#Best Way To Hydrate Skin 4 Days

[missmatchablossom]

summary: you've been helping your neighbor, gojo satoru, out by babysitting megumi. when megumi's catches the flu, gojo relies on you for help.

a.n.: megumi is ~4-5 years old, and is extremely attached to you. a little angsty, mostly fluffy, a sprinkle of smut at the end. cursing, female reader.

~

The first time Megumi got sick, Gojo panicked. Not the frantic, frenzied sort of panic, but the quiet, desperate kind that he did his best to hide. But you noticed it - the way his fingers trembled, the way he barely looked you in the eye, the way he repeatedly ran his hands through his hair.

It was usually you who made the elevator trip up to Gojo’s high-rise loft to babysit Megumi a couple of days a week. That’s why it took you aback to see him at your door at 11:53 at night, looking stricken as he told you Megumi refused to eat all day and started throwing up. 

You followed him to his place immediately, your heart squeezing at the sight of Megumi bundled up in his bed, his little face scrunched up in discomfort.

“Hey sweetie, you’re not feeling so good?” you cooed, kneeling as you placed your cheek against his warm forehead. He shook his head, though his flushed cheeks and labored breathing were enough confirmation that he was sick.

“He’s running a fever. Probably a cold, but you should take him to the ER just in case,” you told Gojo, watching as his shoulders tensed. He was slightly older than you, but still young to have a child; you could imagine how anxious he was feeling about Megumi’s first ER visit.

“I can come with you,” you offered, watching his shoulders relaxed ever so slightly.

“Please,” he said lowly, looking at you like you were his salvation.

You made quick work changing Megumi out of his sweat-soaked clothes and prepared a small bag of his favorite snacks and toys. You caught a glance at Gojo’s awe-stricken face before you scooped Megumi into your arms and followed Gojo to his car. 

The silence in the car ride was heavy, Gojo’s stress was obvious in the way he gripped the steering wheel so hard his fingertips turned white.

“He’ll be okay. I’ll be here until he is,” you said gently.

His eyes flicked to you for a second before he swallowed roughly. He nodded, murmuring his thanks before you lost him to his thoughts.

Megumi was seen within the hour, the perfect patient as he allowed himself to be examined without a fuss (As long as you held his hand the entire time).

“It’s the stomach flu, pretty common for this time of the year. I’ll send you home with some medications, just be sure to keep him hydrated,” the doctor said.

“Let mom and dad take care of you, alright Megumi? You’ll get better in no time,” she said kindly, patting his head as he nodded sleepily. You looked at Gojo, waiting for him to correct her. But he didn’t.

As soon as she left the room, Gojo sank into the chair, exhaling heavily as he placed his head in his hands. It was strange to see a man so proud and confident to look so…tired. So human.

You stood between his legs, gingerly laying your hand on his shoulder.

“See? Megumi will be just fine,” you said, swiping your thumb back and forth over his skin.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve felt scared like that,” he admitted, reaching up to cover your hand with his.

“It’s how you know you’re a parent,” you said, moving your hand to cup his cheek.

He finally looked up at you, a mixture of relief, exhaustion, and something else painted in those eyes of his. You watched him wordlessly as he leaned into your touch, his long lashes fanning across his cheeks. 

After a beat, his eyes snapped open, looking downwards as a sleepy Megumi tugged at his pant leg.

“Home now please?” he asked groggily, barely able to keep himself upright.

The two of you laughed as Gojo lifted him into his arms, Megumi settling his head on Gojo’s shoulder. 

“Let’s go home,” he said, wrapping his jacket around Megumi. You could’ve sworn he was looking at you as he said it, though.

~

Sick Megumi was unexpecedly clingy. The first few times you babysat him, you were taken aback by how quiet and independent he was. Most kids his age demanded constant attention, but he was happy to be left alone with his two dogs. You did find out that shadowpuppets was a surefire way to get him to laugh, though. 

You tried getting Megumi to rest in his bedroom, but as soon as the preschooler realized you weren’t right next to him, he’d get up to wander Gojo’s loft, tearfully calling your name until he found you. That's why you decided to settle down on the leather recliner in the living room, Megumi asleep on your chest with a blanket draped over the two of you. You were immersed in your Kindle before the sound of the front door unlocking dragged you back to reality.

Gojos strolled in, stopping in his tracks when he noticed the two of you. His sharp eyes eyes softened as he approached.

“Welcome home. You’re back early,” you greeted quietly, your heartbeat quickening as Gojo lowered himself to a crouching position so he could sneak a look at Megumi’s face.

His eyes flickered to yours, full of emotion you couldn’t quite place. He swept a few strands out of Megumi’s eyes, studying him like he needed to confirm that he was breathing.

“I may or may not have snuck away,” Gojo mused, eyes full of warmth and mischief.

“Careful, or this one will begin picking up some bad habits,” you teased, rubbing Megumi’s back as he stirred.

“Nah, he’s too much of a goody-two-shoes. Besides, there are more important things than work,” he said fondly, and the way his eyes flowed between the two of you while he talked, it felt like he was talking about you too.

You averted your eyes as you blushed, thankful that Megumi chose that moment to wake up. 

His little fists rubbed against his half-closed eyes, looking between you and Gojo like he was wondering if he was dreaming. 

He reached his hands out towards Gojo, who readily scooped him into his arms.

“Alright, I’ll get going then. I already gave him his meds and a bath so he should be okay for the rest of the night,” you said, gathering your things as you sat up.

You leaned forward to kiss Megumi goodbye, only to be stopped by the tears welling up in his eyes and the grip his hand had on your own.

“Don’t go,” he said, almost making you cry with how sad and adorable he was. 

“Not fair Megumi. You don’t even cry when I leave,” Gojo teased, rubbing his back as you laughed.

“Gojo is home now my love, I’ll see you tomorrow though! I’ll already be here by the time you wake up,” you promised, wiping the tears from his soft cheeks.

Megumi sniffed as he shook his head, reaching his arms out towards you. You took him back into your arms, giggling at Gojo’s feigned hurt expression.

“I’m hurt, Megumi,” he said, making a show of wiping fake tears from his face.

“Oh no, look how sad he is Megumi! Don’t you want to spend some time with him?” you said, inching closer to Gojo, whose arms were outstretched.

Megumi looked at him for a second before shaking his head, burying his face in your neck. 

You laughed even harder at Gojo’s expression, unable to find Megumi anything except utterly adorable. 

“Fine, I get it. I would’ve chosen her too,” Gojo said, throwing you off with the affection in his smile. 

“I can stay untill he falls asleep,” you mouthed to Gojo, hoping he could read your lips. He smiled at you before leaning into your space, his lips brushing against your ear as he spoke.

“Or you could stay for dinner. As a friend, not a babysitter,” he whispered, sending shivers down your spine. 

“I couldn’t impose,” you replied, a bit more breathlessly than you intended.

“Nonsense. I’ve been dying to cook you dinner while you sit prettily in that chair,” Gojo said, seemingly pleased at the blush revisiting your cheeks. 

How could I say no to that?

~

The sun had set long before you were finally able to get Megumi to bed for the night, the moonlight seeping into Gojo’s living room through the enormous windows.

You allowed yourself to sink down onto his couch, the exhaustion from the day wearing on you. Though Megumi’s fever finally broke, he could barely keep his food down today, forcing you to go back and forth bathing him, changing his bedsheets, and cooking different meals to see what he could stomach.

The click of the door being unlocked made you jump, the familiar sight of Gojo making you forget about how tired you were.

He sauntered towards you, looking so enraptured that he didn’t speak a word. 

You froze as you understood why. The usual modest clothes you had on were long forgotten after repeated trips to the bathtub to wash the vomit and sweat off Megumi. The chaos of the day left you in your underclothes -  a thin tank top and cotton shorts - which Gojo seemed to be studying as though he’d never seen them before.

“Welcome home,” you began shyly, sitting up as you attempted to cover yourself with a pillow.

“Sorry about the outfit. Long day,” you continued sheepishly.

Gojo’s eyes finally snapped up to yours, somehow making you feel more naked than ever.

“Don’t worry about it,” he said, something unreadable in his tone. 

He changed out of his work attire - taking off his watch, loosening his tie, and stripping off his jacket. Completely normal things to do when you get home. But he captivated your attention, unable to tear your eyes away from him. 

“I can’t believe I’m jealous of a child,” he said to himself as he sat to join you on the couch, looking sinfully handsome with his hair tousled and the top buttons of his shirt undone.

“What do you mean?” you pressed, feeling your self-control begin to slip as you smelled as his cologne wafting towards you.

“Megumi gets to be with you all day. Gets to hug you, hold you, lay his head on your chest. I’m jealous,” he drawled.

You heard it again. That voice in the back of your head begging you to give in to the pull you constantly felt towards Gojo. 

You dared to inch closer, well aware of his gaze roving up and down your body.

“You can do those things,” you said slowly, never breaking eye contact with him. And just like that, he snapped.

He was on you instantly, pinning you to the back of the couch as his lips moved against yours, desperate and demanding. 

You kissed him back with the same fervor, shamelessly roving your hands over the smooth expanse of his chest, until you reached his hair. His silvery locks were just as silky as you expected, and you couldn’t help yourself as you gave them a light tug.

The deep, guttural sound that came out of him sent a wave of pleasure throughout your body. You felt your breath leave you as Gojo laid you on your back, positioning himself between your legs.

“I’ve wanted you since the day I saw you,” he murmured against your ear. His lips began moving from your jaw down your neck, causing you to gasp and squirm as he smiled against you.

“I kept myself on a tight leash for Megumi’s sake,” he started, trailing kisses across your shoulders.

“But you in that outfit? Fuck, I knew it was over for me,” he said, pulling back to admire how flushed and breathless he made you.

You grabbed the edge of his collar, tugging his lips to yours to return the favor. You wrapped a leg around his waist, pulling him even closer to you, his ragged breathing music to your ears.

���Fucking finally,” you said between kisses.

The sound of a thud coming from Megumi’s room caused you both to freeze. You rushed over to check on him, relieved to see he kicked his water bottle off his bed in his sleep. Sighing, you dragged the blanket back over his sleeping form, walking back to where Gojo sat on the couch.

His pupils were blown out, his lips bruised and swollen. 

“Maybe we should continue another time, I don’t wanna wake him up,” you said, surprised at Gojo’s lack of protest. Instead, he tugged you into his lap, placing a soft kiss on your cheek.

“Free your schedule next week. Megumi’s gonna spend a day with Uncle Nanami, and I’m taking you out on a date. And we’re gonna end the night in my bedroom, where you can be as loud as you want.”

#gojo fanfic #gojo fluff #gojo satoru #gojo x you #gojou satoru x reader #gojo x y/n #jjk x reader #female reader #gojo x reader #jjk fanfic #megumi fushiguro #jjk megumi #megumi x reader #jujutsu megumi #jujutsu kaisen megumi #fushiguro #megumi fluff #fushiguro fluff #jjk drabbles #jjk imagines #gojo headcanons #gojo hurt/comfort #gojo drabbles #baby megumi #jjk fluff #jjk gojo #jjk smut #satoru gojo #gojo smut #jjk satoru

[prettylambgirl]

My rules for 2024:

Dieting and health: Any weight above 55kg is unacceptable and I will not be living like this anymore

1. The 1200 calories a day is the maximum amount you should ever ingest, aim for 1000 calories. Never restrict too much, however, you have to study and function well in university.

2. The only drinks you are allowed are black coffee, unsweetened tea and diet coke. A plain latte is only allowed on a date or when hanging out with your friends. This should never be done more than twice a week.

3. Take your multivitamins in order to function well and treat your muscular problems.

4. Stretching is to be done every morning, for at least 10 minutes. It is not much, but it helps. You should walk everywhere, however, never let anyone convince you to take the bus when the destination is at a less than 20 minutes of walking distance. Aim for at least 5000 steps a day.

5. Drink 2l of water a day. Being hydrated is especially important for your skin and body.

6. Eat strategically. Only eat before class, before studying, only when you need the energy food provides. Never waste that energy when it's not necessary.

7. Never order fast food again. Learn how to resist the urge to say yes when it's being proposed. Your roommate is skinny, you are not. She can have it, you cannot.

8. You can indulge in some unhealthy things that bring you joy. Your nicotine addiction is manageable - try to replace cigarettes with vape liquid, it is less pricey and makes your room smell better. Slowly decrease the nicotine concentration until you are ready to completely drop it. The occasional wine is accepted, but count the calories in it and don't overindulge. Never are you to be seen in public smoking or drunk, however. Always keep these flaws secret.

Studying: Medical school is hard and demanding, but it is possible to get through it.

1. Any mark under an 8 is deemed unacceptable and you should strive for the better.

2. You know yourself well. Stop trying to mimic the way other people study, use the method you know has worked for you since the beginning. You are smart and capable.

3. Stick to your schedule religiously. Study every single day except for Saturdays. Every subject is to be revised and valued equally.

4. Start studying for examinations one week before it takes place. Strive for the best marks. Complete projects as soon as they are announced.

5. Always take notes, answer questions and be attentive during class. The people who judge you for this are jealous of your intelligence. Never shut up ever again.

6. Volunteering is essential: it gives you bonus points for future Erasmus projects. Therefore, you should attend such events once a month. Do not prioritize it over your studies, however.

Hobbies: You must have a personality and be cultured, besides being smart. Never let anyone see you as boring.

1. Reading is your favorite activity - aim to read 20 pages a day. Read 40 pages in the weekends. Read fashion magazines as well, in order to stay inspired.

2. Writing - on the weekends, try to write something: an article, a poem, some prose, a blogpost, anything you like. Never let that passion fade away.

3. Limit TV shows to 40 minutes per day, watch a movie on the weekend.

4. Go out to see the opera, a museum or an art exposition every month.

5. Stay up to date with the news in the industries that matter to you!!

Personality and Social Life: Things are going great, but they can be improved.

1. Always keep your cool. Never are you to rage in public ever again. People respect you, don't mess this up. You must always wear a confident smile, never show your weak side in public.

2. Be friendly and helpful. Always say hi when walking past someone you know and engage in conversations with your colleagues. However, you are not to overshare with people you do not know well. Keep the conversations going about themselves, not yourself, unless asked about.

3. Help people out whenever you are directly asked for. However, do not overdo it. Put yourself first.

4. Do not talk ill about anyone unless it's with your close friends or significant other. This can be used against you anytime.

5. Never seem too available. Only hang out if your schedule allows you to. Never fall into the trap of "study gatherings" as you know well you function better individually.

6. Keep in touch with your close ones daily. Ask about their day, show them that you care.

7. Hangouts must be limited to twice a week. You must only hang out with your boyfriend once a week. It hurts, but it keeps you both focused on your work.

8. Don't PDA at university, please. This has to stop once and for all. Limit it to hand holding and sitting together at less important courses. Do not show people how needy you are.

9. People who lack certain morals and are not compatible with you from this point of view should not be part of your life. Their negative energy impacts you a lot. Only speak to them if directly approached.

10. Don't be late, it's unacceptable. You must be present 10 minutes before the start of an event.

11. Never are you to be seen in nightclubs or places that may damage your reputation. If it doesn't characterize you to be in that place, stay home. Do not fear missing out on anything, you already saw enough.

12. Use social media for only 30 minutes daily.

Looks: Being put together is the key to success. It teaches you discipline.

1. Skincare must be done twice a day, morning and night. Keep it simple but consistent, as your skin is not compatible to harsh chemicals. Apply perfume and body sprays.

2. Makeup should be kept to a minimum, unless it's a special occasion: eyeliner, mascara, eyebrow gel, lip liner and lip gloss is the perfect recipe.

3. Your hair must be lustrous and well kept. Wear it down most of the time. Do a cute hairstyle once a week.

4. You must always be dressed up for the occasion: always wear preppy academic outfits to university, something more playful and fun when you go out, your lounge wear and pajamas should still be cute. Even if nobody sees you, you still can see yourself.

5. Buy some new clothes every month. Change it up, do not seem repetitive with your outfits.

6. Your clothes must always smell good, be meticulously ironed and fresh.

7. Never are you to wear the same outfit again in a week. People notice and you must not seem lazy.

8. You have to take care of yourself every week: shave, paint your nails and toenails, exfoliate, apply a face mask, wash your hair.

9. Shower every other day instead of every day as your skin dries out. After every shower, use lotions for your body. You must always smell like a cake.

#ed not ed sheeran #tw ana diary #an0r3c1a #anorexcya #@nor3×14 #@na vent #@na trigger #@n0r3xia #@na tips #pr04ana #pr0ana diet #pr0annna #pr04nn4 #pr0anna #ed not sheeren #tw ed diet #disordered eating thoughts #tw disordered eating

[em-writes-stuff-sometimes]

jorrāeliarzus (beloved) │ Chapter 2: Need

terms of endearment ‘verse: see my Masterlist for the correct series order!

Chapter 1 │Chapter 2 │Chapter 3 │Chapter 4  (In Progress!)

Synopsis: Daemon guides you on a journey of healing and self-discovery as you learn to raise your children and build a family of your own. You crave.

I am sorry for how long this took - to be fair, it's been months since I wrote actual smut and I was nervous to re-pop my smut cherry, ahahahaha. Yes, this chapter features actual smut, hallelujah for Reader! This doesn't technically mark the end for the troubles, however deceptive the ending is. Depression is a process, and sometimes we go through ups and downs with it. We're facing an up here! Ish.

Thanks be to @ewanmitchellcrumbs for beta-ing and offering much-needed pointers to make this chapter coherent and well-rounded. I cannot post without you holding my hand ever, and I love you for putting up with it.

Triggers: incest, age gap, purity culture, detailed depictions of PPD, penetrative s*x, lactation and lactation kink.

Wading through the waters of this curious state of mind is no easy process.

Melancholy. Mother’s malady. Madness. Whatever it is called among differing circles, you now know it is not uncommon. This knowledge does not ease the despondency that comes in waves, threatening to shatter any semblance of the control you are tenuously rebuilding. There are days when you feel as though you cannot even bear to lay eyes on your boy and girl, that the merest act of sighting them will somehow cause their unhappiness, that you will ruin them by being near them. There are times when you believe yourself to be the only woman in the world who cannot simply love her children as mothers ought to, free of the complication of treacherous notions slithering through the mind like draughts of poison, silent in their destruction. There are moments when you think that perhaps you should never have allowed them to spring to fruition, that you should have found a way to tear out the blooms that had sprouted within your belly before they had the chance to become living, breathing creatures.

That last thought is particularly repellent.

It is not your fault for thinking these things, though. They are ideas sprung from this affliction, designed to cause uncertainty and create chaos. It does not stop you from thinking that you may well be the most despicable monster to disgrace the earth. If you were left to your own devices, it is indeed likely that you would remain abed for days on end, resigned to misery.

But it is not a fate that you are allowed to succumb to. On the mornings when you find yourself unable to depart the cocoon of your sheets, your ladies coax you up with surprising and uncharacteristic purposefulness. Gone is their cloying timidity, replaced by creatures of determination as they all but drag you bodily upright to clothe and feed you, to immerse you in cheerful chatter while they work.

Gerardys comes to visit you, followed swiftly by Ūlla, newly returned from her journeys. The two rather predictably bicker over how best to approach any potential treatment.

“My colleagues at the Citadel recommend bloodletting,” the maester says with a frown, glancing nervously at your healer, “to restore imbalanced humours.”

Ūlla levels him with a foul look. “Are you stupid? Princess making milk. Losing blood is bad for her, and the babes!”

“If she remains hydrated, any complications will be minimal.”

“Tell Prince,” she shoots back challengingly. “See if he agree.”

“Forgive me, but Prince Daemon does not have the final word here, my lady. As Maester of Dragonstone, it is my responsibility to ensure residents are—”

“Losing blood hurt Princess, and babes, too! Stupid man!”

She storms out of the room with nary a word further, and you find yourself resigned to the possibility of enduring fattening leeches hanging off your skin. Gerardys begins to talk you through the process, though in truth you are not minding him as closely as you ought, but it does not seem to be long before Ūlla re-enters.

“Here,” she says, pressing a nondescript pouch into your hands. All the while, she is glaring at the maester. You inspect the contents, your nose tickling at the mild citrus scent that emanates from within. “Lemon balm,” she explains. “Make into a tea.”

Alas, you think ruefully. More tea. At this rate, it is a small wonder that your urine has not taken on the various aromas and hues of the remedies you are made to consume.

The tea does help, though, or perhaps it is simply in your mind. Perhaps the tea is not the cure, but time. Perhaps it is the magic that lives in your blood, that unites you to your dragon and ties you to the fate of a long-dead dynasty, that best eases your path forward. You still have hours and days where you fare poorly. But gradually, these moments come with less and less severity, feelings that do not fade but are ones you can muse upon, chew about like toffee sticking to the crowns of your teeth. Uncomfortable, difficult to cleanse yourself of, yes, but possible where you perhaps had not even been aware of their existence before. You learn to appreciate them for what they are, no more or less than calls for a defeat that is not yet yours to claim…

Because, despite the war in your head, your babes are happy. They are settled. They thrive. If you truly had been failing, this would not be so.

And thus, you persist with the teas and tonics and tepid baths recommended to you, with the dogged joviality of Jeyne and Bethany, with long walks at Ser Lysan’s side marked by the whip of salty sea air and the faint pulsing warmth of the sun. With visits to your boy, your Athfiezar, his smoke-breath and scaled mass and the thrum of a secret kinship clearing the muck of unhappiness from your view and restoring, in parts, a clarity well-missed. Through it all, you realise—bit by bit, hour by hour—that there is more beyond the sorrow. That something is blossoming, weak and spindly and scarcely living, but there, right there below your ribs and growing, a sickly weed straining toward the light. Something like hope.

It unfreezes the most poisonous of your tender ambitions, slackening the bonds of your inflexible drive to nurse Rhaenar and Aelys alone. ‘Tis a hard-won concession, but one necessary to your wellbeing and theirs. Still, you cannot help but feel your bond closest when they are swaddled against you, tiny hands pressed against your breasts and greedy suckles drawing from the wellspring of nourishment your body has created for them.

“Have they latched well, Princess? Ought I assist in any way?”

You glance up with great effort, nearly incapable of tearing your eyes away from them both. Freda feigns nonchalance, but it is easy enough to tell that she is anxious. Your rather spectacular histrionics are not easily forgotten by all.

Shaking your head, you smile. “They are fine, thank you. They are perfect.”

Never have you spoken truer words. You are constantly marvelling at how dissimilar they are to the shrivelled little beings that you had laboured to bring into the world scarcely two moons ago. Their hair, pale at birth, has only grown brighter, solid where it had been opaque. Much of Aelys’s has fallen out, which you have been assured is quite usual. It certainly makes it easier to differentiate between the two on sight, though this is becoming more and more simple as their differing features have begun to assert themselves. In Rhaenar, you see the promise of Daemon’s strong nose; in Aelys, the shape of the eyes. They share your mouth, even if Aelys’s pout reminds you more of Rhaenyra. These little things make them individuals with each passing day, untangle the singularity they are oft referred to as and begin to show those around them that they are becoming their own person.

You know now that your wish to gather them close and tuck them out of sight of all others is not simple maternal instinct, and instead a symptom of this malady. Through Freda’s tales, you learn that many are involved in the rearing of common-born children; through Ūlla’s considerable experience and your sister’s anecdotes, you begin to understand that your original undertaking was never feasible. It grates you so, but you try to take heed of their womanly advice more than you truly desire to, obliging their recommendations to allow the twins to sleep in the nursery during the night. But in the daytime—in the now—they are all yours.

“That they are,” Freda says, snapping you from your hypnotic reverie. “A bonnier lad and lass I’ve never met, you can be assured of that!”

Even though you know she likely feels duty-bound to say so, you cannot help the flush of pleasure. Their nursing has slowed, eyes heavy-lidded and noses huffing warmth against your skin. It is gratifying to see them so satisfied.

As soon as Rhaenar’s lips pull away, smacking wetly as he gurgles and smiles, Freda is ready to lift him into her arms. His head rests upon the cloth tossed over her shoulder, fists waving with each pat she makes against his back.

“Another meal for the little Prince and Princess,” she says, grinning. “Well done, Your Highness!”

“It would seem so.” Aelys is done, you think, but working her mouth still for comfort. It seems to please her to continue the act long after your milk has emptied. You cup her head, running your fingers through the wispy locks in a manner you hope is soothing. “It is relieving to have finally managed it.”

“Oh, I don’t doubt it.” Rhaenar belches, kicking his legs when Freda makes a startled noise as she always does. “But what an impressive feat, milady—nursing one babe to a full belly can be difficult enough, never mind two! That thistle tea must be something special, indeed.”

It is not only the tea, you think.

The memories of Daemon’s lips at your nipples, his body hard against yours, the low lusty grunts of more than just gustatory delight—and there are many, as many memories as nights in which his faithful service so oft takes place—elicit a soft, secretive smile even as heat rushes to your face. This heat travels further, down, down, reminding you uncomfortably of another dilemma you are facing.

Desire. It is something which you ponder greatly upon over the next days.

When you had just given birth, you did not think you would ever be capable of it again. Of course, this sentiment had followed a rather gruelling several hours of agony, much of which you cannot recall, and the overwhelming fear that you may perish as your mother had done. With your lower half all but mangled and shedding the remains of what processes your body had devised to best facilitate your children’s growth, the notion of letting your uncle couple with you had seemed positively dreadful. ‘Twas akin to the thought of him rutting into the gaping maw of a fresh wound. But the blood of that night had passed, and the pain had faded, and in your mind, it is almost like it had never happened at all. You do not remember the sensation.

You have not resumed your courses save for some light spotting in your smallclothes, though that is apparently to be expected. Your breasts are ever noticeable, large and leaking or shrunken and soft depending on the time of day, always sensitive regardless of state. Your belly is quite nearly back to the state it had been before carrying the twins, save for an additional laxness and the crawling lines of dark delineating the places where your flesh had most stretched. These are all changes, differences that you have come to anticipate, understand.

It is likely why the return of carnal longings is so utterly strange, so abnormal in its normality. How can a form so changed experience something so… banal?

Even so, you find yourself drawn to the minutest of details when in Daemon’s presence: the corded strength of his arms; the elegant line of his ringed fingers; the set of his jaw and the shadow of his brow. His voice singing lullabies of old to the twins brings a sort of frantic exhilaration, a dampness pooling between the legs instead of drowsed comfort. His easy grin makes your heart pound as though from great toil. When his attention is elsewhere, you admire the span of his shoulders and the planes of his chest, knotting scars of savagery setting you to swooning.

You feel like one of his fawning admirers, breathless and fluttering and giggling at his innate charm. You feel desperate.

And, worst of all, he does not notice. He fails to recognise the reciprocation of your sighs and moans as he feasts from you for the invitation that they are. His touch is gentle, like he is afraid you will break, even when you press yourself into him so eagerly that it seems no small wonder that he cannot read it for the provocation you intend it to be. He is careful not to make his acts of self-pleasure too obvious, pushing your hands away with a kind murmur of, “Rest now, sweetling, I’ll take care of this,” as though you are incapable of doling out the satisfaction he had taught you so well to perform, as though it is an inconvenience to you rather than he that his member rises so readily at the sight of you.

This state of affairs cannot last. It ought to be an easy thing for you to entice him to act on your shameless thoughts, the way you had so often before the babes had entered the world. You feel frozen, trapped in your abstemious existence as you have been for sennights. How to make him see? How to make him comprehend?

When Rhaenyra hears of your plight, disguised in the politest terms you can muster, she laughs.

“Go on and tend to your brother,” she says to Luke, nodding towards Joff. Based on the quiver of little Corwyn’s lower lip, Joff has thrown one of his toys at him again. He appears poised to do so a second time, wooden dragon carving clutched tightly in an upraised fist. “Have him build a tower with you, perhaps.”

Luke sighs, ever wearied at presiding over the play of the younger two. Still, he abandons the book before him, revolves on his heel and trudges over to the pair of tots, prying the dragon from little fingers and leading them both to the far safer pile of blocks.

Satisfied, Rhaenyra turns back to you. “Have you tried speaking to him?”

The abrupt shift takes you aback. You must cast your mind past the immediate happenings—away from the sound of delighted giggling, the thwock of blocks placed by clumsy hands—to recall your previous conversation.

Oh, yes. Daemon.

“Not… not exactly,” you say, hesitant. “I did not think I would need to ask my husband to… well…”

“There are occasions where you think too highly of him.” Rhaenyra shakes her head wryly, a fond curl to the corner of her lip. “This is one of them. Just because he knows you best of all doesn’t mean he’s not still a man.”

“But he is a man who… enjoys certain acts! Perhaps even more so than other men.” Your thoughts supply you with ample evidence of such a claim, unbidden. How frustrating it is that your thoughts are your only source of carnal satisfaction at present. You swallow nervously, praying that such lewdness or its resulting vexation does not reveal itself in your expression. “Why is he being so obtuse?”

She tilts her head sympathetically. “You forget he was there during your labours. They’re pains easy enough to forget when you’re the one experiencing them, but not soon disregarded as the spectator. He remembers your suffering—he does not wish to revisit any further upon you.”

A flattering observation of him, though you note the lack of supposition in her tone. Intrigue washes through you.

“How do you know? Has he been speaking to you?”

“Oh, darling. He’s frightfully easy to read.”

For a moment, you envy her. She is so alike to Daemon that it is hardly any wonder that she knows his thoughts so well. You, on the other hand, do not share their temperament. It is a fact you often appreciate, for the gods know how calamitous such a warring pair would be in matrimony. It had once been said, you recall not by who, that you were the ice to their fire—but now, you feel the comparison is lacking.

If Rhaenyra and Daemon are a blazing conflagration, then you are the steady warmth of the candle flickering in the evening. Soft, controlled, but carrying the same propensity to burn and maim. A dragon, same as all the rest, but with one rather unique quality: mastery of will. The calamities inflicted by your family might have been averted had past generations indulged their wild spirits a little less.

An odd, haunting echo whispers along the back of your neck, a voice you feel you ought to recognise yet lies beyond the precipice of knowledge, just out of reach. “Zaldrīzes buzdari iksos daor. A dragon is not a slave.”

No. But Targaryens have ever been beholden to their tempers. Mayhaps there is freedom yet to be won.

Rhaenyra clears her throat, brow raised pointedly at your obvious distraction. “Use your words. If you want him to fuck you, you’ll have to make it clear beyond implication.”

You flush, and not only for your inattention. You may be far more accustomed to vulgarity now than you were before marriage, but it does not mean that it is entirely comfortable to hear your sister speak it. Never mind the fact that she is discussing the affairs of your marital bed in so cavalier a manner! You remind yourself that it had been you who had approached her.

“Thank you.”

“I hope I helped. And to be frank, I hope I never need to help again. It’s difficult enough to contend with unspoken.”

A clear enough dismissal: you rise from your seat beside her, squeezing her arm in silent farewell. She catches you just before you turn toward the door, a wicked glint in her eyes.

“And remember,” she says. “If all else fails, just drop your shift and grab his cock. That ought to be enough to encourage him.”

“Rhaenyra!”

It takes a great deal of strength not to follow through on your sister’s recommendation when next you meet with Daemon.

He returns to your chambers following another of his training sessions, sweat-soaked and streaked with grime, grunting as he slips the belt from his waist and sets Dark Sister against the wall. Your ladies avert their stares as he unbuckles the clasps of his leather jerkin and discards the thing across the table. At the sight of his disrobing, Jeyne and Bethany stand, genuflecting hastily before all but rushing from the room. Try as you might, the pair are still somewhat uneasy around him. Characteristically, he appears not to notice their departure—indeed, it is unlikely he truly even noticed their presence.

“I do hope you plan to wipe that table clean,” you call out to him, doing your best to affect a tone of light-hearted teasing. In truth, you feel more than a little faint. It is positively sinful, the way he looks.

Daemon rolls his eyes, bundling up his tunic. He tugs it over his head, exposing the undershirt made translucent from the vigour of his activities. Through it, you can see the scars of old, the firm planes of his chest and belly.

“We have people for that, or did you forget?” he asks. The tunic falls atop the jerkin. A chair screeches across the stone, and your husband seats himself with a wearied sigh to work at the buckles on his boots. “Fucking miserable, this lot. I’m half tempted to drag them to the Stepstones. Perhaps the threat of war might make them more inclined to follow orders. Best way to turn the green ones into true men.”

You know it is mere complaint, but the thought of his flying off to battle is still enough to make your chest pang with worry.

“Not funny,” you say, thumbing the needle in your hand. “Aelys would never stop screaming with you gone. Rhaenar would keep himself awake until your return.”

He grins. “Never fear. I’ll not leave you to manage our little beasts alone.” He pauses; glances toward the cradle. “How are they?”

“See for yourself.”

Hardly needing encouragement, he pads sure-footed toward the sounds of soft gurgling and cooing, the sturdy frame keeping the pair of infants out of your immediate sight. Bending low and extending both arms down, you can hear him murmur, “Rytsas, ñuhys zaldrītsossas.”

Hello, my little dragons.

A high-pitched squeal is his response, no doubt Aelys’s welcome. You try to focus once again on the seam you are patching, though it is hard not to be drawn into the conversation that appears to be taking place to your far left.

Rustling, and a plaintive whine. Daemon sighs. “Daor, ñuhus jorrāeliarzis—jemī ōregon koston daor. Yne aōhi muña asēnilus lo jemī vaogēdan.” No, my loves—I cannot hold you. Your mother would kill me for dirtying you.

“Kony drēje issa.” That is correct, you say archly. You nod toward the screen. “Kōdrion aō syt ilza. Īlvon parklondo go, aōlot rāenābā, kostilus.” There is a bath for you. Wash up before our supper, please.

When he pulls away, the pair squawk their dismay. Luckily, he knows best how to resolve the ensuing fit before it can reach fruition—he jerks his final layer off over his head, depositing the threadbare shirt into the cradle. Their cries fall abruptly silent. You wrinkle your nose at the prospect of their bedding wicking the odour of perspiration, though you are forced to acknowledge the efficacy of such an action. Babes find comfort in the scent of their parents.

Daemon drops a strip of leather on the desk, shaking his head of now-loose hair. On his path to the tub, he stops before you.

“Ynot tolī syz iksā,” he says, rough-hewn palm dragging your chin upward. You are too good to me.

It is all you can do not to moan like an eager slattern as his lips slot against yours and the musk of him rattles your bones like tinder to firewood, bursting and sparking with banked heat. Acerbic, mingled with smoke and the particular fragrance of ashy mud found nowhere else but here upon the isle, it is strong enough to taste upon his mouth, feel upon your skin. Before you have the mind to deepen it, to drag him down and haul your skirts up, he is gone, naught more than a tender dirt-smudged stroke to the cheek to mark his departure.

You collapse back against the chaise, bewildered and hot, the heavy glide of his favourite coat finally breaking free from your lap and to the floor, needle and thread and all. Meanwhile, you hear him whistling to himself as he removes his breeches, his groan of relief as he steps into the water.

You have half a mind to disturb his bathing, for how dare he leave you so bereft? But it is not his fault. Well, to be fair, there is no fault at play here, for there has been no fault committed. Unless being far too handsome is a fault, you think.

Alas, there is no recourse but to wait for the opportune time to strike. It cannot be now—supper is still to come, and the babes must be put to the nursery.

‘Tis this thought you must repeat over and over again. Not now: Daemon is dressing for the evening meal, even if you truly only want to have him remain without clothing, to prowl about with his considerable endowments on display for your avid gaze, and something alarmingly like grief twists in your stomach with each item of clothing that further conceals him from you. Not now: you take your girl and he takes your boy and the four of you make your way through the halls, and you must ruthlessly quell the driving lust from your core with each step, for there can be no notions of lechery with a babe curled in your grasp just so, an innocence you will not dare risk tainting with the impurity of your designs. Not now: the Keepers are explaining that the twins’ dragons “are becoming unruly, my Prince”, and “they will need far more outdoor enrichment than we had previously discussed”, and you must nod your head in sage agreement even as you press a kiss to Rhaenar’s forehead, then Aelys’s, all too aware of the low thrum of Daemon’s voice while you say goodnight to Freda and the children.

Supper comes and goes in a burning haze, marked by the knowing looks you receive from your sister across the table and the pervasive awareness that he is right there next to you, so close and yet untouchable, not now, not in the way you want. When you are done eating—and honestly, you do not even remember putting food into your mouth, but your plate is empty and your belly pleasantly full so you must have—you are forced to just sit, all too conscious of the arm Daemon has carelessly draped across the back of your chair, the rumble of his laugh as his cups flow amply with the free and easy conversation between he and Harwin and Laenor. And then, and then, you are returned to your chambers after minutes or hours or days, so wound up on the inside that you feel close to madness of a different kind, near to bursting, blood bubbling effervescently like the sharpest of Northern wines.

All night, you had been anticipating this moment. Why now does your nerve fail you?

“Come here,” he says, disturbing the panicked wheelabout in your mind.

For a moment, you wonder whom it is he is speaking to—but then he glances up at you, frowning quizzically. You realise you are the only other being in the room. Wringing your hands and cursing your foolish transparency, you trail toward him, stopping expectantly when you are within reach.

Silence.

“Well?” he asks, raising his eyebrow. You look about, trying to determine what it is he wants. He sighs, and adds, “Do you plan on sleeping in that dress, or would you like a hand with the laces?”

“Oh!”

Like a poorly performing puppet, you whirl around spasmodically, breath stuck somewhere between its starting and finishing point, suspended in your chest as he shifts your hair to one side and begins the methodical task of unthreading you from your fabric prison. Each wrench of cord is as keenly felt as a thrust between your legs, or the memory of it, hushing your careening passions to the metronome of the tug tug shwip at your back. Daemon’s breath is sweetly fragrant, hot upon your neck, near enough that you can hear his every exhale before the pressure of air caresses your skin. It is an eternity before the gown slithers to the floor, followed by the soft-boned corset you have favoured in recent moons.

“Shift, too?” is his next whispered query, fingers already at the ties and tugging, palms dragging it clear from your collarbone and down, down, down. It bunches at your waist, but it is far enough for his liking, and he turns you in his grasp to back you unerringly to the bed. A kiss, then, “Make yourself comfortable, talītsos,” and he moves away to remove his own clothing.

Your heart sinks at the familiarity. The routine. Make yourself comfortable, followed by abortive sensual touches and the hard suckle of man at teat before your breasts are dried up for the night, then squirming alone in the dark to the furious beat of his fist over his length across the room and the barely groaned “Fuck!” as he spurts his release on something, anything that is not you.

Even so, you crawl onto the mattress, nipples tingling with the gentle sway of movement and shift pooling over the convergence of your thighs. Kneeling, you wait, torn between hiding and fully baring yourself to the cooling chamber.

He joins you thereafter, body rising over yours as his mouth sinks to touch your own, tongue chasing the give of your lips to feed you the heady prickle of inebriation in a plush glide. Too soon does he break from you, the ridge of his nose pressing a warm line through the wet of his kisses along your jaw, your throat. He bears you slowly down, back against the pillows, grip sliding up your thighs and bypassing where you need him entirely, up your hips, up, away—

“Wait, wait,” you gasp, fumbling at his wrist to make him pause in his pursuit.

He leans back, concern carving lines in his face. Before he speaks—before you lose all semblance of courage—you try to make it plain without words.

You part your thighs flat to the bed. Slowly, without thinking too hard, you draw the rumpled hem of your shift up over your belly, rasping against your flesh, and you show him the dewy softness that awaits, begging for his favour. You imagine it glistens in the low light of candle flame there, dappling gold on tender flesh starved for touch.

Daemon stares unblinking, surprise transforming liquid, dark. “What’s this?”

“I need—” You drag his fingers to your mound, resisting the urge to shudder. “Please?”

He huffs, not a sound of amusement but one of seeming triumph. Idly, as though indifferent, his thumb coasts a path along your folds, taking care not to part them. The nail catches just so upon the hood of your half-hidden bud, sparking and fizzling straight to all the pleasure centres of your body. “Look at you. I’ve left you wanting, have I?”

“Ye—yeah.” You tip your hips up invitingly, breaths like little pants coming quicker, too loud in the quiet. “It’s been so… so long since…”

You bite off a gasp as he crawls forward, lowers, deliberately splaying you open with the blunted, veiny drive of his shaft. He hisses at the pressure, the sleekness, the heat. You feel it too, the scorch of iron striking molten, and you tip your head up in search of some relief from the ache of it.

He stirs himself there, making no attempt to push in where he catches.

“Since what, sweetling?” His arms lock you in place, hand falling warningly to your throat as his teeth make divots in the lobe of your ear. “Since I touched you? Fucked you? Put my seed in your belly?”

“Yes!”

You nod furiously, clutching his fist around your windpipe tighter, squeezing so that you can feel the threat of it through layers of muscle. Grinding your hips up at him, your entrance tightens painfully as he once again slides above where you want him, knocking where you are most sensitive. Need drips slickly to the bedsheets beneath your core.

The enthusiasm of your agreement lures a noise of satisfaction from his chest. “Thought I was doing the right thing. Thought I was being a good husband, keeping my cock away from my poor little wife, scarcely free of the birthing bed.”

He reaches between your bodies with his other hand and grasps the root of himself to slap his cockhead against your petaled opening, the collision of skin producing an audible sucking sound. Your nipples strain to the ceiling, your reason tethered like wire to the churning of your belly.

Daemon grunts, grip shifting to wind against your nape, tugging sharply at the hairs there. “But I forgot, didn’t I? That you’re a whore.”

“I am,” you say, pitchy and breathless. “I’ve been waiting for you, kepus.”

He tugs again, grimacing as finally—finally—his girth aims true. The broad head of him slips inside, filling the empty spaces in you with weight and heat and heft until your cunny is as wide open as your lips are, a silent scream of sensation. Time slows and all the ages of the earth roll into the seconds that he piles himself inside you, forcing through the stubborn clench straight to the root. You wince, the fit tight like you remember, struggling to breathe at the deep-seated throb from somewhere below your ribs where he has engraved a path.

“Fuck.” He moans quietly against your shoulder, more to himself than to you. His cock digs deeper, harder, and you cry out, neatly unable to bear it. “Fuck, how are you still so tight?”

You squeeze around him at the words, revelling in the choked growl even as your body tries to curl in on itself from sheer stimulation, legs hitching up around his waist to drive him to your will. Embracing him, you bury your nose in his hair as he tilts you to his liking and withdraws, returning with a jolt that sparks uncomfortably in your gut. His mouth drags and leaves bruises along your neck as his thrusts start tentative, grow bold.

It is a testament to his own longing that he does not continue rattling off the filthiest declarations imaginable, fists clenched over your thighs and at the base of your skull with a strength that will mar you come morning. You smile at each throbbing plunge, bask in the squelch and judder of your forms moving in tandem, sweat smoothing the way. He pants, overcome, and you echo his sounds in a rhythm like ancient music.

Daemon’s lips venture lower, spine hunching atop you. He crows, jubilant, and you realise that your arousal is not the only fluid your body has released. Rising up, he takes you by both hipbones and settles you atop his thighs, tugging you over his lap and admiring the sight you make below him. He does not stop moving, length sluicing in minuscule revolutions, a constant bevy of sensation.

“Look at you,” he says again, palm smoothing flat over your stomach and gliding up over your breastbone, diverting to tweak one of your leaking nipples.

You squeal, feeling the rush of milk dribble down your breast. His nostrils flare, thumb stoppering the fall and chasing to its source before withdrawing and licking it from his skin with a lewd pop. You think he means to incite the other, only his digits venture lower and twist cruelly at your straining pearl. Tears spring to your eyes as something like the memory of peaking kindles in your stomach.

“Ah, there—all of you cries for me now, little girl. Isn’t that nice?” Callous satisfaction harshens the curve of his grin. “Eyes, tits, cunt… weeping for Uncle. And I’ll drink everything down.”

He presses the backs of your knees to the bed and descends, latching onto your nipple as his onslaught renews, pleasure in duality crystallizing at your chest and below and melding into one. You lose track of where you end and he begins, where the relief is greatest. He drags you to that elusive end in a swirl of writhing limbs and salt-musk sticking to the roof of your mouth as you call for him.

His thrusts come faster, shallower, making direct contact with the locus of feeling with each forward movement. The entirety of you gears toward the crest of the mountain, that moment of great and glorious bliss. When you finally reach it, you keen, bones and muscle coiling inward as a great wave surges outward.

You twist uncontrollably, fingernails scoring through his flesh as you come.

“Kepus,” you hear yourself babbling, clinging to his head at your other breast as you lurch discordantly across the mattress. “Harder, harder, more—”

You turn into a glutton desirous of this particular form of punishment, ravenous for the ache and the sting and the burn of it, and he responds in kind.

“Yes, yes, yes…”

Each plea for more meets with a plunge of girth that sets you to shrieking, pushing yourself into them though your body urges you to flee. More, more, more. You are drunk on it, greedy for the assault. He is ever obliging to fuck harder, harder, faster.

And then—

Daemon withdraws, climbing over you with frantic disregard, hand a blur between his legs. He pushes you down, wrenches your jaw up, apart, digging into the hinge.

“Open your fucking mouth,” he snarls, mean and monstrous with his cock aimed straight for your face, panting and slavering as he works himself over.

You stick your tongue out for good measure, straining against his hold for just one taste, but he does not let you. His fingers curl into the meat between your skull and spine, pain making you cross-eyed, and he shifts urgently on his knees.

“Fuck—fuck—fuck—”

Seed spurts hot on the corner of your mouth, along your cheek, across your closed eyelids before he brings his length to your lips. You pull eagerly at him, rising to bring him further into your mouth even as his fist knocks unkindly against your teeth. His caustic flavour, familiar and missed, spreads across your palate, and you drink of him like a penitent come to worship at the altar of the gods.

Mindlessly, he grinds down at you, softening girth making you gag ever so slightly. Spend clings to your lashes and stings in your eyes as you look up at him, but you cannot care.

He stills, winded, chest expanding and collapsing with a thirst for air. Then, with a gentleness lacking in these last moments, he works himself free of you, flopping to your side with a sigh and a weak noise of contentment. He looks relaxed, truly relaxed, for the first time in weeks. Moons, even.

You brush stray strands from his forehead, smoothing starlight from his weathered temples. He turns into the touch, mouth meeting the inside of your wrist.

“You really are too good to me, sweetling,” he murmurs.

His lips press to the tip of your nose, palm warm and comforting on your back. Fingers trace patterns into your flesh, at first seeming meaningless until you recognise the strokes, deliberate and sure, for what they are.

‘Avy jorrāelan.’ I love you.

“I know,” you say, answering both spoken and unspoken sentiment, your heart utterly full. In turn, you trace the same glyphs on the skin of his chest. From the smile that fills his eyes with light incandescent, he knows, too.

You lay in the quiet, basking in the surety of each other.

But it cannot last. You are loath to break the serenity, though you speak nonetheless, making a weak gesture to the pearly gleam that clumps your lashes, streaks your face.

“Do you mind… perhaps getting me a washcloth? I… cannot see.”

It is only now that he appears to notice the state he has left you in. With another kiss and an amused bark of laughter, he moves to do your bidding.

You settle back, content, watching your uncle stride fully nude to the wash basin to wet the cloth he has scrounged from its resting place. While you wait, you count all your many blessings: your babes, happy and settled and thriving. Your sister, skilful and kind in her confidence. Athfiezar, fierce and devoted and liberating when the walls feel as though they are caving in. Your tutor, your healer, your maester, your attendants, your life here on this isle, in this time and place and season. Your husband, your lover, the very benefactor of all you have come to hold dear.

Daemon kneels beside you, sponging away the worst of his deeds with a sure hand and steady smirk. “I’ll be sure to mind my aim next time, hm?”

Next time. An implicit vow.

You feel it again—a glow like the pinprick of daylight at a tunnel’s end, warming the chill from your bones and the frost from your heart, slow and sure and stubborn in the face of the complications that are yet to come. Something thawing, soothing, deadening the weight of grief and hardships past.

“Yes,” you murmur, eyes closed at the sensation of his frame moulded against yours, real and true and necessary. “Next time.”

Something like hope.

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[sugarsprinklesoul]

6 Months Till Summer: Your Ultimate 6 Month Glow Up Guide

As the new year unfolds, so does the countdown to summer. You might be thinking, what? This early? YES. Summer is about 6 months away at the time I’m writing this post. This is the perfect time to start thinking about what we want our summer to be like. The earlier you start, the easier it is to achieve all your summer dreams! So rather than feeling overwhelmed by last-minute transformations, let’s start working on our glow up together now.

In this post I will guide you through the next 6 months and what you can do to make sure you look and feel your best when summer arrives.

We are starting off super early. At the time I’m writing this post it is still January. For years I’ve always had goals for summer but I let life pass me by and when May came around I started to panic, thinking how can I look and feel my best when summer is already knocking at my door? This year let’s say goodbye to those feelings and make place for a more empowering approach.

Below is your ultimate guide for your best summer yet! <3 Each month you will be adding new habits to your daily routine. Make sure to keep doing the habits when the month ends. So all the habits you start doing 6 months before summer you will continue doing 5 months before, 4 months before, 3 months before and all the way up until summer! With each new month you will just keep adding more! It would be even more amazing if you could make them apart of your daily life forever.

Action steps:

Vision Boards: Create a few vision boards to visualize your summer goals. Make them inspiring and motivating. This way you have something to reference if you feel a little lost on your summer glow up journey.

Healthy eating: Start adding more healthy, nourishing foods into your meals. More dark leafy greens, vegetables, big nourishing breakfasts. Start seeing food as your fuel, if you don’t provide your body with the right kind and amount of foods, it won’t work in your favor! Healthy food is energy, glowing skin, health and happiness

Daily Walks: Begin taking daily walks to stay active and boost your mood! You can walk in the gym or at home on a treadmill but I would really really recommend for you to take your walks outside. The fresh air does wonders for your mental well being.

Reduce Greasy and Fried Foods: Cut back on ultra processed and unhealthy foods. Especially greasy and fried foods. Not only do these foods negatively impact your health, they also can cause hormonal and physical changes that can worsen your skin and complexion. We want that glowy summer skin! So cutting back on these foods early, will give you enough time to achieve that. Does this mean no more fries? Of course not. Just enjoy these foods in moderation!

Workout Routine: Find a workout routine that works for you and start incorporating it into your lifestyle. Personally I will be adding runs to my routine, Pilates and Yoga and some strength training. I like to have a variety of workouts so I don’t get bored so easily. By starting to build your routine now you can build confidence, resilience and the stamina to enjoy your summer.

Consistency: Start working on your consistency. Remember the promises you make to yourself and keep them. It’s time to let go of the “I’ll start tomorrow” mindset and start your habits today. Even if you think your whole day was a “bad day” you can still finish off strong by doing a evening yoga session for example. Think of the person you want to become and act like her.

Skin Care Routine: Start your summer skin care routine. I’m sure you already have a skin care routine you do daily. Start adding products into your routine that will give you that glowy summer skin! Think about Vitamin C, Niacinamide and hydrating ingredients. Also don’t forget to wear your sunscreen daily when going outside. It’s the ultimate secret to flawless, glowy skin.

Summer Aesthetic: What will your summer aesthetic be? Obviously you look amazing the way you are now. But to me, it’s so much fun to pick a type of aesthetic for summer and dress for the occasion. For example in summer I like to grow my hair out mermaid style and do fun mermaid type hairstyles.

Posture Routine / Stretches: Begin to add a stretch / posture routine to your schedule. Personally I like to do a little yoga each morning to wake up my body. You can do a special Yoga Posture routine to really get all the benefits. Improving your posture will work wonders on your confidence, trust me.

Wardrobe Refresh: Start building your wardrobe with key summer pieces! Maybe buy some new bikinis that make you feel confident. Hair accessories, new shoes, cute workout clothes. Everything that makes you feel amazing during summer and you can wear on your active summer days. Clean out your closet and look for your favorite summer clothes. This is the time to look at your visionboard and build on your summer aesthetic.

Get up Earlier: Now that the days are getting longer, let’s take advantage of the sun and get up earlier. This is a great habit to build for summer, it will make sure that you can enjoy the days and maybe even catch a sunrise. Make sure to start working on you sleep schedule. Early nights and early mornings are key. This will help you be more productive, energized and boost your mood and overall well-being.

Increase Workouts: By now you have been doing your new workout routine for 3 months already! Change some things up and level up on others. Maybe take a few longer runs, do a longer yoga workout, whatever feels good to you! It’s time to really put in the work and make yourself strong and confident. When doing this, make sure to also fuel your body accordingly! You don’t want to under eat and over train as this will hinder your progress and have you feeling dull and lifeless by the time summer comes around.

Fruits, Veggies and Salads: Now that spring is here let’s eat more fresh, cooling foods to keep your body cool and hydrated. Start adding even more veggies and fruits into your meals. Make big salads, fruit salads, protein smoothies and juices. All these antioxidants and vitamins will not only make you feel great but also look great too!

Body Hygiene: With summer just around the corner and spring in full motion, it’s time to take give our bodies a little extra love. When wearing a bikini we want to feel confident, fierce and beautiful. To make sure that happens we can give our bodies a little extra care. Think of getting a laser treatment for unwanted hair, body scrubs, lymph drainage, massages, a bikini wax, a little extra body lotion. Start doing all the things to get your body ready, glowing and looking amazing for summer.

Summer Prep: Start prepping for summer! Organize your wardrobe, add your favorite summer clothes and shoes. Prep your jewellery, bags and other accessories you want to wear. Get your bikinis ready, maybe buy some new ones.

Summer Body Routine: Personally in summer my body needs a little extra love. More sunscreen, more waxing (obviously lol) and I like to have a little more glow by using body lotions and scrubs. I recommend adding a weekly summer prep body routine so you always feel ready to take on the day. It’s the worst when we want to do spontaneous things and then we remember we haven’t shaved for a week. Nothing worse than a last minute shave (ouch). Also start to add cooling ingredients in your skin care routine like Aloe Vera and face masks. To keep our skin fresh and glowing.

Healthy Habits: Keep doing all the healthy habits you have done so far! Like your workout routines, daily walks, better posture etc.

I hope by the time summer comes around you are feeling the most confident you have ever felt in your life. Each time you finish a habit, feel those empowering feelings and use them to keep you motivated! All these tiny steps add up and will help you to have a massive transformation for summer.

Each month I will be going more in depth into what you can do until summer arrives with more examples and a few mini guides. For now, I hope this post has inspired you to take transform your life for the better and start working on yourself because you love yourself! <3

And remember, your summer glow up is all about making sure you have the best summer you have had so far! It’s NOT about being the skinniest or eating the healthiest foods or working out the most. It’s about you feeling amazing and comfortable in your body so you can go out and enjoy summer to the fullest!

#inspiration #self love #motivation #self care #self improvement #self help #manifesation #becoming that girl #glow up #glow up era #self confidence #summer glow up #self growth #growth mindset #self development #glow in 2024 #2024 goals #2024 summer glow #pinkcore #pink blog #positive mindset #personal growth

[dksw0rld]

How I Achieved Glass Skin Without Trying

Yes, you read that right. I achieved glass skin literally without trying at all. With glass skin being pretty much the last thing on my mind actually. Partly because I was never insecure about my skin as I really didn't have any acne issues. I had smaller bumps on my forehead and a little bit on the other parts of my face but no big breakouts or chronic issues. Also partly because I was so focused on something else...want to learn how you can also achieve clear skin without actually trying to achieve clear skin? Keep reading for all the deets.

Okay, so, as I mentioned above - clear skin was not my focus. It was genuinely the last thing on my mind. My focus was on something better. My focus was (and is) on my overall health. Women nowadays are so focused on 10 step skincare routines to achieve clear skin and retain youthfulness. This is not me putting anyone down, if a 10 step skincare routine makes you happy than by all means continue on! I'm merely pointing out that women don't need to do all of that to heal their skin. The key word in that last sentence is heal. But enough of me talking, here's what I did to completely clear my skin by focusing on my overall health. **Everything I name below are things I still do.

Diet

I focused on consuming nourishing foods

I have veggies and / or fruit at every meal. No exception. I don't go a day without consuming them. I focus on foods that nourish my body from the inside out. I don't eat processed anything. I consume other types of carbs, not just bread or pasta.

2. I began to drink coconut water and pure pineapple juice first thing in the morning

I drink 8 - 10oz of coconut water mixed with pineapple juice every morning. I've seen a big difference with my hydration levels throughout the day.

3. I severely limited fizzy drinks

There's a specific brand of sparkling water I love (it's called Clear American) and I used to drink it regularly. There's nothing super unhealthy about this brand but it's still carbonated. When I began to limit drinking sparkling water, I noticed a difference in my body and skin. I also very rarely drink soda, and if I do it's always Ginger Ale. I mainly drink water with lemon, organic lemonade and hot tea.

4. I limit bread to one meal a day

I always eat a type of carb during breakfast as they give me the energy I need to go through the day. *Side note* carbs are not bad for you. Your body needs them! Processed carbs are what should be avoided. Anyways, I only eat bread one time a day and then I'll eat other types of carbs throughout the day. The bread I eat is always the least amount of processed possible. I only eat sourdough or whole grain bread. I like going to famers markets to purchase my bread. If I don't eat bread for breakfast then I'll potentially eat a slice or two at lunch but I avoid eating bread for dinner. I like to consume things my body can more easily break down at dinner.

5. I cut out alcohol

I never drank a whole lot. I've always been a 'glass of wine while hanging with my best friend' type of woman, but if I was out on the town I would drink cocktails. I cut mixed drinks out completely. If I go out I'll order a pineapple juice or ginger beer (which despite its name, is nonalcoholic). I will very occasionally have a glass of wine but that's about it.

6. I limited my caffeine intake

I have a cup of coffee with creamer and sugar in the morning and that's it for coffee. If I'm slowing down in the middle of the day I drink water first and make sure to get up and take a walk around my office to get my blood flowing. If I'm still dragging after a full cup of water and 30 minutes, I'll drink a chai, other caffeinated tea or a matcha.

Lifestyle

1. I shortened my skin care routine to 2-3 steps

Your skin does not need a lot. It needs to be taken care of from the inside out way more than it needs products on it. In the morning I do a serum, very very light exfoliation and a moisturizing hyaluronic acid lotion. At night I cleanse, put on eye cream and use the same lotion. Once or twice a week I'll do a face mask. That's it! When I switched to this simple routine and focused on my overall health, my skin began to thrive.

2. I began to walk more

I sustained an injury so I wasn't able to walk as much as I was before. Once my injury healed and I was able to walk again (in the midst of all the other changes I was making), I noticed a difference in my energy level and changes in my body. Walking is so great for you, including great for your skin!

3. I began to sleep with a satin pillowcase every night

I ditched the regular pillowcase and switched to a satin one. I did this switch for my hair, not my skin but I've noticed it's helped with my skin a lot as well.

That's it! Once I made these simple changes and was consistent with them, I began to notice how much more amazing I felt. Then one day I looked up and my skin was completely clear. Not a small bump in sight. You don't need to buy all these acne products off of Amazon to get rid of your problem areas. Focus on nourishing and healing your body from the inside out. That's the secret.

#self care #dk #skincare #love yourself

[femmefatalevibe]

Hi! Do you have an easy peasy guide to skincare and hygiene for depressed dummies? 😃

Hi love! Sharing a high-level, basic skincare routine and hygiene tips to follow:

Morning Skincare:

Gentle facial cleanser & water

Vitamin C serum + hyaluronic acid

Facial moisturizer

Sunscreen designed for your face (at least SPF 50 – I think that this La Roche Posay SPF 60 choice is the best option for the money)

Apply sunscreen to your hands, neck, and any parts that will be exposed to the sun (Don't forget to use an SPF lip balm, too!)

Nighttime Skincare:

Remove any makeup (I love these Simple makeup wipes!)

Gentle cleanser

Toner/serums (only use AHAs like glycolic acid or lactic acid and retinol/retinoids at night, using them during the day can increase chances of sunburning)

Facial moisturizer (can be heavier than the one you use during the day, especially in the winter or if you have dry skin)

Spot treatments (if needed)

Eye cream

Skincare Extras:

Exfoliate your face 2-3 times/week (I love the First Aid Beauty Radiance Pads but the CeraVe Renewing Salicylic Acid Cleanser is a great drugstore option!)

Always use disposable cloths instead of a regular towel on your face to reduce bacteria, breakouts, or infections (I love the Clean Skin Club ones!)

Exfoliate your body 2-3 times a week using a dry brush or a scrub (I love the CeraVe Salicylic Acid Body Cleanser, but my favorite is the OUAI Sugar Scrub) and follow it up with a hydrating body moisturizer

Always exfoliate and moisturize before shaving, waxing, or other body hair removal treatments (look up the timeframes for the type of hair removal you choose)

Scrub under your nails daily with antibacterial soap & water and a nail brush

Vaseline is a versatile staple item that can be used as an affordable alternative to an eye cream, cuticle oil, lip balm, or hand cream, and can be used to treat any dry, cracked, or rough patches on the skin

Use a hand lotion and moisturizer on your feet with socks every night before bed

Aloe vera and coconut oil are great skincare staples to keep on hand to soothe burns, irritation, or inflamed skin

Haircare Tips:

Shampoo your skull, condition the rest: Focus shampoo on your roots and work it through your scalp; concentrate conditioner on the ends and work your way up until you reach the base of your skull - around your upper ear lobe

Always comb, never brush, your hair when wet: Gently use a wide-tooth comb, from root to tip, on wet hair to prevent breakage

Use a special towel to dry your hair: My favorite is from Crown Affair (pricey for what it is but worthwhile in the long-term), but a Turbie Twist from the drugstore works infinitely better than a regular towel that weighs down and causes frizzy, damaged hair

Always use a heat protection spray before blow drying or straightening/curling your hair: (Briogeo and Oribe products are my love for all haircare products, including their blowdry creams – also love R +Co. for a heat protection styling mist)

Choose your hair ties wisely: Use seamless or silk hair ties exclusively to prevent breakage or awkward creases on your hair. Wear a silk scrunchie if you prefer. These hair ties from Amazon are my holy grail (only $7 for 100 hair ties!), and they come in a portable ziplock bag

Use dryer sheets to minimize hair frizz and water or Vaseline to slick back fly-aways

Other Hygiene Tips:

Brush teeth, floss, & skincare (2x/day); Get a water pick, too, if you can!

Use a toothbrush cover at all times; Close the toilet seat before flushing

Wash your body towels at least once a week

Wash your pillowcases weekly and sheets at least once every 2 weeks

Throw out and replace your mascara every 2-3 months

Change your underwear and socks daily or more after sweating/working out

For those who menstruate, change your pad or tampon every 3-4 hours

Vulva owners: Use a fragrance-free soap on the outside, only water to clean the inside – no fancy wipes or douching. Wipe front to back!

Wear cotton underwear whenever possible; Find a fabric that breathes

Have a similar buttocks cleansing routine that you do for your face to prevent embarrassing zits or acne

Don't shave between waxes; Use tweezers if necessary a few days after your hair removal treatment

Always wash your hands before touching your face

Hope this helps xx

#hygiene #hygiene products #fashion and beauty #beauty tools #beauty tips #beauty hacks #beauty products #skincare routine #skin health #skincare #healthylifestyle #healthy habits #health and wellness #girl advice #girl tips #girl talk #life skills #feminine hygiene #tips and tricks #femme fatale #dark feminine energy #dark femininity #glow up #it girl #the feminine urge #dream girl #queen energy #female excellence #high value woman #female power

[cosmicstarlatte]

Sunburn (Obey Me!)

━━━━━━━━━━ ✦ ━━━━━━━━━━

My ~personal~ rankings of most to least likely to get sunburned at the beach!

»Characters: Demon bros + Dateables

»Tags: Rankings, Headcanons, Humor

»Notes: Made this for @solomons-poison summer event! Go check it out! ♡

1. Mammon

No matter how many times you tell him to put some on, he refuses. "It looks funny and I hate the feelin' !" Hours later he regrets it of course and whines about how much it hurts and how it'll affect his modeling gig tomorrow. "I would've helped rub it all over you!"

"W-well why didn't ya say that sooner!"

2. Levi

Actually applies sunscreen but it wasn't enough for the shut-in. He's use to swimming around in his room but he underestimated the wrath of the sun. "Well I'm gonna be in the water most of the time so it's fine!" ...Now he's crying in his room about how normie activities are always a bad idea.

3. Lucifer

This responsible™️ demon put on some sunscreen and laid under an umbrella. He admired the ocean view and shared quite a few drinks, laughing and chatting with Diavolo and the others. He fully relaxed! Once they left to do other activities he grabbed a book and fell asleep...unaware of the Anti-Lucifer Leagues plans. He woke up sunburned with no umbrella in sight. 😔

4. Simeon

Bless this angel, really. All he ever wants to do is help. While helping Luke and some of the others apply some sunscreen, the poor angel forgot about himself and everyone forgot to offer as they one by one went to partake in beach activities! (*shakes fist* a national outrage I say!!)

5. Belphie

Was too lazy to apply any but Beel and Simeon helped. Like Levi, it wasn't enough through out the day though. After a particularly long nap in the sun, he too woke up sunburned. (To Lucifers amusement of course lmao)

6. Beel

Might've sampled the sunscreen because it smelled really good. Small sunburn. Occasionally forgot to reapply and the poor thing should've gotten a stronger spf. He also missed a few spots when he tried to apply it himself when Belphie or Simeon were unavailable. 😔

7. Satan

Gets only a tiny sunburn, nothing too noticeable. He would forget to reapply every so often due to being so absorbed in his book but his sunscreen was a particularly good one, perfect for his skin type.

8. Diavolo (Everyone from here on is tied)

Barbatos would never let Diavolo get sunburned. He had the Little Ds help apply sunscreen to the giant demon before they left for the beach. If it weren't for Barbatos though, the demon would forget to apply some through out the day due to having fun.

9. Barbatos

Failing to apply sunscreen to Diavolo or himself would tarnish his name, it'd be unbefitting for a butler and he would never be able to forgive himself. He is meticulous on how it's applied and when and only uses the absolute best he can get.

10. Luke

There is no way Simeon (or anyone) would let the young angel play around without sunscreen. They make sure to apply every half hour & keep him hydrated. He complains about it of course and just wants to go back to play in the water or make sand sculptures.

11. Solomon

Asmo took his chance and helped the sorcerer apply sunscreen. There was not an inch that was not properly applied and he made sure to re-apply through out the day. 🤭 If it weren't for Asmo though, this man would burn and brush it off.

12. Asmo

You will never see this man sunburned. It does not exist. He brought all different types of sunscreen, re-applies, and still limits his time in the sun. The day he gets sunburned is the day he never gets seen again.

Who would you help apply sunscreen? 👀

⬦You might also like: Fire Alarm︱US State They're From

#minx summer fun 2023 #obey me #obey me headcanons #obey me crack #obey me humor #obey me shitpost #obey me lucifer #obey me mammon #obey me leviathan #obey me satan #obey me beelzebub #obey me belphegor #obey me diavolo #obey me barbatos #obey me solomon #obey me simeon #obey me luke #shitpostcifer #◇˖・ﾟ— › cosmic obey me . ⊹

[faytelumos]

Hi! I rediscovered your aliens find cryogen-frozen humans story, and i couldn’t help wonderingif you would ever do a part 3?

Here it is, after quite a long time! Hopefully I get part 4 out faster than this. 😅

Into the Black With a Matchstick, pts 1-2 recap

first previous

---

Previously, on Into the Black:

"This style and material composite isn't in our registry," Engineer Tinel declared. She looked up to Admiral Paxie. "We haven't met this species yet."

The first step was to send the Greeting Call. The way a society answered the Greeting Call was often the best way to determine if they were ready for First Contact.

"S-sir! We're being hailed!"

"Greetings. I am Admiral Uten Paxie of Arkinu. Our species is the Xoixe. It is a pleasure to meet a new race of intelligence."

"I am Captain Adina Ramirez of Earth, and this is Lieutenant Johnathan Harrison. We weren't expecting to meet intelligent life on our journey. Normally, we probably would have packed a few extra diplomats."

"Would you feel more comfortable if we contacted your diplomats?"

"Even if we could, our home planet is twelve lightyears away."

Captain Eme leaned his head close to Paxie's and uttered lowly: "They don't have any rings on their ship."

This ship had no rings or projection structures. They had just been puttering through the system on a barely active engine.

"How many generations have passed on your ship, Captain Ramirez?"

"None; everyone on this ship is in cryogenic stasis."

What in the name of Creation had caused a species to freeze all crew on a ship?

"What the fuck?" Eme breathed.

"Captain Ramierez, how long have you been traveling?"

26,008,372 years, 217 days, 8 hours, 36 minutes

The agreement had been that if and when Earth's space travel technology advanced, a crew would catch up to The Solstice and update everything. Maybe even wake the crew and check up on everyone. But almost fifty times the length of recorded human history had passed between the launch and this wake-up call.

Humanity was dead.

"I can't do this," Adina breathed, hunched over the cantina table and the regurgitated remains of her hydration pack, "I'm gonna pass out."

"I, I know of something that'll help," John rasped.

"Doctor Harrison, did you smuggle drugs onto an international, interstellar space ship?"

The aliens looked exactly like what would happen if a lion and a hyena had a baby and it came out a dinosaur.

"Are we betting the last members of humanity on that thing's friendliness?" John asked.

"No matter what happens, we're at these people's mercy," Adina whispered.

The boarding party was comprised of three individuals. Admiral Paxie, xenomedic Ensign Kime, and Sergeant Klte. Sergeant Klte was a Qomo, one of the smaller species in the Xoixe's catalog of allies. Given the delicate and relatively defenseless physiology of the new aliens, Paxie had determined that Klte would be the best received as the face of the alliance. It stood on four thin legs, rose up on an elegant, slim torso, and had four thin arms, a sleek, mostly featureless face, a thin, lipless mouth, large, black eyes, and pale skin. It was downright cute.

"Admiral," Kime uttered, looking at the new aliens, "these creatures are exhibiting signs of extreme stress."

"Hopefully our new friends will be comfortable enough joining us to tell us what's happened here," Paxie said.

---

next

#writeblr #writers on Tumblr #scifi writing #humans are space orcs #Fayte writes #it's been a really long time since I posted anything it feels like

[beautycanva]

10 Easy Habits to Keep Wrinkles at Bay: Your Youthful Glow

Hey there, gorgeous! Let's talk about keeping that radiant complexion you deserve. Wrinkles are a natural part of aging, but there are plenty of things we can do to slow their appearance and maintain a healthy, youthful glow.

Here are 10 easy habits you can incorporate into your daily routine:

Sun's Out, SPF's On: This one's a no-brainer! Sun exposure is a major contributor to wrinkles. Make sunscreen your BFF – use SPF 30 or higher every single day, even on cloudy days.

2. Hydration Hero: Drinking plenty of water throughout the day keeps your skin plump and hydrated from the inside out. Aim for 8 glasses a day, and adjust based on your activity level and climate.

3. Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize! Find a moisturizer that works for your skin type. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid or ceramides, which help retain moisture. Apply moisturizer morning and night, and don't forget your neck!

4. Sleep Beauty Vibes: When you sleep, your skin repairs itself. Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night. Bonus points for sleeping on your back to avoid sleep wrinkles!

5. Eat Your Way to Glowing Skin: Nourish your skin from within with a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats. Think antioxidants and vitamins!

6. Ditch the Smoking: Smoking damages your skin's elasticity, leading to wrinkles. If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your overall health and your skin.

7. Manage Stress: Stress can wreak havoc on your skin. Find healthy ways to manage stress, like yoga, meditation, or spending time in nature.

8. Less is More: Avoid harsh scrubs and cleansers that can strip your skin's natural oils. Be gentle with your skin and use lukewarm water when washing your face.

9. Pillow Talk: Replace your pillowcase regularly to prevent the build-up of bacteria and dirt, which can irritate your skin. Silk or satin pillowcases can also help reduce friction and wrinkles.

10. Smile More! (But Not Too Much!) While frowning contributes to wrinkles, genuine smiles actually boost your mood and can make you look younger. Just don't squint too hard when you laugh – focus on those eye crinkles of joy!

By incorporating these easy habits into your daily routine, you'll be well on your way to maintaining a healthy, youthful glow for years to come. And hey, if you ever have a question about a specific product or technique, don't hesitate to consult a dermatologist – they're the skincare experts!

#beauty #beauty tips #naturalskincare #glowingskin #self care #healthylifestyle #deep wrinkles #antiaging #beautiful women #stay hydrated #sleeping beauty #skincare #skincare tips #viral

[the-empress-7]

Tips for Staying Cool with no Aircon

1. Stay indoors. If you have to go outside, seek shade.

2. Wear natural fibres (cotton) or moisture wicking fibres (like gymwear). I prefer cotton myself as it is the coolest fabric I have found for that weather.

2. Wear loose clothes. You want the warm air from your body heat to be able to move away from your body, and not stay trapped next to the skin (trapping it next to the skin is for winter).

3. Your feet will swell. Your body will swell. It is normal to feel puffy. Another reason to wear loose clothes. Make sure you have shoes that fit if you have to wear them (I go for mules/clogs as otherwise my feet swell so much I can't get the shoes on. Thongs are also good).

4. Eat little but often. I like a good hot curry on hot days, but my friends swear by cold food. Whatever route you go, cook it in advance. You do not want the stovetop on or the oven (they add extra heat to the house). Cold food from the fridge or stuff you can heat in the microwave is best.

5. Drink. Drink a lot. I go through 2-3 litres of liquid on hot days - water, flavoured water (with infusions), hot tea (yes I am nuts, see curry eating above), milk, cordial - whatever works for you. I don't like fizzy drinks as I find they don't hydrate me that well. You may differ,

6. Eat salty food. I always need more sugar and more salt on hot days. The sugar comes from the cordials, the salt comes from snack food (salted nuts, soy crisps, potato chips/crisps, prawn crackers, savoury biscuits etc). Find a favourite salty snack and eat it during the day.

7. Do the pinch test to test for dehydration every couple of hours. Also check your urine by colour. If you are becoming dehydrated, drink more and/or eat wet food (cucumber, watermelon, ice cream spiders and so on).

8. Each ice blocks, paddle pops, ice cream etc. It will cool you down and put some liquid into you.

9.Stay as still as possible. This is a day to be lazy if you can.

10. Use a fan. Water or ice in front of the fan will turn the air from thee fan cold (ice is best for this). Just having the moving air is a huge relief on still days.

11. I keep my windows open when it is cool (eg night time, early morning) and then shut when the air heats up, so the hot air is outside the house and not inside. I draw the curtains and blinds to keep the heat out of the house during the day. However, you still need light to see by as turning the lights on also heats up the house, so you will have to adjust accordingly. 

12. Awnings over windows and doorways, or even a canvas on four poles planted next to and above the door, will stop the heat from coming into the house. I have deep verandahs on my house which help a lot, but I know they are not common everywhere.

13. Some houses need a window open for ventilation, even in hot weather. If you are opening the windows, try to set up an air tunnel with them, so you get breeze through the house (for me that is one downstairs window and two upstairs windows open a tiny bit, you may be different).

14. Sprinkle water on your sheets if you can't sleep at night. The evaporation will keep you cool.

15. I use this for babies and small children: Make a 'tent' out of wet cotton sheets and chairs or chairs and a broom. The sheets need to be fairly damp. I wet them in the tub and then squeeze out the excess water. Turn the fan on and have it blowing across the wet sheets.The evaporation will drop the temperature in the 'tent' within five minutes. You can do this without a fan but the temperature drop will be slower. You have to keep wetting the sheets for it to keep working. I either check and spray every hour or put trays with water in them at the bottom of the sheets, with the sheet bottoms in the water. The sheets suck the water up and keep wet that way.

If it is really hot I set this up for the night over a mattress on the floor, and everyone sleeps on the floor in a 'tent'.

16. The closer to the floor, the colder the air. Tile floors are cool to sit or lie on. If you want them very cool, mop the floor with water and the evaporation with leave the tiles cold underfoot (or underbody if you are lying on them). 

17. Check the shops for cool bed toppers to help with sleeping.

18. Ice in a face washer or a wet face washer that has been frozen or just a wet face washer on certain parts of the body will cool you down (head, neck, underarms, elbows, wrists, groin, behind the knees, feet). I put my feet in a bowl of cold tap water and that lowers my temperature very quickly.

19. If you need ice cubes, make them in advance and make double the amount you think you will need.

20. Some shops have neck handkerchiefs or scarves that you soak in water and the fabric/beads in the fabric absorbs the water and then helps to keep you cool. Firefighters use the neck hankies (I have no idea what their proper name is). My friend who suffers from the heat uses a scarf with beads in it. The scarves are like this one: https://www.instructables.com/Cooling-Scarf-Look-good-and-stay-cool/

21. Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Seek help/follow the advice while it is mild and before it becomes heat stroke. https://www.redcross.org.au/emergencies/prepare/heatstroke-and-heat-exhaustion/

====

Anon, this was very kind of you to type up and send in. I shall pin it to my blog for the next couple of days.

#heat wave #psa

[truffoire]

Truffoire Reviews -Tired Of Looking At Your Dull And Dry Skin? Here Is How You Can Fix It

Do you no longer feel confident in your skin? Does your skin feel dry and lacks glow? If your face feels dull, you may be considering some ways to fix it and wondering the reason for not having radiant skin. 

Skin is the body's biggest organ. In this way, it's a good idea that there will be times when your skin appears to be a piece sick. Try to sort out why and how you might change that. The biggest reason known for having dry and dull skin is dehydration. Drinking sufficient water is not only good for your body but it also reflects on your skin. Check out how you can pamper the skin to its best, Truffoire Reviews – Why Your Skin Needs to Stay Hydrated at All Costs. 

The most effective method to restore dull skin

We all at some point in time have a periodic episode of dry and dull skin. However, assuming you're routinely awakening to dull skin, you may be considering how you might work on its nutrition. 

The uplifting news? You have a lot of choices.

1. Go delicate on your skin

You need to ensure that you have eliminated your pore-clogging routine and cosmetics, however, do it delicately. 

Keep away from brutal cleansers and drying scrubs, which can be a common reason for skin redness, dryness, flaky skin, and rashes. All things considered, incorporate cleaning oil in your skincare routine to get clear skin and a lot of sunscreens without harming the top layer of your skin. Then, at that point, use a delicate skin cleaning agent to eliminate the oil and pat it dry. Also read, A Truffoire Review — How Your Skin Can be Your Pathway to Your Confidence. 

2. Keep away from hot water

Using hot water daily to clean your skin strips away the natural oils causing irritation and dryness. It can likewise cause shallow vessel widening, making the skin seem red, however just briefly.

Rather, utilize water at room temperature while washing your face. Additionally incorporate cleansing moisturizers like shea butter, coconut oil, shea margarine, or luxury products from Truffoire that are carefully designed to restore the moisture in your skin. 

3. Exfoliation is good for your skin

Normal peeling or exfoliation is vital to the gleaming composition of your skin. At the point when dead cells develop on the external layers of your skin, it makes your skin look dry, flakey, and dull and might obstruct your pores. Standard exfoliation or peeling can keep this from occurring. Exfoliation likewise assists with polishing and smoothening your skin, diminishing the presence of scarce lines and flaky skin. 

4. Use a serum to brighten your skin

Face serums contain a high level of minerals and Vitamins that assist to light up your skin, support hydration, and lessen the indications of maturing.

Since serums retain rapidly in your skin, you can use them a few times per day in the wake of cleaning and moisturizing. Choose a serum that has resveratrol, ferulic acid, Vitamin B3 and C.

#Truffoire Reviews #skincare #Skin Care Products #Healthier Skin #moisturizer #smooth skin #best skin care products #best Cosmetic Brand #natural ingredients #natural skincare #brighten skin

[sheisherbykagi2]

How to make black skin glow naturally with these 9 tips

Black skin is beautiful, and those with dark skin look amazing in all colors (especially vibrant colors) as well as tend to age slower.

However, nobody wants to be a part of team #ashy, right? You want your beautiful melanated skin to be beautiful and have an even skin tone! So today, I’m sharing my tips on how to make black skin glow naturally!

Exfoliate your skin

Did you know every 30 days or so that your skin naturally sheds dead skin cells to make room for new cells?

Anddddd sometimes, those dead cells don’t shed completely. Yuck.

That’s where exfoliating comes in!

Exfoliating smooths the skin’s surface by removing dry, flaky, dead cells, which allows you to get an even skin tone for your black skin.

Exfoliating helps to brighten your skin, minimize the appearance of discoloration and reduce breakouts.

When you exfoliate, you uncover fresh new cells below, which gives you softer, glowing skin.

Additionally, by exfoliating, you open the way for moisturizing products to penetrate more deeply into the skin, which makes them more effective. When it comes to how to make black skin glow naturally, you do not want to skip out on exfoliating!

DIY exfoliator:

Now you can make your own natural exfoliator. Here are a few simple recipes:

Brow sugar exfoliator: 1 part sugar (like brown sugar) and one part oil (like almond oil). Mix and apply gently over the body.

Brightening lemon exfoliator: Mix a tablespoon of lemon juice and 1/4 cup of olive oil in a bowl. Add honey and stir until fully mixed. Add Sugar. Gently apply to body.

Both of the recipes are great and can be created with household products. However, if you want to take your exfoliation to the next level, I highly recommend these:

Exfoliating gloves are a game-changer

I recently discovered body scrub gloves and listennnnnn; my skincare routine is forever changed.

Exfoliating gloves are meant to be used with water and body wash, so I recommend wetting your entire body, as well as your exfoliating glove, then start scrubbing.

Your exfoliator glove is your exfoliator. Be sure to use circular motions and replace them often to prevent built-up bacteria (the gloves below are washable, so you can reuse them! Yay, for the environment!).

2.Drink lots of water

I know, I know. Telling you to drink lots of water for beautiful skin is cliche but listen, your skin is 64% water, and when you’re not drinking adequate water, what do you think happens?

Well, your skin is not getting essential nutrients to your skin cells to keep your skin replenished.

Water keeps your dark skin hydrated and refreshed, which helps maintain your skin’s elasticity and that glowing effect.

Those who drink large amounts of water are less likely to suffer from scars, wrinkles, and they won’t show as many signs of aging as those who drink little amounts of water.

Your skin is 64% water

Those who know me KNOW I drink lots of water throughout the day. One way I keep myself hydrated is I keep a huge water bottle near me pretty much all the time.

While I’m working, watching TV, cooking, and yes, even at night just in case, I wake up in the middle of the night thirsty.

Here’s my favorite water bottle, which keeps water cold for 24 hours! However, I like to make it a game where I have to fill my water bottle up at least four times a day.

I know it’s cliche to say drink water when it comes to How to make black skin glow naturally, but since upping my water intake, my dark skin has never looked better! And when I don’t drink a lot of water, I can always tell because my skin looks duller and is drier.

3. Moisturize Your Skin

Nobody wants to be a part of team ashiness, and the best way to combat that is usually a moisturizer! Using a moisturizer allows you to reduce the chance of developing extreme dryness or oiliness.

Additionally, by applying a moisturizer to your dark skin, you maintain your skin’s moisture barrier and prevent environmental damage to your skin.

While a moisturizer can allow you to have softer, more elastic skin that keeps your skin hydrated… it’s important to use moisturizers that are not full of chemicals that can do more harm to your skin than good.

I like to avoid moisturizers with a lot of crazy chemicals I cannot pronounce and artificial ingredients because what you put on your skin is just as important as what you put in your skin.

4. Say YES to serums

Serums are bae. Yup, I said it. Serums are jam-packed with beneficial ingredients such as antioxidants and skin-restoring ingredients.

They usually exclude ingredients like as SPF and emollients, which are usually included in general moisturizers. This is why serums tend to be more expensive… because they also tend to be more effective.

When it comes to using skins serums and how to get an even skin tone for black skin, I recommend a serum with one or three of these things:

Vitamin E – rich in antioxidants, which help repair damaged skin cells, thus making your skin beautiful and free from  blemishes

Retinol – (also known as Vitamin A) increases collagen production (which helps your skin elasticity). It also stimulates the production of new blood vessels in the skin, which improves skin color. Additional benefits include fading age spots, softening rough patches of skin, and brightening skin.

Hyaluronic Acid – designed to address visible wrinkles and improve skin elasticity as well as brighten skin

Look for serums with active ingredients in high concentrations. How can you figure this out? The higher the active ingredient is placed on the ingredient list, the higher the concentrations within the product.

For active ingredients like retinol, too little of it and it’s a waste (real-life experience talking here), so make sure you’re choosing a serum with more than .000000001%. of active ingredients.

5. Exercise

Wait! Before you start rolling your eyes… did you know exercise helps nourish skin cells and keep them vital?

Yup, exercising helps improves your skin tone and is great when it comes to how to make black skin glow naturally. Aerobic exercise makes you sweat, which promotes the removal of toxins through perspiration.

Additionally, working out tones the skin improves blood circulation and oxygenation to the skin and imparts a healthy glow.

Working out improves your blood flow which nourishes cells and thus makes skin brighter

There are so many benefits to exercising, and one of those benefits is making your black skin glow naturally.

6.  Cleanse daily

No matter your skin type, it would be best if you washed your face at least once a day — preferably in the evening/night to remove any dirt, makeup, oil, and grime built up on your skin throughout the day.

Washing your face in the morning is still up for debate with it comes to some skin-care experts. However, I wash my face twice a day, once in the morning after working out (since I work out early in the morning) and at night.

I also recommend cleansing your body daily, even if just a 5 minute-shower, for the same reasons. Cleaning your body daily helps remove oil and grime built up on your skin throughout the day.

Why should you wash every day? Why does cleansing daily help when it comes to how to make black skin glow naturally? From sweat to particles in the environment, your skin inevitably faces many external aggressors.

So by cleansing daily, you remove every last trace of dirt, excess oil, pollution, and unwanted skin cells off of your body and face.

However, be careful not to over-cleanse.  Over-cleansing strips your skin from its natural oils and protective barrier, which can lead to dryness, sensitivity, irritation and make your skin even worse (and more full!).

Don’t rub your skin too harshly or overdo it when it comes to washing your body and face.

Use a face wash and body wash created for your skin type (oily, dry, combination, mature and sensitive). For example, if you have oily skin, you don’t want to clean with a cleanser created for dry skin as it will only make your skin oilier, which could cause breakouts.

Please read the labels when it comes to your cleansers to ensure its created for your skin type.

7. Protect Your Skin

While dark skin does not sunburn as quickly, dark skin still burns and is susceptible to sun-induced damage—such as sunspots and wrinkles—and skin cancer. No matter your skin tone, you should be wearing sunscreen.

Black skin needs sunscreen too.

Everyone, including those with dark skin, need to wear sunscreen. Why? Well, Sunscreen provides added protection against UV rays, and skin damage is a great way to have dull, flaky skin. Nooooo, Thank you!

UV damage can be one of the main reasons your skin looks dull, so it’s best to wear sunscreen whenever you go out… even if that trip is just to the car.

As someone with dark skin, one of the biggest struggles for sunscreen and black skin is that some sunscreens can give you this ugly white cast over your skin, which makes you look ashy and absolutely NOT cute.

If you know that struggle oh-to-well, I highly recommend sunscreen like black girl sunscreen, which was created for our beautiful dark skin to moisturize without giving us that ashy skin look.

8. Use a shimmer with gold flakes

Now, this is a makeup beauty hack that a lot of people don’t know about, and that’s to use a gold shimmer on your body when you are going out! Why? Well, gold shimmer gives you that instantly glowy look when the sun hits your beautiful black skin!

Whenever I go to the beach or show a little extra shoulder, I might dab a little shimmer lotion on my skin! You can make your own using a few household ingredients.

9. Get your sleep

Collagen is a protein that serves as one of the main building blocks for your skin.

It helps your skin to remain youthful looking and improve skin texture… but here’s the catch: Skin makes new collagen when you sleep, and that’s not the only reason you need sleep! Sleep also reduces puffy eyes and/or dark circles underneath your eyes… and nobody wants glowing skin with puffy, red, sleep-deprived eyes.

When it comes to how to make black skin glow naturally, my biggest recommendation is to take care of yourself! Drink water, eat nutritious foods, and use natural products that your dark skin will love.

One way I keep my black skin glowing is by giving myself an at-home facial once or twice a month. It keeps my skin clear, youthful, and glowing

#black women #women empowerment #womensupportingwomen #beautiful women #womeninbusiness #skincare #skincare routine #skincare tips #glowing skin #self love #naturalskincare #skincareproducts

[darklovecat]

March favorites?

Tretinoin and a 2% BHA serum.

These 2 are a very powerful combo. I only use BHAs once a week, there are people who use it every single day and it is true that is a lot more gentle compared to other chemical exfoliators but I do not want to overexfoliate my skin or disrupt my skin barrier again like last year (when I would use the highest percentages of Vitamin C, AHA, Retinoids every day) so I make sure I only use it when I really need it. I use Tretinoin for anti-aging purposes only, it does not require a prescription where I live so I can get it at any pharmacy. 0.1% is the highest concentration available on the market and some people purge like crazy but I have been using it for on and off 4 years so my skin is used to it. My skin is far from perfect and sometimes I break out due to hormones, stress or lack of sleep and I need products to improve my skin texture. One of my favorite things is applying my 0.1% Tretinoin on Friday night and on Monday my skin begins flaking, I take my BHA Serum massaging it into my skin and it gets rid of all my dead skin cells and I love how my skin looks smooth and glowy the next days.

Garnier Hyaluronic Aloe Replumping Superserum.

I would never really purchase something from Garnier. However, my aunt was recently diagnosed with preoral dermatitis (it's terrible) and her dermatologist told her to stop using any makeup or skincare so she gave me most of her cosmetics that I have been trying out the past few weeks. This is one of my favorites. Whenever I use a hydrating ingredient I always spritz my face with water first to maximize its benefits and this serum makes my skin feel so much more hydrated and fresh, it has a very calming & pleasant smell, and I sometimes add another layer depending on my skin's needs. It gives me the perfect base before I move on to applying my skin makeup. What makes this serum amazing is that it includes so many different hydrating ingredients - Aloe, Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin... My skin loves this superserum so I use this one quite often.

Missha A'pieu BB Maker SPF 30/PA++

This is another product that proves to me that Korean makeup products are amazing. The BB creams I've tried from Western brands have been lackluster at best, they never match my skin tone, they look off on me but I bought this in 212 Natural Beige and it is so perfect. It's called 'BB cream' but this product is so high coverage that I would almost call it a foundation. When my order first arrived, I was shocked at how small the product was, I thought I'm gonna finish it in two weeks tops but the thing is you put 1/2 a pea size on the back of your hand and realize you could easily cover your whole face with it. I don't know how that's possible but you really need soooo little, only a teeny tiny amount and it's something I still need to learn, I put a 3/4 pea just to be safe and it always turns out to be way too much. I know someone who works for Missha so I got this product at a heavy discount, I ordered 2 and she sent 4, what a darling and what an amazing excuse to buy more products!

Apple AirPods (3rd Generation).

These were a gift from my mom, my Huawei Freebuds stopped working and I've been complaining about it nonstop so she surprised me with a pair of Airpods 3, she was torn between the 2 and 3 so she gave me the receipt to let me decide. I went in the next day and got them exchanged, and I love them. I can do calls, binge my shows, participate in virtual meetings, listen to podcasts on my way to uni, listen to music for hours on end with no issues and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a pair of good headphones, the battery lasts a long time as well. The headphones may feel weird at the beginning, like they could fall out any second which is why I was hesitant in the beginning but I got used to it, it does not bother me anymore. I also got a cute little case, it's silver stoned and I am not really a bling person but I did not want to get silicone because they stain and rip, I wanted to try something different, so I just went ahead and bought this one, I love how it sparkles and it is pretty much impossible to damage.

A White Long Sleeved Leotard.

I am obsessed with this long sleeved leotard, it is a game changer and I think this is the best purchases I have made this year. It literally solves 90% of all my cloth-related problems. When I go to the dance studio, I throw this on with my black leggings as a base layer, I just have to take off my skirt and I am good to go within seconds. The material is stretchy but very fitted and I love how the fabric feels on my skin, I also how it looks on me and how it emphasizes my slim arms and my small waist. The fabric is very thin but it is not see through so I can wear my cropped wrap tops and all my see through tops over it without looking frumpy. I love a fitted look so I can wear it on its own with a pleated dark navy skirt or a black pencil skirt (my favorite) as well. It is a 10/10 and I have already purchased many more in various colors and this is the type of thing I never knew I needed.

Love, Cat.

#hypergamy #hypergamous #hypergamous beauty tips #hypergamous beauty #hypergamy tips #leveling up #level up #glow up #high maintenance

[prettyaddict14]

Cheap Beauty Hacks For Clear Skin, Hair and more. 1.Use a Hot Wash Cloth for exfoliationBy using water and just placing it on for your skin for a few seconds can work to steam your skin, loosen your pores. You can also use your washcloth to get rid of dead skin cells on your lips and face.

2.Using Vaseline as a multi-purpose item

Vaseline is an underrated staple to have. Not needed to just for your lips but also for multiple uses. It can be used to grow and moisturise your eyelashes and brows, a natural highlighter on your face and even for dark circles. Hollywood actresses used Vaseline under your eyes to prevent puffiness and dark circles. Just be careful especially if you have acne prone skin to place it on certain places of your skin as it can have risks of milia. You can also melt it and add fragrance oils to make a perfume balm

3. Invest in silk pillowcases, bonnets and headscarves

Silk pillowcases help prevent your face from wrinkles as it is much smoother on your face. Silk bonnets are great to prevent frizz on all hair types as well as headscarves, so you can be assured of a good nights rest without any stress.

4. Avoid the sun, always use SPF.

SPF is supposed to be used throughout the day no matter what season. It is said that you need apply sunscreen every 2 hours throughout the day but in general it is best to avoid sunrays in order to prevent skin damage from Uv rays and sunburn. Using multiple skincare products is a huge myth . In fact, having clear skin. Simplicity is key

5. sleep 

De stressing after a long day is important. Having atleast 7 hours of sleep can affect the appearance of your skin and it is important to get 7-9  hours a sleep a day 

6. Add electrolytes to water

Adding electrolytes to your water in the mornning before eating can have many benefits. The main benefits of drinking lemon water is that it can aid in digestion with a great source of Vitamin C and hydration.

7.Ice water Bowl

Simply placing face in the ice in a bowl and fill up with water for a couple seconds can depuff skin and reduce inflammation.

8.Go for a brisk walk

Walking is a great way to improve or maintain your overall health. Just 30 minutes every day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance.

9.Glycolic acid 

Glycolic acid is well known on Tiktok as a multipurpose product. From your scalp to your elbows and underarms, this product is great for multiple things.Glycolic acid can reduce dandruff on the scalp, shifting dead skin cells from the skins surface. It can also reduce odour on underarms and reduce discoloration on other parts of the body.

#skincare #cheaphacks #beautyhacks #tiktok #prettyaddiact14

[belladoesmakeup]

Hi guys!

Today we are talking r.e.m beauty by Ariana Grande! R.e.M have just released their first ever foundation which I have been so excited to try out myself and once it launched at Selfridges I had to get my hands on it.

Miss Ariana was not messing around when she launched her new Sweetener foundation ,£28.00 because she has launched with 60 shades! That’s right 60 and of those shades she has 10 shades designed for fair complexions which is crazy because I’ve never had that many colour options before. I got a bit overwhelmed on which colour would suit me best so I decided to go Selfridges in person and see which colour suited me.

Luckily I decided to go in person because I thought I would be shade Fair 2c but I was actually Fair 4 C which I didn’t expect. For once in my life I’m not the lightest shade which I was crazy excited about. Anyway let’s chat details about the Sweetener Foundation, £28.00. This foundation is designed to be a clinically proven longwearing, skincare-color hybrid delivering instant hydration and a natural-matte finish. I have worn this for a few days now and personally I love how natural it looks on my face because it gives you great coverage but doesn't look heavy which is really surprising. I'm so happy I got colour matched because I would of ordered a shade way too light for me which is crazy to say since that never happens to me. Already I love everything about this foundation from the packaging, to the finish on my skin, it's a total win!

I also decided to pick up the Sweetener Concealer, £20.00 while I was at the counter because last time I got a shade too dark so this time I picked up shade 3C which is for very fair complexions with pink undertones. This concealer is quiet a thick consistency but once you blend it out it feels much more lightweight on your face. These concealers have been used to brighten your complexion, highlight and even contour your face. It's a lovely formula that you can use for any purpose and as a bonus blends in beautifully with the foundation.

I already love these products and I'm so impressed with the shade range, it's nice to see brands being inclusive with the products they release. As always all products mentioned are linked above.

Lots of love

Bella x x

#rem beauty #rem beauty foundation #ariana grande #makeup #makeup review #blogger #blog #beauty review #grwm #beauty #make up #photography #cosmetics #makeup blogger #me #my photography #makeup look #girl #new makeup #lifestyle #lifestyle blog #lifestyle blogger #beauty blogger #mua #makeup inspo #foundation review #foundation #rem beauty by ariana grande #new in makeup #new in beauty

[puppyexpressions]

What Fruits Can Dogs Eat?

You already know that fruit is important for keeping yourself healthy, but did you know that it’s great for your dog, too? While dogs don’t need fruit to be at their healthiest, the addition of fresh fruits to your pup’s normal diet, with permission and instructions from your vet, can provide them with an added boost of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, as well as some always-welcome extra hydration.

An important thing to remember, however, when it comes to feeding your dog fruit is that while many fruits are great for dogs, not all of them are. In addition to checking out our list of the fruits that you shouldn’t feed your furry friend at the bottom of this page, you should also be sure to pay attention to how your dog responds to certain fruits. If you notice signs of an upset stomach or other discomfort, don’t feed them that type of fruit anymore—even if it’s otherwise safe for them.

Now that we’ve got that important disclaimer out of the way, let’s get to it. Here are 10 of the best fruits to feed dogs.

Apples

An apple a day might not keep the vet away, but slices or otherwise small bits of apple make excellent treats and meal toppers. Just be sure not to feed your dog any apple seeds, since they contain small amounts of cyanide and also pose a choking risk.1

Benefits:

Help clean teeth and freshen breath.

Contain vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber, and there are also phytochemicals in the skin, which have been found to combat the growth of cancer cells in laboratory studies.2

Bananas

Bananas have a ton of health benefits for our furry friends. They’re also innately portable, making them a good snack to bring along for the two of you to share on long walks.

Benefits:

The fiber in bananas may be good for your dog's digestion.3

Contain high amounts of potassium, fiber, and vitamin C.

Blackberries

It’s safe to share blackberries with your pooch, though use your best judgment in terms of cutting them up into smaller bites. Stick to sweeter blackberries, instead of tart ones, which your dog will likely prefer.

Benefits:

May have antibacterial properties that support good oral health.4

Contain vitamins C and K, manganese, and fiber.

Blueberries

Dogs tend to love blueberries, which are already perfectly sized as treats for mouths both big and small. If you’re dealing with a tiny dog or a big blueberry though, cut the berry in half before serving.

Benefits:      

Blueberries are low in sugar and fat and make a good treat for dogs who need to avoid too many extra calories.

Contain vitamins C and K, as well as calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and antioxidants.

Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe is a safe and healthy fruit for your dog to enjoy, but avoid feeding the rind, since the rough texture can cause intestinal damage.5

Benefits:

High doses of beta-carotene, which is good for your dog’s vision and immune system.67

Contains vitamins A, B-6, and C, as well as fiber, potassium, folate, and niacin.

Cranberries

Thanksgiving isn’t the only reason to stock these sweet treats in your home. Cranberries can be fed to your dog raw, cooked, or dried, but skip the sugar-laden cranberry sauce (sorry, Fido).8

Benefits:

Cranberries are high in antioxidants.

Contain vitamins C and E, as well as a range of B vitamins, including thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, and B-6.

Papaya

Go ahead and feed papaya to your pup. The flesh of this exotic fruit makes an excellent snack.

Benefits:

Contain vitamins A, C, E, and K, as well as folate.

Hi in fiber, calcium, and potassium.

Raspberries

When consumed in moderation, raspberries serve as a delicious treat for you dog. And most dogs seem to like them, especially when they’re at their peak sweetness in summer.

Benefits:

Thought to help fight against cancer, circulatory disease, and age-related decline.910

Contain vitamin C, folic acid, copper, magnesium, fiber, and antioxidants.

Strawberries

Like most other berries, strawberries are chock-full of antioxidants. For safe feeding, slice off the leaves at the top first and then quarter the strawberry. If your dog is small, cut each quarter in half (or smaller).

Benefits:

Strawberries can provide a big boost to the immune system with their high level of antioxidants.11 They also have a high water content, making them a hydrating snack.

Contain vitamins C, B-6, K, and E, as well as folate, potassium, and manganese.

Watermelon

Nothing is quite as satisfying on a hot day as a juicy slice of watermelon, and our dogs agree. Just don’t feed the rind or seeds, which are difficult for your dog to digest.12

Benefits:

High in lycopene, an antioxidant that protects against cell damage.

Contain vitamins A, B-6, and C, as well as thiamin, which helps convert fat, protein, and carbohydrates into energy.

Incredibly hydrating thanks to a high water content.

Fruits You Shouldn’t Feed Your Dog

While the list of fruits that dogs can eat is long, as a responsible pet parent you should also be aware of the fruits that dogs can’t eat. These include:

Cherries

Grapefruit

Grapes

Lemons

Limes

Plums

Always err on the side of safety when it comes to feeding your dog any type of fruit for the first time. Even fruits that aren’t on this list can pose a problem to your particular dog, so do your research, feed only small amounts at first, and be on the lookout for signs of a bad reaction.

How to Feed Your Dog Fruit

Fresh or frozen fruit is easy to feed your pet, provided you remove skin, seeds, and pits, and cut the fruit into manageable bites. But if you're up for it, you can get more creative.

Freeze some pup-sicles. Fill each slot in an ice cube tray with fresh water or a tablespoon or so of plain yogurt, then pop in small bits of cut up fruit and freeze. Pop out one of the pup-sicles for an icy treat on a warm day.

Make a smoothie. Start with a base, such as water, plain yogurt, or beef, chicken, or veggie broth (just check the ingredient list first to ensure there’s no onion, garlic, or other no-go foods if you're using store-bought broth). Blend with fresh or frozen fruit, and serve. If you make too big of a serving, freeze the rest in an ice cube tray for quick frozen treats.

Encourage your dog to play with their food. Swap out traditional treats in your dog’s favorite puzzle toy for small bits of fruit instead. They’ll get a nice healthy snack along with lots of mental exercise.

Sprinkle fruit on top of meals. Add some excitement to meal time by using cut up fruit as a topper on your dog’s normal breakfast or dinner. It’s a good way to mix up their meals and add an extra dose of wholesome goodness.

#dog diet #dogs eating fruits #dog health #fruits #dog food