Tattoo Love

I've been talking about my tattoos recently, and what with me booking a couple of hours for Calvin and I in a few weeks time, I thought I'd share my tattoos with you!

Since I was young I loved them. My mum got her first (and only one) when I was about 10. A fairly mediocre fairy on her shoulder. My dad, however, utterly detests them, I think more because he doesn't understand the link between Tattoos and Art, or why anybody would want them on their body forever. 

My first tattoo was in May 2011 and was of a large Chrysanthemum in the middle of my shoulder blades, done by Davey Robertson, Cruithni, Hull, UK. It took about 2 and 1/2 hours, and was just about bearable! I was 19 when I got it and probably held on a little longer as I was scared of the pain. I don't even have my ears pierced because of this. 

The plan was to get two Japanese Ranchu goldfish on either side, made to look like Koi, but a little different. I didn't do that however, and got my second tattoo on my right shoulder blade of my "The Cat Returns" inspired maneki neko, or lucky cat. 

Horribly sore >_<

This was done in December 2011 in about 2-3 hoursby my local tattoo artist friend, Betty Banzai, Noir Bizarre, Hull, UK. I wanted it to look odd, not your typical cat, with watercolour-esque colours. The Japanese kanji is "Geibun" 芸文 for Art and Literature and the other is "Chi" 智 for intellect/wisdom/knowledge (also Satoshi which is the first name of the guy who created Pokemon!). 

My third is my beautiful, female, fu-dog/shishi. I got her on my right thigh by the amazing artist, Andy Walker, Creative Vandals, Hull, UK. This was my longest piece and took a solid 8 hours, and it's still not finished! I got my fu-dog to represent my appreciation of asian/japanese culture, for protection and for fertility.

I love everything about it and just epitomises why tattoos are important to me. It's art, meaning, symbolism and life events all roled into one!

I am very excited to be starting on my sleeve in just 10 days! I've decided to go about further afield and get tattooed by Sneaky Mitch Allenden's apprentice, Alicia Rafferty at Inspirations Studio, Leeds, UK. I love her work, and she has really grown over the last few months that I've been following her posts. I will be getting her old-school rendition of this beauty by Camilla d'Errico!

As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to have it tattooed on me somewhere. The catgirl-esque mask made out of hair, the cat ears and the blue and yellow eyes! Firstly, a mask out of hair?! It just screams to me imagination, creativity and fun to make yourself into something else so easily. It seems so fun and child-like. And the blue and yellow eyes? Well, the combination of blue and yellow is so magical to me. It's often used in films to make the scene look more futuristic/interesting. I see it all the time and I drive my Calvin mad with it every time I point it out!

I'm really excited to see what Alicia comes up with, and to get tattooed in just 10 days! EEK! And in such a prominent space. I'm quite a bit scared about it! 

Peace and Love!

xx

For the love of Art

Hello my beauties :) How is everyone today? I'm well, had a relaxing day doing a few errands and going to college. The weather is terrible here, but I'm hoping it will get better soon!

A week or so ago I bought one of the most beautiful bikes ever! It's very simple, but dutch, traditional, pink, has a big wicker basket and cute print panniers. It's also very comfortable to ride and is steeped in history, which I love! It's a Gazelle Basic Single Speed (Gazelle being the oldest Dutch bike company) and it's PINK (Havana Pink to be exact) <3 I bought it from the lovely people at East Coast Bicycles in Hull, you can find them here and here.

<3 The start of a life long love affair I think!

I had a video to hand in for a college deadline, so, as is me, I got it done the week before (fantastic you think! Until I tell you we've had the brief for about 4 months! Whoops!) I headed over to Flamborough North Landing, an absolutely tiny bay on the East Coast about an hour away from Hull, just past Bridlington. It was a perfect location and I can't wait to go back when the weather is better to get some more footage and photos. I also took the opportunity to use up the film in my camera for college, we have a landscape assignment due in the first week of May, where we must use film (eeep!). I'm eagerly awaiting their arrival so I can get them scanned in and see what they're like, really loved using the Canon EOS 3. 

The shop is going well, we've added some new stock from Sourpuss last week, you can check it out here :) Hull's Angels Roller Derby are having a bout May 13th in Hull against the Bruising Banditas and we'll be having a stall there among some over local business. For more info check out the Facebook event. 

Recently I've been indulging in reading the blogs of some of my favourite people, specifically Honey Bee In the City, Cupcake's Clothes, The Plus Size Life of Tess Munster. 

Also pinning everything in sight on my pinterest account, remlangton, especially French Bulldogs, home interior, crafting and delicious food <3

Tess Munster <3

Texas Trash 

1 package cream cheese 1 cup sour cream 2 cans (16 ounces, each) refried beans 1 packet taco seasoning 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded 2 cups monterey jack cheese, shredded... must try:)

I can so see Calvin doing this sometime in our future!

I'd call him Frank <3

Beautiful Ranunculus <3 Quickly becoming my favourite flower!

I live by this!

How gorgeous is this print combo? I think a polka dot skirt is in the making!

I'll be posting soon enough with something a bit more structured, but for now you'll have to put up with this brief update and pretty pictures!

XOXO

Furniture Fridays: Back to Nature

During a little research for tonight's post, I came across these. 

How awesome are these?! I keep trying to work out how it's been done. At first glance it looked like they'd cemented old pieces, then I thought maybe yoghurt? 

Looking closer, its seems to be the same material bio-degradeable seedling pots are made from, a kind of cardboard material that retains a lot of water. 

The artist Kevin Hunt thinks of it as a very changeable work of art, in that it is beyond his control and adapts due to the conditions. 

I just love the idea of sitting on a seat, cushioned by grass. I can imagine a picnic table made like this, love it! 

Rebekah

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