Jenn Doing My Best

If you had to get a tattoo right now, what would it be and why?

This past April, I got my 17th tattoo—a peacock in the American Traditional style. 🦚 Technically, it’s my 18th tattoo because I had an old tattoo covered up with the peacock.

When I was around 23 years old and in college, I got my first tattoo—a butterfly on my lower back.

Yes, I was one of those 20-something college students in the early 2000s who got the infamous “tramp stamp.” 😏😂

Listen, this was when low-rise jeans became a huge fashion trend, and I wore a lot of Mossimo form-fitting, low-rise, boot-cut jeans. I even had a pair with faded gold dust. Lol! 🤣

Those jeans looked hot with my tan cowgirl boots and black Mossimo high heel boots. You couldn’t tell me nothing! 💅🏾

So, in my young adult mind, I thought my butterfly tattoo on my lower back was the perfect spot to show it off when I wore my low-rise jeans. 🙄 (Don’t tell my mom! 😆)

Do I regret it? Nah. I just wish I would’ve chosen a better placement for my butterfly tattoo.

Nevertheless, I was bit by the tattoo bug after I got that first tat, and I knew I wanted to get more.

Age 28, in my last year of graduate school, I got two more tattoos, but it wouldn’t be until my 40s that I started seriously building my tattoo collection.

My 30s were the decade of getting married and having five babies/breastfeeding.

Now, in my mid-40s, I am enjoying collecting tattoos again.

Only this time, I have taken the time to learn more about the different tattoo styles and put more thought into the artist and artwork I choose.

I absolutely love American Traditional. I love the classic, vintage imagery and the bold colors and lines, especially when an artist adds their own unique spin to the design.

I’ve been working on my arm sleeves for about three years now. Tattoos ain’t cheap, dude! It’s a slow journey (hoping I can get tat #18 this fall), but I am enjoying every minute of it.

💜 XO

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Hey, dude! 👋🏾 Unless I say otherwise, the photos you see around here were taken by me. 😊 Please don’t copy or use them without asking first. Thanks for being cool! 💜

Feature image of a photo I took while waiting for my appointment at Union 3 Tattoo in Detroit.

Links to tattoo artists if you’re interested in their work: Matt Paw, Buddy Braman, Mond Sankara