There is a special place in my heart for a city like Barcelona. Growing up, it was probably one of the only cities that I felt really captivated by with that romantic vibe (I know, even more so than Venice). And thinking back, I really can’t recall why it ever left this impression on me. Maybe it’s the flamingo dancers or the exotic music? I mean, I’ve been dreaming about Park Guell for so long that I was too gleeful to contain myself when I was physically there. But surprisingly enough, one of the best things I did in Barcelona was seeing a game at the Camp Nuo stadium which filled up with 89,000 people for a Barcelona vs Atletic Madrid match.

I don’t really have a strict itinerary when I’m traveling abroad. It’s not my goal to see every attraction that a city is famous for. In fact, my trip was pretty much revolved around the restaurants that I really wanted to try. I was glad that I skipped the Sagrada Familia since it’s still not quite finished. I stopped by Casa Batllo and Casa Mila since they were around the hotels I stayed at. Personally, I enjoyed Casa Mila much more as it felt like I was in a playground. I pretty much spent most of my time wandering El Born, and the Gothic Quarters. I highly recommend visiting Girona as well. It’s only 40minutes away from Barcelona and it reminds me of a medieval Venice with its Cathedral giving off major Game of Thrones feels (see my outfit post for that day trip here). Eating fresh seafood right inside Boqueria Market is also something really fun that you should consider experiencing as well! And if your heart is calling for you to visit again, make sure to drink from the Fontana so that you’ll always find a way back.

Where I Stayed:

Praktik Garden
Praktik Rambla
The Moods

Where I Ate:

Windsor: A great Michelin recommended restaurant that I feel deserves a star of its ownn.

El National: Tapas of all sorts in a really sophisticated open space that allows for tapas bar hopping in one building.

Vinitus: Highly recommend going here later in the night for tapas as it is extremely packed early evening.

Brunch and Cake: You'll be blown away by the portion-size colorful masterpieces of the brunch-inspired dishes here. At least it's super healthy! I highly recommend their smoothies.

Maestro: This place has a beer of their own that's done in-house. Best 5 euro beer-tasting sampler you'll have in your life.

El Catala: Hands down my best lunch in Barcelona among so many good paellas that I've had on my trip.

Artesans: A gem in the outskirt of El Born. It's quiet and quite cozy for the most contemporary take on some of Barcelona's most popular tapas.

Cafe Le Bistrot: This one is in Girona and is my recommended spot to stop for a drink and people watch as seating for this restaurant scatter on the massive historic Jewish steps of this small town.

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Fuzzy Feels in Girona

After a quick stroll through Girona, I found myself questioning why I didn't plan on staying here for a couple of days longer. For those that aren't familiar, Girona is a small town that's about 40min away by train from Barcelona. Most people miss this hidden gem as it is often overshadowed by San Sebastian, Mallorca, and even Barcelona itself.

Girona was quaint, quiet, and its charm made me miss Italy so much. At night, the place seemed to come alive with lamppost lights glistening over the river as people sit and dine at every tiny alley. The place half feels like a set of Game of Thrones and half resembles Old San Juan on a much larger scale in terms of architecture. It was all so surreal that I don't think I said anything other than "wow" and "woahhhh" at every turn.

This small town was perfect for these fluffy monsters on my feet. Most people were too interested in looking up and dodging one another around bridges and small corners that I barely got any weird stares. One guy's daughter noticed my shoe and pointed it out to him, and he laughed, though. Still, breaking in new shoes has never been easier, socially.

Top: Asos (similar olive tank) Pants: Aritzia Shoes: Tibi Jack Feather Slides (in maroon) Bag: Celine Belt Bag
Photos by Shun S.

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Never Enough

When you think about it, no day in New York is ever the same. No matter how long you’ve lived here, how many times you’ve taken the same train, or how many times you frequent the same coffee spot-it’s different every time, even if you do absolutely nothing. While New York is top of the list of cities anyone can dream of living in, for me, it’s a thought that’s ever-changing. Some days New York is really really good, and some days, it just couldn’t possibly be worse. I know that for many people, a bad day in New York is still a better day anywhere else. But I haven’t reached that point of denial yet. One thing I do appreciate about New York, though, is that it never fails to surprise you. And in a way, that forces you to always be prepared.

For one thing, someone is lying to you when they say they are always on time in New York. One is always early, or late here because the MTA is never on anyone’s sides. Regardless of whether one is too early or late, you can assume that anyone in New York prepared to leave their house at least 15min before they actually need to leave because that’s just how much we rely on public transportation, haha.

New York is so big, that it makes you feel that much smaller, and I just don’t know anyone who doesn’t feel like they are ever doing enough here. I guess, maybe that isn’t such a bad thing at all. Like life, in fashion, it’s always better to be overdressed than underdress. And in everything else, it’s better to do a little more than what you intended to do. If everyone can just put a little more passion in something that they want to do, how much better do you think the world would be, collectively?

Look 1:
Sweater with Tie Sleeve: Zara
Pants: Topshop
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Proenza Schouler PS11

These days, one’s collar color no longer determines their status in life. So why should we let the size of our sleeves, the price of our bags, and the season of our shoes determine how “fashion-forward” our styles are? Hard work definitely yields its share of returns, but a little harder can make all the difference. That’s why the details on our clothes matter. The color of the stitches, the material of the buttons - and in a more perfected world, we would care if the people making our clothes have the means to wear it, too.

With everything said, this blog post just felt lacking if I only showed you one way to wear a 50$ sweater. So I went out and attempted some self-portraits to take it a step further with the second look. A bit rusty with the focus and composition, but not mad about it since it gave me the motivation to get back into the zone.

'Till next time.

Look 2: Sweater with Tie Sleeve: Zara (similar)
Dress: Magali Pascal
Shoes: Aldo Shoes
Bag: Proenza Schouler PS1 Chain Crossbody
Photos by Shun S.(Look 1), Van Le (Look 2)

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Isabel Marant Double Denim

Can you believe it’s already October? I mean, I say this every calendar page flip, but it just doesn’t feel like time is slowing down at all these past couples of months. My birthday fell dead in the middle of August, and like every year, that’s the month I find myself spending the most money because, #treatyourself - and when I spend a lot of money, time passes by quickly, because bills just find their ways to me, ASAP. September was a blur, but it was definitely a great blur. I got spoiled with an impromptu 2 days trip to Italy with/by my friend Minnie, and then came back for a week to head off to Spain to celebrate my belated with Shun. Here I am on October 5th, re-reading this as I’m about to publish not knowing where to even begin telling you all of the wonderful life lessons and interesting facts I’ve accumulated this past short 50 or so days of being 23.

For one thing, traveling really nurtures you to grow. Traveling by yourself, traveling with a friend, and traveling with your significant other.

I never knew how sweet Moscato grapes were until I tasted some right off the grapevines that cut with my own two hands in Piemonte, Italy about 3 weeks ago. As a kid who never really liked grape juice growing up, I chugged like a whole wine glass down when I found myself inside a canteen.

I don’t know how it took me 23 years to discover how good toasted bread and fresh tomatoes could taste with a sprinkle of sea salt and olive oil in Barcelona, Spain just last week. If you know me, you’d know that bread is probably my least favorite food - but Catalunya style tomato bread was the first thing I’d order every meal - jamon (aka Iberian ham), came right after, of course!

With the people that I’ve been blessed to travel with, they like to know the big picture. Why something is famous. What makes a tourist spot so significantly important. And if I’m being honest, those kinda facts really bore me. For me, I want to know the more trivial things, what are the rules to crossing the street - speaking of this, I hated walking to every corner to wait for the light in Barcelona.

I want to know what kind of breakfast people eat where I’m visiting. Food, in general is really a huge part of any of my travel plans. 

Maybe it’s just the sociologist in me, but I really like observing people, how they live, and little things that you can’t get answers to from a tourist pamphlet. 

It's all about our outlook on what's really important. And while I often never get to stay in a place as long as I want to, traveling is the best cure for any syndrome of lack-of-motivation. I guess knowing these little things doesn't make me feel any more intelligent in terms of growth - but I'd choose to be more cultured than smart anyway. 

Oh, if you're not sharing food with your friend on trips to maximize the different dishes you'll try - and if you're not stealing shirts from your boyfriend: life is cheating you.

Top: Boyfriend's (another option that I LOVE)
Patchwork Denim: Isabel Marant
Shoes: Common Projects
Bag: Proenza Schouler PS11

Photos by Shun S.

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