Lip Service - Tattoo Hatin'

5. Arrow; Right Forearm

If you follow me on Twitter, you'll know that I recently had my 5th tattoo. I love tattoo's and can honestly say that if I meet someone who has a visible piece, I will compliment it. It's a kinship of sorts, I feel. 

I absolutely love the whole thing that goes with being tattooed, from the design process, to the stencil application, I mean, I can't pass a studio without smiling or commenting on the smell of the rubbing alcohol or the sound of the guns, it's just a really unique experience, that ends with you having a piece of art with you for life. 

That's pretty special. 

 However, the point of this post isn't really to talk about how much I love indelible body art. The purpose of this post is to address the topic of Tattoo Haters! I'm going to try and address the most common things I've experienced personally, from people I know and strangers, alike!

• In General; The people who passively just don't see the appeal! 

4. Venus Doom & Heartagram

I know that there are people out there who dislike tattoos and don't understand why others like them or get them. I have plenty of people in my life who dislike the whole concept of ink and that's okay, it's their opinion. After rolling into college, fresh out of a 2-ish hour session in Spilled Ink, I was chatting to a guy in my course who just plainly doesn't see the appeal, and that's okay! Tattoos are most definitely not for everyone. I have absolutely NO problem with someone who is just passive and says "That's nice for you, but it's not my bag!", because I know that those people know they have no right to judge me for what I do... 

Take my mother as an example, she's pretty cool about tattoos. I mean, she signed the paperwork for me at the age of 16 to have my first tattoo. I cannot say more than that. She doesn't like them, she sees no appeal, but she knows she would not be able to stop me. I suppose it helps that I am respectful enough to say, "Look, I'm getting more work done, I'm telling you so I don't catch you off guard. You're informed beforehand, that way we avoid having any kind of row or anything of that nature.". She's always been cool with it, it's my body at the end of the day. 

• Judgmental People: The people who are just rude and offensive! 

3. Evlish LOTR quote; Right-Hand Ribcage

Okay, I know plenty of these people too. As a tattooed woman, who has some visible work, as well as hidden tattoos, I can definitively state that I have met my fair share of people who are really fucking rude about it. "Tattoo's are stupid!", "You're going to regret them when you're older!!" "Why would you waste your money on that?!" And to those people I have the following replies: 

1. "Tattoo's are stupid!" - Well, your judgmental attitude, your ignorance and tone are unpleasant, and lets not get stared on your face, love!
2. "You're going to regret them when you're older!" - That is my risk to take and I'd thank you not to comment on what I do with my own body.
3. "Why would you waste your money on that?" - Why the hell does it matter to you (or anyone for that matter) what I do with my own money? And also, it doesn't occur to you that I handed over the money in the full knowledge that this is coming with me everywhere, from the moment it's done even beyond the day I die. The only time that it will be gone is, as gross as it sounds, when I've decomposed in the ground or when I'm cremated!

I really cannot wrap my head around why anyone would think they have any right to dictate to another human what they do or pass comment on their choices. I understand that they think they have a point, but none of their reasoning stands up to rebuttal in terms of their opinion of what they believe I should be doing with my body. I don't want to die a beige, wrinkled old lady who regretted not taking the chance to be more aesthetically interesting than those who vehemently shove their beige-ness down my throat. 

• The people who deliberately try to demean you - and usually they fail!

2. Ambigram of my Name; Left shoulder.

These people are less common but they are still the worst ones to encounter. I have been unfortunate enough to have experienced these people who are flat out the worst kind of human. These are the people I go out of my way to annoy because it's hilarious that they think their opinion means anything. In fact, these people, while being out-and-out rude, are also kind of my favorite because they make me laugh too. 

I have a rather large tattoo dedicated to the band that helped in a major way, to save my life. It took me 5 years to work up to a tattoo dedicated to them. Do these people really think they have any kind of place to say things like "Oh you won't love that band in 5 years time...". Well take it from me, pet, if I still thought it was a good idea 5 years after I originally decided I wanted it, and thought about it for those 5 years, a grand total of 60 months, I'm pretty sure my decision was a good one. Similarly with my newest piece, I don't care what anyone says about it because I know that it was a good decision, that it's going to make me smile every day because it represents a sport where I excelled, and that gave me friends I know I'll have for a very long time to come. 


All in all, tattoos are a personal choice for those who have them. I love 90% of the attention garnered from them, because it's usually like-minded, colorful people (both in body and spirit) who are an absolute pleasure to talk to. I adore my tattoos and would never regret them, because they are important to me and my life's milestones as well as achievements. They remind me who I am and that I am the product of every struggle and success so far in my life, as well as what is to come. 

Have you experienced tattoo hating people? 
If you have how do you deal with them?
What do you think of my body art?

Amy xx

The Doctor Will See You Now - Outfits Inspired by Doctor Who; Amy Pond

Amy Pond is my favorite of all The Doctors Companions. Ginger, Scottish and bad-ass to the bone, I have nothing but affection for The Girl Who Waited. 

The story behind Amy Pond is pretty simple. The Doctor lands his all-but destroyed TARDIS in her back garden one night she's left home alone. She goes out to investigate and finds a newly regenerated Matt Smith whose "still cooking" as he puts it... Within minutes, he becomes her friend and he fixes a rather large and scary crack in her wall, before he has to give the TARDIS a quick jaunt into the future to settle his phasing engines. Long story short, 5 minutes becomes 12 years but eventually he comes back and the real adventures begin!! 

Amelia, or Amy Pond, has a pretty simple style that is easy to identify, but paradoxically difficult to pin down. Opting for bold, rich shades and functional pieces, Amy is always ready for action, without sacrificing style. 

As you can see above, I have opted for a more casual Amy Pond look, which would be easy to wear out for all manner of errands or casual lunches out. This would even be suitable for college. A neutral denim skirt gives way to the bright interest of either a bold knit sweatshirt (which may be slightly over sized) or a warm toned check shirt. Brown leather boots or light grey Converse Hi-Tops remain stylish yet comfortable. Remember, the Doctor has an awful lot of running to do. As a companion, you do too! Amy is no stranger to a bright, glossy manicure and she keeps her make-up neutral. 

All in all, it's pretty easy to emulate the beautiful Amelia "Amy" Pond. You should try it, I bet every girl has the elements in her wardrobe. 

"Amazing, though, don’t you think? The Star Whale. All that pain and misery… and loneliness… and it just made it kind. … But I’ve seen it before. Very old and very kind, and the very, very last — sound a bit familiar?" Amy Pond (The Beast Below)

Amy: I thought... well, I started to think you were just a madman with a box. 

The Doctor: Amy Pond, there's something you better understand about me, 'cause it's important and one day your life may depend on it. [smiles] I am definitely a madman with a box.

What do you think of Amy Pond's style?

Drop me a comment down below! 

Amy

xx

Product Review: Tangle Teezer - Worth The Hype??

I must be the last person to hop on this bandwagon, surely?? 

The Tangle Teezer hit shelves in Boots all across the UK and Ireland in 2008, having previously been rejected by the Dragons Den investors. I reckon it's very clever inventor Shaun Pulfrey has been laughing all the way to the bank, ever since. 

What is the Tangle Teezer, I hear you ask?? Well, the Tangle Teezer is an ergonomically designed brush, which claims to easily smooth knotted hair. 

Though the Dragons were left cold and unimpressed by this product, I am absolutely besotted! I purchased mine in the local Chemist for €9.99, which is a vast saving considering the Boots.ie price-tag is €15.99! 

My reason for buying was simple, I have damaged my hair and treated it awfully over the past few years, and now that I'm growing out my natural shade, I want to do everything I can to minimize the damage it incurs from brushing. 

When it was launched, the Tangle Teezer came in "The Original" model, but 2008 was a long time ago and now there are five more models to choose from, with "The Original" totaling a family of six. On the clear acetate packaging it says 

• "Innovative teeth configuration for dual action, effortlesly detangling..."
• "Memory flex technology, gentle and ideal on wet and dry hair..."
• "Unique centralize concave delivers optimum results from roots to ends..."
• "Ergonomically designed for a palm friendly, non slip fit..."
• Do not use with heat!

The model I have purchased is The Original Mandarin Sweetie, a bright orange and yellow offering.

 I've had it for 2 days, and I can pretty much guarantee that it has replaced my three hairbrushes. However for all of it's amazing qualities, there's one downfall; Tangle Teezers cannot be used with heat of any kind. Now, with that said I guess it's not a bad thing, it means that you can come out of the shower, run this through your hair, blow-dry using your fingers to manipulate the hair and then go back over your hair again with it when you're done! 

I've been known to come away from a blow-dry with a very hairy brush, but so far with the Tangle Teezer, that has not happened. I think I had one hair on it after 3 uses. Color me impressed!

All in all, I'm so impressed with the Original Tangle Teezer that I may splash out in the future for the miniature Compact Styler for my handbag! 

On the whole, I feel like this product would work for a lot of people, especially my curly-headed sisters out there! 

For €15.99 in Boots, or €9.99 if you can find one in a local chemist, every girl should have this!! 

If you want more choice, then hit up www.tangleteezer.com to view the whole range, including the child-friendly Magic Flower Pot!

Are you going to invest in the cult-favorite, the Tangle Teezer? 

Amy
xx

How Do I Style...? Brogues

Brogues are the ultimate in chic at the moment! Right now, there are so many of them in all of the glossy magazines that I had to invest in a pair. I had been turned onto Penney's for a pair of silver beauties, but when it came to the crunch, I opted for black. Just a head-up, there are black, silver, peach and beige on offer in Penney's, and for €13 a pop, I urge you to invest in at least one pair! 

In the past, when I saw brogues on other people, I always thought that they looks harsh and uncomfortable, but oh how wrong I was!! They are the epitome of comfort while still looking classic and chic. 

But how do you style them? Well, that is up to you but I like to team my very menswear inspired brogues with a quite floaty, feminine dress. The juxtaposition of the two finishes really pulls an outfit together. 

For example, if you have black, almost suede-like brogues like I do, you can style them a multitude of ways! Here are two examples...

Girly, Grungy, Feminine and Masculine!

You could opt for a feminine chiffon dress and a chunky knit cardigan, finished with a structured bag of your choice! Since most brogues come in tan or black, you can really express yourself through the dress you wear with 'em! 

A twist on the classic "Office" look

Similarly, you could rock a pair of boyfriend jeans, rolled up at the ankle, a light colored shirt and a well-fitted blazer for a twist on the classic office look! Since most offices are neutral-only zones, you can add a pop of color on the lips, but don't go too mad! 


Brogues are the ultimate in dressy yet casual, so don't be afraid to experiment! 

What do you think of my two examples? Find more of my sets on Polyvore if you like these two! You may even get some sneak peeks of upcoming outfit posts!

Amy 
xx

The Doctor Will See You Now - Outfits Inspired by Doctor Who; 9th Doctor / TARDIS

Eccleston and The TARDIS

 It's no secret that I love Doctor Who, and all things that are Whovian. I have been sitting on this idea for a series for a while but today I really decided to go for it!! This is an inspiration board I created on Polyvore, where I tried to combine both the 9th incarnation of the Doctor, and the TARDIS into one easy to wear outfit. Nobody need know you are cosplaying in this outfit! 

The 9th Doctor, played for one season by Christopher Eccleston was my least favourite incarnation of The Doctor, but the more I watch his season, the more I am growing to like what Eccleston brought to the iconic English show. His Doctor was very human, caring and had laugh-out-loud funny moments!

With that said, he didn't really win any popularity contests with the fans and was replaced after one season by David Tennant. Still, Eccleston was a great man for the job and his season will always be one of my favourites! 

On To The Outfit!!

"9" was always seen in a leather jacket, an element which is easy to emulate in this outfit. Penney's are doing beautiful faux leather jackets -similar to the Alexander McQueen one below- for under €30! The blue dress, which pays homage to the iconic blue TARDIS, is bold yet understated, allowing it to be the centre of the outfit, and the centre of attention, while still being as inconspicuous as the TARDIS was itself! A pair of black over the knee socks and heeled chelsea boots finish off this outfit and remain faithful to the simple aesthetic of the 9th Doctor. I topped off this outfit with a chunky black agate necklace to add some boldness while still trying to maintain the simplicity of 9's look. 

When it comes to make-up for this look, it really is up to you, though I would incline towards a soft smokey eye and a nude lip, you could really opt for anything, just keep it muted. Nail-wise I went for this gorgeous Deborah Lippmann polish which is blue with chunky glitter reminiscent of stars. A spritz of Thierry Mugler's Alien perfume and you're all set! 

NOTE: I know that the Sonic Screwdriver is 11's but I couldn't find a decent quality image of 9's for the life of me! 

"You were absolutely fantastic, and you know what? So was I!" - 9th Doctor.

What do you think of this look? 

Drop me a comment down below!! 

Amy

xx

Motivational Monday 17/2/14

Sometimes, rather than picking a song that has a meaning, a moral or a message, I will lean in favour of a beat that you can dance to. Enter, Landon Austin, and the feel good tune that is Stop Time! 

This song is just wonderful for picking up a sad mood! Landon is a Nashville based singer songwriter who has covered popular songs and made them his very own. His sound is unique and yet familiar; I'm totally obsessed!

For this Mondays quote, I'm leaning towards a "girl power" themed quote to balance out my male singer-songwriter song... 

You can do anything, if you set your mind to it.

Happy Monday!!

xoxo

Amy

NERD ALERT!! A New Weekly Segment?

Hey there ladies, I hope you are all keeping well!

It's no secret that I adore Doctor Who, the longest running Science Fiction TV series in history. I am enamoured by the two-hearted Time Lord, in all his many forms. 

It's also no secret that I've become more interested in fashion this year and as such, I'm combining the two in my new weekly segment: The Doctor Will See You Now- Outfits Inspired by Doctor Who. 

Image: Deviant Art, edited by Yours Truly!

In each new post, I will create an outfit that I feel best summarizes a particular character or theme within the show, such as the 9th, 10th, and 11th incarnations of The Doctor, his companions, and other notable additions to the show, such as the other-worldly beings, the monsters and historical figures. 

I hope that you follow and enjoy each post, and expect them to go live mid-week, every week until I run out of characters and themes to pick from. Doctor Who has now got 13 Doctors (not including John Hurt) and too many companions to count, so hopefully this will be a regular thing for a long time to come! 

Keep your eyes peeled for my first instalment on Wednesday, The 9th Doctor/The TARDIS. 

Amy
xoxo

Review: Wet N Wild Color Icon Shadow in Nutty

Let's cut the foreplay here ladies, Wet N Wild has had me in a state of ecstasy over the last week. Every product I bought, I absolutely adore.

In the pan...

The shadow I really wanted the day I hit the stand was "Brulee"; You know, the one Leighann Says is always waxing lyrical about? Alas, it was not there so I went for the next shade over, Nutty. 

Swatched on my hand....

I am in love with this shadow to creepy, vaguely illegal levels at this point. It is the most pigmented drugstore shadow I have EVER encountered, as well as being soft, blend-able and generally beautiful on the lid. Though it looks like a satin-finish brown in the pan, its payoff is more of a satin bronze/tarnished gold. Amazing with blue eyes, ladies! I would not hesitate to wear this alone with a thin winged liner, a good lashing of mascara and a bold lip for a wearable day look!

On the lid... 

Get yourself to your nearest Wet N Wild stand, in your local Dunnes Stores and add this to your collection. It's worth every penny of its 2.99 price tag and more!

Valentines Outfit Inspiration

I'm not your average girly-girl, but I do enjoy the idea of Valentines. It might be the copious use of the colour red, the velvet, the roses or the cheesy cards in Arnotts, but I adore it. 

I created an inspiration board for you guys to show you two ways to style a Valentines-appropriate dress, be it for a dressy event, or a casual bite to eat after college! 

On the left, there is a selection of dressy, yet still rocker-chic accessories and options, complete with an Alexander McQueen clutch. On the right is a more casual, very "me" college outfit that is still appropriate for a casual dinner. The Doc Martens are very me indeed! You could of course pair either option with opaque black tights for added warmth. 

To complete the dressy look you may opt for a fitted blazer to draw added interest to the outfit. On the other hand, a more casual look would be better suited to a chunky bat-wing cardi in wither black or red, the choice is yours!! Neither would be complete without my trademark red lips, though! 

What do you think of these options? Drop me a comment and let me know! :D Happy Valentines Day 

xxx

TAG! TMI Tag

I have been tagged by the wonderful Natasha to take part in the TMI Tag. This tag was created by Carrie Hope Fletcher on YouTube and Tash has brought it to the Irish Blogger community! Here we go!! 

1: What are you wearing?

 Fleecy purple pajama bottoms with squirrels on, a teal blue cami, and my dressing gown. Been in bed all day with a migraine, please don't judge me from this! 

2: Ever been in love? 

I have been. I was madly in love between the ages of 17/18, and that ended and I found REAL reciprocated love with Chris almost 3 years ago. I'm lucky to be able to love and be loved so fiercely in return. 

3: Ever had a terrible breakup? 

Yeah. I have to be civil to the fucker too, he's friends with Chris. 

4: How tall are you? 

5ft, 5inches

5: How much do you weigh? 

7st, 5lb I believe... 

6: Any tattoos? 

4. In order of age, I have a heart inside my right wrist (similar to Ville Valo) which I got at the age of 16/17. Then I got my shoulder inked when I was 18, it's an ambigram of my name (reads the same right side up and upside down). Next we have my LOTR ribcage piece. It's in Elvish, the Tengwar Annatar and it says "Few can foresee whither their road will lead them until they reach its end". Last August I got my favorite one, my Venus Doom/Heartagram triptych. 

7: Any piercings? 

Double lobes and my left conch. 

8: OTP? 

Romionie, Ezria.

9: Favourite show? 

Pretty Little Liars.

10: Favourite bands? 

H.I.M forever. Others come and go. James Blunt, Jay Z, Imagine Dragons, Bon Jovi, Cradle of Filth, Imelda May... 

11: Something you miss? .

Too many things...

12: Favourite song?

Wings of a Butterfly; All Lips Go Blue; Katherine Wheel; Soul on Fire - HIM

13: How old are you? 

21, 22 on March 3rd

14: Zodiac sign? 

Pisces

15: Quality you look for in a partner?

Strength. Patience. Humor. I like tattoos and stuff too but it's not a prerequisite.

16: Favourite Quote? 

"Few know whither their path will lead them til they reach its end" Legolas (JRR Tolkien)

17: Favourite actor? 

I'm digging Leo Di Caprio, Neil Patrick Harris, Jude Law and Tim Curry lately.

18: Favourite color? 

Green, then Red.

19: Loud music or soft? 

Currently? Soft via speakers. Blasting through headphones. 

20: Where do you go when you're sad? 

Bed, Dundalk

21: How long does it take you to shower? 

20 mins

22: How long does it take you to get ready in the morning? 

40 mins to an hour. I get waylaid a lot.

23: Ever been in a physical fight? 

Never!

24: Turn on?

Good arms a nice smile and green eyes (Chris has all of that!!)

25: Turn off? 

Rudeness, Ignorance, Bad Breath, Loud Eating

26: The reason I joined YouTube? 

I wanted to each a wider audience!

27: Fears? 

I am PETRIFIED of balloons, earwigs and syringes

28: Last thing that made you cry? 

Not sure. I just sort of broke...

29: Last time you said you loved someone? 

An hour ago to Chris.

30: Meaning behind your YouTube Name? 

I am Red Lips, Red Hair. Red lipstick was always a kind of barrier I couldn't cross because I was too shy, and now I'm just rocking a red lip because "Fuck the haters"!

31: Last book you read? 

The last book I read and finished was Humble Pie by Gordon Ramsay. 

32: The book you're currently reading?

Fight Club, by Chuck Palanhuik

33: Last show you watched? 

Pretty Little Liars, and before that? Doctor Who! 

34: Last person you talked to? 

Mammy! 

35: The relationship between you and the person you last texted? 

My Boyfriend, then a new friend!

36: Favourite food? 

Oh god, eh, anything really. Chinese, Indian, Italian, MEXICAN!! 

37: Place you want to visit?

Finland, then The USA

38: Last place you were? 

Haven't been away since Stoke Mandeville.

39: Do you have a crush?

I mean, I'm in love, does that count?

40: Last time you kissed someone? 

Monday!

41: Last time you were insulted? 

Chris insults me in a jesting way! Before that? Aine.

42: Favourite flavour of sweet? 

Watermelon. Sour Patch Watermelons are Gods own gift to humanity!

43: What instruments do you play?? 

I can't! I'm musically inept!

44: Favourite piece of jewellery?

My LOTR One Ring, and my Granny Yourell's antique amythest claw. 

45: Last sport you played? 

Heh. You don't play Archery. And at this point I don't remember the last time I did it...

46: Last song you sang? 

Boys and Girls - Kill Hannah.

47: Favourite chat up line?

Where are you from?

How did you know I wasn't Irish?

*stokes girls face*

You're to pretty to be Irish.

(AHEM! John)

48: Have you ever used it?

Nope, but I know someone who did!

49: Last time you hung out with anyone? 

Yesterday I hung out with friends in college!

50: Who should answer these questions next?

Kayliegh, Audrey and Clara!

Dont forget to give me a like over on Facebook, and follow me on BlogLovin'

Product Review: Soap And Glory Fabu-Lipstick

Ladies! How are we?!

I'm sure you know by now that I love Soap And Glory toiletries. I cannot get enough of their Sugar Crush Body Scrub, and I carry a bottle of their Body Spray around in my handbag religiously.

I reviewed their highlighting powder, Glow All Out last year and still find it wonderful as a highlight when I am sporting a tan. Every time I wander into a Boots shop, though, I pine over the Fabu-Lipstick in Pom Pom. Last weekend, though, there was a 3 for 2 offer on S&G, so I went for it!

Pom Pom is a deep berry shade with a matte finish, housed in a heavy brushed-steel tube decorated with the trademark S&G pink font. The bullet itself is detailed with an engraving of "S&G", much like you would find on a higher-end lip product. The scent is pleasant - reminiscent of sugared almonds-  and the finish is beautiful; Matte, but not in the least bit drying! I rocked this all day last Wednesday in the wind and cold of Dublin City Center with no issues at all!

Soap and Glory Super Color Fabu-Lipstick is 11.50 in Boots nationwide, and comes in a range of colors and finishes. I'm thrilled I finally invested in it, as it's really quite unique.

What do you think of this shade?

Amy
xx

Hipster Chic

Most people will widely agree that they hate Hipsters. They're the kind of people you see with vintage clothes, clutching a Starbucks cup and poo-pooing the "mainstream". I however, dig their style, appreciate their love of obscurity and would be inclined to ask what their standard order in Starbucks actually is! 

The iconic feature of Hipster culture is the glasses. The thick, black RayBan Wayfarers. All you need to do to anything, to make it "hipster" is add a pair of those bad boys! We've all seen the memes on Tumblr and Pinterest; Take an owl, add a pair of "hipster glasses" and BOOM - Hipster Owl said "hoot" before it was cool!!

This post isn't about bashing the very stylish sub-culture that is Hipster, though, not in the slightest. I am here to venerate it. Recently, I got a second pair of specs, and when I saw them, I knew I had to have them. 

Now I will admit that they are not Ray Ban Wayfarers because lets face it, I am much too much of a poor student to be able to afford them at the moment. I did however score the most awesome pair of Icy Eye Wear knock offs. It kills me to say knock off, but really all that is missing from these is the little Ray Ban decal on the arms. 

I really am digging these frames in a big way, though they are much more imposing and obnoxious than my full-time tortoise-shell and teal William Morris frames. The bigness seems to be making me feel more defined or something. I'm loving them! They look great with my hair up, down, whether I'm wearing make-up or going barefaced. I wouldn't hesitate to wear these with a girly dress and my Docs for a tough-yet-chic look, or a pair of leggings and an over-sized men's jumper for a comfy outfit ready to pop out to the shops or stay in reading. 

These are supposed to be my back-up frames but I can easily see myself wearing these day in, day out. They are absolutely me, shiny and black, with a slight silver detailing on the horn-rims. Luckily, because of the size of the lens within the frame, there is a lot of space to allow you to wear eye-makeup safe in the knowledge that you wont be wasting your efforts at winged liner. I rocked a gold smokey eye and a thick black cat-eye and they were both very easy to see. 

Remember though, a strong frame needs a strong eyebrow. 

To close, I'm going to leave you with an ironically low quality picture and a question: 

Am I a Hipster yet? :P 

Do let me know in the comments if you would like to see some styling posts for these amazing specs!

Amy 
xx