My Tattoo Addiction Continues

Hi, I'm Yoga Pants Whitney and I'm addicted to tattoos.

Hi, Whitney. 

For some reason, I've chosen this week to submit my body to pain and violation. Between my appointment on Friday with that favorite doc us females get the pleasure of visiting yearly, to an appointment on Sunday involving wax and an area referred to as a nationality that starts with a "B", and then we have another tattoo appointment on the books for Thursday night... My body is pretty much getting used and abused on this third week of August. Fun. Times. Actually the only one I'm really dreading is Friday because, well, I think we can all agree that's just not a good time. Ever. 

Let's chat about Thursday, because that's fun. I'm getting baby tattoo numero 5 with two of my girlfriends and I'm pretty excited. Placement is pretty much my side boob, or lack there of but you get the idea, and I'm getting the Leo symbol on me. You know, because I'm a horoscope freak and I'm all about the stars, if you remember. The size is a little bigger than a quarter, so when I say I'm getting a baby tat, I'm talking baby baby. It'll be my second smallest, aside from my wrist. 

Now, let's take a trip down memory lane and allow me to introduce you to my other 4 tat babies and the stories behind them. 

Tat baby #1 - May 2006.

This was my first tat baby and also the reason my mother refused to talk to me and called me white trash for a solid 4 hours. I told my mom I really wanted a tattoo and she wasn't having any of it. Like a typical 18 year old, I didn't give a damn what she had to say. I was right and I was on a mission to get inked for the first time, despite my insane fear of all things needles.

The story behind the design isn't very fulfilling or deep. Basically, it's an abstract heart that I used to doodle on notebook paper when I was supposed to be taking notes in Meteorology class at Florida State. The classes were huge and I could never find it in me to pay attention, so I'd just sit there doodling. One day I drew that design up there and about 2 weeks later, on spring break, my friend Megan and I went to go get it inked on my left wrist permanently.

Then I almost passed out. Wrist, the only place I'll never get tattooed again. Too many nerves, too easy for me to watch. Nope. One and done. Next. 

Tat baby #2 - September 2010.

This baby is one of my favorites. She's been on me for about 3 years and I still look at her and smile. "Life is Short but Sweet for Certain" is a quote from one of my most favorite Dave Matthews Band songs, Two Step, which is a song that never fails to put me in a good place. 

Deciding on this tattoo didn't take me long, I knew I needed it and I had zero reservations about going through with it and as soon as I found the font I wanted it in. 

When I showed my mom this one, she wasn't nearly as upset. Didn't even call me white trash! Score. 

Tat baby #3 - March 2013.

I think most of you are pretty familiar with this baby, seeing as I introduced her here in this post. I realize it's only been 5 months for this baby and I, but we're very happy together. She's easily my most favorite ink and I'm not sure I'll be able to top her. The meaning, the placement, the solidity of the lines. It's the perfect tattoo for me and anytime I'm feeling run down and defeated, I just look down at my right arm and it instantly puts me in a better place.

I think my mom secretly hates this one because of how visible it is, though she's never expressed that. "Nice" was pretty much the only reaction I got out of her after getting this one. I think maybe she's starting to realize that she birthed a strange, creative brained, tattoo addict. 

As for me, the placement just works. I know I'll never be a corporate girl who has to dress up in suits everyday and I'll pretty much always be doing something that involves me being in a creative field, which gives me flexibility in my tattoo placement. Like I said, this is my most favorite tattoo. Everything about it!

Tat baby #4 - July 2013.

So, you know you're an addict when you go from getting a new tattoo every 3-4 years, to every 4 months, to now once a month. Ok, so maybe I wont actually be going to get one every month from here on out, but I think it's clear I'm finding myself in my baby tat's and am really, really enjoying to adding to my collection.

Funny story about this baby tat, I got her in my apartment. Yes, you read that correctly. In. My. Apartment. A friend of mine tattoos and he offered to come to me for my infinity baby. She's not 100% finished yet because since getting her I've decided I want her to be a little thicker. Ok, that's a lie, I wanted her to be thick from the start but I pansied out after he did the initial lines and had to have him stop. This one was a painful one, I wont lie about that. 

My mom's reaction to this one? "HOW MANY does this make now?!"... Sorry mama. At least I decided against the half sleeve I wanted for a hot minute, amiright? And no, I'm not done yet either, mom. Lucky for mama, my addiction is for symbols and script. Yuppp.

And there you have it, my baby tats and their stories. I'll introduce you to baby #5 on Friday. And then maybe I'll calm down for a couple months. Or maybe I wont.... because I've been browsing Pinterest and let's just say I've got at least 4 more ideas brewing in my head. Woah, nelly.