Pretty Ballerinas, made in Menorca

I bought new shoes, new ballerinas. Last autumn I threw away my old ones as that way I was obliged to buy news. I had in mind typical black, leather ballerinas, but those were not available in the outlet of Pretty Ballerinas, so I ended up buying these blue/jeans colored.

Pretty Ballerinas is a company dated back to 1918. Shoes are hand made, flat shoes made in Menorca. The collections are always very colorful and funny, but you always find classic models as well. It is a very versatile brand. Made in Spain!

I'm afraid I bought too small ones. Maybe the age or the maternity has made my feet bigger. This is so annoying that finally after many years of thinking I manage to buy Pretty Ballerinas and then what I do is that I don't know to choose the size. I miss practise.

My possibly too small ballerinas.

Beautiful garden, model Marilyn, Pretty Ballerinas

Always so attractive leopard print, model Rosario, Pretty Ballerinas.

HAKEI - good in Spain

A dress from HAKEI has been so far my only purchase from the sales. I could fulfill my desire to buy something mint. Mint has been on my mind since last year, starting with the trousers of Borne by Elise Berger (Feb -12) following by a blazer from HAKEI and continuing as a possible color for a room, but the only real thing I have so far is this dress. It is a 100% linen dress, I'm thinking of having it as an end of summer/beginning of autumn dress.

HAKEI is a Spanish family firm that dates back to 1946. Since then they have designed fashion and leather goods that are mainly produced in Europe, mostly in Spain and Portugal. They do have some clothes made in or imported from China/India, but they are only few, mostly you need to keep an eye on the etiquettes of jerseys if you want to stick to Made in Europe.

I recommend especially their shoes and bags; shoes are chick (and funny) good quality shoes (I own a few pair of them) and the bags have a huge selection of colors. I have no bag yet, but hmmm, that could be a good idea for a possible birthday present in October.

This is my mint linen stripes dress, very freshy. As it is white and the material is light linen it is quite transparent, so I need to invent something to prevent shoving off my panties.

Prado -blazer that has interesting texture and quite curious star button.

An example of different colors in form of a Subi -bag.

New acquaintance to "Made in Spain" brands

In January I panicked when searching for shoes to the Hempel Award Fashion Show. As my clothes have a neutral color palette; beige/black/cream the shoes need to be red, bordeaux red if possible. Going around on sales I passed "expensive shoes" section in El Corte Inglés and there they were; patent leather bordeaux red high heels. I thought they were too expensive for me to buy for the show, but the sale was - 50% and the shoes were "Made in Spain" so they started to be tempting.

Panic came few days later, the idea of me running around Barcelona and not finding red shoes week before the trip to Beijing so I rushed back to El Corte Inglés and bought 3 pairs of L.K. Bennett shoes in the sizes they still had (38, 39, 40). They were not cheap, but they are perfect red colored, good quality and "Made in Spain". I will keep the 38 to me and the sizes 39 and 40 I will put on sale to eBay or something, that is the idea. So if you would like to have these shoes they will be later in April on sale.

L.K. Bennett Shilo Bordeaux patent Leather shoes

I didn't knew the brand L.K. Bennett before, a London based shoe&clothing brand. The clothes don't draw my attention, but the shoes are brilliant. They have a classical nude and black high hells with several option for the  heel hight (flat, kitten and stiletto), these are so called conservative but chic shoes and then they have more extravagant collection. And what is really important is that the shoes are "Made in Spain".

In February L.K. Bennett launched a collection in collaboration with Caroline Issa, Tank magazine director. Both unknown names for me; Caroline Issa and Tank magazine, but I don't mind as the shoes were amazing. As I love folklore, these folklorish Thai inspired embroidered shoes with pom-poms are hilarious. Very stylish, youthful and colorful limited edition collection. I also have learned now that Caroline Issa is "the ultra chic Fashion Director of London based avant-garde style bible Tank" and at the moment one of the street's styles biggest stars.

Caroline Issa and her creations

Morning glory

On my free days I love long, lazy mornings. I need to wake up alone, prepare my morning coffee with my classic Bialetti coffee maker and enjoy coffee&cake while reading some magazine. Today's choice has been old Kauppalehti Optio, which light ups the day with Finnish language and good articles.

To start the day is really essential. Only after having spent something like an hour (or more) by myself I am able to socialize and share the morning moment with my boyfriend. This suits him fine as he sleeps much longer than me and when waking up he has everything prepared and I can have my second round of coffee.

Although I adore my classical style coffee makers I also do fancy Ascasos -machines. Those have real style and what best: they are from Spain! Designed and made in Spain since 1962! So this year is also 50th anniversary to the company. It is a family business and the creator J.Ascaso is still around although has already handed the business over to his son. The product range is wide from home/office coffee machine to bar/restaurant equipment, spare parts, coffee grinders and complements. And they are made in Gavà, next to Barcelona!

Their slogan "for coffee lovers" tells it all, so if you have a coffee lover friend and you are lack of present ideas, maybe from Ascaso you might find something to choose from.

The model Dream has a total retro look and an abundant selection of colors!

The model Steel is perfect if you want to play "the home barista".

The Basic might be my choice, simply and stylish.

For coffee lovers!

And my collection of Bialetti's coffee makers on Polkka Jam's dishcloth