#are your skates built into your shoes or a add on?

[itsmuffiiee]

SORRY FOR THE LATE ASK I JUST FINISHED THIS AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE I GOT HERE IN TIME

Hi!!! :D

Also I did the rough math, I think I'm about 23.5 apples tall?? coversions from inches to apples are not standard unfortunately :/

Hello! Your bear mask is adorable! The pain of apples not being a consistent and reliable measuring tool strikes again 🍎

[madebyrolo]

Seasons of love

short fluff

Rafe Cameron x reader

she/her

Summary: summer love but in obx winter.

obx masterlist

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Winter in obx isnt as sunny as it is in the summer, though it was as salty.

There isn’t much to do out here on the banks during the slow winter days. There’s ice skating, bond fires, hot cocoa bars and sand man building contest. When we get snow it’s fun but being in the south it’s rare.

Also let’s not get forgot surfing in below freezing ocean temperatures, which the pouges seem to love. Jj doesn’t seem to believe in hyperthermia.

But as fall starts to approach and the sun basically setting at 7, you find yourself cozied up wearing jeans and a long sleeve sitting on a blanket on the beach,

With Rafe.

Rafe picked you up in his truck, it was a cool October Friday, you were finally able to bring out your fall clothes into your closet, including your favorite pair of jeans now that the weather was appropriate.

“So get this, Sarah lost the ring Topper gave her.” Rafe gossiped while turning down the radio.

“Oh god I wonder how mad Topper will get” you sigh as your eyes opened.

“Knowing it’s Sarah she must of taken it off for like a second and just didn’t care to put it back on afterwards.” you laugh.

“I mean come on it was a gift. A very romantic and sentimental gift, she could’ve at least put it in her jewelry box” he said while taking a quick glance at you while driving.

“Psh, She definitely doesn’t like of it that way” you add

“I mean no offense to Sarah, but he should’ve known better to give something like that to Sarah. He and practically everyone knows her feelings towards him aren’t the same as his.”

“My sister is a spoiled little nut” Rafe agrees.

“Sometimes I feel bad, for Topper of course. He’s a nice guy” said Rafe.

“Well all I know is I never take my eyes off of my, let alone take it off my finger.” You said playing with yours.

“It a beautiful isn’t it. Picked it out with my father.” Rafe said proudly.

“Yeah I love it” you say giving him a quick kiss on his cheek.

“You owe me a real one when we get there.” He playfully ordered.

Soon enough you guys reach the beach. As he parks you unbuckle and hop out. You grab the blankets while Rafe got basket and wood

Walking down the sandy beach hand in hand.

You set the grey quilt down before taking your shoes off. You sat down with the basket taking every delicious snack out while Rafe built a small fire.

“Alright so we got cookies, chips, a small pizza, hot cocoa.” You say taking stuff out.

“And there we go. Mother natures heater” Rafe said lighting the fire and rubbing his hands together putting them to the flames.

“Rafe it’s like 65° you look like a homeless man” you giggle at him.

“Boy Scout skills mama” he sent you a wink.

He sat down beside about to dig into the pizza he was practically eyeing the whole way here.

A few minutes pass and the pizza is long gone.

“So jjs teaching pope how to skate tonight. Kinda sad I have to miss it but kie is recording everything” you talk about your pouge friends

“I bet that would be interesting” Rafe says with a small smile

You’re a pouge yourself and it took a while for your friends to accept you were in complete love with Rafe but they support you being happy.

And Same with Rafe, he knows they were here before him but even though he’s dating you he doesn’t have to be the best of buds with them.

“So how’s things with your dad and the business”

“Right now he’s teaching me the like basics of how he runs things like who he gets the materials from and how to order the right amount and like his other business partners” he said grabbing cups out.

“So when do you think you’ll officially be hired. I know you’re aiming for like head of something” you say as you watch him grab the thermos.

“I finished my business and management course so hopefully I’m not too far from it” he said pouring two cups.

“I just want him to take me serious and see me as a suitable business associate rather than his son who’s leeching off the family business.”

“A nepo baby” you said blankly

“Yes, I don’t want his other business partners to think I’m there out of nepotism. I want to show that I can be conscientious and liable, an entrepreneur if you will”

“Yeah I get it, you want to prove you’re meant to be there not just tagging alone for bring your son to work day” you say taking a sip of the hot coco

“I don’t think I will ever be a hot coco person.” You say giving a somewhat sour face.

“What do you mean, I even put in a pinch of salt!” Rafe complained.

“Yeah I think that just made it worse” you say taking small sips.

“Well if you don’t like it why are you even drinking it?” He said grabbing the cup away from you.

“Because you like it!” You say grabbing the cup back out his hands.

“Yeah but if you don’t I’m not gonna force you” he said taking the cup again.

“How can you not like hot chocolate, actual weirdo” he commented pouring your cup into his.

“It’s just warm chocolate milk” you argue

“Yeah and it’s good? Don’t tell me you don’t like chocolate milk” he played.

You stayed silent.

“DO YOU NOT LIKE CHOCOLATE MILK?” Rafe said almost sounding betrayed.

“No I don’t like it! Okay? milk already has a questionable taste, adding chocolate doesn’t help.” You say as Rafe looks at your in disbelief.

“Don’t get me wrong chocolates good and everything but chocolate milk and hot cocoa is where I draw the line.”

“Okay you’re actually freak.” He said nudging your side.

“Im more of a coffee kind of person!” You say.

“Oh so it’s 10pm and you want something warm so you’re gonna have a warm cup of joe and be bouncing off the walks from the caffeine.”

“Yeah that makes sense” he said playfully rolling his eyes.

“You’re the one who packed pizza and hot cocoa. What kind of combination is that”.

“Well I thought everyone loved hot cocoa okay.” Rafe said refilling his cup.

“Besides it’s ending up being fine, I got your favorite food and I got my favorite drink. We’re the weird combo too” he said with his dopey smile.

“Oh cause me and my friends are all pouges?haha funny, next time I’ll let jj steal your clothes next time you go surfing” you wrapping yourself in a blanket.

“Oh you sound like me! But no, everyone likes us but didn’t expect us to be together, and it works perfectly.” He said wrapping an arm around you.

And you’re weird for not like hot cocoa freak.” He mutter under his breath.

“Oh shut it” you playfully smack him as he giggles.

You both turn to face eachother ready to lean in, but before you can close the gap Rafe pulls away.

“Ooohh… sorry…hot cocoa breath..”he winces.

“Don’t need you spiting me out..” he teases.

“Shut up and kiss me” you say grabbing his face and connect your lips.

Now breaking having to break the kiss because Rafe didn’t wanna pull away.

“Mhm you do taste like hot cocoa…”you hummed pulling away.

“Oh shut it. You owe me one” he said yanking you back.

And there you guys say for the rest of the night.

With a quick make out sesh that you had to stop Rafe from ripping off his clothes and having sex at the beach for the 8th time.

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Not edited sorry for any typos!

Actually pumped for season 4

Happy fall you guys 😱

[superkickss]

The Sneaker Collector’s Guide: Why You Should Invest in Nike Cortez and Air Force 1

Sneaker collecting isn’t just a hobby anymore—it’s a booming subculture and a lucrative investment opportunity. For decades, iconic Nike sneakers have dominated this realm, blending design, history, and cultural significance into a wearable art form. Among the most coveted are the Nike Cortez and the Nike Air Force 1, two timeless classics that every sneakerhead should consider adding to their collection.

Why have these models become essential for collectors? Let’s dive into their appeal, investment potential, and why they stand out in the world of sneakers.

Why Invest in Nike Sneakers?

The sneaker market has exploded in recent years, with rare models fetching thousands of dollars in resale value. Once considered niche, sneaker collecting now attracts everyone from casual fans to serious investors.

The Value of Sneakers as Investments

Resale Growth: Platforms like Superkicks have made it easier to buy, sell, and track the value of sneakers. Limited-edition drops often see immediate surges in price—some reaching 500% of their original retail value.

Cultural Significance: Sneakers like the Nike Cortez and Nike Air Force 1 hold cultural weight, making them more than just footwear. Their stories and collaborations add to their worth over time.

Investing in Nike sneakers is akin to investing in art or rare collectibles. They carry emotional value for fans and financial value for savvy collectors.

Nike Cortez: A Timeless Classic

First released in 1972, the Nike Cortez wasn’t just a running shoe—it was a revolution. Designed by Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman, the Cortez introduced innovative cushioning that made it a favorite among athletes. But it was its role in pop culture that cemented its legacy.

The Cortez’s Cultural Significance

From its appearance in Forrest Gump to its deep ties to streetwear and hip-hop, the Nike Cortez represents decades of cultural history. Its clean, low-profile design has made it a staple for everyone from skate kids to fashion enthusiasts.

A Collector’s Dream

Limited Editions: Collaborations with brands like Stranger Things, Kendrick Lamar, and COMME des GARÇONS have elevated Cortez's status among collectors.

Resale Potential: Special releases often sell out within minutes, later appearing on resale platforms for several times their retail price.

Versatility: The Cortez’s retro style makes it a wearable classic, increasing its appeal among collectors who appreciate both form and function.

For anyone looking to start or expand a sneaker collection, the Cortez offers both history and investment potential.

Nike Air Force 1: The Streetwear Legend

Few sneakers have had the cultural impact of the Nike Air Force 1. Released in 1982 as a basketball shoe, its chunky silhouette and Air cushioning quickly set it apart. But its transition from the court to the streets is what made it a legend.

Why the Air Force 1 Stands Out

Pop Culture Icon: From NBA players to hip-hop artists, the Air Force 1 has been championed by cultural tastemakers for decades.

Customization and Collaborations: With thousands of colorways and collaborations—from Louis Vuitton to Travis Scott—the Air Force 1 offers endless variety.

Everyday Appeal: Durable, stylish, and comfortable, the Air Force 1 is as practical as it is iconic.

A Sneakerhead’s Goldmine

Resale Trends: High-profile collaborations like the Off-White Air Force 1 can fetch upwards of $1,000 on resale platforms.

Collector Appeal: Its ability to adapt to trends while staying true to its roots makes the Air Force 1 a must-have for both new and seasoned collectors.

Durability: Unlike some sneakers that lose their appeal with wear, Air Force 1s are built to last, making them a reliable choice for collectors who want to preserve their investment.

Tips for Building a Sneaker Collection

Ready to start collecting? Here’s how to maximize your investments in Nike sneakers:

Focus on Limited Editions: Sneakers with limited runs or collaborations tend to hold the most value. Keep an eye on Nike’s SNKRS app for upcoming releases.

Preserve Condition: Store your sneakers in a cool, dry place and use shoe trees to maintain their shape. Original packaging adds to resale value.

Track Market Trends: Use platforms like StockX and GOAT to monitor the value of your sneakers and identify emerging trends.

Diversify Your Collection: While the Nike Cortez and Nike Air Force 1 are great starting points, consider branching out into other classics like the Air Jordan 1 or Dunk Low for variety.

Conclusion

The Nike Cortez and Nike Air Force 1 are more than just shoes—they’re symbols of style, history, and innovation. Their cultural relevance and investment potential make them must-haves for any sneaker enthusiast.

Whether you’re drawn to the retro charm of the Cortez or the bold versatility of the Air Force 1, both offer unique opportunities to expand your collection and express your style.

[zombified-queer]

Getting Closure — A Smile For Me Fanfiction

Happy holidays @revengecow. This is the fic I wrote for your @sfmsecretsanta gift with the 11/22 ending and some Malpractice Lawsuit (Parsley/Kamal)

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

Kamal wishes he brought a coat on the trek up to the shell of the Habitat. The first few flakes of snow are falling, melting in the dirt, granted, but it’s freezing. He rubs his hands together, shivering in the cold.

The Habitat was built so far from everything. It could have been nice, once. Maybe if Kamal had done more or tried harder or something. Maybe it could have been a nice place.

But now the Habitat is dark and cold, an urban legend the teenagers pass around. There’s graffiti slapped on the sides of it. And the gate remains closed. Kamal shivers in front of it for a moment before grabbing the gate and giving it a tug.

It swings open, slowly. The metal almost burns his hands. It’s so cold to the touch. 

The courtyard is just as empty. The skylight’s been shattered at some point, snow and glass mingling together in the dirt. The soil’s still hard packed, impossible to grow anything in.

Kamal’s not even sure why he came up here. What he’s looking for.

He just wanders. The posters are faded and curling away from the walls. They look worse than when they were printed. The drawings on the walls are also faded and smudged. In some places, the paint’s peeling away in flakes.

The Carnival’s gate is locked. Kamal tries to shove it open, but it won’t budge. The metal’s too solid, even after all this time. Not that there’s much to see. The trash fire is out and all the tents seem to have collapsed. 

Kamal can’t see a single one of those creepy paper dolls Habit created. They must not be too sturdy. Or they’re hiding somewhere else.

That thought makes Kamal’s skin crawl. They were eerie enough in good condition when the Habitat first opened. After rain and sleet, they must look ten times worse. 

Kamal swallows his fear down. He takes the staircase up to the Apartments. They’re not great Apartments, more like rooms in a dorm wing. Or rooms in a hospital ward. Kamal shudders at the latter implication.

Something creaks in one of the rooms. Kamal holds his breath. Maybe it’s just some teenagers who think he’s a cop. Maybe it is a cop. Maybe it’s just the wind. 

But there’s footsteps. Not the wind.

There’s nowhere to hide, not in the hallway. So Kamal holds still like a deer in headlights and waits for a flashlight to wash over him.

No flashlight, but a figure stumbles out of one of the rooms.

“Oh. It’s you.”

“Parsley?” Kamal squints through the dark hallway. “What’re you doing here?”

Parsley shrugs. When Kamal takes a step closer, Parsley backs away.

“What’s wrong?” Kamal stops. “Parsley, it’s just me.”

“And the problem isn’t you,” Parsley says. He sounds congested, nasally. “It’s with me.”

“What d’you mean?”

Parsley shrugs. “We all kinda...got messed up after Habit’s Big Event.”

“Everyone?”

“Well, eleven of us,” Parsley says. “Heard the big guy took off.”

Kamal crosses his arms, hugging himself tightly. “Yeah. Skipped town.”

“But, um, don’t come any closer,” Parsley sticks to the shadows of the hallway, obscuring his face. “It’s...people get scared of us.”

“I’m not gonna get scared,” Kamal assures him, taking a couple steps closer.

He freezes. Parsley’s face isn’t a face anymore. It’s a plate. Dirty, with bits of mold clinging to it, but a plate. Bone white under the mold and bits of food still clinging to it.

“See?”

“Oh.” Kamal wants to turn and run. Something in his brain scream this isn’t right. “Um.”

“I’m not offended. Most people react like that. And I’ve got one of the easier ones to hide. You should see Trencil.”

“He’s here?”

“Yeah.” Parsley sniffles. How he does that without a face is anyone’s guess. “Pretty much everyone realized we couldn’t go home. So we stuck around.”

“That’s...bad,” Kamal manages. “Nothing works?”

“Not that we’ve found.”

“Parsley?”

“Yeah?”

“Can you stay right there for a moment?” Kamal asks. 

“I’m not going anywhere else,” Parsley attempts to quip. He clears his throat and adds, “I’ll be right here.”

Kamal nods. He finds an old piece of canvas, maybe left behind by Dallas, and goes back to Marv’s pond. It’s not frozen solid, not yet. So Kamal wets the rag. His hands are freezing by the time he gets back upstairs.

Parsley hasn’t moved, except to sit down, briefcase in his lap.

“Look up, please,” Kamal says.

Parsley turns that dirty plate face up at Kamal. And Kamal begins to scrub. Gently, not sure if he’s hurting Parsley. The other man doesn’t say a word or protest or even flinch.

“Is this okay?”

“Feel better than I have in months,” Parsley assures him. “Thanks.”

With the plate cleaned off, Kamal can see it’s not just bone-white. There’s little details baked into the porcelain. Little bits of red and navy.

Kamal averts his eyes, not sure if Parsley can see him staring. Or if he can tell. That plate doesn’t display emotions as well as a human face would. Kamal  balls up the rag, tossing it aside.

“So everyone, huh?”

Parsley nods. It looks strange and Kamal’s stomach drops. But he swallows that primal repulsion.

“You should, uh, come home,” Kamal tells him. “People miss you guys.”

“Hey, Kamal?” 

“Yeah?”

“What’re you coming back to the Habitat for? The place is a ghost town. There’s nothing left.”

Kamal shrugs. “For closure, I guess? I’ve been going to therapy but it’s...I dunno. Too slow? I guess? I thought coming here would—”

“Would help.” Parsley nods. 

“You get it.”

Parsley pats the space next to him, inviting Kamal to sit down. As much as Kamal’s first reaction is to avoid Parsley, he sits down next to him, back against the wall. Parsley takes Kamal’s hand in his.

“Is this okay, Kamal?”

“It’s fine.” Kamal gives Parsley’s hand a squeeze. “Better’n fine.”

“Good. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.” Parsley turns his head—Kamal still wonders how he does that—and adds, “You’re the first person who didn’t run.”

“You’re all just squatting here? Must be cold.” Or maybe Kamal’s just cold, huddling almost imperceptibly closer. For warmth, of course.

“Yeah,” Parsley admits. “We tried to get things running to have some light and heat but we’re not exactly the Army Corp of Engineers.”

Kamal chuckles. “Wallus used to do it, as janitor, y’know? And then he quit, so I kinda messed with the switches.”

=>Parsley hums in thought. “Think you could get it working again?”

“Me?” Kamal feels his face heat up. He’s not used to responsibility. “I mean I probably could. I’m not a hundred percent sure, but I can try? I guess?”

“It’d mean a lot to all of us,” Parsley says, giving Kamal’s hand a gentle squeeze. 

“Yeah. You guys need light and heat.” Kamal pulls his hand out of Parsley’s, getting up and stretching. “It’s, um, in the basement.”

Parsley shudders and Kamal worries his head is going to fall off and shatter. 

“You don’t have to come, if you don’t want to,” Kamal adds, the words spilling out of his mouth before he can stop them. “It’ll probably be freezing, and—”

“I’m with you,” Parsley tells Kamal. “You might need extra hands.”

Kamal eyes Parsley’s briefcase, briefly wonders what’s inside it, and decides to say nothing. Instead, they descend the stairs in silence, the cold leeching into every space it can find. 

“Not very well built, huh?” Kamal attempts.

Parsley shrugs. “I’ve seen worse.”

“Lawyer, right.” Kamal feels more awkward. “Um, d’you have a case—”

“I don’t like to talk about work,” Parsley admits.

“Right.” Kamal stares out at the courtyard. The snow’s gathered into a thin layer, blanketing the hard-packed earth. “Hey, maybe we can put lights up or something.”

Parsley snickers. “Most of us don’t celebrate Christmas, Kamal.”

“No, but it’d probably help make the place less dangerous.”

“You want to decorate the place for the holidays?” Parsley prods. “We’d need a fireplace.”

“They’ve got heaters that look like little fireplaces,” Kamal answers. “Maybe make the pond a little bigger and go ice-skating.”

Parsley laughs. Kamal wonders how, then thinks it doesn’t matter. It’s a sound Kamal wants to hear again.

So he steps out into the courtyard. 

Coming to the Habitat dressed like this was a mistake. Snow seeps into his shoes, wetting his socks. And it lands on his clothes, melting. By the time he’s in the basement, Kamal’s shivering, teeth chattering furiously. 

Parsley shrugs off his suit jacket and drapes it around Kamal’s shoulders. “Better?”

It is warmer. And smells like Parsley. “Yeah. Better.”

Kamal finds the panel that handles most of the electrical nonsense in the Habitat.=> It’s screwed shut. Kamal sighs. Parsley taps his shoulder and hands Kamal a screwdriver.

“Where’d you get this?” Kamal asks.

Parsley seems to beam—it’s hard to tell—and says, “I carry a lot of useful things around.”

Kamal nods, deciding not to press the issue. He unscrews the panel, setting it aside. The switches are labelled in Habit’s faded handwriting. Kamal shakes it off and flips them in the order he’s so used to. Muscle memory.

The lights flip on, buzzing faintly. 

“You did it,” Parsley marvels. “I could kiss you.”

“You could,” Kamal points out.

Parsley freezes. “Maybe not here? Somewhere nicer?”

“I don’t think there’s anywhere nicer in this whole place,” Kamal points out.

Parsley nods. “Can I?”

“Yeah.” Kamal hopes Parsley can’t see him blushing. “You can.”

Parsley’s hand cups Kamal’s cheek. The sensation of kissing a plate is odd, but Kamal reminds himself it’s just Parsley.

It’s always been Parsley.

[jjba-hell]

Don’t Pass Me By

Honestly I could give a whole speech about how far I’ve wandered from canon with this guy but I mean the prompt IS AU- so I mean... my canon now, right? 

This is a fluffy mess with a slight surprise twist at the end- by far a piece I enjoyed writing without being crazy about the results so well and truly- good luck.

This is a twist on the whole college AU. Ghia is a bit younger, had pitch black curls before acquiring his stand and a tiny bit more mellow (and taller but I’m not opening that discussion).

Triggers? Other than some financial insecurity on reader’s behalf, anxiety-inducing info near the end, possible bullying and Ghiaccio’s signature loud mouth this is an EXTREMELY fluffy piece...

Tags for @giogio-gucci-gangstar​, @lasquadraweek2020​

3,5 K words, Gender Neutral reader

“My thighs are on fire! Can I please take a break?” You whined as you skid in wide circles around the centre of the ice with the momentum you had built up a few seconds before.

“I thought you were athletic. Your time is still too slow.” Ghiacchio called back from the rink edge behind you.

Doubling over your own legs with a groan you moved back to the starting point.

“Still don’t get how you can get fast enough to spin around the air three times but can’t make a good lap.” He grumbled before signalling for you to start.

You knew the position you were in was strange- were you really selling your time and training for the sake of a university scholarship? Yes. Could you only HOPE it was worth it? Also, yes. But you had your reasons.

By the suggestion of your scholarship manager- you had to come under the tutelage of Ghiacchio, an ex-ice hockey star that wasn’t handling rehabilitation very well.

You weren’t exactly sure what you were getting yourself into when you walked into that practice session but one warning stuck out above the rest- “His temper is a bit overactive.”

You had figured this out pretty soon when you first met Ghiacchio- you were walking through the bleachers as the team was mid-practice, more specifically a mock game, with Ghiacchio standing on the side-lines, drumming his fingers on the open edge of the rink.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear you were itching to be on the ice.” You spoke when you finally finished coming down the bleachers and stood beside him.

He looked down at you with a scowl that would have scared you, if you hadn’t seen worse. You didn’t pay it any mind as you watched the game unfold in front of you.

The players skating by closest to you and Ghiacchio were on their way to the opposite goal when someone’s stick slid in front of the carrier’s skates and caused a trip. You only knew from having to sit down and watch hockey games with your dad back home, that it was a foul. But you figured if you were going to at least pique his interest in training you, you needed to start somewhere. So, you called it.

“Foul!” Which seemed to get him to divide his attention between you and the game in front of you. The whistle blew.

“What the hell are you-“ Ghiaccio started, but instead you decided to explain to the coach was you’d seen.

“That was an intended trip, penalty to the reds.”

The team stopped to look at you, some of them smiling stupidly with their mouth guards like they were trying to get your attention- couldn’t have been because you knew how to play their game, right? Sure you didn’t look the part but they couldn’t just assume.

The coach skid by on the ice between you and the team and blew the whistle again. “They’re right. Get in formation for a penalty.”

The team collectively groaned as they moved away from you and to the goal for a penalty shot.

“Ah, just the person I wanted to see. Ghiacchio, this is Y/n L/n, they need some hockey coaching.” The coach gestured to you, letting you wave in a mock friendly manner.

Ghiacchio angrily turned to his coach. “Do they even skate?”

“You know you could just ask me yourself.” You interjected. You turned around to lean with your back against the rink, looking at Ghiacchio who was facing forward. He scowled down at you- somewhat taller than you but not by much with the tightest curls you’d ever seen on a guy.

“Can you even skate?” he practically spat in your direction.

“I can but only figure skate. That’s why I need you to coach me.”

Ghiacchio grunted. “Why now?”

The coach chipped in this time. “It doesn’t matter, Ghia. At least teach a new player to get on the ice since you’re too scared to get back on.”

You winced, that was harsh, even for a coach. Ghiacchio’s scowl became darker, he opened his mouth to say something, but the coach stopped him again.

“That’s not a request. Your scholarship is already in hot water with the board.”

The anger seemed to steep even more over Ghiacchio’s face- radiating heat you could feel through the air conditioning in the rink and turning red over his face.

He reached his hand up and beckoned the coach closer- it took you a moment to realize what he was going to do- so instead of letting it all unfold, the second Ghiaccio’s hand grabbed the front of the coach’s jacket, you grabbed hold of the hand that he had balled up in a fist at his side.

“Ghia, come on you don’t wanna do that.”

He whipped himself out of your grip and let go of the coach. “Don’t tell me what I don’t wanna do!” He yelled right in your face which you didn’t really take personal, not even letting you say anything else as he was already on his way up the stairs to the exit before you could do anything else. “You wanna get the shit beaten out of you so bad, be at rink 4C, tonight at 8.” He shouted back as he walked out the door.

You looked back at the coach and the rest of the team who stood in shock, still at their previous positions. “Am I gonna get the shit beaten out of me?” You asked and it seemed to bring a laugh out of everyone.

“Just be on the ice and he’ll be too scared to go after you.” One of the team members called out and let the others laugh.

The coach sent them to drills as he spoke to you one more time. “They’re not kidding. He won’t lift a hand to anyone he doesn’t know but you should still steer clear- he’s got one hell of a temper on him.”

You nodded and thanked the coach for the opportunity before heading off to get some homework done before what you could only assume was gonna be a no-show from Ghiacchio so with your skates tucked away in your duffel bag, over your shoulder and a pack of cigarettes in your jacket pocket you head down the courtyard stairs towards the back entrance of rink 4C- where you were instructed by the coach to wait to be unlocked.

You were surprised to find Ghiacchio already there, the door to the rink open and beating you to lighting a cigarette to decompress after a long day.

“You’re early.” Was all he said with an annoyed frown. Straight off the bat you were grateful he wasn’t already shouting at you.

“Gee, I wonder why.” You grumbled back as you closed the door and lit your own cigarette.

Ghiacchio straightened and walked over to you. “You probably got those dainty skates, don’t you?”

You pinched your cigarette between your lips as you opened your bag to let him see- it only made sense to cooperate with him to keep up this strange peace you thought you’d have to earn but surprisingly, he gently brought your skate out of the bag to scrutinize them, cigarette poised between his teeth.

“Average shoe size but slightly more narrow than I expected- you’re probably gonna end up having to add padding to compensate for that.” The phrase was said with no angry undertone, so you assumed his anger was directed more at the coach when you tried to talk to him at the rink before. “I’m guessing you know from personal experience?” you asked- perhaps too sweetly.

He nodded as he removed his cigarette from his lips. “The fucks that make our skates think we’re built like oxen.”

You took a drag of your cigarette and then asked. “I’m speaking out of inexperience here, but don’t you need to be able to take a body slam?”

He frowned down at you. “What do you think all the padding is for? Speed is more useful anyway- trying to push your opponents out of the way is stupid- the game suddenly turns into a wrestling match on ice.”

You shrugged at that. “I’ll take your word for it.” You knew you were not much of strategist anyway.

You bent down and killed the cigarette on the pavement and then proceeded to throw it away in the trash. “I’m guessing there are some spare skates I can try on?”

Ghiacchio nodded as he followed your example then stepped inside. “You can warm up in your own skates first.”

You didn’t really argue that. Some of your own skate fittings were after practice so the swelling from the exercise was considered. You had snuck up to the booth to slip in your mix to play over the speakers- admittedly you’d never gotten opportunity to have a rink to yourself despite your rank in the figure skating team. You were always practicing with your Walkman in your pocket and headphones over your ears.

So, to be skating on your own with just your music blasting without the pressure of competition on your shoulder was refreshing. Ghiacchio stood at the skater’s entrance with a pair of skates hanging from his shoulder. Your first skating instructor would have had a stroke at anyone waiting for you outside of the rink but Ghiacchio didn’t say anything- letting you finish your warm up and then gliding over to Ghiacchio who directed you to the bench where you sat down and untied your boot.

At the appearance of your socks or rather- the lightweight tights- made him frown.

“How old are those shoes?” He pointed at your skates.

“About 5 years, why?”

Ghiacchio sighed as he started undoing the laces on the new boots. “Because those socks are not gonna survive these-“

“I brought another pair.” You reached over to your bag beside you to pull out some fluffy socks- mismatched of course.

Ghiacchio’s gaze was focused somewhere else, his jaw set in an obviously angry glare at the floor.

“I’m sorry for interrupting you.” You tried to smooth things over with your heartbeat clambering into your ears.

In your nervousness you unraveled the socks to reveal their mismatched beauty even more. Ghiacchio’s gaze fell on your hands and you could swear a small smile cracked his scowling demeanor. “Those’ll work better.”

You smiled with him as you pulled them over your first pair.

He knelt down and helped you slip your foot into the new boot- something you were definitely not expecting. Was it weird? To feel special to have him tying your boot like this? Too Cinderella-y?

Getting up felt wrong- you had your balance but true to Ghiacchio’s guess your feet WERE too narrow for the boot but with no space behind your ankle or in front of your toes.

He seemed to understand as you sat back down on the bench and without another word he sat cross-legged in front of you pulling out some tape and thick plastic padding. Holding your booted foot across his knee he asked you- “So where would you say the loose fit is the worst?”

You pointed out to the sides of the ball of your foot. It was a quick fix and watching him peel the boot open to expertly insert the padding and then re-lace the boot was almost therapeutic to watch. The second fit was nearly perfect save for side of your bridge which you deemed you’d fix later but he stopped his work. “Still not right?” he asked. Were you breathing too much into it or was that some crazy intuition?

“Just the bridge needs a bit more on the outside.”

Without even complaining, he added the padding to both boots and helped you lace up again. “Perfect.”

“Good. Now get on the ice, you’re gonna need to adjust.”

He was right of course- it seemed simple at first. Moving around and skating around was easy enough but your first turn was met with a chin on the ice.

“Those blades don’t do that.” Was all he said as you got up with a groan.

You took a few laps, feeling like a new born deer every time you tried to make a turn- eventually figuring out how to make a proper straight lap.

You started taking a few laps with Ghiacchio holding the stopwatch until a groundskeeper waved the two of you to wrap it up.

Taking off your skates with a hiss at the scrapes from the inside of the boot you looked at Ghiacchio who was studying your new wounds under the socks with disinterest.

“They just need to be broken in.” You said as you slipped on the blade protectors onto your new skates.

Ghiacchio only nodded, seeming tired as you made your way out of the building towards the campus dorms in silence until it seemed like he couldn’t hold it any longer. “No jokes, why do you want to join the ice hockey team anyway? Aren’t you successful enough in figure skating?”

You could swear your heart skip a beat at his interest in you. It’s not exactly like high school where everyone’s accomplishments are shared with the rest of the school. He probably had to go ask around to figure out who you were. “I’m starting a post-graduate course, but my sponsors aren’t THAT generous.”

“Geez, you have sponsors?”

“Just like your teams do, except you know- your sponsors cover for gear and mine pays for my gear and hostel and class expenses.”

Ghiacchio turned to look at you with a confused scowl, standing stock still under a street lamp. “I said no jokes.”

You stopped and looked back at him, with a raised eyebrow. “I’m not. My parents didn’t have money to send me here, the university wanted me but even with scholarship my parents didn’t want to spend anything on me.”

Ghiacchio let a flicker of sadness over his eyes. “That’s bad.”

“It’s not that bad- my job covers anything else I want.”

Giving a loud, drawn out groan he started walking again- “Fuck! Classes, a job AND two sports. You must be insane.”

“Ah come on its not that bad. I actually enjoy being on the ice- it gives me some time to do as I please.”

He scoffed at that. “Naïve.”

“And when did you start playing?”

“Since high school, as a matter of fact.”

“Got you beat- I started in elementary school.”

You arrived at the dormitory courtyard and stopped at the centrepiece. “Yeah well you didn’t have to get your kneecaps removed because of an accident.”

You were about to tell him you were sorry about his injury, but he had turned around and walked away- unbothered and with just a simple. “Sleep well- same time tomorrow.”

So, you kept up the routine- figure skating in the morning, classes, homework and then laps. Countless laps under Ghiacchio’s supervision.

Until one day you angrily stomped your way off the ice and sat down with a groan.

“Get back on.” Was all you got as he closed in on you from the opposite side of the rink.

You laughed up at the ceiling as you panted for your breath back.

“Why don’t you teach me, by demonstration, how to reach that speed?”

“I don’t skate anymore.” He growled back.

You picked your head up to look at him, “So you’re retired from your glory days?”

“Yeah! So?”

“So! How about you stop hiding how badly you want to get on the ice and just get on?”

“I don’t want to get back on the ice.” He hissed back through gritted teeth.

“Oh please, I could see through that lie from day one. You miss it! You miss putting on your boots and fixing up the padding, you miss working on your turns, you miss the bit of excitement you feel when you hop over someone’s stick. And you know how I can tell? Because you’re trying to make me like it too.”

He looked over you, leaning in low to be face to face with you. “I hate skating- nothing you say is going to change that.”

“You don’t hate it- why else would you be at a rink with me every day. You don’t hate skating, Ghia- you hate running laps until you throw up, you hate games, you hate the pressure, you hate the scrapes you get into. And I can prove it.”

“How?”

You started undoing the laces on your boots. “Put some skates on and just- just glide with me.”

His angry scowl softened quickly- watching in almost confusion as you replaced your skates.

“Come on, I know you still bring your skates to practice.”

With a resistant huff he sat down and started putting his skates on. You didn’t wait up, hopping onto the ice with a happy sigh.

You could admit that your new training regime wasn’t really easy on your body- you felt tense after training with Ghiacchio and joining with your soon-to-be team showed you how unnecessarily he pushed you to be the best.

He stood at the precipice with his skates, one foot on the edge and the other still on the ground- looking awfully unsure.

“Stop worrying! If I can figure out how to skate on those horrendous things in a week- you can at least try to get back on.” You called back, turning around and waiting, watching as he took one step onto the ice and pushed himself forward gently. You moved forward to skate alongside him- running your hand along the rim of the rink while he took it closer to the inside.

“You know I’ve never seen you show off your speciality.” He spun around, leaning back to glide backwards.

“You never asked.”

“Teach me something then.”

Stopping a little way just to slow down you continued to speak. “A spin is pretty basic but not as easy as it looks.”

You built up some speed and moved to the center of the rink, you set your foot at the angle and twirled calmly- fixing Ghiacchio as your spotting point.

“What are you doing with your head?”

“Spotting.” Is all you said before kicking your other foot out and stopping. “So you don’t get dizzy.”

Moving back to Ghiacchio who was moving towards you, he laughed- something you’d never heard. “Yeah I don’t think so.”

Then he did something you couldn’t quite believe. His hand latched around your wrist and for a moment you thought you’d lead but he was the one that took you for a lap around the rink. You had decided not to say anything- you knew how much it took simply for him to be on the ice. So you waited until he popped the question.

“So you’re telling me, in all your years on ice, you’ve never been injured?”

“Oh I’ve had a few injuries. Worst was also a pretty big knee injury, then it was an ankle twist but that was because my skates were too big, then a blade gave out mid performance once and slung itself into my arm.”

Ghiacchio hissed, entwining his hand with yours. “And who pushed you back on the ice?”

“Myself. You may call me naive but skating is all I’ve ever had.”

By then you two were just gliding- you backwards and him forward. His face fell- his other hand found yours. “What about home? Family? You said you had parents.”

You smiled through swallowing the lump in your throat. “Yeah but I mean life stays stressful, doesn’t it?”

Ghiacchio slowed you down, his hand tugging you back to a slow stop. He seemed to survey your face with a stern sadness in his eyes. “I won’t force you to tell me. But your silence says allot.”

He let go of your hand and was about to go but you held onto his other. It hurt that he had wormed his way into you so quickly- you weren’t sure if you wanted to go there but...it hurt more to let him go. “Don’t- don’t go.” There was a tense moment of silence as he gazed down between your hands. So you sought to fill it. “Wanna go out for coffee? Saturday morning? I have off from work.”

He laughed softly. “Don’t take off from Figure practice for me.”

It hurt so bad to watch him move off, running a hand through his tight dark curls as he walked back off the ice.

Life took a sudden turn, overwhelmingly quick- Ghiacchio didn’t show up at practice anymore, but coach had told you he “finally got over himself” and was back on the ice again and the board had informed you your sponsors had a sudden change of heart and would be sponsoring your course fully.

The next time you had seen Ghiacchio you had hardly recognized him, sitting at the campus diner with a blonde friend of his. His own hair however was dyed a powder blue.

“Ghia?” You frowned down at him, confused. “I haven’t seen you in a long time. How is everything.”

Beside him his friend smiled at you with hooded eyes. “Ghiacchio, you never introduced me to your friend.”

“Keep your lecherous thoughts off them, Melone.” He warned his friend before looking up at you. “I actually came to talk to you about something. You think you can give me a minute?”

You called one of your co-workers over to help Melone as you snuck around back with Ghiacchio.

“I’m sorry I disappeared. But I do want to give this one more shot.” His hands reached for yours, stepping closer to lean down to bring your faces together. “Only if you’re willing.”

“I’m willing,” you smiled as you wrapped your arms around him. “Only if I can get an apology kiss.”

He complied with a soft laugh- the minty taste of his mouth making your head spin and your heart do a flip in its chest.

If only it had been so simple. If only you didn’t share your pasts and found out that he had orchestrated your exemption from the ice hockey team- your sponsors increase in allowance. You wish you didn’t know how much contact he had in the mafia because now you had one too many things on your plate- a target on your back being one of them.

[is6621]

Experiential Retail: Will it be the thing that saves retail from losing to E-Comm? – Hattie Swank

When was the last time you were excited to go into a mall? How about around Christmas time? Did you actually enjoy spending the day after Thanksgiving cursing at the lady who took the last black sweater you wanted? Didn’t think so. We all know that retail is dying, how could it not when this is what us consumers are up against. With the seemingly daily improvements that Amazon is making to their distribution, consumers can have purchases arrive at their doorstep a mere two hours after clicking “confirm order”. Adding to the cause is the fact that the average person wakes up to approximately 10-20 new emails declaring that “TODAY ONLY! FREE SHIPPING WITH CODE stinks2bretail!” I completely get it. Why would consumers, whom of which lead very busy lives, voluntarily fight for a parking spot at the mall for something they could simply buy with the click of a button. Not only that, but done so with one hand on the keyboard and another holding a glass of wine. Its simple, traditional retail is outdated.  

Companies and marketing experts have thought long and hard about a solution for the lack of foot traffic in their brick and mortars. The solution that people have been picking up on? Experiential retail. By definition, experiential retail is “a type of retail marketing whereby customers coming into a physical retail space are offered experiences beyond the traditional ones. Amenities provided may include art, live music, virtual reality, cafés and lounges, and large video display walls” per Webster Dictionary.com. According to the Freeman Global Brand Experience study, more than a third of CMOs said they plan to spend 21% to 50% of their budgets on brand experiences over the next several years. In the age of never-satisfied millennials, companies are struggling to meet customers needs of “feeling special” and extravagant expectations, even for non high-end brands. Bottom line: today’s customer wants to be treated like a luxury consumer, even in a H&M.

How can they achieve this new goal of retail? By using experiences to draw consumers in. Recently, two major brands have launched experiential retail in their stores with the hope that they can pave the way for others to do the same. Helzberg Diamonds, owned by Berkshire-Hathaway, went ahead and ordained hundreds of their salespeople in all 216 of their stores. What does this even mean you may be asking… it means that you can now legally get married and buy your wedding rings all in the same transaction. Helzberg’s new marketing strategy is intended to target consumers who want to elope, and convince them to do so in store! Their “Hitched at Helzberg” promotion includes two champagne flutes, a bottle of the high end Moët & Chandon rosé, and a marriage certificate. Although people would not necessarily buy diamonds online, this is still exemplar of how retail stores are leaning into what millennials want out of their retail experience. Apparently, millennials are too busy to get married and would rather elope and move on.

Bed, Bath, & Beyond has also jumped on the trend with their wedding registry aspect of the business. Traditionally, wedding registries simply include products or items that couples can ask for their apartment or home to help them begin to accumulate things for their life together. Now, per changes to the wedding registry choices, couples have the option of also registering for over 700 different experiences, including wine tastings, massages, and hikes. Although Bed & Bath does not sell these things in stores, they again are attempting to keep up with millennial wishes and keep young couples registering with them instead of somewhere else that might offer these things. Bed & Bath understands the emphasis that is now being placed on experiences, and they are one of the biggest brands to launch this type of experiential retail.

This is truly a new wave of innovative retail and a lot of major brands are adopting this. In flagship stores, event spaces are being built to host special events for customers to defy their expectations. Previously, customer experience was simply a salesperson, inventory, and a point of sale. Now, companies such as Nike and Lululemon are including basketball courts and yoga studios in the stores themselves so that customers can truly immerse themselves in the brand. Van’s flagship store has a skate park indoors so that consumers can road-test their shoes before buying. These efforts are big, that’s for sure, but they are incredibly beneficial. Consumers, especially millennials, are bored of traditional retail. There is nothing that will pull people into brick and mortars more than an Instagram-able in store experience.  

Sources https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/28/fashion/weddings/get-the-rings-and-get-married-even-before-leaving-the-jewelry-store.html? https://www.forbes.com/sites/jiawertz/2019/09/30/experiential-marketing-is-the-future-of-retail/#1441470f3101 https://www.retailtouchpoints.com/features/news-briefs/bed-bath-beyond-adds-experiences-to-wedding-registry-options? https://www.campaignlive.com/article/marketers-expect-allocate-50-percent-budgets-brand-experience-study-finds/1435032

[blogmasterau]

How To Buy The Best Men's Roller Skates

Roller skates are a great way to get around but can also be dangerous. They have wheels attached to your feet, which means you can't stop them as easily as walking or running on flat ground. That's why it's important that you buy the best men roller skates so that you can stay safe while using them. But how do you know which ones are right for you? We've put together this guide with all the information needed to choose the right pair:

Get The Right Skate

Get the right size. The best roller skates will fit you well and feel comfortable, but if they're too big or too small, it can be difficult to get used to them.

Get the right style. Skate styles come in all different shapes and sizes—from classic old-school roller skates with steel wheels to modern ones with plastic wheels and high-tech features like air pods—so choose one that fits your look best! Get the right features. Some companies offer more than just a pair of skates; they also make accessories like socks or knee pads (which are useful when skating outdoors).

Check Its Size

First, you need to know the size of your feet. The best way is by checking the skate size chart. This will help you find out if this pair of skates fit you or not. You can also measure your foot length and width using an old-fashioned ruler and a pen, but I prefer using this online tool because it's super easy! Once you've determined how big or small they are, check out the length of the boot: Do they fit comfortably on top? How wide is it across at its widest point? Does it fit snugly without being too tight or loose around your ankle bones (the joint between the lower leg bone & ankle)? You also want to make sure that these boots don't get caught up in cracks when walking downstairs—this could cause serious injuries (especially for those who have weak ankles).

Add Skate Protection

Skate protection is important. You can buy it at the same time as your skate, or you can buy it separately. A sports shop or supermarket is the most common place to get skate guards. If you're looking for something different than what's available in these stores, there are many websites that sell custom-made skates with built-in protection features such as steel toe caps (which protect toes), carbon fibre blades (which make them lighter), gel padding inside the bootie area which helps absorb impact shock when jumping off curbs or onto ramps etc. These places also offer other types of protective gear for your skates, such as wrist guards and knee pads if you're riding long distances on hard surfaces like concrete or tarmac roads.

Know Your Style

It's important to know your style before buying a roller blade. If you're a speed demon, get the fastest skates possible. If you prefer more control and less speed, go with slower bearings and wheels. The right size is also important when choosing a pair of men's rollerblades—or any other type of footwear for that matter! Make sure that they fit comfortably and won't cause any problems in the long run (like blisters). Skating needs to be comfortable all around so it can last for years instead of just one season (which is what happens when people wear shoes that don't fit correctly). Conclusion Choosing the best men's roller skates can be a difficult task. Knowing the proper size can be difficult because they should not be too tight or too loose to allow for stability. On the other hand, this guide can make it easier because you now know what to look for when purchasing roller skates. Read the full article

[artpix3d]

Top 11 Gifts that Make Your Grown-Up Daughter Smile

When it comes to girls, finding the right gift can be complicated, especially for teenagers. For this reason, Artpix3D helps you select details to surprise your grown-up daughter happy and make a unique memory. You can also find some inspirational gift ideas at the Artpix3D blog.

1 Fujifilm Instax Mini 9

Just at celebration time, the best thing to do is save memories and a better way than photograph each one of them. The FujiFilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera is ideal for capturing moments and preserving them physically. Its vintage design with various colors and easy use adapts to all tastes, allowing close-up photography thanks to its close-up macro lens. It can also easily capture selfies as it has a built-in mirror attached to a matching strap so you can take it anywhere.

2 Toiletry Bag

It is not a secret that all girls like to put on makeup. With this toiletry bag, you can keep your makeup organized and safe from falls. You can even save a lot of other things for its storage capacity. Her appearance of a cat face makes her shine and be the boom in terms of Christmas gift. Is it that someone could resist her?

Three 3D Crystal Photo

Sometimes we can make something special in the way we want four of our daughters. One of the best ways to engrave your daughter's best moments is to order personalized crystals online. They provide you with tons of useful ideas on how to transfer your love story into a crystal online. For example, a brilliant way to celebrate her birthday will give you some fresh ideas. You can choose from variable crystal types and find the best one for your stressed friend.

4 Thumbtacks With Attachment

The cork boards are a recurring resource to leave notes and messages to the family and put photos or our best drawings. Sometimes it isn't easy to put a document or photograph that we want to pierce with a thumbtack. For these occasions, we can use pin tacks like these that allow us to show the form or picture on the corkboard without the risk of making a hole in it. This type of thumbtack is efficient for those occasions.

5 Skate Penny

In winter and summer, young skateboarders roam the city's parks and sidewalks, searching for freedom and new places to practice with their skateboards. This original table from the well-known brand Penny is the perfect gift for them. Due to its excellent stability, the quality of its materials, its exclusive design, this board will help you stand out and enjoy your favorite urban sport even more. It is available in many formats, so kids will have no problem choosing their preferred model.

6 Pink Concrete Clock

A clock is more than necessary in a room. Rather than decorating with its beautiful design made of striking pink concrete, you will always be aware of what time it is. Who do you think has the leading role at Christmas? Well, the clock tells you the countdown for two days as important as the birth and the new year, so do not forget to give a watch to those who do not have it. That girl will love it!

7 Loch Ness Monster Thumbtacks

Lovers of bulletin boards will forget about boring traditional pushpins forever and add a touch of originality to their messages with these fun and innovative models. The Loch Ness Monster, polka dots, and costume elements (hat, mustache, sunglasses, lips, and bow tie) are the unique designs available, designed to encourage creativity and add a touch of color and fun to boring note boards and Photos. An ideal gift for anyone who loves original and fun stationery.

8 Water Thermos

If you like to exercise, whether it's jogging or working out at home, with this adorable thermos of water, you'll always remember to stay hydrated. Made of high resistance clear plastic, it has a 453ml capacity and a cute front design of an avocado working out that will delight anyone who sees it. Without a doubt, it will be the ideal companion for training sessions.

9 Mini Cork Board Frame

Are you looking for a useful and original gift for the desk? This mini corkboard that mimics a photo frame fits the bill. Its beautiful design imitating an embossed structure with beautiful and elaborate engravings will be the perfect desk companion to organize small photos or notes and keep them close at hand. Like real frames, it can be held on the table both horizontally and vertically for convenient placement in any position. And if you prefer, it can also be hung on the wall with the fixings included. Handy, artistic, and very resistant to falls, indeed a suitable gift for any occasion.

10 Original Laces

The laces that come from the factory with the shoes are not always the prettiest. Now young people will stand out among their friends wearing different, fun and above all original laces. Three incredible and daring designs with which your sneakers will look amazing. Strawberry design for the sweetest, rainbow design for the most dreamers, or a United States flag for the most international. A touch of color on the feet that will not leave anyone indifferent.

11 Lima Acoustic Guitar

A nail file seems like a tremendously boring gift ... until today! With these original guitar-shaped files, the house's young ladies can easily surprise their friends on any birthday or a particular date. There is a guitar for each personality; you can choose between Hippie, Rock, and Metal to always hit the right gift. Nothing more important to a future music star than to keep their nails flawless with these 150/180 weight double-sided files for a perfect finish while playing their favorite musical style.

[arplis]

Arplis - News: Get your pride on with these Vans shoes

It's almost Pride Month! Kick up your comfort level with a new pair of Vans and help to celebrate. From bright and in-your-face to old school whites with rainbow foxing, Vans is on-trend again this year with some of the hottest looks in honor of Pride Month.

Pride 2020

Apple's LGBTQ support

Companies and LGBTQ orgs

Representation in video games

Movies still have a long way to go

Best LGBTQ TV moments

Inclusive games

LGBTQ YouTubers

Steven Universe opened the door

Best of LGBTQ on Netflix

PopSocket Pride

Rewatch the best Pride parades

Android + Pride t-shirts

LGBTQ Twitch streamers

Virtual Pride month from home

LTGBQ TV & movies on Disney+

Pride on Amazon Prime Video

Apple + Pride t-shirts

Classic checkerboard

Checkerboard Slip-On

Staff pick

Famous for the checkerboard design, Vans has upped the game with this rainbow-infused shoe. You'll love the design, plus the padded collars and signature waffle soles. Even better, this design is available for every size foot, from toddlers to adults.

$50/$35/$30 at Vans

Classic white

Rainbow Foxing Sk8 Hi Tapered

For something a little more subtle, you could go with these white high-tops with rainbow foxing. They also have tapered tops to give more flexibility than traditional high tops.

$65 at Vans

Sparkle with each step

Glitter Slip-On Stacked

Add some glitter to your step with these stacked slip-ons. Made with black canvas uppers, platform bumpers, exaggerated outsoles, and translucent foxing tape, these slip-ons will give you an extra boost while showing off your pride.

$75 at Vans

The cool tie dye

Customs Rainbow Tie Dye Sk8-Hi

These leather and suede lace-up high-tops are built for skating, but you don't have to be a skater to don these pride shoes. As part of the customs line, you can also customize every aspect of a personalized shoe delivered in two to three weeks.

$95 at Vans

Silver and rainbow holofoil

Glory Check Varix WC

These sneakers take their inspirations from the Vans tech skate silhouettes of the late '90s and early 2000s. They're made of sturdy canvas and feature foil leather uppers for that extra sparkle.

$55 at Vans

Oh-so-comfy

Customs Rainbows Checkerboard Creator Slip-On

Classic slip-ons in magenta, these canvas shoes feature Vans' signature checkerboard accented with rainbows and clouds. Like all of Vans customs, these shoes have lots of options for customization, so you can get exactly what you want for your feet in just a couple weeks.

$90 at Vans

Super slides

Cayucas Slide

Your feet will love the all-day comfort and bold colors of these slides. Featuring vivid rainbow checkerboard foot straps and lightweight outsoles, this is the shoe that fits in on the street or beach.

$48 at Vans

Rainbows + High-Tops = Yes please!

Custom Rainbow Checker SK8-Hi

With a nod to the beloved Vans lace-up high tops, these custom high tops were built for skating, but are comfortable enough to wear as your daily shoe. Like the rest of the customs, there are lots of options to get your shoes exactly how you want them to look and feel.

$85 at Vans

Pride for the kiddos

Kids Chenille Style 23 V

While kids' shoes always have more colorful options than adults', these are definitely one of my favorites. The chenille style hook-and-loop enclosures make them quick and easy to slip on, while being secure enough to stay on no matter how rough your kiddo plays.

$45 at Vans

Our top kicks

As someone who has worn and loved Vans for years, you simply can't make a bad choice here. It's a long-lasting brand for a reason, and it's not just because the designs are cool (although that's definitely a part of it). My favorite for casual use, the Checkerboard Slip-Ons are super comfortable, and quick to throw on. Even better, they are available for my feet, my kids' feet, and even in toddler sizes so the whole family can match for Pride.

When I'm going to be a little more active, the Glory Check Varix WC still have the rainbow checkboard I love, while providing the support and secure fit I need to move.

If you'd rather exercise your creative juices, don't forget you can design your own Vans with a few clicks of your mouse and rock your own look. You can choose from tons of existing patterns and colors, or even upload your own designs for shoes that are uniquely you.

Now, get out there and wear them with pride!

Arplis - News source https://arplis.com/blogs/news/get-your-pride-on-with-these-vans-shoes

[xeford2020]

How We Do It: Costuming Our Hallowe'en Characters

The costumes featured in Hallowe’en at Greenfield Village are made for all types of weather conditions. Just like trick-or-treaters walking through their own neighborhoods on October 31, our presenters and staff members must be ready for any weather scenario.  

Try these tips from our costuming experts in our Period Clothing Studio. 

Our Hallowe’en costumes are made of a water resistant, breathable, nylon athletic material called Supplex, so that they can be worn in the rain. When that material isn’t used, our lightweight cottons are sprayed with Scotchguard or have a wool outer layer that naturally protects the wearer. If you purchase a costume made of thin polyester, make sure you can layer a windbreaker or waterproof athletic shirt underneath for rainy weather. Most of the characters during Hallowe’en also have umbrellas that match their outfits in case rain is in the forecast. 

When the temperatures are warmer than normal, our costumes are built to be worn over lightweight cotton layers, like T-shirts and shorts or leggings to wick away sweat. Conversely, thermal underlayers can be added for cold weather to add protection without added bulk.  

Need a Greenfield Village example? The Lion costume is worn over cotton layers with an ice pack vest to keep the presenter cool in the heat. The vest is not worn during cold weather.  

Some of our costumes have additional overlayers for very cold weather, but they are built into the design. For example, the Mermaid has a separate bodice lined in wool to be worn over the sequin-and-net bodice of the dress, and has earmuffs decorated with hair wefts to look as though they are a part of her wig.   

Don’t forget - wear comfortable, waterproof, slip-resistant shoes, just like us. You can always cover sneakers with spats or ice skate covers to match your costume.  

Visibility is key when it comes to creating a costume. Many of our costumes feature waterproof lighting which can be an added safety feature for costumes worn in the dark. We use decorative fairy lights, like those used for special outdoor events, which have waterproof battery packs. The lighting is sewn into channels under a sheer decorative layer or tacked into the costume with the battery packs easily accessible at the waistband.   If you are wearing a mask, practice wearing it in low lighting before wearing it outside. You can cut away the eye holes in plastic masks or extend your peripheral vision by swapping out sheer jersey eye holes in soft masks with tulle or net and use makeup around your eyes to disguise the transition. 

Halloween costumes and accessories don’t have to be brand new. Try repurposing and upcycling old clothing by dyeing it and then adding trim to give texture. This year our female pirate costumes are repurposed 18th century dresses from stock that were dyed, altered, and trimmed to fit the theme. A past mermaid costume net cape was repurposed as trim in the yellow ochre pirate’s dress by dyeing it and stitching it to the peplum to create texture.

Is your costume’s color not quite right or the fabric can’t be dyed? Try using fabric paint and a sponge to gently tone down the color. The Bad Fairy wings were originally a bright green metallic lace, but we sponge painted over the material with emerald green, spruce green, and navy fabric paints to create a darker ombre effect to match the rest of the costume. But watch that paint - some must be heat set, while others can take 24-48 hours to fully dry. 

Still looking for costume inspiration? Try taking a stroll down our pumpkin-lit path this month during Hallowe’en in Greenfield Village. You never know which character may ignite the Halloween maker in you. 

Anne Suchyta Devlin is Senior Manager of the Studio at The Henry Ford. 

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[extraneousdominomask]

Snap Revamps Sly 4′s Villains

Because you’re not allowed to critique things on the Internet without being able to suggest full, professional-standard alternatives to everything you dislike!

Nah, I’m kidding. I just thought this might make for an interesting post. Keeping the plot and the basic concepts the same, here’s how I would do things differently:

El Jefe

As I’ve stated, I really don’t have a problem with the bossman, so my modifications are light. The only major overhaul: he’s a leopard. Maybe he’s melanistic, making him a “black panther”, but normal leopards look great too. That decision would ultimately be down to the artists squeezing him into that snazzy military outfit. My... brain says his fire and lightning superpowers should really be explained, but my heart thinks it’s cooler that he just pulls a Col. Volgin and has them for No Reason. Let’s stick with that. Hard rule: no more slapping Murray hungrily on the ass. That’s... that’s a cut I, personally, would choose to make.

Toothpick

Again, I like Toothpick the way he is, and the fandom seems to agree. Much like his counterpart Tenny (mentally ill raccoon cowboy of my heart <3), Toothpick seems to be far and away the most popular of Sly 4′s villainous characters. I really want to stick to keeping species and nationality consistent. But here again, it’s head versus heart. I think both elements work well - an armadillo is an interesting design for a villain, especially in the Old West, while him being Eastern European adds a great layer of absurdity to his desire to be a cowboy, and keeps him from being too similar to Muggshot’s backstory. So I don’t know which bit I’d amend.  Toothpick’s beautiful just the way he is. Moving on.

The Grizz

Now I can sink my teeth in. Let’s fix this nonsense.  As I outlined in my rant about him, I’m disappointed in retrospect that they didn’t actually utilize “evil graffiti artist” to its full potential. That’s what I’d focus on. Make him a pretentious artíst(tm) who is so certain of the Importance of his Challenging Artistic Work that he has no idea how bland and uninteresting it really is. That’d be hilarious.  That rapper stuff?? ALL that rapper stuff?? Out the goddamn window as fast as it can go. Burn every page of the script he has lines on and start over. He can still be black, absolutely! Let’s just, y’know, have him talk in AAVE. Like an actual person, not a bizarre stereotype written by an out-of-touch comedy writer in 1988. And maybe he can be voiced by a black voice actor. I hear there’s at least one, somewhere. Finally, his boss fight should be totally overhauled as well. It’s still versus Murray, because Murray does deserve both an arc and a boss fight. But the stuff about ice skating is also out the window. Even if it ends up being “simple”, just Murray whaling on him like against Rajan, I think that’d be an improvement. Better to be simple and satisfying than gimmicky and irritating. It’s a hippo punching a bear. How can that be boring?! This stuff writes itself.

Penelope????

uh Well I think it’s... kinda cool that she created a new “The Black [Title]” persona? (Even if it was painfully transparent.) Girl has a favourite colour. But mostly the Penelope Twist(tm) and its implications are a whole other bucket of bolts. Maybe it deserves its own post. I feel like I can’t get into it here. Sticking to the plot as given, though, I guess I would lengthen her screentime to give more room to explain her motivations whatever the heck they even are. That, and make her more proactive. Really emphasize how she’s a threat. I mean, Toothpick does more to impede the Cooper Gang than she does, and she’s a ruthless genius that knows exactly how they operate. I keep coming back to this: if you’re gonna make her evil, go all in!

Ms Decibel

Oh boy. How to fix this hot mess? Well, honestly, I kinda like how she gets betrayed by Le Paradox, in a very bare bones sense. It’s a climactic way to deal with the penultimate boss, and it characterizes Le Paradox as a ruthless, devious threat. But as we’ve discussed, the romance angle - with Decibel being firmly established to be unattractive - is dicey. That needs to either be reworked, or outright cut. My other major issue is her mind control. Honestly? Scrap it. Entirely. I’ve thought about it, and unlike the Contessa, who was narratively built around psychology, there is no reason for her to have the powers she does. How does she apply them in the story? By forcing Salim’s friends to make forgeries for her. Uh, you don’t need magic powers for that. Like, at all. Coerce them through other means. She’s kidnapped their families and is threatening to harm them if the thieves don’t comply! Sly and co. disentangle the hostages in an awesome rescue mission! There, I made that up on the spot, and the vague thought of it is way more satisfying to me than “she has magic powers because there is a musical instrument lodged in her nose”. C’mon, guys. Get it together.

Le Paradox

oh god i’m blanking I swear I’m not doing this for comedic effect, like “haha there’s no fixing him”. I’m genuinely unsure of where to begin. Uh... okay. First off, if he’s messing with the entire timestream, he needs to feel scary. A lot scarier than he does. Maybe not a god, but like... this is a man who is messing with something he really shouldn’t. His decisions are dangerous, for everyone. And just, generally speaking, let’s tweak his personality. Big shoes to fill, and varied ones, too. Each of the other main villains had interesting personalities. Clockwerk was cold and impersonal, like a natural disaster. You got the sense he was past mortal interaction. Neyla’s a schemer, so clever in what she does you kinda have to admire her. And as control slips away from her, her calm demeanor gives way to increasingly unstable anger. Dr M., as I’ve said before, is just hilariously... sensible. He’s sarcastic, and murderous, but mostly he carries himself like a grandpa who’s just irritated you’re in his backyard. Le Paradox is ugly. He’s haughty and arrogant and cruel to his employees. And he steeples his fingers! Mmmmh. It’s very difficult to make a character like that fun. He’s designed to annoy you. The obvious solution is to humiliate him. Really break him, the way Neyla gets a few choice kicks in the teeth as Sly 2 winds down. That makes it cathartic for the audience, it releases the tension that’s built up as we hate him. But in Sly 4’s ending, what? There’s a quick-time-event boss and then he’s arrested offscreen? Boo. Make him suffer. Twist the knife and let us watch! That, or try to make him more entertaining in his own right. Give him creepy presence like Clockwerk, or a funny attitude like Dr M, or clever schemes like Neyla. (Note: the schemes have to actually be clever. You can’t just tell us they’re clever.) Like, the groundwork is there! He successfully hides his criminal enterprise from Interpol for a while, sticking to the persona of a wealthy, respectable citizen. Lean into that! Use what you have! Maybe write him so that he’s always untouchable, just barely above board, and he delights in taunting both Sly and Carmelita with that. There’s definitely a place for irritating characters, when handled properly. But they need substance to justify themselves. And making that your final boss? Risky play. Oh yeah. One more thing. SKUNKS DON’T COME FROM FRANCE.

[leotheme-blog]

Leo Roller Skate Sport Fashion PrestaShop Theme - Leotheme

Link: https://www.leotheme.com/prestashop/themes/761-leo-roller-skates-shoes-sports-gear-fashion.html

Leo Roller Skates Prestashop theme is very clean, decent and easy to install and use, which will be ideally suitable for any sites related to Fashion or Sport. It is designed with a focus on user experience and usability.  It is 100% responsive, which will make your site have amazing look on different screen resolutions such as mobile, tablet, computer, laptop.

Leo Roller Skates is striking with the remarkable top center logo and powerful mega menu. This horizontal menu allows you to add content with text, images, and video, you can easy config in the backend, add a custom link, static block with promotion banners and modules.

Moreover, the large slideshow leaves a place for you to approach your roller skates online store with attractive images or video of your hot trend products or sale off events.

Built on fantastic drag and drop Pagebuilder module, the items are well-placed to present to your clients. Especially, the second image of the product appears after each mouse hover. With Ajax Add to Cart, you can add products to the shopping cart directly from category or product page. Quick view feature lets you view product quickly right at a pop-up window without leaving the current page. It supports multilingual and RTL layout.

[clauscrayon7-blog]

The Best Men’s Trainers Released In 2018

It’s been a big year for trainers, both literally and figuratively. Building on the chunky styles that set 2017’s Richter scales racing, in 2018 platform-esque stompers made way for nineties-inspired dad shoes.

We also saw technology come on in leaps and bounds with innovations like Nike’s React cushioning system and the rollout of Adidas’s 3D-printed Futurecraft model, making the footwear market easily one of the most exciting sectors of menswear.

Elsewhere, we were treated to see-through uppers and the emergence of trail-running shoes as a fashion item (neither of which we saw coming). But even among all the madness, this year has also given us some solid gold classics.

With so much going on, you’d think it’d be difficult to pick the best trainers of 2018. (And it was.) But that’s what we’ve done. Here are they are, and the reasons why they stood out from the crowd.

Nike Epic React

Even if the product had been terrible, Nike’s expertly executed marketing campaign at the beginning of the year would’ve been enough to make us want it. However, it wasn’t terrible. In fact, Nike’s Epic React was the most revolutionary running shoe we’ve seen in a long time, utilising a cutting-edge sole unit that’s softer, lighter and bouncier than the brand’s previous top-end cushioning material.

As a result, this year’s marathons were a blur of React soles pounding streets and pavements across the globe. The biggest drop of 2018? Quite possibly.

Adidas Yung-1

This was the year the ‘90s resurgence really took hold of menswear. And trainers were no exception. One of the most memorable #throwbacks came courtesy of Adidas in the shape of the Yung-1 – a chunky retro trainer serving as proof that the 20-year trend-cycle clock is still ticking to the second.

Rewind to 1998, and Three Stripes had just released the Falcon Dorf, a bulky tricked-out kick that would go on to become one of the most recognisable silhouettes of the decade. The Yung-1 is a reincarnation of that style, brought bang up to date for the digital age.

Nike React Element 87

On paper, the React Element 87 doesn’t sound particularly appealing. It’s got a big lumpy outsole, a V-shaped tongue and perhaps most bizarrely of all, your feet are visible through it. Yet somehow all of this comes together to create one of the most handsome shoes we’ve seen all year. And it’s not all good looks. These bad boys use the same sole technology as Nike’s flagship running shoe the Epic React, only it’s been reinforced at key pressure points.

If you like to go sockless, though, best leave this one well alone. Don’t worry, there’s also the React Element 55, which is the same shoe minus the translucent upper.

Puma Thunder Spectra

Puma’s most iconic shoe is without a doubt the unapologetically minimal Suede Classic. However, this year the brand’s been putting itself on every sneakerhead’s map for a very different reason. This was the year Puma made itself the king of tasteful maximalism. The sort that even your mate who shields his eyes and hisses anytime there’s a pair of Balenciagas in the vicinity can get on board with.

The Thunder Spectra is the shoe that started it, using sharp flashes of colour set against a moody, black leather backdrop. It proved a huge hit, with several followup colourways released since, each one every bit as handsome as the last.

Balenciaga Track

Just when you thought fashion couldn’t get any more ridiculous, someone turns to you and says, “trail running shoes are going to be the next big thing”. At first, you may not have believed them. But then, unless you spent the year blindfolded, you were met with the release of Balenciaga’s Track shoe.

This overengineered cross-country runner sprinted onto the market in September to all the hype you’d expect from the brand that single-handedly kickstarted the biggest trend of the last couple of years.

Nike Air Max 98 ‘Gundam’

For the uninitiated, Gundam is a Japanese franchise consisting of several anime series, games, toys and more. At its core, it’s about massive robots, but you don’t need to be into those or any of the above in order to appreciate one of the most low-key hyped releases of 2018, the Nike Air Max 98 ‘Gundam’.

The shoe’s colourway was inspired by the RX-78-2, the original Gundam robot first introduced in 1979. Whether you care about that or not is irrelevant, the fact remains: this is one seriously fine piece of footwear.

End x Vans ‘Vertigo’ Slip-On

If you were to drink three quarters of a bottle of gin and glance down at your feet while wearing a pair of checkerboard shoes, it would probably look a lot like this. Respected fashion retailer End joined forces with Vans to put its own stamp on two of the iconic California skate brand’s most recognisable silhouettes: the OG Slip-On and the Old Skool.

For us, the Slip-On is the one that stands out. It was the first model to bear the brand’s signature checkerboard pattern, and as well as featuring a psychedelic reimagining of it, the End version also boasts premium materials including fine leather and 6 oz canvas.

Puma RS-X Toys

German sportswear Stalwart Puma showed us all once again why it’s the best brand out there for bulky, colourful kicks that won’t break the bank nor your style credentials when it released the RS-X Toys.

This bold, colourful model was inspired by the vinyl toys of the 1980s and ‘90s and is bound to evoke some serious nostalgia in any red-blooded millennial. Of course, it’s not all about aesthetics. Believe it or not, this beast was built for running, meaning it’s feather-light and as comfortable as they come. A definite ‘Marmite’ shoe, but a masterpiece in madness and future collector’s item all the same.

Nike Tailwind

Nike’s Tailwind runner was nothing short of revolutionary when it first hit shelves in 1979. So it’s little wonder that it’s one of our favourite re-releases of the year.

This simple-looking (by today’s standards) shoe was the first piece of footwear to incorporate the Swoosh’s now-famous ‘Air’ technology, and at the time whipped runners-up into an undying frenzy. A legend was born, and to mark 40 years since, we were treated to a limited batch in the original understated colourway. There was even a pair of socks to match.

Asics x Kiko Kostadinov Gel Delva 1

Everyone knows Japanese sportswear label Asics makes some of the best running shoes on the market. How could they possibly get any better? Easy, just add one up-and-coming Bulgarian fashion designer to the creative process.

Kiko Kostadinov may not be a name you’re immediately familiar with, but it probably will be soon. The 29-year-old is currently creative director at Mackintosh (the coats, not computers) as well as helming his own eponymous label. Even with all that on his plate, he somehow still found the time to collaborate on this moody technical runner.

Converse x Undercover 70 OX

At the beginning of 2018, renegade Japanese designer Jun Takahashi’s brand Undercover whipped Pitti up into a storm by parading some particularly spicy Converse All Star high tops down the runway. Every fashion-savvy man and his equally stylish dog wanted a pair. On September 25th, they got the chance.

The shoe released in four striking colourways, each with contrast detailing and the words ‘order’ and ‘disorder’ printed on the left and right toe respectively. Speaking of order, that’s exactly what we did when we first set eyes on them.

Nike x Sean Wotherspoon Air Max 1/97

This year has been a phenomenal one for trainers by anyone’s standards, but even with such stiff competition, this corduroy belter from sportswear don Nike and famed trainer collector Sean Wotherspoon stands out.

There’s just so much to like: the beautifully contrasting layers of colour to the upper; the little wave motif on the tongue; the tactile fabrication; and, of course, the fact that this is not one but two shoes in one. For the less observant among you, its an Air Max 97’s body, sat on an Air Max 1’s sole unit. So wrong, but so right.

Adidas Spezial Lowertree

If there’s one man who knows what goes into making a great Adidas trainer, it’s designer, collector and all-round Three Stripes connoisseur Gary Aspden. His Spezial line is based around the brand’s archives, taking classic and historic models and updating them with contemporary touches. This usually results in some seriously good-looking footwear, and this year was no exception.

The Lowertree SPZL owes its silhouette to the iconic Marathon Competition model from 1985. Only where the original was beige with hits of red, this version has been reimagined in a vivid nineties colour palette to pay homage to the acid house scene of which Aspden is so fond.

Converse x Golf Le Fleur One Star

If you’re a fan of shoes that will burn your retinas if not viewed through sunglasses, then you’re probably already well acquainted with Tyler The Creator’s collaborations. The founder of hip-hop collective Odd Future is known for his Golf clothing line as well as his rapping, and in the past has had hypebeasts frothing at the mouth with his neon Vans.

This year, he turned his attention to another low-key skate classic, the Converse One Star. Redesigned with a flower motif to the side and released just in time for summer in a range of tempting vibrant colourways.

Puma x Santa Cruz Suede

It’s fair to say 2018 marked a big year for German sportswear don Puma. It was the 50th anniversary of its most iconic shoe, the Suede Classic, and what better way to celebrate than with a completely unexpected collaboration?

To mark the occasion, Puma joined forces with Californian skate brand Santa Cruz. The result was a pair of beautifully simple suede kicks, adorned with some of Santa Cruz’s famous artwork, Including the iconic screaming hand designed by artist Jim Phillips.

Nike ISPA React Runner Mid

You may not be familiar with Nike’s ISPA subdivision, but chances are you’re going to become very well acquainted over the coming years. This renegade team of designers is pushing footwear design in bold new directions, utilising technical fabrics, futuristic aesthetics and incorporating the Swoosh’s latest and greatest tech at the same time.

ISPA stands for ‘Improvise, Scavenge, Protect, and Adapt’, and this React Element-based mid-top was the first shoe to be created by the program. It featured a round-the-ankle lacing system, reflective detailing and boasts water-repellent uppers to keep the weather sealed out.

Common Projects Achilles Low ‘Rust’

Luxury minimalist sneakers may have been sidelined by the sort of shoes The Spice Girls would have worn circa 1996, but it’s only temporary. Stripped-back kicks are still out there, waiting for the chunky trainer’s reign to end. If this handsome new Achilles Low is anything to go by, they’re passing the time by playing with some new colourways.

Common Projects call this new shade ‘rust’. Whether or not that’s a deliberate metaphor for what’s been happening to its brand over the last two years is unclear. What’s certain, however, is that if the NY brand keeps lining releases like this up, chunky trainers might be toppled from their throne sooner rather than later.

Air Jordan x Levi’s Jordan 4

Okay, shoes made out of jeans are far from something we’d typically advocate, and these are far from the easiest shoes to style. However, from a design and brand perspective, 2018’s Jordan x Levi’s tie-up is easily the biggest of the year.

Nike’s Air Jordan subdivision is the biggest name in the game. If it hadn’t have been for designer Tinker Hatfield and his future-shaping basketball shoes, the modern sneakerhead as we know them may not even exist. Meanwhile, Californian brand Levi’s is the king of denim. Bring the two together, and naturally, you’ve got something rather special.

Adidas Alphabounce Instinct

If disturbing psychedelic painter H.R. Giger had designed a shoe, it would probably have looked a little something like this. Looks-wise, the Alphabounce Instinct is so odd that you can’t help but stare at it, and the more you stare at it, the more you think, ‘actually, that would look pretty sweet on my shoe rack.’

It’s not all aesthetics, either, there’s a lot going on under the hood here. Designed with athletes in mind, the Alphabounce Instinct takes cues from the movement of the human body and its adaptive design is supposed to allow the wearer to move more instinctively while running.

Reebok x Overkill Club C

Berlin’s favourite sneaker shop Overkill is no stranger to a juicy joint partnership. This year, its focus was the iconic Reebok Club C, which was treated to a makeover in premium, off-white leather with green corduroy accents and Overkill-branded satin insoles.

The inspiration behind the shoe comes from 1985 East Berlin, taking its colours from wallpaper, tablecloths and floor patterns that were prevalent in the former communist district at the time. A fine piece of footwear and one of the best versions of the Club C we’ve seen to date.

Source: https://www.fashionbeans.com/article/best-trainer-releases-2018/

[ftmadvice-blog]

Advice on: Shoes

Hello and welcome to FtM Advice, a blog supporting trans men. In this post, I’ll be detailing how to choose shoes.

One of the first things my father said to me when I came out to him was, “trans men are a joke - they can’t hide their tiny feet”. His bigotry aside, this is a guide to “hiding your tiny feet”.

First of all - hate to break it to you, but T won’t make your feet bigger. I’m 20 and still not on T, so, before I started trying on men’s shoes, I thought I was doomed. Wearing men’s shoes is the only reliable way to make your feet look bigger. Someday there’ll be surgery to enlarge your feet, but, until “someday”, the best thing to do is to size up your shoes.

In European sizes, the sizing system is the same across men’s and women’s shoes. In the US, men’s sizes are two sizes smaller than women’s, so it isn’t that difficult either. In Britain, however, where I live, men’s shoe sizes are half a size larger than women’s! 

My advice, however, is to try on men’s shoes slightly larger than your women’s size. The aim here is to pass as male, and, sadly, most people born female don’t have very big feet. You might get lucky trying on men’s shoes, though - I wear my father’s size 8 (UK men’s size) shoes, and they fit me better than any of my own shoes. Plus, they make my “tiny feet” look more like a cisgender man’s feet! 

(Figure one: my father’s shoes, on me.)

If you’re less lucky than me in terms of having oversize feet - remember those ugly blue orthopaedic insoles that you might have worn as a kid? Those work wonders when it comes to sizing up your shoes. They also add a little height due to the padding under the bridge of your feet. When I’m feeling particularly dysphoric about my feet, I wear them in size 10 (UK men’s) shoes. 

(Figure two: these fuckers. I hated them as a child!)

You can find insoles like those as cheaply as £3 on eBay. My advice, if you’re using these, is to size up. Don’t cut them to size. Stuff the end of the insole into the toe of your shoes, and the shoes will fit comfortably. 

If insoles alone don’t make your shoes fit, I recommend stuffing a sock into the heel. It might feel awkward at first, but after a bit of walking, the sock will mould to the shape of your heel and push your feet forward just enough to get your toes comfy in your shoes.

Finding men’s shoes, if you don’t have a brother, uncle, father, etc. who won’t notice a pair missing, can be a bit difficult. I favour Marks & Spencer and John Lewis for shoes. The shoes I’m wearing in Fig. 1 are from Marks & Spencer. However, you don’t need to shell out £80-something for shoes every time you want a new pair! The good news about men’s shoes is that they’re built to last, and you can find cheap ones in charity/thrift shops. Some of my local charity shops sell men’s shoes for as little as £4. 

It’s important to learn a bit about shoe care. I did say that men’s shoes are built to last, but some of the shoes you find in charity shops are a bit battered. Invest in some cobbler’s cream. It costs £5 for a pot at my local shoe repair shop, and it takes care of polishing, shining, cleaning, and protecting the surface of your shoes. A decent paper kitchen tissue should be fine for rubbing it in. Buy a neutral colour so you can use them on different colours of shoes. You should apply some to your shoes every morning before you go out in them. You’ll also, of course, want a shoe brush. I recommend horse hair shoe brushes. Shoe repair shops sometimes try to charge you £10 for them, but mine came from Amazon for £5.50. Another thing you might want is a shoehorn - you know, those things your grandpa puts his shoes on with. If you’re clumsy putting on your shoes without one, the back of them can bend, and they won’t last very long. If you have a bit of spare money, remember that old joke about the cobbler? Your parents might have told you, when lending you money, “this is the one the cobbler killed his wife with - the last”. A last is a wooden foot-shaped thing that shoemakers use when making or repairing shoes. It keeps shoes in the right shape. Shoe trees are very similar, but more expensive. Lasts can be as cheap as £20 for a pair.

A small note: do not buy patent leather shoes! Apart from making you look like a schoolboy, or, worse, a lesbian, they are devilishly hard to keep clean and to keep the patent leather from getting scuffed as you walk around.

Now: the fashion bit. 

The first rule of men’s shoes is: the colour of your shoes should always match the colour of your belt. Have a purple leopard print belt? I’m ashamed to say that I had one, but: throw it away. A brown belt and a black belt should be all you need. What if you don’t need to wear a belt? That means you’ve chosen your trousers properly! You should always wear a belt, but you should never need to wear a belt. If you don’t like belts, braces (suspenders, for the Americans) are another option, but if you have a large chest, they draw attention to it. I’m an A cup, plus I bind, so I can get away with braces, but if you’re even a B cup, even if you’re binding, say no to braces. And definitely say no to braces and a belt at the same time!

The second fashion-related thing I’d like to bring up is, of course, the style of your shoes. Safe options for smart casual wear are Oxfords and Chelsea boots. Another option is brogues - black or brown brogues go well with formal outfits. Oxfords, Derbys, and Chelsea boots, however, are more versatile by far. Wearing jeans and brogues is the realm of male models and actors only. Wearing jeans and Oxfords, Derbys, or Chelsea boots is fine, and you can wear them in most formal settings, too. Wingtip shoes (the ones with the long pointy toes) can make your feet look bigger, but they’re for formal wear only. I would discourage Doc Martens. A lot of FtMs whom I know started out as butch lesbians, but, if you want to look like a man rather than like a butch lesbian, do not wear Doc Martens until you’ve gone years on T. I’d also discourage very casual styles such as Converses or New Balances. Like patent leather shoes, they make you look younger, and, if you’re short like me, you’ll just look like a kid from the skate park. 

Another fashion rule is, “no brown in town”. This is a hair-splitting matter of outdated etiquette, but I follow it, and, to look like a smart man, you should too. Brown shoes are for countryside wear. Black shoes are for the city. I own a pair of brown brogues, but I save them for when I’m visiting my family in the countryside. I think that this rule only applies in Britain, though, so people from elsewhere can wear brown shoes wherever they like.

Important links:

Shoes for sale:

Marks & Spencer - these are the shoes I’m wearing in Fig. 1.

John Lewis - I own these ones.

Schuh - mostly very casual shoes, but they sometimes carry more sensible shoes at vastly discounted prices.

Charles Tyrwhitt - these shoes can be expensive, but they’re worth the price to look smart. I’m yet to buy men’s shoes from them, but I used to wear a pair of women’s shoes from them, and they looked great and are still not damaged despite wearing them almost every day at high school.

Clarks - again, a lot of casual shoes, but they do carry quality smart shoes for quite cheap prices.

Shoe advice:

5 Year Project - this website has advice on shoe care and choosing shoes to match outfits.

Herring Shoes’ shoe care guide - a comprehensive and concise guide to keeping shoes in good nick.

That’s all, folks! Feel free to send in questions.

[yoi-secret-valentines2017]

love at second sight

For @mypoorlittlephanshipperheart from Edgedancer (@radiantmists). Happy Valentine’s Day!

***

Victor lay on his back and listened to the indistinct murmur of voices below him. Slowly, as it always did, his mind drifted to the ice, to the feel of skimming on a knife-edge and the freedom of taking flight. From those well-worn paths he was drawn to the sound of a crowd screaming his name, of voices in his own tongue declaring him a hero.

Downstairs in the onsen’s main room, Victor knew, Yuuri would be saying the words leaving and Russia and nationals and Victor in a voice too small for him, trembling with the conflict between hope and sorrow. He would be looking at the ground or his shoes or his hands, and so would be surprised to feel his mother’s arms close around him. When his father tells him they’re happy for him, mostly telling the truth, Yuuri would smile, tears in his eyes, and mostly believe it.

Victor could barely believe it himself, could scarcely fathom how these wonderful, kind people had let a perfect stranger drift into their home like a stray dog and had somehow turned him into a part of the family. Most of all, he couldn’t believe that Yuuri was at that moment giving all of it up, in a way, so that Victor could keep skating.

Ten days wasn’t a long time to uproot your whole life, wasn’t really long enough to say goodbye to the family you only just found again.

It wasn’t really long enough to come out of retirement, either, so Victor pushes himself upright and starts packing.

***

They headed to the rink early the next morning; Victor had called Yuuko while they were in the Barcelona airport, had made sure that Ice Castle Hasetsu would be theirs alone until the nineteenth. She had said she was happy to do it, had congratulated him on his decision to return and for proposing to Yuuri, had somehow managed to sound sweet and cheerful while declaring that if Victor let the first interfere with the second he would find his ice skates shoved, blade-first, in very unfortunate places.

It was almost like her blessing. Victor hadn’t been able to explain to a mortified Yuuri, listening on speaker, exactly why he had been smiling.

Now, Viktor set up the camera at the edge of the rink and video called Yakov. He was willing to swallow his pride and admit he needed all the help he could get to make it back in time for Russian Nationals on the twentieth.

He glided onto the ice, cued Yuuri to start the music, and began.

The thing was, it would be inaccurate almost to the point of falsehood to call what Victor had been doing for the last eight months a break. On top of the time he had spent coaching Yuuri, Victor had passed hours listening to music, dancing in Minako’s studio, biking and running and stretching. And he had skated, of course, had after hours of watching Yuuri finally remembered the way that ice under his feet had always felt like breathing.

When he had skated the two pieces through, heart pounding with strain, Victor returned to the computer Yuuri held at the rink’s edge, where Yakov looked pensive.

“It’s not good enough,” he said. Victor’s heart skipped a beat even though he thought- hoped- he knew what Yakov would say next.

“Not yet.”

***

The next ten days were a mad rush of ice, food, baths, sleep; Victor and Yuuri ran to Ice Castle as the sun rose, wolfed down the lunches that Hiroko had made for them the previous night, ran home as the sun set and collapsed. Sometimes in the morning they would chase each other, laughing; a few nights one wandered into the other’s room and they had curled together, too exhausted to do anything but sleep.

Their breaks were the time when the other was on the ice; Yuuri’s breaks were much longer than Victor’s, and Victor felt guilty though he knew he shouldn’t. Yuuri had months to perfect his routines; he took silver at the Grand Prix Final–barely missed gold– and there was no one at Japanese Nationals who was a serious threat to him. Victor, on the other hand…

Victor had never worked this hard before, and especially he had never done so knowing that despite it all, it wasn’t possible to win. As the week went on, he found himself developing the sort of empathy he’d never had for other, less talented skaters. Victor had always seen practice, competitions, advancement as simply reaching out to take what was his. If others couldn’t match him, it meant only that they didn’t want it badly enough. But suddenly, there was a wall between him and success, or perhaps a heavy door that he had to shove with all his strength just to keep from closing even further. Victor tried to imagine going through this struggle as a child, and couldn’t quite convince himself that he could have kept skating through it before he’d ever tasted the peace of a clean program.

Sometime during the mad week, he tried to tell Yuuri all this, asked him how he had kept on for so long without feeling what it was like to win.

Yuuri laughed. “Maybe I couldn’t feel it,” he said. “But I saw it, when I watched you.”

Victor stood, dumbstruck. He knew then and there that his skating, his loneliness at the top, his whole life had been worthwhile, if it had kept this beautiful creature on the ice.

***

For some horrendous, unknowable reason, the Russian and Japanese Nationals overlapped. To add insult to injury, they stretched through Victor’s birthday. Every year before, he hadn’t cared, but now…

Well, at least he and Yuuri had already exchanged gifts.

Yuri came to Victor after their warmup period. He opened his mouth, then shut it. Finally, he growled, “Don’t think I’ll go easy just because you’re an old man.”

Victor laughed, and it tasted like poison, like every night that he’d gone out to drink and flirt with beautiful strangers he’d known he couldn’t keep, because five gold medals or not, Katsuki Yuuri had never called him, and what more was he supposed to do?

Yuri would beat him here without trouble and they both knew it, but the thought rankled. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

The next day, Victor drew a slot right in the middle of the two dozen other men vying for a medal. Twenty-five dreamers; thanks to Victor and Georgi’s placement last year, Russia was allowed to send three of them to European Championships. Medalling here wasn’t just about being Russia’s best; it meant that the season could continue.

When his time came, Victor took to the ice confidently. He could hear the commentators gossiping about his costumes, reused from several years ago, and about his planned programs, much easier technically than in years past and notably missing his signature flip. They wondered if he really thought such a sudden comeback was possible, if he had any life left in him, why he had even bothered.

Victor arrived at his starting position, not listening. He wasn’t skating for them anymore. He kissed his ring, knew that somewhere, Yuuri was watching and doing the same.

The music began, and so did Victor. It felt like a beginning, the energy of the crowd and the music and the gold on his finger coursing through him. Every motion in this program was deliberate, filled with hope for the future. He thought back to the feeling when Yuuri had first tried his flip, when Victor had known that no matter what happened, if he could just somehow hold onto this boy the future would be bright. As the music built, Victor remembered the moment Yuuri had asked him to stay on his coach. He remembered the instant where he could see the future stretched out before him, and for the first time it had been filled with not just victory, but with their victory.

As he sank into his final spin, the music went silent for a moment. The whole stadium, the whole world seemed to hold its breath as he whirled, waiting to see what would happen next.

The final note rose along with him, and he stretched out his arm as though reaching for something, the other behind him holding an invisible hand.

There, he told the screaming crowd, and Yuuri somewhere far away, watching. There. Can you see it, too?

Yuri attacked him as soon as he left the rink.

“I can’t believe you!” he screeched, as he dragged Victor to the Kiss and Cry, then sat in the coach’s spot. “You can’t just skate for the katsudon forever!”

Victor only smiled and waved at the camera as the scores were posted. The presentation score was astronomical, record-breaking for a short program. The announcers and the crowd were hysterical; Yuri grumbled unrepeatable things.

Victor spotted the Japanese news logo on one of the cameras and blew Yuuri a kiss.

***

“After yesterday’s artistic triumph, Victor Nikiforov’s free program today doesn’t quite measure up, does it?”

“Only two quads, and he seems unable to truly connect with this music. Though Nikiforov edged him out in the short program, if we look back at Popovich’s characteristically… emotional free performance just moments ago, it seems uncertain which will take silver.”

“Well, we’ll be seeing both of them at Europeans in any case.”

***

Yuuri skipped the Japanese banquet and flew straight to Russia; he arrived at the rink just as the medal ceremony began. Afterward, Victor leapt straight from the ice into his arms and kissed him silly, then pulled back and smiled teasingly.

“You brought me a present, didn’t you? Besides your presence, I mean.”

Yuuri rolled his eyes but dutifully produced his gold medal from his coat pocket. Victor placed it gently around his fiance’s neck, then handed his own medal to Yuuri so that he could do the same.

He remembered his own joke, weeks that felt like years before: I won’t kiss it if it’s not gold. He’d told Yuuri, he’d known, that coming back would be challenging, that reaching this level was a triumph in its own right. But Victor was tired, and every self-deprecating smile tasted like ash in his mouth.

But the walled-up sadness in Yuuri’s eyes felt like a knife to the gut, so Victor put on a smile anyway. I’ll do better next time, he thought. I can do it for you.

“It’s perfect,” he said. “It matches my hair.”

***

“Do you have a theme?” the reporters asked at the winner’s panel.

“Yes,” he said, not quite lying, and gave them the sort of smile that everyone knew meant he had something up his sleeve.

He’d bought himself some time. Now he just had to look up his sleeves and find it.

***

The two of them went back to St. Petersburg, to Victor’s one-bedroom apartment just two blocks and a bridge away from Yakov’s ice rink.

Yuuri hung his clothes in the walk-in closet next to Victor’s, and within a week they were hopelessly mixed together. Yakov finally told Victor that the next time he showed up to the rink in a shirt three sizes too small, he’d be thrown out into the snow, because no one wants to see your stomach all the goddamn time, Vitya.

(Yuuri was not forbidden from wearing Victor’s clothes, mostly because he was smart enough not to do it with anything that would get in the way of practicing. Of Yuuri practicing, that is, because how was Victor supposed to concentrate on remastering the quad flip when Yuuri was wearing his sweatshirt?)

Victor was in awe of how quickly Yuuri got to know their neighbors, whose names Victor had never before learned in the six years he’d lived in this apartment. Like his rinkmates, they adored the combination of Yuuri’s sincere timidity and his moments of intense frankness.

Victor would have been jealous, but every day he discovered new reasons to love Yuuri that were all his own. He’d known that Yuuri loved food, but now Victor got to watch his own cooking make Yuuri’s eyes widen in delight.

They went out so Yuuri could teach him to dance properly, and it was even better than that first wild night, because the next morning and whenever else the urge struck them, they danced through the apartment to music only they could hear.

Every so often in Hasetsu, Victor would buy flowers for Yuuri on his way back from walks with Makkachin. Now, they settled young perennials in the window boxes Victor had forgotten existed, and he watched as Yuuri carefully coaxed the bulbs into blossom.

At the rink, they were somehow both Yakov’s biggest headache and the skaters who required the least maintenance; they distracted each other ridiculously, but the next moment Victor would offer some criticism that let Yuuri land his quads twice as often, or Yuuri would make an encouraging comment that changed Victor’s whole presentation.

One day, Victor talked Yuuri into skating each other’s programs just to drive Yakov crazy. It backfired, the older man using it as a lesson for both of them, making Victor spend time on Yuuri’s impossibly graceful spins and forcing Yuuri to repeat jumps until they matched Victor’s technical perfection.

Another time, Victor and Yakov came to the rink after lunch to find Yuuri running through Yurio’s step sequences with him. Soon, half the juniors at the rink were asking for time with the Japanese skater. Victor got pulled into it too, helping them with their jumps.

Yakov took Victor aside, in the middle of January, and told him seriously that he had a future in coaching when he retired for real, that they both did. I’m getting older, Vitya, he said. Someone’s going to have to take over this place. Victor looked at the fourteen-year-old girl listening to Yuuri explain how to fix her layback spin, and wondered when he became so… content.

For months, he had treasured the wonderful promise of spending his future with Yuuri. But more wonderful even than that was this: his life, now, with Yuuri.

***

Thankfully, Yuuri was able to come watch Victor at Europeans. Victor had hidden his costumes, when they had finally been delivered, and he skated his short program on the high of Yuuri’s delight, clothed in a Hasetsu sunrise.

They went out that night with Yuri, Chris, and Otabek; Georgi and Mila had tagged along, and they’d somehow managed to run into Emil and the Crispinos at the restaurant. (Victor suspected Chris, or possibly his quiet, extremely sneaky boyfriend.)

Victor was in second after the short program; he’d brought up his technical score significantly, but to his chagrin couldn’t surpass the perfection Yurio had achieved once again with Agape. Victor had created a monster, and he wasn’t sure whether to be proud or annoyed.

Chris, of course, started by teasing Victor about losing to a sixteen-year-old.

“Well, at least I’m in good company,” Victor winked. He had never done dinners like this before Yuuri, hadn’t been friends in the way the other skaters were. After all, Chris was the only one who was old enough to have entered Seniors before Victor’s gold streak had begun, and even he had seen Victor as some sort of constant, always a few steps ahead.

Now, they’ve all seen him waver. For the first time, Victor realized that his competitors were not as much sharks circling for weakness as they were people looking for some point of humanity. Stopping to coach Yuuri may have set him back in his skating, but it was the best decision he’d ever made for his personal life, for more than just the obvious reason.

Like his thoughts, the conversation circles back around to his relationship with Yuuri, and Victor has the pleasure of watching Europe’s best skaters argue over who’d shipped them first.

“I think Chris wins that one,” Victor said lightly. “He did introduce us at the banquet last year, after all.”

Chris grinned smugly, then jumped when his boyfriend elbowed him. “I don’t think he can take credit for that.”

Chris sighed. “Fine. No, I didn’t really believe it was serious until what Victor pulled at the Cup of China.”

“Ha! I win!” Sara Crispino crowed. When everyone stared at her, she added, “Mickey and I started researching competitors as soon as assignments came out. We saw Yuuri’s theme announcement, and…”

Yuuri groaned and smacked his head against the table as the other skaters laughed in recognition. Victor pulled him closer and rested his chin on top of Yuuri’s head, smiling. He’d watched the video of that incident perhaps even more than the one of Yuuri skating Stay Close to Me– at first trying to make sense of the rapid-fire Japanese as Yuuri had gone off script, and then during the long nights when he’d needed reassurance that despite Yuuri’s shyness, Victor wasn’t the only one who desperately wanted to hold onto this.

He hadn’t watched it recently; he hadn’t needed to with the real Yuuri sleeping beside him with a matching ring on his finger.

“Speaking of which, what’s your theme, Victor?”

The laughter quieted as everyone waited for his response to Emil’s question. Even Yuuri looked up, questioning.

Victor smirked. “You’ll find out tomorrow along with everyone else, at the winner’s panel.”

Under the ensuing chaos, Victor heard Yuri mutter to Otabek, “I’ll bet it’s something ridiculous like happiness or marriage.”

Victor smiled.

Close, Yura, he thought, but not quite.

***

Victor unzipped his jacket and handed it to Yuuri, then removed his skate guards. As Otabek’s score was posted, he circled quickly on the ice before returning to the barrier.

“I’ll be here, watching,” Yuuri said, pulling Victor close. Victor rested his head on Yuuri’s shoulder and breathed him in.

As the stadium quieted, he pulled away. “I know.” He smiled, and it tasted like sunlight.

The cheers as Victor saluted the crowd were deafening, but as he took his position, eyes closed, he thought he’d be able to hear a pin drop. Even the announcers were silent. In second place, and with four difficult quads in his program to Yuri’s three, Victor was poised to make possibly the greatest comeback in the history of figure-skating.

Victor raised his hand to his lips, saw Yuuri doing the same. He felt light, birdlike.

The music began. Victor launched straight into a quick step sequence, but it felt as effortless as dancing through the kitchen with Yuuri and letting dinner burn. He leaned back into a spin as though falling into bed, and when he launched himself into his first quad he could have sworn he felt strong arms lifting him up.

As the violins entered, Victor let his motions become more fluid, allowing the music to carry him. He knew this routine better than the back of his hand, and he let his mind drift until he found himself back in their apartment.

A January blizzard had swept into St. Petersburg, filling the streets and rattling the shutters. Yuuri had brought in the Chinese jasmine they’d been growing in the window-boxes, and Victor had lit the fireplace. They’d curled up together with Makkachin, each other’s bony warmth more comfortable than the bed could ever be.

Yuuri had stared out the window and told Victor about how it rarely ever snowed in Hasetsu even in winter, how the flurry on the April day Victor had arrived had been nothing short of miraculous.

“Like you,” he’d said, suddenly frank in the way that always knocked Victor’s breath right out of his body. “All the time we were in Hasetsu, I was waiting for you to melt away.”

Victor had taken his hand, squeezed it as tightly as he could. “Well,” he’d said, and swallowed. “Here, the snow takes forever to melt.”

The music came down to near silence, and Victor could have sworn he heard Yuuri’s voice, as clear as it had been that day: “I’ll be here until then.”

Victor pushed his toe onto the ice and leapt with the piano, spinning two, three, four times. He landed back in the stadium; Yuuri was behind him, so Victor added a half loop and triple axel to face him.

Yuuri was crying, Victor saw for a moment before he had to return to his program. As the music picked up once again, Victor remembered the last time he’d seen Yuuri cry, when their jasmine had finally bloomed after weeks of Yuuri pulling it inside every time there was even a chance of frost.

Rising from his last spin, Victor traced the vines that wrapped around his legs and climbed his white shirt. He placed one hand over his chest, holding out the other, palm up as though to take someone’s hand, or perhaps to offer them the pale pink flower stitched into his glove.

***

“It’s official- in a free program that ended in a mirror image of Katsuki Yuuri’s, Victor Nikiforov takes back the record his student stole only months ago!”

“Katsuki doesn’t seem especially angry about this.”

“No, but look at Plisetsky! I know the Ice Tiger of Russia skates better when he’s angry, but I think apoplectic rage is going to be a little too much for the judges.”

***

Victor gave Yuuri his medal as the stadium emptied, and smiled while Yuuri looped it over his head.

Then he gasped as he was pulled down to meet Yuuri’s sparkling eyes.

“Set a date for the wedding,” Yuuri whispered. “I’m coming for this in April.”

***

“My theme,” Victor beamed, “is life.”

***

“Katsuki Yuuri takes Four Continents by a landslide, earning a personal best in both programs! He came within a few points of Nikiforov’s record combined score from years ago. Worlds is going to be interesting, don’t you think?”

“Yes, and– Are those rose petals coming from the ceiling?”

(“I can’t believe you thought I forgot Valentine’s Day,” Victor pouted.

“Well, you were a few days late,” Yuuri laughed.

Phichit tossed a few more rose petals over their heads, took a picture, and said, “Don’t be silly; if he’d forgotten I wouldn’t have let him live a few days.”

Yuuri’s friends were terrifying and Victor loved it.)

***

They had their medals off before they left the ice; their tradition was public enough knowledge at that point that it would no longer look like a snub.

Victor did Yuuri’s first. It felt different this time, knowing he’d be giving Yuuri something else gold in just a few weeks.

Yuuri’s hands shook a little, and Victor could see the tenderness in his eyes. He found himself remembering the last time he had won a bronze medal, when he was nineteen and in his second year of Seniors, full of the hope and ambition that would eventually take him to the top of the podium but still growing into too-long legs and too-short hair and too-heavy expectations.

He folded his hand and Yuuri’s hand over the medal, brought it up to kiss softly, and thought, I’m still growing into this, too.

“It’s perfect,” he declared softly. “It matches your eyes.”

End

***

I hope you enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed writing it! Thank you for the inspiration, both from the domestic Victuri stuff on your blog and more generally to make me actually finish something. :)

Victor’s short program is to the song Road to Victory. His free program, as well as the title of the fic, is from The Gambler by fun., though I imagine he skated to an instrumental version.

Coda:

“No, I will not be your flower bearer!”

“But you’d look so pretty, Yurio–”

“I’ve been there getting embarrassed by your stupid antics from the beginning. I’m getting you back in my best man’s speech and that’s final.”

[novacabtaxi]

Seeing Manhattan Without Uber Or Subway – GoNOMAD Travel

Exploring Lower and Mid-town Manhattan on Foot

By Supriya Pant

Put on a pair of walking shoes, carry some water, and just set out to discover the island of Manhattan, NYC.

My personal journey on foot started with the idea of taking the New York City’s subway system to reach any particular area and promising myself that once I get off, I would only get back with sore feet that are ready to collapse.

A quick disclaimer, I am skipping some usual suspects, like Central Park and China Town because a day in Central Park or China Town is a different theme altogether. To those who feel you have seen it all, I say walk again and discover Manhattan like never before.

NYC is made up of five boroughs, Manhattan is the most famous. You can start your exploration from any place, but I suggest have the area mapped out.

Day 1: Exploring Greenwich Village

My day one started at the west side of lower Manhattan, better known as Greenwich Village. O. Henry paid a memorable ode to West Greenwich village in the opening lines of his haunting short story ‘The Last Leaf’.

In a little district west of Washington Square, the streets have run crazy and broken themselves into small strips called “places.” These “places” make strange angles and curves. One street crosses itself a time or two. 

Then the Village was used to house struggling artists and musicians. The famous Hotel Albert here hosted everyone from Walt Whitman to Andy Warhol.

In the ’90s it became popular as the dwelling of the sitcom Friends. Though the show was shot in LA, the characters lived here. You can spot plenty of the famous fire exits everywhere in the Village area and the exterior shot of the building shown in the show can be found in 90 Bedford Street.

Chess in the Park

There are plenty of other things to do here like just sit around Washington Square Park. The impressive Washington Square Arch presides over a large fountain and a dazzling array of street performers.

Checkmate a buddy on the north-west corner of the park with its built-in chess tables or watch some furry friends play catch in the dog park.

The area around Washington Square Park also houses the famous New York University, to add to its vibrant young exuberance.

If you get hungry MacDougal Street is around the corner and makes global food fest a single street affair.

You can hop skip jump between the Ethiopian Injera, Vietnamese Pho, and Spanish Tapas. MacDougal Street is also home to The Comedy Cellar, which hosts both amateur and famous comedians in the New York stand-up scene.

For a change, try skipping Starbucks for a quaint Greenwich Village cafe. There are Reggio and Dante among others. You get cozy wooden interiors and a cup of old-fashioned cappuccino. If you want something stronger to drink, then have plenty of options for booze too.

Reggio’s 1902 Coffeemaker

Not taking sides, but my personal favorite is Reggio, with walls adorned with Italian renaissance paintings and the giant coffee machine from 1902. Take a book along or get a window seat and watch the buzzing street outside.

The village has taken center stage in many historic movements. If you decide to walk ahead there is Christopher Street. It has Christopher park with the famous George Segal sculpture honoring the gay rights movement and commemorating the events of the Stone Wall Inn that stands opposite the park.

The village has introduced the world to Beatniks and Bohemians. Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and John Lennon have called it home at different times. Every street here has a hidden corner deeply drenched in rich history and trust me walking around is the only way to sink into them.

Day 2: Explore-Midtown Manhattan

This area is the heart of Manhattan’s activity. In the heart of it is Times Square. Placed at 42nd and Broadway, Times Square is filled with a dazzling display of billboards, lights, and Broadway musicals.

It’s always brimming with tourists, buzzing with activity. Fun fact, Times Square got its name when the New York Times moved here in 1904. Before that, the area was known as Longacre Square. The already crowded hub gets almost 2 million people when the ball-drop happens, ringing in the New Year.

Through the years, it has served as a popular backdrop to many celebrated pieces of art from the iconic V-J Day kiss photograph to the masterful ‘Birdman’. So, it is likely at first look it gives a vibe of “been here” but if you can be a little patient, sit on the red bleacher stairs at northern Duffy Square and soak in the mood, it will turn up as a worthy pit-stop.

Watch a Broadway Show

You can watch a Broadway musical or take a five to six-minute walk to Bryant Park. Adjacent to the New York Public library this park was a no-go area in 1970s, due to its notorious association with drugs and drug dealers. The park got restored to its current status due to the efforts of prominent and common New Yorkers. Google even installed free Wi-Fi.

It’s now an all-weather park, with Empire State watching over it. I especially love it in winter. The Winter Village kiosks serve everything from hot chocolates to hand-knitted mittens. Then there is the ice-skating rink and if you are really lucky you even get to witness the frozen Bryant Park fountain in all its glory.

Also walk over next door to the New York Public Library, to witness its magnificent ceilings and reading rooms and also drop by at the children’s section in the basement to see the original Christopher Robin’s toys that made the world of hundred-acre wood.

Skating at the Rock

A little ahead in the walk is the Rockefeller Center with its famous Ice-skating rink and the even more famous Christmas tree. Even on a non-wintery day, its observatory deck offers a great view of Manhattan or you can just enjoy walking around and marvel at the Art Deco construction that includes the famous Radio City buildings.

A short distance away is the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). On Fridays, they even offer free tickets between 4 and 8 pm. It’s a great place to get absorbed in Manet, Monet, and Picasso. It houses some of the world’s most famous artworks including Van Gogh’s Starry Nights and Monet’s Waterlilies among others. MoMA’s modern and pop art collection includes the not-to-be-missed works of Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.

If the “Campbell’s soup cans” manage to stimulate your hunger, it is time to head out for Halal guys on 53rd street. Their killer red sauce on chicken over rice is well worth the long queue and wait. Cart food is another delight in the gastronomical landscape of New York City.

Even if you skip the Halal guys, head over to any of the zillion carts around the city and get yourself anything from gyro to falafel with a healthy dose of red and white sauce. You haven’t tasted New York if you haven’t tasted its cart food.

A good way to end this midtown marathon would be to head to Grand Central Station. You wi

ll need to backtrack a few steps from MoMA but Grand Central in just fifteen minutes away. Apart from being a transport hub, the station is also a shopping and dining hub. It has a cathedral-like exterior and is most famous for the astronomical ceiling in its main concourse.

Look out for the average commuters in a hurry while being the star gazing tourist! Experts may doubt the accuracy of the constellations, but this backward universe and the four-faced opal grand clock is definitely worth a watch. It’s a famous place to meet!

Day 3: Explore-Wall Street and the Financial District

At the southern end of NYC, the New York Subway greets you with Oculus. If Grand Center takes you into the grandeur of the past, Oculus is futuristic spaceship-like. During rush hours you can spot all the banking stereotypes here. Suited men and women, juggling mobile phones along with morning coffee after all Oculus belong to the busiest business district of all, Wall Street.

You can get into the observatory of one world trade center and enjoy the birds-eye view of Hudson and Jersey City skyline. The elevator to the observatory also plays an interesting graphic history of the city as it zooms you into its top floors.

Just south of the center you will be in the sobering presence of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum.

From here you can charge through streets and reach the charging bull statue in about 15 minutes. You will walk past imposing building of the wall street area, cross Trinity church, and then might have to battle a queue of selfie stick holders before you get your turn with the bull.

At a short distance from the charging bull, you will reach the southern tip of Manhattan. It’s the sight of the historic Battery Park.

There is much to be appreciated here if you are history buff, but other than that it also offers a path along the Hudson to stroll, bike, or run and a stunning view of the freedom tower and Statue of liberty. Ticketed ferries are available for Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty from here.

Alternatively, a little ahead you can take a free ride on the Staten Island Ferry at Whitehall Street and feel the Hudson breeze as you experience sailing across the majestic lady liberty.

If you are still up for a longish walk after the ferry ride, the Brooklyn Bridge is around forty minutes away. In 1884, 21 elephants and 17 camels had to walk across it to prove to the public that the suspension bridge was steady.

Today we have no such problems as both pedestrians and bikers share busy narrow lanes across it. This great feat of engineering is always a very busy tourist attraction.

Ideally, end this day with a walk fifteen minutes away to South Street Seaport. Did I mention it’s one of the oldest and most picturesque neighborhoods of Manhattan?

Take a sneak peek at the South Street Seaport Museum, stop for a drink at the cobbler stone street, or just feel the ocean from the pier and watch the sun go down.

All this my friend is just Manhattan! The city of endless possibilities never disappoints steady feet. So, ladies and gentlemen next time you are in the Big Apple, skip the cab, and don’t forget those sneakers.

from TAXI NEAR ME https://taxi.nearme.host/seeing-manhattan-without-uber-or-subway-gonomad-travel/