Vintage Ink Wine Celebrates 100 Years of Tattoo Culture 

Last weekend I was at 99 Sudbury for a gallery show called GENERATIONS by Vintage Ink wine celebrating 100 years of tattoo culture. It featured line drawings by several tattoo artists and photographs by Matt Barnes.  It was a great mix of drinks, food, music, art, and friends! I arrived early and spend a good amount of time admiring the photos and catching up with Tyler Kenny. He was on the scene representing the Freshly Educated Men blog.  We had heaps of laughs! TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO ENTER THE CONTEST You might remember a couple weeks ago I shared a few stories of MY tattoos and where/when I got them. Vintage Ink wine is holding a contest, in order to enter, upload a photo of your tattoo to Instagram or Twitter, adding the hashtag #MyVintageInk. Photos are displayed on via vintageink.ca. The winners will have their tattoo art displayed on 500 limited edition bottles of their wine along with a framed copy of their framed artwork. This photo by Matt Barnes was my fav of the night. I love the juxtaposition of this beautiful tattooed mama and this lil boy eating a hamburger. I wonder if it’s his mum? They’ve both got such a cute face. Chloe came by to enjoy the fun and have some wines. Vintage Ink wine is now available at the LCBO. Will share this video one it’s out, I think we’ve got a few cameos in there. Over the course of the night they filled up this wine bottle tree. Such a neat idea! I wonder if dad could make me one of these. It would be a great patio decoration or something to have at the holidays. Please let me know if you’ve entered the contest so I can share my love and vote for your tattoo. There will…

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Vintage Ink Wine + Contest + Tattoo Tales

Ever wondered about someone’s tattoos but never asked? To be honest, I don’t really like explaining them to people I don’t know. It’s personal, I’m usually asked in a crowded place, and it takes a while because I have heaps. Some have number significance, dates, travel, family, and there’s a couple I got for fun. Pizza anyone? I’ve partnered with Vintage Ink Wines to share my tattoo stories and introduce a contest for a new wine label design based on tattoos submitted by people like us. The tatted! Tattoo Tales: Stories Behind My Tattoos I got my first tattoo in Australia, the southern cross constellation between my shoulderblades. It was about 4pm and we were driving from from Bronte to Bondi beach with no plans so, my friend Cameron and I decided randomly to get tattooed. We both didn’t have any until that day! My next tattoo was 2 lines on my right hand ring finger, one blue one orange. The idea is derived from a personality test called True Colours. It used to be used in workplaces to break people into groups and pair them together based on personality for group cohesiveness. It was prevalent in my studies and I learned that in order to be my most successful self, a 50/50 mix between my true colours was ideal.  Orange – outgoing, vibrant, strong vs. Blue, analytical, organized, list maker. I still find this tattoo a helpful reminder.  Note, tattoos on the hands fade faster than any others. I’ve had it redone about 3 times in 10 years. I got this owl about 2 years ago. It’s on my right arm, like most of mine because I drew them all on with marker first. I’m left handed. I found this design in a Google search and customized it to change the watch face…

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Plant Stores & Vintage Shopping

Cory and I made a date to go for a nice Saturday walk in the sun. It’s hard to stay positive with the compound stress of seasonal affective disorder, Covid, and general life anxiety, but seeing a friend and getting outside always makes me feel better. One great way to beat winter SAD is to plan a day with plant stores & vintage shopping. The Urban Gardener is my fav local plant shop, I swear just walking in there will boost your mood. It’s warm, green, and filled with beautiful growing plants. I picked up a new lil’ guy to bring home with a nice new planter pot for him to live in. Our next stop was Pictus Goods on Dupont which is filled with heaps of lovely goods for your home, candles, jewellery, and fresh flowers. Super cute shop! Highly recommend checking it out. They also have a GREAT selection of nice cards. Our third stop was a private shopping appointment at Nouveau Riche Vintage which DID NOT DISAPPOINT. Tbh, IDK if I have EVER seen such an incredible collection. They have heaps of items for sale including designer, denim, coats, and accessories. The best part for me was the exclusive rental section we got to check out that’s filled with the best outfits you can dream of. SO GOOD. I didn’t get anything but Cory scored a few goodies. I will deff be back there again!

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The Weekend: Sprinkler City, Summertime Pretty

Vintage dress from Community 54 (Toronto/NY), vintage head scarf, polarized cat eye glasses by Derek Cardigan, leopard shoes Michael Khors, shellac nails by 1Body Bar

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shopping is more fun with a drink in your hand

Yesterday’s mini dress is one of my favorite purchases from Apt. 909. I’ve had it for a couple years and it was in the kiddie section! I matched with my very loved vintage cowboys I picked up at a little shop in Bondi, Australia. After work I attended the Notable TV RW & Co excluuuuuuseive opening party at the Eaton Centre. I rolled up with Carly, (Fairlie Agency) & Reggie (GotStyle Menswear). Carly and I both have fresh shaved heads, such a  great feeling and perfect for this hot hot heat. Thanks to Darren for mine! You know this handsome face – blogger & comic man Sean Ward. I always make it out to Notable TV events to support Julian and see/meet cool peeps. The party was catered by my MOST favorite Toronto catering company, The Food Dudes. They honestly make the best food out of any party I’ve been to (and that’s A LOT of parties!). I finally met Dejana Bajic (aka Shopsterium), we follow each other on the Twitter. She stopped me right away to snap a pic  and introduce herself. She got some good ones of the event you can check out on her bloggy. Enjoy the day, she’s a bloody hot one out there! 🙂

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i don’t think you should drink and bike dudes

NOTL – That’s what they call it. Like it’s a gangsta-short- code for something really bad ass. It’s a popular spot for wino’s and people from the State. If you enjoy people watching, grab a drink and score a seat because you’re sure to see some entertaining characters. I’m not sure where the people come from but it’s so much different than being in the city.  Here, it’s busy and noisy and there are so many people that you can’t even tell who the crazy ones are and you barely have time to watch the days go by. Good food at this place, Prince of Whales. I was a little shocked to see the below advertisement for Wine Tours combined with biking.  I’ve learned that biking and drinking, especially to multiple destinations, isn’t usually a good idea. By the time you get to your last stop you’re half in the bag and then you have to go all the way back home. I’m surprised that this place even exists. I wonder if I can take a dirt bike around to different breweries anywhere? Now, doesn’t that sound like a bright idea? This building made for pretty pictures. It’s a really old one covered in vines. I’m watching The Bachelorette and I think she’s a wild one. This could be an interesting show.  I dig that she drives a purple vintage classic. I think guys get snarkier than girls do and there will be some fights.  Shame the preview gives the show away and the guys are such dorks.

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