i win because i dreamt about klapollo building a house together and kissing on the floor of their bedroom 💥💥💥💥

“ you waited for me? ” whoever you'd like!

thank you love!! I’m gonna do this for my new oc, Antoinette, and Faith ❤❤ So I’m gonna place this scene pre-fc5, also before they get together.

Antoinette Chambers sat in her bedroom, perched in front of an antique mahogany vanity. In her hand she held a silver-handled brush decorated with baroque engravings. She stared intently into the mirror in front of her, meeting her own icy blue stare as the hairbrush combed through her thick ginger tresses. 

As she preened, an alto hum thrummed from her throat. Setting down the brush, she hummed the final notes of a slow melody and gazed upon her reflection. There was a reverence in Ann’s eyes as she regarded herself, a surety that few are able to achieve. 

The woman plucked a tube from the vanity and popped off the cap. Making an ‘o’ with her mouth, she followed the curve of her cupid’s bow with the lipstick and painted her lips a striking red. She rubbed her lips together when she finished and grinned. Her smile was a graceful uptilt of her lips, dimples forming at either side of her cheeks. 

A knock sounded at the door, turning her smile into a scowl almost immediately. Her features creased in a kind of anger as she stood, stalking to the door to see who dared interrupt her ritual. To Antoinette, the process of getting ready for the day and ‘putting on her face’, as she put it, was a holy one. One she was loath to cut short. 

Yanking open the door, her face changed once more- a more neutral mask slipping over the anger that was just there. “Faith.” She said the one word as a greeting and a question, looking down at the woman. 

 At the threshold stood the Siren; she wore an off-white gown that almost touched the floor as she stepped into the room. In her hands she held a large terracotta pot with bells of white flowers spilling out of it. “Annie, I did it! It’s finally finished!” Faith exclaimed as she set the flowerpot on the vanity. 

Ann tried to hold her tongue at having a dirty pot on her priceless mahogany and instead focus on her charge. “What would that be?” She nodded to the flowers. 

“Bliss..” The word fell from the brunette’s mouth in a sigh as she held the ‘s’ with a small hiss. 

Eyebrows raised, Antoinette recalled a conversation the pair had had many months ago. Faith had told her of an idea to splice the genes of different flowers, making a potent hybrid that could induce a kind of trance if all went according to plan. She took a step closer, saying “The Bliss?” 

The other woman nodded excitedly, dancing out of the way and inviting Ann over. “Smell them!” She urged, putting a hand on her arm and coaxing her closer to the blossoms. 

Annie hesitated a moment before lifting one of the white blooms and inhaling its sweet scent. It was almost an instant high; she stepped back as stars swarmed her vision and she felt lightheaded. All her worries vanished for a moment, until she was teleported back to her bedroom. Faith was sitting on the bed now, giving her a beaming smile. Dazed, Antoinette was rendered speechless for a moment. 

“See! Isn’t it wonderful? If the flowers can do that, imagine what I can do with the concentrate from the crop!” Faith stood once more, looking almost bashful as she said “It’s you I have to thank though, I couldn’t have done it without your help.” 

The ginger started to regain her senses as she questioned, “How did I help you?” 

Looking down at the floorboards, the Siren posed a new question, “Do you remember the first service you attended? For the Project, I mean.” Clearly caught off guard, Ann was silent as she thought back to the first time she felt her calling at Eden’s Gate. 

It was a dry summer day, and Antoinette had relished in the Montana heat as she stepped into the newly finished church of Eden’s Gate. Joseph stood at the forefront of the structure, preaching to his flock. His words struck her, and she had found a kindred spirit in the Father. 

Before she could reply, Faith continued, “I do. It was mine, too.” She smiled whimsically, recalling the thought. “Me and Tracey had gone together, just to see what all the fuss was about… I remember- the Father was in the middle of his sermon when the doors opened. I turned around, and there you were. It didn’t look like you’d come for the service, but you sat down at one of the pews in the back and seemed enraptured the whole time.” 

A small smile graced Annie’s features and she nodded, “It was his sermon on when he first heard the Voice, that fateful day in Georgia.” As they spoke of Joseph, a sense of wonder filled their words.

Nodding, the brunette reached her point- “You’re part of the reason I went to the next sermon; of course the Father’s words touched me but… at the end of the service, I sat outside the church and watched everyone filter out. I saw so many changed people that day, but I really hoped to see you.” Faith admitted finally, meeting Antoinette’s eyes. 

“You waited for me?” She asked, unable to contain her surprise. Ann searched the younger woman’s gaze, looking for any flicker of deceit and finding none. 

Her response was quiet, “Yes… I did.”

The two were silent for a moment, and a sort of tension hung in the air around them.

Breaking eye contact after more than a few moments, Antoinette hurriedly turned around and grabbed the pot of Bliss flowers. “We need to show this to Joseph.” She changed the subject quickly, handing off the flowers to the other.

Faith took them, looking down at her creation. The moment was lost, and she responded in an almost dejected tone, “Right now? We don’t know if he’s busy…”

Annie shook her head, walking to the door as she said “This is more important. Let’s go.” Her words were final as she held open the heavy bedroom door, ushering Faith out of the room. With a sigh, the woman followed after her, easing the door shut.

As they made their way to the Father, Antoinette tried to curb all thoughts of this new revelation from Faith. She knew with a cold certainty that no good could come of dwelling on it, her duty was to watch over the Siren, to help her grow into her role. This was a job that could hold no benefits, no matter how tempting.

For today’s blog a wonderful article from an Italian newspaper from 1971. With very special thanks to Peter for the translation.

This is the last post for now as I will go on holiday for a week.

QUEEN OF MONTE CARLO Shirley holds the hand of here nephew Mark. Behind, in the center, is Sharon, her eldest daughter, her husband Sergio Novak and, on the right Samantha. Bassey triumphed on Saturday, 6 August at the Red Cross Gala in Monte Carlo, singing seven songs. The most applauded were the title tracks from the films ‘Goldfinger’ and ‘Love Story. Shirley married Sergio Novak, from Trieste, on the 12th. of August 1968. She had met him some years ago in Venice when he was deputy manager of a hotel on the Lido. At the end of August Shirley will return with her family to their home in Lugano.

Shirley Bassey celebrates her third anniversary in Sardinia with her beautiful Italian giant.

My darling MAXI-robot ‘Nobody believed that my marriage to Sergio would last more than a month’, says Shirley Bassey, ‘but here we are, more united than ever.’ ‘I was restless, irascible: in him I found a secure man, capable of guiding me in difficult moments.’ ‘As a manager, my husband is exceptional: precise and methodical like a perfect robot.’ ‘My two daughters will soon have a little brother: I intend to soon adopt my nephew, Marco, aged 5, who has lived with us for some time.’ Playing at Sporting: The singer Shirley Bassey, playing at Sporting, jokes with her family: daughter Sharon (17), who holds in her arms Mark (5), the nephew that Shirley intends to adopt, then husband Sergio Novak (a tall giant of a meter and 95) and at the end the younger daughter, Samantha (7). ‘We are the happiest and rowdiest group in Porto Rotondo’, says the singer, ‘and my husband is really the wildest’. Shirley Bassey is the daughter of an English mother and Nigerian father. She had her daughter, Sharon,  before she was married and Samantha with her first husband, the English director Kenneth Hume. ‘On the 12th of August, I celebrated my third year of marriage’, Shirley Bassey says in a low voice, caressing with velvety eyes, her husband Sergio Novak, who is Italian 1,95 tall with a mustache that makes him resemble a young Pietro Germin. The Anglo-Nigerian singer continues, ‘This anniversary is particularly important for me. These three years of love have demonstrated that I made the right choice. I remember very well the comments of the usual critics in 1968: ‘It won’t last more than a month with that beanpole Italian; or ‘Restless as she is, she will change her man like she has until now without thinking about it for a moment’. Well, it is true, I was a restless sort who had had many ‘adventures’. But it really has been the closeness to Sergio that has transformed me: I was agitated, irascible, obsessed with many fears, terrified just to appear in public again. A life without hope, terrible. Sergio, a secure man, has slowly but with firmness, at time almost with harshness, has guided me into a port of tranquility. ‘My husband,’ continues Shirley, ‘is the ultimate husband-manager, from the effective point of view he is very sweet, respectful, full of attention and unbeatable at his job. Precise, methodical, continually noting, there is no danger that I will lose on any occasion because, professionally, I am successful and satisfied. I call him ‘my maxi-robot’, a giant robot without which I would be finished, without escape.’ When did you meet each other, I ask Shirley, interrupting her hymn of love. ‘Ten years ago,’ she responds. ‘I was in Venice with my husband Kenneth Hume. We were on holiday in Italy to try to save our marriage that had, in reality, irredeemably broken down. We were just not aware of it. At the Hotel Excelsior, on the Lido, I met Sergio, deputy manager of the hotel, but it was a superficial meeting. I saw him again in 1967 in Milan. He courted me tenaciously, ruthlessly and it took a year before I was convinced that I had found the right man. We married in Las Vegas. Close to him I felt so small, but so protected. I remember every moment of that day like it was yesterday: the most normal things that for me had the greatest significance.’ With a long sigh, almost silence, after this unusually long monologue for her. Sergio Novak, the number one reason for the happiness of Shirley Bassey, seems to believe in his role. He is an elegant man and full of spirit, a perfect husband and a perfect baby-sitter: he plays with and amuses the children. At Porto Rotondo, where Sergio Novak and his wife are on holiday, there are also Sharon,a beautiful 17 year-old girl with dark skin (she is the daughter that Shirley Bassey had when was young, some years before she was married); Samantha (7 years old), born during the marriage with Kenneth Home (who died in 1967 from a drugs overdose); and lastly the little Mark, five years old, Bassey’s nephew. ‘He has lived with me for three years,’ she says, ‘and I intend to adopt him. Sergio agrees.’ The Novak-Bassey group is undoubtedly lively. Sharon, the eldest, at times appears to want a little peace and then returns to the mix to joke, laugh and play with Samantha and with the little Mark and, naturally, her parents. The holiday goes on in the warm sun of Sardinia. Here Shirley and her family live in a villa on the sea about 500 meters from the center of Porto Rotondo: seven rooms and a large terrace. Furnished rustically, white walls, and terracotta flooring. Every so often Shirley leaves her daughters and Mark to go singing (like her success last week at the Red Cross Gala in Monte Carlo). On 20-21 August she is in Palma di Majorca and from 23-27 in Berlin for some television appearances. At the end of the month when the holiday in Sardinia finishes, what will they do? It is the husband-robot who responds, relying on a notebook. ‘In September, ‘ he says, ‘we will return to our home in Lugano,  where we have lived for three years.’ Mark will go to school, Samantha will do the third year of elementary, while Sharon who has completed senior school, will do a finishing school course in Neuchatel. As for my wife, in September, she will be in London for some television appearances and for recording a new album. At the end of the month she will participate at the Rio song festival as a guest of honour and a member of the jury. She will then be in New York for three weeks and in November again in England for more television appearances. She has also just recorded an important record for the soundtrack of James Bond film ‘Diamonds are forever’. ‘A last question, Mr Novak, maybe a little impertinent, how do you react when you hear yourself called ‘Mr Bassey’? ‘I have no reaction’, he replies, smiling, ‘I do a job for which Shirley should employ two people. So I think that my wife has benefited a lot, perhaps even too much, from my work.’

FROM THE ARCHIVE 459 -1971- For today's blog a wonderful article from an Italian newspaper from 1971. With very special thanks to Peter for the translation.

Fanny Moizant, Entrepreneur

One trend that we sincerely hope is here to stay is sustainable fashion. Well ahead of the curve – and making recycling chic right from the get go – is Vestiare Collective co-founder Fanny Moizant. She started the business in her Paris apartment, having realised the gap in the market for simplified luxury second hand shopping. Fanny now divides her time between Hong Kong, where she lives with her husband and two daughters (can you just imagine the dress ups those two must have?) and, well, the rest of the world. We caught up with her to talk through her beauty cabinet must haves, an ingenious makeup tip, the joys of avo toast and the weekly indulgence she never passes up.

“My take on beauty is definitely minimalist – I’m a firm believer in less is more. 

I think when it comes to beauty it’s all about finding the right products for your skin and then sticking to things that work for you. Don’t get caught up in the latest skincare trend as it may not work for you.

I am fastidious about taking care of my skin, but I keep things as simple as possible.

My morning routine starts with Zinc lotion from Granion [Ed. note: not available in Australia] and Joëlle Ciocco cream [Ed. note: not available in Australia], which I massage in with a 3mm jade roller.

In the evening, I use Joëlle Ciocco makeup remover [Ed. note: not available in Australia] or La Roche Posay Toleriane makeup remover. Then I exfoliate using an AHA glycolic acid. I finish with Caudalie Premier Cru Multi-Purpose Facial Oil and again use the Joëlle Ciocco cream.

I tend to wear the same makeup look each day.

I like to use YSL Touche Éclat, YSL mascara, MAC black eyeshadow, Estee Lauder X Victoria Beckham bronzer in Terracotta [Ed. note: discontinued], Glossier cloud paint [Ed. note: not available in Australia], and finish up with RMS Living Luminizer. When I am tanned I use the Elle Effect tan mousse so that my face matches my body. I love it so much.  

When it comes to night time I keep the same look but just add a bit more eyeshadow, bronzer and blush.

My favourite way to approach makeup is to enhance my eyes, as I do not wear lipstick. 

I recently learned a new trick of drawing a line with black eyeshadow – this is super simple but gives a very natural look. It really brightens the eyes. 

I have always known I would do something creative. I come from a family of entrepreneurs, so it's in my blood.

I have always loved and been inspired by fashion, as my mother owned and ran a fashion boutique where I helped out and learned the business. I then worked at different fashion brands including John Galliano, Dim and Mexx. I did a business degree and went on to work in marketing before I had my two daughters, but I knew I wanted to do something different. 

It was around the time of the recession and I remember seeing bloggers selling luxury items on their blogs – there was just no simple way to buy second hand fashion.

I studied fashion marketing in 2007 at the Institut de la Mode in Paris, then decided to launch Vestiaire Collective in 2009 from my apartment. I worked with five business partners who were each experienced in their own fields, including styling, logistics and business development. Given the real void in the market, we decided to create a dedicated platform for fashion lovers to buy and sell their pre-owned items in a smart, trusted way, and one in which the fashion was still inspirational… and voilà! Vestiaire Collective was born. 

I am constantly inspired by my team and from meeting new faces around me.

I feel so lucky to be able to work with an amazing team made up of passionate people who come from different backgrounds and cultures. 

My own style is classic chic with a twist. 

 My favourite designers include Celine, Haider Ackermann, Jacquemus and Ellery.

My go to treatment is a facial in Paris, from one of the excellent therapists at Joëlle Ciocco.  

My therapist usually comes to my hotel and gives me a unique treatment using essential oils and deep tissue massage.  

I love a good workout, so for me my favourite forms of relaxation include Pilates and TRX.

And one of my favourite indulgences is my weekly massage at home in Hong Kong every Sunday evening with my beloved masseuse Janet. 

I try to avoid processed sugar in any shape or form.  

My diet consists of a lot of vegetable, fruits, and proteins to last me throughout the day. 

My favourite breakfast is avocado on toast or chia pudding, and I love all of the Deliciously Ella recipes.

I simply didn’t care about beauty standards when I was growing up. Being beautiful has always been about being healthy for me.  

My mother always emphasised how important it was to eat well and get enough sleep. She also taught me to keep things simple, and to use as few products as possible. I did steal one of her favourite products one day, her Coco Chanel perfume, and accidentally poured half of the bottle on the floor. I tried to add water to the bottle to top it up so my mum wouldn’t notice but then the liquid turned white!

My grandmother is definitely my greatest beauty influence. Again, she keeps things simple. She has used the same Clarins cream her whole life and at 90 years old she has amazing skin with very few wrinkles.

 My grandmother and mother are both excellent examples of ageing well and I am embracing it more as I get older. We need to remember that ageing is also about becoming more confident and knowing what works for you and what doesn’t.”

Story by Zoe Briggs.