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etani-a · 7 years ago

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Tani’s performance from tonight’s @keepers-kiss cabaret set to Cherry by Lana Del Rey. Thank you for having me! )

Tani emerges upon the stage in a swathe of layered velvet in pale-white. The hemline of his skirts have been sewn with golden thread to look like stars, scattered across a cresting, nighttime sky. Corded about his waist with a gilded pin sits a thin, threadbare sash, and a collar low enough to leave his freckle-scattered shoulders exposed.

Blonde hair has been threaded into a finely-twined, blonde braid that has been drawn over his left shoulder, and tied with a bow to match his skirts. He approaches the front of the stage in silence, with his harp cradled in his arms. The heels of his thigh-high boots echo against the glowing podium as he pauses by the front, and grasps a handful of velveteen fabric to whisk it away from his feet.

Daintily, he bends his knees, and he folds down to sit upon the edge of the stage, with his skirts fanned out around him until they frame him — as if he’s some sleepy fae, sitting in his place amidst the stars, with a golden harp to match his constellations. He dutifully folds one leg over the other, and he props his harp within his lap. A hand whisks through his hair to brush it from his painted features, and he lifts his chin to speak.

“I’m a little rusty.” he starts, with a faint smile. “..an’ I’ll hope you can forgive me. I’m gonna be singin’ somethin’ a little different. This’ll stay on-..” He plucks at the front of his robe, tail fluttering, and coiling around to rest by his hip, laid upon his robe. “..don’t go worryin’.” he adds, with a little wag of a claw-tipped fingertip, that lifts toward his red-painted lips in a shushing gesture more aimed at himself, than his audience.

That hand lowers as his silence lingers, tail offering a nervous flick at its tip, white-tipped ears quirked forwards, attentive to the quiet murmurings of the milling crowd before him as his grasp adjusts upon the frame of his lyre. His fingertips settle, and curve, painted nails hooked beneath their pulled-gold strings that glimmer, and shine beneath the golden lights. Tani inhales, a deep breath that lifts the slope of his sternum, and he begins to sing.

“Love, ♪ “

It’s drawn-out, and smooth, as melodic and velveteen as ever. His fingertips move across their strings, plucking them, one at a time, pulling them forth in flowing, yet succinct notes that underline, and accompany his words. His tone shifts to something almost-conversational, melodic, but colloquial.

“I said, real love is like feelin’ no fear. ♪ ”

“..-when you’re standin’ in the face of danger. ♪ ”

“..’cause you just want it so much. ♪ ”

A low, lurid, echoing drumbeat rolls from the veiled orchestrion behind the stage to set a beat to his words, and to the smooth melody of his harp. His left ear cocks back in a subconscious move toward it. His tail lifts, and re-settles, whisking in an outward display of his nerves as his gaze remains lowered to his fingertips as they glide along his strings.

“A touch from your real love.♪ ”

“Is like heaven takin’ the place of somethin’ evil, an’ lettin’ it burn off from the rush..♪ ”

“..yeah, yeah..♪ ♪ ”

The drum picks up, Tani’s folded leg offers a loose swing forwards, his fingertips sweep away from his strings, the sweeping, retrograde of his underlying base rumbles. Tani’s head slips aside, his smile turns crooked, and wider, until his fangs press into the curve of his lower lip as his next line slips from his lips in an almost unbidden whisper.

“/Fuck/. ♪ “

No, it wasn’t an accident. Tani’s smile broadens, some confidence returning to him as he slips from his perch in a smooth, and graceful glide. His robes whisk, and flutter after him, arm tightening around the frame of his lyre as he gathers himself to his feet with a slight tilt of his head to brush his hair from his eyes.

“Darlin’, darlin’, darlin.. ♪ ”

“I fall to pieces when I’m with you. ♪ ”

“I fall to pieces. ♪ ”

He takes a smooth step forwards, tail fluttering behind him in time to his saccharine beat as he walks, moving along the aisle amidst the crowd, swaying at the waist in time to his music, lowering his aether-bright gaze to watch the slow motion of his fingertips across his strings as he goes.

“My cherries an’ wine, rosemary an’ thyme. ♪ ”

“..an’ all of my peaches-.. ♪ ”

“..-are ruined. ♪ ”

His smile fades as the last line is uttered, coming to a halt by the cusp of K’sato Tia’s couch. His hand parts from his lyre for long enough to sweep the fabric of his robes under his thighs as he lowers to sit upon the arm of the couch, followed, illuminated by the spotlight beaming above him until he glitters with every small movement.

“Love, is it real love? ♪ ”

His gaze turns toward K’sato Tia, as if he’s posing this question to him. He folds one leg over the other, and again — his harp finds rest within his lap as he leans forwards, head tipping to one side, until his loose hair comes tumbling over a slender shoulder, fingertips parting from his harp to press, palm-down, to his chest for a brief moment, before lowering for his strings once again.

“It’s like smilin’ when the firin’ squad’s against you.♪ ”

“..an’ you just stay lined up, yeah. ♪ ”

He pushes from where he sits, drawing abruptly to his feet in another glittering sweep of his robes as he turns in a dainty twirl back toward the aisle with another elegant twirl. His melody is gaining momentum, his lyrics are garnering strength, and his music unfolds in twining layers.

“Darlin’, darlin’, darlin’..♪ ”

“I fall to pieces, when I’m with you, I fall to pieces. ♪ ”

His fingers lift to his lips, index and middle splayed against the shape of his lower as his tail sways, as his shapely hips offer a loose sway, uttered against a quiet hum that echoes for all that he tries to conceal it behind his palm. That hand lifts from his lips, it rises above his head, palm-up, toward the glimmering chandelier as he twirls in place, braid swinging in a golden arc from his shoulder, until that arm extends before him as he flutters forwards a stride.

“My cherries an’ wine, rosemary an’ thyme.♪ ”

“..an’ all of my peaches are ruined. ♪”

Again, the curse is uttered with the same sickly-sweet tenderness as the rest of his lyrics, velvet-smooth, layered honey, thick and indulgent and everything Tani’s songs ever seek to embody. His lips form a smooth smile around it, as if he’s still speaking in rosette platitudes, in quiet sonnets, and irate poetry.

His song doesn’t lose its momentum, it remains flowing from his chorus, with all the white-foam exuberance of a running stream, as his hand extends, and his movements pause by Cyrus Nightingale. He extends a hand towards him, and his claw-tipped fingertips skim along the crest of the familiar Hyur’s cheek.

“My rose garden dreams, set on fire by fiends. ♪ ”

“..an’ all my black beaches are ruined. ♪ ”

He leans down, close — until he hovers by the crest of Cyrus Nightingale’s brow, words sung into the silken crest of his hair, harp clutched close to his chest, words paused for long enough for him to press a kiss into the heart of the familiar Hyur’s brow, a kiss that leaves behind an outline of vibrant-red lipstick. He straightens, his fingertips sweep down, until they hook beneath Cyrus’ chin. They offer a small nudge to urge their gaze up, before snaking away, and withdrawing.

“My celluloid scenes are torn at the seams. ♪”

He’s lost in the song, enveloped in its eerie melody as he turns away in a whisk of golden silk, and peridot constellations outlined by gold. He moves back into the aisle, free hand lifting to press to the heart of his half-exposed sternum, now flushed both from the exertion of his singing, and by the weighted warmth of the vibrant lights above him, sweeping across his flesh, and illuminating the glittering highlights applied to his skin.

“..an’ I fall to pieces. ♪ ”

His hand lifts to his lips, he takes a short step back, tail whisking his robes from his path as his index finger sneaks past the bow of his lower, gaze turning away as the light at the base of the stage illuminates the frame of his silhouette with enough vapid iridescence to give his voice more emphasis. His music fades, it falls to a transient, and temporary silence, until it’s only Tani’s velveteen voice left to carry his song.

“I fall to pieces when I’m with you. ♪ ”

That hand lowers from his lips, it sweeps behind him to rest, palm-down, upon the edge of the stage as he lifts himself up just enough to fold back, and sit upon the glossy surface. His tail whisks behind him, fur glittering and dotted with his characteristic pearls that rattle, and catch against the stainless glass beneath him. His head tips, expression still alight, eyes still vibrant.

“Why? ♪ ”

He moves to stand, rising to his diminutive height with one last flick of his over-thick tail, music mounting as he stands, rising to set along the narrow curves of his bared, freckle-scattered shoulders. His free hand lifts, his harp is propped to his hip once again, and his touch returns to his golden strings all over again to sink into his final verse with a sway of his hips, voice reaching a new, fluid, liquidesque height.

“‘Cause I love you so much, I fall to pieces. ♪ ”

His voice lowers, again— but the emotion it leaves upon his fair, fae features remains all the same. He holds his note until he runs short of breath. He sucks in a brief gasp to re-gather himself, fingertips never once stalling their movements across his corded harp’s strings, head tipping aside, gaze lifting to regard his audience, though seemingly only ever settling upon one figure, amidst many.

“My cherries an’ wine, rosemary an’ thyme. ♪ ”

“..an’ all of my peaches are ruined, -bitch-. ♪ ”

His beat begins to dwindle, his hands begin to slow against his harp-strings until they withdraw with a flourish, and a dainty flutter of his painted claws as his palm tips upwards, and his fingertips curl toward the heel of his palm, head tipping loosely to one side as that serpentine smile finds its way back along his lips.

“..are ruined. -Bitch-. ♪ ”

“..are ruined. ♪ ”

His hand splays. His palm comes down to press to his reverberating strings to cease their tumbling tune at once as he utters the harshness of his final line with enough sweetness to glaze a sugarcomb, coiled smile still drawn across his lips as his lashes offer a dull, coquettish flutter.

“♪ ♪ /Fuck/. ♪ ♪”

His beat finds its ending, his song meets silence, and his hand comes away from the harp to whisk toward the curve of his chest, smile turning something more sincere, and less hyperbolic as he tips his gaze down to regard his audience with earnest concern, tail finally still behind him, curled away from the heels of his boots.

His hesitance fades at the first ring of applause. He drops that hand to pinch a forefinger and a thumb within the skirts of his robes as he draws them from his feet to dip into a graceful, and dainty little curtsey. He straightens again, and he adjusts his grasp upon his lire, lifting that hand to his lips to blow a honeyed kiss toward his audience.

“Thank you~!” His words are uttered sing-song, airy, and light. He turns away with a flourish of his robes, and a flick of his adorned tail as he turns his back, and heads backstage again with a light bounce to his step.

#balmung #ffxiv #Final Fantasy XIV #ff14 #miqo'te #Final Fantasy 14 #performance #ic #my writing #it was so hard to work the profanity into this #without it looking like tani was just #swearing for no reason #i love u lana but i have no idea who you're aiming those 'bitch'es and 'fuck's at

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cherry-interlude · 7 years ago

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(Incomplete) Review of Lust For Life

This is the first half of my unfinished review of Lust For Life by Lana Del Rey written on my Wordpress (canwetalkaboutthatthing) which I’m trying to convince myself to finish. Also, all of the written things are my opinion AND I haven’t proofread or anything!

You would only have to know me for ten minutes to discover how much I love Lana Del Rey and her music. Despite the criticisms she has received for things she has said and the glorification of drugs, violence and death, I personally feel there is more to her than that; positives that outweigh the negatives. I feel she is a talented artist - musically, lyrically and visually - and she has a spirit as beautiful as her voice. However, I don't allow this worship of her to halt my own opinions of her music - ones that may differ from the mainstream critics that have already dissected her record - which leads me to this badly-introduced post on her newest album (forgive me, I'm rusty).

When she released Lust For Life this year I felt blessed with her new offering of music - and opinionated. Listening to her album on near-repeat throughout the end of summer and entirety of autumn has given me the chance to pull apart each track and decide precisely how I feel for them. Some I became hooked on immediately - I sang along, I cried and I recognised the familiar 'Lana Del Rey' vibe she consistently has in her previous albums. Others I felt unsettled with, as I couldn't connect to them nor did they have the traditional 'Lana' vibe. Not to say that they're bad songs, nor to say that they are objectively the lesser songs on the album, but in my own personal opinion some were not as favourable as others.

Beginning with the opening track, Love - her first release for the album - I was pleasantly and wonderfully surprised. Whilst it had some new additions to it (directing the song towards her beloved fans, referring to us as 'kids', the pleasant vibe which is rarely seen in a Lana Del Rey song) it still had the familiarity of her vaguely retro music and the lyrics including her favourite "vintage music". It's a beautiful song, easy to get into and gives you a warm vibe. Paired with the futuristic video of shooting stars, floating cars and a beaming Lana, it is a purely joyful and reflective song, paying homage to the fans that, like her, are just young and in love. It's the essence of the majority of her music - to be in love, to fall out of love. Love is a central theme for most of her songs and lyrics. This track takes a positive approach towards it, introducing the album with a lust for life.

This continues into the second single and second track of the album - Lust For Life - her first duet out of the five. It is still Lana with a hint of something new - the familiarity of the doo-wop music and the Americana references to Hollywood go beautifully with her ecstatic joy for life rather than the consideration that we're all really born for death. Once again Lana croons with The Weeknd (previously in Prisoner, Stargirl Interlude and at the end of Party Monster in The Weeknd's albums Beauty Behind The Madness and Starboy) and it's impossible to deny that their voices are made for each other. Both sweet and swooning, silken to listen to, they're a musical match made in heaven, and it makes the line "my boyfriend's back and he's cooler than ever" that much more adorable. Lyrically, the song is about the joys of being with that special someone, seeing the wondrous hope in the world and enjoying being alive, just stripping down and taking off your clothes to only enjoy one another's company - or perhaps "taking off" the serious wall around our true emotions and selves after the worrying events of 2017, an idea that's more believable due to the politically-aware theme of the album. Comparing Lana's almost spoken, low verses with a hint of smiling in her tone to her swooping, sing-a-long choruses, it's another track to make you feel good inside and want to twirl around on the H of the Hollywood sign with the person in your life.

Both of these tracks - happy, and featuring Happy Del Rey - are soon followed by the return of traditional Lana: a cinematic, sweeping opening, a quote from the vintage film (Carnival Of Souls) and devastated confessions of how it hurts to love someone but you can't help yourself: 13 Beaches. Once again, Lana has given us a song to cry over, to lie back and envision the gorgeous imagery she invokes throughout the song - sunlit beaches, dripping peaches and ballroom dancing (as randomly as it sounds). Though it is a song dedicated to the impossibility of being alone when you're famous, and the complicated relationship with fame (loving it and hating it), it can still be taken as a sweet song for a lost lover, and it's these interpretations that make her music on the whole so much more enjoyable for each person individually. It's pure Lana Del Rey, just as brilliant and upsetting as The Blackest Day, Pretty When You Cry or Blue Jeans - though feels slightly disconnected to a real love interest due to the roots of who it's really for: fame.

The fourth track, and one of the shortest, is decidedly my favourite. It's a song that fills me with so much joy as it does sadness that I can't resist it at all. It's a song I frequently listen to and sing along to as there are so many elements that make it so fabulous. Firstly, once again the Lana-isms return: stunning imagery of cherries, wine, rosemary and thyme, and the difficulty in loving a dangerous man who is no good for you. Secondly, the music itself - I think it's a fun and sexy song, especially when you see Lana perform it live - and it makes it that much more enjoyable to sing and dance to with friends. Thirdly, its connection to the previous song: In 13 Beaches, she delicately references to eating "dripping peaches", a stunning image. However, in Cherry, she informs us that her peaches are "ruined". It's a beautiful link, and she has often reused and linked lyrics in many songs before. In this album, peaches, black beaches and summer bummers are recycled in the first few tracks, linking these opening songs together - and connecting them further is the vibe. Moving onto the fourth thing I adore about Cherry is the swearing. Between verses and choruses, and at the end of the song, she exclaims a muffled "Fuck!", and peppers the latter half of the song with "Bitch". It's spiteful and sexy, a comeback that both deals with the emotions and ruin as well as calling out the one who made her snap. The insults honestly make it more fun, especially when you can shout them out loud when no one is around and imagine you're a sneering Lana looking down upon the man who destroyed the things she loved.

White Mustang, the second short track, takes a slightly different turn. Rather than being directly insulting towards the ne'er-do-well, she instead laments over him. He was a big man with a big car, clearly a dangerous man like the one who made her feel as if she was "smiling when the firing squad was against [her]" - the "revving"/"lightening" brings to mind danger and potential damage. It's a gentler song, with a soft piano throughout and slower choruses. This song is definitely a close favourite for me, keeping in line (once again) with recognisable Lana Del Rey imagery (cars/horses) and the dedication to a man she loved who she couldn't keep up the pace with. The switch from white Mustang the car to white mustang the horse is swift and cute, and my favourite part of the entire song is the whistling at the end. It brings along the slightly Western vibe, of a typical American cowboy which contrasts perfectly with the modernised addition of racing car sound effects. I just basically enjoy all these little things - subtle sounds and shifts that only layer it and add to the imagery.

"Summer"/"bummer" was a rhyming couplet in White Mustang and it only foreshadowed her next track (surprise, surprise, Summer Bummer). Her second duet and first of two with Asap Rocky (and Playboi Carti) begins with an entirely different piano vibe - a dark, quick paced throb of built-up energy which Lana flawlessly introduces. It feels big and explodes into a brilliant track starring Rocky in the second verse and in the backing vocals, but Lana has her own way of rapping: delicately listing "white lines and black beaches and blood red sangrias" to give it the summery vibe. This hip-hop track feels guided away from the usual Lana Del Rey but it's fresh and cool as a summer salad cucumber, her lazy vocals woven with her wavering warble towards the end of the track. It's not my favourite and I often prefer to skip Rocky's part (sorry) but it's still a great track.

Locky return with Groupie Love, my most likely close second on the album. I have to take a moment to mention how much I adore this song: the first time I listened to it, and most of the times following, I cried. I find the sweet lyrics, the gentle, bubbling music and the adorable, adoring tone so overwhelming. In some ways it's a parallel to White Mustang: both songs repeat their title over in the chorus, though whilst White Mustang sounds unhappy and longing, Groupie Love sounds radiant. It's a song that chokes me every time and returns to the theme of the follower of a brilliant man but this time rather than losing him or yearning for him, he returns his love to her. Rocky is sparkling on this track, his rap more low-key than his previous song, and their voices together remind me of the National Anthem video - the kisses they blew and the way they held each other as Jackie and John F Kennedy. The sweetest moment? The way they both sing "You and I, til the day we die." Lana and Rocky have sung together before (obviously on Summer Bummer but also on Ridin', an unreleased track) and they compliment one another wonderfully. Where The Weeknd and Lana share a similar voice that can drip like honey, Lana's lighter vocals oppose Rocky's harder, deeper tone, but it's just as beautiful, especially in a track so cute.

This to me is the where the best part of the album ends - seven strong tracks, definitively Lana Del Rey, each of them some of my favourite songs. When In My Feelings begins, I feel like the record takes a slight nosedive. In My Feelings is a song that I always feel is out of place. It doesn't feel quite like something Lana would sing to me, and whilst I understand she may experiment with styles and it's a song many fans favour, I can't connect with it. Does it have her smokey, filtered vocals? Of course, and they're as pretty as ever. Does it have the incredible imagery? Definitely: cigarette smoke, guns and coffee to name a few. However, it feels sort of empty, not quite with the rest of the album. It's a strong song aimed at a certain someone, warning them that she may be a beautiful rose but she's anything but delicate, unafraid to get her thorns out, and I can't say I don't enjoy the "tough bitch" she is expressing. But for me it just falls flat and doesn't quite feel right, especially when the bridge becomes a messy demonstration of her high notes that make it difficult to hear the lyrics. It's not a bad song but it's not the best.

Coachella - Woodstock In My Mind. I've been debating about this track for a while in all fairness. It has its positives but also its unmissable negatives, and usually I just skip the track rather than debate with myself whether or not I enjoy it as much as most of her other work or not. The message is excellent, where she sings of festivals and wondering about the future generations, and I like how Lana is taking the opportunity to use her music as a message to her impressionable fans - and get them thinking too. However, it doesn't feel quite polished and finished, the trap beats too heavy and the chorus a bit messy when it layers with several vocals. It feels like a hurried track, not yet ready for release out of production. I will say though, it did have heightened meaning to me following the Manchester terror attack this year, and after the tragic event occurred I found myself listening to Coachella at a whole new angle. I just can't consistently get into it as a song itself, nor can I relate to it.

God Bless America - And All The Beautiful Women In It is yet another song that just doesn't feel right to me. I'm not saying it's bad - it's quite beautiful - but it doesn't have the same vibe that made me fall in love with Lana's music a few years ago. Of course, she changes over time, and experiments, but to me I can't quite feel like I'm listening to a Lana Del Rey album. This is the point where you take the first few tracks and realise it doesn't sound anything in the same line as them; the music itself is different, a gentle guitar strum that brings to mind ABBA each time I hear it.

To be continued

I do love all of her music but this is an *attempted* non-bias, objective (ish, it hasn’t worked, I still gush about her) review of her music from my opinion.

UPDATE: -> Complete review <-

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kendrixtermina · 8 years ago

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MBTI as songs from “Lust For Life”

Love: ENFJ

Look at you, kids, you know you're the coolest The world is yours and you can't refuse it Seen so much, you could get the blues but That don't mean that you should abuse it

Lust for Life: ESFP

Climb up the H Of the Hollywood sign, yeah In these stolen moments The world is mine ( There's nobody here Just us together Keepin' me hot Like July forever 'Cause we're the masters of our own fate We're the captains of our own souls There's no way for us to come away 'Cause boy we're gold, boy we're gold

13 Beaches: INTP

It took thirteen beaches to find one empty But finally I'm fine Past Ventura And lenses plenty In the white sunshine But you still can find me If you ask nicely Underneath the pines With the daisies Feeling hazy In the ballroom of my mind Across the county line

Cherry: INFP

Darlin', darlin', darlin' I fall to pieces when I'm with you, I fall to pieces (bitch) My cherries and wine, rosemary and thyme And all of my peaches (are ruined, bitch) My rose garden dreams, set on fire by fiends And all my black beaches (are ruined) My celluloid scenes are torn at the seams And I fall to pieces (bitch) I fall to pieces when I'm with you (Why?) 'Cause I love you so much, I fall to pieces My cherries and wine, rosemary and thyme And all of my peaches (are ruined, bitch)

White Mustang: ESTP

Caught up in my dreams and forgetting I've been acting like Armageddon 'cause you Held me in your arms just a little too tight That's what I thought Summer's meant for loving and leaving I was such a fool for believing that you Could change all the ways you've been living But you just couldn't stop The day I saw your white Mustang Your white Mustang The day I saw your white Mustang Your white Mustang

You're revving and revving and revving it up And the sound, it was frightening And you were getting a part of that You gonna hit me like a lightning The day I saw your white Mustang Said you're a wild Mustang

Summer Bummer: ENTJ

White lights and black beaches Miles in between us Is this love or lust or some game on repeat? It's like making me crazy Tell me, "have patience" Baby, I need this White lines and black beaches White lights and black beaches And blood red sangrias We traveled for weeks Just to escape your demons But you've got your reasons In making me crazy But you've got your reasons White lights and black beaches

Groupie Love: ISTJ

Time after time, writing my lines Having my baby there next to me It's so sweet, pouring you a drink And pretending that nothing means anything This is my life, you by my side Key lime and perfume and festivals Taking our dreams, turning them to things It's like magic, babe, isn't life wonderful?

In My Feelings: ESTJ

I'm smoking while I'm runnin' This town and you better believe it, honey I'm laughing as I'm taking my prisoners And taking down names I'm crying while I'm gunning In the smoke they can hear me coming If you were me, and I was you I'd get out of my way Get that cigarette smoke out of my face You've been wasting my time while you're taking what's mine While you know what you're doing Talk that talk, well now they all know your name And there's no coming back from the place that you came Baby don't do it 'Cause you got me in my feelings (got me feeling so much right now) Talking in my sleep again (I'm making love songs all night) Drown out all our screaming (Got me feeling so crazy right now) Who's doper than this bitch? Who's freer than me? You wanna make the switch Be my guest, baby I'm feeling all my fucking feelings

Coachella: ISFP

I was at Coachella Leaning on your shoulder Watching your husband swing in time I guess I was in it 'Cause baby, for a minute It was Woodstock in my mind In the next morning They put out the warning Tensions were rising over country lines I turned off the music Tried to sit and use it All of the love that I saw that night 'Cause what about all these children And what about all their parents And what about about all their crowns they wear In hair so long like mine And what about all their wishes Wrapped up like garland roses Round their little heads I said a prayer for a third time

God Bless America and All The Beautiful Women In It: ESFJ

Take me as I am Don't see me for what I'm not Only you can hear me tonight Keep your light on, babe I might be standing outside You let me in, don't leave me out Or leave me dry Even walking alone, I'm not worried I feel your arms all around me (arms around me) In the air on the streets of the city Feels like I am free It's got me thinking God bless America And all the beautiful women in it

When The World Was At War Before We Just Kept Dancing: ENFP

No, it's only the beginning If we hold on to hope We'll have a happy ending When the world was at war before We just kept dancing When the world was at war before We just kept dancing And we'll do it again (Oh my god, did it from loving you)

Beautiful People With Beautiful Problems: INFJ

Blue is the color of the planet from the view above Long live our reign, long live our love Green is the planet from the eyes of a turtle dove 'Til it runs red, runs red with blood We get so tired and we complain 'Bout how it's hard to live It's more than just a video game But we're just beautiful people With beautiful problems, yeah Beautiful problems, God knows we've got them But we gotta try (la la la) Every day and night (la la la)

Tomorrow Never Came: ISFJ

I waited for you In the spot you said to wait In the city, on a park bench In the middle of the pouring rain 'Cause I adored you I just wanted things to be the same You said to meet me out there tomorrow But tomorrow never came Tomorrow never came

Heroin: ISTP

It's hot, hot Something 'bout the city Don't know what it is And makes my head get crazy Oh, oh, oh Makes me feel like I can change Oh, hoh, hoh, hoh All of my evil ways and shit Hmm, hmm Oh, oh, oh I'd be lying if I said I wasn't sick of it

Change: ENTP

Lately I've been thinking it's just someone else's job to care Who am I to sympathize when no one gave a damn I've been thinking it's just someone else's job to care but who am I to wanna try but Change is a powerful thing People are powerful beings Trying to find the power in me to be faithful Change is a powerful thing I feel it coming in me Maybe by the time this song is done I will be able To be honest, capable Of holding you in my arms without letting you fall When I don't feel beautiful and stable Maybe it's enough to just be where we are because

Get Free: INTJ

Finally, I'm crossing the threshold From the ordinary world To the reveal of my heart Undoubtedly, that will for certain Take the dead out of the sea And the darkness from the arts This is my commitment My modern manifesto I'm doing it for all of us Who never got the chance

(Obviously after the first handful some were rather rough approximatons, but as they were exactly 16 I couldn’t resist)

#mbti #lana del rey #loving the album tho

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coffeelevel8-blog · 5 years ago

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Creamy vegan risotto with mushrooms & sausage

Want to impress your Valentine? Make this creamy vegan risotto with mushrooms and sausage.

Risotto isn’t difficult to make. But it does take a bit of babying. The effort is totally worth it – bite after luxurious bite.

Thank you to Herbivorous Butcher for sponsoring today’s post! The contents, photos, and opinions expressed are fully my own.

There’s a thick blanket of snow outside. And I am under a thick blanket of cotton inside…

This time of year, it’s hard to fight against the pull of cozy. A warm home, thick slippers, and a couple of purring cats are endlessly persuasive when the air is biting and gray.

So what’s a person to do on special occasions like Valentine’s Day? Bring the fun of going out to the comfort of your own kitchen!

Herbivorous Butcher: Valentine’s Day Dinner for Two

All year ’round, you can order from the Herbivorous Butcher on their website. They have a wide array of plant-based meats and cheeses (including the best vegan bacon out there!)

Their vegan meats and cheeses are also available in some stores, including grocery stores in Iowa City & Des Moines.

Plus, throughout the year they offer special packages online.

I was delighted when Herbivorous Butcher reached out about partnering for a few of their upcoming packages. I’m sharing what the packages include, as well as a recipe to go with each of them!

Today’s recipe is for creamy vegan risotto with mushrooms and sausage. You are going to love it! But more on that in a bit…

(Of course, even if you are unable to order the package or if you’ve missed the ordering deadlines, you can still make the recipes any time!)

Regular readers know that I’m a longtime fan of Herbivorous Butcher. No visit to the Twin Cities is complete without a stop at their brick and mortar location. Their plant-based meats & cheeses are artisanal quality.

So I’m beyond excited to share their Valentine’s Day Dinner for Two. It’s sure to make your loved one swoon! (And yes, everything in these pictures is 100% vegan!)

The Valentine’s Day pack includes:

Two Filet Mignons (7 ounces each)

Garlic Sausage (13 ounces)

Havarti Reserva (5 ounces)

Fondue Cheese (16 ounces)

Two 1-minute mug cakes from Coconut Whisk

The Valentine’s Day pack won’t start shipping until February, but I got an early peek at the goods. (Get all of the ordering details on the Herbivorous Butcher website or at the bottom of this post!)

Havarti Reserva

David and I celebrated Valentine’s Day early with a vegan cheeseboard – including Havarti Reserva and melty fondue cheese for dunking.

Can you believe the gorgeousness of that Havarti Reserva?

It’s made by reducing red wine, and then marbling it in the cheese sauce before it hardens. This buttery cheese has a mild flavor. And it spreads onto crackers like a dream.

Fondue

Before I went vegan, I loved having birthdays and anniversaries at a fondue restaurant in Los Angeles. I’d get all of my friends to come out. And we’d make a meal of little bites dunked in melty cheese.

So it really took me back to get the fondue pot going for this velvety cheese dip.

To take this fondue experience to the next level, add a wide array of dippers. This seriously could be a meal all on its own!

Dippers for vegan fondue:

Toasted bread chunks (I used garlic sourdough. Marbled rye would also be good!)

Soft pretzels

Herbivorous Butcher garlic sausage, browned in bite-sized pieces

Tiny roasted potatoes

Roasted Brussels sprouts

Roasted cauliflower

Cornichons

Olives

Cherry tomatoes

Regarding the soft pretzels, I recommend leaving them whole on the charcuterie board. Then you can just pull off a part before dunking. (Obviously read the ingredients first, but it’s usually not hard to find frozen soft pretzels that are vegan in the grocery store.)

For more ideas, just think of anything that would be improved with a ladling of salty, tangy cheese, and pop it onto the board.

Filet Mignon

Something I love about Herbivorous Butcher’s steaks & filets is that they can really take a good sear without drying out. In the summer, I cook them on the outdoor grill. In the winter, I take to the grill pan.

And my favorite part is getting a good, crusty exterior that you can crackle through. You don’t have to worry that it’s going to dry out the insides to get some color on the outside.

The filet is really thickly cut, which makes for an impressive looking entrée. You can serve it whole, or put it in slices on a plate.

I’m surprised again and again at the filling nature of their seitan. David and I usually split one filet between the two of us!

To finish off this romantic meal, I made creamy vegan risotto with mushrooms and the Herbivorous Butcher garlic sausage.

Risotto has “special occasion” written all over it, because it does take a little more attention than your standard weeknight rice dish. However, it’s not complicated to make. It just means that you have to focus on the one thing you’re doing.

For this risotto, I used Arborio rice. It is a plump grain that holds its shape, and has a starchiness that lends itself to risotto.

But this vegan risotto is not just creamy from the rice alone. I also finish it with cashew cream. It’s almost like vegan risotto meets mushroom alfredo.

It makes for a really indulgent, full-bodied dish that feels downright decadent.

How to make creamy vegan risotto

Start by browning bite-sized pieces of seitan sausage in a large skillet. Then move them to a plate for later.

Then sauté mushrooms in the skillet until they release their juices and brown. Push them to one side of the skillet, and add onions and garlic. Sauté until fragrant.

Add the Arborio rice, thyme, rosemary, and pepper. Get everything fully coated.

Then it’s time to start slowly adding in vegetable broth – one or two ladles at a time from a pot of warm vegetable broth on the stove.

With each ladling of broth, allow the rice to fully soak it up before adding another. Keep stirring. As it cooks, the risotto will start to thicken.

Keep adding ladle after ladle of broth until you run out. This will take about 25 minutes. By the time you finish, the rice should be al dente.

Add cashew cream to the pan (made with raw cashews and water). Also add the seitan sausage back into the pan. Combine everything and let it cook for about a minute more.

The risotto should be creamy and luxurious, but not overly wet.

Serve this creamy vegan risotto with seitan filet mignon, and a green vegetable like steamed broccoli or grilled asparagus.

How to place an order for the Valentine’s Day Dinner for Two

You can place an order for Herbivorous Butcher’s Valentine’s Day Dinner for Two on their website. They ship to all 50 states & Puerto Rico. They do not ship internationally.

Get the feast shipped to you for $90 (includes postage and handling). Or if you’re a Twin Cities local, you can pick it up in the store for $65.

If you place your order by January 27th, it will be shipped on February 4th.

If you place your order by February 3rd, it will be shipped on February 11th.

Cadry Nelson

About 3 1/2 cups of risotto

Creamy vegan risotto with mushrooms & sausage

This full-bodied risotto is extra creamy by way of cashew cream. It's a vegan main or side dish that really feels like an indulgence. It's loaded with mushrooms and seitan sausage. Worthy of a date night!

10 minPrep Time

38 minCook Time

48 minTotal Time

5 based on 2 review(s)

Ingredients

1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons raw cashews*

1/2 cup water

3 1/2 cups vegetable broth**

2 teaspoons organic canola oil (or other neutral-flavored high heat oil), divided

1 cup (6 ounces) chopped seitan sausage (I used Herbivorous Butcher garlic sausage), small to medium bite-sized pieces

8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced

Pinch of salt

1/2 cup chopped yellow onions

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup Arborio rice

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary

Pepper, to taste

Instructions

Make the cashew cream. Put the raw cashews into a high speed blender with 1/2 cup of water. Blend until it is completely smooth, a thick cashew cream. Set aside.

Bring a small pot of vegetable broth to a low heat on the stove. You'll come back to it in a bit.

Bring a large non-stick skillet to a medium heat with one teaspoon of oil. Brown the seitan sausage pieces in the skillet to give them some color on both sides. This should just take a couple of minutes. Remove the sausage pieces from the skillet, and transfer them to a plate for later.

Add a half teaspoon of oil to the skillet, as well as the sliced mushrooms and a pinch of salt. Allow the mushrooms to release their liquid and brown in the skillet. Once the mushrooms are brown on one side, flip them. (Moving the mushrooms too often will slow their browning.)

Once the mushrooms have some nice color, push them to one side of the skillet. Add the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of oil to the empty side of the skillet, along with chopped onions & garlic. Saute the onions and garlic for a couple minutes, until fragrant. Then stir them together with the mushrooms.

Add Arborio rice, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and a grind of black pepper to the skillet. Use a spatula to fully incorporate all of the ingredients. Cook for a minute or so.

Now it's time to start incorporating the warm broth. Add one or two ladles of warm broth to the skillet. Stir the Arborio rice mixture almost constantly. The ingredients in the skillet should be at a low simmer. You don't want everything to boil off quickly, but you also don't want the heat so low that it takes forever to cook.

Once the rice has fully absorbed the first round of broth, add another ladleful and allow that to be absorbed, continuing to stir often. Keep going in this manner - ladle by ladle - until all of the broth is used. (Once the broth is gone out of the small pot, remember to turn off the heat.) As it cooks, the risotto will start to thicken. It should take about 25 minutes for all of the broth to be absorbed into the rice. Take a bite. The rice should be perfectly al dente. (It's unlikely, but if it still feels too hard, you can add a splash more of water to the rice until it reaches the right texture.)

Now it's time to add the cashew cream. Pour the cashew cream into the skillet, and fully combine. Allow the risotto to cook for a minute or so longer. It should be velvety and rich. Taste for salt & pepper, and add more if necessary. Serve right away.

Notes

*If you aren't using a high speed blender, you'll need to soak the raw cashews in additional water for several hours to soften and then drain before continuing with the recipe. Or grind the dry raw cashews in a clean coffee grinder until they are fine like a flour. Then add them to your standard blender with the water. If you're using a high speed blender, you can skip this step.

**If you'd prefer, instead of vegetable broth you can use 3 1/2 cups of water + 1 Tablespoon Better Than Bouillon in the no-chicken base. Just stir the Better Than Bouillon into the warm water until it dissolves.

7.8.1.2

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https://cadryskitchen.com/2019/01/14/vegan-risotto/

Recipe video music: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music

This is a sponsored post with a brand that I use in my own home. Posts like these help me keep fresh recipes coming your way!

Source: https://cadryskitchen.com/2019/01/14/vegan-risotto/

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condorbill36-blog · 6 years ago