Still clinging on to the sunshine!

Nothing is art if it does not come from nature.

Antoni Gaudi

I promise not to bore you with my holiday after today however, I went shopping on Regents street yesterday and popped into Desigual. I really shouldn't have been surprised when you bear in mind this wonderful store was born in Barcelona but what struck me yesterday was just how much the designs and shapes reflect the art of the city. I'm not a fashion historian however, the disjointed outfits, vibrant colors, and interrupted patterns in bright styles seem to take inspiration from the quirky architecture made famous by the ubiquitous Antoni Gaudí.

Gaudi’s influence can be seen all over Barcelona but if you want to see him at his eclectic best you simply have to go to Park Güell and of course to the awe inspiring Sagrada Familia. The Sagrada Familia is the most visited monument in Spain so, today I want to focus on Park Güell.

Park Güell is a public park composed of gardens and architectonic, (thanks for that word Wiki!!),elements located on Carmel Hill. In 1984, UNESCO declared the park a World Heritage Site under "Works of Antoni Gaudí".

Park Guell is that place where you feel like a four year old, oohing and ahhing at crazy rock formations and multicolored mosaics. While most parks have your typical grass, trees and benches (/me yawns…), this park blows your mind with the sheer explosion of colour and eclectic shapes. It’s one of the most striking, beautifully bonkers places in Spain. When you go, make sure you allocate at least half a day, it’s a bit like going to IKEA, you get sucked into a labyrinth of inspiration, and there’s no turning back…

The experience starts at the gate where you’re welcomed by the gingerbread house from Hansel and Gretel! Actually, it’s the porter’s lodge at the gate entrance. The highlight is the frosted icing roof which gives you a glimpse of what's to come. The roof is made of “trencadis”, a mosaic of shards synonymous with Gaudi.

You next come to the The Sala Hispótila, a Romanesque forum complete with dozens of Doric columns. If you're lucky as we were, you'll find street musicians filling the space with joy! The ceiling in the Sala have dozens of decorative medallions, each one unique, each one a masterpiece. As you continue through the space you notice all is not as it seems, those Doric columns I mentioned, they bend and tilt in a truly Gaudiesque way!

The front of the Sala. There you’ll find the dragon! He’s a ubiquitous emblem of Gaudí, and you can get a mini version of him at every tourist trap across the city! If you want to take a picture next to him, you’ll need to queue, he’s a popular amphibian!

As you continue through the park you come across a row of palm trees, below which you will find a cafe, my advice, despite the exorbitant prices, soak in the sun and rest your tired feet - you’ll be doing lots of up now!

As you climb up Carmel Hill the views of Barcelona just get more and more spectacular. The wavy trencadis benches at the large esplanade, called Nature Square has an amazing view of the city.

It was believed that the word “gaudy” came from the architect Antoni Gaudí and his reputation of eccentric, over-the-top designs. But, the word existed way before his time. I so wanted the former to be true…

One last thing, the park used to be free however, they now make a small charge to help with the upkeep of the park and they limit the numbers so, if you’re going, not just in the peak season but, at any time of the year, make sure you book your tickets well in advance!

What I’ve got on today;

Head & Teeth - .LeLutka. Head.Simone 2.7

Eyes - CATWA UN-RIGGED EYE V1.1 - (Custom eye texture)

Hair - Exile:: Shape of You, at the July/August Uber

Eyebrows - Glam Affair - Katya suggest eyebrows 01

Skin - LURE: Emily (Carnation)

Body, Hands & Feet - Maitreya Mesh Body - Lara V4.0

Nail Varnish - alaskametro<3 "Classic/Solid" Slink/Omega/Maitreya nail polish applier

AO - VISTA ANIMATIONS *HUD 4.14*MIRIAM BENTO AO-V1B

Physics - 2.- Sutile -Subtle.~ Physics by Temptation

Shape - Custom Made

Tattoo - Nomadic Owl - Black [CAROL G]