things to do when the boyfriend is away….

here's my list of how i spend my 'alone time' when my boyfriend leaves for tour… 

Thrift shop

*vintage shopping of all sorts! flea markets, garage sales, thrift shops and boutiques. i try to fit in as many as is humanly possible…. it's so much fun. 

Picture 2

Bike

*searching for the perfect bicycle. 

Viviana

*decorate my new home, little by little. 

Pink vinyl record

*listen to all the pretty music that i've purchased, but not yet absorbed. 

Bed polaroids

*go to bed and wake up at much-much earlier times. πŸ™‚  

Picture 5

*day and night craft time! i have a huge list of things i want to make for my shop at the moment. 

Paint

*and painting…. i've missed it so. 

Photo 1086

and maybe if i get bored i'll get back to work on my tattoos in week 2 or 3… we shall see. i realized that i've gotten ALL of my tattoos with other friends who wanted me to go with them. so either i need to find a pal that wants to be very frequently inked or i should learn to go by myself. haha. :) 

also on my list…. watch all of my guilty pleasure movies while making stuff and rekindle my friendship with my camera. XO. elsie  

[photo sources: thrift shopenamel broochesbicycleviviana's vintage decorpink vinyl, bedspoolspaint]

  • Can I come along? Pretty please? Time alone is amazing and makes you really happy when they come back! Have a good time alone xx

  • I’d be game for tattoos and thrifting, but I live in the Bay Area! Anyways, when hubby is away I try to read some highly addicting novels. Last time I read the whole “True Blood” series! πŸ™‚

  • You have such wonderful things to do when your lover boy is out! Do you ever have girlie nights when he’s gone? (Or have them when he’s around anyway? Haha!) Also! I’ve been meaning to tell you– I pass RVA every night on my way to the gym, Unfortunately, it’s around 9 pm when I am out so I can’t exactly stop by! But I am always so tempted to bring cupcakes to your store! Just to say how sweet and lovely your blog is. (:
    (Totally not in a creepy way, just so you know!)

  • elsie i’m always so excited to see what tattoos you get. are you still going for a half-sleeve?

  • I say be brave and get a tattoo by yourself! The first time I got inked I went with friends, the second I went by myself and I liked the second time so much more. It was nice to just breathe through it without having people around to watch. Go for it! πŸ™‚

  • katie— YES.

    guilty pleasure movies: the most embarrassing ones (but i still LOVE them over & over again) are clueless and 13 going on 30.

    girls nights are a good idea! ….adding that to list… check!

    jadie, yes. i am going to finish a 1/2 sleeve (pre wedding) and maybe my chest (post wedding).

    thanks for all the sweetness!

  • Elsie! how is your life is full of so much beautifulness! i am so envious!

    You should blog about how to surround yourself with beautiful things so we can all enjoy what you enjoy πŸ™‚

  • great ideas! It’ll make the time refreshing for you instead of lonely, good thinking.

    If we were neighbors, I would love to keep you company for flea market trips, decor sessions, a bubble tea making party, and of course getting tattoos. πŸ˜‰

    have a great time!!
    xo

  • Awe, love the list. Will you please share you list of guilty pleasure β€” and favorite β€”Β movies. I know you give us a sampling here and there.

  • Is that an ikea bed? They have one really similar I am considering, but I don’t think it is in black? Either way I love how it looks!

  • It is so much fun decorating a new home! About the tattoo…my next tattoo, I am coming to Spring Field to get it!!!
    xoxo~Meg

  • I love these photos and I completely agree with you. Alone time can help you to rediscover things you forgot you could do/have. I’ve recently rediscovered my drawing skills. xxx

  • danielle, this isn’t an ikea bed. i don’t remember where we ended up getting it from.. it’s almost like another one i saw (west elm).

  • My husband is at Coachella so this post was perfect timing! I told him I was getting a tattoo while he was away. I want one on the top of my foot but can’t decide what. Maybe some BoH lyrics. But for now I am working on the title page of my art journal. Can’t wait till the 26th!

  • Awww tattoos!
    You should go by yourself!
    I’ve been getting tattooed on my own for years and it’s the best experience. [I don’t feel obligated to be the tough girl :)]

    Also, I don’t know what craigslist is like in your area, but that’s how I got my bike and it’s probably the best purchase I’ve made from that site…

    Have fun!!!

  • Oh I love the vintage flower brooches…I just got a couple of really cute ones too! Love the color of your bedroom…and the tattoo thing sounds fun (I’ve been wanting another one for years and need to get on that πŸ˜‰

    Jamie πŸ™‚

  • After I left that comment I realized it totally isn’t. I am in love with poster beds right now though. Yours makes me want one even more!

  • CUTE LIST, my boyfriend lives about 3 hours south east of me, so me and my holga are dear friends, i am going to start thrifting more though. THANKS

  • Oh, how I would LOVE some alone time. I’ve got a bit right now (husband is at a conference) – but uh, I have a TODDLER. So, I’m not so alone. He’s not into the thrifting and such. Nor is it a good thing to bring a toddler to a tattoo parlor. DARN. Because I am SO ready for my first tattoo (and second, etc.).

    Too bad you aren’t here in Chi-town! You could show me the tattoo-ropes. Or something.

  • Everyone loves time with the special someone in their life but I find that I also love the times when my hubs is at work and I can organize and craft and online browse to my hearts content without feeling like I’m neglecting anyone. A little me time is necessary from time to time.

    If you want a beautiful movie to watch…..try Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day, it’s enchanting and absolutely gorgeous!

    thelovelylemon.blogspot.com

  • Sounds fun πŸ™‚ Wish I could join you. I really want to get a tattoo but I’m all the way in CA :p

  • I think my awesome tattoo artist husband should tattoo you! Either this summer when you’re in SF for Renegade… or we may be coming to St. Louis in September (me for meeting up with blog friends, and he may be a guest artist in a shop there… you should come!) xoxo

  • i’ll gladly be a tatto friend – i’m just a short plane ride away! and my husband is deployed so i have plenty of ‘alone time’ on my hands for fun things!

  • Cute cute inspiring post. πŸ™‚

    I got my last 2 tattoos alone, and my husband came with me the first time. I should fly up and get inked with you one day. πŸ˜‰ I have too many tattoos planned, I think.

  • Wow, that would be a dream, with two kids and one on the way. Its a great day if I make it to a thrift store. No complaints, I love my little fam. Have fun , hope you get lots done.

  • Ive never been to get tattooed alone, but I guess its just you and the artist so you wouldn’t really be alone πŸ™‚
    Im looking forward to june where i wont be saving anymore and I can finish off my arms, and start on my legs, and chest piece πŸ™‚
    Ill be taking my partner/best friend, cos we always go together πŸ™‚
    but maybe ill try go alone πŸ˜‰ lol

  • i’d get a tattoo with you! too bad i live in jacksonvile though

    πŸ™

    hope you have some awesome you time while the boys away.

  • great list I need to go thrifting much more.
    I would go with you I am getting a cupcake next I am just still torn on the placement of mine.I have two places.

  • My boyfriend is going to be out of town this weekend (during my birthday πŸ™ ) and I will be finding things to entertain myself with. Such as painting. I also miss it.

  • I find myself going to bed and then waking up much earlier when my boyfriend’s away too! πŸ™‚

  • I LOVE the part about getting up earlier – why oh why do they make that ever so difficult?

  • I almost always get tattooed alone. I feel like it’s good alone time for me and I get to bond a bit with my tattoo artist. I also catch up on reading and/or listen to my ipod. πŸ™‚ I think you should just do it!!!

  • The sign for that thrift store is so adorable! I once went to a junkyard with my dad and saw old metal signs like that, I wish I could go back and save them, I have a few white walls that could use some junkyard love!

  • Hi Elsie, I read all your articles and today I need your help, where do you find these beautiful flower brooches ? I’m looking for some like these to make a brooch bouquet for my wedding but I guess these are American brooches (I’m French), can you help me sweet Elsie ?

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