#is upcycling still a thing? i think thats what this is

[magicpony45]

So where I left off, I had just finished bleaching my old jacket to a nice white that I was absolutely delighted by, given the color of the original denim. I did notice that it was still a little blue at the seams, and that the thread had not bleached at all, but this didn't bother me and I was kind of hoping it would have an interesting effect on the finished garment

Next is where things get fun. By this point, out of all my ideas, I had decided I was going to dye this beast pink, because I love pink and I need more obnoxiously pink clothes in my life. This was my first attempt at dying fabric myself, so I went online and got a nice sized bottle of fabric dye in a color called petal pink for like four bucks and decided I'd figure it out as I went.

From reading the instructions on the back of the bottle, I had learned two things: one was that I would need about three gallons of water for this jacket, and two was that the water needed to be hot, so I went to fish through the junk in my basement, and pulled out a stock pot my roommate has apparently had for years that I didn't even know I had access to

I was absolutely ecstatic about this because I've always wanted to make my own homemade chicken stock, but alas my hopes were quickly dashed, because my pot sprung a leak 😔

As you can see in that photo, the solution my roommate and I came up with was to shove a cookie sheet under the pot to catch the slow leakage, except the cookie sheet was too narrow for the pot to fit in, so it was leaning at a very safe, very stable, not at all hazardous angle on the edge of the sheet. To make matters worse, there was already plenty of water that had leaked onto the burner and been trapped under the cookie sheet, which made a variety of terrifying hissing and popping noises for me to be terrified over

As you can imagine, this significantly reduced the pot's contact with the burner, so the rise in temperature was very slow. Thankfully, my tap water gets to about 120°F, and the dye bath only needed to be about 140, so I didn't have to wait too long.

So I spent thirty minutes after that hanging out in my kitchen making jacket soup. In hindsight I might have liked to take it out a little sooner for a lighter color, but I'm still satisfied with how it came out.

After washing and drying the now pink jacket, I replaced the buttons with some my roommate had in her massive collection of decades old craft supplies. These new buttons are too big to fit in the holes but I don't care much about that anyway, they look great. I also added a lace trim I found at Walmart to the collar cause I thought it was cute. That brings us to the final product, of which I am very proud

I'd like to kindly thank you for reading this far, and also thank you preemptively for not commenting on my pajamas that are clearly visible in just about every photo.

So I just spent the last several days working on an art project, and I've decided I'll inflict it on all of you, mutuals and random strangers on the internet.

My project began with this very old LL Bean denim jacket I got from a family friend, who claimed she never wore it, and gave it to me after I found it while helping her clean her closet. The original looked like this:

It was quite a bit too big for me, so my first step was to take it in so it wouldn't be so baggy when I wore it. I was kinda winging it on taking my measurements and applying them to the jacket, I kinda just measured what I thought was important and marked it out with a tailors pen on the inside, my marks are barely visible on the photo here

I was playing it pretty fast and loose with how I thought those measurements ought to fall on the garment itself, and ended up just laying on top of it and kinda eyeballing where I thought the bust and waist should be marked.

I took this picture here to show the difference between the before and after of my rough and tumble tailoring job, which I think easily demonstrates probably the only part of this that I considered a serious mistake, and that was using a waist measurement at all. In my mind, a denim jacket shouldn't be form fitting, so what I should have done was measure at the largest part of my chest and let that be the width of the whole body of the jacket so that it would hang loose off my chest in the way I picture in my mind, but I didn't really consider that at the time

I think it was cropping the bottom and leaving it unhemmed the way I did that saved my amateur tailoring abilities, because no matter how strangely it's shaped, a denim jacket with an angled crop will always look cool

At this part of the project, I wasn't totally certain what I wanted to do with it past this point, but I knew that for all the potential ideas I had floating around, it would need to be bleached, so that was what I did next

I bleached this jacket with a 3:1 water/chlorine bleach solution, which I at first thought wouldn't work because the bleach poured straight out of the bottle looked pretty fucked up, it had weird white chunks that concerned me and made me think it was expired

In the end this first mix did remove a significant amount of color, and you can see in this next picture where I was rinsing it in my sink

I found at this stage that it did look nicely acid washed, but it wasn't the crisp white that I wanted. I had only taken it out at this point because my soaking solution had turned a gross orange that I really didn't want to stain the jacket, so I got rid of the first bleach mix, washed the jacket, washed the bucket, and started all over again

This time I used some rocks from my backyard to weigh the whole thing down because it kept floating to the top, which made the lightening very uneven on the parts that were above the water level

In total I'd say the total removal of color probably took about eight hours spread across two days, and at the end it looked like this

I'll be continuing this in a reblog because I appear to have hit the image limit

[justalittlesolarpunk]

so it feels like being solarpunk is ridiculously radical in the best way

like we should destroy the systems that dare make life worse for people and the environment for the sake of a number

but i dont think i can quite match that energy

like i still want to be solarpunk, but everyone feels so intense while i just want to live my life, upcycling clothes and living as sustainably as i can in this day and age

but then it feels wrong to call myself solarpunk, because i havent even started actively protesting and im already exhausted of the sheer scale of both the monster that is modern consumerism and pollution, and of the intensity of people who are borderline ecoterrorists

im just tired and i want to contribute in small ways. can i still call myself solarpunk if thats all i do?

Hey friend! Thanks for getting in touch. For what it’s worth I think solarpunk is a pretty broad movement. There’s room for people who want to smash up oil refineries and people who just want to sit at home sewing their own clothes. If you’re making all the good choices you can within the scope of your own life, then cut yourself some slack, especially if you aren’t someone with a lot of energy to give! The forces we’re fighting are pretty behemoth and it’s ok to feel daunted by them. But remember that you’re not facing this alone. Plus, the little acts like upcycling still contribute to a wider shift. So I think you can still call yourself a solarpunk, but equally it sounds like maybe cottagepunk would be more your thing? It’s like cottagecore but more politically engaged, deliberately environmentally conscious and less romanticised. Maybe do some reading about it and check out its tag on tumblr?

[deutoplasmic]

MAME LMAOOOO hes gunna be like “oh my god theyre alone in the bedroom what are they doing” then he hears angry yelling turns out takeru just red shell’d you in mario kart right before the finish line and now youre at his throat (he kisses you as an apology BUT MAME DOESNT NEED TO KNOW THAT!!!!)

AAAAA HOPELESS ROMANTIC FENGFAN,,, oh my god imagine that pumpkaboo is like. the smallest size. and you nickname him 小凡 because his face is exactly like fengfan’s when he pouts ☹️ and fengfan cant even feel mad that hes being teased BECAUSE HES ACTIVELY TRYING TO STOP HIS BRAIN FROM MAKING WEDDING PLANS LIKE WDYM YOU NAMED HIM AFTER ME-

LMAOO RUKI BEING A DORK AND HIS MEOWTH TRYING TO HELP,,, you glance over at his rapidash making heart shaped hoof marks in the grass for your rapidash. and you realize. you and your rapidash both seem to like losers

CRAFTY AYANE IM GUNNA CRY THATS ADORABLE 🥺 HER AND HER AMBIPOM AND SMEARGLE ALWAYS AT WORK MAKING AWESOME NEW STUFF FOR EVERYONE and omg i can picture the jars already. they have a little tag for his brand and a teddiursa charm HFNFHFNFHD

LMAOLDJDKD yea junki and ayuta are definitely the types to have an encounter with some otherwordly pokemon like. you show junki an ultra beast and hes like “oh yea i think ive seen that one before flying past my house!!” and youre like WHAT

KYO’S LOVE LANGUAGE IS FOOD FRRRR LIKE YOU WANT A CASTELLIACONE?? WELL GUESS WHAT I KNOW SOMEONE WITH SOME and omg frigibax and bergmite beef,,, literally will be fully evolved and still gnawing at each other

LMAO SHO WOULD JUST SMILE LIKE AN IDIOT WHEN HE SEES THE GIRL HE LIKES PLS he like. devolves into himbo mode its adorable and he gets so giggly and you dont even realize its because of you!!!

AN EMOTIONAL SUPPORT MINUN YOURE SO RIGHT and omg i can already imagine her gym like its a repurposed factory and the obstacles add to the battle,,,

LMAOKFJDJD mechanic hiroto all grimed up tho,, but yes takumi is absolutely. lost. like hes just happy to be here following you around like a puppy

AUDINO KOSHIN WOULD BE ADORABLE OMG he would also love a jumpluff that he got from sho i think

LOOOOOL mame and jin are literally the epitome of the we're so back/it's so over meme... they're just hoping for a permanent win. but maybe they'll have to wait another century of you two (just takeru) flirting around .......

that would be so perfect LMAO he's been more out of it recently so you're like fengfan what's going on and he's like uhhh um what'd you say now and you're like ok............ he's up to smth

not the juxtaposition between you two and your pokemon horses LOOOOOL they truly do take after their trainer.... except i think ruki is less courageous than his own pokemon 🤣

YES OMG they have an art studio and she's determined to master the art of pottery.... maybe she'll go over to ran's gym and see if she can spare any metal...... probably loves upcycling stuff into cool things........ AND AHH!!!!!! YOURE SO RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!! the imagery is crazy

omg you're like omg kartana is so cool and he's like wait huh what is a kartana and you show him. and he's like. WAIT i've SEEN one flying outside before!!!!!!!! truly a junki moment

it is totally beyond you how so many people he knows LOL if he wants to keep things warm he's got like a darumaka friend so your food options are truly unlimited....... and yeah LOL they'll constantly be trying to intimidate each other

oh yeah you have no idea whatsoever. you kinda just assume sho's a kind of shy guy and don't think too much about it but . its only around you apparently according to like your friend shosei but who knows.....

YEHA OMG her gym badge is made of a bunch of shiny bronze cogs with a red crystal inside the colour of her scizor........

YOURE SO RIGHT sho's backyard probably has an endemic of skiploom so he's like hey you can absolutely catch one if you want and koshin's like. well. if you do say so then

[rikasfundingassociates]

[Found Chatlog] The Actor.

This interview originally took place on February 10th, 2023.

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As always, the screen quickly illuminates, revealing quite the sight to you. The room shown is one decorated in various plants that tangle themselves all around, yet despite that, don't make the scenery appear cluttered or messy. A vanity mirror rests in the center and the light from the large window behind it illuminates the room in a bright, natural glow. A soft mix of piano and lofi plays in the background, encapsulating the peaceful atmosphere that encompasses the entirety of the room. A slim figure dances alone by themself to the music, soft laughter falling from their lips. Their clothes are well put together in an upcycled amalgamation that feels both comfortable and stylish.

They do a small spin, turning around to finally face you. When they notice you finally, a small gasp sounds from their throat. A hand raises to their lips, brushing over them as they turn up in a joyous smile.

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[ACTOR]: oh my gosh !!! I didnt even see you come in- Hi there!!

hello actor! how are you

i'm doing great !!! <3 its been such a beautiful day today, the plants love it

Plants? :0

yes!! have all sorts... I got into taking care of them when I started living on my own.

pronouns

she/they!! would like it if you use both <3

we should kiss

Oh my... how forward! very cute ^^ i'm flattered

what things do you like to do

first date ?! oh how endearing. as for things I like to do... stargazing and designing clothing...

what genre of movies do you usually act in?

acting-? Oh! i'm sorry. I don't actually act

holds your hand

do you have any kins and if so who’s the highest

kins...? i think i've heard [HACKER] talk about those..? i'm not completely sure what that is though^^

what flowers do you want at our wedding

flowers... i've always had a fondness for lillies, I suppose

based as always my dear

based! Oh I know that one... thank you very much, darling <3

whats your job then?

welll, I used to model!!! butt I tend to just stick to designing clothes... nothing big but i've still retained a lot of my follow base

is there anything you have been enjoying recently

,,,is it silly of me to say cartoons? I have been really enjoying a few series lately

oh, nicee! what type of cartoons? puppy and cat? insider job? etc?

I enjoy cartoons that are more fitting for "children" ,, like the owl house..

is there any nickname we can? or can we make something up like daisy?

A nickname..? i guess... Actor works, but given what I said thats a bit dishonest, right? So you may call me what you like ^^

how do you like your work ?? does it ever get stressful?

it would be very dishonest to say no ^^ It does, sometimes, but i think all things do at a point. sometimes I just have bad days I suppose. Although I've been much happier after moving away from modelling. the work itself is quite nice... I get to help people feel pretty

Actor, who do you like best out of your group? Like hacker or the gamer? Any you’d call your bff of sorts?

It's hard to pick a favorite of friends, love them all... but best friend? ...Maybe [HEIR] ... we have some history together ^^ at least in my eyes

Do you kiss girls

I'm not kissing any at the moment... but yes, i kiss them^^ pretty exclusively, too

Do you have a favourite place to go to? Somewhere where you feel super comfortable or just like the things available there?

hm... is it plain to say I like the park? It's very calming to sit around the greenery...

What about outside whatever country you live? Like your go-to fav vacation spot? Do you like visiting the parks there too :)?

i haven't travelled in some time, but I enjoyed rome while I was there... parks aside, the architecture was beautiful..

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Messages beyond this point were lost. Transcript provided by [UNKNOWN].

[ganjastrology]

Venus in Gemini 2020 - How Ganja Babes Do Retrogrades

venus entered gemini and will be chilling with her for a while*. the first month she’ll just be doing her regular thing, but then she’ll swing backwards or *~retrograde~* around mid may for about a month and a half and that’s gonna be “interesting” . after that she does this cute thing called a shadow period where she starts going forward again and getting back to her regular business. after about a week, the gemini chapter ends and she heads into cancer.

*(entered on 4/3/20, will retro 5/13/20, go direct 6/25/20, shadow period till 7/29/2020, leaves for cancer 8/7/2020)

heres whats happening with your sun moon and rising if you’re a hot girl who smokes weed (which I know is the majority of us 💚)

aries - she’s in your 3rd house. expect some dope convos with ur squad. smoke them out. catch up on some homework together. when she retrogrades, there’s a risk of miscommunications (even tho these aren’t always necessarily bad). watch ur deadlines. u can read old texts if u want but u know the risks going in. once she starts going direct, u can clear up any friction with people, & expect some super happy random memories to resurface.☎️

taurus - she’s in your 2nd house. good time to lean into some kitchen witch stuff, smoke and try some recipes, or a new cute fitness routine. you have online shopping energy, everything looks like it was made just 4 u. honestly it is a pleasant time to treat yourself. when she retrogrades, don’t freak out but you might low key be a lil broke. thats ok bc as long as you keep a weed stash u can stay cute and comfy. when she goes direct again, money stuff will sort itself out. focus on your physical health.🛍

gemini - she’s in your 1st house. ur gonna be feelin extra cute. everything will look good on u. it’s a good time to smoke and try some looks, have a lil 80s fashion montage and stare at ur self in the mirror for a little while. when she retrogrades, things might not feel quite as cute but rest assured it all definitely is. consider revisiting some clothes you haven’t experimented with in a while. upcycle some of them into rags or other things. when she goes direct again, you’ll be leaning into an updated, more refined aesthetic. a glow up, if you will.👩‍🎤

cancer - she’s in your 12th house. time 4 naps, baths, incense, meditation, and of course, water pieces such as your bong or bubbler. there’s general desire to enjoy ur alone time. maybe if you don’t usually get to spend time with just u and ur thoughts. an opportunity 2 do so presents itself. when she retrogrades, expect some extra happy sleepy hazey vibes. be careful that other people’s vibes aren’t influencing yours too much. as a matter of fact, *watch* the vibes of those around u. be selective abt who u share ur weed with. when she goes direct again, you will be a well rested baby. your boundaries and patience may have been stretched little but u come out the other side stronger and cuter.🎏

leo - she’s in your 11th house. your social media presence is cute af, and u can be assured that u are loved by a squad. ur future is looking bright, no matter what u choose to do with your time rn. hit your bong and let yourself dream about your long term goals. its vision board time bb. when she retrogrades, you might have some temporary setbacks to one of your longer term goals try not 2 get pessimistic abt the future. your goals might change after you get some new info. when she goes direct again, your life vision is updated, its ~cuter~, if you had any messy vibes during the retro period, you bounce back and build confidence in doing so. ur doing amazing, sweety. 🔮

virgo - she’s in your 10th house. your neighbors who see u occasionally thru the windows and at the grocery store think you are soo cute. and they are correct. your life aspirations are looking super promising, and you can build up whatever life u want for yourself. when she retrogrades, you do run the risk of feeling less cute than u actually are. someone might recognize or see you when ur not feeling quite ready to be seen, but pls rest assured that you are always probably cuter than u feel. don’t let anyone hate on your dream life building process. when she goes direct again, you might be a little more ok w being seen & letting your aspirations b known. pack yourself a nice reward bowl and take a selfie.🎀

libra - she’s in your 9th house. perfect time to become pen pals with someone imo, u know you’ve got cute handwriting. bless your school supplies w ganj smoke. stuffs starting to really “click;” whatever you’ve been studying is getting a new *~look~*. consider getting a cute new journal. when she retrogrades remember to check on your school work, and any adventure plans u may have had. u might experience some mental roadblocks which lead you to new way of seeing something. when she goes direct your perspective on your life will be different; good different. take a nice long stoned walk with a cute mask on.📬

scorpio - she’s in your 8th house. we both know it’s time for a closet purge. Get rid of whatever isn’t working anymore. clean ur sex toys. have some edibles and update your collection of nudes. when she retrogrades, u may find yourself missing ur old things but that’s ok, things change. u might start feeling hyper critical of ur nudes but remember that you are still that bitch. when she goes direct, you, friend, are on the verge of a total aesthetic rebuilding. a change from the inside begins to show itself on the outside. your confident sexy energy has returned.📀

sagittarius - she’s in your 7th house. ur collabin’ on projects with ur friends, ur doin the zoom coffee dates, ur smokin out the squad, u already know everyone loves u. when she retrogrades, an old life character returns, maybe someone who hasn’t crossed your mind in a long time. someone whose dms you slid into out of boredom might reach out to you. are these good things? idk bb follow ur heart! when she goes direct, u might b letting someone go, or sweetly reconnecting with someone, probs a little bit of both both. someone’s place in your life is getting a lil bit of a downgrade and making room for someone else’s upgrade. it’s a different vibe but u make it work.🤹‍♀️

capricorn - she’s in your 6th house. as we already know, you have been organized, meals have been prepped, groceries are shopped, you are rolling with things. if you haven’t already, now is a super cute time to start, or revisit a bullet journal for even more cute daily brain organization. sometimes i like to smoke and try out different layouts and i think u would too. when she retrogrades, any existing routines you’ve created for urself might get a little disrupted and have to change a little (this could apply to school, work, whoever you live with, anything day 2 day). rest assured that no matter what you will be able to keep things cute. when she goes direct again, you life’s order should b restoring itself, and any errands you’ve been behind on will be caught up so dont even worry. breathe&take a hit.🎸

aquarius - she’s in your 5th house. creative projects you’ve got going on are about to go swimmingly. ur lil brain is probably just bursting with dope ideas and i am proud of u. this is a very sexy time period, perfect for spending time experimenting with edibles. when she retrogrades, you might feel a little bit of insecurity regarding your creative endeavors, maybe just a lil loss of confidence for whatever reason. consider looking back thru your old stuff, old art pieces, old music you’ve made, anything you started or finished, and I bet its actually pretty dope and cool. when she goes direct again, you can expect to be finishing a project up and maybe even have a cooler one lined up who knows. some of that natural aquarian confidence will come back, much to ur loved one’s delight.🎈

pisces - she’s in your 4th house. try to reconnect with your family of choice. even just a casual text. ur inner child will feel pretty content and chill. being at home will feel extra cozy and nice. hit your bong whilst wrapped in a blanket and watch a cartoon. when she retrogrades there might be some fam drama, even if it doesn’t necessarily revolve around u. you might something find offsetting your comfort zone or challenging some of ur boundaries. remember not to let anyone mess with u bb. when she goes direct again, expect some healing within your fam unit. Some nice happy memories return will come to your mind’s forefront.🧸

hope ur high right now bb sweet dreams♊️💕🌿🌸🌺🍣♊️

[idio-cies]

Right, I need to go on a rant because lockdown is still getting to me and I am fed up with the same comments I hear every time I allude to my sexuality (mostly ace) towards my family.

So story time: today my Nana was showing my mum about princess Gertrude or something being married in an old Ball gown of the Queen's and how it was altered a bit and as an a fly away comment of me being pedantic I said "having a wedding dress is over-rated anyway" to which my mum gave a mock shocked face saying that of course I would say something like that (My family joke about me being cold-hearted as I don't cry at sad films or books, and can just lack empathy to certain things). So I laughed to continue the joke but what I intended was that you know why a dress? Women can be married in suits or two-pieces if they wish? Like what's the fuss. Oh hell, the men could wear flounces! Also upcycling yay for the environment! So I continued, starting to say the colour, my mum saying about how my older sister will be in Ivory and I said "Come on, that's off white! But I mean Chinese get married in red" and she continued "in India they get married in all sorts of colours" and I said "exactly! Why white?" And she said before I could continue "I suppose you would get married in black" so I scrunched up my face and said "if I ever get married" and then came the usual "you might not say that as you get older" you know. That golden nugget of a line that is told to many people who are aro/ace or whatever the identify as. Some people just do not wish to be married. I also said "whats the point in having a dress you only wear once, anyway" which, as I expected was returned with "you could pass it on to your children". My mum continued saying how her best friend used to think like me and now is married and has had two children, then she left to go do something. My Nana then joined in saying how I don't want to not give my mum grandkids, to which I shrugged, she continued saying how what if my husband didn't wanted kids what would I do then? This is when I started to get mad but with this situation I always try and brush everything over considering I know from experience how things will go (will get brushed with the aforementioned comments, stereotypes etc). So I shrugged and said "well then it wasn't meant to be" in my head I was thinking what if I don't want a husband, what if I have a wife, or a partner who identifies as non-binary or genderfluid? What if I just never marry, or just live the rest of my life with my friends? What if, if I do change my mind about kids, I adopt. But I couldn't say that. My nana continued by saying "well, I guess you wouldn't marry if that was the case" and I'm just sat there stewing.

See, my problem here is that my parents certainly are more liberal, and the reason why I make jokes that allude to me being ace is because they have also made jokes about saying how they probably will never have grand kids, or that I don't go for that sort of thing and I had hope. My sister is a lesbian and they knew for ages and still love her and want the best for her, but my mum never understood why my sister was so hesitant to come out and I explained to her how people coming out always have that fear, that even if their parents or their friends are liberal, they still may not be fully accepted for who they are. Plus, my sister has had bad experiences with friends being homophobic or use her in the face of her coming out, but my mum took this explanation as me hiding something about myself.

When I had my first boyfriend a year ago my mum thought the perfect time to bring up sex would be as she placed food in front of me. I legit choked on my food and as she continued I had to tell her right there and then that I believed myself to be ace and she had nothing to worry about and she didn't understand, so I had to explain. This was the first proper time I heard her deflect that "I might change my mind". When I stayed overnight at his, my dad was teasing me asking whether I needed rubbers and kept on asking me. The thing is, it was always jokey but I'm pretty sure he was concerned. Then my sister thought more happened between him and I when he broke up with me, indicating that we probably had sex, because of how upset I was over it all. I'm pretty sure a couple of my friends thought that too. However, one of my friends said what I was thinking which was that part of the reason why he broke up with me was because I wouldn't have sex with him which was the case considering when I told him that my dad joked about getting rubbers he asked me if I did all excited and I said no with a confused expression like "we've been over this, I thought you understood" and he looked away disheartened with an "oh" thats when I think I knew this wasn't right. To be fair I should've known about "oh, so you're a celibate" and loads of other things like believing I liked something when I didn't or I wasn't sure so ¯\_ (ツ)_/¯ I was young and it was my first boyfriend so you know, I was naive. The reason why I was so broken-hearted was because I'm pretty sure it was because I was ace, and because of that I felt like I would never be loved, or respected. What's more is he tried to take advantage of my friend when they were together whilst she was drunk! So he is just a huge dickhead anyway.

Anyways, I guess for my grandparents to understand is trickier and as far as I'm aware they don't know that I said to my mum who probs told my dad that I'm ace. I always get told that they won't change. My grandad I think still believes my sister isn't fully gay by the fact that he refuses to say "girlfriend" and also slander her girlfriend a bit, and he never believed she showed signs, though why should that matter if she "showed signs"? And my Nana said she did and is a little more accepting of my sister's girlfriend (btw, this is not my older sister who is getting married). I hate being told that people who are older (especially my grandparents) won't change their minds or see things differently. I don't understand how people can go through life like that? But I guess that's because I'm a more open-minded person who makes sure I have several perspectives on certain things.

The thing now though is that I'm scared that I'm under the category of ace where the stereotype is that I'm a robot because I lack empathy and am cold-hearted and such. I know that for my Nana and also for my Nanny that they ended up abandoning their careers for the sake of raising a family and for me, that just feels like an epic loss. I also think that my grandparents first impression of my mum was not approving as she had a baby when she was 20 out of wedlock and had an abusive partner.

After this spiel, if you are still with me, I just want to let you know that this is life is complicated. Heck, I even queried about my best friend being ace, but I think that is because I never thought someone so close to me could have the same feelings about that topic and also because I am constantly questioning myself, probably because I have had "oh, you may change your mind when you're older" most of my life. Oh, I know I could, but for what feels my entire life (when I gained consciousness of myself and was making choices for myself without having this stereotyped life conditioned in my brain) was that I never personally want to have kids. Ever. I understand I may change my mind and if I do I will adopt because I would like to think that I could make a child's life better, and also we have a dense enough population as it is. I do not care if I have a partner with me in my life. I can quite easily get by independently in life. I'm not adverse to having a partner, whoever/whenever/and whatever status it may be.

What I find hilarious though is that I'm very nonchalant about my sexuality, but I do not wish to tell my gay sister that I am queer on some scale. She has had too many run-ins of me slipping to say that I'm not straight or my friend legit said a joke about how my hair is as straight as me (it's curly) because I have made that joke around her before about myself. TERRIFIED. She has jokingly confronted me about it as well and I remained nonchalant as I always do.

So I guess what I'm trying to say that even though people can be liberal in mind, it is always tricky to tell your family and (after stereotypes and assumptions have been placed on me) friends. I have even had a friend who told me that basically I wasn't ace sinply because I didn't know how to answer him in something related to do with sex. I AM ALMOST 19, I DO NOT HAVE MY LIFE FIGURED OUT. I AM STILL QUESTIONING MY OWN EXISTENCE LET ALONE MY SEXUALITY/ORIENTATION.

I would love to go through my life with no labels whatsoever. Whether I'm female, that I'm ace, or that I'm most likely pan. I've always been weird with labels. I simply do not care about that, but I also care about it too much. I do not want societal pressure to tell me that I need a partner in my life, that I need to have children in order to be happy and be worth something. That is not what makes a life. I want people to understand this, especially my family, but I'm afraid they won't even if they are aware that they know it's not for all people. The life I want is to be with the people I love and I can trust and engage with. That I am successful and can stand up for who and what I believe in. So this is my message to people out there. Take all the time in the world to discover who you are. Whether you prefer labels for it or not. To not let societal pressure get to you too much. I know it's hard and the nature of the world and its people are complex, but please be true to yourself and I'm sure you will find your people and your way in life.

[meganwontgotoheaven]

Ch 10: When The Monday Gossip Is Glorious

Fandom: Critical Role

Genre: High School AU

Rating: General 

Word Count: 1781

The second day of the festival set up was uneventful and soon enough the entire field went from an empty mid-autumn field to a winter wonderland. Eskil was released from the city jail after an “anonymous” tip came in about a white haired woman but the police were still keeping an eye on him for the rest of the investigation. The worst thing to happen that day was Vex finding out they were being paid in free fair vouchers and not actual cash. Her mood carried over to Monday morning.

“Next time I find an online advertisement for work, I’m checking the payment method first,” said Vex as her and Vax waited for the morning bell.

“Cool it stumpy,” said Vax working on his neglected weekend homework. “There will be other jobs.”

“Fine but when we help with the school Halloween fair in a few weeks things will be different,” she replied.

“Sure they will...wait since when are we helping with the fair,” asked Vax.

“Since I ran into Allura from the student council like ten minutes ago,” answered Vex.

Vax groaned. “That’s who you were talking to. Why do you need to get us involved with school stuff.”

“Well she was putting up fliers and she looked kind of upset,” said Vex. “So i started talking to her.”

“Is she okay,” asked Vax.

Vex leaned in close to her brother. “She’s worried about Uriel, the council president.”

“Didn’t someone try to throw a baseball at his head at the last assembly,” asked Vax.

Vex nodded. “That’s around when it started. Apparently he’s been acting weird. He’s been withdrawn, missing meetings, nobody’s been able to get in touch with him because he refuses to talk with them.”

“Sounds like the ol’ prez has got himself into some shady things if you get my drift,” said Vax tapping the side of his nose.

“No,” said Vex scandalized. “You don’t really think…”

Vax just shrugged as Pike and Grog walked into the room with a Percy in tow. The conversation was dropped for the moment.

~ ~ ~  

In another homeroom Keyleth was busily talking with Tiberius and Scanlan about her own future plans.

“So I already texted Vex and Percy about it but next week over by Crystalfen in the old part of town there's going to be an antiques and oddities market,” said Keyleth. “Want to come?”

“Thats sounds wonderful,” said Tiberius. “I’ll go with you.”

“That part of town smells like sewer refuse and antiques are for old people,” said Scanlan. “Why would we go there?”

“Because it’ll be fun! And it’s not just for old people,” said Keyleth. “I’m looking for fun things to upcycle.”

“And I have a list of rare vintage items I’ve been looking for to add to my collection,” add Tiberius.

“We were thinking of going after school next Friday,” said Keyleth.

“Me and Vax have plans that day,” said Scanlan.

“What type of plans,” asked Keyleth.

“Oh you know, just guy stuff,” said Scanlan evasively.

“That’s a really vague answer,” said Keyleth.

“It’s not,” said Scanlan.

“Is this something we should be concerned about,” asked Keyleth.

“Probably not,” he replied.

“Workes for me,” said Tiberius. “Now did you study for the history quiz? Because I have some last minute review questions.”

“Of course,” said Keyleth.

~ ~ ~  

History was boring, so Vax decided to go for a walk instead, making his usual rounds. First he looked in on his sister and the girls in gym class just in time to see Keyleth catch the football two seconds before being tackled by the entire opposing team. Next on his route was the vending machine with the good candy bars. And finally he was off to the front office where he knew he could look through the lost and found without being caught by a teacher.

Ignoring the things that had already been sitting there for weeks he found three new retainers, a Justin Timberlake folder, an ugly orange sweater, and a journal with the name “Gregory” written inside the cover. He decided the journal could keep him entertained in class until he could find its owner and return it.

After that it was back to history class.

~ ~ ~

Seventh period brought more news to the ears of Vox Machina. While Percy and Tiberius listened and took notes about symbolism in Wuthering Heights Scanlan was scrolling through local gossip blogs. One post caught his attention immediately and he elbowed Tiberius from across the aisle.

“Tiberius look at this,” he whispered.

Tiberius side glanced at the phone in Scanlan’s hand. On it was a headline reading “Dread Emperor: Little Emperor Day Camp Caught In Child Slavery Ring.” Tiberius’ eyes widened in realization.

“Oh my god we worked there,” Tiberius exclaimed under his breath.

“I know,” Scanlan whispered back with as much surprise.

“Whats going on,” asked Percy noticing his friends agitation. Scanlan turned the phone towards him.

“Over the summer we worked there for like a week,” Scanlan explained. “We quite because the owner was super sketchy. And because Keyleth dropped a kid but that’s a different story.”

“You know, Pike was talking about possibly looking into the owner’s background and maybe talking to someone about him,” said Tiberius.

“I think she did eventually tell the police about her suspicions,” said Scanlan. “Apparently she wasn’t the only concerned civilian.”

“Good god what is the world coming too,” mumbled Percy.

“I for one am glad we quite and the place is shut down,” said Tiberius.

The three boys nodded their heads in agreement and returned there attention to the lecture.

~ ~ ~                

    The twins had last period together just as they did first period. And much like first period Vex listened attentively and took notes while Vax only half paid attention. He was idly flipping through the journal he found in between listening about chemical bonds. He nudged his sister.

“Hey remember our conversation this morning,” he whispered.

“Sure. About Allura and Uriel,” she replied.    

“Well check this out,” he said sliding the journal in front of his sister. It was open to the last two entries which read:

“Sep. 9 First assembly of the year. Class representatives were announced and I am once again representing my class. Someone attempted to hit president Uriel while he was on stage. I have my suspicions on the culprit.

Sep. 8 Today I spoke with Krieg about the assembly incident. He said some interesting things but I think he knows more than he is letting on.”

“Where did you get this? Is this someone’s diary,” asked Vex.

“Don’t worry about it,” said Vax.

“Creep,” was Vex’s only reply.

“Takes one to know one,” he said. “But isn’t it weird we were just talking about this? We should find this Krieg kid.”

“Did you even look at your ballot for council elections,” asked Vex.

“Um, maybe,” he replied. Vex rolled her eyes.

“He’s our student council secretary,” said Vex. “He’s the really cute one.”

“Oh yeah, him,” said Vax putting the pieces together. “We should investigate him.”

“So, stop by the school store after class,” Vex suggested.

“Perfect,” Vax said.

~ ~ ~

“Oh, Percy,” called Vex as she slid up to his locker.

“Hello,” he said. “Are we ready to leave already?”

“Not quite,” Vex said. “Have you been to the school store yet?”

“I’ve passed it,” he replied.

“Well today you get to see it up close,” Vex said as she began to lead Percy down the hall.

The school store was originally nothing especially fancy. It was a small recess in the wall with a counter running across the front with items displayed under the counter glass and along the wall behind it. However it was clear that whoever was running the store had put a lot of time and care into the stores presentation. The display cases were lined with purple fabric and the wall hung with fabric and beads all done in a way meant to display the merchandise in the best possible way.

Outside the store Scanlan could be seen talking to a horrified looking Keyleth and Pike while Vax leaned on the counter and talked with the dark haired boy behind it.

“Percy, this is Gilmore. He runs the school store,” introduced Vex. “Gilmore, this is Percy.”

“It’s nice to finally meet you,” said Gilmore, extending his hand. “Vax has told me much about you.”  

“All good things I hope,” said Percy taking the offered hand.

“Don’t worry he hasn’t told me anything too scandalous,” said Gilmore. “Now, pleasantries aside I believe  you have business with me.”

“We do. Let’s start with what I ordered a few days ago,” said Vax. Gilmore crouched down behind the counter to retrieve something.

“Gilmore’s quite the businessman,” said Vex. “He sells much more than school supplies and merchandise.”

“That’s right. I can get you just about anything you need for a good price,” said Gilmore coming back up. “I’m even willing to procure some less than legal items just for VM.”

Gilmore gave Percy a sly smile and to Percy’s relief placed two bootleg video games on the counter in front of Vax. Vax slid them into his bag and replaced them with cash and a journal. By this time the rest of the group had gathered around them.  

“Gilmore, what can you tell us about this Gregory kid” asked Vax.

Gilmore picked up the journal and began scanning through the pages.

“Oh yes, I know who this is,” he said. “But if you were looking to talk with him you’re out of luck.”

“Why’s that,” asked Keyleth.

“Well because he’s mysteriously disappeared,” answered Gilmore. “He just stopped coming to school one day. According to the more credible rumors  some say he very suddenly transferred out but others say he was unfairly expelled.”

“Expelled for what,” asked Pike.

“That’s the mystery of it. According to everyone he was a good student--got straight A’s was involved in student government, never been in trouble,” answered Gilmore.

“Do you think he could have been framed for something by someone, like i don’t know, Krieg maybe,” said Vex.

“That’s a weird person to suggest,” said Gilmore. “But i agree that if he was expelled there was probably foul play involved.”

“But not by Krieg,” continued Vex. “Have you ever talked with Krieg?”

“I haven’t. He seems very charming from what I’ve seen but I haven’t heard much about him,” said Gilmore. “Is there anything else I can help with.

“Thanks Gilmore, but I think that’s it,” said Vax. “I’ll see you in class tomorrow.”

“Naturally,” Gilmore said with a small wave as the friends began the walk to the parking lot. They had some things to talk about and plans to make.

[lovediva013]

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[anniecarm]

Interview

I went into a new vintage store in my neighborhood and spoke with a girl who turned out to be the district manager for all three of NYC’s Flamingo vintage stores, a chain started in Spain that sells vintage clothes by the pound. Her name is Breana and she looked to be around my age, had on a vintage bomber jacket and glasses. We sat down next to the dressing rooms and I helped her hold scarves as we talked.

In the interview, she often refers to her boss as he, so if you see her mention he, that is who she is speaking of. 

After the interview, I thanked her for speaking with me and went back home. About an hour later I went out to grab some takeout from a Mexican restaurant down the street and she was also getting food from there which was funny and made us both laugh. Here is our conversation inside of the vintage store:Annie: Alright! So, what’s your name?

Breana: Breana

Annie: Breana

Breana: Yes

Annie: Where are you from?

Breana: I’m originally from Jersey, I actually still commute here, an hour and a half everyday.

Annie: Where in Jersey?

Breana: Leonia, it’s real small, it’s like a one square mile town, but it’s in Bergen County so it’s like right over the bridge.

Annie: Thats cool. Did you like live your whole life there?

Breana: Yeah pretty much but I went to school, I went to college in New Hampshire and then I used to live in Florida and now I’m working in New York and I studied abroad in Italy, so it’s like...everywhere.

Annie: That’s so cool

Breana: It’s actually really nice there.

Annie: What was your favorite place that you were living besides Jersey?

Breana: Definitely Florence. Living in Florence was...for four months...was amazing. I got to go to Croatia,Germany, Barcelona, Portugal..it was beautiful and lively.

Annie: It’s so nice to be able to travel, especially during school.

Breana: It’s like my biggest recommendation for anybody that's in college I’m like, you have to study abroad. I don’t care where you go, you have to do it. It’s so different, you come back like a whole different person.

Annie: How did it, like, change you? Just like perspective-wise or?

Breana: Honestly it’s actually really funny, when I went to Barcelona for my birthday last year I bumped into the Flamingo store that’s over there (where she works)

Annie: Oh wow!

Breana: Yeah, cause there’s 34 stores there.

Annie: Okay

Breana: And I remember being like oh how cute, this is so nice, I wish we had this here, graduated, and then out of nowhere we had like three of them popped up here.

Annie: Yeah

Breana: I was like..what?? And then I understood the concept from being abroad and there was out like a bunch other by the pound places and I don’t know, I guess I just like globally the business was just like so much better over there and it made more sense than how like some businesses are here and I think that’s like what attracted me most. Was that like, everyone is so open minded over there, everyone’s like open to new ideas and that’s kinda how this company is too.

Annie: Yeah, I feel like a lot of people say that New York and New Yorkers and stuff and the people living here are open minded, but you feel like people over there are more open minded?

Breana: Yeah for sure, like I could have intellectual conversations with people and like we could disagree on things like politically, globally, whatever it is,  and I can like know that it won’t end in a fight or it’s like ‘okay we’ll agree to disagree’ and then we’ll still go and have dinner or something. But talking to people in New York, it’s kind of like one way or the highway.

Annie: Yeah

Breana: You know what I mean with certain things? And then people get real touchy, real angry, really fast I just feel like abroad everyone's so, *sighs* like relaxed and like calming and stuff like that.

Annie: I feel like that’s also like Italy a lot as well, 

Breana: Yeah

Annie: People are so easy going there, it’s very high strung here.

Breana: Everything is about food over there, which I’m for!

*both laughing*

Breana: So it’s amazing and dinner there, you’re there for like three hours for dinner, but you learn so much and everything is fresh and homemade, I don’t know, I think I just like that aspect to, being out there, everything is so fresh and so like, not focused on fast food.

Annie: I get that, so how long have you been working here?

Breana: The stores, I’ve opened up all three, so I’ve been here for...three months now ‘cause we opened up the first one in the beginning of June, and so I’ve been just working..I opened up Dekalb first, then I opened up Manhattan, and now we’re here on Wilson, this one opened up like three weeks ago.

Annie: Yeah, I haven’t seen it before, my roommate just told me it was downstairs, I was like..wait a minute, i’ve been going to the one on Dekalb this whole time

Breana: Haha, yeah it’s kinda dangerous, not gonna lie, living so close because we’re getting a new shipment in and like I’m doing events and it’s just nonstop. Um.. yeah, so working here has been really cool, but it's definitely hard work, cause we get things by the pound so we get 5,000 pounds of shipment like every two weeks.

Annie: Wow! Who sorts through that, do you have to go through all of it?

Breana: Yeah, we have a basement downstairs in this one and in the one in Manhattan that we kind of, I get them, so we’ll get like 100 pound bales and it will be like ‘crazy jackets’ or ‘brand jackets’ or ‘navaho’ or ‘dresses’, whatever, and then we sort through and we’re like..okay, this bag is for Manhattan, this bag is for Dekalb, and this one bag for Wilson..you know, so...it’s a lot!

Annie: Where do all of those clothes come from?

Breana: So, we source everything from Houston.

Annie: Okay

Breana: Everything comes from Houston, Texas, that’s where he (her boss) went after Spain. He went to Houston to open up a store and a warehouse, then came to New York, and we get everything from there..but he also has a trademark deal,so all the stuff on the wall is like super super vintage. We trade American vintage with other countries for their vintage.

Annie: Woah, that’s so cool, how did he set that up?

Breana: That, I’m not sure how he accomplished that, but I know that it all started when he was in Spain and I guess he just kept those connections and network and when he came to Houston, it was the same thing. So like all the Japan and Korea jackets, those are all souvenir jackets from the war.

Annie: Woah, that’s incredible!

Breana: And then like, some of the items that you see that say like recycled on it, that’s him and his wife taking materials and like recreating and like upcycling some of the jackets.

Annie: That’s amazing, and where are they from?

Breana: They are from spain. They are the cutest, the owner, his wife, the two kids, like super tatted like really artsy people. The little girls are adorable.

Annie: Where do they live?

Breana: They live here, they live in Bushwick now, but I don’t know if they are going to stay for long. They’re in Miami now and it looks like they’re loving it *laughs*

Annie: Do you think they are going to open up stores in Miami?

Breana: Yeah, he just had his first one, the grand opening was yesterday, actually, for the Miami one in Windwood, and I have a feeling it’s gonna go really well and he’s gonna want to open another one there and then it's like I’ll just be able to run the three, which I’m not complaining about.

Annie: How do you like running them? Like what do you have to do?

Breana:It’s um, it kind was thrown at me like last minute and it was like ‘okay, now you’re a district manager’ and I’m like...I just graduated school, like what are you saying! Um, but it’s scheduling, it’s doing the payroll, it’s hiring, unfortunately firing, it’s uh, making sure everything is all set you know? Like the Manhattan location is the smallest one we have and there’s like a weird creaky door, so I’m kind of like a handyman at the same time, like I’ll go and like fix things up or I’ll go get change for the store or supplies, um, I’ll cover breaks for people, cause sometimes they do double shifts and they need like an hour break and if I’m around, I’m just like ‘yeah, go for it’, if the other person isn’t in yet. Um, for this location...I’m mostly downstairs sorting through the clothing cause we still have a lot and um, I have to sort through them, I have to see inventory-wise, what do we sell the most here, what do we sell the most in Dekalb, what do we sell the most in Manhattan and then how can I up the sales and that’s why I have this event coming up next weekend, so to get more foot traffic in.

Annie: What’s the event going to be?

Breana: It’s Flamingo’s fashion weekend, in a way, and a few of the associates...it’s a way to get to know whose working here, so we’re all dressing up, there’s like three segments..um...my friend’s a photographer and he’ll be here, so if you want like cute pictures, he’ll take them, um and I’m also doing 20% off the entire store, all three locations.

Annie: Are you trying to make me go broke??

*both of us laughing*

Breana: And we’re getting shipment this week! So it’s like new stuff, and 20% off, i’m like..lets go! I had to print out the flyers today.

Annie: Do you find a lot of people like the clothing by the pound system?

Breana: A lot of people come in and they’re like ‘I don’t understand’ and I’m like ‘fruit. Think of it like fruit’ and now we just changed the prices of like our denim stuff and our heavier items, cause we want to make it cheaper, we want to be known for good quality but not like, breaking the bank.

Annie: Right

Breana: So far, it’s going really well, it’s just, we need more foot traffic, people need to know more about us because we are so new, it’s like every person that walks in here is like ‘oh no, i’ve never heard of this place’ or ‘by the pound?! That hasn’t been a thing since the eighties!’ you know, so it’s going well. I think it will really take off come the winter time.

Annie: I think so too

Breana: Heavier items, it’ll be like six month period of us being open, I’m going to try doing events like every month.

Annie: What kind of events do you want to have?

Breana: Um, I kinda want to collab with a lot of other people outside of the fashion world, so I have a friend who is a painter and I was like,‘why don’t we have this promotion where someone buys a denim jacket and you’ll paint on the back of it”

Annie: That’s such a cool idea!

Breana: You know? Something like that and we’ll offer, them like 10% off a denim jacket and you know like half of the money will go to you (her friend) that we make. You know, something collaboration-wise, um..kind of like a Halloween party, something that goes after dark we were trying to see and like set it up where like we’ll have a disco ball and everybody will like buy costumes from the store and we’ll have that, or like a silent disco cause we have the space in this location to do something like that.

Annie: Would you want to get more embedded in the community?

Breana: mmhmm, I definitely do ‘cause beng from Jersey, it’s like I don’t really know much about Brooklyn, or the Lower East, and so spending all my time here I’m constantly like going to random things that I find out around. Like there’s this beer garden that I didn’t know about right by the L train, and I had gone there and I met these amazing people, you know, like musicians and artists and writers and I wanna, for the store’s benefit, get to know all these people in order to collab, to make more of a foot traffic for the store.

Annie: That’s so cool, I think like having events here would be such a good idea.

Breana: It’s like the generation now is so focused on having experiences rather than just blowing money for no reason. They want to come back with a story, they want to come back with memories, they want to post on Instagram and Twitter, and you know, facebook, and I feel like  if I host events, if I set up..I don’t know if you saw the register but it kinda looks like a bar area, so like set up coffe, you know, or like seasonal pumpkin spice or like apple cider, you know, things like that, apple cider donuts...I’m here for it.

Annie: It would smell so good in here, get people to come in

Breana:I want it to be kind of like a safe space you know so like if the weather is really crappy, or you’ve had a hard day, you’re like you know, let me come into Flamingo’s and see the girls. Cause we’ve been a strong team at all locations. So it’s like, especially Manhattan, its so small, but we have people that come in and like just hang out, you know, they’ll just bring us coffees, or you know, want to be like ‘oh why don’t you come to my bar’ and I’ll go get drinks with my customers, it’s crazy but it’s cool because it's so relaxed.

Annie: Do you think that’s like a very New York thing?  That people like to just immediately make friends and go do things?

Breana: Yeah because, at least for me, the Millie’s cuban cafe (cafe near the store and my apt), I’m always there because I’m always on the go and I’m like ‘I need an empanada’ and I go in there now and they already know, you know? They’re like ‘chicken or beef today’  and I’m like, hah this is sad like I keep coming here, but the one girl actually, she’s really cool, I’ll sit down with her and now she wants to come to the store and wants to come to the events so I do feel like it is a very New York kind of thing.

Annie: Yeah, it feels like home

Breana: Yeah

Annie: I always grew up hearing like ‘New Yorkers are so aggressive’ or ‘they’re so closed off’ but that’s not at all the impression that I get here.

Breana: Definitely not in Brooklyn, I don’t think. Everybody in Brooklyn is really chill and really creative and I love that. Same thing with the Lower East side, very relaxed, but I see like, in Times Square, like when you first get here, like even some parts of Union Square, everyone's like really angry, everyone’s like on a mission to get somewhere.

Annie: Working at a vintage store, do you like to get a lot of clothes?

Breana: It’s dangerous, it’s dangerous, I promise you. This jacket, I got it in the Manhattan store

Annie: So cute

Breana: So when we open up the bales, we get to see everything firsthand, and we get 20% off, so it’s like even worse. And I find like Christian Dior polos or like Christian Dior dresses, really dope tommy stuff, hidden gems and it's definitely hard like working here.

Annie: Do you get a lot of designer stuff or is it mostly normal?

Breana: It’s the luck of the draw. Sometimes we’ll get really nice..like even the scarves too, we have like a bag full of specialty scarves, like we’ll just get things from.

Annie: Would you ever see yourself like coming and living out here?

Breana:I’m trying, like I’m really trying to because transportation, especially today on Sundays is like the worst.

Annie: Do you drive?

Breana: Yeah I do, it’s hard because its like $15 for the bridge, like to get in here so it's like $15 every day is like...it adds up. So I usually just spend the money on like a monthly bus pass or a monthly metro card and it’s just better that way.

Annie: I did not realize that it was $15, is that both ways total?

Breana: No, it’s $15 going into the city and then its free to get out of the city.

Annie: What bridge?

Breana: It’s all the tunnels, the Holland tunnel, the Lincoln tunnel, and the George Washington bridge, anywhere to get from Jersey to New York is gonna cost you like 15 bucks to get in.

Annie: Oh my god, that's ridiculous.

Breana: It started at 7 dollars from what I remember when I was little little and it used to be 7 dollars and now its 15 and they’re talking about moving it to twenty.

Annie: That's insane

Breana: yeah

Annie: I drive sometimes from Brooklyn to Connecticut and I think the toll is maybe maximum 5 bucks. Why do you think it’s so much more coming from New Jersey?

Breana: I don’t know because I think it’s the fact that like New Yorkers can get away with that kind of stuff. Like it’s known for being expensive like rent even for a business is sooo much money. I think that’s what it is. Like Jersey is cool, its growing, there are certain areas of jersey that are growing, but I feel like everyone wants to be in New York and they know that, so they’re like ‘let's bump up the prices’ like ‘come to New York, spend your money’ and you’re like ‘crap’. But I am trying to see, like maybe he’ll open up stores in Jersey, so I don’t have to commute that much. There are a few places that definitely this store could work out in there.

Annie: And then that would expand your district manager range?

Breana: Yeah, I’ll be like regional manager now

Annie: That’d be cool!

Breana: It’d be cool! I told them like two stores, just two stores and then, I can do five...I think.

Annie: I think you can handle it, it’s fine

Breana: Its funny cause like everyone's always laugin at me cause you’ll see me constantly, I’m always running around, always like ‘handy manny Bre, like here she comes, to save the day’. I’m like throwing them a pizza party because we made over a thousand at all three locations yesterday.

Annie: Ooo nice!!

Breana: That was my goal, because he's not here so he was like, ‘oh good luck making money without me’ and I was like ‘Haha! I made like 5 grand total from all stores yesterday’

Annie: That’s so amazing

Breana: Yeah!

Annie: So is it mostly female employees?

Breana:Yeah, yeah, it kinda, like I don’t know, a lot of girls come in asking, you know ‘are you hiring?’ and we vibe out. I’m really chill too when it comes to interviewing and, if you have good style, if you know a little about vintage, if you have flexibility, it usually works out. But I don’t know, guys like to shop here, but they don’t want to work. *laughs* We have a guy actually for stock. He’s great. He’s like, lowkey sometimes we don’t even know that Jasons here and like I’ll go downstairs and I’m like ‘...Jason?? When did you arrive?’ and he’ll be like ‘We’ve got shipment in’ and I’m just like ‘okay..did you clock in?’ *laughs*. No but it’s pretty cool and all the girls are like, uh Alexis that was just over here, she rooms with Linda and Lindas coming in at 3 o'clock.

Annie: Oh perfect!

Breana: yeah, so they live together, work together, um the Manhattan store there's two best friends that work together too, from FIT. Everyone has their own style too which I love. Alegra’s very seventies, Omra’s very like punk and grunge and Emmaline's every like 2000s, and it's just like we all have different styles and then you can hear that in the music too and it’s really cool.

Annie: That’s amazing, so like what do you do for music, do you just shuffle random playlists or?

Breana: Yeah it’s kind of whatever you want, we have spotify, and the girls will come in and they’ll just be like, ‘can I play a song?’ and I’m like ‘play whatever you want!’ like ‘play your stations’ as long as it’s not like today’s rap… I can’t do that. It has to match the vibe of Flamingos and Cardi B is not it. But they’ll come in and play anything like this or they laugh when I come in I’ll play like prince. Prince is my life.

Annie: I’ve been listening to Raspberry Beret all morning.

Breana: Ugh! I had that on full blast, literally full blast and like three people came in and they were like ‘I heard prince’...you’re welcome everyone.

Annie: That’s how you get people in the door!

Breana: Exactly. Especially in Manhattan, it's so small, we usually just keep the door open and I’ll like bump my music up cause we’re right next to artists so like they have their little studios and they’ll know when I’m in cause I’ll bump the music and I’m outside just like dancing and people are like ‘what’s going on here’, and I’m like ‘I don’t know, come inside and find out!’

*both laughing*

Annie: What would you describe the vibe of Flamingo as?

Breana: Um, every store is different, which I really like! So the one in Manhattan is more of a coffee shop type. It’s like, we get the same people that come in often, they wanna hang out, it’s really chill, relaxed, not really hectic, it’s kind of like a home. Well actually, Lady Gaga lives on the second floor of that building.

Annie: Oh my god, have you seen her?

Breana: Not yet, but she was talking on an interview not too long ago about how she misses New York and I’m like

Annie: Come to my vintage store!

Breana: Come to my vintage store!! Cause it’s her own home, like we’re right there, so she’d definitely come in and I’d definitely pass out *laugh*

Annie: She’d find some good things though

Breana: Actually on opening day there, I don’t know if you used to watch the show What not to Wear, but the woman in What not to Wear was there on opening day

Annie: Oh my god!

Breana: And everybody I worked with, even the owner, nobody knew and I was just staring at her like…

Annie: like...It’s you! Did she have that signature grey streak in her hair?

Breana: Yeah! Yes! I was like *exhales* ringing her out and just like ‘...here you go’ and she was crackin up cause I was the only one that must have known and she was dying laughing at me

Annie: Just being like ‘please don’t roast my outfit’

Breana: *laughs* I know! I was like, a Flamingo button down right now. But yeah, so that’s how that one is. The one on Dekalb, I think it’s more...a lot of younger girls work there so it doesn’t really feel as vintagey, if that makes sense. It feels more modern but they are so smart. The girls that work in the Dekalb ones like you can go in there and have like the best conversation with them, they’re like so educated on everything. It’s crazy, like I’ll go in there and I’m like ‘Holly, give me a fun fact’ and she’ll just be like ‘oh well…’ and then just go for it. I love it, I love it. It’s like something fun. This one just opened, I’m still kinda feelin it out right now to see, um, this one is kind of like my prized possession. It’s like my baby because because it’s so big amd setting it up was such a hassle. 

Annie: It looks great though!

Breana: Yeah there’s a lot of blood, sweat, and tears that went into making this store. The owner and I, one time I had to let the girls leave at like 5 o’clock and the owner and I stayed until one o’clock in the morning. It was like the night before opening, to make it perfect perfect. I mean like hanging the clothing up, me putting the wooden stuff up where all of the boots are, like nailing the Mexican blankets to the wall.

Annie: How long did it take from like the store being empty until opening day for it to be ready?

Breana: Um...I think it took us, probably 3 weeks and that’s working every day. At least me and the owner, we’d come in and do every single day. I mean I’d get one day off but it was from 10am to 4pm I would have like me and 3 other girls setting up the store and we’re just hanging clothes, hanging clothes, hanging clothes, we didn’t have ac either this summer.

Annie: It was very hot this summer too

Breana: So. Hot. So we have these fans going, we all have earphones in and we’re just working, working, working, working. But it took us three weeks. I think for each location too, and this one, the owner had set up the visuals but in the other two we have visual merchandisers come from Spain.

Annie: Oh wow!

Breana: He flew them out from the Spain stores and they set them up. But he was like, ‘I taught them everything they know, so I’ll just do this one’

Annie: That’s so cool, I love it here.

Breana: Yeah it’s nice, I’m glad we got the couch.

*both laugh*

End of recording/interview.

*Correction: Initially incorrectly spelled Breana is Briana

[caredogstips]

A vegetarian’s ode to the hot dog: I miss you little meat tubes so much it hurts

Madeleine Somerville hates waste and gave up meat 15 years ago, but every summer shes reminded of one thing: no one is too good for hot dogs. Think thats a contradiction? Shes got three words for you: edible slaughter by-products

Ive been a vegetarian for almost 15 years, but I still dream about meat sometimes. I can almost taste it when I wake up. The salty taste of the peppercorn rind on a perfectly grilled sirloin. The subtle sweetness of a hunk of chorizo. At a restaurant a few years ago, I ordered a spicy lentil burger but was accidentally served a real one. I didnt notice until I was halfway through it, and my heart broke a little when the waiter appeared horrified and apologetic to replace it. I still think about that moment. The lentil burger was good, but not meat good, you know?

Its never meat good.

I miss a lot of things about my wild meat-eating days, but I miss hot dogs most of all. To hell with smoked salmon or roasted chicken or filet mignon. I miss those delicious little meat tubes so much that it hurts. And now that were in the middle of barbecue season, my longing is more intense than ever.

To this day I avoid Ikea whenever humanly possible. People think its because I prefer sustainable or second-hand furniture and I do! Oh, I do but mostly its their hot dogs that keep me away. They cost 75 cents. Seventy-five cents. Thats too good a deal to resist. For under five dollars I could buy myself six scrumptious hot dogs neatly nestled into their simple white bread buns, a single squiggly line of mustard adorning each one of their glistening skins. Dont you dare talk to me about veggie dogs. I will happily ramble on about the benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle until you unfollow me on Facebook, but veggie dogs are some real bullshit and everyone knows it.

But Madeleine, you say, hot dogs are disgusting! Theyre filled with lips and anuses!

I see. You think youre too good for hot dogs?

No. No ones too good for hot dogs. Hot dogs are the great equalizer. The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (this is a real thing what a time to be alive!) estimates that Americans eat 20bn hot dogs each and every year. Theyre festive barbecue food, American as apple pie. Theyre a main course for families on strict budgets, like mine was growing up. Everyone eats hot dogs Beyonc eats hot dogs! Heres a picture of Beyonc eating a hot dog. See that look in her eyes? Thats democracy.

And are they filled with lips and anuses? No!

Well, yes. I mean, sort of.

Hot dogs are typically made from offal and trimmings. If you have no idea what that means, thats deliberate. The more precise definition breaks it down thusly:

The raw meat materials used for precooked-cooked products are lower-grade muscle trimmings, fatty tissues, head meat, animal feet, animal skin, blood, liver and other edible slaughter by-products.

Edible. Slaughter. By-products. Are you drooling? What? No, god, me either. Gross.

An investigation into hot dog manufacturing tells me that hot dog makers are doing one of my favorite things: recycling. Upcycling, even! Taking head meat and edible slaughter by-products and turning it into the stuff of dreams. Sweet tasty little temptresses.

Upcycling is so seriously hot right now everywhere you look someones wearing shoes made from scarves, or repurposing mason jars into menstrual cups. Its no wonder that hot dogs, the poster child of making something from nothing (low-grade muscle trimmings!), have grown incredibly popular in the niche food market.

Upscale hot dog restaurants have been popping up in cities all over the world (and I cant eat at any of them). Seattle-based Tokyo Dog offers what may be the worlds most expensive hot dog, a $169 fancy-schmancy version that they serve in a ceramic dish and require you to order two weeks in advance. Not that this concerns me in any way, but I disagree with this on principle alone. $169? This is no longer the food of the people. And who plans to eat a hot dog two weeks in advance? Eating a hot dog is almost always the result of a spontaneous decision, usually one poorly made and quickly regretted.

Also, do you know how many hot dogs you could get for $169 at Ikea?

Two hundred and twenty-five.

Officially, I am a proud vegetarian. Ill tell you things like how pigs are smarter than dogs, chickens have personalities and cows like to cuddle. Officially, I avoid processed food jammed with nitrites and packaged in plastic.

Likewise, if youre barbecuing on the Fourth of July or any other day this summer and hot dogs are on the menu, I officially encourage you to eat something else instead. Quinoa, perhaps. Roasted cauliflower? Grilled caesar salad? (OK, actually try this one its life-changing.)

But its also national hot dog month. And if you dont take my advice, I understand. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. (And tasty. How is it even legal for fatty tissue and animal feet to be so goddamn tasty?)

Go ahead and be like Beyonc. When has it ever been wrong to be like Beyonc? Savour every bite of your offal and trimmings and when you do, please think of me.

Read more: www.theguardian.com

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