...or, the split personality issue

two posts on my facebook newsfeed have inspired me to write this post, pretty much on the fly.  well, almost really.  after seeing them, i saw to the dishes, and then hurried back to my macbook to write. so, probably, the dirty sunday lunch dishes contributed as well.  anyways, i digress. 

so the two posts i saw on my news feed were a shot from orla kiely's presentation at the london fashion week aw'13 and an advert to like the association of certified tattooists' page.  the two posts could not be more contrasting and yet they both triggered my interest in an equally strong way.  

so first, orla kiely.  i've been a fan of this brand for quite some time and have often fantasised about having one of my future home's rooms all decked out in pure 70s retro kitsch, complete with the classic orla kiely leaf-print wallpaper and matching cushions.  

in terms of clothing apparel, the designer has the same appeal - an appeal which has been quite consistent over the last eight-or-so years ever since i first lay my eyes on the leaf print.  having said that, i never got round to buying anything, despite my utter devotion to the brand.  but this year's presentation for aw'13 might break the mould.  i still have to find out the price-tag on this absolutely gorgeous squirrel cardigan and the equally covetable t-bar shoes.  but this may very well be the day when all forms of caution are thrown to the wind.  

as i mentioned earlier, the second post was an invitation (suggestion / promotion, call it what you may) to like a tattoo-related page.  i must confess that i've already got a few of those pages in my 'likes'.  tattoos have always been something that i admired, nay, desired, from a distance.  i won't go into the details of all the discussions i had at home or with friends about the pros and cons of tattoos.  i'll just let you in on the bottom line, being that i'm "all for".  yes, i know that they can get wrinkly and blotchy when the skin looses its elasticity, and that you have to re-fill them every now and again, and that (unfortunately) society (is ignorant enough that it) does not look at them in a positive light.  i must put a disclaimer here and state that i am not a fan - at all - of the 'feminine' tattoos (e.g. little flowers, dolphins, butterflies etc) or the tribal / oriental lettering kinds.  i've a bit of an issue with positioning of tattoos as well - bellies, lower backs and ankles are a complete no-go zone for me.  i'm more of the 'bad ass' full/half sleeve classic japanese style or vintage 'sailor' style tattoos.  yes, the type you see the guys and girls on miami / l.a. ink sporting.  of course, not everyone can carry a tattoo - the attitude needs to be there to live up to the tattoo one's getting. 

and this is where my split personality comes to shine.  in this world, i believe i come across as the 'orla kiely' / 'mad men' secretary kind of girl - most of the time, nicely put together with that touch of quirky vintage style which some love to hate.  but in the parallel universe that's in my mind, i see myself as an inked girl, with an open birdcage on my neck, a mexican 'dia de los muertos' skull on my right ribcage, a pond of koi fish or a phoenix for a sleeve and an 'i love my mom' sailor-style heart on my chest bones.  i guess the only common denominators which brings my real and fantasy worlds together is a lick of red lipstick, a flick of black eyeliner and tonnes of black mascara ...