turkish food. And for those that are about the old boondocks for the ultimate touristic extravaganza, I like Hamdi for its view. But Pandeli is the brilliant of that area. The dejected tiles are divine, they are appealing old academy and actual elegant, and it feels like a advantage to be in a restaurant breadth Audrey Hepburn and Churchill ate. Fish lovers should try Bebek Balikcisi or Kiyi.

Chill out: Sanayi 313 – it’s a concept abundance that combines multi disciplines like handmade shoes, autogenous architectonics as able-bodied as a advantageous aliment kitchen.

Sanayi 313 storeSanayi 313

Beauty spot: The spa of Hotel Les Ottomans. Speaking of Turkish beauty, a Turkish ablution is a must!

Spa at Hotel Les OttomansHotel Les Ottomans

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Spa at Hotel Les OttomansHotel Les Ottomans

Culture: Oh there’s so many! Breadth to activate and stop! Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Archeology Museum, Balat area, Galata breadth but these are alone the tip of the iceberg. There is so abundant to ascertain in Istanbul, alike I’m still learning.

Galata Tower abaft Gunes MutluGunes Mutlu

Book/magazine store: Assouline in Bebek and Patika Kitabevi in Nisantasi.

Patika KitabeviPatika Kitabevi

Secret spot: Able-bodied it’s not so secret, everybody knows about the Princes’ Islands. But afresh I accomplished that we are so advantageous to be active a baiter ride abroad from the best all-powerful abode on Earth, Buyukada. The aroma of linden copse alloyed up with magnolia, the adventurous horse carriages that are not touristy at all, the old mansions evocative of Abundant Expectations the movie. It is such a abundant cover but be warned, it gets acutely awash in summer. It is best to go off-season and break at the Splendid Palace which has absolutely an absorbing history itself.

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Splendid PalaceSplendid Palace

Splendid PalaceSplendid Palace

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Updated: 9/9/18 | September 9th, 2018

You can’t visit Barcelona without seeing Gaudi’s influence everywhere you go. He’s the city’s most famous architect helped shape the design of the city during its booming 19th and early 20th century. His influence still shapes the city today.

Born in 1852, Anton Gaudí belonged to the Art Nouveau movement, with his first designs being centered around Gothic and traditional Catalan architectural styles. It wasn’t long until he developed his own style that has set him apart from all others.

Referred to as “God’s Architect” for the religious themes in his work, several of Gaudi’s creations have actually been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. His most famous work, La Sagrada Familia is not only the most popular attraction in Barcelona but the most visited monument in all of Spain.

No visit to Barcelona is complete without seeing Gaudi’s work. It will give you insight into the history and growth of the city.  Here is a guide to visiting all of Gaudi’s best sights in Barcelona:

La Sagrada Familia

The most famous of Gaudí’s work….and one that seems to never be finished. The church has been under construction for over than 100 years (the groundbreaking was in 1882 and is supposed to be done in 2030!). Gaudí was a devout Catholic and spent the last 10 years of his life working on this project. The church blends influences of man, nature, and religion in its detailed architecture. The audio guide is worth purchasing as it covers the history of the church in great detail. Try to visit mid-morning to late afternoon so you can witness the sunlight cascade throughout all the stained glass.

Carrer de Mallorca, +34 932-080-414, sagradafamilia.org. The church is open daily from 9am-8pm in the summer, 9am-7pm in the spring/autumn, and 8am-6pm in the winter. Admission is 15 EUR, 22 EUR for a ticket and audio guide, 24 EUR for a guided tour, and 29 EUR for a self-guided tour with an audio guide and access to the tower.

Gaudi Lampposts: Placia Real and Pla del Palau

The first commission that Gaudí received after graduating school was to construct street lamps for the city. At the request of the city council in 1878, he designed lamps with three and six arms and crowned by a winged helmet. They were symbolic of the commercial power of Barcelona, made of cast iron and marble. They’re all gone now except for the ones left in Placia Real and Pla del Palau.

Placia Real, just off La Rambla. They are located in a public square so are accessible 24/7 and free.

Casa Batllo

Casa Batllo is a building restored by Antoni Gaudí in the early 1900s. He spent 2 years on the project completely revamping the exterior, main floor, patio, and roof. With its undulating shape, it’s definitely one of the more eye-catching of his creations. Located in the Eixample district of Barcelona, it (like everything Gaudí designed) was heavy influenced by the Art Nouveau style. The facade was decorated with a mosaic made of broken ceramic tiles that he collected from the trash of a nearby glass shop. The roof is arched and has been likened to the back of a dragon. It’s one of my favorite Gaudí buildings.

Passeig de Gràcia 43, +34 932-160-306, casabatllo.es. Open daily from 9am-9pm. Tickets are 24.50 EUR if you buy them online or 28.50 EUR in person. Skip the line tickets are available for 29.50 EUR (or 33.50 EUR at the office).

Palau Guell

Located off La Rambla, Palau Guell (Guell Palace) building doesn’t jump out at you like other Gaudí structures. Built from 1886-88, it was designed for one of Gaudi’s patrons, Eusebi Güell. The home is centered around the main room used to entertain high-society guests. The main party room has a high ceiling with small holes near the top where lanterns were hung at night from the outside to give the appearance of a starlit sky. There are colorful tree-like chimneys on top. It’s a bit creepy and gothic to me. One of my favorites too!

Carrer Nou de la Rambla 3-5, +34 934-725-775, palauguell.cat. Open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am-5:30pm. Admission is 12 EUR, with discounts available for students, seniors, and children.

Park Guell

Park Güell is a 45-acre garden complex designed and built between 1900 to 1914. It’s since been converted into a municipal garden and is now a World Heritage Site. The focal point of the park is the main terrace, which is surrounded by a long bench in the form of a sea serpent. Known for incorporating various themes into his work, Gaudí incorporated artistic elements of Catalan nationalism as well as ancient poetry and mysticism into this work. The park is right near La Sagrada Familia so it’s easy to visit both. I like how colorful everything in the park is!

Carrer de Larrard (main entrance), +34 934-091-831, parkguell.cat. Open daily from 8am-9:30pm. Admission is 7.50 EUR, with discounts available. A ticket for La Sagrada Familia and Gaudi’s House Museum (in the park) is 24 EUR.

Casa Calvet

Built between 1898-1900, Casa Calvet was built for a textile manufacturer in the Eixample district of Barcelona. This building is the most conventional of his works, partly because it had to be squeezed in between older structures and partly because it’s in one of the nicest sections of Barcelona. The house’s symmetry, balance, and orderly rhythm are unusual for Gaudí’s works. The curves and double gable at the top and the projecting oriel at the entrance are modernist elements. He also incorporated mythological and natural motifs, which helped him win the award for best building in 1900 from the Barcelona City Council.

Carrer de Casp 48. You can only stop by to take pictures of the outside of the building as you aren’t allowed into this private residence. 

Casa Vicens

Casa Vicens was Gaudí’s first important work. The house was constructed between 1883-1888 and is made of undressed stone, rough red bricks, and colored ceramic tiles in checkerboard and floral patterns. The client was the owner of a brick and tile factory, so the ceramic tiles pay tribute to his employment.  This is one of Gaudi’s works that falls into his “orientalist” period, as his work has more Middle Eastern/Far Eastern influences. It’s very different from his other sites (and often has the shortest line).

Carrer de les Carolines 20, +34 935-475-980, casavicens.org. Open daily from 10am-8pm. Admission is 16 EUR for adults, with discounts available.

Casa Mila

From 1906 to 1910, Gaudi work on Casa Mila, also known as “La Pedrera” (the stone quarry) as the building has a facade of limestone. The goal was to evoke the sense of a snowy mountain. Gaudí, himself a Catholic and a devotee of the Virgin Mary, also planned for the Casa Milà to be a spiritual symbol and included many religious elements like an excerpt from the rosary prayer on the cornice and statues of Mary,  St. Michael, and St. Gabriel.  Casa Milà became run down and partially abandoned until it was restored in the late 1980s to its original form.

Provença 261-265, +34 902-202-138, lapedrera.com/en. Open daily 9am-8:30pm (6:30pm during the winter). Night tours are available from 9pm-11pm. Standard admission (which includes an audio guide) is 22 EUR. A combination ticket for the day tour and a guided night tour is 41 EUR (with discounts available).

Cascada Fountain in Parc de la Ciutadella

Gaudí helped design this while he was still a student. He was responsible for the design of the fountain, the bandstand, and the park’s entrance gate, a project that stretched from 1873 to 1882. Baroque in style, the fountain is massive, intricate, and awe-inspiring. I loved sitting in the park and just staring at it. If you visit most of the sites on this list, you’ll see the evolution of his style and how different this is from his other works.

Passeig de Picasso 21. The park is open daily from 10am-10pm. Admission is free.

College of Saint Teresa

The building looks like a fortress, this is a convent school that Gaudí designed for The Order of Saint Teresa of Jesus. The project was already underway when Gaudi became involved, but he made some changes to the plans to better reflect his personal style and vision.

Carrer de Ganduxer 85-105, +932 123 354. The interior is not open to the public.

Bellesguard Tower

The Bellesguard Tower, also known as Casa Figueras, was built by Gaudí between 1900-1909. It was built as a second house for Figueras and meant to feel like a medieval fortress with sporting towers and battlements. There are some Art Noveaux elements mixed in here that gives it a modernist take on a classic Gothic structure.

Carrer de Bellesguard 16-20, +932 504 093, bellesguardgaudi.com. Open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am-3pm. Tickets are 9 EUR and include an audio guide.

***Gaudí was a prolific architect and wandering around Barcelona, you’re sure to bump into many of his major and lesser works. More than that, you’ll see his influence throughout the city as other architects and his students copied his style in their own work. I often look at buildings and go “Ahh that must be by Gaudi too” only to find out it’s not. That’s how strong of an influence he has on Barcelona. If you plan to visit these places, keep in mind many of the houses are closed on Mondays. As I love traveling with a theme, searching out Gadui’s works is a different way and unique to visit Barcelona.

Book Your Trip to Barcelona: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight to Barcelona by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines. Start with Momondo.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel in Barcelona with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates. (Here’s the proof.)

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I never ever go on a trip without it. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. You should too.

Need Some Gear? Check out our resource page for the best companies to use!

Want More Information on Barcelona? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Barcelona for even more planning tips!

Photo Credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

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Coconut Palace

Located along Manila Bay, the Coconut Palace is an impressive structure built entirely of coconut lumber and other Philippine products. Currently, the palace is closed to the public and no longer holds tours. However, I was able to go way back in 2013. It’s a really interesting landmark and I’m hoping that it will again open its gates for the public soon since it’s a gorgeous site both inside and out.

History The Coconut Palace has a storied past dating back to the time of the Marcos era. Then, it served as the Marcoses’ VIP guest house. And more recently, it was occupied by then Vice President Jejomar Binay.

The extravagant palace was originally built to accommodate Pope John Paul II on his official visit to the country. But when he arrived, he refused accommodations at the lavish structure. Knowing the Marcoses, they may not have taken that sleight lightly. Still, the equally extravagant cost of building the palace amidst a woefully eventful time period has made it one of the most controversial buildings in the country.

Tour Although there are no tours currently, I learned a lot from our 30 minute tour in 2013. Most of what I will share is what was taught to us by our helpful and jolly tour guide. We were escorted from the entrance of the palace, to the rooms, and out again. So there wasn’t any opportunity to explore on our own. In some rooms, you’re allowed to take pictures. So I was lucky to take what pictures of the interior that I do have. Our current vice president, Leni Robredo, didn’t opt to live in the Coconut Palace. So hopefully, since there is no high profile guest staying there, they’ll be open to tours once again. Back then, it was Php100 (well spent!) for the full guided tour. If they can open it again, hopefully, the fees go to maintaining and preserving the craftsmanship that makes the Coconut Palace an exceptional landmark in the Manila landscape.

Material The entire palace was built with coconut-derived materials such as artificially-enhanced coconut lumber. The lowly, common plant was shaped and molded to become this wonder of Filipino architecture. There is something really inspiring about that, as though the very material it was made with is to send the message that if we people can be as flexible and versatile as the coconut tree, then we can also achieve great heights. It’s just a shame that the luxurious grandeur with which it was made was such a stark contrast to the living conditions of its public.

Layout The palace was built in a way seemingly as though it is wrapping the large swimming pool. Its landscape features shapely greenery that might have looked as well-kept as the structure it was meant to compliment back in its heyday. Even we weren’t given time to wander around the grounds, considering a high profile guest, then-Vice President Jejomar Binay was occupying the palace at the time.

Furniture All around the palace, you will find high quality hardwood furniture and other materials, all coming from different Philippine provinces. The windows are made of capiz. The palace really showcases the beauty and unique qualities of the Philippine provinces. There have been additions of artworks by local artists as well, decorating every nook and cranny of the palace, from adorning the walls to decorating the bed posts.

Guest Rooms

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On the upper floor, there are seven themed rooms each named after a Philippine province. Furniture and ambience are inspired by the respective provinces they are named after.The rooms are as follows: Zamboanga Room, Pampanga Room, Marawi Room, Bicol Room, Mountain Province Room, Iloilo Room, Pangasinan Room.

Pampanga Room

Media-shy presidential guests and high profile visitors would be treated to one of the unique rooms. There are tales of guests each having favorite rooms. The Marcoses themselves enjoyed staying at the artful palace. Many of the rooms feature hexagonal shapes and there are seven rooms after the lucky number of the Marcoses. Imelda favored the Bicol Room for its view of the Manila Bay. Ferdinand favored the Pangasinan room with its detailed design and large bathroom. The bedsheets in every room is made of jusi, pineapple, or banana fibers. The Mountain Province Room is also very special as it houses tribal antiques that help illustrate the Philippines’ proud past. The lavish architecture and design of each room, and their furniture will have you poking into every nook and cranny just to see more of the elegant finery exhibited in each room. Surely, you’ll wish you were one of who gets to stay there when you see the interiors of the rooms.

A tour to remember Looking back now, I feel so lucky that I was able to experience the tour back when it was open to the public. And with the cultural significance it has to our country, I don’t doubt that its doors may open again.

The Coconut Palace is rightly called “Tahanang Pilipino”. It’s a symbol of the best that the Philippines has to offer, but also the worst that human corruption can get to.

It also showcases the many uses of Filipino products beyond our lowly perspective of them. The creative use of coconut, the “Tree of Life” shows both the ingenious imagination of the Filipino people to be able to make use of anything.

Now, the closest you can get to the Coconut Palace is from the road, a bit far away. If you have the time, having a look at the external structure is already awe-inspiring. Although visitors won’t be able to go inside, if you like, you can still take pictures outside and have a look at the front of the palace.

Just knowing the history of this cultural landmark makes seeing it in person even more captivating. If it gets more interest, it might not be long before the tours are resumed. I’d personally want to go again.

Among former First Lady Imelda Marcos’ ceramic collections

A Glimpse Inside the Coconut Palace Located along Manila Bay, the Coconut Palace is an impressive structure built entirely of coconut lumber and other Philippine products.