Madrid, Spain




Madrid, Spain

Last week, I went to Spain for one of my graduate classes.  My last class to be exact.  Spending my last class in southern Spain studying chemical dependency wasn't a bad way to end it.  I was lucky enough to stay with another classmate with a Spanish host family that we found on FB.  I was weary at first about the experience, but I'm very happy to say that my host family went above and beyond my expectations.  They were great.  I got to practice my Spanish with the host family, including their charming kids and grandmother.  It's been quite a while since I have spoken Spanish in a conversational setting and I was glad to have gotten the opportunity again. I'd love to do some sort of immersion program.  We got traditional Spanish meals cooked for us each day and personal tour guides out of the whole family!  As I had mentioned previously, Spain has been on my wishlist since forever and it has been on my top two must see destinations in Europe besides Iceland, which I will get to visit in August.

My first stop in Spain was Madrid, which was my 15 hour layover before I got to southern Spain.  I had about 10 hours to leave the airport and take a bus to the downtown area.  As the capitol of Spain, it's also the largest city and it's filled with typical city life.  While Madrid has many modern buildings, there are also areas of old Madrid.  You get the best of both worlds.  It's a bustling city with a lot to do.  We really only had about 7 hours to explore so we kept up the pace and tried to see as much as possible.  

The first thing we needed to do was eat lunch. We stopped at an outdoor cafe for some Tapas and espresso (I drank espresso pretty much everywhere in Spain).  Tapas are very interesting because you can get a variety of little foods to try.  I had some sort of green avocado soup, bread with fish, and a warm container with a concoction of meatballs and potato sticks.  It was weird but I love trying new things.  I was taking in the air, the environment, and realizing that I was doing exactly what I had learned about so many times in my high school Spanish books. I was in Heaven.

We walked the streets along the many alleys providing for some awesome shopping, especially if you are in the market for shoes or sandals, which I was.  We strolled along the Puerto del Sol which is the shopping area and then we made our way to the Plaza Mayor, which is the old town.  Madrid isn't terribly difficult to navigate, but it is a large city so we had to ask for directions to certain places. You can see the Cibeles Palace right off of the bus stop.  Don't forget to try some churros con chocolate for your sugar fix!  Best to get them when they are fresh and warm.  We saw a sign for a Flamenco show which is common in southern Spain, but we didn't have time to see one in Madrid or during our stay in Spain at all, unfortunately.  Luckily I'll be going to Spain again in June and July so I'll have to try again.

Madrid, Spain tapas
Madrid, Spain
Madrid, Spain
Madrid, Spain
Cibeles Palace

Madrid, Spain
Madrid, Spain
Madrid, Spain
churrow
Madrid, Spain
Flamenco

Madrid was a nice place to do some shopping and it was my first introduction to Spain.  If I had more time in Madrid I would have gone to see a Flamenco show, I would have gone to the El Rastro Flea Market, The Prado Museum for works by Goya and other famous Spanish artists, I would have hit up the Palacio Real, Mercado San Miguel, and tried some of the famous Vermouth and Montecados cookies.

I rated Madrid high for a big city, expensive, good food, historical/museums, kid friendly, night life, photo ops, safe for solo travel (IMO), and shopping!  Madrid pretty much has everything but the beach and if you want to spend a day shopping then this will be the place for you. 


Stay tuned for my visit to the oldest city in Spain.

What would you do in Madrid if you had 10 hours?

 
 
 
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Travel Tuesday

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5 Unique Aquariums from Opulent Items

Hello blog world. I'm back with an update for Furniture Fashion.  Check out my post called "5 Unique Aquariums from Opulent Items." I love the circular little desk aquarium below.  Click the link to read the full article.

In other news, I've been super super busy with school lately.  I've had classes in Germany and then on Monday I just got back from a class in Spain.  So expect all of my upcoming posts to get a little hotter.  I'm talking 90 degrees hot and I am in shock coming from the Spanish hot sun to the German rain.  Also, this weekend you can check out my instagram to get sneak peaks at my upcoming trip to the Nurnberg Flea Market which I go to twice a year.  What have you been up to lately?

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Mini Office Space Reveal

home office

When I visited Garmisch a few months ago I went to one of my favorite antique shops called Merry Old England and found a secretary desk.  I'd been wanting one of these types of desks for a while.  I've also been wanting an office space of my own to do schoolwork, blogging, etc.  I toyed with the idea of using one of our extra rooms for my office space but I decided instead just to make a small space for myself with this vintage secretary desk.  They have auctions for their antiques as well but the auction for this desk was the day before we arrived.  I missed the auction but still got the desk at a decent price.

The desk wasn't in the best condition with some chipping and water damage here and there but I loved it. I used some Annie Sloan clear furniture wax to shine it up and I also needed to get rid of the dirty velvet cloth that was on the writing portion of the desk.  I replaced it with some faux black leather and I think it matches the black accents on the desk perfectly!  The desk has two compartments above and below. I also thought about painting the desk because it's not super old but maybe I'll enjoy the natural wood for now.

I needed to furnish my new desk with beautiful things so I took to finding them at antique stores, online, and some fun stores in Germany.  

home officehome office
home office
mini home office
mini home office
mini home office
mini home office
mini home office
mini home office
mini home office
mini home office
mini home office
mini home office
mini home office
mini home office
secretary desk
secretary desk
 
Below is the product list of what I used to furnished my mini home office space
 
French Bulldog Coin Bank, White Ceramic Tray, Iron Letter Separater, Succulent and Vase, Gold Scissors, Gold Paper Clips, Turquoise and Gold Leaf Dish, Gold Pen Set, Floral Notebooks, Washi Tape, White Pencil Holder Vase, Kate Spade Gold Dot Notepad, faux black leather to reupholster the desk writing pad, Annie Sloan Clear Furniture Wax.
 
Winner of the GIVEAWAY

The winner of the giveaway for some of my favorite German treats is:

Diane @ Diane's Vintage Zest
Linking up at:

VMG206
Knick of Thyme
Dagmar's Home
Kathe With An E
A Stroll Thru Life
Mod Vintage Life
We Call it Junkin'
Do Tell Tuesday
 
 

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Monthly Inspiration: Spring Pastels

pastel fashion
I noticed my style has changed for the better even since 5 years ago.  5 years ago I probably would have never put on something that was pastel.  I still don't wear pink but at least now I don't mind using it in other ways like decorating.  Though Easter is over, pastels are beautiful to use all spring. I love the matte and soft look that they bring to the table.  I've compiled a list of 10 pastels that I'm craving this spring!
 
1) Pastel Blouse
To wear these tops, find yourself a good form fitting nude tank top.
 
2) Set in Gemstone Sandal
Though I love the look of heels, I am a flats girl all the way.  I love the look of the cutouts and sparkle for your feet.
 
3) Pastel Purse
A more mature way to do pastels.  This bag is perfect for spring.
 
4) Pastel Oversized Classic Sunglasses
These are great if not just for the vintage novelty factor.  At $6 they are a steal and come in several pastel colors. I may have ordered the white ones.
 
5) Essie Nailposih in Mint Candy Apple
I love the look of matte pastel colors for nails.
 
6) Macaron Box
These adorable macaron box containers would be great for storing little items or jewelry.  Only $10 each.
 
7) Fujifilm Instant Camera
I've been toying with the idea of getting one of these.  They are fun and there is something to be said about having images you don't stress over or delete before they are printed.  And how many of us actually print out our digital images?  Plus it's on sale for $65.
 
8) Carthusia Perfume in Mediterraneo
This is my absolute favorite perfume.  It's perfect for Spring and Summer.  I first purchased this when I went to Capri last September and they make this on the island.  It's a wonderful light blend of lemon and green tea.  It's so refreshing!
 
9) Ted Baker Rain Books
These whimsical rain boots are lovely in Spring, the rainiest season!  The pastel floral pattern looks like it was painted on in watercolors.
 
10) Candy Bracelets
Remember these?  These were a staple of my childhood and I'd still rock a candy bracelet.
 
Do you Wear Pastels? 
 
Don't forget about my GIVEAWAY for some of my favorite German treats! Enter here.
 
Linking up at: 

Common Ground
Nancherrow
French Country Cottage
Do Tell Tuesday
The Tablescaper (Seasonal Sundays)
Sunday Best Showcase

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