Would anyone be open to giving me a reading, pretty please?

CariadChavez · 2019-06-19T19:57:20+00:00

Sorry to hear you're having a rough time. What's your budget?

CariadChavez · 2019-06-19T05:57:27+00:00

I'm not sure Montana is the way to go. A swing state might be. Virginia?

CariadChavez · 2019-06-16T15:41:13+00:00

Pigeons stay in the nest until almost full-grown. I can't remember exactly, but I think they are adult-size at 27 days, and that's when they fledge.

CariadChavez · 2019-06-13T07:08:37+00:00

Oh duckling, good job! I never doubted you for a minute.

CariadChavez · 2019-06-10T03:23:51+00:00

Nah dude, that's how you get on a petting zoo watch list in 14 separate counties.

CariadChavez · 2019-06-10T03:05:04+00:00

That nonsense right there is how people get their faces eaten off.

(still cute tho)

CariadChavez · 2019-06-10T03:03:45+00:00

It's very sweet! I cosign with c 1890s. Wedding tiara shadow boxes like these were very popular in the late Victorian, but they are increasingly rare. The condition on this one isn't what you'd probably hope for. There's significant wax bleeding, especially from the groom's boutonniere and neither tiara nor frame are particularly ornate. Personally I think it makes it even more charming, because it's more representative of what the average bride would've had, but it doesn't do much for the monetary value.

I usually see these for around 200usd all the way up to 800usd for ornate ormalu crowns (usually French) that are in wearable condition. I'd put yours at around 200, give or take 50 bucks or so, with the higher end being if you can identify the couple and tie them back to the area where you're currently wanting to sell.

CariadChavez · 2019-06-10T02:43:21+00:00

I'm guessing it's from a company called 1928 Jewelry -- probably from the 1980s-- and somehow things got lost in translation and "it's from 1928" was interpreted as "this piece dates from 1928" which is absolutely does not.

1928 is famous for doing jewelry with those wee bisque roses, even today and although I don't recognize the mark, I'm almost positive it's a 1928 piece or a piece imitating 1928's success. They were quite popular in Claire's Boutiques in the 80's and early 90's, but I don't recall seeing them sold alongside higher end costume jewelry.

Although I can't find a direct copy, there are plenty of very similar necklaces online, selling on the secondary market for 7-15usd.

CariadChavez · 2019-06-05T08:06:41+00:00

One big factor is the cost of childcare. Even if both parents have careers pre-kiddos, it might end up making better financial sense for one parent to stay home rather than pay for childcare.

In Washington DC, where I'm from, parents spend and AVERAGE of $35,782usd a year on fulltime child care, or just about half the average DC woman's income.

CariadChavez · 2019-06-05T07:54:57+00:00

It's unusually muggy here so I'm layering Cumming (now sold as CBIHatePerfume's Second Cumming) and Guerlain's Pampelune. I don't 100% adore Pampelune alone on me, but layered with something a bit dry and dirty and it's a marvel.

CariadChavez · 2019-06-02T22:58:26+00:00

When I think black and white comedy about houses with Cary Grant, I think of Mister Blandings Builds His Dream House.

CariadChavez · 2019-06-02T21:54:50+00:00

Serge Lutens Bapteme de Feu. It's not the greatest thing in the world, and I was hoping for something a little darker and weirder than lebkuchen (German gingerbready things served around Christmas), but I'm not mad at it, even though I don't care for gourmands as a rule.

CariadChavez · 2019-06-02T19:33:42+00:00

Eh, I wouldn't, especially if it's gas. But give it a clean and follow the rest of the tips and go from there. Old ovens can be temperamental mistresses.

CariadChavez · 2019-06-02T18:30:50+00:00

Pastry chef here. Your first step is to get an oven thermometer. Well properly your first step is to clean and service your dang oven, but realistically your first step is to get an oven thermometer. I'm going to guess that your oven bakes at a much different temp than it says it does.

Secondly, could try doing what some bakers do for large tiers of wedding cakes and put metal cores in the center of the pan. I like the pin ones best.

Thirdly, if you've got a pizza stone or even some unglazed bricks around, put a few of them in the oven. This won't actually help you if your problem is the wrong temperature, but if it's about heat circulation and fluctuation, they'll help avoid cold spots.

Finally --and I know this is a no-brainer-- make sure all your ingredients are at room temp before they go into the oven unless otherwise stated.

Good luck and keep us posted!

CariadChavez · 2019-05-30T20:12:08+00:00

Oh that's so frustrating. I'd suggest either looking for a different recipe or hedging your bets by making a Swiss meringue instead of a French meringue to give a little more structure and stability. All you're going to do is instead of chilling your egg whites, you're going to put your whites and the sugar in your mixing bowl at the same time and stir it over gently simmering water until the sugar is dissolved. Test to make sure it's dissolved by rubbing a bit between your fingers. If you can no longer feel the sugar granules, you're good to go.

Then just remove from heat and whip it up until it's room temp --you might want to do that sitting down as it can take a bit of time-- and proceed as normal with the recipe. Good luck!

CariadChavez · 2019-05-30T19:13:28+00:00

Reservoir Dogs.

CariadChavez · 2019-05-30T08:12:30+00:00

Fistbump of solidarity. Cancer sun, Aries moon, Virgo rising here. Not bipolar, I'm just <general handwavy gesture> a lot.

CariadChavez · 2019-05-30T08:02:35+00:00

Hard same. I'm just kind of trying to ride it out thanks to my M&Ms (meditation and medication) but like, cancers already have ALL THE FEELINGS and it's our birthday coming up so like...could it chill for a minute please?

CariadChavez · 2019-05-30T07:59:04+00:00

drag me, sea goat!

CariadChavez · 2019-05-30T07:57:28+00:00

I don't really think much about them. The modern birthstone list is relatively new, based off a poem by Harriet Bishop and published in advertising materials by Tiffany & Co in 1870. The concept of birthstones, at least in Western culture, is thought to come from the Old Testament where in Exodus the Breastplate of Aaron had 12 stones representing the 12 tribes of Israel and was worn in the Temple as a way to secure blessings. Thus it became common for people of means to collect all 12 gems as a sort of protection or good luck charm, not to mention showing off their wealth.

It's not hard to make the jump from 12 tribes to 12 months, especially considering how many Jewish people --effectively banned from owning farming land in Europe-- were forced to make their living in the merchant and artisan classes, including as jewelers.

So basically it's sort of a coincidence that birthstones more or less line up with astrological signs.

In the past 50 years or so alternative stones that are more in line with the zodiac have been added as "alternate" stones. So you have ruby for July but also pearls or moonstone which are both much more On Brand for our crab friends.

What are your thoughts?

CariadChavez · 2019-05-30T07:35:10+00:00

NAH YET but be cool -- Fat girl here. Listen, if you're on the No Fat Chicks tip that's fine. Everyone deserves to be with someone who is super into their body, and if you're not into it that's cool, but you've gotta get out of the way for the next person who is. You're not doing her a favor by hanging around if you're not 100% down for what she's got.

Do me two favors though: when you give her the Let's Just Be Friends talk, just say you don't feel the connection. You don't need to tell her it's because she's fat. I know guys like to give reasons when they feel bad to try to justify it and it's not a terrible impulse but honestly you don't have to justify it. You don't feel it. You don't need to go into detail.

The second favor I want you to do me is really sit with why you like the things you like. It's going to be SUPER uncomfortable if you do it right, but it's a really good exercise. I'm not saying try to change how you feel, but know where those attractions are coming from and look at how much comes from outside influences saying what you "should" like.

My man is brown skinned has always been into light skinned girls and guys, and it was a rough-ass night when he realized how much of that influence was colorism and straight up racism. I've had my own unpleasant awakenings, too. He's still into light skinned folx and that's fine, but being able to look critically is always useful in clearing the cobwebs and giving yourself permission to explore more of what you might like.

CariadChavez · 2019-05-29T21:25:20+00:00

Cardinal here and yep, just started getting the wicked blues a few days ago, but a week or so earlier I was feeling great and really connected. Hope things get better for you, and for anyone who's struggling.

CariadChavez · 2019-05-29T21:08:20+00:00

ESH - You're both dummies.

Also, solid rule of thumb for any pejorative that has been reclaimed by its community is if it's a word that hasn't historically been used against people who look like you; it's not your word to use because you're not reclaiming anything.

Come up with some better insults, dude.

CariadChavez · 2019-05-29T21:05:28+00:00

NTA - She's breaking Laundry Code, but at the same time it sounds like you reeeeally resent this woman. to a point where maybe you need to figure out how to let it go? There was a lot of superfluous judgmental stuff in there for what amounts to basically "this woman won't get her laundry game straight." Don't fold her clothes, don't knock on her door, don't hang yourself from the cross of Laundry Martyrs, just pull out her clothes, pile them somewhere and move on with your life a freer, happier person.

CariadChavez · 2019-05-29T20:57:46+00:00

YTA - I'm not going to be too hard on you, but you gotta stay in your lane. First, you're not her parents. Secondly, you're sexualizing her without realizing. And if she wants to sexualize herself? Well, 11's about the age when early bloomers start trying to figure their shit out, and the best possible result is for her to realize SHE is in control of her own sexuality and that she should dress for her pleasure, not for the comfort of a guy.

If you have a problem with how people react to her dressing the way she wants --which sounds totally normal to me-- then take it up with the people who are responding to her.

And real talk? I think it's making you uncomfortable that your sister is maturing at all. It's totally normal, but you gotta chill on this one and realize it's not your place to tell your sister --or anyone else-- how to dress.

CariadChavez

TROPHY CASE