24 Hours in Barcelona | City Guide

In partnership with Joseph

Blocking three days out of our week to visit Barcelona for the first time sounded pretty ace. With my case packed with a selection of my favourite pieces from the SS19 collection by Joseph, and some cheap fights booked, we were all set to see the city with fresh eyes.

Sometimes those cheap flights have you arriving into a city quite late and force you to leave wayyyyy too early - but hey, that's what we signed up for. Our "three days" ended up really just being one, but you can really shift pavement when you're under a tight time restriction.

Armed with a handy list of recommendations from folks on Instagram + Twitter, we launched into our 24 hours exploring a new city with an early rise and a solid planned mapped out. The early bird catches the siesta, or something like that...

On our agenda; architecture, coffee, food and craft beer:

 

 Breton Top by Joseph | Perfect T Shirt by Joseph | Trousers by Arket | Sneakers by Converse | Sunglasses by Moscot

 Maxime Twill Bicoloured Jacket by Joseph | Socks by Margaret Howell

Walden7

Ctra. Reial, 106, 08960 Sant Just Desvern, Barcelona

What a way to start the day! This mind-bender of a building was suggested by our mate Jordan Bunker. Created from the genius mind of Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill, Walden 7 is a super surreal looking housing development on the west side of the city, which has become a much-loved icon of the city. The otherworldly labyrinth-like passageways, stairwells and jutting balconies of this place made for a slightly off-balancing yet unforgettable experience

It's the kind of place you see on the internet but never have a clue as to where it actually is. Being a private housing development means access isn't easy to come by - I'm told that there are regular tours, but we made our way inside behind some happy looking locals who had no qualms with us being there when we showed them our cameras. Worth the risk!

Syra Coffee

Carrer de la Mare de Déu dels Desemparats, 8, 08012 Barcelona

Ain't it amazing what you can do when you're under restriction. I'm constantly impressed with the design solutions people come up with when coming up against issues such as space, money and time. Syra Coffee is a perfectly example of this how to create a inviting and wholesome place inside a tiny unit, located in the middle of the city's vibrant Vila de Gracia district.

I didn't realise how affordable good coffee and very good cakes can be in Barcelona - 4 Euros for a tasty flat white + a locally made ginger and white chocolate cookie is a 10/10 every day of the week. Syra was definitely a highlight from my day. I just loved how this place looked, the geezer making the brews was really friendly and there was even room for a small Japanese photography exhibition at the back.

Parking Pizza - Parking Pita

Passeig de Sant Joan, 56, 08009 Barcelona

Food - the heart and soul of every city visit. Torn between a list of 10 cafes and restaurants to decide from, we ended up choosing a place that served more than one speciality. Mega looking pizzas and absolutely packed pitas. Communal benches promote sharing and unexpected conversation, and the open-plan setting allowed the midday sun light to flood in via well placed skylights. As for the food, the falafel pita takes the winnings // Parking Pizza - Pita

 Mer Parachute Shirt by Joseph | Breton Top by Joseph | Plage Linen Shorts by Joseph | Vans OG Slip

Skye Coffee at Espacio88

Carrer de Pamplona, 88, 08018 Barcelona

Just look at this place! I don't associate converted industrial warehouse spaces with Barcelona at all, in fact, Jake commented that the whole El Poblenou district of the city felt similar to San Francisco. Agreed. Along with Cloudstreet Bakery, Skye Coffee's resident coffee truck can be found inside Espacio88; a multi-faceted architectural space used for experiential events, workshops, creative talks and home to one of the city's most striking coffee outposts. Serving speciality coffee from a restored 1972 Citoën HY to locals and visitors looking for a truly unique experience. For more about Barcelona's coffee culture see Kaffeine Kick.

Mikkeller Bar 

Carrer de València, 202, 08011 Barcelona

It's become a tradition of ours to end a city break with a beer at a local Mikkeller bar. With 40+ locations now, these guys are becoming easier to find as the years go by, and while they're not Barcelona-local they have found their place within the city's booming craft beer scene. Natty doodles anywhere you put your eyes are wrestling against vertical wood panelling (a theme through their bars), marmalade orange pendant lights, a sea blue hi-shine floor which could throw up some issues after a few IPAs, and tap list covering all bases from 2.5% easy goers to face-melting 12% imperial stouts. Sounds over the top, but it works so well.

My favourite piece from the Joseph collection, the Plage Linen Shorts. Photography by Jake Millers

Thanks for reading,

Mat.

This post is a paid partnership with Joseph, but all travel + activities above was paid for by me. Your support of the brands + businesses we work with helps make this blog happen.

Glasgow, A Visual Diary

 Wearing - Arket Jacket [gifted] | Paul Smith Long Sleeve T-Shirt + Sneakers, Folk Trousers, Fair Ends Cap

I've had a copy of this blog post in my drafts folder for about a month. I've written two in total, but I wasn't particularly thrilled with either, which is weird because I had a blast on my recent trip up to Glasgow. Maybe it's a case of leaving the words too long, or maybe it's a case of not actually feeling mega confident with my writing of late. I've spent soooo much time working on images lately it seems I've forgotten how to put words next to each.

So in light of this slight writer's block I'm going to get the images do most of the talking this time. "Booo, what a cop out" you may think, but hey, do more of what feels right. Right?

Where We Stayed

Two night's spent at The Principal's Grand Central [press stay] was just what the doctor ordered. The location was bang on, right at the side of Glasgow Central Station, and the room was ideal for me and Jordan in two single beds.. Really spacious and comfy rooms, with a stellar bathroom and a cool view of the city's Southside. I tried to book a third night, due to all the trains out of Glasgow being cancelled, but sadly it was all booked up. A good sign though!

Where We Ate

This isn't an exaggeration in saying that Glasgow's food and drink scene is incredible. Never have I been to a city in the UK with such a passion for it; the variation of food styles, the meticulous details they put into their interiors, the sheer amount of space places popping up - and the passion follows suit. Highlights - Alchemilla, Gnom with Jordan's friend Nicole, Betty's Good Times Roll, Ramen Dayo, Paesano Pizza.

Where We Hung Out

We saw a lot of the city, and to stay it's changed since the last time I visited is an understatement. Our long list of recommendations took us to been before, and some places that have been on my "must visit" list for ages. We had plenty of time dedicated to meeting up with old and new friends, with local photographer Alex James sparing a whole afternoon to show us around some spots he knew we would love. Highlights - W2 Store, Drygate Brewery, The Lighthouse, The Good Coffee Cartel, Laboratorio Coffee.

Until the next city break.

Additional photos by Jordan Bunker.

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Exploring the City of Easton, Pennsylvania, with Majestic Athletic

 Wearing - Detroit Tigers Cool Base Jersey by Majestic Athletic | Uniqlo Shorts | Vans Anaheim Authentics | 

Universal Works Tote Bag | Moscot Sunglasses | Percival Cap

  Getting to know the film crew on wanders around old town Easton

This blog post is in partnership with Majestic Athletic + MLB.

After an exhausting first day of filming at the Majestic Athletic factory in the small town of Easton, Pennsylvania, we got to doing what we crew were craving – sitting down with an ice cold beer.

Just a quick recap of part one; myself, Jordan Bunker + a film crew were visiting Easton to work on documenting the cultural importance of this small city – the home of the US-made cool base jerseys, worn by MLB players + fans all over the world. My first blog post was all about our day at the Majestic Athletic factory, and for part two we're sticking to the city.

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At 10pm the evening before, the cameras stopped rolling. Full up on pizza, burgers, pasta from one of the city's many old school bars, we headed back to the hotel to get some rest. Truth be told it felt like one of those 2-second sleeps the likes of Salvador Dali championed in the surrealist movement.

Our next day was all planned out; up at 7am for a quick breakfast before heading back to the factory to make sure we hadn't missed anything, followed by a couple of hours of exploring the city before driving back to New York to catch a game at the Yankees stadium. A dream day!

Visiting Key City Diner for cherry pie + coffee, and what the locals call a "hoogie". It felt like I'd just stepped into the original Twin Peaks film set - clashing colours, a mixture of food smells and families just being families

 Wearing - Philadelphia Phillies Cool Base Jersey by Majestic Athletic | Banana Republic Shorts | Converse 70s Sneakers 

In several way Easton felt like many small towns I've visited across America. Welcoming and warm, sleepy yet full of life, slightly unpolished but reassuringly organised. In a round about way this city is what I think of when I picture working class America.

A visit to Key City Diner – just across the river where Pennsylvania meets New Jersey – was an experience to remember. I've been visiting America all of my life, but the countless trips to Universal Studios couldn't prepare me for stepping into what felt like a real-life film set."Dya want curly fries with that?" hollered the waitress as she took our order – the answer is always yes. I'm yet to have a better strawberry milkshake.

Our group probably stood out like a sore thumb, but after the food arrived we settled in and became a part of the furniture. No trip to an American diner would be complete without an order of homemade cherry pie and a cup of coffee – this one came directly from David Lynch's well-referenced playbook.

It felt great to be wearing these Majestic Athletic jerseys all day, especially knowing how much worth the factory and its workers brings to the local economy. The locals know it too, I received a bunch of nods + compliments as we wandered the city. True, my limited baseball knowledge has all been acquired through Seinfeld, but at least I looked the part.

 Exploring the city's craft beer scene - the beautiful interior at The Separatist taproom + the raw authentic feel of Weyerbacher Brewery

Saying goodbye to our three days in Easton, PA, with Majestic Athletic. Long days, short nights, but one of the most rewarding projects to date.

For me, researching before you've got to a new place is all a part of the fun, and food, coffee, local stores and beer are always high on my list. Easton is a true 9-5 city, so I should have expected no less than the evenings being driven by American cooking and the craft beer scene. Visits to two local beer spots made for the perfect ending to Part Two of our trip. 

The beautiful interior of The Separatist taproom contrasting against the grassroots set-up at Weyerbacher Brewery felt similar to how I now see baseball. On one hand you have the polished side of MLB, with players looking perfect as they hit the stadiums, ready to entertain all, and then you've got the Majestic Athletic factory workers with 40+ years experience, just quietly getting on with their jobs. Both contrasts, but both parties working towards the same goal – to champion a wider movement.

Our time in Easton had come to an end, but our journey wasn't quite finished yet. Next stop three days in New York - I'll can't wait to share more with you soon!

The Majestic Athletic Cool Base Jerseys which feature in this post are all available here.

Photography by Jordan Bunker.

This blog post is a part of a wider documentary project in paid partnership with with Majestic Athletic + MLB.

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A Change of Climates | Genova Travel Diary with Ralph Lauren

 Mediterranean mode was fully activated in Genova, Italy. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Ralph Lauren

When an important anniversary rolls around it’s worth reflecting on the journey that we've took to this point in time. Pulling out all the stops to commemorate such an occasion is one of life's joys – looking back on those memories that will cement themselves in time. It’s hard to believe that myself and Hollie will soon be celebrating our 1st wedding anniversary, it feels like yesterday!

But first, we have another event to get the party poppers out for. 2018 marks 50 years of Ralph Lauren: an iconic within pop culture. Which brings us to one of the brand’s most recognisable pieces, an item which constantly finds itself fitting into the category of timeless (and effortless if your initials are JFK): The Mesh Polo Shirt. Many menswear aficionados would consider the humble polo shirt as a staple in their wardrobes since they were yey high – you'd be hard-pressed to find a gent who hasn't worn one at some point in his life.

To celebrate this anniversary we this we took a two hour plane journey, from Manchester, over to the historical Italy city of Genova - the birthplace of America’s founding father, Christopher Columbus, and home to one of the most significant port industries in the whole of Europe. Would you believe that our whole trip cost us less than a two-day round trip to London?! I think I'll be making similar excursions more often...

The city itself mirrors many of Ralph Lauren’s distinctively recognisable qualities; seldom effected by time, always improving with age, and at its core, charmingly simple.

Mesh Polo Shirt c/o Ralph Lauren | Trousers by Folk x MR PORTER | 
Sneakers by Converse | Sunglasses by Moscot

One walk around the city’s historical quarter left me wondering why my only prior knowledge of Genova was from watching Football Italian when I was a young boy. Winding, narrow pathways seemingly leading to nowhere, shadowed by towering building, each showing signs of weathering from decades of bombardment from the Mediterranean sun. Look + listen; you’ll hear locals sharing conversations across balconies, unintentional beauty with colour-matching laundry hanging from washing lines, bleached-out power cables + everyday life barely altered by modernisation. Genova truly felt like "old Italy"; a close-knit community built on family values, hard work and honesty – qualities which I know the Ralph Lauren the brand is centred around.

The Mesh Polo Shirt is a piece of clothing I’m revisiting at a time in my life where I feel at ease with my personal style. Experimentation from at early age saw me sporting polo shirts on countless occasion, but it’s an item that has eluded by wardrobe for half a decade.

The breathable qualities of the polo came in handy for the 30° heatwave we found ourselves in. I felt at ease knowing that my outfit would take me through the day; from a 9am breakfast of pastries + coffee, to a late night dinner at a local gem known as Groove Burger. Polo Shirt 1-0 Ketchup.

One feeling that did come over me when wearing the fresh white polo shirt was confidence. I'm not sure if it was the freedom of being somewhere new or the fact that I was pretty pleased with my styling choice, but everything about wearing the polo shirt just felt right. It's garments such as Ralph Lauren's lived-in Mesh Polo Shirt, worn-out blue jeans, sun-bleached baseball caps, classic Chucks or threadbare chinos that evoke what true Americana means to me; a honest reflection of an individual personality.

Photography by Jake Millers.

This post is an paid partnership with Ralph Lauren. Your support of the brands + businesses we work with helps make this blog happen.

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