Category Archives: retail therapy

reisenthel

28 Monday Sep 2026

Posted by in health & happiness, retail therapy, sevilla, shopping

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I first came across this brand several years ago when I spotted chic black Reisenthel hand baskets being used at the (then) brand new El Corte Inglés Gourmet Experience. Then one day I spotted their roll-up tote bag with totes adorbs (sorry) flamenco-style polka dots, and one has lived inside my Kiplings ever since. At less than 10€ they also make great useful gifts so now Peter and several other friends also have one, in various colours. They seriously roll-up into nothing, are washable and durable and, no, I’m not being paid for this endorsement. But sadly, my cute tote hasn’t been used much these past couple of years, since I started needing to use two crutches. I mean, there was no way to carry anything, or use a trolley as both hands were occupied.

THEN… it became possible for me to start getting around with just one crutch and that has made a huge difference… I mean, having one free hand! Also, being able to walk with a more or less normal gait (not the penquin walk) albeit still v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y… still, it feels like progress. But it’s still not easy for me to carry things and my trusty Rolster shopping trolley is a bit large and clunky for day-to-day stuff, and then I remembered my friend Fourat’s small black Reisenthel trolley.

Can I say? I have coveted one of these ever since Fourat showed up for lunch one day a few years ago with hers in tow, saying how, due to her back problems, it had changed her life. Because, unlike typical shopping trolleys, they are smaller, lighter, more discreet, yet still hold enough for doing a bit of light shopping, running errands, etc.So what the heck. It’s yet another step forward towards my independence! And I got a 15% off promo for my first time purchase on the Reisenthel website 👍

I was torn between going with classy basic black but in the end had to go with the polka dots with silver trim. It’s just more me. Anyhow, it just arrived today and I am looking forward to taking it over to Calle Baños tomorrow.

summer saling

10 Monday Aug 2026

Posted by in casa azahar, home, retail therapy

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I know I know… anyhow. Stopped in a Corte Inglés yesterday to look for towels for Peter (which seriously need replacing) but didn’t find any suitable ones on sale. Then I saw this for half price! I do have two duvet covers so I can swap them out but one of them is annoyingly slightly too small so the duvet buckles inside. My fault, I had cut down a larger one and (obvs) cut one side a bit too much. I don’t usually go for prints but this one is so soft and pretty… and now I can’t wait for it to be October!

new comfy chair! (maybe)

31 Friday Jul 2026

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

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A couple of weeks ago I got it into my head that I needed a new comfy chair. Why? I mean, my present comfy chair is still comfy enough, but it’s kind of a wreck now (mostly thanks to Morcilla) and it was second hand when I got it in 2011 (to replace my previous second hand comfy chair – inherited from Agustín – that had literally fallen apart). I started looking around online at the usual places (IKEA, Leroy Merlin, El Corte Inglés) and there was one possibility for a reasonable price at ECI so I went to check it out. And well, it was crap. Cheaply made and decidedly not comfy. And then this one caught my eye.

Unfortunately Bonnie (it’s the model name, I didn’t make it up) was way out of the ballpark and I asked the sales guy if it might be discounted during the summer sales. He said that particular model didn’t usually go on sale but I could check back. Well instead I checked on line every morning and then yesterday there it was… 15% off for four days only! Which was still too expensive but I had tried her out and was kind of hooked because Bonnie was indeed very comfy. And so I went back to ECI and the same sales guy was there. He remembered me and said he was hoping I’d see the sale. Anyhow… it turned out that there would be no new stock available until August 25th, with delivery in early September, so I decided to buy the chair to lock down the price and then decide later if I should actually keep it. As Peter pointed out, it’s the last chair I’m going to buy in my lifetime so why not? We’ll see.

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.