Oh, Henry! The Navigator, that is...

This week, GB is sharing some beautiful pictures from her honeymoon to the Iberian peninsula (plus Morocco). I went to Portugal in college, but I am wishing I had checked out the Algarve, her trip looks amazing! (PS. have I mentioned that I love GB because she is such a history stud before?)


Okay, this post is neither about Portuguese princes nor candy bars, but we did hear a lot about the famous seafaring royal when we explored the Algarve for a couple days in November. It was pretty sleepy then, as most tourists (mostly European) flock for the cove-like beaches in summer, but you have to admit - there are certain benefits to that:

We stayed at a super cute luxury boutique hotel just outside Lagos, called the Quinta Bonita. You know that smell that all spas seem to have wafting around? That is what greeted us every time we walked into the lobby - how can I do that at home?

This was one corner of the garden (the orange grove on the other side supplied fresh juice in the mornings):

Anyway, I think it's safe to say that even ole' Prince Henry didn't have it as nice (hooray for jacuzzi tubs!). Plus, the British couple that runs the hotel is super friendly - that may not have been the case in the 1400s...

Quinta BonitaLuxury Boutique Hotel
Matos Morenos
Quatro Estrados8
600-115
Lagos, Portugal
+351 282 762135

Where have you been, Hotel Boca Chica?

There I am just a browsing through Aubrey Road the other day when what? Is that a Mexican/Mid-Century modern styled hotel? In Cancun? why yes it is, Hotel Boca Chica. You see, I am way into the Mexican thing (hello sculls and bright colors) and I have a hard time balancing that look with my love for vintage/midcentury looks. But I love love love the way they've done it here. So clean and bright with just a pop of color. Another completely different way to mix midcentury modern and Spanish/latin themes here.

via Aubrey Road, photography by Jim Franco.

The hills of Santa Teresa

When PB and I were booking our hotels in Rio we ran up against a little problem...the problem being we waited too long and all the hotels we wanted to stay at along Ipanema were booked. And while we were initially a little sad about it, we realized that it presented the perfect opportunity to stay in the Santa Teresa areas in the hills of Rio. We stayed in a villa converted to hotel called Relais Solar that presented amazing views of the entire city and quiet mornings reading out by the pool. We ate delicious kale and fried pork and feijoada along with these crispy cheese ravioli (I have no idea what they are called) at Bar do Mineiro. We also had a wonderful lunch at Espirito Santa of crab filled plantains, delicious vodka caipirinhas (you have to mix it up sometimes) and a coconut stew with shrimp. And we wondered along amazingly beautiful winding streets watching the way too cute street car pass by.

If you get a chance to go to Rio, I definitely recommend at least spending a meal and a few hours in the neighborhood. Oh, but don't try and take pictures of the tiled store shown above...you'll get in trouble :)

Horsing it up in BA

As I was flipping through the nice little tourbook that home provided to us, I noticed an entry for a store called eduardo sport that was great for horse and gaucho gear. Given that I am way into the equestrian trend and have always been fascinated by gauchos (they are basically cowboys that wear berets!) I hustled PB and I over there and got this cute little polo stick bracelet and riding satchel. I am so excited to wear the bag with my J.Crew toothpick riding pants and possibly these riding boots. I'm silly, I know!

Eduardo Sport

Charcas 5132, Palermo Hollywood

Casa Coupage

I'm not going to totally obsess over my trip... too much. But I do want to describe one of the best (and there were many) meals we had on the trip. The meal was awesome not just because the food and wine were exquisite but because it was at a private home. Casa Coupage is one of Buenos Aires' many puertas cerradas, or closed door restaurants. The restaurant is run by two sommeliers who more than know their way around Argentinian wines in an amazing belle epoch (I mean 18 foot ceilings) home. But even more importantly the food was 'effing delicious. I chose to go off one of the menus and order a la carte--if only because I had to have both the octopus and the duck with brussel sprouts. And then...the cheese course. I had a goat cheese that was...it was like eating a slice of home, it made me feel so happy and warm and affectionate. For dessert, I opted for this crazy zucchini (those are the cubes!) and cake and carmelized ginger option that was like nothing I've ever had. But dude...PB got the chocolate cake...heaven!

If you go to Buenos Aires, I absolutely demand that you email up Casa Coupage and make a reservation.

Güemes 4382,

54-11-4833-6354,

www.casacoupage.com

Ciao Argentina y Brazil

PB and I debated a lot about where to spend our honeymoon and whether we wanted to take it immediately after the wedding or to wait a bit. We were really heavily considering Thailand and Vietnam--places we are both dying to visit (hello? bahn mi!)--but in the end felt that the trip might be a bit too exhausting after the craziness of the wedding. We also played around with the idea of a quick trip to Mexico because what is more relaxing than tequila filled drinks, some wonderful latin music, and perhaps a stay at the awesome boutique hotels in Mexico D.F. But, we felt we had an opportunity for more distant travel....so we ultimately decided on Argentina and Brazil (specifically Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, and Rio de Janeiro). And we are so happy we did. I have returned so inspired by the unique hotels we stayed in, delicious food, and gorgeous natural settings. I can't wait to share a bit more about the trip in the weeks to come!

Also, my ultimate tour guide (the NY Times) just featured a huge guide on South American travel. In case you missed it, here is a guide to Buenos Aires and another to Rio.

Counting Down

I used to feel strange about how much time I invested in planning and thinking every trip I took. But I read this really fascinating article in the NY Times describing how spending money on experiences, like travel, is actually one of the most satisfying ways to spend your money. Turns out all that planning and anticipating your good times and then all the backward looking memories as you reminisce about your experiences brings you a lot more happiness than strappy sandals. So, what the heck...

PB and I were a bit slow to book our Rio hotels, so it looks like we will only be spending part of the time on the beach. While this at first seemed disappointing, it meant we have the opportunity to stay in this fabulous boutique hotel in the hills of Santa Teresa. Being a huge fan of dark wood, white walls, and , I know I'm going to want to emulate parts of this style in my own place.


Gorgeous, right? Do you obsess over planning your trips?

My Favorite Hour

I am easily exciteable. A good radio program, new shoes, a piece of chocolate can all change the course of my mood throughout the day . But among the things I love the most are food, friends, travel and dreamy photography. Which may be why I am so drawn to Brian Ferry's work on The Blue Hour. If you could just throw in a little grizzly bear in the background and actually place me in the photographs (with PB of course) I'd be in heaven. There are lots of pictures of things besides food and friends, but I just love how these pictures make me feel like I've just drank a glass of good wine and am biting into some delicious appetizers and laughing with friends.

Ciao Belli!

Packing for Rome by matrioshkaDC featuring Missoni dresses

For some reason I have been craving all things Italian lately. Maybe it was my vacation from carbohydrates? While I am SO excited about exploring more of South America on my honeymoon, there is a small part of me that was really tempted to push for an Italian vacation. But since a weekend trip is probably not in the budget anytime soon, I thought I'd come up with my perfect wardrobe.

During the daytime, what could be more Italian than a beautiful Missoni dress and this gold chain Marni bag? After buying those two items I would definitely be scouring the sales rack for shoes, and I think these Forever 21 gladiator sandals would match almost perfectly (although who knows how comfortable they'd be).

I would try and dress for Fellini's 8 1/2 for more more dressed up looks. I am so tempted by this DKNY dress that would accentuate my waist. For a more demure look, I would want plenty of A-line skirts and frilly blouses. Maybe I'm being a bit too stereotypical, but I would have to wear red lipstick. And since we're in Italy, maybe I would stop into Miu Miu for that heart tuggingly cute clutch.

Where are you going this weekend?

Packing for Buenos Aires

Packing for Buenos Aires by matrioshkaDC featuring Jeffrey Campbell shoes

Since it will be early Spring in Buenos Aires when we arrive, I'm going to need a significantly different wardrobe from what I will wear in Rio. It seems like the perfect excuse to start planing my fall wardrobe. I picture lots of leather--like these awesome Jeffrey Campbell wedges--lots of pencil skirts and small ladylike bags (this one from Mulberry would be a bit of a splurge). In planning my dream Buenos Aires travelling wardrobe, I would also throw in a few off beat acessories like this American Apparel striped bow or those studded hearts Jeffrey Campbell black heels. But for the ultimate in sophistication I need need need a beautiful red dress like this Vivianne Westsood number, and maybe a cute trench like the above one from Top Shop.

Check out the link to Polyvore for shopping info.

Flowers in my Hair

I've been a bad blogger. I got totally swept up in my own wedding planning, which has included a trip to San Francisco, plus another wedding. So here are just a few highlights from the week.

A trip to the cold and always beautiful Tahoe, and a gorgeous picnic wedding.

Lounging by the pool with PB

A trip to the city for some lingerie (for my own shower, more to come) and beautiful ribbons for the wedding from Britex Fabrics.

Have a wonderful weekend!