I'm A Mom With Tattoos – Carlene Muilwyk From "Klein Sis"

Welcome back to another installment in our new series – I’m A Mom With Tattoos.  In case you have missed the last couple, don’t forget to check them out here.

If you’re looking for me today you will find me baking like a demon.  Although on second thought I don’t think that demons bake.  None the less, that is where I’ll be.  That is of course if I am not at the shop trying to buy all the last minute party foods or at the catering company begging them to give me cups because I totally forgot to place the order for them sooner.  Prepare yourself for a slight Instagram overload, I can’t help myself, I’m excited!

Today we get to meet Carlene, who I actually happened to go to school with many moons ago (but not too many because we are still young and awesome).  She now lives in the land down under with her adorable baby boy.  Grab your cuppa and get stuck in!

Your name and blog deets:  Carlene Muilwyk –  Klein Sis

Your age: 30

Your Occupation: Stay at Home mum/ small business owner

Tell us about your family: I’m blessed to be married to my best friend, I know most people say that but I truly feel it. In fact a moved a whole continent to be with him. Both he and I were doing a ‘gap year’ in London (although my gap year turned into a 5 year stay), we got married in London and now live all the way down in his home-town in Australia. I’m from Cape Town, South Africa originally. We have a darling 15 month old boy named Billy who just rocks my world, but I’m sure that’s what all moms say 😉

If you work, tell us a bit more about your working environment – are you regularly in contact with new “clients/public”.  I own a small business making Silicone teething/nursing necklaces for mums and their little ones during that very difficult stage of teething and to keep distracted little ones focused during breastfeeding. I do meet up with clients regularly but quite a bit of my business is done through Skype.

• Tell us a bit about your tattoo’s, what they are, why you have them, where they are located

I have one little heart tattooed on the back of my left hip

How old were you when you got your first tattoo?  26 – 2010

Which tattoo is your favourite and why?  I only have one and I LOVE it… It may be small and seem insignificant, especially to any hard core tattoo lovers, but to me it sums up everything I was and everything I wanted to be at the time. I got it on my husband’s birthday when he got one of his tattoos done (he has 3). He stood by my side the whole way through and made me fall deeper in love with him than I already was. Before I met Sean I was in a pretty destructive relationship and for me this tattoo represented taking new chances, trying new things and being a new me, leaving my old life and starting something new. But most importantly it reminds me that I’m stronger than I sometimes feel, when people try and get me down (including my critical inner voice) I can rise above the negativity. I conquered my fears and  knew I could face my life again and grow.

Do you plan on getting more?  Oh no! I probably shouldn’t mention this but I fainted while I was getting my little tattoo. I have an irrational needle phobia and this was my way of proving my strength to myself , of knowing I can face anything life threw at me and come out a better person on the other side (despite me fainting).

How do your family and friends feel about your tattoo(s)?  My amazing husband was encouraging me to get it, he has 3 stunning tattoos that I love, so he was behind me all the way. My dad on the other hand was not so happy, he hates that I have it but I understand that completely.

What is the general reaction that “the Public” have towards your tattoo’s?  Have you run into any negativity or adversity because of them?  People I have told think it’s pretty cool and simple but because you don’t see it, unless I’m in a bikini, strangers don’t see it.

Any advice for those interested in getting tattooed?  Think about what you want and make it mean something. Everytime I catch a glimpse of mine it reminds me of where I have come from and where I wanted to be in life. It brings me back down to earth and makes me grateful for all the wonderful people I now have in my life.