SOUL-FULL WEEKEND

I had a magical weekend with my old friend Robin.  Friday we went up to Austin to get my half sleeve finished, and she came with us.  She got to witness her first ever tattoo!  Then we went back to her place and stayed for another two hours.  And I ate the yummiest green beans.  James and I drove home that night, and it rained the whole way home.  Neither of us really like to drive long distances, especially in the rain, but we did it!  

Robin came to our house the next afternoon and stayed the night and then next day.  It was so nice to have her in our home, with time to just be.  This beautiful girl below was James girlfriend all through high school.  And now 12 years later, we are discovering that her and I have such a deep connection, and its only the beginning.  A true soul sister.  A heart partner.  Someone I can be just me with, opening each wound and fault, smile and story, exploration and question...  The whole weekend I felt like I was being held in the gentle embrace of a mother, but also the comfort of a good friend who is not afraid to allow me to explore and dig deeper into the messiness of life.  I now have a few girlfriends who I feel this way around, and it is one of my biggest blessings.  My little tribe of women I have been pinning for, for so long, is aligning itself in such a beautiful way lately.

She brought a bottle of Maker's Mark, which I have never had, and made me whiskey gingers.  The best drink Ive ever tasted.  Oh my.  We might have drank a little too much b/c they were just soooo good!  She told me the story of how she is an ambassador at the Maker's Mark distillery, and has her own barrel of whiskey that is aging over the next four years before it becomes her own.  She even got to dip her fingers into the mix before it was sealed.  And in four years,  I will be able to buy a bottle from her barrel!  Eeeekkk. 

We had countless hours of soul talk.  We spoke to each other about our heart wounds, past loves, twists and turns in our lives, our fears, our happy times and our dreams.  We had a campfire.  We ate yummy food.  I tried macaroons for the very first time!  She taught me to throw the IChing.  We took a drive in the country, which made us both want to fall asleep.  We showed her music videos of bands we love.  We laid in the hammock and talked.   And the best part is, I get to see her again next weekend!!! 

Here are just some phone snaps of my new tattoos!  Im so so so happy to finally get this sleeve finished.  It has taken me over 3 years, maybe even 4, to get this done.  Ridiculous.  The new parts are the flower, the feathers and the birdie.  Ill take better pics once its all healed.  Right now it looks like a big scaly mess. 

I'm a bit behind schedule on things this week, so I'll be back tomorrow with a super cool giveaway, and the winners of our past giveaways!  So check back tomorrow to see if it was you!

 P.S. Im having a 2 day sale in my shop.  Get 30% off everything by entering the code AUTUMNBREEZE at checkout.  Ends Oct 4th at noon.