The Big 2-9
Turning 29 sure was fun.
My sisters and I have a longstanding tradition of celebrating by pampering ourselves. After a haircut (my first angled bob), manicure, pedicure, and facial, I got my second tattoo by Steve Boltz at Smith Street Tattoo Parlour. Its a sinking ship with a kraken. 
Steve also touched up the mare in my first tattoo – she has spots now. 
I love them.
Then, Melody, Pati and I had a girls night in Atlantic City. We stayed at Revel, Atlantic City’s newest resort. This place lives up to its hype: its huge, modern, luxurious, and adds a bit of Vegas to an otherwise old and forlorn boardwalk.
The rooms are hooked up with floor to ceiling windows that offer breathtaking views of the ocean and boardwalk. There’s a huge bathroom with an opulent shower (I love fancy bathrooms!) as well as a remote control that puts the power of turning all the lamps off in the palm of your hand. So cool. (Sorry, all I have are crappy iPhone pics for you)
The view from the room was awesome. Here’s what it looks like during the day:
Most people dress very casually in Atlantic City, especially on weeknights. So if you’re planning on a weeknight getaway, you’ll likely feel out of place in a skintight dress. I wore pink skinny cords, black suede booties, a silky striped shirt, and a black cardigan for shopping and lunch. Later on, I changed into leather pumps with chunky heels for dinner, and gambling. The next day, I wore dark skinny jeans, a black striped sweater, and booties.
I’ve never gambled before! Must be that birthday luck.
Here’s to another year of growing older and wiser!
Smith Street Tattoo Parlour Strikes Again
After my grandmother died, I kind of fell apart for a while. With the love and support of my family and friends, I’m slowly getting it together.
So, a few days after Thanksgiving, I decided to get a tattoo in honor of my grandparents. I went to Smith Street Tattoo Parlour because Kim had a very positive experience there. After about two hours, Steve Boltz hooked me up with this:
The outlining was the most painful part but honestly, it was a good hurt. In case you’re wondering, it feels exactly like someone is cutting you with a razor blade in the same spot, over and over again. Also, for me, there was a lot of bleeding. But you get used to it after a while.
Here’s a closeup:
Then came the color.
Finally, Steve added a shaded arc above the horses to balance it all out. I really love the final product.
It peeled for a whole week! Kim and I went shopping and when I was changing in a fitting room, flakes of skin fell out of my sleeve. You’re welcome for that mental image.
I don’t think I could have made it through my first tattoo without thinking about my grandma. I’m already planning my next one.
Do you have a tattoo with significant meaning?
Tattooed Kimbee
Kim has wanted a certain phrase tattooed to her inner arm for a few years now. Tonight, she pulled the trigger.
We went to Smith Street Tattoo Parlour. Luckily, Dan was free when we walked in. He patiently listened to her requests and looked at the pictures she brought. Then, he drew some samples. After getting Kim’s feedback and changing a few things, she was ready to go. Since this was her first tattoo, she was so nervous! Dan was very nice and patient – he didn’t rush her at all. Come to think of it, everyone at Smith Street Tattoo was really nice.
Smith Street Tattoo is spotlessly clean. Kim spotted hospital grade cleaning wipes that can’t touch human skin and can kill MRSA. These guys are serious about a sterile working environment.
Dan created a stencil from his drawing and put it on her skin.
Once the stencil got Kim’s stamp of approval, it was go time. They say your inner arm is one of the most painful places to get a tattoo. They are right. Kim practically broke my fingers.
It was quite cool watching Dan expertly etch words into my sister’s tiny arm.
About ten minutes later… behold! Obviously this was before Dan wiped off the extra ink and applied the bandage. I can’t take a picture of the final product because it needs to be wrapped up for 24 hours.
We celebrated her new body art with watermelon and mango paletas from Sley Deli. They are the best.
I highly recommend Smith Street Tattoo Parlour. The staff are really nice and not hipster snobs at all. Since I’m sure people are curious are prices, Kim paid $100 + tax + tip, which translates to about $128. Considering the area and quality, I’d say she got her money’s worth. For reference, she was quoted $175 and $200 for the same thing at two different places in the Park Slope area.