#gentlemen prefer blondes imagines

[darkfictionjude]

Ladies, gentlemen and other folk who see themselves outside those groups, please be advised! This is not for the faint of heart. TW: racism, sexism, bigotry, parental abuse, exploitation, alcoholism, smoking, swearing, sexually explicit content. Very much of the time period.

After a life of general obscurity, in 1938 you come out of hiding to star in the biggest production in Hollywood history. Hopefully, your own demons, those imagined and those very much real don't tear you apart before the closing scene!

Greer Monroe 🎭

Your co-star. With beginnings in comedy, he's trying to be seen as a serious actor. He's everything a person believes a leading man to be. 29 years old.

Preference: he's an actor, of course he's had gay sex men or women.

Magenta Wey 💎

Your other co-star. After a recent... scandal she's seeking to move past that event with a new role. A classic blonde bombshell. 30 25 years old.

Preference: women.

Jack Harlow🎙️

A singer. Wishes he could sing his own songs instead of giving the best ones to bigger artists. Handsome in his way, just not as flashy as those on the screen. 27 years old.

Preference: men.

Ashley Booker 📽️

The director. Hit it out of the park five years before and after a serious of failures, seeks to make a comeback. Everyone says Ash is good-looking, but Ash doesn't like the image in the mirror. 32 years old.

Preference: is partial to women but is curious about men.

You ✨

Your last name is Skylark. Do you want to be famous? Is it to fill the void inside? It's far too late to make anyone proud.

—————

Also if you could reblog that would help a lot :)

DEMO (08/2) | Spotify

Check out my other IFs: We Wretched Creatures, Excellent Cadavers

[misstycloud]

Ok so we know how the Cowboy yan reacts to an indifferent city girl reader…BUT…

How’d he react and handle a reader who’s a bit of a ditzy bimbo in the best way possible? (Think of Marilyn Monroe’s character from, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, if you’ve ever seen the movie. I really recommend it!)

Yandere cowboy x bimbo. reader

If reader was the stereotypical dumb, pretty girl, the cowboy would find it very endearing. He’s not the smartest one of the bunch himself, so he’d think it’s cute. If it was the other way around and reader being insanely intelligent, he’d still love them and tell her how sexy he finds it. However, he probably wouldn’t be able to help feeling unworthy since he’s more brawn than brain.

The cowboy would make it his responsibility to protect reader(he would no matter what but especially in this case). She’s too careless: trusting anyone who throws her a smile! It’s not safe. Reader is pretty too, so there’s a big chance some creep will become obsessed with her and stalk her. The cowboy doesn’t trust her to notice someone hiding in the bushes on her way home, following her every step. Of course he had to make sure she’s safe by walking at a safe distance behind her whenever she went home alone. Only so she’ safe, though. Not so he can drag his gaze over her form and imagine sinful fantasies involving both of them. And especially not so he can linger outside the bedroom window until the sun starts to rise.

It wouldn’t take long for him to start manipulating his darling. Every day there would be speeches on how only he truly cares for her, how everyone else tries to take advantage of her, of how she needs him.

If bimbo reader told the cowboy she had to leave the village and go back to the city, he would immediately convince her it’s not a good idea. From all the previous conversations, he has picked up enough information about her friends to come up with unlikely scenarios. He’ll say that they’re not her friends and that they’re obviously just pretending. From her stories about them, it’s clear that they treat her awfully. Why would she go back?

If that doesn’t work, the cowboy will activate the water work.

The poor, kindhearted bimbo reader can’t abandon someone so pitiful. The way he sobs and begs her to stay is seriously tugging on her heart strings.

In all, he wouldn’t treat her so differently compared to indifferent reader, except that he’s a bit more protective and thinks she’s naive and therefore need him. I mean, he’d think she needs him not matter what but this is in a more practical way. The cowboy would do everything for bimbo reader. Need some water? He’s getting a glass from the cupboard right now. Need to change the lightbulb? He’s the best at changing lightbulbs! You want some flowers in your garden? He’s out in the field plucking wild flowers and will even replant them for you.

With (for example) the indifferent reader, he would recognise that she wants to do things on her own and let her.

Not with bimbo reader though. She is too sweet, she might accidentally hurt herself.

[blushcoloreddreams]

The history of engagement rings and how diamonds became the norm

While today engagement rings represent a symbol of love and eternal commitment, historians believe the first engagement rings appeared in Ancient Rome - more as a symbol of a legal contract than love itself. But it’s only much later when we have the first introduction of diamonds for engagement rings.

The first diamond engagement ring known in history was given by Maximilian I, a Habsburg, in 1497. He traveled to meet his bride and brought her a diamond ring as a gift. This marked the beginning of the tradition of using diamonds in engagement rings. At that time, the only place to find diamonds was in India, making them extremely rare and expensive, something truly reserved for royalty.

As we move through history, we see a period when engagement rings fell out of fashion and were replaced by more elaborate, detailed wedding rings. Later, engagement rings came back into style. In 1840, with Queen Victoria's engagement, the tradition of the engagement ring became more consistent. However, the engagement ring she received is not the one that comes to mind today. Our imagination is filled with Tiffany's solitaire ring, often seen in movies. But Queen Victoria received a ring in the shape of a snake, as the snake was a symbol of eternal love. The main gemstone in the snake's head was an emerald, which is quite different from what we're used to. Why an emerald? It was the gemstone for her birth month, leading to another tradition: using colored gemstones in rings based on a person's birth month.

Returning to the subject of diamonds, we fast-forward to 1887 when diamonds were discovered in South Africa. This shifted the market away from India as the sole supplier, flooding the market with diamonds, and their prices dropped significantly. Something that had once been exclusive to royalty became accessible to the middle class, and diamonds became very popular.

In 1889, a company called De Beers emerged - which you may have heard of because celebrities often being seen wearing De Beers diamonds on red carpets - came to dominate the diamond market, controlling the supply. It established a monopoly in South Africa, and eventually, worldwide. To this day, only a few companies control the entire diamond trade, and diamonds remain so expensive not because they are extremely rare, but because the market is artificially controlled to prevent prices from dropping.

If you think in terms of rarity, for example, a Paraíba tourmaline is rarer than a diamond. Diamonds can be found in various countries, but Paraíba tourmalines are only found in specific regions of Brazil and a few locations in Africa. They are not as widespread. So, the high value of diamonds is not due to rarity. That’s not to say diamonds aren’t beautiful—they have many desirable characteristics, such as their hardness on the Mohs scale. Many marketing campaigns have been built around this.

In the 1930s, De Beers launched a campaign to have celebrities wear diamonds on the red carpet. This was during a time of war and the Great Depression when couples couldn't afford diamonds and were opting for other gemstones in their rings. By showcasing celebrities flaunting diamonds, they rekindled the desire and made it seem like a good investment for couples. The campaign worked very well, with sales increasing by 50% in the following years.

In the 1950s, De Beers launched another campaign, one we still repeat today: “Diamonds are forever,” drawing a connection between the diamond’s eternal nature and the commitment a person makes at that moment in their life. The campaign was a huge success, and we still repeat the phrase today, with sales soaring again. All of this solidified the diamond in our imagination as the perfect gemstone for engagement rings.

In 1953, the movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes starring Marilyn Monroe included that iconic scene with the pink dress where she sings and dances about diamonds being a girl's best friend. These are ideas we still repeat today, showing the powerful influence this has on our imagination. Movies often reinforce this idea, but I’m here to tell you that the value of diamonds is heavily influenced by market control, which limits supply to keep prices high, and by decades of marketing campaigns designed to create desire. I’m not saying you should stop liking diamonds—they remain a wonderful, beautiful gemstone with incredible brilliance. I just want you to know that they’re not your only option. If you like a colored gemstone that represents you, you can use it in your engagement ring.

Even looking at royal engagement rings, not just Queen Victoria's with an emerald, but also Princess Eugenie’s with a pink sapphire, and of course, the most famous engagement ring in the world, which belonged to Lady Diana and was passed down to Kate Middleton. It features a blue sapphire as the main gemstone, surrounded by diamonds and set in white gold. But what defines that ring is the blue sapphire. So, if you like a colored gemstone, feel free to put it in your ring without shyness or do you think Princess Kate is wrong or being tacky?

[casualaruanienjoyer]

Some more Annie and Pieck outfit ideas!

Plus- what if post rumbling they become part of some sort of secret services, and have to go undercover at a formal event. Imagine the outfits from 'Gentlemen prefer blondes' 👀

Pieck would be better at sweet talking while Annie is better at threatening.

[the-squidward-in-question]

“Bonjour”

Tried some new techniques then gave up when I got to the rest of the mercs

Imagining Marylin in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” as Spy in the dress is sending me straight to hell

[cornishkat]

Midnight Kiss

Jake ‘Hangman’ Seresin x F!Reader

Warnings: None just pure fluff

Summary:  A fancy dress New Years Eve party and a red dress might just get you a midnight kiss with Hangman.

Notes:  Juts a quick fluffy little New Year one shot.

The Hard Deck looked great, shining and sparkling with decorations for New Years Eve.  You were looking forward to seeing in 2023 with the other Daggers and also seeing the back of 2022, it had be a hard year, but the past few months back at Top Gun with the Dagger Squad had made it better.  You were looking forward to all of you being able to cut loose after the last mission and just enjoy yourselves knowing that you had at least the next few days off.

Payback and Fanboy had called fancy dress and you didn’t even mind that, it had been fun going to find your costumes with Phoenix.  You were also looking forward to seeing what everyone else was going to turn up wearing, though you couldn’t even begin to imagine what Mav would turn up as.

Phoenix had gone with a Great Gatsby flapper dress, and she looked stunning, you had thought about doing the same but then you had seen a copy of Marilyn Monroe’s red dress from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.  The red sequins glittered and shimmered and you had stared at it so long that Phoenix had made you go and try it on.

“Oh, my good you look amazing, you have to wear it”

Turning around in the mirror you looked at yourself from all angles, it was so beautiful, but it was also slit all the way up to the to the middle of your thighs and neckline plunged down to almost your waist.

“I really don’t think I can pull this off”

“Believe me you can more than pull it off and I can’t wait to see Hangman’s face when he sees you in this dress”

“I have told you before, Hangman is not interested in me.  He flirts with everyone, I’m nothing special”

“He may flirt with everyone, but he doesn’t look at anyone else the way he looks at you”

“Quit it Phoenix, I am sure he will find himself a stunning woman to kiss at midnight”

“I am willing to bet money on the fact it will be you he is kissing at midnight”

“You can make that bet, and I will be more than happy to take your money”

“$100 says I’m right”

“I’ll feel bad about taking your money, but you’re on”

Now as you stood in the bar you were starting to regret your choice of attire, you felt like a million dollars, but you also felt nervous as the rest of the crew had never seen you in anything other than a flying suit or sports kit.  And no matter how much you had protested to Phoenix earlier you were wondering how Hangman would react.  You couldn’t deny your attraction to him, but you were also well aware he could have his pick of women and there was no way you could measure up.

Before you could consider further if you had chance to go home and change into something less conspicuous before anyone else arrived you heard a low whistle from behind you.

“Phoenix, Merlin looking hot”

Turning you saw Rooster walking across the bar in a full Elvis jumpsuit with Payback and Fanboy behind him rocking very cool pirate costumes.

“So, I take it the fancy dress call was just so you two could live out your pirate fantasy?”

“Hell yes, but Merlin it was also worth it so see you in that dress, you are looking damn fine, who knew you could scrub up so well”

“I’ll take that as a compliment I think”

“Ok make away the drinks are on the King”

“Why do I think that costume is going to be an excuse for you to start singing later Rooster”

“It’s Now or Never”

Groaning you all moved to let Rooster to the bar, that was not going to be the last Elvis song used in a cheesy line tonight by him.

“Anyone seen Coyote or Hangman?”

“Properly still doing their hair and waiting to make big entrance”

“Well, it isn’t easy to look this good all of the time”

Peeking out from behind Rooster you saw Hangman and Coyote sauntering over to the bar.  They had both gone full cowboy, plaid shirts, jeans, finished off with waistcoats, cowboy boots and hats and gun holsters slung on their hips.  

“Looking good Hangman”

“Feeling good Rooster, you getting the drinks in?”

“On it”

As Rooster stepped to the bar, he cleared the path between you and Hangman.

“Holy Shit Merlin, that is one hell of a dress”

“Well allegedly gentlemen prefer blondes”

“Yes, we do”

“Hangman are you classing yourself as a gentleman?”

“Sweetheart for you always”

Despite your initial nerves as the drinks flowed and the music played you were really enjoying yourself. Everyone hit the dancefloor and Rooster had jumped onto the piano and given his best Elvis rendition.    As you leant again the piano you looked out at the rest of the squad enjoying themselves and your heart swelled.  Smiling as you saw Penny and Mav at the bar dressed as a Pink Lady and a T-Bird.

Hangman couldn’t take his eyes off you, that dress was positively sinful, and you had gotten every detail perfect from the red satin shoes to the way your blond curls formed a shining halo around your face.  He needed to be kissing you at midnight, come hell or high water his lips needed to be on yours.  His stomach flipped as he watched you leaning up against the piano, you were radiant.  He knew his feelings for you had been developing over the last few months but his usual confidence with women seemed to desert him when it came to you.  And he didn’t want to just turn on the charm and get you into bed for one night, he, Jake Seresin actually wanted the whole world with you, all of it.  Tonight, was going to be the night, fortune favours the brave and with you looking like that he couldn’t afford to wait around for some other guy to sweep you off your feet.

As Rooster finished singing and the music was put back on you felt someone come over and stand by your side.

“So, Marylin, do you have a dance for a cowboy”

Looking across Hangman was stood next to you in a mock bow holding his hand out to you.

Smiling you placed your hand in his and let him lead you to the dancefloor, as he swung you into his arms you caught sight of Phoenix dancing behind him, smiling she winked at you, and you rolled your eyes back at her.  As the song ended and a slow song began neither of you moved, he pulled you closer and swayed you gently against him.  As you felt his body against yours and rested your cheek on his you felt like you had come home, and you never wanted the dance to end.  But eventually the song ended, and he released you.

Hangman glanced at his watch, there was five minutes until midnight, and he needed to make sure he was with you.  When he had danced with your earlier and held you in her arms he knew his fate was sealed.  Scanning the bar he searched for you, he could see Phoenix and Bob over by the bar, but he couldn’t find you.  He could feel his heart sink as he scanned back around the room,

“You ok man?”

“Coyote, have you seen Merlin?”

“Ahh, getting ready to make your move at midnight?”

“Not if I can’t find her”

“Last I saw her she was over at the bar with Mav”

Hangman swung around again and there you were, laughing with Mav.  As he started to move his way across to the bar, he heard the countdown begin.  He strode across the bar; his only thought was to get to you before the clock struck midnight.  

As you took the glass of champagne offered by Phoenix you couldn’t help but look around for Hangman, the thought of your dance echoing through your mind and as the countdown began you realised, he was the only one you wanted to be kissing as the new year began.  You saw him making a beeline for you across the bar as the countdown continued and you could feel the smile spreading on your face as he grew closer.  Your eyes met with his and the look of determination on his face made you smile even more.  He didn’t seem to even notice the women trying to get his attention as he moved through crowd and you realised, he only had eyes for you, and it made your heart soar.  He came to a stop in front of you as the countdown finished, five, four, three, two , one…

Cupping your face with his hands he pressed his lips to yours, gently at first but has he felt you respond he deepen the kiss.  There might as well not have been anyone else in the room in that moment, just you and him.  As you eventually broke apart to catch your breath,

“Happy New Year Merlin”

“Happy New Year Hangman”

The rest of the squad surrounded both of you,

“About time”

“Thank god, I thought they were never going to get there”

“Merlin, you can keep the $100, it was only an incentive to give you a little nudge”

Hangman looked at you with a quizzical look,

“$100?”

“She bet me $100 that we would kiss at midnight, as she seemed to think you wanted to kiss me” “Well she had that right, sweetheart I have been wanting to do that for months”

“I never thought you saw me in that way”

“Are you kidding me I was in love with you even before you wore that dress”

“Well cowboy best you take me home tonight or lose me forever”

“Yes Ma’am”

[best-movie-ever-tournament]

Gentlemen:

The REAL queer Marilyn Monroe film because it’s WLW, sorry not sorry

Frozen:

The reason people maybe sick of Let it Go is because it was so good it captured the collective cultural imagination in a vice grip and it deserved to. Few musicals manage to have basically every song slap, but this is one of them.

[oldbaton]

I’ve made this post on my last blog but it’s important that you all know this story

When Carol Channing was doing Gentlemen Prefer Blondes in the original Broadway production in 1949/50, Marilyn Monroe came and saw multiple performances to get ready to do the film version. (Which was the right choice, what Carol was going for doesn’t work on film). She sat in the same seat in the third row. As you can imagine it made a bit of a stir. A guy who worked in the orchestra noted that her presence distracted the orchestra men a LOT. Except for one man who just didn’t seem to care. Eventually, he tapped this man on the shoulder and said “are you aware of who has been sitting in the third row for weeks now?”. The man looked up over the pit for a second and said “Does she have a brother?”.

[emmatiedemann]

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

How does the series use dual-focus narrative as a strategic storytelling tool beyond heteronormative romantic pairings?

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend uses dual-focus narrative to highlight rivalry rather than heteronormative romantic pairings. For example, Rebecca and Valencia are pitted against each other because they share a love interest. Their “rivalry” plays out through song even though they eventually become friends. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’s dual focus narrative deviates from the typical heteronormative “marriage plot” because although the conflict appears to stem from the shared love interest, the real conflict is less about Josh and more about generalized feelings of comparison, inadequacy, and jealousy. This “parallelism” that Stilwell mentions allows for the focus to be placed on the women and their journey from enemies to friends, rather than the typical heteronormative romantic coupling. In fact, the article mentions that “the drive created by a rivalry offers greater scope for expansion in an open-ended narrative like a television series”. This scope has allowed Crazy Ex-Girlfriend to subvert expectations of the genre—a Vox article even mentions that the show is “a complete deconstruction of the marriage plot”.

What are the the "inevitable" couplings within the series and how are they accentuated through "cinematic" similarities and contrasts?

Some of the “inevitable” coupling established in the beginning of the show is Rebecca and Greg. Greg is friends with Josh, the main love interest. This kind of trope–Greg’s interest in Rebecca while she’s preoccupied with someone else–links them as the heterosexual pairing. Their literal similarities appear in the first episode when they learn they have similar difficult pasts and darker senses of humor. Cinematically, Rebecca and Greg are depicted as normal characters which helps create their chemistry, while Josh is almost always depicted in a dramatic, romanticized way to mirror Rebecca's imagination and perception of him. He is often lit with dramatic lighting or appears in slow motion with some sort of fog machine. This cinematic contrast between Greg and Josh, allows for a more obvious coupling between Rebecca and Greg.

How does the series use musical numbers within and beyond the narrative world to replicate fairy tale, backstage, or folk musicals?

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend uses costumes, over-the-top choreography, and showy sets to parody famous fairy tale, backstage, and folk musicals. The show visually references numbers like “Cell Block Tango” from Chicago and “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, but uses its own original music instead. These obvious references to famous musicals are established so that the show can subvert and critique the original narrative. For example, when Rebecca is in jail, the song “What’s Your Story” is used as an obvious musical reference to “Cell Block Tango”. The female inmates are costumed with black lingerie over their orange jumpsuits, calling attention to the original number’s unrealistic over sexualization. Rebecca begins singing and demands the same sensationalized stories from “Cell Block Tango” and is disappointed to hear stories that are more complicated, sad, and distressing. By referencing memorable musical numbers like this one, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is able to call out problematic overgeneralizations and sexist stereotypes with humor and theatricality. 

[saintsenara]

death (eaters) in paradise bellatrix lestrange/lord voldemort mature | 7.3k words

‘this is lovely,’ she said to the muggle bell-boy, who gave her a cheeky smile.

‘i asked for a twin,’ said the dark lord.

the bell-boy looked at bella, and then looked at the dark lord as though he were insane. ‘sorry, señor,' he said, not sounding very sorry at all, ‘but this was all there was available. you’ll be fine to share with her, no?’

a spanish anti-muggle group wishes to meet with the dark lord in marbella. so, it makes perfect sense for his favourite lieutenant to go with him. after all, she could do with a holiday.

this piece was written for week six of @ladiesofhpfest, on the theme of hot girl summer [you can find the masterlist for this week's fics here].

authors notes under the cut

and it's too hot here to think to much about anything, so this is not a particularly deep story - the inspiration was entirely the fact that the idea of bellamort on holiday in marbella is funny. these are not two people who can be easily imagined lounging by a pool - although it has always tickled me that lord voldemort is ascending to the height of his powers alongside a period of luridly-coloured pop culture. the tiki cocktails of the late 1940s and the disco drinks of the 1970s shouldn’t be something one associates with him. and yet.

but there is something serious underneath all the brits-abroad capering [rip to the german tourist, hated by a nation for hogging the sun loungers]. i’ve always been struck by the fact that - even though jkr considers it to be more egalitarian than the muggle world - the wizarding world is constrained by extremely restrictive gender roles.

and i am convinced [and have explored more seriously elsewhere - especially in my piece nor all that glisters gold and its notes] that one of the reasons why bellatrix is so easily radicalised into being an enthusiastic death eater is because voldemort gives her a chance to transcend the expectations placed upon her by her gender and her social class. in death (eaters) in paradise she finds herself free - for the first time in her life - of pureblood modesty standards [after all, in canon, wizarding clothes seem to cover much more of the body than contemporary muggle fashions], of the need to pretend her marriage is happy, and of the need to pretend that she isn’t a sexual creature.

in death (eaters) in paradise [as, again, i’ve explored more seriously in my piece other women and of purer blood and its notes], there’s the idea that bellatrix’s lack of interest in pregnancy - and her desire to see sex as something with value beyond society’s belief that she should want lots of children, as is her duty as a pureblood - is considered quite scandalous in the circles in which she moves. that voldemort should be the only person she knows who doesn’t think this may not initially seem to be in line with his character - but, actually, the canonical voldemort tolerates a huge amount of casual affection from bellatrix. until the last stages of deathly hallows, he allows her to be physically very close to him, to touch him, to allude to the relationship between them, and so on - and my justification for why they are a sincerely plausible couple is directly connected to this. both bellatrix and voldemort want to be really known and really understood, and they provide a level of recognition and comfort to each other which is there in canon and really fun to draw out in fan-fiction.

plus, him giving her a horcrux is - and i’ll die on this hill - weirdly romantic.

[why i always write him as an arse man is unknown to me, but good for him.]

three final points: yes, i’m aware what the real-life john lewis incident was; rookwood’s hot daughter has turned up in other women of purer blood as well, and maybe she deserves her own story; and this is the dress jane russell wears in gentlemen prefer blondes which is seared into lord voldemort’s retinas:

stunning.

[this-sapphic-paradise]

Three tvshows or movies everyone should see at least one in their life?

Oooooph! That's a difficult question because I'm not the type of person who believes you need to watch certain movies to be a true film lover (I'm not saying you're implying that, btw, I just know some directors and movie lovers are very annoying about this type of thing).

So, I'm going to give you an answer in a slightly different way.

If you wanna be distracted and have some giggles:

Bring It On (movie)

She's The Man (movie)

Imagine Me and You (movie)

BONUS: Bob's Burgers (TV show)

If you want something with substance but still entertaining (aka, it will make you laugh but then you might spiral into an existential crisis):

Everything Everywhere All at Once (movie)

Parasite (movie)

Sorry to Bother You (movie)

If you want something that will make you lose faith in humanity AND it's based on a true story:

Gia (movie)

Boys Don't Cry (movie)

Farrow vs. Allen (docuseries)

BONUS: Phoenix Rising (docuseries)

Wanna watch something heavy but it's "fiction":

The Handmaid's Tale (TV show)

Kids (movie)

Older classic movies that I simply love:

Some Like it Hot

Singing in The Rain

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Rich kids getting fucked in more ways than one:

Cruel Intentions (movie)

Saltburn (movie)

[carnivorousyandeere]

Now that we’ve gotten Erik, what does Amory look likeeee? I know he can shift through different forms, so maybe his favourite form that he likes to show? Maybe I’ll draw him too 👀….

💕

EEEEEEEE SO HAPPY RN, YOURE SO SWEEEET MOODIE 😭🫂💕

Okay, so Amory’s preferred form is 6’1 or approx 185.4 cm tall, with broad shoulders and a smaller waist. He’s sculpted, with near-washboard pecs and abs (though not soooo cut that it looks like he’s dehydrated), with fittingly strong-looking arms and legs. Definitely looks like a model build or casual bodybuilder build. He’s muscular and toned but not enough to suggest steroids or methodical bulking have been involved.

Face shape could be described as square, or maybe rectangle, with a strong nose, jawline, and cheekbones. His teeth are just a little too white and straight to feel natural, but his smile is so disarming you might not think about it, with the way his dimples appear and his eyes sparkle.

He has big brown eyes, and pretty lips. His eyebrows are black and on the thicker side. His hair is shaved short on the sides and is just a little longer on top, with a vacation-ready bleach blonde color. The hair on his head and in his beard is both curly, maybe 3B or 3C? Sometimes he’ll let his facial hair grow a little bit, but still keeps it very short, and it’s black like his eyebrows, not bleached.

His skin tone is rich, deep, and warm, and his skin is also soft, although he allows some slight callouses on his hands, since he knows people that work out a lot tend to have those.

I kind of imagine him as a mix of these two gentlemen (including the pierced ears/jewelry 🥰):

[obstinaterixatrix]

I can’t comprehend an existence that isn’t spent chasing white whales. imagine just seeing what you want and not even having to send an email to an archivist about it. you know, there’s still a vague hope that the reels for gentlemen prefer blondes (1928) are shoved at the back of some paramount storage facility or some guy’s basement

[untilthenextencore]

Linda Mujer : Ch. 4~...

From that point on it was more or less smooth sailing. Merce seemed to open a bit more. But only a bit. She still made a stunning if slightly self-possessed vision perched on the couch between Robert & Jimmy.

The girls who had hoped to end up with Robert or Jimmy still whispered about her. But not one of them cared much. Even in the times when a rather pushy girl attempted to perch herself on Robert's lap startling Merce a bit, the lads handled it with their usual aplomb. Robert gently repositioned the girl back onto her feet. "There we are, luv. Careful now. Don't want you to hurt yourself. Ya having fun?"

"Yeah. But I think I'd have more fun with you." She whined, attempting to twirl a curl of his blonde hair around her finger.

Robert stopped her short, taking her hand & pressing a kiss to her fingers. "I'm glad you think so, luv. But maybe another time, yeah?" He then clinked glasses with her. "Cheers."

The girl nodded, batting her eyes at him & giving Jimmy a little wave too before throwing Merce a look & sauntering off in a huff.

Merce was a bit surprised & yet somehow not at all. "Are they always like that?"

Robert shrugged. "Sometimes. They can be. Some of them."

Jimmy's hand then came over hers, patting it comfortingly. "But you need never worry about that, my dear. Not with us. Not ever."

Just then, Peter appeared. "Mind if I take him from you for a moment, my dear? Have to talk a bit of business & I don't want to bore you with all the inconsequentials."

"Anything for you, papa. Hurry back." She smiled.

A moment later Robert brought up the elephant in the room once more. "So, how do you know Peter again, luv?"

"Robert~..." She laughed. "I told you already. I'd tell you over tea one day. Maybe."

"Tomorrow." He pointed out.

"Tomorrow..." She nodded before adding a beat later. "Maybe..."

They both laughed.

Robert then leaned in, going in for a kiss suddenly. Merce turned to the side, reaching for a bottle of cider. This leads Robert's nose only graze her hair.

He inhaled her scent & grunted. Half-growled. Roses. Jasmine. Sandalwood. Patchouli. Oranges. Vanilla. Musk. He throbbed just from that. The scent on her skin. The scent on her. The scent of her.

Turning back as Robert leaned back a bit, Merce tilted the bottle towards him. "Another cider?"

"How'd you know? Thank you, luv." He laughed, taking it & taking a big swig before beginning again. "Your perfume..."

"Oh? Oh, you like? Thank you. It's called Bal a Versailles." She smiled brightly.

"Let me guess. Roses, jasmine, oranges, sandalwood, patchouli, vanilla, musk."

"Yes!" She clapped quickly in a miniature form of applause, leading Robert to bow making her laugh again. "Very good! Yes, it's got tons of floral & fruity & green notes. I even get a hint of lemon at times."

"Lemon you say?" He quirked a brow. "One of my favorites."

"So I've heard... Can't imagine where though..." Merce shrugged, leading them to share a conspiratorial laugh.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything..."

They looked to the sound of the voice to see Jimmy headed back their way.

"Hello, stranger." Merce's smile remained bright as she welcomed him back. "All done making your illicit business deals & discussing your ill gotten gains?"

Jimmy laughed. "Cheeky. Where did all this cheek come from?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Merce shifted her gown to allow him to easily retake his seat before then adjusting her glimmering shroud. "Behind a veil."

All three laughed.

Robert was still laughing as he added. "Yeah, Pagey. Are you done powdering your nose?"

Jimmy cut him a look that was just to the left of withering, clearly unamused. "Ha-ha, Percy. Spoken like someone who's on his fifth cider of the night."

"Gentlemen!" Merce spoke up, fighting back a laugh. "Gentlemen! Gentlemen please! I met you as gentlemen & I'd prefer if gentlemen you remained!" Now the laughter broke through, making her fight back tears of a different kind as she covered her mouth.

Her face flushing hot from both the situation & her ribald laughter, Merce pulled a lace folding fan from her pocketbook & began to fan herself as she collected herself. This gave the gentlemen at hand time to do the same. It also gave time for a surprisingly simple question to bore itself into their heads.

"By the way, luv..." Robert started with the lighting of another cigarette & another sip of his cider. "Your name on the marquee your sort of stage name... Linda Mercedes or Mercedes Linda depending on region I'm told... Is that your actual name? Or are we to remain calling you Miss or Señorita Rios until Peter lets us in or we find out the truth?"

"Indeed. It's so simple yet lyrical in its simplicity. Almost too perfect to be real." Jimmy nodded, alighting a fresh cig of his own off of Robert's.

"And yet it is." She nodded with a giggle. "Rather funny enough it is both a play on words in Spanish and my actual name. Though, I don't know if the play on words was intended at that time of course."

"Linda meaning pretty in Spanish right?" Robert asked, chest puffing in pride at his opportunity to show off even the barest touch of bilingualism.

"Yes, it does." She nodded. "It's been anglicized into being pronounced, "Lihn-duh" in English-speaking countries. But in Spanish & thusly in my name, it is meant to be pronounced more along the lines of "Leen-dah"."

"Leen-dah?" Robert inquired to Merce's nodding approval. He then practiced the newfound pronunciation under his breath, hiding his hard-working lips behind his cider bottle.

"How fitting. Linda Mercedes Rios." Jimmy noted, doing his best to use the correct pronunciation.

"Pretty Mercedes Rios." Robert grinned, making sure his dimple popped to full effect. He leaned into her slightly, though whether he was attempting another kiss or merely a nuzzle was unclear as before he could make too much of an inroads, Jimmy cut in.

"Is it Linda Mercedes or Mercedes Linda Rios then?"

"It's Mercedes Linda. Officially, on my birth certificate, it reads - and Peter will tell you..." Merce cast a wry smile Robert's direction before returning her gaze to Jimmy. "Mercedes Linda Lolita Laelia Lourdes Quintero Rojas."

"Wah..." Robert hushed in surprise at the indeed lyrical & old world sounding name.

Jimmy, however, at least externally, was less than gobsmacked. "Lolita Quintero? Like in "Mark of Zorro"?"

"You know it? Wow!" Merce's eyes widened. "I'm surprised. That movie came out before either of us was born! Are you a fan of it? Big on swashbuckling, Jimmy?"

Robert felt his stomach muscles contract with the effort it took to hold in the laughter that was clawing at his diaphragm to get out as he shrugged, doing his best to maintain his lackadaisical exterior, noting wryly. "Nah. Just Lolitas..."

Merce gazed at him in slight confusion, allowing Jimmy to cut in again as he cut his eyes at his blonde friend in a look that was a little less than mirthful & amused.

"I've seen it a few times. A spirited picture. You do the name perfect justice, may I say. It fits you beautifully. Truly lovely." Jimmy punctuated his words with a kiss to her hand, on the curve of her knuckles, holding it between his larger two yet again.

Her smile was incandescent now. Face lit by a blush as it nestled in a shroud of stars & shimmering sparkles as it was still being cooled by the soft waves of her lace fan.

"Thank you..." She whispered in a voice that was cooler than her burning cheeks & the heat flickering in her chest - fires building in her heart - would seemingly show or allow. "You are a gentleman."

Robert was not to be dissuaded though. "So many pretty names. For such a pretty girl. Fitting indeed." His Cheshire Cat grin remained as he - taking note of Pagey's hold on her hand - busied himself in arranging & fixing an errant curl near the curve of her neck.

Her blush intensified, leading her to begin fanning slightly faster to quell the flames as he continued.

"Such lovely names for such a lovely girl." He repeated in a purr, the backs of his fingers caressing her downy cheek as he curled & twined the errant lock of hair around his fingertips. "I heard Peter call you Merce, is that what you like to be called? What you prefer to be called? Certainly is less formal & distant-sounding than Miss or Señorita Rios."

Merce opened her mouth to speak or attempt to speak when she was distracted by the chimes of a nearby clock. Checking her watch to see if the chimed time was correct instead she was left to gasp. "I'm afraid that is something you'll have to decide yourself. Either that or perhaps we can pick this up at tea tomorrow. It seems that if Peter is to call me anything right now it should be a car. That is if I'm to get any sleep before my rehearsals or said tea tomorrow afternoon."

"Oh? So soon? Must you leave just yet, Cinderella?" Robert teased, continuing his cheek caresses.

"I'm afraid I must." With a soft, shy giggle Merce stowed her fan back away. She then took Jimmy's hand & kissed him on the cheek & repeating with Robert before adding as she rose & turned to face the both of them. "I had a wonderful time tonight. I can't thank you two enough for reuniting me with Peter. I don't have the words. There are no words. I shall cry if I even try to attempt to find them. Just know I am forever grateful. Eternally grateful. Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you. But I really must go. Please excuse me. I hope to see you tomorrow."

"Anytime, luv." Robert reclined, looking very much the laid-back rock Golden God, even as he reached out to hold her hand like Jimmy was yet again doing himself. Caressing the back of her hand with his thumb, he grinned his same Cheshire Cat grin while looking up at her. "And you can count on it. Wouldn't miss it for the world."

Jimmy patted her hand softly, speaking just as softly. "You're very welcome, my dear. And indeed, I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow. Shall I see you to the car?" He asked, beginning to rise from the couch, as Robert did in turn before Merce shook her head & stopped both.

"No, please. You've done enough trust me." She laughed. "I don't want to take you from the party unnecessarily. This is your party after all. They're your guests. I'll just have Peter walk me down if he can manage to get away a moment. Thank you just the same. Thank you. Thank you. Goodnight."

And with a quick curtsy, her hands left theirs. And in a breathless hush, she left to find Peter. And in the blink of an eye, both she & Peter left the room, Peter insisting on following & accompanying her home in order to ensure she make it safely there.

And with that, just as if the last remnants of a glimmering, shimmering, shrouded dream, in said blink of an eye, she was gone...

~

Hope you all enjoy~!

As ever, this is forever under construction~!

[the-spacetronaut]

I'm now wondering what sonny would sound like cause u said he has a 40/50s accent and sings off-key so I'm jus trying to think what he'd sound like. I'm just digging through a bunch of voice claims lol

i dont put a lot of thought into his voice claim because i feel like it defeats the purpose of people imagining what he would sound like! i know that i personally always imagined him having a lighter tone, sonny's voice isnt that deep! but hmmmm... it would be something like james dean! make it a little more airy and light. more breathy.

under the cut is what i imagine the other nurseblooms would sound like!

celia would have some darkness and weight to her voice! something like 1953's movie "gentlemen prefer blondes" character dorothy (jane russell)! also anne baxter's role as eve in "all about eve" too! a mixture of those two!

starri has a higher tone, airy and kinda grainy! has a bit of a vocal fry! something like jean hagen's role as lina "singing in the rain", joan vohs' role as gretchen in 1954's movie "sabrina"

raph is straight up just the prince in the 1950's cinderella

hayden has a smoother tone! its hard for me to place what voice claim he would have because, well, every man in media from the 40s to 50s all sounds the same in tone and range! hayden is softer, gentle, and delicate. traits that were looked down on for men in the time period! more modern movies and shows that are set in the 40s-60s would fit what i imagine him to sound like!

and of course poppy is a valley girl! im pretty sure we dont need a name for her voice claim! because every valley girl sounds good for her!

[aryanaxeconsultancy]

The Most Iconic Diamond Jewelry Moments in History

The Most Iconic Diamond Jewelry Moments in History

Introduction

Diamonds have long been a symbol of luxury, power, and love, making them the centerpiece of some of the most iconic moments in history. From royal engagements to Hollywood red carpets, these sparkling gems have captured the imagination of people worldwide. In recent years, advances in technology have introduced new ways to create diamonds, such as Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). If you’re wondering, “what is a CVD diamond ring?” and how it compares to the diamonds of history, we’ll explore both in this journey through the most unforgettable diamond jewelry moments.

What is a CVD Diamond Ring?

Before diving into history, let’s briefly explain what a CVD diamond ring is. A CVD diamond is a type of lab-grown diamond produced through a process known as Chemical Vapor Deposition. In this process, carbon-containing gases are broken down, and carbon atoms are deposited onto a substrate, forming a diamond. CVD diamonds are chemically identical to natural diamonds but are often more affordable and eco-friendly, making them a popular choice for modern consumers.

Now that you know what a CVD diamond ring is, let’s look at some iconic diamond jewelry moments from the past and how lab-grown diamonds could play a role in the future.

1. Queen Elizabeth II’s Engagement Ring

One of the most famous engagement rings in history belongs to Queen Elizabeth II. The ring, a 3-carat round diamond set in platinum with smaller diamonds on each side, was crafted from a tiara belonging to Prince Philip's mother. This diamond has become a symbol of timeless elegance, reflecting the legacy of the British monarchy.

Could a CVD diamond ring replicate this? Absolutely. CVD diamonds are optically and chemically identical to natural diamonds. Modern brides looking for an affordable yet regal option can easily opt for a similar design with a CVD diamond ring.

2. The Hope Diamond

The Hope Diamond is one of the most famous diamonds in the world, known for its deep blue color and fascinating history. Weighing 45.52 carats, it’s currently housed in the Smithsonian Museum. Its rare color and large size have made it a subject of intrigue for centuries.

What about a CVD version of the Hope Diamond? With advances in technology, it is possible to create colored CVD diamonds, including blue ones. While the original Hope Diamond is priceless, a similar look could be achieved with a custom-designed CVD diamond ring.

3. The Taylor-Burton Diamond

Elizabeth Taylor’s love affair with diamonds is well-documented, but the Taylor-Burton Diamond is perhaps the most iconic piece she owned. This 69.42-carat pear-shaped diamond, given to her by Richard Burton, became one of the most talked-about jewels of the 20th century.

Can a CVD diamond replicate this? While CVD diamonds are often smaller than such massive natural stones, technology is evolving. A CVD diamond ring in a pear shape can offer a similar dazzling effect, giving wearers the glamour of Elizabeth Taylor at a fraction of the price.

4. Princess Diana’s Engagement Ring

When Prince Charles proposed to Princess Diana in 1981, the world took note of her 12-carat oval sapphire surrounded by 14 diamonds. The ring has since become iconic, now worn by Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.

Could a CVD diamond complement this style? Yes! While Princess Diana’s ring featured a sapphire, the surrounding diamonds could easily be recreated with CVD diamonds, making it a more sustainable and cost-effective option for modern brides.

5. Marilyn Monroe’s "Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend" Performance

Marilyn Monroe's iconic performance of “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” in the 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes cemented her place as a diamond icon. Draped in sparkling jewelry, she created a lasting image that continues to influence fashion and jewelry trends today.

CVD diamonds in Hollywood glamour? Absolutely. CVD diamond rings and jewelry can mimic the old Hollywood sparkle, allowing fans of classic glamour to enjoy diamond jewelry in a more accessible and sustainable way.

6. Meghan Markle’s Three-Stone Engagement Ring

When Prince Harry proposed to Meghan Markle, he presented her with a custom-designed three-stone diamond ring. The center stone is from Botswana, where the couple vacationed, and the side stones are from Princess Diana’s collection. The ring is both symbolic and deeply personal.

CVD diamonds in modern engagement rings? The three-stone design is timeless and can be beautifully replicated using CVD diamonds. In fact, a CVD diamond ring allows for the same sentimental and personalized designs that define today’s engagement jewelry.

Conclusion

Diamonds have been at the heart of some of the most memorable moments in history, symbolizing love, power, and glamour. Today, with the advent of CVD technology, diamonds are more accessible and sustainable than ever before. Whether you're inspired by the Hope Diamond or a modern celebrity engagement ring, a CVD diamond ring offers the beauty and brilliance of traditional diamonds with added benefits like affordability and ethical sourcing.