Made in Brazil

Things I Missed About New York

As fashionable as my country may be these days, there are certain pleasures which you can only indulge in New York, and which I have truly missed for the past five months. Here is my list of things to accomplish in the city for the next couple of weeks (other than spending time with my friends of course).

- Watch the Project Runway season finale tonight. I can't believe I managed to get to New York in time for it.
- Have cheap, greasy, and inexpensive Thai food delivered. You can never get that in Brazil.
- Have cheap, greasy, and inexpensive Mexican food, and have authentic Mexican food as well.
- Sushi at Bond Street.
- Any brunch which involves banana bread.
- Eat enough popcorn to feed an African country at the movies, because popcorn buckets are not available in Brazil.
- Raid the Apple Store for new gadgets and the new Time Capsule.
- Get trashed bar hopping in the East Village, and go home not smelling like cigarettes. I love the smoking ban and just can't wait for it to be approved in São Paulo.
- Get trashed at an ultra fashionable straight place which plays pop and hip hop, and in which I would never be allowed in if it were not for my well-connected friends.
- Get trashed on mixed drinks as opposed to the vodka redbull I am obliged to drink in Brazil.
- Check out the Christian Louboutin exhibit which starts next week at the FIT Museum, as well as the Color Chart exhibit already on display at the MoMA.
- Watch as much television as I can. After all, I have been missing out on gems like Make Me A Supermodel, and I would much rather watch American Idol live as opposed to a week later in Brazil.

And yes, I am thrilled that the weather is reasonably warm for this time of the year, which may result in me keeping my Brazilian tan for an extra day or two.

Traveling

Landed in New York this morning. Posting will resume later or as soon as my body adapts to the 50-degrees drop in temperature.

3,000

Just thought I should stop to mention that this is the 3,000th post I write here in three years. Thanks to all of you who read Made In Brazil.

29

Just so you all know, today I am turning 29, so do take your time to wish me a happy birthday. If you are a friend of mine in Brazil reading this, pick up the phone and dial my number asap. It is a national holiday in the country, so you have no excuses.

Thanks to all my friends in New York who have taken me out this week, and treated me with so much love. It is nice to feel appreciated now that I am almost never here. And for those of you who have not yet seen me, you still have a chance to redeem yourselves by buying me a drink tonight or over the weekend.

Hot Ticket

This was my icecream ticket this past Saturday. Could it be a sign I am going to have a good year?

And this is an example of how crowded Punta del Este was this past weekend.

Feliz Ano Novo

2007 is starting today, and I hope this will be an even better year for the blog. I have a couple of things in the works to make it more interesting and useful, and will do my best to make them work this year.

If you have any suggestions or comments, feel free to email me. If you happen to be in Brazil, I would love to hear from you and receive pictures.

Down In Punta Del Este

I have been in Punta del Este since Sunday, and I will be blogging from here for the next 10 days. The weather is amazing, and I just got back from a day at the beach catching up on my tan. I took the picture above from my terrace this morning.

I will do my best to update the blog on a daily basis, and post several pictures from here.

Dia de Ação de Graças

That is what we call Thanksgiving in Brazil even though we do not celebrate it for obvious reasons.

Given that I am in America, here is a lits of things I am thankful for this year: my green card, Madonna's Confessions Tour, Michael Kors and Nina Garcia, Hussein Chalayan's spring 2007 show, male models (particularly this one and this other one at the moment), actor Duda Nagle, hot swimwear, SOS, the return of short shorts, holidays in the sun in my country, and my friends Dean and Matthew for having me over for dinner today.

I would also like to thank the advertisers who support this blog, and most importantly, all of you who read it, and send me comments and emails. I have met some great people this past year thanks to the blog, and I am sure this is just the beginning.

Feliz Dia das Bruxas

"Dia das Bruxas" is what we call Halloween in Brazil. We don't trick or treat, and we don't get dressed up in costumes (we save that one for Carnival), which means that I really miss being in New York today.

I'm On Pins And Needles

Unfortunately iTunes is not making it work for me today. I woke up thinking I would be able to download the finale of Project Runway, and nothing so far, which explains the absence of my review.

I avoided every blog possible today, but someone emailed me who the winner was. I sort of knew it, but the thrill is gone. Still I can't wait to watch it.

It is a good thing I am going to see Mr. Cauã Reymond in 2 hours to avoid thinking about what I missed last night.

Just Asking

Why is it that recently I find more and more articles related to my posts here on every major Brazilian site exactly a day after I post them, and I get no credit or link?

Traveling

I arrived in Brazil yesterday for 15 days of work in the sun (as opposed to the polar weather which seems to have taken over New York in the past few days). Expect pictures and videos from here coming soon.

Happy Children's Day

For those of you who are not Brazilian, today is Children's Day in the country, a sort of a pre-Christmas extravaganza when all the kids get gifts. All my American friends wish there was a holiday like that here when they were growing up, but in my opinion the last thing this country needs is another excuse to shop.

It is also a religious national holiday today, meaning that most people will not be working tomorrow either. AND it is also my birthday, meaning that growing up I could easily relate to the kids whose birthday fell right on Christmas. Having other kids get gifts on the day of your birthday is not cute when you are young, and probably explains a lot of my deepest issues. Anyway, if you are in Brazil, channel your inner child and have a good holiday!

Don't forget to vote!

If you happen to be Brazilian, you know that it is your duty to vote for president this Sunday. Take it seriously, make a conscious decision, and pray for the best.

US Open, Blake, and Shaggers

The long weekend started early for me as I spent Friday afternoon at the US Open watching Federer beat Brit Tim Henman (who I could develop a sports crush on if I watched more tennis), and James Blake channeling Agassi to beat Gabashvili in an old school Nike get up. Is neon going to make a comeback?

Thanks to my escorts, I had court side tickets (and by that I mean the very first row of seats), which was really amazing. Unfortunately due to the chilly weather there were no shirt changes to be reported or photographed. Some extra entertainment though was provided by a cute shagger, who I caught on video (notice Federer sitting down).

The French Diaries Part V

After some traveling around, we spent last weekend back in Paris (only this time we stayed close to the Opera as opposed to the Champs-Elysées) to absorb a little more culture and ease back into civilization. I am not a country person.

Although spending 10 days with your family can be quite overwhelming, I had an excellent time. Even though I was "frenched out" by last Sunday, here are some things I will always remember from this trip:

People watching and having panachés with my brother in the afternoon.

Too many entrecotes and pommes frites (satisfaction almost guaranteed).

"Des Serpents Dans L'Avion" posters all over Paris.

Kir royal with actual crémant.

Tasting menus which I could never decipher and always turned out to be just a little too funky to be good.

Brioche Dorée.

German hip hop on MTV.

The nasty cats at the breakfast table at B&B Domaine de Loisy in Burgundy.

My father ordering andouillette one night, and tricking us into trying it.

The breathtaking road that leads to Gstaad.

The Balenciaga exhibit.

The view from Georges at the Pompidou Center at lunch time.

The view of the go-go boys showering at Le Raidd in the Marais.

A cab ride by the Seine and through the Louvre at night in Paris.

The French Diaries Part IV

Part of my recent trip to France involved an adventurous side: biking through a few vineyards in Burgundy. I like biking, and I also like wines, so I guess this was a perfect combination.

We spend the first night at a small hotel in Beaune which was incredibly cute, and had an excellent breakfast (as well as German MTV, which I found truly amazing to watch).

We biked to Nuits St. Georges through beautiful vineyards, and stopped every now and then for tastings. As soon as I learned that Burgundy is also famous for its Kir Royal, I decided to dedicate myself to try as many variations as possible in an attempt to become a connoisseur. All the alcohol was more than necessary to be able to sleep in a B&B without private bathrooms and the largest collection of scary paintings I have ever seen (not to mention the absence of a TV to give me my fix of German MTV at night).

I also want to bring your attention to the fact that escargot is huge in Burgundy, and that every freaking menu features French words which I had never heard before. It was the first time I was ever served chicken with a few leftover feathers caught in its skin, and it wasn't cute. My advice: liquid meals of pinot noir and creme de cassis.

From Burgundy my father decided to make a quick stop in Switzerland (even though it was sort of out of the way), so we packed up and drove to Gstaad. There are pictures after the jump.

The French Diaries Part III

When you are traveling abroad, there comes a time when you sort of snap for a while. This was that time for me:

A review of Burgundy and a quick stop in Gstaad coming tomorrow when I find the time to upload the pictures.

The French Diaries Part II

Before I start, I would like to dedicate this post to my Mexican friend Eric, who looked very cute at dinner last night.

Now I could easily write about all the millions of things I saw in Paris, but you can read about that on a Frommers guide, so why bother? I have to say that the one thing I would recommend though is lunch at Georges at the Pompidou Center (where these pictures were taken) because the view is amazing. The food is not memorable, and neither is the staff, but nothing tops the views even on a rainy day.

The Balenciaga exhibit at the Musée de la Mode is also not to be missed if you happen to visit Paris until January of next year. It is beautifully put together, and even my brother who happens to be as straight as they come enjoyed it.

I am not really big on shopping when I travel except for when I find things which are not available in New York. I prefer sitting by a cafe, ordering a few drinks, and watching people go by, but I must admit that I did stop by Colette since I had never been to the store before. Call me boring, but it failed to amuse me. It is a mini-Barney's with much better display and a few CDs to choose from. Is that the best the Parisians can come up with? The place to really see some glamour is the new Louis Vuitton store, which is truly amazing.

Now forget tourism, my brief nightlife review is after the jump.

The French Diaries Part I

I neglected the blog these past few days because I was in France and did not take my laptop with me due to all the new safety travel regulations. I decided to compensate for the lack of posts by sharing a few thoughts on my trip throughout the week. I am staring with a few travel tips. I hope you guys enjoy it.

I guess never in my life had my dependence on designer hair product been so clear to me than when I was forced to check my luggage because no liquids or gels are currently allowed on planes. I was forced to realize two weeks ago that the only liquid I cannot live without is a strange hair paste I buy at my hair salon in New York (which is pretty pathetic). The fact that my laptop had to stay also caused me to feel slightly disconnected from the world every morning when I woke up, but I guess it was helpful in making more time available to enjoy my family and try to absorb a little culture.

Aside from checking the new travel regulations, I would recommend everyone to check the weather before packing for a trip. I immediately assumed the French climate would mimic New York at this time of the year, but as soon as I arrived I realized a few tank tops and shorts would not be making their way out of my duffel bag. I also realized I would finally be getting my money worth of a navy cashmere Helmut Lang sweater, and that the American Apparel henley which I packed as a back up would become the key piece in my wardrobe for 10 days. Whenever you go to Europe, forget about packing light as I did: overdoit is my advice, because it is not like there is anything to buy in Paris which is not available in dollars in New York.

As for jet lag and silly stuff like that, just make sure to go out a lot (and late) because this way I guarantee you will feel like sleeping whenever you get to your hotel room, and automatically adjust to the different time zone.

More tourism in Paris (and nightlife) coming tomorrow.

Ma Vie En Rose

I am back in Paris after a lot of traveling through France and a quick stop in Switzerland this week. I apologize for the lack of attention payed to the blog, but I was busy absorbing culture and drinking. I promise you the blog will be back on track this Monday.

Here are some observations about my trip so far:

Brazilians are still "in."

European keyboards made me gave up on blogging while traveling.

Tasting wines (and a lot of creme de cassis and kir royal) while biking several miles a day can be quite dangerous.

The subway in Paris may be very clean, but the people inside have not yet been introduced to the wonders of deodorant.

The French make New Yorkers seem like the nicest people in the world.

Why does French food taste better in New York?

Why is something like andouillette even legal?

As much as I am open to different music and think French is the sexiest language there is, rap and hip hop is something the singers here should certainly avoid (and I am not even going to get into some German rap I have been exposed to).

The Pussycat Dolls and Rihanna have conquered this country, just like Starbucks (and the one close to the Opera is the chicest I have ever been to).

Everyone I met here out at night is in Paris for the Madonna concert.

The Balenciaga exhibit at the Musee de La Mode is unforgettable.

I love traveling, but I do miss Nina Garcia and Michael Kors on Wednesday nights.

And just because I need to keep you entertained and up to date with the world of swimwear, check out the pictures from last Sunday at another edition of La Turca's Pool Party, and Andy's preview of the new issue of DNA.

Off To Paris

I am flying to Paris this Wednesday for a little vacation with my family (they are meeting me there since they are flying out of Brazil), so I was wondering if any of you have any tips or words of advice. Feel free to email me.

If you are wondering about the blog, please note that traditional features such as Speedo Sundays and Fotolog Of The Week have already been taken care of for the 10 days I will be gone.

Happy Independence Day

I am not American, but I certainly appreciate the holiday. Have fun! A very festive picture of Andy courtesy of All American Guys. Click to enlarge.

BTW, I went to see Madonna at Madison Square Garden last night, and it was amazing. I will tell you all about it tomorrow (because I also deserve a break today).

Technical Problems

I am totally depressed. For some unknown reason, my laptop froze yesterday late in the afternoon. When I turned it on, all I saw was a file with a question mark, which is pretty much a near death experience for Mac users. I have just left it at the Apple store for repair this morning, and the genius behind the bar told me I will most likely lose all my data and programs. Even though I do have the habit of backing up, the thought of having to load everything back on my Powerbook is already killing me.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today is "Dia dos Namorados" in Brazil, the equivalent of Valentine's Day, created exclusively to promote further spending and to make those who don't have a valentine feel bad and depressed.

Jet Setting

I'm flying to Brazil this evening. Wish me a good trip (there is no fancy business class this time, and that scares me).

I'm Famous

For my Brazilian readers: there is a little note about the blog in Rio's Jornal do Brasil today in Hildegard Angel's gossip column. How cool is that?

Memo: For The Subscribers

If you subscribe to this blog, you have probably already noticed that I have moved my feeds to Feedblitz because Bloglet became unreliable. I hope this makes sure that you get all the posts every day from now on.

More Southern Boys

Once again I miss all the fun: last week my good friends Miltinho and Marcelo Bragagnolo put together a show with some of the new faces from Marilyn Agency in one of Porto Alegre's busiest streets for the opening of a new store. As much as I like harassing models, I am sort of more interested in the bartenders in the picture Miltinho sent to tease me (you may remember one of them from here). BTW, this kind of event should only be held when I am in town.

The second one from left to right gets my vote. Click on images to enlarge.

Only in Brazil...

I went for sushi with my friends on Friday night (because us catholic boys could not eat red meat), and this concoction above is what we got as a complimentary dessert: strawberry and chocolate sushi. You know there's a sushi chef dying of anger right now.

Southern Boys

I went to a cocktail for a store opening last night, and once again the only eye candy was provided by the wait staff and sales force (which is pictured after the jump). My champagne-induced picture doesn't do the boys justice, but it is all I have to offer at the moment.

Café da Manhã

What's wrong with this picture? The answer after the jump.

Viajando...

I just got home in Brazil, and I am beat. This might sound like I am really spoiled, but 9 hours in coach is a death sentence (especially when your movie choices are restricted to "Aeon Flux" and "Rent"). Forget gay marriage for a moment: is there anything more against basic human rights than the size of the seats on coach? I see a new campaign rising here.

Party Boy

Sometimes when you spend a lot of time without going out in New York you sort of forget how cool this city is (and just how many people go out on a school night). Is there any other place in the world where you can shake your ass right next to George Clooney, Lindsay Lohan, and a vast collection of supermodels from Vogue? I'm with Madonna, I love NY.

Flying

Leaving Brazil today. Arriving at JFK tomorrow morning. Hopefully I won't freeze in New York.

Vacation is all I ever wanted

But what I ended up with was a major thunderstorm on my first day in Punta del Este, followed by two lovely days at the beach, and three days in bed with high fever (which manages to suck even more when it is sunny outside and you can see the beach from your balcony).

I went to the doctor this morning, and she put me on house arrest and antibiotics. The only good thing that will come out of it is that I will have to keep myself entertained by downloading last night's episode of Project Runway and scrutinizing it here today. Expect more Carnival later as well (and tons of pictures).

Back To Brazil

I am leaving Punta del Este this morning. Expect posts as soon as I get home (it is a 7-hour drive).

Am I cursed?

Obviously I look like a ghost compared to anybody in here, but just to make matters worse a thunderstorm hit Punta del Este yesterday, ruining my plans of baking (not just tanning) at the beach. It rained again this morning, but it looks like it is finally clearing up, and I just can´t wait to get some sun.

Off To Uruguay

You are probably thinking that I am insane for not heading to Rio for Carnaval, but Punta del Este in Uruguay is my favorite place in South America. I always spend New Year's there with my family, and considering this year I broke tradition by staying in New York, I am going to make up for it now. I promise pictures and updates as soon as I manage to find a decent internet connection, and have a break from drinking by the beach while getting a tan (yes, I can multi-task).

Reflections On Brazil

So after being locked in New York for several months, I am currently home in Brazil. Here is how I would describe the situation:

The Good:

A staff to cook, clean, launder, and iron for me (not that I would ever iron anything in New York).

My baby brother (and banner model).

Jogging shirtless in the park at 7pm.

The other boys who are doing the same thing.

Summer fashions, and by that I mean lack of clothing and extra skin exposed.

Summer (period).

The Bad:

Missing my bf.

Worrying about crime and violence (in a "Brazil is the new Colombia" not fun sort of way).

Absence of my own brunch on the weekends.

Having to drive everywhere (sans chauffeur).

Knowing that I will have to watch the Oscars over remarks from Brazilian journalists who (a) do not know anything about the fashions and (b) do not know anything about the celebrities either.

The Ugly:

Missing the final 3 episodes of Project Runway, which is certainly the biggest downside of being in Brazil at the moment. What the hell am I going to do tonight? How am I going to scrutinize the show without watching it? Why isn't it available on iTunes? And, more importanly, who is going to tape each episode and email it to me?

Jet Setting

Right now I have probably landed in Brazil already, and am binging on the extravaganza my mother puts together for lunch everytime I come home. Expect to hear from me as soon as I recover from the flight, and get a proper tan. In any event, I have left a few posts set to launch to keep you busy.

Feliz Ano Novo!

For as long as I can remember I have been spending New Year's with my family tanning and drinking here. This year, however (and for reasons beyond my control), I will be getting pampered here instead.

Hope you all have a happy New Year! Don't forget to vote for your favorite fotolog and Brazilian hottie. If you happen to be in Brazil, send me some pictures to make me jealous, or your review to the upcoming Travel Guide. Peace!

New Year's (The Brazilian Way)

Feliz Natal!

10 Reasons Why I Should Spend X-mas in Brazil:

Dear Readers (and Brazilianizers):

Happy Thanksgiving!

Oprah is definitely not gay

The best thing about attending a taping of the Oprah show last Tuesday in Chicago was not a chance to see Beyoncé and the other girls from Destiny's Child, or to meet the cast of The Color Purple. The coolest thing was the chance to meet Oprah, and to hear her talk during commercial breaks. Before starting to tape After The Show, Oprah took a moment to explain to the audience why people would think that she is gay (or dating her best friend Gayle King). I wish I had a camera to tape it because she was very funny and open about all the gay rumors. All I can say here is that after listening to her, there is no way the rumors are true. The show with Beyoncé airs this afternoon.

The Windy City (And The Oprah Experience)

Where do I start? I got back to New York late last night after spending two days in Chicago. A good friend of mine who works for Oprah invited me to a taping of the show, and I thought I just could not miss the opportunity. FYI, the show plays in Brazil as well, and I am a proud Oprah-freak.
First of all, I really enjoyed Chicago even though I was there for only two days. I had never been to the windy city, and it was great (and also sunny and warm for this time of the year). I spent the first day shopping around Michigan Avenue, went to the top of the Hancock building, and did all the stuff I would never be caught dead doing in New York. I also had a really nice dinner with some very cool people. Yesterday I spent the afternoon at the Art Institute, which is just amazing. BTW, thanks to all of you who wrote with tips about the city.

As for the Oprah show on Tuesday morning, all I am going to say is that it was really cool and a lot of fun (and also somewhat surreal). Unfortunately I was not allowed to have my camera or phone with me inside the studio, so I can't share the moment visually (trust me, all I wanted at some point was the ability to take a picture). My friend who works for Oprah had promised me it was going to be a good show, and he wasn't lying. All I can say for now is Beyonce, Quincy Jones, and The Color Purple (and you can watch it this Friday). Maybe I will even have some air time, especially considering that me and my friend were the only two men in the audience aside from Beyonce's dad, and a couple of not-so-thrilled husbands who looked like they were dragged there.

Chicago

Just wanted to inform that I am going to be in Chicago for the next two days to attend a taping of this show... Say whatever you want to say, but I am really excited about it. I have also never been to the windy city, so hopefully I will have a good time.

Good Hair Day

Today was an incredible day to be in New York (you could even wear shorts, which is my type of weather), and I decided it was time to change my look. Someone recommended I go to Suite 303 at the Chelsea Hotel, and I have to admit it was the best thing I have done in a long time in terms of hair. Not only does the salon feels just like home (that is, if you have great cappuccinos at home), but the staff couldn't be cooler and more friendly. And if that isn't enough, it was probably the best cut I ever got in New York.

BTW, this is totally not some free advertisement for the place. I just decided to share because I had never had such a good experience hair-wise in this city. If you are in need of a kickass haircut and you happen to be in New York, I highly recommend you schedule an appointment asap.

For more New York for those who don't live here, check out Towleroad because Andy took some great pictures at the top of the rock last night.

Too Much To Watch...

I think I must have seriously fried my brain last night by staying home and watching pretty much every new series that was available...

I started my pathetic night with Martha Stewart playing Donald Trump in her version of The Apprentice, and I think she actually put a really good spin on the show and made it a little more personal and fresh. I freaking love her. Who else can write a sweet letter firing someone?

Luckily America's Next Top Model opted for a two-hour special so I was able to watch it at 9... And it served the drama I was so anxiously expecting and a little ghetoness as well (with a bonus lesbian kiss). Twiggy replaced Janice Dickinson on the judge panel so I am counting on modeling expert J. Alexander to scrutinize the girls in the near future. BTW, where do they find these girls? Have they never seen a copy of Vogue or Bazaar?

Anyway, I moved from girls stumbling on the runway to a sizzling hot Eddie Cibrian (as a Florida Everglades Park Ranger) on Invasion. I don't know why people were sort of bothered with the whole hurricane episode, because it definitely worked for me in setting the suspense tone of the show. It almost felt like a movie, which I think is a big compliment (either that or I was too obsessed with the leading man to notice anything else). I must watch it next week...

3 LINES TO REMEMBER FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON:
You just don't fit in.
Don't get it twisted.
Mommy, you smell different...