I couldn't sleep...

Hi everyone.

First of all, I would like to say something: the world is going crazy, and I'm very worried about that. What happened on Norway, UK, Siria... what's happening in my own country... well, all these things have been causing me to not sleep too well at night (besides a cold that has kept me with a fever for three weeks).

Meanwhile, 15M Spain are still struggling trying to change the world, though at times I find it complicated task, but my will to keep fighting no self-conscious at all. That's why I've been so disconected these past few days.


But on sunday I'm flying home for two weeks, and I'll be working hard too there, but beside my family... I miss them so much. 


Anyway, I just wanna show you some random pics from the past few weeks. I've got some more for another entry; I hope you all like them!

Me with my coolhunting certification. Yes, finally, I've got it!
(More here!)

Yummy food! This is from Demasié Café.

 Lolita Bakery

Gummies and ice cream.

 "Waiting for what you imagine escapes what is now"

 27M, the thay that mossos charged against the Square.

 Judit, Fran, Fey & I went to Horta's Labyrinth... what a beautiful place!

 Judit and me at Eros' statue.

 Fran and Fey. Then I took the picture you can see below of Fey at Eros' statue.

 Fran got lost in the maze as eight times. This photo is titled "Humiliation Photo."

 Then, back at Bcn, we had "Tisana de cava"; some kind of sangría made with cava... delicious!

Me with my Mr. Kitty t-shirt at Ladytron's concert.

I hope you really like this pictures :3

PS: I almos forgot! Now you can follow my blog on Facebook! Just click here and give me an "I like"... thank you in advance!

Interview: Aya Smith (Strawberry Koi); cuteness, vintage and country life.

So here you've got, another interview from the ones I made for my final project. I've decided that, once a week, I'll publish one of them, so you can enjoy them as much as I enjoyed making them... hope you like it!

When I first started blogging, long time ago; one of the first persons I totally falled in love with was Aya, from Strawberry Koi. Her lovely style, full of vintage clothes; her natural form of being, simply adorable... Aya is not a person who likes to pretend something; she's so true as you can read on her posts, full of lovely stories and dreams. Her passion for vintage clothes and a romantic style makes her one of the most beloved bloggers right now...

But who's Aya Smith?

(interview here)

1. Thank you so much for accepting doing this interview, Aya! So, first of all, could you please tell us who you are and a brief description of you in your own words?
My name is Aya Smith, I'm married and have been for 5 years. I also have a 3 year old son, who is my proudest achievement.

2. What do you do? What do you like to dedicate?
I work at a vintage store, run a fashion blog and an etsy store. My life wrapped up in one word: Busy, but also very much Happy.

3. Can you talk a little about your interests?
I feel so eclectic, because so many interests come to mind! I love studding languages and culture, and I also love arts and music. Fashion, traveling, web design and sewing... I think I like to try my hands at everything just for the variety of it all!

4. Tell us a book, an album and a movie without which you could not live.
"Alice in Wonderland", Lilly Allen's "It's Not Me, It's You" and Jun Henson's "Labrinth".

5. That's one of my favourite films too! Lovely! So, would you share with us a memory that makes you smile?
When my mother would say she she's proud of me.

6. Any favorite quote?
"If you have lemon's, make lemon-aid" I like the concept of using what you already have and making something very good out of it.

7. At what age did your get interested in the fashion world?
Hmm... it had to have been during my late teens that I felt a spark, but after I got married I wanted to fit the role of a woman and I re invented myself to look more feminine and mature.

8. Could you explain us a bit what has been the evolution of your image?
Mainly other fashion bloggers. I love browsing through a variety of looks and pulling away a little something from every look that inspires me.

9. How would you describe your actual style?
Eclectic, feminine, whimsical, vintage.... yeah, I think that about covers it.

10. What inspire you in choosing your clothes? Do you follow a pattern to match your clothes or just choose randomly?
I try to mix elements that make an outfit interesting as well as attractive to look at. I'm still learning how to do that, but first I pick a dress (and/or blouse/skirt combo) that are soothing in colors and comfortable to wear. Then I try to add accessories that are unique and quirky... At least that's the ideal plan!

11. Where do you usually get your clothes? Do you customize or sew any garment to you?
I buy all over! Online stores, boutiques, vintage/antique storesm H&M, Urban Outfitters... There aren't too many stores I'll turn down!

12. Have you got any special obsession (like shoes, bows, skirts...)?
Hm... unique details. I'm especially drawn to items that are embelleshed with an unusual/unique tetail, like cut-out backs and rick-rack trim. Gets me every time!

13. When and why did you decide to start writing a blog?
I started my blog almost 2 years ago. After following a couple of my favorite blogs, I wanted to give it a try... and it's been my obsession ever since.

14. What do you want to express with your blog? Do you think it adds anything to the people who read it?
I want my blog to be a piece of art. I want it to be visually stimulating as well as inspiring... I'm still working on that, but I hope one day I will be sure that's what it really is.

15. As you may know, you're such a great inspiration for people all around teh world; what do you feel whensomeone says you are his/her inspiration? What would you say to those people?
My heart explodes with happiness! I really believe there is no bigger honor than to inspire someone... it makes everything I do feel valuable and worth my hard efforts. Such a reward! 

16. What do you think about the actual Bloggers' world? Do you think they've got some influence into the fashion world? In wich way do you think they make the fashion world evolve?
Oh, I completely believe bloggers have an effect on the fashion industry! So many times I see something done through a few of my favorite blogs, I see it in a new published collection! It's a little creepy, but also pretty darn cool.

17. Have you had some experience with any fashion or beauty brand for being a bloggers, just to promote them? Wich ones? How it was?
Yes, there have been a few. I think it's to be expected, especially with online brands because they know we are a part of a community. It's only natural that we would make a good advertisement for them... I don't blame them, it's actually a very intelligent move.

18. In the USA it's very common asking for an sponsor; something that in Europe, for example, isn't very common. Can you explain a little bit more of this, please?
I think it's a bit of a trend. It spread like a virus! But it's a good way to connect with the community, while offering advertising opportunities to fellow bloggers and store owners. Done with good intentions, it can be a very heart-felt and heart-warming collaboration!

19. Wich ones are your top 5 bloggers of the moment?
I think this is a big of un unfair question, because I really do enjoy so many! I don't know, what to say, because I like following any blog I can find!

20. I understand you, it's a really hard question.... And finally (but not least), tell us a tip for your readers (a tip for their lifes, for the fashion bloggers' world or whatever you want to say to them).
Don't give up! Whatever it is that you are tempted to put forth all of your heart and effort into, just keep it up! Whether it's fashion, blogging, writing, acting, singing, work or a relationship, it doesn't matter, just don't give up and please continue putting your whole soul in to it! It'll pay off, I promise.

Thank you so much for answering my questions, Aya! This was very helpful!!

Sos, what did you know about Aya? Did you like her?

Mr. Schuman at Santa Eulalia: Sahakiel meets Scott.

"I believe that bloggers have a brilliant future into the fashion industry, but only if they've got something interesting to say about the world."

- Scott Schuman for Not Here to Please You-

(Read more about this great event and what Scott told me!)

I think that Mr Scott Schuman, also knows as The Sartorialist, doesn't need any introduction here. And, as you all may know by now, he was yesterday here, at Barcelona, in a private press conference at Santa Eulalia Boutique, one of the biggest one of the city that contains the most exclusive brands and who were releasing their new digital identity, with Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and a blog account... so great!

Scott looks like quite person. He answered all the questions that people in the press and through internet made to him with a detailed explanation, serenity and nice words.
He shared with us some of his opinions about the actual bloggers around the world, saying that most of them only wants to sit downs in the front rows of the biggest fashion events; but there's a lot of work behind those people who has finally get to this. I really felt very proud of me when he said that, because I'm not here beause of the fashion events or the brands; I'm here because I love fashion (as Mr Schuman).

He also said that he loves Milan, and thinks that Barcelona is a very beautiful city, with a lovely architecture and very stylish people. He thinks that here, people has got their own style, as in Stockholm; but we dress in a more sexy way, because of the weather.

When the press conference ended, I talked to him about my career and my final report od the Coolhunting postgrade. He thought that it was quite interesting and told me what it's at the begining of the post, as a quote for my report. This words (and a few more about this, as his opinion of all the Zara-Betty-Pandora war), coming from him are a great introduction for my final repot, don't you think?

And, of course, there was lots of lovely people there yesterday, but I spent mostly all the time with my dear Cristina, from La petite Nymphéa; and the lovely Saray, fron DansVogue; it was a very big pleasure, girls!! I met Rocío, from Diary of Style too, but as she came from Madrid, she had to leave early! I hope we could meet again soon.

With Cristina.

With Saray.

And the three of us! 

Thanks to cris for this pictures, my camera died after the press!!

And for the event, as you can see, I was wearing my lovely 50s vintage dress, one of my favourite ones; with a pair of red socks and my Mustang heels; you know, always on my line!

So as you can see, it was a great evening!

And if you want to read an interview to Scott Schuman, click here (in spanish only, sorry!)

The Final Countdown.

First of all, sorry for being a bad blogger the last few days, and sorry for the days that are coming; my mom is here and I want to spend sometime with her; but don't worry, next thursday you'll recover the normal activity of my blog :)

Some changes are coming in my life; I need a work so much and I'm searching for it... so cross your fingers for me, please!

In other ways, and with this epic title I write here today to announce the theme of my final work of the postgrade. Finally, we're changing it, and I'll not do the work about Barcelona. Istead of it, I'll treat something that it's quite interesting:

How fashion bloggers influence the current fashion world?

As you all may now by now, Forever 21 has made a collection of t-shirt inspired in some bloggers. Modcloth creates a dress inspired in their devotes bloggers. Tavi changes the rules of being a fashion blogger too... so I think this phenomenon is quite interesting.

And of course, I WANT YOUR OPINIONS about this. So if you have any idea, suggestion or whatever you want to say, please; e-mail me or write it here. I'm quite busy this days and I've got some correspondence pending of an answer, sorry! But I promise I'll write you all back as soon as I can.

Do you think this is an interesting report? I think so!

The girl who came from Amsterdam (part I of a little Amsterdam's guide)

So I'm back, it's been short but very intense... and of course, with thousand of pictures I've made for all of you! I've discovered some great places for eating, having a coffee (and NOT the ussual coffee-shop), buy cute clothes or original things... so let's start!! And be prepared for a huge bunch of pictures... you're gonna meet Amsterdam through my eyes!

A lovely bike I found

(read more of this wonderful city!)

So early in the morning we took our flight to Amsterdam, and at 9 o'clock, we were at the city. 

This picture was taken by the tram.

So, Amsterdam has got lovely canals...

And lots of streets without asphalt, something that I really love; just because asphalt has got a peculiar smell that gives a strange point to the air of the cities... 

Big streets and small alleys...

And art in every part of the city, including in places that you cannot imagine... 

The car of some masons.

This looks like the one above... but it's for the gas of the houses!

Click on the picture for reading what it says!

So, some places I visited and I think you would like it are... 

* The Frozen Fountain (Prinsengracht 645/1016)

A place where you can find original furniture for your home, carpets, chair, tablewares, art toys made of paper...

Click on the image for a bigger one... this last one is made with the reflections of a crystal lamp!

* The Darling (Runstraat, 4, 1016 GK)

A lovely shop with cute brands, cupcakes, complements and a little atelier on the top of the shop, where Nadine van der Zee, the designer, creates her clothes! I only have pictures from outside, sorry!

* Parisienne (Berenstraat, 4, 1016  GH)

A lovely and small shop with gorgeous jewels and a rococo style!

* Goodies (Huidenstraat 9, 1016 ER)

A place where you can eat... lovely one! The snadwich were gorgeous!!

Yummy!!

Cova, Alba and Vane!

Vane and her soup, more yummy!!

I liked this guy's sweater!

* Pomadour ( Huidenstraat 12 and Kerkstraat 148)

One of the most gorgeous patisserie I've ever been at!! I ate a lovely chocolate mousse... delicious! Judge by yourself!!

Sooooo great!

* Moeders Restaurant (Rozengracht 251)

I think this was one of the most greatest things I saw that day. A restaurant where nothing matches with anything... and the food was delicious! Everything was like homemade meal, and the walls where full of mother's pictures! I left one picture of my mum, so if you go there, be sure to take one picture of yours too, so you can leave it there!

The small photo is the one of my mum!

* Ready to Fish (Prinsengracht 581-583)

A shop with a gorgeous concept: they sells clothes, make exhibitions, sells furniture (but promote the DIY conpcet too) and serve coffee!! And I must sy that the girls of the shop were adorable!

So, this was our first day... we went to the Heineken shop, the red light district (where they're trying to mix fashion with prostitution) and some other places, but this is what I liked most!

Tomorrow I'll post the second part of this... and REMEMBER!! it would be the last day for entering into my fisrt giveaway!! So come on, do it!!

Thanks for reading, I know it was long but I hope these would be useful!