carnaval in Brazil

Carnaval in Brazil started on Thursday night. Depending on the location, started a long time ago. My heart is hurting, this year I'll not even have a taste of Carnaval, except for the online streaming of the parades. Last night, the feast started in Rio and we were able to watch about 4 hours of this beauty that's the most traditional Carnaval in Brazil. Here are a few images:

Escola da Samba Porto da Pedra
images: Veja

Wall of books - a gorgeous home in Brazil

This home is located in São Paulo, Brazil and was created by groupSP. It could, easily, end up in the Flavorpill piece about amazing bookstores! Who doesn't dream of a home with a whole wall of books?

images: Fresh Home

Brazil + Anthropologie

I received this e-mail on Sunday and fell in love with this concept. Anthropologie has a new collection of furniture completely inspired by South America countries and one of the pieces is this amazing settee - the image in the fabric was reproduced from a photo taken by the Anthropologie buyer in Bahia, Brazil. It's such a gorgeous piece, inspired by one of the most beautiful place in the world. Just a great story! I wish I could create my own furniture like this, based on images from amazing places I have visited!

Datelli

While we were in Brazil, I visited one store that really left a good impression: Datelli.

I didn’t remember anything about this store from the time I lived in Brazil and it was such a nice surprise. They have amazing leather material: shoes, purses, wallets, belts and everything I saw was gorgeous!

In one of the magazines I brought back, I found this ad and it made me eager to share with you some of their Winter 2011 new collection:

My only issue with Datelli was their prices. The brand is expensive, with prices similar to Marc Jacobs purses in the US. But, then again, everything is expensive in Brazil and compared to other brands and stores we visited in São Paulo, they are quite cheap.

Datelli

Shopping Bourbon Pompéia

Rua Turiaçu, 2.100 – Perdizes- São Paulo, SP

Ph: 55- (11) 3874-5050

http://www.datelli.com.br/

Rosa Chá

I was very surprised to find this swimsuit for sale @Anthropologie. I got it while we were in Brasil and, clearly, it was a great deal: since it's winter now in Brazil, I went to Rosa Chá because they were having a 75% sale and got this piece. It is for sale in the US for the same price (~$400) and I ended up paying less then $100. 

Maceió, AL - Brasil

When we decided to go to Maceió the decision was made based on the following criteria:

- I wanted to go somewhere new, where I had never been before;

- We needed to go to the northeast, where it's very different from the south;

- My mother had never been to the north before, so I wanted to take her with us;

- I wanted to avoid other locations in the northeast I have been before and have not liked so much!

Maceió was, by any means, an excellent choice. It's gorgeous, in a central location, close to plenty of other towns in the state of Alagoas, we could go for day trips and come back to Maceió! The best part was, without a doubt, the visit to the natural pools or sandbars. 

If you go to the beach Pajuçara and rent one of the boats for the day (around $20 per person) you will have your private pilot during the whole trip. The sandbars are located 6km away from the beach and they happen because Maceió has a long line of corals around the coast which  helps create the sandbars. 

You leave in the morning, when the tide is very low and in the middle of the sea, the water will hit your feet. After 12pm the tide start to rise and very quickly you have to leave. By 2pm the sandbars are gone, and we return to the beach. 

We chose a very simple, Brazilian traditional hotel in town. I didn't want my boyfriend to stay in any of the American chains. I wanted him to experience something new and I think I did a good job. The Saint Patrick Praia Hotel is located in the Jatiúca neighborhood, 100m from the beach. It's clean and simple. The service was very pleasant, all employees were super helpful and friendly. They offered breakfast, which I didn't enjoy so much, but I have no complaints. 

Here are a few pictures from Maceió:

Souvenirs from Brasil