Life and Style Madrid

Christmas Is Coming!

Posted on December 2, 2013 | Leave a comment

One of the few things I like about winter is the onset of the Christmas holidays (the other things are the smell of cinnamon and suede boots-and that’s pretty much it). I love seeing big cities, such as Madrid and NYC set up their Christmas lights and decorations. Paris, Rome and Lisbon are also beautiful to see at Christmas, in my opinion. This year is a little different, this will be the first time EVER I am going to the USA for Christmas since I have lived in Spain. I’m heading to Arizona, and I am not going to lie, I am thrilled to see my family and sunny skies again. However, it will definitely be different not having all the typical things at Christmas I have gotten used to over the past six years here in Madrid. Anyway, although I am heading out mid December, I was happy to get a little taste of Christmas here in Madrid in a boutique window display the other day-the shop’s name is FL and it’s located on Calle de Ortega y Gasset. Anyway, the display was a simple woman’s dress made out of pine and Christmas tree. Although it’s not what I would consider wearable, I was thrilled to see a little Christmas spirit around these parts!

Christmas is coming to Madrid!

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Posted in Best of Madrid

La Modelo Del Mes

Posted on November 20, 2013 | Leave a comment

I stumbled across something I thought was pretty sassy the other day called ” La Modelo Del Mes“-in english-” The Model of the Month”. Basically, a stylist named Shimada Kemp takes “normal” girls (normal meaning not professional models) here in Madrid and styles them-hair, outfit and makeup, and then takes photos. Kemp says “Each model evokes an energy, an emotion that is used as the inspiration for these photos”.

I think this is a cool idea and the photos are great. I also love that these girls aren’t “real” models but just regular young ladies. Madrid definitely needs some more creativity flowing here like this idea.

Check out the most recent November model, Nicole. I am loving the hairstyle! Check out Shimada’s web for more monthly models!

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Posted in Beauty, Hair, Makeup

Tagged hair, Madrid, makeup, modelo del mes, models, photos, shimada Kemp, stylist

Vintage in NYC

Posted on November 5, 2013 | Leave a comment

I was able to get back to NYC for a long weekend and it was absolutely amazing. Halloween weekend and the marathon were happening, which was awesome, and I got to see so many wonderful friends, and surprise one of my very best friends at her baby shower!

One of my favorite things about NYC is simply to wander. Because it´s a city that is always moving and changing, things are always popping up like new shops and restaurants. I was in NYC just a few months ago and already I am noticing things that have changed, closed, or opened.

I was strolling through the East Village, my old stomping grounds, which always makes me nostalgic, when I stopped into a small vintage shop on East 7th street between 1st and 2nd avenues. I have been looking for literally 2 years to replace a small black vintage clutch I had that was falling apart. ( I bought the original black clutch in the East Village at a vintage shop about 5 years ago that has long since closed). I looked in several vintage shops in Florence, Italy, in London, and more with no luck (I did manage to buy other things though but no black bag!)

Anyway, I didn´t see anything at first, and was about to walk out when I spotted a very cute black clutch for just $10! So of course I bought it, and now the black clutch hunt has finally come to an end!

The Vintage shop I stopped into!

The new clutch!

View of the clutch open

View of purse clasp

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Posted in Fashion, Purses

Tagged auh20thrift, black, clutch, east village, NYC, purse, thrift store, vintage

Japan Restaurant Week in Madrid

Posted on October 24, 2013 | 1 Comment

I am super excited to be able to share with all you guys that Madrid has finally woven it’s way into the International Food Spotlight and is Atrapalo is hosting Japan Restaurant Week.

When I first moved to Madrid from New York City six years ago, I remember thinking how little international food they had here, and how expensive it was to go out for Sushi or Indian food. But I definitely think in the past five to six years, Madrid has opened it’s doors to more immigrants and cultures and is welcoming all of the new international restaurants that are springing up everywhere.

Over the years in Madrid, I love participating in the tapas tours and the Feria de Tapas at the Palacio de Deportes, but this is the first time I have ever heard of Madrid celebrating some kind of food that is not Spanish food, which I think is really fabulous.

While living in NYC, I loved restaurant week, which was a week where participating restaurants offered fixed price menus for $25 or $35 dollars. You can therefore imagine my excitement when I realized Atrapalo is offering Japan Restaurant Week in both Madrid AND Barcelona. I think this is an awesome opportunity for Spaniards and foreigners alike to take advantage of and eat some delicious Japanese food.

DETAILS:

Japan Restaurant Week goes through Sunday October 27th, and you have to make reservations ahead of time HERE. There are several participating restaurants and each offers a specific fixed price menu for $25. On the website, you can read reviews of each participating restaurant, see their fixed price menu options, and reserve your spot for lunch or dinner. Be careful-some of the restaurants have limitations on when you can reserve, and go quickly, spots are filling up for weekend time slots! ALSO keep in mind that IVA is not included in the menu price.

Having just got back from Japan last week, I actually didn’t get my fill of Japanese food, I was only there for two days for work rushing around, so I am super excited to practice my newly acquired language skills (this consisting of hello and thank you in Japanese HA) and chow down on some sushi this weekend! I hope everyone takes advantage of this and enjoys some Japanese food this weekend!

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Posted in Restaurants

Tagged Atrapalo, Barcelona, Japan Restaurant Week, Madrid

Seoul Fashion Week Highlights

Posted on October 24, 2013 | Leave a comment

So after Tokyo I headed over to Seoul, South Korea to check out a few days of fashion shows at Seoul Fashion Week. I fell in love with the city of Seoul, it’s just so beautiful and while it’s a huge urban metropolis, I felt like there were many parks and places to avoid the crowds and relax. The street style was absolutely amazing, I loved there, very eclectic and funky. I saw mostly menswear shows but here are a few photos of the venue and womenswear I took while I could!

Resurrection

Unbounded Awe

Moohong Kim

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Posted in Fashion, Shows

Tagged Asia, COOL, moohong kim, resurrection, Seoul Fashion Week, unbounded awe

Tokyo Fashion Week: Né-Net

Posted on October 16, 2013 | Leave a comment

So here I am in Tokyo at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Tokyo. Tokyo is overwhelming large and crowded, and I am staying right in the center of things in the Shibuya area, which I kind of think is like Times Square on crack, zillions of people, noise, shops, music, etc. I am sure Japan has beautiful gardens and such but for now-my escape for the crowds in the Shibuya Hikarie Hall, where all the fashion is happening. I haven’t seen too much womenswear, we’ve really only been hitting the menswear shows, but I was able to see a unique designer today, Né-Net which creates both menswear and womenswear.

Né-Net makes sort of preppy clothes, very square lines and not super feminine, but I enjoyed the show. They used a lot of trending silhouettes and fabrics like ombre, plaid, etc. I am not sure this is my personal style, I probably would only wear a few select looks, or maybe pair one of the plaid pieces with a more basic look. However,the show was fun and I loved their styling and design of the runway show, it was similar to someones living room!

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Posted in Designers, Fashion, Shows

Tagged fashion week, Né-Net, Tokyo

Amore di Roma

Posted on October 13, 2013 | Leave a comment

So I am actually spending a quick weekend in Rome before I head to Tokyo and Seoul Fashion Weeks! The reason for the trip is to celebrate my 30th birthday with my family and Jorge. Anyway, I love Italy, and this is my third trip to Rome, which is perfect because now I have seen all the tourist stuff and I can simply wander about and EAT and shop. I happened to pass the Moschino Store on Via del Bubuino on my way from Piazza del Poppo to Piazza Spanga and I saw this cool display in the window, which I can only attribute to the fact that Moschino knew it was my 30th and wanted to celebrate!

Moschino wishing me a Happy 30th!

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Posted in Fashion, Stores

Tagged Moschino, Roma

New Boots!

Posted on October 11, 2013 | Leave a comment

I never thought I would be excited for the cooler weather to come, but I just bought a new pair of super cute ankle boots which are making me crave boot weather! I shouldn´t be worried…the cold will arrive soon enough! Anyway these boots are so fabulous, they have a gold low heel and they are black suede.

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Posted in Fashion, Shoes

Tagged boots, gold, heel, shoes, suede

My New Birthday Bag

Posted on October 7, 2013 | 1 Comment

Today is my birthday and I was lucky enough to receive a fabulous new purse for the occasion. The bag is navy and from the AW13 Carolina Herrera line. I just love the size of the bag, because it is very practical, not too oversize but big enough for daytime use, when I need to throw in my kindle, sunglasses, etc. What do you think?

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Posted in Fashion, Purses

Tagged Bag, Carolina Herrera, purse

Sita Murt AW 2013 Urban Girl Collection

Posted on October 6, 2013 | Leave a comment

The Sita Murt AW 2013 collection

One of my absolute favorite Spanish designers, Sita Murt currently has a fabulous AW collection out called Urban Girl. I saw these clothes walk the runway last season, and adored the collection, so I was of course thrilled to be invited to the Sita Murt Bloggers Event, where I was able to learn more about the collection, take photos, and chat with other fashion bloggers in Madrid.

The collection was very signature Sita, featuring a lot of warm knitwear and perfectly constructed garments. The collection was divided into 5 parts, each entitled with the name of a city. The items in each group represented trends in looks inspired by each city. My personal favorite was of course, New York! However, I enjoyed looks as well from the four other cities, Madrid, Barcelona, Paris and London.