The best lifestyle store: Isolee

There are few lifestyle stores that I’ve been to that truly execute on the “lifestyle” component well.  Isolee, in Madrid has to be one of the best, if not the best lifestyle store in the world. Isolee has two locations in Madrid and is part cosmetics, fragrances and candles, part accessories, part gadgets, part cafe, part grocery store, part mens/womens clothing and all cool.  It’s not the cheapest store, (lifestyle stores never are) but it is difficult not to walk out of there with something in hand.   They stock an impressive range of loose leaf teas (kusmi, twg tea, revolution, teapigs), chocolate (pancracio, xocoter, cudie) , pasta, sauces, oils, and beverages as well as every modern home/kitchen gadget that you could possibly desire (koziol, bodum, chilewich, lekue, menu, italesse).  Then you get to the clothing part which is amazing.  Pieces appear curated and selectively merchandised around the store.  Lots of fun and worth a stop whether you are in Chueca or in Salamanca.

via absolut madrid

 

photos via iclip 11870.com

Cos (Collection of Style)

Keeping up with my impromptu series on my discoveries in Madrid, here is another gem that is taking the European fashion world by storm.  Cos, which stands for Collection of Style, is a chain of high fashion retail stores owned by Swedish, H&M which offers the best in minimalist, good quality, fashion at affordable (almost H&M) prices.  Currently you can find Cos stores in Spain, Sweden, Germany, UK, France, Ireland, Denmark, and Belgium.

When I first walked by Cos, I wasn’t sure what I was looking at, and didn’t seem to pay much attention as it looked like “just another retail store.”  However, upon entering this mecca of minimalist fashion, I was hooked!  If H&M is your go-to destination for the bohemian, trendy, hipster, party look, then Cos is for the sophisticated, stylish, business person on a budget.  The store concept was launched back in March of 2007 and currently has (approx) 35 stores across Europe selling clothes for both men and women. If you find yourself in Europe anytime soon, in a city that has a Cos, and you are looking for “grownup” work clothes, fashionable going out clothes, I would 100% recommend this brand.

 

via Paul Farrell

via Pentagram

 

via besnob.fr

 

via Boutdelu

via noggy 73

fun & basics

Let me take this opportunity to give you the low-down on a terrific accessory store in Madrid that I found (one of MANY!!), called Fun & Basics.  A team of four started designing functional fun and basic accessories back in 1994 that proved to be quite popular among family and friends.  They opened their first store in 1997 and haven’t looked back since.

Fun & Basics now has stores in most major cities in Spain and several in Italy as well, as distribution in other retailers.  When I was in Madrid, I visited their store on Fuencarral in the Chuecca district as well as their store in Salamanca.  I think I returned three times to check out their purses and shoes as I was inspired by their designs.  The stores in general are minimalist in their decor and are well stocked with purses, shoes, bags, and jewelry that are bursting with colour.  I think the appeal of Fun & Basics is the simplicity of their style and the diversity of the materials and styles produced.  By the way, Fun & Basics also has a blog here if you want to keep up to date on who is wearing their items and which fashion magazine they are being featured in next!

via fashionfromspain.com

photo via Rizi Mendes

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bimba & lola

I am in Madrid visiting my brother, along with my family, to attend his graduation later this week.  On my first day in the city, I was given a brief shopping tour by my brother’s girlfriend who introduced me to Spanish retailer, bimba & lola.  Bimba & Lola is a funky brand of stylish leather goods, jewelry, accessories and clothing.  Right now I am coveting a couple bags and some accessories that are currently on sale (apparently, July in Madrid = sales).  Still deliberating as to whether I am going to make the purchase but nevertheless, here ere are a couple shots of what I like from their summer 2011 line.

Photo Credits:

(1) The Groovini (2) Plussixfive Magazine (3) Bented (4,5,6,7) Bimba & Lola Store

chocolate organiko

I think I am subconsciously craving chocolate because I have featured more cool, new chocolate brands on my blog this month than ever before.  Either that or I have a thing for minimalist packaging.  I think it’s a bit of column A and a bit of column B. 

So back to more important things, my new chocolate find: Chocolate Organiko is a boutique chocolate operation out of Madrid, Spain where cacao beans from the Caribbean are imported and designed into extraordinary confections.  The team behind Chocolate Organiko hail from both the chocolate world and the design world (easy to tell) and in 2006 combined their talents and passions to launch a brand.  The chocolate is organic, hence the name Organiko and is available all over Europe, in North America and in Chile and Taiwan.  I have yet to see Chocolate Organiko on any shelves in Toronto and unfortunately the company website does not list its retailers in the city.  Let the game of hide and seek begin!

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via bien manger

via the life in luxury

via mequemaelbolsillo