Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts

Friday, June 24, 2011

My City  ? 



Ouro Preto, Brazil





O maracujá é uma planta de origem tropical, nativa da América Latina, com mais de 150 espécies nativas do Brasil. Essa planta foi mandada de presente ao Papa Paulo V (1605-1621), que mandou cultivá-la com grande carinho em Roma e divulgar que ela representava uma revelação divina. Devido à beleza extraordinária e a característica física de suas flores, a planta foi relacionada com a “Paixão de Cristo”. Desse detalhe surgiu o nome do seu gênero botânico (Passiflora), sendo “passio” o equivalente a paixão e “flor oris” o equivalente a flor.

Passion Flower (Flor da Paixão) - Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul.

(images via ffw)

a year ago, during my first meeting with the label agua de coco (s/s 2011), i was more impressed with the artful cover-ups and breezy beach dresses than any of the swimwear.  now the brand is back with more for another hot season, and though their s/s 2012 range, presented at são paulo fashion week, certainly had some pretty tops and maxi dresses, the focus was clearly on the bikinis—and didn’t disappoint. 

as portais da moda’s review reports, the collection’s theme was (trans.) “’What art is there for everyone and everything’…a result of tours conducted in the museums of Europe.”  they go on to state that many of the prints featured aerial beach photography by brazilian artist cássio vasconcelos, while the geometric shapes of modern art pieces were also heavily employed.

the artisan techniques extended to the show’s materials, generally employing a fabric that ffw’s review describes as (trans.) “jello”, which gave the looks a “semi-transparent and wet finishing”, as well as various cotton blends.  though the colour palette was still quite varied, it felt a little more muted than similar swimwear shows we’ve been seeing of late, with some almost fall tones creeping in in lieu of the neons elsewhere.  tangerine, mint, off-white, hot pink, dusty brown, gold, cornflower, and ochre sat alongside big hibiscus prints, palm trees, beachside scenes, and plenty of abstract art motifs.

draping was a strong trend, , as was colour-blocking, and the swimsuits often featured bras with thick straps and tiny bottoms, while portais da moda points out (trans.) “trims in gold - one more charm to the collection - seen in buckles, straps and wires,” and pleats at the back of a number of pieces, which folded like accordions.  and, though bikinis were, as previously mentioned, the mainstay, there were some equally good tank suits (as the one worn by luana teifke, second from top), maxi dresses and skirts, and a couple of charming shortie cover-ups. 

if the range fell short in one area—mirth of the artistic swimwear aside—it was that it felt a little too heavily accessorized, from the sale of products at nearly every turn, to the way the girls were, frankly, too heavily made-up (see a good detail shot of opener caroline trentini; where many others have emphasized natural beauty, agua de coco went a little nuts with the bronzer, methinks), and the hair so severely pulled from their faces just served to underscore this point.

anyway, it wasn’t that the accessories weren’t good—in fact, i quite liked the geometric gold cuffs, but pairing those with the loud suede platform peep toe sandals in shades of fuchsia, tomato, and tangerine (an more austere beige version was also offered); bold gold earrings and necklaces; gold geometric bangles; and varioustypes of bag—is this girl going to the beach or starring in an editorial? in short, i think it undermined what they set out to do, which was rather a shame, for i did like the delightful, creative swimwear, which ought to have been given more of an opportunity to speak for itself. 

(see the complete show video here)

Summer Vacations start today,and I go back to Brazil in 4 days!

Life can’t get better xD

gonna see my looooove :D





Video



My City  ? 

Brazils economy is still booming in 2011 : from uv10 Brazil Property News





Kids and Kites by Brazilian artist Candido Portinari (1943).

Brazilian property buyers should seek advice : from uv10 Brazil Property News:

When people decide to move abroad, potentially to property in Brazil, it can raise questions about what to do with a UK home.New research found that almost 31 per cent of UK workers would consider moving abroad to work in the next five years.Many people prefer to keep their home in Britain, in order to retain a base, with the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) claiming that a significant number choose to let out their property.”This is a smart move for many reasons, but as ever it is important to ensure that everything is done correctly. The last thing a family needs before or shortly after an international move is more stress!” said Ian Potter, operations manager at the firm.He said that it is essential for people moving to Brazilian property to consider their timings carefully before letting out their home to ensure everything is arranged properly before leaving …

“When you make a decision, you are really diving in a strong current that will bring you to places you never dreamed of when you first made that decision.”

- [Paul Coelho, Brazilian-born novelist]

Hilarious



Cathedral of BrasíliaOscar Niemeyer (1970)



Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Ronaldo

Being he retired earlier this year, I thought I’d give him his much needed recognition. Oh Ronaldo, the football world will miss your talent. You can literally do everything. Great striker, passer and skill. You’re such a passionate football player who never seems to ever let anything bring you down. You’re a huge inspiration!

This was such a great 25 Day Football Challenge!

Brazils economy is still booming in 2011 : from uv10 Brazil Property News:

Brazil’s economy has continued to grow at a rapid rate in the first quarter of 2011.This growth is fuelled by record lows in unemployment rates, higher wages than ever, which have allowed families to increase spending, and a growing middle class keen on borrowing and with aspirations for homeownership.Recent figures from the Brazilian Census Bureau, or IBGE, revealed that Brazil’s gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 4.2 per cent in the first quarter this year compared to the same period in 2010.The figure was below the 4.5 per cent expansion which was predicted last year and a significant sign of the economy slowing when it is compared to the five per cent year-on-year GDP figure from the fourth quarter of 2010.However, in spite of these figures, the Brazilian economy experienced a boom in the first quarter, swelling 1.3 per cent compared with just 0.8 per cent growth in the fourth …

Monday, June 20, 2011

Daring Home Without Walls or Ceilings.





Currently watching

Let's flood 190 square miles of the Amazon, shall we?

to all my Brazilian Lovers out there. Feliz Dia dos Namorados





These bad boys are making me drool.



Mariana - Minas Gerais



Vamos lב Brasillllll!


Fernanda Marques created something radical - a home that is truly one with nature. In order to accomplish this, she took a big risk - she built a 2,700 sq ft (250 sq m) home that isn’t completely covered with walls or ceilings.

Situated in Sדo Paulo, Brazil, Loft 24-7 is the perfect place to enjoy sunny days. Limestone, rough stone, steel, glass, wood paneling and furnishings were all brought inside to create a harmonious, seamless environment where you’re never quite sure if you’re inside or out.

“I believe that being inside and feeling like one is outside is a key issue in understanding the interior design being produced today, especially In times when environmental awareness is growing and there is a desire to be close to nature,” says Marques.








(Source: my modern met)

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Photo



Brazilian football died on 5 July 1982.



“Things Are Beautiful The More Simple That They Are…” Kimberly Ovitz



MUSIC MONDAY

Yesterday was Valentine’s Day here in Brazil {or Dia dos Namorados, for you Portuguese speakers}. Who doesn’t love two Valentine’s Days in one year?

We didn’t really do anything elaborate, but we did try a new restaurant on Saturday afternoon, which ended up being a winner, and topped it off with waffles and frozen yogurt.

Today’s song is just a favorite classic celebrating good old fashioned love. 
Enjoy! 



JK Bridge, Brasilia, Brazil



Rio in the Rain by Sean and Yvette



See the TTBr??? DEPECHE MODE!!!

BRAZIL!

“DEPECHE MODE on Twitter’s Trending Topics BRAZIL!!! BRAZIL!!! BRAZIL!!! BRAZIL!!! BRAZIL!!! BRAZIL!!! BRAZIL!!! BRAZIL!!!”

- @fabithejoker, a happy Brazilian devotee!

ADTR… it was insane! I want it all over again



Live @ Carioca Club, Brazil - 12/06/11.



Friday, June 17, 2011

Photo

North-east Brazil is a property hotspot : from uv10 Brazil Property News:

The north east of Brazil is rapidly becoming a hotspot for property investment, according to the Global Property Guide.It claimed that the region, which has traditionally been the poorest area in the country, has now become Brazil’s “star economic performer”.The experts told those considering an investment in Brazilian property that while the area, particularly Natal, Recife and Fortaleza, remains poor, it is undergoing a massive transformation.”Prior to the recession, investment opportunities here were concentrated on tourism, and the second-home luxury market geared towards European buyers. Now the area … benefits largely from the residential property boom and improved tourism infrastructure,” the Global Property Guide reported.Demand for both rental and owned Brazilian properties is rising in the north east of the country and is set to grow further as a result of upcoming international events.In 2014 Brazil will host the World Cup, with one of the major stadiums being con



This report on the Brazilian rental and real estate market is worth a read. It provides cursory analysis on everything from the credit bubble, to middle-class growth, to mortgage reforms, inflation, and Minha Casa Minha Vida. To wit:

The situation in Brazil is not dissimilar to the recent US experience, argue worried analysts. Mortgage credit is being pushed by banks to homebuyers, especially to low and mid-income first-time homebuyers who are very sensitive to interest rate movements.  However while in the US, mortgage loan rates were very low, in Brazil interest rates are high, which arguably poses even more danger.

Now, as interest rates go up in Brazil, many analysts worry about the ability of first-time homebuyers to finance their mortgage loans. From 2007 to 2010, real credit to the private sector soared by nearly 200% in Brazil, according to the IMF . In 2011, big banks in the country expect 20% growth in loans.

In Brazil, consumers’ debt service burden now stands at 24% of disposable income. As interest rates increase, the debt service burden of consumers is expected to rise to an exorbitant 30% in 2012, according to Paul Marshall of Marshall Wace, a London-based investment fund. In comparison, US consumers, regarded as being over-leveraged, had a debt service burden of 14% of disposable income when the US sub-prime mortgage crisis erupted.

Roberto Attuch of Barclays Capital Sao Paolo estimates that the residential real estate debt of average mortgage-holders in Brazil rose from 25% of income in June 2006, to around 40% in November 2010.

In April 2011, two small banks in the country were bailed out. Some analysts expect that more banks will declare bankruptcy in the coming months.

There’s a lot to unpack in this short article about a call for more Afro-Brazilian models in the wake of the Sao Paulo Fashion Week. For instance, at the 2008 event only 28 of the 1,128 models were black (that’s 2.2%) . This comes in a country that - according to the article - is 50.8% black.

So you have a black majority get discounted, wholesale from an entire industry. One designer said he wanted to field an all black lineup for this year’s show, but simply couldn’t find enough with the qualifications or talent.

Is it a lack of exposure, or interest in the black community to become fashion models? I would doubt it. It seems like a conscious exclusion. But why?

An article by Vivian Whiteman, fashion editor of the Brazilian newspaper Folha de São Paulo, noted that bookers claimed they were not hiring more black models because “research showed their clients still reject the  combination of black [models] and luxury clothing”.

Oh. …



Amazon anti-logging activist shot dead (Al Jazeera):

Fifth murder in a month believed to be linked to conflict over land and logging in Brazil’s rainforest region.

A landless peasant activist has been found dead in Brazil’s Amazon state of Para, the fifth murder in a month believed to be linked to the conflict over land and logging in the country’s rainforest region.

The body of the victim, Obede Souza, was found over the weekend in the dense forest surrounding his home in the landless settlement of Esperanca, near the town of Pacaja.

Police said on Tuesday that the activist was killed by a gunshot to his head outside his home and that an investigation was under way.

Witnesses who did not want to give their name told Hilario Lopes Costa, a co-ordinator for the watchdog Catholic Land Pastoral [CLP] in Para, said they saw four men in a pickup truck asking for Souza.

They and Souza’s wife are now afraid for their lives as well, Costa said.

Within the last month, four activists have been shot to death, along with a witness to two of the murders.

Members of a national police force, created by the federal government earlier this month to control violence in the region, took the body to the state capital, Belem, for an autopsy.

It was returned on Tuesday for burial. They could not be immediately reached for comment.

However, the state law enforcement agency in charge of land conflicts, the Agrarian Conflict Delegation, is not participating in the investigation, a spokesman said.

Environmentally sensitive region

Souza, 31, was part of a landless settlement that occupied unused farmland in 2008, setting up a camp whose name, Esperanca, means Hope.

He had been farming a small plot there alongside his wife and three children, while waiting for the government land redistribution programme to recognise their claim.

There was public outcry after the killing of José Claudio Ribeiro da Silva and his wife [Reuters]

Costa said that in January, Souza got into an argument with a representative of loggers who are illegally harvesting wood in the region. He knew he was in danger from then on, said Costa.

“There is in this region a really dangerous group of loggers,” said Costa.

“He had a fight with one of them over the cutting of these trees, and he was marked man from then on.”

The CLP monitors the threats made by loggers, ranchers and farmers to silence protest over illegal extraction of wood and the violation of land rights in the environmentally sensitive region.

More than 1,150 rural activists have been killed in conflicts over land and logging in the last two decades, and the group has a list of 125 activists who know their lives are in danger.

The increase in execution-style killings has led to an outcry in Brazil and the creation of a working group to monitor the region.

Paltry local police forces have also been reinforced with officers from the federal police, highway patrol and national guard.

On May 29, Brazilian police confirmed the killing of an Amazon environmental campaigner, Adelino Ramos, who was known for openly denouncing those who illegally fell trees in the rainforest.

Ramos’ death came barely a week after another Amazon environmental activist, José Claudio Ribeiro da Silva, and his wife were killed.

fucked up beyond belief



White Monjita

Noivinha





My camera is not a professional camera and because of that my photos dont look so good. But was beautiful



26 YEARS!

Be Proud…