#custom made wardrobes london

[craftwardrobelondon]

Expertly Crafted Custom Made Plain Hinge Door Wardrobes in London

In the bustling city of London, where space is often at a premium, the demand for functional yet stylish furniture is ever-increasing. Among the myriad of options available, custom-made plain hinge door wardrobes stand out as a perfect solution for those seeking to blend practicality with elegance. These wardrobes not only offer ample storage but also add a touch of sophistication to any room.

The Appeal of Custom-Made Wardrobes

Custom-made wardrobes in London are designed to meet the specific needs and preferences of the homeowner. Unlike mass-produced furniture, these wardrobes are tailored to fit the unique dimensions of your space, ensuring that every inch is utilized efficiently. This is particularly important in London, where many homes feature unconventional layouts and limited square footage.

One of the primary advantages of opting for a custom wardrobe is the ability to choose materials, finishes, and styles that resonate with your personal aesthetic. Whether you prefer a sleek modern look or a more traditional design, custom wardrobes can be crafted to reflect your taste. The use of high-quality materials ensures durability, making these wardrobes a long-term investment.

The Functionality of Plain Hinge Doors

Plain hinge doors are a classic choice for wardrobes, offering a timeless look that complements various interior styles. These doors operate on a simple hinge mechanism, providing easy access to your belongings. The straightforward design of plain hinge doors allows for seamless integration into any room, whether it’s a bedroom, hallway, or guest room.

Moreover, plain hinge doors can be customized in terms of size and finish. Homeowners can choose from a variety of wood types, colors, and textures, allowing them to create a wardrobe that not only serves a functional purpose but also enhances the overall aesthetic of the space. For instance, a matte finish can impart a contemporary feel, while a glossy finish can add a touch of luxury.

Maximizing Storage Space

In a city like London, where storage space is often limited, maximizing every available area is crucial. Custom-made wardrobes can be designed with various internal configurations, including shelves, drawers, and hanging space, tailored to your specific storage needs. This level of customization ensures that you can store everything from clothing and shoes to accessories and linens in an organized manner.

Furthermore, adding features like built-in lighting can improve visibility, making it simpler to locate items without having to dig through clutter. The thoughtful design of custom wardrobes not only improves functionality but also contributes to a more organized and aesthetically pleasing environment.

Sustainability and Local Craftsmanship

Choosing custom-made wardrobes also supports local craftsmanship, which is particularly important in a city like London that values artisanal skills. Many local craftsmen and furniture makers prioritize sustainable practices, using responsibly sourced materials and eco-friendly finishes. By opting for a custom wardrobe, you are not only investing in a unique piece of furniture but also supporting the local economy and promoting sustainable practices.

In conclusion, expertly crafted custom-made plain hinge door wardrobes offer a perfect blend of functionality, style, and sustainability for London homeowners. With the ability to tailor every aspect of the wardrobe to your specific needs, these pieces of furniture provide an excellent solution for maximizing storage in limited spaces. Whether you are looking to enhance the aesthetic of your home or simply need a practical storage solution, custom wardrobes are an investment that pays off in both utility and style. Embrace the opportunity to create a wardrobe that reflects your personal taste while meeting your storage needs, and transform your living space into a more organized and elegant environment.

[bragtech]

We’re pleased to be able to offer a wide variety of Walk in Wardrobes options to those looking for a stylish and functional new Walk in Wardrobes in London.

[finestfurnitureuk]

What Are The Benefits Of Custom Fit Furniture Over Regular Furniture?

Plenty of ready-made furniture in the marketplace may intrigue any person with its shine and charm. However, you may still find it lacking in terms of fitting in your space. There are chances that some parts of the furniture might not suit your space requirements. Nevertheless, attributes like material size, material type, price, affordability, color, and shade of furniture matter in deciding the furniture selection. Therefore, many opt for custom fit furniture to make curated that perfectly suit their space needs. Read more: https://medium.com/@finestfurnitureuk/what-are-the-benefits-of-custom-fit-furniture-over-regular-furniture-4a4ab9a69efb

[pretzel-box]

Mafia AU Drabble / Suggestive Mature Stuff under the cut

The large room is dimly lit, with only the faint glow of the city skyline spilling through the large windows. You sit quietly in the plush armchair, your heart beating faster than usual while Sebastian leaned in closer.

His large hand wandered up to his fine lips as his teeth bit down on the leather of the glove, pulling the small clothing item of his hand in a slow and smooth motion, dropping it on top of your slightly exposed chest. The evening air feels heavy with tension as his fingers traced your clothed thighs, going up and under your shirt, touching every inch of delicate skin they could find. The expensive decor, the glass of fine wine on the table and the reflection of the crystal chandelier all dropped into the back of your mind as Sebastian Solace kissed your neck with a lively passion, nibbling on your skin and leaving his marks. You moaned softly under his touch, your arms moving on their own as you pulled him closer, drunk from his heavenly scent alone.

There's a sharp contrast between the tender touch and the dominance you feel radiating from him.

His other hand moves with practiced ease, fingers working deftly on the buckle of his expensive belt. The metallic click echoes in the dim room, a brief sound that sends a shiver down your spine.

Before you can fully process the moment, the warmth of his skin meets yours. The heat of his chest presses against your body, igniting every nerve with an electric sensation. His fingers move to the buttons of your shirt, each one undone with agonizing slowness, revealing more of your skin to the cool night air. His lips, soft yet insistent, travel down the line of your collarbone, leaving a trail of heated kisses that send sparks of desire through you.

When his tongue flicks across a sensitive spot just below your collarbone, your body reacts involuntarily, arching into him. He cups the bottom of your thigh, squeezing the skin and lifting your leg with ease before he finally moves his lips further down.

Being married to Sebastian Solace meant living a life draped in luxury, where every desire was met with little more than a whispered request. It was a world of glamour, endless wealth, and the kind of romance that others only dreamt of. All you had to do was stay by his side, adorned in the finest clothes, a silent muse for the man who worshiped you and was ready to devour you at any moment.

Sebastian had two sides, each perfectly balanced as he navigated his complicated life with an effortless grace. By day, he was the charming figurehead of high society, the powerful leader of one of the most feared mafia families in the city. He held the city’s power balance in the palm of his hand, manipulating it like a puppet master, never sparing a thought for the dangers that loomed. He had enemies, yes, but none were foolish enough to challenge him directly. Not with you by his side.

Because when it came to you, nothing else mattered.

His dangerous world faded into the background the moment he looked into your eyes. His focus was singular, always on you. One word from your lips, and the world would bend to your will. If you wanted it, it was yours. He had no limits when it came to spoiling you—lavish trips, private jets, and nights spent under the stars in cities you barely had time to learn the names of. One day you’d be flying over London, and the next, you’d be having breakfast in Paris before taking a late swim in the crystal-clear waters of Hawaii. Time felt irrelevant when you were with him, as though the rest of the world was just a backdrop to your whirlwind life.

You want a car? He’ll get you seven, one for each day of the week—sleek, custom-made vehicles that suited your every mood. You want new clothes? He’ll buy out entire boutiques, filling your wardrobe with high-end fashion from every corner of the globe. And when a closet wasn’t enough to hold it all, he’d give you an entire house just for your clothes, a personal fashion haven, because why not?

To Sebastian, there were no limits. He treated you like royalty, giving you everything before you even had to ask. All he wanted was to see that look in your eyes—the one that showed how much you loved it, and maybe just a little bit how much you loved him for it in return. He will fulfill your dreams all with a handkiss and a charming smile.

[brienneoftarth1989]

I want to be your wife

Larissa Weems x fem reader

Summary: you plan on making Larissa your wife

Warnings: None

Requests open

———————————

You've been planning for this day for a whole year! How has this year gone by this quickly? You and Larissa were currently on a plane to London. Larissa has been wanting to head back to London for a little while and you wanted to surprise her with a trip back to her home country.

You had managed to get her into a taxi, to the airport, through the airport and onto the plane without her realising that you both were going to London. You did have to blindfold her and put headphones on her which was an interesting sight around the airport.

But you knew that you both would be laughing about this later on. Larissa also didn’t have to worry about her bags either as you had packed both of your bags making sure that you both had everything you needed for your break to London.

Once the two of you were on the plane you finally took off Larissa's blindfold and headphones. By this point though you were already halfway to London. “So where are we going?” Larissa asked as she held your hand and cuddled up close to you.

“It is a surprise, you will have to wait until we land” you laughed as you gently squeezed her hand. “You're so mean” she laughed as she nudged your shoulder ever so slightly. “Yeah but you love me. Trust me baby. You are going to love it where we are going” you smiled as you leaned your head on her shoulder.

“I’m sure I will as I am with you” she smiled as you cuddled up with each other the best you could. After a while you found Larissa just staring out the window trying her best to get an idea of where you were. That’s when you heard a sudden gasp from Larissa before she turned to look at you.

“We are going to London?” She asked excitedly. “SURPRISE” you smiled back at her. “I love you so much babe. I’ve been wanting to come back to London for a long time” she smiled at you happily. “I know, baby. Trust me this little break is going to be a trip to remember” you smiled with a little secret hidden away.

The rest of the plane journey went smoothly and before the two of you knew it the plane had hit the tarmac at Heathrow airport. The two of you went through airport security and customs before heading out to the taxi rank to grab a taxi to the hotel.

The two of you were going to be spending your holiday at the Mandarin Oriental hotel near Hyde park. You knew that you had to spoil Larissa this trip so you made sure to get the fanciest hotel in central London. When the two of you finally arrived Larissa immediately fell in love with the place.

“This hotel is beautiful y/n! I can’t wait to see our room” she smiled at you as you hugged her tightly. You checked in quite quickly before being shown to your room. When Larissa saw the penthouse suite you were staying in she immediately spun around and gave you the tightest hug.

“This place is fucking amazing” she screamed as she wandered around the suite. The suite featured a large central salon with a bespoke chandelier, silk wall coverings and a full-height library showcasing a handpicked selection of objet d’art and books, leading on to a balcony.

The bedroom enjoys a walk-in wardrobe, a private seating area and access to a large terrace. There is also a shower room, ADA compliant powder room and the option of connecting to the Mandarin Penthouse Suit. The place is beautiful and the two of you couldn’t wait to spend your time in London together.

The two of you were quick to settle in making yourself comfortable. That evening the two of you decided to have a chill evening filled with room service and movies before starting your fun filled week that you had planned out down to the tea.

Over the next couple of days you had done about a quarter of the things that you had planned on your to do list. The first day together the two of you decided to head to a number of different museums around London. You really wanted to visit the natural history museum as well as the science museum and Larissa wanted to see the national gallery museum.

So you got up pretty early having breakfast at the hotel before heading straight over to the national history museum. You found it all really fascinating and the two of you loved looking at all the bones and fossils around the museum. Once the two of you had spent a few hours at that museum you headed around the corner to the science museum.

You loved looking at all the rocket parts, the rock from the moon and you loved learning interesting facts about the body. You spent a couple hours at the science museum before heading to a local cafe for lunch.

The two of you had a sandwich and a cake as you drank your hot chocolates. Once the two of you had full stomachs again you then headed over to the national gallery so Larissa could admire the art work.

You knew deep down that art wasn’t something you were that interested in but the same could be said for Larissa with the science museum. You both became interested in it all due to the fact the other really enjoyed admiring that stuff in the museum and this all happened in just the first day.

You also managed to go to the Tower of London, London Zoo and had a walk around Hyde park in those couple of days but then the day you have been planning for came around. It started off like the last few days have with the two of you waking up together, getting ready and heading down for breakfast.

The two of you happily ate your English breakfasts as you drank your coffees. “So what is the plan today then?” Larissa asked before taking a sip of her drink. “We are going to go on the London Eye. It’s going to be amazing and maybe after we could go to the aquarium next it” you smiled at Larissa.

“That sounds like an amazing day. I can’t wait to get this day started” she smiled at you. The two of you finished off your breakfast before you went back to your room to grab what you needed for the day. Including the ring.

You sneakily snuck the ring into your back pocket as you grabbed your bag which just had the essentials in. Larissa finished getting herself sorted before you took her hand and led her downstairs and out of the hotel.

The two of you headed to the nearest tube station which was Hyde Park Corner to County Hall which shouldn’t take too long on the underground. When you did finally get on the tube it was heaving. Larissa managed to get a seat so you let her sit down while you stood near her making sure she was alright.

Eventually you heard them announce your stop so you grabbed Larissa’s hand as you patted your back pocket to make sure your ring was still there which it was thankfully. You then had the battle of getting out of the underground without losing each other.

After about 5 minutes you finally could see the daylight again and then all you had to do was walk 5 minutes around the corner to get to the London eye. When it finally came into view you and Larissa were stunned by its beauty. It was also a lot bigger than you thought.

The two of you happily walked up to the queue of the London Eye as you waited for your turn. While you waited the two of you just chatted about everything you had done so far and everything that you were looking forward to. The queue slowly moved forward and eventually you found the two of you at the front.

“Hello, I’ve got a booking for y/n s/n” you said as you smiled at the person who was operating the wheel today. “Ah yes I can see your request as well on your booking so just bare with while I find you a spare pod on the wheel” they smiled at you and then at Larissa.

“What are you up to y/n” Larissa asked you as she squeezed your hand. “Nothing. I just wanted things to be a little bit more romantic” you smiled at her trying your best not to give things away. “Alright then” Larissa smirked at you.

Eventually the worker came back and let you get into your pod. “Enjoy the ride” he smiled as the doors closed behind the two of you. Larissa looked around the pod before looking at you. “No one else is getting in?” Larissa asked as if she knew you had something to do with this.

“I don’t think so. Lucky us, we have a whole pod to ourselves” you smiled as you grabbed Larissa’s hand as you pulled her to one end of the pod so you could enjoy the view. The wheel slowly spun around as you got higher and higher as the view of London got bigger and bigger.

Your nerves grew ever so slightly as you got closer and closer to the top. “Rissa?” You said to Larissa. “Yeah y/n” she said as she turned to smile at you. “So I’ve had this little secret I’ve had for about a year now and I’ve kind of known about this trip for a little while now” you smiled at Larissa. “Really? What is this little secret then?” Larissa asked as she raised her eyebrow wondering what this secret is.

“Larissa, 2 years ago you captured my heart by being exactly who you are. The sweetest, most loving, compassionate, and sensitive person I have ever known. You have been my very best friend through the good and the bad. You have been the reason that I smile and you have given comfort beyond measure when I have cried. You have believed in me when no one else would, and you have shown me how to love with passion, purity, and unconditional acceptance. I'm not sure a lifetime is long enough to return all you have given to me, but I promise the rest of my days I'll spend by your side. To laugh with you and cry with you, to believe in you and support you. In poverty I promise to do everything to make our love rich, and in wealth to never let our love grow poor.

Together we are better than we could ever hope to be alone, and today I give you my love, my trust, and my fidelity forever. You will ALWAYS be the best part of my day. So my question to you is, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?” You asked as you got down on one knee.

By this point Larissa was crying and you had no idea what she was going to say. “Yes, yes, a million times yes” she said as she put her hands to her mouth. You stood up as you grabbed the ring and placed it on her ring finger. It was a perfect fit. You then pulled her in for a long loving kiss.

The two of you enjoyed the rest of your ride on the London Eye before it came to a stop letting you get off. “She said yes!” You screamed as you held up her hand with the ring on. Everyone around cheered for you and the two of you couldn’t be happy.

Now the two of you were going to enjoy the rest of your time in London together as fiancés!

[stylesnews]

FLORENCE, Italy – As Steven Stokey-Daley’s fall show in Florence during Pitti Uomo wrapped, the British designer, the 2022 recipient of the LVMH Prize for Young Designers, revealed longtime fan Harry Styles is acquiring a minority stake in the company.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Harry and I have a shared vision for the future of S.S. Daley and we look forward to this new chapter together as we focus on brand longevity and scaling the business into a modern British heritage house,” the designer, 26, said.

The pair was introduced by Styles’ stylist Harry Lambert, who masterminded the wardrobe for the artist’s “Golden” music video, outfitting him in Stokey-Daley’s graduate collection.

The investment is geared at building S.S. Daley’s direct-to-consumer business and forge ahead with plans for a “sustainable and long-term expansion,” the company said in a statement.

After graduating from the University of Westminster, Stokey-Daley made his London Fashion Week debut in September 2021 supported by the National Youth Theatre artistic director Paul Roseby, staging a four-part performance by members of the theater, riffing on British tailoring and tackling such topics as social class, inequality, school life, sexual awakening and homosexuality.

That same year, the S.S. Daley designer was among the recipients of the British Fashion Council’s Newgen initiative and was awarded again by the British fashion governing body the following year, with the BFC Foundation Awards.

The designer’s gender-fluid take on the uniforms of the British upper classes, such as wide-leg trousers, argyle-knit wool vests and embroidered shirts, appeals to a Gen-Z sensibility, and a growing female customer base. The brand is currently stocked in a handful of retailers, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Dover Street Market, Matchesfashion, Bergdorf Goodman, 10 Corso Como Seoul and I.T Store.

Attending the S.S. Daley show in Florence, Sir Paul Smith praised Stokey-Daley and said: “I think that the ideal thing [for him] would be to try and work in parallel with a commercial company that help him develop as a commercial designer, as well as creative designer. And of course, that’s what everybody dreams of. He has the balance between commerciality and creativity.”

“I think [his designs] might have had similarities in my earlier [career]… We are in 60-something countries now. So you have to be a lot more aware of commerciality and things that work for the shops especially right now because the business and around the world is so difficult for people,” Smith added.

Styles’ investment falls in line with a growing number of celebrities becoming brand shareholders. They include, among others, Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon who invested in Spanx; Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas in skiwear maker Perfect Moment; Beyoncé, Jessica Alba and Rihanna in French accessories firm Destree; Mila Kunis, Cameron Diaz and Gabrielle Union in Autumn Adeigbo, and Mark Wahlberg in Italian sneaker brand P448.

[bellysoupset]

For the 🏳️ anon, who asked for Airsick Bella.... Here we go, with LOADS of fluff and sexy talk.

-------------

"Have you seen my bikinis?" Bella asked, rummaging through her messy side of their wardrobe. Luke was sprawled on the bed watching the replay of last Sunday’s football game, having already finished packing, since his side was neatly folded and he could get a bag done in under 30 minutes.

"You really don't need those," he smirked and Bella rolled her eyes, crouching down to open a drawer.

"Oh yeah, you're gonna be real happy when I'm flashing strangers- Aha!" She held up a bunch of bikinis strung together and didn't bother untangling them, throwing the items on her side of their suitcase, "now I need a hat."

Lucas smiled fondly at her, Bella wasn't even bothering to hide just how excited she was with them finally leaving for a honeymoon. After nearly ten months since they had gotten married, Luke had been over the moon to slip her the tickets, three weeks before. 

She had even requested time off work, something Bella never did, normally insisting she could work from anywhere. Luke had seen her work from the hospital waiting room far too many times to count.

Their flight was Friday morning and it was only Wednesday night, but Lucas had everything ready already, from his suitcase, to their documentation, to their travel guide, hotel... Everything he could think of, he had managed and micromanaged, except for Bell.

Just glancing at her messy process of packing made his skin crawl, so he opted for not saying anything and waited until she finally zipped it up, taking far more shoes than he even thought possible for her to wear.

"You know we're going to a tropical island, right?" Lucas grabbed Bella's waist when she circled the bed in order to grab her jewelry, "I don't think you're gonna get any use out of the combat boots."

"You never know, it rains a lot in tropical places," Bella shrugged, falling against him on the bed, but keeping to the task at hand, sorting through the bunch of silver rings she had, "I'm taking it."

"Okay," Luke rolled his eyes, closing her jewelry box, "I want attention-"

"You're gonna have tons of attention, once we're there," Bella scoffed, squirming when he rolled them on the bed and pinned her down, "skull or snakes?" she raised the rings in front of him.

"Skulls, they're cuter," Luke pushed her hand away from his face, busying himself with kissing her neck, "so we’re taking a chastity vow until we land in Malé?"

Bella snorted at that, picking her earrings, moving her head slightly so he could continue to kiss her, "chastity is a strong word, I've always wanted to be a part of the mile high club."

Lucas laughed, pressing his mouth to her collarbone, "oh yeah, so we can get barred at the customs," he nibbled on her earlobe, "my wife the genius."

"Tonto," Bella scoffed, finally putting away all the items and planting a hand in the middle of his face, pushing him off of her, “help me pack, Luke.” 

By the time Friday finally rolled on, Luke was feeling nearly sick with nerves. They had driven to Portland the night before, in order to avoid the maximum amount of fatigue possible, given the trip ahead of them was stupidly long. Their flight went to Philadelphia, where they caught a 10 hours long flight to London, stayed over the night and then in the morning caught another flight, this one 20 hours long, to the Maldives. 

Luke had genuinely considered talking with Kit about the private jet, but just the off hand mention of his father’s name had Bella shutting down in a way he didn’t like. It didn’t used to be like that before Christmas and he wasn’t entirely sure what had changed since Bell promptly shut down any attempt of bringing up the topic.

Besides, as Jonah had pointed out to him while they chatted in gym, the private jet would need to do all the stops for fuel too, it’d only cut about five hours of their schedule. 

“What’s in your mind?” Bell asked, as they strapped in for the first, shorter flight. Only two hours for Philly. 

“Control freak bs,” Luke scoffed, leaning in to plant a kiss on her cheek, “my brain won’t stop.”

“I thought therapy was helping,” she teased him, turning her face for a proper kiss, “nothing is going to go wrong, it’s just plane trips. Very long, very tiring, but just plane trips.”

“Uhum,” Luke leaned in to plant his lips on her temple. 

Since they’d be bored out of their minds, Bella had brought an old ipad, filled with movies. Luke leaned back his chair, frowning as he recognized the opening shot of the movie. 

“Jaws? We’re going to a tropical island and you want to watch Jaws?”

“I like to be prepared,” Bella grinned, snuggling against his shoulder, “you did say we could swim in the ocean and that there’s a shark dive.”

“And you want to watch Jaws before swimming with the sharks?” He raised his eyebrows, clicking on the screen and then going back to the list of movies, “you only brought deadly animals movies… Tsunami movie… Isabella, what the fuck!”

Bell slapped his hand away, putting the movie back on, “it's good for you, builds character.”

“Yeah, I’m sure it does,” he said sourly, focusing on the movie. 

The connection to the London flight was uneventful, Luke spending it updating their friends about their current location and taking his own paparazzi pictures of Bell, as she sprawled on the first class lounge, not a thought given to the dirty looks thrown her way. 

He loved her. 

“This is bigger than our house,” Bella snorted as they got in the plane and to their seats. For this flight Luke had splurged with first class tickets instead of regular ones and a private suite, since it was 10 hours long. Bell dropped her carry on in the large space between their seats, which were large like single beds, “really. Honest to God, bigger than my childhood room.”

Lucas knew for a fact this was pretty much true. He rolled his eyes, kissing the top of her head, “and private too, didn’t you want to be a part of the mile high club?”

“Now where’s the fun if it’s all private?” Bella teased him, falling sit and letting out a sigh, “I bet they have cameras everywhere here… Oh man, champagne? I feel like a princess.”

He couldn’t help but smile at her antics, sitting down as well and indulging Bell as she sat criss crossed next to him and continued to talk non stop. 

Three hours into the trip and at least three glasses of champagne each, the instructions of “stay in your seats” were out of the window. Bella had climbed on his lap and she had her arms wrapped around his neck, kissing him and letting out a happy sigh as Luke squeezed her ass over the jeans, when suddenly the plane lurched.

It was so sudden that Bella bit on his lip with force enough to draw blood and Luke pulled back with a shout.

“Bell!” 

“Oh my God-” Bella whined, grabbing his shoulders, big blue eyes wide in her face, “what the fuck was that!?”

“Just a drop, Bella,” Luke glared at her, wiping the blood with his thumb, “it’s fine, relax…”

“Don’t tell me to relax,” she scoffed, but leaned in to kiss him again, bumping her nose with his, “sorry about your lip…”

“Uhm, kiss it better?” Lucas grinned, leaning further into his seat and planting a hand on her nape, pulling her in. He felt her smile against his lips and Luke was starting to feel suffocatingly warm, face tingling with how horny he was, when the plane lurched once more, this time around continuing to shake violently. 

Bella let out a sound he wasn’t sure he had ever heard her do before, a whimper-cry, and hid her face on his neck, “Luke!”

“It’s okay, baby, it’s just turbulence…” He hugged her close and Bella squeezed him with all her force as the plane shook again.

“We’re getting nerfed down from the sky because of these stupid, expensive, gigantic cabins,” Bella whined, getting out of his lap and putting the seat belt on, a couple seconds before the red sign popped on the opposite wall. 

The plane lowered once more, before going up, and even with the private cabin, they could hear the other passengers squeal. Bella’s face had gone from healthy tan to olive white and she was clutching the arm rests of her seat. 

“I don’t wanna die on my honeymoon,” she whimpered, closing her eyes, “Luke-”

“It’s just turbulence,” Lucas planted his hand over hers, “I promise you we’ll not fall from the sky, this is fine…” 

“It doesn’t feel fine!” Bella squealed as the plane kept shaking. She moved their hands, so she could squeeze his fingers and Luke cringed, Bell had quite the strong grip. 

He leaned in, completely ignoring the shaking and going up and down that was causing his stomach to freeze, “talk with me, baby.”

“I- I can’t, we’re going to di-die…” Her voice shook under the weight of tears and Lucas scoffed, planting a kiss on her temple and squeezing Bella to him with his free hand. Over their heads, the lights went out.

“No, we’re not. Have I ever told you about our flight to Hong Kong when I was fifteen?” he leaned in and Bell shook her head, staying quiet to indicate she was listening, but still not opening her eyes. 

“Dad was touring there and it was my birthday, so mom packed us both to Hong Kong,” Luke smoothed over the important stuff, leaving out the details. He hadn’t wanted to go to Hong Kong and his mom was actually going there for a business trip, not for his birthday. In fact, he wasn’t sure they had remembered it was his birthday until two days had passed, “and the flight was terrible, let me tell you. But we landed without any trouble, it was just clouds-” without any trouble because his mom had been knocked the fuck out by the wine, “we all got there in one piece. We’re gonna get to London perfectly safe too.”

“And- and your birthday?” Bella asked in a small voice. Luke wiped the tears off her face. 

“I got to watch dad play, it was great,” he lied smoothly. He had spent it in the hotel room just outside the stadium his father was playing, puking his guts up after such a horrid flight, while his mother bossed her entire staff around. 

Bella nodded, letting out a shuddery breath and the plane eased up the shaking. She sat up straight, leaning back on her seat and wiped at her face, while the overhead lights turned back on. 

Lucas smiled at her, “see?”

“I’m gonna puke,” Bella groaned, ignoring his soft smile and Luke snorted, before realizing her lips had gone a terrible shade of white. 

“Oh, you’re serious?”

“Yeah-” Bella cupped her mouth, “Lu-”

Luke scrambled to find an airsickness bag, but in first class these were hidden somewhere – it was not pleasing to imply rich people puked – so he settled for the champagne bucket, removing the bottle and holding it under Bell’s chin just in time to catch the first mouthful of sickly champagne vomit.

She hugged the bucket like a pro, so Lucas abandoned it, in order to hold her hair back with a hand, planting the other one on her forehead to help her support it. Bella let out a loud moan, echoing in the metal bucket, and he kissed the top of her head. 

“You’re fine, it’s a lot of ups and downs…” 

Bella sighed, pulling back and resting her forehead to the rim of the bucket, while Luke waited a second to pull back, “you good?”

“Think so…” she rasped, so he got her a water bottle from the huge dispenser under their seats. She took it with shaky hands, sniffling once more and took a small gulp, as Luke ignored the sign to stay with their seat belts and got up, to reach for his own carry on.

“Wendy told me to bring these-” he went through the contents in order to find the sea wristbands and Bella frowned, seeming exhausted as she turned to look at him… Only for the plane to drop once more.

“Fuck,” Bell groaned, lurching for the bucket, while Luke fell flat on his back on the ground, his backpack hitting his chest. He hugged it tightly, waiting until the plane stopped shaking in order to get back to his seat, and once he did he realized Bella was fully crying.

“Stay-” she let out a little burp, forcing up a pathetic gush of liquid, “in your fucking seat, Lucas.”

“Sorry,” he rubbed her back, “sorry. You don’t have to worry, I’m fine.”

Bella raised her head from the bucket in order to send him a bleary glare, her blue eyes even more blue due to the tears and the fact they were red rimmed, “I fucking hate flying,” she declared, turning back to the bucket once more and Luke cringed in sympathy. 

“I know, I know, next time we travel we’ll go somewhere closer,” he promised, pushing the curls away from her mouth and rubbing back.

[itsallmadonnasfault]

Come on, Vogue! This weekend, Madonna kicked off her global Celebration World Tour in London, where she treated fans with a career-spanning performance of some of her greatest hits. Almost better than the setlist, however, was the Queen of Pop’s epic new outfits for the stage—well, new in a sense. All of them riff off of her most iconic looks over the years (including, yes, that signature Jean Paul Gaultier cone bra). In honor of the tour’s kickoff, Vogue caught up with tour costume and creative designers Eyob Yohannes and Rita Melssen to get a closer look at Madonna’s one-of-a-kind, custom-made looks.

[power-chords]

In fact the backstory of Tom in the film is that in the offshore world of narco trafficking cartels, they have the budgets to buy the best and they do. Particularly since the end of the Cold War, when that market has become available, people that are ex-KGB, ex-Stasi, as well as Brits and Americans from special forces; Israelis.

Since we’re only in these ten hours, we’re only seeing a fraction of a whole life. And since we’re only ten hours, the challenge is can I design those fractions that they become glimpses… that you kind of sense the person. To do that, one has to invent the history of Vincent, the history of Max, and then to choose those details to put in the ten hours of tonight. [...] The film does not do what a life experience of these ten hours would not do, which is to have exposition or to travel backwards in time via flashbacks or any of those other devices. But instead just to keep it as immediate, into this presence, and yet to have a greater degree of knowingness into their lives.

Vincent is somebody who’s decisive… who’s embraced force as a way of controlling his environment, as a way of — and I don’t think Vincent is actually actively aware of this — but it’s a way of controlling an environment so that bad things don’t happen to him. He, consequently, can be someone who’s improvisational, he’s highly trained, he takes action, he has opinions. Max is exactly the opposite.

The other aspect about Vincent’s appearance is again, and building the character, how to make these two characters be oppositional, what Vincent’s chosen to wear, it tells us things — I believe that audiences are much brighter than they are aware of, there’s a lot of information they take in on a feeling level. There’s a cut to his suit that says perhaps it was custom tailored, but not in Milan or London or New York, in my mind it was Kowloon. The thing about his hair, scars on his hand, scars on his face.

In effect he’s a rough trade in a good suit. Prematurely gray, kind of a steely aspect to him. Those are design issues that are there to tell us, tell the audience, tell YOU things about who he is on a feeling level, not anything that is didactic or spoken to you. It was tricky to arrive at some of these looks and some of these issues because — and this is also the challenge of the film that made it very exciting to me, to do it and want to do it — which is that when you compress the time frame, of a narrative and it’s under two hours, and you’re just in one locale, you’re one night, it also means there’s going to be one suit and one wardrobe change and everything’s going to become inordinately important. Driving a race car, a very small input in steering has a radical effect. So the slightest change, because it’s cumulative, becomes a big deal.

But the deep work that goes into this kind of thing is in fact how did Vincent become Vincent. And Tom and I did a lot of work in trying to understand where this guy came from. If he was in a foster home for part of his time, if he had an institutionalized childhood. And if he was back in the public school system by age 11, that would have been sometime in the 1970s. He would have been dressed very awkwardly. He probably would have been ostracized, because he would have looked odd and you know… the brutality of preteens and early adolescents.

We postulated an alcoholic, abusive father who was culturally very progressive. He was probably part of Ed Solowski’s steelworkers local in Gary. He was a Vietnam veteran. He had friends who were African American, the South Side of Chicago, the Checkerboard Lounge is 30 minutes away in a cab, Calumet Skyway. So the father in his sixties and early seventies was probably an aficionado of jazz, there was a great jazz scene on the South Side of Chicago, modern jazz quartet… it’s almost as if the father blamed the son I.E. Vincent for what happened to the mother, and the father drank and Gary was being reduced to — I mean it looked like Dresden at the end of the war. The father never tutored the boy in jazz. But the boy extolled the virtue of knowing about jazz because he heard his father talk about jazz, not to him, but to other people. And that’s why he knew about jazz, and that’s why he learned about jazz.

Now his father, Vincent’s father, never tutored Vincent about jazz because he had rejected his son. And ignored him. It was something that got constructed as backstory and the work I did with Tom during pre-production and understanding every aspect of the character of who Vincent was, much more than it appears in the text of the film so that the fractions of Vincent-ness that we have IN the text of the film, within these ten hours, could resonate with the totality of a life the same as they would with anybody you met. We all bring a whole history with us into the moment of the present.

[lifeontoast]

A Christmas Carol

9th Doctor x reader

SUMMARY: For day 1 of Advent, here’s something for my Whovians… hope you enjoy. 9 and the reader travel back in time for a very Dickensian Christmas…

Trigger warnings: none, I don’t think.

…

That oh-so-familiar thworp of the TARDIS told you that you had arrived. Christmas 1843. The Doctor had chosen it after your previous adventure in the year 5487 - you wouldn’t be going back there in a hurry. He wanted something a bit… calmer for once. Not that he didn't love adventure, of course.

‘Okay, Y/N. It’s the 20th December 1843. Now tell me, what is special about this day?’ he quizzed you.

‘It’s… the day after A Christmas Carol was published!’ you loved that book a lot, and you knew that the Doctor did too. Where he was planning to take you, you couldn’t guess, but you were glad he’d chosen this date for your next little adventure.

‘And change out of those clothes please, you’ll show me up.’ he added with a sarky look in your direction. You rolled your eyes, but made your way to the huge wardrobe in the TARDIS to oblige. He held back a laugh as you left, and hearing this, you couldn’t help but smile. You never knew what you might find in there, it truly was an amalgamation of every type of clothing you could possibly imagine… mini-dresses, togas, suits and ties, and that one really weird fashion trend from the 7140s where everyone wore Scooby Doo onesies. However, you looked past all this to unearth exactly what you needed to find. You see, that was the thing about the TARDIS. She always knew just what you needed. You changed out of the clothes that had offended the Doctor so, and into these new ones. Looking in the mirror, you were pleasantly surprised. Never before had you thought it possible to look so good whilst wearing Victorian clothes. Still, everyday is a school day.

Making your way back to the main console, you found the Doctor wearing exactly the same outfit, except he had changed his jumper. You rolled your eyes, this was so typical of him! Oh well. It was always fun to play dress up with the Doctor, even if he always declined to participate. You’d get him out of that leather jacket one day if it killed you.

You’d brought yourself a scarf from the wardrobe, but decided that he was clearly more in need of it than you were. You walked up to him and carefully put the soft wool around his neck. He feigned annoyance but you could tell he was pleased that you’d been thinking about him again, something he was convinced you did far too much of. He gave you a genuine smile, which you reciprocated gladly.

On the cobbled streets of Victorian London, the snow was falling. Already there was a carpet of white on the stones, and it glowed under the light of the street lamps which lit your way. The sky was steel grey, polluted with the industrial smog of hellish factories lining the roads not far from here. Trying desperately to ignore the lingering, acrid smell of the blacksmiths next to where you had landed, you and the Doctor stepped out smartly, marvelling at every person who walked past. How little they knew of the future, that those factories that were the very lifeblood of the city would soon be nothing but a whisper sometimes talked about in history lessons.

You were confused about your destination, but the Doctor seemed to know where he was going. There was little decoration around the streets or in shop windows, but you remembered that people only started celebrating Christmas again because of A Christmas Carol, and that had only been published the day before. One shop stood out to you though; you saw it on the corner just ahead. It was decked out, even by modern standards. Golden and scarlet ribbons hung on every surface, and there was even a tree outside. Candles lit up the windows, revealing the large number of customers inside. The Doctor gave you a knowing look, and then you realised. That was your destination.

Inside the shop, there were what felt like thousands of people milling about everywhere, books in hand. Even though the shop was actually quite large, there was hardly room to breathe. However, no history lesson could have prepared you for what, or rather who, you were about to see. Coming into the main area of the shop, you saw Charles Dickens, sat at a table, talking to a lady in the most fabulous hat you’d ever seen. You felt your jaw drop in shock, whilst the Doctor just looked at you, laughing to himself. You turned to him and smiled. He was so clever, and he very well knew it.

He made his way to the front of the queue, much to the chagrin of everyone else, and proudly introduced you to Dickens. Apparently, Dickens and the Doctor were “very dear friends”! Well, trust him to hide a secret like that from you. A book had somehow found its way into your hands, and you gave it to Dickens to sign. He wrote this message inside it:

Dear Y/N,

Any friend of the Doctor is a friend of mine! I do hope you enjoy my little book.

Charles Dickens, Christmas 1843

You couldn’t believe it. A first edition of A Christmas Carol, signed by Charles Dickens? Now that was something you’d treasure forever.

Outside the bookshop, it has just started to snow. As the delicate flakes flew down from the sky, the Doctor offered you his arm, and you slowly wound your way down the cobbled street, amazed at all that was happening around you. You had a tremendous sense of foreboding, feeling satisfied that these people would very soon be rediscovering the joy of Christmas, and you were so glad to be able to share it with the Doctor.

This would be an adventure you wouldn’t forget any time soon.

…

Hope you enjoyed :)

[charlottegeorgesheart]

Young Queen Charlotte, played by India Amarteifio, keeps to innocent pastels in her early scenes, but her colors grow bolder as her power does too.  (Liam Daniel/Netflix)

BY VALLI HERMAN

In the first minutes of the “Bridgerton” prequel “Queen Charlotte,” the namesake character complains heartily how her elaborate gown and its restrictive corset made of brittle and sharp whalebone means that if she moves too much, “I might be sliced and stabbed to death by my undergarments.”

Oh, dearest gentle reader, young Queen Charlotte hasn’t suffered in vain. Her every ensemble, and those of the show’s sizable cast, are crafted with such sumptuous detail, that surely all who view them would gladly have them suffer even more.

Even though period costumes are notoriously cumbersome, Emmy-winning costume designer Lyn Elizabeth Paolo and co-costume designer Laura Frecon dispel notions that the actors suffered much (thanks to light, modern fabrics and stretchy panels in their corsets). Still, the yearlong shoot in grand estates across the United Kingdom overlapped the pandemic lockdown and required worldwide sourcing. It seems that their brand of elegant finery was a tonic for distress, and a cause for celebration. The work, helped by a 220-person costume crew, has earned them a 2023 Emmy nomination for period costumes.

Replica undergarments were crafted from light, modern fabrics and stretchy panels to be slightly more comfortable than the actual period clothing. (Liam Daniel/Netflix)

“This [shoot] was challenging, but also joyful. Every time a piece of a costume would come back, it was, ‘Oh, my God! It looks better than we thought it would.’ There was a lot of joy there,” says Paolo, the longtime designer for other Shonda Rhimes productions, such as “Inventing Anna” and “Scandal.”

The six-episode costume drama on Netflix explores the early days of the difficult marriage of Queen Charlotte (India Amarteifio) and King George III (Corey Mylchreest). The fictionalized story of the actual royals takes place in two time periods — the Georgian era of the 1760s and the later Regency era in which “Bridgerton” is set — and includes key characters from the original show. There are several grand balls, a royal wedding and a coronation to wardrobe. No biggie.

Or so Paolo was led to believe.

“I remember Sara Fischer, who is head of production at Shondaland, called me and said, ‘Shonda has this idea for a small, intimate show. She really wants you to do it.’ And, what are you going to say?” recalls Paolo, who was a consultant on Season 2 of “Bridgerton.”

She invented a time-twisting concept inspired by Monet and Matisse paintings and modern fashion designers who themselves referenced historical costume such as John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Moschino, Zuhair Murad and Christian Dior in his New Look era. Yet Paolo kept the silhouette appropriately Georgian.

“The pitch was, we kind of want it to look like a Met Ball … but to be slightly more on point with the period. We still wanted to have our own stylistic elements that would make sure that the modern eye understood the costumes,” Paolo says.

Corey Mylchreest as King George and India Amarteifio as Queen Charlotte all but sparkle in their lustrous clothing. (Nick Wall/Netflix)

“For the men, we had images of rock ‘n’ roll icons from the ‘70s and ‘80s. So a lot of images of Prince, the New Romantics and Adam Ant. All those people back then who had that pirate chic going on.”

That vision required a mostly custom-made wardrobe that sourced from London, Los Angeles, New York, Budapest and Spain. Jewelers Joseff of Hollywood, Manhattan’s Larkspur & Hawk and Italy’s Pikkio custom made the period jewelry and other adornments. British manufacturer James Hare supplied traditional fabrics as did a mill hours from London that wove custom fabrics. Smaller artisan shops focused on hand embroidery or a particular character.

“It was sort of a small army,” says Paolo, who relied on the organizational skills of Frecon. A giant calendar and flow chart helped them track the flow of work, particularly of the embroidered pieces, which were outsourced to UK specialists Twan Lentjes Creations, Beth Parry and Hattie McGill, whose Instagram accounts illustrate their handiwork.

Other members of the court stand out in patterned fabrics (on Tunji Kasim as Adolphus) and brightly colored gowns with hats (Arsema Thomas as Agatha Danbury).

“It’s so complicated,” Paolo says, describing a process of sample making, initial embroidery, further tailoring and additional hand embellishing before a pattern piece is ever fitted into a garment. Even fabric-covered buttons were embroidered.

The women’s gowns are especially intensive. The earlier dresses, from 1760 onward, required 13 to 20 yards of fabric and at least four weeks of construction; five if they’re heavily embellished. Each ensemble requires petticoats that can add five to 10 more yards each, plus a corset, a pannier (a cage-like underpinning), a padded bum roll, shoes, stockings and garters. The jewelry sets were matched to each costume and included rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and tiara-like hair jewelry that was fitted into fantastical wigs by hair and makeup designer Nic Collins.

With two sets of characters to dress in two different eras, the costume designers were careful to build visual continuity, typically with color. Young Queen Charlotte, for example, keeps to innocent pastels in her early scenes, but her colors grow bolder as her power does too. The designers cannot precisely count the number of costume changes, or quantify the number of pieces they used, only to say “in the thousands.” Paolo says Jeff Jur, director of photography, was on board to capture the spectacle and regularly texted her and Frecon to say, “‘I’m doing a full head-to-toe shot of this one.”

Still, it’s tricky to absorb all of the detail, even though it’s there on the hand-embroidered initials on a man’s handkerchief, or the restored antique jet beading and lace on Queen Charlotte’s mourning gown, or the Easter eggs, as Paolo calls the references she wove into many costumes, particularly those in the final episode, which features an astronomy-themed ball, hosted by the king and queen.

King George loves astronomy, so stars and moons are embroidered and beaded into their clothes. The ball was shot outdoors at night, which usually obscures costume details. Jur expertly lit the scene to illuminate the clothes that were so laden with sparkly bits that they twinkle.

Though the final episode was picked to submit for Emmy consideration, the choice was “brutal,” Paolo said. “It’s a huge group of amazingly talented people who all deserve recognition. If we are lucky enough to win, I would want 220 miniature ones to hand out to everyone.”

[livsunit2]

THE SWINGING SIXTIES

The Defining Look of the Sixties

Taylah Brewer. (2022). 60S FASHION FOR WOMEN (HOW TO GET THE 1960S STYLE). [Online]. www.thetrendspotter.net. Last Updated: 7 August 2022. Available at: https://www.thetrendspotter.net/60s-fashion-for-women/#google_vignette [Accessed 4 January 2023]

The Supremes

They were not only the most commercially successful female group of the '60s but among the top 5 pop/rock/soul acts of that decade. Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard had a mature, glamorous demeanor that appealed equally to teens and adults. Beautiful, musically versatile, and unique, the original Supremes were America's sweethearts.

Steven Ward. (2019). VINTAGE GOLD: AMERICA’S MOST SUCCESSFUL VOCAL GROUP IN THE SUPREMES. [Online]. www.grimygoods.com. Last Updated: 25 February 2019. Available at: https://www.grimygoods.com/2019/02/25/americas-most-successful-vocal-group-in-the-supremes/ [Accessed 3 january 2023].

Edie Sedgwick

The original 'it girl' inspired Bob Dylan and Andy Warhol, and was the toast of the New York art scene with her bouffant blonde hair, vintage chandelier earrings and by wearing nothing but a leotard and tights.

The Designers

London's fashion sector existed until the 1960s in the shadow of the renowned Parisian couturiers. Paris served as the centre of global fashion, specialising in tailored clothing for a fantastically wealthy, elite group of women. But all of a sudden, as the youth market expanded, London started to lead the pace.

Thanks to a handful of up-and-coming young designers trained in the couture tradition, Paris has maintained its edge. Fashion firms like Saint Laurent, Cardin, and Courrèges discovered how to appeal to younger customers. They established ready-to-wear shops and concessions in department stores and produced "space age" clothing that was quickly imitated on the high street.

The youth market was enormous in the US, and department stores made millions by importing London fashions. But retailers also recognised the boutique's potential. Local stores that catered to affluent customers by selling unique, cutting-edge designs thrived, notably in New York.

Andrè Courrèges

André Courrèges

The French designer is best known for introducing the revolutionary space look- featuring white boots, goggles and boxy dresses designed in futuristic metallic shades, high shine fabrics such as PVC. His look was a blend of avant-garde geometry with sports classic driven by the youth culture.

Pierre Cardin

Became famous for his brightly colored mini dresses. At the time his garments were "avant-garde" he like other designers at the time was heavily influenced by “Age" movement. His design style is mainly geometric shapes and colours.

Paco Rabanne

The Spanish born designer made a name for himself in the 1960s with his space-age inspired fashions. He used materials such as metal, aluminum, plastic, plexi glass and even fiber optics. He was the first fashion designer to use black models in a catwalk show. As a result, he was almost thrown out of the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, the governing body of Parisienne fashion.

Givenchy

Responsible for the iconic little black dress that is essential to every woman's wardrobe and dressing the most elegant ladies of the time such as Audrey Hepburn, U.S. first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Princess Grace of Monaco; Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor and socialite Babe Paley.

Yves Saint Laurent

Shift dresses and pea coats became YSL trademark styles. In 1965, colour blocking made its entrance in the world of fashion, when Yves Saint-Laurent introduced the colour block dress, inspired by the works of the famous painter, Piet Mondria.

Emilio Pucci

Is best known for colorful psychedelic prints, especially for headscarves and dresses. In 1962 the world lost screen siren Marilyn Monroe. It's believed that she was buried in one of his dresses. Monroe was a huge fan of his work which can be clarified by the volume of Pucci garments in her personal collection displayed at Christies in 1999 prior to auction. Although an already established designer, Pucci saw an increase in sales in the sixties which he attributed to Miss Monroe and her popularity.

The Birth of the Hippie

(1960-70s)

Originally used to designate beatniks who had settled in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury neighbourhood, the word hipple is derived from the hipster. The hippies sought for alternate lifestyles. The majority of hippies cherished independence, nature, closeness, peace, generosity, and spirituality.

Nudity was another expression of freedom that hippies used to set themselves apart from society's norms. They frequently stayed in parks or set up camp in the woods, discarding their belongings.

All throughout, people wore tight-fitting bell-bottom jeans, preferably with flower patches and ankle fringe, T-shirts, or just a skimpy halter top. All of the peasant blouses complemented jeans. Anything handcrafted was considered an accessory, and many of them had peace symbols. Popular shirts and dresses had floral prints that stood for peace and love.

In general, people dressed in a way that they believed represented who they were as individuals and not only to follow the rules of fashion. For instance, both sexes wore their hair longer and it had an unruly, uncared-for appearance. This was in response to the mid-60s girl in the miniskirt who had neat, short hair.

Woodstock 1969

At Woodstock over 250,000 hippies showed up to hear artists like Janis Joplin, The Who, Canned Heat, The Allman Brothers, and County Joe and the Fish. Woodstock was not just a music concert. It was a "profound religious experience."

vintag.es. (2015). 40 Rare and Incredible Color Photographs That Capture Scenes of the Woodstock Music & Art Fair in August 1969. [Online]. www.vintag.es. Last Updated: 7 February 2015. Available at: https://www.vintag.es/2015/02/40-rare-and-unseen-color-photos-of.html [Accessed 3 january 2023].

The controversy of drugs

The most popular music of the time was psychedelic rock. Many of concerts were places for lippies to protest, socialise, dance, or take drugs. Drugs like marijuana and LSD were a big art of the hippy/counterculture movement. Using drugs made hippies feel like the were belling from mainstream society.

[sizzleissues]

café (840 words. Warm up)

There was a café about ten minutes out of his way on his commute to work that Adrien always made the detour to. It was to the point he’d arrive late rather than miss out on the morning stop and his colleagues would notice his commitment to getting that coffee every morning. Some had even added it to their own commute, believing he took the risk because it was of better quality than the nearer café.

Which was also true, but that wasn’t the reason. 

He locked his bicycle to the same lamp post at the same corner with the same charity collector nodding as he passed and entered through the café doors. As part of him donating his change every day the collector looked out for his bike while he ordered his coffee.

He’d started cycling a few years back as part of an eco initiative for the students and hadn’t stopped since. He sold off his car to Nino a few months ago when he had his first kid and got a year long pass for the train and bus. Last he’d been in a car was on a school trip to London when a student left something in the hotel and he had to grab a taxi to make it there and back to the train station in time. He didn’t miss it one bit.

The café was tiny for its location, barely wide enough for three people to stand shoulder to shoulder. Two tall-legged tables sat into the windows either side of the door and a serving counter cut through the middle of the room. The place might have seemed bigger if it weren’t for the overflow of decor; eclectic signage across the walls, trinkets on every surface and tiny potted cacti with cute faces painted on. Every surface was polished and smooth to the touch but each item still bore its wear, no effort made to conceal the peeling layers of paint or the dips of dents on the counter. 

The immediate smell of coffee and herbal teas nearly was enough to energise Adrien for the rest of the day. He waited patiently though for the customer ahead of him to collect their order, tapping his foot along to the funk music just under the sounds of machines running. 

He looked out of place there, with his beige outfit paired with bright red runners and a neon helmet tucked under his arm. No one would think he used to model for a leading fashion house. It was an object of endless amusement for his students to bring up his old adverts like they didn’t already haunt his dreams and ask if all models were as unfashionable as him. Adrien knew how to look ‘fashionable’. He was intimately aware of what looked good on him, what made his eyes pop and his skin glow and of what was ‘in’ or what was timeless and a must have in his wardrobe, and had long since decided he’d ignore it all completely. 

Model Adrien Agreste was a different person to Mr Graham De Vanilly, physics and maths teacher. 

He stepped aside as the person ahead of him took their drinks and left and moved up to place his order. There wasn’t really any need for him to reiterate it at this point, the barista knew his order to the letter and if they weren’t busy would begin making it without question. 

“Same as usual, Mr Graham?” The barista asked. She smirked, a delight taken in her daily habit of teasing him. Adrien propped up his head in his hands, leaning over the counter with a grin to match.

“Surely we’re past formalities. You know every one of my student's names.”

“But you get so annoyed when I call you that.” She giggled, touching her hand to her lips. “Speaking of which, did Grace’ - she turned to the coffee machine- ‘take the advice I gave?”

“She did and she thanks you. The costumes couldn’t look better this year for the play.”

The way she worked mesmerised him. There was a complete command to her actions that only came from them being repeated so many times. Place her outside the café and she’d slip on the ground as though it was ice but here every element was under her total control. He didn’t even think she realised just how competent she was when her mind didn’t invent its own obstacles.

“I’ll have to come see it then. Since it includes some of my own work.”

Adrien accepted the coffee she handed him but his hands were shaking before he’d even taken the first sip.

“Yeah. You should.”

She stared at him with a strange expression for a moment before he corrected himself. There'd been too much sincerity in his voice.

“We might be even able to get you free tickets since you technically helped in the backstage process.”

“That sounds more like it, I can't be handing all these tips away for free." When she smiled he could see the past in her eyes. "Enjoy your day, sir.”

Adrien leaned his head to the side, a slight frown pulling his lips. She laughed again. “Enjoy your day, Adrien.”

“See you at the play, Marinette.”

( for context Marinette amnesia au where Adrien promised he'd get her to love him again but also he's aware she's a different person now and wants to do it naturally.)

[zealouscanonindeer]

The Rules of Property and Sentiment

Sherlock Holmes:

The only thing I could follow up on was father, so I decided to visit her prior residence and inquire there.  I left in silence but not before reassuring Mrs Croft of my innocence in the whole matter. She begrudgingly trusted me, my earnest nature winning over her distrust of me. Her wary gaze followed me as I hailed a hansom and made my way to the Cartwright estate.

On my arrival, I was greeted by the kindly looking, silver haired butler, Leopold who of course knew me. He greeted me courteously, always the professional and impeccable at his job. 

“Mr Holmes, I did not expect to see you here. How can I be of assistance?” he said.

“I’m here to see Miss Cartwright.” It was a shot in the dark but I did not want to distress her family. 

“Oh, she moved closer to the city.” He tactfully omitted the part where she had grown tired of the continuous lash of suitors her father hurled at her before she decided to get away. Perhaps...

“Was she being courted?” I knew full well the answer to this unless there had been a recent development.

“Quite the contrary”

“Very well. May I speak to Mr Edmund Cartwright then?”

“He is to leave for an important business affair in France. As per his custom, he shall be at the Diogenes club at this hour before he boards the train after dining there.” Leopold informed me evenly.

The Diogenes Club? I must say I was surprised. I didn’t take the man to be one for such stringent silence. 

“And there is no possibility that Emily accompanied him?”

“Miss Cartwright is in London to the best of knowledge. She despised accompanying her father on business ventures. She found it drab.”

I couldn’t escape his rather forceful and pointed emphasis on propriety. Within social boundaries I did not have the right to refer to her by her Christian name.

“Thank you, Leopold,” I bowed slightly before making my way to the Diogenes club, in the hopes of encountering her father. 

 Alas, I was too late to catch the gentleman who after breaking his fast had already made his way to the station. If my calculations were current, his train was well on its way.

I sighed, taking a seat, too anxious to smoke so I settled for a drink. Usually, it was only with considerable ire that I consulted Mycroft. The matters at hand, the precious lady in question and the terror at any harm coming her way pushed me to gather some insight from my brother. 

I walked into the stranger’s room, taking up a spot opposite my brother, who sat with his fingertips together, his watery grey eyes clouded with introspection.

“Yes, brother mine? What agitates you?” 

“What makes you think I am agitated?”

“Really Sherlock, I thought you could see the signs yourself, it’s quite obvious. Firstly...”

“Never mind, let’s get to the matter at hand.” I did not have time for this childish play.  

“Which is?”

“Emily is missing. I was to meet her on Thursday…” I continued filling him up with the details, realising far too late that I had said too much. Mycroft chuckled, smiling amusedly before smugly replying.

“Surely you mean Miss Cartwright. You were to meet her? Is that sentiment I detect on account of her?”

I internally groaned, propriety slipped my mind while addressing her. As for the sentiment, I preferred to keep Mycroft in the dark.

“Pray, how are you acquainted with Miss Cartwright?” I pointedly questioned.

“Her father is a member of the club, I made her acquaintance right here, in this very room. Brilliant I must say, with a knack of getting into quite the scrapes. Something to do with her jumping over the back fence after locking a potential suitor in the wardrobe.”

“That sounds just like her.” The words left my mouth subconsciously.

“So, you know what she is like?” Mycroft quickly picked up on it.

I gritted my teeth in frustration. This girl shall have me humiliated in front of everyone before long.

“Mycroft, just tell me what you think of it.” I answered sternly, dangerously close to losing my nerve.

“I think you are positively swooning and have scared her off. If I’m to guess correctly she shall be back in your arms in no time unless you cease this line of inquiry.”

“I hope so too.”

Again, I realised my folly only too late. Mycroft’s raised eyebrow and amused mirthful expression left me quite red in the face. I quickly got up, trying to regain my composure. 

“Goodbye.” I huffed.

“Give my regards to Emily.” 

I merely ignored his jests, finally making my way to Baker Street after the day’s excursions. I now had to deal with Watson, who I realised could read me better than he let on.

[of-beasts-and-blood]

Character Intro

☠Basics: Name: Fyodor Bychkov Pronunciation: Fee-o-dore Beach-kov Meaning: Fyodor ~ ‘divine gift’ Bychkov ~ a family name connected to animals. The meaning of the name is ‘bull’, and denotes a family that is strongly built and powerful. Birthday: May 15, 1960 (Taurus) Age: 23  Gender: Male Pronouns: he/him Sexuality: Bisexual Siblings: Anna Whitlock Mother: Ksenia Bychkov Father: Andrei Bychkov Other Family: None Languages: Russian, English, minor French (mostly curse words, likely), small bits of British Sign Language Current Residence: Declan’s apartment, please free him. His and Declan’s shared living space, somewhere in London  Hometown: Satka, Satkinsky. The reserve was far out of town, due to its magical nature. 

☠

☠ Wizard Fun: School: Durmstrang  House: Atticus House Year of Graduation: 1978 Occupation: Unemployed Pet: He wishes :(  Blood Status: Pureblood Patronus: A graphorn. The creature is just too intrinsically tied into Fyodor’s being to be anything else. However, it’s a double-edged sword. Even if Fyodor were to be happy enough to conjure more than a thin wisp, the sight of the graphorn would definitely make him falter. Boggart: His father, severing his ‘attachments’. In general, Fyodor wasn’t afraid of his father. He admired his work ethic, his strength of magic and his ability to provide for his family. Yet he can no longer separate that man from the one who killed his favourite creature just to prove his point. His Boggart takes the form of his father, taunting him and torturing him about something - or someone - that Fyodor holds dear to him. Even if he closes his eyes, he can see the flash of green that follows. He can hear their cries and then… nothing. Amortentia Scent: Freshly-ploughed earth, medical sanitiser, beef stroganoff simmering on the stove. Wand type: Custom-made by Mykew Gregorovitch, made of Hawthorn with a Graphorn tentacle core. 12 inches. Affiliation: Neutral, but still on the border of Death Eater society as he treads a dangerous line.

☠ Appearance: Face Claim: Noel Fisher Height: 5’7” (he’s short and stocky) Hair Colour: Black Eye Colour: Blue-grey Typical Hair Style: Having spent his school years with a constant buzzcut, Fyodor is only now letting his hair grow out a little. Though it’s still short, the extra inches from his old look make him feel like a new man.  Fashion Style: Style? What is this? Fyodor, stylish? It’s less likely than you think. Having only packed very few of his clothes from Russia, his wardrobe is very eclectic. He wears sleeveless vests with jackets over them, fur coats when it’s snowing and - let’s be real - very little when he’s relaxing at home. He just looks like he walked into his closet and it spat him out again. The man needs help. He’s so used to the Russian winters that anything England throws at him is a balmy day to him.  Distinguishing Features: Scars, scars, scars. You don’t grow up raising creatures without getting a few injuries. His arms and legs tell that story, patterned with a few nicks that he will happily tell you about - at least, on his non-Dark Mark arm. His left knee is also a bit stiff following the time he got his knee cap shattered during a Re’em stampede he caused. His parents healed the bone, but not 100%. Their parenting style was all about lessons, and this was one that he’d have to bear for life. He also has a very distinct way of pulling his mouth when he speaks. 

☠ Personality and Interests: Positive Traits: Caring, hard-working, humble, a good listener. Negative Traits: Complaisant, undecided, stubborn, reluctant to open up.  Quick Facts: Left-handed. Cannot wink. Can sing. Likes Firewhiskey. Likes all seasons equally. Particularly enjoys jumping in leaf piles. Can’t swim. Smiles easily. Teases those he likes mercilessly.  Hobbies: Cooking. Fighting (well, previously). Waiting for Declan to come home. Running away from his problems. Sometimes reading Declan’s medical textbooks so he can throw in a fancy word or two during casual conversations.  Skills: Fair at cooking. Great with animals. Good with his fists. Bad with his wand.  Theme song: “Glitter & Gold” by Barns Courtney. 

☠ Headcanons:

Voice: Fyodor’s voice is deep and his Russian accent is thick. His elocution is good enough to not struggle with pronunciation, but his accent is always there. It’s in the roll of his R’s, in the guttural H’s and the general hum of his tone. 

Handwriting: Surprisingly neat. As a child, Fyodor would make notes on his daily activities, and they had to be legible enough to refer back to. His letters slant to the right and are small in size, allowing for more information per page. He once tried out dotting his i’s with X’s, but promptly stopped the habit during his first year at Durmstrang.

Because of its origin, Fyodor has not bonded with his wand. He never managed elegant spells, and even conjuring a simple Lumos took effort. An educated wandmaker could easily detect an air of melancholy coming from the object - one that could probably vanish if Fyodor embraced the bond he once held with his wand’s core. When at home, Fyodor does not carry his wand around with him, instead leaving it in its holster on his bedside table. In public, he has it with him, but barely uses it - though this isn’t necessarily something someone would immediately notice. 

Fyodor enjoys cooking. This only became evident once he left Russia and lived on his own. He had to make himself meals that would last him as long as they could and, having watched his mother cook over the years, he figured it couldn’t be too hard. He surprisingly took to it like a Kelpie to water, even going as far to buy himself some recipe books from a local bookshop in Paris. He makes a mean French onion soup, and his dumplings are his pride and joy. He’s recently taken to trying out sweet recipes - but don’t tell Declan. It’s a surprise. 

Fyodor misses the creature-rearing life, but he’s worried about trying to enter the London creature scene. How could he explain his proficiency with animals and not delve into his past? It was better to leave it alone. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t shoot longing glances at the Growls and Howls clinic wanted ads in the paper though. 

Fyodor is convinced that Sprinkles is a Jarvey in deep hiding, and keeps attempting to teach his cuss words when Declan isn’t home. 

Fyodor is shorter than both Whitlock siblings - something that amuses them greatly. Despite this, he can easily haul them both off their feet and over his shoulder. Separately, of course. He’s not that strong. Unless…..

He never realised how boring being a single child was until he met Anna. Now he’s completely adopted her as his sister and formed a bond almost as strong as if she was his biological sister.