#hes just some dude with an incredible beautiful gorgeous awesome wife

[hellcifrogs]

Have you read the Minato one shot Kishi did? I think I remember you saying you don't particularly like Minato (or am I mistaken? I follow too many Naruto blogs lmao) but it has some amazing Kushina scenes and also some young Kushina with Mito and it's just amazing

Also Minato saying at some point that he loves Kushina because he loves people stronger than him and she's strong as Hell? Honestly same, blonde boy. Strong women are also my weakness 🥰

I haven't read it yet! I want to and I really hope it makes me like Minato a little more, but I'm not even going to pretend I'm not reading it mainly for Kushina 🥰

#ask ffrogs #yes its me 😔 the minato hater blog apparently #hes just some dude with an incredible beautiful gorgeous awesome wife #ooh i know #hes just Kushina's husband to me!! #we have borutos dad and kushinas husband #lmao

[hypnofur1]

Influencing the Influencer

By Hypnofur

“I have to say, I am loving retirement. This is my first year of being retired and it was everything I dreamed it would be and more. Everyone should retire at 36!” Dan joked into the microphone. The two radio guys laughed harder than they should have. While Dan knew that regular people couldn’t retire at 36, he wasn’t joking about loving retirement. He had been playing football since second grade. He enjoyed a 15 year career in the NFL. 13 of those years were in Cincinnati, but the last two were in Kansas City… where a SuperBowl was won in his last season.

Being part of a Super Bowl team, even as a backup like Dan was by the end of his career, makes you royalty in that city for the rest of time. Heck, ask the ’85 Bears about that. Especially in cities that love their team as much as KC. Dan always wanted to win one for Cincy, the city that he truly identified as home now, but that was never even close to being in the cards.

However, Dan was the only high profile guy from the Super Bowl team to retire after the big win. The rest of the guys pretty much stayed on the team, and were in the Super Bowl again this year. As such, all the KC radio and media people were desperate for a “Chiefs Insider” to talk to. Dan was flown down to Tampa for the week to do radio, tv, etc. He was considering a career in broadcasting, so this all-expense paid trip was a nice little trial run. The only downside of it, was that Casey didn’t come with him.

Dan’s wife was going to go to Tampa with him, and make a ton of Instagram videos and posts from Tampa. She was incredibly excited about it, as was the social media company that employed her to do all these blogs. Her sweetness, honesty, great style, and knockout natural beauty was evident to anyone who saw her, whether in real life or on a screen. She had sort of become “Cincy’s Sweetheart” over the years, so when influencers became a thing, she was in high demand. The Tampa vlogs were likely going to set records for likes. However, Dan’s mom broke her ankle in a fall the week before.

Casey insisted she stay home to help Dan’s mom. This is why Dan was head over heels for her. Yes, she was gorgeous. But she was also the sweetest, most wonderful wife in the world. While all the other players would have girlfriends and hook ups in each city, Dan never did. He was completely and utterly faithful to Casey.

With all this said, while Casey didn’t go to Tampa, she had to vlog about something. Trips to Dan’s Mom’s house during the day to help her out wouldn’t make good content. Such was the topic of conversation as the couple chatted on the phone Friday morning.

“So did you find anything to vlog about?” Dan asked.

“Ugh, I think so. They really want us to push groupon experience things. They gave DeAndra groupon passes to a comedy show, so we are going to do that.” Casey told her husband. She meant to sound a bit more cheery as she did so. She was trying so hard to not show her disappointment over not being in Tampa. She didn’t want to make him feel bad.

“Oh yeah, is Darnell going? If the dude is funny, the sound of Darnell’s laugh when he gets roaring is the only thing anyone in that place is going to hear! Hopefully the dude doesn’t make Bengals jokes. Darnell will get up on that stage!” Dan laughed, as did Casey.

“Did you drink tons of water last night?” Casey asked. She was always concerned about him.

“Hahah. I did. A whole river. I’m doing good. Three more days babe, then I am home to you. I miss you so much.” Dan said, very truthfully.

“Me too. I’ll tell DeAndra and Darnell you said hi” she smiled as she hung up.

Dan missed her terribly, but he was at least pleased that he’d have her vlog to watch later that night. He loved watching those. However, it was Friday night of Super Bowl week. Dan had a whirlwind day. He was treated like a Chiefs Legend because he was wearing that Super Bowl ring. He even got invited to a dinner with Joe Montana! He couldn’t pass that up. Dinner was great. Drinks were had, and not enough water was consumed. Dan passed out when he got back to the hotel.

It was late the next morning when Dan finally awoke. He realized that he had missed Casey’s Instagram vlog. He was surprised he didn’t have a text about that from her. He checked her Insta page. There wasn’t one from last night. That was really odd. He started to get a little nervous.

He texted her. “Hi, you ok? No vlog from last night?”

Fortunately, he got an immediate return text “Just filmed it this morning. Posting now J”

That put him at ease. He took a quick shower, and then grabbed his phone to see his beautiful wife’s angelic face. She was in her car. For some reason, that’s where people filmed themselves. Dan never understood why that was a thing.

“Hey guys, its Casey! Hope you are all having a great weekend! I know it is Super Bowl weekend, and that is super exciting for tomorrow! But, I wanted to tell you guys about a great experience me and my friends had thanks to groupon last night! My hubby is out of town, and I was feeling kind of sad, but then my friends called and said they had a groupon for an awesome experience. Totally changed the course of my weekend!

So we went to Funny Bone at Liberty Center, which is such a cute place! Anyway, my friend DeAndra told me the comedian was actually a stage hypnotist named Arnold Denton, aka The Amazing Hypno-natti. When I heard hypnotist, I was freaking out! Oh, and yeah, I found the name ‘Hypno-natti’ lame as well, but trust me guys, he is soooooo amazing!

So anyway guys, when we got in, I decided to put my fear aside and volunteer. Seriously guys, it was one of the craziest experiences I’ve ever had. Before we were even brought up on stage, we had to sign a waiver that basically said the hypnotist is not responsible for any injuries that may occur and all that other fun legal stuff. Guys, believe me when I tell you that I cannot recall a moment in my in my life that I was more nervous when I was up on that stage. The hypnotist explained to us, and the rest of the audience, that what we were about to experience was extremely different. Some of us would remember exactly what happened, and some of us wouldn’t. In total, there were probably about like twenty five of us lined up in front of the stage and the audience was told to be completely silent.

Right before we began, the hypnotist told us that we would be “under” for about a half an hour, but our bodies would react as if it had been asleep for 8 hours. So crazy! From what I can remember, it went a little like this:

We were told to sit down and just relax. With our eyes closed, we were told that we should feel this ‘energy of relaxation’ that would begin to pool at our feet and then work its way up to our body. All the while, there was this really strange music that was playing and the hypnotist was talking to us. After about 5 minutes he had us open our eyes and raise our arms horizontally and lock our fingers together so that we made a ball with our fists. At this point, we are still not under, so we were all aware of our surroundings and what not. Next thing I know, Hypno-natti is coming straight down the line and thrusting our hands down into our laps and pushing our heads down onto the shoulder of the person sitting to our left. It was about my turn and the last thing I can remember about this part is him yelling “Sleep!”

After the whole intro, we woke up and he was kind of pacing the stage and the audience was giggling and stuff and I can remember being super confused. I seriously thought that the show ended and I was actually asleep the whole time. As he was pacing, he was just casually talking to the audience and then he said “spark” (what I now know is a “trigger word”) and just like that it felt as though the wrath of God had come through the leg of the chair I was sitting in and electrocuted me in the butt! It hurt so bad; not like a long pain, but just like a jolt of electricity. I stood up so fast and everybody in the place was just rolling! I looked around and it was just me and another guy standing and grabbing our butts. He did this a couple more times and then triggered some of the other people and the whole time I just remember being super confused. At one point, I remember crying, because I had fallen deeply, madly in love with him, and he was dancing with someone else. It was soo crazy guys! Long story short, the hypnotist basiscally made us his personal puppets and we were slightly embarrassed, but it was all in good fun. My friends and I totally laughed about it all night after. It was a great experience that was all made possible through groupon!! Swipe up and see what other fun experiences they can save you a ton on. Luv you guys!!!” She concluded with a kiss of her fingers then the peace sign.

Dan loved to see her and hear her voice. He was wishing it wasn’t 48 full hours until he’d get to see her again. But it was. Those 48 hours went quickly at least. Frankly, it was a whirlwind. By the time he walked in the door of his spacious Cincinnati home Monday morning, he was exhausted – but so glad to hug, squeeze, and kiss his gorgeous brunette wife.

“Tell me everything!!” Casey said as she put some coffee on. She could tell by his face that he needed it.

Dan laughed as he admitted he exhausted. It had been quite a week of late night dinners, Super Bowl parties, and media work. It was terrific, but it wiped him out. However, he happily launched into his diatribe. He told her about all the radio shows he went on, and how he even did a couple TV spots. Casey squealed when he told her that he plugged her vlogs on all the local Cincinnati shows.

“ooooh My big media mogul!” Casey flirted. Her big brown eyes gazing into Dan’s. Then her phone beeped with a text, which was a constant occurrence. She grabbed it and checked the text. It was at this point that her expression changed. She became completely focused on the phone. It was like she suddenly forgot Dan was there.

“Who’s that?” Dan asked, realizing this was strange. Was someone hurt? Was something wrong? Casey didn’t answer. She just typed a couple things on her phone, and then walked upstairs, not even addressing Dan as she left. Dan found this very strange, but he also had to pee really bad. He figured he’d see what the deal was, but had to handle that situation briefly before anything else.

Much to his shock, by the time he got up to the bedroom, Casey was naked and wearing headphones. She was sprawled out on their bed, reclining in a mound of fur pillows. Naked and eyes closed with her blue bullet vibrator that they had bought as a sexy toy at their anniversary. Dan understandably figured that this was a “welcome home” sex game. He found himself immediately getting hard.

"I’m going deeper and deeper." Casey said quietly. Dan assumed she was talking about the vibrator going into her pussy. This was unusual sex talk from her, but he was still into it.

She moans, "Going deeper and deeper. I am deeply hypnotized. "

Dan was stunned. She was sooooooo freaking sexy with a nipple in one hand and that toy teasing the other one. But what did she say? Did she say hypnotized?

“Deeply hypnotized and deep under your control.” She whispers.

Dan heard that and got more concerned, but then couldn’t help but notice that he sound of the vibrator changed! She had turned up the setting. Soon, she was pinching her breasts and her hips are starting to rock slowly. She was moaning and purring. Dan was so hard he couldn’t think straight.

Casey turned the toy up to level 3; as fast as it goes. The next 4 settings are just various combinations of the 3 vibration speeds. Her hips were moving faster, her breasts were bouncing and she was having a hard time keeping the toy on her clit. Her teeth were clenched and she could feel the orgasm start to creep over her skin. . Her chest was heaving as she changed the setting on the toy again.

Slow, Slow, Slow, medium, medium, medium, fast, fast, fast

Slow, Slow, Slow, medium, medium, medium, fast, fast, fast

Slow, Slow, Slow, medium, medium, medium, fast, fast, fast

Slow, Slow, Slow, medium, medium, medium, fast, fast, fast

With hypnotic words and commands being fed into her mind, the orgasm raced up her torso and arched her body off the bed. Her neck muscles tightened and her eyes pinched shut as she screamed out loud and held the toy in place right on top of her clit.

"OOOOOOOOOOOOhHHHHHHHHHH, OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! I server Master Hypno-natti!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I belong to Master Hypno-natti!!!!!!!!!!!! OOOOHHHHMYGODMASTERRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Shock from Dan.

Awe from Dan.

Lust from Dan.

Fear from Dan.

Anger from Dan… and anger won.

He grabbed the headphones and ripped them off her. He yelled right into the microphone. “This is her husband, you sick fuck! Stay the fuck away from us, or I’ll rip your motherfucking arms off!!!!”

There was a click, and Dan knew that the person on the other end of that phone was gone. He turned his attention to Casey, who was now glistening with sweat, and still breathing heavy.

“Cay – Cay, wake up babe. Cay” he said, shaking his wife.

She eventually stirred, opened her big brown eyes and stared back at her husband. “Dan, what’s going on?” she asked.

“This is going to sound nuts, babe. But I think the hypnotist from the other night, like triggered you into masturbating for him on the phone.” Dan explained carefully. He wasn’t sure how his Catholic, surprisingly conservative wife would handle this manipulation.

He watched her face as the realization of what happened washed over her. He held his breath as he expected the tears to start rolling. Instead, she looked at him wide eyed. Then her beautiful big brown eyes slowly went down to his crotch.

“I missed you” she whispered, as she stared at her husband’s erection.

Confusion from Dan.

Fear from Dan.

Love from Dan.

Lust from Dan… and lust won.

He went down and made love to his wife. They kissed passionately, like the reunited lovers they were. Dan couldn’t remember the last time he was this turned on. He couldn’t wait any longer, and inserted himself right into his wife’s already very wet pussy. He glided right in. He didn’t last long in there. Within 30 seconds, he had finished. Casey giggled and gave him a loving hug. He crashed on to the bed beside her. Planning to only take a minute to catch his breath and then have a talk with his wife about the whole hypnotist thing, Dan accidentally fell sound asleep. The crazy week of the Super Bowl was just too much. He was out like a light, he didn’t even hear Casey get a text...

Dan slept for a good two and a half hours. He woke up to Casey lovingly rubbing his back.

“Hey babe, if you sleep too long, you won’t be able to get to sleep tonight. Your schedule will be all wacky.” She said lovingly. He knew she was right. She was always taking care of him.

Dan turned around in the bed and smiled at his beautiful wife. She had gotten freshened up, her clothes were back on and she was all together. God, she was so beautiful. Like a brunette angel.

“Hey, try this” she said, handing Dan a cup of tea. “It is a new chamomile tea they want us to vlog about. It’s actually reeaalllly good!” Casey said excitedly. Dan took the tea and tried it. He wasn’t a tea guy, but… anything for Casey.

“Hey, look babe, we have to talk about that Hypno-natti guy. I think he’s like still playing with your head” Dan said. He had always been direct. “When I came upstairs, you were on the phone with him I think, and you were, you know…”

“Playing with myself?” Casey said with a devilish, but so cute grin. She didn’t usually say things like that.

“Yeah” Dan said, surprised she said that out loud. He felt his dick stir a bit.

“Seriously babe, you are going to love that tea” Casey encouraged. Dan took another sip. It was pretty good.

“So, that was hot to see, I’ll admit, but you can’t have some guy like… controlling you to do sex stuff” Dan said, surprised he needed to map it out to her to this point.

Casey nodded. Then she looked at the bed sheet starting to tent around Dan’s groin. She laughed. “Well well, me thinks he doth protest too much” she teased. “OMG, I forgot to tell you. I saw the BEST movie on HBO Max when you were gone!” she said exuberantly.

“HBO Max? Babe, we should really deal with this hypnotist thing.” Dan said, what the hell was going on? His head was feeling a bit tingly. Boy, he must still be tired.

“I know Dan, and we will. I’m sorry, I have just missed you soo much. I saw this movie, and it was like, really sexy. And I can see that you are, you know… turned on right now” she said as she gently stroked his growing hard on.

“We can deal with this hypno stuff later. But right now, I am in the mood, and you are in the mood, and I want to show you the sexiest things I’ve ever seen on screen. Finish your tea and we can check this out” Casey said as she leaned into a sensual kiss with her husband.

Dan was a very smart man. He went to Notre Dame. He knew something was seriously fucked up here. But he was a MAN. And the curiosity of what kind of movie could have been so hot that it got her acting like this was just too curious for him to ignore. Against his better judgement, he let his beautiful wife lead him to their home theater room. He felt his head spin as he stood up from the bed.

“Take a seat in the middle” Casey directed with another long sensual kiss before turning on the surround sound and the media player. Dan’s eyes were glued to her. She was walking around such sexy confidence. He had never seen her like this. What the hell was in this movie???

Satisfied that the AV system was on and playing, Casey sat down in the large velvet chair next to her husband’s. The giant screen was black for a while, and Dan noticed that there was a humming coming from the speakers. The humming was vibrating through this very core. It felt… warm? Was that right? Soon there was a black and white spiral on the screen. What kind of HBO Max thing is this? Dan thought. Then he remembered the hypnotist. Wait, what the fuck? He went to protest, but he was becoming enthralled by the whirling spiral that had become the only thing in the room. He could feel it hypnotizing him, warm waves of relaxation moving out from it into his opening mind. Hypnotizing him. Hypnotizing Casey. Hypnotizing them with the way it spun around and around, always going deeper.

This was how it felt to be hypnotized? Dan thought to himself. He never could have dreamed how nice it was. How good it felt to be under hypnosis, under hypnotic control. He knew who the voice belonged to now, that it was Hypno-natti talking to them as they watched in a deep hypnotic state. Hypno-natti was amazing! Sooo amazing. Hypno-natti was the master of the fascinating, hypnotic spiral that controlled their minds.. He was telling them that it was time to submit their entire mind and body now, to go into a trance.

Dan knew he didn’t want to do that, but he felt a deep desire to obey, an overwhelming urge to submit. Pleasing Hypno-natti was most important. To go into a trance for Hypno-natti. Hypno-naitti’s voice was telling them to prepare to surrender totally to his hypnotic power. The spiral was turning faster now. Dan felt all his thoughts begin to move down into it. He could feel the intense hypnotic influence reaching out for his mind and he couldn’t help but submit. Faster and faster, round and round. He was falling into it. Falling faster and faster. She could see only an endless spiral in front of him now, a deep whirling tunnel that pulled him in as he stared into it. Hypno-natti’s voice was controlling their thoughts, hypnotizing them into total obedience.. There was only the spiral. And the voice. The whirling spiral. The soothing voice. Hypno-natti’s voice. Their master. Dan knew he must obey. Casey knew she must obey her master. They were hypnotized, so deeply and completely.

Next thing Dan knew, he was somehow in the foyer. When had he left the theater room? There was a knock at the door. He answered. There was a small scrawny guy about 10 years older than him standing in the doorway.

“Can I help you?” Dan asked, his head still cloudy.

“I’m the Amazing Hypno-natti” the man said. His majestic voice now very familiar to the former NFL start. “Invite me in” he commanded.

“Please, come in” Dan said immediately, stepping out of the way.

Casey had entered the foyer when she heard the knock. When she saw Hypno-natti, she was immediately overcome with desire. He was soooo sexy. The sexiest man ever born. She immediately felt her pussy moisten and her nipples get sensitive. She flirtatiously played with her hair and smiled at him.

“Hello my darling Casey” he said as he took her in. She was so incredibly beautiful with her gorgeous brunette hair, big brown eyes, and perfect trim figure.

Dan knew this wasn’t right. He could sense the attraction between them. What the hell? She was his wife. “Look buddy, I-”

“Dan, go into trance” Hypno-natti said authoritatively. Dan said nothing, but his hands fell to his sides.

“Casey, I am your Master. You desire me above anything else.” Hypno-natti said, feeling very confident that both parties in the couple were completely under his hypnotic sway.

He moved into Casey, kissing her neck gently. She was too lost in him to look over at her husband, who was still still standing next to her with a glazed, entranced look in his eyes.

At Hypno-natti’s direction, the three went upstairs to the bedroom. At this point, the hypnotist commanded Dan. "Take off your wife’s pants and panties”.

Dan rose to action slowly. "Yes, Sir," he said in a soft, deferential voice as he knelt in front of her and pulled down the black yoga pants and little satin panties that were meant for his homecoming.

“Lay her on the bed” Hypno-natti said as he took off his own pants. Dan complied and then went to stand up against the wall when instructed to do so. All this, despite the 10 or so inches of height and almost 150lbs of muscle that Dan had on the hypnotist.

Hypno-natti descended upon her, his face directly in front of hers. His eyes boring into her own. "Submit to my influence, Casey. Submit to my hypnotic power. Submit to Hypno-natti. Submit to hypnosis” he said as he again rhythmically put his cock against her body.

"Very, very good, Casey. You're blissfully floating, deeply in my erotic thrall, open to all my commands. Feeling so wonderful as you obey me. Realizing now that nothing seems important but obeying me, because it feels so wonderful, so sexual. You want the sexy feeling of obeying me, don't you, Casey?"

"Yes. I want to obey." She repeated happily, lost in lust.

"Very good Casey. The more obedient you are, the more wonderful you will feel. Only pleasing me matters now, nothing else. All you want now is the wonderful, sexual, floating feeling of obeying my voice. All you want is to be deeply under my control and to obey me. Tell me now what you want, Casey."

"Deeply under your control. Obey you."

"Do you want me inside you?" he asked the hypnotized wife.

"Yes!" Casey answered, no longer caring for her dignity, her marriage, or for anything but the prospect of being ravished by her master.

The man poked the head of his penis against her quivering opening, slight hip movements just threatening to penetrate her, but not quite.

"Tell your husband how badly you want me to fuck you."

Casey shut her eyes, ashamed of the words she knew she had to offer. "I want him to fuck me!" she offered to the room.

The man pushed her head to the side, making her stare at her husband, still standing against the wall, his penis slowly inching its way to a semi-erection with the spectacle. "Say, 'Dan, I need Hypno-natti’s hypnotic dick inside me.'"

"Honey!" she mustered. Pausing, unbelieving of her own abandon. "I need Hypno-natti’s hypnotic big dick inside me! I neeeed it!!"

With one sharp thrust, the man invaded her with the full length of his modest cock, and Casey cried out in surrender at the explosion of pleasure. He brought his face down to hers, leaning in as if to kiss her, his breath hot on her face, and slowly slid his dick out, his rock-hard shaft grinding against her achingly swollen G-spot. As she raised her lips to accommodate him, he pulled his face away teasingly and thrust himself violently into her again, eliciting another loud pre-orgasmic cry. For what seemed like an eternity, they kept up this erotic dance of desire and denial, his hands caressing her hair, the almost gentle play of his face so close to hers contrasting exquisitely with the force of his thrusts. Finally, he brought his lips to meet hers and kissed her deeply, the lustiness of his tongue's exploration telling her that he was just as aroused by her as she was by him. His cock driving into her more insistently now, faster, even deeper it seemed.

And she loved it - there was no use denying it to herself. The hypnotic power of his eyes, their entrancing gaze. Now the hypnotist was pulling her head back by her hair as he fucked her, running his tongue up and down her neck. Then unleashing her and licking her all over her face. Making her feel so owned. The pressure inside building now to unbearable intensity, the edge of orgasm too much to stand. "Oh... my... God!" she stammered.

The man now gripping the slats of the headboard as leverage to drive himself into her with as much force as he could. He wrapped his small ams around her, squeezing her to him, her tits pressed against his chest, making her feel what strength he had as he continued fucking her just as hard as he could. She wrapped her arms around her Master, wanting to feel him as much as possible.

“Cum for me now my pet and tell me that you now belong to me!” Hypno-natti grunted.

In a burst of mind-shattering pleasure, Casey felt every muscle in her body violently contract upon his words. Her nerves screamed in ecstasy. A long, wailing scream shaping the breath that rushed out of her lungs, forming finally into words..."

"OH GOD, I'M CUMMMMMIIIIIIING!!!!IIIIMMMM YOURRRRSSS!!!"

**********************************************

A week later…

“Hey guys! This is Casey. We are half way through February. I can almost smell the spring! Anyway, I want to tell you guys about something that I am soooo into right now. I’ve been totally improving myself through hypnosis. You guys might remember one of my earlier vlogs where I talked about a totally fun stage show I went to starring the Amazing Hypno-natti. Well, I’ve been working with him one on one on a ton of stuff and he is totally helping me with his incredible hypnosis skills. Dan too! So, swipe up to learn more about Hypno-natti. He has both sessions and videos available. And you can even find where you can try some of his unbelievable chamomile tea. Guys, it is sooo good! More vlogs coming this week, don’t forget to like and subscribe Luv you guys!!!” She concluded with a kiss of her fingers then the peace sign.

[paodequeijofeliz-blog]

Don’t you remember?

Bloodbound Fanfiction (characters and main story belongs to Pixelberry Studios).

Pairing: Kamilah Sayeed and MC (Annie)

Information: this takes place long after Bloodbound 3. In this scenario, MC was Turned only after giving birth to their daughter.

Summary: Thirty years after meeting Annie for the first time, now Kamilah is married and has a daughter who is about to get married as well. While preparing the wedding, they decide to remember Lysia’s childhood stories. This part 3 was inspired by an anon request and they’re the one who had this wonderful idea, thank you anon! You have all the credit for it!  💛

Warnings: just fluff and funny.

Part 1 Part 2

January 8th, 2049

The group was still having dessert and some coffee at the restaurant. Soon they would be leaving to take care of their tasks. Lysia had an appointment with the florist in the afternoon, where she would meet Drake so both could finally choose the flowers. Her attention was now captured by Lily showing some pictures of LA, until Adrian asked her a sudden question.

“Darling, do you remember when exactly did you fall in love with your fiancé?”

She fixed her posture, a little surprised. It was the first time Lysia ever thought about it. “Hmm… I guess… It was the day he met my mothers for the first time. When we were doing a school project together.”

“The night we made brownies? Really?” Annie’s eyes were sparkling of excitement. “I can’t believe it, I was there! And I noticed how he would smile at you.”

“All I remember is the stupid one.” Kamilah sighed, taking a sip of her espresso.

“Kyle! Oh my god, yes. He was hitting on you.” Lysia loved that part.

“WHAT?” Lily was almost finished with her dessert but dropped the spoon the minute she heard it. “Tell us. Please. I beg you.”

“Oh, my.” The Egyptian got back to her coffee, refusing to tell that story.

“Well, luckily I have a pretty good memory.” Annie couldn’t help herself. “It was a regular night…”

--------------------------------------

September 20th, 2041

Lysia wasn’t a shy teenager, but she could be quite reserved and just a little bit judgemental regarding people her own age. Therefore, for her to bring friends to the Penthouse, it took years and a lot of encouragement from her mothers. Well, from Anna, since Kamilah couldn’t care less about other mortal teenagers.

That’s why that night should go well, so Lysia would feel comfortable enough to bring them again. It was just a school project, but Annie knew how kids could be, so she was fixing some snacks in the kitchen and had a silly program going on the TV. Luckily, there would be a lot of laughs and not much of studying tonight.

“Mom, I’m home!” Lysia’s voice came from the living room as she entered, followed by three classmates.

“I’ll be there in a sec!” The woman was just finishing to heat up some Brazilian snacks that would certainly blow their minds. After putting all of it on a bowl, and taking another one of popcorn, she left to the living room and dropped it on the coffee table. “Here you go! Brain food.”

“Wow!” someone whispered under breath.

“Mom, these are…”

“Wait, wait, wait, let me get the soda first!” she ran back into the kitchen, leaving Lysia with a hand hanging in the air.

“Is that your mother? I mean… It’s…” the girl standing beside the armchair couldn’t blink. “She is so pretty!”

“I think Nina just fell in love with your mom.” One of the boys laughed, the blond jock.

Annie came back with a huge smile and a trade of glasses filled by some coloured beverage. “There’s pink lemonade, and some other different sodas here. But if you want, I can bring some juice, tea, coffee, water, we’ve got it all. Alright, who is who?”

Lysia sighed, getting back to introducing them. “So, this is Drake. The one with the jersey on is Kyle and that’s Nina. Everyone, this is my mother, Mrs. Sayeed.”

“Annie.” She dismissed the formalities, stepping forward to give each one of them two kisses on the cheeks. That made the girl next to the armchair blush and giggle. “Well, there’s soda, popcorn annnnnnnnnnd something else. It’s a Brazilian snack, we call it salgadinhos. Just imagine if someone took a bunch of raw French fries and stuffed them with cheese, chicken, meat, whatever you want, then fried it. I believe this is the closer I can get of explaining how it tastes like. Try it. You’re gonna love it.”

“Thanks, mom.” Lysia went to get herself the only glass that wasn’t soda, but iced tea. “Alright, let’s sit on the floor and start this project.”

While everybody got settled quickly, the woman left them alone, not even noticing how Nina’s eyes followed her. The girl sighed and turned back to Lysia, a goofy smile on her face. “Your mother is the most beautiful woman that has ever lived.”

“Oh, gee! This is awesome!” Drake was super excited about a chicken snack he took from the bowl.

“Coxinha. It’s my favourite.” Lysia smiled at him for a second, but dropped her gaze to the books, trying to hide the way her cheeks blushed.

“I swear, her eyes, and her lips, and the waves of her hair, it’s all just so…”  Nina was still dreaming about Annie. “And the voice, that accent, where is she from again, Lys? I bet is a sexy country.”

“Brazil.”

“Told ya. Sexy country.” The girl popped one of those fried meat balls on her mouth.

“What makes Brazil a sexy country?” Lysia arched one eyebrow, a movement she learned with Kamilah over the years.

“Your mum.” Nina swallowed, eyes still lingering in the way to the kitchen.

“Oh, god. Alright, focus. Let’s get this project done.”

Slowly, the conversation started to fade away, as they got distracted by reading and writing. In a couple hours, Annie went to check the silent group to find out the food was gone, and so were the drinks. She took the bowls and glasses out, not risking making a sound, never even noticing how Nina sighed and blushed at her side. It was almost 8 p.m. by now, so Kamilah would be arriving soon. The woman stared at the clock in the kitchen, anxious about what to do. They all seemed so quiet and compenetrated, Annie didn’t want to interrupt, but…

“Mom?” Lysia called her at the door, an uneasy expression on her face.

“Hi, baby. Need some help?”

“No, no. Just… Wondering. We did a lot. Not all of it, as to be expected, but a lot.” The girl bit her lower lip, as she was still trying to decide whether to ask for something or not.

Annie knew that movement. It was like her daughter’s thoughts were being said out loud to her. She wanted to have fun, but her serious and committed little heart was telling her to stay focused on the studying.

“Hmmm, that’s good. But I think you should take a break. You don’t wanna risk writing a bad conclusion cause you’re too tired after doing a great introduction and development, do you?”

Lysia’s eyes sparkled. Excitement and relief. “I supposed not. What do you suggest?”

“Well, I was about to make us some brownies. Why don’t you call your friends here, and we make it together? We could put some music on too.”

“That sounds fun. Right?”

“It is fun.” Annie took that sweet teenager’s face between her hands. A seventeen-year-old girl, so incredibly smart and confident, yet so insecure about making friends. “Trust me. They’ll love it.”

She couldn’t be more right. In ten minutes, there was some pop music playing from a phone and a bunch of teenagers trying to figure it out how to make brownies. Mostly, they were just stealing the M&M’s, making jokes about the worst trash movie ever made and confessing the most embarrassing dates they had. Annie won their affection enough to pull Lysia into the conversation, then shrewdly distanced herself, concentrating on cutting the fresh baked brownies, so her daughter would have all the attention.

The entire house smelled like chocolate. That was the first thing Kamilah noticed when entering through the front door. All the unfamiliar voices were being heard even from the elevator, and for a moment The Vampire had forgotten all about that little gathering. She sighed, so tired. Left the purse on the table and high heels by the door, eager to have some brownies too.

Kamilah was jut crossing the hallway to the kitchen when a boy talking on the phone almost bumped into her.

“A… I’ll call you back later, dude…” Kyle’s eyes widened at that vision. “Holy crap, you’re gorgeous.”

“Excuse me?” the Vampire arched an eyebrow.

“Kyle Grant. You must be Kamilah.” He put a hand on the wall and a cocky smile on his face. “Heard a lot about you.”

There were so many answers crossing her mind now, but all she did was look down and pat his head. “I’m sure you did, little boy. Now why don’t you go sit with your friends, huh?”

And just like that, Kamilah removed his arm and entered the kitchen to look for her wife. Annie was cooking something by the stove, while the others already started eating the hot brownies. Lysia only gave her mother a cold glance, for she was still mad about a fight they had a couple of days ago. Drake was too distracted trying to impress the girl with good jokes to notice the tall woman, as was Nina, her entire attention captured by Annie’s explanation of what “brigadeiros” were.

“I swear, my love, one day everybody in New York will know all about Brazilian cuisine because of you.” The Vampire hugged her from behind, placing a kiss on the top of her head.

“Nah, it’s just party food. I haven’t even started explaining our barbecues.” She relaxed on Kamilah’s arms for a second, still stirring the melted chocolate with condensed milk in the pot. “There’s more brownies in the microwave. I saved you some.”

“Now you may have my heart.”

“Hmmm I already do, sweetheart.”

The Egyptian gave her a last kiss on the cheek and went to take a few brownies, choosing only the ones that had nuts instead of M&M’s. Suddenly, she felt the shadow of a small figure behind her, together with the smell of cologne. “Oh, no.”

“So, a fan of chocolate, huh?” Kyle hopped on the kitchen’s counter, trying to get closer. “What about we go out for some ice cream after this? Let’s ditch them.”

“You know you’re a baby, don’t you?” Kamilah took a bite from one of the brownies, barely glancing at the child beside her.

“Thank you, hotstuff. But I prefer to be called ‘babe’ instead of ‘baby’.”

“So, Annie, my wife and love of my life, do you need help there?” she turned to the woman by the stove, who only laughed at the despair on the Egyptian’s eyes.

“Of course not, you keep Kyle company, I can see how much you’re enjoying it.”

Kamilah clenched her jaw, turning back to the small cocky teenager who just took some mint bubble gum out of his pocket. Before she could say anything, though, Nina jumped between them. “K! Your father is calling me, I think he’s waiting outside. Can I get a ride?”

“Shit. Fine.” He winked at the tall woman at the same time he pinched her cheek. “Guess I’ll see you around. Hey, Drake, coming?”

From across the kitchen, Lysia was trying not to laugh at the image of a confused Kamilah who just met a hormonal seventeen-year-old jock for the first time in a very long lifetime. By the girl’s side, the other boy just shook his head negatively. “Later, I have my bike downstairs. See you two on Monday.”

 “Your call. Bye y’all!”

“Ahm. You. Nice. To meet. Farewell.” Nina blushed terribly, hesitating with the words, but melted when Annie gave her a quick goodbye hug.

After they were gone, the woman left the pot to cool off a bit, turning to see Drake’s silly smile to Lysia. She had been noticing how sweet he was around her daughter. “If you need, I can give you a ride home later. You can put the bike on the trunk.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Sayeed. But I’ll be fine. Let me take care of the cleaning.” The boy stood up and took the plates from the table, finally greeting Kamilah with a polite smile.

“Alright, if you insist. Kami, come with me?”

 Annie took her wife by the hand, leaving both teenagers to talk while doing the dishes. The Vampire still had a last piece of brownie that she gladly parted in half to share with the short woman who was hugging her by the waist. Annie took a bite from Kamilah’s hand, her eyes sparkling in the hallway’s lights.

“You seem so happy, my love.” The Egyptian kissed her lips, feeling the chocolate taste on them.

“I am always happy when I’m around you two.”

“I see what you mean.” Kamilah lost herself in that tight hug, listening to the adorable sound of Lysia’s laugh coming from the kitchen. “It feels good to be home.”

#kamilah x mc #kamilah sayeed #choices: stories you play #choices: bb #choices kamilah #bb kamilah #hope you like it anon! #it got too big to be just an ask answer sorry

[lostinprocrastination]

So I just got home from Endgame and I got some things to say (spoilers ahead, tagged as such):

1. ALL THOSE FIERCE WOMEN HOLY SHIT THAT SCENE!!!!! Make a movie (or two, or ten) focused on Marvel heroines NOW pls!!!! (And get Lupita too when she isn't busy doing awesome stuff with Jordan Peele pls and thank you.)

2. Clint and Nat's friendship is so intense and pure I can't even take it

3. Incidentally, I liked that they didn't really retcon that awful Nat/Bruce nonsense, because that would have been even more ridiculous, but scaled it waaaaaaaaay back to put laser focus on her connection with Clint instead. I used to ship them back in the day and when it was revealed he had a wife and kids - who she actually knew and was friends with, if I remember correctly - I was kind of pissed, but it was so much better the way they did it... A depiction of true, incredibly committed and loving relationship without any hint of romance/sex sends a really powerful message. They are just wonderful.

4. Rest in peace, Nat, you beautiful soul. I love how she's platinum blonde right after the events of Infinity War, but then five years later she has long wavy hair with her natural red color and the tips are still blonde because she doesn't have time for hairstyling bullshit. It's those little details that made me appreciate the movie even more.

5. What sucks the most about Nat dying is that now we can be 100% sure that the Black Widow solo movie will be a prequel/origin story and at this point is it really necessary? I mean, I'll still watch it, but it should have been done YEARS ago.

6. Another detail I loved was how skinny Tony is in the very beginning when he's in the ship with Nebula and then when Carol gets them to Earth he's weak in a wheelchair with and IV. The hairstyle and makeup and probably graphics teams really nailed it in this movie.

7. Speaking of Tony, r.i.p. Mr. Stark. You really had a heart afterall.

8. Anytime an Avengers or Iron Man movie comes out I say this, but regardless of how you feel about Gwyneth Paltrow, you have to admit that Pepper Potts is a fucking goddess, and that her chemistry with RDJ is off the charts. (And he *was* Mr. Potts and NOT the other way around, wasn't he?)

9. I don't think Iron Woman movies would actually work, but I wouldn't object to seeing her as an actual Avenger in the next movies.

10. I think I was the only one in a cinema full of youths and elderly people, because even though the thought had obviously already crossed my mind I laughed out loud when Tony called Thor "Lebowski", and I'm not exaggerating, literally no-one seemed to have gotten the reference except me. WTF.

11. Oh, and I gotta say, if they ever do a Big Lebowski prequel (I hope they don't because these things rarely work, but Hollywood never seems to have original ideas so it's possible), it's Hemsworth for The Dude or don't even bother. Thor is ACTUALLY The Dude in this movie, and I love how he's still pretty fat when it ends and he makes Valkyrie Asgard's queen (which, you know, AWESOME). Another win for the makeup and hairstyle department on this one (I don't think they used CGI on Thor, to me it looked like Hemsworth was wearing a fat suit).

12. If only Natalie Portman would get off her high horse and be Jane again...well, there's still at least one opportunity.

13. Was that really Rene Russo (oh wait a second...) playing Frigga? Because if it was there was some serious CGI going in there. She looked younger than in the first two Thors...? Actually, younger than The Big Hemsworth tbh

14. If (As)Guardians of the Galaxy 3 is just Quill and Thor bickering while trying to find Gamora I'll be delighted. Get Taika to direct and Goldblum back somehow and I'll be in heaven. (Although isn't Gamora actually for realsies dead? Or because they prevented Thanos from getting the Soul Stone that was reversed?)

15. I was already upset that Evans was short-haired and beardless in this movie even though he was in full gorgeous glory in the couple of minutes he appeared in Wakanda in Infinity War and the post-credits scene in Captain Marvel. Did they really have to make me actually watch him shave though? Russo bros, you are terrible people who love to make me suffer.

16. What a GORGEOUS sendoff to Steve. I kept thinking he was gonna be killed, yet he came back an old man having spent his life with Peggy. I get teary-eyed just thinking about it, and left the cinema right after that last shot of them dancing in the 50s. Only a couple of minutes later I remembered there were supposed to be two post-credits scenes and I was already gone, so...if anyone cares to tell me what they were or have a link to videos of them I can watch, please hit my inbox!

17. Is Old Steve Joe Biden? I mean, the makeup was, again, very well-done, but geez, guys, be less obvious with the references lmao (also Steve would never be toutchy-feely, so, you know, no soup for you)

18. I'm gonna assume Carol's hairstyle is a reference to Annette Benning's in Captain Marvel.

19. Let's be VERY clear here: Thanos only managed to punch her because he used the Power Stone, because otherwise she would have kicked his sorry ass right then and there.

20. OF COURSE Steve was worthy of Thor's hammer, I mean, c'mon.

I'm sure I'll think of many other things after I post this, but for now that's what I have. SO. MANY. FEELINGS.

#avengers: endgame #avengers spoilers #endgame spoilers #marvel #mcu #avengers

[suckerfordeansfreckles]

A Match Made in Heaven 5

(You can start reading from the beginning here, find part 4 here or read this fic on AO3.)

Dean can’t help but stare a little longer at the beautiful man in front of him, taking in his effortless beauty and rumpled hair, his casual appearance and this aura of relaxation he seems to emit.

 Nobody can blame Dean for having a hard time believing that he’s actually standing in front of the guy he has seen about a week ago in a small, smelly gym. The one he has dubbed the most gorgeous guy he has ever seen, after looking at him for less than three seconds. The one he thought he’d probably never see again- and if he did, he wouldn’t have the courage to actually approach him.

 And, seriously, how lucky can a guy be? Dean is actually standing right in front of this dude, in his house, and he’s about to have a conversation with him! He’s able to spend time with him! The universe must like him a little, after all.

Once his brain seems to switch back on, Dean jumps off the couch and immediately thrusts his hand out towards the guy, who must be the younger brother named Castiel. His hand hovers between them awkwardly for a few seconds, until he realizes that Castiel is still carrying the tray with both hands and has no way of returning his handshake. He quickly drops it again and starts blushing like crazy.

 Way to seem smart and attentive, Winchester. Dammit…  

 Even though his face is probably the shade of a ripe strawberry by now and all he wants to do is hide, he can’t help but take another look at Castiel’s face before awkwardly sitting back down on the couch. Something like surprise seems to flit over his features, but it’s immediately replaced by a neutral smile.

 “Uhm, hi! Hi, I’m Dean Winchester. Sammy’s big brother.” He smiles and watches as the younger brother puts the tray down on the table and takes a seat next to him on the couch.

 When Castiel finally shifts towards Dean, it’s with a huge grin. “I’m Castiel.” Shit, that voice! “Claire’s brother, if you haven’t already figured that out,” he chuckles, and damn that sounds incredibly nice, as well.

 Well, then… Maybe he doesn’t remember him? It’s probably a good thing, considering the unabashed way Dean had been staring at him back at he gym. Still, he can’t help but feel a weird twinge of disappointment at the fact that Castiel doesn’t remember him at all- but he tries to ignore it.

 “Yeah, uhm… Sorry, I’m kinda nervous,” Dean mumbles, looking at the tangled hands in his lap.

 Cas just pats his shoulder and sends him a warm smile. “I prepared some cherry tea and chocolate cookies, grab whatever you want! And if you want a different snack, you just need to tell me.”

 “Oh, wow, thank you! I’m more than happy with cookies, though.” Dean snatches one immediately. “So, you guys are Claire’s caretakers?”

 “Yeah. We try to split the responsibilities. See, I own a bakery and I have crazy hours. I usually have to be over there at 4 in the morning,” Gabriel answers, starting an easy conversation and babbling away. He treats Dean as if they’ve known each other for years and Dean immediately feels a lot more comfortable.

 Dean learns that Gabriel is twenty-six and owns a bakery (he actually baked the cookies) and has horrible hours. Castiel, who is twenty years old, is in med school and works late shifts at a Gas ‘n’ Sip. The two actually plan their days and schedule when each of them spends time with Claire, so that she’s never alone. Their father Chuck, a paranormal fiction author, spent almost all of his time travelling ever since his wife died seven years ago. The last time he actually visited them was 14 months ago, and he didn’t even stay for a whole week.

 Claire apparently doesn’t care much about the fact that her father abandoned them, at least that’s what she tells her brothers on a daily basis. It doesn’t take Dean more than ten minutes with them to know without a doubt, that Gabriel and Castiel love Claire with all of their hearts and that they would do absolutely anything for her. They are undoubtedly good caretakers, good brothers and good people.

 When Castiel starts talking about his studies, Dean is mesmerized by how passionate he is about absolutely everything related to medicine and biology. Dean is so focused on listening to Cas that he doesn’t even realize when Gabe leaves the room somewhere along the way.

 Talking to Castiel just makes him even more fascinating to Dean. He’s passionate, caring, intelligent, helpful, polite and witty. He wants to be a doctor, wants to specialize on paediatrics. He’s in med school to be able to actually help people one day. He’s… just amazing.

 They talk about careers, about hobbies, about their siblings. They talk until Gabe enters the room and asks them to join him in the kitchen. Apparently, Dean completely missed that the kids came downstairs about an hour ago and Gabe left to cook some lunch for them. He’s been to absorbed in his conversation with Cas… Shit, he’s got it bad already.

 When Dean gets up from the cozy leather to follow Castiel’s retreating form, he feels as if he had just been pulled out of an amazing dream.

 He’s being pulled out of this haze as soon as he enters the kitchen with Cas. Claire and Sammy are already seated on a big, wooden table, swaying in their chairs and giggling as Gabriel places a deliciously smelling lasagna in front of them. Dean plops down next to Sammy and glances at the clock above the door, only to realize that it’s already early afternoon. How did time fly like that?

 They eat and chat in the sun-flooded kitchen, and Dean realizes that he has never felt more at home in someone else’s house than he does right here, with the Novak’s. The food is excellent, and both Dean and Sam tell Gabe so several times.

 After lunch, the two Winchester brothers get ready to leave. When the three oldest ones start saying their goodbyes, Claire and Sam immediately leap at the chance of having a few more minutes to play, get dressed and rush outside.

 Dean watches them from the doorstep, smiling to himself.

 “Dean, thank you so much for agreeing to this and visiting us,” Gabriel starts.

 “Hey, guys, thank you! Today was very nice, thanks for feeding us and suffering through our company! Sammy is probably the luckiest he’s ever been,” Dean grins.

 “We’re seriously thankful for this, Dean,” Cas chimes in. “Claire has had a hard time making real friends, and Sam is her first, genuine friend in a very long time. We’ve… we’ve been worried. But she talks about him constantly, and she’s so much happier ever since they became friends. You raised an amazing boy, I hope you know that.”

 Dean blushes again, but is quick to respond, “Um, thanks! Sammy really is a great kid. But, same goes for Claire. Sam is ecstatic whenever he talks about her, I think they are really good for each other.” He casts another look outside, watching as two small figures pick daisies in the front yard.

 “I think so, too,” they say in unison and grin.

 Before Dean can turn to leave, Cas slips him a small piece of paper with his and Gabe’s name, and two phone numbers. “So we’re able to plan further ‘play dates’,” he says with a smile and dorky air quotes.

 “Awesome! Well, then. We better get going.” Dean says and turns with a wave of his hand. “Bye, guys!”

 He watches as Claire gives Sammy a tight hug and runs back inside to her brothers. Before the door falls shut behind them, however, Dean hears Castiel’s distinctive voice. “I’ll see you again at the next basketball game, Dean!”

  Uhm, what??

                                                   Here’s Part 6

Tag list: @planetahmane @justyourordinaryfangirl @casgirlat221b @trxye-sxvxn @bslove17 @dellez @runtosleepdreamer @iamyouknow-yours @destielhoneybee @breathingdestiel @wellofwoes @xxgoldensnowflake @coffee-swimmer @dshelley  @awesomeorange @amberstaren909 @originalobjecttheorist @mishapocalypse-must-return @unknownanonymousgirl @ancient-celestial-being-of-chaos

If you want to be added to, or removed from, the tag list- just let me know with a quick message or a comment!

#A Match made in Heaven #My writing #destiel fanfiction #Destiel #multi-chapter fic #deancas fic #deancas #supernatural fanfiction #fanfiction #fluff

[diyanimationshow]

Season Break - Thank You Denver! DPCC 2019 Wrap-Up  ::  SB #6

Our DPCC 2019 Booth!

Hello, old and new DIY-ers!  We are back from Denver Pop Culture Con!!

Now that both of us have finished our travels, we’re getting back into the swing of our usual schedules.  We’re a little bit later posting this blog than we intended (jet lag is crazy), and so have had some good time to reflect on the amazingness that was DPCC.

We were lucky enough to table in the Artist Valley with some of our favorite artists, promoting The DIY Animation Show, meeting new friends and regular listeners (hey guys!), and selling DIYA merch (which you can find later in the post) and Jess’ art. It was super fun times, and we’ve gathered some of our fave highlights from the experience below!

Highlights!

Good times with fans and cosplayers who bought Jess' art and a Follow Your Heart print 

Jess I’ve tabled at DPCC for a couple of years now, and it’s easily one of my  favorite conventions.  Between the gorgeous views of the mountains in  Denver, the lively atmosphere of the crowd, and the all-around positive  vibe of the show, I can’t get enough!  One of my favorite things each year is catching up with people I’ve  meet from previous years and meeting new ones, whether they’re fans,  booth buddies, volunteers… the list goes on.  Everyone is always so nice  and welcoming, and I believe they represent the best of what the pop  culture crowd has to give. Other highlights for me include spending quality time with friends and family that traveled with us, seeing Amanda Palmer in concert for the first  time (mind-blowing!!), and finding a super cool Saitama action-figure  from One Punch Man.  Good times all around! 

Lauren found her new vocation in a friend's Iden Versio helmet

Lauren Colorado is even more beautiful than I’d expected; for a long time I’d had a distant hope of maybe - just maybe - seeing those mountains one day.  So wandering around Garden of the Gods was a dream come true.  Never have I seen anything so sublime. Add to that a weekend of DPCC’s excellence and radness, meeting new listeners… and somehow having a knack for missing you regulars (Every. Single. Time. XD I’m so sorry!); there was so much good art and such a joy of expression, it really gave me a kick start in my own creative hopes and plans!  Got the chance to attend Cary Elwes’ spotlight and discover just how hilarious he is, as well as deepen my love for astronomy and space with NASA’s roster of talks. And finally - the cosplay.  This was my first time experiencing cosplay on such a scale, and boy, was it ON POINT.  I saw Henry Jones Sr., Mermista and Katra, and - perhaps the cherry on the cake - got to try on a new friend’s replica Iden Versio helmet.  I have found my new calling.  501st / Rebel / Mandalorian Legions… sign me up for all of them.

Overwatch cosplayers showing how it's done.  Thanks friend Keith for the photo.

Shout-Outs!

We met so many wonderful people at DPCC, here are just a few we thought you'd like, too.

Will Terry children's book illustrator, teacher, & podcaster Website | Podcast I’ve been following Will Terry’s YouTube channel and podcast for a few years now, and he and his co-hosts always deliver great advice, whether you’re an illustrator, animator… you name it.  We were able to catch up as the show was coming to a close, and it was just really great to see him!  

AJ Nazzaro illustrator & character designer Website | Instagram A good friend from the early days of The Oatley Academy, it was so fun to catch up and see just how AJ’s hard work and indomitable spirit is paying off.  Now illustrating for the likes of Blizzard and Overwatch, and trying his hand at a little animation now and again, AJ is nailing it.

Ajay Young comic artist & illustrator Website | Instagram If you’re in need of a good “potentially offensive” laugh and a super-awesome human to hang with, Ajay is another fellow Oatley Academy artist from years past.  He and his wife are always a pleasure to catch up with at the show and see what new things they have in store. (“Mustache Duckstache” is a personal fave!)

Savvy Jensen illustrator Instagram Savvy’s art keeps growing more out-of-control in its awesomeness!  Another fellow OA-er, Savvy and her tenacious spirit are always pushing the boundaries of her painting skills (those colors though!!), and it was fantastic catching up with her.  Dude is rocking it.

Andrew Thompson illustrator Website | Instagram One of those happy con-connections, we got chatting and instantly clicked!  Andrew’s art is super rad, bursting with acid pop colours and insanely energetic, filled with battles and hope.  Can't wait to see what more he creates!

Booth Buddies! Last, but not least, we were so fortunate to have such excellent booth buddies this year!  Fantastic art and wonderful humans: Erin Powers-Kim, AKA Lociro illustrator & webcomic creator Twitter | Instagram Erin's razor sharp wit coupled with her coffee cats and fun art kept our spirits buoyed all weekend.  Thanks Erin! Sean Callahan & Alex Kmeto colourist & illustrator Sean's Website | Twitter | Alex's Website | Instagram (Some work NSFW) Along with their friends Martin, Hallam and Jason, this bunch made for a motley and hilarious crew - great art, lots of laughs, and a plethora of high-five techniques.  Thanks guys!

The 'Follow Your Heart' print started out as a gif!

Merch!

We have a few ‘Follow Your Heart’ prints and sticker sheets left in stock for those who couldn’t make it to the show and want a piece of DIYA!  You’ll find them over on Jess’ etsy store, in the DIYA section.

The package includes a signed and inscribed Follow Your Heart print, measuring 8x8” on matte 80lb cardstock, and a mini-sticker sheet of 6 unique designs.  There’s only a few in stock, so grab them while you can!

Our DPCC Take-Aways!

Jess: My take-away, and honestly I’m reminded of it with each show, is that you and your art will touch people in ways you can’t fully grasp. Making the choice to show up and put yourself out there, whether to sell art, to promote a show, to talk to the people there, can lead to joy, new friends, and so much more.  It’s always worth it.

Lauren: My biggest take-away from DPCC is that there’s so many different types of art, and so much out there to capture, so let’s make the art our heart desires!  I’m so excited to play with my art, grow with it, and love it :D

Smiles and Satisfaction

And with that, Denver Pop Culture Con 2019 has come to a satisfying close!

We can’t tell you just how excited we are for the future of DIYA - we’ve had a taste of that Con Life, and we want moooore!!!  It was incredible meeting everyone, and we’re looking forward to doing more shows in the future, getting more content to you all, and seeing just how far DIYA can go.  Thank you all for your continued support!  We appreciate you.

In the meantime, stay on the lookout for more blog posts this Season Break, and especially stay tuned for the upcoming Season 4 of DIYA!

Catch ya next time, and remember… Follow your heart, and have fun animating! <3 Jess & Lauren

DIYA Instagram | DIYA Twitter | DIYA Facebook | DIYA Ko-Fi Jess | Lauren Thank you Azureflux for our awesome music!

#animation #denver pop culture con #dpcc 2019 #comic con #convention #podcast #diy animation show #diy animation

[emilysidhe]

What we really need is an adaptation of the original 1740 The Beauty and the Beast

So were you aware that the The Beauty and the Beast story we all know is a heavily abridged and rewritten version of a much longer novella by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve?  And that a lot of the plot holes existing in the current versions exist because the 1756 rewrite cut out the second half of the novella, which consisted entirely of the elaborate backstory that explains all the weird shit that happened before?  And that the elaborate backstory is presented in a way that’s kind of boring because the novel had only just been invented in 1740 and no one knew how they worked yet, but contains a bazillion awesome ideas that beg for a modern retelling?  And that you are probably not aware that the modern world needs this story like air but the modern world absolutely needs this story like air?  Allow me to explain:

The totally awesome elaborate backstory that explains Beauty and the Beast

Once upon a time there was a king, a queen, and their only son

But while the prince was still in his infancy, in a neat reversal of how these fairy tales usually go, the king tragically died, leaving his wife to act as Regent until their son reaches maturity

Unfortunately, the rulers of all the lands surrounding them go, “Hmm, the kingdom is ruled by a woman now, it must be weak, time for an invasion!”

And the Queen goes, “Well, if I let some general fight all these battles for me, he’ll totally amass enough fame and power to make a bid for the throne; if I want to protect my son’s crown, I have no choice but to take up arms and lead the troops myself!”

(Btw, I want to stress that this woman is not Eowyn or Boudica and nothing in the way her story is presented suggests that she had any interest martial exploits before or in any way came to enjoy them during these battles.  This is a perfectly ordinary court lady who would much rather be embroidering altar covers for the royal chapel and playing with her child until necessity made her go, “Oh no, this sucks, I guess I have to become a Warrior Queen now” and she just happened to kick ass at it anyway.)

And the Queen totally kicked ass, but the whole “twice as good for half the credit” thing meant that no matter how many battles she won, potential enemies refused to take her and her army seriously until she had defeated them so no sooner would she fend off one invasion than another one would pop up on a different border.

So she spent the majority of her young son’s life away from the castle leading armies, but it was OK because she left him in the care of her two best friends, who just happen to be fairies!  This was an awesome idea because a) fairies have magic, and therefore are like the best people to protect the prince from any threats and b) fairies consider themselves to be so above humanity that the lowest fairy outranks the highest mortal, so they’d have no interest in taking a human throne.  Good thing they were both good fairies instead of one good and one evil one!

(Spoiler:  they were not both good fairies.)

So the two fairies basically take turns raising the prince until he’s old enough to rule.  And on the eve of his twenty-first birthday, the evil older one comes into the prince’s bedroom.

“So listen, kid.  You’re about to become king, your mother’s on her way home from the war to see you crowned, and I have a third piece of good news for you!  You see, I’ve actually been spending so much time here lately because Fairyland’s become a bit too hot to hold me for reasons totally not related to me being secretly evil.  And if I have to hang in the human world, I might as well reside in the upper echelons of it, so even though as a powerful fairy I completely eclipse your puny human status in a staggeringly unimaginable way, since you’re about to be king and since my premonition that I should stick this whole guardianship thing out because you would be hot one day has totally proved accurate (go me), I will graciously lower myself to allowing you to marry me.  Please feel free to grovel at my feet in gratitude.  (Btw, we can totally start the wedding night now, we’ll tell your mother about it when she arrives tomorrow.)”

Now the prince, being a day shy of 21, doesn’t care about the fairy’s rank so much as the fact that, even though fairies go thousands of years without aging, this particular one has been around for so many millennia that she actually looks like an old woman, and not like Helen Mirren old, but, like, ugly old crone old.

But between his mom’s letters and visits and the influence of the good fairy, he has managed to be raised right, so instead of saying this aloud he goes,

“But ... you raised me?   Like ... almost from a baby?  You’re like ... my aunt?”

And just like an anonymous dude on an online dating site, the rejection drives her NUTS.  She starts flipping tables and screaming about how dare he insult her and finally she transforms him into a hideous beast and puts these stipulations on the curse:

It can only be broken if a beautiful maiden comes to him, of her own free will, fully believing that he is going to eat her (because monster), and then later agrees to marry him, out of duty, again of her own free will and not because he threatened her or bribed her or told her anything about his real identity or what’s actually going on.  Oh, and if he uses his charm and courtly manners to woo her and win her over it doesn’t count either, bye!

So then the good fairy shows up the next morning for the coronation, she finds the grounds empty, the court and servants fled, and a hideous monster roaming the halls wailing, “Why did this happen to MEEEEE?” and she’s like, “What the fuck did I miss?”

But once she’s caught up, the good fairy is like, “OK, chill, I got this.”

And the Beast is all, “WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU GOT THIS THIS CURSE IS UNBREAKABLE!”

“No, it’s cool, I have a plan.  So first, I’m gonna conjure you some invisible spirits of the air to replace your human servants, because, as a prince, you can’t live without the service due to your station, right?”

And the Beast is all, “Yes, this is the 1700s so having servants is even more vital to my identity than a human body, that is absolutely the top priority I’m glad we’re on the same page here.  Also, good thing you’re not turning my human servants into moving furniture, cause that would be weird.”  *looks pointedly at 1756 version*

“Cool.  So now that we’ve solved the most pressing emergency of you potentially having to feed and dress yourself, the long-term plan:  The reason I haven’t been around so much is that I’ve been popping off to look in on this other child of a friend of mine, a half-fairy changeling girl being raised by human merchants, and she’s not only gorgeous, but very dutiful and good and I think she’s just the person to break this spell.  Plus if the plan works and she ends up married to you, the king, I will have fulfilled my promise to her mother that I would take care of her.  Two birds, one stone.”

“And she’s, like, my age?”

“Yes.”

“Cool, cool, liking the plan.  But how do we get her to come here believing that I’m going to eat her?”

“Well, her foster-dad lost all his money a few years back, but he just found out that one of his ‘lost’ ships came in after all and he was about to leave to check it out when I left them.  He asked all his girls what they wanted him to bring back for them, and Beauty only asked for a rose.  So, I’ll use my magic to make sure he can’t find a rose in the city, and get him lost around here on his way back.  You put him up for the night and make sure he leaves past the rose garden - he’ll obviously pick one, then you can freak out and call him a thief and say you’re going to eat him but will let him go say good-bye to his daughters first.  When she hears the story, Beauty will definitely come in his place because she’s the one who asked for the rose.  But when she gets here, you will instead become such an incredibly good host that she’ll eventually feel obligated to marry you via the rules of hospitality.  Oh!  And I’ll enchant some of the rooms with, like, self-playing instruments and mirrors that let her watch the opera and stuff so she’ll totally love it here.”

“This sounds great!  Thank you, good fairy, I’d never be able to do this alone.”

“Right. The only thing you have to remember is:  Don’t Be Charming.  No flowery compliments, no witty banter, nothing.”

“But I’m a prince!  All I do is charm!”*

“Hold it in.”

And that’s all the backstory, but before we go I just want to mention that the Warrior Queen Mother shows up while all of this is being explained to Beauty and she’s all, “Thank you so much for saving my son, but he can’t marry you, your dad’s a merchant.”  And the prince is like, “No, I’m marrying her.”  And the fairy’s like, “She’s half-fairy.”

Then it’s all, “No seriously, you can’t marry a peasant.”  And “No seriously, my twenty-first birthday passed at like the start of the curse, I’m technically the king now, and you can’t actually stop me.”  “Fairies outrank everybody.”

And they’re at a stalemate until the Fairy gives an exasperated sigh and is like, “I stand by my assertion that fairies outrank everybody to the point where in marrying a half-fairy your son would be marrying up, but would it help if Beauty’s biological dad was a lowly human king?  Cause he was.” “Yes, that ... fixes everything.”  “Great.  Well, I’m gonna head on back to Fairyland and work on getting that evil fairy arrested and becoming powerful enough to turn into a snake**, so, uh, I’m not coming to the wedding but don’t think I won’t curse you if you don’t invite me anyway, bye!”  grumbling:  “stupid humans”

Fin

*this is presented as a legitimate plot-point, that charming the pants off Beauty when they meet for dinner is something the prince actively has to resist to the point where he’s eventually afraid to say anything to her other than, “Will you marry me today?” lest something clever or flattering slip out.

**There was a lot of internal politics and machinations of the various fairies that the humans were basically pawns in that I cut out, especially from Beauty’s backstory, and a surprising amount of that revolved around who had and had not become powerful enough to turn into a snake.  Lifegoals, apparently

#beauty and the beast #fairy tales

[bruneintherain]

HVFF London: here’s my (way too long, if I were you, I’d keep on scrolling) report! :D

Oh, boy… What. A. Weekend!!! Seriously there are no strong enough words to describe how utterly awesome this whole experience was. But enough gushing, there will be plenty more as I go on. Let’s start this report! :D (I have highlighted the different parts so you can just skip to what you wanna read about)

Friday 26th of May: F cancer party

 Overexcited and a little bit anxious, I finally arrived in London in mid-afternoon. I had wanted to go back there for a long time so I felt exhilarated. Hopefully I managed to navigate the tube quite easily.

But not much time to recover after I arrived at my hotel cause it was almost F cancer party time and who was I meeting before we went there? None other than my very awesome friend, who’s also my favorite fanfic writer, Janelle (@chronicolicity)!!! :D Peeps, I can tell you this was an experience. Who has never been a little scared about meeting fandom/internet friends? You’re always afraid you’re gonna disappoint them or they’re gonna turn out to be people you actually can’t have an actual conversation with. But THANK GOD that wasn’t our case at all! First, she was freaking GORGEOUS and as cool and bubbly as I pictured her. 10x better even! So having her there was simply awesome and actually quite reassuring since being alone in a foreign city is always a bit frightening.

But anyway! Enough babbling. We headed to the party and kept chatting away, not feeling time pass and enjoying beautiful London and the nice weather. At one point, Janelle basically stabbed me with her elbow because oh, look! Robbie and Italia had arrived! They were near the entrance taking pictures! Looking fucking inhumanly amazing!!!! Ughhh, why.

When we finally did get in, the music was insanely loud! Like way too loud. My chest was thudding really strongly and we basically couldn’t hear a word we were saying without having to shout in each other’s ears. But eh. I still got a cocktail (15 goddamn pounds! That’ll teach me to ask for something without asking for the price first…), a little F cancer cupcake

and we went to find a seat. It was selfie time cause Janelle and I together finally happened and it was past time to capture the moment.

Later, STEPHEN FINALLY ARRIVED!!! That was about time, dude! I was dying here! We were not super close but we still had a good view. He made his whole speech about his mother’s battle and how cancer sucks.

And then he took a picture with everyone’s finger pointed in the air.

All during that time, I thought to myself “Holy hell. I now know that man is real. Shit. He’s gorgeous.” And then it was back to the party and the usual music. I grabbed a champagne glass for Janelle but she ended up giving it to me so after that, I was slightly tipsy (not having eaten and all) and we danced a bit.

But we didn’t stay long cause apparently Stephen and the others were hidden away in the VIP lounge or had already left and we were hungry and eager to talk more with each other.

We then headed out and went for McDonald’s. I was really starting to feel the joy of this weekend and being in London with a dear friend. Sidenote: the F cancer shirt rocks but it’s so long, it can almost be a dress LOL.

Then back to the hotel to get some much needed sleep ;)

 Saturday 27th May: HVFF day 1

 Man, I did not sleep much. My alarm really kicked my butt. But I had to get up cause serious shit started that day!!! :D So breakfast and time to get ready.

I arrived at the venue and joined Janelle. We obviously both looked super cute. After they finally let us into the hall, we paraded around a little bit, spotting the different booths and which actors were already there signing, and then we went to get in line for John’s panel.

We managed to get pretty good seats.

Of course his entrance was quite colorful, just like John. A lovely drag queen introduced him and John entered in a dress. Oooh, John :)

His whole panel was pretty freaking awesome and hilarious. His answer to his choice death on Arrow was the one who made us both laugh the hardest cause… Dying while having sex with Oliver on the salmon ladder?!? OMFG John!!! Your obsession with Stephen never stops! :’D

And after a little song, it was finally over. As for me, it was time for my Emily autograph! Yayyyy!!! :D

 I arrived at Emily’s booth and there wasn’t much of a line, which was good. She took time to speak to everyone which was lovely. I, of course, watched her and thought to myself: “There she is. She is so. damn. beautiful!!! Does this woman ever look bad??”. Then it was my turn and just after saying hi to her, she said “Nice to see you again”. My brain froze for half a second. “You don’t recognize me, do you?” She said: “Yeah, I do. You were in Birmingham last year, or were you in Paris?” …….. SHE ACTUALLY REMEMBERED ME WTF!!! I could not believe it. It might sound crazy but I thought that was super flattering. But anywayyyy. Ignore my Emily-related freakout. You just know the depth of my love for this woman.

So I said it was my 3rd time meeting her and that it was so good to see her gain. Then I handed her her gift: a Sailor Moon mug. She said: “Ughh, you know I love that shit, right?” DUH! I knew! I told her she was my hero as a kid and she answered that it was the same for her. She also said that a fan stopped by with the name Serena and when Emily exclaimed “Serena!”, the other girl didn’t understand the reference and she was like “Okaaay”. We had a good laugh about it. Then I gave her the autograph to sign. She messed it up at first so she cursed and fetched another photo. She laughed and told me she liked to swear. While she was writing, I told her that she looked amazing and she thanked me. I said: “You always do” and she answered “Aww, that’s very sweet”. When she finished signing, I brought up her cover with Travis and said it was awesome, she said “Thank you so much, we’re getting a lot of… really good responses” and she started laughing really hard. When I said that I really hoped she was gonna sing more, she confessed that she hasn’t listened to it yet and that Travis, one her bestfriends, was like “WTF!”. So I told her that her voice was so clear and beautiful and she thanked me once again and said it was nice seeing me again.

Time passed quickly but it was such a sweet moment. She was so cute and energized, I loved it. I love her. She is the best and I am definitely not done cherishing every damn moment I get seeing her.

 After that, I had time to chill and parade around. I finally bumped into Ju (@felicitys) <3 I love that woman. We barely said “Hi” and she started talking non stop about Josh and how awesome he was while I was standing there waiting for a hug trying to catch everything she said :’D I love you, Ju. Then she finally hugged me (I’d been waiting a year for this to happen again!) but she had to go back to her hotel for lunch while I was waiting for Janelle to eat.

 So we had lunch, then I decided to check out Colin’s booth to get a selfie. Janelle had already gotten a selfie with him before and was still quite in awe. But I mean, have you seen Colin?? Major Handsome reporting for duty! (Gee, that was so cheesy…). The line was a bit longer but when it was my turn, I still completely took my time. I asked if he recognized me, and he looked ashamed and basically didn’t answer. I told him it was okay and that I was the one who gave him macarons last year in Paris. He said: “Oh, yes! I am sure they were gone in 10 minutes”. Guess he didn’t get to share some with his wife then ;) I asked if we were gonna see more of him on Broadway and he said he hoped so. I also complimented his dancing and singing skills, especially after the video of him on stage during the Chicago MD Paris con that went viral. He blushed and laughed. He’s so damn cute that way!!! And then I asked him a very important question for my friend Janelle actually: “If Tommy was still alive and a part of Team Arrow, what would be his codename?” That was a good question and he pondered for a few seconds. So I decided to help him and asked if he liked Lancelot. Let me explain: on the show, Tommy had a dog named Arthur. And in Arrow, Oliver/Tommy/Laurel have some similarities with Arthur/Lancelot/Guinevere. He remembered the name of Tommy’s dog himself too, and was super proud (ughh, I love him). When I was done explaining, he said he loved the idea and totally approved. He said Lancelot was a beautiful French name and I concurred. I said he was far handsome enough to be called like him and he blushed again and thanked me. Finally we took our photos:

I said how much I loved him and Tommy, that we missed him and asked for a hug that he happily gave me. And that was it! After that, Janelle (having witnessed the whole thing) couldn’t believe how cool I was being and how long I talked to him. I couldn’t believe it myself and after walking away, I became all giggly thinking about the great convo we just had. I. LOVE. COLIN DONNELL!!! Bless him and his flawlessly handsome face and incredible eyes!!!

 After this excitement, we joined the line for Josh Segarra. That’s when Ju came back and I introduced her to Janelle. These two got along, no surprises there. And we took some selfies cause we were all looking fab and we love the memories.

We met with some other fandom friends as well and had very pleasant and lively discussions while waiting in line. Janelle was planning to ditch me to go the the Gotham panel because she wasn’t entirely sold on Josh. But as soon as she heard all the good things about him and saw how he was acting with the fans and how good-looking he was, she was like “Eh, you know what, I’ll stay after all.” I KNEW IT!!! I knew you’d fall for him too, girl!!! She became as giggly and dreamy-eyed as the rest of us :’D

I also bumped into Johanna (@emilybuttrickards), that I had wanted to meet in some while as well, and she was so great!!! As cool as I pictured. So nice. My only regret is that we didn’t get to hang out more… But hopefully it’ll happen in the future ;)

But unfortunately, Josh had to eat lunch himself, then had ops and he wasn’t coming back until quite a while when I, myself, had all my ops to go to. So we decided we’d try again tomorrow.

 Janelle and I stopped by Lord Mesa’s booth. I wasn’t about to miss out on meeting this incredible, sweet artist! We took some time going through his drawings and we finally made our choices.

Then we approached him so he could sign them and got to talk a little bit. I said how awesome his drawings were and how incredible it was having an artist such as him in so many fandoms. He really appreciated it and assured me he’d keep on drawing until he couldn’t anymore. We also asked about his drawing on Oliver’s birthday cake and he told us that he had a much bigger idea planned, with all the characters, but that they just ended up asking for something simpler. He also said that he told the producers that if they ever needed something from him in the future, they should always assume that his answer is yes ^^ He was so sweet. Janelle photographed me with him and then we were on our way.

 It was time for my Stephen op. /!\ It was happening!!! I was gonna get to see the man up close!!! /!\ That goes without saying that I got some butterflies in my stomach. As the line advanced, I was getting closer and closer to him and HOLY SHIT how fucking gorgeous is this man!!! Seriously, what kind of magic ingredient did his mother eat during pregnancy?? That’s just not fair… Anyway, it was my turn and we said hi. I had to focus cause these things go super quickly. I handed him the pink tiara and the wand, keeping the blue one for myself, and I told him to pretend he was a pretty princess for me. Obviously, I didn’t know what face he made until later. Then I thanked him and he put his hand on my back guiding me towards the exit when I was going the wrong way. Very hard to keep a clear head when you’re standing next to him.

I picked my op and BWAHAHAHAHA!!!! It’s so funny!!! He looked dead inside!!! :D

It wasn’t what I was expecting but I didn’t mind because it was still hilarious. And at his booth the next day, I got to get the story behind that look ^^

 Since I still had some time before my Stephen/Emily op and because Janelle told me there was barely a line for Charlotte and Italia, I ran to their booths.

I stopped by Charlotte’s first. There were just a couple people before me. When it was my turn, we talked for a long time. I started by saying, as always, that I loved her and that I really missed her in the show. My biggest regret in s5 was not having her once (which was true but I have a lot of other regrets too LOL). Her scenes always brought a lightness to the show that was much appreciated. She was so happy and kept thanking me. She said she missed the show and that they should try to bring more balance between the supernatural aspects and the actual people and their relationships. I also said her chemistry with Emily was amazing and she agreed, saying it was crazy and even a bit scary actually. I also told her she looked amazing and that she was basically a goddess and she said “Oh stop it, it’s all about good lighting”. Before our picture, I asked if I could hug her and she happily obliged.

I said that I loved and missed her again and she gave me another hug because she was just so moved.

Bottom line: Charlotte is a lovely person, a total ray of sunshine and you can totally tell how much she loves and appreciates the compliments she’s given. She’s a true class act.

 Then I arrived at Robbie and Italia’s booths and Janelle met me there. She was gonna get a selfie with Robbie, I wanted Italia. After I paid for my ticket, I looked at Italia, she noticed me and I said: “I am here for you”. She answered: “Then come to me!” So I joined her at the table while Robbie was still talking to someone else. She loved my outfit: “Wow, what’s going on there? We’re matching”, we even both had fans. I said she looked gorgeous and she thanked me. Then I said in a lower voice: “Don’t tell him that, but my favorite thing about your husband is you”, to which she answered: “Aww, I love that! I want that on a t-shirt”. And by God, if I ever meet her again, I WILL GET HER THAT SHIRT!!! She’s so much fun, having no problem with me shading her husband a little bit ^^ I love her. We talked a little about Designated Survivor and how awesome her character was. I said I wished her a very long, successful career and she really appreciated it. Then she got up to take the selfie but Robbie was in the way (about to take his own picture with Janelle xD), so she told him: “’Scuse me, man. Not everything is about you. We have business here”. That made me laugh quite hard. She’s just so funny. I LOVE HER!

I thanked her again and we said goodbye, never not smiling.

 And FINALLY! It was time for my Stephen/Emily op!!!!!!! :D I was so excited about my idea. So when my turn arrived, I showed them the picture and I am pretty sure Emily laughed. At first they took the pose without the map, so I stopped them and handed it to them. We took our places and BAM! That was it. I thanked them and was on my way, super excited to see what came out.

And well, I wasn’t disappointed, IT’S SO GOOD!!! :D

I just love their faces!!! I should have changed my expression but eh, I don’t care. These two were all that mattered and I looove the result!!!

 I went back to Janelle for a few minutes and we took some selfies with my tiaras:

 But then it was already time for my Emily op. So I went back downstairs and got in line. I decided to use the same props I used for Steve. I arrived in front of Emily, gave her the tiara and wand, and told her to face me as if we were about to fight. We were looking into each other’s eyes and I could tell Emily was fighting a laugh. Once the picture was taken, she gave me back the props and said “I kept twitching because I was looking into your eyes” and laughed. I basically died. I WAS LOOKING INTO YOUR EYES TOO, GIRL!!! And what beautiful eyes they are!!! Anyway. She’s such a sweetheart :’)

I went back to pick up my photo and was really bummed because my hair got in the way and my face ended up hidden:

So that sucked. But Emily looks super cute and I appreciate that we actually saw a lot of her bomb-ass outfit. The photographer still could have given me a heads up though… Cause that whole story ended with me buying another op for the next day. I know… There’s nothing I wouldn’t be prepared to do for this woman and that’s bad LOL.

 And that was it for Day 1. It all went so quick but at the same time so much happened! Laughs, good company and gorgeous people. I mean, that’s a perfect combination. And once again, however tired I was, I still felt super hyped and didn’t fall asleep until approximately 1:30, which was bad since I had to get up at 7:30 ‘-_-

 Sunday 28th of May: HVFF London day 2

 Last day, and quite a big one. There was gonna be a lot more running and hurrying around.

I had breakfast with some lovely ladies I met the day before and who were staying at my hotel, Soph and Evangelina. Then I got ready:

And Janelle delivered the bad news that the tube line was closed… Since I was not from London, I decided to take the bus but that was a stupid-ass idea since the itinerary I took was super long and made no sense since I could’ve arrived to the venue faster just by walking. I am a dumbass. But that’s not the point. I still arrived on time and joined Janelle in the crowd before they let us in.

 We got in line right away for Stephen’s panel. Another round of selfies was mandatory because we, again, looked cute (especially Janelle, you were FIRE, girl!):

Then Steve arrived and they quickly went to questions. So I got up and ran to get in line.

Lots of lovely surprises during his panel since so many people crashed, the first one being none other than EMILYYYY!!!! <3

They exchanged hugs, laughs and cheek kisses. All of those were greatly appreciated because who doesn’t love when these two are this adorable with each other? They’re also really funny together which is always a good thing.

She didn’t stay long but that was okay cause JOSH is the second one who crashed! Woohooooo!!! These two also have a great dynamic and having them both on stage was truly a pleasure ^^

And… It was finally my turn to ask a question (sorry the picture is moving a lot and the framing isn’t great but I was trying to not look at my phone).

I really appreciated Stephen’s answer and I was just happy that I had the guts to get up there and did not completely lost my English.

I went back to my seat next to Janelle and the panel ended beautifully, with Steve thanking everyone for coming out this weekend, despite the horrors that happened in Manchester.

 Then I ran upstairs to get in line to buy Stephen’s autograph. I easily waited an hour but it was okay cause I met some other lovely people, including the incredible woman running the Starling City Journal twitter account:

And I FINALLY got to buy an autograph! But now wasn’t quite the time to meet Steve since he was about to leave soon and the Arrow panel was also nearby.

 So Janelle bought me lunch (I swear, this woman’s sweetness knows no bounds!) and we ate on the balcony before the panel started.

The Arrow panel started 20 minutes late and wasn’t so great since the moderator kept asking dumb questions, like if the actors would appreciate a love triangle between Oliver/Felicity and Black Canary… Dude, eww. Love triangles in general suck, but just no. No one wants that.

But Josh and Emily were extra cute. Especially cause Josh kept gushing about how great Emily was and he made her and Katie dance a little. I mean, HOT DAMN, Josh!!! You’re something else <3 Emily also repeated that she doesn’t want Felicity to get a mask cause she’s already a badass and should stay that way. YOU GO, GIRL!!! Tell it again!!! I love her for that, so much.

 Then it was time for my Amell cousins duo op *insert smirking face emoji here*. My Amell sandwich moment was happening!!!!!!! Oh, and let me add that JANELLE was the one who made it possible cause she noticed they were selling them when she picked up our tickets and SHE FREAKING SURPRISED ME WHEN I WAS STILL ON THE TRAIN TO LONDON AND I BASICALLY DIED AND HAD TO MUFFLE MY GIGGLES OF JOY BECAUSE I WAS SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE!!!!!! Thanks again, you beautiful woman, this was the best surprise of this whole weekend and I love you for it! :-* :-* :-*

Anyway, they seemed to be running a little late but it was finally my turn. I arrived in front of them, said hi and asked them to embrace me while giving the camera their CW smolder. Steve laughed and said “sure thing”. Not gonna lie, and Janelle will happily call me a perv after writing that, but I still remember what it feels like getting touched by these two. And HOLY SHIT that’s quite a nice feeling!!! I mean, when it comes to standing between two men, the Amells pretty much make the best candidates.

But let’s move on! I went to pick up my op and HAHAHAHAHA!!! It’s probably the best next to the Stemily one! :D

We could make a good meme with this one. Steve looks like he spotted someone he dislikes and he is about to bad-mouth them to me, and Robbie looks like he’s staring at the horizon like in a bad soap-opera, or like he smelled something funny :’D I just LOVE this picture!!! I love these men.

 But actually no time to rest cause my op with Hayley Atwell was next. She didn’t accept any special poses or hugs so I just went to her side and smiled. Before leaving, I said she was awesome and loved Agent Carter and she thanked me ^^ Here is the result:

  Finally, my second Emily op. I brought the same props as yesterday but wanted something a little different. When I entered the booth, I noticed that Alisha and Carina were both there with her, laughing away. What a nice surprise that Emily had friends with her there J

It was my turn, and I explained to Emily that I wanted another photo since the one from the day before was messed up. She “aww”’d at me and grabbed my arm very tight while I put my arm around her waist. I said “let’s just make a cute/funny face” and she happily obliged. When it was over, she laughed and I thanked her. I made sure to excitedly wave at Aisha and said “Hi, Aisha!”, which she did right right back to me with a big smile. I JUST REALLY LOVE AISHA, OK!!! She’s so cool!!!

I came to get my photo and was really happy to see that this one turned out great! :D

We’re so cuuuuuuute!!! And hello, full body shot of Emily in yet another bomb ass outfit! That’s always a good thing to own J

 But again, no time to rest cause I had to leave at the earliest at 5pm and I still had to catch Stephen to get his autograph. So I went back upstairs and got in line. Janelle joined me a little later after she was finished with David Mazouz, aka Brune Wayne. She was, once more, the FREAKING GREATEST FRIEND EVER because she took care of looking for a taxi for as soon as I was done with Steve. I knew this meant I didn’t have time to get to Josh before leaving ( :’((( ), but I just couldn’t afford risking missing my train, especially with part of the tube being closed.

But anyway. I DID IT!!! I managed to get Stephen’s auto on time :D So I arrived in front of him and………………… This man just isn’t real. WHERE THE HELL DID HIS FACE COME FROM?!? I mean, obviously I’d seen him at the photo ops and I had seen plenty of him on screen, but there just isn’t any preparing yourself for his beauty up-close!!!!!!!!! I want in on the perfect gene pool! I know everyone says the same thing, but his eyes are really SO. DAMN. BLUE. I mean wow!

But okay, let’s get to the dialogue. He asked me how I was and I said “Awesome. Best weekend ever” and he was happy to hear it. I presented him with my Oliver Queen journal and he began to sign. I just looked at him and asked: “Did you eat?” Cause I was legit worried! He just never stopped running between ops and autos. This man is a machine! So he answered: “Uhhh, not enough”. Poor man :(

He finished my auto and then I showed him our picture together. He smiled and said “Oh, that’s great”. I replied: “You look dead inside, though” and he looked up, at ME, and said: “No, but I made this face on purpose!” with a stupid smile on his face. GAHJDKSKKFD I AM NOT ALIVE AT THIS POINT!!! But I managed to answer: “Oh, that’s great then. I love it”. He was happy to hear it. Before leaving I thanked him for what he was doing and said it was everything, for what he abundantly thanked me before he shook my hand. GAHHHH THIS MAN!!!! Obviously I didn’t want the moment to end but there were already so many people waiting, I had to go :’(((

Bottom line: I am in love with both Stephen and Emily. Don’t make me choose. I won’t and I can’t. I love them both dearly.

 I joined Janelle and, as I said, she took care of the taxi for me because SHE’S THAT GREAT!!! I unfortunately didn’t have time to say goodbye to any of the other girls, but we still took time to take one last photo:

Then we both left the venue. She came with me in the taxi, to pick up my suitcase, and then to the tube station. When it was time to say goodbye, I swear I was fighting myself not to burst out crying! We hugged and said goodbye the French way and we went our separate ways :’((( I WAS SO SAD JANELLE!!! SO EMOTIONAL!!! Goodbyes suck!!! The fact that we live so far away from each other sucks major ass! But thank god we still text regularly and will meet again cause you’re just such a fucking awesome, marvelous, beautiful friend, I am not about to stop pestering you ;)

 So that’s it, fam. That’s my whole report. It’s again ridiculously long and it’s about time I shut the hell up. That was one of the best weekends I’ve ever had and amongst all the lovely celebrities I met, it was the company that mattered most :)

So until next year, everyone! :D Cause there’s no way I’m not doing THAT again! ;)

Xoxo

#HVFF London 2017 #Arrow #Arrow cast #Stephen Amell #Emily Bett Rickards #josh segarra #Charlotte Ross #Robbie Amell #Italia Ricci #Hayley Atwell #Mine #Mine: HVFF London 2017

[fitnesshealthyoga-blog]

New Post has been published on https://fitnesshealthyoga.com/beautycounter-lead-conference-recap-the-fitnessista/

Beautycounter LEAD Conference Recap - The Fitnessista

and WE SAW MICHAEL BUBLÉ.

(I’m not even going to hide my creeper status. And don’t worry, my mouth didn’t actually touch the poster.)

Hi friends! How’s the morning going? I’m just getting back from a whirlwind trip to Phoenix for the Beautycounter LEAD conference… and to see Michael Bublé, my favorite ever.

I got into Phoenix on Thursday morning, and met up with Arsy and Tina at the adorable Airbnb where we’d be staying. It was my first Airbnb experience and I was beyond impressed with the whole thing.

Check out the cuteness! 

It was in a neighborhood filled with unique older houses, and they completely gutted and redid the interior. The wood floors and tiling in the bathroom were gorgeous, along with exposed brick, modern art, and unique touches (like the book selection in each bedroom). 

Arsy surprised us with little goodie bags on each of our beds, with Hu chocolates, travel Cote nail polishes, Bee’s wrap, the best hair ties, a Beautycounter pen, and a sweet card. She also stocked the fridge with some healthy essentials, cold brews, and waters.

I’ve been working with Arsy for almost 3 years and it was my first time meeting her in person. Of course, she was just as kind and lovely as I expected, and I had such a great time hanging out with her and Tina all weekend. 

Thursday night, we had our team dinner at True Food, and then Friday morning, it was straight into the official festivities. We had quite a few sessions on Friday, and each one left me feeling more inspired, motivated, and grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to work for such a respected and innovative company. (Beautycounter is the #1 Googled beauty brand of 2018 and the top clean skincare brand in the world.) They generally care for the health of all living beings on this planet, and are constantly working to impart change in the beauty industry, which is severely unregulated. The last federal safety law for cosmetics was passed in 1938!! We’re actively working to get this changed and make clean products accessible to everyone. This means no matter what store you go to and what brand you purchase, you should be able to have have the confidence that they were manufactured without endocrine disrupters, known carcinogens, and harmful preservatives. 

My very favorite quote from the weekend:

– The greatest gift you can give anyone who loves you is your own wellbeing 

While there was a lot of motivational talk, they also addressed burnout and importance of paying attention to what truly matters: your family, your health, and your relationships. I love how much they emphasized balance and taking the time to share your life with those you love and make yourself a priority. 

We also had the opportunity to hear Gregg Renfrew speak. She’s our CEO and the Founder of Beautycounter and she’s so.darn.real. The entire room of 1700 was captivated the entire time she was talking. She was so encouraging, humble, and generously shared her knowledge and inspiration with us all. 

They also had some pretty solid snack breaks and lunch in between the presentations. 🙂

Friday afternoon, the Pilot picked us up from the conference and we headed to the house to get ready for the evening. The girls went to another team dinner at a downtown hotel, while the Pilot and I enjoyed a sushi date at Moira Sushi before Michael Buble.

(Shoes are here // dress is here — got it from Rent the Runway and was so pumped it actually fit. I feel like it’s so hard to tell what will work from the sizing but the S was just right)

We arrived at the arena, ordered wine in a can for me + beer for him, walked to our awesome seats (!) and I buckled up for the best concert experience of my life. I’m a HUGE Michael Bublé fan – I sporadically listen to his music all year and just switch to his Christmas album for November and December – so I was expecting a lot, but it was beyond anything I could have imagined. His perfect voice, the set design, the orchestra, his backup singers, everything. Just.SO.freaking.good.

(He started off with “Feelin’ Good” and I screamed like a teenager at a BTO concert.)

#1) He is HILARIOUS. He was cracking a ton of jokes in between songs, many of which were gloriously inappropriate, and the Pilot and I were laughing our faces off. I had to keep myself from breaking into the full-on dinosaur cry during Home and one of his newer songs, Forever Now. If you want to get a glimpse of what I was feeling, listen to the song, and then picture in your mind a child’s bedroom and how it changes from when they’re born (a nursery with sweet printed wallpaper, a crib, and a rocker) until they MOVE out (a large bed and a room strewn with moving boxes, to completely empty room). That’s what they flashed on the arched screen above the stage and I think they pretty much wanted to pull my heart out of my body. Of course, all of his lighthearted jokes and the fact that he doesn’t take himself too seriously kept me from crying too hard.

2) He is so grateful to all of his supporters. Multiple times he thanked us for spending our money and our time to be at his concert. He said that his supporters lifted their family while they went through something absolutely heartbreaking, and was so heartfelt and genuine in thanking the audience. You can just tell he’s a really good guy.

3) I tried to meet him but I failed. So here’s the thing, in college and my early 20s, I got backstage after concerts if I wanted to meet the band or singer. It’s not because I’m cool or had a VIP pass, but I’d just casually go to the side of the stage and ask security if I could just go back and get a photo with whomever. You’d think it would be a fail but it worked every time! I would just be chill about it and I think they saw a young non-threteaning kid and were like, “Go. Live your dream.” I didn’t know if I would work for Michael Bublé because, I don’t know, I’m like 15 years older now, BUT I figured this was my only chance and went for it. Unfortunately, they did all of the meet and greets before the show, not after. So when I went to ask if I could pleeeeeease go back and take a pic, security told me they did all of that stuff earlier. It’s NBD, but I did try. #shameless #dontcurr

The Pilot and I stayed at Westin, which was lovely, and then Saturday morning, we grabbed a quick breakfast at Coronado (a cute vegetarian cafe!) before he hit the road back to Tucson and I headed back to the conference.

I got there just in time to learn about the new products from our Product Development team, and get excited! There’s so much good stuff on the way, including a face cream that supposed to feel luxurious and gorgeous like La Mer, but with clean ingredients. So pumped about this! I’ll definitely share more info when it’s on the way, but our new line was modeled after Asian skincare rituals (yas yas yassss) and is going through clinical and client trials now. I’ll also have the chance to try it out before it’s released and will absolutely share my experience.

Beautycounter is also transitioning to more glass, less plastic, and are going to include refill options. 

We attended sessions on social media and coaching, and then had a delicious lunch. 

When I left the conference, I felt energized and excited to implement various action plans in my team and with my business. As you guys know, I’m very particular about brand alignments. For everyone I say, “Yes” to, there are at least 20-30 “No, thank you”. When I first joined Beautycounter, I knew I liked the products and I loved their mission to get safer products into the hands of everyone. I didn’t know that it was so much more than that, and that it would have such a huge positive impact on my life and business.

(Jumpsuit is here // shoes are here. Jumpsuit is also from Rent the Runway and I wish I could have kept it!)

Behind this mission, there are thousands of women working hard to change the beauty industry, sharing the products with those they love, and taking their success into their own hands.

I was so thankful to FINALLY meet Teri, who feels like my BFF after all of these years and I still hadn’t met in person! I also got to chat with Lexi, Juli, Cassy, and so many lovely women on our team.

Having this blog has been one of the biggest blessings in my life because it’s enabled me to connect with a motivating, incredible community of women (and dudes!). One of the best parts: I can do it anywhere! As a military wife, this was critical since we were moving every 2 years or so, which this makes it very hard to get and keep a traditional job. Beautycounter gives that same flexibility to those who want to work on their own schedule, wherever they want, and carve their own path. It has been one of the best things I’ve added to my business, and it’s fun, easy, and I get to meet with connect with new people. The money potential is bananas – if you want to talk about it, please email me – and it’s cool to be able to make an income while supporting a company that’s championing for change. If you’d like to make a transition to safer skincare products, or a tiny voice is telling you that consulting may be for you, please email me: [email protected]

Well, I’m off to unpack my suitcase, only to RE-pack it for a short trip to Portland for a brand meeting. I hope you have a happy Monday!

xo

Gina

Tell me, friends: first concert experience? If you could see anyone live, who would it be?! My first concert was Boyz II Men in 5th grade. “Motown Philly back again….” Also, has anyone met Michael Buble?! Please tell me everything. 

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[jonasmaurer]

Beautycounter LEAD Conference Recap

and WE SAW MICHAEL BUBLÉ.

(I’m not even going to hide my creeper status. And don’t worry, my mouth didn’t actually touch the poster.)

Hi friends! How’s the morning going? I’m just getting back from a whirlwind trip to Phoenix for the Beautycounter LEAD conference… and to see Michael Bublé, my favorite ever.

I got into Phoenix on Thursday morning, and met up with Arsy and Tina at the adorable Airbnb where we’d be staying. It was my first Airbnb experience and I was beyond impressed with the whole thing.

Check out the cuteness! 

It was in a neighborhood filled with unique older houses, and they completely gutted and redid the interior. The wood floors and tiling in the bathroom were gorgeous, along with exposed brick, modern art, and unique touches (like the book selection in each bedroom). 

Arsy surprised us with little goodie bags on each of our beds, with Hu chocolates, travel Cote nail polishes, Bee’s wrap, the best hair ties, a Beautycounter pen, and a sweet card. She also stocked the fridge with some healthy essentials, cold brews, and waters.

I’ve been working with Arsy for almost 3 years and it was my first time meeting her in person. Of course, she was just as kind and lovely as I expected, and I had such a great time hanging out with her and Tina all weekend. 

Thursday night, we had our team dinner at True Food, and then Friday morning, it was straight into the official festivities. We had quite a few sessions on Friday, and each one left me feeling more inspired, motivated, and grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to work for such a respected and innovative company. (Beautycounter is the #1 Googled beauty brand of 2018 and the top clean skincare brand in the world.) They generally care for the health of all living beings on this planet, and are constantly working to impart change in the beauty industry, which is severely unregulated. The last federal safety law for cosmetics was passed in 1938!! We’re actively working to get this changed and make clean products accessible to everyone. This means no matter what store you go to and what brand you purchase, you should be able to have have the confidence that they were manufactured without endocrine disrupters, known carcinogens, and harmful preservatives. 

My very favorite quote from the weekend:

– The greatest gift you can give anyone who loves you is your own wellbeing 

While there was a lot of motivational talk, they also addressed burnout and importance of paying attention to what truly matters: your family, your health, and your relationships. I love how much they emphasized balance and taking the time to share your life with those you love and make yourself a priority. 

We also had the opportunity to hear Gregg Renfrew speak. She’s our CEO and the Founder of Beautycounter and she’s so.darn.real. The entire room of 1700 was captivated the entire time she was talking. She was so encouraging, humble, and generously shared her knowledge and inspiration with us all. 

They also had some pretty solid snack breaks and lunch in between the presentations.

Friday afternoon, the Pilot picked us up from the conference and we headed to the house to get ready for the evening. The girls went to another team dinner at a downtown hotel, while the Pilot and I enjoyed a sushi date at Moira Sushi before Michael Buble.

(Shoes are here // dress is here — got it from Rent the Runway and was so pumped it actually fit. I feel like it’s so hard to tell what will work from the sizing but the S was just right) 8883621234

We arrived at the arena, ordered wine in a can for me + beer for him, walked to our awesome seats (!) and I buckled up for the best concert experience of my life. I’m a HUGE Michael Bublé fan – I sporadically listen to his music all year and just switch to his Christmas album for November and December – so I was expecting a lot, but it was beyond anything I could have imagined. His perfect voice, the set design, the orchestra, his backup singers, everything. Just.SO.freaking.good.

(He started off with “Feelin’ Good” and I screamed like a teenager at a BTO concert.)

#1) He is HILARIOUS. He was cracking a ton of jokes in between songs, many of which were gloriously inappropriate, and the Pilot and I were laughing our faces off. I had to keep myself from breaking into the full-on dinosaur cry during Home and one of his newer songs, Forever Now. If you want to get a glimpse of what I was feeling, listen to the song, and then picture in your mind a child’s bedroom and how it changes from when they’re born (a nursery with sweet printed wallpaper, a crib, and a rocker) until they MOVE out (a large bed and a room strewn with moving boxes, to completely empty room). That’s what they flashed on the arched screen above the stage and I think they pretty much wanted to pull my heart out of my body. Of course, all of his lighthearted jokes and the fact that he doesn’t take himself too seriously kept me from crying too hard.

2) He is so grateful to all of his supporters. Multiple times he thanked us for spending our money and our time to be at his concert. He said that his supporters lifted their family while they went through something absolutely heartbreaking, and was so heartfelt and genuine in thanking the audience. You can just tell he’s a really good guy.

3) I tried to meet him but I failed. So here’s the thing, in college and my early 20s, I got backstage after concerts if I wanted to meet the band or singer. It’s not because I’m cool or had a VIP pass, but I’d just casually go to the side of the stage and ask security if I could just go back and get a photo with whomever. You’d think it would be a fail but it worked every time! I would just be chill about it and I think they saw a young non-threteaning kid and were like, “Go. Live your dream.” I didn’t know if I would work for Michael Bublé because, I don’t know, I’m like 15 years older now, BUT I figured this was my only chance and went for it. Unfortunately, they did all of the meet and greets before the show, not after. So when I went to ask if I could pleeeeeease go back and take a pic, security told me they did all of that stuff earlier. It’s NBD, but I did try. #shameless #dontcurr

The Pilot and I stayed at Westin, which was lovely, and then Saturday morning, we grabbed a quick breakfast at Coronado (a cute vegetarian cafe!) before he hit the road back to Tucson and I headed back to the conference.

I got there just in time to learn about the new products from our Product Development team, and get excited! There’s so much good stuff on the way, including a face cream that supposed to feel luxurious and gorgeous like La Mer, but with clean ingredients. So pumped about this! I’ll definitely share more info when it’s on the way, but our new line was modeled after Asian skincare rituals (yas yas yassss) and is going through clinical and client trials now. I’ll also have the chance to try it out before it’s released and will absolutely share my experience.

Beautycounter is also transitioning to more glass, less plastic, and are going to include refill options. 

We attended sessions on social media and coaching, and then had a delicious lunch. 

When I left the conference, I felt energized and excited to implement various action plans in my team and with my business. As you guys know, I’m very particular about brand alignments. For everyone I say, “Yes” to, there are at least 20-30 “No, thank you”. When I first joined Beautycounter, I knew I liked the products and I loved their mission to get safer products into the hands of everyone. I didn’t know that it was so much more than that, and that it would have such a huge positive impact on my life and business.

(Jumpsuit is here // shoes are here. Jumpsuit is also from Rent the Runway and I wish I could have kept it!)

Behind this mission, there are thousands of women working hard to change the beauty industry, sharing the products with those they love, and taking their success into their own hands.

I was so thankful to FINALLY meet Teri, who feels like my BFF after all of these years and I still hadn’t met in person! I also got to chat with Lexi, Juli, Cassy, and so many lovely women on our team.

Having this blog has been one of the biggest blessings in my life because it’s enabled me to connect with a motivating, incredible community of women (and dudes!). One of the best parts: I can do it anywhere! As a military wife, this was critical since we were moving every 2 years or so, which this makes it very hard to get and keep a traditional job. Beautycounter gives that same flexibility to those who want to work on their own schedule, wherever they want, and carve their own path. It has been one of the best things I’ve added to my business, and it’s fun, easy, and I get to meet with connect with new people. The money potential is bananas – if you want to talk about it, please email me – and it’s cool to be able to make an income while supporting a company that’s championing for change. If you’d like to make a transition to safer skincare products, or a tiny voice is telling you that consulting may be for you, please email me: [email protected]

Well, I’m off to unpack my suitcase, only to RE-pack it for a short trip to Portland for a brand meeting. I hope you have a happy Monday!

xo

Gina

Tell me, friends: first concert experience? If you could see anyone live, who would it be?! My first concert was Boyz II Men in 5th grade. “Motown Philly back again….” Also, has anyone met Michael Buble?! Please tell me everything. 

The post Beautycounter LEAD Conference Recap appeared first on The Fitnessista.

Beautycounter LEAD Conference Recap published first on https://olimpsportnutritionde.tumblr.com/

[3one3]

The Sequel - 852

The Team for Tokyo

André Schürrle, Juan Mata, other Chelsea/BVB players, and random awesome OC’s (okay they’re less random now but they’re still pretty awesome)

original epic tale

all chapters of The Sequel

“Christina! You look beautiful!”

“Please, call me Chris, and thank you!”

“What are you doing down here? Everyone else is up front.”

“I promised this guy a snack.”

“Ah okay. See you in a few?”

“Mhm.” If I don’t barf first, Christina gulped to herself. Tuesday at Aachen was a big night. Competition was already several days old, but the official Opening Ceremony took place in the main arena, complete with demonstrations and performances from an array of equestrian-themed showmen, musicians, and artists. Following that public welcome, Media Night kicked off in hospitality- a true party for all kinds of famous people, and an opportunity for media of all stripes to take their picture, solicit comments and gossip, and generally convey the kind of glamour the CHIO Aachen organizers coveted as part of the reputation of their event. That summer, the exciting Tuesday night schedule would also include the German equestrian federation’s announcement of its three teams for the Olympic games in Tokyo. The Chefs of the individual teams were all entitled to announce their competitors privately beforehand, and Heiner opted to wait until the very last minute. He asked his riders and owners to convene at their team stabling near the end of the performances so that he could share his selections before the big announcement.

Christina couldn’t handle loitering around the folding chairs and coolers with her colleagues and their connections while they waited for Heiner and Holger to show up. She walked a few stalls down to visit with Dirk, and Dirk tried to get her simple white t-shirt dress dirty. André was there too. He’d just stepped away to talk to his dad when the woman who held the majority stake in the consortium that owned the majority stake in Rio, among other team horses, greeted Christina and complimented her Media Night look. He was almost just literally off a plane from China, tired, jet-lagged, and cranky from BVB’s hot, steamy, intense Asia tour. He wouldn’t have let his girl go through that night alone for anything though.

“That’s all the mints I have, guys,” she said apologetically to Kimi, Calvin, and Cartagena, who all thought she was lingering at Dirk’s door longer than theirs because he was getting more treats. Their rider took exactly 5 individually wrapped candies from the bowl at the hotel registration desk- one for each of her horses, and one for André, who was walking purposefully back down the aisle from the empty gravel area between barns where he opted to take his phone call.

“Okay, what did I miss?” he questioned, noting that his girl managed to look pale in the face despite her incredible Mediterranean tan.

“Nothing yet. Just D-Money trying to wipe his slobber on me.” Christina sighed a little and turned back to her gorgeous black horse. André put his arm around her waist and tucked his thumb into the southwest-style Ralph Lauren belt she added to her dress for shape. It matched her caramel-colored sandals, which were already killing her feet. Realistically, she knew it was unlikely that her coaches would leave her out of their Olympic team. She just couldn’t relax until she heard them say it though, and she was dreading the next phase that would follow- the “oh my god this happening” part, which had almost two weeks to fester until the first event in Japan.

“Let’s leave him to finish his hay, yeah? I think I see Heiner up there.” The player nodded toward the front of the central aisle barn and gave her an encouraging squeeze just as Daniel was calling her name, summoning her to join the rest of the group of well dressed equestrians and their partners and grooms. Along with him and Christina, Marcus and Christian were there as part of the squad for the Nations Cup in a few days, all three Beerbaums were present, Marco, Andreas, HD, and two other German regulars were in the group, as well as Stefanie and three girls who bounced between the U25 team and the “B” squad. No one seemed anxious at all. No one seemed to be radiating the kind of nerves André felt coursing through his wife’s body. “Deep breath, Prinzessin. Come. You’ll see Dirk again later.” Not least because all the horses are supposed to be presented with the team in a little while, he added to himself. They got into a kind of spat back at the hotel over footwear in light of that fact he was recalling. He suggested she bring her nice sneakers to change into to lead her Olympic mount out in front of the crowd, as 4” stilettos, grass, and atmosphere-loving-stallion didn’t sound like the wisest combination of factors. Christina told him it would be preposterous to presume that she would need alternate footwear. “Don’t jinx it” was becoming a really tired theme in their household.

“Chris is here,” Daniel declared to his main coach as soon as the Schürrles arrived at the back of the group.

“All right, let us make it quick and painless,” said coach replied at the front, where he stood with Holger and Theresa, Germany’s official barn manager for team competitions including the Olympics. Everyone would bring their own groom, but she was ultimately responsible for all horse matters from getting them to the airport to holding onto their medical certificates when they landed. She played some role in choosing who would compete at some events. “Our four rider and horse pairs are Marcus and Pret A Tout, Chris and-“ Is my heart even beating right now, Christina wondered. “Taloubet.” Nope. “Chris and Dirk.” Thankfuckinggodohmygodohmygodthankgod. “Daniel and EVT. We didn’t have to think that long or that hard. I’m sure you all understand the choices. We thank every one of you for your efforts for the team, and you all know that even those who don’t get to come to Tokyo are part of the program and part of the success we’ll have there. I am also announcing that this is my last Games as Chef d’Èquip, and I couldn’t be happier with the team I take with me,” Heiner finished rather plainly and frankly. By the time he smiled and nodded at his audience, André was basically holding Christina up.

“It’s real now, pretty girl,” he whispered near her ear. “I’m so proud of you.” Everyone else began talking at once, exchanging congratulations. The BVB man was awash with emotions too, beyond the pride he brought up first. There was relief, excitement, satisfaction, a new anticipation, and even an urge to be cocky. His girl’s success was a team effort- her “home” team’s. He was part of it. He put the Olympic dream on the table for her in the first place. It felt almost like a family accomplishment. I don’t know whether to pick her up and squeeze her, fan her face with my pocket square, or smack her ass and kiss her. Is she alive? André leaned forward to get a look at his wife’s face, which had gone from white to bright red, skipping her usual baby blush. “Chris?”

“I think I’m going to be ill,” she muttered before covering her mouth and running for Chiara’s stall. She nearly fell on the way, and then couldn’t decide between trying to climb over the rubber stall guard, ducking under it, or just unclipping it. Instead she simply leaned over and threw up on the cleared bit of floor in front of the gray mare’s deep bedding. Literally everyone turned around to watch. Nearly everyone laughed. Tom was the first to actually try to help her, as he was already trying to get through the crowd to her anyway. He held her hair while she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and André stood around dumbly, trying to figure out how that reaction could have come so quickly.

“Now I’m going to have to clean that up,” the groom chided as Chiara bent down to sniff the splatter on the ground. It was mostly liquid. Christina couldn’t eat at dinner. “Are we going to need to get you a designated sick bucket at the Olympics?”

“Yes. I might need one now. Dude, how are we going to the Olympics? How are you and me going to, like, be in the parade of nations? How are-“

“Chris are-“ André started to ask if she was okay once she turned away from the stall. Daniel cut him off.

“Here’s some water,” the taller German offered, an opened bottle in hand. “Would you like a damp towel or something? How are you this surprised? I told you the team already. You must be kidding,” he teased. His teammate accepted the water and used it to wash her mouth out. It was most unladylike when she then spit into Chiara’s stall.

“Look at this woman,” Heiner laughed behind Daniel. “Poor Chiara.”

“Can everyone stop staring at me?” Christina pleaded. Her coach shooed everyone away, including a heavily protesting André, who felt strange about not being needed, and still overwhelmed by the team news. There was so much to think about, particularly in regards to what would happen if his wife totally choked on her Olympic debut. It could end their marriage. He watched Heiner escort her down the aisle toward Dirk and felt somewhat helpless until Tom finished sweeping the vomit puddle away and started talking to him about how exciting everything was.

“Tell him the good news! Give him a kiss! A hug!” Heiner encouraged his newest Olympian when they got to the Holsteiner, who was wiggling his lips at his person and sniffing for food. “Don’t be sick again, and don’t cry or anything. You need to take him to the ring in a few minutes.” He squeezed Christina’s shoulders and she could see him smiling in her periphery. She had eyes only for Dirk.

It’s happening. Me and this horse are going to the Olympics. This horse I picked out of nowhere, for someone else, and had to defend every day. This horse I said goodbye to. This horse that my whole freaking life depends on, who tried to quit on me a few years back but then decided to be the only one in the world to come back from that kind of injury, who is just...just...the best thing in my life. Don’t cry, she urged herself too, echoing the trainer. Her heavily mascara’d lashes blinked quickly to try to stem any tide of tears. She hugged her horse of a lifetime’s clever and beautiful head- white dress be damned. He wasn’t in the mood to be held captive, and bobbed his head to get free. Heiner patted his forehead and rubbed her back at the same time.

“You two will be fantastic. I have so much confidence. There was no question that you come with us. I need you to let us help you get there though, yes? Once this immediate urge to vomit wears off and the real nerves set in, talk with me. Talk with Marcus, Daniel, Holger. They have all been there before. It’s okay to be nervous. It’s expected. We all work together to arrive in Tokyo in good shape.”

“Yeah. Yeah,” Christina nodded, staring at the impatient animal who had no understanding of the occasion. “I can’t process right now. Where’s Schü?”

“I’ll get him for you.”

“Thanks. And, thanks!” God, it took me 5 minutes to thank the man, she cringed inside. I need to call Juanin! And Isa! And, and, and, and, and, also, and-

“You okay, pretty girl?” A bewildered and slightly confused football player arrived with some paper towel. She thought the confusion part was pretty standard, but felt bad about the other thing. He got a hug.

“I’m sorry. I needed to barf and then- This is- It’s weird and I can’t catch up to it just yet. I love you,” she mumbled.

“Love you too, and it’s fine. It’s a big moment. And I’m soooooo telling everyone we know that you barfed,” he smiled over her head. Tom waved at both of them to get out of the way so he could take Dirk out and spiff him up a bit for the presentation, and rider and player stayed in their embrace, whispering thoughts aligned with the swell of varied emotions. Christina wished her reaction had been different. In her mind, she would have fistpumped and exchanged high-fives with her teammates, and then danced down the barn aisle or something to announce the news to her Holsteiner, and maybe played one of those dramatic Olympic-sounding songs on her phone.

“I can’t- I can’t get my shit together right now,” she huffed. Her mind was going a mile a minute and it felt like her heart might have been trying to keep up with it.

“Just try to think about breathing, and pick something to look at. Liiiiike...my handsome face.” André was grinning at her when she put her chin on his chest and looked up at him. His mouth was closed but those thin lips were curved up and his azure blues said it all. He couldn’t have been any happier for her and she could see it. Those eyes were a fine thing to focus on to try to steady one’s senses. There were maybe only two other sets that she could even stand to look so intently inside, let alone find stability and assurance. That set had been meeting her gaze with every sentiment in the book for the most meaningful part of her journey toward that moment, and it felt like an entire lifetime. That was strange, and hard to understand. Christina spent her whole pre-André life wanting to ride in the Olympics but never even entertaining the idea that it could happen, and she spent her entire with-André life actively working toward it as if it were her duty. It was strange to suddenly feel like that first phase, which was more than three times as long as the second, never really happened or mattered. A complex dichotomy like that was not something she wanted to add to the jumbled mess in her head just then. “Do you want your jacket for the presentation? Your phone is in there. There’s probably someone you want to tell before you go out there, yeah?” The Borussia forward nodded at the chambray jacket- the closest Christina would ever come to a jean jacket- hanging on Kimi’s halter hook. The garment was unimportant. She was boiling from anxiety anyway. His endorsement of her calling Juan to tell him the news was everything, and he got a grateful smooch on the cheek.

“It’s like 3 in the morning where he is. He said he wants to wake up to the good news, and that I should only call in the event of disaster. I told you how his whole attitude about tonight was that it’s no big deal...because he was sure I’d be in the team...”

“We were all sure. Everyone but you was sure!”

“We were all sure last time too.”

“Chris!” Tom interjected from the grooming stall several doors down.

“Wha?”

“Put your tennis shoes on. You can’t manage him in heels when 40,000 people clap for him.”

“K.”

“Told you,” André smirked. His wife kissed his cheek again and then went to get her “barn sneakers” from her trunk in the tack stall, put her jacket on, text Juan a thumbs-up emoji and the pink double hearts, and check her face to make sure she didn’t ruin her makeup when she spewed her liquid dinner in Chiara’s box. André used the time to text his parents, his sister, Dominic, Marco, Mario, Espen, and Tim, who was just across the property working the press ahead of the party. Daniel, Christian, and Marcus, who had been watching the couple and looking for an opportunity to butt in and congratulate his teammate, were already leading their Olympic mounts out of the barn with shiny feet and team dress sheets. Tom brought Dirk out to wait for Christina. His bridle had already been readied for the occasion, on the sly, without her disapproving knowledge, so it included the browband with the blingy deep red crystals. His groom did removed the second set of reins from his elevator bit so that Christina wouldn’t have so many to hold when he inevitably began his “excited ham” jig, or tried to stand up straight, or wanted to just jog away and play in front of his many admirers. She jogged out in her red adidas running shoes, a perfect match to his cooler, event credential swinging back and forth from her neck. André followed with Tom, carrying her Louboutins. He thought it was about time his girl was on her way to a once-every-four-years major challenge and he was the one supporting her and carrying the stuff. He wished he could go to the event with her too, and wear a shirt with her name, and wave a flag, and be forced to socialize with the other partners.

The capacity crowd in the Hauptstadion stands rose to their feet for each of the athletes nominated to represent their nation in Tokyo as part of the jumping, dressage, and eventing teams. Some horses and/or riders got a more enthusiastic reception than others. André was preconditioned toward a favorable bias, but he was pretty sure the fans cheered loudest for his stallion, who acted like he’d never walked on a lead before. Energetic and noisy crowds were his favorite. He ate up the vibe and it exploded out of him, making him tap dance, and snort, and stick his nose up in the air, and swish his tail around. His owner thought he was the only guy in the world who could pull off legitimate prancing without looking like a jackass. His other owner, and handler for the night, gave up even trying to make him behave. She too enjoyed his antics. He was the reason she wanted to go to the Games. It was all supposed to be for him. There in the ring, trying to keep up with him, and keep him from starting fights with other horses, Christina already began to worry that she’d let him down.

That’s what kept her up late that night too. There was enough going on at the big party that distracted her from it for a while, and allowed her to get through accepting congratulations and well wishes from what felt like a thousand people- familiar and strange alike. André tried to stay up and listen when she began unpacking her vast, multi-tiered array of new old fears back at the hotel. He was exhausted though, and literally couldn’t keep his eyes open. His girl gave up trying to conk out too, kissed his forehead, and went downstairs to see if the lobby bar was still open. If she could kill another hour or so, Juan might be awake to chat.

Should I ask for some kind of caffeine-free tea, or should I have a drink-drink and hope it makes me sleepy, Christina asked herself as she slid into a tall seat at the bar and tried to use the power of her piercing gaze on the bartender’s back to make him turn around and notice her. It was apparent that she’d missed last call. He had a spray bottle of cleaning solution and a towel in hand. The only other people in the bar and lounge part of the hotel restaurant were sitting in tall club chairs without any food or drink. They were German riders whom she recognized by face but not name. Aside from being shoved together for lots of photo calls, there were few opportunities to socialize or confer with the German riders she did know personally. Wonder if Daniel is up still. Wonder if he’s nervous at all or if this is just NBD to him now that he’s been before.

Staring at the bartender didn’t work. Christina had to summon him, and he tried to say the bar was closed for the night. As it turned out, being named to the home Olympic team did come with some perks, not just nauseating anxiety and self-doubt. “I was just selected to compete in the Tokyo Olympics and I need a drink and a snack”, plus some really compelling eyes, got her a Calvados and apple juice on the rocks and some sliced strawberries and whipped cream. Several annoying, pleading texts got her some company. Daniel trudged into the lounge in sweats, looking very much like he’d already been asleep for a while. They talked for a bit, though not about the Games, or nerves, or anxiety, or even expectations. He told her she needed to do something about her insomnia, and then engaged her in a very pre-seasony football debate about who was looking good to win the Champions League, based on past performance and moves in the transfer window. Christina wanted to make an argument for Chelsea but couldn’t in good conscious do so, and she felt pretty bad about it not even occurring to her to make a case for Dortmund. What was worse, the two riders agreed that it could be Bayern’s year again. Daniel bowed out for the night without ever getting anywhere near the topics plaguing Christina, and her Calvados hit hard enough that she thought she could at least go try to sleep again.

He looks so precious in his sleep, she thought about the snoozing blonde in her bed when she got back to the room. Accommodations were a peculiarity for big horse shows in Germany that weren’t part of the Global Champions Tour. Normally, at Christina’s level, the event organizers arranged and paid for hotels for the riders competing in the 5* classes. For Aachen, the organizers only took care of the non-German teams. The FN had to provide rooms for its own riders. It put them in the same hotel as the others, but they booked late. Christina didn’t have Lukas and the rest of the traveling circus with her so she accepted what they gave her instead of upgrading. What they gave her was a general, low floor number, single occupancy room with a double bed. André was right in the middle of it, kind of curled up, with his hands between his thighs and the lightweight blanket stuck on his knee. One reading lamp gently illuminated his familiar face, and shone in particular on his light brown and truly voluminous eyelashes. His girl couldn’t resist snuggling up and hugging him when she got in there. She fit her folded legs inside his, and hugged his waist, forehead pressed lightly into one of his shoulder blades.

“You okay?” he mumbled when he noticed the incursion. He knew she got up and left at some point, and felt bad about it. The whole point in hurrying down there as soon as the team got back to Dortmund was being present for her in all capacities, not just as a voice on the phone and not just as a body to carry her shoes. The player wanted to be the voice, the body, and the support she needed while she absorbed the reality of what was coming next. He wished he could have kept his eyes open longer when he knew she couldn’t get hers to stay shut.

“Mhm.”

“Love you.”

“Go back to sleep, babe.” Christina squeezed his middle and breathed in the scent of his t-shirt. They’d been using a different laundry detergent than what they had at home in London. It took a long time for her to get used to the different “laundry smell” on him, especially because the old “laundry smell” was basically his quintessential scent to her. Juan always smelled to some degree like one flavor of Gucci or another, and André always smelled like fresh t-shirts except when he was dressed up to go somewhere and put cologne on that overpowered the laundry. It never mattered that Christina’s clothes were washed with the same soap. She didn’t notice that scent on her own things, or even Lukas’. It was André’s laundry smell, and it made her feel at home, like an instant comfort. It was just about enough to help her get to sleep.