Swapping Barcelona for the countryside

Almost 5 moths ago, I quit my Barcelona life and moved to the English countryside. I left with many good wishes, paired with several jokey voices warning me to wrap up, kiss the sun goodbye or unwarrantably tell me they could NEVER do it. I was welcomed to East Sussex with plenty of smiles from loved ones, but whenever I encounter someone new, they seemed very puzzled about my decision: “why on Earth would you want to leave Barcelona?” they ask, or simply say  “You left Barcelona for the UK? REALLY?!”

I still don’t know how to answer any of those questions, in a way I’m starting to label them as rhetorical . Although I guess, for the sake of clarity, it’s best if I explain why I left Barcelona in the first place.

While it is a beautiful city with gorgeous architecture, fantastic restaurants, and generally lovely weather, I grew tired of, daily, sharing my personal space with thousands of tourists. I ended up fed up of having to literally push them off me, when, in dozens, they covered the pavements, refusing to budge an inch during their holidays. I became a stressed-out Barcelona citizen, desperately trying to avoid them stepping on your dog, get to work without being pushed to the road and run-over, or arrive home and free yourself from whatever you are carrying. I also developed a distaste for the hordes of pickpockets that exist to torment said tourists or give you an unnecessary fright while you walk home after a night out.

Additionally, I have two dogs. Yes Barcelona is pretty dog-friendly, but it also has extremely busy streets and very few parks, that are either pay-per-visit (Güell), full of tourists (Ciutadella) or populated by policemen that busy themselves fining anyone with a chihuahua off the leash (Parc l’Estació del Nord), instead of aiding the poor lady who just got mugged in broad daylight.

So yes, Barcelona, wonderful at night, gorgeous in the sunshine, even when your sweat is dripping down your back and your landlord has just told you he’s evicting you so he can advertise your flat on Airbnb… it just wasn’t meant to be, and East Sussex called my name.

So here I am.

Yes, I did wrap up as it’s bloody nippy. It took its time, but the cold is finally here, and, unlike Barcelona, it is really, truly, undeniably freezing. There are no hipster, bang-on-trend, pop-up cafes I can walk to, but there are miles and miles of countryside, in which to stroll or run with my dogs, and my thighs have never looked better.

Yes, there is sun…lots of. When you live in the countryside, with few buildings around you and you work from home, you get to see that the sun does shine in England, quite brightly. My sunglasses are, as in Barcelona, always on me.

Additionally, I’m smiling more. It does get dark awfully early, but I get up at 7 am, walk the dogs, do yoga and by the time I’m sat at my desk it’s barely 9am. This gives me many hours and things to do until it’s – oh my God – 5pm and pitch black. Once darkness hits my town, the lack of street lighting means a mind-blowing starry sky shines down on me. It’s surprisingly light up there.

My Zara “working boots” are constantly caked in mud and surprisingly, haven’t broken yet. This means I haven’t completely morphed into countryside folk, donning practical green wellies and proper walking boots – but watch this space.

I love it here, I really do. Yes I miss certain things about Barcelona, such as its people, Daniela, Luli, Mila, the French girls, my editor, my Yoga buddies, and also wonderful places like Lataberna de Juanjo, but that city wasn’t for me. London is a short train ride away, and the city girl inside of me may need to go there occasionally. Brighton is even closer, so hipster cafes are there when I need them.

I still have no answers for those that quiz me on the “absurdity of leaving sunny Spain for the UK”, and I probably will never have a reply that pleases them – for the sake of dinner party amusement I’m working on a funny one. I don’t regret my decision, and I love my current lifestyle. East Sussex works for me, right now. I may never stay here for good, I may go back to Spain, or may even move to Australia. What I know is that I followed my gut instinct and it led me to a happier place. But my gut is mine, so listen to your own and do what you need to do.

Pictures: Fashion Limbo

A feather for a writer

I wanted to be many things when I was little but none of them were what was expected of me. I came alive when I listened to music, sang with the choir, or doing drama at college. I remember dressing up as Madonna to perform a “colourful” dance routine in front of students and teachers at my Catholic school – although the nuns didn’t seem to enjoy it. At age 8, a teacher referred to my writing praising my creative imagination. At secondary school, another said I was a diamond in the rough – although he did place quite a lot of emphasis on the “rough” part.

At fifteen, I was made to choose a “serious” career. “Arts will bring you no money, Jess”. Unlike many of my peers, I didn’t want to be a teacher, or work in a bank, become a doctor or a high-paid lawyer.

With no means of studying anything creative or artistic, to please my parents I decided on a career in teaching English. Years have passed and that first choice has turned into a nasty habit: pleasing others ad infinitum. Maybe I should have pushed harder, maybe I should have left home sooner, but I chose the path of least resistance: the cruelest on myself.

I worked as a teacher and was good at it, but ultimately it made me miserable. I tried working in office buildings, managed myself brilliantly through meetings and presentations, but inside I was in an permanent state of anxiety, hating going to work. Eventually it made me sick.

I did enjoy dressing mannequins and styled a high-end fashion store. I was also in my element during some bizarre sessions with a couple of Belgian music producers, straining my vocal chords to sing some dance club anthem – don’t ask for those recordings, I have skilfully misplaced them. The first time a magazine published an article I wrote I felt like the happiest person in the world. All of these activities paid little, or nothing.

After years of soul searching, life in different countries, jumping from one job to the next, and disappointing some people, I finally get it. I am a certain type of person, with a particular DNA and a specific make up. It means I don’t function properly in an office environment. Routine isn’t for me. It just doesn’t work.

It’s not about getting over it, changing, trying harder, or repeating questionable pseudo-mantras like “no one really enjoys their job”. Life is about accepting who you are, loving yourself for it, and making the most of your existence.

So…

This past weekend I travelled to London, and following my cousin’s Nic advice, went to Sims Tattoos in Croydon. I already had two tattoos, a dragon on my left shoulder, and some stars on my ribs. A few months back I had decided on what I wanted next: a peacock feather with a specific detail on the tip.

I chose to remain open minded about the design, had thought about some colours, but nothing more. A few minutes after meeting Michi, the guy about to decorate my right foot, I felt strangely at ease with him, so I followed his suggestions on the design.

I’m not going to lie, it hurt like hell. Having my ribs tattooed was painful, but this time the session lasted more than 3 hours, which meant Michi worked, repeatedly, on heavily bruised skin.

I worked through the pain in several ways: I had an “extremely chatty phase”, bombarding Michi with questions, trying to distract myself by finding more about his life – being nosy, a very Mediterranean way of dealing with pain. Then I went through the “get me out of here phase”, physically pulling away from him, as if wanting to detach my foot from my body. My cousin had to keep pushing me onto the chair to stay still.

Through those long hours, Michi was simply brilliant. The man is pure talent, and I wished I could make him justice through my words. He drew a bit of a draft (Head to Sims Tattoo facebook page to see the process) with a magic marker, to then, grab the needles, and proceed to do the tattoo freehand. He made the feather beautifully fold onto itself on the top left side and I love that. It looks like it’s moving. The tip of the feather has a writer’s quill on it. It’s simple,yet so skilfully drawn. Part of me was feeling physically sick at the pain, the other part was in awe, seeing a true artist create a stunning piece of work.

To me, this tattoo is a celebration of something I’m good at, a side of my personality that for years I thought was worthless. A part of me I was told would bring me no joy. I cannot thank Michi and the team at Sims Tattoos enough. I also want to thank gorgeous Nic for being the best tattoo-buddy ever.

I do live up to what a writer is, I am creative and sometimes intense. I am also generally skint. I can barely pay my bills, I have no money for fancy holidays, clothes – my other passion – and if any of my dogs require any veterinary care it means I can eat only pasta for a month.

I know not everyone will agree with my choice of lifestyle. Not everyone likes tattoos. I know some will read this post and think that I will never grow up. I know some still think I’m not good enough for them or their loved ones.

However, I’m loving being a writer more than ever. While I may  disappoint others with my choices, I’m not letting myself down anymore. This is who I am, and I now have a piece of art on one of my feet to remind me.

*If you want to see more of Michi’s work you can follow his Instagram account at @michelich, or find him via Sims Tattoo on Facebook.

**If you want to see more of my writing go to fashionlimbo.com/work

Eddie Izzard in Avignon, in French

Last night I went to see Eddie Izzard at Le Palace in Avignon. He is performing there for five days (July 13-17th) as apart of the local festival, and I was lucky – and also mad – enough to convince some of my loved ones to drive there and watch the show. It was an unmissable chance to see him extremely close in a tiny venue. Now a Hollywood film and TV star (Ocean’s Twelve and Thirteen, Valkyrie, United States of Tara, The Riches to name a few), an English speaking comedic icon, an inspiring runner and an activist, this courageous man has decided to re-work his Stripped show for French audiences, so it is all in the language of Balzac.

He performs in a a small room that barely fits over 100 people, and with Madonna’s Hung Up, Eddie makes his appearance on stage. I am sitting on the first row, and as he is barely a couple of metres away I spot his beautifully manicured nails, in deep shiny burgundy red, very much the shade of  a good Merlot, with his ring finger dressed with the Union Jack colours.

Does the show work in French? Speaking with fellow Eddie Izzard fans just before the show, discussing wether his gags could actually be translated, we all admired his determination, but wondered what the final product would be like. And it really isn’t a disappointment, more accurately, it’s quite a brilliant performance.

The best gags from Stripped work perfectly in French, mainly because Eddie’s humour is very visual, and extremely surreal, making it timeless – you can watch his former shows on DVDs and YouTube and they never get old – but also lacking geographic boundaries . He may be talking about the differences between a Mac and a PC, or digressing over the differences between dinosaurs: it’s absurd, funny, both in English and in French.

And also I am playing the Avignon Festival in France in July. Et aussi je joue au Festival d’Avignon en France en ju… http://t.co/VkCLYHqulv

— Eddie Izzard (@eddieizzard) June 15, 2013

 

In French, his stream-of-consciousness, free association technique, his ramblings, when closely watched, look like extremely hard work. You see Eddie squinting his eyes, touching his temple with his fingertips, his mind quickly working under the heat of the stage lights, tying gags together, pushing it a bit further, all in a foreign language. All of this is, including his now famous hand gesture of taking notes for future performances, acquire an extra touch of charm, humour, and brazenness that enrich the original English act, and that the audience during that opening night seemed to lap up.

What comes across when you watch the show is the sheer determination to make it all work: to make up your mind about learning a language and then, present yourself in the countries in which this language is spoken, and attempt to make people laugh. I spoke to a comedian who was promoting his gig outside of the theatre, and to him, what Eddie was doing was madness, “you can’t translate everything, it doesn’t work” he told me. Eddie Izzard seems to differ, and his style of comedy appears to be the perfect vehicle to pull it all off.

When the show finished, it wasn’t the end of Eddie Izzard for me. I have a stubborn boyfriend named Rob who was determined I talked to Eddie after the show. I’m not one to approach celebrities, I’m always worrying about bothering them, but Rob was determined we congratulated him on the gig, so we waited for 20 minutes and that’s when Mr Izzard made his way out.

Extremely scared I stood behind him and called his name, he turned around, shook my hand and when I told him I came from Barcelona, his eyes widened and he said “wow, thank you!”. We then proceeded to briefly chat about him doing his work next in German, then Spanish, and then we discussed linguistics politics for a bit. He was soon ushered to move on to other people. But I got to look him straight into the eye and thanked him for a great show.

I never got to tell him how much he has changed the way I look at life. I didn’t manage to explain to him how his film Believe made me question everything I had done, made me accept the misfit that I am, and pushed me to want to strive to become the version of myself only I wanted to be, pursuing a career in writing.

I didn’t bore him with an account on how after watching him running 43 marathons in 51 days for Sport Relief, with tears of admiration and also frustration, I grew determined to find a remedy to end my nasty back injury and be able to run again. I didn’t get to explain how every time I complete my modest 2km runs, when I feel like my insides are going to disintegrate, when tendinitis flares up and my injured back and muscles force me to stop, I think of him fighting during those Mandela marathons, and then I remember that, like him, I am a runner already. That, in my brain, I have already ran the London marathon, or done the Iron Man challenge, it’s only my body that needs to catch up.

If you have the chance, go to Avignon. Si vous pouvez, allez á Avignon , ca vaudra la peine.

PS: I also never got to offer my services as experienced University teacher and language expert, so Eddie, if your brother needs a hand with the lessons, let me know 😉

To buy tickets: http://www.billetreduc.com/91561/evt.htm
Eddie´s Twitter page: @eddieizzard

Picture: Fashion Limbo, Eddie’s Twitter page

Learning to knit with… oh, my hands!

Recently, I have been making some changes in my life to help me de-stress. Apart from baking like never before I was searching for something less complicated and messy. A hobby I could just pick up whenever I needed it, whether for 5 minutes or several hours, then move on to something else. Knitting had been in the back of my mind for a while, as it combines being creative with fashion: the more ambitious you become, the faster you can move from accessories like scarves and mittens to attempting bigger challenges like jumpers. However, I had two problems: zero patience… and the fact that I suck at knitting.

Last week I wrote a cover feature for Miniguide Barcelona, talking about knitting as a way to generate income, and the urban art known as yarnbombing. While doing the research for the article I came across Oh My Hands, who not only sell gorgeous scarves and merino wool, but also organise Barcelona-based workshops for yarn newbies like me. During said sessions they also serve tea and cake, so I really couldn’t resist when they invited me to join them some days ago.

If you’re not in Barcelona, you can shop online, either one of their gorgeous snoods, 100% merino wool, or a complete DIY set and follow their novice-friendly videos. Here are some pictures I took during the workshop.

Their wool is 100% merino wool, it comes from Portugal, feels extremely soft and doesn’t itch.

Me on the right, trying not to stab myself with the needles. I loved their glittery ends (Maria, thanks for taking the pic)

Freshly baked cake and tea, what’s not to like?

My verdict? I had a great time. With two hours we had enough time to learn the basics, practice a lot, share a few laughs and enjoy some freshly baked cake with tea. Their video tutorials, which were projected on the wall for further help, are very well filmed and easy to use from home. While you can’t expect leaving the workshop with your snood finished, it took a novice like me only 4 sessions of knitting at home, whilst I watched a movie, or relaxed for a couple of hours. I had to undo my work a couple of times, but the more you re-started it, the easier it got. I think, overall, it took me 5 hours to complete mine. It was surprisingly easy and extremely relaxing.

My finished snood, in plush burgundy red

The big needles and thick yarn make it easy to knit, spot your mistakes, and simply unstitch everything if necessary. You quickly see that you are creating something, and for impatient, over-stressed souls like me, that is a huge plus.

If you’re in Barcelona, why not book one of these workshops, which are also available in english? If you are outside, they ship internationally, so you can purchase one of their snoods, made by hand, with luxurious merino wool, which is a treat. They look great worn over plaid shirts, leather jackets and t-shirts.

So, what do you think of my snood? I’m planning to make new items soon, knitting is addictive! What should I do next?

Pictures: Fashion Limbo

Oh My Hands can be reached via this link. Their website is in Spanish and English.

Dip dye tips by Anthony Llobet

Ombré hair has been at the centre of the fashion radar for at least a couple of years now. Celebrities like Amber Le Bon and Drew Barrymore wore it well in the long version, and Alexa Chung made me go for the shorter take last Christmas. It grew out, and for a refreshing summer look, I went shorter and bolder in true ombré style.

My hair now gone lighter at the ends and has grown a lot. This  style has been a lot of fun, but I am now thinking of finally going red when the colder months are here. In any case, the service I got at Anthony Llobet in El Born was impeccable. They even gave me cake, which is a really easy way to win my heart, but nonetheless a great surprise. The color technician that worked with me that day was called Marilena – hopefully I’m not getting it completely wrong – and did an amazing job, both with the hair cut and colour. I have recommended this salon in El Born to my friends and one of them has already been there and loved the experience. Full disclosure? I get nothing for writing this article, and I went there as a private customer so paid for the entire process.

These pictures are from their Facebook page. Anthony Llobet‘s salons pride themselves in being mainly English speaking and having a welcoming yet relaxing approach. Their retro decoration makes the entire experience even more special.

So there you have it, if in Barcelona, you know where to get a great haircut. I’m definitively going back.

Have a fabulous weekend everyone xx

Pictures: Fashion Limbo, Anthony Llobet

Two Barcelona artists you need to know about

Oh deary me, yes, it’s been a long time, but moving into a new city, a new flat, finding work etc… it’s actually a lot of work!! In any case, I’m writing a little this morning – ok, it’s midday already, there some uncomfirmed rumours I may have got home at 5 am last night, but alas, just some silly rumours – to tell you about a guy I met during my first weeks in Barna: the adorable Luca Lazzerini and his incredible talent. This guy is one fantastic artist, brought up and trained in sunny Florence, and now blessing Barcelona with his gorgeous craft.

Luca Lazzerini’s work can be seen at lucalazzerini.tumblr.com. These pictures were taken at a recent event promoting local creative talents at Gracia, one of Barcelona’s hippest neighbourhoods.

And through Luca, I’ve met some really lovely and interesting people, including Ibai Echeverria, another artist who works with canvases, fashion and even snowboard “thingys” … errr what’s the word? boards? Forgive my ignorence with winter sports, I really need to expand my horizons with regards to sports, I know. In any case, here are  just a few humble iPhone pictures to illustrate Ibai’s work. To see more of Ibai’s work click here.

Yesterday night I had an interesing conversation with Ibai on the subject of art selling. We both agreed that buying a piece of art is still seen as something only “the rich” would do. There needs to be a shift in the business side of art and perhaps a change in us as consumers. May be we should free our walls from mass-produced IKEA canvases and consider spending €100 or €200 on a fantastic piece of original art. Would you do so? Which got me thinking, can we really find decent art at those prices? And how much should art cost, specially during these economically troubled times?

Do let me know what you think and have a wonderful weekend.

Pictures: Fashion Limbo

The times they are a-changin’

Time to say goodbye to my life in southern Spain and say hello to London town. Some may say I’m nuts, others that I’m doing the right thing, but all I know is that I have to do it.

So I got a new hair cut and some ombre tips – although you can hardly notice them in this picture – packed all my shoes and dresses – seriously, how heavy are winter clothes?!!- and made it to the south of France where, mostly, I have been drinking hot chocolate and eating … a lot. And drinking hot chocolate.

Because this is how they do it here… the connoisseur way – with instructions on the back –

For my trip to London I will be mostly listening to Lana Del Rey’s Born to Die and Bombay Bicycle Club – especially their Shuffle song, which was recently described as the number one top song of 2011 by BBC Radio 1 DJ and cutie-pie kiwi Zane Lowe – . I cannot wait to be in England to be able to use iTunes UK and purchase VV Brown’s new music, grab Florence + The Machine’s new album and … find some decent hot chocolate.

I will be wearing a vintage winter coat from the late 70s 60s, that I recently inherited from my favourite Spanish aunt. It’s super heavy and thick, so it should keep me warm. Working books by New Look will be my choice of footwear.

And that is all I have to say. Have a fantastic weekend and wish me luck 😉

Pictures: Fashion Limbo

Window Shopping – The “almost Christmas” edition

Having mostly done my Christmas shopping online, this year I am happily avoiding the crowds. However, I decided to treat myself to some festive retail spirit and discover the window displays at night, when the streets are empty and everyone is at home letting their feet – and wallets – rest.

I’m currently in Cordoba – southern Spain – as my parents still live here. Christmas here is not huge, but the high streets are buzzing. Due to the local government’s attempts at cutting costs, there are only lights and decorations in the centre of the city, which slightly ruins the atmosphere, as it all becomes more spend, spend, spend, and less “be merry and happy because it’s Christmas time”. There are also very few interesting shops, as – like with any other shopping area in Spain – the Inditex group is king, with very few other brands such as Mango, Desigual, Vero Moda, attempting to bring some variety into the game.

Having worked as a Visual Merchandiser may make me a tad hard to please when it comes to retail creativity. Nevertheless, here are some pictures I took. How about some Bjork when looking at these stills?

Zara – It’s oh so quiet shhhhhhh, shhhhhhhh

Pull & Bear – it’s all so still, shhhhhhh, shhhhhhh

Mango for Men – you are alone, shhhhh, shhhhh

Mango – and so peaceful until …

I hope you all take care on the run up to Christmas. Go easy on the drinking, avoid driving, spend money wisely and remember to call that special person you haven’t spoken to lately. Most of all, stay happy.

Pictures: Fashion Limbo

Style in Berlin

There is a reason for my silence these last days. One of them, the most pressing, is the existence of heavy duty building works occurring on top of me, quite literally. Just a few weeks back I also had a bushy jungle for an outside garden. It is now a building site. I wake up before 8am to the sound of power drills, excavators and men yelling just below my window. My nerves are coping more or… actually less OK. It’s the dog who is suffering the most – utterly terrified- and my writing. The loud noise doesn’t even allow me to think. It simply kills the most minuscule brain activity.

The second, results from the loud building works: I’m moving out. I am selling all of my stuff – eyes open as I will be selling some lovely clothes and shoes through this space – and with one of two future destinations in mind: London or Barcelona. Time, and job opportunities, will tell where me and my miniature dachshund end up. We’ll keep you posted through Twitter, if you’re curious enough.

So, taking the opportunity of a lovely quiet Sunday morning, I’m wondering about style. Why not take a look at this must-read feature on Luella Bartley via The Guardian, mostly about English style. Since the former designer has covered that subject, I’m going to stir the topic towards European style. More precisely, what four days in Berlin taught me about style the Berliner or Berlinerin way, or how anyone living in Berlin dresses.

Clothes stores in Berlin: Aplenty. Shopping in Berlin offers well-know international brands, but mostly there are indie stores galore. The other popular shops are vintage ones. However, in my honest opinion, vintage in the German capital is widely overpriced. I came across a popular one that was selling New Look shoes with a whopping €20-€30 price tag. Anything from an expensive brand or designer was simply outrageously priced – except for the huge shop that lets you buy clothing by the kilo, worth a visit, but with hardly any big names to be found and a lot of junk.

Berlin is however a great place to buy military inspired parkas, jackets and other similar accessories. I picked up an 80s jacket for only €15.

Boys in Berlin: Guys tend to favour well-fitted jackets and trousers. However, some urban tribes will choose hip hop inspired fashion. Whatever the preference, I came across very few males who hadn’t made a slight effort when selecting their clothes. I also encountered plenty pork pie hats, an extensive use of brogues, and as expected, a love for anything punk. Adidas shoes, unsurprisingly, everywhere. Additionally, Berlin men love a good haircut.

Not a great picture, but these guys we’re moving pretty fast and I was pretty useless at figuring out my new camera

Girls in Berlin: very understated, effortless cool. A love for discreet flower prints, feminine cuts, shirts worn as dresses or tunics paired with skinny jeans. Light make up, hair wrapped in a bun, or loose with no fuss. Shoes were mainly flat, either pretty ballerinas, trainers or more masculine styles.

Have you been to Berlin? What’s your take?

This is just a modest account on what I saw during a four day stay. I found the way of dressing there nicely uncomplicated, fast, practical and mostly, a young look. However, there is so much more to say about Berlin, like Stil in Berlin, an interesting blog on the subject, or just google “street style Berlin” for fun, there is so much documented on the European capital of cool.

Pictures: Fashion Limbo

Cars & Fashion

I don’t have much to say lately… strangely. So here’s some images from my recent trip to the Malaga Car Museum.

Yes, I did say “car” museum, but they have a small section on fashion 😉 – mostly vintage and many hats

Philip Treacy tribute to Alexander McQueen

And now for some cars

Lalique car detail

Don’t know what it is about cars and fashion, but I’m heavily attracted to both. Are you into cars?

Pictures: Fashion Limbo