The Life Post | My First Tattoo

So, just over two weeks ago I went, bit the bullet and got my first tattoo. Eek! I've wanted one for years and I finally got up the courage to go and get it done. Before I start I just want to say I know there are some people who just don't get the point of tattoos, don't like them and completely against them (my boyf being one of them) and I respect their opinions - however I ask that they respect mine but not leaving negative comments etc about it. Thanks!

Basically I just wanted to talk about my experience getting my first one and the healing process etc. I will just say it's not completely healed - still a little dry skin around it - but it is getting there. I had loads of "oh my gosh is that normal" moments and luckily I had people I could ask which was incredibly helpful so... let's go!

Why I wanted one...

Originally I wanted to get one when I left uni as a symbolic gesture, however I went to Australia just after and you can't get it wet, soaked or in direct sunlight for a while so it just wasn't a good time. Then it was just never a good time. Not only that but I had voices in my ears telling me it was a bad idea and there wasn't a point in getting one. The past month has been one big massive change in terms of job and lifestyle so it finally seemed like the right time to go and get one. 

Design choice...

This was quite easy. For me I always wanted a butterfly - i love them. I have them dotted all around my room, wardrobe, just life in general so it was a no brainer. CHoosing the butterfly was a bit tougher. I wanted something simple but pretty. Thank god for google is all I'm saying. I fell in love with mine as soon as I found it and I absolutely love it.

Choosing where to go...

I was very lucky and went with someone who had had a couple before. She did all the legwork in finding somewhere as she wanted me to be comfortable where I was and who was doing it. She found this fab place local to us with great reviews. Make sure you look at customer reviews as they will tell you everything you need to know.

The deed being done...

To say I was nervous was a bit of an understatement. Before I went I picked up some chocolate for afterwards and a bottle of full fat coke for the duration. The guy who did it was amazing, he put me at ease really quickly, joking around and just being super nice. He took my design and traced it, popping it at a smaller size as I asked and then transferred the design onto me. Next came the needle part... When I saw the needle being put together I got very "ARGH!" in my head. Luckily the woman I went with told me to concentrate on her and made me talk to her the entire time. The first few minutes were a bit painful but honestly not as bad as I thought it would be - it was like a cat scratching you. My friend talked to me the entire time, distracting me which was a complete blessing. I would definitely recommend going with someone else to distract you. 

The aftermath...

Afterwards I was wrapped in clingfilm, given care instructions and sent on my way - a very happy girl! I loved it and couldn't wait to show it off. An hour after it's done you need to take the clingfilm off, clean and rewrap. There was a bit of blood, of course, but just be careful. I kept mine wrapped all the first day and all through the night. When I woke the next morning there was ink all over my ankle - scary! Totally normal though. Over the next few days pop some Bepanthem nappy cream on around twice a day. Just be warned - the itching - oh my god. It's worse with clothing over it, I was lucky it was on the ankle so I could leave it uncovered - but when it was covered, itchy itchy unbareable itchy! Showerwise - I was a bit worried around this, however as long as you don't scrub it, or rub it dry you are fine. 

Like I said - it's not completely healed yet, but it is getting there. Everyone heals differently so everyones experience will be different. Just remember that above everything else. Also, don't be influence by anyone else. I heard 100 reasons why I shouldn't have one from various people (mostly the boyf) but at the end of the day, get it for you, no one else. Choose the design yourself, choose the location yourself, do it for you.

I hope this has been of some help if you are thinking of getting one or just curious! Like I said, it's a personal choice. I completely respect those who don't want them or like them, that's your choice so I just hope you respect my decision to have one.

Do you have any tips for first time tattoo goers?

Life | Sunday Catch Up

ice cream cupcakes for brothers birthday | puppy love | enjoying my sunnies | creating business cards
a coral lip to work | trying krispy kreme | recovering from work out | walking the pooch
drinking from the bottle | packing for the boys | making enchiladas | cute cute outfit
advertising on t&m | making a nest in the pillows | actually trying the 30 day shred | loving life with my boy

It's been a while since I've done a "Sunday Catch Up", but to be honest not a lot has been happening. At the moment I'm living at the boys house while his parents are away for the weekend. Then I get to move back home on Tuesday. I'm on a bit of a mission to get in shape, so I purchased the 30 Day Shred from Amazon... So far I'm on day2 and it HURTS. But I'm perservering!

Things seem to be going from better to better in terms of the blog... I'm going to 2 events in the next 2 months (eek) so I made some business cards, and I've started offering advertising as well (See here).

I'm still getting used to the shorter hair. This weekend I've had a bit of a major "i miss long hair" moment, but i'll probably be fine tomorrow. Just getting used to it I think eek!

Anywho, this is just a quick life update. How are you doing?

Hair | Inspiration

So I am getting my hair cut today... Like, cut cut. Really cut. Like above length cut. Eek. I've been every hair colour you can think of... blonde, brown, blonde, brown, black, red, brown, blonde, brown, red and it goes on and on...
And I have had it cut short before - however this is a bit shorter than I think I have ever been before but actually - I'm incredibly excited. I'm also having some natural highlights put through it as well, just to go completely different.

When I went to see Safe Haven (loved it) I fell in love with Julianne Hough's hair (above) and I've been lusting after it ever since. It's a very simple cut with long layers and just looks a lot easier to maintain than my lion mane at the moment! I know I won't actually look like her (I wish) once it is done.. But this is definitely my inspiration behind getting it cut. I just need a change!

I have put below some of my favourite hair moments from the past - I'm having a hair reminising day so bare with me!

Curly blonde fringe (18) | Long and dark (19) | Natural (21) | Short brown and curly (20) | Long with a stupid blonde fringe (18) | Long with natural Australian highlights (21) | LONG straight and naturally ombred (22) | Mid length fringe and brown (21) | Shorter, browner (22)

I definitely prefer having natural highlights in my hair. I loved the colour of my hair when I came back from Australia, it was just so natural and has great texture and waves. Length wise, I do probably prefer it longer - but when I've had it cut shorter before it's been due to accidental dye jobs ruining my hair, or just bad hair - this time I'm doing it for me. I need a change and I need to taker control over something in my life - so hair it is!

I will pop up a photo on twitter when it is all cut and finished - hopefully I will like it - and I will definitely pop up a post about my updated hair routine as well... So, wish me luck with the cut eek!!

Forest of Dean

It was half term this week, and me and the entire family (dogs included) headed off to the Forest of Dean for the week. So we have Mum and Dad, my big brother Simon, his girlfriend Hanah and their border collie Willow, Adam and I, my little brother Will and of course, Arthur. A full house!

We had a chalet for the 9 of us and it was lovely. On Tuesday we went up to Symonds Yat Rock and all you could see was mist everywhere.. it was incredibly surreal but beautiful. Then we headed down to the pub for some drinkies and then a walk along the river. I had to miss out on that due to my bloody foot, but Adam and I went back to the pub for some drinks.

Wednesday Adam and I tried out the hot tub, and then he unfortunately had to go home due to work (boo). The rest of us went off to discover King Arthurs cave in the middle of a forest... then back to the pub and then off to the family (cough) quiz - that wasn't really for families. We came third though and then headed back to the chalet for creating Oreo Tuffles (recipe to come soon with link to Hanah's new food blog) and drinking games.

Thursday Hanah, Si and Dad went off for a bike ride, and then we headed off on a Sculpture Walk (well, I lasted 10 minutes before limping back for a hot chocolate). Then back to the pub for more drinks and dinner.

It was such a lovely relaxing trip away and we were all very sad to leave... Sorry for the mass of photos!! I would defintiely recommend it for a country trip away!

What did you do last week?

Sunday Catch Up #2

valentines pressies  |  restarting friends |  my valentines outfit  |  mario kart saturday

homework  |  new base make up  |  sunday evening viewing  |  bowling

loving the bestie  |  fishtail plait  |  gorge earrings from Rebro  |  celestial

apocalips  |  testing the new wellies  |  alphabet snake at college  |  bringing home a big stick

I hope you have all had a lovely week! Mine has been a bit up and down - but hey, it can only get better! I am off to the Forest of Dean with the fam tomorrow, so if I'm a bit quiet on twitter this is why! I have posts scheduled for every day so you won't go without I promise!!

So it was Pancake Day and V-Day this week - spoilt! On tues I went to head to Becca's house for our annual pancake day, but unfortunately couldnt make it thank to a post being in the middle of the road on the way to hers - and I don't know how else to get there, so I ended up at Adams watching Mamma Mia with his mum instead. Still a good eve!

For V-Day, I was at college and in a foul mood (long story) but me and Adam decided to go out Saturday night instead for a meal and some romaaance. As we are all about saving atm we haven't been out to dinner since November - so I was very excited about this and it was the perfect evening - in my perfect new BooHoo dress! Which will be featuring in an OOTD soon I promise!

Otherwise, life has been a bit boring tbh! My parents have booked a villa in the south of France for July though so hopefully me and Adam will be joining them - we just have to pay for our flights!

I hope you all have a great week - I know it's half term for some of you so have a fab week off!

Sunday Catch Up #1

hair has gotten so long again  |  starting the weekend  |  leading lady  |  snow lisa

garden in snow  |  arthurs first snow  |  perfect cold weather snack  |  snow with the bestie

girls night out face  |  getting ready to walk arthur  |  models out freak out  |  pretending to be barclays

back at college  |  homemade milkshakes  |  how cute  |  choosing my chunky champion

O life. It's been a while since I've done of these posts (as it always is) but I seem to have amounted loads of pics over the past couple of weeks so voila - here it an instagram post! As you all know, it snowed week before last. I had a day off work (woop) and it was my besties birthday, so Adam and I carefully drove round to spend a couple of hours with her and Sam. It was also Arthurs first snow - he loved it!

Some of you may not know this, but I also went back to college a couple of weeks ago! It's just an evening course called PTLLS, which is basically a teacher training course, so I've started my journey to become a college teacher eek! I'm really enjoying it, bar the homework, and I can't wait to see where it leads me!

For those who asked about the Barclays tshirt on twitter - Adam works for Barclays, and I stole his tshirt, cause I love guys tshirts to slouch in. I now sleep in this with some of his old comfy joggers round his. Love guys clothes for slouchy time!

How's life been for you?

20 random facts about me

Everyone seems to be doing these and I'm loving reading everyone elses, so I thought I would jump on the bandwagon and do a little 20 random facts about me! Enjoy...

1. I have two middle names, apparently my parents didn't think 1 was enough. They're Katharine May, I tend to ignore the Katharine bit, so I'm just Lisa May!

2. I have 5 ear piecings, 2 in each lobe and one about half way up one ear. I also have my belly button pierced.

3. I hate tomatoes, courgettes (evil cucumbers) and any kinds of nuts... to me they are all devil food!

4. I travelled for 4 weeks in Australia with my boyfriend, starting in Sydney and then working out way up to Cairns, was the best 4 weeks of my life!

5. I'm scared of horses. When I was younger my hair was quite blonde, so a horse chased me around a field thinking my hair was hay.

6. I love zoo's. Sometimes I think I should have done a degree that involved me working in a zoo. Everytime Adam and I go on holiday I make him take me to a zoo.

7. I've always wanted an Audi TT, I blame the film Swordfish with John Travolta and Huge Jackman (yes I did mean to spell it like that).

8. I have a MAJOR girl crush on Jennifer Aniston, so much so that I hate Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. I think she is stunning and also just generally fab.

9. Chris Hemsworth is my future husband (sorry Adam), he's Aussie, gorgeous, hot and have you seen him with his daughter?! Basically, he is perfect.

10. My favourite film is probably The Sweetest Thing with Cameron Diaz, Christina Applegate and Selma Blair. For those who have seen it - PENIS SONG!... For those who haven't.... click here

11. My best friend in the entire world is called Amber (you will have seen her on here). I met her through her step sister Beth (also one of my besties) and I have no idea what I would do without her... We have plans for our kids to marry each other and we can finally be family!

12. My favourite TV shows are Bones, Friends, The Big Bang Theory and Gossip Girl - I have all on DVD and i will watch them over and over again...

13. I love Kelly Clarkson. When I go on long journeys I like to stick all of her albums on (yes I have them all) and pretend I'm here. Sad, yes, fun, hell yes.

14. I have always wanted a female tabby cat called Molly. I have no idea why.

15. My favourite place to go on holiday is a little place in Portugal called Carvoerio, me and my family have been about 5 times and I love it.

16. I don't mind flying, but I hate landing. Thanks to a bad landing once when I was 18 and now, I'm petrified of it.

17. I have always wanted to touch a cloud. Yes, I know fog is cloud but that doesn't count to me... I want to touch a white fluffy cloud.

18. I have been with my boyfriend Adam for over 5 years now. We met at Staples, did long distance while we were at uni and are still together.

19. I share my birthday with my Mum. I was born at 3.52am - so she had the rest of her birthday to enjoy it!

20. I have always wanted to have a book published. I have only ever finished one book and it got lost when my computer died. Since then I've never been able to finish one.

Let me know if you do one of these as I love to read them! Hope you enjoyed mine!!

Life Through a Lens #7

birthday lunch with bro  |  parents at birthday lunch  |  FOTD  |  new hair product
drunk with the sis  |  fireworks  |  my birthday cake with numbers round wrong way  |  birthday girls
drunk with the bestie  |  new dress  |  niece with cone  |  new watch
more fireworks  |  enrapture curls  |  summer nails  |  dark lips

So, this is the first life update I have done in a LONG time. And I'm sorry - it's not much of one. I've been a bit remiss with pictures of life lately, I had to scrap these together eek! Anywho, it was mine and my mummy's birthday on the 13th november. I got this gorgeous Pandora watch and a butterfly birthday cake!

Today is actually a BIG day for me and Adam. It's our 5 year anniversary (eek!) which means I finally get my DSLR camera! Am very excited and will keep you updated on my progress with it :) in return he gets a big ass TV... which is also a pressie from me seeing as when we EVENTUALLY move in together it will go in our lounge.

Also, Mum and I are off to New York next Friday - it's come around SO quickly and we are really excited. It's going to be COLD but there we go, bring it on - I cannot wait!

Anywho! I have a giveaway going on at the moment for some awesome scrapbooking software so check that out here and don't forget you can get $10 off with my unique code found on the same post! Enjoy!

Life Through a Lens #6

wedding dress |  my ball  |  wine night  |  new primer  |  mum & dad with Arthur & Willow
new pixi products  |  my motto  |  butterbeer  |  family walk  |  dougal
new jeans  |  FOTD  |  new BB cream  |  wet puppy  |  fave scarf
essie nails  |  my gorgeous niece  |  one dad and his dog  |  work outfit  |  me and my pooch
sleepy puppy  |  red lips  |  yum  |  family pub trip  |  rupert

So, I haven't done one of these in forever - so this is like a mass instagram post so sorry for mass of photos!

So, my life lately has been a bit all over the place! I quit my job (but still have to be here until end of September boo!) so that I can go back to Staples as a Specialist and save up to go back to Uni next year and do a PGCE. I'm very excited to leave but very sad to be leaving the lovely Kat behind... Don't know what I'll do without my lil skype buddy.. Wish I could take her with me!

I also went to Dublin, you can see all the pics here, it was incredible and such a lovely time with Adam. We're in a really good place right now and have started look into buying our first home (hello First Buy scheme, goodbye shopping) which is really exciting. We both really want to start out lives together now.

So this week was lovely. I went out on Friday night with Amber, Bex and Beth who was done with Cheltenham for the weekend - was so lovely to see her and really made me realise how much I miss her - COME DOWN MORE MISS! My brother and Hanah were also down with their puppy Willow, so on Sunday we all went on a mass woody walk and to the pub. Was a really lovely day and was nice to have everyone together!

I've also started doing my Body Shop parties! They are going really well so far, I've had two and have another one this weekend and a couple in October and another in November, and will hopefully get a few more soon as well. Am really loving their BB cream at the moment, I would definitely recommend it!

Anywho, thanks for reading this MASS lifestyle post! Tomorrow Any Size will return with some lovely bloggers, including the incredibly GORGE Amy from Little Magpie, so keep an eye out for that!

How are you? Hope life is good with you!

Life Through a Lens #5

perfect monday eve  |  multiple stripes  |  gingerbread man  |  current book of choice
coral lips  |  chewing my ties  |  margherita  |  dye job
picnic  |  yummy milkshakes  |  sat night mirror pic  |  cupcake
playing tennis  |  forest walks  |  cider days  |  me and my boy

This week has been a mix of ups and downs! It's been a bit of a weird one if I'm honest. Not quite sure how I feel at the end of it but a part of me is breathing a huge sigh of relief. On Monday I celebrated Jennifer Anistons engagment by watching Wanderlust, the film on which they met - have to say, disappointed! Not brilliant. Anywho was a lovely evening with the boy. On Wednesday we went to the cinema and Thursday I went and dyed my hair, bit more brown then before!

This weekend was a bit of a mix. Saturday day was a nothing day, and then went out for dinner and drinks in my new fave dress (see here). Then Sunday was a girly day of picnic, cider and a little bit of tennis in the woods!

Life seems to be becoming a little bit clearer which is a relief! First time I've started to feel a little excited about my future in a while, which makes for a happy Lisa!

Hope you've had a good week! I'm excited for the Bank Holiday weekend I must say, a long weekend is needed and then the weekend after that I'm off to Dublin - YAY! Excitement!

Tell me about your week!

Life Through a Lens #4

The Body Shop party  |  bathroom all done  |  new babies  |  yummy pudding
new hair do  |  mag haul  |  choccie haul  |  my nails v the ad
coveting  |  yummy lunch  |  i'm dating Iron Man  |  new lips & hair do
mini feast at work with kat  |  Hill Head  |  Arthur  |  brother really enjoying closing ceremony

Last week was long! Or at least it feels like it to me anyway! It started with a little Enrapture package and a Body Shop party - which has resulted in me becoming a consultant myself! Eek! So if you are in the Southampton/Fareham/Portsmouth area and you want a party - lemme know! I'm not completely up and running yet, but will hopefully be soon!

This weekend was really lovely. I went to Brighton on Saturday with the boy and his parents, where the boy become Iron Man (and Thor) and made me look at HUNDREDS of trainers! Who knew there were so many different types of trainers?! We then went to Hove to see greyhound racing. I'm gonna be honest and say I was a tad skeptical about seeing it - I'm a bit against horse racing due to a lot of them dying etc. But I had a really good evening! The dogs absolutely LOVED it! There were no jumps, no injuries and no chance either. I also won two racings (yay!) and came away winning £4 on one race and £7 on another - big spender that I am!!
Sunday was spent at a charity dog walk held by my friend Hanah. We of course took Arthur who had a great time running with other dogs and Dad spent the entire time wanting to join in with kite surfing! In the evening we of course watching the closing ceremony - YES SPICE GIRLS!

I have something a little exciting happening behind the scenes atm, which I will hopefully find out about within the next week so I will let you know when I do! Otherwise this week is very quite - thank god! I haven't had a quiet weekend for so long! I'm looking forward to doing absolutely nothing at all!

How was your week?

Life Through a Lens #3 Olympic Special

This weeks Life Through a Lens is an Olympic Special! I was lucky enough to go to the Olympics on Saturday with my parents and little brother (big brother was unfortunately working and was missed!). Because of this I thought I'd do two sets of life photos - the first specifically my day at the park and secondly life from the past week :)

stadium at night  |  with parents in front of the stadium  |  Phelps coming out  |  desert

me & mum at the aquatics centre  |  lunch  |  all of us in front of stadium  |  aquatics centre

phelps last race  |  orbit  |  team GB  |  aquatics sign

hiding the lil bro  |  champagne  |  with mum  |  stadium

new lipstick  |  last ever picture of Stan  |  flags  |  treat

Dougal  |  best pudding ever  |  new dress  |  bathroom redesign

fishtail plait  |  blogging  |  yum yum   |  tickets

best ring ever  |  another treat  |  soggy puppy  |  olympic pjs!

This week has been a bit of a mixed bag for me. As you all probably know we had a loss in our family, which I'm still struggling with, but I had such an incredible weekend as well. So definitely a mix. 

Nothing really interesting happened during the week last week if I'm honest - just the usual stuff! I got very excited when Lisa from BINTM tweeted me, she is my favourite atm but I think I'm slightly biased seeing as we share a name... We have had the plumbers and bathroom fitters in doing our main bathroom. We now have a spa bath which is nice! Will show you a pic when it's all done. Thing is both me and my parents have en suites, and neither of my brothers live at home anymore who shared the bathroom, so will stay very clean and new I think!

Arthur went swimming for the first time! Well, when Mum took him down he ran away from the waves - they are very scary after all! But Dad took him in at the weekend and made him swim with his harness, he didn't seem to mind too much I think!

On Saturday we went to the Olympics to see the last evening of the swimming and Michael Phelps LAST EVER olympic race - was incredible! Was such a lovely family day out and a great experience. Want to go back again! 

This week I'm a tad busy! I have a Body Shop party tonight, and then I am off to Brighton on Saturday for dog racing with the boy and his parents, and Sunday I'm off to a charity dog walk! Fun fun!

How was your week? Have any of you been lucky enough to go to the Olympics as well?

Life Through a Lens #2

bargain buy  |  arthur's paddling pool  |  coolest flip flops ever  |  cute

soggy puppy  |  pressie in the post  |  red lips  |  thank you!

Pickles  |  pressie from Florida  |  Cardiff haul  |  too much of this consumed this weekend

my 'niece' willow  |  new jeans  |  impulse buy  |  GB nails

I am exhausted. I need a weekend where I actually have my lie ins but not going to happen anytime soon! I had a bit of a crappy week last week if I'm honest. Little things helped to cheer me up like my soggy puppy and splashing him in the paddling pool, and lovely gifts from Montagne Jeunesse, reaching 10,000 views on here and also receiving Pickles, my new work mascot - definitely needed at work!

Also, me and the boy finally booked to go to Dublin for four days in September - can't wait! It's going to be so nice just to go away with him and relax. We also booked to go to the Harry Potter Tour in the same week. As you know I have already been, but he is a bigger fan then me and was very jealous when I went so I promised I'd take him!

The weekend was so good though. On Friday we went to me friends pub to send the boys brother off as he's moving to Madrid for a year (totally jealous). Drank far too much but was a fantastic evening! Then early Saturday morning the boy and I travelled up to Cardiff to visit my brother and Hanah for a belated birthday weekend. We did shopping (opps) and lots of drinking! Again... I got to see my gorgeous niece Willow though, isn't she perdy!

This weekend won't give me much time to rest I have to say as I'm off to London to see the swimming finals of the Olympics - could not be MORE excited! Hello half naked hunks!

I hope last week was better for you then it was me! Here is to what will hopefully be a much better week...

Life Through a Lens #1

I love these types of posts. I know a few people have slated them but I love to see what bloggers get up to, maybe cause I'm nosey who knows! 

I had been waiting for my phone upgrade so I could get instragram to do this as I have a Blackberry (boo!), but I got impatient so I thought I'd show you some pics for the last couple of weeks of my life!

scones with friends  |  lola rose pressie  |  wedding dress  |  new viewing with boy
race for life  |  house moto  |  arthur cuddling my bear  |  wedding reception
my chair!  |  with brothers  |  false!  |  dress for date
superdrug bargains  |  back on the road  |  new lips  |  walking in the sun

These have been from the past couple of weeks. They have been a bit hectic and trust me, life isn't slowing down! In the past couple of weeks I've been working full time (boo) but have also had my cousins beautiful wedding and I also took part in the Race for Life on Sunday - my legs are STILL aching! So glad to finally see the sun, really nice to walk to work in it I have to say and I hope it stays for the weekend!

This week I have a lot going on so will be loads of photos, me and the boy have just booked the Harry Potter tour for our week off in September, and we'll be booking Dublin this week too. We're also off to Cardiff this weekend to see my brother and Hanah, and on Friday we have the boy's brothers leaving party as he is off to Madrid for a year (jealous much!?). So I'm sure you'll get to see all that!

How is life with you? Do you like these kinda posts?