Kooky Cookies

Everyone already knows Kukis – it’s no use explaining who they are. Even if you haven’t seen their adorable shop tucked away in the upper reaches of Sarrià, your best friend got a box of them when she had a baby last year or you saw that someone gave a box to your child’s teacher last Christmas (why didn’t you think of that instead of another scented candle?!)

So this is really just a reminder that for everything from the adorable to the spooky, you’ll find something to brighten a party or make a great present or just brighten someone’s day.

And PS – if you need something truly personal (or just plain personalized) they are the people to turn to for sure!

Nobodinoz it better

High powered lawyer to mommy? Paris to Provence? Hmmm. Nobodinoz how hard it can be to shift gears better than Murielle Bressan but once she had the idea to set up shop as a kiddie cool hunter there was no stopping her. She visited trade shows, came up with a name, a logo, and a concept that could be reproduced anywhere. So when opportunity came knocking on Séneca street she and her husband were ready to pick up their three children and move to Barcelona to fill the space with oh so sophisticated clothes for tots, design and vintage children’s furniture, princess costumes with wimples, rag dolls with hand knit sweaters, and other wonders the likes of which hadn’t been seen here before. And there they’ve been since July 2006. Wait, you don’t know where it is? Yes you do – turn left at Lydia Delgado, pass the space where Urbana was until just a few days ago, then the Roig Rubí, those branding people and you’ll see it. Murielle says Barcelona is a great place because her customers are a little like children, in awe of all the new things they’re discovering. But look for Nobodinozes in other parts when the time and the space are right.

Nobodinoz
c/Séneca 9
tel 93 368 6335
http://www.nobodinoz.com/

O Come All Ye Faithful

Just when you were cleaning out your closets for the new year, it’s time for more presents. The biggest traditional celebrations here revolve around Twelfth Night, which marks the end of the Christmas season. The Cabalgata de Reyes on the evening of the 5th is brings the city alive with the magic of Christmas as the Three Wise Men arrive in the harbour to be greeted by the mayor and parade through the streets, raining candy on all who have come to greet them.

The Feria de Reyes which lines Gran Via from carrer Muntaner to carrer Rocafort has been in full swing since December 21st and this year there are over 300 stands selling everything from traditional toys to handmade leathergoods to serious kitsch in the form of kits to paint on velvet. Of course, one of the most important items to be found there is sugary coal for all of those who have been more naughty than nice.

Tomorrow night is the big night there – the fair is open all night and the stands selling hot chocolate and churros become meeting places for all of the beleaguered salsespeople who have endured the biggest shopping day of the year and then stayed extra late to prepare for the sales that start on the 7th. If you stop by the fair for last minute presents or pass by on your way home from the Cabalgata, don’t forget to look for the cars and vans parked at the end of each block, overflowing with toys. They are manned by generous volunteers – but a toy at one of the stands, drop it off, and they will make sure it is distributed to a child who otherwise might have lost faith in the magic of the season.

New Year’s Resolutions and Gift-Giving

You found the new cell phone you’ve been dying for under the Christmas tree but it hasn’t changed your life. Your father-in-law doesn’t love you more because you gave him a new television (well he did, but it didn’t last long.) You’ve resolved to buy less junk in 2008.

Then you’re ready for Ann Leonard’s video, “The Story of Stuff” about the problems inherent in the materials economy. Its fun – all the theory is disguised in easy explanations and there are even some fascinating facts to make you think (one to pique your interest: 1% of all products sold in the U.S. are in use 6 months after purchase, i.e., the other 99% is already trash!)

Why are you reading about this in a blog about shopping? I found it in Shifting Careers, Marci Alboher’s blog at the New York Times, when I was looking for something to offer as an antidote to the shopping hangover we all get at this time of year so that you know that we know that no matter where you shop you can’t buy happiness.

Christmas in the Village

For really original and exclusive Christmas presents, look no farther than “El Pueblo Español.”

The model village on Montjuïc is of course a huge tourist attraction and if you haven’t been, you should try it because it’s really cute in a not-at-all-Disney sort of way. What’s more, all of the craftspeople who have their workshop/stores there make it a secret shopping destination.

If no one on your list has a doll house, use the miniature baskets from La Pescallunes (Mercaders 11, 93 425 1854) to trim the tree. There’s nothing cuter than their traditional baskets in tiny sizes.

If you need stocking stuffers, you’ll find all natural handmade olive oil soaps from Tules, or pom-pom key chains and hand-knotted bracelets from Taller Artesà, which works with the mentally disabled. Kiddies will love the wooden-headed, cloth dressed finger puppets from El Bagul (101 Casa Francesa 93 325 0471) and the old-schoolers will appreciate hand-embroidered handkerchiefs from Casa Otero (Palacio de los Contreras.)

Is your sister a gem? Let her know with a bauble from Can Brillant (98 Plaza Condes de San Cristóbal 93 325 5601,) where Christine Harwart turns just about anything into jewels. This German has been at the Pueblo Español for about 5 years all told and you can look to her for playful designs. She works PVC into blooms, hardens it and hammers it like silver, takes apart chandeliers and uses the crystals to make huge gem rings and knots oilcloth tableclothes into necklaces. Nothing is safe in her hands – lace turns into silver rings and she’s even turned the tiny plastic tubes children use at camp to make coasters into earrings. You won’t find her at fairs and shows so you’ll have to go to “the Village” to see her, but if you call ahead of time she’ll leave invitations at the door so that you can check out the wares.

And for all of your cold hands/warm heart friends, Flor Kanela (86 Casa Típica: Montblanc, 93 423 8349,) is a must. The workshop half of the space is lined with skeins of yarn and taken up by a loom, and there you’ll find Montse Casas making her shawls and scarves with Gloria along side, turning ribbons and yarn into fanciful bijoux. The materials are gorgeous –hand-dyed mohair, Peruvian alpaca, Chinese and Japanese silk or hand-dyed cotton and viscose ribbons, linen, cashmere and plain old wool. Montse literally weaves her magic spells right before your eyes. She’ll even create something to order.

So much for Christmas shopping in the city!

10 Secret Santas for around 10€

Did you see that Happy Pills lists “Secret Santas with no imagination” as a treatable malady? Can’t be too dire of course because the recommended treatment is candy to lift the spirits, but still, what pressure –come up with a cute present on a budget or you could be a cause of depression.

Here are some hints to help out.

1) Muji introductory pack
A pack of their ubiquitous semi-transparent pens for 6,75 and two pocket-sized lined notebooks for 1,50€ each will be a hit for any list-making friends or colleagues.
Muji – Rambla de Catalunya, 81
L’Illa. Avinguda Diagonal, 545 - 565

2) Dr. Hauschka Travel Kit
Dr. Hauschka is always followed in print by, “the cult brand,” so these kits for face or body are an introduction for the uninitiated. The aluminum box and little tubes make a great looking present and the all natural creams and unguents are apt for all skin types. Give someone a glow for 9,96€.
Farmacia Coliseum – Balmes, 18 (esq. Gran Via)



3) Sweets for the sweet
Papabubble has plenty of options for a sweet tooth. Their large glass jar full of beautiful handmade hard candy is 9€, and a test tube full of mini candy is 8€, as is a shiny candy ring.
Papabubble – Ample, 28

4) A rose by any other name
If you’d like to brighten someone’s day, or their table at Christmas, Au nom de la rose has your number. A dozen European roses are 11€ (just a tiny bit over budget,) and so are two single roses in zinc tubs or mini-baskets. Make sure to ask for a gift bag and rose petals.
Au nom de la rose – Valencia, 203
Ganduxer, 26

5) Baby it’s cold out there
It looks like this winter will be a doozy, so anyone would be glad to receive Cacao Sampaka’s chocolate shavings prepared to make Spanish-style hot chocolate (it’ll only set you back 6,30€). Add a liter of Granja Can Bordoi’s fresh milk from Biospace for 1,37€. You’ll have enough left over for a pretty gift bag – give the perfect excuse to stay in on a cold afternoon.
Cacao Sampaka – Consell de Cent, 292
Ferran, 43-45
Biospace – Valencia, 186

6) Easy come easy go
Does your little elf cry at sappy movies? Give El hilo de la vida (Serge Bloch and Davide Cali, Ediciones B), a beautiful illustrated book about all the waiting and hoping that makes up our lives. You’ll find it at La Central for 9,95€.
La Central – Mallorca, 186
La Central del Raval – Elisabets, 6

7) The little man on the traffic sign
Did you ever wonder what he does on days off? Quasibolo, José Antonio Millán’s biography of this, one of the best known symbols in the world, uses real images from signs or street art from all over the world. Look into Quasibolo 2.0, where the story continues or the Farsi translation soon from Caravan. Only in Spanish, but a picture paints a thousand words, so... Try La Central.

8) Jack Sprat’s Wife
Remember, the one who could eat no lean? At Vilaviniteca you’ll find Tastet de Berga (a hard cured pork sausage) for 11,60€/k and Sobrasada de Ferradura (either spicy or not,) for 17,50€/k. With one of each you should have something left over for a baguette to make the snack complete.
Vilaviniteca – Agullers, 9

9) Japanese Jewels
At Nunoya you’ll find little wallets handmade from kimono scraps for 8€ to 10€. It’s a one of a kind thing.
Nunoya – Banys Nous, 20

10) A taste of their own medicine:
If nothing else convinces you, give Happy Pills’ large bottle of mixed candy (choose from gummy bears, gumballs, lollipops, etc,) as preventive medicine against the holiday blues and “Secret Santas with No Imagination”. At least you’ll show you’ve got a sense of humor and comes in right under budget at 9€.
Happy Pills - Arcs 6

And the Winner is ...

Before Colette, before Ralph Lauren gave us lifestyle, brands invested in branding, or innovation was innovative, there was Vinçon, bringing us things we didn’t even know we wanted. Now this store specialized in housewears and gifts is almost as much of a landmark in Barcelona as that big rock pile next door and lots of us wait every year to be surprised and tickled by the new Christmas shopping bags. Of course some years are better than others.

That’s why we asked friends and relations to put in their two céntimos about their favourite bags. It wasn’t easy to tally – there have been 48 designs since they started the tradition in 1972 and they’re so good that the votes were all over the map (do the math and you’ll see that some years there were multiple options.)

As a year the overall winner was 2007. So many people loved the calendar and the sweet interpretations of a colander, a bird in a cage, a handbag, an umbrella. But those were different bags. So here are the individual winners:

1975 – the Vin Chong joke had lots of people chuckling.

2007 Calendar – America Sánchez, designer of the original and still-going-strong logo convinced many with the December calendar.

2001 – Pati Núñez, this year’s National Design Prize winner and one of the usual suspects when it comes to Vinçon bags, hit home with her tribute to the peseta as it was on it's way out of circulation. (Remember that they taped a peseta onto each packaged wrapped at the store. Did you wonder how much that cost? Do you think they got a discount since the item was about to become past season?)

Check out this year’s bag and the exhibit of historic shopping bags on the second floor at the store.

Vinçon:
Passeig de Gràcia, 96
tel 93 215 5037
m-sat 10h – 20:30h

French Blooms in Barcelona

When Bernard came to Barcelona 4 years ago from his native Paris he worked in the world of Communication, according to him, something entirely different from what he’s doing now. But the concept behind Au nom de la rose spoke to him. It said, “Open a franchise in Barcelona.” And in November 2006, he did just that.

The darling shop on the corner of Valencia/Enric Granados looks like a little bit of Paris. Or like a little bit of Paris in a corny movie. But the flower petals strewn on the sidewalk and the color-coordinated roses in zinc buckets call out to you. They say, “Take me with you, your friends will be astounded, your loved ones will love you more. You will be living la vie en rose.” Their siren-song is irresistible.

The color groups are spectacular – choose from red/dark pink, white/cream/light pink or orange/salmon/yellow or mix them up even more with the unfailing good taste of the staff. The arrangements, from round bouquets to single blooms in colored baskets or tiny zinc buckets are impeccable and there are options for all tastes (well, only good taste really,) and budgets. There are rose-scented candles, candies and linen sprays to go with if flowers aren’t enough. Presents are presented in petal-strewn paper bags with their sweet logo and bouquets are wrapped in simple white paper with a single bloom tied into the knot that closes the package. So enticing are the options that one starry-eyed fan sent a bouquet a day to his beloved while away on a two week business trip.

The first Au nom de la rose opened in 1991 in St. Germain and now there are 43 shops in France and the fever has spread to Belguim, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Lebanon, Russia, Greece and on Monday the 10th, the stiff upper lipped British will surely squeeze out the tiniest of smiles when they pass by the first shop in London. It looks like Bernard was right, Barcelona did need a simple, elegant theme florist - since October 15th they’ve been wooing innocent by-passers at their new location on carrer Ganduxer too. In the next few years, look for shops in Madrid or Valencia as the word gets out all over the country. If you register as a frequent shopper (do it, because you’ll become one,) you can use your discount card at any Au nom de la Rose in the world. And that’s handy because your French might be rusty or your Greek non-existent, but if you’re invited to someone’s house while on a trip, you can always “say it with flowers” (thanks FTD.)

Au nom de la rose:
Valencia 203
tel. 93 451 1650
m-sat 9h - 21h
sun 10h - 14:30
Ganduxer 26
tel. 93 201 3280
m-f 9h - 15h/17h - 21h
s-s 10h - 14:30h

Sweet Emotion

We all know by now that eating to overcome stress is a bad habit and that sugar isn’t good for us (right?) But it’s hard to resist a sweet treat on a grey day. That was m’s idea when they developed the Happy Pills concept. Why would a design agency develop the idea behind a candy store? Not quite sure, but they’ve done a great job. When they saw that the area where the shop was to open was a super touristy thoroughfare between Portal de L’Angel and the Cathedral where not many children passed, they knew the concept had to be aimed at adults. So, by combining fun design (had to do that, being in Barcelona) with great copy, and of course the candy, they came up with a retail concept that gets to you on lots of levels.

The candy is actually the same gummy bears, worms, hard candy, etc. that you find in most sweet shops here (although they did weed out things that were not aesthetically coherent with the concept,) but the packaging, in pharmacy-like bottles, fist aid kits and pill boxes with hot pink crosses and instructions to use for the treatment of such ailments as Mondays, the unbearable lightness of being, bad hair days, housing prices and Secret Santas with no imagination, among other quotidian bothers, turns a guilty pleasure into an ironic statement.

From comments in the blogsphere, it looks like people are champing at the bit to take this concept global – are you ready to be the first candystriper in your city?

Happy Pills:
carrer Arcs 6
tel 93 304 3097
happypills@ibc.com.es

Our Daily Candy

Yes, that is a nod to the end-all-and-be-all of targeted trend-spotting and general purveyor of fun. But since there’s no Daily Candy Barcelona, you might need to know where to get your fix.

Tommy Tang and his partner, in business and in life, Christopher King, moved to Barcelona seven years ago with a dream: to turn their handmade candy business into an international brand. Back in Australia, from whence they came, Tommy had learned the candy-making trade from a master and Christopher was an industrial designer. Combine the two and you get Papabubble – delicious and beautiful candies made before your very eyes at their shop on Carrer Ample.

How do we love them? Let us count the ways:
They perfume the street with sugary smells.
Their window displays are some of the best around. Anywhere in the world.
They make everything from racy adults-only lollipops to drops to satisfy your inner child or your very own children.
They’ve taken a mega-industrialized product back to its roots, but in a modern way.
They’ve given us a standard fallback for all presents: when in doubt about what to take to a dinner, a weekend away, to see someone’s new baby, Papabubble.
From a business standpoint they’re everything a business should be: innovative, tapping into mega-trends and bringing them to us at a local level, and they have a “corporate culture” that pervades everything they do: it’s got to be fun!

We’re not fooling ourselves: the word is out. They did a marketing gig for the Comme des Garçons fragrances 2 and 2Mun (sherbet powder inspired by the perfumes.) They’ve got stores in Tokyo (perfect place for them with its long-standing tradition of handmade sweets and crazy modern packaging designs and to boot Tommy speaks Japanese,) Amsterdam and now New York (to wit - Daily Candy scooped us on the opening of the NYC store. But then again, with a name like that, how could they not?). So their dream is coming true.

Dream on Papabubble!

Papabubble:
Carrer Ample 28
tel. 93 268 8625