u/Weak-Difference-6078

TLDR: my favorite perfume now reminds me of a period of depression and doesn’t “feel right” to still wear even though it’s still my favorite from a scent perspective. Any experience with this??

My favorite perfume is 11 11 by lake & Skye. It feels like “me” from a scent profile perspective - clean, airy, unisex, white amber/ musk, skin scent, ozonic, I love that all. However, I’ve been going through a multi year depression that I’m recently getting out of. I stopped wearing 11 11 for the past 6 months or so? Partially due to migraine problems but also just switching it up to Persian garden kuumba made (real different I know). Even though I still love and feel connected with this perfume, I am realizing that I’m having a “scent memory” response to it and it’s making me feel like a sense of tensing up and melancholy. I feel like wearing it “brings” me back on a body/ emotional body level, if even just slightly and may not encourage this healthier “new version” of me. Im sad because I love it so much scent wise but i think I need something new for this next phase of life 😔. Has anyone experienced this before?

There’s a lot of discussion on the IC’s dynamic, Feyre / Rhys’s first person POVs (and biased perspectives) vs Nesta’s/ SF perspective (I guess HOFAS bonus chapter too) and if we’ll see more of Rhys/ Feyre/ the IC from a less favorable perspective. Ive heard people theorize that some seeds for conflict have been sown into the IC. I don’t have any strong feelings on this, however I do wonder if the person who could be the one to bring a new perspective to the IC and point out some of their less healthy dynamics is Bryce. She seems to have a strong sense of what is fair and very little tolerance for anything that seems to compromise that, particularly if it’s picking on people with less power in a dynamic. She’s also not at all afraid to stir up trouble, speak her mind, or confront powerful beings. And we already see her forming a bond with Nesta. We also see that Ember formed a bond with Nesta and we know Bryce and Ember are similar in many ways. Basically, I wonder how Bryce’s presence, (depending on much she’s in Prythian or not), will shake up the IC’s dynamics, maybe for the better, and if this may be something SJM is building towards.

Curious to hear others thoughts !

Spoilers for all of ACOTAR

I know there have been a few posts on here re what Amren said to Rhys and the topic of Rhys/ Feyre as high king / queen in general but I’m wondering if anyone has any strong theories as to why Amren brought this up and seemed to have a strong opinion about it? It feels intentional on SJMs part but I can’t imagine Prythian moving towards high king/ high queen and also, I can’t imagine SJM having the most powerful person in her world and up being male. Yes Feyre would be high queen but this seems more because she’s with Rhys than because she herself is crowned, which would be more fitting IMO (she does have the power of all courts which I guess is unifying). Perhaps it was to sew the idea but it will ultimately be someone else? I also can’t see Rhys and Feyre leaving the NC. And in general I can’t picture SJM wanting to move Prythian to be even more feudal. If you’ve read cc >!I wonder how Bryce / dusk may fit into this all too!< .

Regardless, what do you think Amrens motivations may have been, if she wasn’t being fully forthcoming with them?

Would love to hear your thoughts!

Hi guys - I’m a recently converted Bryceriel. I never had any strong inclination about who Az’s mate was until cc3 when I realized all the signs connecting him and Bryce.

My questions are - when do we think that Az’s feelings will be revealed and when do we think they will actually get together.

I can’t imagine SJM will reveal too much before whatever is happening with Bryce and Hunt changes. I actually like Hunt as a character and think Bryce’s behavior is more of the problem in their relationship, so I hope he gets a HEA but I have this feeling, based on the way SJM talks, that he may not make it through CC4, which is obviously one way that Bryce would become more available.

The option I see as most possible is have Acotar 6-7 take place before Bryce comes to Prythian, have cc4 come out and then book 8 comes out after, with it taking place after Bryce arrives or having Bryce arrive somewhere in that book or near the end of that book. Because I just can’t imagine there wouldn’t be some signs from Az after meeting Bryce and I also can’t imagine that SJM will be able to keep us from Az’s pov (not saying first person but third person) for much more of the books since so many are dying to know what’s going on with him. And I find it hard to believe she’d end acotar 8 without more reveal on Az’s mate, and not a fake out relationship but his real mate before wrapping up the series that he originated from.

Now it’s possible that their story happens more in whatever next series she writes that I believe is meant to be a heavy crossover series, but again, that would leave Az in a weird position to wrap up the Acotar series and i have a feeling SJM will want to wrap things up more neatly for the fans. At least the relationship / emotional aspects. Curious the way you all are thinking of it!

Curious to hear what people are hoping to find out in Acotar 6-8. Here are some questions I hope are answered! Of course there are more Open items but these are the ones I’m most curious about. Would love to hear yours especially if they’re not on this list :) spoilers may be in the list!

1. Who is Azriel’s mate?
2. Who will Elain end up with?
3. What really happened to Rhysand’s sister? Is there more to the story?
4. Who is Tamlin’s mate?
5. Who is Azriel’s father?
6. Who is Cassian’s father?
7. Who is Mama Archeron?
8. What is Rhysand’s last name?
9. Who is the King of Hybern really?
10. Where are Miryam and Drakon, and what have they been up to?
11. Where was Mor?
12. What is Mor’s power, and what does her “power of truth” actually mean?
13. What is Amren?
14. How are Fury and Amren similar or related?
15. Who is the mercenary Feyre first meets in the first book?
16. Did Elain predict Cassian’s death?
17. Will Nesta become the queen of something beyond the Valkyries?
18. What really happened between Mor and Eris? What is the secret Eris says Mor knows?
19. What else may Eris be hiding?
20. What is Bryaxis really, why was it imprisoned, and where is it now? Is there a Maasverse element to it?
21. How do the Princes of Hel and Hel itself tie into the story? Are they related to the Illyrians or the Bat Boys?
22. Why do the levels of the Library beneath the House of Wind mirror the levels of Hel?
23. What are the Death Gods? Do they tie into the TOG gods?
24. Otherwise how do the TOG gods fit into all of this?
25. What was in the Archeron sisters’ lineage farther back—not from their mother? Fae? Witches? Something else?
26. What parts of Silene’s story are actually true?
27. How do the Valg and the Asteri relate, or how are they different?
28. What are Nestas powers? Do they tie into Deanna? How is death involved?
29. Why do Rhys and Rhune resemble each other so strongly. Same with silene and Rhys’s sister.
30. Why does Azriels power, power up Bryce the most? (I have a number of theories but curious)

Edit: added 28 - 30 - how could I have forgotten . I do think we won’t get all these answers in 6-8 but I’m hoping we will get most. I expect we’ll also get more in CC4 and whatever her other project is (my suspicion is TOG world but centuries later than where we left off with Aelin)

Tl;DR: noticing little hairs along the hairline and maybe even a drop lower, just 1 month on minox and still shedding. Could this be a sign of the new growth ?

I’ve had slow developing AGa for years that was under controlish but I’m coming off a crazy TE shed caused by medical trauma and then the medication I had to be on. I started minoxidil about a month ago and about a week and a half ago I noticed an uptick in my TE (I guess the dread shed started). However, I also see hairs growing along my hairline and a bit lower than before (maybe my hairline receded a bit and I didn’t notice). I do have some new growth on my part but not enough to cover the sparse areas that came up after the shed. But the hairs around my hairline and in my temple seem more noticeable. Curious if anyone’s hair first started growing at the hairline like this

What parts of the acotar series (or greater SJM universe) do you love that keep you part of the fandom, and have you put up with whatever parts of the vibe writing might drive us nuts from time to time. I’d love to hear below!

For me I think there’s a real level of safety and comfort in her worlds while they still can have a sense of thrill and some danger. Some of her character work is really great

• acotar the acomaf Rhys and Feyre dynamic was so bingeable and juicy (even if I do have to hand wave some aspects/ past behavior of rhys) of Rhys, velaris seems like the coziest place and Rhys and IC found family feels very cozy to me as well. Altogether safe place, Plus the entire acotar universe is so dreamy and whimsical.
• TOG I loved the character development
• CC: I liked the noir vibe of the first book and mystery element, but honestly that’s about it 😬
• sometimes she does action scenes / beats very well and super engrossing
• I can really visualize her worlds the way she rights them, I love the descriptive style

I think that it’s pretty clear that there has been repeated foreshadowing of Nesta being a queen. So.. what do we think Nesta will become queen of? would love to see your favorite theories below! Personally, I’m stumped. I interpret this as queen vs for example high lady. The obvious one is high queen of Pythian. I think this could be a maybe but I wonder if it’s not quite as obvious. i’ve heard some crack theories, and I’m here for it. Would love to hear your thoughts. Hmm 🤔

Hi guys - I recently finished cc3, which was my final in the Maasverse. I’m wondering if there is some sort of guide that someone has made on some platform that goes through the various past figures, their children, their objects, and suspected or highly implied connections (ex Rhys sister apparently resembles Silene). I listened on audio book and it’s hard for me to keep straight, especially the connections across books. Would love to know if something like this exists !

TL;DR: trying to tell difference between TE and dread shed. Does dread shed only come out out of areas on top of head where apply your minoxidil?

I’m on about week 2.5 of minoxidil I believe I began the dread yet, but I was just getting out (I think) of a shedding period of TE that was either caused by illness or by this medication I was on which I’ve just recently stopped (will take a while to be fully out of my system). My shedding dropped a bit, but it seemed to uptick again which I’m assuming is the dread shed.

My question is this when you shed from minoxidil, do you only shed from the areas you’re applying, or can it kick you into more of an all over shed. Because I don’t feel like I’m only shedding from the top of my head where I’m directly applying. So it may mean that this is just part TE part dread shed. Or maybe the minoxidil becomes a little more systemic on the scalp?

I’m admittedly, not the most diehard SJM fan. Her writing leaves some things to be desired, but it is like guilty pleasure reading for me and most of the time it hits the spot. I’ve read ACOTAR and TOG. I’m on CC3, and cannot for the life of me get through it. I’m listening to the audiobook. I just feel like there’s no central plot that’s making sense. Everything is too fractured and we haven’t had enough time with these characters in past books for us to be bouncing between them so quickly. And I feel like half the time they’re just recounting to each other what happened and how they feel about certain things and she’s kind of telling the audience how to feel about certain things versus us experiencing something with them first hand. I find it incredibly boring. I may just listen to a YouTube summary at this point, which is a bummer. Any motivation to continue with the audiobook is welcome.

TL;DR: Rant on cc3, motivate me to get through it pls or encourage me to give it up and listen to a YouTube summary

Hi everyone - About 8-9 years ago I was first diagnosed with AGA at age 27 following loestrin 24fe and had recently experienced TE. My health was really poor at that time. At that time I was treating it naturally but consistently with Harkliniken and some supplements plus my overall health got better. My density improved significantly and the AGA halted. But then I got “lazy” over the years with the AGA (during a few depressed years) and my AGA progressed. I was just about to get serious about consistency again last fall when I got extremely sick for 5-6 months . Over the past 6 weeks I’ve experienced the most severe shedding I’ve ever experienced. I believe it is from a new medication that i had to go on. My density on top has decreased significantly and I’m still shedding. Luckily I think I’ll be able to get away with this being my last month on that particular medication (a cgrp inhibitor shot - i had migraines induced by the other health issues but as they are clearing I don’t think I’ll be as susceptible any more). I am praying that as the medication comes out of my system the shedding will stop and that some of this will regrow even when the AGa since it is TE. I know it could be the other health stuff as well but I have a strong gut feeling it’s the medication since it’s behaving differently than I’ve experienced before

Here is my new routine I’ve implemented. Definitely open to feedback

Topical / shampoos

• started topical minoxidil 5% (praying dread shed will not exacerbate shedding 🤞)
• will begin ordinary serum as well (ordering it)
• aminexol shampoo from UK 1-2x per week
• nizoral shampoo 1-2x per week

Supplements / Diet

• started taking ferritin heme iron supplement with l-lysine (will add a vitamin c but waiting on something see below) - my ferritin is typically in low 20s
• retaking viviscal after years lapse
• pumpkin seed oil capsules
• saw palmetto capsules
• being more mindful of protein
• going to begin working with a new functional medicine practitioner so will see what else she thinks supplementation wise and hopefully will move towards healing my gut

Misc

• reusing laser cap every other day after years lapse
• microneedling 2x per week - thinking I may need deeper needles though, mine are 0.3

I will also consider spiralactone but I tend to be very medication sensitive so wanting to try this first. I would also potentially consider oral minox but again medication sensitive and am fairly hairy all over with red hair that I unfortunately cannot laser ugh

Needed to vent and really hoping i am a responder that can reclaim some of my lost hair on top and also that the shedding stops for overall density

Grateful for this sub!!

🤞🤞🤞🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🤍🤍🤍

Since the show is veering off so much from the book and kind of doing its own things which I’ve actually enjoyed so far, what are your predictions for the rest of the season and then what do you think they will set up for season 2?

And if you’ve read the book >!do you think aunt Lydia will give them the information to take out of Gilead like in the show like she did in the books? I know we saw her journal!<

I’ve only read the first half of the book but had read details on the plot prior. This movie was GORGEOUS but other than that, I feel it fell really flat. I understand the fever dream romance it was trying to rewrite the story to be, but I feel that it needed to still create more plot and meaning behind all the sex scenes and honestly make them seem a little less tame - this was surprising to me, I thought this whole take was meant to be raunchy and raw, it felt very PG. The movie got stuck in the longing and yearning and pain and there was nothing moving anything forward even emotionally, it felt a little gratuitous in this way. And if it was going for pure camp romance at least make a bold choice. All the love scenes fell flat and like I said were extremely safe. Nothing felt hot it just felt like watching people safely kiss. Even the script felt so bland with all the “I love yous” and nothing else transpiring between them.

I wish they weren’t afraid to lean into the uglier sides of both characters. Theyd dip their toe in and then backtrack. Cathy’s conscience around her marriage and cheating on Edgar seemed too much of a driver around them not being together. In the same vein, Nellys machinations as a driver were something I couldn’t get fully behind either.

And last, I could not get behind the casting choices. Even though she’s only 5 years older than Jacob, Margot looks much older throughout the film. Don’t get me wrong she is absolutely gorgeous and very talented but something didn’t work. If they were going with her, they could’ve leaned in to her being older. I’ve never seen two such gorgeous people have so little chemistry chemistry.

I left thinking what a visually stunning film, but also what did I just watch? It left me with a very weird feeling, like my emotions had been manipulated in gratuitous ways for meaningless fluff. It felt like it was scared to be anyone thing and so it was basically nothing but visuals. I thought that Emerald Fennell was meant to be bold, I felt it was shockingly bland.

Would love to hear some other thoughts!