#matilda is so nostalgic

[tryingthoughts]

every time i do something for myself that i used to think would be negatively frivolous i like to give myself a little pat on the back. sometimes literally, sometimes in the form of a pep talk, sometimes just really enjoying the thing that i did.

lately it was a knitting pattern for an adorable little frog. once upon a time i used to browse knitting and sewing patterns for hours on ravelry, pinterest etc... i would bookmark patterns so in the future, when i inevitably became more worthy of creating those things, i'd be able to remember what i wanted to make. it was an unreachable idea of worthiness. i had to be in control, know myself inside and out, be an effortless creator, describable as a value in the lives of all id meet. i still have so much fabric and yarn that i would imagine using to make those wonderful things in that future. it became overwhelming to look at those crafting supplies and wonder whether i'd ever reach that time.

i saw someone's pattern of a little knit frog (dotpebbles on Ravelry) and decided that i'd get the pattern and make a little froggy friend for myself. so i did, paid 3 pound for it, and I started to make the pal over the next few days as i watched the new matilda movie musical. now i have a small frog friend, and it felt really "binding" to make. binding in the way that white glue is to paper, pompoms, strings, and other childhood craft pieces.

so yes, go me for creating something again. go me, i did a thing and i enjoyed doing it. go me!

[goldendoodlerlockerlove]

5!

Thank you so much for invading my ask box again, Babs!! I appreciate you so much 🥹❣️

All right, The Cobra is my Marvel WIP (technically WIP even though it's published, because it's unfinished and I haven't been able to find the time to continue it for quite a while). But it's a fic I want to finish someday, eventually, though I don't know when. It's a fic that's very dear to me. It was my first big writing project that I actually published for the world to see, so I love it a lot for that. Okay, buckle up for some lore. I told @koko-raccoon all about my OC, so here's everything I told them:

Her full given name is Lucille Dorothy Barnes, but she goes by Lucy for short, or Luce (She/Her pronouns!! She's a Cisgender Lady :3 Tbh, I like to headcanon her as the type to put Pronouns in her Bio once she gets to the present and has an actual phone and learns how to use Social Media). Anyway, she's Bucky's younger sister, and he's her oldest brother (yes, she has two older brothers and one younger brother. I gave her two additional brothers because according to canon lore, Bucky's supposed to be the oldest of four, even though nothing about his siblings is known in canon).

She and Bucky are 1000% the closest to each other in their family, they were each other's first best friends!! That's the power of sibling love. The two of them eventually meet Steve, and she becomes Steve's bestie as well at the same time that Bucky becomes Steve's bestie. The three of them kind of become a friendship trio, like The Three Musketeers. Oh yeah, and she's also Aro/Ace, but doesn't figure it out until later, because of how taboo being LGBTQ+ was back in the forties. Her being Cis and Aro/Ace is based off my best friend, who is also Cis and Aro/Ace, pffffft (and despite being Aro/Ace, she's one of the most loving people I know).

Anyway, Lucy never gets powers, but does support Steve while he gets the serum, and actually does manage to join the army with him. Even though she's a woman, she still gets in because let's just say that's how desperate they were, lmao. And they also tour together selling War Bonds as Captain America and The Cobra (which eventually becomes her actual superhero name). Then they both get trapped in the ice. I don't know how she survived, because she never got the serum. Let's just say she's built different--and somehow the ice protected her all of those years, I don't know. I don't think I thought about that enough when I wrote it.

Anyway, they wake up in 2012, join the Avengers, and craziness ensues. But the craziest part is reuniting with Bucky, who she thought died all the way back in the forties. She definitely took his presumed death the hardest, she grieved so much. She never really fully recovered from when she thought she lost him. She actually turned to drinking to make herself feel better, it was that bad (she previously never even touched alcohol). And she even cut her long, brown hair and dyed it; it eventually grows back and regains its old, natural color, but it was still a huge, rebellious move for her. She gets even more upset when she learns that Bucky was brainwashed, and he's barely even her brother anymore. But part of her that she thought would never heal heals when Bucky is eventually freed of his mind control and becomes a part of her life again. They definitely become each other's support system when Steve goes back to live out his life in the forties and dies, leaving the two of them (and Sam).

And she's reminded just how fun it is to spend time with her big brother again. She just missed him so much 😭 I like to think that she's also trapped in the town Wanda creates in WandaVision, and actually forgets everything, and Wanda tries to justify it by saying that now she gets to live the life she lost. Very sad stuff. I actually kind of used this fic as an excuse to write a character going through the grieving process, sort of?? It was definitely interesting.

Here's an excerpt of Lucy dealing with grief and turning to drinking as an unhealthy coping mechanism:

When they got back, she turned to drinking. Being drunk erased the pain. It numbed everything. It wasn’t a permanent solution, but it helped. She was old enough anyway. She and Steve sat in the remains of a building, listening to a broadcast.

“Blackout is still in effect throughout the London area. Please wait for the all-clear. Your attention, please. All citizens should remain indoors until further notice. Blackout is still in effect throughout the London Area.”

Peggy suddenly appeared in a trenchcoat. Steve cleared his throat and spoke, his voice sounding rather raspy, “Dr. Erskine said that the serum wouldn’t just affect my muscles, it would affect my cells. Create a protective system of regeneration and healing. Which means I can’t get drunk. Did you know that?”

“I can.” Lucy hiccuped, pouring herself another shot. “It helps with the pain. Physical and mental. Also, Steve, m’pretty sure your metabolism burns four times faster than the average person.”

She heard that her words sounded slightly slurred, but she couldn’t bring herself to care.

“I was just about to say that.” Peggy grabbed a chair and sat beside them. “He thought it could be one of the side effects. It wasn’t either of your faults.”

“Did you read the report?” Steve questioned, probably sounding harsher than intended.

“Yes.”

“Then you know that’s not true.”

She slammed her shot glass on the table, startling Peggy, “I was a coward.”

“You did everything you could,” Peggy assured them. “Did you believe in your friend and brother? Did you respect him? Then stop blaming yourselves. Allow Barnes the dignity of his choice. He damn well must’ve thought you were worth it. Both of you.”

“That’sss Bucky for you.” Lucy’s “s” was slightly drawn out. She laughed drunkenly and then hiccuped again.

“I’m going after Schmidt,” Steve decided. “I’m not gonna sleep until all of Hydra is dead or captured.”

“You won’t be alone.” 

Lucy never forgot those words of comfort.

Here's an excerpt of a small part of WandaVision that I wrote in advance because I got so excited to get to it:

Lucy started to grow angry herself for not being listened to, “What is outside of Westview, Wanda?”

“You know full well what’s out there,” Wanda snapped. “Lucy, I did this for you, too.”

“What?”

“Haven’t you noticed? You’ve gotten to live through all of the decades you never got to experience. You never had to be a hero,” Wanda explained.

Lucy’s hands curled into fists, “I thought you were my friend, Wanda. How could you do this? People here are suffering!”

“You don’t understand.” 

“I don’t understand?” Lucy hit the table with all her strength and started to shout, “I knew damn well what I was getting into when I got into that plane with Steve!”

“You don’t get to make a choice for us, Wanda!” Vision exclaimed.

Also, the best flipping part about this fic is that Lucy is canon is some way thanks to The Falcon and The Winter Soldier!! Sort of. Okay, I still made Lucy up, and Bucky's sister never appears on-screen, so it can be assumed she never made it to the present and passed away at some point. Or he could even be lying. But let me have this!! When my best friend, Matilda, pointed this out, I squealed with happiness so hard.

[hogwartslegacyreactions2]

Hii I just thought of this so no plan just fun, what are the professor's reactions to meeting MC for the first time and seeing a dog with them, somehow by some (alot) of luck survived the dragon attack and the first goblin attack in the bank.

Low key just an excuse to show off my brat girl who gets anxious like me so she's my best friend and I couldn't imagine going away for school from her lol

A/N: you have such a pretty doggo ❤️ I think I'll base her off of D&D familiars

HL PROFESSORS REACT TO MC'S FAMILIAR

The dog that followed MC around everywhere they went was more than just an ordinary pet, she's MC's familiar. This means she's sentient with human-like intelligence (and stubbornness), she could disappear and reappear on command (or at will), they had a special telepathic connection, they could sense each other's emotional state, and MC could see through her eyes at will.

ELEAZAR FIG: He loves her! He bent over backwards convincing the headmaster and deputy headmistress to allow MC to have their familiar around school. He also talks to her as if she'd talk back to him, even though she is strictly connected to MC.

MATILDA WEASLEY: She's very unsure. Familiars are beasts not of this world and can be unpredictable. She's only convinced by Fig getting MC to swear that their familiar will disappear during classes and not to tell anyone else what the dog really is. Now, if they cause trouble of any kind, MC is on thin ice.

CHIYO KOGAWA: She's a little surprised a dog was allowed at Hogwarts, but she doesn't care much. Thinks the dog's cute.

AESOP SHARP: He doesn't allow any pets in his classroom for obvious reasons, but if he sees the dog while out and about, he'll toss her a dried piece of toad meat. He had a dog once upon a time, so he's a bit nostalgic.

ABRAHAM RONEN: He losses his mind every time he sees her. Willing to break the "no dog in class" rule. He must love on and pet her every chance he gets. He showers her with presents; from treats to toys to hats.

MIRABEL GARLICK: She's allergic to dogs. Not too much, but her eyes water when MC's dog is near. She still gives her a pat. Every dog deserves pets.

MUDIWA ONAI: She knew what MC's dog was as soon as she saw her. She gives MC special crystals and herbs. "For meditation. Bonding with your 'dog' is very important, and these will help." She winks.

BAI HOWIN: Dogs are a fairly rare sight in the wizarding world, something is off but she can't quite put her finger on it. She's suspicious of the dog's true nature.

DINAH HECAT: She's glad to see more than just cats running around Hogwarts. Makes the day more interesting. She gives the dog a little pat when she sees her.

CUTHBERT BINNS: Doesn't even notice the dog's existence. Just keeps doing his thing.

SATYAVATI SHAH: She appreciates how well behaved the dog is. She never sees it chasing any of the school cats. Doesn't pay her any mind otherwise.

PHINEAS NIGELLUS BLACK: He's not a dog person. They're smelly, dirty, loud and obnoxiously needy. He was only convinced by Fig convincing him that the dog was necessary for MC's emotional well-being and denying them the dog "would look bad".

[thefeastandthefast]

Since I promised Mr. Feast I wouldn't watch ahead of him and he's slowly catching up, I've taken a pause in my gleeful binge of 一念关山 A Journey to Love to jot down a few of the disorganized thoughts I have about my best beloved favorite girl Yang Ying in the wonderful first eighteen episodes of this drama.

MILD SPOILERS BEYOND.

I cannot wait to see little pocket sized wolf cub Princess Yang Ying do her thing in the next half of the show. Honestly feel so blessed to have this character; there’s no one else like her in cdrama or American TV for that matter!

One of the themes I enjoy in stories about royal power struggles are narrative arcs for female characters who transition from naive to knowing, usually borne out of experiencing the inescapability of their femaleness in a treacherous sexist environment and consequently the limited array of tarnished tools at their disposal and the ways these tools are then deployed. I enjoy that type of story- Book Sansa Stark, my nostalgic fave! Zhen Huan! Minglan, even, in a way. As for historical examples, Empress Matilda! Isabella of France!

But I'm also absolutely relishing this twist on the familiar theme in A Journey to Love.

Because Yang Ying is a royal woman being explicitly trained to grasp the duties and wield the power of a prince, not the oblique power of a princess. The success of the mission, and the lives/fates of the Wu emperor, her subjects, and her now beloved friends in the delegation, depend on her ability to convincingly wear the mantle of princely responsibility, power, and prerogative and to physically and mentally embody this role. And for a child who is as malleable as she is in the beginning of the show, this incredibly formative AND transformative extended roleplay will inevitably become forever entrenched in her conception of self and her sense of possibility.

The kind of limited power she might have been able to achieve as an impoverished minor princess requires a very different skillset from the one she's acquiring. It would only be a contingent and conditional power, a la her sister-in-law the Empress of Wu or the Noble Consort Chu or Chuyue, the tomboy princess from the state of An, who perfectly demonstrates how a clever, capable, wealthy, beautiful royal woman with a powerful family is still a blunted sword.

What would be fascinating to explore, beyond her triumph as Prince Li of Wu (which, to reiterate, I'm SO EXCITED FOR), is the inevitable friction of what she would feel and do after mastering and embodying princely power but then must contend with the expectations and limitations of the identity she has long outgrown but will still be expected to perform once the mission is complete.

I don't think the drama will have time to cover this- after all, she is a supporting character and it would be a thematic tangent. But I suppose that's what fic is for! Maybe I will once again be inspired to write fic, depending on how they end Yang Ying's story...

Stories and characters that reveal emotional truth through pretense will always be my jam. In addition to the unexpectedly delightful Ren Ruyi/Ning Yuanzhou, I love this show so much for giving me Yang Ying.

[corruptimles]

👻 GHOST - do they believe in ghosts? what are their "ghostly experiences", if any?

for o'malley since I believe you referenced him being a ghost/having ghost times in a previous ask??

(I know o'malley mainly as the cat ears wednesday meme but he seems very interesting and makes me nostalgic for my among us days haha)

👻 GHOST - do they believe in ghosts? what are their "ghostly experiences", if any?

He originally didn't. And then he died!

So now he believes in ghosts and hangs around another ghost(?) Matilda, and a clairvoyant detective, Noir. He's pestering Noir to find out how he died because O'Malley can't remember for some reason

Matilda belongs to @bunsterkeaton and Noir belongs to @robboyblunder

[sleeplesssmoll]

Before I go to sleep I had a thought

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b19PgOGEKU

Vertin quietly singing this for the last time whilst she’s just leaning against a tree as she’s dying and she knows she’s dying so like it’s a memorial for the ones that died in the past while she’s starting to join them.

Good night- bleh 🫡

Plus Vertin humming the tune whenever she feels nostalgic

I had the opposite idea and took the trauma route 🙃

I wonder if she still sings or if it bring back painful memories. All the SPDM kids we know had angelic voices but after what happened to them, do any of them still sing? Did the Foundation take away another happy thing in their lives and replace it with trauma? Or maybe she only uses the piano to express that part of her now.

In a way, the Foundation "silenced" her.

Also, was Matilda not in the Parade Ceremony? I never thought about it until now but I guess she wasn't part of the choir.

[crestfallercanyon]

I've missed so many of these tag games recently but I've got a bit of spare time and I always love seeing 'em and so THANK YOU @incorrectcoldflashblog for tagging me <3

@leatafandom Thank you so much for the tag <3

Last Song: Matilda by Harry Styles

Favorite Color: Green. Pretty much any shade.

Last Movie/TV Show: Oceans 11. Watched while I was priming a wall.

Sweet/Spicy/Savory: ooh, I like all three. um. if I'm being completely honest with myself, I'd be more sad to lose sweets than anything else, so I guess sweet.

Relationship Status: Single

Last Thing I Googled: sweatshirts from my homestate. I've been feeling very nostalgic and admittedly a little homesick for it.

Last Book: still reading Six of Crows because I'm a slow reader these days. i'm really enjoying it though!

Looking Forward To: being fully moved in and really enjoying my apartment and feeling settled there.

Tagging @jrooc, @sproutwings , @moriavis , @newtedison , @its-tea-time-darling , @hamartian-cathexis , @pathsofoak, and anyone else who sees this and wants to play!

[wilchur]

Okay. My actual RDR2 Modern AU might be set in 1990s USA and pretty dark, but I have this nostalgic worm in my head that wants to throw these funky guys into late 90s/early 00s Poland SO BAD agshdjdbfk

Ramble under the cut because I can't be normal about any idea ever.

I can see it in my head so clearly... a silly "Rodzina Zastępcza" type sitcom. Hosea and Dutch are still crooks who sell counterfeit shit at the local outdoor market with a side business smuggling in cheap cigs and alcohol from abroad. I would do a little age fuckery to shrink Arthur's, John's and Tilly's age differences so that they all still live with them. Arthur would be like 16-17, John 12-14 and Tilly arund 10 or so. Arthur and John are fucking Monster Children, but Tilly is good at pretending an angel lol

Miss Grimshaw and Dutch are technically married, but just because they got hitched on impulse years ago and can't be bothered to get a divorce. It's good for appearances as well so whatever. She lives with them too, keeps the house from imploding.

Uncle is the town drunk and can usually be found thoroughly soaked through near the local grocery store. Always bugs Arthur for change and never gets shit, but John sometimes slips him something in exchange for buying him some beer or cigarettes with a part of the money.

I see Swanson as this comic relief "friend of the family" character that keeps waltzing in uninvited all the time. There's like no protestants over here and I don't know shit about the eastern orthodox church so I'm making him a washed up catholic priest (sorry my dude). I think it would be pretty funny if he was like totally oblivious to the fact that Dutch and Hosea are Very Gay despite it being super obvious. "Mr Matthews and Mr Van der Linde must be very good friends if he lets him, his wife and their unruly foster children share his home :)" ahah

Most of the names would probably need to be changed to make sense.. Arthur mostly works, just have to throw out the h. Tilly is short for Matilda apparently, but I don't see it. Maybe Tosia? Tola?Both short for Antonina. John>>Jan makes me fucking insane... Little Jasiek Marston 😂😂Though American media had a real boom in the east after the soviet union fell so I could maybe keep Johnny/John as a nickname? So that I don't cringe myself to death. Dutch is going to make me go grey so I won't even try. Hosea is biblical so he could technically stay, but apparently they translate it to fuckin' Ozeasz in the polish version of the texts so idk. At least the surname is easy because it's from a given name and I can just go with a Polish surname of the same meaning -- Matysiak. Uncle is easy because that's just a common word so >> Wujek, or Wujcio if i really wanted to make it silly. Susan is Zuzanna so very easy, but Grimshaw is untranslatable. Though I could just pick something phonetically similar like Grzymała or Gryszkiewicz or something (good luck trying to pronounce that). Orville is straight up a fake name from the 1700s and has no real meaning? Makes it hard to switch out so I'm just gonna be lazy and go with Oliwier? Sounds similar enough. Swanson doesn't have a straightforward equalivent either, but it apparently means "servant"? And "Szewczyk" (tailor) feels like it could work. I dunno, my brain is fried at this point. I'll leave it at that.

I know this probably makes no sense to anyone else but I'm So Into the idea it's insane agsjdkflk I had to write some of it down. I just want them to be silly. Nothing bad ever happens in a polish sitcom ✨

I think I might doodle some stuff for this since I don't have an actual story in mind to write... We'll see. I just want to be self-indulgent and go crazy a bit 🥴🥴

[angelsdean]

for the spotify game: 6 and 23 and 77 😊

hi!!

number 6 is Ghosts by The Jam

i discovered this song thanks to one of @urne-buriall's fic playlists (the time has come today playlist specifically) and just kept listening to it all year long. i def recommend their fics and listening to the playlists along with them! the playlists perfectly capture the Vibes.

number 23 is Something by The Beatles

every single beatles song i listen to is thanks to 13 yr old me going thru a big Across the Universe (the 2007 film) phase lol. anyways big destiel feels (every song ever is about destiel actually)

and number 77 is Send Me On My Way by Rusted Root

this one is so nostalgic for me and just good vibes. it always reminds me of the scene in Matilda in which the song plays<3

thank you for the ask!

send me a number 1 - 100 and i'll post that song from my spotify wrapped playlist

[akuaya-eng]

(Main story) Chapter 2 - Episode 9

- LIGHT -

Dia

(bright flash) ---- ........! Is it... a dream...?

(thinking) I feel like I had a long dream… A very real and vivid… nightmare. (looks around)

Alma? Matilda? Are you not here?

(thinking) The castle is strangely quiet... Did I oversleep that much?

Someone-- ! !

----------

Dia

What on earth is this…? Today is supposed to be my... No... no, no...! (runs) Huff, huff, huff… (runs) This corridor... It shouldn’t be this long. What on earth is happening……! (vision goes black) ...A dead end...!?

Castle soldier

Lord Dia, where are you going?

Dia

That voice...! Thank goodness, I was looking for you. The castle seems odd. We need to secure the area right away…!

Castle soldier

--Odd, you say… like this, perhaps?

Dia

...! What happened to you! Someone get water!!

Male servant

Water... water…

Female servant

It’s hot... It’s unbearable... Water...

Dia

Ah… ah... aah... no… (vision goes black) This is... How could I forget-- Everyone burned. The castle, the people, the citizens. --I killed them all.

(vision goes back to the people burning)

Male servant

It’s... your fault……

Female servant

You useless prince...

Castle soldier

If only you weren’t here….

Dia

...Yes. That’s right.

Female servant

I hate… I resent you...!

Male servant

Even after death… I’ll curse you...

Dia

(vision goes black) Yes. That’s right. Please, do not forgive me. Until my body decays... I should live alone... uh...?

----------

Matilda

...Lord Dia, I can't do that. I’ll be scolded by the head maid.

Young Dia

Then, you better eat it right now before you get caught.

Matilda

Oh, what a naughty prince you are. Then I’ll follow your orders… (munches) It’s very delicious... Hehe, thank you. (bright flash)

Gardenkeeper Cristoph

Back to visit again, Lord Dia?

Young Dia

Yes. I was worried about the hatchlings.

Gardenkeeper Cristoph

Then rest assured. Look.

Young Dia

...! They’ve grown a lot.

Gardenkeeper Cristoph

Their parents bring food diligently every day. These ones will surely grow into fine birds.

Young Dia

I see… that’s good. (bright flash)

Head maid Alma

Lord Dia. Shouldn’t you be in your imperial studies right now?

Young Dia

...! Alma, what are you doing here?

Head maid Alma

That’s my line. Why are you here, Lord Dia, when you should be in your room?

Young Dia

Well… the teacher suddenly remembered something he had to do… so…

Head maid Alma

Goodness. For such a serious prince to skip his lessons. It must be something urgent. Today, I haven’t passed through this path, so I’ve seen nothing.

Young Dia

You’re letting me off?

Head maid Alma

Yes. Because I haven’t seen anything.

Young Dia

Thank you, Alma.

Head maid Alma

...Take care.

----------

Dia

Everyone……

Head maid Alma

We believe in you, Lord Dia.

Gardenkeeper Cristoph

Please stay safe…

Knight Ralph

I hope you don't feel lonely.

Matilda

Someday… someday you will be saved…

Dia

(thinking) Is this the voice of the departed? Or is it an illusion… a dream of my deepest wishes?

Head maid Alma

Come now, Prince. Take my hand--

Matilda

Reach out.

Gardenkeeper Cristoph

Hurry… before it’s too late…

Dia

.........!

----------

Espada

Lord Dia!!

Dia

Espada...?

Fiori

Honestly, this is no time to be dazing around!

Dia

Fiori…

Espada

Lord Dia. Please, stay strong. I am here with you. I will not leave you alone.

Dia

...Espada...

Fiori

Hey, Espada, don’t hog all the glory! I’m here too!

Espada

Win Lord Dia’s trust first, then come back.

Fiori

What did you say!?

Dia

...Both of you... I’m sorry. Thank you...

Fiori

...What’s with you? Acting all humble. Are you really not feeling well? (receives a hit) Ouch! Don’t hit me, Espada!

Espada

Lord Dia, can you stand?

Dia

Yes. It seems I was dreaming... A dream of the past.

Espada

A dream… you say?

Dia

That day… the day of the calamity. Something unusual slipped into the castle. I tracked its presence but couldn’t catch it. --How nostalgic. This presence... It’s similar to that time... There! (charges magic and attacks)

???

---- .........!

Fiori

You startled me...!

Espada

What was that…

Dia

We’ve been watched. Likely since before the operation began.

Espada

Shall we pursue?

Dia

...Not now. Purifying the tower is our priority.

Espada

Understood. Most of this area is already cleared.

Fiori

I’ve purified it enough that they won’t come after us for a while.

Dia

Ah, thank you. I’ve secured an escape route.

Espada

As expected of you, Lord Dia.

Fiori

We’re heading straight through the garden, right? There’s one spot left unpurified, so be careful.

Espada

Near the garden table.

Fiori

Yes. That tea set... It’s a remnant of someone’s delightful tea time from a thousand years ago.

Espada

...Lord Dia, let’s proceed.

Dia

Yes-- Let’s move forward.

[air-rising]

Where can I find the Ellie the guardian article?

It’s from The Australian! Pasting here:

FIFA star Ellie Carpenter’s guide to Sydney

Views along the Bondi to Bronte walk. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Cowra holds a special place in Ellie Carpenter’s heart, and her leg (she bears an ink outline of the NSW country town’s boundary on her left ankle).

But having moved to Sydney’s Inner West in her early teens to pursue her dream of soccer stardom, Sydney also feels like home. The 23-year-old Matilda’s defender has been living in the French food capital of Lyon since 2020, when she signed to one of the world’s best football clubs, Olympique Lyonnais.

Ellie Carpenter is counting down the FIFA Women's World Cup. Photo: Rebel Sport/Nike

Being a foodie, Lyon is a boon for Carpenter, but the athlete says between 6am and lunchtime, Sydney has the culinary upper hand. “Lyon is a beautiful city; the food there is incredible and there are so many Michelin-starred restaurants, and I love my food, so it’s a great place to live,” she says. “But I love the brunch culture and the coffee culture in Sydney; there’s really nothing else like it in the world.

With the eve of the FIFA Women‘s World Cup fast approaching, Carpenter hasn’t had much time to enjoy leisurely brunches. “I’m really excited to have a World Cup on home soil,” she says. “To have that opening game sold out; to have that crowd behind us is really exciting.”

Inspiring the next generation of Australian soccer stars is a huge motivation for the defender, who, in her capacity as an ambassador for sporting retailer Rebel, has joined forces with Nike to host GoalGirls, a free program aimed at encouraging young women to participate in the sport.

“I’m really proud to be able to inspire girls eight to 12 to play football,” she says.

-

Eat

For Carpenter, a Sydney morning well spent involves an early morning coffee and brunch at one of her favourite cafes.

“Whenever I get back to Sydney I’m always jet-lagged, so I’m awake and about at five or six in the morning, and I love that coffee shops are open,” she says. “In France they don’t open until about 11.”

The Boat House at Balmoral.

The Nike athlete cites The Boathouse Balmoral as a favourite destination for a mid-morning feed. The casual beachside eatery, one of nine venues owned by The Boathouse Group, serves up Australian brunch classics such as steel cut oat porridge, bacon and egg rolls and ricotta hot cakes. “Whenever I come home from overseas which is about twice a year I go there,” Carpenter says. “Their avocado toast and poached eggs are my go-to for breakfast; it’s so big but so good, and for lunch I always get the classic fish and chips.”

The Boat House Balmoral’s fish and chips.

She also makes a point of stopping by Bondi’s Fruitologist for one of the grocer’s famous Beach Bowls; a generous compilation of frozen acai berry puree, peanut butter and banana which has become so popular the line for the nutritious treat often snakes around the block. “I am an acai connoisseur and no matter what I go there,” she says. “They do the best acai bowls in Sydney.”

Having spent her teens living in Abbotsford in Sydney’s inner west, Carpenter likes to stop by Travatino Café in Wareemba for a nostalgic treat when she’s in the area. “Their raspberry and strawberry tarts are amazing.” she says. “It’s still got the same owners, and they’ve known me since I was 11 or 12.”

For a finer dining experience, Carpenter heads to Sydney’s eastern suburbs. You’ll find her lunching at Totti’s Bondi whenever she’s in town and her hectic training schedule permits.

“It’s one of my favourite restaurants to go to for lunch with a group of friends,” she says. For a main course, the reginette, lobster and crab alla vodka pasta is sublime, she concedes, but it’s the restaurant’s extensive shared antipasti which cannot be missed.

Antipasti at Totti's Bondi. Picture: Nikki To

“The bread, oh my gosh, you can’t not order the bread,” she exclaims, “and the prosciutto and the olives and the cucumbers and the tomatoes; all the sides are great.”

Mimi’s, another Merivale restaurant located just a few beaches over at Coogee Pavilion, is the soccer star’s newest Sydney food find.

“I’ve eaten at restaurants around the world and honestly it’s one of the best lunches I’ve had,” she says.

“I went there last week before I went back to camp, and I was like ‘wow’. Their sticky date pudding souffle is one of the best desserts I’ve ever eaten.”

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Play

Located at the confluence of the Saône and Rhône rivers, Lyon boasts beautiful waterways, but Carpenter admits she misses Sydney’s beaches. When she’s in town and not busy training, you’ll usually find her at one.

The tranquil shore at Balmoral beach. Picture: Damian Shaw

“We have the best beaches,” she says. Balmoral is a childhood favourite, and taking a dip after finishing the cliff walk from Bondi to Bronte Beach is a must do for anyone visiting the city for the first time. “I feel really lucky to be Australian when I’m walking along the coast, and I think it’s something a lot of us take for granted,” she adds.

Ellie Carpenter with her partner Danielle van de Donk. Picture: Instagram

Last year the FIFA World Cup contender took her partner and Olympique Lyonnais teammate Daniëlle van de Donk on another favourite Sydney excursion; a ferry tour around Sydney Harbour.

“It’s the best way to see the harbour,” Carpenter says. “We went to Taronga Zoo to see the koalas and kangaroos because she’d never seen them either. She still talks about it.”

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Stay

Having risen through the ranks of the world’s professional female soccer leagues at such a young age, Carpenter has spent more time in hotel rooms than the average 23-year-old. So when it comes to accommodation, she knows what she likes.

Views from the Park Hyatt Sydney.

In Sydney, she will often opt to stay at the 140 room, five-star Intercontinental Double Bay. And with its unrivalled views of the Sydney Opera House, the Park Hyatt is also another top pick. “Their rooms are exceptional,” she adds.

GoalGirls registrations launch 13th July on rebelsport.com.au.

[medufasa]

My comfort movies list (updated slightly and will continue to change)

Stand By Me (1986)

My Girl (1993)

Freaky Friday (76'. And 03' too sometimes)

Nine to Five (1980 (shit I might just rewatch that rn))

Lilo and Stitch (2002)

Imagine That (1996 (ok this is fucking embarrassing bc IT'S SESAME STREET . ITS SO NOSTALGIC THOUGH AND SILLY I CAN'T HELP BUT LIKE IT))

It Takes Two (1995 (I've seen it once but I remember it being a very cute movie))

Dennis the Menace (1993)

Matilda (1996)

[hyacinth--girl]

tagged by the iconic @binickmiller 🥰❗️

name: katherine

age: 25

favorite season: winter

movies or tv shows? definitely tv shows

do you carry a bag/purse? what kind? i swap between a black shoulder bag and a maroon one that has the pulp fiction dancing scene embroidered on it

what color is your water bottle? pink! used to have an elephant on it but it’s so faded now. i'm about 2% away from committing to buying the frank green x matildas bottle

what color is your phone case? the back is clear but is covered with blue and green dinosaurs!!!!! i cherish it

do you sleep in silence or do you need white noise/sounds/music? godddd i wish i didn't but i need noise! so atm (winter) i have my fan on but it’s facing my drawers so i get the sound but not the cold lol

top sheets. yes or no? Top Sheets DNI!!

you're in the candy aisle at the corner store, what are you grabbing? i am the worst sweet tooth honestly this is bad. still mad that they discontinued starburst bc i would definitely be grabbing a pack of those, chocolate wise anything with strawberry filling/flavouring. cadbury have gone off with those lately it’s awesome

preferred mode of travel (plane/train/car/bus/on foot/etc.): as a passenger gotta say my beloved train as it’s the only thing i can be in for more than 30 mins without getting motion sickness. but i also love to drive AND i don’t get sick if i’m the one driving so

what's your phone background right now? just changed it to a 1989tv image

are you more of a minimalist or a maximalist? probably more min bc i can't handle Lots of Stuff, but i do love the little knick knacks that i do have

it's time to paint your bedroom! what color are you choosing? i had yellow walls in my childhood bedroom so i'm nostalgic for that, but i think i would love pale mint green

and finally, tell me something that brings you joy: atm watching the matildas!! i'm enjoying this world cup so much and it's the first time i've ever gotten into soccer so everything's new and exciting and i'm thoroughly obsessed

Tagging @perennial-dream @novemberrules26 @by-the-lakes uhhh and everyone else sorry my brain is in prac mode and I can’t remember anything that isn’t classroom related 🫠

[heymrspatel]

get to know me tag 💓

i was tagged by so many cuties: @creepkinginc @mishervellous @thisdivorce @sleepyfacetoughguy @squidyyy23 @energievie @gardenerian @whatwouldmickeydo @7x10mickey @ardent-fox @y0itsbri and @milkovetti weeee thank you lovelies!

relationship status: 🧍🏻‍♀️

favourite color: think about oceans and forests. that.

three favourite foods: french fries, blueberries, pb&j's

top 3 tv shows: shameless *siiigh*, new girl, brooklyn 99

top 3 characters: ian gallagher, winston bishop, (does this mean from tv shows? idk i'm going rogue) bucky barnes

what i’m currently reading: i'm going to start Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt tomorrow

song stuck in my head: end of beginning by djo

last movie watched: matilda! not the musical, the 90's one. because i needed something nostalgic.

last thing i googled: the ordinary products for uneven skin tone.... help a girl out. someone.

last song i listened to: true blue by boygenius

dream trip: i always say iceland, and that's true! but i'm also throwing south africa out there!

time: 9:58pm

anything i really want right now: a hug

i'm very late to this and i'm also feeling bleh. so i'm skipping the tag. but i'm still giving you all some flowers 💐

[ineffably-smote]

Matilda the Musical at Cambridge Theatre, West End

(Completely off topic from this blog but I thought it was too cute not to share a review)

An absolute lovely production ! Matilda was a Roahl Dahl story I really connected with after watching the 1996 version of the movie, even though I had read the book a long time ago. I had quite enjoyed the Netflix musical, and since I had an extra night in London and they had 20£ tickets available decided to go give it a shot! (Plus I was vaguely roaming around the Donmar area thinking I might give Macbeth another shot but the queue was already so long and it was freezing so decided against it for tonight). Unsurprisingly the room was filled with families and children and I felt a bit out of place squeezing between two groups in my sky high seat in the upper circle, but of course that did not matter one bit once the show started.

Set and Staging

The set was crazy?? Granted, I have not been to the theatre a lot so I don’t really have a scale for how impressive they can be, but there were so many backgrounds, so many props, entire classrooms and bedrooms rising out of the floors, libraries swinging in and out I genuinely did not expect that level of tech and was happily surprised.

Favourite Bits

My absolute favourite song was “My House” by Miss Honey. The actress delivered it with so much power and emotion. I teared up a little bit. I knew I liked the song, and I knew it was coming but it is such a welcome and beautiful part of the musical. The Miss Honey character means a lot to me, and seeing her sing this song, then argue with Matilda about what to do with their suspicions of Ms Trunchbull, and then seeing her stand up to Trunchbull at the end? Beautiful, wonderful, cathartic. I was excited to hear “Pathetic” because I knew it had been cut from the Netflix musical, and even though I generally like listening to it as part of the show’s soundtrack on Spotify it did not move me quite as much as “My House” did.

Other thoughts

“Naughty” by Matilda is also very nice, the actress was really good and fun to watch. Ms Trunchbull was a delight to watch, terrifying but also funny because of the caricatural aspect of her character. And the kids were so impressive, the phys-ed scene and the bows were with all of them there and they were so well choreographed. I was just sitting there thinking wow, they really really know what they’re doing. Which yeah, obviously, but it was still wonderful to watch.

It was overall a very nostalgic experience, I kind of wish I had access to something like this when I was a kid, and I am so glad I ended up going to see it.

[gobackimhaunted]

what are some of your favorite books/movies?

books (mystery is my fav genre!): one of us is lying, good girl’s guide to murder, anxious people, radio silence, renegades

movies: matilda is the only one popping into my head..I’m a big nostalgic movie person so i love watching all the disney channel original movies i grew up with (and i love christmas movies!!)