I Might Do This With My Class

Girls skipping rhyme

I just want to tell you a story. Will you listen?

You probably don’t know this woman: her name is Franca Viola. She was born in Alcamo, Sicily, in 1947, during a time where, see, things for women were deeply different. This is her when she was 17. 

She was 17 when, on the 26th of December, 1965, she was kidnapped by her former boyfriend, Filippo Melodia, the son of a local mobster, and a few of his friends: she had broken the engagement with him a couple of years prior, when she was 15 and he was 23, and he couldn’t accept it. He kept her segregated in a farmhouse for 8 days and raped her, before she was found and freed by the police.

At that time, the Italian law stood with her kidnapper and rapist, as it stated that if the rapist married his victim, then the crime was virtually erased, and, had the guilty part already been prosecuted and convicted, the trial and the sentence would cease. This kind of marriage was called “rehabilitating marriage,” as it was believed that the victim, and her family, had to fix the dishonour caused by the rape. 

Incredible, isn’t it? Not really. In an area where families still used to hang the sheet dirty with blood to their balcony after the first wedding night to prove the virginity of the woman to the entire town, the law and the public opinion still expected women to marry their abusers to mantain their honour. 

Franca refused to marry Melodia. Knowing that the entire town - and, later, the whole country - could turn its back at her, knowing that she was going to be mocked, frowned upon, and insulted, she denounced him. Her family, who, contrarily to many other families, stood with her and supported her choice, needed to be guarded at all times by a handful of policemen, having been threatened by Melodia and his family. Franca was assisted by a brilliant lawyer. The trial ended up being reported by Italy’s major newspapers, and Franca, the first woman - girl - to refuse rehabilitating marriage, quickly became an example of bravery for many, many other women.

In court, Melodia tried to turn the judge against her. He said she’d already hooked up with him when they were together. He tried to escape conviction.

He was convicted for kidnapping anyway, and justly. Eight years later, when he got out, he was shot dead by an unknown killer.

Despite earlier threats that she was dishonoured, and that she wasn’t going to find anyone willing to marry her, she married Giuseppe, a childhood friend, in 1968, who stated that he wasn’t afraid of any possible acts of revenge from Melodia. He allegedly said said, “I’d rather live ten years with you than a lifetime with another woman.”  About her dad, who supported her every step, Franca recently said, “My father Bernardo came [to get me] unshaven, with a week’s old beard: I could not shave if you were not there, he said. What do you want to do, Franca? I will not marry him. All right, you put your hand, I will put one hundred. This sentence, he said. I just want you to be happy, nothing else. He took me home and he did the great effort, not me. It was him who put up with those who no longer greeted him, his friends gone. The shame, the dishonour. His head up high. He wanted only what was good for me.”

When he heard about her wedding, even Pope Paul VI asked to meet her to congratulate her.

Her trial was the final push to erase the law about rehabilitating marriage and honour killings, which also allowed “mitigating circumstances” if the killer had acted upon jealousy or to restore his honour (for instance, if a husband walked in on his wife cheating on him, and killed both her and her lover). But that didn’t happen until 1981.

Rape was finally considered a “crime against the person,” instead of a crime “against the morals”, only in 1996. 

She still lives in Alcamo; she says that, sometimes, she still sees her kidnappers, and whilst she greets them, they lower her gaze in shame. Franca has never, not once, lowered her gaze, and that’s why she changed history. 

This is just a tiny post to remember how small acts of courage can change history and change the shape of a nation - and as a woman, an Italian, a Sicilian woman, I want to thank Franca for saying ‘no’ and - perhaps by chance - changing the history of Italy. 

~Cauliflower Hash~

This is how I relate to the world.

“I do not want people to be very agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them a great deal.”

— Jane Austen, Jane Austen’s Letters (via books-n-quotes)

What should you put in your bath?

black tea: soothes sunburns [1] [2] and is antimicrobial [3] contains some essential polyphenols and tannin, reduces puffiness/inflammation [4] 

green tea: antioxidant and detoxifier [1] soothes rashes, increases healing rate, softens skin [2] heals sores and wounds, rejuvenates skin cells, improve psoriasis and dandruff [3] anti-aging, mood stabilizing [4]

apple cider vinegar: anti inflammatory and softens skin [1]

ground ginger: increases circulation, promotes sweating, opens pores, relieves pain [1]

lemon: antioxidant (brightens skin) [1] 

olive oil: moisturizes skin [1]

calendula flowers: soothes burns, inflammation, rashes, insect bites, skin disorders [1] useful for small children [2]

elder-flowers: anti-inflammatory and heals rashes cuts and wounds [1]

Himalayan salt: soothes insect bites, heals blisters, relieves arthritis pain [1] softens skin [2]

oatmeal: soothes, anti-inflammatory, calms angry skin [1]

rose petals: relax mind, relieve sleepiness, soothe headaches and stress [1] promote positive feelings [2]

valerian root: relax the mind, relieve sleepiness, soothe headaches and stress [1]

lavender: relax the mind, relieve sleepiness, soothe headaches and stress [1] [2]

mugwort: relax the mind, relieve sleepiness, soothe and headaches and stress [1]

chammomile: soothes nerves [1] good for dry skin [2]

passion flower: soothes nerves [1]

hops: soothes nerves [1]

rosemary: pain relief, soothes headaches and fatigue [1] relaxing, increases alertness and clarity of mind [2] soothes sore throat[3]

thyme: pain relief, soothes headaches and fatigue [1]

devils claw: eases joint pain [1]

juniperberries: soothes muscle aches [1]

peppermint: increase blood flow, relieve congestion [1]

eucalyptus: increase blood flow, relieve congestion [1] increases energy [2]

thyme: increase blood flow, relieve congestion [1]

jasmine: emollient and antiseptic, soothes skin [1] 

organic coconut flakes: nourish the skin [1]

sage: uplifting, good for oily skin and back acne [1] stimulating [2]

marjoram: decongestant, soothes muscle pain [1]

whole cow’s milk: hydrates and mildly exfoliates skin [1]

cow’s buttermilk: hydrates and thoroughly exfoliates skin [1]

goat’s milk: thoroughly hydrates and exfoliates skin, provides nutrients [1]

Hey guys, I finally got some stuff together to have a giveaway! As the summer drags on, I find myself longing for the crisp fall weather. I’m sure you feel the same!

The giveaway includes: - the two infinity scarves pictured - a CandleLite Pumpkin Nutmeg Candle (smells soooo good) - a Yankee Candle Trick or Treat tart - a tiny Candy Corn candle - a plain black mug and a box of Starbucks Marshmallow Hot Chocolate - two types of treats of your choice (within reason) Biscottis, candies, etc. (you don’t have to pick the ones pictured) - a cute candy corn jar for your treats!

Rules: you must be following me and you have to reblog this post. Feel free to reblog as many times as you want, just don’t spam your followers! I will ship anywhere in or out of the United States. You have to be comfortable giving me your address. The winner will be chosen randomly on August 31st, no giveaway blogs please!

Feel free to message me with any questions!

Because it is already AUGUST!!! You might be thinking “oh shitballs, it’s nearly halloween!” So here is a huge big post with a long list of resources!!

DIY Decorations

Eyeballs in a Tree

Window Silhouettes

Various Decorations

Outdoor (or indoor) Ghost

Balloon Ghosts

More Window Silhouettes

(admittedly complicated, but still cool) Tombstone

Another Tombstone

Tombstone That Isn’t Styrofoam

Different Balloon Ghosts

Snacks

Inside-out Caramel apples** (But you could easily leave the nuts out)

Jack O’lantern Cookies

Pumpkin Bars

Spider Cookies**

Blood Spatter Cookies

Pumpkin Pie Cinnamon Rolls

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Pumpkin Sugar Cookies

Fizzy Sherbet

Pizza Roll-ups

** Beware of nuts

Drinks

Blood Floats*

Orange Cocktail*

Black Magic Martini*

Hot Buttered Rum Pumpkin Chai*

Candy Corn Milkshakes

Gingersnap Pumpkin Milkshake

Apple Cider Floats

Gummy Worm Slushy

4 non-alcoholic drink recipes

Peanutbutter shake**

Apple Cinnamon Sangria*

Apple-Cinnamon Baja Panties

Skull ice-cubes

* Beware of alcohol

** Beware of Nuts

Costume Makeup Tutorials

Cheshire Cat

Different Cheshire Cat

Yet Another Cheshire Cat (I am, after all, the Cheshire Chloé)

Half-skull Face

Hooked Mermaid

Really Cool Avant Garde Splatter Thing (it’s awesome)

Popart/Comic style Zombie (Zombae)

Comicbook Girl

Comic Style Harley Quinn

Suicide Squad style Harley Quinn

Poison Ivy (In case you and your girlfriend wanna go as Harley and Ivy)

Frostbitten Elsa from Frozen

Broken Doll

Creepy Mouth Thing (Super Freaky)

Fox Makeup (Your computer isn’t broken, this video has no sound)

Another Fox (for jadilovescheesetoast​)

You may have noticed that many videos were by Madeyewlook

And a lot of these videos were by Glam&Gore (Mykie is the best I love her so much!)

Costume Part How-To’s

Some Cool Fairy/Dragon/Angel Wings

Cellophane Wings

Horns

Tiny Top Hat

Peter Pan’s Shadow Costume

Spoopy Halloween Music

The Time Warp (this one is my FAV)

Shia Labeouf

Ghostbusters!

Halloween

Monster Mash

This is Halloween

Zombie Apocalypse (this is by my fav band)

Remains of The Day

The Cell Block Tango

Monster

Skeleton Song

Witch

I Put a Spell On You

Witchy Woman

Somebody’s Watching Me

Werewolves Of London

Season of The Witch

Just Some Spooky Dungeon Background Noises (for if you don’t want music but you don’t want silence)

Halloweenish Fonts

Evilz by N+

Mothman by David Kerkhoff

A Lolita Scorned by AngeliQ

YouMurderer by Blambot

Zombie Haulocast by Sinister fonts

Gypsy Curse by Sinister fonts

JJ Pumpkins by Jeri Ingalls

Other Masterposts

Pumpkin Flavoured Things

Halloween Treats

One similar to this (includes movies)

Halloween Drinks

Another General Masterpost

Just like to thank jadilovescheesetoast for helping me find some of these cool things, and for hosting the halloween party with me again this year! I can’t wait!!! If you’ve not been credited properly in the links please let me know! :P Also, let me know if any links are broken!! xoxo

Crock Pot Recipes for Fall and Winter

I love cooking hearty dishes, and warm treats in the Fall and Winter, which is why I also love slow cooker recipes. So here is massive list of recipes that are great for this time of year!

Soups, Stews, and Entrées

Creamy Wild Rice and Turkey Soup

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Red Lentil, Chickpea, and Tomato Soup with Smoked Paprika

Parmesan and Tomato Soup with Gnocchi and Chicken

Meatball Stew

Simplest Chicken and Dumplings

French Onion Soup

Cream Cheese Chicken Chili

Cheesy Vegetable Chowder

So Easy Coq au Vin

Sugar-Spiced Pork with Squash and Potatoes

Pasta with Eggplant Sauce

Pesto Chicken Sandwiches

Meatball Sandwiches

Chunky Pot Roast-Portobello Soup

Garlic & Herb Cheesy Chicken Dumplings

Creamy Tortellini Soup

Macaroni and Cheese

Swedish Meatballs

Chicken Fajitas 

Stuffed Green Pepper Soup

Creamy Portobella Mushroom Chicken

Spinach Lasagna 

Cabbage Rolls

Butter Chicken

Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup

Pizza Stew and Biscuits 

German Potato Soup

Creamed Chicken and Corn Soup

Pot Roast Stew

Stuffed Bell Peppers

Fall Harvest Chowder

Chicken Cacciatore 

Beef Tenderloin

Tomato Basil Ravioli Soup

Apple Cider Pork Roast

Goulash

Creamy Italian Chicken and Rice

Apple Sage Pork Tenderloin 

Green Beans, Sausage, Potatoes

French Dip Sandwiches

Minestrone Soup

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Broccoli Cheese Soup

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Baked Spaghetti 

Zuppa Toscana

Beer Mac and Cheese

Sweet Potato Casserole 

Italian Red Wine Roast Beef

Brown Sugar Balsamic Glazed Pork Tenderloin

Desserts and Sweet Treats

Gingerbread Pudding Cake

Pumpkin Pudding

Chocolate Lava Cake

Rocky Road Cake

Apple Dumplings

Turtle Monkey Bread

Rice Pudding

Almond Bark

Cinnamon Fudge

Pecan Pie Cobbler

Pumpkin Angel Food Cake with Caramel Sauce

Apple and Date Crunch

Tequila Pears

Candied Almonds

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

Spiced Applesauce

Cinnamon Roll Pull Apart Bread

Cherry Dump Cake

Berry Cobbler

Turtle Brownie

Caramel Peanut Butter Hot Fudge Cake

Beverages

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Chocolate Coffee

Vanilla Crème Brulee Latte

Caramel Apple Spice

Pumpkin Chai Tea

Autumn Brew

Spiced Pomegranate Tea

Hot Mint Malt 

Buttered Apple Cider

Snow White Cocoa

Pumpkin Latte

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate

Hot Cranberry Apple Punch

Aztec Hot Chocolate

Bourbon Citrus Sipper

Horchata Latte

Chamomile Toddies

Cranberry Apple Cider

Spiced White Hot Chocolate

Gingerbread Latte

Mulled Wine

Breakfasts

Spinach and Cheese Frittata 

Breakfast Stuffed Peppers

Creamy Banana French Toast

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal

Hot Cocoa Oatmeal

Cheesy Breakfast Souffle 

Breakfast Casserole

Blueberry Breakfast Casserole

German Pancakes

Sausage White Gravy

Cheesy Hash Browns

Cream of Wheat

Egg and Broccoli Casserole

Eggnog Cranberry Steel-Cut Oatmeal

Ham and Egg Casserole 

Pumpkin Oatmeal

Pumpkin Bread

Cinnamon Rolls

French Toast

Pecan Pie Oatmeal

Bacon, Egg, and Hash Brown Casserole

Apple Pie Steel Cut Oatmeal

Vegetarian Crock Pot Recipes for Fall & Winter | Spring & Summer Crock Pot Recipes | 18 Crock Pot Recipes | 10 Best Low-Carb Soups for Fall  | What’s Cooking this Fall & Winter 1, 2, & 3 | Fall & Winter Desserts