old friend, new friend

PRESS PLAY The Juggler - Jah Path

Nice afternoon at Ipanema beach near Arpoador, in front of the very beautiful Fasano, a hotel designed by Philip Stark (one of my favorite contemporary designers :) ).

I met with Darrieux, an old friend I haven't spoken in ages and she brought her friend Cynthia, who instantly became my new friend. It was nice to realize that friendship doesn't necessarily fade away with time if you have things in common, and that making a new friend is very natural when you share he same interests.

It was time for recycling anyways... I read the other day that we must get rid of what does not fit us anymore and leave an empty space for the new to arrive. So, welcome new reality! It was about time!

Carioca do Brasil

PRESS PLAY Ela é carioca - Tom Jobim

This is 'Carioca do Brasil' (carioca is a person who is born in Rio de Janeiro), one of the cows from the Cow Parade that happened at Rio in 2007. It was created by Gilson Martins, a very interesting bag designer, who uses the Brazilian flag a lot in his creations. After the parade, he bought his own cow on the action and donated it to the city :) It stays in Ipanema, almost in the corner of Praça Nossa Senhora da Paz. You can't miss it! Thank you, Gilson!

PS: I really really really LOVE cows! I have many miniatures, from all over the word! I would love to have bought one of the cows from the parade, but I unfortunately I don't have any space for it...

test driving Carol's new bike in a sunny afternoon in Ipanema...

I keep biking

PRESS PLAY Coralie Clement - Samba de mon coeur qui bat

going to Leblon / going to Ipanema

I use my bike for transportation purposes. Traffic is caotic, noisy, and expensive, and for things I have to do bike is often faster, not mentioning the environmental issue. Besides, I LOVE the ride :)

Dinner @ Madame Butterfly

Madame Butterfly is an oriental restaurant in Ipanema. I LOVE their decoration. Very cozy and colorful. The tables are made with cartoon images covered with resin. I sat at the Hello Kitty table :D Food is pretty good. Oh, and they have fried ice cream for desert, you gotta try it ;)

Winter in Rio

Typical winter day at Ipanema Beach, in front of the famous Coqueirão (big coconut tree). Where else can you find a weather like this?

I LOVE Rio :)

I fell for Ipanema's fall

we don't have the maple trees here...

but the colors are wonderfull

Girl from Ipanema's feet :))

PRESS PLAY The Boy from Ipanema - Ella Fitzgerald

One of my favorite things is to go to the beach in Ipanema, specially not in the summer, when I can only go like after 3pm... too freakin' hot here.

And I LOVE the "Two Brother's Mountain", at the end of Leblon (Ipanema and Leblon are physically one beach, just the name changes around Post 11). It is specially beautiful when you take a bike ride along the beach.

Mate Leão in a huge silver gallon and Biscoito Globo are mandatory. I count on Marcelo to get the best Mate in Ipanema. Sorvete Itália is always a good alternative.