28Feb

Food for thought and for the soul

I got this massage in the Daily Kabbalistic Wisdom newsletter this morning from The Kabbalah center and found it so beautiful that wanted to share with you. I’ll try to translate it below. If you like it you can subscribe in English and get beautiful words like this every day.

Unique. We all are granted unique gifts to assist us to carry out the individual
purpose of our lives. This is the reason why it is not worthy to compare ourselves to the person on our side. Comparison removes you from being the best version of yourself.

27Feb

For the home: Black Kitchens Worth to Emulate

Of all the black kitchens I’m posting today the first one below, is probably my favorite. It has a sort of personality that makes it very unique and real. If not for those reasons, then for the up to ceiling black upper cabinets with all-good benefits. I also love the touches of global-chic accessories on the counter top. The thought of a black kitchen would give anyone a disbelieving smirk face along with a swiveling shaking head but as you see, it is very elegant. Most people are much more used to seeing bright white kitchens than anything else and the first thought that comes to their minds when considering black cabinets for their kitchens is a dark dysfunctional kitchen. It’s all in the natural incoming light, use of material and contrast. Keeping most of the kitchen surface -walls, counter tops, ceilings and floors- in light colors would make for the right balance and contrast in the room. The finish on those outer layers also make a big difference; mirror and glass when used as doors, back splash or even walls bring in a lot of light into the space. Of course last but not least, there is also the option of installing artificial lighting that can go any where. Enjoy!

black kitchens via belle vivir blog kitchens with black cabinets and white counter tops

26Feb

Stylish Activewear: Going to the gym in style

activeweare to go to the gym in style via belle vivir blog

Love this military-looking visor available here.

I’ve been doing pilates, well on and off to be honest, for more than eight years now and I have to admit that no other workout method works as well for me. At the moment I am looking for a private studio to start it all over again, after almost six months of doing regular gym workout and not even seeing a vaguely similar result. I wasn’t always so interested in upgrading my gym clothing, actually I kept using the same sneakers for more than 4 years since I’ve never been a fan of heavy duty workouts such as a.k.a. running, climbing etc. Perhaps, because not until so long ago, much of the activewear clothing available was tide pants and tide tops and nothing else stylish enough to encourage me to get new gym clothes. But before we came to Sao Paulo I paid a visit to Nike and found really cool ones available. I know that stylish selection of gym clothes may not be a good enough incentive to encourage us to hit the gym but it doesn’t hurt it either. Enjoy!

Bring the glamy shimmer to the gym in this awesome jacket by Stella Mccartney for Adidas

25Feb

The Oscars red carpet favorites

Hale Berry, boy was she beautiful. Loved this Versace dress on her.
She can wear anything!

I have to say that it was kind of disappointing to watch the Red Carpet last night or should I say pink carpet. Was it me or wasn’t the old Hollywood glamour missing from all the ladies so-so-pale and have-seen-before dresses. You see what I mean here? When the people we look up for fashion sense and style used to get us all going ooh…aahh…wow…amazing and then one day without further notice all starts to fail. We’re left alone! At east all the movie nominees were great and I’m so happy Argo F.yourself won! Not only the movie was excellent but Ben Afleck is so haaandsome…! After squeezing and more squeezing here are my favs.

Sally Field was stunning in this Valentino dress. That’s what I like to see on the red carpet elegance, allure and understatement.

Charlize Theron looked flawless in this Dior Couture white dress. Not a big fan of her hair cut though but she can look stunning no matter what.

Another Dior Haute Couture was worn by Jennifer Lawrence. I think I liked the back of the dress more than the front though.

22Feb

Buenos Aires Review

The Park Hyatt Hotel in Buenos Aires all deck out for Christmas. A Buenos Aires review. As I shared with you last week, if you haven’t been to Buenos Aires you haven’t seen Europe in South America. My first time in Buenos Aires was in December, 2012 where we spent our Christmas Holidays, I absolutely and instantly fell in love with the city. It has everything a savvy travel looks for when traveling. Stunning Architecture, wide boulevards and avenues, small and charming if not breath taking little neighborhoods inside the very walkable city, where all streets are pretty much connected. We would walk for hours without needing a taxi except for the times we would opt for safety and decided to grab a cab. Think of a walkable New York city. We stayed at a boutique Hotel called Casa Sur precisely a block away from the famous and exclusive Avenida Alvear. Casa Sur is a small boutique hotel with excellent service and rooms so comfortable and cozy that totally eliminate the chances of you missing home. The room walls are upholstered in gray linen fabric displaying black and white photographs and mahogany lacquered furniture. It gives you the feel of a sumptuous art deco era. On our first day we walked on Avenida Alvear where chic shops are embedded in breath taking Neo Classical mansions. One thing that caught my eyes was how each building would display the name of the Architect responsible for its creation. The feeling of being in Europe instead of Latin America is blatant. Look below by yourself at just a few of the amazing architecture you can find at Buenos Aires.