ethnicon

Since we just got back from Istanbul, my thoughts are on gorgeous rugs.  My mom has a thing for them, by which I mean she could probably open up her very own textile and kilim museum, and while I didn't quite inherit the level of obsession love she has for them, these modern takes on the traditional rugs really do make me giddy.

 

Ethnicon in the covered bazaar - photo from Design Jungle

The folks at Ethnicon take antique rugs, cut them apart, and piece them back together in these ingenius patchwork celebrations of color and texture.  Each one is unique, though they have color schemes that they use repeatedly.  We got an eggplant one as a wedding, and though it manages to collect dust like nobody's business (it's the dark color combined with an old apartment that generates dust continually - no fault of the rug itself I assure you), I absolutely love it.  My mom has an apricot sunset one herself, it is utterly happy-making.  The wonderful thing about these is that they work as well in a modern home as in one filled with ethnic textiles; these rugs are for everyone.  You can get them at the covered bazaar in Istanbul, or online through Unique Rugs.

more photos after the jump...

grand bazaar, grand ring

The Gaia Repossi rings for Zadig & Voltaire are pretty cool.  But can I say that I think the ring I picked up last year at the covered bazaar in Istanbul is even better?  And it was most certainly less than the $320 they're charging for this one. 

I realize this is basically a gloating post, because I can hardly guarantee you'd be able to find this ring even if you made the trip to Istanbul tomorrow.  But you'd probably find some other wonderful gem.  And I guess what I'm saying is, shop online, yes, shop at net-a-porter, of course, but also hunt for treasures in unexpected, personal, out of the way places; both the booty and the process of finding it are often infinitely more rewarding.

more photos after the jump (can't resist playing with my new camera)...

spicy nails

Still more or less housebound.  Suppose I have enough energy to go out, but the last thing I want is a recaída or a relapse, though in english it doesn't quite inspire as much fear and respect as I think it does in spanish.  They talk about it here like it could be the death 'o you. 

On the bright side, I have not yet gotten tired of doing all the things I never have time to do.  Like experimental manicures!  The half-moon endeavor was too much work for the sloppy pay-off, so I went with a simple yet joyful multi-colored look for this week.

Colors used: MAC Fireball, MAC Shirelle, and Rimmel Pro 318 Coral Queen

Be sure to make the color distribution random.  It's actually way harder than you would think. Or I am dumber than I think.  Whichever.

Ram's head ring by Elizabeth Cole, turquoise ring from covered bazaar in Istanbul, random brass ring, wedding & engagement rings, bracelets from H&M and the rastro (flea market)

In other news, the sun came out today.   I am thankful.

skirting the issue

A simple outfit that's becoming my go-to uniform for summer weekends: a T by Alexander Wang classic pocket tank, a jersey maxi skirt from Zara, Rag & Bone Vespa sunglasses, Hawaiana flipflops (invisible, but there), a great big silver cuff from a market in Peru, and a solid leather tote I picked up at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul many moons ago.  Most of that's not available anymore, but you can come pretty close.

Some options, and some secrets...

Green day

I woke up thinking about these two tank tops. And how they needed to be placed one on top of the other. I know, I'm weird, I literally wake up with these things on my mind.

Lucky Brand silk tank top, H&M hook and eye tank, belt from my mom's closet, necklace from the bazaar in Istanbul.

And as you may remember from my Blanco post a while back, I've been wanting to throw on a ridiculous amount of bracelets all at once. Done.

Leather bracelets from H&M men's department, silver bangles gifted by my auntie, brass beaded bracelet from a hippy-dippy store at the alterna-mall.

twisted

Back from Istanbul, rested, recharged, and ready to go.  Funny how even on a vacation where you compress so much stuff into just a few days, it somehow revives you and fills you with more energy to attack your normal life.  I didn't take a single photo while I was there, but sometimes that happens when you're busy actually living the experience, so you'll have to forgive the lack of exciting photographic documentation.  I saw all my family, everyone, aged 2 1/2 to 90, and they were all beyond beautiful.  I ate everything I could get my hands on: kebabs, stuffed zucchini, cheesy pides, manti (like ravioli in yogurt), tahini pastries and almond macaroons.  Also even managed to squeeze in a quick trip to the covered bazaar, which is one of my favorite things to do there.  I will have to show you what I bought there another day.  Meanwhile it's in the upper 90s here in Madrid, and it's time to get your hair out of your face.  Here's a quick way to toss it halfway up. 

I just took the top half of my hair and split it into two sections, parted down the middle. Twist each section a few times around your fingers (like you're twirling your hair) and then bring them together in the center.  Instead of just pinning it like that which I often do, I gave the whole thing one more flip up and then down again in the back and secured it with one small butterfly clip.  Does that make any sense?  Reading though this I think maybe not, but hopefully with the photos y'all can figure it out.  Have to devise a method to take pictures of the back of my head, don't I?   Just play around with it, the idea is to just split, twist, twirl, and clip, quick as can be.  I like that it's a little different, there's volume and movement but it's messy and definitely unstudied.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend too!

Barcelona

The reason I didn't post for a while is cause I ran away to Barcelona to visit my sweet hubby. Would have stayed much longer, wallowing in domestic bliss, but it turns out there's a big audition this saturday that would have been really stupid of me to miss. Wish me luck!

Meanwhile, some of what you mised. A's apartment in the Barrio Gotico:

I wanted to see some sights, cause usually we just hang out around the house, so A took me to El Mercat de la Boqueria. It's a market, but waaaay better than any we have here in Madrid. Has the usual butchers and fish guys and cheese and general store stands,


but then it also has frutos secos people that made me feel like I was in the Spice Bazaar in Istanbul.

Look at these dried mushrooms!


And the fruit guys were what really killed me. In addition to regular fruit stand-type stuff, they have tons of pre-cut packaged fruit to grab as a snack - brilliant!


And some of it's crazy. Is Barcelona in the tropics? Did I miss a geography lesson somewhere along the line? I mean, seriously, what is this?!


But the best, really the best, is the juice. This place had 25 flavors, and yes, they had the usual strawberry banana and orange carrot, but then they had all these crazy ones too. Look how weird those colors are!


We got kiwi coconut.

Delicious!!!

oliphant

This weekend I took myself on a date and wandered around el barrio de las Salesas, the area between Alonso Martinez, Colón, and Chueca.  It's my old neighborhood and the best in Madrid for boutique shopping.  I found this sweet little swallow bracelet at Oliphant, which is one of my favorite stores in the area.   They carry all kinds of wonderful clothing from brands like Tara Jarmon, Stella Forest and Filippa K, but they also have beautiful things for the home, adorable baby clothes, and their own line of jewelry.  (You can also buy the jewelry online here.)

I'm so glad I gave myself this tiny gift.  Sometimes I think so much about every purchase that it sucks all the joy out of it, but I just knew this would be a good buy.  In fact, I think it's my new favorite piece of jewelry.  It's simple and lighthearted, and feels perfect for the summer.  I can wear it on its own for a more delicate look, or layer it like I did here.

turquoise bracelet from market in Santa Fe, chain bracelet from Oliphant, ring from covered bazaar in Istanbul