My very first pair of Manolo Blahnik

Its been fifteen year since the first Sex And The City chapter was released, and how better to celebrate this than to acquire a pair of Manolos!

I got a tip last month about a Manolo Blahnik outlet in the Hotel Mandarin of Barcelona. In the hotel you can find the normal Manolo store (going up the entrance and on the left of the reception). Exceptionally, they held an outlet downstairs of the Banker's Bar in the Hotel Mandarin, an event that only happens every 2-3 years. It was only open during a couple of days and I came at the very last hour where they already had started to box up some of the pairs.

Even so I found these shoes...

I have found this description online to describe the shoe:

"Red Open-toe Wedge Slingback

Winsome and artisanal this Manolo Blahnik slingback lifts you up with an embroidered wedge heel and covetable color. Glossy, lipstick-hued patent leather pump rest on 4 1/2" (11,5cm) embroidered fabric wedge heel. Open toe shows off pedicure. Elastic slingback for optimum fit. "Maniapla" is made in Italy. Please Note: Embroidered fabric may vary. Sizing note: Manolo Blahnik runs small. We suggest that you order a half size larger than you typically wear."

I have to say that the description are right concerning the size; I am normally a 39 but this pair is a 40 and the fitted me nicely.

The outlet prices were very interesting; all boots costed 180€ and all shoes 150€. Considering that the cheapest shoe normally cost 580€ it was a very interesting offer!

Another visit to La Roca Village Barcelona

Last weekend I again visited La Roca Village. This time my boyfriend convinced me into taking the shopping express bus which we took from Paseo de Gracia number 6. The cost was 20 Euro for the 40 minutes bus ride. It is a very comfortable and fast way to get to the Village, but the best part was that discount tickets were handled out in the bus with a 10% discounts in all the shops (on products that are nor further on sales) and other interesting discounts.

As we are still in the sales period (July-August), on top the outlet prices there were additional discounts to be found in most stores. In the Bimba&Lola store I found a nice summer bag with a shelves pattern and a scarf. The bag was normally 60€, the outlet price was 45€ and with the additional 10% discount I got it for 39€. The scarf was on sales from 36€ to 12€.

I have recently fallen in love with long legged jumpsuits, and I found my second one of this season in Comptoire des Cotonniers, where they had nice items on sale. This one is an orange/pink silk jumpsuit which was on discount from 160€ to 38€.

Lastly I was on a mission given to me by my co-writer, Supershopper, to find her a new Michel Kors bag for a decent price. After al ot of picture sending over Whatsap, she finally decided on this brown Hamilton Tote handbag. The normal price is 349€ and the outlet price is 229€ and with the additional 10%, the final price was 206€.

New stores in Barcelona - Passeig de Gracia

Over the last couple of months a couple of new stores have opened in Passeig de Gracia. In Passeig de Gracia you can normally find the most exclusive luxury stores, nevertheless, lately a trend is being noticed with the stores in this street. The luxury stores are closing their stores in the lower part of the street, moving them higher and higher up towards Calle Diagonal. At the lower part of the street (closer to Plaça Catalunya), more and more high street stores are opening, just like the ones being presented below.

 Firstly, the store Brandy & Melville has opened in Passeig de Gracia crossing with the street Diputación. Brandy & Melville is (according to their website) an original Italian brand, inspired by the LA lifestyle and popular among Hollywood celebrities. There are only seven stores in Europe so far, concentrating on the biggest cities.
For me the clothes reminded me a bit of Urban Outfitters. The store was ok looking but I don't think I will be buying anything in there anytime soon; all the skirts and t-shirts were very short and very urban looking. To my taste, I would have to be 10 years younger or 10 kg lighter to be able to wear their clothing..

The other new store opened is & other stories and is an H&M brand, a more exclusive and high-end brand at the level of Cos, but of course still affordable. It is also a very new brand, the first stores opened spring 2013 and at the moment there is also just seven stores around Europe (biggest cities + Copenhagen and Stockholm).
I have to say that I loved this store. Cool very wearable clothes, lovely shoes and bags (many of them leather items) and many other cute accessories. I will definitely be back when the sales start (and makes everything even more affordable).

I did pick up one thing though.. a little sun cap for a mere 12 euros. All ready for the beach now!

New Mango openings in Barcelona

Mango finally opened it's brand new store in paseo de Gracia (between Diputació and Consell de Cent), just next to Mandarin Hotel and Tiffany & Co. The space has been under construction for years and years, nevertheless the result is very nice. It has two stories and is big, open and bright. You really feel like shopping when you can actually see the clothes and they look great (I also have to add that I really like the new spring collection of Mango).

Mango also redecorated their store in Portal de Angel, which also recently was newly opened and has the same design as this one.

Back to work...

I am starting a new job tomorrow where the dress code is formal. Therefore I went out and got some items to better prepare my wardrobe for my new challenges.

Nude pump wedges from Primark for 12,00€. They are going to be very comfortable to wear during a long work day.

A black blazer from H&M for 29,99€. The blazer will go well with my many dresses - anything can look more formal with a blazer.

In H&M they have an offer right now: if you buy for over 30€, they will give you a gift card for 5€. As I had bought the blazer, I had a 5€ to spend and found this shirt. The shirt was normally 14,99€, but was on sales (mid season?) for 10€. So all in all I paid 5€ for it.

The season's last sales bargains

I feel there has been sales for ever since they practically started before Christmas. Nevertheless, we are already in March and even though some shops still are trying the get rid of their last sales items, I think it is safe to say that the winter sales are officially over. So here is a small summary of the last items I found on sales this past month.

Dress from Stradivarius, one of their last sales items left... Was reduced from 27,99€ to 5,99€

Black leather peep toe pumps from Mango Outlet. Was reduced from 49,99€ to 11,99€.

Dress also from Mango Oulet, was on sales for only 3,99€.

Shoes from Xti Footwear with heel. I have been doubt for a while if I liked these kind of shoes or not, and all though I still think there are many ugly versions of them, I really liked these in black. Was reduced from 39,99€ to 29,99€.

This last pair of pumps, I bought when I was visiting Paris in February. They are not actually for me, but an early birthday present for my co-writer (basically because they did not have them in my size!). In the Michael Kors store in the Rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré  they had their last weekend of sales with many items up to 70% off. And there is where I found these fabulous shoes, reduced from 150€ to 45€. A very nice bargain..

Psssttt.....

Just a little heads up - you can get 50% on selected items on Julie Sandlau jewellery in her store in Aarhus!

The sale is ending the 28. this month - so hurry down to take a look and maybe buy a bargain!

Was 1800 kr.

reduced to 900 kr.

Was 950 kr.

Now 475 kr.

Was 1100 kr.

now 550 kr.

My visit at La Roca Village

I decided to go to La Roca Village yesterday. La Roca Villlage is a "Chic Outlet Shopping", basically a shopping street with luxury brands that offer their product for outlet prices. It is situated 30 minutes outside of Barcelona and if you don't have a car there are other alternatives to get there. One possibility is to take the Shopping Express bus, which is 12€ return. It seems like in order to take it you need to book in advance, so you will know where it will leave from (some web sites say pl. Catalunya and others C/ Casp...).
Since I had not booked in advance I went with public transport; you need to take the Renfe train to Granollers centre and then the bus from the other side of the street of the station that goes to La Roca. It takes 30 minutes with the train and then 30 minutes with the bus (which leaves you right at the entrance).

I was on the look out for a new bag and I wanted a nice brand and I was willing to spend 250-300€ on it. I got a very pleasant surprise when had a look at the different stores; not only did I find many bags that I like (which I never do!), also with the outlet discounts and the additional sales I found I got get two bags for my original budget.

But first I stopped by Comptoire des Cotonniers and I found this really nice black dress. The before price was 160€ and it was reduced to 35€.

I was looking for a black leather bag for every day use, and in the Coach store there were many nice ones! I decided to get this bag as it was exactly what I was looking for - easy wearable, with many different compartments and with really nice leather. The before price was 455€, but with the outlet discount, then the sales, and then for some reason they had another 20% off that day, the final price was 151€.

In the Michael Kors outlet store and I fell in love with this bag. Also black leather bag, but with leopard pattern. It can be wore over the shoulder or as a hand bag. It looks small, but there is room for many things in it, especially thanks to all the compartments. The before price was 355€ and it was for outlet + sale for 130€.

New basics found on sales

I needed some basics for my wardrobe, which I have been searching for during these sales. I needed a new coat and a pair of tall black leather booths without a high heel. I have this week found both:

A winter coat from Kookai. I especially love the colour, its a bit brighter than the normal winter colours. It was on halt price from 180€ to 89€.

I also found my black leather boots (which really was not easy!). In the end I found them in Lacoste - I really liked the leather, the form and the fit. A bit more pricey but I think they are definitely worth it  (on sales from 250€ to 149€).

I am also searching for a new bag and I think I have found the one.. To be continued..

Shopping in London

I was on London a couple of weeks back where I took a stroll down Oxfordstreet. As the sales in the UK start already on the 26th of December, many places there was already the second round of sales. I found a few things in Forever21 (where they had put everything on 50% on further 50% off), Primark (of course..) and new boots in Clarks. 

Sweater from  Forever 21, was 24 pounds now on sales for 5.99 pounds.

Zebra striped sweater from Primark, was on half price at 4.99 pounds.

Sweater from Forever21, before 20 pounds, now on sales for 4.99 pounds.

Black blazer from Forever21, was 30 pounds, now on sales for 7.49 pounds.

Black leather boots from Clarks - even with the heel they are so comfortable to wear! Before 69.99 pounds, now on sales for 34.99 pounds.

My fabulous X-mas present

I know it has been ages ago there has been any updates on this blog. Nevertheless, currently I have more time to write, so promise that there will be more news in here from now on. Since it has been a while, I have to start with something that goes a while back, namely Christmas and share with you my amazing Christmas present. My boyfriend went "a bit" over board and got me these fantastic Miu Miu shoes.