Irlsirenvalentine - Your Siren Valentine

So what is going on in Iran right now?

I am pretty sure most of you who are either on TikTok or keep up with international news have heard about the massive protests happening in Iran right now. Its a pretty big deal. But what exactly are these protests for and why are they so important?

Hopefully, for those who dont know whats going on I can explain it all here.

Who is Mahsa Amini and what happened to her

Mahsa Amini was a 22-year-old woman traveling from Kurdistan to Tehran (the capital of Iran) to visit family and was stopped once she entered the city by something called “the morality police” (yes this is a real thing). They claimed Mahsa Amini was wearing her Hijab incorrectly and that she would be arrested to undergo “reeducation” at the police station (which would result in her being released after an hour or so). Mahsa’s brother was with her when she was arrested and waited at the station for her to be released.

It is unclear what exactly happened between when Mahsa was arrested and the events of her death (mostly because we do not have any video of these events), but the women detained along with Mahsa reported for similar offenses reported Mahsa was violently beaten by said “morality officers”. This was supposedly for resisting their insults directed toward her. This story is corroborated by her brother’s report of Mahsa having bruises all over her body and the hospital where Mahsa was staying reporting she was brain dead upon arrival along with reporting signs of skull fracture and bleeding in her brain both on social media and in leaked medical reports.

Mahsa died of her injuries 2 days after she was admitted to the hospital on September 16th of 2022. 

The official cause of death as reported by both the morality police and Iranian government has been extremely suspicious since the ‘official’ story claims she died as a result of a random heart attack/seizure combo. However, as stated before, there is plenty of evidence that Mahsa was violently attacked which includes (but is not limited to): the skull fractures found, the bruising around her body and face, the bleeding found in her brain and ears, and the fact several other witnesses have either said they witnessed the assault or have seen the previous things. Mahsa’s father also reported she was in perfect health and did not have a history of heart or seizure issues.

Why are people protesting?

For the people of Iran, instances of violence like this are not an unheard-of occurrence. Since the revolution of 1979 and the creation of this “morality police force” women were forced to wear the Hijab regardless of personal choice and had to adhere to a strict modest dress code lest they face similar treatment to Mahsa. To quote an actual penal code enacted in Iran post-revolution:

“women who appear in public without religious hijab will be sentenced to whipping up to 74 lashes”

Violence against women for this reason was now, in a way, much more normalized. Some of these dresscodes did apply to men, sure, but they were primiarly created expressly to control women with the use of fear and force by way of the Hijab. To also directly quote Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (who has been in power since 1989):  

“improperly veiled women should be made to feel unsafe”

Is this an anti-Islam protest?

The protests surrounding the death of Mahsa Amini have definitely gained international attention by what many people are doing in them. Many women are burning their hijabs in the streets, cutting off/shaving their hair, and otherwise just doing a lot of things that, traditionally, would be considered taboo under this system that’s currently in place. However, this does not seem to be a direct rejection of Islam and rather a direct rejection of control over women by the use of the Hijab as an avenue for that control.

As stated before, this is not a new issue. There have been anti-hijab protests going on since the revolution in Iran back in the 70s. There were even protests pre-revolution FOR veiling since the leader at the time wanted to strictly stick to western norms. Iran shifted from one major extreme to the other. And in both these extremes choice on the part of the woman in question is completely taken out of the equation. It has been men making these choices for women in a broad universal way without giving women the ability to decide what they want for themselves. There is more than 1 way to veil in Islam. There are also many women who do not veil at all but are still active participants in their faith. There is not one specific way to do this correctly within Islam because modesty as a whole is a subjective topic. So the fact this police force exists in the first place is less about keeping morals ‘secure’ and more about exerting control through these rules via more extreme interpretations. 

It would however be unfair to say that these protests and the cultural revolution happening because of these protests do not diametrically oppose some parts of Islam and the culture surrounding it. These beliefs are incompatible by virtue of them being polar opposites of each other. These protests, like it or not, have western influence on them and this influence threatens certain parts of Islam because over time certain aspects of culture have become rooted in these controlling methods. Its pretty unclear how this will all play out. However, it is safe to say this will be shaking up things both within Iran and in the world of Islam as a whole. 

Why are Non-Iranian women also cutting their hair?

Ever since the protests have gained international attention many women outside of Iran (both ethnically Iranian and not) have also been cutting their hair to various degrees to stand in solidarity with protestors. 

This is significant symbolically for a few reasons. In many cultures, long hair is directly tied to one’s femininity, attractiveness, and even in some cases where one comes from. Like it or not hair is culturally and socially important and the loss off it can be a very big deal for those living under these cultural expectations. In Iran doing something like this subjects you to harassment from the morality police. It breaks the morality code and challenges the idea of what a woman should be and look like. Outside of this context, the removal of hair can be a sign of mourning, fear, anger, and a rejection of femininity (or in this case, the control brought on by strict gendered dress codes). 

There has been a lot of controversy around this act since many people currently participating in these protests feel this act is performative activism on the part of western allies. Cutting one’s hair is not really on the same level as donating money to a cause or protesting yourself. But others believe this is an important act of international solidarity. If you reading this decide to do this: do it at your own discretion and be sure your act of solidarity does not outshine the actual protests going on.

Why are people asking to blur/delete protest footage posted online?

It should go without saying that the people protesting right now are putting themselves in very real danger. What happened to Mahsa Amini is now happening to protesters who are speaking out about Iran’s harsh morality laws. Many people have died already as a result of participating in these protests and many more have gone missing. When you are dealing with an oppressive system like this they are not going to take too kindly to opposition. And if they are not afraid to beat women simply for wearing their Hijab ‘incorrectly’, they are not afraid to do much worse to political rivals. 

Out of respect for the protesters and their safety: please blur out any faces, names, and remove all metadata from any protest photos/footage you decide to share online. Because if I can find one of the protestors on Instagram simply by looking at their face and general location so can the morality police. For those around during the Black Lives Matter protests, the Russian anti-war protests, or any other media-sensitive protest use those same rules when posting footage/reporting on them

she’s such a loser, i have got to fuck her

HE PUSHED HAZEL SOMEBODY HELP HER!!!!!!! SOMEBODY HELP HER!!!!!!!!!

Anyways I thought this was funny because some people think being masc = being super smooth and smexy and strong but Hazel is kind of a loser. I mean she’s still sexy. But she’s also a loser. I stand for loser bottom Hazel!!!!!!!

re-reading the line in paradise kiss where yukari mentions that george never turn his back to her while they were sleeping 😭😭 IS THIS TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR

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getting ready for…

       𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑

a winter post on getting through the winter flawlessly, warm, and cozily as a dream girl ♡ if you’re interested, look at my dream girl guides for summer and autumn!

my winter looks like traveling, cabin stays, new york, adventures and activities all the while staying cozy and warm inside surrounded by christmas lights, hot chocolate, candles, shopping music, and keeping to myself looking out my floor to ceiling windows with my books and loved one.

♡ table of contents

what does your ideal winter for this year look like? ideas, moodboards

physical: winter essentials, what to wear, beauty products, winter reads and bucket lists

mental: wellness, book recommendations

 ♡ what’s your ideal winter?

like i always say: you create the definition of dream girl and it can always change. so what does your ideal winter look like? 

have a balance of attending holiday parties, walks in the city to see the lights, indoor shopping and staying inside, in your cozy space while keeping warm with a hot beverage and a good movie/book!

♡ bucket list ideas

create a winter routine! make sure to get your daily fresh air, staying physically & social active and uplifted to stay away from the winter blues. wake up earlier.

pick up a new hobby

spend more time away from your phone

make it a priority to avoid isolation

go skiing, snowboarding, ice skating

attend a ballet/musical

go on late night drives

take a drive to see the christmas lights

attend or host holiday parties or small gatherings with loved ones. have a game night!

try new recipes, bake goodies

most important of all: follow your gut. keep your safety your #1 priority.

♡ cozy winter habits

christmas movie marathon

playing classical music

sitting by the fireplace

making your christmas wishlist

take up crochet and knitting. make a hat, scarf, headbands, book sleeve, etc!

donate old clothes and toys

playing in the snow

wearing fluffy socks

make a new year vision board 

movie nights

try new ways to make coffee, hot chocolate…

buying christmas themed pajamas. match with your pets.

reading winter books and classics

go on a youtube throwback binge and watch bethany mota and meredith foster’s old christmas videos

keep writing in your diary

shopping or browsing through the city and malls to take in the holiday atmosphere

candlelit bubble baths

turning on the radio to listen to christmas music

                        physical

♡ winter essentials

moisturizer. with the colder seasons come with drier skin. make sure to invest in a good heavy moisturizer that soaks into your skin well. recommendations below.

sunscreen. it doesn’t matter what the season is, spf will always be important! don’t forget your neck and hands.

a pretty blush of your choice

get a new signature scent for winter

candles

cute onesies 

classic pink silk robe

a cute winter mug for when you add in mini marshmallows + whip cream/sweet foam for your beverages

♡ outfit essentials + my personal favorites

chanel earmuffs

santinni “an affair to remember” + “roman holiday” + “an american in paris” coats

chloe betty boots 

a cute fur + puffy jacket

black vivienne westwood leather gloves

ralph lauren cable knit sweaters

baker boy/fiddler hats

mini skirts. yes. i said it.

demonia boots (vigilance/camel line)

fur mini bags

oversized scarfs!

knitted mini skirts

sam heidi bib puffer jacket

santinni “harlow” fur headband with bow

fur trim everything and anything. coats, boots, gloves, hats…

fur empty top hats

microfiber and leather ankle boots

leg warmers

tweed + knitted blazer and cardigan sets

moon boots

prada monolith combat boots

the arrivals moto jacket

bow tights

ugg earmuffs 

fleece tights that keep you warm and cute

hair bows and headbands

scarfs

sweater dresses will never not be my favorite

sunglasses

baggy denim 

half zip up pullovers

uggs (with bows) 

long trench coats + wool coatigans 

tote bags, small crossbodies 

trousers

the basics to layer. turtlenecks, mocknecks, wool crewnecks, leggings, long sleeves, thicker socks

and… the bear hat and scarf. i love it. don’t look at me.

                     beauty

♡ the colder weather calls for soft, sparkly and blushy looks!

blushed and flushed or nothing comes out in this post as well! the cold look is the absolute cutest.

glittery eyeshadow and highlighters

gradient lip combos

plum colored makeup looks for the holiday season

♡ beauty tips for the colder season

gear towards creams instead of gel moisturizers. creams are heavier, gel will hydrate your skin but it won’t last you through the whole day. you’ll eventually start your skin tightening and dry mid-day.

i always go through my sheet masks fast during the winter! run the extra serum on your neck, chest and hands.

Invest in face masks, a good face cream and lip product.

keep hand cream and lip balm on you!

 ♡ product recommendations

philosophy - snow angel, white cherry, and candy cane shower gel (or all of them tbh)

victoria secret - warm & cozy line

o’keeffe’s - working hands cream

fenty skin + dior addict lip oil

nature republic - fresh herb peach cleansing foam

laneige - cream skin toner & moisturizer

tatcha - the dewy skin cream, water cream, and overnight repair

amlactin - rapid relief restoring body cream

créme de la mer - ultra rich cream

etude house - soonjung 2x barrier intensive cream

kopari - ultra restore body butter

♡ nails 

pale, muted colors with decos! pinks, winter blues, nude, ombre, etc.

lots of deco and designs are my favorite

i usually go for coffin but with designs i love to recreate, long almond.

examples for both makeup and nails are in the photo above! ♡

♡ winter scent recommendations

voltaire zadig - this is her

ysl - mon paris

carolina herrera - good girl 

killian - angel share & love don’t be shy

fresh cream - warm cashmere

gucci - bamboo

chanel eau tendre

juliette has a gun - not a perfume

replica by the fireplace & jazz club

eilish - billie eilish

burberry - her

victoria secret - warm & cozy

              for the mind & soul

♡ reminders

keep up a routine and structure. switch it up when you feel called to. it can be hard when it’s cold and the days become darker but remember the feeling that comes with being active and getting things done.

take a list and write things down that you can enjoy in the winter and focusing on bringing more of it into your life for the season.

make yourself cozy and romanticize life! stock up on sweaters, get cute blankets, bake goods to enjoy and have your house smelling heavenly, play music in the background, and whatever your heart desires. 

♡ winter reads

sit by the fire or window, cuddled up in a blanket and dive into another world with bamb’s recommendations!

before the coffee gets cold - toshikazu kawaguchi

little women - louisa may alcott

murder on the orient express - agatha christie

one dark window - rach gillig

a christmas carol - charles dickens

the bear and the nightingale (winter trilogy) - katherine aden

sorrow and bliss - meg mason

sleepless nights - elizabeth hardwick

frankenstein - mary shelley

from lukov with love - mariana zapata

wuthering heights - emily bronte

six of crows and crooked kingdom - leigh bardugo

echo north - joanna ruth meyer

for the wolf - hannah whitten

disorientation - elaine hseigh cho

the winter duke - claire eliza bartlett

tinder - sally gardner

an unwanted guest - shari lapena

shiver - allie reynolds

the picture of dorian gray - oscar wilde

the overnight guest - heather gudenkauf

lapvona - ottessa moshfegh

murder for christmas - francis duncan

i want to die but i want to eat tteokbokki - baek sehee

behind closed doors - b.a paris

snow - orhan pamuk

the invisible life of addie larue - v.e schwab

lakesedge & forestfall (gothic fantasy duology)

- stay safe and cozy. kisses from bambi ♡

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　become the laziest shifter ,

shifting is not a labour camp. you are not laying bricks. you are not a victorian chimney sweep, coughing up soot and hoping the foreman doesn’t notice you pausing for breath. shifting is supposed to be effortless.

　　　　here’s how to become one.

　ʚ stop trying so hard. seriously. shifting is not an algebra equation that needs solving. the more you obsess, the more you reinforce the idea that shifting is difficult, that it requires strain. it doesn’t. it’s like falling asleep. easy, natural, inevitable. you don’t need to ‘do’ shifting. you just allow it.

start ditching the obsession with techniques. they are tools, not commandments. if a method feels like a second job, drop it. some people shift while blinking. others shift mid-sneeze. some wake up shifted. some never have to think about it at all. you’re allowed to be one of those people. shifting doesn’t reward effort, it rewards ease.

people who shift aren’t ‘lucky.’ they just decide they’ve already won. embrace the delusion. belief isn’t something you prove; it’s something you wear like an expensive coat. you don’t need external validation. your reality is dictated by you, not by polls or peer reviews.

stop tensing up in bed like you’re about to undergo surgery. roll over like you’ve just been fed grapes by hand and have never known stress. get comfortable. let go. do you think nero worried about his shifting technique? no. he just made a decree and the world bent to him. you are your own emperor. decree your reality.

shifting doesn’t need to feel like a cosmic event. no need for vibrating, levitating, the heavens parting. sometimes it’s quiet. lose the expectation of ‘fireworks.’  sometimes it’s like slipping into warm water, seamless and smooth. don’t wait for ‘proof’. just shift.

stop acting like reality is a prison cell. you are not ‘trapped’. you are not ‘stuck’. you’re just sitting in one room when you could walk into another. no chains, no locks, just a door.

　　　　　　or how to . . 　　　　　　　　　　　　become the laziest manifestor ,

manifesting is not an unpaid internship. you are not earning it through blood, sweat, and desperate scripting at 3 a.m. manifesting is a birthright. a casual shrug. a ‘wouldn’t it be funny if. oh, look, it happened.’ you are not grinding for your desires.

　　　so let’s talk about getting everything you want.

　⭑ in its core, manifesting is just deciding. it is not a scavenger hunt. it is not an exam. it is not a ‘what if’. it is a ‘this is.’ people who get what they want simply assume it’s already theirs. they don’t waver. they don’t worry. they don’t ‘hope’—they know.

stop micromanaging the how. do you manually control your heartbeat? do you stress over each individual breath? no? then stop hovering over your manifestations like an anxious project manager. you want it. it’s done. the ‘how’ isn’t your problem. the universe has already sorted the logistics.

start being delusional. your current reality is just a collection of past assumptions. want a new reality? adopt new assumptions. pretend you already have what you want. no, really. stop analysing. just be the version of you who has it. the world will catch up.

if you’re ‘waiting’ for your manifestation, you’re reinforcing that it isn’t here yet. and if you’re reinforcing lack, you’re just extending it. let go of ‘waiting.' live like it’s already yours. because it is.

the universe is not a vending machine you need to shake. detach. you don’t ‘make’ things happen. you request them, step back, and trust they’re coming. you ever seen a billionaire refresh their bank balance anxiously? no. they just know the money is there. treat your manifestations the same way.

you are already doing it. every single thing in your life right now, you manifested it. consciously or not. so you might as well start doing it on purpose.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　┊

stop making shifting and manifesting your part-time job. you are the main character, yes, but not the tragic, struggling one. be the one who gets what they want simply because they decide to. the one who moves through realities with ease, who manifests without breaking a sweat. become the laziest, most effortless version of yourself. because that’s the one who wins without having to lift a finger.

be ur own proof. form ur own beliefs. no one will convince you that loa is real, more than urself. you'll be confident and believe in loa 100% when u actually apply it to ur everyday life and persist.

Category is naked Targaryens being hot and meow meow while at their lowest ✨

fuzzy duck?

ducky fuzz

DOES HE FUCK?

FUCK, HE DOES

none of the gifs r mine

dm me if you know the owner(:

What’s the biggest way women fumble the bag?

Girls talk to much. Women who are actually dating men with money are getting the bag on the low and wouldn’t stoop to posting about their dates on Tiktok. A lot of girls will continue to fumble the bag because they’re too busy flexing instead of keeping their dating life under wraps like a sane person. We live in a day and age where if a celebrity slides in a girls DM’s, she’s posting it on Twitter for hundreds of people to see. Women are filming their dates while they’re out with a millionaire like a fan. Being a messy, attention seeking, unmysterious women is why not every women is going to have luck with this.

LMAO okay so i was trying the MABS (mind awake body asleep) method and my body was like dead but like i accidentally fell asleep and still woke up to a dead body. my shoulder hurts like a bitch too. n e ways imma do it again and not fall asleep this time