Weekend links, odds & ends, and a giveaway winner!

<div style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" height="300" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=92a7c361e1&photo_id=6190957412"></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377"></param><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=92a7c361e1&photo_id=6190957412" height="300" width="400"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Henry wanted to try his hand at web-chatting on his own! ;) </span></div><br />Today I head off to Las Vegas, but before I hit the road with Anita, I thought I'd share a couple of odds and ends, and some links!  I'm super excited about this weekend and I can't wait to spend some good quality girl time with <a href="http://twitter.com/anitameans">Anita</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/xoandynicole">Andy</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/BrattneyRenee">Brittney</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/hello_vanny">Vanessa</a>! I adore these gals and I envision tons of fun over the next couple of days! Feel free to follow along via <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/danihampton">Twitter</a> or instagram (danihampton) for fun updates.<br /><br />A couple quick blog-related items:<br /><br />This is just a note for any of my upcoming sponsors- because I'll be away on the 1st, your ad will go up the evening of Sunday the 2nd. I'll leave them up one extra day next month to make up the difference. <br /><br />The winner of the <a href="http://sometimessweet.blogspot.com/2011/09/feature-post-giveaway-handmade.html">Handmade Colectibles $45 shop credit</a> is <a href="http://judahs365dayjourney.blogspot.com/">Jessica West Judkins</a>! Jessica, go ahead and email me at sometimessweetblog @ gmail to claim your prize. Congratulations, and thanks again to all who entered! <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXEFLOaTOBc9cQJeC1yPCReURprwk67YJxBeMQ-vAD-bILoFaGKwZm3WQQZ4Wqhrx0ltMOwNQPZxKgAFxZBN-CjTGnqpSsGBeThYPMgwEMPhq7ayFnqoA1tJ3neM9v9ejba7JlRBv7YY/s1600/peek-a-zoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXEFLOaTOBc9cQJeC1yPCReURprwk67YJxBeMQ-vAD-bILoFaGKwZm3WQQZ4Wqhrx0ltMOwNQPZxKgAFxZBN-CjTGnqpSsGBeThYPMgwEMPhq7ayFnqoA1tJ3neM9v9ejba7JlRBv7YY/s200/peek-a-zoom.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.brightstarts.com/">Bright Starts</a> was kind enough to send Henry a toy to check out, and although I was under no obligation to blog about it, I really wanted to share how much he loves it!  We got it about a month ago, and at first he wasn't sure what to do with the little pop-ups, but now he totally understands to push them down, then pop them back up again. He loves it. I also think the airplane noises it makes are pretty awesome and I'd highly recommend checking out this toy if you're in the market for a fun cause/effect toy for your child, or as a gift for a little one around Henry's age. <a href="http://www.brightstarts.com/">Their website</a> is great too, and definitely worth a look.<br /><br /><br /></div>And now, some links!  I hope all of you have the best weekend - thank of me this weekend as I'm out and about in Vegas. I may pull a slot machine or two, so send me good luck vibes too! ;)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">---------</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">James' "<a href="http://bleubirdvintage.typepad.com/blog/2011/09/bits.html">Bits and Pieces</a>" feature makes me so happy. I love all of the fun glimpses into her family's everyday. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I am loving <a href="http://vimeo.com/23224441">this video</a>- giving old books new life! I immediately thought of one of my favorite literary friends, <a href="http://www.ourcitylights.org/">Diana</a>!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Live in the Phoenix area? Doesn't <a href="http://hibbardkitchen.blogspot.com/2011/09/vegan-restaurant-review-pomegranate.html">this restaurant</a> sound good? It's definitely on our list of must-gos. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Totally enjoyed reading Kelly Ann's <a href="http://www.flowerchilddwelling.com/2011/09/ten.html">10 things</a>. I think I may do this next week! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Okay, how neat is <a href="http://www.hammacher.com/Product/79938?promo=search">this</a>?! I think it would be so useful.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.desirousofeverything.com/2011/09/jumpsuit-friday.html">Jumpsuit Friday</a>? Where do I sign up? I think these women are adorable. <br /><br />More babies in blog world! I am just tickled pink for <a href="http://angelahardison.blogspot.com/2011/09/blog-post.html">this soon to be mama</a>! <br /><br /><a href="http://poppytalk.blogspot.com/2010/05/weekend-project-summery-screen.html">This</a> is a great idea for a cheap update in your home. And a great idea for renters.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/79681209/collar?ref=v1_other_2">Peter Pan collars</a>. For everything you own!<br /><br /><a href="http://blueeyedowlboutique.blogspot.com/2011/09/fall-fest-pinetop-az.html">Liz's post</a> has me wanting to pack up and take a little weekend trip to Pinetop, AZ.<br /><br />I am such a sucker for English Muffins (and butter, yum), that I am absolutely trying out <a href="http://framed-mylifeonepictureatatime.blogspot.com/2011/09/homemade-english-muffins.html">this recipe</a> soon.<br /><br />Seriously loving all of the details in this <a href="http://ohjoy.blogs.com/my_weblog/2011/09/oh-baby-shower.html">baby shower</a>. <br /><br />If you fall, and you love food...then I promise, you'll love <a href="http://www.shutterbean.com/fall-air/">this post</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/52028012/copper-feather-ring">The prettiest ring</a> for a cool $9. Awesome. <br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.theloveliestday.com/2011/09/greige-sherbet.html">Greige and sherbet</a>...I think this may just be my new favorite color combination. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I really enjoy reading all of my <a href="http://sometimessweet.blogspot.com/search/label/journal%20day">Journal Day</a> submissions. This week, I found <a href="http://srslyliz.com/a-story-with-no-happy-ending/">Liz's post</a> to be extraordinarily raw (and so brave). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I always admire all of Jen's outfits, but <a href="http://jenloveskev.com/2011/09/27/style-file-09-27-11/">this one</a> really stands out. The fall colors are so inspiring! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://poppymilkface.wordpress.com/2011/09/25/a-lovely-day-at-the-fair/">This post</a> makes me want to head to the nearest fair immediately! I simply love all of Emily's photos.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And finally, a couple blogs I've been extra-loving lately: <a href="http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/">one</a>, <a href="http://pretty-zoo.com/">two</a> and <a href="http://www.adelinesdaddy.com/">three</a>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I also want to end with my girl Adele's new video. I just LOVE her!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="324" width="575"><param name="movie" value="http://videoplayer.vevo.com/embed/embedded?videoId=GB1411100077&playlist=false&autoplay=0&playerId=62FF0A5C-0D9E-4AC1-AF04-1D9E97EE3961&playerType=embedded&env=0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://videoplayer.vevo.com/embed/embedded?videoId=GB1411100077&playlist=false&autoplay=0&playerId=62FF0A5C-0D9E-4AC1-AF04-1D9E97EE3961&playerType=embedded&env=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="500" height="249" bgcolor="#000000" wmode="transparent"></embed></object></div>

Weekend links, odds & ends, and a giveaway winner!

Henry wanted to try his hand at web-chatting on his own! ;) Today I head off to Las Vegas, but before I hit the road with Anita, I thought ...

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9 to 5: Sarah Fortune Gill, Public Relations Coordinator in the Funeral Industry

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/daniellehampton/6028538790/" title="new feature! by daniellehampton, on Flickr"><img alt="new feature!" height="485" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6123/6028538790_a63cac7b8a.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captainspaulding/5388234534/in/pool-1202254@N25">photo credit</a>]</span></div><br />This week's 9 to 5 lady is one of my favorite online friends, Sarah! I always love following along on all of her traveling adventures via her <a href="http://www.sarahfortune.com/">blog</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/sarahfortune">twitter</a>, and now her biggest adventure (she's about to have her first baby!) is the best yet. Trust me when I say that Sarah is one of THE cutest mamas-to-bes I've ever seen. Or, <a href="http://www.sarahfortune.com/">stop by</a> and say hello and see for yourself! :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMl5M-ZK_L4GOCXr1VukdTladUWRMXjjzm6k4C5QW4vTSzZJ6VoQKOmlvp-i3ar_1aHpIWSRokGTUslzjztcUKsU8AxyOP1BTtEgMEFLih4Gx3bWluRt3MYEYKji8wRV90k95dHt23Rc/s1600/Sarah+Fortune.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMl5M-ZK_L4GOCXr1VukdTladUWRMXjjzm6k4C5QW4vTSzZJ6VoQKOmlvp-i3ar_1aHpIWSRokGTUslzjztcUKsU8AxyOP1BTtEgMEFLih4Gx3bWluRt3MYEYKji8wRV90k95dHt23Rc/s640/Sarah+Fortune.jpg" width="452" /></a></div><br /><i> Tell us about yourself. </i><br /><br />I’m Sarah, but I go by my first and middle name in internet land. Raised by hippies in Memphis, Tennessee I received the middle name Fortune, hence my blog, <a href="http://sarahfortune.com/">sarahfortune.com</a>. Now thirty years old, I live with my amazing, curly haired husband, Todd, in the college town of Fayetteville, Arkansas. I have to say, I never thought I would end up in Arkansas, but I am completely in love with my sweet little town. We’re expecting our first baby, a girl, this October, so lately my blog (and brain) has been taken over with all things tiny and pink!<br /><br />For the past three years I’ve worked as the Public Relations Coordinator at a non-profit organization in the (wait for it...) funeral industry. And that’s not even the exciting part. Truth be told, I don’t work directly with death, funerals, or even the deceased. My company, which has been around for over one hundred years, administers the exam people take in order to be licensed funeral directors across the United States. In my position, I help out around the office with typical day-to-day administrative tasks, but the best part about my job is that I organize our company meetings at various hotels. We typically hold these meetings across the country and it’s my duty to find the perfect location. Now THIS is the exciting part.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyKUq4AacXUZCd_442O0uLPIOpDlONAT_yc7DmoC9-wTwkX1F8PPgl7UkVx5j5XVzzoqMfNrEvXx5VhyUu0ycU0t-j5LtpnPE90g28g_PDSaP6dn024APu0-KY5Tqhe0r0SfXbj8ZIB4/s1600/Scottsdale+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyKUq4AacXUZCd_442O0uLPIOpDlONAT_yc7DmoC9-wTwkX1F8PPgl7UkVx5j5XVzzoqMfNrEvXx5VhyUu0ycU0t-j5LtpnPE90g28g_PDSaP6dn024APu0-KY5Tqhe0r0SfXbj8ZIB4/s400/Scottsdale+2.jpg" width="342" /></a> </div><br /><i>Describe a typical day at work.</i><br /><br />During a normal week, I do the 8 to 5 thing in a small office. When it comes to meeting planning, there is a ton of research that goes into selecting locations before I ever set foot on a hotel property, which I do from my cozy office in Fayetteville. I’m fortunate to love the people that I work with and that I get to wear whatever I want to my laid-back office, which is a major perk if you ask me.<br /><br />But probably the number one aspect of my job is that I am given the difficult task of trying out prospective hotels to see if they would work for our meetings. Is the food good? Are the beds comfy? How are the bath products? Yeah, it can be rough. Meeting Planning is a huge industry and hotels go way out of their way to make sure that you pick their property. The memories I’ve gained from the travel I’ve done are incredible. A champagne helicopter ride over Las Vegas, dinner on the beaches of Maui, and box seats at the 2011 BCS National Championship game in Scottsdale are just a few memorable experiences I’ve had so far in my career.<br /><br />I often work closely with the Convention & Visitors Bureaus of prospective cities, who send out my request for hotel proposals and help me determine what might be the best fit for my group. Occasionally though, I’m invited to attend exclusive Meeting Planner “Familiarization Trips” which are designed to show off a certain city or hotel that maybe we haven’t considered before. These trips are intense, lemme tell you. It’s usually a few days of non-stop tours of hotels, where each one literally wines and dines you. I’m talking the best food, the best drinks, the best VIP concerts (I may have watched Ludacris perform by the Palms pool in Vegas once). While it all sounds like a rather lavish ordeal (and it is), experiencing a hotel first hand truly is invaluable when it comes to making a final decision. And for every fun-filled trip I take, there is a meeting that I meticulously plan out every detail of and then make sure it all folds out according to plan. The act of carrying out the meeting is far less glamourous, full of early mornings, late nights, and aching feet from running around in heels all day. But it’s a great feeling to see an event that you’ve worked so hard on for a solid year come to life, hopefully with no major bumps along the way.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKzJfiK67gfDn9i8QjBXAtsNNfjkfQvoVc-Nc2yxycEt7VU-2ToTkKNIlijndCiUMM3MWjnAENhhu_v2vBRGPdH6g6gkXnxqt5DKtDldkBc14YeBo2q-9kvPGDVyzHJpv7Duv9n3m_nA/s1600/Vegas+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKzJfiK67gfDn9i8QjBXAtsNNfjkfQvoVc-Nc2yxycEt7VU-2ToTkKNIlijndCiUMM3MWjnAENhhu_v2vBRGPdH6g6gkXnxqt5DKtDldkBc14YeBo2q-9kvPGDVyzHJpv7Duv9n3m_nA/s400/Vegas+3.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><i></i><br /><i></i><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2ITo_0Jz0NHSKVWLhB4BwbjLCKIZlpbbjIZTMZLpepzMyk9xeHVuZ6xgdr5B3tWBxAtx6Z5D6YRuCqQIZI7wRCfqZJ14-FSydxRi1iCAuSl0gvf9PyQNNDB68EvXKpJizMxoAD3zOV8/s1600/Maui+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2ITo_0Jz0NHSKVWLhB4BwbjLCKIZlpbbjIZTMZLpepzMyk9xeHVuZ6xgdr5B3tWBxAtx6Z5D6YRuCqQIZI7wRCfqZJ14-FSydxRi1iCAuSl0gvf9PyQNNDB68EvXKpJizMxoAD3zOV8/s640/Maui+1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><i>Did you always want to work in this industry? How did you get into this field? What kind of schooling or background did it entail?</i><br /><br />Honestly, before this job I had NO idea that the meeting planning field even existed. When people ask what it is exactly, I compare it to event planning, but more for the corporate world. I have to choose the room set-up, select the food and beverage, stay within my budget, book travel, line up speakers, and then help it all unfold seamlessly. Although many Meeting Planners went to school for hospitality, my major in college was Advertising and Public Relations. While studying, I worked for myself selling vintage clothes through my online shop, Bittersweet Styles. Knowing that I didn’t want to do that forever, I took an internship right after graduation doing public relations for a local performing arts center. Once that came to an end, I literally opened the newspaper and this job jumped out at me from the classifieds. I’ve been fortunate to have an employer that has been willing to teach me the ins and outs of meeting planning, plus allow me to attend classes and conventions where I gain continuing education credits in the field. So while I knew the things I was interested in, I never had a clear idea of what exactly I wanted to do with my degree. But as with everything else in my life, it all seemed to fall right into place.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCrTxO7LpK6voV5pyCwJMH6FqJh-QAAnx1spmMT19B7as6mIKKtyirHo886HWSpKw0WTBT6VsWqjH2FE8795_DFAucZLxWCO0ljZccFv09-k_X0nJL1u_UsrYiVb5bAOwgABeNXSZ9K8/s1600/Maui+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCrTxO7LpK6voV5pyCwJMH6FqJh-QAAnx1spmMT19B7as6mIKKtyirHo886HWSpKw0WTBT6VsWqjH2FE8795_DFAucZLxWCO0ljZccFv09-k_X0nJL1u_UsrYiVb5bAOwgABeNXSZ9K8/s400/Maui+2.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jStNeFKSn8Pkrly851pwrG1NsJ7F1DYDKAcGUi90MssmiHln6eDzZozQ1pF6xqpttIacxGHIYCwZLo0DNKjMs4HxSNam_-9lfVeTk2HVg-TXJaNgSDkVSypT4VLBZt3vLe24PeStPDg/s1600/Scottsdale.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jStNeFKSn8Pkrly851pwrG1NsJ7F1DYDKAcGUi90MssmiHln6eDzZozQ1pF6xqpttIacxGHIYCwZLo0DNKjMs4HxSNam_-9lfVeTk2HVg-TXJaNgSDkVSypT4VLBZt3vLe24PeStPDg/s400/Scottsdale.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><i>Is this what you hope to do for the rest of your life? If so, how do you see yourself growing in this career? If not, what else do you dream of doing? Where do you see yourself in 10 years, career-wise?</i><br /><br />It’s hard to say where I’ll be in 10 years, but I would love for it to be right here where I am now. With this career, I feel settled, yet I still get to experience new things all the time. Every day I think about how fortunate I am not only to have a great job in today’s economy, but to truly enjoy what I do. With a baby along the way though, I can see myself wanting to travel a little less and focus more on what I can do for the organization here at home. Beyond all of the exciting travel, it feels really good to work for an organization that, even though most people don’t know it exists, plays an essential role in maintaining a high level of standard in the death care field. Something we’ll all unfortunately have to deal with at some point.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQ6Fddo5hygnLFbSjTTommVmbxBA7KnmZtP0U4PCvWMBsSDnTtm-50c6w_NlKl215NjmbfftDbRUM4ifoC24X5W6iYBZqpP8bUsQS6b_5MwRHpHY4QQu0w2DePQuAa_BCNO20BnQVs2A/s1600/Vegas+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQ6Fddo5hygnLFbSjTTommVmbxBA7KnmZtP0U4PCvWMBsSDnTtm-50c6w_NlKl215NjmbfftDbRUM4ifoC24X5W6iYBZqpP8bUsQS6b_5MwRHpHY4QQu0w2DePQuAa_BCNO20BnQVs2A/s400/Vegas+1.jpg" width="300" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Bve-J38Wc01G1G2BHVLrx-E_9-o__MloBdUoWumWRnUn_gZu3tUWHoPm5IdRZknFyxE6K5swHQ6yZSVeblq2E5e1WAnmxKWw64hKGW7QlQ8K8d67nnDSwUq-pBjManlbZm9rI9sIXis/s1600/Vegas+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Bve-J38Wc01G1G2BHVLrx-E_9-o__MloBdUoWumWRnUn_gZu3tUWHoPm5IdRZknFyxE6K5swHQ6yZSVeblq2E5e1WAnmxKWw64hKGW7QlQ8K8d67nnDSwUq-pBjManlbZm9rI9sIXis/s400/Vegas+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><i>If you could tell your 17-year old self anything about your life today, what would you tell her? </i><br /><br />I definitely took the non-traditional route, so this is a tough one. I was home-schooled for my last two years of high school and then took some time off to travel, work, and live in Washington D.C. for a couple years before concentrating on college. Part of me would tell my 17-year old self to go to college immediately after high school, but if I had done that I wouldn’t be where I was today - happy and content, with tons of great memories.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRB0H4Z0A6NF0kdLHmlT4C0rn_HaEgwHogYvm1CRa0PKZ02ZWkDikCPOdrj2enNMvf_TRC0fZ_I56FFPuvOUHce9EAY9VPvPiOIAzz3TMHCynDvFxZFn2zZtzIuore6t7LU8vCWrefkFs/s1600/Washington+DC.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRB0H4Z0A6NF0kdLHmlT4C0rn_HaEgwHogYvm1CRa0PKZ02ZWkDikCPOdrj2enNMvf_TRC0fZ_I56FFPuvOUHce9EAY9VPvPiOIAzz3TMHCynDvFxZFn2zZtzIuore6t7LU8vCWrefkFs/s640/Washington+DC.jpg" width="480" /></a> </div>

9 to 5: Sarah Fortune Gill, Public Relations Coordinator in the Funeral Industry

[ photo credit ] This week's 9 to 5 lady is one of my favorite online friends, Sarah! I always love following along on all of her travel...

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Journal Day! V.4

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6FWC0xj4oZhOQHehbv13-p0Y8aUWTYkyqSw0aAr_urpTjtgSeeNje9jzcL5o3tySeteuIn_S4jaHPnDHzEVEPAaIxlJk7tTp1fMZhLokvbn7A5jPHUYjbwU1pG4fmyYizvwxMvB89MI/s1600/journalday2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6FWC0xj4oZhOQHehbv13-p0Y8aUWTYkyqSw0aAr_urpTjtgSeeNje9jzcL5o3tySeteuIn_S4jaHPnDHzEVEPAaIxlJk7tTp1fMZhLokvbn7A5jPHUYjbwU1pG4fmyYizvwxMvB89MI/s640/journalday2.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br />There's been so many moments in life, both good and bad, that have a hand at shaping us into the person we are today.  When looking back at our lives as a whole, it can be hard to pinpoint exact instances where we've changed immensely or grown as people- often these are gradual changes that sneak up on us over time. It's only when we take a huge step back and really think about it, are we able to see all these sequences of events as separate pieces.  And sure, hundreds of different events play a part in bringing us into the present, but when you really break it down, there are definitely moments that stand out more than others.<br /><br />So with that said -<br /><i><br /></i><br /><i>Looking at all of the life you've lived so far, can you pinpoint one time frame or instance that you feel truly contributed to your growth as a person?  This may be a turning point, a positive or negative experience, a moment or collection of moments that stand out in your mind...something that changed you as a whole. </i><br /><br />I'd always been someone who dated a lot, and throughout high school and college I had my fair share of boyfriends, although nothing terribly serious...until I met this one particular guy my sophomore year of college.  I met him at the shop I worked at and I felt an immediate attraction- I thought he was so handsome, funny, and unlike most guys I had been interested in before.  Up until that point you could say that I always dated "my type" - starting way back in junior high I usually found myself hanging out and dating boys who skateboarded, played music, and if they <i>were</i> into sports they weren't what my friends and I un-apologetically labeled as "meatheads."  This guy though was a far-cry from any of the skater boys I grew up with, the opposite of my friends in bands, and so incredibly different from most of the guys I spent my time with. I wasn't even sure why I liked him. But I did.<br /><br />As time went on we started to hang out more; we'd joke around throughout our shifts at work, stay a little bit later helping each other straighten up the shelves, talk about our separate plans for the weekend.  Then one day he asked me out on a date.  I of course said yes, and the next couple of days went by in a blur as I found myself being swept away in excitement.<br /><br />He picked me up on a Thursday night and I was greeted with a rose on the passenger seat when I got in the car. Back then I was blown away- none of my previous dates had shown this level of chivalry outside of the corsages at school dances their mothers had thoughtfully ordered. We headed out to eat Indian food, which I'd never had before. Conversation was light, easy. Afterward we went to get frozen yogurt (my favorite), and I'll never forget him watching me finish my cup of yogurt (my very small cup, mind you), and saying to me, "my god, you don't have to scrape out every last bit!" as I scooped up the last couple of vanilla flavored spoonfuls. And he wasn't joking. In my happiness with the evening I let this strange comment kind of drift away with a smile, and as he dropped me off at my house I floated inside, eager to share the details of the night with my girlfriends.<br /><br />So yeah, it was a great night, minus the weird comment. And as time went on, we became a couple. And the rose on the front seat? That was only the start. This guy pulled out all the stops. Fancy dinners, weekends away, little gifts. I'd never, ever dated anyone who treated me this way...and I liked it. But soon comments like the one that night at the frozen yogurt shop started happening more regularly. Just little things, here and there, but they added up. We were <i>so</i> different, so I always made excuses for his odd remarks and sometimes unpredictable behavior. <br /><br />As time went on we began to argue, he would yell, get very angry, and eventually we totally stopped getting along. In retrospect I can see parts of myself slowly start to change to suit him. I see myself backing down from arguing with him, starting to lose interest in the things I used to love. I don't really know how it happened- it's part embarrassing, part weird, part really surprising...but I let myself change because that's what I thought my boyfriend wanted.  I'd never done that before; in the past I'd always been a super-independent girl. I knew what I wanted and knew who I was. But somehow I'd let this guy into my head in the most negative way, and when we broke up a few months later for good, I didn't feel sad- I felt surprisingly <i>free</i>.<br /><br />It's still a mystery to me how I let that happen. Luckily I only spent a few months with that jerk, and I suppose it was a blessing in disguise, because that winter taught me exactly what I shouldn't be doing.  And then of course exactly what I <i>should</i> be doing, too.<br /><br />For those months spent with someone I allowed myself to change for- for that time I gave up as I pretty much morphed into some weakened version of myself, I'm grateful. I truly look at that relationship as a turning point in my life. It really showed me who I was, and I think I had to lose myself somewhere along the way to really find myself. Sure, certain things will always remind me of this bizarre time in my life- there are particular country songs that still give me the creeps, and every so often Autumn, Shirley and I will get a laugh quoting whats-his-name while eating frozen yogurt- but the best lingering memories from all of it are the life lessons I learned.<br /><br />For a long time I felt foolish about letting that happen. I was perplexed at how me, Ms. Outgoing-Life-of-the-Party could ever allow some guy to change who I was. But now I just chalk it up to another one of those "growing up" experiences, and certainly an experience who shaped me into the girl I am today.  And later on, this newly re-self-assured girl would date a whole bunch of great guys who treated me just how I deserved to be treated...and then one special guy in particular who would eventually become my husband. I loved myself, and allowed myself to be loved. A pretty awesome ending if I do say so myself.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">----------<br /></div><i>I'm moving back to having you guys link up in the comments - I did love using inlinkz, but realized that if I was to re-format my blog I'd lose all of your links! So instead, just go ahead and post your link in the comments, along with a little excerpt from your journaling! Can't wait  to read them. :)</i>

Journal Day! V.4

There's been so many moments in life, both good and bad, that have a hand at shaping us into the person we are today.  When looking back...

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Our family portrait collection grows...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOmszdJyNFuCL0yAes-7cPUrQuwdll1aIZsAJIcYFw6hfD489GcTugdvqmXaV3B29QG9dLLxUJ6yNpjB_WhvAMZJ7fYN7vhwvapubV_MyX_XOIDpCn_lJ00UCmj1Kf4qEKA0lT4nyXlU/s1600/bann.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="52" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOmszdJyNFuCL0yAes-7cPUrQuwdll1aIZsAJIcYFw6hfD489GcTugdvqmXaV3B29QG9dLLxUJ6yNpjB_WhvAMZJ7fYN7vhwvapubV_MyX_XOIDpCn_lJ00UCmj1Kf4qEKA0lT4nyXlU/s400/bann.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I wanted to share something really special that my friend <a href="http://cameronpluswhitney.blogspot.com/">Cameron</a> created for my little family...a three-dimensional paper-cut portrait set! I've posted about Cameron and <a href="http://sometimessweet.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-love-this.html">his amazing talent before</a>, and I seriously cannot get over what he's made here. What a talented guy, huh?!<br /><br />If you like what you see, stay tuned, because Cameron will be hosting another giveaway right here in just a few weeks.  He does portraits by very limited commission via <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/cameronpluswhitney#">his shop</a>, so check back often to see if they're available, or follow <a href="http://cameronpluswhitney.blogspot.com/">his blog</a> or <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/campluswhit">twitter</a> to stay up to date!<br /><br />And thank you again Cameron for this amazing gift. Our minds are blown! We love it so much and will treasure it for years and years to come.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/daniellehampton/6190110102/" title="Final 1 by daniellehampton, on Flickr"><img alt="Final 1" height="347" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6147/6190110102_5effea4b08.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/daniellehampton/6190110756/" title="Final 3 by daniellehampton, on Flickr"><img alt="Final 3" height="336" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6164/6190110756_f27f9d0887.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/daniellehampton/6190111966/" title="Final 7 by daniellehampton, on Flickr"><img alt="Final 7" height="336" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6028/6190111966_81c6ca62ab.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/daniellehampton/6189595031/" title="Final 9 by daniellehampton, on Flickr"><img alt="Final 9" height="336" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6013/6189595031_00c3e73385.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/daniellehampton/6190111344/" title="Final 5 by daniellehampton, on Flickr"><img alt="Final 5" height="336" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6124/6190111344_ee6898262a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/daniellehampton/6190109844/" title="Final 14 by daniellehampton, on Flickr"><img alt="Final 14" height="336" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6154/6190109844_303423c148.jpg" width="500" /></a></center>

Our family portrait collection grows...

I wanted to share something really special that my friend Cameron created for my little family...a three-dimensional paper-cut portrait set...

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Tattoo Tuesday V.89

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFE5W2Vw-DRxyyXkbN8FBFyd7ta2Px8jwEcq4z2QdX3EOD-PHxzxYSEYSpUFRjXAdkW_sQYQHN5edlaAO8rXDnyjEkwcJUJfxH0jyw_AZckPJqf16fdHfWvnuoVTPLmqinEsbYdSmqMhI/s1600/Photo+25.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFE5W2Vw-DRxyyXkbN8FBFyd7ta2Px8jwEcq4z2QdX3EOD-PHxzxYSEYSpUFRjXAdkW_sQYQHN5edlaAO8rXDnyjEkwcJUJfxH0jyw_AZckPJqf16fdHfWvnuoVTPLmqinEsbYdSmqMhI/s400/Photo+25.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><br /><b>Name/blog name:</b> Jessica // <a href="http://ohmywonderful.etsy.com/">Ohmywonderful.etsy.com</a> & <a href="http://pinterest.com/ohmywonderful">pinterest.com/ohmywonderful</a><br /><b>Age: </b>28<br /><b>Occupation:</b> Beer giver and tour guide at New Belgium Brewing<br /><b>Age of 1st tattoo:</b> 20<br /><b>Favorite Tattoo: </b>flying cupcake<br /><b>Featured tattoo/location:</b> deer on my calf<br /><b>Artist/shop/location of featured tattoo:</b> Ish Johnson in Fort Collins, CO<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulrsg5cIHVQiiiygiz15Fog28wA-TkfmTAuN6xlt9_3nk_9JGk3AtROXWzX4JaQWQXf4r6I9jZMRywiurdVqRmyvWpSW-3wamDCm3lACkMWiF8CgCeNwpORSMYxvzSzHKe2igQJHjAKU/s1600/P7170077.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulrsg5cIHVQiiiygiz15Fog28wA-TkfmTAuN6xlt9_3nk_9JGk3AtROXWzX4JaQWQXf4r6I9jZMRywiurdVqRmyvWpSW-3wamDCm3lACkMWiF8CgCeNwpORSMYxvzSzHKe2igQJHjAKU/s640/P7170077.JPG" width="478" /></a> </div><br /><b><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">1) Tell us about the tattoo you are sharing with us- is there a background story or special meaning? Why did you choose this particular piece of art?</span></span></b><br /><br />I've always thought deer were beautiful and gentle and have been drawn to images of them in art and photography. I knew I wanted a tattoo of the most handsome deer with flowers and feathers around him. I told my tattoo artist that I wanted him to be delicate and ornate with bright colors (kind of like a Jesus candle, you know, the ones at the grocery store?). Ish's drawing exceeded my expectations, and I am so happy with the tattoo!<br /><b><br /></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">2) Do you have any other tattoos? If so, what do you have and where?</span></span></b><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span>I have quite the tattoo collection that is quickly growing! My most favorite is the cupcake on my right foot. Every time the artist colored in a sprinkle he giggled.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwcJEHGut8UklTFJf9iUudhudF6gO6vLf4ALipIKFvguJW-JaXs8Bh_YsQdUyE9jDrtX6EmK5GJ3muQCk_hJLW-Jo9Z4D5gMJpXdQ260gMMvU5yZV4X_341xmcGeLMZSjkABwpz3-K6c/s1600/P7170079.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwcJEHGut8UklTFJf9iUudhudF6gO6vLf4ALipIKFvguJW-JaXs8Bh_YsQdUyE9jDrtX6EmK5GJ3muQCk_hJLW-Jo9Z4D5gMJpXdQ260gMMvU5yZV4X_341xmcGeLMZSjkABwpz3-K6c/s400/P7170079.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div><br />On my left wrist I have script that says "To write with light". It's the literal translation of photo-graphie, which is Latin for photography.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nGajqlBS33I8FE-SeAce52pG0z9HP4pwX3nkQ92dlEPQep53VJ_qTpAmKERynU1fyXxVvARlTaif-Ke9mWiIdHp6C_PghS_nzBTyOjSF84EJk8-y2g7PTVVhmkN_XvwJP4qsqm1pM2o/s1600/P7170084.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nGajqlBS33I8FE-SeAce52pG0z9HP4pwX3nkQ92dlEPQep53VJ_qTpAmKERynU1fyXxVvARlTaif-Ke9mWiIdHp6C_PghS_nzBTyOjSF84EJk8-y2g7PTVVhmkN_XvwJP4qsqm1pM2o/s400/P7170084.JPG" width="300" /></a> </div><br />There is a pink bunny on my left shoulder carrying a banner that says "LuLu". This one is for my dog. My two nick names for her are fluffy bunny and LuLu.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkVwtxacDTqTdkVqevuS0Tg4SsYumdJuh9SineKmIra8vhg-LuAPqv9sdbhem3Bo9Bo_TjRAXXo_MjDeeJK20zP7RCtiqneFzkdXlFLuQuBOWb-qgGhvm475Eb5ySiIsqXCQhOFu_1VM/s1600/P1150035.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkVwtxacDTqTdkVqevuS0Tg4SsYumdJuh9SineKmIra8vhg-LuAPqv9sdbhem3Bo9Bo_TjRAXXo_MjDeeJK20zP7RCtiqneFzkdXlFLuQuBOWb-qgGhvm475Eb5ySiIsqXCQhOFu_1VM/s400/P1150035.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />And on my right arm I have a half sleeve that wraps around my back of a Japanese garden. This one was actually my first real tattoo (I have a small one on my back that will be covered eventually) and I surprised myself and went big! There are peonies, cherry blossoms, and a bird on the inside of my arm, all surrounded by clouds. This piece was done by Carlos Truan in Austin, TX, and I am in love with the bright saturated color and insane detail!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2OxpkxNddd1buVnmVhBS3LKgP1oC5HcmAqgd1Yzr4mqH8xiI6LQ-kb8tvUU0MNQYx8_a-syR0PFkjpWkKX7Zm7bUWC-3ruS3gO9seKSx_bjEK8dKxmeu5rZbOyN_f2UvXWzYK1IiuE4/s1600/P7170080.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2OxpkxNddd1buVnmVhBS3LKgP1oC5HcmAqgd1Yzr4mqH8xiI6LQ-kb8tvUU0MNQYx8_a-syR0PFkjpWkKX7Zm7bUWC-3ruS3gO9seKSx_bjEK8dKxmeu5rZbOyN_f2UvXWzYK1IiuE4/s400/P7170080.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsYRUyIo9c5Ennpadsa3hTopb81rLIvy1cqQyTmng_CdXHSPkrGsvjLqwwC20_V7HjQadKxHjOVLrPI-jiPGbhDz_gY1wFssFnr53nCO08-Q1SD8PIiLvoV2HyqqZDen1A2TnRBTm6yQ/s1600/P7170075.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsYRUyIo9c5Ennpadsa3hTopb81rLIvy1cqQyTmng_CdXHSPkrGsvjLqwwC20_V7HjQadKxHjOVLrPI-jiPGbhDz_gY1wFssFnr53nCO08-Q1SD8PIiLvoV2HyqqZDen1A2TnRBTm6yQ/s400/P7170075.JPG" width="300" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieCS3eC_rdIQ6AOBzaNT_7PkOlTonGSI7y3PTfI9q01Te7ryh6HpnM9LDlT45RiJeWp7W6BQklmxezvQXNQwVoyUMgSq0JYt-CRkyG1JXU5k2b9K218Btw-tUwkbjPFhb8uCxRFjU7qbg/s1600/P7170076.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieCS3eC_rdIQ6AOBzaNT_7PkOlTonGSI7y3PTfI9q01Te7ryh6HpnM9LDlT45RiJeWp7W6BQklmxezvQXNQwVoyUMgSq0JYt-CRkyG1JXU5k2b9K218Btw-tUwkbjPFhb8uCxRFjU7qbg/s400/P7170076.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><b><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">3) Do you plan on getting more?</span></span></b> <br /><br />Yes, I'm definitely getting more. My next one will be a blue carnation on my left elbow. It's my mom's favorite flower. Then I have plans for a Russian nesting doll, and I'm playing with ideas for a side piece.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">4) How do your family and friends feel about your tattoo(s)? Have you run into any adversity or negativity because of them?</span></span></b><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span>My family is pretty accepting of my tattoos, even though I'm the only one in my family with any. All of my friends are accepting as well, and the ones without any tattoos love mine. My fiance is also pretty heavily tattooed. He has two Japanese half sleeves that go across his chest, and he'll be extending to full sleeves soon. Most people react to me in a positive way. It's funny how many compliments I get from elderly people and how many people tell me that they normally don't like tattoos but think mine are pretty. I was also surprised at the fact that the more tattoos I got, the more people talked to me about them. I would assume the opposite would happen and I would come across as more intimidating or something. That being said, I have come across negativity as well. Nasty looks, offensive comments, and rude people thinking it's ok to touch me even though we don't know each other. But that all comes with the territory and is to be expected when visibly tattooed. I try not to let mean people get to me. <br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhguHDwH9RNzw1cSmz5rr82khCvRJwNMH3EUNY-9kf_Oz5a5JJXN02JLK1dPM6mvWsWH-_nh60O1YPei1hmKwpXDYeHEdIZ8CmEMQyD7pBknpedWpGksZm_ByGy6gwCzputf70aeF5DNWw/s1600/Jessica-Mike-E-8-4-11-0051.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhguHDwH9RNzw1cSmz5rr82khCvRJwNMH3EUNY-9kf_Oz5a5JJXN02JLK1dPM6mvWsWH-_nh60O1YPei1hmKwpXDYeHEdIZ8CmEMQyD7pBknpedWpGksZm_ByGy6gwCzputf70aeF5DNWw/s400/Jessica-Mike-E-8-4-11-0051.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">5) Any advice for those interested in getting tattooed but haven't gotten one yet?</span></span></span></b></div><br />Tattoos can be a great reminder not to take life too seriously. Have fun with them! Just be prepared that after you get your first tattoo you will probably want more. If you get a very meaningful tattoo, keep in mind that if it's in a visible place, people will ask you about it, so make sure it's something you're comfortable talking about to strangers. Also, because you have tattoos other people will want to show you theirs (which gets really annoying). My fiance's favorite saying is "Yes I have tattoos, no I don't want to see yours". And most importantly, find an artist whose style you like, give them artistic freedom (they know what looks good on skin and I've always been blown away at how much better their drawing is than what I had originally imagined), and never bargain hunt.<br />Oh yeah, and they hurt. ;)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnDNVwpNnqaXMQJ2RMvhTtG4aihNdoe7gFExBmfZLKP61D0byQpMQ5GdO7dQodFfsQ9u9DjxXTMdPiIXJs-BEV2uFT-h7l_mFJYU97NETS6FlXGeD9AJYt2A11b-Tv9coVnzkGJBwNYE/s1600/180742_1816352570034_1276704514_2139456_6220225_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnDNVwpNnqaXMQJ2RMvhTtG4aihNdoe7gFExBmfZLKP61D0byQpMQ5GdO7dQodFfsQ9u9DjxXTMdPiIXJs-BEV2uFT-h7l_mFJYU97NETS6FlXGeD9AJYt2A11b-Tv9coVnzkGJBwNYE/s400/180742_1816352570034_1276704514_2139456_6220225_n.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>

Tattoo Tuesday V.89

Name/blog name: Jessica // Ohmywonderful.etsy.com & pinterest.com/ohmywonderful Age: 28 Occupation: Beer giver and tour guide at New...

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Feature post & Giveaway: Handmade Colectibles

<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGor4ZpgCb6pSP0gRIcaB6ghZ2eQjxjOLqrKsI7uaDGDhQbkuvn2d8_AEuHgCOk6GLt9U9p48fan0jXswAS86gIZZr2NDh-AVw7_VYXr47_x0LnQZPSlXPB2rPqlUzcy7o5MJ4u-el5wI/s1600/4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGor4ZpgCb6pSP0gRIcaB6ghZ2eQjxjOLqrKsI7uaDGDhQbkuvn2d8_AEuHgCOk6GLt9U9p48fan0jXswAS86gIZZr2NDh-AVw7_VYXr47_x0LnQZPSlXPB2rPqlUzcy7o5MJ4u-el5wI/s400/4.jpg" width="341" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_D8pIjOXHSNa715ZHvqQzbspfn69FL15V6Ka4bxuQMiZQZgY9wR6a5hIzT0s8amsz7u8NkR05jvQu5Ij6NgwUnm_pa6jhxKjWhAf1ov2msK97kAd_MD6SP1xPfE0tut2wT1N1-YATxIY/s1600/7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="52" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_D8pIjOXHSNa715ZHvqQzbspfn69FL15V6Ka4bxuQMiZQZgY9wR6a5hIzT0s8amsz7u8NkR05jvQu5Ij6NgwUnm_pa6jhxKjWhAf1ov2msK97kAd_MD6SP1xPfE0tut2wT1N1-YATxIY/s400/7.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><br /> Regardless if <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/handmadecolectibles">Handmade Colectibles</a> was a sponsor of mine or not, I would have been SO into sharing this fabulous woman and small business with all of you. I actually had the privilege of meeting Cole last year and fell in love with her super sweet personality. She's truly a doll. And even better, Cole's incredibly creative and makes some of the most gorgeous felt creations at her <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/handmadecolectibles">Etsy shop</a>.  We actually have a mustard and cream wreath hanging on our front door, and her roses throughout our home. I can tell you from first hand experience what great quality they are, and how fabulous Cole's customer service is. I love the idea that you can give a bouquet that will last forever.  This month Better Homes and Gardens agrees with me, and you can find her in their Holiday and Crafts issue, on newsstands now. Also be sure to check out her <a href="http://lettersfromcoco.blogspot.com/">personal blog</a>, it's really inspiring and one of my favorites.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHV160l4oEGIioFd0GfJrHm0PN_TKq6n5xcQORirIIyOw995TQlSS6AMMJB6XQ9GnQ2KjDo049qg5n7VsQovZYk3Zr43Vm1dzriigP0QbjY4c0Z7mS1qZ4btY63m_WxNFP9MAwcDwX68/s1600/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHV160l4oEGIioFd0GfJrHm0PN_TKq6n5xcQORirIIyOw995TQlSS6AMMJB6XQ9GnQ2KjDo049qg5n7VsQovZYk3Zr43Vm1dzriigP0QbjY4c0Z7mS1qZ4btY63m_WxNFP9MAwcDwX68/s400/1.jpg" width="390" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>the same wreath we have on our door!</i></span></div><br /><i>From Cole:</i><br /><br />Hi I'm Cole, wife & mama, blogger, Arizona native & pretty-felt-flower maker. I’ve been obsessed with roses ever since I was a little girl and my dad would bring me home a bouquet full of them every year on my birthday.  Nowadays the fascination has turned into a creative passion as I spend my days making handmade roses out of wool felt so that they can be treasured forever. I love being able to create something unique and beautiful for someone’s home or wedding day and know that it will be something that they can cherish for years to come.  Handmade Colectibles began a year ago and it has been an exciting journey ever since. My hope is that you will fall in love with one of my creations because I absolutely love making each one.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSOK7bH3JXsK6s_oEMpIyNv8uO1NBAP2SFtblz20M3J0oc64g25mxhcsrYaRiq8TiX6ZualrBlMcjhMr0LO67m83GXa3wZOjKzYuMG4hZNwO9d3ab1zA_k9pQ_UCf-E2oLAeKvJ-d-cE/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSOK7bH3JXsK6s_oEMpIyNv8uO1NBAP2SFtblz20M3J0oc64g25mxhcsrYaRiq8TiX6ZualrBlMcjhMr0LO67m83GXa3wZOjKzYuMG4hZNwO9d3ab1zA_k9pQ_UCf-E2oLAeKvJ-d-cE/s400/6.jpg" width="385" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgp7TetocIK2ZWlLCuP0DRHVvSObL7_eAJ1FLWshx5tCGaWrxsEdhO-IWDA2zBDEeAiJhFxfcQVkWuGyIWtWr7fO1TbXtA-hdrsbA9DAftoE6-zAOcfCnOAYIziv-i46Ge13CADdmmFY0/s1600/10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgp7TetocIK2ZWlLCuP0DRHVvSObL7_eAJ1FLWshx5tCGaWrxsEdhO-IWDA2zBDEeAiJhFxfcQVkWuGyIWtWr7fO1TbXtA-hdrsbA9DAftoE6-zAOcfCnOAYIziv-i46Ge13CADdmmFY0/s400/10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />And today I am REALLY excited to offer a rad giveaway from Handmade Colectibles.  <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Up for grabs is a $45 <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/handmadecolectibles">shop credit</a>!</span></div><br />Here's how to enter:<br /><br />Visit Handmade Colectibles on Facebook, and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/handmadecolectibles">become a fan by "liking" the page</a>.  Then leave a comment below letting me know you did so, along with your name and email address! Simple!<br /><br />I'll choose a winner THIS THURSDAY, 9/29/11.<br /><br />Good luck to all who enter!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFyCjCg1Xp4pUC-8vppCqcL3s96VUOWFQwABt0f2RveUpNJM0hEph9YRC5UYa8uL4k3WgXBS2jr6dnEck1qGzY3GgNkc5yengfTIXQuzR2wZUIZpoGGWyoQ5mNT3MjAShFj8OvB7843I/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFyCjCg1Xp4pUC-8vppCqcL3s96VUOWFQwABt0f2RveUpNJM0hEph9YRC5UYa8uL4k3WgXBS2jr6dnEck1qGzY3GgNkc5yengfTIXQuzR2wZUIZpoGGWyoQ5mNT3MjAShFj8OvB7843I/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunHxqN0uk7eU9IX3eUuSDaOkOjOk793gNgBvwOABusAQvqtOk6XQxuGingHOGey46tfpZLpi0RbU5Xsh7YnJbKy_y0TNc3EnOPrQOMc80-wZXh6t1EDnc5MOgIx_sxV-0b_EcspDQ-Yo/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunHxqN0uk7eU9IX3eUuSDaOkOjOk793gNgBvwOABusAQvqtOk6XQxuGingHOGey46tfpZLpi0RbU5Xsh7YnJbKy_y0TNc3EnOPrQOMc80-wZXh6t1EDnc5MOgIx_sxV-0b_EcspDQ-Yo/s400/3.jpg" width="385" /></a></div>

Feature post & Giveaway: Handmade Colectibles

     Regardless if Handmade Colectibles was a sponsor of mine or not, I would have been SO into sharing this fabulous woman and small busi...

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Sarah's Wedding.

Oh, what a night! Yesterday was beyond a doubt, one of the most gorgeously executed and visually beautiful weddings I've ever been to.  Sarah has such an eye for pretty things, and every single detail in her wedding was beyond pretty- it was perfect. Spending the day getting Sarah ready and seeing all of her planning all come together was really, really special and magical.  I feel so happy that I was able to stand up there along side her sister as her Matron of Honor, and the smiles on Sarah's and Andy's faces at the end of the night was the perfect end to the most fabulous day.<br /><br />I'll be back tomorrow with some photos via instagram, details from our day, and more info about her vendors. Until then here's the "same day edit" video from <a href="http://noboxfilms.com/blog/">NoBox Films</a>. The longer, actual wedding video will be produced soon- this is just something to hold us all over! Enjoy, it's really amazing and worth your time!<br /><br />Congratulations Sarah and Andy! I love you.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/29568842?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=089d83" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe></div><a href="http://vimeo.com/29568842">Sarah & Andrew's Same Day Edit (SDE)</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/nbp">NoBox Films & NoBox Productions</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.

Sarah's Wedding.

Oh, what a night! Yesterday was beyond a doubt, one of the most gorgeously executed and visually beautiful weddings I've ever been to.  ...

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today...aka Wedding Eve!

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/daniellehampton/6176794323/" title="rehearsal by daniellehampton, on Flickr"><img alt="rehearsal" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6180/6176794323_4d5da32a74.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br />Today is the eve of Sarah's wedding, and I'm about to head to sleep in preparation for a busy, busy day tomorrow....but I thought I'd say hello quickly since tomorrow there will be no time for blogging! The past couple of days have been amazing - last night was the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner and it was such a fun night.  Sarah and Andy are getting married at <a href="http://www.trebellaaz.com/">Tre Bella</a>, which is an absolutely adorable venue in downtown Mesa. We all met there to run through the ceremony and get aquainted with the order we'll be walking, etc. It's funny that even though it's obviously not my wedding I still had those nervous butterflies as I walked down the aisle. I don't even know why! Silly. But then of course watching Sarah walk down, even in practice mode, was super emotional. Note to self: tissues are a necessity tomorrow!<br /><br />After the rehearsal we all headed over to <a href="http://www.laboccapizzeria.com/">La Bocca</a>, where Andy's parents treated us to the most delicious meal. We had Sarah's favorite pear and goat cheese salad, followed by assorted bruschetta and pizzas. YUM. If you haven't ever been to La Bocca I highly recommend it.  And if you've been a reader for awhile, you'd also know that's where we also had our first annual <a href="http://sometimessweet.blogspot.com/2011/03/arizona-blogger-meetup.html">AZ Blogger Meetup</a>! <br /><br />I think one of my most favorite parts about being a part of Sarah's wedding has been getting to know her other close friends that she's met more recently. Because I live a couple hours north, I haven't gotten the chance to really spend time with these girls, but after all of the events surrounding her wedding I'm pretty much in love with each and every one of them. That's the neat part - when you love a friend so much you're almost bound to love the people they love also, and I feel so lucky to call Sarah's friends my friends now, too. Such rad girls. <br /><br />It's still surreal that after all of this planning tomorrow is the big day!  And it's going to be a busy one! My sweet friend Nikki at MAC will be doing my make up in the morning, then I'll be heading over to Sarah's to help her get ready. The wedding is actually at 6pm, but her <a href="http://www.noboxfilms.com/">videographers</a> and photographers will be spending the day with us, capturing all of it, beginning to end.<br /><br />So....YAY!  I am just so, so excited to see my lovely best friend become a WIFE tomorrow and stand up there for her as her Matron of Honor (she has two- her sister and me!). <br /><br />Goodnight Ms. Sarah. And tomorrow, hello to you as a Mrs.! I love you.

today...aka Wedding Eve!

Today is the eve of Sarah's wedding, and I'm about to head to sleep in preparation for a busy, busy day tomorrow....but I thought I...

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Blog life.

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/daniellehampton/6173412772/" title="for a post. by daniellehampton, on Flickr"><img alt="for a post." height="249" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6162/6173412772_ba000a2317.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br />Last night while emailing with a friend, I got to thinking about the amount of time blogging takes up in my little world and how this affects the people around me.  I started thinking about how often I ask Hank to be a part of whatever it is I'm doing, and how lucky I am that he's happy to oblige. He's absolutely a part of this little online world of mine, but more so behind the scenes than anything- most likely taking photos for me, or listening to a rough draft of an idea I have. But even though Hank's fine with helping me out, he isn't one to share personal things about himself; he dislikes Facebook and rarely posts anything outside of computer, music, or sports talk on Twitter. He's just not into sharing in that way. <br /><br />Over the years I've scaled back a lot of what I put out there. Sure, I talk a lot about topics that are relevant to my life both in the past and present, lessons I've learned, hopes for the future...but that's really just a small part of everything that makes up my day to day happenings and ultimately me as a person. But still, I share, on one level or another. Most of my "real life" friends don't even have blogs, or have any interest in ever starting a blog. Some of them are astonished when they learn about the size of my audience here, and I usually get the same questions about privacy, safety, and of course the big question: why? <br /><br />People don't always seem to "get" blogging, and I sort of feel like you either get it, or you don't. A lot of my friends poke fun at me, saying things like, "this better get its own post" when we're out and about, and on the flip side I've even had friends tell me it made them feel uncomfortable to read my blog because they just felt like another "reader," and not like my close friend. I've had all sorts of reactions ranging from super positive (make me one!) to the very negative (you're going to get stalked!). As far as my family, my parents are totally supportive and think it's actually really cool. I've caught my Dad explaining my blogging and writing accomplishments to his friends like he was recounting my soccer highlights back in the day, which is really funny and sweet. And like I mentioned before, Hank is incredibly supportive too- he kind of has to be I guess, since I do love writing and blogging here so much- but he's genuinely and enthusiastically supportive, which is even better. <br /><br />On the other hand, I have other family members who do not know about this space and probably never will. They wouldn't get it, they'd get freaked out that thousands of people come here everyday, and probably try to convince me to stop. For that reason, I stick to blogging mainly about my immediate family; it just makes things easier to not have anyone else involved. <br /><br />But why am I telling you all of this? Because I am so, so curious about <i>your</i> blogging experience, as far as the people around you. What do your friends think? Parents? Partner? Are you supported in your endeavors or do you find that people think it's weird?  <br /><br />I'd love to hear what you have to say, so feel free to share in the comments below! :)

Blog life.

Last night while emailing with a friend, I got to thinking about the amount of time blogging takes up in my little world and how this affect...

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Girls' Night & Randomness

Hello, Phoenix! I'm currently down in the valley for the week getting ready for <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/Dinosarah">Sarah's</a> wedding. It's in TWO short days, and I keep thinking back to the week before my very own wedding a few years ago. This week felt insane to me and went by so quickly. I know Sar feels the same, and even though she's feeling the pressure, she took last night off from stressing to go to dinner and a movie with our girlfriends.  We ate dinner at Oregano's and then went and saw Drive. Funny story: <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/NatteeDee">Natalie</a> and I chose the movie, based solely on the fact that our lover Ryan Gosling was in it. We knew nothing about it whatsoever, and thought if we were lucky we'd get an adorable <i>Notebook</i>-esque film or maybe even a darker <i>Blue Valentine</i>. Nope. I don't want to give anything away, but even though it was actually pretty rad, it was perhaps the very worst pick for a girl's night movie there could ever, ever be!  I do have to say that the music was pretty awesome though, and outside of the actual storyline (which I found to be incredibly intriguing, odd, interesting, etc.) I thought the soundtrack was rad. Just be prepared for some gore. And that's all I'll say about that.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/daniellehampton/6172667218/" title="girl's night last night by daniellehampton, on Flickr"><img alt="girl's night last night" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6168/6172667218_68ff266b59.jpg" width="500"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[bathroom fashion show in my parents' guest bath, Sar and Nat, Pizza!, Jen and Anita, a delicious pizookie, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">our movie of choice, tickets, a quick shot of the gore while I probably looked away, Nat and me</span>]</div><br />It's also so great to get together with this group of girlfriends. I feel fortunate to have a few different groups of ladies in my life, but this group in particular is especially special to me, because we're (almost) all mamas and with that comes such a deep understanding and bond. The candidness of our conversations always make me laugh, and I so appreciate the "real-ness" between us. Love love love these girls.<br /><br />As for today, Henry and I are headed out to try and find the perfect pair of black shoes that I can wear in Sarah's and then again in Shirley's wedding next month. Tonight is the rehearsal dinner then Saturday's the big day. I was there when Sarah found her wedding dress- I was actually the one who picked it out off the rack (love that!)- and I am DYING for everyone to see it. It's honestly one of the most beautiful dresses I've ever seen, and her tiny little self makes it look even more gorgeous. I'll be sure to post a million photos via <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/danihampton">twitter</a> and <a href="http://web.stagram.com/n/danihampton/">instagram</a> as the celebration begins tomorrow night, so feel free to follow along.<br /><br />Other than that I'm just trying to decide on Henry's Halloween costume and get started on really planning his first birthday party. We aren't doing a theme or anything - just a color scheme and lots of special decorations and food. I'm really excited to get planning as soon as I get home from Vegas next weekend. And speaking of Vegas...I can't believe it snuck up on me so quickly!  <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/anitameans">Anita</a> and I are driving up on Friday, and we'll be meeting up with more girlfriends, who are flying in from different parts of the country. To say I'm looking forward to it is an understatement!<br /><br />And now...the shoe search begins! Have a great day. xo

Girls' Night & Randomness

Hello, Phoenix! I'm currently down in the valley for the week getting ready for Sarah's wedding. It's in TWO short days, and I ...

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9 to 5: Patria, Jewelry and Clothing Designer

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/daniellehampton/6028538790/" title="new feature! by daniellehampton, on Flickr"><img alt="new feature!" height="485" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6123/6028538790_a63cac7b8a.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captainspaulding/5388234534/in/pool-1202254@N25">photo credit</a>]</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: small;">Hola! My name is Patria (puh-tree-ah, please don’t mistake it with Patricia!) and I am 24 living with my boyfriend and our dog, 2 cats and a rabbit in downtown Los Angeles. I run a jewelry line called el tomboy and am a full time women’s apparel designer for the line Amber Sakai. You can find me most often at <a href="http://eltomboy.wordpress.com/">eltomboy.wordpress.com</a> and for work at <a href="http://ambersakai.blogspot.com/">ambersakai.blogspot.com</a>. Or <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/eltomboy">twitter</a> of course! </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QjsX5GrmBmuPY4ZPoVm_qQ09eqMesauY5U6yjwOZnHrrqqhP-7jN6t8_6HbxQlI0c2dWBMbyc2U_0iz0K-INBn394krIp1JChv9B3gJv7gNGTirFRv3zJuBo6uX_BHf54pwy1PNpM20/s1600/Frida+and+I.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QjsX5GrmBmuPY4ZPoVm_qQ09eqMesauY5U6yjwOZnHrrqqhP-7jN6t8_6HbxQlI0c2dWBMbyc2U_0iz0K-INBn394krIp1JChv9B3gJv7gNGTirFRv3zJuBo6uX_BHf54pwy1PNpM20/s400/Frida+and+I.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><br /></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Describe a typical day at work.</span></i><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">Well I usually get into the office between 9-9:30 (it’s usually on the later side, let’s be serious) and I check all of my emails. I speak directly to fabric mills in Italy and trim companies in France, so my email is usually chock full in the morning. Once I’ve taken care of all urgent matters I will usually go over the day with my co-workers. Since we are such a small company we all rely very heavily on one another to do their job to the best of their capabilities. It’s like a little pow wow to cover all of our bases which can include the weekly schedule, deadlines, inspiration, meetings with public relations, the factory, showrooms, etc. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">Once we are all set and on the same page we typically break off and do our own separate things. I for example am a designer, so I will go over to my patternmaking table with my mannequins and see what we have to make for the day. I am a huge list maker and go through one to two full legal notepads in a month! That is where I keep all of my notes about what to be working on, when certain styles need to be finished by, what stage I should be in of the final development of the collection and how I should organize my day.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">For the most part the head designer and I will work side-by-side coming up with the collections, choosing colors, fabrics and general silhouettes. We attend the tradeshows in Paris twice a year to have the latest and greatest in trends or fabrics and hardware. We have rough sketches all over that are the original ideas, these will be tweaked by the time we get to the end result, but carry the same traits as the pencil drawing. We are one of the few remaining companies that actually drape each and every piece on the mannequin to ensure fit and quality from beginning to end and this is the biggest part of my job. Anything we sketch, I bring to life on the mannequin using muslin or jersey and a countless amount of pins! Each and every piece was painstakingly brought to completion with extra special care. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">After a full day of making clothes I like to switch gears when I get home and work on my jewelry and blog. I’ll turn on some X-files and hunker down with my huge jewelry box and just go for it. I have all of my beads completely organized, so crafting is a joy! I start out with my silk and leather as a base and just start beading. I include everything I love into these necklaces, feathers, crystals, sky blue beads and lots of hand stitching. Each necklace takes 3-5 hours, so I can usually finish one a night. Another aspect of the creative process that I like equally as much is the packaging. I have spent a lot of time trying to make the finished product look as amazing as the necklaces themselves. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">The most rewarding part is when I wear one of my necklaces out and seeing people flip for them. It’s very exciting for me to be able to make something that people actually want. I am putting a lot of effort into my etsy account and trying to gear up and actually blog more, but I’m sure you can tell I’m a pretty busy lady!  </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYr_GTC_TWS4n8QoNV3CgpbA3zHkYw_y4L6VXgRjTQIevWr8mrvYqXvU32rSzM0W96OjD6IfovbGvpCgSq0h9FthKAgqK1j8ERiOPH8h7tsCiL5noJLG19gx05QROlXELzx2z4R0tevI/s1600/1_web-6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYr_GTC_TWS4n8QoNV3CgpbA3zHkYw_y4L6VXgRjTQIevWr8mrvYqXvU32rSzM0W96OjD6IfovbGvpCgSq0h9FthKAgqK1j8ERiOPH8h7tsCiL5noJLG19gx05QROlXELzx2z4R0tevI/s400/1_web-6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Did you always want to be a designer? How did you get into this field? What kind of schooling or background did it entail?</span></i><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">I always always always knew I needed to be in a creative industry. When I was a kid I thought I wanted to model, then I got into photography and painting, and then my grandma gave me a sewing machine and my life changed! I would steal all of my dads super soft Hanes under shirts and completely re-make them into ultra cool tops for the awesome 12 year old that I was.  All through high school I made a dress for every dance, friends Halloween costumes, mended clothes, and updated vintage pieces to bring them up to modern times. I completely immersed myself in fashion, reading magazines, going to the thrift stores every weekend, and constantly making things. Well anyways, when it was time to start looking at colleges I knew to only apply to arts schools. My dad always wanted me to be a lawyer, or a doctor, feeling that the creative fields were not consistent enough to make a living out of, but I followed my heart and applied anyways. I flew to New York for my interview at the Fashion Institute of Technology and have never been so scared! I had a box full of the things that I had made and a book of sketches that I tooled around with. I sat down with 2 professors and went over some of my pieces and really I had no idea what I was talking about. One of the professors asked if I had “draped” this dress I had made for prom… ummm what? Draped, like drapes?? Yeah, I was dumbfounded. I told her I hung it on my body and pinned it that way then followed where it hung nicely to sew it. Draping, sure! They said I was “raw” talent and accepted me into the fashion design program! School was rigorous, completely different than all of my friends that went to “regular” college. We didn’t have lecture halls, we didn’t have lenient schedules, we didn’t have a “quad” or whatever it’s called! I was living in New York city, broke, starving and having the BEST time of my life. I was in school around the clock and learning more than I knew was possible. This definitely set my work ethic that is still with me today. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheBKXNtTBPeLSzDxrgmU8pvIHFqLtZLQMqlIRX_rQdgUi43MT86SmgkZJQJOi1XJgXeLkMuXIHXX0zqLHy6jnOA-0hZRUZpcofWRx8W_O6eg3f37LjhTnzICHrVDfAx1ggPq9z5ijkYM/s1600/4_page-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheBKXNtTBPeLSzDxrgmU8pvIHFqLtZLQMqlIRX_rQdgUi43MT86SmgkZJQJOi1XJgXeLkMuXIHXX0zqLHy6jnOA-0hZRUZpcofWRx8W_O6eg3f37LjhTnzICHrVDfAx1ggPq9z5ijkYM/s1600/4_page-2.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Is this what you hope to do for the rest of your life? If so, how do you see yourself growing in this career? If not, what else do you dream of doing? Where do you see yourself in 10 years, career-wise? </span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">I do hope to always be in a creative industry this is for sure. I always wanted to do a children’s line or an intimate apparel line (think white cotton, not overtly sexy) and I love what is happening with el tomboy, my jewelry line. In 10 years I hope to be fully independent or working for a HUGE company, and that could even be the one I’m with now. I just hope in 10 years I’ll be able to support my family comfortably with a job being a full time creative individual. </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MRtwakFXGNeTE32TuyFHiYv2PiMaD5Ih9e_A-xhzLfR_Uhyphenhyphen38xCEV75UNFaC4H2Iob43ckQ3vXwxot_SLkUBipuP08sDVh7yxuAPY4ZFQlAjVwqJ4JWeLq9UJ05m9Th_HAcpBnv9zn0/s1600/DSC_1937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MRtwakFXGNeTE32TuyFHiYv2PiMaD5Ih9e_A-xhzLfR_Uhyphenhyphen38xCEV75UNFaC4H2Iob43ckQ3vXwxot_SLkUBipuP08sDVh7yxuAPY4ZFQlAjVwqJ4JWeLq9UJ05m9Th_HAcpBnv9zn0/s320/DSC_1937.JPG" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8q6skY0q6Go08eVR7V-6mUva-h1BpnReC2yfZk3AMPZNzZGUxr6hFfc7xQ1yzhC1oOml1qOtQFAEdD1Vyqghw4lGF2zEUtR0YGFK6edjDqzJkeueqnn4WLbN5nysoVXIQCoQAMoygbeQ/s1600/hang+feather.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8q6skY0q6Go08eVR7V-6mUva-h1BpnReC2yfZk3AMPZNzZGUxr6hFfc7xQ1yzhC1oOml1qOtQFAEdD1Vyqghw4lGF2zEUtR0YGFK6edjDqzJkeueqnn4WLbN5nysoVXIQCoQAMoygbeQ/s320/hang+feather.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpflRVPrcp4Z9VGgH6pVsVhhogDmDVKIxmocZ91gcKjQ91e2gbUk7dqN3JnFLfrsSoxRupTXk9XC65B_ft1fkM4yPvOjo4RReHfbhTrMsAX0ov4ZPa_fLtw6B7bVR3qRBefFvdFHQ5gWs/s1600/DSC_1919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8q6skY0q6Go08eVR7V-6mUva-h1BpnReC2yfZk3AMPZNzZGUxr6hFfc7xQ1yzhC1oOml1qOtQFAEdD1Vyqghw4lGF2zEUtR0YGFK6edjDqzJkeueqnn4WLbN5nysoVXIQCoQAMoygbeQ/s1600/hang+feather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">If you could tell your 17-year old self (fresh out of high school and ready to face the world!) anything about your life today, what would you tell her?  Is there anything you wish you would have known back then? </span></i><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">Hey little one! You have NO idea what’s in store for you! You have been accepted into the fashion design program at the Fashion Institute in New York and this is only the beginning to the incredible path you are about to be on. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Things that you will do right…</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">-Stay out of serious relationships in college, especially not your first year! Keep focused and keep your eye on the prize! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">-Follow your gut. You’ll know that the year long trip to Italy wasn’t in the cards for you, and you’re also right that you will be able to go when you’re a little older and it will be much more fun!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">-Sell yourself. Even if you are just the receptionist at a Beverly Hills salon, when your manager starts bragging about you, go with it. This will land you the best career you could have dreamed of. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Things to do different</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">-Take your internship more serious! Yes, I know you’re not getting paid, but free lunch counts for something, no? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">-Cultivate more friendships, they say you start networking in college, so keep in touch with your professors and remember to email them even AFTER you graduate! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">-Please work on your portfolio a little more! It would have really paid off to just go that extra step! Don’t worry, you’ll update it in the future, but that extra boost would have made that way easier! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">-Pay attention in your pattern making class. It’s a lot less embarrassing for your professor to tell you that you forgot a notch than a production company yelling at you for forgetting a notch that compromises an entire run of a style. Don’t worry, it all works out ;)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">You’re doing the right thing, and will continue to do so, just keep your head screwed on tight, don’t do what you’re not supposed to and just wait until you meet the love of your life! Oh! And you get your very own puppy, can you believe it?! And you get to go to London, Milan and Paris AND fly first class? What?? And I’m not gonna name names, but you will meet some successful and talented people that you always dreamed of working with. Just go with the flow, learn from your mistakes and always stay open to any and all opportunities, you never know where life is trying to lead you. </span></div>

9 to 5: Patria, Jewelry and Clothing Designer

[ photo credit ] Hola! My name is Patria (puh-tree-ah, please don’t mistake it with Patricia!) and I am 24 living with my boyfriend and our ...

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Thank you to all of the bad times.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_MOtosjq-YcEebQ7SDyT-41fVadULqoW3E5uSxT78eXdaY1CuERCSz1LeGYIGYSMH-vgQzl8J7VA3wkdcTOgSuij9sxAhVLq1VsfT6zyV2Rq1r1HDLil6A_Og3tK8nBYZ2Q-jTc0gh3A/s1600/82067763_xO6IBuuV_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_MOtosjq-YcEebQ7SDyT-41fVadULqoW3E5uSxT78eXdaY1CuERCSz1LeGYIGYSMH-vgQzl8J7VA3wkdcTOgSuij9sxAhVLq1VsfT6zyV2Rq1r1HDLil6A_Og3tK8nBYZ2Q-jTc0gh3A/s400/82067763_xO6IBuuV_c.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[photo credit unknown- please link me if you know]</span></div><br />Man oh man. Could a piece of paper be more on point? I love it, and really enjoy this simple reminder to be in the present- to be in the now. It's far too easy to think your ship is off course; to begin to believe that missteps or bad choices you've made have ruined things, slowed you down, or stopped progress all together. But really, it's all part of a huge, open-ended journey. There have been so many things in my past that I've felt regretful about. And sure, "no regrets" is a great mantra, but in reality it's hard to look at things you view negatively in such a flippant light. If you get down to the nitty-gritty of it though, here you are <i>now</i>. Right here. And you wouldn't be right here without <i>that</i>, <i>that</i>, or even <i>that</i>. As for me, I like where I am. In fact, I love it. So in a strange way, I thank all of those bad times, the sad ones too, for being a part of this trip. Thank you, boy who broke my heart, way back when.  You somehow made me realize that good guys really are the best guys. That jerks aren't worth my time, and if I don't value myself, no one will. Thank you, ex-friend who ruined so many good memories, thank you for indirectly pointing out that you really are the company you keep. Thank you bad choices, who peppered high school with then-excitement, now-cringe-worthy moments. I appreciate all of those naive choices, wild adventures and crazy times. I'm so grateful for the boys I've dated, the people I've met, tears, anger, sadness, stress, all of it. It's all a huge part of this tapestry I've been weaving. Piece by piece. Step by step. It's a ladder, a map, a road, a path. I don't even know where it's going, but I've come to realize that cursing the past only tarnishes the future. It discounts all the work you've done to get where you are. Accepting that all of it has brought you here, to this place...that is priceless. So today when I found myself reading that quote up there I was filled with a deep happiness. I felt joyful. For a long time now I've loved where I am, and I've loved the path I'm on, and today I was reminded of just how important that is. And perhaps you'll enjoy the reminder, too. Love you all!

Thank you to all of the bad times.

[photo credit unknown- please link me if you know] Man oh man. Could a piece of paper be more on point? I love it, and really enjoy this sim...

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Tattoo Tuesday V.88

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2MiPrEg68p5F1fXa4_RFTkD4pzbFMwCkMsa4rYmbgdKeWQCpQQD9nD05M-X_bAv8Wfh14NnxfBfXI5nJGzUtHLSFSzH6cPXWtrzNMQhnPe_tDcsRQOwrvzDkiim-wUi-zrITK_Tn7co/s1600/Zoe+Tattoo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2MiPrEg68p5F1fXa4_RFTkD4pzbFMwCkMsa4rYmbgdKeWQCpQQD9nD05M-X_bAv8Wfh14NnxfBfXI5nJGzUtHLSFSzH6cPXWtrzNMQhnPe_tDcsRQOwrvzDkiim-wUi-zrITK_Tn7co/s640/Zoe+Tattoo+1.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><br /><b>Name and blog name: </b>Zoe // <a href="http://www.pretty-zoo.com/">www.pretty-zoo.com</a><br /><b><br />Age: </b>24<br /><br /><b>Occupation:</b> Graphic Designer, Illustrator, Jewelery Designer & Maker<br /><b><br />Age of first tattoo:</b> 19<br /><b><br />Favorite tattoo:</b> My Blue Rose or my Hot Air Balloon<br /><b><br />Featured tattoo/location:</b> My Hot Air Balloon on my right arm<br /><b><br />Artist/shop of feature tattoo: </b>Sascha at <a href="http://www.frankfurt-tattoo.de/">Frankfurt Tattoo</a>, Frankfurt, Germany<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2GyaU7XuMRK8IlCD_tJ8gSLlm2Dj12PjC_4Wn5g32NqE5lvSCTndmVS2HdfH6Hd8NsFLNR0WgG0F5PbKuvwXNKz2kEQ2sW9COI0O5hRR1HK1bcj6ScPeZPgRokMaVARdr9cAfVUE7Uo/s1600/Zoe-Tattoo-4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2GyaU7XuMRK8IlCD_tJ8gSLlm2Dj12PjC_4Wn5g32NqE5lvSCTndmVS2HdfH6Hd8NsFLNR0WgG0F5PbKuvwXNKz2kEQ2sW9COI0O5hRR1HK1bcj6ScPeZPgRokMaVARdr9cAfVUE7Uo/s640/Zoe-Tattoo-4.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><b>1) Tell us about your featured tattoo- is there a background story or special meaning? Why did you choose this particular piece of art?</b><br /><br />It's an old-school style hot air balloon surrounded by clouds and blue flowers, with some little rain-drops. It's my most recent tattoo, I got it in March this year while I was living in Frankfurt. I moved from New Zealand to Germany in August 2010 and I'd wanted a hot air balloon for a while. I don't really have any meanings behind my tattoos (I just like them visually)  but it seemed to make sense to get it while I was beginning a travel adventure! Sascha painted a watercolor of the design up for me to check out before he tattooed it, and I love the old-school style and colours! It took 4 hours of inking time and I may or may not have had my feet propped up on a 12 pack of toilet paper and given a Scooby-doo lollipop for a sugar hit when I got dizzy towards the end... <br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzrfIZudOpNjajgNRyOOdHhUJdWJrzg-HiBS4z-8dyo82bMkdL8AiEjeIS6o_nIaU9UfBFhgHRr9K42mfPOulenVSiFwuw9rdgDOe9rpdlRMVFutCMIRQr_w9rwH1NrKFjaCATfItUj8/s1600/Zoe-Tattoo-Outlines.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzrfIZudOpNjajgNRyOOdHhUJdWJrzg-HiBS4z-8dyo82bMkdL8AiEjeIS6o_nIaU9UfBFhgHRr9K42mfPOulenVSiFwuw9rdgDOe9rpdlRMVFutCMIRQr_w9rwH1NrKFjaCATfItUj8/s640/Zoe-Tattoo-Outlines.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><b>2) Do you have any other tattoos?  If so, what do you have and where? </b><br /><br />Yes, they're mostly surrounding my balloon! I've got a blue rose on the inside of my arm which I got in New Zealand in 2008, and a colorful fan design on my upper arm/shoulder (same artist in NZ but in 2010) The balloon fills in the space in-between, and I think Sascha did a great job in 'merging' them. Apart from those, I have a little colourful heart and flower design on my upper back, in the middle, which was my first tattoo when I was 19. And I still like it! ;)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55vzQ-6Qri91okil4OS1ZKaJVz5njy4B8ZAFaGtUL83rbFIf1353p07RHzADEzhZnxqD0jsuiP4hHrVfkhNlr6U1SNlQfmw5y5tofwpTtoNSIl_GnAJfj6h7Gj0st7aGOLGuNnOXzkys/s1600/Zoe-Tattoo-3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55vzQ-6Qri91okil4OS1ZKaJVz5njy4B8ZAFaGtUL83rbFIf1353p07RHzADEzhZnxqD0jsuiP4hHrVfkhNlr6U1SNlQfmw5y5tofwpTtoNSIl_GnAJfj6h7Gj0st7aGOLGuNnOXzkys/s640/Zoe-Tattoo-3.jpg" width="476" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHMJTH62PqW9RRP2Cty5WKBwfb3WU7fdJi-7GZabIbHXT6U80yH4L0CWiPLkPz0qxsHYDFjXspd0lPYNEunpHIvXT4JqXK-3wGiGk0cvoquPjaWPH64kO78VfJt1LFvPXTfbvif57_Cg/s1600/Zoe-Blue-Rose.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHMJTH62PqW9RRP2Cty5WKBwfb3WU7fdJi-7GZabIbHXT6U80yH4L0CWiPLkPz0qxsHYDFjXspd0lPYNEunpHIvXT4JqXK-3wGiGk0cvoquPjaWPH64kO78VfJt1LFvPXTfbvif57_Cg/s400/Zoe-Blue-Rose.jpg" width="382" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>3) Do you plan on getting more? </b><br /><br />Yes…. there's still a strip on the underside of my arm I'd like to fill. I have joked about leaving it un-tattooed for when I'm an old lady and get saggy arm skin, I can get it nipped & tucked it without affecting my tattoos, but that's just being silly! ;) I'll get it filled eventually when I find a great artist and think of something I'd really like to go there. I like the idea of 'collecting' tattoos from artists around the world, from the cities I live in or visit.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRH-hKMos0ttMCUg0cdpxs1djsT_4fUH3qjAp1bDP_oq6RdnmdHB_qS77UYM8OtLWrHlUqJ27MFD7CrMLiOu5qqUSmmj1ITvIRnQLw60zQDHuH1meGSvivYG9pRDT0mCquV_5q-WdHMU/s1600/Zoe+Tattoo+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRH-hKMos0ttMCUg0cdpxs1djsT_4fUH3qjAp1bDP_oq6RdnmdHB_qS77UYM8OtLWrHlUqJ27MFD7CrMLiOu5qqUSmmj1ITvIRnQLw60zQDHuH1meGSvivYG9pRDT0mCquV_5q-WdHMU/s400/Zoe+Tattoo+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br />4) How do your family and friends feel about your tattoo(s)?  Have you run into any adversity or negativity because of them? Do you have a significant other? Does he/she have tattoos? </b><br /><br />My parents like my tattoos- my Dad has a forest scene back-piece and my Mum has some roses and a bird on her back. I started getting interested in tattoos when I was about 12 or 13 when my Dad started his back piece. He took one of my drawings to his tattooist one session, just to show him, and came home telling me his artist thought it was really good- I was so excited! I wanted to be a tattooist ever since then, but my family 'steered' me towards doing a university degree first and then deciding. So now I'm a designer but I'd still love to try my hand at tattooing!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2YDiMcL_f_r7YMp-hGteMtbeRfdCySrdlWWsRiEOeBAlkBwS2uyvAC17-SjZ1wqenhQLTFKCNmIJKnbh5RvTiMvzflMQYskrCYHnka309PJp_CwweLHnczhKxWpYzaBqzsvUXr5EG_8/s1600/Zoe-Tattoo-6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2YDiMcL_f_r7YMp-hGteMtbeRfdCySrdlWWsRiEOeBAlkBwS2uyvAC17-SjZ1wqenhQLTFKCNmIJKnbh5RvTiMvzflMQYskrCYHnka309PJp_CwweLHnczhKxWpYzaBqzsvUXr5EG_8/s640/Zoe-Tattoo-6.jpg" width="564" /></a></div><br />My twin sister has one and is planning a tribute tattoo for her two boys, and quite a few of my friends have them too. I designed a nurse Russian Doll for my friend which covers the side of her thigh, it's really cool having my design on my friends skin forever!  My boyfriend hasn't got any and I don't think he ever will; he's not a huge fan of my tattoos but his attitude is that it's my body, so I can get tattoos if I want! <br /><br />I haven't experienced any negativity really, but I've had people ask me about them (which is totally fine) or grab my arm as I walk past (not so fine...)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNQIy60NvOSbabBz-UhyRX-i9_BiePR-F-yZ4ddXEfS6tVh0NvGTETUISSBRO32Fl3d_kal7NYOf8a6CL4NVQWcyLvcN6Zhgt-wtfmmcrVuXjgbsTulwgmKz-K0w-cvMfsYeFq4stR5s/s1600/Zoe-Tattoo-5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNQIy60NvOSbabBz-UhyRX-i9_BiePR-F-yZ4ddXEfS6tVh0NvGTETUISSBRO32Fl3d_kal7NYOf8a6CL4NVQWcyLvcN6Zhgt-wtfmmcrVuXjgbsTulwgmKz-K0w-cvMfsYeFq4stR5s/s640/Zoe-Tattoo-5.jpg" width="510" /></a></div><br /><b>5) Any advice for those interested in getting tattooed but haven't gotten one yet?</b><br /><br />Research your tattoo artist, find someone that has a portfolio full of the kind of work you're going for. Expect to go on a long waiting list for a good artist (it'll be worth it) <br /><br />Eat before your appointment! And take along some real food (like a sandwich or fruit) if it's going to be a long session. Also a sugary drink or candy ;) I'm the queen of shock and fainting so I really need to keep my sugar levels up when being tattooed.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqLh7tCvGwnJUhX4LP80AvHTP9FSNIcUaZamrh0CeFxe3YJNZHdPXRLnSZwnZm1S9h2xezsbv1Z-tqlqt-SMwGJ0grnuYZJq2HekDSDTSLZdz0jvA-RDAWVozt2wtpqL_nhy120xj2_M/s1600/Zoe-Tattoo-7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqLh7tCvGwnJUhX4LP80AvHTP9FSNIcUaZamrh0CeFxe3YJNZHdPXRLnSZwnZm1S9h2xezsbv1Z-tqlqt-SMwGJ0grnuYZJq2HekDSDTSLZdz0jvA-RDAWVozt2wtpqL_nhy120xj2_M/s640/Zoe-Tattoo-7.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>

Tattoo Tuesday V.88

Name and blog name: Zoe // www.pretty-zoo.com Age: 24 Occupation: Graphic Designer, Illustrator, Jewelery Designer & Maker Age of first...

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