#new wardrobe pieces for kate

[vikkates]

New pieces I would like The Princess of Wales to add to her wardrobe (1,232/?)  

Gown by Teuta Matoshi

This gown would look gorgeous on Kate, and I love that the open neckline provides the opportunity for her to wear a massive necklace.

Available here.

#fashion #new wardrobe pieces for kate #teuta matoshi #gowns #green gowns #a-line gowns #cape sleeved gowns

[huramuna]

a maid's folly - chapter 6.

dark aemond x maid ofc minor aemond x floris baratheon work is 18+, minors do not interact, lest ye be smited.

previous | next

summary: a new maid from the Vale arrives at the Red Keep during a tumultuous time and becomes ensnared in the One-Eyed prince's web.

word count: 3.7k

girl.... it took a bit to get here but i hope its worth it - please let me know what you think

warnings: smut (details below cut), power imbalance, religious guilt, dark Aemond, canon typical misogyny, canon typical violence, Aemond being a touch starved weirdo, possessiveness, jealousy, this is going to be ANGSTY

oh to be in love - kate bush • mary on a cross - ghost

chapter specific warnings: violence, blood, oral (f receiving), p in v sex, virginity loss, biting

The next few weeks were good ones for Rosemary– the best ones since her mother passed. She fell into a quick companionship with Helaena, accepting her oddities as fun quirks, rather than bits of madness that everyone else seemed to discount them as.

Helaena was smarter than people gave her credit for. She was witty with a great sense of humor, often poking fun at courtiers and other denizens of the castle. She had a lot of inside knowledge on the gossip and going-ons of the Keep, as people weren't afraid to speak openly while she was in earshot, citing her as daft and not paying attention.

Rosemary and Helaena sat shoulder to shoulder on the settee near the window. It was open, a crisp breeze tousling their hair. 

The princess had promoted Rosemary to her handmaiden, thus upgrading her wardrobe significantly. They matched now, as Rosemary wore light blue dresses, her hair down in a braid. Helaena usually leaned towards cooler colors, like flushed blues and light purples. 

“I've heard that Floris is pitching a fit over the flowers chosen for the wedding,” Helaena chattered, pricking a needle into the fabric stretched over an embroidery hoop-- she was working on a depiction of a blue carpenter bee, “Mother told me she cried when the florist brought in white tulips instead of yellow.”

Rosemary snorted a small giggle, her hands tangled in Helaena's hair, defting the tresses into intricate braids, “And how has your brother taken all of this?”

Helaena was privy to Aemond and Rosemary's 'situation', whatever it may be– it was ill-defined at the moment. The corners of her eyes crinkled into a grin, “He is running Vhagar ragged with how much he flies her. Mother said that when Floris began to weep, he slipped out of the hall and was gone for four hours.”

“Yes, that sounds about right.” the maid hummed. 

The weeks with Helaena had also proven fruitful for Aemond and Rosemary’s interactions– they were still few and far between, with Aemond expressing more restraint than he had before, but he visited Helaena’s chambers more often, citing brotherly love as his reasoning for his frequent social calls.

He entered that day as usual, his arms behind his back. His eye zeroed in on Rosemary, his nostrils flaring ever so slightly. She wasn’t wearing her formless maid’s dresses any longer, as Helaena had her tailored for a few higher end pieces for her. They hugged her curves in the right places with a sweeping décolletage, exposing just the hinting swell of her chest, the light blue complimenting her complexion.

He had been visiting more lately, but the past few days had been taken up with frivolous wedding planning, and half a dozen flights on Vhagar. 

“Brother, you’re staring.” Helaena murmured.

He became all too aware of his surroundings, his mouth slightly dry and his clothes all too tight. It took him a moment to regain his stoic self, “I am merely trying to see what you’re embroidering, dear sister,” he walked forward, nodding his head to Rosemary, “My lady.” he mustered a greeting.

“Your grace,” she hummed in response, tying off Helaena’s braids with a small leather cord, “Would you like for me to braid yours as well?” she said it ever so innocently, but she was goading him. They were in each other’s proximity more often than not lately, with Rosemary often watching him spar in the courtyard from the spectator’s eaves They had developed a back and forth banter— he tested her limits with his witty remarks, and she teased him endlessly until she was all but sure that he would need to relieve himself later. It was a fun game, their little verbal spars, but Rosemary wondered when it would become reality. A man could only be teased so long. 

Aemond cleared his throat, “That won’t be necessary,” he glanced at her for a moment, his pupil blown wide. She knew she had him, hook, line and sinker. 

“Rosemary, weren’t you going to go to the market today?” Helaena redirected the conversation, “I know you had a few things to pick up.” 

The maid perked up, “Oh, yes— hm, I should get started now so mayhaps I’ll make it home before dark,” she squeezed Helaena’s shoulder affectionately, the princess leaning into her touch, “I will see you this evening, my lady,” she got up, smoothing out her dress, curtsying before Aemond, “My prince.” 

“Hm.” he grunted, letting her walk past him. 

She made a quick stop to her room, donning a cape jacket, her hands tying a ribboned, wide-brimmed sun hat to her head. Looping a bag around her shoulder, she set out to the corridors. 

Rosemary walked with purpose, reciting her list, “Lavender oil, honey cakes, lilac and blue thread, rock salt, goat’s milk…” she had her head down, navigating the halls absentmindedly. She brushed shoulders with someone, caught off guard by an anguished gasp. 

Stopping, she looked to see who she bumped, “My apologies,” Rosemary murmured, seeing that it was… Floris Baratheon. She recognized her from passing through Maegor’s Holdfast going to and from Helaena’s chambers, “My lady.” 

Floris scoffed, “Yes, well, watch where you are going,” she looked Rosemary up and down, a flicker of something akin to recognition passing through her eye, “Ah, you’re the princess’ handmaiden, are you not?” 

“Yes, my lady.” 

“I see,” she clicked her tongue, seemingly mulling over something in her head, “Where are you heading in such a hurry, then?”

“I have to pick up a few things from the markets, my lady— I wish to get back before it gets dark.” 

Floris blinked slowly, her hands coming together, “Ah. The markets,” she repeated, “Enjoy your errands.” 

Rosemary curtsied hurriedly, walking away. She had already wasted enough time dawdling. 

The trip down to the market square was fairly uneventful— she managed to get lost once or thrice, still unfamiliar with the layout of the city; she had only visited through it once before arriving at the Keep. 

She haggled with her fair share of merchants and most definitely overpaid for most things. It was a wonder that she managed to somehow haggle up the price. 

The last thing she retrieved was the goat’s milk— it wasn’t to be drinken, but to be added to her and Helaena’s baths. Rosemary had fond memories of her mother drawing her a hot bath and pouring flower oils and goat or sheep’s milk into it, along with the chipped pieces of rock salt. It left her feeling soft and fresh and she wished to experience it once again. 

The sun was beginning to set over the horizon. Helaena warned Rosemary to not be in King’s Landing at night and to always come back before the sun set. 

Rosemary gnawed at her bottom lip as she tried to retrace her steps. She could see the Red Keep up on the hill, but when she tried to navigate there, she ended up being cut off by dead ends, empty alleys, and paths looming with unsavory characters. 

She felt the bubble of panic rising in her chest, her thumb nail sinking into the soft of her palm. Her lip began to bleed from her incessant biting upon it in her anxiety driven state. 

Turning down another alley, she was met with a dead end again. Tears pricked at her eyes, feeling frustrated and helpless— how idiotic could she be to get lost? She could see the Keep but couldn’t reach it. 

Moving to retreat from the alley, she saw a hooded figure at the end of it, awaiting her. Her heart instantly jumped into her stomach and she froze. The dying light of the sun glinted off of something in its hand— a weapon. 

The tears came in full force now as she dropped her bag, backing up further against the wall. The figure descended upon her, brandishing a knife. It was a man, stocky and older. His breath smelled of decay and rot— he was hissing at her, like some kind of animal. 

Rosemary put her arms up to shield against the first swing, she had seen Aemond do something similar in his training sessions with Ser Criston– of course, he was a seasoned swordsman and usually swathed off an attack with a weapon, so this method was nowhere near as effective as he made it look— it ripped through the fabric of her dress, slicing against her arms. She whimpered in pain but shoved forward against him, knocking him off his balance. He kept up his garbled hissing, as if he was trying to say something. 

“Take my bag— the money is in there, just l-leave me be!” Rosemary cried, kicking the bag towards him. 

The man couldn’t look less interested as he regained his footing, coming in again for the second time. This attempt was fruitful as he knocked Rosemary to the ground— he was on top of her, slicing wildly, his mouth agape. He had no tongue. She tried to keep her arms up to stop him from hitting anything vital, the blade cutting through her skin like ribbons. She cried in pain, kicking and screaming, her blood trickling down onto her face, her dress.

Her life flashed before her eyes— her mother, Jeyne, Helaena, the children— Aemond. 

Suddenly, the man was dead weight against her and the dangerous edge of a sword poked through the front of his skull, mere inches from Rosemary’s face. 

It all felt like a haze, a blur. Was she already dead? She felt so cold, the rivulets of blood flowing across her skin feeling like shards of ice. Her vision closed and blackened around her. 

The weight of the man was kicked off of her and then she was scooped up— she was no longer cold, but warm. She was warm, like in a goat’s milk and lavender oil bath, the steamy water enveloping her like a second skin. She had to be dead, surely. 

“Rosemary,” a voice, familiar, murmured, “Stay awake. Fucking hell, I shouldn’t of let you go alone.” 

She glanced up, her vision still muddied and red— her own blood had dripped into her eyes, stinging. But she realized who was holding her, the flash of a single violet eye burning through her. Aemond.

“Ae… mond,” she whispered. 

“Don’t speak,” he grunted, “Just… stay awake, okay?” 

She didn’t know how long it was until the air around her turned from the flowing outdoor air, to a dank and almost tepid air. It was dark now, flashes of torches dancing in her eyes. 

Then she was set down— on something soft. It smelled like sandalwood and smoke. A bed. Aemond’s bed. 

He sat next to her, bandaging her arms, “You did good putting your arms up,” he said, wrapping the soft, spongy cloth material taut around the worst of her wounds, “Where did you learn that?”

Rosemary blinked, “… been watching you spar… recently,” she responded softly, “I might’ve… picked up a thing or two.”

He chuckled, the sound low and warm. It made her chest feel aflutter. “Hm,” he mused, “I never saw you there but once.”

“I was hiding… didn’t wish to distract you.” 

Aemond snorted then, rolling his eye, “Chin up,” his hand softly lifted up her head as he wiped a damp, lukewarm cloth over her face, cleansing the blood from her skin. 

“How did you know?”

He made a small noise of discontentment, “You were bound to find yourself in trouble. I saw you overpay for all of your items today, far above market price,” he looked away for a moment, “I can’t say I expected this to happen. But it… was good I was there, I suppose.” the cloth eased over her eyes, helping her sight come back into focus. 

She blinked profusely a few times, tears gathering at her waterline– not just from the irritation, but emotion. “... I don’t know what to say…”

Aemond put the cloth aside, “Usually, this is where one says ‘thank you’,” he chided, citing her taunt at him from a few weeks earlier, “How is the pain?”

Twisting her arms, she sucked in a breath of pain, “... hurts.” 

“It will for a while and will likely scar. But, better a scar than your life,” he hummed, his hand flexing and relaxing absentmindedly, “I’ll bring you a salve for them so they won’t mar your skin as terribly.” his hand reached for hers, turning her palm up. He was gentle, his skin warm.

“... thank you,” she murmured, closing his hand between both of hers, wincing at bit at the movement. “I don’t understand… he didn’t want my money or items– he was actively trying to kill me. To just kill me.”

Aemond looked at her thoughtfully for a moment, his mouth wrought into a thin line, “King’s Landing is a dangerous place– the Red Keep even more so. I… will try to figure out what it was– mayhaps a purposeful attack.”

“Purposeful? Why would anyone want to kill me?” 

“You are the princess’ handmaiden– you have eyes and ears into a lot of affairs in the Keep and perhaps you overheard something you shouldn’t have,” he let go of her hands for a moment, but not before rasping his thumb over her knuckles. He then began to pace. “Have you heard anything odd lately? Some conversation you shouldn’t have been privy to?”

Rosemary only now just saw how distraught Aemond looked– his hair was down completely, the leather tie used to pull it back to the nape of his neck gone, likely broken off. His hands were stained with blood, her blood, and the blood of her would-be killer. He looked a bit flushed, pacing back and forth like a caged animal, his footfalls heavy and filled with emotion– not like his usual silent, detached movements. 

“Aemond,” she murmured. He didn’t stop his pacing, muttering to himself, “Aemond. Aemond!” she raised her voice slightly, causing his head to snap towards her. “Please– we can worry about it all later, just… come here.”

He looked perplexed by her tone and loudness, but walked over anyway.

 In turn, she reached over and took an extra dampened cloth, holding out her hand, “Let me help.” she asked.

He sat down next to her on the bed, the mattress dipping under him. He bobbed his knee incessantly as Rosemary took his hands and washed them of the grime and blood. His jaw was clenched, his muscles taut as if he wanted to spring into action or mayhaps run out of the room.

“Relax,” she grumbled, “I should be the one nervous, not you.”

“I am nervous– you… you were almost killed. I was almost too late, Rosemary,” he spoke, his voice breaking from its usual even tone into something soft and more raw, “What the fuck would we have done if you were… slaughtered by some ingrate? Helaena and the children– they would be heartbroken,” he took in a sharp breath, “... I would be… devastated as well.”

Rosemary stowed away the cloth, her hands not once leaving his. Slowly and cautiously, she intertwined their fingers. It was an intimate gesture, something soft and soothing. She could feel her heart catch in her throat, her ears burning. “Well, you weren’t too late, were you?” she whispered, her voice almost silent. She glanced up at him, those big brown eyes of hers piercing a hole right through him, right into his soul. 

Untangling one hand from hers, his hand came beneath her chin, tilting it upward. “I might’ve burned this whole fucking city down if I was,” he murmured, leaning forward. They were so close, their lips ghosting over one another.

She felt the heat rise in her stomach, feelings jittering around against her ribcage like some of Helaena’s butterflies. Her eyes flicked to his lips, then back to his eye– she inhaled as she leaned in– and in turn, he did as well.

Their lips met– it was soft but intense all at once, the butterflies in her chest breaking free in a cacophony of emotion. It was chaste at first, their lips melding together like two puzzle pieces– before her lips parted slightly and she tilted forward more, her free hand coming up to his chest, but wavering. “C-can I touch you?” she asked, her words pressed against his mouth.

“Please– please touch me,” he practically pleaded, “I’ve waited so long.” 

Her hand slid up his chest slowly, her brow knitting in discomfort as her wounds pressed against the bandages. 

He took note of this, placing her hands on his hips and a likely more comfortable position for her. 

She hummed contentedly as she leaned farther into him, her lips parting once more to accommodate his tongue slipping into her mouth. She needed more of him, pressing as close as she could. She wanted to crawl inside of his ribcage and live there. It was something of comfort.

“Lay down,” he said, breaking their intimate closeness for just a moment, earning a disappointed whimper from her. “I need to taste you.”

Rosemary swallowed heavily, nodding slowly. “I’ve– I’ve never… done this before,” she breathed, “I’m still a maiden.” she scooted back to lay on the soft pillows, looking down. Her dress was a torn mess.

“All the reason to go slow, little lamb,” he responded in turn, edging up the skirt of her dress, “Tell me to stop if you need to.”

Biting her lip, she nodded. The feather light touch of his hand on her leg made her shiver, a coil of warm settling in her core. 

His hands, calloused and rough as they were, felt like smooth silk as they glided up her leg, bunching up her dress at her stomach. His fingers traced the stretch marks on her hips and thighs as if to commit them to memory. Aemond’s fingers hooked under her undergarments and slid them off– a wet strip of arousal prominently painted down the center of them. Grinning, he stowed them away in his pocket, “Hmm,” he hummed, using both hands to part her legs as if it were some great feat, like mounting a dragon or swinging a sword for the first time. “Beautiful.”

Rosemary felt her face go red as she looked down at him, his head between her legs. “Please.” she murmured, almost too quiet to hear.

She didn’t need to beg, not this time at least– he fulfilled her wish, licking a strip from the bottom of her parted folds up to her aching pearl, causing her to whimper. He was slow at first, eeking out every little sound he could out of her before beginning to feast, his tongue ringing circles around her sensitive bud, his hands gripping her thighs like he was a man staved, and she was his last meal before death.

Rosemary clutched the sheets, wanting to snap her legs close, but his strong grip kept them open– thank the Gods for that– the warmed coil inside of her slowly eking into a smolder. ‘A-Aemond, ah–” her first orgasm ripped through her like a bolt of lightning, her toes curling. Her legs wrapped around him as she clenched around nothing, whimpering his name like it was a prayer.

“That’s it,” he purred, “Bleating like a lamb for me– so soft, like I knew you’d be.”

She panted heavily, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Her death grip on his head weakened slightly, allowing him to slip from between her legs for just a moment. 

“Let's get this dress off, hm? I want to see all of you.”

“If you undress, too– I won’t be the only one naked,” she grumbled.

He happily obliged, stripping his doublet and trousers and kicking them away, all too eager to get her out of her dress. His fingers deftly undid the buttons, slipping it off of her. A hand palmed one of her heavy breasts, rubbing a nipple between his fore and middle finger. 

“Eyepatch,” she mewled between tiny moans, “Take it off.”

He was a bit more hesitant here– his thumb hooking under the strap. Pausing for a moment, he looked to Rosemary once more. 

She was disheveled, her face flushed red, her hair coming out of her braid and flowing behind her in pale blonde tresses. Her eyes were half-lidded, lips parted ever so slightly. She wanted him, she wanted all of him– it was evident.

Foregoing any more doubt, he discarded the eyepatch, revealing his sapphire implant. 

Her half lidded eyes grew into large saucers, her breath hitching in her throat. Rosemary didn’t say anything else, giving a hum of contentment before pulling him back onto the bed for another kiss. 

“Beautiful,” she cooed between kisses.

It was enough to make Aemond blush– hiding his bashfulness by slipping his tongue back into her mouth, palming his cock in his fist. He swiped the head against her folds, gathering the slick and slowly sliding it in. 

“Gods above,” he grit his teeth, “Fucking tight.” his lips pressed against her neck, he buried himself to the hilt in her, waiting for her approval.

“F-full,” she whimpered, needing a moment to adjust to his size and the overall new sensation, before she nodded for him to proceed.

He moved slowly again, starting at a measured, deliberate pace, watching her face for any sign of discomfort. 

Soon enough, she relaxed into his rocking motions, beginning to enjoy it. His pace increased as he left red marks on her neck, sucking and bruising the delicate skin there. He wanted to be gentle– but he was still a dragon, and dragons were wholly possessive. 

The room was filled with the sounds of her soft whimpering moans and his grunts– the symphony of skin slapping against skin. 

Aemond clenched, feeling the tell-tale sensation that he was close, “F-fuck,” he groaned against her skin, teeth biting into her now, “My lamb– my pretty lamb– you should be my fucking wife. You’re mine, mine, m– fuck–” he stilled his movements as he spilled inside of her, his fingers gripping her hips like soft putty. 

She clenched around him, feeling the warmth of his exertions spread through her. Sweat beaded at her forehead and chest as her hummingbird heart slowed down finally. 

He didn’t pull out yet– rather, he wrapped his arms around her and held her to his chest, laying on his back now.

“Stay with me tonight– please. I wish to wake up next to you, if only this once.” he murmured, holding her close against his chest in his all encompassing hold.

“Of course, my dragon.”

taglist: @watercolorskyy @queen--kenobi @heartb8k2 @violetiss3lfish @toodlesxcuddles

#aemond fic #aemond x oc #aemond fanfiction #aemond targaryen #hotd aemond #house of the dragon aemond #aemond x fem!reader #prince aemond #aemond one eye #hotd x reader #hotd fanfic #aemond fanfic #aemond fandom #my writing #the maid's folly #aemond x servant

[anonymoushouseplantfan]

And they are going to contrast that with the Waleses glam. This could work because the contrast highlights both aspects of the monarchy. You can kind of see that in the Eurovision videos. Charles and Cam are behind the scenes looking very down to earth and relatable, and then Kate shows up looking like a Victorian painting come to life.

But don’t you think is risky? Because now, some Charles’ supporters are like: What a contrast between Charles that is all for his people between the Waleses who ‘are going to celeb approah’. So people are now comparing both households and pointing that they are moving in different directions, some even accusing them to take some Harkle’s approach. Perhaps sometimes they would need C&C full glam too.

And is funny, because some people in the past have complained about the Waleses being too ‘relatable , boring and living a ‘non royal’ life (aka, the anniversary video), that they wanted more ‘glam’, and now that they dare to be more glamorous, people are saying ‘why have they done’ it’s not what we want to see, we want to see their service to their Uk people.

Isn’t it ironic? I’m old enough to remember the “Will Middleton” days and the “middle class” royals accusations, so this blows my mind. Weren’t people complaining about Will’s drab blue sweaters only a few weeks ago? Lololol. He’s going to need a new wardrobe to fit his new role.

It’s risky, but this strategy has a long history. Ten years ago, QEII was the kindly grandmotherly figure who loved horses and Prince Charles was the glam bon vivant with luxe house and gold toilet bowl. The POW has long been the glam foil to the responsible “man of the people” monarch. It’s an oddly traditional strategy. Maybe that’s why I like it.

It has been successful before and it will be successful again, probably. It will be frustrating for us fans because the imagery is so limiting, for both houses. That’s the way royal image making works. All of this is based on very old archetypes (to use Meghan’s term correctly) which these very real people inhabit. It comes with the territory, so to speak. Look at poor Harry ranting and raving about how the tabloids made him look like a wild party prince, not realizing it wasn’t the tabloids as much as it was the archetype he was born into. And also not realizing his pr very cleverly leveraged that archetype to create his “Hero Prince” image.

That’s the kind of leveraging we are seeing now. I think it will work and in a year or so “grandpa Charles” and the “glamorous Waleses” will be firmly entrenched. If they follow the traditional script, George will start hanging out with grandpa more and he’ll be hailed as having the King’s personal touch, a narrative that will eventually give him a “People’s Prince” label.

Will used to fight these labels and images, probably seeing them as outdated and silly, but now he seems more willing to go along with them. Kate always knew what she was dealing with. I don’t know if it was the art history degree or the Party Pieces branding experience, but she knew from the very beginning.

[7-wonders]

Walk the Line

Michael Langdon x Reader (Mad Love Act II, Chapter IX)

Summary: The time has come to meet Papa Legba, but before that, you and Michael have some fun in the Big Easy.

Word Count: 3.9k

Author's Note: It's the fic that everybody constantly asks for but nobody ever interacts with, Mad Love! Sigh. I think this is a good one, but let me know your thoughts! Likes, comments, and reblogs make my world go round.

Mad Love Masterlist

Showering after a long plane ride, no matter how comfortable and, dare you say, bougie, said plane ride is, does a world of good for the soul. By the time Michael’s finally beginning to get a little impatient (which, for Michael, is pacing back and forth and getting just a little closer to the door every time), you’re feeling refreshed and like you can actually stand to be around people.

Michael’s started switching up his wardrobe, and you’re pleased to see that he’s continuing that trend here in New Orleans. He looks alluring in a wine-colored, button down, short-sleeved shirt. His arms–yes, you can see his arms, and yes, it’s incredibly distracting and makes you want nothing more than to take the shirt off of him–are lightly tanned, completing the “California boy” look that he sports so effortlessly. He leans casually against the wall, his black jeans tucked into a pair of Doc Martens. Hey, Rome wasn’t built in a day.

“You ready to go?” You grin, checking your lipstick in the mirror one more time before flipping the bathroom light off. “I’ve been waiting on you for ages.”

He knows that you’re just teasing him, but he can’t resist taking the bait and scoffing. “What? I’ve been the one waiting for you!”

“Whatever you need to say to make yourself feel better.”

“You’re infuriating.” Regardless, he holds his hand out for you to take. “C’mon, we’re not far from where I want to take you, so we’ll walk there.”

Exactly where you walk is an open-air market that’s one of the most vibrant markets you’ve ever been to. Music of all kinds plays from the different booths and storefronts, all types of wares are being sold around you, and there’s so much delicious-smelling food that it makes your head spin. You almost drift off into the crowds without Michael, forgetting that he’s even with you until you’re stopped because you’re still holding onto his hand and he hadn’t been expecting you to walk away.

He stands next to you at each booth you walk to, always right there should you need him but quiet enough that you keep forgetting he’s actually still here. This proves handy, because then you can ask him his opinion of different items that you’re looking at, including the woven bracelet that you now hold up to show him.

“Do you think Kate would like this?” you ask.

When you had told her of your Fall Break plans and asked her to watch your cat, Kate had jokingly asked for a keychain souvenir as payment. You had been planning on buying a gift for her anyways, but now that she was doing you a favor, you had to get her the perfect thank you gift.

“She wore that friendship bracelet you two made when you had your drunk sleepover until it literally fell off,” Michael notes with a cheeky smirk. Said bracelet was just three pieces of embroidery floss clumsily braided together that didn’t last long, but his point is taken. “Yes, I think she’ll like it and wear it all the time.”

“Hmm.” You look at the bracelet again, which looks like somebody harnessed a rainbow and wove it together into a circle, before nodding. “You’re right.”

As you make the purchase, you’re pretty sure you hear Michael mutter behind you that he’s “always right,” but you choose to let him have his little snide, secretive comment.

Half of the fun of going to this type of market, you realize as you walk and window shop with Michael, is the experience in itself. There’s something so fun and unique about getting to look at all of the goods and wares created by so many different people, people who all have lives and stories that have led them here to this moment. They’ve spent years perfecting the craft that they now display for you to look at and enjoy, and the shared human connection of it all is so special.

Another fun part of markets is all of the food, and as you pass a booth and smell the sweet dough, you gasp in delight and pull Michael to a stop. “Ooh, beignets!” 

Naturally, you have to place an order at the stall being run by an uninterested kid who couldn’t be older than 16 and is obviously being forced into helping out by family; that’s how you know it’s going to be good before you’ve even laid eyes on your food. When they put your order down unceremoniously in front of you, a basket of little golden-brown pastries dusted liberally with powdered sugar, you thank them before grabbing it and immediately popping a beignet in your mouth. It’s a little too hot, but you’d rather breathe awkwardly like a dragon for a few moments than let that deter you.

“Mmm!” Michael watches you enjoy the treat, and you hold out the little paper container towards him. “Here, try one.”

“What does it taste like?” Michael asks a little apprehensively.

“It’s a pastry with powdered sugar on top, Michael, I can guarantee you’re going to love it.”

Though he looks a little like he thinks you’re going to poison him (which, if you were, wouldn’t you have done so already?), he takes a small bite of the treat that you’re holding directly in front of his mouth. After chewing for a moment, he grabs the beignet and eats the other half of it, making you smirk in satisfaction. You know your husband, even if he likes to act like you don’t.

Taking a seat on an empty bench, you share the beignets in companionable silence as you watch the colors of the setting sun streak across the sky above you. When you’ve finished, you ball up the empty container and toss it into the trash can next to you before resuming people watching. Families, couples, friends; all different types of people, gathered here to enjoy the same event as you. 

“What are the little lights flying around?” Michael asks finally, dusting his hands off of powdered sugar remnants. 

You look at where he’s gesturing, to the lights beginning to blink on and off intermittently in the grass now that the sun is well and truly setting. “They’re fireflies.” 

A couple of kids run in front of you, hands outstretched as they try to catch the fireflies. The act reminds you of your own childhood, and you smile fondly at the memory. The warm air on your skin, the ambiance of the market, and having the love of your life right next to you make you wish that you could bottle up this moment and keep it with you forever. 

With this sentiment in mind, you can’t help but note, “It’s so beautiful here.”

“It is,” Michael agrees. “Tulane’s a pretty good school too, from what I’ve heard.”

He’s right, but that’s besides the point, and you look at him in surprise. “You’ve been researching grad schools for me?”

“I figured I’d look, maybe try and help to be a part of this process.”

“Michael, that’s really sweet of you.”

Michael shrugs, suddenly bashful. “It’s definitely not a selfless act. I don’t want to hate wherever we end up living for the next three years.”

“Well obviously. Still, I very much appreciate it.” He can try and act like there’s no goodness in him, but you know there is, and that he didn’t even think of himself when looking at schools. No, he wants to make sure that you have the best opportunity available, and you can’t thank him enough. “You’d like New Orleans?”

“It’d be a big change from California, but I think so.”

Standing up, you smile at Michael’s bemused look and use the skills that have lied dormant since childhood. You take a couple of quick steps into the grass and, choosing to attack from above, swipe your hands down and cup them around a firefly. When you peek between your fingers and see that faint glow, you walk back to Michael.

“Here, hold out your hands,” you instruct. He does so hesitantly, holding them open just enough for you to dump your catch into his waiting grasp.

When he looks into his palms to see a fat firefly lazily buzzing around, his face lights up. It’s near-instantaneous, a childlike joy that only you’re privy to see from him, and you feel so lucky that you can. His eyes shine, both physically from the light as well as emotionally from the excitement. It’s addicting; you’d catch a thousand fireflies for him, if this is how he would react every time you presented him with your bounty.

The firefly finally figures out how to leave its little corral, and you both watch it make its way back to the other fireflies lingering in the grass. Michael traces one of his palms with his fingertips, chasing after the phantom sensations left behind by the insect.

“You should try and catch one!” you encourage Michael. 

He actually looks like he’s about to take your advice, until his phone buzzes and he pulls it out to see that the alarm he set is going off. It’s 8:45, which means that date night is over and it’s time to get down to business.

“Maybe next time,” he says in a tone that suggests he’s a little bummed that he can’t grab his own firefly. For Michael, unfortunately, his divine purpose must come first.

He takes your hand in his again, and you walk back towards the main road. Everything about your trip must be pretty centrally located; Michael’s too fond of transmutation to not use it at every opportunity, and the only time he doesn’t is when he can enjoy the quick journey.

“Are you nervous?” Michael asks suddenly.

“For tonight?”

He shakes his head. “No. To graduate and launch into another phase of your life.”

It’s very easy to forget that Michael isn’t like you and that he didn’t share in the panic-inducing (almost) universal experiences of graduating high school and realizing that you’re an adult and responsible for your own choices now. “Of course I am. Applying in itself is nerve wracking, and if I decide to go to school in a completely new area? That’s terrifying. But I’m also excited, and that’s mainly because I’m going to have you there with me to experience all of it–the good and the bad, though hopefully there’s not a lot of bad.”

“I don’t have precognition, but I still foresee a lot of good in our future.”

You don’t say it, but you just hope there’s a future for you that doesn’t involve nuclear winter.

The lights are off at Dinah’s production company, making it look, for all intents and purposes, closed for the night. Either Dinah left the front door unlocked or Michael uses his magic, because the door opens easily when Michael pulls on the handle and lets you walk in before him.

The Voodoo Queen of New Orleans is waiting for you when you step inside, her face lit by the street lamps outside. She’s in an outfit different from what she wore when you were here earlier in the afternoon; though the fabric remains just as crazy, even you can feel the magic imbued within each stitch. Her ritual clothes, then.

“Lock the door behind you,” Dinah commands. Michael does as she asks, and you can hear the lock click into place. After he does this task, she nods and gestures for you to follow. “Let’s go, I got places to be after this.”

Dinah leads you both into her dressing room and through the door that she had come through when you first arrived here earlier in the day. It’s smaller than her dressing room, and obviously used for rituals. Candles are set up on the tables and stands around the room, and the main table, ringed with four chairs, is covered in brightly-colored cloth. A variety of different items sit on its surface, waiting to be used by the woman herself.

Michael pulls out a chair for you to sit in, and you settle yourself onto the seat before he pushes your seat back up against the table and sits down next to you. At the door, Dinah is writing some sort of runes on the wood with chalk. When she finishes with what you assume is a protection charm, she pulls a pack of matches from the pocket of her skirt and begins to light each candle in the room individually. Even with your limited knowledge of the subject, you know that pyromancy is a skill that most magic users master easily.

Sensing your confusion, Michael leans over so that he can whisper in your ear and explain, “It’s a part of the ritual.”

Once all of the candles are lit by her own hand, the woman sits down in the chair on Michael’s other side. She studies you harshly for a moment, making you squirm under her scrutiny, before looking at Michael. “You sure that you want your honey in here to meet Papa? After all, she’s nothing but a pretty little mortal.”

“Y/n is under my protection, which means she is under my father’s protection. Papa Legba cannot touch her soul. If she wants to be here, then she has every right to be here.”

You try to channel a bit of Michael’s confidence and level Dinah with what you hope is a convincing glare when you nod. Inside your pocket, however, you clutch the charm Mallory gave you tightly enough to leave imprints on your palm. 

She shrugs. “Alright then. Your funeral, baby girl.”

You’d be lying if you said you weren’t terrified to witness whatever is about to happen, especially after the Cordelia summoning went so incredibly wrong. But will you allow your husband’s reluctant ally to know that? Hell no.

Dinah holds out her hand to Michael, who gives his over freely. She turns it so it’s facing palm-up, and takes a deep breath in before beginning to knock on his wrist. After she does so, she places her wrist against his briefly before swiping up a bottle of liquor from the table. The amber liquid is poured into a copper mug, Dinah bringing the mug up to above her head in order to pray to it.

“Papa Legba,” she begins. “Ouvrier barrier pour moi agoe.”

This chant is repeated twice more, but it only takes her invoking him the second time for the shadow of a tall figure wearing what looks to be a top hat to rise against the blank canvas of the wall. As Dinah chants one last time, a cold wind sweeps through the room and brings with it an echoing, deep laugh and the sound of bones clinking together. You grab onto Michael’s hand for reassurance, but reassurance is not what you get when you look at him and see his eyes completely swallowed by black.

Papa Legba looks like a man, but carries an energy that lets anybody and everybody know that he is so much more than just a man. He’s dressed finely, wearing a suit and carrying a walking stick. The top hat that sits on top of his long dreadlocks is decorated with tiny skulls and feathers. A necklace made of beads and claws rests around his neck, and his long cloak sweeps along the floor. White paint covers the top half of his dark face, and his eyes are blood red.

He takes the cup from out of Dinah’s grasp with his own bejeweled hand, his long, pointed fingernails lingering against her skin as he does. Papa Legba drains the liquor from the cup, sighing deeply in satisfaction after he does so. The entire time, Dinah watches in open-mouthed awe, an acolyte faced with the presence of that which she worships faithfully.

“Dinah Stevens! Calling upon me so soon after our last…chat, eh?” He looks down at a couple of cigars sitting on top of a decorative silver plate and hums. “Mm, lucky for you that I cannot resist Cuban cigars, Mambo.”

The empty cup is discarded for one of the cigars, which he holds to his nose in order to properly enjoy it before scratching one of his nails against the end and lighting it. The cherry glows red as he takes a couple of deep puffs, the air growing hot around you as you watch the way that the shadows surrounding him morph in a sentient-like way that shadows most definitely should not be able to move.

Papa Legba takes a seat in the chair next to you, stretching out languidly in a way that reminds you of a cat. In response, you scooch your own chair just a little bit closer to Michael, your heart thundering in your chest.

“The Antichrist – and his little wife!” Papa Legba greets, his voice echoing and layering on top of itself. 

Michael nods in a show of deference, and you do the same. “Papa Legba,” Michael says, his voice sounding an octave lower and echoing just as Papa’s does.

“I am sorry that I could not attend the wedding festivities, mes chers.” He grins at both of you, his gold tooth glinting in the candlelight. “A little drama with your papa, you see. But the entire Underworld was very much abuzz at news of the nuptials, I assure you.”

“We appreciate your well wishes.” Instead of saying anything, you simply nod and smile as a companion to Michael’s statement. You’re sure it looks as forced as it feels. “I assume you know why I asked Dinah to facilitate this meeting?”

He shakes his head, but the smirk on his face gives you the feeling that he knows exactly why he’s here. “I haven’t the faintest idea.”

“You’ve abandoned your post,” Michael reminds him.

“Oh, that!”

“Yes, that.”

“I will be honest, Mr. Langdon, this was the outcome I was hoping to achieve as a result of my actions.”

“There are easier ways to arrange a meeting with me.” Michael smiles meanly, thanks to his demonic nature. “But that’s neither here nor there. Why did you want to meet?”

You and Dinah glance at each other from across the table, both relegated to silent observers as the other two parties in the room get down to business.

“The lords of Hell are not too pleased with the current plans. Ending the world?” Papa Legba tuts and shakes his head. “Now, that just takes all of the fun out of everything. Who will barter with me when the only souls left on Earth are devoted followers of Satan or half-dead?”

“Ah, so you’re the messenger.”

“I’ll confess, I have been sent by my fellow demons to attempt to sway you. For some reason, they think that I am the best public speaker.” He puts a hand to his chest as if he’s touched by the sentiment.

“And how are you attempting to sway me?”

“My dear boy, I am here to convince you not to start an apocalypse.” 

The moment he finishes his sentence, Michael’s anger causes the flames of the candles to burn brightly towards the ceiling. Though Papa Legba tries not to act affected by the show of power, you can see how even the shadows begin to cower away from their master in fear.

Out of all the possible reasons Papa Legba could have given for wanting to meet with Michael, this was one that you never even imagined. Literal demons are on your side when it comes to the apocalypse issue? You thought that they would have loved nothing more than to have free reign on Earth, but the point raised by Papa, of their entire purpose being annihilated along with the world were Michael to end it, is intriguing. Still, you try to feign disinterest, especially seeing how pissed Michael is. If he were to find out that you agreed, especially now, then the only thing certain about his reaction is that it would not at all be good.

“I don’t know whether to call this bold or stupid,” Michael says. “Attempting to organize a coup, with the knowledge and support of the one diametrically opposed to your plans? It’s certainly unique, I’ll tell you that.”

“But that’s where you’re wrong. This is not a coup, Mr. Langdon. Rather, a plea. I wish to lay out our case, and you may decide what you will do with that information.”

Michael looks like he’d enjoy nothing more than sending Papa Legba right back to the Underworld. In a show of restraint, however, he sits back in his chair and nods. “Go on, then.”

“We understand the logic behind Satan’s desire to end the world in a blaze of fire. It’s…poetic, in a way, and it would give him finality in the battle he’s been waging with Heaven since the moment he fell. However, think about what happens after the world ends! The hierarchy of Hell and the Underworld–poof! Gone! There is no more bartering to be done, no more corrupting to do, no more souls to claim. The human race will be basically extinct, and without our function, we–that is, demons–will cease to exist. Hell will likely cease to exist.”

This makes a lot of sense, actually. If there is nobody around to invoke Papa Legba and attempt to trade with him, then Papa Legba serves no use to the grand scheme of the universe. Much in the way that the old gods faded from reality as they simultaneously faded from the minds and beliefs of those who once called themselves followers, the creatures that populate the Underworld would have nobody to fear or believe in them.

“Therefore, I must ask you to think of the potential consequences and find another way to accomplish what Satan has tasked you to do.” A puff of cigar smoke is inhaled deeply by Papa Legba before he breathes it out again in a perfect ring, physically putting a period at the end of his speech.

Michael tilts his chin up in response, his expression one of defiance and rage. “I will fulfill my birthright and the plans that my father has been preparing me for, and nothing will stop that. Not you, and not if all the legions of Hell were to band together.”

“That just might have to be arranged, then.” Papa Legba stands, towering over your little group once more. 

You get the feeling that this is what he had expected of this meeting, which doesn’t do your nerves much good. What’s Plan B for demons, when Plan A involves shirking their responsibilities as gatekeeper between the worlds?

Taking the last cigar that had been offered to him, Papa Legba slides it up the sleeve of his coat until it disappears. When he looks at Michael, he grins and laughs. “Until next time, Antichrist.”

With a gust of wind and the clinking of bones, he turns and melts into his shadows. Still, the heat remains, and you realize then that it’s Michael, still furiously glowering at the spot just occupied by one of Hell’s highest-ranking demons, that’s the source. As you fruitlessly call his name and try to get his attention, doing anything you can to bring him back from the demon that currently inhabits his body with no signs of relinquishing it any time soon, you think about just how foolish your earlier hopes of a normal future with Michael had been. As of right now, it appears that if Michael has his way, even the demons of Hell will be annihilated by the nuclear bombs, and sooner rather than later.

Shit.

•••

Tag List: @thatonehumanbeing05 @michaellangdon @xavierplympton @hecohansen31 @blakescoven @wroteclassicaly @we-did-it-joe @codycrazy @love-on-the-murder-scene @michaellangdonswhore @nsainmoonchild @langdonsjoyy @aftertheglitterfades @ferndolan @iamlivingforturner @moonlike33 @narwhal-swimmingintheocean @angiestopit @littleangel4996 @xo-angel-ox

#michael langdon #michael langdon imagine #michael langdon fanfiction #michael langdon imagines #american horror story imagine #american horror story #american horror story imagines #american horror story #ahs imagines #ahs imagine #ahs #mad love musings

[sassyfrassboss]

https://www.tumblr.com/sassyfrassboss/720674662824148992/two-things-can-be-true-at-once-kate-wore-a-diana?source=share

I sent the original ask and IMO There's absolutely nothing wrong in Kate wearing a "Diana outfit", people should get over their horror of that dead woman or not, that's their business, but it's not a problem

I think there's some reasonable criticism for Kate spending too much on Clothes or buying similar outfits, but I don't think it's in the top 5 problems for the RF, not when Charles is involved in financial scandals or Camilla's dodgy nephew riding with Anne or Andrew and Harry existing, I'd take a new Alessandra Rich over a bag of cash or a lunch wit Jeremy Clarkson any given day

Next time I am in London I am going to find the pub Piers Morgan goes to and buy him a pint.

So as to the cost of her clothing...

Catherine did spend almost double in 2022 than what she did spend in 2021. However, we must take into account COVID. Now that she is PoW, I think the next couple of years her wardrobe will be considerably more expensive but after a while it will ease off once she has more statement pieces associated with being PoW.

Even still, the past 12 years of her being a royal, I think she is just now reaching the amount of money Meghan spent in her 18 months of being a royal.

She also doesn't seem the type to just spend money to spend it but she buys items that she can get use out of in different ways over time.

[mysteriouseggsbenedict]

Highlights of MBS Queer Eye AU

In which Nicholas is the hero

The person who has the most work cut out for them is definitely Karamo. Nicholas has some fucked up trauma. The scenes with the two of them are just like Karamo asking Nicholas what he thinks about himself as a person and Nicholas being like "yeah I am a piece of trash and deserve nothing"

Conversely, Tan has the least work to do, because Nicholas's wardrobe already slaps. I DO HOWEVER think Tan would talk to Nicholas about his body image and maybe try to encourage outfits that don't hide his body as much. His gay professor style is great, but maybe he could work on not feeling like he can't even show skin or wear something that would emphasize his insecurities. Tan also tries to get him to improve his posture but has minimal success there.

Jonathan puts Nicholas on the curly girl routine or whatever else so his curls are healthy <3 and also dyes his hair neon green because why fucking not and doing something conventionally attractive would not work out anyway because Nicholas is not going to bother with upkeep.

Number Two refuses to let Bobby do any major renovations without her because she asserts her dominance as the more skilled woodworker. So Bobby just helps them clean and do repairs and maybe add a new bedroom or something since they're always adopting new family members.

Antoni has to work with Karamo to convince Nicholas that he's not too worthless of a person to deserve nice food, because he does have the skills to cook and helps organize meals for the others, but he doesn't care as much about his own nutrition. So it's less about teaching him how to cook and more about being like "hey dude you actually deserve meals even if it's not just because the others are here, you deserve it even if it's just for you"

Misc: Kate and Constance are absolutely delighted by the opportunity to be menaces on TV. I imagine the part of the episode where they're introducing the hero would be fucking hilarious because it's like "this man is a genius who solved the emergency, has 4 adopted children and also lives with his four adult found family members. He was nominated by Number Two [cut to shot of Number Two doing something unhinged]. Here we are at their house. Oh, but first we have to go through this maze.

#the mysterious benedict society #mbs #queer eye

[houseofbrat]

Well, well, well...

It's been approximately two months since the pr narrative about The Waleses being all about "the work" started.

And just think of all the pictures we now have of them working! The Waleses, they're just like us!

In fact, so dedicated is Kate to "her work" that she didn't even wear any dresses, except for that one time when she wore a dress to a memorial service for QEII in Wales.

Otherwise, Kate is all about business work! That's why she wore suits!

Just count em'!

Rugby podcast video: A Catherine Walker blazer in Prince of Wales check, Alexander McQueen Tailored straight-leg trousers/pants, and white shirt.

09 Sept 2023: Rugby World Cup appearance in white pantsuit; white/ivory Alexander McQueen blazer with white pants/trousers (possibly Roland Mouret).

12 Sept 2023: Alexander McQueen Amethyst suit

14 Sept 2023: Maje Vincio Blazer in Houndstooth tweed with black pants/trousers and shirt/sweater

18 Sept 2023: Holland Cooper Double-Breasted Twill Blazer in black with black pants/trousers and white shirt.

19 Sept 2023: Roland Mouret custom suit in beige

26 Sept 2023: Burberry Wool Tailored Suit in green

27 Sept 2023: Zara Textured Double-Breasted Long Blazer in red, LK Bennet Frieda Pants/Trousers in black

28 Sept 2023: Holland Cooper suit in navy chalk pin stripe

03 Oct 2023: Holland cooper suit in navy chalk pin stripe

04 Oct 2023: Cefinn Janie Sleeveless Funnel Neck sweater/jumper in mid-grey with Sezane Martin Trousers in mottled grey

05 Oct 2023: Oxen Sports ensemble

10 Oct 2023: LK Bennet Mya Blazer in yellow with black sweater and black Roland Mouret Axon Wide Leg pants/trousers

Wow.

THIRTEEN ensembles before Kate wore a skirt again.

She wore so many pantsuit ensembles that The Telegraph posted an article about it.

For eight out of the ten new appearances she’s undertaken in the past three weeks, the Princess has worn either a full trouser suit or a blazer with coordinating trousers. She’s mostly chosen muted colours and she’s largely been recycling previously seen pieces.  [...] If three’s a trend, then these many tailored looks point to a very deliberate change in style direction from Catherine, who has always used her fashion choices to send messages. So what is she trying to tell us here? “It’s a look of the moment, which works well on the Princess with her long legs, and those boxy jackets suit her,” said Ingrid Seward, the editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine and author of numerous royal biographies. “She wore those ‘little girl’ dresses for so long, but now she wants to look more sophisticated. It’s more of a work-day look; she doesn’t need to be in dresses anymore. A suit is snappier and smarter.” A year after assuming their Wales titles, Catherine and William are shaping their new roles for a modern era. “Catherine’s suits come at a time when the Waleses are making the way they work much more businesslike,” Seward said, adding that their increased workload and fresh approach to running their office, with the imminent appointment of a CEO, points to a polished and professional attitude from the future king and queen.  If Catherine has spent the past decade being viewed as a mother and young duchess, with a wardrobe of ladylike looks to reflect that perception, then now that she is in her 40s it may feel like the right time to swing the narrative. 

Wow. Ten plus years as a royal and only now does she want to be taken seriously! So much for wearing bright colors like Queen Elizabeth II so that people can see you. It's "muted colors" time now!

And it’s understandable that she might use what Seward called “the look of the moment” to craft a serious yet chic uniform that reflects her current priorities. But there are other long-time admirers of Catherine’s style who miss her softer, more classically “princessy” outfits.  “I don’t mind the occasional trouser or suit, but she’s been wearing this style so much of late,” wrote Jane Barr, who comments on the Princess via her Instagram page, From Berkshire to Buckingham. “I really miss the beautiful dresses and coats. This is, very frankly, boring. She is the Princess of Wales. I’d like to see some more pizazz.” The time for pizazz may come later in the autumn, especially if Catherine attends a state banquet set to be held in honour of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in November. For now, though, “blazers are more powerful than a dress, tougher and less feminine,” according to Berkeley. “The armour plating one needs to get a job done, in my book.”

Oh, is it all about the work now? Blazers and business suits to "get a job done"? Just like Gordon Rayner wrote two months ago, "Kate is keen to do more." I see all members of the British press, who write about Kate and the royals, have received the message loud and clear that Kate is all about "the work."

Was there a risk that the press would assume Kate is not about "the work" these days? For what reason would anyone assume something like that? Is there something that the unspectacular Kensington Palace comms team hasn't told peeps about? Some "ongoing situation" that is going to become permanent?

I'm sure nothing significant will be happening regarding The Waleses in the next two weeks while their three school-age children are on half-term break. It's not as if we are currently in a period of time where shit just springs out of nowhere with no warning. Just ask Israel! They received multiple warnings that Hamas was planning shit and ignored it. See! They were warned about it. It didn't come out of nowhere even though everyone outside of the Israeli government didn't know about it.

You can't blame the messenger when people just don't want to listen.

#well well well #well there's your problem #pr games #strategery #PR fail #William The Prince of Wales #William The Terrible #Workshy Will #The Workshy Waleses #The Celebrity Activists also known as The Prince & Princess of Wales #Catherine The Princess of Wales #Prince & Princess OWN GOALS #Earthshot Prize #singapore #Wales kid number FOUR #princess basement baby #my gif #Wales fandom ARMAGEDDON #clothes #clothing #the telegraph #the daily telegraph #Ingrid Seward #Kensington Palace #palace officials #palace household

[iamaslutforcoffee]

It's You and Me

Inspired by the infamous Kate Bush song! Thank you to @raecortes for this one ♡

It started with the memories..

(Flashback)

"Hey, baby! Hey!! RAE!" He called out to her as she walked down the hallways of Hawkins High.

She whipped around, her hair smacking Nancy in the face.

"What do you want now, Hargrove?!" She replied snarkily.

During the entire week Billy was seemingly more annoying to Rae every single day.

"A date? To the winter formal?"

(End of flashback)

He really didn't know where the happiness ended and the irritation began. It just happened out of no where, he just randomly started missing the memories and not the girl.

(Flashback)

"Billy? Would you help me zip this fucking dress up? I can't get it no matter what I do" he heard her ask.

He got up and walked to her, smiling at the sight. His Rae was trying with all her might to not ruin her perfectly done hair by zipping up her dress. Not like she could get the zipper in the first place.

He grasped the zipper and pulled it up, closing the dress on her. She smiled and turned around, standing on her toes to kiss him quickly.

"Thank you, handsome." She whispered, returning back to her wardrobe to finish off the look.

Billy shook his head smiling, knowing that she could wear a garbage bag and it would make him happy to see her in it. But it was something about her, something about the way she tried to look so put together all the time. How she always was nice to everyone, how she spoke to him calmly when he was being an ass.. he knew he'd forever love his girl.

(End of flashback).

Billy got into his first love, his car, and turned her on. Pulling out of the driveway and turning the radio on instantly her favorite song (consicindently was Max's favorite song as well) played through the speakers and he simply shook his head smiling.

"It's you and me..." he started to sing along.

(Flashback)

"AND IF I ONLY COULD, ID MAKE A DEAL WITH GOD AND ID GET HIM TO SWAP OUR PLACES!" She was singing along loudly to that new Kate Bush song, Max joining in on her fun.

He was driving the trio to some beach out of Hawkins, close to one of the big lakes.

(End of flashback)

He simply shook his head, smiling.

When Billy finally got to her home, he pulled clear into the driveway. Her parents weren't home so he knew they finally went on that vacation she was talking about before everything happened.

Oh, how he wish it never did...

(Flashback)

"What are you talking about, Billy? I don't even bother you like you say I do" she spoke, looking at him confused.

"Yes you do! You purposely do this shit all the time knowing I'm already on edge!" He yelled, his face in his hands.

"I DONT FUCKING DO SHIT WILLIAM FUCKING HARGROVE!" She screamed, throwing her hands in the air.

Billy simply shook his head and got up from his spot on her bed, walking out the door.

"It's over" he spoke softly, shaking his head. He said it loud enough for her to hear and kept going, knowing that if he looked back he'd see her upset and sobbing.

(End of flashback)

He let himself in, setting his keys and sunglasses on the table and slowly made his way to her room, her favorite song playing lowly from the radio.

His lips curled into a meek smile, once again remembering all the funny little memories they held together listening to music, singing songs and goofing off. His heart began to hurt, he knew he fucked up and felt it break because he knew on the otherside of her door, she was there in pieces breaking as well.

He opened the door and his breath got stuck in his throat.

As expected, she was on the bed crying. Her hair tied into a messy bun and and wearing his shirt she took from him that she insisted on having "because it smelt like him and he wore it alot", but he didn't want to let on that he knew she had it in the first place.

"Hey baby.." he slowly spoke.

~~~

OOOOOOF.

This one was HEAVY, and while I do hate cliff hangers I think this one needed that cliffhanger bad.

Again thank you so much to @raecortes for being so patient and so understanding with the circumstances of me taking so long to put this out. I really appreciate it and I appreciate every one of you guys taking the time to stop by and read this one-shot for me!

#Spotify #stranger things #billy hargrove x you #billy hargrove #billy hargrove smut stories #billy hargrove x female reader #dacre montgomery

[lamaisongaga]

        FASHION CREDITS: JAZZ & PIANO SHOW 3.0

Lady Gaga finally returned to Vegas to continue the final 12 jazz & piano residency shows, and brought out an entire new setlist and costumes! Make sure to check out the other looks here and here.

The fashion was put together by Tom Eerebout and Sandra Amador with assistance by Kayla Manjarrez and Gianni Catalina.

The show also came with a handful of new visuals, including this one of LG enjoying a round of poker while wearing a dress Marilyn Monroe herself would approve.

The red sequined plunging stunner with halterneck, column skirt and flower belt detail is from Rodarte's Fall/Winter 2020 collection ($1,827).

In the same visual, she wears this absolutely divine plush black velvet column dress with deep nude illusion mesh panel and rows of pearl necklaces from Russian designer Kamilla Purshie’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection.

Let's get to the show! A label I've been eyeing for some time ever since being loved by the likes of Taylor Swift and Kelly Rowland is Taipei-based Nicole + Felicia who whipped out this fun beaded fringe mini dress for their Bridal Fall/Winter 2020 collection that any showgirl would love.

She topped it off with a new Arturo Rios Faux Grass white feather showgirl headpiece 

Dita von Teese, if you please!

The Always Love You crystal-embellished silver hoop dangle earrings ($396) are made by Laruicci...

Shop:

Laruicci “Always Love You” Earrings ($396.00)

…while the Jimmy Choo metallic silver Anouk stiletto pumps provided the finishing touches.

Lady Gaga then devoured in this custom Prabal Gurung rose gold sunburst pleated silk lamé gown with hand-embroidered crystals and ostrich feather-trimmed cape.

Both her Hyperbola rhodium-plated hoop earrings with crystals in different cuts ($600)...

...and matching Hyperbola open cuff are created by Swarovski.

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Swarovski "Hyperbola" Earrings ($600.00)

The look was perfectly accentuated with these Christian Louboutin So Kate pumps coated in pink satin!

This was one of the, if not THE look most of you have been flooding my message inbox about.

LG stunned the Vegas crowd (and us) wearing a custom couture Rose Blossom metallic plissé gown by recently-gone-viral designer Robert Wun, whose been part of her wardrobe since 2013!

The silver-tone mixed crystal flower linear drop earrings are by I.N.C. International Concepts exclusively sold at Macy's.

The perfect shoe to complete the red looks of the show are by Christian Louboutin, who created the super fun Hot Chick Psychic metallic red leather slingback pumps ($852).

Shop:

Christian Louboutin "Hot Chick Psychic" Pumps ($852.00)

Another fun Robert Wun moment was this full look based on his Spring/Summer 2023 Haute Couture collection which went viral!

Signature peplum corset top in a bonded white satin, enhanced with silk taffeta ruching detail on the bust and lace-up back with matching large stole. Paired with a low-waist technical wool skirt with asymmetrical slit pleating details in anthracite.

Styled with a black & white 3D-printed headpiece with stripped coque feathers and long black gloves.

Hot, hotter, GAGA! Our girl twirled around the stage rocking a custom Garo Sparo fiery red showgirl beaded fringe bodysuit dress with hand-stoned crystal pattern and asymmetrical hem, inspired by old Bob Mackie pieces!

If you look closer, you can see that inbetween her fingers shines the Swarovski Hyperbola cocktail ring ($400).

Shop:

Swarovski "Hyperbola" Ring ($400.00)

Hell-o! Gaga brought out the best of Vegas' spirit appropriately decked out in the master of sexy dresswear: Zuhair Murad. And yes, this is the first time!

LG selected a sparkly fringe number fully embroidered in gold sequins and crystals of various sizes from the Lebanese designer's Fall/Winter 2022 Haute Couture collection, inspired by mystical arts, from Tarot and astrology to horoscopes and palmistry, to dispel the concerns of an unsettled age through the allure of their symbols.

She wore this augmented plummet shawl on stage, which was custom-made for her by Christian Cowan!

"Each ostrich feather plume was individually hand dyed to the warm tone of her exact Haus Labs shade of foundation, and curled to achieve a more dimensional effect before being embroidered individually by hand to a crinoline base also custom dyed to be her exact warm tone- all done in-house by our New York Atelier"

One of Gaga's most stunning Vegas-worn headpieces to date is another one-off-one bespoke Arturo Rios! This time: gold lamé leather orchid bouquet with large crystals peeking out between the leaves and buds.

She finished off with her previously-worn Jimmy Choo Anouk metallic gold pointed-toe pumps!

The finale look of the show sees Gaga wearing a bespoke Topo Studio NY plush black silk velvet gown with attached tails to the wrists, embroidered with over 400 cosmic crystals.

The fun feather headpiece with crystallized cap was custom-made for her by Binata Millinery.

For this look she wore Jimmy Choo's Romy black patent leather pointed-toe pumps.

#Kamilla Purshie #Prabal Gurung #Nicole and Felicia #Topo Studio NY #Garo Sparo #Robert Wun #Rodarte #Arturo Rios #Binata Millinery #Swarovski #Laruicci #INC International Concepts #Christian Louboutin #Jimmy Choo #Zuhair Murad #Christian Cowan

[vikkates]

New pieces I would like The Princess of Wales to add to her wardrobe (1,219/?)

Gown by Oscar de la Renta

I want to see this gown with all the sapphires. All. The. Sapphires.

#fashion #new wardrobe pieces for kate #oscar de la renta #gowns #blue gowns #off the shoulder gowns #fitted gowns #simple gowns

[claireofluxembourg]

Who is Alexander that got recently married and he is already cheating?

Fans of continent royals are pissed that British royals got all the attention and theirs get nothing. Ignoring the fact that less attention means less criticism. Harry and Meghan teared to pieces for getting a free house costing millions. Meanwhile Fred and Mary had a secret house in Switzerland paid for by taxpayers for years.(I am glad that Dutch still has a memory of WA and Maxima's covid fiasco.)

Ufo no more makes clear how they add the cost of clothes. And of course she wanted to tell us that Yorks get discounts but no word to support other royals that do it because they are lower than Kate. The absolutely funny was when she tried to explain the economies of Monaco and Luxembourg to her followers 🤣 (Someone must tell her that Albert personally owns most rich companies of Monaco.) While she didn't remember the influence Kate has in British fashion industry, that a golden dress contributed to JP return after lockdown. That unlike Mary Kate must wear new clothes. And of course we still remember the scandal with her clothes.

Someone told me he married another someone whose aristo title is fake. Places full of pretenders if you ask me, I have no clue about them lmao.

Lmaooo the Chalet will always live in my mind rent free, no pun intended. And seriously we all criticised WaxMax to no ends when they decided holidaying during a pandemic was a good idea. But what would they know?

Oh god her basically saying the UK was poor? To british people?? Like listen, they have their problems like any other country but despite that, the wardrobe from the royals is not taxpayer funded and that's something that every sane royal fashion watcher knows. But anything to fit the narrative I guess.

[theblogtini]

Its hardly like Kate is going full Marie Antoinette. She is buying some green and brown coats, most of which the general public wouldn't know if it was new or not. It would be a worse look if she was spending thousands on a new ballgown each week or doing 10 Crown princess Mary photoshoots but she isn't. Most of her clothing could be legitimately given away or reused. I just don't think of all things this is a big issue. I wonder if its because she is buying pieces they don't like?

I think in this instance it’s bc she bought a coat that is nearly identical to 1 she already owns & she has a tendency to do that a lot. So people see it as a waste of money because like… do you really need the same EXACT item just 3” longer?

That said, I kind of wonder if the “clothing budget” that she’s allowed works the same way as some corporate budgets do. If any of you work in the corporate world you might have realized that at the end of the year your company kind of goes on a buying spree - new computers, cell phones, whatever. The reason for this is 2-fold: 1) get those expenses in by the end of the year for tax purposes but 2) if the money isn’t spent this year then NEXT YEAR the accounting department will look at it and go “oh I see you had $5k left over last year - okay guess you don’t need that this year either” & then the operating budget for the department is smaller. So your boss will spend money - even on things they don’t necessarily “need” - to protect that budget minimum for the following year.

Perhaps the way the Duchy allocates personal funds (bc it’s not like William is managing his own money) is similar - like “here’s how much you get this year - if you don’t use it the next year you get less & then when you need more you have to justify the reason.” So she buys things she likes, even if she doesn’t NEED them bc next year if she/they need more money (if there’s a tour that needs a wardrobe, if the kids school is more expensive, whatever) then it’s harder to get that $ allocated.

Charles had said before that there “wasn’t enough $ to go around” (according to Harry) so I tend to believe that even tho the Duchy makes a huge income for the Duke, it’s not money that’s easily accessible.

[ofprincessesandqueens]

I totally get the sentiment with renting a dress, but I do agree with you that altering one of her dresses that she’s only worn once would’ve maybe been a better choice.

And here’s the even more unpopular opinion: Maybe don’t debut new pieces of clothing to every single engagement you do on a trip where sustainability is the biggest focus. That made the rental dress performative for me tbh. I actually liked the tourdrobe, Kate’s dress at Harvard is one of my favorites ever on her! But did she need another new green coat when she’s got 10 just hanging in her closet? It was a missed opportunity, if I was her adviser I would’ve said that her entire wardrobe should’ve been rewears on a trip like this.

TBH, I actually thought most if not all of the clothes she was going to wear during the visit were going to be repeats or vintage

#anonymous #anon #ask

[danwhobrowses]

Power of the Doctor - Quickfire Thoughts

So it's time for a New Doctor to take the reins

It's been a mixed tenure for Whittaker - by no fault of her own, moreso the writing - but let's see how her final effort goes

Spoilers for the Episode

Hang on, isn't that Luther from Umbrella Academy?

Didn't expect the Cyber Masters to be back, let alone be shot down by laser blasters

Bit reckless from the Doctor to drop her 'fam' into a Cyberman raid

They were still opening the box, this is not the time to do the speech

Ace the poor museum lady's not gonna tell you some alien shit is going down with the painting

Inevitable write-off for Dan even though we've had a whole season to come to terms with mortality, y'know to push the whole Doctor and Yaz thing he was thirdwheeling

First time? Dalek Sec Doctor? Rusty?

Of course the Master is Rasputin

Got some classic stuff going though; Kaled mentions, Tegan and Ace, Master's hypnosis and action figuring, referencing the Second Doctor's Forced Regeneration someone has been doing their homework

Joker was here and he stole a TARDIS!

Doctor you do have a Time Machine, time should be all you have

How polite of the Master to message UNIT at that exact moment

Vinder! Why aren't you with your girl?

Sacha Dhawan's Master is at its best right now, but seriously how many times do you have to bring the Master into a secure and sensitive facility for it to be part of his plan before you think twice?

As dangerous as jumping a train full of Cyber Masters Yaz?

Oh so the Lone Cyberman is just a pawn again? Bit of a waste

UNIT aren't aren't so ready if they just have simple machine guns...

To be fair the garb works

United in a common goal and all you could get is Daleks and Cybermen? I mean, the Pandorica had a bigger alliance

'Yo Dalek is this a bop?'

So does Sacha technically become the Fourteenth Doctor or are we gonna count this the same way as War Doctor and Metacrisis Doctor? I mean he's even wearing a wardrobe mismatch of other outfits, even the flute and celery.

I mean, couldn't this have been achieved by just...changing your name?

CGI Hartnell (well, David Bradley but a bit of work done), also irl Colin, Davidson, McCoy and McGann

McGann could still play the Doctor I'm just saying

Guess no CGI Pertwee, Troughton or irl Baker, no Eccleston, Smith (guess he is housing dragons at this time) or Capaldi either

I miss Osgood, anyone else miss Osgood?

Okay so if they can shoot through the window what's stopping them from escaping the building?

Sorry Ace it's kinda a NuWho thing; River, Clara, even the sentient piece of jet fuel

GRAHAM!

So UNIT has a laser shield but not a laser gun?

Technically he never accepted the terms...

So does the original Master just chill in a box forever?

Wait, how can the AI turn into Fugitive Doctor? Yaz never met her didn't she?

We're...just gonna leave the Master there?

Guess Kate isn't liked enough to have AI Doctor helping her out

Daleks can survive bullets but not a baseball bat

Good thing Vinder was here to shoot the Master once

Won't doing that still disrupt the tectonics on the planet?

What about the other Brother Eye Death Star thingy?

Aw man no more Graham :/ if we were just gonna cameo it would've rather we just swapped him and Vinder for Dan and Karvanista

I mean, you were hit with a laser from a being of pure energy

The fact that we will never get Dan and Graham as a comedic companion duo is the true tragedy

Companions of future past being cameo'd too, would've thought there'd already be a support group

DAVID!!??

So he's not a past iteration for the special? I guess the Curator did say we'd be revisiting a few old faces in the last special

So is DAVID counted as the Tenth AND Fifteenth Doctor or is this also gonna count as another War Doctor or Metacrisis Doctor?

If we had a penny for every time the Doctor unexpectedly turned into David Tennant again we'd have two pennies, which is not a lot but it's still surprising it happened twice

So there we have it. I liked the episode, but I didn't cry. I think it's just that I wasn't as attached as previous, part of that does come down to me never really being a fan of Yaz. Even in this episode the most impressive thing she does without help is pilot the TARDIS with the help of post-it notes, I could've told you from the get-go that the episode would find a way to write out Dan as well. It was nice seeing past companions like Ace, Tegan and Graham, but most of them had a limited role, also UNIT were extremely ineffective, as were the Daleks and the Cybermen really, especially the lone Cyberman who was just a named redshirt. The plot felt a bit convoluted as well, the interesting stuff didn't get as much time you know? We could've had like a full 3-parter on this to flesh it out more, the train stuff at the beginning was a bit meh, plus the CGI and wiring were a bit iffy.

But it was still good, end on a surprise and we had a lot of fanservice, a lot of clever callbacks, we'll have to see in 2023 how Tennant course corrects to Ncuti Gatwa

#doctor who #dr who #dr who spoilers #power of the doctor #thirteenth doctor #jodie whittaker #the master #sacha dhawan #ace doctor who #sophie aldred #tegan jovanka #janet fielding #yasmin khan #mandip gill #dan lewis #john bishop #the power of the doctor

[emmashouldbewriting]

I feel like some people have lost nuance here. Yes, Kate has the money to spend on clothes. And it’s quite possible that many of these “new” pieces actually aren’t, that she bought them a while ago and is only debuting them now. I also understand buying multiples of the same/similar thing in different colors (I do it too when I find something I like/that fits well, and for Kate it’s likely a safe strategy)

BUT Kate also usually understands the optics of her role. I mean the woman plans her wardrobe/jewelry to a T for trips and visits, wearing local colors/designers/etc. Which is where some of this frustration stems. No, this will not affect anyone personally. But the optics are: an unelected public figure flaunting her (partly) unearned wealth on new clothing, some of which looks exactly the same as stuff she already has, when people are financially suffering for their own clothes or food, heat, medical care, etc. Even if she’s paying for all this out of her own pocket, we don’t know that. We, and the general public, can only go by what we see. And for a member of the BRF, at this time and economic situation, it’s not the best look. That’s all.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Thank you.

And by the time the yearly totals are released, it'll be cold again, the energy bills will be even more expensive, and we'll probably have to suffer it without the scheme currently in place. It'll be even harder.

[parfumnotes]

1/30/23

 I really didn’t mean to go a year without writing. Back in September, I started an entry that I never got back to, so here’s an attempt at a new one.

It was a pretty eventful year in my perfume world, as well as my personal one. 2022 saw us taking lots of little road trips, several of which one or two-nighters. It was nice to see parts of the state we hadn’t before. We got one great 5 mile hike in before monsoon got busy. Not that it rained much here, but the mountains would be too rainy and cold to enjoy.

Onto the goods. I’ve been extremely content (thrilled) with my perfume wardrobe and mostly focused on acquiring some backups of big loves. Some new additions include this creamy, thick vanilla-tonka beauty called Ajmal Evoke Silver.

bitter orange, rose, vanilla, tonka bean, sandalwood

This one smells amazing in hot temps! It’s a change up for me because I’m a big floral lover, and really want bright florals in the heat. Evoke doesn’t bloom as beautifully in cool temps though, and it isn’t at all too heavy for hot weather. This has led me to try warmer scents in warmer weather, even if it is slightly against my preference. It has a milky quality like Armani Si Fiori (WHY did they discontinue it?), which is an addition from early last year.

black currant, green mandarin, neroli, rose, patchouli, oakmoss, vanilla, white musk

I’m very grateful for having received a bottle of Si Fiori before it was too hard to find. Another big love that I was wanting for probably 3 years but could never find: White Soul Gold & Diamonds by Ted Lapidus. Make what you will of the name and sure, the bottle is different.. this is a beautiful piece of work by Francis Kurkdjian. This is another one that develops to the best version of itself in warm weather. It’s like a mixture of a creamier JPG Classique Essence and Alien. Some soapiness, a lot of orange blossom, very dense vanilla. It reminds me a bit of PdM Safanad, though not powdery like Safanad. What it is- womanly in every way.

neroli, mandarin, orange, jasmine sambac, orange blossom, amber, vanilla orchid, heliotrope

I also managed to finally get my hands on Signorina Misteriosa. This is a lovely, milky tuberose-blackberry-vanilla. I love these both! I’d nearly forgotten how much I enjoy juicy berries in fragrance- probably because they can feel too shampoo or body spray like. Not here.

blackberry, neroli, tuberose, orange blossom, milk mousse, black vanilla, patchouli

For fun trip to Arizona last spring, I wore Kate Spade Live Colorfully. I also took along my bottle of Intense Tiare, a sample of Gabrielle Essence (even more gorgeous in heat!), and layered True Gold with Far Away Gold by Avon... but it was Live Colorfully that I attached to this particular trip.

water lily, mandarin orange, star anise, gardenia, tiare flower, coconut, Tahitian vanilla, musk, amber

Being obsessed with banana accords, I had to have D & G The One Essence. I have owned a bottle of the original The One for many years, but made the mistake of wearing it during the difficult time of losing my mother. That caused me to completely stop wearing it in spite of loving it. That wasn’t even a conscious decision but it was having the Essence version that brought it to my attention. I can wear it now, thankfully, and this version is so delicious. One night I wore Essence to bed, and the next morning sprayed Tom Ford Champaca Absolute. The vanilla base amped up Champaca Absolute and the two blended so beautifully that I have worn them like this again.

peach, litchi, mandarin orange, bergamot, lily, jasmine, lily-of-the-valley, vanilla, amber, vetiver

Did I really try to say I didn’t obtain that many new perfumes? Haha I’m not even going to try to list them all here but let’s not forget Prada La Femme. I was given a sample of La Femme a couple of years ago but when I smelled it, it smelled exactly like Dali Wild, which I already have. So this year on a whim, I decided to try it again and was hooked. Bubblegummy-tuberose-honey floral. Could be beachy, somewhat tropical.. very clean and feminine.

magnolia, bergamot, carrot seeds, frangipani, tuberose, ylang-ylang, iris, spices, beeswax, vanilla, vetiver

Another delicious gourmand, warm, powdery, sultry berry-ish scent that I fell in love with is Cacharel Yes I am Fabulous. My friend sent a decant of this for me to try and I used every drop. So good. SO GOOD.

blackberry, heliotrope, milk, hazlenut

My birthday surprise was the gorgeous Ylang in Gold (Edition Speciale) by M. Micallef. I was fortunate to have previously sampled both the original Ylang in Gold and Ylang in Gold Nectar, which I preferred. Then I saw this bottle, the lack of mint of the original and extra fruity notes of both and only dreamed. I’m so thankful to have this beauty- wish they’d make this formulation permanent. It’s smoother, a little woodier but very much about ylang and vanilla. The great  thing is that good old Casmir by Chopard is close to Ylang in Gold.

geranium, citruses, ylang-ylang, sandalwood, coconut, vanilla

I can’t not mention Swiss Arabian Shaghaf Oud. This one was on my radar for ages but the reviews were too scary. It was when I smelled something on bubble wrap from another order that something said to just buy it. I had never smelled it before, but a hunch told me that it was Shaghaf Oud. It’s wonderful. Mostly vanilla, praline and oud. I wish the rose was stronger.. but I actually love to layer this with Pure Honey. Can’t get enough..

saffron, oud, rose, praline, vanilla

Another fragrance that I was gifted a sample and fell for is Frank Boclet Ylang Ylang. Goodness. This is very gourmand caramel that shines on the later dry down when the florals come out to play.

mandarin orange, incense, bergamot, ylang-ylang, jasmine, iris, caramel, amber, musk, vetiver

My daughter and I took a trip to the mall one day. It’s funny or sad how little I venture out anymore. On this rare excursion, I was able snag a bottle of Burberry Her Elixir. The Elixir version sits exactly in the middle of Burberry Her and Burberry Her Intense (love) in depth and tone. More milky- most people associate it with milkshake. It’s more girly than the Intense version.

strawberry, blackberry, jasmine, vanilla, amber, sandalwood

Other very worthy mentions I’m enjoying: Michael Kors Glam Jasmine* - Solinotes Ylang Ylang Blossom* - Al Haramain Amber Oud Gold Edition - Mauboussin My Twist - Afnan Souvenir Floral Bouquet

*These deserve their own posts. MK Glam Jasmine is one of the best jasmine scents out there, in my opinion. I have smelled Tom Ford Jasmin Rouge EDT and love it, and while they aren’t exactly the same, Glam Jasmine is hugely satisfying. Long lasting, great sillage. Solinotes Ylang Ylang Blossom has become a favorite easy reach for my insatiable ylang craving. When I first wore it, it reminded me so much of something I couldn’t put my finger on. Tanning lotion and Orchid Soleil, minus the milky (whipped cream) note. You can’t beat that.🌷