I decided to save this part of Madrid for its own separate post. For those of you who don't know this already about me, I am obsessed with European royal history - specifically British royal history - but also modern day royalty. Name a European country and I can rattle off the current or former royal family, including Spain's. So when I knew we were headed to Madrid, there were two spots that shot to the top of my list - the royal palace and Almudena Cathedral.

Christy Dawn dress (sold out, available in black), Chloé Drew bag, Aquazzura flats (also available in white), Illesteva sunglasses

I don't know what it is about royal history that makes me love it so much, but alas I do and that's something that makes me "me". In 2004, I was pretty much stalking every article in the paper and online of the Danish royal wedding of the Crown Prince (since I am half Danish), only to discover that Spain's Crown Prince was also about to get married just one week after Denmark's royal couple. That's when I learned more about the Spanish royal family, including current King Felipe VI and his queen, Letizia. The royal palace is stunning and also incredibly massive. I had seen photos and videos of it from the royal wedding as well as the coronation of King Felipe VI, but I was even more impressed with it in person. What took my breath away was Almudena Cathedral. This is where the royal wedding took place in 2004, when former television journalist Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano wed the future king of Spain. As a recent bride myself, I even walked up the aisle to get an idea of what she did when she walked up the aisle to marry her prince. For our day exploring royal Madrid, I wore a dress that made me feel like a princess myself. I discovered LA-based designer Christy Dawn a few months ago when browsing for honeymoon looks and instantly fell in love with her designs (in fact, I've brought two of her dresses along on my Europe trip!). Just like my wedding gown designer, Christy Dawn's pieces are designed and made in Los Angeles. Being an LA girl myself, I like knowing that I've brought a piece of home with me abroad. I fell in love with this dress the instant I saw it. The sleeves are what sold me, as I am a huge fan of balloon sleeves. But I also hardly ever turn away from standout floral designs, and this dress is made from a beautiful floral fabric. Christy Dawn dress (black version - also similar versions here and here) // Illesteva Palm Beach Sunglasses // Aquazzura flats (also in white) // Chloé Drew bag

I decided to save this part of Madrid for its own separate post. For those of you who don’t know this already about me, I am obsessed with European royal history – specifically British royal history – but also modern day royalty. Name a European country and I can rattle off the current or former royal family, including Spain’s. So when I knew we were headed to Madrid, there were two spots that shot to the top of my list – the royal palace and Almudena Cathedral.

Christy Dawn dress (sold out, available in black), Chloé Drew bag, Aquazzura flats (also available in white), Illesteva sunglasses

I don’t know what it is about royal history that makes me love it so much, but alas I do and that’s something that makes me “me”. In 2004, I was pretty much stalking every article in the paper and online of the Danish royal wedding of the Crown Prince (since I am half Danish), only to discover that Spain’s Crown Prince was also about to get married just one week after Denmark’s royal couple. That’s when I learned more about the Spanish royal family, including current King Felipe VI and his queen, Letizia. The royal palace is stunning and also incredibly massive. I had seen photos and videos of it from the royal wedding as well as the coronation of King Felipe VI, but I was even more impressed with it in person. What took my breath away was Almudena Cathedral. This is where the royal wedding took place in 2004, when former television journalist Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano wed the future king of Spain. As a recent bride myself, I even walked up the aisle to get an idea of what she did when she walked up the aisle to marry her prince. For our day exploring royal Madrid, I wore a dress that made me feel like a princess myself. I discovered LA-based designer Christy Dawn a few months ago when browsing for honeymoon looks and instantly fell in love with her designs (in fact, I’ve brought two of her dresses along on my Europe trip!). Just like my wedding gown designer, Christy Dawn’s pieces are designed and made in Los Angeles. Being an LA girl myself, I like knowing that I’ve brought a piece of home with me abroad. I fell in love with this dress the instant I saw it. The sleeves are what sold me, as I am a huge fan of balloon sleeves. But I also hardly ever turn away from standout floral designs, and this dress is made from a beautiful floral fabric. Christy Dawn dress (black version – also similar versions here and here) // Illesteva Palm Beach Sunglasses // Aquazzura flats (also in white) // Chloé Drew bag