If I Were To Get A Tattoo

If I were to get a Tattoo,

What would it be of?
AND
Where would I put it?


So today I dedicated to Googling tattoos.
In my opinion, smaller and more obscure tattoos are the best [at least for me].


I definitely like the ones on the back of the neck, like Rihanna's or Chris Brown's.
Or perhaps a little one tucked behind the ear, or on it in some instances.


These would be very easy to conceal if the need arose.

Maybe a zodiac sign, mine is Gemini as illustrated in the picture to the side. Or maybe an expression of my background with an Irish symbol?


Would a butterfly or flower or cluster of stars be too overrated?
I personally adore the stars, and in some instances a butterfly can be beautiful.


I found the one that says "I'm the toughest girl I know" placed under the breast to be intriguing, but I would never be as brave or brazen enough to commit to a tattoo like that, although I fully commend the woman who did!
A very sexy spot to put a Tattoo would be on the hip, like the one of the stars trailing downwards or the floral design. Or the wrist, it would be easy to hide.

One thing I know for sure is that I would definitely not get a tramp stamp/ass antlers (No Offense to those that Have). A tramp stamp being a (typically horizontally spread) tattoo across the lower back. I just find it a tad tacky and overrated, and I must admit, even though it may not always ring true, it is associated with being, um lets say sexually uninhibited and of loose morals or getting around. I must repeat, this is not always true, simply an observation and opinion from my perspective.











The next issue may be whether or not to apply colour. Colour can be really attractive if done right, but eventually it will fade and have to be re-inked. On the other hand, a plain black tattoo would also eventually need to be re-inked.


However, everything looks good in black, and one should always keep it simple and sexy.




My contemplation continues........

To Tatt or not to Tatt

To tat or not to Tat... that is the question.
Tattoo, that is.

Origin
Tattooing has been practiced worldwide. The Ainu, the indigenous people of Japan, traditionally wore facial tattoos. Today one can find Berbers of Tamazgha(North Africa) and Maori of New Zealand with facial tattoos. Tattooing was widespread among Polynesian peoples and among certain tribal groups in the Philippines, Borneo, Africa, North America, South America, Europe, Japan, New Zealand and Micronesia. Despite some taboos surrounding tattooing, the art continues to be popular in many parts of the world.
Ötzi the Iceman, dating from the fourth to fifth millennium BC, was found in the Ötz valley in the Alps and had approximately 57 carbon tattoos consisting of simple dots and lines on his lower spine, behind his left knee, and on his right ankle. Other mummies bearing tattoos and dating from the end of the second millennium BC have been discovered, such as the Mummy of Amunet from Ancient Egypt. Tattooing in the Western world today has its origins in Polynesia, and in the discovery of tatau by eighteenth century explorers. The Polynesian practice became popular among European sailors, before spreading to Western societies generally.
Tattoos have served as rites of passage, marks of status and rank, symbols of religious and spiritual devotion, decorations for bravery, sexual lures and marks of fertility, pledges of love, punishment, protection, and as the marks of outcasts, slaves and convicts. The symbolism and impact of tattoos varies in different places and cultures.
Today, people choose to be tattooed for cosmetic, sentimental/memorial, religious, identification, and medical reasons.

The Facts
The National Geographic News stated that 15% of all Americans are tattooed. Details Magazine published a poll that stated 22% of 18-25 year olds have at least one tattoo. It’s also estimated 60% of the tattooed are women.
Buying a tattoo can be an extremely important decision, and definitely not one to take the least bit lightly. First of all, tattoos last a really long time. Secondly, you have to look at that tattoo every day of your life. Thirdly, tattoos can be really expensive, so you better make sure you spend your money wisely. And lastly, tattoos are a symbol of your inners self, the ultimate form of self-expression.

The Argument

Cons

• And then there's the physical affects of aging to consider. As most people get older the gain a little extra weight and the quality of their skin deteriorates.
• That's bad news for most tattoos. Twenty years later they can end up looking stretched, distorted and washed out. This is particularly true of tattoos place on your stomach. And for young women, they also have to consider what pregnancy may do to tattoos located on their stomach.
• One of the best places to avoid the problems of weight gain is the lower back. The skin on this part of the body tends to experience less strain in the event of weight gain.
• It’s still a fad, and is there anything dumber than doing something permanent to your body because it’s in style?
• Those who get tattoos are making a decision to send certain signals to those around them, and those people may react negatively and stereotype you [Stigma].
• The human body is beautiful enough without any permanent adornment.
• Getting a tattoo may impact your personal or professional life.
• Cost of a tattoo. (Money and Pain)
• Risk of infection and disease.
• Risk of tattoo not turning out how you wanted it.

Possibility of not liking it in a few years.

Pros

• As I said earlier, a tattoo can be an outward expression of ones inner self.
• Tattoos used for symbolic significance as well as a pure design element on your body give you a chance to stand out in a crowd
• Variety of colors, sizes, shapes and designs definitely add up to the positive side of tattoos. You can access innumerable designs if you do a search of magazines, journals, libraries or the internet, which is one of the biggest resources for tattoo designs.
• Tattoos can be removed (by laser treatment), however it is painful and expensive.
• If it has a meaning or a story, it can be a great topic of conversation, and it will be a reminder and a memory.

I keep flipping back and forth between wanting a tattoo (in the distant future) and not. Both of the arguments presented are very debatable, and both weigh in heavily on my decision.

I believe that as long as a tattoo has meaning to someone, a story or memo or symbolic, then it is justified. Some people get stupid tattoos that they think are hilarious now, but I am sure that in the near future they will greatly regret them.

[ see WWHM Presents Special Edition II: Bad Tattoos]

Its funny, but at the same time quite sad and pathetic.

If I were ever to permantly ink my body with art, I would be absolutely sure I would love it forever, never regret it, place it in a spot that can easily be covered, and be sure the actual tattoo has personal unique meaning to me.

Real Women have Curves

There has been much controversy in the tabloids about many celebrities' weights, ranging from thick to thin, and all negative.

The sad part about this is that they truly believe how badly they treat their bodies will not affect others. they are so wrong. Teenage girls, kids, women, and even their children if any, take this as a cue to what is 'trendy' and what one is supposed to look like.

Eating Disorders and the obsesssion to be skinny have extrapolated over the past few years, and we all have to stand together and fight it. Fight against this unhealthy body image, educate ourselves about nutrition and proper exercise and moderation.

Looking at the pictures I collaged above just sickens me. Ew. I know it may be mean to say, but they must realize that they look like little boys with wigs on, not beautiful women in their prime. They look incredibly unhealthy, sickly even. It makes me want to invite them over to my house for some ice cream, chocolate, burgers, and all that good stuff. This may be weird to say, but just looking at them makes me hungry, no not to eat them, but, I feel like I can feel their hunger you know? LOL.

I can just imagine how Paris would’ve responded to this: “Anna Rexic? Who’s she?”

A few curves -- as sported by Banks, Kate Winslet, Beyonce and Drew Barrymore tend to be easier on the eyes than the my-skeleton-is-trying-to-escape-my-body look increasingly sported by starlets like Nicole Richie, Victoria Beckham, the Olsen twins, Keira Knightley,

Says Tyra Banks:
"I get so much mail from young girls who say, 'I look up to you, you're not as skinny as everyone else, I think you're beautiful.' So when they say that my body is 'ugly' and 'disgusting,' what does that make those girls feel like?"

You tell'em Tyra. I just love her, and how she has taken a stand against the media on this hot topic. She really does use her show for the better, getting her message out there that what she looks like is not bad, that she is healthy, and that curves are sexy. Embrace your body. Love yourself and take care of yourself.

I even have my own body image story.
I have learned from a young age that eating healthy is vital. I did go through a phase where I was not as healthy as I should have been, and I felt pressure to lose weight because my 'curves were not cool.'

Since I was in grade five I developed wider hips, boobs, and a butt. As a dancer my thighs were strong and thick, and as a figure skater my calfs were big and lean. Nothing was skinny about me, well except my arms [haha].

I had a friend who was just stick thin (naturally, and because she had not hit puberty until years after I had), and she always made fun of me because I 'had a big butt' or my boobs were big. Not my fault really, I exercised alot and was always involved in one physical activity or another, and always ate very healthy, growing up on a farm and all. Plus my grandma would just not have us being 'scrawny', because just like the Mom off of 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' she would 'snap us like chickens.'

As a kid, I was a very picky eater, and quite scrawny. I would be full just by eating a half of a Pizza Pop! My baby sitter and my mom called me chicken legs. So I ate more, alot more. But that consisted of tomatoes, chocolate milk, and apples. Nothing bad, I just hit puberty one summer, and perhaps was a little scared and shocked by this new body of mine.

Even some boys teased me about my bubble butt in grade 8. It made me feel awful and so embarrassed.

But you know what?

Eventually those boys came to, well, lets say appreciate those new curves. Because like all boys who have hit puberty, boobs and butts are sexy.

And, even though it may be a stupid reason, I began to accept and love my body.

And that skinny girl who was still my friend, well I think that she was jealous all along, and that is why she made fun of my voluptuous figure, because I began to take the attention of the boys.

Well, what can I say. Curves won.

And now, I eat alot, most of the time uber healthy, but sometimes I cheat. I love chocolate, and Wendys french fries and frostys. I also love Dairy Queen.

And you know what?

I don't care. Because when I go to the beach. I am the one the guys are checkin out, not those skinny chicks beside me who stare at me and refuse to eat infront of people.

Because the one I am trying to impress is me. Its about how I feel about myself, how healthy I feel, and just downright indulging myself every once in a while, not afraid of those few extra calories.

I have declared Body Peace.

Follow the lead started by starlets like Beyonce and Tyra, as well as Dove's campaign for real beauty.

So why don't you?

Because we are all beautiful, we are sexy.

Love your curves. <3

Les Danseurs

Fashion inspired by the world of dance.

Movement, beauty, emotion, passion...

At the age of five my Mom enrolled me in our local dance studio. I took classes of jazz, tap, acro, and ballet. I will be the first to admit that I wasn't the most graceful, and my turnout not so great, but I had heart and determination as well as flexibility and strength.
This attitude spilled over into my daily life, as well as into my fashion sense.
For me, it was just easy to go to school in my pink tights with body suit underneath, it just made changing that much quicker.
[Cue phonebooth, young Canadian Girl takes off tshirt and jeans to reveal... Ballet Babe!]
Lol...
After I switched dance studios (a move to a larger city and better academy), my friends and I would waltz over to the mall across the way in our dance shorts, black/white/pink tights and a cute shirt or sweater thrown over top. Sometimes you might have even caught us with our leg warmers on. It could be a really classic ballet look with the pinks tights paired with flats and a hoodie but could easily change to a freer rebellious style with black tights ripped at the knee paired with black shorts and a tee.
As we all can see, eventually this style caught on, and everyone was wearing ballet flats and knock-off Capezio tights or leggings. Even leg warmers were revived. I have even seen American Apparel ads sporting a ballet bodysuit/ leotard.
This just goes to show how much of an influence this classical and reknowned dance sector has in the fashion world.
And I can't blame or hate on the people who jumped onto the ballet wagon, and even made it their own and gave it new angles and twists (some people even went as far to wear [fake] tutus!), because it is so darn cute and easy to throw together a ballet outfit.


Ballet - by canadiangirrl on Polyvore.com

California Dreamin'

Here is a little fashion spread, inpired by the laid back and cool vibe of So Cal.



California - by Annie' on Polyvore.com


Californian Hipster - by Alexus Zabel on Polyvore.com


I ♥ CALIFORNIA! - by Imani DioR[i need a group logo!] on Polyvore.com

Americas Best Dance Crew

Among the reality competition shows, Randy Jackson Presents Americas Best Dance Crew is definitely in my top five.

Having been a dancer for about ten years, I definitely have an appreciation for it.

Some of my personal faves have been JabbaWockeez, Kabba Modern, Break Skate, Beat Freakz, Strikers All Stars, Super Crew, Supreme Soul, Dynamic Edition, and Quest.

Maybe thats a big list? But there have been three great seasons. The JabbaWockeez were the first season winners, adorable with or without their masks. They always came up with versatile and unique choreography as well as tricks, and those shirts are just so cool. I truly wish I had a JabbaWockeez shirt. My second favourite of Season 1 ABDC was definitely Kabba Modern, and in a close third was Break Skate. All three of these crews had their own unique elements, JabbaWockeez had the masks, Kabba Modern had isolated hand choreography, and Break Skate, well it was break dancing on roller skates, how much cooler could you get?
The best routines definitely came from the Micheal Jackson inspired week, JabbaWockeeze without a doubt being my favourite with 'Billy Jean'. LOVED IT <3

And their Tshirts. I want one. Two maybe. So Sick.

Season Two faves? A bit tough, but probably Supreme Soul tied up with Super Crew, even though Super Crew won, I believe they are both great crews.

ABDC Season 3 promises to be very competitive and unique, each team having an edge. There is so much diversity between competitors, (dance diversity of course).

I am proud to say that ABDC is now embracing dance styles other than that of JUST Hip Hop or Break Dancing. The judges like Lil Mama and Shane Sparks, have been, in the past, very rigid when it came to being more open to other dance styles. 'Ya'll need more hip hop. . .'

I really do not like Lil Mama, just for this reason.

She is so close-minded, and, for lack of a better word, stupid.

I could do a better job of judging these crews than she could, honestly. She is only one year older than I, and I have way more dance background and experience in many areas, not just dancing in the streets of Brooklyn or rapping.

I really hate that she, and others like her, have to pidgeon hole dancing to be directly related to the hip hop style.

Maybe if she did her research she would know it is quite new compared to the many other types of dancing.

It makes sense that Jc Chasez and Shane Sparks are judges, but Lil Mama. Come on.

She is an idiot. Like telling those cloggers (I call them tap dancers) that they need more hip hop?

HELLOOO? Its called Americas Best DANCE Crew, Dance, not Americas Best Hip Hop Crew.

And props to JC for saying so. You tell em. I just wanted to crawl through the tv and smack her.

She is so dumb and ignorant. They are getting an under educated (dance wise anyways), under experienced kid to judge.

In my opinion this is an insult to Shane and JC, they have experience and then they plop this stupid little girl at the judges table between them with crazy rhinestones and outfits that makes you think she cares more about her style and outfits for the show than about educating herself upon what she is judging. And not just that, but she can't even speak English properly.

Like ya'll needa hiddit reel hard, ya kno? Fo Sho. Know wha I meeen?

Not cool. It is a joke, She is a joke. Who is she trying to impress? Im not usually the kind to "hate on celebs", I hate on people who think they got 'it' and they really don't. She is overconfident in her talents [or lack thereof]. Yah, I went there. She really isn't as hardcore as she thinks.

Plus she is really immature, she can't just objectively critique a crew, she has to compare and down talk. What a dumb little B!&#H!

Lets switch it around. Lets have a dancer judge her [c]rapping skills like she judges their dancing skills. Hmm.

She claims she was raised on the streets. Oh Bull$&!*! She is 19 now, and has been on ABDC for each season, so retroactive about 2 or 3 years. And before that when she attempted a career, so 16 or 17.

You haven't been there very long, and you can really stop acting like life is so hard.

Really, it can be much worse. Think of others before you act like you had it tough.

I just know I am not alone. Really, Im Not. Google "I Hate Lil Mama" and read what you find.

Dont act surprised.

This judging stint is only a way to respark her career after her album failure.

Ooh. I went there again.!

Moving on from my Lil Mama Rant (I really needed to get that off of my chest).......

(goose-fra-baaaaa...........)

This season we have the uber talented tap dancers, who have up until this moment been underestimated in the general public. As a prior tapper, I can really appreciate their talents, infused with great choreography as well as a bit of a hip hop vibe.

Strikers All Stars hit it hard, great choreography and versatility.

Quest and Beat Freakz, a bit more hip hop than the rest, are among my faves.

This season also has a heavy cross-over from So You Think You Can Dance. Quest Crew's Ryan Conferido was a season 1 finalist, Hok and D-Trix (Dominic) were season 3 finalists. Also, clogger Brandon Norris of Dynamic Edition was heavily featured during the season 3 try-outs of SYTYCD and performed at the season finale. Judge Shane Sparks has also judged and choreographed for numerous seasons of SYTYCD. Also included are the Beat Freaks which consist of a group with many professional dancers namely Rino Nakasone, formerly of the Gwen Stefani's Harajuku Girls.

One of the teams I had an eye on that I actually really enjoyed were the Puerto Rico natives with a splash of salsa [dancing] was G.O.P Dance Crew. Unfortunately, this crew as well as Boxcuttuhz and Fly Khicks were in the bottom three for a sudden death dance off, resulting in G.O.P heading home.

Personally I thought Boxcuttuhz sucked hard and should have been the first to go home.

What gets me is how Fly Khicks has been in the bottom 3 times, and still survive. Its not that they are bad, but they are just the one forgetable crew.

Lets make a prediction,

Season Three winner will be Beat Freaks.

"We are an all styles crew, so we teach each other" says Out There. Adds Lockn'Key, "This is a well-rounded group of women. We have B- girling, freestyle, hip-hop, popping, locking, house salsa, jazz, ballet, you name it." Plus, says Rino, "We love to laugh and to have fun."

All-Girl Crew, All the way to the end. Representin!!!

chyyeaaah!

Ickk

I feel so.. Ick.

You know when you just feel sick.

Stuffy, head ache, etc.

Sick..... and on top of that Auntie Flo is visiting

Great.

I do have a few secrets to combat these sickness blues.

So I thought that now would be the perfect time to share them.

Gargling with salt water. This is a trick my Hungarian Grandma told me to do. It acts like an anti-bacterial mouth wash. Its about a half cup of really hot water (not boiling, just very warm) with about a tablespoon of salt dissolved in it. Now gargle until this concoction is all gone. Even swallow a little. It really helps with sore throats, strep throat, and tonsillitus.

"Hot Toddy"--> Boil water like you would make a tea. In mug, pour/ squeeze about 3-5 tablespoons of lemon juice. Add 2-3 tablespoons of liquid honey. Let this dissolve in the boiling water once poured into the cup. Stir. Enjoy. The honey coats the throat, so it does not feel as scratchy, and the honey is a natural anit bacterial agent. The lemon juice breaks up the phlegm and is an astringent for your body.

Ice Cream. No longer just an excuse to indulge, but it does a great job of numbing the throat and is easy to swallow. If you are lactose intolerant jello or a smoothie is a great alternative.

Vitamin C. This little vitamin can really boost the immune system and kick those anti-bodies into gear so they can combat sickness. Take one daily, and drink orange juice and eat fruits high in vitamin C, like kiwi, oranges, and grape fruits.

Amino Acids. You can take an amino acid supplement, a pill, that will help your body recover from illness, it can make you feel alot better fast!

Ginger. If you have the stomach flu, the best thing to do is to let it pass over. But it is best to eat ginger because it naturally soothes the tummy. What I eat is chocolate covered ginger, sort of cheating, but I love it.

Water. Drink a lot of water to keep your body hydrated and to flush out the bad germs and sickness. If you have the flu you have to rehydrate your body after throwing up.

Salted Soda Crackers. Light, easy to eat. Settles the stomach and is cheap too.

Ginger Ale. also settles the tummy when it is very upset or when you are nauseated.

Sleep. During your sleep your body does it best repair work, thus healing the body more efficiently and faster. So catch up on those Zzzzz's!

Pajamas. just kick back, relax, and watch the price is right in your oversized comfy clothes.

Add your own tried and true tricks to combatting sickness!