Things we learnt in Barcelona

1. Our first trip to Barcelona was five years ago. Five years ago we loved vintage clothes and so when we happened upon Carrer de la Riera Baixa, it was kinda like we had found heaven. I have no idea how much money I spent on that road during that trip. It was literally vintage shop after vintage shop. Le Swing in particular was incredible. So when we were heading back to Barcelona for Primavera I checked up to make sure our favourite shop was still around. Turned out there were two of them now, oh Lord were we excited. We spent a whole day wandering around looking for the mysterious street (were not very good with maps), that's hours of tired leg syndrome, only to find that what was once a vintage haven has turned into an entire street of tat. There was absolutely no selection process on behalf of the shops and the prices were outrageous. There was only one exception, Motel. A shop not filled with crap and very reasonably priced, the only reason to bother to go back down that street.

2. The second thing I learned in Barcelona is something that I've suspected for quite some time. I hate festival fashion. Can we all not remember a time when going to festivals was about going to see bands you like not posing in outfits you spent hours thinking about. It was quite depressing looking about and generally seeing a uniform of bare legs and stripes . It got pretty cold out there, why weren't these girls wearing pants or a jumper? I don't understand at all.
I can't claim I've not become more concerned with how I look at a festival in recent years. Back in the days of Witness I spent the weekend without make up and always caked in mud and there was the glorious week long camping trip to Glastonbury without showers (that's more disgusting than anything else and I really wish I could have showered but its a bit difficult when you cant be bothered to queue for hours in the rain to feel clean for about ten minutes).

RealDublinStreets.blogspot.com
have great pictures of the hipsters of Primavera

-Lil

Style Crush

I won't lie to you, it's not just a style crush - I think I am in love with Carey Mulligan.

First, she was in Pride and Prejudice, which i love.


And then she was in An Education which is not only a great film but also full of wonderful outfits, like this one.


Then she continued to turn up to events wearing some fabulous dresses, like this one she wore to the Directors Guild Awards.


And this one to the Oscars. The embellishments are little knives and scissors.


And this one to the BAFTAS.


Then she did leather for the Independent Spirit Awards.


Then she did this shoot for Wonderland magazine. Which is AMAZING.


And now i want to look just like her.

-Catherine

Fashion Celebrities

Can't believe I never mentioned that Lillian and I went along to the Face Hunter book signing in Noble & Beggarman on South William Street and totally met THE Alan Taylor who signed my book - AMAZING. Yvan was pretty nice too.



-Catherine

FAVOURITE

I want to meet this guy. He must have a great sense of humour. Photo from Jak & Jil.

-Catherine

Paris, je t'aime

Our lovely room

The breakfast room

I meant to post about the hotel I stayed in when I was in Paris back in February but of course it slipped my mind. Better late than never I suppose. Hotel Arvor is the first hotel i've stayed in in Paris because generally when I visit I stay with friends but I cannot recommend this place highly enough. It is not only very good value but it's in a great location and is also wonderfully stylish. Breakfast is not included and is pricey enough at €11 but considering we only paid €400 for four nights it certainly wouldn't break the bank. It's properly cool too, We Have Band were being interviewed in the lobby when we arrived and Marina of Marina and the Diamonds was checking in as we were leaving.

-Catherine

Catherine Recommends

Ziaga Natural Skincare Range. A colleague of mine gave me a gift of a selection of Polish beauty products for Christmas. Now, I was never too bothered about what kind of shower gel or moisturiser I used until I started using this stuff. It's incredible and it smells amazing. I have the shower gel, body balm and hand cream from the cocoa butter range and you can get it from all good chemists and it's usually between €3 and €5.

-Catherine

We Have Friends In Design

Our friend Anna (I am all about plugging friends projects this week) is a graphic design graduate and has a blog called Puking Rainbows where she does some very amusing design criticism that i'm sure you'll all love.

-Catherine