#this is where the recent inspiration to paint & decorate my craft room comes from

[elenadoeslife]

some beautiful vintage pieces for our home that got handed down to us from our great aunt

[web1995]

Look upon my Works, ye Mighty: The Colossus of Garfield

Fig. 1

Surely our readers will need no introduction to The Colossus of Garfield, tenth wonder of the world. A much-favored subject of Art, Poetry, and History, the Colossus continues to preoccupy our collective imagination, as it captivated the artists who hewed his hulking body from the mighty pliant rock. Babel-like, he looms as testament, monument, and warning— for the Colossus is the folly of a long-since fallen empire, attempting to immortalize their king— and yet, how his image immortally endures! 

Historians place the construction of the Colossus variably, but without a doubt before our millennium. The earliest historical references to the Colossus are roughly contemporary with ancient California. For centuries upon centuries, he has been a site of pilgrimage and tourism, similar to the (likely fictitious) ruins of the Colosseum (Fig. 2) as described by authors in the ancient world, which drew thousands of visitors curious to witness an immense historical object. The Colossus is one of the largest and most magnificent ruins standing today, and unlike the Colosseum, there is no doubt about whether it really existed. 

Fig. 2 [ Artist’s reconstruction of the apocryphal Colosseum ] 

Today, there are many historical depictions of the Colossus of Garfield, all worthy of examination, and it is our hope that whether you come to our little book as a scholar of the Colossus or as a reader who knows him only as the tenth wonder that you will find something of note or amusement here. 

Let us return to Fig. 1: 

In this oil on canvas painting of the Colossus, by an unknown artist in the 17th—18th century WX, little room is left for the sky. The Colossus and the vast plain of the rocky beach upon which he sits are the overwhelming focus, massive waves breaking upon his placid visage, walls of foam several feet in height building up around his immovable bulk. Bleached by sun, sea, and storm, the Colossus basks unperturbed. In the background, indistinct buildings larger than one might easily comprehend rise upon the sea cliffs, works of the mighty empire following the collapse of that which crafted the Colossus. 

The painting evokes a distorted sense of time and a distorted sense of scale, juxtaposing old and new, centering the Colossus despite its weatheredness, and even taking particular care to render that weatheredness with something like love. New climate data has determined that the seas were already receding significantly in the 17th century WX, suggesting that the artist, having visited the Colossus, wanted to reach back into time to when the sea had broken daily upon its monumental little paws. It was a time long ago— a time when the Colossus was already ancient. 

Fig. 3

In Fig. 3, we see another stunning oil painting of the Colossus by another unknown artist, probably dating from the First Modern Desert Age, though the possibility of the artist depicting an earlier time, like the painter of Fig. 1, cannot be discounted. Likely painted during the 2nd century RYE, here the Colossus sits among endless dunes. The desert takes on a naturalistic, bluish hue in contrast to the garish orange of the Colossus, somehow scarcely diminished by hundreds of years. The Colossus appears to offer some shade, but the unseen overhead sun fills the canvas with a palpable heat. 

Art historians throughout the centuries have disagreed as to whether the Colossus was originally built to stand at the sea’s edge, in the water, or on dry land, and who can blame them? The effect of the Colossus remains transformative regardless of where it sits. Perhaps its builders even knew that the Colossus would endure longer than the sea or sand upon which it originally was hewn into the shape it continues to hold today. 

Fig. 4

Fig. 4 is an oil and acrylic painting which likely drew upon the Desert Colossus (Fig. 3) for its composition. Probably dating from the 9th century RYE, the artist portrays a partially submerged Colossus in much the same style as the Desert Colossus, with influence also taken from the Sea Colossus (Fig. 1). Here the focus is on the shallow seas surrounding the Colossus nearly as much as on the Colossus itself, following the lead of the Desert Colossus. A sense of barrenness pervades the Submerged Colossus, no living things visible within the frame. The Desert Colossus by contrast is suggestive of perhaps some vegetation, perhaps some fungus, while the Submerged Colossus emphasizes a true sense of loneliness: the observer is alone with him. 

Fig. 5

In this engraving, from the Second Modern Desert Age, by the anonymous historian and physician known as The Anonymous Historian and Physician of the Second Modern Desert Age, we see documentation of how the eyes of the Colossus were mined for old materials for use in weaponry in the Fourth War. When the seas around the Colossus receded yet again, this time leaving behind a rocky bed, it became a simple matter to access the Colossus. Clearly, the urgency of the Fourth War took priority over preserving what was left of the Colossus’ original state. Decorative parts of the Colossus which can be seen in previous depictions are missing here, likely also mined for old materials. 

However, the Colossus certainly survived the Fourth War, and still remains standing after the Seventh War, his expression scarcely altered by the loss of his eyes. Perhaps it would have even brought his creators some pleasure to know that the Colossus played a role in wars so long after their deaths. 

For the Colossus must depict a Soldier Emperor, some have cried— a man in the form of an unknown beast, prepared to pounce. Others have argued that the Colossus is at rest, that nothing about his posture indicates a thirst for battle. Indeed, the Colossus cannot even be said definitively to represent a man, though the rulers he is believed to possibly depict are largely men. 

We have seen the Colossus itself throughout time. But just who or what is the Colossus? The question has vexed scholars for nearly as long as the Colossus has stood. We call him “Garfield” because some ancient texts do, not because we have any idea who this “Garfield” was or what he meant to his people. 

Fig. 6

Another tremendous monument which still stands today is that of the Sphinx, sometimes informally referred to as the Garfield by scholars of the Colossus (though this is an error, as the Sphinx pre-dates the Colossus by at least a century). In Fig. 6, we see a tempera painting of the Sphinx in which its similarity to the Colossus is undeniable. Could the creators of the Colossus have been imitating the Sphinx? The Sphinx is believed to be a representation of a ruler as a mythological being or a God, and perhaps the Colossus is similar.

Fig. 7

But what if the Colossus is meant to represent an animal? The animal is unidentifiable, and likely to be mythological in nature, though it may be a stylized depiction of a living animal. Scholars have debated endlessly which animal the Colossus might depict, with recent arguments being made for the Colossus perhaps depicting a member of the same or a related species to the unidentified animal seen in Fig. 7, a “photograph” from the 20th or 21st century AD, when the art of photography flourished briefly before being lost and the famed photographer Leonardo da Vinci captured this image. 

Fig. 8

And if we turn to other ancient art? Believed to also be a portrait of “Garfield” (which is to say, the person or animal portrayed by the Colossus), dating from a similar timeframe as the Colossus, Fig. 8 is likely a funerary inscription. Here, the figure depicted is a sort of guardian, perhaps looking over the deceased. 

Fig. 9

Another piece of ancient art, Fig. 9 was created by an artist known only as “MarkVomit” and has been the subject of much debate. Is it meant to reaffirm Garfield’s power, to remind the viewer that they are not immune to his propaganda? Or is it meant to protest Garfield, to subvert and challenge the propaganda that this ruler must have utilized to maintain his rule? The answers are lost to history. 

Fig. 10

Fig. 11

Fig. 12

Other sculptures appearing to depict the same figure exist, though none on such a monumental scale as the Colossus. A frequent theme seems to be his ability to control time, as seen in Figures 10–12. Was this what inspired the creators of the Colossus to build him so enduringly? 

Fig. 14

One of the more outlandish theories regarding his nature is that the Colossus is meant to resemble a cat (see Fig. 14 for a hyperrealistic painting of a cat for reference) but this has largely been discredited by modern scholarship. If the Colossus is a feline, certainly his species is different— simply observe the difference in ear shape, eye shape, and gait. However, certain cats do carry a gravitas reminiscent of the Colossus, which brings the question again to mind— could the Colossus have been an ordinary domestic shorthair all along? 

The identity of Garfield, if there is a historical “Garfield,” remains a tantalizing mystery. Here we have such a tangible piece of history, and we are so unable to comprehend him! In another sense, though, perhaps the Colossus has taken on its own significance, and may represent something far beyond the man he once symbolized, the God he was built to honor, or the animal he commemorated. For who in our modern world has not gone to see the Colossus and found themselves moved? His place as the tenth wonder is well deserved. 

Perhaps new understandings will come to light regarding the nature of the Colossus, and perhaps not. Either way, he will remain until he is entirely unmade, his old materials bit by bit chipped away by the hands of humans and humidity fluctuations, the silent and sole guardian of his secret knowledge. 

In closing, let us visit two pieces of poetry composed about the Colossus of Garfield (the first of which only survives in this single fragment). 

[queerchoicesblog]

The Masquerade Ball

Hiya folks, here’s a new chapter of the wlw story set in the Italian Renaissance suggested by @scottishqueer for the wlw writing project...hope you will enjoy it!

This chapter contains reference to Palazzo Schifanoia, a Renaissance palace I highly recommend everyone to visit if they ever stay in Ferrara. Not sure if you’re interested in knowing more than this but just in case, here’s the link to the Wikipedia page.

If you do happen to like this miniseries, please consider spreading the word!

Previous chapters: After The Storm, The Florentine Lady, A Remedy For Melancholy

Previous series: Ancient Greece

________________________________

The night of the masquerade I'm beaming. My costume is just as I pictured it and gorgeous: every flower, every little detail is perfect. I only wish Riccardo would have chosen a costume matching mine but he was adamant to surprise me so Neptune it is. We don't look bad together, though.

The ball hall is opulent and extravagant: the torches lighten up frescoes portraying a banquet of the ancient gods, the music is loud and the room filled with the perfume of essences and mulled wine. It's magic, as always. The Duke himself in the attire of Caesar comes welcoming me and my husband. He praises my costume and beauty before offering his apologies for walking away with my Riccardo. I mock a despaired face that succeeded in making us all laugh then I join my friends. Maria is dressed up as a Roman matron while Virginia is the queen of the ball or at least I'm positive she will be tonight: her costume is inspired to the colourful bird from the West Indies and she's absolutely gorgeous. We all take a goblet of wine and discuss the latest rumours: will Lucrezia Borgia be the Duke's wife? Nothing has been confirmed at the moment but the whole court is already gossiping about it. Virginia is not happy with it: the Borgias sound shady. I note that all Duchies are shady to some extent. She's about to contradict me when she stops mid-sentence and points behind my back.

"I'll be damned if that's not the Florentine lady!"

I turn and yes, she's there. I'm pleased to see she followed my advice: I recognise my sketches. She's at the arm of a man that I wager be her husband, the right hand of Rossetti, and they wear matching costumes: he's the Sun and she's the Moon. Not so original but they look nice together. They're whispering words to each other when our eyes meet across the room. She waves in my direction and whispers something to her husband. He smiles too in my direction and courtly tips his hat, bowing his head before being approached by a guest.

Cristina makes her way through the crowd towards us. As she approaches, I notice how her costume, although not most refined, looks gorgeous on her. The ivory tunic and mask match the pale tone of her skin perfectly. The brightness of her eyes catches you by surprise as they sparkle like gems at the light of the torches.

She greets us, bowing her head, and accepts a goblet of mulled wine from a servant. If she's nervous as she has every reason to be at her first public appearance, she conceals it well.

"You look lovely tonight, lady Cristina" Virginia comments, and I'm grateful she's not jumping at her throat.

"Absolutely" I agree and add with a smirk. "And you found me quite easily"

Cristina takes a sip of wine.

"You don't go unnoticed" then as if correcting herself she addresses the three of us. "Your costumes are wonderful, the best ones I've seen so far. Hope you will get a prize at the end of the night"

My friends start talking of prizes and winners and previous balls and costumes until I lose interest and turn towards Cristina. She does the same.

"And who are you tonight?" she asks.

"What's your guess, Moon?" I smile, showing my costume with a twirl.

"I'd say Flora or a silvan nymph, even if..."

"Even if?"

She looks at me, probably wondering whether to share a confidence or not. Then she shakes her head and smiles.

"Have you ever seen a painting called 'The Spring' by Sandro Botticelli?"

"I can't say I have, no"

"Let me guess, is it in Florence?" Maria intervenes and I'm displeased by her comment, innocent only for those who don't know her sharp tongue.

Cristina doesn't seem to notice though.

"Yes, I admired it in Florence. The painter is a personal friend of my father" she explains before turning back to me.

"One of the dames, the allegory of Spring, looks just like you tonight. The similarity is striking"

"I demand a local artist to paint me in their next work then" I cheer, rising my goblet.

"Yes, yes a toast! A toast!" Virginia squeals.

We all share a wish to the ball, to us, to me getting a portrait in a fresco. I sink my goblet just as the quintet starts playing a lively saltarello. The guests converge towards the centre of the room to dance.

I lay my goblet on a tray and place a hand on Cristina's arm.

"Ladies, let's s dance this night away!"

I don't have to repeat it twice: my friends immediately run into the crowd to get the best spots. Cristina fidgets with her goblet.

"Hurry, sink that wine and come before the saltarello is over" I say, instinctively pulling her hand.

"But-"

She stiffens for a moment but I pull again, smiling. I won't take no for an answer!

"No buts, drink that wine and come dance with me"

She looks at me for a moment then she laughs too and sinks her goblet before joining me.

She's an excellent dancer, better than I expected...but after all what was I expecting? We jump and twirl at the beat of the tambourines in perfect synchronism, mirroring each other moves until we're out of breath.

I guide her towards the grand balcony to catch some fresh air. The ball is still in full swing and music echoes from inside. A lovely breeze is blowing from the sea not too far from our city: you can smell a hint of salt in it. The moon shines bright up there in the sky, a full moon celebrating with us from afar. A real beauty but tonight my eyes are drawn towards her earthly sister, the Moon leaning over the railing by my side. I find myself wondering if that painter friend of her father has ever painted a portrait of her or added her figure in one of his works: if I were him, I wouldn't hesitate. There is something unreadable yet charming in her grace.

Cristina is now quietly observing the dancers inside, she looks lost in her thoughts. After a moment, she speaks.

"You were right, the ball is truly something"

"See? You should trust me from now on" I smirk.

She meets my gaze and smiles, shyly, before a shadow of melancholy crosses her face again. She diverts her eyes and looks back towards the hall.

I try to find words to cheer her up but she speaks again before I can come up with something. She recites a quatrain.

"How beautiful Youth is yet it flees! Be happy if you want to, For tomorrow is not certain."

The mix of melancholy and softness in her voice is hauntingly touching and dreamy, just like the smile on her lips.

"Lorenzo the Magnificent, Song to Bacchus" she adds, as if to say 'alas, I didn't come up with these lines myself'.

As if pulled by an unknown force, my fingers brush over hers on the railing. The gesture startles her at first but she doesn't retrieve her hand. Instead, she searches my eyes.

"Are you getting sad again?" I wince.

She doesn't answer straight away. For a moment, she just looks at me then she shakes her head.

"No, Emilia, no. I'm jolly tonight" she sighs, parting from the railing. "Be happy if you want to, for tomorrow may not come" she repeats.

Then, to my surprise, she stretches her hand out for me.

"Let's have one more dance, shall we?"

Cristina and I never part till the ball is over and it's time to head back home. We dance and chat and I believe I get to know her a bit better. I like that more than I probably admit. So I'm incredibly happy when a couple of days after the ball I receive a note from her: she invites to another walk. She suggests we could admire a little preview of the new Palazzo Schifanoia: her husband has been reassigned to coordinate the works there to speed up the building process after the recent delays. We can have a look around when it's not too loud and crowded, she says. How could she possibly know I was dying to get a glimpse of the new palace? Was it a lucky guess or am I that easy to read to her? I accept, obviously.

I meet her in front of the palace: on the outside, it doesn't reveal much, it looks like many other buildings in red stone and white marble I am so used to by now. Cristina is waiting for me underneath an arch, she waves at me with a smile. I smile to myself: what a joy to see her finally free from the sorrowful clutches of melancholy. I may be mistaken but her eyes look even brighter than before and I cannot help but notice that even if this is no particular occasion, she is a vision basking in the late sun of the afternoon.

Has her voice always been so sweet?, I wonder as she wraps her arm around mine and leads me inside. If it was, I'm surprised I never noticed.

I have never been inside the palace: when the main corpus was crafted and decorated I was too young to be admitted, barely a child so I only heard the wonders it hosts by older courtiers. Maria must have been here but she has little liking for the arts: to her this probably was simply a place where "escape from boredom". I am by no means prepared to what I am about to see. The corridors are richly decorated and punctuated with statues of rare beauty and I imagine them filled with the music that certainly echoed through these walls. Joyful string music.

It takes me a moment to realise that Cristina is speaking. I stop, slightly embarrassed to be so grossed into the art surrounding us that I almost forgot of my fair guide, my personal Virgilius. Thank God, she doesn't seem bothered at all: her lips curl into an amused yet soft smile when she asks me to close my eyes, if I trust her. The request surprises me: I do trust her but what does she have in store?

"No tricks, I promise" Cristina assures me. "I just want you to experience the real attraction properly" she adds, nodding to the door standing silent in front of us. My eyes wander from it to her before obliging. I close them and curiosity fills me as I hear the unmistakable sound of the door open. A shiver runs through my spine when, still in the darkness, I fell Cristina gently taking my hand into hers and placing the other on my back. She's so close I can smell her perfume just like at the ball night when we danced. My Virgilius guides me inside the mysterious room: our steps echo breaking the silence and I feel as if we were explorers venturing into yet undiscovered lands, our personal West Indies.

We come to a stop and I hear her voice whispering I can open my eyes now.

She doesn't have to tell me twice: I do as she says and...I gape in awe. I have never seen anything like this. The colours of the frescoes are so bright and vivid I wish I could touch them. I move closer and lose myself in the contemplation of their overwhelming beauty.

After a while, I turn back towards my guide with a smile.

"Am I dreaming, Cristina?"

My guide mirrors my smile and joins me by the wall. She stands by my side and takes in the fresco in front of us. This is the Halls of Months, a pagan cycle of allegories of seasons as Olympian Gods proceeding on fanciful cars, and personifications of the constellations of the zodiac, she explains: the one we're looking at is May. I admire every single month, Cristina at my side, before we move to the other room, the Halls of Virtues, where the frescoes have a political flavour: past Dukes beaming in their glory surrounded by the Cardinal and Theological virtues.

I demand we go back to the previous hall that caught my eye and heart. I almost do not recognise Cristina: she is unusually chatty today. Nothing compared to our first meetings. She knows every myth, every story behind the allegories, every little detail and curiosity about the works of the artists who decorated these halls. She even shows me the new section, the one her husband is working on with his brigade. There is still little to see, only the draft of the frescos have been drawn on half the room but she knows what they'll show once finished. I could listen to her all day.

It's almost sunset when we explore the summer loggia overviewing the gardens. I am used to beauty living at the castle but this place is different. The atmosphere is different as if this palace didn't fully belong to this place and time: there's no such thing as Time and space here. We're in another world, a world of our own, close yet magically separated from the Ferrara we know.

As we let our eyes rejoice of the sight of the gorgeous natural wonders below,I ask Cristina where such an extensive knowledge of the works come from. I am genuinely curious and genuinely surprised to hear her saying that her father is a renewed patron of the arts in Florence. He has offered his services to the House of Medici more than once: he tried and failed to be a painter himself when he was younger so he settled for providing money to those he wagers be the most talented artists of our times. Artists and painters visiting and sometimes even working at her family palace has been part of Cristina's life since childhood.

"That is why he wanted me to marry Davide, one of his protege" she explains. "And actually...this may surprise you a little, but it's maybe why I was glad to move here after Sir Rossetti's offer. Your Duke is a patron of arts too and values art above all things: sounded like a nice place to be"

"You didn't seem to like this city much when you arrived" I note but there's no malice in my words.

Cristina hangs her head and sighs.

"It's never easy to leave a place that means so much to you. Davide had his job to keep him busy while I had all the time to think back to what I have left behind, my life there. I had family, friends, connections there...here all was new and stranger"

"Are you still unhappy here?" I inquire, instinctively reaching for her hand.

Her bright eyes travel from my hand to my face.

"No, Emilia, I'm no longer unhappy here."

[stahlop]

Not all Treasure is Silver and Gold (sometimes it’s chocolate)

Summary: Killian takes his children on a trick or treat treasure hunt to learn about the town’s history and reflects on his own in the process.

Here is my CS Role Reversal collaboration. Thank you @allons-y-to-hogwarts-713​ for the artwork! It is amazing and inspired the fluffiest story I think you’ll ever read.

A big shout out to @profdanglaisstuff​ for being my beta.

This is probably the fluffiest, sweetest thing I've ever written in my life. Enjoy!

Rated G

A03 link

They turned on to Main Street, the witch and two pirates, carrying with them some of the loot they had already discovered. The witch, though small, was the de facto leader of the group, instructing the small band of characters where to go with the map in her hand.

“The last clue said that we would find the fruit of the Evil Queen where the werewolves lie. That’s at Granny’s and we’re looking for apples,” the witch said matter of factly, as if that were the most straightforward answer. The smaller of the two pirates looked a little wary.

“You don’t agree with the lass?” the larger of the pirates asked. “Do you have a different idea?” He prodded the other pirate. The small pirate looked pensive, as if he had a question he wanted to ask but wasn’t sure how to with his limited vocabulary. The witch put her hands on her hips in a perfect imitation of her mother, not liking that they had to wait when she clearly knew she was correct.

“Daddy?” The small pirate finally asked in a small voice, his green eyes opened unnaturally wide. “The apples won’t put us to sleep will they?” Killian Jones gulped. Oops.

“Of course not, DL. It’s just a game!” Hope Jones, 7-years-old and knower of everything there was to know (obviously), huffed at her little brother. Killian tried not to laugh for DL’s sake. Dylan Liam Jones was only three and couldn’t always distinguish between fiction and reality, or in this case, the past and the present.

Killian got down on one knee to talk with his son, not a small feat as he was in his full pirate regalia, something he only brought out for Halloween nowadays. And they were in the middle of Main Street with swarms of other trick or treaters around them. “You know I would never do anything to hurt you, right DL? The clues are both to help you understand our history and to get candies, sweets, and treasure!” He said reassuringly. The boy nodded, his pirate hat a little too big for his head and falling forward on each nod. Snow had tried to make the costume as close to Killian’s pirate ensemble as she could, but the hat they’d had to buy from a costume shop in town (even after all these years, Emma didn’t quite trust Jefferson to help her out, even though he’d apologized profusely to her once the curse had been lifted and he was reunited with his daughter). Even though Killian didn’t wear a pirate hat, DL had seen Peter Pan quite a few times and wanted a hat similar to that of Captain Hook. Killian had been horrified.

“Can we go now?” Hope said in an annoyed tone. She was impatient when it came to DL and also had the attitude of a teenager, or so Emma had told Killian.

“Are we ready, lad?” Killian asked DL. The little boy nodded. Killian took his hand.

“Finally!” Hope exclaimed starting to run ahead.

“Hope Alice Jones,” Killian said firmly. Hope stopped in her tracks. She knew she wasn’t supposed to run ahead. She turned around and headed back to her father and brother. “Good lass. Now, we have a whole row of houses to procure candy from before we get to Granny’s. Are we ready?” Killian asked.

“We’re ready!” the Jones children shouted.

“Onward then!”

Granny’s boasted all sorts of candied apples. Regular candied, caramel, some with nuts and some with sprinkles, whatever the kind the children were in heaven. Granny was nice enough to cut them into slices to make them easier for the children to eat.

“Might I bother you for a bit of pumpkin pie?” Killian asked Granny as she brought the sugary treats to their booth. Granny nodded and gave him a smile. She still had a soft spot for the pirate and denied him nothing. Even when there were children swarming all around.

The apples came with their next clue. Killian had to hand it to the Storybrooke Town Council, they knew how to get the town involved. The Storybrooke Historical Scavenger/Treasure Hunt had become a town staple over the past five years. It was a fun, yet educational, way to introduce the children to the town’s fairytale past while getting treats and sweets at the same time.

Killian took the card they had been given and read the next clue. “Fill me up with candy and I might explode when you say boo! But don’t feed any chocolate to the cats and dogs that might be around you.” Killian paused and looked at the kids. They looked at him expectantly, caramel and sprinkles clinging to their faces. “Any ideas?” He asked them.

DL scrunched his face up and thought over the clue. “Fill me up with candy and...what was the next part daddy?” he asked. Hope huffed again, annoyed that her little brother couldn’t remember something so simple.

“I might explode when you say boo. It’s a ghost pinata!” She exclaimed. “Like the unicorn one I had at my last birthday party. Remember, we hit it with a stick until candy came out?” Her tone of voice had changed midway through to excited. “But where is the pinata, daddy?” Hope asked.

Killian reread the last part of the clue again. “But don’t feed any chocolate to the cats and dogs that might be around you. Know of any place that might have cats and dogs, little loves?” Hope and DL put their heads together and discussed where they thought it might be.

“The Storybrooke Animal Shelter!” they proclaimed.

After cleaning up their sticky hands and faces, they trick or treated their way over to the animal shelter. Sure enough there were several ghost pinatas waiting for children to come and take a whack at them. The shelter was now owned by Ruby and her girlfriend, Dorothy, who were also running the pinata stations and telling their stories. Ruby talking about how she discovered she was a werewolf and Dorothy telling about her adventures in Oz, both dressed up in Red Riding Hood and Dorothy costumes, respectively. The two also had cats and dogs up for adoption.

Hope and DL delighted in hitting the ghost pinata along with several other children until it finally broke. They gathered up many different types of candy into their pumpkin baskets.

“Can we get a cat? Please, please, please?” both kids whined. Killian and Emma had discussed it this year. Hope had been asking for a cat for the past few years, and of course, since big sis wanted a cat, DL did too.

“I think your mum and I have decided we can get one this year. Why don’t you two pick one out and we’ll pick it up in a few days after it’s had all its shots and everything,” he said, smiling. Killian had never seen bigger grins on his kids’ faces.

The children came out a little while later having picked out the most ‘perfect cat’ in the entire world. Ruby told him to come by the next day to fill out the paperwork and once the cat was fixed, she would be all theirs.

“There is one final clue,” Dorothy said, handing Killian a card. They all thanked Ruby and Dorothy and walked over to a nearby bench to look at the clue.

“When the Savior came and broke the curse, time started to move and things got worse.

But the curse was broken with True Love’s Kiss, come read about these tales if there were any you missed.” Killian paused for effect looking at his two children to see if they understood the clue. He could see Hope recognized where they needed to go in an instant, but DL wasn’t quite sure.

“Good Witch Hope, do you know where we need to go?” Killian asked, so the pressure would be off DL.

Hope gave a sly smile that matched her father’s. She might be the spitting image of her mother, but she had his eyes and his smile. “It’s the library!” she announced.

DL’s eyes lit up wide. “We go to see Auntie Belle?” he asked hopefully. For only being three, DL already had his first crush on Belle the librarian.

“Yes, DL, we go see Auntie Belle. Lead us onward fair witch!” Killian cried.

The trio passed by a few shops that had workers passing candy out front that Hope and DL got to add to their loot. The kids were getting excited the closer they got to the library, DL going on and on about Auntie Belle and Hope running through what the final prize or candy would be once they reached their intended destination.

“I just hope it’s actual candy and not a book. Not that I don’t love reading, Father, but books just aren’t appropriate for Halloween,” Hope said knowingly. She had also inherited his language skills and had recently taken to calling him Father because it sounded more ‘grown up’.

“I’m sure Aunt Belle will have sweets for all of you,” Killian said rolling his eyes and smiling at his precocious daughter.

Belle had completely outdone herself when it came to the library and clocktower. For a place that had once held torturous memories for Killian (fighting an undead Maleficent in the caves, Rumplestiltskin literally holding his heart and almost killing him, leaving Emma in the elevator in the Underbrooke version), it was now a magical place. Happy Halloween banners were posted at the front entrance and on several walls inside, plastic skeletons were hanging everywhere, fall leaf garlands decorated every shelved surface available, and scarecrows that jumped out at you guarded each doorway. In the center of the library was a large craft table that had hundreds of mini pumpkins on it. Next to them were small cups of paint for the children to paint them. Another table in the room next door had a pumpkin carving station for the adults. Belle was in the reading nook where she usually did storytime for the town’s children, wearing a gold dress, reminiscent of this world’s version of Belle (although she told Killian once that she had a dress very similar to that back in the Enchanted Forest, so maybe Disney wasn’t completely off on all their stories), and telling her own tale of Beauty and the Beast.

Belle and Rumplestiltskin’s son, Gideon, and Snow and David’s son, Neal, were running the children’s mini pumpkin area. Killian thought that was pretty much the blind leading the blind (as they were 10 and 13 respectively), but the other kids seemed to be having a good time. A sign at the circulation desk let them know that to get their final treat for the night they needed to paint a pumpkin and have it examined by the official Pumpkin Inspectors, which also seemed to be Gideon and Neal.

“Ready to paint some pumpkins?” Killian said to both his children. Hope didn’t even answer, just ran off to the station delighted at getting to paint. DL nodded his head and took Killian’s hook (something he liked to do when he wanted to feel calm) and led him over to the station. As much as Killian would like to do the pumpkin carving (he’d won that contest the past two years in a row), he knew DL would get overwhelmed easily with too many paint options. Emma often worried that he was overly sensitive about things, but Killian was sure he’d eventually grow out of it. The town did tend to go overboard with everything and it was a lot to handle for most adults, let alone a 3-year-old.

Hope had already grabbed an apron so she wouldn’t stain her costume and started painting her pumpkin an array of colors. Killian had DL pick out three colors (one for each year he was) that he would use and got him into an apron as well.

When they all finished (Hope having painted a unicorn with the stem as a horn, and DL having made a bunch of purple, green, and black splotches all over his pumpkin), Gideon and Neal, the Pumpkin Inspectors, came over and declared them wonderful pumpkins. All pumpkins would be displayed throughout the library for the rest of fall. They headed over to Belle to hear her story and get their final prize.

Killian had to admit, listening to Belle’s retelling of her love story with Rumplestiltskin made it sound like an epic adventure and not the abusive tale that it had been throughout much of their time in Storybrooke. Even 10 years later, Rumplestiltskin and Killian avoided each other whenever possible, even if Rumplestiltskin was considered a more upstanding member of the town now.

“And now,” Belle drawled with a big smile on her face,” your final treat of the night!” The children started to clap and cheer. She then put her finger to her lips and the children immediately went quiet. Everyone knew to listen to Librarian Belle. “There are actually two treats tonight.” The children waited with bated breath. “You will get to pick out your own Halloween or fall themed book,” she paused before the big reveal, Killian already noticing the look of disappointment on Hope’s face, “And you will also get a scoop of loot from our treasure chest!” Belle moved the pillow off the large box she’d been sitting on to reveal a very large pirate’s chest. She opened it to show it filled with (chocolate) gold coins and candy jewelry. A large cheer went up from the children as they got up and filed into a line to get their treasure, Belle giving them each a large scoop as they walked past. Killian noticed that the scoop pretty much filled up the rest of their trick or treat bags. Then they got to choose a book from the table set up near the back exit.

The small witch and two pirates made their way back to their beautiful seaside home. The denizens of their town were dwindling in number at the (somewhat) late hour of 8:15 (late for most of the trick or treaters anyway). The witch was content to read her book under the street lamps while sucking on a Ring Pop liberated from her loot. The smaller pirate was passed out on the larger pirate’s shoulder, as he’d barely made it out of the library with his eyes open. On the front porch, a beautiful blonde was handing out candy to the last few stragglers. She wore a black dress decorated with pumpkins and a black cat mask.  As the last trick or treaters left the porch, she gingerly collapsed into her rocking chair.

“Mommy, Mommy!” Hope yelled excitedly as she ran up the porch steps. She was not too grown up to continue calling Emma Mommy. “Look at everything we got!” She ran up to Emma and showed her all the spoils from the night. Emma smiled and removed the mask from her face.

“It looks like the town will be having a candy shortage in the coming weeks,” she said, laughing a bit. Then she put on a serious tone. “Are you prepared to pay the candy tax?” She held her hand out for payment. Hope looked up at Killian and he nodded that, yes, she needed to give her mother some of her candy. Hope reluctantly gave her two chocolate coins and skipped into the house.

“I see this one barely made it home?” Emma said, softly patting DL’s arm that was hanging down near her.

“Aye, Swan, passed out right as we were leaving the library.” He shifted DL slightly. “Let me get him into his night clothes and then I’ll come out with you.” Emma nodded in agreement.

It took Killian a little longer than he anticipated to get DL out of his costume. He eventually just kept him in his muslin shirt and forwent trying to wrestle pajama pants onto him, letting him sleep in his underwear. He folded the parts of his costume he was able to get off and placed them on his dresser. He then gave him a kiss before turning on the nightlight DL needed to sleep, and closed the door.

Killian checked in on Hope who had already changed out of her witch costume and put on a nightgown. She was still reading the book she’d received from Belle.

“Did you brush your teeth, little love?” he asked. She gave her patented Emma eye roll.

“Yes, Father,” she said not even looking up from her book. Emma said they were going to hate the teenage years if she was already this dramatic. Killian walked over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Don’t stay up too late, there is still school tomorrow,” he told her. She grunted an acknowledgment as he left.

He walked outside and joined Emma on the other rocking chair that was out on the porch. Yes, they were a two-rocking-chair-on-the-porch-type people now. Emma had already eaten her candy tax and was now working on one of the fun size bags of Peanut M&M’s that she had been passing out to trick or treaters.

“And how many of those did you eat tonight, Swan?” he asked, snagging a bag for himself from the bowl next to Emma’s rocking chair.

She blushed a little at his question. “There’s peanuts in it. That counts as protein, right?” she asked.

“Ah, is that the excuse you’re using then. Peanuts for the peanut, aye?” He reached over and rubbed her swollen belly. “We missed you tonight,” he said, reaching over to grab her hand and kiss her knuckles.

“Yeah, well, being on modified bed rest for this little one takes priority, I guess.” She took back her hand and put both of them on her belly. “At least it’s only two more months until this little peanut graces us with their presence.”

Killian reached his hand back out for hers, admiring the wedding band that graced his ring finger and the engagement ring and wedding band that adorned hers. It was amazing to think that it had been nine years since that whole ordeal, and here they were, about to welcome their fourth child (and the fact that Henry was married and expecting a babe of his own was a lot scarier to Killian than adding another to their brood). Killian just thanked his lucky stars that life had consented to let this old pirate settle down and be blessed with the greatest treasure one could ever find.

“Let’s go to bed, love,” he said, standing and pulling her up with him. Emma smiled and gave him a peck on the lips.

“Let’s go to bed.”

Please leave comments and reblog! Also, let me know if you want to be tagged in future stories

@profdanglaisstuff @thisonesatellite @mariakov81 @hollyethecurious @winterbaby89 @jennjenn615​ @csrolereversal​ @cshalloweek​

[mycatshuman]

Castle of Devils

Chapter 4

Warnings: brief description of fire, and anger, harsh words, brief mention of blood, brief mention of a wound, gun mention, I believe that is it, please let me know if I missed any.

Pairing: Prinxiety

Word count: 2,064

As always, a titanic thank you to @civilsounds17 for reading through this for me! I always enjoying seeing what you have to say and greatly appreciate your help!💚💚

More Chapters

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Roman groaned as he rubbed his eyes, setting the book down, he climbed out of bed and crossed to his window. He leaned out the window, getting a small breath of fresh air before he closed the window and went to bed. He smiled softly before he glanced down and noticed what seemed to be a sprinkling of some kind of dark substance on the stones outside. He felt uneasy bubble in his stomach as he stared at it.

Roman shook his head and closed the window before closing the curtains. Just my mind playing tricks on me. That's all. Roman crawled back into his bed and snuggled under the covers. He closed his eyes after flicking the light off. Soon, he fell into a fitful sleep, filled with dark figures, sharp fangs, and glistening blood.

----

Roman bolted upright as he heard the unmistakable sound of what could only be described as angry screams. His fear filled eyes darted around frantically in search of the source of the disturbance. “MONSTER!” Roman's head whipped over to see the light flickering against his curtains. Roman whipped his covers off as he flew over to the window. Ripping his curtains aside he saw a mob outside the gates armed with torches and pitchforks. Roman wouldn't be surprised if there were a few hiding guns down there.

He opened his window and leaned out to get a better look as harsh angry words fell upon his ears. Fear filled Roman as he watched the mob bang their pitchforks against the wrought iron gates while shouting vile things at the castle or, Roman assumed, his host. Words like, “monster”, “devil”, and “beast” rang through the air as the people screamed. What they were angry for, Roman didn't know. All he knew, all he could feel, was fear. Fear for the people, fear for himself, fear for Virgil.

Then, the sound of the great doors opening pierced the air. The crowd went silent as what Roman could only assume was his host showing his face to the people. Roman quickly darted from his room, hurrying down the stairs to protect his host.

As Roman flew down to the front hall, outside, out of nowhere, a crack of lightning lit up the sky so bright it was almost day. A roll of thunder quickly followed and then the skies opened up, pouring rain immediately drenching the crowd of people and snuffing out their torches. They all froze for a few moments before dropping everything and screaming as they fled.

Roman skidded into the front hall just as Virgil was coming in,  carrying a bundle of what must have been the abandoned torches and pitchforks, drenched and letting out small chuckle. Roman froze, open mouthed as he watched the other dump the bundle in a pile next to the door before closing it again. Virgil turned to him and shrugged. “Finders, keepers I suppose.”

Roman blinked. Unfreezing himself, he turned to Virgil who had started to walk away. “Are you alright?” He asked.

Virgil froze. Was he alright? No one had ever asked him that before. It made him painfully aware of the metal in his wounds hiding underneath his clothes that he had yet to pull out. Of course he wasn't alright. “Yeah, I'm fine. Are you?” He asked.

Roman narrowed his eyes slightly as he tried to determine if Virgil was lying or not. After a few moments, he sighed. “Yeah, just a little shaken, is all. I was nervous they would somehow get in.”

Virgil nodded, looking thoughtful for a moment. “If you want,” he started, slowly. “You could explore the castle, and find the exits in case you feel the need to flee for whatever reason.”

Roman frowned slightly. Not at the suggestion. But at the suggestion coming from Virgil. Someone who the villagers seemed to believe was a monster or demon of sorts. Could he really be as wicked as they said if he was willing to give Roman so much freedom? He swallowed thickly. “Sure. That sounds….nice.”

Virgil gave him a rare, soft, smile. “Alright. Just be careful, you might get a little lost with some turns and stuff.”

Roman nodded absently. Roman blinked once and Virgil was gone. Roman felt a draft and shivered. Glancing around the entrance hall wearily, he rubbed his arms and turned back to the stairs and began his ascent to his room to, hopefully, get some sleep.

----

The next day found Roman roaming through the halls of the great castle. He found, to his surprise, the castle was fairly well lit. Each room had at least two windows. Some had small windows,and some had big windows that let in large amounts of sparkling sunlight. Each room was decorated with a range of furniture. Couches, tables, chairs, bookcases, lamps, Roman even found different styled living rooms set up, complete with movies and a flat screen tv.

Each living room was styled around a theme and the movies within shared that theme. The first he found was filled with gothic style couches and tables. Deep reds paired with black and silver along with shades of violet. The curtains were made of velvet, and the background was black with swirls of crimson red and royal purple accenting the dark fabric. Small stone gargoyles sat on a self in each corner overlooking the room. Roman half expected Count Dracula to appear in a cloud of fog. That made Roman chuckle. After all, the castle was named Castle Dracula after the famously penned book Dracula was published. Considering the castle in the books was based off this one, Roman found himself wondering, not for the first time, if Virgil was related to Bram Stoker, the writer of Dracula. Of course, to accompany the gothic styled room was a shelf full of horror movies and thrillers. From classic monster movies to recent ghost stories.

The next room was full of reds and pinks. Heart shaped pillows covered the couch, and in the corner, a beanbag chair piled high with stuffed animals and pillows, all the sorts you'd find on Valentine's day. In another corner was a small mini fridge with chocolates and wine. The curtains for this room where a velvet red. A slightly lighter red was sewn into hearts and swirls all over the fabric as they sparkled slightly. The movies for this room where all romantic comedies with some serious romance mixed in as well. Roman suspected it wasn't a room much used. At least not by Virgil. But if not Virgil, who? Moving on to the next room with a shrug, he decided to ask Virgil at dinner.

The next room was all dark colors with silver and firey oranges and reds. There were action posters covering the stone walls and everything was sleek and professional. Flat black curtains for the windows reminded Roman of the curtains in his boss, Logan's, office: dull. He spares a glance at the shelf of movies and found action movies. No surprise there.

The next room was, marvelous! The stone walls were covered with mostly Marvel memorabilia and posters. Pop figures lined shelves and small action figures stood on a bar in the back of the room. Unlike the other rooms, who's rugs were plain black or white, this room had an Avenger's rug. The curtains for this room where Spider-Man one's and hardly kept the light out but Roman supposed they didn't really have to if one where to watch the tv in here at night. Taking a glance at the wall with the tv, Roman noticed a shelf on either side of the tv. The left shelf held a bunch of DC comic movies, if not all of them, including multiple Batman's and a few others. On the right, what must have been all of movies in the entire Marvel franchise. It was quite an extensive collection.

The second to last room, was Roman's absolute favorite. It was straight out of a fairytale.. There was a king sized bed against the far wall, the covers were silk and fit for royalty Glitter gauze curtains hung over the four poster bed, and were able to be closed if someone chose to sleep there. Beautiful paintings of multiple Disney movies were placed around the room, hanging gently from the walls. The couch in the middle of the room was surely something that had once belonged to a family of importance, it's deep purple cushions making it look like one of the most comfortable places in the world. The end tables besides the bed, couch and the coffee table were all glass with trims of gold. Expertly crafted to show etchings of nearly every Disney character to ever exist, with room for more. The soft plush rug was a gorgeous white with a fluffiness the clouds would envy. On one wall, a silver ornate mirror stood at a height of a few feet off the ground and Roman found his reflection centered when he gazed into it. It made him giddy with glee. He even did the “Mirror Mirror, on the wall” thing. The tv in this room was set inside a golden frame hanging on the wall as if it were a mirror as well. Underneath the tv was a small cabinet of dark stained oak with intricate carvings covering the surface. Crystal glass doors opened up to reveal what had to have been every Disney movie ever made. This room also had the most windows. They were floor to ceiling with an arch top; white wood ran between the panes of glass as the flowers outside beamed brightly. Of course, the curtains only added to the royal like theme of the room. They were a royal red with gold trim and they were swept up and held back, behind them, a transparent gauze curtain hung down, only slightly dimming the sunlight shining in through the big windows.

Roman was in absolute awe over the room. It was perfect and everything he could ever hope for in a room inspired by Disney and fairy tales. Roman wondered if Virgil would let him use this room. Maybe even let him sleep here sometimes. He felt excited at the thought of sleeping in such an extravagant room. (Although, he was already staying in a pretty extravagant room, but the idea of sleeping in one with all this space to dance was certainly electrifying.) Letting his fingers trail over the duvet one last time, Roman reluctantly left the room to explore some more.

The last room looked like something straight out of the Addams Family. An old Victorian style couch with rich black upholstery that somehow was softer than any couch he'd sat in before, stood in the middle of the room. A faux bear rug lay beneath it with a coffin table that was an actual coffin. Dark, deep violet curtains hung straight down in front of the windows casting an ominous glow upon the room. Shoved into the one corner, laid a queen size bed shaped like another coffin with deep, rich purple covers decorated in black and silver spiderwebs. In another corner, a full gleaming suit of armor stood tall and proud. Almost as if it would come to life at any moment. The tv was also set in a frame, this one made of silver. And beside it was a shelf with a cable box and what seemed to be every form of entertainment related to The Addams Family. Roman noticed a vase in the corner with the stems and thorns of a rose, a pair of scissors laid down beside it and and single rose without its stem. The small detail made him smile. He could tell this room must be Virgil's favorite and frequented a lot more than the other rooms if the cable box was anything to go by.

Roman checked the time and realized it would soon be time for dinner. He went to leave the room but took one last glance inside. After seeing everything he saw today, he was seriously considering the idea that the villagers were just crazy. Roman smiled and left, walking down the long corridors towards the dining room.

The villagers couldn't be right. There were no monsters or devils in the castle. Only a lonely man with a wild and creative imagination. Monsters aren't real一right?

-----

Tell me what you think?

Taglist: @kittycake574 @rainbow-roman @icequeenoriginal @ilovemygaydad @comicsimpson

Everything Taglist: @spxced-oxt @superwholocked-for-life @mirror2thespirit @aroundofapplesauce

[muertawrites]

Immunity (or Make It Work, Part 2) [Loki x Reader] {nsfw}

Summary: Reader reveals the dress she made for the gala, causing Loki to lose all his shit at once. When Loki spies his half brother taking a liking to her during the midst of the party, he gets hella possessive and makes a point of showing her how much he cares (... with a rough quickie in a hallway. You know, romantic stuff).

Word Count: 3,300

Author’s Note: I thought I was done with the first draft of this until I read it over and absolutely hated it, so I rewrote the middle part and now it’s better and my sleep schedule is totally fucked. As if it wasn’t already fucked before, tho. Also, this installment of Make It Work is lowkey (Loki, lol) inspired by @maiden-of-asgard‘s Frostbite series, which is super great and I’m addicted to it and you should 100% go check it out if you love yourself or even if you don’t love yourself, it can be your first step in learning to love yourself. I’m starting to get delirious with lack of sleep, so I’m gonna post this and hope that I can be a functional adult tomorrow. Goodnight, ya horny bastards, I love you.

                                              ~ Muerta 🌸💀🌸

(Part 1)

You had always believed that the key to sex appeal was subtlety. This was apparent in everything you designed, each garment focusing on the suggestion of a person’s body without ever showing too much of it. A bit of mesh or lace, a slight peeking of skin, a cinch in the waist that revealed what sins lie just beneath the fabric; these were all your weapons in making a piece of clothing maddeningly sexy, and you had applied all of them to the dress you’d made at Loki’s request for the gala he was hosting.

You stood in the hall just outside the reception room of the Asgardian royal palace, smoothing out the fabric of your gown and swallowing the lump that had formed in your throat over the last few minutes as you anticipated the arrival of your escort. Hours ago, a hoard of beauticians had been sent to your apartment within the palace, styling your hair and makeup to suit the dress you’d crafted for the evening. Your hair had been pulled back into a tight, plaited bun that fanned out at the base of your head, with a few loose tendrils falling elegantly over your cheeks. Your lips had been painted in a dark berry shade, and you were adorned with large golden earrings and a matching collier and headdress, chosen from a selection that Loki had sent for you. You were stunning, the picture of an Asgardian goddess, and you had grinned smugly at your reflection as you’d inspected your final look. You had transformed your mortal self into a creature that could put the otherworldly beings of the realm you now called your home to shame, and were endlessly proud of what you had done. You only hoped that Loki would be just as impressed.

The god’s footsteps coming down the hall startled you, pulling you abruptly from your thoughts as you turned to face the direction he was coming from, your heart slamming against your ribs. He turned the corner to where you were standing, and when you came into view, he stopped dead in his tracks. His frozen blue eyes drank you in, scanning your body up and down so that no inch of you was left unseen. He had given you a challenge, and you’d obliterated his expectations; the gown you had designed was absolutely breathtaking, made of a silk so deeply evergreen that it was almost black, shifting and changing hues with the light. The neckline was cut into a severe plunge, stopping just below the space where your breasts met, leaving him thirsting to see more of your skin. Mesh panels mirrored each other on either side of the dress’s bodice, extending down into the skirt until they where lost within its cascade of lush fabric, and a belt cast in gold hugged your waist to accentuate the voluptuous curves of your body. The gown’s sleeves were long, laden with more panels of mesh and accented with lace decorated in Nordic patterns, matching those etched into Loki’s helmet. You were exposed to him, but only just, and the promises of what was hidden beneath your latest work had his mind racing. He swallowed, clearing his throat and bowing politely to you.

“I see you took our conversation to heart,” he said as greeted you with a devilish smirk. You grinned back, offering a shallow curtsey in return.

“I was hoping I’d stun you enough to shut you up for once,” you replied.

Loki held his arm out to you, allowing you curl your fingers around the crook of his elbow as he led you to the doors of the reception room.

“Almost, darling,” he hummed. “Almost.”

As the twin doors swung open towards you, you were greeted with the sight of an entire room populated by the lofty, vexing creatures known as the Jotun. You had never seen them in person, but you knew from the history books in the palace’s library that they had a rocky past with the people of Asgard, characterized by war and bloodshed, and Loki was attempting to pose a sort of treaty between the two realms by hosting their royal family. They were enormous, some of them spanning over ten feet tall, and entirely blue in color, their skin patterned with grooves that supposedly meant different things and were unique to each creature. Not a single one of them was clothed in full, each of them sporting various levels of exposure to supposedly assert dominance and status (as you had read), and you noticed as Loki led you further into the room that many of them had their teeth filed into vicious, shark-like points. You looked up at the king standing beside you, shuddering at the fact that his lean, rangy stature was dwarfed by theirs, finding it hard to remind yourself that he was, under his alabaster skin, one of them. You pulled him a bit closer to you, thinking of how tiny your human form must have looked to the giants. Didn’t you read somewhere that they used to keep Midgardians as pets?

“My kin,” Loki addressed the room as he came to stand in the center of it, your shivering self still huddled beside him, “I welcome you to my adoptive home. Being of Jotun blood, raised by the hands of Asgard, I hope to bridge the gap between our two peoples and move our realms toward a peaceful future. Enjoy your time here. Indulge in our culture and our warm hospitality. We are happy to have you.”

He bowed to the crowd before him, and as the band in the mezzanines circling the reception room began to play, he spun you about and led you away from the fray, raising your hand to his lips in a gentle kiss.

“I thought you were fearless,” he murmured into your skin, teasing you. “I can feel you shaking like a leaf.”

“These people are the size of small buildings,” you quipped back at him, giving the hand holding yours a light squeeze and digging your nails into the back of his palm. “I also don’t think I need to remind you that they used to keep humans as playthings in their recent past.”

Loki smirked.

“Reading up on your history?” he mused. “What a good little thing you are.”

For a significant portion of the evening, Loki paraded you around to his guests, showing you off as if you were a prized trophy. His Jotun visitors poked and prodded at you, intrigued by your soft mortal body, the women toying with your hair, petting it and admiring its silkiness, while the men inspected your figure, some of them getting a bit handsy and groping at your breasts and backside with fervent interest. Their touches made you wildly uncomfortable, wanting nothing more than to slap their hands away and inform them that you were, in fact, a sentient being and not just the dumb little pet they perceived you to be, but their intimidating stature and the shaky relationship they had with your employer made you wary, reminding you that they could literally dismember you if they had a reason to – or even if they didn’t have a reason to. Loki stayed at your side throughout the ordeal, however, skirting you away when his guests got too intimate for you to tolerate.

After two hours of being handled by what could easily have been every single frost giant in Jotunheim, you were able to steal away to the large banquet table that had been set up on one side of the reception room, pouring yourself a strong glass of Asgardian mead and stuffing a few hors d’oeuvres into your mouth, trying to regain some of your calm. You had just scarfed your fifth mini quiche when your indulgent stress eating was interrupted by a soft voice addressing you from behind.

“Miss?”

You turned, coming face to face with yet another giant, but noticing that this one was considerably younger than the others, probably only a teenager in Jotun years. He was also more sparsely dressed than the rest of them, leading you to believe that he was a member of the royal family. He gave you a slight bow, his eyes wide and nervous, not leaving yours.

“I am Prince Býleistr,” he introduced himself, straightening his back once again. “King Laufeyson’s half-brother.”

You had heard of Býleistr fleetingly before, knowing him only as the child of Loki’s biological father, Laufey, and the current Queen of Jotunheim. You brushed a few crumbs from your fingers and onto the skirt of your gown, attempting to maintain what little dignity you had left as you dipped into a curtsey.

“It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness” you addressed him.

Býleistr looked you up and down, his eyes gaping as he took in the sight of you.

“King Laufeyson says you are mortal,” the young prince said, sounding almost breathless. “Is that true?”

You nodded, unconsciously taking a step back from him as you prepared yourself for more unwanted contact.

“Yes,” you replied. “I’m from Midgard.”

Býleistr’s eyes widened in wonder at the confirmation, and you couldn’t help but feel slightly endeared by him. He was just a kid, after all, and it was very likely he’d never seen a mortal in person.

“May I…” the prince lingered on his words a bit, as if unsure they were the right ones. He swallowed, then held his hand out to you.

“May I touch you?” he asked.

Shocked by his considerate act of asking for your consent, you silently gave him permission, raising a bewildered hand for him to take. He grinned excitedly, clasping his massive fingers around your much smaller ones and raising your arm above your head, being cautious in his movements as if afraid he would break you. You smiled faintly back as you allowed him to twirl you, spinning so he could take in your foreign appearance.

From across the room, Loki’s eyes fell upon the scene that was unfolding. He watched, indignant, as his sniveling little weasel of a relative spun you about, laying his grubby fingers on your cheeks, your hair, your waist, your back, and Loki felt the searing sting of envy rising in his chest as you allowed it. You actually allowed him to touch you without any of the hesitation you’d had with the other frost giants. Loki slammed down the rest of his drink and glided furiously over to the two of you, fueled by rage and the alcohol in his blood.

Býleistr was holding your hand, marveling at the minute size of your fingers when Loki interrupted the two of you, clearing his throat and causing you both to jump, startled.

“Dear younger brother,” Loki crooned, his lips spread into a malicious grin and words dripping with acrimony, “as much as it pleases me to see you making such diverse connections of friendship, I am afraid I have come to retrieve my favorite toy.”

Loki took you by the arm, not waiting for Býleistr’s response as he wrapped his arm around you protectively, skillfully maneuvering you through the reception room and slipping with you through a hidden side door, into one of the palace’s many empty corridors. You wheeled on him as soon as you were alone, smacking him hard in the chest with the side of your closed fist.

“What. The. Fuck. Loki!” you snapped, hitting him with each word and glaring up at him. He glowered down at you, his mouth turned downward into a furious grimace.

“How could you?” he growled, taking you by the wrists to stop you from beating him.

“How could I?” you exclaimed, incredulous. “How could you, you piece of shit! Why the hell would you let them molest me like that?!”

Loki smirked, his eyes lazily drifting down to where your chest met his as he held you against him, then back up to meet yours.

“I wanted to see your scared little face, my dear,” he chided. “I am the god of jokes and trickery, after all.”

“You’re the god of some kind of fucking bullshit,” you spat at him.

A guttural hiss escaped Loki’s throat as he pushed you forward, pinning you to the wall on the other side of the corridor. His hands splayed out on either side of your head, and he kept you in place by pressing his body against yours, his hips pinning you harshly to the surface behind you. If your senses didn’t fool you, you were certain you could feel him harden beneath the leather material of his pants.

“I tire of your games, my sweet little pet,” he growled mockingly, his lips pressed to your ear. “You have always been such a tease to me, even when you haven’t meant it.”

You simpered, tilting your head back so that you could stare up into his eyes, your hands pressed firmly to his chest.

“I thought you had an immunity to my mortal charms,” you taunted him, mocking him right back.

Loki shook his head slowly, one of the hands beside your head moving to capture your chin between his fingers as he fervidly licked his lips.

“My darling, you are the one thing that makes me weak…” he purred as he leaned in, taking your lips in a heated, passionate kiss that left your body burning and your lungs gasping for air. You immediately kissed back, your mouth opening and tongue clashing with his as your hands moved upward to clasp the sides of his face, fingers tangling in the abyss of his black hair. You could feel him in full now, his erect cock pressing up against your heat through the fabric of your dress, straining against the crotch of his trousers. He was going to fuck you, right then, right there against that wall, and you barely had time to worry about one of his guests stumbling in and interrupting you, as he was already lifting your skirt above your knees, desperate to be inside you.

Your lips didn’t leave his as you reached one of your hands down to palm at his member through the leather dividing you, the corners of your mouth curling into a smug grin at the needy whimper that escaped from his throat at your touch. You could feel the wetness that had been pooling between your legs start to drip down the insides of your thighs, thankful for once for Asgardians’ aversion to undergarments, as it would make the task at hand much easier and much, much more savory. You continued to work Loki as his hands kept traveling up your legs until every bit of skin below your waist was exposed to him, two of his fingers moving to stroke tentatively at the lips of your pussy, letting out a deep growl when he found you soaked and ready for him. He broke the kiss then, moving his lips to knead at your neck, leaving red marks where he sank his teeth hungrily into your flesh.

“Oh, how long I’ve wanted you, my sweet girl…” he purred against your skin, the fingers that had been stroking you gently slipping inside you, working you tenderly as he marked you as his own with is mouth. You let out a soft moan into his ear, the hand that had been resting on his cheek falling to grip lightly at his shoulders.

“Loki…” you murmured wantonly, your lips pressed into the shell of his ear.

As if halted by some greater power, Loki stopped everything he was doing and fell perfectly still. He pulled away from you, just enough to glare down at you, frozen in place as every muscle in his body stiffened. You gazed up at him, wondering if you’d done something wrong, when you noticed the blood red hue that suddenly flooded his eyes, his blanched skin taking on a deep cerulean tone as he gazed at you like he was going to rip you limb from limb. You swallowed, fearing what would come next as Loki let out a guttural snarl and reached down to where you had been stroking him, shredding the material of his pants so that his cock sprang free from them, promptly wrapping one of your legs around his hip and thrusting inside you without ceremony, groaning at the sublime feeling of your silken walls closing around him.

You yelped as he stretched you to your limits, never having had such a considerable width inside you and savoring the feeling of nearly being split in two. It was painful – so, so painful – but in the most delicious way, and you bit down into the meat of Loki’s slender, glacial hand as he pressed it to your lips to silence you.

Loki wasted no time being delicate with you, immediately slamming his hips into yours as he worked himself in and out of you at a beastly, rapid pace, his monstrous groans filling your ears like heavenly music. You were totally and utterly consumed by him, gazing up lustfully into his crimson eyes as his clawlike nails buried themselves in the plush flesh of your thigh so harshly they drew blood. His stare met yours, cutting into you as he took you without mercy or remorse, pounding into you so deeply you could almost feel him in your chest. You peaked within moments, the current of divine electricity swallowing the whole of your being under a veil of carnal bliss. Loki followed soon after, his cum filling you until it began to spill out, his own cry of absolute pleasure echoing through the hall. He leaned over you for a long moment, keeping you propped against the wall as his forehead rested in the crook of your neck, his chest heaving against yours as he panted with the exertion of having given you the quickest, yet most mind-blowing orgasm you’d ever experienced. You were dazed in the aftermath of his sex, uncertain you were still on the same astral plane as you had been just minutes before.

Once Loki had collected himself, the shade of his skin and eyes returning to their Asgardian palette, he slid out of you, clearing his throat as his hands followed the folds of your skirt as it cascaded down your legs once more, his nimble fingers smoothing out the fabric to hide the remnants of the delicious sin you’d just shared. You dragged yourself back to reality, reaching up with trembling hands to adjust the lapels of his coat, fixing his extravagant horned helmet where your touch had set it askew.

You sighed in defeat as your eyes fell on the tattered fabric of his trousers, tugging and clasping his coat closed to hide the damage.

“I spend a month killing myself to make clothes for you and look what you do to them,” you huffed.

Loki chuckled, the sound rumbling in his chest as he leaned forward and kissed your forehead.

“I suggest making the seams more durable next time,” he teased.

“Fuck you,” you mumbled, your words swallowed by his lips as you pulled him into a heated, affectionate kiss. Loki hummed, smirking as you parted.

“Later, my love,” he promised you, taking you by the arm and leading you back into the reception room, lips pressing to your knuckles as he did. “We still have a party to host.”

[lovemesomesurveys]

Girly Do you like the color pink? Yeah. I like various shades of pink. What have you spent more money on: a purse or a pair of shoes? Shoes. Do you ever wear heels? No. What are the most stylish but uncomfortable shoes you own? I don’t really have that issue. Do you have any shoes you mostly only wear for photo shoots? Ha, what photo shoots?

What’s your all-time favorite lipstick (brand and color)? I like NYX brand lip glosses/lipsticks. Do you buy drugstore make-up or high-end make-up? Drugstore works just fine for me. What dog breed do you think you look the most like? Dogs are gorgeous and I’m not, ha.

Do you like light blue jeans or dark blue jeans better? Dark blue. What are your favorite type of pants to wear? Leggings and sweats are all I wear nowadays. What’s the last good love story you read? The past 3 books I’ve read lately have been psychological thrillers/suspense/mystery novels. I forget what the last love story I read was and I don’t feel like checking at the moment. Who is/was the most romantic of your friends? None are especially romantic. Have you ever had a magical kiss? I thought so at the time. Do you like kissing or hugs better? Both are nice from certain people. Retro Do you own any records? I have The sound of Music on vinyl, ha. Do you own a pair of bell-bottoms? No. Have you ever tie-dyed anything? I think I did that once as a kid. What’s one oldies song you like? I like a lot. Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd is one of many. Do you think Disco is a cute name for a boy? I don’t think it’s a cute name for anyone. Do you own a lava lamp or disco ball? Nope. Did you own a disco light when you were younger? No. Have you ever put a dime in a jukebox? Not a dime, no. The ones I used were like a couple bucks. When was the last time you went to the roller rink? Never have. Do you wear hoop earrings ever? I used to. I haven’t worn earrings in such a long time. Do you own a kaleidoscope? No. Have you ever done hard drugs? Nope. All I’ve done is weed. Tumblr What are three of your favorite Starbucks drinks? Caramel Macchiato, white chocolate mocha, and some of their seasonal drinks (I’m grouping them as one). Do you have photos on the wall in your room? Yeah. If you own/owned a Polaroid camera, which color would/do you have? I’d want a pastel colored one. Have you ever done a craft with a record? if so, what? No. What’s one of the best Tumblr-inspired craft projects you’ve seen? *shrug* Do you have a Tumblr account? Nah, never heard of it. Which do you like better: Tumblr or Pinterest? Tumblr. Do you have a mandala tapestry hanging in your home? Nope. Do you own any succulents? No. Fake succulents or real succulents? Do you doodle on your notebook paper? I used to back when I was in school and was taking notes. Do you own Sharpies? Yeah. What’s your favorite Sharpie color? I had a teal color of the Sharpie pens that I liked. What color are your Converse shoes? The OG black and white ones. Have you ever made an inspiration board for your room? No. Who is the best-looking male celebrity? Alexander Skarsgard. Boho Where would you like to travel to next? Hawaii. List three more vacations you would like to go on. Sweden, Bahamas, Greece. Where are three places you go to relax? My bed, mostly. I love the beach, but I don’t get to go all that often anymore. Are you a musician, artist, or writer? Nope. Do you believe in truth, freedom, and love? Uh, yes. What is your favorite store at the mall? BoxLunch. Would you hitchhike if people were generally trustworthy? No. What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done? I’m really not much of a daring person. Would you ever belly dance at a faire? No. If you became famous, would you change your name to something exotic? Nah. What are five exotic names that you like? I have no idea what would even be considered exotic. Do you own a dreamcatcher? No. Do you feel closer to God in nature? God is everywhere. Fashion What are five things that were in style when you were in high school? Whatever was in style from 2004-2008. What does your favorite scarf that you’ve made look like? I’ve never made a scarf or any article of clothing. Do you wear scarves? No. I can’t stand things around my neck like that. List the different colors of jeggings and/or skinny jeans that you have. I have several pairs of black and gray leggings, one pair of brown leggings, and one pair of red and black plaid leggings. I have several pairs of dark wash skinny jeans and one pair of black ones. What color is your favorite pair of shorts? I don’t wear shorts. What color is your favorite sweater? Black. List five people whom you think have great style. Nah.

List five of some of the worst trends you’ve seen. Blah. List five items on your current wardrobe wish list. Nothing at the moment. Where do you shop the most for clothes? Lately it’s been BoxLunch and Hot Topic. I love graphic T’s and they have a lot that I like. Do you own anything leopard print? No. Do you wear earmuffs? Nope. What color are your favorite pair of boots? Brown. Music What song makes you cry? One is Everlong by Foo Fighters. What could be the theme song to your life? I don’t know. What is a good break-up song? *shrug* What song makes you want to dance? Upbeat, catchy songs get a head bob from me, maybe a little arm movement. ha. What is one of your all-time favorite songs? Ooh. That’s tough. What is your current favorite song? Old Town Road by Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus. lol. Which show has a great theme song? The Golden Girls. ha. Which song is so catchy it’s easy to get stuck in your head? Now I have “Break Up with Your Girlfriend, I’m bored” by Ariana Grande stuck in my head. Which song is used in a lot of youtube videos? *shrug* Which song is sad? There’s many sad songs. Who makes great song covers on YouTube? I don’t know. Who is one of the best songwriters? Charlie Puth. Who has a beautiful voice? Ariana Grande. Who made it big fast? Billie Eilish (?) seemed to blow up pretty fast recently. Arts and Crafts List five DIY youtubers you love to watch. I don’t watch any DIY YouTubers. Why do questions about DIYs come up in surveys a lot? I’ve done a few that asked about it. Who makes the best craft videos? Have you ever painted rocks and hid them in your town? No, but that is a big thing in my town that people do. I’ve found a few. What craft project is harder than it looks? I’m not artsy or crafty, so I suck at any of them. Have you ever got hot glue stuck to your hands? Yeah. Are you messy when it comes to painting? I’m not a painter. What color is your cutting board? It’s wood color. Would you rather build something or decorate something? Decorate. Have you ever painted something on canvas? In like elementary school. List a few of your favorite painters. I don’t have any. Do you love the brand Natural Life? I’m not familiar with it. Do you love the brand Lisa Frank? I did as a kid. Oil pastels or chalk pastels? Which do you prefer, and why? I loved using oil pastels in school as a kid. Glitter gel pens or regular gel pens? I liked glitter gel pens in like middle school. I’d prefer regular now. Colored pencil or regular pencil? Colored. Charcoal or colored chalk? Chalk. Charcoal is messy. <<< Painting or drawing? How about coloring. Painting that shows brushstrokes or painting that looks like a photograph? *shrug* Knitting or crocheting? I can’t do either one. Sewing on a machine or doing embroidery by hand? I don’t know how to do either one. Color or black-and-white? I like both, just depends. Digital photography or film photography? I like both.

[purplesurveys]

418

Girly Do you like the color pink? It’s my favorite color. My phone case, wallet, purse, expander, water jug, two notebooks, backpack, pencilcase, clipboard, and paper clips are all pink. What have you spent more money on: a purse or a pair of shoes? Definitely shoes. I have one purse but I didn’t even spend on it, as it was a gift from my tita who was coming over to the Philippines. Do you ever wear heels? I have pairs of heels but people in the PH are so conservative and judgy that you can’t really dress up without them looking at you. As much as I want to wear my heels to places, I can only do so when I go to parties or other special occasions. What are the most stylish but uncomfortable shoes you own? I dunno, I find all of them pretty comfortable. Do you have any shoes you mostly only wear for photo shoots? No...I never have any photoshoots.

What's your all-time favorite lipstick (brand and color)? I don’t do makeup. Do you buy drugstore make-up or high-end make-up? What dog breed do you think you look the most like? Hahahahahahaha what omg

Do you like light blue jeans or dark blue jeans better? Light blue. I think they’re more trendy at the moment. What are your favorite type of pants to wear? I like my high-waisted ripped jeans! They’re super casual and can match any top. I wear it if I just want a chill day. What's the last good love story you read? I haven’t read those in a hot minute. Who is/was the most romantic of your friends? Jo I think, but I’m pretty sure it would be JM if he finally finds someone. Have you ever had a magical kiss? Always. Do you like kissing or hugs better? Hugs!!! Retro Do you own any records? No. I don’t have a turntable to play them on. Do you own a pair of bell-bottoms? Also no. I was never a fan. Have you ever tie-dyed anything? We had to tie-dye a shirt for a project in like sixth grade, but I’ve never done it just because I felt like it. What's one oldies song you like? We Didn’t Start the Fire. Do you think Disco is a cute name for a boy? Not at all. Poor kid. Do you own a lava lamp or disco ball? I own neither, but I wanted my own lava lamp really bad when I was like 14. Did you own a disco light when you were younger? I don’t think I did. Have you ever put a dime in a jukebox? Haven’t. The few times I ate at Johnny Rockets they had a jukebox, but I didn’t go near it because I was shy. When was the last time you went to the roller rink? We don’t have any here. Do you wear hoop earrings ever? I have a pair of clip-on hoop earrings I wear at least once a week. Do you own a kaleidoscope? No. I probably did when I was younger. Have you ever done hard drugs? No. Tumblr What are three of your favorite Starbucks drinks? Java chip frappe, caramel macchiato (iced or warm is fine), and peppermint mocha are my go-tos. Do you have photos on the wall in your room? Yeah but they’re nothing like the Tumblr aesthetic you’re probably asking for. I have frames of Audrey Hepburn on one wall and a poster of a Korean actor that I love, but that’s about it.   If you own/owned a Polaroid camera, which color would/do you have? I’ve never had one but my sister just bought her own Instax the other week that I plan to borrow. It’s brown if I remember correctly. Have you ever done a craft with a record? if so, what? No. I don’t think I’d want to put my hands on a record like that either. What's one of the best Tumblr-inspired craft projects you've seen? Meh. I haven’t seen the crafty side of Tumblr since 2010. Do you have a Tumblr account? I wonder. Which do you like better: Tumblr or Pinterest? Tumblr for surveys and memes, Pinterest for ideas. Do you have a mandala tapestry hanging in your home? No...that screams 2014 to me. Do you own any succulents? I never got into plants. Fake succulents or real succulents? Do you doodle on your notebook paper? When I get bored in class, yes. Do you own Sharpies? Mmmm no, I don’t really need them for anything. What's your favorite Sharpie color? What color are your Converse shoes? White. I used to have a pair of red high-top Chucks as tribute to AJ, but I think my mom threw them out already because I stopped wearing them. Have you ever made an inspiration board for your room? No. Who is the best-looking male celebrity? Gregory Peck. Boho Where would you like to travel to next? Thailand or Vietnam, hopefully! List three more vacations you would like to go on. I want to go back to Singapore, then go to those two I mentioned above. Where are three places you go to relax? My room, the beach, a cafe. Are you a musician, artist, or writer? None of these, but writer speaks to me the most. Do you believe in truth, freedom, and love? ...Sure. What is your favorite store at the mall? I don’t have one I normally go to. Would you hitchhike if people were generally trustworthy? If I had the time, yep. What's the most daring thing you've ever done? Every time I overtake or be an ass on the road (because everyone else is) always feels daring lmao. Would you ever belly dance at a faire? No. If you became famous, would you change your name to something exotic? Idk, that’s kinda racist/appropriating. What are five exotic names that you like? What exactly are exotic names???? Do you own a dreamcatcher? Yeah, I have a large one above my bed. Do you feel closer to God in nature? No. Fashion What are five things that were in style when you were in high school? Roshes, ripped jeans, crop tops, statement shirts lmao, and hoodies. What does your favorite scarf that you've made look like? I don’t need scarves and more so have I not made my own. Do you wear scarves? No. It’s too hot for scarves. List the different colors of jeggings and/or skinny jeans that you have. White, black, dark blue, light blue, khaki. What color is your favorite pair of shorts? Black. What color is your favorite sweater? The XXL one Gabie gave me to use whenever I miss her is gray. List five people whom you think have great style. Audrey Hepburn, one of the profs in my college that has an impeccable wardrobe, Kate, Sophia, and tbh my aunts.

List five of some of the worst trends you've seen. I don’t feel like it. List five items on your current wardrobe wish list. More heels, high-waisted shorts, a new jumpsuit, a party dress for the year-end college party in May, and tube tops. Where do you shop the most for clothes? H&M. Do you own anything leopard print? No. Never. Do you wear earmuffs? I don’t need them. What color are your favorite pair of boots? I don’t really wear boots. Music What song makes you cry? Recently, it’s Louis Tomlinson’s singles- at least the ones dedicated to his mom. What could be the theme song to your life? That’s a pretty bold claim...but uhhh probably Misguided Ghosts by Paramore. What is a good break-up song? Walking in the Wind, One Direction. What song makes you want to dance? Any high-energy Beyonce song tbh. What is one of your all-time favorite songs? From Eden, Hozier. What is your current favorite song? Three straight surveys that this was asked. Talk, by Khalid. Which show has a great theme song? I don’t watch a lot of shows, so I wouldn’t know. Which song is so catchy it's easy to get stuck in your head? Depends on my mood and what my head prefers to play at the moment. Which song is used in a lot of youtube videos? Royalty-free ones? Idk. Which song is sad? The entire soundtrack of New Moon lmao. Who makes great song covers on YouTube? I don’t like covers. Who is one of the best songwriters? HOZIER Who has a beautiful voice? Also Hozier. Who made it big fast? Idk, it’s pretty easy to make it big fast nowadays thanks to social media. Arts and Crafts List five DIY youtubers you love to watch. I hate DIY YouTube. Who makes the best craft videos? Have you ever painted rocks and hid them in your town? No. Even if I had the time to, the idea doesn’t sound exciting. What craft project is harder than it looks? All of them, I would guess. Have you ever got hot glue stuck to your hands? Nooooo no no, that’s one of my biggest fears. Are you messy when it comes to painting? I’m messy in and out of painting. What color is your cutting board? Would you rather build something or decorate something? I’d rather buy something that’s already built and decorated. Just really not an artsy person so this category is not for me haha. Have you ever painted something on canvas? Never. I couldn’t, even if I tried. List a few of your favorite painters. Monet. Do you love the brand Natural Life? I don’t think I recognize the name. Do you love the brand Lisa Frank? Yessssss my girl Lisa used to be the bomb dot com. Oil pastels or chalk pastels? Which do you prefer, and why? Oil...they look nicer for me? And I’ve never heard of chalk pastels until now. Glitter gel pens or regular gel pens? Glitter. Colored pencil or regular pencil? Colored pencils, because I love coloring books. Charcoal or colored chalk? Chalk. Charcoal is messy. Painting or drawing? I hate both. Painting that shows brushstrokes or painting that looks like a photograph? I’d rather see the brushstrokes. Knitting or crocheting? I hate them both too. Sewing on a machine or doing embroidery by hand? Color or black-and-white? Color. Digital photography or film photography? Classic film.

[savethemangrove]

CAS and officially starting IB

Strengths and areas for growth - New challenges and new skills - Commitment and perseverance - Global Importance // Reflective - Balanced - Open-minded

Creativity

“Being creative” means something different to everyone and is displayed in everything we do; from the way we choose to look and dress, to the activities we choose to do and things we choose to make. I consider myself a creative person because I am artistic and enjoy painting, coloring, crafting, taking pictures and making everything I do unique and original. Over break I took many pictures of my daily adventures and sometimes I would edit some of them just for fun and post them on social media. One day someone told me that they really liked my pictures and I should really consider focusing on photography and creating a portfolio with all my pieces, which was something I had never thought about because I considered my pictures just to be something silly to capture the memories, nothing so serious like that. Here are a few of them:

When preparing for the new school year and officially starting IB, I made 2 pencil cases. I watched a YouTube video and got inspired but as usual, I didn’t have all the materials so I changed it up a bit and made it my way. I’ve always loved “DIYing” things because for some reason I really enjoy making everything myself, even when I have little patience and nothing turns out well, I’ll still try again until I’m satisfied. Since it was still summer, I got inspired to paint tropical fruits for the pencil cases. I followed the measurements from the video, cut the fabric, painted it, glued the pieces together and finally added the zipper. It ended up being a little odd because my zipper fit a little big for the fabric measurements I used from the video but it worked anyways. I was happy with my pouch until I realized it was way too small and a full pencil didn’t even fit in it. I was so disappointed but I could still use it for something else. I had more fabric, glue sticks and one zipper left, just enough to make another one. This next try, I made sure to make the pouch bigger (and ended up making it way too big this time) so I cut the fabric, painted once again and then glued it all together. Since I made this pouch way bigger, I decided to add another fruit to the pattern. When I was finally done, I was so happy because I was able to fit so many things in it and after hours of work I treated myself to some Swiss chocolate. Here is how the pencil cases turned out:

Something I personally regret not doing over break is making more art. For Christmas almost 2 years ago, my parents gave me a set of 150 Prismacolor colored pencils and I have a lot of mandala coloring books that I should have worked on more during this vacation. I also have a few small canvases that I have been wanting to paint to decorate my room with but I also procrastinated that. Part of the reason I didn’t do everything I wanted to was because I would surf so much that once I was back home, I was too tired and I’d probably be napping anyways to go surf again later. Now that I am starting IB I will be busier but I still want to find time to work on this maybe in the afternoons with my mom because she enjoy coloring too. Here is an elephant I had colored a long time ago:

Part of creativity in my opinion is organization and the way you lay things out. Recently, I decided to work a little extra on my Tumblr so I added a profile picture and header image. I also changed the layout of my posts, because I felt like they were lacking a good title. I now have the CAS learning outcomes and IB learner profiles under the title because they are still important but a real title keeps things neat and organized. I went back and edited that on my previous posts so everything was the same and it was easier to “identify” all of my posts. I am so glad I did this now because it is so much neater and I don’t have as many posts yet so it wasn’t too big of a hassle.

Activity

From some of my previous posts, you probably already know surfing is my favorite sport at the moment. During break I set a goal to surf minimum 3 hours every day. I went to Switzerland for almost a month and before that I had stayed in San José a few days to visit family and once I arrived back in Costa Rica my parents wanted to stay in the city a few more days once again. When I was finally home, I really kept up with the minimum 3 hours per day of surfing; even if the waves weren’t the best, I made myself stay out for that long. Some days the waves were incredibly amazing that I’d surf for 5 or 6 hours, my record one day was 7 hours! It’s not like I had anything better to do at home anyways and if the waves were that great there was no way I wasn’t going to take advantage of it! Since I am officially starting IB soon and I won’t have as much free time, I really wanted to enjoy and surf as much as I could these vacations. Also, after being one month out of the water due to traveling, I wanted to get back at it and also keep improving. When I wasn’t in the water, I was at home relaxing and usually I would workout for about half an hour every day. When I was on my trip in Switzerland, since I couldn’t surf, I still stayed pretty active doing certain different activities and I will get more into detail about my trip on the next post, so stay tuned!

Service

When I hear the word “service” relating to CAS, I think about giving back. I personally think that we have so much to give back to the planet more than anyone else, which is kind of why I am really passionate about my project and the environment. For service this break I kept working on my project in hopes to restore the mangrove and help the environment because they are nurseries for many species and process tons of carbon dioxide! Mangroves are such an important ecosystem and I have also noticed in several different ones around Costa Rica that some parts are dying (not as severe as the Avellanas mangrove) so I want to be able to help preserve such an important part of nature.

Planning for the new school year

Officially starting IB has been something haunting me all along this past year, even if it’s just at the back of my head, it’s still there. I am obviously nervous for starting the program because it is a lot of work to be done in a short period of time. I am definitely motivated because I want to succeed and make myself proud, I also know it will be great preparation for the future. Besides sorting out my materials and packing my school bag, I haven’t done much physical planning for the new school year; it’s mostly been mental where I am just preparing myself to get back to the school routine and motivate myself to do the best I can. I’ve been telling myself I won’t procrastinate and I will try to enjoy this instead of stressing out so much because it truly is an amazing opportunity to be able to take the IB Diploma Program and I want to make the best of it. I’ve been surfing as much as I can to prepare for the hard times coming up ahead where I’ll have too much to be able to surf this much. It’s not a goodbye to surfing, I will definitely keep doing it because keeping balance is super important to stay healthy (mentally and physically) but I know I won’t be able to go minimum 3 hours a day anymore. This vacation definitely helped me clear my mind from many things I had been holding on to and it helped me open up to new ideas which I am excited about for the future, but for now I am ready to get focused and take on the new challenges IB has for me!

[erhiem]

Once the standard of beauty for Egyptian homes consisted of a lot of gold. Baroque furniture reigned supreme and there was plenty to do; You really wanted to cram as much in there as possible to show that you can’t afford to fill in the blanks. And all the pieces were unsightly and looked like discarded from the private collection of King Louis XIV. ZIS EEZ Not what I asked for! take it away. More of Zee Gold! And a baguette!

but I digress. The time of baroque is over and boho chic has arrived in the form of the trend du jour, wearing a kaftan made of organic silk and eating something like an avocado. It’s more relaxed, it’s more airy, it’s more earthy—and it’s a little more spacious, to be honest. You really want your things to look like they’ve weathered several storms and were found washed up on a far-flung beach, looking casually luxurious, with wood completely painted over. Instead it got worse. You want your rugs to be a bit discolored, which is a sign to my mom that the carpet is old, used, and to be discarded immediately, but to me it means I found a gem and I want it Can’t wait to display it at its most tattered. I might turn my feet on that for extra measure.

There are now dozens of furniture, home accessory, and interior design brands in Egypt with stunning pieces that satisfy all your bohemian daydreams. What the whole ‘boho chic’ really is at its core is the absolutely carefree and sober decor; This often involves layering and/or mixing colors, patterns and textures. You can either go in a color direction with a more funky-pattern-and-clashing-print kind of vibe, or you can opt for a more neutral palette, which takes on a more Scandinavian feel. There is no one right way to do it and there are a thousand and one variations. Unless you forget the macramé. You should never forget macros.

Below are 13 brands in Egypt where you can find pieces that align with your bohemian decor. Obviously, if you don’t want to go full boho, you can sprinkle in your favorite pieces.

Pacific OaksThe brand focuses almost exclusively on neutrals and they’ve got everything from hammocks and swing chairs—clearly of the Macro variety because what kind of self-respecting bohemian brand doesn’t use Macrom—to handmade custom rugs. They’ve got a super cute variety of poufs as well as some larger pieces like some sofas and the most comfortable looking bed—the bed frame is basically a giant pillow and the mattress is tucked in. They are based out of both Egypt and the United States and actually ship worldwide.

INCA

Since its launch a few years back, Inca has undoubtedly taken over the market with eclectic boho prints. Her style leans more toward colors rather than neutral tones, though you’ll find a fair amount of pieces embodying the latter. A big part of the boho aesthetic is mixing colors and patterns with abandon, and the Inca have the perfect prints for that. Their main attribute is fabric, so you can upcycle large furniture pieces, but they also have some lovely cushions—the floor and throw—and most recently, these incredible woven baskets that you can use to do laundry. There are, to store your children’s toys, or in my opinion, as plant pots. Be careful, they are a bit expensive.

kilim

The specialty of this Fair Trade Certified (WFTO) brand is, as their name suggests, kilims, a type of hand-woven rug made using specific weaving techniques. They work with Egyptian artisans who consider the craft to be part of their heritage. You can select colors or neutrals, and choose the size you like, and one of the nifty little services they offer is a sort of try-before-you-buy option, so they give you a Send the piece to your home, you can see how it works for your location, and send it back. He has also recently added quilts, pillows, and some pottery pieces to his repertoire.

Mama Bear N Company

If you’re looking for a macramé wonderland, look no further. Beautiful, intricate macrame wall decor is their strength, but they also have some pretty great swing chairs, including a particularly epic loveseat. The brand is big on pale neutrals and their pieces also incorporate a beachy vibe with many beautiful bamboo furniture pieces like their beach mirror and their Flower sofa.

Lush Design House

Lush focuses mainly on large pieces; Sofas, beds, cabinets, full dining sets, and so on, so if you want to properly furnish and not just accessorize, this is a great choice. Their style is a kind of boho-Mediterranean mix and they feature lots of light neutral tones for versatile long-term pieces.

petal and stem

It may seem like a random choice, but dried flowers not only have a whole boho vibe in their own right, but they’re also the coolest kind because they’re already dead, making them completely likely to kill themselves. ends. And they basically last forever. Dried flowers have a more pastel palette, so the colors aren’t as loud, and the petal end stem does a lovely job of creating dried bouquets. Having said that, if you want really funky and unique (live) flower arrangements, colors that pop more, the brand does too.

mashtal

A big part of the whole boho vibe is the a ton of lush greenery throughout the space. If you’re confident in your plant’s parenting abilities and want an alternative to dried flowers, the Mastall has a beautiful variety of plants as well as pots to store them. And granted, you can go to an actual mast (a greenhouse) where they may cost less, but this brand delivers the plants to your home, which is placed in the pot of your choice (and if needed). Will make a pot again for you too).

home design

If you spend an inordinate amount of time plunging into the ‘boho chic decor’ vortex on Pinterest, chances are you’ll be able to pick out a few key pieces from Casa Design to bring your bohemian vision to life. While they have a plethora of home items like planters and lamps, recently they have also added several smaller furniture pieces to their roster such as consoles and even an entire dining set. A lot of their recent pieces involve canning, which is having a big moment right now, and their flavored coffee tables are standout items as well.

choose meticulously

If you’re looking for an array of boho inspired home accessories—with lots of rustic, wood-based pieces—then this is a good place to find them. They have lots of wooden side tables in interesting shapes, jute items like mirrors, and a plethora of pottery, some with more classic shapes, and others that are a lot more quirky and unusual. Using natural elements and raw materials such as wood and clay has a great boho mood.

cord and knot

There’s another group of macrame masterminds with gorgeous elaborate wall hangings, but they take it a step further; For example their new Tokyo backdrop is a giant macro piece that can be rented for weddings and events. They also have some beautiful plant holders, and most importantly, the large plant pot can come with a cushion and double as a hanging cat swing. I said what I said.

Ellie Home Decor

On the brighter end of the color spectrum, Ellie is a well-established brand focused on handmade ceramics in fun colors. The defining aspect of Ellie is how cute and colorful all of her pieces are, which lean perfectly into her boho aesthetic. And while people don’t automatically think of tableware when they imagine boho, the same can apply to the pieces in your kitchen, not just your living room. And don’t feel like all your tableware has to match; Feel free to mix different colors together to add some eclectic energy – especially if you’re not brave with color in your living space. They also have a funky marbled blue fondue pot.

tayets

If ‘Jute Fringe’ is a word that resonates with you and you don’t think it’s the name of a new indie band, this brand will be your salvation. Baskets in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors—they have loads of neutral tones, but they also have some fun colorful pieces. And while a basket may not automatically come to mind when picking up household items, once you start accumulating clutter, you realize these often-overlooked babies are waiting in the wings, until you can. They don’t understand their true value.

Bya House

The word boho incorporates a lot of elements and Maison Baya’s version has a distinctly tribal twist. His pieces are inspired by African culture, his first collection being a series of patterned cushions in earth tones made from Bogolan, a thick hand-woven fabric imported from Mali that has been dyed with fermented clay. A big part of the boho aesthetic are accents from all over the world and these throw pillows are perfect for mixing and matching and throwing on your sofa.

can limon

The retail progeny of iconic eatery The Lemon Tree & Company, Can Limon is a real hotspot for all things boho. Although a large portion of their store is devoted to clothing and general apparel, they do have a few pieces of home decor. They offer both their own collection as well as eclectic pieces from other boho-minded stores across Egypt. Candle holders, throws, mirrors, prints, and even some tableware are featured in their store’s impressive collection. Keep in mind, upscale boutiques are a bit pricey.

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[weareyour4]

10 small businesses you need to follow on Instagram - LaurenET

There is nothing quite like receiving a one of kind, hand crafted product from a small business. Not only does shopping small mean amazing products but it’s also so important for the local economy. By supporting smaller companies and businesses, rather than huge corporations, you’re helping to create and sustain new jobs and income for individual business owners themselves and their families. Shopping small fosters individual creativity and innovation as well as it usually being much better for the environment. With these factors in mind, I’ve put together a list of 10 small businesses you need to check out on Instagram.

1. Peach Fuzz Candles

Instagram handle: peachfuzzcandles

Anya started candle making in 2020 and she’s now making the most gorgeous hand painted soy wax candles that are creatively molded into realistic fruit shapes. From peaches to her new addition pears, her candles are a huge triumph with her business going from strength to strength. Usually, she sells out almost immediately leaving me still desperate to get my hands on her strawberry trio.

2. Illustrated by Charlie

Instagram handle: illustratedbycharlie

The Manchester based illustrator is an absolute talent who produces colourful, bold and intricate graphic designs of quotes, song lyrics and iconic celebrities. Not only are they affordable but they come in all shapes and sizes, from mini postcards to A3 designs, making them perfect for any space and room. So far, I’ve bagged myself two postcards and birthday cards of my own with many more purchases to come.

3. Browniegod

Instagram handle: browniegod

By now you’ve probably already heard of Browniegod as she’s extremely popular on Instagram and has managed to go viral several times on TikTok. Reviews from this small business are always positive with people being sent surprise brownie packages in the post that have been fully customised – from the decorations to the brownie flavour. She offers several mouthwatering options like Oreo cheesecake, Nutella, biscoff and even gluten-free cheesecake options. You can also have your brownie slab decorated with a loved one’s name, celebrating any occasion, and even the newest option ‘hot girl summer’.

4. Lazy Disco

Instagram handle: Lazy_disco

Rosie’s shop ‘Lazy Disco’ was opened in April 2020 where she began selling cute and fun accessories, most popular being her smiley face clay earrings. Her shop also features ‘leftover lazies’ where she uses her scrap clay to make charming new accessories to sell and ensure her shop creates the least amount of waste possible. It’s not only her earrings that are best sellers, Rosie recently introduced Lazy Disco prints and ‘better things are coming’ clothing that has been a big hit with customers. Not only does Rosie offer a pop of colour and joy for your wardrobe but she’s very transparent about the challenges of running a small business and the importance of looking after yourself.

5. Posey Home

Instagram handle: posey.home

Posey home advertises her Depop based shop on Instagram with an aesthetic feed and even better homemade candles. This black owned business has taken the bubble candle trend and driven it even further with a range of gorgeous fruity scents, colours and shapes. What sets Posey home apart from all the rest, besides from the incredible products, is her amazing customer service. Although she might only just be starting on her small business journey, Posey Home is a small business to watch.

6. Olivia’s of York

Instagram handle: oliviasofyork

Olivia offers brilliantly crafted gift bouquets and hampers ideal for any occasion. First Olivia started with bouquets of flowers and Yankee candles but expanded to include chocolate (including vegan) bouquets and most recently has designed her own personalised candles. Although she only began selling in October 2020, her shop now has over 200 five-star reviews on Etsy. Olivia is paying her success forward by offering advice and a small business handbook for other Etsy shop owners to help them gain she same success.

7. Yellow Bloc Prints

Instagram handle: yellowblocprints

Emily started Yellowblocprints in August 2020 to lift spirits and radiate some positivity during the second Coronavirus lockdown. If you’re looking for inspirational and positive prints, stationery, and stickers then check out her Instagram and peruse her Etsy shop. She also offers custom illustrations and designs making Emily’s shop a great place to shop for gifts.

1. 8. Creations by Elli Kenn

Instagram handle: creationsbyellikenn

Based in Hull, Elli’s products have gained her over 13 thousand followers on Instagram as her sweet themed accessories have gained more and more attention. From Percy pigs, fried eggs, sweethearts, Jammie dodgers and cola bottles, Elli’s handmade clay accessories and aesthetic mirrors are completely realistic and one of a kind.

9. Elle Create

Instagram handle: ellecreate_

Elle’s business has been circulating for months on Instagram and TikTok as she has gained increasing traction for her designs. Currently Elle is offering self-love and other graphic design prints, as well as t-shirts, jumpers and tote bags with the same inspiring designs. One of my favourite and undoubtedly most relatable designs to date is her ‘professional overthinker’ clothing line. Since her freelancing time in 2019 and designing for her Etsy business since July 2020, Ellecreate is proof that time, patience, and hard work can lead to success.

10. Hannah’s Hoops

Instagram handle: hannahs.hoops

In her spare time Hannah has a passion for embroidery and creates beautiful and delicate hoop designs. On her Instagram you’ll mostly find nature-based and animal designs that would make the best of us jealous of her talent. Hannah usually takes commissions through her Instagram direct messages, however she has recently taken a break to continue her studies. Hopefully she’ll be back soon with her delightful designs that make perfect décor for all our rooms.

By Lauren Toulson

[thesimplyluxuriouslife]

308: 15 Ideas for Welcoming Provence Style into Your Home & Garden

Ten years of visiting, followed by three years of construction and refurbishing, and now Shauna Varvel's family Provençal mas situated just outside of Avignon, France, is an exquisite Provençal destination to see both inside and out.

Feasting first on the thoughtfully designed and decorated property through Instagram beginning in 2018, I continued to follow her as the property named Le Mas des Poiriers as well as serving as a family home for her and her husband, their adult children and the growing grandchildren, is also now available for rent (although, likely for the most elite due to the price point - which it is worth based on the expansive grounds and thoughtful decor).

Featured in Veranda's April 2019 issue, inspiration abounds whether or not we will be able to visit and see with our own eyes, as Varvel's new book Provence Style: Decorating with French Country Flair was just released earlier this month.

With today being the first day of summer in the northern hemisphere, I thought what better way to celebrate the ideal season during which to visit Provence than by dedicating this week's podcast episode entirely to welcoming the Provençal decor and garden ideas into our home and lives wherever we may call home.

Having had the opportunity to receive and read Shauna's book, if you are looking for visual inspiration as well as a historical exploration of the design styles associated with Provence, Provence Style is a book you will appreciate and find incredibly resourceful.

Below I have gathered 15 ideas adding a touch or a wealth of Provençal decor inspiration to our sanctuaries. Let's take a look.

1. Welcome in the natural light in abundance

Open the curtains, pull the shades, if you are in the middle of designing a space or choosing a home or apartment to live in, choose one with oodles of windows and preferrably south-facing (northern hemisphere) or north-facing (Southern Hemisphere) along with east, west and north as well of course. Why? Natural light works magic on the beauty of a space and Provence is all about the sun and the mistral-clear blue skies painted and appreciated by artists.

In other words, treat your windows with curtains or shutters or shades, but never forget to open them when the sun is out.

2. Add earthenware to your decor and dining experiences

"Established in Marseille in the late seventeenth century, the earthenware industry in Provence gave rise to names such as Saint-Jean-du-Désert and Fauchier, known for their exceptional blue and white faience glazes."

From large jugs and handmade pieces of pottery to plates for dining or plates for wall décor, earthenware is quintessential Provence. Begin gathering a collection, use the jugs as vases, use for functional purposes in the kitchen at the dining table, find them at flea markets, brocantes, online or a second-hand stores, and when you do, a touch of Provence will be seen and felt.

3. Mind the door and window hardware, custom millwork details and ironwork

The details matter in any home, and when it comes to Provençal style, swap out the modern for the traditional. From knobs to closures, staircase handrails, and drawer pulls, seemingly small, yet certainly significant.

4. Provide direct and easy access (inviting and encouraging as well) to outdoor spaces, the garden

Provence is about the outdoors, eating seasonally, working with the weather (yes, the mistrals are a real thing and while clearing the sky to keep that pristine blue as well as cooling you down during the summer season, they can be fiercely aggressive in the fall and winter), so provide access to the outdoors with ease. Keep your kitchen garden close to the door closest to the kitchen, create inviting sitting areas outside under the vines and the trees, and perhaps invest in a door or screen door which lets the outdoors in reminding you to step outside and enjoy the warmth.

5. Ah, the traditional hexagonal terracotta flooring tiles

"A distinctively Provençal floor material that is characteristic of most houses in south-west France, known as tomettes de Salernes, these quintessentially local tiles have historically been made in the villages of Salernes from the red, iron-filled clay of that area. During the nineteenth century, terracotta tile production was prolific, with tomettes exported throughout Europe and Africa."

I remember seeing my first terracotta hexagon floor in the vacation rental I enjoyed staying in while traveling in the Luberon. A two story villa in a little hamlet near Gourdes (tour it here), the hexagon tile covered the bathroom floor and dazzled me primarily because of its history and being in the region of France where such tile was originally made. No matter what the color scheme, this style, this color is a neutral, it is timeless, it is classic Provence.

6. Strike a balance

"Carefully judged contrasts between rusticity and gentility, modesty and opulence, the democratic and the aristocratic, are the signature of the contemporary Provençal home."

Here is where time and travel and exploration create the expertise of knowing what that balance is. Knowing how to strike the balance of opulence and rustic is not initially simple to do, but with intention and time, you will find it eventually becomes instinctive. Provençal homes no more adhere to entirely one aesthetic - everything 'country chic' than France is a country of singular flavors. No, no, no. While staying in my first vacation rental in Provence in 2018, this four story home in the medieval Ville of Vaison-la-Romaine included centuries-worn stone steps, iron-railings, classic artwork inspired by the time of the Renaissance as well as simple, floral bed linens, linen curtains and a modern bathroom. Mixing and matching - function and beauty, a touch of the present with fond inclusion of the past.

7. Know the objective of furniture selection and placement

Varvel writes the guiding principle "is to generate an impression of artlessness, though this requires thoughtful consideration of scale, comfort, design detail and choice of upholstery."

Look for vintage furniture, yet reupholster with preferred fabric and restructure the pieces to create the desired comfort. Layers work as well, soft and hard, some, but not too much. Don't clutter, but don't be a minimalist. Creating seating areas to sit, relax and be. Design with the eye of the guests in mind - what will they be drawn to? Let one item sing and the others complement. Include upholstered items in every room, but not every piece need be upholstered.

The foundational design elements hold true, but now you let the other items on today's list guide you to what type of items to include.

8. Plaster-finish for the walls

Provence is quite hot in the summer, but very much a geography which beckons you to be outside nearly the entire year even though they do have all four seasons.

"Plaster-finished walls are a common trait of the mas. When overlaid with lime wash, the lime sinks into the plaster, giving it a luminance and patina distinct from that of a conventionally painted wall."

Varvel goes on to share, she chose a custom mix of lime wash and chose a flat finish to match the tone of the limestone floors in order to create a sense of 'unity and openness'.

9. Restrained elegance

While yes, a rural locale, Provence has a rich and lengthy history stretching back to the Romans who "conquered the Greek colonists who had introduced grapevines and olives and also built the port of Massilia, later known as Marseille. This city would be instrumental in infusing Provençal living with a sense of opulence."

"A culture of contrasts, merging bucolic bliss with bourgeois aspirations; rural tradition with refinement; rustic crafts with luxury."

What does restrained elegance look like in a Provençal mas or home?

opulent chandeliers over a table covered in a linen tablecloth with fresh flowers from the garden lined up in a row down the middle

ornate gold-framed mirrors set in front of a vintage upholstered armchair

carefully laid table settings, silverware, multiple glasses and plates with an open window framed with modern fabric for the curtains which stretch to the floor.

Bare floors of limestone, covered only occasionally with an antique wool rug

10. Sunflowers

Brilliant in late June and through July, the sunflowers as you drive about the countryside in Provence will, if you are like me, successfully tempt you to stop the car and take pictures. Never mind, they are ubiquitous in this region, and likely you will find more around the next bend in the road, but still, their beauty draws a breath of awe each time.

Plant them yourself in your own garden. I planted my first sunflowers last year at Le Papillon and found direct sowing worked best. They don't need much water and by August I had giants standing guard around my property. This year, I direct sowed all of my three different pouches of seeds and even have some self-planting sunflowers along my front path to my porch. My neighbors have been planting sunflower seeds since I moved to the neighborhood, and they sow them well before the last frost. Currently, they have an alley of sunflowers about four feet tall and doing fantastically.

11. Copper

In last Friday's This & That, I shared a link to this article from Homes & Gardens UK containing 30+ ideas for styling your own French country inspired kitchen. One of the many recommendations I have welcomed into my own home is a rack full of copper pans that are actually used, but also provide a stunning rustic, yet sophisticated focal point in the kitchen. (become a TOP Tier subscriber and tour my kitchen here)

The Kitchen Reveal: Before & After and How I Customized My Small Space

12. Baskets

From rustic to new, large, medium or small, in all different styles, baskets about the home are a functional touch that also looks wonderful from a decorating perspective. I recently picked up a few baskets for my home during Rabbit Hill's French Lifestyle online pop-up shop, and highly recommend checking out her monthly offerings. As well, market baskets are wonderful treasures as well as highly functional. I have displayed my own in my mudroom, and wrote a post about how to

Find Your Perfect Provençal (or simply French) Market Tote

The English-Inspired Mudroom: TSLL's Home Tour

13. The love of cloth

Specifically Indiennes, originally imported colorful Indian chintzes which had small repeating motifs of flora and fauna. Serving as bed hanging, bed curtains, drapes and bedspreads as well as clothing, Indiennes is especially well associated with Provence. Other cottons depicting scenes from nature as well as stripes and ginghams have come to epitomize the Provençal decor.

14. Gardens full of herbs for cooking, medicinal purposes and exquisite fragrance for the home

Beginning with lavender as the most immediate herb that comes to mind when Provence is mentioned, did you know it also while scenting the air repeals flies and mosquitos? Yep!

As well as many other herbs, be sure to welcome an abundance of basil as Varvel shares, 'it is also a natural insect repellant and has been an essential in the Provençal kitchen garden for more than a thousand years".

Place in the ground or in pots just outside your kitchen for easy access while you are cooking and welcome oodles of fresh flavors to your meals.

~Have you checked out The Simply Luxurious Kitchen cooking show? Seasonal Fare to Elevate the Everyday Meal. The fourth season will debut on Saturday September 11th, and be sure to catch up on the previous three seasons here, YouTube or Apple Podcasts.

~View TSLL's Garden posts here.

15. Create natural shade in the garden and outdoors

"The Provençal garden gives shade, with plantings of plane, chestnut, pines, cypress, evergreen oak, drought-resistant blackberry, and fruit trees, especially olive, fig, apricot, peach and plum."

Varvel shares the many artists who would work en plein air in Provence and which trees appeared in their paintings along with the sunflowers which captured Van Gogh and Cézanne's admiration. Needless to say, Provençal style cannot be what it is without the outdoors or the honoring of the outdoors with the welcoming in of fresh flowers, floral and fauna prints and the opening of windows to let the fresh air dance about the home.

If you have an outdoor living space, no matter how small - balcony, a porch, create a space which beckons you to sit, relax and take many deep breaths of appreciation. In other words, to be present.

10 Life Lessons from Provence: Slow Down and Savor the Everyday

More than anything, to echo what Shauna Varvel's shares in her introduction of her book, the lifestyle of Provence rejuvenates, gently, yet assuredly nudges us to slow down and be present and never rushes us to hurry to the next thing. Taking in the sights, taking in the tastes and savoring the seasonal beauty, Provencal living is peaceful living. The markets run year-round, the attire need only be comfortable as you need your skin to breathe and your body to move as you walk about and around the many medieval towns and villages. Life in Provence is living well and savoring the everyday. When we create a home to encourage us to embody these qualities, no matter where we call home, our lives changes for the better.

~Be sure to check out an interview with the author Shauna Varvel by Jamie Beck who lives in Provence.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CQWYnnIpPuc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

~Learn more about becoming a TOP Tier Subscriber to enjoy unlimited content ad-free.

Petit Plaisir

~The Truffle Hunters

Italian (English subtitles)

In theaters now

Click here to learn more about the film's selection as this week's Petit Plaisir.

https://youtu.be/KFYhrc0AnVw

~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #308

~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate:  iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube | Spotify

Tune in to the latest episode of The Simple Sophisticate podcast

[2021ssajka]

Sketchbooks are also something I did not do in the past. As an intuitive painter, every work I have done is finalized because I can never really recreate what was done. I did not like sketching because if I keep practicing a composition, it is not authentic anymore. At times I would document my work with not just the date but also with time because there is something about the “right time right place” concept that has always intrigued me.

I have kept a few sketchbooks in the past for art classes and I never really understood the concept of it. It’s an unnatural process for me, too much thinking of where I will place which, what if I ruin it by putting this thing in this area? It's a lot of pressure lol.

I think its easier for me to experiment in a loose leaf paper because it is more forgivable. I can just toss it in the trash afterwards rather than messing up a whole book where I have already invested my time and energy in the begining pages. There is more to lose in a sketchbook.

Maybe it's the perfectionist side of me what is expecting something more from the sketchbooks. It may be similar to the same dilemma I have with stickers. I am too intimidated to place a sticker anywhere because it is too “permanent” and I always think about the “what if” of what if i find a better place for it in the future? So now all my stickers are kept in an envelope somewhere waiting to be used (LOL). Actually I placed some in the back of my clear case laptop but without really peeling it off, I just stuck it in place lol.

I do not draw, so the concept of sketching is odd to me because how can you really sketch color? I usually take my paintings head on. I leave room for chance and mistakes, letting a painting be a document of that moment. I have always been more interested in the process rather than the final product.

I had people tell me that I think in motion. I like movement, and that's probably why I am also very interested in videos and film making. I like making vlogs when I travel and home videos for my family for special occasions like birthdays and Christmas. I like capturing memories and joyful times. I usually take videos of my painting process because for me that is where the excitement comes in. I like watching things be created, and I like seeing the energy throughout work.

I am also a very sentimental person. I keep all the letters and cards given to me for my birthdays. I keep pictures, concert tickets, flight tickets and movie tickets. You name it, it's in a box somewhere. I also write in my journal almost every day. It is through writing that I navigate my thoughts and emotions and I like keeping everything in a safe box somewhere.

Recently I had someone in my zoom meeting ask me if i ever wanted to be a florist since they can peep in my room and see the floral decorations all around the windows in my room. It is very interesting because I did want to do that when I was younger. I told her that I am kind of fulfilling my florist aspirations by including it in the visual language in my work. I have always been captivated in floral elements given that I grew up in a tropical country with the plants blooming all year round, and my grandfather being a gardener (also a music and art teacher!!!) I remember visiting him in our province in Laguna and him teaching us how to make paper flowers.

When I was younger, I used to dance for family parties along with my sister and my cousins a lot. In school I would dance in school plays and school dance competitions, I was even in the cheerleading team. Dancing was my identity before I found my talent in art. Today, I still dance around my room a lot, and during parties, I'm always the first one on the dancefloor. I always thought that ART IS DANCING BUT WITH COLORS- we are just documenting it on a paper.

It is very fascinating to see how all my interests all go hand in hand together and made me the artist I am today.

It is also a big growth for me to see that I am tackling many sketchbooks all at the same time today, from zero to 100. I still have many nit-picky stuff and a specific order I liked in my work but it's a step in letting go of that sense of preconception and sense of control.

——-

The size of the new mini sketchbooks that I recently got reminds me of a children's book. This size is perfect for a kids small hand to handle. I have always been inspired with children's books’ typography, illustrations and color choices. I also have this book of the same size that is a collection of designs and illustrations that are combined with affirmations to encourage you in your day to day life. I actually ripped pages from that book and stuck it in my family's personal vision boards without them realizing.

There is beauty in seeing progress in a book in a consecutive order. Watching how I grow in my craft as I go along.

[greg38mcall]

Our HGTV Urban Oasis Experience

Did you all see that this year's HGTV Urban Oasis giveaway house is located right in my backyard? That's right! This year it is located in Minneapolis, MN and you are going to want to hurry and enter to win this beauty!

Photo Credit: Tomas Espinoza for HGTV

I know many of you come here for our organizing and house projects, but this quick story is just too great not to share! And I would be beyond thrilled if one of my readers happened to win this amazing home.

I have really gotten to know designer Brian Patrick Flynn over the past few years, and he is one of the most generous and kind humans I have ever met. He is ridiculously encouraging, really supports independent artists and small businesses, has an impeccable design eye, and can find beauty in just about anything.

Brian is the designer of the HGTV Urban Oasis home and he asked ME to be the organizing stylist! Organizing a house that no one actually lives in is slightly different than my typical duties; it has its own set of challenges but it is a bit of a dream at the same time. You have to work within the parameters of specific sponsors and design styles and be sure it is editorial, while also being able to use beautiful props. The ideas still have to be relatable and sensible, which of course is my favorite part! I wanted the folks that are entering the giveaway to be able to see the organization as possible solutions that they would be able to incorporate into their daily lifestyle.

Photo Credit: Kelly Christine Photo for HGTV

After the organizing was complete and the Urban Oasis was being prepped for media, Brian asked me back again. This time he had me bring my crew to be photographed enjoying the Hygge lifestyle at the house! My oldest son had college prep and work so he couldn't be there, but my younger boys were absolutely thrilled to take part of a really fun HGTV photoshoot. These pictures were such a treat and we will cherish the opportunity forever. Kelly Christine was the photographer behind the camera and she did such a great job of capturing us as a family pretending to live our best Minnesotan lives. As you can see, they definitely wanted to show the relaxed, comfortable, family-friendly lifestyle that this home provides. My son couldn't believe that he had a once in a lifetime opportunity to jump on a sofa and get away with it!

Photo Credit: Kelly Christine Photo for HGTV

This year's Urban Oasis is a Modern Scandanavian Farmhouse, which is an extremely popular design aesthetic around here. It is not necessarily my personal style (I lean more colorful and traditional), but I was still able to find so much inspiration throughout the entire home. It instantly hugs you when you walk through the front door and the entire place feels like a cozy nordic sweater. It is layered with plush and textural textiles and has art sourced from really incredible talent. And don't even get me started on the finishes and hardware and oak kitchen cabinets... #sigh

Photo Credit: Rustic White Interiors for HGTV

You can tour the entire house here, and enter to win here (GO DO THAT NOW!). Although this post is somewhat of a "check out this cool home and our awesome experience", I also wanted to share some images of my favorite no-fuss organizing tips that anyone can incorporate into their living spaces.

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As soon as I was hired, I searched Overstock.com (the sponsor website) to recommend some of my favorite organizers ahead of time and crossed my fingers that everything would be fluid enough to work when I was finally able to see the home in person. My first day on location everything was a blank slate of freshly painted walls and empty cabinets and drawers. It was an experience in itself to watch the house transform as the team worked to install and style all of the rooms. TIP #1:  SELECT VERSATILE ORGANIZERS

Photo Credit: Tomas Espinoza for HGTV

My biggest money-saving tip is to try and source products that are versatile enough to work in a variety of spaces and can move and evolve right along with you. I knew I would be tasked with organizing the master bedroom closet and bedroom, the studio armoire, and many of the kitchen cabinets/drawers. The key items I sourced were a mixture of wire and woven baskets, spring-loaded drawer dividers, clear bins, wooden hangers, and glass jars. I was able to mix and match these items in each area that I touched, which made my job much easier in the end. I do believe in measuring and purchasing storage that makes sense for each project, but by selecting items in basic and natural finishes, you are guaranteed that they will stand the test of time. TIP #2:  SPRING LOADED DRAWER ORGANIZERS ARE AMAZING

Photo Credit: Rustic White Interiors for HGTV

I have mentioned before that sometimes I am the last to hop on any trend train, and for some reason I wasn't quick to take advantage of spring-loaded drawer dividers. This experience flipped me completely. I am IN LOVE. I used the dividers throughout the kitchen and I now want to be the poster child for these special organizing tools. They were so easy to use (ANYONE can install them in a jiffy), and they instantly created flexible drawer dividers for all the things.

I used them for the maintenance drawers, utensil drawers, and even to hold pots, pans, and lids in place. A bonus is that the natural finish of these particular dividers fit right in with the custom wood drawers. Swoon. TIP #3:  FILE YOUR CLOTHING

I know that most of you know this by now but it is always worth mentioning. File your clothing. If your clothing is filed, it is always easier to see exactly what you have. It is also infinitely easier to take clothing out and put it away.

BONUS TIP: Use small bins and baskets inside of your drawers to corral the little things like undergarments and accessories. Sometimes the most obvious ideas are the most helpful. TIP #4:  MATCHING HANGERS

Hangers have come a long way over the years. Wooden and velvet options are both readily available and are fairly inexpensive in bulk. Anytime you can, swap out all of your mismatched hangers for ones that match. It will instantly take your closets up a notch and help them feel more uniform and calm. BONUS TIP: Color blocking the items hanging in your closet will have a similar effect. I like to hang items in order by type first (jackets/cardigans, long sleeve, short sleeve, sleeveless), and then color within each category. TIP #5:  USE DEEP BINS IN DEEP CABINETS

Organizing deep cabinets and pantries is always perplexing. It is truly wonderful to have all of that extra space, but making sure items are not being lost in the back can be a major problem. It is my goal to find the deepest bins possible in this situation because they turn into instant drawers. These bins not only categorize everything, but they also take items from the back to the front in a single motion. Also, whenever possible I like to organize from shortest to tallest. If space permits I will also add lazy susans to the mix.

Photo Credit: Rustic White Interiors for HGTV

Another tip is to place your small appliances inside of the deep cabinets and relocate your more frequently used items and foods into your standard cabinets and drawers. Small appliances are generally only used on occasion, so it may make more sense to store them in places that aren't as easy to access as the items you use every day.

TIP #6:  A+ ARMOIRE

This house didn't have closets in the two main bedrooms (one styled as an office, another as a guest room), so armories were added in their place. We use armoires in our own home where we are lacking in built-in closets also, and I love that they can offer customized and space-saving storage opportunities.

I especially appreciate the option of adding them to a home office, as they are an ideal way to conceal anything from printers, electronics, and craft supplies, to cozy sweaters and work totes. A clear workspace translates to a clear mind.

TIP #7:  CLEAR SOLUTIONS

Speaking of clear... I love a good woven basket when I am actually trying to conceal and streamline visual clutter, so I find they are a great option for open shelves and in open areas. But when it comes to organizing behind cabinet and fridge doors, I say the clearer the better. Anytime you can quickly see what you have on hand, you are one step ahead of the game. It also allows you to identify items without the need for fussy labels. Heading to the grocery store? Clear jars and bins will give you a quick look at what you have and what you may need. TIP #8:  PRETTY AND PRACTICAL AT THE SAME TIME

Photo Credit: Tomas Espinoza Interiors for HGTV

If you are limited on space, or even if you just love to keep things right within reach, find creative ways to use the walls as both decor and storage. Just off of the mudroom, Brian installed the most darling rail system and I was absolutely obsessed over how it was used to display and organize the ordinary in such a beautiful and organic way.

TIP #9:  ENTERTAIN THIS IDEA

Dedicate a spare cabinet or drawer to entertaining essentials. Our homes are best when filled with folks we love, so be ready to entertain at a moment's notice by keeping a drawer stocked with your favorite linens, candles, vases, napkin rings, serving dishes, etc...

This eliminates the stresses that come with hosting last-minute dinner dates and happy hours, or at the very least, quickly and easily elevates the setting for a nice mood boost. TIP #10:  DRAWERS ALWAYS GET MY VOTE

I was recently having a discussion with a friend about kitchen planning and storage and whether she should install lower cabinets or drawers. Drawers always get my vote if there is an option between the two. I typically find that lower base cabinets are a recipe for that deep and dark area of doom (standard depth is around 24"). Sure, you can add pull out drawers and mechanisms inside of the cabinets, but you have to open the cabinet doors all of the way, navigate around them, and then pull out the contents. A drawer is a quicker way to access everything while ensuring nothing is getting lost. Drawers are also much easier for kids to use and maintain while maximizing overall space (no need to install any extra components).

__________

Last but not least, let's just celebrate this amazing backyard moment. I am so envious of this year's lucky winner!!

Photo Credit: Kelly Christine Photo for HGTV

Photo Credit: Rustic White Interiors for HGTV

Photo Credit: Kelly Christine Photo for HGTV

ALL STORAGE SHOWN WAS PROVIDED TO URBAN OASIS BY THE SPONSOR OVERSTOCK.COM. IN THE EVENT OVERSTOCK NO LONGER CARRIES THE SPECIFIC ITEM, I SOURCED A SIMILAR ALTERNATIVE

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ENTER TO WIN THE GIVEAWAY HERE

TOUR THE ENTIRE URBAN OASIS HOUSE HERE

SEE MORE OF OUR FAMILY PHOTOSHOOT HERE

Brian and I had such a great time working together that he invited me to take part in another HUGE project last month. I can't wait to share more!

from IHeart Organizing http://www.iheartorganizing.com/2019/11/our-hgtv-urban-oasis-experience.html

[arplis]

Arplis - News: Exciting Rustic Hallway Lights

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Arplis - News source https://arplis.com/blogs/news/exciting-rustic-hallway-lights-2

[samuelmmarcus]

New Century Modern Home Design

  Garrison Hullinger Interior Design (previously featured here) recently completed this beautiful home and I am honored to be sharing their incredible work here on Home Bunch. Please keep reading to know all details shared by this talented interior designer:

  “We met the clients as they toured a Street of Dreams project we had designed. They had found a 9 acre parcel of land to build their dream home on. They had started working with a home designer but they didn’t feel like the floor plan was feeling like the family home they had dreamed of at the beginning of the process. We worked along side the home designer and clients to reconfigure spaces and also reduce the overall footprint of the home that just felt too big. The home ended up being 7,500 sq ft.”

  New Century Modern Home Design

The clients wanted a Northwest Contemporary Spa feeling home and the interiors and exterior reflect that.

Timeless Beauty

Set on a 9-acre lot, this home is surrounded by nature.

Exterior Stone

The exterior stone is Eldorado Stone Cliffstone; Color: Banff Springs Cultured Stone Veneer – similar here & here.

Exterior Lighting: Hinkley.

Front Door

A solid wood front door, dark hardwood floors and Cedar T&G wall paneling brings plenty of texture and warmth to this foyer.

Front Door: Custom Manufactured by Master Woodworks.

Beautiful Foyer Rugs: here, here, here, here, here, here, here & here.

Great Room

“The house is designed to feel comfortable for the family of four on a movie night or when they’re hosting a large party of 30 friends and family members.”

Stone Fireplace: Eldorado Stone Mountain Ledge Sierra Cultured Stone Veneer.

Lighting: Tech Lighting Entire rail system including rails.

Hardwood Flooring: Provenza Siberian Oak, Color: Oxford – similar here, here, here, here & here (laminate).

View

The designer used large pieces of furniture to ground this space. Also, notice the stunning view of the backyard with pool.

Inspired by this Space:

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Dining Room

“We knew they wanted to keep the ceilings high throughout the main level of the home but we wanted to add some warmth by adding cedar tongue and groove ceilings in the dining room and master bathroom.”

Ceiling: 3″ T&G Cedar

Lighting: Rejuvenation Haleigh Wire Dome Pendant.

Dining Table: here – similar.

Dining Chairs: here – similar.

Flooring: here – similar.

Kitchen

This large modern kitchen features Walnut cabinetry and Limestone flooring.

Kitchen Cabinetry: European frameless construction; Style: Veneer Flat Panel; Species: Walnut.

Counterstools: Available through the designer – Others: here, here, here, here, here, here, here & here.

Pendants: Sonneman.

Grey Kitchen Island Paint Color

Kitchen Island Cabinetry:  European frameless construction; Painted slab door construction. Species: Alder/MDF as required Color: Painted – “Benjamin Moore-Amherst Gray -HC 167″.

Countertop: Kenya Black Marble.

Hardware: Top Knob Nouveau III.

Island Faucet: Blanco.

Pot Filler: Blanco.

Details

“We added single hung windows above the countertop adjacent to the patio for passing food/drink.”

Perimeter Countertop: Caeserstone Concrete #200 Quartz.

Backsplash is backpainted glass panels in Benjamin Moore Sabre Gray.

Perimeter Kitchen Sink: Blanco.

Perimeter Faucet: Danze Parma Faucet.

Island Sink: Blanco Precis, in Anthracite.

Flooring: here – similar.

Powder Room

This bathroom feels very authentic with a custom metal vanity and Black Granite countertop.

Vanity: Custom metal vanity with steel frame and solid Fir wood shelf. Countertop is Absolute Black Granite – Super Honed.

Wall Tile: Pental Zebra Vein Cut Collection: Marble 12 x 24.

Sconces: Marset A18-012 Beta Bathroom Light – Others: here, here, here, here & here.

Faucet: AquaBrass Chicane – similar here, here & here.

Sink: Toto.

Flooring: here & here – similar.

Guest Bathroom

This guest bathroom features a custom Walnut floating vanity.

Lighting: Rejuvenation– Similar: here, here & here.

Faucet: Danze – Discontinued – Similar: here.

Sink: American Standard.

Floor Tile: American Olean 2″ Hexagon Unglazed Ceramic Color: A34 Black Finish: Matte – similar here.

Shower Tile: Daltile Rittenhouse – similar here.

Toilet: Toto.

Master Bedroom

The master suite is pure luxury! It features a fireplace and doors to the pool.

Fireplace Tile: Porcelain Tile Slim Tech Collection: Lappata SKU: LSABS35F 118″ x 40″

Ceiling Fan: Bigass Fan.

Decor: Available through the designer.

Master Bathroom

The master bathroom features large expansive windows and Cedar tongue and groove ceilings.

Mirrors: Electric Mirror Fusion Lighted Mirror.

Bathroom Faucets: Kohler.

Sink: Toto.

Make-up Vanity

The custom makeup area features doors to hide away the mess.

Tub & Flooring

Flooring: Limestone Collection: Natural Stone Limestone Color: Grey Flannel Finish: Honed 12×24 – similar here & here.

The freestanding tub is by Kohler.

Tub Filler: Kohler Purist.

Shower

Who wouldn’t love to have a shower like this?! This space features a drying area and it’s conveniently located by the walk-in closet.

Shower Walls: Daltile Silver Screen marble (M744).

Floor Tile: Bali Stone Color: Black Flat Finish: Natural.

Shower Faucet: Kohler Purist.

Wall Body Spray: Kohler.

Laundry Room

“The house has an ample amount of storage and we created a multipurpose room with laundry and craft space in a very sunny corner of the home.”

Backsplash: DalTile Retro Rounds Mosaic Tile – Finish: Glossy – similar here.

Island Countertop: Hickory Butcher Block – Finish: Natural.

Lighting: Rejuvenation.

Faucet: Kohler Simplicity Faucet.

Faucet: Blanco.

Gift Wrapping Station

“This family loves doing craft and school projects together.”

The gift wrapping station features cork backsplash.

Cabinetry: Lower Cabinets: Dackor 3d Laminates: Semi Gloss; Frosty White. Upper Cabinets: Dackor 3d Laminates; Flakeboard Queenston Oak.

Perimeter Countertop: Formica Graphite 837-5.

Hardware: Pulls & Knobs.

Outdoors

” The floor plan was all about flow in-out of the home to the covered patio along side the pool.”

  Many thanks to the designer for sharing the details above!

Interior Design: Garrison Hullinger Interior Design (Instagram – Facebook)

Photography: Blackstone Edge Studios.

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Best Sales of the Month:

Thank you for shopping through Home Bunch. I would be happy to assist you if you have any questions or are looking for something in particular. Feel free to contact me and always make sure to check dimensions before ordering. Happy shopping!

  Serena & Lily: Pillow & Throw Sale!

  Wayfair: Up to 75% OFF on Furniture and Decor!!!

  Joss & Main: Up to 70% off Sale!

  Pottery Barn: Bedroom Event Slale plus free shipping. Use code: FREESHIP.

  One Kings Lane: Buy More Save More Sale.

  West Elm: 20% Off your entire purchase + free shipping. Use code: FRIENDS

  Anthropologie: 20% off on Everything + Free Shipping!

  Nordstrom: Sale – Incredible Prices!!!

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See more Inspiring Interior Design Ideas in my Archives.

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If I am wrong, right me. If I am lost, guide me. If I start to give-up, keep me going.

Lead me in Light and Love”.

Have a wonderful day, my friends and we’ll talk again tomorrow.”

with Love,

Luciane from HomeBunch.com

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