Sunday, August 7, 2016

Weekend Wrap-Up: Purple Leopard for a Tattoo, and a Chill Sunday

A low-key weekend has been happening for me, and yet it feels like it's been packed full of things. 
This is what you wear to get...a new tattoo!


  • Dress - Zac Posen for Lord & Taylor, thrifted; last worn here for the case|lang|veirs concert in June
  • Blazer (below) - Banana Republic, thrifted; last worn here over the cold shoulder in May
  • Shoes - Half-Truth Veda, Fluevog; last seen here (2nd outfit) in July for the Alt Pride Parade


I had to miss the Ulti game on Saturday morning, because I found a new tattoo artist (Mason LaRose, linking here 'cause I love), thanks to the recommendations from our pals at Floyd's Diner. I met with him a couple of weeks ago, and really liked him and his style. Done! Let's start working on my next project!
Take a good look at those lily white shoulders. They won't be like that for long.

I love this dress, and thought it would be comfortable for lying on a table for 4 hours. I was right.
This also sort of exemplifies my evolving style: a little bit of rock and roll, a little bit girly, a whole lot of funky!

A jacket to cover up from the sun.
It was bright and sunny in the morning, but by late afternoon/early evening it was cloudy and chilly.

One last look at this upper arm.
Sorry, Mom! I seem to be turning into one of those tattooed ladies.

The stuff:
I walked to town and had lunch before my appointment, so needed comfy shoes.

Rocker bling:
And I even wore my seldom-seen watch so that I wouldn't be late!


  • Belt - gift from Ruth
  • Cuff - thrifted
  • Crystal ring - Uffizi Gallery gift shop, Florence
  • Spider ring - gift from Mom & Dad, c. 1984


I took my camera to record some of my tattoo journey. This is Floyd's Diner.
You can't miss it! I had breakfast out on the patio.

Mason rents a chair at Painted Lotus Studios (linking here 'cause I love)
This is the main area of the shop: 
And that's Genghis Shawn, who did my dandelion tattoo a few years ago (here).

I always enjoy the decor in tattoo shops.
My favourite is the sign at the top. It says, "Good tattoos aren't cheap, and cheap tattoos aren't good." Tattoos are typically $125-150 per hour. However, on the whole cost-per-wear they are a good value: over a lifetime, that's pennies!

I had my work done upstairs, where we had a big skylight for natural light (and seagull-watching). Another woman and I were being worked on up there; they put on "Star Trek: Into Darkness" for her to watch (I listened, since I was mostly facing away from the TV).
That's with the purple stencil transferred onto my arm for the guideline. We made it through all the black outlining and shading in 3.5 hours; I'll be going back in about 6 weeks for the colour on this tattoo, then we'll book the other arm.

L picked me up afterwards (I was all taped up for overnight recovery), and we headed down to Lure Patio for drinks and appies with our besties to celebrate our dear friend Nick's birthday.
In silhouette, Cat, Ross and my cowboy L, looking out onto the Inner Harbour (I see that the Coho ferry from Port Angeles, Washington is in).

It's a great view!
In the far distance is Washington State (hello, Seattle!).

From Lure, we strolled across the bridge to town.
A massive yacht is docked in the harbour - and there goes a wee harbour ferry.

We strolled through tourist central:
I like the row of trees down Government Street. Cowichan Indian sweaters are huge with tourists. My mom made my brother and I sweaters when we were kids (they are really hot to wear).

Today, I slept in, then started on my tattoo care: remove the plastic and start washing the plasma off the tattoo.
Once I got all the white blood cells cleaned off (several washings over a couple of hours), I strolled to town to get groceries.


  • Top - Two Women and a Trunk, thrifted; last seen here (4th outfit) in July, although this is basically an around-the-house-only top now 
  • Skirt - Noa Noa; last worn here a year ago July 2015 with cowboy boots
  • Shoes - Born, consignment; last seen here (4th outfit) a couple of weeks ago in July with my purple fluttery silk skirt (enjoy, Chrissy!)

I only wore this top in public because it's very light (barely touches my arm), it's cotton and it covered my arm from the sun.
I love this skirt, but haven't worn it much lately. I think I will keep it, because it's so cool, but I have my eye on you, skirt. You better behave.

The stuff:
Super basic, easy on my feet. I barely wore make-up and also didn't do anything with my hair. This is a stay-at-home all day outfit.


  • Earrings - 5th anniversary gift from L


Okay, you ready? Here's part 1 of my new tattoo.
Once it's coloured, this will be a yellow rose with green leaves. The scroll-work will be parchment-like colours.

The words say, "I am the master of my fate"; this is the penultimate line of my favourite poem ever, "Invictus." Once I have my left arm done (another rose, which will be red), the quote will be completed with, "I am the captain of my soul."
Here is the full poem - it's by William Ernest Henley, and was written in 1875, and I have loved it since I was a teenager. Here's also some info about Henley himself - he is famous for this single poem.
Yes, this hurt, although Mason has a very light touch. The areas where it verges on my shoulder and the thinner skin on the inside of my arm hurt the most.
Wherever the heavier black shading is, that also was quite painful.
Today, I feel like I'm recuperating from a bad sunburn, and my arm is a little achey. I have a couple of weeks of care (washing, then moisturizing while the top layer of my skin flakes off).

I'm excited to get this coloured!

Linking up to:

24 comments:

  1. oh your new art is gorgeous, Sheila - and what a great inspiring poem to carry with you forever! Thanks for sharing, and heal quickly - we all need to see the rose turn yellow. xox

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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    1. Thanks so much, Patti! End of September for the colour. :)

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  2. Your new tattoo looks lovely - looking forward to seeing it all coloured in! :) And that is a really fascinating poem too.

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    1. Thanks, Mica - I have always loved that poem, so I'm thrilled to be able to carry it around with me now.

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  3. Its so gorgeous! Love tattoos :)

    www.fashionjazz.co.za

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  4. Well done! The outline looks stunning--and that is some really top-quality linework. Godspeed with the shading and the other arm.

    I am about 10 days ahead of you in the healing process on a detailed cover tattoo that runs from chest to hip--took 4.5 hours to outline. It already feels nearly healed. I wish my next session were sooner!

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    1. Thanks, Velma! It seems to be healing up quickly. Oh wow, a full chest-to-hip?? I am impressed!

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  5. You look great in that animal print dress -
    Oh new ink ?! I have to say it does look painful - I am such a wimp I could not even get a dot. I hope it heals well and turns out just the way you want it to.

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    1. Thanks, Lorena! The pain is fleeting, like a sunburn - really, it's not that bad after the first day.

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  6. Lovely outfits,as per usual.I like the new tattoo.I didn't start getting inked till I was 52. And I'm not sure when I will stop.I suffer from Chronic Pain Syndrome and having tattoo's is one pain I have control over as well as loving the end result. So it is almost therapeutic. love your Blog!-Pamela-Marie London,UK.

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    1. Thanks, Pamela-Marie! I waited until I was 40, and I'm glad I took my time. That's really interesting that you do this to control your chronic pain. I definitely find mine to be therapeutic. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  7. I'm in awe of you chosing to submit to pain. I'm a baby re pain and couldn't do this ever. It looks very lovely already and can't wait to see the next stage. How brave you are.
    Anna x
    www.annasislandstyle.com

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    1. Brave, foolhardy...two sides of the same coin, ha! It's really not that bad after the initial work is done.

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  8. Truly gorgeous ink. I so adore that you chose to have a line from one of your most beloved poems tattooed on your arm.

    xoxo ♥ Jessica

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    1. The poem is what sealed the deal for me - it had to be something really personal. Thank you!

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  9. Leopard is always right in my book and the tattoo looks amazing! Can't wait to see it finished :) I would love for you to link this post to my weekly fashion blogger link up if you get a chance. http://sydneyfashionhunter.com/2016/08/navy-striped-cutout-top.html

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    1. How can I resist such a lovely compliment and invitation - I'll be there shortly! Thank you!

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  10. Ow ow ow ow OWWWW!!! 3.5 hours of pain? I have a hard time wrapping my head around it. But your tattoo is gorgeous, Sheila!! So worth it. I love the lines you have chosen, from the poem and the ink. Heal quickly! Can't wait to see this finished.

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    1. Oh, aren't you a wuss, hee hee! It goes quickly and is actually quite pleasant. The pain goes away fast. Thank you, dear! I want it finished too - Sept 17th is the colour date!

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  11. wow, this is some art on your arm, love it
    https://lookingfabulousat50.blogspot.com.au

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  12. I have loved that poem for a long, long time, and I adore roses, so I commend your artistic vision with this tattoo! In fact, if I ever got a tattoo, I think it would have to be a rose. Can't wait to see the color "bloom" on that rose.

    I am a little older than you--turn 59 next Monday. Just old enough that I have not felt compelled to join in with the inking that seems to be ubiquitous these days. . . But I seem to be slightly tempted as time goes on.

    Wishing you a speedy healing!

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    1. Same here, Linda. It's a wonderful piece. I'm so excited about the colour - I can't wait!

      I held off 20 years from wanting a tattoo to actually getting one. And then, of course, once I got it, I wanted another, and another, and now my poor mother is horrified at what I'm doing to myself. :) However, my life, my body, and why not? I can't think of a better reason.

      Thank you! Nearly healed already!

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