What I Did This Week #6.

1. I finally used my foot spa- that I got off my parents for Christmas. I've always just used a washing up bowl in the past (classy) so it was a real treat to use this, I've been missing out! I found it super relaxing (note this was before I got tattooed).

2. I bought a L'oreal lips haul- I don't know what possessed me really but I'm glad I got them. As I've been working all week I've not had chance to try them all out but I'm super excited about wearing the L'oreal Rouge Caresse in Rock n Mauve it looks stunning!

3. I finally found the NYX stand in Next- I've been wanting to try NYX products for agesssssss and I finally got my hands on some products including this stunning eyeshadow palette. I can't wait to go back and buy more!

4. Quelle surprise, I went shopping- and bought two, yes two coats in one week! I've never been a fan of coats as I don't think they suit me but over the past year my collection has gone from one coat to about ten! This super cute pink one is from Matalan and the checked one was from New Look and was £17 in the sale!

5. I got tattooed- it was all a bit stressful as I wasn't booked in even though I should have been and had email confirmation proving it but what can you do! I'm super happy with the result and am currently experiencing the itchiness of the healing process.

I hope you've all had a good week- thanks for stopping by x

Day In The Life.

I documented my day yesterday so I thought I'd share it with you lovely people! It ended up being a bit of a mixed up day in the end and I was knakard but hey ho! Firstly, I worked 7am-2pm (no photos) thennnn I went into town to get tattooed. Due to a mix up at the shop, I had to wait a few hours to get tattooed so I went and did some cheeky shopping! 

I finally found a NYX counter in Next which is super exciting as I've wanted to try loads of their products! I decided to play it cool and buy this eyeshadow palette and matte finishing spray- I cannot wait to try them! I am in love with this clutch from New Look but I stopped myself from buying it- I may go back for it soon though. I bought this checked coat that I did not need but it was only £17 in the sale so I couldn't help myself! I only just got this pink coat from Matalan earlier this week- naughty naughty. Finally, I got tattooed, getting some script on both legs. Then I finished the day with a takeaway and then dyed my hair. Wowsers I've been busy! Hope you're ok, thanks for stopping by x

Tattoo things.

As I've just got a new tattoo, I thought I'd do a lil post about all things tattoo. I guess some of the things I'm gonna mention are common sense to some people but to others perhaps new to tattoos, they might not be, so bare with me. Please note, if you don't like, advocate or appreciate tattoos then skip his post and come back next time. Also, I'm not a tattoo artist, any kind of expert or medically trained professional so please take my words based off my own personal experience. If you have any problems with tattoos, please seek the advice of the tattoo artist themselves or see your GP if you think it might be infected or not healing well. 

1. Research, research, research. Now, some people may disagree with me but I personally think you should research tattoo artists, tattoo styles and inspiration before booking in/walking in to get a tattoo, or at least your first one. It took me a good few months of (underage) research before I got booked in for my first tattoo (of legal age). I was then on a year-long waiting list before I actually got my first ever tattoo. It's definitely worth the tedious research and the long wait, remember you're stuck with it for life.

2. A tattoo is for life, not just for fashion. This might just be me having a little rant, but a lot of people seem to get tattoos for fashion or "on trend" tattoos that their fave celebs/fashion models/everyone else has. If you wanna get a tattoo that someone else has and it makes you happy, then that's great; but I personally think that tattoos should be custom drawn art pieces that you and only you have. Just saying.

3. Be willing to travel and pay the big bucks. Again, potentially controversial but if you find a tattoo artist that you love the work of but they live 3hours away and charge £80 an hour, don't settle for a poor imitation, save up and go for it. I can assure you that it will be worth it. Other than my latest piece, my other three tattoos were all done in London at Frith StreetTattoo- a two hour train ride away which becomes a whole day adventure once a year (money permitting). 

4. Does it hurt? Why yes, yes it does. Lets think this through guys,  you're having a needle which is vibrating at an alarming rate dragged through your skin, depositing ink under several layers. But it's worth the pain when you get a beautiful piece of art on your skin. Some people like to listen to music or talk whilst getting tattooed, or take lots of breaks-artist permitting- but personally I like to zone-out and just experience the process as its happening. 

5. Keep it clean. Once the pain is over, it's time to heal. In all likelihood,  your tattoo artist will wrap your new work in cling film and tape you up (to keep any ink or blood in, ew). When you get home, remove the cling film, dispose and rinse your tattoo with warm water. Then, I personally re-wrap it for bed simply to avoid getting ink and/or blood all over my bedding. The key therein is to keep it clean, wash it regularly until it starts to crust over and scab (ewy ewy) then I personally use Bepanthen- nappy rash cream. This keeps your new tattoo clean by providing a barrier to protect it. Try to keep your tattoo uncovered for the first few days if you can, to let the air get to it. You might go red, or swell up but these things are all temporary and should go away after a few weeks. I wouldn't recommend going swimming or exposing your new tattoo to the sun any time soon.

So there's just a few pointers about getting tattoos. I could go on forever with this post but I'd probably end up pissing people (and myself) off so I think I'll leave it at five. I can't wait for my newest tattoo to heal! For anyone remotely interested I myself have: black and grey angels on my feet; a black and grey owl and roses on my arm and now a cat and crescent moon in colour on my leg. I don't like showing blatant photos of my tattoos because they're personal to me and I don't want no copycats! But you might spy them in outfit posts on my blog. 

I hope you enjoyed this post and found it somewhat helpful, it's a bit out of my comfort zone and feel like its just one huge disclaimer but alas, that is the curse of the Internet! I'd love to know what tattoos you have or if you're planning to get any. Thanks for stopping by x

Adventures: Manchester Tattoo Show 2013.

I thought I'd announce my triumphant return *sound the trumpets* by telling you what I've been upto this weekend. On Sunday, I attended the twelfth annual Manchester Tattoo Show with my boyfriend. Although I'm a massive fan of tattoos, I've never attended a tattoo convention before so I was a bit unsure what I'd find. What I did find was stalls of many a tattoo artist, tattoo equipment, aftercare and alternative apparel stalls. It was truly a feast for the tattoo fan's eyes!

So what did I do at the show? Essentially, I walked round and looked at artists' books and flash and looked at the pretty clothes and jewels on sale. My boyfriend and I had talked about getting tattooed before we got to the show but I think initially, we found it a bit overwhelming being offered so much choice and variety of styles! One artist however, had caught my eye from the moment we arrived. Constance Parkin works at Nostalgia Tattoo in Leeds and I fell in love with her neo-traditional gothic influenced work featuring cats, flies and jewels. I decided to take the plunge and get tattooed by her and I was so glad that she could fit me in on the day. This was my first ever colour tattoo and the first tattoo that I've not had planned in my brain for a year in advance! I found the whole process very liberating as spontaneity isn't my forte at all!!!

I'd for sure recommend going to a tattoo show whether you're after getting new work done or simply just fancy a nosy, I'd deffo think its worth attending one. I know tattoos aren't everyone's thing and a lot of people have very strong opinions on them but I'm not writing to start an argument or cause drama, I'm simply telling y'all what I've been upto! I hope you've all had a lovely weekend. 

Thanks for stopping by x 

Style Steal- Kat Von D Shabby Street Look.

 

1. Jacket- River Island; 2. Sunglasses- Topshop; 3. Kat Von D True Romance Eyeshadow Palette in Sinner- Sephora; 4. T-shirt- Van Halen Merch; 5. Handbag- River Island; 6. Shoes- New Look; 7. Jeans- River Island.

I'm one for style stealing- especially of my favorite celebs. Kat Von D has to be my ultimate all round icon but I particularly love the way she dresses. I chose this outfit of Kat's because I think it's super casual but smart at the same time. I've tried to find bargain alternatives on your fair British high street for bargain prices so we mere mortals can replicate this outfit on a budget. Can I just note that the piture of the t-shirt is the men's version of the t-shirt I've linked. I wish more bands did women's jersey style baggy t-shirts because let's face it, most band t-shirts are really unflattering to those with curves. I've really enjoyed putting this outfit together and I'll definitely be doing some more in the future. Hope you've safely got through your Monday.

Night Owl.

Top- Topshop

Pants- New Look

Shoes- Topshop

Jacket- second hand army shop

Ring- handmade by me (pieces from etsy.com)

Nails- H&M Nail Varnish in Blue My Mind and Blue Bliss.

I wore this outfit today to go sneaky shopping in. I wanted to show you my American Apparel disco pants dupes for only £16.99 from New Look! They're kind of like a thick legging material, matte not shiny like the crazy AA ones, with back and front pockets, a zip and button- like regular pants really. They're much more forgiving and less like liposuction than the originals! They're a bit long for me (even though I'm 5.5/5.6) so I've rolled them up at the bottom which I think looks quite nice. I love this H&M nail varnish combo- it's kind of like a dupe for the Topshop Louise Gray nail varnish in Junk Yard which I had my eye on. I've got a haul post coming up from what I bought today cause I did make a sneaky Louise Gray makeup purchase. 

And here's my owl! I dunno if anyone's even bothered about seeing it but here it is. It's not fully healed at all yet, in fact it's just started scabbing over (ewwwww) but it's a lot better than it was on Sunday. What d'you think? Hope you've all had a lovely week so far. 

p.s photo overload!!!

War Pigs.

Dress- Primark

Necklace- Primark

Leggings- Primark

Jacket- second hand army shop

Ring- H&M

Nails- Topshop Nail Varnish in Sketch

So we've all seen that the military trend is back in action this AW; now this typically means fitted military jackets and coats with beautiful embroidery and gold buttons. However, this year the trend has moved from military ceremonial chic to boot camp couture. I love the camo jackets they're selling in Topshop atm (like this one) because they're more fitted and girly but my gosh, at £45-£60 they're expensive! Whilst on holiday, my boyfriend's parents stumbled upon a second hand army shop/mini museum and when they told me about it, I couldn't wait to get there! I bought this jacket for £5 and it's a genuine thick heavy army shirt. It had the Dutch flag on it which I removed because, well, I'm not Dutch. I love how comfy and slouchy it is and how it toughens up a plain dress. I'm thinking about customising it a bit with some spikes and some patches maybe so I'll keep you posted if that ever occurs. My boyfriend bought an army coat which was plain khaki green but it's got a padded inner and will be super warm in winter, I think that was only around £40. I'd deffo recommend you look out for second hand army stores if you fancy anything like this jacket because it's pretty much guaranteed to be durable, well-made and reasonably priced.  

I went down to London on Sunday and got tattooed by Stewart Robson at Frith Street in Soho. Now, there's no point in me posting photos until it's healed cause my arm is black and blue at the minute, but I can safely say that my owl is stunning and I'm totally inlove with it. If you're thinking about getting tattooed then I can't recommend Frith Street enough. Hope you've all had a lovely (although wet) bank holiday weekend!