As an interior designer, Devon Liedtke has good taste. This is made even more apparent with her recent move from Houston, Texas to Barcelona, Spain, where she currently resides with her husband and three kids. Although both cities cater to the foodie in her, Barcelona stands out for its in-the-moment energy. It’s less about the hustle, and more about enjoying life’s expected and unexpected experiences. “One of the first things we learned when we came here is that people put experiences and quality of life over the relentless pursuit of the next thing,” she says.
We asked the expat to share more about her life in Spain — and she delivered. Learn more about her low-key, pancake-loving weekend here.
In our new series, “A Perfect Sunday,” we spotlight our favorite tastemakers and their ideal Sunday vibe, life advice, and beauty and style must-haves. Here, Devon Liedtke shares her weekend routine.
Wake-Up Routine:
I sleep in as late as my kids let me! The first thing to do is snuggle with one of my littles who snuck into my bed overnight. Then, I start my skincare routine. I have dry skin, so moisturizers are my friends. I always reach for Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser and Sunday Riley C.E.O. Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Gel Cream. On Sundays, I like to go for a full-fledged spa day. It isn’t a Sunday unless I scare my husband with a mask.
I stay in pajamas until I finally get dressed in search of the one flower store open on Sunday in Spain to buy flowers for the week.
Morning:
Since moving to Barcelona, we have been in search of the perfect pancake. It is funny what you take for granted at home, like access to fluffy pancakes and American bacon. Luckily, we found a local spot called Gringa that serves the best American diner food — think: chicken and waffles, the best breakfast burrito, and of course, the aforementioned fluffy pancake. It’s a little taste of home.
I always tend to drink one too many cups of coffee in the morning. And, on a good Sunday morning, I also throw in yoga. Dennis Morton on Peloton App is my jam.
Afternoon:
In the afternoons, we start the dreaded task of cleaning the apartment to keep it clean until Monday. Family is always the priority on Sundays. One of our new favorite activities is scootering to the Arc de Triunfo and watching street performers. And, my children’s main focus is to negotiate another reason why they deserve another ice cream on a Sunday afternoon.
For lunch, I always recommend Citizen Café for a Pastrami Sandwich that will change your life.
Evening:
Considering most businesses are closed on Sunday, hopefully we had our act together and went grocery shopping on Saturday to cook a fun meal on Sunday night. Lately our go-to has been, “white fish” per our girls, which translates to Sole Meuniere with Chorizo Green Beans.
I make lists for everything on Sunday nights, with a glass of wine in hand, of course. I look at my calendar for the week and make to-do lists for work and family commitments. Lately, the biggest thing is coordinating work calls in the U.S. for a new project I am working on. More to come!
And of course, skincare is a must at night as well! I like to dry brush and lotion my body, and for my face, I use a cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer, and eye cream. I learned this from my friend and esthetician in Houston, Katia Moreno, or “the magical buccal lady” as I call her. She’s from Ukraine and has brought her holistic techniques to Houston; I also credit my friend Kathleen Jennings, who makes me feel like an expert after watching one of her videos on Instagram.
Devon’s Details:
What’s the one accessory or style item you can’t live without?
My husband will tell you it’s my Birkenstocks. If you sit down with him, he would love to tell you about his love/hate relationship with them.
What are you binge-watching or reading right now?
I binge podcasts ferociously. Too many to name, but every subject from business, news, current events, design, astrology, health, parenting, travel, human design — the list goes on.
What’s the greatest lesson you’ve learned in 2022?
Take that leap of faith! More on that leap here.
What does self-care mean to you?
It means slowing down to carve out time for me. I have a lot going on day to day between work and family, but I do try to live by the principle that the happier I am, the better I am at all the hats I wear. Making time to work out, meditate, yoga, sauna, cold plunge (yes, my husband and I are those people now), go into nature, do things that inspire me more often than not, and of course the simple things like, shower, shave, and wear the occasional mask. It is all good for the soul!
What always makes you smile?
My family, always.
What inspires you lately?
This change in our life is endlessly inspiring. The people we have met, the cultures we have been exposed to, the experiences we have had. I see us as a family expanding before my very eyes.
What are you looking forward to in 2023?
I have a few irons in the fire in my career that I am really inspired by and excited to bring to fruition. It feels good to just go for those dreams in your heart.
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