Barcelona - Day Two

My second day in Barcelona was arguably my favorite. It was before the rain set in and I got to see the two places that had been at the top of my list: Park Guell and Sagrada Familia.

We started off the day at a cafe around the corner from the apartment. I ordered the “vintage burger”, having no idea what it actually was. Turned out to be a regular beef burger with goat cheese, walnuts, and honey. It was absolutely delicious. We headed to Park Guell after lunch. It was the first of Antoni Gaudi’s works that we saw that day. There were a lot of colored mosaics either in the shape of animals, or as decoration in the ceilings and benches. There was also a huge terrace surrounded by palm trees with a view of the city and a big park beyond that. 

After the park, we grabbed some gelato before going to the Sagrada Familia, or Church of the Sacred Family. This was, without a doubt, the most breathtaking moment on the trip. The perfect stained glass windows were all around and the ceilings and walls were fascinating. I could have stayed there all day and just wandered and gone up into the towers. I found it to be really interesting that it was barely a fifth of the way completed when Gaudi died. It’s estimated that it won’t be fully complete until 2026, also the centennial of Guadi’s death.

If you ever find yourself in Spain, it is an absolute must to see.  

Hearts,
Kimberly Grace 

Barcelona - Day One

It was a bit daunting to think about getting all the photos up from my Barcelona and Madrid trip. I took over 600 between my camera and my phone. I decided to break it down by day to lighten the load a bit. 

My flight had gone from LA to Chicago to Madrid and then to Barcelona. So even though I slept on the plane and we got to the apartment we rented by early afternoon, it was time for a nap. Or should I say siesta? Michelle, Jason, and Jon went to a local bar to watch the game while the other five of us slept. We woke up, got ready, and headed out to an 11pm dinner which apparently is very normal over there. I could get used to the siesta and late nights. Heck, I do them both here. 

We arrived at Razzmatazz and waited in line to get in. Men were selling beers right out on the street over there. It’s not really legal anymore from what we gathered but it’s still sort of comical. Once inside the club, we wandered around the four or five rooms. The place is huge! There was a band playing on the main stage and Chad Valley performed inside one of the smaller rooms. After the performances, we danced the night away while the DJs played everything from The Killers to Passion Pit to Two Door Cinema Club. I was in heaven. I’d love to go back to Barcelona and especially to Razzmatazz. We didn’t get home until 7am the following morning. It was the perfect beginning to my trip. 

Hearts,
Kimberly Grace

P.S. Check back tomorrow for day two of the trip. It was my favorite because of the Sagrada Familia and Park Guell.  

Rule number one, is that you gotta have fun.

I’m back! Sorry for the absence. When I travel, I sort of check out in all other areas of my life. My mom and boyfriend asked if I would at least check in so they’d know I was alive. Clearly they have no confidence in me.

These photos were from the other day when my friend Anna and I went to Burbank to stuff our faces at Porto’s. I believe it was the next day, the napoleon and guava & cheese strudel fresh in my memory, that I started the Insanity workout. Everything hurts. Anyway, I had Anna snap a few photos of my beloved new Dear Creatures arrow dress. As soon as I saw the spring pre-sale on Emerging Thoughts, I knew I had to have it. That back cutout is perfect. 

I’m still working on the photos from Barcelona and Madrid so hopefully those will be up soon. It’s taking longer than expected. Other than that, I’m just getting back into the groove here. I’ve been wanting to go dancing and shopping lately so I might have a treat yo self day. Maybe throw a massage into the mix. My birthday is in May after all. Might as well start the festivities a little early. 

Hearts,
Kimberly Grace 

Outfit Details:
Dear Creatures Arrow Dress: Emerging Thoughts
Horse tote bag: Craft Fair (no tag!)
Limousine flats: c/o BC Footwear
Flower Headband: DIY

Sleep until the sun goes down…

I woke up in a “holy crap I leave tomorrow” panic. I’m still in bed though so I can’t be that worried, right? Plus, I’m making tons of lists… in my head, on my phone, and on paper. I’ll be damned if I forget anything. 

My strategy for trips and visits has been somewhat perfected over the last year or two. I write down everywhere I want to go, everyone I want to see, and all the things I want to eat. The last one being the most important obviously. It’s been helpful for everything from friends visiting, to going abroad. I plan out my days the minute I get there, taking into account weather and when places are closed, and make sure it all fits in.

My travel buddy, Jessica, has been sort of doing this for years. Every trip we’ve been on she handed me a packet at the beginning with popular phrases, conversion rates, and places we could go. I’m trying to make one for Barcelona right now, but let’s be honest: She’s the expert. There’s going to be eight of us on this trip, so whether it’s chaotic or not, it’s going to be a ton of fun. 

Hearts,
Kimberly Grace 

Outfit Details:
Necklace and bear bracelet: Sea of Bees
Dusen Dusen dress (worn as a blouse) and bag: Emerging Thoughts
Skirt: AA (borrowed from Keiko)
Theory boots: Seychelles

The colors Duke, the colors!

Since I’m literally not leaving my bed until I have to go to work (damn you, sickness!), these pictures from my instagram will have to do for now. Cara is my amazing little hair magician over at Salon Pure in downtown LA. I feel so much better now that my hair was redone. It’s amazing what a cut and color can do. I’m waiting to wash it until I absolutely have to because it’s probably going to bleed and ombre itself out. It’s a different look every time I shower!

Time for a nap before work. Please send your healthy vibes my way. I need to beat this thing before my trip!

Hearts,
Kimberly Grace 

The mammal, not the singer…

My mama was in town for a week, partially to check out some condos in Seal Beach. The actual units left a lot to be desired, but there were bunnies hopping around, a band playing out of a truck, and I found some Girl Scouts selling cookies. Let’s just say I’m not totally writing Seal Beach off yet. 

I leave for Spain in a week and I’m currently sitting with a tissue stuffed up my nose. Really glamorous, right? My immune system is fucking with me and I don’t appreciate it. I did redo the crazy colors in my hair though, so while I feel like crap, at least it’s a great hair day. I posted pics on Instagram (username - Kimblygrace). I was beyond overdue for a cut and color. My hair was an unruly mess and I had about two months of roots. 

On that note, I’m going to bed. I need to recover and fast! Bring on the vitamins and rest!

Hearts,
Kimberly Grace 

Outfit Details:
Lace skull back shirt - Betsey Johnson
Skirt - Anthropologie (Hand me down from Keiko)
Alyssa bag - c/o Melie Bianco (It never leaves my side)
Sunglasses - RayBan c/o Lucky
Deer necklace - Sea of Bees (Slightly different version at Emerging Thoughts)
“Fuck” ring - Gift from Keiko
Wire wrapped ring: Artists and Flea 

P.S. The title comes from when I tweeted/instagramed/whatevered that I was in Seal Beach and @emergingthought wrote “so happy it’s the mammal, not the singer.” I got the weirdest visual of like twenty Seals (the singer) laying out on the beach. I guess it stuck with me. 

Colors and leaves…

I was looking through older photos (these are from November), to see which colors I want to put back in my hair on Thursday. I totally forgot to post these, although you may have seen them on Keiko’s blog. She still owes me one more set. I’m going to have to get the blackmail started soon if she doesn’t give them up!

So far, today has been a lazy day of painting panda necklaces and making to do lists in my head. I worked a video game release late last night and completely over slept this morning. So much for being productive on my day off. Tonight is my belated Valentine’s Day date with Will so I better start getting ready and caffeinating. My bed is just so comfy…

Hearts,
Kimberly Grace

Outfit Details:
Dress: c/o BB Dakota  (currently 50% off!)
Coat: Lauren Moffatt (borrowed from Keiko)
Fascinator: Vintage
Theory boots: Seychelles

I can’t be told, ah ah, it can’t be done…

I’ve been listening to a lot of The Lumineers and Icona Pop lately. Good for relaxing and dancing, respectively. The relaxing part is going to be good this week. My mom is in town for the next seven days, so my sister will be hanging around a bit more as well. I love them, but holy crap do they stress me out. 

I’ll get a little relief on Wednesday when Will and I go to Lucha Va Voom. If you’re in Los Angeles and you like Mexican wrestling and burlesque, there might still be tickets available. It’s downtown at the Mayan theater and was a riot when I went a few years ago. It’s going to be the first half of our Valentine’s Day celebrating. I think he’s taking me down to Malibu for dinner next week. We don’t like celebrating on actual holidays. All the amateurs are out and I hate angry crowds. I guess I get stressed out easily. Note to self: need to work on that. 

Hearts,
Kimberly Grace 

Outfit Details:
Sweater: Pins and Needles 
Dress (worn as a skirt): BB Dakota ($10 at sample sale!)
Mirrored Mary Janes: Jeffrey Campbell