madrid

Beyond high hopes for an ergonomic desk chair, most of us don't give a second thought to what our office space looks like. But when you're an architect, the design of your workspace may not only affect your productivity and mood, but the impressions of your clients as well. Madrid-based architecture firm Selgas Cano should have no trouble dazzling clients who visit its office, a futuristic gem in the middle of the woods. I was blown away when I saw the space, gleaming white and mimosa-colored and narrow like a train car. One side of the structure is nearly all windows, giving you the feeling of living (working) in the wild. My only complaint is that each desk sits behind another like bedrooms in a railroad apartment, which isn't very engaging socially. Check out plenty of photos shot by photographer Iwan Baan, and tell me what you think when you read more

• Doping Team Quits Tour:
  After a third team rider tested positive for blood-doping, the Italian Saunier-Duval team withdrew from the Tour de France this morning. Rider Riccardo Ricco was found using EPO. The team director said, "He's our leader, we can't act as if nothing happened." Ricco was taken off the Saunier-Duval team bus by police ahead of the start of the day's race and booed by spectators. He was in ninth place overall before being removed.



• Madrid Bombing Convicts Freed:
  Spain's Supreme Court overturned the conviction of four people found guilty of connection to the 2004 Madrid train bombings. The four were part of 21 people convicted over the attacks, which left 191 dead. The court also upheld the acquittal of the suspected Egyptian mastermind as he'd already been convicted of the crime in Italy. The attackers were part of a local Islamist militant groups inspired by al Qaeda.
• Obama Behind Republicans in Money:
  Democrat Barack Obama raised $52 million last month (his second best take) ending June with the DNC and Obama with $92.3 million in the bank. Though the numbers still fall behind the Republicans and McCain. McCain raised more than $22 million in June (his best take) and combined with the RNC, Republicans start July with $95 million to spend.

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I couldn't resist passing along this beautiful photo! Taken today at Madrid's San Anton church, animal lovers came from all over to have their pets blessed during the feast of San Anton. San Anton, the patron saint of animals, is honored by Catholic churches in Spain — and many priests like Father Juan Manuel Villar perform this doggie ceremony with an aspergillum.

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Even though NY did not seem to follow the recent trend in making models that are too skinny sit out the runway, Madrid is definitely pulling its weight (no pun intended).

Madrid, the first city last year to ban models who are too skinny, has gone a step further this year and declared 5 models too thin for the catwalk at this week's international designer show. The other 64 models who were checked had enough fat on them to take part on the runways, including one, Maria Campoy, who was banned in September for being too boney. Campoy actually had to gain weight for this year's show and she did, which I think is fantastic.

With the fashion weeks hopping from city to city, eating disorders are a hot topic right now, but do you blame the fashion industry? Take my poll to cast your vote and see what others are saying.

In other news, my good buddy Giggle brought this to my attention: A London based restaurant gives skinny models free food. Sad, but true and definitely worth a giggle.