New Tattoo: I woke up like this

My friend Eli is a tattoo artist (he did my Spock tattoo, and my Swiss Chalet cuckoo clock tattoo) and he recently posted a photo  on his instagram of a tattoo he had drawn for someone who didn't show up for the appointment. I instantly fell in love with it and picked a day to go in,  but then I had a hard time deciding what I wanted it to say in the heart. I tossed lots of stuff around from "Phyllis and Priscilla" to " Duh" to "Be My Baby" as a tribute the Ronettes, etc. But I finally landed on this:

One, because I love Beyonce and that song is one of my favorites (you can see the video here) and two as a kind of self love reminder to myself. I've struggled with self acceptance for a long time, and though I have made some real strides in the last few years, I always need a reminder to be kind to myself.
I really love how this piece turned out. I probably wouldn't have picked that yellow color but he suggested it and it looks so good! Over the years I've learned it's best to find an artist who you trust, give them a basic idea, and let them make something beautiful for you instead of having ever single detail picked out before you go in.
It is kind of hard to tell in that photo but it is pretty big, and under the knee on my left leg. You can see it better here:

Dang! Now that leg looks a little busy (my big Audrey 2 piece is on that thigh) so I'll have to get something big on the other side to balance it out. If you are in the area check Eli out! He works at Safe House Tattoo and is really talented and fun to talk to. We actually talked a little too much and he had to bump the girls who were coming in after me. To get, you won't believe this, flawless tattoos! Isn't that crazy!
I have been a little nervous about getting my shins done but it wasn't bad at all! I can't wait to get something on the other one.
Here is the original drawing if you are curious. I think it was meant to be mine!

A day in great detail

When I had a live journal I was obsessed with the Day in the Life communities. Basically you took tons of photos of your day, showing every little detail. I remember my favorite community had a 100 image limit and sometimes it was hard for me to narrow it down! Haha, I've never been good at editing.
I decided to try and document my day last Friday, my day off. Here goes!

One of my favorite things to do when I'm off is go get the dogs from their room when I wake up, put them in bed with me and read for a few hours. Phyllis and Priscilla love it!

Finally decide to get up about 10:30. I let Scampi in our room too, she loves to lay on my pillow with me. Which is why we keep her out at night.

Late breakfast and more reading. I'm super into the Rip's Big Bowl cereal right now. I bought a bunch of boxes when it was on sale at my Whole Foods. It's especially good if you load it up with fresh fruit.

Always there, always lurking.

Getting ready for the day. Remember my goal this year is to get over myself and do what I want without worrying about looking dumb? So I've been wearing cat eyes and lipstick most days. I've been listening to my spotify dance party mix all day every day! We finally bought a Bluetooth speaker so I can easily have a solo dance party. 

I always have an audience. Priscilla was sitting on my feet.

I decided to head out to an estate sale that looked pretty good. It advertised a 70 year accumulation, 50's and 60's stuff, so I thought I'd give it a try. I listened to Rupaul's podcast on the way. It is the best.

The drive took me way out of town, down near the Natchez Trace parkway. I bet it would have been a nice drive in the spring.

I made it!

It was a big bummer. 70 year accumulation my foot! There was almost no furniture, and just a few tables of items in each room. The basement was perfectly cleaned out! I saw a couple cute things. Like that little guy with the trumpet.

And that embroidered kitty towel. Look at this picture I'm so mad I didn't notice the folding rack it is hanging on! I've been looking for one of those for a few months! Dangit!

This sign made me laugh.

I carried this pot holder around for a while. It is so cute! But I really don't need another pot holder that is too pretty to use. I have a whole drawer full!

Here is all I bought. Two Golden Books from the 70's for a buck fifty each. Eh. Not worth the over an hour round trip. Oh well.

Went to the grocery store on the way home to get some supplies to make a vegan strawberry coffee cake. But then I couldn't find non-dairy yogurt so it had to wait a few more days.

Pups are ready to be fed, even though I was only gone two hours.

Check the mail, my tickets to Drag Race: Battle of the Seasons came! It isn't until March but I can't wait! Bonus it is in Louisville!

It is such a beautiful day! It was overcast here for the last two months and I'm happy to see the sun out. Take the pugs into the backyard for a potty break. No matter how nice it is outside, they are always eager to go back in so they can fall asleep on the couch.

I sit with them and start up a documentary. I'm trying to clear off our Netflix queue. I watching nothing but Gilmore Girls for a while and now the queue is over 200 deep! This one is called Crazy Love about an insane obsessive relationship. Watch it, it's bonkers! Then make it a double crazy feature and watch Tabloid.

Made myself some fries and a grilled cheese for lunch. Fellow vegans, if you have not had the new Field Roast cheese product Chao yet, run to your local health food store! It is AMAZING. I also treat myself to a Bundaberg ginger beer. Travis doesn't like them because they are too spicy, but they are perfect for me!

Travis came home around 4? 5? And I got distracted and didn't take any photos for a little bit. We went to the bargain matinee of Inherent Vice. I LOVED it! For a lot of the film I was totally confused but still enjoying myself, which doesn't happen that much for me. Joaquin Phoenix is so good in it. Totally recommend.

I got a Barnes and Noble gift card for Christmas so we went there to spend it. I didn't have any books I wanted so we looked at games. Why are all the board games 40 to 70 dollars??? Has it always been like that? What is going on?? I did see anything I wanted that was a reasonable price so was about to walk out when I saw this:

Isa Moskowitz is the queen of vegan cooking and I have been wanting this book since it came out! I had totally forgotten. I have most of her other books and every single recipe I've tried is amazing. She is actually coming here to do a cooking demonstration in just a few weeks and I'm dying to go but it's really expensive.

They ordered pizza several times in Inherent Vice so I was in the mood for a slice. We went to Mellow Mushroom and they sat us all alone in this weird back room in a booth for 10 people. There was a bunch of stuff stacked up in there to like it was a storage room. So strange. The pizza was good though!

We got one with daiya cheese, artichoke hearts, and roasted red peppers. Yum! After we ate we headed home and probably sat on the couch for a while, then went to bed. What a fun day.
I'm off again tomorrow and am determined to make the most of it because after that I'm working seven days in a row. Ugh. 

Rare Bird Antiques

The Rare Bird in Goodlettsville is one of my favorite sources for vintage in my area. It is about 15 minutes north of town, but worth the short drive. There are lots of hip vintage shops popping up in town, but I still prefer malls like this. The prices are usually so much better!

One thing I really love about Rare Bird is the HUGE selection of dead stock stuff and old packaging. They have tons in every category you can imagine.

 A whole shelf of antique soap and detergent products! So cool.

I love that Monkey Jungle sticker. It looks like it is still open, but they don't have chimps playing guitars or riding bikes anymore.

I was hoping to find some vintage Christmas on clearance but there was almost none. I was tempted by this little stocking but it was stained and priced a little high.

 I would love to have this concrete poodle to sit by my back door.

 Travis found this Victorian monkey fur capelet! So cool! And kinda gross. And nearly $200.

 Love that Panda with the google eyes.

 The packaging on the parakeet food was killing me. It is all so cute!

 Here is what we brought home. Two cactus glasses to replace the two of mine that Travis broke.

 A silly little skunk I couldn't resist for 75 cents and a funny little honeycomb ornament.

 And a few vintage photos for my collection. I especially like the chihuahua lounging in the back yard.

Rare Bird Antique Mall

212 South Main St., Goodlettsville, TN 37072

Life Lately

I'm pretty excited for 2015. We're only about two weeks in and I've already marked my calender up with lots of fun plans. I'm also in love with my calender this year. It is from Parlor Tattoo Prints, check out their shop, there are so many good things! I want that Kirk/Spock print BAD.

I didn't make any resolutions really last year, but this year I've got a mantra of sorts: Whatever Forever. Which for me is all about getting over myself and doing what I want to do and not worry about what people think. Which isn't as serious as it sounds, haha! It's mainly about how I dress and look. I got rid of a bunch of clothes that make me feel frumpy and gross, got some new glasses (the top left and bottom right) and bought some lipstick. I've always been really self conscious and worried I "look weird" so I let that hold me back. Not this year! We'll see how it goes.

I finally took my Christmas decorations down and put the poodles back up.

It took me about a week to get everything put away, the animals loved it! Scampi made several beds out of the bubble wrap laying around, and at one point Priscilla perched herself on my pom pom wreath.

One of the best gifts I got this year was a few pieces of wall paper from my grandparents house! They moved into an apartment and the house is getting redone with all white walls. I'm heartbroken! But I'm so happy my aunt brought me some of this extra paper they found in one of the closets. I'm going to frame it.

Travis bought me some Lush bath bombs for Christmas and now I'm addicted! I'm letting myself use one once a week. Reading in the bathtub with a bath bomb is so relaxing and wonderful.

We've had two "planning meetings" at two different Chuy's with Crystal and Marc. Crystal and I are finally going to get matching BFF tattoos this year after talking about it for probably 15! And we are also planning our group vacation for this year. We're going to stay in a cabin in Asheville!

Someone at work gave Travis this wind proof suit to wear when he rides his scooter to work. Sadly the torso part was too short for him, because it's so cute! I tried to get him to just deal with it, haha!

We had about a week of temperatures in the teens which is unusual for Tennessee. We were all whining about the cold, and I loved bundling up the dogs. Doesn't Phyllis look cute in her sweater?

That blanket is very popular with the dogs in this house. We dog sat Chloe again and she spent most of the time bundled up under it.

Old dog lady gang.

And here we are, watching Lord of the Rings at our friends house in novelty socks. My friend Dana got me those pug ones and I LOVE them so much!

I hope 2015 is treating you well so far!