Cause beauty is a state of mind

The other day I was watching someone interview a famous make-up artist here in Buenos Aires. She provided some really great advice regarding all the new trends in make-up and skin care. I was very interested in listening to everything she had to say, as I'm pretty bad with make-up. In fact, I hardly ever wear anything except lip gloss and sometimes, eyeliner. Ok, maybe some concealer too.

But what I really liked is that when she was asked about the best tips she could provide in a few words for great looking make-up, Regina K. said something like "no matter how much make-up we put on, or how well the colors we use match our skin, the only way to look truly beautiful is to feel good!" pretty obvious, don't you think? to be well with ourselves, happy, healthy. She said: "no make-up can cover-up your state of mind". I loved this! cause I often think about those ladies that look like a cake with so much stuff on their faces, or women who go out and get Botox like there's no tomorrow!! studies have found that it can become an addiction. Same with operations. And, you know what? some of them look great, but not the ones that do it as a remedy for sadness, emptiness, or lack of affection, whatever. The ones that look fabulous, I think, are women who feel great!! women who eat well, do sports, drink water, have good skin care habits, it reflects like crazy, it's a special light one has, that makes us look beautiful.

To feel good is to look good! So maybe next time we plaster make-up on our faces, or think about getting yet another shot of Botox (something I still haven't done) notice how I said still!!? maybe think about it... do I really need this?

No one said that getting Botox and operations is a bad thing, on the contrary, thanks scientists and surgeons for helping us look gorgeous!! as long as we don't forget that true beauty comes from within.

Easter travel ideas

The Atacama desert in Chile (the driest desert in the world) is one of the most amazing places I've ever been in. It's not only the dramatic landscapes composed of sand dunes, caves, and salt flats, the beautiful towns and people, or the sky full of stars and sunsets which make it so special, but the energy there is truly hard to describe!! To stay: Tierra (photos) and Awasi. In Santiago, the W hotel.


















































The far-flung, romantic Lake District, has some of most stunning views of lakes, mountains and forests in the world!! it's also a paradise for people who love combining good rest and that special contact with nature: rafting, horseback riding, biking, sailing, etc. My favorite thing is to stay in place like Arroyo Verde, on the countryside and enjoy the beauty of nature and home comfort. Here's my second pick for Easter: Patagonia!! I love you!!!

Streetscapes

with my phone

cool dude

Heart-shaped leaf:





















Improv!

Eyes wide open

iLOVE

The art of Tigre

Tigre is not only about blissful boat rides, kayaking, river-side markets and island retreats, there's also MAT - The Tigre Art Museum (ex-Tigre Club, built in 1912 and reopened as a museum in 2006). Displayed are figurative paintings from Argentinian artists that date from the late 19th century through the 20th century... check out Pellegrini, Spilimbergo, Butler, Castagnino and Roux.

Stay tuned for new and exciting temporary exhibitions.

GOTA have water!

I've never been much of a water-drinker, unfortunately... I prefer Sprite, juices and coffee, but lately - perhaps cause it's so hot - I've been drinking a lot of water and I discovered Gota :

Gota comes from Argentina's Esteros del Ibera, the second biggest wetland of the world, after the Brazilian Pantanal. The name Iberá comes from a Guaraní word that means "brilliant water". The Guaraní Aquifer is estimated to contain about 37,000 km³ of water, arguably the largest single body of groundwater in the world, with a total recharge rate of about 166 km³/year from precipitation.

Faithful to its motto, “Be true. Feel Beautiful. Do Good”, Gota intends to raise consciousness and contribute to the vision of a world where everyone has access to safe water and sanitation. The brand allocates part of its revenues to finance programs that facilitate access and potabilization for those who need it most in Argentina and other parts of the world.

Gota's packaging respects premises of environmental care and recycling. All the packaging components are 100% recyclable and come from the pharmaceutical industry.

And just a comment re water: with the significant water reserves in Argentina, one has to wonder how there are 297.232 people in Argentina's cuenca Matanza-Riachuelo who do not have access to drinking water.  I know, it doesn't make any sense. 

El Secreto de Sus Ojos - Film

El Secreto de sus Ojos (The secret of your Eyes) from Argentina, goes to the Oscars!! nominated as best foreign film!

I am so excited that this film did so well. Honestly, when I saw it I was quite surprised. The film is brilliant! it evokes all sorts of emotions from start to end, you feel sadness, love, fear, excitement, and curiosity. It's brave and mysterious, It's romantic... touching subjects like friendship, alcoholism and obsessions, with care and sensibility. Plays with your expectations. Truly a work of art.

Once again, Campanella's has done an amazing job! this is his second nomination for the Oscars. In 2001 he competed for the prize with “El hijo de la novia”

Regarding Argentine cinema this is the seventh film that has been nominated. The first was La Tregua in 1974, and the only winner was La historia oficial in 1985.

Bravo!!

Anonymous

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Funky Chairs

I actually saw these chairs last year at the Feria Puro Diseño (Buenos Aires Design Fair), but while I was looking for something else I ran into this photo! I love the colors and shapes. They are a creation of Manifesto home and office design. Where would you put one?

Pretty Space

A friend recently posted on instagram a photo of her parents commenting that they've been married for something like 35 years. I asked her to ask her parents "what's the secret"? she came back to me a few days later and said: "separate bathrooms" .  

Photographed: El Colibrí, La Teta y La Luna, Mio, Casa Calma

In Mendoza, Art & Environmental commitment

Familia Zuccardi's Cava de Arte is currently presenting “Tierra” (Earth), the latest work by Mendocinean artist, Fernando Jereb. The show is an invitation to become aware of - and perhaps reflect upon - crucial issues such as the impact of global warming and the earth's natural resources crisis.

Fernando Jereb has presented his work in several cities of Argentina, Chile, México and Spain and has obtained many prizes in our country as well as in Europe.

In his work, nature is presented in it's various manifestations, showing a particular concern on climate change, and the importance of finding a balance between our needs, what the earth gives us, gratitude and care.

-> When? Now!! it's only until Februray 2010, every day, from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
-> Where ? La Cava de Arte de Casa del Visitante - Ruta Provincial 33, km 7,5, Maipú, Mendoza.

About la Cava del Arte: Since 2004, la Cava de Arte de Casa del Visitante dedicates a large space for the exposition of Mendocienan art, providing local, upcoming artists the opportunity to present their work to people from all over the world.

More than 50.000 people visit Casa del visitante per year to enjoy it's wide range of offers in wine, art and gastronomy. Thumbs up!!

Exhibitions

For this new edition of Art in the Auditorium (subsequent to its presentation on March of 2009), Fundación PROA has embarked again in a collaborative project organized by the Whitechapel Gallery, featuring artists such as Charly Nijensohn.

Nijensohn's last video creates an experience that points to the destruction of the Amazon rainforest and the environment by global commercial interests.

Charly Nijensohn lives and works in Berlin.

- > When? 21 January - 18 April 2010
- > Where? Fundacion Proa, Buenos Aires / Whitechapel Gallery, London.


Image from Artrabbit

In Palermo, Julia.

Summer in the city

Jardín Botánico, Buenos Aires.


Buenos Aires is one of the few cities in the world, aside from Paris and Madrid, where half the people take a month or two off from work. This turns the city which is usually chaotic and loud, into a calm and glorious sauna.

It is steaming hot and attractive like magic.

During January and February the city is completely yours. No crowds, no lines. You can cruise through BA without the annoying traffic, show up at your favorite restaurants with no reservations, go to Malba museum and have a delightful lunch, go to the gardens of Duhau for a chilled rosé, go shopping, grab a bike and glide through the green parks of Palermo, hang out by the pool, read, people-watch at a sidewalk cafe. The city is clean, quiet, uneventful, and beautiful.

Happy New Year

Sorry I've been away for a little bit, I was on a short beach break in Jose Ignacio. I wish you a great 2010, with much love! thanks for all the love.

jet lag, go away!

Jet Lagged? Brazilian nutricionist and biochemist, Patricia Texeira is presenting for Park Hyatt - Palacio Duhau a new, healthy living menu. Patricia creates soothing blends of organic products, that fight body pains and feeling exhausted after those long flights. The menu includes a full description of the ingredientes used, their benefits, as well as suggested times in which to take the magical potions, for better results.

Organic market at Duhau

The objective of this market was to show all products and services related to organic activities in Argentina. I wanted to post these photos before, but well, here they are. I tried all kinds of delicious food, and my favorite - organic dulce de leche! I also loved the tasty Malbecs from Finca Alma in Mendoza and bought this really nice llama-hair scarf.

Heartless thieves!!

Yesterday, I was having lunch with three friends at COMO EN CASA and they stole my handbag. Ironically, this ex-convent café is called "Just like at Home". Anyway, I only realized I had been robbed when I reached for my bag to pay the bill, and saw that it was gone. I had everything in it... my phone, my wallet with drivers license and credit cards, make-up, camera, I guess it's pointless to name everything... everyone knows that a girl practically carries her life in her handbag! which is why I'm so sad. I was telling my friend, it's a symbolic pain, I feel stripped and empty and vulnerable. Although Buenos Aires remains a safe city, these things do happen here too. And, they can happen to anyone, anywhere. In this case, it happened in a beautiful, indoor patio in Recoleta, where to be completely honest something like this is truly unlikely to occur. But it did, and I want to talk about it and warn others. Here are some things I did wrong.

1. I was sitting far from the door, but with my back to it (in front of me, two friends facing the door) and my handbag was carelessly hanging from my chair, instead of being on the floor - between my legs, on the table or in my lap- where it should have been.
2. I was distracted cause this is a closed place that I always go to. It has an indoor patio with gates, there are always many people there, and it was noon...
3. I used my phone a couple of times and put it back in my bag - the heartless thieves probably saw that.

What to do if you get robbed?

Useful information:

Capital Federal Police Phone - 911 [same number for the province, suburbs]

Prefectura (Coast Guard)
Phone - 4318-7558, 4318-7400
Address - 2011 Av Macacha Guemes 150

Tourist Police
Phone - 4346-5748
Address - Corrientes 436, Capital


Here's what the establishment did for us:

Nothing! In fact, the waiter told us that this happened before many times. He even mentioned that a person had once used a knife? that's scary. What's even scarier is that "Como en Casa" have done nothing about it. No security cameras, no security people, no warning to their clients (like other places who ask that you take care of your bag) or, sometimes put a thing on the chair or table, so that you can strap your bag to it. Nothing.



What are some general precautions you should take to avoid being robbed?

1. If you are visiting, make sure you leave all valuable things in a safety box at your hotel or rented apartment / villa. Make a copy of your passport and carry that, if needed.
2. Don't fall for the mustard thing, we all know about it. It's an old trick. If someone tells you you have mustard on your jacket, sweater, etc. do like Johnnie Walker, and keep walking!!
3. Don't wear flashy stuff that calls attention upon you.
4. Be careful with your camera.
5. When sitting in a restaurant, bar, coffee shop, always face the door, and be extra careful about your handbag /backpack or whatever you have to be careful about.
6. If sitting in one of those side-walk cafés be super, super careful as you are (obviously) more exposed.
7. As in any big city, just be aware.

I'm sure most people know the above, but just in case.

What will I do about this unfortunate episode? for one thing, be more careful. I've never been robbed before as I'm usually - and naturally- paranoid, but experience has a way of teaching us, doesn't it? I was a mess yesterday, but today I've been thinking that had I been a little more cautious, this could have all been avoided. And, although losing so many things that matter is a real pain, we always have the possibility to learn from our mistakes, and start over. Which is why I'm going to do errands now. I've already canceled all credit cards, phone, etc. Guess I'll continue by getting my ID back.