I was wondering maybe, if I made you my baby...

I have been SO busy it's disgusting.
Got a new job with Nordstrom in Santa Monica...
Got an apartment SERIOUSLY close to said job...
Opening new store TODAY...
Also trying to have a life somewhere in between.

I promise I will get back on my blog game (as soon as I get Internet set up in my place!) but this post is so necessary.

SAM EDELMAN is where it's at. I know, I know, I'm sure you already have SOME idea of what I'm talking about... but really. Look at this:

 

And if that's not enough amazing studded, rugged loving for you, here's the Jeffrey Campbell boot/gladiator/wedge I NEEED

Woe is me.

All photo's belong to SamEdelman.com/JeffreyCampbellShoes.com respectively. 

we do it how we do it

This is my official summer wish-list, brought to you by the ever-famous ever-fabulous NET-A-PORTER

I think I've known about NET-A-PORTER for a reallllly long time.. and honestly never been able to visit it. It is a dark and dangerous place... one that you can stay for hours on end... and one that can severely injure your credit card. SO GOOD though. Now that I've lost my NET-A-virginity, I am addicted.

Hence... WISH LIST
Every magazine has at least 2 or 3 in their June/July issues, and they're fab, but I want to make MINE.
Here it is, NET-A-PORTER-I-LOVE-YOU

My feet will definitely have their revenge in my old age. For me, the higher the better when it comes to shoes, and with the 'season of the platform,' I am in LUCK!

I love studs, I love color, hence, I LOVE these Brian Atwood Loca pumps. Delish.



























Holy hot python. Go Charlotte Olympia, I am at your service.



























Disgusting. (Alexander Wang's fault)



 

Somebody (Herve Leger) knows how to do cutouts! Correctly! Mmmm cocktail hour, here we come.

Yes, Yes YES! Elizabeth and James, you can come to our cocktail party, too.
























Basically this season (past season included I suppose) was MADE for me... platforms, wedges, platform wedges (lush,) military-inspired, studs, studs, some more studs, structured detailing (bandage dresses, corsets, cut outs,) neon surf-inspired accessories, I mean YES PLEASE... don't ever change!
All photos courtesy of the amazing NET-A-PORTER website. All rights reserved.

Baby let me love you down

Local gems I have recently fallen in love with:

*image courtesy of loveandtoast.com all rights reserved

Love & Toast
 
First of all, my initial run-in with this wonderfully marketed brand was not in Colorado, my good 'ol home state, but in Seattle... weird right? 
My best friend and I were shopping around in a wonderful little suburb of Seattle called Fremont (def worth a visit if you can make it!) and stumbled upon two wonderful, tasty, well-designed boutiques... yes this story is going somewhere, I promise.
The boutiques (all about 1/4 of a block away from each other,) were owed by the same wonderfully offensive, brash, and charming man who we got the pleasure of meeting. BTW the boutiques, if you are interested were 
Bliss
Dream
and
Finch & Sparrow

My aforementioned best friend purchased some roll-on perfume at one of the boutiques and both of us, being the nerds we are, were obsessed with the packaging, and how attractive the product was (even without smelling it!) TA-DA! Love&Toast.

I don't recall if we realized this was a local (Denver) production, but I sure did when my hair salon began to carry their hand cremes and lip balms... I put on their Mandarin Tea and was sniffing at my hand for most of the day. Delish. 
With a small amount of internet research, I learned the brain behind the great product and packaging is Margot Elena, whiz-woman behind Lollia and Tokyo Milk, look them up. This girl obviously loves smell, pretty things, and graphic design JUST about as much as I do. Kudos. I did I mention that practically everything is ridiculously affordable?! Cherry on the top of a very enticing sundae.

*image courtesy of loveandtoast.com all rights reserved  

 

Elizabeth's Embellishments

This little gem has been around (very, very, embarrassingly close to where I live) for aahh... maybe seven/eight or so years and I just now discovered it! To tell you the truth, from the outside, it looks like one of those places that would cause me to spontaneously break out into a mixture of hives/headache/heat flashes. It looks like it's frilly, with lace, pink, smelly things that mix until you're nauseated, and more pink. BUT, lo-and-behold... one should not judge even a store by it's cover, because I ADORED it.I visited it on a whim, and I am glad I did (although my bank account might not be as glad.)

They have a lot, and to some, it might be a little much, but if you have hours and a hugeeeeee budget, its perfect! 
I found the most adorable stationary, quirky and original clothing, boutique-style accessories and home goods, great little do-dads and gifts, charming ambiance, and the most adorable selection of 'baby things' I have ever seen. Might be enough to induce labor. Get this baby out and put one of those cute little bear hats with ears and blushing cheeks on it ASAP!
Anyway, if you are in Lafayette or you are a savvy online shopper check it out, although I admit the website definitely does not do the whole place justice.

*final image courtesy of elizabethsembellishments.com all rights reserved

Bring 'em to me

Gosh I've been working SO much!!
So it's been interesting to work with an 'older' crowd, no offense ladies! and I have noticed some challenges in helping them put together outfits that are hip/up-to-date/age appropriate/flattering etc...
I realized us young'ns have it easy! Firm upper arms, can look at least moderately attractive in almost all colors...
Anyway my question to you, fellow fashion bloggers and readers is, what is the greatest mistake women of a 'certain age' make when trying to dress simultaneous their age and in style?
And side note: is it a worse if you 'know what works for you' and stick with that and only that, or if you take fashion risks and sometimes end up looking like you're trying too hard/are too old/aren't doing yourself any favors?
I have my pointed opinions, of course, but I want yours.

I want it all, that's why I strive for it

First of all...
I am the worst blogger ever...
And if there was any excuse for my absence on the blog scene it would be that I am now profitably (to an extent) employed and seriously busy/lazy/not prioritizing correctly.

Yes I am now employed in retail (woo!)
Also, since I have a job, I can buy magazines and feel less guilty about it...
So here comes the reason for my hasty and visually bland post:

I was sitting here, technically 'on the clock' nannying, enjoying the newest issue of InStyle, drooling profusely, and dog-tagging pages like a maniac, when I decided that I should visit said dog-tagged websites.
TA-DA!
Low-and-behold, my own magazine-addict, fashion-whoring, page-ripping nirvana.
No joke.

Scope out www.maghound.com it's like crack, only cheaper, and not as detrimental to the health of the masses.
Their selection is not amazing but it will do (and it definitely favors those of us fashion minded folk.)

Thank me later when you are spending $11 per month to get 7 killer fashion/lifestyle mags delivered directly to your mailbox, and you can no longer afford to pay for them because you become so distracted by their  brilliance, you no longer make it to work, or for that matter leave your house. Actually, now that I reflect on that possibility, maybe forget I told you all about it.
More tidbits soon, se prometo.

Tonight, I'mma let you do your thang

I know, I know I'm a little late
BUT
BIFF (The Boulder International Film Festival) is going on today and tomorrow (with tomorrow as the last day.) Don't feel bad if you missed out this year, I only recently jumped on the bandwagon.
BIFF is pretty sweet, and it's becoming widely recognized as a hip and edgy film festival (go CO) check it out at their website.

Also, they need millions (okay maybe a few hundred) volunteers to make the festival run smoothly, so if you put this in your calendar for next year, you can be a part of the whole shebang and get a cute BIFF t-shirt, bonus!


Image source: BIFF

The next blip on my radar is something the wonderful Fashion Denver is sponsoring, the 2nd Annual DiverCity Fashion Show: Mile High City Glamour.
It's being held at The Church on February 18th and sounds like it has the potential to be pretty badass. I will be there with bells *and my camera* on.
 Check out Fashion Denver's website for more info... also you will be in the loop if you sign up for their newsletter: they're a part of a lot of local fashiony events (duh.)


Image source: Fashion Denver

And last but certainly not least, um.... who knew that Aspen had a fashion week?
I know it's no New York Fashion Week... but pretty exciting still!
This little diddy doesn't take place until March so you have time to fully update your Apres ski-wear and head up the mountain to mingle with... well whoever else knows about Aspen Fashion Week.
Soooo just a heads up, their website makes me want to pull my freshly-highlighted hair out, but hey, they can't do it all...


Image source: Aspen Fashion Week

I will hide you in my walls

So I accidentally stumbled upon* quite a gem.
I can honestly say that I have no recollection at all of how I found this website, although I have some brief fleeting images of the incident.
I know I was looking at some type of pictures, and in the bottom corner (I might have made that part up) Dripbook was cited as their source. I was like... pfff wtf is Dripbook?! Like Facebook but for.... Yeah I had no idea, but with one cool/inspiring/nicely shot image after the other citing it as their source, I thought I should explore it.
And here we are.

Dripbook calls itself a promotional tool for creative visual artists. Basically, it's an easy, organized, fast way to create an online portfolio. Even better yet, you can export these visual portfolios to other places  like Facebook, your iPhone, wherever. There are other features such as the ability to export a custom website with your portfolio, instant-updates, an organization that makes it easy to find what you're looking for, and the ability to contact any creative ingenue without even having a Dripbook account.

What's the catch? It costs money (insert collective groan.)
But... Not a lot of money, anywhere between $10-39 per month depending on membership... And there's a 30 day free trial.

Lucky for you and me, it is entirely free to explore, so if you go to Dripbook.com and something tickles your fancy, you can click, and TaDa! there you have their clean, organized, easy to view, portfolio and deets! Amazing. So good. You can also browse by genre, books versus creatives, or tags.

Photo Source: All photos from Dripbook.com

 So fab.
Who's ready for Fashion Week?!
XoXo






*Not to be confused with literally 'stumbling upon,' aka using StumbleUpon's browser toolbar, which is also a PHENOMENAL way to find new cool things.

With the moon I run, far from the carnage of the firey sun

I just died a little bit inside.
(In a good way, if that's possible)

As you may (or may not) know, Paris' Haute Couture Week is going on right now, ending tomorrow, Thursday the 28th.
For those of you who are more or less fashion-lingo challenged... 


couture:
 (noun)

1.	the occupation of a couturier; dressmaking and designing.

2.	fashion designers or couturiers collectively.

3.	the clothes and related articles designed by such designers.

4.	the business establishments of such designers, esp. where clothes are made to order.

Definition from dictionary.com


Although the average fashionista might know this much about couture, it doesn't really outline the specifics (like how to obtain the couture title.) Thankfully, we have the wonderful, ever-knowledgeable staff at Fashionista to clear things up.
The article Couture: A Lesson explains the process behind becoming a couturier (and being able to design couture,) as well as shows the in-depth description of Chanel's Couture line that walked yesterday.

Upon reading the runway details of Karl Lagerfeld's show,  I was entranced. It sounded like an amazing line, but of course, descriptions can decieve, so I delved deeper into the endless media hole that is the Word Wide Web...

And found this gem:
Paris Haute Couture: Chanel Spring/Summer 2010 Collection


I could definitely do without some teen blogger's hair woes, and Kanye's over-rated model GF (I'm pretty sure I don't need to mention anything about her attire), but then it gets good when the wonderful UK Telegraph shows us some video clips from Karl's sparkly silver show.
The article that accompanies the video describes the shock and awe (finally) at Chanel's choices: no LBD, shorts as part of a suit, lack of gold/chain accents... OMG could Chanel be updating their look to keep up with the times? Even with their Couture line? Sacré bleu!

Image Sources: (L-R) all from Dailymail. Copright Reuters, AFP/Getty Images, AFP/Getty Images.

 

I, for one, applaud Karl for the 'neon-baroque' collection. My favorite things were the hair, tulle as an accent and accessory, and the obviously genius mix of baroque/futuristic elements without that tacky, been-there-done-that kind of look.

Love it. As if you couldn't tell...

Walk, walk, fashion baby

What a marvelous Colorado weekend...

Mine started off with quite a bang at the Fashion Denver Open House on Friday night.
First of all, Fashion Denver is doing amazing things for Colorado designers and for the 'industry' as a whole, if you haven't checked out their website/store/facebook page yet, then you need to.
The new space is fabulous, very spacious, nicely decorated, and an overall visual joy. I don't know much about the previous store, but it must be quite the victory to be growing out of a smaller venue and into this one.

There were a fair number of the FD designers attending the event, which was nice, attendees were able to mingle with the designers, talk fashion, maybe even buy something.
As promised, Rebelle by Tootsies Hair Salon and Tootsies Nail Shoppe were there touching up make up, dolling out men's quick shaves, painting nails, and of course enjoying the party as much as the rest of us. And finally, if you got there early enough to be able to walk to the back of the shop, Hypnotiq had some of their girls bartending and passing out Hypno gift bags.
The event was very well attended, lively, fun (I loved the min-mock-Parisian-fashion shows,) and made me want to be a part of practically everything Fashion Denver has to offer.

You can check their website out for more information or just go visit them at 1070 Bannock Street.

Cheers! Happy Monday!

All images: Copyright Brianna Maya Charles

 

Girl Save Your Soul

I know all of you are sitting around just waiting for the weekend to begin... it is Wednesday after all.
So
I have some suggestions for you.





Friday, January 22nd, 2010
5-9pm

To kick your weekend off right, the wonderful Fashion Denver is celebrating their new digs with a free, open to the public open house. It should be a good time had by all with their new designers being showcased, a trunk show, fashion shows, mini-manis, updos and other delish stylish events.

Image source: Fashion Denver

  

Saturday/Sunday, January 23/24th, 2010

All day (3:00pm on weekends: free guided tour of Embrace!)

The Denver Art Museum has a seriously cool exhibit going on called Embrace! It's very cool, with artist's work all over the walls, dripping from the ceilings, and inhabiting crawl-like-spaces. The other exhibit that I really loved (which I don't remember loving as much the last time I visited the DAM) was the permanent Modern & Contemporary Art. Loved it, so luxe, check it out.

Image source: Denver Art Museum

That's all for now, have a great weekend, and look forward to some rockin' pics very, very soon.

XoXo

 ZJG3863N7UCS

Follow my blog with bloglovin

My heart be beating over

Warning: this is a seriously addictive website.

If you have any deadlines at work, house cleaning to do, parties or meetings to attend in the next 4-6 hours, I would suggest postponing a visit to this site on a later date.
Say a nice, calm, Sunday evening or something...

With that being said...
If you love fashion, have ever considered styling, used to adore paper dolls, have a speedy internet connection, and as aforementioned, have a vast amount of free time on your hands, then surf on, fashionistas:

Looklet

You have to have a (free) account in order to save outfits, rate others, or enter styling contests, but you can look and play all you want sans sign-up. Looklet has been growing and improving continuiously since May 2009 when I began using it. They add clothing nearly every day, models ever so often, and have styling contests (with prizes!) at least once a month. It's delish.

If you fall in love with a piece you're using on your little digital model, you can either go directly to the site of the designer via link or can use Looket's provided information to Google it. Ingenious.

The only downsides are homogeneous body types, digital flaws (with fit or with placement,) and their failure to delve into the male side of things.

My creative, ever-whirring mind has created a mental list of ways they could improve, but you know, as usual, they didn't ask me. AND they're pretty damn awesome so far, so rock on.

If you want some inspiration and a little glimpse into my 'lookbook,' then here I am.

And for your viewing pleasure, a few recent looks from my site:

Image Source: Looklet.com/Breezy3

Tryin' on all our clothes, boys blowin' up our phones

First thing's first.
I am borderline cheap. Some might call it savvy, maybe I'm just a bargain hunter, all I know is paying full price does not come naturally to me, and in this day in age, the 'skills' I have aquired come in handy.
Now.
Here are a few sites that I try to hit daily, looking for awesome deals, inspiration, or just plain lust. Most of you have probably heard of Gilt Group, and the other sites I post are similar in theory (high-end lines of clothing, bags, shoes, and sometimes other goods are posted for a limited amount of time at a discounted price.)
All of the links provided (via site name or picture) are FREE invitation links! You can join any and all of them, but hurry, there are some good sales going on right now  and when they run out of merch, you're out of luck.

Gilt Group/Gilt Fuse 
My first taste of online, discount luxury. Gilt is growing, it now includes Gilt Group, Gilt Fuse, Gilt Man and Jetsetter. I, for one, love Gilt Fuse for their cheaper, edgier choices, but always sneak a look at the original Gilt Group as well. Their upcoming sales are posted near the bottom of the website, with a link enabling you to add sales to your personal calendar. Bomb.

*Upcoming Lustworthy Sale*
 Stella McCartney (1/19 starting 10am MST)
Image source: Gilt Group

Rue La La
Very well organized, they have their sale calendar on the right hand side along with a way for you to email yourself a reminder of any upcoming sale. All boutiques open 11am ET, so rise and shine!

*Upcoming Lustworthy Sale*
L.A.M.B. Shoes (1/19 at 11am ET)
Image source: Ruelala

HauteLook
This site probably provides the most sales, as well as the most broad in terms of brand, price, department, etc. It's a hit or miss really, but it's totally worth checking out. Right now they have a Romeo and Juliet Couture sale going on, drool...

*Upcoming Lustworthy Sale*
BCBGMAXAZRIA clothing (1/19 at 8am PT)
Image source: HauteLook

Beyond the Rack
This site tends to have more demin, urban brands, and handbag designers. On the other hand, if those aren't your thing, don't cross it off your list just yet, it has a lot of other sales to offer as well.

*Upcoming Lustworthy Sale*
J Brand [my fave!] (1/20 at 11am ET)
Image source: Beyond the Rack

Let me know what you think, and I know there are other sites like this out there, hit me up if there are some amazing ones I'm not aware of!

Fashion, put it all on me

Well

This is the 'official' big announcement- from this day forward Caos y Belleza will be a... dun dun dun... FASHION blog. That's right ladies and gentlemen.

I am very grateful to everyone who followed my adventures in the wonderful Buenos Aires, and now I will venture into another sphere of the world(wide web, that is.)

This will be a mix of great online deals on fashion, what other amazing bloggers have their well-trained eyes on, what's to come, what's fleeting season to season, the hottest trends and designs, street fashion, wonderful photography and frankly, anything that catches my Magpie-like eye.

All images I use (unless I mark them as otherwise) are not mine, they are copy-written, and I will do my best to share their copyrights, as well as the site that I scooped them off of. If I use my own work, which I hope to do, I would love it if whoever pulls my pictures off the blog will offer the same courtesy to me.


Enjoy, my fellow fashionistas!

Last Day

Well...
Today is my last day in Buenos Aires and I think we (madre and I) will be going out with a shopping 'bang!'
Thank you all so much for your support and uplifting comments through this adventure of mine.
I have not yet decided whether or not to morph this blog into a fashion/style/moda blog but if you want a preview of what looks and styling things I've been working on you can check out my Looklet site HERE.
Again, check back, I may be posting some yummy news on here soon!

XoXo Besos from Buenos Aires for the last time (at least for a while)

Breezy

Adventures in the Andes

Oh traveling.
My mother and I left bustling Buenos Aires on last Thursday night for what we thought was the small, intimate, maybe a bit colonial and antique town of Mendoza, in Eastern Argentina. When we arrived on Friday morning, after around 14 hours of mediocre sleep via plush, reclining bus seats, we stood corrected. It's not that Mendoza was grimy, busy, and metropolitan, but it wasn't anywhere near quaint, either. Nevertheless, we stumbled into our nice little hostel near Plaza Chile and a Carrefour grocery (more like a South American Walmart we soon came to find out) bright and early, eager to get into the Andes as soon as possible.
Day one: we decided to take it easy, strolling the cobbly (my new word) streets, sniffing out art museums, sitting in plazas, gawking at the excessive military/police presence, and eating surprisingly decent food. We also set up quite the adventure the next day through our flighty and somewhat distracted front deskman, Max. We were all geared up to go into the mountains for a day of trekking, repelling and ziplining.
Day two: our transportation was supposed to show up and scoop us into their van anywhere between 8:30-9:30 AM. By 9:40 we had been informed that they had somehow 'forgotten' our pickup and were too far out to come back for us! How dare they, said my mother, don't they know how cute we are? Obviously not. After an attempted rush (well, my mom and I were rushing, our decrepit cabdriver was doing everything but) to the bus station to catch an Andes-bound public bus, we returned dejected to our hostel. We were forced to explore the city to new depths, and would not be obtaining our adrenaline rush any time soon.
Day three: the skies were grey and threatening rain as we pilled into our transport van to the hotsprings/spa which is of course, mostly outdoors. They were beautiful hot springs, different pools, indoor and out, some trickling down the hill side to a larger pool near the river. We also indulged in massages, which were really, very good, especially considering they were only 30 minutes long.
Day four: Wooo! Adrenaline! We did ziplines all day in the mountains, mountain top to mountain top, across a big, muddy river, back across even higher... it was pretty cool.
And now, we are safe and sound back in Buenos Aires, leaving in the morning for Punta del Este, Uruguay, resort town to the rich and famous of Buenos Aires and surrounding areas! Beach beach beach. We cannot wait.

Bones

The chilly rain-air nips my ankles
     My ratty sweater is no down comforter


It is not enough to block Mother Nature's breath
     from tickling and stinging my skin
The rain is too light
     Not the pounding, streaming kind
     that can lull you to sleep
But leaky-faucet-rain
Unpredictable
Drip, drip..... drip drip
     Making you strain, listen


My sweater is no down comforter 


Mother Nature wins tonight
     I will sit here, awake with her
Until the peach light of dawn spills over me
Warming my exposed parts
     like an apology

Ah! The end is near!

How is it possible that I have been here for ten weeks already?
I guess, as my enlightened father would say, "Time flies when you're having fun!"
Anyway here's a timeline of the adventures to come:
An hour ago: I know that this is not in the 'to come' category of time but I thought I would share with you my proclaimed 'last dreaded trip to the grocery store!' It was short and sweet, I did not go down every aisle like I enjoy doing, I was on a mission. Two heavy bags of fruit, medialunas (sweet croissants,) some peanuts, and a declined credit card later, I was out of there.
10:15 tonight: Yes, yes it is hype, yes it is badly done, but yes, we are still going in a large group to see New Moon. If you don't know what that is, consider yourself lucky.
Tuesday November 24th: My final day at the (usually dreaded) internship! Funny actually, this last week they magically found this huge project for me to do that would have most likely taken me the entire stay to finish. But they just 'realized' it needed to be done. Anyway I will be working on that on Monday (there is a goodbye party for 3 of us hardworking interns that are leaving) and Tuesday, and then, bon voyage! And a glittering letter of recommendation, too, por favor.
Tuesday December 1st: My beautiful mother will be joining me here in the city! WooHoo, we can hardly wait!
Thursday December 3rd: My madre and I will be leaving for an extended adventure in the beautiful and mountainous city of Mendoza Argentina, on the eastern side of the country, near Chile.
Wednesday December 9th: After a very, very quick BA turnaround, we will be heading to the infamous resort town for BA's elite, Punta Del Este in Uruguay. We will be sure to let you know how our tans are progressing.
Tuesday December 15th: Fly home!
Although this will most likely not be my last blog post, it will be one of the few. I want to take a minute to thank everyone for following my adventures, posting positive comments, and supporting me and my wanderlust.
I'm not quite sure yet what will come of this blog... but I have tentative plans, tentative, I tell you, to begin a fashion blog. I have been an internet hitchhiker as of late, and have been falling in love with many fashion blogs (most of which you can find on my profile, under which blogs I follow.) I am considering a blog that combines couture runway trends, street trendspotting, and styling. We'll see. It would probably take a lot of time and energy to be any good (as do most things.)
XoXo
Besos,
Breezy

Some Would Call This Heaven

Wipe the drool from off your face... these are my new, and my only Argentine goodies.
The bags (cross body in forest, fringed clutch in deep purple) are from a small, independent design company Luria here in BA that I fell in love with on my aforementioned graffiti tour. When we stopped in on the tour, we had mere seconds to touch and lust over the oversized, studded bags in this closet-sized boutique. I am not one to make any rash (expensive) decisions, so even though I was enamored with every single purse I touched, I vowed to take her postcard and eventually return to allow proper perusing time.
Yesterday I hassled a few roomies and got a nice little entourage to accompany me on an hour long trek to and through Palermo. On our way we checked out BASOHO Rooms, a little B&B that my mother and I will be staying at near the end of our trip.
Anyway, on to the fashion. All three of us bought bags! The owner (who was 1/2 of the local design team) couldn't have been happier, especially since each of us bought at least one thing from her winter/fall clearance line.
I don't want to boast, but I will- I got BOTH fabulous leather (I know, I'm a horrible vegetarian/quasi vegan) bags for only $70US!! It is the first time I really appreciated how much cheaper luxury (local that is) good are here in Argentina than they would be in the States.
The other little trinkets smattered in my photo are from various small kiosks, the San Telmo market, and boutiques near MicroCentro.
I have been allowing myself to drool endlessly over the fall/winter trends online, promising myself I will save my hard-earned and saved money for the holidays and for discounted US retailers. As I have mentioned previously, yes things here might be 'cheaper' with the 3.8 peso to dollar ratio, but they are not 'cheap' in a way that allows me to shop freely, buy in bulk, go loco, as I may want to.
I find myself scoffing at $849 peso leather bomber jackets, thinking, pfff, I could totally beat this price at the Rack (Nordstrom's that is.) Or think about some cute studded gladiator sandals until I encounter the $167 peso price-tag and realize that, you know what Argentina, you've got NOTHING TJ Maxx.
Maybe I'm being a snob, maybe I'm being financially savvy, but to all you US discount stores, malls, and outlets, you better watch out because I will be back in full force in a little over a month. Guard your loins.
Besos,
Breezy

PS I have added a few photos to my 'nights out' album on Picasa, check me out.

The week of FOOD

This week has been an absolute flurry of activity.
We've had a ton (maybe around 10 or so) people move out, either to return home, or move into an apartment or homestay.
On top of that activity, we have had such an intense week of food!
On Tuesday we had an empanada party, which, I mean how could that not be amazing?!
We have a brand new toaster oven (a huge one) that we used to bake our lil emps and one of our housekeepers brought a special stovetop oven (since our oven does not work/is too scary for anyone to light by hand.)
We bought pre-made empanada shells which are dime a dozen here and then prepared carne, steak, pollo, onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, red and green peppers, cheese, garlic, basil, potato, pesto and other goodies in little bowls for do-it-yourself empanda making. It was fab. And when everyone was stuffed to the brim, ta-da! we made dessert empanadas. Although these are not technically traditional, we still wanted to try it out. We got canned peaches, carmelized/cinnamon baked apples, dark chocolate, and marmalade. Topped with ice cream, these little puppies were nervana.
After recovering from that feast, we dove into yet another one, an asado (traditional Argentine barbeque) the next night, Wednesday. Although I obviously did not partake in much of the asado eating, it was still a fun, family style eating and drinking fest on out terrace. The hosts bought $600 PESOS worth of meat, that is a LOT here, usually asados are like $100-200 max. They went all out. Lots of bloody meat. Yum.
THEN, last night, Thursday, we had our monthly welcome dinner. The welcome dinner is imfamous! Our placement company, Road2Argentina brings in these caterers that specialize in thin crust amazing stone grilled pizza. They make a ton of pizzas throughout the night and just circle around, passing little squares out to each open hand. Needless to say, it is very easy to become overstuffed (in the best way possible.) My favorite of the pizzas is the Neopolitana (may have botched that spelling) but it is a mozzerla pizza with sauce and fresh tomatoes. Yum.
Tonight, who knows? We're fighting between Indian and Mexican. I may try a water-only diet next week for recover! Haha, yeah right, that would not fly here.
Besos,
XoXo Breezy