That Chocolate Heart

CRAZY CARNIVAL SEASON COMES TO A CLOSE in Europe, marking the beginning of Lent. I didn't quite find the time to join in on the festivities but I had the chance to experience the carousal both in Barcelona, with carnestoltes, and in Milan, with carnevale, filling the streets with full-costumed kiddies making noise and making laden the air and ground with truckloads of confetti.

Back in our home-empty-home in Barcelona, I take a deep breath from what feels like my life's own personal carnival season, a whirlwind affair with fashion in Milan, made possible and incredible by I-D Magazine and Alberto Guardiani.

Details later!

For now, a Lenten watch, from -wow- this was 12 years ago! Lasse Hallström's Chocolat revolves around radical Vianne's defiance of Lenten tradition with a single-minded pursuit to spread kindness and happiness via chocolate concoctions. Featuring a pre-Jack-Sparrow Johnny Depp and a post-Trinity Carrie-Anne Moss, the film brings back memories of the milennium year while bringing back values that transcend season, tradition or religion: sincerity, generosity and unconditional kindness.

Whether or not to abstain, a good heart observes goodness all year long.

Chocolat, 2000. Directed by Lasse Hallström.

That Moda of Transport

NOT HAVING A CAR HAS BEEN OH SO GOOD for us over here. After all, most everything is, at most, a 30-minute train ride from everything else and when it isn't, it's a lovely stroll with interesting shops and endless panaderías along the way.

The street our new apartment is on is wide but short, leading up to both the park entrance and some steps downhill to the main road. It is a dead end which is great, meaning cars don't come through unless they are dropping off residents or guests.

On the street side opposite to our building is a row of 8 spots for parking scooters and motorbikes. I've seen them come and go, both middle-aged and young adult riders, all dressed and styled quite fashionably though not as voluntarily friendly as folks elsewhere over here have been. Maybe it's the neighborhood?

Thinking of getting a scooter eventually. Maybe then I get to be fashionably unfriendly too.

Ciao papa and Orleans by Carine Brancowitz, carinebrancowitz.com

These Red-Letter Days

AS THE RED ROSES IN THE BEDROOM BEGIN TO WILT, strangely much faster than do the pink ones, I find myself drawn to the scarlet color, putting more and more of it on my winter-chapped lips -I really shouldn't- and hunting for it on every rack in Catalunya, rebaixes or not.

But alas, the passionate color escapes me, being an absentee amongst all the baby pinks and blues and minty-fresh greens seizing the stores lately. And as I am close to depleting my boyfriend's bank account, having strolled into one too many rebaixes in the past two weeks, not to mention Michelin-starred eateries scattered commonplace in this dining haven of a city, I turn to digital dreaming for my fill; i.e. browser window shopping. Browser window browsing?

Such a busy February it's been. 20 days and it feels like eternity.

And yet, really. It's only just begun.

Azzedine Alaïa wool and knitted dresses, www.10corsocomo-theshoponline.com

That Sweet Valentine Baby

TODAY IS VALENTINE'S DAY AND ALSO SUNNY'S BIRTHDAY! It's a shame this sweet, pretty, stinky dog will have to turn three away from us, though we are sure she's having a blast, being with Kitty Bang Bang, while being in the company of many new puppy friends at the pet hotel.

¡Feliz Cumpleaños Sunny! That means Happy Birthday over here in what will be yours and Kitty's new home! Yes, we've found one, with a huge terrace for you to terrorize and stairs to boggle your bungalow sensibilities.

To everyone else, ¡Feliz San Valentín! May you have loved ones in your hearts, however near or far.

Sunny in January 2012, after clearing out the old White House.

This February Reading List

AS I AM OFF TO LOWER TEMPERATURES in search of a suitable new space we can bring the pets home to, I've put together some old posts to interest you with while I am away. Simply click an item on the shelf to read. Mouse over for some fun.

A long and hectic February awaits. See you back here before the end of the month for some updates and surprises!