It’s not every Friday that I start the day gracing the cover of a magazine. Què Fem is the supplement magazine of one of Barcelona’s most important newspapers, La Vanguardia. Accompanied by Jenny Germer of I Love Muffins and Nacho Toribio of External Reference, the three of us spent the day mapping out some of Barcelona’s most interesting spots.

I had an excellent time running around Barcelona, but I have to admit that it’s a bit nerve-wracking to be in front of the camera. I much prefer doing my work “behind-the-scenes”.

As the slow-food movement slowly starts to trickle into Barcelona’s consciousness, so too the trend for slow-fashion. There seem to be more and more fairs and fashion events focusing on those who produce hand-made, quality fashion items. Either due to the crisis, the growing sensation of frustration at mass-consumerism or a need to be more creative, exquisite pieces seem to be popping up all over the city.

Organized by Duduá, Festivalet has just celebrated their third edition this past weekend. Held at the Miscelanea gallery, the event was packed. I firmly believe that Festivalet is the best fair on the current hand-made scene in Barcelona. The first edition was held at La Central bookshop in Raval and the second at the new Duduá space. Maybe my only complaint is that the spaces are usually a bit too small for the amount of people that show up for every time.

I Love Muffins at Festivalet by Manel Marqués

I greedily had two I Love Muffins cupcakes which were absolutely delicious like always!  There was a heavenly mix of accessories, clothes, cute crocheted items and food, among others. I was especially impressed with the Olivia soaps. I was given their Chocorgasm soap by the friend that I had dragged around with me all day. It smells so chocolaty that it really is a great temptation to take a little nibble to see how it tastes! The packaging is beautiful, pastel sea-green paper, ribbon, wax seal stamped with an O for Olivia and a lovely label.

Olivia Soaps

The atmosphere was buzzing, there was sushi upstairs and crepes downstairs and quite a few people shopping. Of all the fairs this past weekend, hands-down this was the best, most varied, lovely and successful. I’m already looking forward to the spring-summer edition.

First up is the annual Drap Art 2010 – 2011. From the 17th of December to the 9th of January, the CCCB will host this recycled art and design fair. This weekend and the weekend of the 3rd to the 5th of January are the dates for the recycled market. Artists come together in the CCCB hall to sell their eco-friendly wares. Bordering on the slightly hippy, the art exhibition is usually a much better option. Save your centímos for the fashion markets. Free entrance. Check out CCCB’s opening hours.

Saturday 18th is the date for the winter edition of Changing Room at Hotel Chic&Basic in Borne. Aptly titled Frío 2010, (Cold 2010), each of the hotel rooms houses a different designer for the day. The concept is very interesting but… in practice is a bit more difficult. There is little room to navigate through the corridors with a bottle of beer in one hand, coat and bag in the other. The rooms are quite tiny, standing room for only about 2 to 4 people depending on the different sizes. If you’ve never been, it’s interesting to check in for awhile and see what is going on. This is also free entrance. 11:00 to 21:00pm

Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th are the dates for El Zapato Rojo at the Convent Sant Agustí in Borne. I’m looking forward to going as this is always a great chance to see Nuria of La Virgen de los Broches and Judit of Leccien. Both are extremely talented and creative! make sure you pop by their stall. 1 euro entrence fee. 12:00 – 21:00pm

I like to leave the best for last, so here it is, Festivalet at Miscelanea. The selection is interesting and varied. This is the one that scares me, I never leave empty-handed. And the very best bit? Jenny with her I Love Muffins will be there to feed us with her lovely sweet confections. (Jenny, can you hear that sound? It’s me, swooshing down to have some cupcakes!). Free entrance. Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th. 12:00 to 20:00 both days.

I would suggest having lunch and then starting at CCCB with DrapArt, down to Festivalet, over to Changing Room and finishing with El Zapato Rojo. That means drinks in Borné! Yes, it’s cold out… But there are so many things to do. Why not support the local talents this Christmas and instead of wasting cash at those big-name stores, have a stroll around theses markets and fairs, talk to the designers, really impress those people in your life with the perfect gift.

Cupcake shops seem to be popping up all over the city in a very short time! Recently inaugurated, Lolita Bakery is the newest addition to this popular trend. Located in the Borne neighbourhood, the space is filled with vintage items, with a clear trend towards 50s decorating.

Cosy and inviting, the different sweet confections are laid out with care, sitting on vintage plates and cake stands. There is only space for about four to six people to sit, making for an intimate setting. The furniture is beautifully mismatched and the tiny details are oh-so-important.

That said, the perfect setting doth not make the perfect cupcake. I was quite disappointed with several important factors.

1) The cupcake case is difficult to release from the base, which makes for very sticky fingers.
2) The base was more akin to cake.
3) Big problems with the icing, which was closer to a liquid state instead of the perfect, almost crunchy or creamy, (depending on the flavour), condition that is more common.

The ranking is as follows:

1) Still in first place and close to my heart, Jenny’s I Love Muffins.
2) Tied at second: Cup&Cake Barcelona and Florentine Cupcakes and Cookies.
3) A bit farther down from the first two, Lolita Bakery.

If anyone knows of other cupcake places, please share the knowledge!

This past weekend, Festivalet was held at Dudua’s new location. There was a festive feeling in the air, with coloured streamers brightening up the small street. A bit on the small side, at least it was a great opportunity to see the new pieces by handcraft designers.

The absolute best part? Being able to gorge on a few of Jenny’s lovely I Love Muffins creations. Yes, I had two cupcakes and took home two brownies as well. Sigh and sigh again, when are you going to open a little shop, Jenny?