spain inspired

If we're being honest, I went to Europe with a whole childhood of dreams of the Eiffel Tower and cobbled streets and Italian food in the back of my mind. Then I left obsessed with Spain. There is something about the architecture, the vibe of the country, the fashion and the shopping, the incredible food, and the environment that leaves you wanting more. So I'm bringing some of Barcelona and Madrid back to America with me, because some of the things I fell in love with there are just too good to leave in Spain. The rod iron, the detailed art and architecture, the tapas, the fabrics, the fresh juices, the open markets, the mosaic, the fashion. I fell in love with all of it, and I'm convinced that Spain just doesn't get enough credit.

Here are some of the little treasures of Spain and the little ways I want my life to change because of that incredible place:

Details. La Sagrada Familia had to have been one of the most mind blowing reminders of how details pay off, and simplicity doesn't always rule the design (and architecture) world. Even after the artist died, the country is committed to finishing the design to his sketches and his original desire. This design, and the buildings all around the cities in Spain, reminded me that complexity is beautiful, and in a world of 'modern' and 'contemporary' design, complexity can and will still stick around.

Churros. Not quite the same as the ones in the frozen food aisles, lets just put that out there. They are fresh and quite frankly, anything dipped in chocolate is good with me. I'm on a new mission to make homemade churros after seeing them all over Spain. Yum.

Rich tones. Walking into restaurants, there is always this warm and rich vibe. Then, the cobble roads and rich tones of the homes just add to the deep and beautiful colors of this country. This bedspread by Anthropologie has me drooling over it and yearning for some Spanish colors in my  bedroom.

Fresh juice. Maybe it was the fact that I didn't have juice for a month and by the time I was in Spain, all I wanted was some fresh juice and fruits to snack on, or maybe it was the fact that the outdoor markets in Spain have the absolute best fresh foods and drinks, I don't know. But I do know that La Boqueria in Barcelona will forever be seared in my brain as the best fresh juice I've ever tasted. I need to invest in a blender stat.

Rod iron. I kept obsessively taking photos of all the homes and all the buildings lined with rod iron balconies, because I can't even get over how big of a difference it makes in the look of a city. It's like an effortless touch that makes every single street look Pinterest or Instagram worthy. This kitchen set has memories of paella and pretty architecture written all over it.

Patatas Bravas. I can't even explain to you how much I wish french fries in America was replaced with Patatas Bravas. And I love french fries, so that's saying a lot. I couldn't get over how tasty these potatoes with these yummy sauces were. We ate them at nearly every meal with no shame.

Mosaic. It's all over the place in Spain, much unlike America, where mosaic is practically uncool now-adays. Over here, mosaic screams grandma and old and outdated, but there it was so unique and bold and rich. I'm no longer anti-mosaic, that's for sure.

Fashion. Anyone that knows me knows my obsession with fashion. Setting foot in Spain didn't help the matter at all. People are so stylish, even as they hop on their vespas. They wear what they want to wear, call the trends themselves, and if they want to wear a daing jumpsuit, they wear a jumpsuit. I love that in Europe fashion is so effortless. Even on my best dressed day, next to someone in Spain (or London) I needed some serious retail therapy.