#stylish groom's rings

[aidadiamonds]

Explore our collection of Men's diamond wedding bands, crafted to perfection with style and sophistication. Choose a symbol of love a anniverasry ring in Sydney, Australia.

[callsigns-haze]

Pretty like a crime

Prologue

Pairing: Agent Jake 'Hangman' Seresin x Singlemom! Agent Y/n 'Cobra' Y/l/n

Word count: 1.5k

A/n: This is the first post to my new series so please be nice! I'm going to try to make this into a series so please show this story a bit of love and reblog!

Summary: Cobra is finally back on the agency and is finally back in the job. With Kai at home she has to jumble being a mother and a agent. She's sent to her first U.C mission but never thought that she would meet a blonde, green eyed Texan...

Warning: Fighting, violence, drinking, guns, shooting, choking, cursing, gun shot, knives and a lot of violence that idk how to lable

You were back for the first time undercover at a dinner masquerade party and lets say nothing has happened yet. Your job was to obtain the organization files and deliver them by the end of the night but for now there was no sight of the enemy.

All night you've been in continuous conversation and greetings with people who you never met. It was killing you mentally. You'd do anything to be in your apartment, with your son on the couch cuddling while watching the Midnight Garden.

Through a couple of sources you've been informed that an unknown to you, agent group was on this operation too, but if you revealed to the wrong person, you'd already be dead.

"Excuse me, is the seat taken?" A strong Texan accent asked behind you. Turning, you saw a very handsome gentleman. Wearing a black button top with a black pair of fine trousers and leather shoes, he greatly showed off the blonde gelled hair that was excellently groomed and those green eyes just sparked right.

'Wait! Why are you caring how he looks or not?!' You asked yourself. You shook your head in disagreement, and he sat next to you. You take a sip of your glass filled with water; not wanting to seem to unsuttle.

"I understand you're not really into this style of events?" He inquired. You give him a slight look and softly reply, "May I ask what gave me away? My resting face of a bitch or that my body language is all over the place?" He let out a slight laugh and extended his hand to you.

"Jakob." As you reached to his hand, he delicately lifts yours, kissing your knuckles. You smile as you never experienced such a gentleman before.

"And here I thought chivalry died out a long time ago," you comment. With a stylish smirk, he shakes his head in disagreement. "There's still a lot of us around, you just gotta know where to look. If I'm not ahead of myself, may I ask for your name?"

Before your undercover name could drift back into your memory one of his friends is calling him over. A man in a black suit, quite tall with soft brown curls and a eighties pornstache. With a disappointed sigh, he excused himself with a quick apology. You were again stuck alone in silence.

The great thing about this job assignment was the masquerade. Nobody will know what hit them and what they're getting themselves into and that was the plan. Surprise. And you'll get what you want. A long time has passed of you eyeing the door, waiting for the right person to come in and your own phone rings instead with a notification.

Tamara. Your babysitter just sent you the cutest picture of your son watching tv with all his teddies aligned so they can 'Watch it too.'

Your son. So young but so passionate and so loved. He was smart for such a young age and could easily figure out people's emotions. He got easily attached and loved spending time with Tamara. God, you thank her so much.

You quickly put your phone away once you laid your eyes on the member entering.

Adanson.

The man you were waiting for. The man you were going to steal from or kill if things got out of hand. He looks so smirked and full of himself even behind the mask. This was the easy part, find out what room he's going to. Try not to pull the trigger and leave before anyone notices any drama. But it's not going to be easy.

This man is one of the greatest ghost gun and drug dealer you know. Ghost guns are unserialized and untraceable firearms that can be bought online and assembled at home. They are often sold through "ghost gun kits," which include all of the parts and often the equipment necessary to build these weapons at home.

These kits are widely available and can be purchased by anyone, including prohibited purchasers, domestic abusers, and gun traffickers — without a background check. As these kits and guns are sold at gun shows and online every day throughout the country, they undermine all of the life-saving policies that state legislatures have fought so hard to put in place.

They were also not metal so they could easily slide through security. And the drug part. Fentanyl. Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as an analgesic (pain relief) and anesthetic. It is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin as an analgesic.

You're eyes following him from behind the mask and the glass, your gaze doesn't drop at any movement. He's with his source or someone who's along the lines, the unknown man whispers in his ear and shows the door to the others. But why leave when you've just entered? Why not go around the back? And why were you the one having to follow their trail?

Oh well…. Isn't that just life… But why are they leaving through the back door? And you're right on their trail.

--------------

Sprinting. You never ran so fast through a street beforez as you were getting pursued by three henchmen. You felt the cold air as it burned to intake, and those ankles of yours were gonna twist in all but the right angles. You got it. You don't know how but you've got the organisation files but you managed to got caught so you're kinda running for your life and may I say running in heels and a red long silk dress wasn't really in your plans. Thinking you could lose them, you run down an alleyway.

It was a wrong turn, a dead end. There was no exit and no way out. 'Shit!' you thought, panting. You hear three pairs of thick footsteps of the men who have chased you and a disgusting laughter as you turn back around facing the men.

You had to fight or you'd die. The largest of the three came up to you shoving you backwards against the stone wall. "You all are the same, think you can take what they want without consequences," that russian accent was so scrappy that you'd prefer nails on a chalkboard.

"Now little girl, give us the files or are you prepared for death," he grabbed you by the neck, you spitting in his face made him take a stepped back in disgust and a flinch. The two of the men couldn't have done anything until you say.

"I think I should be asking… Are you prepared?" Smirking you start your fight as one henchman ran towards you hoping to punch you straight in the face. Giving him a roundhouse in the nose and punching him in the lower stomach, grabbing his head and kneeling him straight unconscious, you failed to see the other man coming behind with a thick metal chain, causing you to check while cutting off your oxygen access.

You started pulling and shaking which only cause him to squeeze tighter. Your vision started to go. You knew this was the end when you could only cough and not breathe. You were about to pass out but suddenly you were dropped and quickly loosened the grip for yourself gasping to catch a breath.

A gun shot.

Let's be more specific a gunshot sent from the handsome Texan blonde who flirted with you this evening. Wait where did he go? You felt a hand on your shoulder, and with the remaining stamina you had, your fight or flight response kicked in.

You grabbed a hold of his arm flipping him onto his lap, straddling his chest. You pull you knife out pressing it against his neck. " Who the fuck are you and why did you follow me?" You inquired aggressively, not knowing if he was with or against you. "I'm an agent, ma'am. I work with the San Diego Mission Force." He pulls out his badge to backup his story.

Quite shocked you don't waste time getting off him and holding your arm out to help him up which he takes,"I apologize for my aggressiveness," you looked at him, he returned a smile.

'Fake it, till you make it, that's all you had to do.'

"You were doing what anyone should have done. You've got me quite wowed that you managed to do that after getting nearly killed." Smirking, you look down, 'this man was still flirting!'

Bang.

Your que to run. You swiftly kick his from underneath his feet causing him to fall to the ground with an 'oof' leaving his lips. Grabbing your gun, which is concealed in your purse, you point it straight in between that perfect pair of green eyes, "I'm warning you, try to follow me again and I won't hesitate to kill you."

He tries to get up but you stomp your heel onto his clothed chest causing him to cough after getting wind knocked out of his chest, "Do you know who you're messing with. And I legit' just saved your life," he groans as the gun never leaves your aim.

"The real question is do you know who you've messed with." And at that you're gone. Disappeared into thin air without a trace and you left him there on the ground as the rest of the daggers come running but there's no trace of you…

Thanks to @shanimallina87 and @callsign-magnolia for ideas and support

Tagging who may be interested:

@callsign-magnolia

@shanimallina87

@callsign-dexter

@rosiahills22

@horseslovers2016

@djs8891

@hookslove1592

@emma8895eb

@hardballoonlove

@kmc1989

@dempy

@mamachasesmayhem

@senawashere

[octuscle]

Senior year

Hey there!

I’m a Brown guy in my senior year. I go to the gym semi-regularly but am still skinny-fat. I was wondering if you could turn me into a hunk- and a bonus if my twunk bestfriend gets on his knees for me this winter break.

Buddy, maybe you’re just at the wrong gym. Working out with all your snobby Ivy League friends isn’t going to make you one of the big boys.

That new gym you googled is far from even remotely hip or stylish. An unadorned box in an industrial estate. There are mostly pick-ups and vans parked in front of the building. Your Porsche looks a little out of place. Even in the entrance area, it smells of iron, testosterone and sweat. The Neanderthal at the counter takes your details. Surprisingly, all on a tablet. You would have expected everything here to still work on paper. Your login details are your thumbprint and an iris scan. You are impressed. The Neanderthal welcomes you to the club, gives you a fist bump and returns to his cell phone. You’re still wondering whether you should ask him about the house rules or for instructions on the equipment… But you just take a deep breath, go through the security gate and dive into the world of the big boys.

The first few days of training were difficult. There are basically only free weights. And the smallest weights tend to be at the upper limit of what you were moving in your old gym. You never see a trainer or anything that you can ask for advice. And the sweat-smelling musclemen around you only seem to be able to moan and grunt. Nobody talks here.

Shit, somehow you were hoping that this would all work within seconds. Poof! Muscle man! But that didn’t work, you’re still a weakling… Everyone else here is so big… You tried your best to fit in. You cut your own hair with long hair clippers. But you no longer shave your body hair. And your beard maybe every four to ten days. It just takes up unnecessary time. Just like thinking too much about clothes. You wear compression shorts to the gym like everyone else here, and sweatshorts over them. And a tank top on top. Or a T-shirt. As long as it’s sleeveless. Shoulders and armpits must be exposed. Because of the freedom of movement. And because the musky smell from your armpits is pure motivation to sweat even more. Outside the gym, you then wear a tracksuit over your gym clothes. Showering and changing is silly. You train for two to three hours each morning and evening. And if your job as a courier driver allows it, even during your lunch break. One of your bros got you the job. He also got you a good price for your Porsche. The Dodge RAM suits you much better.

Shit, you know the guy who’s making the delivery you have to make from somewhere. The name means something to you. You ring the bell. “Fourth floor left” comes out of the intercom. Damn, of course the elevator doesn’t work. You’re not the cardio type, you start to sweat. There’s a young, student-looking guy standing in the doorway. Over-groomed. Not badly built, but could do with a few more muscles. He looks at you almost lustfully. You grin and say that you have at least one delivery for him.

Hehehe, this isn’t the first time someone has sucked your cheesy boner. But this twunk is one of the better ones. He reminds you of someone. But it must have been a long time ago.

Pic found @stargazerguy​

[syraxesrevenge]

appearance headcanons for younger hotd generation

---------------------

• jacaerys has an aquiline nose and purple eyes, like his mother. there is little time you will see him dressed in anything other than a plain grey or brown training coat or riding gear, and some ladies at court jest that even vermax is better dressed than him. it does have a certain charm to it, however, and who could resist those beautiful purple eyes?

• lucerys has some white streaks in his curls, and he has fluffier hair than his brothers. he often dresses rather plainly, with deep velaryon blues and silver scarves that bring out his greyish-fawn eyes. he tries to stay as well groomed as possible, but by the end of the day rhaenyra is surprised if he doesn't have sand on his head and water in his coat.

• joffrey looks the least like rhaenyra, but he's the reflection of harwin. his clothes are often simple garments, black pads for silver training armour he uses while sparring with the small folk children of dragonstone. daeron gave him a dragon pin for his seventh birthday, and he wears it everywhere.

• baela is a spectacle. she's stylish, but in the "my armor is decorated with rubies and silver" sort of way. her hair is often braided into cornrows or buns, while moondancers saddle is often garnished with emeralds and sapphires, and the mixed banners of her parent houses.

• rhaena loves luxury. she ADORES luxury. gold and silver hair rings looped in her braids, chokers with small rhinestones and big diamonds, velvet dresses with fronted myrish lace; anything fashion, rhaena has. the others usually come to her for fashion designs and rightfully so.

• helaena likes simple chic. long, fitted lavender dresses with veiled silver tiaras. bejeweled bodices and soft, pastel colours. she hates the heavy queens crown, but loves small circlets with little gems like topaz and rubies. she also adores cloaks and capes, and feels like she can hide in them when she wants to.

• daeron doesn't have white hair. no, I think he has light auburn, just like his mother! he's also the favorite, and due to being raised in oldtown, often dresses in Hightower grey. sometimes a light, cheerful mint or deep green as well. tessarion is often adorned in these colours as well, even down to the design of her saddle.

• aegon dresses like a rat bffr everyone

• aemond has green hightower eyes (or, well, eye) and takes advantage of that. black suits and high ponytails are common, as well as emerald clips and black pearl headbands. he's very fashionable, unbeknownst to most that see him at first. Vhagar is often bejeweled as well; he can't have her looking ugly in front of the most beautiful dragon in the realm.

[stardust-swan]

Can you explain who Lalla Malika is? When I googled the only thing that came up were articles about a princess with the same name

Lalla Malika is a Moroccan jinniyya (female djinn, or genie in English). She's the daughter of a King of Djinn and a patroness of beauty and luxury. According to some legends, she was a human princess once upon a time. She speaks French, loves perfume, fine clothes (especially multicoloured with gold embroidery), cosmetics, henna, chocolates, and the colours pink and purple. Her name literally means "Lady Queen."

Names: Malika El Hawawiya, Malika Al-Huwawyia, Malika Al Zahwaniya, Nadir Al Alawi, Malika Zahouania, The Green Queen, The Divine Malika, The Jewish Queen, Malika Qouqia, Ghouqia, Sharīfa al-ʿAlawiyya, Shrifa el-Hassania, Moulet er-rouaieh (the Lady of Perfumes), Moulat el-Kfaten (the Lady of Kaftans), Bint al-Sultan (the Daughter of the Sultan), The Lady of Violet, Malika Rina, Daughter of the Mluk, Malika the Joyful, Malika la Amrani, Haji Malika, Malika Al Rahaniya, The Queen of the Queens, Malika al-Bidaouia, Malika al-Fassia, Lalla Hawa, Bint Mlouka

Origin: Morocco (but some Sufi Islam orders in other North African countries like the Tajaniyah of Algeria also revere her). Some believe her origin is specifically in the city of Fez, and that once upon a time in the 18th century, she was a human princess (the daughter of an unknown Sultan of the Alawite dynasty) who was known to be rebellious and libertine. According to ʿAbd ar-Rahim ʿAmrani, a prominent leader of a ḥamadsha troupe, she was from a prominent Algerian Jewish family who lived in the Mellah (Jewish quarter) in Fez. Another story goes that she was a noblewoman from Tlemcen, Algeria, who married a Jewish jeweller and merchant from Fez. And yet another story is that she was a woman from Meknes with a husband called Hammu; there are many other origin stories.

Sacred Sites: Wardrobes, armoires, palaces (she lives in a floating palace on an island with a beautiful gate, and particularly loves the palaces of Fez), Moulay Idris Zerhoun, Moulay Idris in Fez

Classification: She is a flying djinn (djinn tayyar), the strongest and most powerful type of jinn. Flying jinn are often associated with royal and sacred beings, possessing wings and appearing in forms such as falcons, hawks, pigeons, and hoopoes. They are rulers with dominion stretching across divine lands, notably between Jabal al-Nur in Mecca and the mountains of Tihama, making them inhabitants of the holy lands. Their leader is Moulai Ahmed al-Makki, who is the father of Malika, making her the princess of the flying djinn (one of her names, Malika El Hawawiya, is a reference to this, as "hawa" means "wind" in Arabic).

Role: Malika is highly regarded, and is considered not just a princess but also a queen, very respected among the jnun.

Relationships: She is particularly revered by the Nubian kings, including King Chamharouch (King of Thursday and of Moroccan jnun in general), Judge Ahmed (spiritual court judge), and King Abdullah al-Abyad (King of Friday). Together, these kings treat her as their own daughter, as they all descend from the righteous lineage of King Salah. She is also linked to Lord Idris, Memon, and Lalla Mira (many followers of Malika also revere Mira). On the other hand, she is said to have a rivalry with Lalla Aisha Qandisha.

Followers: She expects her followers to be well-groomed and stylish. Both female and male devotees are held to the same high standard of elegance - men must be clean shaven, wear new clothes and fine cologne. It's not a problem if you can't afford fine cologne - if you keep her in luxurious offerings, she'll provide economically for you.

She also provides in other ways, being particularly well-known for keeping devotees out of prison. Female followers of her often wear purple rings (and purple jewellery in general, but especially rings), although as far as I'm aware she doesn't require this. Intricate henna designs are often worn by her female followers, who have henna parties where devotional music is played as the designs are being painted. Her followers are known as the sons and daughters of Malika, and she is revered among many spiritual groups, including but not limited to the Gnawa, Jilala, Hamadsha and Isawiyya. Her presence brings a sense of acceptance, elevating her followers with her charm. It is believed that her followers are those who aspire to live in luxurious elegance. She is accepting of people on the margins of society, such as homosexuals and sex workers.

Her followers are known for their elegant looks and perfect manners, dressed in silk and gold, and leaving behind a trail of pleasant scents like oud and musk. They are noted for their regal demeanour, laughter, joy, energy, and social magnetism, and embody grace, cleanliness and charm.

Favoured People: Gays, bisexuals, crossdressers, young women, unmarried women, sex workers, Jews, eccentric women, modern women who like to smoke, drink and wear revealing clothes, very feminine women, effeminate men, handsome, charming and fun men, people who laugh a lot.

Power: Lalla Malika is untouchable by even the most powerful jinn or demonic forces. Her divine purity and strength make her immune to harm or interference. Her status as a "heavenly queen" stems from her being among the djinn tayyar, placing her beyond the reach of sorcery or malevolence.

Although she's powerful enough to do so, she never engages in attacks, instead choosing to withdraw her presence, leaving a void where there was once joy.

She has the power to grant wishes - her speciality is wishes dealing with obtaining wealth, money, power and abundance. Her power also helps her devotees gain an unfair advantage in matters concerning money through career, jobs, investments, business, assets and other means.

Personality: As well as her love of beauty and luxury, she is also famous for being joyful. It's said that if groups of women giggle, it's because of Lalla Malika's presence. Wherever her followers go, they make loving and accepting friends. Her presence enlivens celebrations. She loves gatherings full of laughter, vitality, and lively conversation, radiating joy and camaraderie wherever she goes. Those fortunate enough to share her company are cherished and admired. However, her radiant appeal also stirs jealousy among some women while earning admiration and love from men.

Aside from being joyful, her personality is also said to be ambitious, seeking status and refusing to let anyone diminish her worth. She exudes class and never settles for mediocrity. She may be considered vain by some, but never arrogant. She has no patience for trivial matters or the headaches of youth, but she treasures traditions, like the henna that graces her hands. She is strong yet compassionate, able to humble even the proudest man while fiercely protecting and nurturing her own. Her aura is transformative, filling any space she enters with laughter and harmony.

Despite her queenly aura, she's also said to be emotional, reminiscent of a young girl - prone to tears, worries and bouts of anger over small matters. But she is equally quick to laugh and find joy. Despite her sophistication, she maintains a sense of innocence and playfulness.

She is a little jealous, but in the way that all jnun are - for example, if Lalla Aisha has a special day, Lalla Malika will ask for one too. Most if not all jnun have the same need for recognition, so she is not unique in that regard. She is extremely accepting and leaves a lasting impression wherever she goes.

She is cosmopolitan, and unlike other jnun enjoys things from Europe and America, like European perfumes and American cigarettes. She speaks French, and some believe French is the only language she knows, although according to others she knows both French and classical Arabic.

She is very tolerant, and homesexuals, bisexuals, cross dressers, sex workers and Jews are protected by her. She encourages men to live their feminine sides publicly. Gay men are sometimes said to have a bit of Malika in them.

She is very flirtatious, sexually free, and loves handsome, charming, fun, well-groomed men - especially if they're married. Men are drawn to her - wherever she walks, they follow, eager to win her favour (women, on the other hand, often feel envy when they encounter her). She engages in sacred marriages and requires any man she's engaged to who's already married to get permission to continue relations with their wives or other women. She seduces people by passing her hands in front of their eyes, after which the person will only see clouds. He can't remember anything, not even his house, as the only thing he is aware of is her. After this, she will call his name and ask him to accept her wishes, to which he of course agrees. She then asks him to marry her, or to have sex with her - it's all the same to her. She commands her lovers to shave, wear cologne, and new clothes. Sometimes men go mad after Lalla Malika has lost interest in them; they can be heard calling her name as they wander around aimlessly, looking for her all night long.

Manifestation: She manifests as a happy spirit who signals her presence by tickling people and brings joy with her. She is considered very pure hearted and her goodness is evident to all. Her presence is also said to inspire romantic feelings and sexual attraction. She behaves very flirtatiously around handsome married men.

She looks like a very beautiful woman with black hair, a slightly tanned complexion, and large, expressive eyes, wearing clothes embroidered in gold thread (often a flowing mauve kaftan), adorned in gold jewellery. On Mondays and Thursdays (from dawn until midday), she wears green silk garments embroidered with gold, adorned with gold jewelry, precious stones, and scented with luxurious perfumes like oud, amber, and musk. She moves slowly and gracefully, like a deer, and sophistication and regality radiates from her.

On Wednesdays and Fridays (from afternoon until sunset), she appears in purple robes and wears the crown of the Seven Kings.

Her hair sometimes appears long and flowing, and sometimes appears short. Many followers report seeing her wear a purple ring (some say with roses on the edges), golden rings, delicate, fragrant flowers, a silver crown studded with diamonds or a veil of transparent lace, purple or white, with golden or silver embroidery. They also report her smelling really good. She sits with her right leg crossed over her left knee, her back straight and her gaze fixed and penetrating. She's said to have an aura of grace and serenity, an air of mystery, and a confident presence.

Her visits often take place at Moulay Idris Zerhoun, and the Moulay Idris in Fez. Usually she manifests in dreams and visions rather than taking possession of people.

She may also signal her presence with pleasant scents, such as oud, or with physical gifts like gold.

Music: Her favourite music is Gnawa - the Gnawa brotherhood do rituals to summon her, as do the Jilala brotherhood. The Hamadsha brotherhood also venerate her, but she doesn't respond to their dances.

The lyrics of her Rih are:

Welcome, Lalla Malika! Welcome, O'Alawiyya!

Welcome, Lalla Malika, to the hadra of Lalla Malika

Allah! Lalla Malika! I beseech Lalla Malika.

Allah! Lalla Malika! He who beseeches can have no fear.

Allah! Daughter of the Prophet.

Usually her rih is performed by the Gnawa or Jilala, but may be performed by the Hamadsha if she takes possession of one of their dancers.

Shrine: She lives in closets and armoires, and it's recommended to build a shrine to her inside of a wardrobe (which you fill up with fine garments, of course). I think a stylish dressing table could work if you have no wardrobe space though. Or why not dedicate a whole bedroom filled with beautiful things? When her devotees hold gatherings in her honour, they set the offerings out on a table with a purple cloth laid on it.

She is a benevolent djinn who loves spreading joy and doesn't attack, so she likely wouldn't mind sharing altar space with another deity. She has high standards and expects beauty and elegance though, so make sure to keep her altar beautiful and clean (she loves clean spaces in general), offering new treats regularly.

Days: She often descends to Earth to assist humans. On Mondays and Thursdays, she focuses on removing the oppression of lower spirits, lifting curses, and combating evil forces. On Wednesdays and Fridays, she joins spiritual gatherings where incense and perfumes are offered, often involving the Naqshbandi Sufi order, which opens the door to her presence. Thursday is the best day to perform rituals and make offerings to her, as she's said to preside over Thursdays (in Morocco it's considered the most magically powerful day). However, some people like to work with her on Sundays (also considered auspicious) or even Saturdays. Her favourite time of day is the afternoon.

Colours: Purple is the colour she's most heavily associated with. One of her names is "The Lady of Violet" and she's associated with all shades of it, like magenta, indigo, mallow, lavender, amethyst, lilac, Indian rose, aubergine, Persian blue, heliotrope, wisteria etc. She's also associated with green, pink, magenta and mauve. In Gnawa rituals, brown is used to represent her.

Scents: Pure oud, Oud el Qmari, sandalwood, pure musk, serghina. Also any perfume, especially if it's fine cologne.

Religion: Malika is said to be connected to both Islam and Judaism. She is associated with the Sabbath—where her presence is likened to a candle burning in observance. She is associated with figures like David and Mohammed, embodying a connection to both Judaism and Islam. She stands at the intersection of spirituality, prayer, and religion, embodying both worlds.

Unlike those who prioritize the afterlife by renouncing material needs, Malika embraces worldly delights. She represents vitality, light, activity and abundance, seeking offerings such as food, incense, and other forms of sustenance.

Despite her ties to Judaism, Malika is also considered honorable and noble by Muslims, respected by people of both faiths.

Offerings: She loves henna. She prefers tree-fill henna over dot-fill designs, and is particularly associated with Fassi style henna, but any delicate style of henna that showcases the artist's skill and is delightful to the eye is adequate, especially if it's floral. She also loves to receive delicate sweets and chocolates, incense, candles, cosmetics, dry fruits, luxurious clothing, especially multicoloured or with gold embroidery, sandalwood bark, mirrors and especially perfume. More detail on offerings in the post linked at the bottom, but in general she loves fine and precious things - it's said that her offerings are the same gifts a groom gives to his bride.

Dislikes: Blood, sadness, salty foods

Iconography: Fine perfumes, trays of precious and delicate sweets, gold, pink and purple hues, makeup, Fassi style henna, incense, a crown, a gold ring with a purple stone, lipstick, luxury kaftans, a mirror.

Honouring Her: Things you can do to feel closer to her are: playing gnawa music (this performance on YouTube is in honour of her, there is actually quite a bit of devotional music dedicated to her on YouTube and Spotify), lighting incense or bakhour, speaking or learning French or Arabic, organising your wardrobe, making sure you are well groomed, wearing stylish outfits (complete with jewellery and makeup), getting henna done in delicate, intricate, beautiful styles, wearing clothes, jewellery or accessories in her favourite colours, and spritzing perfume. You can also use emojis in her favourite colours on social media (on Moroccan social media, a purple heart 💜 is typically used, any post about her will have purple hearts in the comments and typically the caption. Personally I like using both purple and pink hearts as pink is also associated with her. Many people also use both pink and green in the same post. Other common emojis include the crown, candle, diamond, lotus flower, menorah, and Star of David emojis).

Planet: The Moon

Gemstone: Amethyst

Devotional Playlist

Is Lalla Malika a version of Aphrodite?

How to Dress When Doing Rituals for Lalla Malika

Invoke Lalla Malika if you want to seduce, wow and captivate people, or want luxury and pretty things in your life ✨💜💚

[l-wandering-etranger]

HELLO YOU ARE ALSO DESI DO YOU HAVE ANY DESI JON HEADCANONS?? LOVE U

HI! OMG DIDN'T EXPECT THIS BUT YEAH I HAVE A FEW ALSO I LOVE U TOO

• jmart both get rings and both get a mangalsutra because i love symbolism sm. also its customised. idk exactly into what but its upto interpretation

• i feel like they dont invite lonelyeyes but they show up anyway and do nothing except judge What's Happining like those aunties ykow the ones who show up just for the food and gossip about everyone and their mothers

• in weddings its rlly common for the groom's and bride's friends and family to playfully lift them up higher so its hard for the other to place the garland this except gerry and tim are just lifting jon up one arm each cause martin is already so tall and everyone is laughing while throwing flowers

• both of them cry. So much.

• i feel martin would just vibe while waiting for his henna to dry meanwhile jon is having tim hold statements and sasha the recorder as he reads them with his forearms upright. georgie has that disappointed look on her face while martins just making heart eyes as actual eyes appear around jon

• i dont think they would let anyone officiate the wedding as in a outside person... they managed to convince georgie to get ordained just for this

• bangels. Jon would probably find a few from his grandmother's stuff although he isnt sure if its hers or not cause they look much more stylish than what she would wear he doesn't know it but they were his mother's

• the admiral is there. and he is sitting on jons lap and occasionally martin's through the sitting part of the rituals

[midnightmah07]

hfhdjjd hi hi mah i’m sobbinf

so for the marriage ask game i’d like to ask for 2 for damali and jamil i need to know more about how it went 😭

(also 13 if possible, no pressure!!)

Hi hi Ian it's so good to see u in my inbox again!! Ty for the questions!!

2. Which one proposed? Was it grand and public? Discreet and private? Was it expected?

I feel like in this case Jamil and Damali are a bit different, like Damali wants to do this grand gesture to show the world how much she loves him but Jamil I believe might be the type of guy to so something much more discreet and private😭 but!! Mayhaps!! Because they know about each other's likes they would do what the other wants😭😭

So I think maybe Jamil would try to do his best to make a "grand romantic gesture" and ask for her hand, maybe he'd take somewhere really beautiful like a park or something and he has a small street performance group playing music, and when they get there it's her favorite song, then he gets a bouquet and does the whole cliche thing😭 it's very oit of character and he's super embarrassed but I think he'd do it out of love for her? Like even if he doesn't want to he'd do it in order to make her happy🥺 and then it turns out that Damali has also bought wedding rings and was planning to ask him the same day to marry her once they're walking back home at night, when there's no one on the street but them, so she would grab his hand and gift him the rings telling him to marry her🥺🥺

HELP ME I WENT INSANE WITH THIS. UH... Yeah Jamil and Damali compromising their own wants to make the other happy<3

13. Show us their outfits!

This was a bit tricky bc I never drew them! So I can only offer a few images I would use as inspiration to draw the outfits! I'm focusing on a western marriage bc that's what I know, I started looking at Arabic weddings but then I got afraid bc I didn't know if they actually were Arabic or if the internet was lying to me😭 so I'm sticking to what I know unfortunately...

I feel like Damali would like dresses that are off the shoulder, that have long sleeves and that are more fitted to the body, I don't think she would want to look like a princess, and to be honest I feel like she'd give more importance to the fabric of the dress and what Jamil thinks of it bc... Blind

But yeah!! I think she'd slay these dresses and look super pretty!!

Unfortunately wedding suits don't get nearly as much appreciation which is a shame! But I like to think Jamil would wear like some beige ish color? I think the silhouette would look somehow similar to Riddle's groom outfit from the Phantom Bride event, it's stylish and pretty beautiful, he'd be able to stand beside Damali and look wonderful 🥺

Also I like to think that maybe Damali would not necessarily want a white gown? Maybe she'd wear like a very light green... But idk

[universe-in-the-void-in-the-cube]

@icelandsgirl

I figured you would like these. The Nordic 5 as Pimps

Denmark: The Brash Boss

Style & Appearance: Denmark’s pimp persona can be visually striking. He dons a massive fur coat that sways dramatically as he struts down the street, making him impossible to miss. His wardrobe features tight-fitting, flashy clothing adorned with vibrant patterns, showcasing his love for bold fashion statements. Decked out in gold chains, rings adorning almost all ten fingers, and an oversized crystal-encrusted watch that probably weighs more than his wrist, he embodies ostentatiousness. His hair is styled in an eye-catching quiff, exuding playboy charisma, and his face is perpetually lit with a mischievous grin, hinting at his disregard for convention.

Personality & Behavior: Denmark’s personality radiates a combination of exuberance and recklessness. He bounces from one scene to another, his booming laughter punctuating the night. A natural performer, he loves to engage people, and his tendency to shout out ridiculous dance challenges on street corners earns him both laughs and eye rolls. However, his charm is underlined by a certain impulsivity that leads him into trouble, as he often neglects the consequences of his actions in the heat of the moment. He embraces the part of being an entertainer, reveling in raucous parties and boasting about his conquests over a chorus of cheers.

Interactions: Denmark is the one who gets the party started, often rallying his friends with rallying shouts of “Who’s ready to turn up?” This energetic spirit sometimes leads to confrontations with others in the neighborhood, especially when they find him partying too loudly or disrupting their business. He has a knack for exaggerating stories about his escapades, drawing in followers captivated by his wild lifestyle. Yet, despite his bombastic persona, he maintains a tight-knit circle of friends, willing to go all out for them. When fellow Nordics appear frustrated with the chaos he creates, he responds with a carefree laugh, promising that "life’s too short to be serious!"

Finland: The Silent Strategist

Style & Appearance: Finland’s pimp persona reflects a mixture of elegance and understated flair. He favors tailored clothing in muted tones—think sleek black and deep blues—that emphasizes his cool demeanor but with hints of unique flair, like an unusual scarf or quirky patterned socks peeking out from polished shoes. Although less flashy than Denmark, his accessories might include a stylish beanie perched on his head and minimalist silver jewelry. His calm demeanor is mirrored in his perfectly groomed, medium-length hair, often falling neatly to one side.

Personality & Behavior: Often quiet and observant, Finland is the strategist of the crew. He approaches situations with an analytical mind, preferring to watch and wait rather than leap into chaos. This stoicism is broken only when he finds amusement in Denmark’s antics, leading to the occasional smirk or dry quip. While he may not be as outwardly charismatic, his subtle charm wins over clients and acquaintances. He values meaningful connections and often finds humor in clever, understated ways. He may plan a spectacular event in the background, ensuring all details come together seamlessly, often using his tech-savvy skills to set up an impressive environment.

Interactions: Finland serves as a counterbalance to Denmark’s exuberance, frequently rolling his eyes at his friend’s antics while subtly stepping in to handle situations diplomatically. He excels in making connections in unexpected ways, quietly referring clients to the right people through deft communication. At parties, you'll find him engaged in small conversations in a corner, turning out witty remarks that catch the attention of those nearby. He smoothly threads through the chaos with finesse, often pulling others in to participate without them even noticing they’ve crossed over into his strategic game plan.

Iceland: The Edgy Introvert

Style & Appearance: Iceland's persona is distinctively quirky and marks him as the dark horse of the group. He wears oversized, hooded jackets in shades of black, grey, and deep purple, often layered over graphic tees representing obscure bands or vintage designs. His choice of accessories might include chunky rings and an eclectic collection of chains, evoking a sense of nonchalance and trendiness. His signature oversized sunglasses, a mysterious hat adorned with pins, and artfully tousled hair complete his ensemble, contributing to his enigmatic aura.

Personality & Behavior: Silent yet surprisingly sharp, Iceland is the brooding artist type who prefers the company of fewer individuals. He has an intensely introspective nature, finding beauty in solitude or the company of like-minded individuals. Though he may appear distant or disinterested, moments of sharp wit and clever humor cut through the tension. His passion lies in music and art, and he often immerses himself in creative projects, tending to have an intense dedication to his craft. This inner world gives him a depth that no one can overlook, fascinating those who take the time to understand him.

Interactions: With an aloof demeanor, Iceland often surprises his fellow Nordics by unexpectedly chiming in with insightful commentary or utterly offbeat references that leave everyone pondering his meaning. While he might roll his eyes at Denmark’s loud celebrations, he occasionally offers the quiet but very cool after-party at his place, complete with unique music and artistic ambiance. While he may not seek attention, those drawn to his intriguing vibe often find it difficult to resist his magnetism. When provoked, he can provide witty retorts that leave others speechless, revealing a depth of character.

Norway: The Stoic Philosopher

Style & Appearance: Norway presents a striking figure, often dressed impeccably in tailored suits that manage to exude sophistication while remaining approachable. His style is characterized by clean lines and minimalistic accessories—perhaps a classic watch or a sleek scarf. His tousled hair falls into place effortlessly, framing a face that bears a sharp jawline and thoughtful eyes that seem to consider the world around him. In his understated style, Norway embodies a chill elegance that captures attention without effort.

Personality & Behavior: As the philosopher of the group, Norway's nature is intensely reflective and observant. He possesses a dry sense of humor that shines through in casual conversations, often dropping witticisms that leave others amused and contemplative. He values authenticity above all, maintaining an aura of integrity that puts others at ease. Norway relies on logic and reason, often acting as the voice of reason amidst Denmark’s impulsiveness or Iceland’s brooding.

Interactions: In crowded situations, Norway often finds himself tending to the emotional landscape, enabling Denmark and Finland’s plans without getting too immersed in chaos. When things spirals out of control, you’ll find him stepping in with a level head and a gentle yet firm intervention, making sure Denmark doesn't wind up in too deep water. Despite his serious facade, he manages to sprinkle moments of levity into conversations, often leading to unexpected laughter amid heaviness. His philosophical musings subtly guide the others toward deeper understanding and appreciation of their wild lifestyles.

Sweden: The Gentle Giant

Style & Appearance: Sweden is a physical embodiment of comforting presence, sporting a fashion style that merges comfort with effortless chic. He might wear a crisp, tailored casual shirt under a trendy yet rugged jacket, focusing on muted colors that still manage to catch the eye. His strong build and towering height amplify his gentle vibe, while his warm smile radiates a welcoming attitude. Sweden’s neatly styled hair and kind eyes convey a sense of kindness and reliability that puts others at ease.

Personality & Behavior: As the gentle giant among friends, Sweden serves as the glue binding the group together with patience and support. Though he has a commanding presence, Sweden is characterized by his willingness to listen and provide thoughtful advice. His nurturing nature encourages others to lean on him, and he often wears a smile that conveys understanding, providing comfort by just being there. Sweden is also a natural caretaker, ensuring that everyone is safe and accounted for during their adventures.

Interactions: Sweden often plays the role of an unexpected peacemaker, ready to calm down escalating situations with his solid presence. He steps in to wipe away tensions between Denmark and Finland or diffuse Iceland’s occasional frustration with the group. His comments are thoughtful, and he often shows appreciation for the distinctive attributes of each of his Nordic friends, helping them see their worth even when they struggle to recognize it. Sweden’s gatherings at his home often feature warm food, traditional drinks, and cozy atmospheres, welcoming all with open arms, reminding friends that they are important, no matter the chaos around them.

[marshmallowprotection]

Mystic Messenger 7th Anniversary Analysis

Is it that time of the year again? Yup! It’s that time of year! That means I get to spend my evening writing about the themes in this promotion as well as take my guess at what’s going to happen in the photo. God knows I will be talking about the official release of the image when it comes out as well because it’s bound to have a lot of Easter Eggs.

Last year, we had a lot of tidbits in the photo that kept popping up every time I looked around for another spot!

Now, there is only so much I can muse over with what they’ve given us but I’ll do my best for all of you.

Alright. Let me get this out of my system in all caps first. OH MY GOD. IT’S THE WEDDING OF A LIFETIME. IT’S OUR WEDDING. HEY, MCs. WE’RE ALL THE NEXT TO GET MARRIED. NOBODY’S LEFT OUT. I’M GOING TO SOB RIGHT NOW. ACTUALLY, I AM SOBBING. I STIMMED SO HARD FOR. LIKE. I DON’T KNOW. TWENTY MINUTES. THE THOUGHT OF SEEING MY HONEY IN THE WEDDING APPAREL HE NEEDS FOR THE SECOND TIME IS SENDING ME INTO A FRENZY.

Because, the last time Saeran was dressed like a groom, our lovely SapphireIceCream drew it!

I still like to look at him.

If he and Saeyoung both are sporting side-swept bangs, that’s the end of me. Every time I see Saeran with in that hairstyle, I froth at the mouth. He’s just so handsome and I don’t know what to do with myself. it’s a shame that he gets that hairstyle in a BE for the RAE. It’s so stylish for him and I never know what to do with myself when he does that. I’ll need to scream again now.

OKAY. OKAY. HE’S GONNA BE SO PRETTY. OH, BOY. THIS IS COMING BY TOMORROW NIGHT AND I DON’T KNOW HOW I’M GOING TO SURVIVE. I HAVE MADE IT THIS FAR BUT. OKAY. OKAY. Phew. Okay, I think I got most of it out of my system. Expect the more sentimental post about this anniversary to come out when I’ve had the time to sit down and look at the title screen when its revealed.

ONTO THE POST! 

Alright, you know the drill. I’ve got to sit here and figure out where everyone is in the photo and clown on myself later if I get it wrong. Oftentimes, when Saeran is in a group photo with Zen, it’s impossible to tell those two apart. Everyone else... not so much. They’ve got defined and bright colors that help us find them in the blurring pattern. They’re laying on the ground, grass, more likely than not. There is so much we can’t see in this photo so this analysis is limited!

Like, you can look at this and know right off the bat Jumin is in a secure spot next to Saeyoung, and opposite of him is V with his bright hair that’s about as noticeable as a traffic light in a cornfield.

So, the only reason I think I have even a fraction of a guess right this time is due to the pink on who I presume is Saeran. On top of that, they wouldn’t put Saeran in a spot that isn’t next to his brother. The pattern would be to keep the routes at each other’s sides, too. So, Jumin and Saeyoung side by side, Jaehee, Zen, and then Yoosung next to each other, then Jihyun and Saeran at the end.

That makes the most sense to me.

So, we know that they’re going to be in wedding attire. I can’t tell most of their outfit details. Not everyone is wearing a white outfit, that’s for sure. It looks like Jumin’s in a black tuxedo. V might be wearing a blue one, and there is just... I’m not sure how much green is on Yoosung in this photo, but there is a lot of green there. I hope he’s not wearing a lime-green tuxedo.

He’s not holding flowers, but Yoosung is definitely throwing me off. Those smudges of color do make me very much think of flowers, and if Jaehee is holding flowers, there’s a chance a lot of them are holding flowers, too.

But, there’s no guarantee on all of them. Each character has the chance to be holding flowers, a ring box, or what have you. I did color sample the strongest areas of saturation to help me assume the placement of characters, too. So, if it’s flowers, thank you flowers, you saved me a lot of trouble in trying to gauge where everyone is. God.

I’m going to lose my find trying to gauge what all of the flowers are...

Jaehee is a lily. She is a yellow lily in particular, and that got me to chuckle quite a bit. Lilies are a known reference for sapphics in different popular media, and I think it’s great to see more staples of Jaehee’s love for women out in the open. I know we all appreciated the rings on Jaehee and MC as well as the rainbows on the birthday hats, as well as the winter ice-skating date on her last birthday. It’s a good year to be a woman lover, bless up, sapphics. Jaehee lovers, you deserve this.

Yellow Lilies are a way to say a few things, but one of the most popular ones is gratitude. Being thankful for a person in your life. Is that not the way she feels as she grows closer to her MC? She’s grateful because you fell into her life when it was the lowest point of her emotional journey. She hit rock bottom and you took a single look at her and told her she could follow her heart instead of trying to be a cog in the machine to survive. She doesn’t need to just survive.

She needs to thrive.

Jaehee needs passion!

And you gave her that, so of course, she’s thankful that you came into her life when you did. It’s like saying, “You are the sunshine in my life, you breathe life into me just by being close to me.” Which, hey, that’s wonderful. Jaehee being in this photo makes me so happy, and seeing her with lilies... Ah. I hardly get to talk about her but I love to think about Jaehee! She’s a wonderful person and seeing her smile makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Obligatory Saeyoung Hand Appreciation Post.

[finnoahsource]

honestly, some men can never grow facial hair, and many can't usually do more than a goatee area (tache and chin) so they stick with that if they do grow hair properly. some have a sort of stubble shadow of a goatee which can look very stylish. its not all that common to be able to grow a full mountain beard which is why its something men thrive on if they can! i dont think its bad for his age tbh, and he doesnt seem like the body hair type so it's not surprising. at least its not literally bum fluff hahah.

on the other hand noah actually can grow a full beard but never does. i think fandom would melt if he let it grow! obv he would be super groomed with it too, like george michael lol. designer stubble fr

and we are thankful every day he surpassed bum fluff growing levels �� nah it's not bad for his age and honestly even over the past year it seems like he's already been able to grow more. it's just hard to tell bc he'd be consistently having to shave it when going back to filming lmao. he clearly likes it on himself so what you said about men thriving with what they get rings true HAHA

designer stubble 😭 why is that the most noah thing! I've seen people say, that he said he doesn't grow out his facial hair on purpose, he prefers clean shaven? which makes sense to me, it's funny the boys need to swap lmfaoo. he'll totally grow it out one day though, or maybe even for a role... that'll look so good. for now I am SO happy with his stache shadow, for some reason the hint of facial hair is just as handsome to me?

[hekateinhell]

I love how it’s canon that Armand is the chicest, most fashionable of vampires after having spent 300+ dusty ass years in the Parisian catacombs looking like unadulterated shit (beautiful shit nevertheless but you know). He came out the most effortless, stylish mf out of that whole ordeal and it’s either designer stuff or he’s not even looking at it. And he dragged poor Daniel into it goD 😭

Armand and how he expresses himself through his appearance is something I think about a lot and not nearly enough!

I have to believe he went through a bell-bottoms, crop tops, and wearing-Daniel's-band t-shirts phase in the late-70s/early-80s.

I also find it precious how this extends beyond himself to those he loves. Daniel, Louis (remember the slut shirt), and Lestat. Armand is so upset to see him dusty and unkempt on the church floor.

By Armand's logic, I think he considers that if you love someone, you'll never let them appear to be anything but well-groomed and well-cared for. They will look loved.

Which makes it all the more sadder that the Armand we see in the illusion that he projects for Daniel during his turning scene has him in his dusty coven clothes - he doesn't see himself as someone worth looking after. Armand's disheveled appearance is also something Lestat notes in MtD, presumably after Daniel has left him:

He sat on the stone park bench, boylike, casual, with one knee crooked, looking up at me with the predictable innocence, dusty all over, naturally, hair a long, tangled mess of auburn curls.

So, I especially love how Lestat describes him at the very end of Blood Communion, which is also the second-to-last on-screen interaction between two characters in the Chronicles:

I looked at Armand. He was splendidly attired in burgundy velvet, himself once more, his fingers covered with jeweled rings as he clapped along with the others. I could not quite believe the calm, accepting expression on his face, but then he nodded. It was just a small nod, a nod no one else would have noticed, but I saw it and I saw him smile again.

[grandmaster-anne]

The House of Windsor effect

Horse & Hound | Published 10 June 2021

FROM early childhood our Queen was a horse-lover, but no one could have foreseen the immense contribution she would make to all our riding sports.

Everyone who shares The Queen’s passion for horses is in her debt, none more so than my generation, who were brought up during the deprivations of World War II. It was by no means guaranteed that equestrianism in Britain would blossom in the early post-war years of economic austerity. The lead given by the royal family was a crucial factor in the huge growth of riding as a widely popular sport.

We saw Princess Elizabeth, a stylish figure, as a consummate horsewoman in public, when she appeared riding side-saddle in a dark blue habit, at the 1947 Trooping the Colour ceremony, the first since the war. It was an annual duty she has fulfilled ever since, arriving by horse-drawn carriage from 1987. There was always an element of risk in this parade, emphasised in 1981 when a youth fired blank shots near The Queen, who rode on coolly on her horse Burmese, a black mare who carried her for 17 consecutive years on ceremonial parades.

Her marriage in 1947 to the Duke of Edinburgh brought to the nation a level of glamour and excitement which defeated the greyness of that time. Princess Elizabeth received a filly, Astrakhan, as a wedding present from the Aga Khan, and soon registered her own colours: scarlet, purple hooped sleeves, black cap.

Since her teens, the heir to the throne shared the close interest of her father, King George VI, in thoroughbred breeding and racing, but the wider horse world would also benefit from the future Queen’s patronage. Nearly every major equestrian activity would involve at least one member of The Queen’s close family as breeder, owner, or competitor.

DURING conversations over lunch at Sandown Park before the Horse & Hound Grand Military Gold Cup, of which she was patron, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother recalled to me something of the late King George’s passion for riding and hunting: “They were such happy, carefree days,” she said with a glowing smile.

Our Queen inherited her love of horses and country life from both her parents. As well as a recreation, equestrianism is an important royal tradition, going back to the monarchy’s reliance on horsepower in ceremony and war.

The future King George VI won a pre-war reputation as the most polished horseman of the royal brothers, on the polo ground and in the hunting field. As Duke of York he took a hunting box with his family at Naseby in the Pytchley country for several seasons in the 1930s. In 1931 Princess Elizabeth, aged five, rode a pony to see the Pytchley’s huntsman, Frank Freeman, hunting hounds for the last time. As Freeman’s fox went away from covert the Princess was watching on her pony nearby, held by a groom standing next to the Queen Mother. The scene was captured in a painting by the artist Lionel Edwards.

Princess Elizabeth started riding lessons that year with Henry Owen, groom at White Lodge, Richmond Park, and in 1938 she received more training as a rider from Horace Smith who had a yard at Holyport, Berkshire. His daughter Sybil later gave Prince Charles and Princess Anne their first riding lessons.

Princess Anne remembered later: We were both on a leading rein, and we were towed around a cinder ring, never faster than a trot… I thought it was a most grisly waste of time.”

During the height of the war, in 1943, Princess Elizabeth and her sister Princess Margaret appeared at a local show in aid of Windsor Wings for Victory Week. It was so relaxed that a runaway lurcher stole a chicken from the caterer’s tent, and sat chewing it under the King’s chair.

Princess Elizabeth proved she could drive as well as ride. With her sister as passenger, she competed in the single private driving turnout class with a Norwegian pony called Hans. The future Queen won the cup, and Princess Margaret drove a Fell pony, Windsor Gypsy, to win a trophy in the utility driving class.

The wartime fixture was the forerunner of the magnificent annual Royal Windsor Horse Show, and an example of the thread of continuity in The Queen’s interest in horses.

Racing provided an excellent opportunity to learn horsemanship through watching her father’s horses in training. Although Flat racing was to be The Queen’s main interest, her first victory was in a steeplechase at a Fontwell Park National Hunt meeting where her new colours were carried to victory by Monaveen, jointly owned with the Queen Mother, and trained by Peter Cazalet.

The Queen supported her mother’s involvement in National Hunt, sharing her triumphs and disappointments, the worst being her runner Devon Loch’s collapse when in the lead of the 1956 Grand National.

I have never seen The Queen happier on a racecourse than when she presented the 1986 Horse & Hound Grand Military Gold Cup to the Queen Mother after the third victory of her horse Special Cargo, well ridden by Gerald Oxley, despite a broken stirrup.

It is part of racing legend that on the morning of her coronation in 1953 The Queen was asked beforehand by a lady-in-waiting if all was well, and replied: “Oh yes, the Captain has rung to say Aureole is really well.”

Four days later, her colt Aureole, ridden by Harry Carr and trained by Captain Sir Cecil Boyd Rochfort, was beaten into second place in the Derby by Pinza. Since then The Queen’s horses have won the other Classics, but a Derby victory is still wanting.

With Lord Porchester as her general racing manager, and Sir Michael Oswald in charge of the bloodstock breeding side, The Queen’s involvement in thoroughbred breeding was intensified. She has a profound knowledge of thoroughbred pedigrees, and her expertise extends far more widely: she has successfully bred polo ponies for Prince Charles, eventers for Princess Anne, carriage horses for Prince Philip, plus Highland, Fell and Haflinger ponies, Arab horses…even a project to produce drum horses for the Household Cavalry.

THE Queen was a keen horsey mother, too. She is in the unique position of being the mother of a European eventing champion in Princess Anne, and grandmother to a European and world eventing champion in Zara Tindall.

Princess Anne’s heavy fall with her horse Goodwill in the 1976 Montreal Olympics three-day event was no laughing matter. The Queen and Prince Philip were present, and I remember them racing round to see if she was all right. The Princess was pretty much unconscious, but remounted and completed the course for the sake of the British team. It was a brave effort because she said afterwards she could remember nothing more of the ride.

We are used to seeing The Queen as a nonagenarian riding sedate horses on exercise in Windsor Great Park, but I recall her as a young woman galloping with great zest on Ascot racecourse. She made these excursions with relatives and friends in her Windsor Castle house party on the mornings before racing. As a press correspondent I reported a hazardous occasion when the royal party galloped under the taut wires of the old-style starting “tapes”. The Queen only just ducked her head in time to avoid what could have been a dreadful fall.

As an experienced, natural horsewoman, The Queen is well aware of the risks, but she has persisted in riding hatless on her private hacks. It was not the custom to wear protective headgear, nor was it readily available, during The Queen’s early life, and her unwillingness to abandon this practice has been respected as a royal prerogative in a long life in which private riding has been such a valuable respite from her demanding public schedule.

When the Prince took up steeplechasing, I recall The Queen admitting to feeling “very nervous” before the 1981 Horse & Hound Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown Park. Prince Charles was riding his new horse Good Prospect in the race, falling at the 18th fence.

The Queen said very little, but there was a palpable sense of relief in the royal box when Charles regained his feet. The Prince’s determination was demonstrated when he rode the same horse the following week in the Kim Muir race at Cheltenham, and survived another fall. He had several wins in lesser chases, and was a bold rider in team chasing.

WHEN The Queen and Prince Philip visited our company’s range of magazines in 1978, then produced at King’s Reach Tower in Stamford Street, next to the Thames, Horse & Hound’s editorial office was the first port of call. In those days, the magazine was published on Fridays, and a royal carriage would come to the offices on Thursday to collect three copies for Buckingham Palace. Unfortunately the antis picked up on this, and Special Branch discovered that they were planning to kidnap the horse and carriage, so we quietly switched to couriering the copies by car.

Around that time, I was mortified by what I call “Horse & Hound’s greatest mistake”. I was invited to tea at Windsor Great Park for a polo cup we sponsored, and she asked me what had happened that week in H&H.

She was referring to a picture we had printed of her riding in a parade, but someone in the production team had inadvertently reversed the picture so her legs were on the wrong side of the horse. I was furious despite not receiving a single letter of complaint, but of course The Queen had noticed. I sent her the original, correct, proof in a frame and she was very good about it.

The Queen’s concern for horse welfare has been another major element in her equestrian life. As patron of the British Horse Society The Queen takes considerable interest in its welfare activities.

Welfare was an element in her decision to invite the innovative American trainer Monty Roberts to display his method of introducing unbroken horses to being saddled and ridden in one session. I was among guests invited to Windsor Castle for this demonstration, where The Queen told me she thought his methods were “marvellous”.

“I have seen an awful lot of ropes and straps being used in the old methods of breaking in a horse,” she said – and some home-bred royal horses were later “entered” to riding by Monty.

Apart from a great deal of fun, what else has horsemanship conferred upon the royals? Prince Philip pointed out the character-forming benefits of riding, as originally expressed by the Elizabethan dramatist Ben Jonson: “Princes learn no art truly, but the art of horsemanship. The reason is, the brave beast is no flatterer. He will throw a prince as soon as his groom.”

The “great leveller” was Prince Philip’s perceptive description of the horse. He wrote in an article for Horse & Hound’s 27 May 1977 issue, celebrating the Silver Jubilee: “Having a family which seems to be equally willing to be humiliated by the horse, I have to live with the expectation that they too will suffer injury and indignity.

“The only advantage of the personal experience of this sort of thing is that I am not surprised when it happens to them, and I am full of sympathy and useful advice for treatment and recovery.”

Prince Philip continued to drive a carriage well into his late nineties. Our Queen is still riding as a recreation – long may she continue to do so.

Pictures by AFP via Getty Images, Alpha, Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images and Getty Images

[soapkaars]

If you could cast Peter Lorre in a modern day film or tv series, what character would he play?

So I already sort of answered a similar question in another ask, but let's go in the weeds properly with this one!

I am a big fan of detective mysteries - I grew up with Inspector Morse and Maigret, so naturally my first thought was casting Peter Lorre in one of those. I am firmly convinced Lorre would’ve been an excellent Poirot:

The character was made by Agatha Christie in the same time Lorre's acting career took off, so Poirot is literally a contemporary of Lorre's and a type of character he would definitely have been familiar with - the well-groomed, slightly prissy foreigner with a strong accent but an excellent grasp of the English language (though not always with its colloquialisms) who uncovers the dark secrets of British upper class families. It's a pity Mr Moto and Charlie Chan were so popular in the US, because in an ideal world the foreign detectives who took Hollywood by storm should’ve been based on Hercule Poirot, and then I would've had my wish.

I really should watch Twin Peaks because from everything I know through cultural osmosis about that series, Lorre would've fit right in. I think Peter Lorre would've definitely been a great fit in some of David Lynch's films (Eraserhead, Blue Velvet…) , particularly because he loves to cast oddball characters who are larger than life. Come to think of it, a lot of late 20th century American films have delightfully strange and fascinating characters and plots Lorre could be a part in - from the French Connection, to American Psycho, to Videodrome (Lorre in a Cronenberg film! Imagine), to Pulp Fiction… I’m not even imagining him as playing a main role, some of the auxiliary characters in those films would fit him to a T.

The only thing I'm having a hard time imagining him in are contemporary films of the last five years. Certainly not Hollywood films as they are now! But… I do think he would be a natural fit in Wes Anderson films - so many of his films hide this deep melancholy and ennui under their perfectly maintained facades, and considering how Lorre acted: always being the best dressed in so many films, but at the same time hiding so many layers of characterisation under those stylish clothes…

In fact, coming from the German Expressionist tradition and avant-garde theatre, Lorre would do very well with auteur directors from almost any era! Exercise for the reader: imagine Lorre in a film by

Jean-Pierre Jeunet: Amelie Poulain, Alien Resurrection (I know people hate this film but just imagine him as that creepy doctor - perfect fit), The City of Lost Children, Delicatessen (you know he would fit so well in that one)

Francois Ozon: Swimming Pool

Tom Tykwer: Lola Rennt (Run Lola Run)

Federico Fellini: la Dolce Vita, 8 and 1/2, Il Bidone

Paolo Sorrentino: La Grande Belleza, Il Divo, Youth, Loro

Luchino Visconti: Death in Venice, Ludwig, Ossessione (an adaptation of The Postman Always Rings Twice!)

Bernardo Bertolucci: Il Conformista

Stanley Kubrick: The Shining, Dr Strangelove, Clockwork Orange, the Killers

[niccolo-rossi]

Is that MICHELE MORRONE? No, that’s NICCOLÒ ROSSI. The 30 year old WEREWOLF OMEGA MALE is a KARATE INSTRUCTOR. If you ask their friends, they’re known to be AMBITIOUS & LOYAL, but beware, they’re also known to be PRIDEFUL & IMPATIENT. Their friends also say that they’re into BONDAGE AND BODY WORSHIP but don’t you dare trying SCAT PLAY AND FISTING with them.

BASICS

Name: Niccolò Dominic Rossi Nickname(s): Nic, Nico, pup Age: 30 Date of Birth: June 3, 1992 Moon Sign: Mirror Moon Place of Birth: Naples Race / Ethnicity: Caucasian Gender: Male Secondary Gender: Omega Pronouns: He/Him Occupation: Karate Instructor Species: Werewolf Pack: Canis Marital Status: Married Mate: Zalias Rossi

APPEARANCE

Height: 6′3″ Weight: 200 pounds Build: Mesomorph Hair Color: Black Eye Color: Brown Tattoos: About 30 tattoos all over his body Piercings: none Distinguishing Features: Fair skin tone with jet black hair, stylish beard, muscular physique. Wolf Form: Gray coat with a thin silver ring around his neck. Muscular yet agile, and great speed.

PERSONALITY

Positive Traits: Ambitious, loyal, affectionate, charming Negative Traits: Prideful, impatient, jealous, hot-headed Pet Peeves: Sloppiness and laziness Hobbies & Interests: Swimming, hiking, rock climbing, running, sex, tattoos, expensive watches, and wine

NSFW

Kinks: TPE, pet play, bondage, orgasm control, edge play, food play, impact play (spanking, whipping, flogging, paddling, etc.), dirty talk, oral sex, anal sex, rimming, deep throating, threesomes, body worship, orgasm denial/control, sensory deprivation Anti-Kinks: Needles, vomit, scat play, watersports, fisting, degradation/humiliation Safeword: Cavolo Signal: Clenched fist Dick Size: 10.5″ Sexual Alignment: Versatile

BIOGRAPHY

    After the accidental death of his brother Marcus, Niccolò could no longer remain in his birthplace—that and several other reasons chased him from his homeland. Despite the memories following him to New Haven, he started a new life in the Canis Pack after being welcomed with warm, open arms. The new home was exactly what Niccolò needed to try to heal from his loss. While he felt bad for leaving the rest of his family, he couldn’t bare it to stay. With no other attachments there, he felt it best to run away and never look back.

    Always being good with his hands he settled into working as a Karate instructor in New Haven, having the qualifications of a 5th Dan Black Belt. Not only does teaching and practicing Karate keep his mind from being idle, it helps him release pent up aggression while also maintaining his fit, muscular physique. It helps center him and pull out any negative energy.

    Born under the Mirror Moon, Niccolò can be said to be curious, excitable, spontaneous, quick, affectionate, charismatic and very well-groomed. Those attributes fit entirely with his character. He thrives on friendships and communication, which also makes him an excellent mate. Sometimes it can be said he is too empathetic, but he chalks it off as being passionate. He has a zest for life that anyone close to him can see. He places high value on those important to him, being overly affectionate and loyal. There isn’t a better friend to have than Niccolò.

[mcrcki]

BROWSE SOPHIE’S CLOSET …

describe your muse’s aesthetic in five words or less.

spiteful grandma-core

does your muse spend a lot of time on their outfit and appearance? how long do they spend getting ready in the morning?

not at all. honestly, sophie takes roughly twenty minutes from shower to tying their shoes. part of that is based off necessity, with how hectic their life can be, the last thing she wants to think about is what she’s going to wear. but the other half is that howl takes so long to get ready that she, for whatever reasoning you want to give it, is the exact opposite. the longest thing about sophie’s routine besides showering is making sure the layers of her clothes aren’t all bunched up cause man does she hate that.

does your muse consider the way they dress to be trendy? would other people agree

no, definitely not. sophie is not out here trying to look trendy, they go for comfort and function over form every time. maybe other people would think their clothes are trendy in the like, light academia meets cozy vibes, but sophie absolutely does not think they are stylish. not that they care much about that.

how often do they buy new clothes? are they the type to keep a outfit for years or replace it after one wear?

sophie never buys new clothes. if it’s damaged, they will just mend it. they have all the pieces they like to wear, they don’t really see a need to keep buying more? if someone gives them a clothing item as a gift, they will keep it for forever. i think sophie is also a very like, conscious shopper, and only buys from like independent brands that she wants to support, or thrifts. or makes her own clothes. you won’t find them ever buying like fast fashion.

is your muse the type to accessorize? how much?

if you count the two pieces of jewelry howl has gifted them as accessorizing, then yes. but really, it’s a hard no. they wear their matching ring to howl, which they have moved to their left ring finger, and then the necklace howl enchanted. other than that, i think she probably has their septum pierced tbh, unaware sophie went and got it, and it’s like a very small silver hoop there, so she’s kept it. other than that, they wear hats sometimes, though not as much as they did back home, since it’s not really in style anymore.

how much time do they spend on skin care/makeup/grooming?

sophie washes her face with dish soap. *

if money and societal expectations were not a concern would your muse dress differently than they currently do? if so, how?

no, definitely not. they are highkey pretty comfortable with how they dress now and really wouldn’t want to change it. they don’t really care much about the clothes they wear, not in the way that other people do, so i don’t think, even with all the money in the world, that they would change it

would your muse wear the same outfit two days in a row if they knew they wouldn’t run into any of the same people?

i don’t think so? they’ll definitely wear pieces again, especially sweaters, but not like a whole outfit, just cause they don’t like to feel dirty or anything. i think she’d be very on top of laundry so if they wanna wear something again, they’d just wait till it was out of the wash like two days from then.

have they started dressing differently since arriving in washington? was the transition difficult? do they prefer the clothes here or back home? 

i think sophie probably preferred their clothes from home at first, just because it was easier to follow. they knew the styles then, whereas here there’s so many different types of styles, it’s hard to keep up with. she does think clothes are more comfortable here, and that’s a big win, but i think it’s a mix? like they haven’t totally changed their style, but they’ve found a niche one that fits them better than their clothes from home. then again, they literally say, after turning into a 90 year old woman ‘at least your clothes finally suit you’ so like.... ????? maybe they just like dressing old. doesn’t matter where they go, they like dressing old. old people have way more comfortable clothes anyways.

* i’m so deadass , sophie does not use makeup/fancy skin care. they absolutely enchanted some dish soap to be perfect for their skin after complaining about howl’s 6 hour skin care routine and now can wash their face with dish soap and it works !!! really well !!!

[gwbands]

Elegance and Eternity: Discover Exquisite His and Hers Wedding Bands from GW Bands

Selecting the ideal wedding bands is a main decision any couple make, and the multiple of choice out there are so exquisite that it can be a complicated decision to make. GW Bands has beautiful his and hers wedding band sets that are made of rose gold, yellow gold and white gold to suit the desires of all clients.

Wedding bands for couples:

Couples while buying his and hers wedding bands give much attention to the choices of their life partners. These days rose gold, yellow gold, and white gold wedding bands are on trend.

Rose Gold Wedding Bands:

There are more trends to wedding bands and among them one can distinguish rose gold that was popular for engagement rings and now augmenting its popularity in the wedding bands. Rose gold is as warm in colour as its name, deriving its pinkish tinge from copper that is mixed with gold. These bands represent love and passion, that’s why this set is very popular among couples who want to have an eternal ring that looks classical and simultaneously fashionable. The rose gold bands are provided to jewellers as smooth bright bands or are decorated with engravings and stones.

Yellow Gold Wedding Bands:

Yellow gold setting represents the most standardized type of a wedding ring as it looks very antique and still holds a rich charm. This extremely valuable metal, with a warm golden coloration, has been valued for hundreds of years as the material to embody the eternal feelings of love and fidelity. GW Bands produces yellow gold bands that not only have the aesthetic look that is desired but also the durability needed in order to rival time. Regardless of the taste of the woman who is to be given the bracelet, you will find that their variety is very straight forward; one is an ordinary band while other has artistic engravings.

White Gold Wedding Bands:

White gold wedding bands are delivered for their modern and luxurious look. Made by merging golden with white metals such as palladium or nickel, such loops have a precise, stylish outlook that is quite popular with contemporary brides and grooms. While some of the bands from GW Bands are plain and made from white gold there are others that can be more stylized and have additional acrylic gemstones embedded inside them. White gold is tender to the touch and gives a shiny gleam that allows people to take it with various clothing and in different events.

GW Bands celebrates itself for the service that offer cheap wedding bands but is not a single downside to them. Hence, they are unique and have a very rich offer, which means that anyone can find something that would symbolize their union well. High quality and traditional workmanship of the pieces combined with sentimental value makes GW Bands a perfect source for acquiring elegant wedding jewelry.