Nothing Good or Bad Lasts Forever

My last Peru post.  I can’t believe it’s almost been a month since I returned.  The excitement hasn’t died down, but I definitely know that I’m back in LA.

More good stuff from Hiran Correa’s workshop.  I’m way into those keys.

You see little houses/shops like this all over Barranco.  I thought this one was so charming. It’s slightly run down but that little tree adds some love.

Fruit stand on a bicycle.  I’m bringing it to the states.

We went to the Pedro de Osma Museum and took a tour.  It was fascinating – you can read all about the history of the museum here.  This bench was outside – I felt really important sitting on it, like I was untouchable.  Kind of like a queen.

We kept passing by this house in Ali’s neighborhood and I couldn’t help but think of Hansel and Gretel each time we drove by.

Our appetizer at Rafael, the most divine restaurant in Lima.  Those are shrimp you see.  I scooped the shrimp out of the shell and dipped it in that lemon cream sauce.  Splendid.

My entree’ consisted of lobster mixed with a type of lettuce, mango, red peppers and a few other tasty treats, all sitting in a foam-y truffle oil.  It was so decadent and I believe the words that came out of mouth went something like “This is the best thing I have ever eaten in my life.”  

Bright lights big city.

Roadside wonders.

Another glorious fruit stand.

I bought this poncho in Lima.  I am in love with it.  It’s all handmade and fits really short on me.  I’ve worn it once with charcoal harem pants and some bright purple and mustard yellow tango shoes that I bought in Buenos Aires a few years ago.  It’s definitely a statement piece so I have to be careful with accessories – the ethnic look can be overpowering if I’m not careful.  Long gold necklaces work well!

A close-up.

I also left Lima with this work of art.  I about died when I saw this in a little shop in Barranco.  It is all handmade from vintage silk.  The embroidery and the beading is exquisite.  I LOVE the baby pink tassels at the bottom.  And the shape?  Insane perfection.

I took these at night in my bedroom so I apologize for the lack of true color.  But here it is, up close and personal.

Look at the details on the sleeve!

The End.

Summer Obsession

Phoenix has been one of my favorite bands for some time now.  They make music that makes you daydream and want to dance.  It’s the stuff memories are made of. I’m obsessed with their new album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.  I can already tell that it’s going to be the soundtrack to my awesome summer that is quickly approaching.  This is their video for their single “Listztomania” – listen and love.

Peru Part III

Ali and I went to Jorge’ and Tomas’s beach house and it was unlike anything I had ever seen before.  Jorge’ and Tomas are friends of the Correa family and they are so much fun to be around.  They were also very hospitable which made it difficult to leave this beautiful place!

What?  I know.  Insanity.  This was the outdoor seating area that was built like Rome.  I didn’t get to experience the fire that shoots out the top of the columns at night.  Apparently I’ll have to visit again during the summer to see it happen.  But isn’t this amazing?  To the left is…

An infinity pool that drips into the ocean.  Those stairs that you see take you to the beach.

Another hang out spot with an outdoor fireplace.

There were single roses sitting in vases all over the place.  Candles were lit at night and I remember thinking “this is what life is all about.”  Seriously the most epic setting to be in – outdoors by the ocean with endless wine and great conversation.

A view from the top.

This is the view from the grassy hill.  Both of those spots belong to Jorge’ and Tomas.  We slept on the second floor in a room filled with amazing antiques.  I wish I would have taken pics!  Jorge’ and Tomas own an antiques shop in Lima.

I love this photo.

Back in Lima.  There are a lot of old bad-ass cars that are in perfect condition.  I was really into this one.

I meant to post this along with the photos of Hiran Correa’s warehouse, since it was taken there.  This is the front door and that’s me saying hello.  I’m not really into posting photos of myself on my blog because, you know, that’s how I roll.

Graffiti on a building in the neighborhood of Barranco.  Barranco is awesome.  I didn’t really explore the hood the first time I went to Peru.  But this is where I would live if Peru became my home.  It’s like Silverlake or Echo Park in LA, but not as gentrified.

Don’t even get me started on this ice cream.  D’anafria makes some bon bons that will freak you out.  These D’anafria bicycles blow any ice cream truck away.  Ali and I devoured some bon bons before heading inside to Dedalo – my favorite store in Lima, also located in Barranco.

As I mentioned in an earlier Peru post, Dedalo is like a museum but everything is available for purchase.  There are different rooms dedicated to different designers and their craft, and there are hallways filled with cool textiles and handmade greeting cards, photo albums, diaries, and tons of knick knacks.  There is also an outdoor cafe’ and a little garden area.  I could seriously spend all day here.

You can even buy plants at Dedalo.

I was obsessed with these and wanted to take them home but they weren’t available for sale.  I found out that they were purchased in Guatemala.  Luckily for me, I have an aunt that lives in Guatemala.  I am going to see if she can find them for me! Fingers crossed.  More Peru to come….

Peru Part II

And so the adventure continued….

The Correa family has mad skills.  Ali’s dad, Hiran Correa, designs and makes furniture out of an outdoor warehouse.  This is a photo of two of his workers doing some serious wood carving.  This was my second time to visit Hiran’s workshop and once again I was blown away. 

This is the real deal.  No Pottery Barn, Ethan Allen mass produced stuff.

Look at these chairs Hiran found!  

An old tub.  Isn’t it perfect?

Depressing.

Ali and I were obsessed with this rug.  The colors were super vibrant but you can’t tell because I couldn’t use a flash inside the store.  Dedalo is a store in Barranco that you could spend all day in.  More pics to come on Dedalo, but should you go, take A LOT of cash.  It’s like a museum only everything is available for purchase and pretty much everything will have you freaking out.  Bill Clinton just purchased one of Meche’s bags for Chelsea at Dedalo.  Even Bill knows what’s up.

This is Meche having some coffee at a museum cafe’ in Barranco.  She’s so glamorous, isn’t she?!

HEartwork at the museum cafe’.

How fun would it be to hop on one of these and cruise all over town?

I’m Back: Peru Part I

I haven’t felt like blogging much lately.  I sometimes go through these phases where I’m not feeling that inspired to write about anything.  It used to bother me but I’ve learned to accept it and I’m certain I’m not the only one that has uninspired feelings.  Am I right?!  Anyway, I’ve just returned from my 2nd trip to Peru.  Ali, one of the greatest, lives part time in Lima (she is Peruvian) and travels back and forth to visit her family.  I always have an amazing visit and come back with tales of adventure and A LOT of stuff purchased from the markets and cool little shops.  I feel so lucky that I have locals showing me around – I get to experience Peru like no one else!   I could seriously write a mini travel guide on where to go, where to eat, secret shopping spots, etc.   I have yet to visit Macchu Picchu, but the 3rd time is a charm, right?  My husband couldn’t come along on this trip so there was no way I was going to visit one of the seven wonders of the world without him.  Here, a little diary from Peru.  More to come…

A faux llama at the market.

This is Ali, one my oldest and dearest friends.  It’s more like Ali Bone and  Jo Thuggy (me) – we used to sing a lot of Bone Thugs & Harmony back in the day.  This was taken at Peru Moda, a trade show in Lima that her mom, Meche Correa kept a booth at. Meche designs stunning jewelry, bags, and clothing.  These are some of her baubles.  Amazing, right?  I felt so lucky to have been there during an important time for Meche – she had a fashion show on the last day of Peru Moda and she blew everyone away.  She’s big time in Peru – if you haven’t heard of her yet, WATCH OUT.

This is a look from the Meche Correa fashion show.  The volume of this dress is crazy in person.  I was in love with the hat – it was like a little spider.  And the wrap was all handmade – the details are ridiculous up close.

Just hanging out at the convenience store.  I love all the packaging of snacks.

Ali’s aunt owns this restaurant, El Senorio del Sulco.  I don’t even know what to say.  First of all, Peruvian food is the absolute best, in my opinion.  The ceviche is top notch, known as the best in the world, actually.  It’s made with corn, with kernels the size of the nail bed of my thumb.  You will not find better ceviche anywhere in the world, I guarantee it.  El Senorio serves up a huge fancy buffet of the most rich, fine tasting seafood, meats, vegetables, Peruvian sushi, and ceviche.  I even saw a whole pig, which really grossed me out.  I sampled 6 different desserts, too.  I didn’t take photos of the food, but I did take a photo of the ceiling which I fell in love with.  Spices and dried flowers hung upside down – I want to create this in my home someday.

I loved these ceramic dolls sitting atop the piano at El Senorio del Sulco.

Awesome masks hanging on the walls of El Senorio del Sulco.

The houses in the neighborhood of Miraflores, near the beach, are covered in bright colors and seem to always have interesting doors.  This was one of my favorites.

Bad news right here.  Pisco (Peruvian liquor that is waaay strong) and gingerale.  Two of these and I was smashed.  I had the worst hangover the day after and I was completely out of commission.  We drank these at Juanito’s – the oldest bar in the Barranco, a bohemian neighborhood filled with awesome houses, cool shops and restaurants, and drunk people like us.  The hangover was worth it.

Dusty bottles at Juanito’s.

When the bar shuts down, so does the gate.  You then have to make your exit out of this tiny door like you see Ali doing.  Btw, that’s one of Ali’s tote bags.  It’s cute, it’s sturdy, it holds everything, it’s ‘green’, and it can be purchased here.

A view from the top of Ali’s hi-rise.