Working On My Next Piece. Excited About Trying New Things! (at Tegucigalpa, Honduras)

I love Twitter bc everyone is dumb

VINDICATION

Teddy Go Go Potty

Teddy Go Go Potty’s the new way for your toddlers to go-go, woh!  

A new custom potty for TS4 that comes with 7 swatches (including a lil panda swatch, again hehe).

Download here!

also wanted to say thank you to those who’ve followed and downloaded recently! I hope you’ve enjoyed the CC so far \o/

A kid at work thought I was a boi. I am so androgynous that even with big boobs and makeup on, this kid thought I was a boi. These are my genderqueer dreams

✨Crystals Masterpost ✨

I have had this saved on my phone forever and do not know of any specific source but it makes a great reference for crystals. I hope you all enjoy ~

ABDOMEN -gamet, agate, smoky quartz

ABSENT - MINDEDNESS - carnelian

ACHES - agate , charoite

ACNE - amethyst

ADDICTIONS - amethyst, fluorite, labradorite, lepidolite, quartz, ruby, tourmaline

ADD - ADHD - lepidolite, rutilated quartz

ALLERGIES - carnelian, lepidolite

ALTITUDE SICKNESS - jet

ALZHEIMER`S - chalcedony, rose quartz

AIR PURIFIER - quartz crystal

AIR TRAVEL STRESS - hematite

ANEMIA - bloodstone, gamet, ruby in zoisite, hematite, tiger eye

ANOREXIA - gamet, lepidolite, rhodochrosite, rose quartz

ANXIETY - howlite

ARTHRITIS - amber, agate, carnelian, charoite, fluorite, gamet, malachite, moonstone, pyrite, rhodonite, ruby, tourmaline

ASTHMA - agate, amber, carnelian, lapis lazuli, malachite, tiger eye

ASTRAL PROJECTION - hematite

AURA CLEANSER - lapis lazuli

AUTISM - moldavite, sugilite

BACK - carnelian, hematite, lapis lazuli

BIRTHING -lapis lazuli, malachite, moonstone, onyx, opal, peridot

BLADDER TROUBLE - amber, jade, jasper, rhodochrosite

BLEEDING - bloodstone, ruby

BLOOD CIRCULATION - bloodstone, citrine, gamet, moonstone, rhodochrosite, ruby

BLOOD CLEANSER - amethyst, bloodstone, gamet, ruby, sodalite

BLOOD PRESSURE - aventurine, charoite, tourmaline

BODY ACHES (general) - dolomite, quartz

BONES - apatite, dolomite, fluorite, howlite, lapis lazuli, zoisite

BONE MARROW - amber, onyx

BRAIN - amber, amethyst, aventurine, agate, labradorite, lapis lazuli, pyrite, ruby, sodalite, tourmaline

BRUISES - agate, hematite, rose quartz

BULIMIA - gamet, rose quartz

BURNS - agate, quartz crystal, rose quartz

CALMS BODY - agate

CALMS MIND - agate, amethyst

CANCER - amethyst, aventurine, bloodstone, jade, malachite, rhodonite, rhodochrosite, smoky quartz, sugilite, tourmaline

CERVIX - zoisite

CHAKRAS BALANCED - quartz crystal

CHAKRAS OPENED - fluorite, quartz crystal

CHEMOTHERAPY - smoky quartz

CIRCULATION - bloodstone, blue tiger eye, citrine, gamet, moonstone, rhodochrosite, ruby

CLEANSING - dolomite, malachite, sodalite, smoky quartz

COMMUNICATION - lapis, aquamarine

COLDS & FLU - amber, agate, carnelian, fluorite, jet

COLON - bloodstone, carnelian, gamet, rhodochrosite

COMA - lapis lazuli, moldavite

CONCENTRATION - fluorite, hematite, onyx, tourmaline

CONFIDENCE, SELF - aventurine, tiger eye

CONVULSIONS - amethyst, carnelian, lapis lazuli, quartz crystal

COUGH - amber, aquamarine

CREATIVITY - amethyst, aventurine, howlite, ruby

DEMENTIA - rose quartz, rutilated quartz

DENTAL PROBLEMS - agate, fluorite

DEPRESSION - carnelian, citrine, smoky quartz, garnet, howlite, jasper, lapis lazuli

DETOXIFICATION - amber, amethyst, bloodstone, carnelian, charoite, jade, lapis lazuli (etheric, spiritual), malachite, peridot

DIABETES - citrine, jade

DIGESTION - citrine, dolomite, howlite, sunstone

DIRECTION IN LIFE - citrine

DIZZINESS - quartz crystal

DNA REPAIR - pyrite

DREAM INDUCER - citrine, garnet

DREAMS, INTUITIVE - amethyst, jade

DRUNKENNESS - amethyst

EARACHE - amber

EDEMA - aqua aura, aquamarine, carnelian, jade, moonstone

ELOQUENCE - agate, turquoise

EMF POLLUTION - aventurine, lepidolite, tourmaline

EMOTIONS (calms) - rose quartz

EMPHYSEMA - amber, amethyst, aqua aura, aquamarine, rose quartz, tiger eye

ENDURANCE - sodalite

ENERGY - garnet, hematite, ruby

EPILEPSY - jasper, jet, lapis lazuli, onyx, tourmaline

EXHAUSTION - garnet

EYES - amethyst, aqua aura, aquamarine, fluorite, jade, jet, labradorite, lapis lazuli, nuummite, opal, rhodonite, turquoise

EYESIGHT - aventurine, bloodstone, citrine, peridot, tiger eye

FAINTING - lapis lazuli

FATIGUE - garnet, rose quartz, rutilated quartz, tiger iron

FEAR (banishes) - agate

FEET - onyx, smoky quartz

FERTILITY - carnelian, jade, moonstone, rose quartz, zoisite

FEVER - agate, jet, opal, ruby, quartz crystal

FRACTURES - fluorite, onyx

FRIENDSHIP - lapis lazuli, rose quartz, turquoise

FRUSTRATION - howlite

GALLBLADDER - carnelian, citrine, dolomite, fluorite, tiger eye

GLANDS - agate, aquamarine, sodalite

GOUT - charoite, tourmaline

GRIEF - amethyst

GROUNDING - carnelian, fluorite, hematite, obsidian snowflake, smoky quartz

HAPPINESS - citrine, howlite

HEADACHES - agate, amber, amethyst, charoite, citrine, fluorite, hematite, jet, lapis lazuli (prevention), moonstone, nuummite (relief), quartz crystal, rose quartz, sugilite, turquoise

HEALING (general) - agate, amethyst, aquamarine, fluorite, jade, moonstone, quartz crystal, turquoise

HEALING EARTH - amber, smoky quartz

HEARING - amethyst, onyx, rhodonite, tourmaline

HEART - amber (strengthens), aqua aura, aquamarine, aventurine, dolomite, garnet, hematite, lapis lazuli, rhodonite, tourmaline, zoisite

HEARTBURN - carnelian, dolomite, peridot, quartz crystal

HIP PAIN - petrified wood

HYPERACTIVITY - garnet

HYPOCHONDRIA - quartz crystal, tiger eye

IMAGINATION - rose quartz

IMMUNE SYSTEM - amethyst, jade, lapis lazuli, malachite, quartz crystal, rhodonite, tourmaline

IMPOTENCE - carnelian

INDIGESTION - agate, jasper, peridot, tourmaline

INFECTION - agate, carnelian, fluorite, opal, rhodochrosite

INFERTILITY - carnelian, jade, malachite, moonstone, rhodonite, rose quartz, rubelite tourmaline, smoky quartz, tiger eye, zoisite

INSIGHT INTO SELF - tiger eye

INSOMNIA - amethyst, aventurine, hematite, jade, lapis lazuli, lepidolite, moonstone, sodalite, zoisite

INTESTINES - amber, carnelian, fluorite, garnet, jasper, ruby

INTUITIVE AWARENESS - amethyst, ruby, turquoise

JOINTS (INFLAMMATION) - hematite, rhodonite

KIDNEYS - amber, carnelian, charoite, citrine, fluorite, garnet, jade, nuummite, quartz crystal, rose quartz, smoky quartz, ruby zoisite

KNOWLEDGE OF SELF - citrine

LARYNGITIS - agate, amber, lapis lazuli, sodalite, turquoise

LEGS - aquamarine, garnet, hematite, jasper, ruby, smoky quartz

LIVER - aquamarine, carnelian, charoite, garnet, jade, sodalite

LOGIC - sodalite

LOVE - garnet (passion), rose quartz

LUCK - smoky quartz, tiger eye

LUNGS - amber, dolomite, fluorite, pyrite, rhodochrosite, rhodonite, rose quartz, rutilated quartz, tiger eye

LYMPHATIC SYSTEM - amber, sodalite, tourmaline

MEDITATION - amethyst, quartz crystal, turquoise

MEMORY - carnelian, fluorite, howlite, pyrite, quartz crystal, rhodochrosite, rhodonite

MENOPAUSE - garnet, lapis lazuli, lepidolite, moonstone, ruby

MENSTRUATION - jet, carnelian, lapis lazuli, moonstone, rose quartz, ruby

MENTAL CLEANSER - lapis azuli

MENTAL DISORDERS - beryl

METABOLISM - labradorite, rhodonite

MIGRAINE- amber, amethyst, aventurine, fluorite, lapis lazuli, nuummite (relieves), rhodochrosite, rose quartz, smoky quartz, sugilite, turquoise

MIND (troubled) - jasper

MUSCLE ACHES - dolomite, jadeite, quartz

MUSCULAR/SKELETON - aventurine, dolomite, hematite (heal fractures), lepidolite, malachite (breaks/tears), moonstone, tiger iron (aligns spine, heals breaks), tourmaline

NAUSEA - jasper

NEGATIVE VIBRATIONS - amethyst, dolomite, fluorite,

obsidian (snowflake), quartz crystal, smoky quartz

NERVOUSNESS - turquoise

NERVOUS SYSTEM - amber, aquamarine, jasper

NEURALGIA - amethyst, aquamarine, carnelian

NIGHTMARES - amethyst, chalcedony, hematite, jasper, lepidolite, ruby, smoky quartz, turquoise

OSTEOPOROSIS - howlite, malachite

OVARIES - amber, carnelian, onyx, smoky quartz

PAIN - amber, amethyst, carnelian, jade, lapis lazuli, quartz crystal, ruby, rose quartz, sodalite, turquoise

PANCREAS - agate, amber, bloodstone, carnelian, charoite, citrine, garnet, jasper, moonstone, smoky quartz

PANIC ATTACKS - lapis lazuli, rhodonite

PAST-LIFE RECALL - garnet, quartz crystal

PEACE - rose quartz

PMS - moonstone

PNEUMONIA - fluorite

PREGNANCY - amber, lapis lazuli, moonstone

PROTECTION - obsidian, tourmaline, turquoise

PSORIASIS - agate, labradorite

PSYCHIC DEVELOPMENT - amethyst, howlite, lapis lazuli

PULSE (rapid) - hematite

PULSE (steady) - jasper

PURIFIER - smoky quartz

RADIATION - malachite, sodalite, tourmaline, turquoise

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS - carnelian, ruby zoisite

RHEUMATISM - amber, carnelian, fluorite, ruby

RIGID MIND - sodalite

SCIATICA - malachite, tourmaline

SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER (SAD) - citrine

SEXUAL ABUSE - rhodochrosite, ruby zoisite

SELF-CONFIDENCE - ruby, carnelian

SELF-LOVE - rose quartz

SEX IMPROVED - garnet, smoky quartz

SHINGLES - agate, lapis lazuli, rose quartz

SINUS - agate, aquamarine

SKIN - aventurine, dolomite, garnet, jade, rose quartz, ruby zoisite

SLEEP - amethyst, lapis lazuli, lepidolite

SMOKING - labradorite

SOBRIETY - amethyst

SPASMS - labradorite, ruby

SPIRITUAL CLEANSER - amethyst, lapis lazuli, quartz crystal

SPIRITUAL GIFTS - amethyst, lapis lazuli, quartz crystal

SPLEEN - citrine, fluorite, sodalite

STOMACH - amethyst, aquamarine, citrine, fluorite, garnet, jet, labradorite, lepidolite, moonstone, sunstone

STRESS - amethyst

STROKE - lapis lazuli

TEETH - aquamarine, dolomite, fluorite, howlite, rutilated quartz

TENSION (emotional) - amethyst, tiger eye

TESTICLES - smoky quartz, zoisite

THINKING (improve) - tiger eye

THOUGHT (clear) - aquamarine, carnelian

THROAT - amber, aquamarine, fluorite, lapis lazuli, nuummite

THYROID - aquamarine, citrine, quartz crystal, garnet, hematite, rhodochrosite, sodalite

TOOTHACHE - amber, aquamarine, jet, lapis lazuli

TOXINS - amber, bloodstone

TRAVEL SICKNESS - aquamarine, jasper

TRAUMA - amber, aventurine, hematite, rose quartz

TUMORS - amethyst, bloodstone, smoky quartz

ULCERS - agate

URINARY - agate, amber, carnelian, jasper, ruby

VERTIGO - lapis lazuli, quartz crystal

WOUNDS - agate, carnelian, ruby

VIRAL INFECTIONS - fluorite

VITALITY (improving) - agate, aventurine, garnet, ruby

VOICE STRENGTHENED - aquamarine, carnelian, lapis lazuli

WARTS - agate, smoky quartz

WEAKNESS - carnelian, hematite

WILL POWER - citrine, tiger eye

WISDOM - jade, lapis lazuli, ruby, turquoise

saw someone share this on their ig stories and i am obsessed

Writing with Color: Description Guide - Words for Skin Tone

We discussed the issues describing People of Color by means of food in Part I of this guide, which brought rise to even more questions, mostly along the lines of “So, if food’s not an option, what can I use?” Well, I was just getting to that!

This final portion focuses on describing skin tone, with photo and passage examples provided throughout. I hope to cover everything from the use of straight-forward description to the more creatively-inclined, keeping in mind the questions we’ve received on this topic.

So let’s get to it.

S T A N D A R D  D E S C R I P T I O N

B a s i c  C o l o r s

Pictured above: Black, Brown, Beige, White, Pink.

“She had brown skin.”

This is a perfectly fine description that, while not providing the most detail, works well and will never become cliché.

Describing characters’ skin as simply brown or beige works on its own, though it’s not particularly telling just from the range in brown alone.

C o m p l e x  C o l o r s

These are more rarely used words that actually “mean” their color. Some of these have multiple meanings, so you’ll want to look into those to determine what other associations a word might have.

Pictured above: Umber, Sepia, Ochre, Russet, Terra-cotta, Gold, Tawny, Taupe, Khaki, Fawn.

Complex colors work well alone, though often pair well with a basic color in regards to narrowing down shade/tone.

For example: Golden brown, russet brown, tawny beige…

As some of these are on the “rare” side, sliding in a definition of the word within the sentence itself may help readers who are unfamiliar with the term visualize the color without seeking a dictionary.

“He was tall and slim, his skin a russet, reddish-brown.”

Comparisons to familiar colors or visuals are also helpful:

“His skin was an ochre color, much like the mellow-brown light that bathed the forest.”

M o d i f i e r s 

Modifiers, often adjectives, make partial changes to a word.The following words are descriptors in reference to skin tone.

D a r k - D e e p - R i c h - C o o l

W a r m - M e d i u m - T a n

F a i r - L i g h t - P a l e

Rich Black, Dark brown, Warm beige, Pale pink…

If you’re looking to get more specific than “brown,” modifiers narrow down shade further.

Keep in mind that these modifiers are not exactly colors.

As an already brown-skinned person, I get tan from a lot of sun and resultingly become a darker, deeper brown. I turn a pale, more yellow-brown in the winter.

While best used in combination with a color, I suppose words like “tan” “fair” and “light” do work alone; just note that tan is less likely to be taken for “naturally tan” and much more likely a tanned White person.

Calling someone “dark” as description on its own is offensive to some and also ambiguous. (See: Describing Skin as Dark)

U n d e r t o n e s

Undertones are the colors beneath the skin, seeing as skin isn’t just one even color but has more subdued tones within the dominating palette.

Mentioning the undertones within a character’s skin is an even more precise way to denote skin tone.

As shown, there’s a difference between say, brown skin with warm orange-red undertones (Kelly Rowland) and brown skin with cool, jewel undertones (Rutina Wesley).

“A dazzling smile revealed the bronze glow at her cheeks.”

“He always looked as if he’d ran a mile, a constant tinge of pink under his tawny skin.”

Standard Description Passage

“Farah’s skin, always fawn, had burned and freckled under the summer’s sun. Even at the cusp of autumn, an uneven tan clung to her skin like burrs. So unlike the smooth, red-brown ochre of her mother, which the sun had richened to a blessing.”

-From my story “Where Summer Ends” featured in Strange Little Girls

Here the state of skin also gives insight on character.

Note my use of “fawn” in regards to multiple meaning and association. While fawn is a color, it’s also a small, timid deer, which describes this very traumatized character of mine perfectly.

Though I use standard descriptions of skin tone more in my writing, at the same time I’m no stranger to creative descriptions, and do enjoy the occasional artsy detail of a character.

C R E A T I V E  D E S C R I P T I O N

Whether compared to night-cast rivers or day’s first light…I actually enjoy seeing Characters of Colors dressed in artful detail.

I’ve read loads of descriptions in my day of white characters and their “smooth rose-tinged ivory skin”, while the PoC, if there, are reduced to something from a candy bowl or a Starbucks drink, so to actually read of PoC described in lavish detail can be somewhat of a treat.

Still, be mindful when you get creative with your character descriptions. Too many frills can become purple-prose-like, so do what feels right for your writing when and where. Not every character or scene warrants a creative description, either. Especially if they’re not even a secondary character.

Using a combination of color descriptions from standard to creative is probably a better method than straight creative. But again, do what’s good for your tale.

N A T U R AL  S E T T I N G S - S K Y

Pictured above: Harvest Moon -Twilight, Fall/Autumn Leaves, Clay, Desert/Sahara, Sunlight - Sunrise - Sunset - Afterglow - Dawn- Day- Daybreak, Field - Prairie - Wheat, Mountain/Cliff, Beach/Sand/Straw/Hay.

Now before you run off to compare your heroine’s skin to the harvest moon or a cliff side, think about the associations to your words.

When I think cliff, I think of jagged, perilous, rough. I hear sand and picture grainy, yet smooth. Calm. mellow.

So consider your character and what you see fit to compare them to.

Also consider whose perspective you’re describing them from. Someone describing a person they revere or admire may have a more pleasant, loftier description than someone who can’t stand the person.

“Her face was like the fire-gold glow of dawn, lifting my gaze, drawing me in.”

“She had a sandy complexion, smooth and tawny.”

Even creative descriptions tend to draw help from your standard words.

F L O W E R S

Pictured above: Calla lilies, Western Coneflower, Hazel Fay, Hibiscus, Freesia, Rose

It was a bit difficult to find flowers to my liking that didn’t have a 20 character name or wasn’t called something like “chocolate silk” so these are the finalists. 

You’ll definitely want to avoid purple-prose here.

Also be aware of flowers that most might’ve never heard of. Roses are easy, as most know the look and coloring(s) of this plant. But Western coneflowers? Calla lilies? Maybe not so much.

“He entered the cottage in a huff, cheeks a blushing brown like the flowers Nana planted right under my window. Hazel Fay she called them, was it?”

A S S O R T E D  P L A N T S &  N A T U R E

Pictured above: Cattails, Seashell, Driftwood, Pinecone, Acorn, Amber

These ones are kinda odd. Perhaps because I’ve never seen these in comparison to skin tone, With the exception of amber.

At least they’re common enough that most may have an idea what you’re talking about at the mention of “pinecone." 

I suggest reading out your sentences aloud to get a better feel of how it’ll sounds.

"Auburn hair swept past pointed ears, set around a face like an acorn both in shape and shade.”

I pictured some tree-dwelling being or person from a fantasy world in this example, which makes the comparison more appropriate.

I don’t suggest using a comparison just “cuz you can” but actually being thoughtful about what you’re comparing your character to and how it applies to your character and/or setting.

W O O D

Pictured above: Mahogany, Walnut, Chestnut, Golden Oak, Ash

Wood can be an iffy description for skin tone. Not only due to several of them having “foody” terminology within their names, but again, associations.

Some people would prefer not to compare/be compared to wood at all, so get opinions, try it aloud, and make sure it’s appropriate to the character if you do use it.

“The old warlock’s skin was a deep shade of mahogany, his stare serious and firm as it held mine.”

M E T A L S

Pictured above: Platinum, Copper, Brass, Gold, Bronze

Copper skin, brass-colored skin, golden skin…

I’ve even heard variations of these used before by comparison to an object of the same properties/coloring, such as penny for copper.

These also work well with modifiers.

“The dress of fine white silks popped against the deep bronze of her skin.”

G E M S T O N E S - M I N E R A LS

Pictured above: Onyx, Obsidian, Sard, Topaz, Carnelian, Smoky Quartz, Rutile, Pyrite, Citrine, Gypsum

These are trickier to use. As with some complex colors, the writer will have to get us to understand what most of these look like.

If you use these, or any more rare description, consider if it actually “fits” the book or scene.

Even if you’re able to get us to picture what “rutile” looks like, why are you using this description as opposed to something else? Have that answer for yourself.

“His skin reminded her of the topaz ring her father wore at his finger, a gleaming stone of brown, mellow facades.” 

P H Y S I C A L  D E S C R I P T I ON

Physical character description can be more than skin tone.

Show us hair, eyes, noses, mouth, hands…body posture, body shape, skin texture… though not necessarily all of those nor at once.

Describing features also helps indicate race, especially if your character has some traits common within the race they are, such as afro hair to a Black character.

How comprehensive you decide to get is up to you. I wouldn’t overdo it and get specific to every mole and birthmark. Noting defining characteristics is good, though, like slightly spaced front teeth, curls that stay flopping in their face, hands freckled with sunspots…

G E N E R A L  T I P S

Indicate Race Early: I suggest indicators of race be made at the earliest convenience within the writing, with more hints threaded throughout here and there.

Get Creative On Your Own: Obviously, I couldn’t cover every proper color or comparison in which has been “approved” to use for your characters’ skin color, so it’s up to you to use discretion when seeking other ways and shades to describe skin tone.

Skin Color May Not Be Enough: Describing skin tone isn’t always enough to indicate someone’s ethnicity. As timeless cases with readers equating brown to “dark white” or something, more indicators of race may be needed.

Describe White characters and PoC Alike: You should describe the race and/or skin tone of your white characters just as you do your Characters of Color. If you don’t, you risk implying that White is the default human being and PoC are the “Other”).

PSA: Don’t use “Colored.” Based on some asks we’ve received using this word, I’d like to say that unless you or your character is a racist grandmama from the 1960s, do not call People of Color “colored” please. 

Not Sure Where to Start? You really can’t go wrong using basic colors for your skin descriptions. It’s actually what many people prefer and works best for most writing. Personally, I tend to describe my characters using a combo of basic colors + modifiers, with mentions of undertones at times. I do like to veer into more creative descriptions on occasion.

Want some alternatives to “skin” or “skin color”? Try: Appearance, blend, blush, cast, coloring, complexion, flush, glow, hue, overtone, palette, pigmentation, rinse, shade, sheen, spectrum, tinge, tint, tone, undertone, value, wash.

Skin Tone Resources

List of Color Names

The Color Thesaurus

Things that are Brown (blog)

Skin Undertone & Color Matching

Tips and Words on Describing Skin

Photos: Undertones Described (Modifiers included)

Online Thesaurus (try colors, such as “red” & “brown”)

Don’t Call me Pastries: Creative Skin Tones w/ pics 3 2 1

Writing & Description Guides

WWC Featured Description Posts

WWC Guide: Words to Describe Hair

Writing with Color: Description & Skin Color Tags

7 Offensive Mistakes Well-intentioned Writers Make

I tried to be as comprehensive as possible with this guide, but if you have a question regarding describing skin color that hasn’t been answered within part I or II of this guide, or have more questions after reading this post, feel free to ask!

~ Mod Colette