Rachel

so quite a lot of people expressed interest in a guide to lion dance! and since the lunar new year is coming up in a couple weeks, which means everyone’s exposure to lions is probably going to increase, i figured i’d go ahead and make it! right click + open in new tab to fullview, etc etc, i hope it’s helpful, although if you only take one thing away from this powerpoint, it’s this: lions are not dragons

A New Look with Old and New Pieces

This outfit came together because of the tie, which I bought months ago but hadn’t worn yet.  I really enjoyed how everything came together.  I’m also pretty jazzed that Chubstr recently rebloged from here recently.

Shirt - Gift from a friend at a local clothing swap, purchased at Kohl’s

Vest - thrift, found by partner who enthusiastically suggested I get it

Tie - Chaps, from TJ Maxx  I am sorry, but who can resist a tie with bandana-wearing Frenchies on it?

Jeans - Nautica, from Destination XL

Socks - Gold Toe, from their outlet store

Look at that Face

A series of each birthday and the significance to each one according to astrology.

The readings apply for both men and women and are quite general so don’t worry about that! Here are the links:

Language Of Birthdays Pt.1 : January 1 - March 17

Language Of Birthdays Pt.2 : March 18 - May 26

Language Of Birthdays Pt.3 : May 27 - August 7

Language Of Birthdays Pt.4 : August 8 - October 19 - FINISHED

Language Of Birthdays Pt.5 October 20 - December 31 - FINISHED

I get this info from a book called Secret Language Of Birthdays written by Gary Goldschneider. All I do is summarize the info of each date for you guys, I also own the book Secret Language Of Relationships so lmk if anyone wants that series as well❣️

It’s explicitly mentioned in the manga that Tohru was born in the year of the dog, on May 6th. Therefore it must have happened between January 25th of 1982 and 12th February of 1983… Same for Yuki and Kyo, naturally. Note that in Japan a school year starts around April ! Given that she’s 16 at the beginning of the manga, in the first of her three high school years, we can deduce the following chronology. I do not have the 23 volumes in my home at the moment so I cannot complete it till the end of the series, but I think it’s a pretty good start. I hope this will be useful to fanfic writers who try to stick as close to the canon as possible !

1970, February 6th/1971, January 26th : Estimation of Shigure Sohma’s birthday (he’s born in the year of the Dog like Tohru). It seems that he finished high school sooner than Hatori and Ayame.

1972 : Estimation of Ayame Sohma’s birthday (he told Tohru there was a ten-years gap between him and Yuki). Seems Hatori was around during Ayame’s high school years, he’s probably the same age.

1974 : Estimation of Kureno Sohma’s birthday (he’s two years younger than the trio)

1976 : Estimation of Ritsu Sohma’s birthday (he’s four years younger than the trio)

1980, June 21st/July 22nd : Estimation of Kagura’s birthday (she’s a Cancer)

1981 : Estimation of Isuzu/Rin Sohma’s birthday

1982 : Estimation of Yuki Sohma’s, Kyo Sohma’s, Arisa Uotani and Hanajima’s birthdays.

1982, May 6th : Tohru Honda is born

1983, June 21st/July 22nd : Estimation of Hatsuharu’s birthday (he’s a Cancer)

1984 : Estimation of Kisa Sohma’s birthday.

1983 : Estimation of Katsuya Sohma’s death (Tohru says she was three years old when it happened)

1985 : Estimation of Hiro Sohma’s birthday.

1989, April : Yuki Sohma’s second year of primary school begins. During this year, his secret was accidentally discovered, forcing Hatori to erase the memories of his classmates.

1998, April : Tohru’s Honda first year of high school begins.

1998, May 1st : Death of Kyoko. After that, Kyo will spend four months in the mountains, training.

1998, September : Approximate starting time of the series. Tohru spends one week in a tent. Kyo had been living in Shigure’s house for three days when he had an argument with Tohru on the school’s roof. Shigure confirms later that it’s “the end of the summer.”

1999, 15th/16th Februray : New Year’s Eve. Momiji, whose year begins, dances with Kisa ; the Zodiac enters a Rabbit Year.

Midsummer walks

Kalamazoo Nature Center, Michigan

Summer 2024

(This one was very "GET OFF THE ROAD! *ringwraith screech*)

Massif des Écrins

Hauts Alpes / France 🇫🇷

A while ago I received a direct message asking for recs on where to buy qipao/cheongsam, and I figured I’d make a post for others who’d also be interested. 

First of all - I think qipao should be tried on and bought in-person if at all possible, since having the right fit is important - especially if it’s for a formal occasion like a wedding. However, since that’s often not possible, I’ve compiled a list of online shop recs, mainly for more casual occasions.

Since English-language online qipao shops are plentiful and easy to find, I’ll be focusing this list on Taobao shops only. Please note that these are my personal recs, based on my own aesthetic preferences. Thus most of the recs are for shops focused on retro-inspired, minguo-style qipao made using the traditional 平裁/pingcai (flat tailoring) method. Also, I have not actually purchased qipao from any of these shops (all my qipao were bought in person) - this is based mainly on how appealing I find the designs.

1. 嬉姷/Xi You - Elegant qipao modelled closely on historical designs, mainly from the Republican era/minguo. Careful attention paid to historical details. My favorite qipao shop to browse for fun:

2. 海上芳时/Shanghai Fancy - Specializes in chic minguo-style designs of the 1920s-1940s. Recently came out with a neat art deco-inspired collection:

3. 唐之语/Tang Zhi Yu - Retro-style qipao in a variety of bold prints, with a focus on the form-fitting designs of the 1950s-1960s, including those from the film “In the Mood for Love”:

4. 繁莳/Fancy Dream - Dreamy, delicate retro-inspired qipao and modified qipao. Also has a nice selection of winter majia (vests):

5. Top Ulara - A large selection of classic, retro-style qipao with a hint of glamour. Offers lots of long/thick/layered qipao suitable for colder weather:

6. 梦回故里/Menghui Guli - Nostalgic, conservative retro-style qipao for all seasons. Old-fashioned in a good way:

7. 晴山制衣/Qingshan Zhiyi - Retro-style qipao in fresh, vivid colors and an interesting variety of designs and patterns:

8. 限时赏味/Xianshi Shangwei - Streamlined, retro-style qipao in subtle colors and prints that exemplify understated elegance: 

9. 茉茉/Momo - Tons of options for simple, cute, and casual retro-style qipao suitable for daily wear. Designs tend towards monochromes and all-over prints. Another review/rec here:

10. 如及/Yu Gallery - Simple yet elegant retro-style and contemporary qipao. I love the shop’s use of sheer fabrics & layering in its designs:

11. 向南飞FLY - Offers a selection of casually stylish retro-style qipao and modified qipao for daily chic:

12. 川黛/Chuan Dai - Soft, feminine, pastel-infused qipao & modified qipao in retro-inspired and contemporary styles:

13. 四斤自制/Sijin Studio - Creative, avant-garde takes on (modified) qipao & qipao-inspired outfits:

14. 密扇/Mukzin - Colorful, playful, and irreverent modified qipao and qipao-inspired outfits. There’s also an English website here:

If you like the above qipao but still want an English website, there are several Taobao resellers that carry similar designs - for example, Beth and Brian Qipao. The hanfu shop Nuwa Hanfu also offers a carefully curated array of qipao, including plus-size qipao.

Finally, when it comes to in-person shops, I want to highlight Xiangjiang Silk Co., a relatively new boutique in New York City specializing in actual vintage 1950s-1960s qipao. There’s an article here on the boutique and its founder Heather Guo (who was featured in Vogue). Store visits are appointment-only, so you’ll have to reach out to Heather via her social media if you want to drop by.

If anyone has reviews of the above shops and/or more qipao shop recs, please share! ^^

숨기 좋은 일요일 욕조에 날 담궈놓고 하루종일 난 몽상해 알몸을 까놓고 하루종일 하루종일 I’m a fucking loner, yeah 하루종일 oh baby 하루종일 I’m a fucking loner 그 누구도 잡념도 초대는 못해 오직 나와 선물로 받은 촛대만이 Very important very important 내 인생도 내 입생 섬유도 날 가지지 못해 내 속내를 외치듯 알몸을 까놓고 yeah 하루종일 하루종일 I’m a fucking loner, yeah 하루종일 oh baby 하루종일 I’m a fucking loner It feels like mmm It feels like mmm It feels like mmm 쉬운 땀이 이마에 흘러 여잔 아니지만 가슴쯤에 출렁 초식남은 반만 담그래 난 완신욕하네 그래 날 오징어라 불러 연체동물처럼 나의 몸을 늘려 젖어 불안한 담배를 입에 물려 쭈그려서 초식남은 2, 30분 하라네 난 무식해서 1시간 이상이 슬쩍 훌쩍 그렇게 흘렀어 나가지마 그냥 나가지마 문자가 왔지만 전화길 찾지 마 그녀는 너의 차지야 보고 싶음 사진 보라고 해 강아지야 니가 착하지마 하지만 배고픈 건 참지만 하고픈 건 사실 그건 좀 다른 이야기 초식남은 이제 그만 개풀 뜯어 Fuck this shit I’m leaving I’ll be fucking like 하루종일

___________

It’s a good Sunday to hide, I soak myself in the bathtub and all day long I fantasize, my body bare all day long, all day long I’m a fucking loner, yeah all day long, oh baby, all day long I’m a fucking loner

No one can invite distracting thoughts only me and a candle that I got as a gift are Very important very important nor my life or my Yves Saint Laurent’s fabric can have me my body bare as if I’m baring my heart, yeah

all day long, all day long I’m a fucking loner, yeah all day long, oh baby, all day long I’m a fucking loner It feels like mmm It feels like mmm It feels like mmm

Sweat goes down my forehead I’m not a woman but my chest jiggles they say half of vegetarians bathe like this I curse my arms* yeah, call me a squid I enlarge my body like a mollusk a wet and anxious cigarette is bitten and crushed in my mouth vegetarians say to bathe for 2 to 30 minutes but I’m an idiot and more than an hour went just like that don’t come out, just don’t come out you got a text but don’t go look for your phone she’s all yours, you miss her tell her to send pictures, are you a puppy? Don’t be so nice I hold off hunger but honestly wanting to sleep with someone is a bit of a different story vegetarians, stop eating plants Fuck this shit I’m leaving I’ll be fucking like all day long