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swiftcast-selene · 6 months ago

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✨ pre-dawntrail wol questions! ✨

over on our little server i've been asking a WoL development question a day until dawntrail and it's been well-recieved so far, so after a month of doing it i figured i may as well put them on here~

use them to draft your own posts! send each other asks about them! answer them in the tags! do whatever you want with them, as long as you're having fun!

how is your wol about personal hygiene? are they on top of it? always perfumed and spotless, a little messy sometimes, or do they have to be reminded to groom?

is there a texture your wol absolutely can't stand, either food or feeling-wise? or is it not something they tend to worry about? do they go to great lengths to avoid it or do they just power through it?

what is your wol's evening routine? do they prepare for the next day? do they just wing it? do any weapon or gear upkeep? just pass out because that's tomorrow them's problem?

how does your wol's echo manifest itself? do they see visions as they happen? all at once? delayed? do they get any physical symptoms from it?

does your wol have any siblings? how do they get along with them? is it a good relationship or is it tense?

how does your wol feel about romance? are they a hopeless romantic, waiting for The One, or are they more casual? do they believe in soulmates?

how does your wol feel about their hair? is it important to them? just kind of in the way? who cuts it? do they take good care of it or are they not particularly fussed about it?

how good is your wol at taking care of their armor/clothes? do they mend them themself? pay to gave it fixed? just change it when it gets old?

what's in your wol's travel bag? any trinkets? any vital items they cant go without? do they travel light and figure stuff out on the fly, or do they bring way too much with them? (bonus points if you have images!)

how does your wol sleep? very light? very heavy? do they need a specific item to fall asleep? is it easy for them to fall asleep, or does it take them forever? where do they prefer sleeping?

where was your wol during the last calamity? how did it make them feel? did it change their life, and if yes, for better or for worse?

shadowbringers spoilers: how did they feel being so... up and personal with another calamity? did they feel responsible? scared? did they feel like they owed the first to stop it, or were they more detached from the situation?

for the canon casters: what does casting magic feel like to your wol? how does being "out of mana" feel?

for the physical fighters: how does it feel when they do those impossible moves? the twirls, the jumps? do they supplement with aether? dynamis? is it purely physical or is something else involved?

what would your wol be if they weren't the wol? what would they do as a job or career? would they be happier?

is your wol good at cooking? what's their specialty? what can they never get right no matter how hard they try? what flavour profile are they good at cooking? what do they eat on the road?

out of all the scions, which one is the one your wol gets along with the best? what about the one they get along with the least? why?

how good is your wol with money? do they save up? scrounge around? spend it with wild abandon?

what would you say is your wol's greatest flaw? what part of their personality causes them the most problems?

what is your wol's best quality? what's the thing that they do that really gets stuff done of makes people like them? hard mode: their own perception vs. a friend or partner's perception.

what does your wol do to unwind? any hobbies? reading? sewing? croquet? sitting in a dark room in complete silence?

how good are your wol's table manners, based on their own culture? how does it compare to ishgardian table manners? eorzean? doman? steppe?

what is your wol's inner monologue like? do they refer to themself as "i"? "we"? "you"? is it organized or all over the place? are they kind to themself, or do they chide themself constantly?

what's your wol's relationship with food? do they skip meals or do they eat at specific times religiously? is food important to them, or is it just a means to an end to keep their body going? does food mean something cultural or personal to them?

what is your wol's relationship with their family? are they estranged? still very close? tense?

what does your wol think about lying? is it unacceptable to ever lie, are white lies okay, are they a pathological liar? how do they feel about people who lie to them?

how does your wol feel about allag in general? the tech, the experimenting, the crystal tower? any thoughts on allagan ruins? are they impressed, scared, resentful, neutral?

what sense does your wol most rely on? hearing, touch, sight, smell, taste? maybe even aethersense or dynamis?

how does your wol feel about mind-altering substances? do they partake? do they dislike them? are they neutral? do they take them socially, or anytime, or not at all?

how does your wol feel about children? do they want them? like them from a distance? hate them? no strong feelings?

how does your wol work out? lifting? sports? walking? how often do they do it? is it for fun or to keep up their physique? do they enjoy it?

#wol questions #ffxiv wol #character development #it's mostly self-development questions but a few are lore or relationship related~

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caustinen · 4 months ago

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Hollywood!AU :)

Bucky is on location filming in another country and, for one reason and another, they can't see each other for almost six weeks (which is the longest they've been apart).

How do they handle the separation and what was the reunion like? ;)

OOOOH I LOVE THIS!!! i’m gonna do a proper drabble for this too but i’ll post the headcanons now, sorry it took so long!! nsfw in the end 🥰

This would take place between them going public and getting married, the last project Bucky has before they both take a longer vacation for honeymoon (also referenced in the leaked pda video)

He films in Australia for 4 weeks and in London for 2, both pretty horrible for staying in touch because rhe time differnece is so big and they also have intense schedules in their respective time zones… And the change in time zones when Bucky moves places also make it more intense than usually, for example if Bucky would be filming just in another state it would be easier

Gale is also busy at work because he’ll take a full month of vacation in the fall after the wedding, so he can’t come visit in either place – they reason that it’s okay if they have some time apart, they’ll have the rest of their lives together after that and they’ve never been a clingy couple despite both valuing quality time over anything (and esp to Bucky also physical touch is key); maybe it’s even a welcome idea to have a breather after all the media attention after going public, it’s not a big fight or anything but it’s something different for a while

They do not expect it to be as hard as it ends up being; week or two is easy, but a month feels like forever and the last two weeks both are feeling so off-beat that they decide they will meet up in some vacation spot instead of Bucky coming home to LA because they just need some peace and quiet together for a while – the publicly is still at the peak interest too and they know there will be media after Bucky a lot too after weeks away so this seems like the best idea

They try to call as often as possible and text daily. At first it’s fine but the longer they go without the other near the more frustrating it becomes to just have the phone, like it’s amazing to be able to facetime and such but some nights Bucky would almost rather not see his beautiful boyfriend’s face at all when he can’t crawl next to him to fall asleep

Bucky would be so annoying about the whole thing, like I’m thinking non-stop whining, and Gale lets him go on and on about it as if he wasn’t feeling the same things because he knows it’s just his way of processing it.

Bucky never gives up on initiating phone sex though, which Gale also enjoys but it also makes him more nervous than John, and also during John’s evenings it’s Gale’s mid-day so it usually goes something like ”Hey honey how was filming?” ”We were filming that interigation scene for hours, it was fine, I thought about having you bounce on my cock on that table the whole time.” ”...I’m at work.” ”Yes of course dear. Anyway, could you find a quiet place and send me a voice note of your moaning my name I’m literally about to lose my mind.” ”Jesus-”

But actually it’s Gale who struggles most in the end to his great surprise, Bucky at least can lose himself in his work but Gale’s just living the usual routine but without John there (makes him realize what he means to him tho, as if he needed a reminder) – Gale’s always been hyper independent and still is, but he realizes better than ever how much more open to the world Bucky has made him and how lonely he sometimes was before him without really realizing. Watching films or going to the gym isn’t as fun without Bucky’s constant commenting.

But then again Gale has all of Bucky’s clothes to wear and his stuff that smells like him lying around, Bucky just has pictures etc.

There are some tensions in the middle of it, when it feels like the 6 weeks will never end; maybe John had a bad day at the set or Gale’s been stressed about finishing a certain project while also planning the wedding while also dodging the paparazzi while also … And they snap at each other on the phone and it’s not as easy to deal with when the only way to talk it through is on the phone again, no chance for a cathartic make-up sex or silent communication to break the ice. Bucky’s insecure since he left Gale into such a shitty situation with the public while he’s away, and Gale can’t help but feel a bit jealous as he keeps hearing about John having a great time with his co-workers and going to pubs and living a full life without him in it.

Once the time of the reunion nears, the anxiety starts to ease. they make plans to meet in Milan; Gale gets there a day sooner because Bucky’s plane is cancelled or something and Gale ends up going meeting him at the airport instead of their original plan of meeting away from the cameras in the hotel. This is the first time this is a possibility since they are public, but Gale still covers himself well – he has a facemask and huge hoodie and loose sweats he never would show up to in public otherwise (all the clothes happen to be originally Bucky’s but it’s a genuine accident, they are just the ones that felt the most comfortable)

Once Bucky comes through he runs to him and they have a cheesy airport reunion moment where they just hug in the terminal for like ten minutes, just holding the other close. Lover-boy Bucky would have tears in his eyes as he sniffs into Gale’s neck as the younger runs a calming hand up and down his back. No one pays them any mind, they go smoothly to the crowd there. Bucky bought Gale a big bouquet of red roses before boarding and he’s been clinging to them the whole flight and now he gets to press them to Buck’s back before giving them to him.

Bucky notices Gale has lost weight as they hug :( He sometimes struggles to take care of himself when he’s stressed, it’s not much but he knows his body better than his own and he immediately makes plans to check out the best restaurants in town for the whole week.

They behave themselves in the cab but the moment they get to the hotel penthouse John had reserved for them they’re on each other, absolutely wild with it; they’re adult men in a long-term relationship but the one thing phones or even intimate videos or pictures can’t replace is the actual feeling of someone’s skin underneath your fingers.

Gale moans as John throws him to the wall and they kiss so hard it’s almost painful, and Gale involuntarily laughs in relief when he finally gets a hand to his pants— Who said that I’ll get back to this later

Hope you liked, promise I’ll write a drabble when I have time 🥰 (All of Hollywood Au at the end of this post)

#buck x bucky #mota #clegan #writing #masters of the air #gale cleven #john egan #hollywood au #buck #bucky

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raccoon-eyed-rebel · 1 year ago

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Part 16

Masterlist

Series Masterlist

Part 15 🟣 Part 17

A reverse harem vampire AU ft. Mikey, Marshall, August and Sherlock

Series summary: Somehow, you've managed to live with your boyfriend and his roommates for months before finding out they're vampires, but the real shock first comes when they find out you have a special quality. A quality the guys would love to make use of...

Warnings: Ongoing vampire shenanigans, mentions of blood, biting, angst. SMUT, NSFW, 18+, MINORS DNI, fingering, p-in-v sex, feral Mikey, vampire!Mikey's semi-nursing kink. I think that's all necessary warnings, but as always; tell me if I missed something, please!

Word count: 2999 (..... Not sure if satisfying or no.)

A/N: Sorry it took so long. Life got in the way. And I mean really in the way. It's probably going to be like that for a while. Anyway. Enjoy Mikey and vampire shenanigans.

@geralts-yenn @deandoesthingstome @summersong69 @mis-lil-red @ellethespaceunicorn @sillyrabbit81 @livisss @itsrubberbisquit @ktficworld

He opened the door hesitantly. “Eh, Sweetcheeks?” The trembling of his voice made you freeze up under the blankets. “It’s, eh… It’s okay. I’m gonna take a shower and I could really use a hug. Hi, August. Sorry to interrupt your moment.”

“Don’t worry about it, Mike,” August answered to your surprise, and even with a light chuckle to his voice. “I get why you were keeping her to yourself now,” he added, “she’s incredible.”

His words made you blush, especially when Mike grinned and doubled down on the praise. “Yeah, she is! And those little noises she makes are so cute.”

You didn’t quite know how to react. Normally you’d have berated him for sharing those intimate details with others but, put bluntly, the ‘others’ in question had just fucked you to the moon and back.

Too.

Also.

Before you could gather your thoughts enough to give Mike an answer, he turned back. “Anyway, see you in a bit, yeah?”

“You hurried because you knew he was coming home?” you asked August when you heard Mike turn the water on.

“I could tell he wasn’t feeling so great, and I figured he’d need some comfort,” August said, omitting a direct ‘yes’. “Go join him.”

You searched his face for any sign of disapproval or disappointment at leaving him now, but you found nothing but a gentle smile and a strange, lingering sense of appreciation radiating from the way he looked at you.

It should have felt weird to climb out of August’s bed and wander towards the bathroom, not even bothering to put on any clothes, but it didn’t — although it proved to be a relatively poor decision when you ran into Marshall in the hallway, who didn’t quite know where to look.

“Wow, she’s fit.”

“Excuse me?” Your eyebrows shot up in surprise as you asked your question — and so did his.

“I didn’t say anything,” he said with a shrug. A brief pause followed, filled with the single most awkward silence you’d experienced in your entire life.

“No… You were thinking it…”

“God, first time this happens and that’s what she catches?”

“Yes, Marshall. That’s what I caught,” you said with a grin before walking towards him. Without thinking, you put a hand on the side of his face. “Don’t worry, you’ll get your turn.”

One second your hand was on his cheek, the next he had it pinned to the wall, over your head. Marshall held both of your hands there with one of his, with insufferable ease.

“I can smell him on you.” It was a growl — and a particularly gritty one at that — and an accusation. “Why should I wait any longer?” Your heart pounded in your chest as he lowered his head to nip at your neck. “I’m not going to watch from the sidelines forever, love. I want what’s mine.”

“And you’ll have me,” you said, shocking yourself with your newfound confidence, “but Mikey needs me, and I made him a promise. So be a good boy and let go of me. Oh, and work on this temper.” You stared into his eyes, almost losing your nerve, but you managed to last until Marshall slowly relaxed his grip on your arms until they dropped to your sides. What he didn’t do, was move away.

“Don’t start something now that you won’t be able to finish later,” he snarled before disappearing into his room.

You weren’t trembling when you resumed your way to the bathroom, which was strange, because you felt like you should have been doing just that. There had never been any tension with Marshall before — except maybe for that incident when he’d ripped your arm to shreds by accident. Other than that, everything had been especially easy with him.

Until now.

What had changed? Was he upset with you because he thought he was last, in some way? Technically, he wasn’t. You’d never slept with Sherlock — which was something that irked you in its own right, but those feelings were hardly relevant at this point in time.

Well, what did he expect you to do? Show up at his door wearing nothing but a pair of heels and beg him to take you? No. You couldn’t quite imagine that he felt legitimately entitled to you in some way, despite his words from before. Besides, you didn’t feel much for that scenario, or any other scenario where you boldly offered yourself up on a silver platter for him to enjoy.

Maybe — just maybe — Marshall had to take a second to get over himself.

You shook your head, as if to cleanse it of your thoughts about Marshall — which, you only realized now, he had indubitably heard — and focused on the blurry shape of Mike behind the fogged-up shower wall.

“Hmm, did I just hear you put the big bad wolf in his place?” Mike asked, no doubt with a huge grin on his face, but it was impossible to see.

“I could hear his thoughts,” you half-chuckled in complete disbelief. Marshall had mentioned the projection of gifts could persist beyond feedings, and you weren’t surprised he was the first with whom it happened, but… you were just a little floored it had happened at all.

“Look at you becoming a force to be reckoned with,” Mike said as you slid the door open and joined him in the shower. He was definitely grinning. Mike wasted no time to pull you in, wrapping you in a massive hug. “Alright, so… I’m toast for the semester. Only one of my professors will allow me to do a make up assignment for the labs I missed… The other two I’ll have to retake next year.” He hid his face in your neck, pulling you even closer.

“Mikey, I need to breathe,” you managed when Mike continued to crush you, but as soon as the words left your mouth, he relaxed his grip.

“Sorry, Sweetcheeks, just… rough day. I really fucked up by leaving, and… I know it’s fair that it’s coming back to bite me in the ass, but it also hurts.” There were tears in his eyes, he sounded tired and he felt cold, despite…

“You didn’t get enough yesterday, did you?” you laughed. Mike shrugged and smiled apologetically.

“I’ve never felt that level of thirst before… it was excruciating. Yesterday I took everything I could without getting sick. If you’re up for it, I could definitely use a little more, later.”

“Of course, baby, I’m all yours!” You kissed the tip of his nose and rested your hands on his lower back. It was just impossible to keep them from gently stroking the dimples in it, the soft curve of his ass — tight and round and so perfect you were the one who would love to get a bite for a change…

“How was August?” Mike asked, nothing but mischief in his eyes. Were you imagining things, or did he really want an honest answer? Alright then…

“Fantastic,” you muttered, heat creeping up to your cheeks as you spoke. “Are you sure you want to hear about it?”

Without warning, he turned you around and shoved you into the dark-tiled wall. “I’m sure I want you back…” The way he inhaled deeply through his nose held something primal, something almost violent, as he took in your scent, and no doubt August’s as well. “I want to… compete with whatever of him is left on your skin.” Over your shoulder, you noticed that he flashed fang on his next smile, making you bite your lip in anticipation. “You’re in for it now, Sweetcheeks.”

You thought the hand that closed around your throat did so in the shower, but when you opened your eyes you were on your knees on Mikey’s bed — still wet from the shower, your hair dripping everywhere. He didn’t care. His breathing was fast, ragged, with little snarls escaping him on almost every exhale — and every last one of those sounds sent shivers down your spine.

His free hand traveled down your side, following the curve of your hip before moving over your thigh and slowly trailing back up. With his leg, he effortlessly pushed yours apart, giving his hand space to gently explore your pussy. Not that there was much exploring left for him. By now, he knew that particular area of your body about as well as he was ever going to.

He lightly circled your clit with a single finger, making you whine as he played you like a fiddle — then whine again, louder this time, when he abandoned his pursuit to slip his fingers into your wetness. As he did, a growl escaped him — a sound that was followed by a gentle nip at your earlobe.

He was impatient, which — of course — wasn’t unusual for him, but today it was definitely worse than ever before. His fingers moved almost erratically, and abandoned you after only a short time. It didn’t matter much; August had taken good care of you over and over and over again… You could do without an orgasm on this one. Nevertheless, you moved your hips in search of more friction, smiling coyly when you felt his hard cock grind into your ass from behind, and soon, your movements were about teasing Mike rather than chasing your own pleasure.

He didn’t like that much.

“You know, you managed to tell Marshall off today, but when he just decides you’re his, what are you going to do?” With a single move, he pushed his cock into you, making you swear under your breath as he stretched you out.

“Mike, are you wearing…”

“A little trust, Sweetcheeks. I’m horny, not an idiot. Okay, I am an idiot, but not... you know what I mean.” When you both laughed, his grip around your throat slacked. “Sorry about that,” he whispered, pressing soft kisses against your shoulder while he gently rocked his hips against your ass.

“No, I think I like feral Mikey,” you chuckled, running a hand through his still soaking wet curls. He laughed and nuzzled your neck — it was adorable.

“It’s weird…” No, what was weird was having a whole ass conversation while getting railed from behind, but go off. “I’m not jealous. It feels like I should be, but I shouldn’t be, and I’m not. I just want you too.”

“So, take me.” Excuse the fuck out of you? Where did that come from?

Mike seemed to think the same thing, because he paused, and a curious little whimper escaped him. “What?”

“Mike,” you said, your tone serious, “I want you to fuck me hard.”

“Oh.” He nipped at your earlobe. “I can do that.”

And then, playtime was over. You grabbed his hair and threw your hips back to meet his thrust, his arms snaking around you, holding you in a vice-like grip with nowhere to go. It was raw and passionate, and undeniably hot, until…

“Mike, don’t lick me!”

“Well, what are you going to do about it?” Fuck. You hadn’t thought about that. Vice-like grip. Nowhere to go. And he wasn’t going to let go of you.

“I can think of something,” you growled. A lie. There was nothing you could think of to do to him that wasn’t either really cruel or he wouldn’t enjoy. Unless… “No boobies for you,” you said sternly, making it — hopefully — very clear what you meant.

He picked up on the hint. “You’re not supposed to deny us feeding over petty squabbles,” he helpfully reminded you. As if you’d forgotten that rule.

“No. But I can tell you it’s wrist or bust, Mike.” Shit. Not quite the right moment for that particular expression.

“And I pick ‘bust’,” he laughed, licking your neck. It sent shivers through your entire body. Sometimes, the licking wasn’t really so bad at all…

“Mike!” you warned.

“Okay, okay,” he grumbled, clearly very displeased — and very adorable. From then on, he stuck to squeezing your boobs and nibbling on your neck and shoulder while he kept pounding into you.

“Good boy,” you said in a half-mocking tone — which made it all the more surprising when Mike’s hips stuttered, and he came as if on command.

“Shit,” he muttered barely loud enough for you to catch it. Next, he disappeared. For a moment you were scared he wouldn’t come back, but he appeared next to you on the edge of the bed as if he’d never left the room.

“So,” you said, putting a hand around his shoulders, “I take it you liked that?”

“Babe, please don’t tease me,” he said, something wobbly and confused in his voice. He seemed a little lost.

“Get me a towel, clean this wet mess up, and meet me in my room, okay?” The look in his eyes was a sincere expression of gratitude.

Of course it took him all of two minutes to get the room cleaned up — and, as a rather frustrated Marshall apparently pointed out, half of the hallway. You hadn’t even finished drying your hair when he showed up behind you, wrapping you up in another massive hug.

“Hi,” he sighed before kissing your neck. “Can we cuddle?” Whatever had been keeping him going before had now faded, and he was the regular, puppy-eyed boyfriend radiating the golden retriever energy you were used to. Without saying a word, you wormed your way out of his embrace and scrambled to get under the covers.

“Wanna watch a movie, baby?” you asked, already knowing what the answer would be. Before he even answered you, Mike disappeared for a moment, and returned seconds later with a bunch more pillows in his arms, and your favorite blanket from the living room. You’d always joked with your friends how you stayed with Mike specifically for his nest-building abilities, and although it was an exaggeration that you were with him just for that, it was certainly a factor in keeping you as happy as you were with him. Plus, he was fast. Definite bonus.

“Lock the door,” you said with a wink, “I don’t think we’re going to leave this room any time soon, and I really want you to myself for a bit.” Mike chuckled when you raised your voice on that last bit, making sure everyone in the house had heard you.

“Then we’ll need snacks,” Mike concluded, and without waiting for your reply — which would have been affirmative, because (let’s face it) watching a movie without snacks was just… significantly less awesome than watching a movie with snacks — he disappeared again.

“You and these jellybeans,” you laughed when he returned with a bag of your favorite popcorn, tortilla chips and cheese dip, and a large bag of jellybeans. He definitely wasn’t eating as much as he had been, but you couldn’t exactly say he’d really been kicking the habit. “Door,” you reminded him when he tried to get in bed with you.

“Already locked,” he chuckled, but he walked over to it — slowly, even — nonetheless to show you it was really locked.

“Alright, now get over here!” Never tell a vampire that; the way he slammed into you when he did what you said immediately actually hurt.

He couldn’t sit still; the whole time, Mike was squirming against you anxiously, holding you tighter, his grip slacking again, wriggling, wrapping his legs around you. Not watching the movie for a single second. It was odd. Normally, Mike’s hands would have been exploring whatever bit of skin of yours he could reach — and absolutely some places he couldn’t reach without removing an obstacle like clothing first. This time… None of that.

“Mike you can’t crawl into me, what’s wrong with you today?” you laughed quietly as you stroked your silly boyfriend’s messy dark curls.

“Missed you,” he muttered, pulling you closer again. “I left and then you were angry and now you’re not angry, but you didn’t sleep next to me and I missed you.”

“I’m here now,” you whispered, still stroking his hair, “I’m not going anywhere tonight.”

“Babe,” he whispered after a while — he’d been trying really hard to sit still and watch the movie, but was ultimately very unsuccessful, “I’m really fucking hungry.” There was a tremble to his voice, and it took an encouraging nudge from you for him to move down until his face was level with your boobs. He hesitated.

“It’s okay, I know you want to,” you said. And it was true; you knew he wanted to. You really knew that he really wanted to bite you — and not just for food, but for comfort too. That’s what he was hesitant about. You chuckled softly. “I can feel it, Mike, there’s no need to hide. You’re home, you’re safe… and you’re loved.”

When you smiled down at him, you saw the tears in his eyes as he gently bit down on your boob. He fed slowly, drawing it out as much as he could. Of course you didn’t mind; you felt as amazing as you always did when someone fed on you. And then there was the added bonus of feeling Mike slowly settling down next to you, becoming calmer with every passing second. Some time after you’d watched him close his eyes, you felt his fangs retreat, but his mouth did not leave its post, and you chuckled as you let your own eyes fall shut and quietly enjoyed the sensation.

“I’m—”

You didn’t let him finish his sentence. “Mike, don’t apologize. I wouldn’t have agreed to it if I wasn’t okay with it. It was quite nice, actually.” He quietly smiled up at you before snuggling into your side again, and you felt his desire to be close to you flare up as he did. You wrapped your arms around him as tightly as you could manage and turned your attention back to the movie.

You were lucky to have him — and for the first time you were truly certain you’d never lose him again.

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zerofuckingwaste · 1 year ago

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Let's talk about the fast fashion industry. Specifically, the duplicitous, copycat nature of many companies- the likes of Shein and such.

I'm betting you've seen an ad like this before:

A piece of clothing you would love to have and wear, not only great aesthetics, but comfy looking too. It looks official, too- it's between two news articles from reputable papers, and it has the word "Official" on it, and it's a sponsored ad- how could it afford to be all sponsored if it wasn't legit, right?

Let's take a look at the actual listing.

It's got a number of pictures, which lends further to its air of legitimacy. The material is unfortunately listed as polyester- aka plastic- and there is very little detail on the obviously intricate design, the fit, etc. Upon closer inspection, it's all very vague. And, it's under $50- a price tag which should raise red flags, for being suspiciously inexpensive.

If we take two seconds to do a Google lens search, we find the following:

Suddenly, we have a listing that makes sense. Nearly $700, with a description that goes into detail not only on the design (complete with the name of the designer) and style (including information on the fit), but the materials- 100% natural linen and ramie, both renewable, non plastic resources.

Doing a deeper dive into the legitimate retailer, we find the following:

There's a lot more, but it all essentially boils down to "this is a carbon neutral company dedicated to transparency, using renewable resources, and ethical labor practices". Compare that to the shady site, which offers no such assurances, instead boasting about low prices... Which usually can only happen by under paying over worked laborers, not compensating designers, and using non renewable, cheap, and low quality materials.

Yes, the price tag for the real thing is high. REALLY high. But that is the cost of wearing what is essentially a piece of art. Buying fast fashion as a way to get around that price tag is a great way to promote unethical labor practices, low quality non renewable resources, and not compensating the artists who work so hard to design these things. Only occasionally purchasing clothes you actually need/want, so that you cultivate a wardrobe that will last you decades if not a lifetime and beyond, will allow you to save money, and support ethical practices and renewable materials, and as a bonus, you'll craft a closet full of things you actually want to wear, with no duds.

You can only wear one outfit a day. You don't need to buy new clothes all the time. You don't need hundreds of pieces of clothing, you would be surprised how little you need. I am far from a minimalist- I would say I'm a maximalist- yet all of my clothes fit in half a dresser and half a closet, with room to spare, and yet in combination, I have a seemingly endless amount of options for outfits. So, why fill your closet with half assed crappy clothing that will fall apart and go to a landfill in a few months, wasting your money and time, when you can instead thoughtfully choose good pieces of clothing that will last forever, meaning you don't need to buy more clothing to replace it ever again?

$700 is a lot of money. It's the same as 14 of those $50 plastic dresses. But keep in mind, those $50 dresses are of bad quality, with uncomfortable material; you'll throw them out within months, at most a few years. But that $700 dress is made of light, breathable cloth, thoughtfully made to be quite comfortable as well as beautiful- it's these kinds of dresses that will end up being passed to your children when you die, because they're still good as new. I have dresses that my grandmother bought in the 70's in my closet, that have at most needed a button replaced in the last 50 years since.

Think about it this way: that dress that you have to save up for can last a lifetime and beyond, in your closet, or someone else's that you pass it to- the dress that you can buy without a second thought will also last a lifetime and beyond... In a landfill.

Don't waste your money on fast fashion. Spend it wisely, supporting good business practices, and cultivating a wardrobe you'll actually be able to enjoy for years to come.

#zero waste #sustainability #anti consumerism #anti consumption #eco friendly #sustainable #environment #fashion #fast fashion #wardrobe #clothes #clothing #closet #ad #ads #advertisement #advertisements

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einsteinsugly · 10 months ago

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Random advice from a retail shopper/employee.

Discount stores (TJMaxx, Marshall's, etc):

*Avoid non name brand stuff. The off brand/in house stuff is Forever 21/H&M quality. Don't bother. Bad stitching, pulls, small holes, low quality fabric, etc, are all typical (personal experience, ugh). You can get better stuff at Target, frankly.

*If unsure, Google to make sure what you found is a name brand!

*The name brand stuff is far more prominent in the men's department, as well as in activewear.

*Just scout juniors' for American Eagle, Levi's, and Hollister stuff. Leave the rest. The worst quality stuff is there.

*Democracy jeans are the best, even if...

*Some name brand stuff is kind of like outlet store versions (still solid, though). Look for different tags from the OGs, different insignia, etc.

*They seriously have the best cheap, reusable bags.

JCPenney:

*They literally sell the same styles year after year.

*Their flannels and leggings are really good.

*Their blouses suck. Don't bother.

*Coupons don't work on name brands (like Levi's) and clearance.

*Look online for coupon codes, before you go. Show the barcode at checkout.

Kohl's:

*Their in-house denim brands suck, and so do their flannels.

*Their blouses and hoodies are solid.

*The last two on JCPenney's list apply here, too.

Old Navy:

*Their everywear tees are amazing. So are their sweatpants.

Hollister:

*They literally have the best sweatshirts (Gap is great, too).

Target:

*They sell Bali bras for way cheaper than the department stores do.

*Avoid their burnout fabric stuff, because it's especially cheap.

*I'm pretty sure this is well known, but their bathing suits are the best.

Online:

*If you find something you like from a brand that sells on multiple vendors (like Lucky Brand, Levi's, etc), Google the product name. You might be able to find it for a cheaper price. And maybe in other colors, too.

General:

*January and February are the dead parts of the year. This is when you can get good clearance stuff.

*You can also get good clearance summer stuff from August to early October.

*If a graphic on a clothing item is shiny/feels caked on, it will crack.

*American Eagle and Maurice's are two of the very few places that typically sell x-short/x-long pants.

*If possible, splurge on shoes. They last way longer than their cheap counterparts, and you save money (and waste!).

#non t7s #my essays #fashion #tjmaxx #target #kohl's #i am learning the very first one the hard way ugh

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pinkinoctober · 14 days ago

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did you just fall from heaven?.. ౨ৎ

౨ৎ11|01|24౨ৎ

...cause you're a gorgeous angel ꒰ঌ ໒꒱

my favorite things that just add to my confidence and environment!

Inner work

ʚɞ Having a signature scent: Your scent is so essential to who you are. Put effort into it. Develop your favorites, something that defines you. Having a signature scent is like leaving an imprint on the space you are in. If it's good enough, it'll last forever.

ʚɞ "Bare Basics": Buy essentials. Basic tees, basic jeans, basic sweats, basic basic basic. It doesn't have to be so expensive, affordable basics are great because then you can spend your money on expensive extras.

ʚɞ Looking put together: Just by doing your skincare, styling your hair and wearing a simple set. It's so easy to look put together and it'll feel effortless after a while.

ʚɞ Taking care of your hair: Practice healthy hair habits like hair masks, getting trims and avoiding heat. Your hair will thank you for it.

ʚɞ Wear clothes that you love: If you feel comfortable, you feel confident. This means developing a wardrobe that makes you feel good and you won't regret your purchases later. If it's not a perfect fit, don't buy it.

ʚɞ PJ Sets and slippers: PJ sets and slippers is so elegant. You take a great shower, you get in your set, put your pedicured feet in your slippers. You'll feel fcking amazing! And you don't waste clothes on them being your PJS. *I have my Adam Sandler moments too though haha*

ʚɞ Clean nails: You don't have to spend $60 on a set to have clean nails. Just by trimming your nails and cleaning under your nails, you're having clean nails. I personally talk with my hands a lot so I try and maintain clean nails because they are easy to look at.

Outer work

ʚɞ Having good discipline: Good discipline is such a hate it now, love it later process. It's hard at first but later, you'll be so glad you stuck to your routine and kept ontop of your tasks.

ʚɞ Practicing kindness & good manners: Please and thank you go such a long way, but being kind period gets you farther. And being kind doesn't mean being a people pleaser. It means doing good deeds, being considerate and caring for others. It's easy to be kind.

ʚɞ Reading and watching more movies: Reading and watching quality movies are such great ways to feed your brain. Read something to feed your mind, and watch a movie to have something for conversation.

ʚɞ Minimal social media usage: Limiting social media usage is LIFE-CHANGING. You stop being so absorbed into what other people are doing, you stop wanting to put your life out for others. Your phone stops being so important. Avoid using apps where you feel like you're sitting for hours, not retaining anything.

ʚɞ Tea & Water only: *Only* is a strong word. Just trying to drink healthier benefits you, your skin, and your look. I wish it wasn't true because I love a good Coke but it is. Sometimes limiting the sweet stuff is what benefits us the most sadly.

ʚɞ Learning to cook: Cooking skill is one of the best skills you can learn because it's for you. If you're hungry, you can just cook for yourself. And you know what you're putting in your body because you made it. Learn to cook something you love and watch how it changes your day.

ʚɞ Not being a people pleaser: Avoid saying yes to please others. Avoid stressing to get attention and make other people happy. Avoid doing things because you think it's what people will accept. If you don't want to, don't do it. Please yourself before anybody else.

ʚɞ Gratitude at the end of everyday: Write in a journal about everything great that happned that day and be grateful. It can change your whole perspective on your day and even your perspective on future days.

That's all angels!

#girlhood #blogging #aesthetic #this is a girlblog #girly #just girly things #girlblogging #girlblog aesthetic #girly stuff #angel

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anonofseasons · 1 year ago

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I'm going to ramble about clothing in Seasons. Again.

It's important to note that a character's perception of something is different from the writer's feelings on the matter or even the truth of the situation. Howie saying that his parents letting him pick out clothing designs/fabrics is one of the only ways they are permissive in their parenting. It's not permissive. They just didn't grow up, so the kids had their own clothing that they never grew out of. If they had been raised closer in age and never had been paused, Vivian absolutely 100% would have forced hand-me-downs on the kids as often as possible to pinch pennies. Vivian didn't have nice clothes growing up, but that changed with Gideon taking him in. And up until he was on the run with Graham, he learned to do some minor patchwork and otherwise afford a tailor for his nice garments. On the run, he had to be more creative and up his skill level, because he couldn't afford clothes. He bought from secondhand shops, adjusted things himself, and tried to make those clothes last forever bc he had no money. They did the same for Graham. Shannon came along and Vivian sewed him clothes with growing room. Little Shannon looks pretty frumpy, honestly. Vivian eventually got better at sewing and knitting, and Shannon had oversized sweaters over tailored clothes that could be brought out a bit as he grew. Very practical, though, and never anything overly fancy. They had more money when Shannon was older and Sophie was born. Her clothing was nicer, and I'm going to be blunt: Vivian doted on her. Most of Shannon's old clothes from when he was a baby were in poor condition before they even ended up on Shannon, so they're long gone. Sophie did end up with more outfits, but she also did have billowy dresses that would later be turned into skirts, and her pants would be repurposed, and some shirts became quilts - a lot of the stuff Howie describes in ch 56. But Sophie was fourteen - nearly fifteen - when El was born. He wore some of her old baby gowns and whatnot, because Vivian kept them, but then El had to have his own set due to the years between each child and the fact that Sophie was the first kid who actually got "Vivian sews really well" quality clothing. Vivian also cares about presentation, not just of himself but of his kids as well. With money to buy better materials, he wanted to at least not look poor. Like Shannon did! Sophie especially got the best treatment, but he was pretty good with El too. The first time hand-me-downs were even a consideration was when Howie was born. Howie had a few new things - if only because moths and insects and time exists, and not all baby items are going to survive after sixty years - but he did wear a lot of El's things that he had grown out of. And all his things were kept for Bee. (Worth mentioning that when Vivian had Howie, he intended to have another child as well. El wanted siblings, and Vivian had two winters and a summer... so he planned to have autumn and eventually spring soon after.) But El's age was paused, and Howie and Bee had theirs paused as well, and Vivian didn't have to worry so much about them growing out of clothing. Which was great. If they took care of it, they wouldn't be growing out of any clothes every few months! They could wear these nice garments for years to come! ...So yeah, it's not really permissive. Vivian just had three kids who didn't need to pass on clothing to one another. He's now stuck with three kids used to distinct fashion styles and colors. He's also in for a surprise when he realizes that Howie isn't wrong about getting taller than El (so legs of pants will be too high when they fit Howie's waist) and Beau's body type doesn't work with his older brothers' clothes very well. Shoes are less of an issue when they grow out of them, at least, since the younger siblings can indeed wear those. (And colors are pretty basic with brown/black. We can't all be Sophie with expensive dyed white leather boots that reach the kneecaps...)

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callbaseusa · 3 months ago

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How Does Shein Keep Prices So Low?

Shein's low prices are a big draw. Many wonder, how do they do it? The key is simple: volume. Shein makes a lot of clothes, fast. They use cheap materials, too. This cuts costs. They also sell online only. No stores mean no rent. That saves money. I once bought a dress from Shein. It was cute, but the fabric was thin. It didn't last long, but for the price, it was worth it.

Shein also cuts corners on quality. They focus on trends, not lasting style. This works because customers want the latest look. They don’t mind if it doesn’t last. Fast fashion is about now, not forever. My friend ordered a blouse from Shein. It looked great online, but in person, it was different. Still, she didn’t care. It was cheap, and she only wore it a few times. The price made it feel like a win.

Labor costs are low, too. Shein uses factories in places with cheap labor. This helps keep prices down. Workers might not get paid much, but Shein passes those savings to you. It’s a trade-off. Some people worry about this. Others don’t think about it. A co-worker told me she buys from Shein because it’s affordable. She knows the clothes might not last, but that’s okay. She gets to try new styles often.

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gmbdm · 5 months ago

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The Unique Charm of Deer Antler Wedding Bands

So, you're getting hitched! Congratulations! Now comes the fun part (besides the actual wedding) - picking out the perfect rings. You've probably seen the usual suspects - gold, silver, platinum - but maybe you're looking for something more unique that reflects your love for the outdoors and your adventurous spirit. Move over diamonds because deer antler wedding bands are staggering (get it?) onto the scene!

Nature's Touch: Why Deer Antler Rings?

Deer antler wedding bands might sound a little out there initially, but they're becoming famous for couples who want their rings to be as unique as their love story. Here's why these rings are making waves:

Natural Beauty: Deer sheds antlers naturally annually, making them an eco-friendly and sustainable material. Plus, the rich, earthy tones and unique patterns of the antler create a stunning, one-of-a-kind ring. It's like wearing a little piece of nature on your finger!

Symbolism: In many cultures, antlers are seen as symbols of strength, masculinity, and renewal. They represent growth and new beginnings, which is perfect for a marriage!

Durability: Don't let the organic material fool you. Deer antlers are surprisingly rigid! They can last a lifetime with proper care, just like your love (hopefully!).

Uniqueness: Like snowflakes, no two deer antlers are precisely alike. This means your wedding band will be truly one-of-a-kind, a unique symbol of your one-of-a-kind love.

Perfect for the Outdoorsy Couple: Are you and your partner the kind of folks who love hiking, camping, or exploring the great outdoors? Then, deer antler rings are perfect for celebrating your shared passion for nature.

Finding Your Perfect Match: Different Types of Deer Antler Wedding Bands

Now that you're sold on deer antler wedding bands let's explore the different available styles. Here are a few things to consider:

Inlay or Solid Antler: Inlay rings have a thin layer of antler embedded in a metal band, like tungsten or titanium. This provides extra durability and some excellent design options with contrasting colors. Solid antler rings are, well, solid antlers! They offer a more natural look but require more care.

Metal Accents: Many deer antler wedding bands incorporate other materials like metals, gemstones, or even wood. This can add a touch of elegance, personalization, or a pop of color to your ring.

Ring Width: Do you prefer a chunky, outdoorsy look or something more sleek and modern? The width of the ring will affect the overall feel.

Finish: Deer antler can be left natural, polished to a shine, or even a rustic, matte finish. Choose what matches your style!

Happily Ever Antler: Tips for Choosing and Caring for Your Rings

So, you've found the perfect mens antler wedding bands - that's awesome! Here are a couple of things to keep in mind:

Shop from Reputable Retailers: Make sure you buy from a jeweler who uses ethically sourced deer antlers and creates high-quality rings.

Sizing is Important: Since deer antler is a natural material, it can't be easily resized like a metal band. Get your fingers sized accurately to ensure a perfect fit.

Taking Care of Your Rings: While deer antler is tough, it's not invincible. Avoid exposing your rings to harsh chemicals, extreme temperatures, or rough activities. Please gently clean them with a soft cloth now and then.

Conclusion: Sealing the Deal with Nature's Elegance

Deer antler wedding bands are a unique and meaningful way to celebrate your love story. Their natural beauty, symbolism, and durability make them a perfect choice for couples who want their rings to reflect their love for the outdoors and their commitment to each other. So, if you're looking for something special to mark the beginning of your forever adventure together, consider trying deer antler wedding bands. After all, your love is one of a kind, and your rings should be too!

#mens antler wedding bands #deer antler wedding bands

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annieintheaair · 8 months ago

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Oh God, don't take these beautiful things that I've got

youtube

Healing can take a really long time. They say that it takes half the time you were with someone to get over them. When Dan and I broke up the final time, I didn't even consider dating for years. I focused on my career and where I might want to live and didn't think twice about the fact that I wasn't dating at all. I didn't even try to meet people. It was during that time that I became this truly independent, strong person. I realized that I would never be with anyone unless they were adding to my life because I was perfectly content on my own, and I still am.

Even though I moved on with my life, I never fully got over Dan until I moved to Boston. On Presidents Day, 2013, I got a Zipcar and drove to Wrentham to do some shopping at my favorite outlets. Wrentham isn't that far from Providence so Dan had texted me all day asking to meet up. I debated it, literally all day. Eventually, I gave in and drove down and met up with him. He ended up coming back to Boston with me for the night. When it was time to lie down and go to sleep, his phone rang, and he answered it. The girl he left me for, Lindsay, was on the phone. I didn't really know for sure until then that they were together and listening to him on the phone with her made me shut down completely. I might not remember it with 100% accuracy because it was such an awful night that I tried to forget it but I think he hung up saying, "Goodnight. I love you" and that's when I realized that love was a lie.

I refused to talk to him anymore that night. We went to sleep and he left the next day. I never saw him again until right before Thanksgiving 2019 when I was in Providence on a layover for work. We spent the day walking around in the cold city, eating breakfast at our favorite spot, Brickway, strolling the mall, seeing a movie (we saw Last Christmas, which if you've seen it, is a little ironic that that was the last movie we ever saw together), and just talking. I remember seeing him that morning when he arrived and he was wearing baggy clothes and looked like a mess. It turned me off. I thought, "I'm totally over this guy."

When the day was over and it was raining, Dan asked if he could stay for a bit and come watch a movie with me in my hotel room. I told him no and sent him away. When he left, he messaged me that he wished I would have let him stay. He always had such a grip on my heart that I felt bad telling him no and for a while, I debated if I made the right choice. At the time, I told myself that I did, but when he passed away less than 3 years later, I thought back on that day, and believe me, I would have given anything to rewind time and tell him to come in and watch a movie with me. Even just five more minutes with him would have made me feel like I did something right.

Less than 8 months later, I met James. On our first date, I thought, "Wow, I could talk to this guy forever." We had an instant connection. I felt like we had a lot in common and he had this softness about him. I fell hard and fast for him. Since COVID was going on, he basically moved in with me and it was nice at first because I didn't feel so lonely anymore. He hadn't even been gone for 24 hours when I found out I had shingles and he jumped on the next flight to get back to me to take care of me.

James had a lot of great qualities and our ending was sudden and unexpected, in some ways. I don't think I've ever cried so hard about a breakup, even with Dan. Weeks before our breakup, we were drinking bottomless Nutcrackers (it's basically a White Russian) at the bowling alley when we went back to his apartment in Wyoming and we both just lost it. It wasn't a fight but we were both crying. Deep down, I knew then that it was over but we held on for a few more weeks and broke up the day after Christmas. I struggled to work for weeks because I could barely see through my tears. I remember laying on the floor of my house just bawling my eyes out and screaming. I felt like I'd never feel whole again. It was a breakup that I didn't understand at all, and still don't. I've come to accept that it's something I'll probably never understand but I think that's why it broke me so badly. It was like one minute James was a huge part of my life and then he just vanished.

In my memories, I thought about all of our best times. One night, during the summer, I was making space for James' clothes in my closet and he lay down on the floor and told me to lie with him. He said he wished we could be in a field somewhere, looking up at the stars together. He reminded me how much he loved me. I thought, in that moment, "Life doesn't get any better than this."

After our breakup, I was cleaning my kitchen one day and found a whole drawer full of fast food sauces. James was always saving them and I guess I didn't realize that he was collecting them in a drawer in my kitchen. There were so many Chick-fil-a sauces, along with lots of Taco Bell packets. I collected it all and threw it in the trash. When I went to the grocery store a few days later, I found and bought a bottle of Chick-fil-a sauce. I posted on Instagram that I no longer needed him around saving sauces because I could buy a whole bottle at the grocery store. James saw my post and messaged me like I had hurt him so badly by doing that. Of course, I felt a little bad that it hurt him but he had no idea all of the tears that I had cried leading up to that.

When I found out I would have to move out of my house years later, I almost looked forward to it. I felt like my house had become some sort of time capsule of memories of our life together. I'd sit at my desk in my office and imagine him at my kitchen table working on his computer. I even bought a whole new bed, which I wanted to do anyway, but I just felt so sad being in that bed without him.

I can honestly say, to this day, I've never taken a breakup as hard as I did with James. I'm not sure what that means but the other day, I felt like I needed to let him know that after all of this time, we were ok. I told him, "I just want you to know, that while I've never understood what happened with us, I've never hated you and always hope for the best for you." On my drive home from yoga last night, he replied, "I really appreciate that, Annie! And I have always wished the best for you as well." It took us just over 3 years but I'm glad we finally got to this point.

My dad sent me a Venmo last night and told me to go get Red Lobster for dinner so I picked some up on my way home from yoga. As usual, the traffic was awful, even at 8pm, so by the time I picked up my food and took it home, it was cold. I pulled into my driveway and this cat, who I previously saw in my backyard right after New Year's, was standing in the cul-de-sac looking at me. I looked back at it and let out a "pss" and it came running over to me and into my garage. It came right up to me and let me pet it. It was so playful and cute. It hung out with me for a bit until my neighbors got home and came out calling for it. I didn't know before whose cat it was, except that I had seen it in the neighborhood, but I think we're friends now. I don't know what it is but that cat always shows up when I'm having a rough week.

This past year, in general, has been rough. I moved to a neighborhood where the friendliest resident is a cat. I feel like I've taken a lot of losses here and now I'm working on piecing my life back together. It's a Wednesday and I usually go to yoga and Students at my church back where I used to live but today feels like a good day to stay home until I have to go to work.

I'm somewhat looking forward to my therapy session today. I hope it offers me some clarity for my next steps but I know that after it I won't want to do much, which is pretty normal for me after therapy. Since I have to work tonight, I definitely need to feel more refreshed. Like the pin I bought a few years ago, "You can't pour from an empty cup."

xoxo

Annie

#Youtube

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winter510 · 6 months ago

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MY SPECIAL INTEREST IS (FASHION) DOLLS‼️‼️

I don’t mention it on tumblr much cuz I mostly use this for art, but I absolutely LOVE dolls and I always have.

I have a collection of 70+ dolls, but I haven’t counted them in a while so I definitely think it could be 80+ by now or more!! I should check again soon.

My favorite lines are probably Lol Surprise Omg/Lol Surprise Tweens and Lalaloopsy, but I love a lot of others too like Monster High (G3, mostly) and Rainbow High! I don’t have many Barbie dolls, i only got my first one around October/November-ish last year, but I have 4 now! 2 of them are newer (Perfect Day/Movie Barbie & 2023 Holiday Barbie), and 2 of them are older (Barbie In The Pink Shoes & a 90’s Barbie I found naked at a thrift store so idk who she was lol). I don’t like a lot of newer Barbie dolls bc a lot of the quality just,,, isn’t there, but I do want to collect more 90’s Barbie’s and late 2000s/early 2010s Barbie’s because she’s very nostalgic for me.

I love fashion dolls for so many different reasons. I’ve always been interested in fashion, and I love self expression. I love dressing super colorfully and over the top (when I have the energy too. Cuz yknow. Autism lmao.) So it’s fun being able to not only fill my room with dolls wearing fun outfits, but being able to mix and match things and create whole new looks is genuinely so exhilarating for me!! I don’t restyle dolls extremely often bc I don’t wanna ruin any dolls, but when I can and do restyle dolls without needing to worry abt that, they can become some of my favorites!! I think there might also be a visual stim factor to it, tho I can’t figure out if I like dolls bc they’re visual stimulating for me, or if they’re visually stimulating for me because I like them. But either way, I can pick one doll out for the day, take it with me wherever I go, and just stare at it and keep noticing new details in the face or clothing, or even just staring at my favorite parts over n over. And there’s definitely physical stimulation too, because I love feeling the fabric and the hair, and it’s especially nice if it has a good amount of articulation so I can move them around and pose them in different ways. And there’s so many other reasons I love them too.

I also often really enjoy the movies and tv shows that doll lines come with! Lalaloopsy Girls: Welcome To Lala Prep is genuinely one of my favorite movies, period. I like all the other Lalaloopsy movies too, and the Nick Jr show (I don’t really like the Netflix Lalaloopsy show tho). There’s also 2003 Strawberry Shortcake, which btw, had some absolute BANGER songs in some episodes. I’ve seen a good amount of Monster High movies by now, my fave is probably Ghouls Rule bc it focuses more on Jackson Jekyll and he’s my fav character <33. Ever After High is great, I never watched it as a kid, but even just watching it in its entirety like a few months ago, it’s a good show with some of the best digital puppet animation I’ve ever seen.

I think I should probably stop now cuz I have things to do but OMMFGFGG I COULD GO ON LITERALLY FOREVER

hey, if you're autistic, adhd, nd etc. could you reblog this and infodump in the tags about your special interests or current hyperfixations? i'd love to hear abt them! ^_^

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adamwatchesmovies · 1 year ago

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Cinderella (2015)

I hadn’t seen the 2015 remake of Disney’s Cinderella since it left theaters. I remember enjoying it then. Seeing it again, it rubbed me the wrong way. It may be because it set a precedent for one (bad) Disney live-action remake after another or because at the time, I hadn’t seen the 1950s original in years. While this Cinderella features gorgeous costumes, terrific cinematography and solid performances, movies are about more than getting the technical details right. It’s about how they make you feel, and this feels wrong.

Ella “Cinderella” (Lilly James) lives like a servant/slave in the service of her step sisters Drisella & Anastasia (Sophie McShera & Holliday Grainger) as well as her wicked stepmother (Cate Blanchett). Despite her servitude, Cinderella keeps a heart full of hope and kindness. When the kingdom’s young prince (Richard Madden) invites all eligible women to a royal ball in the hopes of finding himself a bride, Cinderella is forced to stay home… until her fairy godmother (Helena Bonham Carter) magically appears.

In many ways, this is a faithful retelling of the story, with just enough tweaks to prevent it from being a carbon copy. The most obvious difference is that this is a live-action picture rather than an animated one. The different medium has caused the animal sidekicks to disappear almost entirely, along with the musical numbers and the humour. How does it manage a 106-minute running time then? By spending much more time during Ella’s childhood and having the Prince and her meet before the ball. We also get Lady Tremaine’s backstory, and another villain, played by Stellan Skarsgård.

In many ways, the original Cinderella fairy tale is dated (how could it not be when versions of it appeared in ancient Egypt?). The protagonist is not an active character in the sense that the biggest obstacle in front of her - the servitude she’s been forced into by her stepmother - is magically removed by someone other than her. Like many fairy tales, it also operates under the assumption that villains are irredeemably evil, while good people will instantly fall in a love that will last forever. That’s the point. Cinderella is a fairytale, a simple story with a simple moral: remain kind no matter what - if you do, you will be rewarded. For all of the criticisms I’m about to throw towards Kenneth Branaugh’s version of this story, I will grant it that this message remains intact. It is also a great-looking film, particularly when we get to that fateful ball with the golden pumpkin-turned-carriage, Cinderella’s dress, the Prince’s uniform, etc.

This film is trapped in an awkward space. It wants to be taken seriously. This is why it’s made with live actors, why the songs have been excised, why the animal friends are largely gone and the characters are given more motivations for being evil or falling in love. Unfortunately, trying to make this material "grown up" does it no favours. Cinderella no longer has anthropomorphized animal she can talk to, but she can't be talking to herself like a crazy person so there’s a lot of narration over the film to fill in the gaps and tell us why people are doing certain things or how they feel. The way we see Cinderella demonstrating her kindness towards the mice that remain is awkward. In an animated movie, mice can have human-like features, clothes, personalities and voices. When Cinderella 50s took care of them, you became endeared to her. Here, mice are just… vermin Cinderella likes.

This movie was made in 2015 and it’s already showing its age. Outside of the phyisical props, sets, costumes, etc. the visuals don’t look right, particularly when the lizards, birds and rodents she befriends are enchanted. The lack of songs removes a certain enchanting quality from the picture; now, the movie is only what we see on-screen, and nothing more. This makes you question so much of what you see, like "Why did Lady Tremaine banish Cinderella to the attic when her father is expected to return soon? Isn’t she worried the father who loves his daughter more than anything in the world (seriously, it’s pretty much all he talks about) will get mad when he returns?"

There’s a reason the animated film began with Cinderella already orphaned and in a state of servitude; we don’t need to know how long it took for her situation to degrade to the present level, or even why Lady Tremaine is the way she is. In Walt Disney's original masterpiece, the villainess arrives fully formed. She's cruel and manipulative. That’s why we like her. This picture makes the mistake of telling us all about the way she lost her true love. This to make her more sympathetic and human… but she’s also made more evil. She's so wicked you wouldn’t be shocked if she peeled off her skin to reveal an unfeeling machine underneath. Most frustrating is that you can see how her character would work. You can imagine a credible reason for her to envy Cinderella's future as a member of the royal family. Instead, Stepmother resents Cinderella because she's kind and… young? I know this film is set in the past when people's standards were different but this film has magic fairies in it. Has anyone taken a look at Cate Blanchett? She could compete for the Prince herself! She doesn't need her daughters!

I’m not sure if any of my arguments will strike a chord with you. As I said, what sinks this picture isn’t the special effects, story, characters, running time, or the changes made; it’s the way it makes you feel. Ultimately, this movie is inferior to its predecessor. No one will remember this Cinderella down the line, or prefer it to the original. Why then, should you bother with it? Why was it even made in the first place? (July 14, 2021)

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