dining out in Cusco {Peru}. last weekend's trip

I believe that one of the most important things when planning a trip is where to eat???

I usually check out the restaurants and make reservations before traveling to a new city, but that is not a problem in Peru! The food is wonderful everywhere. It is the true Latin American soul food.

Living in a landlocked country, I was hoping to eat lots of fish and I was not disappointed. The fish and shrimp ceviches were as good as in Lima where there is a "cevicheria" in almost every corner.

The "chupe de camarones" {shrimp chowder} is one of my favorite dishes. It is a meal in itself. A nice and cozy mixture of seafood and vegetables in a spicy creamy broth.

Cusco is located at 3,400 meters above sea level, so after each meal I had to have a cup or two of "mate de coca" {coca leaf tea} to fight the altitude sickness.

on the street {la paz, bolivia}

I spent part of yesterday's afternoon in La Paz. It was a bit late but the light cooperated for a few minutes so I could take some photos of women on the street.

nairobi exhibition

Even from a distance I enjoyed the exhibition my first collection for women in Kenya. It took place at Zen Garden, one of Nairobi's nicest venues.

After more than 5 months designing, cutting, knitting and putting the final details the collection came together and shipped to Kenya from Bolivia just in time for the beginning of the summer.

Thanks to all who came!!! More soon...

weekend bits

We had a busy weekend. Daniela danced at the theater on Saturday and Sunday night... but the function at home started since early afternoon with makeup and lots of bobby pins to keep her chignon in place. I must confess I struggled to make it nicely and was very afraid that after her first dance it would fall apart. Luckily it did not and she looked radiant throughout the whole performance. I had to borrow from one of the other mothers red lipstick and black eyeliner to finish her makeup because I do not have any of those things in my makeup bag. Truth is my makeup bag consists of two or three basic things that I throw away unused every year because I don't use them. Even Daniela felt relieved when she washed her face after we came home from the theater.

Saturday I attended my photography workshop with very frustrating results at the beginning trying to learn how to adjust the camera to the different apertures and shutter speeds my teacher requested...

In between all that we also had time to enjoy homemade waffles with maple syrup.

blanc & bleu

If you are in Nairobi next week, please come to my "blanc & bleu" exhibition of clothing and accessories. It will take place on Tuesday November 24 at Zen Garden in Lower Kabete Road. From 9am to 6pm. Hope to see you there! It will feature all my women's wear and accessories collection for Spring-Summer 2009/10.

taupe dress {with necklace}

This sweet dress is made with a blend of cotton and silk, and the crochet flower necklace is the perfect accessory. I thought of one for myself in a bigger size when I made the pattern for this dress.

les petits gâteaux

I could not resist to crochet these small cakes. They are featured in a Japanese crochet book I got on my last visit to Kinokuniya bookstore in New York.

They are decorated with blueberries, cherries, raspberries and chocolate shavings.

birthday party {highlights}

This past Saturday we celebrated Sebastian's 6th. birthday. The kids had lots of fun with the elephant piñata I made for the occasion. Most of them had never seen a Mexican style piñata and a stick to beat it open and let the candy out.

Sebastian blew his candles and handed out the gum paste animals to his friends... he kept the lion for himself. I could not have made this cake without the valuable help of my dear friend Ana Karina to whom I called many, many times last week to get her advice and step by step instructions. Thank you so much for your help!

the rehearsal

Next week Daniela will dance at the theater for the first time. She has been attending ballet classes for two years and now the time has come to show everything she has learned.

Yesterday they had their first dress rehearsal before the big day. Lots of tulle, sequins, shiny lame fabric and excitement.

Happy weekend!

the cake

My boy's birthday party is next Saturday. This year he asked for an animal theme party... again. He even wanted me to make exactly the same gum paste animals as last year. I want to please him, but I also think it will be boring to have the same thing so I varied the theme a bit and changed the shape of the elephants and will make an elephant birthday party instead of an African safari.

Giraffes, zebras and the king of the jungle are also invited to the party.

here comes the rain

Yes, it is finally here!! Today the rain was real. For the last several months it hadn't rain at all which is unusual in these months. So when it finally rained today I found it very emotional.

The rain reminds me of my childhood days in Costa Rica and the wet muddy months in Kenya.

Everything is brown and wet, even our dog Russell.

On our way to school early this morning I asked my kids if they were happy it was finally raining and they both answer with a definite NO... seems I am the only one enjoying the umbrella and wellies.

holiday display {at vivi bambini}

Alasandra from Vivi Bambini shared these photos of her wonderful shop with me. They feature her holiday display of Fournier Fall-Winter 2009-10 dresses.

Silk shantung in crimson red, sage green, ivory, taupe and baby pink for the little girls to wear over the holidays. Some of the dresses are hand embroidered on the skirt with flower motifs. Baby alpaca and bamboo sweaters and boleros to match the dresses and keep them warm.

Vivi Bambini is located at 11 Sheridan Avenue. Ho-ho-kus, New Jersey.

j'adore {flower necklace}

These are my latest crochet necklaces. I made them for my daughter Daniela who loves to wear them with any outfit. I made baby alpaca flowers and joined them with pima cotton double crochet chains. I'll borrow them from Daniela sometimes...

weekend baking {berry galette}

I've had Julia Child's "Baking with Julia" for almost twelve years and have tried almost every recipe in the book. This Berry Galette is a favorite of ours. I don't usually mix the same berries, just use what I have in the fridge and sometimes more than the recipe calls for.

This time I mixed blackberries and strawberries and added some honey to the mix.

We licked our fingers!

miho print outfit

This is an easy to wear outfit from my fall-winter 2009-10 collection. A printed cotton top and a soft featherwale corduroy skirt. The pima cotton sweater has a velvet ribbon tie in chocolate.

winter outfit

This is one cute outfit from my fall-winter 2009-10 collection. The pant and coat are made with cotton corduroy and the top is cotton voile. The crochet scarf is baby alpaca in a soft latte color.

chinese buttons {my way}

These are my Chinese buttons. I made them in navy, gold and ecru to go on some vests I designed and made in pima cotton.

happy birthday sebastian

Today is my son's sixth birthday. Like his sister Daniela, he asked me to make cupcakes to take to school and celebrate with his classmates.

This time I made chocolate cupcakes with seven minute frosting. He loves animals, so I used these liners with safari animals and multi color sprinkles.

We will also have his birthday party at home in a few weeks.

Happy Birthday Sebas!!!!

playing with recycled glass beads

The result of mixing pima cotton knits with recycled glass beads is wonderful. It creates a soft effect that works really nice on necklaces and brooches.

On these accessories I used pearl color pima cotton, light blue and white glass beads.

trick or treat

Hope you all had a wonderful Halloween celebration! We managed to finish our jack-'o-lanterns and decorate our house with them.