#mel and V's fabulous adventure

[midnightelite]

AND THAT'S A WRAP! Last chapter is out now!! Thank you to those who have stuck with us throughout this journey! You guys are incredible, and I hope you like the end!!

I am so proud of this story. I am so happy I got to do it all with one of my best friends, @magic-girl-in-a-muggle-world.

I hope you all like it as much as we do.

Chapter 15

Excitement danced beneath Lily’s skin and she slid into a skintight black dress. Marlene and Dorcas’ voices drifted in through her cracked bedroom door. The Marauder’s Den was opening, and Lily was dressed to kill. She slipped into her chunky pumps and pulled a tight bolero sweater on. She felt powerful, with hints of skin peeking out and her curves on full display. 

Grabbing her tiny bag, she reentered the common space to find her friends passing a bottle of wine between them. Crossing the distance, Lily plucked the bottle by the neck before taking a healthy gulp. Marley and Dorcas had come over earlier, claiming they needed help deciding on outfits for the opening. But when the pair appeared on her doorstep, they only had one outfit each, and a malbec in hand. 

“Damn, Lils, poor Potter is gonna swallow his tongue when he sees you,” Marlene said, and Lily had to admit that, even if they had misled her about their reasons for coming, she definitely appreciated the boost to her confidence having the two around supplied. Even Minerva seemed to agree, lifting her head from where it rested against Marlene’s thigh and offering Lily a soft meow that she took as approval.

“That’s the plan! Or, at least something like that.” Lily took another sip before passing the bottle back to Dorcas. She turned her desk chair towards the women relaxing on the sofa and sat down carefully to avoid wrinkling her dress.

“He’s gonna die,” Dorcas agreed. “You’re going to ask him out, dressed like that, and he is going to have a heart attack in the middle of the pub.”

“Don’t say that, you’ll make her nervous!” Marlene exclaimed. She gave Lily a reassuring smile. “He might pass out, but then he’ll be alright. Better than alright. You’re like something out of his fantasies.”

Continue reading here!

Start from the beginning here!

[slapkorsesbaldhead]

what do you think the names of the other akas are? we already know dennis and the fabulous killjoys, but these groups:

• the pristeens

• vacation adventure society

• the sadie hawkins

• the lorettas

• the weirdss

• and the other books on tape dudes

i probably sound stupid lol but i’m also curious

You dont sound stupid at all!

Books on tape- no codenames. They go by their normal names. Examples- Dennis, Ven, Johnny

The Lorettas- I think they would have short, one words names that can be easily yelled. Examples- Bet, Six, Step

Vacation Adventure Society- I feel like they are the closest to danger days killjoys names. I made this post about them and have the tag #vacation adventure society.

The Weirdss- I get no name vibes from them. Or names that could be drawn out or hissed. Examples- Circuits, Lysis

The Pristeens- they use their intials as their codenames. The blonde on is called V. Stands for Valerie 

The Sadie Hawkins- i think that like The Lorettas, they have mostly monosyllabic codenames, but actual names instead of random words. Examples- Mel, Ben, Mac, Bev

[hope-for-olicity]

Fabulous Olicity Fanfic Friday - January 4th, 2019

Happy Friday! So this is my attempt to both thank awesome fanfic writers for their amazing work and offer my recommendations to anyone who is interested. Here are the fantastic fanfic stories I read this week! They are posted in the order I read them. This and all previous Fabulous Olicity Fanfic posts can be found on my blog.

Wrapped Up - Olicity Secret Santa by @sparklesannie - Fluffy, Best Friend AU https://olicitysecretsanta.tumblr.com/post/181371561662/wrapped-up

Reconnecting - Olicity Secret Santa by @the-shy-and-anxious-fangirl  - William comes home for Christmas break, and the Queen family reconnects. Mostly fluff with some light angst sprinkled in. https://olicitysecretsanta.tumblr.com/post/181371304126/reconnecting

Be Better - Olicity Secret Santa by @bandanab310 - This takes place 2 years into the future, and so it has my predictions on some of the things that might happen during Crisis on Infinite Earths. It also alludes to one of my favorite GA story lines happening the year before (so next season) this fic takes place. https://olicitysecretsanta.tumblr.com/post/181370520932/be-better

Honesty Under the Christmas Tree - An Olicity Post-Elseworlds Missing Scene - Olicity Secret Santa by @arrow-through-my-writers-block - This “missing scene” set after the Elseworlds crossover event featuring some tough conversations, awkwardness, and the sappy Olicity we know and love! https://olicitysecretsanta.tumblr.com/post/181370244932/honesty-under-the-tree-an-olicity

Worth Fight For - Olicity Secret Santa by @tangled23works - Oliver has a devious plan in order to charm his wife after a stupid fight. Meanwhile, Felicity may have been blind to the obvious. https://olicitysecretsanta.tumblr.com/post/181368359344/worth-fighting-for

Unexpected Destiny - Olicity Secret Santa by @bowsmoakandarrow - It’s short and sweet but has spawned a universe in my head so it may become much, much longer. https://olicitysecretsanta.tumblr.com/post/181369961426/unexpected-destiny

Wish Come True - Olicity Secret Santa by @christinabeggs - slightly angsty story with a happy ending. https://olicitysecretsanta.tumblr.com/post/181369037523/wish-come-true

True Loves Gifts - Olicity Secret Santa by @missyriver - Felicity's often absence neighbour returns.  https://olicitysecretsanta.tumblr.com/post/181368002799/true-loves-gifts-an-2018-secret-santa-gift

Moderate Hike - Olicity Secret Santa by @laureningall - “… Remember, you selected the trail, didn’t you say it was a moderate hike?” Oliver is excited to have finally escaped all of his Green Arrow responsibilities as he and Felicity head off on an adventure. As they spend time together as Oliver and Felicity - not the Green Arrow and his tech support, it’s uncharted territory. https://olicitysecretsanta.tumblr.com/post/181368715380/moderate-hike-fic-gift-for-icannotbelieveiamhere

Untitled - Olicity Secret Santa by @red-rolling-stone - Felicity comes to the rescue https://olicitysecretsanta.tumblr.com/post/181367252220/to-latincinderella-from-red-rolling-stone

I'm Gonna Make You Love Me (Again) - Olicity Secret Santa by @laxit21 - Oliver tries to repair his relationship with Felicity after he’s released from prison. https://olicitysecretsanta.tumblr.com/post/181372870854/im-gonna-make-you-love-me-again

Why Me? - Olicity Secret Santa by @icannotbelieveiamhere - Olicity high school AU https://olicitysecretsanta.tumblr.com/post/181373147422/olicity-secret-santa-fic-for-wrldtravler

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Olicity Secret Santa by @smkkbert - A look a future Olicity Holiday Season.  https://olicitysecretsanta.tumblr.com/post/181374418998/have-yourself-a-little-merry-christmas

Warm Wishes - Olicity Secret Santa by @foreverfelicityqueen - A little Domestic!Olicity with a heaping scoop of William, and just a drizzle of some family related angst. https://olicitysecretsanta.tumblr.com/post/181373796101/warm-wishes

Let Our Hearts and Souls Align - Olicity Secret Santa by @alexiablackbriar13 - This is set in S2 and is an undercover at a Christmas party, fake (but real!) soulmate, fake relationship Olicity AU. With Hanukkah celebrations, soulmarks and bed sharing. https://olicitysecretsanta.tumblr.com/post/181375485408/secret-santa-2018-let-our-hearts-and-souls

Mistletoe Exposure - Olicity Secret Santa by @smoaking-greenarrow - Felicity goes to the Queen family holiday party in seek of answers  https://olicitysecretsanta.tumblr.com/post/181375800225/mistletoe-exposure

Pieces of Always multi-chapter WIP by @so-caffeinated and @dust2dust34-reblogs - Life continues after Forever is Composed of Nows. Ongoing non-linear collection of family moments for the Queens. http://archiveofourown.org/works/8220479/chapters/18840356

Broken Bones Lead Me to You - Olicity Secret Santa by @spaztronautwriter - fluffy little meet-cute  https://olicitysecretsanta.tumblr.com/post/181376266166/broken-bones-lead-me-to-you

Die Hard with an Arrow - Olicity Secret Santa by @sadfangirl05 - a very sassy Felicity here and a different type of meeting for our favorite couple. Terrorists have attacked Queen Consolidated’s main office on Christmas Eve. Can Oliver Queen save the day, with a little help from a lowly IT tech. This AU is inspired by the best Christmas movie in the world. https://olicitysecretsanta.tumblr.com/post/181377940539/die-hard-with-an-arrow

Royal Confections - Olicity Secret Santa by @wrldtravler - Enjoy this wonderfully fluffy and festive bakery AU. https://olicitysecretsanta.tumblr.com/post/181378801801/royal-confections

True Identity - Olicity Secret Santa by @bokayjunkie - Future Fic, It’s time for the holiday’s and William is quite nervous to introduce his new significant other to his family. https://olicitysecretsanta.tumblr.com/post/181380543555/true-identity

How the Cookie Crumbles or Did Someone Say Kugel? - Olicity Secret Santa by @jennonthewire - Canon divergent, set in season 2 most reasonably between State v. Queen and The Scientist; loosely inspired by the Hallmark tv movie: Christmas Joy (starring The Flash’s Danielle Panabaker) and a real life Cookie Trail happening every holiday season on the eastern shore of Virginia.  https://olicitysecretsanta.tumblr.com/post/181382267488/how-the-cookie-crumbles-or-did-someone-say-kugel

// @emmaamelia95 // @mel-loves-all // @oliverfel4 // @green-arrows-of-karamel // @coal000 // @miriam1779 // @memcjo// @captainolicitysbedroom // @tdgal1 // @spaztronautwriter // @lalawo1// @quiveringbunny // @wrongshipper // @thebookjumper // @vaelisamaza // @myhauntedblacksoul // @lovelycssefan // @laurabelle2930 // 

[overthappiness-blog]

20 DIY Natural Gift Ideas for the Whole Family

Want your gift to make a lasting impression? Nothing says "I care" like something made by your own hands. Check out these NATURAL and HOMEMADE gift ideas for the WHOLE FAMILY.

Beauty and the Bath Gifts

Homemade natural beauty gifts are a great chemical-free spin on the traditional make-up gifts.

50+ Recipes for DIY Natural Beauty by Reformation Acres

With all the recipes out there, you can make just about any type of handmade soap, wash or scrub.

LAVENDER CHAMOMILE TEA SOAP by a Pumpkin & a Princess  

The 5 Best Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipes by The Little Pine

I L-O-V-E this idea. Making tea tub bags as a gift is an awesome way to inspire relaxation and healing in the lives of those you love.

LAVENDER OATMEAL TUB TEA by Evermine Occasions

Who wouldn't want a spa kit, let alone an all-natural made-with-love one!

Printable Labels for a Homemade and Natural Spa Kit by Lia Griffith  

Presents from Your Kitchen

When I first realized you can easily make your own tea bags with just a coffee filter and a stapler, I thought, genius! As a gift idea, however, I thought this tutorial with embroidering string a bit more classy.

Handmade Teabags by a subtle Revelry  

Making chai, coffee or any number of specialty drink blends would be an awesome idea, especially for a college student!

SPICED CHAI MIX by a kitchen Addiction

Ahhh yes... The gift of ease. Comfort in a bottle. Packaged deliciousness. Whatever you call it, cookies, breads, brownies or bars in a bottle is a fabulous way to gift someone a "bite" of joy.

OATMEAL CHOCOLATE CHIP QUICK BREAD {IN A JAR!} by Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Infused oils and spice blends could be nice gifts for someone interested in other cultures and their flavors. By getting creative you could customize these ideas to inspire Indian, Mediterranean, or tastes from many other places around the globe.

DIY Infused Olive Oils, by Just Putzing  

Homemade Spice Mixes and Herb Blends for Gift Giving by Melissa Knorris

For the Nature Lover

Bird lover in the family? Anyone love to beautify their outdoors? Birdseed ornaments are a super cute way to decorate bare trees and attract beautiful birds!

Handmade Birdseed Ornaments by One Little Project

Succulents can liven up any room and are easily cared for. From hanging in a glass bulb to peeking out from inside a book, there are tons of ideas on how to display them. They make great gifts for any home.

How to Make a Glass Globe Terrarium | DIY succulent dish garden by Stephanie Lynn

Into recycling? These DIY lightbulb planters/ vases are your next project! I like the idea of filling them with water and decorating the inside with floating flowers.

Light Bulb Flower Vase by Life IS A Party

Candles! If you're into buying super expensive candles from the store then be my guest, but I prefer these natural handmade ones.

Mason Jar Oil Candle Lamp by Hearth & Vine  

DIY HOMEMADE CANDLES (WITH NATURAL LAVENDER-ROSEMARY SCENT) by Live Simply  

Bearded Lives Matter Too

(Of course, the above gifts could also be customized for guys.)

Someone at home into his beard? Make him everything he needs for great beard care! Try homemade beard products like balms, oils, washes, softeners, growth stimulants, shaving creams or aftershaves.

Homemade Beard Balm by Heartful Habits  

How to Make A Nourishing Aftershave Balm by Homespun Seasonal Living  

ROSEMARY MINT SHAVING CREAM: HOMEMADE GIFT IDEAS by Food For My Family

Gifts for the Little Bambini 

The trendy natural building blocks you never had.

How to Make Waldorf-Inspired Nature Blocks by Adventure In A Box  

Yay, chemical-free playdough!

Homemade Playdough With Natural Colors by The Pistachio Project

Tips for Customizing Your Gifts.

Nothing says you care, like a little attention to detail!

Use colors, scents, flavors, textures that you know you the person your gifting likes most!

Attach a poem, symbols of meaning or a creative story to the item to make it more significant.

Create the gift around a problem they may have.

Wrap your present with natural materials to stay with the theme of your gift, making it stand out even more!

I once gifted someone going through difficult medical testing a small succulent. Amazingly, I have a superpower that allows me to kill any plant except my succulent and this person knew that. After finishing up a long day of testing and a long weekend of waiting, I gave them the gift and told them they were a survivor just like the plant.

For example, does your mom have arthritis? Make her inflammation fighting teas bags. Does dad have trouble sleeping?  Use chamomile or lavender in your candle, soap or tub tea mixes.

Natural Vibe Inspired Gift Wrapping by French By Design

Happy Gift-giving! 

[midnightelite]

@magic-girl-in-a-muggle-world and I have done it again! Chapter 12 is live now!

Chapter 12

James wiped a rag over the bar for the third time in as many minutes. The tall, broad-shouldered black man seated across from him chuckled and brought a large hand down on the shiny surface with a smack. "I think it's clean, mate."

"Right," James muttered. "Cheers, Kingsley."

"Yeah, Potter, what's got your knickers in a twist?" Fabian Prewett asked, leaning forward in his seat next to Kingsley. "This isn't the real thing, the grand opening is still a month away. Today's just a trial run, yeah?"

"Right, this is just practice," Gideon added. "You're acting like it's the championship match."

"I'm not, it's nothing. I just want everything to look good. For the photos." Without his permission, James' eyes flicked towards the door. Marlene was near the main entrance, talking to the photographer. Alone. James purposely turned away and went to adjust the crossed swords hanging behind the bar again. He hated to admit Sirius was right – it did look better with two.

They were shooting photos for the website today, and when Lily had replied to James' email, she reminded them that they wouldn't want to just show a bunch of shots of an empty pub. So, James had invited the rugby team and Marlene had invited a couple of girlfriends to give the place some life. Four of the lads from rugby had arrived so far, including Marlene’s brother Daniel, as well as Marlene and two friends. Neither of whom was Lily. Where is she???

"Actually, he's acting like Mum when Nana Prewitt is coming over," Fabian said, laughing as James turned a couple of liquor bottles to make sure they were perfectly aligned, with the labels facing out.

"No, he's acting like Molly used to act when Arthur would come visit, do you remember? Everything had to be perfect .”

“Ah, so James, who’re you nesting for then?” Fabian asked

Continue reading here!

Start from the beginning here!

[midnightelite]

@magic-girl-in-a-muggle-world and I posted Chapter 14!! Only one more chapter left! I still cant believe it! Read the new chapter here!

The next week flew by in a whirlwind. James and Sirius barely left the bar, making sure the place was fully ready for opening. Five more days. Yay. 

It really was exciting, they had been working hard for this and now it was actually becoming a reality. What James had assumed would just be Sirius’ thing that he’d help out with had turned into something James was really proud to be a part of. 

So, when Sirius began panicking Monday at three in the morning because he found a few places where the paint didn’t quite meet the molding, James only felt annoyance for a second. Okay maybe two, but he then calmed Sirius down and threw on a pair of joggers before heading over. Messy paint wasn’t really a middle of the night kind of emergency, but once James was up he figured he might as well head on over there to keep Sirius from going mad.

James wasn’t upset the next night, either, when Sirius called to tell him about a nightmare he’d had where cat hairs had gotten into several people’s drinks, and then those people turned into cats, and then the cat turned into a witch, and then Snape came back and gave them negative 200 points on their health inspection. James reminded him that Snape was no longer the health inspector and, in any event, neither of them owned a cat. That seemed to reassure Sirius quite a bit. 

Continue reading here!

Start from the beginning here!

[midnightelite]

@magic-girl-in-a-muggle-world and I just posted Chapter 13!! Read it here! We are closing in on the end! 2 Chapters to go!

I can honestly say, this is the project I'm most proud to be a part of. I am so proud of this story, and I am so thankful I got to write it with one of my best friends! I love you so much V!

Chapter 13

Over the course of the next week, Lily tinkered with the website, had a pitch meeting with the owners of the Greek cafe (they seemed interested!), and went out with Marlene, Dorcas, and another friend of theirs called Mary. Dorcas was amazing, open and affectionate and motherly, with a fierce protective streak when it came to her friends. Mary was quiet, but secretly hilarious. Between them and the boys at the Marauders’ Den, Lily was starting to feel like she belonged here, in a way she hadn’t felt in a long, long time. It was nice.

Mostly. She definitely liked that she had been so easily welcomed into this friend group. But there was one person with whom she would’ve liked to be a little more than friendly. It was ironic, really– she could've missed out on the opportunity to know James at all if she hadn't given him a second chance after he missed their first meeting, and now it felt like she had missed out on the opportunity to know him on another level by shutting down his romantic overtures so thoroughly at the beginning. Now – respectful, considerate prat that he was – he had moved her firmly into the platonic category, and he seemed comfortable keeping her there. Sure, she and James had exchanged some emails over the past few days, but they were polite, professional emails with updates about the website. There was no banter, no flirting, no nothing. 

The photos, though, were another matter. When Lily received the proofs from the photo shoot, she didn’t want to overanalyze them. Really, she didn’t. But she was a human woman, with a heart and a brain, so she really had no choice. And there was so much to analyze. 

Continue reading here!

Or start from the beginning here!