tattoo – that lemon life

Hallo from Berlin

Hola everyone.

And welcome back to my blog and another week. I hope you all had a great weekend and that you’re all doing well. I for my part had a quite busy weekend, meeting up with my family and saying goodbye to most of them. It’s insane to think that I’ll already be back in London in six days. Feels like an eternity since I left in March and like no time at all, as if I just blinked once and the past six months wooshed by. And now it’s already September and time to go back to real business. Absolutely insane.

On the one hand I’m sad to leave, as I haven’t spent this much time at home in a very long time (the last time I’ve been at home for longer than three months was in 2015), and I’ve gotten so used to being with my mum and dad and my babies everyday. But on the other hand I’m also super happy and excited to go back to London. And now that I’m moving into my first very own flat with my friends, I know the upcoming months will just be the best ever. But besides that, I’ve also just missed the city. Don’t get me wrong, I love the countryside. It’s what I know best, being born and having lived on the countryside for most of my life. But cities give me those sparks of excitement and thrill that the woods and endless fields can’t compete with. They’re both incredibly beautiful, but cities will never feel like hills and mountains and those will never make you feel the same as when you’re walking through the streets of a busy city.

That is just one of the reasons why I was super happy when my friend Lauren agreed to go on a trip to Berlin with me a few months ago, which is what I want to share with you all today. As most of you guys will know, I’ve always thought of Berlin as a third home – the first being my true home in Austria and the second one being both London and Brighton in one. Back when I got to live there for a few months in 2017, I couldn’t help but fall head over heels in love with this amazing city and I’ve been craving to go there again ever since, so even though a pandemic was sweeping over the planet, Lauren and I were quick to decide on our trip and to book everything we needed. And in the middle of August, just one week after our time in Belgium, we met up again in Berlin and spend another incredible seven days there.

To be honest, the trip couldn’t have been any better. I think we did and saw nearly everything there was to do and see in Berlin that week (apart from the stuff we had already seen and places we had already visited in the past). We went to the cinema – twice even (for the first time since March, which is still absolutely shocking to me) -, went to some amazing restaurants, visited some cool museums, the lovely botanical garden and even my old flat, spent a lovely evening chilling at the river Spree and, as some of you will maybe have seen from a past blogpost, I even went and got two new tattoos – click here for that post. And, very importantly, I also got to visit my second home in Berlin again, Dussmann, which is only the best bookstore ever. And on the last night we got to watch the sun rise and its rays shine on the beautiful city after we had spent the whole night watching a The Wrecks live gig online (worth all the sleep we missed out on). All in all the trip was an absolute dream and if I could, I would go back in an instant. I couldn’t be happier about our decision to really go, despite the whole madness our world is currently stuck in. It was so worth it.

And yeah, as you can probably guess, I had my camera with me nearly the whole time we were in Berlin, so I’m more than happy to share these beautiful shots with all of you. Please enjoy.

And yeah, there you go, guys. These are my favourite shots from our adventures in Berlin. I truly hope you enjoy this post and the pictures. As always, I’d love to hear from you, so please don’t hesitate to leave your thoughts and comments down below. I wish you all a great week and, of course, thanks for reading. x

I’m back (ft. new tattoos)

Hola everyone.

How are you all doing on this beautiful Friday? I hope you’ve had a nice week and a lovely day so far. And, as a matter of fact, I hope you’ve had some amazing past four weeks, because that’s how long I’ve been gone for. I know, you’re probably thinking ‘where the hell has she been???’ and, to be honest, I don’t even know where to start the explanation. Going into this summer filled with uncertainty and discomfort, I would’ve never thought it would turn out like this, but I guess I straight up made the best of it, because in the past month, I’ve not been on just one, but two holiday trips and I’m already packing up for another one next week. Can you believe that? I’ve been to Belgium to surprise my friend Lauren, then we went to Amsterdam, then I was home for a week, then we flew to Berlin for a week, now I’m home again and I’ll be leaving for Italy on Sunday with my mum for our yearly mother-daughter trip. There is just soooo much going on, holy moly.

As you can probably guess, this has led to me piling up a huge stock of topics, events and themes I want to talk to all about and share with you guys. It’s massive, that I can tell you – starting from me attending my very first Tomorrowland (still can’t believe that happened), to all my trips and up to a very special online gig I attended with Lauren at 4 in the morning a few days ago. So much amazing stuff coming up, so please stay tuned and excited for more.

For reasons of actuality, today’s post is about something very very very special that kind of connects to everything I just talked about. Looking at the title of this post, you can probably already tell what it is about. That’s right – I got new tattoos, as in more than one. As in two, to be precise. As you all know, I’m overly in love with tattoos and have my goal of getting like half of my body covered with them set as a personal mission. For all of you who know how Marzia Bisognin-Kjellberg, Pewdiepie’s wife, looks like, including her amazingly tattooed arms – that’s what I want right there. And as the stubborn person that I am, I’ve spent the past years working towards that goal, with all the passion and love for ink that you can possibly imagine.

I know some people get tattoos of designs that they like, but for me it’s always been essential that I have a special meaning connected to every single one of my tatts – the most recent two being no exception. First of, I got a teeny-tiny heart on my left wrist to symbolize the three months that I spent in Berlin during my first ever stay abroad. It may not sound like much, but I was alone for the very first time in a new city and new country and looking back, I think it was the most vital time for my personal development. I don’t think anything has ever had such an impact on my personality as those three months. They made me who I am now. So that’s that.

And for the second one – well, that’s just too special to even put it into words. Before I booked my appointment, I knew that I wanted it to be something that would re-connect me with my grandpa. I know I’ve never really talked much about him on here, but back when he was still here (he died in 2009), he was the most important person in my life, apart from my mum. He was my best friend. And I just loved him so so so much. And as I am a very sensitive and call it “esoteric” soul, I still feel like he’s always close to me, watching over me and watching me grow into the person I am destined ot be. Thus, I wanted a tattoo dedicated to him and after much deliberation, and lots of drawing on myself, I decided on getting a picture of us both together tattooed on my arm. I had already found the perfect artist in Berlin – her name is Daana Avni and she’s literally a tattoo wizard (check her out here) – and after I had initially messaged Daana, it only took a few hours until we had fixed the appointment.

The appointment itself was absolutely amazing and to my surprise it all went down pretty quickly and pain-free. Daana was an absolute angel and made me feel super welcome and appreciated and listened to all my thoughts and answered all my questions. I think what made the whole process even more special though was that it all happened in Berlin, one of my favourite places on earth. Before I had even decided on getting a tattoo, getting some new ink done in Berlin sounded like an absolute dream, a rather impossible one too, but now I’m back at home with these two beautiful new pieces of art on my arms and I couldn’t be happier. I love both of them so much I can’t even put it into words and I’ve been proudly showing them off every day. Tattoos really just are the coolest things ever.

And there you have it, guys, these are new tattoos. I hope you liked reading about their story and I hope you like their look as well. As I already said, I’m utterly obsessed with them and can’t wait for the next ones – getting closer to my goal, tattoo by tattoo. As always, I’d love to hear from you, so please don’t hesitate to leave your thoughts and comments down below. Also, once again, sorry for disappearing for so long, hope you didn’t mind too much. I wish you all an awesome weekend and, of course, thanks for reading. x

Let’s go to Paradise

Hola everyone.

And welcome to another Monday. I hope you’re all doing good and that you had an amazing weekend. I for my part am pretty tired and sore because I went climbing yesterday with my parents, which, despite me having no strength left at all, was absolutely fantastic and so much fun. But even more so, I am honestly in the best mood ever right now, because now, in two days, I’ll already be getting ready in our hotel in Budapest to go to Sziget. In two freaking days. I can’t believe it. And as my excitement is that big, I thought I’d tell you a bit about this phenomenal festival – or how I like to call it, the Disneyland for music lovers.

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you’ll probably know what Sziget is, as I basically never shut up about it. It was my very first festival I ever attended, back in 2015, and, without exaggeration, I fell in love with it the moment my mum and I got there. It really felt like a dream, stepping onto this island full of exciting music and fantastic people. God, I loved it so much. And ever since then my mum and I have been trying to find a reason to go back every single year (sometimes the not so well-fitting lineups hindered us). We just adore it so much. And now, in 2019, the festival finally gave us another reason, after last year, to once again step back into paradise. And this time for a whole week. Yes, you read that right. A whole week. I would be lying if I said that I’m not a teeny tiny bit nervous about the one-week aspect, simply because I know how draining festivals can be. But in a good way, obviously. Once you’re a bit deaf and sound a bit croaky, that’s when you’ve reached the good kind of exhaustion. Exhaustion that comes from music and happiness.

And I have to say, this year’s lineup is basically the organisers thinking “who would Laura like to see the most?” and then booking those very same people. I mean, come on. Ed, Marty, Twenty One Pilots, The 1975, Florence and The Machine, Kodaline, Catfish and the Bottlemen and Boy Pablo? Might as well just put everyone from my favourites playlist on. It’s absolutely crazy. Especially as Ed, Marty and TOP are my all-time top three and now I’m really going to see all of them within the space of one week. Absolutely mind-blowing. I get happy/nervous tingles whenever I think about it. I’m just so damn excited, holy moly.

Obviously, as soon as I get back, I’ll tell you everything about the whole week. And I’ll of course also include the ultimate highlight, the one high note the whole trip will end on – my tattoo appointment. I’m not going to lie, I really tend to forget about it, simply because the whole week at Sziget in itself is so sensational that the prospect of getting a new tattoo on top is on the verge of being too much. In the best way ever, obviously, but still. And do you want to know what the best part about that is? I’ll get the tattoo, which is inspired by the one and only Twenty One Pilots, not even 24 hours after having seen them live. If that’s not the cherry on top, then I don’t know what is. Also, my mum and I want to try to get as close to the front as possible for their set on Tuesday, so I might just get to hold Ty with the very same arm I’ll get the tattoo on. Doesn’t that sound absolutely perfect? I’m already so in love with the idea. Watch me wait for hours at the front in the glaring sun just to hold him up during Trees. It would totally be worth it though, let’s be honest. The whole week will be an absolute dream, I can already tell. Can’t wait.

You can probably guess that I, unfortunately, won’t be able to post anything until Monday in two weeks, as I’ll be at Sziget. But you can already put down the date on your calendars guys because that post will be a hell of a ride. A “Sziget was freaking unbelievable / I held Ty’s hand / look at my new tattoo” hell of a ride. And I can’t wait to write it and for you to read it. But until then, let Sziget and the most fantastic week come around and regarding all of you guys, I wish you lovely two weeks and thanks for reading. x

White Skin, Black Ink

Hola everyone.

And welcome back to another Friday and another month, actually. Happy February. I hope you’ve all had an amazing week so far and are looking forward to the weekend. You know, while thinking about what to write for today’s post, many different ideas came to my mind, but none of them really inspired me, nothing ignited that certain fire every writer needs. And then I thought about the one thing, that has been rooting in my head for a few weeks now. Tattoos.

You guys know that I’m a huge sucker for this certain type of art, this beautiful art that turns the body into a canvas. And it is indeed art. One I’ve admired and loved my entire life. I myself am proud to call myself a canvas for this art, so far I’ve gathered three pieces, spilling on both of my arms. They still make me stare at them and adore them every single day and I don’t think that will ever change. And like many before and after me, I have also become an addict in and of the process. Which is also the reason why I’ve been thinking about tattoos and design ideas more than I usually would. My body has started aching for more again. Aching for the pain, that always ends in beauty. I even miss the weeks of caring and nurturing afterwards. I miss all of it. I simply want more.

So, as every addict, I’ve been trying to get as close to actually getting a tattoo as possible. I literally created my own folder just for designs of different tattoos that I would either like to have myself or just like how they look and maybe want to incorporate into other designs. So, here I am, craving a tattoo, with a folder full of pictures of different tattoos and I can’t seem to get comfortable with any of them. Because, as I should probably tell you, I am one of those people, who only get something inked, when there’s an important meaning to the piece. It has to mean something to me, something big. Because this way, I get a life-long guarantee that I will forever love the tattoo. Even if I might not be the biggest fan of the look overall in like 40 or 50 years, I’ll at least love it because of it’s story and background. But this time, there was no story. At least I couldn’t think of a design for my stories.

Until now, I’ve still got the folder and designs, I’d really love to get inked. I’ve grown a big fan of silhouette tattoos or ones picturing a hand holding flowers or something else. And I’ve always adored tattoos of plants and flowers, preferably in color. Which is also why I really want to fly to Korea, even if it’s just to walk into the ‘Studio by Sol’ tattoo atelier to add some cute rose or sunflower to my collection. Also, speaking of that studio, I highly recommend checking out its Instagram and those of all their different artists. They are bomb, no joke. And I won’t even mention that I really want to fly to New York to visit Bang Bang, because, who doesn’t?

But, here comes to exciting part. Yesterday, while brainstorming for possible designs with Leni, I kind of got the perfect idea. Or at least a good one, I’d say. I’ve always wanted a tattoo that resembled my endless love for music, but as many people, I am literally sick of quotes like “music is my life” or some kind of boring music note or something. Not that there is anything wrong with them, they just aren’t my cup of tea, personally. So I thought, how can I bring some of my ideas together? And in the end I’m now trying to stuff silhouettes, music and space and maybe even some geometric design into one package, shake it really good and then see what’s going to happen. At least that’s the plan for now and so far, I’m really happy with it.

But what about you guys? Do you have any tattoos and would you like to get more? And do you also have to have a meaning behind them or do you just get what you’d like to have on your body? Please don’t hesitate to leave your comments and thoughts down below, I’d love to start a little tattoo discussion. Also, as you can see down below, I’ve added some of the design ideas I’ve been working with lately, so you can get an idea and maybe even some inspiration for yourself. As always, none of these pictures belong to me, they were all done by amazing artists, who I’m bowing my head to. I hope you like them. And yeah, I think that’s all for now. I wish you all a great weekend and thanks for reading. x

Paris Haul

Hola everyone.

I know, it took quite a while to get here, but here it is, finally. My big shopping haul from Paris, as promised. Please enjoy.

You know, I love fashion. And going shopping. I know, what a typical girly thing. Blah blah blah. But seriously, it really is a lot of fun. I don’t even need to buy something to have fun. Because it’s not really about that, at least not for me. It’s more about the places I go to and the people accompanying me. And I love going shopping with my mum, we always have such a great time.

Anyways, although Paris is basically the city of fashion, I didn’t actually buy as many things as I thought I would. Probably because, and that’s no joke, I already have everything I want and could wish for. At least I do now, but we’ll get to that. As always, there was far much more on my list than just clothing. Plants, books, bags and so on. Those are usually the things I’m going for. So, let’s jump right into this haul.

Clothing and accessories

Okay, so clothing-wise, like I already mentioned, I wasn’t really feeling it. I mean, I was, but having planned to buy some Doc Martens, which aren’t really the cheapest pair of shoes, I actively stopped myself from buying a lot of other things.

Okay, that was the plan. Yey to the plan. But the theory is always easier than the practical part, right? So, exactly that happened to me. Mum and I walked into Zara, which was basically the coolest Zara I had ever stepped into, and then I saw it. This amazing, mind-glowingly dope ass jacket. Hanging there, just waiting for me to try it on. And then I looked at the price… 70 €. Great. Now what? Long story short, I just had to try it on. And the second I had it on, I didn’t want to take it off ever again. Did I ever mention that I have the best mum ever? Here’s another reason why. After I had walked around with the jacket for about 15 minutes, mum looked at me and said: “You know what, take it. I’m buying it for you.” I nearly freaked out. God, I was so happy. What an amazing mum, holy moly.

So yeah, I now have this incredible cool jacket hanging in my wardrobe. It’s made of black velvet and has this amazing, delicate embroidery all over it. I just love it so much. On the one side it’s so damn elegant, but when you wear it with black skinny jeans and a pair of Docs it suddenly turns into this rock chic and I love it so much.

And speaking of Docs. Yes, I got my second pair of Doc Martens. This time some short black ones. I actually had purposely waited for our trip to Paris to buy them there, because what’s cooler than a pair of Doc Martens? Exactly. A pair of Doc Martens from Paris. And yeah, I love them and I’m so happy that I get to wear them in the summer too as they aren’t as warming as my other pair.

And accessory-wise, I got two things. A supercute, little necklace in gold with the word Merci on it and a plain tote bag with Van Goghs painting “The Starry Night” on its front. I immediately fell in love with it the moment I saw it, seeing as I love the painting too. It’s just so beautiful. And I love the artsy aspect of it.

Books

Of course I had to get some new books. Of course. And I think I don’t even have to mention anymore why. So let’s get right to the titles.

The Romantics by Leah Konen
Truth Or Dare by Non Pratt

The Romantics is pretty much the book I’m most excited to read. After I have finally finished the Harry Potter series, I’m getting to the end of the fifth book right now. I got both books at this historical bookshop called Shakespeare and Company which I already mentioned in my post about our trip to Paris. I really really loved this shop. It’s super old and so quirky. And they actually stamp your book when you buy it, which is so cool.

Plants

Last but not least, of course I had to get some plants, especially as I had intentionally searched for interesting, cool plant shops in the city. We got the first plant, or how I call it our own little egg, from a shop called The Green Factory. They are specialized in manufacturing these amazing little and also quite big terrariums, which is so unique to me. So I just had to get one. And the second plant, the little cacti, is from a shop called “Les Succulents Cactus”, which, as the name already hints to, solely sells cacti and succulents. You can probably guess that I felt like I just stepped into heaven when we got there. And there were so many plants to chose from, the decision was really tough for me.

So yeah, there you go. Those are pretty much all the things I took home with me from Paris – apart from my tattoo, of course. I really, really, really loved my time in Paris with my mum and I’m already looking forward to traveling to Paris again in the future.

I hope you enjoyed this post and my haul and the pictures. I you have any questions or anything else, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment down below, I’d love to hear from you. And until then, I wish you all an amazing week, and, as always, thanks for reading. x

Tattoo art

Hola everyone.

Guys, I have something really really really extremely exciting to tell you. I don’t know if I already told you, but I just got a new tattoo two weeks ago. In Paris. How unbelievably crazy is that? I’m still so amazed, holy moly.

I think I mentioned in one of my last posts before we went on our trip to Paris that I was actually looking for a tattoo artist in Paris and that I had found one and asked her for an appointment (Carin Silver from the studio Les Maux Bleus). Well, the day before we left, the studio answered my enquiry and told me that she was unfortunately fully booked, but that they would text me if they would get a free spot for me and my mum. Yeah right. Like anybody would ever cancel an appointment for a tattoo. Of course.

So without any hopes at all mum and me flew to Paris and spent some wonderful days there. Honestly, I had actually quite forgotten about the whole tattoo thing – I was already thinking about writing another tattoo artist from Budapest as an alternative – when one night, mum and I were standing in front of the eiffel tower at exactly eleven o’clock in the night and everything changed. You know, at night something magical happens to the tower. At full hours it starts to sparkle like a huge christmas tree. It’s so beautiful, I can’t even describe it. Anyways, we were standing there, admiring the view and after the five minutes full of magic, we both looked down on my phone and saw that it was blinking. Blinking usually means that someone sent me either a text or a mail. So I picked it up and saw that it was a mail. From Carin, the tattoo artist. Saying that she had found a free spot for both my mum and myself. At the perfect date and the perfect time. On Saturday before our flight. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I just remember throwing my hand before my mouth in shock. I was speechless. I mean, I was excepting nothing and there it was, the perfect appointment.

The night before the appointment Carin mailed me again, showing me the design she had drawn for me. A beautiful, beautiful flower bouquet featuring the flowers I had chosen beforehand – a rose, forget me not flowers, a peach blossom and wildflowers. I looked at the design and I could have cried right there and then. It looked so mind-blowingly beautiful. And imagining this piece of art getting tattooed on my arm made me completely speechless.

So, on Saturday the time had finally come. Mum and I made our way to the studio and as soon as I stepped into the studio, I knew the whole thing was meant to be. First of all, the studio looked super cool. And to be greeted by the sound of tattoo machines… That was music to my ears. God, was I excited. My mum went first – she kind of “tuned up” her two rings on her arm with some beautiful, delicate flowers – and then it was finally my turn. I don’t know why, but I was so nervous. But in a good way, of course. As this was my third tattoo, I knew what was coming. I know many people say that they are afraid of the pain, but I think this kind of pain is different than to the, let’s say, usual one. Because you endure this pain but end up with having something beautiful afterwards. So the pain wasn’t a problem at all for me, although I have to say that this one hurt more than my two others.

I think the whole thing was finished in about half an hour or 45 minutes. As soon as I saw it, I was in love. I still look at my arm every few minutes and stare at it. It’s so goddamn beautiful. Thin, delicate, feminine and pretty much perfect. I love it. And I’m so so so happy that we actually got an appointment in Paris, with Carin. If you’re interested in her art, here’s the link to her Instagram. She’s specialized in fine line tattoos and flowers and so so so good at what she’s doing. No joke. I would be lying to myself if I said that I would have chosen someone else over her. I intentionally chose her for the tattoo, she’s the only artist I wanted to get this tattoo from. I still can’t believe that I seriously got the appointment.

Tomorrow the tattoo will be two weeks old and I’m still speechless due to the fact that I now have another piece of art on my arm. And yes, tattoos are true pieces of art. I love my both arms so much now, no joke. They are like my two canvases, waiting to be turned into art. So you could say that they are my project. And what a beautiful project they are. Now that the tattoo is halfway through to being fully healed and all the scabs are gone, I can finally fully see how it ended up and oh my god, it’s so perfect. Really. Guys, if any of you ever thought about getting a tattoo that is important to you, please go and get it. I mean, it’s your choice obviously, but if you have a nice idea and a meaning and a great artist, why not get it done? I’m the kind of ink-person, that gets a tattoo when it has a meaning, an important one. Because this way I have a lifelong guarantee that the tattoo will forever be important to me and that I will forever like it. And what else could you wish for? Oh and if you’re Paris and looking for a good artist, go and check out Carins site and ask her for an appointment. She’s a true talent, really.

Okay, I think I’ve talked enough about tattoos now. So, without further ado, here are the pictures of my new love, I hope you like them. Oh and please don’t hesitate to leave a comment down below. I’m really curious about whether some of you guys have any tattoos or if you’re planning to get one and about what you think of tattoos overall. I’d be happy to hear from you. And until then, I wish you all an amazing weekend and hope that you enjoyed this post. And, as always, thanks for reading. x