#executive chef of my own house

[buckets-and-trees]

Devour: FAT

Fandom: MCU Title: Fat (Devour, part two) Characters/Pairings: mostly-dark!mob!Bucky Barnes x Female Reader Word Count: 2k Summary: True achievement in the restaurant industry requires a relentless drive. No compromises. You’ve risen through the ranks, and now hold the mantle of executive chef at Devour - a restaurant now owned by the infamous James Buchanan Barnes. He's just as relentless as you, and he's used to always getting exactly what he wants.

Content Warnings: smut (vaginal fingering), some strong language, mildly dark possessive behaviors

Additional Notes: Sequel to Salt (part one of the Devour series). Filling my tenth square for Bucky Barnes Bingo @buckybarnesbingo - U5 "Kink: Lingerie" and circling back to hit week 6 of Hot Bucky Summer for the prompt "How do you want me?"

↠ Masterlist | Aspen's Ask Box | Field Guide to the Forest

“What’s that look?” you narrowed your eyes as Stanley’s approached. As Devour’s Maître d’ Stanley was regularly in and out of the kitchen on any given night, but it was the air of intent that had you questioning him.

“Mr. Barnes is dining with us tonight. Just arrived.”

“Right, everyone, the big boss is dining tonight!” your sous chef Charlie called out to the rest of the kitchen.

There was an immediate flare of sound and activity over the announcement, and so you threw your pan down onto the counter.

“Everyone stop – right now. Stop.”

The whole staff turned their attention to you.

You didn’t raise you voice but made sure you spoke clearly. “I will say this one time: if you cook better tonight than you have every other night because Bucky Barnes is here, you better keep that fucking level every minute you stay in my kitchen from here on or else don’t come back tomorrow.” You let your eyes quickly rove over all of them.

You don’t doubt this staff, you’ve worked with them for years – inherited some of them from your predecessor and recruited some of them yourself – and helmed them without questioning their loyalty since taking over the past week. But you’ve made it clear with this statement, letting them know this is the final test of the transition in your eyes.

“Understood?”

“Yes, Chef,” is the assent from everyone.

“Back to it then.”

Stanley raised an eyebrow as everyone got back to work. “You good?”

You nodded. “It’s not his kitchen, it’s mine.”

To his credit, Stanley didn’t push you any further on the matter and took you at your word.

An hour later, the Maître d’ returned. “Mr. Barnes said, ‘my compliments to the chef,’ on his way out.”

You tilted your head to the side and frowned. “’My compliments to the chef?’ That’s it?”

Stanley waved his hand in a vague gesture that indicates that’s the extent of it.

“And he left?”

“In and out smoothly from our new owner is all I want to see,” Stanley said before returning to the front of the house.

Bastard.

You worked to ignore the disappointment that took over the anxious heat that had been simmering in your core knowing he’d finally come back. It had been exactly a week since your debut as the new Executive Chef, meaning it had also been a week since mob boss James Buchanan Barnes came in, dined, bought the place, tripled your salary, and took you apart in this empty kitchen.

You excused yourself, needing to take a walk out back to work off the pent-up energy. Once out in the cooler night air, your hand worked under the shoulder of your chef’s coat to fidget with the strap of your bra. Then you huffed at doing that because it’s now one more thing that reminded you of him.

It had also been a week with an early morning delivery every day of a simple white box wrapped in a silk ribbon, and a set of under garments resting in a bed of tissue paper and two cards – one indicating it’s La Perla lingerie (a quick Google search confirming it was some of the most expensive intimate wear in the world, an Italian line that used only the finest European silks and lace), the other with a hand-written –JBB on it to let you know exactly who it was from. It was more than a little bold to send you something like that, but when you touched the soft, luxurious material with your fingers, you sighed, thinking it would be a shame to waste something so fine. You had tried it on, just to see.

It was maddeningly also the perfect fit.

You rationalized that if he was going to send it, who were you to deny yourself something so nice just because it was a bit audacious? Let him waste his money sending you these gifts.

Today’s set was black silk and tulle. You hated how wonderful it was.

The ticket for his table that night had been dinner for two with a bottle of wine.

You hated that, too.

He returned two nights later. The order brought back by his waiter this time was to “surprise” him. Another table for two, another bottle of wine. You sent the evening’s special.

Fifteen minutes after the plates went out, so did you.

Hell if James Barnes thought he’d dine and disappear again. (It hadn’t been a dine and dash the last time – he dined for free now as the owner, but he the staff couldn’t help remarking on the more than generous tip he still left.)

Again, in one of the more private table alcoves, you knew you were approaching his table with a bit of steam pouring from your ears, but you were not going to be deterred and wanted to strike while your resolve was strong.

Steve was his dining companion tonight, and as he saw you coming, he shot you a very small smile, excused himself from the table, and gestured for you to take his spot across from the mob boss.

“Good evening,” James said, voice low, eyes hinting at a bit of mirth.

“You buy my restaurant, take me in the kitchen, drop off the grid for a week, return to dine with a woman and leave without even a word, then show up here again tonight, and think you can get off without seeing me this time?”

He smiled. “Do you want to know who she is?”

Your mouth snapped shut. You hadn’t wanted to divulge that you knew he’d been here dining only with that woman, whoever she was, or that you cared that he’d been dining with a woman. Except a little of you also did want him to know you didn’t want to be one of a string of conquests.  

He slid out of his side of the booth and came around and moved in next to you. “Interesting choice of words there, too: ‘get off.’”

You opened your mouth and closed it again. His eyes were dark with lust now, a smirk on his face, and the air felt suddenly thick around you.

“And she was my sister, by the way.”

“Oh.”

“But you should care. I like that.”

He moved even closer to you and placed his hand on your thigh, just above your knee. He brushed a finger along the side of your neck, and you couldn’t help but shiver.

“Now you said, it’s your restaurant.” His lips moved just to the shell of your ear. “Don’t forget it’s mine, Chef.” His tongue darted out to lick the curve there.

Half a whimper escaped your lips as your breath hitched.

He chuckled in your ear then pressed a kiss to your temple. He lifted his hand from your leg, and reached to the middle of the table where he dipped his finger into the dish of soft herbed French butter, then wiped it over your bottom lip. “This was delicious,” he started. You licked what he’d left on your lips, and you watched him lick the remainder of the butter off his own finger.

“But I bet you’ve got something even more delicious for me.”

You knew exactly what he was going to do, but maybe it was the intensity of his eyes locked with yours that made you remain still, practically holding your breath as his hand moved to the waistband of your pants and inside, going directly for the wetness he was creating between your legs. You shifted, body reacting to allow him more access even though your face burned with the heat of panic, not at all comfortable at the thought that anyone could see what was happening, but also desperate for him to give you the pleasure he was dangling in front of you.

“I remember the taste of your skin, and now I will get my taste of this.”

A full whimper fell from your lips this time, and you closed your eyes as his fingers circled your clit. His other hand came to rest at the nape of your neck as he planted his lips at your ear again.

“How do you want me? I bet you’ve been thinking about it.”

You gasped as he stroked up and down your labia and then slipped his fingers inside your cunt.

“Do you want me pushing these thighs open with my face buried between your legs, eating you out until you cry from it being too much for your over-sensitive clit? Splitting you open with my cock, you caged in beneath me while I fuck you into a mattress? Pressed up against a wall while I fuck you from behind? Have you thought about sitting in my lap and riding me?”

Your head fell forward, eyes closed, and you tried desperately to concentrate on your breathing and controlling the sounds you were trying to keep at by while he worked diligently to bring you towards ecstasy. Every word he said was making it all the more difficult, and you clutched at the edge of the table.

His other hand moved from caressing your neck to slip under the edge of your collar, pulling the shirt back enough for him to hook his fingers under the silky band of your bra. “Wearing what I got you.”

You reached up to grab his wrist and pull that hand away. He didn’t fight it, but he did grab your chin and tilt your face up to his for a fierce, hungry kiss. He bit at your lip, and his tongue coaxed and demanded entry to your mouth. He curled his fingers up against your pelvic wall, finding the sensitive spot there, and your lips immediately parted on a true keen over the sensation he stoked in your core. He swallowed up the noise in his mouth. His tongue stroked yours as expertly as his fingers stroked your heated channel, and within only a few more moments, your whole body seized up and then shuddered in the peak of the orgasm he demanded from you there at the table.

His kiss and his fingers both brought you down softly but quickly, and then he pulled you into his chest, tucking your head under his chin and rubbing small circles at the small of your back as your breathing returned to normal. When he removed his fingers from your cunt, he brought them to his lips, and made a low hum as he tasted your essence on his tongue.

“James,” you rasped.

“Delicious,” he whispered. “Mine.”

“Oh god.”

He snickered. “Nowhere close, you know that.”

You straightened your shirt and adjusted your trousers while he kept his broad torso sideways, and your glad he was so big he truly did afford you a modicum of privacy through the whole episode due to his size.

He pushed out of the booth, then took your hand and helped you out as well. He leaned in to kiss your cheek, but you put your fingers up to stop him. His brow furrowed.

“If I’m yours, I need more than this.”

He cocked his head just a fraction, his expression unreadable, but you saw a glimmer in his devastatingly blue eyes. “More it is, then.”

He pressed a kiss to the palm of your hand then sent you on your way. Steve passed you as he returned to the table and you to the kitchen, giving you a nod.

When you arrived home that night after your shift, something seemed different in your apartment, but you couldn’t put your finger on it immediately. You dropped your clothes into the laundry hamper, then jumped in the shower to wash the kitchen smell off you before bed. It was when you made your way to your closet, wrapped in a towel, that you noticed exactly what it was – you weren’t a slob, but everything was now extremely tidy.

Opening your drawer to get some panties, you audibly gasped.

A drawer cleared of all your old underwear, almost overflowing with new lingerie, and a card with the word ‘enjoy’ and his initials told you everything you needed to know.

He was an audacious bastard.

And when you looked at your phone as you crawled into bed, you had a goodnight text from an unknown number that undoubtedly had to be his. You frowned and did not respond.

↠ Masterlist | Aspen's Ask Box | Field Guide to the Forest

Link to part three: ACID

#aspen wrote something #devour au #mob boss!bucky #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x female reader #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes smut #bucky barnes fanfic #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky barnes au #female reader

[a-risk-to-take]

….you posted your tattoo (sick) and linked to house of dirk and i read it all and its unfinished. if you hadn’t posted i may have lived my life without getting fanfic blue balled for the first time since 2015. if you have any sympathy for my loss you would give me fanfic recs >:[ /lh

I feel your pain believe me 😭😭 I’m sorry I didn’t warn you at least. I’m low-key hoping the tattoo image gets to imarriedacherub and inspires them to continue the story - obviously not likely but it’s nice to dream!

I got recs for you though! I’ve got hundreds of bookmarks on my ao3 but here’s the HS stuff I love the most:

The epics:

Dayvhe’s Broken Diamond Club and everything by @unda-dsk: DBDC is my personal fave of theirs, and the best treatment of troll culture in any fic ever. If you know HS fic you are probably aware of MC Escher That’s My Favorite MC, and that one is absolutely excellent and completely deserves its status as one of the very best. And then there’s Alternate Universe, which is a perfect and beautiful magic school story. All of these are absolutely top-tier - I cannot stress this enough. They are epic and very long but some of the best stuff I’ve ever read—fanfic or otherwise—and they changed me when I read them. Despite the length, DBDC is very episodic so you can read each chapter as its own story and easily take breaks in between them without losing the flow, so you might want to start there. I promise it’s worth it!!

so we don’t kill the ones we love by @callmearcturus: I’ve never read anyone who can create an atmosphere like Arc can - this one is kind of a John Wick AU but in a really refreshing and elevated way. The characterization is so on point. Lots more I could rave about but I’ll just add that Arc’s Karkats are the hottest and most based out there. Again all his stuff is really good - this one is my favorite, but don’t miss this really cool magic artisan AU also.

The meteorstucks:

Aahhh there’s no way this is gonna be complete because I’ve read like hundreds and I get them confused but these are some that stand out. In case you haven’t notice already this list is gonna be very davekat centric!

Keep It Down by sburbanite - chef’s kiss concept and execution just read it

A Xenological Exploration of Music and Language by superbloom - super fun and well written with neat headcanon - and turned me on to some great music

I’m actually gonna just declare this section unfinished for now - I need to revisit these and remind myself what’s what - stay tuned!

Illustrated

Since you liked HoD you might be looking for more comic-y stuff with art. Definitely check out @chthonicarcher’s amazing davekats! Such as That’s All We Are

Dream a Little Dream of Me by koroke - this is just a little dream bubble comic but it’s simply the loveliest and I’m massively envious of the art style

Gonna Need Some Windex by the End of the Year by magniloquentChanteuse - more artistic storytelling just neat!

More

It’s About Time by @laurasauras - this is a sweet cute lovely little time travel davekat that I actually sent to a friend to read who knew nothing about HS and successfully led them into the fandom. (Followed by AU by Unda). Laurasauras is prolific and there are so many great fics written by them I can’t list them all here but they are one of my absolute favorite authors. Their understanding of the strider psyche is absolutely impeccable

The Worst Goddamn Movies Ever Fucking Made by writerbot - this fic brought me so much hilarity and joy I can’t even tell you. The Karkat voice is perfect and delightful and the social media interludes are so fucking funny and impressive. One of the first fics to show me how creative and funny this fandom can be.

I’m surely going to add to this - there are so many more meteorstucks and other authors I know I’ll think of after I post this - but I don’t want to spend too much longer on this now when you could be reading some of this great stuff! ENJOY!!

#homestuck fanfics #homestuck #davekat #fanfic recs #fan fiction

[chuuyrr]

Hi! I'm in love with your Gojo!reader fic and got this idea!

Could I request Chuuya seeing Gojo-san receiving chocolates and other gifts for Valentine's Day when they're on a date but Gojo reassures him he's the only one in her heart.

the only one — a valentine's day special

bungo stray dogs x gojo! reader

masterlist of infinity

╰➤ CW(s): possible spoilers for jujutsu kaisen and bungo stray dogs, jealous! chuuya, fluff/comfort content

╰➤ PAIRING(s): nakahara chuuya

╰➤ SYNOPSIS: being the well-known head and beautiful pride of the gojo family under the heiwa organization of tokyo, it's not surprising that you receive attention and gifts from others, especially during valentine's day, which irks your devilishly handsome boyfriend, nakahara chuuya.

valentine's day wasn't something you really celebrated, gojo [name], unless you counted annoying your friends and colleague who acted like kunikida doppo from the armed detective agency back at your organization as a celebration.

to you, february 14 was just a cutesy-heartsy day when you'd get free chocolates and gifts from whoever thought you were pretty and such. you didn't mind the attention; in fact, you liked it, but it wasn't something you did out of love—until nakahara chuuya came into your life.

initially, you had no intention of dating the port mafia executive. it was a wonder that you two ended up together even.

it was a complicated relationship, but you and chuuya were smitten. it was crazy. even when you weren't together yet and you still resented him for punching you in the face and breaking your black sunglasses as dazai nullified your ability during the first meeting, the way you two fight makes you and him feel so in love.

nonetheless, that blossomed into a relationship between you and chuuya, and with it, you finally understood what it was like to be in love and how it felt. chuuya, your boyfriend, always goes all out for you. given his and your line of work, time was something you barely had, so chuuya really makes it up to you the best he can.

in any case, if it isn't you or wine, what else would he spend his entire executive salary on?

and since it's valentine's day, chuuya went extra all out. your boyfriend arrived at your organization in tokyo, surprising you at work with his sleek black car, dressed in an expensive suit and tie, surprising you with a bouquet of red roses and a paper bag of luxury branded clothes and dresses in hand, which soon led to a dinner date to a fancy restaurant he booked out wherein chuuya ordered you the finest steaks and wines, and rented musicians to serenade you with your favorite love songs.

it was a perfect evening, but then..

"chocolate mousse cake with raspberries."

you and chuuya looked up at the waiter who had placed the dessert in front of you.

"i didn't order this," you said, blinking as you pushed down your black sunglasses.

"she didn't order that," chuuya repeated in a stern tone as he gently held your hand in his.

"it's on the house. the chef wanted you to have it. oh, and the receptionist also wanted me to give this to you too, miss," you had received another round of gifts, but this time it was chocolates. expensive chocolates.

"what the fuck?" chuuya muttered, his eyes hardening into a glare as he looked past you to spot the aforementioned restaurant patrons.

chuuya released of your hand, quickly downed his own glass of wine, and sighed sharply, "well, someone's famous."

"oh, please. i'm not that famous chuuy—you came to a halt as you heard your phone ring and vibrate from your purse. you excused yourself and picked up the phone, only for chuuya to narrow his eyes as you groaned, "ugh, i'm not in tokyo right now. just leave the bouquet of flowers and gifts at my apartment door."

you put your phone away after answering the call and returned your gaze to chuuya, who was resting his chin on his hand that was covering his mouth, elbow propped on the table, blue eyes avoiding yours. his free fingers rhythmically tapped against the table's edge.

"chuuya?" you tilted your head to the side.

"does this happen to you every valentine's day?" chuuya asked, still refusing to look at you.

"the gifts? err, yeah," you nodded, scratching the back of your head.

"tch," you frowned at chuuya's scoff.

"chuuya, look at me," you said as you moved all of the gifts you'd received away and extended your hand to take his in yours.

chuuya closed his eyes briefly before opening them and turning around to face you, finally locking eyes with your heavensent aquamarine six eyes that you inherited from the god of skies as you removed your black round sunglasses, but refusing to say anything.

"you know, chuuya, i never really took valentine's day as something serious or special," you started, brushing your fingers across his knuckles, "to me, it was just a day where i got extra attention and free gifts from people."

"then why are you telling me this?" chuuya asked, his brow furrowed into a frown.

"because when i met you, i realized that valentine's day has changed now that i have you," you exclaimed with a closed-eye smile, "even if it's not valentine's day, even when we fight or are apart, you never forget to make me feel loved every single day, and when we do spend time together, it's always special, and it doesn't compare to the attention and gifts i received and continue to receive from others."

chuuya's eyes widened as those words left your mouth. as a bright red blush spread across his cheeks, you could almost hear his heart skip a beat. it made you giggle.

"you're the only one in my heart, nakahara chuuya-kun," you said, leaning in and pressing your lips against his, not caring if the people in the restaurant saw you kissing. in fact, it was only right. they should understand that this man is yours, and you are his, and no one else's.

chuuya closed his eyes, leaning in closer to return the kiss and cupping your face in his hand at the same time. it was a deep and passionate kiss, a little possessive, but you didn't mind. you loved it. the way the wine tastes on his lips, the way he's so close and intimate with his touch.

after a short while, he drew back and stood up from the table, causing your eyes to widen.

"chuuya?" you looked up at him.

chuuya approached you and took both of your hands in his, gently pulling you up from your seat and onto your feet. he wrapped his arm around your waist and yanked you away from the table.

chuuya's glare was fixed on the chef and receptionist who had dared to gift you for a brief moment. they were lucky it was valentine's day and he still had some control over his temper because of you. he would have punched their daylights out and thrashed the place with his gravity manipulation ability if it hadn't been.

chuuya lead you into the beautiful garden of the fancy restaurant where you two were alone. he then embraced you before you could say anything, holding you close to his chest and kissing the back of your neck.

"i'm sorry for getting jealous," he said quietly, burying his face in the crook of your neck.

"it's okay," you laughed, patting chuuya on the back as he continued to hug you, "you're the only one for me, and i don't want anyone else."

"you're the only one for me, too, [name]," with that chuuya pulling away just enough to kiss your face, making you giggle fondly. chuuya took both of your hands in his and smiled at you, admiring how beautiful you looked under the moonlight right now, "i love you."

chuuya's hands moved down to your waist, and before you knew it, the two of you were swaying gently into a slow dance. your eyes widened in surprise as more lights filled in the beautiful flower garden outside the restaurant like fireflies as the musicians in the background began to play their violins and piano.

"happy valentine's day, my love," chuuya said to you lovingly as he kissed your forehead.

valentine's day truly changed ever since then.

[ author's notes ! i ignored class for this fic FHSJSKSDF but it's ok. i really wanted to finish this and have you all read it for valentine's :( consider it my valentine's day gift hihi. i hope you like it ya'll. i really enjoyed this request !! please i was giggling and kicking my feet when i saw it in my inbox 😭💗 ]

#chuuya x reader #nakahara chuuya x reader #bungo stray dogs x reader #bsd x reader #chuuya fluff #bsd oneshot #bsd imagines #bsd scenario #bsd headcanons #chuuya x y/n #chuuya x you #chuuya imagines #bsd chuuya

[grits-galraisedinthesouth]

REVEALED: Obamas WERE On Martha's Vineyard When Chef Mysteriously Drowned in their POND: 8 feet of water

In a turn of events, it has been confirmed that former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, were indeed present on Martha’s Vineyard when their personal chef, Tafari Campbell, tragically drowned under mysterious circumstances. The Obamas, who own a massive house on the island, initially reported through their office that they were not at the residence when the incident occurred.

However, the narrative has since been changed, stating that while they were on the island, they were not at their residence at the time of Campbell’s unfortunate demise.

Campbell, 45, was discovered dead on Monday by divers after he went missing in the Edgartown Great Pond, Massachusetts. Campbell had been paddle boarding with another individual around 7:40 pm on Sunday. Eyewitnesses reported that he was dressed entirely in black and was not wearing a life preserver, a detail that has added to the mystery surrounding his death.

The DailyMail wrote:

Initially, the Obamas’ office said they were not home.

Their office clarified on Monday that they were on the island, just not at the residence when Campbell drowned.

The circumstances leading to Campbell’s death remain unclear, and an autopsy is expected to take place. As part of the investigation, a toxicology analysis will also be conducted, which is a standard procedure in drowning cases.

Campbell had a long-standing relationship with the Obama family. He served as a sous chef at the White House during the Obama administration and continued to work privately for the family after they left office.

Adding another layer to the mystery surrounding Campbell’s death is the fact that he had taken swimming lessons as recently as 2019. Reports have led to further speculation and questions about the circumstances of his death.

Campbell’s Instagram ‘Fitness’ highlight showed his dedication to maintaining his health, showcasing him swimming backstroke, freestyle swimming, logging a 40-minute swim workout on his Apple watch, and even bench pressing 315 pounds.

WATCH:

Campbell’s wife, Sherise, released a heartfelt statement on Instagram mourning the loss of her husband. She wrote, “My heart is broken. My life and our family’s life is forever changed. Please pray for me and our families as I deal with the loss of my husband.” The couple were parents to twin 19-year-old sons.

The staff at Edgartown Meat and Fish Market, where Campbell was a regular, also paid tribute to the chef, whom they remembered as a ‘wonderful guy’. “We saw him last week, he was such a nice and happy guy,” one staff member shared, adding that Campbell had been a customer for a few years and would often chat about what he was cooking.

Barack Obama's Chicago Man Country Friends:

November 17, 2007 Larry Bland shot and killed in his own home

December 24, 2007 Donald Young shot and killed execution style in his own apartment

December 26, 2007 Nate Spencer died in Chicago Hospital (AIDS)

November 14, 2011 Larry Sinclair, Obama's CHICAGO 1999 Bathhouse & cocaine prostitute involved in hit and run car incident

In 2008 Beau Biden & Joe Biden arranged to have Sinclair arrested for telling the Washington, DC National Press Club about his gay love affair and cocaine use with Senator Obama.

#barack obama #michelle obama #martha's vineyard #chef death #larry sinclair #larry sinclair died #norma jean young's son was murdered #donald young #larry bland #Nate Spencer #The Program #Trinity Church Chicago #Down Low Club at Trinity #Jeremiah Wright

[moonah-rose]

"Depressing af way to end. :(" yes! when the six said it was final i didn't expect THIS. again, especially after 5x06! alison reaffirmed that the ghosts are family! mike and alison love living at button house! julian--JULIAN!--gave a speech about being glad they found each other. and i know selling the house will have them set for life, but not once did they talk about getting jobs after the gatehouse didn't work out??

i feel a bit (ok, a lot) that a very important part of the ghosts' (after)lives were stolen from them. and sure, alison can't live forever. and yes, being a hotel now that lots of people will visit, i'm sure the ghosts are going to occasionally come across someone who can see ghosts. but those people aren't going to LIVE there, let alone going to become a family. and i doubt those people will want to talk to the ghosts--i mean, look at kylie's reaction lol. she doesn't even want to do a concert at button house, let alone stay for holiday. unless someone dies at the hotel (bound to happen) and stays as a ghost (less likely), other than each other, who knows when the ghosts are going to have found family again. and with a living? never, probably.

i just. i knew since before s4 that s5 was probably the end, so by the time they confirmed it was, and by the time i finished s5, i wasn't like, devastated or anything. but the xmas special is, as you said, depressing af. it ruined it for me. it feels OOC and the whole thing with betty was just so irritating, and not even in a funny or humorous way like barclay can be. which is why i've said it's dead to me, i have to ignore it exists as much as possible.

anyway lol

Feel free to rant to me anytime! Putting my further rants under a cut because oh boy.

I keep having to process how I feel about this finale because it's hardly Game of Thrones or Sherlock level bad. But it's also coming off wrapping up Fourteen and Donna's storyline in Doctor Who which was - *chefs kiss* - perfect found family / platonic soulmates ending. So that did set the bar quite high in terms of wholesomeness.

And yeah sadly it failed to meet it, at least in my opinion.

Thing is when people describe it as bittersweet, for me it's so bitter that the sweetness is barely noticeable. And most of it comes down to how much Alison was sidelined and downplayed in her own show, the finale at that. Having Betty be the major character that took up so much time was a huge mistake and took away from the chance of us seeing happy moments between the ghosts and Alison and the baby etc. And as you say, she wasn't even a fun annoying character like Barclay.

I really don't have a problem with Alison and Mike needing to sell and move out, I just think it should have been executed in a far less rushed and melancholy way.

For starters I think they should have had Alison make the decision to leave at the end of S5. But asserting that it has nothing to do with what Julian did, it's purely because they simply can't afford to live there anymore. And for everyone saying the point of the finale is the Ghosts "let her go" as a gift - Julian already stated that it's HER decision and they won't stand in her way. He wasn't begging her to stay as much as asking forgiveness so they didn't part on bad terms. I feel like her needing to be persuaded to leave (which she doesn't even fight them on) almost takes away her agency, in an episode which doesn't allow her to do much as is.

I see a lot of people, including the six idiots, compare it to parents packing their kids up for uni or their own place. Here's the problem - the ghosts are not her parents. And that house is HERS. It was HER dream to turn it into a hotel but she has to give up on it and leave her found family because, ho hum, baby. And there's nothing wrong with motherhood or characters being mums...it's just a trope we are so tired of seeing where everything has to be tied up because Baby! Or people have to move out because Baby! Let's ignore the fact we have a character who emphasised the benefits of raising kids in a community.

I think my problem was that, and clearly this wasn't what the idiots had in mind, I read the ghosts as almost an analogy for those with chronic illnesses or disabilities, things that limit us and often leave us feeling shut in and unable to interact with the world. Alison did things for them at the start purely for alliance of convenience - but then she did them because she chose to, because she loves them and wants to help them the same way you would help someone with disabilities who you love. So the idea of "now I have a baby, that's my priority and I have to leave you" when there are so many other ways they could have worked around that has left me very uncomfortable.

Again, I'll make it clear, I don't think that was their intention at all. But sadly it's why I felt so attached to it. Visiting once or twice a year just doesn't put enough sweetness on to sooth the pain. How about instead paying to rebuild the gate house and they bought that to live close but also have their own space? How about Barclay died and they take his house? Or even just a montage showing us how often Alison visits and happy times bringing Mia, that the ghosts did get to watch her grow, maybe even seeing Alison die and FINALLY give Kitty a proper hug as well as the others!

The coda was sweet but it was far too brief and though I see what they were going for revealing so little to us, it left me feeling cold and like we weren't welcome in on their lives anymore as we're not allowed to see them. We shouldn't have had to listen to Jim on the podcast to know the ghosts would learn to like the hotel. Show don't tell.

*sigh* it is what it is, I just feel like there was so much missed opportunity for it to be something truly amazing but sadly it is always going to be my least favorite and possibly a skip whenever I do a rewatch.

#bbc ghosts #bbc ghosts christmas special

[yezzyyae]

The Bear: Sydney is really the villain.

I can write about Sydney’s character being so annoying allday. I know Ayo Edebiri executive produce the show so she okay her character so I blame her. Sydney is came in with a chip on her shoulder she never ran a restaurant wasn’t in the best restaurants like Carmy but she came in like she did. She is soo impatient and that’s not a great trait. Sydney is the real villain in this show even my mom said so as she watched. And I’m black but I don’t root for everybody black esp if they are a rude person. Sydney never apologized she owes Richie an apology she owe the whole business one because Tina, Richie, and Marcus worked with Mikey and he was chaos she didn’t even give Carmy enough time he only been there like 1 month. Sydney is very impatient and it annoys me plus she is an asshole. I know hurt ppl hurt ppl and she was mad she back in her dad’s house but that weird always stuttering act she do is annoying.

Plus Sydney asking Carmy to help her on the expo when it was getting busy was so selfish you are the CDC it’s your job Carmy have other things to do. She messed up the vibe that’s why Carmy go upset and stuck in the fridge. It’s always Sydney but she play this role like everybody are assholes but her. She came right in judging the restaurant like Carmy who worked the best restaurant in the world couldn’t see that. When the staff stole her onions she acted like it was the end of the world she is sooo emotional and it sucks. She was a mad the executive chef Carmy went out the his gf’s table I am lost because how would Carmy being back there next to you make your life easier. Smh she always need reassurance which is def “Only Child Syndrome”. Carmy can’t okay everything that’s why he made Sydney his #2 & why would he call you when he tore the wall down Sydney can you help gut the walls out or have the money to pay to get it fixed. She is just in the restaurant acting like this is her life when she don’t have anything invested in it. She can easily walk away it’s weird cause how is she a partner. Sydney and Carmy only work in the menu together which Sydney don’t get anything right as they practice.

It’s so much for me to write about Sydney. I bet in season 3 they start exploring her asshole ways more. She is the only one who never accept when they are wrong she rather quit. When Carmy told her to cook the 7 fishes over or get another chef too she really was arguing with him then waited until Carmy signed her “I’m sorry” I was screaming like wtf Syd do what he say she always questioning Carmy when it comes to food when she can’t because he is a way better cook then her! I’m screaming now in my head over how much I hate Sydney’s character.

#thebear #the bear fx #sydneyissooooooannoying #sydneyisrude #sheisanasshole

[cerealyoam]

Mystic Messenger x Middle Eastern Reader

Basically POV youre Middle Eastern and the little things that add to the relationship

Characters; Jumin Han, V, 707

A/N: you might be thinking, dami, why are you writing for a dead fandom about something nobody asked for? And i assure you. Impulse overtakes me on a daily basis. Also I feel the need to add that I am Middle Eastern

(Gender neutral reader as per the usual!)

V

When he first saw you, he thought you were beautiful

Because of his nature, he really wanted to photograph you in warm sunlight. He felt the best way to remember you was by taking as many photos as he could

When you told him where you were from, he thought it was pretty cool, and always likes to ask about your cultures and traditions.

I like to think he wants to try your country’s cuisine, and he’ll definitely like it. Probably buys a cookbook so he can learn your favourite desserts and foods, and he thinks its a great way to learn more about you.

Since he travels abroad often, if you’re comfortable, he’d love to visit your hometown, and possibly your parents as well.

Oh my god he would be so so good to your parents

He’s respectful, greets them at the door, brings his own food to give to them

You know because he’s loaded he can basically buy expensive ass gifts for your family if they’re more traditional

So so sweet. Helps you do housework at your parents’ home, all of that.

He honestly wants to learn how to speak modern Arabic, or your Arabic slang as well.

It’s just he doesn’t know where to start.

Like? How do all the different pronouns work? Why are there so many words for so many different specific things?

Pls help him

Oh yeah he definitely messes up by saying some slang word that means something entirely inappropriate given the context. Watch him call a cat a bra bc he doesn’t know the difference

Calls you habibi/habibti (my love) or hayati (my life) because its the only words he kind of knows the meaning of

Overall really sweet like he always is. Practically the best boyfriend ever. Unmatched

Jumin Han

Oh you have nothing to worry about at all

The worlds most civilised polite businessman with manners that are just perfect for meeting your parents with

He’s already travelled half the Arabian peninsula I’m 90% sure he knows the language too

Super sophisticated, super sweet

If you like any particular food he hires a full fledged 3 Michelin star ass restaurant chef for any dish you’d like

Oh you want some kubba or smn? Say no more in the next few hours you’re eating the best kubba in your life ok

Idc if you don’t like kubba the 3 Michelin star ass chef is gonna make you like it I swear

Has probably already been to where you live at least twice but he’ll go again just for you

He finds you absolutely gorgeous like have you seen yourself you’re gorgeous

Likes to trace your face and cheeks with his knuckles and tells you you’re absolutely beautiful

Can probably get any outfit tailored perfectly to you the moment you mention your specific traditional clothing

Again your parents cant refuse. He’s literally a corporate executive of the highest ranking business where he is. He has so much money he’ll only ever get richer. Dowry money? Oh yeah that costs just about an eighth of his weekly salary let’s double the dowry

You feel v v v loved. Unmatched husband material

707

He knows Arabic

Was a bit shocked when you had zero issue getting into his house bc u know the language enough to say cat in Arabic

But he also sort of knew so he changed the entire algorithm of his lock system to be in Tagalog just to be safe

Vanderwood has held a grudge since then

You know how he is he’s totally got every random nuanced joke memorised and prepared up his sleeve so if you swear in your language slang ever he probably knows what it means and will definitely snicker even if you don’t realize it

Honestly nothing much changes he just knows already lmfao

#this was so fun to write i couldn't help myself #I’ve been craving this kind of fic for decades and so I did it myself #very self indulgent #when will I get a boyfriend who cares about learning my culture #mystic messenger #jumin han #v #jihyun kim #mystic messenger 707 #mystic messenger headcannons #jumin han x reader #jumin han x gn reader #v x gn reader #v x reader #jihyun Kim x reader #jihyun kim x gn reader #middle eastern reader #707 x reader #saeyoung choi x reader #gn Reader #mysme jumin han #mysme V #mystic messenger v

[eljeebee]

That evening, Jason was off to work as an Executive Chef, and the boys and Sophia was left to their own devices. They played Don't Wake The Llama.

When Mason was able to pull a log from the tower, he looked at his mother, who was trying to focus on thinking on what to pull.

"Mama, are vampires real?" Mason asked.

"Mace, I don't think that's true," Louie said, leaning forward, hands on the table. "Maybe the animals just got sick?"

Sophia pulled out her "log", smiling that the tower didn't fall. She turned her attention to her youngest. "Mace, I don't think vampires are real. You've watched the news earlier, no?"

Mason nodded.

"See? The Mayor announced that those animals that got "attacked" contracted sickness," Sophia explained.

Louie pulled his log. Mason frowned, "But what about their blood? It was gone!"

"Darling," Sophia reached out, tucking a curl behind his ear. "It's not real. Those are just rumors to scare people. This is why we don't believe everything we see in the internet."

Louie turned his attention to them, "What about the sickness, Mama? I heard from our science teacher it could be dangerous because that's where we get our meat from!"

"They said they're going to stop exporting meat from Henford until everything's okay," Sophia said. She pats Mason. "Your turn now."

Mason sighed. He tried to focus on their game, but with this rumor on his head, he couldn't. The tower fell, the Llama wakes!

"Ugh!!!" Mason groaned.

Louie reached, patting Mason's hand on the table. "There, there. You'll get it next time. Let's play again?"

Mason shook his head.

"How about this?" Sophia gathered the boys beside her. With each arm around their shoulders, she said, "Let's go to the theatre?"

Mason perked up. "Please!"

"Mama, let's go now!" Louie cheered.

"Alright, let's get ready!"

As Sophia was gathering her things and keys, and Louie tying his boots, Mason peeked behind the glass window of their door. Since it was night, it was pretty dark, but not dark enough to see a figure, who rummaged through their trash!

Mason quickly dashed back to his mother, "Mama! Someone's outside! Someone's outside!"

Sophia dropped her keys, marched to the door, a hand out to tell her sons to stay back. Louie held Mason's hand as they stood still. Sophia abruptly open the door, and saw the figure kicking their trash bin!

"Hey! Get off my porch!!" Sophia yelled, using her angry mom voice. The figure, who had just finished throwing his temper, paused, caught in the act.

He said, "Oh god, sorry, sorry sorry! I-I was just—"

"I said! Get off my house! Stop messing with our trash! Leave! Now!" Sophia was now standing on her porch, she was pointing, gesturing to leave.

The man whimpered, hands raised. He quickly ran away, heading for the subway.

Louie and Mason peeked behind the open door, they saw their mother pushing back up the trash bin. Trash littered on the ground.

"It's safe now boys," she said, hand on her hip, scanning the ground. "This is a mess."

"Do you think it's a vampire?" Mason asked as they start to help their mother clean up. He frowned, clearly upset.

"Mace, he's not," Louie said, patting his back. "If it was a vampire, he would've turn into a bat!"

"Listen to your brother, Mace," Sophia said, throwing a bag of trash back to the bin. "And they're not real. Come on, sweetheart, let's finish cleaning up. We won't catch the movie!"

"Okay..."

The trio purchased tickets, choosing to watch something adventurous!

The smell of popcorn in the air soothed Mason's nerves. With buckets of popcorn each, they enjoyed watching the movie!

Outside, Mason hugged his mother. "Thanks Mama, I feel better now."

Sophia chuckled, embracing him tightly. "I'm glad to know."

"Let's go home?"

"Race you back!!!" Mason quickly dashed.

"Mason!" Sophia groaned, following suit, Louie on her tail, giggling.

#The Davis' #the sims 4 #sims 4 #sims 4 screenshots #sims 4 gameplay #sims 4 legacy #ts4 #ts4 screenshots #ts4 gameplay #ts4 legacy #simblr

[bonesandthebees]

I am eyeing that execution tag. It's going to be fun to see someone potentially fuck up so badly that their life is on the line as a result. I was originally thinking the MCD warning was about Sam, given that the conflict is so heavily linked to what will happen after he dies. However I'm now wondering whether it's related to the execution tag instead.

I watched Becoming Elizabeth back in August and while as a whole it's kinda ehhh, I loved watching the Seymour brothers' arcs implode on them as well as Romola Garai's performance as Mary. However, there's this quote from John Dudley, a man on the royal council who is trying to navigate the political turmoil so he can remain at the top, that makes me think of Rose!sandduo.

"You may think that because I am a powerful man, you are protected. And in a steady world that would be true. But this world rocks."

Phil cares about his son and doesn't have much reason to not trust him. However, Plot is about to happen and he has to be sure his son knows how to play the game as masterfully as possible. Wilbur hasn't mentioned how a future role as Consil seems secure, regardless of whether he'll advise Niki or Quackity, and that he plans to secure that future with the 3rd heir as well. Yet even if he did, Phil would be warning him not to assume anything. Nothing is guaranteed right now in this rocky world, least of all their future careers at court. Stay vigilant and only move a card away from your chest if you're absolutely sure you can show it to the person you're with without risking undesirable consequences.

hmm... many things I could say right now about the MCD tag and the execution tag but I will hold back so as not to spoil anything

I've never watched Becoming Elizabeth but I have seen screenshots because tudor costuming my beloved chefs kiss (and fun note, rose was inspired by house of the dragon yes, and it was also inspired by the show succession, but it was also heavily inspired by that exact era of english history with the succession crisis between elizabeth, mary, and jane grey. so fun note for you there). but OOOO that quote is SO good and honestly describes rose!sandduo so well. that is 100% something phil would say to wilbur. "this world rocks" just. such a good line.

exactly, it's not that phil doesn't trust his son because he does. but wilbur needs to be taught how to play the game. he doesn't know what he's doing yet, which makes it a liability to tell him certain things. but phil wants to start teaching him. he wants wilbur to know how to do what he does so he can secure his own success. because no matter how much phil sets up for him, there's going to be a time when things happen and phil isn't around, and wilbur is going to need to know how to stay standing even when the boat is rocking from side to side.

#ask #anon #under the hanging rose

[7nessasaryevils]

BL Tag Game

Thank you @i-got-the-feels and @sereinartemishan for tagging me! As long as it takes me to get to these, I do love being tagged in asks and games like these!

I'm going to talk about all the characters in the shows, not just the couples, so be warned :D

All-Time Favorite BL Character and Why? Pat Jindapat- do i need to explain? the utter beauty of this boy realizing his own feelings and then being so good to go as far as to apologize to the girl he's confessed to because he recognizes he used her as a way to make himself feel better? chef's kiss! pat is one of the greenest flags in my BL list and i will go to my grave, singing his praises and crying over him

Tankhun Theerapanyakul - he whacked Vegas in the head with a tray and immediately became my utter fave. and then to learn that he's actually the smartest and speak perceptive truths..ugh my love! but watching him worry for pete and grow from someone who refused to leave his house and then willingly run out to search for porsche and porchay...i will snap the neck of anyone who tries to hurt him

Pran Sirichedewat - oh god....god god pran... love of my life pran. pran is me without the guitar ability and the Pat. watching him in ep 4 cry in silence and then force a smile onto his face like its ridiculous to be in love with someone who could never love him back...that hit me so hard and i recognized a kindred spirit

One Character You Want to Punt Into the Stratosphere Have two! Kim/ Kamol from Unforgotten Night...i'm not even sorry.

Best Music Moment BBS beach goodbye (Our Song) - true i'm using the OST but listening to this song invokes such feelings in me? i am always sad and happy because i remember the week after ep 11 and how i was numb and then after ep 12, to learn that it's been a ruse...i just...i fucking love it

Rooftop Kiss - i'm dead if i do not add this here...will not explain. do not need to

Porsche's breakdown ep 12 - this scene with its plot makes me cry but the music just brings such beauty to it. a gentleness that we wouldn't expect to see in a mafioso. but gentleness is kinn's way with porsche and this gentleness and trust is enough to break porsche and i just...fucking gorgeous

Honorary Mention to Not Me's kiss in Ep 8 (also on the rooftop!!! absolutely gorgeous!)

A Popular Het Text You'd Like To See As A BL OHSHC and KinnPorsche- @bestiesincrime got me on this brainrot and i both love them and hate them but yeah Kinn as Kyoya (oh god kinn with glasses help!), Porsche as Haruhi (i never did like tamaki and haruhi sorry and please porsche already hates damn rich people), Tankhun as Tamaki (tell me anyone else who could pull off Tamaki i dare you), Arm and Pol as the Twins (they're not twins but lord their chaos energy) Kim as Mori (silently glaring his way through life) and Pete as Honey (cute and cuddly....but will snap your neck too). please also acknowledge that the minor family is also the ladies from Lobelia Academy. sigh...

for all my desis...truly i can't think of any good bollywood movies id want to turn into a BL because most of the good b-wood movies i've watched aren't about couples. but i do think a BL version of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara would be lovely!

BL Scene that Makes Me Laugh Tankhun tray-whapping Vegas in the head is the reason I breathe.

Also every sex scene from Unforgotten Night....you want me to take this seriously? when I had KP? HAH!

Biggest Disappointments Dear Doctor... Was such a disappointment because it had such a lovely plot (grim reaper and doctor fall in love) but the execution was utter shit. you have a doctor who seems to think that no one can die and is unbearably selfish towards someone he claims to love.

Not Me...post ep 10 and the crucifixion of Gram: i just...ugh...im sorry the show was lovely and beautiful and i loved the plot but after ep 10 i just...watching it felt like yanking my teeth out

2 Random Characters That Would Make Hilarious Exes Jang Jae-Young (semantic error) and Pat (BBS) oh please these two would meet in a bar and just cry and then drunkenly do karaoke and then go back to their loves of their lives because they would never break up with their babies

Who Would Be The Funniest People to Watch A BL with and Which One? @smasmashie @myooniverse @siredsong oh god i'd watch kinnporsche with you guys and it would be the fucking funniest thing :D

Best Wardrobe Moment? Character or Otherwise PETE'S ALL BLACK OUTFIT THAT I WILL NEVER SHUT UP ABOUT

Tankhun's entire wardrobe (which i could never pull off) especially that cape!

All of Kinn's suits and outfits....help its beautiful

Pran's sweaters! so soft and fluffy and ugh i want them!

Jimmy’s outfit in the first episode of Vice Versa; man walked in with half his tits out and suspenders and I fell in love

Tagging everyone involved with this also my wife @ablazenqueen @soulfalleninbuttland @topcatnikki @thebroccolination @arisprite @mygeekcorner @thecookiemonster77 @faillen

#bl tag game #tag game #thai bls #bad buddy #kinnporsche the series #unforgotten night #god i hate this show with a vengeance #if you truly enjoy it im sorry to spout vitirol here #not me the series #gram my beloved #i loved you #and you broke my heart #ohshc #zindagi na milegi dobara #bollywod #dear doctor the series #semantic error #patpran #tankhun theerapanyakul #pete's all black outfit #should be a tag #vice versa

[miusejournal]

LONDON FASHION WEEK (fall 2022)

- MIUSE VIEW COLUMN

Diesel by Glenn Martens

Glenn Martens, the man that can do it all. From his latest collection for Y-project this Paris fashion week to his debut couture collection for Jean Paul Gaultier and now his absolutely stunning fall ready to wear show for Diesel which includes 70 looks total. Glenn Martens has proven you can be a creative director of many fashion houses and execute it beautifully and tastefully. This entire season Martens has been eating up the runways with spectacular looks. It's almost unreal. If there is anything I take from these past seasons, it’s that Glenn Martens is an overachiever and has proven you can in fact be a creative director for other houses and still pull off each show you produce without sacrificing one brena soft the other. Diesel’s latest Fall/ Winter 2022 collection is the comeback of wildly fun and creative. Miu Miu has the micro mini skirts down pace but Diese prefers the extra large belted skirt which is chef's kiss. With the return of the Y2K movement and the actual looks themselves being pop, edgy and youthful, Martens is reclaiming that momentum with Diesel once had which in turn I believe will make the brands revival even more special. The upcycled layered binding and the distressing of deadstick Diesel T-shirt jerseys into the fraying and fragmenting of the ling skirts and oversized jeans and pants was also something more within this collection. I also loved the extraterrestrial aspect of the looks. As each of the models walked down they were covers entirely in body paint that belted seamlessly into the clothes which I thought was absolutely insane but creative. It felt very refreshing to see Martens work and his vision come alive within Diesel. Even down to the set design and having massive inflatable dolls posed in provocative ways. It felt like a call back to the early 2000s and how alternative that era was, even down to the first look of the show which was a tiny denim bra top with distressed faded jeans. Martens can do denim like no other and I especially loved the different experimentations that was done with it and how it is somewhat of a full circle moment as Diesel has always been synonymous with denim. Another thing that I especially loved was the use of the Diesel logo. From the duffle bag and logo embroidered belted skirts and pants, the comeback of Diesel is going to be strong this time around. And I honestly am trying to get my hands on anything Diesel as I know it will be the IT brand this year.

Simone Rocha

Through the lore of the dark loom that always seems to filter through Simone Rocha’s clothes this latest fall 2022 collection is just that. This collection takes inspiration from an old Irish fable called the “Children of Lir”. In this tale the children become swans for nine hundred years, across three different lakes. And when they come back to human form, they pass away. This particular tale is from the pst Christianisation period that mixes elements of magic and messaging of Christian faith bringing freedom from suffering. Ultimately this tale was translated beautifully throughout the collection. From the embroidery of the two paired swans on the semi sheer tabard, the buoyancy of the skirts and the balaclavas embellished in crystals making the models almost lol like birds, this collection was a tale of tales that was cutely odd in a Simone Rocha type of way. I love that as Simone Rocha is telling this old Irish tale she is still sticking to her own tale with her biker jackets, voluminous coats, big skirts, transparent voile lace-trimmed dresses layered over other dresses and the chunky platform shoes that were spotted with many of the looks. This collection was absolutely stunning and something out of the ordinary which I loved. It was satisfyingly strange but astounding.

16 Arlington

16.Arlington I had just discovered the brand just last year and with the news back in November of the passing of one half of 16.arlington, Federica “Kikka” Cavenati, it was very sad to hear the news and I myself thought that the brand would take some time and step back during this fashion season. However, with the gracious and admirable Marco Capaldo, he has proven that he is determined to keep 16.arlignton life alive and well lit. In honor of Federica “Kikka” Cavenati, this fall 2022 collection is the momentum that kept Capaldo determined as he maintained an unbreakable bond with creativity. With 16.arlignton’s brand being known for its exuberance and dance floor ready sequins dresses I was looking forward to see what Capaldo would present for this new collection just after the passing of Cavenati. Capaldo took his morning process and turned it into something so beautiful and magical. With Swarovski crystals appearing on the edges of blazers and floor length gowns, to the subtle shimmering of skirts, the crystals almost acted as tears marked by Capaldo. I also loved how the feathers, which are familiar with the brand, were dampened to mimic the wet look effect which I think was beautifully crafted and showcased Capaldo’s emotions when creating this collection. This collection was very light toned and has hints of 90s minimalism, even down to the makeup which was very light and frost like. This collection as a whole was very beautiful and Capaldo executed it beautifully. It served as a testament to Capaldo and Cavenati’s love for fashion and their special dynamic that will forever live on. This Fall 2022 collection was an absolutely stunning tribute that couldn’t be done any other way.

Nensi Dojaka

Since late 2019 early 2020, up until now I have always been a fan of Nensi Dojaka’s work and what she creates. So when she won the LVMH prize I was not surprised. Her work has always spoken for itself, she is radiant with a hint of subtle eroticism that I think really makes her and her brand more discerning than likely others. She has a way of taking the female body and capturing it in such a beautiful, well crafted way. So when this collection appeared on the runway I was very pleased to see her extend this in such a prolific way. This collection, like her others, is the capturing of a woman's body in many different forms and shapes. From curvy to standard model types, Dojaka once again proved that she is an amazing designer. What I loved the most with this collection was her mix of her lingerie aesthetics with tailored suit pants and jackets, in addition to a combination of knits and cut out bras and array of straps. It is very reminiscent of Dojaka's distinctive look of complex stay of sheer, straps and cut out bras. It was nice to see her conquer anew. There were leather pieces which I absolutely loved. The leather skirt in look six worn by model Mila Van Der Horst, with the side cutouts and straps was absolutely gorgeous and I would love it for myself. In addition, I liked that Dojaka incorporated puffer jackets as it is something material wise that she has never presented so it was nice to see take on padded fabrics, as well as knits. I love knitwear and I especially love it when it’s made by Nensi Dojaka. I think her incorporating these new styles and materials speaks into her longevity as a brand itself. Dojaka is in demand and I think being able to show different facets of your creativity is something that simply makes me believe she will be here for a long time to come.

(Mar. 2, 2022)

#diesel #simone rocha #16 Arlington #nensi dojaka #fashion #high fashion #90s fashion #90s runway #runway #style #styleinspiration #fashionindustry #fashion journalism #street style

[wuxiaphoenix]

TV Series Review: Fox in the Screen

Don’t mind me, I’m just here for Yu Yan.

Ahem. I’m giving Fox in the Screen (aka 屏里狐, Ping Li Hu, The Screen Foxes) about 3 out of 5 stars. Because this is a stunning example of having a neat concept and potentially interesting characters and not being able to tell a coherent story.

The concept: Young lady painter Zheng Xuejing wakes up with a hangover and three strange handsome men in her house. The hangover is totally explainable. Last night her long-time fiancé broke it off because he’s marrying her best friend Qionghua instead, there apparently being a child on the way. On top of that her landlord demanded the rent (which she didn’t have ‘cause another screen shop’s been deliberately ruining her business) and said if it wasn’t paid in full by the end of the month, she’d be out on her ear with nothing - she wasn’t a “real” relative, just a daughter of someone’s concubine, after all.

So. Drinking ensued. And in the process of said drinking she apparently stumbled into a yao contest for a magical screen and paintbrush. And won it, because she is a painter. She painted three foxes, Red (Yu Yan), White (Bai Sheng), and Black (Xiao Hei) - all of whom happened to be huli jing trapped in the screen, now bound to her by contract for ten years. The screen apparently is a yaoguai trap, and there’s all kinds of “people” who want it for the spirits trapped inside.

On top of that while Bai Sheng and Xiao Hei are just relieved to be out, even if it means serving a human, Yu Yan is a full demon lord, had been in the screen almost a hundred years, and apparently was one day away from being set free by the limits of the screen’s own power when... suddenly ten-year contract to a mere human. He is beyond ticked off. The only reason he doesn’t kill Xuejing for the insult is he’d still be in servitude to whoever ended up with the screen next. And at least a human painter isn’t an evil Daoist or Japanese mage out to drain yao energy to fuel his own spells.

(Yes, both of those show up later.)

Me after the first ep: “Oh, awesome! We’ll get a slice-of-life of an ancient Chinese painter building her business up to success, interspersed with magical mishaps, yaoguai attacks, and Yu Yan and Xuejing working out how to work together without killing each other. Sounds cool!” In short, I was hoping for something along the lines of Chef Hua, only with painting and fox spirits.

That is... not what happened.

I’m three-quarters of the way through and just to cover some of the wild tangents so far, Xuejing’s been in a painting contest with magical cheating, been poisoned, effectively died, was brought back by a magical flower that was itself poisoned and rescued by magic, took in the girl who poisoned her (yes, the former best friend - turned out not pregnant, and has made at least one more attempt on her life so far), suddenly declared she had a vow to find out why her father died, ended up insulting the emperor by saying her father had been sentenced unjustly, was sentenced to be executed if she didn’t clear her father’s name... and found out she was actually adopted, her birth mother being killed by some eunuchs literally minutes before she could meet and talk to her. (I won’t spoil you on who her actual parents were in case you want to be surprised; I will say the plot twist was overdone and unnecessary.)

There is almost no painting, and definitely no “this is how a screen shop works and becomes successful in this time”. After Chef Hua and My Heroic Husband? I am incredibly disappointed. I was hoping to see painting stuff!

At this point I’m just watching it to take mental notes of “okay, interesting bit to possibly salvage for other stories” and “Oh dear how did they go off on that tangent?” It’s like the writers were incoherent mangaka trying to cobble together each next episode on a few scraps of the last three scripts, ideas discarded from palace dramas, and sooooo much caffeine it isn��t funny.

I honestly think the actors are doing an excellent job with what they have to work with. The costuming department is on their game, and whoever chose the look for the three foxes deserves all the thumbs-up. Instead of giving them more obvious inhuman traits, each fox has streaks of their color in their hair. (Black has purple streaks.) It’s subtle and very pretty. Also the gradient of red to black in Yu Yan’s outfit is classy. As far as characters go, Yu Yan is the Honorable Demon/Defrosting Ice Prince, Bai Sheng is the gentle homemaker with a dark past, and Xiao Hei is... a puppy. So much a puppy. (It’s explained early on that he’s still barely more than a kid, and while his mother was a proper huli jing his father was actually a dog martial god. Which may explain why his approach to problems like “must win contest!” is “kidnap contest judge and threaten him for the right result”.)

I think this series is a cautionary tale about writing too much by the seat of your pants. If you don’t have a clear image of where your story starts and where you want it to end up, you end up throwing in things at random just to keep the plot going. And I hope Luo Yun Xi (Yu Yan) gets more roles with... better plotting. Because he’s a definite bright spot. And he can sing!

This is the guy who plays Yu Yan, and yes, he does sing the end theme himself.

#fox in the screen #screen foxes #yu yan #tv review

[ghiblihearth]

Low Spoon Cooking Tips, Thoughts, Ideas

This will be an ongoing, edited/updated, post of things I do to still enjoy cooking as a spoonie. This is NOT a place to debate this stuff, I'm gonna be liberal about blocking folks who want to fight. This is what works for *me* and I'm passing it along as advice that might help. Everyone is different, let's embrace that.

Buy minced garlic (also garlic paste and ginger paste)

I swear this is my #1 tip. Ignore anyone who tells you that in order to cook truly good food you MUST use fresh chopped garlic and ginger. I have cooked for all kinds of people, including executive chefs of expensive restaurants, chefs that have competed (and held their own) against other chefs... I use minced garlic and ginger paste and no one had a negative thing to say. They rave about the food. It's not THAT big of a deal. When the difference is enjoying the cooking process and making nice food, or being so stressed about The One True Way that you don't cook anything... well, I pick my way.

Mise En Place

It took me too long to include this as a part of my cooking. Embarrassing long. Borne out of a desire to cook quickly (and therefore use less spoons) I would try and do everything at once. Chop while stuff is cooking, mix sauces right before using, etc. It's certainly a skill and not a bad one to have for when you're really time limited. But it's not very kind to the body. These days I try and think about how I can piece-meal the prep. Some veg or meat can absolutely be held in the fridge for a few hours before cooking time.

I use small Japanese stainless steel vat trays because that works best for me. I like that they have lids, and wire racks, they're so very useful.

Having everything chopped, measured, mixed and otherwise ready to go means that cooking is a much more peaceful experience. I'm not flying into dinner absolutely fatigued with my ass on fire.

Freeze It If You Can

Not every meal lends itself to freezing well. But there are some staples in my house (sweet and sour chicken, soups, etc) which lend themselves to freezing and reheating. It's just as easy to double (or triple) the recipe on a day when I have spoons to cook. Then pop it into a ziploc freezer bag (with the name on it!). I freeze everything flat, then store like files in my freezer.

When it's time to reheat I pop the bag in the microwave for 1-2 min (depending on how much). Just enough so that I can kinda break apart the contents. Then dump into a pot on the stove, put the lid on, and reheat over a medium heat.

Those are the tips for now. I'll be sure to update them as I think of more, or learn something new!

#GhibliHearthFood #food #cooking #cooking tips #low spoon food #spoonie life

[moneymindsonline]

Payhip Reviews 2023: Is Getting a Payhip Account Worth It?

Payhip is an accessible ecommerce platform that lets you sell digital products online without technical skills.

The Payhip platform is an all-in-one solution for managing your online store.

You can accomplish many tasks on Payhip. All the features of Payhip incorporate user-oriented marketing tools ideal for small-to-medium-sized businesses.

With Payhip, you can post digital downloads, like videos, music, software, and ebooks. You can also sell memberships, online courses, and your own expertise.

The platform’s features give you everything you need when selling digital products, but there is a limit when selling physical products.

I wrote this article to critique a leading eCommerce service platform: Payhip.

I will evaluate the features of Payhip thoroughly and discover if this e-commerce platform performs according to expectations.

My Payhip review aims to help you determine if your digital products are suitable for selling on Payhip.

Here are the features I assessed for sellers like you.

Plans

Pricing

Payhip fees (transaction fees)

File management

Marketing tools

Coupon codes

Affiliate Program

Referral system

What Is Payhip?

Payhip is a self-subsidized web based business administration stage that began in 2011. Payhip has had more than 130,000 makers throughout the long term.

Abs Farah, the organizer behind Payhip, shed light on this phenomenal across the board stage permitting anybody to earn enough to pay the rent while making every moment count with only a straightforward snap.

Payhip's slogan, "Your store, your direction," typifies the fantasies of a few venders as they imagine their brands and stores with Payhip's adaptable store manufacturer.

Payhip will transform your abilities into benefits when you buy into this internet business stage.

Who Should Use Payhip?

Consider Payhip if you’re:

A seller who wants to develop a store for selling their physical and digital products.

An entrepreneur who wants to sell subscriptions online without difficulty managing members.

An author who wants to sell a book without printing it.

A chef who wants to sell recipes without printing recipe books.

A creative designer who wants to sell digital products as printable copies without putting up an online store.

A coach who wants to offer coaching sessions without leaving the house.

A teacher who wants to publish online courses without a classroom setup.

You may not be any of the individuals mentioned above. Consider something less complicated than Payhip, like Gumroad, Sellfy, Sendowl, or Selz.

A Fair Payhip Review: What’s Good and What’s Bad

I will discuss in-depth what Payhip offers its users to see if Payhip is worth it

Payhip Features

Complex choices might overpower you, yet Payhip made them simple. When you transfer your computerized and actual items, Payhip consequently makes your item page and store plan.

Document the executives is vital for web based selling.

With Payhip, arranging your advanced downloads is simple. You can alter your advanced downloads' documents, titles, costs, and cover pictures straightforwardly on the webpage.

The simplified component adds to the appeal of Payhip in light of the fact that it's handier while transferring your advanced items and making your Web based business store.

The drawback of Payhip is having similar visual format as different merchants since Payhip has restricted customization. You have zero control over edges, line separating, and different components on the grounds that Payhip gives premade areas all through the store creation.

Furthermore, examination might be a feeble viewpoint for Payhip, however you get a nice outline of your client's requests and a breakdown of your supporters and endorsers.

What's the selling point of Payhip? It advances a simple and fast exchange since you can utilize Stripe or Paypal to get your benefit. Assuming anybody from Europe purchases your advanced items, Payhip in a flash adds Tank taking care of.

Payhip has many high level choices to make your selling life advantageous. Incredible highlights like ticking your items to be charge excluded, creating permit keys for every deal, and restricting the times an item sells are accessible on Payhip.

Payhip's engineer choices let you access details to give you more command over your experience.

Payhip Affiliate Program

Payhip has the "Payhip Accomplice Program," a phenomenal subsidiary program to acquire additional pay.

You get half of a repetitive commission for each member and keep on procuring after some time from past partners.

There is no restriction to the sum you can get as a member, meaning Payhip has limitless acquiring potential.

Besides, accomplices have dashboards and apparatuses to stay aware of their presentation and know which regions to put forth more attempts in.

You get installments in a split second through a Paypal account in US$ once you arrive at the month to month $50 limit.

In the event that you're a dealer searching for additional ways of procuring, the Payhip Accomplice Program is a superb method for bringing in cash by accomplishing something you love.

Payhip Referrals

Aside from the Payhip Affiliate Program, there’s also a Payhip Referral System. Sellers can initiate this referral program to promote their products.

If your client gets to invite a friend to purchase your product, they can get a coupon with a unique code with your desired percentage off as a reward (redeemable once). They will have a week to use their coupons, and when somebody they referred purchases them, the coupon expiry refreshes.

It takes work to promote your product to convince the market. Incentivizing your products with Payhip will help spread the good word—a win-win for Payhip and your store.

Payhip Integrations

Setting up an online store from scratch can be a hassle for sellers.

Through Payhip integrations, you can now integrate Payhip with WordPress (Classic Editor), WordPress (Gutenberg Editor), Squarespace, ConvertKit, Email Octopus, Wix, Weebly, and more.

Payhip also connects with Zapier for more comprehensive native integrations. You can pair Payhip with almost any application to run your business smoothly.

With Payhip integrations, sellers can do much more with their business, boosting marketing strategies.

Payhip Coupons

Payhip’s features let sellers promote products with coupons or discount codes. Payhip coupons enhance the seller’s marketing strategy and convince people to buy digital products with coupons.

The Payhip coupon code also includes customization of coupon usage, like the number of times the coupon is available and the expiry date.

If you want to remove the code, you can easily update and edit it through the Coupons page.

As a seller, coupons are an excellent way to interact with buyers. It increases the seller-buyer relationship.

Furthermore, Payhip supports flexible discounting tools for its clients.

Payhip Pricing

Payhip has three pricing plans:

Free Forever

Plus

Pro

Other than the cost of each arrangement, the tremendous distinction between the three is the exchange charge.

Payhip won't cost anything for the Free Everlastingly plan, however Payhip takes +5% per exchange. In the mean time, In addition to has a +2% exchange charge, and Genius has no exchange expense.

Clients can pay for your items with PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Find, JCB, Coffee shops Club, and different choices.

PayPal and Stripe will in any case charge their standard rates for each exchange, which applies to all plans.

Try not to stress over requests to the EU and UK in light of the fact that Payhip consequently sets up charges for your sake.

Note: Each of the three costs have similar highlights. Payhip has no element gating and needs honestly and straightforward with its arrangements.

Payhip Reviews: Social Proof

Here’s what other sellers think of Payhip.

Is Payhip the Right One for You?

Let’s talk about how you’ll benefit from Payhip.

A Seller

If you’re a seller looking for a great platform to sell your products, Payhip is an all-in-one solution.

Payhip provides a seller-friendly feature to ease your selling transaction and marketing process.

Payhip is ideal for a start-up because of its constantly growing clients. Its customizable online store gives you a headstart on promoting your brand, whether you sell digital or physical products.

You can use the convenience of its drag-and-drop feature to build your storefront, which is also easier with Payhip’s premade sections and themes. Though customization has limits, you can explore Payhip’s developer options.

If you’ve already started your online business and want to extend your market, Payhip allows integrations with WordPress, Squarespace, Convertkit, Email Octopus, Wix, Weebly, and many other applications.

You don’t have to worry about brand consistency.

Pricing may be another issue, but Payhip offers a Free Forever plan. If you can handle the 5% transaction fee, choose this plan.

Meanwhile, the Pro plan helps you avoid transaction fees.

An Author

If you’re an author who wants to keep up with tech trends and transition from physical products to digital products, Payhip is your friend.

Your customers will instantly get to download ebooks they purchased from your store. Payhip even directly emails the download page to customers’ accounts.

Authors will delight in using Payhip because it upgrades physical products to digital downloads while broadening your customer reach worldwide.

Note: Payhip accepts sales from social media, blogs, or other websites.

A Designer

As a designer, the struggle to showcase your skills can be taxing. Payhip takes it next level with the marketing of digital products for creative designers.

You can quickly put up your printable designs, workbooks, templates, and presets for sale with Payhip. The instant download feature is convenient for customers.

Payhip has a limit of 5GB per file. Think twice about paying for a Payhip account if you sell videos and other heavy files.

You can try shortening videos into parts and making them a series—an opportunity to increase revenue.

A Coach

If you’re a coach with various sessions and a hectic schedule, Payhip can help you.

You can put all your sessions in one place, making it less complicated to manage your clients. You can also schedule meetings and events, building a deeper relationship with your client.

Payhip integrates with Calendly and Zoom, which are excellent options for coaching setups. Payhip ensures a user-friendly platform to make clients’ lives easier.

What If You Don’t Like Payhip?

Payhip may give you second thoughts.

Perhaps you’d like to try another ecommerce platform instead.

Here are similar other sites you can try.

Thinkific

Payhip Review: Additional Info

Here is additional info to help your decision-making.

Payhip vs. Gumroad

Here’s what these two e-commerce platforms offer.

Payhip

Lowest Pricing Plan – 5% transaction fee

Products You Can Sell – Online courses, digital downloads, coaching services, memberships and subscriptions, and physical products

Payouts – Instant

Best Feature – Automatic UK and EU VAT Handling

Gumroad

Lowest Pricing Plan – 10% transaction fee

Products You Can Sell – digital downloads, memberships and subscriptions, and physical products

Payouts – Fridays only

Best Feature – Built-in email marketing

Payhip vs. Sellfy

Here’s a quick overview of Payhip and Sellfy:

Payhip

Lowest Pricing Plan – Forever-free with a 5% transaction fee

Products You Can Sell – Online courses, digital downloads, coaching services, memberships and subscriptions, and physical products

Payouts – Instant

Best Feature – Automatic UK and EU VAT Handling

Sellfy

Lowest Pricing Plan – $19 monthly with no transaction fee

Products You Can Sell – Digital downloads, memberships and subscriptions, and physical products

Payouts – Instant

Best Feature – Handles multiple languages

Payhip App

Payhip is a desktop and web-based platform. There’s no app for Android or iOS devices.

How Payhip Works

On you get a Payhip account, you can add your products, set up your checkout methods, and customize your online store with your branding. Complete these steps to offer your products for sale.

How To Get Payhip Files for Free

Payhip doesn’t have files that are free for download.

How To Buy on Payhip

Once you’re on the marketplace of Payhip, click Add to Cart if you haven’t decided what to buy. Click Buy Now to get to the checkout page and pay for the product.

Payhip Alternatives

If you’re unsatisfied with Payhip, try Gumroad, Sellfy, Sendowl, Podia, Shopify, or Thinkific.

Payhip: Examples of Products You Can Sell

Here are some products you can sell on Payhip.

Ebooks

Art

Coaching lessons

Articles

Music

Courses

Memberships

Subscriptions

Payhip VRChat

Payhip lets you sell VR Chat Avatars. If you want to sell them, go to Payhip and check them out.

Payhip Marketplace

The Payhip marketplace is a comprehensive selling platform. You can sell almost anything through Payhip.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Payhip Safe?

Payhip is secure because Payhip does not store clients’ card details.

Is Payhip Legit?

Yes. Payhip is a legitimate ecommerce service with over 130,000 creators.

How Much Does Payhip Charge?

Payhip charges vary according to sellers’ payment plans.

If you choose to get the Free Forever plan, Payhip doesn’t charge you a monthly subscription but charges you +5% per transaction. Meanwhile, the Plus plan charges +2% per transaction, and the Pro plan doesn’t charge any transaction fees.

What File Formats Does Payhip Support?

Payhip supports ALL file formats, including audio, videos, texts, and other files with extensions.

How Can I Contact Payhip?

You can contact Payhip through [email protected] or Twitter if you have any concerns.

The Bottom Line

Payhip is an excellent platform for start-up businesses. You can launch your businesses without too much pressure and cost.

If you can handle a pricing package without the burden of transaction fees, consider Payhip’s Pro plan to avoid transaction fees taking too much out of your revenue.

I highly recommend Payhip for small businesses wanting a quick start, but if you’re looking for a feature-rich platform, look elsewhere.

#Payhip #payhipreview #payhipreviews #payhipreview2023 #payhipreviews2023 #payhip2023