Stay Chic in the Heat

The summer of 2020 is memorable for obvious reasons... you know, corona... but it's also the hottest summer in history (since records began). Working from home meant changing my daily routines, adapting to Zoom meetings and dressing up for videocalls. Add to that extremely high temperatures, high humidity... and you'll understand my "struggle" to stay chic in the heat.

After a couple of weeks of working from home I really got into dressing up and (re)found my mojo. Of course it didn't hurt that I love the spring-summer 2020 collections!

Many fashion brands have a Latin vibe this summer, which I absolutely adore!! Ruched shirts and skirts, off-the-shoulder dresses, polka dot patterns, very feminine lines... and of course the collaboration between Colombian fashion designer Johanna Ortiz and H&M... that's what I want to remember the summer of 2020 for.

Happy Anniversary Latina!

Happy 15th anniversary Latina!
Latina is one of my favourite magazines, even though I'm not of hispanic descent.

Now where can you find Eva Mendes, Zoe Saldana, Eva Longoria, Jessica Alba, Jennifer Lopez all together? Exactly, in Latina magazine!

Latina offers latin style recipes, music reviews, fashion, real life reports, latina celebrities, latin lovers...
it's all in there and more. Go and check it out.

This month they're celebrating their 15th anniversary with a special edition, one that you'll definitely wanna keep. As you can see on the cover, it features "15 Latinas We Love" putting the fifteen most influental latin ladies in the spotlight.

I'm sure my male readers will appreciate this as wel....

For more information, please visit: http://www.latina.com/

Latin chic!

Do you love the latin lifestyle as much as I do? Then you should get one of these books, that can show you how to create a latin atmosphere in your livingroom, kitchen & bedroom...!

The colours are so vibrant, the photos so beautiful, the recipes so yummy... Oh... and then those latinas..! Don't they look überchic? (The male models don't look too bad either.)

The first book, Latin Chic by the Venezuelan Carolina Buia and by Cuban-American Isabel González, gives brilliant advice on how to throw a latin style party. What food to cook, which drinks to serve, which flowers to buy and which dress to wear. Simply amazing!

Latin grill is not only a book with mouthwatering recipes, but also a wonderful coffee table book, because of the beautiful photos.

Well and then MaRio De Janeiro by Mario Testino... that might not exactly be suitable for the coffeetable, but is a musthave for fashionistas and photography lovers alike.

Last but not least, Living in Argentina is a great book to dream away & to see how stylish Argentians live.

For more information please visit:

Latin Chic http://www.latinchicstyle.com

Latin Grill http://www.amazon.com/Latin-Grill-Red-Hot-Dinners-Parties/dp/0811866602

MaRio De Janeiro

http://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/photography/all/05732/facts.mario_de_janeiro_testino.htm

Living in Argentina

http://www.amazon.com/Living-Argentina-Taschens-Lifestyle-Cardinale/dp/3836508451

Sergio Mendes at Umbria Jazz

This summer the great Sergio Mendes was performing at the Umbria Jazz festival in Perugia, Italy. His show was actually part of the "Brasilian Night" put together by the artistic director of the festival, 

Mr Carlo Pagnotta. 

Sergio Mendes' lovely wife, Gracinha Leporace, was one of his vocalists. The other two female singers were American, much to my surprise! (They spoke and sang fluent Brazilian Portuguese.) You see them here backstage, preparing for the show. Don't they all look stunning? Wow!

The show was another one to remember, just like the one in 2006, when Italy won the world cup (football). I still get goosebumps when I think of that night... Mr Mendes sure knows how to throw a party!

And Umbria Jazz always creates the perfect atmosphere!

For more information, please visit: http://www.umbriajazz.com

Latin Vibe...

Is it because of the new "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie that came out recently? Or is it because of the new hit series "Off the map", depicting life in a South American village? Or maybe just because -in times of crisis- we all long for the laid back Caribbean lifestyle?

Vivacious colours, beautiful landscapes with palm trees, colourful flowers, exotic beauties, sipping cocktails in old colonial cities, dancing salsa on the beach? Isn't that what we all dream about? Fact is that every magazine worth its money, is covering Central and South America these days.

Vogue USA not only had "Pirates of the Caribbean" star Penélope Cruz on the cover in June 2011, but also included an amazing shoot with model Joan Smalls and Grammy award winner, singer Bruno Mars in Puerto Rico. The shoot called “La Isla Bonita” by photographer Peter Lindbergh (styling by Edward Enninful) is reflecting the Caribbean lifestyle at its best! Really gorgeous photos!!! Which immediately makes you want to buy those sexy summer dresses, a pair of golden hoops as well as a Panama hat....

The May 2011 issue of Condé Nast Traveller on the other hand showed the Colombian city of Cartagena in the spread "Caribbean Queen". A breathtaking shoot by photographer Cathrine Wessel (styling by Mark Connely). The old town of Cartagena de Indias is truly an undiscovered gem and according to Gabriel García Márquez even "The most beautiful in the world" (in Love in the time of Cholera). Oh... and then those clothes. They're actually meant for a tropical fling: "We have some suggestions for a tropical romance - how to dress up, where to step out".

Last but not least, the May-June 2011 issue of Vogue Living Australia shows us yet another Colombian city, Medillìn ("Colombian Revival" by photographers Iwan Baan & David Nicolas). Including a statue by one of Colombia's most famous artists, Botero. If you look really well, you'll also see one in "Caribbean Queen".

All three magazines show us the best the Caribbean & Central America have to offer. And whatever the reason behind it... the Latin Vibe is catching me and the rest of the world!

For more information please visit:
Vogue USA http://www.style.com/
Condé Nast Traveller http://www.cntraveller.com/
Vogue Living Australia
http://www.vogue.com.au/vogue+magazine/vogue+living/

Book on Botero by Taschen: http://www.taschen.com/

Panama hat bought in Italy; golden hoops in The Netherlands.

Sol beach, Scheveningen, The Netherlands

Sol is definitely one of my favourite beachclubs in The Netherlands. It has a Latin American feel to it: multi coloured chairs and tables, mostly latin music (Joao, Bebel, Salsa and latin lounge), cocktails, tapas on the menu, as well as salads, burgers and...... B.B.Q.! You can even get a little b.b.q. on your own table....so you can enjoy some wonderful grilled food, without having the fuss of cleaning up afterwards! Not only for meat and seafood lovers but also suitable for vegetarians. Think corn on the cob, cheese filled mushrooms and nice veggies.
Scheveningen? Some people might say, but it's not loaded with tourists as some of the other beachclubs. This is the real deal!!! Clientele consists of  surfers, young couples & singles (according to a national newspaper a very good pick-up place), families with children, etc. Oh and... staff and customers are refreshingly laid back.
Sol beach: http://www.solbeach.nl/