#six-yard staples

[cellythefloshie]

;; One Step Forward...Three Steps Back

Chapter Five of Cool for the Summer

Table of Contents

Chapter Four «« 🤍 »» Chapter Six

Summary: Andrei thinks Harper is avoiding him, and he isn't wrong... but it's so much more than that, and her family refuses to let it get out of hand.

TW: Implied depressive episode.

Word Count: 3k+

This series to be read in conjecture with @hockeyboysimagines I Loved You Three Summers.

While Andrei had intended for his time in Winnipeg to be spent with a focus on hockey, there was no ignoring the community that seemed to form so quickly around him. Seth had been connecting him with different trainers and facilities before their plane had left the ground back in Carolina. His parents had welcomed him with open arms, cooking him meals and treating them as if he were one of their own. This left Andrei feeling like he owed them. They wouldn’t accept his money, they were too humble for that - maybe he could get away with paying them something at the end of the summer, just before he left so they couldn’t try to pay it back. But until then, he helped out in any way he could, which meant he had gotten in the habit of checking the mail each morning. 

The key was small as he pinched it between two fingers tightly, scared he might drop it and lose it along the tall blades of grass that surrounded the Canada Post mailbox that was at the end of the street. It was a weird thing, not to have the mail delivered directly to your door, though he had come to understand the practicality of it all. It made it easier on the worker - though it didn’t stop them from mixing up the mail. Andrei flipped through each envelope casually as he walked along the sidewalk, reading the name and mailing address at the top to confirm each piece of mail was for Mr. or Mrs. Jarvis, only for him to freeze at the end of the driveway when he read a name that was only slightly out of place. Alexander. 

A smile grew over his features. He had been looking for a reason to knock on their door. Maddison seemed to be a staple around the Jarvis household, but Andrei hadn’t seen Harper since she had left him alone in the pool… with Seth - and that was over a week ago.

She hadn’t seen her in the yard, or by the pool since then, and for the first few days, her car was gone from the driveway before he could step out the door each morning. But for the last four days, her car remained parked at the top of the driveway, leaving Maddie’s Jeep and her father’s car to come and go with ease. Yet, Andrei hadn’t seen her once. She must have been avoiding him. It was the only explanation he could think of. 

He was going to change that. 

Walking up to the door, Andrei raised his fist and knocked against the screen door that rattled in its place. Beyond it, the second door was propped open, letting the warm summer breeze pass through the home. With the window open, Andrei could hear the life inside the house. The television was one - or maybe it was a radio - broadcasting a local news station. Leaning in closer, Andrei tried to peer in through the frost glass of the door. He saw a blur of shapes and colors, but he could smell the morning coffee in the air, lingering long after breakfast was finished. Then, cutting through the pleasantness of it all, was the harsh drag of aluminum against aluminum as the screen door was pushed open, sending Andrei back with a hop to avoid getting hit. 

His smile was stupid, almost laced with laughter at the thought that Harper may have tried to hit him with the door - but that smile fell into a firm, straight line at the sight of Mr. Alexander. 

The two had only met a handful of times, and each time Mr. Alexander had been nothing but respectful and kind towards Andrei… albeit he was an intimidating man with his narrow gaze, strong bone structure and police officer’s uniform. 

Andrei swallowed hard. 

“Morning, sir,” Andrei nodded, “there was a mixup in the mail.” He held up the single envelope with Harper’s name across the top. 

A large hand reached out for it, taking it from Andrei carefully. He watched as the older man’s face wrinkled with a frown, one that was hard to hide even as he quickly forced a smile back at Andrei. “I’ll tell her you stopped by.”

Before Andrei could bite his own tongue, he asked, “She’s not here?”

“Harper’s not feeling well,” Mr. Alexander spoke slowly, his voice and gaze low. 

Andrei couldn’t help but feel that there was more to it. That she really was avoiding him after what happened. It left an ache in his chest as he offered Mr. Alexander a crooked smile and a wave. His head hung low as he returned to the Jarvis' home. He placed the mail on the counter, earning a soft thank you from Mrs. Jarvis before his hand found the handle of his bag and he left out the Jarvis front door again, this time to meet his brother Evgeni who waited for him in his car at the end of the driveway. 

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

There was a kind of darkness that you could only really experience in a basement. There were no windows for light to filter in, leaving nothing for the eyes to see. Harper could have put her own hand in front of her face, and she still wouldn’t know it was there. Though she was pretty sure that she was staring at the wall. That was about all she knew. Harper didn’t know what day it was anymore. She didn’t know how long she had been awake, or what time it was. So quickly she had been lost in the heavy, dark void that surrounded her and she didn’t want to leave it. 

Her stubbornness, however, only had her father trying harder to draw her out from the basement. His arrival started as the soft sound of the basement door creaking open. Then, the smallest glimmer of light spilled down the stairs, casting a soft glow and shadows around what had quickly become her room. It outlined the laundry that needed to get done and the boxes that still needed to be unpacked fully. She had been living out of them since she had arrived home. If you could call what she had been doing, living. 

Harper coiled up in her bed at the sound of her father’s footsteps against the carpeted steps. They were hollow pillowy steps that wouldn’t have been heard anywhere else in the home. But the basement was quiet, empty sounding, so quiet Harper could often hear the sound of her own heartbeat and nothing else - but her father’s voice cut through it all. 

“Got some mail for you Harp.” His words were soft, warm like melted honey, a familiar comfort laced with desperation. 

Harper didn’t have to roll over to know that he was standing at the bottom of the stairs. It's where he always came to stand when he had come down to check on her. Concerned, but still respectful of the space she had created for herself since she had moved back home. 

Sighing, Harper curled into her blankets further. She said nothing. 

“Are you going to work today?” He asked, his voice soft, concerned. 

Harper said nothing. 

“You had a visitor again today. That boy keeps hoping to run into you, I think. He's a good kid.” 

That boy. Andrei. 

Harper had been avoiding him since their day in the pool. She got up earlier, came home later and planned her days with one goal in mind: to avoid him. It wasn't because he had done anything wrong, or that he annoyed her. It was because her father was right; he was a good kid. Andrei treated her with respect, with kindness. He was attentive, and interested in what she had to say or do, even if she was cold or acted uninterested. It was refreshing, yet jarring. Harper didn't know what to do with his attention. Back in the pool, it had left her heart and her mind racing in a way she couldn't explain and it had scared her. Not only had it left her retreating into her home, it left her spiraling into mourning over the relationship she had lost with Darren. With that came the anxiety of having to return home and having to start over alone at twenty-seven - a failure in her own mind, and she was sure everyone else's. 

Everyone but Andrei. 

The way he looked at her, it reminded her of a golden retriever sitting, waiting, for any bit of attention. He was so young. Innocent. A kid who would never understand what she had been through. 

So she hid away from him, from the world, even if that meant being lonely. 

The silence hung heavily in the air between Harper and her dad as she stood there, lingering, waiting for that heavy shadow to lift from its hold on her. But Harper only fell further into its grasp.

She missed the privacy of having her own place. 

She missed having someone to go home to at night.  

She missed the friends she had lost because of Darren, who was far from eager to take her back. 

Harper held her breath, choking back a son that sat in the very depths of her throat. 

“Well,” her father sighed, “I’ll be upstairs if you need anything-” 

Harper pulled the blanket up over her mouth, her face contorting with the ugliness of her silent sob as she listened to her father's footsteps disappear upstairs. She welcomes the silence, letting it surround her with the darkness, but it was short-lived. Another pair of footsteps could be heard not long after coming from the second story. Each one was loud, but not heavy. It wasn’t her father returning, but Madison. Harper was sure of it. Every impact sounded like more of a jump than a step that grew louder and louder until the basement’s carpeted steps muffled her steps and Madison was where their father once stood.

Slowly, trying not to be seen, Harper raised a single hand up and wiped the tears from her cheeks. But removing them couldn’t hide how her nose ran, and she was forced to sniffle it back, or that her eyes were left bloodshot from crying, which was what she often did as she lay there alone in the darkness with her thoughts. Surely her eyes were swollen too, and Madison would notice. She wasn’t as gentle as their father. He left her to lie in the darkness, but Maddie, she turned the lights on. 

Sighing, Harper let herself roll over in bed, her body becoming so tangled in the blankets it felt like a cobra constricted around her body. Her chest grew tight, forcing a long, deep breath before she spoke. “Dad send you down here?”

“No,” Maddie answered, but Harper was sure that was a lie. “I just wanted to come see my bright and cheery big sister.”

Harper watched as Maddie crossed her arms over her chest, a huff of frustration leaving her own body before she turned away to look at the wall. Sending Maddie down there with the tough love was low, even for dad. That had always been their mother’s job, and while she hadn’t been around long enough to teach Maddie her ways - that almost seemed to work - Maddie was impressively good at it. Harper hated it. 

“You two need to stop feeling sorry for me and just,” she let out a sigh, heavy with her own self-pity, “leave me alone.”

The bed shifted as Maddie sat down at the end of it and let out a short, breathy laugh. “No, Harper, I’m not going to leave you alone. Maybe you need to stop feeling sorry for yourself.”

Harper’s expression fell into a soft scowl as she rolled over to face her little sister. Why did she have to be right? She shouldn’t be down there hiding away from the world. Not when there was so much she needed to do. To fix. To rebuild. Harper needed to start her life again, but it was easier to hide away. To do nothing, but she couldn’t admit that to Maddie. Not when she had always encouraged her sister to do the very opposite that Harper was doing herself. 

“I’m not-”

“Aren’t you?” Maddie cut her off, “because from where we are, it sure seems that way. You’ve been laying down here for almost a week. You haven’t gone to work. You’ve barely eaten... Now you’re trying to shut us out. We’re worried about you. I know you’ve gotten used to being cast to the side, but it doesn’t work that way in this house, and you know it.”

Harper looked away from her sister, her lips pressed firm together. Her family knew her better than anyone. There was no hiding how she was feeling from them, even if she tried to. 

“I know what you’re going through can’t be easy. In fact, I can’t even fathom how you’re feeling about it all, but don’t you think you might feel better if you actually tried to feel better? It’s not good for you to be down here all the time by yourself.” 

Maddie was right, there was no denying that, but Maddie and their father were all she had left. She had no old friends to reach out to. All those bridges had been burnt. And she already felt like such a burden to her family. 

“What am I supposed to do, Mads? You’re my old friend, and the only other person who wants anything to do with me is that kid.”

Harper bit down hard on her tongue. Why did she even say that? Why did she bring up Andrei? She didn’t know, but regretted it the moment she watched her sister’s smile grow. 

“You’re not really in the position to be choosy about friends, Harper - And what kid? You mean Andrei?”

Harper scoffed, her arms crossing over her chest and wrinkling the Eagle’s t-shirt she had been wearing for days straight. 

“Yeah, the man-child.”

“You don’t even know him,” Maddie shook her head slowly as she chuckled, “he’s not a bad guy and if you weren’t so insistent on being rude to him, you would know that.”

Rude? Harper quirked a brow. She didn’t think she had been rude, not entirely anyway. Cold and disinterested maybe, but not rude. 

“You sound just like dad,” Harper sighed, reaching for a pillow to hug to her chest, to hide behind. 

Maddie shrugged, “maybe Dad’s onto something. Harper, I know you’re still really hurting, but at some point, you know you have to try and heal, right? If not for us, for yourself. And I have the perfect way to start.”

Harper’s lip curled into a subtle scowl. He didn’t like how excited her sister got when she said that. 

“Some of my friends from school and I, we’re going to the fair by the cabin for Canada Day. You should come. Sarah’s sister is coming too, so it’s not like you’re going to be stuck with a bunch of us kids.” She spoke the last words with air quotes. 

It almost felt wrong hearing it that way. Especially since Harper was the one acting childish, trying to hide from her problems, while Maddie was reminding her so much of their mother. 

Pushing up from where she lay in her bed, Harper wrapped her arms around her sister in a tight embrace. “you know I didn’t mean it like that,” she spoke into her shoulder. 

Maddie laughed, “I know, and it’s okay. So you’ll come - it wasn’t a question, by the way. More of a statement.”

“Yeah,” Harper sighed with a smile, “I’ll come.”

“Good, now. What are you going to do about today? You’ve been in bed for days. Think maybe it’s time to face the world, Harper Alexander?” See that it’s not so bad out there?”

It wasn’t the world Harper was worried about. It was how she had to find her place in it alone that was the issue. Who was she supposed to be now that half of the life she had made for herself was gone?

“A run could do me some good, maybe?” Harper spoke quietly. She hadn’t run in days, and it always had been the one thing that could really clear her head. Neglecting that fact was wrong of her to do, but it would feel all the more therapeutic now. 

“That sounds great, but I’m not coming with you,” Maddie started, and Harper’s smile grew a little wider. Maddie wasn’t an athlete, but she was always her biggest supporter. “You know me, I don’t run unless I’m being chased, and even then I don’t like to sweat.” 

“I’d never expect that from you,” Harper assured as she slowly moved to get out of bed. Her body felt heavy, and so stiff. She would need a good stretch before she went out. Slowly, she moved to the boxes she continued to live out of and found a pair of shorts and a sports bra to change into once she was alone. 

“Good. I don’t want to see you for at least 45 minutes, an hour even, extra points if you throw another 30 minutes onto that. I mean it. Go clear your head and come back with a new outlook on things. But not for an hour. Or else.”

“Alright, alright, I’m gone. A whole hour,” Harper assured. She wasn’t sure she could run for that long after taking such a dramatic break, but she would run through the park and watch the geese if she had to. Maddie obviously wanted some time alone in the house, and after having to put up with her, she had earned it. 

The promise seemed to excite Maddie, because she was off like a shot, taking the steps two at a time as she ran back up the stairs. Harper could only shake her head at her sister as she peeled off her t-shirt and hung it over the door. She had to fight into the sports bra and jumped into her running shorts with ease. She stunk, she was sure of it, but she was only going to be worse when she got home. That was only confirmed as she reached her hands up to draw her hair back into a ponytail. Her hair was greasy, she could feel it on her hands as she twisted the hair band around once and then again so that her hair was in a high pony. She desperately needed a shower, but it could wait just one more hour. 

Like her sister, Harper took the steps two at a time and moved for the front door where her sneakers rested, untouched since her last run. She couldn’t remember exactly when that was, and the socks she had left on the floor nearby only reminded her that it had been too long. They were crusty in her hands, sending her retreating back down the steps to grab a mis-matched pair to wear. She pulled them on when she got back to the front door, a pink sock on one foot, and a black sock on the other, before she pulled on her running shoes. 

She was ready to go, but before she took off out the door, Harper made the mistake of looking in the mirror that hung in the entryway. Her eyes were red still and sunken. She hadn’t been sleeping well, and it left her looking like she hadn’t slept at all. The strands of hair that hung from her ponytail to frame her face looked stringy, heavy with the need to be washed for the first time in almost a week. It left her feeling disgusting. She let herself fall too far, and it could have gotten worse. It still could if she wasn’t careful. But she would have her family’s help. With them by her side, in time, she could heal. 

“I love you!” Was the goodbye she called out to her sister before she took an uneven breath to build the courage to set foot outside looking the way she did and feeling embarrassed by it all, Harper stepped out onto the front porch and welcomed the fresh air as it hit her. She had almost forgotten how good it could smell. The breeze forced the scent of their planted flowers and the smell of freshly cut glass. She even welcomed the buzz of the lawn mower. Dad must have been back doing yard work again. 

Harper forced on a smile as she stepped out into the warmth of the sun, and she looked around the front yard for him only to find it empty. Her brows furrowed. It sounded close. She looked to one neighbor, and then to the Jarvis house before she found the source of the noise. Next door, Andrei was cutting the grass. He looked to be almost done, maybe two more walks almost the length of the lawn left, yet he froze in the middle of the lawn when he spotted her. 

From the depths of her gut, Harper's stomach jumped into her throat. The lawnmower's hum still filled the air between them, keeping her from making a snide remark about Seth making Andrei do all his chores - and she was glad it did. She didn’t need anymore attention drawn to her. It was bad enough that someone she knew was seeing her in such a state. It left her chest tight in her chest, and her mind was loud with the demand to run inside and cower away again. But she fought against the negativity with the simple press of her finger against her phone screen as she held it down by her side. Her running playlist blasted into her ears at a noise level she was sure would give her hearing loss at an early age, and she let it drown out every thought in her mind. 

She let it fuel her, letting the music consume her body as she stretched out her legs on the front lawn. Harper let her body limber, her eyes drawn back to Andrei on occasion as she returned to pushing the lawn mower over the grass. He was surely done now, the grass all seeming the same length, yet he walked in circles, sweaty and shirtless and maybe, just maybe, watching her too. 

Harper smiled softly when she was sure she was ready to go and raised her hand in a subtle wave to Andrei as she moved towards the curb. He waved back, a smile growing on his own features as she acknowledged him there. Sure he was young, but Maddie and her dad were right, he seemed like a good kid. Harper, at the very least, could be neighborly while he was there–and, well, enjoy the view. 

If there was one thing Harper would forever deny, was how good looking the hockey player was with his muscle-toned body and strong jawline. But that wouldn't stop her from looking when she had the chance. Her eyes lingered on the beads of sweat as they traveled down his shoulders and chest, leaving her head dizzy as she gave it a quick shake.

She needed to focus. Harper needed to piece her life back together. To forge new friendships and to decide what exactly would come next for her. But first, she needed to run. 

Taglist: @starshine-hockey-girl @wingedwheelprxncess @mp0625 @misunderstoodwerewolf @callsign-denmark @puckmaidens @xciciix @cixrosie

[joaquinwhorres]

Tis the Damn Season | The Lucky One (Jake Seresin x Reader)

Chapter 1: The Lucky One (aka. Dorothea)

SUMMARY ››››› The holidays have a way of dragging people back into places they swore they’d left forever. For you, it’s your small town of Coolidge, Texas and the arms of its golden boy: Jake “Hangman” Seresin.

PAIRING ››››› Jake Seresin x F!Reader (Nickname: Birdie)

WORD COUNT ››››› 5,322

WARNINGS ››››› None

MASTERLIST ››››› Here

A/N ››››› I am so excited to share this story that I’ve been planning out since July. These two are near and dear to me as is the playlist, so I hope you take the time to listen to the Taylor Swift songs even if she’s not your thing.

There wasn’t much special about Coolidge, Texas. Anyone who’d been literally anywhere else could see that. 

Of course, none of the people born and bred in Coolidge had ever been more than fifteen miles over the town line, and the only reason they wandered that far was on account of the Walmart being in the next town over and Travers’ limiting the amount of ammo a person could buy at any one time.

People by and large tended to stay in Coolidge. 

And it wasn’t because the town was quaint or picturesque or any of the other idyllic words your producers used to paint your hometown. The reason was far more tragic than that. People breathed their first and last in Coolidge simply because they got stuck here. Whether it was the mediocre schools, generational poverty, or perverse sense of loyalty to traditional American values, staying in Coolidge was more of a default than a choice.

So in many ways, winding up back here was an inevitability. At least your return was on your own terms to some extent.

You had needed to get away, and your sister’s annual argument for spending Christmas in Coolidge had been particularly compelling this year in light of that desperation. Add to that her point that she’d be leaving Coolidge at the end of the year, and it would be your family’s last chance at a Christmas together, and you were suckered into the second worst decision of your life.

Because absolutely nothing had changed about your hometown. 

You were still desperate to get out of the house. Still stealing the keys to the truck and letting the screen door slam behind you as you raced down the front yard. Still listening to your mother’s shouting as it followed you all the way to the truck, only growing quiet once you safely shut yourself inside the cab. 

You sighed, leaning your forehead onto the steering wheel and allowing yourself to bask in the brief moment of blissful silence. You should have stayed in LA.

With another sigh, you pulled yourself back up straight, flipping the mirror down to run your fingers through your hair and check to make sure all evidence of your own rage was indiscernible to the town’s eye. Satisfied, you shut the mirror back up, shifted the truck into drive, and pulled away from your family farm to head off into town. 

The fields of the surrounding farms and ranches passed by, blurring together into the dull beiges of your childhood, so different from the glittering golds, and deep blues and rich purples that you’d grown used to. No trees or mountains or buildings cut against the grey-ish white skyline, leaving you with the distinct empty feeling that only Coolidge could.

When you reached town, it wasn’t much better. Sure there were maybe a few more “Closed” signs than had been there when you left six years ago, but the staples remained: Mel’s Diner with the constant flow of patrons, the town square with statues of questionable historical figures, and Danbury’s Grocery with its sign of perpetually peeling green paint. 

You parked your truck in front of the grocer’s and climbed out, checking again in the rearview mirror that you were presentable, before turning and pushing inside. 

Danbury’s was still comprised of a mere four aisles, and yet, it was still impossible to actually find anything. 

You remembered perusing each of the long rows of shelves in high school, finding Oreos next to the pasta and bottles of Diet Coke on the same shelf as peanut butter. Back then, you’d blamed the disorganization on Evan Danbury’s apathy, illiteracy, and stash. Now you weren’t sure if the shelves were purposefully stocked in such a way to keep customers trapped between the rows, as close to an Ikea maze as you’d get out here. 

As a result, it took almost forty-five minutes to find the ingredients your mother claimed you’d wasted by baking (and subsequently burning) a few batches of Christmas cookies with your sister. Not that staying out of the house until your mother had time to get over herself was necessarily a bad thing. It was just a little pathetic even by Coolidge’s standards that you were spending that time in a grocery store.

You warned back up the second aisle to the cash register, setting the basket on the counter and greeting the older woman with a polite, “Good afternoon, Ms. Connie." 

The woman paused midway through setting down her book, her brow furrowing just a bit as she tried to place your face. You could see recognition hit her as her eyes widened, mouth hung, and hands moved straight to her hips, the book jutting out to the side. 

"That can’t be you, Birdie." 

There’s something almost discordant about the way your nickname sounded coming from her. 

You’d grown used to hearing the other contestants calling you Birdie during your time in the house, and a few people here and there on the street calling out to you in recognition as well. But the distinct twang of the word coming from Ms. Connie was something left behind in Coolidge when you made your escape. 

"Yes, ma'am,” you smiled widely, making sure to show just enough of your pearly whites to seem touched that she remembered you and not like a complete psychopath.  

“Look at you!” Ms. Connie grinned, giving you an up and down. She seemed to approve of what she saw, even if she was shaking her head. “Even more pretty than you were on TV." 

Your hand moved through the motion of smoothing back a piece of hair behind your ear, even though it was a pointless gesture. There was no hair out of place. "That’s kind of you.”

The cashier dismissed the modesty with a wave of her book-hand. “I’m just statin’ the facts,” she said, placing the book on the counter and turning to unload your basket. “So are you back home for the holidays?" 

"Yes’m,” you nodded, watching her lift the flour and pass it across the scanner with a satisfying beep. She seemed to notice that she’d forgotten to get a bag out to load your groceries into and bent down, searching for one. 

“I’m sure your parents are happy about that. I know they must have missed you somethin’ fierce,” she shouted up over the counter, finally procuring a brown paper bag and shaking it open. 

It’s a testament to having a camera on you 24/7 for a little over a month that your smile doesn’t even so much as flicker. “I think Mini’s even happier,” you deflect.

“She must feel so lucky to have you as her older sister,” Ms. Connie nodded, placing the flour inside of the bag. 

“I’m the lucky one,” you said, shaking your head. And you meant it. Because Mini was maybe the only genuinely good person left in the world. She was the one who saved up all of her money to buy her own cell phone just so she could FaceTime you. She was the one who reminded you not to read the comment section but used her own extensive collection of Finstas to fight and report trolls. She was the one who didn’t mind that everyone still called her Mini even though she was so entirely her own person the nickname didn’t even make sense anymore. 

“Hard to argue that,” Ms. Connie agreed, sending the brown sugar across the scanner. “But I always knew you were going to do big things. You can ask Evan. I used to tell him all the time." 

"How is Evan?” the question came more out of hope to stop the rambling monologue about you than an a genuine interest in the affairs of your classmates who nearly ruined your junior homecoming float with his stupid lighter.

“He’s working over at the Kurten’s ranch for now since him and Dana just had their second." 

"Oh,” the word comes out coo-ing, effectively masking your surprise that Evan Danbury was not only the father of two but also married to the girl with the highest math grades in your entire class. “Congratulations! Boy or girl?" 

"A girl,” Ms. Connie announced, beaming, sending the last of your items across the scanner and placing it into the bag. “It’s so nice to finally have a granddaughter I can spoil." 

You laughed conspiratorially, despite your firm belief that no woman in their late 40’s could use the word "finally” when talking about being a grandma.

“Looks like it’s gonna be $14.71 today,” Ms. Connie said, reading out the total.

You nodded, passing over a $20 which Ms. Connie took, punching the amount into the old-fashioned cash register so the drawer popped open.

“What about you? Any boys out there in California? You seemed pretty close to that TJ boy on the show." 

"No, ma'am, no boys,” you shook your head. “DJ and I are just friends. ‘Sides, if he’s not an Aggie’s fan, he’s not for me." 

"Atta girl,” Ms. Connie said, reaching across the counter to poke you approvingly in the shoulder. She turned back to the cash register, counting out the change. “You know, there’s still a few homegrown boys 'round here. Maybe you can reconnect with one while you’re in town.”

“Sounds like you and my mother have been talking,” you dodged with a gentle laugh. Ms. Connie smiled as she handed over your change. 

“All mothers in Coolidge just want the same thing for their daughters." 

It was devastatingly true.

You pocketed the change, grabbing the bag from the counter and receipt from her outstretched hand. "Best be getting home with these,” you said to excuse your quick exit, and Ms. Connie nodded. 

“It was good seeing you again, Birdie. Make sure you tell your folks I said hello." 

"I will,” you nodded, pushing towards the door.

“And so you know,” she called out, causing you to pause before pushing through. “I had Evan help me vote for you on his phone. Such a shame you didn’t win. Woulda been nice to see our Miss Coolidge win another crown." 

"I appreciate you,” you said with a nod and a glittering smile. 

Which slid from your face the moment you were out the store and turned away. 

God you hated it here.

You took a deep breath, looking at your truck and then further off into town, wondering if there was anything there that’d keep you both out of the house and out of small talk. Your eyes fell on the bar, a tempting option. Although, 3 pm was a little early even for you, and the inevitable scandal of the former homecoming queen getting day-drunk by herself was hardly worth the brief moment of peace.

You tore your gaze from the bar and back up the other side of the street, gaze going from garland-wrapped streetlight to garland-wrapped light, like the string of lights hung from the storefronts. 

It was the door of the farm supply store opening that pulled your attention back to the moment and away from the Christmas decorations. A blonde man about your age walked out with two bags of feed over his shoulder. He matched the town’s “Very Country Christmas” aesthetic, red and white checkered shirt tucked into blue jeans too dark and stiff to be anything but brand new.

A smirk crossed your lips at the sight. 

But it vanished the minute he dumped the bags into the bed of the truck and turned in your direction. An involuntary gasp left you. 

You’d known he’d probably be in town. Your sister had made a point of keeping you updated over the past few years of all his visits to Coolidge. She’d also “casually asked” the night you arrived if you had plans to meet up with him while you were here. When you said you didn’t even know if he’d be in town because you didn’t have his number anymore, she informed you that he hadn’t missed a Christmas yet. And yet, over the past three days, no word of Coolidge’s Golden Boy returning home had spread which could only mean he wasn’t here. Because if there was one thing your town loved to do, it was stick Jake Seresin on a pedestal.

“Jacob Seresin,” you called out, stopping the blonde mid-step on his way around the truck. His head snapped in your direction, eyes squinting to see who had called out to him. You started towards him, not even bothering to drop the groceries off in the truck. 

It was clear the minute he recognized you, because he shook his head and moved quickly across the street to meet you. 

“Heard you were in town,” he said by way of greeting, hands tucked in his pockets lazily. 

“You asking about me?” you smirked, enjoying the amusement reflected back at you in his own smirk. 

“Only in your dreams,” he quipped. You snorted out a laugh as he nodded to you. “Mom made sure to let me know that Coolidge’s very own TV star was in town.” He leaned forward, conspiratorially. “Didn’t have the heart to tell her that The Network isn’t a real TV show." 

If you hadn’t grown up running in the same circles as Jake Seresin, the jibe might have gotten under your skin, or at least stung a little. Instead, it landed on you like an annoying fly. An irritating presence there one second and gone the next.

"My paycheck was pretty real. How’s the Navy treating you?” you asked, voice light and breezy.

"They treat the top 1% of their Naval Aviators pretty damn well, actually. I'm sure you'd understand if you hadn't finished, what, 4th?"

“Third,” you corrected. “Of 15. You know, a number small enough where there is no top 1%. Unless of course, you need me to explain the math to you.”

The wide smile broke across his face. “It’s good to see you Birdie.”

“Of course it is,” you answered, moving forward to wrap the arm not holding your groceries around Jake’s shoulders in a hug. Instead of the quick “tap and go” hugs you were used to greeting friends in LA, Jake wrapped his arms around you, folding you into a real hug. The hug wasn’t long enough to be awkward or uncomfortable or fodder for the Coolidge whisper machine, but it was enough time for you to appreciate that in your absence, Jake had grown even more solid than he was back in high school. He’d always been strong and athletic, but there was almost an immovability to him now. You wondered if he could feel that the opposite had happened to you. 

You stepped back out of his grasp, sticking a smile on for good measure. Jake’s hands returned to his pockets. 

“Didn’t think I’d see you around here again. What brought you back?" 

"Mini,” you answered, readjusting your grip on the groceries. “She gave a pretty impressive guilt trip about how this was her last Christmas in Coolidge, and all she wanted was for me to come home." 

"All she wanted for Christmas was you?” The teasing undertone was evident in his voice as he lifted an eyebrow. 

You nodded. “And who am I to deprive the less fortunate?" 

Jake snorted, shaking his head at you. "How long are you staying?" 

"Just through New Years. "You?" 

He tilted his head in a manner that looked far more like a shrug than it maybe should have. "Hopefully the same. Depends if I get called back early." 

You hummed, eyeing him up. "So you’re saying that I’m going to have to hear my mother go on about how you’re the real golden child of Coolidge for the entirety of my stay." 

"Sorry,” he shrugged. He did not look the faintest bit sorry. In fact, his back seemed to straighten a little more. 

You scoffed. “And I bet she won’t talk about your missing accent." 

"What missin’ accent?” he drawled perfectly, and you flipped him off as he laughed. “Come on, Birdie. You and I both know I’ve always been the real golden child. Think about it. I’ve had a float in the homecoming parade the past seven years. How many have you had?” he asked, holding up two fingers as if you needed to be clued in to the answer. 

“That’s 'cause my ego won’t shatter if people don’t make a big deal of telling me how important I am four times a year." 

He raised an eyebrow. "Big talk from the influencer." 

”Ohmygoodness.“ 

Both you and Jake swung around to see two middle-school aged girls with round eyes looking up at you. Jake slid on a winning smile, his posture stiffening just a little. You eyed him with the analysis of a publicist, impressed at how this man who wasn’t media-trained seemed to shift effortlessly into the confident and charming character he was known for here. Then again, media training was nothing compared to living with the Coolidge spotlight on you.

Still, it was tempting to lean over and pinch the back of his arm the way you used to back when he was talking to girls practically falling over themselves to fawn over him. ”I figured you needed to release all that hot air somehow,“ you’d remark, and he’d always glare even as he reigned his ego back in.

"You’re Birdie,” the shorter of the two girls said.

You could feel more than see Jake deflate some next to you. It was what made your own smile grow a bit more. 

“Yep,” you nodded, good naturedly. 

The girls continued to stare at you blankly in either awe or panic, you weren’t sure. 

“Y'all doing some Christmas shopping?"  you asked, pointing at the bags on their arms. They seemed surprised to find themselves carrying things, and the taller one shook her head. 

"We’re having a party in our English class." 

The answer seemed incomplete, but even Jake had the good grace not to do much more than give a light snort. 

"You were so good on The Network,” the shorter one complimented, and the other nodded in agreement.

“You were my favorite. And not just because you’re from Coolidge,” the other said, hurrying to tag on the clarifier as if she’d be deemed a fake fan for liking you because you had something in common.

“'Preciate it,” you nodded, smiling. 

Another awkward silence overtook the four of you as the girls looked at each other, making wide-eyed insistent faces back and forth before finally the short one asked, “We were wondering if we could take a picture with you for our Instagrams?”

You nodded. “Of course. Jake would you mind?" 

"Sure for five bucks.”

The girls scrambled into their pockets as you hit him on the arm. “He’s just jokin’; y'all don’t need to pay.”

“Oh.” The two laughed nervously before one offered up her pastel pink case over to him. You placed your groceries on the ground by his feet, wrapping an arm around each girl as they came up on either side of you.

Posing for promotional photos, perfecting your posts, parading around pageants, and years of cheer had honed you into something purely photogenic. You didn’t even feel the need to see the phone as Jake handed it back to the girl. 

“Well, I hope y'all have a nice party and a Merry Christmas,” you said, waving goodbye and hoping they caught on to your dismissal. They did, scurrying away, heads together as they looked over the pictures as they went. You caught pieces of their conversation, the words “pretty” and “lucky” making an appearance as they always seemed to whenever people were talking about you.

Jake picked up your groceries and offered them back to you. You accepted, eyes catching onto your truck. 

“I should probably head home with these before my mother’s head explodes,” you sighed. “I’m sure I’ll see you around.”

“You going to the Campbell’s party tomorrow?” he asked. 

Your brow furrowed and you shook your head. “Danny Campbell’s?”

Jake nodded. “He and Rebecca have a Christmas party every year at their place for everyone who’s back in town.”

As if anybody had ever left town besides you and Jake. You didn’t voice the snark though, instead trying to figure out which of your former classmates would exactly be there. “Rebecca like Rebecca Tunstall?”

“Hickey,” Jake corrected, shaking his head at you. “You didn’t keep track of anyone did you?”

You shrugged. “Wasn’t planning on ever coming back." 

"And yet, you’re here,” he pointed out, the statement settling between you. It seemed to grow in the space between you, the silence pushing out and making itself known. Jake was the one to break it. “I’ll pick you up if you want, and we can go together. Unless you think you’re better than the little people." 

You snorted, pulling yourself back together and out of all thoughts about what had put you on a plane back to Coolidge. "I’m perfectly capable of taking myself,” you said, starting to walk backwards towards your own truck. “And for the record, I know you think you’re better than the little people too." 

He laughed at this, the sound following you to your truck and bringing the first genuine smile to your face since you’d come to town.

You looked…out of place.

Granted, you had always looked out of place in Coolidge, even as far back as the first time he remembered seeing you filing into the pew behind your parents. You’d spent the whole of Sunday service swinging your legs, shiny red boots catching the light and his attention. There had always been a vibrancy to you compared to the rest of Coolidge. Like a piece of Oz that had found itself swept away into this taupe little town.

But seeing you now, looking like a California goddess as you climbed into the muddy old pick up with a busted ull bar just seemed wrong. You belonged with palm trees and neon cars and golden roads. Not here.

Jake sighed, pulling his attention back to his truck. He needed to head home too. HIs "quick trip to Travers” had turned into what was essentially a greeting line for all of the old vets hanging around the farm supply store. Each man seemed more eager than the last to relive his glory days either through recounting a long and winding story about his time in the service or living vicariously through Jake as they grilled him on his Naval career. 

It was exhausting and less of an honor the men probably thought their attention and approval was. Because sharing the highlights of his successes hardly meant anything when his audience couldn’t grasp just how impressive he really was. 

Thankfully, the drive home was quick, and it took even less time to unload the truck than it did to put everything in now that he wasn’t being stopped in between each bag to greet someone new.

Still, by the time he walked into the kitchen, his mother had already started supper, frying something in a cast iron skillet on the stove. Rather than helping, Melissa and Hannah sat at the table, deep into a game of cards.

“What took you so long?” Hannah demanded before he even had the time to take off his boots. His mother turned from her task to cast a scolding look at her youngest who, for her part, completely ignored it as she discarded the four of clubs.

“The senior center took a field trip down to Travers, so I had to relive World War II with the fossils." 

Hannah burst into laughter as his mother admonished him with a sharp "Jacob!” She brandished her spatula at him. “Those men fought for you. The least you can do is pay them some respect." 

"Sorry, Ma,” Jake apologized, rounding the kitchen table so he could wrap an arm around his mother and kiss her on the cheek. “I’m just tired.”

She hummed and patted the side of his head which he took as forgiveness.

“Did you run into anyone else?” his older sister asked, drawing a card from the stack in front of her.

Sometimes Jake swore that she could read his mind. It had always been unnerving and inconvenient because it wasn’t like he could lie or even skirt around it. The Seresin women were practically bloodhounds when it came to finding out the truth, able to sniff out any small fib immediately. 

He nodded. “Birdie was out doing some shopping." 

Both his mother and his little sister swiveled to face him, their separate tasks completely forgotten.

"How is she?” his mother asked, trying (and failing spectacularly) to keep the excitement from her face.

“Good,” he answered with a shrug. “Still herself.”

“So you’re still in love with her?” Hannah asked.

Jake ignored his younger sister, walking back to Melissa’s side and staring at her hand. Across from him, Hannah smirked. “That’s a yes." 

Jake moved three cards around in his older sister’s shand, and she smiled up at him. "I knew there was a reason you’re my favorite." 

Hannah’s face scrunched in confusion, the look quickly shifting to shock as Melissa lay her cards down on the table. "That’s not fair!” Hannah gaped. 

“Neither’s life,” Jake retorted, and Hannah flipped him off behind her cards, out of their mother’s view.

“How long is Birdie in town for?” his mother asked, bringing the subject back around as she flipped the sausage in the pan. 

“Just the holidays,” he answered, looking up at her from the remnants of his sister’s game. 

“That gives you, what? Two weeks of Mom trying to convince you to marry her?” Melissa asked, gathering all of the cards into her hand. Hannah passed hers over, sliding them onto the top of the deck.

Their mother sucked her teeth, and turned her gaze back to the pan. “I was going to say that you should invite her over to dinner, but if I’m just going to get accused of meddling, I won’t,” she huffed.

Her guilt trips had lost their power over the years. After facing down enemy pilots and having the lives of other pilots with families placed on his shoulders, he’d learned the threat of real guilt. But he’d be damned if he didn’t let his mother think she still had a hold over him. 

“I’ll think about it,” he said, starting to exit the kitchen. “Even if this is exactly what you did to Beth and Nate." 

His sisters laughed at the reference to their oldest sister and her husband, even as his mother made a noise of protest. And with that, he was out of the room and heading up to his bedroom.

His mom wouldn’t be able to pull the same trick with him and Birdie though, because he had already decided six years ago that he wouldn’t marry her.

"What are you still doing here?”

Birdie looked up from her phone, eyes wide only for the briefest of seconds as Jake made his way towards her from the side door. 

He watched as she relaxed a bit, placing her phone next to the plastic tiara that rested beside her. 

“Pissing off my mom, I imagine,” she said with a shrug. 

He didn’t ask. Not after word of the Float Incident with Birdie’s mother made its way around the school.

“Pretty sad way to piss off your mom, just sitting on a bench in front of the school,” he remarked, coming to a stop in front of her. “Could at least be at a party. I think Brian Thomas is having one at his barn.”

She offered a slow half-smile. “Not really up to being homecoming queen right now.”

He was quiet, eyes running over her as if there’d be any sign as to what led her here or what he should do. She seemed to feel the weight of his gaze, sighing and running a hand over her silvery dress. “I’m ok. I’m just gonna sit here a bit.”

She was not ok. When Birdie was ok she was up and moving and positively shining. This was not it.

Jake shook his head, hoisting his duffle bag up on his shoulder. “Meet me under the bleachers in five minutes.”

“Bleachers?” She repeated, eyebrows raised.

“Ambiance,” He smirked, before pointing up. “And there are cameras out here." 

She followed the direction his finger pointed, eyes locating the cameras.

"And the five minute wait?” She asked, a genuine smile teasing at her lips. 

“Anticipation,” he offered, before walking backwards towards the parking lot. “And I gotta run to my truck.”

She was waiting for him under the home bleachers looking more breathtaking than any girl with a large rip up the side of her dress had any right to be.

“Get in a fight while I was gone?” he asked, eyeing the torn fabric.

“Stupid thing snagged on a bolt or something,” she dismissed, annoyance still coating her words. Her eyes caught on the bottle hanging from his right hand, lighting up for the first time since he’d caught sight of her on the bench. “Whatcha bring me?”

“Only the finest for royalty,” he answered, lifting the bottle of Tennessee Honey up for her approval. She grinned reading for it.

“An excellent celebration of our coronation indeed,” she agreed, unscrewing the cap and taking a long drink from the bottle. “Hallelujah.”

Jake laughed, reaching for it and setting himself down on the ground before taking a swig. Even with the bottle blocking his view, he could see Birdie sit down across from him, crossing her legs so the long dress rode up a bit.

They chatted, passing the bottle back and forth. Birdie teased him about his fuckup that got him sacked and he mocked her teary acceptance of the crown. They laughed and carried on for over an hour, the golden liquor falling lower and lower in the bottle. It was late when they grew quiet, the pauses of companionable silence stretching longer.

“You ever feel like you were meant for more than Coolidge?” Birdie asked out of this silence.

Jake smirked, reaching for the bottle. “Every damn day.”

She nodded, silently passing over the whiskey into his waiting hand. She was quiet even as he drank, watching him take a pull of the liquor and wipe his lips off with the back of his hand. 

“I don’t think I’m meant for this. Ranching and marriage and always being Miss Coolidge all the time,” she mused.“I’ve decided I’m leaving after graduation.” Her voice was firm even if the volume was softer than normal. 

His eyebrows shot up. “Gonna be a college girl?”

She snorted, plucking the bottle from his hands. “You and I both know I don’t have the money for that or the grades for a scholarship. No,” She looked over his shoulder, her gaze away. “The day after graduation, I’m packing a bag and moving to LA. I don’t know what I’m going to do but it’s gotta be better than sticking around here”

Jake was quiet for a moment, taking her in. Her shining eyes and the glittering tiara in her hair and the ripped silvery blue homecoming dress. “You’re gonna miss my graduation party.”

She set the bottle of whiskey down behind her, and then surged forwards, taking his face in her hands and kissing him. Her lips moved over his with a frenzy that accompanied all Birdie did, like she had to make the most of a fleeting moment. And maybe the moment was more rare than he would have liked to admit. Because it struck him that for once in his life he had said the exactly right thing and the exactly right time. 

And because lightning never strikes twice, he kept his mouth on hers and didn’t say another word. 

[strictlyfavorites]

Donovan Edwards #7 above

HOUSTON — It's now how you start, the classic sports trope says. It's how you finish.

Turns out, the answer is both.

Behind a powerful running game, Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines put together stellar first and fourth quarters in a 34-13 triumph over the Washington Huskies to win the 2023 national championship.

On the opening possession at NRG Stadium, Kalel Mullings slipped out of a tackle to pick up 14 yards before Donovan Edwards rushed for a 41-yard touchdown. Edwards ripped off a 46-yard scoring scamper on the next drive, and Blake Corum soon followed with a 59-yard sprint.

Nine carries, 174 yards, two touchdowns.

And that was merely the opening frame.

Michigan's initial surge on the ground sparked the final victory of the team's 15-0 campaign—one that secured the program's first national title since a shared 1997 crown.

Monday brought a familiar blueprint for Michigan, which focused on the run while the defense owned the game.

Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. zipped his picturesque spiral throughout the night. However, the Maize and Blue prevented an offense that entered bowl season leading the country in passes of 30-plus yards from completing such a throw for nearly 53 minutes.

In total, the Dawgs mustered 301 yards with Penix averaging a meager 5.0 yards per attempt on 51 throws. He tossed two interceptions and dealt with constant pressure from Michigan's disruptive front.

That defensive effort proved vital for the Wolverines, who struggled to move the ball in the middle quarters.

They managed a field goal after Will Johnson snatched an interception on the first play of the second half. Otherwise, the offense had a stretch of five punts and a turnover on downs. The lull allowed Washington to hang around until the midpoint of the fourth quarter.

Clinging to a 20-13 lead, Michigan found some breathing room.

Colston Loveland's 41-yard reception led to Corum's decisive 12-yard touchdown run with 7:09 left in regulation.

Washington drove inside the 30-yard line on the ensuing possession, but U-M's star nickelback Mike Sainristil picked off a 4th-and-13 prayer, returned it 81 yards and set up Corum's second touchdown.

Michigan closed the victory with 303 yards and four trips to the end zone on the ground. Corum collected a team-high 134 yards and two scores, while Edwards added 104 yards and two touchdowns on just six carries. Plus, quarterback J.J. McCarthy chipped in 31 yards.

And the celebration was on.

Nine adventurous years into his tenure—one which may be ending in the immediate future if rumblings of his potential return to the NFL are true—Jim Harbaugh is a national champion.

The prodigal son, officially, has brought his alma mater back to the top of the sport's proverbial mountain.

If that was Harbaugh's final game, what a fitting way to finish.

HC Jim Harbaugh

During the last three seasons, the Wolverines have boasted one of the sport's best offensive lines. Michigan earned the Joe Moore Award—which is given annually to the country's top offensive line—in both 2021 and 2022 before Washington landed the honor in 2023.

Earlier in the week, U-M left tackle LaDarius Henderson told On3's Andy Staples that "it definitely stings" the blocking unit missed out on a three-peat.

Winning a national title in that fashion is a decent consolation prize.

The future of the program will rapidly become the greatest focus in Ann Arbor; Harbaugh understandably side-stepped questions about the NFL at multiple media availabilities throughout the week.

On this night in Houston, however, the nation's No. 1 team won in the same manner it had all year: Run the ball and shut 'em down defensively.

Michigan started the season that way, never wavered and rode the philosophy to a third consecutive Big Ten title and third straight trip to the College Football Playoff.

It's how you start. It's how you finish.

And the Wolverines have ended as national champions.

[brostateexam]

While meticulously manicured grass lawns are a staple of modern neighborhoods, these plots of green come with many downsides. Principal among them is the need for regular mowing, a chore that primarily serves to stave off your neighbors’ disapproval by conforming to a dated suburban ideal.

You’re tired. We’re tired. It’s time to consider an attractive, low-maintenance alternative by replacing your lawn with ground cover plants that don’t require any mowing at all. Once these plants take hold, they can be irrigated much less frequently than lawns—maybe once every six weeks if it hasn’t rained. Many are also resistant to pests.

“It’s a joy not to have to mow and still have everything look green,” says Wendy Wilber, the statewide Master Gardener Volunteer Program coordinator at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. We agree—let’s get you started on your path to a better lower maintenance yard.

[achtung-attitude]

CHAPTER 85: Throw Your Arms Around the World

A chilly wind blows through the muggy, smog-choked sky over Los Angeles, painted gray by thick silver clouds rolling in. Fall is coming.

Shizuka leans against a tree in Calvary Cemetery, a few yards away from a headstone that reads: ‘KILO STAPLES. Beloved Friend. A good man.’ A few rows down, stands the stone reading ‘MOYA PEZZENTE. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’

Six days have passed since the fight on Mulholland Drive. T’onga awaits her trial in a small penitentiary. Shizuka has not gone to visit her, due to the contents of the letter smuggled into her blazer when she was being ‘held hostage’. While under medical care, she read the letter countless times. Now, against the tree in Calvary Cemetery, she reads it again.

This is the way it must be. The police could not know they were related. For all they knew, T’onga was no more than knife-wielding maniac, and Shizuka the innocent hostage she had threatened. This is what T’onga herself wanted. Shziuka knows this, but still hates it. For the hundredth time, she reads her mother’s small writing.

A̶e̶-̶j̶e̶o̶n̶g̶

M̶y̶ ̶d̶e̶a̶r̶e̶s̶t̶ ̶A̶e̶-̶j̶e̶o̶n̶    

D̶e̶a̶r̶ ̶A̶e̶

Shizuka

First off, sorry for springing this on you. I already know. ae-jeong is just the name i gave you. doesn’t mean it's the one you want. If you don’t want it, discard it. live how you want.

While I'm at it, sore REALLY SORRY about what i’m about to do. holding you hostage, I mean. it has to look real for the cops, so can’t tell you (should have apologized for that first. sorry)

As for why, i already told you i don't want you to live the same way i did. thats why All-kill had to die. That's why i have to do what I'm gonna do. without this show, the two of us will be nothing but a pair of creeps looting the ruins. But with this, you’re just an innocent bystander. This way, you can still have a future. I wont take that away from you.

But again, I already know what this will seem like. Another abandonment. for real this time. no excuses.

This’ll sound like a bad joke, but I have faith in the justice system. They can’t prove I killed anyone, but can pin me with threatening with a deadly weapon. That’s a life sentence. But with a decent lawyer and some money I have saved up, I can bump that down to at least 14 years.

I'll serve that time quietly. Eventually they’ll let me out. early, if I'm very well behaved. Then if you’ll have me, I will come back to you.

I want to see Upstate. the Finger Lakes. 

This is NOT goodbye.

Your loving mother,

Kim T’onga

PS. i almost forgot. Kim is spelled 김, but if you prefer, you can go with Yeoh: 영. Your choice.

At the final line, Shizuka softly smiles. She folds the paper until it's small enough to once again be stowed away in her blazer, alongside the silver disc. The disc of LONELY BOY and SATURN BARZ, and whatever else came before. Sensing someone approach, she looks to see Jerome approaching her.

“You OK, girl?” he asks.

“I’m fine,” is her answer as she stands. “What about you?”

“Me? Ay, don’t worry ‘bout me…” The rapper looks sombrely towards the graves. “It’s good. He woulda liked it this way. Buried next to Moya… He never woulda let on, but I think they was best friends…”

With a frown, Shizuka exclaims, “Eh?”

Jerome responds in kind. “Eh?”

“...What do you mean?”

“...What you mean ‘what do I mean?’”

The girl cocks her head, fixing the rapper with her gaze. “You were Kilo’s best friend. Duh.”

“Me…?” Jerome exclaims. “Me, huh…? Nah… I don’t think so. But fuck it… I was close enough. That’s good enough for me.” He smiles at her, and she smiles back at him. “You got your ticket?”

Producing a plane ticket from her blazer pocket, Shizuka answers, “All booked. It’s time I went home. Vacations are lots of fun, but… they have to end sometime.”

Nodding, the rapper offers, “Sure you don’t want a ride or nothin’? I can hook you up. Shit, I’d take you myself.”

“Jerome, you’ve already done so much for me. I feel so lucky to have met you. You don’t need to do anything more, the Speedwagon Foundation is sending someone to pick me up.”

“Pleasure was all mine! Oh… Uh, speaking of the Speedwagon Foundation… Would you mind keepin’ a secret for me? Thing is, I… I been keepin’ a record of’ all this. Like, in journals and stuff…”

Shizuka is surprised. “Oh, wow. Really?”

“Yeah… But, like, not for anything bad! I ain’t tryin’ get no one in trouble, I just… Just, can you imagine the type o’ music I can with this kind of material?! It’ll be off the chain! A secret supernatural war in the heart of LA! Shiet, it’ll be my best ever! Like, fuck Platinum, I bet I could reach Diamond! 10 million units! It… It’d be a bummer to have it seized, you know…”

Shizuka laughs, wearing a mischievous grin. “Hahaha~! I’ll consider it… but you gotta make me a promise: the MOMENT the album’s finished, I want a copy. I wanna be the first girl in America to hear it.”

C-King’s gold teeth flash. “Was gonna do that anyway. Anything for my number one fan.”

A shiny black car pulls up on the nearby path as the pair embrace. “Don’t forget about me when you get back home,” whispers Jerome.

Shizuka answers, “I’ll never forget you. I’ll never forget any of this.”

Two men in suits emerge from the car and approach them. They present cards bearing the stamp of the Speedwagon Foundation, at which Shizuka nods and follows them to their car. Leaning out of the door frame, she beams a gleaming smile at Jerome and waves eagerly. He waves right back, with as much vigor. They continue waving even as the car pulls away, Shizuka leaning out of the backseat window until she finally loses sight of him. 

Slipping back inside the vehicle, she places her hand over heart, feeling the outline of T’onga’s letter in her inner pocket with a small smile. Grinning deeper, she then touches the spot where the Stand disc is not.

In the cemetery, Jerome Adetokunbo, known to the world as C-King, abruptly notices the feeling of something round and flat in his front hoodie pouch. Reaching inside, he grins to discover the silver Stand disc in his hand. “When’d she do it?” he wonders. “When we was huggin’...? Damn…” 

Glancing around, he stows the disc back away and strolls toward the cemetery exit. Back to LA. His city. He hums under his breath, and there’s a spring in his step. Autumn wind brings blessed relief to the sun-baked town.

The Speedwagon agents’ car bypasses the constant traffic on the main highway, instead rolling smoothly down the streets of East LA. On its way, they pass by a dilapidated old building, graffiti covering the sign over the double doors that reads “Juarez Boxing and Fitness.”

Leaving East LA, they pass into Lynwood, whereupon they’re stopped by a collision on the freeway, and the delays it causes. Typical Los Angeles. From Lynwood, if you were to look south down Long Beach Blvd. and squint, you can see as far as East Compton.

In the end, it takes them 57 minutes to reach LAX, thanks to further delays at the toll road, up there on the tall suspended freeway writhing over the city streets like giant snakes. From up there, Venice Beach can be seen in the northwest, and Santa Monica beyond that. Head east, you soon find yourself in Beverly Hills. Continue east, and the Hollywood sign shows its face.

In these hills, a general blissful ignorance lives among the people, attempting to fill their days with as much excitement and purpose as possible. Every so often, they look downward to see the sweepings of the street, and every so often, they leave behind a token of charity. A single dollar for an old man. If only for the sake of soothing a guilty conscience. Yet a dollar is a dollar.

It takes another thirty minutes before Shizuka is finally on a plane. The captain mumbles some incoherent message, and the aircraft rumbles up the runway. Soon, it soars into the air and banks left. Shizuka gazes out of the window and sees the metropolis laid out before her. Her gaze lingers on the great, dirty city, until she smiles and settles into her seat.

[guerrerense]

BFBO Getting Out Of Town por David Blazejewski Por Flickr: Here's a 'Monochrome Monday' photo of a once popular and very regular once a week train that alas no longer runs Pan Am Railways BFPO (Bellows Falls to Portland) unit slurry train departed from Vermont Rail System's Riverside yard, and after a couple mile run down into the center of town has swung off the old Rutland Railroad and on to New England Central Railroad's ex Boston and Maine / Central Vermont Conn River Line main. The three second hand six axle GE dash 8s are emerging from the south portal of the 278 ft long tunnel under downtown MP 144.56 on modern day NECR's Palmer Subdivision. This Friday only unit train was a staple for years, but was cancelled as the need for the Vermont clay slurry waned as Maine's paper mills transitioned away from white bleached writing paper (that requires the slurry for the bleaching process) to undyed brown packaging papers. The tunnel was initially constructed in 1851 by the Vermont Valley Railroad. The Vermont Valley would ultimately end up in the fold of the Boston & Maine Railroad in 1893 and this tunnel would come to be a choke point on what one the B&M's core north south gateway to and from Canada as their Conn River mainline. In addition to seeing frequent B&M freight and passenger trains the Central Vermont Railway also operated thru here on trackage rights. In 1988 the former B&M owned section from Brattleboro to Windsor became CV property (in a complicated tale of legal wrangling not to be retold here) with B&M successor Guilford (now Pan Am Railways) retaining trackage rights and the CV itself becoming the New England Central in 1995 when parent CN sold the line to then Railtex. Over its lifespan, the tunnel floor has been lowered three times; once in 1897, again in 1977 (by the Boston & Maine Railroad), and most recently in 2007 (as a joint venture between the Vermont Agency of Transportation, FHWA, and NECR with consultants; Parson Brinckerhoff Engineering & ECI Rail Constructors, Inc.) in order to accommodate increased car and locomotive heights at their respective periods of time. The 2007 project lowered the floor an additional 3 ft to allow for clearance of modern multilevel auto rack cars and this view clearly shows the pronounced dip in the track profile to provide the 20.8 ft vertical clearance. Rockingham, Vermont Friday September 29, 2018

[ogaan]

Concept Sarees: A Modern Twist

Looking for a timeless saree that is elegant and graceful without the fuss of draping? Look no further, we've got you covered!

Sarees have been the most coveted staple in every Indian woman's closet - an heirloom passed down for generations. The quintessential garment has evolved over the years, from elaborate traditional drapes to contemporary interpretations, adapting to changing fashion trends and lifestyles.

While its timelessness is revered, draping the six-yard staple may not come easy to everyone. In comes the pre-draped or concept saree — in its many renditions — the answer to all your draping woes.

Pre-draped sarees fuse the essence of a traditional saree of elegance and grace with the comfort, ease and innovation of contemporary fashion. This silhouette ranks high on style and comfort. Sangeet, cocktail or destination wedding—this versatile and effortless concept sari will take you through it all.

One of the unique features of pre-draped sarees is their innovative draping techniques. A multitude of designers and fashion houses are constantly experimenting with new ways to pre-drape sarees, resulting in creative and unconventional styles and shapes which add to its versatility, making it an effortless choice for your festivities. 

If you’re looking for an evening soiree or cocktail-worthy look, Ritika Mirchandani’s high-shine iteration of the concept saree is a lehenga-style pre-draped saree featuring a fitted skirt-like bottom with pleats, giving it an illusion of a lehenga or a skirt. 431-88 By Shweta Kapur is perfect for those looking to add glam and drama to their night of dancing. A blend of chic, glam and sophistication in her designs, Ridhi Mehra's ingenious use of ruffles, tulle, feathers along with intricate embroideries and sequins in her iconic pre-draped sarees should definitely be on your radar to make a statement.

For daytime celebrations, look towards Paulmi & Harsh’s mood-lifting florals to add a refreshing touch to your celebrations. Draw inspiration from Sana Barreja’s vibrant hues and cheerful prints and Rishi & Soujit’s sculptured designs to elevate your style quotient.  Aikeyah’s gorgeous tonal embroidery complements the asymmetrical cuts in pleasing pastels that are minimalistic yet add a touch of drama.

Head to our webshop to check out our Draped Sarees Edit to find the perfect concept saree that embraces your unique style and matches the tone of your celebrations!

[vierandancer]

What caused you to start writing? What was your key point?

Questions For The Mun! || Accepting

I wanted to be a writer since I was around six years old. I used an old type writer to write (and illustrate with crayon, of course) a simple story about a little girl who found fairies in the garden in her back yard. 2 Sentences per page, 4 pages, stapled together! I still have it somewhere. It's cute.

I started writing collaboratively in middle school, when my then-friend group worked on Yu Yu Hakusho fanfic (with self-inserts, naturally) in a marble composition book that we'd pass between each other between classes. Eventually I got onto Gaia Online and the rest is history!

[rabbitcruiser]

Day of the Mushroom

The Day of the Mushroom celebration is celebrated on April 16 and honors all things fungi. The fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, which can grow anywhere above ground, on soil, or its food source, is known as a mushroom. The white button mushroom, which is grown, is the standard fungus to be called a mushroom. Therefore, fungi with a stem, cap, and gills on the underside of their cap are those to which the term “mushroom” is most frequently applied. The name “mushroom” is also relevant to describing the fleshy fruiting bodies of other Ascomycota because it is used to describe a range of different gilled fungi that may or may not have a stem.

History of Day of the Mushroom

Since they first appeared in early European communities, it is generally assumed that people have been gathering mushrooms since the beginning of time, possibly even in prehistoric times. Truffles and other types of mushrooms were prized in classical Greece and Rome. American author Cynthia Bertelsen claims in her book “Mushroom: A Global History” that both well-known historical authors, Pliny the Elder and Aristotle, wrote about fungus. She also claims that the Roman philosopher Galen wrote several paragraphs on the collection of wild mushrooms. Cynthia Bertelsen goes on to add that it is likely that China and Japan were the first places to cultivate mushrooms as early as 600 A.D.

But it took time for Americans to accept and become accustomed to mushrooms. In the cookbook “The Virginia Housewife,” mushrooms are mentioned for the first time in America (1824). Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom Soup, a classic American staple for casserole recipes, was created in the 1930s. Bertelsen adds that there may be archaeological proof of the spiritual usage of mushrooms as early as 10000 B.C. There is proof that various cultures, including the Ancient Greeks, the Mayans, the Chinese, and the Vikings, among many others, used hallucinogenic mushrooms.

Humans now consume edible mushrooms regularly, which has greatly boosted the agricultural and agro-economic development of the areas where they are grown. Around half of all farmed edible mushrooms are produced in China, which also accounts for six pounds of yearly mushroom consumption per person among the world’s 1.4 billion inhabitants. With an estimated 194,000 tonnes of yearly edible mushroom exports, Poland was the leading exporter of mushrooms in 2014.

Day of the Mushroom timeline

600 A.D. Earliest Known Cultivation of Mushrooms

Mushrooms are said to have been cultivated as far back in time as 600 A.D. in Japan and China.

1824 The Cookbook “The Virginia Housewife” is Published

The popular American cookbook “The Virginia Housewife” is released.

1966 Cynthia Berthelsen is Born

Berthelsen is born on June 1 and becomes an American author, food expert, and photographer.

2013 “Mushroom: A Global History” is Published

Berthelsen’s book “Mushroom: A Global History” is published.

Day of the Mushroom FAQs

What is Day of the Mushroom?

Day of the Mushroom, celebrated on April 16, is an American holiday created to celebrate the mushroom and its health and ecological benefits.

What are mushrooms?

Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, which are typically produced anywhere above ground, on soil, or the source of their food.

Are mushrooms edible?

Yes. Some mushrooms taste good and are safe for human consumption.

Day of the Mushroom Activities

Go mushroom hunting

Eat some mushrooms

Share the fun online

It's a good idea to go mushroom hunting on the Day of the Mushroom. Depending on a variety of variables, you can sometimes find mushrooms in your yard or the woods.

Consume some mushrooms! When used as culinary garnishing, several edible mushrooms are quite a delicacy and are also nutritious.

Don't forget to use the hashtag #DayOfTheMushroom to share your mushroom-related fun. Participate in the online discussion.

5 Interesting Facts About Mushrooms

They breathe like humans do

Fruiting bodies of mycelium

Mushrooms can be edible

China produces the most mushrooms

Mushroom spores can survive in space

Similar to how humans breathe, mushrooms take in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide.

The fruiting body of the mycelium, not the mushroom, is the primary plant. .

Some mushrooms taste good and are safe for human consumption.

In terms of producing edible mushrooms, China leads the world, followed by Japan and then the United States.

Mushroom spores can survive the radiation and vacuum in space.

Why We Love Day of the Mushroom

Some mushrooms are edible

Edible mushrooms are tasty

Mushrooms can be healthy

Some, if not most, mushrooms are edible. That’s just one more source of food for us humans!

Edible mushrooms are actually tasty as well, and they definitely make a good vegan snack. Go pick some today!

Mushrooms are plants, and as such, their consumption is healthy. We love this!

Source

[shlipashastrastudio]

The Timeless Beauty of Traditional Sarees: Celebrating Indian Heritage

The saree, a six-yard symbol of grace and tradition, has been worn by Indian women for centuries. Rooted deeply in India's cultural fabric, traditional sarees are more than just garments; they are a living legacy of art, craftsmanship, and heritage. Each region of India boasts its own unique style of saree, showcasing the diversity of techniques, fabrics, and designs that have been passed down through generations. From the intricate zari work of Banarasi sarees to the vibrant colors of Kanjeevaram silk, the charm of the traditional saree continues to captivate women, both young and old.

In this blog, we explore the various types of traditional sarees, their significance, and how they remain a staple in Indian wardrobes today.

The Cultural Significance of Traditional Sarees

The traditional saree is not merely an item of clothing but a reflection of Indian values, customs, and traditions. Worn on festive occasions, weddings, and religious ceremonies, the saree signifies purity, grace, and femininity. It has evolved over time, yet it retains its intrinsic connection to India's history and craftsmanship.

Every region in India has its own signature style of saree, with designs and motifs inspired by local art, mythology, and nature. For instance, the traditional Banarasi saree is known for its gold and silver brocade work, symbolizing opulence and grandeur, while the Kanjeevaram saree from Tamil Nadu showcases bold, contrasting colors with intricate temple designs that pay homage to the region's rich cultural heritage.

Popular Types of Traditional Sarees

Banarasi Silk Sarees: Originating from Varanasi, these sarees are synonymous with luxury and royalty. Woven from fine silk and embellished with gold and silver zari, Banarasi sarees are renowned for their intricate designs, including motifs of flowers, animals, and traditional Mughal patterns. These sarees are often worn by brides due to their rich, elaborate look.

Kanjeevaram Silk Sarees: One of the most famous sarees from South India, Kanjeevaram sarees are crafted from pure mulberry silk and known for their vibrant colors and heavy gold borders. The designs often feature traditional motifs like peacocks, temples, and floral patterns. These sarees are a symbol of elegance and are often passed down as family heirlooms.

Patola Sarees: Patola sarees from Gujarat are known for their double ikat weaving technique, which involves the careful tie-dyeing of both the warp and weft threads before weaving. The result is a beautifully intricate, geometric pattern. These sarees are often considered a status symbol due to the skill and time required to create them.

Chanderi Sarees: Originating from the town of Chanderi in Madhya Pradesh, these sarees are lightweight and perfect for casual wear. They are traditionally woven from a blend of silk and cotton, with delicate motifs inspired by nature, including trees, flowers, and birds. Chanderi sarees are known for their sheer texture and fine zari work.

Paithani Sarees: Hailing from Maharashtra, Paithani sarees are handwoven using pure silk and known for their distinctive borders with peacock designs. The pallu, or end piece, often features elaborate designs of parrots, flowers, and vines. These sarees are prized for their elegance and are often worn during weddings and festivals.

Bandhani Sarees: Popular in Rajasthan and Gujarat, Bandhani sarees are created using a tie-dye technique that results in unique patterns of dots, waves, and checks. The vibrant colors and playful patterns make Bandhani sarees a favorite for festive occasions.

Tant Sarees: Tant sarees from West Bengal are crafted from cotton and are characterized by their lightness and breathability, making them ideal for everyday wear. The borders and pallus are usually adorned with traditional Bengali motifs like paisleys, flowers, and geometric patterns.

Muga Silk Sarees: Native to Assam, Muga silk sarees are made from the rare Muga silk, known for its durability and natural golden sheen. These sarees are often embroidered with traditional Assamese motifs, such as birds and animals, and are considered a symbol of luxury.

Why Traditional Sarees Continue to Thrive

In an era of rapid fashion changes and modern trends, the traditional saree has stood the test of time. Here's why it remains a beloved garment across generations:

Cultural Connection: For many women, wearing a traditional saree is a way to honor their heritage and celebrate their cultural roots. Each saree tells a story of the region it comes from, preserving age-old weaving techniques and designs that have been passed down through generations.

Timeless Elegance: The beauty of the traditional saree lies in its timelessness. Unlike modern fashion trends that come and go, traditional sarees never go out of style. Whether it's a Banarasi saree or a Kanjeevaram silk, these sarees exude elegance and grace, making them suitable for both formal and casual occasions.

Versatility: Despite being a traditional garment, the saree can be styled in countless ways, making it a versatile piece of clothing. Modern women have embraced fusion sarees, pairing them with contemporary blouses or accessories to create a fresh, stylish look while retaining the essence of tradition.

Symbol of Femininity: The saree enhances a woman's grace and beauty, accentuating her figure while maintaining an air of sophistication. It's no wonder that women continue to wear sarees for important occasions, as it has long been associated with femininity and empowerment.

Craftsmanship: The intricate craftsmanship involved in creating a traditional saree is unmatched. From the handwoven fabrics to the delicate zari work, each saree is a masterpiece, reflecting the skill and dedication of the artisans who create them.

How to Style a Traditional Saree

Styling a traditional saree can be a fun and creative process. Here are some tips to enhance your look:

Accessorize with Traditional Jewelry: Pair your saree with statement pieces like jhumkas, bangles, or a traditional necklace. Gold jewelry complements silk sarees beautifully, while oxidized silver adds a modern twist to cotton sarees.

Experiment with Blouses: While the saree itself may be traditional, you can experiment with blouse designs to create a unique look. Opt for a contrasting blouse, or try one with an off-shoulder or high-neck design for a modern take on the traditional saree.

Drape with Style: There are various ways to drape a saree depending on the region or occasion. Experiment with different draping styles, such as the Bengali drape or the Gujarati style, to add a regional touch to your outfit.

Footwear Choices: Pair your saree with traditional sandals or mojaris for an ethnic look. For a more contemporary vibe, you can also wear heels or wedges.

Conclusion

The traditional saree is a timeless garment that continues to captivate women across the world. Its ability to blend tradition with elegance makes it a perfect choice for a variety of occasions, from weddings and festivals to everyday wear. Each type of saree carries with it the rich cultural history of its region, showcasing the artistry and craftsmanship of Indian weavers.

As we embrace modern fashion, the traditional saree remains a beautiful reminder of our cultural roots, preserving the legacy of Indian textiles for generations to come. Whether you drape yourself in a Banarasi silk or opt for a lightweight Chanderi, the saree will always hold a special place in Indian fashion.

[shopfashionly]

The Different Styles of Saree Draping: A Timeless Elegance

The saree is not just a garment but an embodiment of grace, culture, and heritage. Draped in numerous ways across different regions of India, the saree transforms into a cultural statement, telling stories of communities, traditions, and aesthetics. With a six to nine-yard length of fabric, the saree holds the potential to create innumerable looks. While the saree is predominantly associated with India, its roots and cultural relevance extend across South Asia, including Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

In this blog, we will explore types of saree wearing styles from different regions of India and neighboring areas, showcasing how the saree adapts to local climates, social norms, and occasions.

1. Nivi Style (Andhra Pradesh)

The Nivi drape, one of the most popular and widely worn styles, originates from the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. This is the style most people are familiar with, where the pleats are tucked into the waist and the pallu (the loose end of the saree) is draped over the shoulder.

How it's worn: The saree is wrapped around the waist with pleats tucked into the front. The loose end, or pallu, is then brought over the left shoulder, allowing the fabric to cascade down the back or be pinned neatly.

Occasions: This style is versatile and can be worn both casually and on formal occasions, making it a go-to for everyday wear or grand events like weddings.

2. Bengali Style (West Bengal)

The Bengali drape is distinct and exudes a regal, effortless charm. Characterized by its large pleats and wide pallu, this style has been popularized in Indian films and by Bengali icons over the centuries.

How it's worn: The saree is wrapped around the waist without creating pleats. The pallu is draped over the left shoulder and brought around under the right arm, then back over the left shoulder, leaving the pallu to hang gracefully.

Occasions: Typically worn during Durga Puja or festive occasions, the Bengali style complements heavy silk sarees with traditional motifs.

3. Gujarati Style (Gujarat)

The Gujarati drape is similar to the Nivi style but with a key difference in how the pallu is managed. Known for its vibrant and colorful aesthetics, this style is especially popular during the festival of Navratri.

How it's worn: The saree is pleated and tucked into the waist like the Nivi style. However, the pallu is draped from the back and brought over the right shoulder, then spread across the front.

Occasions: Perfect for festive events, this style often accompanies bandhani or mirror-work sarees, making it ideal for garba dances and weddings.

4. Maharashtrian Nauvari Style (Maharashtra)

The Nauvari saree stands out due to its length and drape, as it is usually worn without a petticoat and resembles a dhoti. The name "Nauvari" comes from the nine yards of fabric used in this traditional saree.

How it's worn: The saree is draped to resemble a trouser-like garment with the pleats tucked between the legs. The pallu is then draped over the shoulder.

Occasions: This saree style is often seen during Maharashtrian weddings or festivals, giving women freedom of movement, especially for traditional dances like Lavani.

5. Kerala Kasavu Style (Kerala)

The Kerala Kasavu saree is simple, elegant, and symbolic of Kerala’s rich cultural heritage. These sarees are usually cream or off-white with a golden border, making them a staple during the festival of Onam and at traditional weddings.

How it's worn: The saree is draped similarly to the Nivi style, with a few pleats in the front and the pallu gracefully worn over the left shoulder.

Occasions: The cream and gold combination is the hallmark of this drape, making it perfect for religious and ceremonial occasions in Kerala.

6. Coorgi Style (Coorg/Kodagu)

The Coorgi drape hails from the hilly regions of Coorg in Karnataka. Unique in its method, the pleats and pallu of the Coorgi drape flow in reverse from most other saree styles.

How it's worn: The saree is wrapped around the waist, with pleats tucked in at the back. The pallu is then brought over the shoulder and fastened with a brooch at the shoulder.

Occasions: Coorgi women often wear this during weddings, with the distinctive drape enhancing the saree’s natural flow and grace.

7. Tamil Koorai Style (Tamil Nadu)

The Koorai style is associated with Tamil Brahmin weddings, where the bride traditionally dons a brightly colored silk saree called Kanchipuram or Kanjeevaram.

How it's worn: Similar to the Nivi style but with a more structured approach to pleating, the saree is tied with precision, and the pallu is draped over the left shoulder and pinned.

Occasions: Most commonly seen at South Indian weddings, this style exudes tradition and splendor.

8. Assamese Mekhela Chador (Assam)

Though not a traditional saree, the Mekhela Chador is a two-piece garment that consists of a mekhela (a skirt-like lower part) and a chador (an upper drape).

How it's worn: The mekhela is worn like a skirt, while the chador is draped around the torso and over the shoulder.

Occasions: Mekhela Chador is integral to Assamese cultural events and festivals, often made from rich silk fabrics like Muga silk, indigenous to Assam.

9. Odisha's Sambalpuri Style (Odisha)

The Sambalpuri saree is named after its place of origin, Sambalpur, in Odisha. Known for its intricate ikat weave, this style showcases the artistry of handloom weaving.

How it's worn: Draped in a simple Nivi style to highlight the saree's patterns, this saree often features bold motifs that draw attention to the pallu.

Occasions: Sambalpuri sarees are often worn on festive occasions, especially by women in Odisha during religious festivals.

10. Lehenga Saree (Contemporary Fusion)

The lehenga saree is a modern twist on traditional saree wearing, where a lehenga (skirt) replaces the traditional pleats, and the dupatta mimics the pallu of the saree.

How it's worn: The lehenga is worn like a skirt, while the dupatta or pallu is draped over the shoulder, offering the look of a saree without the hassle of pleating.

Occasions: Ideal for modern weddings and sangeet ceremonies, this drape is popular among younger generations looking for a fusion of traditional and contemporary styles.

Conclusion

The saree, in its myriad forms, represents a beautiful blend of tradition, culture, and individuality. Each region offers its unique draping style, reflecting the climate, customs, and lifestyle of the local people. From the elegant Bengali to the structured Tamil Koorai, and the functional Nauvari, every style tells a story of a place and time.

Whether you prefer the ease of the Nivi style or the structured beauty of the Coorgi drape, the saree remains a versatile garment that transcends time. As modern interpretations continue to emerge, the essence of the saree stays intact—a symbol of grace, femininity, and heritage that continues to inspire across generations.

4o

[royalnandfashions]

The Rise of Linen: A Modern Twist on Traditional Six Yards

In recent years, the saree—a traditional garment that has adorned women in India and beyond for centuries—has experienced a remarkable renaissance. Among the various fabrics that have found their way into the saree market, linen stands out for its unique blend of elegance, comfort, and sustainability. As modern consumers become more conscious of their choices, the rise of linen sarees offers a fresh twist on the classic six yards. This blog explores the appeal of linen sarees, their historical significance, and why they are becoming a staple in contemporary wardrobes.

A Brief History of the Saree

The saree, with its rich history spanning thousands of years, is more than just a piece of clothing; it embodies cultural identity, heritage, and artistry. Traditionally, sarees were made from luxurious fabrics like silk and cotton, often handwoven and embellished with intricate designs. Over time, sarees became synonymous with grace and femininity, worn by women from all walks of life during various occasions.

As fashion evolves, so does the saree, adapting to modern tastes and lifestyles. Enter linen—an age-old fabric that is now carving out its niche in the saree market.

The Allure of Linen

Linen, derived from the flax plant, is one of the oldest textiles known to humanity. Its unique properties make it a desirable choice for various garments, including sarees. Here are some reasons behind the growing popularity of linen in the world of sarees:

1. Breathability and Comfort

One of the most significant advantages of linen is its breathability. Unlike synthetic fabrics that trap heat and moisture, linen allows air to circulate, making it perfect for warm and humid climates. The lightweight nature of linen drapes beautifully, ensuring that it feels comfortable against the skin.

Women today lead busy lives, often juggling multiple roles. A linen saree can be worn throughout the day without causing discomfort, making it ideal for everything from office wear to festive occasions. Its moisture-wicking properties ensure that you stay cool, even in the hottest weather.

2. Sustainable Choice

As awareness of environmental issues rises, consumers are increasingly seeking sustainable fashion options. Linen is a natural fibre that requires fewer resources to produce compared to cotton. The flax plant grows with minimal water and pesticides, making linen a more eco-friendly choice.

By opting for linen sarees, consumers support sustainable practices in the fashion industry. Many brands are now focusing on ethical production methods, ensuring that their linen is sourced responsibly. This shift towards sustainability not only benefits the planet but also appeals to the modern consumer's desire to make conscientious choices.

3. Versatile Styling

One of the most attractive features of a linen saree is its versatility. The fabric can be styled in numerous ways, allowing for a wide range of looks depending on the occasion. Whether draped traditionally or in a more contemporary style, a linen saree can suit any event, from casual outings to formal gatherings.

Moreover, linen sarees come in various colours and patterns. From muted tones to vibrant hues, there is a linen saree to match every mood and occasion. Pairing a linen saree with different blouses can dramatically change the overall look, making it a versatile addition to any wardrobe.

4. Timeless Elegance

Linen sarees exude a natural elegance that transcends trends. The fabric’s subtle sheen and textured finish add a sophisticated touch, making it suitable for both day and night events. A linen saree can be dressed up with statement jewellery and intricate blouses for festive occasions or kept simple for everyday wear.

This timeless appeal makes linen sarees a worthy investment. Unlike fleeting fashion trends, linen sarees can be cherished pieces that continue to look stylish year after year.

The Craftsmanship Behind Linen Sarees

The rise of linen sarees is also linked to the revival of artisanal craftsmanship. Many local artisans and weavers are returning to traditional techniques to create exquisite linen sarees that reflect regional heritage. Handwoven linen sarees, often adorned with intricate motifs and patterns, not only showcase the skills of artisans but also celebrate cultural diversity.

By choosing handcrafted linen sarees, consumers support local craftsmanship and contribute to the preservation of traditional weaving techniques. This connection to heritage adds a layer of meaning to the garment, making it a cherished addition to any wardrobe.

Embracing the Linen Saree

As the world becomes more interconnected, the saree is gaining international recognition. Influencers and fashion icons are embracing linen sarees, showcasing them on social media platforms and in fashion shows. This exposure has helped elevate the linen saree to a modern fashion statement, appealing to younger generations looking for unique, stylish options.

Linen sarees can also be easily integrated into various fashion styles, from bohemian to minimalistic. Whether worn casually with flats or dressed up with heels and elaborate accessories, linen sarees offer endless styling possibilities.

Conclusion

The rise of linen sarees represents a beautiful blend of tradition and modernity. As consumers increasingly seek comfort, sustainability, and versatility, linen sarees have emerged as a fashionable and responsible choice. With their breathability, timeless elegance, and connection to artisanal craftsmanship, linen sarees are not just garments; they are a celebration of heritage and a step towards a more sustainable future in fashion.

In a world where fashion is often fleeting, the linen saree stands out as a timeless piece that transcends trends. By adding a linen saree to your wardrobe, you embrace a modern twist on traditional attire, allowing you to celebrate your roots while stepping confidently into the future.

[skinandinkgirl]

The Beginning of a Transition of Personal Garden Space

This journey starts in 2014. The space I am living in currently, my late partner and I purchased in February of 2014 with the intent to become as self-sustainable as possible in the middle of an urban area. The property we purchased is 3/4 of an acre, which in the area the property is located, is a very large chunk of land. With that in mind, from the moment we moved into the house we started developing the ground outside into usable space for food-based plants. The very first thing that we did was to rip out the hostas which had overtaken the entire side yard. My oldest child and I spent three- or four-days hand digging and ripping out the rhizomes from the ground and disposing of them so that they could not continue to propagate. I cannot begin to describe the quantity of this particular plant and how invasive it had truly become. Fast forward to 2024, ten years later, and somehow this plant has decided to reemerge on the side of my house where the Hosta apocalypse occurred.

The next phase of the process began by converting the backside yard into plantable raised beds. We purchased a portable outside greenhouse to place on the back porch for starting seedlings. It had about six or seven shelves and included basic kitchen staples. The basics always include tomatoes, greens, beans and peas of some kind. That year there were bad rainstorms, but one was particularly bad. I was at work when I got a text from my partner with a picture of the portable greenhouse in pieces all over the yard. The wind had gotten to such a point that it was ripping down electric lines in Clermont County and two months’ worth of seedlings were destroyed in a moment. As depressing as it was, we ended up biting the bullet and purchasing store bought plant starters for the garden. Tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, lettuces, cabbage and a variety of other greens, peas, and beans were planted in the raised beds.

As the tomatoes started to ripen, they of course all started ripening at the same time. The whole point of having a garden is to be able to have fresh food available and to be able to put aside more for the future. I grew up in a food insecure household so having reliable food sources has always been a concern of mine. I grew up learning how to process those foods that we grew utilizing the following food preservation techniques: water bath canning, pressure canning, dehydrating etc. This having been said, the tomatoes went a little buck wild. The month prior, our household had already survived the cucumber invasion and the zucchini stampede. The mistake was made of planting too many of those varieties, so we had pickled, froze and baked as many as we could of the previous vegetables. By the time the tomatoes made their entrance, we were already exhausted. At one point we were harvesting 20 to 30 lbs. of tomatoes every four or five days. At that point, I only had a regular freezer on our refrigerator and no extra freezer storage that we have now, so we did not have the ability to freeze the overabundance and can it later. That summer at best guess I canned about 200-quart sized jars of different tomato styles; stewed, juice, salsa, and sauce.

One thing that we truly focused on in the beginning of the conversion of yard space was making sure that the plants that we were introducing were not invasive species, and that we were utilizing the space properly. This of course does not mean that mistakes were not made. It wasn't until a few years afterwards that one mistake that I realized was that I planted a mint in the front side yard. Had I thought back to my childhood, I would have remembered that any plant in the mint family is highly invasive when left unchecked. Even when it is culled consistently it is still exceedingly difficult to control in open ground versus in a pot or container. One of the other mistakes that we made was being overambitious in the first year in the quantity of things that we planted. Because both of us were working full time combined with having a new home, doing all of this at the same time was exhausting.

That years planting season ended with several lessons learned, good and bad, and the plan for the following year started being created.

[samkkshopping]

Samyakk: Authentic Georgette Sarees Steeped in Heritage

Introduction:

The timeless elegance of the georgette saree has captivated hearts for generations. This gossamer garment, crafted from lightweight, sheer georgette fabric with a beautiful crepe-like texture, drapes effortlessly and flatters every silhouette. Whether you’re seeking a statement piece for a wedding or a sophisticated look for a party, a georgette saree is a versatile choice that exudes grace and charm.

A Symphony of Style and Value

Samyakk collection caters to every desire. Explore a range of luxury georgette Sarees for those who appreciate the finer things in life, or browse our selection of affordable georgette Sarees that offer exceptional value without compromising on style. We house the latest trends in georgette Sarees, ensuring you’ll always look fashion-forward.

Start your search for the perfect georgette saree online today! With our user-friendly platform, you can browse our exclusive georgette saree collection at your leisure and find the saree that speaks to your unique sense of style. Let us be your one-stop shop for all things georgette!

From Parisian Studios to Indian Elegance: The Rise of the Georgette Saree

The georgette Sarees story begins not in India, but in early 20th century France! It’s named after a French designer, Georgette de la Plante, who introduced the fabric.

Georgette fabric itself is lightweight and slightly sheer, with a distinctive crinkled texture. This unique quality translates beautifully into Sarees, making them flowy and comfortable.

India embraced georgette Sarees in the 1920s. During the Colonial influence the British Raj, European fashion undoubtedly influenced Indian clothing trends. Georgette, being a popular fabric in Europe at the time, could have entered India through this cultural exchange.

Their popularity soared due to the fabric’s delicate feel and ease of draping. Over time, georgette Sarees became a staple in Indian fashion, inspiring designers to create a vast array of styles. From simple and elegant to heavily embroidered and designer masterpieces, georgette Sarees continues to be a beloved garment for women in India and around the world.

Unveiling a World of Georgette Sarees

Embark on a journey of exquisite design with our comprehensive georgette saree collection. Discover a treasure trove of options, from designer georgette Sarees boasting intricate embroidery to embroidered georgette Sarees that showcase meticulous craftsmanship. Find your perfect match for any occasion, be it a glamorous georgette saree for weddings or a trendy georgette saree for parties.

“Six yards of pure grace.” (Chay haath shaant)”

So now let’s know how Georgette arrived and took Transformation in India

Georgette’s arrival in India around the 1920s wasn’t met with a single, set design. Here’s how it likely unfolded:

Initial Adaptation: Indian weavers, known for their skill and adaptability, readily embraced the new fabric. They began crafting sarees using georgette, likely replicating existing saree styles like the Nivi or the Kanjeevaram saree, but with the lighter, flowing feel of georgette.

Experimentation and Innovation: With its unique texture, georgette offered exciting possibilities. Saree designers likely experimented with draping techniques to best showcase the fabric’s flowy nature. Additionally, the sheerness of georgette might have led to the use of lining fabrics or denser weaves for the pallu (the decorative end piece of the saree) to create a more balanced look.

Embellishment and Regional Flair: Indian sarees are known for their rich embellishments. Designers likely incorporated existing embroidery techniques like chikankari or zardozi onto georgette, creating stunning and intricate designs. Regional variations also emerged, with weavers incorporating local motifs and colors into their georgette saree designs.

Popularity and Social Acceptance: The comfort and elegance of Pure georgette sarees likely resonated with Indian women. As they were worn by more women, particularly those in urban areas, georgette sarees gained social acceptance and became a desirable fashion statement.

Over time, authentic georgette sarees continued to evolve. From the rise of designer georgette sarees featuring intricate work to the incorporation of trendy prints and modern silhouettes, georgette has remained a versatile fabric that adapts to changing tastes. Today, it’s a staple in Indian wardrobes, offering a touch of timeless elegance for any occasion.

“A saree speaks louder than words.” (Saree shabd se zyada bolti hai)”

Let’s Explore the Diverse World of Georgette Sarees in India

Unveiling the Enchanting World of Georgette Banarasi Sarees: A Journey through Exquisite Craftsmanship

The world of sarees is a tapestry of rich traditions, intricate designs, and breathtaking beauty. Among these gems, Banarasi sarees hold a special place, renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship and timeless elegance. And when it comes to Banarasi sarees, the georgette variety stands out as a captivating blend of modernity and heritage.

Georgette, a lightweight and airy fabric, lends itself effortlessly to the Banarasi saree’s intricate weaving techniques. The result is a symphony of textures, patterns, and colors that has captivated saree enthusiasts worldwide.

Pure Khaddi Georgette Banarasi Saree:

The pure khaddi georgette Banarasi saree is the epitome of opulence and refinement. The khaddi weave, characterized by its slub texture, adds a unique dimension to the saree, making it a true masterpiece.

Semi Khaddi Georgette Saree:

For those seeking a balance between luxury and affordability, the semi khaddi georgette Banarasi saree is an excellent choice. The semi khaddi weave offers a subtle slub texture, while still maintaining the saree’s elegance and grace.

Banarasi Semi Georgette Saree Price:

The price of Banarasi Original semi georgette sarees varies depending on the intricacy of the weaving, the quality of the materials used, and the reputation of the weaver. However, one can expect to pay anywhere from (₹10,000 to ₹50,000) for a well-crafted semi georgette Designer Banarasi saree.

Khaddi Georgette Banarasi Saree Price:

Pure khaddi georgette Original Banarasi sarees are considered the pinnacle of luxury, and their prices reflect this. These sarees can range from (₹50,000 to ₹1,00,000) or even more, depending on the factors mentioned above.

Pure Tussar Georgette Handloom Banarasi Turkish Saree:

The pure tussar georgette handloom Banarasi Turkish saree is a rare gem, combining the beauty of tussar silk with the delicate touch of georgette. The Turkish pattern, with its intricate floral motifs, adds a touch of exotic elegance to this saree.

Booti Khaddi Georgette Handloom Banarasi Saree:

The booti khaddi georgette handloom Banarasi saree is a classic choice, adorned with delicate booti (floral) motifs. The khaddi weave adds a subtle texture, while the handloom craftsmanship ensures the saree’s authenticity.

Bottle Green Meenakari Jaal Khaddi Georgette Handloom Banarasi Saree:

The bottle green meenakari jaal khaddi georgette handloom Banarasi saree is a symphony of colors and patterns. The bottle green hue is rich and regal, while the meenakari work, with its intricate gold thread embroidery, adds a touch of opulence. The jaal (net) pattern adds a delicate touch to the overall design.

Green Meenakari Jaal Khaddi Georgette Handloom Banarasi Saree:

The green meenakari jaal khaddi georgette handloom Banarasi saree is another stunning example of Banarasi craftsmanship. The green hue is vibrant and refreshing, while the meenakari work and jaal pattern add a touch of elegance and sophistication.

The world of sarees is a tapestry of vibrant colors, intricate designs, and rich cultural heritage. Among these gems, Banarasi sarees hold a special place, renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship and timeless elegance. And when it comes to Pure Banarasi sarees, the authentic georgette variety stands out as a captivating blend of modernity and heritage.

Meenakari Jaal Khaddi Georgette Handloom Banarasi Saree:

The Meenakari Jaal Khaddi Georgette Handloom Banarasi Saree is a masterpiece of intricate artistry. The meenakari work, with its delicate gold thread embroidery, adorns the saree like a crown, while the jaal (net) pattern adds a touch of elegance and sophistication. The khaddi weave, characterized by its slub texture, lends a unique dimension to the saree, making it a true work of art.

Meenakari Georgette Handloom Banarasi Saree:

The Meenakari Georgette Handloom Banarasi Saree embodies the opulence and grandeur of Banarasi craftsmanship. The meenakari work, with its intricate gold thread embroidery, is the focal point of this saree, adding a touch of royalty and elegance. The georgette fabric, lightweight and airy, drapes beautifully, allowing the intricate designs to shine through.

Meenakari Khaddi Georgette Handloom Banarasi Saree:

The Meenakari Khaddi Georgette Handloom Banarasi Saree is a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity. The meenakari work, with its delicate gold thread embroidery, adds a touch of opulence, while the khaddi weave, characterized by its slub texture, lends a unique dimension to the saree. The georgette fabric, with its soft and flowing drape, ensures comfort and elegance.

Konia Khaddi Georgette Handloom Banarasi:

The Konia Khaddi Georgette Handloom Banarasi saree is a symphony of vibrant colors and intricate designs. The konia motif, with its stylized floral patterns, adds a touch of playfulness and charm to the saree. The khaddi weave, characterized by its slub texture, lends a unique dimension to the saree, while the georgette fabric ensures a soft and flowing drape.

Rangkat Jaal Khaddi Georgette Handloom Banarasi Saree:

The Rangkat Jaal Khaddi Georgette Handloom Banarasi Saree is a celebration of colors. The rangkat (colored) thread work, with its vibrant hues, adds a touch of festivity and joy to the saree. The jaal (net) pattern provides a delicate backdrop for the colorful motifs, while the khaddi weave, characterized by its slub texture, lends a unique dimension to the saree. The georgette fabric ensures a soft and flowing drape.

Sona Roopa Jaal Khaddi Georgette Handloom Banarasi Saree:

The Sona Roopa Jaal Khaddi Georgette Handloom Banarasi Saree is an embodiment of elegance and sophistication. The sona roopa (gold and silver) thread work adds a touch of opulence and grandeur to the saree. The jaal (net) pattern provides a delicate backdrop for the intricate designs, while the khaddi weave, characterized by its slub texture, lends a unique dimension to the saree. The georgette fabric ensures a soft and flowing drape.

People Also Ask:

What makes a georgette saree so special? A: The georgette Sarees charm lies in its lightweight, airy fabric that drapes beautifully and is comfortable to wear, especially in hot weather. It offers a sheer and elegant look, making it perfect for various occasions.

Can georgette Sarees be worn for weddings and festive occasions? A: Absolutely! Georgette Sarees come in a variety of styles, from simple and elegant to heavily embroidered and designer masterpieces. You can find festive georgette Sarees with rich colors, intricate patterns, and embellishments like zari work, making them perfect for special events.

Where can I find the perfect georgette saree for me? A: Samyakk offers a curated collection of georgette sarees online, catering to various styles and budgets. You can browse their website and discover the ideal saree for you.

Can I see the Sarees in person before buying? A: Absolutely! Samyakk has a physical store in Bangalore. Visiting allows you to experience the Sarees firsthand, feel the fabrics, and get a better sense of their drape and look.

What if I need help choosing the right georgette saree? A: Samyakk likely has a customer service team available to answer your questions and guide you towards the perfect georgette saree for your needs. You can contact them through their website or visit their physical store for personalized assistance.

Conclusion

The elegant georgette saree has captivated hearts for generations. Its timeless appeal lies in its sheer beauty, comfortable drape, and versatility. Whether you seek a simple and elegant saree for everyday wear, stunning embroidered georgette for a festive occasion, or a luxurious Banarasi georgette masterpiece, there’s a perfect choice waiting for you.

Georgette saree shopping has never been easier. Explore the world of georgette Sarees online at Samyakk, where you’ll find a curated collection to suit every taste and desire. For a truly immersive experience, visit their physical store in Bangalore. Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of georgette Sarees, touch the fabrics, and discover the perfect saree to make you feel confident and beautiful.

Shop now at Samyakk and embrace the enchantment of the georgette saree!

[laplusrenting]

TEXT OR CALL MANAGER FOR INFORMATION. Do not email. MONTH TO MONTH LEASE RENTAL FOR ONE LARGE SHEIK PRIVATE BEDROOM WITH PRIVATE BATHROOM IN GORGEOUS MANSION in the hills for $1, 700 PLUS 1/6 of the utilities. Deposit $1, 700. Very classy upscale black tie home with: Wi-Fi, full home gym, waterfall pool, TV, view, and free street parking for you and guests! . FACETIME OR IN PERSON TOURS AVAILABLE 7 DAYS A WEEK. SEE ONLINE VIDEO TOUR OF HOME AND ROOM AT: THIS IS A SHARED 6 PERSON 3 STORY MANSION IN THE HILLS WITH 6 SECLUDED PRIVATE BEDROOMS AND 6 PRIVATE BATHROOMS SIMILAR TO A RITZ CARLTON HOTEL: 6 total people will be living in home that are professionals and work a lot. You have the privacy of an apartment due to well spaced out bedrooms for social distancing, yet the luxury of a spacious classy mansion. All six peoples' bedrooms have different keys and locked doors. LARGE KITCHEN HAS 6 SEPARATE REFRIGERATORS, CABINETS, SHELVES, AND DRAWS DESIGNATED FOR EACH OF THE 6 PEOPLE. SAVE ON GYM, PARKING, AND ENERGY COSTS! Free full home gym included. Plenty of FREE street parking for you and guests (no parking passes required unlike most of Los Angeles). Energy saving home because: Prorate utilities to 1/6. Water conserving top of the line washer/dryer. Many large double pane windows throughout the home with great lighting and air flow that keeps the heat, cool, and sound in. Ceiling fans in each bedroom. Two separate central air conditioners / heaters / fan for upstairs and downstairs. Tankless water heater that conserves gas and does not run out of hot water. Robot floor cleaner/sweeper available for use. THE LARGE SHEIK PRIVATE BEDROOM BATHROOM RENTAL FOR $1, 700 HAS: a spectacular view, two large double pane windows for great ventilation and lighting, custom wood floor, ceiling fan with lights, great lighting with dimmer, large walk-in mirrored closet, Venetian marble painted walls, and a beautiful Large PRIVATE BATHROOM with contemporary marble sink, bathtub Jacuzzi, travertine walls and flooring. Room is not furnished. EXTRA STORAGE SPACE AVAILABLE for extra charge. HUGE ADDITIONAL FURNISHED COMMON SPACE INCLUDED: living room, family room, dining room, laundry room with 6 separate shelves for each person, large private back yard, full home gym, and large open kitchen (i.e., granite counter tops, sheik modern hart shaped table/chairs, island bar with stools, island stove/oven, sink, overhead fan, microwave, Viking appliances, 5 separate refrigerators, shelves and drawers for each person ). ELEGANTLY DESIGNED MEDITERRANEAN MANSION HAS: spectacular views of downtown LA, pool with city view and slide- waterfall Jacuzzi- sheik modern aesthetics, large private outdoor balcony- wrap around private indoor balcony overlooking living room that has a large skylight- beautiful glass blue light stair case and brass banister- 30 foot high living room ceiling with chandelier, museum like artistic living room, front outdoor water fountain with palm tree and fern landscaping, front and back elegant garden landscaping, Greek and midivil armored statutes, floors (travertine stone- hardwood), granite counter tops, custom artistically painted mock marble walls and ceilings, and gorgeous custom crown molding, baseboard, and custom wood work. CENTRALLY LOCATED IN WEST LA: in an estate community with a nice quiet neighborhood in the hills not far from: Beverly Hills, Hollywood, LA Airport, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, El Segundo, Playa Del Rey, Marina Del Ray, Venice Beach, Santa Monica, Culver City, Westwood, Downtown LA, UCLA, USC, Loyola University, West LA college, Forum Concert Arena, New Sofi Charger Football Stadium, LA Convention Center, Crypto.com Arena (former Staples Stadium), and the 10, 90, 405 freeways. NO SMOKING OR VAPING. NO PETS._______________4266 Hillcrest Dr Bedroom Cor_______________Los Angeles______________________________1700$

[kaarimarket]

Sarees That Spell Elegance

A Selection Of Versatile Pieces Decked With Hand Embroidery, Vibrant Prints and Flowy Drapes.

There's something truly captivating about a saree - it is graceful, elegant and gives you a timeless-ageless look, and is truly a wardrobe collectable. The beauty of the six-yard is in the elegance of the embroidery, and the handloom intricacy – all of these small details bring a beautiful weave together.

Sarees are an intricate and pivotal aspect of Indian fashion and have been around for as long as we can remember. Most of us have grown up watching our mothers, aunts, grandmothers, and other relatives dressing up in gorgeous printed and classic handloom sarees that set our hearts aflutter.

These gorgeous drapes are decked with meticulous handwork and embellishments that adorn the fabric. Artisans invest hours in creating intricate embroideries using techniques like zardozi, aari, and Resham to embellish the saree with timeless motifs, crafted in free-flowing fabrics like Organza, Georgette and Pure Chiffon. Precious stones, sequins, and pearls are often meticulously hand-sewn, adding a touch of regal splendour to each ensemble.

Heirloom Worthy Pieces To Treasure Forever

Sarees are not just pieces of fabric; they are works of art meticulously crafted by skilled craftsmen. These visionaries weave together a plethora of elements, from fabric selection to intricate detailing, to create sarees that transcend the boundaries of conventional attire. Whether it's the use of luxurious fabrics like silk, chiffon, or georgette, or the incorporation of innovative embellishments and embroidery, each saree is a testament to the creator's artistic prowess. Explore our finest pieces by Peeli Dori, Dressfolk, Five Point Five and more.

Traditional Meets Modern

We have pushed the boundaries of innovation and haven't been limited to just traditional drapes, our new-age sarees effortlessly traverse the realms of both casual and formal settings. With contemporary designs, modern colour palettes, and innovative draping styles, our curation of modern Draped Sarees have become the epitome of adaptable fashion, making them a wardrobe essential.

Experimenting with unconventional weaving methods, incorporating elements like laser-cut patterns, digital prints, and hand embellishments to create sarees that are a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity. These innovations breathe new life into the age-old art of saree-making. 

Prints For All Your Moods

Our Vibrant Printed Sarees are a celebration of creativity, featuring an array of captivating designs that range from floral motifs to geometric patterns. These sarees effortlessly transition from casual to formal occasions, making them a wardrobe staple for women of all ages. Whether adorned with subtle pastels for a daytime gathering or vibrant hues for a festive celebration, printed sarees offer a wide spectrum of design options to suit diverse tastes and occasions. Explore our wide curation of Floral Printed drapes, lehriya sarees, and elegant intricate printed staples for an elegant day look.