Barcelona: local craftsmanship from the Born district

The Born district in Barcelona has become a home for those appreciating quality and individual designs, made locally - in contrast to the globalized and cheap fashion offered by the likes of H&M, Zara, ... a few hundred metres away around Plaza Catalunya and Portal d'Àngel.
Three examples for women's accessories were recently presented in La Vanguardia newspaper in an article by Ariadna Alcañiz ("Vivir", Jan. 16, 2013, p. 10):
"About Arianne" are shoes with sober lines, vintage aesthetics, London inspired, with attention to detail, made since 2010 in Spain (Elda, Alicante) from quality leather and other materials. The latest collection is called "Northern Star" and includes platforms. They do small productions; in case they do not have one's size, one can order them individually made within about 25 days. Their website with online shopping is here.
Next to the shoestore one finds "Iriarte Iriarte" that since 2009 has sold leather bags, briefcases, etc. As it is a two-people business, production runs are small, but they also offer custom productions within four or five weeks. Their website with online shopping is here.
The third store presented in this small article was "Après Ski" jewellry. The pieces are described as simple, singular, and hand-made from "poor" materials, such as wood, ceramics, brass, and resin. Their website with online shopping is here.

Barcelona 2013: Primavera Sound, Sonar etc.

Barcelona is a perfect place for music festivals all year round as you have (normally) sunny weather, a beach, and great shopping aside. This page of T ime Out magazine should make it easier for you to choose and plan your stay accordingly. The City of Barcelona offers this guide. This blogger has had good experiences with booking hotel rooms via booking.com.

Advice to keep your brain young

A recent article in La Vanguardia's Saturday supplement Estilos de Vida (Lifestyles; Mayte Rius, Dec. 15,2012) had these "10 commandments" for brain fitness into older age:

1) Eat less!
Fewer calories, few animal fats, a lot of fruit and vegetables

2) Exercise!
Walk or do some type of light physical exercise daily

3) Keep your brain active!
E.g. learn a language or an instrument.

4) Go on journeys!
Travelling causes positive stress.

5) Avoid (negative) stress!

6) Live in community!
Social isolation reduces mental capacity.

7) Adapt and actualize to new circumstances!
Keep yourself informed about new technologies, people of a different age than yourself, etc.

8) Motivate yourself and get involved!
Set yourself aims to reach and enjoy reaching them.

9) Do not smoke and avoid toxics!
Quitting is beneficial at whatever age. And smoking marihuana as a young person affects the brain in later life - so abstain.

10) Sleep in darkness!

To learn more, Rius recommended the following sources:

Gary Small and Gigi Vorgan, The Alzheimer's Prevention Program: Keep Your Brain Healthy for the Rest of Your Life (2012)

Francisco Mora, ¿Se puede retrasar el envejecimiento del cerebro?: 12 claves (2011)