#ikea shopping guide

[beingjellybeans]

Transforming Your Rental: A Guide to Decorating with Freedom

Are you a renter who’s eager to make your apartment feel like home? You’re certainly not alone. Decorating a rental apartment can be both exciting and challenging, especially when you want to personalize your space without making permanent changes. Fortunately, there are rules of thumb that can help you navigate these challenges and turn your rental into a comfortable and stylish sanctuary that…

[caerbannogmochi]

I'm pretty sure everyone remembers how Dante's clock has been moving over time. BUT, there is now an identifiable pattern to its movements, and its associated with the development of the sinners!

During Cantos 1-3, Dante's role in events is one of a passive observer. Gregor, Rodion, and Sinclair all made it through their cantos without much (if any) advice from Dante, the events of which mostly served to establish where they stood as characters/why they behave in the ways that they do.

Canto 4 was where this formula started to change. Yi Sang needed more out of Dante than the previous sinners; There was a Big Issue from his past that was controlling his future (namely, his entrapment in the past caused by the Hot Mess Involving T-Corp And The Mirror), forcing Dante to take on the role of Emotional Support Clockhead to guide him through the Canto. And at the end of the Canto, two things happened:

Vergilius commented on "the look on [Dante's] face"...

... and the clock moved for the first time.

The next 2 Cantos maintained this level of involvement from Dante: Ishmael needed Dante to help guide her away from her self-destructive obsession (I.E, to find "[her] compass [which] was swallowed by the sea" and choose to start "piercing through the rope that strangled [Captain Ahab] and [Ishmael]", freeing her to move toward the future), and Heathcliff needed Dante to help guide him through effectively communicating how much he loved Catherine/engaging in healthy relationship dynamics. (Seriously: the real antagonist of Canto 6 is communication issues.)

Effectively: Cantos 1, 2, and 3 had Dante doing the equivalent of talking with their respective Sinners as they drove their car down an empty street. Pretty casual, nothing major happened. Cantos 4, 5 and 6 required Dante to give directions, help them figure out where they got lost, convince them to pull over, calm down, and eat SOMETHING to get their blood sugar up before continuing toward their destination. More work, but these Sinners received greater rewards.

With Canto 7, the car was inside an IKEA.

Sinclair had to get the doors open. Faust had to find the car, awkwardly wedged in one of the shortcuts between display sections. Gregor, Rodion, Ishmael, Yi Sang, and Heathcliff had to pull Sancho out of the bunk bed in a completely different section of the store, with Ryoshu and Outis bringing their spoils from the marvelously-priced IKEA food court. Hong Lu had to help guide Sancho through getting the car out of the place it was awkwardly wedged, and Mersault held back the crowd. Dante's task wasn't just emotional support, but guidance. Sancho/Don Quixote needed someone to reassure her that there was a way forward, a something worth pursuing. And Dante did wonderfully.

So, is it a surprise that this canto is where the clock moved again?

Don Quixote (Who, as we learned in this canto, is a bloodfiend, like Vergilius) commented on Dante's expression.

And the clock moved.

BUT BETWEEN THESE TWO EVENTS, DANTE MADE THE CHOICE TO SMILE. "like Don Quixote asked me to".

THEREFORE, it is my conclusion that, between the commentary of lu-is-not-okay on Hong Lu's impending mental breakdown (SPECIFICALLY this post, which is the reason for my diatribe) AND the existence of this pattern of increasingly intensive Sinner rehabilitation efforts, Canto 8 will be the mental health equivalent of trying to get Hong Lu off of the car, which is precariously balanced upside down on a fountain, on the third floor of a shopping mall, while being chased by mall security (read: his family).

And it's going to be awesome.

[zhng96]

𝐁𝐅 𝐇𝐀𝐁𝐈𝐓𝐒 — zb1

↳ pairing: ot9!zb1 x gn!reader

↳ warning: fluff for those w a sweet tooth <3

— 𝐊𝐈𝐌 𝐉𝐈𝐖𝐎𝐎𝐍𝐆

↳ moving you by your waist

- sidewalk rule is something HE LIVES BY

- when you’re blocking his way he’ll gently just grab your waist and beckon you to move UGH

- he is so boyfriend i will die

- he lives for the flustered look on your face EVERY TIME HE DOES IT

- you swear you will never get used to it

- you are walking on the side closer to the street? NOT GNNA HAPPEN UNDER HIS WATCH!

- you’re a little too close to a high ledge? NOT UNDER HIS WATCH

- you’re a little lost?? he’ll guide you by gently pushing you by the waist EHEHEHHE

- got me giggling n all..

(rest of the members under the cut!)

— 𝐙𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐀𝐎

↳ is constantly taking candid pictures of you :(( (he has a whole album he organized once a week on his phone)

- he wishes he could inject your reaction tho finding out every time he takes a picture

- he finds you so endearing istg

- he will purposely turn his ringer on so you can hear the camera snap

- sometimes he already awaits your reaction to the first snap so he takes a picture while your eyes are wide in realization

- he treasures it forever (it’s his lockscreen)

- i can imagine you guys being on face time while you are getting ready for the day and he just does the face time screen shot thing

- hes so boyfriend im afraid 😣😣 (pt2)

— 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐁𝐈𝐍

↳ always takes one flower from the bouquets he buys you to know when to buy you a new one

- we need more hanbins in the world 💔💔

- this man buys you a bouquet without you even asking he is literal perfection

- he sets the one flower on his window sill and always makes sure to check it everyday before leaving for work to know if he has to buy you a new one or not </3

- the first time he did it he texted you “hey since the last bouquet died do u prefer lilies or peonies?”

- you went feral LIKE HOW DID HE KNOW??!!

- and then when you went over to his house one day you saw a flower similar to the ones in your bouquet and you connected the dots

- he goes to the same flower shop every time too

- he goes to a locally managed one!! he thinks the flowers are prettier there than at any supermarket

- the old lady who runs the store is basically his second mother and told him to bring you so you two could meet

- he is so boyfriend it is actually crazy (pt3)

— 𝐒𝐄𝐎𝐊 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐖

↳ buys everything that reminds him of you

- he is so adorable

- he’s out with his friends and he finds a plushie that resembles you?? yeah he’ll buy it

- some times he gifts them to you but sometimes he’ll keep it

- when you ask him about it he’ll be like “oh it made me think of you!”

- one time you noticed a cute plushie in the backseat of his car and you asked him where and why he bought it

- he said “it reminds me of you! that way every time im driving it feels like you’re with me :)”

- you melt EVERYTIME

- HE IS SO BOYFRIEND (pt4)

- you guys build a ikea shelf for your room solely used for displaying matthew’s trinkets he bought thinking of you :(

- he says its the yn museum LOLL

— 𝐊𝐈𝐌 𝐓𝐀𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐄

↳ constantly bumps into you as you walk

- it sounds annoying but it’s actually really endearing :(

- times he can’t hug you he’ll touch you by teasing and bumping into you

- he’s also distracted and just so comfortable and immersed in your conversation that he can’t walk straight

- (but he doesn’t tell you that)

- sometimes he almost pushes the both of you off the side walk LOL

- he finds moments where being playful but also being close to you are his favourite memories

- sometime when you get tired of it you just hold his hand which suddenly makes him stop hehe

- he just wants to be close to you is all

- and tease you <33

- boyfriend coded (pt5)

— 𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐍𝐑𝐔𝐈

↳ sets food on your plate whenever you eat out

- AHHH THIS MAKES ME SMILE SO HARD

- i feel like hes not the most openly affectionate person,,, like he shies away from pda n all that

- so instead he shows his love through his actions!!!

- you guys are out eating at a kbbq place and hes just placing some meat or rice on your plate </3

- he’s so attentive w/ it too like when he notices the pile is slowly getting smaller, he takes more off of the grill and sets it on your plate :(((

- when you take notice he smiles, places more and goes “here you go” AHHHH

- once u got to the last piece on your pile its tradition to feed it to him :))

- he happily accepts

- he’s so lovely :((

- and so boyfriend </3 (pt6)

— 𝐊𝐈𝐌 𝐆𝐘𝐔𝐕𝐈𝐍

↳ touching you with his cold hands

- LIVES for harmless teasing

- he’ll take his hands and cup your cheeks with them :((

- he loves the squeal and the cute little face you make :((

- HE JUST LOVES YOU!!!

- sometimes you guys are cuddling in bed and he’ll put his hands under your shirt and rest them on your stomach

- you squeal again which = happy happy gyuvin

- he always apologizes w kisses afterward tho :)

- now you are both happy

- GAWD HE IS SO BOYFRIEND (pt7)

— 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐊 𝐆𝐔𝐍𝐖𝐎𝐎𝐊

↳ whenever you ask for one of his hoodies, he sprays a fresh spritz of his cologne on it

- he likes any opportunity to give you his hoodies :))

- he acts like he doesn’t see you basking in the cologne the hoodie absorbed the first few times he gives you his hoodie

- so now he makes sure to give it an extra spray before giving it to you :))

- he’s considered buying you the cologne as a gift once actually

- but he likes the feeling of keeping the secret that he knows how much you like the scent so he decides against it :)

- he likes seeing your smile every time you put one of his hoodies on not knowing he was admiring hehe

- bf coded (pt8)

— 𝐇𝐀𝐍 𝐘𝐔𝐉𝐈𝐍

↳ compares you to cute and funny animal pictures

- im tempted to make a seperate imagine for this its just so cute

- you’ll just be going about your day and he’ll text you

- he’ll just send the picture of an animal and say “you :)”

- you ask him to elaborate (he has picsart downloaded just for this moment) so he sends a collage of a picture of you resembling the actions or face the animal makes

- he is so cuteness i will die

- when you guys are hanging out he’ll take it phone screen and open up a picture of an animal and hold the screen right next to you face

- he inspects it like he’s an artist and just giggles

- you live for it tho

- oh can’t forget about the times he would ask you to do a pose and you comply reluctantly and he takes a picture and adds it to his collection of pictures that resemble an animal :)

- yea he has an entire album on his camera roll

navi. mlist.

[dokries]

forever

pairing: kwon soonyoung (hoshi) x gender neutral reader

genre: fluff, established relationship

word count: 851

warnings: pet names, talks of marriage (in the future!), they go to ikea and hoshi acts like a house husband

author note: OMG i actually love this hoshi so much i’m not even joking thank you eishi for requesting this!! lots of love <33

masterlist

“would you like a cup of tea, perhaps?” soonyoung holds out the teapot that was previously on display with an exaggerated bow, his eyes betraying his humour.

you sigh before giggling, taking the pot and placing it back on the counter for safe measure—you’re only at ikea to window-shop, and the two of you definitely can’t afford to pay for any accidents. “maybe we shouldn’t pick that up, okay sweetie?”

when your boyfriend pouts, you guide him to sit the bar stool by the kitchen island set up beside you. “anyway, isn’t the goal of us being here pretending to have our own house? maybe we should go somewhere else, and not just stay in the kitchen showroom.”

soonyoung immediately shakes his head, pulling you down onto the stool beside him. “no way. you said you liked this one, so we’re staying here.”

“well, i do like the light fixtures…” you sigh contently, leaning into his arm—he giggles and puts his head on top of yours—instead of trying to convince him to move to another space.

besides, you had walked around the entire ikea at this point, and it’s probably a good idea to take a small break before leaving to go home and finally rest after your boyfriend dragging you everywhere he could.

after a few minutes of peace, your boyfriend decides to get up unexpectedly, and he grabs a towel to hang over his shoulder before he walks over to the sink, pretending to turn it on by imitating the sound of water falling.

he whistles before looking over his shoulder at you, as if he didn’t notice you’re at the counter. “oh, hey! how was work, sweetie?”

you raise an eyebrow, putting your elbows on the counter in front of you to stare at him. “it was alright…? kwon soonyoung, what are you doing right now?”

“what do you mean? i’m just being a good husband!” he grins, happily pretending to rinse dishes, and you blush slightly before smiling at his sound effects.

you look around to see if anyone might be judging the two of you for pretending to be married but surprisingly, there’s no people strolling around this specific part of the store. the lack of crowd actually makes this feel as if you actually have just gotten home from a busy day at work, and your boyfriend—well, husband in this case, is washing up after cooking dinner or something.

in the meantime, soonyoung slows down, realizing the same thing as you. it’s like you have your own home, and he thinks that maybe…it’s not so bad.

you move towards him, making your way around the island and wrap your arms around his waist from behind, placing your chin on his shoulder before he can even comprehend what’s happening. once he does though, he almost melts in your embrace, putting his hands on top of yours on his stomach.

“so, soonie…” you start, and he can feel your grin with the way your head tilts to look at his cheek. “is it time for dessert yet?”

he giggles, sliding his hands up and down your arms before sighing happily. he turns to look at your face and freezes, realizing that this scene…could be real. he knows you’re only playing along with this act of being married but now the gears are turning in his head, and his eyebrows scrunch up in concentration.

though he doesn’t know it, your mind wanders to the same topic you two have talked about fondly: eventually settling down, if the both of you agree on it in the future.

it’s not like your relationship is completely new anyway, and marriage has been in the back of his mind for a while now. besides, soonyoung’s made it very clear that he’s serious about you…at least, he hopes he has because it’s true; he would go on a million ikea weekend dates if you were by his side.

“soonyoung, you alright?” he blinks when you call his name, and shakes his head.

“i’m fine!” your boyfriend smiles at you but you can tell he’s thinking about something, and you shrug. he’ll tell you eventually if he wants to, so there’s no need to be concerned—he can’t keep a secret for the life of him.

you move away from him to make sure that all the showroom pieces are in the right place, and he stands there to watch you, realizing this fantasy will be…well, just that when the two of you leave.

soonyoung pouts, crossing his arms. “babe, can’t we stay here forever?”

you turn back to look at your boyfriend and smile softly, walking over to grab his hand and almost push him towards the exit when he won’t move.

“well…we can’t stay here forever but…” you pause to place a kiss on his cheek. “maybe we could stay together forever, if you’d like?”

and as soonyoung nods excitedly and kisses you on the nose gently with a giggle, he knows that he’ll make sure that the forever he’s now thinking about comes as soon as possible—even with the horrible housing rates.

home. (follow up fic!)

[heich0e]

liv liv, poli!sunasamu question.

what kind of dates do they go on?

because rin isn't home much, i think that they all really sort of revel in domesticity when they're able to spend time together: sticking close to home and doing pretty mundane things like grocery shopping, going to ikea, or just spending time around the apartment enjoying each other's company. because free time is hard to coordinate for all three of you, i also think vacations are a big deal—you make a point of going on a couple of trips a year, saving up your time off for the occasion, or making day trips to onsens or the sea whenever you can get away for a day or two.

there are obviously challenges in that you can't be super overt about being on a date as a trio, so if you are venturing out you tend to like things that afford you a bit of privacy. also, since osamu loves food and has a lot of connections in the restaurant industry, he does like to take you and/or rin out to try new places (a frankly staggering amount of your travelling is guided by/planned around what osamu wants to eat, too.) and rin enjoys going to the movies, since he likes films so much—you and samu always tease him because his go-to date idea is so cliche.

[amethystarachnid]

we have to hear the ikea story from the tony first christmas one now you can’t keep us from that 😭

FROGS, GLOBES AND BURNT CHOCOLATE (prequel)

⤷ ANTHONY “TONY” E. STARK

ᯓ★ Pairing: Anthony “Tony” E. Stark x fem!reader

ᯓ★ Genre: romance, fluff

ᯓ★ Request from: MARVEL Holiday special

ᯓ★ Story type: prequel of this one shot but can be read separately

ᯓ★ Word count: 3.3k

ᯓ★ Summary: the story of how Tony got banned from IKEA

ᯓ★ TW(s): nothing just some innuendos

ᯓ★ My Masterlist

ᯓ★ MARVEL Holiday Special

ᯓ★ MARVEL Multiverse - choose an AU, pair it with your favorite character and make a request!

ᯓ★ Songs & Superheroes tales - The Game (to make a request, follow the rules on the link!)

ᯓ★ MARVEL Bingo

ᯓ★ English isn’t my first language

The fluorescent lights buzzed softly overhead as the two of you stepped through the automatic sliding doors, the cool air of the showroom washing over you. The familiar scent of cinnamon rolls and fresh-pressed particleboard filled the air, promising adventure—or chaos, as Tony had so ominously predicted on the drive over.

“IKEA,” he said, dragging the name out like it was the punchline to a joke only he got. “A labyrinth designed by the gods to test your patience, your endurance, and your willingness to assemble furniture using a pictogram manual written by a sadist.”

“You’re being dramatic,” you replied, grabbing one of the oversized yellow shopping bags from the stand by the entrance. “It’s just a furniture store.”

“It’s an obstacle course,” he countered, slipping his sunglasses into the pocket of his leather jacket. “But don’t worry, I’m here to guide you through it. Like Theseus in the maze, except I’m way better looking and much less likely to be eaten by a mythical bull.”

You rolled your eyes, suppressing a grin as you pulled him toward the showroom. “If you’re Theseus, does that make me Ariadne? Should I leave a trail of meatballs so we don’t get lost?”

“I like the way you think,” he said, draping an arm casually over your shoulders as you walked. “But let’s be real: I’d find the meatballs, eat them, and then leave you to fend for yourself. Every Stark for himself.”

The first few minutes were surprisingly tame. You strolled through mock living rooms and kitchens, picking out lamps and throw pillows while Tony alternated between critiquing the design choices and pointing out absurdities in the naming conventions.

“‘LÅNGFJÄLL,’” he said, squinting at a sleek gray office chair. “Sounds like a sneeze.”

“It’s Swedish,” you reminded him, tossing a cozy-looking blanket into the bag. “Not everything is meant to be Stark-level glamorous.”

“Oh, I’m not judging,” he replied, smirking. “I’m just saying if I had a billion-dollar empire to name, I’d go with something a little less…phlegmy.”

You nudged him playfully as you entered the bedroom section, where rows of neatly made beds stretched out like a sea of linen-covered clouds. Tony immediately flopped onto the nearest one, spreading his arms wide and letting out a dramatic sigh.

“This,” he said, his voice muffled against the pillow, “is where I live now. You can come visit, though. Bring snacks.”

“Get up,” you said, trying to keep a straight face. “We’re here to buy furniture, not embarrass ourselves.”

“I can multitask,” he quipped, sitting up and ruffling his hair. “What’s next? Coffee tables? Nightstands? An overpriced abstract rug we’ll regret in six months?”

“Beds,” you said firmly, dragging him toward a display of frames. “We need a new one, remember?”

He groaned but followed, occasionally pulling out his phone to snap pictures of the more outlandish setups. “For posterity,” he explained, zooming in on a loft bed shaped like a treehouse. “Or blackmail, depending on how this trip goes.”

It was around the third mattress test that things started to go off the rails. Tony, determined to prove that one of the memory foam options was subpar, launched into an impromptu demonstration of its bounce resistance by dramatically flopping onto it like a stage actor fainting in a Shakespearean tragedy. The mattress responded by launching a decorative pillow halfway across the room, narrowly missing a disgruntled shopper.

“Oops,” he said, feigning innocence as you tried to stifle a laugh. “Maybe they should rethink calling it ‘memory foam.’ Seems like it forgot how to be stable.”

“Tony,” you hissed, grabbing his arm as the nearby employee shot you a warning glare. “You’re going to get us kicked out.”

“Relax,” he said, pulling you closer with a grin that was equal parts charming and infuriating. “It’s IKEA. Getting kicked out would be a badge of honor. Now, where’s that bunk bed section? I’ve always wanted to test a slide.”

“I am not bailing you out if you break something,” you warned, though you were already losing the battle against his infectious enthusiasm.

You knew you’d regret saying it, but against your better judgment, you followed him anyway.

The bunk beds came into view like a beacon of impending chaos, a forest of miniature ladders and plastic slides. Tony’s face lit up with the kind of mischievous glee that usually preceded a major scandal or a ruined dinner party. You grabbed his arm, your reflexes honed after months of living with a man who turned everything into a science experiment.

“Don’t even think about it,” you warned, your voice low and firm.

“Think about what?” he replied, his tone laced with mock innocence. “I’m just admiring the craftsmanship. The ergonomics. The sheer audacity of a bed that doubles as a jungle gym.”

“You’re plotting something,” you accused, narrowing your eyes.

“I’m plotting nothing,” he said, raising his free hand as if swearing an oath. “Except maybe how to convince you to let me buy one of these for the office. Imagine the brainstorming sessions we could have on that bad boy.”

His gaze lingered on a particularly garish bunk bed with a bright red slide attached, and you could practically see the gears turning in his head. Before he could make his move, you steered him away, your fingers tightening on his arm.

“Focus,” you said, dragging him back toward the section with grown-up beds. “We’re here to find something for us, not for your inner child.”

“But what if my inner child needs closure?” he countered, pouting dramatically. “I was deprived of the bunk bed experience as a kid. I think it’s why I’m so emotionally stunted.”

“You’re emotionally stunted because you’re Tony Stark,” you retorted, though your lips twitched with the effort of holding back a smile.

“That’s fair,” he conceded, following you begrudgingly into the adult furniture section. “But I stand by my point. Bunk beds are an untapped market for innovation.”

You sighed, rolling your eyes as you released his arm. “Why do I feel like every time we go shopping, I end up babysitting you?”

“Because I’m irresistibly fun,” he replied, flashing you a grin. “Admit it, you’d be bored without me.”

Your response was cut short when you reached the display of bed frames, an array of sleek headboards and minimalist designs stretching out before you. Tony let out a low whistle, stepping closer to inspect a dark wood frame with clean lines and a tufted headboard.

“This one,” he said, running his hand over the polished surface. “It’s got that ‘classy but secretly kinky’ vibe. Like us.”

You choked on a laugh, shooting him a scandalized look. “Tony!”

“What?” he said, smirking. “Am I wrong?”

You glared at him, though the heat creeping up your neck betrayed your composure. “We’re not buying a bed based on…that.”

“Why not?” he asked, leaning casually against the frame. “It’s an important factor. A bed’s gotta be functional and…multifunctional.”

“Tony, I swear—”

“Relax, I’m kidding,” he said, though the glint in his eye suggested otherwise. “Mostly. But seriously, what do you think? Too much? Not enough?”

You stepped closer, trying to focus on the actual furniture and not the way Tony’s voice dipped into that low, teasing register that always made your thoughts wander. The bed was beautiful, its understated elegance perfectly suited to the vision you had for your shared bedroom.

“It’s nice,” you admitted, running your fingers along the smooth wood. “I like it.”

“See? We’re already agreeing,” he said, straightening up. “That’s progress.”

He moved to another frame, this one with a sleek metal design that practically screamed “modern bachelor pad.” Tony turned to you, raising an eyebrow.

“This one feels very ‘I make poor life decisions but look good doing it,’” he mused. “Too on-the-nose?”

“Way too on-the-nose,” you agreed, stifling a laugh.

You continued down the aisle, pausing every so often to inspect a bed or debate the merits of storage drawers versus a minimalist frame. Tony, of course, turned every option into an opportunity for mischief.

“What about this one?” he asked, gesturing to a canopy bed with flowing white curtains. “We could hang fairy lights and make it all romantic. Very Princess Diaries. Except with, you know, significantly fewer rules about what’s allowed in the castle.”

You groaned, burying your face in your hands. “You’re impossible.”

“And yet, here you are, furniture shopping with me,” he said, his voice dripping with mock smugness. “If that’s not love, I don’t know what is.”

As you moved toward the couches, the banter continued, each piece of furniture becoming a springboard for Tony’s running commentary.

“This one’s great if we ever decide to host a sitcom,” he said, pointing to a beige sectional with a vaguely 90s aesthetic. “Can’t you just see a laugh track playing every time I walk into the room?”

“No one’s laughing, Tony,” you deadpanned, though your grin betrayed you.

He plopped onto a sleek gray sofa, stretching out dramatically. “Now this is a couch. Look at this. Perfect for late-night movies, spontaneous naps, and—”

“Don’t say it,” you warned, holding up a hand.

“—strategic cuddle sessions,” he finished, his grin widening. “What did you think I was gonna say?”

You rolled your eyes, sitting beside him and nudging his shoulder. “You’re lucky I love you.”

“I know,” he said, his voice softening as he turned to look at you. For a moment, the playful spark in his eyes was replaced with something quieter, something tender. “And for the record, I love you too. Even if you do have terrible taste in throw pillows.”

“Excuse me?” you said, feigning offense. “You’re the one who picked out that hideous pineapple ornament for the Christmas tree.”

“That ornament has character,” he shot back, leaning closer. “Just like me.”

You laughed, shaking your head as you leaned into his side. “You’re ridiculous.”

“And yet,” he said, his voice dropping to a low murmur, “you’re still here.”

Before you could respond, his lips brushed against your temple, a fleeting but deliberate gesture that sent warmth flooding through your chest. You turned to meet his gaze, and for a moment, the chaos of IKEA faded into the background.

“We’re really doing this, huh?” you said softly, your voice barely audible over the murmur of nearby shoppers. “Building a life together.”

He nodded, his hand finding yours and giving it a gentle squeeze. “Yeah,” he said. “We are.”

The moment was interrupted by a loud crash from a few aisles over, followed by the unmistakable sound of a frustrated parent trying to wrangle a toddler. Tony glanced in the direction of the commotion, then back at you, his grin returning.

“Speaking of chaos,” he said, standing and offering you his hand. “Shall we?”

You took his hand, letting him pull you to your feet. “If you promise not to break anything—or test any more mattresses.”

“No promises,” he said, leading you toward the next section with a wink. “But I’ll try to keep it under control. For you.”

“Lucky me,” you muttered, though your smile lingered as you followed him, ready for whatever chaos came next.

Tony was on borrowed time, and you knew it. You’d seen that particular glint in his eye—the one that said he was about two minutes away from unleashing some kind of chaos. It didn’t matter how many times you tried to corral him. Tony Stark’s ability to turn a mundane situation into a headline-worthy event was unmatched.

“Do you think Frank needs a friend?” Tony asked as he stopped at a display of oversized fake plants, his hands stuffed into his jacket pockets.

“Frank the Tree doesn’t need a friend,” you said firmly, pulling him away before he could grab the monstera that had caught his eye. “He needs a stable environment where his caretakers don’t cause disasters.”

“Wow,” Tony replied, feigning offense. “Did you just call me a bad tree parent?”

“I called you a disaster magnet,” you clarified, steering him toward the dining section. “Which, frankly, is generous.”

Tony grinned, unbothered by your jab. “I prefer the term ‘agent of chaos.’ It sounds more distinguished.”

“Whatever helps you sleep at night,” you muttered, eyeing the sleek dining tables on display. “Now focus. We need something durable but not too big. Just enough for the two of us and maybe a couple of guests.”

Tony trailed behind you, his attention drifting from the tables to the bright blue dining chairs at the next display. “What do you think about these?” he asked, pulling one out and spinning it around. “They say, ‘I’m stylish but approachable.’ Like me.”

“They say, ‘I’m a bad idea in any room with white walls,’” you countered, shaking your head. “We’re sticking to neutrals.”

Tony groaned, slumping into the chair dramatically. “Neutrals are boring. Where’s the zing, the flair?”

“You are the zing and flair,” you shot back, flicking his forehead lightly. “The furniture doesn’t need to compete with you.”

Tony smirked, leaning back in the chair with a casual air. “That’s a good point. But you know what else I’m good at?”

“Causing scenes?” you guessed.

“Testing durability,” he said, standing and pulling another chair from the display. “These bad boys need to hold up to the wear and tear of daily life.”

Before you could stop him, Tony had stacked one chair atop another, balancing precariously as he climbed onto them like a child on a jungle gym.

“Tony, no—”

“It’s fine!” he called down, waving a hand as a couple of nearby shoppers turned to watch. “They’re built for this. I’m helping them with quality control.”

“Tony, get down before you—”

The chair legs wobbled ominously, and before you could finish your sentence, Tony was sent sprawling onto the display floor in a crash of tangled limbs and scattered chairs. A shocked silence fell over the aisle, broken only by Tony’s groan as he sat up, brushing imaginary dust off his jacket.

“Well,” he said, wincing as he stood. “I’d say they pass the durability test. Ten out of ten for resilience.”

You pressed a hand to your forehead, torn between exasperation and laughter as an IKEA employee rushed over, his face a mix of concern and annoyance.

“Sir, are you all right?” the employee asked, helping Tony steady himself.

“Never better,” Tony replied, flashing his trademark grin. “Just giving your furniture a thorough evaluation. You’re welcome.”

The employee’s polite smile faltered as he glanced at the scattered chairs. “Sir, we’d appreciate it if you didn’t, uh, climb on the furniture.”

“Noted,” Tony said, holding up a hand as if making a solemn promise. “I’ll stick to the ground level from now on.”

The employee looked unconvinced but nodded stiffly before walking away, leaving you to deal with the aftermath. You turned to Tony, arms crossed and your best glare locked in place.

“You’re impossible,” you said, though you couldn’t quite hide the smile tugging at the corners of your mouth.

“And yet, you love me,” he replied, reaching out to straighten your scarf like it was the most natural thing in the world.

“God help me, I do,” you muttered, grabbing his hand and dragging him toward the next section. “Now behave, or I’m leaving you here.”

The brief lull in chaos didn’t last. By the time you reached the children’s section, Tony had regained his momentum. He wandered into a brightly colored play area filled with miniature furniture, his eyes lighting up as he spotted a bright red rocking moose.

“You’re not—” you began, but it was too late. Tony had already plopped down on the moose, his knees nearly to his chest as he attempted to rock back and forth.

“Look at this,” he said, his voice full of mock wonder. “Functional, stylish, and fun. Perfect for our future kids.”

You choked on air, your face heating instantly. “Excuse me? Future kids?”

“Don’t panic,” he said, grinning as he rocked harder. “I’m just saying, this moose has potential. We should take it for a test ride.”

“Tony, get off before—”

The rocking moose groaned under his weight, and with a loud snap, one of the legs gave way, sending Tony tumbling backward in a heap. A horrified employee appeared almost instantly, his face a mask of barely contained panic.

“Sir, you can’t—”

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Tony said, waving off the employee as he stood, rubbing his back. “No horseplay in the children’s section. My bad.”

The employee’s face turned several shades of red as he examined the ruined moose. “That’s not a horse. It’s—”

“Don’t worry, I’ll cover it,” Tony interrupted, pulling his wallet from his pocket. “How much for the moose? Name your price.”

“Sir, I don’t think—”

“It’s fine,” Tony said, patting the employee on the shoulder. “Put it on my tab.”

You groaned, stepping in before things could escalate further. “We’re so sorry,” you said to the employee, your voice apologetic. “We’ll pay for the damages and leave right away.”

The employee nodded, muttering something about speaking to the manager as he hurried off. You turned to Tony, your glare now fully justified.

“You’re going to get us banned,” you hissed.

Tony shrugged, looking entirely too pleased with himself. “If you’re going to get banned from somewhere, it might as well be IKEA.”

Before you could respond, the manager arrived—a stern-looking woman in a crisp uniform who radiated the kind of authority that could terrify even the bravest soul. She approached with an air of barely concealed exasperation, her gaze flicking between you, Tony, and the broken moose.

“Is this the gentleman responsible?” she asked, her tone flat.

“That’s me,” Tony said, stepping forward with a confident grin. “Tony Stark. You might’ve heard of me.”

The manager’s eyebrow twitched. “I have, and that’s exactly why I’m surprised by this behavior.”

“Hey, I’m just a man of the people,” Tony replied. “Testing the furniture, making sure it’s up to IKEA’s legendary standards. You’re welcome.”

The manager didn’t flinch. “Mr. Stark, we appreciate your enthusiasm, but your behavior is disruptive. And destructive.” Her gaze hardened. “I’m afraid we’re going to have to ask you to leave.”

Tony’s grin widened. “What, no second chances? That doesn’t seem very festive.”

“Effective immediately,” she continued, ignoring him. “You’re banned from this location.”

“That’s fair,” Tony said, nodding as if he’d just been handed a parking ticket. “Honestly, I’ve been kicked out of worse places.”

“—and every other IKEA store worldwide,” the manager finished, her voice firm.

That wiped the grin off his face. “Wait, worldwide? Isn’t that a little harsh?”

The manager crossed her arms, unimpressed. “You broke a rocking moose, stacked chairs like a Jenga tower, and disrupted our other customers. Consider yourself fortunate we’re not pressing charges.”

Tony looked genuinely scandalized. “You’re telling me I can’t set foot in any IKEA? Even the one in Sweden?”

“Especially the one in Sweden,” she said, her expression unyielding.

Tony turned to you, his face a perfect mixture of indignation and amusement. “Can you believe this? Banned for life. I’m a living legend.”

“You’re a living nuisance,” you replied, grabbing his arm and pulling him toward the exit. “And we’re leaving before you make it worse.”

“Fine,” he said, though he couldn’t resist one last parting shot. “But for the record, your rocking moose has design flaws.”

The manager didn’t respond, but her glare could’ve melted steel.

As the automatic doors slid shut behind you, Tony let out a low whistle, shoving his hands into his jacket pockets. “Well, that was a first.”

“You’re incorrigible,” you muttered, your tone somewhere between exasperation and affection.

“And yet,” he said, leaning closer as the chilly air nipped at your cheeks, “you’re still here.”

You sighed, shaking your head as a reluctant smile tugged at your lips. “Yeah. I am.”

He grinned, brushing a snowflake from your hair. “See? I knew I picked the right person to get banned from IKEA with.”

You couldn’t help but laugh, the absurdity of the situation washing over you. “Just promise me one thing.”

“Anything,” he said, his tone turning soft as he met your gaze.

“No more rocking moose incidents.”

“Deal,” he said, pulling you closer and pressing a kiss to your forehead. “But you have to admit, it was a hell of a ride.”

[malcolm-reeds-pineapple]

Are you looking for a gift for your dad? Here is a gift guide for Weird Dad Genres

Brought to you by the child of a Weird Dad with low/no cost options. I’ve noticed that a lot of people with good dads they like a lot don’t know what to give their dads because all the gift guides around require a man to have a baseline level interest in sports, beer and cars for them to be usable. Disregard this post if your dad sucks or use this advice for a person you like that falls into one of these sub genres.

NPR/CBC Dads

I’m Canadian and have a CBC dad so I’m hoping there is overlap

Tickets to a live taping of their favourite radio show

Merch that supports CBC/NPR and their favourite radio show

Teaching them how to use a podcast app if they don’t know already

History Dads

MASH related literature

Civilization 6 on PC

Book/audio book about their favourite historical era, particularly on a niche topic by a professor of some variety

Researching their favourite era enough to have a meaningful conversation about it with them/being willing to listen to them talk about it

Stoner Dads

Lighters, papers, doob tubes, pipe cleaners, other disposables

Weed lol (depending on regional availability don’t get arrested buying a Christmas present lmfao)

One hitter, a nice pipe, a grinder, a tray, anything like that but shop around to find something they’d actually like.

Randy’s Black Label glassware cleaner and some vase beads!!! I cannot stress this enough!!! This combo leaves glassware SPARKLING.

Cleaning his glassware for him or degunking a grinder (do NOT empty the keef catcher or I’ll kill you myself)

Music Listener Dads

Physical copy of an album they like or one you listened to together

Needles from their turntable if they have records, or alternatively a Kallax shelf from Ikea for storage (actually the best record storage I’ve ever found)

Year subscription to Spotify

Some sort of merch for their favourite artist that goes with their vibe (ie: my dad doesn’t wear band shirts so I give him coffee mugs)

A playlist of songs you listened to together. If you wanna go crazy silly haha you could also get a record out of a dollar bin and draw a cover for it and put a QR code to the playlist inside or you could go old school and do the same thing but actually have a mixtape or burn the playlist onto a CD

Music Playing Dads

Varies a lot depending on skill-level and instrument, but I’m gonna do this as if they were a hobbyist as I’m sure there are gift guides out there for professionals

Any sort of disposable they would need (reeds, picks, strings, sticks etc) but make sure you find out what they prefer (ie pick weight) or if give them a few different options when they’re just starting out to help them figure out what they like

Larger peripherals that they might not want to buy for themselves (NOTE: don’t buy anything too expensive unless you know they want/need it. If you’re not sure, you can always wrap up an IOU in a cereal box so you can go on an adventure later with them and make a day out of it)

If they play piano you can pay for a tuning however this can be pricey and requires planning

Sheet music/tabs printed out in a binder with lyrics. You can also decorate the binder if you’re crafty like that

Nature Dads (rocks/geology)

Idk how niche this is but my dad is a rock dad

Rock tumbler and/or accessories like grit and media

A vug of some sort of crystal if you’re feeling incredibly wealthy or in the likely case that you’re not, get him a few points of a crystal or a few tumbled stones for them to add to the collection

A nice cabinet for display purposes (depends on the size of the collection of course and availability, but my dad has a vintage China cabinet for his rocks that we got at auction for like 100 bucks.)

A map with local areas of geological interest for them to check out with a little blurb about each one. Bonus points if you go on day trips with them or make the map cute if you’re skilled like that

Pop Culture/Sci Fi Dads

If they have trinkets, a display cabinet (like in the above section) is a good idea if they don’t have one

Coffee table books with behind the scenes stuff in it

If there’s a convention nearby and they’re that type of person you could get them tickets

I’ll be honest sci fi/pop culture people are pretty easy to buy for imo but my best advice is to prioritise practicality over dust collectors unless you know for sure they want something else in their collection. I’d also caution to stay away from buying Funko Pops where you can unless they collect them

General Dad Gifts and Advice

Some sort of nostalgia thing that’s personal to them. Examples: snack from their youth that they talk about a lot, a board game they played growing up that they can’t find anywhere, a book he read you growing up (I gave my dad Just Me And My Dad from the Little Critter series one year and he welled up and still maintains it’s one of the best gifts he’s ever gotten)

A good joke gift like my family have been giving each other the same copy of The Search For Spock for 14 years and it’s hilarious to us. Alternatively you can wrap up one of his own possessions and give it to him but make sure that it’s obviously his so he doesn’t think you just gave him another one.

Drill bits never go amiss if a person already owns a drill btw like drill bits are Good and Righteous Things

Always try to write an inscription in a book you’re giving as a gift with a small blurb about why you picked this book and the year and occasion.

I try to stick towards practicality and sentimentality in my gift-giving since for the most part we all have enough dust collectors. Consumables that are part of a hobby/interest are always a great option since they’re something you go through fairly regularly that can add up price wise

Never underestimate the power of a home made gift or a box of little treats. If I gave my dad his favourite peanut butter and a few cans of Fresca, he would be just as happy as if I bought him a brand new stereo. As dumb as it sounds, it really is the thought you put into a gift that counts, even if they’re little coupons someone can cash in for an afternoon of manual labour.

Even if you’re broke, try to give what you can. Thrifted gifts and homemade gifts are just as valuable as brand new gifts if the person you’re giving it to is worth giving a present.

Also while we’re on the topic, don’t give gifts to anyone who doesn’t appreciate you as a person like if you’re dad’s not good to you then either don’t give him shit or give him 20 bucks if you feel like it

Please feel free to add onto this if you have advice for gifting to a niche sub genre of dad/person.

[multi-fandom-imagine]

A/n: all resident evil fics here

= Leon S. Kennedy =

::Fics:::

✨:Wanna Feel Your Skin. ✨:[BEDSIDE]:while sitting by the injured unconscious receiver’s bedside, sender reveals that they’re in love with them,unaware that the receiver is able to hear this revelation. ✨:[ GAZE ] :right before the kissing begins, sender gazes at receiver’s lips, then back up at their eyes, waiting for them to make a move or give confirmation. ✨:an adrenaline kiss- Rookie!Leon. ✨:A kiss……to pretend. || Part 2 || ✨:She Wouldn’t Be Gone. ✨:Fuck IKEA. ✨:You look! I’m to Nervous . ✨:Get your dad jokes ready- Rookie!Leon. ✨:Get your dad jokes ready. ✨:Silent Comfort- Rookie!Leon. ✨:Jealousy.

✨:

✨:

= Luis Sera =

::Fics::

✨:[ ANCHOR ]: in a moment where stress and anxiety are running high, the sender tries to ground the receiver by gently guiding them into a hug, resting their foreheads together to steady them.

✨:

= Christopher "Chris" Redfield =

::Fics::

✨:Werewolf Husband || Chris Redfield ||. I’m a werewolf now || Chris Redfield || - Male!Reader. ✨:To The Man Who Let Her Go.

✨:

= Carlos Oliveira / Billy Coen =

::Fics::

✨:A kiss…. in relief || Billy Coen.|| ✨:So Many Kisses || Carlos Oliveira || ✨:First Kiss || Carlos Oliveira || ✨:Sleepy Hug || Carlos Oliveira || ✨:The Little Things || Carlos Oliveira || ✨:The Lift hug || Carlos Oliveira || ✨:A Forehead Kiss || Carlos Oliveira || ✨:My Life ; My Princess || Carlos Oliveira || ✨:I’m going to hug you now || Carlos Oliveira ||. ✨:Christmas Puppy || Carlos Oliveira ||

✨:

=Resident Evil 7 Biohazard & Village=

::Fics::

✨:The Five Sense’s and a Sixth { With Ethan Winters }. ✨:Best Part Of Me || Karl Heisenberg || ✨:HAPPY NOVEMBER!” “No one wishes anyone a happy November.” “Well I just did.” ||Karl Heisenberg|| ✨: The Perfect Ending ||Ethan Winters|| ✨:“Did you decorate the tree without me? I can’t believe this! ||Ethan Winters|| ✨:Christmas Tree shopping. ||Karl Heisenberg|| ✨:Jacket ||Karl Heisenberg|| ✨:Miss Winters ||Karl Heisenberg|| ✨:Fuck! You! Heisenberg ||Karl Heisenberg||

✨:

= Ada Wong =

::Fics::

✨:you can just sit there looking pretty; i’ll do the rest.’

= Albert Wesker =

::Fics::

✨:

[bangtanhoneys]

GRACE CHU MOMENTS - KIM SEOKJIN

Who Am I? l In The Soop l Dancing in the Kitchen l Sugar Gliders l Don't Blame Me/ Part Two l Lights Will Guide You Home l Food shopping l Days Off l Eat Jin l 100 Days l New Fishing Buddy l I’m Finally Home l Seokjin's Angels

The IKEA Bookcase l The Red Polish

[ciaossu-imagines]

zakuro (khr) + any questions from any of the prompts you have provided.

I think you’re spoiling me, my dear, with characters you know I love and I am very, very appreciative of that 😊 It means a lot to me! I enjoyed getting to pick something for him and I hope you’ll enjoy!

1. Name

Weird personal headcanon here, but I don’t think Zakuro is his birth name. I do think he kind of abandoned his birth name, and everything he was before, when he joined up with Byakuran. Zakuro was the new name that Byakuran gave to him, of course naming him after a flower, as Byakuran is wont to do. This was just another way for Zakuro to prove his loyalty and his complete servitude towards Byakuran, someone he considers a savior, someone who grants him a true shot at life.

16. Home/place that they live

It’s been shown that Zakuro comes from extreme poverty and I think that is something that is always reflected in his living spaces even after years of him having a stable, reliable income and not having to worry about money. He prefers to second-hand shop for furniture or to go to big box stores like IKEA. To him, the cost of something is always the most important thing and he struggles to buy something more expensive, even if he likes the looks of it, or if he finds it more comfortable, when there’s a cheaper option available. He counts himself lucky, honestly, just to have a roof consistently over his head. His apartment or living spaces are always very spartan, with just the minimal amount of furniture needed. His television is small and low-end, just performing what he needs it to do. He’s very frugal about a lot of things when it comes to his living quarters, including food and toiletries, a lot of which he’ll buy at something like the dollar tree.

32. Toxic traits

Zakuro is by no means a saint. He’s not even the nicest person, truth be told. He has a metric shit ton of flaws and faults. He’s stubborn and incredibly set in his ways. Even when proven wrong or even when he knows he should change, he has a need to dig his heels in and double down. He is easy to upset, being someone who gets cranky and irritable over the smallest of things and has a sharp tongue. He cheats at card games and whenever he thinks he can in a situation, if he feels it will help him out. He hates losing and can get overly competitive. He's too frugal to the point of being stingy at times.

33. Redeeming qualities

All those horrible things about his personality though? They’re not the entirety of who Zakuro is. He’s a complex person, with so much going on in his mind and his own rich internal world. He has just as many positive qualities as he has negative ones, even if they don’t show as obviously on the surface. When someone does earn his trust and respect, Zakuro is the most loyal person. He will follow his friend’s, lovers, or found family to the ends of the globe if need be. He’s going to be there for them, no matter what it is they need. While he might grouch and grump, he will always pull through for them. If anyone were to say anything bad about ‘his people’, he will tear them a new one and will put his all into defending them. Zakuro is also surprisingly empathetic. He’s been kicked around by life, given a real raw deal of it, and he knows pain and sorrow all too well, which makes him able to understand, accept, and sympathize with others who are going through rough times. Dealing with someone who is really going through is is one of the few times you’ll see Zakuro’s soft side. While he’s stingy, it’s something borne out of fear. He’s lazy when it comes to studying, but with financials, he’s actually really kind of a genius. He can set you up with a manageable budget, guide you on stocks and investments, and file your taxes. When it comes to things he’s interested in, he's willing to put in the work to learn, practice, train and figure them out, if they’re subjects or skills. Because he is such a flawed individual, who is aware of that fact about himself, he’s also someone who is more willingly to accept flaws in other people.

[wyrm-with-a-why]

megatron, soundwave and optimus; 6 for the three names ask game? ( •̀ ω •́ )✧

3. fight aliens with, fight zombies with, fight capitalism with

I’d fight aliens with Soundwave because he’d be able to take them down faster imo, optimus is fight zombies with by getting him to protect humanity also because he wouldn’t want to fight other aliens :(. Me and Megatron will end capitalism for all of you

6. go clothes shopping with, go to ikea with, go grocery shopping with

I’d go ikea shopping with Soundwave because he could guide me and remember all the numbers beside the price tags and stuffs. I’d go grocery shopping with optimus because he’d be quick and efficient and having a perfect list that he could get quickly and pay swiftly. I’d go clothes shopping with Megatron because we’d both struggle if we actually like/want the clothes and only go for what we want and leave

[beingjellybeans]

Create your escape: how to design a cozy reading nook in your home

Do you find yourself overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle in the city? Do you find your life’s pace to be too fast and hectic? A reading nook at home may give you the respite you’re looking for. In today’s fast-paced world, finding time for relaxation and self-care is more important than ever. A cozy reading nook is a perfect way to unwind, destress, and escape into a world of imagination.…

[vasilinaorlova]

I am becoming nostalgic but for America in which I live. For Texas, too. A beautiful land of Texas.

I bought a lamp marked as "Hollywood Regency," nostalgic for things I had never lived, life I didn't know, language nobody spoke, that is, nobody in our family, not my grandmothers, not my grandfathers.

The lamp is going to be shipped tomorrow. It makes no sense to buy objects. I keep moving from one place to another. I counted that I moved seven times in the last twelve years. That's more often than once in two years.

During my last move, I left everything behind, in Texas, in storage. I had more than I can take with me. I did not particularly like or adore the things I own. Most of them were bought just because I needed them: a sofa, a floor lamp for the reading, pillows, shelves to keep books.

Even though I always liked interiors, I never had an opportunity to create an interior for myself. I didn't have enough time and knowledge about what I like and what I don't like. I didn't like a lot of styles. I distrusted both boho and industrial. I didn't like rustic charm. I didn't particularly like scandy or japandy. I grew to hate IKEA but shopped there because it was nearly the only functional furniture store with showrooms.

Among the places where I lived in these ten years, I liked probably one apartment, on Enfield Road in Austin. I liked one apartment where I briefly lived in my previous life in Moscow on Basmannaya. It had high ceilings. The apartment in Austin was huge. I dearly loved my places in Kyiv. I loved the house in the village where I was growing up: spending summers. I loved my godmother's very clean and very modest, minimalistic, even stern apartment where she infallibly kept an absolute bare minimum of objects.

Now I live in a tiny apartment in New York but a lovely place which I like. I want to buy all the unusual lamps I see on Facebook Marketplace. Every lamp appears to be New York to me. I want something that somebody else already liked before. And looking at these lamps, I experienced nostalgia for all those lives I never lived. I am not explaining myself too well. The lamps are particularly magical. Many can remember night lights in their children's rooms when they were children. Even if it was just a street lamp. Those lights that keep guiding us or simply keep resurfacing in memory.

[somediyprojects]

DIY Pressed Flowers

Project by Jessica Marquez:

Whenever I have fresh flowers in my house, I’m just a little bit happier. A wild bouquet of colorful blooms brightens my mood and makes my space feel (and smell) great. Although, I rarely have fresh flowers out, because my cats love to munch on them. This DIY is all about preserving your flowers in an artful and creative way, or in my case, protecting them from the destructive mouths of small beasts. Whether it’s a special bouquet you’d like to keep forever, or a way to have flowers around even when your allergies or pets won’t cooperate, this project will keep your home forever in bloom. —Jessica

Pressing flowers is an easy way to preserve their beauty. You can use heavy books (remember using phone books? Those work well for pressing flowers), or you can go pro by making your own press. In our wall art, we’ll use pins to float our pressed flowers, creating depth and dimension much like in the artwork of Anne Ten Donkelaar, who uses pressed and paper flower cutouts for her layered and fantastical 3d botanical collages. Check out Anne’s work for a heavy dose of floral inspiration.

I visited my favorite local flower and skate shop (yep, best combo ever), Park Deli, for this stunning collection of bold yet delicate and brightly colored flowers. I think the best part of this project is the excuse to get some beautiful fresh flowers. You’ll be able to enjoy them for a very long time with this DIY.

Supplies

– Pressed flowers – Floral scissors – Parchment paper – Heavy books or flower Press – Glue – Shadow box frame (I used an IKEA Ribba frame) – Craft foam sheet – Colored paper – Pins (I used specimen pins, because I love the gold tops and matte black stems) – Tweezers

NOTE: Specimen pins measure about 1.5″ long, which extends beyond the shadow box frame’s glass. If you’d like to keep your final piece under the glass, you can use another type of shorter pin or cut your specimen pins down with jewelry wire cutters.

1. Cut the flowers close to the base. I experimented with a lot of different flowers, and found that small, thinner flowers that could lay flat worked best for pressing. Thicker, larger flowers took a lot of pressure to flatten and dry. Line a book with parchment paper and place cut flowers on the page without overlapping. Press for two to four weeks until they are completely dry.

Above is a collection of Chamomile, Thistle, pink Astrantia, orange Asclepia, white Veronica, and yellow Kangaroo paw. I have to say that the Astrantia, with their bold gradation of color and symmetrical starburst pattern, are my favorite.

Tip: Try to press your flowers when they are in full bloom to help get the best shape and colors. The colors will fade, but pressing them in the height of their bloom helps. Make sure they are completely dry, too, or they can mold.

2. Cut the paper and foam to frame size using the mat as a guide. Adhere foam to the back of the paper and frame. I used two layers of foam.

3. Compose an arrangement of pressed flowers. Once you decide on your layout, pin flowers in place starting with the bottom layer and working up. Use tweezers to easily pick up the pressed flowers.

Tip: Some of the dried flowers were so delicate that they cracked when pierced with the pins. Layering a small piece of foam just behind the flower as you pin helps avoid cracking and can also aid in adjusting the flowers at different heights on the pins.

[ontrendideas]

A Guide to Buying Bed Linen Online in Australia

In the era of online shopping, purchasing bed linen has never been easier. From the comfort of your home, you can browse through a vast array of options, compare prices, and read reviews before making a decision. For those in Australia, the online market offers an extensive selection of bed linen to suit every taste and budget. This guide will help you navigate the process of buying bed linen online Australia, ensuring you find the perfect set for your bedroom.

Understanding Your Needs

Before diving into the online shopping world, it's essential to understand your needs. Consider the size of your bed and the specific dimensions of the bed linen you require. Common sizes in Australia include single, double, queen, and king. Additionally, think about the material preferences you have. Cotton is a popular choice for its softness and breathability, while linen is praised for its durability and natural texture. Silk and bamboo are other luxurious options that offer unique benefits.

Setting a Budget

Bed linen comes in a wide range of prices, so setting a budget beforehand can help narrow down your options. High-quality bed linen can be a worthwhile investment, offering better comfort and longevity. However, there are also plenty of affordable options that provide excellent value. Consider how much you're willing to spend and explore different brands and retailers that fit within your budget.

Researching Retailers

Australia has a wealth of online retailers offering bed linen. Some popular options include:

Sheridan: Known for their luxurious and high-quality bed linen, Sheridan offers a range of products made from premium materials.

Adairs: Adairs provides a variety of stylish and affordable bed linen options, often with seasonal sales and discounts.

Bed Threads: Specializing in 100% flax linen, Bed Threads offers a range of beautiful and sustainable bed linen sets.

IKEA: For budget-friendly options, IKEA has a selection of bed linen that combines quality with affordability.

Reading reviews and checking ratings can give you a good sense of the quality and customer satisfaction of different retailers.

Considering the Thread Count

Thread count is an important factor when choosing bed linen. It refers to the number of threads woven into one square inch of fabric. Generally, a higher thread count indicates a softer and more durable fabric. However, thread count isn't the only measure of quality. The type of material and the weave also play crucial roles. For instance, a 300-thread count cotton percale can feel just as luxurious as a 600-thread count cotton sateen.

Checking Return Policies

One of the advantages of buying bed linen online is the convenience, but it also comes with the risk of receiving a product that doesn't meet your expectations. Ensure that the retailer has a clear return policy. This will give you peace of mind, knowing you can return or exchange the items if they don't match the description or your standards.

Taking Advantage of Sales and Discounts

Keep an eye out for sales and discounts, especially during major shopping events like Boxing Day, EOFY (End of Financial Year) sales, and Black Friday. Signing up for newsletters from your favorite retailers can also give you access to exclusive offers and early notifications about upcoming sales.

Final Thoughts

Buying bed linen online Australia offers a convenient and diverse shopping experience. By understanding your needs, setting a budget, researching retailers, considering thread count, checking return policies, and taking advantage of sales, you can find the perfect bed linen to enhance your bedroom's comfort and style. Happy shopping!

[hriobzagelthewanderer]

Things Hriob is No Longer Allowed to Do, Revised Edition - Part Quarte

#121 I am a Master of Conceptual and Elemental Magics, especially the Natural elements such as Wind, Lightning, Earth, Wood, and Water. However, no matter how ‘natural’ their existence may be, I cannot cast ‘Bear’ and it is not an element, and no amount of arguing, evidence, or demonstrations will change this.

#122 When courting certain individuals I will remember the following; “Using Protection” means the proper use of contraceptives or barriers during coitus, NOT using wards or other magical means of surviving close proximity to individuals whose mere existence provides a serious hazard to my health.

#123 Just because it is one of the few things that CAN still affect me given my supernatural constitution, and just because she is my friend, does not mean I am allowed to occasionally use Shylow-Venom as anti-anxiety medication a recreational drug for ANY reason on my own person or anyone else’s.

#124 When engaging in Small Talk with Lord Alexander, I am to respect the presence and personal safety of his Steward, Sir Cromwell, by politely avoiding use of the following terms and turns-of-phrase: ‘Splitting Hares’, ‘Hot Crossed Buns’, ‘Hare-Rasing’, ‘Hare Removal’, ‘Careful Hop-Timism’, ‘Bad Hare Day’, ‘Hoppily Ever After’, ‘I’m all Ears’, ‘Hare Conditioning’, and any other hilarious bad puns revolving around Lagomorphs in general. Upon further review, Bonnie Kalsang is to be given the extended benefits of this ruling.

#125 I shall remember that ‘Tuning’ is for Musical Instruments, ‘Attenuation’ is for Spiritual and Mystical aspects and machinations, and ‘Vibe Checks’ are for violently percussive maintenance on other people. Just because they SOUND like they’re the same thing doesn’t mean they ARE the same thing.

#126 If I am ever to host a ‘Movie Night’ with my friends/associates/subordinates/rivals/sworn enemies, I will avoid playing the following films for various reasons: Kill Bill, Repo: The Genetic Opera, Shrek 3, Saving Private Ryan, and any historical fiction "i may have been present for when it happened".

#127 I am forever forbidden from doing anything if I am preceding the action(s) in question with any variation of the phrase ‘Hey ___, Watch This!’

#128 I am forever forbidden from officiating Weddings Funerals Birthday Celebrations Coming-Of-Age-Ceremonies Duels Archery Contests Eating Contests Battle Royales Anything.

#129 I am a self-reincarnating Avatar of Life. I, at best, have an understanding with, and at worst, trying relationships with Entities that deeply connect to or convey Death as a Concept. This means that I need to maintain my moral superiority as best I can, which in turn means I should avoid conflict with them… and therefore not try to prank or annoy them.

#130 I am not the Patron Saint of Oktoberfest, no matter how much I wish to be.

#131 I am not allowed to visit Australia, nor am I to confuse it for Austria, be it to mess with other people or try and get around this ruling.

#132 I am forever barred from entering an IKEA store, and am forbidden from chanting backwards in Swedish in any language to assemble disassemble reconfigure rearrange manipulate IKEA-brand any furniture in any way.

#133 I am forever barred from teaching any variety of ‘Shop Class’.

#134 I am forever barred from leading field trips guided tours any sort of group of people for any reason through the following locations: Zoos, Museums, Government Buildings, Anarchist Buildings, Aquariums, Shopping Malls, Alternate Timelines, Alien Planets, Pocket Dimensions, Dimensional Nexus Points, Nuclear Reactors, Industrial Plants, and anything owned by a ‘rival’, ‘nemesis’, ‘adversary’, or any other hostile group or individual.

#135 I am not allowed to appropriate terminology research papers documents artifacts entities employees architecture ANYTHING from the SCP Foundation without due credit at all.

#136 Just because I am now able to transform into certain animals at will, does not mean I get to abuse the ability. This extends to bans against the following: eating my own paperwork and blaming ‘the dog’ on it, attempting to use ‘puppy-dog-eyes’ as a form of negotiation, massively decreasing the local wildlife population single-handedly, and leaving dog hair/fur in unpleasant locations as a petty form of revenge.

#137 I am forevermore banned from playing around with wax, especially heated. This is for my own safety and well-being more than any other reason.

#138 I am not allowed to start my own cult, religion, club, non-profit-organization, or any other form of organized group for any reason, least of all because I need an excuse to change any sort of government-issued id photo.

#139 I am an accomplished Arbormancer, capable of taking living trees of all kinds and fashioning them harmlessly into furnishings or tools, especially magical staves. I am Not, however, allowed to threaten sentient tree-based creatures such as demons, ents, and the like with transformation into such items, nor demonstrate my ability to do so.

#140 Just because some previously-incorporeal people enjoyed my gift of customized living human bodies for them to possess and inhabit, does not mean that Everyone will appreciate such a gift to the same degree. I am not to begin creating such vessels for those I know unless they specifically ask me to, no matter how convenient or helpful I think I am being.

#141 I am forevermore barred from following the ‘advice’ of the maxim ‘Tis better to beg forgiveness than to ask permission’, given that I have by now empirically proven it wrong.

#142 Just because I am a powerful and talented Oathkeeper for pacts and magical deals of all kinds, does not mean I can try and negotiate with children, especially those I am supposed to be babysitting.

#143 No matter how powerful and talented I am with Wood-based, Wind-based, and Ink-based magic, I am not allowed to make magically empowered paper planes and throw them into windstorms of any kind or origin. Not even if the kids ask nicely.

#144 I understand that, given my pact with the Worldspirit Gaia, I am often pulled to act as an emergency agent of their will to stop catastrophic incidents. I understand that, more often than not, those times when a single person is behind the danger, it is someone of necromantic alignment, skills, powers, or so on. Despite this, I am not to complain to them as I try to stop and/or slay them that they remind me of my ex-fiance, no matter how close, depressing, or infuriating the resemblance may be.

#145 I am forever banned from turning any portion of the Halls of the Mountain King into a Ball Pit of any size or depth.

#146 In regards to entry #53, given that I now do offer deals and pacts fairly regularly all things considered, I will remember to try and at least fall mostly in line with the Better Business Bureau’s ethical standards with said dealings.

#147 Given that prior rulings (#42 in particular) have failed, and I am happily sadly considered, among other things, The Wonderful Wizard of Gauze, I shall instead remind myself that flinging bandage wraps at people is not an effective attack. And that, strong as they may be, they cannot support my weight even in bulk - therefore I am forbidden from trying to swing off or around tall buildings with them as my ‘webs’. I am not ‘Spider-man’, and never will be - no matter what I attempt in order to change that.

#148 As an addition to the above ruling, I am to remember that, even if being able to wrap-and-pull items in the heat of battle is a neat and useful utility to have over my adversaries, using the same skill with my ‘bandage shooting’ to grab things around the Halls in a casual setting is frowned upon, even especially if people offer to be ‘test subjects’, ‘training dummies’, or any other kind of volunteer to be ‘shot’ thusly.

#149 Given item #72, I am to extend the same ‘general line of thought’ towards attempting to ‘forcibly evolve things with magic’, or any other medium to attempt the same end result. Spoiler alert: they always turn into crabs. Every. Single. Time. No more crabs.

#150 Just in case, I am forever banned from setting foot within 5 miles of Las Vegas, Nevada. No, not even if the magical forces behind it try to invite me.