La Vie de Rose - Living the sun
Traje de gitana
It is almost spring time which in Spain means 2 things, Semana Santa and the ferias. Now for that it is imperative that you have the perfect outfit. Have a look at these beautiful designs with a slightly more modern touch. When we were in Seville I just picked one up for a closer look and it surprised me how much they weigh. My love for flamenco started when my grandmother brought me a flamenco doll (as the one you can see on the photo below) from her holiday to Mallorca. My grandmother was one of the first tourists to go to Mallorca and she instantly loved it, she looked Spanish, she could have been Spanish, black hair and eyes, red lipstick and nailpolish and a lot of temperament. I only wished we could have spent more time together. Her name was Carolina and Mallorca was her real home and that is where she blew out her last breath.
Valentino’s Traviata
Valentino Garavani had a dream to one day bring to the stage a new Traviata. The Teatro dell’Opera de Roma offered him this unique opportunity and so his dream became reality. Valentino himself designed the stage costumes of the main character and asked Sofia Coppola, after seeing her film ‘Marie Antoinette’, to direct it.
This irresistible combination of haute couture and opera is currently to be enjoyed in Spain at ‘El Palau de les Arts’ in Valencia. Placido Domingo will be performing the part of Giorgio Germont. So dreams can come true after all.
Rumba de Barcelona
Have a listen to this great song and dance the night away.
Wild boar
At last we saw one! A wild boar, or as they call them here in Catalunya: jabalíes. We heard so many stories and on our daily walks we see their hoofprints but never spotted one until last night when we drove home, one crossed the road just in front of our car. Apparently they are a real plague and as their numbers keep growing every year the government is permitting hunters to shoot them. They cause a lot of damage to vineyards, agriculture, parks, gardens and they have become fearless on their way to find food. They have even been spotted going to the beach in summer with the whole family and the neighbours of our local vineyard found a few cooling down in their children’s inflatable pool in the backyard. They look cute but be ware!
Fet amb love
‘Fet amb love’ (Catalan for ‘made with love’) is the motto of Hotel Restaurant Aiguaclara in Begur. As we are still in the process of getting to know the area I found this poster
stuck to a window in Begur and we decided to give it a go. It was great, a special place, so tastefully decorated in a kind of shabby chic way, the ambiance is cozy, the food was delicious and we enjoyed listening to the ‘Vinyl’.
There is also space to dance on the golden oldies. Friday is ‘Vinyl’ night and it is a great way to start the weekend.
Handmade
As a surprise my sister in law crocheted this beautiful shawl for me, I could not believe my eyes when I opened the parcel. It is so fine and I absolutely love the colour. It is cosy and exactly what you need now it is getting chillier. Every detail is so beautiful, it is a true piece of art and I will wear it with pride.
From Russia with love
The best thing for cold feet, get a pair of these fantastic folkie Russian socks. Not only are they beautifully made but for me it is the only way to get my feet warm apart from putting them against the love of my life’s body. Since you will not always be able to do the latter a pair of these socks will do the trick. My dear Russian friend introduced them to me and ever since I get a new pair for Christmas every year with love from Russia.
Russian socks
New branch to the family tree
We have a new baby in the family, our beautiful little nephew is called Ramos. Ramos derives from the Catalan and Old French word ‘Raim’ meaning “Branch”. Welcome to the world Ramos and happy life cariño!
And what Ramos definitely needs for his sweet little feet are a pair of so called Mallorquinas. We have seen them here all summer, every Catalan, young, old, man, woman, child has a pair. If Ramos would have been a girl we would have bought him the jaguar version.
Catch of the day
It’s a beautiful Sunday in Catalunya and we just came back from a walk on the beach. Sunday bliss, 20 degrees, sunny, fresh sea air, some surfers out on their boards trying to ride the waves, what more do you want.
Here is my catch of the day: driftwood, shells, stones and a cute blinker.
Happy Sunday!
Catch of the Day
Catalunyan still life
Beach bliss
Grand Harbour Valletta
It is one of the most beautiful views I have ever seen, The Grand Harbour of Valletta.
Today it is the backdrop for the Rolex Middle Sea Race which is a spectular happening. Starting from the majestic Grand Harbour, the boats will sail to Sicily and back which is approximately 606 nautical miles. The Course Record, established by “Rambler” in 2007, is 1day, 23hours, 55mins 3secs.
Fair winds and following seas!
Grand Harbour Valletta
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