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lovingsiriusoswald · 5 years

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Andromeda Mercia [OC Profile]

Notes: First official OC that I love dearly! I got several wips fics written with her in it and I think you've seen her around my blog! Her first character sheet was more focused on her history and family, so in this one I'll be telling more about her in "present-Cradle" times and her relationship with everyone (contains various route spoilers!!) since she doesn't have a suitor yet.

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Name: Andromeda Mercia

Nicknames: Lady Andromeda, Meda, Beautiful Brain

Age: 23

Birthday: November 4

Element: Air/Aether

Faction: Red Territory

Occupation: Royal Advisor

Modern Setting Occupation: Lawyer

Job Description: "The Royal Advisor of the Red Army shall guide his King and Queen’s decisions and check their plans for approval or alteration in accordance to the laws of Cradle. He shall also aid in battle strategies with the Jack of Hearts. He shall vow to remain faithful and loyal to his army, and protect his generals, regardless of how perilous the situation is."

Physical Features: Alabaster skin. Almond-shaped, light brown eyes. Pointed nose. Dark, wavy hair that reaches past her shoulder blades and often ornamented with a comb. Bruised and scarred feet, two deep cuts by the shoulder blades and back littered with small scars. A simplified family crest tattooed below her nape, a small maroon diamond on her left wrist pulse and a small maroon heart on her right wrist pulse. 165 cm height (5'4"). Remarkable strength equal to the Jack of Hearts if not more. [More]

Personality: Very authoritative and strict, but has a kind heart and listens to others wholeheartedly. She follows the rules at all cost and often feels uncomfortable when going against routines. Her traumas and fears made her cold and robot-like when she first joined the army, but she warms up when she spent more time with them. She has a strong mindset and she will fight for justice and peace. Very smart but very dense. She can allure people to her favor without realizing it, but never abuses it. Very soft for animals and children, and childhood memories before her training.

History: It was a family secret that she was born in the Land of Reason due to her mother's complications during pregnancy. Her mother died at birth and stayed in an orphanage for four years before being sent home to Cradle. She was a happy carefree child but when her training started, so did the abuses and tortures. She was shun away from the world because her family thought she was weak and “incapable” of possessing magic like his father's family. Sixteen years later, her father was killed and only then joined the army. [More]

Lore: She can possess magic and repel it, making her unnaturally stronger than anyone in Cradle and the Land of Reason. She was secretly trained by her father and no one else knew but them. She was her father's secret weapon to eliminate the source of the red darkness that plagued the army. A prophecy was found in the Abandoned Castle that she was the one who can defeat the Jabberwocky with the Vorpal Sword and her father knew.

Trivia:

She can fight in ballet shoes and heels.

All of her clothes were designed and tailored by her late mother’s business.

She is very fond of flowers, especially the Baby’s Breath.

A collection of journals filled with notes and designs are littered in her room.

[More]

Skills: Versatile in weaponry, painting, tailoring and designing.

Pet/s: She rescued a magical phantom fawnicorn from the Abandoned Castle and named her Sora.

Relationships and stories:

Lancelot Kingsley - A leader she must follow at all times. She admires his ambitions of peace in Cradle. He remembers her as the girl with the odd accent in his birthday parties as a kid. She was taught to fear him during her trainings, but he shows his kindness in ways that caught her off guard. She starts to feel more comfortable and let her walls finally fall down. One night, she learns his connection with Amon to take control over the country, throwing her back deep inside her shell again. She carried the weight of the secret heavily on her own. He confronted her about her change in behavior again and she explodes, resulting the scared woman to betray her army and take refuge in the opposition. The Black Army proposes a treaty to the Reds after learning what she knew and took her in as one of their soldiers to lead a revolt against the Magic Tower. The King of Hearts stands by her side quietly, to prove that he was not the person she thought he was.

Jonah Clemence - An annoying childhood friend. Before her trainings started, the Clemence Brothers visited her often for tea parties and play dates. They were separated for sixteen years because of their future duties, and when they met again they were not the same person they hoped they were. She found his excessive perfectionism annoying and petty, while he thought she was just an empty doll who liked too much sweets. They constantly bicker with one another but little did he know, she was afraid of him. He wanted his best friend back, so he constantly asks her to accompany him with his errands in Central if she wasn’t busy. On their way home, their carriage was ambushed and she did not hesitate to throw herself right into the battle to protect her best friend.

Edgar Bright - A mischievous co-worker and sweets enthusiast. In the army, their positions were almost equal. The Jack of Hearts would often tease her and give her candies and treats to see her brighten up a little. She has never met him before but she knew how dirty and heavy his duties were, especially with the oaths between his and her family. She let her selflessness overrule her when it came to the executions he needed to do, thinking that the man should not bear the heavy weight of a curse. The two were great swordsmen, always ending their friendly duels in a draw. They were also a strong, overpowered duo when it came to battle plans and attacks that their troops always comes home with a win.

Kyle Ash - A very attentive doctor and drinking buddy. When the lazy doctor saw the bruises on her back, he learned the horrible tales behind it and how it affected her well-being. When she was warming up to him, she would help her with his duties in Central if she was not too busy. She handles the annoying children that she somehow gets to listen to her, making his job easier and treats her with food and sometimes, drinks at the pub he often visited. If they’re out, it automatically meant that she was on drunk duty. Having better tolerance to alcohol, she carries him on her back all the way home until Zero sees them, immediately taking care of the drunkard and apologizing for not coming sooner.

Zero - A good-hearted man, listener and body guard. The generals all agreed to the secret “Thaw a Frozen Heart Operation” that would help her feel better in the army. He often accompanies her with her errands around Central if training was over. They were both very curious of many things and they learn them together. She had always thought that the Ace was kind and had already trusted him unlike the others. Whenever she felt down, he would often find her staring at a cold mug of chocolate drink by the counter in the kitchen. She would only say with whatever she was comfortable with and he respects it wholeheartedly, intently listening to her and giving her some advices. One restless night, he woke up in the middle of the night and saw her walking down the hallway. With the way she was moving, he knew something was wrong.

Ray Blackwell - A cat-petting buddy. She first met him by accident at the alleyway with Loki. She was flabbergasted by how the King of Spades was cooing the cats as if they would answer him, but she melted when one of the cats rubbed his face against her calves. At that moment, they forgot that a war existed between their armies and talked about the precious furballs around them. The alleyway was a rendezvous and she would drop by with treats for them and he would sometimes bring in more cats. When she ran away from the Red Army, he did not think twice in taking her in and listened to her reasons, defending her from every opposing opinion that was thrown against her. He believed in her kindness and will for peace and she admired his value for freedom.

Sirius Oswald - A florist and guardian. On her first day outside the walls, she meets him by a flower shop and was stunned at how gentle the giant was when it came to plants. He already knew who she was, Lancelot would often tell stories about her. He often praises her for her knowledge with flowers and how she’s very meticulous with designing and taking care of it. She would approach him whenever she wanted to give flowers as a gift for someone, relying on his experience for the messages she wished to relay. Her innocence warmed his heart and urged him to look after her like a little sister. The Canis Major Flower Shop would send her fresh flowers every two weeks, to replace the previous ones she’s ordered.

Luka Clemence - A beloved childhood friend. He was the only other person she was most comfortable with, constantly missing her days with him when they were younger. When they first met again by the market, it was the first time she was seen smiling brightly by anyone. She learned about his rebellion but she didn’t think of him any differently. They rekindled their old friendship and immediately becoming best friends again. The Jack of Spades would sometimes ask Edgar to give the Royal Advisor the treats he’s made. They always run away from Jonah when they see him around, agreeing that he had gotten very more clingy than before. They discreetly exchange letters often, to catch up with lost time. When she ran away from her army, she called for his name by the gates loud enough for him to immediately come running down to her. He was the first person that she ever cried in front of and pushed him to stay by her side, no matter what.

Seth Hyde - A fashion enthusiast and a suspicious man.The moment she saw him, she was already very cautious around him. He offered to be a friend after complimenting about her uniform and learning that she was the daughter of the best seamstress in Cradle. When their topics were about clothes and designs, they are very meticulous and observant, exchanging opinions and creating sketches together. Her suspicions lessened the more time she spent with him, but he always reminds her of what a horrible man he can be. Regardless, when the accusations against him started pouring, she stood up and sheltered him, believing that he was not the man Amon wanted him to be.

Fenrir Godspeed - A family friend and a worthy opponent. During a festival in Cradle, her necklace was stolen and the Ace of Spades was quick to help her. He recognized how similar she was with his godmother and treated her very formally. She disliked this and encourages him to be himself. He retorts that she shouldn’t be so stiff as well and let her enjoy herself, resulting to a friendly competition of who could tolerate the other’s real nature better. Their duels in festival games are their method of training and getting to know each other. His birthday came around and she was invited for the first time, their closeness stuns his guests but he dismisses them and made sure she enjoyed her night. During the revolt against the Magic Tower, he was always behind her and provided the back-up and assist she needed.

Blanc Lapin - A trusted friend and guardian. The White Rabbit accompanied her mother’s travel in the Land of Reason. He was the one who arranged her papers in the orphanage and constantly travels between both worlds to finalize everything. When she was finally approved to leave, the older man sends her home. He would visit the Mercia Residence often to teach her the traditions patiently and she adjusted very quickly. When she became the Royal Advisor, she would often come to him if she had legal matters to attend to in Central Quarter. They go out drinking together when Kyle invites them.

Oliver Knight - A bickering buddy and London childhood friend. He was six years old when he became playmates with the three year old girl. The nuns would let her play in the nearby playground with him with his father supervising them very closely. When he learned that she had to leave, he gave her a hat that he helped make as a parting gift. Before they left, he asked the White Rabbit to come by again to take him to where she was. Now twenty years older, they meet again but she doesn’t know who he was because of his curse. A few hours before the end of the festival, she meets him in his adult form, holding a replica of a hat he gave all those years ago and they rekindled their old friendship. During the night of her betrayal, he rushed to the Headquarters and helped her escape.

Loki Genetta - A pet cat to look over. She found him injured and sick in Kyle’s clinic one day and helped nurse him back to health. He thanked her by stealing her away from the doctor and showing her around Cradle. She would receive hugs from him often and it bothered her at first, but eventually got around it. He was much younger than her and he looked up to her like a big sister and mother he wished he had. At times, he would drop sketchy hints with his connection with Harr and how he knew so much about her. She always has fresh fish for him when she sees him looking around the markets with a pout.

Harr Silver - The boy in his father’s stories. They first met when the Royal Advisor got lost in the Forbidden Forest. She somehow persuaded him to accompany him to the Abandoned Castle. When they got stranded in the evening because of the sudden rainstorm, she admits that he knew who he really was. She tells the tales his father told her before she slept when she was younger, and how important he was to him. When a search party arrived and found her alone, the outlaw quietly followed to see if she got home safe. She would look beyond her window just before midnight to see if the masked man came to visit and inform her of the red darkness that consumed the army.

Mousse Atlas - A kind gentleman and co-worker. When he left the army and served as a neutral diplomat, he made connections with the Mercia family for legal matters and state welfare. She assisted him with his papers for international agreements before joining the army herself. He treated her very kindly and offers to give anything she wanted. He was abroad on the day of her father’s death and when she inherited her position.

Dean Tweedle - A strict teacher. Teaching her in her teen years, he had little to patience to how distant she would often be during lectures. She hated him, for the most part, for expecting so much of her when she barely had any idea of what he was teaching. Nevertheless, she was grateful that he wasn’t like her other teachers.

Dalim Tweedle - A generous bar owner and a suspicious man. He flirted with her the moment she walked in with her drinking buddies, fortunately she was innocent and dense, dismissing his advances without realizing. She disliked him for calling her a princess, but she appreciated the endearment. Though they became friends, she still didn’t trust him completely and had caught him several times near the Red Bridge late at night. During the attack against the tower, she found out the truth underneath his advances.

Bonus: Additional Characters

Cassiopeia Windsor-Mercia - Mother, the angel in her dreams.

Cepheus Mercia - Father and role model. He knew about the abuse and had been arguing with his brother since he began, but it never stopped him. He would constantly apologize for not being there for her everyday to protect her. She loved him dearly, nonetheless. When she was much older, he told her about what happens in the army and that she needs to be careful when he steps down. Before his death, he had a messenger send one last letter that she never dared to open—until the night of her betrayal. The truth was written in those several pages and she used it as evidence for the trials to defend the people she learned to care.

Danaus Mercia - Uncle and traitor. She feared him the most, there was not a day where he tortured her during her younger years. He was the reason why the Royal Advisor was the way she was when she joined the army. An unexpected visit reveals how cruel he was behind closed doors, enraging the generals, Lancelot specifically.

Bella Windsor - Aunt and second mother. She relies on her the most during her younger years, seeking comfort in her embrace and words of reassurance. She was separated from her when she was sixteen years old, but they sent letters whenever they can.

Sora - Her first pet and happy pill. She knew that rescuing her was a good decision despite being a sign of bad omen, but she never thought that she would receive an angel in exchange.

#oc character description #character info #oc #original character #ikerev oc #andromeda mercia #i still don't know who to pair her up with aaaaaa pls help

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tsghamptonsnewyork · 4 years

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Scouted LOCAL Holiday Gifts

Grab your favorite warm bevvie, curl up in a comfy chair, and get ready to take down some notes, because we’ve scoured the Hamptons and have come up with 72 incredible local gifts, for all sorts of people, at all different price points. Many of these shops even sell online, so click right through and add-to-cart! We hope these gifts will inspire you to shop local this holiday season, at these stores and so many others, and maybe grab a little something for yourself while you’re at it...

STOCK UP FOR ALL YOUR HOLIDAY PARTIES!

1. The sisters that own THE HIDDEN GEM in Southampton, Temidra and Tanya Willock, are incredibly talented and actually design many of the beautiful items you’ll find there, like these lobster tea towels. From home decor, to accessories, ornaments and art, this shop really is a treasure to discover.

2. COMERFORD COLLECTION in Bridgehampton is incredibly sophisticated with a mid-century inspired, yet completely unique vibe all their own. These matchsticks have a wonderful back story, go in and ask them how the wood gets its incredible texture.

3. DESTINATION HAUS in Amagansett is like a beachy-modern art gallery come to life with decor and gift items galore. These statement candles will thrill any hostess with their unique simplicity.

4. SEA GREEN DESIGNS in Southampton is packed full of sustainably designed goodies for the home. Shannon, the owner, works from a place of true respect for our beach environment and an incredible eye for beach home style.

5. WÖLFFER ESTATE wines are always a hit during the holidays. This Merlot has intense, concentrated flavors, balanced with great elegance, finesse and depth, and incredible aging potential.

6. Coconut at Christmastime? You better believe it! You won’t believe how quickly these TATES Coconut Crisp Cookies will become ‘the best Christmas cookies you’ve ever had’. And with a gluten free option, every hostess can indulge a little.

7. Pick up a copy of renowned local architect firm Bates Masi’s book at SOUTHAMPTON | SAG HARBOR BOOKS and discover how they developed their signature style, not around an aesthetic, but around a method. The perfect Hamptons coffee table book.

8. If you bring a hostess flowers, do it right. Order a beautiful custom arrangement from SAG HARBOR FLORIST in a container, not wrapped in paper. This way you’re not giving your hostess extra work, and the statement will be very well received.

9. An elegant spin on a hostess favorite, these twig salad servers from HOMENATURE in Southampton make a beautiful statement that compliments any decor.

EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY!

1. L & W MARKET in Bridgehampton has so many house made local preserved goods in beautiful packaging perfect for gifting to your favorite local foods loyalist.

2. You can’t go wrong with these 14k gold leaf wine glasses from Amagansett treasure DESTINATION HAUS. Perfectly elegant and luxe.

3. Baked, packaged and sold by adults with special needs, SOUTH FORK BAKERY is a wonderful local non-profit organization, providing skills, employment and a supportive environment for its employees. Plus the baked goods are beyond incredible.

4. SEA GREEN DESIGNS features beach house decor with both traditional and modern appeal. Just imagine how charcuterie and fruits will pop against this sleek white board. Gorgeous.

5. When buying a gift for someone too sophisticted for words, hit up MONC XIII in Sag Harbor. From the outstanding facade, to the incredible treasures beyond, the most discerning recipient will be quite pleased. Serving a lobster bisque with fine sherry and truffles? This is the ladle for the job.

6. Simple, clean and utilitarian. GANSETT LANE HOME in Amagansett is full of gifts like this decanter, that can’t miss.

7. Launched this past summer, The Bridgehampton Inn Cookbook is already a treasured favorite everywhere. Did you catch Jimmy Fallon raving about the book and the Van Kempen family on the Tonight Show? And LOAVES AND FISHES is a must-go for any foodie on your list.

8. We bought these beautiful little utensils last summer and we use them all the time! THE WEATHERED BARN in Greenport is chock-full of unique artisan and in-house designed treasures for just about everyone on your list.

9. STICK + STONE in Amagansett shares the space in the back of the applied arts building with GRAIN SURFBOARDS. Aynsley and Brian are so talented and down to earth and the treasures you’ll find are true artisan quality. Whether you hit one of their holiday markets or just pop by, make this a must-go stop on your holiday list.

A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE LADIES

1. SATORI has been in Sag Harbor forever, and Lee Ann Bulgin has done such a wonderful job with the space. Open, clean and inviting, and full of finds like this soft-as-heaven purple hat.

2. HIDDEN GEM in Southampton isn’t just home decor and art, you’ll find some gorgeous little accessories there too!

3. NATUROPATHICA started in East Hampton about 20 years ago and is now a nationally renowned brand. The calendula cream is epically luxe and their gift sets are priced right. A perfect introduction to the brand for a beauty aficionado.

4. We’re so lucky to have DR. KEN MARK right here in Southampton. Nationally celebrated for his innovative skin cancer and cosmetic dermatology practice, he has also designed one of the most advanced and effective skin care lines available. Stop in his office to discover what all the local celebrities are raving about.

5. Local favorite clothing store GLORIA JEWEL was the dream of hard working womanpreneur Megan Chiarello. She makes you feel so welcome, and helps you find all the perfect gifts for your loved ones (and maybe a little something for yourself too)

6. We love WÖLFFER, everyone loves WÖLFFER. Have you tried this playful pink gin? Made with the skins of harvested grapes, without too much juniper, it has a delicate yet complex palate. Perfect for a dry Holiday martini, and that label though, divine. She will love it.

7. We just can’t handle the beauty of this purple pom throw by SHED TEXTILE. It’s just beyond words, and is destined to be a treasure for any lucky recipient.

8. Every girl deserves a little boho shimmer during the holidays. These knotted bags at JOEY WÖLFFER in Sag Harbor are selling out fast, so get over there now!

9. These INTO THE WOODS gems were the ‘it’ bags of the summer, but don’t write them off for winter! These deep jewel tones are stunning paired with cashmere and fur. And she can bring them along on her winter vacation too!

HORSES AND PUPPIES AND BIRDS, OH MY!

1. You never know what you’ll find at ENGLISH COUNTRY HOME in Bridgehampton, but what we do know is that you’ll find some of the most elegant, unusual and precious home decor, new and vintage, that you’ll ever see, like this butter dish.

2. Local artist JACKIE MALONEY is a nature lover and it shows. Her watercolor prints feature birds, fish, and all sorts of local wildlife, and they’re incredibly affordable so grab a few!

3. Feuds are ‘for the dogs’, but not when It’s Boston vs. NYC in the cutest way possible. ACK V HAMPS is notorious for their playful Nantucket vs. The Hamptons watercolor art, and this sweet print takes it next level. Woof!

4. The folks at SYLVESTER & CO in Sag Harbor definitely have a thing for dogs. If you love your furry friend, or you’re shopping for someone who does, get over there and check out their adorable wares like this set of mugs. Obsessed.

5. RUBY BEETS in Sag Harbor is full of breathtaking vintage finds and custom pieces. This Hobbyhorse would make a stunning addition for any home.

6. Newcomer BOWTIE PET CLUB has some truly adorable finds for your furry friends. Woof Cliquot anyone? Don’t mind if we do!

7. Know someone who has a resident dog, and an empty coffee table? I think you’ve found the perfect match. HOMENATURE in Southampton is full of nature inspired treasures and some cute canine finds too.

8. You don’t have to be an equestrian to appreciate the style of this chic wrap bracelet. THE TACK TRUNK in Amagansett has so many brands and items you won’t find anywhere else in the Hamptons, so get over there for your favorite horse lover quick!

9. Who doesn’t love MECOX GARDENS and their grand, garden-chic decor? Want to splurge on your favorite canine enthusiast? These greyhounds are royally elegant, yet simultaneously adorable.

THE KEY TO HER HEART...

1. Is there anything cooler than fossilized, prehistoric shark teeth covered in silver and gold? We think not. FIN Montauk has you covered.

2. JENNIFER MILLER opened her Southampton boutique in 2004 and since then has acquired a loyal celebrity following. Her upscale, yet super wearable and fun designs are always treasured.

3. LOVE ADORNED in Amagansett has the sweetest most delicate, hand crafted pieces at all different price points, like this ring. It’s the perfect stop for a little something special for that special someone.

4. GLENN BRADFORD in Southampton has very cool designer vintage pieces mixed with his own designs, with themes ranging from spiritual to tattoo like this key charm (each charm sold separately).

5. Local boho chic royalty, JOEY WÖLFFER, mixes a curated selection of awe inspiring pieces (like these earrings) with her own designs at her shop in Sag Harbor. Plus her authentic and cool vibe keeps her fanbase loyal.

6. Some pieces, like this LOVE necklace, are just so perfect and sweet you want to wear them every day. Megan Chiarello of GLORIA JEWEL is so good at finding the things that make you feel good inside and out.

7. Local artisan BLUE FEATHER WEATHER handcrafts classic sterling and turquoise jewelry by hand. These Pilot Mountain Turquoise rings are made with beautiful stones harvested in Arizona. Reach out through IG for purchase info.

8. Eleni Preston of MADE SAG HARBOR is a goldsmith with GIA accreditation who has been working with Biwa, Keshi and natural pearls since 1980. For her, making jewelry is a holistic way of producing from a pure material, precious and non-precious stones, in a circular, regenerative way.

9. From internationally renowned jewelry designer TAMARA COMOLLI, this Mikado Flamenco in the color story Sky consists of light blue Sky Topaz, electric Swiss Topaz and moody London Topaz. It perfectly captures the deep and endless feeling of blue skies.

PARENTS WILL APPRECIATE THESE GIFTS AS MUCH AS THE KIDS...

1. PETIT BLUE in East Hampton has a wonderfully curated selection of gifts for kids of all ages, We’re obsessed with the style of this ride on, it will instantly elevate any playroom, besides being a ton of fun.

2. Don’t forget to grab you some Freezy Freakies at FLYING POINT SURF! Just took you back to childhood for a minute there didn’t we?

3. ETHEL + ROW in Sag Harbor has a wonderful selection of gifts that will make mom and dad just as happy as the wee ones. Every playroom needs a teepee for hiding, reading and storytelling.

4. FLYING POINT SURF always has great stuff for the kids so we had to pick 2 loves in this category, this little hoodie is nothing short of adorable.

5. GOOD Westhampton has gifts for everyone on your list including the wee ones. What’s cuter than a tiny Hamptons onesie? Not much.

6. STEVENSONS in Southampton has an incredible selection of wooden toys, classic stuff, popular and unique toys, plush, ride ons, legos, puzzles, stocking stuffers and so much more. This house is destined to be a hit.

7. This critically acclaimed children’s book by Jimmy Kimmel will bring the silly out of any serious goose. BOOKHAMPTON has a gift for everyone on your list.

8. EGG New York in Southampton has some of the cutest baby duds around and this little love hat is no exception.

9. The 3 young opera singers who launched THE OPERA DOLLS this summer started it with the goal of making opera tangible, relevant, and accessible to young audiences and beyond. Follow their adventures in Kenya and Europe on social media.

STUMPED FOR WHAT TO GET HIM?

1. If your dude is a dad, aspires to dad fashion, or just really likes MONTAUK HARD LABEL WHISKEY, then this hat is the gift for him.

2. Is he feeling a little cranky and rough around the edges? Soften up your man with CBD salt scrub from local MMJ pioneers HEMP IN THE HAMPTONS (by Hampton Medi Spa)

3. Does your guy live in Quogue, live near Quogue, or just love Quogue? Then you need to swing into THE QUOGUE SHOP. They have all sorts of cute and preppy Q items, like this belt, for your favorite “west of the canal” dude.

4. Morris & Sons in Southampton has some seriously dapper duds. We’re obsessed with this hunter green tie.

5. WHITEWATER OUTFITTERS isn’t just for hard core fishermen (I mean, it’s for them too) but you can pick up all sorts of cool gear and accessories for your manly man there. We love this Grundens Cap and he will too.

6. Is your guy elegant and manly? Or does he aspire to be? This Yak Horn from DESTINATION HAUS is about to make his desk, or bookcase, or nightstand the coolest spot in the house.

7. Has he been good this year? I mean, really good? Let the friendly staff at LONDON JEWELERS help you pick out the perfect timepiece for your perfect gentleman, we happen to be fans of Panerai.

8. Is there anything tougher and cooler than a good Carhartt? He doesn’t need to be outdoorsy or mechanically inclined to enjoy the warmth and ruggedness of this classic jacket. Keep it local and pick one up for a good price at FISHER SIGNS AND SHIRTS in Southampton.

9. Again, for the win, SYLVESTER & CO in Sag Harbor has gifts for dogs and dudes too! This Man Can is perfect for when you’re feeling stumped.

10. We’re all stoked about the return of the Sag Harbor Cinema, and you can find branded goods throughout the village but even bigger names are getting in on the action. This cap from BONGIORNO supports the restoration project and flaunts your love of local.

FOR THE QUIRKY, WILD, AND YOUNG AT HEART...

1. A first edition JRR Tolkein? C’mon, you know there’s someone in your life that would give their first born for this one. Find it at SOUTHAMPTON BOOKS.

2. The Holidays are a great time to get a book that helps you recover from over indulging.

3. Morgan & Kydd makes the most beautiful handcrafted paper goods, this just might be our favorite card this season.

4. For a textile based company, St Frank definitely has a quirky affinity for the unusual. This one is for the sophisticated yet slightly dangerous crowd.

5. Wyeth has incredible style, and these bookends are no exception. An elegant statement for the bold aesthete.

6. RBG on the tree? Count us in.

7. Could anything be more seasonally appropriate and less cliché at the same time than Nordic Tales? This book is a stunner.

8. Subtle and earthy, this keychain from LOVE ADORNED pays homage to the 60′s and/or maybe your high school days. Yup those are magic mushrooms.

9. LEVAIN BAKERY in Wainscott has the biggest, softest gooiest cookies on the planet, and they ship!

10. The overlap area between entertainment and decor is a sweet spot for everyone. MECOX for the Domino game win.

So that’s it folks! One thoughtful gift is always better than a bunch of big box sale stuff. There are great gifts to be found all over the North and South Forks at all different price points. Buying locally is a more enjoyable experience than the big chains, you find better, more unique stuff, you get to meet interesting people, hear stories about what you buy, and you actually help your community. Keep the following “Pick 3 Spend 50″ rule in mind as you shop this month, and always...

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appreciationofspace-blog · 7 years

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How Did I Find Minimalism?

Lots of people have asked me this, and even though I have known the answer for a very long time, it's only now that I have decided to actually share it with people. It’s not one of those soppy, motivational stories that everyone loves to hear about, and well, to be honest, the story is very long, complicated, and a little... odd. Originally it all started when I was about nine or ten years old. At this time, we lived in a average sized three-bed home, on a small cul-de-sac on the top of a hill. Sounds very picturesque, am I right? Yes, indeed it was. On the outside. But inside of my house, it wasn’t very picturesque at all… don’t get me wrong, it was clean and all, and somewhat tidy, as my parents were never dirty or messy people, they were much worse, they were hoarders. And they knew they were hoarders, and still do to this day. Anyway, back to me, when I was about seven or eight years old, my sister moved out of the family home for good, and I decided, as a small child, and now the only child in our somewhat large home, that I wanted to claim my sister's old bedroom, as well as my own, and of course, as the youngest and most spoilt child, I got my wish. My sister's room was the smallest of the three, so I decided I was going to use that as my ‘sleeping chambers’ and that my now old bedroom was going to be used as a large toy room. So that’s exactly what we carried out, I had bunk beds and my few favourite toys in the small room, along with a small TV and a VHS player, and the bigger room held most of my toys. And that was all great, I had my large wooden doll house and my many dolls with toy cots and prams, I had my bratz dolls and barbie dolls and my large collection of Build A Bear animals with wardrobes and clothes for them, and boxes of polly pockets, my toy box full of the happy land play sets, and that guitar I never learnt how to play. And yet, there was still more, there was miscellaneous objects that were, well, kinda just… there. But that's how I was brought up. I thought that it was normal to harbour dust on everything because half the stuff you have, was never used. Having two bedrooms made me accumulate a lot more toys for myself, my parents would notice empty space in my toy room, and, just like any other materialist, would want to fill it, so that they could say that their child had the most toys, or the biggest doll house, they wanted their child to walk into a room and see their own personal toy store, except everything there was all theirs. And wasn’t that every child’s dream? Of course, it was mine, too, until we made a decision. My sister who had moved out of the home all them years ago, had just given birth to her first child in early 2010. And me, along with my parents were very close to the baby, so we decided that she needed her own room for when she came to stay with us overnight. So we made the decision to turn my small and cluttered sleeping room into a spare bedroom again, along with a travel cot for the baby. But then we had a problem. Over the years of me having two bedrooms, the amount of things I had almost doubled, so moving all my things back into my old, medium sized bedroom was out of the picture. So what did we do? Did my parents make me sell or donate some things that harboured dust? Nope. we simply moved me... and my many dusty belongings into what was my parents bedroom, and not only the biggest bedroom, but also the biggest room in the entire house. All my items seem to fit in there well, and everything was great for about three years, until one day, I was lying on the bottom bunk of my new metal bunk bed when I looked at my room, and realised that I didn’t like all the mismatch drawers and cupboards that kept my clutter under control, and I didn’t like the piles and piles of DVDs and VHS tapes that took up all my floor space, and I didn’t like my wardrobe full of clothes that I didn't even like. I didn’t like that my top bunk was unusable due to the amount of stuffed animals there were on there, as I simply had nowhere else to store them. I realised that the amount of stuff I owned didn’t bring me joy, and in fact, 80% of it was an inconvenience. But of course I was so young, how could I know what I wanted when I was only twelve or thirteen? I automatically started my decluttering process. It wasn’t too extreme, as at this point, I still had sentimental attachments towards almost everything. I was a vulnerable kid, with not many friends after all, and my weekends were usually spend hosting lonely tea parties with myself and my other fluffy inanimate friends. But I did downsize my stuff a considerable amount. Let’s fast forward another year, and I was going through a terrible phase in my adolescent life. Where I had enough of everything, my annoying parents, the bullies at school, homework, and well everything that would irritate a teenager at that time. So I had decided I wanted to run away to go and see a friend that recently stopped talking to me for reasons unknown. But then the thoughts ran in my mind… if I were to leave home, what would I do with all my stuff? Sell it of course. Most things were trash, and I threw away about twelve bin bags worth of stuff, and sold the rest. I was left with, well ,not much, my large hat collection, and a lot of clothes. But that was pretty much it. I still had that guitar that I still didn't know how to play, though. But after I had ran away, worried everyone, got found and returned home, I was happy. I was happy that I had accomplished not only my mission to board 4 trains and travel 200 miles, but also, realising that I didn't need anything other than myself and the clothes on my back. It was at that moment, when i was in the car on the way home from my long adventure, and when I arrived back into my empty bedroom at one o’clock in the morning, that I realised that I wanted to travel the world. It filled me with a feeling of pride and adrenaline, that I had never felt before. But for now, I had to stay in school and live a normal life, so I wouldn’t get bullied any more than I already did. But it was when school and college had both ended that I really dived into minimalism, once again, by accident, after another planned trip gone wrong. I made another friend, except this friend was further then two hundred miles, this friend was almost ten thousand miles away, but I thought they were great, and I wanted to meet themI I was almost eighteen at the time, and after dropping out of college a year early, I had more time to shop and accumulate stuff, mainly to fill the void that was inside of me, due to nothing more than sheer loneliness. I first decided I wanted to meet my far away friend was about a year ago, I told her I would get my passport and I would fly over to see her, but then she said, “Alix... If we move in together, what would you do with all your stuff back home?” And then the little minimalist button that had been stored away in the back of my mind had resurfaced. I’ll sell it all, and this time, for real. By this time we had downsized to a two bedroom flat due to my parents getting made redundant, and everything I had still from college and the last few years of high school were still boxed up in my bedroom. And then one day I got a pair of scissors and a large rubbish bag, and I ripped, cut and chopped up anything and everything, I was determined that I wanted to live with my friend on the other side of the world, and after being housebound from anxiety for so long, I quickly realised that this was my lucky break. All my clothes went, and yes, I mean all of them. I went out and bought two t-shirts, two pairs of pants and two hoodies, and that was it. And I owned one pair of shoes, after sellings or giving away about thirty other pairs. I gave unused colouring books and notepads to my niece and her two little brothers who loved to draw. I sold the computer I never used. And what's the point of an iPad when you have an iPhone? I sold my iPad and my two of my three 3DS’s… why would you need three DS’s when you could only play one at any given time? I sold all my dusty ornaments and game merchandise, I finally let go of my large hat collection, only keeping one baseball cap for the summer, and a beanie for the winter. And why did I have a separate laptop for ‘gaming’? I don't even ‘game’. And that guitar I never learnt to play? Mother had to sell that without telling me, I could never bring myself to do it.Because i would always say “Nah, I’ll keep that, I’ll learn to play it some day.” ‘Some day.’ I had 5 pairs of black underwear and 5 pairs of black socks so I wouldn’t have to spend hours trying to match them up. I kept my one doll that was helping me through my anxiety, and that was all my owned, I could fit everything into a medium sized tote bag. But then the unthinkable happened, the friend I had done all this for left. For reasons I still don't know. At first my heart broke… But, not at the fact of her leaving, but at the fact I sold my whole life away to be with her, and then she left, even after knowing all this. And amongst all my heartbreaks, I still had the desire to declutter, and even when I had nothing to declutter, I would find something I no longer needed. The clutter that my parents had was irritating me more and more each day. And that's when I found the word, the label, the meaning, of minimalism. I watched one documentary and I was hooked. My heartbreak from the girl I had never met seemed to disappear instantaneously, and I realised, this is what I was searching for my whole life… I wasn’t looking to leave home, or to find a friend, I realised that the though of packing up into one bag and leaving, and wanting to be homeless, made my heart happy. Knowing that you’re not tied down to a two storey house with a front and back garden with a mortgage to pay made me feel happy. Knowing that I didn’t have to work in a dead end nine to five job, five, six or even seven days a week to pay petrol for a car I now know I don’t have to drive. All the expectations I was getting told as a kid, “You have to study well to get a good job” or “You have to save up all your money to get a good car” were all wrong. You didn’t need the poshest car, or the fanciest home to be happy, I wanted the stars to be my roof at night, and the earth to be my bed. I didn’t want to sit at a table and eat with my parents, I want to sit around a campfire with different people every day. I didn’t want to go back to college to then work ‘till I died to pay rent for a house I could never own. I wanted to explore. I didn’t want to be prisoner in an office nine to five, every. Single. Day. I didn’t want to be filling out taxes. I didn’t want to spend my life watching TV. I wanted to write about my experiences, and I wanted to take photos and selfies of everyone and everything around me. You can’t do that when you're still paying for your house to hold all your stuff back home. If you had no stuff back there, then you wouldn’t have to still pay rent on your house, or on a storage facility. Everywhere I go, my house will come with me, because between me and my backpack, I am my home. Home isn’t your collection of candles, or your wardrobe full of clothes, home isn’t owning seventeen towels for a family of three, home isn’t all the meaningless things on shelves that serve no purpose. Home is you. Home isn’t the bricks and cement you live amongst. Home isn’t the tiled roof or the shed in the garden. Home isn’t the poshest dining table or the fanciest cooker and fridge. Home isn’t the novelty chocolate fountain or carrot chopper you got as a housewarming present from that neighbor you don’t really know. Home isn’t a personal toy shop for your kids. They don't want that. They want a few special things, but most of all, they want their parents to play with them. Thats home. Not four hundred barbie dolls of every size shape and race. Home is colouring with your child, not buying them too many colouring books that they’ll never even finish them all. My home is me, not where I live. My family is the experiences and memories I’ll make, not the people that raised me. They’re cool, but they’re not me. They’re my parents, but they’re not my family. I’m me, and although my parents could never understand how I could live without seven thousand pieces of clothing, and they’ll never understand why I literally ask for nothing for Christmas, and they’ll never understand the peace and harmony I get from seeing empty space. They’ll never understand why my shelves are now bare. But it’s okay that they don’t understand. I’m doing it right. I’m happy, and they’re not, and I think that explains everything. Maybe one day, when they’re old and grey, they’ll realise they didn’t need all them bed sheets or candles, or two freezers for too much food that got wasted anyway. They’ll realise that they didn't need fifty cans of baked beans at any one time, or that seven sweatshirts are too many sweatshirts, but even though I have tried to tell them how happy minimalism has made me, and helped heal my heartbreak, depression and my anxiety, but still, they refuse to believe that minimalism is nothing more than a bunch of loons living in a wooden shack in the middle of the forest. Maybe they choose to stay sad, I don’t know, but I’m going to live my life the right way. And as I’m sitting here writing this, wearing already half of my entire wardrobe, I have never felt more happier, and richer than I do right now. I have found myself, and I now know this is the best way to live, why anyone would want to live differently I’ll never fathom out, and that’s why I no longer associate or talk to people who are not minimalists. As they’re simply not me. And that's why I didn't find minimalism… Minimalism found me.

#minimalism

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