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:

• "Visible Monday" over at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style - I'm certainly visible!
• Allison's "Fresh Fashion Forum"  over at Sidney Fashion Hunter - check it out, more stylin' peeps!