Destination: São Paulo!
Once again off we went on a 12-hour-flight adventure with a toddler (no, we didn't sleep!), but I guess anyone would be willing to do that to swap the windy, cold, wet and grey UK February weather for a bit of sunshine. Or a lot of sunshine actually, it was enjoyably warm.
We had a lot of fun spending time with the family, eating mouth-watering food & drinking real fresh juices (pineapple & mint mmm), going to see the Carnaval celebrations live for the first time instead of YouTube or catching up with the TV highlights, and of course, interiors shopping! (Keep reading for some really cool stuff you'll want in your home I found there!)
I'll kick this photo diary off with the party everyone should go to at least once in a lifetime! Carnaval in Brazil, that is! I am so glad we did it! Grandma on full baby-sitting duties, we took off and made our way there without knowing how big and beautiful and colourful and loud (in a good way) and exciting this would be! (I could keep going)
We had VIP tickets that give you access to a pre-party with dinner, drinks, make-up, hair, top customisation and endless live band and entertainment! After that we took the transfer to the 'Sambodromo' where it was all happening: more food and drinks, live bands and the biggest party on Earth, we got to see the 'parade' right in front of us and it was amazing, the music and the costumes - whatever you imagine it to be, multiply by 10! It's literally an explosion of colour, music and energy!
The main celebrations kicked off at 11pm and went on until 7am at least. Being jet lagged and not used to partying at all (at least for the last 3 years I can't remember having stayed up past 2am unless it was to check on Lia or do an emergency nappy change!) we lasted until 4.30am which is an achievement hey *proud moment*
With Carnaval out of the way, we had a lot of time for family time there! It was priceless to see little one and my nephew (only 2 months younger than her) playing, crawling, climbing, being naughty together! We immersed in their day-to-day life for those almost 3 weeks, so trips to gym or the fruit and veg market were not uncommon. Here's a little taste of what we got up to.
The little ones hanging out was the highlight of the trip and we miss that. A lot. On the right is a drink straight from the sugar cane tree, which they express in front of you in the market. It tastes really good, but we couldn't have more than this small cup - it is SO sweet, no wonder!
Next up, of course I had to be nosey about what is going on in São Paulo's Interiors scene. It never disappoints. São Paulo is a very trendy city, where people really care about making themselves and their homes look good. And the options are endless! There are so many cool interior shops that you could spend forever just browsing them. The Retro trend seemed to be really peaking there, with many shops beautifully styled with retro inspired furniture pieces with an eclectic accent on the fabrics and accessories. The use of local materials and handmade fabrics & accessories is also popular. With so much talent and many resources available, it is no surprise! Here's a selection...
Bright colours & Retro furniture
The 'leaning-on-the-wall' floor lamp was one of my favourite pieces, along with the gold bears (top right) and this copper and wood industrial bar cart (bottom right)! I wanted to bring them all in my suitcase!
You're sure to find a chair you love in this chair gallery! The glossy white ghost chair is stunning.
After 2 and a half weeks of all that fun, it was sadly time to come back home. We had lots to keep us busy though as we would have to start packing (and we only had 12 days! Read more about that here.) I miss the family & I'm looking forward to our next adventure!
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