Industrial

I got my industrial piercing last Friday as a gift from mum and dad :)

It was one of the least painful of my piercings to actually get pierced, but the healing process is fairly painful. They take a good six months to a year to completely heal but I hope I can sleep on it sometime soon! There was a Facebook promotion where I got the piercing and the jewellery for only $30 down from $109, massive savings and totally worth it.

I have seen so many piercings get completely infected and really horrible, and I can't help but think it's because people don't take care of them properly or they have gone to a dodgy piercing place. I have several piercings and none of them have been infected. My advice would be to do your homework and make sure you get your piercing done at a place with a good reputation and always follow aftercare instructions. Also, if you are allergic to the metal used for piercings, it's simple - don't get it done.

Simple aftercare instructions:

1. Use the aftercare spray provided by your piercer and use twice daily for the first 2-3 weeks, and once a day each week after.
2. A spray which is high in alcohol will need to be thoroughly rinsed off after three minutes, however if it is a salt water spray you do not need to do this.
3. Avoid touching your piercing throughout the day, only in the shower for rotation (you can also use this time to clean it up and remove any crusty bits).
4. All piercings take different times to heal, but until it is fully healed I would recommend keeping up with the aftercare to avoid infection.
5. When getting your jewellery changed for the first time I would recommend going back to where you got it pierced, this way you can get the piece sterilized and put in by a professional, also they will be able to advise you whether it's okay to change the jewellery at this stage.
6. If you have a bad infection, bleeding, pus, or anything that doesn't seem quite right take the jewellery out and consult a doctor.

So just to keep count of my piercings thus far:

Three in each ear lobe
Labret
Belly button
Tragus
Nipple
Industrial

...eleven! Perhaps I should focus on a tattoo next and lay off the metal. I love them all though and don't regret a single one.

A couple of photos of my friends and I from the last few months.

Shopping is Good for the Soul

In an effort to cheer myself up and prepare for our trip to Melbourne coming up, I ventured into the city yesterday. I have no idea why I have avoided doing this for so long, it really doesn't take long and all of my favourite shops are there. I managed to find a lovely thick double breasted cobalt coat, which just happens to have the softest lining known to man. I found a tight (yet slimming) bodycon dress with an Aztec/geo inspired print for only $9! I also bought a black lace collared dress (can you believe I haven't had a LBD in ages), which looks great with my cobalt coat. I found a beautiful pair of gold and teal earrings from Colette (my new favourite store for jewellery and bags). And for those cold winter nights I bought two more harem style pyjama pants (one in a delicate small floral print, the other a black and white geo print) and thick knee high bed socks!

It's safe to say I will not continue to shop at my local shops for clothing any more, I always feel disappointed when I cannot find something I like, or the things I like are too expensive. I also managed to find a lovely toiletry bag for Aaron and myself, his is manly of course.

I am so excited to go to Melbourne next Monday. I have written my check list of things I need to take, it's three pages long. It's safe to say I will be taking almost everything I own, who knows what I will need in the ten days we are there? We are staying at the Oaks on Collins in a studio executive apartment for nine days, and then the Crown Towers for two. It's going to be wonderful, I need this holiday. I will be blogging while we're there as well... when the opportunity presents itself.

P.s. I wanted to include a photo of my purchases, but unfortunately my phone chucks a wobbly when I try to take a photo, which by the way is why the instagram photo challenge is on hold for the moment.

Goodbye

Last night we lost our beautiful girl Millie. She was very sick and we spent the last 24 hours of her life trying to nurse her back to health. This is the first time I have ever seen the life leave something living and it has changed me forever. I know we did everything we could but I keep wondering whether it was enough. I have been crying on and off since yesterday and the tears don't seem to be drying up.

She was a wonderful little Guinea Pig and she will be forever missed.

...Millie, Mummy and Daddy love you very much, and we hope you are up in heaven with a never ending vegetable patch and lots of friends to play with.

Instagram Challenge - Daily Routine

#22 Daily routine.

I thought I would take the opportunity to showcase my newest piece of jewellery. Every day once I am ready, I go to my huge jewellery case and choose some pieces that will compliment my outfit.

Steph's 22nd Birthday

We went out to the Burswood Casino for Steph's birthday this year. We had dinner at Carvers, then went and played casino wars. I won $70 and have a crisp green note in my wallet to show for it. We then went to the hotel lobby and bar. Vanessa and I went up to the bar intending to get some drinks, but instead came back with four French macarons and a ridiculously sweet mango and vodka cocktail... trust us to give in to our stomachs. It was quite a nice night, and it was refreshing to spend it almost completely sober. 

Instagram Challenge - Self portrait.

#1 Self portrait.

Today I am rugged up in stockings, a blue dress, purple scarf, and a big knitted jacket. I have a flu so excuse the nose and dry lips!