exploring barcelona: random weekend occurrences

A few weekends ago, I spent a Sunday afternoon in the little town/suburb of Sant Cugat, where a few of my friends live. It's about a twenty minute train journey from downtown Barcelona, and I was hoping the temperature would be a few degrees cooler. Was it? Not enough to make a difference. It was great to see my friends, and we had a drink or three in a picturesque square. The beer was bad (damn San Miguel) and the Ice Cream was appallingly bad, but we had fun anyway steadfastly refusing to speak English to our annoying waiter.

Around sunset people started gathering in the main square:



It was Corpus (I think, I know nothing about religious days) and various places in Barcelona had the "Ou com balla" or the dancing egg:





And in the courtyard they were making human castles (castells): Note the kid with the helmet climbing up to be the top of the castle.



It really feels that when you walk around Barcelona or its surroundings on the weekend, any number of strange and wonderful things may present themselves to you!


I found this handmade dress in a suitcase full of 70s era sweaters in the flat. It's so comfortable on the scorching and humid days we've been having.

dress: vintage, shoes: Catalan menorquines, belt, vintage via mom, Yorkshire Tea bag, sunglasses: Lucky brand via TKMaxx

sant pol de mar

More linen and its wrinkles, but I felt this was a perfect outfit for a day on the coast. We went to Sant Pol de Mar, a little town about an hour out of Barcelona, wandered around town, bought typical Catalan shoes (hehe) and sandwiches to eat on the beach. I made my first foray into topless beach going, which is pretty much the norm in Catalonia, and have to say that it's far superior to fiddling about with bikini tops. And swimming in the waves without holding your swimsuit on is kind of like being a kid again!

I've been tying all my blouses in front all summer... I can't believe this is one of the first times it occurs on my blog! I bought this vintage top on my trip to New York in April... I always get a special happiness out of wearing things bought on holiday. : ) The shorts were from H&M's Wateraid Collection, which actually had a lot of cute, retro and good quality designs. I've been living in them.








Photos by Albert

vintage blouse, H&M Wateraid collection shorts, Primark Espadrilles (later Catalan Espardenyes) my sister's anchor necklace. And crazy hair courtesy of sand and salt water.

in the plaça

These pictures show life in Barcelona pretty accurately. Not that I spend all my time drinking beer in squares (erm, some time though, definitely), but I love the little squares that are everywhere in older zones of the city. People gather throughout the day, but especially in the evening when the temperature becomes perfect, to have a refreshment, mingle, or just sit on a bench. Every neighbourhood has its little old square, but I'm not telling where this one is, because frankly, it's getting hipster enough without my help. ; )

I'm not 100% on this outfit. I love this dress but don't wear it so often... mainly because linen is such a nuisance and wrinkles the second you sit down. I would have continued to keep the robin egg's blue going down to my shoes, (something like Islabell's enviable clogs) but well... I don't have shoes that colour. And really, life's too short to try on all your shoes just to go for a drink in the neighbourhood.





photos by Albert

Killah dress (old), self-made necklace, vintage headscarf, Urban Outfitters shoes.

a day for extra large sunglasses

The leaves have started falling in Barcelona. I had forgotten that they did that so soon. By July, the trees, exhausted from the heat and humidity and with more to come, begin to relinquish their leaves, which collect underfoot, given a strangely autumnal air despite the 30 degree heat.

I feel rather like a tree, losing layers of protection and pretense, sweltering in a new reality, standing very still to conserve resources. I don't remember if the leaves grow back again during the summer, or if they keep falling until they sit in dusty brown piles in the parks in November.







Photos by Albert

dress (as blouse): Vero Moda, skirt: Snoozer Loser, sandals: Urban Outfitters, sunglasses: Lucky Brand via TK Maxx

summer stories: guest post from Lion Heart Vintage!

After my intensely pessimistic Canada Day message on Friday, it's perfect timing to show some love to my wonderful country. I'm kicking off a series of summer-themed guest posts, and first up is the lovely, stylish and intelligent Zoë of Lion Heart Vintage. Who also happens to be from my hometown, Vancouver, which I always think has some of the best summers going (except for this year, apparently).









Hullo everyone!

This is Zoë reporting from Lion Heart Vintage . When Emily asked me to do guest post emphasizing our mutual love of our hometown Vancouver, I was thrilled although somewhat daunted! Vancouver is not the biggest city in the world but it has a lot going on - beaches, mountains, farmland, citylife and urban sprawl. We get a lot of rain but it makes us appreciate the beautiful summers all the more. Like the landscape, Vancouver fashion is also diverse. Walking down a street like Commercial Drive (the most eclectic neighbourhood in East Van) you'll see every style under the sun: hippy, punk, goth, vintage, chic, business, slacker, hipster... and styles that can't be categorized. It's diverse and exciting enough to be constantly inspiring, yet quaint enough to feel like home. I think Emily and I both know how lucky we are to be from such a great place! If anyone is thinking of taking Emily's lead and traveling somewhere you've never been - why not start with Vancouver?









Outfit Details:
- Vintage Pear Print Dress from Deluxe Junk in Gastown
- Beige cardigan from Suzy Shier
- Vintage woven shoes from Value Village
- Thrifted vintage purse

This outfit was worn to my best friend's wedding rehearsal and I just love the fun, fruity print of the vintage dress. It's a fun alternative to the more traditional summer floral prints. And who doesn't love pears?

I hope you all have a lovely, sun-filled weekend and feel free to drop by Lion Heart Vintage anytime you please!

xoxo.

Zoë

Thanks again, Zoë (and everyone, absolutely check her out). And, erm, thanks for giving me some acute pear print dress envy too!

IFB Links a la Mode

I was super chuffed not only to make this week's Links a la Mode, but also to get a shout out in the introductory blurb. Although given the subject matter of that, I probably shouldn't mention it but should fade into the background and tell you to check everyone else out. So, go check everyone else out!

Hey blogger. Get over yourself. Seriously.

Edited by Vahni of Grit & Glamour
This week I'm fresh out of love and rainbows, so there will be no kumbaya intro. Doesn't mean I don't love y'all, but I have got to tell you that lately, I'm a wee bit peeved by the fame-whoring and big-noting going on in the fashion blogosphere (and Twitterverse). Who of us doesn't want brand endorsements and blogging fame? We're all stars in our own right, and there is nothing wrong with ambition. But no one likes a self-absorbed, one-sided braggart. And no one likes an ass-kisser. Period.
Have you given props to someone other than yourself lately? Is every status update about hyping you? Is everything in your life now about the blog? As Emily of Ruby Slipper Journeys wonders in her post, are you capturing reality on your blog or manufacturing it? If any of this sounds like you, you might be on the road to becoming a full-blown fame monster. Maybe it's time to check yourself.

A Challenge

If you're destined for blogging fame, it will come through dedication, professionalism, and genuine respect. Through interaction, supporting your community, and authenticity. Let's take blogging back to its roots. This week's roundup is chock full of posts teeming with creativity, wit, and wisdom. I challenge you all to not only read and comment on at least 10 blog posts, but to share them as well. Find something that resonates with you and tweet it, like it, stumble it. All those hearts and thumbs up weren't made just for you.

Links à la Mode: June 30th

• Beautifully Invisible: A Rant: Why Women Are (at times) Their Own Worst Enemy


• Bell Street: Zero-waste patternmaking


• Beyond Fabric: Key-carrying options for guys


• Brunette Blogging: Tips & Tricks: How to get more blog traffic


• By Anika: On being non-conformist from within


• Divergent Musings: The blogger's dilemma: I want nice pictures, but do I get a DSLR?


• Fashables: Men that like fashion are gay


• Grit & Glamour: What V Wore: Modern Greek


• Haute in Texas: Lingerie tips and tricks, because life is too short to wear boring panties.


• In Between Seams: Tips on scoring an internship from a Teen Vogue internIndependent Fashion Bloggers: What Twitter Taught Me About Interaction Online


• Kirstin Marie: Fashion Inspiration: Patterns & Textures


• Made-to-Travel: Tumblr party pics and why you should join tumblr for fun—and for your blog.


• Mis Papelicos: A sartorial and philosophical approach to keeping cool


• My Orange Stilettos: The Campaign for Clearer Clothes Sizing


• North On Harper: Runway To Room: Milla Jovovich (translating a red carpet look into a room in your home)


• Over 50 Feeling 40: How I chose what the mother of the bride would wear


• Ruby Slipper Journeys: The problem with "blogger poses," and getting back to what's authentic.


• Sprinkles in Springs: DIY a spiked bag like Alexander Wang's Rocco satchel


• Style Sizzle: It's hot out. Let's talk about (preventing) boob sweat.


• The Citizen Rosebud: As a +40 personal style blogger I share what and why I dress the way I do.


• The Loudmouth Lifestyle: Be a better shopper, part two: Implementation

-----------SPONSOR:

Women's Shoes Sale at Shopbop: Heeled Sandals, Wedges, Platform Sandals, Pumps, Ballet Flats, Clogs, Heeled Boots, & Gladiators Sandals.

PLEASE READ IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE

If you would like to submit your link for next week’s Links à la Mode, please register first, then post your links HERE. The HTML code for this week will be found in the Links a la Mode group will be published later today. ~Jennine

happy birthday to my home and native land

Well, Happy Canada Day. I'm not decked out in red, white and facepaint as you can see. I've never been much of a patriot, but I do remember going to Canada Day celebrations as a kid, and they were good fun. These days, I'm pretty pissed off with my country, it has to be said. A few months ago I woke up the day after the federal elections, read the headlines and promptly burst into tears, and I'm pretty sure I wasn't the only one. I wouldn't even know where to start on my criticism of a government that sabotages international climate change talks, cuts funding to women's advocacy, suspends parliament when it seems likely his government will be brought down, muzzles scientists, think of something bad and he's done it or is trying to do it... and somehow got elected three times? And do people get out onto the streets in protest? Hell no, they don't even get out to vote. But they do get out when we lose a hockey game. Not to torch the opposing team's city, which might make some kind of vile sense, but to torch their own. My city, actually.

But hey, Canada, happy birthday I guess. You're a beautiful country. Hopefully you still will be when we've finished extracting the oil from the tar sands. You've got a wonderful healthcare system... hopefully it'll still be there after four years of a Harper majority. Anyway, whatever you are, you're home. I may kind of want to have a barbequeue over the embers of a Canadian flag tonight, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to be from anywhere else, either. Everyone there: have a great day!

Hehe, that was probably the most depressing Canada Day post ever. For a more optimistic and less political version that I pretty much agree with, read Maud's.
On the other hand, for more reasons why Canada is on its way to becoming uninhabitable, go here.





Buff, this might have to be the end of the 7 am photoshoots (trying to beat the sun and the crowds).

playsuit (as top) Zara sales, skirt: Oysho sales, hat: the Bay, Yorkshire Tea bag, Primark espadrilles

Flashback! Cadaqués 2008

I haven't done a flashback for a while, but today in my Catalan class we were discussing the Dalí museum, which made me think of Dali's house that I visited almost three years ago. Which made me think of Cadaqués, the nearby village in the Costa Brava which was the reason for the trip, and these photos. Also, strangely, another woman in my class was wearing this same shirt that I'm wearing here, only in blue. !

So, if you couldn't tell already, Cadaqués is a beautiful little Catalan town on the coast, and Dalí lived just a bit up the coast in the craziest house you can imagine, but apparently when he wasn't being a surrealist genius he was really normal and would walk down to the village and play cards with all the other little old men.

When I am a famous author I will make a point of having a beautiful coastal villa. ; ) And I shall wear cotton dresses and these shoes every day.

seeing stars (and exploring barcelona)

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.





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. : )





Damn I love Barcelona in the summer. Definitely back to work tomorrow though!




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