Brutal Beauty

Yesterday I endured the final touches to Mr Peacock's plumage. This bad boy started life as simple black outline back in December. Now, 5 months later and after a total of 8 + 1/2 hours under the needle, here he is, in all his glory! He was a 30th birthday pressie from friends and family and I love him to pieces, so thank you to all of you - you know who you are!

Yesterday was the most brutal session - 3 + 1/2 hours filling in all the colour on my ribcage and the flowers next to my armpit and spine - OUCH!! Yes, it was painful - why do people always ask this questions? More specifically though, the bits closest to my waist and my spine were by far the worst. They were 'shout loud sweary words' painful and 'hope you don't knee the tattooist in the face' painful. On a par with my feet. My adrenaline was shot to fuck afterwards, so much so that when I went to pay, my PIN went straight oot ma heed. After feeling like a total fud I had to leave without paying. Epic FAIL. However, after tottering down to the cash machine on a rush of endorphins, it popped right back in and I was able to settle up before heading home to a giant Subway sandwich, 2 Anadin Extra and back to back episodes of ER season 1. Sweet. To top it all off, Mr G arrived home from work with a BOX full of delicious cupcakes - I had to get my sugar levels back up ;)

All the pain and glory was down to Mr Steven Wrigley, son of Terry Wrigley, at his Irezumi studio in Partick, Glasgow. Cheers Steven!

Today kicks off with a wee trip to the cinema to see Thor - I'm only going for the sweeties - and then an attempt to track down some decent hair-dye - even my 70 year old boss at work commented on my roots the other day! Then, after a few more Anadin, it's off to see some sleazy rock n roll courtesy of the Tragic City Thieves - bring it on!

Things I Love (and Loathe) Thursday

Things What I LOVE...

1. My love of Xoil Loic's artwork is well documented, however, I couldn't resist posting this new piece. It popped up on the Needles Side Tattoo Facebook page on Tuesday, a mere 3 days before I go back under the needle to have my peacock design finished (Friday the 13th!). My peacock was a gift from all friends and family for my 30th birthday. We celebrated my 30th with a masked ball. This tattoo sums me up quite nicely. If anyone in the UK fancies a one of kind Xoil tattoo, he's in the UK in August and still taking bookings. Visit his facebook to make an appointment. Wish it was me, but I'm running out of space and cash... Next time Xoil, next time!
2. Mr G and I watch a lot of telly - A LOT. Top of the pops at the moment is Game of Thrones. It's a kinda middle ages/fantasy drama - all kings and swords and rampant love making. What more do you want from a show? I kinda like to know what's going on and GoT is one of those shows where I pester the hell out of Mr G every 5 minutes asking 'what's going on?', 'who's he??' I just can't keep up. To help me along the way (and stop my hellishly frustrating questions) Mr G sent me this helpful wee link to character descriptions. That's my lunch breaks sorted for the next month! What's your favourite shows just now?
3. I've got four stonkingly good gigs lined up over the next few months: two durty, sleazy, glam metal nights before the end of May: homegrown superstars Tragic City Thieves and the mighty Tigertailz. Then July kicks off with full throttle industrial nonsense, Combichrist, before culminating in an an evening with goth royalty, The Sisters of Mercy. Every time I lift my arms a sneaky wee devil sign escapes...

4. Cos my work's been really stressful lately, and because I'm basically a lazy, greedy cow, I've been munching my way through bags loads of 'pre grated' cheddar - yup - that's right - cheese with all the hard work done for you! Simply unzip the bag and sprinkle/pour directly onto your beans on toast. A quick splash of tobasco and there you have it - a hearty meal in (literally) 2 minutes. If this doesn't satiate you, next step reach for the tub of 'Cream O' Galloway' Caramel Shortbread ice-cream. Now, I'm actually not a very big ice-cream fan, BUT, this little pot of gold is simply divine - so utterly over indulgent and naughty! And I've just discovered that they have a visitor centre!! Mental...

All the little things...

Twitter - little bit obsessed, but still enjoying it - follow me to get nonsense ramblings about all of the above and numerous photos of my cats // Hapify - savour the things that make you feel good // Metcheck - best online weather forecast that helps keep my weather obsession under control - it tells you exactly what percentage of cloud coverage you can expect at any time of the day - YAASSSS! // stealing Mr G's pizza crusts - they don't count as calories cos they're not on my plate

Things What I LOATHE...

DEADLINES - stress city // my serious lack of motivation to get fit - throwing cash away on a gym membership I've hardly used since February. Need to book a holiday - that'll help // scrubbing black mould off the walls at work // my addiction to Eastenders. It's shit, and yet night after night I can't seem to pull myself away...

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Sakura Cat

Tanakawho's series of 'Sakura Cats' - cats frolicking in cherry blossom trees. Every part of my being squeals with delight on seeing these! Stolen from Trendhunter. And here's some equally delightful Japanese pop to listen to while you go gaga over these fabulous felines. Are you a cat person or a dog person?

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Long Hard Road Out Of Hell

Make Up: Nars eyeshadow in Fuji // Illamasqua Lipstick in Flame // Benefit blusher in Bella Bamba

Topshop checked shirt // New Look pleather trousers // Office wedges // leopard print hair clip, gift // nails, Number 7 in 80s Cocktail Dress

This is what I wore on Friday night to Spinal Lou's fantabulous (not quite 30) birthday bash at Firewater. We drank cider and black, JD and coke and danced silly dancing to indie rock choons - quality! 

The title of this post reflects this week's work situation. I have crazy deadlines coming out my ears and work is quite simply 'hell' at the moment. But I do like to work under pressure, so I guess I shouldn't really moan too much. There's nothing a good dose of Marilyn Manson can't fix! Turn it up LOUD!! xx

Daphne Guinness Dresses in Barney's Window

Shopping For 'Lady' Clothes

My work's office has just moved from a run down old building into a swanky new one, designed by none other than Zaha Hadid. (More about this in another post!) In preparation, I decided that it was about time I made a bit more of an effort with my work clothes. The old me would simply go for comfort - leggings, boots and cotton 'top' of some sort. The new me is aiming for something more sophisticated and professional. But where does one look for new 'lady-like' togs?? For the first time in my life I ventured onto the SECOND floor of the local Debenhams. That's right - up beyond Topshop, Warehouse, Oasis and the like and into LADY territory... Wallis, Principles and few others I can't quite recall....

To my horror/delight I found myself 'oooohing' and 'ahhhing' and pawing at all these lovely frocks:

1923 RED VINTAGE POPPY PROM DRESS from wallis

ORANGE FLOWER AND STRIPE DRESS from wallis

BLACK STRIPE SEMI FREDDO DRESS from wallis

PETITE LIME FLORAL DRESS from wallis

BLACK STRIPE MAXI DRESS from wallis

Mondrian Print Dress by Ben de Lisi for Principles

Square Print Prom Dress by Ben de Lisi from Principles

The Pink Room

white bat wing blouse, pleather trousers and headscarf all from New Look // black Stargazer lippy // Jeffrey Campbell shoes // weird smug look courtesy of the rum and ginger beer in my hand

Me and Mr Ser

Friday night we were invited to a secret location to party in The Pink Room. We drank, we danced, we took silly photos, we hid in the bedroom when the police arrived and I'm still recovering. Getting too old for all this malarkey. 

How was your weekend? Did you watch the wedding? I sat in my jammies with my tiara on my head and ate the last half of my easter egg. I only cried once - well, maybe twice... Love a good wedding! Got my wee cousin's next year and maybe even my wee brother's - he proposed on Easter Monday! Congratulations Sam and Laura xxx