I got my tattoo when I was 21. I like to call myself a trailblazer or the first tramp to get stamped. Only kidding, sort of. I am so old that I got a tattoo on my lower back before the term "tramp stamp" became popular.
I got the tattoo because I was feeling restless and rebellious, not trampy. It was in the fall of my last year of college. It was a time of anxiety about what life would look like after graduation. I was ready to leave college, but not sure what life was going to look like. Everything was going to change and I sort of wanted to prove what a badass I was. Like a tattoo would say "look out world, I can take what you throw my way." Or at least that's what was going through my 21-year-old brain.
I showed up at the tattoo shop with about $20 in cash and dreams of getting a beautiful Celtic symbol inked onto my back. The symbol was on a necklace I got in Ireland while studying abroad the year before, it signified neverending life. I was so deep. But the long haired young guy in a T-shirt who ran the shop said that they symbol would cost me about $100. I was deep, but I was also pretty broke and $100 was way out of my budget. Long-haired, T-shirt guy pointed me to the books full of examples of tattoos sitting on the glass coffee table. Being the deep chick that I was I found the perfect Asian symbol for my back, it supposedly meant "to enjoy oneself." Deep, broke and dedicated to remembering to have fun, and tattooed for life.
I loved my tattoo. Even after it faded. Even after the whole tramp stamp stigma became popular. Even after I moved to the suburbs, got married and had four kids AND drove a minivan. Actually maybe it all made me love it more. It was my ode to my inner badassness. I always wanted another one.
Now, I am feeling restless and rebellious again. Everything is changing. My kids are getting older and I'm getting older too. And just like Stevie Nicks sings about, I'm handling the seasons of my life and I'm getting bolder. Turning 40 helped me let go of some of my hang ups, set new boundaries, be less afraid and more hopeful....about some things. I admit to feeling a bit anxious about parenting teenagers, paying for teenagers, entering a workforce (if someone will hire me) after not working in an office in a decade, peri-menopausal hormones and a few other things. I think it's time. Time for a new tattoo to say "look out menopause and teenagers, I can take what you throw my way." Not literally of course. I mean I know there is a big trend to get quotes tattooed on your body. I thought about it. I wrote things on my arm to test it out. But it just didn't feel right.
So I asked my friend Liane, who is an artist, to draw a tattoo on my arm to see if I would like it....she drew a feather and I LOVED it. We got the idea from Pinterest.
Yup, this week's Pinterest Poser Challenge* is Tattoo Inspiration. I kind of look at Pinterest like the books of tattoo examples on the glass coffee table the long-haired, T-shirt guy directed me to almost 20 years ago.
According to Pinterest, the feather symbolizes freedom, power, wisdom, honor, trust and strength. Oooh, I like that. There were also pins about Psalm 91:4 which says "under the shadow of your wings, I will find a hiding place." That is good too. Then there's the whole Emily Dickinson connection, you know "Hope is the thing with feathers."
I'm still a poser because I haven't gotten the tattoo, yet. But I'm feeling it hard and all I want for Christmas is a feather tattoo.
Because I mentioned it, here is one of the greatest songs ever, Landslide.
I got the tattoo because I was feeling restless and rebellious, not trampy. It was in the fall of my last year of college. It was a time of anxiety about what life would look like after graduation. I was ready to leave college, but not sure what life was going to look like. Everything was going to change and I sort of wanted to prove what a badass I was. Like a tattoo would say "look out world, I can take what you throw my way." Or at least that's what was going through my 21-year-old brain.
I showed up at the tattoo shop with about $20 in cash and dreams of getting a beautiful Celtic symbol inked onto my back. The symbol was on a necklace I got in Ireland while studying abroad the year before, it signified neverending life. I was so deep. But the long haired young guy in a T-shirt who ran the shop said that they symbol would cost me about $100. I was deep, but I was also pretty broke and $100 was way out of my budget. Long-haired, T-shirt guy pointed me to the books full of examples of tattoos sitting on the glass coffee table. Being the deep chick that I was I found the perfect Asian symbol for my back, it supposedly meant "to enjoy oneself." Deep, broke and dedicated to remembering to have fun, and tattooed for life.
I loved my tattoo. Even after it faded. Even after the whole tramp stamp stigma became popular. Even after I moved to the suburbs, got married and had four kids AND drove a minivan. Actually maybe it all made me love it more. It was my ode to my inner badassness. I always wanted another one.
Now, I am feeling restless and rebellious again. Everything is changing. My kids are getting older and I'm getting older too. And just like Stevie Nicks sings about, I'm handling the seasons of my life and I'm getting bolder. Turning 40 helped me let go of some of my hang ups, set new boundaries, be less afraid and more hopeful....about some things. I admit to feeling a bit anxious about parenting teenagers, paying for teenagers, entering a workforce (if someone will hire me) after not working in an office in a decade, peri-menopausal hormones and a few other things. I think it's time. Time for a new tattoo to say "look out menopause and teenagers, I can take what you throw my way." Not literally of course. I mean I know there is a big trend to get quotes tattooed on your body. I thought about it. I wrote things on my arm to test it out. But it just didn't feel right.
So I asked my friend Liane, who is an artist, to draw a tattoo on my arm to see if I would like it....she drew a feather and I LOVED it. We got the idea from Pinterest.
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| Liane and I got together to draw tattoos and talk about life in a coffee shop. I got the most delicious latte flavored with honey and cinnamon. |
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| Doesn't this say badass? |
Yup, this week's Pinterest Poser Challenge* is Tattoo Inspiration. I kind of look at Pinterest like the books of tattoo examples on the glass coffee table the long-haired, T-shirt guy directed me to almost 20 years ago.
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| This is a pretty feather, but I'm determined to get my feather on my arm. |
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| Photo source- click here. This phrase means "she flies with her own wings." |
I'm still a poser because I haven't gotten the tattoo, yet. But I'm feeling it hard and all I want for Christmas is a feather tattoo.
Because I mentioned it, here is one of the greatest songs ever, Landslide.
*In an attempt at not being a Pinterest Poser,** every week I detail a new project/idea/recipe inspired by Pinterest.
**My definition of a Pinterest Poser is someone who is all pins and no substance.
Have you made anything or been inspired by Pinterest lately? Let me know in the comments or over on my Facebook page.
Come follow me on Pinterest (click here).
Here are some of the Pinterest projects I've done/made/attempted.
Taking Pictures of Your Kids- click here
Gluten Free Pretzels- click here
Cinnamon Sugar Doughballs- click here
Painted Lockers- click here
Make An Awesome Omelet--click here
Outdoor Lights Inspired by the show Parenthood- click here
Herb Garden with Chalkboard Pots- click here
Backyard Graffiti Art with kids- click here
Happiness Notecards- click here
Nail Art-click here
Seven Layer Dip in Individual Cups (my favorite so far!)-click here
The pumpkin address-click hereThe Kitchen Dancing Sign--click here
Melted Beads- DIY Suncatcher- click here
Tissue Paper Pom Pom Garland-- click here
A Delightfully Simple Birthday Party--click hereMake An Awesome Omelet--click here
Outdoor Lights Inspired by the show Parenthood- click here
Herb Garden with Chalkboard Pots- click here
Backyard Graffiti Art with kids- click here
Gluten Free Rainbow Cake- click here
Fruit Roll-Up Fortune Cookies- click here
Make Your Own Magnets- click here
DIY Painted Clay Necklace- click here
Dixie Cup Lights- click here
DIY Ornaments-click here
Gluten Free Clay- click here
Make Your Own Stamps- click here
Birthday Shirt- click here
Birthday Shirt- click here
Gluten Free Pop Tarts- click here
Front Porch Kid Art Display- click here
Door turned into Table- click here
Front Porch Kid Art Display- click here
Door turned into Table- click here
Summer Wish List Chalkboard-click here
Peanut Butter Nutella Cookie Sandwiches-click here
Painted Mason Jar Vases-click here
Cinco de Mayo Paper Flowers- click here
Earth Day Cupcakes- Click hereNail Art-click here
Homemade Photo Booth Fun- click here
Fake Bangs- click here
DIY Subway Art- click here
Furniture Painting and Bench/Chest Makeover- click here
Thanksgiving-y Project/Gratitude/Holiday Countdown- click here
The Smoothie-click here
The Smoothie-click here
The Free Printable Turned Artwork in a Boring Hallway- click here
The chalk board-click hereSeven Layer Dip in Individual Cups (my favorite so far!)-click here
The pumpkin address-click hereThe Kitchen Dancing Sign--click here
My dad and I danced to Landslide at my wedding <3
ReplyDeleteI love the feather. I hope Santa brings it for you (I haven't worked out the logistics of Santa bringing a tattoo... a gift certificate to a reputable artist? said artist sitting patiently under the tree Christmas morning?) And just so you know, you're badass with OR without a feather on your arm.
First, I love this series. To which I'm new. I'm always surprised by the number of people who admit they've never actually attempted anything they pin. What's the point of pinning, then? Posers.
ReplyDeleteSecond, I adore the feather tattoo and all it symbolizes. I was talking to my ex over the weekend about this little niggling idea that I have to get another tattoo - I have a claddaugh "tramp stamp" if a symbol for love, loyalty, and friendship can be considered trampy due to location alone, which it probably can - but that I'm not certain what I would get. If I start stalking your tattoo board in a year or two, you'll knowing the niggling idea got a little more solid.
Third, here's a link to something a Pinterest inspired project. http://www.inmandyland.com/2014/04/how-to-make-super-awesome-and-portable.html
I got my first tattoo at 28, on our honeymoon. I've wanted another ever since and the color has faded on the first so I want it spruced up. I love your leaf and the saying.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the idea of a feather! If I were to get a tattoo I might copy you on that. So pretty. I would have to get a really little one though, I am such a wimp!
ReplyDeleteI cannot wait to see your new tattoo!! :D
Gorgeous!! I hope you get it.
ReplyDeleteAnd GET OUT. I got my first tattoo (a CELTIC symbol on my BACK) when I was 18. I was deep, too, but I could afford it because all of my bad influence guys friends chipped in to get it for me for my 18th birthday.
I still want another one on my arm/wrist. I don't know what. But they're so pretty.
My friend (who co-owns the studio where I workout) has that feather on her side like in the picture you have. In fact, it's identical except my friend's feather is a gorgeous blue color.
ReplyDeleteTattoos aren't MY thing for my body but I love what your friend drew on your arm: it looks beautiful! Can't wait for the Christmas tattoo update! :)
I think you should get it!
ReplyDeleteMy first tattoo is a Chinese character and I got that when I was 21 too.
I love that feather so much I almost want to copy you. I have zero tattoos. Christian and I considered getting tattoos for our 1-year anniversary (steadfast rule NO NAMES), but never did. It's something I could only go through with if I was super comfortable and happy with the design and meaning and location. Yours is super cool and definitely meaningful.
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ReplyDeleteThe layer of skin that the ink is infused to is known as the dermis, which is a more profound layer of skin that is entirely steady and makes the tattoo remain unmistakable for all time.
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