Take a side.

Last night was the second of four Real Madrid vs. Barcelona FC games in one month-a historic event that hasn't happened since the beginning of the 1900's. People are going nuts. Barcelona has been the stronger team since I arrived nearly three years ago, but last night Madrid won the Copa del Rey (King's Cup) against Barcelona-and suddenly madrilistas were coming out of the woodwork in Santiago-proudly displaying their pride on jackets and scarves and with honking horns and fireworks. So, the million dollar question in Spain, posed by everyone including children 5 or 6 years old who have already decided their loyalty: "Who's your team?"

I have to admit, that I don't really completely understand having to make the choice as I'm not Spanish, nor am I a big sports fan, but being here three years it is time to draw the line-most three year olds have already decided which team they belong to. So here's where you come in, obviously, coming from the states our soccer culture is lacking so we can't choose on best team ability or strategy...so let's choose based soley on the superficial-their looks, but of course!

Barcelona Football Club:

Coach: Josep Guardiola-Catalan/Spanish-he can do no wrong being a humble, well spoken, well dressed chap.

Star player: Leonel Messi-Argentinian-nominated best player in the world two years in a row. He's the bee's knees on the field.

Tabloid star: Gerard Pique-Catalan/Spanish (Shakira left her man after 10 years when she met Pique at the World Cup last summer...wakawaka!)

Real Madrid:

Coach: Jose Mourinho- Portuguese-and full of fire and passion. He makes a headline speaking or not speaking.

Star player: Iker Casillas-Spanish-Saint Iker, he's untouchable in Spain-European Championship, World Cup, nuf said.

Tabloid Star: Christiano Ronaldo-Portuguese (he fills tabloid magazines with his six pack and bling, and Armani ads, but he's also been the best player in the world and the rivalry between Leo Messi and Ronaldo is the stuff Hollywood is made of.)

So time to take a side...Real Madrid or Barcelona??

Sushi redone

I want to take burrito sushi to a party now!! And for desert have nutella makis!!

La comida perfecta para una fiesta! Burrito sushi! Y nutella makis para el postre!

From the Kitchn via No Face Plate and El Pais Semanal.

Back to the future...

These bathrooms designed by Spaniard Jaime Hayon are soo cool. So liquid and metalic-mercurial- like that amazing sculpture at the Miro museum. I would love to have a bathroom like this, wouldn't you? I found Hayon's bathrooms at the ever inspiring Spanish decor blog Vintage & Chic, but check out more of Hayon's design at his project website- it's futuristic art deco!

Los baños diseñados por Jaime Hayon son increíbles. Tan liquidos y metalicos-como mercurio-y la escultura en al museo de miro. Me encantaría tener un baño asi, ¿te gustan?. Encontré los baños en el blog Vintage & Chic, pero hay que ver mas de los diseños de Hayon en su página web-¡me encantan!

A little bit of jazz...

Have you heard of or seen Chico and Rita? It's on my list of things to do. An animated film for adults about jazz, love, and revolution made by the impecable Spanish team: director Fernando Trueba-famous for Oscar winner Belle Epoch-also on my to see list, and designer Javier Mariscall-famous for the Barcelona Olympic's design. Add it to your list!

Chico & Rita - Tráiler. Trueba y Mariscal animados por cine365

¿Ya habéis visto Chico y Rita? La tengo pendiente en mi lista de pelis para ver. Es una película animada para adultos hecho por el equipo español: Fernando Trueba-director famoso por Belle Epoch, y el diseñador Javier Mariscall-famoso por sus diseños en las olimpiadas de Barcelona.