Tampa's natural beauty

     Peridot waters and pen fishes. Downtown St. Pete.

     Safety Harbour private garden

   Safety Harbour bamboo tree - "bambuzal" - private botanic garden.

Safety harbour - private garden

    Sunset on Clearwater Beach.

    Safety Harbour

     White birds.

                 Yellow flower - private garden on SH.

     Pink birds on pier.

      Modern bridge under foggy evening on Tampa Bay.


The city is blessed by a fabulous tropical weather. It's full of life and natural beauty, lots of flowers, birds, canals, lakes, ocean...a wonderful surprise.

Battle of the scents

I selected several perfume ads from magazines we subscribed for this post. First time I visited the States I was magnetized by the glamorous perfume ads I saw on all kinds of media but the magazine ones were my favorite sources.

Simply because it those samples on the edge of the page that you can rip it off and smell the diverse variety of scents of each perfume. I was just wondering how effect those samples are and to me it works.

I love the simple action of rip those off and try for the first time that new perfume. It has helped me to pick a new fragrance for the coming season. Last year W gave me the first Tom Ford perfume and I loved it. W heard me saying I liked it because I had opened one of those samples and experience a portion (very small one) of that glamorous and sophisticated world of Mr. Ford. Isn't that what some brands do for us? Brands give us an ephemeral illusion that we belong to that selected portion of society that really can afford such of expensive items?

This year I have not picked any new perfume but I wonder how people select their new perfumes with so much to choose from. The variety is countless but all of them have in common an aura of sophistication and many times high profile celebrities endorsing their advertises.

Jean Paul Gaultier famous "Le male" ad is a classic and after many years it remains so elegant and sensuous without being vulgar. I have a friend in Brazil who feels very special because he's been wearing "only" JPG "le male" since it came out in the market. I think that its bottle became iconic and one of the most successful fragrance's bottle ever created. Everybody who is into brands recognize it.

Yves Saint Laurent new "La nuit de l'homme"(my poor translation it'd be: the night of a man) is occupying the front windows of Lord & Taylor in New York City. The add transmits class, power and masculinity. I tried the magazine sample and I liked it. Di not loved it!

Above is one of the pictures illustrating a story on Clive Owen for the latest issue of Details. I wonder which fragrance Mr. Owen wears it?! He was fabulous on "Duplicity" with Julia Roberts. If you have not seen run and rent or buy it on DVD. Maravilhozzo! Both are tremendous!

Above you can see that I was so excited about this cologne that I literally ripped off the sample...fabulous scent!

This is the new Tom Ford "Grey Vetiver" perfume's add. He decided to be the model as well. Mr. Ford abala tudo! He rocks! I like this one but I am still loving the previous one better. It's worth to try it and maybe you will buy this one for your honey!

Justin Timberlake for Givenchy. "Play" - what a suggestive name!?

The two last images belong to the new Dolce & Gabbana fragrances...5 of them at same time.

The inspiration comes form 5 Tarot cards - the add brought 2 fashion icons together... Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell. Talking about glamour and power, wow! I am not totally sure but I think the male model in the middle is Brazilian. I need to check on that...

Well, I don;t know about you but I do have timeless favorite fragrances and regardless the new additions to my tray, I stick with them until I die.

For the winter season - Zino Davidoff - black bottle - oily, strong and memorable.

For between..many...pop ones, cheap ones and sometimes expensive one (those I wear with moderation so it last longer)

How about you?!

How do you select new fragrances?

Does the add influence your taste?

With so many gorgeous and famous faces endorsing many brands, would you pick DG "The one" with Mathew or "Play" by Givencg by with Justin ?

As fars as the fragrance magazine's samples I have to say that I like it so much that I even had rub then om my skin....ahahahhahahah...so when I go to the store to buy it I've known already what its on my skin. Use those samples and make them work for you.

Bacione!

TWIN SAINTS

Have you heard about Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian?

"These two martyrs were twin brothers from Syria who lived in the fourth century. They were very famous students of science and both became excellent doctors. Cosmas and Damien saw in every patient a brother or sister in Christ. For this reason, they showed great charity to all and treated their patients to the best of their ability. Yet no matter how much care a patient required, neither Cosmas nor Damien ever accepted any money for their services. For this reason, they were called by a name in Greek which means "the penniless ones."

In Brazil today's is party day...many people dedicate their entire day to honor the twin saints...their devotees give away cake and candies to kids that knock their doors asking for threats...one version of the Halloween Holiday. many of their devotees also dedicate portion of their time to assist homeless kids and orphans.

" Papai soltei um balao,

pr'a toda as criancas que tem la no ceu...

tem doce sinha, tem doce sinha,

tem doce la no jardim..."

May life be sweet and happy, like an endless joyful day on the beach

Night and Day

The two last pictures above were taken on September 6Th in NY . W and I were exhausted and straving and our friend V came along with us to take the train to Newark. On our way to Penn Station he suggested a stop at a traditional 24 hrs dinner in Manhattan.

So, it was fun to finish a week of all Brazilian eating a burger at an American dinner. So, if you have a chance visit this place called Skylight Dinner..funtabulous service, fabulous food and amazing place to experience an authentic facet of America.

Towards to the end of same week we flew to Florida and spent few days with our cousins in Tampa.

Below 3 views of Tampa Bay... locals enjoying their last days of Summer... beautiful place and great weather. Now I understand why so many people wants to retire in Florida.

Incredible white sand.

BOLD SHAKIRA

Fashionable, Shakira!

I took this picture of Shakira 2 days ago during her interview with Cristina on Telemundo channel.

I was fascinated by the beautiful geometric look of her fabulous necklace and I had to take a picture of the TV screen.

By the way, I loved her personality and her thoughts about life in general, her career and she did even get emotional when Cristina played a tape of an old interview when Shakira was 14.

I am not a huge fan of her work but now I am a fan of her as a person.

I hope some fashion magazine got a good picture of her fashionista moment so we can see a more detailed image of the necklace- a piece of art itself.

She did good, no earrings, no bracelets...the necklace was the focus...the palette is topaz/amber on gold settings...big settings. The big tear drop in the middle and the narrow rectangles right above are exquisite.

Simply, gorgeous!

"..Oh baby when you talk like that..."

Shakira spent half of her time with Cristina giving explanations about her new single song and video "She wolf" - that has been criticized by conservatives because its overdose of sensuality and sexiness.

An updating

Hello, all my followers and readers!

I took some days off and now I am back to business. I will post few pictures of our fabulous adventures on the Caribean sea where we were able to capture amazing colors...you know...

"...I wonder through the world staring at colors...colors of Almodovar, colors of Frida Kahlo..."

I am feeling uneasy about my two winners from last month drawings.

Marcos Carioca and Heather...where are you guys!?! :(

None of them has contacted me, yet.

So, I will be waiting for their directions until the end of this month so I can ship theem their prizes. If their absense remains I will be drawing again so the non winners can have a chance again. I feel sad because I am sure some of you would love to get a copy of my book, a full kit and a ready to wear piece designed by me.

Maybe, they are JUST not that into my work...damn it!

Kisses and hugs to all.

New age, new moments

Today is a very special day for me.

I feel really blessed because life has been super good to me and has brought many special people, new faces, new smiles and new experiences every day into my life.- The days couldn't be special if those same people weren't part of it.

Today I take a moment to thank life and those people, some old friends and some new friends that turn the gift of life more colorful.

This post is an homage to all people that have surrounded my life during my existence, to all of them I say thank you for all the love and caring.

Peace.

Stardom.

Music.

Happiness.

Strength.

Glamour.

Trust.

Liveliness.

Cleansing of 46th Street a.k.a. Little Brazil

When the drums vibrated around the tall buildings in Midtown-Manhattan last Saturday morning, people in the area probably were astounded but once the parade started moving, they could not stay still and all questions were forgotten.

Unmistakably Brazil had taken over that block and a celebration of spiritual purity, peace and unification had started. It was the 2nd Cleansing of 46Th St, aka "Little Brazil" and a sea of white dressed people was dancing and singing through Midtown.

The Brazilian singer and icon Carlinhos Brown guided the parade and was a surreal and unique cultural experience in the streets of the city. The NYPD escorted the crown from 44Th St to 46Th St.

It was incredibly beautiful to watch the parade. It was like Manhattan had been transformed into Bahia...for the half of a day Bahia was Manhattan and Manhattan was Bahia. Regardless the dispute of whom is whom in Brazil, Bahia is the strongest cultural destination in Brazil and the most colorful one.

Carlinhos Brown released white doves as a symbol of peace and longevity.

VejaTV.online interviewing this blogger.

Marianne Elbert, the event hostess was wearing a Fernando Dasilva jewelry set.

Carlinhos Brown and his signature headpiece.

A vibrant crowd following the parade.

Luanda was singing the Cleansing song.

Special effect shot of Carlinhos Brown and Luanda surrounded by paparazzis.

Carlinhos all in white guiding the crowd.

One member of "Filhos de Gandhi" was at the opening aisle.

PS. All pictures on this post were taken during the "Cleansing of Little Brazil 2009 ".

If you appear in any of this pictures and you would rather not to be shown on this blog, please contact me and I will remove your image immediately.

Flashes of my exhibition in New York

My artistic debut in New York was incredible and so much happened in the first 3 days of the past week that I have decided to post as many pictures as possible so it speaks by itself and I don't have to write huge paragraphs and then this post will become very boring.

The 1st Bahia Week in New York 2009 was amazing . Like a patchwork panel it displayed several facets of the African legacy in Brazil and its influence - we could never be what we are if wasn't for this powerful heritage. I was profoundly proud to be part of it and to have the opportunity to meet incredible Brazilian artists living in the US and to find that we have so much in common and share similar dreams.

We were blessed by a sunny and blue sky.

The main window of our location - Chashama Gallery at 42st, bet 3rd and 2ND Ave.

"Orishas-Mother Nature" was the name of this art installation - a bridge between the Afro-Brazilian deities and the four elements: fire, air, earth and water.

Mannequins dressed as Oshoun - the goddess of freshwater and gold and Oshosi - the deity of hunting and plenty were choose to welcome guests. Perfect duet to express the colors of Brazil.

Um luuuuusho! (very chic!)

A second view of Oshosi - king of Ketu(on ancient times, a rich region of Nigeria-West Africa).

Window overall view.

Overall view of my display. In the background watercolors by Gallina and mannequins dressed as Shango- the god of thunder and Omolu- god of healing.

A second overall view of the floor center with my neckpieces and in the background a mannequin dressed as Oya-Yansa- the goddess of winds and lightning and watercolors by Gallina.

Guests arriving and the lighting/sound table in the back.

Guests and VejaTV.online crew working.