Birthday Butterfly!

Another birthday, another tattoo...

My wonderful & amazing boyfriend, Ronnie took me to the Jersey Shore to celebrate my 35th birthday, last weekend.  Asbury Park has become our favorite local get-a-way, and we have shared many memories and celebrated anniversaries there - so we can always find an excuse to go!  We stay at a really unique modern renovation, The Hotel Tides & never pass up a meal at Langosta Lounge.

But the "must-do" when we visit the shore, is to make a stop into Electric Tattoo & visit my favorite guy, Tom Yak.  Saturday is "walk-in" day at the shop for all of the artists, but be sure to get there before noon - the list fills up quickly.  I asked Tom for more of the same, "American Traditional", bold and beautiful.  He always delivers clean lines & a design that will stand the test of time!  I love this piece, and I can't wait to keep going on my right sleeve.

The picture below is fresh ink in the shop, note the blood & red swollen area.

Healing nicely.... 5 days later.

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Matching Sugar Skulls for Día de Muertos

I started a position at a new company this past Fall, after 10 years of commitment to my first "real" job after college.  This was a huge move for me professionally; I had become comfortable in my work life, despite all the chaos going on in my family and personal life.  This move was not only upward, but an opportunity to be a part of a new and growing organization.  I had a couple ideas in mind to "mark" this moment in time, but the 2nd week of my new adventure was overshadowed by Superstorm Sandy.

My long time friend Jeremiah, and I had talked forever about getting matching skulls.  I found this time to be the opportune moment to celebrate Día de Muertos.  There was a lot of suffering around us, but I could still feel the positive energy.  The city started pulling together just like another time Jeremiah and I knew all too well.

This was also an opportunity to get inked at Brooklyn Tattoo, owned by Adam Suerte.  His shop was running a Day of the Dead special, and this was our chance!  Patricia Mazza took care of Jeremiah first; with a larger, black & grey version of what I got.

It cost a little extra for the color, but worth it!  I love this piece on the inside of my right arm - once I fill the outer side, it will be time for more Salt & Pepper!

Salt & Pepper

After moving my main blog, StellaBella to wordpress in 2012, I forgot all about this little piece of documentation I had also been working on.  Here we are in 2013, and I have been tattooed since!  I spoke last about my 3rd and least favorite "Friday The 13th" tattoo.  Right before that one, I decided to tie my right arm together, with an American traditional technique called "Salt & Pepper".

More like dots, asterisks, and plus signs, it's the filler in between my favorite style of tattoo.  After watching myself on NY Ink, I noticed all of my negative space in particular.  I had been adding small pieces around my original piece, but now I needed some cohesion.  My main man, Tom Yak and I had talked about it before, so he was happy to start tying it together.  I also requested an LTD to forever remind me the name of the episode I was on.