Me Gusta Malasaña, Me Gustas Tú

When I first arrived in Madrid, I searched far and wide for a decent apartment in the center of my favorite neighborhood: Malasaña. Unfortunately, such a feat was truly impossible considering the immense popularity of this charming hipster barrio. So instead, I found a place about a 7 minute walk away. Lucky for me, this lovely little indie paradise is just a hop, skip and a jump away from where I live, so I can enjoy it's quirkiness anytime I want.

Malasaña was the epicenter of la movida madrileña movement back in the 1980s, and it still thrives on the unique alternative and retro vibes that put it on the map several decades ago. The neighborhood is abounding with vintage-inspired shops, bars that pay homage to the 80s, and cafés that make you feel like you've stepped back in time with their colorful 1960s decor. There are countless places to explore in this area, but here are some of my favorite spots in Malasaña:

Food:

Antigua Huevería | Serving classic Spanish dishes with a darling vintage twist

La Mucca | Hip and eclectic restaurant with a modern take on Spanish-American fusion

Ojalá | Funky atmosphere, quirky yet delicious tapas

La Blanca Paloma | Because who doesn't love free food when you order a drink?

Bar El Pico | Traditional Spanish food, go for lunch on a weekday for their tasty menu del día

Restaurante Conache | Go for their lively outdoor terrace, stay for their mouthwatering huevos rotos

Coffee:

La Bicicleta | Delicious coffee, hipster paradise, always playing good music

Toma Café | Arguably the best coffee in Madrid

Drinks:

1862 Dry Bar | Channel your inner Gatsby at this speakeasy-inspired cocktail bar

Kikekeller | Charismatic bar hidden behind a furniture shop

Gymage | Chic rooftop bar with great cocktails and even better views

Lolina Vintage Café | Sip on delicious mojitos while feeling like you're on the set of Mad Men

La Realidad | Another retro paradise with good drinks & amazing tortilla española

Tupperware | Colorful and kitschy with contagious indie rocker vibes 

Don't get the title's reference? It's a lyric from one of Manu Chao's most popular songs. Apparently he loved hanging out in this neighborhood back in the day, and I don't blame him for it! 

2014 Spain Bucket List

I've been lucky enough to see many different parts of España thus far, but I'm still dying to see more of this beautiful country. In the past four months I've visited Sevilla, Segovia and Toledo - and four years ago I explored Cádiz, more of Sevilla, Granada, Córdoba, Málaga, Fuengirola and Barcelona.

While I feel like I know Madrid and Andalucía pretty well by now, I've never stepped foot on the gorgeous beaches of the Costa Blanca in the east, nor have I explored the luscious lands of Basque Country, Cantabria or Galicia.

San Sebastián | Alicante | Santander 

A Coruña | Ibiza | Pamplona

Clearly I don't have beaches on my mind at all. I like to think that Madrid is it's own little perfect world... until I remember that there's no body of water here. Seattleite problems, much? I also have an inherent distaste for winter, so naturally I'm obsessively day dreaming of all things related to summer. Plus, how fun would it be to see the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona? I wish I had the chutzpa to let myself be chased by these magnificent beasts, but more likely than not, I would be enjoying it from afar. So who's coming with me?

Do you have any recommendations on where to go in Spain this year? I'm all ears!

all photos via

USA via Instagram

Seattle, I love you forever.

On my first morning back in Washington, I woke up to snow! It was the most magical welcome home present I could ever ask for.

We're the three best friends that anyone could have :) Finally reunited at our (postponed) 7th annual Friends Thanksgiving!

Kitty Purry and Chariman Meow, I miss you so much already.

Meghan's birthday brunch at the world's best breakfast locale: Portage Bay Café!

My mom and stepdad just moved to Arizona, so after spending a week in Seattle with my dad & lovely friends, I flew down to visit them for a week of desert sunshine!

Chihuly exhibit at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix.

Prickly pear margaritas at the Montelucia Resort & Spa in Scottsdale.

My first In-N-Out Burger fix since July!

Working off our In-N-Out burgers by hiking through the desert.

Soaking up as much American goodness as possible with manis/pedis and Coffee Bean on my last day in Arizona.

I had a wonderful two weeks back in the States for Christmas, and while I do miss some of the creature comforts of home (ahem, Whole Foods), it feels really good to be back in Madrid. My current case of incapacitating jet lag was well worth it. 

I halfway expected to dread coming back to Spain after going home for Christmas, but in a way, Madrid feels a lot like home too. As much as I loved being back in Seattle for a short while, a part of me also felt like I almost didn't belong there anymore. Is it possible that I've outgrown it? Of course I miss my parents like crazy, as well as my friends, my house, my neighborhood and my cats. Washington will always be my home in the truest sense of the word, but being here in Madrid feels so right too. 

That said, two weeks of spending quality time with my parents, hanging out with my friends, cuddling with my cats, drinking chardonnay and mimosas, watching lots of 49ers games, shopping at Nordstrom & J.Crew, and eating tons of kale and P.F. Chang's was the perfect way to spend my Christmas break.