Fútbol

With everyone getting hyped up about the Champions League this weekend with both teams in the final being from Madrid, I've started to think about the World Cup - the only football I really follow.

I'm enjoying all the songs coming out vying to be this one's Waving Flag or Waka Waka. I have to say, I do like Shakira''a new video.

Something to keep you going today. Almost the weekend guys.

Maquís

Hadn't really understood the appeal of a pop-up store until I got to Madrid and my area, Barrio de Salamanca is full of them.

My favourite though is Maquís & Co. on Maldonado. So it hosts brands three days a week (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) in its store, grouping them based on a theme, for instance, christmas presents, vintage clothing, weddings, and even art. I went to one based around primavera (spring) and the small space was filled with colourful clothing, costume jewellery, flowers and paper garlands. They also offered me a hand exfoliation and moisturiser as a demonstration for the products.

I've been to others since then, the LOVE themed one was pretty good and I bought a great new top for going out. I urge you to go to the next one. Who knows what you could find.

I left feeling good despite the fact that I hadn't bought anything, with my email on the mailing list, extremely soft hands and a heart-shaped lollipop for the road.

Chiconi por favor

This was our bill from a Dominican restaurant I went to with Ger and the girls, Paloma, Paty, Andrea and Marcy. What do you suppose the sixth one down is? Chiconi, in other words that's a Gin-tonic. Cracked us up.

Holiday

Going home for Easter was a lovely break. Think I'd have long holidays working in a school? In Spain they only give you a measly week at Easter. However, I used that week wisely to spend time with friends, family and do a fair bit of eating. This post is part lifestyle blog, part random photos I'd like to share (jeje).

I miss the little Wilks so much when in Madrid. My favourite model,

Ger always makes claims that you see the most interesting cars in London. Here are a couple of good ones,

 

My godmother took me out to lunch at Brasserie Blanc on the terrace in the middle of Covent Garden piazza. I had the most delicious caramel soufflé from the specials board.

My trip to London wouldn't have been complete without seeing Parima (P.S. of Deep Meaningless Conversations). Botanist brunch babes. I recommend the buttermilk blueberry pancakes. While on the expensive side, especially if you add in a freshly squeezed juice like we did, it is a lovely little treat to yourself and I'd have breakfast for lunch any day.

For the Easter weekend we headed out to Gloucestershire and my country house. In spite of the April weather, we decided to barbecue. 

Definitely try this one at home: turkey mince, feta and black olive burgers with fried halloumi in a pitta bread, accompanied by sweet potato fries sprinkled with paprika and a crunchy green salad.

Look at these babies we picked up from Tesco. Wildly appropriate napkins. Oh and yes, I ate more than half our table's decorations, even after an impressive slice of that moist Betty Crocker red velvet beauty Mum made.

Sorry this post is quite so late. 

Enjoy your Wednesday dear readers.

Salmorejo

For a quick snackette of a dinner but still a place with charm, you should hit up Dónde Mónica. I came across it walking from Serrano up Padilla and although it's tucked away behind leafy walls, I managed to spot the menu on the street. Therefore that night, I decided it would be a great place for dinner with Ger, especially since we were in the mood for something simple.

After sharing a veal carpaccio, I went for the salmorejo - a steal at 3,90€. For those of you unfamiliar with what that is, it's like gazpacho (the famous Spanish cold tomato soup) but made with bread so more substantial - great for a light, summer dinner.

The interior has a sweet sort of homey-feeling, and they have a lovely outside terrace with three or four tables and romantic lighting. Being small though, I imagine if you go on a weekend you might have to wait. We went last Tuesday and there was no wait at all. Perfect.

My boys

Jaime and Ger came to take me out for dinner. We wandered Chueca and Malasaña.

Settling on Mercado de San Antón for some great - albeit a bit overpriced - tapas before dinner (remember here I went to the top floor restaurant). Think miniature spanish delicacies, baby hamburgers, sushi and that sort of thing. Sorry to repeat myself but definitely worth going.

We then walked back up to Naif in Plaza de San Idelfonso for a much more reasonably priced meal. I usually go for their "mexicana", a tasty hamburger with guacamole, but I thought I'd try one of their wraps this time. The burgers are still their best option in my opinion but this one with chicken, a curry sauce, and sultanas was different and delicious nonetheless. 

Now that it's warm in the evenings, the terrace there is constantly buzzing with a great atmosphere but even if you're sitting inside, the interior is awesome and oh so hipster, with exposed lightbulbs, mismatched furniture and check out the graffiti in the loos.

Segunda mano

I love second-hand shops where you can get trinkets and vintage items. Here are some of the weird and wonderful things in the one right by my house. I thought they made for quite cool and different photos. Bone walking stick or mother of pearl cigarette case anyone? The Nazi cap is quite strange (slash creepy) though.