
So I took the leap (albeit a very small, bordering on cowardly leap) last Saturday and got my first tattoo.
I’ve been meaning to get inked for the longest time and I finally finally finally decided to go for it over the weekend. Early last week (and after googling several local tattoo artists and studios), I texted a friend (who asked not to be named and for her photos not to be posted online hehehe) to ask where she got hers done. My timing was perfect— she was going back that same weekend to add to her back tattoo.
And that is how I found myself at 55 Tinta on a Saturday night :D

Saying good bye to my bare chest:

Signing the waiver:

Laying the stencil:

Rrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!! goes the tattoo gun:

Eek, what a bad angle for a smile.

Dyun is my tattoo artist. He was also the one who added to my friend’s tat.

Done!


Yo, Helga, did it hurt?
Honestly… no. I mean, yes, but the pain was tolerable. It’s such a tiny tattoo that took less than an hour and I’d be a wuss if I said that it hurt like hell (when it didn’t). It’s been two days and it only kinda stung yesterday but that was because of my night dress’s crocheted front. I was even singing along to Dave Matthews Band while getting it done.
Why an ampersand?
Originally, I wanted a text tattoo, specifically the line “Clad in the panoply of love” on my inner left (or right) arm. If I am ever to have something permanently placed on my body, I want it to be words words words. I wanted to start small, though, just to see if I could bear the pain and the itching that came afterwards. The ampersand is my favorite character/symbol. It represents the word “and” which, for such a short word, has several usages. It links and pairs and adds and connects.
I’m quite happy and in love with my tattoo <3

The font I used is Bell MT. Thank you, Maro (Photography by Marocharim lol) and Penny, for taking photos.
55 Tinta is at #55 Maginhawa Street, Teacher’s Village. It’s right beside Tomato Kick.
Dear Dad,
If you’re reading this— I haven’t told mammy.
XOXO.


Hi, I'm Helga Weber and welcome to my personal site. I'm 25 and in the process of learning how to make adventurous life choices. I dislike old people but I love grandma clothes. My goal in life is to build a ball pit right next to my bed. Currently searching for the perfect house coat. My lover is the greatest. 
I FUCKING love this, the use of profanity is required to get across the point of how much I like it. So simple but, GREAT.
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Your tattoo is pretty~ At ang lapit lang pala sa’min nung parlor! What if I saw you? Haha.
I want a tat, too but I’m 16 and… I don’t have close relatives with tattoos. :(
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I love the concept and the idea of it helga! It definitely is different, yet beautiful. :)
Congratulations on your new tattoo!!
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Wow. It’s really nice. I’m in love with it too.
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i’ve been having sleepless nights wanting to see this one! :) yay beautiful and awesome.
also, i missed bubble tea :((
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February 15th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
Let’s bubble tea when you’re free!
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So you put a symbol representing togetherness close to your heart.
Not a coincidence, is it?
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also, Maro! heeheehee
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Congrats on your first tattoo Helga :)
Love the photos!
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Simple and sexy ;)
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ahhh yun pala dahilan. looks nice ^_^x
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nice tattoo! thought you might like this http://ampersandampersand.tumblr.com/ i happen to discover this site after i’ve read ur blog. =)
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I love it! I want a tattoo too!
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Nice tattoo and it looks smexy on you.
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I KEESH EET! :-*
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I’ve been meaning to get a tattoo too, but prolly right after graduation. :D
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Love it a lot. :) Great placement also.
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Oh my gosh. I love your tat. I wanna have one, too, but I’m in the medical field.
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What an unusual tattoo idea! I really like it, I think it looks great! Hmm, if one that size takes less than an hour, and the one I want is smaller…perhaps I might find the courage in me yet! :)
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Mammy will scold you! Haha! My mom gets all hysterical like that. lol XD
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i will cartwheel for you taking the leap!
love it, helga =)
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I really, really love it. Great job :o) It’s perfect.
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the tattoo adds to your sexiness. so you’re like 200% sexy now. lol
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“Jun”‘s name is spelled Dyun. ANG COOL DIBA. http://www.flickr.com/photos/dyuntats/
Haha.
Woohoo. Seriously, congratulations! Sabi nga ni Dyun: Welcome to the tribe. :D
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I love your tattoo. I’ve been meaning to get one too but I have no idea what I want that I could stand to look at for the rest of my life. lol Congrats!
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I fucking love this. I want an ampersand tattoo too! :c :c
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Pretty! Dying in envy!
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I really like it Helga! I also like the “behind the scenes” photos…makes me want to get the one on my back fixed.
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OHMYGOSH a tattoooooo!
Interesting design, I like it. Too big for me and too “viewable” but it looks good.
Congrats on your first tattoo :D
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It’s lovely!
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Nice design and “placement”! :)
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YES! i can comment na.
wow, cool ink. why did you have it in you chest?
and lol at your message for your dad. is he cool with this?
btw, i missed seeing you online, because i’m always offline. hindi ko na nakikita kung may inaaway kang bobo sa net. LOL
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you went to 55 tinta? why didn’t I read about this then. lol looks great.
My brother is a co-owner of the shop, btw, just saying. lol
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February 27th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Oooh, I’ll be going back to 55 Tinta for my next tattoo :D Thanks!
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wow, thats an interesting tattoo, actually I havent yet seen anyone with one of those things, it looks really good! :)
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February 27th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Thank you! =)
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aww..
why not place it smack dab at the center..
lois … clark
batman … robin
john … marsha
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[...] And Per Se And Image by Helga Weber More about my tattoo. [...]
TATTOO FONTS- suggestions? help me pick :)
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[...] And Per Se And Image by Helga Weber More about my tattoo. [...]
[...] Per Se And Image by Helga Weber More about my tattoo. It’s a bit addicting, ya? I’m waiting ’til May to get my second one. I would [...]
I got my tatt in 55Tinta as well!! :) <3
emem’s last blog entry: I can’t commit. I don’t fall in love.
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