Totally Tattooed: Rachel Bee at Illustrated Tea Cup

I’m so pleased and excited to introduce my new blog series all about tattoos, called Totally Tattooed. The idea behind it is to get to know bloggers on an even more personal level than usual and you’ll also learn about what tattoos they have.

For my first post in the series, I’m happy to introduce Rachel Bee who blogs over at Illustrated Tea Cup. Rachel is a tattooed mumma to be, wife and blogger – and let’s not forget about her fur babies!

Name: Rachel Bee
Age: 26
Location: Southampton, England
Occupation: Freelance
Blog: www.illustratedteacup.com
How long have you been a blogger: Two years
Your blogs genre: Lifestyle, with so much extra!!

How many tattoos do you have?
I have 12 tattoos in total, but I’ve sat through many, many more sessions!

What tattoos do you have?
My biggest are my two sleeves. My right arm is an Alice in Wonderland, country animal tea party – it’s all neo-traditional themed and it was done by Lee Smith at the Tattoo Rooms. It was my first sleeve and needed to be done in LOADS of stages. My other arm is by two artists and themed again on animals but with a regal look. My forearm by Saranna Blair of Osprey Tattoo includes a portrait of my cat in a frilled collar, a scarab beetle and a compass. The top of my arm was by Georgina Lilane of Intense Colours Tattoo and it’s a pair of king and queen swans. I think it’s my favourite.

I also have two lady faces on my legs by Dani Green in Merano, Italy (she was based in Southampton at the time) with one themed on Belle from Beauty and the Beast. On my left thigh is a framed portrait of my other cat by Jenna Kerr at Devil in the Detail – completed at last years Brighton Tattoo Convention.

On my back I have a pair of tigers by Lee Smith, an angel and some stars. Also by Lee is my rose tattoo on my foot, my favourite and likely to be only grey scale tattoo once I have the angel covered.

What was your first tattoo?
My first tattoo was the letter ‘R’ in script on my left ankle which was done on my 18th Birthday. The whole studio sang to me.

Do you have a favourite of your own tattoos?
It changes so often, but I think my swans are my favourite. They mean a lot to me.

Favourite tattooist?
Oh so many. I love Georgina and Dani, they both have amazing colourful designs. And I’m a big fan of Cally-Jo who creates superb black and white designs.

Any more tattoos planned for the future?
I would like to cover the angel on my shoulder, most likely with magpies or ravens. And I would like to get my left inner arm done one day, I’m just not 100% on what to fill it with yet!

Getting to know you!

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I initially wanted to be a nurse, and then an air hostess, then I fell in love with writing.

What’s the best advice anyone ever gave you?
My mum and my friend Sam give me the best advice. I’m not sure who said it but the best advice was, ‘what will be, will be’ – basically stop stressing about things out of your control and live your life.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever ate?
Kudu sausages – they’re a type of antelope which I had whilst in South Africa – I actually thought they were really nice.

What’s your dream travel destination?
I would love to visit Bora Bora because it just looks so beautiful, and Australia.

Lastly, tell me about something you’ve achieved? 
I bought a house this year, which is a big deal for me as I was brought up in council houses.

Thank you so much Rachel, for answering my questions and letting me showcase you as the first person in my Totally Tattooed blog series. Be sure to have a look at Rachel’s blog, Illustrated Tea Cup and give her a follow.