Sunday 26 June 2011

seeing stars (and exploring barcelona)

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Whew, it's hot these days! I had to peel this off the second I got home from photographing it (at the really late hour of 9:30 am)! It's something I wore in the evening once anyway. And with the summer heat in Barcelona, I become a creature of the night. Everyone does. For starters, there's the summer's biggest and most ridiculous party to keep everyone up all night on the 23rd of June. On St. John's Day (or El Dia de Sant Joan here) the city erupts. Firecrackers do a roaring trade for about two weeks in advance, and anyone with shell shock in the city would have a heart attack as they explode on every corner at any hour of the day and night. On the 23rd, everyone heads to the beach, stays up all night drinking and setting off these firecrackers in close proximity to everyone else. And people dance on the beach to the music of the little beach bars, light fires at around 3 am and then commence jumping over them. Those who make it to sunrise swim in the by that point absolutely disgusting water! I didn't make it to sunrise at the beach this time; I flaked out at 4 am, but was still awake at sunrise anyway, eating a fried pork sandwich in my local park. My two visiting English friends were pretty much in shocked wonder about the whole evening.

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You'd think we'd all spend the rest of the long weekend in bed, but on Saturday night my friend called me at 10 pm to suggest we go to the bar next to the castle on the nearby hill. This involved hiking uphill for 40 minutes through a dark, humid jungle, carrying an enormous bottle of vodka sprite and pausing occasionally to admire night time panoramic views. The bar itself, La Caseta del Migdia, is nestled next to the castle overlooking the port, and had a DJ, people clustered around tables with lighted umbrellas, and old movies projected onto a wall (first Metropolis and then, erm, Robby the Robot clearly a deservedly forgotten 1950s "classic"). Ah, good times. Somehow made it down the mountain again in one piece. : )

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Damn I love Barcelona in the summer. Definitely back to work tomorrow though!
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Sorry for photo overload... thought I'd hit the ground running!

Oh, and this outfit was partly inspired by this picture. I never follow runways, but I must have seen this on a blog somewhere and thought Yesssss... I can do that.

dress: charity shop, blouse: Zara sales last year, shoes: Liz Claiborne sales (2009), hat: vintage from Camden Stables

59 comments:

Caitlin Rose said...

this outfit is amazing!

Closet Fashionista said...

LOVE this outfit!! And woah, sounds like a crazy weekend, haha :D I wish it was that exciting here...
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

Raquel said...

Ah I'm so glad you're doing stuff, at least I can live through you! Summer makes me boring and a creature that stays inside most of the time to avoid almost 40ºC temperatures like today!

About the outfit, I have to love it for two reasons that you're aware of I'm sure. The sweet little hat and the star prints! And one more thing, I think you're look much more awesome than the D&G one ;)

PS: I wrote a reply to your comment on my blog!

Annebeth said...

this outfit is SO good. I'm not a big runway/designer fan either, but sometimes a look just sticks with you because it is just that bit more awesome than all the other drab shit. And that one had major seventies/gypsy/witchy vibes going on, and you took the gypsy/witchy vibe but turned it into something more spanish senorita esque and I'm loving it! the party looks amazing btw.

Vanessa, Take only Memories said...

You look gorgeous! Love the hat!
And Barcelona looks like soo much fun!

Rebeccak said...

Sounds like a hectic weekend! I am putting Barceolona on my "to visit" list in summer!

I love your reinterpretation of that runway look. That little hat is gorgeous!

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

@Vanessa, Rebeccak and anyone else wondering:

BARCELONA IS AWESOME. !!!

Kirstin said...

Love the mixing of patterns!

Unknown said...

My goodness, St. John's Day sounds crazy! I highly doubt I could make it much past midnight, I'm such a grandma, though it sound like a lot of fun!
This is such a cute outfit! I love the star print on your dress, and that hat is such a fun, glitzy touch :)

Monique said...

Wow lady, those stars really look perfect on you. That party and your entire weekend sounds like lots of fun. Barcelona is officially at the top if my list of European cities to travel to. Hope you are rested for tomorrow...with all the fun of summer good luck getting your work done.

The Semi Sweet said...

That seems like a fabulous evening!! Vodka sprite sounds delicious too:)

I love the mix of fabrics!! That star dress is beautiful!

Cel said...

Wow, that sounds like a crazy celebration. Great way to enjoy the summer.

Ashley said...

Hot mama! Oh wait, you are not actually a mama :) But you know what I mean.

Anonymous said...

I like the look...as well as the approach to summer you describe. I have never danced on the beach at any hour and to see Metropolis projected on a wall would be wonderful.

Anonymous said...

I was born on San Juan's day, and there's a big celebration down here in Mexico! Loved the black bows on this outfit you look super cute!

Cess O. <3 The Outfit Diaries

Michelle said...

Great outfit and sounds like an amazing party weekend. Think I need to head to Barcelona one summer soon.

Jul said...

Love this putfit! And your hat is so elegant... Seems like you had an amazing and funny weekend! Good for you! :)

http://lifeisaromanticpoem.blogspot.com/

Penny said...

add me to the obsessed with barcelona- difficult not to with such descriptions we get from you :)
ps)this hat is so cute and so matching the rest of your outfit!
have a great week girl!

Rachel, Cold Knees said...

I love your dress- very cute! Sounds like an awesome time, you can't beat the spanish with their amazing festivals! xx

Jenny said...

I can't believe people were jumping over the fires. Since I am rarer clumsy, I can see myself falling into the fire, especially after a drink or two. I love this whole outfit! The little hat is my favorite part! And yes, Annalise and I both have partners named Matthew. It gets kind if confusing. It would be a much better story if we were in some crazy polyamorous relationship though. No such case :)

Neris said...

Tell me about those crazy beach parties.... I also live on the coast and it gets CRAZY over the summer! Love your outfit! First time on your blog and love it! I'm your newest follower!

xxx,

Fashion Fractions

Anonymous said...

You are WONDERFUL!

http://mode-blogs.com/

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

Haha, thanks Luigi! You too!

Allegra said...

schönes kleid

Mimi said...

Wow, this seems like so much fun! Love the dress here! the sheer top is so unique with the polka dots;)

Many Layers Monday

Unknown said...

Brilliant outfit, Barcelona looks and sounds amazing x

Diana said...

you are a party animal!! ;) this looks like a blast -- staying on the beach till 4 am! what a fun time :) you did a great job bringing the runway to real life! xo

http://dressedupallligators.blogspot.com/

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

@Mimi: both the dress and top are actually star print.

@Diana: I'm so much more boring than I used to be! I would have been out until 9 a few years ago. In fact, I was. ; D

Anonymous said...

Seems like Barcelona knows how to party. I lvoe those star prints btw.

FASHIONISMYWAY by Cristina L said...

You look amazing here!! :D

SO cute!!

http://fashionismyway.blogspot.com/2011/06/controversy-is-fashionable.html

Heather, 29 Skirts said...

Oh, wow, all of the festivities sound amazing! And the star print mix you have going on here looks really cool.

Shybiker said...

Your blog is so entertaining. Exciting events, pretty fashion, good writing. Keep it up!

Tomz said...

Hi Emily. beautiful dress..and I'm in love with those striking poses..I want to know what provoked you to mix some night shots of the city with your pictures..

jess said...

I love the hat.

Xavi said...

Completly in love with your dress.
23 night more than a ridiculous party is a problem for people like me, that are firecrackers-phobia. I spent this night out of Barcelona and out of civilization (or incivilization :p ).

Anonymous said...

I always knew I had something in common with the Spanish, turns out it's their zest for life. :) Your description makes me want to more there right now.

On another completely unrelated note, I really like your hair. Wish mine would do this. But oh well. :)

daisychain said...

you have such a gorgeous wardrobe! x

Amber said...

as much as that event sounds awesome I would have probably flaked out at 10pm so the fact that you made it till 4am...well thats pretty baller in my book

Claudia Paola said...

In the first few photos I already thought your dress was perfect- it's so pretty. And then I saw the last photo, and realized that what I thought were polka dots were actually stars!! Now that makes it beyond perfect.

Woah to the fire jumpers! That kind of thing makes me a little jittery, I'm not going to lie... ;P x

Emily, Resplendent Tranquility said...

I commend you, fellow Emily, for partaking in all sorts of late night excitement. Just reading about it all completely exhausted my inner old lady.

Your mixed star prints look great together. I really wanted to say they looked stellar, but that would have been a little over the top, hehe ;)

Rebecca said...

Your outfit has made me think that there are not enough star printed items of clothing around. This really reminds me of some awesome 70s celia birtwell/ossie clark dress. Like the elegnat lady hat with it too. Plus Barcelona sounds amazzing.

AutoMadchen said...

That is a great dress. I had my first ever visit to Barcelona for Primavera a few weeks ago and eveything about this post makes me want to go back (and reminds me I need to post my photos).

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

@Xavi: I hear you (literally, now that the firecrackers have finally stopped). I really can't stand the two weeks of advance noise, but I do enjoy the beach party... makes me feel extra-alive!

@Emily: Haha, to stellar! I hadn't even gone there. Hehe!

Christy said...

Barcelona sounds amazing (and also kind of ridiculous)! Looks like I have another destination to add to my to-visit list.

I love star prints (they seem a bit less precious than polka dots), and you've done a brilliant job mixing them in this outfit!

Amber Schmidt said...

I wonder how many childrens books will be inspired by your travels.

Lea said...

Such a pretty outfit. Love the simplicity and the details of the dress. The high neckline is so elegant :)

Kelly-Ann Maddox said...

Gorgeous dress and lovely outfit photos. I also love all the night time photos. The lights are stunning.

Virginie's Cinema said...

First of: there are no words to describe the level of fabulousness of this outfit! So so chic, I would even say posh!! I think after your new amazing yellow dress (super swoon!) it might be my favorite!

I'm sorry for the extreme heat but night time loving sounds pretty awesome! Hiking 40 minutes with a big bottle to get to a bar? Yes please! Now these are the adventures life is made of!

Virginie ♥

Dus of Cuddly Cacti said...

love your dress, so cute! and I loved hearing about this party in Barcelona ad seeing your pictures (you take really good night shots!). Sounds similar to Hogueras in Alicante or las Fallas in Valencia, minus the huge statues (which we all know are just an excuse to party in the streets and beach anyway!). Spain sure does turn crazy fun in summertime, and it’s certainly not boring the rest of the year! Oh, and I didn’t know there was a jungle and castle in Barcelona!

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

@dusanabotswana: They have the huge statues here too; if you mean the giant people that they parade around. There is a castle, though it's a bit off the beaten track (on a big hill overlooking the park). Jungle may have been something of an overstatement, but it certainly felt that way!

dr.antony said...

I only see those stars you wear !

Anonymous said...

I like it))

WE INSPIRE US said...

what a cool dress!

Jasmine said...

everything sounds so wonderful and exciting , and thats a really pretty outfit :)

how i wish i could switch life with u for just one day

Anonymous said...

Such a lovely post! I spent some time in Barcelona, and though I never did any fire jumping (WOW!) I thought it was such a beautiful and magical city. So thanks for the memories!

You are such a lovely girl with an amazing sense of style, and I look forward to reading more of your posts!

Anonymous said...

I adore your dress...great blog hun


xx
LeFashionParadise

Kallie, Happy Honey and Lark said...

You look like a supermodel. All night parties!? Castle bars!? Um...jealous. JEALOUS.

Slaves Of The Extraordinary said...

Oh my goodness - the outfit is gorgeous!!

Macarons&Coquelicots said...

Beautiful dress!

http://gourmandisesettalonshauts.blogspot.com/