Monday 25 April 2011

el dia de sant jordi

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In addition to being Easter, this weekend also featured El Dia de Sant Jordi in Barcelona, which is a bit like the Catalan Valentine's Day, but much nicer and much less mushy (I'm not a fan of Valentine's Day). Sant Jordi, or Saint George, is the patron saint of several places, Catalonia among them. A clever bookseller one year also realized that April 23rd was also the day that both Cervantes and Shakespeare died, and it was restyled as the day of the book. Traditionally, men buy a rose for the women in their life and women buy a book for the men (Albert generally buys me a book as well as a rose though). : ) Rambla Catalunya is transformed into a book stall extravaganza, and people typically skip out of work for a bit to enjoy the atmosphere and wander the streets. There are also rose sellers on every corner.

Two years ago we had our own little Sant Jordi's day in Vancouver, but it was fun to engage with the crowd this time. We also got some books signed, caught up with some friends, and went to open day at the Palace of the Catalan Government, which was all good fun. I tried to dress in red and yellow, which are the colours of the Catalan flag, and sort of succeeded. I bought this little black and yellow vintage eyelet dress a year ago, but somehow it hasn't appeared on the blog yet. The back is the cutest part so I'll have to wear it again soon!

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48 comments:

Xavi said...

Escribo en spanish que quiero comentarte pero no tengo mucho tiempo.
Feué un día precioso. Estás muy guapa: jersey rojo con rosa roja :)
2 cosas que no me gustaron:
1. Los mismo libros en todas las paradas.
2. Prtesencia masiva der partidos políticos. No es casualidad que sean elecciones de aquí a un mes.

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

Si, también me di cuenta de la presencia de mucho anuncios y políticos, y tampoco me gustó verlos. Es una lástima que estos dias no podemos solamente disfrutar dias tradicionales, sino siempre hay alguien vendiendo algo...

C.G. Koens said...

The first photo of you is beautiful, but the row upon row of books had me at hello. Just being honest. ;-) By the way - I love the blog revamp and your header is great!

Diana said...

i had no idea!! i always learn something new on your blog ;) great pics xo hope you had a happy easter and dia de sant jordi!!

http://dressedupallligators.blogspot.com/

Rebeccak said...

what a wonderful tradition - books and flowers - it really doesn't get much better :)

Also - I love your new header!

Closet Fashionista said...

Awww how fun and what a great tradition!!! I wish we had that here, haha :D
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

Anonymous said...

Valentine's day with books sounds a whole lot better than hallmark day! Looking beautiful :)

Alys said...

Beautiful photos! I love the flowers
x

Amrit said...

Beautiful pictures....awesome...I did not know about 23rd April..

Shybiker said...

Oh, my... that first picture is a stunner. You look incredibly beautiful. The chic outfit and your natural features combine perfectly.

Tanvi said...

Gorgeous shots!!! You look like a picture of perfect summer!

♡ from © tanvii.com

Emily, Resplendent Tranquility said...

I like the sound of El Dia de Sant Jordi much better than Valentine's Day. Roses and books?! Yes, please.

Nice tote bag. Mine's been on a few outings, but I haven't photographed it yet. Soon :)

LikeSpinningPlates said...

These photos are so pretty! You look gorgeous in red. You + the cardigan + the red rose is perfection.

Ashley said...

I love your hat!

Molly Page said...

What a fun holiday! As usual, your photos are lovely. And your hat? Nothing less than inspiring. Thanks.

A Foreign Land

Anonymous said...

Oh I've never heard of it! I mean I know Saint George but never knew there was a celebration like Valentine's day, think I might celebrate it next year! Your flowers look so pretty!

Cess O. <3
The Outfit Diaries

Thanh said...

The weather looks so perfect for spending the day out.

Cee said...

As much as I love all of the chocolates that come along with valentine's Day, I must say that Sant Jordi's day does sound far superior. The day of the book- that is my kind of holida! I would os love to see Rambla Catalunya crowded with booksellers :) You seem to fit in just perfectly- I adore your sun hat and eyelet skirt. You have such a lovely blog, I can't resist following!
xox,
Cee
http://cocoandvera.blogspot.com

Raquel said...

Ohh, St Jordi's day sounds a lot better than valentine's day! Books and roses? That seems perfect for me.
And that cute dress seems perfect for such day too, it is so so pretty!

PS: Have you cut your hair? It looks like it has more layers.

Emily said...

@Raquel: I have no idea what my hair was doing that day, but no, I haven't cut it! Albert didn't like it very much. ; D

two birds said...

what a lovely tradition! i wish we did that in the states! and this dress is wonderful...you look fabulous!

Bethany Kellen of bunnypicnic said...

i really like your dress and cardigan combo! and flowers and books are two of my favorite things!

k said...

oh wow, i want a day of the year where mark has to buy me a book!

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

@Krystal: Well, technically you're supposed to buy him a book, but we normally kind of subvert that. Everyone deserves a book!

Annebeth said...

oooooooooh I wanna go too! your pictures always make me crave a city trip to somewhere awesome, and wearing something fabulous instead of cargo pants, a t and flipflops (tourist uniform).

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

@Annebeth: Haha, I've seen so many people dressed like that today! I don't know why people dress their slummiest for going around beautiful cities!

Monique said...

I really love this gift exchange. And of course Albert would buy you both a book and roses. I really like this holiday. That open air book market is right up my alley. Love this romantic yet sophisticated look you have going.

Laura said...

these are gorgeous pictures! and the color of your cardi is adorable!

-laura
http://thesemanyyears.blogspot.com

islabell said...

lady! You looks like you have a dream life. Your photos are always so amazing. I love that black vintage dress. I'm traveling through spain in June will you still be around?
x

SOJOURNED IN STYLE said...

this holiday is more like it! I am not a fan of Valentine's day except the large sums of cheap chocolate but roses and books is more to my liking. a successful outfit, the dress is fantastic, the red sweater is lovely with it. adore your hat

Kallie, Happy Honey and Lark said...

what a WONDERFUL holiday! I hope you bought him a good book :) You look quite romantic with your matching roses.

Penny said...

I ve lost track of how many places you visited this time :)
ps) new blog layout!love it!

the other emily said...

What a sweet take on the 'romantic' holiday - I'd take a great book over some cheesy Russell Stover sampler any day! :)

And I *love* the eyelet pattern on that dress, can't wait to see more of it as the weather warms up.

Marella said...

Loooove your style!
Your blog is so cool! Following! Follow back? <3

Tomz said...

Love the pics..

Jenny said...

These photographs are just so beautiful! Festivals and fairs are some of my favorite things, and this one looks like quite a lot of fun. And I would love the rummage through those books :-)

Ashley/ MILK TEETHS said...

I was thinking, "what! Ladies just get flowers and no book?!" glad to read that Albert knows what's up. And also, re: your last post--you looked so good! The pop of bright minty green with that print was an excellent choice, lookin beautiful per usual chica :)

Rachel, Cold Knees said...

What lovely photos, I wish we had a day of the book, far more interesting than a silly lovey dovey day! x

Meg! said...

Oh wow I love these photos. I want a day of the book! Way cool! <3

sm said...

beautiful pic

Unknown said...

Oh goodness, this sounds like such a perfect day! I wish Valentine's Day in the United States was more like this. I would actually celebrate if it was more about books than cheesy "romance." Anyway, you look wonderful! Love your hat and dress :)

ana said...

you look sooo beautiful! and Barcelona looks wonderul with that spring sun! interesting fact about the book day!

Lucia said...

i love all the photos on your blog. i am looking to buy a camera that takes photos just as nice as this. what camera do you use? xx

www.whothefuckismickjagger.blogspot.com

NRIGirl said...

Hi Emily! It has been a while since I visited here last and was taken aback by the new look and feel. Great Spring look. Of course you look great too in red & yellow.

Enjoy the sunshine!

Maria said...

I seriously adore your blog! I loooove the layout, the theme...EVERYTHING. This outfit is also quite spendid, you look so carefree and fun, like a charming parisienne young lady! I love your blog so much that I couldn't resist following! xoxo www.avenuemaria.blogspot.com
p.s: I'm your 255th followers, hooray!

Flo said...

gorgeous outfit, pretty!
www.fantailflo.com

Jess & Ashley said...

Your dress is lovely!

Iulia Romana said...

I've just found your blog and I adore it. I love your opinions and the outfit is more then cute aaaaand the texture of your bag is fabulous ♥