🌹

Iris Rose-Berry aka your friendly neighborhood chocolatier. ½ of the cool aunt duo and ⅓ of the three musketeers. [Fictional roleplay account only]

[iristhechocolatier]

OOC: As I'm not actively in the OOC blog, this is just a general post for those who don't already know to say that I've decided to step down as Iris and leave What If. It's nothing personal, just not really feeling it anymore. Who knows, I might come back at some point but for now Iris has had a good run. I appreciate the friendships, connections and plots I've made here and wish you all nothing but the best for the new year and beyond. ✌️

[iristhechocolatier]

Jules: Yay, you! Make that personalized gift! And if you want an extra set of eyes on the box hunt, let me know.

Jules: Oooh, that does sound fun. Definitely include that in the Memory box.

Iris: You know I will! I won't turn down your help, between the two of us we should be able to push through the crowds.

Iris: I can be prepared way way in advance for our anniversary.

[iristhechocolatier]

Jules: You could absolutely pull a memory box together precisely /because/ you can keep adding to it after you give it to her. That's the whole point of a memory box.

Jules: I do like a good list, though.

Jules: How many of the dates on this list do you think Breeze would like?

Iris: Update - Okay so I've been working on it and putting some things together for the box… I think I might actually have it ready for the big day. Appreciate your faith in me. All I need is the box itself but I'm hoping I can grab one before the stores close. If I have to pull an all-nighter to make this the perfect present then I will! And thank you for the idea, you're so good at this stuff!

Iris: It's a '100 dates' scratch off bucket list. Could be fun for us to try new things, she's always saying I should be more spontaneous. I got Rachel and Quinn something similar last year and I think they like it. From what I can tell there's suggestions like camping, cooking class, paintballing, hot air balloon rides… we certainly wouldn't be bored! Think I'll save it for next year.

[iristhechocolatier]

💋

Muse Headcanons for the Holidays

💋 Has your muse ever been caught under the mistletoe? Did they initiate or was it the other person? Was it nice or awkward?

She has, both as the one to initiate and as the person on the receiving end. Although she is not really a fan of the concept of the Mistletoe tradition. The first time she experienced it was at a Christmas party (and parties aren't exactly her scene), she can't remember if drinking was involved and that might've given her the confidence to go through with it but it was away from all the noise. It was with someone she'd had a long-time crush on and knew about it so it could’ve been a lot more awkward than it was.

[iristhechocolatier]

🎄

Muse Headcanons for the Holidays

🎄 Does your muse decorate? Do they get a tree? Real or faux?

It's a faux traditional tree with decorations that match the color scheme of the interior of the house. The tree is the first thing to be decorated. Her first Christmas with Breeze and Gabe, Iris suggested they each find an ornament that best represents their personalities and every year since they've hung pride of place on the tree and it's not hard to see who's who.

[howtodisassembleyourdeviant]

Muse Headcanons for the Holidays

🎄Does your muse decorate? Do they get a tree? Real or faux?

🎉 Does your muse celebrate with lots of friends and family or do they stick to something more modest? Is it out of religious reasons or for the season of kindness and compassion? Or perhaps for the Jolly Prowler? Maybe for the pagan traditions of Yule?

✨ Does your muse like Christmas lights? Have they ever been to a festival of lights or plan to go to one? Do they drive around the neighborhood looking at their neighbor’s displays?

🧣 Does your muse get snow where they live or is it too warm? Do they travel to a warmer/colder climate?

🧤 Has your muse ever built a snowman? Or an army of them? Have any memories of snowball fights? If your muse lives in a warmer climates, do they have any festive outdoor activities they’ve done?

🧦 Does your muse wear cozy clothes for the season? How does your muse relax on chilly days?

👔 Does your muse go to Christmas parties? Business or just a friendly gathering? Do they dress up or go casual? Any embarrassing snapshots or memories?

💋 Has your muse ever been caught under the mistletoe? Did they initiate or was it the other person? Was it nice or awkward?

🎵 Does Christmas music drive your muse nuts or do they like it? Classics or remakes? Do they sing along? Annoy friends or coworkers with it?

🗡 Has your muse ever thought about ‘taking out’ Santa? If they’re on the naughty list, what put them there? Do they want off or are they content to be on Santa’s bad side?

🥧 Does your muse have a big feast or a small meal? What do they typically have? Do they do the cooking or someone else? Do they help or are they disasters in the kitchen?

🍻 Does your muse drink? Are they the type to just get a buzz or are they going to get completely plastered and wake up after New Year’s?

🍪 Does your muse bake cookies? Are they good at it? Homemade or premade? Do they decorate them or do they let someone else do it? Do they leave any out for Santa?

🎅 Does your muse believe?

🗺 Does your muse have a tradition that they have stuck to, no matter where they go? What makes them nostalgic? Do they like thinking of the days gone by or is it full of painful memories?

☃ (Ask your own!)

[iristhechocolatier]

Jules: Thank you. And good call on the jacket, too. If Breeze loves it as much as you say, she might not appreciate getting a replacement for it. Even--and possibly especially--if it's in need of replacing.

Jules: if that's the case, you're better off waiting for some random afternoon where you can get her to come along shopping for something you need and 'accidentally' come across the coat you want for her.

Jules: But first, Christmas! I reckon your best bet might be something more personal than anything you can get from a store.

Jules: With Breeze's schedule, something like a surprise weekend away somewhere is going to be hard to arrange, which leaves crafty goodness. Something heartfelt and personal. And as delicious as your chocolates are, it should be something a little more permanent than a box of your hand-crafted finest.

Jules: Maybe a memory box? You could fill it with little knick-knacks and bits from special places/events in your life together, throw in some photos, and maybe a few i.o.u's for future memories (like a surprise weekend away for the two of you when y'all know Breeze is going to be free).

Jules: top it off with a charm bracelet (or some new charms if she already has one--bonus, you could make the charms yourself for that extra personal touch) or the like and I reckon you're good to gift.

Iris: She doesn't exactly wear a lot of jewellery, well except the shield necklace I got her which she never takes off, and chocolates are the one thing I feel like I can never buy her, she tries enough samples for me and enjoys enough freebies as it is! Do you see why I'm having a hard time?

Iris: She does look hot in a leather jacket but I think I'll avoid it for now, it's like a staple part of her overall look so I don't want her getting the wrong idea. For all I know she might've held onto it all this time for sentimental reasons. I could slip an IOU for a shopping date into the memory box.

Iris: Speaking of sentimental, do you really think I can pull a memory box together in a matter of days? Because it's a really lovely thought and luckily I do have momentos from over the years but I'm worried I'll still be cutting it close.

Iris: It's my own fault really. Unless... I make a start on it and explain to her that it's something we can work on together. I could even add new things every birthday or anniversary from now on too.

Iris: Alternatively I did find a 'Dates To Go On Bucketlist'.

[iristhechocolatier]

wrenabrams​:

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Not going to stop you. Fully support it even… especially if you rescue it from a local shelter. 

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Oh yeah, for me a rescue dog would be the only way to go. There’s a debate going on in my household about I’ve been promising a dog for a long time but we can’t decide between a cute little one or a cute one that can also act as a ‘guard dog’. Tell me all about your furry best friend.

[iristhechocolatier]

jasperxstjames​:

Kids are amazing, aren’t they?! It’s such a shame that somewhere down the line so many of them start loosing that pureness that they have inside of them because of the world around them. Aww, that’s so sweet, there should be at least one of those stores in every town. Just in case there’s a toy emergency. (nothing wrong with a naming your bears Teddy, it’s a cool name! I had a pet dino named Rex. One guess as to why…) I love doing days like that, you get to connect with them on another level and hopefully it helps them to not be so afraid of going to see a doctor themselves next time they’re in the hospital.

They have their moments. It is, that's why it always amuses me when a kid comes out with something so brutally honest because they just thought of it instead of worrying about saying the wrong thing. Seeing the utterly carefree attitude come to life is something I miss in adulthood, I think we should find a way to inject fun childhood activities into our everyday lives again. Yeah, my hometown was kind of old-timey like that, at least what I can remember of it was. They always made my much loved teddy good as new. No one likes going to the doctor's really but I imagine it helps more than they actually realise. It's like a distraction. Are you one of those people who gives out lollipops or stickers as well? Anything to encourage them. I hope they leave you handwritten thank you notes.

[iristhechocolatier]

Jules: Alrighty then, what all have you already crossed off your list of potential gifts?

Iris: That's the thing, usually I think I'm pretty good at gift giving but this year has me stumped. I even offered to take her shopping so she could pick something out but her schedule's been crazy lately so it's not like we've had the time. She's not exactly hinted at anything either, which would help. I did think maybe a new leather jacket because she practically lives in the one she has now but I'm not convinced. It doesn't feel 'special' enough. I know Christmas isn't all about the gifts but she deserves something nice.

Iris: Quick thinking on the text by the way. 🤫

[iristhechocolatier]

mackpuckerman​:

Like, I get forced to deal with people day in and day out for work, why would I want to go out after work and deal with more people? Friends are where its at, but I also don’t have a lot of  those, and those I do have would never successfully get into one room, just due to distance and work schedules. It is. Bars and clubs are weird places to meet people, but especially the older you get. Spilled alcohol and other substances, unfortunately, are why the floor is always sticky. I don’t think you can unstick a floor after a while. Think it just gets permanently stuck like that. They’re loud and uncomfortable. I don’t hang, often, but if I’m going to, it’s going to involve moonshine, my floor, music, and probably a bong.

To anyone else we probably sound boring and antisocial right now but that's exactly my thinking. Don't get me wrong I appreciate those I do have in my life and I'm more than willing to make time for them but In really enjoy doing stuff alone, going to the movies alone, shopping sprees alone, you name it. Trying to schedule anything with more than one friend is also a heck of a task. I feel like you have to be a confident person to go to a bar specifically to meet people and I don't know about you but I am not, never have been, never will be. Gross but that explains it, yet another reason why I no longer see the appeal. Sounds like a chill night.

[iristhechocolatier]

franniefabs​: 

They say opposites attract and I feel like this is more what they mean, y’know? I pull her out of her bubble and she reigns me back in. Much as I imagine you and Breeze are. They know we’re still in the process of renovation, so we have that going for us, at the very at least. And I think the first part of this post is the real reason I shouldn’t rely on candles. Yeah, I’ve got a lot on my plate and it’s all my fault, which… story of my life. I just do it, somehow.

That they do and people like us are living proof it's true. Breeze does say I'm the calm one in our relationship, the one who reminds her to slow down every once in a while. Whether she listens is another story.  Can't complain too much though, I am the one who married her after all. Now here I am basically telling you the same thing. Good thinking giving them advance notice though. Keep us updated on how the renovations are coming along. When you say more than just candles… what else caught fire? Or do I not want to know?

[iristhechocolatier]

inkstainedfingersfabray​:

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Which is why I have been quiet this last bit. Between cooking, baking, and last minute shopping–and yes, three weeks before the big day still counts as last minute–I have been a busy little Christmas elf.

And anyone who think it’s too early is officially a Grinch.

And now I have that song in my head. Sounds like someone’s in the Christmas spirit! When one holiday ends another one begins. This is exactly why I’ve disappeared over the last few weeks as well. It’s a busy time. I’m not a Grinch, I promise! I hope you’ve been enjoying the festive hot chocolates too of course. But Juliette we have a slight problem... I still have no idea what to get for Breeze. Help!

[iristhechocolatier]

magicaldaniharperwhatif​:

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As its mine, if I have ever time i’ll make sure to pop up and check it out but its a bit hard as I am on tour at the moment.

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Oh well there will always be other displays. I will say though that it does - and I don't mean to brag - definitely look better in person than on Instagram. Will you be home for the holidays? I hope you're having a blast but get to recuperate your energy.

[iristhechocolatier]

jasperxstjames​:

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I love a good window display. They make it fun to go out and actual go into a shop instead of online shopping. How long do you work on your shop’s window display? 

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I like seeing how decorative it is and how creative people can get. It entices you inside which is something Amazon can't exactly do, not in the same way anyway. I've noticed some empty storefronts where the windows are now displaying art or graffiti art, have you seen those? I like them. We've always decorated the shop for Christmas because all of us get very into this time of year with it being busy but I guess you could say that only recently have we really started putting effort into our window displays at people's suggestion. Plus apparently they like the aesthetic for Instagram. I think I'll make it a tradition from now on, even if the process can be a little stressful. It's all hands on deck until it gets done. This year we've probably been working on it since Halloween, maybe even before that and it was installed just a few weeks ago. I don't like to get it ready too early because I don't want to be one of those business owners who shoves a holiday or occasion down customers throats first chance they get but the reaction to this one has been pretty great so far so I'm happy. If you’re in the area you’ll have to come check it out. I think my other stores have their own displays up so we’re all different.

[iristhechocolatier]

Text to Aunty Iris

Quinn: So....

Quinn: I was thinking...

Quinn: I want to offer chocolates to Rachel and Moriah for Christmas.

Quinn: No, won't be the only presents. But I was thinking about something... Personalized? Makes sense?

Quinn: Something that would be just for them, and no one else?

Quinn: Makes sense?

Iris: Ohhh personalised chocolate, nice! And easy too. For a second I thought you were thinking of proposing again or something.

Iris: Any ideas what you want it to look like? Something that feels like Rachel and Moriah. Or do my wonderful chocolate chefs have free reign?

Iris: And speaking of the holidays, I've told Rachel but you're more than welcome to spend it with us if you like or don't have other plans.

[iristhechocolatier]

franniefabs​:

I think so, yes. I’m thankful that there’s not much I need to be doing regarding Sassy Nights, in terms of the physical of it all, but implementing new standards of operation and all of that takes being there every night or every other night, and sometimes during the day too. But overall it’s going well. Then with holiday stuff, it’s less about food, since Yule is somewhat traditionally a potluck, but my house not being a disaster area is… My doom piles have maybe gotten out of control and half the house is still technically going through some form of construction, because I wanted a big house with a lot of land, I found that, just in fixer-upper form, so the past year and a half, outside of business, has been me doing that. Thankfully, there’s enough of the house in good condition to house guests without issue, but making sure what is available is looking nice feels like a much bigger task than I particularly want to take on. But I did this to myself. She does. She’s always been the more collected of the two of us and there’s no way all of that comes with age, though I’m sure some of it does. She knows who she married, at the very least. I’m sure once I hit the actual time crunch of her family coming in I’ll get everything done and it won’t take nearly as much as I expect it to, and then I’ll be able to enjoy myself, but until then…

Ok then, good. I think she likes being the spontaneous one in our relationship anyway. Oh yeah I totally understand the dedication it takes and what it knocks out of you. That's without ongoing renovations on the side or having to start thinking about the holidays. A potluck is a good idea but as for the house I don't know what to suggest… I don't know, cover up the parts you don't want them to see and light a few candles to make the place smell nice? Actually no, that would be too easy and obvious and it's better to avoid any potential fire risks, especially with the inlaws around. I honestly don't know how you're doing it all, Frannie although I gotta say I admire you for having a vision and going with it. It'll work out , just keep thinking about those sweet bubble baths.