: an opinion or suggestion

Advice

noun \əd-ˈvīs\

: an opinion or suggestion about what someone should do

After talking about my newest tattoo, I've had a few people message me asking for tips about getting a tattoo. So here you are folks...

Disclaimer: I am not a tattoo artist nor am I a professional or expert. This is based solely off my tattoo experience.

Before:

• Do your research! Make sure the tattooist is licensed and the shop is legit. 
• Use common sense when picking a design. Small details will one day become blurred no matter how good the artist is.
• Please don't get your significant other's name unless you've been together 50+ years. It'll be a beeatch to get removed or covered once he breaks your heart.
• Placement. Placement. Placement. 

Day Of:

• Wear comfortable clothes. Depending on how large the tattoo is, you may be sitting there for a while.
• Personally, I like to bring my own pillow. I've been in many different positions when getting tattooed and I don't want to be lying on the same pillow that 1,000 others have used.
• Take acetaminophen before going. It'll help. A little.
• Make sure you watch the artist open a new needle. If it's a good shop, they'll automatically do it in front of you.

After:

• A few hours after you get home, wash it with Dial Antibacterial Soap (the gold one). Do not re-bandage; airing it out will help the healing process. Wash your tattoo 3-4 times a day. My rule of thumb was when I woke up, after I got home from work, and right before bed. 
• Do not take a bath, go in a swimming pool/hot tub, or soak that body part for a couple of weeks. Make sure it's fully healed before doing so.
• Keep it moist! For the first 5-7 days, use A&D Ointment or Aquaphor. Once it begins to peel is when I switch to Lubriderm Fragrance Free Lotion. 
• Artists will tell you to not cover your tattoo with a bandage after he/she initially does. Personally, I prefer it to be covered if I'm wearing tighter clothing to prevent it from rubbing. I've had zero problems with this however everyone is different.
• Once your new tattoo starts to peel, don't pick or scratch at it! Pulling pieces off can pull ink out, leaving you with a fudged up tattoo. Although it should be a given, don't shave that area for a few days. Your skin is trying to heel itself, shaving can cut it and delay the process.
• Show that bad boy off!

Good luck folks! 

If you're in the Western NJ/Eastern PA area, I have some artist recommendations. Email me at 90percentblonde[at]gmail[dot]com for names and shop info.

: a brief but intense infatuation for someone

Crush

noun  \ˈkrəsh\

:  a brief but intense infatuation for someone, especially someone unattainable or inappropriate.

Man. Crush. Monday.

NPH / Richard Rawlings / Scott Marshall
RDJ / Gerard Butler
Tommy Helm / Anderson Cooper / Jesse James

And of course, my main squeeze, Beau

Love you honey!

Who is your man crush Monday?

A Quick Sunday Social...

1. What is your ideal way to relax?

Snuggled on the couch with my puppies. I'd like Beau to be home too so I'm not worried about him however he can sit somewhere else - I'd like the couch to myself and my girls, thank you.

2. Where is your favorite place to be?

Ver-gin-i-ay <3

Aka: Virginia. 

Where time moves slower. 

Where you can order sweet tea that's made correctly. 

Where you can bump into someone and they will apologize because they were raised with manners. 

3. Who do you consider your biggest role model?

Hands down, my mother. She's an amazing person and has taught me unconditional love.

4. What does your life look like in 3 years?

Hopefully... Married and a homeowner.

5. If you could go back and change one decision, what would it be?

I'd probably go to college. Then again, I know many people who did and are now paying student loans while making less money than I make. Maybe just some classes.

6. What is your biggest accomplishment in life thus far?

Becoming the person I've become. I'll be the first to admit that I sometimes didn't hang out with the right people and I could have gone down a very different path. 

Hope everyone enjoys their Sunday!

: a direct or personal written or printed message

Letter

noun\ˈle-tər\

:  a direct or personal written or printed message addressed to a person or organization

Dear bed: We have a hot date tonight which I plan on continuing late into the morning. Please don't be late.

Dear tattoo: You can stop peeling and itching now. No really, any time now would be fabulous. So this is what being a snake would feel like...

Dear Frozen: I finally jumped on your bandwagon and am completely obsessed with you. I, however, do NOT want to build a snowman as I am completely over winter!

Dear pants button: It was really unnecessary for you to come off yesterday. Thank goodness for co-workers (Hi Kaitlin!) who have a needle and thread in their desk drawer!

Dear Monster Energy drink: Thank you for giving me energy. And by energy I mean the ability to keep my eyes wide open even though I feel like I am sleeping.

Dear hottest security guard: I have no words for you. Rawr.

Dear Saturday: I'm ready for YOU!

: to mark or color...

Tattoo

transitive verb \ta-ˈtü\

:  to mark or color (the skin)

As most of you know, I'm an inked up freak lady. It's who I am and who I'll always be since you know, they're permanent and all. Although I'm two years older and wiser (just let me run with it) than the last time I got a tattoo, I will always have the itch -- no, not that kind of itch. Anyway...

 

I scratched it. 

 

Like a little kid with chicken pox.

Like a man and his balls.

Like a flea infested dog.

 

Introducing, Ello Governor, modeled after the S&W Governor which shoots .45 ACP, .45 Colt, and .410 shotshell...

I've been planning it for years however money was tight plus I wasn't going to just visit any Joe-Schmo to tattoo a huge black blob resembling a man shlong on my thigh. 

I'm over the moon pleased with how it came out and I can't wait for warmer weather to show this bad boy off. Just not around my dad - he doesn't know yet. 

Daddy, if you're reading this, just remember that I'm your baby girl and I love you!!

 

Update: I told my dad... I should have taken an anxiety pill first. He's cool with it - I mean, it's there now so what can he say. Meanwhile, I felt like I was fifteen, failing GED school, and telling him I'm pregnant with twins.