Poshly Pierced

Alabama University gear

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Sat, 19 May 2012 18:22:00 +0000

I didn't go to college - not even a day of community college - but university gear is really popular here in Oregon, as I'm sure it is everywhere. We have two college teams here (with a big rivalry), which may or may not play into the popularity of college apparel. My family goes on an annual group camping trip, and one of the families even decorates their entire campsite each year!

Going back to school this fall, or to college for the first time? Or maybe you're an alumni wanting to show your pride even after graduation. Hit up mall shops, sporting goods stores, or look online for the perfect university attire to complement your personal style. If you happen to be in Alabama, you can find a variety of Alabama apparel, including University of Alabama shirts and more, at UniversitySupplyStore.com.

Of course if you really want to show your commitment to your team, you'll sport a belly ring with your school's logo, or other jewelry with your school colors. University apparel topped off with some bright body jewelry is the perfect way to show your team & school spirit!

Discover sales in fashion and home decor with Sneakpeeq

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Sat, 19 May 2012 17:41:00 +0000

A friend recently turned me onto sneakpeeq and I confess I have been peeq-ing at it daily! Sneakpeeq is a short sale site that links with Facebook, offering select prices on fashion, home decor, and even food items. They have cool perks - I received a cute pair of pearl earrings absolutely free just for signing up - and you unlock better offers just by browsing. I've found that they are really great at recommending just the products I'm most likely to be interested in, and it's fun to 'window' shop even if you don't end up buying anything.

Sneakpeeq is really easy to use - Just link it to Facebook - and, if nothing else, is sure to help you discover new brands and products.

This post contains my referral link to Sneakpeeq, meaning that I am rewarded when you sign up. The site is completely free to use. All opinions here are my own.

High quality plugs from Flesh Tunnel

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 09:00:00 +0000

If you are in the market for stylish, high quality plugs, I absolutely recommend shopping Flesh Tunnel. Flesh Tunnel are UK-based but ship to the U.S. as well, and their jewelry is gorgeous and top of the line. I have several items from Flesh Tunnel and truly love them all. From the basic to the breathtaking, they carry a vast variety of plug styles, including a selection of plugs made from natural materials.

These jade stone plugs from Flesh Tunnel are among my daily jewelry, the staple pieces that I have in almost every day. I think they look exotic and expensive, and they are enough flair that I can dress simply and still look done up. They get lots of compliments and I love how they look against my skin. (The site also sells stunning blood jade plugs.)

I am also crazy about these white Killer Clam Shell plugs. They really pop more than my other jewelry and make a statement. Like the jade plugs, these are very feminine. Oh how I wish I had these back when I got married... But that's for another post.

For an edgier look, I'll always be a fan of stainless steel tunnels. These are my husband's go-to jewelry. Also known as eyelets, tunnels are perfect to thread hoop earrings through - Just make sure they are infinite hoops without a traditional clasp. I love how big & dramatic my holes look with these in. Flesh Tunnel sells high-quality steel tunnels in both double-flared and single-flared (with an open back and an o-ring) styles.

I was lucky enough to receive jewelry to review courtesy of Flesh Tunnel. I was not otherwise compensated and all opinions are my own.

Poshly Pierced FAQ

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 07:17:00 +0000

This pic was found here, and was too cute not to share!

There are a few comments I keep getting over & over on this blog. Rather than email every person individually, here are some of the most frequent comments and questions I've received and my responses. If you have a question or feedback regarding this blog, please email me (see sidebar) as I don't necessarily read all comments in a very timely manner. :) If you have an idea for a blog post you'd love to see here, please let me know!

Which piercings hurt, and how much?

Everyone is different but I think that general consensus would be that nipple piercings hurt! Not enough to deter you from getting them done if you want them, but let me put it this way: My piercer asked me to choose which nipple to pierce first, just in case I left with just one. I took a group of girlfriends with me to ease my nerves and it was a kickass time - I highly recommend it! We all accompanied another friend in the group to get hers done a few weeks later.

My septum is the piercing I was most anxious before getting, but in reality the clamp hurt more than the piercing itself. I didn't even know that the needle had gone through until my husband told me. I sat there sweating bullets, totally soaking through the paper towel in my hands, but the pain wasn't all that bad at all. Any piercing on your nose is likely to make your eyes water but I find them to be the most fun piercings, and totally worth it. I am contemplating re-piercing my nostril for a third time, I miss it so much.

Lip piercings hurt like a big pinch but then it's over. Belly button piercings are easy peasy. The most painful for me has definitely been stretching my ears, especially when I've rushed the process, but obviously it's not too bad as I keep coming back!

You shouldn't stretch with acrylic or wear acrylic jewelry.

Everyone's body is different and reacts differently to various materials. While I don't recommend leaving in acrylic tapers or using acrylic jewelry for a brand new piercing, I do think that it is fine to use intermittently or in healed piercings. I have used acrylic tapers, leaving them in for 1-3 days before switching to stainless steel or stone jewelry, and had no problems. Obviously if you have had a reaction to wearing acrylic, you should not use it for stretching. Your first time trying acrylic jewelry should always be in a fully healed piercing, and you might want to skip it altogether if you know that you have sensitive skin.

ZOMG you idiot, don't you know that it is called stretching not gauging. Obviously you know nothing about piercings.

For the dozens of people who have commented or taken the time to email me about this, obviously you know nothing about blogging and search engines! "How to gauge your ears" is the most popular search term that leads visitors to this blog. Piercing newbies frequently refer to the process as "gauging" and really, who the hell cares what they call it. Stop being a snob.

I am not a professional body piercer or an expert, but I am someone who has several years of experience with my own body piercings, some of which were done by professionals and others that were done at home by myself. If you suspect an infection or other medical issue with any piercing, you should consult a professional piercer or your doctor.

Tattoo fever and a tattoo book for kids

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:45:00 +0000

Lately the husband and I have been getting into a show on Spike called Ink Masters. Hosted by Dave Navarro, the show features 10 (to start) professional tattooists competing for $100,000. They complete tattoo challenges to show their skills, primarily using live canvases. NY Ink is also on air right now, the latest installment of the TLC series that included Miami Ink and then L.A. Ink with Kat Von D.

Needless to say, the shows are giving my husband and I major ink fever! I am coveting too many tattoo ideas to count. I want to fix/cover up the massively stretched (pregnancy) star on my hip, and I have wanted "Home" in Korean for a long time now. I have a "<3" on my wrist that desperately needs to be redone or covered. I also want a design to represent my son in an abstract way. I have contemplated getting a character from Dr. Seuss' The Foot Book, Sebastian's first favorite book. The international breastfeeding symbol is another idea I've considered, and I especially love the idea of a breastfeeding mother & child shown pin-up style.

I really love this fish design, and the placement over the breast. Not really an option for my ever-changing breastfeeding boobs but lovely just the same.

Eventually I want a half-sleeve (shoulder to elbow) on one arm and I would love to have my feet tatted.

My son Sebastian is 16 months old and will point to my husband's tattoos and say, "tattoo," not clearly, but audibly. Donny's tattoos are all solid black - I'm not sure Sebastian realizes that my cherry blossoms are also a tattoo. Of course he doesn't know what they really are yet, but he has already had his first temporary tattoo! When he is a little bit older we will be introducing him to the tattoo concept with books, like Mommy's New Tattoo (recommended for ages 5 and up), which is by a local Portland author and tattooist. I'm sure that he will also accompany us to the tattoo shop at some point. Hopefully we can instil common sense in him when it comes to tattoos as with anything else.

I received some new body jewelry recently (posts on that later) and am pretty content with the piercings I have now, although I miss my nipple rings (as does my husband) and my nose (nostril) ring. I am contemplating re-piercing my nose myself but am hesitant. I did it myself the first time, in high school, but it has also been pierced twice after that and has a good amount of scar tissue. I always get flames when I talk about doing my own piercings and the way that I stretch... Truth is, it works for me. I have no visible scarring or damage, nor do I have time for piercing nazis trying to tell me the 'right' way to do things. Tattoos and piercings are a form of self-expression and there are many different cultures who do them in many different ways.

Find the cheapest prices online with Become

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:27:00 +0000

Online shopping can be really overwhelming, especially when you are on a budget. Trying to find the best deal on that coveted item is time-consuming, and it can be stressful to click "Order" when you aren't sure you have found the true lowest price. Next time you are on the hunt for that latest bargain, be sure to come to Become.

Become is an online shopping site unlike any other. They save you the hassle of comparing prices and list the cheapest prices on the web all in one place. They offer baby products, electronics, home & garden items and more. When it comes to fashion, you can shop everything from clothes to shoes to jewelery and other great accessories. You will find great deals such as these Steve Madden Buckkie Boots size 8.5 (I personally love Steve Madden shoes), Biltrite boots, and even brand name denim like these BKE Tyler Jeans. Quality brands and designer goods are worth the money, but that doesn't mean they have to be an investment.

Become lets you shop by price, brand, or even by color palette. Check out their selection of department store jewelry and other designer goods!

New jewelry: Flesh Tunnel

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 07:28:00 +0000

Last week I was lucky enough to receive an amazing pack of Flesh Tunnel body jewelry to review here. I'll be writing up more formal reviews later, but these are my first impressions.

I was immediately blown away by how good-looking these plugs are - So pretty! Plugs like these totally go against the stereotype that plugs/piercings are unfeminine. I also received a taper in order to stretch my ears from 5/8" (16mm) to around 3/4" (20mm). Flesh Tunnel's Holey Butt'r made the stretching process easier - It's vegan, natural, and feels a lot better on your ears than Vaseline. I really feel that massaging the cream into my lobes made stretching healthier and more comfortable.

Looks great with just the stretching taper! If I had two, I'd probably just rock the tapers for a bit. This ear stretcher is acrylic but really sleek and sturdy. I was surprised how smoothly and quickly I was able to go up a size with these. Almost painless! The swelling went down really quickly for an easy switch to permanent jewelry.

I am loving this size, although I am thinking 1" would be a good size to stop. Then again, I always say I'm done and keep on stretching; I swore I was going to stop at 0, 00, 1/2"... We'll see how much my ears can take! My stretched piercing is actually the second hole on my lobes but I think it's a matter of time until they take over the entire lobe area.

Judging from the products I've reviewed so far, I can say that Flesh Tunnel provides great body jewelry at really reasonable prices. They offer a variety of sizes and materials to fit any taste and style. As I said, I'm a big fan of the feminine plugs I received.

Celebrate Movember with a mustache navel ring

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 03:37:00 +0000

For those of you unfamiliar, Movember is the seasonal movement to support men's health, specifically prostate cancer. For the entire month of November, men let their mustaches grow for the cause. Women can give their support by keeping their legs unshaven or with fun mustache accessories. I have seen everything from mustache coffee mugs to mustache nails. If body jewelry is more your style, check out this crystalline gem black mustache belly ring from Body Candy. At 1.5" from the screw-on gem to the bottom of the 'stache, this piece costs just under $10.

Personalized plugs from Body Candy, and Stretching Made Easy

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 07:26:00 +0000

If coffee mugs and mouse pads just aren't doing it for you, you can now personalize your plugs with your favorite photo! Body Candy now offers these personalized plugs from size 4 gauge to just under an inch. For just around $30 per pair (plus free shipping for orders over $20!) these would make the perfect stocking stuffer for a recent grad, a newlywed or a new mom (hint hint!). I could see a couple wearing each other's portraits in their ears for a wedding or anniversary ceremony or other fun novelty uses. I'm not sure how I feel about the look for everyday wear. What do you think?

Another cool innovation: These plugs with screw-on tapers! Switching from tapers to jewelry in a brand-new piercing can difficult and frustrating. While acrylic jewelry isn't ideal for a fresh piercing (or new stretching), this could definitely come in handy for step between stretching and putting in new jewelry. I would recommend switching to surgical steel plugs once the swelling goes down but I have stretched my own ears with acrylic tapers many times with no problems. These particular tapers are available in 7/8", which just happens to be the next size I'll be stretching to - Maybe I'll have the opportunity to test them out firsthand!

Have you breastfed with nipple piercings?

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 07:15:00 +0000

When I first got pregnant, my doctor advised me to take out my nipple piercings when I hit my third trimester. At the time they were sore anyway, and I obliged. Later I come to read that it may not have been necessary, as my piercings were long-since healed.

Today I came across this article on Nipple Piercing Effects, which claims a link between nipple piercings and difficulty breastfeeding.

Personally, scar tissue from my healed piercings have not seem to affected my breastfeeding relationship whatsoever, as we're doing great.

What about you - Have your nipple piercings effected your breastfeeding?

Switching Body Jewelry Materials (Surgical Steel & Acrylic)

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Mon, 03 May 2010 02:22:00 +0000

This week I lost one of my awesome acrylic zebra plugs (buy zebra plugs) for a few days. It ended up being buried in my closet, launched from my ear as I shook my hair out from a towel, but took me awhile to find. In the meantime, I threw back in a pair of surgical steel star plugs. My ears were not happy.

When I first put in the acrylic plugs my ears got bright red and itchy, which bummed me out because they are so sexy. ;) Steel Navel reassured me that it was from changing plugs (surgical steel to acrylic) and sure enough, a couple days later they were comfortable and back to normal. Well, the same thing seems to have happened when putting my surgical steel jewelry back in. My left ear especially became painful and crunchy (yes, crunchy). After a couple days this subsided and they felt fine again... at which point, of course, I found my missing acrylic plug.

I currently have my acrylics back in and my ears are doing so-so, but I know they'll be fine in a day or two. Moral of the story? When changing plugs from one material to another, expect some irritation, but don't panic. (Overall, I now like acrylic best as it seems to smell the least and is most comfortable, but everyone has their own preference.) I recommend using Band-Aid Hurt Free Antiseptic Wash to help with any pain or irritation (when switching jewelry, new piercings, or piercings in general) - I swear by the stuff.

Pregnancy Belly Jewelry

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 13:33:00 +0000

Many women take out their navel rings as their bellies stretch during pregnancy. Sometime between the second and third trimester the bump "pops" and stretching can make wearing a conventional belly button ring uncomfortable if not impossible. While many moms opt to let their navel piercings close during/after pregnancy, you don't have to say goodbye to your belly jewelry. Body Candy* offers several styles of long, flexible pregnancy belly rings. Below are some of my favorites.

Normally I think belly chains are a bit tacky but to flatter a pregnant belly I think it could work. The chains I found on Body Candy were 40" long so they'd be best suited for a new, small bump or worn above the belly. If you're going to rock a bikini with child, might as well flaunt it and bedazzle that bump!

Most other body piercings are fine during pregnancy and can probably left in through the birthing process unless a c-section is required. Nipple piercings are one exception - My OB recommended removing nipple piercings during the third trimester to prepare for breastfeeding.

*This is not a sponsored post; I am simply newly pregnant and excited to shop!

Body Candy Clearance and 2-Day Sale 15% Off

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 23:24:00 +0000

Over 500 items are on Clearance at BodyCandy.com this holiday season! Items start as low as 39 cents! I plan to stock up on hoops and barbells for my belly button, nipples, & septum. (I just wish they had septum pincers!) I have ordered from Body Candy a few times and am always impressed with how quickly my order arrives. Body jewelry arrives in sterile packaging, perfect to give as a late Xmas present or 'just because'. They also sell gift sets, including piercing Aftercare kits.

Free Worldwide Shipping with any purchase of $20 or More.

Use coupon code snow for an extra 15% off your order (Expires 12/27).

As always when purchasing jewelry online, be sure to double-check measurements - oftentimes items like belly rings can photograph larger than they actually are. Use a tape measure to avoid disappointments. In my personal experience with Body Candy, I've had minimal success with navel jewelry, but they are my top source for affordable barbells, captives, and plugs.

Fierce Zebra Plugs from Steel Navel

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 04:52:00 +0000

Save on your own Steel Navel body jewelry and get 20% Off through the end of the year - use coupon code christmasballs.

I recently received a pair of zebra plugs to review from Steel Navel. I am obsessed with zebra print this year, and these plugs are icing on the cake, making any basic outfit I pair them with a little bit wilder. They arrived in the mail surprisingly fast, and I ripped open the package excitedly.

When I had these single flared zebra plugs on my Amazon wishlist, they looked a bit cheap, but when they arrived, it was just the opposite. I was pleasantly surprised by the sturdy and shiny plastic. They come with o-rings, which fit snugly in little grooves on the back of the jewelry. The size 5/8" have a 7/16" wearable area, so they really stay in and stand out.

These zebra plugs come in varying sizes and are available in black and white or black and light pink. These plugs are sold individually for $5-10 depending on size, making the pair $20 or less no matter what - a great deal.

When switching from surgical steel to acrylic jewelry, skin can react a little bit. My ears were slightly red and itchy, but it lasted less than 24 hours. For best results when changing jewelry, be sure to wash your hands, clean your ears, and sterilize new jewelry thoroughly. No matter how well you take care of your plugs, surgical steel can build up a funk sure to ruin intimate moments. A plus side to acrylic jewelry is that piercing smell is cut way down.

Overall I give Steel Navel a great rating and would definitely order from them again.

Best Gifts for Pierced Friends & Family

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:12:00 +0000

Take advantage of holiday sales like Amazon's Black Friday & get everything you need for the poshly pierced person in your life!

1. Acrylic Sparrow Plugs from Steel Navel are tattoo-inspired and feminine. Starting at a size 2, these plugs are available in 10 sizes, and sold by individual plug. Plugs are single-flared with an o-ring for the back.

2. Stainless Steel Cubic Zirconia Plugs from Body Candy are glamorous and perfect for special occasions or everyday wear. Each plug sold separately. Single flare for easy wear.

3. Aurora Lily Twister Belly Ring is ideal for deeply pierced navels, but will fit most belly button piercings for a twist on the usual navel barbell.

4. Christmas Wreath Belly Button Ring is great for couple time under the tree. Be sure to check the jewelry measurements, as navel jewelry tends to photographer larger than it arrives.

5. Ear Stretching Tapers are a great DIY-style gift for the friend who is planning to stretch their ear lobes. Pair tapers with a pair of plugs in their desired size, or make a full stretching gift bag by adding a small jar of vaseline and a bottle of numbing Band-Aid Antiseptic Hurt-Free Wash.

Looking for a really special gift? A 14 karat gold belly ring is an intimate piece of jewelry she will wear every day.

For stocking stuffers, acrylic plugs are fun and affordable. Acrylic jewelery should only be worn in completely healed piercings. Order from BodyCandy.com and receive free shipping on orders over $25.

NY Adorned Gorgeous Ear Pieces

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 23:16:00 +0000

I subscribe to a lot of fashion feeds and was stoked to see one of my faves, Highsnobette, cover body jewelry.

Ny Adorned is one one of the pioneers or body art in NYC and has over the years housed some of the most renowned tattoo artists.

More great ear pieces here, or visit NY Adorned.

How to Hide Your Piercing

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:46:00 +0000

Whenever I see posts on how to hide your piercings, my first reaction is annoyance. In a time where a teenage girl is probably more likely to have a nose ring than a convict or a punk, the concept of having to hide piercings to please family or authority makes me roll my eyes big time. Still, there have been time where I've had to hide a piercing from that boss in retail or to give job interviews the bait and switch. Luckily, jewelry exists solely for the purpose of disguising piercings, from that tiny nose stud to large gauge plugs.

For nose rings, hide the hole with tiny clear nose studs. In extreme cases, you can gently cover these with makeup - just be sure to replace your original jewelry and clean thoroughly before going to bed. Hide belly, tongue, lip and eyebrow piercings with clear or flesh-tone jewelry. Septum piercings can be flipped up into the nose for easy hiding as early as two days after being pierced. Conceal plugs with flesh-toned jewelry, or opt for solid plugs that look most like standard earrings.

With acrylic jewelry, I recommend using only on fully healed piercings and to switch back to non-acrylic pieces (surgical steel or organic) whenever possible.

Male Septum Piercings in Fashion

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 05:05:00 +0000

I've noticed a few men with septum rings lately, and ones with 'normal', fashionable clothes rather than a punk or grunge uniform. Guys seem to be taking a page from my lookbook - dressing good and adult, simply punctuating a chic outfit with a little bit of body bling. Seeing this dude (below) on The Sartorialist makes me think perhaps this is the beginning of a trend. IMO, this is the way piercings should be done - edgy and flattering, never trashy.

Guy here sports a septum piercing as well as a Philtrum piercing, also known as a Cupid's Bow. Other popular facial piercings for men include lower lip rings popularized by Blink-182's Tom Delonge and a following of teens, and the monroe piercing seen on Taking Back Sunday's Adam Lazarra and my boyfriend.

Corset Piercings

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:04:00 +0000

Corset piercings are done for permanent and temporary purposes. A sexy piercing, many women keep them longterm, as without being laced up it is actually just two rows of surface piercings. As with any surface piercings (especially in large numbers), the chance of rejection or infection are higher for infection than with a standard non-surface piercing, and experienced piercers must use the correct type of jewelry. Aside from clients who want corset piercings longterm, the piercing is often implemented for temporary ritualistic piercing, or for use in piercing or modeling portfolios. You can see step-by-step photos of a temporary corset piercing happy customer here.

Corset piercings can also be done on sides, stomachs, or even limbs. You could also consider getting your ass laced up. Correctly executing corset piercings is key to avoid scarring, and especially if you want your jewelry to be permanent. Standard captive rings should not be used for surface piercings, among other things. Always research your piercer and stick with someone you trust. For more on do’s and don’ts of corset piercings, read Start Doing Corset Piercings Properly on BME.

photos from: shandyevians, and other various sources. if you see one of your images here and would like credit, please email j @ hollow-star.net.

Scarlett Johansson Shows Off Her Septum Piercing

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 21:08:00 +0000

Considering getting a new piercing but need to be discreet for your job or personal reasons? May I suggest a septum piercing. I may be biased as I have one myself, but it’s a piercing I think looks great on girls as well as many guys, and can be worn with an assortment of jewelry or even easily hidden. With a small horseshoe ring, a septum piercing can be flipped up inside the nose and easily hidden when you don’t want to show it off. My stupid job wouldn’t let me have visible piercings when I had mine pierced, but within two days after the piercing I could flip the jewelry comfortably up inside my nose. This keeps the hole open and piercing in tact without compromising a professional look when you can’t rock a septum ring.

I have a 14 gauge captive in my septum currently, and recommend a size 16, 14 or 12, depending on the jewelry and size of your face.

Actress Scarlett Johansson (my faves from her include Ghost World and Lost in Translation) got her septum piercing in 2006, yet you don’t see it in most of her movies or red carpet appearances because it is easily flipped up into the nose and hidden.

I love how she wears it above with cute aviators and an adorable fish sundress! The outfit is perfection with a Chanel bag, and the Scarlett’s nose ring adds some edge to the already-quirky outfit. Scarlett got her septum piercing in 2006.

Body Mod the Sims 2

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 20:26:00 +0000

I'm not a gamer, but this mod set of facial piercings for Sims 2 makes me want to get into it. Set includes layable star surface piercing under left eye, vertical bridge, medusa piercing, anti-eyebrow beside each eye, and pair of cheek piercings, available for all ages/genders.

Hello Kitty Body Jewelry & Tattoos

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 06:26:00 +0000

These ones aren’t body jewelry, just standard hoops, but I am in love with these HK earrings from Avon! I would wear Sanrio accessories with a neutral outfit to keep it looking polished and grown up. These Hello Kitty hoops could be a great way to show your personality with a black and white work or school uniform.

Belly rings and tongue rings are probably the most common body jewelry and the easiest to find in licensed designs such as Sanrio characters.

I used to work at a body piercing kiosk and I know there is a pretty good selection of Hello Kitty belly and tongue rings, a lot more than I could find online. Keep searching online, or hit up the mall! I advise you play with a jewelry a little bit if you can. The ball should screw on nice and tight and thread smoothly.

Cheap Hello Kitty Belly Rings

Fun new plugs are one of my favorite things. You took the time to gauge your ears, so it’s only right to reward the time and effort with awesome jewelry. Unfortunately the Etsy sellers of these Hello Kitty plugs had to change their design due to copyright reasons, but maybe they’ll customize some in their original design (below) if you ask really nice…

OK this last one has nothing to do with piercings, it’s just a necklace by Tarina Tarantino that I freaking love…

Is that not the most gorgeous thing you’ve ever seen. I’d wear it with a white tee and black leggings, perhaps some pink pumps if I wanted to get matchy-matchy on it.

Hello Kitty Tattoos

One of my best friends has been interested in getting a Hello Kitty tattoo, and a quick Internet search shows it’s a popular idea. Some of my favorite HK-inspired ink:

I adore back of calf tattoos, and the white ink makes these all the more adorable. The last image is my favorite. Although the tattoo itself could be better, the design is super adorable. Even Zombie Hello Kitty is cute as a button!

More on Hello Kitty and friends…

photos from david avery, flickr, karen’s tattoos blog, people style watch, pink is the color. some sources unknown, so if you see any of your photos here, please contact me for removal/credit!

Got more for me? Leave your fave Hello Kitty body jewelry and Hello Kitty tattoo links in the comments!

L.A. Ink's Pixie Acia

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 04:44:00 +0000

In my opinion, Pixie Acia was the best part of L.A. Ink. As much as I love seeing people get ink, most of the stories on the show are whiny & irritating. Pixie was a shining star on that show with her bubbly personality and undeniable physical beauty. Proof that pretty girls love body mods too. I love the huge plugs in her ears (she wears hoops through hers like I do), her pierced 'dimples', and of course her tattoos, which are always cute and feminine.

For more on Pixie's style, see my Style Icon: Pixie post here.

My Plug Wishlist - Great Plugs for Girls

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 01:34:00 +0000

I lost a plug in bed today. I'm sure I'll find it, but I'm almost hoping I don't so that I have an excuse to buy new jewelry. I really want to go up a couple sizes so that I can accumulate jewelry and switch them out with my outfits the way I would with normal earrings. What's on my radar once I get to my goal gauge size, you ask?

I'm pretty sure I want to get a pair of standard double flared eyelet plugs, but I also really love these double flares with gems from Body Candy. These plugs are $11.99 each, so I could order them at around $24 for the pair and get free shipping. Pretty rad. I'm hoping I can bring my gauges from their current 00 to a 1/2" but the last thing I need is more too-large body jewelry sitting on my bathroom counter. If anyone wants to trade their (brand new or sterilized) 1/2" jewelry for some 5/8" eyelets, email j [at] hollow-star.net.

I also like these organic hollow coconut wood plug set, and these sparkley pink acrylics. I prefer eyelet/hollow plugs, as they really show off the size of your holes and I *love* putting hoops through my gauges. I also prefer glass to plastic plugs, but these pink babies are only four bucks for the set.

I'm not sure I necessarily want these (which is good, because they're only available for larger gauges), but I do think these bug plugs are wicked rad! They come in an assortment of different insects & arachnids. I like the beetle because it's sorta edgy but not as full-on creepy crawly as the 8-legged bugs. This one is sorta like the cockroach the girls on America's Next Top Model wear to model jewelry - ento-chic.

Like with non-body jewelry, the pierced world includes all sorts of styles. While definitely still available, punk and tribal are no longer the only options when it comes to stretched-out ears. No matter what the gauge of your piercing, you can find plugs as sweet, feminine, and glam as you are. Whether you're threading trendy bamboo-style hoops through your eyelets or making your ear lobes a bug's life, wear your plugs with some hot lipstick and (hotter) confidence.

Where to Buy Body Jewelry

noreply@blogger.com (Janine) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:15:00 +0000

Local piercing shops can be the best places to buy body jewelry. My piercer in Portland (Angel Haven) always has great deals on jewelry and when she has an item in stock, I get it there first. When your piercer doesn't have what you want or what you want at a reasonable price, however, you are forced to look elsewhere, and many people turn to the mall.

Mall shops that specialize in body jewelry are a great way to see a large selection up close. Stopping by a kiosk will give you an idea of the extensive possibilities in the world of body jewelry. This is really exciting, but unfortunately most mall shops will not give you the best deal on jewelry. Generally, the mall is a good place for navel jewelry - just be sure to examine the piece before you buy it to ensure it's well made, and confirm with the salesperson that it is surgical grade steel if you are sensitive to other materials

For great prices, I recommend looking online. My favorite online body jewelry boutique is BodyCandy.com. You can browse plugs by size and check out various sizes and styles of barbells, captives and more. At Body Candy, if you spend over $20 you get free shipping, which can actually be hard considering they have a $1.99 jewelry section.

Some things to keep in mind while browsing online:

Read fine print on sizes. This is why I don't recommend buying belly rings online - they often end up being smaller than you would have expected. The gauge of the barbell will be normal, but the decorative piece will be sized very small. This is disappointing, and why I advise buying belly rings (and non-body jewelry) offline if you can.

Know your gauge size. Without being able to hold up and compare in person or ask a sales associate, knowing your exact size is crucial. A standard belly ring is 14 gauge. Other body piercings range from 16 gauge and up - the lower the number, the larger the piercing. Research to find out the size of your piercing if you are unsure. You may also want to measure the size of jewelry that you like to ensure you get the correct length barbell or the correct diameter of captive ring.

Keep in mind that most pieces are sold individually, so if you need a pair, you probably need to order two.

A great European equivalent to BodyCandy.com is Crazy Factory Jewelry, as recommended to me by Sofi.