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jokeroutsubs · 5 months ago

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[📝ENG TRANSLATION] We spent a day with the band Joker Out with whom we talked about everything (including the new album)

Original article written by Tijana Čvorak for Vogue Adria, published 15.11.2024. English translation by IG marija_rocen, review by IG irenalemajic, @moonlvster, proofread by IG Gboleyn123.

Full article under the cut 👇

(Ph: Primož Lukežić)

It's Friday, late in the morning, my colleague Tesa and I met up at the agreed place, in the middle of the industrial zone. On one side there was a parking lot, and on the other an industrial hall and office buildings, a self-service laundromat, a small bar... And a blue metal door. Behind the door is the charming, cozy music studio of the band Joker Out, full of instruments, books and character. When we entered, a friendly voice greeted us from above, and when we looked up, we saw a smiling Jure Maček, the band's drummer, in the gallery.

We climbed the stairs to a platform with a fence, which was obviously the production chill corner of this studio. There were two sofas, a Biedermeier-style wooden table, which surely once graced a bourgeois living room from the 80s, and on the other side there was a table with a computer, an impressive screen and a small mixer. Delighted by the atmosphere and appearance of the studio, we learned from Jure that we're standing in a former garage and that, in addition to musical talent, he also has carpentry skills - because the wooden interior of the studio is actually the work of his hands.

(Ph: Mark Pirc)

Whether you're from this region or not, the media attention that Joker Out has been getting since performing at the Eurovision Song Contest has been hard to ignore. Since 2016, when they formed the band as teenagers, they have won several 'Zlata piščal' ('Golden Whistle') awards in the Artist and Newcomers categories and were nominated for a MAC Award for Best Regional Ex-Yu Rock Band. Their hit 'Carpe Diem' has a more than impressive 23 million streams on Spotify and is the third most popular Eurovision song. I remember when they performed in my town last summer, just a few hundred metres from my house, so I could listen to them with a glass of wine on the terrace. Even though I wasn't standing in front of the stage, I could feel the contagious energy they were spreading, and the singing and cheers of the audience seemed even louder and filled with euphoria.

While I was preparing for the interview, I found out that Joker Out are also popular beyond the borders of our region - at concerts abroad, the audience sings songs with them in the Slovenian language. Furthermore, I discovered that the release of their new music video for the song 'Bluza' was scheduled on the day of our interview. "Yes, exactly," Jure confirmed to me, "let's wait for the others, then we'll watch it together." Soon the other members of the band arrived, some visibly disheveled and sleepless, because the editing of the video lasted until late at night. By the time we all impatiently looked at the monitor, waiting for the new video to be displayed, it had already collected 6,000 views in just a few hours, while the song 'Bluza', since it was released on streaming services, had already reached more than half a million streams. 'Bluza' is one of the singles from the new album 'Souvenir Pop', which is being released today and it represents a sort of a musical diary of the past year and a half of their lives, from the performance at the Eurovision Song Contest onwards.

"The inspiration for the album were the events from the tour, love stories, even global geopolitical topics," laughs Bojan. "All the reflections and deliberations that happened to us in the past year and a half." They say that the new album differs from the previous ones primarily due to the fact that it's sonically much more diverse and richer with instruments.

"Apart from those usual clichés - the whole album is more mature, we've developed the sound and so on - with this album we didn't strictly stick to our own instruments, but rather experimented and explored with different instruments", Kris Guštin, the band's guitarist describes for us. On this album, for the first time, they recorded about half of the songs with Jan on keyboards. "And the lyrics are darker this time, more gloomy than on 'Demoni', so we went one step further there as well." Bojan adds that on this album, for the first time, they recorded songs written in three languages - Slovenian, English and Serbian.

(Ph: Vita Orehek)

We asked him if he could single out any advantages or differences in writing songs in different languages, and he tells us that the language of a song is often dictated by the inspiration itself. "The story already comes with its own language and I don't like changing the songs just because they should be in another language. I don't want to adapt or distort the story as it is." He also discovered that he has different attitudes towards himself in different languages. For example, in Serbian, he says, he can be the most honest when he writes about love, while for the song 'Everybody's Waiting' in English, it's easier for him to be open and honest with himself about unpleasant feelings. On the other hand, it's most natural for him to talk about world and political topics in Slovenian.

The process of creating the album was described to us by bassist Nace Jordan: "The album actually started with the Eurovision song 'Carpe Diem', and after Eurovision and the tour, we moved to London for two months in January this year, looking for new inspiration for the future album. After the tour finished, we spent six weeks in two studios and finished the album with our producer Žarko Pak." Kris, for example, is most looking forward to performing the eighth song from the album 'Mesto duhov' ('City of Ghosts'), because the song contains many unpredictable moments. "I can't wait to hear it and perform it live on stage and see the reactions of the audience who will see it for the first time," he says. "Wow. I haven't even thought about that", Bojan comments. "I have," Nace and Kris answer in unison. We asked them what exactly they thought. "The song is actually a kind of psychosis, where the lyrical subject jumps from a very aggressive and melancholic state to a pompous, almost post-mortem atmosphere," explains Kris. "It seems almost like a funeral song that constantly jumps between the stanza and the chorus, changing the sound image, the tempo, the atmosphere, and, in fact, the whole attitude of the song."

"Not only is it fun to play, but it will also be challenging to practise." When asked which song gave them the most problems, they all unanimously agreed: 'Šta bih ja'. "It's a song that requires a precise fit of all elements, otherwise the song simply doesn't work," Bojan explains. "We couldn't find the formula to arrange all the elements correctly and we were searching for a solution for a long time." "We recorded it more than 130 times", Nace adds. "We're still not sure if it's a slow or dance song," adds Kris, and the guys laugh in agreement. "One or two attempts are usually enough for us - just right", Bojan concludes.

(Ph: Vita Orehek)

When asked about how they developed and changed as artists over time, Bojan smiled and immediately handed the microphone to Jan Peteh: "You can start, keyboard player." Jan, the band's guitarist, continued and explained how, during the recording of one of the songs from the album, 'Everybody's Waiting', they found themselves at a standstill with the arrangement, unsure in which direction they should proceed. But thanks to Žarko's solution, everything fell into place. Jure improvised on the drums on the verse "What a wonderful life", and Jan complemented him by playing electric keyboards. "We connected a Rhodes keyboard to the amplifier and since then, in fact, I've been playing both keyboards and synthesizers in our songs," Jan concludes. "Don't be so modest", Bojan adds and continues: "Actually, it was discovered completely by chance that Jan is also extremely talented on keyboards, which delighted us all. Even our producer Žare was impressed by Jan's approach to playing an electric keyboard, which doesn't happen often. Jan proved to be a great instrumentalist.”

If they could choose with whom to have their dream-collab musical collaboration, with any musician, living or dead, from our region or beyond, Jure would choose Dire Straits. The boys exchanged glances and agreed to choose a band together. At Nace's "Ready, set, go", they say "Buč Kesidi" in unison. "It would be great if we could collaborate with them," adds Kris. And I have to admit that I agree - that would certainly be their dream musical collaboration.

Since we learned all about their plans for the future, we were interested in what they remembered from the past. For example, memories of the craziest concerts that will remain in their memory forever. Jure recalls their performance at Belgrade Beer Festival. Before that, they had already visited Serbia, "but this was the first time after the performance at the Eurovision Song Contest. Even before we went on stage, we heard the crowd chanting "Joker Out" behind us. I couldn't believe what was happening. I think it was one of the best concerts.” Jan continues and highlights the Ruisrock festival in Finland and the Summer Well festival in Romania. "At both of them, we were also greeted with loud chants by an audience of approximately 8,000 people," he tells us, while the other band members nod their heads in confirmation. Kris also adds the performance at Exit festival in Novi Sad and recalls the feeling while watching the footage of that concert: "It's a particularly strange feeling when you see that endless sea of people, which you're not even aware of while you're on stage." "Yes." Jure agrees, "Some concerts really knock you off your feet. That was one of those." Bojan recalls another one: "For me, it was crazy at Wkrwglca in Sežana." The others join in laughing. They start listing who they were performing with that night. "MRFY, VAZZ live, Jet Black Diamonds... there were several Slovenian performers who we met again and the audience was really warm", Bojan recalls. "I felt like I was at one of those nostalgic college parties from the 80s that our parents used to tell us about."

(Photo: Vita Orehek)

We finally got to the topic of fans, and as soon as we asked if they could share any interesting or crazy fan-related stories with us, the guys went quiet and thoughtful. "People ask this all the time, and we still don't have the right answer," Kris notes, which prompts laughter from the others. We learn that they're always met by fans at the airport in Finland, where they have quite a large fanbase, and how much that means to them. Then, completely casually, they mentioned the voodoo dolls they had received as gifts. Tesa and I just looked at each other, we had to find out more. "They made dolls of all the band members in our Eurovision outfits. We actually got them twice, but they were only presented as voodoo dolls the first time," Kris explains with a laugh. Some band members still keep their dolls safe at home, while Kris, for example, doesn't even know where his is.

While they tell us about events from the concerts, like the one where Bojan's jacket was stolen or where they had a backstage in the middle of the forest marked only by tape around the trees, Tesa and I wonder if there is anything that fans still don't know about the band. There's silence again, and I can almost see them jogging their memories with serious expressions. Then they remember - they don't like making music videos.

Namely, it always happens by chance that they shoot music videos in winter, and in rooms without heating. Or, let's say, the fact that Kris has a talent for finding trashy music, or as Bojan calls him - "the best music editor for trashy music". Surely even the most loyal fans don't know that if they were to choose a name now, it definitely wouldn't be Joker Out. Some members of the band don't like the name at all, and Kris adds that it calms him down that his father doesn't like his band's name either, so they almost comfort each other by listing bands they know have a similar story with the name. Speaking of the name of the band itself, we were interested in how the name Joker Out came about. Kris starts the story and explains that it all started in a group chat where everyone actually met, and of course, at some point, like every band, they needed a name. Someone suggested the word "Joker". Since that word was not enough, they also added "Out". The proposal received three likes and the name stuck. Bojan continues: "I remember we were thinking then - if Ota Roš says our name in Pop In and if it sounds good, then it's the right name."

(Photo: Vita Orehek)

Through talking and evoking memories, we've gone way back, to the time before Joker Out was created. At the age of eleven, Bojan was in his first band called No Name, which lasted only a few weeks and played only one song, 'Tears in Heaven'. After that, he was in the band Apokalipsa, which disbanded when, as he says, he "stole" Jan and Nace¹ from other bands, and that's how Joker Out was born.

¹There has been a mistake in the original article. This should say: “Bojan "stole" Jan and Kris from other bands”, not Nace as originally mentioned.

If they had to single out their favourite or most important moment in their entire career, Jan would choose their first concert at Cvetličarna, because it seemed to him that it was then that he felt the turning point in the band's recognition for the first time. It was their first big solo concert, two in a row, both sold out. "Even if we played at Madison Square Garden now, I don't know if it would be as big a step forward as it was then. I don't think I'll ever experience that kind of adrenaline again." Nace points out that the breakthrough moment for him was the concert in Dublin, when they performed abroad for the first time and the audience sang the lyrics along with them. Jure, on the other hand, says that he will never forget the moment of entering the Eurovision final, when everyone sat together on the couch and nervously waited for the result. There was only one spot left when they were announced as finalists and the name Joker Out appeared on the screen.

Kris concludes that he could hardly single out just one moment, because the whole of the year 2023, along with the experience of Eurovision and the European tour, was the best year of his life. Bojan follows up on Jan's words and says that the concert in Cvetličarna was also a turning point for him: "I have never felt such sincere and pure happiness as after that concert, when I cried continuously for at least 45 minutes. I simply broke down under the weight of all the emotions; all the people I love the most were there with me and then, maybe for the first and last time, I felt like the best thing in my life had just happened. Then I also announced a concert at Stožice, which really came true."

(Photo: Vita Orehek)

I can't help but try to imagine what they were like almost ten years ago when they formed the band, thinking about what they wanted to play and what messages their lyrics would convey. Whenever I have the chance to look at young people full of enthusiasm, who really love what they do, I root for them inside. And that is even more powerful when I see how much they have succeeded. There's no doubt that Joker Out have come a long way, and who knows, maybe a very difficult way to get to where they are today. They're currently the most popular Slovenian band, whose songs are sung by fans all over Europe, posting covers of their hits or interpretations of their songs in their own languages on TikTok. If there's anything left of those teenagers, it's the positive energy between them, mutual jokes, contagious laughter and sincere friendship.

Also, they've kept that modesty which you can feel when they talk about their successes and milestones in their careers and the respect they have for each other and for their work. At the same time, I can't help but imagine where else their musical path will take them. With their music and visual presence, they are undoubtedly the messengers of their generation, and the feeling that great milestones, successes and endeavors are ahead of them is almost palpable. Therefore, I can only congratulate the guys on all their achievements and the new album and wish them a big – Carpe Diem!

(Photo: Vita Orehek)

#joker out #jokeroutsubs #bojan cvjetićanin #bojan cvjeticanin #jan peteh #nace jordan #kris guštin #kris gustin #jure macek #jure maček #source: vogue adria #year: 2024 #og language: serbian #og language: slovenian #og language: croatian #jo: all members #type: article

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thefreakandthehair · 1 year ago

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@eddiemonth prompt, oct 26th: Corroded Coffin | I Wanna Be Somebody - W.A.S.P. | Hopeful a/n: descriptions of anxiety & grounding, rockstar!eddie, supportive!uncle wayne, established steddie. read on ao3 + masterpost | tumblr masterlist

Corroded Coffin gets its first gig outside of Gareth’s garage on a random Tuesday in October 1985.

It’s a small place, a true hole in the wall, the exact kind of place Eddie Munson imagines James Hetfield might’ve seen back in Metallica’s earliest days. There are maybe five people in the crowd outside of the bartender and servers, but those are five more people than have ever heard them play before.

Jeff, Freak, and Gareth are goofing around backstage, tuning instruments, pushing and shoving playfully, the excitement palpable. Eddie wants to join in but his heart and his stomach seem to have swapped places. Nauseous, shaky, and terrified, he can’t bring himself to shake it off with his friends and finds himself sitting in the corner, back to the wall.

An apt metaphor, really.

He feels caged, stuck, panicked– a lion trapped in too small of a space if the lion was also secretly afraid of its one and only concrete talent being judged as not good enough by strangers.

“Alright, Ed, take a breath with me, okay?” Wayne appears out of nowhere, grunting as he sits on the grody floor next to Eddie.

A familiar, calloused hand gently pulls Eddie’s fingers out of his hair, a position he doesn’t realize he’s in until Wayne pulls him out of it. He turns to face his Uncle and breathes with him the same way he had as an anxious little kid before the talent show, as the new kid in school, as the now fledgling adult who still needs comfort, reputation and appearance be damned.

Eddie closes his eyes and lets Wayne squeeze his hand to cute inhalation and exhalation. One day, he’ll think to ask him where the fuck he got that from, but not today. Today, he needs to calm down enough to perform with his friends.

In. Out.

“Feelin’ better?” Wayne asks, patting Eddie’s knee with his free hand.

Eddie nods and lets his eyes flutter open. It feels like waking up as he adjusts back to the noise and light he’d managed to tune out. “I think so, yeah. Sorry, I don’t know why I’m so scared as shit but yeah. Not okay.”

Wayne scoffs and shakes his head. “It’s your first show, Ed. ‘S alright to be a little keyed up. You’re gonna be fine though, just go out there and have fun with it.”

“You’ll stay for the show?” Eddie asks, a little more hopeful. Seeing Wayne in the audience during the talent show all those years ago set his nerves at ease. Seeing Wayne in the audience at The Hideout might do the same.

“Nah, figured I’d just stop by to talk you off the ledge and head on home. Of course I’m stayin’, what kinda Uncle do you think I am?”

Eddie and Corroded Coffin play their first gig to a crowd of about five drunks and one Uncle Wayne. It’s not perfect– Eddie trips over a microphone wire at least once and they each miss a cue here and there– but they finish to applause. The loudest of which comes from Uncle Wayne.

—

Over the years, Corroded Coffin ebbs and flows. When Eddie nearly dies, the band does too for a bit but, like Eddie, reanimates after some left dormant. The members stay the same, the name stays the same, the sound stays the same. What changes is the audience.

Apparently, the metal community is very interested in Eddie’s Lazarus-adjacent story coupled with wrongful accusations and a suburban witch hunt. Interested enough for the band to start getting noticed. The Hideout turns into The Vogue, and then the Old National Centre, and then the TCU Amphitheater. At each one, Eddie feels the same nerves he had at their first gig, and maybe even a bit more so now with his Upside Down injuries always at the back of his mind.

What if I pull something?

What if my leg gives out?

What if–

“Hey,” Steve whispers, leaning against the wall next to Eddie. “It’s gonna be okay, you know that, right?”

Eddie nods and chews on the piece of hair he’s pulled in front of his face.

He doesn’t know that, actually, but it’s not something he wants to rehash right now. Besides, Steve more than anyone can understand his running monologue more than most. He’d been there, been the one to carry him out, and since they started dating, has been the one to lull him back to sleep when the memories jar him awake.

But Wayne’s not here yet, probably stuck in traffic after leaving the factory early for the show, and Eddie doesn’t know how to prepare for a show without his guided breathing.

Every rockstar has a ritual, and that’s his.

“I know I’m no Wayne but, wanna try breathing with me?” Steve offers with a sheepish smile.

He nods again, still silent, and breathes. This time, softer hands holding his and cueing his inhalations and exhalations. It’s not the same, but it’s something. Enough to calm his racing heart to the point of words and with a shout from Jeff and a kiss from Steve, he takes the biggest stage he’s played yet.

Halfway through their set, Eddie sees movement in the corner of his eye and when he dares a glance, he sees Uncle Wayne standing next to Steve in his dusty flannel with a beaming smile.

The nerves disappear.

#steddie #eddie munson #wayne munson #steve harrington #eddie month #stranger things #stranger things fic #stranger things fanfic #stranger things fanfiction #eddie month prompts #corroded coffin #rockstar eddie munson #myblurbs

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mrnightingale · 3 months ago

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Edwin and Charles are literally coded with red and blue “hero colors” in the series. This is why people draw them like that. They are also written to be the brain (Edwin) and the brawn (Charles). It is fine to be creative and write works that reverse the roles in order to be transformative, but knocking other people for writing them the way they are presented in series is not the take you think it is. P.S.- there isn’t any turquoise on that image of George’s eyes. Turquoise is far more vivid.

Dear anon,

I'm pretty sure both posts you're referring to start with the "unpopular opinion" caption. That's because I don't intend any of them to have the same strength as canon content or generally accepted headcanons, but as a funny thing I thought and I wanted to post it here, because I can, because this is my little corner of internet and I can share it here. I don't have much irl people to talk to about the show, so I post it here.

I think I was very respectful when doing so, but if not, I'm sorry. Language has this thing that leads to miscommunication. Unfortunately I don't know how to avoid language, I can't share the half-formed though from my head to yours. When I'm non-verbal I usually use my hands or head to indicate things, I can't do that online. I'm not blaming anyone who writes/draws them as fitting in those categories, because actually most people do so. Because these are the tropes they fit in. They're written to fit in categories so is marketable, that's how it works. I don't intend to ignore that.

My point wasn't against fandoms, but against the very clear tendency that media has been having the last few years. I think fandoms have the enough power to make, if little, a change in the course of action of things, but not only bc it's the fanbase that consumes this media, but because it's composed by artists. Talented people that actively put effort in perfect their skills to make something beautiful and worthy, for the sake of doing art about the things we love. That's why I love fandoms. It's people creating art about art, sharing it with other people that appreciate it. I think it's beautiful.

The other half of my point is because came from anime/manga fandoms who's majority were conformed by teens who don't give the characters the profundity they have, labeling them based on stereotypes, and basically don't see the complexities of the character. That's why I like the term "fictional people", it has more personality, in my opinion.

My little disagreement with this relies on the headcanons who reinforce said stereotypes, mainly in terms of romantic and sexual relationships between the characters, ignoring some important aspects of their canon relationship or personalities, only to make them fit in stiff roles of, let's said, dominance and submission, and that has to apply in every other aspect of the character life. Of course, not everyone does this, but it's something that I, personally, usually have in mind, so it's obviously reflected in my art. Bc irl people don't fit in labels. You might be smart in some things and don't know others, you might don't be physically strong but have agility or flexibility, you might be bad with people but have really strong connections once you get to know them, you might seem oblivious with some things but be sharp and clever with others. It's about contrasts. Ofc we don't know absolutely everything about a character, bc probably more of those things aren't even defined canonically, bc they aren't important for the canon story. But they're important to the fans, that's why headcanons exist.

That's why I like to give my versions of Edwin and Charles some attributes that defy said stereotypes (and also, most of them are based on the actors, historical fun facts or symbology I like to give them). For example, strong Edwin is bc George is stronger than Jayden, as you can see in some interviews... I think it was with Teen Vogue. I don't say Edwin is the brawn, bc as I said earlier, even if he might be physically strong he has a very strong reaction to trauma and he freezes, that's why Charles is the brawn. Even if I headcanon Charles being a geeky nerd, that doesn't mean he isn't the one who fights, and that Edwin has more of the academic knowledge they need to solve cases. It's just something I like to think about them to give them profundity and complexity in my mind, it makes them more realistic, at least to me. You don't have to like my headcanons, as well I don't have to like yours. And that's fine, we're a community, but we can think for ourselves.

And the turquoise bit, I don't know every word to describe every shade of colour between blue and green. I know some in Spanish, but not in English, and I didn't want to search the Pantone colour palette bc I'd be hours lost in Pinterest, and that's... Not ideal. I don't even know what specific shade of colour "turquoise" even is, that's why I used cyan, but cyan is too vivid so that's not the word either. I don't know what's the word to describe George Rexstrew's eyes, that's why exist a whole thread discussing it XD. But I don't like blue or green either, that's why I said turquoise. It's not all that serious, really.

#anon ask #dead boy detectives #dbda #edwin payne #charles rowland #my post #i didn't think someone would be so serious about my headcanons #but that's not even a problem. we can think different. that's alright.#but I'm really sorry if I sounded disrespectful or smth

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taysdorothea13 · 5 months ago

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Since it’s canon that Wren grows up to be in the fashion world. When she’s a tween her and Taylor go to different fashion weeks over the years and she spends alot of time with her Aunt Gigi learning the ends and outs of the fashion world. Gigi gets Wren a sewing machine for her 10th birthday

taylor takes her to every single major city, even when fashion week isn’t happening, and they spend a week there just going to different designer stores and watching people on the street and taking in everything from their culture to their style influences. fashion week is a lot, and it’s subsequently a lot of media attention outside of just being overwhelming and high energy, but gigi pulls strings and gets wren and taylor in during rehearsals once wren really starts making her interest in fashion known. gigi and cara are all over that girl, gigi more than cara obviously, but if there’s an event that wren wants to go to and cara has strings, she’s pulling every single one because everyone knows wren has talent, and they’re going to pour into her cup the way she deserves. genuinely, taylor has always known she has an amazing village, but as wren grows up and really starts to hone in one specific interests and passions, it makes taylor emotional to see how eager her friends and family members are so support and nurture those hobbies. gigi gets wren a sewing machine for her birthday and wren spends hours upon hours figuring it out. there’s bleeding fingers and wonky stitches and a lot of frustrated tears, but when she eventually does finish the first project, she calls gigi immediately and even though the stitches aren’t perfect and there’s a little splotch of blood on the right corner where wren nicked her finger, gigi praises her and encourages her, and eventually that one little blanket that wren made becomes beautiful dresses and elegant suits and just the most beautiful pieces she’s ever seen, truly. nobody lies to wren. that’s the thing too. if she makes something, they’re going to praise her and encourage her, but nobody’s going to lie. gigi and cara especially because they know big fashion things. gigi will tell wren to focus more on a specific style, or cara will tell her to focus on certain color stories, and eventually wren doesn’t need their critiques anymore and they can’t think of any to give her. the first dress she makes that ever walks a carpet is made for taylor, but she has specific designs that are basically her signifier in the fashion world, and they’re all titled something sentimental. there’s the gigi dress, which she crafted to flaunt gigis curves and personality, and it has it’s own signature neckline. there’s the cara suit, which again follows the same guidelines, fitting a woman’s curves, personality, and having a signature cut. and there’s the taylor dress, again same rules apply. wrens entire brand is based on leaning into femininity of all regards. everything she makes she prides herself on maintaining female oriented thoughts and wants. if someone wants a lower cut neckline, wren sells a million options. if they want modest, a million options. if they want tight fitting, loose fitting, frilly, edgy, modern, vintage, wren makes it all, but every single one of her pieces is somehow so cohesive and beautiful and just breathtaking. it’s honestly astonishing. she’s so size inclusive, too. she becomes one of the youngest self made billionaires at twenty-four years old, and by twenty-five she’s flying out to paris fashion week for her own show. she’s in forbes magazine, and vogue, and elle, and taylor’s just so beyond proud of her little girl that isn’t so little anymore.

(wren doesn’t sell men’s clothing. her brand is for women, by women. but she makes travis a suit every year 🥹)

#[ 🪩�� ] — mailbox!#𐙚 — anon #;༊ — come morning light

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hollywoodx4 · 2 years ago

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SOME sentences Sunday…SEVERAL sentences Sunday…you get the idea.

Have this baby model Crygi that wrote itself yesterday for my dear @thecollectionsof bc I’ve been really holding out on the Crygi lately and I can only say soon or one day so many times before I feel guilty for abandoning my children

———

Crystal shifts her weight between her feet as she stands in line, an exuberant smile on her face. She clutches a magazine close to her chest, occasionally glancing down at it. But she can’t look long, or she’ll lose it right here in the line at this local bookshop between the woman with five beach reads and the young mother and her child balancing stacks of Pete the Cat books in their hands. Instead, she concentrates her energy on living in the moment; the shop smells like robust coffee beans and the undeniable fragrance of books. The playlist is folksy and she recognizes the Noah Kahan song playing because Gigi had been singing it all summer after they’d taken a coastal weekend away just a month before. The trip had been a surprise, and they’d spent an entire day driving up and down the gorgeous, ritzy coastline of Massachusetts listening to lyrics about how everything’s alright when she calls me back. It couldn’t be more true.

Right now, Gigi’s in a timezone five hours ahead of her filming content for a brand Crystal has never heard of but Gigi absolutely idolizes. She’s been working like crazy, but the constant flow of it all has really helped her boost her name. She offhandedly mentions more than once that Crystal can even quit her just in case job now that Gigi has a steady following, but she hasn’t been able to do that yet. She doesn’t want Gigi to think she’s using her for her newfound money (even though they still bulk shop at Costco and get the cheap takeaway they like on Friday nights Gigi is home).

She gets to the front of the line and reluctantly lets go of the magazine, only long enough to let the cashier scan it.

“I don’t need a bag.” She waves her reusable tote in the air, but the magazine just goes right back into her hands. She holds the cover up for the cashier to see and in a loud, giddy voice she announces “This is my girlfriend.”

Gigi’s the front cover of Vogue, an idea she’d held on to since the start of her accidental modeling career and hadn’t stopped thinking about since. She’d told Crystal the moment she’d found out, sobbing on the phone in the middle of LAX. Crystal had met her at JFK with a bouquet of flowers and a sign that read Vogue cover model Gigi Goode.

Now, she gets to hold the magazine in her hand. Everything her girlfriend has worked so hard for in one binding of glossy papers. Well, two-Crystal’s bought one to keep and the other to cut apart so she can carefully frame the actual cover.

She’s absolutely mooning over the photo; Gigi, clad in a beautiful champagne colored dress that she’d made herself from something she’d gotten off the rack. She’d shortened it, added boning, and restructured the entire thing to turn it from Little House on the Prairie to Real Housewives (or something like that; Crystal’s still workshopping the joke). In the cover photograph the old dress hangs in the background like a ghost. The headline? Farewell, Fast Fashion.

“She made this dress.” Crystal points to the photo, turns around so the woman with the romance novels can see the cover too. “She’s so talented, and just the most beautiful soul you’ll ever meet. And this is just…it’s a lifetime of hard work.”

Crystal’s so close to crying now that she has to peel one hand away from her magazines to wipe at the corner of her eye, but she’s not embarrassed. She can’t feel anything but proud.

On her way out (after stopping to show a few other patrons of the book shop, pointing them to where they keep their magazines) she calls Gigi, who picks up on the first ring.

“My brilliant, talented, beautiful girlfriend, I have a copy of Vogue in my hands as we speak.”

On the other side of the phone, Gigi squeals.

“I haven’t seen it in person yet!” Crystal imagines her jumping up and down, her loose curls bouncing and her smile absolutely illuminating the room.

“I’ll send you a picture. It’s incredible, Geege. You look gorgeous. And I might’ve told everyone in the store that you were my girlfriend because I still can’t believe it.”

“Believe it, Crys. You’re stuck with me for life.”

They speak a little bit longer, Gigi reeling as the photos Crystal scoots over on the sidewalk to take of the magazine come through. It’s even better than she imagined, and she’s dying to see it in person.

“Two days!” She cheers. “One sleep! And then I’ll be home for weeks and we can cuddle and lay around and I can use my fancy Vogue money to take my girlfriend somewhere with the best dessert in the city.”

“Where’s that?”

Gigi laughs.

“I don’t know! But we’ll have two whole weeks to find it!”

#crygi #baby model au #six sentence sunday #where i truly never write six sentences and that’s okay

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mobscene-london · 1 year ago

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BASIC INFORMATION:

NAME: Izabele Anasenko. AGE: 29. PLACE OF BIRTH: Kyiv, Ukraine. AFFILIATION: The Russian Mob. OCCUPATION: Supermodel. FACE CLAIM: Anya Taylor-Joy. AVAILABILITY: TAKEN.

BIOGRAPHY:

“You’re really willing to sacrifice everything we’ve worked for to be with a man like him?”

Everything we’ve worked for.

That statement summed up her mother perfectly.

Even though Izabele had started out life in Ukraine’s largest city, her family had been far removed from any affluence it might’ve afforded others. Both her parents—a turbulent marriage that only survived as long as it did because neither could cope financially without the other—worked long days for little pay. The home in which they raised their three children was hardly large enough for one, and they barely had the funds to make the place habitable, let alone comfortable. Childhood should’ve been miserable. Maybe for her two brothers, it had been.

Izabele always clung to the positives, though—ever the perpetual optimist.

Even when her father finally left them to shirk the financial burden of his children, she had remained an impossibly good natured child. Izabele hadn’t cried when she wasn’t allowed to take dance lessons like her peers because her mother couldn’t afford them, nor did she become petulant when told there would be no feeding of an extra mouth when she found a stray puppy on the way home from school. Mostly, she stayed in her quiet corner, reading books her brothers stole for her, and contemplating how she would one day create a life for herself that was better than this. Wallowing in self-pity wasn’t going to solve anything. Her parents had proven as much.

Izabele had only been fourteen years old when she’d been spotted by a talent scout whilst out in the city with her mother. There was no denying that she’d always been uniquely beautiful. It was about the only thing she was ever complimented on; a disappointment for a girl who worked so hard at her education, and even more so, to be a kindness to others that hadn’t always been offered to her. Izabele didn’t really understand what being a model was, nor did she much like the people they were dealing with, but her mother swiftly took control of the situation, and made the decision for her. Back then, she’d liked to think it was because her mother believed in her, but the reality was, her mother believed she could make money for her.

The connections in Ukraine felt shady, and the situations she found herself in were uncomfortable, but her mother insisted she was being delicate, and that she had to persevere if she wanted to move on to bigger and better things. Izabele didn’t, though. All she wanted to do was go to school.

For years, her mother paraded her around like a material possession to be bragged about. When they broke into the world of fashion, though, things became a lot more palatable, and Izabele started to embrace that she was genuinely very good at what she did. The young girl graced the cover of Ukrainian magazines, and became one of the most sought after models for teenage fashion lines. Then, aged sixteen, she finally had her big break when she found herself at Paris Fashion Week, walking for an up-and-coming designer who would unknowingly shoot her fame into the stratosphere. Izabele stood out; natural talent, looks, and a gentle nature that made her easy to work with. The rest came in a flash so quick she barely felt present for most of it.

By the time Iza was eighteen, she’d walked for the likes of Givenchy, Chanel and Balmain in cities across the globe. She’d been on the cover of three different editions of Vogue, had been the face of a Dior campaign, and had been invited to awards ceremonies and movie premieres as though she were a star. The young girls of the world had become infatuated with the media’s portrayal of her. Social media was inundated with feel-good stories about what she’d achieved whilst coming from humble beginnings, and in the big cities, she couldn’t go outside without being recognised by somebody itching to be close to fashion’s next big thing.

At the absolute peak of success, she’d horrified her mother—who thankfully no longer had any control over what she did with her life—by deciding she wanted to take a break from her career. Izabele loved what she did enough not to want to give it up entirely, but she was also a realist. Spotlights faded, and this whirlwind wouldn’t last forever, and that was precisely why she wanted to pursue education like she’d always aspired to. Using her fame—because even if she was more than bright enough to be worthy of a place, that wasn’t how it worked at prestigious institutions like Belmonte University—she managed to secure a place studying literature in Launceston.

School came easily when she loved the subject as much as she did, but a degree wouldn’t be the only take away from her time in the city. Cressida Baryshnikova—or Berkeley, as she had been back then—had become her best friend as easily as if they’d been born to meet each other. A chance run-in at the library had not only delivered her someone she could finally trust to have her best interests at heart (a world away from the fickle friends she made in the modelling world) but also an unexpected connection to the man who would eventually become her husband.

Mikhail Vorshevsky.

At first, she didn’t quite know what to make of him. The Vorshevsky name was well known back in Kyiv, and apparently, even more so in Launceston. Never for good reasons. It left a bad taste in her mouth when she’d always had a particularly strict moral compass. But he was Cressida’s good friend, and Izabele always found it difficult to say no to the people she cared about. So, with no intention of disguising her reluctance, she agreed to go on the double date.

“You could have any man in the world, and you’re going to marry the son of a mobster? The brother of a Russian politician? Imagine what this will do to your reputation, Iza. Your career!”

Izabele wasn’t sure what she’d expected from Mikhail, but it certainly wasn’t to fall head over heels in love. To eventually have to sit her mother down and tell her she’d be leaving the new life she’d made for them in New York, and staying in Launceston to marry a man that somebody with as kind a soul as hers should’ve ran from.

Her mother was furious. Cut off all contact until Dmitri was born.

By that point, it was too late. Izabele continued to send enough money to her mother that she might live comfortably, but she and her brothers had a new life now, and it was healthier without her.

Whilst she could never wrap her mind around the idea of her husband—a man she truly adored, and who adored her in return, more than she ever thought possible—was involved in organised crime, she was wiser than to ask too many questions. The same couldn’t be said for her best friend and her husband, however, and Izabele learnt more about Vorshevsky dealings because of that than she’d ever wanted to. Perhaps a case could be made that she was just as bad as the people involved for being willing to turn a blind eye, and maybe she felt that guilt some mornings, too, but to her, he was perfect. Treated her with respect and kindness, and was such a wonderful father it made her soul happy just to watch him with their son.

Motherhood is still relatively new to her, but eventually, now Misha has moved their family to London, Izabele is hoping she can find a way to juggle it with a return to a modelling world that has vocally missed her. Surprisingly, her celebrity status has stood the test of time, in spite of her mother’s warnings that her choice of husband would blacklist her. Being married to a Vorshevsky brings with it a whole other spotlight of its own, however, and now they’ve left the Russian stronghold of Launceston, even she is beginning to wonder if her husband’s business—a world that she’s tried so hard to ignore for so many years—is finally going to force her to pay attention.

Izabele will always love him, in spite of the things he does. There is nothing he could do that would change that. But she can’t help but wonder whether this move is going to put both him and their small family in more danger than they can outrun.

And that scares her.

SOCIAL CONNECTIONS:

RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Mikhail Vorshevsky (husband) FAMILY: Dmitri Vorshevsky (son, unplayable), Borys Anasenko (brother), Vasyl Anasenko (brother, unplayable) CONNECTIONS:

Cressida Baryshnikova: Best friend. Being married to a mobster is difficult, but she's glad that her best friend in the world fully understands it. Whilst Izabele is the kind of person who attracts many friends, the relationship she has with Cressida is different. They're practically family. Even before they became the couples that did everything together, they were joined at the hip, and despite their very different personalities, Iza would be absolutely lost without her.

Andrei Baryshnikov: Good friend. Even though he's a little rough around the edges, Izabele loves him dearly. Their two families spend so much time together, it'd be difficult not to. Whilst she hopes Mikhail can placate him somewhat for Cressida's sake, whenever he's with the girls, he's a gentleman, and that's the side of Andrei she has grown to adore. Mostly, she's grateful to know that her husband has somebody so loyal watching his back out there.

#russian #anya taylor joy #izabeleanasenko #taken #takenf

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silviascorcella · 1 year ago

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Caterina Gatta p/e 2020: nell’archivio c’è la fonte della bellezza futura

“Di una cosa ero sicura, non volevo fare la fashion designer”: suona curiosamente paradossale pronunciato da Caterina Gatta, che con la sua moda di giovane e talentuosa stilista, è sempre felicemente riconoscibile perché non è mai stata imitatrice né debitrice di estetiche standardizzate e massificate, vero? Difatti, l’unicità è una dote che accade raramente: ovvero, quando le creazioni sono una combinazione non solo di grande passione e bravura sartoriale, ma anche di una dedizione profonda per la ricerca agganciata ad un senso del tutto personale della bellezza, e di un istinto rispettoso che va oltre il mero fascino dell’estetica, per andare a conquistare e condividere il valore prezioso della cultura che tramite l’estetica si esprime.

Ecco, Caterina Gatta nel mondo del suo brand, che con lei condivide anche il nome e cognome come fosse uno specchio che ne riflette tutto il ventaglio di bellezza, esercita proprio questa combinazione pregiata. L’ha fatto sin dall’inizio del suo percorso di giovane promessa del fashion italiano, e lo riconferma tutt’ora nella collezione s/s 2020, che del suo percorso è anche una rinfrescante sublimazione.

A ben vedere, forse il segreto di Caterina Gatta e della sua moda potrebbe essere raccolto proprio nell’essenza di quell’affermazione: che, badate bene, non ha nulla di perentorio né altezzoso, tutt’altro! Anzi, è per l’appunto l’incipit spontaneo del suo itinerario poliedrico e generosamente curioso nella moda: che al fashion design approda come fosse il contenitore professionale perfetto dove raccogliere e esprimere le illuminazioni scoperte durante il percorso. Che inizia con lo studio in Scienze della moda e del costume, mescolato ad esperienze lavorative assai eterogenee, cioè l’esperienza in un negozio vintage, lo studio dei diamanti presso un azienda import export, lo stage in America come associate new business per un agenzia di PR, l’assistente di una giornalista durante le fashion week di Milano e Parigi. Esperienze diversissime, ma che già custodivano il fil-rouge che da lei, e del suo brand, è tanto amato: l’amore scoccato per i tessuti vintage appartenuti alle grandi griffe che del made in Italy son state pietre miliari per eccellenza di qualità manifatturiera e per meraviglia di creazione estetica.

Una scintilla scoccata con l’incontro casuale di un tessuto vintage firmato Irene Galitzine, da cui Caterina Gatta aveva avviato una collezione personale: oltre un centinaio di stoffe splendide, provenienti principalmente dai favolosi anni Ottanta e Novanta appartenute, tra gli altri, a Gianni Versace, Mila Schön, Valentino, Ungaro, Yves Saint Laurent , Givenchy, Fausto Sarli, Lancetti e molti altri. Una collezione presto divenuta ispirazione per il suo progetto di moda.

È il 2011 quando il progetto di Caterina Gatta riceve la benedizione di Franca Sozzani e Sara Maino per la partecipazione al ‘Vogue Talents corner’: aveva ragione Caterina, a voler creare abiti dall’appeal contemporaneo a partire da quelle stoffe testimoni di una bellezza unica e irripetibile, profondamente italiana e straordinariamente creativa.

Da quel momento il brand è cresciuto e maturato, naturalmente: si è anche ampliato a collezioni dove i tessuti sono ideati e progettati da lei, con un’evoluzione naturale della ricercatezza divertita dei motivi stampati a dar forma a silhouette squisitamente attuali.

Ora, per la p/e 2020, Caterina Gatta torna alle origini con consapevolezza entusiasta: torna al suo archivio prezioso di tessuti vintage, materia prima il cui valore è anche nel gesto, a suo modo ribelle e salvifico, di riportarli nel nostro presente e plasmarli in creazioni sartoriali perfettamente contemporanee, perfettamente coerenti con il gusto di Caterina Gatta, fatto principalmente di appiombi netti e linee asciutte come base solida su cui costruire volant plastici, gonne a corolla che sbocciano con brio pop, tagli fendenti che aprono geometrie affacciate sulla pelle, silhouette anch’esse felicemente caratteristiche del brand come la tuta pantalone con i volant appoggiati sulla vita e gli abiti imbottiti con la tundra di seta e organza tripla, dove per fare un mini abito servono più di dodici metri di seta pura.

Restano intatti i giochi di accostamenti e sovrapposizioni di colori vividi e stampe che sembrano sottratte a opere d’arte: resta intatta la creatività libera, assieme alla passione per l’arte in connubio con la moda.

Forse Caterina Gatta ha ragione: se avesse voluto fare la fashion designer, non avrebbe tracciato un viaggio così personale e intenso!

Silvia Scorcella

{ pubblicato su Webelieveinstyle }

#Caterina Gatta #nuovoartigianato #nuovomadeinitaly #modaindipendente #modasostenibile #sostenibilità #nuovitalenti #fashion writing #webelieveinstyle

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utterlyvapid · 1 year ago

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Lyrically, it’s a mess of cliches and generic empowerment lines paired with subtle nods to the whole media circus surrounding Grande that fall flat. The improv-tastic title suggests a playful tone that does not carry over to the rest of the song. The Madonna samples indicates fun is just around the corner. Grande’s girlish delivery gives the impression we’re not taking things too seriously. It runs at 3 minutes and 35 seconds of underwhelming bitchiness.

The biggest crime is the sample.

For starters, I think it takes a special kind of talented producer to sample an already classic hit and create something equally undeniable. You’re fighting against not just your own potential inadequacies, but the cultural memory of the song you’re sampling. Which is why the decision to build this comeback single on the foundations of the 1991 cultural juggernaut that is ‘Vogue’ is an odd one. This is not a good enough beat to justify its own existence.

#pop culture #hollywood #substack #review #pop #music #Ariana grande #yes and #eternal sunshine #Madonna #vogue

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neha-1234 · 3 months ago

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Best Architects in Indore: Transforming Spaces with Style

Indore is known colloquially as the heart of Madhya Pradesh. It features a rich and vibrant culture which is developing exponentially. With urbanization, needs for innovative skilled architects have skyrocketed. While you are at this corner of building an ideal home for yourself, a renovation of some office, or a commercial unit, the onus lies on just the right professional to make such dreams come through.

Why Hire an Architect?

Architects do much more than just design buildings. They combine creativity, technical expertise, and problem-solving skills to create spaces that are functional, aesthetically pleasing, and sustainable. Hiring an architect ensures that:

Your Vision Comes to Life: Architects translate your ideas into practical designs.

Compliance with Regulations: They are well-versed with local building codes and ensure your project meets all legal requirements.

Optimized Spaces: Architects utilize the space efficiently and are cognizant of the functionality in sync with style.

Cost-Efficiency: Through their proficiency, architects can help you avoid the mistakes associated with costly attempts and recommend budget-friendly solutions.

Top Architectural Trends in Indore

The architecture of Indore reflects a blend of the traditional and modern. Among some of the popular trends are:

Sustainable Designs; With rising awareness concerning the environment, architects are utilizing environment-friendly materials and energy-saving designs.

Minimalism: Clean lines, open spaces, and more space in designs are the trend both with homeowners and businesses.

Smart Homes: Technology-infused designs such as automated lighting, temperature control, and security systems are in vogue.

Blending Traditional with Modern: Many architects in Indore creatively merge heritage elements with contemporary designs, preserving the cultural essence of the city.

Top Architects in Indore

There are some very talented architects in Indore who work on different projects. Some of the popular names include:

XYZ Architects: They have gained popularity through their innovative designs and eco-friendly construction methods. XYZ Architects have executed many high-profile residential and commercial projects in Indore.

ABC Design Studio: It is one of the top studios among youngsters who are seeking to own homes and startups since it specializes in modern and minimalist designs.

Heritage Builders: If one is seeking an amalgamation of traditional beauty and modern functionality, Heritage Builders are the way forward.

GreenLine Architects: Environmentally friendly, energy-efficient designing is what GreenLine Architects look for in its clients.

Visionary Designs: Visionary Designs specializes in high-end corporate and industrial designs.

The Future of Architecture in Indore

As the city of Indore develops, the role of architects will play a keener role in shaping the aesthetic landscape of cities. With advancing technology, moving design directions, and sustainability, architects will be the ones capable of designing not only functionally useful spaces but also inspiring and uplifting human beings.

Be it small renovation or major construction, an architect will bring the magic for you. Spend time researching and meeting architects who can then further discuss your ideas in detail with you. Through them, you'll be able to transform your idea into reality and contribute to the ever-changing beauty of Indore architecture.

Final Thoughts

A large pool of good architects is present in the city of Indore who can deliver your dream projects. With due consideration to the needs and preference, choosing the right professional is enough to craft a space which truly reflects you and serves its purpose. Let's build our city balancing both tradition and innovation with one beautiful structure at a time.

#kitchen #interiors #decor #home #city

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northshorepaintingservicesll · 4 months ago

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What Can An Interior Painter in Reading and Andover, MA Do?

The first thought of making the inside of the home look attractive is to add a lick of paint. Sure, many individuals consider it a DIY task as they think wielding a paintbrush and coloring walls is not much of a challenge. Unfortunately, proper home painting requires expertise and experience, and the first-time painter is ill-equipped to deal with the enormity of the task. It always makes sense to hire an experienced interior painter in Reading and Andover, MA, to ensure the protection of the structure coupled with the right aesthetic effect.

A professional painter will have the know-how and be aware of the latest trends. Playing with colors excites homeowners instead of going for the monochrome or two-tone effect. It is also interesting to know that one can camouflage furniture or fixtures by clever use of paint. Drawing attention to other features inside the home and individual rooms is another reason to use paints in an offbeat manner. Sure, the homeowner and other occupants may have brilliant ideas. Such ideas come to life, creating the right effect only when the task is undertaken by a painter with extensive experience and the required skills. Some of the unique ideas that have stood the test of time and are still in vogue include the following: Creating Colorful Corners

When the entire room seems dull and drab, it is best to liven it up by adding a splash of bright color to one corner. Surprisingly, colors may create different zones, thus ensuring dual or multiple functionalities in the space concerned. The most popular ways to do it are:

· Accent Walls · Painted wall stripes · Painted arches · Diagonal paint lines

To Conceal Elements

Not only can color spruce up the appearance of a room but it may also be used to conceal some aspects of the room. True, it brightens up the room and showcases one’s personality. An illusion of space may be created by hiding any of the following with clever use of paint:

· Painting the wall in the same color as the radiator, thus hiding it from direct view · Storage cabinets and wardrobes may be painted to make them bend into the background · Innovative designs on the wall will keep the television well concealed except when it is on

Showcasing Artwork

Creating a gallery wall in the guest room or living room can be ideal for displaying all sorts of artwork collected over the years. Avid and talented artists may occasionally show off their work or reorganize the artwork on the wall, thus transforming the room into a creator’s den or gallery for visitors who appreciate art.

Painted Ceilings

A stark white ceiling is a thing of the past. Painting the colors in the desired hue is important to create the right effect. Soft and subtle shades make the room appear taller, whereas a dark ceiling makes the room cozy.

Painting the exterior is a challenge for residential and commercial buildings alike. A professional skilled in outdoor painting in Andover and Middleton, MA, can ensure the right outcome.

#interior painter in Reading and Andover #MA #outdoor painting in Andover and Middleton

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spaceairductcleaningcarrollton · 11 months ago

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What's Trending in Carrollton, TX: 2024

Carrollton, TX, a vibrant and diverse city, always has something exciting happening. As we move through 2024, several trends and events are making waves in the community. From local festivals to community initiatives, Carrollton is bustling with activity. Let’s dive into what’s currently trending in our city and how Space Air Duct Cleaning can help you keep your home healthy and comfortable.

1. Carrollton Festival at the Switchyard

One of the biggest events this month is the annual Carrollton Festival at the Switchyard. This beloved festival celebrates the city’s history and culture with live music, food vendors, carnival rides, and family-friendly activities. It's the perfect opportunity to enjoy a day out with family and friends, exploring local talent and savoring delicious treats from various food stalls.

2. Eco-Friendly Initiatives

Carrollton residents are increasingly embracing eco-friendly practices. The city's recycling programs and sustainable living workshops are gaining popularity. Homeowners are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint, and many are turning to energy-efficient home improvements and eco-friendly products.

3. Community Fitness Programs

With summer just around the corner, fitness and wellness are on everyone's mind. Carrollton's parks and recreation department is offering a variety of fitness classes, from yoga in the park to high-intensity interval training sessions. These programs are a great way to stay active, meet new people, and enjoy the beautiful Texas weather.

4. Local Business Spotlight

Supporting local businesses is always in vogue, and this month is no exception. Carrollton's small businesses offer unique products and services that you won't find anywhere else. From quaint coffee shops to boutique stores, there's a growing trend to shop local and support our community's economy.

Space Air Duct Cleaning: Your Local Expert

As trends come and go, maintaining a healthy and comfortable home remains a constant priority. At Space Air Duct Cleaning, we understand the importance of clean air for your family's well-being. Our company specializes in providing top-notch air duct cleaning services in Carrollton, TX, ensuring your HVAC system is free of dust, allergens, and other contaminants.

Why Choose Space Air Duct Cleaning?

Professional Service: Our team of experienced technicians uses state-of-the-art equipment to thoroughly clean your air ducts.

Health Benefits: Regular air duct cleaning can significantly improve indoor air quality, reducing allergens and respiratory issues.

Energy Efficiency: Clean air ducts enhance the efficiency of your HVAC system, leading to lower energy bills and a more environmentally friendly home.

Customer Satisfaction: We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional service and ensuring our customers are completely satisfied.

Whether you’re preparing your home for the summer heat or just completed some spring cleaning, now is the perfect time to schedule your air duct cleaning with Space Air Duct Cleaning. Let us help you breathe easier and live healthier in your Carrollton home.

Stay updated with all the latest trends and make sure your home is as fresh and clean as possible with the best air duct cleaning service in town. Contact Space Air Duct Cleaning today!

By staying informed about what's trending in Carrollton and taking proactive steps to maintain your home, you can enjoy all that our wonderful city has to offer while ensuring a healthy living environment.

#air cleaning #Carrollton

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upscalepainting123 · 1 year ago

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Which structures in Sydney do commercial painters paint?

Painting Sydney: Investigating Designs Where Business Painters Work

With regards to keeping up with the lively charm of Sydney, business painters assume a significant part. From the notorious horizon to the curious corners of the city, these talented craftsmen are the unrecognized yet truly great individuals behind the new layers of paint that keep Sydney putting its best self forward. Be that as it may, where precisely do they carry out their specialty? How about we jump into the universe of business painting in Sydney and investigate the designs that accept their master contact.

High rises and Tall structures

Sydney's horizon is a demonstration of current engineering and metropolitan complexity. High rises like the Sydney Pinnacle and the Aurora Spot stand tall, shining in the daylight. Be that as it may, keeping up with these monsters requires something other than a wiper and a container; it requests the skill of business painters. From outside exteriors to inside spaces, these experts guarantee that each surface is covered with accuracy and care, shielding these design wonders from the cruel Australian components.

Office Edifices and Business Spaces

The clamoring business locale of Sydney are bursting at the seams with action, lodging a horde of workplaces, shops, and business spaces. From the glass-fronted veneers of corporate base camp to the in vogue insides of retail outlets, business painters are continually working, reviving these spaces with new layers of paint. Not in the least does this upgrade the stylish allure of these conditions, however it likewise makes a favorable climate for efficiency and trade.

Private Properties and Apartment complexes

Sydney isn't simply a city of high rises and office towers; it's likewise where individuals call home. From the verdant rural areas of the North Shore to the lively neighborhoods of the Inward West, private properties speck the scene of the city. Business painters assume a urgent part in keeping up with these homes, whether it's applying a new layer of paint to the outside walls or redoing the insides to mirror the most recent plan patterns. All things considered, there's nothing very like returning home to a space that feels splendid, inviting, and restored.

Friendliness Settings and Amusement Foundations

Sydney is prestigious for its energetic nightlife and flourishing accommodation scene. From stylish mixed drink bars to comfortable bistros, these scenes are the heartbeat of the city's public activity. Business painters add to the mood of these spaces, changing dull walls into show-stoppers that mirror the interesting character of every foundation. Whether it's making a modern air for top notch food or a lively energy for a local bar, these experts know how to set the right state of mind with a stroke of their brushes.

Instructive Foundations and Public Structures

Instruction is a foundation of society, and Sydney brags a plenty schools, colleges, and public structures devoted to information and learning. Business painters assume a vital part in keeping up with these foundations, guaranteeing that they give a helpful climate to understudies, educators, and guests the same. From lighting up homerooms with bright paintings to saving the authentic honesty of legacy structures, these experts comprehend the significance of making spaces that move inventiveness, interest, and development.

Conclusion

All in all, in Sydney commercial painters are the uncelebrated yet truly great individuals behind the city's lively tasteful. From transcending high rises to comfortable homes, they work resolutely to guarantee that each surface gets the consideration it merits. So the following time you appreciate the excellence of Sydney, make sure to offer your appreciation to these gifted craftsmen who keep the city putting its best self forward.

#best commercial painters sydney #commercial painters #Sydney commercial painters

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labellefleur-sauvage · 2 years ago

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Disneyland DILF

Summary: While on a family vacation to Disneyland, Elide discovers her husband Lorcan has been featured on the viral Instagram page ‘DILFS of Disneyland.’

When he claims not to know what a DILF is, Elide decides the best way she can explain it to him is to demonstrate what the F stands for.

For the wonderful and amazing and talented @headcanonheadcase! I've been teasing this Lorcan DILF fic for a while, so thanks for being patient with me! Thank you for being so kind and supportive, and I hope you enjoy!

Rating: Explicit. See AO3 link for tags.

Word Count: 4.9K

Read on A03

“Come on Jack, look over here! Look at Mommy! Come on baby, just give me one good photo!”

Whoever coined the idiom “herding cats” to describe an impossible task should have instead used something like, “getting your toddler to look at a camera for more than one second for a halfway decent picture.” The latter, Elide decided, conveyed more of the frustrating nuance that people were bound to face, even if it was a bit too lengthy of a phrase. Who even had enough cats to herd anyways?

“Lorcan, can you stop distracting him for one minute, please? I really wanna get a picture of Jack with Pluto. And can you fix his hair?”

Her husband stopped whispering whatever he was saying to their son. He looked up at Elide with a frown.

“I’m not distracting him - I’m just telling him how better dressed he is than every other kid here.”

“Well, maybe don’t do that,” she cringed, as a middle aged woman wearing a pair of Mickey Mouse ears with a gaggle of similarly dressed children behind her shot Lorcan and Elide a dirty look.

“And I think his hair looks good like this,” Lorcan went on, slightly tussling his son’s dark hair. “It looks effortlessly messy and windswept. Classic.” Jack agreed, as he grinned and clapped his pudgy little hands at his father’s compliments.

“He’s two,” Elide deadpanned. “He’s not going to be on the cover of Baby Vogue.”

Lorcan hummed. “Is that a thing? It should be, and Jack should be on the cover -“

She sighed; she knew when she lost her battles with her husband, rare that it happened. “One, two, three -“

Quick as a snake, Lorcan turned himself and Jack towards Elide’s phone and gave their biggest grins for the picture: Lorcan’s a small uptick of the corners of his mouth, his long, dark hair swaying in the warm breeze, while Jack grinned toothily at the camera.

“Oh, that actually turned out pretty good,” Elide said, slowly walking over to show the picture to Lorcan. “And Plutos is in the background, so I guess that technically counts.”

“Pluto’s the dog, right?” Lorcan asked, settling Jack back in his stroller.

Elide looked at her husband exasperatedly. “Yes, Pluto’s the dog. I still don’t understand how you know so little about Disney. It’s like you grew up under a rock.”

Lorcan shrugged as they set off at a slow pace down Disneyland’s broad Main Street and into the heart of the park. “Growing up in an orphanage and joining the military at 18 doesn’t exactly lend itself to having a pop culture filled childhood.”

“Disney transcends pop culture,” Elide muttered distractedly, pulling up the Disneyland app on her smartphone. “I know I should have quizzed you on everything Disney, or at least made you memorize the map of this place.”

“Where are we off to next?” he asked, looking over her shoulder at the map pulled up on her phone.

“Where aren’t we going? Big day planned. Jack loves Tigger so I want to head over to the Critter Country area so he can meet him and get some pictures together. I think we’d all like the Jungle Cruise - can you double check I packed the noise canceling headphones? - watch the parade, hang around in Toontown, depending on how Jack is doing, then end the day by visiting Sleepy Beauty’s castle. That’s been on my to do list since I was a little girl.”

Lorcan arched an eyebrow. “Is this Disneyland vacation for him or you?”

Elide pursed her lips. “It’s for all of us, you giant twerp. But what do you want to do? I’ll hang back with him if you want to go on rides or visit the Star Wars area.”

“I don’t need to do anything other than be with you two. Just keep me fed and I’ll go wherever you tell me.”

Elide grinned. “Smart man. How about we head over to Adventureland for the Jungle Cruise? I think he’d like the animals.”

“Lead on,” Lorcan said, wheeling Jack’s stroller around and following Elide further into the park.

The Jungle Cruise was a hit. Lorcan strapped Jack into his front-facing toddler carrier and held him the entire time, making sure his headphones were on and pointing out the different animals they saw, to Jack’s delight. Elide should have spent the ride taking in the sights around her - this Disneyland trip was truthfully perhaps more for her than for their son - but she couldn’t help but let her gaze linger on Lorcan.

Devilishly handsome didn’t seem like it did her husband justice. Nearly seven feet tall, with shiny shoulder length dark hair, a perfectly symmetrical face, and rippling muscles that didn’t seem real, Elide knew Lorcan was a catch.

But what she adored even more about him was his personality: his quiet, understated humor, how loyal he was, his bravery, and his unending support for everything Elide put her mind to. He carried her weight - sometimes literally - when her disability became too much for her and she struggled to walk even with her ankle brace on.

Best of all, he was an excellent father. Before Jack had been born, he’d confessed to Elide that he was scared that he didn’t know how to be a good dad and he’d do something to traumatically mess up Jack’s life. She didn’t believe that for a second; she had full faith in him, and told him that repeatedly. The first time Lorcan held Jack after he was born was the closest Elide had ever seen him to crying.

And now here he was, willingly walking around the capitalistic hell that was Disneyland, all so his wife and son could have a picture perfect day. What a lucky woman she was.

“I think he really enjoyed that,” Lorcan commented after they collected their stroller from the front of the ride. He decided to keep wearing Jack in his front-facing carrier - “He’ll be able to see things better that way,” he reasoned - and Elide wasn’t going to complain, especially since seeing Lorcan carry their kid around sent odd little flutters throughout her body.

“He did,” Elide cooed, re-fastening Jack’s little velcro shoes so he wouldn’t kick them off. “I got a good picture of him looking at elephants.”

“Good thing he didn’t seem to realize what the lions were doing to that zebra.”

Elide shuddered. “Yeah, maybe some parts of this ride aren’t the best for babies and toddlers.”

“Where to next?” Lorcan asked. “Try to find Tigger and then lunch?”

“Sounds like a plan,” Elide said, kissing Jack’s cheek and squeezing Lorcan’s hand. “Want me to take the stroller?”

“You navigate, I’ll steer.”

She quickly learned Disneyland was much larger than the little map on her phone made it look. By the time they found Tigger and took dozens of pictures of an excited Jack with his favorite character, and let him burn some energy on a Winnie the Pooh playground, Elide’s ankle throbbed with every footstep she took. She hobbled to a sitting bench and watched Jack go down a slide before running back up to go down again and again.

“How are you doing?” Lorcan questioned, sitting down next to her on the bench.

“I may have underestimated how much walking we were going to do today,” she admitted, leaning down to rub her ankle.

“Want your brace?”

She grimaced. “Maybe not right now. I’ll try to wait until after lunch. Speaking of, I think Jack’s getting hungry and tired - want to see if we can find somewhere to sit out of the sun?”

They found a shaded and relatively quiet restaurant in the New Orleans area, and Elide sat at the table and put on her ankle brace, waiting for their food, as Lorcan walked around with Jack in the picturesque square outside the restaurant. She watched them contentedly as Jack toddled over a short railing into a flower bed and stuck his entire head into a bunch of flowers. Rather than pull him out, Lorcan crouched down next to him and started pointing out different flowers to Jack.

Sighing happily, she took a sip of her mocktail and closed her eyes, leaning back in her chair. Besides her ankle, the day was going perfectly.

“Mama! Mama!”

She opened her eyes. Lorcan was walking towards her with Jack on his hip, a bunch of bright flowers, dirty roots and all, dangling from his fat fist.

“He was very interested in the flowers, and I told him how much you like flowers too,” Lorcan said, putting Jack in a high chair as he thrust the flowers at Elide.

“Oh Jack, these are perfect,” Elide gasped, fighting the tears that had welled in her eyes and taking the bright arrangement from her son. She leaned down to kiss Jack on a chubby cheek. “Thank you so much baby.”

“Seems I’m gonna have to do better the next time I give you flowers,” Lorcan grumbled. “Not sure how I’m gonna compete with a fresh Disney bouquet.”

“I’m surprised no one came and shooed you away,” Elide noted, wrapping the bottom of the flowers in a napkin and tucking them in the stroller.

“Oh, someone did,” Lorcan confirmed nonchalantly. “Especially when Jack tossed a bunch of tulips on the ground. They didn’t seem to like us damaging park property, or something.”

“Lorcan!” Elide admonished. “You didn’t make someone miserable over some flowers, did you?”

No, I just stood up and I guess they thought better about trying to yell at me. Besides, it’d be well worth making anyone miserable if it made you happy.”

“Aw. That is so sweet and threatening.”

He winked and gave her a small smile. “Anything for you.”

They took their time with lunch and by the time they finished, Jack had fallen asleep in his stroller. Deciding to let him sleep, they staked out a shaded bit of lawn and sat down to watch the parade from a distance. Full of energy when he woke up, they leisurely made their way over to Toontown and got in line for the steam train ride.

“I can take him for a bit,” Elide suggested, picking a bench in the back of the train so Lorcan wouldn’t block anyone out. “You’ve been handling him a lot today.”

“I got him,” Lorcan said, sitting Jack on his lap. “You just sit and relax.”

Her husband had apparently designated himself as being on ‘Jack Duty’ all day, as he refused to let Elide even push his stroller or hold him, besides whenever she thrust her phone at Lorcan and asked him to take pictures.

“Is that safe, Lorcan?” Elide asked nervously after they had gotten off the train. Her husband had just thrown Jack onto his shoulders, giving him the best view in the entire park.

“Course,” Lorcan grunted, holding onto their son’s legs, his arms flexing as they walked towards Goofy’s Playhouse. “Just want to make sure he can see everything. He loves people watching, just like his mom.”

They set Jack down and he immediately ran into the bright, cartoon style house.

“He’s gonna sleep so well tonight,” Elide sighed happily.

“And we won’t?” Lorcan countered, an eyebrow raised.

“Good point. I’m glad tomorrow is a lazy day at the beach.”

By the time they dragged Jack away nearly an hour later, even he had come to the conclusion that he was ready to leave. Burying his face in Lorcan’s shoulder, he didn’t seem to mind stopping at Sleeping Beauty’s castle. Elide didn’t have the energy to go up and explore any of the winding passages and staircases, but Lorcan still took her picture everywhere she could go in the castle, juggling her phone in one hand and their near-sleeping son in the other.

“You could have put him in the stroller,” Elide said as they made their way back to their car, double and triple checking that they hadn’t lost anything in the park.

“That’s alright. Didn’t want to risk waking him up.”

Dinner was some fast food they picked up on the way back to their Airbnb. Jack picked at his food and didn’t fight them as they gave him a quick bath and Lorcan got him settled for bed in the small second bedroom of the condo. Elide showered and stepped into the master bedroom to find Lorcan laying on the bed reading a book.

“Did he go down pretty easy?” she asked, drying her hair.

“Oh yeah. Only made it a few more pages into The Hobbit before he passed out.”

“God, same kid,” Elide groaned, throwing on her pajamas and crawling into bed next to Lorcan, grabbing her phone and looking through the several hundred photos she and Lorcan had managed to snap that day.

Opening Instagram, she scrolled through her friend’s recent posts and videos - Aelin and Rowan celebrating their wedding anniversary, Manon’s rescue bulldog Abraxos officially completing training to become a therapy dog, and some professional pictures of Yrene, Chaol and their daughter - before she noticed a ‘Suggested for You’ account:

dilfs_of_disneyland

Elide snorted and scrolled away. How stupid and niche. It was probably filled with a few blurry creepshots of men at Disneyland, or a PR stunt of some kind for a movie or TV show or podcast. No, thank you. Elide had standards. She scrolled away.

On the other hand, she was on vacation; her standards could take a break. She scrolled back up and clicked on the account and was brought to a professional looking Instagram page:

DILFS of Disneyland: Welcome to the Happiest place on Instagram!

Apparently the account wasn’t niche at all - it had over 400,000 followers, and more than 1,200 posts, all featuring pictures of handsome men with babies and toddlers at Disneyland. Elide was stunned, scrolling through post after post after post of men with their kids at Disneyland, doing frankly normal things - pushing strollers, posing for pictures, eating ice cream and churros with their kids - but there was something… else, something more she couldn’t quite put her finger on that made these men extra appealing.

Not that she would ever admit this to Lorcan. Snorting, she scrolled back to the top of the page when she noticed a new post from today with an all too familiar face:

“WOW 😍😍 A DILF to beat all DILFS! Taking Tall, Dark and Handsome to a new DILF-y level!! #hotdads #dilfsofdisneyland #dilfalert #strollermeat”

There was her husband, in all his DILF-y glory from throughout the day: Lorcan walking with Jack strapped to his chest, Lorcan pushing Jack in his stroller, and even one from late in the day when Jack sat on Lorcan’s shoulders. Elide had to give it to the photographer on that one - his arms and chest looked absolutely ripped in the photo.

And the internet agreed. The post had only been up for a few hours and already amassed several hundred likes and over one hundred comments, all from women - and some men - going feral for Lorcan.

“Call the fire department, cuz I’m about to climb that DILF like a tree and get stuck”

“Hello Daddy😏😘”

“God bless this Disney DILF🙏🏻🙏🏻”

Elide couldn’t help but chuckle. She maybe should be concerned that someone had been stalking her husband at Disneyland but as she looked through the many comments bemoaning how hot and unavailable Lorcan was, she didn’t feel any anger for the people drooling over her husband. Her chuckle morphed into a full laugh, until Elide was snorting in laughter.

“What are you laughing at?”

Lorcan was staring at her, his brow furrowed.

“Your greatest fear has come true,” Elide gasped out.

Lorcan sat up. “Rowan got some stupid award he can rub in my face?”

“No, you’re internet famous. Kind of.”

“What?” he snapped, rolling on his side to try to look at her phone. “What happened?”

“It’s nothing bad,” she said, working to contain her laughter. “The internet says you’re a DILF.”

Lorcan stared at her blankly. “A what?”

“A DILF. You know,” she repeated, waving her hand like that would explain the acronym.

"What’s a DILF?”

Elide sat up on her elbows. “Wait, really? You don’t know what a DILF is?” She narrowed her eyes and cocked her head at Lorcan, studying him for any of his lying tells.

“Really. What’s it mean?”

“You’re thirty-four!” Elide exclaimed. “How do you not know what a DILF is?”

“Well, I’m not glued to my phone twenty-four seven -”

“Because your old flip phone doesn't have internet and you only have three people’s phone numbers.”

“Just tell me what it means,” Lorcan grumbled, pouting.

Elide snickered. “It means ‘dad I’d like to fuck.’ There’s an Instagram page devoted to dads in Disneyland, and you’re proving very popular.” She handed her phone to Lorcan and watched him read through the myriad of comments left on his pictures.

“Huh. That’s… interesting.”

Elide shrugged. “Maybe a little odd, but they don’t mean any harm by it. Just people admiring how hot and good of a dad you are.”

“And being a dad… makes me more attractive to women?”

“Oh definitely. There have been times when you’ve been so good with Jack I jumped you when we put him down for a nap. And seeing you today, holding Jack, playing with him…” she trailed off, biting her lip and sweeping her eyes down his body.

“Really? That gets you going?”

“Maybe,” she purred, crawling over to him and swinging her leg over him so she sat on his lap, “I could put on a demonstration of the ‘F’ in DILF, if you still need convincing.”

He grinned, trailing his big hands up her slim thighs. “I’ve always been more of a hands-on learner. That might help it… sink in.”

“Maybe if you’re lucky, that won’t be the only thing you’ll be sinking into,” she murmured, leaning down to capture Lorcan’s lips against hers.

Lorcan’s warm hands grasped the sides of her head to keep her still as their tongues met. Elide sighed with pleasure. She could spend all night just kissing her husband, feeling his large body flex and shift underneath her, his hands trailing soft caresses down her body. His fingers dove beneath her sleep shorts. She was already wet. She gasped as his fingers trailed up and down her slit before plunging a thick finger inside her.

“Guess you weren’t kidding about getting turned on by me being a DILF,” Lorcan mumbled against her, nipping her bottom lip.

Groaning, she rolled off him and threw herself off the bed, tugging her clothes off. “Well, hop to it,” she breathed, laughing softly as Lorcan fumbled to get his pants and shirt off.

She took a moment to stare at his body: a strong chest covered with a smattering of dark hair that formed a dark line below his belly button, thick thighs that could crush a person to death if he needed to. And his cock. Thick, long, and perfectly proportional to his big body and which looked obscene next to Elide’s petite form.

Lorcan lay on the bed, absentmindedly stroking his cock as he looked Elide up and down. “Dad you’d like to fuck, hm?” He murmured. “How about I get you warmed up for a fucking?”

Elide shivered. “What do you have in mind?”

“I like the idea of… sinking into you.” He grinned lazily, and her belly tightened with anticipation. “Get on.”

He grabbed a small bottle of lube and coated his thick length liberally. She climbed on top of Lorcan and gasped as he spun her around and settled her over his cock, her knees bracketing his hips as she faced away from his face, towards his long legs and feet. She turned around to look at him.

“Just wanna feel you around me,” he remarked. Grabbing his cock, he pulled her down, letting her take him within her at her own pace.

Elide moaned. Even after all this time, she still needed to take him slowly, let him stretch out her inner walls. The lube helped immensely. She swirled her hips, taking an inch before withdrawing and taking another, then another, then another, Lorcan’s deep groans egging her on. Finally she sunk down fully against his body. She started to raise herself on her knees to start that intimate rhythm they both knew so well when Lorcan’s hands gripped her hips.

“Hold on,” he said, not letting her move. “Now that you’re here, I wanna enjoy this.”

“Were you not having fun before?” Elide gasped, feeling him twitch inside her.

“Oh, I was and still am,” he said, caressing her hips. “Just come back down and lean forward a bit - yeah, just like that.”

Elide blushed as she leaned forward over Lorcan’s body, grabbing his knees for leverage. She felt exposed and open as Lorcan hummed appreciatively, rubbing his hand over one of her ass cheeks.

“You take me so well,” he murmured. “I think this is a nice interlude before I fuck you. Just wanna feel you warming my cock.”

She craned her neck and gave him an annoyed look. This is not at all what she thought he meant by ‘warming her up.’ “And what about me?”

Lorcan raised an eyebrow. “I was under the impression that we ended up here because you get so turned on just by me being a good dad. Don’t I have a say in how I want to be fucked?”

“Well, I guess, but -“

“Then just sit there nice and pretty on my cock,” he soothed. “Don’t move though, just stay still.”

“Lorcan,” Elide squirmed against him. “I need -“

“Don’t worry, I’ll fuck you full in a bit,” he said distractedly, and Elide knew he felt her cunt clench around his cock ar his words. “I just wanna finish this chapter -“

She tsked. “Really?”

“Yeah,” he said, reaching for his book with one hand and rubbing her back with the other. “Just a few minutes.”

Elide sighed and turned her head back towards Lorcan’s legs, forcing herself to relax. She considered herself fairly adventurous in bed, and her and Lorcan had a very open and healthy sex life, but this was one thing they hadn’t tried yet. Elide didn’t see the appeal in cockwarming, but actually experiencing it, well…

Lorcan subtly shifted his hips and she felt his cock somewhere in her stomach. Cursing, she gripped his knees and made herself stay still. This wasn’t how she thought this would go. When she initially climbed on his lap she thought she’d suck him for a bit then ride him, or maybe bend herself over the bed so he could pound into her from behind.

But here she was, hypersensitive and aware of every little movement and touch from Lorcan, only a few breaths away from breaking and begging him to do something.

Which is probably why he did this. Jerk.

“I can hear you thinking.” She refused to turn around to look at him but she could hear the smirk in his voice.

“Just thinking how I actually wanted to fuck my husband, not stare at a wall with his cock stuffed in me,” she sniffed.

Lorcan laughed. “Ok, Ok, I get it. You’re lucky I’m done with my chapter.”

She whined as he lifted her off his length. She felt horribly cold and empty until he flipped her around on her back and kneeled in between her legs.

“That wasn’t even five minutes, just so you know,” Lorcan said, stroking his slick cock and glancing down to her red pussy.

“Bullshit,” she gasped as her husband gripped her thighs and hauled her towards him so her legs were resting over his hips. “Felt like an hour.”

He hummed. “I should fuck you for an hour, so you have a frame of reference next time we do this.” He laid a wide spread hand on her stomach and moved his hand up her torso.

“What a perfect little wife you are,” he whispered. Elide gulped; his hand covered nearly her entire chest, and his fingers graced the hollow of her throat.

“Please,” she gasped, licking her lips and shifting her hips to graze his cock.

“So tiny, but like you were made for me.” He looked down to where they were almost joined. His cock jutted obscenely out over her stomach.

“Is this what you imagined?” He asked, dragging the head of his cock over her clit before settling at her entrance. “When you told me that I’m a DILF, and how excited that makes you?”

Elide couldn’t answer, her eyes darting between Lorcan’s dark gaze and his thick cock so close to where she wanted him.

He squeezed her thighs. “Well?”

“Yes,” she said in a broken whisper. “Yes, I imagined you fucking me so hard -“

Lorcan pushed into her in one hard stroke and Elide lost her train of thought. Lost every thought she’d ever had, honestly, as Lorcan gripped her waist and set a hard pace.

Elide grabbed Lorcan’s forearms as he pounded into her, needing to feel even more of his warm body and to keep herself from moving around the bed with the power of his thrusts. She threw her head back at a particularly rough thrust.

“Fuck Lorcan,” she groaned, aware that she couldn’t be as loud as she wanted with Jack in the room next door.

“God, you’re always so tight,” he grunted out, wrapping his arms around her thighs and hauling her lower half off the bed and further into his lap, letting him thrust even deeper inside her. “Feel so good. Is this hard enough for you?”

“Yes!” Her orgasm inched closer and closer. She reached down and started circling her clit rapidly. If he kept fucking her just like this, and she kept touching herself…

“I wonder how turned on you’d get if we had another,” he said, staring down at her intently. “You wouldn’t be able to keep your hands off me, would you?”

Lorcan didn’t get an answer as Elide came, squeezing her eyes shut and biting her lip to keep herself quiet. Warmth spread throughout her body as her orgasm traveled along her nerves, lighting her up from the inside. She was vaguely aware of a muffled groan above her and more warmth between her legs as Lorcan came.

He dropped her limp legs and bracketed his arms next to Elide’s head, careful not to crush her as he gave her a gentle kiss before rolling beside her. They lay in blissful silence for a few moments, each focusing on slowing their erratic breathing, when Lorcan let out a huff of air, then another, until he started chuckling.

“DILFs of Disneyland. How many likes did the post have?”

“Hm?” Elide mumbled, halfway to falling asleep.

“Were there a lot of comments on my post? I only saw about a dozen.”

“A lot of… what?”

“Any chance you can check your phone?”

She propped herself on one elbow to stare at Lorcan, brows furrowed. “What? You don’t know anything about Instagram or how it works.”

Lorcan rolled his eyes. “Of course I know how Instagram works. I browse it every now and then.”

“How? Your phone doesn’t have any apps!”

“The desktop.”

“Your old desktop computer?” Elide asked, flabbergasted. “I didn’t realize that thing still worked. And whose accounts are you looking at?”

“Yours, obviously.”

Oh. “Lorcan,” Elide said, grinning softly. “That’s so sweet -“

“And the DILFs of Disneyland page.”

The grin vanished from her face. “What.”

“Yeah, Rowan showed it to me when I told him we were coming here, and he said he and Aelin and their girl are planning a trip later this year. I bet him I could not only get featured on the DILFs of Disneyland Instagram account, but also get more likes than him if he manages to get featured too.”

Elide stared at her smug husband, slack jawed. “So the entire day you insisted on holding and wheeling Jack around -“

“Was because I wanted to spend time with him and so your ankle wouldn’t get sore and we’d have to leave early,” he said gently, bringing her down to lay on his chest. “But if it also meant there were lots of opportunities for me to look hot as hell while holding Jack, then that was nice too.”

“You self centered ass,” Elide said, lightly smacking his shoulder as Lorcan laughed. Elide couldn’t help but join in, shaking her head all the while.

“Well, what did you two idiots bet on?”

“Bragging rights and the loser has to get a shirt for the winner proclaiming them the official DILF of Disneyland.”

“If you somehow win, that will be a bedroom shirt only,” Elide warned.

“Definitely not. I’m gonna wear it around all the time. Get fucked, Rowan.”

“Then you’ll be the one to explain to Jack what a DILF is.”

“This is great,” Lorcan said, pointedly ignoring Elide. “As soon as we get back, I’m gonna email him my DILF pictures -“

“God, you’re such an old man,” Elide laughed, throwing herself dramatically on the bed next to him. “Living up to the reputation of dads being terrible with technology.”

“I make up for it in other ways, don’t I?” he breathed against her neck, his lips trailing past her collarbone and breasts and stomach and then even lower.

“Oh! Yes, I suppose you do have your strengths,” Elide mused breathlessly as Lorcan settled his head between her thighs.

Unfortunately for Elide, Lorcan received his DILF of Disneyland shirt from Rowan, and he gloated insufferably. Fortunately for her, though, Lorcan made sure to show his wife how he became a DILF, and she couldn’t walk straight for two days.

She had to give it to them: the DILFs of Disneyland account really was the happiest place on Instagram.

#elorcan #elide lochan #elide x lorcan #lorcan salvaterre #throne of glass #tog #my fics #my fic #this is so dumb #but i still had a blast writing it #also please someone have pity on me and teach me how to make better mood board things

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iu-jjang · 2 years ago

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[INTERVIEW] 221020 Vogue Korea - IU “Looking back on the past occasionally makes it more meaningful, doesn’t it?”

IU in Seoul, IU in Milan. Is she the same or different?

At ‘Vogue’, many photos were gathered of IU, Korea’s first female solo singer to have a concert at Jamsil Olympic Stadium then visit Milan as Gucci’s global ambassador. IU said, she asked herself, ‘How about this?’ and she started enjoying herself more.

Q: You attended the 2023 S/S Milan collection show as Gucci’s global ambassador. Was there anything memorable for you about the collection? Any look or item that you liked?

IU: The moment I entered, I felt that the showcase venue was small and cosy. There weren’t many seats either. Then in the middle of the show, a partition wall in the centre of the stage was lifted and I realised that it was like a decalcomanie and there was another show on the other side. The twin models who were walking on their side of the stage met in the middle and held hands as they walked. Whether visually or symbolically, it was an interesting performance. I like overalls and this season, there were overalls! I wonder if they have it in my size? I got excited.

Q: During the ‘Twinsburg’ collection this time, 68 pairs of twins appeared on stage. The mother of the creative director, Alessandro Michele, is a twin so it came from his own personal experiences. I think artists need to have the ability to not bypass little experiences in their lives or miss out on the opposite side of the lives they have become accustomed to and turn that into art. I think the way you tell stories through your music and the unique way you express yourself through your lyrics is an example of that. How do you convert your daily experiences into music? Do you observe or make notes or think on the flip side?

IU: I’ve actually been making fewer notes than before. I still write in my diary, but I’m not as obsessive about writing in it anymore. It’s like, ‘The words to remain shall remain, or else just forget them.’ It’s been awhile since the days when I tried hard to cling on to thoughts that are worth becoming items. (But when I work on my full-length albums with more tracks, I’m clearly going to cling on reluctantly again.) Nowadays, there are many artists that write lyrics by themselves that have character. I’m also the type to stick my flag (TL note: stake my claim) on mainly themes I’m good at writing and can hang on to for a long time. I’m hooked on ‘patterns’ and ‘rules’ these days. I’m gradually starting to realise that I’m someone who lives with many rules in my daily life. I get stressed when something falls out of place too. I wonder if I’ll be able to infuse such ideas in my music in future.

Q: We did the ‘Vogue’ cover photoshoot in the house of a Milan collector. It was a house filled with pictures and antique furniture, right? What’s your house filled with? Are you surrounded by them now as well?

IU: As I receive this question and look around me, I realise that I do have a number of pictures in my house here and there. I mostly spend my time in my room and in my room in particular, I have many pictures gifted to me by friends or my fans who drew them by themselves. There are pictures amazingly drawn on canvas and many sketches from my friend’s studio. Perhaps it’s because I have zero talent in drawing, when someone gifts me with a meaningful piece of art, I feel really touched. It contains the affection, time and effort of that person. The pieces that are really precious to me are gathered at one corner of my room. During my concert this time, there was a section that reproduced that part of my room too.

Q: Other than 2020 and 2021 when Covid-19 was severe, you’ve been putting on solo concerts every year since 2012. What does it mean to you to be able to have face-to-face concerts with your fans?

IU: It’s a celebration party with my fans after a year of farming. It’s difficult to replace a concert with another event. The fans who come for my concerts will clearly know what I mean.

Q: Your first solo concert in 2012 was ‘Real Fantasy’ right? Do you still remember what your first concert was like?

IU: I don’t remember it vividly, but of course I still remember it. I did a nationwide tour for my first concert. From gathering concert audience, to maintaining my condition, putting things in action, to ensuring that the tension stays up during my concert each week instead of weakening, I was at a loss about everything and felt scared. I blamed the producer a little then for not guiding me on what to do and asking so much of me from the start, but after my concert this time, I thought to myself, “Thank you for raising me to be strong” and contacted the producer separately too. What’s encouraging for me is that my parents who came to watch my first concert 10 years ago and said, “The stage seems too big for you to fill on your own” back then, told me this time. “The stage that extends beyond 100m does not look big at all.”

Q: The concert you had in September was really amazing. You were the first Korean female solo singer to have a concert at Jamsil Olympic Stadium, right? With about 90 people on stage, about 1300 staff making preparations together and about 80,000 fans in the audience. I’m curious about your overall thoughts on the concert.

IU: I felt, ‘I enjoy the stage more than I thought. Things really work when many people put their hearts together. I’m working with some really amazing people. I have a really great life.’

Q: In the teaser video on your ‘dlwlrma’ YouTube channel, you said, “I want to leave a mark in concert history.” Did you manage to achieve what you hoped for?

IU: Yes.

Q: Director Jo Hyunwoo who worked with you from the 2017 ‘Palette’ concert to the 2019 ‘Love, poem’ concert, as well as the 2022 ‘The Golden Hour: Under the Orange Sun’ concert, shared his thoughts on what a ‘perfect concert’ means to him. Usually when IU starts singing, the audience becomes quiet and only participate actively during the sing-along parts, but during your Philippines concert, the audience cheered so loudly that you couldn’t hear the music in your in-ears. You responded that, ‘A perfect concert means differently to different people. That was a perfect concert in a new way.’ In what way was the concert this time perfect?

IU: Despite the 3 year gap, not only me, but I felt that everyone was clear about their roles. At each position, it had to be that person. This concert was not a tour and there were only two days, but if I had the chance to go back again to that day, I would not have been able to make it any better.

Q: How did you feel when you fell asleep the night before your concert? How about after the concert?

IU: It was raining a lot the night before the concert and we didn’t manage to complete the run-through rehearsal, so I went back after work that day with an unsettling feeling. My backup singer who could tell how I felt sent me an image of ‘You can do it ability’, so I thought to myself, ‘That’s right, I’ve done everything I can. It’ll work out somehow’ and posted that image on my Instagram story before lying down in my bed. After the last day of the concert, I went for the after party. They didn’t make it obvious the whole time, but perhaps because the staff mostly felt pressured by the large scale of the concert, many of them were crying. Telling each other that they did well, it was the best, thank you for working together. Exchanging words with each other, I felt a surge of love for mankind that night. I got home late at night and read the concert reviews and felt overwhelmed with emotions which was something I had not felt in quite awhile. I think out of the concerts I had done, it was the concert with the highest level of audience satisfaction. That itself was enough to compensate for everything.

Q: This concert was described as a “musical or Olympics opening ceremony”. In particular, the highlight was the hundreds of drones that formed a picture in the sky. What’s the stage equipment or effect that you were most into? On the contrary, was there anything you had to compromise for practical reasons?

IU: From the performance perspective, I think it would have to be the hot air balloon that went up as I sang ‘strawberry moon’. It’s something that the concert director insisted on strongly since the first meeting. A few months before the concert, together with a few key staff members, I went on a trip to Buyeo for a test run and that was how much we anticipated the hot air balloon performance. It would move depending on the wind direction, so it was very much weather-dependent and I thought I didn’t have a fear of heights at all, but once it went up by more than 10m, I couldn’t sing and whenever it wobbled due to the wind, my heart sank. As I was close to the fire, it was really hot to ride it in summer too. The director expressed his concerns (with a firm expression I had never seen from him in the many years we have worked together) ‘Just. Believe. In. It.’ I’m glad I did. The audience really liked it. What I had to compromise with was time, of course. From when the title of the concert, ‘Golden Hour’, was confirmed, we set the condition that ‘with the sunset as the background, we had to start the concert at 7pm sharp without missing a beat’. But for an outdoor concert, we couldn’t drag it too late into the night. So it was a shorter concert than what I used to do and we prepared for a runtime of 3 hours.

Q: What was a great hurdle for you for this concert and how did you overcome it? On the contrary, what was the most exciting part?

IU: The biggest hurdle was myself. Since a year ago, my ear has been giving me some issues. If I sweat a lot or produce loud sounds for a long period of time, a muscle in my ear rattles and opens up and sound seems to echo loudly inside. As I was preparing for my concert, I trained myself well and made great improvements, but it had been awhile since I stood on stage and on top of that, it was the biggest stage in singing career, so many complicated thoughts were running through my mind. I just kept practising. If my ear opened up, sounds became unclear to me, so I was cautious about singing loudly and afraid to do so. Even if it sounded weird to me, I would just sing it out aloud first and record that and listen to it again, trying to find a way to control it. As I kept doing that, I started to regain my confidence gradually. It can get worse if I go too overboard, but for now, I’m safe. Aside from my condition, the moment I decided to do a concert, I tormented myself and struggled with thoughts like, ‘Would I be able to fill such a large stadium?’ Whenever I had weak thoughts, I remember telling myself, ‘Hey, this is the Olympic Stadium, even if you can’t eat (handle) it, it’s a Go’ to make myself bolder.

Q: After your encore stage, ‘Love poem’, you said, “There’s an issue with my ear, so I nervously prepared for this concert. I could barely hear properly today, but I could sense the support from all of you.” You must have been taken aback when you first heard the diagnosis of your condition. How did you feel back then and how are you accepting it right now?

IU: After hearing the diagnosis, I was firstly glad that it wasn’t an issue with my hearing per se. Since my job requires me to use my voice a lot, although I was at a loss of what to do, I think it was a chance for me to have more humble feelings about my health and this job that I love. When none of the worst case scenarios I imagined happened and I managed to pull off my concert successfully, I’ll never be able to forget how thankful I felt at that point in time. After the articles went out, I was contacted by many people. I even received messages from seniors that I did not have their contacts. There were more people around me with this condition than I had thought. As we use our ears and throat a lot, many singers revealed that they faced the same issue and shared their encouragement and their own tips with me. I also helped those who asked me for help as much as I could. From the perspective of someone who stands on stage, the bond of sympathy and support that we shared gave me the reassurance that I would be able to recover quickly. That was another episode that I was overwhelmed with a love for mankind recently.

Q: During your ‘The Golden Hour: Under the Orange Sun’ concert recently, you started off by singing ‘eight’ without any accompaniment. You’ve mentioned before that it’s a song you want to sing during sunset and something you’ve been planning for a long time”, but what was the reason that you decided your opening for the concert to be this way?

IU: ‘eight’ was a song that I released when I was 28, during a time of Covid-19 blues and a sense of powerlessness myself, when I was tired with everything. As I couldn’t have face-to-face concerts during that time, I wasn’t able to gain strength from the audience. So when the field of performing arts started to become active again, I felt that if I were to hold my concert, I would have to sing ‘eight’ as the first song powerfully and mark an end to the times I felt tired of everything. It’s the only song that has never changed its position the whole time we were deciding the setlist.

Q: During your concert, you said after singing ‘Palette’ and ‘Good Day’, you would be excluding them from your setlist in future. You said, “Now that I’ve turned 30, you’re welcoming moments as good as you felt back then. There’s no reason for me to hang on to these songs anymore.” Over time, you’ve also graduated songs like ‘Marshmallow’ right? It’s not easy to let go of your shining history, is there a reason that you need to graduate your songs? I think it shows your growth as well.

IU: I think looking back on the past occasionally makes it more meaningful. As I work hard to release new songs, I would like to avoid a similar structure to my concerts every year. There’s some misinterpretation in the way it was reported in the news and although they will be left out of the key pieces that make up the regular setlist, during encore or with a freer atmosphere, I can still sing them if the audience requests for them. It’s also my will to continue to produce new songs to fill the empty spaces of the songs that have graduated, so I hope my fans don’t become too disappointed because of that.

Q: It seems that your choice above is influenced by you turning 30. Are there any emotional changes for you as you begin your 30s?

IU: I think it’s a time that I break free from my obsession that things have to be either ‘this way or that way’. As I start thinking to myself, ‘How about this?’, many things have started to become more enjoyable for me. I’m enjoying life, these days.

Q: With your concert over, you’re left with the release of your movie ‘Dream’! You started filming for it last spring, right? Besides ‘Dream’, what other projects do you have lined up?

IU: I would like to show a more relaxed side of myself. I’m always telling my fans, “I want to become uaenas’ hobby.” That’s my flow (TL note: how I’m doing things) these days too, whether it’s an album or other pieces of work, rather than breathless stories, I want to tell warm stories that allow our hearts to relax.

Translated by IUteamstarcandy

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