I've been really uninspired to blog for the past couple of days. I suppose there is always something to post about but I couldn't be bothered. Still now, as I'm writing this, I couldn't think of many other things I'd like to write about.

However, I did want to share these pictures with you. I was going through Terry Richardson's diary and found these pretty recent shots of Mary-Kate and Ashley. Needless to say, I am in love with the picture at the top, which is already my laptop wallpaper. I don't know what it is about Terry's shots of people against a white background that makes everyone look so cool, no that the Olsens need any help being cool.

Also randomly surfing the web I came across this super cool armadillo handbag from Rokit. I'm not usually much into quirky fashion accessories but I love this bag. It seems perfect for the summer with some denim shorts and a basic tee. Also, it looks like the kind of thing MK would love to wear, no?

[Rokit, Terry Richardson]

Marni-fique!

This season Consuelo Castiglioni wants to prove Marni's character is, in fact, timeless. And she's doing it by rescuing some of her previous designs (you could call them vintage), which she has named "souvenirs". It is being sold exclusively at Marni.com from yesterday 5h of November until the 2nd of December. What I love most about them is how scarily well they fit in with the rest of the FW10 line. Alas, I can't say this is a sale. You won't find many things below £100. The good news is most of the clothes are investment and transitional pieces that can work in any season. These below are my choices.

1. Silk crêpe polka dot blouse, 2. Metal and raisin brooch set, 3. Embossed silk asymmetric dress, 4. Lambskin leather trousers, 5. Brass bracelet, 6. Calfskin leather jacket, 7. Silk nude top, 8. Printed silk crêpe blouse.

I'm off.

[Pictures: Marni]

vintage heaven

I don't often post about jewellery. In fact, Giulia takes care of that but she's been super busy with uni and hasn't really been able to post much. Which is why I was thrilled when the people from Ava + Aliria emailed me a few weeks ago. They were kind enough to invite us to their store opening. However, the opening was taking place in LA and my private jet was undergoing maintenance so I couldn't make it. But I had a look at their website and was loved everything I saw. Their jewellery is simply amazing. They cover all the best eras (from 1920's to 1980's) and they have an amazing eye very much to my taste. The shop looks lovely as well, and this is only from pictures. I got the feeling it is one of those vintage spots were Rachel Zoe "dies" over and over again and finds everything just "beyond".

I believe they are currently working on opening an online shop on their website so no chance for us to get a hold of their magnificent pieces yet. But for those of you in or around Cali, pay them a visit, you'll find the best unique accessories for the summer. And they stock clothes too!
I'm off.

[Pictures: Ava + Aliria]

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.

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.

DOYLE-licious

Style is a precious gift. That, we know. But most people ignore that it's not only a feature you find within stars, but one that you are born with. This takes us to "ordinary" people; ordinary because they do not get screamed at or asked for signatures. They are the true fashionistas of our time, those who simply have the skills to perform actual miracles on their looks.
Maive Doyle is not only a half-Irish, half-Spaniard student living in Gijón, Asturias (Spain); she is one of the "chosen ones", a person with the power of pulling any sort of garment off to the point of dazzling. Behold.


Having Irish blood running through her veins has, obviously, a lot to do with it all. If you take a look at the —genious— pictures you'll agree that there is actually nothing really "unordinary" about her clothing; and that is right fellas. Shirts, cardigans, skinny pants, shades, bags, coats, hats, vests, scarves... not a thing any of us cannot possess. But I've said she was born with IT. This is why. Maive can compose an outift with Way Farers, Fred Perrys and Birkins and look genuine, look like there is nobody else making their way through their life in this planet that can catch up with her style-rythm. And then we accidentally —though pleasantly— come to find a big word lately misused: VINTAGE. "Oh, la la, Vintage!", another term only few people can dream of uttering making a reference to themselves. But, ladies and gentlemen, Miss Doyle is once again one of those rare beings.
Envy would most likely be what she can raise from within yourself that time you have a first glimpse of her. Amazement is fase number two; and admiration is the finish line. I've won the race.




[Credit photos: Igor >> http://www.flickr.com/photos/salutemyshorts]


I'm off.

PS. Make sure you check out Maive's amazing blog "Chicken Pie in the Sky" (http://chickenpieinthesky.blogspot.com). Permanent link on soVIP sites.