#nono actually this is great last year i was in a huge art block and that got better but squid game really got my motivation back

[lyxchen]

Okay besties, I actually got 500 followers on here now and that's largely because so many people started following me for Squid Game sooo if you want you can send me Squid Game art requests. Any character is fine I think, if you want ship stuff I'll probably only draw that for Gi-hun/In-ho, Hyun-ju/Young-mi and maybe also Sae-byeok/Ji-yeong, also nothing too smutty. I would also love to draw friendship or family art. So just send me an ask and I'll try to draw it

[astrolatrism]

CIGARETTES OUT THE WINDOW

—j. knoxville

chapter 2. (SERIES + social media AU + crackfic)

ᶻ 𝘇 𐰁 𓂂 ﾟ𓈒 ݁ .

The sun escaped from the sides of the blinds that protected your window and fell ever so softly into your face as if it was waking you up personally. Your eyes fluttered open and your body started up again as you tried to get up. Your whole body ached as normal, but this time there was a different feeling accompanying it. It was the same feeling you got when you had something… new. A new idea for a book, outfit, art piece, or even so simple as a song. It fell heavy onto your heart and it reminded you of your actions last night. You couldn’t decide if you were stupid or naive. Stupid to actually think that you had a chance at reconnecting with your lost friend, or naive for the same reason.

You picked up your phone and looked through your notifications as usual. Though you were surprised to be met with messages.

rydunn so its on the 14th

rydunn nd i’ll send u the adress later

system notification you have been added to JACKASSES

rydunn srry they made me

worldofbam did u rlly know johnny as a kid

callmesteveo r u hit

callmesteveo hot*

partyboypontius i cackled

englanddave block them n run while you still can @usern6me

callmesteveo i’m hurt. offended, even.

The conversation went on through the notifications as you scrolled. Honestly you’d never think you’d end up acquaintances with such people. They were the type—in your point of view—of people who always seemed cool and funny, but you’d feel too awkward to go to up and hear your embarrassing voice manage to ask them if you could hang out.

You spaced out because of this chain of thoughts and were brought back to earth by a buzz from your phone. It was Ryan. He’d sent you the address. Now this meant that you were really in it. No turning back. You were really emphasizing everything, it wasn’t that big of a deal looking back on it. But at that time and moment the only thing on your mind was the anxiety of Pj being upset at your presence.

Your first instinct was to call your friend. She always was there to listen, if not to give good advice.

ring.

ring.

ri-

“hello?”

“babe i think i fucked up. like hugely this time.”

She listened to every word you had to say and as soon as the silence set into the air, she burst out laughing. “You-you…. Oh my god…. This is great!!” she struggled to get out through giggles. “Shut up..” you retort. “Nono really, this is fantastic! I’ve been tortured all these years by not getting closure to the story. Kind of like a fanfic where it hasn’t been updated since 5 years ago!” she reasons. You let out a gut laugh. “Imagine how i feel.” you roll your eyes, forgetting she couldn’t see it. The call went on for another hour or so, you couldn’t really tell.

After a minute to process, you decided to actually go. Officially. No turning back, no making up a pathetic excuse, no nothing. But with the decision, came the realization that time is moving rather quickly towards the day that you dread so much. Thank god you had you had just started on your new album before moving again. The appointments for recording and lyric-writing helped take your mind off of Pj.

editors note: this shit is so short srry lol

[bites-kms]

Christmas Around the World

I’ve been waiting for almost a year to finally post this! Who knew that a year later, I would be finishing this post from Oxford St, surrounded by live Christmas carols and decorations that might blind the tourist eye. 

Regardless on where you are or what you believe in, Christmas is always a special happy time to celebrate together with whom you love the most. Perfect occasion to drink and eat delicious feasts and fall into a food comma until the next day. Wasn’t that was resurrection was about? :D <3 

I had the chance to spend December in different continents and countries, yet only 2 times I’ve spent Christmas away from home: one in HCMC and another one in Madrid. 

So... how do people experience the most joyful time of the year around the globe?? 

Southern Hemisphere - Hot Sunny Summer A) Uruguay - Montevideo & Punta del Este :: Home Lovely Home

Imagine this: 34 degrees Celsius, sunny beaches with mainstream, snowy decorations on every corner. Heavy, caloric food, heritage from cold Christmas spent in Italy or Spain, where our main ancestors have come from. Green countryside postcards and the white, sandy beaches are the Uruguayan equivalent of a snowy pine wood. Still, Santa, or as we call it, Papa Noel, wears the same winter outfit. 

At home is always about the “mesa” service. It’s a ritual. My Dad loves to do it and he is the greatest host when it comes to cuisine “alla Tocchetto”. When I was little, I remember helping him with el Nono while eating some of the charcuterie while preparing it, before going to Church o “Misa de Gallo”, the ceremony performed on the Christmas Eve, with my Mom, la Nona and Aurora. The best part of the Misa is that after it, Christ was already born so I was able to open my presents earlier than 12 o’clock - hence, earlier than anybody else!- and at midnight we only concentrated on staring in awe the great fireworks.

As a second dish, we usually have lechon or cold pigglet, with potatoe salad. Of course, we had turron, an almond and honey pie, as well as digestives and drinks, just enjoying them all-together. Sometimes, my godfather Beto also joined.  

Over the last 10 years or so, we changed the setting to Punta del Este, where we started renting the penthouse of this little wonderful boutique hotel and had bbqs and a privileged views of the ocean and the peninsula. Although is summertime, you can always count on experiencing some wind in Punta, so we were always wrapped in blankets or wearing a light sweater. 

Life happens and suddenly the guests at the table became less, with more empty seats, but with the same spirit and love. Those chairs were replaced by life long lasting friends like Henry & Carmen, once my lovely Turkish roommate Ayse joined, and it was a special occasion since it was her first and only Christmas at the time. I’m really looking forward for this 2017 Christmas since I haven’t been in Uruguay in December since 2015, whilst the year before I’ve spent it in Australia and Vietnam. 

Western Europe:: The tradition begins  A) Spain: Madrid & Galicia & Barcelona 

Last year was the first one that we spent it all together abroad, destination: Spain. There wasn't much to do in Madrid on the night of the 24th as we were expecting, but we did have two wonderful surprises: 1) we did our first DIY Christmas Sweater and 2) we discovered the amazing comfort food of “Migajas de Navidad”, meaning bread crumbs with everything else you can find: chorizo, meat, beans and veggies. 

B) England - London 

Stylish, classy, British. I had the chance to be there last weekend and it was the biggest snowstorm of the last 4 years! You could actually appreciate the white scenery across urban London, and that’s not common at all. Hot chocolate, warm mulled wine with cinnamon and pieces of fruit, as well as Pret-a-Manger soups are some of the British delights that keeps you warm during this wonderful time. Listening to random Christmas carols or singing for charity is something quite common on London Streets - cresting along lasting memory and stealing you a smile every single time. 

C) Portugal - Lisboa & Porto 

This is Christmas with Saudade. The Portuguese feeling of nostalgia is present in every food and on every corner. The lights are on but dimmed or faded out a little, with multiple Christmas Markets around, and the traditional Bolo Rei.

It was quite nice to arrive to our Airbnb and received, under a beautiful Christmas tree, three little gifts. We had such nice hosts and the location were superb: quite close to Praca de Pedro in Lisbon and a few blocks away from the main square in Porto. Such a lovely stayed and magical eve.

South East Asia:: Humid and Joyful  A) Singapore - Singapore 

Another hot and sweaty Christmas. In the humid weather, creating a cool atmosphere is more than necessary. Modern Christmas Markets, in-store Christmas carols, full-on decorated avenues and what they call a “Christmas Wonderland” is ready to transmit the coziness of the most wonderful time of the year! The key stars of Singapore are Gardens by the Bay displays, with each year’s unique proposal -one year they even scheduled a live show of snow fall!- and Orchard Road, the most important and fashionable street where Christmas presents and purchases are made. Each store competes with each other to get the most amazing decoration, therefore more likes and pictures shared on Instagram, creating a wonderful and cheerful avenue where shopping becomes a North Pole visit. 

B) Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City 

I’ve spent a very unconventional Christmas here in HCMC. I went to church to respect my home traditions, went back home, walking down Hai Ba Trung. I exchanged gifts with my couple and I kinda received a wedding proposal in return. It was a very joyful moment. We hugged each other very closely and went to have dinner to this wonderful place we truly liked, I cant remember the name at the moment, but I do remember the amazing little red tea tiramisu served in a little plant pot. It was a Thai Place. We carried our little champagne bottles downtown and greet the passing by people with a “merry chismas” - the way they pronounced it. Every Vietnamese in Saigon was out driving around, taking pictures of the crazy motorbike scene of that night, having a very merry moment. 

Northern Hemisphere - The B Side::: Where the real magic happens  

A) Russia -  Moscow & St Petersburg 

I went to Russia during December and experienced the snowy magic of the ex USSR, but didn’t have the chance to experience Christmas Night itself over there. I guess Orthodox Christmas may vary a little bit from what one is used to,  but I’m sure it would be amazing too.

I did had the chance to ice skate in front of the GUM, the amazing and huge commercial store located right next to Lenin’s mausoleum on The Red Square. It was quite a magical experience yet it made me think a lot. Everything was very Christmasy, very “Coca-Cola” if you��d like, since they do have this special Santa guy as well. Oranges are the Ortohdox symbol of prosperity and good luck that’s why they put it over the tree (same as the offerings done in Lunar ew Year in South East Asia). Chocolates, packed in a very unique, Russian way that resembles Russian architecture style tiles, are also served as treats for kids and adults alike. 

It was such a nice experience, drinking the warm mulled wine, riding a wonderful carrousel, singing Volga-Volga, remembering my Nono and toasting on his name. You feel the new Russian vibe but there’s something graceful and elegant about their Czarist past they can’t get rid of and you feel like a princess, waiting for Anastasia to show up and gossip about the past ballet or opera show. 

Shopping malls are also quite fantastic - and when it comes to discounts and trends, Russians know their stuff. 

B) Finland - Rovaniemi 

When hitting north, you better go big or go home. I went to Rovaniemi, in the highest, Northern part of Finland, on my way to Lapland. It was nice to make a stop there, not only to experience the Article Circle crossing line, but also and mainly because you can experience there real house of Santa Claus. Remember when you were a kid and you ended up taking pictures of yourself in every mall with a very dubious looking Santa? Well.. in this one, you can actually get the original picture after all!

You can visit Santa’s workshop and experience how the gifts are being made by the Elf team and you can learn the different Christmas traditions from around the globe. There’s an amazing souvenir shop where you can actually get your passport stamp by “the North Pole / Santa’s Workshop” but they getting more and more picky about that, since they don’t dare to stamp your actual passport anymore with a fake “country”. Yet, make sure to bring postcards or notebooks and get those stamps instead!

Bites & KMs Tip:::: SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE EXCLUSIVE!::::

You can also experience the deers and hopefully, if you are lucky, you can meet - or eat- Rudolf! There is a beautiful restaurant shaped as a tipi hut, North Pole style of course, where delicious feasts are being served. Don’t lose your time and go straight to the deer or even bear meat, you won’t regret it!

C) Sweden - Stockholm

If you imagine a white, snowy perfect Christmas, I bet Sweden and Stockholm is what’s on your mind and trust me, it will surely surpass your expectations. 

My lovely Sverige. Saint Lucia’s weekend is by far the most festive one and the one you should not miss! Same week as the Nobel Prize ceremony, Saint Lucia is a very typical Swedish Tradition, where carols and candles are being lighted in honor of this Saint. They also do a very picturesque procession in Gamla Stan and in Skansen. The lovely Christmas Markets, with their handcrafted art and food are a delight you shouldn’t miss. Try some mulled wine to warm you up while watching the amazing city lights, making it even more charming than usual, rising up its splendor.

D) New York, New York - Mariah Carey’s Kingdom 

It is indeed the most wonderful time of the year. With the incredible 5th Ave window displays, the fantastic and traditional Saks megastore decoration, as well as the Rockefeller Christmas Tree lightening, New York is fantastic during this time. All the parks around Manhattan and Brooklyn have Christmas Markets where to find delicious treats, fantastic gifts and charming people sharing the Christmas spirit. Macy’s and all the department stores play “All I Want for Christmas is You” and it’s the anthem for December. It makes me so happy. Download the Spotify playlist and enjoy Mariah, Wham! and Michael Bluble non stop.  

Wherever you experience it, whatever you believe in, I do tend to agree with the song that says “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” since, regardless of the gift and shopping stress, family business and menu planning discussions, people are happier, people are more united, and people are having a blast with the one they love. So, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Bites &Kms, with love <3