Also at Via Parque, the cutest kids shoes EVER. Just gorgeous... Being that Canadoca still hates shoes, I was able to resist. Not sure I would be able to resist twice though...
The detail of the little flowers wasn't captured well by my camera, but you get the idea.
Last week a few friends and Canadoca and I ventured to Barra to go to Burger King run a few errands. I brought my camera. I'm glad I did. This will be the first of about a four part series on funny things I saw in Barra that day...
FIrst up: the tooth store in Via Parque.
I don't think I could drink out of this mug with a straight face. Nor can I imagine burning essential oils in the tooth shaped burner...
The Canadoca likes to flaunt her dual citizenship status by wearing articles of clothing from her two home countries. I've posted a couple of her Canada items in the past, but check out this dress:
It's seriously a great Rio piece...
She also has some cute "Gatinha Carioca" and "Ela e Carioca" onesies - but I think the dress is the best!
Where to find it?
Parceria Carioca, which has locations in Jardim Botanico, Shopping da Gavea and Forum de Ipanema
Here are some photos from Sao Conrado Fashion Mall:
Above: supplies provided
Below: Canadoca ready for a change
Sometimes Canadoca likes to rock the Copacabana shoes...
Bought these at Bebe Basico
Or these Brazilian originals which were a gift from Mr. DRL's secretary. They are Puket's http://www.puket.com.br
I think he thought I was a little nutty when I was so excited to open them up (I'd seen them in magazines, etc. and had been trying to find some for Canadoca). So cute!
Okay these ones are not Brazilian but they do get a lot of rave reviews... socks from trumpette. I bought a pack of 6 different colors and had to order more.
Current window at Cantao...
Ok so I saw a photo of Gwen Stefani wearing pants similar to these hangy-crotch pants that have been a hit here in Brazil since I arrived here like a year and a half ago. Every so often I ask my friends back home if the pants have hit North America yet and the answer is always a resounding "NO! And please don't start the trend!"
But if Gwen is wearing them...
This isn't a great photo but this little girl could not have been older than 10 years old, and was wearing makeup, little heels, a tanktop and miniskirt... plus a purse. wow.
I try to avoid shopping for anything here that I could get at home (especially things that are much cheaper there, and let's face it, most things that are available both places are cheaper at home). So as a general but occasionally broken rule, I don't really go to Zara here. But sometimes one needs a couple of wardrobe staples, and Zara is great for that. They also have a maternity section for all of you gestantes...
These socks are VERY popular amongst women in Rio gyms. My theory on the socks is that they are worn because it is very popular to do leg exercises with these special weights strapped to one's legs here. But maybe they are fashionable here...
Or maybe their calves and ankles get cold? Any other theories?
They sell them at my gym - I'm thinking I will have to get some as a souvenir...
A few weeks ago, the scarves started coming out. Yes, it still hits the high 20's (celsius) most days, yet Cariocas feel the need to break out the boots.
OR
Rest assured, you can still wear crocs in winter in Rio, just buy these ones with the fuzzy linings... You will not look ridiculous. At. All.
Part 1 of a series of photos of workout wear seen here in Brazil that would NEVER be seen at home. These babies are BOTH one-pieces. Next time I will feature the socks that the women like to wear here...
Although you can't see it nearly clearly enough in this photo, this fellow is sporting quite the combo of looks. Runners, a sunga, and a FANNY PACK. I wish you could see the fanny pack more clearly, really I do. But it felt awkward enough to be pretending to "check a text message" on my phone with it faced in his direction at this distance...
This post could also be called why you don't need to buy many maternity clothes or making the most of your maternity wardrobe. I found most actual maternity clothes to be quite frumpy and matronly. Luckily, I realized I didn't need to wear too many of them... so before you go blow a bunch of money on maternity wear, consider what you may already have in your closet or what you can buy that you could wear afterwards. It's such a short period of your life that you will be wearing these clothes, it seems silly to spend much. Besides, I think it will be much more fun shopping for "reward clothes" afterwards than it could ever be shopping for maternity clothes...
As a sidenote - I do not work and therefore I did not need as many things as someone who has to go to work dressed a specific way every day. I lucked out with the timing of my expat-ness.
Below are examples of clothes I wore throughout my pregnancy that are NOT maternity clothes, rather REGULAR clothes (with the exception of a couple of bottoms, which I have noted).
Tops
It was pretty easy to not buy maternity tops - there were already so many appropriate things in my closet and in regular stores that worked from the beginning of pregnancy right to the end...
This top was purchased at My Place, which is in Shopping Rio Sul.
The pirate top is just a regular tube top from Dex Brothers, bought back home.
Although these are my white maternity shorts, this top from MNG was wearable right to the end.
This top has been one of my favorites. The wrap will also be good after the pregnancy (for nursing etc - it has a built-in cover up!). These bottoms are borrowed and maternity.
Another great top from MNG and non-maternity bottoms from lululemon. I also have this one in yellow. As you can see, it lasted right until the end...
Dresses
This very-wrinkled-by-the-end-of-the-night red silk Zara dress fit until I was well into my 6th month.
The two dresses pictured above were both purchased at one of my favorite spots in Rio - Checklist.
Another item borrowed from a friend - also - leggings were a lifesaver! I just bought low-rise styles.
This knit dress got a lot of wear as well...
This blue maxi-dress is from a store called My Place in Rio Sul.
Another non-maternity favorite.
Maxi dress above was purchased from Eclectic, which is also where I bought the "skirt" below, which I wore through my pregnancy as a dress. Being that it's my non-pregnant size, I can wear it afterwards as a skirt. (I thought it was a dress when I first tried it on but then realized it was a skirt, and thought this could work well...)
As you can see, living in Rio where it is hot hot hot, dresses were my main staple of my wardrobe. I think this may be why I got away with avoiding maternity wear so easily.
Other items
Although I mostly wore bikinis throughout my pregnancy, I did enjoy
this swim suit quite a bit around the 4-6 month mark, where I had a
"paunch" but not a discernable "belly" yet, as it sort of distracted from that area.
Above- beach cover-ups made great tops! This one is from J.Crew (a couple of years back, now), and the skirt is from Drops here in Rio.
Finally- the can't live without it when you are pregnant item:
Lululemon bottoms. Thanks to the amazing lack of actual waistband (see how wide it is? Especially the brown ones) in
the bottoms, I was able to wear these ones pictured througout my entire
pregnancy. I also have a few other items not pictured that I wore
through most of it. As for the tops, I purchased a few one size bigger
than my usual, in longer styles, and they worked for the entire
duration as well. Great activewear (definitely needed them for my yoga
classes) and also for walking, lounging, etc... and in this climate,
the wicking can't be beat.
So anyway! That concludes my 2-parter on the old maternity wardrobe! If nothing else, now you know a few places I like to shop in Rio...
I made it through my pregnancy buying VERY few maternity clothes. Mostly thanks to the current styles, and great friends who loaned me their maternity wardrobes. Also by being a bit innovative, and as always I hope that perhaps some of my ideas can help others, so I am sharing.
What I did buy and borrow (and recommend!)
Be Bella Bands in white and black - this is the more "lightweight" version of the bella band, which was great in a hot climate. I wore mine with regular non-maternity clothes (you just wear your regular bottoms undone, and use the band to expand/cover the opening, big money saver!), with maternity clothes that I had trouble keeping on - just stuff that kept falling down. I also even wore it as a tube bra a few times. Friends have said they also wear them post-partum. Cheap. Great. Versatile. Click here for info on where to buy.
Maternity/Nursing Bras
I bought mine very early in the pregnancy (and may need to buy more, in different sizes, for that reason) as I have not had luck buying regular bras in Brazil. I really like the Elle McPherson maternity collection, which is available on Freshpair.com. I also received some from a friend, among which my favorite is the original basic Bravado style.
Basic Black Dress
This item is borrowed from a friend - a basic black maternity dress (I believe this one is from the Gap).
Cute dresses
I bought this one from Target for US$15.
This maternity dress was borrowed from a friend:
Tops
I didn't purchase any maternity tops as I could easily just wear/buy flowy, long tops in bigger sizes. This one was borrowed from a friend:
Bottoms
A few pairs of maternity shorts were essential. As I borrowed three pairs from friends, all I bought was one pair of white shorts. (I wore non-maternity skirts just fine).
Fun Stuff
My sister-in-law sent these shirts (I'm wearing mine as I write this, just took the photo a minute ago) from Old Navy down to us:
Every once in a while I feel the need to take a photo of the window at Nuance on Autalfa de Paiva...
I try really hard not to make this into a baby blog... being an expat in Brazil, it is necessary to buy a lot of baby stuff from back home. So I have been doing a lot of online shopping and shipping stuff to my house.
Here are some things I've found...
babycoverz.com
A friend gave me her Boppi (breast feeding pillow) and I wanted to get a washable cover for it, if such a thing existed. It sure does - I bought one in the pattern below - figured it was pretty gender neutral- along with some receiving blankets, and items for my diaper bag. The site features a wide variety of funky, fun fabrics, and a whole bunch of different products, like diaper bags, change pads, car seat covers, aprons for breastfeeding, and much more. Great gifts!
Maternity clothes from TARGET
I purchased a gorgeous dress for US $14.99. Enough said.
Freshpair.com for maternity/nursing bras (they carry the Elle McPherson line, which is really nice).
Restoration Hardware for Baby's Room
I've registered for both a girl's and boy's bedroom on Restoration Hardware. I purchased many linens for our place in Rio from RH last year and am very happy with everything. I also purchased my bassinet there already as I have not seen any bassinets or cradles in Brazil.
Another great site for baby bedding: Layla Grace.
We also registered at Babies R Us where you can get everything from Sophie the Giraffe to carseats, playpens, strollers, etc.
CLOTHES from Crazy8.com - what a great site. Really cheap, lots of sales, good quality, so many cute things, and even many unisex items! You may remember this onesie, which I loved and had to have. I also purchased a "cheeky monkey" one along with several others... that may or may not be gender neutral. The items for the "wrong gender" will just be gifts I figure! PS EVERYONE thinks it's a boy.
Toiletries for Baby
Arbonne can be ordered online and they have a nice line of baby items.
Farm Baby by SweetGrass is another all-natural line that I just ordered a bunch of items from. Like Baby Powder :)
California Baby makes sunscreens that even my most A-type mom friends approve of :) I'm happy to say one of them has already even secured me a bottle of the stuff...
One Brazilian thing I did buy: my diaper bag - from Uncle K.
I swear you could wander Ipanema every day for a year and still find little hidden gems you hadn't noticed before. There are endless Galleria's which are basically malls, and sidestreets of stores.
Last week, after some lunch with friends, we went to Luiz Salvador (R. Redentor & Maria Quitera in Ipanema). I'd heard of the factory near Petropolis, but did not know there was a location in the city.
Being that I did not "send a shipment" down to Brazil like most expats, it honestly made me homesick! I got married just 6 months before moving to Brazil, and didn't even get much of a chance to use all my pretty plates and stuff (I love to cook and entertain so the idea of using it all does make me excited).
I took a ton of photos of the store... and could have taken more. I highly recommend stopping in if you are in RIo!
Above: the garden area out back.
I loved these little crab plate/containers.
They also had beautiful Easter displays.
There is so much beautiful stuff to choose from... I will definitely have to take a few pieces home to add to my collection!
More finds in Buzios - these water shoes or aqua socks - with Brazilian flags. My girlfriend bought them for her whole family (pictured).
www.mazworld.com.br Also available in Ipanema. They have them in every color and design imaginable.
I have always intended to write and post more on Brazilian fashions - what you see a lot of out & about - so here goes... what will you see now in Rio?
Lots and lots of Gladiator sandals
Big prints, big sunglasses, loose fitting tent dresses, long flowing maxi dresses, beads and big jewellery, everything very colorful.
While in Buzios over the Valentine's Day weekend I had a chance to see a few cute new items from one of Brazil's biggest and most notorious exports - Havaiana's.
Here are some super fun new models - these skull & crossbone ones glow in the dark I think!
These are some pretty sweet ones for little girls... I love the little piggies:
And I liked these kids' ones almost as much...
They are also making TOWELS which are super nice. They are available in Buzios but I haven't seen them anywhere else...
Finally, possibly in an attempt to make Havaianas year-round appropriate footwear - the socks...
I feel the need to post a pair of shoes. Like today...
Seriously there are so many amazing shoes in this country.
These babies are available at Chic Chico, in Buzios (Rua das Pedras, 27 - Loja 2 - Centro). I especially loved the stools there with red high heels for legs.
One of my lovely readers owns the magic Rainbow Necklace I referred to in my last post and sent me a photo, I will share with you!
We were incredibly fortunate that my husband had to go to the US & Canada last month on a business trip. Why fortunate, you ask? If you read this blog regularly you know that I HARDLY want to get rid of my husband, even for a few days! It also was not "fortunate" weather - he was snowed in in Houston, and had to tolerate blizzards and -40 temperatures in Calgary. Fortunate because now we are expecting, not planning more trips back to North America before the baby, and frankly, we needed a lot of stuff!
Everyone with kids here had warned me I'd want to buy as much as possible back home and either have it shipped or brought down with other people. I soon realized why.... the prices are out of control. And that's when you can actually find this stuff here. I have yet to see my stroller here.
Just SOME examples:
1) Dr. Brown's bottles (supposedly the best for newborns as the internal vent technology prevents too much air from getting into baby's system). My husband bought an entire starter pack (10 bottles, cleaning brush, various nipples, lids, etc.) for US$49.99 at Toys R Us in Houston. So to break that down it's less than $4.99 US per bottle considering all the extras they throw in. I have seen Dr. Brown's products in one store here in Rio, in Barra at Via Parque. One 4 oz bottle was R$37.99 or US $16.90. So roughly 4 times the price (and frankly, that's being generous as the 4 oz bottles are more inexpensive and I am not allotting anything for the extras thrown in with the starter pack...)
Admittedly these are imported products so the sticker price should be no shocker and yes there are Brazilian alternatives but with all the "plastic" scares out there I do want to make sure these bottles are up to snuff. Potential TMI alert - yes, I am hoping to breastfeed but want the baby to take a bottle per day as well! (Bonding time for dad, freedom opportunities for mom!)
2) Peg Perego Car Seat - I have located one in a store in Shopping Rio Sul, R$1300 when you include the base. Toys R Us in the US - $249.
So it's more than double the price to get it here.
Again, there are Brazilian alternatives but considering how well any Brazilian-made appliances I've bought have survived the test of time (like coffee makers that fall apart after 6 uses), and that this is a device that could potentially save our child's life, I want the one with the North American safety rating, please.
3) Grooming Kit - I spotted this Safety First grooming kit yesterday in a toy/children's store for $R120. We purchased exactly the same one in the US for US$9.99. A savings of over US$40, it is literally 5 times the price here.
All is not lost, however, in moving to Brazil and having a baby. Especially if you have a lot of people coming and going from North America bringing stuff for you!
I have found a number of beautiful shops for baby clothes and as my girlfriend with two kids pointed out to me the other day, I could decorate a gorgeous kids room just shopping at the hippie fair alone! Besides the bedding that I am getting from Restoration Hardware of course!
There is a baby fair at the end of the month at the Convention Centre in Barra as well, so I will be checking that out.
Something cool I did not realize that "Red" is the color of choice for luck for babies in Brazil. I love it! My Portuguese instructor bought us some red booties, so adorable. There is way too much sage green and yellow unisex stuff out there, why not red? I have also been buying anything grey I find as it's pretty unisex as well and who doesn't look good in grey... haha.
Here is a photo of our "stash" so far - a lot of it has been coming in handy with two little munchkins running around our place the past week.
There are so many great things to buy for kids in Rio, unique, cheap and fun. My nephew is really into fish right now and his mom always puts "his own magnets for the fridge" on his gift wish lists, so we plan to mail him & his sister these twp by two. (Since he loves getting mail so much and all....)
These were procured at the Copacabana steet fair, on the far end (Arpoador side) in a little booth. I don't think we paid R$2 each for them...
There are more, including a mermaid, but being that there's been a 2 yr old in the house lately who really loves these too, I can't seem to find them... haha.
I believe I've mentioned before how terrible the dishsoap is here. Many expats I know bring it in from the US when they go back for visits! I finally found a brand that is not too bad - Lava-Loucas Gel Care - and even provided you with a photo, so look for it at your local mercado :)
Speaking of pretty things...
If I was not pregnant and did not have to think about potentially walking for blocks and blocks that night, I think this would be a fun New Year's dress...
Wait a second... come to think of it, no wonder I like it so much, it's not that different from the dress I wore for one of my bachelorette parties... (yes, my bridesmaids gave it an 80's theme)!!
Am I the only one whose favorite Christmas music consists of whatever my parents played most as a kid? Which consisted of whatever tapes Auntie Janet copied for mom and dad, and whatever records we had?
Last night, I realized that it is Christmas in one week. Seriously, I've been oblivious. I was at the mall last weekend and was like, wow, the mall is sure busy, I wonder why...? Hello! You'd think the English Christmas Music they play in the malls constantly, and over the top decorations would remind me but apparently not... still doesn't feel like Christmas!
Being that we did minimal Christmas shopping this year (my husband and I are not exchanging gifts, my immediate family is not exchanging gifts as we are going away together for Christmas, plus we cut back significantly with my husband's family as well, and most of their shopping consisted of "Oh I'll buy that from your baby wish list!" My sister handled our buying for my dad & stepmom, yeah I've hardly shopped at all!), and we are in a tropical climate while back home they are getting beaten with snow (anyone hear that it is snowing in California and in VEGAS? Unreal. Wonder how many de-icers they have in the Las Vegas airport. According to my husband who was stuck in Houston in a snowstorm last week, Houston has ONE, and is a major hub. So I doubt it looks good for Vegas... They are also calling for a white Christmas all across Canada, and despite the fact that a lot of people think that we live in igloos and it's nothing but snow year-round up there, I assure you that a Canada-wide white Christmas has not happened in a long long time. Calgary generally doesn't even get a white Christmas, and neither does Vancouver...), wow anyway the traditional Christmas stuff is pretty anti-climactic around here this year. And that might just be the longest sentence ever.
So last night I did Christmas cards, and then realized most people will probably receive theirs around Easter...
Whatev.
I also realized that we did not have any Christmas tunes here in Brazil, so I quickly went on iTunes and was delighted and a little SHOCKED to learn that ALL of my favorite Christmas albums growing up were available for immediate purchase and download. Want to hear my hitlist? It is a weird mix... This is so embarassing that it totally justifies me keeping my blog anonymous...
It is ironic that these are my favorite Christmas albums as I don't listen to any of these artists' non-Christmas music... kind of strange when you think about it! This is very different from my regular taste in music, the one exception is that I love everything by the Carpenters...
1) Celine Dion - These Are the Special Times - ok, not an oldie but I really like it and reminds me of snowy recent Christmases at my mom's, my favorite track is the "Another Year has gone by" song.
2) John Denver & The Muppets - A Christmas Together. This is where the SHOCKED it was on iTunes part comes in... It reminds me of when I was a kid, okay? We Wish You a Merry Christmas is a highlight with Miss Piggy singing about the figgy pudding.
3) The Carpenters - Christmas Collection. I hear this being played in Brazil a lot. I think Karen Carpenter has the best voice of any singer I've ever heard, it is very warm, smooth and comforting.
4) Anne Murray - Anne Murray's Christmas Album. Anne's "Silver Bells" is the best.
5) The Oak Ridge Boys - Christmas with the Oak Ridge Boys. Thank God for Kids is my fave.
6) Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers - Once Upon A Christmas - this might actually be my favorite overall Christmas album. The title track is good and I also love "With Bells On"
SIngles to complete the playlist:
The Beach Boys: The Little St. Nick
Mariah Carey: All I want for Christmas is You
ABBA: Happy New Year
Alvin & The Chipmunks: Please Christmas Don't Be Late (My husband HATES it when I put this on!!! haha... which amuses me...)
Now that I have thoroughly humiliated myself, I will proceed with the Christmas sighting of the day.
It's even a musical one (I assume...) Here in Rio if you are behind on your Christmas shopping there is really no excuse for you, as vendors are even set up at intersections selling Santas to motorists, it appears that they are Santas which do a variety of impressive things! Although none as impressive as my soccer, James Brown singing Santa I'm sure... (see video a week or so back).
Today I went to Shopping Via Parque in Barra, among other places. Via Parque was recommended to me as a great place to find baby stuff, and let me tell you there are a lot of baby stores there! There is also a great office supply store as well! I was impressed. Back to Christmas! I promised I would post a bunch of Rio Christmas stuff and I have not been doing a very good job, sorry! I'm camera - happy and on it now, though.
It actually snows in Via Parque...
This ornament is so great - many of my visitors were looking for unique "Rio" ornaments and we didn't seem to have much luck. Enter Brasil & Cia on Rua Maria Quitera (around the corner from the Cesar Park Hotel). These are great!
The other side features a scene of the Corcovado.
According to the people I spoke with at the store, Brasil & Cia is the only store which carries these ornaments, which are handmade by an artisan out of Teresopolis.
For the past 6 months or so my husband and I have been stalking watching this painter at the hippie fair in Ipanema. We knew he was our favorite, he uses such vivid colors, such texture... unreal. But were waiting for the "right painting"... they were either too small - ideally I wanted a large piece from this painter to go above my couch - or it was just difficult to decide between them as they all featured different, separate aspects and places of the city and I wanted them all. The markets, the bonde, sugarloaf, corcovado...
Then, last Sunday, we saw it... the painting that had it all. It was big, too. I love love love love love it... it was worth the wait. Now all I need is to actually hang it...
Want one? Go check out the feira in Ipanema tomorrow - he typically is in the middle with the rest of the art, on the side closest to the beach, towards the right if you are facing the beach. (Now how's that for directions - ha!)
What do our visitors typically buy as souvenirs/mementos/additions to their wardrobes/gifts for friends and family, while in Brazil? This post could also be titled "good buys in Brazil"...
1) The number one item, hands down, would be Havaianas. Everybody buys them. I spend a lot of time frantically texting and emailing people back home for their shoe sizes while standing in Centro with my guests while they shop and try to figure out their girlfriends/wives/daughter in laws'/sister's/brother's shoe sizes.
We have had visitors leave with more than 25 pairs. Below are the acquisition of a recent Casa DRL guest...
What's the big draw for Havaiana's here? Well they are quite a bit cheaper than back home. For plain jane Havaiana's in Canada you generally pay $20-$25. Here, the plain jane ones are $R10 in Centro (which is about $6.50 Canadian). There are much "fancier" designs available here, as you can see, and besides people love to say that they were purchased in Brazil!
2) Shoes & Purses. As I may have mentioned before, shoes in Brazil are, in my opinion, are a great price for excellent quality shoes. Wide variety of styles and colors, very funky and unique styles. Although I don't have photos of shoes my visitors bought (as in the case of the Havaiana's, above), here are a bunch I've purchased in Brazil. Yes, I realize these photos are already on the blog in different places.
3) Swimwear
Biquini's & Sungas... gotta do it. With a lot of the styles at places like BlueMan, they are easily enough worn back home as well. Here is a selection of swimwear I've purchased in Brazil...
4) Jewellery
Be it handmade wooden jewellery, strands of beads, cascading earrings with semiprecious stones (there is an amazing kiosk in the Ipanema 2000 "mall" on V. de. Piraja in Ipanema with tons of beautiful sets of these), or some serious bling from Amsterdam Sauer or H. Stern, Brazil is a fantastic place to buy amazing, unique jewellery!
5) Clothing
Everyone asks me about the clothing shopping here and to be honest, I find it hit-and-miss. If you are looking for something specific, forget it! But if you come here with an open mind and don't need anything per se, clothing shoppping in Rio can be a lot of fun. Items I don't recommend buying: for women - bras (weird weird sizing...) and business clothes (generally of pretty poor quality - but men's are much better).
6) Coasters
Seems silly & simple but there are some beautiful stone coasters here - like little works of art in fact- we started buying them for hostess gifts for friends & family back home when my husband started working down here, they come in a wide array of colors and are just gorgeous and very unique.
7) Art
The Hippie Fair & Copacabana Art Markets (are there other regular ones we should be frequenting? Let me know!) make some great sales thanks to our guests - art is incredibly unique and cheap here in Brazil. Most mounted canvases can be removed and rolled up (you just have it re-stretched and mounted upon returning home).
8) Books
After trying to capture as much of this fantastically picturesque city, many of us have not quite admitted defeat but enlisted the help of a coffee table/photo book to remind of the bluer than blue skies and mountains that emerge straight out of the ocean. Also a popular read with our guests: How to Be a Carioca.
9) Cachaca!
Enough said.
10) Funky cooking stuff
Like this beautiful limestone and copper fondue pot (they also have pizza stones - Santa Teresa shops) or a wooden mortar and pestle set for making caiprhinhas with the cachaca you already bought...
I would also like to divulge that guests purchased 12 sparkly wigs, 12 pairs of light-up sunglasses a six pack of Guarana, and two pirate hats. But I am not saying who's who...
Ok, so I am not going to start a regular daily "shoe of the day" entry but just the same here is today's cute shoe. I get a lot of hits stemming from inquiries about Brazilian shoes so I must satisfy the curiousity of some of my readers with the odd hot Brazilian shoe pic.
I saw these last week in Ipanema at Foot Feet and thought they were fantastic. Probably not all that comfortable, but fantastic all the same.
Since today's "theme" seems to be things that are pretty, thanks to a couple of special requests I am posting additional photos of my wedding dress... Yes I realize this is completely unrelated to Brazil and especially apologize to any men or uninterested parties reading the blog who are now rolling their eyes.
To tie this post into "Brazil" a bit, walking past bridal shops and ogling a few bridal magazines has shown me that the lace dress with dropped waist (like my dress) look is currently quite popular in Brazil.
Reportedly it is very common to RENT wedding dresses here (which makes SO much sense!).
Ahhhh....
For those toddlers who insist on being on the cutting edge of beachwear fashion at all times (those terrible two's can really be something when there's nothing in the closet that's simply fabulous to wear), may I present Adriana Fernandez designer biquini's... for mom's and tots alike!
We found this amazing little number in Buzios over the weekend, for Miss V, who turns two next week and is coming to Brazil for a visit this winter... so adorable!
I love the little ruffle bum.
And it even came with its own beach bag!
Oh she will be one posh beach baby...
One of the many little delights of wandering my neighbourhood is checking if new dresses have been placed in the window of Nuance, the most gorgeous custom dress store... it's located on Autalfa de Paiva in Leblon.
I have been meaning to share this with you for so long and whenever I think of it when I pass I don't have my camera with me. Sadly these are just blackberry shots but they will have to do (and I promise to post these regularly as they are just to die for to look at). 
I would also like to do some research on what it costs to get a custom dress made at Nuance... you know, if the right occasion presents itself. They do a lot of wedding dresses as well. Looking in the window makes me happy...
Build- A - Bear in North America is a great little company - kids go in and choose their own bear and get to build him or her, insert a heart, insert a voice box with a special message or multiple voice boxes, give them a bath, choose an outfit, create a birth certificate, and more! So cute, and a great way to spend a memorable afternoon. Before we moved, we went with our nephew and made one for him and one for us, such a fun morning.
Brazil has its own version of Build-A-Bear, it's called
Animaland or Animalandia, and I would argue its business model is much more efficient than its North American counterpart, particularly from an "overhead" perspective. Build-A-Bear is situated in shopping malls where it generally has large stores, Animaland is set up as kiosks in the mall where patrons move around the kiosks to the different stations (stuffing, accessories, etc.)
Here, Animaland also features a scent station for the stuffies.
I must also mention how far a dollar goes in Argentina. For what we paid for two amazing dinners and two great lunches, we paid the same for one average dinner while back in Brazil.
We also visited the duty free store... accoLegally we were each allowed to bring one case of wine or alcohol back into Brazil. We paid 40 Argentinian pesos per bottle of Luigi Bosco wine (which costs about 65 - 70 Reals here). So it cost us about a third (and we bought a case). We also bought a case of hard alcohol - and paid an average of $11 US per bottle (most of them 40's). Nice!
The Duty Free shop in Puerto Iguazu is really something else... it has electronics, clothing, sports items, sunglasses, home accessories, perfume, and of course alcohol and food. It is gigantic, pretty much the size of a shopping mall. There is even a large fountain outside. Oh and the security guards ride around on these ridiculously funny little scooter things. 
The end result?
The liquor cabinet is now stocked for our visitors, to say the least.
Since being back in Canada I've put over 3,000 km on my rental car. At the end of my trip I'll do a recap of all the places I visited, but wow I am tired of traveling. And I still need to get back to Rio!
My husband flew to Canada over the weekend to join me, and he had a very typical trip home. Meaning: his plane left Rio 5 hours late which meant that he missed his connection from Houston to Calgary which meant that he missed his connection from Calgary to Kamloops. All in all, despite leaving 5 hours late, he only arrived in Kamloops about 4 hours after he was supposed to, which I think is a miracle, considering how few flights there are to Kamloops in a day, and the fact that his plane left FIVE hours late.
Oh, and his luggage did not make it.
Why do I say this is typical? Because in my experience in Brazil, even though it may seem as though everything is so disorganized, running late and for lack of other expressions, to hell in a handbasket, it always seems to work out in the end and we realize that few things in life are worth getting too excited about. Oh, and I also don't think I have ever been on a flight coming into or leaving Brazil that was actually on time.
Overall: he arrived four hours late, not the end of the world.
His luggage arrived Monday afternoon at my mother's home (which, I would like to clarify, is NOT in Kamloops, he only flew in there because it is the airport closest to our friend's cabin which we visited that weekend).
Besides, lost luggage does not come without hidden benefits: he is now also the proud owner of these shorts to the left, purchased in a rush and amid a fit of hysterical, maniacal laughter after I found out about the missing luggage.
See?
It all works out in the end...
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