Catch of the Day... Earrings from Ischia

My Catch of the Day are these beautiful handmade earrings from Ischia. I love cactuses and cactus figs and they are the epitome of vacation to me! I bought these cactus earrings at a very cute store in Sant'Angelo, on the Italian island of Ischia (in the Gulf of Naples): Villa Margherita Boutique.

Villa Marherita Boutique

Piazza S.Angelo 5 

80070 Sant’Angelo d' Ischia (NA)

Isola d'Ischia

Italy

Tel. +39 335 7255878 or +39 081 999909 

https://www.villamargheritaboutique.com

Top 5 shops in Cartagena de Indias

Cartagena de Indias is literally a shopping walhalla. This colonial city in Colombia has so many cute stores, you won't believe it! Aqua Rose is one of them. It's the place to be for trendy "mochila" bags. Instead of the traditional Wayuu patterns, Aqua Rose sells bags with fruit prints, skulls, flowers, as well as images of Frida Kahlo, Marilyn Monroe and Colombian writer Gabriel Garciá Márquez. Besides mochila bags, Aqua Rose sells clutches, panama hats, earrings and bikinis.

For more information, please read my previous blog on Aqua Rose:

http://tarasdolcevita.blogspot.com/2018/02/aqua-rose-cartagena.html

Another great store is Casa Chiqui. Here you will find everything to decorate your home (or yourself)! Casa Chiqui sells tableware, furniture, pillows, jewelry, hats, loafers, kaftans, you name it. And the beauty of it? The items come from all over the world: Bali, Morocco, other South American countries, making it feel like a grand bazaar. I literally couldn't believe my eyes when I walked into the store.

For more information: http://casachiqui.com

A true Colombian concept store is St.Dom Cartagena. This amazing boutique of 700 square meters gives European and American concept stores a run for their money! All I could think when I visited St.Dom for the first time was... WOW!!! It's big, it's luxurious, it's fresh, it's modern and it's all Colombian. Whether you're looking for a new bikini, sexy summer dress, pretty sandals, a bejeweled panama hat or new tableware... St.Dom has it.

For more information: http://www.stdom.co

A Colombian brand that has become very big lately is Mercedes Salazar. (Part of the collection is sold through net-a-porter.com). This Colombian jewelry designer pays homage to her home country, by depicting the exotic nature and history in her designs. I especially love her parrot earrings and her latest collection called "Shamanic Flight". Her handmade bags are also "to die for". Mercedes Salazar has a monobrand store in Cartagena and is also sold at St.Dom.

For more information: https://int.mercedessalazar.com

Last but not least, if you're looking for a new summer dress, or sexy outfit for your "date night", go to Glory Ang Atelier. Her flower print dresses are typical Colombian and will make you stand out in the crowd. Perfect for a destination wedding. And therefore perfect for Cartagena de Indias.

For more information: https://www.instagram.com/gloryangatelier 

Well, these are my 5 favourite fashion stores in Cartagena. But to be honest, there are many more amazing shops in the walled city. For example Silvia Tcherassi (dresses), Johanna Ortiz (fashion), Cano (gold jewelry), etc. etc. This is truly a city where you can shop till you drop!

Read more about Cartagena de Indias here:

https://tarasdolcevita.blogspot.com/2018/01/cartagena-de-indias-colombia.html 

Catch of the Day... Tropical Earrings

 

My catch of the day are these gorgeous, tropical earrings. When I laid eyes on them, I just had to buy them! They get me right in the mood for summer. I have to warn you, they are a little heavy... but you'll forget all about it once you'll put them on, since you'll get tons of compliments (at least, that's my experience)!

Flower and leaf earings by Zara:
https://www.zara.com

Aqua Rose Cartagena

Spring is coming and I just found the perfect store to update your wardrobe. Aqua Rose in Cartagena is the cutest little fashion store ever! Owner Angelica sells only Colombian made products because she believes that when tourists visit her town, they prefer to buy local stuff. And I think she's right.

These days you can buy Nike and Adidas anywhere in the world, but authentic mochila bags can only be found in Colombia. Aqua Rose does ship worldwide though... "dangerous" if you ask me. Because once you'll take a look at her Instagram account, you're hooked.

I actually discovered Aqua Rose through Instagram and bought a bag online, but luckily enough, I was able to visit the store in person this year. It's impossible to walk out without buying anything...

Angelica sells handmade "Wayuu" or mochila bags, typical for the Caribbean coast of Colombia. But where most shops sell traditional patterns, Aqua Rose offers a more trendy variety; she sells motives with skulls, hummingbirds, watermelon and even celebrities, such as Frida Kahlo and Marilyn Monroe. And there's more: bikinis, earrings, sandals, pom pom bags, panama hats, etc.

If you see something you like, you better be quick... Aqua Rose has an international clientele, including many fashion editors from Latin America... so items can sell out quickly!

Aqua Rose
Cartagena, Colombia
Tel. (+57) 3045271724
https://www.instagram.com/aquarosecartagena

Note July 2020: unfortunately the store has permanently closed (due to the corona virus), but Aqua Rose will continue as a webshop. Just contact Angelica via Instagram or whatsapp.

Catch of the Day... Antica Sartoria bag

Summer isn't over yet... or at least, I keep that summer feeling wearing my "Catch of the Day"... a beaded bag by Antica Sartoria. The colours, the design, the coral and turquoise charms.... I simply love it!

Antica Sartoria is an italian fashion brand originally from Positano. Thanks to the popularity of the brand, these days you'll find shops in several towns along the italian coast, such as Capri, Amalfi, Portofino and Sorrento. But beware... it's impossibile to walk out empty-handed!

For more information, please visit:
http://www.anticasartoriapositano.it

Espadrilles by In the old house.
Sunglasses by Ray Ban.
Photos taken at Restaurant Mama Kelly.