#company branding swag

[flywheelbrands]

What are some companies/websites that can brand products/swag?

In today's competitive business landscape, strong branding is essential for standing out and leaving a lasting impression. Probably nothing reminds one of your brand better than the well-chosen company branding swag. From customized mugs to personalized notebooks, these items aren't just promotional tools—they're a way to build and maintain a cohesive experience for both employees and clients. Branded merchandise fosters loyalty and enhances the overall perception of your brand, ensuring it stays top of mind. Read More: https://qr.ae/p29c6M

[fionapoppy]

Thoughtful and Innovative Employee Gifts Ideas to Show Your Appreciation

Company swag is not simply about customized t-shirts or promotional items with unique company logos. It helps people see and think about your company better. Plus, it shows what your workplace is like. Making customized company branded swag can make your company unique.

[attabrand]

New designs on New threads check us out on Instagram

@attabrandapparel

[kiefbowl]

this is a random thought I had in the shower actually well over a month ago, but I've been gnawing at it in my brain...and perhaps this is going to sound pathetic and a bit esoteric.

So, it suddenly dawned on me very randomly while I was showering that I have been paying for netflix for my own account since I was a freshman in college. Back in the dvd days, I remember having Firefly sent to me disk by disk my fall semester. This is 2009. It was an important part of college because I let my friends use it on their console and we'd all go to their dorm and watch streaming, and I passed out my log in to a ton of friends. I basically provided free Netflix to more or less 10 or so people over the course of four years for not even $7 a month I think.

What hit me though was that means, this year - that will be 15 years. That's what stopped me in my shower to stare off in the abyss for like 10 minutes and what's been on my mind for the past several weeks. I've been paying netflix for 15 years, which is the longest I've ever done anything. There is no other company I've so consistently paid for like this either, not for that many of years not even close. Quite possibly my longest relationship outside of my family and 2-3 other people. Netflix, the ever constant, of all forsaken things.

And what really bothers me about it is that, uhm, not to be an American consumer but like...I don't feel appreciated by netflix. For the past few years, I've barely used it, except for a few titles I've wanted to watch. I haven't passed out my log in since I changed it not long after college to keep an ex using it for free. I've remained loyal, despite the fact that I don't feel like some sort of loyal consumerist. I don't give a fuck about brands, I try to shop as little as possible, thrift what I can. And yet, what can I say? I actually am a loyal consumerist, to netflix that is.

What a shock to realize this, and what a shock to realize netflix does not acknowledge this, no email saying thanks, no surveys, no swag, no pizza party, no invite no perk no discount no nothing. Instead they raise prices, cut services, lose licenses, and cancel barely finished products. I'm 15 years loyal to this company for this?

And I think about the days of yore, but really not long ago. The preferred shopper's catalogues of department stores, the longtime shopper promotions of industry giants, the award systems for the loyal consumerists of chains and malls. The specialty Christmas items that are today vintage and worth money for their rarity. The thank yous, the special events. The mailers that say "Come to our store loyal customer and receive a free $20 coupon for that day!" And I'm not saying this is good, and of course it's all just marketing and advertisement, and I'm not saying this is the life I want to live...

But I am saying this would be easy for netflix to do, for someone like me. Someone who went from $7 to stream and receive DVDs, who got customers onboard when the model was new and the company was pioneering, to $20 to sit unused but for a month or two out of the year. It would be easy to pull the data. It would be easy to say which accounts have been opened the longest, to actually verify who has given 180 months worth of payments to them. It would be easy to give me a year's discount to say thank you. It would be easy for them to send an email to verify my address to send me merch. Do I want the merch? No, not really. But have they tried?

Have they even sent me an email saying "We appreciate your 15 years of support! We value you!" with little confetti animation? They didn't do it at 10 years. They didn't do it at 5 years. I don't recall ever receiving emails from netflix besides "Unfortunately, our payment model is changing."

As of today, I haven't pulled my account yet. I want to finish Bridgerton, even if this season is a snoozefest. But I think I will. I feel had and used, as pathetic as that sounds. Has Hulu done anything different? I can't remember when I signed up for them but it's been many years. No, but I frankly use it more, so I'm less angry. And with netflix...it's been fifteen years. They have really banked on us being passive in our payments, and accustomed to the freedom of endless choice, and it just feels gleeful that they never even once acknowledged I've been here this whole time. Actually, act like Sears and Bloomingdales 60 years ago, or we quit I think we should say. Ask me my address to send me a glass netflix mug or I'll fuck off, because who do you think you are to think so little of me, the only reason you exist for?

[n7punk]

I have no idea what this is from: collection

Y'all know I've been compiling all the She-ra merch in existence for the last... wow I think it has been a full year. Anyway, certain things have come up over time that I just can't trace an origin for, some included in my masterpost and some not, so I want to talk about it.

Best guess: Staff Swag/Recruitment

Sticker with Dreamworks careers social media branding on the back, also sold with a solely Dreamworks-branded pin.

I'm guessing this was given out to interns or prospective employees, likely at onboarding or recruitment events. I don't think it (at least this specific one) was ever in the hands of the Crew-ra mostly due to the person selling if stating they haven't even seen the show. I'm really leaning towards recruitment swag for this, but since those events are usually outside of the public eye and I'm too scwawed to message the seller for context, this sticker and any other SPOP swag given out to employees will continue to remain ambiguous (well, aside from the crew hoodies we know about, see below).

Best guess: Event Staff

T-shirt with the BFS on the front, She-ra logo on the back, Dreamworks logo on one sleeve, and Netflix logo on the other.

The shop that was selling this mostly sells crew, staff, and stunt memorabilia from various movies. To my knowledge, the crew clothes for She-ra only consisted of hoodies - there are multiple posts from crew referencing the hoodies, including Grey Chen talking about their puppy getting ahold of one and ripping it up, to which another crew member replied they might still have a few in the office. Never any reference to "well at least I have the shirt". There are photos of the crew at events wearing other She-ra shirts available to the general public or that even seem to be fanmade, but I haven't spotted this shirt yet. I think most likely this was worn by staff at a con or similar event. Haven't been able to track anything down, though, I just know this is too much effort with the extra logos to be for the general public. If anyone has photos of the staff organizing the crew meet and greets hit me up...

Best guess: I have no fucking idea PT I & II

Mostly blank white shirt with She-ra, Swift Wind, and the show logo on the front, nothing on the back.

This not from the same company (Port & Company) that distributes the Amazon POD clothing, and while it looks close to one of the POD designs, it is unique and I can't find any record of it being sold online. My best guess is this was at a con booth (perhaps the Scholastic one) or maybe given out after a panel (we know they did that with posters, but this is quite the leap in production cost for a freebie like that). I'm assuming this was done officially because Jerzees is a wholesale distributor, but maybe an Etsy ordered a ton or something. It would be very weird for them to include the logo in that case, though. This one really stumps me.

... Do you see what I'm dealing with. This is basically the same shirt as the last, except it isn't, and I have no idea where it's from, because I've never heard of the brand "M & M" before! The graphic is so much bigger I thought it was a youth size at first but the seller claims it's regular medium. The only idea contender I have is once again Scholastic (I have no reasons to think Scholastic had shirts, I told you that I'm stumped on these, okay). Maybe reviewer/influencer swag?

[storiesbyjes2g]

3.119 Sparkly eyes

After enduring so much pain and heartache, adrenaline coursed through our veins, and our hearts pounded with excitement. We had to get out and celebrate our new chapter and returned to that fancy restaurant in Tartosa. Sophia glowed with joy over her pregnancy, and the sizzling hot leather dress she put on only made her even more stunning. Her radiant smile illuminated the entire place, and her eyes sparkled with a mix of joy and contentment. The way that dress clung to her curves accentuated her little baby bump, making her even more captivating. She had a gentle sway in her step and moved with a newfound grace. As for me, the weight of our struggles lifted, and I felt a surge of confidence I hadn't experienced in a very long time. I stood taller and squared my shoulders, dripping triumph and pride and newfound purpose. Other diners glanced at us as we strolled by, swagged out in all black. If they thought we were celebrities, I wouldn't blame them. We certainly felt like millionaires.

The hosted placed us in what I felt was the best seat in the house. We were inside, but right on the edge of the patio that had a great view of the ocean. As if on cue, as soon as I opened the menu, my phone rang; it was my sister. A lingering unease from last night made me hesitant to answer, especially knowing whatever she had to say might sour my mood. It wasn't just her unexpected pregnancy that unsettled me; it was the persistent apathy and weirdness I dealt with my entire life. I was at a place in my life where I wanted peace, and more often than not, she disrupted my peace. But despite my reservations, I answered the call. She was my sister, after all, and I loved her. As soon as I picked up, she dove straight into gossiping about Mama and Dwayne without so much as a greeting, causing my eyes to roll. She said something about an argument and him storming out of the house but didn't overhear any details.

Women were funny creatures and did weird stuff of whom Mama and Alessia were chief. I didn't think I would ever understand them and had to learn to be okay with that. So many questions came to mind, particularly why Mama wouldn't marry Dwayne, but frankly, I didn't care. That subject always disrupted my peace, and my wife's sparkling eyes beckoned for my attention. I told Less I was out with Sophia and would see her tomorrow at the party.

The ambiance in the restaurant seemed to match our high spirits. Soft music floated in the background, mixing with the clinking of glasses and low hum of conversation. The setting sun cast a warm glow on the patio that mirrored the warmth in our hearts. We finally broke free from the emotional prison that had trapped us. Everything felt brand new and wonderful as we rejoiced in the moment. We savored every bite of our meals, cherished each other's company, and laughed louder than ever before. The life we dreamed of was finally within our grasp, and every touch, every taste was a celebration of that victory we fought so hard to reach. We were invincible. Nothing could dampen our spirits or dim the sparkle in our eyes.

The sun had completed its descent by the time we finished dinner. I still had so much excitement brewing inside and wasn't ready to go home yet, so I asked Sophia to dance. The restaurant wasn't designed for dancing, but she didn't let that bother her like they do in the movies. She got up immediately, grabbed my hand, and pressed her body against mine. Her baby bump was so small, but I loved feeling it pressed into my stomach as we danced. It was odd, but I really felt like there were three of us present in that moment.

"How do you feel?" I asked.

"I'm good," she purred. "I'm better than good."

She turned around and gazed at the ocean, caressing her belly so tenderly. Knowing the baby couldn't feel what she was doing, could it feel the loving energy emanating from her hands? Did it know how much we loved it despite not being fully developed yet?

"I'm glad to hear it... Are you scared at all?"

"About which part?"

"I guess... The part where we're in charge of this little sim for the next 63 days and making sure they turn out decent."

"Hmmm...that does sound daunting. I'm not scared, though."

"Yeah?"

She turned around to face me, assaulting me with those sparkly eyes, and my readiness to return home increased exponentially.

"You're a good sim...I'm a good sim. We make a great team, and between us both, we have enough examples of what not to do, so I think the odds are in our favor," she said.

"That's a good way to put it."

She reached for my hands and held them gently.

"Let's promise that we'll always make time for this," she said.

"Date nights?"

"Maybe. I mean, let's make sure we always have time for us, no matter what that looks like."

I knew exactly what she meant because I saw it play out despite my parents' estrangement. Mama was always so wrapped up in making sure we felt loved and comfortable. She didn't really start taking time for herself until we were well into our teens, and Dad started much later. Raising children took a lot of effort and energy, and I watched my parents get sucked into our atmosphere time after time. My child wasn't even born yet, and it still consumed many of my thoughts. And knowing how mesmerized we'd be after its born, we definitely needed to make that promise. My love for Sophia will never die, but I could see us sacrificing our togetherness for the sake of our child's well-being, especially after working so hard to bring it into the world.

"I promise I will always make time to celebrate us."

[riseofthecommonwoodpile]

a company i love who focuses on physical media distribution of restored classic or otherwise notable porn did a sale on Valentine's day, and I bought way too much (by which I mean not enough). It arrived yesterday, and you know how lots of smaller places you order from will throw in a sticker or a button or something with your purchase? their free misc swag was a branded condom.

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this essay from Sierra Club:

I’ve spent years encouraging people to ditch single-use plastic. Probably the most egregious example of single-use plastic is bottled water: The bottles are made from fossil fuels, the water filling them is often taken from communities and ecosystems that need it, and the pollution created when they’re disposed of will outlast all of us.

So when I heard that people were getting excited about the Stanley cup—a durable, reusable alternative to bottled water—at first it seemed like a victory. Stanley drinkware has been around for decades, mostly marketed as a rugged brand for workmen and outdoorsmen. But recently the company repackaged its signature products in a rainbow of colors and began marketing to women, positioning itself as a lifestyle brand for people headed to the carpool line or yoga class. Stanley’s collaborations with influencers sparked a storm of social media buzz, with people rushing to snatch up the latest limited edition and amassing collections of the colorful tumblers. The excitement over the Stanley cup grew into a fad—and that fad has become costly for the planet.

Unfortunately, Stanley cups are far from the only eco-conscious product to get corrupted by consumerism. Earth Day is just around the corner, and my inbox is currently filling up with Earth Day promotions from nearly every company that’s gotten ahold of my email address.

A few months ago, I bought a new pair of organic cotton pants from a company that uses minimal packaging and donates to conservation. I loved the fit and felt good about my purchase. But now that it’s almost Earth Day, this eco-conscious company is trying to make me believe that the only way to help the planet is to buy another pair of pants. By commercializing Earth Day, we’ve missed the point.

It's like this every year. Earth Day has become another “Hallmark holiday” marked by special sales and promotions, just another excuse to get people to spend money on things they don’t really need. Somehow, it’s even become an opportunity to shower kids with gifts. An HGTV article published last year promotes “20 Buys to Help Kids Celebrate Earth Day Every Day.” The gift suggestions range from wooden toys and organic cotton tees to kid-sized gardening tools and animal-adorned dinnerware made from bamboo.

Now, there’s nothing inherently wrong with a junior gardening kit or bamboo dinnerware. In fact, many of the ideas on these lists are better-than-average products in terms of environmental impact. Anything that gets kids interacting with the environment is better than cheap, plastic indoor toys; if you’re in the market for durable plates your kids can’t break, looking for sustainable materials is a good call. The problem is that we’re being sold a myth that shopping is the solution to our environmental crises.

The first Earth Day was a call to action against rampant air and water pollution. Twenty million people took part in demonstrations across the United States, and the movement led to the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency and some of our country’s strongest environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act. There were rallies and teach-ins around the country. People talked about the connections between environmental health and poverty, population pressure and pesticides. There were gardening workshops and automobile burials. It was a political, radical, and joyous event. No one went home with a swag bag full of face creams in recyclable jars and bamboo plates for the kids.

Earth Day has been watered down from a revolutionary moment that recognized shared values and the common threat of environmental harm to a day that’s little more than a social media hashtag like National Siblings Day or National Ice Cream Day. No amount of sustainable Earth Day purchases can buy our way out of the climate crisis or protect endangered species from extinction.

When environmental action is defined by the types of products we buy, we’ve really lost the plot.

[eventstrendsandtips]

Top 10 Hottest Event Trends You Can’t Ignore in 2024

As someone who’s been attending and covering events for years, I've seen firsthand how the industry constantly evolves. 2024 is shaping up to be an exciting year with some trends that are simply too hot to ignore. Here are my top 10 picks for the hottest event trends that you should definitely keep an eye on.

Immersive Experiences: Attendees want more than just a seat at the table—they want to be part of the action. Virtual reality, augmented reality, and interactive installations are turning ordinary events into extraordinary experiences.

Sustainability: Eco-conscious events are becoming the gold standard. From zero-waste catering to sustainable decor, planners are making green choices that resonate with today’s environmentally aware audience.

Personalization: People love feeling like an event was designed just for them. Whether it’s personalized swag, custom apps, or experiences tailored to individual tastes, personalization is key.

Hybrid Events: Combining in-person and virtual elements, hybrid events are here to stay. They offer flexibility and accessibility, allowing more people to join in on the fun, no matter where they are.

Health and Safety: Post-pandemic, health and safety remain top priorities. Expect to see enhanced sanitation, contactless check-ins, and more spacious layouts becoming the norm.

Tech-Driven Networking: Networking has gone high-tech. With AI-powered matchmaking and virtual lounges, making meaningful connections at events has never been easier—or more exciting.

Interactive Food Stations: The days of boring buffets are over. Interactive food stations, where guests can customize their meals or enjoy live cooking demos, are adding flavor to events in more ways than one.

360 Photo Booths: Capturing memories has evolved far beyond the traditional photo booth. 360 photo booths are taking events by storm, offering a dynamic, full-circle experience that guests can’t get enough of. These booths provide immersive, shareable content perfect for social media, making them a must-have at any event. For example, I’ve noticed that 360 photo booth rentals in Orlando are becoming increasingly popular, with attendees raving about the unique and engaging experience they offer.

Experiential Marketing: Brands are getting more creative with how they engage attendees. Through experiential marketing, companies are leaving lasting impressions that go far beyond the typical swag bag.

Pop-Up Experiences: Pop-ups are popping up everywhere, and they’re as popular as ever. These temporary, mobile experiences are surprising attendees and adding an unexpected element to events.

These trends are making waves in the events world, ensuring that each gathering is more engaging and memorable than the last. Whether you're planning an event or just attending, keeping these trends in mind will help you stay ahead of the curve and fully enjoy everything 2024 has to offer.

[bayesic-bitch]

18,19,23

18. do you still love stuffed animals?

I've never really been a big fan of stuffed animals guy tbh. I never really felt like I knew what to do with them. Part of this is probably related to the fact that I didn't really know how to interact with real animals either until I was in college.

19. most important thing in your life?

my partner <3

23. favorite piece of clothing?

okay wait here me out. a single unpaired sock from the Toyota Research Institute.

about a year and a half ago I went to a machine learning conference, and like all robotics/machine learning conferences, all the big companies had representatives there doing recruiting. Most of these have the little give-aways that they annoyingly call "swag" -- pens, tote bags, stickers, etc with company branding. Now, for some reason, Toyota (which was there bc they have a big robotics research program) did not have pens, tote bags, or stickers. they were giving away socks. I don't know why they were giving away socks, but they're actually really comfortable, unlike the visibly cheap and pens. anyway this stupid little pair of Toyota socks has been stuck in my head since. I lost one of them but I still have the other and wear it, mismatched, as a sort of good luck charm for machine-learning-related events.

[flywheelbrands]

Elevating Your Brand with Company Promotional Products

The contemporary business world has become highly competitive, and hence, creating a lasting impact on the customers is of the utmost importance for all businesses, no matter what their size might be. A successful means to realize this is by putting company promotional products of the company in a tactical manner. However, during such times when the consumers are flooded with messages of marketing from all sides like a comedy director would use light and darkness in equal grins to bring that moment when he loses control, personalization is what must be championed for impact. Read More: https://www.zupyak.com/p/4032307/t/elevating-your-brand-with-company-promotional-products

[samuel-de-champagne-problems]

hello friend!

i went down a criminal minds wiki rabbit hole and found out that the actor that played derek's childhood nemesis (rodney harris), was ALSO friends w shemar. but wait- this is where it gets juicy- shemar created a swag company called BabyGirl LLC (the infamous baby girl hat) to raise money for MS (a condition his mom had). apparently in 2016 shemar friend/that actor (keith tisdall) STOLE 60k from the company and was arrested. crazy.

https://www.projectcasting.com/blog/news/keith-tisdell-criminal-minds/

anyways... i just HAD to share. back to my readings for school. 👋

DAMN!!!!

that’s nuts!! i didn’t know he has a brand and that’s really great he pays it forward in honor of his mom

but i mean i guess someone told his white collar crimes to the FBI

[i-hear-a-sound]

RWBY

Thank you for the ask! Here we go:

Favorite female character? Ilia Penny Pyrrha Ruby Nora(!!!!) Emerald Weiss and most of all… maria😔she’s so fucking funny i loved her energy v6. Further explanations, Ilia has an adorable design, great voice actor and decent enough representation. Nora’s timeskip design was unmatched and she’s very quotable, plus her personality reminds me of one of my close friends irl. Ruby’s struggles in V9 (until they fucked that up) really hit with me as I’d gone through something very similar, and Penny… Penny just makes me happy. What they did with her makes me angry, but Penny makes me smile. :D

Favorite male character? I got a couple but at the moment it’s tied by Sun and Roman. Sun has fun energy and Roman is himself and iconic. Others are: James is hot and so is the bad bird BF he got by being autistic. Mercury is cool for the 5 seconds of screentime he gets every volume now. Tyrian and Watts got impeccable swag and the 5 hour long make out scene between the two of them was very interesting. Adam is cathartic and fun as hell to write my little meow meow. Jaune is best when he’s just a little loser dork, and Ren is very pretty.

Favorite Volume? Surprise surprise, Volume 3. I fucking love tournament arcs. I. Love. Tournament. Arcs.

Favorite Episode? That whole Apathy Arc in V6!!! Great horror in my opinion. I wish they’d show off more creative Grimm like that again. And as a side note, V6 is just… the best looking volume.

Favorite cast member? If they count, Jeff and Casey!! SUCH good music.

Favorite ship? *cracks knuckles* Freezerburn, Catmeleon, Monochrome, Schne//ekos, Pussy Magnet Purrah, Greek fire, nuts and dolts, Bees Schnees, Khali, Spicecream, Seamonkeys, Emercury, If there’s one between Ilia and Ruby put it here, Ginger Snaps, Arctic Winter, Silver Lotus, *looks at writings on my palm* Snow pines, Ironqrow, James x Oz, Crimsun, Strawbana, Nuts and Volts, and Rosebird. To name a few. Some might not be my favorites, these are just ones I like/like in concept. :) Character I’d die defending? Sienna fucking Khan. The whole White Fang, honestly. I do think protesting through violence against your oppressors is very swag and real actually. Plus she’s hot.

A character I can’t sympathize with? Uhhhhhh…… SALEM!!!!!!!!!! Cinder too ish but Salem mostly. Like, I feel a TINY bit bad, only because the gods are undeniably awful garbage horrible terrible. She still sucks though.

A character I grew to love? …Adam. I did not give a single shit about his decently attractive redhead ass until that reveal and his death in V6. He has become my blorbo; my skrunkly. My cringefail loser, my girly pop. Engrained within my brain like a silly silly worm. He’s fun to draw. Fun to write. REALLY fun to write. I can put him in so many situations. So many bittersweet, melancholic situations. And in so many outfits.

My Anti-otp? Ive got a couple.

Bumbl//Bee. Not my thing. Could have been, had they not continually tried making “Only disabled main character losing her arm” something “romantic” as well as paralleling said character to her partner’s… um… ex abuser? Hello?

Embe//rald. Fuck Abusive ships.

Taura//donna. Fuck Abusive ships.

Frostbite. This one is actually one of my least favorite ships, as it is essentially a pairing between the ex-racist ex-heiress of a huge company to the in universe minority said company enslaved and branded while he was a child. Plus, again. Fuck. Abusive. Ships.

Ar//kos. Not… my… thing.

Winter and Marrow or Robyn and Marrow. Nope nope nope. No. Thank. You.

Etc etc etc I could go on all day. Thank you for the ask!

[lovely-oleander]

The Couture Bridal Fantasy

On her wedding day, it is every bride's dream to feel the most beautiful that she has ever felt in her lifetime. And sometimes, to feel like your most beautiful self, one has to step outside of the conventional and into the fantastical. Dropped waists and "angelic silhouettes" were identified by Brides magazine as trends spotted during the New York Bridal Fashion week this year, harkening back to the ideas of the historical and the fantastic. Three couture bridal companies: Cinq, Danielle Frankel, and Nicole + Felicia, are exploring the collaboration of the historical and the fantastic with their breathtaking and groundbreaking Spring 2025 Bridal Collections, displayed earlier this month at New York Bridal Fashion Week.

The first image is from Nicole + Felicia's Spring 2025 collection, which has the overarching theme "Wonderland" to encompass the wonder and magic of a bride's wedding day, while also making a callback to the "Alice in Wonderland" book series, about a young girl who enters a world of absurd fantasy. Nicole + Felecia, a sister-owned brand, is most well-known for making couture gowns for celebrities, including ballgowns for Taylor Swift's "Eras" tour and red carpet looks for Jennifer Lopez and Janelle Monáe, though they have been designing bridal collections since 2018. This look, labeled simply as "Look 4" features a dramatic ballgown silhouette and detachable leg-of-mutton sleeves. These details invoke the past while also creating a sense of modernity alongside the fantastical with the ultra-deep v neckline, creating balance and yes, wonder.

Danielle Frankel's bridal wear has exploded in popularity since opening launching her brand in 2017, being worn by celebrities such as Julia Garner, Alexandria Daddario and AnnaSophia Robb. According to a Vouge Australia article from October 2022, the brand has become the "go-to for cool girl brides" and the "Cora" look pictured above exudes the "cool girl" aesthetic, with a "draped soft tulle bodice with swagged sleeve and hand painted floral illusion tulle overlay" the modern and the fantastical are balanced here in an unexpected and exciting way, a treat for the bride who wants to indulge in the fantastical and unconventional. There is something Grecian about many of Frankel's looks, and the "Cora" is no exception, with the column-esque silhouette and intentional draping reflecting a respect for fashion history while also playing around with modern elements. The exposed midriff and pants that this look comes with push the boundaries of what bridal wear can be.

Cinq's fourth collection (stylized as IV) had a truly breathtaking presentation at New York Bridal Fashion Week, inviting guests into an intimate dinner party setting for their fashion show, and allowing them to indulge in the fantasy of their new collection. From the home page of their website, the brand identifies their philosophy: "For centuries human beings have taken part in rituals, marriage being one of the most sacred and coveted. Cinq was created for the bride that connects on an emotional level to her gown, it’s not just the dress .. it’s a precious, fleeting moment in time.. it’s the feeling when she’s wearing it.. it’s the moment of reflection. The Cinq bride emanates a unique progressive nostalgia combining vintage silhouettes with modern details. Dressed in a garment that stands as an ode to the past poised for the future - detailed to cast a moment into memory, for her."

Overall, it's clear from these stunning looks that the modern couture bride wants to indulge in her fantasies when shopping for her dress. However, be warned, these looks will cost the bride (or whoever is paying for the dress) a pretty penny. "Cora" retails for just under 6 thousand (one of the less pricey Danielle Frankel gowns), with Nicole + Felicia and Cinq gowns coming in at around similar price points. However, these are prices that many brides are willing to pay in order to get to live out their own personal fantasies on the day of their wedding, a day that is often regarded in our collective mindset as a day that should be full of magic, romance, and whimsy, all of which can be elevated by the "perfect" dress choice.

Sources:

https://www.vogue.com.au/brides/news/danielle-frankel-bridal-designer/image-gallery/92e15cc078683ebf890d1369e3763fc7

[invisibleraven]

Oooohhhh 26 double date, couples of your choice

Julie had to admit, one of the perks of being a rock star was the free stuff. Sure, a lot of brands sent her and the guys stuff hoping they'll promote them, or get caught wearing them, and sometimes Julies does-as long as Flynn thoroughly vets the company first. Swag from places that have values she doesn't agree with go to the trash or donated unopened.

It also made going places a little easier-well, in a way. Sure all she had to do was drop her name and she'd get a reservation right away, but it was always a guessing game if the restaurant would call the paps or help ushered them out the back.

But for this place? Julie was willing to take the chance.

The Silver Spoon was the hottest place in town, booked up for months, and the reviews were raves. And Julie wanted to go.

"Ooh, see if we can come too would ya?" Willie asks, somewhat jokingly. "We can double date!"

"Leave my aroace ass out of it!" Luke yelled. "That place requires sleeves and probably serves tiny portions at exorbitant prices. I'll enjoy a large pizza in peace!"

Reggie looked tempted at the thought of pizza, but smiled at Julie. "A chance to dress up fancy with my best girl and have a night on the town with two of my best buds? Count me in."

Flynn worked her magic, and somehow got them a fourtop in a week's time. "They will probably call the paps," she warned. "But like, the nicer ones, or even the entertainment rags. Might be good publicity."

"Thanks Flynnie," Julie replied with an air kiss. "Surprised that you didn't try to work in a table with you and Carrie."

"Eh, not really my scene, and Carrie is gone vegan this month, so she'd starve there."

Date night came and the four of them dressed smart, in nice suits, and Julie in a slinky gold coloured dress, her hair in a twisted updo, and flushed when Reggie gave a low whistle, spinning her around.

"Looking good darlin', as always."

Julie came and straightened his lapels, pressing a tender kiss to his mouth, then swiping away her lip stain. "You clean up pretty nice yourself."

"Yeah yeah, we all look hot, let's go," Alex grumbled, but he was smiling, so none of them were offended. Luke told them all to have fun, but he was still staying home with his pizza, his murder mystery movies, and his notebooks.

Julie was fairly certain he'd be happier that way, but she was excited to go out to eat.

Thankfully there was no cameras waiting outside the restaurant, and they all breathed a sigh of relief. Even more so when the hostess treated them like regular people, professional, but not simpering.

The free bread was delicious, the water sparkling almost as much as the crystal it was served in, and Reggie looked almost afraid to touch anything. "It's like I'm gonna get charged for smudging the silverware," he whispered.

"It is really fancy," Willie admitted. "But super nice. So let's just eat and enjoy ourselves right?"

"Just start the the outside fork and work inwards," Alex said. The other three looked at him and he shrugged. "My parents made me take etiquette lessons."

"That tracks," Julie admitted.

They looked over the menu, which worryingly did not include prices, but they all found something that sounded appetizing. Willie went with a seafood salad, giggling with delight at the tiny octopi in it, even if he said the texture was a bit weird. Alex stuck with a simple ravioli dish, but admitted the truffles were buttery and delicious.

Julie opted for a dish of sole, in a spicy sauce and some glazed vegetables on the side, all of which almost melted in her mouth. She held a forkful up to Reggie who stifled a moan as he ate it, agreeing that she had made an excellent choice.

"How's your filet?" she asked.

"Deadly," he replied, cutting her off a slice and Julie was surprised by the smoky flavour and the softness of the meat.

"Oh wow, that is delicious," she said. "I see why everyone is raving about this place."

"Thanks for bringing us," Willie said, toasting his glass of rosé. "To good food and friends."

They all clicked glasses, devouring the rest of their food, chatting about their latest album, Willie's latest art piece, a few fellow celebrities they spied also eating there, and debating dessert.

"I'm stuffed," Alex said to Willie. "But if you get something, I'll share it."

"You mean eat half?" Willie joked. "Sounds good. I'm getting the tiramisu."

"There's a separate stomach for dessert, don't you know that Lexie?' Reggie joked. "I think I want the bread pudding."

"Can I have some if I get the cheesecake and share?" Julie asked.

"Of course darlin'," Reggie assured her. "My dessert is yours." He pressed a kiss to her knuckles. "As is my heart."

"You two are cornballs," Alex said.

"We're not much better," Willie admitted, pulling Alex in with a loud smooch to his cheek. "Right hot dog?"

Alex blushed and grumbled, but he looked so pleased and goofy that they all knew how he felt.

If dinner was good, the desserts were to die for, and Julie almost didn't want to share her cheesecake after the first bite, but grudgingly did, and was pleased by the sweet flavour of Reggie's pudding.

Finally it was time to settle the bill, and Julie was sure her eyes went wide at the price, even for just her and Reggie's portion, but they all admitted, the food was pretty darn good, but this wouldn't be a place they frequented, even with the amount of money they all had. Growing up valuing money had made them a bit more thrifty, despite their fame.

Alex and Willie went off in their own direction as they parted, saying something about a moonlight stroll, and Julie wished them a good night. She and Reggie headed back to the house, where Luke was waiting.

"Hey, good night?" he asked.

"The best," Reggie said. "Yours?"

"Not bad. There's pizza left if you want."

"Maybe for breakfast," Reggie replied, grinning as Julie lead him by his tie towards their room. "Night's not over yet."

"Gross." Luke stuck his tongue out at them and dutifully put on his noise cancelling headphones.

Reggie just laughed, and then scooped Julie up, giggling all the way to bed. They were a bit busy when Alex and Willie got in, but the next morning, over cold pizza and hot coffee, all agreed to many more double dates in the future.

[awesome-casuallyfamouscollector]

When MG changed hands to China's SAIC back in the Aughts, eyebrows raised for sure. Back then, tiny hatches that fell into the "aggressively OK" category were the order of the day, as was the old MG TF sports car, of course. But nothing the company produced seemed to justify the endless MG branded swag you could buy on the internet(..)

Then, in 2022, the MG4 arrived. It was based on a new purpose-built EV platform with a look that meant it wouldn’t blend in, respectable ranges from sensibly sized batteries, acceptable performance and, perhaps most importantly, a keen price point. It was something of a breath of fresh air. Its rivals were all more expensive, though more familiar. That wasn’t enough to protect their market share.

If you head to certain bits of the United Kingdom, the MG4 is absolutely everywhere. Stand on a street corner and you’ll likely see at least a handful in no time at all—private cars, fleet drivers and Ubers alike.

Not only do normal people like it, scruffy journalists like it too. It’s won a raft of gongs for being, as the cliché goes, a ‘lil bit Goldilocks. After so much love has been heaped on it by various colleagues, I figured it was time to give it a go(..)