One Day in Rio: Jardim Botânico

We had one full day in Rio (Wednesday) and it was... (surprise!) grey. So we lay on the beach for 20 minutes with the wind blustering about and the wild waves hurling flecks of saltwater our way and decided to make our way to the Botanical Gardens. Which, it turns out, are pretty cool. See below.








Thursday dawned bright and sunny, but unfortunately we had a lunch to make and then a

Travel Diaries: Paraty

As you may or may not have heard, we spent two days in Paraty and the first of those sitting in the hostel looking wistfully out at the rain, fingers crossed for a rainless tomorrow. To our great delight, tomorrow was mostly rainless, if one of the wettest (yet paradoxically dryest - the whole town awoke to find itself without running water (!) apparently due to rain (?)) rainless days

Wishing for White

1 Memo Carafe | Shopbop $30
2 The Transport Tote in Optic White | Madewell $168 $143
3 FE NY 'Brooke' Sunglasses | Nordstrom $22

4 Sweetheart Sports Bra | Forever 21 $10

5 Steven Fearless Cap Toe Pumps | Shopbop $149
6 Marc by Marc Jacobs Show Off Leather Tote in White Birch | Shopbop $528
7 Chloé Flat Oxford in White | Nordstrom $670
8 Alexander Wang Reptile Silk Illusion Crop Top | Saks

EYE SEE YOU

Oh yes I dooo!!! Or my legs do (see you!). You see, when it comes to tattoos, I like the ones that make people do a double-take. And I like that I can wink at people without even making eye contact (MAGIC!). Also, meet my newest and reddest shoes - I finally dived into the loafer game! Spotted them at Iguatemi the other day for R$50 (~USD$25) and how could I resist?






TANK TOP David &

By Invitation only......what do I want to do, reality or fantasy?

Hi there, its our monthly By Invitation only post and this one is a good one. BIO is a group of bloggers who get together and post about an agreed upon theme for that month. Its great fun to see each others interpretations.   

 The idea this month is to talk about something(s) we want to do reality or fantasy, something on our personal "bucket list". I have had so many, some have fallen off the bandwagon like make the cover of Seventeen magazine of course sporting bright blue eyeshadow(back when I was a teenager) to wanting to marry David Bowie (still love his music but Iman I am going to let you keep him) to wanting to adopt a chimpanzee instead of having kids (I will take my three boys over) "Charlie", yes I had already named him to going to medical school (too grueling and I still get faint at the sight of blood....a definite no no in the world of medicine)  But there's a whole list of a "grown up" variety that I have now and with luck at least some of these will happen! SO ready to see what they are? Lets go, and in no particular order they are.......(you know theres no way there is just one)!   1. Visit Nepal/The Himalayas. Now 10 yeas ago I would have said to make it base camp 2 on an Everest expedition. Anyone who knows me well knows I had an absolute obsession with all things Everest. Think I had read every book.seen every movie on the subject. Even called a few expedition companies to find out just how it all goes down (you prepare for such a quest about  year in advance in case you are wondering) But in the end between my claustrophobia, fear of heights, absolute inability to give up cheese, fresh pasta and cappuccino, innate desire for luxury and warmth and hating bad hair days..this is not to happen in this lifetime. However my fascination with the region, its people and culture continues and I would love to visit this beautiful sacred land........and watch the expeditioners from afar (from the comfort of my hotel room...hehe)

  2. Attend midnight mass at The Vatican on Christmas eve. This has been on my mind for a while now, hubby are you listening? I have it all planned out, we are there for the Christmas holidays sleep in late that day so we will be bright eyed to make midnight mass that night. We, along with thousands of fellow Romans head out for a wonderful late Italian feast/dinner then proceed to walk to the church. As we are on our way.....it starts snowing, a beautiful light magical snowfall. The song Ava Maria can be heard faintly in the distance(this part is key to my dream)........ahhhhh, can you visualize?

   3. To write a screenplay, again anyone who knows me well knows this about me. I have had several ideas for a great screenplay that would translate well to the Broadway stage. One play in particular that I am not letting go of and go back to every now and then....you heard it here first:) What a thrill it would be for someone to read it, love it and get excited about it and then want to produce it. It would be satisfying to at least finish it.....Can you imagine!!

  4. Visit Fiji, I have always visualized that this is as close to heaven as you can get. I mean look at that water, look at that remote tiny island.  I can so easily visualize hanging on a hammock all day, tropical drink on hand, plenty of reading material with not a care in the world. I think this might be the ultimate place to go and just "veg out" and leave the world (and worries) behind. Anyone I know who has been says its really as beautiful as it is in the pictures......just wish it wasn't so darn far!!

  5.To rent a house in Tuscany or Provence for a month during the summer, this is something I know I will do, I am determined. Better yet, maybe two weeks in Provence then 2 in Tuscany...that way I can come back here to my blog and tell you about both places! I would love to rent a lovely villa for an extended period of time, have a bicycle at my disposal, ideally said house would come with a garden (a healthy thriving fruit and vege bearing garden) where I could pick fruits and veges on a daily basis and plan our meals around the days pickings. I see myself pedaling into town, saying buongiorno or bon jour to the local townspeople, grabbing bread from the local bakery, visiting local wineries and educating myself about wine....all in the name of "blog research" of course:) Afternoons will be spent in my hammock reading the 30 books I have had on my reading list for the last year!

  6. To own my own farm. I have spoken of this often. I really would love to buy a farm one day before I am too old to really enjoy it, restore the farmhouse, have a small vineyard, a massive garden, let my husband fulfill his inner cowboy and ride and lasso to his hearts content while I garden, blog of course, and eventually open up my own little restaurant right on the farms property.This would be the perfect time to put the finishing touches on my screenplay too!  Visitors from near and far are welcome! To be continued........

  

 7. Spend a month driving across country. I have been to a lot of places. But there are still so many I want to visit and revisit. This particular trip would send me all directions. South I would want to visit some of the great southern cities, places like Charleston, Savannah, horse country in VA, Nashville, Atlanta, New Orleans, Austin, Dallas and Houston.....then I really want to drive and experience the great vast lands of Montana, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming..I want to feel like I am in The Horse Whisperer and if you want to throw in a horse whisperer like Robert Redford, I won't complain!! I want to explore the rugged coast of Seattle and head to wine country in California and drive the entire Pacific Coast Highway.....want to head to the windy city of Chicago and eat deep dish pizza and see if it's really "all that"  and end things with a bang in the northeast, visiting Nantucket, Martha s Vineyard, exploring Maine and New Hampshire and  ending this month long trip with a giant lobster dinner in a quaint Maine coastal town!! I have been to a lot of these places but my husband hasn't really gotten to visit the south and only a few places on the west coast...so think this is a trip we have to make happen. And some trips you cannot fully enjoy unless you drive them. 

 8. Open up a darling chic super cool cafe/bookstore/coffeehouse/shop. Yes it would be a lot of things to a lot of people. This is a place where cool sophisticated people in the know want to come, whether to have a light lunch or  a casual dinner with a  friend, pick up their morning coffee and a French or Italian newspaper (yes I will carry them in all languages), browse the books or select a beautiful item for their home or as a gift. It can all be done under one charming roof! I would have authors come in for readings and signings, local jazz bands come on jazz nights to perform, baronistas join us to give talks on coffees around the world and oenophiles would do sold out wine workshops. Sound like fun? I think so! In terms of look......Think the bakery from Its Complicated mixed in with a little of the Meg Ryans's books store in When Harry met Sally with a smidgeon of the great shop in Somethings gotta give (was the former Barefoot Contessa shop owned by our friend "Ina"). I would have black and white marble floors (honed and old looking) neat lighting, lots of antique mirrors, french music playing.....Get the picture? A lot of work....yes. Super cool to own it......even a bigger yes!

  There!! If I can even do half of these things I will be a happy girl. Nothing that is so extreme that its out of the question, right? Anything on my list something you too want to do? So lets see if all goes according to plan....... Nepal, Rome, Fiji, Provence and Tuscany will all be stamped on my passport while I will return home to my farmhouse to  put the finishing touches on my screenplay and get ready to open up my cafe/shop. Sounds like a good plan to me!  Your turn...whats on your list either reality or fantasy to do in your lifetime? As always, many many thanks for stopping to say hello and see what's happening over here....wishing you a wonderful day! Want to see more bloggers posts on this subject and their interpretations? Click here to visit Marsha the brainchild of BIO....and there will be a link to all the others at the bottom of her wonderful post!  

Feather Fantasies & Fabulosity

So after a full week off work and a lot of bone aches and bed rest, I seem to be mostly dengue free! Went back in to get my platelets checked yesterday and my blood is fully coagulative, so no excessive bleeding for me! And work again tomorrow, but I finally feel up to it. The bad news is there won't be many outfit posts coming up for while since I was too lethargic to get out and wear them.

Palm Springs

Last weekend Andy and I headed south to Palm Springs. We had an unexpected 3-day weekend (Presidents Day), so we opted for a spontaneous trip. On Thursday night we quickly planned it out and made reservations at a hotel. We got lucky with hotel reservations because once we were there we found out everything had booked up really quickly due to the holiday weekend. Lucky us!

Andy left work at 4pm on Friday and we started the 7 hour drive. Most of it was in the dark, so we had no idea what the surrounding landscape looked like. The next day we woke up to crisp clear blue skies, and a plethora of palm trees. Palm Springs is truly an oasis in the desert.

We did some slot canyon hiking (more in a future post), and relaxed by the pool. We also visited a date farm. We thought it was a palm farm, but it turns out that dates grow on palm trees. I had no idea! Did you know that? There was a great date center with information on how they are grown, samples of dates (12 different varieties!), and a restaurant full of date dishes. We decided on their famous date-shake and enjoyed it outside among the green lawns and date trees, aka palm trees.

It was a fantastic weekend! Taking this spontaneous trip to Palm Springs was the best idea that we have had in a long time. It was neat to see the California desert and the oasis in it, not to mention all the relaxing we did there and the fun that was had.

He's always willing to pose for a picture...just not in the most graceful way. :)

The Ups & Downs of Rio

Finally, the promised Carnaval pictures! These are all from the Sambadrome (sambódromo), where a couple nights a year Rio's favela communities come out to play in all of their finest, sparkliest regalia! It was a fabulous time and an incredible show that starts at 9 pm and keeps right on going until 5 or 6 am the next morning. We headed out around 3 because we were exhausted, though, but not

Carnaval Instagram Feed!

Finally, some of the promised photos (more sambadrome photos (glitter!) to come later)! These are from my
instagram feed (follow me!) and they basically consist of all of Rio's little pleasures: beach, açaí*, amazing views, and Carnaval festivities.



KEY (top to bottom, left to right):
1 - açaí* for breakfast before heading to the beach & Carnaval nails!
2 - my makeup for the first bloco**

February Wishlist: Holiday Overload & Carnaval Colors

1 Shiny Ruched Front Tube Bra in Kelly, Fuchsia, and Gold (top to bottom) | American Apparel $16 each
(Did I just hear somebody say MARDI GRAS?!?!?!?¡?! Opa, I just said it. Guess I did.)

2 Minkpink Splash Sequin Skirt | Revolve Clothing $88
(because anything that sparkles is in style for Carnaval)

3 Kate Spade Metro Watch in Pink | Nordstrom $175

4 butter LONDON 3 Free Nail Lacquer in

Wanderlust

 Backpacking in South Africa with Andy and friends a few years ago.

I was really hoping to write about making new friends or good looking older men (like Anderson Cooper!), but wanderlust kept popping into my head. I can never seem to get away from wanderlust. It follows me like the plague! I blame it on my parents raising me in another country and constantly traveling. Don't get me wrong, I loved my childhood, but it has definitely shaped the person I have become today.

After graduating college I moved to LA hoping that would satisfy my lust for living in a new place. After 6 months I was not satisfied, so I moved back to Virginia. Then I got the crazy idea of teaching English in Korea. So I did that for a year and a half, and boy oh boy was my wanderlust being satisfied. Every day was new and different. I was challenged by the language, the culture, the people. I was able to travel to other countries like Vietnam and Thailand. It was magical to say the least. (But of course frustrating at times as well. Living in another country is not all fun and games.)

Going from South Korea to living in Virginia and Washington DC was an interesting transition. (More on that another day.) Andy and I were living in DC though, which was a semi new city, so there was some exploring to do. After a while it became bland, just like LA, just like Virginia. The wanderlust started again and it took over me like a disease, consuming my every thought. Starting a chocolate business in Virginia helped, but I never quite squashed the wanderlust.

Then, Andy got this job offer in the Bay Area. Yes, California! We jumped on the opportunity, excited for a new place and new adventure. Because you see, just like me, Andy also has wanderlust. So here we are, a new adventure every weekend. The Bay Area is completely new and I think we could find an adventure every weekend for at least a whole year. Somehow though, the wanderlust is creeping back into my life. Where is it coming from, why do I feel the need to leave after only just arriving here a month ago? Could it be homesickness for Virginia? It doesn't feel like it, but maybe I am not recognizing it properly.

So here I am, plagued by wanderlust. Constantly wanting, needing more travel, more adventure. I have yet to find a place I want to settle. Maybe it will never happen. Maybe we will bounce around from place to place forever. At this point, that sounds quite lovely actually.

Anyone else out there plagued by wanderlust?? Please tell me I am not the only one.

Woman-Empowered!

I just can't help myself on this post. I drove a large truck across the country and I have to boast about it! Yes, Andy was with me, and yes he also did a lot of the driving. So what?! I still drove a huge truck and that is something to be proud of!

When I went to pick up this truck I saw a variety of small moving trucks in the front lot of the truck office. I wondered which one was mine. After signing all the paperwork the lady asked me if I had driven a truck like this before. I pointed to the trucks outside and said "sure, which one is it?". She replied, "Oh no, it's none of those. Yours is around the corner with the hitch on it." I figured oh, ok it's probably a similar truck just with a hitch on it. When the rental lady and I finished our casual pleasantries, I took the keys and went to find my truck. When I passed the corner I saw a much larger truck with a hitch on the back. Yikes, I thought...how am I going to get this thing home!?!

I had a mini panic session and thought about calling my dad to come drive the truck home. (Andy was at work, I was staying at my dad's house.) Then I thought to myself, no- I can do this! So I did it! I drove the truck home and then I drove it (off and on) over the next 5 days as we moved across the country. And let me tell you, driving not only a large truck, but one with a car hitched to it is quite the experience! Especially when the wind blows.

We went through the windy plains of the Midwest, a few snow storms, and a variety of steep mountain passes. We drove through wind, rain, snow, light, and dark conditions. In the end, we made it unscathed and in one piece. I feel like a better and more empowered person for doing it too.

So the next time you want to feel empowered, drive a big truck! ...What makes you feel empowered?

Feria Fare

So in case I haven't mentioned it before (I have), I'm a HUUUUGE feria* fanatic. I think most of my jewelry is from some feria or another, and I'm constantly dragging anyone and everyone with the misfortune to be accompanying me through any and every feria I can find.


This trip to Argentina was no different! Boyf, who carries his grouch hat to all of them, grumbled and groused through feria

Ringing in 2013 with Postcards from Patagonia!

First things first: sorry for the extended disappearance! I've been visiting with my high school host family in the depths of Patagonia (where the internet is spotty at best) and shamelessly neglecting my blog duties in favor of mountain adventures. The good news is, I'm back in Brazil now! So will be coming back to you full force soon!


Juicier updates to come, but for now I'll be leaving

Flying Comfortable

We have done a lot of flying this fall. Some to visit family and some to California both for Andy's new job and for making our living arrangements when we move. 1-2 hour flights are nothing. I feel like there is little to no preparation for that kind of traveling. Cross country flights of 5+ hours are a different story though.

For these longer flights I like to be comfortable. I feel like each time I fly I think of something different that I would do. Here are some solid things that I usually stick to:

• Flat slip on shoes for ease of going through security checks along with being comfortable. I see some ladies with high heeled lace-up boots and just wonder how they survive?!
• Yoga pants in a color like black or grey are perfect. They feel like sweat pants, but look so much classier for being in such a public busy place. Plus, if you have to jog to your connecting flight they allow you to move easily. (Been there, done that. Yoga pants for the win.)
• A comfortable sweater. Even in the summer months this is good to have because flights get cold no matter what the temperature is outside.
• A scarf. This is also something I wear to fly no matter the time of year. A scarf can be used for many things: a light blanket, a pillow, a neck warmer...etc.

  Happy traveling this holiday season! Hopefully you don't have too far to go.

Blues & Greens & Feria Queens

Because that's me, queen of the feria. Wherever or whenever there is a feria to explore, I'm right there exploring. With a disgruntled Boyf right there at my side.

Next up: Patagonia! And lack of internet. So don't expect too much from me for the next two weeks.

La Ciudad de (los) Buenos Aires

Welcome to the city I used to call home but now just call Buenos Aires. This is our third day in the Argentinian capital and our third day of perfect sun, and boy did I miss this place. I guess especially coming from São Paulo, the city of 6 layers of concrete with a concrete cherry on top, this city seems like paradise. Sure, it's a bit run-down these days (Cristina Kirchner would not be my

Which would you choose and we have two winners!

Hi there, hope you had a great weekend Ours was busy busy...got our tree up (a whole other story) which I will be posting about later this week. Did some more decorating and had dinner with friends, lots of sporting events with my son and phew...... it all flew! This week  is also my birthday week, not talking age here just know I am between 31 and 49:) I am also hosting a birthday lunch for one of my oldest friends who I have known for 24 years this week. A small something grew and I am expecting about 25 over for lunch on Wed! So needless to say  I will be busy this week! I will naturally do my bests to share as much as possible with you. Have two winners of the monogrammed soaps and French towels, as I said I will do a giveaway a week until Christmas so will announce a new one next week! Here are the winners for both the monogrammed soaps and French towel, please contact me at theenchantedhome@gmail.com to provide your details!
Monogrammed soaps Result:
67  
Nonna's loves.........December 8, 2012 7:03 PM
Great choices for your husbands bath. Love the Robert Allen tape.

Now as far as your shop........i have trouble choosing one or two things cause I love everything!

linda miller
south carolina
 French towel Result:
98 Anonymous  December 9, 2012 2:28 PM
Tina, I LOVE your patio! We are finishing up a much smaller remodel job and your blog has been such a fantastic source of inspiration for me! I would love a moss colored planter (or two) under my Christmas tree!
Jenell B   Thanks so much to everyone who has sent in pictures of their holiday decor! Oh my gosh....I am floored, I would wage a big big bet that my readers might be the most talented out there! I cannot get over the beauty! Having such fun looking at all your homes. Please keep them coming...I plan to post a special post on my readers homes for the holidays. Send me your tree, your stockings, your place setting, you dressed up as Ms. Claus, whatever strikes your fancy as long as it holiday related. I will post this on Tuesday, Dec. 18th. (deadline to send me pictures is Dec.16th). Thank you! Email me here. It's time and long overdue for another round of  Which would you choose. OK, you have to  put on your thinking caps here and roll with me. The vacation fairies have paid you a surprise visit. They have granted you and yours a special vacation for two weeks anywhere in the world, all expenses paid...I am talking everything. So...this impatient little fairy needs to where she will taking you. Think hard, which vacation would you choose? For me, it was an instant tie between two.....humm, wonder which you will choose!  CHOICE 1 Head to the outback country, sunny beautiful Australia where your days will be filled with trips to the beach and sightseeing (and hopefully spotting a kangaroo hopping along the shoreline)!

 CHOICE 2 To a posh upscale luxury ranch vacation in the midwest nestled deep in the high mountains where your days will be spent riding, hiking and "spa-ing" and playing cowgirl albeit 5 star style:)

  CHOICE 3  Heading to Hawaii for a little aloha spirit, days at the beach, attending a luau, taking in the spectacular beauty  and just decompressing is all you will do here....

 

  CHOICE 4 Paris......days will be spent shopping, eating to your hearts desire, antiquing  and absorbing all the French magnificence that abounds on every corner....

 CHOICE 5 Fiji, headed far away to the land of unspoiled beauty. Days at the pool and beach, daily spa visits and dinners oceanside are what this trip is all about...

   CHOICE 6 The big apple..head to NYC for a nonstop  funfulled  schedule of shopping, Broadway shows and sightseeing........bring your walking shoes!

 

 CHOICE 7 Exotic Greece...where you will feast on fabulous foods, take part in local culture and sightsee to your hearts desire.......

So..........there you have it! 6 pretty amazing places, which one sounds really good right about now? Where are you headed?  Hope you are pacing yourself during this very chaotic time of year...fun and exciting and magical, oh yes it is. But it's also a very easy time to get stressed and run ourselves ragged (I know because I do it every year)! So a vacation sounds exceptionally good right about now even if it means settling for a virtual one! So where are you going?  I can't wait to hear......bon voyage!

 

Tales of Flying

Andy and I just got back from a quick 3 day trip to California. (Apartment hunting.) Traveling and flying is always interesting. You meet people and have strange experiences because lets admit it, when you're traveling your are never at your best. Some quick tales of flying last week...

image via

•  Tight connections meant Andy and I running frantically through the airport. Him about half an airport in front of me. Me, lagging behind tripping, dropping things, yelling at him. Yep, our typical way of catching flights.
• One flight we were serenaded by a flight attendant singing Santa Baby over the intercom with a few advertising lines added to the song. I wonder if they paid her extra for that??
• Another flight I had a male flight attendant (very flamboyant might I add) wink at me every time we made eye contact. He would also bring me extra snacks (peanuts and pretzels) even though I wasn't asking for them. He'd slip them to me like it was a secret...
• One flight I was separated from Andy and my seat buddy was an overweight woman. She was very nice, kind, lovely to talk to, but was definitely sitting on HALF(!) of my seat. At one point she fell asleep, readjusted in her sleep and ended up sitting on half my lap. It was awkward and my leg fell asleep. There was nothing I could do. I was trapped between her and the window. Help?
• During another flight I feel asleep with my hands between my knees to keep my fingers warm. While sleeping my hand twitched, then my leg twitched, in my sleepy state I thought someone was touching my leg so I jerked awake while my arms automatically started swinging. Once I fully came to, I realized it was just me and that I had made a scene for all to see. Whoops!
• When asked for my drink order on one of the flights I said "tea". The flight attendant replied "tea?!". "Why yes" I said, "I'd love some tea." She replied again, "tea?". My response, "yes HOT - TEA if you have it, please". The flight attendant scowled and said, "hmm...". I got my tea and it was hot, so I don't know what that whole deal was about.?
• The last flight of the trip I was entertained by yet another flamboyant male flight attendant. We were flying out of San Diego and he was definitely a surfer boy. He had sun bleach blonde hair and muscles like whoah! In fact, his muscles were so big that not only Andy commented on them, but this flight attendant's polo shirt sleeves kept sliding up over his muscles and he'd have to keep pulling the sleeves back down. What a problem to have!

Ahh the joys of flying! I thoroughly love it...and that is not a sarcastic remark.

The only photos I took while flying/at the airport. And yes, that is whole mini bottle of champagne for my mimosa.