#stpauligirl

[stars-inthe-sky]

10. tell me about an insecurity you overcame.

It's been a while since I started freelancing for fun and profit, but the beginning of that journey is still a pretty big deal to me.

I'd previously worked at an agency for nearly three years, so I knew how to do client-based work, but I knew nothing about business development (or billing, or taxes, or client management, or admin).

And, for those I didn't know back in 2017, I started down that whole road in the first place after getting very unexpectedly and unceremoniously fired after like four months on the job. It was never clear exactly why, but I'd thought things had been going well, and that was a pretty gutting Thursday afternoon.

I'd also just gone through a job search, so I knew there weren't many positions available in the region that would be a fit—and that the most recent thing that had seemed to be a great fit had, uh, not been. (This was before remote/hybrid work was a real norm, even though my agency job had functionally been hybrid and taught me to work effectively as such.)

But when I'd gone through that previous job search, a couple of people I spoke with had mentioned maybe needing some freelance capacity down the road, and perhaps I should get in touch once I got settled in the job if I was interested. So I reached out to them, without mentioning the rest, thinking I could at least bridge the gap while I figured out what the fuck to do. Both had solid projects for me where I learned a bunch quickly, made some money, and was excited for more.

And then it just kind of made sense to keep seeing about those kinds of opportunities—both because I liked the client-based work and flexibility, but also because it quickly became apparent that it'd be harder for any one person or institution to fuck me over in the same way.

Plus, one of the people who needed a subcontractor turned out to be a great mentor and reference; I don't think I ever told him quite why I'd decided to go all-in on freelancing full-time, but I have thanked him repeatedly for some truly foundational early guidance as well as a couple of projects he helped set me up with. He's semi-retired now but I'm still using some of those templates!

Anyway, I networked my way into a couple of additional early projects and finished 2017 with about the same overall income for the year that I had had in my agency job for 2016. (Not the fuck-them one, the one I got laid off from because, well, that was a bad end-of-year for anyone working in Democratic politics, much like this one.)

And the rest is history: I've been self-employed for about 7.5 years now and, while the constant hustle and inconstant income/workload have their own challenges, I think I've landed in a pretty secure (emotionally/professionally) place about the whole enterprise.

[majoris]

Have you ever tried to emulate an outfit or look you saw on a tv/movie character?

Oh that is a fun question! But the answer is a rather boring: no hahaha. I think it's a fun idea, but I don't think I'm built for it (read: I'm too lazy to go out of my way to look for specific clothes combos + I don't really get inspired by outfits, I guess I'm more of a ~vibe~ kinda person ?), I applaud people who can manage that tbh and look good and have the look™ of a specific character

BUT on a more fun note, a few months ago I realized that I do have pants similar to Helga's from Atlantis SO that's something ? Maybe ?? I am Helga ?? Who knows 👀

[glittertrail]

A really good tip too

by unpopular demand, I'm back! We're throwing a giant costume ball in a fancy castle for Halloween. The grander the better. There's no budget constrictions to take into account, the world's your oyster, tell me, what would you go dressed as? How would it look? Does the party have a theme? If you were to host it what'd be the vibe? Where are you usually found at in parties? 😊

Because this party is in a fancy castle, I am dressing up as Queen Elizabeth I.

The overall party theme is opulence. Because castle.

I don't really know what I would do as a host except serve a lot of really goo champagne. That is my one good hosting tip.

At parties I am usually found deep in side conversation with just a few people. Not in the main room. But still enjoying myself.

[mariavlc82]

No one tagged me, I just saw this and looked like fun

Rules: Without naming them, post a gif from ten of your favorite films, then tag 10 people to do the same

Tagging: @missviolethunter, @elsecretomejorguardado, @forceuseralona, @stpauligirl, @bloggingfromherbed, @noisydreamercolor, @siobhom, @gloriouspurposeonasgard,@punchedbymarkesmith, @pauls-mescal,... if you want to do it, consider yourself tagged.

[winterrose527]

Put your on repeat playlist on shuffle and let people decide their favorite 

thanks for the tag my darling @woodswit

tagging @sugaredrhubarb @stpauligirl @thistle-and-thorn @semperlitluv @darkwolf76 @themockingpoint and whoever else wants to do it!

[gardenarcana]

10 Characters That Make Me Feel Things

thanks for the tag @lj-loveletters !

in no particular order:

Na Hee-do (Twenty-Five Twenty-One)

Gale Dekarios (Baldur's Gate 3)

Sansa Stark (ASOIAF)

Lee Ik-jun (Hospital Playlist)

Benedict Bridgerton (Bridgerton)

Sung Deok-sun (Reply 1988)

Cam Rohan (Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas)

Amelia Hathaway (Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas)

Rose Tyler (Doctor Who)

Chu Min-ha (Hosptial Playlist)

no pressure tagging ✨: @glittertrail @amillcitygirl @woodswit @stpauligirl @alysonwonderland @winterrose527 @palominojacoby @sousrantings

[arleney]

Tagged by the wonderful @woodswit to list my top 10 comfort movies (in no particular order)

1. The Princess Bride

2. Galaxy Quest

3. Easy A

4. Mulan

5. The Fellowship of the Ring

6. Pride and Prejudice BBC (that counts as a movie, right?)

7. Sense and Sensibility BBC (this one’s two episodes, totally a movie)

8. Gladiator

9. Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood

10. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

Tagging (no pressure!): @stpauligirl @fullyvisible @colubrina @sproutwings @soundsfaebutokay @like-a-million-suns @ealdorcottagecore @ace-and-ranty and anyone else who wants to play!

[vivilove-jonsa]

I have read lots of mutual pining Jonsa fics. Or ones where Jon has pined forever and Sansa never gave him a thought. But do you know of any where Sansa has been the one pining and Jon was unaware?

Hey! Sorry for the delay answering this while I was away but this is a good question. Brother's Best Friend is a popular romance trope for a reason and the pining can definitely go any of these three ways, right?

One story that's sticking out in my memory banks is Reach Out with Both Hands by @thewolvescalledmehome which has Younger Sansa crushing on Jon who goes off to be a football star and then comes back home after a career-ending injury. Her crush comes roaring back when he moves into her basement but it takes him a wee bit longer to be emotionally ready for love and the woman right by his side. Love this one!

I'm sure there's some other good fics out there that fit the bill so I'll pop this in the tag and see if anyone wants to reblog with additions.

Thanks for the ask!

[stars-inthe-sky]

19. Have you ever had a one night stand?

20. Have you ever been caught doing the do? (I don't know "doing the do" is supposed to mean, so let's pretend this question is: Have you ever been caught in the act doing something -- good or bad?)

19. Nah, I met Boyfriend at age 18 and that's been that.

20. I think it's a sex question, but I'm not sure how you'd define "caught" here. Like, interrupted? No. Overheard? Probably.

[majoris]

nobody tagged me to post nine first time watches of 2024 🎬 but you're gonna see it anyway because I liked it last time + movie poster porn (+ under cut shenanigans)

It's not 'nine favourites from 2024' or 'best watches of 2024' or anything like that, just movies that stayed with me for a while, or that I appreciated in some way, or those 'this has been on my to watch list for far too long' ones or those that I just enjoyed or mix of those and other good reasons. Films I'd most likely recommend to someone (with asterisks).

So, if you're interested and have not seen any of those movies and are looking for: (from) large scale feel watch: Dune (through) medium scale feel: Uncut Gems, Love Lies Bleeding, Challengers, Chungking Express, Clue (to) small scale feel: The Thomas Crown Affair, Appropriate Behaviour, Far From Heaven (⤷ in de-escalating order) a bit of heartbreak: Far From Heaven & Appropriate Behaviour more intimate feel: Far From Heaven, Chungking Express, Appropriate Behaviour, The Thomas Crown Affair very story: Dune, Uncut Gems & Challengers more of a chill watch: Clue, Dune & The Thomas Crown Affair things are happening so much: Uncut Gems, Love Lies Bleeding unwell™: Uncut Gems, Love Lies Bleeding, Challengers, Appropriate Behaviour pinch of ridiculous: Clue, Love Lies Bleeding, Uncut Gems, Appropriate Behaviour takes itself seriously: Far From Heaven, Dune

I definitely have more made up categories as recs (still I think it's more useful than any rec list I've ever found tbh those suck imo) but I'll leave it at that, as unprompted as this was.

Tagging nine people, because fun and I'd love to see what other ppl watched last year and possible recs ? and poster porn, obviously (& I defnitely encourage u to make up movie rec categories tbh). So, if you're willing: @kakinou, @iceinherheart-kissonherlips, @lavellun, @antistae, @stpauligirl, @tedlassosbiscuits, @sealochs, @carlithiel, @sarahlancashire 🖤 & this time I'd also like to extend this to whomever sees it and wants to do it on the account that no one tagged me and I did it anyways. Tag you're it! (and tag me also ofc, I want to see your movie choices)

[wildlingoftarth]

58. four talents you’re proud of having?

I’m proud of being able to cook. My mom was not a big cook and I never learned growing up, so in college I taught myself by watching Food Network shows, lol. Now I’m teaching my girls so they grow up knowing how to cook and provide for themselves.

I’m proud of my empathy and ability to see things from all different points of view.

I’m proud of my artistic ability, especially drawing, although I don’t do it nearly as much as I would like.

I’m proud of my ability to make people feel included.

Weird asks

[sullenaquarian]

23. Nicest edition or cheapest edition?

I lean toward the cheapest edition, because cheaper means I can buy more books. However, I have received lovely editions of Pride and Prejudice and Alice in Wonderland as presents, which I greatly appreciate.

One thing I try to avoid buying, even if it costs less, is a book whose cover is from the movie adaptation. And I might splurge a bit more if a book comes with an interesting foreword or other materials. But as long as it’s an unabridged version, and I can wait for the book to be released in paperback/go down in price on Kindle, I prefer to save money. 

[ddagent]

Approximately how much do driving lessons cost in the UK?

£50 for two hours, or at least that’s how much it was back when I was doing it. Around £65 for a test. 

[winterrose527]

Thanks for the tag @darkwolf76, it's been a while since I've done one of these.

Do you make your bed? Often, but not always.

Favorite number? Seven.

What's your job? Cat herder.

If you could go back to school, would you? Tricky question, I can and should but will I? Law school is calling but I'm not sure I am answering.

Can you parallel park? What kind of question is this

Do you think aliens are real? I'm agnostic about it, but gun to my head I would say yes though likely not in the way they are depicted.

Can you drive a manual car? Absolutely not.

What's your guilty pleasure? I don't feel particularly guilty about any of my pleasures.

Tattoos? None.

Favorite color? Green.

Do you like puzzles? No, and my family doesn't like me around when they are doing them because they'll all be sitting there for hours and I'll come and sit for five minutes and find a bunch of pieces.

Any phobias? No phobias, but a lot of fears.

Favorite childhood sport? Badminton.

Do you talk to yourself? Sometimes but I disguise it as talking to my dog. Most of my talking to myself is internal and it's constant.

tagging @woodswit @sugaredrhubarb @semperlitluv @sansastarkr @justhereforfandomandfriends @arleney @stpauligirl

[gardenarcana]

moodboard tag game ✨

rules: favourite time of day, favourite aesthetic, a colour that describes you, favourite quote, current obsession, favourite texture, favourite outfit (or one you wish you had in your closet, a world, place or universe that you see yourself living in, favourite flower

Thanks for the tag @amillcitygirl 💛

No pressure tagging: @stpauligirl @eatingsoulsformoney @glittertrail @thistle-and-thorn @the--leopard @librarian-witchling @alysonwonderland @palominojacoby @lj-loveletters

[slipsthrufingers]

End of year meme: 4, 21, 26?

4. Did your appearance change in anyway?

Not fundamentally, but there were small changes. I have more stretch marks, a scar or two more (stupid cat), but in terms of things I deliberately did to change my appearance? nothing. I cut my hair a few times, but just to trim it back to a manageable length. Dyed it too, to avoid the regrowth stripe. But just back blonde, not pink like I once did. 

21. Did you vote?

Yes, much good that it did me. Though, fun fact: Australia is one of the few countries with compulsory voting. So. I had to. I would’ve whether that was the case or not, but also I don’t want a fine.

26. Do you regret doing something?

I think we all regret some of the things we’ve done every year. Times I ate too much or too little, drank too much or too little. Times I should’ve spoken up, times when I shouldn’t have. It’s too agonising to nitpick over every single thing I did, so I try to just let things be the way they were and try to do better next time.