#each item is from a different charity shop

[littlenedjem]

I'm God's favourite princess today

[dontforgetukraine]

Ukraine Donation Guide Master Post

(Ver. 2 updated Aug 13th, 2024) I will be reformatting this and adding more in the future when I have time.

Also a quick note, all of the groups I have found through twitter have been around long enough for them to be vetted by each other and the brigades they work with. In fact, a lot of these groups collaborate with each other too. Those that are in the fight for Ukraine have been diligent in calling out those that are grifters. Word spreads around quickly if an organization doesn't show up with what they promised. They also use their social media (often Twitter) as a means of transparency for their work.

Remember: When considering on whether to donate, always use your best judgement and donate to those you trust if you do not see what is listed is up to your standards.

Multi-Purpose

United 24 has various fundraisers dedicated to defense and drones, medical aid, rebuilding Ukraine, humanitarian demining, and science and education. You can pick which one you want to contribute to under their various projects.

Liberty Ukraine uses funds for humanitarian aid, medical supplies, protective gear and equipment, and rehabilitation therapy. You can choose which campaign of theirs to donate to.

Come Back Alive is a charitable foundation that supports Ukraine's military with competent assistance while also focusing on security and defense. They also have projects that use sports to help veterans rehabilitate. You can choose which campaign to donate to.

Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation works to help both civilians and Ukraine's army. You can choose to donate to an active project or any of their general campaigns. Civilian aid campaigns cover temporary housing, supporting crisis and emergency responses, schools, demining, and healthcare. Military aid campaigns cover drones, optics units, communications equipment, and support of air defense teams.

Food Aid

World Central Kitchen works with local partners wherever they are providing food aid. They make sure meals and meal kits are what the local population eats. Even though there is no separate fundraising campaign for Ukraine (that I can see), they still do great work.

Animal Rescue

Hachiko Foundation works to help displaced pets and strays in frontline areas. They help with veterinary care, outdoor shelters, setting up feeding stations, and rehoming animals.

Medical Aid

Hospitallers (Website) is a volunteer organization of paramedics that was founded in 2014. They evacuate the wounded, provide medical aid on the frontlines, assist in rehabilitation, and transfer of the deceased to burial sites. They are also supported by Ukraine Charity. Visit Hospitallers' website to see how many they have evacuated, different methods you can donate, and more information about them.

Other

Saint Javelin (Twitter; Website) is a great place to get apparel, gear, and other cool loot to show your support for Ukraine. They don't take donations, but instead raise funds through their shop with a portion of their sales going towards humanitarian aid and critical items needed by the defenders (generators, pick-up trucks, medical supplies etc). Part of their shop has items made in Ukraine to support Ukrainian businesses. Overall, their products are high-quality. I include them due to their impactful presence in the Twitter community I follow and how they make Ukraine visible in an alternative way. Consider buying someone a gift from their shop.

The Kyiv Independent (Twitter; Website) is a great English language resource for news about Ukraine. I include them because I think supporting good journalism is incredibly important, especially now when the information space is fraught with Russian propaganda, misinformation, and disinformation. My followers have probably noticed I've pulled a lot of quotes from their stories in an effort to amplify Ukrainian voices and experiences. Look on their website for more information on different way to support them, such as their Patreon.

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If you're on twitter, there are a number of groups and people that fundraise for Ukraine and for specific units fighting on the frontlines. If there is no official website, a PayPal for donations is listed in their profiles. When considering on whether to donate, always use your best judgement and donate to those you trust if you do not see what is listed is up to your standards.

@/Teoyaomiquu almost always has a fundraiser for Liberty Ukraine with a specified purpose. At the time of writing this, he is currently raising funds for engineering equipment such as excavators. One such excavator is already in Kursk. Follow him to stay up to date with what he's fundraising for.

Dyga's Paw (Twitter: @/dzygaspaw) is a smaller group that has recently raised funds for starlinks, drones, batteries, and Ecoflow generators. You can look at the fundraising campaigns they currently have on their website.

@/DefactoHumanity represents and founded Planet of the People with their website U(a)nited for Freedom. She frequently posts updates about their fundraisers and what their partners need. They are known for providing Frontline medical aid supplies, protective equipment and other military aid, technical equipment (starlinks, drones, scopes, etc), and infrastructure equipment (generators, vehicles, power stations, etc). They even have a merch store of the battalions they partner with if that's your jam. Here is their link tree if you wish to explore more. And in case you're curious, there is an article bout the founder here.

@/wilendhornets (Website) specialize in making high quality drones that have gotten a lot of praise from Ukraine's army. They have attracted a lot of media attention too. Check out their website for the list of articles that have been written about them. Their Twitter is very active with strike footage.

Ants Kitchen Hub (@/ants_kyiv) is a volunteer kitchen that makes dry rations for the Ukrainian army. They are more active on their other social media. To learn more about them, check out their link tree.

@/frontlinekit (Front Line Kitchen) is represented by Richard Woodruff. Originally they made shelf stable food for the Ukrainian army, but now their fundraising has branched out to other campaigns such as raising funds for medical supplies and drones. They are a well known group that many battalions have come to for help.

@/bekamaciorowski (Rebekah Maciorowski) is as combat medic and nurse who helps provide medical care to soldiers and civillians at the frontlines. She raises funds for medical supplies and other equipment, but also helps train soldiers in first aid. More of her social media that features her work can be found in her link tree.

@/UkraineAidOps (Website) is another organization battalions frequently go to for help. They fundraise for all sorts of equipment from medical supplies to drones. If you're interested, they also have a shop with patches from different brigades and flags signed by soldiers. Their shop also includes a separate section called the Victory Gallery where artifacts from the war are turned into art. This includes shells that are painted on, scrap metal from downed enemy planes are turned into keychains, and pieces of a rocket are turned into lamps.

Chris Garrett is the co-founder of Prevail. His organization deals with humanitarian demining as well as training for trauma care, training of bomb disposal, and education to the public. Prevail works with local agencies in Ukraine as well as the army.

Project Konstantin (Twitter; Website; Linktree) is still going strong after the death of their founder, British paramedic Peter Fouché. His digital ghost can be found here. They collaborate with the military, thus giving them an insight into what is dearly needed. They often raise funds for starlinks, personalized first aid kits (IFAKs), generators, portable power stations, and other nonlethal military equipment. I regret forgetting them the first time this post went around. Visit their website to see everything they have done and more. It has more information on what and how they do it than this post can cover.

One Team One Fight (Twitter; Website; Linktree) has some of the original members that worked for Ukraine Aid Ops. They formed their own group after differences with the previous one, and are still helping Ukraine. They are very visible on various social media showing what they have accomplished in their deliveries to various brigades. They're another group that seeks to bring starlinks, drones, medical supplies and protective gear to the battalions that come to them for help. Check out their website for more information on their current fundraisers, their achievements, and received recognition.

NAFO 69th Sniffing Brigade (Twitter; Website) Another small group that focuses their funds on delivering drones, generators, vehicles, and saving the occasional furry companion. They are very diligent in their updates for their fundraising campaigns. Check out their website for more information and the articles written about them.

Postmaster General Boomer (Twitter; Website) focuses on humanitarian aid, animal aid, and logistics. Boomer is the beloved pet of one of the founders and the secret boss/mascot. They have many transparency reports and are diligent in reporting the various "tours" they do in getting supplies where they are needed to go. They are based in Germany but have built up many connections during their existence. They have also worked closely with Ukraine Aid Ops.

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I am sure I have forgotten some, so please reply or comment with any more I should add to this master post. I will edit and update as I see and evaluate more.

Last updated: Aug. 13th, 2024

Version updates listed below

August 13th, 2024 Added:

Hospitallers

Saint Javelin

The Kyiv Independent

Project Konstantin

1 Team 1 Fight

NAFO 69th Sniffing Brigade

Post Master General Boomer

[hotdonnafox]

The Charity Ring

Jenna had always loved exploring charity shops. There was something magical about sifting through forgotten trinkets, each with a story of its own. One rainy afternoon, she found herself in a little store on the corner of Oak Street, the scent of old books and vintage clothes filling the air.

Among the dusty jewelry on the counter, a ring caught her eye. It was a delicate gold band, adorned with a gleaming sapphire, intricate carvings snaking around its surface. It looked out of place among the other worn items, as if it had a history that stretched far beyond the dusty shelves.

“How much for this?” Jenna asked the elderly shopkeeper.

The woman’s eyes twinkled, a cryptic smile curling her lips. “That ring belonged to someone very… unforgettable. Be careful what you wish for when you wear it.”

Jenna chuckled, slipping the ring onto her finger without a second thought. It fit perfectly, almost as if it had been made for her. The sapphire glimmered in the dim light, casting strange reflections onto her skin.

That night, she noticed the changes.

It started subtly. As she glanced in the mirror before bed, her reflection seemed different. Her lips looked fuller, her cheekbones sharper, her eyes more enticing. She brushed it off as a trick of the light, but the following morning, the transformation was undeniable.

Jenna’s hair fell in perfect waves, her skin radiated a flawless glow. Her wardrobe, once filled with modest, casual clothes, suddenly seemed inadequate. She found herself gravitating toward tight skirts, low-cut tops, and high heels she’d never had the confidence to wear before.

Her thoughts shifted, too. She used to be quiet, reserved now, all she could think about was how others looked at her. She craved their attention, needed it. At work, she noticed the way her colleagues stared, how the men fumbled over their words, how the women looked at her with envy. And she loved it.

With every passing day, the changes grew more intense. Her walk became a strut, her voice a seductive purr. She flirted with anyone who crossed her path, basking in their desire. Her thoughts grew darker, more selfish. She found herself lying, manipulating people with ease, using her beauty as a weapon. What was once a faint glimmer of vanity had become an all-consuming obsession.

Then came the memories. Late one night, as she gazed at herself in the mirror, a strange sensation washed over her a flood of foreign thoughts and desires. She saw flashes of a woman in extravagant gowns, draped in jewels, standing at the center of attention. She felt the woman’s arrogance, her cruelty, her insatiable hunger for power and luxury.

Jenna gasped, stepping back from the mirror. It wasn’t just the ring’s influence. It was the woman who had worn it before the vain, spoiled woman whose essence still lingered within the sapphire. Slowly, surely, Jenna was becoming her.

But instead of fear, Jenna felt a thrill rush through her veins. The old Jenna would have resisted, would have fought to stay the person she was. But now? She wanted it. She wanted the luxury, the adoration, the power that came with being that woman. The ring had unlocked something inside her, something darker and more thrilling than she had ever imagined.

By the time the final changes settled in, Jenna was unrecognizable. She stood in front of the mirror, a smirk on her lips, a gleam in her eyes. The ring had completed its work. She had become the woman who had worn it before vain, spoiled, and utterly unapologetic.

She would never take it off.

[dustyspines]

I miss the gang and am obviously obsessed with how you write them, do you have any thoughts or snippets you’d like to share?? <3

many sorrys it took me so long to get to this but because it's you i wanted to put in some extra effort!!! so YES i have snippets and many thoughts so under the cut here i present to you: pinterest board screenshots and gang snippets from my currently unnamed (tentatively titled the dictionary) fic <3

karl. beloved. he's the sweet muggle-born hufflepuff who has an affinity to charms, specifically in the modification/adaptation of charms to make household items more useful. he works in a little trinkets shop in diagon alley where people bring in misbehaving items that need fixing, or to request an adaptation to something they need help with. he charms quills to write in different colours so those with colour-blindness can see. he charms teapots to chime when they reach the boil so those a little more forgetful don't set their houses on fire. he did a year's training the the misuse of muggle artefacts department before taking up the job, and it's the joy of his life <3

outside of work he plays the piano, he loves music and finding funky jumpers in charity shops that are to big but are cosy for all seasons. he loves animals, and his second best subject was magical creatures, but he needs socialisation with people more than he does animals which is why he's so outgoing and friendly and sickeningly loyal to his friends (to a point where he sometimes oversteps but it isn't intentional)

craig. another BELOVED. outspoken but respectful half-blood slytherin with a passion for football that he used to provide tactics for the quidditch team at hogwarts. he's the shortest of the group but is nimble and fast which is why nobody cares, nor does he. he likes coffee in a Proper way, and is very passionate about the brewing of certain kinds (a point of contention with yann who doesn't give af and will use instant coffee powder just to tease him). he works as a speech therapist/mind healer hybrid at st. mungo's, specifically working with kids with traumatic childhoods who need help with their speech before they go to hogwarts. he has a good base knowledge in both magical and muggle medicine practices so is usually the mom friend of the group, but he doesn't mind.

he likes friendship bracelets (because the kids he works with will make him loads of the thread-knot kind) and he forces his friends to go on jogs with him when he thinks they've been inside for too long.

POLLY beloved!!!!! back in school she started a student radio broadcast (thanks to karl's charms skills where he found a way to connect the gramophones/record players in the castle together to work without electricity). she loves music of all eras and is chronic for being a bit of a know-it-all. after school she took up an assistant position in the biggest magical radio broadcasting company and has been hosting the breakfast show for a while now where she plays a mix of muggle and magical music.

she loves rings and mismatching nail polish but the paint is always chipped because she's so hands on with everything. her hair is perpetually braided because she can't be bothered to keep tucking it behind her ears all the time. she has a slight mean streak and knows it but it always comes from a place of care because she just can't stand people who beat around the bush instead of being honest with each other. yann is obsessed with her n they've been living together since they left school but she pretends to be cool about it just so he looks like the crazy one.

yann <3 he wears glasses, he has lovely wavy hair. you'll never catch him dead in a pair of jeans. he's a pureblood from france who went to hogwarts because he'd been living with his grandmother in london since he was a kid and decided staying in the uk would be better in the long run. he works in madam malkin's as a tailor but focuses on male silhouettes, and most of the clothes he wears are made by him. his grandmother taught him everything he knew and he decided he didn't care enough about magic to take up a magical career, hence why he went into tailoring instead.

he has the whole tall and handsome and mysterious thing going on (he's the tallest of the bunch) but it's ironic because he's the most open of them all when you get to know him. super smart but you'd never know because he's very quiet about it. keeps secrets the best because he understand the value in having a person to trust and talk to, but gives the best advice so people don't end up upset. refuses to listen to any criticism of polly because she's always nice to him; doesn't realise it's only him she's always nice to because they're together. has big tunnel vision when it comes to her.

^ that board is just called vibes because it's just capturing the Essence. they start age 20/21 and it goes until they're 24/25, so it's a good four years of their life post-hogwarts.

it's very right where you left me LOL. friends break up friends get married etc. etc.

i haven't written too much that is super Finished, the doc is at 30k-ish words right now. but there are two Gang-centric scenes so here are some lines from those that i really like :)

aaaand that's The Gang. for now. it's fun to know where they're going to end up without really knowing how they get there.

[commander-hanji-zoe]

Merry Christmas, Yuletide felicitations, ¡Feliz Navidad!, Joyeux Noël! Buon Natale! to all my wonderful followers. I hope for all those who celebrate you have a wonderful, magical and peaceful time over the next few days. To those who don't celebrate I wish you all love and that you are safe and full of joy all the same.

I wrote the following during NaNoWriMo, I wanted it posted yesterday or a few days ago, but Christmas eve is better than not at all. 🎄

How the Vets prepare for Christmas

Erwin

A lot of reading, he especially enjoys reading by the fireplace with a hot mug of spiced cider or mulled wine. He can sit uninterrupted for hours on end, quite content with the words of a book helping him to escape into another world for a short while.

Erwin gets his Christmas cards out early, he loves writing them whilst listening to Christmas music. He will include a round robin letter informing everyone of what he’s been up to after the past year, he also uses it as a chance to make amends and try to build bridges with others.

Simple and tasteful, traditional decorations. Will weave his own wreath and make a beautiful centrepiece for the table with foraged holly, ivy and pinecones.

The wreath goes up on his front door early, he likes his home to appear welcoming to anyone visiting.

Levi

The home has to smell wonderful 24/7, he has stove top potpuri which he redoes every few days and heats over the fireplace in the lounge.

Plenty of scented candles too, he loves the smell of spiced apple and orange.

Gets his Christmas shopping done in one trip, he detests it but would rather have one, long difficult and stressful day than many, this way he can forget about it.

Wraps his presents with meticulous care and love. They all have holly or other plant based decorations tied into the ribbon.

Levi’s advent candle would be a simple one with pictures behind each window. The morning routine in December is to wake up, make a nice tea, ideally something winter and seasonal, and then sit down at the kitchen table and open the day’s door whilst sipping tea.

Hanji

Chaotic Christmas shopper, everything is done in bits across multiple days and she ends up with more presents than she needs for everyone.

Has a very traditional Christmas tree, but some of the other decorations around her home are a little more out there, she likes to try out modern trends as well as making some quirky decorations of her own.

Christmas cards are delivered a few days before Christmas, many of them are from the years previous.

Loves a pantomime and Christmas parties, any excuse to let their hair down for once, to dress up and laugh or dance, Hanji will fully embrace the season and let herself go.

Mike

Christmas Shopping is a careful operation that he’s been planning for since early November. Typically if he sees items throughout the last few months of the year he will buy them and so come December he isn’t overwhelmed with so much to buy. Additionally he finds it stops him from buying under pressure and ending up with items he isn’t even sure the individuals will like. Instead the presents are purchased with love and plenty of though.

Similar to Erwin, traditional and tasteful decorations in his home. He prefers a real Christmas tree and isn’t particular about a colour theme. He’ll try to buy a new decoration every year to mark the year that has passed. He can recall where each and every one came from and the stories behind them. If he can purchase them whilst away in a different country all the better.

Mike likes to be the one to cook Christmas dinner, he has a Christmas chef’s apron and hat. He knows that Erwin also enjoys cooking but Erwin works harder than all of them throughout the year so Mike just wants to give him a break on the big day.

Organises or takes part in charity present drives and wants to do as much to help others as possible. Afterall it is the season. He is especially

Loves a Christmas jumper.

Moblit

Shopping is done throughout December on a few trips, all of them planned and less chaotic than the ones Hanji goes on.

Enjoys more silver, white, blue Christmas deorations and goes for that ‘Winter Wonderland’ sparkle and ice theme in his home. But somehow he still makes it cosy.

Is a fan of hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows and also some spiced rum or whiskey.

Loves Christmas music and can be found by the Christmas tree singing along as he wraps presents with great big bows. Is a big fan of bows on everything, even his Christmas jumper has a bow on it.

Winter walks are very much one of his things, he loves being outside especially on sunny but crisp days where frost gently covers all the grass and plants. He loves going on these walks with his friends, but is also happy to spend some time alone thinking about the year which is nearly over, being reflective and thinking on what he’d love from the following year. He will also gather some fir branches, holly and other plants to display in his home.

Nanaba

Christmas is a time to get cosy and be relaxed, she doesn’t want to be stressing about last minute Christmas presents or the food. So she has a Christmas organiser and everything is incredibly well planned.

She loves Red and Gold, everything to be traditional and warm. Has one of the houses with a smoking chimney, the incense cones she uses are the myrrh and frankincense ones.

Loves lighting candles, all red and green, if they’re spiced all the better.

Big fan of Christmas Hallmark movies and just wants to get under a blanket and watch them with a mulled wine or hot chocolate whilst wearing big animal slipper socks.

Loves Ice skating and will succeed in encouraging the others to join her even if they’re a little nervous, Nanaba knows how to help her friends relax and feel at ease.

[thelightofthingshopedfor]

Fan Crafts Bazaar stall

Welcome to my Fan Crafts Bazaar stall for @fandomtrumpshate! I've done Marvel Trumps Hate before but I've never done this, so if I leave out something really obvious or I say something confusing, please ask questions. Tumblr DMs or are generally a good way to contact me initially. Premade items go to the first person to show me proof of donation with their claim.

Basically, everything on my Etsy shop is available, except that a) to participate in the Fan Crafts Bazaar, you'll donate the listed price to one of the organizations and show me proof of donation to get the item you want, and b) some items that look limited in my shop can be repeatedly custom-made, as long as you're willing to wait a little while to get them.

I will pay $5 shipping for each package, so if you're outside the US (or for some reason your domestic shipping cost goes above $5), I'll ask you to send me the shipping overage through PayPal.

I am linking to Etsy for most of these items, but again, that's just to show photos and variations. If you buy directly from my Etsy, you're buying from me! Don't do that if you want to participate in the charity bazaar!

I either have or can make multiples of these items:

Loki Pride emoji pin ($13; a few are premade and can be shipped immediately, and I can re-do any flag I've already done; I can also easily do any other 3-stripe or 5-stripe flag, but I'm not sure about others)

Frost Giant Loki emoji pin ($14, the one with yellow horns; nothing premade)

Pride Cap pin ($15; a few varieties are premade and can ship immediately; I can re-do any flag I've already done or any flag mentioned in the listing, and I can probably figure out a way to do other flags)

Loki Pride keychains ($16; only one premade, but these can be custom-made for any 3-stripe or 5-stripe flag)

tux Loki pin ($14, professionally made hard enamel, 10 available, ungraded)

Loki/Sylvie theme park pin ($16, printed metal pins, 6 available)

Wonder Woman Pride necklace ($14; best with 3-stripe flags)

mini magnets, non-fandom: lollipop, fox mask, clock, mushroom ($4 each; I have a few other random things too, I just haven't posted pictures yet)

mini magnets, fandom: logos for the Avengers, Thor, Black Widow, Captain America, Black Panther, Iron Man (two different arc reactors), and Spider-Man, plus a Pokéball; fewer of a Loki symbol and some DC characters ($4 each)

One or very limited stock (again, limited items go to the first person to show me proof of donation with their claim):

bi Wonder Woman earrings ($13)

pansexual Loki earrings ($10)

nonbinary Hufflepuff pin ($13, scroll down to the bottom; please donate to an explicitly trans-supporting charity for this one; could potentially do something similar with a Gryffindor pin from the same series)

Pride Cap figure ($14.50)

Pride Cap necklaces/keychains ($15 each; premade nonbinary, genderfluid, and genderqueer only, because they're a little more annoying to make than pins, although I could probably be convinced to make more if somebody's really into them)

Funko Pop head ornaments: Marvel, gaming, Power Rangers (only have the specific ones listed)

mini magnets, fandom: specifically the four detailed designs in the second photo of Spider-Man, Iron Man, Black Widow, and Vision; not shown, one each of the Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel logos ($4 each)

I'm waiting to receive a couple other professionally made items that I'll probably add if they get here in time.

[the-fallow-library]

Statement of Lilly Murry, regarding the thing pretending to be her sister. Original statement given May 3rd, 2012.

-Marlieke Evans, Head Librarian.

[CLICK]

LIBRARIAN Statement of Lilly Murry, regarding the thing pretending to be her sister. Original statement given May 3rd, 2012. Recorded by Marlieke Evans, Head Librarian of the Fallow Library.

Statement begins

LIBRARIAN (Statement)

I used to be a twin. An identical twin to be precise, and now I'm not. All because of that thing, masquerading around as her, using her name, and people are buying it, believing it. It doesn't even look like her, how could they even be fooled by it?

I should start from the beginning. I'm sorry.

I was born an Identical twin in 1990, May 7th. Our parents named us Lilliana, and Isabella. It's obvious which one I am. We were Lilly and Isa. Those were our nicknames. We grew up pretty close, Our Mother dressing us the same, and we were content for a while, pulling tricks on others by pretending to be the other.

But by the time we reached the age of 11, when we were going into high school, that content feeling crumbled away. I grew tired of looking the exact same as my sister, I wanted to be my own person, my own individual. Isa was hesitant but I pushed and she eventually laid off, letting me be my own person apart from her. At the time that was the only thing that could tell us apart, I was stubborn, and 'head strong' as our parents called me.

As we grew older, We became more distant from each other. That's my fault mainly, the need to be separate from my sister was stronger and more important than our relationship apparently, even though by the time we were 17, I looked almost completely different from her, aside from facial features of course.

Once we graduated, I moved out the house, I went to London for University. We barely kept in touch over my years away, aside from wishing each other a 'happy new year', or 'happy holidays', that kind of stuff. For a few years though, we still celebrated our birthday together, but eventually we became so distant from each other that we stopped celebrating them together, and 'happy birthday' became one of the few messages we'd send each other every year.

It was so lonely, as I realised, celebrating our one day a year apart. But I was too stubborn to reach out so we could celebrate it together again. "She'll have to reach out first" I thought, like an idiot.

The guilt eventually got to me and I decided to reach out. I texted her and asked if I could go over to her house to visit, for a day at least. She agreed and last November, September 10th, I went to visit. I wasn't super surprised to find out that she lived not too far from our childhood home.

When I saw her for the first in years, in person, I was both surprised and not at the same time. Isa looked so different and yet the same from the last time I had seen her. Over the years from when we entered high school and left, I developed a bit of a punk fashion sense, it was the most I could do to differentiate myself from her. Isa clearly went a different direction from me. She had a sort of vintage fashion sense to her, and it made sense that she would wear stuff in that style. Upon entering her house, she also had a vintage style in everything. I had to assume that almost everything in her home was second hand, old, bought from a charity shop, stuff like that.

A thing I noticed however, in her living room, was a table. It definitely looked like it belonged, it looked old to me, but it stood out amongst all the vintage items in that room, in her house over all. It had an odd web pattern engraved into it, and I found myself unable to look away. It was oddly beautiful yet so earie.

The only reason I did look away was because of my sister grabbing my attention, she had made tea for us while I had been distracted, around 5 minutes. I wasn't even aware that I had been looking at it for that long. Isa commented that when she came back into the room with the tea, it was like I was staring at it, not looking just staring, not blinking once.

I asked where she had gotten it, she said a car-boot sale, in front of a van that had a name on the side of it, but she couldn't remember the name of it, or the men who sold it to her either. 'H&B' were the only things she could remember about the name.

We joked that the table was clearly was haunted if it was causing such weird things for both of us.

I remember her laugh like it was yesterday.

We chatted for a bit, even took two photos with each other on a vintage camera she had, a polaroid I think.

Afterwards, I left to go back home, new photo in my possession. I remember looking forward to being close to my sister again. And we kept contact for a while, until December 19th I think. I noticed something was weird with how she typed. Odd thing to notice I know, but it just didn't seem like how she would write a message. I asked if she was feeling alright, and 'she' just replied that she was feeling okay.

It wasn't until January 3rd that I went over to her home again. A cousin's baby shower was being held at her house, and I was invited.

When I arrived, I greeted all the family members who I hadn't seen in a while, and I noticed a woman there. I didn't know who she was, so I assumed she was either a friend of our cousin or a long distant cousin who I had never met before. I went going with the former. During the whole baby shower however, Isa was nowhere to be seen.

It wasn't until after the fun was over, everyone was going home, that I asked some who hadn't left yet if they had seen my sister. They gestured to the woman who I did not know, saying that was her. I thought they were messing with me, so I decided to play along with their 'joke' till I went up to the woman.

I asked this stranger if she had seen my sister. She looked at me oddly, and laughed slightly, saying that my joke was 'hilarious' and not mess with her. I was confused, and asked this stranger to stop this joke that apparently her and my other family members were in on.

It was when my Mum came up to us and asked me to stop messing around, that this stranger in front of me was my sister. I got even more confused, and I stood my ground, that this random woman was in fact not my sister. This made my Mum upset, so she went into her bag and pulled out her purse. I knew the purse well as it had photos of me and Isa from when we were children. I had no clue why she would pull those out if she wanted this little 'prank' to even work.

But when she took those photos out and showed them, it showed me and a child I did not recognise, together. In each photo, where my sister should've been, was a younger version of the stranger in front of me.

My confusion turned into a slow dread. I knew my Mother never made copies of those pictures, and she certainly was horrible at technology to even use photoshop.

The stranger claiming to be Isa, noticed my fear it seemed, and it looked like she made some form of realisation. When my mother walked away, this stranger smiled at me. It didn't look right, on her face. She looked at me with that unnatural grin and said "Come now, don't you recognise your dear sister, Isabella"

I left almost immediately. When I got home to my flat, my Mother was messaging me, telling me that I was being rude to my 'sister'. I flat out asked her how she could think that person was Isa, when me and her were identical twins, and that woman looked nothing like me or Isa in anyway.

My Mother then told me that no, I was not in fact born an identical twin, I was just a twin, born with no similarities in sight. She said that I should stop being delusional.

I ended up blocking her.

I remember having a panic attack. It lasted a while. Was I going mad? How could I not recognise my own sister? Did I make up being an identical twin?

Then I remembered the picture, the one we took back in November. I scrambled to find it, and once I did, it was as I remembered it. It had me and my sister in it. My real sister. I felt joy knowing that I wasn't crazy.

Over the next few days I learned about about this Stranger Isabella. Aside from that she looked completely different from Isa, there was other stuff different about her. It's fashion sense made it stand out like sore thumb amongst the old, vintage items in Isa's home, unlike How Isa seemed to fit right in amongst everything in her house. She even went by Isa's full name, where the real one preferred to go by her nickname.

The main thing I cared about though, was that this Stranger had fooled everyone, even our own Parents, and the real Isa was nowhere to be found. It's like she never even existed.

Except for the photo, and me. I am the only other physical evidence that my sister existed. No one would believe me but I didn't care, I wanted to make sure that my sister was remembered, in a way.

So, I changed my look, to match how I remembered her, similar to how we were when we were children. Us matching in every sense. Except now, I am alone, and my sister is gone.

Our birthday is coming up soon. I'll be celebrating it alone again, actually alone.

LIBRARIAN Statement ends.

For this follow up, we contacted Mrs.Murry to see how she was doing since she gave the statement. She’s gotten married since then and keeps the picture of her and her sister in a picture frame in her home, next to her family photos.

 I wasn’t planning on talking about the investigation of this since I felt it’d be unnecessary to set my Assistants on a twelve years old case, but Andrew managed to find Mr.Lawson’s investigation on it from when the statement was given, so that was pretty lucky.

Sometime after Mrs. Murry gave her statement, both her Mother and Father were found dead in the home of Isabella Murry, apparently the two were staying in the home for the night. There were signs of suffocation as the cause of death in their autopsy reports, and Isabella was nowhere to be found. 

With permission from Mrs. Murry, two of Mr. Lawson's assistants went down to the old home of Isabella Murry. One of the assistants, Logan Auliffe, talked to Isabella’s neighbours while the other one, Aria Hayes, investigated the house. 

When talking to the neighbours, one reported that the morning before the bodies of Mrs. Murry’s parents were found, a van parked outside Isabella’s home, where two men went into the home and took out a table, placing it inside the van before driving away. The neighbour remarked that the side of the van said ‘Breekon & Hope’ when he heard the van driving up to the home. 

In the house, an almost burnt polaroid picture was found in the waste bin, with only the left side fully gone. The right side remains of the picture shows a woman almost identical to Mrs. Murry, except wearing vintage aesthetic clothing, like how Mrs. Murry remembers her sister.

During the follow up, I asked Mrs. Murry to send a copy of her polaroid picture to the Library, since we still have the burnt one since the initial investigation, and I wanted to compare the two, along with any picture her family had of this ‘thing’ pretending to be her sister.

Looking at them now, side by side… it doesn’t exactly make sense. If this is true, then how did her family forget her identical twin entirely?

(Silence)

Whatever.

End recording.

[CLICK]

[oftlunarialmoon]

Royally Cute/Kawaii Room Decorating! – Royals Lesson!

Originally posted to www.onlyfunthings.org on November 07, 2018

Ciao lovelies! Today’s lesson falls more on the kawaii side of things, as well as potentially on the LARP side of things (if you consider decorating your space in a royally cute way to be LARPing as a Royal, that is). Today we’re talking about Royal Room Decorating, I’ll be sharing some of my tips on how to get a super kawaii and fun-to-live-in space, as well as some decluttering tips, sharing some of my fave DIY’s, and even spotlighting some YouTube Videos about this topic. So let’s jump in!

Step One to Royal Room Decorating is starting with a clean space. Making sure that you have a fresh clean slate is very important. 

Some tips to decluttering your space are:

-          Know what you do and don’t use, and get rid of what you don’t. If you’re like me and hoard craft supplies, make sure that your supplies are actually useful items that you will put to use soon, or discard them (or give them away to another crafter). 

-          Go through your clothes, anything you don’t wear anymore, donate to charity.

-          Clean out any trash from your space.

-          Everything should have a designated place, even if that place is a miscellaneous bin. 

Step two is deciding on your generalized décor theme. You don’t have to confine yourself to one narrow theme, but picking a general idea can help keep your décor cohesive. I am guilty of having non-cohesive décor, unfortunately, but my general theme is “Kawaii”. So, I try to display items in a cute fashion, have cute décor items, and decorate things accordingly. (Though some of my décor is a little out of the theme, but these “different” pieces are not in the majority.)

Step three is, naturally, decorating! Finding décor pieces to match your theme might be easy, or might be hard, depending on your tastes and interests. For today, I’m going to be focusing on a generalized “Cute/Elegant/Kawaii” theme. (We also have a Luxury Room Decorating On A Budget Post HERE!)

So, if one wants to decorate their space in a “kawaii” fashion, finding décor to match might be hard.  While yes, if you have the funds you can buy from shops like Blippo or buy cute anime figures or other kawaii décor at conventions, but if you want to decorate cutely on a budget, there are many options for you!

How to Decorate Cutely on a Budget!

1.       Thrift Shopping! One of the best ways to get cute décor for your space is thrift shopping! Even if you don’t find anything inherently cute, you can always get creative and add a DIY touch to items you find! And you never know, you might find something super kawaii at a thrift store. Check out THIS POST for some Thrifting Tips!

2.       DIY! Another great way to get cute décor for your space is to make it yourself or transform existing items into cute items! Yumi King has a great Playlist for Kawaii Room Décor DIY’s. We have even done some DIY posts on Room Décor, check out THIS Royals Lesson on how to transform items into cute room décor, and we also have a post on how to make some Kawaii Paintings (CLICK ME!). 

3.       Dollar Stores! You can find some cute stuff at the Dollar Store too! I found all this super cute stuff for decorating at the dollar store (each item was only $1):

. I also found this cute serving tray which is metal, and I use it to display lip balms on my dresser at Uni:

4.       Double-Use Items! What does this mean? Well take for example my desk’s décor:

I use my squishies as both décor and stress relief! You can also use items like cute clothes/bags/accessories for décor, like hanging cute necklaces on jewelry organizers on your dresser and such, or displaying cute bags on a shelf. 

5.       Sales! Take advantage of Sales, but make sure items are actually on sale (sometimes stores mark up items shortly before a sale and then mark them down to look like a sale, but they’re actually normal price.). Sales like post-holiday sales are great. For example, Halloween just ended and you can still find discount Halloween stuff, if that’s your thing. And I’m thinking, after Valentines Day, you could find tons of cute pastel items on sale!

Thank you for reading! I hope these tips on how to decorate cute on a budget helped you! 

Remember to Stay Awesome and Love Yourself!

[hashimada-week]

Sticker Merch FAQs

What are the merch items?

We will be offering 7 SFW stickers and 7 NSFW stickers.

The remaining merch items are a surprise and will be revealed on the sneak peak day.

When will the merch designs be revealed?

All designs were revealed on June 21st. See them here.

How do I get the merch?

Participate in HashiMada Week and then fill out the merch form. 

HashiMada Week runs July 21st - July 27th and we’ll accept late entries up to August 21st. See our prompt list here.

Each day you complete will earn you one SFW sticker, completing all seven days will earn you one of the big prizes as well. If you want the NSFW stickers and all the big prizes, they'll be available to purchase on our Big Cartel shop for production prices.

Where is the form to fill out to get merch?

MERCH FORM

The form opened on July 21, the first day of HashiMada Week and will be open until August 21st. If you want merch you must fill out this form! Please fill it out when you finish posting everything you've prepared for the week.

Do I have to pay to get this merch?  

If you participate in HashiMada Week and fill out the merch form, you'll be able to get all 7 SFW stickers and one of the big items for free. Our mod will cover cost of production and shipping for all participants as a gift back to the fandom!

However, if you want the NSFW stickers the all the big items, or you don’t have time to make content or want sticker duplicates we will have a big cartel shop open from July 21st-August 21st. If you are a participant buying duplicates/getting the NSFW stickers/the rest of the big items, you will qualify for free shipping. More will be posted when the shop opens to guide everyone through the process.

BIG CARTEL SHOP

Is the merch being sold for profit? For charity? At production costs?

It is being sold at production costs! We’re doing our best to make the price as low as possible so you’re only paying to cover the material we have to buy to make it and then the cost to ship it out to you. 

The NSFW stickers are only being sold so any underage participants can still get merch but there's an additional barrier to NSFW goods. Only one of the big items will be available for free as they all cost more to make. Based on the calculations from last year, selling them at production cost will help balance out shipping costs, but not result in profit.

If I draw/write one thing using 7 prompts will I get all the merch?

Unfortunately, no! As impressive as that is, we’re encouraging people to make multiple works in order to celebrate our ship and produce even more content, not cram everything together into as few works as possible.

The only exceptions to this will be: fics where each chapter is based on a different prompt, comics with different panels based on different prompts, or works exceptionally big and/or long enough that you think they should qualify. If you’re making one long work, please DM us/send us an ask to discuss details!

If I use multiple prompts from one day (ex. Day 4′s Fans and Swords) but make separate works will this count as 2 days?

Yes! If you absolutely love the prompts of one specific day and want to make separate works based on them, it will count toward your total ‘days’.

Can I choose which stickers I want?

Yes! If you participate in the week but don’t finish seven days, you will be able to choose which SFW sticker designs you’d like once you fill out the merch form.

Do you ship to Russia?

Yes, we do! 🥳

In addition, Russian buyers will have their own merch order form to fill out, since big cartel uses paypal and it’s currently unavailable in country.

Do I have to put my real name and address on the merch form?

US residents: You can put a pseudonym in place of your legal name (ex. Jane Smith), and whatever address you have access to.

Non-US residents: Yes. You must put your legal name and full address on the form so the package can pass through customs.

Who will see my name and address?

Only our mod @mira--mira​ (and the post office), once everything is shipped and has arrived, all records on our end will be destroyed.

Russians: Our mod and a Russian distributor (@chio-tyan) who’s worked on zine and merch shipping and was our Russian distributor last year. Due to the cost and difficulty of shipping to Russia, this is the only way to keep shipping prices down to offer free shipping to our Russian participants.

When will you mail the merch?

Our current plan is to ship everything in October/November as soon as everything has been produced. There will be an announcement when we start shipping and when we’ve finished and tracking numbers are sent out.

What if there’s a problem during shipping?

If you have any issue with lost/damaged packaging, please contact us and we’ll send you a replacement.

If your question hasn’t been answered, please send us a DM or ask!

Thank you and happy creating! 🍃🔥

[aardvark-123]

~Very Good Ideas for Skyrim Mods~

Immersive Bandits: Generic bandits in every bandit dungeon are replaced with a new bandit clan or similar organisation. Lost Knife Hideout, for example, is where one Falanu Thunder-Axe is trying to establish an independent hold. Instead of robbing the place, players can barter for quest items such as Kharjo's moon amulet. Brodir Grove is home to a small barbarian book club, dedicated to gathering and protecting lost stories. To gain access to Brodir Grove, you must either best their strongest warrior in single combat or prove you've read twelve skill books. As a final example, Fort Greymoor is run by deserters from the Whiterun guard, who want to extort Hrongar and Jarl Balgruuf into posing for a nude calendar. Evil players can trick the Jarl and his brother into posing for suggestive portraits. Decent people can, time and weather permitting, burn Fort Greymoor to the ground, then make a sexy mudcrab calendar for charity.

Immersive Woolly Jumpers: Adds comfortable woolly jumpers to Skyrim. They come in five colours, each in six different outfits: with trousers, with a long skirt, under a robe, over leather armour, over steel armour, and for children. The jumpers are included in levelled lists for shops and random clothing, with enchanted variants found quite rarely in treasure chests. Marcurio and Brelyna both wear the robe version.

Immersive Woolly Cows: Most decently-sized farms get a bull, with a unique model and texture, in addition to three or four procedurally-generated cows and a couple of adorable calves. Regional prices for beef, milk and leather are set at the start of each new game, and are updated dynamically after every cattle-related occurrence. For example, you can kill all the cows in Whiterun to triple the price of beef, but a Werecow of Hircine just might come seeking revenge...

Immersive Woolly Tomboys: Braith, Dorthe and Runa Fair-Shield all wear jumpers.

Immersive Wellies: Adds comfortable Wellington boots to Skyrim in twenty-eight different colours, from green to pink, via yellow and black. They're light armour with an innate 25% shock resistance, because they're made of rubber-- no, sorry, they're made of lore-friendly Leyawiinese tree leather, which provides good insulation. Buy more Leyawiinese tree leather from travelling merchants to patch up your wellies.

Unimmersive Wellies: Places a portal to Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, in the woods near Lake Ilinalta. The mod includes a life-sized replica of Te Whanganui-a-Tara, most of the greater metropolitan area, and enough of the surrounding hills for people to take nice-looking screenshots. There are about 500,000 NPCs living there, all with basic dialogue recorded by real, live New Zealanders, but there's no wood chopping block.

The Wonderful World of Guard Dogs: Every settlement in Skyrim gets a couple of guard dogs, wearing dog-sized guard helmets and blankets in their hold's colours. While they don't have the authority to make arrests, they'll fight off wild animals or bandits, sniff out thieves sneaking around, and play Fetch with the locals. Raven Rock has guard scribs instead, and Orsimer strongholds have guard echateres. And if that wasn't enough, there are bandit guard dogs, vicious ones trained to attack intruders on sight. Bandit guard dogs are levelled, and may turn out upon closer inspection to be bears. Most of them will ignore you if offered a sufficient bribe, such as a mammoth snout or a squeaky toy. Uniquely, Arcwind Point is guarded by a frost giant, who'll only let you in if you bring her a pitchfork to use as a back-scratcher.

The Wonderful World of Guide Dogs: The Dawnguard give Dexion Evicus a trained husky to help him navigate the castle.

[caramariafilm]

Adeline - Pre-Production

Props

Props are, without a doubt, the most important element of the production design - that and the wall of light.

For props, I knew I was going to have to start accumulating a collection as soon as the New Year started and just continue growing the collection until shooting. 

Firstly, we have Titan Props.

I have never rented from Titan props before but I will definitely keep this in mind in the future. The communication from the people that run Titan Props was brilliant and so helpful and understanding. 

Alfie and I met one afternoon and went through Titan props ENTIRE inventory, and we selected everything we had an eye on before refining the list and sending over to see our quote. When we got this back we had a bit of a scare! At 900, when my budget was 500. However, we quickly realised that this was due to the fact that, if you book for a week and a day, it automatically charges you for two weeks. Which makes total sense! I spoke to our producer Finlay and we figured out a schedule that allowed us to rent from Titan Props for one week and brings our cost down to 450. This is still very high however we were getting a lot of our important set dressing from there so it is worth the cost. 

I emailed Kevin explaining how we hadn’t actually locked our locations yet prior to the booking - I wanted to get in fast with the booking to guarantee our stuff - which is why I might have booked out too much. Kevin actually called me and said that it was totally fine. We talked it through and I explained the situation to him and he said he was more than happy for me to come in an hour early ahead of the booking and take some stuff of the list once we had confirmed location, and he’d adjust the price afterwards. This was honestly the best case scenario for me and I was grateful he was so kind towards our project. 

I’m going to quickly jump forward a bit to us visiting Titan Props as I feel as though it makes more sense to discuss now rather than bring back later. Jack and I headed in one car to Titan and Alfie and Robbie headed in another as we knew we needed two cars for the whole load. Once we got there, Kevin was still packing our stuff and invited us to have a look around the storage container. WOW! That place is amazing!!! I was in awe of all the production design and all the different sections of STUFF! I honestly think if I continue to hoard all of my production design I’ll ended up with enough stuff to fill that place over the next few years! Anyway, it was really inspiring walking around, and definitely something I will keep in mind for future films. The amount of retro and vintage televisions they had were honestly incredible! Before long, Kevin had laid out all everything I ordered and it was starting to look like a lot. Alfie and I both looked through everything and decided to leave a few boxes of bumph - paperwork, newspapers etc, - and a few lamps. We had confirmed our location a few weeks before so I was very aware of the lamps that came with the location meaning I was more than happy to let these go. After shaving down the excess props, we were left with a car and a half full of stuff, and managed to bring our Titan Props price down to 300, saving 150.

Moving on to other props, it really was just items I had accumulated over the years and lots of charity shop trips. I ended up going to a charity shop every day for a month looking for bits and pieces to include. 

Something sweet I thought I would include was a prop from each film I was an HOD on in the previous years. I won’t say which ones as that feels like my own secret.., but props from Bless You! were featured, as well as The Man Who Fell in Love with the Sky, Under the Gorse, The Hands of Men, and a few films from first year too :)

There weren’t too many specific action props in this film that I wouldn’t have found through charity shopping or Titan Props, it was more important just having a large amount of production design we could choose from and build the depth of the home. 

I've chosen not to upload all the prop photos I have as it would take far too much time!!

However here is an overview of the folder Alfie and I had...

One prop I feel as though deserves its own mention is the vintage television - and no I did NOT get this from Titan Props!

Outside of university, I manage an independent charity shop. In this charity shop we have a television we use to play movies all day. I was able to borrow this television however an issue I had was what I could play on the TV! We all (HODs) wanted an old dance number to be playing however the TV was VHS only and we wanted to make sure the footage we used was royalty free.

This took a lott of time, I basically had to connect the television to a laptop. A lot of testing and going through cables later, I finally managed to figure it out!

For finding the footage, I went to the Internet Archive - one of my favourite websites! I think I watched nearly 400 clips trying to find the right footage for the scene, and I managed to narrow it down to two. I sent these over to Alfie and Sound Designer Jack to make sure they were both happy with each option and the two of them managed to agree on one!

And that was the television sorted!

After the recce of the home, I realised we might need to wallpaper the living room… this is a decision I slightly came to regret! All HODs agreed the living room felt like a very cold white tone which was a bit unsettling to look at. I knew this meant my department! I started looking at wallpaper online but my goodness wallpaper is very very expensive. I had measured the room when we first went on the recce and I found a few options that were well within our budget that were subtle but would have made a huge difference. The only reason I slightly regret the wallpapering - and I will discuss this more in my set dressing section - is that it is extremely difficult to do when you are using a rented location. My priority above all else was to make sure I didn’t damage the property, and I feel as though this can be seen in the film. Anyway I’ll discuss that part in a following post. 

I decided on a pinstripe purple and white wallpaper, very sweet and blended well with the colour palette of the props. The wallpaper came in purple and green and I even messaged Max - the colour grader - to see if he had any input on what the colour should be. Max wrote his dissertation on this so I trust him with this stuff! He agreed with me in the purple being the more homely and familiar colour to go with given the colour palette we had chosen for the rest of the film. And with that, I ordered the wallpaper!

Another final purchase I had to make outside of charity shopping was fairy lights for the first dance scene. I knew exactly what I wanted which was lots of lights hanging from ceiling to floor attached around the dance.

Well, after some digging on Christmas websites, I found exactly that. for 6!

I ordered four of these as I felt that should be enough, and that was the final thing ticked off for me.

Other than that, I was pretty much sorted with what I had sourced for the film. This post makes it sound easy however I wouldn’t say it was, it just felt natural and everything went really smoothly with this process. I like to believe it is because it is my last film at Napier, and all my skills had combined into one pot of knowledge for my final film. 

I made sure Alfie and Finlay were in the loop with each decision I made and kept them up to date with my communications with Titan Props - again just making sure no one was out of the loop.

I am not forgetting about the wall of light - that will be its own post.

[wastewarriorsngo]

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Become a Waste Warrior Today

An easy beginning to a sustainable life

Think of a typical day. Plastic wrappers from snacks, shopping bags, and takeaway containers often land in a pile that seems to disappear once you throw it in the bin. But in reality, it doesn’t just “go away.” Unmanaged waste is a growing threat to fragile ecosystems like those in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Start at Home: Easy Steps Toward a Waste-Free Life

A lot of people feel overwhelmed when it comes to reducing waste. But the truth is, you don’t need a grand gesture—small changes add up over time.

Here are a few easy practices to get started with-

Say no to single-use plastics: Carry a cloth bag for groceries or a reusable water bottle when you’re out.

Get creative with reusable: Repurpose glass jars as storage containers or use old T-shirts as cleaning rags.

Segregate your waste: It’s simple but so effective. Separate recyclables, compost organic waste, and keep only the absolute non-recyclables for disposal.

Donate clothes and toys: Instead of throwing them away, pass on gently used items to local charities, shelters, or NGOs. This reduces waste and helps those in need.

Organize or join clothes swaps: Host a swap with friends or participate in community events to exchange pre-loved items and give them a second life.

Shop groceries in bulk: Buying from wholesale shops or stores that allow you to bring your containers minimizes the use of single-use plastic packaging.

Waste Warriors takes these principles and amplifies them through workshops and clean-up campaigns. Their goal is simple—empower people to take control of their waste and protect the environment.

Back in 2012, Waste Warriors began as a grassroots effort. Today, they’ve grown into a non-profit organization tackling waste management in some of India’s most scenic yet vulnerable regions.

Their story is inspiring because it’s rooted in action:

5,570+ metric tons of waste diverted from landfills, thanks to recycling

1,60,00+ people engaged in awareness drives, clean-up events, and behavior change campaigns.

600+ businesses enabled to be cleaner and responsible with waste disposal

Beyond just cleaning up, Waste Warriors is influencing systemic change—whether it’s working with local governments to develop waste management solutions or collaborating with CSR initiatives to drive social impact in marginalized communities. Read more about Waste Warrior’s impact over the past 12 years.

Volunteer with Waste Warriors

One of the best ways to support Waste Warriors is by rolling up your sleeves and joining their team. Whether you’re hiking through the Himalayas collecting trash or hosting recycling workshops in schools, there’s something meaningful for everyone.

Volunteers help with:

Leading clean-up drives to protect scenic trails.

Teaching waste segregation in local communities.

Supporting projects that connect waste pickers to opportunities, fostering rural livelihoods.

It’s not just about the work—it’s about becoming part of a movement that’s building a cleaner, greener future. You can follow this link and fill up a simple form to express your interest to volunteer with Waste Warriors.

Why Your Support Matters

At its core, Waste Warriors is about community-driven solutions. When you support them, you’re enabling change at a grassroots level, whether it’s through better waste collection services, recycling programs, or empowering communities to adopt sustainable practices.

Together, We Can Make a Difference

The next time you’re about to toss something “away,” think about where it ends up. Imagine the impact if we all decided to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle a little more each day. Together with organizations like Waste Warriors, we can protect the environment, one small step at a time.

So what are you waiting for? Start today—reduce your waste, spread the word, and join the movement to create a sustainable future.

Waste Warriors is on an ambitious journey to make the Indian Himalayan region clean – one mountain at a time. Join Waste Warriors in their mission for sustainability in India and help protect the natural beauty of the Indian Himalayan region.  Read more about their work here and be a supporter of this systemic battle.

As already discussed by my fellowmate regarding the significance of the Rights of Nature, I would like to emphasize that this ecocentric approach represents a crucial step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Recognizing the Rights of Nature fosters a paradigm shift toward climate-smart and environmentally sound governance by adopting principles and practices aimed at protecting the environment. This marks a transition from a dominion-based relationship with nature to one grounded in mutualism. By allowing destructive practices like fracking, mining, and factory farming, current environmental regulatory frameworks essentially legalize environmental harm. Rights of Nature laws, on the other hand, provide a framework that puts ecosystem protection first and gives communities the authority to oppose harmful developments. In 2006, for example, Tamaqua Borough in Pennsylvania became the first American municipality to enact such laws, establishing a precedent for acknowledging the legal rights of nature.

In Bangladesh, the Turag River was declared a living entity, granting it legal personhood under the National River Conservation Commission. This recognition was accompanied by promises of rapid action to safeguard the river. However, challenges persist, as many water bodies in the country remain “dead” due to pollution from the indiscriminate dumping of industrial and human waste. Similarly, Ecuador has been a pioneer in integrating the Rights of Nature into its legal framework. A notable example occurred in 2021 when the Ecuadorian Constitutional Court revoked mining permits in Los Cedros, a cloud forest in the Andes known for its rich biodiversity. The court ruled that these permits violated not only the rights of local communities, such as the right to clean water and a healthy environment but also the inherent rights of the forest itself.

While recognizing the Rights of Nature is a significant step, its effective implementation often depends on aligning political interests and human actions with ecological goals. This underscores the need for strong governance and enforcement mechanisms to ensure that such legal frameworks are not undermined by competing interests or insufficient action.

As highlighted above, the Rights of Nature are always in alignment with human interests. The Rights of Nature serve as a bridge between environmental preservation, Indigenous rights, and human rights, and they are highly compatible with human interests. However, to maintain planetary habitability, ecosystems’ rights must occasionally take precedence because they provide humanity with vital life support. The human right to a healthy environment has been acknowledged by countries such as Finland, France, and Spain, which emphasise that securing robust legal protections for nature itself is essential to achieving this right.

Such disputes can be settled with the aid of well-defined legal frameworks that incorporate ecological thresholds and promote coexistence. Interspecies rights present another challenge, as conservation initiatives frequently give apex predators precedence over the interdependent functions of every species

in an ecosystem. This imbalance can be addressed by policies that take a comprehensive approach and are backed by traditional knowledge and community involvement. Furthermore, the Rights of Nature contradict conventional wisdom regarding sustainable development, which frequently ignores ecological health in favour of massive projects like mining or dam construction. Development objectives and environmental priorities can be matched by implementing decentralised legal frameworks and strengthening environmental impact assessments. For the Rights of Nature to be implemented effectively, I feel coalitions among stakeholders must be formed in order to identify needs and challenges. This ensures that solutions are inclusive and balanced.

[neogeist]

The Second-Hand Shopping Boom – Is Thrifting the New Luxury?

Once a countercultural act of rebellion against mass consumerism, thrifting has transcended its humble roots. No longer confined to musty charity shops and weekend flea markets, second-hand fashion has become a status symbol. What was once about affordability and necessity has morphed into a movement driven by aesthetics, exclusivity, and a conscious rejection of fast fashion.

In an era of Depop-driven microtrends, curated vintage storefronts, and luxury resale platforms, second-hand shopping is no longer a subculture—it’s fashion’s new frontier.

But with its rise comes a paradox: the very industry that positioned itself as an accessible and sustainable alternative is now falling into the same cycles of exclusivity, gentrification, and price inflation as the mainstream fashion world. The question is, has thrifting truly remained an antidote to fast fashion, or has it become another luxury playground?

Second-Hand Fashion: From Fringe to Front-Row

Once dismissed as a niche practice embraced by budget-conscious shoppers and eclectic dressers, second-hand fashion has cemented itself as a dominant force in the industry. By 2025, the global resale market is set to double, growing at a rate far outpacing fast fashion. But this surge in popularity didn’t happen overnight.

Historically, second-hand fashion was associated with necessity rather than choice. In the early 20th century, wearing pre-owned clothing often carried social stigma—reserved for those who couldn't afford new garments. But over time, vintage fashion became synonymous with individuality and cultural rebellion. Think of the bohemian thrifters of the 1970s, the grunge-fueled thrift store aesthetic of the ’90s, or the Y2K resurgence that has turned forgotten 2000s clubwear into collector’s items.

Today, second-hand fashion represents more than just nostalgia—it signals a shift in values.

Sustainability Is No Longer a Trend—It’s a Mandate. As the environmental consequences of fast fashion become impossible to ignore, consumers are actively seeking more ethical alternatives. Thrifting presents itself as the most sustainable way to shop—reducing waste, extending garment lifecycles, and promoting conscious consumption.

Affordability—At Least, It Used to Be. Vintage shopping once meant high-quality craftsmanship at a fraction of the price. Now, with demand at an all-time high, thrift store finds often carry luxury-level price tags.

The End of Mass Trends, The Rise of Personal Style. Second-hand fashion allows wearers to break free from the homogeneity of fast fashion. Instead of buying into seasonal trends dictated by retailers, shoppers curate wardrobes that are uniquely their own.

Social Media & The Aesthetic Economy. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have transformed second-hand shopping into a status game. Authenticity, rarity, and nostalgia are the new luxury.

Fashion as an Asset Class. The rise of luxury resale has reframed pre-owned designer pieces as investments rather than afterthoughts, blurring the line between style and financial strategy.

But as thrifting moves from necessity to aesthetic flex, the industry is shifting in ways that threaten its accessibility.

The Billion-Dollar Resale Boom: When Thrifting Becomes Big Business

The days of rifling through bargain bins and unearthing hidden gems are being replaced by an ultra-curated, algorithm-driven shopping experience. Platforms like Depop, Vestiaire Collective, and The RealReal have commercialized second-hand fashion on a massive scale, each catering to different segments of the market.

Depop turned thrifting into an influencer-driven economy, where styling and storytelling are just as important as the clothes themselves.

Vestiaire Collective elevated resale, making it a premium experience for fashion insiders and collectors.

The RealReal brought authentication and curation to pre-owned luxury, normalizing second-hand designer goods in the mainstream market.

What was once a grassroots, community-driven movement has become a billion-dollar industry. And with that transformation, a critical issue emerges: the more lucrative resale becomes, the less accessible it gets.

The Gentrification of Thrifting: When Second-Hand Stops Being Affordable

Here’s the irony—what started as an affordable alternative to fast fashion is now edging out the very consumers who relied on it.

Thrift store prices are skyrocketing. That £5 charity shop find? It’s now £50 on Depop.

Resellers are clearing out inventory. Low-income shoppers who once depended on thrift stores for affordable clothing now face dwindling options as resellers flip items for profit.

Luxury fashion is gatekeeping resale. Brands like Burberry and Gucci are launching in-house resale platforms to control the second-hand economy—while continuing to mass-produce new collections.

Sustainability and accessibility were once the pillars of second-hand fashion. But can the industry still claim to be truly sustainable if the price of entry is becoming increasingly unattainable?

The Future of Second-Hand Fashion: What Happens Next?

As resale cements itself as the future of fashion, the industry faces two possible paths: will it remain an accessible, sustainable alternative, or will it morph into another luxury commodity?

High-Street Goes Circular. Brands like H&M, Levi’s, and COS are introducing resale and buy-back programs to keep up with demand for pre-owned fashion.

Luxury Brands Control Their Own Resale. With in-house resale platforms, high-end labels are monetizing their own second-hand markets while reinforcing exclusivity.

The Digital Evolution: NFTs & Virtual Fashion. As digital fashion and blockchain authentication rise, second-hand fashion could soon extend beyond physical garments.

But is mainstream adoption a good thing? If big brands take over, will thrifting remain about sustainability, or will it become just another chapter in fashion’s exclusivity playbook?

Final Thoughts: The Paradox of Pre-Loved Luxury

Once a quiet rebellion against mass production, thrifting has become a cultural phenomenon—a billion-dollar industry driven by hype, scarcity, and status.

The irony? The very movement meant to challenge the excess of the fashion industry is now mirroring its patterns of exclusivity.

The future of second-hand fashion depends on whether it can retain its original ethos or succumb to the forces of commercialization. One thing’s for sure: the resale boom isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

[kidstoysonlineusa]

Top 10 Essential Wholesale & Bulk Toys for Christmas 2024

After all, Christmas 2024 is something close, an exciting time for kids, families, and gift-givers alike. However, finding the right toys to meet demand during the holiday season is a challenging feat when buying in bulk for a store or charity drive. Thankfully, wholesale Christmas decorations and bulk Christmas kid's toys will save the day and stock the popular items at a price that won't 'break the bank.'.

This guide will discuss the top ten toys for this holiday season, why each is a must-have, and how buying them in bulk can make a huge difference to your business or holiday event. Whether sourcing for a store, buying wholesale holiday kids gift toys for a community program, or finding the right toys for an event, this list will guide you to do so in a way that will inform your choice.

Why Go for Wholesale Christmas Toys in 2024?

Holiday shopping is certain about something: Christmas toys sell fast. Buying in bulk or wholesale can benefit retailers and event planners because it can steer clear of last-minute runs, lower their costs, and keep stock steady. Now, take a look at why to shop for the Christmas season by buying in bulk kids' holiday gift toys this season:

Advantages of Bulk Buying for Christmas

Buying wholesale saves unit costs, which is ideal for a business or community project with tight budgets. Here's why bulk purchasing has been so popular today:

Cost Efficiency: Buying things in bulk means a relatively lower price per unit than the individual items. More toys for less is assured.

Increased Variety: It will bring about an increased variety. Most of the time, wholesale purchasing ensures that you have many styles and variations of the same toys in one order to cater to various tastes and preferences.

Convenience: It's easier to manage when everything comes in one go. It reduces the time taken for multiple orders and also the shipping costs.

Stock Availability: The holidays always have a big demand for kids' toys. Thus, wholesalers always prepare stocks during peak seasons.

To make it easy for you, Luna Bella offers wholesale Christmas decoration toys and bulk Christmas kids' toys perfect for this holiday.

Top 10 Toys to Stock Up on for Christmas 2024

From traditional to trends, here is the countdown of the top ten you should consider for Christmas 2024. It runs from fun stuff through to education with learning-based fun. So get that child to school prepared. Check them out here below:

1) Interactive Learning Tablets

Another new favorite is educational toys, and at the top of the list are interactive tablets. Interactive tablets teach kids colors, shapes, numbers, and even simple math in fun and engaging ways. You can get these by the dozen and give your little ones a very popular educational item all at once-the best for parents looking to integrate fun with learning.

2) Building Blocks and Construction Sets

Building blocks foster creative thinking and problem-solving. These classic toys delight a wide age range, from toddlers to pre-teens. In 2024, we discover innovative designs with unique shapes, colors, and functions. Buying wholesale holiday kids' gift toys in the form of building blocks ensures an amusing and educational gift.

3) Plush Toys and Stuffed Animals

Plush toys always stay in style, especially during the holidays. From classic teddy bears to modern animal designs, plush toys are always comfortable for any child. Buy these wholesale for the season, as most parents and family members want to give the little ones huggable, cute things.

4) RC Cars and Drones

RC (remote-controlled) toys like cars and drones are popular with older kids and adults. They present the thrill of movement and the thrill of control. The drones have been some of the most popular tech toys for 2024. You can please the more tech-oriented consumer looking for exciting gift items by making these part of a large bulk of Christmas kids' toys.

5) Puzzle and Board Games

Family-oriented gift ideas will always include classic board games and puzzles, which can be a great source for those looking for screen-free activities. These games are so much fun, offering numerous themes and difficulty levels that make them a wonderful addition to the holiday season. And with a stock-up, you'll always go right with the rush of demand for group-friendly gifts.

Toys for Younger Kids: Must-Haves for Early Learners

Toys for toddlers and younger kids are especially popular during the holidays, so keeping a stock of age-appropriate toys for early learners is wise. Here are some fantastic options that are both fun and developmentally beneficial.

6) Stacking Toys and Shape Sorters

These are generally used with babies and toddlers to help them improve fine motor. They are simple, fun tools for great gift ideas for parents who like seeing little ones learn to play. With these colors and easily used parts, these can be located beneath trees and on wish lists all holiday season.

7) Musical Instruments for Kids

Mini pianos, drums, and xylophones are some toy instruments that allow children to learn music early. Instruments are fun and can inspire creativity. Toy instruments are sold in wholesale stores in sets; hence, they are affordable but worthwhile when purchased in bulk quantities.

Trending Tech Toys for Christmas 2024

Kids today are all about technology, and Christmas 2024 is no exception. Tech toys form one of the high-demand items, showcasing the union of traditional play and modern innovation.

8) Smart Robots and AI Toys

This season, fashionable robots perform dancing, talking, and even simple tasks. Educational benefits are provided since the kids learn basic coding or problem-solving skills while playing. Investment in wholesale holiday kid's gift toys, such as smart robots, can make your toy selection stand out.

9) VR Headsets for Kids

Virtual reality headsets are now designed to be even friendlier for kids, providing a non-threatening interactive experience without culling the urgency of safety. Most VR sets come fitted with educational games and interactive stories that render a completely immersive experience for the kids. These make suitable holiday gifts that can be kept in mass stock for tech-savvy customers.

10) STEM Kits and Science Toys

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math kits remain the rage for 2024. The toys bring science into the lives of children by experimenting with basic chemistry kits and advanced robotics kits. Retailers must consider purchasing bulk STEM kits because they appeal to many children and parents.

Tips for Purchasing Wholesale Christmas Toys

Finding the right supplier is the most important thing while ordering bulk Christmas kids' toys because it gives quality, variety, and timely delivery. Here are some buying tips for wholesale.

Do Your Research on Suppliers

Not all suppliers are created equal. Research potential vendors read reviews, and check ratings to find a reliable source. Look for vendors like Luna Bella, known for offering high-quality products, a wide selection of wholesale Christmas decorations toys, and more.

Compare Prices and Offerings

When buying in bulk, compare prices among different suppliers. Look for bulk, loyalty, or seasonal offers to get your order even cheaper.

Verify Safety Standards

The toys must be safe, especially for children. Check your supplier if it has already met the required standard guidelines and regulations in the production of toys. This can be assured when buying only the certified products from them so that you are ensured for your customers.

Place Orders Early

Demand increases during the holidays, which results in stock shortages. If you place an order early, shipping time and all high-demand items will be well provided.

Conclusion

This Christmas 2024 will provide an excellent opportunity to get all the most popular and in-trend toys that will help create an unforgettable season for children and families. From an interactive robot to a good old-fashioned plush toy, there's something on this list for every taste and preference.

Therefore, if you are a retailer event organizer, or an agency of charity looking for ideas on how to deliver the gift to kids, buy wholesale Christmas decorations toys and bulk Christmas kids toys. Planning and choosing rightly equip you to answer this demand and make all their holiday wishes come true.

Luna Bella offers all your wholesale holiday kid's gift toys needs, where you will find the best selection of toys that will make a child have fun and enjoy the holiday.

For Continue reading-

[jamaicanfarmers]

From Leather to Apparel: How Your Purchases Make a Difference

JFSO was created to honor the Simms family from Watt Town, St. Ann, Jamaica. Our goal is straightforward: raise funds to support a community in need and contribute to a local charity that helps children who are at risk of going hungry. To make this possible, we’ve built a platform that combines giving with practical offerings.

The Cause

The Simms family, originating in Retirement/Watt Town, St. Ann, Jamaica, is widely regarded as a prominent and respected family with a rich legacy tied to land ownership and community involvement. Their ancestors, particularly the four sons of Charles Simms, who settled in the area during the 1800s, played key roles in the development of the local community, accumulating large parcels of land and maintaining strong familial bonds.

Jamaica’s once-flourishing industries of bananas, sugar, and bauxite have dwindled into shadows of their former selves, reflecting shifting global markets and changing demands. In its heyday, Jamaica was a cornerstone of these industries, generating significant revenue and employment. However, over the years, the decline in global demand has left a void, undermining the country’s economic foundation. This erosion highlights a broader, more concerning issue—Jamaica's vulnerability due to a lack of economic diversification.

How We’re Making a Difference

How can we help? It’s a question that motivates us every day. Charitable efforts have changed over time, adapting to new needs and circumstances. At JSFO, we’ve tried to make a difference by offering men's and women's fashion in our online store, alongside gaming accessories, home décor, leather goods, and wrapping paper rolls.

Each item purchased goes towards supporting our cause, so when you buy something like our women’s athletic wear, women’s casual wear, or Unisex Wide-Leg Pants, you’re doing more than simply treating yourself—you’re helping create real change. Moreover, we comprehend that good products come from quality materials. Our leather goods are designed with this in mind. The leather items in our store are meant to last. Whether it’s a wallet, belt, or bag, each piece you buy is part of the bigger picture, helping to fund initiatives in Jamaica that provide meals and resources to children in need.

Durable Fashion: From Leather to Apparel

We also carry environmentally friendly bags, toddler outfits, and casual wear for men and women. Items like the embroidered bucket hat add a unique touch to any outfit while also supporting a good cause. The unisex wide-leg pants are a perfect example of versatile fashion that can be worn by anyone, making them ideal for everyday wear or a day out, while our women’s athletic wear is made with both comfort and functionality in mind and a good option if you’re hitting the gym or just enjoying a casual day along with the people you love.

How Each Purchase Makes a Difference

Every time someone buys from us raises through sales support a local charity that ensures children in Jamaica don’t go hungry. By offering a variety of products like women’s casual wear and unisex wide-leg pants, we’ve made it easier for people to help without feeling like they have to make a sacrifice.

At JFSO, each purchase contributes directly to our work in Jamaica, helping to provide meals and resources to children in need. From women's athletic wear to unisex wide-leg pants, everything in our store plays a part in funding these vital programs.

By shopping with us, you're helping to create lasting support for a community that needs it. Every item purchased is one more step toward making a difference.

For donations, please visit this page. To explore our store and website, visit here.

[k00321198]

7/10/24

Concept Development-

I chose concept development for this week because I was struggling a bit with my ideas and how I could express them more.

Concept development is you explore your ideas and how you can expand them.

I was in the class with 3 other people and the lecturer told us to take notes for each persons ideas, because you never know what might stick out to you and you might get some answers you wanted for their explanations.

The first thing we done, was sat in a circle and the lecture asked us what do you think of when you think of the word ‘House’ and we all gave very different answers.

She then showed us a box she had dedicated to ‘Assemble’.

We were introduced to ‘Ephemera’ by which is little trinkets tied to you. What makes and represents you. Tactile (touch) is very important when it comes to art.

We then started with a student, their idea was based on coffee shops, and how people assemble as a group. They were told to work with item from the coffee shop (napkins, cups, cutlery)

We then moved on to another student, their ideas were based on things being broken and how they can be put back together (Kintsugi). They were asked to research “The Verb List”-Richard Serra, “Ways of seeing” - John Berger and “Mirror Work” -Joan Jonas

It was then my turn to go, I gave her my idea of children’s toys and how they can be assembled. She first gave the idea of the Park as a primary research, working with the playground equipment and if I wanted to continue research in this I could focus in the primary colours of this equipment (red,yellow and blue). For other primary research search for children’s toys at charity shops.

Continue to take photos and make drawings and take it apart. To collect stories through my childhood and what games I might have used when I was young. Find more words to do with ‘Assemble’. Understand how something works (books,jewelry).

Two good examples to research were ‘Tops’ - Charles and Ray Eames and the ‘Lewis Chess Pieces’ in the British Museum. To also research modern day chess pieces and how I can change them or reassemble them.

Then it was another students turn, they had their idea of an instruction manual and ikea and how things are assembled. They were asked to research ‘The Way Things Go’ Fischil and Weiss. Kinetic sculpture , how the process and inner workings work. They were also asked to research ‘The Door’ - David Shrigley.

What I got from this:

To embrace failure

That we might have a few different ideas in the go, they might come together in the end but they also mightn’t and that’s ok.

We were asked to research art21.org

To come away from what you’re good at and try something new.

Possibly change your ideas depending on your time schedule.

Tops -Charles and Ray Eames

This video introduces you to spinning tops, these are found all over the world and shows all the different versions you can get. I found this to be very interesting and really different from anything I have ever watched. It shows how they work, how you wrap yarn around it to spin it.

Lewis Chess pieces

These were chess pieces found in 1831. It contained 94 objects,78 chess pieces, 14 table men and one belt buckle. Most of these are carved from walrus ivory and some from whale teeth. These pieces have glum looking faces but it isn’t know if was intentional.

Art 21

Art 21 is a site where you can discover new ideas from big or small creators. These creators usually have an interview with an art 21 employee and explain how their ideas and art come to them. This is a very useful site to use, however there wasn’t much on chess so I missed out there.