Hacer planes en la ciudad me ha llevado a entender que uno se puede divertir y romantizar la vida de múltiples maneras. En una época en la que tengo invitaciones a bodas y otros gastos, mi presupuesto para ocio se ha disminuido considerablemente y me he propuesto gastar menos en restaurantes y pensar en otro tipo de experiencias entretenidas.. Me encanta comer fuera (como a todos), pero el costo de que te traigan la comida a la mesa puede inflar demasiado el presupuesto si se hace muy a menudo./ Making plans in the city has led me to understand that one can have fun and romanticize life in many ways, specially during spring. At a time when I have weddings invitations and other expenses, my entertainment budget has shrunk considerably and I’ve decided to spend less on restaurants and think about other types of amusing experiences. I love to eat out (as everyone else does), but the cost of having food delivered to your table can be too budget-inflating if done too often.
¿De qué manera puedo explotar la primavera en Barcelona y aprovechar lo que tengo a mano sin hacer aún más triste mi cuenta bancaria? Al final de cuentas vivo en una de las ciudades más emocionantes del mundo, así que vamos a disfrutarlo./ How can I take advantage of spring in Barcelona and romanticize life without making my bank account even sadder? After all, I live in one of the most exciting cities in the world, so let’s enjoy it.
🌇 DÍAS AL SOL / DAYS IN THE SUN 🌇
Ojalá la primavera fuera eterna porque una vez llega el verano, me parece más difícil hacer planes al aire libre con tanto calor y humedad. Un día de picnic explorando las áreas verdes de la ciudad es lo suficientemente bonito. Y no sólo hacer el picnic tal cual, sino planear la comida, la decoración y el entretenimiento (libros, juegos de mesa, bocetaje, etc.)./ I wish spring could last forever because once summer arrives, I find it more difficult to make plans outdoors in such heat and humidity. A picnic day exploring the green areas of the city is nice enough. And not just having the picnic as it is, but planning the food, the decorations and the entertainment (books, board games, sketching, etc.).
🗺 GOOGLE MAPS, MI MEJOR ALIADO / GOOGLE MAPS, MY BEST ALLY 🗺
Para bien o para mal, tantas ofertas en una ciudad también pueden abrumar y no todas compensan su costo-beneficio. Decidí cortar mis comidas en restaurantes a 1 vez por semana, pero confiando en mis listas de Google Maps y seleccionado restaurantes que tuvieran un buen costo beneficio y de los cuales siempre saliera muy feliz. Los paseos por la ciudad también son un must y descubrir una ruta nueva o irme caminando de un barrio a otro para identificar un posible nuevo restaurante también forman parte de este punto./ For better or worse, so many offers in a city (specially during spring – summer season) can also be overwhelming and not all of them compensate their cost-benefit. I decided to cut my meals in restaurants to 1 time per week, but relying on my Google Maps lists and selecting restaurants that had a good cost-benefit, ensuring that I’ll end up with a happy tummy. Walking around the city is also a must and discovering a new route or walking from one neighborhood to another to identify a possible new restaurant are also part of this point.
🍃 JARDINERÍA / GARDENING 🌷
La mejor época para trasplantar plantas o sembrar algunas cosas nuevas. La jardinería entretiene, calma, desconecta de lo malo y reconecta con lo bueno. Más allá de un hobby, es nutrir a otros seres con color, alegría y paciencia. Es una actividad que tiene una parte técnica pero también una parte creativa y que coopera con la naturaleza. No importa si se trata de una pequeña cajita para tu ventana o de un jardín entero, ese hacer el mundo un lugar mejor hoja a hoja, pétalo a pétalo./Spring is probably the best time to transplant plants or plant some new things. Gardening entertains, calms, disconnects from the bad and reconnects with the good. Beyond a hobby, it is nurturing other beings with color, joy and patience. It is an activity that has a technical part but also a creative part that cooperates with nature. It doesn’t matter if it’s a small box for your window or an entire garden, it makes the world a better place leaf by leaf, petal by petal.
✏️ DIBUJANDO EN UN CAFÉ / DRAWING AT A CAFE 🍵
Trabajar desde casa es una ventaja, pero en ocasiones cambiar el entorno ayuda a abordar el trabajo de una manera refrescante. De nuevo al rescate Google Maps me muestra mis cafés de confianza para llevarme mi iPad o mi cuaderno de bocetos y encontrar nuevas posibilidades. No es algo que haga a diario, pero es como un plan de rescate cuando todo se vuelve monótono./ Working from home is an advantage, but sometimes changing the environment helps to approach work in a refreshing way. Back to the rescue Google Maps shows me my trusted cafes to grab my iPad or sketchbook and find new possibilities. It’s not something I do every day, but it’s like a rescue plan when everything gets monotonous.
💜 FAVORITOS / FAVORITES 💜
Siendo consciente de muchos factores he decidido gastar el dinero en cosas que realmente me hagan feliz, pensando bien las compras que hago e intentando construir poco a poco un armario que me guste. En cuanto a belleza creo que cada vez depuro más o compro artículos con buena relación calidad-precio. Aquí algunas joyitas de los últimos meses, con recomendaciones de una de mis creadoras de contenido de belleza favoritas, Jillian Cecilia./ Being aware of many factors, I have decided to spend money on things that really make me happy, thinking carefully about the purchases I make and trying to gradually build a wardrobe that I like. In terms of beauty, I think that every time I refine or buy items with good value for money. Here are some gems from the past few months, with recommendations from one of my favorite beauty content creators, Jillian Cecilia.
In this illustration: 1. Uniqlo x JW Anderson Striped T-Shirt SS22 + 2. Camper Walden Loafers + 3. COSrx Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream + 4. Malin&Goetz Eucalyptus Deodorant + 5. H&M Home Shell Vase + 6. The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream
🏠 CAMBIAR LA DECORACIÓN / CHANGE THE DECORATION 🏠
Cambiar la decoración sin gastar demasiado, o mueve algunos objetos de lugar para crear nuevos entornos y refrescar tu espacio de trabajo. El diseño de interiores es una de esas cosas que me apasionan, pero en la que no me considero un profesional. Sin embargo hay mucho rango para la experimentación: desde decorar la mesita de apoyo (como lo hago en ESTE REEL) hasta poner un nuevo moodboard en tu escritorio./ Change the decoration without spending too much, or move some objects around to create new environments and refresh your workspace. Interior design is one of those things that I am passionate about, but in which I do not consider myself a professional. However, there is a lot of room for experimentation: from decorating the side table (as I do in THIS REEL) to set a new moodboard on your desk.
🕯 NUESTRO HUESPED SEA USTED / BE OUR GUEST 🕯
Por último y no menos importante, las reuniones en casa con amigos para cuando el presupuesto sea demasiado bajo para comer fuera./ Last but not least, gatherings at home with friends for when the budget is too low to eat out.
What a great spring post idea! I have to budget this Spring as well- so I’ll be sure to make the most out of this. I agree that gardening is the perfect hobby for spring. It calms us down and makes us more connected to nature. I also love your tip on exploring our own city. I always try to do that.
I hope to visit Barcelona some day. When I did English lessons for some French students last week, they agreed that Split and Barcelona are a bit alike but they said that Barcelona is more beautiful. You have to come here and give me your opinion (on what city is more beautiful) some day. I’m too bias:).
What a great spring post idea! I have to budget this Spring as well- so I’ll be sure to make the most out of this. I agree that gardening is the perfect hobby for spring. It calms us down and makes us more connected to nature. I also love your tip on exploring our own city. I always try to do that.
I hope to visit Barcelona some day. When I did English lessons for some French students last week, they agreed that Split and Barcelona are a bit alike but they said that Barcelona is more beautiful. You have to come here and give me your opinion (on what city is more beautiful) some day. I’m too bias:).
Plus, I always enjoy your art and your collages.
Thank you so much as usual for stopping by Ivana! I am happy to read that you also do some of these activities in order to have some joy in these crazy times!
I still need to visit Split! It reminds me a lot of many areas in the Spanish Mediterranean area :)!
Spring is the best! I love the florals around!
It’s true that there are so many fun things to do to explore our own cities – I’d love to see Barcelona one day.
Hope you are having a good weekend. It’s another rainy day here!
I know Mica! I also love autumn, so I hope you are enjoying it in Australia!
First time hearing about caffeine eye cream.
Bernie,
The Style Fanatic
Perfecta lista de planes, divertidos y económicos para hacer en esta época, gracias por compartir! Las ilustraciones me han encantado 😀
Besos,
http://www.theartofpaloma.com/
Muchas gracias por echarles un vistazo :)!
Pablo, xx
Hola Pablo! How’s going your spring in Barcelona?
For what i know, Brcelona in Spring and early summer is the perfect place to live (I’ve always visit your city in May or June), and I can see that you’ve found many interesting ways to enjoy this beautiful season at its best!
I really can’t say how much I related to what you’ve said in this post: it’s almost the same to me!
I mean: thanx (?!) to the pandemic and all the restrictions I’ve clearly noticed how much I’ve spent in restaurants and coffees before!
That are all expenses that don’t really bring any substantial happiness. Of course I like to go out and eat something good in some fancy place with friends, but I’ve started to feel like it was more a kind of habit that a real pleasure.
To be honest I found much more fun and interesting doing a picnic or a gather some friends at home for a dinner then stay at a restaurant.
And I’ve even discovered that I don’t need to fill all my spare time wih shopping. Before every time I was free and went to take a stroll you can bet that I came back home with something new.
Now I’ve discovered the pleasure to look at my city trough a camera, to take time to do my gardening or my beauty rituals and to give much more importance to take care of my home and its decor.
And in all you even save a lot of money!
I hope to keep these good habits even in future, when we’ll back to a total normality, whether I’m in a budget or not, because this new “lifestyle” makes me feel very good and much more centered.
Beautiful illustrations, as usual: totally loved that pics of your drawings in front of the palace, so original and srtistic! ^^
take care and have fun, my friend!
Baci!
S
https://s-fashion-avenue.blogspot.com
Hey dear Silvia, I hope you’re doing okay and thanks for your warm comment. I hope you can manage to travel this year! I actually went to Rome for two days or so, but really quick! I am planning to go back soon!
And yes! I think after the pandemic I haven’t been a lot to restaurants and cafes, and now due to some personal expenses I have to get creative about ways of getting fun without spending that much.
And same for me! i love to have friends at home since sometimes you go to restaurants and you have eto leave as soon as you end the food haha.
Thanks again for your beautiful words!
Pablo
Great post! I think it’s so important to realize that joy does not depend on money (beyond having basic needs met). It’s awesome that you live in such lovely city! And that you are discerning, which purchases add value to your life. The flowers, book, candle make that space so inviting. I’d say you have a great eye for interior decorating!
How you have an excellent week!
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Thank you so much for checking out the post Michelle 🙂 !
Exactly! Now I am looking for purchases that can add some value to my daily life, instead of splurging too much on restaurants, bars, etc.
Thank you!
Hey Pablo, You do live in an exciting city, I love Barcelona! Picnics are much more barrable in the Spring as supposed to Summer. I love the thought of making a picnic more interesting, by adding board games etc. Changing up your work environment with a little Feng Shui or relocating to your local coffee shop, sounds like a nice little change.
I hope you are having a great week so far : )
juanitalikes.com
Hey Natoya, thank you so much for your lovely comments 🙂
Such a great article as always Pablo!! So many fun and affordable ideas too, and easy to apply wherever you are in the world. My best summer thing is to have picnics! They can be done in a park or by the sea/lake and they can be as cheap/expensive as you wish. Even if you live in a city, there are almost always parks open where you can hangout for free. And you can bring yesterday’s leftovers or you buy a cheap baguette and a cheese and you’re good to go. Perfect way to meet up friends too, even if a friend only has an hour it’s an easy way to just drop by compared to going to a restaurant etc. Definitely ready for a lot of picnics this summer! Xx
Hello Mia!
How you are you? I hope everything is going well on your side and maybe you could do a post about fashion and picnics, what do you think? Buying a baguette + cheese is probably one of my favorite plans when I don’t want to spend too much money 😉
Hey Fungi! Today is so great because I read your two articles!!
I am a big fan of your budget series. They are motivating with beautiful images! Your spring outfits are so cool, and I love those pastel colors:)
You in the balcony in the illustration in front of the apartment are super cute!!! I enjoyed the reel about decorating the side table again. Thank you so much for always brilliant ideas a lot<3 Anyway, I would love to get the Uniqlo × JW Anderson Tee, too!
akiko
Hello dear Akiko, thank you so much for your comment in this and the article about friendship 🙂
I am happy to know that this post motivated you a little bit. And let me know if you spot the JW Anderson collection at a Uniqlo store!
I wish spring could last forever as well Pablo! We are having an unusually hot Spring in New York this year but I’m still trying to make the best of it because I know I won’t want to do much once the real sweltering heat and inevitable humidity arrives. Your ideas are all lovely. I wish I had a garden but I live in an apartment though we we have a nice garden downstairs in our complex. I did plant some herbs which I’m really excited about. And you sound like the perfect person to go on a picnic with 🙂 That striped tee and those loafers look cool and classic. Investing a long term wardrobe of quality pieces is something you will not regret. Some of my favorite clothing pieces are 10 years are older. Just make sure you take good care of them.
Enjoy the rest of your Spring days in Barcelona <3
Rowena @ rolala loves
Hey Rowena,
Thanks for your lovely words on my latest blog post! We are also having an unusually hot spring over Spain so I can’t imagine the way summer will hit us! I do not haven a garden either, just a small balcony but I’d love to have more space for plants and flowers one day!
Thanks again!
Hi Pablo!
I am right there with you…I LOVE eating out and just enjoying the ambiance with a good cocktail! But that enjoyment definitely comes with a price. I’ve cut back on eating out as well (trying to make it 2 times a month or so) and focused more on creating meals at home. It can also be a fun way to spend time with a significant other or friends. I wish I had a green thumb… but I do love working at cafes! I’ve missed it since the pandemic started. I haven’t yet ventured out to work in a cafe, but hopefully soon. Loved reading how you spend your spring on a budget! Enjoy Barcelona, I can only imagine the magic that is living there!
p.s. love the pops of yellow on your blog, feels very spring!
Des | https://www.itsbetterinheels.com
Hello Des,
Thank you so much for your lovely comment! I know, since quarantine I have been trying to take care of my money and since I am a freelancer I have to be careful with finances haha.
Hope you can visit Barcelona soon tho!
Hi Pablo! I love this entry of yours. Sounds so much fun as well as mindful of constraining factors such as budget especially during these peculiar times. I love eating out myself and realize that it has to be done mindfully so that it means something when I do. Sometimes, I just love being out which is in contrast to what my introverted self may appear to other people. I love being out and about and by myself. Not to say that I do not enjoy a social outing every now and then. You live in a beautiful place! I didn’t realize that you are located in Barcelona. How wonderful! It’s one of those places I see in films and it’s quite a romantic place. I enjoyed your visuals here and would love to see more of your creative side. Please blog more about your daily life in Barcelona, your style, favorite food etc. I think it will be exciting!
Somewhere in Malaysia,
Shanaz
Hello Shanaz, so happy to have you over Hey Fungi once again ❤️
Yes, these are peculiars time and we don’t have more restrictions over here but I still don’t have a lot of money to spend out.
And exactly, eating out is fantastic but as you well said it has to be done mindfully.
Promise to post more about things from Barcelona! Will figure out how to tell stories about the city:)
totally love these recommendations Fungi! I really love your illustrations as usual. Thank you for the ideas on what to do in Spring. I think it’s time for me to go out and have a picnic as well as exploring more cafes in my area. It’s been raining heavily this past weeks. I will definitely head out when the sun’s out.
I hope you have a lovely weekend!
Thank you so much for checking out! Cafes and picnics are definitely my thing 🙂
This flower decorates the room beautifully.
If you are interested in hair care, please feel free to browse my blog.
body wave wigs
Wow you are so busy in the spring doing so much. Yes trans planting plants I have tow to transplant but they are so big I think I need help. I didn’t know it got humid there. It gets SUPER humid in NY in the summer. Oh I really like interior design too. I am enjoying decorating my new apartment. And I think you are going to love Lone Fox. I will be in Paris in the fall if you happen to be traveling there.
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com