Rock Shic

#285 Recap Attire

Shirt: H&M | Skirt: Oilily | Necklace: Nolan | Ring: Banana Republic | Earrings: Boutique from LES (closed) | Shoes: Kenneth Cole | Glasses: Face It by Alexandra Cassaniti | Bikini top: BCBG | Bag: FEED from Cynthia Rowley

On my way to my acupuncturist (my one excursion of the day), I was just recounting about how much I am over this baltic weather.  Seriously, didn’t the groundhog NOT see its shadow this Saturday?  Early Spring – that was the point, wasn’t it?

Perhaps it’s because I’ve caught my second cold of the season (seriously, when did my immune system become so weak?)… or that I missed out on this fabulous down coat from Brooklyn Industries last Tuesday… or better yet, because I’ve been working non-stop around the clock… whatever the cause, I’ve been particularly cranky and suffering a severe case of wanderlust. 

What to do?  Well – time to open the vault (as Andy Cohen would say), and look back on some travel favorites.  This easy breezy outfit was a favorite of mine from my recent trip to Barcelona (the last time hubby and I were overseas!  Imagine!!).  I remember reading somewhere about how vacations bring out the best of our unfettered selves, and I couldn’t agree more!  This was one of those “hmm I wonder what I can pull together out of my suitcase” concoctions – and it turned out to be one of my best travel combos to date.  Not only was it comfortable and versatile, it also remained suitably true to my personal style – a little free spirit here, with a little edge sprinkled in there, whilst keeping it all sufficiently girly and femme-chic. 

Most of the photos were taken on our way to the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya – a must-see if you ask me!  It houses some of the city’s finest art collection, and looks out over the city from the Palau Nacional (centerpiece of the 1929 World Exhibition).  I’ll have to document the art some other time, but I was in absolute awe over the handfuls of Picassos, Dalis and El Grecos they had in stock.  The best part?  Though the museum’s a bit out of the way from everything, it’s actually quite close to Tickets, the tapas de jour installation from Ferran Adrià, which is just down the hill and to the east along Avinguada del Paral-lel.  Ah how I miss it all!

A little nail art at the museum :)

I love wearing bikini tops when I travel, way more fun & saves me luggage space!

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#188 Cava Tasting in Penedès

#231 Viva La Tickets

On this cold & wintry night, what do I find at home but the newest, December issue of Travel + Leisure (bliss).  Opened inside, I see a special feature on Barcelona captured under “Winter Getaways.”  Score!!

As I noted recently, hubby and I had spent some time in Barcelona last month, celebrating our wedding anniversary.  That said, there is still so much I’ve been meaning to write from our cornucopia of experiences in that beautiful city.  Inspired by the Travel + Leisure piece on Barcelona, I decided to revisit my photo bank from the trip.  The first thing that I encountered was the myriad of pictures I had taken on our night out at Tickets – a reasonably new tapas restaurant in Barcelona’s former cabaret district. 

Touted as one of the city’s top culinary experiences, Tickets is the latest creation by the Adrià brothers Ferran and Albert, aka the masterminds behind the famed El Bulli, a much revered restaurant  in the Costa Brava (which was once proclaimed by the NY Times as "the most influential restaurant in the world," quite the honor!).  I had first heard about the restaurant from a discerning foodie friend, and it wasn’t until I had casually googled “Tickets” and “Trip Advisor” that I became positively obsessed with the place (by then, of course, it was already three days prior to our departure, and any online reservations were basically a non-starter).

As such, I begged and pleaded with hubby to rearrange our itinerary (it being Spain, most places were shut on Mondays and other seemingly random weekdays).  Ever the accommodating sport, he obliged me, and we waited patiently in line prior to the restaurant’s opening time (7pm if memory serves).  Word to the wise, I would get there a bit earlier than the opening time, and yes, there will be a queue in front of the restaurant.  Also, be prepared for local Barça folks to scoff and look at you as though you’re absolutely insane for dining so early.  But hey… it actually works out quite well if you’re jetlagged like we were!

The verdict?  Definitely worth the wait.  Each concoction was more colorful and innovative than the next… and the liquid “olives," likely the closet thing to a house signature dish, were every bit as electrifying as the reviews say (think: a gush of crazy flavors bursting inside of your mouth).  We opted for the chef’s tasting “surprise” and... well with an opening like the spherified olives – you really can’t go anywhere but up!    

#196 Color me Gaudí

Dress: Factory by Erik Hart | Sunglasses: Face It by Alexandra Cassaniti | Necklace: From Chicago | Earrings: Pequitobun | Bag: Skunk Funk | Shoes: SM New York

As we endure a rather dreary and wet Monday here in NYC, I couldn’t help but marvel at the fact that just this time last week, I was happily traipsing around in sunny Barcelona, basking in the glory of yet another Gaudi’s imagination run wild – this time at the Park Güell. 

It’s true, during the entire time we were in Spain, we were blessed with amazing weather (made my packing a bit of shambles, what with bringing at least six different sweaters and all, but that’s for another time!).  This particular moment marked our last encounter with Gaudi’s magnificence (having already done Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, and La Sagrada Família, the latter two I’ll have to feature separately).

I’ve had this Factory by Erik Hart dress for quite some time now.  In spite of the fact that it’s a pain to hang in my closet (the structured shoulders inevitably means that this frock will always slide down my hangers no matter how hard I try) – I have never seized to receive compliments on the garb.  My favorite element, of course, is the back!  I love it when a garment just pops in the most unexpected ways… even if it means that I cannot it see it myself.  Sigh… sacrifices!

As for the accessories, they are my favorite sorts… an amalgamation from travel and friends.  The earrings are made by a friend of mine (pequitobun).  The necklace was a Chicago purchase in my favorite shopping district (aka Wicker Park), and the bag?  Well you might have recognized from my Tossa de Mar photos – they were a Barcelona purchase!!! (À la Iguapop Gallery and Shop).  

The much photographed dragon-lizard

Love the Hansel and Gretel-style gatehouse!

 

#192 Street Style Barcelona

Along the way, I’ve taken some photos of street styles that caught my eye throughout Barcelona and Costa Brava.  The sense of style I picked up was very Boho-chic, distinctively Catalonian, and decidedly Spanish!  I can't emphasize enough the importance of colors, patterns, and more colors!!!   

Be it locals, tourists, or merely passerbys… this is a city that simply draws you in – where everybody exudes an aura of livelihood and creativity that I found truly inspirational.  So engaged was I that I think it influenced my own dressing sense as well!

The drop-crotch trouser look -- does it have staying power?

 

 

LOVE those shoes!

 

#191 Parting Days at Six Senses Barcelona

As an anniversary present, I decided to treat hubby (and myself!) to an indulgent spa/massage experience at the Six Senses Spa (located inside of Hotel Arts Barcelona).  Six Senses holds a special place in my heart, as I will forever associate it with an amazing trip taken back in 2010 in Oman – where we spent several days at Ziggy Bay, just before taking off for Afghanistan.

Given our (okay really mine!) propensity to over-plan holidays, we’ve recently discovered the benefits of treating ourselves to some rest and relaxation at the tail-end of a trip.  It’s a great way to end your vacation with a bang – and truly helps to prepare you for the long trek back to the office!!! I highly recommend it. 

#190 Mercat de la Boqueria

When I said that our hotel was close to the Barcelona market, I wasn’t kidding!  If there is one thing you need to do (apart from seeing the fabulous art and architecture of course!), it is checking out the Mercat de la Boqueria, the city’s central market.  It is just a captivating sensory experience that will blows your mind!  Fresh produce,tons of ibérico ham, candies, fruits, juices, spices and seafood… it is a marvel in its own right.  And the colors are out-of-control!!! I’ll just let the photos speak for themselves. 

Oh… and yes, we did stuff ourselves silly as we wandered around the market stalls.  That is, prior to stopping by El Quim for some more tapas (yikes!).  

#189 Sublime Comfort on the Rambla, Barcelona

As our Barcelona trip is winding down, we thought we’d rest up and spend the rest of our time at Hotel 1898 on the Rambla.  It is smack in the center of town, overlooking the city’s most emblematic promenade.  Plus, you’re a stone’s throw from the Mercat de la Boqueria – so you really can’t go wrong!

Having had a pretty full-on itinerary, I really appreciate the concept of just chilling within the tranquil settings of this elegant place (named for the year Spain abdicated its last colonial possessions).  After settling into our lovely and distinctively decorated quarters (very gentleman-club chic!)… we instantly put our feet up to rest and ordered some Jamón ibérico, what could be better?

A little Jamón Ibérico upon arrival! Why wait?

#188 Cava Tasting in Penedès

Dress: BCBG | Necklace: We see Stars | Sweater: Banana Republic | Cross-Body: Marc Jacobs | Flats: Kenneth Cole

We drove to the winery region of Penedès for some cava tasting!  Apparently this area produces some of the most prestigious cavas of Catalonia, with many award-winning Brut Reserves.  For the occasion, I opted for a bright, Mondrain-inspired sundress, with my favorite cardigan thrown over (I’ve had this Banana Republic piece with sparkly buttons since High School!!! I think it might have been a birthday present at some stage).

In order to truly appreciate the making of the region’s sparkling wine, you can take a private tour, where you’ll learn about the native white grape varieties intrinsic to cava.  Of course, hubby and I went straight for the icing and onto the bubbly tasting! 

Our added treat... was the beautiful landscape in the back, showcasing all the beauty of Alt Penedès, with the backdrop of Montserrat.  Simply divine!

Bright pink flats to match my Mondrain minimalism theme!

#187 A Date with Dali

Skirt: Helmut Lang | Shirt: Anarkh | Scarf: Vivienne Tam | Necklace: Kookai | Espadrille: From Tossa De Mar | Sunglasses: Cole Haan

No trip to Costa Brava is complete without a trip to the Dali Museum in Figueres, just north of Girona.  There are several Dali museums around the region, but the Teatre-Museu Dali is probably the biggest (and brightest… with a glass geodesic dome and studded with Dali’s iconic egg shapes). 

It’s easy to wail away an afternoon at this place (so sensible espadrilles a must!).  Some of my favorites were probably his lesser-known works on charcoal (very simple though immensely powerful), although there were other memorable pieces – such as “Gala at the Mediterranean,” which takes the body of Gala (Dali’s wife) and morphs it into the image of Abraham Lincoln… yes, did I mention, the man was odd?

#186 Girona Love

Today was all about Arab baths, gelatos on the rambla, and of course... more medieval explorations!!! The old town of Girona is gastro spectacular (Autumn is the season of mushrooms, yum!), not to mention filled with great, one-of-a-kind boutiques... more to come later!