Desigual was founded in 1984 by Thomas Meyer who designed a jacket design that is now considered one of the fashion sector’s first up-cycled products. Now, this brand is internationally known for its bold and colorful prints. Wearing one of their fun designs never fails to make me feel energized and playful. But my favorite thing about Desigual is that they are based out of Barcelona, Spain, a country near and dear to my heart. I love wearing Desigual around New York City to remind me of this European country full of culture & vibrance. So for fun, I thought I would share 2 personal stories from my adventures abroad. I hope they make you smile or laugh like I do when I think back on them.
Solo Travels through Madrid
After I was on The Bachelor, I was lost at sea and needed to do something to clear my head. The show was actually considering me to be the next bachelorette, but I just wasn’t in right headspace to even know who I was as a person, let alone to date again. I was 24 and had nothing figured out. I needed a change in scenery and to have an adventure. So, I pulled up Kayak.com and searched for the cheapest direct flight to any major city in Europe. For $125, I was on the next flight to Madrid. The next 5 days I felt the most alive I’ve ever been as I wandered up and down Gran Vía, checked out the Guernica at the Museo Reina Sofía, and explored the Crystal Palace in Parque del Retiro.
Madrid is particularly special to me because of my great-great paternal grandfather. He lived in Madrid for many years and was one of the men who mapped out the telephone routes throughout all of Spain. Fun fact, he was the best of friends with Ernest Hemingway, also a Madrid lover. I tracked down the restaurant where the two used to smoke cigars and play cards. I sat alone at Casa Botín (also the oldest restaurant in the world) enjoying squid ink pasta and sangria and envisioning my ancestor beside me. Madrid has had a big role in my family history and also my own personal history in creating who I am today.
The Pickpocket in Barcelona
When Nick and I were dating for around 3 months, his family invited me to go on a trip with them to Barcelona to visit his sister who was studying abroad there. Of course, I said yes! One evening, after watching the sunset and enjoying endless wine and cheese in Parc Güell we headed back to our hotel. Directly in front of the Sagrada Familia, I see someone put their hand in Nick’s pocket as we walked arm-in-arm. The rest of the family was in front of us, so I was suspicious as to who this could be? When I turned, I saw a man and instantly, my protective instincts kicked in. I grabbed the next of his shirt and screamed, “what the heck did you take?”
Nick, like a superhero, elbows the guy to and pushes him to the ground. Then all of a sudden Nick’s dad jumps in the air and boinks this guy in the head with an olive oil bottle leftover from our picnic. Nick checked his pockets and saw the man wasn’t successful in stealing his phone and wallet, and the pickpocketer scurried away into the night. To this day, we all laugh whenever we see a bottle of olive oil, thinking back to Nick’s dad saving the day and showing the true Italian he is.
