This Weekend's Quick List of Hot Places to be

This weekend is going to be crazy and I'm super busy getting ready for all of the festivities so I'm just going to give you an overview of all the best spots to be and be seen!

-Primavera Sound! I'm heading over to the forum soon to see 2 of my favorite bands (Portishead and Catpower) The rest of the festival sounds good, but honestly...I've got better places to be!
Tomorrow I have planned a fabulous birthday party for my fantabulous friend Christian...we will spend the day at a beach house we rented up the coast a ways, then return to Barcelona for what will be, no doubt, a delicious feast at Shunka. Later I think we're going to hit up Roxy Blue (that new place on Rambla de Catalunya). Sunday Brunch will unquestioningly follow...
I hope you all have a divine time as well!
Hasta Lunes,

Dos Besos,
VIParina

NY Times and Starbucks

Good afternoon,
I've had a relaxing day so far! Last night was a lot of fun at Otto Zutz! I'm not usually to fond of that place, but a little hip hop goes a long way for this NYC girl!
So as you can imagine, my friends and I stayed out quite late getting our groove on. I decided to take the morning off. No shopping, no spa, no gym...just me, my NY times and an iced latte from Starbucks. I did pull myself together to meet up with a friend for lunch at the Academia. We shared the most scrumptious salad. It's a real salad, not one of those ice-berg lettuce, tomato and onion numbers they try and pass off as a salad here.
So now I'm resting again cause I want to be on top of my game tonight. I'm meeting up with some of my peeps at Dos Trece in the Raval, and then hopefully we'll go to Opium Mar. Should be fun...I'll let you know how it went.

Hope you're enjoying this beautiful weather!

Dos Besos,
VIP arina

Chica Chica Cherry Season

Mmm... It's cherry season in Barcelona and that means that everyone should get down to the Boqueria and pick up a kilo of the scrumptious/sumptuous fruit. I just did. I feel like I've already had the longest day already. It started at 8:30 when my yoga instructor came banging at the door. I love yoga and all, but I feel like such a rude awakening does not lead to a Zen-filled day. In any event, my mood changed as quickly as the weather in Barcelona! I had a fantastic lunch with my friend Megan (we discussed "the boy") at Mama's Cafe in the Raval and then afterwards we did a little shopping at those adorable stores along C/ Doctor Dou. I picked up a few trinkets, nothing too exciting though. Next we stopped off at the Boqueria where we had a field day at one of the fruit and vegetable stands. I have to say....shopping at markets is one of the best parts of living in this city...I mean, I don't think I ever stepped foot into a supermarket in NY (ew I don't even want to imagine it!), but here I can't seem to stay away.
Well, last night at Shoko was a blast as expected. Tonight I'm going to a dinner party at an American friend's apartment then we're all heading to Otto Zutz do get our grooves on to some hip hop!
Hope to see you there!

Dos Besos,
VIParina

Facials and Footwear

Hi hi,
So has anyone else noticed that Barcelona pollution is bad for the skin? I have had such issues with both the water, which absolutely has made a good hairday almost impossible to achieve and the pollution, which I am convinced is the reason that I don't have the shiny, bright complexion I am so accustomed to. Anyways... I got a divine facial at the Pink Peony today, they use Dr. Hauschka products,which I love and was introduced to back in NYC. I also got my weekly mani-pedi. This week I'm wearing Malaga Wine.I figured when in Spain...
So after my morning of beauty I strolled down to Portal d'Angel to do some damage on my credit card. How many shoe stores can one city have? I mean I am an experienced shopper if there ever was one and even I can't get through them all. I did pick up a cute pair of espadrilles though! Now I'm just sitting in Bliss, sipping a green tea and writing this. I should run though, cause tonight I'm going to Shiny @ Shoko and I want to look my best because I think this cute boy I know might be there. hehehe
Have a good one and maybe I'll see you at Shoko!

Dos Besos,
VIParina

Where for out thou summer?

Good Morning everyone!
What horrible weather this weekend, no?
My tan is not coming along as I would like it to!
So Friday night was definitely one to remember...so much so, in fact that I am a bit fuzzy on the deets. As I told you, my friend was in town from London and we really whooped it up. We had a delicious dinner at Dionysis but didn't end up staying for Dio Bar as the staff were a bit rude and herded us upstairs before we were ready to go. This didn't dampen anyone's mood though. Instead we headed over to Mix which was crowded, but a ton of fun. Next we were on to Rouge, which was not so happening so we made our way up Montjuic for the opening night of Terrrassa. I love Terrrassa! The music was great and the crowd fantastic. Unfortunately it started to rain, which isn't so bad when the weather is warm, but as you all know...It wasn't. Anyways, I can't wait to go again!
Hopefully the weather will get a bit better this week. I want me some Barcelona fun in da sun!
So today should be quite mellow. I met my trainer at Holmes place earlier for a pretty rough workout...it is bikini season after all. Later I'm hooking up with the girls for lunch at the Bagel Shop. Then I think we'll go to some galleries cause I have a big empty space on my wall that just needs to be filled. Next maybe some bikini shopping...anyone seen any cute bikinis this season? If so, let me know where...
I hope you all have a great Monday!!

Dos Besos,

VIParina

A Day of Detox

We had so much fun last night! Sipping on champagne in the VIP...it's the only way to do it. It was so much fun in fact that I had to detox all day! What kind of detox you may ask...well, I went to this incredible spa on diagonal and got the most incredible four hand massage. Then spent some time in the steam room and finished it all off with a facial. I have to say...I feel like new and thank goodness for that cause tonight is going to be huge. My friend in town from London for the weekend so we're meeting at Dionysis for dinner then going to have some drinks at Dio bar which I haven't been to yet, but have heard is very cool. And last but certainly not least we will head up Montjuic for the opening night of La Terrrassa! If it doesn't rain that is. I feel like the opening night of Terrrassa means that summer is here! So I'll let you know how it all goes down! Gotta run...

Dos Besos,

VIParina

VIParina

A beautiful day in the Barrio

Buenas tardes mis amores!
Such a late post, I know. But what can I say...I'm a very busy person. So yesterday the CCCB was a no go. Lunch lasted far too long and included a few too many glasses of cava.
HAHA have you figured out yet that I have a weakness for the bubbly stuff?
I did paint a picture of the view of my terrace when I got home, so I figure that counts as something cultural or at least artistic.
Anyways, I had a rather quiet evening. I went to my friend Nico's for a bit of Pica Pica, then we had a few drinks at Ginger ( this adorable little bar right near Plaza San Just).
Don't you worry though...VIParina hasn't gone soft in her partying ways. Tonight is Opium Mar. I've been a couple of times on Thursday night and it's been so much fun everytime!

I'd love it if you could make it!
Just tell the doorman you're on VIParina's list.

Ok I'm of to beautify myself...

Dos Besos,
VIParina

In an artsy kind of mood

Goodmorning, or afternoon should I say. hehe. Last night turned out to be an absolute blast! The art exhibit titled "Blanco y Negro" had some really beautiful pieces and the crowd could have been taken out of some Fellini film i.e. Older women dressed to impress sipping white wine and smoking cigarrettes. It was a trip. Then we were off to Shoko where we stuffed ourselves with hors d'oeuvres and drank a bit too much cava! The place was packed and I think will be the place to be Tuesdays this summer.
Well...I have to run and meet some friends at the Reina de Raval for lunch. Then, since I'm feeling like some more culture, to the CCCB for the photography show, "Post-it City". I'll let you know how it all goes.

Dos Besos,

VIParina

p.s. if you want to check out the exhibition "Blanco y Negro" it's at the La Galleria Ignacio de Lassaletta, Rambla de Catalunya, 20.

Today's To Do List

1.Meet private trainer at the gym for 1 hour long workout session

2.Hair appointment @ English Hair Salon (I have to say that they do a great job and I don't have to worry about leaving the salon with a mullet)

3. Quick lunch at the Bagel Shop with Amelia.

4. Make-up application @ the Benefit counter @ El Corte Ingles.

5. Rest up before the party begins.

Dos Besos,

VIParina

Art, Sushi and Cocktails...Oh My!

"Today is all a preparation for tonight!" Hehe, I bet some philosopher has said that and if not, then I claim it as a VIP arina-ism. So as I told you yesterday, tonight I'm attending an art exhibition which should be a blast as almost everyone I know, keyword 'almost', will be there. Afterwards we're all heading over to Shoko for a bit of dancing and imbibing. Wanna come? Well... I guess you're invited. Just say you're on Elite's list at the door. If you come between 10:30 and 12:30 you'll even get a full menu dinner and drinks for free!
Hope to see you there!!

Dos Besos,

VIParina

Monday Blues

I don't know about you...but I feel a kind of sadness at the passing of every weekend. To remedy this melancholy I take Monday as a day of complete self worship and pampering. I was woken up today by my yoga instructor, Eden, pounding on the door. After a rough hour of exercise, I went for my almost weekly appointment at The Pink Peony for a mani-pedi. While I was there I also indulged in an eyelash tinting session. After all... I do have a lot to look great this week!
After my treatments I made a few calls and got 3 of my girlfriends to meet me for a sushi lunch at Kibuka. I absolutely love Kibuka! I only order the same 2 things every time I go, but damn they are DELICIOUS!
Later I ran over to BCBG to pick up a dress I had pre-ordered for tomorrow night's art opening and now, well, now I'm just going to curl up with the US version of Vogue, sip some cava and rest up for the week's festivities!

Dos Besos,
VIParina

VIParina in Barcelona

Allow me to introduce myself, I'm VIParina and I'm what you would call...well...the quintessential IT girl.
What was that? You haven't heard of me?
Hah you don't even know, do you.
I am the girl you wanted to get to know, last night, at the disco. The one who walked, without a reservation, into the restaurant you need to book 6 months in advance, and got the best table in the house. The one who always whisks to the front of the line and gets dos besos from the doorman and instant entrance.
Essentially...the girl everyone wants to be or be friends with.

Want to get to know me a little better? Well then...read on. If not, it's your loss.

Dos besos,
VIP arina