#were the 6 month anniversary gifts btw

[bottledclxuds]

just saw someone call bt "one of the most beautiful relationships on the show" and i. putting my dislike of tommy and bt aside. really? did we watch the same show? i don't think its even close to the top 5 most beautiful relationships on the show 😭😭 ur watching the same show with madney bathena and henren in it like put some respect on their name

[random0lover]

Hi! I was wondering if u can write how simon ghost riley reacts to if u want to fem!reader being all dolled up for an event or sumn. you imagine the rest 😭😭😭😭😭. love ur writing btw 🙏

A Day for First’s and Adding a Second

Pairing: Simon ‘Ghost’ Riley x wife fem!reader

Summary: It’s your and Simon’s son’s kindergarten graduation so you have to dress nicely and Simon loves it. Also a little surprise at the end.

Word Count: 1,686

Warnings: slightly NSFW (grinding while fully clothed) so 18+, established relationship, fluff at the end, reader is called love once, Simon being all hot and bothered, Price is your dad 🫣, pregnancy mentioned towards the end, is fem!reader and should be POC friendly! If you notice anything that makes you feel otherwise please let me know! I never want anyone to feel excluded with/in my work ♡

Notes: This is my first Simon fic and I honestly don’t know how to feel about it. Part of me adores it and the other thinks it’s trash, either way I wanted to respond to this request as it’s so sweet and the idea is adorable. I hope I was able to do your request justice my love! Also flashback are in italics.

You don’t often dress fancy but today your and Simon’s son was going to be graduating kindergarten. He goes to a private school at the moment so there were certain expectations and dress codes that you had to follow whether you wanted to or not.

The kids were all to wear navy blues and the parents were all to wear white or black. Everyone dressing formally.

You were currently getting ready in yours and Simons shared bathroom while Simon was helping your son finish getting ready.

You decided pretty quickly that while you would’ve loved to wear a white dress, being around children for up to three hours did not go well with the color white.

So you went with a black dress that reached right above your knees with loose sleeves that went down your arms to help make sure that you wouldn’t be cold with a neckline that was set right above your chest. The dress wasn’t to form fitting so that you would be able to sit for an hour or two without being uncomfortable or feeling constricted.

You were just finishing up your preferred makeup look when there was a light tap at the bathroom door.

You call out a small come in but start digging through the jewelry box on the counter that Simon had slowly been filling up over the years that you had been together no matter how much you protested against it.

You heard the door click open but didn’t hear Simon come in but you could feel his presence there, you always could.

“Hey Si, which necklace do you think I should wear?” You’re holding a necklace in each hand. The one in your right hand was the first necklace he had ever gotten you for your 6 month anniversary. It had two pear-shaped diamonds at the center surrounded by round-cut diamonds on a sterling silver chain.

The one in your left was a necklace that had been passed down through your family line and not too long ago your dad gifted it to you as a birthday present. It has 20 round shaped diamonds and in the center sits an oval shaped diamond with a white gold setting on a Singapore chain.

You usually didn’t have a hard time choosing a piece of jewelry but today you were slightly conflicted and his silence wasn’t helping.

You finally look up from the jewelry in your hand to look into the mirror and find Simon leaning against the bathroom door frame in an all black suit with gloves to match. He usually wears a black face mask out in public but he doesn’t have it on yet leaving it off until you were all ready to leave.

You feel his gaze slide along your body leaving a hot trail in its wake and you patiently wait until his eyes connect with yours in the mirror. Once they do you can’t help the sharp breath that escapes your mouth from the intense look he is holding in his dark brown hues.

A hum starts in your core when he steps towards you in three large steps and slightly leans his weight into you causing you to lean over the counter slightly.

You squeeze your eyes shut relishing in the heat surrounding you. Your lips part in a silent gasp when he slides his hand down your spine leaving it to settle on your hip and in the same moment runs his mouth along the arch of your neck and up to your ear.

“If we didn’t have somewhere to be I would take my time ravishing you against this sink.” His deep voice wraps around your body making goosebumps trail the lengths of your arms.

The impact of his words on your hazy brain makes you grind back against him, he lets out a small groan and rocks his hips into you while tightening his grip on your hip and pulling you back against him causing the perfect amount of friction.

You’re both lost in the moment trying to keep your moans and his grunts as quiet as possible so that your son didn’t hear.

Your body is getting hotter the longer you both claw at each other. It has been too long since the last time you’ve had the chance to feel each other's skin without being interrupted. You can tell that he’s getting close from the way his breath is puffing at your ear and he’s pulling you into him harder and harder, almost lifting your feet up off the ground.

Your ears are starting to ring from the pleasure and the rope in your stomach that is pulling taut when you hear little feet running across the house combined with giggling when you yank yourself away from Simon and open your eyes for the first time since this whole ordeal started.

You're busy trying to fix your dress and Simon is adjusting the bugle in his slacks when you hear the running stop outside yours and Simon's shared room before picking up again and the giggling sounding farther away.

He’s staring at you again when you look up at him making the fire in your body that was slowly sizzling out to start up again.

“The one your dad gave you.” You look at him confused for a moment and he smirks lightly, “the necklace.”

You look over at the two necklaces that had been carelessly tossed onto the counter during your moment. You pick up the necklace he said and offer it to him while moving your hair out of the way making your neck available for him.

You face the mirror and once he’s behind you you look into his eyes in the mirror, “Speaking of my dad,” you let out a sigh,”he offered to babysit tonight.”

He pauses mid wrapping the chain around your neck, his eyebrows lifting, “Price actually offered to watch him?”

You roll your eyes, “How many years have we been together and how old is our son now? I’m pretty sure my dad being mad at you is gone by now.”

He latches the necklace and slides his hand around you to grip your chin making sure your eyes stay connected in the mirror, “I don’t know,” he moves his mouth right up against your ear making you shiver, “I can still hear how mad he was when he found out his lieutenant was doing more than helping his captain's daughter move into her new flat.”

You sigh, mind flashing back to the day that all the tension between you and Simon finally snapped.

You had found a flat to finally move into and your dad was supposed to help you but something came up at work that was a bit more important so he sent over a man he knew he could rely on. What he didn’t know is that you and Simon had been fighting the urge to give into one another and you two being alone all day? It was bound to happen.

Price had walked in when Simon was helping you put the last of the furniture in which was your couch. You weren’t in a compromising position or anything but your neck was littered with love bites. You had a glow to you that you didn’t have that morning when you saw Price, and you were wearing Simon’s shirt leaving him with just a black wife beater on.

The man flew into a rage slamming his fist into Simon's face and a shocked Soap was left gawking until he kicked into gear yanking his captain up off of his lieutenant which was not an easy feat.

Simon didn’t fight back one bit as he knew that this was the reaction he was going to get. The captain had made one rule with his team, “Don’t touch my fucking daughter.”

It took months for your dad to even be okay with seeing you together at all. He could see how in love with each other you were and so the day Simon asked for his blessing he of course said yes.

You're pulled out of your thoughts from Simon sighing into your neck and gently kissing a sensitive spot. “Was thinking we could maybe make your favorite dinner and watch a movie?”

He nods, stepping away from you, “sounds good to me love.”

You give him a smirk in the mirror, “I also have a surprise for you.”

His eyes glide over you again focusing on how the dress hugs you in all the right places, “oh really? I’m going to hold you to that so no getting all cuddled up in my lap and falling asleep early.”

You know he’s teasing so you snort and roll your eyes before shooing him out of the bathroom trying to keep a knowing smile hidden, “I’m almost ready so why don’t you go get our little energy ball in his car seat.”

He gives you a quick kiss before walking out of the room and you hear him calling for your son. You listen for a moment to make sure he won’t be coming back and once you're sure you pull out a little key to unlock a part of the jewelry box.

You dig your hand into the open drawer and pull out a light blue rectangle box with a pink ribbon tied around it. Inside the box were three positive pregnancy tests. You wanted to be sure and didn’t want to get your hopes up so you wanted to take more than one.

You were so excited to tell him about the pregnancy as a few weeks ago he came to you asking if you would ever want another baby. You were hoping for a little girl this time around, the perfect addition to your family of three. Adding a second bundle of joy to your lives.

You hear Simon calling into the house for you and you yell back that you were coming. You put the little box back into the drawer and grab your purse and leave the room thinking about how your life is so different than what you thought it would be and honestly you couldn’t be happier.

Hi my lovelies, I hope you liked this little fic! I wasn’t sure how to go about the ending so personally don’t know how to feel about it and would love some feed back. Anyways I hope you all have amazing days <3

Requests are open! I can not promise when or if I will write them but I do prefer requests that are slightly more specific as I find them a little bit easier to write but it’s not required. Thanks for reading my darlings ♡

[witchthewriter]

𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐜��� 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞

⤷ gender neutral, ambiguous race and any size reader. Thank you for the request; they’re open btw!!!

a/n: pretend Jasper doesn’t exist or they aren’t together, m’kay?

ᴹᵃˢᵗᵉʳˡᶤˢᵗ

INFP

Ravenclaw

Chaotic Good

Aquarius Sun, Pisces Moon, Cancer Rising

𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔:  

Pair of walking disasters who cannot function without each other

Old married couple even though you aren’t that old

Similar trauma but different ways of coping

𝑺𝑭𝑾🌿  

・Alice had visions of you for years before meeting. She would get so excited every time it happened - she yearned for someone to love. 

・She was anxious to meet you, not wanting to make a bad impression. 

・You guys met years before Edward and Bella. You were in your early 20s, barely surviving adulthood when you bumped into a woman at work. 

   “I am so sorry!” You bent down, picking up the books from the floor. 

“No it was my fault-” Alice’s sweet voice seemed to twinkle. 

・She didn’t know you’d be at work that day (she came every day hoping to see you.) And that rainy Tuesday at the book store was your first meeting. 

・Alice is a very romantic person, always bringing flowers, chocolates or gifts. 

    “You really don’t need to do this,” you smiled at her. 

“Oh but I do. I have to make up for the years we haven’t been together.” 

・She wouldn’t tell you about her being a vampire until your 6 month anniversary. It was getting harder and harder to excuse the weird things that had happened. 

・You have an open-mind anyway. And knowing that beings like vampires exist ... it made life seem more interesting. 

・She loves doing your makeup

・Never feeling unsafe whenever Alice is there. You know she could take on anyone/anything. 

・She leaves kiss marks with her lipstick on your books, mirrors etc

・Alice makes you lunch whenever you go to work

・” Do you know how happy you make me?” 

・Sometimes you feel as if she’s waaaay more sophisticated than you, but she always shuts down those thoughts. 

・Always dropping you off/picking you up from work

・She gives you a lot of forehead kisses, although she is shorter than you. You have to lean down or have her on her tippy toes. 

・Very big on affection and PDA. Will kiss you no matter where she is or who you’re with. 

・Alice likes to have her arm linked with yours. It makes her feel grounded - sometimes she feels as if she could float away without you. 

・She hand-makes clothes for you, and they always fit perfectly. Alice has literally perfected sewing and knitting. 

・I can definitely see you guys adopting a cat, a black and grey one that likes to sleep in your lap. 

NSFW🔞minors dni!!!

・Alice is a flurry of hands and lips. She wants all of you and wants you now. 

・Actually will have sex in restrooms, changerooms, the car...

・Alice isn’t overly loud but cannot control her moaning when she’s close to cumming 

・She has a lot of energy and rarely gets tired or bored from sex. Alice also has a high sex drive but she never makes you feel responsible for it. 

・Alice is somewhat experienced, not overly but not completely clueless. 

・I think Alice would like to experiment with sex and kinks. Because she loves you so dearly, she never even looks at anyone with sexual/romantic interest. 

・Her favourite positions are either lotus & cowgirl (with her on top)

・I think Alice would prefer receiving head rather than giving it. She absolutely loves the attention. 

・Alice is a switch though but is more sub than a dom. She likes that you’re in charge and she’s in safe hands. 

・She doesn’t like completely serious sex - giggling and laughing is preferred. 

・Has a praise kink

・She can talk a lot during sex and sometimes she comes out with the most randomest stuff

[hajimine]

Hey hey can i request for iwaizumi, kenma, akaashi and any other character you want to add that has s/o that love to do things for them? (I always see ppl writting the boys doing so much for s/o but i always love doing special things for mine like writting daily love letter, giving them flowers, present, e.t.c just showering them with love. I would love to see the boys reaction to them)

Btw I really love your posts it make me go ❤🦋❤🦋❤🦋❤🦋❤🦋❤🦋❤

➵ HAIKYUU BOYS WITH A S/O WHO LOVES DOING CUTE THINGS FOR THEM

characters: iwaizumi hajime, kozume kenma, akaashi keiji

type/genre: headcanons; fluff, again :>

a/n: hi babes! sorry this took me a while, i had lots of uni stuff going on but i hope you enjoyed this nonetheless! and tysm for your kind words it means so much aaaa <33 requesting rules

PLEASE REBLOG IF YOU ENJOYED! <3

IWAIZUMI HAJIME ➞ in his previous relationships, iwaizumi is usually the one who does cute things for his s/o. one might assume that he has absolutely no romantic bone in his body, but he actually is very affectionate, just in a different way than what’s deemed as conventional. when you come bearing a small bouquet of red roses for him on your 6-month anniversary, his face immediately matches the shade of the flowers. stupid, i’m supposed to be the one giving you roses, he’d grumble, cheeks still burning. but he would take the bouquet from your grasp and admire it for a little bit, before pulling you into a tight hug and kissing the crown of your head while murmuring a small thank you, babe, i love it. throughout the whole date, you can see his lips twitching into a smile as he glances over to the bouquet sitting beside him. never in a million years would he expect to be on the receiving end of this, and he’s so grateful for you because you were the first one to even bother doing this for him.

KOZUME KENMA ➞ you like leaving little post it notes around the house for him to find whenever he takes a break from gaming. the notes range from silly inside jokes you have with him, to sappy mini-love letters about the little things he does that made you fall in love with him. kenma would sometimes find one on the fridge door, one by his pillow, and another one on the back of his gaming chair. he wouldn’t outwardly show it, but he appreciates them so so much, especially after the fatigue of staring at a computer screen for hours sets in. it gives him a small boost of energy, in a way, and a small smile would grace his lips whenever he finds another one of your signature pink post-its around his apartment. he wouldn’t admit this (over my dead body, he says) but he keeps every single one of your notes in a shoebox under his desk. one of his favorite one, the one he keeps looking back to, is the one where you drew you and him as cartoon kittens.

AKAASHI KEIJI ➞ akaashi never really liked receiving gifts; he usually prefers to be the one giving them instead. he’s a simple guy, he doesn’t have a lot of things on his wish list, and he doesn’t want people to feel obligated to give him anything. so when you hand him a neatly wrapped box with a beige-colored ribbon around it, he refused to take it at first. but you insisted, and the glimmer in your eyes and the excited curl of your lips made him give in—after all, he has always found it hard to say no to you. he carefully unwrapped the gift and almost gasped when he saw what was inside. it was the limited hardcover copy of the book he’s been wanting to get his hand hands on (signed by the author, too!). he didn’t think you would even remember, as he only mentioned it to you once during your coffee date with him last month. there was a tender smile on his lips as he murmured a quiet thank you, my love and pressed a soft kiss on your forehead.

© HAJIMINE — all rights reserved. please do not repost, copy, translate, or claim any of my works as your own.

[madcom-hcs]

It has been 6 months since I gave Crackpot a MAG bf and I wanted to share a cute headcanon abt their anniversary. (His partner is named Fuffy, btw, they were a MAG doctor)

They actually got married down in the chasms, though they didn't have rings for their wedding when it happened.

On their anniversary, Crackpot went down to the mining sector and looked for any gems he might find fitting (though bird instinct of 'ooh shiny take' he also brought back a lot more things than just a single gem) and he got his hands on Nephrite. (A jade, I believe)

And he surprised Fuffy by revealing he made them wedding rings with the Nephrite he found as an anniversary gift!

He saved the other things he grabbed into a small collection too, maybe to gift them for other things or later on since there were also gems and stuff in that collection too.

.

[shanie-the-toyaddict]

3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 12 and 13 for the End of the year Asks.

3. Favorite musical artist / group you started listening to this year?

I’d have to say either Chris Tomlin or Passion. I really got into Christian music this year and it helped me through some of the tougher moments.

4. Movie of the year?

I basically watched one non-musical movie all year and it was Demolition Man in April. But if I had to pick any “film” that hit me, it’d be the Hamifilm. I’d watched the bootleg a few times before that but seeing it in full HD was glorious.

BTW: WERE THIS YEAR NOT A SHIT SHOW, I CAN GUARENTEE “IN THE HEIGHTS” WOULD BE MY ANSWER HERE! (grumblegrumble2020bullfuckerygrumble)

5. TV show of the year?

Does Smackdown count? LOL! If Smackdown doesn’t count, then I’d have to say Xena. Yes, it’s a really old show, but I’ve been having a hell of a Xena resurgence this year, so that’s my pick.

7. Favorite actor of the year?

Considering his recent stints on NCIS. I am fighting every fiber of my being to NOT put Shane O Mac as my answer here, so outside of him and any other wrestlers I’d have to go with Ethan Slater. The SpongeBob Musical Proshot hit in late 2019 and I rode that high into 2020, with Ethan still being one of my biggest guys right now. Plus, “Life is Weird” hit this year which I absolutely ADORE. Spotify WINS! Oh, and my mom bought me TSBM DVD for Christmas. So that’s pretty cool too,

9. Best month for you this year?

December, by far.  We’ve only got a few days left and nothing catastrophic has happened to me thus far. Brodie’s death was horrible, but it’s 2020 and there’s no such thing as a perfect month. But with my getting my Christmas Club payout last month, on top of a big helping of extra money from food stamps and LIHEAP, I had a ton of money for Christmas Presents this year, including a good many for myself! (See the most recent Action Figure Update.) Sure, the slow post office has been annoying, but it’s been an awesome holiday season this year and I’m excited to see what 2021 has to offer.

12. Talk about a new friend you made this year

There’s this one totally sweet lady I met on Tumblr who I nicknamed Zaynee. She’s just the best. She’s kind, thoughtful, funny, positively awesome to chat with, and she introduced me to this whole new ship called Zowens which, prior to this year I wasn’t really that big on, but BOY OH BOY DID THAT EXPLODE! I mean, true, we did become mutuals LAST year (12/27/2019 Happy Anniversary, Darling) but this year she became the best friend I could ever hope for. Every day when I log on to tumblr, I rush to see if she posted anything new and, if she did, I eagerly eat it up. Yummy yummy Zaynee content. And, on the nights when I’m having episodes, I love to search through her blog for happy posts and zowens stuff that always manages to cheer me up. Holy fuckbeans I just love her so much. Bestest Tumblr Friend EVER.  

And... possibly a bit self-indulgent, who else did you think I was going to put here, sweetie???

13. How was your birthday this year?

Ok, since this is getting long, I’ll try to make this short.

Last Christmas, my mother (although she’s never admitted this was her intention) decided to teach me a lesson about why we don’t demand gifts. For years I had gotten bitchy and pushy about how “You never get me what I ask for for Christmas” and last year, I actually gave her a physical list – which she made a point of not getting a single thing from. She’s never said why she did it, but the disappointment I had on Christmas day when I got nothing I wanted, in contrast with the JOY my parents displayed over my mostly-dollar-tree gifts went a LONG way for teaching me the spirit of giving.

Perhaps this is why, for Christmas this year, I just dropped casual hints while splurging greatly in my own gift giving. Christmas was very nice this year and, when I didn’t DEMAND stuff, I found I got just what I wanted.

However, this was about my birthday.  

My birthday is June 10th. Because I got NOTHING I wanted for Christmas, and one of the big things I wanted was a new computer, my mom told me she’d try to get it for me for my birthday instead.

Well, on June 2nd of this year, there was a storm. A bigun. And in the storm, the power surged not once, not twice, but THREE times.

If I had to guess what happened, the first time shorted out my surge protector. The second one knocked out my electronics while the third positively FRIED them.

When the power came back on, my monitor and my printer were completely bricked, while my computer was on the fritz and TWO of my external hard drives were not responding.

I was crushed. All that hardware fried in 6 seconds.

My mother, bless her, over the course of June, took a large sum of money from her personal savings and replaced my entire set up by herself. New PC, New Monitor, New Printer, New 10TB HD, ALL OF IT. The only thing I was responsible for was the new surge protector (which I did NOT skimp on!)  

So, as fate would have it, both my Christmas and Birthdays this year were pretty swell.

And that was not remotely short. Dammit.

Anyway, Thanks @ilovesamizayn for the ask! Love ya, babe.

[isa-ghost]

Anniversary

Two years ago today, I turned a (now 7, at the time 5) year friendship into a relationship in totally the smoothest way ever.

That’s definitely sarcasm, get a load of this shit--

Like the smooth motherfucker I obviously am, I got myself the world’s best girlfriend ever by asking her out on Messenger while grocery shopping with my mom and being sad. If that isn’t the most Millennial(tm) thing I’ve ever heard, I don’t know what is.

But I mean, we’d called each other “wifey” for probably two years prior anyway. I still have a video on my phone of my SECOND joke proposal to her from the first time we met irl the summer before we actually started dating (the first time we were on vid chat and I flung a ring at my laptop screen. Shoutout to The Portal(tm).) We’d held hands ALL DAY as I showed her around Chicago in front of our moms. And... well, I’m not gonna share this story publicly but our friends all know The Waterslide Story(tm). All of this literally just 6 months before we started dating.

We acted like girlfriends, so why not make it official?

Now two years later, we’ve seen each other irl maybe two times, but I’ve honestly never had a stronger relationship with someone in my life. 7 years experience of reading each other and being there for each other’s best and worst moments has made it so easy to be open and honest.

Next time someone tells you that long distance doesn’t work, or that asking someone out has to be fluffy and special and extra romantic, tell them they’re wrong.

Tell them they’re wrong because in two years, we’ve done everything irl couples do, and the worst thing we’ve been through is missing each other because we don’t have the time to see each other physically.

We drown each other in gifts even while both broke as hell. I’ve taken her to concerts without her even having to leave her dorm. We’ve watched movies and binged YouTube and anime together, watching the same screen. We met up at 1am at a gas station as I was coming home from vacation because I was driving right through her town. We’ve kissed and cuddled in the short spans of time we’ve gotten to see each other. We talk every day, and we don’t fall apart if we don’t. We’ve had stupid, silly awkward couple moments. We have plans for dates. Hell, we raised a virtual child together for one of my college child psychology class projects (he grew up to be just like her btw). I may not get to hold her hand, or always hear her laugh, or wake up next to her every day, but I wouldn’t trade our relationship for the world.

I love you, @deaths-presence. Happy second anniversary. We might not have the most special love story, but you’re special enough to me that we don’t need one. <3

[arkhamknxghts]

Oop I got carried away anyways jaykyle headcanons

•Kyle does his best to be the Santa that Jason never had don’t @ me

•Jason: I want to cut my hair I want a change

Kyle: I support you I’m going to dye my hair

•Kyle: “which safe house are you at im omw”

Jason: #4

Kyle: where’s that one

Kyle: nvm just meet me at the bank

•late night movie theaters Jason falls asleep against his shoulder and is laying down in his lap if the seats are connected

•Kyle: wtf I only have $3.77 in my bank account

Bruce or Jason overhearing and so Kyle wakes up with $3,003.77 in his account

•Jason: Bruce did an okay job at being my father figure we can share I guess

Kyle: sure I’ll put your achievements on my mom’s fridge im sure she won’t mind

*puts jason’s drawing of a flower on it*

•Kyle picks up photography and filmmaking so he tried to film everything him and Jason do together.

*first kiss, first sober kiss, first night he spent over, first roadtrip, first date*

•Jason drives during the road trips because he’s calm and collected while driving and he reactions to bad drivers near him quickly

•Kyle to Jason at 1am at a gas station: I love your bags

Jason: I appreciate it

*kyle kissss him under each eye and Jason flinches*

•Kyle snorts and Jason cries when they find something hilarious

•Jason: so Alfred taught me how to make bacon and eggs without setting something on fire in kitchen here’s some breakfast in bed

•Bruce always reminding Kyle that a part of him is still going to be protective over Jason despite Jason’s history “so don’t think that just because he… doesn’t mean I will…”

•Hal was trying to find a reason to dislike Jason but he sees that Jason and Kyle get along so oddly that there’s nothing plus him and Jason bond over their love to annoy Bruce

•he still annoys them both about protection tho

•Hal: is Jason that good of a fuck that I have to deal with bats even more now

Kyle not understanding what “of a fuck” means: yes

•Kyle coming home to a load of take out food that Jason ordered

•Forehead kisses for you

•Kyle’s phone storage running out because most videos on his phone are of Jason doing some silly thing like dancing towards the camera at a party or other video shots he wasn’t done editing (his favorite is that one time Jason was getting frustrated at putting up furniture but Jason looked so good in Kyle’s shirt and messy hair it makes Kyle homesick when he watches it), up close to Jason covering his eyes, (this one was early in their relationship) Jason smoking and looking sideways at him with glassy eyes, Jason looking at Kyle with these sleepy googly eyes and Kyle will look at the photo with so much pride and another is Jason with a butterfly on his face which took 5 years off of Kyle’s lifespan

•Jason: can I

Kyle: YOU MADE IT FLY AWAY AGAIN DAMNIT

•Jason is comfortable crying in front of Kyle, Kyle reminds him that he loves him with snot and big tears and all

•Jason brings Kyle back a picture and a souviner from every country’s iconic structure

Kyle starts to tear up

•Kyle “I brought you a rock” Rayner

Jason “this is the best thing anyone has ever gotten me I’m going to sleep with it for the next month” Todd

•Kyle brings back books and other materials that aren’t on Earth back to Jason because he know Jason loves learning more about anything there is to learn everyday

•Kyle knows that Jason has the curiosity of a child, that’s what makes Jason so fun to be around with

•Kyle doing the upside down Spider-Man kiss with Jason when he comes back if he’s still wearing his green lantern unfirom

•on Jason’s bad days, Kyle will cook or turn the radio on at a soothing volume for Jason to feel a little better

• when Jason still doesn’t get out of bed Kyle will just spend the day with Jason’s silent form by watching tv and covering them both up with a blanket

•Kyle: do you want to get up? We can try to look up ways to make your explosions even bigger

“No thanks” in a soft voice

“Okay just get your rest tomorrow can be a brand new day”

“Thanks”

•he reminds Jason that he doesn’t need to go anywhere when it’s his death anniversary and of course its understandable to still be upset about

•Jason will force Kyle to take a break at times or just to let himself go

•convo on the couch with the rain pattering outside the window ”I miss Alex, her birthday is coming up” “I’m sorry” *7 seconds of silence* “do you want to talk about it?”

•Kyle: this piece is trash

Jason: our definitions of trash are very different

•Jason: so I found this frame for you

Kyle: you mean stole it?

Jason: no one else grabbed it

•Kyle: wtf he teaches me something new everyday

•Kyle wanted to do a cheesy ice skating date and it was fun and games until he found out that Jason is practically an ice skater mid way, leaving Kyle to throw snowballs at Jason from the sidelines because he sprained his ankle when he fell

•Jason carrying him to the apartment because “it’s only 6 blocks away I’ll be fine”

•Kyle: can you teach me how to shoot a gun

Jason: cAn yOu TEacH mE hOw tO sHoOt a gUN? What the fuck no

•Jason: can you take me to Oa? Dick wants to visit

•Kyle: cAn YoU tAkE mE tO oA? Hell no

•early in their relationship they exchanged nothing but drunk kisses at all the celebrations or parties like they were that annoying couple that took almost every fucking place to sit because they were just making out so no one really knew if they were together because they seemed like they already were ???

•Kyle makes fun of Jason when he’s driving because he’s overly cautious unlike Kyle who drives with one hand on the wheel at all times

•their first date or kiss or the fuck they refer it to was the first time they got together was some kind of mess. It wasn’t planned at all. It started from going to the cave for a meeting, Kyle asking Jason what’s to eat around Gotham, Jason taking Kyle to his favorite place and next thing you know they’re having a deep meaningful conversation in the back of one of the cars they borrowed from Bruce’s and they started to make out, Jason and Kyle had an argument of whose place is closer and they ended up going to Kyle’s hotel. Jason told himself he was going to leave early in the morning but that bitch was so tired from last night he stayed in until 12 and then they were like oh btw I always had a crush on you

(Thus is where Kyle’s first photo of Jason happened, when he was laying in bed still asleep, messy hair and all)

•weird conversations with no context like:

•”I’ll bet you that I can play the violin for $15”

“It wouldn’t even surprise me that this point”

•Jason while giving a foot massage to Kyle: your feet are the only feet I’m willing to touch

Kyle: good don’t foot massage cheat on me

•kyle: yeah he almost looked like he was never mind I’ll just sketch it out hold on

•Jason: does your facial hair grow out faster in space?

Kyle: I don’t know like *deep sigh* like it can

•*off key singing when making dinner “will you still love me when I’m no longer young and beautiful I know you will I know you will I know that you wil-“ “you don’t know me” from across the room

•Kyle has an hour long video of Jason lip syncing Moana word to word

•everytime bruce and Jason have a small argument Hal would act like he’s Jason’s dad. “Hey lad do you want to bat with me?” “Do you want to catch a burger with me?”

Kyle: that was supposed to be me what the hell

Kyle: I JUST THINK ITS FUNNY THAT

•Bruce: this is what we’re not going to do

•Kyle: Jason get your father figure or whatever you try refer to him as he keeps talking to my mom about a Wayne industries job

•Kyle out of no where: we should go skinny dipping

Jason: WE SHOULD

Kyle: babe stop yelling I’m right here

•Kyle washing the blood out of Jason’s hair when patrol or a mission goes wrong while Jason tries not to fall asleep

•Kyle hyping up Jason whenever Jason changes anything ranges to “why are your fingers fat they look like hotdogs sometimes” “you don’t see me asking why are you the way you are though”

•”add that to our sex playlist” “ok”

“please drop me off here I’ll just call Bruce or Alfred to pick me up”

•Jason sleeps better with Kyle, like Kyle is willing to wake him up at a reasonable time depending when he comes back and will try his best to stay up until he comes back from patrol

•All I’m saying is that Kyle helps Jason and Jason helps Kyle

•Bruce once walked in on Kyle decorating Jason’s hair with shampoo, he just silently closed the door

•Jason is very proud of Kyle like he tries to find time to talk someone’s ear off about his boyfriend. He treats the stories of Kyle without the ring with just as much pride as the stories of Kyle with the ring

•every birthday they try to make their gift/surprise bigger than the last one for an example Jason thought that putting fireworks outside the window and he somehow manipulated it to catch on fire when the window is open so he thought this was a good idea

•Kyle somehow managed to get his hands on C4, gunpowder, and tickets to the aquarium

•I’m not saying Jason appreciates s the color green because of Kyle after hating it since his robin days but that’s exactly what I’m saying

•told Kyle that he green reminds him of Kyle not just being of the lantern gig but because it reminds him of how warm and hopeful it is like him

•their dynamic and timing of the relationship is perfect with each other because they’re not around each other so much where they get annoyed of each other quickly

[nickikpopart]

Backside Story: „How to draw LOVE“

“Different Choice” Jimins Part

Jimin POV

The next morning after the night were i broke up with Yoongi, I packed my stuff in Boxes. I still couldn´t believe what he did to me. How could he lie to me all these month? Cheating on me with Hoseok. I was so angry and sad at the same time. Yoongi didn´t came home not even in the morning. So I had time to pack everything. After that I called my boss to get some days off. He didn´t ask why, but the sound of my voice must have said a lot to him. I also told him that I want to change my worktimes, cause I don’t wanted to work with Hoseok at the same time anymore. I didn´t wanted to see him, cause I cannot forget what he did too. After lunch, Tae came and helped me to put my boxes in his car. I was glad that I could stay for a while in his apartment. He is truly a great friend. I made a last look back at the building were all my dreams crumbled into pieces overnight. I just want to forget now and try to move on.

Tae´s POV

After I got the message from Jimin last night I was going back to his flat and we talked the half of the night. Around 3 am, I left him so he could sleep a little. I told him, that I would come back after lunch to pick him up. It was very quiet when we packed all his stuff in car, which was a lot more than I thought. He needs definitely to sort out some things. He can’t take everything with him. I told him that and he agreed. Soon we arrived my apartement.

Others POV

“Jimin, you have so many boxes. We need to put some of these into the basement of my apartment.” Tae said to him with a shocked face.

“I know Tae, I will sort out some of this. I don’t need all of it. I just don’t wanted to left anything there. So I don’t have to go back.” Jimin said, while holding two boxes in his hands. They needed at least 2 hours to get the car empty. After that they were falling on the couch.

“Wahhh Jimin, i`m so done. I can´t anymore, btw… how do you feel?” Tae asked him, while getting up and walk to the kitchen. “Do you want some Water to?”

“I´m not really ok Tae, but I think after some time I will feel better and yes I want some water to. No need to ask, u see how much i`m sweating.” Jimins voice had a sad sound, Tae could tell. He heard it. He took a bottle of water out of the fridge and two glasses from the sink. Sitting back on the sofa, he opened the bottle and poured some water in both.

“Tae are you ok too?” Jimin asked him after drink some.

“I´m slightly ok. At least I was not together with Hoseok, just crush on him. I never thought he would doing things like that.” Tae was still angry, that he could fall for a guy like him. He thought Hoseok would be different than the others he met before, but he failed.

“I understand you, but I think there is someone else you find quite interesting am I right?” Jimin said while making some pictures and post them on his FB-Account. “Moving in with my best friend was a good choice.”

“Jimin, please but yeah Jin is actually quite interesting.” Tae said with a smile on his face.

Soon Tae had to leave Jimin alone to go to work but he would be back late in the evening. After Tae was gone, Jimin started to unpack and sort out some of the things. It was a rollercoaster ride of emotion. All albums with the pictures, he made during their time together. He decided to throw them away with all the little gifts he got from Yoongi, as far as he didn´t had forgot their anniversaries or his birthday. Then he found a little yellow box with a blue butterfly on it. He didn´t saw that box for about 2 years now and he was knowing already what could be in there. He opened the box and found the little brown/white plushy bunny, which he got from Jungkook. He knew it was him who left it even he didn´t saw him. The piece of paper was still there to. He opened it and instandly his thoughts were drifting away to the last day he saw him

“Be happy Jimin. Kookie”

Flashback…

Since Jimin was meeting Jungkook for the first time on his Birthday, he came almost every day, to drink his coffee and to draw. Jimin liked him from the beginning and he thought that Jungkook might liking him to. He saw it in the way he always looked at him. But Jimin had already a Boyfriend, so even he gathered feelings for him somehow, he couldn´t make that decision to tell it Jungkook. So the days are going always the same. Until….

11.10.2015

Jimin had late work and Jungkook was there like always to talk with him and of cause he used his free time to sit down and watched him drawing. He liked his pictures. After some minutes sitting down, he received a call from his Boyfriend. He excused himself from Jungkook to talk to him. Not noticing that Jungkook startled by what he was hearing and immediately got back to his drawing when Jimin looked at him.

“Hey Babe, yes i´m home in 3 hours and I will cook something for you ok.”

“No, its ok. You can bring actually some Wine if u want.”

“Love u too, see you later then.”

Jimin didn´t know that Jungkook heard everything and was sitting himself beside him again. Jungkook didn’t looked at him during their talking, just concentrate on the drawing. Jimin was little surprised that he was so silent after he came back to him.

“So Kookie, how are u doing?” Jimin asked him

“I´m ok. Just as usual.” Jungkook tried to shorten their talk.

“Is everything ok? You are so quiet today. Not like the other time.” Jimin could tell something was off.

“No, everything is fine. Actually I have to go now. If u don´t mind.” Jungkook said while packing his pencil and Sketchbook in his bag.

“Oh ok, no problem. I need to work anyway now. See u tomorrow then.” Jimin said with a smile.

“Yeah see you Jimin.” Jungkooks voice cracked a little, Jimin could hear it but didn´t ask Jungkook about it.

On the next day, Jimin was waiting for Jungkook to come but he didn´t. He needed to talk to him. Actually he wasn´t feeling well, because Yoongi had stood him up the night before. Jimin thought that Jungkook was the best to lighten his mood. Tomorrow was his Birthday, he told that Jungkook a while ago, so he hoped he would come to meet him then.

Jimin had to work on his birthday, but he could go home earlier. His boss allowed it.  He hoped to see Jungkook today, so he entered the Café with excitement. But…

"Jimin, the guy who had visit you every day here had left something for you.” His Boss Namjoon told him. “He was here earlier and told me to give you that.”Namjoon gave Jimin a little yellow Box with a blue Butterfly on it. Jimin gulped and got suddenly silent. So he wouldn´t even see him today, he thought.

“Did he said something else?” Jimin was asking while shaking a little.

“No nothing else, just that.” Namjoon told him and went back into the Kitchen.

Jimin had let himself falling back on the bank behind him and looked at the box in his hand. After he took a deep breath he opened the box and found a little brown/white plushy bunny. Beside that there was a message. “Be happy Jimin. Kookie” He felt sad while reading it. He got overwhelmed and tears were flashing into his eyes. He was started to think, what if he had gathered the courage to confess to Jungkook that he liked him. Would he be there with him today? He looked at the bunny and said to himself: “What if I had did.”, not knowing, while lost in his thoughts, that Jungkook came back to watch him from outside the window. After that the days were going slowly over and Jimin never saw Jungkook again. He thought about him sometimes, but things were going to be better with Yoongi now. So he stopped thinking about him and putted that plushy bunny with the box somewhere in the basement of their apartement. Not know yet that it would come back to him in the right time.

“Jimin, i´m back home.” Tae said after he went into the room. Jimin was freezing after he heard him, which brought him back into reality. Not to face him yet, Jimin put the bunny hasty back in the small box with a sad smile and then putting it in the big box in front of him.

“Sorry I was just… “ Jimin stuttered and putted the big box beside the bed.

“It ok, btw what are u hiding there?” Tae asked him out of curiosity.

“Nothing, just a memory that I want to keep” Jimin just said.

“Oh, ok. Want to eat Dinner. I bought chicken and beer.” Tae was asking with a big smile.

“Yeah ok. I´m actually hungry.” Jimin answered him while still looking at the box. He was thinking about Jungkook more often since he talked with JJK1013 and he still thought if he had made a different Choice in that time. He started to like JJK1013 lately cause he reminded him a little bit of Jungkook. The way he wrote when they are chatting. He needed to talk to Jin about it.

HOW TO DRAW LOVE AU ( 6-7-8/? )

Jimin follows a well known artist on Facebook; not knowing it is Jungkook; a boy he met two years ago and fell for despite being in a relationship. Jungkook suddenly disappeared on him without saying why and left Jimin with a lot of “what ifs”.

so here my next Part of the flashback, Jimins part this time. hope u guys like it. @golden-kookmin

[theblogoflav]

Lav goes to Tokyo (4&5/6): Shopping Sprees

I deserve a high-five for successfully sticking to my DIY itinerary for my sweet and short ‘bleisure’ in Tokyo, Japan. Excel-ing my comprehensive plan was worth it after all. Unfortunately, the ‘Budget’ column was irrelevant for I spent WAY OVER than the self-imposed shopping limit. Who can’t resist if you’ve been itching to go to Tokyo since you were a nursery?

 No regrets?

This photo was taken after spending a month worth of my salary on my first day in Tokyo.

*That’s my bed in the background. It’s evident I’m most excited to play with my new Totoro plushie and Sailormoon gachapons.*

Asakusa & Oshiage

 Tokyo Skytree

When I was drafting my itinerary last April, I found out that the Tokyo Skytree is holding an “Attack on Skytree” exhibit at the Floor 450. I decided to allot more Yen to buy the extra ticket and the special merchandise only available on the floor. I got my sister, the person who influenced me to watch the anime series, three gachapons (i.e. two key chains and one screen featuring the titan shifters), a gold medallion-style keychain, and a keychain featuring Eren biting his left hand. I bought myself the Attack on Skytree tote bag. LOOK AT LEVI. WHO CAN’T RESIST THAT FACE?! Like, really?! And lastly, I can’t skip the Tokyo Skytree gift shop. Of course, I want to buy many, but my budget won’t allow me to do so. In the end, I only got a gold 5th anniversary miniature of Tokyo Skytree and a magnet. There’s one more gift shop in the lobby and it is much bigger than the one in Floor 350. Don’t spend everything when you’re up there. I swear.

 Donguri Kyowakoku

I AM STILL MAD FOR NOT GETTING A TICKET TO THE STUDIO GHIBLI MUSEUM. I didn’t know they sold out fast. My hotel is just a few stations away from Mitaka. :(  Anyway, this store is easy to find since it is along the stairs heading to the Tokyo Skytree. I thought my Yen 4,000 budget would be enough. I went beyond that because the tax-exemption applies for purchases for Yen 5,000 and above. On my shopping list are a Totoro plushie and a wallet. However, I saw this adorable Pochi purse and picked it up immediately. I also got a set of two limited edition Totoro finger puppets. I can’t find affordable merchandise for my favorite Studio Ghibli films (i.e. Only Yesterday, Whisper of the Heart, Princess Mononoke, and Laputa: Castle in the Sky). I really want the Castle in the Sky tote bag but I already my Attack on Skytree tote bag. I dropped it or else I’ll end up suffering from the “Tote Life” 

(WHO WATCH WE BARE BEARS? RAISE YOUR HANDS!) As a result, I took home four more finger puppets -- Princess Mononoke, Sheeta, the Baron, and Louise.

  Pokemon Center Skytree Town

I went to the Pokemon Center for nostalgia purposes. My siblings and I used to fight over a Gameboy to take turns on playing Pokemon. I’m glad to see that one of our childhood favorites has remained popular decades later. This is definitely a haul dedicated to my siblings. I bought two Master Balls (each has a stamp and candies which according to my sister tastes like cough drops), Nanoblocks (Mewtwo and Gyarados), coin purses (Pikachu and a Pokeball), and a letter ‘R’ keychain (for my brother). I did not get a keychain for my sister because I already bought her an Attack on Titan keychain. I guess those are enough. A saleslady gave me a plastic postcard featuring the date I visited Pokemon Center. Hooray for a free souvenir!

  Nakamise Street

Ahhhhh, the famous Nakamise street. As I have said in my previous post, I was kind of disappointed. Price range is not cheap. I advise you guys to see the after-immigration duty-free shops instead.  I ended up with one magnet featuring the gate to the street. Don’t fret yet! Nakamise is great for sightseeing and food tripping. *drools*

    Akihabara

 Akihabara Gachapon Kaikan

FINALLY. I always wanted a LEGIT capsule toy since I was a kid. *the machines we have in the Philippines are not as enjoyable as those in Japan* You can find gachapon machines in train stations, convenient stores, etc. If you want a complete and satisfying gachapon experience, you’ve got to visit the Akihabara Gachapon Kaikan. I’m on the lookout for Sailor Moon gachapons. I got my sister some Star Wars gachapons (which I did not open). I’m not pretty sure if getting the same pretty toy THRICE is a good luck or the machine is just messing up with me. BTW, I GOT USAGI’S ENGAGEMENT RING. 

  Don Quijote

I decided to visit this branch of ‘’Donki” so I have one more reason to walk around Akihabara. Also, I get to catch some maids performing in the renowned maid cafés. I bought some matcha-flavored sweets for my officemates and relatives. And of course, I bought a bottle of Cure Natural Aqua Gel. I’m running out of my favorite peeling gel and it’s Php 300 (USD 6) cheaper than the Philippines. PLUS, Don Quijote is a tax-free shop! 

*Anecdote: There was a long line in the tax-free counter. I’m far from the line and there were Republic of China Passport Holders in front of me. A Donki staff asked if they can transfer to another counter because the line keeps on getting longer. No one wanted to transfer until the staff reached me. I agreed and they immediately grabbed my baskets at walked downstairs. It’s kind of cool because my feet were swelling big time after all the walking, and then now I have the counter and three Donki staff for myself only.* 

    Shibuya

 Bic Camera

CHEAP CASIO WRISTWATCHES. HOW CAN I SAY NO TO THESE?! I was walking around the famous Shibuya crossing a lot of times until the display of Casio watches caught my attention. Damn. I mean, DAAAYUM. I bought these for my siblings. My trip to Tokyo coincides with their birthdays. My shopping list prioritizes stuff I believe my siblings would like to receive. IF I ONLY HAVE THE MONEY TO BUY THE GADGETS BEING SOLD FOR A CHEAPER PRICE VS. THE PHILIPPINES... ugh.

  Uniqlo

Initially, I’m not planning to visit Uniqlo because WE HAVE A LOT IN THE PHILIPPINES. However, I realized ‘souvenir shirts’ in Uniqlo are cheaper compared to the ones being sold at the airport and in Nakamise street. I went to their branch in Shibuya. I got one each for my family. Aside from the shirts, I also bought two ¾ pants and seamless underwear. I forgot to include in the photo the sunglasses I bought for my father. When converted to Philippine peso, I got everything for Php 5,000+ (USD 100*). Thank god for tax-exemption!

   Shinjuku

 Daiso

There’s a small Daiso near the hotel I stayed in. I got to buy some small souvenirs for my bosses. How adorable that small memo stands! AND CAN WE PLEASE APPRECIATE THOSE YEN 100 FANS. These are for my mom and some relatives. DEFINE BARGAIN. Further, I remember my mom requested me to buy some wedding cards, so I took advantage of the cheap stationary section of Daiso. It is truly cheaper to buy souvenirs here! Everything cost me only Yen 800+. I may not be able to see Harajuku and the big Daiso they have there. With a very limited budget, I’m pretty happy with my haul.

 24hr convenient store in Ichigaya

I saw from their window display that they carry some popular Japanese cosmetic brands. I’m not sure the name of the store but the shopping bag says “smile everyday!”. Although I’m not really fond of trying skin care products due to my extremely sensitive skin condition, I still decided to get a look. Good thing I did. I found these really cute nail polish bottles. I decided to pick some colors that have been on my wishlist for a long time. The color range may not be as vast as OPI’s or Sally Hansen’s. I’m in Tokyo, so why not try some local nail products!?

   Ginza

 Hakuhinkan Toy Park

I found some Tokyo 2020 official merchandise outside the Toy Park. I got a t-shirt for myself and a polo shirt for my dad. The merchandise does not come cheap. I did not buy a lot in the Toy Park because I already bought most of the character goods and toys I have on my shopping list. AND I’M ALREADY RUNNING OUT OF YEN WHEN I WENT TO GINZA. I saw some unique flavors of KitKat and bought some. Regretfully, I spent most of my time in Hakuhinkan window shopping. I’ll definitely visit this place on my future visits to Tokyo with a MUCH BIGGER BUDGET. *finger-crossed*

    Narita Airport

I can’t get enough snacks so I shopped for more in the Airport. Surprisingly, I was impressed how diverse the price range of products in the airport. You’ll find both overpriced and affordable goods so be vigilant! Haha! I should have saved more Yen for airport shopping.

  I’d been looking for a Shiseido eyelash curler since I arrived in Tokyo only to find one on my departure. AFTER ALL THE TROUBLE I DID. HAHAHAHA. Anyway, it is all worth it, because this retails at PHP 1,300 (USD 26)* in the Philippines. If I converted its Japan price to PH Peso, it only costs Php 450 (USD 9)*. 1,300 VERSUS 450. Since I’m low on cash at this time, I decided to make use of my JCB credit card and ticked off the last product I have on my shopping list.

  That’s it for my Tokyo, Japan haul!

  Until next time,

PS: I forgot to post this. Initially, I divided my shopping sprees into two separate posts. I decided to combine the two, post it today, and publish the last part of my Tokyo series tomorrow, 31 December 2017.

[sadrien]

tangled ribbons, ch14: encore

on Ao3 | on ffnet 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14

surprise?

(Why We’re Here explanation on ao3) this chapter adds nothing new to the plot. it makes a few clarifications to ch13 but the plot of this story is finished. if you don't want to read it, nothing will change (takes place a few months after ch13 btw)

also? it's tangled ribbons' one year anniversary. thank you to everyone who stuck with it and was so incredibly supportive

so here we are. back again for one finally hurrah, one final encore, and one final bow

i hope you enjoy

encore (n.) - french, a repeated or additional performance of an item at the end of a concert, as called for by an audience

Adrien squeezes his way through all the parents and loved ones and dancers covered in makeup and sweat. He hadn’t actually expected Nathalie to stay longer than expected so this is—

He doesn’t want to keep Nathalie waiting.

Plagg gives him a small salute as he finally gets through the crowd and backstage. Adrien would ask how Nathalie was even allowed backstage, but restrictions like those don’t seem to exist for her. She’s always able to get backstage if she needs to.

“She’s in your dressing room,” Tikki says without being prompted. “She hasn’t been there long, don’t worry.” She ruffles Adrien’s hair as he passes.

Adrien bats her hand away and smooths his hair back down, knowing that whatever gel is left in it has probably left it looking like a particularly inventive hairstyle. He shoots Tikki a grateful smile. “Thanks.”

“Break a leg,” Plagg teases as Adrien turns down the hall.

Nathalie is standing in the doorway of his dressing room, straight backed and tapping away on her tablet. She’s so incredibly out of place, it’s almost as if she were copied and pasted directly from her office into the theater.

She barely glances up as Adrien passes her to get into the dressing room. “Adrien,” she says, voice steady and emotionless as usual.

“Hey, Nat,” he replies, not bothering to keep the smile off his face as he sits down in the one chair him and his dressing roommates had snagged for the center of the room. He notices the flowers laying on the dressing room table and brushes his fingers against a lily petal. “Thanks for coming.”

“You did wonderfully,” Nathalie says. Her voice stays the same, but the corners of her lips lift just the slightest, like the ghost of a smile. “A summer well spent, I would think.”

“Absolutely,” Adrien agrees. “I’m glad you enjoyed the performance.”

Alya appears in the doorway next to Nathalie and raises a hand in greeting. She leans against the doorway and types quickly on her phone.

Nathalie lowers her tablet, glancing to Alya before her eyes settle back on Adrien. “Your father was here.”

He stares at her. “What?”

She nods shortly. “He had to leave once you finished performing, but he did see you dance and offered his congratulations.”

Adrien swallows thickly. “He— he was?”

“Yes, and your friend got plenty of pictures.”

He looks to Alya.

Alya scoffs and puts her phone down. “Okay, fine, it was me but you don’t need to call me out like this.”

Nathalie raises an eyebrow.

Alya looks away. “I just wanted some proof that he was actually here. In case Adrien wanted to see. He wouldn’t have been able to see his dad from the stage.”

Adrien feels a burst of warmth in his chest. “Thanks, Al,” he murmurs, not looking to Nathalie. He’s not sure if she’s wearing her disappointed look, she isn’t a fan of unauthorized photographs, but if she is, he doesn’t want to see it.

“The car will pick you up tomorrow as soon as you call,” Nathalie says stiffly. “Earlier rather than later.”

Adrien thinks of a car and home he hasn’t been in in ten weeks. He doesn’t miss them much at all. “Of course.”

Nathalie gives him a long look before stepping back. “I’ll see you then,” she says before vanishing into the darkness of backstage.

Adrien turns to Alya. “You were taking pictures of my dad?”

She shrugs. “I’ll admit it was probably a little creepy, but like I said, I wanted proof for you. Just in case. But,” she steps into the dressing room, “that’s not why I’m here.”

“Why are you here then?”

Alya crosses her arms. “I’m not letting you leave this building until you ask Marinette Dupain-Cheng out on a legitimate date.”

Adrien glances to the flowers on the table, the bouquet of red roses sitting behind the one of lilies and orchids. “I’m two steps ahead of you.”

A bell rings as he pushes the door open. He takes in the small shop with a smile as he approaches the counter.

“Hi, how may I help you to—” she turns around and freezes. “To…day…” Marinette stares at him. “Adrien?”

He smiles and puts his hands in his pockets, rocking back on his heels. “Hi, I was told I just had to try the chocolate croissants here?” She ducks her head to hide a smile. “It was a date.”

When Marinette looks up at him again, her face is the perfect mask of a costumer service worker, with the exception of the twinkle in her eyes. “Just one?”

“For now.”

It only takes Marinette a few seconds to hand him a bag with the bakery logo stamped on the side. She smiles like the sun and it makes his heart do funny things.

“How much?” Adrien asks as he takes the bag, letting his fingers brush against Marinette’s for longer than necessary.

Marinette smirks, her cheeks turning pink. “One kiss.”

“A steal,” Adrien murmurs. He leans against the counter and kisses her softly, feeling her grin against his lips.

She laughs breathlessly when she pulls away. “Hi.”

He presses his nose against hers. “Hey.”

Behind her, Alya clears her throat loudly.

Marinette jumps away from Adrien, blushing profusely. “Alya!”

Alya smirks. “Hey, girl. Marshmallow.”

Adrien raises his hand and the pastry bag in greeting.

“Give me two min—”

Alya interrupts Marinette by spinning her away from the counter. She pulls at the ties of Marinette’s apron. “You, missy, are on break.”

“But—”

“Captains orders,” Alya says with a click of her tongue. She tugs Marinette’s apron off and ties it around her own waist.

Marinette glances back over her shoulder at Adrien. He shoots her a fond smile. “How did you even know to come here?” she asks Alya. “Isn’t it your day off?”

Alya rolls her eyes and takes the ribbons out of Marinette’s hair, letting it fall to her shoulders. “You say that like your parents and I didn’t know.” Alya winks at Adrien before spinning Marinette back around and swatting her out from behind the counter.

“But I—”

Alya gives her one last shove. “Go date your boyfriend. I’m sure he wants more time with you than just a quick kiss over the counter.”

Marinette glances over to Adrien, cheeks pink.

He smiles and holds his hand out to her, wiggling his fingers.

“I’ll be back later,” Marinette promises to Alya as she takes his hand.

“I can’t hear you,” Alya says, turning away from them. “What was that? The wind?”

Adrien laughs. “Come on, I want you to show me around while I eat.”

He eats his croissant slowly as Marinette leads him through the streets of her town. She peppers the sidewalks with stories, showing him all the secrets that you only learn by spending your entire life in one place. She points out her favorite spots, weaving the past with the present, directing him through shortcuts and winding alleyways.

He’ll remember very few of the actual street names and businesses, but he’ll never forget the stories from her childhood and the feeling of her hand in his.

He offers her the last of the croissant and she takes it with a brilliant smile. “Better than Starbucks?” she asks.

“Starbucks?” Adrien asks innocently. “What’s that?”

Marinette laughs and leans against his arm, resting her head on his shoulder. “Are you sure you’re okay with just wandering around?”

“Of course I am,” Adrien promises. “As long as I get to spend time with you, I’m happy.”

She groans and presses her face against his arm. “Oh my god you aren’t allowed to say things like that.”

“Nice weather we’re having,” he tries instead.

Marinette pulls away to look up at the sky. They both stop in their tracks as they take in the light gray clouds hiding the sun. She raises her eyebrows at him. “Yeah, it’s lovely.”

Adrien rolls his eyes. “I’m doing my best. Alright, how are you?”

“You asked me that like two hours ago,” she points out as she leads him across the street to a park she’d mentioned earlier.

“It feels different asking in person than over text,” he admits. He ducks under a low hanging branch and follows Marinette to a bench.

She leans against the back of it instead of sitting down on it. “Okay, well, I’m doing better than the last time you asked.”

Adrien tilts his head. “Hmm, I wonder why.”

Marinette buries her face in her hands. “Oh my god shut up,” she mumbles.

He wraps an arm around her and leans against the bench. “You know you love me.”

She lifts her head from her hands. “The question is why.”

“I ask myself that constantly.”

Marinette shoves him lightly. “You took a five hour train ride just to come see me, you kept it a surprise but told my parents and best friend so I could have the rest of the day off of work, you’ve bought me so many gifts. And that’s not even talking about who you are, just what you do. You do too much for me.”

Adrien takes her hand and entwines their fingers. “And you’re too good for me.”

She scoffs. “That’s not true.”

“Then we know both those statements are false. Marinette Dupain-Cheng, I would buy you the moon.”

She smiles up at him, eyes soft and sparkling. “Unfortunately, I can’t afford to buy you the moon, but I might be able to swing a star.”

It takes him a second to recover, because his heart is never really prepared for Marinette to stay stuff like that to him.  “And I’m the one who has to stop?”

“You are significantly worse than me,” Marinette says.

Adrien glances up at the darken sky as he tries to think of something to say and frowns. “It looks like it’s going to rain.”

Marinette follows his gaze. “I think I have to agree with you,” she says. “But, we’ve gotten caught in the rain before,” she says with a shrug, “We’ll be fine. I can teach you how to make the best soup for colds and we can sit on the couch and watch Studio Ghibli movies.” She looks away. “I-I mean, I just assumed you’re staying for the weekend, but—”

He kisses the back of her hand. “My Lady, my weekend is yours.”

Marinette turns pink and laughs. “How’d you manage that?”

“Nathalie. She thinks I need a break.” Adrien doesn’t agree, he’s getting enough sleep and has plenty of free time, but he knows his friends won’t agree and he can’t complain about getting to spend more time with his girlfriend. Girlfriend. He still gets butterflies in his stomach when he thinks about it sometimes.

“I knew there was a reason I liked her,” Marinette muses.

Adrien scoffs. “You met her once. For like thirty seconds. I don’t even think you said anything to each other.”

“She makes sure you don’t work yourself to death.” Marinette raises an eyebrow. “I like her.”

Adrien holds up his hands in protest. “I can take care of myself!”

“Sure you can. Speaking about leaving you on your own—” Adrien shoots her a confused looks. “I have dance tomorrow morning, so I have to abandon you.”

He waves a hand. “It’s okay, I’ve already got a plan for that.”

“Do you?” Marinette crosses her arms.

��I’ll go with you.”

Her eyes go wide for a moment before she snorts and starts laughing. “You want the preteens to be even worse than usual?” she asks between her laughter. “You’d literally be swarmed.”

Adrien smiles, “As appealing as that sounds, I’m good. Alya actually wants to steal me for a few hours and I figured you wouldn’t mind.”

Marinette narrows her eyes at him. “If she tells you embarrassing stories about me, I’ll kill her, but yes, I’m totally fine with that. It’s not like I’d be very entertaining while in dance class.”

“You know I love watching you dance.” She scoffs. “Maybe Alya and I will show up in super conspicuous disguises,” he muses.

Marinette groans. “Don’t do this to me.”

“Long trench coats and fedoras and sunglasses and newspapers.”

“I hate you,” she grumbles.

“No you don’t.”

“Unfortunately.”

Adrien snorts. “Anyway, how is dance going?”

She eyes him. “I should be asking you the same question. Someone’s been very quiet on his end.”

He rubs the back of his neck. “Yeah… I asked first, I promise I’ll answer after?”

Marinette shakes her head, but goes anyway. “It’s pretty good. Finally getting back into the swing of things after this summer. I’ve been taking lots of extra studio time to practice pointe on my own, which you know,” she says pointedly. Adrien nods dutifully. “I’m kind of freaked out about everything post graduation but…for now I’m just trying to get to that point, you know?” She rolls her eyes. “I mean you don’t but just agree with me for conversation’s sake?”

“Of course. You’re going to be fine,” he insists. He takes her hand and squeezes it softly. “You’re an incredible dancer. Companies should be fighting over you.”

“Like they are over you?” Marinette teases.

Adrien groans and slides down the back of the bench, sitting on the slightly damp grass. “Please don’t remind me.”

She laughs before she joins him on the ground. “Haven’t decided yet?”

He leans forward and rests his hand on her shoulder. “Not really,” he murmurs. “That’s…a really big choice.”

Marinette hums in agreement and runs her fingers through his hair. “You’ve still got plenty of time,” she reminds him. “Months.”

“My dad would rather sooner rather than later.”

“Too bad it’s not his life.” She lets him think about it for a few moments before, much to his relief, she turns the conversation back to herself.  “I’ve been talking a lot to Wayzz lately,” she says softly, her voice taking on the sort of storytelling quality it sometimes does when it’s late and they’ve been video chatting for so long that nothing but the screen feels real.

“Have you?” Adrien asks in surprise. She had told him about Wayzz, how he had been the one to approach her about the scholarship, how he’d found her new shoes when Chloé wrecked hers before the showcase. Adrien’s only ever really heard about Wayzz in passing from Plagg and Tikki, and now Marinette, but he’s been almost an invisible force in Adrien’s life for years now.

“Mhm, it’s been nice.” Adrien shifts so he can look up at her as she talks. “He’s been really helpful.” She tenses and Adrien lifts his head from her shoulder in surprise as she starts to ramble. “I-I mean, I’ve been talking to Tikki and Plagg too and I love them and their opinions mean the world to me and they’ve been super helpful, but it feels a little different sometimes because Wayzz isn’t technically a dancer so it’s almost an outside perspective and—”

“And it’s nice to have another opinion,” Adrien interrupts gently.

Marinette takes a deep breath and gives him a small smile. “Yeah. Yeah, exactly. He’s been really helpful when I need new shoes too. Which has been happening a lot more now that I’m doing so much pointe. It’s…it’s weird, I’ve already got a support system and I haven’t even graduated yet.”

It makes Adrien unspeakably happy how easily Marinette has become integrated into his world. He just hopes that he can fit as easily into hers. That’s one thing this weekend will be a test of. “I’m glad,” he murmurs, resting his forehead against hers. “You deserve all the support in the world.”

“Stop that,” Marinette whispers before pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

Adrien melts under her touch. He’d probably stay here forever with her, with her soft kisses and sparkling eyes, but they separate with a jerk when the first raindrops being to fall.

He’s going to file a complaint with Mother Nature.

“This keeps happening to us,” he says with a sigh.

Marinette laughs. “Weren’t we complaining about how oblivious Alya and Nino were last time?”

He gives her a look. “I can complain about it again.”

She elbows him lightly. “They’ll get there. Eventually.”

“And they told us we were too slow getting together.” Adrien gets to his feet and offers Marinette his hand.

“Do we make a break for it?” she asks as she lets him pull her to a stand.

He squints up at the sky as the rain falls harder. “We’re already soaked,” he points out. “You said something about soup and Ghibli movies?”

Marinette’s smile could clear the clouds from the sky. “I did. Come on, let’s go home.”

Home.

Right now, home feels like anywhere Marinette is. Getting on the train this morning didn’t feel like he was leaving much behind, even for a weekend. It could’ve been a one way trip and he thinks he’d feel the same. He’d miss Nino, he’d miss Nathalie, he’d miss the familiarity of Paris and Tikki and Plagg, but he wouldn’t hesitate a moment longer than he did when he stepped onto the morning train headed out of the city. He can see himself staying here in the rainy park with Marinette for years, and he wouldn’t miss much.

Marinette takes Adrien down streets that he doesn’t recognize. She’ll have to lead him around for ages before he’s able to find his bearings on his own, but he can’t find it in him to mind.

It takes him a while to realize they’re taking the scenic route.

They’re dripping wet and freezing cold, and she still wants to show him around. She has a skip in her step and a smile on her face, dancing to nonexistent music that he has to strain to hear.

Marinette pulls him in a slow circle at a street corner, sidestepping puddles and cracks, humming a song he vaguely recognizes from one of her playlists softly. Adrien wraps an arm around her waist and turns their steps into a waltz.

She leads more than he does, but it’s so easy for him to hand over the reins and let her. Her hand feels so right in his. They fit together perfectly, they walk together in step and they move together as one. Marinette leans her forehead against his, smiling like there’s nowhere else she’d rather be, than in the pouring rain on an old street corner.

Adrien’s heart feels so full that he swears that it’s going to burst. I love her bubbles up inside of him, running through his mind over and over again— a mantra, a promise, a truth. It bubbles up from his heart and off of his tongue and he wouldn’t stop it even if he could.

“I love you.”

Marinette’s eyes flutter open, her lips parted in surprise. And then the corners of her eyes crinkle as she smiles, shining and shining and shining. And Adrien would give the entire universe just to make her smile like this for the rest of time.

“I love you too,” she whispers, like it’s a secret that she doesn’t want to break, like it’s something fragile and precious.

The butterflies in Adrien’s stomach flutter up and burst into bright laughter. He holds her closer and presses their foreheads together again. “I love you I love you I love you I love you.”

They stumble over the next waltz step, but find their footing again in each other, and Adrien lets himself get swept away by her music, her magic, her smile, the rain and the thunder—

She dances him away to somewhere where his feet will never touch the ground.

And he couldn’t be happier.

[sunnymegatron]

Gay Marriage, Kim Davis & Me w/Mark Shrayber - Ep. 5

In 2015 Mark Shrayber & his fiance Allen traveled to Morehead, KY to get married-- the same town where county clerk Kim Davis refused to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples citing religious beliefs. Davis was held in contempt of court and jailed for 6 days. Mark & Allen arrived in Morehead just in time for her release. As a journalist, Mark was chasing a story. As a couple, they were realizing a dream. Then they found themselves in the middle of a terrifying family values rally facing both violent discrimination and unconditional acceptance. Intense, happy, scary, exciting, suspenseful, joyful, hilarious, and starkly sobering, Mark's story is a ‘must listen’!

Guest Bio 

Mark is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in Cosmopolitan, Jezebel, Vice, The Daily Dot, and The Awl (among others). Most recently, he was the deputy editor of the LIFE vertical at UPROXX. Mark is also a psychology lecturer at San Francisco State University.

Episode 4 Topics 

Do you get more head in Morehead Kentucky?, marriage equality, media martyrdom, all denim all the time, fucking a pizza, Kentucky is for lovers, Carter County, KY, The Wizard of Oz, Mike Huckabee, Moldova, fake news, hate the sin love the sinner, anti-Semitism, grappling with privilege, internalized homophobia, RuPaul’s Drag Race, wedding night sex, the personal is political, San Francisco, Liza Minelli, weekend white supremacy, traditional family values, gay wedding destinations, activism for non-activists, Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence,  fighting the alt-right, Chesterton Indiana, growing up LGBTQ in rural America

Episode 4 Links & Info

Mark’s Jezebel piece on his experience in Morehead, KY

Mark Shrayber twitter: @MShrayber

Mark Shrayber email:  m.shrayber@gmail.com

Video of Mark & Allen’s Morehead, KY wedding experience  

Mark really did write about having sex with pizza in Cosmo, BTW

Episode 4 Sponsor/Promotional Information

American Sex Podcast iTunes Giveaway: Win a Fun Factory Darling Devil Silicone Vibrator and a Hybrid Battery Kit valued at $110!

How? Review and/or subscribe to American Sex Podcast on iTunes during the month of September.  Screenshot both and email it to americansexpodcast@gmail.com to be entered in the contest.  

Winners selected by random computerized drawing 10/2. Must be 18+ and live in the contiguous 48 states to win. More details on the giveaway page.

Castle Megastore's 30th Anniversary Celebration Contest: Castle Megastore has been helping customers with romance and fun for 30 years! To celebrate they’re running a contest for the whole month on September. Every Purchase you make in store or online will automatically enter you in the contest. There will be 6 winners at each location for a total of 102 winners. The winners will receive a mystery gift from either We-Vibe, Fun Factory, Clandestine Devices, System JO, Jopen or Lelo. All prizes are valued over $100! The 30th Anniversary Celebration contest runs September 1, 2017 through September 30, 2017. Prize drawings will be held October 2, 2017.

You’ll automatically be entered into the contest with every purchase you make, NO MINIMUM! So if you make a $5 purchase or a $100 purchase you’ll be entered. No form to fill out to enter online. In Stores: you’ll need to give your email at checkout so that they can contact you if you win. If you have already provided your email from previous purchases, then you’re already in their system and you’ll be entered in the contest. One entry per purchase per visit, but if you make 5 purchases within the month of September, you be entered into the contest 5 times.

Castle Megastore's 30th Anniversary Month Long Specials:

All Month Long:

$30 for 30 days Toy Rack Online & in stores sale

10 for $30 Panties (in stores only)

8 for $30 Plus Size Panties (in stores only)

5 for $30 DVDs *3 for $20 Dvds and $9.99 titles only (in stores only)

Weekly sale 9/1-9/7

30% off Leg Avenue Hosiery (in stores only)

30% off Spank Provocateur Bed Coupler Restraint System

20% off CastleMegastore.com purchases every day of the year for our fans with code SUNNY (limited restrictions apply)

  Check out our latest episode!

[thecoroutfitters]

Written by Wild Bill on The Prepper Journal.

I was skiing with a group of friends in January of 1984 at Mammoth Mountain, and on that Sunday we quit early to go back to the rented condo to watch Super Bowl XVIII, it was January 22, 1984. While I could look up who played that year it was lost on us because, all of us being new engineers and budding scientists, we saw the famous Apple Launch Commercial – Apple 1984 . You could hear a pin drop as we watched this and then tried to analyze it. Six single guys in their 20’s do not often have such moments of silence and deep thought when drinking beer after skiing while watching a Super Bowl.

From a recent article in the Los Angeles Times “As we reported in 2014, on its 30th anniversary, the “1984” ad aired on national television in its full 60-second form only once, during Super Bowl XVIII on Jan. 22, 1984. It became a legend almost immediately.”

So what does this have to do with preparedness and prepping? Everything.

I was long a fan of George Orwell and of Ann Ryan. I considered them visionaries in the truest sense of the word. The latter I find often dismissed as “some fiction writer of the 1950’s” by progressive college professors I still know – the flack is always heaviest over the target. I get a similar attitude whenever I ask how requiring an ID to vote is racist – a discussion for another day.

    We have all been seeing the move of late to get some control over “big tech” which seems to run open-loop with few if any controls with respect to privacy, management of peoples personal data and corporate responsibility. The laughable part of all of this is it is our government in Washington D.C. that is looking into this, proving once again that the foxes monitoring the security of the hen house is at our peril. Can you think of a more corrupt, less capability entity to address this problem? Yeah, I know, that is governments job, but do we really thing our current government can make this better? Does anyone expect the donor-owned to stand up to the donor class? 

  And our dependence on these tech giants can’t be denied. In one way or another we all use them to stay connected to friends and business associates, shop for essentials as well as nice to have things, provide us instant answers to questions, seldom looking behind the results presented, or the over-all sources of the data presented. I have complained often that any Google search of political topics gives me the first page standards – Vox, Salon, CNN, the NY Times and of course, the Amazon owned Washington Post. All media outlets slanted to the standards of Google. 

    So in today’s news comes this – Apple’s Orwellian Technology – did you know that you are surveilled by Apple’s facial recognition technology when entering their stores? In an extension to (or perhaps as the original intent of) the A11 chip and the neural engine behind the face-detection system, FACE ID of the iPhoneX became an advertised feature –  Apple’s “use of facial recognition software in its stores to track individuals suspected of theft is the type of Orwellian surveillance that consumers fear, particularly as it can be assumed that the majority of consumers are not aware that their faces are secretly being analyzed,” the lawsuit states.

  As preppers we are planners and we like to keep our plans to ourselves, our families and our trusted friends and associates. I have had iPods since their introduction and I use my iPad every day – all bought in their stores. I have given both as gifts, again bought in their stores. I have not been in one of their stores since the iPhoneX release and I may make that a rule going forward, but this is just one outlet. 

    Who among you has Siri, Alexa or Cortana operating in their homes or on their work computers? They can make things easy, but at what costs to your privacy? 

    After admittedly falling behind Siri and Alexa in market penetration (a repeat of the Zoom vs the iPod from decades ago) Microsoft see a more omnipresent future for Cortana, being a part of the Microsoft 365 Operating environment. As such it will be omnipresent in computers. I have it on this one, disabled – as far as I can tell. I did do a quick survey of six (6) people I know who are IT professionals and none of them has any of these assistants in their homes. 

  We have posted on data security and reducing ones digital fingerprint in the past here on The Prepper Journal, How to Wipe Yourself off the Grid for example, as well as How to Remain Anonymous On Line and these addressed your actions. However, with this latest advance in the invasion of your privacy, other than becoming a Luddite and hermit, you are under the ever-growing eye of Big Brother. Is it really a big leap forward if your were to be arrested for a crime like defending yourself or you family for the interrogator to now enter the room with armfuls of evidence of your every move over the past 6 months?

  Always be situation aware is a good mantra for our movements and something we stress often at The Prepper Journal, but is it enough anymore? The Apple security up-tick was news to me, in fact while shopping in a mall last week for some Easter basket gifts I stopped in front of the Apple store and looked in to see how busy they were, see the associates were wearing green and white. I gazed in that window for a couple of moments, just as one would who was planning a break in would. Not to worry, I am sure I am in countless other databases I am unaware of already, we all are.

    BTW, WalMart uses similar technology in their security system. Does this indicate a run on Guy Fawkes masks in the near future or has he become passe?

  Be sure to check out The Prepper Journal Store and follow The Prepper Journal on Facebook!

The post 1984 is Here appeared first on The Prepper Journal.

from The Prepper Journal Don't forget to visit the store and pick up some gear at The COR Outfitters. How prepared are you for emergencies? #SurvivalFirestarter #SurvivalBugOutBackpack #PrepperSurvivalPack #SHTFGear #SHTFBag

[atypical60]

A few posts back, our friend Nancy made a comment.  She wanted to know where I shop. It was funny because I also received a couple of emails asking me the same question.

So, here goes–95 percent of my wardrobe comes from J. Crew.  I’m very brand loyal to this company.  Think back in retail history ladies.  Way back. Before online shopping.  Back to the days of mail order.  Remember those days?

I would eagerly wait for the mailman to deliver my favorite catalogs. Chadwick’s of Boston, Tweeds, and the mother of all catalogs—the J. Crew catalog!

This is from the Spring 1987 J. Crew Catalog. Some things never change.  The clothing is pretty much the same. And that is why I love J. Crew!

I’ve been a customer since 1983.  There have been years where the pickings were slim and years when I wanted everything and anything I could get my crossed-eyes upon.

And Jenna Lyon’s vision of the edgy catalogs of the present day gets on my last nerve. But I still love the clothing that J. Crew and J. Crew Factory have to offer.

Yes. Jenna Lyons drives me up a wall. I’m sorry but those pants are ridiculous looking.  The news of her deciding to leave J. Crew did not make me sad. At all.

Crew’s clothing is my style.  It’s my comfort zone.  It’s what I feel good in.  And, for the most part, the quality is good.

One of my favorite looks from J. Crew–head to toe!  A black Tippi Sweater, Stewart plaid pants–and one of the few J. Crew pairs of shoes I have. Dulci kitten heels. 

I stick to the basics. Nothing outlandish. I love the Pixie and Marti pants. I am not a fan of J. Crew’s jeans however.  I love the sweaters although there have been seasons of lesser-quality goods.

Some of my Pixie, Marti and City Pants from J. Crew. There’s a lot more too!

I love the cuts of the blazers from Crew.  I’m a fan of the button-down shirts and the turtlenecks—except the flimsy cotton ones that stretch out

Some of the blazers I have collected from J. Crew over the years...

…and more–Lady Jackets and plaid. What’s not to love??

I’m also a fan of the striped fabric when the cuffs are turned up. It’s little things like that that I love!

Three guesses as to where my costume jewelry is purchased!

But I know and am familiar with J. Crew’s clothing.  The J. Crew Pencil skirts fit my body well.

See what I mean?  Scarf from J. Crew, sweater and pencil skirt from J. Crew. The Number 2 Pencil skirt is one of my faves!

I’m not one for fussy dressing. I like my solids. They are easier to mix and match.  I’ll do stripes. And we all know that I will do plaids on any occasion. But I tend to stick to a more classic look.

With shoes, I’ll stick to shops other than J. Crew.  My foot is too narrow for most of the brand’s shoes.

Here’s a bit of what I have from J. Crew.

An sampling of button-down shirts–the striped tunic is Tory Burch–how did it sneak in there?

One of two draws full of sweaters. All from J. Crew.

No. It isn’t sheets. It’s the white dress shirts I have from J. Crew.

Printed Campbell pants and a roll-neck sweater 

My other favorite plaid pants and green Tippi Turtleneck..

OK–this is the last one.  I love this leopard skirt too.

Nordstrom is another store that I shop.  Surprisingly, I don’t buy many clothes there. I’ll stick to shoes and boots and bags.   I make my good boot purchases during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.

  If you have the time, a couple of hours spent purusing Nordstrom Rack can produce great buys!

I have better luck at Nordstrom Rack. Especially with jeans. The variety of jeans at Nordstrom Rack is terrific.  I purchased quite a few of my beloved AG jeans at Rack.  And quite a few pairs of shoes too!

This leather Longchamp bag was my deal of the century at Nordstrom Rack a few years back. I saw it and ran up to the checkout. It was about $100. I wear this a lot!!

Two more Nordstrom deals. The bag is from Nordstrom. Rebecca Minkoff. Someone returned it and it went over to the sale table. I grabbed it!  The shoes are from Nordstrom Rack and were the second deal of the century. I actually fell in love with these shoes when Susan from Une Femme d’un Certain Age posted them on her blog. They are Paul Green and at $350 were out of my price line.  I happened to be at Nordstrom Rack one day and the shoes were there. In my size.  I think they were $107. and I had a $50 gift card. Great day in the mornin’!!

In all honesty, as much as I enjoy shopping, I love to make my purchases during sales. I don’t buy at retail prices.

I don’t buy luxury brands either. I am very much aware of my budget and what I cannot afford.

Leather Longchamp bags are the closest to luxury that I will buy.

OK. Bonaparte may have given me the red Longchamp bag for my birthday last year, but he made the purchase at Nordstrom!

And when we travel to France, I’ll keep my purchases purely to bags, shoes and my beloved Rondini sandals.  My body is just way too curvy for a European fit—so I avoid clothing for the most part.

Two examples of shopping during traveling. Rondini sandals and Repetto ballet flats. Every trip to France during the summer months means another pair of sandals. The price is great because the sandals are custom made and last forever.  BTW, the shirt is J. Crew and the jeans are AG! But look–this is an outfit that I can wear till I’m 85!

When it comes to buying clothing, it really helps to really know your body type and what works for you.  Boyfriend jeans and cargo pants look horrific on me.  Skinny and legging jeans work better for my body.

Old Navy is great–great for basics like plain tee shirts and lets hope their iconic t-shirt dresses are never disontinued..

Best $15 I’ve ever spent. This t-shirt dress from Old Navy can be worn all year.  I have five of them–just in case it is discontinued!

I’m not having a good Gap year. I purchased a pair of jeans but the offerings were better in the past.

And then there’s Lilly for the bright summer dresses. But I think I’m going to check out the consignment shops for a bit of her brightness this year. I don’t want to pay full price!

Surprisingly, the outfit I wore today —I loved!!  And I didn’t wear one item from J. Crew. My skirt was about four years old from GAP, the sweater was a cardigan I wore backwards because I liked it better that way.  The scarf was one I stole from Oona—she purchased it at Target a couple of years ago and the denim jacket was from Kut From The Kloth. I purchased this jacket when I was heavier. It’s a size Large. But it fits great due to the amount of stretch.

Today’s OOTD. And not one item from J. Crew!  The skirt, from GAP, is a great fit–it’s a stretch fabric and fits the curves beautifully.  I don’t have a white crew neck sweater so I wore this cardigan backwards. I don’t know what it is that makes me love this outfit so much. Yes I do. It looks great on me. And ladies! Admit when you know an outfit looks great! Don’t be shy!

And that is also why I try everything on. In multiple sizes. One brand’s size 6 could be another’s size 8 or 10.  I don’t pay much attention to the numbers on the tags these days.

I don’t get rid of a lot of clothing simply because what I do have really isn’t trendy—the styles last for quite a few years.

Online shopping for me?  Sometimes.  I shop J. Crew online when I am absolutely sure of the sizing of the item—such as Pixie Pants and blazers.  I’ve taken my chances once ordering on Zulily and was lucky.

My one-time online purchase from Zulily. $29.99 and I was very pleased with this tunic. I don’t wear it often –although I should wear it mor!

I took a chance recently with “6PM“—I purchased a pair of AG Jeans and they were fine—I know my size in AG.

A coupla pair of AG Jeans. These are GREAT jeans–but shop around for the best price!

However, I’m better taking the time early on a Saturday morning, wearing comfy clothing and good underwear and spending the time in stores. It can take me four hours to find the right shirt. And that’s ok because when I take the time, I know that I’ll make a purchase I’ll have for a long time.

Going shopping? It’s serious business so dress for comfort!  Wear comfortable shoes too!

Shopping for clothing should be treated seriously.  After all, when you are dressed in clothing that you love and that you feel great in, it makes your day a lot better.

Don’t you think?  How do you shop?  Where do you shop?  Malls, small boutiques.  Share your tips in the comments—it’ll be fun!

Sometimes shopping can be challenging if there is a really great sale going on. People pushing and shoving–it’s a real jungle and the song that plays in my mind is by CCR “Run Through The Jungle”!!

Where I Shop and How I Do It! A few posts back, our friend Nancy made a comment.  She wanted to know where I shop.