So...it's August 2016 and I've decided I'm going to start blogging again. I contemplated starting a new blog on a different platform, considering I now have some knowledge of web design- but really I don't think people care thatttt much..so here I am back in action.

I will be creating some new categories of content in the next couple of weeks that I will adhere to on the regular. I will also follow up with a detailed post about what it is I've been doing for the last couple of years.

Talk soon. xox

I'm Back

It is now June 2014, and I have been entirely inactive on my blog for many months now, really since I left Thailand almost a year ago. For whatever reason I felt I had nothing to say,"out loud" which is interesting considering the huge changes I was making. 

On January,13 2014 I wrote a journal entry in which I mentioned that it had been 10 months since becoming a vegetarian; at the end of the entry I talked about how I was eating too many junky fried foods like jalapeño poppers and mozza sticks. 

I devised a plan to cut out dairy twice a week, and incorporate RAW food only days. I started this plan on Jan, 15th: writing in my journal, "it's day 1 of heart me vegan day!! and I have been incredibly successful!" and then I went on to list the foods I ate. 

I went the two days, and then the next week did 4 days..and give or take a few days to iron out the bumps (realizing my favourite lime tortilla chips have milk ingredients) I would say by around Feb 1st, I was 100% veganized, it is now June 2, and I have been vegan for 4 months. 

I also got a juicer for my birthday, and started having one green juice a day (as well as my regular food intake) starting on April 22nd, and went a full 30 days- quitting finally after experiencing gastrointestinal issues, and a real dent in my bank account. I also found that I sort of stopped eating vegetables, because sub consciously I felt like I was ingesting enough in my juice, but was obviously missing the fibre, which I believe contributed to my weird stomach/bowel issues.

SO, here we are…and why I didn't document my vegan journey right from the start I'm not sure, perhaps I was unsure if I could continue with it? Or more likely, I felt like no body needs another personal vegan blog…but I really enjoy writing in my journal, and it's more fun to write online-because journals can be lost, and forgotten..but these posts will never fade and tear from the spine. 

So today happens to be the day I will begin to document another experiment in my personal journey to better health: I am starting at home yoga/other exercises. You would think that after 4 months of no cheese, no eggs, no butter, no yogurt, no ice cream. NO CHEESE. that I have dropped 25 pounds, but you are sadly mistaken. I didn't quit animals and their bi-products for weight loss, but I did hope that I'd wind up a bit lighter on my feet as an added bonus…:( but no.

I realize that in the last 8 months I have become extremely sedentary, I went from working 5 days a week at a job in which I power walked for a full 8 hours a day, walking to work, and beginning and ending my day with 6 excruciating flights of stairs- to sitting behind a computer screen 40 hours a week. so here goes my attempt at physical activity

September Dreamin

Well here I am in Wisconsin..feeling the cool winds of fall roll in..I love the change of season..and this year it is especially exciting because I am officially a dual citizen..Canadian and American..wow it's so amazing!
I feel like the world is my oyster! I haven't written anything on my blog for awhile, as I hadn't anything much to say..I was focused on working, and preparing for the fall..
I'll be posting regularly now, documenting my journey moving to the US, becoming a Graphic Design student, and discovering a new city!!! There will be trips to Chicago and Milwaukee...and the Twin Cities perhaps..and reviews of local restaurants, cool local bands and anything else I feel like writing!!!

happy thursday

gallery pink

I LOVE LATEX FASHION!

I want to arrange a alternative fashion photo shoot when I get home wardrobed in STRICTLY LATEX!

The Gulf

9 Days Left in Paradise

Here we are, the last 9 days..and I am feeling content; I feel as if I've had a great trip but I am also ready to go home ;)
When I came out here I was hoping for a transformation, a revelation..an epic spiritual shift..and when nothing happened I felt a little bit cheated.
Then I realized that changes can happen albeit subtle and inconspicuous in nature..changes you don't realize have occurred until you're getting close to going home.

I feel as if I've had a lot of quiet time on this trip, and without the usual hum of traffic, the routine of work, and the act of paying bills..it's like my brain has been firing like the 4th of July. (more then usual if that's possible;)
I've actually felt overwhelmed some nights, as I'm trying to fall asleep and my mind just won't shut up and let me rest; Hours upon hours lying awake, next to my boyfriend who's blissfully enveloped in the depths of dreams.
It's almost like all the distractions of regular life at home allow you to sort of ignore the "big" questions or at least push them so far back..that they wind up forgotten when the time allows for reflection.
I always thought of reflecting one one's life as a chosen activity..like "ok today- I'm getting out my notebook and I'm gonna mind map..I'm gonna list pro's and con's..I'm going to attack this with a systematic efficiency." But on this trip..I've drifted into the dusty depths of my mind, and with the sounds of the sea crashing onto the shore..I've felt a whole spectrum of emotion..

I think we all look and wait for the "light bulb" moments...or we read "Eat Pray Love" and feel inspired to abandon our material pleasures, strap a filthy sac to our backs and head out on the beaten trail..to find an awakening in the bottom of a teacup whilst sitting cross legged at "Ethos" vegan restaurant, smoking apple shi sha with the alluring beatnik from Bali..but it doesn't necessarily wind up being that sensual and exotic....;)

Sometimes all you need is a step back, and a stack of books, and a small budget that leaves you ship wrecked on Koh Chang for 3 weeks with nothing but a shitty internet connection and a weathered beach front hut..oh and a fresh minty mojito at the end of a sun soaked afternoon spent bobbing in the massive waves in Gulf of Thailand!

What I'm trying to say is...these moments of clarity we seek, can be found when you allow your mind to be open, and exposed...when you ask the universe to feel a connection..when you shed your layers and open up your heart...and when you give everything you have to the cause that is your life and yourself..and then you start to feel the changes..the growth..and hopefully all you've dreamt for yourself will be free to stream into your path and manifest itself in you!!!!!

love love love love to you xxxxxxxxoooooo

Blog Updates

There's a few things I would like to do to upgrade this blog- but they're going to have to wait until I get back to Canada, and back to making money!

1. Upgrade to a paid site. I would like to get my own domain name, and take my blog to the next level. This is primarily because I want to have more creative control over the way my blog looks- I want to really personalize it, so it stands out from the rest..

2. Get a new smart phone. My black berry is DONE, beyond done..and my contract is finally up at the end of the summer- at which point I'll be getting either a Samsung Galaxy or an Iphone..which will allow me to have the ease of uploading more pictures and videos to my blog.

3. Take a Blogacademy workshop with Gala, Kat, and Shauna..This will have to wait until they're coming back to North America after their tour in Australia and New Zealand..but I'll be at the first location that's within driving distance!!

4. Even before I get home I'm going to introduce a few different categories, so I can properly file my posts in an organized way..So I can refine my areas of interest so my blog has more of a "niche."

5. I'd like to reach out to more bloggers, people just starting out as well as those that have been blogging for years..I would like to create a small crew of like minded bloggers that can bounce ideas off of one another..(Gala suggests this on her blog)

So..has anyone out there recently upgraded from a free to a paid site? What would you suggest or recommend?

Thnx!

Eating in Thailand

I haven't posted anything on this topic in awhile so I thought I'd shed some light..

In the last few weeks there's been some favourites:
-Scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast
-Tom Yum soup with rice noodles
-Mixed veggies in either ginger + soy, sweet n sour or just soya sauce..with 1/2 the portion of rice
-Water

I've had a cup of coffee maybe 3x in the last 2.5 weeks..It's rather expensive..40 baht in most places for an Americano..and 50-60 for a latte. Actually- I shouldn't say it's "expensive" but the prices here don't make much sense.. 

For example, at this restaurant it costs 35 baht for scrambles eggs, 25 baht for 2 slices of toast- so that's 60 baht for a meal..and a latte is the same price as the meal? So it doesn't seem worth it on most days ;)

I alternate the soup from lunch to dinner..everywhere I have tried this soup it tastes slightly different..as the Thai's say "same same-but different"
In this particular restaurant they put a lot of coconut milk in it, and a fair amount of oil- which I'm guessing is palm..which bothers me because both are not the best to be eating everyday!

I tried ordering it without coconut milk, and it was extremely lemony..and had no oil at all..
As I mentioned I've been eating it with rice noodles because they only have egg tofu here, and I really dislike the texture (slimy and soft) but I am concerned with the amount of carbs I'm ingesting..and they do not have brown rice here.

That is the #1 obstacle I have found that stands between me and losing weight as a Vegetarian in Thailand: CARBS. Because I'm not filling up on meat, I crave the carbs to get me to the next meal, but I have been feeling very lethargic lately..and I'm guessing the carbs are to blame (in combination with the heat) They also don't have any bean options...and very little in terms of salads..

If I remove the rice noodles and coconut milk from the soup, and replace the toast for breakfast with fruit, perhaps I would notice some results?
So today is June 5th..we leave to return home on June 23rd..so I have 19 days to try this out..

Too Old For Piercings?

What do you guys think? Is there an age where getting new piercings just isn't cool anymore?
What age.... 20? 30? 40?

Getting Stuff Done

This post is inspired by Sally Hope's latest post about Pure Barre..and "embracing the shake" ..she wrote about how great it feels when you trudge forth..when your thighs are burning..and all you want to do is give up- but you don't. And it's sooooo worth it in the end!!!

What I've noticed in the last 3 months or so: I'm getting things done.
Big things
Like I'm consistently writing for this blog
Like I actually came to Thailand
Like I'm still a Vegetarian.
I HAVEN'T BEEN GIVING UP! This is an absolute breakthrough for me..a real progression from my old ways...
For years I've thought that maybe there was something wrong with me..why can't I finish projects that I start? Why do I drop out of University when the going gets rough? Why can't I consistently exercise and eat healthy? Why haven't I started a band? Why am I sitting here asking myself why I am such a procrastinator?!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF?!!!!!!!
I always thought there would be a "lightening moment" when the answer would be hurled down from the heavens by a glorious Greek God...but rather it has happened with such subtlety..

Maybe it is finally my time..maybe I have reached an age where I finally know who I am..and what I want from life..and it was all the "mis-steps" and wrong turns that in fact led me here. To where I am supposed to be. It hasn't been an easy route I tell ya..but goddamnit! I have arrived!
The million dollar question is of course..HOW? How did I actually morph into this person that's a "Do-er" as opposed to a "talker"...
I think I just started. And this is something my mom has told me FOREVER. but it's so hard to listen to somebody else..you really have to live it..and figure it out the hard way..for things to really sink in..she knew this from her life experience..and I needed to log some experiences before it made sense for me.
Even though I have 2 followers (including myself) I write this blog like a million girls are reading..I'm faking it till I make it...I'm putting myself into the shoes of a successful blogger..and walking around in them..I'm wearing the hat of the DO-ER and have thus BECOME one.
Even though these are small steps..just putting them into motion..and maintaining them everyday for a length of time..have put this vessel into a forward trajectory..and a body in motion stays in motion. stays in motion.......BELIEVE THAT!

Tell me...do you suffer from some of the things I mentioned above?
How have you dealt with your lack of direction..and inability to act on your ideas and dreams...?
Are you still wading through the murky waters of the unknown....? Or have you too found your rhythm in the wind and are now full speed ahead..?

Hit me up!

xox rache

Body Love

Although this is a message from the Bible, and I'm not a religious person..I have always identified with the idea of our bodies being our temples..In that we should respect them and honour them...that we should care for ourselves in the same tender and loving way that we would care for a child..and not just in a physical sense, but also caring for ourselves emotionally..understanding that we have all we need within us..the strength..the confidence..the unwavering love..the knowing..to be able to overcome any obstacle and pursue every dream..
so what's the problem?
well this is really hard to remember when you're struggling to pay your bills..when you find yourself "stuck" in a life situation- such as a bad relationship, or a shit job..but that's why I'm writing this blog post! If we have enough reminders along the way, then maybe thinking of our bodies as temples will become as natural as our perpetual negativity ex: "if i could only lose 15 pounds then i'd be happier"

Today we decided to rent a kayak..and as we paddled out to sea I glanced back at the beach...at all the girls in their bikini's..and thought about how insecure I am most of the time where my physical body is concerned...
then I thought about how confident I have felt here..wearing my tiny triangle top, and string tie bottoms...it's interesting that at home my usual attire is tights, super long tank top that covers my bum, loose t shirt over top..with infinity scarf and vest or jacket..that's A LOT of clothing!!!!
Our climate in Canada is def. not conducive to bikini's in most months..but I think that is part of the reason why I feel so uncomfortable!! we spend months wrapped in layers like mummies..and then when summer comes- we peel away the onion to expose a white blotchy pallor and a hula hoop of pizza dough that used to resemble a stomach...perhaps an extreme example..but you get my point!
That's what I love about warm climates...it's too damn hot to be insecure girl! toss those layers in the trash..and embrace your BODY...because a have a sneaking suspicion that you look a lot better then you think..oh and PS- there's nothing that a great golden brown tan can't hide! ;)

What I also notice about being on the beach..and looking at a lot of bodies..is that they are all so effing different! It's unbelievable that we even bother trying to compare ourselves to each other..that's like a kiwi trying to compare herself to a banana..both fruits are so different in texture, flavour, and shape! But they are both delicious! You feel me?
This may seem very elementary..but how often do you really sit down and think about body envy logically? The reality is we can't make curvaceous hips flatten and disappear..and you can't make short legs longer..so let's just embrace our lovely selves!

xox PC

Vodka Redbull Buckets and Rainstorms

Last night was so epic! We took a walk down the beach road to try and find something to do, and met a young American guy who was also looking for a party. We found ourselves at this awesome little bar with a fun DJ playing awesome music...the beer was buy one get one free..and we started off with a Chang Export..and then on to the buckets!!!
We had awesome in depth conversations with the American about everything from grow ops to tattoo's..and as the sky began to swell and the rain came pouring down, the people on the streets began to charge into the tiny bar...pretty soon it was packed with soaked travellers..throwing up high fives and hugging complete strangers..
We met this one Australian guy that has been here about 3 weeks, and was introducing us to all the locals..like we were old friends..it was so awesome! So we're all dancing and talking and wobbling around with our buckets in tow..when all of a sudden a crack of thunder and the power is OUT! music lights everything shut down...and then everyone just starts laughing and yelling and woooooo!!!!!!! and when they flashed back on..and the bass resumed it's heavy thumppp the party kicked up into high gear...at this point the rain is like a monsoon, it's a river rushing through the street outside the bar..dogs and cats are taking refuge under the bar tables..and it's just madness!!!! The power went out another 3 times..and it just fired everyone up even more..just the realization that wholly shit! we are actually  partying in a monsoon rainstorm on an island in the Gulf of Thailand right now?!! So epic.

The walk home was even better then the party..Shaun and I were staggering down the middle of the road..rain pummelling our bodies..and singing "in the jungle the mighty jungle the lion sleeps tonight" at the TOP of our lungs..(I even pulled out my shitty camera with the broken screen and took some ghost shots of us..unfortunately my computer couldn't read those particular files, and wouldn't import those photo's- but I did get some other good one's from that night :)
When we got back to Siam Huts, there was a few people sitting around having drinks..and I bummed a menthol off a Thai girl..and while my back was turned her ladyboy friend was blowing Shaun kisses- much to his horror LOL...
We headed back to the room and stayed up for hours talking every possible topic known to man, and fell asleep to the sound of the storm.
What an amazing night
Tell me what YOU did last night!!!!!!

Rate My Thailand Destinations!!!!

Brief Rundown of The Islands

Overall Rating between 1-10
1 being shit
10 being fucking phenom.
(This rating is based on a BUDGET traveller's perspective, operating at roughly 500 baht per day.......)

PHUKET 3
-I feel I cannot give a fair rating of this place, because we only stayed for one night. But I will give you my first impression: Not overly impressed.
We stayed in Patpong Beach..and it was really busy..full of touristy bars and restaurants..
If you want to party super hard in the bars and pay out the ass for drinks- you'll for sure love this place..
if you're looking for a laid back vibe and backpacker scene- miss this one for sure!
(or only go for few nights

KO PHI PHI 7
-Absolutely stunning scenery; if you're looking for that image you get when you google picture "Thailand Beaches" you'll find it in and around Ko Phi Phi!!! Complete with the limestone cliffs, the turquoise water, the white sand, and beach bars with fire dancers...
-No motorized vehicles allowed on the island, which is very cool in my opinion..
-Very dense with shops, bars, restaurants, tattoo shops etc...lots of day trips offered..scuba diving etc..just very bust in general...I can't imagine what it'd be like in the "high season" INSANE!
-Once you've spent a few nights partying here, move on..we stayed for 7 days- which was far too long for us..I also suggest going here after about 1.5 weeks after arriving in Thailand..b/c we were pretty jet-lagged still, and couldn't stay awake long enough to partake in all the crazy parties..
-People complained that food was expensive here, but honestly you can find pretty cheap and very expensive no matter what place you're in..but the cheapest we found was 50 baht for Pad Thai and fried rice from a little kiosk style restaurant on the "party side" of the beach...
-The accommodation is where Phi Phi lacked; we expected a trillion cheap backpacking dorms..because PP is known for being a young party place..but there wasn't much in the way of budget! We stayed in an absolute shack of a room for 500 baht a night..with a shared bathroom..and a fan..and it was shit..seriously, we didn't think it was that bad at the time, until we had been here longer, and stayed in other places..and it wasn't even a private hut..it was just a room in a rundown guesthouse..so avoid "The Pier" at all costs!!!!!
-We saw an awesome infinity pool right on the beach..and would have loved to stay there if it had been cheaper then 1000 baht for a fan room!!!!

KRABI 10
-LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVED Krabi
-Stayed in Ao Nang..which I have already posted about...check it out!!!
-Regrets: would have checked out Railay Bach if we'd had more common sense! Would have had twice as much money! boo hoo

KO PHA NGAN 9
-Awesome hostel...Hacienda !! woot woot!!
-Part of town we were in had a random vibe..not so sure I loved it-it was a'ight..I would have liked to stay in Haad Rin for a week as well- if given a second chance..
-Parties? Well we heard mixed reviews of the Halfmoon..which we were considering attending..but when we found out is was 600 baht per person to get in..we scratched that off the old list!
The general response from those that attended was split pretty much down the middle..The people our age (late twenties) disliked it, or thought it was so so..and the people in their early twenties FUCKING LOVED IT...so take that however you like...
-The beach in front of Hacienda was shit. It was full of rocks..and primarily the water was ick..there were weird half structures made out of wood sticking out of the water..like something was under construction, and then got abandoned..The tide was out during the day..so you had to walk for a million miles to get to any depth you could swim in...thank god for the pool!

BANGKOK 8
-awesome! read my previous post...


KO CHANG
..I'll add this one in a week or so.....stay tuned

Koh Chang

We have found a great place to stay in Koh Chang called Siam Huts...we're paying 260 Baht for a BEACH FRONT hut...it is very minimal..so if you're looking for luxury- don't bother! 

It has a super comfy king size bed&mosquito net, a private bathroom, and a balcony with 2 chairs..

The common area consists of a giant deck overlooking the water, with table&chairs and little cushions and low tables..depending on your style ;) Music is playing throughout the day, and at night they roll out the giant projector screen to show Hollywood Blockbusters in English. (w/Thai subtitles) 

We've had one meal so far at the restaurant, and the portion of meat and veggies- or just veggies for my vegetarian self...is pretty small..whereas they give you a giant portion of rice..random?

The prices are pretty good for a restaurant..I paid 60 baht for mixed veg in sweet n sour sauce..

They have a bar as well..and on Friday nights there's apparently a big party with DJ and cheap 99 baht buckets...

Driving the scooters through town (200 baht for 24 hours) we noticed flyers for other parties..there's one tonight..so maybe we'll check that out?! The tiny little town near to our resort has everything you could really need..bars, laundry, restaurants, 7-11 etc..

We took our scooters up the island to White Sand Beach..and there are 2 other beach "towns" in between...the road goes from flat to OBSCENELY hilly...like nuts..I had a vice grip on my break..I went about 40 km/hr and it only took us 15-20 mins to go from here to there..We may stay here for a few days, and then try another place (if we find something better)

What are my complaints about our hut/resort? 

-The water pressure is abysmal..it literally drips out of the head..I was laughing out loud when I realized how long it would take me to rinse the shampoo out of my hair..

-There is no internet in the hut, which is understandable for 260 baht a night..but I do expect to have access to internet in the common area- which was not working today. So we walked 2 mins down the beach to the next resort called "Nature Beach"..and I am currently enjoying a Chang beer and free WIFI. ;) problem solved!

Koh Chang is officially our last stop before we head back to Bangkok before departing home..and I was thinking about how I would compare it to the other islands we have visited..so maybe I'll create a separate post rating each place we've visited on a scale?!!!

xox

PC

Sailing

Memories

After writing my previous post about tattoo's, and ending off mentioning my anchor..I was moved by all of the memories that came flooding into my mind...here are a few..

-jumping off the dock into the water with my brother- and getting my gramma to rate our moves out of 10.. 

-sunset boat cruises with my family-sitting at the very front of the boat with my legs dangling, and the wind rushing through my tangled hair... 

-my dad pulling me on waterski's..and then me driving and him while he ski'd barefoot

-picking wild blueberries for morning pancakes...

-pulling garden carrots with my grandma

-having tea parties on my special rock out by the road, and with my white plastic tea set with the red hearts...

-walking through the woods, smoking tea leaves with my brother...thinking we were cool as shit

-making up dances with my friend Jaymie to Britney Spears and Hole- in the same afternoon

-tending to my grandpa's cuts..he'd call for me "noyse!" and I'd get out the Bactine spray and the bandaids

-drinking my grandma's chocolate slimfast thinking she wouldn't notice

-going out with my guy friends to awesome lake parties..blasting Bon Jovi and The Eagles singing and dancing and drinking..

-driving down Storm Bay in my moms Pontiac 6000 at 80 km/hr ripping turns with my bikini tied on to the antenna!

-listening to Metallica and Iced Earth in the Tempo with the hole in the floor

-going to sailing and windsurfing camp..and getting my white sail levels

-getting my boating license

-eating my gramma's delicious pineapple upside down cake for desert

-baking gingerbread cookies with my gramma

-going down to my grampa's workshop, and building doll furniture

-reading cosmo's on the dock suntanning with oil.

-the smell of the pine tree's in the winter air

-writing and singing songs- while drinking red wine and smoking ciggarettes, in the coach house by candle light

-having a drink with my grandparents during "cocktail hour" Appleton's rum and coke, or Vodka and orange juice..always Tropicana...

-having "tidbits" at lunch with my grandparents..(cheddar cheese, kalbassa sausage, sweet pickles, liver wurst & mayo, cream cheese and red pepper jelly on Ritz crackers)

There's sooo many more ....

And even in my older years when working and other obligations have kept me from the lake... when I can make it out on the odd weekend..I still feel the same sense of peace come over me as I drive down Storm Bay Road... and I know that...I am coming home...

xox PC

Talking Tattoo's

One of my favourite things to do, is to brainstorm ideas for future tattoo's; I also love to hear about other people's ideas..! 

I prefer collecting individual tattoo's over time relating to a similar theme, rather then sitting down for a full tattoo from shoulder to wrist- although when it comes to certain area's of the body such as chest and back...I think I would make an exception to my little rule ;)

I like to think about my ideas for a long time, I sketch my ideas, I have an "inspiration" folder on my laptop where I collect images that resonate with me. I have found over the years that my ideas all revolve around really traditional themes like anchors, ships, stars, waves etc..but done in black & grey and omitting the bright primary colours typical of that style. So I'd say Black & Grey, Fineline, Realism would be my preference.

I knew I wanted a tattoo since I was about 14, and was really into creating a "cool look" for myself..I had all these ideas about how I wanted to dress, do my hair, what jewellery I wanted to wear, how I wanted to do my makeup etc..and having tattoo's was always part of that image. I felt like having a personal style, and presenting myself to the world in a way that matched how I felt inside was extremely necessary for me. 

My mom was strongly against tattoo's and piercings, and I don't think I even thought about asking her to sign for me- I knew I'd be waiting for april 29th 2003 when I turned 18. In the mean time I was obsessed with makeup and actually used oil pastels to create eye shadow effects, giving these "looks" names like "sunrise"..I was also really into Value Village, and in those days it was still full of awesome vintage stuff. I used to wear t-shirts from the little boys section, and baggy jeans..full on TLC style!..then at 16 I got my nose pierced using a fake ID and I was on my way!!

So finally after about a year of brainstorming ideas I decided on my first tattoo: It would be "VERITAS" a latin word meaning "truth" I got it tattoo'd in a gothic/old english style up my left calf. My boyfriend at the time paid for it for my 19th birthday, I remember the artist saying- "Are you sure? this is a little big for your first one.." hahaha

The tattoo was meant to remind myself to always be true to who I am; that I want to be alternative and I would never settle for a life that was average, and that required me to look a certain way. I think it was also a statement in rebellion against my mom, as she always warned me that I wouldn't get a good job with tattoo's and piercings..

The 2nd one I got was 2 skeleton keys crossed with an"R" underneath..on my left forearm. At the time it looked so badass and massive, but nowadays it looks so small!!! I got it in Valporaiso, Indiana whilst on a road trip with best friend Breanna Little. We were in Chicago to see a few screamo bands, and when I was turned away for not being 21, I was told that "they'll do it in Indiana" So we drove across the border and got it done! Bre got a skeleton key on a rosary around her ankle..and I'll never regret that tattoo for the rest of my life! We both loved the antiquity and mystery the skeleton key evoked in our imaginations..an awesome representation of the vibe we loved.

The 3rd one was an interesting story, Bre and I had gone to Minneapolis for a fun weekend and I went into the shop with an image of a sweet pinup girl. The artist told me pinups weren't his strong suit, so instead of going somewhere else, I just pulled another idea out of my journal- a set of wings! So I got those on either side of my right ankle. I don't remember them having any meaning, except now they represent yet another awesome road trip with Bre!

Between the ages of 22-26 I didn't get any tattoo's because:

#1 I was always broke and in between jobs 

#2 I was soooo indecisive! I had a folder entitled "Tattoo Ideas" that I filled with print outs from the internet, personal drawings, bullet point ideas on napkins and on the insides of ciggerette packs..

I had so many ideas, and I wasn't 100% on any of them for a prolonged period of time, or I didn't know how to organize my ideas into pieces..

I think It was because I was trying to draw the finished product myself, as opposed to simplifying the process:

putting down a deposit and paying monthly until I could afford it- and allowing the artist to assimilate my ideas, and use their fine art skills to come up with the finished product. Seems to logical now, but that wasn't how I operated then!

So after all those years I realized I had a similar theme going on, and felt like I have known who I am for a long time, and my look really isn't going to change... so I should just start already!

Tattoo #4

An anchor with a bow and heart going through the centre..with the words "Storm Bay Road" written above and below the image. I got this one on my right forearm.

This tattoo means the most to me, in that it represents my absolute LOVE for my cabin at Lake of the Woods in Ontario. Most of my fondest memories are from the years I spent summers there...

My next piece is going to be a half sleeve: 

a gypsy/sugar skull inspired girl..with a bandana tied in the front like a pinup..on my left upper arm...from my elbow up about 5 inches..(i think- i suck at estimations) I'm getting roses from an ariel perspective..and on the inside of my arm I'm thinking of a stormy water scene- with crashing waves, thunder clouds and lightening..maybe a lighthouse..

This tattoo just represents me and again the lake, I love the mysticism of the gypsy lifestyle.. and the art celebrating Mexico's Day of The Dead..the magic of the seasons..and the wildness of a storm on the water at night..it's just magical..that's what this tattoo is..just a beautiful magical girl..and all her dreams and yearnings...

SO....I want to hear alllll about YOUR tattoo's- what are their meanings or lack thereof?..and what do you have in store for the future ??!!!!

xox PC