On Friday, I headed to town to meet up with Elaine at an art show that our former art teacher was doing at a local boutique. It was sunny but with a chilly wind (welcome to July on the West coast), so I covered up:
I had a quick browse through Value Village (nothing), and shopped around with Elaine for a while before stopping for a beer. So lovely.This is my parachute skirt (last seen here), my sparkly sequined tank (last seen here, last August!) and my denim shirt tied around my waist. So good for keeping the tattoos out of the sun.
I added my fringed sandals (last worn a couple of weeks ago) for a bit of boho:
I walked to town in these and shopped for hours - no pain!I bought this awesome handmade leather cuff at a market downtown for $15: 
It's by SkinzNhydez Steampunk Gear - hi, Ian! He was one of the artists who participated in the Art Gallery event I went to a few weeks ago. I wore the cuff all afternoon.
It's by SkinzNhydez Steampunk Gear - hi, Ian! He was one of the artists who participated in the Art Gallery event I went to a few weeks ago. I wore the cuff all afternoon.Shirt (Esprit, consignment), tank (Costa Blanca, consignment), skirt (Cute Options), shoes (Kenneth Cole Reaction, consignment), cuff (SkinsNhydes Steampunk Gear).
On Saturday, we did our usual breakfast out. I wanted to show my ink a little, so I broke out the halter top dress:
I have had this dress for a few years now - it's survived many a closet cull. I last wore it almost exactly a year ago!
How pretty they look:
Of course, I can't actually expose that much skin to the sun - it's bad for my skin (melanomas run in my family) and it's bad for the tattoos.
Aside from sunblocking up (SPF 50, baby!), I have another weapon in my arsenal:
See it sitting beside me?
It's a parasol!
My city has a Chinatown - very old, and in places, quite seedy. It's also got some amazing shops and is fully of little hidden gems. I got this paper and bamboo parasol in one of the tourist shops several years ago for $9.99.
I opened up most of the ones in the baskets to find the one with the best design (the quality varied greatly):
This parasol has saved me so many times from harsh sun, most memorably at our friend Chris' outdoor summer wedding where 3 other guests huddled under it with me to keep from burning.
On Saturday, we did our usual breakfast out. I wanted to show my ink a little, so I broke out the halter top dress:
I have had this dress for a few years now - it's survived many a closet cull. I last wore it almost exactly a year ago!How pretty they look:
Of course, I can't actually expose that much skin to the sun - it's bad for my skin (melanomas run in my family) and it's bad for the tattoos.Aside from sunblocking up (SPF 50, baby!), I have another weapon in my arsenal:
See it sitting beside me?It's a parasol!
My city has a Chinatown - very old, and in places, quite seedy. It's also got some amazing shops and is fully of little hidden gems. I got this paper and bamboo parasol in one of the tourist shops several years ago for $9.99.I opened up most of the ones in the baskets to find the one with the best design (the quality varied greatly):
This parasol has saved me so many times from harsh sun, most memorably at our friend Chris' outdoor summer wedding where 3 other guests huddled under it with me to keep from burning.Dress (Vero Moda), shoes (Kenneth Cole Reaction, consignment).
On Sunday, we met up with friends for breakfast. Not wanting to do the parasol thing twice in a row, I opted for the tied-up menswear shirt over my other halter dress:
I liked the very balletic look of this. It was wonderfully cool and swooshy.
Despite the seeming modesty of how this looks in photos:
...this is a boobtacular dress. I never wear it without something over it (last worn with a sweater over it here).
On Sunday, we met up with friends for breakfast. Not wanting to do the parasol thing twice in a row, I opted for the tied-up menswear shirt over my other halter dress:
I liked the very balletic look of this. It was wonderfully cool and swooshy.Despite the seeming modesty of how this looks in photos:
...this is a boobtacular dress. I never wear it without something over it (last worn with a sweater over it here).It does show off my back very well: 
I don't have a lot of clothes that will allow me to show off my tattoos - and I'm not really going to start wearing backless to work or anything, so aside from some party occasions, this is about it for building outfits around my tattoos. I just had to do it, though, hee!
I don't have a lot of clothes that will allow me to show off my tattoos - and I'm not really going to start wearing backless to work or anything, so aside from some party occasions, this is about it for building outfits around my tattoos. I just had to do it, though, hee! Dress (Ricki's, consignment), shirt (Banana Republic, thrifted), shoes (Ingledews, consignment), rose (Roberta's Hats).
Today, Monday, I mostly stayed home and hung out with L. It was very relaxing. We did have to go get groceries, so I put something decent on:
My silver and gold ornamented tee and my purple fluttery skirt (last seen here).
Today, Monday, I mostly stayed home and hung out with L. It was very relaxing. We did have to go get groceries, so I put something decent on:
My silver and gold ornamented tee and my purple fluttery skirt (last seen here).Tee (BCBGMaxAzria, consignment), skirt (Le Chateau, consignment), shoes (Indigo by Clarke's).
Great ways to let your awesome new tattoos get some attention. I particularly love the red polka dot dress, and the wedge fringed sandals. You know me, I would wear those together. :)
ReplyDeleteOMG, so much styling beauty to behold. That first outfit knocks my socks off, I love the color combo and the texture mix. YAY for parasols, and ballet flats - those are killer-cute.
ReplyDeleteHow is my kitten?
Oh, I love that red and white dress. And the parasol? Delightful! A marvelous accessory. Feminine and useful. I need to get me one of those...
ReplyDeleteThats what I need some sequins in my life!
ReplyDeleteI love that you put your parasol to use! I need to be brave and break mine out, too.
ReplyDeleteYour tattoos look stunning with those backless dresses. And hooray for parasols! I have one too and it's a lifesaver when I'm out in the sun all day.
ReplyDeleteWow! The dresses are beautiful! Can't even decide which one I like better. Both look fantastic on you.
ReplyDeleteOMG.... I can imagine you walking down the street in those glorious sun dresses with your back exposed and the parasol.... what a marvelous sight !
ReplyDeleteThe purple sequin top is so perfect with that skirt. Love the bracelet. That dress is always my fav. If you ever decide to get rid of it, email me first! It may not be my size, but I got a sewing machine and I'm not afraid to use it.
ReplyDeleteThe parasol is a great idea for blocking the sun and showing off your tats! I love that you paired a tee with that insanely amazing skirt. Some serious kickass styling going on last week!
Oh! I've been trying to ask people, but you're the only one I know who has a shoulder blade tattoo: How has it been covering it up? Does the fabric stick to it much? I've been wanting one where you have your salamander, but have worried a bunch about potentially needing to cover it/sleep on it/etc.
The red and white dress, with parasol, is my favorite of this bunch! But I like the ballet look too and I covet the purple skirt.
ReplyDeleteLove the khaki green with the purple! And love the shoes in all the outfits!
ReplyDeleteI love the contrast of the ladylike dresses with the badass tattoos!
ReplyDeleteAnd I envy the parasol- I've always wanted one, but it hasn't happened yet.
Kristen, thank you! I might just have to do that...
ReplyDeletePatti, thank you! Our kitty is fine. :)
Ally, thank you! Hmmm...I could send you one?
Lesa, definitely!
Kasmira, I like the new icon! Get that parasol out!
Audi, thank you!
Sal Kaye, thank you so much.
Lorena, aw, that's so sweet. :)
Megan, thanks! Ha, I will, for sure. Thank you!
Terri, thanks!
Paula, thank you.
'Doll, that's what I like too. :)