.SOMETIMES RAW.

The owner Mel and coworker Mo in front of the studio

Hello and Happy Thursday! 

“It is important to live your dream. Never ever give up. Keep moving forward.” – Mel

I love tattoos and I consider myself as a heavily tattooed woman/mother. Yep, other mothers look at me sometimes like “Whaaaaat!! How can she do that? And she has a child!” Well, my child is totally comfortably with whatever I have on my skin and he actually does not care. All he says is, “Mommy has tattoos, cool!” If he ever decides, after he is 18 years-old to get a tattoo, I won’t mind. Simple and open-minded as that. I have been to many tattoo stores in my life to get  artwork done. However, there is only one tattoo store I love to go to and trust – Stick to your Skin Tattoo owned by my long time friend Melanie Feist. If you want to get a tattoo but you are not sure where to go or what to get, read on and afterwards make an appointment with Mel or Mo. 

Stick to your Skin Tattoo puts you at ease when you enter the studio. There is no pretense, it is just plain art; traditional style tattoo art at the walls that makes you comfortable. Also a bunch of books and Mel and Mo’s portfolios to look through and see what artwork they have done and maybe what style of tattoo you would like to get. And as I made myself comfortable to take some pictures and sat down in a comfortable chair in the street-level front room/reception area, I heard a light buzzing from the room next door. Mel tattoos; I cannot miss  this opportunity to take a couple of shots.

Melanie Feist, 34 years-old, is the owner of Stick to Your Skin Tattoo in Coburg and has been a tattoo artist for a decade. Stick to Your Skin Tattoo is already her second tattoo store she opened three years ago. Drawing, sketching, painting, especially Disney when she was younger, were always her passion. When it comes to her background, she always worked in artistic surroundings and started tattooing professionally after her son was born. She worked in a tattoo store to learn tattoo-art by drawing and practicing but slowly she realized that she just has it all down and was ready to open her own store. Now that she is a professional and store owner for several years she knows what to look for before hiring a tattoo artist to work in her studio. When Mo entered her store one year ago, she knew that he has talent. “You just know when looking at a portfolio if a person has talent or not. After he showed me some sketches, painting and artwork, he tattooed a piece on my leg and I knew, he is the one. He just got the special something. ” Mel and Mo work together at Stick to Your Skin Tattoo, everyone has their own area to tattoo and she says that “he is someone who does not go on my nerves like most people after a while. He just does amazing work and we get along.” 

Three years ago Stick to Your Skin Tattoo opened its doors and is known for its steady clientele, professionalism, ideas and uniqueness. With two tattoo artist working, the shop can handle a diverse set of techniques and styles. If you look through the portfolios you will find a plethora of traditional artwork that is just breathtaking. Mel and Mo are open to its clientele – open to their wishes and desires. They both work with their customers to get the best tattoos done.  Mel stated that her work has gotten a lot better over the years and that she never stops learning new techniques to make the tattoos better and to improve. She also mentioned that Mo tells her what type of tattoos work really well and others that need a bit more work which helps Mel immensely. “He is a good critic,” Mel said. Both just work great together – a unique, special team at Stick to Your Skin Tattoo. 

Mel and Mo are easy-going, approachable and great people. As I sat down to ask Mel a bunch of questions for this post and to chat, her tattoo machine was gliding along Mo’s calf. Mel was in control the entire time and Mo was at ease in one way or another. “Many clients come in and ask if it hurts to get a tattoo,” Mel said. “Well, certain areas hurt more than others but it is all good. You want the tattoo done and look forward to it so much that most forget about the pain. We have our techniques to make it as comfortable as possible for our clients, ” she further stated. 

The tattoo studio is very clean and the artists work efficiently. You feel a comfortable vibe that you, as a client, are understood and respected as soon as you walk into the studio. Both artists work with you to make any tattoo you would like to get happen. “When you talk to a client you get this initial connection that just gets more intimate when you tattoo somebody for a couple of hours. You really get to know the person when talking to them, ” Mel says while the tattoo machine buzzes. Good tattoos take a considerable time to be prepared which will all be explained to the client in consolation. It is important to Mel, that the tattoo the client wants works for her, as well as for the client. There needs to be some common ground. Every tattoo is unique. Mel and Mo told me to make sure what you want to get tattooed – it will be on your skin most likely forever. Also verify what your two Chinese symbols stand for, before getting them tattooed. Does it mean “Peace and Freedom” or more “Chicken sweet & sour”? Do your research before and then meet with Mel or Mo before committing yourself to wear something for the rest of our life.  “Trust is important,” says Mel who is inspired by the Tattoo Artist Shio Zaragoza and the Artist Salvador Dali. Otherwise, life inspires her. “There is so much amazing stuff happening out there, every single day. We just have to open our eyes and see. Tattooing means freedom to me, self-realization as well as creativity. I usually carry a notebook with and when I see something amazing out there, I put it down – sketching or in words, “she says, smiling, while she finishes Mo’s tattoo.

Both artists have their respected areas of expertise. Mel loves to tattoo with colors, but she is also specialized in black and grey tattoos. Old school, comic-style, just ask them when you have a consultation.  “Color tattoos are just a lot of fun to do, ” Mel stated. It usually works through a word-of-mouth reputation if a tattoo studio is good and if the work the artists do is awesome. This is the old-fashioned way. However, what Mel and Mo dislike about the tattoo world are hate among tattoo studios and artists. There is a lot of jealous and no sympathy for other artists and their studios. Some tattoo artists go even so far as badmouthing other studios – or spreading negative feedback. I never knew this. I always thought tattoo artists stick together, learn from each other and whatnot. But I guess, you better Stick to Your Skin and get a Tattoo with Mel and Mo. You won’t be disappointed. Great artwork guaranteed. This post can also be found on TripAdvisor. Enjoy! 

Stick to Your Skin Tattoo

Kleine Johannisgasse 9, 96450 Coburg 

Opening hours: Monday to Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8.30 am to 2-3 pm or with special appointment 

Call: +49151 58804875

Stick to Your Skin Tattoo on Facebook and Instagram

Hello and Happy Monday!

Of course he wears his riding helmet like he would rule the streets in Brooklyn but this is where we came from a couple of months ago so he is allowed to put it this way. Plus, it gives him this certain type of coolness. We had a wonderful afternoon today with a friend of mine and her daughter at a horse range. Even though the weather here in Germany is a bit strange these days – rain/sunshine/thunderstorm/humidity/light rain/and back to crazy-ass-rain, but we still went to see these ponies as planned. Needless to say, my son had a blast. Initially, he was careful but after brushing the ponies and feeding them with apples he was good. Good and confident enough to take the leash and walk a bit with it. Then I put him on top. He looked at me like, “Seriously mom? Get me off this thing right now!” But after a couple of minutes he was fine and loved it.

There are just so many things I want to save forever. Special moments like these, that I want to preserve. I usually have at least my phone on me, if not the camera and the phone. And if these very special moments happen, I have this pictures that will remind me one day. Remind me, of this awesome day, this awesome trip and so much more. 

Being a minimalist, I don’t keep a bunch of stuff. Like ticket stubs and whatnot. I feel this is just cluttering up everything. I do have a ton of pictures and videos on my computer but this does not really count. As I move through these last couple of days here in Germany, I feel like I want to constantly place yellow post-its on everything to keep it in my memory. To keep it always and never forget how it feels. The other day I looked through old pictures my mom kept nicely stored in photo albums and I saw my sister and I’s doll houses we used to have. It was so sweet to see those and being reminded what a great time we had playing with those. We had so many dreams and a ton of baby stories, mommy and daddy stories and how we will build a nice house with someone and live happily ever after until my little brother took over our “fortresses” because he wanted to conquer. Sometimes I should have listened to him, that this might happen.  My view on having a family and children changed throughout the years and all I wanted was see the world, be a student forever and have no commitments really. [Destruction of the Fortress? Thank you my brother! hahah] Until I met my husband. Then things changed. 

A huge storm hit this area where we live. It was amazing to observe the horizon and how this blanket of grey and black clouds moved together and slowly but surely towards us. Of course I sat outside to listen to the thunder and watch the lightning. Somehow I got lost in my thinking and thought about how I got back to my parents place. All those turns in our roads that led me back home, back to my home base where all this amazing stuff happened when I was a child. There are just so many possible outcomes and things could all be so different. I am thinking about places I have been, this life I lived in New York, the choices we made becoming pregnant with my son. Simply, you do one thing – and there you are. A different road opened maybe. Different opportunities. Choose another option, there you go. Down another path. But this is my path I have chosen, right here where I am and right here where I should be at this point. I do believe in that. A little tiny turn in anything and things would have been different. Maybe there is a decisions-roadmap, maybe there is not. Who knows. 

So while I sat outside with thunder and lighting going full force I cried a tiny bit. I thought how grateful I am for my little life. How unimportant so much stuff is that I try to get my head around on a daily basis. This story we are living that is so awesome, those tiny moments that are actually pretty big. I gave birth to this little man who sat on a pony today and discovered horseback riding. All the things I want him to see, discover, feel and experience and hopefully he will. And thinking all this made me go to a little dark side of my brain. What, if I would die right now? Being struck by lightning or anything else. I would feel that all I have experienced until now was so beautiful that it would be all okay. It would be enough. I don’t want to die obviously because there is just so much more ahead to discover and a whole life to be lived and of course I cannot imagine my son being without me. Or le husband and everybody else.  I just think that if I don’t believe in anything after, I have a different outlook on life. This here, right now. And here I am. 

So I watched the rain how it cleansed everything off the street. People, thoughts; the way the water rushed over the pavements and streets, cleaned away dirt and the tiny cracks altogether. Then out of a sudden the rain stopped and left this awesome smell in the air. Have you ever took the time to smell this? Fresh rain smell? [Not the car-refresher!]  I thought about our kids room where my sister and I played with the doll houses and where my son sleeps peacefully now. I thought about the person I am now, the person I became. Whatever we become, one story folds into the next. One little version of us into another and nobody really knows when they first meet and see us. All they see is this first layer they face. All experiences and memories are hidden inside. 

I walked back inside and checked on my son. He was sleeping soundly and peacefully while the last bits of rain ran down the windows. Everything is okay. Mama and Daddy are together, the castle we are building is standing strong and tall and this little girl in the playroom with her dolls smiles at all this luck while she is inside of me, smiling too. 

Hello and Happy Friday! 

It rained the last couple of days here in Germany and I can understand why the death rate in Norway is so high. No sun for days – just grey sky, wet and rain. I started to write this post earlier and the power went off, followed by a plethora of thunder and crazy lightnings. The candle was my life saver, hah! I remember the last storm when I was alone with my son in Connecticut. What “saved us” initially was a tiny turtle on a key chain with a flash light in its mouth. He held onto this thing forever and that particular night when I read him his bedtime story, the power went off. Complete darkness. The street lights, other houses, pitch black. So together we walked back down in the kitchen to get some flashlights. Le husband always tells me that I have to be prepared for events like this. So I am – because he makes sense. That night we finished the bedtime story with a flashlight and it was so nice. Tonight I got myself all comfy after I called the neighbors to ask them if they have no power either. Got my book, the candles, a glass of wine and approximately five minutes (at the most!) later, the light went back on. Gotta love Germany. When it comes to stuff like that, things just work. Fast, reliable. In any case, I put my book to the side, leave the candle burning and of course continue with my glass of wine. Enjoy this weeks Five Things.

Reading: Le husband is back to work and travels so I was alone with my son this week. Tons of time to read at night and even during the day. My son is officially hooked and loves to sit next to me to “read” as well. So cute. I read Martin Walser’s Ein fliehendes Pferd and loved it. What an amazing book. It is a novella and read in a couple of hours but so enjoyable. I read his latest book and even went to the reading but was not too impressed but this little novella blew my mind. I re-read Sabbath’s Theater by Philip Roth and could read it again and again. [Thank you, Heinz for sending it so quickly!] I finished Joshua Becker’s More of Less: Finding the Life you Want under Everything you Own.  The book review will be out on Sunday. Stay tuned for that. Currently, I am reading Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that can’t stop talking by Susan Cain. Great so far. 

Watching: I re-watched one of my favorite movies Limitless. Have you seen it? It is so good. “I was blind, but now I see” – Eddie Morra

Discovering/Learning/Wanting to Mention:  If you like design and art check out the Coburg Design week. It started on May 31st and ends on Sunday, 5th of June. If you plan on going there with a child I would plan the visit in the morning; then it is nice and empty. The cocktail bar is outside under a roof so you won’t get wet. There is also food and great artwork to purchase.  If it might ever stop raining here in Germany, there are several places to lounge around and relax, too while sipping your red wine and looking at your new ring. 😉 

In the afternoon you could stop by at The British Corner in Coburg close to the Market Place. I have been there with my friend Lisa and we enjoyed cream tea, scones, clotted cream and marmalade. Also child-approved.

If you are looking for a family oriented café where you don’t have to constantly make sure your child is not throwing down dishes, cups and takes shelves apart, you should visit Café Babbel. I have been there with my son today. Review will follow soon! Great place with a fantastic outdoor play area that is gated so these little rascals stay inside while I am on my phone with free wifi access and drink a chai latte in peace. 

You need something new to read? Check out my friend Heinz’ online antiquarian online bookstore. Here is the link to his  Amazon website.  More than 18.000 books to chose from and very fast, reliable and efficient shipping.

You love tattoos as much as I do and are looking for a clean and professional place in Coburg to get your first or tenth tattoo? Visit my friend Melanie from Stick to your Skin Tattoo.  I love her work and got tattooed by her myself. Needless to say, I love my tattoo and think about a new one since I saw her the other day. She follows her passion. Review on her tattoo store next week! 

Looking forward to:  Watching The Art Bastard. Sounds fantastic! And this one: The Lobster with Colin Farrell. I am also looking forward to traveling to Canada, Cancun and touring the US on a big Grand Canyon tour. Yay! Life is good! I know, I am fortunate and damn lucky [while I knock on wood]

Thinking About: A lot. I met two of my extended family members again that I haven’t spoken to or seen in over seven years easily because of some “family issues”. I ran into Andreas a couple of weeks ago at the supermarket and they invited my son and I for coffee and cake. It was a great afternoon. Good talks, issues resolved. Moving forward and of course staying in touch. Life is too short. I did a lot this past week and talked to many friends about relationships. Read my latest article to get some insight. I thought for a while that it would be a nice thing to plan a class reunion. I have never had one and the idea of getting as many people as possible from my graduation class in 1998 together at a restaurant was what I planned. I found many – almost all of them! Most of them on Facebook, others through friends. The feedback I received was somewhat disturbing. Not even five were interested in a class reunion because they told me that they basically do not care about the other former classmates. Well, I tried. I still think it is a great idea to see what everybody is doing. 

What have you been up to? Have a great weekend.