#where can i buy bath and body products online

[being-addie]

Little Ways to Love Your Life

I love performing little rituals to enhance my life. It's infinitely satisfying and it reminds me why living is so beautiful, on days when I start viewing the world through a pessimistic lens. This is your reminder that there's so much beauty in the mundane, just start looking for it :)

Here's some things I do that make me love my life just a little bit more:

Wake with the sun:

There is nothing better than opening your eyes to golden sunshine on your face. The golden hour has this quality that makes you feel like royalty.

Move your body:

Give your body a dose of endorphins by doing some exercise! Go for a hot girl walk, hit the gym for a sweaty HIIT sesh, or just groove to some Just Dance. I promise it will make you feel like you can conquer the world.

Smell sweet:

Put on a playlist and sing as you shower. Lather yourself up with sweet-smelling soap, and after you step out of the bath, slick on some vanilla scented moisturizer, and perfume. Don't forget deodorant! Make sure to stick with organic products because chemicals can irritate your skin.

Food = love:

A full stomach is a happy person. Make yourself a cup of coffee, and a hearty breakfast. Take note of the way milk swirls into the dark coffee, how the egg sizzles in the pan. Allow yourself to just exist in the moment, where you are taking care of your mind and body.

Self-love:

While I eat healthy 90% of the time, on days I really need to feel excited, I go buy a pain au chocolat from my nearest artisan bakery. It's one of my favourite foods to indulge in and it always makes me smile. Likewise, buy yourself something nice. It could be a new shirt, a bouquet of flowers, or designer chocolates. Indulge in yourself. You deserve it.

Look at beautiful things:

I don't mean window shopping or aesthetic Instagram pictures. Go out and observe. Look at the shape of the clouds, and how the trees dance in the wind. Pet that cute dog. Smell the wildflowers. Disconnect from the online world, even if it's for half an hour. Give yourself that much time.

Take pictures:

Screw retail therapy, taking aesthetic pictures is my new thing. Take so many pictures. The way sunlight filters in through your window, a cat stretching, a close-up of a flower, your Starbucks mocha latte. Unleash your inner photographer.

Pursue your hobbies:

When I'm down I play the piano or whip out my glue gun and craft my worries away. Doing something you love instantly puts your brain in a good mood. It could be tennis, gardening, quilling, birdwatching. Whatever you love. Do it.

Restrict your social media:

I was unknowingly comparing myself to all the girls I saw on Instagram and it was so detrimental to my self-esteem. I ended up deleting the app. I'm currently planning on reinstalling it by July next year. Delete the apps that do not make you feel good. You will have more time to dedicate to work, hobbies, family and relationships.

Finding joy in the mundane is the most healing thing you can do. Make your routine special, and switch it up once in a while. Don't shy away from your dream life, because you DESERVE it. You deserve EVERYTHING you ever want, okay? Now go get it. xoxo

<3

[bugeyedfreaks]

IT CAME IT IS HERE THE 20-YEAR-OLD PPG SOAP MAKING KIT FOR CHILDREN YAAAY 💖🥳🎉

I saw this being sold online, you all wanted me to buy it, so I did, and now you can all see what horrors you’ve wrought upon me.

The first thing that I noticed when I opened this package up is that it smelled terrible. I didn’t even have to open up the envelope you see in the picture: the actual shipping envelope smelled bad. It was definitely a soap smell gone very wrong. Needless to say, this wasn’t a good sign of what was to come.

… well, spoiler alert, it really doesn’t get any worse. In fact it’s a little underwhelming. 😆 But read on anyway because I do suffer a little while doing this, and I know if you all love at least one thing about me… it’s my suffering. 💖

I opened it up, and the first thing I looked at was the instruction manual that seems to be written in the perspective of the Professor. That’s kind of cute and on brand. I also chuckled because both of the soaps in this kit are named after Buttercup, the Powerpuff Girl who hates bathing the most. Whoever made this knew what they were doing and I love them for it. I hope putting this together made working at the Delta Education company a bit more fun for them.

Here are the instructions for people who like to read 20-year-old instructions of crafts for babbies:

After I looked through all of the instructions, I found some PPG stickers (not shown because I’m already pushing my photo limit for this post) as well as all of the ingredients for our experiments. Oooooh~.

I was actually a little bit disappointed, because I thought there would be more ingredients involved to make these things (you know, like an actual educational science kit would normally have), but this is all it came with. The shampoo base was just premade shampoo without the (apple!) scent in it. The green soap was just premade soap, cut into chunks that you would melt and pour into little heart shaped molds. The little glitter stickers in this picture weren’t PPG themed, and the “PPG trinkets” were straight up just erasers.

So, yeah, it was… underwhelming. From what I can gather from the other kits I saw being sold online, I suppose these were “educational” in the sense that they were used in educational settings. They were probably just little craft kits for kids in classrooms rather than kits that were going to teach them anything substantial (I think the other kits I saw were for making jewelry and door hangers… just fun projects for kids to have fun and learn how to put things together 🤷‍♀️).

Still, I purchased this kit, and I’d be damned if I didn’t actually get some shampoo and soap makin’ out of some of these ingredients. …and I say some because I had to find out whether I should even USE these products, given the warning on the front of the bag that said the contents warranted adult supervision. I mean, I’m an adult and I felt like I needed another adult.

There was absolutely no way that I was going to use the shampoo base, because I am pretty sure that it would make my hair fall out or disintegrate my scalp if I tried using it (or even if I touched it). It looked really slimy, and had a weird, translucent stringy texture to it, so I tossed it. I snipped open the apple scent packet because I was curious to find out if it still had a scent to it… and it was actually sort of pleasant! It had a bit of a chemical after-scent to it, but it wasn’t the worst thing I’ve ever smelled. Still, I don’t think I should be putting a 20-year-old scent anywhere near my body (I probably shouldn’t have even smelled it, come to think of it… my chemistry teachers would have been so ashamed of me) so I decided I would not be using it in the final product either.

I opened up the green soap, hoping that that would actually be okay or at least smell normal, and… I actually gagged. BLEEEEECH. That’s where the awful smell had been coming from. Immediately tossed it in the trash. It was AWFUL, and there’s absolutely no way, not even for the sake of comedy, that I would willingly put it in my microwave or even let it come in contact with my skin (although yet again, like an idiot, I smelled it… oh well, my idiocy has its limits, I guess). I looked online later and also found out that, apparently, glycerin soap can produce mold and ferment after 4-5 years… so yeah, it was probably a good call for me to trash it.

That means I now didn’t have any of the actual soap products I was going to use to make these! However, I had a trick up my sleeve (at least for the solid soap) and that trick was called… buying new soap to use. 🤣 I got some dye, grabbed some apple scent to add to the soap, and voila! BUTTERCUP SOAP!

Beautiful! 💚

They’re actually kind of cute, and I’m using them as little dish soaps right now (I’ll probably toss the erasers later though… I don’t think they’ll work after being in glycerin soap that long). The new apple smell I bought is, weirdly enough, not as great as the 20-year-old one, but it’s still something I totally think Buttercup wouldn’t mind using, even if bathtime was still torture for her. I also ended up making some blue soap themed for Bubbles (aka the original Soap). As for the shampoo, I basically just added the apple scent to some shampoo I already had and decorated the bottle that came with the kit accordingly.

…and that’s all she wrote! There it is! Soap and soap for your hair made with help from a kit no one else but me would, in their right mind, ever purchase! I hope you are all now fulfilled, free to live enriched lives knowing what mysteries were enclosed in the kit, and that I successfully made something with it for your enjoyment. It was all… for you! 💖🫵💖

[peekaboodubai]

Where will I find the best play mats for babies online in UAE?

A baby play mat, often called a baby play gym, is a cushioned surface with two hanging arches that hold toys in place. Your baby can play on their tummy and practise rolling over in this cosy zone.

Play mats for babies are a great idea. They provide numerous advantages for cognitive and developmental growth, as well as advantages for visual perception, gross motor skills, awareness, reaching and grasping abilities, and self-consciousness. These days play mats for baby online UAE are easily available.

Babies love playing on baby play mats, which are also quite adaptable! It can be used by baby for playfulness or tummy time, and it can also be used as a mat for meditation or prayer. It is also travel-friendly and simple to clean. 

Peek-a-boo is a brand in UAE who are popular for selling all kinds of products related to your kids. From table ware to playmats you will find everything. It is the perfect place to buy bath toys online UAE also. 

You and your infant can benefit from a baby play mat during the first year of life. Having it has advantages such as:

Affordable and long-lasting because it's a present that keeps on giving

It is lightweight and takes up little storage space, it is portable.

It provides a secure, cushioned surface for kids to play on.

Its padded ground makes it easy to wash, and it comes in a range of clashing colours.

FITNESS FOR THE BODY: PLAY MATS

Your kid will gain from their play mat in the following ways:

They will pick up the skills necessary to begin crawling, jumping, dancing, and ultimately walking.

As they use their muscles, it will inspire them to get stronger.

It advances your child's self-directed learning.

It encourages both independence and fundamental physical mobility.

[secretsinnersuk]

Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Wand Massagers Online

Welcome to our friendly guide on finding the best wand massagers online. In this comprehensive article, we will explore the benefits of wand massagers, discuss the factors to consider when choosing one and provide our top recommendations for quality, functional, and affordable wand massagers.

I. Understanding Wand Massagers:

A. What are Wand Massagers?

Wand massagers are handheld devices that are specifically designed for therapeutic massage. They typically consist of a long handle and a vibrating head that can be used to target different areas of the body. Wand massagers are versatile and can be used on various parts of the body, including the shoulders, neck, back, legs, and even intimate areas.

B. Benefits of Wand Massagers:

Wand massagers offer numerous benefits for both physical and mental well-being. The primary advantages include stress relief, muscle relaxation, and improved blood circulation. The deep vibrations produced by wand massagers can help alleviate muscle tension, reduce pain, and promote overall peace. Additionally, using a wand massager can stimulate blood flow, which can aid in the healing process and improve overall health.

II. Factors to Consider When Choosing a Wand Massager:

A. Power and Intensity Levels:

When choosing a wand massager, it's essential to consider the power and intensity levels. The power of a wand massager determines the strength of the vibrations, which directly affects the massage experience. Some individuals may prefer a more gentle massage, while others may need a higher intensity for deep tissue stimulation. Look for wand massagers that offer adjustable power and intensity levels to suit your personal preferences.

B. Design and Features:

The design and features of a wand massager can significantly enhance the overall experience. Look for a wand massager with an ergonomic design that offers comfort during use. Consider additional features such as rechargeable batteries, multiple massage heads, or customizable settings. These features allow for a more personalized massage experience and ensure that the wand massager meets your specific needs.

C. Noise Level:

Noise level can be an essential consideration, especially if you value privacy or live in close quarters with others. Some wand massagers can produce loud vibrations, which may be disruptive to others. Consider opting for models that offer quieter operation if noise level is a concern for you.

III. Top Recommendations:

 This powerful and versatile wand massager offers multiple intensity levels, allowing you to customize your massage experience. It comes with various attachments for targeting different areas of the body and has received rave reviews from satisfied customers for its effectiveness and durability.

For those seeking a high-quality wand massager, we recommend the [Name]. This top-of-the-line wand massager stands out for its exceptional performance and durability. It features a sleek design, multiple power settings, and a rechargeable battery for convenience. With its ergonomic handle and powerful vibrations, this wand massager provides a deeply satisfying massage experience.

If you're looking for a wand massager that caters to specific needs or preferences, consider the [Name]. This waterproof wand massager is perfect for those who enjoy massages in the bath or shower. It offers multiple power levels, a flexible neck for easy maneuverability, and a compact size for travel convenience. The [Name] also comes with a generous warranty and excellent customer support.

IV. Buying Guide and Tips:

A. Where to Buy:

When purchasing a wand massager online, it's essential to choose reputable retailers or stores. Look for websites that specialize in personal care products and have a wide selection of wand massagers. Additionally, take the time to read customer reviews and ratings to ensure you are purchasing from a reliable source.

B. Price Range:

The price range for quality wand massagers can vary depending on the brand and features offered. On average, a good quality wand massager can range from $50 to $150. However, there are also budget-friendly options available without compromising on quality. It's essential to strike a balance between your budget and the desired features when making your purchase.

C. User Safety and Care:

To ensure safe usage and prolong the lifespan of your wand massager, it's essential to follow proper care and maintenance guidelines. Always read the manufacturer's instructions for use and cleaning. Use a mild soap or cleaning agent to clean the attachments, and wipe the wand massager with a damp cloth. To store the wand massager, keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, best wand massagers online offer a multitude of benefits for physical and mental well-being. By understanding the factors to consider when choosing a wand massager and exploring our top recommendations, you can find the best wand massager that suits your needs. Remember to feel power and intensity levels, design and features, and noise levels when making your purchase. Enjoy your journey to ultimate relaxation with the perfect wand massager for you!

[peternelthorpe]

9 Affordable Luxury Gifts

New Post has been published on https://smallgiftideas.org/9-affordable-luxury-gifts/

9 Affordable Luxury Gifts

It’s possible to treat everyone on your list to a luxury gift without spending a fortune. You just have to know where to find great deals on luxury gifts and how to fit luxury gifts into your budget. If you can’t afford to give an entire designer ensemble, opt for a less expensive accessory. Instead of a mink coat, try mink fur-trimmed gloves. A trip to a day spa, instead of an all-out spa vacation. You get the idea.

How do you define a luxury gift? Webster defines a luxury as (1) something adding to pleasure or comfort but not absolutely necessary (2) an indulgence in something that provides pleasure, satisfaction, or ease. So you see, it isn’t always about the price. A luxury gift can be anything that a person doesn’t find absolutely necessary and probably wouldn’t buy for himself/herself but would love to receive. It’s a special treat.

Here are several affordable luxury gifts that are sure to please:

Jewelry and Watches

A piece of fine jewelry or a designer watch are always welcome gifts but may not be in your budget; especially if you have a long gift list. There’s still a way to get the glitz for much less than retail. Swarovski crystal is a great alternative to diamonds. Or, you could always visit online discount sites if you prefer the real thing. I recently found a Raymond Weil ladies watch for 35% off retail. I’ve also seen substantial discounts on premium designer jewelry and watches on auction sites.

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Bath and Fragrant Products

This happens to be my absolute favorite when it comes to indulgences. High end soaps, shower gels and bubble bath are richer and more luxuriant than the lower end versions. They also last longer and smell better. I love Bath and Body Works products (especially the new Tutti Dolci Apple Torta line).

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Cashmere

There’s just something about cashmere that says luxury. Maybe it’s the feeling of having this ultra-soft wool next to your skin. If your budget won’t allow for a sweater or robe, try less expensive items like scarves, gloves and hats.

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Silk

You can find affordable gifts in this luxurious fabric at online discount sites as well. The prices at these sites are so reasonable, that you could spring for silk pajamas without breaking the bank. You could always opt for silk scarves, pashminas or ties.

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High-End Cookware and Utensils

If someone on your gift list would rather prepare their own gourmet meals, why not arm them with state-of-the-art cookware or utensils. It’s not difficult to find top brands such as All-Clad, Cuisinart, KitchenAid and Le Creuset at savings of up to 70%.

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Luxury Bedding

Someone who thinks that all sheets are created equal hasn’t slept on sheets with a thread count above 400. If you want to give someone a luxurious night’s sleep, try sheets with a thread count of 600 or higher. I’ve found a 1,000 thread-count queen sheet set for $179.00 online – 62% off the retail price.

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Soothe Mind and Body

Is someone on your gift list stressed out? Treat him or her to a spa service such as a massage, manicure, pedicure or facial by giving a gift certificate. These services cost much less than a full spa day and the recipient will still feel pampered.

Fine Foods

Gourmet gifts are great for the person who has everything because they’re consumable. Gourmet foods are generally made of the finest and rarest ingredients and run the gamut from caviar, and lobster to Belgian chocolates. Although some of your recipients wouldn’t dream of paying for these gourmet delicacies, they’ll be glad you did (or at least they’ll think you did). You can impress for less by visiting igourmet.com.

Maid Service

Wouldn’t you feel pampered if someone else handled the house cleaning for you? Give your friend or family member a gift certificate from Merry Maids or Maid Brigade and relieve the recipient of the burden of house cleaning. Service can be scheduled through the companies’ local offices. House cleaning gift certificates are available in amounts of $100 and higher.

[linenova-au]

Bath Sheet Definition: What You Should Know

I assume we all understand what a bath towel is. They have been in use ever since bathing and bathing accessories gained popularity in the 19th century. The same purpose is served by both bath towels and bath sheets, but what is a bath sheet? What differentiates it?

Bath towel

To cover the body after a bath, use a bath sheet, which is a larger sheet than bath towels. The size of the bath towels ranges from "35 x 60" to "40 x 70". A bath sheet's big size allows it to absorb more water and cover more ground. Women are more familiar with it.

It is typically thought of as an extra-large bath towel. A bath sheet needs to be at least 3 feet broad and around 5 feet long. When you put them side by side, that is exactly what you get. The size of the bath towels ranges from "35 x 60" to "40 x 70" inches or from "89 x 152" to "100 x 171" centimeters. It provides Full cover to the body. 

Shower towels

A bath towel typically has dimensions between 27 and 52 inches, though this might vary depending on the manufacturer. Compared to bath sheets, bath towels are shorter. Compared to the bath towels, they are less absorbent. In general, guys favor using them. The bath towels are simple to maintain. Given its size and inability to completely fit the body, it is less popular with women.

Material for bath towels

Several materials, like silk (which is renowned for being silky and lightweight), Egyptian cotton, and Turkish cotton, can be used to make both types of towels (due to their absorbent nature). Bamboo fibers are being increasingly used in toweling since they are not only absorbent but also sustainable, renewable, and eco-friendly in the global environmental sector.

Luxurious bathrooms are becoming more popular. There something about the way a soft, plush towel feels against your body when you emerge from the shower or tub.

Conclusion For What is a Bath Sheet

LINENOVA is a place where you Buy Bath Towel Set Online is an Australian home textile products company which designs, manufactures and owns its own brand of products. We have our own factory and warehouse, professional after-sales team and high-quality service. It has all the same textures and materials as ordinary towels, and it can be cleaned and maintained in a similar way.

[teawitch]

Since this might help me find a new place to shop, I'm going to start the ball rolling with the "bad" news.

So, the bad news - most hardcore witches don't buy enough to keep your local witch shop in business. Experienced witches tend to fall into familiar patterns and reuse the same tools over and over, only occassionally needing to make a new purchase.

Meanwhile, your average middle-aged white "love and light" witch will treat the place like the local Bath and Body Works. Frankly, they keep a lot of witchy shops in business. So som of those will make their way into the list.

Herbs - my go to is a small local herb shop that is frequented by both the local witches and the local natural remedy focused Christian groups. (There is a weird truce thing going on between groups)

Online - https://mountainroseherbs.com/ Pros - highly reputable supplier Cons  - 4oz is probably more of a single herb than you need. Do NOT order the  pound package unless you planning on going into business

Magical oils, herbs and references - https://www.alchemy-works.com/ Pros - highly reputable magic shop Cons - knows more about magic than is probably safe

Perfumes that serve many purposes and where I spend too much money - https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/ Pros - some of the most unusual and witchy scents around Cons - addictive

Jewelry - https://www.stoneage.co.uk/ Pros - shiny! Cons - cannot afford all the shiny

Jewelry, statues and such that you actually an afford - https://dryaddesign.com/ Pros - have been designing for and supplying the Pagan community before it was cool Con - may run a bit too Wiccan for some. It is what it is.

General witchcraft supplies - https://www.magicalomaha.com/ Pros - lots of products in one spot with flat shipping rate Cons  - look I’m not going to recommend Suns Eyes oil or Chakra candles and  that citrine looks a lot like heat treated amethyst but some people need  a basic starting point to move from. (I've picked up my various tools from many different places, most of them not Witchy shops. But it can take decades to build a collection this way. )

Crystals - I hit up the local gem shows. It's the best way to go. But most people are looking for some tumbles and raws to start working with. Specialty sellers (old guys who dig rocks) often don't want to bother keeping a bunch of tumbles on hand so ---

https://www.etsy.com/shop/GemGemRock Pros - has tumbles. Quality probaby varies but they do have them. Cons  - probably no better or worse than your average new age gem dealer.  They’ve gotten better at labeling dyed and other altered stones. But you  do have to know that when they say “obsidian glass” they mean man made.  (The transparent colored tumbles are man made. The raw black obsidian  is natural).

Witches!

What're your favorite/go-to witchy shops?

tools, herbs, crystals, oddities, clothes, jewelry, aesthetic things: pretty much everything! I'm on a hunt for things I like!

Bonus points: no "love and light" owners

[midnightsunnyday]

The Brothers Go To Bath & Body Works

A/N: because I was bored and like headcanons where the brothers are in ordinary situations doing ordinary things, yet because of their nature and ignorance of human culture, get in all types of trouble. Definitely counts as a crack post.

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Lucifer: for horrid's sake it's like Asmodeus and Mammon's bathrooms exploded.

Satan: for once I have to agree with you. This place is a bit...assaulting.

Leviathan: ugh. This is just like that anime I watched: My Partner Tricked Me Into Going Shopping And Now I'm Stuck Watching Them Make Horrible Financial Decisions!

MC: that sounds way too contrived to be a real show.

Satan: furthermore, are we really about to spend an hour shopping for candles?

MC: no, I'm about to spend an hour shopping for candles. You all can wait outside *sighs* At least Asmo gets it.

Asmodeus: such splendor! Such rapture! I mean just look at it: the colors! The scents! The mini hand sanitizers! Oooh, and is that a sale? Buy three get two free, you say?

Lucifer, scanning the shelves: and what is this absurdity?  Pumpkin pecan, pumpkin apple, vanilla pumpkin, pumpkin clove, cinnamon pumpkin, caramel pumpkin...just what is it with you humans and your obsession with pumpkins?

MC: hey, don't judge my culture. Pumpkin scented and flavored products are an annual mortal tradition.

Lucifer: a tradition that should be banned, clearly.

Mammon: humans sure are strange though. I mean, why have an entire store dedicated to something so lame?

Satan: well, candles can be used for many purposes, but for most humans they're not only therapeutic, but romantic. In fact, it's customary for human lovers to light a multitude of candles around their dwelling to draw in their mate.

Mammon: to draw in their mate, huh? Ya don't say...

*loud clanging noises*

MC: Mammon...why are you scooping an entire row of candles into your shopping bag?

Mammon: oi, what are ya the candle police? Don't worry about it.

Salesperson: just so you know, all our three wick candles are--

Mammon: --buy three get two free. Yeah, yeah, we read the sign!

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Belphegor: hey, which scent do you think smells better on me?

MC: *sniffs* ooh, I really like the lavender one.

Belphegor: good, then that's the one I'll buy. That way, when we finish taking our naps together, you'll smell me all over your sheets. And your clothes. And your pillows. And the rest of your room.

MC: sounds very...Pavlovian. Just no leashes or collars, please. 

Belphegor: I think you might have me confused with Lucifer...and possibly Satan.

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Asmodeus: Satan dear, please tell me you aren't going to buy that just because it has a cat on it?

Satan, blushing: of course not. I was just...looking, is all.

Leviathan: you know, you're kinda behaving like an otaku who wants to buy all the latest merch of their favorite character.

Asmodeus: so like you, then?

Leviathan: hey! Otaku are a proud people who fuel their hobbies with the upmost passion and dedication. There's no shame in it.

Asmodeus: whatever you say, brother ~

Salesperson: just so you know, that's our limited edition Halloween scent, which is only around for the holidays.

Satan: hmm...

Salesperson, wearing a cheeky grin: we also have cat shaped plug ins.

Satan: where?

Asmodeus: now wait just a--

Salesperson: --did I also mention that we're having a sale on all our bath products?

Asmodeus: on all the bath products, you say?

Leviathan, rolling his eyes: normies.

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Salesperson: excuse me, sir?

Lucifer, sighing: if you're attempting to sell me something, then I rather hear the quick version.

Salesperson: it's just that you seem a bit...tense. Do you happen to suffer from stress? If so, I can show you a few items in our aromatherapy collection.

*Lucifer, gazing over at Leviathan and Mammon*

Mammon: ok, ok, on the count of three. One, two...three!

*Leviathan and Mammon shrieking in pain as they spritz body mist into each other's eyes*

Lucifer: ...I'm listening.

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Belphegor: hey guys, I don't think it was a good idea to bring Beel in here.

Lucifer: meaning....

Beelzebub, holding two candles and mumbling to himself: this one says banana walnut muffin and this one says warm apple pie, but it's not a muffin and that's not a pie, but it smells like one, but I can't eat it, but it's named after food, but it's not food...*falls to his knees* it's not food.

Leviathan: uh...

Beelzebub, in a trance like state: it's not food. It's not food. It's not food.

Satan: well, this doesn't look good.

Mammon, placing a hand on Beelzebub's shoulder: hey, little bro. You ok?

Beelzebub: so...the time for retribution has come? Such an ironic fate, being made to roam this chamber which torments me with scents familiar, yet unable to satiate. For centuries I've scourged the lands, devouring flesh to still the pain that naws at my being. Cursed to eat without gain. Without joy. Forever crowned as the sin of gluttony, a crown in which I sometimes find too heavy to bear. For some, I was once a god, for others a mere pest. Even so, I find myself in a hell not of my own creation, but one in which I rightfully deserve.

MC: um, Beel? I love you, but you're freaking everyone out.

Beelzebub, looking up at MC with empty eyes: ah, the mortal to whom I am bound. Tell me, are you here to guide me towards salvation? Or are you too like these wondering souls, searching for nourishment in that which is fleeting? However, I advise you make your decision with haste, as soon I will no longer be able to tell friend from prey.

*silence*

MC: ...we really need to get him some food.

Mammon, helping Beelzebub to his feet: ok, time to go, buddy.

Asmodeus: how about we get you some McDonald's. Do you like McDonald's, Beel?

Beelzebub: immortality is a curse. The only true salvation lies in oblivion.

Asmodeus: ...he wants McDonald's.

*at the food court*

Asmodeus: still, I can't believe I ended up purchasing several bags worth of lotions, candles, and body sprays *shivers* such an insidious place. I love it!

Lucifer: admittedly, this pillow mist is very soothing. Though may I suggest that next time we go somewhere less...traumatizing?

Satan, staring down into his bag full of cat shaped plug ins: *sighs* agreed.

Mammon and Leviathan, holding a cup of ice to their eyes: definitely.

MC: I just wanted us all to go shopping. How was I suppose to know scented candles would make Beel suffer an existential breakdown?

Lucifer: speaking of which, how are you feeling, Beel?

Beelzebub, stuffing his face: cheeseburgers and nuggets are my favorite food from McDonald's.

Lucifer: that's nice Beel.

Leviathan: well, that problem solved itself.

Mammon: but man, what a day. All this shopping sure gave me quite the workout *stretches his arm over MC* I think I'm just gonna head home, light a bunch of candles around my dwelling, let MC walk in and ya know...see what happens.

MC: *sighs* This is exactly the reason why I shop online.

[toadstoolgardens]

25 Tips for Permaculture Living

Permaculture is a design system and approach that challenges us to engage in whole systems thinking to create a better world and a worthwhile, kick-ass life. These are just ideas, shape your permaculture plans to fit your life & community.

The 3 Ethics of Permaculture: Earth Care, People Care, Fair Share.

1. Grow food. Even just a little. A sprawling garden, a raised bed, and a little pot of basil in a windowsill are all accomplishments. Growing that food creates a relationship with the soil, the weather, and the ecosystem. It slows us down, increases our resilience, and helps us eat where we are.

2. Chop & gather wood. If you are able where you live, take responsibility for your fuel needs. I live in a rural area so this is feasible for me, but these skills can also be utilized on camping trips/when using fire pits/etc. Learn to gather wood regeneratively and how to cure, stack, and chop it. Use as little as possible in a well-kept woodstove and return the charcoal to the Earth as biochar.

3. Minimize. Pare down your closet, your kitchen appliances, your shopping trips, the number of devices you own, anything you recognize you have/do in surplus. Being happy with less is powerful, it increases gratitude and lessens want.

4. Catch and store water. If it's legal where you live to do so, catch rainwater. This can be done in many ways, for many reasons. To pump the water as the pressurized water in your home or to water your gardens and landscape. Recycled plastic rain barrels are a simple and inexpensive way to collect and store free rainwater.

5. Eat together. Slow down and eat with the ones you love, just eating, talking, and being. Give each other and the nourishment on your plate your undivided attention.

6. Buy secondhand. Commit to buying as much as you can secondhand. This slows down impulse purchasing and hugely lessens the impact of your purchase. You'll also likely end up with a higher quality item and a great deal! Since secondhand items already exist, no production is needed, no new footprint is created, better for everyone. There are online secondhand shops too if you're looking for something specific you can't find locally.

7. Stop shopping at big supermarkets. Avoid them as much as possible! They're full of plastic packaging, processed foods, and the illusion of choice. Almost every product on supermarket shelves is owned by one of 10 companies, and they certainly aren't environmentally friendly ones. For food, make basics from scratch and source whole foods from locally owned farms, markets, co-ops, and shops. Online resources like Vitacost and the Package Free Shop are great for healthier options you might not find locally.

8. Reuse all nutrients. Compost all you can. Kitchen scraps, garden scraps, yard clippings, tree prunings, charcoal & ash from the fire, and urine and manure can all be returned to the Earth and transformed.

9. Pack your lunch. We all love takeout, but packing your own meal to take with you saves money, eliminates waste, and can be eaten anywhere! Eat your lunch in the park, the woods, up a tree, get to know your local nature spaces while you eat.

10. Make your own bread. Bread is one of our most beloved basic foods. Baking it yourself will nourish you better, save money, eliminate packaging, learn a new skill, and use whole ingredients instead of mystery ingredients and preservatives in many store-bought breads.

11. Swap your gym workout for gardening. Keeping healthy and fit is so important and if you're able, working in the garden is amazing exercise. Turn a compost pile, dig a garden bed, pull weeds, prune trees, pot seedlings, chop wood, or go walking in nature and enjoy the wild garden she provides. All deeply useful tasks, a great workout, and fresh air too! Forest bathing, being and basking in nature, is extremely healthy for our bodies and minds.

12. Minimize meat. Purchase meats from local farmers & butchers and don't support factory farming whenever possible. Appreciate and respect the animal nourishing you, use every bit of the meat you purchase.

13. Take the train. If you have to take a long trip, consider the train over flying. One trip on a plane generates about 300kg of CO2, taking the rain generates 10x less. It's slower, sure, but you can relax, read, nap, enjoy the scenery, and reduce emissions.

14. Support community. In every way: shop local, eat local, support your local food bank when you have surplus, volunteer in the community, help out at the community garden, teach your neighbors a skill. Show up for your community's pollinators by caring for local lands, planting native species, and encouraging others to do so. If you're already a gardener, start a crop swap if there isn't one. Give where you can, help where you can, engage where you live.

15. Keep bees. Bees are beautiful to watch, they provide our gardens and local landscape with pollination, and provide you with honey and wax. The millions of flowers and incredible effort involved in each jar of honey garners a great appreciation for sweetness and the work of bees.

16. Sleep well. It really does make a huge difference in our moods, health, and energy we're capable of putting into the day.

17. Live small. Living in a small house means less heating, cleaning, furniture, energy costs, and housing costs. A small home also makes for an intimate space to spend time together.

18. Work for yourself when you can. Growing food and being involved in the non-monetary economy of growing, swapping, sharing, foraging, reusing is so good for our health and everyday happiness.

19. Forage wild food. If you live somewhere with natural spaces that aren't sprayed with chemicals, there's probably free food all around you. Foraging is a great way to fill your belly with seasonal freshness, for FREE! Each season offers it's own special goodies, so you also learn to live with the seasons and connect to your local nature in a new way. Be sure to positively identify all species before you consume anything!

20. Take care of your ecosystem. You are a steward of the land and every little bit helps. Pick up trash and plastic when you're out. If you own property, manage your land. Volunteer for clean ups, water testing, gardening projects. Manage invasive species if you find them and are able. Plant native species and species for pollinators. Anything, truly anything helps.

21. Build forts & tree houses. If you have space, a collaborative building project using recycled/gathered materials teaches us lots of skills and helps us appreciate everything it takes just to keep a basic roof over our heads. Plus you'll also have a nice hideaway in nature to enjoy.

22. Grow beans. Love you, beans! They improve the soil, can be grown as climbers even if you have limited space, and can be eaten fresh, frozen, or dried (which store for years, increasing resilience). Beans are self pollinating which makes saving seeds easy and they're one of the most climate-adaptable plant proteins you can grow.

23. Pass it on. Share abundance! Produce, clothing, knowledge, skills, eggs, yarn, anything. Pass it on, pay it forward, share your excess, it's a gift to both your community and yourself.

24. Share skills. A skilled community is able to look after themselves and each other. Are you a great cook? Host a cooking party and teach your friends to make their own yogurt. Love starting seeds? Hold a seed starting workshop outside your local library. It doesn't have to be complex or fancy, just have heart. Which you already have, so you're perfect. Skill shares build confidence, knowledge, and community.

25. Rise up. Silence = violence. Permaculture is about doing as little harm as possible and using our time on Earth to do the best we can, with our hands and our voices. Speak up, show up, rise up. Work for the world you want, not just the garden you want.

Keep Learning: Source

[arcadejohn127-9]

Hello. I have a question. How would the demon brothers (and/or the undatables + Luke) react to a very hyper and adorable but mute six year old female mc with cute curly hair? (Mc can be gender neutral if you want)

Brothers + undateables react to adorable mute six year old MC

[brothers + side chatacters & mute, six year old MC]

Lucifer:

You were already better than any other child he's had to look after

Far better than any of this brothers combined

Your hyper nature did tend to annoy him at times and get you in trouble

But it was hard to say no or tell you off

Would often just have you sit with him whilst he works

He'll let you write your own 'reports'

If he's allowed; he'll twirl and gently pull the curls and let them bounce back - he tends to this absent-mindedly If you're sitting with him

Your energy is contagious

Is learning sign language for you and even has him and brothers do it with you when you have online classes

Mammon:

He keeps loosing - he calls out for you thinking you'll Respond before remembering you're mute

Has given you a whistle that any demon will be able to hear even if they're yards away

Definitely uses you in his schemes

Who could ever be mad at such an adorable face?

He couldn't!

Mammon has taught you how to swear in sign language - both human and demon style

Has tried to curl his hair to be like yours

He wanted to match but they didn't turn out right and wasn't a good look

Levithan:

Let's you mess around in his room

He'll normally find you in his tub bed, staring at the jelly fish lights he has

He'll pull down the lights and let you play with them

Tries REALLY HARD to keep his gamer rage controlled if you're in the room

Likes to squish and pinch your cheeks

If you're unable to sleep due to being hyper, he's the perfect person to go to

He barely sleeps and has a night glowy room to relax in

He suggests you cosplay with him, always picks out chatacters who have the same hair as you

Satan:

Your hair is his stress ball

He'll squeeze a fist fall of your curls and watch them spring when pulled - don't worry he's very gentle and mindful if he's getting carried away

Uses your hyper energy when he feels tired

Wants to prank Lucifer but can't finish the plan or device in time?

You'll be his helper

LOVES giving you loads of sugar so you're more hyper

He'll carry you around until he sees Lucifer or any brother that's annoyed him

Immediately put you down and let you go like you're a wild animal down the halls

Will swear in sign language If you're in the room and he's feeling angry - he's bribed you to not tell anyone he's swearing Infront of you

Asmodeus:

He does your hair every morning

Has become the master of combing through your curls without hurting you

Asmo will lend you his bath products if you want them

Works hard to keep up with your energy

He can't get enough of how adorable you are, always pointing it out to others and showing you off to other demons

Has you join him in skin care so you can keep your soft skin

Lucifer had to stop him from putting you into a pageant

Has no issues with your muteness, as long as he's able to communicate with you one way or another - he's content

Beezlebub:

He's your lift EVERYWHERE

Need to grab something high off the shelf? He'll either do it for you or lift you so you can grab it

He opens all the jars for you

Carries you everywhere

You're just so cute and small; he just wants to protect and hold you

Has suggest you work out with him to tire yourself out, not wanting you to be hyper all day and night

You actually did join him for awhile; lifting up plastic weights and small boxes

Meanwhile he did the real deal

He thinks your curls look like pasta; has lost himself in a day dream and ended up chewing on your hair

Has learned body language cues from you so he can understand how you're feeling when you can't do sign language

Belphegor:

How are you so hyper?

You've jumped on his bed whilst he sleeps too many times

He doesn't want to play dolls with you right now- wait - Mr toad and Bonnibel Alexandra the third did what?!

Likes resting his head on your hair, he can be a sleep cuddler so watch out

When you're being fussy and he doesn't want to deal with it

He closes his eyes so he can't see you sign

Your cute face is difficult to stay mad at

Besides, an angry six year old isn't something he can take seriously

Calls you Luke 2.0

UNDATEABLES ↓

Diavolo:

Big dad vibes

Encourages you to stay in the castle with him

He gets so happy when you show him your latest drawing or any school work you have

Has drawings you've done pinned up in his bedroom wall

Wants to look after you whilst you stay with him

He'll call asmo or look up tutorials on how to brush your curls and keep them from knotting

Will bounce the bottom of your hair; it just makes him laugh

Has said 'i don't like the tone you're using' after you grumpily signed at him

Made it a mandatory lesson in R.A.D to learn human sign language

Barbatos:

Sneaks you sweet treats and let's you help him out in the kitchen

Your energy reminds him when his master was young

Has lost you in the many hallways and twists of the castle

Stressed™

Diavolo thinks following a deviltube video will teach him but it's really Barbatos

Buys products and combs made specially for your hair

He pinches your cheeks to be affection but it can be abit annoying

He's always making sure you feel comfortable within the Devildom

Solomon:

Likes to play hide and seek with you

By hide and seek he means, you'll make you hide and he'll go sit somewhere you can't find easily and do any homework he has

Has been teaching you really low grade spells

Hopes you'll be his apprentice when your older

As a fellow human he is already knowledgeable to sign language

He understands your body language and will do his best to help if needed

Didn't expect to find a child in the Devildom

Wonders where your parents are

Trusts you with crystals he's collected over the centuries

Simeon:

He sees himself as Luke's grandpa and feels the same towards you

Gives you celestial realm sweets

Just always has them in his pocket

Finds your knowledge in signing swears extremely hilarious

Very protective of you, always worried the Devildom will be too scary for someone your age

Enjoys playing with your curls

Tends to spoil you

Just can't say no to those adorable puppy eyes

Luke:

Happy to have someone younger than him around

He's 4'5 and if you're taller than him; he'll be so mad and embarassed

He's still a child himself so he finds it very easy to keep up with you

Feels like a big brother to you

Is very protective, just like Simeon

Hates it when demons come near you

You're too young to be harassed by those demons!

What If they hurt your cute face?!

He likes playing with your hair and asks if you think curls will fit him

[the-shiftshop]

With The Right Tools

Today is the day I, Calvin Gander, have finally gained my motivation to make art. I’ve been stranded in this quarantine for too long that I already did everything that I can think of in my house. I’ve been wanting to make sculptures again ever since I saw tons of available limestones in my garage, but I couldn’t find my old tools so I decided to buy online. I found came across these carving tools from a shop that sells a variety of products ranging from clothes to gadgets, and they even sell food online, although it seems like nobody had came across with this store yet and I couldn’t see any reviews. But anyway, I bought them and they just came in the mail today.

Without hesitation and in pure excitement, I ran to my art studio where I have already moved my limestones to. Removing the packaging, I was surprised to see that it came with its own toolbox, a wooden box generously detailed with fantasy-like carvings that are shaped like vines, dried land, and small silhouette of men. I opened the toolbox, pulled the tools out and immediately went to work.

I used the hammer and chisel to chip off the limestone to form a shape. I have already planned out what I will be making starting today. I wanted to challenge myself in making a detailed sculpture of a man.

Throughout the whole day, I formed the limestone to a specific pose. Surprisingly, it went much easier than I expected. The tools were good in making  specific grooves and curves. Although my project still looks rough, I was able to make the specific pose that I want. All I need now is to put on the details. Most of the time when I make sculptures, it would take me a week to finish, but doing this project has been somewhat easier, having that I haven’t done something this big before. I have done the pose in just one whole day. It’s probably my artistic side kicking in, or maybe because I was just super bored, but I guess I might need to rest for a bit as well.

I left the sculpture and called it a day, but I quickly went back to work immediately as soon as I woke up. I used the smaller tools to create noticeable and very accurate details on my sculpture. I gave my sculpture a ripped musculature. It’s privates were a tucked between its legs because of the pose, but I also focused on giving it very realistic features. On its face, I made it looks like he’s breathing in air though his nose with his eyes closed and his head falling back I added bulging lines on my sculpture to give his some realistic veins, then finally I smoothen the sculpture out and finally finished my project in just a day and a half.

I took a look at my creation. Satisfied. I felt so proud that I have created this masterpiece. I never had made art this detailed. The tools really is high quality. It almost seemed like the tools had a mind of their own. I might need to give the store a great review.

As soon as I turn around to get my phone, I heard a loud crack. I rushed back to my sculpture to check where it came from. I noticed a large crack forming on its cheeks.

“Oh no!” I rambled. I touched the crack in panic, only to cause it to spread.

A chip of limestone fell off and revealed a pale, flesh-like texture inside. Is that... skin?

The cracks grew bigger and they appeared in almost every part of the sculpture, on its legs, torso, and arms, before finally covering the whole thing. The limestone gave off and all fell out, but instead of my sculpture just disappearing into crumbs, like a skin of a snake, it revealed something else inside.

“Holy... shit...” I whispered under my breath. That’s a man. A real man inside my sculpture. I moved closer to it but with extreme caution. He’s breathing. I can see his chest move in every intake of air. Like my sculpture his eyes were closed, smiling as he bask under the light entering my open studio. I moved closer and his head moved forward to face me. His eyes opened and looked at me. He lowered his legs and sat on the podium properly. I got a glimpse of his flaccid shaft and hefty balls.

“Bath” He said, in a low but monotonous tone despite him smiling.

“Huh?” I stared in confusion.

He stood up in front of me, he was struggling to stand up so I took a hold of his body. He was heavy. He was also covered in powder which made my feel somewhat dry, but damn, have I never been this close to a naked man.

“Bath” He repeated as he try to take a step forward.

“Oh.” I guided him to the bathroom in my bedroom. I did all my best to not stare at his swinging package. When we arrived, I let him go in, but he didn’t budge.

“Come” He said, pulling me with him to the bathroom.

“N-No, I don’t..”

“Help.” He said, I sighed.

I went in the bathroom with him. I let him sat down on the toilet bowl for a while. I opened the shower and tested the water, but when I asked him to get in, he pointed on the bathtub. I once again sighed and turned the shower off. I started filling up the tub with water. The room was filled with nothing but the sound of gushing water on the tub. We were silent, but he was obviously staring at me. When I looked back, he pointed to me.

“Name?” He asked.

“Calvin.” I said, moving my eye away.

“Calvin...” He went quiet for a while, then he pointed at himself. “Name?” He asked again.

“You?” I asked.

“Yu?” He said, confused.

“No, you.” I explained, pointing at him, then went quiet when I realized that this was somewhat similar to that movie. “Oh. You want me to give you a name?”. He nodded.

“No. I’m not calling you Yu. I think Shawn is better.”

“Shawn...” He went quiet again.

The tub was finally full and he immediately stood up. I caught him in my arms before he accidentally take a fall, guided him to the tub and slowly help him sink into the water.

“Help” He said.

I lifted his head and help him position himself sitting on the tub. He wasn’t really moving that much in the bath. He was just staring at me, looking like he’s waiting for me to do something.

“Help” He repeated.

I stared at him in confusion, then I got what I meant.

“N-No! I’m not gonna bathe you-”

He grabbed my arm. He was strong, but after that strong grip, he carefully moved my hand into the water.

“Bathe” He said.

I had no choice. I poured out water on him with my hands, then rubbing the powder off his body. I was touching a stranger’s naked body. More importantly, I’m giving him a bath! I continued though, washing off powders off his head and shoulders. My hand went down to his thighs, carefully avoiding his shaft. Although submerged in water, I still had to rub off the powder on his skin. I also went in between his toes, then back to his upper body. I washed away the powder on his back, feeling his heavy breaths. I grabbed his hand and guided it to his crotch.

“You clean that.” I said, he followed.

After staring at him innocently rub his shaft and balls, I tried to get it off my system by patting  his shoulder.

“You’re done.” I said. He looked back at me.

“Done.” He followed.

I drained the water before helping him carefully stand up, making sure he wont slip. I helped him step out the tub and gave him a towel. Without letting him ask for help once more, I already started drying him off. I moved away and stared at his body.

Fuck, I’m getting a hard on just by looking at him. He was once just a lifeless sculpture, now he’s a real human, naked in my house, asked for me to bathe him, and now...

I walked out the bathroom. I need to calm down. I shouldn’t be overthinking these things. I might be dreaming right now. Come to think of it I just realized that maybe I was dreaming. This must be a dream for sure, but I really need to wake up by now.

Cutting me out of my thoughts, I felt two cold arms wrap around my hips then to my chest. 

“Thankful.” He whispered.

My cheeks are burning. My cock is hard. My heart is beating too fast and I don’t know what to do but to moan. His hug went tighter.

“Reward.” He said as I feel his hand move down to grab my hard on. He was licking my neck now. My legs almost gave up as I feel the extreme pleasure go through all parts of my body.

“Shawn- S-Stop.” I said.

He really did stop, he was stuck holding my bulge and his tongue out, touching my neck.

“Let me go!” I said.

He followed, standing straight behind my back. I moved away from him and stared at him from a short distance. He’s frowning like a kid, as if he did something bad to his parents. I popped my tongue and looked at him annoyed.

“Fine. Come here and touch me again.”

His eyes lit up and walked close to my once more. His hands moved inside my shirt with his tongue licking my neck once more.

“Wait!” I commanded. He moved away from me and looked at me. “Let’s take it slower, okay?” I said.

“Slower...” He processed, then went full slow-motion in moving his arms around my body.

I laughed. “No, not like that.” I made him stop again. “Let me do the moves, okay?”

“Okay” He said.

“First, let’s sit down on my bed.” I guided him on my bed. We sat down beside each other. “Look at me.” He followed.

I moved my face near his, still hesitating for a bit, but that didn’t last long as I dive in. I my left hand moved to the back of his head and I pulled him in for a kiss. He followed suit and opened his mouth for me and out tongues touched. My right hand moved up to meet his chest. Pinching his nipples time to time. He gave me satisfying moans whenever I do this. My right hand moved down and I felt his cock rising. I grabbed on it and started stroking him. I broke the kiss for a while and looked at his face as he moan.

“You might want to remove my clothes.” I said.

“Clothes.” He reached both of his hands to my shirt and removed them. I let go of his cock first to help him, then I went back to it. He started copying me. He touched my chest, massaging them well, then had his other hand down to my bulge. I removed my hands from him and undid my shorts, pulling them off both my legs.

I pulled him on top of me. Both of my hands on his butt, guiding him to grind his cock against mine through my underpants. He continued it by himself as I place both of my hands on his face to pull him in for a kiss once more. I removed my underpants and let my cock out. I guided his his butt above my waiting shaft, then finally I pushed in.

He didn’t flinch. Instead, he gave me a long satisfying moan. He broke our kiss and straightened his back. He pushed himself down to my cock and did the rest himself. I stroked his cock as he bounce up and down, teasing the tip of his cock with its own precum. He already had released a lot and its coating the head of his cock. We switched positions. He’s now lying on his back while I do the work on fucking his ass. I moved faster as I feel myself reach my climax.

“A-Ah, Shawn. I’m gonna cum!”

“Cum...”

I grunted and moaned as loud as I can and Shawn followed suit as we finally came together. He blew his huge load on his torso, then slowly it came to stop when it nearly coated all of it. I pulled out and lied down beside him.

“Thankful” He said.

“Me too.” I replied then went in for a kiss.

[trentaafcsblog]

Writing Challenge - Random

“You can’t dirty talk your way out of this” - Anyone You Like

Thank you to the gorgeous @footballffbarbiex for this one 🤍

Sighing, you pick up the clothes from the bedroom floor and follow the trail of wet prints until you reach the towel that has been abandoned and note the state of the en-suite. Bathing a cat would have resulted in less chaos than this.

Soap suds are still dripping down the shower glass and walls, he hadn’t turned on the fan, so condensation still covers the mirror and gives the walls a light coating. You should have known he’d have forgotten he had promised to clean up after himself when you heard him losing himself in the playlist he had set for whilst he was in the shower. Hair remains in the bathroom sink from where he’s emptied out the water but not washed away his shavings and the lid has been left off the toothpaste. Again.

You close your eyes and count to ten before walking back out of the room, dumping the towel back where you picked it up and head to the landing where you call his name and peer over the banister at him.

He replies with your name in a cheery tone, but one look at your expression has the smile on his face slipping. “I’m sorry?” He flashes a cheesy grin in the hopes that it will soften whatever blow you’re about to verbally drop on him.

“For?”

“Missing our anniversary?” He tries with an apologetic smile.

“That’s two months away.” You tell him and fold your arms over your chest.

“Not taking something out of the freezer like you asked?” he tries again.

“Nope.”

You can see he’s running out of ideas but one second of running his hand through his hair has him realising. “The bathroom.”

“The bathroom.” you nod in agreement.

“See, about that. I was going to clean it up, but then I got distracted an... you look really fucking cute when you’re pissed at me.” he changes tactic.

You make an mmhmm sound and raise your eyebrow as he begins to make his way up the stairs towards you.

“You do. You have this feral look about you and it makes me wanna push your buttons.”

“Why?”

“Makes you easier to cum when you’re all worked up like that.” You feel your body reacting at his words, mostly because you know it’s true but also because you now realise that he fully intends to make that happen.

“You can’t dirty talk your way out of this.”

“Oh, baby we both know I can.” He says as he looks at you, fingers beneath your chin as he lifts your face to his before pressing his lips against your own.

“I’m gonna put a smile on that face of yours.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“You know where the cleaning stuff is, I presume.”

“I don’t, but you can point it out once I’ve made you soak the bed.”

This imagine is in collaboration with Cancer Research UK 💗 please feel free to follow the link if you would like to donate, but as always, there is no obligation 🦋 if you’ve got the time, then please have a little look at their website and check out the amazing work that they do 🤍 they also have an online shop where you can buy products for yourself (mugs, notebooks, blankets) or something for those affected by Breast Cancer (anxiety help books, mastectomy bras, support cushions) - all of which have the option to be donated to out to those affected by the disease if they can’t afford these things themselves, or would prefer to receive something physical instead of a donation, with all of the proceeds going directly to the same causes as general donations x

[avengersapology-vid]

Avengers during quarantine

steve: takes it like a champ, the 40s had absolutely no technology so he’s used to spending long periods of time doing nothing. takes advantage and watches all the movies and shows on his ever growing pop culture list, and upgrading his bike. is required to make infomercials. “remember folks; wash your hands, wear a mask, and social distance.”

tony: helps steve film his infomercials, and gets so pissy when steve doesn’t take his directions that he makes his own. “fine if you won’t do a full fireworks display, i will!” builds yet another array of suits (that aren’t murderous this time), and other completely tricked out gadgets and suits for the team. makes a city out of nats amazon boxes, and lives in it for 3 days before bruce accidentally hulks out and destroys it.

natasha: gets wine drunk and online shops. she’s the sole reason for the amount of amazon and other mail carrier boxes that start to pile up in the garage; you could build a miniature version of half of manhattan with them. buys masks in bulk, but they’re all different kinds. some are plain black, or regular medical grade. others are either weird cartoon mouths or super kawaii glittery sanrio type masks. the type of wine affects the type of mask she orders. bruce ends up hiding her mastercard.

bruce: he knows the severity of the pandemic, and is grateful for the stay at home orders. very big on cleaning constantly and wearing masks. he spends quarantine doing science experiments, and even tries to help find a cure or solution. almost hulks out when the home order is lifted prematurely, and he catches glimpses of the “bar lives matter” protests. spends time relaxing with natasha and tony. despite the obvious stress, its the most relaxed hes been in yrs.

clint: being the family man he is, obviously quarantines at home. he’s happy to have a prolonged break from the team, and more bonding time with his wife and kids. they play video games, make frog shaped bread, and he teaches his kids sign language. by the 4th month of quarantine they’re all almost completely communicating in sign. tony gets mad at him for not inviting him over to make frog bread.

thor: gets stuck at the avengers facility, and it is recommended that he stay on earth so as not to risk spreading to asgard. he sticks to playing fortnite and eating vast amounts of poptarts. he freaks out a little when his stash runs out and is the sole reason why the secret facilitys address gets leaked. makes friends with the grocery delivery person every time, and over tips.

loki: big time germaphobe!!! walks around with a mask and gloves at all times, probably showers several times a day. hoards lysol, wipes, and clorox, and only gives his stash to the others. although peter claims he saw him donating some to a women’s shelter. gets called out on a facebook mom group he was in (trying to keep track of stores with cleaning tings in stock) for hoarding. “sorry you refuse to get up at 5 am to shop jill. i am a god you dull creature, and i will not be bullied by a woman with a jersey duck nail!”

sam: baker affff, he shows up late to a meeting one day with a tray of cinnamon rolls and fury absolutely looses his mind. "HEHE I MADE CINNAMON ROLLS WITH A-" and nick is like "YOU’RE LATE! WE WERE SUPPOSED TO START 2 HOURS AGO! YOU CAN TAKE YOUR CINNAMON ROLLS AND SHOVE THEM RIGHT UP YOUR A-" "I PUT APPLES IN THEM" goes crazy spending most of his time in the kitchen. attempts to make thor poptarts.

bucky: he and steve are literally the kings of quarantine. bucky gets through the pop culture bucket list with steve, and actually tries to bond with his team mates. he falls into a rabbit hole of conspiracy videos (fully believes that paul mcartney died in the 60s, and if her brother didn’t kill her....then jon benet is definitely katy perry) and urban exploration videos and makes a list of places to explore when the stay at home order lifts.

peter: he goes absolutely crazy. he has to resume classes online, he feels stuck in his small room. eventually, may sends him upstate to the avengers facility where he has more freedom to roam around within a safe space. he can be found on facetime with MJ doing homework, or pranking the others with pietro and thor.

wanda: definitely spends time rereading popular series. i’m talking twilight, percy jackson, hunger games, vladimir tod etc. if you read it in middle school, it’s on her shelf. mostly orders through amazon, but as soon as the pandemic dies down a little shes at a book store stocking up. (side-note: shes team edward and definitely wants to be alice for halloween)

pietro: he rarely gets sick, but when he does it’s absolute hell! he panic buys toilet paper, lysol, and bath and body works sanitizers (specifically stress relief, noir, and warm vanilla sugar) he goes with loki to shop and speeds over to the tp and cleaning product aisle to shove things in his basket. he’s the sole reason why they start putting a limit on how much you can purchase. he doesn’t get sick at all, but definitely becomes a hypochondriac by month 2. he forms towers and statutes out of his massive collection of tp and sanitizers, and nick berates him and loki for hoarding.

vision: accesses different stan and fandom databases so he can carry a conversation with wanda about her interests. she's glad to be able to speak with someone other than peter and MJ about these things, cause she lowkey feels like she bothers them. he accidentally downloads a corrupt kpop file and can only speak in black pink and bts songs for a good two weeks till tony helps reboot his system.

nick: if you’re a covidiot, he knows. he has your name, ip, social security, list of allergies etc. and he’s not afraid to tell you he does. starts threatening people on social media under an anonymous account, and becomes very popular on twitter. his “stans” tell him to “dox” people but he doesn’t know what that means. not saying nick fury is anonymous but if the v for vendetta mask fits 👀

coulson: literally lives on tiktok, and becomes THE dad of tiktok. he dances, bakes, does “hey i’m proud of you kiddo” type povs, does tutorials on how to shave, change your oil/tire. he even helps a tiktok creator reclaim their sound from some pervy povs. refuses to tell nick what “dox” means.

[soclonely]

The Clones As My Impulsive Quarantine Purchases

Everything here is some of the products I have bought for myself since starting the pandemic process in March. Costco, Amazon, and Target are my usuals. And I love getting Boujee on a Budget at the Dollar tree.  Rex- The supersized bottle of tylenol I got at Costco in May and still haven’t opened Echo- 20+ books I bought on my kindle to read plus my online subscription to a mistory magazine that I forgot I had. Fives- All of my doordash orders Jesse- My flamingo slippers that i HAD to have because they have little queen crowns on them Kix- The $90 blouse I bought because it was half priced and I am probably never going to wear it. Tup- The shark backpack I bought for my dog to wear to doggy daycare everyday. (he packs his lunch) Dogma- the 25lbs of rice, toilet paper, and pasta noodles I stocked up on because I wanted to follow the rules and not leave the house for a few weeks Hardcase- I literally bought 15lbs of fudge in one day. not kidding... Coric- The new pair of headphones I wanted, even though I have no where to wear them and I live alone so can blast music whenever I want Bly- Cowboy boots 99- Like $40 in christmas wrapping paper.  Cody- knitting supplies that is still just sitting in a bag on a chair in my room since june Waxer and Boil- Those kids pocket calendars you have in an elementary classroom. Wolffe- I bought an artificial ice hockey rink and Net for my yard when the ice rink was closed because i am seriously on the ice every day and after three weeks went crazy. Guys this thing is so cool its like skating on actual ice but i was doing it in 90 degree weather! $2500 well spent.  Boost and Sinker- Solid $200 in bath and body works products. I go to their website to see if they have hand sanitizers and end up buying candles and lotions instead Hunter- A SCARF THAT HAS A ZIP UP POCKET BECAUSE I LOVE IT AND IT IS PRACTICAL AND I WANT TO SHOW EVERYONE Wrecker- Lochness monster Ladle that I see online everywhere Tech- a nintendo switch in July that is still sitting brand new in the box Crosshair-  little nerf gun ball shooter set to shoot palpatine with when watching star wars. not kidding.. I went out and bought a nerf gun strictly for this purpose. theres videos.

[katalyna-rose]

Kat’s Rat Shopping List

I’ve gotten a few requests for a shopping list of my rat setup (tagging @collapseofthesky because they requested this, specifically, but I’ve had a few others message me), so I thought I’d give it a try and also add a few explanations for why I do some things the way I do. As such, this is going to be a very long post and is therefore under a cut. There will be a basic shopping list without all the explanations at the very end of the post under TL;DR if you don’t care about the rest or whatever.

I had a lot of fun with this and spent way more time on it than I meant to, and might be open to doing more of this kind of thing in the future.

Cage

First up, the cage. Obviously. I’ve said it before but it’s a Double Critter Nation and a Single Critter Nation with the side panels removed and zip tied together. These are sometimes sold in pet stores (the locally owned pet store I prefer has them in stock). I bought mine online because of a really good sale, but you can sometimes get really lucky and find them for resale on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist for super cheap. I love this cage because the whole front opens up and that makes it super accessible and easy to clean, decorate, and get to my pets wherever they may be. It’s also huge!

US minimum for rat cages is 2 cubic feet per rat, with a minimum of two rats because rats cannot be housed alone as they are extremely social animals. No, human companionship is not enough, rats need same-age, same-species companionship at all times. Please be aware, as well, that minimums are not the ideal to strive for. Whatever space you intend to dedicate to your rats, fill it! Fill it all up! And if you don’t have enough space for a large cage, don’t get rats. My setup, with the Home Depot/Lowe’s large cement mixing tubs in the bottom, is roughly 45 cubic feet of space. If we’re looking at minimums, this means I could house 22 rats! There’s no way that 22 rats could ever actually be comfortable in my setup. It would be insane, chaotic, and extremely messy. So why would 2 rats be comfortable in 4 cubic feet? They wouldn’t. More space is always better, hard stop.

Also remember that wire cages with bar spacing of no more than an inch for adult rats and no more than half an inch for small or young rats is a must. Tanks are absolutely not recommended for rats due to poor ventilation, which will cause respiratory issues and allow ammonia to build up much faster.

Bedding

This is different from nesting. Yes, it is. Bedding is the substrate used at the bottom of the cage or on shelves to catch errant droppings and urine, and is generally left where it is by the rats because they have no interest in it.

My main bedding is pine wood horse stall pellets. They are as dust free as the alternatives like shavings or paper pellets, and combine the best aspects of both those types of bedding with the ammonia-neutralizing effects of wood shavings and the compact, easy-to-clean nature of pellets. I love them. I also get them super hilariously cheap from Tractor Supply Co, so despite it being a little bit of a drive for me (about an hour round trip) the fact that it’s half the price of the next cheapest option more than makes up for it. I buy a bunch all at once and currently have a few bags left in my trunk because I didn’t have enough closet space for them. It’s great stuff. It crumbles when wet so it helps me keep track of how much and where they’re urinating, and it’s easy to spot clean those areas in between deep cleans.

When choosing a wood, if that’s the route you want to go, remember to check what is safe to use. Pine is only safe when it’s kiln-dried, since it contains fragrant oils that can cause respiratory issues in rats, mice, and hamsters. Some people will advise you to stay away from it entirely, and that’s fine, but since pine is often the cheapest option it’s not always viable. Aspen is a safe wood, but harder to find in pellet form and slightly more expensive as shavings. I use aspen shavings in my litter trays. Cedar wood is NEVER safe, no matter how it’s treated. I don’t think cedar is ever safe no matter what for any animal it’s marketed to, actually. It’ll cause respiratory distress in rats, mice, and hamsters, and guinea pigs and rabbits should never be on shavings regardless though I’m pretty sure they’ll still experience respiratory distress. The oils naturally in the wood are not safe, do not use cedar. Also make sure your bedding is as dust-free as possible, also for respiratory reasons. If you have a small animal, their respiratory system is extremely delicate, and that’s just a fact of pet ownership that you should have learned before getting a pet when you were researching how to care for it.

Since I have two shelves in my cage and they are both shallow to the point of not even having a lip (Critter Nation’s only flaw is the trays that come with the cage), I line my shelves with fleece over an appropriately sized bath mat. Fleece makes a great shelf liner, but I don’t recommend using it in the entire cage because it gets dirty really fast and most rats will chew it up, so you’ll both be changing it every other day and going through it super fast as it is destroyed. However, it makes great shelf liners, especially when very little of the shelf is actually available to the rats like in my setup, where the shelves are mostly covered in other things. Remember that fleece must always be lined with an absorbent layer underneath because the fleece itself allows liquid to pass right through it. That’s the point: the fleece stays relatively clean and dry while the absorbent layer takes all the gross stuff away. Towels are generally not recommended for this because rats can get their nails stuck in the fabric and rip them out, which is painful and distressing for the rat and also you. Anything super absorbent with a really tight weave will do lovely here, hence the low pile bath mats I use. I get them for one or two dollars at Ikea and wash them every week. I keep several around to rotate through. The fleece I use is also a fleece blanket from Ikea for a couple bucks that I cut into four sections because that rendered it the perfect size to tuck around the shelves. This makes my bedding extremely cheap, and that makes me happy because I can spend that money on enrichment instead.

Nesting

This is the material that the rats like to push around, dig in, and sleep in. It’s important to provide soft but preferably absorbent materials for the rats to nest in because it’s enriching, comfortable, and helps them regulate body temperature. Multiple types of nesting are recommended for enrichment purposes. Rats like texture! I use unscented, unlotioned tissues as a main nesting material for within their hides because they’re cheap, safe, absorbent, and soft. I bought 30 boxes of 100 tissues each for super cheap online, but you can also buy dollar store tissues or whatever you have access to. Just make sure they don’t have scents or lotions, because those are not safe for your rats’ delicate respiratory systems. The empty boxes (plastic removed) can also be given for the rats to chew up and play in, or you can save them up to DIY some fun toys later, which is what I’m doing.

I also have two dig boxes, which will also go under the enrichment section. The bins I got for cheap from Target, but obviously you can get bins wherever you want to get bins. Just measure to make sure they fit in your cage properly. The only dig box I want to talk about in this section is the hay box, because the dirt is not actually a nesting material but rather an enriching one. So, hay. My girls love this stuff so much that they drag it all over the cage to shove it into all their sleeping areas. They build actual rat nests in the box, tunnel through it, stash food in it, shred it for fun, and generally spend as much time as possible with the hay. I use oat hay for the seed heads that provide additional enrichment and snacks because the rats have to get to the seeds in order to eat them. If you are feeding a low-quality diet to your rats, do not use oat hay because they’ll fill up on seeds instead of eating their nutritionally-balanced food and that is not good. My rats love their food so much that the seeds are a sometimes snack that I don’t need to regulate because they do it themselves. Any good quality hay will do for a hay box, however, and timothy hay tends to be the cheapest option. Just make sure it’s not super low quality, because low quality hay tends to be dusty. As mentioned previously several times, rats have delicate respiratory systems and dust is bad for them. I buy my hay from Small Pet Select because I like supporting small business, ethical business, and businesses that provide excellent products. They are, however, primarily a rabbit site. I keep hoping they’ll expand the other sections of their shop. Also, make sure your rats aren’t trying to eat the hay. This is highly unlikely because rats are smart and know what’s edible and what isn’t, and hay is not edible for rats. If for some reason your rats are eating hay, do not give them a hay box.

Other nesting options I’ve used in the past include cut up bits of fleece, cut up old clothes you might have lying around, and generally just bits of fabric. Just remember to change out/wash them regularly. Ammonia will build up, and once again that’s bad for your rats’ respiratory systems.

Hides and Hammocks

Rats are prey animals. Surprise! As such, they need plenty of places to hide and feel safe. Rats love small, dark places to rest in. Much like many introverted humans, myself included! Make sure to include plenty of hides all over the cage. Variety is excellent here for enrichment reasons. My rats absolutely love Space Pods! Lixit makes the ones I use, but there’s also a brand called Sputnik that’s basically the same thing. I’ve never seen them in stores, but they’re all over the internet. For rats, make sure you get the large size. Honestly I wish it was larger than it is, but oh well. The girls love it anyway. I kept getting sent only the bottom halves, which is why I have two half space pods in my cage. I got a refund or replacement on both because it’s not what I paid for, but, like… I received the usable half, so I’m gonna use it. The girls don’t like to sleep in them without the covers, but they’ll hang out in there and clean themselves, and they climb through them to get from one spot to another.

In addition to the space pods, I also have various other hides. Lixit also makes a pill-shaped plastic hide that I keep on the shelf over the dirt box. They used to use it a lot more than they do now, and I’m not entirely sure why. Even so, they still use it! I also have a woven grass tent that they enjoy, and a cork log. Neither of those are really for sleeping, but they do hide in them sometimes and generally like to hang out there.

Hammocks are great, and also available in wide variety all over the internet and in stores. My favorite banana hammock was just retired, but I intend to get another. The girls loved it and so did I! Hammocks come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and can pull double duty as both a place to sleep and a way to break up the cage so there aren’t any dead drops where your rats can fall from a height and hurt themselves. Fill your cage with hammocks! All the hammocks! Support small creators by buying homemade hammocks! Learn to make them yourself! They’re cheap and easy! Hammocks are great.

Enrichment Part 1: Levels

Rats are climbers. Rats need vertical space as well as horizontal space. Rats are sometimes clumsy idiots who fall off of things. As such, all vertical space must be filled with all kinds of fall breakers. As mentioned before, hammocks are great for this. So are ladders, bridges, ropes, and that Ikea tie hanger I have strung across the back of my cage. If your rat falls from anywhere in the cage, make sure there’s something to catch them!

Also make sure there’s something to do on all the levels of the cage, even if that thing to do is just get from one level to the next. Rats are dexterous and adventurous. Ramps are boring because they’re easy. If you have sick or injured rats, absolutely use ramps! Accessibility matters! If your rats are of sound body, however, make them work for it. Lava ledges and bird perches make great alternatives to ramps. Screw them into the cage walls and watch your rats hop around! They love it. Ladders are also fun, especially if they’re not used the way ladders are meant to be used. Suspend them from things, put them at weird angles, just make sure they’re secure. I get a lot of my levels from the bird aisle at the pet store (or virtual pet store). Be aware that sometimes your rats are going to prefer to climb directly on the bars of the cage. That’s normal! The bars are there, so the rats will climb them. That’s all there is to it!

Climbing frames like the wooden wine rack from Ikea that I have in the bottom of my cage are also good to have. My girls love it, and it does double duty as a chew toy.

Enrichment Part 2: Chewing

Contrary to popular belief and old science, rats do not actually require chews to keep their teeth trimmed. Rats trim their own teeth by bruxing, or grinding their teeth together. This does not, however, negate the need for chews. Rats like to chew! What your rat likes to chew best is entirely subjective. Some rats love wood and sticks, some rats will always chew fabric over anything else, some rats will never chew fabric. Every rat is different! Try as much variety as you can and keep stocked up on the things your rats like best. My rats really like woven grass, and I try to keep at least a couple different kinds around for them. I keep a grass mat on a shelf that they like to pull apart, and the woven grass tent will likely have a short lifespan, as well. There’s a woven grass tunnel thing that they’ve put into the dirt box and are slowly but systematically shredding. My girls also like willow sticks, so I’ve got a couple hanging toys of willow that are very slowly being chewed because there’s so much else to chew. The wooden bridges see a fair bit of chewing, and even the lava ledges get chewed on the edges. My girls also love destroying rattan and wicker balls. I bought a bunch of them for cheap and toss a new one in there about every week or so. They love them. I also got a couple things from Small Pet Select like a pine cone, a bit of natural loofah, and a dried okra pod. So far the okra pod has seen the most action and is shredded halfway to infinity. I think they like that it has seeds inside, but the others get chewed sometimes, too. There’s enough variety in my setup that everything lasts a decently long time. Except the rattan balls.

Enrichment Part 3: Digging

As much as rats like to climb, they also like to dig. That’s why it’s highly recommended to have a dig box. Safe substrate is important here. If you’re going with potting soil, make sure it’s just dirt and doesn’t contain any fertilizer. Personally, I found potting soil to be kind of annoying a little expensive. I prefer coconut soil. I use Exo Terra terrarium soil, which is sold in compacted blocks that you have to hydrate. I use two thirds of the recommended water because my rats don’t need humidity. I use three blocks per dig box, and replace the soil every month because the girls will do their business in it sometimes, leave food in it, leave bits of tissue or hay or various shredded chews. Basically, the dirt gets dirty in bad ways and needs to be replaced sometimes. It can also grow things if left too long because of the humidity (which will be a problem regardless of the type of substrate being used). So every deep clean, both dig boxes get emptied, wiped out, and refilled.

The hay box gets an honorable mention here, since it pulls double duty as both nesting and digging. Triple duty, really, since it’s also a forage toy.

Enrichment Part 4: Misc

Yeah, I didn’t know what category to put this under, so here we are. Litter boxes! No, seriously, this counts as enrichment. Training your rats, whether it’s to do tricks or just poop where you want them to, counts as enrichment. Rats are incredibly smart! They’re at least as trainable as the average dog, especially if they come from an ethical breeder who breeds for health and temperament (let me just slide a reminder not to buy live animals from pet stores that source from highly unethical breeding mills in right here; please support ethical breeders and rescues), and will happily take to any training. Remember that positive reinforcement is the only ethical way to train an animal. Treats are great for this, and your pet will love you even more because every living thing loves food. My rats actually didn’t require much training for their litter trays. Make sure that whatever you’re lining the litter trays with is not the same as their normal bedding. If you’re using aspen shavings in the main cage, use pine in the litter trays, or literally any distinct safe bedding. I use shavings in my litter trays and pellets in my main cage. This helps the rats distinguish the litter trays from the rest of the cage and makes it easier to identify where to do their business versus where not to do so. When you first put the litter trays in, just go in at least once a day and toss any poops you see into the tray. If you see your rats using the litter tray, offer a treat while they’re doing so. Rats are extremely clean animals and they like their mess contained as much as you do. It would not be possible for me to only deep clean once a month if I didn’t have litter trays that I clean out about twice a week (or more, if necessary) to get rid of the majority of the mess and smell. I’d be deep cleaning every two weeks at least without them, so the litter trays are a great investment overall. Your rats will never be perfect about using them, because they’re still rats, but they’ll help a great deal.

Also under this section are forage toys! Do not feed your rats from a simple bowl, it’s boring and encourages stashing, which means you’ll never know when they’ve actually run out of food because they’re just going to pick it up and take it somewhere else and have a great big hoard that you’ll find on deep clean day. You can definitely scatter feed, that’s enriching as well because it makes the rats go looking for their food, but forage toys are the ultimate way to feed your rats, I think. I mostly don’t get my forage toys from the small animal aisle. I do have one that’s small animal specific, a little ball that they roll around the get the food out. I also have some marketed for cats, and some marketed for birds. Having multiple kinds is really helpful. I’ve also noticed that while some stashing still occurs, it’s greatly reduced. I refill the toys as they empty and everyone’s happy.

Food/Water

What you feed your rats is extremely important, obviously. Many commercially available pellet foods marketed for rats are actually extremely not good for rats. The same is true cat and dog food. It is a sad fact that the companies that make these foods tend to be far more interested in their bottom line than the health of your pet. As such, do your research! Always do your research! Know what’s in the food and what your animal should be eating, and try to match those two things up as closely as possible. In the UK rat owners typically will avoid pellet foods and prefer homemade mixes for these reasons, but making your own mix is not always feasible and can be tricky if you don’t know what you’re doing. Most US rat owners tend toward pellets because it’s a lot harder to mess up the balance of nutrients when it’s done for you. Also, the UK does not have Oxbow, which is one of the most popular brands of healthy rat food. It’s the brand that I use, and my rats adore it. Mazuri is another popular and healthy option, but my rats prefer Oxbow over anything else. I kind of want to try making my own mix at some point, but I’m not sure I ever will. Like with most of my rat supplies, I buy food in bulk because it’s cheaper. A 20 lb bag of Oxbow Essentials Adult Rat food runs me about 40 bucks. Be careful to buy adult rat food, even for baby rats, because any food that says Young Rat and Mouse is not going to have the appropriate balance of fat and protein even for young rats. Adult food will do just fine for babies, too. If you want to add some extra protein to their diet, try a boiled egg or bits of meat every now and then, but it’s probably not necessary as long as they’re getting enough food and some extra fruits and veggies now and then. If you want to try making a mix, do so much research before you try it, and make sure your ingredients are good quality.

Rats should also receive other foods in addition to their pellet or main food. Rats are omnivores and love fresh veggies, fruits, milk, eggs, and meat! Make sure you research safe foods before giving them to your rats, as not everything is safe. If you adopt your rats from an ethical breeder, they should have resources available to you on what’s safe and healthy. If you rescue, you can still reach out to established ethical breeders for tips and tricks, or find lists online as you do your research. Some veggies are only safe cooked, some parts of certain plants are unsafe while others are safe, and some foods are only safe for males or females but not the other sex (citrus and mango are the ones I remember that fall into that category). Just do your research and try to keep processed foods away from your rats. Sodium is also not good for them. Any raw meat or fish should be frozen and then thawed before being fed to your rats to kill any potential contaminants. Like always, do your research first!

Rats obviously require water, as well. Water bottles tend to be the most widely accepted way to give rats water, because they don’t evaporate and are easy to keep clean. I, however, have a terrible time with bottles, and they always leak or break. Thus, I have opted for water bowls instead. The girls love them more than the bottles I’ve used in the past, and they’re a little more enriching, as well. The only downside is that I have to wash them out daily. But since I spot clean daily anyway, I don’t mind at all.

First Aid Kit

Any responsible pet owner should always keep a first aid kit around, no matter what kind of pet they have. Pet owners who have particularly vulnerable pets should especially be careful to make sure they have a well-stocked first aid kit. This should include single-use sterile syringes without needles, gauze pads, vet wrap, infant/toddler ibuprofen or acetaminophen, medical tape, cat nail trimmers, and probiotic powder like Benebac. But most importantly, it should include the phone number and location of a vet that will see and treat rats. Have a vet picked out that you have confirmed will see and treat your pets BEFORE getting pets. If an emergency arises and you’re suddenly scrambling for a vet last second, not only do you waste precious time getting your pet the help they need but you may find out too late that the nearest rat-friendly vet is too far away. That means your pet will suffer unnecessarily and you are an irresponsible pet owner. Hard stop. If there is no vet within reach that will see rats, do not get rats. Rats will require a vet trip at least once in their lives, since all rats are extremely prone to respiratory illness. Sometimes this happens for no reason at all, because all rats possess a bacteria in their respiratory systems called mycoplasma. There’s no way to get rid of it and nothing you can do about it except make sure your rats live in a clean, well-ventilated environment with safe bedding and materials. Even with all this, sometimes your rats will get sick. That’s normal! Just make sure you can take care of them when it happens. As such, make sure you have a vet fund at all times of at least a couple hundred dollars, in addition to a well-stocked first aid kit and the name and location of an appropriate vet.

It’s also beneficial and enriching to syringe train your rats. What this means is putting a liquid treat like baby food, yogurt, or apple sauce into a syringe and giving it to your rats. This teaches the rats that the syringe is a good thing so that if you ever need to give them medicine from the syringe (rat medicine tends to be oral and dissolved in a liquid solution, so those needle-less syringes will be necessary) they’re more likely to take the medicine with minimum complaints.

Storage

Maybe it goes without saying, but you also need places to put all of the things for your rats. Keep your first aid kit in a box to itself so you always know where it is, and organize your supplies appropriately. I really like Ikea bins for my bedding and food and other dry bulk items, and I keep a lot of my smaller stuff on a shelf at the foot of my bed. Work with the space you have, and plan appropriately.

And thus concludes this extremely long explanation of the bare basics of healthy rat living. Really, this is the bare basics and not even remotely comprehensive of the options available. Be creative when shopping, and definitely look outside of the small animal aisle at your local pet store because it will not contain anywhere near all of what you need.

TL;DR: A Basic Shopping List of My Specific Setup

-Double Critter Nation

-Single Critter Nation

-Zip ties

-2 Large sized cement mixing tubs from Home Depot/Lowe’s

-Pine wood horse stall pellets

-Low pile bath mats, enough to rotate while washing

-Fleece blanket, cut in quarters to fit shelves, enough to rotate while washing

-Bins to hold digging substrate

-Oat hay from Small Pet Select or Oxbow

-Exo Terra coconut fiber terrarium soil

-Lixit Critter Space Pods, large

-Lixit Small Animal Hideout

-Woven grass mat

-Woven grass tent

-Woven grass tube

-Rattan/wicker balls, lots

-Willow stick hanging toys

-Natural loofah

-Sanitized (and therefore safe) pine cone

-Dried okra pod

-Dog ropes

-Wooden bendy bridges

-C-clips, both the kind meant for shower curtains and smaller ones marketed for kids, for hanging things

-Hammocks. All the hammocks. From everywhere hammocks are sold.

-3 (sometimes 4) Ware Scatterless Lock-n-Litter Small Animal Litter Pan, Regular

-Ikea tie hanger

-Ikea wine rack

-Ikea storage bins

-Forage toys

-Oxbow Essentials Adult Rat food

-Ceramic (and therefore tip-proof) water bowls, and/or bowls that can be attached to the cage

-Sterile single-use syringes without needles

-Gauze

-Vet wrap

-Medical tape

-Infant/toddler ibuprofen/acetaminophen

-Cat nail trimmer

-Probiotic powder like Benebac

-The phone number and location of a rat-friendly vet

-A vet fund of at least a couple hundred dollars

A final note before the end: Always remember to do your research before getting pets, do not get pets if you cannot provide a good life for them with MORE THAN the bare minimum requirements for safe and healthy pets, do not buy live animals from pet stores unless it’s part of a rescue program, don’t take the word of just one person as law, don’t be afraid to ask questions respectfully, and always seek new ways to improve your pet care. This has been a PSA from your friendly small animal enthusiast.