HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE ISABEL?
To me, style is a way to show who I am in a creative way.
Trends are constantly changing but style can define who we are as women.
I like pieces that make a statement, that are bold, colorful and unique.
Without saying a word, some special pieces tell a story of who we are and I love letting my clothes or my accessories do all the talking.
I’m inspired by Robert Frost’s words:” FREEDOM LIES IN BEING BOLD.”
I love color, daring accessories and anything that will make my outfit unique.
WHAT INSPIRES YOUR SIGNATURE STYLE?
My style is inspired by a sense of adventure and many cultures coming together.
I was born in Barcelona, where my family still lives today, I moved to London as a teenager, and then to Denver where my two sons were born.
I grew up dressing up every time I left my home and I still do that to this day, even though the style in Denver is very casual and laid back.
I’m always overdressed and all my friends have come to expect that!
I think the different cultures I have experienced, the different traditions and lifestyles have defined my style.
My aunt was a tailor in Barcelona and my mom made most of my clothes when I was a little girl.
I grew up surrounded by beautiful fabrics and buttons of all colors and shapes.
When we started designing our own handbags,MEL barcelona, I felt like we brought back creativity and design to our family and this makes me happy and proud.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ACCESSORY?
A bag, of course!
I have always loved handbags and about six months ago I started designing my own collection with my mom, Elena, as the creative mind behind our brand, MEL barcelona.
We design bags with very unique shapes, colors, and styles.
We draw the patterns, handpick the designer fabrics we want to use, and create each bag paying attention to the smallest details.
The result is a one-of-a-kind handbag, a statement piece that adds style and a sense of daring to your outfit, a precious work of art you can carry with you everywhere you go.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE COLOR COMBINATIONS?
I love bright colors and surprising color combinations.
One of our most popular bags is red and pink on the front side, and purple on the back side.
It’s a very bold color combination and it might surprise you when you see it but it looks stunning.
We also have a bright orange bag, with bold patterns and shapes, that looks gorgeous with a black outfit.
That is all you need to give your look that unexpected touch that turns any outfit into something fun, BOLD and SPECIAL.
DO YOU HAVE A SIGNATURE PIECE THAT DEFINES YOUR STYLE?
I think of my bags as the pieces that define my style.
I love building my outfit around them and relying on them to make me sparkle and give me a unique look.
Since all my MEL bags are very bright and colorful I have been keeping my outfits a little more neutral than I used to, so the bags can truly shine.
I THINK OF MY POLKA DOTS BAG AS MY SIGNATURE BAG.
It was the first one we designed, when we didn’t know whether this adventure would move forward.
We felt confident but also uncertain.
Now, six months later, we feel so happy and grateful at how successful MEL bags have been.
WHAT ARE YOUR STYLE STRENGTHS ISABEL?
I think my greatest strength is my sense of confidence.
If I like a piece, I don’t hesitate to wear it and I don’t worry about trends or conventions.
When I started designing my bags, I wanted to create unique pieces that defied conventions and appealed to women who are looking for something different, who are confident and will wear what they like, who appreciate the art behind a unique design.
Our bags are for women who are daring, bold and very sure of themselves.
Confidence is our strength and we design for a confident woman.
DO YOU HAVE A STYLE MUSE?
I’m inspired by designers who find elegance in simplicity.
I love the classics…Chanel, Armani, Dior.
And I enjoy the simplicity of an outfit that becomes something unexpected and daring when you add an exquisite scarf, a stunning necklace or a brightly colored coat.
OR A BOLD MEL BAG!
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE BEAUTY PRODUCTS,and why can you not live without them?
I love natural products and organic oils.
I use rosehip oil every night and that keeps my skin hydrated.
As we age, argan oil is good too, so I have incorporated that in my skin routine.
I discovered a great moisturizer made with olive oil in Barcelona and I have been using that every day.
I don’t worry about aging that much. I truly believe that beauty shines from within so the key is to find peace and happiness in our hearts.
ISABEL, WHAT ADVISE DO YOU HAVE FOR WOMEN OVER 50?
I just turned 53 and I’m loving this age!
My advice would be love every minute of your life, love every wrinkle in your face, love every stretch mark in your body.
I think women over 50 know exactly what they want, they are confident, and many times they feel that now is their time.
When my sons were little they were my absolute priority and now that they have more independent lives, I feel lucky to have started my MEL bags adventure, something that I love, something creative, fulfilling and exciting.
Be yourself, follow your passion and be in love with your life.
DO YOU HAVE ANY STYLE RULES THAT YOU LIVE BY,OR DO YOU CHOOSE TO BREAK THE RULES?
I don’t follow any style rules.
I think it’s fun to make my own rules!
I don’t worry about what others might think, and I wear what I love.
The goal is to feel good about ourselves and to choose freely the pieces we enjoy.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE ONLINE AND OR BOUTIQUE SOURCES?
I love the little shops and unique boutiques in Barcelona.
That’s where I do most of my shopping.
I have so much fun wandering around the narrow streets in the old part of the city and discovering gorgeous treasures in unexpected places…a vintage hat, a beautiful bracelet, a lovely scarf.
Our world is becoming one giant space where the big brands sell the same products in every city.
I try to stay away from this.
When traveling, I always make a point of finding special pieces that reflect the culture they are from.
I’m proud that our MEL bags are unlike anything else in the market today.
The vintage look makes them unique and I think that’s why we’ve been so successful: we are all looking for pieces that are little works of unique art.
DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR DIET OR EXERCISE REGIME THAT YOU FOLLOW?
I try to exercise as often as I can.
I believe that exercise really changes the way I feel emotionally.
The time we invest in making sure our bodies stay active and healthy gives us a sense of accomplishment and control over our lives, and in turn that makes us feel happy about ourselves.
I’ve been practicing yoga for a while now and that gives me a strong sense of inner peace.
I also love Pilates and Barre, and I walk my dogs every single day.
As the years go by, it is important that we find ways to stay flexible, strong and active.
There’s many different ways…just find what brings you joy.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ANTI AGING FOODS AND OR SUPPLEMENTS THAT ARE YOUR GO TO’S?
I eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables and very little red meat.
Fish, olive oil, nuts are a big part of my diet.
I believe the Mediterranean diet I grew up with offers a very healthy way of eating so I have always cooked the way my mom taught me.
I take fish oil, iron and calcium supplements every day.
It’s important to be aware of what we put in our bodies.
Staying healthy is key to feel happy.
Here is ISABEL and her MOTHER who design and make these adorable bags!
I found Isabel through STYLE CRONE’s BLOG.
If you want to PEEK AT THAT and see STYLE CRONES SCARF ROOM TAP HERE!
I enjoy her INSTAGRAM VERY MUCH and her enthusiasm for LIVING!
I bought one of her bags to go inside my BASKET HANDBAGS but when it came it was TOO BEAUTIFUL to toss inside my BASKET!
What is FUNCTIONAL about these bags besides being SUPER COLORFUL is the ability to use them as CROSS BODY BAGS as well so you are hands FREE!
I happen to be in the KNOW that animal prints for FALL are in the making!
ALSO , a WEBSITE will be up shortly!
They are making final adjustments.
MEL.barcelona.com
TO FIND ISABEL ON INSTAGRAM search MEL.barcelona as well.
Now this DESIGN is perfect for inside my BASKET BAG!
Great for loose change and cosmetics.
EVERY TIME YOU PULL IT OUT YOUR BREATH WILL SKIP A BEAT AT THE BEAUTY!
I hope YOU enjoyed my AGELESS STYLE VICTIM for the MONTH!
I have so much fun FINDING these women and reading their answers!
You may have noticed I took AUGUST OFF as I just needed a computer break etc.
MY partner in ALL OF THIS AND IT WAS HER BABY TO BEGIN WITH AGREED!
DO TROT OVER AND LETS SEE WHO
Cindy has picked for her LADY THIS MONTH FOR AGELESS STYLE!
We never tell each other which is ANOTHER FUN TRUE FACT so we are both SURPRISED!
PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT FOR THESE BRAVE WOMEN OR POISE A QUESTION FOR THEM TO ANSWER in the COMMENT SECTION.
READING THE COMMENTS CAN BE AS FUN AS READING THE BLOGS,
especially if we have interaction going on!
THINK OF THIS AS A BOOK CLUB but INSTEAD it’s an AGELESS STYLE BLOG FAMILY!
NOW HEAD TO CINDY’s BLOG I recently spent a couple days with her in her MONTEREY COUNTY SPANISH STYLE HOME along with Mary Ann of https://classiccasualhome.com and her side kick CHIEF!
Who received a TIME OUT while we were dining!
Very IMPRESSIVE how well he listens to his MAMA!
He has his own INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT which is pretty darn cute!
Rumor has it this Boston Terrier is looking for MORE FOLLOWERS!
COURTESY COUNTS STILL IN MY WORLD and I think MOST of YOU are still with me on that NOTE.
SHALL WE DISCUSS MANNERS IN TODAYS WORLD?
PERHAPS, A FUTURE BLOG POST is in the making.
What MANNERS do you miss THE MOST?
LUNCHING in Big Sur!
YES, THAT IS THE Pacific Ocean BETWEEN OUR SHOULDERS!
CINDY on the LEFT and Mary Ann on the RIGHT.
WHAT A PICTURE PERFECT DAY!
HOPE YOUR DAY IS EVERYTHING YOU WANTED IT TO BE AND MORE……..
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