Wednesday, May 30, 2012

One day un NYC...

Comfortably seated on my seat on AA 181 New York - Los Angeles flight, I finally find the time to post something about my day at the Big Apple... Just 36 hours between one flight and the other, but who cares? Better than nothing, of course. It's a question of organization: you must leave the plane hydrated and well rested, take a quick shower at home, jump into a nice dress and high heels (a "sin" I will regret later, but vanity is stronger than pain...), apply make-up and hit the road. An extremely hot May morning was waiting for me.
I went down on Fifth Ave till Bergdorf, where I found, as every year this time around, a crowd of mad women fighting over the shoes on sale. Almost everything was 30% off... But I realize I prefer to shop on-line and not having to fight for the pair of my dreams... Am I getting wiser? I see Brooke Shields go by with a bunch in her hands...
I decide to take a quick lunch at Cipriani (avocado and artichoke salad, tonno scottato and fennel salad) and I catch a taxi to the MET. I will certainly not miss the exhibition "Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations." Plus, going to the MET is a beauty therapy in itself.
I had already seen the videos done by Baz Luhrmann, with actress Judy Davis, as Elsa Schiaparelli, and Muccia Prada, playing herself, on the website, thanks to my blog, and because Carla had posted the link.
I absolutely loved the exhibition. Seeing all those Prada dresses, shown as works of art, next to the embroidered jackets by Schiaparelli and the suits she custom-made for the Duchess of Windsor... Everything arranged in a fabulous presentation: Met's curators are unique.
I bought two books, one as a gift and the other for my house, a small red Prada shoe with flames on the heel, to put on my desk (I can be a bit kitsch sometimes...), plus two magnets for a friend of mine... And thus, loaded with bags, and with 29°C outside and a burning sun, I went back to Madison Ave. towards 59th street.
I see a girl, eating at Nello's, wearing an orange Victoria Beckham dress which looks great on her, and I instantly want to have it... Almost impossible: It's sold-out worldwide. Pity.
I also see lots of those Madison-women, with their faces altered by lasers, hyaluronic-acid fillings, botox and, maybe too, neck's and eyebrows' liftings. They look as if in their 20s, but they are over 60 years old... I'm rather shocked: they may have baby-faces, but their bodies, husbands and attitudes belong to another age...
I finally make it to the Oscar de la Renta boutique and I go inside to check what's new and refresh a bit from the unbearable heat. And there I find Martín Gandolfo, from Córdoba, who is a reader of my blog and announces it in front of everyone in the store!
How lovely! Can you imagine, to be recognized in NYC because of my blog? I almost faint, honest. We took a picture, that I'll publish here as soon as I can.
Thank you Martín.
Finally I leave empty-handed, but absolutely happy.
The afternoon flew by.
Now the plane again, and tomorrow, Beverly Hills...


Sunday, May 27, 2012

Promenade at Alvear Ave.

When I'm in Buenos Aires, little things give me so much pleasure as having lunch at Alvear Hotel's L'Orangerie. I feel like being transported to the 1900s to revive the essence of the Buenos Aires of the Past... Nothing seems to have changed. Everything is impeccable, scented, shinny but not pretentious. And the food is exquisite. Matías, the chef, spoils me with the best of sashimis.
This week I went a couple of times and, as I wasn't in a hurry, I took a walk around Galerie Promenade, just beside the Hotel, to do some window-shopping in its boutiques.
I've seen beautiful clothes at El Camarín, refined lengerie at Calin (rumor has it it's about to close... what a pity...), jewels at Ignacio Bárcena and the splendid boutique Le Lapin Blanc... As I was leaving, I stepped into MCG Antiquités, which belongs to a friend of mine who used to have a famous antique store some time ago, in St. Tropez. I was overwhelmed by the beautiful furniture, specially by an English  "bonheur du jour," from the Victorian period, which used to belong to the famous Mexican actress María Félix.
There was also a side-board from the 17th Century... A true English jewel.
So many treasures hidden in my beloved Buenos Aires!!

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Lady in Pink...

Here's a link with some pictures taken at me... without me noticing!

Twitter...

You can now follow me on Twitter...

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Point de Vue - Images du Monde...

Translation:

Art of Living
Patricia d'Arenberg, Fredéric Malle, Christophe Robin tell us the secrets of their art of living.
By Francois Billaut and Frédérique Dedet

PATRICIA D'ARENBERG
Cosmopolitan Princess born in Tuscany, Patricia d'Arenberg lives between Paris, New York and Buenos Aires. Known above all because of her good taste, she edits her own blog under her maiden name: Patricia della Giovampaola!
- The dermatologist Tracie Martyn, in New York. For the pleasure of having yourself treated next to Brad Pitt and Michelle Williams... The best "Red Carpet Facial" in the world.
- The brunch at the Hotel Alvear in Buenos Aires. Luxury, calmness and voluptuousness...
- Carinne Gilson's lingerie, because this Belgian designer is a true artist of silk and lace. Absolute seduction.
- The "paraffin treatment and gommage" by Katia, at the Orlane Institute in Paris. A magician.
- The made-to-order stilettos by the amazing Christian Louboutin!
- Casa Fagliano's Polo boots, to dress in the style of Buenos Aires' Polo Open. Made to measure, with hand-sewn soles, bronze nails and "quebracho" leather.
- The "mate leaves" soaps by Sabater Hermanos in Buenos Aires. Essential when missing the smells of Argentina...
- Judith Leiber's minaudières, for the pleasure of requesting her exclusive models at Bergdorf. I collect them...

Thursday, May 17, 2012

ArteBA II

Oh! I was truly impressed by the quality of the works I was able to see yesterday, at ArteBA 2012's Pre-Opening.
Everything was extremely well-organized: the stalls, the cocktail... and the people, happily moving around.
I fell in love with Genovesi's paintings, because of his use of color and the strength with which he depicts those huge eyes... I let myself run on instinct when considering art and I simply did not know who the artist was... I think is good to keep some freshness and spontaneity on these matters.
I do encourage you to visit ArteBA, even if you don`t intend to buy any works... Is good for the eyes and soul to see art...
(PS: All my look is by Prada)

ArteBA 2012...

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Dinner at Osaka on a Saturday evening....

What could be best for a Saturday evening that going out with my dear friend Roberto Funes Ugarte to dine at Osaka, my favorite restaurant in town?
Lots of catching up to do after several weeks without seeing each other...
Tiradito Carpassion, sesame salmon, oriental rice and limeños... Delicious!!!
And Buenos Aires latest news.
Nothing could be best than spend a nice time with friends on the first cold nights of Fall. See you soon!

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

MET's Costume Institute Gala 2012...

Although barely landed from my Air France flight, which brought me back to Buenos Aires, I could not resist my curiosity to check on the internet the Red Carpet photos of yesterday's Met's Costume Institute Gala...
This year it served as opener for the Museum's new exhibition Schiaparelli-Prada: Impossible Conversations... Everyone is dying to see it, including myself. As usual, this Gala is a much awaited event in the Fashion world and it's become a runway for celebrities to show the creations of certain designers that usually walk the Red Carpet with them....
As Prada was the one being honored, many guests wore her designs and I liked none of them... except Anna Wintour's, I guess. I love Prada, I truly enjoy wearing Prada's clothes (and I'm not the devil!!), but I do not like her designs for the night, they don't look good on the Red Carpet.
Awful was Jessica Biel's dress, and also her hairdo. I wasn't into Giselle Bundchen's either: her chignon was too tight, not at all fitting to her beauty.
On the other hand, I loved Cate Blanchett with a Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen dress. It looked amazing. I also think Renée Zellweger looked best than ever in a black Pucci. 
There were many Pucci dresses, all of them designed by Peter Dundas, and quite good in general. Others, however, were complete disasters, as for example, Sarah-Jessica Parker's Valentino and Mary-Kate Olsen's The Row (her brand!!). Excessive and tacky were most of Dolce & Gabbana's designs.
Beautiful to me were Scarlett Johanssen (very sexy) and Beyoncé, with a very provocative Givenchy Haute Couture which only the most beautiful woman in the world (People magazine dixit) can afford.
A special note to Sofía Vergara, in Marchesa. This Colombian charm is getting more and more famous in the US and improving after each event.
I invite you to check all the looks on style.com. Have fun...!

Friday, May 4, 2012

Welcome Ménage à Trois...!

I want to welcome Amelia Sabán and her boutique Ménage à Trois which, starting this May, will be joining us on our blog as sponsors. It's an honor and true pleasure to be able to have a label that so faithfully represents Argentine elegance. I was able to attend Ménage's latest runway show and I loved  the complete line-up of looks.
Here, some pictures for you to enjoy...
Stores:
Jerónimo Salguero 2812
Buenos Aires
(011) 4 802-7591

Av. Alvear
Buenos Aires
(011) 4 804-7000