#conventionally approved of ideals

[kebriones]

Oh i thought because you like ancient Greek mythology you would like neoclassicism. But of course it's not the same because the ancient Greek marbles were extraordinary and inspired the neoclassicism which was European but unfortunately Greeks were participated in this :(

I think the question was what I find interesting, not what I like. I like a lot of things that I don't find interesting, and lot of things I don't like catch my interest.

however, I did include neoclassicism in my answer, as partly overlapping/ being included in academic art, but not because of its rather superficial relation to ancient greek mythology or ancient greece. I really like observing the skill and knowledge it showcases, so that's why it is interesting to me. I like a lot of ancient greek art in the same way that I like all art, that is to say, sometimes because of the concept (be is something funny or unique etc) , sometimes because it's stylized in a way that I enjoy, sometimes because I admire the skill, and sometimes because it's showing me something interesting, like pottery drawings that show mundane every day things. The vast majority of art we have from anceint greece as a whole isn't like hermes of praxiteles or the doryphoros or any other masterpiece. Masterpieces were and still are few and far between, in general. Drawing and painting in europe after the rennaisance was miles ahead of ancient greek drawing and painting in terms of skill. I don't see anything particularly extraordinary about ancient greek sculpture specifically, the same type of masterpieces were made in rome later, in the rennaisance and even nowadays, whenever artists had enough resources and the overall art climate was leaning towards more realistic renderings. The artists back then and the artists now are the same type of human. It so happened that in an area with excellent climate, wealth sources such as silver mines and overseas trade and a frankly huge amount of easily available marble, as well as political and social curcumstances that nurished the arts, this type of sculpture was developed and flourished, but drawing on centuries of experience, and prior influence from the monumental works of the ancient egyptians, at the very beginning. that's all to say that I don't think it's good to have an idealised idea of ancient greek art and we need to shake that way of thinking off asap. We must go to a museum and look at all the things, not just the 2 famous, exceptional exhibits, if we want to talk about an entire culture's (or often, slightly different sub culutures included in the same overall category) artwork. That pottery piece with the funny hoplite owl means so much more to me than the aphrodite of melos, who I frankly neither like as an art piece nor care about (and that's fine because we all have our completely subjective preferences for art), and the overwhelming majority of art from minoan to hellenistic times leans more towards the first in terms of what I would call measurable skill for lack of a better word.

TL:DR That's an inexcusably long rant form my part to say that I don't think the neoclassical masterpieces were in any objective way infrerior to the masterpieces from the 5th or 4th century bce. PS There's a lot that's been said and can be said about the west's greek-excluding perception of ancient greece so i won't get into that now.

[androidetwink]

Hank and Connor's shipp would be accepted by the DBH fandom if Hank were "aesthetically" attractive and young.

(Which is false. In my opinion, Hank is quite attractive.)

A few days ago I had come across a book author who in one of her mini comics had adapted the dynamics of her ship based on DBH, specifically on Hank and Connor's relationship. I had read a couple of comments and posts about it and the public's great approval was the appearance and age of their characters. One of his characters (who would play Hank) was young and conventionally handsome.

Which makes me wonder: is the fandom's disapproval really due to Hank's appearance and age? Many take refuge in the idealization that Hank, supposedly, is the father representation in his dynamic with Connor (which is not the case. Clancy himself clarified this). However, I keep reading posts that talk about their disagreement and dissatisfaction with the shipping. I have read many comments like: “Hank is a depressed old man”, “Connor is like his son”, “why would an old man like him be with an android like Connor?” “Have you seen Hank? It's horrible."

I'm TIRED of reading that kind of shit. We would advance as a society when they stop this absurd mentality and stop harassing, humiliating and discrediting the people who make content about them.

[sailorgundam308]

Random ppl saying Karlach is “conventionally” attractive must live in an alternative reality I’m unaware of.

Is she stunning? Yes. But she does NOT fit into conventionally beauty standards for women (yes, even after her face change from EA).

Say you see a woman of color, way WAY taller than the average - let’s say 1.90m tall. She is visibly bulkier, has thick thighs, prominent abs. Wider shoulders than average.

Then, her skin (which again, isn’t white), is covered in marks. Scars, tattoos, discolorations and other “uneven” tones and textures.

On top of that, her entire right side is covered in ‘hideous’ burnt skin tissue. From her fingers to her ribs and half her chest.

But not all. She has metal pins and bits protruding from her due to some medical procedure you’re not familiar with.

And she might have facial scars too. On her very non-white facial features. Imagine she’s not only Asian - but the “wrong” kind of Asian (aka the darker side of Asia- not the mainstream-approved Japan or Korea). Maybe she’s even from the South Pacific islands.

Her hair is thicker, choppier.

And, beyond her appearance, she curses. She laughs loudly. She doesn’t act demure or quiet or feminine. She’s unapologetic about it, too. Proud of being physically stronger than most.

What an affront.

That is all to say… yes, she is stunning (to me and many of us). She’s especially more stunning BECAUSE she’s so off the scale of conventional beauty for women. You might have lived in a beautiful social bubble where women like Karlach are considered the prettiest there are, but even so, that’s not what the world at large sees as ideal beauty - for any gender, but more so for women.

That’s one of the big reasons I’m so into Karlach (and also why I have always had a soft spot for laezel too). They stick out like a sore thumb but they dgaf.

And to top it all, it’s one extra reason for me to ship the shit out of her and Astarion.

Astarion isn’t the conventional male handsomness but he does fall in a wider category of male beauty. He is the most popular male character and attracts both male and female fans.

I like him to fall for characters that would be considered way off the mainstream beauty scale. One thing I haven’t seen yet and want to do one day is make a half orc character to pair with him. Because fuck yes. And also because for me, Astarion does understand where beauty standards lay, but that lost meaning to him long ago. He’s capable of being petty and shallow but when push comes to shove, that’s not it for him.

Again, another reason as to why I’d think he’d fall head over heels for Karlach despite himself.

But yea. Going back to my point, no matter that WE think Karlach is pretty, cute, beautiful and gorgeous. That’s us being ::cough:: superior. But it doesn’t make her mainstream digestible beauty material (that’s lame shadowheart lol - sorry guys, sh is so boring to me).

Which in turn makes Karlach even more precious to me (and her and Astarion in love even more special 🖤).

Thats all the rant, for now.

[ms-scarletwings]

Upon finishing S3//Ep2 of Moral Orel, “Innocence”, Orel’s morals finally clicked for me

As happens in a show this narratively rich, I looked around at some of the close-by chatter under comment sections. People were making these observations about how Orel seemingly just goes out of his way to interpret all of the lessons he’s given in the least charitable and most nonsensical way. Not an invalid view, and for the first good part of the show, you think this is just the function of an over the top comedic bit for the formula of each episode. It’s easy to ask how on earth a seemingly kind hearted, well meaning kid like this can be THAT devoid of the basic logical implications of what he hears, or any common moral intuition that virtually everyone has, right?

Orel’s not a stupid kid. But the entire problem with him up to the point thus far is that he legit DOES NOT in fact have that intuition we expect most people, even children to have. That knee-jerk repulsion to obviously harmful actions. That really vital sense of conscience. No, I don’t mean he’s some kind of psychopath. He has a bright and almost sickeningly sweet heart and it was part of how he broke the cycle despite everything. I mean that Orel has not had a coherent moral compass modeled to him through his earlier development. His ethical axioms are ALL rooted in divine command theory. To put it simply, he doesn’t believe “god is good”, he believes “goodness” itself is “what god says is good”. Most Christians, hell, most religious people generally do not literally, consciously operate in this way, and usually even the ones that do are (mostly) still functionally average people, because usually they were at least consistently conditioned to believe that axioms like human well-being are what God commands. To at least a fortunate degree, human empathy and socialization usually is allowed to and even encouraged to develop under mainstream religious upbringings.

You notice the glaring difference though when you see what happens to people who are molded entirely by Divine Command Theory and then become convinced that their God’s divine command is something that doesn’t happen to line up with conventionally good ideals, like those given earlier. This is what destructive cults do. This is what makes crusades. This is what causes anti-sodomy laws and stoning people to death for eating the wrong kind of fish or not wearing the right clothing to happen.

Understand that this is the hinge that Orel’s whole sense of right and wrong up to this point swings on. What it means is that this little boy can, and will, justify or excuse any and all directions given to him so long as he trusts the adult talking to him as someone who speaks for God. This combined with his craving for approval, plus the fact that he’s also had it drilled in his head to never question or doubt his elders’ wisdom makes for a child zealot that is dangerously easy to manipulate to do ANYTHING and with fanatical determination. It is less than no additional help that the Puppingtons (and the majority of the townsfolk) have never been golden examples for healthy social modeling, as well. Like, sure, he’s getting glimmers of actual goodness in there such as the Jesus loves you so love yourself and help thy neighbors messaging, but it’s being inconsistently contradicted by and juggled alongside at same hierarchical importance as “lessons” like beat the shit out of people who make fists, segregate the brown people, and be terrified of the same authority you expect safety and comfort from. Why on earth is it shocking that Orel seemingly has no sense of scale or priority when it comes to the rules? The rules he’s given are subject to constant and chaotic updates and are all treated with the same gravity. Follow X and you will be promised infinite reward. Disobey X and you will be met with infinite retribution. Not just even in a spiritual heaven and hell sense, but here in life too. Clay delivers the same punishment for getting hooked on crack or becoming a serial rapist that he does for the “sin” of using slang vernacular and meditating to relieve stress.

Everything that defines his life and virtues is a matter of constant anxiety and eagerness in order to appease a patriarchal tyrant that is portrayed as both ultimately benevolent and wise,

yet incredibly vindictive, sadistic, irrational, and petty.

And I don’t think it’s a coincidence that this description can equally apply to Moralton’s conception of God and a certain alcoholic father.

No kidding when I say that Orel has so little consistent input to actually steer him in the right direction that it’s incredibly sad, to the point where he’s extremely fortunate to actually have such an optimistic and compassionate inclination at all. It only seems ridiculous how he can’t see obvious suffering and even personal detriment as any red flags to hesitate or question an action, until you remember that he’s so been domestically broken by Clay and his church that his Pavlovian response to pain is either gratitude, mild inconvenience, or, masochistic euphoria.

Nonetheless, all of this only backfires on every adult in Moralton because the one thing they can’t control or account for 24/7 is exactly how he interprets what they say, even when he’s trying his best to follow their command. It’s like a twisted Amelia Bedelia situation with him that no one actually wants to deal with, even though they all (except Stephanie) collectively played a part in creating this monster.

Censordoll was the first one who was smart and ambitious enough to see the potential for Orel’s blind subservience to be weaponized, and of freaking course she was.

Thing is, you bet the ONLY reason she stopped was because she also lost control of him, and we all know what the consequence of that was. He unintentionally yet absolutely destroyed her in the only weak point she has, yet exactly like Clay did during the “turn the other cheek” incident, she trapped herself in a situation where she couldn’t swallow her own pride in the name of reversing the damage.

What I guess I’m explaining here is that Orel’s collection of constant shenanigans, unknowingly, yet effectively, is literally a manifestation of the community’s own complete moral bankruptcy biting them back in the ass, and possibly even a divine punishment for it, depending on how you interpret the writing. Which is a HELL of a phenomenal, subtle twist to his whole premise that doesn’t abandon the original joke/satire, but instead builds upon it and adds a chasm of depth and intention.

PRETTY GREAT, HUH?~

[rustedskyprisms]

Other thing I’ve noticed is that, I was nearly 300lbs at my heaviest, and a lot of people were ugly about it. So I basically made myself get down to less than 200, in less than ideal ways. And I’ve noticed that now when I see people at my old weight getting complimented, I kinda feel like I’m getting kicked inside. Because I wonder what I did that was so unworthy of approval, what I lacked that they have. Then I start internally hating on like, conventionally attractive fat people.

The actual deal is, I was just around a lot of very fatphobic people, they took it out on me, it affected how I view my body and my weight in relation to others, and now everything inside feels like a competition that I’m always losing. It’s not deeper than that-it’s not that they’re part of the Special, Hot Fat Club and I got excluded from that, it’s the people I was around.

[lettucedloophole]

i think this is also a problem for other fat women & gender minorities but sometimes it feels like the acceptance of your fatness is contingent on the approval of a conventionally attractive man and not only is it bad for men to idealize buff guys but it means your self acceptance is conditional in at least two ways (fatphobia applying to others and thus yourself, or just fatphobia applying to yourself). been realizing i've been doing this with my husbandos being beefy masc dudes and my solution is? Making them Fat and Loving Them,

[izzielizzie]

the parallels between jake and addy’s childhoods are so so interesting to me. they were both molded by their parents at a young age to act a certain way and to have specific expectations in their lives.

ever since he was a child, jake heard about wellington avenue from his father, and how it was the "best of the best". he was raised with three homes, the perfect nuclear family, and the kind of popularity that comes from belonging to a rich, affluent family. and he was told by his father and society at large to expect that and more as he grew up.

as he got older and became more conventionally handsome, his father started to tell him what kind of girl he should look for: someone sweet, submissive, beautiful and willing to see his success as her own. she had to be the perfect accessory for his perfect life, one filled with the kind of accomplishments expected of the son of a rich, prominent lawyer.

as for addy, she was moulded into the perfect accessory of jake's dreams by her mother. the only time she showed addy affection was when she was prepping her for beauty pageants. as a little girl desperate for her mother's love and approval, addy turned herself into a beauty pageant and homecoming court kind of girl. and along with her mother's desire for the perfect daughter, addy saw the way her mother struggled with her relationships, and the way ashton was praised for marrying a handsome lawyer. the importance of the perfect appearance, and perfect family, was drilled into addy too. she was too young to be the wife of a lawyer, so she chose the next best thing: the son of a rich lawyer from a perfect family.

jake and addy could have followed down the paths set up for them, and jake was more than willing to do so (and even felt entitled to it), expect that addy had someone in her life who was able to see through the perfect family façade. both ashton and katherine riordan understood that the "perfect family" was detrimental, but katherine let scott continue to push his ideals onto jake after alex died. and ashton actively tried to convince addy that there was more to life than hanging onto jake's arm.

if katherine had done for jake what ash did for addy, then this story could have been very different. 

[ardentguilt]

FAQ

18+?

Yes. Mun is a 1994 baby and this is an 18+ blog as it will contain adult themes at times so no minors should follow and i MEAN THIS as there CAN absolutely be real legal consequences.

Any Specific tagging?

Yes. I tag common things that tend to freak people out and will tag things if asked to within reason.

i tag spiders as #spider snakes as #snake and insects as #bug or #insect.

As for me all i ask is that if i follow you that you tag skeletons, specifically human skeletons and skulls as that is something that will get to me. (Halloween on tungle is not a fun time for me ;-;)

I see you have animals? how many?

many. 2 cats, 2 central bearded dragons, 1 rescue bird and a LOT of fish.

I heard you wrote a book?

You heard right. i have written and had published an informative guide to keeping bearded dragons as pets which i wrote specifically to provide an easy to understand, vet approved and up to date beginner friendly guide to help give new or prospective dragon owners a good start point for learning about these amazing reptiles and their needs.

This book is available as a paperback or digital eBook and you can find it by searching 'Guide to Bearded Dragons as Pets by Jordan Bonner' on Amazon, Kobo, Apple Books or you can contact me directly to place an order if you dont want to give your $$$ to Apple or Amazon (IE i can input your shipping address into the printers order form and show you the cost then you can pay that via a Direct Transfer/PayID where i'll them put your order in directly to the print company who will send the book/s to your shipping address)

DUDE, why do you have a native bird in your house!?

Cricket is indeed an Australian Native Noisy Miner. He was orphaned as a nestling during a storm and rescued from stormwaters. Ideally he would have been raised to being able to fend for himself then re-released however his extremely young age, specific species and being a honeyeater tend to make for a very difficult re-release.

Cricket turned out non-releasable and as such would not survive in the wild without a flock. I am a holder of the required licencing and certifications to have his species and as such him staying with me is the best option for him as he can live out his lifespan comfortably in a safe enviromnent where i ensure he recieves ideal nutrition and appropriate space to stretch his wings and engage in as much normal behaviour as is possible.

The alternative to me keeping him would be effectively sentencing him to death in the wild through exposure, predation or death/injury through attacks from the already established and territorial flocks of Noisy Miners.

Minerals? SHINY ROCKS???

Yep I collect them. If you want to take a look at my collection all my posts of them are tagged as #my minerals

Can you tell us a bit about you?

Why not? I'm an aussie and a transman who's been on T since ~2017-ish. I am open about my identity as a transman and im always happy to answer questions about this, offer tips and advice to those newer to transitioning or who would like to start but dont know how to. All i ask is that if youre going to ask questions you remain polite and open minded (in other words dont be a bigotted asshat or you get the block)

Im a huge fan of animals, particularly the less conventionally cute and cuddly and hold certifications in Reptile Zoology, Herpetology (study of reptiles and amphibians), Zookeeping, Australian Native Wildlife Rescue and Wildlife Sustainability & Conservation.

Ideally i would love to eventually get into work in the rescue and rehabilitation side of things focused on Australia's native reptile species.

I already keep rescue bearded dragons to give those who need special help or rehoming a second chance that they may not otherwise get and through this i have experience in managing and treating various health concerns in these animals. I recently took in a now 12 month old (as of january 2025) dragon who needed rehoming and i have a now extremely elderly dragon i took in as a rescue back in 2018 in terrible condition who i have nursed back to as good a condition as is possible. This one is a real fighter and has made it through so much in his little life. As of january 2025 thig guy is an estimated 11 years old at MINIMUM with potential to be even older than that (amazing considering the usual captive lifespan is 10-12 years and this guy didnt have the best start to life), he's beated a very nasty tumor and due to his very old age is now blind, has arthritis in his feet and drools on one side of his mouth. He doesnt let this get him down and is amazingly still willing to excercise via swims in a warm bath. I hand feed him and assist him with his hydration nowdays as his blindness makes it difficult for him to find food and water unassisted.

[mermaidsirennikita]

Weekly Book Recs 4/12/24-4/26/24

Regarding the Duke by Grace Callaway

I have a new favorite Grace Callaway! Amnesia, as a trope, is very hit or miss for me... but when it hits, it really hits. What also hits? A stern, revenge-driven man who can't admit that he's in love, AND a marriage in trouble, and that same man completely breaking down when he realizes that he was So Wrong About Everything. This book has all of that, plus a very conventionally feminine wife and mother heroine who's so sweet yet also so fun. It's also super, super hot. I had so much fun. I was so Swept Away. It's great.

The Stars Too Fondly by Emily Hamilton

Gays In Space, the book. This is out in June, so I'll give more of my thoughts sometime next month but like... This is billed as a sapphic sci-fi romcom, and I wouldn't say that's WRONG, but there's a lot more to it. Like: grief, mystery, the temptation of running away from reality, and the problem with falling for a hologram. I was really impressed.

Played by Naima Simone

Another one that's not out for a while (September, to be exact) but like... A firefighter finds the sad journal of a growly hockey-playing widower and finds herself falling in love? Despite him being unable to offer anything emotional? PLEASE.

The Duke Redemption by Grace Callaway

If there's one thing I love, it's a book where they fuck first and have feelings later. And in this one, they fuck... immediately. Like, within twenty minutes of meeting. But it was a masked orgy situation! And she was hiding her identity due to her hideous (not hideous) scar! And she's a surprise virgin but really good at hiding it! This is a fun gender-flipped Beauty and the Beast situation, with the kind of light mystery Grace Callaway loves, and a hero who literally paces back and forth after finding out he accidentally deflowered this woman (who refuses to marry him) because he's NOT! THAT! GUY! (Anymore.) Also, they have sex in a cage, which I always approve of.

The Return of the Duke by Grace Callaway

Do you like a sweeping marriage of convenience story, with a heroine who needs to be My Fairy Lady'd? Look no further. Severin is looking for the ideal duchess (he has a whole "was raised on the mean streets but found out he was a secret duke" situation) to help him introduce his four(!) illegitimate siblings to high society. Except then he accidentally deflowers (again, love this) a tinker's daughter in the WOODS and is too honorable to NOT marry her, and also she's HOT, so even though he Cannot Love, they'll just have a fun fuck marriage, right? Even if she can't say the "H" sound? Sure. Fancy is actually such a great heroine, and this actually works very well in a way that I think a lot of books with this scenario wouldn't. And it's HOT, with a third act reveal that's so bonkers it's delightful.

The Trouble with Inventing a Viscount by Vivienne Lorret

Another ARC, so I'll stay somewhat tight-lipped. But suffice to say--this is about a hot girl who knows she's a hot girl (how refreshing) conning a con man, only to have him show up a year later pretending to be the long-lost viscount she's been betrothed to since infancy. And he's fully prepared to scam his way all the way to the altar, whether they like it or not. This has the single most insane erotic eating (not that, literally eating food) scene I have ever read in my life. Like, they're having a picnic, but it feels like he's hitting it raw. I was. So happy.

[saltycharacters]

Watched Nimona recently and although it was a fairly enjoyable film and I would still recommend a watch. I got a bunch of thoughts about its ending and themes and how despite it trying to build itself up as this cool queer anticop story it fails to stick the landing and instead suffers from Treasure Planet syndrome. I've decided to ramble it out under the keep reading link so spoilers for Nimona starts there

So this movie is built upon a "knight system" which is established to be an obvious cop parallel, where the knights are essentially the police of this world. The allegory doesn't stop at the job description however, as the movie takes a bold move and introduces this system as very corrupt early on; from the main character being framed by a high-ranking, police-adjacent authority, to revealing that the entire system was built on false hatred and intolerance, to Nimona outright stating that it doesn't end at the true perpetrator, but that "the WHOLE system is corrupt". Time and time again we are given proof of how the knights, whether purposefully or not, hurt, indoctrinate, and brainwash the innocent. This is a great message, and they did an excellent job of carrying it throughout the runtime until doing a sudden 180 at the end. Not only do we see the cop system still in place, with knights in universe portrayed clearly on screen, but they're painted as good with a member playing soccer with a child. They tried to reject corruption by denouncing their founder, yet they still intend to perpetuate the job built to maintain her ideals from the ground up.

Despite attempting to dive into more meaningful territory with a daring dive into a serious modern problem, the ending they gave us was palatable and conveniently perfect in a way that satisfies everyone on a shallow level, which only works with a message that's equally shallow and inoffensive. This sort of trying to have cake and eat it too conclusion is what I refer to when saying Treasure Planet syndrome, as watching the movie gave me deja vu for the same faults- because, while Treasure Planet attempts to weave a unique and subversive narrative that touches upon deeper subjects which would lead up to an unconventional yet impactful end, what they finished with was jarringly standard hogwash where they attempted to tie lose ends in a conventionally pretty, corporate-ceo approved bow. For example, one of if not the main plot of the movie was Jim Hawkins addressing his trauma regarding an absent father that abandoned him and his mom at an early age, finding a better father figure in John Silver and gradually healing from his past with a better role model. Yet at the end, the cycle repeats itself as John ends up leaving (just like Jim's father) with narry a negative emotion from Jim. Jim then goes to cop academy where, despite his journey being about rejecting societal expectations and gaining self-improvement and growth through his own means, he becomes an A-Plus goody-two shoes cop loving poster boy in no time. The syndrome also hits particularly hard with Captain Amelia and Doctor Doppler, where despite their relationship being a man and woman, it still openly rejects heteronormativity with natural romantic progression (no love at first site bullshit) that involves Amelia being way more masculine and competent than Doppler and him being the well meaning yet gullible scientist. Even the way they flirt is subversive, with Amelia calling Doppler's eyes beautiful (a traditionally feminine descriptor) rather than the instigation being made by the man. Yet at the end, heteronormativity hits as Doppler is shown suddenly more assertive and masculine as he dips Amelia in a dance, not to mention their children fall into the trop of the girls looking exactly like the mother and the boy looking exactly like the father (Also. they put a bunch of makeup on the baby girls????). In short, Treasure Planet Syndrome is writing a subversive plot/story that ends abruptly in a palatable perfect way that sacrifices both natural progression and its messages in an effort to create a more appealing happy end. A movie that I think actually LANDED its subversive storyline was Strange World, where it successfully carried through with it's deeper narrative and provided a slightly uncomfortable yet incredibly understandable and meaningful ending.

One last thing before I stop my ramble- the queer rep in Nimona is pretty bad. I mean don't get me wrong, the main character (who is canonically mlm) is fine and I'm always happy to see upfront representation in my media, but the man he was saddle with as his boyfriend treats him terribly throughout most of the movie, to the point where I was genuinely shocked seeing them together at the end. His boyfriend is this nepotism golden child who's beloved by everyone and so neck deep in the corrupt system that he: slices off the mc's arm (just says a vague sorry later), spends most of the movie refusing to trust or believe him, spends most of the movie trying to hunt him down and arrest him, easily succumbs to peer pressure when it comes down to hurting him, prefers to stay loyal to the system rather than his bf, barely questions the situation, and refuses to listen to his bf provide him with explanations or answers. Even the MC recognizes how much he hurt him, because he ends up outright BREAKING UP WITH HIM and begging him to leave him alone, only to get back with him at the end like nothing ever happened. I want a happy ending for canon queer couples as much as the next guy, but if they wanted a happy end, why did the write the love interest to be so awful? They could've made him question the motives of his superiors and the entire situation more, he could've gone out of his way to seek out an explanation before forming his own conclusion, he could've made more attempts to break the rules for harm reduction, to try and understand what happened, hell to try and TALK to the MC- it's really baffling how they tried to paint this as true love when what should've happened is the MC getting a better spouse. I see this as an extension of Treasure Planet syndrome and trying to have and eat cake at the same time mentality, to say I wasn't surprised when I discovered this movie was written by the people behind modern She-Ra would be an understatement.

[the-vixxen]

No, Lana Del Rey's Music Is Not Anti-Feminist: A Defense of Female Vulnerability

Lana Del Rey, the enigmatic songstress known for her dreamy melodies and haunting lyrics, has been a subject of controversy and criticism within feminist circles throughout the years. Critics have accused her music of perpetuating anti-feminist ideals and romanticizing female submission. The Vixxen, dear reader, has to disagree.

Now this may be old news, but it was a phenomenon that always intrigued me. And as I intend this blog to be about the female experience, giving voice to our longings, something Lana has made a career of, I believe this is the perfect subject matter to do so.

In this blog post, I aim to defend Lana Del Rey's creative process, arguing that it is a powerful exploration of the female experience through fantasy, delving into themes of longing, and desire.

Fantasy as a Means of Exploration

Lana Del Rey's music is a rich tapestry of fantasy and nostalgia, providing a safe space for listeners to explore complex emotions. Rather than adhering to the politically correct notion of feminism, she chooses to delve into the darker, more mysterious aspects of the female psyche. This approach allows women to confront their own vulnerabilities and desires without judgment.

Authenticity Over Girl Power Branding

It’s no secret that feminism is continuously commodied for profit. Women in power abusing said power and masking their exploitation behind a false veneer of empowerment has even become a meme by now. In this onslaught of kitschy phrases and empty slogans on t-shirts made by children in third world countries, Lana is an honest breath of fresh air. Her music does not brand itself as a platform for girl power or empowerment slogans. Instead, it offers a raw and unfiltered portrayal of female pain, longing, and the quest for love. Her willingness to showcase these emotions without sugar-coating them resonates with many women who appreciate this genuine exploration of their inner worlds.

Exploring the Need for Male Validation

 Lana Del Rey's music fearlessly delves into the complex psychological phenomenon of seeking male validation. Rather than dismissing this aspect of female experience, she provides a space for women to confront and understand it. Her songs reflect the inner conflicts and contradictions that many women grapple with in a world where societal norms often dictate their worth through male approval.

In Lana's Words: Addressing the Criticism

Another point of contention is the accusation that Lana glamorizes female submission. But isn't there a distinction between exploring a concept through an artistic lens and glorifying them? Lana Del Rey's music provides a space for women who’ve often found themselves on the submissive end of gendered power dynamics to reflect on their own feelings, even the ones that may be considered less "empowering" by societal standards. 

Something Lana said, that was completely misconstrued and taken out of context to the extent it was used to frame her as a racist was “There has to be a place in feminism for women who look and act like me - the kind of women who are slated mercilessly for being their authentic, delicate selves.”

Along with her mention of other female artists, this was misconstrued as an attack on women of color. Though I’ll remind you that Ariana, a white woman, is mentioned alongside the others. If most of the women mentioned happened to be women of color that is simply because they tend to dominate the genre. Many comments called out that women who look like her- white and conventionally attractive, have not been historically excluded from feminist discourse. 

This would have been a valid point- had this been a different conversation altogether. The statement Lana Del Rey makes in this is not a racial one, but an identifier of feminine traits that are often seen as indicators of weakness by misogynists and feminists alike (and wrongly so!). These feminine traits can and do apply to women across racial identities and cultural demographics.

Lana Del Rey's music is a testament to the power of authentic vulnerability and artistic exploration. It allows women to engage with their deepest desires, insecurities, and romanticized longings without judgment or the confines of mainstream feminist branding. By dismissing the pressures of pandering to a "girlboss" culture, Lana creates a unique space for women to embrace their vulnerabilities. Her music provides an escape into a world of dreams and fantasies, a contrast to the harsh reality of how women are often perceived and treated. In a world that often demands conformity, Lana Del Rey remains a bold and unapologetic voice for those who appreciate her sincere exploration of the complexities of the female experience.

I you agree, if you respectfully disagree, leave a comment down below. This is my first post and hopefully its given you a snapshot of the kind of subjects I am interested in exploring. If these subject matters interest you, consider following my content <3

Signing off, xoxo

~The Vixxen

[ficklecat]

Personal History & Relationship: Phineas and Violet

LONG POST AHEAD

CW: divorce, alcoholism, abusive relationship

A true Pisces/Scorpio relationship 😌

(Vi & Finn watching a spooky movie together :3)

Violet met Finn when she took Dr. Nichols’s Introduction to Classic Literature course for Gen Ed fulfilment. At the time, Violet was dating Connor, a typical Prince Charming if there ever was one, minus the charm. He was a square-jawed frat jock with a lacklustre personality, but Nadine, Violet’s mother, approved of him when they were high school sweethearts, and Violet wanted to avoid any more trouble for her parents at this point in her life.

Her parents, Nadine and Robert, had a tumultuous relationship that ended in divorce when Violet was in elementary school. Rob is a functioning alcoholic with a mean streak, and had a tendency to portray himself as the “fun parent” while Nadine was left to be the villain picking up the messes, financial or otherwise. This left Violet to play tug-o-war between her parents, often either neglected or overwhelmed by both of them at times, even as the divorce settled. Living with her mom, a woman made bitter and alienated for a long time, Violet had a hard time reconciling the decision to remove her father from her life until much later, which led to a continued challenging relationship with her. Additionally, Nadine refused to allow Violet to fall into the same sort of rut she had, and pushed her to find friends and boyfriends who she deemed “acceptable” or “stable.” Violet - unconventional by nature and drawn to the “weirder” crowds - rubbed against this with resistance for a long time before Connor came along.

Connor was sweet at first, conventionally handsome, and said and did all the right things for both Violet and her mom, quickly gaining approval and easing the tension. Violet fell into infatuation with him quickly - he filled a role she had craved for a stereotypically masculine force of control, and eased the constant pressure from her mom to find someone to “take care of her.” Her self worth, tied heavily to gaining her mom’s approval and relinquishing the feeling of being a lost and estranged little girl from her dad, suddenly became twined with Connor’s visions and ideals of the “perfect relationship.” Violet learned quickly that meant muting herself and her interests, subduing who she was to fill those shoes. But if it meant less pressure and fights, less feeling neglected and unwanted, she would take it.

By college, Connor had shown his true colours and Violet was lost. He was mean, picky, controlling and volatile, dismissive of all her desires and demanding about his own. He’d made Violet give up dressing like she wanted, made her try all kinds of diets to slim down, even had a say in which college she went to. He wasn’t physically violent, which led Violet to feel that his abuse wasn’t “real,” and therefore made excuses for his behaviour in favour of keeping the peace in their relationship. Connor often put her down, calling her weird or stupid or sometimes even ugly, but always portrayed himself as the picture-perfect boyfriend outside.

When Violet took Finn’s course, she was on her way to following right behind her mother, beholden to a man who didn’t respect her and demanded the world, with no one none the wiser. But then Finn began to read. On the first day, he read an excerpt from Wuthering Heights, their summer reading assignment, and Violet was transfixed. Even through the haze of her own compromised sense of self, warped by the love she thought she felt for Connor, Violet felt a spark for Finn, who read the words like they were etched in his heart like he was Heathcliff himself, longing for Catherine’s adoration. This strange looking young man who read prose to them like it was coming from his very soul began to occupy Violet’s thoughts, and distract her in class, even with Connor sitting inches away. She would daydream about him, wondering what kind of person could captivate an entire room just by reading aloud, what kind of man who looked so fragile and soft have such strength behind his analyses and passion for the subject.

She signed up for Finn’s weekly office hours for ‘tutoring,’ just to listen to him talk about the material, explain it with vigour and delight, take her through the scenes like they were walking hand in hand through the moors.

Connor, predictably, began to feel jealous.

As the semester came to a close Finn and Violet had grown closer as friends - Finn being a TA, he kept his distance professionally and only met with her during designated times or on campus for coffee occasionally, but tried as they did, they couldn’t fight their chemistry. Eventually, Violet began to talk about Connor and his increasing distance and moodiness. She shared her fears about their relationship, disclosed the way he spoke to her or manipulated her, even cried in Finn’s office when Connor threatened to end their relationship. Finn tried to keep himself out of her affairs, attempting to be empowering to Violet while remaining neutral whenever possible, but there was no stopping what the two of them knew - they were rapidly approaching love.

When the semester ended, and winter break began, Violet and Finn began to text casually. At the same time, an increasingly jealous Connor - who was also beginning to notice Violet’s sudden interest in books and also reclaiming of her identity he’d attempted to scrub out - began to manipulate her, holding affection hostage in favour of gaslighting and making Violet feel like she was cheating on him, even going so far to threaten her that he’d sleep with other people to “give her a taste of her own medicine.” Even her mother sided with him, casting disappointment over Violet for squandering a “good future.”

Violet didn’t no where to turn. So she turned to Finn.

When the second semester began, Connor and Violet were “on a break,” one of the many Connor had implemented in lieu of talking about their relationship, a breakup on the horizon that eventually came to be. Violet was left to decide what she truly wanted, left with the pieces of her identity that were suddenly being nursed to health by Finn but somehow still suppressed by Connor’s shadow. She couldn’t continue to deny herself. She knew what she wanted. And by February, she and Finn had made their confessions: she wanted him, and he wanted her just the same.

Their first few nights spent together were magic for Violet - she had never been with a man who prioritised her before, who asked her what she wanted, who actually seemed to enjoy giving her pleasure like Finn did. And in turn, Finn positively doted over her, so deeply enamoured with everything she was, Violet almost felt embarrassed. She’d never had this attention, she’d never had anyone wish to know her as much as Finn did. Finn obsessed over the details, memorised her wants and preferences, surprised her with romantic gestures of unexpected flowers or favourite things, and eventually, he told her how he felt: he was in love with her, captivated and pulled into her magnetic orbit, helpless to it. Violet had never been so happy.

However, it wasn’t long before Finn’s lack of communication and anxious attachment came to light in the form of Violet’s discovery of his true relationship with Manny - up until this point, Finn had spoken of Manny and had introduced them, even spent time together briefly, but he had made no clear indication that he and Manny were partners. Finn would later admit this was due to his fear of losing Violet, Manny, or both of them, despite knowing he needed to be up front.

Violet felt understandably hurt and taken aback, shocked that the man she thought was saving her from misery suddenly became someone she wasn’t sure she could trust. They spent many nights texting and talking in tearful conversations and broken-hearted begging as they navigated what was the worst start of an eventually beautiful relationship. Violet was in shambles - she couldn’t bear the thought that Finn had effectively lied to her by omission, and despite everything in her wanting to stay, she broke things off. Finn was devastated.

It lasted one week.

They couldn’t fight how they felt, being apart felt empty and shallow. Finn had fallen hard for Violet, and Violet had begun to realise the love she felt for Finn was more than just a crush or a source of pressure release - it was real, it was what she wanted, and most importantly, it was what she deserved. Further communication followed, along with painstaking and careful boundaries that shifted and grew with them in time. Violet was uncertain at first, fearful that Finn’s heart couldn’t possibly belong to more than one person, but she rapidly learned that the love they shared was never made smaller, blazed just as bright, and eventually, she even began to feel that love extend to Manny, who welcomed her into his own heart with open arms.

Violet decided, eventually, finally, that the love she deserved, the life she wanted, was hers to choose and have as she wished. If that meant an unconventional relationship with unconventional people, so be it. Finn ignited her soul, Manny fanned the flame, and together she finally felt herself freed from the constraints of expectation, of doomed fates, of fear of what might be.

She could be who she was with them. She could let that person be loved, and loved deeply. And eventually, she began to love that person too.

[top10usa]

Ductless AC Repair, Installation, and Maintenance in Bronx

Withering through hot Bronx summers means having a good air conditioning system that works efficiently and is easy to maintain. Ductless mini split air conditioners are now the most preferred option among many homeowners and companies because of their energy efficiency, mobility, and space-saving ability to cool only where needed. From new installation to emergency repair or routine maintenance, quick access to reputable HVAC professionals and system experts in the Bronx is paramount.

Why Select Ductless Mini Splits?

While central air systems have conventionally come with expansive ductwork, ductless air conditioning installation in Bronx residences provides zone control comfort without such bulky equipment. It is particularly suitable for older constructions, apartment units, and areas that need supplementary cooling.

With Ductless Mini Split repair, maintenance, and services in Bronx, you have an option that's:

Energy-efficient

Simple to install

Ideal for single room control

Cost-effective in the long term

The top ductless mini split professionals around the Bronx are aware of the regional climate requirements and may suggest the ideal model to meet your particular requirements.

Professional Installation Services in Bronx

When Ductless Air Conditioning installation Bronx residents rely on, experience and accuracy count. Installation impacts system efficiency and energy savings directly. While it is about a Mini Split Air Conditioner installation, repair, and maintenance in Bronx or installing a multi-zone Mini VRF HVAC installation Bronx, it's important to rely on qualified specialists.

Brands including Mitsubishi, Daikin, and Fujitsu dominate this ductless mini split industry. Expertise in the form of Mitsubishi Mini Split repair, installation, and service Bronx guarantees you achieve maximum performance with warranty-approved installations.

Timely Repairs Done Right

As with any HVAC system, ductless systems can have problems eventually—ranging from low refrigerant and malfunctioning fans to blocked filters or electrical problems. Good quality HVAC repair and service Bronx can locate the cause of the problem quickly and correct it without delay.

The top HVAC repair and systems experts in and around Bronx provide emergency assistance, same-day service, and experience working with multiple models such as:

Daikin Mini Split repair, installation, and maintenance Bronx

Fujitsu Mini Split repair, installation, and maintenance Bronx

Mini Split Heat Pump repair, installation, and maintenance Bronx

If your house operates a heat pump to cool and warm it, it is crucial to find a company that deals in Heat pump services, repair, installation, and maintenance in Bronx.

Maintenance: The Key to Longevity

Regular maintenance is usually neglected but is necessary to prolong the lifespan of your mini split system. Residential HVAC service Bronx experts advise regular check-ups, particularly prior to summer and winter seasons.

Maintenance services usually entail:

Filter cleaning/replacement

Coil inspection

Refrigerant level checks

System diagnostics

Remote control calibration

Bronx services offer Ductless Heat Pump repair, installation, and maintenance to ensure efficient heating and cooling systems, reducing heating and cooling expenses throughout the year.

Who to Hire for Professional Services in the Bronx?

If you are looking for ductless mini split experts around Bronx city or HVAC professionals and systems experts Bronx locals endorse, always seek firms that:

Are insured and licensed

Have excellent local customer ratings

Provide same-day emergency services

Service major brands (Mitsubishi, Daikin, Fujitsu)

Employ top-quality parts and equipment

The top ductless mini split experts in the Bronx area not only deliver expert service but also inform consumers about their systems so that they can maximize their investments.

Total Solutions: From Split ACs to VRF Systems

Whether you’re installing a new unit or upgrading your current setup, Split Air Conditioner repair, installation, and maintenance Bronx services are widely available. For larger homes or commercial properties, VRF Systems repair, installation, and maintenance Bronx is ideal for controlling multiple zones with one outdoor unit.

Top heat pump installation professionals in the Bronx are also equipped to handle full system replacements, particularly for aging or inefficient units.

Conclusion

In the Bronx, professional ductless AC installation, repair, and maintenance deliver year-round comfort with confidence. Trust trained professionals for quick service, premium brand service, and high-performance system durability—keeping your home cool, affordable, and energy-efficient throughout the year.

[adaiadiamond]

Discover the Perfect Symbol of Love with Custom Engagement Rings in Perth

When it comes to demonstrating eternal love, few actions are as timeless and intimate as giving a stunningly designed engagement ring. At Adaia Diamonds, we know your love story is unique – and your ring should be, too. That's why we specialize in Custom Engagement Rings Perth couples rely on to mirror their special connection.

Why Opt for a Custom Engagement Ring? Engagement rings are not just pieces of jewelry – they are representations of a shared experience, commitment, and tomorrow. While conventionally styled, ready-to-wear rings can be lovely, they do not have the added value of personalization that makes a moment special. A custom engagement ring lets you:

Share Your Story: Every couple has a special love story, and a custom ring lets you tell that story in material form.

Make Something Yours: From the shape of the diamond to the setting and band metal, it's all made to your specifications.

Have Control Over Your Budget: Custom doesn't necessarily mean costly. You can decide what's most important – perhaps the carat, clarity, or workmanship.

Adaia Diamonds – Building Dreams in Perth Based in the heart of Western Australia, Adaia Diamonds is an exclusive jeweller dedicated to redefining refinement through handcrafted originals. We are honored to be one of the top-ranked names in Custom Engagement Rings Perth couples depend on for quality, integrity, and superior design.

Our skilled artisans and gemologists work hand-in-hand with you every step of the way to ensure that your ring not only lives up to but surpasses expectations. From the first design consultation to the last polish, every ring is crafted with precision, passion, and a deep respect for your individual story.

The Custom Design Process at Adaia Diamonds We've made the process of having your dream engagement ring created a collaborative, fun experience:

First Consultation: Sit down with our team to share your ideas, desires, and inspirations. Whether you have a clear vision or only a rough idea, we'll help bring it to reality.

Design & Sketching: Our designers make computer sketches or hand drawings to capture your ring. This phase is all about perfecting the details – from the form of the stone to the details of the band.

Stone Selection: Select from ethical diamonds or gemstones that are individually selected for brilliance and quality. We provide lab-created and natural options to complement your style and convictions.

Craftsmanship: Our master jewellers then start the painstaking process of crafting your ring once it's approved. Every item is crafted in our workshop, providing a high level of quality and craftsmanship.

Final Reveal: The big moment – you'll get to see your unique ring, carefully crafted to your love story.

Why Perth Couples Love Adaia Diamonds Locally Made: Every ring is carefully designed and crafted right here in Perth, benefitting local makers and the environment.

Ethical Sourcing: We pride ourselves on ethical sourcing, providing both conflict-free natural diamonds and eco-friendly lab-grown alternatives.

Unparalleled Personal Service: You're not merely another client at Adaia Diamonds – you're a collaborator in the design process. Our staff provides friendly, honest direction along the way.

Life Support: From resizing to cleaning and checks, we're with you for the life of your ring.

Trendy Custom Designs We Provide Need inspiration? Some of Perth's most trendy custom engagement ring designs include:

Solitaire with a Twist: Timeless beauty with custom touches.

Vintage-Inspired Styles: Filigree, milgrain borders, and heirloom-inspired details.

Modern Minimalism: Clean lines and subtle luxury.

Halo Settings: A solitaire stone flanked by a circle of smaller diamonds.

Three-Stone Rings: Representing your past, present, and future together.

No matter what your style, our staff at Adaia Diamonds will help you discover the ideal design that combines loveliness, significance, and craftsmanship.

Ready to Begin Your Journey? Your engagement ring should be as unique as your relationship. If you’re looking for Custom Engagement Rings Perth couples are proud to wear, Adaia Diamonds is here to help bring your dream ring to life. Book a consultation with us today and begin the exciting journey of creating a ring that’s truly yours.

[hey-its-haliee]

[W8: RIP to the ‘Ugly’ Friend: How Instagram Killed Unfiltered Reality]

#The death of imperfection

Remember when filters were just dog ears and sparkles? Cute, harmless, dumb fun. Now? Filters are digital plastic surgery. One tap, and you’ve got AI-snatched cheekbones, glass skin, and a jawline that could cut glass. But filters didn’t just upgrade faces. They erased people.

1. The Vanishing Act: Where Did the ‘Ugly’ Friend Go?

_No more "Quirky Aesthetic"

Once upon a time, the ‘ugly’ friend was a pop culture staple. Think Janis Ian, the nerdy bestie in ‘80s rom-coms, or the quirky sidekick in early 2000s teen dramas. They weren’t conventionally attractive, but they had something else—charm, wit, and visibility. 

Fast forward to 2025, and something strange has happened: the ‘ugly’ friend has disappeared.

Where is she? The one whose smile was a little too wide, whose skin didn’t glow like an AI-rendered goddess?

She’s gone.

...

Not from real life, obviously.

The ugly friend isn’t just missing from group pics—she’s missing from digital existence. And social media is to blame.

2. Lookism.exe: Error 404—Your Face Didn’t Load

_Algorithm saids NO! You’re out!

Boohoo, looks like you just got facetuned to death! Instagram filters aren’t just about enhancing beauty anymore. They’re about rewriting it, setting the standard so high that real faces start looking… unnatural.

A decade ago, people spent millions on surgery to fit beauty standards. Now? It’s FaceTune, auto-adjusting, and algorithmic perfection in real time.

Your nose? Shrunk. Your jawline? Sharpened. Your skin? Smooth as a marble countertop. Your individuality? Erased.

_Scan to Exit: Your Face Doesn’t Make the Cut

Filters aren’t just tweaking faces—they’re making them machine-readable. Instagram’s not neutral; it doesn’t care if you’re cute in real life - it cares if your face can be processed like a QR code. 

Jill Walker Rettberg (2017) even spells it out for us: “Machine vision is about data, not about the visual or optical.” Scholar Carolyn L. Kane (2014), as cited by Rettberg, calls this the post-optical age—where vision isn’t about seeing anymore; it’s about sorting, ranking, and controlling.

Ever notice how the ‘Explore’ page rarely features unfiltered, barefaced selfies? That’s not a coincidence—that’s software literacy 101. 

Your face? Just a collection of pixels and data points. 

And if you don’t fit the algorithm’s mold?

Oops, you’re ugly. That’s why social media unfollowed you.

3. Pretty Privilege: No Filter? No Future

#Too Ugly To Go Viral

Lie to yourself all you want, but pretty privilege is real. Instagram’s algorithm isn’t fair, darling—it’s rigged. It favors engagement, which favors attractiveness, which favors a very specific, AI-approved aesthetic.

(Apparently, real faces are now a shocking novelty on social media.)

And guess what? It’s not enough to compete with Instagram’s hottest influencers—now, you’re in a deathmatch with your own face. The filtered, algorithm-approved version of you? That’s the new gold standard.

Reality doesn’t stand a chance.

The only way to reach today’s impossible beauty ideals is to edit yourself into existence. (Coy-Dibley 2016)

These filters don’t just smooth skin. They rebuild your faces.

They auto-correct “imperfections.” They whiten skin and enlarge eyes (a.k.a. Eurocentric beauty standards coded into your front camera). They erase “flaws” before you even see them.

And what happens when people don’t feel pretty enough to keep up?

📌 They filter themselves into perfection. 📌 Or they don’t post at all.

Unfiltered faces are disappearing from our feeds, and with them, the reality of what people actually look like.

4. I'd Rather Die Than Be Mid—Cropped & Forgotten

_Filtered & Friendless: If You’re Not Pretty, You Can’t Sit With Us! Now go AI generate yourself again

Back in the day, you could be the “awkward” best friend and still be visible. Now? You either fit the aesthetic, or you don’t get posted.

👀 Think about it:

When was the last time you saw an unfiltered group pic where not everyone looked “Instagram-ready”? When was the last time an “ugly” friend made it into the shot?

Mean Girls had Regina George at the center, but Gretchen and Karen were still in the frame. Today? Regina would be face-tuned to hell, and the rest of the squad would either match her energy or get cropped out.

Janis Ian? She wouldn’t even be tagged.

Ugly selfies are on the endangered species list. 

“Gone were the days of using Snapchat to send ugly selfies.” _said Peres Martins (2017), as cited in Barker (2020) 

Natural faces are getting cropped faster than an ex in a post-breakup photo dump.

This isn’t just paranoia—it’s a real shift in social dynamics. Friend groups are filtering themselves into perfection, and that means:

📌 Friend groups now match aesthetics. 📌 If you don’t fit, you don’t get tagged. 📌 If you don’t look the part, you don’t make the cut—literally.

It’s not just what we look like that’s changing—it’s who we associate with.

From Filter to Filler: FaceTune… IRL?!

_If the IT Girls Need Filters, We’re Doomed (Spoiler Alert: Yeah we’re doomed)

Bella Hadid got a nose job at 14 just to fit Western beauty standards—a choice she now regrets. Meanwhile, Kim Kardashian literally deepfakes her own face on Instagram.

If even the beauty standards don’t think their real faces are good enough… what hope is there for the rest of us?

Next time you swipe on a filter, ask yourself: Is this me, or just the algorithm’s version of me?

You don’t need a filter—you need a revolution. Are you ready to be seen?

💀 THE END. Or is it?

References:

Barker, J 2020, ‘Making-up on mobile: The pretty filters and ugly implications of snapchat’, Fashion, Style & Popular Culture, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 207–221, viewed .

Coy-Dibley, I 2016, ‘“Digitized Dysmorphia” of the female body: the re/disfigurement of the image’, Palgrave Communications, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 1–9, viewed .

Jill Walker Rettberg 2017, ‘Biometric Citizens: Adapting Our Selfies to Machine Vision’, in A Kuntsman (ed.), Selfie Citizenship, Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 89–96, viewed .

[goldvine001]

How to Style Your Goldvine Diamond Necklace for a Glamorous Look

The gold diamond necklace exists beyond fashion accessories since it represents an everlasting gesture of luxury and elegance with sophisticated qualities. The Goldvine diamond necklace serves as an ideal accessory addition to any formal gathering or date night or any outfit intended to show elegance and sophistication. Correct styling of your gold diamond jewelry enables you to create looks that become the focal point for others.

This guide demonstrates the proper ways to present your Goldvine diamond necklace across various settings and outfits to achieve a radiant and fashionable appearance.

1. Choosing the Right Gold Diamond Necklace for Your Style

Selection of the suitable gold diamond necklace for personal style needs to happen before following styling tips. The jewelry collection at Goldvine includes an extensive assortment of gold diamond accessories with solitaire pendants and elaborate ornate items. When selecting a gold diamond necklace these aspects should be taken into account:

A. Necklace Length Matters

Choker (14-16 inches): Best for elegant evening gowns and off-shoulder outfits.

The princess length (17-19): Inches stays suitable for most neckline styles in various settings.

Matinee (20-24 inches): This length measuring 20-24 inches makes an ideal match with professional outfits from business to formal while maintaining its appeal as a workable necklace.

Opulent Opera & Rope: These necklaces which are larger than 25 inches are perfect as stand-alone designs or for creating dramatic fashion statements.

B. To Pendant or Not to Pendant? 

A solitaire diamond pendant adds delicate charm and is perfect for regular wear. 

A Diamond Mangalsutra Pendant brings forth an amalgamation of time-honored tradition with new-age sophistication. 

A statement gold diamond neck piece suits special occasions, pouring opulent glamor on any outfit.

2. Styling a Gold Diamond Necklace for Each Occasion

A. Everyday Glamour- Casual and Chic

If you like to snoop for sparkles in your daily ensemble, you must carry an instinctive gold diamond necklace. Here are ways to dress it down: 

A white shirt and denim jeans are an elegant yet stylish combination for wearing a delicate diamond pendant necklace. 

Layering gold diamond necklaces in varying length keeps things stylish and modern.

To bring it on the work side, wear a simple solitaire necklace with a classy structured blazer and a fitted dress. 

Pro-tip: Go easy on the other jewelry—keep it minimal with small diamond earrings or a simple gold diamond ring to maintain the balance.

B. Power Dressing - Office & Corporate Look

To ensure a refined corporate image, a gold diamond necklace works wonders for professional women, without being overly keen. Here's how: 

For raising the bling character of a formal attire, the simple diamond necklace is just an ideal match. Mixing these along with some tiny diamond studs will accrue an extra shine and sophistication. 

Gold diamond jewelry, understated yet professional, will boost confidence and grace.

Pro Tip: A chunky necklace in corporate settings may not get approval; instead, go for a sleek and minimalist design.

C. Romantic Date Night – Effortless Elegance 

A gold diamond necklace adds that perfect touch to the outfit for date night in romantic elegance. Here is how to style it to make the best use of it:

A heart-shaped diamond pendant that falls along with a flowy feminine dress gives a charming look.

Rose gold diamond jewelry gives a soft romantic touch to the look.

On the count of being complementary, buy a V-neck outfit so that you could show off your neck piece and make its shine more prominent. 

Pro tip: Little red lipstick and soft curls are the best accompaniment for your necklace.

D. Wedding & Festive Glamour – Traditional Meets Modern

Gold diamond jewelry reflects a blend of conventionality and current fashion appropriate for Indian weddings and festive occasions. Here are some tips to style your Goldvine necklace:

The diamond mangalsutra pendant is a timeless choice for married women, an emblem of elegance and tradition. 

Wear earrings and bangles heavy enough to complete an ethnic look along with your gold diamond necklace.

Layering several diamond necklaces can bring out a royal charm suitable for grand celebrations. 

Pro Tip: Kundan-inspired diamond designs would add a pinch of tradition to your modern ensembles.

E. Red Carpet Ready – High-End Glamour

If you are leaving for one of those events, parties, or any formal engagements, then perhaps your gold diamond necklace should wear some grand prominence. Here is how to bring about that really high-end, minimal glam look: 

A chandelier- or long form diamond gold necklace would best suit a strapless or low necking outfit.

Select matching earrings, or even a cocktail ring for an overall dazzling look.

Try putting your hair up in an updo, where to show off your necklace as the real attention getter for the outfit.

Pro Tip: Evening black or deep blue attire will make the sparkle of the diamond pop and make this piece an even better showstopper.

3. Mixing & Matching Gold Diamond Jewelry

Mix & Match Gold-Diamonds Jewelry: - Your golden diamond jewelry can be fondly worn in combinations with other jewelry, for instance: Use an arrangement of chains with delicate diamond charms to nail that trendy layer look. 

The combination of the necklace with the gold diamond earring set for a symmetrical and yet bold appearance would easily please everyone. With the same diamond earrings and rings style, you would project your look as organized and harmonious. 

Pro Tip: If looking for a very coordinated look, choose to stick with either yellow gold, white gold or rose gold.

4. Caring for Your Goldvine Diamond Necklace

A few ways to take care of your gold diamond necklace are keeping it out of scrapes by putting it in a soft pouch designed specifically for storing jewelry; cleaning with a mild soap solution regularly using a soft cloth; avoiding contact with chemicals or strong perfumes, and not exposing it to an environment where moisture is high; and polishing it professionally once in two to three months to keep the shine for very long periods of time. Wearing the necklace again and again will leave no space for tarnishing. Then it will awaken, shining and refractioning light beads from its surface.

5. Gifting a Goldvine Diamond Necklace – The Perfect Gift for Every Woman

Any occasion - Birthdays, anniversaries- is an occasion to buy a gold diamond necklace for women. The reason is simple: 

Every gold diamond necklace serves as a token of love, achievement, and class, rendering it a treasured keepsake. 

There couldn't be a better way for professional working women or corporate women to present themselves with timeless diamond jewelry as a reward for worthwhile accomplishments. 

Style it with any outfit, any style, any personality. 

Professional Tip- Best bet! When in doubt about the style of the gift, always choose a Solitaire Diamond Chain. It will never go wrong.

Conclusion: Shine Bright with Goldvine’s Exquisite Diamond Necklaces

Thus, a gold diamond necklace serves not only as an ornament, but also for the display of a fashion statement and your self-confidence and personality. From defining your special occasions, glamorizing work outfits, or simply indulging yourself, this signature collection of outstanding gold diamond jewelry is what Goldvine carries for you to shine. 

Ready to sparkle more? So, head over to Goldvine's latest jewelry collection and choose that trendy gold diamond necklace for yourself!