#i need poster frames so i guess just go to the craft store and walk around til i find something

[deepwoundsandfadedscars]

Needing to drag your sorry ass out of the house when you really don't want to is the worst

[drabbles-by-del]

Happy Birthday, Mr. Stark

A sappy tribute to our wonderful Birthday Irondad and his spiderson ♥️

.

“Peter? Peeeeter?” Ned waved his hand in front of his friend’s face, finally breaking Peter out of his dazed trance.

“Hmm? What? Sorry,” Peter said, looking around as if just remembering where he was.

The final bell had rung, dismissing students. Usually Peter was the first one out the door, eager to get on patrol, but he’d promised Ned he’d go to the store with him to get stuff for their English project. Peter began gathering his backpack and shoving his pen and various books inside.

“Where’d you go?” Ned asked. His eyes lit up. “Were you reliving your last mission? Was there a lot of fighting? Did you see any epic—“

“Shhh.” Peter stared at his friend expectantly. “Remember the whole secret part of my identity?”

“Sorry,” Ned replied immediately, glancing around to make sure no one had heard. Thankfully, there was no one else in the room with them. Even the teacher had already left. “What were you thinking about?”

“What do you get a man who has everything?” Peter asked, hoping maybe Ned could shed some light on the subject.

“What do you mean?”

Peter stood up and slung his backpack over his shoulder, and he and Ned made their way out of the classroom. “It’s Mr. Stark’s birthday, and I mean … he’s done so much for me, I just feel like I should get him something … y’know, show him I appreciate everything. But … he’s Tony Stark. If he doesn’t already have something, he can go get it himself really easily.”

“I don’t think that’s the point of getting birthday gifts though,” Ned pointed out. “The point is that you thought of him. I bet he’ll like anything you get him.”

“What are we talking about?” a new, but familiar voice piped up from behind. Ned and Peter glanced back and saw MJ walking directly behind them.

“How … how long have you been there?” Peter asked, hoping she hadn’t overheard everything.

“Just something about a billionaire and birthdays,” came her slightly-bored reply.

“Oh. Well, it’s uh, Mr. Stark’s birthday, and I thought I’d get him a gift. Y’know, to say thanks for the … internship.”

“He’s already got everything he needs,” MJ said flippantly. Peter stared at the girl, unamused.

“Yeah, thanks for pointing out what I already know.”

“I wasn’t finished.” Michelle didn’t sound upset at Peter’s snark. “He’s already got everything he needs. You just need to get him something he doesn’t know he wants.”

“That’s … actually a really good idea,” Ned agreed.

“Yeah, but how do I know it’s what he wants if he doesn’t even know it?” Peter asked.

“Where are you guys going now?”

Peter wanted to ask what that had to do with his current predicament, but Ned answered before he could.

“WalMart. We gotta get poster board for Ms. Randolph’s assignment.”

“Cool. I’ll come with.” She looked at Peter. “Just keep your eyes peeled. I bet there’s something there you can get your boss.”

Peter seriously doubted it, but he kept those doubts to himself.

0-0-0

“Cool. Finding poster board took all of two minutes. Now birthday shopping.” Michelle turned and stared at Peter. “See anything?”

Peter looked around the section they were in. “Um … I don’t think Mr. Stark cares about … eco-friendly cardstock.”

“Hey, who knows. Didn’t he have something to do with clean energy a few years back?”

“You know what I mean.” Peter was trying not to scowl at the girl.

“Okay, fine. Let’s go check out other things.”

They exited the crafts section and began wandering around.

“Hey,” Ned said as they passed by the fabrics. “You could do something with this!” The young man was pointing to a bunch of fleece that had Iron Man plastered all over it. Peter made a face.

“Seems tacky,” MJ said, thankfully voicing what Peter was thinking.

They wandered a few more minutes. When they passed by the shoe section, MJ chuckled. “You could get him some of these,” she suggested, taking down a pair of duck slippers.

“Maybe …”

“Come on. Everyone needs a good pair of animal slippers,” MJ coaxed.

“Hey Peter!” Ned called out. Peter and Michelle looked up from the slippers and saw Ned standing by the frozen food, holding up a small carton of something. The two of them made their way over to their friend. “What about this?”

Ned was holding a carton of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, only it was a new flavor. A uniquely-named new flavor.

“Stark-Raving Hazelnuts?” Peter read aloud.

“Look, it’s not the only one,” Ned pointed out. Sure enough, there were at least half a dozen other flavors, all having to do with the Avengers.

Peter was holding the ice cream in his hand, weighing the options, when his eyes wandered over to the clothing section. More specifically, the shirts. Passing the ice cream to Michelle, Peter made his way over to the shirts. There was one in particular that caught his eye, and for some reason, it just felt right. Peter picked up the shirt and held it up for Ned and Michelle to see. In unison, both of them nodded in agreement. That was the gift for Tony Stark.

Suddenly, Peter’s phone began ringing. He looked at the screen to see who it was, and with a jolt he saw Stark’s name pop up on his screen. Quickly, he answered it.

“Mr. Parker,” Tony greeted.

“Hey, Mr. Stark!”

“Where are you, kid? Doin’ anything important?”

Peter looked at his friends. “Uh … just out getting some stuff for school with Ned and MJ.”

“Great. Happy’s on his way to pick you up. Got something I wanna show you. He’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

“O--okay,” Peter stammered.

“Is it okay?” Tony sounded skeptical.

“Hm? Yeah, yeah. That’s fine. I’ll see you soon.” The call was disconnected, and Peter looked up at Ned and MJ. “I need something to wrap this in.”

0-0-0

“Gooood afternoon, Mr. Parker,” Tony greeted as he came up behind Happy and Peter. The billionaire was holding a framed something in his hands, but he was holding it so that it was facing away from Peter, and the teenager couldn’t see what was inside the frame. Suddenly, the bag in Peter’s hands felt a million times heavier, and the teenager desperately tried to figure out if there was some way he could get rid of the cheesy gift. Tossing it out the window seemed like the best idea, but unfortunately, all the windows were currently shut, and more than likely didn’t even open. So Peter did the only thing he could think of: he put his hands behind his back and stood with his legs as close together as possible, trying to hide the fact that he was hiding something.

Unfortunately, Tony didn’t miss anything. “What is that you’re desperately trying to hide behind your back?” he asked. Slowly, Peter brought his hands out from behind him. The brightly colored “Happy Birthday” bag felt childish to Peter now, and he didn’t even want to think about the shirt inside.

“It’s … uh … nothing. Really, it’s nothing.”

Tony’s eyebrow quirked up. “Wanna try that again?”

“It’syourbirthdaypresent,” Peter finally said, slurring all his words together in a desperate attempt to his humiliation over with.

“Oh?”

Peter stared at the ground in embarrassment. How could he think that he could actually get something for Tony Stark, the billionaire who could get anything he wanted?

“Do I get to open the birthday present, or are you just gonna stand there?”

Peter reluctantly handed it over as Tony slipped the frame under his arm. “I’m sorry, Mr. Stark, it’s just dumb, I wasn’t really thinking. I can give you the receipt, you can return it. Or I guess, I can just return it myself …” Peter stopped talking and bit his lip as the billionaire opened the bag and reached inside.

“Stark-raving hazelnuts?” Tony pulled the ice cream out of the bag. There were droplets of water on the carton, and Peter mentally smacked himself in the head. He’d tried to keep in front of the AC on the car ride up, but apparently it wasn’t enough to keep the ice cream from melting.

“Sorry,” Peter muttered.

“I’m technically not eating dairy anymore, but I gotta try this.” Tony pried the lid off, and to Peter’s amazement, stuck his finger right into the container and pulled out a decently-solid piece of ice cream. Before any of the creamy liquid could drip onto the floor or his suit jacket, Tony quickly stuck his finger in his mouth, sucking off the sweet treat. After a moment, Tony nodded. “That’s not half bad,” he said. “Hap, you wanna put this in a freezer?” Tony stuck the lid back on and tossed the ice cream to Happy. “Make sure it’s known that if anyone eats it, I’m comin’ for them.”

“You … you want me to leave you alone again?”

“I promise. I’ll be good for thirty seconds while you run to the freezer.”

Happy didn’t look like he agreed, but he did as his boss and friend requested.

“You don’t have to keep it if you don’t want it, Mr. Stark,” Peter rushed to assure the billionaire. Tony looked at Peter with a raised eyebrow.

“I don’t do things if I don’t believe in it, kid. The ice cream is good, and I want to eat the rest of it.”

Tony reached into the bag again before Peter could apologize again, and he pulled out the shirt, unfolding and turning it around to get a better look at it. The billionaire squinted at the picture on the front, but after a few seconds he figured it out. Peter wasn’t sure what he was expecting, but a smile and a laugh were definitely not it.

“That’s good,” Tony stated, turning the shirt around to face out. The graph depicting the similarities between a rabbit and duck stared at Peter. The teenager looked at the older man with slight disbelief in his eyes.

“You … you like it?”

“Kid, remember what I said literally twenty seconds ago about how I don’t say I like things if I really don’t?”

“Ice cream is put away,” Happy announced as he came back into the room.

“Happy, here. Hold this.” Tony handed over the frame that he was still holding, making sure to keep it facing away from Peter. “And this.” Tony stripped his suit jacket off. He was wearing a plain white t-shirt underneath, and Tony just slipped the new shirt on over his old one. “Coat?”

Happy handed back Tony’s jacket, which the billionaire slipped back into. “And frame.” Tony held out his hand and accepted the frame from Happy. Peter couldn’t stop staring at the shirt, surprised at how much Tony seemed to actually enjoy it.

“Mr. Parker. I figured it was about time we make your internship here official, wouldn’t you say?”

Peter wasn’t exactly sure what that meant, but everything was cleared up when Tony turned the frame around and revealed a certificate inside. Stark handed it over to the teenager.

“‘In appreciation for your successful work with the Stark Industries Internship Program Peter Parker Has shown exemplary work Performance in the Science and Technology division,’” Peter read out loud. He looked back up at Tony.

“Meant every word,” Tony said.

“Mr. Stark, I … I don’t know what to say,” Peter muttered, staring down at the sheet in awe.

“Maybe try saying ‘cheese,’” Tony suggested. Peter looked up and saw Happy standing there with Mr. Stark’s phone, ready to take a picture. Tony was putting his arm around Peter’s shoulder, and for a minute, Peter wondered if Mr. Stark was giving him a hug, but the arm stopped right between Peter’s shoulders, which the teenager thought was an odd place. Something brushed the back of his head, and Peter glanced up, slightly shocked to see Tony giving him bunny ears. Impulsively, Peter stuck up his own hand, giving the billionaire his own set of extra ears right as the picture was snapped.

Happy handed the phone back to Tony, who looked at the picture.

“Oh,” Peter said as he noticed something. “The frame is upside down.”

“You wanna retake it?” Happy asked, trying his best not to sound impatient.

“No, leave it,” Tony said. “This is great.” He smirked at the screen, the sniffed. “Right. Well, I wish I could stay and chat longer, but Pepper’s got something special planned for tonight. Hap, you good to drive the kid back?”

Happy didn’t seem too thrilled to be leaving again so soon, but he didn’t say anything. He and Peter began making their way towards the exit, but Peter turned back around.

“Mr. Stark?”

The billionaire, who had begun walking in the opposite direction, also turned around.

“Thank you, so much for this. Have a happy birthday!”

Tony smiled, a truly genuine smile. “Of course, kid. You earned it. And hey.” The billionaire gestured to his new shirt. “Thank you.”

[purplesurveys]

418

Girly Do you like the color pink? It’s my favorite color. My phone case, wallet, purse, expander, water jug, two notebooks, backpack, pencilcase, clipboard, and paper clips are all pink. What have you spent more money on: a purse or a pair of shoes? Definitely shoes. I have one purse but I didn’t even spend on it, as it was a gift from my tita who was coming over to the Philippines. Do you ever wear heels? I have pairs of heels but people in the PH are so conservative and judgy that you can’t really dress up without them looking at you. As much as I want to wear my heels to places, I can only do so when I go to parties or other special occasions. What are the most stylish but uncomfortable shoes you own? I dunno, I find all of them pretty comfortable. Do you have any shoes you mostly only wear for photo shoots? No...I never have any photoshoots.

What's your all-time favorite lipstick (brand and color)? I don’t do makeup. Do you buy drugstore make-up or high-end make-up? What dog breed do you think you look the most like? Hahahahahahaha what omg

Do you like light blue jeans or dark blue jeans better? Light blue. I think they’re more trendy at the moment. What are your favorite type of pants to wear? I like my high-waisted ripped jeans! They’re super casual and can match any top. I wear it if I just want a chill day. What's the last good love story you read? I haven’t read those in a hot minute. Who is/was the most romantic of your friends? Jo I think, but I’m pretty sure it would be JM if he finally finds someone. Have you ever had a magical kiss? Always. Do you like kissing or hugs better? Hugs!!! Retro Do you own any records? No. I don’t have a turntable to play them on. Do you own a pair of bell-bottoms? Also no. I was never a fan. Have you ever tie-dyed anything? We had to tie-dye a shirt for a project in like sixth grade, but I’ve never done it just because I felt like it. What's one oldies song you like? We Didn’t Start the Fire. Do you think Disco is a cute name for a boy? Not at all. Poor kid. Do you own a lava lamp or disco ball? I own neither, but I wanted my own lava lamp really bad when I was like 14. Did you own a disco light when you were younger? I don’t think I did. Have you ever put a dime in a jukebox? Haven’t. The few times I ate at Johnny Rockets they had a jukebox, but I didn’t go near it because I was shy. When was the last time you went to the roller rink? We don’t have any here. Do you wear hoop earrings ever? I have a pair of clip-on hoop earrings I wear at least once a week. Do you own a kaleidoscope? No. I probably did when I was younger. Have you ever done hard drugs? No. Tumblr What are three of your favorite Starbucks drinks? Java chip frappe, caramel macchiato (iced or warm is fine), and peppermint mocha are my go-tos. Do you have photos on the wall in your room? Yeah but they’re nothing like the Tumblr aesthetic you’re probably asking for. I have frames of Audrey Hepburn on one wall and a poster of a Korean actor that I love, but that’s about it.   If you own/owned a Polaroid camera, which color would/do you have? I’ve never had one but my sister just bought her own Instax the other week that I plan to borrow. It’s brown if I remember correctly. Have you ever done a craft with a record? if so, what? No. I don’t think I’d want to put my hands on a record like that either. What's one of the best Tumblr-inspired craft projects you've seen? Meh. I haven’t seen the crafty side of Tumblr since 2010. Do you have a Tumblr account? I wonder. Which do you like better: Tumblr or Pinterest? Tumblr for surveys and memes, Pinterest for ideas. Do you have a mandala tapestry hanging in your home? No...that screams 2014 to me. Do you own any succulents? I never got into plants. Fake succulents or real succulents? Do you doodle on your notebook paper? When I get bored in class, yes. Do you own Sharpies? Mmmm no, I don’t really need them for anything. What's your favorite Sharpie color? What color are your Converse shoes? White. I used to have a pair of red high-top Chucks as tribute to AJ, but I think my mom threw them out already because I stopped wearing them. Have you ever made an inspiration board for your room? No. Who is the best-looking male celebrity? Gregory Peck. Boho Where would you like to travel to next? Thailand or Vietnam, hopefully! List three more vacations you would like to go on. I want to go back to Singapore, then go to those two I mentioned above. Where are three places you go to relax? My room, the beach, a cafe. Are you a musician, artist, or writer? None of these, but writer speaks to me the most. Do you believe in truth, freedom, and love? ...Sure. What is your favorite store at the mall? I don’t have one I normally go to. Would you hitchhike if people were generally trustworthy? If I had the time, yep. What's the most daring thing you've ever done? Every time I overtake or be an ass on the road (because everyone else is) always feels daring lmao. Would you ever belly dance at a faire? No. If you became famous, would you change your name to something exotic? Idk, that’s kinda racist/appropriating. What are five exotic names that you like? What exactly are exotic names???? Do you own a dreamcatcher? Yeah, I have a large one above my bed. Do you feel closer to God in nature? No. Fashion What are five things that were in style when you were in high school? Roshes, ripped jeans, crop tops, statement shirts lmao, and hoodies. What does your favorite scarf that you've made look like? I don’t need scarves and more so have I not made my own. Do you wear scarves? No. It’s too hot for scarves. List the different colors of jeggings and/or skinny jeans that you have. White, black, dark blue, light blue, khaki. What color is your favorite pair of shorts? Black. What color is your favorite sweater? The XXL one Gabie gave me to use whenever I miss her is gray. List five people whom you think have great style. Audrey Hepburn, one of the profs in my college that has an impeccable wardrobe, Kate, Sophia, and tbh my aunts.

List five of some of the worst trends you've seen. I don’t feel like it. List five items on your current wardrobe wish list. More heels, high-waisted shorts, a new jumpsuit, a party dress for the year-end college party in May, and tube tops. Where do you shop the most for clothes? H&M. Do you own anything leopard print? No. Never. Do you wear earmuffs? I don’t need them. What color are your favorite pair of boots? I don’t really wear boots. Music What song makes you cry? Recently, it’s Louis Tomlinson’s singles- at least the ones dedicated to his mom. What could be the theme song to your life? That’s a pretty bold claim...but uhhh probably Misguided Ghosts by Paramore. What is a good break-up song? Walking in the Wind, One Direction. What song makes you want to dance? Any high-energy Beyonce song tbh. What is one of your all-time favorite songs? From Eden, Hozier. What is your current favorite song? Three straight surveys that this was asked. Talk, by Khalid. Which show has a great theme song? I don’t watch a lot of shows, so I wouldn’t know. Which song is so catchy it's easy to get stuck in your head? Depends on my mood and what my head prefers to play at the moment. Which song is used in a lot of youtube videos? Royalty-free ones? Idk. Which song is sad? The entire soundtrack of New Moon lmao. Who makes great song covers on YouTube? I don’t like covers. Who is one of the best songwriters? HOZIER Who has a beautiful voice? Also Hozier. Who made it big fast? Idk, it’s pretty easy to make it big fast nowadays thanks to social media. Arts and Crafts List five DIY youtubers you love to watch. I hate DIY YouTube. Who makes the best craft videos? Have you ever painted rocks and hid them in your town? No. Even if I had the time to, the idea doesn’t sound exciting. What craft project is harder than it looks? All of them, I would guess. Have you ever got hot glue stuck to your hands? Nooooo no no, that’s one of my biggest fears. Are you messy when it comes to painting? I’m messy in and out of painting. What color is your cutting board? Would you rather build something or decorate something? I’d rather buy something that’s already built and decorated. Just really not an artsy person so this category is not for me haha. Have you ever painted something on canvas? Never. I couldn’t, even if I tried. List a few of your favorite painters. Monet. Do you love the brand Natural Life? I don’t think I recognize the name. Do you love the brand Lisa Frank? Yessssss my girl Lisa used to be the bomb dot com. Oil pastels or chalk pastels? Which do you prefer, and why? Oil...they look nicer for me? And I’ve never heard of chalk pastels until now. Glitter gel pens or regular gel pens? Glitter. Colored pencil or regular pencil? Colored pencils, because I love coloring books. Charcoal or colored chalk? Chalk. Charcoal is messy. Painting or drawing? I hate both. Painting that shows brushstrokes or painting that looks like a photograph? I’d rather see the brushstrokes. Knitting or crocheting? I hate them both too. Sewing on a machine or doing embroidery by hand? Color or black-and-white? Color. Digital photography or film photography? Classic film.

[sunkissis]

Bonjour Amis,

Let me confess, the first two months were exhilarating and equally stressful for me. I was absolutely enjoying our time living in Nation (12th arrondissement) and exploring beautiful Paris but also I was staying up all night looking for potential apartments. Every time I got close to scoring a fabulous place, someone else would snap it up. I was starting to believe it was because I wasn’t French but we had our French friends call on our behalf and they got the same response. I was so close to renting my dream apartment on the sweetest street ever when the agent said the landlord just approved someone before us. I mean, I called every day, left voicemails, sent emails all during the whole enrolling Liv into school drama. I commend my own strength because I thought I would have a mental breakdown with stress and disappointment. It was house hunting all over again but with a two month deadline. I was also working with our real estate agent in Los Angeles trying to get our house rented. My stress was at an all time high during the first few months here.

Every apartment I saw I would compare to the beautiful, perfect place that we didn’t get.

I grieved over this place. It was €2400, a block from Liv’s ballet school, a 15 minute walk to her school on a private street. I would have lived with the tiny fridge and non existent storage for those floors and that price. I asked the agent to be put on a backup list incase the renter fell through. This put me in a worst state because nothing came close to this place in terms of layout, gorgeous Parisian charm and price. I found a larger, cute place but it was in a shady area of the 10th which would mean a bus ride to school and a 20 minute walk. I was running out of time and feeling like we would end up homeless in Paris.

The second I saw our apartment on the French real estate website I recognized it from years earlier when I first began looking for apartments. It was available the day after we were scheduled to move out of our exchange and it was under my budget. I immediately emailed the agent to schedule a viewing to make sure it wasn’t too good to be true. I’ve had such bad luck getting in touch with an agent and then discovering days later that the apartment had already been rented I made sure to let them know I was ready to sign the lease. I made two lists for our apartment search.

Must Have – Dealbreakers Close to our max budget €2500/$2950 Two Bedrooms Shower High ceilings Hardwood floors Washer/Dryer Dishwasher Oven/modern kitchen amenities Walking distance to Liv’s school Close to Metro/public transportation Smoke-free apartment

Like to Have – Bonus Haussmann building Elevator Balcony Office Space for Antz Herringbone hardwood floors Large Refrigerator (typical Americans can’t live with a minibar fridge) Storage (for our 14 suitcases!) Nice view Close to le Marais Crown Molding Good Layout Parisian Charm Nice furniture

I know I sound picky but every single place had something missing from my Must-Have list. Mostly two bedroom apartments were over budget or too far from school. I was even getting more flexible by the second month and considering one bedrooms and really horrible layouts. We visited an apartment that was way under-budget but on the 6th floor with no elevator and the world’s narrowest bathroom. It was as wide as the bathtub and you practically had to step over the toilet to get into the tub. It also wasn’t in my ideal neighborhood but the price tag was so enticing. The only reason we didn’t get it was the owner wanted someone who would rent it for at least two years. So I guess that was a blessing in disguise. When it comes down to house hunting, location and price and the deciding factors. Everything else is negotiable. It took days of going back and forth to get the agent to schedule a viewing. The problem was the renter didn’t want to show it until the place was available so I was cutting it close to our move-out date. I finally got a call to see it so I dropped Liv off at school. Because it was so close to her school I decided to walk around the neighborhood and wait for our appointment. I was almost two hours early and the agent was late (because she was French, of course!). We buzzed the door of the building and waited. The appointment was fifteen minutes late so she tried to call the renter. We saw the window was open but she didn’t answer. She called the agency and they confirmed the right place and right time. After a half an hour she said let’s reschedule for next week. UNLUCKY LIZZIE! I was practically in tears and starting to feel like this was hopeless. I already began to fall in love with the neighborhood. Everything was a close walk and my favorite shop (Monoprix) was a block away! I was already familiar with the neighborhood and getting excited that I could actually live in my favorite part of Paris.

All the while I was getting no leads for renting our house in LA. Our agent had an open house but hardly anyone showed serious interest. My agent was sure it was due to our cat Lola coming with the house and it being rented fully furnished. I was so nervous we lowered the price and asked my angel best friend Aimee to foster Lola for us so we could rent our place with pets. Then we found a family that was excited to rent our place. I signed the lease and waited for them to send the deposit and then they flaked. This made Antz and I very nervous because we couldn’t rent a place in Paris without renting our house in LA. Like, a scale of 1 – 10 in the stress department, I was about 100. After some negotiations and hard work on our agent’s side, we found someone lovely. She signed the lease, sent the deposit and we are very relieved to have a responsible adult living in our house. Whew!

After the most intense week of my life the agent finally got the tenant to show us the apartment. The chick didn’t offer an apology for not showing up our first appointment and she laid in bed while I saw the apartment. The place didn’t look like the online pictures but I knew they were three years old. The furniture was rearranged and it looked smaller but when I saw the floors, the light pouring in from the floor to ceiling windows and I said, straight out of a movie “We’ll take it!”

Then came the rental process. It’s a little different than in the US, the French don’t really have a credit score rating. We also didn’t have a previous rental or French tax return to show so everything came down to Anthony’s pay stubs and his job title. I spent several days running back and forth to the print shop making copies to send to the agency. They needed to see our bank statements, we had to buy French renter’s insurance and they requested a letter from his job stating he would be employed for the year. I was worried about getting the letter in time because like I said before, apartments go fast and we were not prepared to lose this one. Thank goodness Antz job sent the letter right away. I saw the place right before we took our trip to London and we electronically signed the lease when we were in London! I couldn’t believe we did it. I have heard so many horror stories about Americans getting scammed online by having to wire huge cash deposits and losing the money. Or the landlord requesting up to a year of rent for a security deposit. We only had to put down two month’s rent deposit and pay an agency fee. I was ecstatic! I could finally breathe after so long, I found a place of our own in le Marais, a seven minute walk to the kid’s school with almost everything on my must-have list. The first week we didn’t have wifi so I almost died but lucky for us, we extended our house exchange so Antz would go to the other apartment to work. I don’t even mind that our building has world’s smallest elevator or the wonky furniture. I got my herringbone flooooooooooooors!! (Hope you heard that in Oprah’s voice)

I packed my beloved Anthropologie tablecloth, some family photos and as many crafting supplies as I could fit in my suitcase. I would have brought my Things Will Work Out print but Antz made a good point that it could have gotten damaged in my suitcase.

I adore the French doors and the open flow from Liv’s room to the living room. The layout works perfect for us because Antz works California hours so he can close the doors for his conference calls and Liv is usually sleeping while he’s working. Antz was fortunate enough to inherit a comfy office chair from the previous tenants. When we were staying in Nation, he was using an antique chair that was cool but uncomfortable. It may be ugly but it’s super comfy! I bought that wall map from a shop in le Marais for under €30. I’ve always wanted to get her a world map but never had the wall space in LA. I may add some framed photos on the back wall. Antz doesn’t want to add any holes, so we’ll see. I love the white palette of the apartment but we wanted to add some color so I bought a pom pom kit and vibrant yarn from La Droguerie.

Now you can see why I brought so much luggage! I packed Liv’s Miffy bedding and a suitcase full of her books and toys. We rented a car for move-in day and drove outside of Paris to Ikea. We bought basic bedding (comforters/sheets/pillows), that lamp shade and the sheepskin rug. I also had to buy some new kitchen supplies, a flatware set, wine glasses, a new bath mat, storage bins and throw blankets. The apartment came with plates, pots, pans and utensils.

  I also brought a sewing kit, art supplies, a few books, a huge accordion folder with our important paperwork and our huge iMac computer (which serves as our TV).

There’s a long story behind that rad Shepard Fairey poster. Antz and I went to a hardware store called Castarama. I was looking for curtains for Olivia’s room when I saw the framed print. I asked one of the guys working there if they sold the print and he said no, just the frame. He then told me where to go buy the print at a poster store near the Pompidou Center. I could have hugged this kid! I thought I was going to have to order it from eBay for hundreds of dollars. We rushed to the store and found a smaller version. When I asked the woman if they carried it in a larger size, she said they were sold out but she would print one for us in ten minutes. Say what?! I couldn’t believe we got the French Shepard Fairey print for less than €60. I mean, President Macron has this same artwork in his office. I love the French motto: Liberte – Egalite – Fraternite which means Freedom – Equality – Fraternity. That kid really did me a solid.

I brought our rainbow maker from home. I need to make a video of the rainbows bouncing around our room. I can’t get over the details of this fireplace. I am still looking for the perfect mirror to go on the mantel. Our bedroom in this apartment is larger than our bedroom at home. I didn’t get as much crown molding as I hoped for and we don’t have a dryer so we have to put our clothes on a drying rack but I can’t get over this stellar view.

The bathroom is pretty basic. We purchased a new shower head and spent a fortune on new towels.  OMG! I am obsessed with our towel warmer. I need one for LA.

Antz and I are now sharing one closet along with all of our empty luggage and winter coats. I am extremely happy I brought a shoe hanger from LA. This is about half the shoes I brought. It’s a tight fit but there is space for everything.

And lastly, here is our mini balcony.

It’s just wide enough to step out on and see the entire street. We are extremely lucky to live on a trendy, lively (sometimes noisy) street. This area is exactly like Highland Park without the dumb neighbors across the street. There are cafes, brasseries, cute shops, art galleries and a tiny square dedicated to one of my favorite jazz musicians, John Coltrane.

We have met our nice neighbors, a dad and his young son. We love living here. It’s simple but has everything I could ask for. We are just under budget and all the utilities are included in our rent. I cannot believe this is our life.

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Bienvenue dans Notre Appartement Parisien Bonjour Amis, Let me confess, the first two months were exhilarating and equally stressful for me. I was absolutely enjoying our time living in Nation (

[bookgasms-bookboyfriends-blog]

Author Bio: Alexandria Sure is an avid reader and has written her first novel as homage to fans of the genre she loves. She hopes others will appreciate her novel as much as she enjoyed writing it. Sure follows the work of several authors and feels she has benefited from reading and commenting on their author pages on Facebook. This has given her the opportunity to get to know the people behind the characters she has grown to love. She hopes her readers will check out her Facebook page so she can get to know them and pay it forward.

Sure is from Michigan and adores her supportive family, her deaf rescue pup and her mighty Spartans. Her experiences in writing her first novel have revealed the true meaning in Jack Canfield’s quote, “Everything you want is on the other side of fear.”

Author Links: Amazon: http://amzn.to/1OfwcrA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Alexandria-Sure-283345031858469/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlexandriaSure YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwBP8A7XIMZub-rMph6uFKA Instagram: https://instagram.com/authoralexandriasure/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9841965.Alexandria_Sure

.•°☆☆☆☆☆°•. Before Him Comes Me by Alexandria Sure .•°☆☆☆☆☆°•.

Have you met Zara yet? Faced with an unexpected choice, a simple nod is all it will take to change the course of Zara’s life. Bound to a life predetermined by the restrictive traditions of her community, Zara is offered a glimmer of hope by a complete stranger, a man selected for her. She can choose to walk away from the life she has been trained for. Make new friends and lose her best friend. Explore new places and lose her home. Find herself and lose herself. Will Zara nod and risk everything she knows to discover who she is meant to be?”

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1S7xDHZ

.•°☆☆☆☆☆°•. Before Him Comes Me by Alexandria Sure .•°☆☆☆☆☆°•.Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbF9FLQc4Qs

Chapter 1

BEFORE HIM COMES ME by Alexandria Sure CHAPTER ONE Zara opens her eyes, her bedroom already filled with morning sunlight. Closing her eyes, she lays perfectly still taking inventory of her body, her feelings and her overall state of mind. Turning eighteen has not made Zara feel any different, yet today will be the first day of her new life. Looking up at Audrey Hepburn in her My Fair Lady poster, Zara takes a deep breath and begins to memorize her belongings that she will never see again. Zara shifts her gaze to the two framed pictures on the nightstand. The first is a picture of her and her best friend Sloane from the first time they went horseback riding. Both of them got the giggles so badly that Sloane’s mother threatened to bring them home if they didn’t pay attention to the lesson. The second picture, taken eight years ago on Zara’s tenth birthday, is of Fredrik giving Zara a bouquet of daisies. Ever since then, he has given her daisies on her birthday and they have become her favorite flower. This neither pleases nor displeases their father; therefore it continues to occur. Zara begins to take mental pictures of each object surrounding the frames. The mini stuffed PINK dog from Victoria’s Secret was something she and Sloane each had to have. Convincing both mothers of the need for the PINK dogs was no easy task and the effort alone required the prominent display of their victory. This neither pleases nor displeases her father; therefore it continues to occur. Next she notices a pink and green polka dotted hair tie. There is nothing special about it, but it was the first of many she and Sloane made over the summer. Their mothers had been looking through craft idea cards in a store when they found one for making easy hair ties. They had spent the longest time picking out fabric for their new project. Zara picks up the hair tie and slips it around her wrist like a rubber band. Funny… the things I’ll miss. On the back of Zara’s nightstand is a bottle of cucumber melon lotion that she won in a drawing at the mall. Never believing for a second that she would win, Zara filled out the entry form. Sloane had cautioned, “The Community exists on the fringe of society, Zara. The less direct interaction that we have with outsiders, the better.” Zara giggles recalling their mixed surprise when she won. Of course I would win. Picking up the lotion and popping the top open, Zara takes a big whiff. She quickly closes it and places it back in its home on the nightstand. A chill travels the length of her back as the details of the only night she wore the lotion comes into focus. Zara’s father promptly sent her back to shower off the odor he found offensive and she was forced to listen to a lecture on how it is up to her Dom to pick the scents that please him. Until the time comes for Zara to be handed over to her Dom, there would be no scents worn in this house that were disagreeable to her father. Vanilla… for her father, it is vanilla on her mother and because Zara’s father does not like the smell of cucumber melon, it is not used in his home. Propping herself up against the headboard, two items stand out. A massive bouquet of daisies from Fredrik sits on her dresser and an equally massive wedding dress for the ceremony is hung on her closet door. She smiles at the flowers. He had given them to her a day early so she could enjoy them one last full day. Zara aches at the reality of not seeing Fredrik or getting her birthday daisies after today. Concentrating on her breathing to keep the tears from falling, Zara looks up at the ceiling and takes a deep breath. When she regains control, she looks once more at her lovely flowers sitting on a dresser in a bedroom in a house with a family that she will say goodbye to forever, for she follows traditions that go back generation upon generation. Very soon Zara will walk out the door and that will be that. While most brides pack suitcases of new clothes and take old belongings into their new life, there will be no packing for Zara. It is customary for the father to transfer his daughter into her new life with nothing from her old life. Once she is in the care of her Dom, her family steps away and the Dom is responsible for every aspect of his new submissive’s wellbeing. This includes ingratiating her into the Dom’s family at every level. The wedding dress hanging in the corner demands Zara embrace the fact that today is her wedding day. Glancing back at the daisies, she wipes the single tear that escapes down her cheek. There will be no daisies for Zara at her wedding. The dress is not of her choosing. The ceremony will be the beginning of a life of no voice and no opinion. The dress is exquisite and the ceremony will be perfect. Zara’s father will be pleased. Zara begins to move through her normal morning routine, knowing there is nothing normal about this particular morning. Her silky long chestnut hair looks healthy and full of body. Pausing to look at herself in the mirror after her shower, the first signs of cracks in her well-trained armor begin to appear. Her green eyes are a tad puffy and have a hint of red. Raising her hand to her bare neck, she realizes it is only a matter of hours before there is a collar. And a Dom attached to it. Zara, no thinking about it yet. It is what it is! Zara walks into her bedroom, sits on the corner of her bed and begins to focus. Using a technique her mother taught her to get through stressful moments like this one, she closes her eyes, inhales deeply… holds her breath… and slowly exhales. So as not to give any indication that the focus is on anything but the here and now, she concentrates straight ahead on a spot on the wall. As she has been trained, deep concentration shifts her away from the overwhelming feelings that are trying to take hold of her. Zara chooses a memory of riding her horse, Gentlemen, crossing the field at a full gallop, with no one else around… just the two of them. She remembers the feeling of control as she sits deeper in the saddle, her legs wrapped tight around him, pushing him just a bit faster. The air whips through her hair as they cross the open field. The sun beats down making the colors of the sky and field more vivid. It is a feeling of complete, unadulterated freedom. Three swift, hard knocks on the door jar Zara back to the present. “Come on in, Fredrik.” “Ready!” Fredrik throws the door open with a loud clap. “I am taking you to a few of your favorite places to say a final farewell. NOT THE MALL, so do not even ask. We have two hours on our own if we hurry. Mother and the other ladies are going to transport the dress and other wedding stuff for you. But, Zara… this is it.” Standing slowly, Zara walks around the room that she has lived in for the last eighteen years. It is a room that is down the hallway from the brother that she adores. She touches her dresser and runs her hand over the footboard. It is a relatively simple room, but she loves it. Standing in front of her Monet print, she smiles and then glances at the Hepburn poster. Stepping over to the chair by the window, she picks up her current read, Little Women, and removes the bookmark. Zara rests it on top of the book and puts the book on the chair. While Fredrik patiently waits, Zara moves the curtain and takes in what a lovely sunny day her last birthday in Chattanooga is turning out to be. “I guess this is it,” Zara whispers as she walks towards the door. Fredrik steps out of the room to allow his sister one final moment alone with her thoughts. Reaching back in, Zara grabs the cucumber melon lotion and squirts one last pea-size amount into the palm of her hand and replaces the bottle. Then she closes the door of her bedroom and her childhood. Zara walks quickly past Fredrik and out of the house she can no longer claim as “hers” to Fredrik’s car. Once inside, she rubs the lotion into her hands with a small kernel of satisfaction. Leaning back against the seat, all that is left for Zara to do in this moment is breathe, so she does. Deeply. After a moment, the driver side door opens and Fredrik slides in. He hands her the travel mug she has used since she began drinking coffee. “Where are we off to?” Fredrik asks in a surprisingly cheerful voice. Without direction from his sister, he starts the car and begins to drive. Zara takes a sip of her mother’s blended coffee and stares silently out the window. The taste of home is all she can think of as she tries to stomach another sip. The coffee is perfect, but the vast memories of what she is leaving behind swirl around inside the mug. She pops the top closed and puts it in the drink holder between them. After a short drive, Frederik pulls the car into a familiar wooded area and turns off the engine. They both open their doors at the same time and start walking in silence up a trail that is barely visible. Zara takes off at a slow jog with her brother following behind, yelling at her. “ZARA FAITH, if you fall and hurt yourself, we will both be dead! You know that. Father will kill me first and make you watch.” His last statement stops Zara in her tracks. Fredrik runs into the back of his sister. “Zara!” They walk the last few yards slowly and cautiously in silence. At the clearing, Zara rushes to the creek’s edge to listen to the sounds of the water rushing by. Sitting upon a boulder, she stares into the churning bubbles. Fredrik sits on the ground next to her and offers her a handful of smooth stones to toss in. With a light toss, the stones hit the water in a series of lyrical plops. Zara brushes her hand off on her jeans. Not accustomed to wearing anything but shorts or shirts in the southern summer heat, she wanted to wear her favorite jeans on her last day in her home and had dug them out days ago in preparation. “Hello?” Zara hears Fredrik say as if repeating himself. “Did you hear anything I just said?” Zara shakes her head and shrugs. “I asked if you remember the stories Mother used to tell us about Aunt Laura. Do you ever think about that?” Fredrik realizes Zara is not going to answer so he gets up to gather more stones. “I wonder why she stopped telling us about Aunt Laura. Those were great stories.” Zara pulls her knees up to her chest and wraps her arms around them, making herself as small as possible. She lays her cheek on her knee. Taking a deep breath and speaking very slowly to control her words, Zara explains to her younger brother, “After one of your doctor visits, I made a comment that I wanted to be a doctor.” “What?” Zara turns and looks at Fredrik. “Mother stopped telling us stories about Aunt Laura because she broke from the Community. She left because she wanted a different life. She secretly took college entrance exams and scored high enough for scholarships. Then one night, she snuck out to start a new life for herself. She got her education and now she has a career doing who knows what or where. “As soon as I was old enough to connect the dots, Mother sat me down to explain that my future was already decided for me. I was not going to become a doctor. I was not going to get an education. And I was definitely not going to sneak out in the middle of the night.” Zara turns her head back toward the creek when she finishes speaking. Fredrik is quiet for a moment. He walks closer and kneels next to her. “Zara, do you wish it was different?” “It is not different, Fredrik. Not for me. I have known for years that this day was coming. It does not make it any easier. Thank you for bringing me here. This was the perfect place to bring me, my temporary escape. The one place on earth where I can forget who I have to be and can just be. Would you do something for me?” “I will try. You know that.” “Would you just talk… about anything? I will miss the sound of your voice and I want to lock it in my memory before we have to go.” Zara forces the words out around the large lump in her throat. “WOW! Am I on the spot or what? Okay! This is my last opportunity to tell you how much I am in awe of you. You are the strongest person I know. The training that you have had to endure to get you ready for today… learning different positions, serving lessons, mental lessons to deal with whatever situation you have to deal with. I know that I only know portions of what your training entailed because Father did his best to see that I stayed as far away from that as possible. “But mostly I am sorry that you had to grow up thinking that your opinions and thoughts were not valid or even considered,” Fredrik exclaims firmly as he kicks at something on the ground in front of him. Zara jumps off the rock and throws her arms around her brother. He wraps his arms around her waist and takes two steps back to prevent them from toppling over into the creek together. “You have always listened to me, Fredrik. You made me feel heard. All the time we spent talking in my room will be memories that I will keep with me forever.” Releasing her brother, Zara is surprised to see his eyes are filled with tears. “Sorry, I know we are not the most affectionate family, but…” Fredrik pulls Zara into another bear hug. He whispers into her hair, “I think you would make a great doctor.” “That was just a child’s comment. I wanted to be a policeman, banker and jockey that same year. Dreaming is dangerous for the daughters of King Council members. I stopped a while ago.” After a moment, he releases her and the siblings stand at the edge of the creek in silence. It is Fredrik who bends down and picks up a stone to throw in the creek with a loud plop. “I remember when we were younger, you would take care of me for hours. You are only two years older… just a kid yourself. You never seemed to mind that I followed you everywhere. You have been the best sister. I am going to miss you like crazy.” Fredrik turns and walks down the path toward the car. Slowly Zara scans the area creating more mental pictures of a place she will never visit again. She notices the shade of the green leaves on the tall skinny tree growing in from the hills, the clarity and level of the water. Closing her eyes, Zara listens to the sounds the water makes, and the sound of each step on the gravel underfoot as she begins to back away from her favorite spot for the last time. As they walk back to the car, Zara tells Frederik, “Thank you for today… I will never forget it. Promise.” Fredrik nods somberly and starts the car. The drive to the Center is short and silent. As they arrive at the front door, Zara’s mother darts out of the building and up to the car. “You are ten minutes late! We have a schedule to keep. Fredrik, please take care of what I have asked you to. Zara, move… move!” “Yes, Mother,” Fredrik responds respectfully. Zara follows one step behind her mother into the Center. The pair walks up the steps and head directly to the Peach Suite. The mothers traditionally use this suite to prepare their daughters for the Circle Ceremony. Front and center, the wedding dress, with its huge princess skirt and layers upon layers of tulle, is the first thing Zara sees as she enters the suite. The top layer, covered in carefully spaced crystals, adds an extra element to capture the light with every step. The corset bodice is made to fit so tightly that Zara takes a deep breath just looking at it. Once the dress is on, deep breaths will be out of the question. Zara notices a shoebox on the chair next to the dress and slowly walks over. She reaches to pick it up. “ZARA FAITH!” Zara’s mother shrieks. Startled, she places the shoebox back on the chair and rushes to her mother’s side. “We are in a hurry. Please sit!” Zara sits immediately and several women descend on her in a flurry to make her Circle Ceremony ready. Zara holds perfectly still in every position she is placed in as she is processed for her pending walk down the aisle. As the last button is secured on her dress, her mother circles around her to get a full visual. Instructed to get into her presentation position, Zara lowers to her knees, careful to not catch any portion of her dress. Sitting back on her heels, she rests her hands in her lap, one crossed over the other. The ladies apply the final layer of hairspray and insert the last of the hairpins before leaving Zara and her mother alone in the suite. Back on her feet, Zara struggles to regulate her breathing within the confines of the dress. She gazes into a full-length mirror, alone with her thoughts. A few hours ago, she woke up in her own bed and now she has been prepared for a short walk that will change her life forever. Her mother steps into the reflection behind her. “You look lovely, Zara Faith. I am very proud of you today. You have taken everything I have taught you and made it your own. You are ready for whatever is placed in front of you.” “Thank you, Mother,” Zara replies in a hushed whisper. There is a knock at the door as mother and daughter look at each other one last time. Zara’s gaze returns to her own eyes in the mirror. She squares her shoulders and takes as deep a shallow breath as she can. Her mother turns and takes a couple of steps toward the door leading out of the suite. “Zara Faith, there is one thing I want you to know before your ceremony. You may not understand, but I love and cherish your father with all of my heart. It will be difficult today. The traditions work. Trust in them.” Harder knocks at the door end the mother-daughter moment. Zara reaches the door first, but knows not to open it. Stepping aside, she waits as her mother opens it and lowers her gaze. Zara’s father stands on the other side waiting to gather his daughter for the ceremony. “It is time!”

Serena

Author Spotlight: Alexandria Sure Author Bio: Alexandria Sure is an avid reader and has written her first novel as homage to fans of the genre she loves.