Karen Millen Barcelona store opening!

Karen Millen is opening a brand new flagship store in Barcelona today! To celebrate it they're live streaming the event and they've been kind enough to let us host the streaming at soVIPzone. They've put together a “Behind the Scenes” featuring a fashion shoot featuring the brand’s FW10 collection in collaboration with Neo2, a popular Spanish style magazine. The show will be shown as it happens together with scenes teasers, live music from DJ Florencia Vergara, interviews with the creative team from Neo 2, and Karen Millen’s Creative and Managing director, Gemma Metheringham. It starts at 5.30 UK time (6.30 mainland Europe). Don't miss it!

I'm off.

First of, Happy Christmas, Chrismukkah and Boxing Day everyone! Hope you're all having fun playing with your toy planes, Barbie dolls and Manolos.

On this lazy and happy day I have decided to post a little about everything and nothing. I figured there is nothing better than some entertaining to kill some free time and forget about stomachaches.

With too much of this free time on my hands I started to have a look at the Pre-Fall 2009 collections even though I had promised myself (yet again) I would not. The traditional disappointment was substituted by some kind of odd surprise. Diane Von Furstemberg and Donna Karan provided a certain excitement, de la Renta some yawns, and Versace, Alexander Wang and Cavalli a bunch of smiles. If, like me, you have nothing better to do than filling your brain with a bit of harmless fashion click here.

I realized I rarely post about music, when it is in fact a big part of my life and inspiration. Today I was happy to find the first ever Dead Man's Bones (Ryan Gosling's band) video ever. Gosling (piano and vocals) and his mate Zach Shields (drums) have come up with an indie mixture of gospel and gothic. I do not know if it is good or bad music but it certainly is enjoyable. Go here to watch their video. Also, look for Gosling's "Put me in the car" —a song he recorded ages ago that is part of my list of favourite tunes.

For some more music, I would recommend Britney's Circus, Beyoncé's CD2 Sasha Fierce (plus her performance on the World Music Awards), and any Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and John Mayer.

Paper-wise, I have been trying to think a bit out of the box and avoid buying another version of Vogue. Instead, I bought a seasonal magazine called View of the Times. As far as I know it is Spanish, but I have just discovered it so correct me if I am wrong. It reaches a good common-ground between alternative and mainstream fashion. The layout follows the same logic and it is both affordable and long enough to fill a couple of afternoons or even three when keeping your laptop by your side.

I recently finished reading Everyone Worth Knowing by Lauren Weisberger —the author of The Devil Wears Prada. Change the magazine for a PR company and add some upper-East-side drugs and parties and what you get is a book you cannot let go of your grasp. I am currently reading Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh —I loved the TV show and will like the film about the decadent lives of a British noble family. I usually like having one or two extra books to read in between the main one. They have to be short stories or something that is easy to follow if not read in a while. These two books are The Diamond as big as the Ritz by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Return of the Timewaster Letters by Robin Cooper, both of which I would also recommend so far.

In the fashion department I would encourage all of you Londoners out there not to stop visiting Beyond Retro, Rokit and all those fabulous vintage shops in the surroundings of Brick Lane. If you are looking for some chic relax go to Harvey Nichols and have one of their delicious Mojitos. Being home in Madrid has also provided some new shopping experiences such as the brand-new Marc by Marc Jacobs shop (with wicked accessories for the holidays) and the Oscar de la Renta boutique (a type of fashionable sightseeing). If in Barcelona, pay a visit to el Born with its cool shops full of Isabel Marant, Danielle Alessandrini and Vanesa Bruno.

[Pictures credit: Style.com, Amazon.co.uk]

I hope I killed enough of your time. I surely killed mine.

I'm off.

surrender

I make it almost a rule to myself not to more than sneak a peek at the collections that will have me running around in my underwear first thing in the morning panicking about what the hell to wear that day. It was much easier years ago when the Internet was a rather unusual tool and all I could do was buy Vogue and wait for the three dry and sadistic seconds the collections showed up on tv. But here I am now, trying to live up to my unnecessary and boring rule while searching for a stylish way to finally put an end to it. So far I have only managed to push it a little further, going under the radar of my personal police.

Yesterday afternoon, after possibly the dullest of classes I've had in my existence, I was walking down Diagonal in pursuit of this year's birthday present (which is in three weeks). After satisfying my fashionista ego I kept walking down the wide now bursting with people boulevard until reaching Passeig de Gràcia, one of the main streets connecting the picturesque downtown with the snob upper side of the city where the big stores look more like closed uninteresting museums than sparkling beacons of art. For a fraction of a second I thought of going into YSL to ask about one of the out-of-a-dream blue blazers as though intending to give it as a gift but having to try it on myself to make sure that it would fit the unexisting receiver. Sadly, my mind send the marvelous idea to the trash can leaving me there, walking back home among a mass of miserable dressed citizens of the world only gazing at Chanel's boring windows ignoring the exciting unending worlds hanging at their neighbors'.

Hence, the treat of adoring YSL's Fall/Winter 2008 collection without regret.

[Picture credit: Style.com]

I'm off.

sunday morning

I have drag myself to write a little post today to create in my mind the blurry mirage of something useful done on a cloudy Sunday. Saturday afternoon was filled with fashion discoveries; I promised myself to find things out of the ordinary so I headed to El Born, the best place in Barcelona to realize this endeavour. I came across great pieces by Marc Jacobs, Paul Smith and Daniele Alessandrini, to finally find the bargain of the day —a K by Karl Lagerfeld t-shirt with his comic-like face stamped on it. Following visits to diverse vintage shops lost beside La Rambla offered me ridiculously priced tailored shirts by Givenchy and other well-skilled fellows I banned myself from acquiring without thinking it over for a day or two.

What do you think about my acquisition?

Now, and to fill this a little more, I shall proceed to answer the few questions from the Thinking Blogging Award passed on to me from Bronwyn of FashionAbility, whose blog I highly recommend visiting if you haven't yet. Here we go.

What is the story behind the name of your blog and nickname?

My blog's name comes from a brainstorming session that took place years ago when I first opened my now long-evaporated msn space. I wanted the name to scream exclusivity, something I've always adored and pursuit. My nickname is simply my name, it's Spanish.

What has been your best or worst blogging experience?

I'd say it has been a great experience from day one. I wouldn't consider it as bad, but it was a little frustrating at first not finding comments at all. When all sorts of people from all around the globe started commenting I couldn't be more glad, thank you all!

What do you want to happen to your blog in 2008?

I just hope to be coming up with great ideas I can share will all of you. I really wish I could sometime be some sort of reference in this world.

I know I should be passing this to someone else, but I feel i shouldn't because otherwise this will never have an end. There's a top blogging section on the right side, there you can find my favourite blogs, but I don't reckon I should choose anyone because every blog has something different and special, that's what keeps us all interested.

I'm off.