✩ ⋮ BEACH BUNS.

IRIS ROSE KARAM twenty six ✩ australian raised in hawaii ✩ traveller former marine biologist owner of the bad beach cafe in ocean park boulevard ocean lover, free spirit, surfer, boho babe & caffeine addict

[iriskaram]

CAROLINE

“Hence another reason why I love this season. All the wonderful flavors. It’s like prime flavor heaven for something like me. It inspires me to try every possible Autumn recipe I can get my hands on.” Between that and Christmas Caroline loved nothing more than being in a kitchen. “Hmm honestly I’ve never thought of that before. Although knowing me I would be so worried about messing it up and feeling like I was disrespecting the traditions.” 

"I’ve always wondered if it was possible for chef’s to run out of recipe options but I think you’ve solidified the fact that it is in fact not possible at all. Which I suppose only stops as far as your imagination is willing to take you, right?” She questioned almost rhetorically but still looking for some sort of answer, “Something I’ve learned is that many places are welcome to the idea of others trying their traditions as long as they don’t try to alter them in ways where they can be marketed. More so for just the experience and sharing with loved ones.”

[iriskaram]

L‌OGAN

Logan pauses for a moment, thinking. “I’ll give people pumpkin pie, but it’s gotta have a shit ton of cool whip on it. Other than that?” he shook his head, “No thanks to pumpkin.” Give him anything in pie form? He’d try the hell out of it. But that was a rare exception. “Oh, one-hundred percent. They’re not afraid to market the hell out of something even if it means over-saturating the market.” The mechanic lifts a curious eyebrow next, “Maple, huh? That actually doesn’t sound half bad. I’d take it over pumpkin any day of the week.”

"One of the girls that works for me swears by her pumpkin pie with nutella on top so maybe you can try that and see if you can at least have options,” she commented with a simple shrug of the shoulders but she’d tried it on apple pie and it tasted wonderful so she assumed it’d work for pumpkin to some degree. “But it wouldn’t be the end of the year if that wasn’t happening. I mean, I went somewhere the other day and they already had their Christmas decorations on sale right next to anything halloween-y,” she paused, smile widening slightly, “You should definitely try it! I’ve become a big fan of a maple and mocha frappuccino because all you need is a tiny bit of maple and it’ll still pack a lot of flavor.”

[iriskaram]

DANA

“Some say luck, other’s say it’s based on the plays. Then there’s the players as factors. One side of the team might not be as strong as the other side. For example, a team’s defense could be really strong but the offense could be lacking in some parts or vise versa. That’s why it’s important for a team to have a strong team on both groups of players.” 

The others explanation was almost completely wasted on Iris even though she was doing her absolute best to actually understand what the other woman was saying. But it just wasn’t happening. “And how exactly do you know if a team is strong with both of those factors? What if you just end up rooting for a team that doesn’t have one or the other? Wouldn’t that just be a waste of time if they don’t have that in their favor?”

[iriskaram]

jasper

“Okay, okay. So, I used to be addicted to soap,” Jasper started, only a hint of a smile as he gave the opening line of the joke, and after a brief pause delivering the punch line, “But I’m clean now.” Jasper knew it was a cheesy joke, but he loved jokes that were so bad it made them funny. Letting out a laugh, he grinned at the other person. “Sorry, you looked like you needed cheering up.” 

Her head was killing her and she still had to figure out a way to make her halloween decorations make sense outside of her house. Maybe she’d have to stick to carving some ugly pumpkins and setting them on her porch like she’d done the year before. But she hadn’t noticed how the misery had transferred to her face but it was the others words that made her look up in surprise, “I’m sorry you used to what?” Iris initially asked but slowly, the misery faded away and she was soon feeling a smile tug onto her lips and a soft laugh shortly followed, “I mean, you wouldn’t be mistaken considering I feel quite shit at the moment but you certainly know how to do it. I genuinely believed it too considering I once watched this thing about a lady addicted to eating paint chips.”

[iriskaram]

KADEN‌

“Ideas…..” The word ghosted over her lips, Kaden’s brow furrowed so furiously it was enough to give her a headache. Pen upside down, she proceeded to push down the clicky-top of the pen against the table, dulled barely by her notebook and still creating an obnoxiously loud noise in the otherwise quiet ambiance of the cafe. “Scuse me–” She called out to the person wandering by. “Would you do me a favor–what’s three things you’d get from a bakery? Promise it’s not like a setup for a joke or anything.”

Pulling her hair over her shoulder, Iris had been pushing buttons on her calculator for almost thirty minutes trying to work out the numbers for the month when she’d gotten up to get herself yet another iced caramel latte. As she walked back to her seat with the beverage, the sound of someone else soon halted her steps as she drank from her metal straw briefly, “Oh, that’s so easy! It mainly depends on the mood I’m going for but I’d say it’s a tie between a butter croissant, a cheese danish or a chocolate chip muffin. Maybe if I’m feeling adventurous I’d try one of those weird breads with spices but... normally it’s the former.”

[iriskaram]

Three people you would fuck without consequence?

The average person would give solid answers or swerve the question in a different direction but sex was something Iris was highly indifferent towards. Maybe it stemmed from her past relationship and all the negative things that came with it but last she recalled, it didn’t make her feel anything at all. Maybe it stemmed from her sexually where she needed a strong connection first. Who really knew. “Nobody. I don’t really have sex nor do I need it so it’d be a bit pointless for me to mention people.”

[iriskaram]

SUMMER‌

Summer had lost track of how long she’d been waiting in line for her coffee. The barista obviously new and getting confused when any complicated orders came their way. But it was okay, she could deal with that, she knew how it was. Admittedly she’d started to tap her foot several moments ago, and then glanced at her phone; once, twice… It was her turn. Order placed, she made her way to the end of the counter to wait for the large americano, idly munching on the pastry she’d picked up as well —- tearing pieces off and popping them into her mouth intermittently.

When she finally had her coffee in hand, she made her way towards the door, expression stony, a purpose in her step. And that’s when the small child came running straight into her. So concerned she was about to throw scalding hot liquid all over them, she managed to throw it all over herself instead, eyes falling shut and a strung of very quiet curse words leaving her mouth. Great. “Could this day get any better…?” she finally murmured, shaking her head for a moment.

Deciding that she needed to take a weekend trip somewhere, Iris had been planning her little adventure most of the day while she’d be running errands simultaneously but her brain was getting far too drained from everything she was attempting to accomplish. Having had her first coffee almost at the crack of dawn - if not earlier - she’d been making her way to a random coffee house when a child had gone whizzing past her make her move in time to avoid being collided with. However, the woman ahead hadn’t been as lucky. “Oh my god, are you alright?” She instantly asked as she walked over, looking through her bag to see if she had any extra napkins. Finding one, she held it out for the woman, “I only have this one but maybe it’ll help in some way. I could run in and get you more if you need some. Or... perhaps another coffee since you’re wearing your old one instead.”

[iriskaram]

What is your current relationship status?

A soft hum emitted from the woman’s lips as she kept her gaze focused on her cell phone where she was far to engrossed in Mario Kart, “As single as one can be.” And too emotionally damaged to bother changing that, she thought to herself.

[iriskaram]

LEYLA‌

open starter 

location. brewery301

“Leyla, don’t! Leyla!” Leyla didn’t listen, her smile widening as she weaved through the crowded bar. It had been a while since she had gone out for the night. The past few weeks had been spent getting her new headquarters ready, her head stuck in numerous proposals and plans. Her head had started swimming with all of the information. When an old friend had called to invite her out to drink, she jumped at the chance for a little reprieve. 

Her friend still called to her behind her, but her eyes were set to one target sitting at the bar. She’d already had a couple drinks and the confidence willed her feet forward until she finally met her destination. She tapped the person on the shoulder, unable to see their faces as they faced the opposite direction. “Hey! Sorry to bother you, my friend there…” Leyla frowned as she turned and found their table completely empty any evidence of her company’s presence gone. “Is a complete dick, apparently.”

Slowly, Iris had built up the habit of going to a bar at least once a week as a way to destress herself from the pressures of running her cafe. At times, it helped considering she got to socialize but at other times, it only made her feel almost pathetic when she could be at home cuddling her dog and bingeing netflix. Something she deemed far more productive but equally as time consuming. Sat at the bar, the woman had her leg crossed over her knee as her nails slowly tapped away at the glass before her that was almost completely empty when she felt someone tap at her shoulder, making her turn around to look at the other with a soft smile, “I feel like we’ve all been there so maybe they just aren’t really into the whole bar vibe,” she quipped, her australian accent heavy from the alcohol in her system. “But there are quite a few people here so I’m sure they’ll come find you again soon? Maybe?”

[luxky]

[iriskaram]

MARCO‌

As Iris finished up, Marco chose to take a seat for a little while, not wanting to stand around twiddling his thumbs while he waited. He was glad she was actually able to join him, he’d needed a break away from everything —- an excuse to escape the pressures of his life right now. His dad was feeling better, but somehow that was making things worse. There were constant arguments about how he couldn’t do it, he needed more time, any reason his mother could think of really. When Iris reappeared, he had to laugh a little at her words, shaking his head. “I’m being rude, huh? Don’t know about that,” he mused lightly. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a little surprise. But fine, a hint, if you really want one… it’s near the pier.”

With her bag in her hands, the woman was quick to swing it over her shoulder and position it in a way where it sat comfortably across her body before pulling her hair out from underneath the strap. Since moving to Santa Monica, Iris’ life had almost become stale thanks to living via a routine instead of her old life where she’d plan a trip and go the next week anywhere she wanted. But the efforts to change it were there. “Hmmmm, no, you’re one hundred and ten percent being the most rude,” she countered almost childishly before settling into a more normal and soft expression, “I never said there was anything wrong with them, I just like to think about possibilities on the way there. But now that you gave me my hint, I won’t ask another thing about it.” Raising a finger, she placed it over her lips.

[iriskaram]

HENRY

There were a limited number of situations where Henry enjoyed seeing someone else’s tattoos — usually when he’s asked to see something, or been given an appropriate amount of time to consent to it. More often than not, it was on their arm or somewhere visible, but this wasn’t the first time someone had lifted their shirt to show off some ink. And while he understood the urge, having as many tattoos as he did, he never knew quite what to do. “It happens,” he drawled, his relief obvious in the way his shoulders drooped. It was a risky move, stopping a stranger for help, but luckily for him, it had paid off. “I hope everything’s alright at work,” he said with an easy smile, using all his acting skills to make it not obvious he had no idea what she even did for work. “This lovely woman was just… helping me pass the time until you arrived,” he said and turned to the woman, who still hadn’t lowered her shirt, “which was very nice of you, but we really must be going.”

Acting had never been her forte but Iris was more than able to pull out charisma from nowhere in order to ensure that someone else got away from a tough situation. Hopefully one day another stranger would do the same for her. “Oh, it’s perfectly fine now. I told them if they bring drama into the workplace again their fired and since they’re teenagers, it worked like a charm,” she mused simply with an innocent little shrug to boot. Brown eyes turned towards the woman and while she had to commend her confidence, now wasn’t the time. “Well, then that’s great! I was worried that you’d just get bored and leave before I managed to get here. Your tattoo is lovely but... perhaps a photo is best to show people next time? You could catch a cold,” she commented casually before placing a hand on the mans arm to symbolize they could walk any direction and it’d be fine, “Have a nice night!” were her last words to the woman. 

[iriskaram]

BROOKLYN

“Truthfully I think the only one’s we can blame for this run in is our phones. I mean I don’t know about you, but I totally blame them for being distracting.” Brooke chuckled. “I clearly should of taken a minute to lower my phone from taking photos to see where I was going.” she took a quick check to her phone just to make sure it was okay before looking back at the other girl. “Is your phone okay as well? It didn’t drop and crack or anything did it?”

"Oh, no, I definitely agree with you. I feel like the world would have far less accidents if people weren’t so attached to their cell phones. I once heard this girl say she’d been without a cell phone for one whole day and she felt like dying - as if it was that important,” she mused with a slight shake of the head. Not that she was like that but the dramatics of others certainly made Iris wonder where society was going. Nodding briefly, she was quick to wave it off once more, “I think if mine had fallen on the floor it wouldn’t have done much damage considering she’s already a little ruined,” she told her, holding up the phone that had a crack going across the side of it that spread into the middle, “Maybe it would have been more of an incentive to buy a new one.”

[iriskaram]

DANA

“Oh course. Nothing better than traditions.” she smiled before taking a bit of her snack. “Um not really. Every team and game is different. You sometimes get the teams that are under dogs and end up beating a top ranked team or you have two really great teams that go head to head and make things just as exciting.” While most people found it annoy when people asked questions about the game during the time it’s on, Dana didn’t know after all sports was not everyone’s thing.

The others explanation on the game itself was something that made Iris sit there with a rather confused expression considering it was basically like talking to her in another language. Talk to her about anything else and she’d be fine. “So... basically, it’s just a matter of whichever team has luck on their side and is able to get enough of those touch things before that time thing is up? I’m sure there’s some skill to it but... it seems like it’s more luck based?”

[iriskaram]

EMMA‌

Emma heard the girl’s Australian accent and immediately perked up. Someone not from around here was less likely to have fallen prey to this brand of stupidity. “You’ve lived here three years? You brave soul,” she said jokingly, smiling.

"I feel like I’m meant to say unfortunately but I’ve actually grown to quite like it here,” she retorted as her smile grew ever so slightly, leaning her cheek against the palm of her hand as she propped it up on the table, “It’s nothing compared to where I used to live or anywhere else I’ve been but it’s not the worst either. I mainly like it for the beach aspect, if I’m being honest.”

[iriskaram]

CAROLINE

Caroline nodded. “Yeah I try to stay away from Pumpkin themed desserts this time of year because most are so over done. But it’s still a great ingredient to use I think.” The girl briefly pointed her pen towards the girl. “Caramel and cinnamon, now those I can easily get on board with. Those are other great autumn flavor.” She wrote them down her book so she couldn’t forget. “Oh I know, probably Autumn and Winter are my 2 favorite times to change up  my menu because there’s so many festival flavors to and experiment with.”

Listening closely, Iris blew a small huff in order to get a random hair out of her face, mind mulling over all the possibilities that were in store in terms of autumn. “They are! I’ve tried my very best to get myself to like things like maple and apples since they’re quite popular this time of year as well but they just haven’t quite made me go wow.” Leaning back in her chair, Iris continued, “Oh, I can only imagine all the interesting things you could come up with. And that’s only if you stick to things here in America, imagine all the potential if you expanded to other countries holiday traditional flavors.”

[booksquoteslove]

“‘I’m not going to die,’ she said. ‘Not till I’ve seen it.’ 'Seen what?’ Her smile widened. 'Everything.’”

— V.E. Schwab, A Darker Shade of Magic