#clean cups and clean pillows are so important plus vases looks very good

[nthflower]

After blowing prydwen deacon was wearing some bos clothes I love him. Also vertibird flight with Tom was so fun too. Now I am wearing maxsons coat it feels good.

[joachimnapoleon]

@histoireettralala, this one’s for you. ;) Papa!Murat in all his fluff-tastic glory. 

***

Murat shifts uncomfortably. The tiny pink plastic chair really wasn’t made to hold a brawny, six-foot-plus adult male. But what choice does he have? His attendance at his daughter Letitia’s tea party is mandatory, and his traditional seat has been usurped by a new arrival, one Mr. Bear, who recently came home with Papa from the amusement park to live with them.

Just don’t break the chair, Murat tells himself. Do not. Break. The chair.

“How is your tea, Papa?” Letitia asks.

He glances down into his empty, plastic toy tea cup. Raising it to his lips, he pretends to take a delicate sip, sighing contentedly for good measure.

“Delightful, my dear.”

The seven-year-old beams. Would Papa like some more? Of course he would! Murat places the tea cup in front of Letitia. She obligingly lifts her toy tea kettle and elegantly simulates pouring him another cup.

“Thank you mademoiselle! You should pour some more for Mr. Bear too, he’s looking rather parched.”

Letitia pours Mr. Bear some more tea, observing that her new friend is always very thirsty because of his great size. She then turns to her younger sister, five-year-old Louise.

“More tea, Louise?”

Louise, busy scribbling in her newest coloring book, shakes her curly-haired head, but informs her sister that Bunbun would like some. The gigantic floppy rabbit has been Louise’s constant companion since arriving at the Murat household alongside Mr. Bear, Baldoin (Lucien’s new stuffed dog), and Ajax, an enormous stuffed crocodile now doubling as a body pillow in Achille’s bedroom.

Bunbun soon has a fresh cup of tea. He expresses his gratitude by drooping over even further in his seat. Louise is oblivious, intensely focused on coloring a picture of an octopus that looks, Murat can’t help but notice, a bit like Davout.

Fearful that Bunbun is about to go toppling out of his chair, Murat reaches over and gently nudges him back upright.

“He’s okay,” Louise says reassuringly. “Just sleepy.”

“Ah,” Murat nods understandably. “Didn’t he sleep well last night?”

“He was scared of the thunder,” Louise says.

“I see,” Murat says, giving Bunbun a severe look. “Well we’ll have to work on that, won’t we.” Cowardice had no place in the Murat household.

The sounds of running footsteps over the downstairs hardwood floor, the laughter and dramatic cries of little boys at play, and the familiar clatter of toy swords bring a smile to Murat’s face. Achille and Lucien must be playing “knights” again. Hopefully they’ll behave themselves and not break anything el—

The sound of something large and ceramic hitting the floor and shattering into pieces reverberates through the house. A frozen silence follows.

Murat sighs. If it was another one of Caroline’s vases, she would have his head. The boys just broke one not even a month ago. He was supposed to be keeping an eye on things while she was away enjoying the spa with Pauline and Elisa. Somehow, he doubted that Caroline would find “I was attending Letitia’s tea party” to be an acceptable excuse for the obliteration of another one of her expensive antiques.

“My apologies, mesdemoiselles,” he addresses his daughters. “I need to go check on your brothers. Be good while I’m gone, okay?” Not that he needs to tell his two little girls that anyway. They are perfect angels, whereas the boys are... well, more like him.

Rising awkwardly from the pink plastic chair, he creeps towards the stairway, not wanting the boys to hear him coming. He peers down the stairs. Eight-year-old Achille and six-year-old Lucien are crouched beside a pile of shards which, moments earlier, had formed their mother's favorite vase. Murat rakes a hand over his face.

"Can we fix it?" little Lucien whispers loudly.

"I don't think so," Achille whispers back. "There's too many pieces."

"What are we going to do?" Lucien asks.

"What, indeed?" Murat interjects, suppressing a smile as his sons jump in startlement.

"Papa!" the boys exclaim in unison.

Murat bites his lip as he regards the remnants of the vase, forcing a grim expression. "Well boys," he begins, doing his best to try to be serious, "which one of you broke Mama's favorite vase?"

Lucien cringes. Achille looks downcast. The boys regard each other in silence for a moment. Finally, Achille confesses; it was his sword that knocked down the vase. But only, he adds with a glare at his younger brother, because Lucien ducked instead of blocking it like a real knight would have.

The mess is soon cleaned up and disposed of, and Achille and Lucien are properly lectured on the importance of absolutely not under any circumstances breaking anymore of their mother's possessions or else. The boys grab their swords and run off to play a new game: pirates! Murat is about to go back upstairs to rejoin the tea party when his cellphone rings.

Lannes greets him enthusiastically. How is the babysitting going? The boys broke another vase? Caroline will be SO MAD. You had ONE JOB, Joachim.

"It's not my fault!" Murat protests. "I can't be everywhere at once. We've had a very peaceful day so far up until this!"

"NO EXCUSES. I have more kids than you and I can manage them well enough!"

"Yeah well your kids aren't little versions of me."

"Thank God for that," Lannes laughs.

Murat rubs his temples while his friend launches into a long explanation of yet another practical joke he recently played on the hapless Bessières. Wandering into the kitchen while Lannes rambles, he puts the phone on speaker and places it down on the counter as he pours himself a glass of juice.

A little girl screams from upstairs.

Murat puts the glass down and dashes out of the kitchen. "IS EVERYTHING OKAY? SHOULD I CALL THE DOCTOR?" Lannes' voice shouts through the abandoned phone.

Springing up the steps three at a time, Murat enters the girls' room to find Louise in tears, being consoled by Letitia.

"What happened, sweetheart?" Murat asks, his heart pounding. "Are you hurt?"

"LUCIEN AND ACHILLE TOOK BUNBUN," Louise sobs.

"Where did they take him?"

"They said he was their prisoner," Letitia says, "and they were taking him back to the pirate ship." She looks at her father, mystified. "Do we really have a pirate ship, Papa?"

"Of course not my dear, where would we keep a pirate ship? I know where they went though." Kneeling, he pulls the sobbing Louise against him. "Shhhhh, it'll be okay my love. I'll bring Bunbun home safe and sound, I promise." He kisses her forehead. "Letitia, keep your sister occupied while I go rescue Bunbun, okay?"

"Yes Papa."

He heads back downstairs. Somehow, Lannes is still yelling through the phone.

"JOACHIM?! WHERE ARE YOU? IS EVERYONE OKAY? I'M CALLING DOCTOR LAR--"

"NO," Murat cries, "DO NOT CALL LARREY, for God's sake Jean. Everything is fine."

"But I heard screaming!"

"It's nothing. The kids are playing a game. I'll call you back later, I have to go." He ends the call, pockets the phone, and leaves the house through the back door.

His eyes go across the vast, vibrant gardens, and out to a distant oak tree, from which protrudes an ornate treehouse. The sounds of boyish laughter carry through the summer air.

Murat had taken great pains--quite literally--to build the treehouse years earlier, when Achille was just a toddler, before Louise had been born. Losing his footing while hammering in some boards one afternoon, he had plummeted out of the tree, dislocating his shoulder in the process.

After recuperating, he had stubbornly completed the treehouse (with help).

Now the structure served alternatively as a fortress, castle, fighter jet, spacecraft, and pirate ship, depending on what mood the children were in. Striding towards the would-be pirate ship, Murat sees Lucien peer out at him with a spyglass, before ducking back behind the window.

Achille appears, bedecked in his pirate hat and eyepatch, a wooden cutlass in his belt. Behind him comes Lucien, dressed similarly, holding the captive Bunbun before him. The droopy stuffed rabbit is led out of the treehouse, towards the makeshift plank Murat had added on some months back to accommodate his sons' piratical fantasies.

"ARRRRR!!!" Achille cries.

"YAAAAAARGH!!!" echoes Lucien.

"What has poor Bunbun done to deserve this?" Murat asks in feigned despair.

"He stole our buried treasure!" Achille says.

"YEAH!" says Lucien. "ARRRRGH."

"Now he must walk the plank!"

"We're gonna feed him to the sharks!!"

Murat has an idea.

"I'll be the shark!"

"Do you know how to be a shark, Papa?" Lucien asks.

"Of course!" He's seen all the Jaws movies, at any rate.

Murat pretends to swim back and forth below the treehouse, baring his teeth ferociously up at Bunbun. Lucien giggles, then, remembering his role after a poke on the back from Achille, resumes his pirate scowl, giving one more loud "ARRRR" for good measure.

"FOR STEALING OUR BURIED TREASURE, WE HEREBY SENTENCE YOU TO DEATH," Achille declares.

Lucien shoves Bunbun off the plank. Murat catches the stuffed rabbit and, gnashing his teeth, simulates rending it to pieces. Laughing, the boys celebrate their triumph with whoops and cheers, waving their wooden cutlasses. Murat, pleased with his performance, tucks the liberated Bunbun under his arm and takes a stage bow.

Soon after, Bunbun is back in the arms of a grateful Louise. Hopefully the boys would neglect to tell their little sister that Papa had temporarily transformed into a shark and devoured her beloved rabbit. Murat cringes. Maybe he can make a deal with them...

The front door opens downstairs. He had completely lost track of the time. Is Caroline home already?

"Joachim?" Caroline calls. "Where are you? ...And what happened to my vase?"

***THE END***

[gomavenup]

10 SIMPLE TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR HOME LIFE

It is very easy to be blind to the eccentricities of a house. We have become so familiar with the fun aspects, the (annoying) design projects and the weird habits we acquire in managing our space, that we forget that we can always bring something new or that we can always make small changes. Sometimes, however, even the most important and fine trick can make a big difference in the use and utility of a home, in the simplest and most enjoyable way. These minor adjustments can seem obvious only when they are explained and justified, so we see ourselves having to inform you again and again. So, here are 10 simple ideas for improving your home, which are as easy as counting to three. Try these common sense ideas to make your living space look and function better!

1. Rearrange the surfaces to be hung

Clothes cabinets are often unwieldy, and "navigating" in an overloaded closet is frustrating. So make the storage space a lot more satisfying by redesigning and reorganizing your clothes. Try to place them on the colors or create a well-defined place for each person, most likely one above the other. Invest in good quality hangers to keep your clothes beautifully aligned and in a uniform style. The wooden hangers best support the clothes and are very durable, while the flat models covered with velvet take up less space and, unlike the wire ones, will not stretch your clothes. You can even hang the less heavy and bulky things inside the cabinet door. There are so many models of nails and funny hooks that it is impossible not to attract any variant.

2. Rearrange your products

At present, there are hundreds of bath products on the market, but many people regularly use only soap, shampoo and conditioner. So reduce the expenses and implicitly the glazing of the bottles, which you certainly have by the shower or in the bathtub, to just a few toiletries that you use every day. Emptying the surfaces creates a feeling of calm. Moreover, these products can be replaced with a few scented candles or a vase with artificial flowers, and, here's how a little trick will make a big difference.

3. Add plants

Most of us agree that fresh flowers mean a lot to a house, but the thought that we should spend money every week on a new bouquet of flowers doesn't really delight us. It is a shame, however, to refuse these simple and innocent pleasures. A few sculptural leaves, a bouquet of wild flowers, or one or two artificial flowers do not cost much, they last longer and bring us complete satisfaction.

4. Do charities, donating everything you no longer wear

Too many times we try on the clothes we have, we decide that they do not suit us and then we hang them again in the closet. It would be good to have a special bag or basket created for such a moment, having the opportunity to throw old or outdated clothes directly into it. Once you fill it up, take it to a second-hand shop or donate it to a neighbor or needy person, taking care, however, not to offend that person. It's a great way to keep your wardrobe clean and, at the same time, keep your closet away from overloading. Go to the same idea for the wardrobes in the children's room. Considering that the little ones grow up so fast, their clothes will fit perfectly with other children.

5. Make the kitchen the ideal place for breakfast

You do not have to have a specially designed breakfast place, but just make sure the kettle, coffee maker, toaster and ideally cups or cups of tea and coffee are located in a certain area of ​​your kitchen. . to be able to quickly and easily prepare breakfast and always have everything you need.

6. Always keep your frequently used items handy

Makeup and styling products often cover a large part of the surface, but you can, through small tricks, minimize the mess created by them. For example, you can release a drawer of the chest of drawers (from the bedroom) or the washbasin mask (from the bathroom) to collect all these products. Or, you can keep these frequently used objects handy, making sure you display them in a creative way. Makeup products can stay in beautiful bowls, in storage boxes or hanging on the wall.

7. Keep cleaning products in the space where you need them or as close to them as possible.

Typically and without too much prior reflection, we tend to keep our cleaning products in one place. Most of the time, these places are under the sink in the kitchen or in a closet / closet. This means, however, to a deeper thought, that when we need them we will start wandering from room to room with a bucket of produce behind us. It is much easier to keep them right in the space where we will use them. So store the laundry detergent right above the washing machine, and equip each bathroom and kitchen with its own set of cleaning products. You will greatly ease your work and clean up the dirt coming on the unpaved table much faster.

8. Place a clothes hanger as close as possible to the washing machine.

Completely remove the laundry baskets loaded with wet clothes by setting up a shelf right next to the washing machine. A model mounted on the wall or one suspended from the ceiling is space efficient.

Install everything around the washing machine and a clothes dryer. The ideal variant is a retractable one, which will not visually disturb when not in use.

9. Change the place of the bowls with the animal feed

Pets are often eaten in the kitchen, but this can mean bowls taken and thrown on the floor, and the unpleasant appearance of a sniffing animal, plus the unpleasant (and animal and food) smell, can change our mood. So, either get up and wash the bowl after every meal, or give your pet food before you eat, or re-feed your pet food in a less "public" space. A closet / closet, bathroom, veranda or hallway could work as a much more suitable area.

10. Organize bed linen

Storing bed linen in sets will save you time as you will no longer have to scour the entire closet for pillowcases or matching bed sheets. You can keep all the linen folded and tied with a ribbon or, even more simply, placed inside the pillow faces. When you want to change the bed, grab the set quickly and get to work.

To know more, click here.

[wp-yahoo-style-1042-yahoopa-blog]

Under $50: 16 affordable gifts that look expensive and will impress anyone on your list

Holiday shopping season is officially in full swing and you may be wondering: How can I stay on budget?

With so many family members, friends and even co-workers on your list, buying all those presents can add up fast. But before you splurge, consider a few of our ideas for under $50. We’ve searched the web for the best values on holiday gifts, from wireless earbuds to a children’s art kit.

These gift-worthy picks are easy on the wallet but look far more expensive than they are. Ahead, browse some of the best affordable gifts, which are great for just about everyone on your list and won’t break the bank this holiday season.

The editors at Yahoo Lifestyle are committed to finding you the best products at the best prices. At times, we may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page.

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

• 25 quirky holiday gifts for all the non-boring people on your list

• These are the 6 holiday gift-giving rules to break immediately

• The best holiday gift ideas for the pet lover in your life

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.

Gifts that look far more expensive than they are

Shop our under-$50 picks. (Photo: Courtesy)

Source: Yahoo Lifestyle

Urban Outfitters Wireless Ear Pod Headphones

Wireless earbuds are one of the most-wanted tech items this holiday season. Scoop up a pair of metallic ones for just about anyone on your list — it’s a foolproof gift. SHOP IT: $40, urbanoutfitters.com

Source: Yahoo Lifestyle

Anthropologie Mila Clutch Journal

If busy bees or college students are on your list, give this sleek notebook to make their life easier. The faux leather book doubles as a wallet — what more could you want? SHOP IT: $34, anthropologie.com

Source: Yahoo Lifestyle

Pioneer Woman 6 Quart Portable Slow Cooker

Whether it’s a 6-pound chicken or a 4-pound roast, this floral-painted 6-quart slow cooker can handle it. Plus, it will look so pretty sitting in your kitchen. SHOP IT: $26, walmart.com

Source: Yahoo Lifestyle

Everlane Pocket Tote

A versatile tote this sleek seems too good to be under $50. But it is! This twill bag is roomy enough for just about everything, from your laptop to gym clothes. SHOP IT: $48, everlane.com

Source: Yahoo Lifestyle

Ulta Make Today Pretty 52-piece Collection

With two face palettes, 12 eyeshadows and a gorgeous carrying case, this 52-piece makeup set has all a beauty lover could ever want. SHOP IT: $20, ulta.com

Source: Yahoo Lifestyle

Iveta Abolina For Deny Pink Summer Monogram Pillow

Personalized gifts are great but can often cost a pretty penny. Keep it simple by opting for an initialed monogram throw pillow in a neutral color scheme that your BFF will love. SHOP IT: $44, urbanoutfitters.com

Source: Yahoo Lifestyle

The Pioneer Woman Vintage Floral 20-piece Set

Complete a new homeowner’s kitchen with these delightful, floral-patterned cooking accessories. The 20-piece set includes everything from an essential cutting board to beautifully painted measuring cups. SHOP IT: $34, walmart.com

Source: Yahoo Lifestyle

Project 62 Texture Faux Fur Throw

Who doesn’t want to cozy up to a plush throw on long winter nights? This luxe faux fur number comes in a slew of colors to match anyone’s style. SHOP IT: $25 (on sale, $18), target.com

Source: Yahoo Lifestyle

Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Scalloped Brass Candelabra

Whether this brass beauty ends up on the dining table or coffee table, it will light up the room. The 8-candle centerpiece is a decorative must-have that can be used year-round. SHOP IT: $13 (on sale, $9), target.com

Source: Yahoo Lifestyle

Personalized 80-Piece Art Set

If there’s a future Picasso in the family, this personalized set is just what they’ll want this season. There’s a place for all 80 pieces, so clean up is a breeze, and budding artists will have every tool required to produce their latest masterpiece. SHOP IT: $19, walmart.com

Source: Yahoo Lifestyle

Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Round Wood and Wire Tray

Rustic meets minimalist design with this dual-use tray, which can be used as a decorative or serving piece. Either way, the hostess in your life will absolutely love it. SHOP IT: $30 (on sale, $21), target.com

Source: Yahoo Lifestyle

Herschel Supply Co. Amenity Kit

Nomads and business travelers alike agree that flying is all about comfort. They’ll also agree on this cozy travel amenity kit complete with plush slippers, a comfy neck pillow and the all-important sleep mask. SHOP IT: $30, urbanoutfitters.com

Source: Yahoo Lifestyle

Totemic Jewelry Stand

We all know a few bauble lovers, and this unusual jewelry stand will make their heart skip a beat. The marble, brass and stainless steel piece is as gorgeous as the necklaces and bracelets that will hang from it. SHOP IT: $48, anthropologie.com

Source: Yahoo Lifestyle

Better Homes & Gardens Framed Photo Holder with Chalkboard and Magnetic Message Board

Take the personalized route and gift the growing family a collage of photo memories. This unique frame has sliding barn doors that reveal a chalkboard and magnetic board too. SHOP IT: $30, walmart.com

Source: Yahoo Lifestyle

Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Appetizer Plates with Stand Set

Appetizer plates are often overlooked, and there’s never enough of them. This minimalist set is the perfect addition for any kitchen and will be much appreciated by the busy host or hostess. SHOP IT: $30 (on sale, $21), target.com

Source: Yahoo Lifestyle

Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Textured Stoneware Pitcher

There’s something very versatile about this pitcher’s rustic-meets-modern design. The kitchen basic can easily double as a vase, and its neutral coloring will complement any aesthetic. SHOP IT: $21 (on sale, $15), target.com

Source: Yahoo Lifestyle