rain forest premium water

A unique packaging for something so simple like water.

jocotes

Growing up, desserts rarely consisted of complicated cakes or pastries. Instead we would eat the fruit in our garden. We had guavas, mangoes, oranges, lemons, mandarin oranges, and "jocotes".

"Jocotes" can be eaten unripe and green, or when the fruit has ripened and has a dark red color. I like to eat them before ripening with salt.
During the harvesting seasons, jocotes are offered in abundance by street vendors at main traffic intersections, often sold in plastic bags that include 20-30 jocotes and a small bag of salt used to flavor them.

This fruit is truly addictive. I could get into a fight with my brother over a bag of "jocotes". If you'd tried them you'll know what I'm talking about!!

Sometimes desserts and snacks need to remain this simple and easy.

Read more about "jocotes" here.

rainy afternoon

It was one of those afternoons when you wish you could stay home watching the rain or sleeping. We enjoyed it going to our favorite coffee shop.

chocolate covered marshmallow, strawberry tartelette, caramel eclair & vanilla cake

Tomorrow is my nephew Alberto's last day of school... well, he is now going to the "adult school" as he says. Actually, he is leaving his kindergarten to go to the school where he will probably spend his elementary and middle school years.
For his farewell party, my sister-in-law baked these yummy devil's food cupcakes and decorated them with chocolate ganache and mini m&m's. The kids are going to love them.

lunch amidst the rainforest

What can I say.... one of the things I miss the most from Costa Rica is the food, so yesterday we went to the highlands of Alajuela to a very nice restaurant to have typical food for lunch. Patacones, tortillas, yuca frita, refried beans and carne mechada or ropa vieja among other things on the menu.

view of the green houses along the way

coffee plantations

"yuca frita & tortillas"

"patacones filled with guacamole, refried beans & salsa"

huge cheese tortillas with "carne mechada, picadillo de papa & refried beans"

my neck of the woods

We're home! It is amazing how things have changed in only two years in "my neck of the woods" {Costa Rica}, but the one thing I missed the most has not changed one bit... the wonderful green mountains that one can see anywhere you stand around the city of San Jose.

This is the rainy season and it has been pouring every afternoon since we got here last Wednesday. I also missed that as I had not seen water falling from the sky in arid Bolivia for a few months.
This visit is strictly devoted to family since it is just for five days as I have to be in New York for Playtime next Thursday.

enjoying summer

{summer holiday} Yes! We've been in Miami for a week now enjoying the warm weather, fresh catch and shopping. Tomorrow we're going down to Costa Rica for a few days... to enjoy the rain we miss so much in Bolivia.
Hope you're all having a great summer!

anchor necklaces

These anchor necklaces are from my Spring-Summer 2011 collection for girls. The anchors come in three different colors with contrasting "ropes". Everything crochet!!!

I also have anchor necklaces for the mommies! with pewter beads, thicker "ropes" and larger anchors. Coming soon!

anchor bags

Printing this morning for linen bags with anchors.

"cholitas"

For Spring-summer 2011 I have been working on lots of accessories for girls. These are my "cholitas".... They will be handbags in the colors of the collection.

wish to be here

It was 40 degrees in New York today.... but it was 7 degrees here this morning.

I'd rather be here...







Photography: by me

embroidery weekend

This is a glimpse of the embroidery I have been working on for the collection of bags I designed for Walisuma.
I used pima cotton yarn on alpaca tweed.

a bohemian lunch

I discovered this place a few months ago when I started going to La Paz almost weekly for work meetings.
It is a dark bohemian restaurant located in a colonial mansion in the heart of the city. Antiques fill every corner and wall. Old photographs are attached to the ceiling, mismatched chairs, old wooden tables... objects of all kinds.
The food is good and simple. I recommend the Basque Trout with Quinoa Risotto.
Located on Calle Linares 922, next to the Coca Museum.

colorful shopping day

Shopping in La Paz means you have to do a lot of walking and slowly and careful breathing, especially when strolling around Sagarnaga, Linares and Graneros streets. The finds are definitely worth the effort... I say this because La Pas is located at more than 3000 meters above sea level.

Last week I spent a day in La Paz and had the chance to take a few hours off to go shopping around the tourist area. It was the perfect sunny day filled with great finds.

love these bags! made with a combination of aguayos and tassels

giant balls of lambs wool

cholita dolls all dressed up in local costumes and carrying their babies

cholita key rings... gotta love those crochet bowler hats!

babies wrapped in aguayos just like the mothers carry them on their backs

you simply can't leave Bolivia without one of these hats and gloves