Category Archives: retail therapy

elixir (again)

23 Thursday Apr 2026

Posted by in casa azahar, home, retail therapy, sevilla

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When Ralph Lauren discontinued the only scent I had ever loved (since my mid-20s) I found myself adrift in a world I don’t especially like and facing the dilemma of how the heck to choose a new signature scent for yourself (the RL had been a gift, a lucky fluke). I don’t like most perfumes, I hate walking through the perfume section at El Corte Inglés, it’s just not my world. But I loved Lauren, it felt like me, and I didn’t know if I’d ever find a replacement. Then years later I found myself back in Toronto for an extended stay (don’t ask, it wasn’t good) but I was staying with my lovely friend Carol and Clinique Elixir was her chosen scent. I remember I loved how it lingered when she passed through a room and so one day I tried it myself. SOLD. I’ve been using it ever since.

Anyhow, it’s not Chanel expensive or anything but ever since I discovered estuches (gift boxes) there was no going back to paying full price just for the eau de parfum when I could also get it much cheaper and with a couple of extras thrown in. So it became strategic buying, not just waiting until I was almost out. Which is what I did today. Because wtf, I’m worth it.

silence is… weird?

27 Friday Mar 2026

Posted by in casa azahar, computers, home, retail therapy, sevilla

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For the last week or so my mouse has been sluggish and unresponsive and basically driving me nuts. I thought I could just get a new one but as I got it (ten years ago!) as part of a wireless package deal I was told today that I’d have to get a whole new package. So I saw this Logitech Silent Touch Wireless Combo on sale at El Corte Inglés and half an hour later it was home. I didn’t really pay much attention to the “silent” bit but now that I have it up and running… it really IS silent. No clicky sounds when I type or even when I “click” on the mouse. It just… works. And while that seemed a bit weird at first I gotta admit it feels very smooth, nice keyboard action. So an unexpected new work toy. And I suppose ten years was a good run for the old one, especially with the daily workout it gets.

I have a very old IKEA desk built for an old-style desktop PC so that the screen would be on top of the actual desk, the keyboard on a pull-out shelf underneath and the tower on a lower shelf. And I’ve kept this old thing even after changing to laptops because I CANNOT abide those little chiclet keys. So now I have my laptop sitting up on a decorative box (so it’s at eye level) and the keyboard and mouse on the lower sliding shelf, the perfect height for typing. And the lower tower shelf is a great place to rest my feet. Also saves on neck and wrist fatigue, plus my laptop keyboard never wears out.

new shoes 2025!

12 Wednesday Nov 2025

Posted by in retail therapy, seasons, shoes, shopping

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Trying out these Fluchos, a Spanish brand that seem to be better quality (and better priced) than Camper. I realised that the last time I bought shoes was back in 2021 (actually bought in 2019 but I didn’t wear them for two years).  Last winter I actually got by on these refurbished favourites (from 2017) but sadly the time has come to retire them. And yes, okay, I did buy these ones a couple of years ago but turned out they were just too ugly after all so I returned them.

My point is… I needed new shoes and I am hoping these ones will work out. It’s always so stressful buying shoes because of my triple EEE wide “duck feet” (narrow heels), requiring a usually quite painful breaking in period, and I never know what’s going to break first, the shoes or me, until it happens. So I am wearing these guys around the house for awhile before trying them outside. Fingers crossed. 

new red sandals!

10 Thursday Apr 2025

Posted by in retail therapy, seasons, sevilla, shoes, shopping

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Here are my wrinkly old feet wearing my brand new red sandals. And omg I am so happy. I haven’t been able to find cute red sandals for YEARS but suddenly there they were at the little shop across from my house. And cheap too. I mean, these are the type of sandals that maybe last one season but that’s just fine by me, especially after the past few years wearing the same (frankly not pretty) black Skechers because I couldn’t find anything else. Really, I was just buying the same model over and over again because I knew they fit and were comfortable. And well, I still have them because they are serviceable (and comfortable) but it’s so nice to have something else that’s cute. And red. And also sooooo nice to finally say goodbye to they tyranny of tights and shoes until next November.

adios m&s

09 Wednesday Apr 2025

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I remember when I first moved here and being thrilled to find that there was a Marks & Spencer right next to the main El Corte Inglés. After more than a year in beautiful but eensy Salamanca this felt like the height of cosmopolitan sophistication. Ever since my Toronto days M&S was always THE place for underwear and also comfy clothing in general. Sadly the M&S closed here after a few years and then I used to actually plan trips to Gibraltar to stock up. Then came online shopping – bliss! – and I had a steady supply of knickers and bras at my fingertips. But I dunno… the past few years both quality and selection has suffered, to the point where this week I was actually forced to go out and shop for new bras locally (!!!).

El Corte Inglés of course. Simply because I can take stuff home to try on and return it no questions asked. It was pretty slim pickings there too as I was looking for non-underwired but eventually a helpful salesperson showed me this one and I was sold. Front closure is a bit of a faff but once it’s on… wow, talk about comfortable. Bought one black, one cream and now I’m set for the summer. Sorry to see M&S go, but it seems to have gone the cheap “fast fashion” route, not for me.