Pols Ceramic

Gloria says, an object need not be a simple object, it can be something with a lot of meaning and feeling.

Gloria is a talented and kind ceramist based in Barcelona. Her pieces remind me of those days where I studied fine arts, and I saw myself for a moment immersed in the magic of creating objects with my hands. I believe that's why I not only appreciate these ceramics' beauty, but also the talent behind them.

And now, on the other side of the curtain, I am delighted to photograph her pieces and try to create images that can transmit what I feel touching them.

One baroque bouquet

Some people ask me how's my path been to get to what I do for a living now. I have always been what they use to call an artist: I studied fine arts, created paintings, sculpted figures and made films amongst other creative things. All of that has lead me and my photography to where we are. When composing a photograph I think of it as if it was a painting, as if I had a blank canvas to fill with all my ideas and feelings.

Having studied fine arts, and having made paintings a lot before taking photographs has definitely influenced me a lot. And I found and still find myself inspired by Dutch or Baroque paintings, by their light, tonal range and sometimes drama.

Winter rituals: pak choi & garlic noodles

After traveling and being away from home for some days, weeks or even months, coming back home seems equally weird and comforting.

One of my favorites winter rituals is making what we call at home "happiness in a bowl". That sometimes involves using all my fridge leftovers, turning them into a soup and adding some noodles. And by doing that, I have found some recipes that are now part of my favorites.

This is particularly one of that. Simple, hot and tasty.

Ingredients: noodles, fish broth, garlic, thai scallions, sriracha, black sesame seeds, sesame oil, salt, freshly cracked pepper and pak choi.

Instructions:
Cook or cook/soak noodles according to instructions but try to have them slightly al dente since you will be reheating them.
Immediately after cooking, plunge noodles into cold water then drain.
Heat sesame oil in a large saucepan until hot and add garlic. Fry for 2-3 minutes. Then add broth and one teaspoon of sriracha. Bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in whatever herb suits you and cook, covered, about 8 minutes.
In the meantime, cut pak chois in half and steam for four minutes. Set aside.
To serve, place two pak choi halfs into each of the serving bowls, add soup and then noodles. Then top with black sesame seeds and thai scallion slices, and season with pepper and salt to taste.

Grand Hotel Central | Barcelona

This past week I spent some time in Barcelona. There is a very fine line between love and hate, and this city is both loved and hated in equal proportion. In this city, the rush, the noise and the lines to visit some of the most iconic places on earth can distract you from the real Barcelona. There is a need of seeing this city through non-touristy eyes -- It’s in that moment when you actually start living the city.

However, it is a city you cannot miss at least once in life (says someone who has been more than ten times). Not only because of the great food, or the kind people or the beautiful sunlight in January, but also because of hotels like the Grand Hotel Central: a place that feels like home, with all the luxury and style, located in the heart of the city. It definitely turned a business trip into a pleasure one.

My alluring champagne

As a champagne lover, admirer and enjoyer, I can't begin to describe what an honor it is to have worked on this campaign with Perrier Jouët. Perrier Jouët recently released a new Champagne, the Belle Epoque Rose 2005, a limited edition in collaboration with the Brazilian artist Vik Muniz.

In season

Sometimes, it's better to leave it to the images, you know, because the words are superfluous.

Some of my favorite pomegranate recipes here, here and here.

Lubochka

Recently, I styled and photographed Lubochka's beautiful bags. I had worked with her before and loved the way the project turned out, so couldn't resist to do it again. I tried to captured Olga's and the bags' personality and mix them with other elements to create scenes, moments in which the bags feel comfortable and match.

Baigorri winery

Wine is part of my life, it has always been. My father's family is from Rioja, one of the five best-known and most prestigious wine producing regions in the world. And there is no year I do not go, at least to a couple of wineries. Baigorri is a quite new winery, but in those few years has achieved a lot, not only in wine quality and importance, but with its beautiful and eco-friendly architecture. But I will let the pictures do the talking.

just us wedding

This is it. These are all the photos I have from our wedding. No more, no less.
Some people may think it's crazy, some other may like the way we did it. But you know what? It doesn't matter. And don't misunderstand me, I don't mean this in a bad way. The thing is that, nowadays, weddings seem to be more about the fact and less about the people, less about love.

I have always wanted to get married when the time arrived, but I have never had the need of making of my wedding that "big day" they like to call it. And he knew it. So, as I already wrote: he chose the city he knows I love most, the most beautiful and simple ring and a bottle of champagne to just say: I want you to marry me. And that's what we did.

We went to New York's city hall and took a number. Liz, who is my agent and one of the loveliest people I know, was our witness. I chose a blue dress from Reformation, some white roses and my favorite and aged Prada pumps. No hairdresser and nothing else but excitement.

you have to start somewhere

I have always wanted to have a food blog, you know, because I love food. But I have also always loved design blogs, and fashion blogs. I have lost count of how many times I've tried and tried to create, to define and be committed to something (blog speaking).
But hey, I haven't given up yet. This is a promise, to myself, that I would try'n keep this space as a box of memories; at least to be able to remember something in more than ten years from now (something my physical memory doesn't want to do).

And because you always have to start somewhere, I couldn't think of anything else but this: the one and only, New York. Because I don't think there's anywhere else in the world that make me feel the way this city does, and because some of most beautiful things have happened there.