12 Grapes, 12 Months and 12 things I’m going to start doing in 2015
At 5:04, I realized the champagne hadn't been poured and the grapes hadn't been sectioned off into groups of a dozen yet. We'd missed Spain's ringing in of the new…
Seville Videoshots: The Mercadillo de Belenes
It's been a while since I've focused a Monday Snapshot on Seville - I've simply had too many other things to write about, and planning a Spanish-American wedding can get…
The Anatomy of a Cesta de Navidad
When my very first cesta de navidad arrived, wrapped up in cellophane and emblazoned with Corte Inglés publicity, I excitedly ripped open the top of the box and dug out…
Who is the Duquesa de Alba, and what’s with my obsession with her?
Updated May 2026 to coinced with the release of Cayetana on Netflix The tweets and whastapps started coming in almost immediately, from friends, from followers, even from the Novio's family.…
Thirteen Weird Spanish Superstitions
In planning a Spanish-American wedding in America, I’m having to juggle between two cultures, two languages – and a whole set of weird traditions and superstitions. Upon finally activating my…
Love and the Art of Flamenco Guitar Making: A Visit to the Guitarrería Mariano Conde
The sawdust on the floor gave it away: this was actually a living, breathing sort of workshop, not one where the workers are tucked away, out of sight for appearances.…