Quote from: ntpntpntp on Yesterday at 05:29:26 PMFor a little while now I've noticed when I use Add Image to Gallery and fill in the photo details on the pop-up window, it doesn't redirect back to the main window where I'm writing the post?    It always used to work as I'd expect, except if there was an error uploading the photo in which case the editor page would be displayed with a red error message. I'm not seeing any error and the uploaded photos are being placed in my gallery ok.  So I have to go and get the links from there. 

I suppose I could/should just add photos from the gallery screens anyway, especially if adding a bunch

Up to date Google Chrome browser on Windows 10.

This has been happening to me frequently for the past 6 months. Sometimes it doesn't happen. I came to the conclusion that it might be that it isn't working at times when the forum is busy with traffic.

Quote from: PLD on Yesterday at 10:01:09 PM

Quote from: Nbodger on Yesterday at 05:12:41 PM

Quote from: dannyboy on Yesterday at 12:35:00 PMIt's a bit weird being the same age as old people.

You mean you are that old 

To be fair to David, he's not as old as most of his jokes... 

Tutankhamun's not as old as most of David's jokes.

    

Quote from: Nbodger on Yesterday at 05:12:41 PM

Quote from: dannyboy on Yesterday at 12:35:00 PMIt's a bit weird being the same age as old people.

You mean you are that old 

To be fair to David, he's not as old as most of his jokes... 

Quote from: dannyboy on Yesterday at 12:35:00 PMIt's a bit weird being the same age as old people.

It's not just weird, it's downright inappropriate. Five years ago I was 30 and now I'm in my 60s. How did this happen?
PW (Or should that be OAPW?)

Quote from: Nbodger on Yesterday at 05:12:41 PM

Quote from: dannyboy on Yesterday at 12:35:00 PMIt's a bit weird being the same age as old people.

You mean you are that old 

Only on paper. 

For a little while now I've noticed when I use Add Image to Gallery and fill in the photo details on the pop-up window, it doesn't redirect back to the main window where I'm writing the post?     It always used to work as I'd expect, except if there was an error uploading the photo in which case the editor page would be displayed with a red error message. I'm not seeing any error and the uploaded photos are being placed in my gallery ok.  So I have to go and get the links from there. 

I suppose I could/should just add photos from the gallery screens anyway, especially if adding a bunch

Up to date Google Chrome browser on Windows 10.

Quote from: dannyboy on Yesterday at 12:35:00 PMIt's a bit weird being the same age as old people.

You mean you are that old 

Hmm...

...there's a few on here you have to make concessions for!

 

After their long shower together, Eli, with Sylvie's assistance, began her meticulous preparations for the Christmas Eve-Day Grand Ball. With her partner's help, Eli had chosen a midnight blue silk chiffon gown. Its deep colour was a stark contrast against the wintery landscape outside the bedroom windows, like a raven's wing against fresh snow.

The first step was slipping into the perfect deep burgundy undergarments from Givenchy to enhance the silhouette of her ballgown and ensure a flawless fit. As the satin caressed Eli's skin, she felt a tingle of anticipation. They had chosen a strapless, lightly padded bustier with delicate white lace trim that provided support and shaping to Eli's curves while maintaining a seamless look under the gown. To accompany the bustier, they had chosen a pair of high-waisted, satin briefs that offered both comfort and a smooth silhouette, complementing the gown's lines without creating visible panty lines.

"Those knickers will be our little secret, mon coeur", Sylvie whispered, her breath warm against Eli's neck as she helped secure the bustier. "A touch of decadence, just for you."

To complete the undergarment ensemble, Eli added a touch of elegance and refinement with a pair of sheer stockings featuring a subtle sheen. A matching Givenchy-designed deep burgundy suspender belt accompanied the stockings. Crafted from delicate satin fabric, its adjustable straps not only securely held the stockings in place but also added a touch of allure and sophistication to the ensemble.

"Eli, I am sure that Giles will appreciate the dark red stockings and suspenders belt we've chosen for you", remarked Sylvia, her voice rich with mischief. "I believe a man who appreciates a fine burgundy as much as Giles does would find these stockings quite fetching."

Eli's cheeks flushed, and she gave a conspiratorial grin. "Ah, Sylvie, you have a point there", she laughed, the sound like tinkling bells. "The rich, deep hue of those stockings is indeed reminiscent of the finest burgundy wine. I dare say Giles will be quite enamoured by the sight of them."

Sylvie's deep brown eyes sparkled with deep affection. "I hope so, ma chérie. I want you to make the most favourable impression on him tonight. Of course, your beauty and charm will undoubtedly captivate him, stockings or no stockings. But I must say, the choice of colour will certainly set the tone for the evening!" Her fingers trailed along Eli's arm, leaving a trail of delicious shivers in their wake.

Next, Eli donned her gown. Crafted from midnight blue silk chiffon, it seemed to be sprinkled with stardust, each tiny bead catching the light and refracting it into a million tiny rainbows. Intricate silver beading adorned the fabric, creating constellations that glimmered against the dark canvas as if Eli had plucked the very stars from the sky and woven them into her dress. Around her neck, Eli wore a strand of lustrous pearls, their soft sheen complementing the dark tones of her gown. The pearls cascaded gracefully, drawing attention to the gentle curve of her neckline, and adding a timeless touch of sophistication to her ensemble. A hint of rouge graced her freckled cheeks, accentuating her natural beauty, while her lips were painted a subtle shade of rose, adding a touch of softness to her features that made one think of the delicate petals of a newly bloomed flower.

The gown's fitted bodice accentuated Eli's slender figure with delicate off-the-shoulder sleeves, the fabric clinging to her like a lover's embrace. Its daring décolletage revealed her voluptuous bosom, a bold fashion statement Sylvia had confidently asserted would command attention. "You are a work of art, ma chérie" she murmured, her fingers tracing the curve of Eli's collarbone. "And this gown is your frame, showcasing your beauty for all to admire." According to her partner, this would give Eli an air of confidence and allure leaving admirers breathless – a fearless embodiment of her unapologetic sexuality.  As the skirt flowed gracefully to the floor, layers of ethereal chiffon created a voluminous silhouette trailing behind her like a comet's tail, or perhaps the train of a fairy queen's gown.

The overall effect was one of understated glamour, elevating Eli's natural beauty to ethereal heights. Yet the gown's most tantalising feature was the promise of what it concealed – the curves and valleys of her lithe form hinted at beneath the gossamer fabric, stoking flames of desire and imagination. This was a woman embracing her power, revelling in her ability to captivate with a mere glance or tilt of her chin, fully aware of the effect she would have on those around her.

Eli then added simple silver drop earrings and a matching bracelet, also designed by Givenchy, allowing the gown to take centre stage. The cool metal contrasted deliciously against the warmth of her skin. To complement her gown, she put on a pair of silver stiletto heels adorned with crystal embellishments from Salvatore Ferragamo, the Italian luxury shoemaker famous for creating shoes that were like 'jewellery for the feet'. These heels not only added height to her 5 feet 6 inches but also lent an air of elegance to her ensemble, the soft click of the heels against the wooden floor like a lover's heartbeat.

Completing her ensemble was a pair of midnight blue silk satin gloves. Their smooth texture added refined elegance to her hands as she gracefully leaned against the mantelpiece, embodying both poise and confidence. The fire's glow danced across the fabric; casting flickering shadows that made it seem as if the gloves themselves were imbued with life.

Eli stood before the tall mirror in the bedroom she shared with Sylvia in Trevelver Castle, her reflection a revelation. The gown, the heels, the jewellery, the delicate undergarments—all brought together by Sylvia's skill—had transformed her. She was no longer just Eli; she was a vision, a portrait painted with elegance and allure, a masterpiece come to life.

Her short, bright red hair framed her face, the loose waves dancing like whispers of confidence carried on the evening breeze. The freckles that dotted her skin seemed to shimmer as if they, too, were part of the enchantment, tiny constellations come to adorn her mortal form. And her bright blue cornflower eyes—they held secrets, dreams, and the promise of a magical night, depths that one could happily drown in.

As Eli twirled, the layers of chiffon swirled around her, creating a celestial halo that seemed to defy gravity itself. She felt weightless, as if the gown had lifted her far beyond everyday existence, transporting her to a realm of fairy tales and fantasies. The silver stilettos added inches to her height, but more importantly, they elevated her spirit and made her feel as if she could conquer the world with a single step. She was no longer the penniless heartbroken young Breton girl who had stepped off the ferry from Regleun at West Porthsea Quay; she was a heroine from a storybook, a woodland nymph ready to dance at the grand ball and enchant all who beheld her.

At that moment, Eli knew that friendship was more than laughter, shared secrets, and business visions. It was the magic of transformation—the artistry of turning ordinary moments into extraordinary memories. Sylvia had not just dressed her; she had ensured that Eli's very essence was woven into every seam, every bead, every stitch, an act of love and devotion far surpassing mere fashion.

Tears of joy and gratitude stung Eli's bright blue eyes as she gazed at her reflection. "Oh, Sylvie", she breathed, reaching out to take her dearest friend's hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. What would I do without you, ma soeur de coeur?"

Sylvia's smile was tender, her dark brown eyes shining with unshed tears of her own. "And I, you, ma chérie Eli." She brought Eli's hand to her lips, brushing a feather-light kiss across her knuckles. "Tonight, we soar together on wings of stardust and dreams."

Eli's heart swelled with gratitude and a love so profound that it knew no earthly bounds. She would dance, laugh, and twirl. But deep down, Eli knew the true sorcery lay not in the sumptuous fabrics or glittering adornments but in the profound bond she shared with Sylvie—a love that transcended mere friendship. It was this consecrated connection that had conjured such breathtaking alchemy, transforming ordinary cloth and metal into talismans of power and self-actualisation.

Next, Eli delicately dabbed 'Soir de Paris' by Bourjois onto her wrists, the throbbing pulse points where she could already feel desire quickening like a drumbeat. A few sparing drops were placed behind her ears, at the base of her throat where she could feel the fragrance's warm caress, and finally along the sensitive inner curves of her elbows.

This classic scent, introduced in 1929, wove an olfactory tapestry of jasmine, ylang-ylang, Turkish rose, violet, peach, cedar, vanilla, musk, and bergamot around the young Breton woman. Its floral and powdery notes intertwined in an intoxicating pas de deux, creating a sweet, spicy, and fruity main accord that seemed to unfurl new facets with every inhale. The fragrance transcended time and space, evoking the elegance of a French princess draped in plush velvet yet also coiling around Eli with the earthy sensuality of a woodland nymph.

Eli's nostrils flared as she drew in the rich, heady aroma. "Mmm, Sylvie, you've truly outdone yourself", she purred. "This scent is utterly divine...dangerously so. I daresay every man at the ball will be powerless before its siren call."

Sylvie's tinkling laugh was pure sin given breath. "Precisely my intent, ma chérie." With a wicked grin, she traced a fingertip along Eli's collarbone, where the perfume glistened like dewdrops. "Tonight, you are an empress in the flesh, and I, the humble artist who adorns your canvas."

Before leaving their shared bedroom, Eli, filled with breathless wonder, picked up her clutch. But this was no ordinary clutch – it was the 'Pochette Constellation Poussière d'Étoiles', selected with Sylvia's reassurance and painstakingly crafted by the inimitable Mademoiselle Élise herself.

Fashioned from the very same midnight blue silk as Eli's gown, the clutch mirrored the ethereal fabric of the night sky itself. Glittering silver beadwork formed intricate constellations – Orion, the fearless hunter, Cassiopeia, the regal queen, Draco, the fearsome dragon – each one twinkling with its own cosmic tale to tell. The gleaming silver clasp was embossed with a celestial circle enclosing the initials 'E.E.', and its closure took the shape of a falling star, as if plucked from the very heavens.

When Eli carefully clicked the clasp open, she gasped in delight at the tiny mirror nestled inside – a portal revealing a sudden, radiant vision of her own breathtaking beauty refracted through the lens of celestial bodies.

As she cradled the 'Stardust Constellation' clutch in her hand, the young Breton woman felt a profound sense of awe and power ripple through her core. On this enchanted Christmas Eve night, beneath the glittering chandeliers of Trevelver Castle's magnificent halls, she would carry far more than a simple silk accessory. No, clutched in her grasp, was nothing less than a uniquely crafted talisman, a piece of magic as eternal as the stars themselves, imbuing her with the courage to step fearlessly into her destiny.

Eli stood before the ornate mirror, her freshly-cut auburn bob framing her delicate features like a fiery nimbus. The room itself seemed charged with the electric potential of anticipation, the very air thrumming with unspoken promises and possibilities.

With Sylvie's deft hands and keen eye, Eli had been transformed into a vision of sophisticated glamour, poised to steal the spotlight and leave all who beheld her breathless at the Grand Ball. Her most intimate confidante fairly glowed with pride, flitting about the room in a flurry of motion as she made the final, precious adjustments to Eli's exquisite midnight blue silk chiffon confection.

"There..." Sylvie murmured, her fingertips ghosting reverentially over the fine fabric as if bestowing a benediction. "Now you are truly ready to lay claim to the night, ma chérie Eli." Her warm brown eyes shone with unshed happy tears. "An empress among ingénues, a masterwork made flesh."