Have a red wine anti-aging afternoon

 If you have a free afternoon this is great.

Earth Angel

  I had so much fun In Brasil, but I could not wait to get back to my wardrobe. The first thing I had to wear was the sheer, baby blue cupid dress, I purchased months ago. I wore it with my moonstone necklace, unicorn necklace, pink and gold spiked bracelet,and metallic rose gold Jeffrey Campbell platforms.  “Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind,and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.” A Midsummer Night Dream.“Cupid is a knavish lad,Thus to make poor mortals mad!― William Shakespeare

 

Where to next ?

 The first thing that I think when the plane lands in my hometown. I love travelling, if I had the money it would be my full time job. I have to think of a way to do this. My mind wanders of all the places I could go, and the people I could meet, drink beer with, and share stories with. I want to soak up the beauty from nature, and the kind gestures from strangers. Until then I plan on many staycations, and random adventures to fill the time. There is cool stuff all around us waiting to get discovered. Now I am off vacation, back to work, back on a diet-gym routine, and dreaming: Italy,Japan, Finland, Sweden,Estonia,Rio, New York, San Francisco, Belgium,London, France,Canada,The South……I need to escape a little.

Above is an old picture of a cave in the open sea in Arraial do Cabo, in Rio, Brasil. It is a little fishing town-port, and has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It also is rich in culture, has really good fried fish, sushi, and the coldest beers that exist. Beaches all day, cold coconuts,fried shrimp with lime,tanning, adventures, huge family lunch, nap, then night adventures.Lots of walking around at night eating ice cream, strolling the beach, shopping the hippy fairs, dancing, drinking batidas and beers, and munching on hot dogs. Music playing everywhere. aaaaaaaah. “You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore”

Tacacá

Yes PHO is quickly becoming the new sushi, but how many of you have tried Tacacá?

 Tacacá is a hot soup and delicacy in the Amazon region of Brasil.Its origin comes from the Indians of the Pará State. Tacacá is served in a traditional cuia, and drank with your hands. It is served with a stick to get the jambu, the leaves!  It has a strong anesthetic effect, and numbs your mouth and lips as you eat it. Tucupí is the second component to this soup. It is made from a specific variety of madioca (cassava) called Mandioca Brava (Angry Mandioca). It is grated and squeezed, producing a juice which at this stage is poisonous due to high levels of cyanide! The juice is then boiled and fermented to produce a distinctive yellow sauce with a great, acidic flavor. Kind of limey. It also is served with dried shrimps. The last part is really weird, it is a clear tasteless goop with the consistency of thick mucus. It is important to cut the acidity of the soup, but don’t eat it. Anyways this soup is a must try if you get down to Brasil. We also got beer, dried meat(Carne Seca), and fried fish pieces:)

illuminated

  I spent my night barefoot smoking joints, drinking, and dancing in a friends apartment in Sao Paulo. The view is perfect, tranquil, and grounding. The city life at night has its charm, especially in the poorer neighborhoods. I love looking up to the moon, and admiring how it shines over the city lights, although in the dessert I truly bonded with the moon. Anyways there was a photo on the wall, tore out of a magazine, one of a shining moon imposed in an attic. I have this photo but for some reason tonight It really struck me. It is one of the Private Moon collection from Leonid Tishkov & Boris Bendikov. These photos are magical, powerful,and inspiring. The Russia-based artist and photographer have collaborated to created a series titled Private Moon, which chronicles the relationship between a man and the illuminated planet. Tishkov calls this installation a “visual poem, telling the story about a man who found the Moon and stayed with her for the rest of his life.” I love the photos, and the romantic concept. I got so inspired my pen started going crazy with ideas. I plan on designing looks fit for a moon goddess, and have the visual, spiritual impact of the Private moon collection. I want to tell a story about a light in the darkness we all have. 

Elegant fruit plate & Pinwheels

  I had some friends over, so I made a quick fruit plate and some sandwich pinwheels. At the market I found Dita Von Teese Perrier bottles, and had to get! Fruit platters are super easy, sexy, healthy, and feels like your making art. Brazil has the best fruit, I mean like every bite is a juicy orgasm, no need for candy. For this one, I served dragonfruit, starfruit, strawberries, peaches, kiwi, and fig. Assorted cheeses are perfect served alongside, as is champagne. So if your short in time, and want to impress your guests, go to the market, buy some sexy fruit, and arrange elegantly on a pretty plate. Pinwheels are super fast and easy as well. First you spread cream cheese on any tortilla of your choice, the bigger, the better. Then you top with meat, and cheese slices, of your choosing, lettuce, tomato, sprouts, or any toppings of your choice. Just make sure they go together, and can roll up. Then you roll it up like sushi, and close the ends with more cream cheese, and cut with a sharp knife and insert toothpicks. Arrange on your platter, and enjoy.

Little Coconut Kiss

 beijinho de coco 

This is a popular Brazilian dessert is commonly severed at birthday parties. The translation is little coconut kiss, when you try one you will know why! They are so cute, easy to make and can be decorated so many ways. They can be rolled in sugar, or coconut flakes. I will definitely be experimenting with these this year, making little sparkly fairy hills with edible sugared flowers.

1. 1 can of sweetened condensed milk
2. 1 tablespoon of butter
3. 1 egg yolk (optional)
4. 1 package of desiccated coconut
5. small cupcake or truffle filters

Put the condensed milk, butter, egg yolk and 3-4 tablespoons of desiccated coconut* in a pan and mix them all together. Let the mixture cook over low heat for about 12 minutes, stirring it constantly until the mixture loosens from the bottom of the pan and it is thick like cream. Be careful not to over cook. Transfer the mixture to a greased plate and allow it to cool down completely. Roll 1 teaspoon of mixture into small balls. Tip: Grease your hands with butter before making the small balls. You will have to wash your hands once in a while, gets messy. Just put on some beautiful music and make with love and patience.  Put the remaining coconut or sugar, if using, in a bowl and roll the small balls in it. Place in your paper filter, and then onto a beautiful platter, or cake stand. Decorate however you like, the one above is adorned with little icing roses.

*desiccated coconut http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-to-make-desiccated-coconut.html They look like mini titties.

She comes in colors

 Have you seen her dressed in blue
See the sky in front of you
And her face is like a sail
Speck of white so fair and pale
Have you seen the lady fairer

She comes in colors everywhere, she combs her hair……She’s like a rainbow. Coming colors in the air, oh everywhere, she comes in colors. Song: She’s a Rainbow-Rolling Stones

 

Pretty in Plastic

 Every year on my annual trip to Sao Paulo, my amazing boyfriend takes me to the Melissa Gallery to pick out a new pair of perfect plastic designer shoes. Melissa & Vivienne Westwood. I was obsessed with the heart pumps that came out 4 or 5 years ago, but these tan beauties adorned with a hot pink bow are my new fling. Testing them out tonight!