#fraud couture

[bubster3020]

ALBUM REVIEW #3 - Amazing Investment Opportunity - Fraud Couture

I'd like to start this review by mentioning that I was lucky enough to receive this album before its official release (Thank you Jay!!!). With that in mind, I still went into the project objectively as possible. As someone who's experience with noisy, experimental music is limited to openers for local punk bands, I was pleasantly surprised with Amazing Invest Opportunity. For the most part, I think Fraud Couture, a side project of Crywank's Jay and Dan, delivers a really awesome and sonically engaging record that balances harsh and discordant horns and sound effects with its more conventional instrumental elements.

The album comes out swinging with "Year of Dog Food," arguably one of the most avant-garde songs it has to offer. At first, the squeaking cacophony of the saxophone sounds a bit off-putting, but it quickly grows on you, keeping you on your toes the entire way through. Quickly, the squeaking noise further finds its place as the exciting drums build up throughout. By the end, any preconceived notion about the album's enjoyability has faded away and you're treated to an absolute banger of a song. After the exciting opening track, you're treated to "holding_hands_at_the_duck_pond.swf," a surprisingly comfortable song, despite it being littered with all sorts of digital noise. Behind all the loud computing, there's a relaxed, fun vibe that feels like you're walking in the park of a video game, wandering with no objective. Converse to it's oddly calming predecessor, "AI HATE SPEECH MACHINE" is a wonderfully unnerving experience. The first thing you hear is antiquated synthetic voice, similar to one you'd find in a cheap 90's edutainment computer game, getting an answer to an unknown question correct. I've always found those types of voices very uncanny, so I was on edge from the beginning of the track. The rest of the song stays very understated, the only compliment to the robotic voice being some entrancing horns and some very deep drums. It feels like you're listening to an AI learn to hate, and exemplifies the album's ability to put you in a certain mood very well. Unfortunately, there is a bit of a lull before it puts you in a such a place again.

While "17.9% Apr" continues with the usage of unsettling, robotic voices and keeps the energy of the previous song, it ends too quickly. Originally, I thought it to be a neat little bridge between the song before and after it, but that is not the case. The next run of songs all clock in at under one minute in length, which sucks because they all bring interesting ideas to the table. Even though I thought the opening cry of "4chan Wedding" was extraordinarily out of place, even for how eclectic the rest of the project is, it has an amazing jazz section that is extremely danceable and potentially one of my favourite bits of playing on the record; alas, it just ends somewhat abruptly. There are quite a few songs that I found myself bobbing my head to that would end right when you become invested. Some songs, such as "Dangerous Playground" feel unfinished, and if it lasted a minute longer, would be absolutely be a phenomenal song. Because of their short length, these songs begin to feel like filler, and filler is especially unfortunate here as the record is only 23 minutes. Luckily, it gets back into its groove pretty quickly.

After the lull, it picks back up right where it left off, "Cleaning On Speed" is such an energetic song that brings back the rest of the album's pace. It's a melting pot of the highest strings a piano can muster, a very rich (yet still squeaky) saxophone, and very fast rhythmic clapping that I definitely could not keep up with at a concert. Like the rest of the more jazz focused songs, it's a very dense soundscape, always providing something new to find upon relisten without ever being completely overwhelming. As previously stated, one of the project's greatest strengths is its ability to engage the listener and bring them into a specific place. Each song has a theme, and it gets nailed pretty consistently. "True Love Can Only Happen Once In A Thousand Years" demonstrates this pretty well, being a more melancholic, laidback tune. It uses an extremely slow tempo to put your mind at ease, and almost feels like you're at a jazz lounge, just listening to the performance quietly at the back of the bar. The record finds itself a balance of high energy parties and calming respite, each setting making the other feel more enjoyable when switching between the two.

As boisterous as it can be, Amazing Investment Opportunity does well not to overload itself too much, giving the listener time to process what's happening while mostly keeping fresh. It's chock full of interesting artistic decisions and really good instrumentals that make sure it's never too inaccessible. I particularly enjoyed the synergy between the drums and the saxophone, and the rare points of electric guitar were always a highlight as well. Though some bewildering and off-putting cries and screams can be heard throughout, I think it's in the nature of experimental noise music to not always be super congruent in every song. The thematic mixture of retro technology and horn-driven jazz give an extremely unique and oddly classy touch to the record that simply makes you feel good when listening. Overall, I absolutely enjoyed most of my time listening to it, though often I was left wanting just a little bit more. I highly suggest you check it out if you're looking for something you can just vibe to, as you'll find that for the most part, it's an amazing time investment opportunity.

Favourite song: AI HATE SPEECH MACHINE

Least favourite: Stuart Little Big Dick

Score: 7/10

[hamburgerndsprite]

TEMPTATION ON TRIAL ✓ CH 1

“He’s falsely accused. She’s legally unhinged. Together, they’re chaos in designer suits.”

➳ Pairing: Actor! Kim Seokjin x Criminal Lawyer! Oc

➳ Genre: Courtroom Chaos | Crack with Consequences | Enemies to Lovers | Legal Romance | Slow-burn & Subpoenas | Found Family but Make it Unhinged | Actor x lawyer au

Series Masterlist • Main Masterlist

Chapter 1: Enter the Hurricane (In Heels and With a Coffee Stain)

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9:00 AM sharp.

Courtroom 42-B.

The Honorable Judge Heo Minjae adjusted his glasses with the same bone-deep sigh one reserves for root canals and tax audits. His docket said the next case was a petty fraud trial—open-and-shut, ten minutes tops.

“Where is the defense counsel?” he asked, already regretting it.

“I... don’t think she’s here yet, Your Honor,” replied the clerk, wincing.

From the prosecution table, a smug-looking man straightened his tie and smiled. Mr. Lee Doyun, a rising star in corporate litigation, known for two things: having a six-pack he mentioned too often, and winning cases that bored the nation into submission.

His client, Mr. Bae Sanghoon, a pretentious middle manager with a face that screamed “I rehearse my TED Talks in the mirror,” leaned over and whispered, “She’s late? She’s late. Excellent. I told you this would be easy.”

They both laughed. Loudly. Smugly. Foolishly.

The defendant, seated to the side and very much alone, sighed for the eighth time in three minutes. Mr. Gong Jaesuk, former delivery app engineer turned hacker-by-accident, looked at the door like it might sprout a divine intervention.

And then—divine intervention tripped into the courtroom.

Crash.

The door flew open with the force of a small tornado. A blur of chaos burst through—heels skidding, folders midair, coffee trailing in slow-motion betrayal. Aria Sterling, criminal defense attorney, hurricane in human form, landed half-sideways into the room like a wine-drenched ballerina at a funeral.

Trailing behind her, Park Jimin, a serotonin-dripping human trainwreck in a soft pink sweater vest, came tumbling in, one shoe missing, iced coffee dripping from his sleeve like sad, caffeinated tears.

The courtroom froze.

Files exploded into the air like confetti at a clown funeral. Aria caught herself on the defense table, narrowly avoiding death-by-coffee-lake, and struck a pose so unintentionally dramatic it could’ve ended wars—or started them.

Jimin skidded forward, tripped over his own foot, and plowed directly into her. More papers. More flying. One rogue folder slapped Sanghoon in the face. It was Aria’s evidence binder. The title read: “Client is Dumb, But Not Criminal.”

Everyone stared. Jimin peeked up from the floor like a puppy caught with glitter in its mouth.

“Hi,” he whispered, beaming. “We made it?”

Judge Heo Minjae’s voice thundered across the courtroom:

“Not. You. Again.”

He rubbed his temples. Groaned. Tried not to smile. Failed. He never succeeded.

Mr. Lee Doyun’s smug face deflated like a party balloon at a funeral. His smile did a slow, confused death.

His client stared ahead, already sensing the doom. “Oh god. No. Anyone but her.”

Across the aisle, Mr. Gong Jaesuk blinked. “She actually showed up?”

And then he smiled. Big. Bright. Manically hopeful.

Aria, still poised like chaos couture, tossed her hair back and sauntered to the table as if nothing at all had happened—even though she looked like she’d survived an explosion at a stationery store.

“Apologies for the delay, Your Honor,” she said brightly, smiling like someone who’d set the courthouse on fire once and blamed the wind. “We were… caught in a protest. For climate change. Very tragic. Valiant, really. Couldn’t possibly abandon the earth.”

Judge Heo arched an eyebrow. “Ms. Sterling. You woke up late again, didn’t you.”

“Objection,” she said instantly. “That’s slander. And possibly true.”

Jimin popped up behind her, his hair sticking up like he’d been attacked by a squirrel. “I made coffee!”

The judge sighed so hard the bailiff flinched. “Let’s begin. Plaintiff, you may proceed.”

Lee Doyun stood, full of fake confidence and clean PowerPoints. “Thank you, Your Honor. As we were prepared to present—”

Aria cut in, already waving a crumpled file. “Bae Sanghoon, correct? Professional coupon hoarder. Accusing my client of manipulating his delivery times so he’d lose his 3-minute refund window. Which, tragic. I hope his dumplings were worth it.”

Sanghoon sat straighter. “It was intentional sabotage! I missed my lunch!”

She turned slowly toward him, eyes glinting. “And you... survived the trauma? Incredible. Such resilience.”

The judge coughed into his sleeve.

Doyun tried again. “Your client altered backend code. He admitted it—”

“To block bot activity,” Aria shot back. “Which, fun fact, your tech-savvy toddler of a client was doing. Five burner phones, Mr. Sanghoon? Really? At least name them creatively. I saw one called ‘BaeSang4Eva.’”

Jimin gasped. “That was the worst one.”

Aria snapped her fingers. “Exactly. Offensive both legally and aesthetically.”

Judge Heo looked at the exhibits Jimin was now handing out—wrong side up, of course. “Are these real screenshots?”

“Yep,” Aria said cheerfully. “Time-stamped, IP-logged, and annotated in sparkly pink highlighter. I added emojis.”

Sanghoon was visibly sweating now. “You can’t just—”

“Oh, I can,” she said, that wicked smile curling. “I even filed a countersuit for character defamation. Also emotional damage. He once left a public review saying my client ‘has the aura of a failed rice cooker.’ Honestly, same. But still—hurtful.”

Doyun opened his mouth, probably to object. Aria didn’t let him. “Doyun, I’ve heard your objections. They have all the weight of a wet napkin. Sit down.”

Even the stenographer wheezed.

Judge Heo tried not to laugh. Again. He failed. Again.

“Do you have a final argument, Ms. Sterling?” he asked.

“I do.” She spun, pointed at Jaesuk. “Is he dumb? Yes. But criminal? No. He fixed a flaw in an app. He didn’t break into a bank vault. He rerouted packets. Which this man—” she pointed at Sanghoon like a diva accusing someone of stealing her lipstick, “—exploited to steal coupons and resell them on online forums under usernames like ‘DiscountDaddy’. Tragic. Desperate. Discounted.”

The courtroom went still.

“Request for full dismissal,” she finished, “and maybe a restraining order. Just so my client never has to hear ‘failed rice cooker’ again.”

The judge sat back. “Dismissed. Get out of my courtroom.”

“Gladly!” Aria chirped. “Jimin, let’s flee before the AC goes out again.”

Jimin stood, beaming, grabbing what papers hadn’t been sacrificed to the Coffee Gods.

As they made for the door, Judge Heo added wearily, “Take your chaos goblin partner with you.”

“I’m not a partner—”

Crash. Jimin tripped over the defense table and took the flagpole with him.

“—yet,” he said from the floor.

Aria only smiled. “Progress.”

They swept out, laughter trailing behind them like perfume.

Behind them, Sanghoon sat in stunned silence.

Doyun looked up from the crater where his confidence had died. “What just happened?”

The judge leaned back in his chair.

“She happened.”

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Series Masterlist • Next

[celluloidrainbow]

MIRROR, MIRROR (1996) dir. Baillie Walsh The life of Consuela Cosmetic, a black trans woman who is best described in her own words as "a self-made star, show personality, couture specialist, liar, cheater, scam artist, credit card fraud, blackmailer, extortionist, victim of circumstance, leader, role model, and a person living with AIDS." The film tracks the last eighteen months of Consuela's life, from her fabulous cabaret acts, to the creation of a living will, from her appearance as a dominatrix on the Charles Perez show, to the silicone removal operations necessitated by her own weightloss. (link in title)

[mariacallous]

WASHINGTON – The temporary director of the Social Security Administration suggested agency operations would be so impaired by a court banishing Elon Musk’s DOGE team from sensitive databases that he would just turn out the lights.

A federal judge on Thursday ordered Social Security to revoke the so-called Department of Government Efficiency’s access to various databases containing Americans’ personal information, and for DOGE employees or affiliates to delete any data they’ve taken and remove any software they’ve installed.

In an interview with Bloomberg on Thursday evening, Leland Dudek, the acting commissioner of Social Security, said his own staff would count as DOGE affiliates and seemingly joked about shutting down the entire agency.

“As it stands, I will follow it exactly and terminate access by all SSA employees to our IT systems,” Dudek said. “Really, I want to turn it off and let the courts figure out how they want to run a federal agency.”

On Friday, Dudek indicated he was actually talking to the Justice Department about shutting down Social Security ― and potentially halting benefits for 70 million people ― if the court didn’t clarify its order.

“Unless I get clarification, I’ll just start to shut it down. I don’t have much of a choice here,” Dudek told The Washington Post.

In an apparent coincidence, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Thursday talked about halting all Social Security payments as a way of rooting out fraud.

“Let’s say Social Security didn’t send out their checks this month. My mother-in-law, who’s 94, she wouldn’t call and complain. She just wouldn’t. She’d think something got messed up and she’ll get it next month,” Lutnick said on the “All-In” podcast. “A fraudster always makes the loudest noise, screaming, yelling and complaining.”

Asked for clarification of Dudek’s “turn it off” remarks, the Social Security Administration told HuffPost simply that it would comply with the court order.

Rich Couture, spokesman for the American Federation of Government Employees subchapter that represents more than 40,000 Social Security workers, told HuffPost that as of early Friday afternoon, he hadn’t heard of anyone being shut out of IT systems.

Dudek’s remarks come as Social Security prepares to shed staff while also making major changes to agency operations, with plans to reduce phone service in favor of in-person visits to field offices across the country. Employees have told HuffPost it’s a difficult time to work for the agency, with increased calls from the public compounding anxiety about remaining employed.

“It’s almost as if we’ve turned into a call center with how busy we’ve gotten with calls,” one field office worker told HuffPost. “I mean it went from a point in time where we’d have maybe 100 calls a day, and then on a really big day, it would be about 150, and just on Monday, we had 350 calls.”

The worker said that even though the agency announced on Tuesday that more claimants would be told to do business at field offices starting March 31, in less than two weeks, the agency had not yet briefed staff on new procedures, which employees learned about from the press release. (A spokesperson for Social Security said training would start next week.)

The field office staff said Social Security employees take pride in their work and resent disparaging statements about government workers from Musk, President Donald Trump and other Republicans.

“We are still the ones out there trying our best to help people and take care of their claims, because we do understand that this is an important time of their life, and most people aren’t prepared for it, and we are there to help them,” the staffer said.

Dudek, formerly a mid-level anti-fraud staffer, became the acting commissioner of Social Security after going around his superiors to work with DOGE. He has since been a wrecking ball, consolidating offices, firing senior staff and even canceling contracts with the state of Maine in an apparent act of political retaliation against the state’s Democratic governor for standing up to Trump.

Dudek’s schemes represent the fulfillment of Musk and Trump’s anti-fraud agenda, with the pair falsely claiming Social Security makes bogus payments to millions of nonexistent beneficiaries.

“He’s untethered and Musk wants it to be shut down,” Martin O’Malley, who served as commissioner of Social Security under President Joe Biden, said of Dudek. O’Malley has previously warned that Dudek’s layoffs and other changes could cause the agency to miss benefit payments.

The group Democracy Forward and AFGE filed suit against DOGE earlier this month. A former Social Security official said in an affidavit as part of the suit that DOGE’s disregard for privacy protections “now threatens the security of the data SSA houses about millions of Americans” and that benefits could be at risk.

Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works, a liberal group that opposes benefit cuts, called Dudek’s short tenure the darkest time in Social Security’s history, saying he’d been promoted ahead of more than 100 better-qualified SSA employees.

“He has sown chaos and destruction. Now, he is threatening to shut down Social Security completely,” Altman said. “Dudek is willing to deny over 70 million Americans the benefits that most of them rely on to survive, rather than stop DOGE from mucking around with our data.”

[elijahsfinalrodeo]

You know I’m autistic when the best way I’ve found to regulate intense feelings of stress or panic is by listening to some of the most fucked up music conceivable

[richmenlikeithot]

“ we never go out of style . ” @gllianowens

it's a witch hunt, but instead of brooms and wands, they have perfectly conditionated hair and manicured nails. she doesn't care about being labeled a dumb blonde; it's all part of the business, but if anyone should be allowed to see how nervous jackie is about the trial, that one is beverly, the only one smart enough to not be fooled by the blonde locks and pink tendencies since forever. what would she do without her best friend, her girlfriend, always by her side, whether it's about a new pair of shoes or a fraud and theft scheme?

"we are the style, babe. court pictures will be the new trend again as soon as our own pictures are out, i'm sure." she tries to joke at first, like dipping her toes in cold water, waiting to see how much she is willing to talk. one thing she always appreciated about their relationship is how much of a secret language of their own they shared; some things were spoken through looks, other through gestures, at the end of the day they'd be smiling to each other and locking arms as always. but she wants to talk about it, feels it's important enough to not just brush it off and go on. "it's just... it's so ridiculous. there's barely a case. we are very pretty and charming so some men gifted us some jewelry. tale as old as time. i just hate when people think they can mess with us."

but there's no point in feeling bad for herself, and she refuses to do that. all publicity is good publicity; people are talking about them, and as soon as they are proven innocent, people will jump to the opportunity of exploring their images and personalities even more than they are already doing. she already has ideas for the next covers and interviews she'll give. "you know, i don't even wanna talk about it. we should start planning the clothes we will be wearing to court. i was thinking of something marc jacobs, like winona. or psyche haute couture. i have to have a chat with miuccia before deciding anything, though."

is this the right time to talk about marriage or far from it? jackie decides to not say anything yet, afraid it won't be taken seriously when she's so obviously fidgety. "after this whole thing, we should pack our things and stay away for a while. i'd like to visit dotty. stay off the radar. time for a good rebranding. i know we have just come back from vacations, but it's kinda the reason we will need another one."

[sinclairprive]

A dynasty built on power, wealth, and scandal. Each Sinclair heir walks a different path—but none are free from the weight of their name.

1. Alaric Sinclair – The Architect of Empire

- Education: MBA & International Relations – Harvard University

- Career: CEO of Sinclair Holdings, the family’s financial empire.

- Background: The perfect heir—calculated, disciplined, and always in control. Trained to lead, raised to rule.

Scandal: The Betrayal That No One Saw Coming

A trusted business partner turned against him, costing Sinclair Holdings millions. Alaric doesn’t lose—but this time, he did. And now, he’s out for revenge.

❦ Spouse: Isadora Sinclair (née Beaumont) – The Ice Queen of the Courtroom

- Education: Law – University of Cambridge

- Career: High-profile corporate lawyer, specializing in elite aristocratic cases.

- Background: Elegant, brilliant, and relentless. A legal powerhouse who ensures the Sinclair name remains untouchable in court and beyond.

Scandal: A Case That Should Have Never Happened

She once defended a Sinclair rival—and won. Whispers say she knew too much about the wrong people.

2. Raphael “Rafe” Sinclair – The Maverick of Luxury & Scandal

- Education: Dropped out of Oxford University (History & Literature)

- Career: Founder of Nightfall Group, an exclusive empire of private clubs and luxury resorts.

- Background: The Sinclair who never played by the rules—charismatic, unpredictable, and always making headlines.

Scandal: The Blacklist No One Talks About

There’s a secret blacklist within his empire. Once your name is on it, you disappear from high society. No one knows why he chooses his targets, but everyone knows better than to cross him.

❦ Spouse: Seraphina Moreau – The Enigma in Couture

- Education: Fashion & Branding – Parsons School of Design

- Career: Luxury fashion designer & socialite—her designs are worn by royalty, billionaires, and those who live in controversy.

- Background: As mysterious as she is influential, she plays the media like a game of chess. Is she the queen, or just another piece?

Scandal: Fashion or Fraud?

A luxury house filed a lawsuit, claiming she stole designs. The case vanished—but so did the accuser.

3. Evangeline Sinclair – The Rose Who Returned

- Education: Art History & International Relations – University of St. Andrews

- Career: Renowned violinist & exclusive art curator for high-profile collectors.

- Background: Once destined for royalty, forced to step down. Instead of fading, she became a force of her own.

Scandal: A Mysterious Patron

A hidden benefactor is funding her career. Some believe it’s her former royal husband. Others think it’s someone far more dangerous.

❦ Spouse (Formerly): King Lucien Valcourt – The Monarch Bound by Duty

- Education: Elite Political Studies – École Nationale d’Administration (ENA), France

- Career: King of Valcourt, a sovereign who chose duty over love.

- Background: Once madly in love with Evangeline, but forced to let her go. He rules a nation, but not his heart.

Scandal: A Love That Never Died

Rumors persist that he still sends her letters, watches her performances, and secretly funds her success. The court denies it—but they’ve been trying to erase her name for years.

[denimbex1986]

'Andrew Scott and Dakota Fanning are stepping out for the premiere of their new Netflix series!

The two stars posed together on the red carpet at the Ripley premiere on Wednesday (April 3) held at The Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles.

For the premiere, Andrew, 47, looked cool in a green suit while Dakota, 30, donned a white dress.

Also joining Andrew and Dakota at the premiere were their co-stars Eliot Sumner and Maurizio Lombardi.

In the eight-episode limited series Ripley, Andrew plays Tom Ripley, a grifter scraping by in early 1960s New York, who is hired by a wealthy man to travel to Italy to try to convince his vagabond son to return home. Tom’s acceptance of the job is the first step into a complex life of deceit, fraud and murder.

All episodes of the series will premiere on Netflix on April 4...

FYI: Andrew is wearing a Giuliva Heritage outfit. Dakota is wearing a Fendi Couture dress...'

[auxpay]

Unlocking the Power of Payments with AuxPay: From Haute Couture to Every Industry

Fashion's Payment Maverick

In the fast-paced realm of fashion, where trends evolve as swiftly as the seasons, an efficient payment system is paramount. AuxPay, the industry's unsung hero, stands out as the trusted ally of fashion retailers, ensuring swift and secure transactions. But what makes AuxPay truly remarkable is its ability to transcend boundaries, serving as a versatile payment gateway for businesses spanning all sectors.

Empowering Fashion's Finest

From high-end fashion boutiques to up-and-coming designers, AuxPay's payment gateway fuels the dreams of fashion retailers. In an era where consumers crave seamless payment experiences, AuxPay delivers an intuitive platform for both online and in-store transactions. Its user-friendly interface levels the playing field, making complex payment processes accessible to all.

Beyond the Catwalk

Yet, AuxPay's prowess extends far beyond the runway. Whether you're a tech startup, a cozy neighborhood cafe, or an e-commerce giant, AuxPay welcomes all businesses into its payment ecosystem. It revolutionizes transactions, making payments an effortless experience regardless of industry, size, or location.

The Fortified Fortress of Security

In a digital landscape fraught with peril, AuxPay stands as a guardian of security. Implementing a multi-layered approach, including encryption, tokenization, and real-time fraud detection, AuxPay ensures that every transaction remains a fortress of protection. This not only safeguards businesses but also fosters trust and loyalty among customers.

Seamlessness, No Matter the Scale

In a world where time is of the essence, businesses crave swift, reliable payment solutions. AuxPay streamlines financial operations, automating payment processing and reducing administrative hassles. Its scalability guarantees that businesses, irrespective of their size, will never be hindered by payment limitations.

Embrace the Payment Revolution

AuxPay is more than a payment processor; it's a catalyst for revolutionizing the payment experience. The payment revolution is upon us, and AuxPay invites all businesses to join the journey. Whether you're a startup navigating uncharted waters or a seasoned enterprise, AuxPay equips you with the tools to redefine your payment processes.

Ready to Transform Your Payments?

In a world where transactions drive business, selecting the right payment partner is paramount. AuxPay, born in the fashion capital of the world and adaptable to every industry, is poised to redefine your payment journey. Contact AuxPay today to embark on a transformative payment odyssey, accessible to any business poised for innovation.

Shaping the Future of Payments

In the dynamic arena of business, adaptability is the key to success. AuxPay, with its fashion heritage and universal appeal, is your partner for reshaping payment experiences. With AuxPay, the future of payments is here, waiting for every business ready to embrace its potential.

[fcllederage]

DRAG RACE FRANCE PROMPTS prompts from season 1 translated from FR to EN

"I think when she started drag, I was just born, right?"

"My mom always told me not to play with fire, but mom, I am the fire."

"En français, s'il vous plait."

"I just one day realized that this body is unique and I know how to make it artistic."

"I do it because it's freeing for me and maybe someone in the audience is gonna be like "oh okay, I can do it too"."

"Drag saved my life because I was already very, very depressed."

"It's lacking a few naked boys, in here."

"When I told my mom, she was peeling carrots and it took me, like, fifteen minutes to tell her. I was shaking and I said "I'm gay" and she just put her knife down and said "I've known since you were four"."

"Coming out of the closet can be problematic although it doesn't change who we are."

"The child you raised is the same before and after coming out."

"I will never understand the concept of coming out because you have to explain your sexuality to... the world?"

"I'm neither a man nor a woman but I'm also not non-binary, and that the only reference I have is myself."

"Baguette ? Oui, oui ! Baguette !"

"Let's be proud of who we are, because we're fabulous and, above all, we're legit."

"My biggest fear is to disappoint."

"I don't have the strength to talk, right now."

"No shade, it's true."

"Thank God for drag, otherwise you'd spend your life behind the cameras..."

"You have drag in your blood... It's a shame there's a bad circulation..."

"Once the library is open, nobody is safe."

"How did I come in? Just like you, from behind."

"I love homosexuals! They're so romantic!"

"What was the question? Where are we?"

"And the winner is... No one! Because everything was fake and life is a lie!"

"Someone here is very quiet... are you okay?"

"My mom always told me: you're gonna take hits, but you're also gonna give them back."

"I've felt really lonely but after talking about it with the girls, I realized it's something I'd brought upon myself."

"Being here is like an emotional time bomb."

"You're so cringe I can't even look at you."

"I knew you were mine!"

"When I talk to gay friends around me, they're all very careful and stay protected. But when I talk to straight friends, they always talk about how they had unprotected sex, I mean yeah okay, but we're not the only ones who have this responsibility."

"More people need to find the courage to talk about how being undetectable means being untransmissible."

"She's sexy, she's arrogant, she's queer, she's fem, she's strong."

"What an amazing artist you are."

"It's not the end for you. It's clearly just the beginning."

"You are officially bad people."

"I'm not made to only do one thing."

"People think we do drag because it's our passion, and it's true, but it also leads to that idea of we don't have to be paid. They'll offer us a drink and we should be happy."

"For ordinary people, a drag queen is just a man dressing like a woman."

"I am haute couture, my friends!"

"When it shows body, I say yes!"

"We're queer, we're drag queens. We've been gay kids in school. We've all, one day, been this person who wasn't chosen in a group, or who is designated as the one who should be excluded."

"You brought us love, poetry, your passion and I can't wait to see the rest."

"I'm proud to say she's my sister now."

"I have no idea what I was doing."

"You gave it your all."

"There are living people who are interesting too, you know that, right?"

"We are ready to rise from our ashes. We are phoenix, we are muses, we are warriors."

"No, after three hours of makeup, it's your sister, not your brother anymore."

"I feel like a duck on skis."

"I always feel like someone is going to realize I'm a fraud."

"The stage is my entire life and I could never do anything else."

"When I look at you, my eyes burn."

[byunbaekhyunie]

I think brands shouldn’t be able to overprice clothes made out of fucking plastic

[dreamgrlarchive]

Nicki Minaj’s The Pinkprint Era (+No Frauds)

#PrettyHeiressDiaries: Eras Edition 🎀

this is my first #PrettyHeiressDiaries post. as i’ve previously stated, this series is going to be me diving into my fav muses and celebs and dissecting what i can take from these lovely ladies. this blog will focus on Nicki Minaj’s branding from 2014-2017 roughly. + a few Queen era looks.

The Pinkprint Era Style Elements:

the pinkprint was alter ego free, and a return to hiphop and r&b for nicki. meaning she was highly stripped of the campy pop rap star we had come to know. it was chic DOWN. think collector barbie vs the harajuku barbie. don’t mistake me though, onika was still very in touch with her cutesy girly side. there was a balance of sexy and chic with a few drops of cute. and this is why the pinkprint era is my absolute favorite, with her looks being a standard i follow for a lot of my looks.

nicki’s cute mirrors 🎀

nicki’s iconic black barbie insta selfies, wearing real hair or natural extensions(often textured ponytails and blowouts), minimal makeup and natural beats 🎀

lots of black and neutrals, statement purses (often times chanel) 🎀

nicki makes a return to the harajuku barbie aesthetic during the pinkprint tour 🎀 +

prissy pink looks i loved from this era 🎀

No Frauds Era Style Elements:

after the pinkprint era was dying down and nicki had become the victim of “the nicki hate train,” her style was still reminiscent of pinkprint. but i would say her branding shifted from the demure somewhat sweetheart to more of an unapologetically bad bitch. this is marked as the “no frauds era” (the time between pinkprint and queen)

glamorous gowns, grandiose blingy bodysuits and adornments, continuing from the pinkprint aesthetic, she’s still wearing natural glams and hairstyles 🎀 +

latex catsuits, lacey looks, pink as seen in the paper magazine cover and the motorsport video 🎀

literally queen couture (tiaras, headpieces, and maximalist furs), the subtle return of the barbie chain, 40 inch “you b*tches can’t even spell prague” naomi/cher hair 🎀

My Fav Queen Era Looks:

ex. tusa videoshoot, harpers bazaar vietnam cover, 2018 vma look, chun li cover art look, 2018 harpers bazaar look 🎀

So What Can We Learn?

Nicki’s style has never been anything short of ultra femme and makes it clear she’s not afraid to take up space and your attention.

As her branding and look shifts through these eras, it’s as if she’s becoming more aggressive with the her fashion to speak to the public.

During The Pinkprint Era, she said “Look, I can put the pink wigs and rainbow paint away and still capture attention while making quality work. Respect me.”

The No Frauds Era saw her evolve into a more flashy Nicki while taking hints of her past looks to say “I AM the greatest, you will NEVER top me, and I can remind you who I am.” Note the Barbie chain while also dressing like modern day royalty.

Nicki Minaj is a highly polarizing figure in pop culture but that should not stop us from acknowledging the cultural resets she’s delivered us in the fashion and beauty industry. When she said “I got all these girls wantin’ to be Barbie Dollz,” it wasn’t just a line, ITS TRUE. So many influential girls on instagram look like either Nicki, Kim K, or Madison Beer, just to name a few. The girls have taken a heavy note from the colored hair, bussdown middle part inches, bulky chains, all while trying to maintain an untouchable level of HYPERFEMININITY. An actual BLACK BARBIE.

-PrettyHeiressDiaries 🎀

credits: nathyyy and blessing mukosha via youtube, @thevirgodoll and @babyphat05’s breakdowns on femmes in the culture on the respective personal blogs.

[anonymoushouseplantfan]

Can you explain Camilla Tominey's quote about Meghan in that article. I understand the criticism of the clothing price but what is the relevance of the women mentioned (not my generation or country so I've no idea!) : "Meghan pulls out the European couture, the Martha Stewart-meets-Carolyn-Bessette-Kennedy Californian grandeur and the six figure price tags."

I'm not sure the quote makes sense. Martha Steward is a US domestic diva who had a popular cooking/decorating/entertainment show before she was put in prison for stock fraud, and Carolyn Bessette was John F Kennedy Jr.'s wife who was known for her minimalistic and monochromatic 90s style. I think Camilla is trying to describe a kind of super-expensive but laid back wealthy woman style that is popular with the American moneyed classes--lots of beige, camel, and white with hints of blue, navy or black. It's now having a renaissance as "coastal grandmother style."

They style is very American and relatively affordable so the fact that Meghan spent six figures getting it from European couture is pretty hilarious.

[blackqueernotables]

Consuela Cosmetic: Self-described as "a fair skinned Black male, self-made star, show personality, couture specialist, liar, cheat, scam-artist, credit card fraud, blackmailer, extortionist; Victim of circumstance, a leader, role model & at this present time...a person dealing with AIDS."

Watch her 1996 documentary for free here.

[bookstagramofmine]

Cover Reveal: Valley Verified by Kyla Zhao

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[cherrybangbang]

cheerie cherry, cherie baby come up take a bite.

the front and fraud of my-all -

i don’t even really like cherries.

much at all.

i’ve always hated cherry flavored lollipops and popsicles

i cooled off with blue, i hated cherry ICEEs

there’s just something feminine about them

i think about sex and i think about cherries

of couture culture and pearlescent accents and charcoal ice cream in a charcoal cone

and i’m letting water droplets pool in the canyons of my collarbones from a cardboard box,

trickling down my jawline and i’m tickled

by better water from a better box.

black and white pinstriped dainties on my crop tops and panties

polka dotted red bikini against olive skin & algae eyes.

red cherries bobbing like apples to a southern kid at the fair

prized possessions

two to a pair

like a cheesy line about ‘U and Me’

i think romanticizing a fruit that i hate in correlation with sex is beautifully corrupt

telling, inventive even

bang bang.