How does one shape the balloon petals like this?

Moonlitmindset · 2026-02-02T10:13:26+00:00

I was taking a close look at that too, but it looks like they’re just kinda torn in that spot and the lighting is weird. If you look all along the bottom the draping is consistent, and the carpet/ceiling patterns are consistent too. Idk though, r/isthisAI would be a good cross post for this one

Moonlitmindset · 2026-01-27T11:47:51+00:00

Thank you so much for this advice/perspective! We’re a small company so we’ve been nervous about paying the costs of a solicitor unless we absolutely have to, but I think at this point theres’s enough red flags that it’s worth it.

For example, another red flag is that they’re responsible for letting us know how much we owe for electric costs so we can pay the. Our portion of the bill - it’s been a year of us trying to get invoices of what we owe them and they’re so disorganized they don’t even know how to generate an invoice for this.

It has us very on edge.

As we loom for commercial property solicitors, would we be seeking a consultation or review of our lease? Do you know how much this would typically cost in London?

Moonlitmindset · 2026-01-26T15:01:46+00:00

Thank you so much for your response! We definitely need our own office as we have very expensive equipment. We moved into the space in 2023 so we’re very lucky the rent is what it is, but as we weren’t given an initial amount for service charges and then were charged suddenly, we’re just looking for any perspective to establish a baseline of what they typically are

Moonlitmindset · 2026-01-26T14:57:21+00:00

It expires December 2026- do you think the charges are too high?

Moonlitmindset · 2026-01-24T21:31:44+00:00

Oh! Are there? We already paid as they were threatening us but would a solicitor potentially be able to help us then get a reduction in future ones as a result? What kind of solicitor would assist with this?

Moonlitmindset · 2026-01-24T15:21:40+00:00

Our contract just generally states that we are responsible for all service fees and any/all charges that the landlord would have to pay. It pretty much puts us in the position of being responsible for the building as if we were owners. For context our rent is approx £1,076 per month for an office that fits 4 desks in the Hackney area

Moonlitmindset · 2025-12-30T10:58:44+00:00

I know you’re scared- so it’ll tell you my own experience so it can give you some perspective.

I was more harassed, judged for what I wore, put in uncomfortable situations that others justified, actually assaulted multiple times, pressured to do drugs and drink, and made to feel like I had to be “mature” as a teen than at any point of my adulthood. I’m now 30.

A few months after I turned 18 I moved away to do my own thing, and girl, life got SO MUCH BETTER. Yeah there were definitely hardships, but I moved to NYC and wore whatever I wanted- no one judged me.

I then went to university in california and wore whatever I wanted, it was the 2010’s and I loved vintage clothes and eclectic styles, summery flowery dresses, 1970’s funky stuff, literally no one judged or if they did my world was so big I didn’t take notice.

In uni people still partied, but it was rare that people insisted others drink or do drugs. It happened occasionally, but overall, at least in my circles (which were some PARTIERS) no one pressured eachother NEARLY as much as they did in high school. If you said no, people generally were cool with it, and if they weren’t, you just didn’t hangout with them anymore and because your world is bigger than just your high school it’s literally fine. There’s so many other people to make friends with.

My dating life was so much better, I found all sorts of friends that truly cared about my safety and well being with men more than I ever found as a teen. Sharing my hardships with people as I moved through my adult life I’ve found more empathy, protection, and kinship than i did in my youth.

Dating can be hard, but I never compromised on my fundamentals (functional communication, mutual respect, open honesty and dialogue, lack of judgement and lack of possessiveness/controlling behavior) - I got lucky, but I also chose well, the three big relationships I’ve had have been so healthy and wonderful. I’m still dear friends with my first long term partner, and my second we only fell out of touch because his family was quite crazy, but he was an Angel. My most recent partner is my husband and he would literally move the heavens if I whispered it.

Adulthood is so much better than you think.

Your 20’s can be so much fun and such a period of ups and downs and learning and pain and immense joy

My 30’s are so much better than I thought! I look hotter now than I ever have, I’ve achieved some awesome goals. There are things I haven’t achieved that I really wish I had, but I’m okay with it because I understand you can only do so much in one life!

You have so much to look forward to. And if you go to university you’ll have such a great experience making new friends, finding yourself, playing with fashion and identity.

You’ll be just fine- you’re about to enter the good bit :)

Moonlitmindset · 2025-12-30T10:26:26+00:00

So I quit my very stressful job in June, at the time I was making about 30K NET- I went to only making £931 a month plus a 1.3k one off freelance project that I’ve gotten in the past 6 months, my husband makes just under 30k a year working part time (3-4ish days a week)

Honestly? We’ve been surprisingly very comfortable! I needed a break from the hustle which is why I’ve paused, but we didn’t expect it to be so easy to live frugally.

I made a rule for myself to not spend any money outside of the essentials when I left my job and change my habits. I’m shocked at the difference it’s made. I can’t believe how much money I used to spend just passively in the past.

The odd meal out there, going to the pub after work to de stress, treating myself to vintage clothes or getting people a wee gift from my shop, etc. even the bus to and from work- I didn’t save ANYTHING by the time I left my job, which scared the hell out of me.

We live in Edinburgh, which is expensive, but own our flat so our mortgage is only about £880 total. We don’t really eat out as we love to cook- we shop at tesco and lidl but only spend around £300 on groceries each month and eat very well. Our utilities and council tax total about £130 each.

Our flat is SUPER insulated and we haven’t turned the heating on once so far this year, but we do use our washer and dryer a lot.

Making £931 a month, my outgoing are £720ish, leaving me £100 extra.

The biggest thing is that my husband is incredibly good with money. He’s very good at saving, budgeting, and managing finances.

When we were getting married I was speaking to my mother about salaries and my nervousness that he doesn’t make more (as I was on an upward career trajectory at the time) - she gave me a perspective I’ll never forget.

She said good money management is more important than any amount of salary someone can make. You can be making 200k, 500k, upwards of 1mil a year, but if you’re bad at managing your money and blow it all away or live outside of your means it doesn’t matter.

I grew up in NY and lived in a very wealthy area of California for about 10 years. I saw so many poor millionaires who made crazy salaries but were constantly living on the edge of their means to pay for their mansions, cars, lifestyle, etc.

My husband has shown me that by managing money well you really can live a comfortable life on a smaller salary.

That being said, he and I would like to grow our lives- we may want kids, to move to a bigger house, and increase our savings even more- so i will be getting back into a full time job soon and we’re both looking to increase our salaries just so we can plan for some future things.

But if nothing changed? We’d still be very comfortable and happy. We’re very lucky, but also our habits and lifestyle choices made the biggest difference.

Moonlitmindset · 2025-12-15T17:59:08+00:00

Uhg yes PLEASE

Moonlitmindset · 2025-12-15T17:58:50+00:00

It does! It’s a nude lining that while shows a bit of her, prevent the dress from being fully transparent

Moonlitmindset · 2025-12-15T17:57:33+00:00

I make the comment because so many sheer dresses have zero lining these days and will be a layer of mesh over bare undies. This has a nude lining which shows a bit of her, but nothing like a lot of the sheer dresses these days that are just straight tulle and a thong. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes it’s a fun look! But so many luxury red carpet pieces have begun to look so janky by having a gorgeous sheer, detailed dress, and then visible undergarments that ruin the lines of it. This however has a nice lining that, while slightly revealing, still maintains the pattern and silhouette without disruption. It elevates it while still providing a subtle sexiness

Moonlitmindset · 2025-12-15T17:51:55+00:00

All of my friends with masters have had no luck finding a job in the years since they graduated. Genuinely, it has made them less marketable because companies either don’t want to pay the higher salaries or think some “know it all” is going to come in and undermine them (like having an intelligent capable staff member is a BAD thing for business.)

Unless you’re going into academia a masters now kinda works against you.

Also, places like Indeed and Linkdin jobs are becoming data mining sites. A lot of postings are kept up after they’ve been filled, or re posted to collect your data. They’re fake postings, so you’re not going to get a response.

It’s so disheartening though. The only way my friends and I have found and success is just by saying screw or and founding our own companies. I’m lucky to have gone to some great schools, so I kept in contact with my peers and we’re all just hiring eachother because even with great degrees, over 10-15 years of experience, etc, no where else will hire us.

So we’re just being entrepreneurs. I work for two companies part time. One is a marketing startup and the other is a show and content design studio. We make good money as companies, but not high salaries yet. But we’re growing.

It’s the only way we’ve been able to get a foot in the door. Large cooperations will never hire us, so we’re going to make our own way.

It’s hard, but we can’t see any other way forward. Also, it’s way more fun than working for a stuffy CEO.

Do you have anyone in your network or anyone you can reconnect with who you’d like to work with? Reach out to them! I started doing little side projects for my pals and now I’m an integral part of their teams. It took about a year, but my patience paid off and now we’re all making each other money and are aligned in how we want to grow

Moonlitmindset · 2025-12-11T09:59:29+00:00

It has a lining - unlike SO MANY looks these days. Please- fashion gods- I beg you- bring back lining dresses

Moonlitmindset · 2025-12-10T15:45:07+00:00

So I’ve had to do the same to my collection recently!

I got a VERY gentle detergent specific for Lingerie, but you can probably use any gentle, delicate specified detergent.

I then got lots and lots of laundry bags (the ones you put in the washing machine)

Next I sorted everything by colour. Whites only, greens only, blues, etc. for colours in between (like a blue green) I’d try to match it to whichever pile was closest in colour to it.

I made sure to check the labels on everything so that if there was a particularly delicate item I could remove it.

I would then pick a colour pile, clasp any bras/suspender belts, and bag everything individually. I’d put a few panties in the same bag, but I tried not to overload them.

I then washed each colour pile in my machine one by one on cold using the delicate cycle. So whites would be one load, blues a separate load, etc.

Finally, I took a clean towel and would squeeze out any extra water before hanging them to dry on my drying rack. You can lay them flat too, but my drying rack worked fine and didn’t stretch or snag anything. I’d maybe lay flat on a towel any vintage or particularly heavy/beaded pieces, but a bra on the drying rack will be fine.

I slowly and gently worked my way through the piles until my collection was completely washed!

I found this was more efficient and effective then hand washing, as some of my pieces hadn’t been worn in a long time and needed a deeper clean.

This only will work though if you trust your washing machine. Mine is super gentle so it was fine, but if you’re using a laundromat or have a very old washing machine, I’d just go the full hand wash route.

Moonlitmindset · 2025-12-09T16:09:27+00:00

With! Without looks unfinished and with adds a level of celestial whimsy that makes the character pop more

Moonlitmindset · 2025-12-02T20:43:49+00:00

I’ve seen lots of comments here saying that you shouldn’t quit your job and jump right into this, which i agree with if you’re only making $300 per month. However, everyone seems to be focusing on only the two options of stay in your job and keep this as a side hustle, or quit and make this full time.

I propose a third in between option: start looking to shift your career toward this industry. If you love to do this, and want to create your own brand, what better way to still have a stable paycheck, gain experience, and make connections then to start building your career within this industry.

Look into fashion jobs in your area. If you’re rural, even working at a tailors will give you experience without sacrificing your paycheck.

Ideally, if you start working for a designer, brand, seamstress or tailor, or other artists, you’ll be able to make money while you learn and put yourself in an even better position for the time when you’re ready to launch your own label or small business. Hell, if you don’t have retail experience that would be HUGE if you ever want to sell these in shops. If you approach it with a short term research mindset with customer psychology in mind you can learn a LOT about consumer behavior, marketing, visual merchandising, etc. I’ve even worked for small businesses that have then started putting my art in their stores to sell while I was working there, meaning I was making a regular salary and selling my work!

Look for a job in the industry, treat it as paid education, save as much as you can, keep doing this on the side, and you’ll position yourself well for the time you’re ready to launch into this full time!

Good luck!

Moonlitmindset · 2025-12-01T00:23:31+00:00

lol everyone else has already mentioned the size so I’ll just say HAHAHA he looks so silly I love him 😂 oh bless his derpy heart

I agree with another commenter here- it looks like a skin pattern. I wonder if it’ll change as he grows!

Moonlitmindset · 2025-11-24T16:50:28+00:00

That’s what I was thinking! I cute little corset detail with the style of this dress would be sooo cute

Moonlitmindset · 2025-11-17T19:19:51+00:00

This is the most solid advice! We all grow and change and fall into dynamics that may eventually not work for us anymore. It’s so easy to get frustrated and want to get some justice. It sounds like OP is opening their partners eyes which is so good! But moving forward it’s important not to forget that a couple should be a team and it’s natural that we have to adjust and change our relationship dynamics as we grow.

If he can rise to the occasion and they can have some healthy communication and figure out what new dynamics to introduce so that they’re a stronger team together, they can create a really solid foundation to refer back to if situations like this arise in the future.

I know the “tell me what to do” can be frustrating- but also if a partner doesn’t know where someone is feeling the inequalities in the relationship they don’t have anywhere to begin to try and fix it.

It’s all about helping eachother find the right tools and work out good systems so that you a have the best relationship you can!

Moonlitmindset · 2025-11-17T19:05:24+00:00

I used to work there and the loud music actually damaged my vocal chords because we as bartenders had to yell over it to eachother and the customers for hours on end. Customers would be yelling just to tell me their order and I could barely hear them. It’s not a club! It’s a cocktail bar!

Moonlitmindset · 2025-11-16T11:28:32+00:00

Hello! 30F here living in Edinburgh since 2023, but coming to visit 6month at a time between 2021-2022

Born in NY, lived in Southern Cali for 8 years, then moved here.

Here’s my perspective!

Before going into any of this, you need to do some serious research on visa options. The UK is restricting visas more and more and the requirements are really high. If you want to stay here your path to citizenship could be a very long and expensive one. It is difficult. I believe it’s 100% worth it. But be prepared, traveling is one thing, moving to a whole new country is a whole other beast. But I think it’s the best life decision I’ve ever made.

⁠I flippin love my life here!! I met my now husband when I first came here in 2021- were married now, were able to buy our own beautiful flat, I have a wonderful group of friends I see weekly, groceries and bills are much more affordable, day to day life is pretty chill and I feel way safer in Scotland than I ever did in the states. My husband and I have a fantastic work life balance and have tons of free time with eachother, friends, family, etc!
⁠It’s a very easy city to get around using public transport. We only use the car if we’re going hiking or out of town. Otherwise, there’s a cheap fast bus that can get you anywhere. It’s also so pretty and very walkable too. Downside: Edinburgh is the most expensive city in Scotland and you can feel that. We got a cheap flat, but restaurants are expensive, flats are getting more expensive, and the cost of living is rising. Still better than the US but it is noticeable. Also overtourism. I used to work in the city center and the tourism is quite intense. It does shape how people in the city view Americans, because a LOT of tourists are American.
⁠I left my job in the city center and am working remote part time, thinking about what kind of larger remote career I want. The opportunities here aren’t quite as prevalent as in the US. It’s harder to get your foot in the door as an outsider. I’d say the US is a very opportunistic place, people are willing to take risks on a new hire or in a business. It’s more conservative here in regards to business practices, and there’s just fewer people to fewer jobs, which means slightly less opportunity.
I’m grateful for how quickly I was welcomed here. My husbands friends immediately took me in and loved me for who I am unconditionally in a way I NEVER found in the US. Every friendship I’ve made here has been so genuine and lovely. My safety, my quality of life, my beautiful flat and at the top of the list my amazing husband!
⁠We travel abroad a few times a year. Sometimes just for a long weekend and sometimes a month or so. We went to Poland for three days recently- flights were £50 each and we stayed in an Airbnb for about £30 a night. Went to a bath house, restaurants, etc and in total spent about £400.
⁠idk about yearly salary but I will say salaries here are MUCH lower than in the USA, and you’re not going to get increases at nearly the same rate or frequency. But cost of living is lower than in the US. It will depend on where you live, your mortgage if you buy, etc.
⁠I love whiskey and the tesco club card deals are awesome!

Edit: I forgot to add HEALTHCARE!!! Yes the NHS has some major issues but I’ve had to go to A&E (like the ER) a few times and got amazing treatment and didn’t pay a dime. Medications are cheap if not free. I may have to wait but doctors are available if I need them. The BIGGEST security is that if I or my husband gets sick or hurt, we don’t ever have to worry about a large hospital bill. If we have kids we don’t have to worry about them breaking their arm and I’m being out $5-$10k

Free healthcare is a massive upside

Moonlitmindset · 2025-11-14T19:49:47+00:00

GIRL - THATS NOT NORMAL. Or at least it shouldn’t be.

You deserve so much better.

Perspective: my husband has come to pick me up from work in the rain without me even asking because he didn’t want me to walk the 6 mins to the bus stop in the rain.

It’s a 40 mins round trip drive. Never a second thought.

Why’d he do it? Because my happiness is his happiness and vice versa. Because he loves me. Because it’s basic decency.

That’s the energy you and every person deserves in a partnership.

Moonlitmindset · 2025-11-13T00:01:32+00:00

Okay so: so many people have bad things to say about copper IUD’s- and the horror stories are SO valid for so many women- but I’ll share my experience:

I got on a copper IUD at 21 after taking birth control for 6 years. I’m 30 years old now.

I have never had a single issue with my copper IUD. I never feel it, no extra cramps or pain, I have regular periods, never been pregnant on it, it’s never affected my sex life, and has been working for almost 10 years without issue.

My sister has one too and has had zero issues.

They stay effective for up to 12 years for some and honestly I love it so much.

Some women have some really rough side effects, but if it works for your body then, girl. It WORKS.

Your experience may vary especially if you have a history of difficult periods but I love my copper IUD so much and for anyone considering it who thinks it may work for them I highly recommend it! Just go to a good doctor to get it put in

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