Secret Gifts8th December 2015

Pssssst

It’s secret time.  We’re not famous for our shopping here in Ibiza, but if you know what you’re doing, boy can you strike gold. I’ve just finished a sunset cocktail (cosmopolitan, a bit 90s sex in the city, but had totally forgotten how fabulous they are) at the unlikely and unassuming Kumharas, South of San Antonio in the area Cala de Bou.  It’s not in the most salubrious area but is a gorgeous spot, set behind rugged outcrops and host to spectacular sunsets.  Even better, it is replete with the perfect selection of little shop-ettes, part way between a hippy market and a quirky row of independent boutiques. There is one selling women’s clothes and I just bagged a lightweight, duck egg blue, slouchy cotton sweatshirt dress with a simple white star stamped on the front.  The perfect between seasons outfit, totally unique and a palatable price as far as other half (OT) is concerned.  I also found some cute patterned cotton shorts and a loose cotton sleeveless shirt for my daughter (the other drain on OT’s resources), in the ‘channelling Goa’ children’s shop-ette next door.  Different, soft, perfect Ibiza boho.  There can be nothing better than shopping with cocktails under the setting sun.

The joy about funding little gems in Ibiza is that you have no expectations but somehow wherever you go you see something adorable/unusual/local.  Take my favourite place for coffee in Santa Gertrudis, Plaisir. Not only do they make the most beautifully hand-crafted pastries, filled with all kinds of creamy delights, the most perfect strong, rich coffee and fresh juice combinations that aren’t the price of a meal, but there is a little display of the most charming wooden-heart pendant necklaces.  Every heart is slightly different, some bigger, some smaller and each with their own unique footprint in the grain of the wood.  I was looking for a gift for a dear friend and this was calling to me!

My English self deferentially quizzed the seller/owner/juice maker/ chef about the piece in question:

“What metal is the chain?” (I was being diligent. You never know who has allergies these days, skins can be so sensitive.)

“I don’t think it’s gold,” came the response with a playful smirk.

I didn’t miss a beat. It was the perfect present and was brought to me tucked into an unbranded little pouch and added to my elevensies bill.  I popped in for a cortado and a mini-wholemeal croissant yesterday and saw that they have added keyrings to the display, ready for another lucky gift recipient!

In Ibiza you don’t need to go shopping for presents; you just find them while you’re doing something else more fun.  And for everything else, well Amazon delivers.