A Scenic World

(fun with holga)

2010-02-10T16:26:00.001-08:00

What else can I say? ... Just some harmless fun with friends and my favorite guilty pleasure.

(rusty visuals)

2010-01-19T15:43:00.000-08:00

Bits and pieces from my holiday trip to America. The films got a bit messed up by the guys that usually develop them... I'm never taking anything back there again (and might actually try and complain to get my money back!), but I have to admit I kind of like the weird colors, dirty images and overall crappy feeling of these photos.

(furry trinkets)

2010-01-18T09:09:00.000-08:00

Las cosas que más disfruto son las tonterías. Las cosas que nunca sabré cómo usar, las cosas que no sirven para nada. las cosas que se pierden entre tantas otras cosas. Aquí en Lima, un sombrero grande y peludo, que me recuerda a una Rusia que seguramente nunca conoceré, es en realidad un capricho bastante inutil. Quizá por eso es que me encanta.

(My favorite things are those that have no use. Living in Lima, there's nothing more absurd than than to own a huge furry hat. Maybe that's why I like it so much.)

(MoMa)

2009-12-28T19:09:00.000-08:00

After spending the entire day walking up and down the MoMa, my body (as well as my mind) feels exhausted. My legs hurt, my back aches and my head is moving a bit too fast for my own good. I feel like restarting projects that were left as projects a long time ago.

For the time being, not much can be done. I'll just continue to enjoy my travellings and my new Rolleiflex, with which I photographed the Manhattan skyline today.

(rolleiflex)

2009-12-09T06:21:00.000-08:00

Debo admitir que los cumpleaños se me hacen difíciles, sobre todo el mío. O quizá, en realidad, solo el mío. Será que son un recordatorio duro y directo de todos los planes que se hicieron al empezar un nuevo año, y de todos los que se dejaron de cumplir, los que se quedaron olvidados en el camino, los que se fueron postergando, siempre pensando que al día siguiente se llevarían a cabo.

Este año, sin embargo, fue distinto. Lo recibí riendo a carcajadas con The Big Lebowski, desayunando mango, almorzando con amigos, tomando cremoladas bajo el sol y recibí el regalo más bonito que jamás imaginé. Una Rolleiflex. Para mi solita. Creo que ya es seguro decir que el verano ya llegó.

(I have to admit, I don't like my birthdays. I get nervous and a bit sad. This year, however, was completely different. I got to spend it watching the Big Lebowski, having lunch with friends, eating icecream under the sun and jumping up and down with joy with the best birthday present I could ever have imagined, a Rolleiflex.)

(it was a strange time in my life)

2009-11-05T10:26:00.000-08:00

but i feel like posting again.

(oh joy)

2009-07-24T09:18:00.001-07:00

This is where I had lunch yesterday. Oh, the joys of travelling.

(masquerade)

2009-07-03T00:17:00.000-07:00

I have a masquerade tomorrow night.

I made a mask.

And this is a photo of the actual outfit... I don't usually post "party" outfits, but I kind of like this. It's quite different from what I'm used to wearing, since I usually shy from short body conscious dresses, but I like this.

Have a lovely friday!

(as things begin to calm a bit)

2009-06-18T19:50:00.000-07:00

...I begin to play with my camera again. Yup. Just me. Having fun. Because I love to do things I don't have to do whenever there are other things I really need to get done.

solidarity

2009-06-12T13:37:00.001-07:00

Dear friends and readers of this blog,

This blog is going on indefinite hiatus. This makes me terribly sad as I was truly enjoying blogging. However, it seems like a trivial activity to conduct, considering the current situation of my country.

A week ago, the military attacked a peaceful protest in the Amazon Jungle, using lethal weapons against the native population. Both indigenous and policemen were killed. The media is only showing one side of the story, manipulating and controlling the masses in a shameful way. Tribal leaders report over 50 of their people killed, the government only acknowledges 5. There are constant reports of military burning and throwing the bodies of the natives' dead bodies into the river to hide them. Policemen were tortured and killed, after our President sent them to attack protesters that had been waiting for a peaceful resolution for months. Yesterday, thousands of people in Lima went out protesting, in what was the largest manifestation since the fall of Alberto Fujimori, the dictator, a decade ago. I went with friends from my university, we were peaceful and organized but were attacked with tear gas. The police hit some of my friends, in an attempt to create chaos and confusion.

For all the previously stated reasons, this blog is on indefinite hiatus. I wish you all well and will come back one this is calmer, Love, J.

You can read more on the DemocracyNow webpage: http://www.democracynow.org/2009/6/8/peruvian_police_accused_of_massacring_indigenous

(fashionjolik)

2009-05-26T06:52:00.000-07:00

The very lovely Lorena, who runs the blog Fashionjolik wanted to ask me some questions about my personal style and blogging so I thought I'd copy it here for those of you who wanted to read. I've translated everything into English, so if you scroll below the Spanish part, you'll find it.

Aquí están las preguntas y respuestas con Fashionjolik para su blog, creo que no la dejan postear entradas tan largas, así que las incluyo aquí en toda su extensión.

Mi estilo personal… Se me hace difícil responder esta pregunta. He oscilado entre varios estilos durante los últimos años e, incluso ahora, pueden haber antítesis de estilo en una misma semana. Me gusta un poco de caos en las personas, en general suelo alejarme de aquellos que tienen (o parecen tener) todo bajo control... creo que con mi ropa soy igual. Me gusta que haya algo que no combine tanto, algo que esté un poquito muy suelto, algo que que se vea que tiene varios años de uso... A veces me dicen que tengo un estilo bastante europeo... no estoy segura de que significa eso, pero por ahí tienen razón. Creo que mi estilo personal es una mezcla de muchos estilos.

Mi tienda favorita… Esa es una pregunta difícil. Creo que depende muchísimo de lo que esté buscando en un determinado momento. Ir a algunas tiendas es un placer sólo por el hecho de ir a la tienda en si, se nota que hay personalidad y cariño en ellas. Aprecio mucho la experiencia que un lugar es capaz de ofrecerme y me gusta saber que fue una persona con gustos y caprichos la que decoró el lugar. Neomutatis, de Andrea García, me parece el ejemplo perfecto de lo que acabo de decir; su personalidad está impresa en cada una de las paredes de su tienda.

No creo, sin embargo, tener una tienda favorita. Compro por capricho. En mi closet coexisten en paz chombas de Benetton con vestidos de diseñadores locales y faldas de segunda mano que compré en Grau. Disfruto muchísimo las compras de segunda mano, tanto en lo que respecta a ropa como a casi cualquier otra cosa. Aquí en Lima visito el centro de Lima y sus galerías todo el tiempo, y cada vez que viajo aprovecho de darme un salto por el mercado de pulgas. Mi último hallazgo es un reloj de cuerda muy kitsch y sesentero que compré por el equivalente a unos soles en un mercado de segunda mano en Bogotá hace unos meses. Soy cachivachera a morir.

También caigo por las cadenas. H&M, Zara, Mango, Benetton... casi siempre tengo algo de ahí encima.

Pagaría lo que fuera… ¡Por muchas cosas que no guardan relación alguna con la moda....! Pagaría lo que fuera por cosas que no se pueden comprar: por una vida con música, viajes, noches de fiesta, mañanas tranquilas, mucho rato en soledad, libros que no me suelten, grandes amigos y encuentros efímeros...

Aunque si de ropa se trata.... estoy dispuesta a pasar por encima de mi presupuesto usual por un buen messenger bag de cuero (de esos que usas toda la vida) o por un abrigo clásico y con buen corte. Soy una firme creyente en las inversiones a largo plazo en el guardarropa.

Jamás me pondría… Jamás digo jamás porque ya he renegado en el pasado contra tendencias que después he utilizado muy feliz y campante. Igual, no creo que vaya a acercarme en el futuro a las prendas sintéticas y apretadas.... representan a la perfección aquello de lo que intento alejarme. Tanto estética como sensorialmente... por decirlo de alguna manera. Será que tengo un cuerpo más bien andrógeno, porque esa onda latina y "apretadita" no me va muy bien....

Me compraría miles de… ¡Sombreros y chalinas! Y vestidos.... los vestidos son mi perdición, en cualquier época del año. También me compraría miles de discos de música originales... estoy en una cruzada personal por retomar ese viejo hábito perdido.

Lo más caro que tengo en mi clóset… No son muchas cosas las caras... Vivo con presupuesto de estudiante, así que soy asidua de las rebajas y los mercados de pulgas. Creo que las cosas más caras que tengo no las compré yo, son sacos y vestidos heredados de mi bisabuela, una mujer con un gusto impecable. Tengo un saco de gamuza turquesa hasta las rodillas que ella compró hace años... seguro que vale más que tres cuartos de mi closet.

Adquiridos en mis años... creo que un vestido de Anthropologie y otro que compré en una tienda vintage en San Francisco hace unos años. No tiene marca, pero es una belleza.

Jamás me pondría de nuevo… Unas botas con peluche que compré hace muchos años. Hace poco estaba limpiando mi closet y las encontré.... me dio verguenza aceptar que las había comprado. Son un error por donde se las vea. Tampoco volvería a usar esos polos de lycra muy apretados que me puse durante los primeros años de inseguridad adolescente...

Mi clóset es… Un gran desorden. Todo apretado y desordenado. Pienso limpiarlo pronto. Muchas (demasiadas) faldas y vestidos. Muchas chompas... caos puro.

¿Cuáles son tus iconos de estilo? Y... son muchos y muchas. Algunos que se me vienen a la cabeza ahorita... Diane Keaton en Annie Hall, Zooey Deschanel, Devendra Banhart, Dylan en la época de The Last Waltz. Alexia Chung, Carrie Bradshaw de Sex and the City, Elvis Costello y sus encantadores lentes, Edie Sedgwick, Natasha Khan, las chicas de Au Revoir Simone, el personaje de Eva Green en Los Soñadores, Francoise Hardy, Lou Doillon (la guapísima hija de Jane Birkin), Patty Smith...

¿Qué música define tu estilo? Creo que la música que escucho suena muy similar a cómo me veo... Ahorita están en rotación continua Feist, Cat Power, The Dodos, Hafdis Huld, Fionn Regan, Dylan, Belle And Sebastian, Andrew Bird, Beck, Juana Molina, M. Ward, Lykke Li, Noah and the Whale, Thao Nguyen...

Muchos de esos músicos son también mis íconos de estilo, así que me imagino debe existir alguna correlación entre aquello que vistes y aquello que escuchas. Un toque de folk, un toque de indie, un toque de rock, un toque de irreverencia.

¿Tacos o zapatos planos? Planos, planos, planos. Comodidad ante todo. No soy ni seré una chica de tacones altos, lo acepté hace mucho. Igual, mi respeto y admiración a esas maravillosas acróbatas que logran manejarse día a día a 10 metros por encima del suelo y (para colmo de los colmos!) con una sonrisa. Me recuerdan que, en el fondo, soy y seré la chica-chico que he sido toda mi vida, incapaz de conquistar esas artes femeninas que otras parecen manejar tan bien.

¿Dónde consigues tus accesorios? La gran mayoría los hago yo. Sobre todo los tejidos, soy una tejedora compulsiva. Boinas, chalinas, chales, guantes, de esos me encargo yo... Ultimamente se me ha dado por hacer tocados para el pelo también. No uso mucha joyería, tengo un par de aretes y collares en rotación continua.

Todo lo que no hago, lo consigo casi siempre en tiendas de segunda mano, mercados de pulgas y heredados.

¿Cuál es tu perfume? El perfume de mi jabón. No uso nada...

¿Maquillaje o no? Y bueno... los dos. Cuando salgo de noche, siempre. O labios muy fuertes u ojos muy oscuros. De día no suelo tener tiempo ni ganas... aunque ahora que me corté el pelo, creo que voy a tener que empezar. Parezco un muchachito de día.

¿qué quieres comunicar a través de tu blog? No estoy muy segura. Creo que "comunicar" nada... Empezó como un proyecto más bien personal. Siempre he sido una persona muy visual y me pareció interesante guardar un registro de mis días. La internet parece el medio más sencillo y ordenado de hacerlo. El blog me da una excusa para mantenerme creativa y tomar fotos... En general escribo en inglés, ya que la mayoría de los lectores (de los cuatro gatos que se dan una vuelta) hablan en ese idioma.

Quizá intento inspirar a algunos de la misma manera en que otros me inspiraron a mi al dejar una ventanita abierta hacia sus vidas... Quizá quiero expresar quien soy en diferentes momentos de mi vida y, para eso, el blog me parece una herramienta bastante valiosa.

¿Por qué posteas sobre tu look y cuál es tu relación con la moda?

No es un blog sobre moda o looks... Aunque está un poco abandonado por el momento (el tiempo me apremia y ajusta), la idea es que sea un reflejo de mis días, de mis contrastes y mis dudas. Existe en mi, como en cualquier otra persona, una multiplicidad de matices que me compone. Existen infinitas referencias, infinitas influencias, infinitas inspiraciones. La idea es guardar un registro de todo eso (no he sido tan exitosa todavía).

Si la idea central fuera postear sobre mi look, mi blog sería muy distinto. Hay muchas veces que se arman atuendos que me gustan mucho y que no guardo para el blog...

Aún así, intento hacerlo cuando tengo el tiempo y las ganas. Me sirve para recordar que hice antes, para pensar en que haré después y para forzarme a esforzarme. Lo que usamos es un claro reflejo tanto de quien somos como de quien queremos ser, es un medio, un vehículo que está a nuestra disposición siempre que querramos usarlo, incluso cuando el destino no esté muy claro.

Mi relación con la moda... espero eventualmente poder ganarme (parte de) la vida gracias a esta relación. Estoy ahora tejiendo compulsivamente algunos accesorios que pienso vender en un mes y experimentando con algunos medios nuevos. Todavía soy muy torpe en la costura, pero voy mejorando...

***************************************************************************

My personal style is… This question is rather hard to answer. I’ve been swinging between styles for the past few years and, even now, completely different styles might appear on the same week. I like people to be a bit chaotic, I’m not very attracted by those who seem to have everything under control… and I guess I’m the same with my clothes. I like it when something doesn’t really match, when something’s a little bit too lose, when something looks like it’s been worn for several years. They sometimes tell me I have a fairly European style, I’m not really sure of what that means but then again, who knows, they might be right.

My favorite store… Tricky question. I think it depends strongly on what I feel like at that particular moment. Going to some shops is a pleasure just for the sole experience of going to that store. I really appreciate when a place offers me a complete experience and when you can see the personal taste and quirks of someone within its walls.

However, I don’t think I have a favorite store. I shop to indulge my whims. Benetton sweaters, dresses by local designers and second hand skirts coexist peacefully in my closet. I really enjoy second hand stores, for clothes and for anything else. My last find is an extremely kitschy clock from the sixties that I bought while in Bogota.

I would pay anything for… For many things that hold no relation with fashion! I would pay anything for things that can’t be bought: for a life with music, travels, all night parties, quiet mornings, time on my own, books that capture me, great friends that last a lifetime and one night encounters.

Although, when it comes to clothes… I’m willing to go over budget for a good classic leather messenger bag or for a well-cut coat. I’m a firm believer in long-term investments when it comes to your closet.

I would never wear…. I never say never because I’ve already been annoyed in the past by tendencies that I’ve later worn quite happily. However, I doubt I’ll find myself wearing synthetic tight clothes… I know I have a rather androgynous body, so the Latin bomb style doesn’t really work for me.

I would buy thousands of… Hats and scarves! And dresses. I would also buy thousands of original music records… I’m holding my own personal crusade to recover that long lost habit.

The most expensive thing in my closet is… I don’t really have a lot of expensive things… I like on a student’s budget, so I’m a regular at sales and second-hand markets. I think the most expensive things on my closet were not bought by me, they’re dresses and coats I’ve inherited from my great great-grandmother. I have a turquoise chamois trench-coat that she bought ages ago, I’m pretty sure its worth more that three quarters of my closet.

I would never wear again… These furry boots I bought ages ago. I was recently cleaning my closet when I found them… I felt a bit embarrassed to admit I had bought them. They are a mistake, no matter how you look at them. I would never wear again those tight synthetic shirts I wore during the first few years of my teenage insecurity.

My closet is… A big mess. Too many skirts and dresses, too many sweaters, pure chaos.

Who are your style icons? Well, out of the top of my head… Diane Keaton in Annie Hall, Zooey Deschanel, Devendra Banhart, Dylan in the Last Waltz, Alexa Chung, Carrie Bradshaw, Elvis Costello and his lovely glasses, Edie Sedgwick, Natasha Khan, the girls from Au Revoir Simone, the character of Eva Green in The Dreamers, Francoise Hardy, Lou Doillon, Patty Smith…

What music defines your style? I guess that the music I’m currently listening to sounds a lot like how I look… Feist, Cat Power, The Dodos, Hafdis Huld, Fionn Regan, Dylan, Belle and Sebastian, Andrew Bird, Beck, Juana Molina, M. Ward, Lykke Li, Noah and the Whale, Thao Nguyen…

Some of those musicians would also fall under the style icon cathegory, so I imagine there has to be some relation between what you wear and what you listen to. A little bit of folk, a little bit of indie, a little bit of rock, a little bit of irreverence.

Flats or heels? Flats, flats, flats. Comfort before everything. I am not and I will never be a heels girl, I accepted it a long time ago. Still, my respect and admiration to those wonderful acrobats that manage to live their daily life 10 meters above the ground and with a smile. They remind me that, deep down, I’m still the tomboy I’ve felt like most of my life, unable to conquer those feminine arts that others seem to understand so well.

Where do you get your accessories? I make most of them. Specially the knit ones, I’m a compulsive knitter. Berets, scarves, shawls, gloves… I take care of those. I’ve recently been making hair accessories as well. I don’t really wear jewelry, I only have a couple of earrings and necklaces. Everything I don’t make, I usually buy at second-hand stores.

Makeup or no makeup? Well… both. Whenever I go out at nights, always: either very strong lips or eyes. I don’t  usually wear makeup by day because it seems like too much effort… although now that my hair is so short, I might need to begin. I look a bit like a boy when my face is clean.

What are you trying to communicate through your blog? I’m not so sure. I don’t think I’m trying to “communicate” anything. It started off as a rather personal project. I’ve always been a very visual person and I thought it would be interesting to keep a track of my days. The web seems like the simplest way to do it. The blog just gives me an excuse to stay creative and to take photos. I usually write in English, since most of my readers don’t speak Spanish…

I guess I’m trying to inspire others in the same way that others have inspired me in the past.

Why do you post about your look and what is your relationship with fashion?

I don’t think it’s a blog about fashion or looks… Just like everyone else, I’m made by contradictions, and the references, influences, inspiration sources that make me up are infinite. The idea is to keep a register of all that. If I were intending to keep a style blog, then my blog would be quite different. I sometimes wear outfits I really really like that I don’t save for the blog…

Still, I try to do that whenever I have to time and the right mood. It’s a good way to remember what I’ve done before, to think of what I’ll do next and to make some effort. What we wear is a reflection not only of who we are, but also of who we want to be, it’s a vehicle that we can use to go anywhere, even when the destination itself is not very clear.

My relationship with fashion… Well, I hope to make a living (or a part of a living) with it at some point. Right now I’m compulsively knitting some accessories I plan to sell in a month and experimenting with new mediums. I’m not so great sewing yet, but getting better (I hope).

(i'm really just playing)

2009-05-21T13:15:00.000-07:00

Just playing with long exposure.

Es divertido y una buena excusa para atrasar más las cosas que ineludiblemente tendré que empezar pronto.

(swimming pools)

2009-05-11T20:47:00.000-07:00

Just discovered this today.

(things i make: saturday)

2009-05-09T16:37:00.000-07:00

My room is currently a big mess of crafting materials.... here's a small peak at what I've been doing today.

La tarde de hoy tan sólo contribuyó a reafirmar una intuición que, con cada día que pasa, se convierte más en certeza. La certeza del querer hacer. De imaginar, de cortar, de coser, de hacer. Creo que nunca soy más feliz que cuando convierto mi cuarto en un pequeño escenario post-apocalíptico, bombardeado por lana, goma, plumas e hilos.

(things i do: monday)

2009-05-04T12:01:00.000-07:00

I'm keeping myself warm today and staying at home, listening to Andrew Bird and knitting the afternoon away. After giving it much thought, I've decided to knit a small collection of one-of-a-kind accesories. I will keep you posted on how it goes. I'm thinking about sewing a few items as well, but I'm still learning... might give it a try.

I watched Fellini's La Dolce Vita yesterday night for the first time. I felt blown away by some scenes and particularly enjoyed watching Nico before she became the Nico I came to know thanks to the Velvet Underground. And Anita Ekberg walking through the Fontana di Trevi was mind-blowing.

I hope that most of you (the ones living on the northern hemisphere) are enjoying the start of your summer as much as I'm enjoying the start of our winter.

The dress was a christmass gift from my ex-boyfriend. I now feel slightly guilty about making him a mix-cd. Might have to improve my present this year.

(still trying to get it right)

2009-04-22T10:18:00.000-07:00

This is what I wore today. It's getting colder everyday and to be honest, I'm having a bit of a hard time figuring out how I feel like looking this winter. Nevertheless, I know I'll end up going back to the booties + skirt + cardigan combo. No matter how trends keep changing, this kind of outfit is what I feel most comfortable in, at least in my day to day life. Makes me realize I'm not really a "trendy" person...

It just happens that I like (my own version) of granny style too much!

On another note... I went to an underground rock concert with a lovely guy that takes photos for a living a few days ago. Here are some (of my unprofessional) photos.

(!!!)

2009-04-14T10:13:00.000-07:00

made this

...and now I'm very tired.

(this and that)

2009-04-10T08:01:00.000-07:00

The wedding was lovely. It felt true to who my friends are, instead of feeling imposed upon by society and expectations, which is as how most weddings feel like to me. We danced until dawn and several of their friends sang and play music for them.

I've never been the kind of girl that plans her wedding while still playing with her dolls. To be honest, I've always thought I'd be the one, out of all of my friends, that wouldn't marry. However... for the first time in my life, I began wondering how I would like to have my own wedding.

We had such an amazing time.

And of couse, I didn't mind spending a couple of days walking around the streets of Cuzco.

(change...)

2009-04-01T14:20:00.000-07:00

... we need.

So I chopped off my hair and darkened it!

(I'm off to Cuzco until Tuesday. A dear friend of mine is getting married. I can't think of a more beautiful place to have your wedding!)

(the truth is that....)

2009-03-29T09:42:00.000-07:00

(http://peach-plum-pear.tumblr)

indie banana

2009-03-25T10:27:00.000-07:00

Growing up, the Velvet Underground and Nico was the album that never left my cd player. Years later, I'm still amazed at the moving simpliticty of their songs and lyrics. A lot has been written on the enourmous influence this album had upon subsequent punk, rock and indie bands, so I'll end this here.

So imagine how my curiosity sparked when I discovered this:

Several Argentinean bands grouped to pay tribute to the Velvet Underground - this is what came out of the experience

The album is of public domain and can be downloaded for free here

we are never alone

2009-03-23T16:42:00.000-07:00

I climbed to the roof today, to watch one of the last summer sunsets I'll see in a while, only to realize that I wasn't alone. In some other house, others were doing the same. I can't really explain why, but it made me feel all warm inside.

i still dream

2009-03-19T23:08:00.000-07:00

I wore this dress today. And bought this cute little fellow for about 50 cents. I like him. And he always lands on his feet.

The sticker on my headboard says "I still dream". I like it, makes me feel strangely optimistic about life when things get too confusing.

2009-03-15T12:05:00.001-07:00

While I have always defined myself as a "winter person", I cannot help but to find summer mornings beautiful. Light is everywhere and, even if in the darkest mood, you can't help but wanting to go outside.

Winter will soon be arriving, and my daily activities will change. From riding my bike in the sun and having fresh fruit juice for breakfast, to knitting and drinking hot chocolate before going to bed. But for the time being... I'm enjoying what summer still has to offer!

I have been wearing this dress a lot this summer. I usually never wear white but the cute pockets and child-like shape of this dress really captured me...

(bogota)

2009-03-03T11:43:00.001-08:00

hi! I'm in Bogota with a friend, visiting my dear Josefa. I'll be back next monday. I wish you a happy week.

carnivale

2009-02-24T07:39:00.000-08:00

I know that whenever people think of Peru, several things can come to mind. Might be the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, or the dark misterious rainforest. Some of you might think of beautiful beaches along the coastline and, perhaps, those of you interested in politics might actually remember the terrorist hell that the country went through for two (still very recent) decades.

Nevertheless, when I started blogging I decided I also wanted to let people know what life in my city was like. Lima is a difficult and confussing city, and everyone living here will tell you there are always mixed emotions when it comes to how one feels about it. There are, however, things I love about living here. And one of the is the Carnaval.

It is a tradition that had been lost in Lima for many years, mainly due to the insecurity caused by terrorism and crime. It is, however, making a colourful and loud comeback in recent years. It is held on a Saturday in February, from 1 pm to 5 or 6 in the morning of the next day. It is the day to go crazy. You can dress up, dance, get naked, change genre, bring your kids, get drunk, whatever you feel like: there are no rules. People bring paint and you can paint everyone you see, even if you don't know anyone, you can still jump all over them, paint their faces and invite them to join the carnaval.

You start walking throught the city and then head down to the beach (Lima is located over cliffs, overlooking the coast). There's a party there and concerts and then everyone returns to the city for a street party that lasts until the sun rises. This year we went skinny dipping, got back in our costumes and returned to the party upstairs.

I hope you enjoy the photos (not all taken by me) and that, maybe, one year you will join me in the Carnaval.

(I was still clean....)

(that didn't last for too long...)

bye!

(if you happen to be in Lima...)

2009-02-10T13:03:00.000-08:00

I seriously doubt having any regular readers in Peru, but in case I'm wrong.....

drop by tonight and say hi!

I'm the guest (laptop) dj for the night.

(purpleness)

2009-02-08T22:25:00.000-08:00

Ever since I saw Jen Brill's purple shoes, something happened inside me. I had never been particularly interested in purple but oh, oh, oh, something changed. Suddenly I wanted my own pair. And I got them. It's too bad you can't really tell from the pictures, but they are really really intense.

Oh. Well. Yes. I had them specially made. That's how obsessed I got with the idea of purple shoes.

In fact... I've got to say... I'm really starting to like the idea of bright colourful shoes all year long.

(ghosts)

2009-02-05T18:39:00.000-08:00

I am terribly sorry for my absence. I think I'm back now.

I know I've been saying this a lot, but I think this time I really (really) mean it.

There were some ghosts within me that I needed to heal. And slowly, but surely, things are getting better.

I've listening to this sweet girl lately. She has lovely blonde hair, a gorgeous voice and sweet lyrics.

Also, she's 18.

Ghosts

(for a heart is a home)

2009-01-08T18:03:00.000-08:00

So what do you do when you are tired of having the blues? Well, you take out your green skinnies, dress in brighter colors than usual, listen to some funky music and start blogging again.

But still... I feel like I kind of owe you guys an explanation. My posts lately have been on the sucky side of things and I'm surprised so many of you have kept checking this blog while I was having the blues and writing poor excuses for a post. You truly make me smile.

Things have been strange lately and life has felt like an emotional rollercoaster. A rollercoaster you can't ever remember buying the ticket for. The thing is, growing up, I was idealistic and romantic, and saw life as one of the beautiful novels that had shaped my youth. Love was overwhelming and honest.

Life taught me different. Love can be hard and it can easily change into something that has nothing to do with love and more to do with control, power and ego. Spent two years right before turning twenty in a bad relationship that I think I'm still working at overcoming. Started as intense overwhelming love, turned into something completely different.

Now... well, I'm a bit on the skeptical side of things. I find it hard making myself vulnerable as I truly fear getting my heart broken. Not only that but... there is a world I live in. A world that I find in my room, in my books, in the gardens nearby my home, in my dog, in my music, my letters from highschool, the photos I've collected... that I find hard to show to anyone. I'm scared that if I let anyone in and it goes wrong, then my own private world will be corrupted by it. So I find it hard to let people in.

And, weirdly enough, most people think of me as lively and outgoing... I find it hard to reconciliate that with how I truly feel.

Phew... didn't plan to make it so personal, but that's how it came out. Also, Josefa left for Colombia earlier this morning so I'm a bit emotional. I don't think I'll be seing her soon and that's a bit hard. Remember how I was talking about my own private world? Well, I haven't let anyone in it in recent years in the way I've let her.

I hope this didn't sound to self-pitying. I didn't mean it that way. I just wanted to share a bit.

So again. Thanks.

And as a thank you treat, let me introduce you the wonderful Poladoodles, made by the uber talented Jinnie Lee. Again, no words. But this time, in a good way.

(gaza)

2009-01-07T14:38:00.000-08:00

there are no words.

(those dancing days)

2008-12-07T07:55:00.000-08:00

( Last couple of weeks have been crazy. Finals and end of term essays (I'm not done yet) - Boy having apendicitis and going under emergency surgery and on Friday my birthday. I can't believe I'm 22 already.

I promise to post more soon - in the meantime, here are some birthday pics. I hope everyone is doing alright, I can't wait to start blogging for real again. )

(to boy or not to boy)

2008-11-27T09:24:00.000-08:00

My relationship with jeans has always been a tricky one. Having been a tomboy through my childhood and most of my teenage years, it was impossible not to find me in denim on any ocassion. As I grew up, I started to fall in love with skirts, dresses, cute shoes, lace, hair accesories and granny cardings - and the tomboy in me started to fade away in the past.

The last few years I was known as the girl-who-was-always-in-a-dress and whenever I told someone that I used to be a tomboy growing up, they wouldn't believe me. Although my attitude has never been that of a girly-girl (I've always been a guys-kind of gal), my looks suggested otherwise. The few times I've worn jeans in the last years, everyone felt the need to comment. It was such a rare ocassion.

This changed about a year ago when I found the perfect pair of skinnies. Comfortable and flattering. Yet, when I started seeing photos of the boyfriend jeans trend on the Internet I was a bit hesitant. The tomboy in me loved me, yet I wasn't sure if I'd be able to wear it after so many years in skirt and dresses - would I feel like me?

I eventually decided to give it a try.

But what do you do when your boy (the boyfriend status is still at question - I am known for my commitment phobic personality....) loves brightly coloured skinnies? Well - the answer is easy, you turn to the brother-jeans.

I decided to go all for the ultra-relaxed look, wearing it with wooden sandals I got as a gift from Japan and a purple fabric bag I once bough from some hippie backpacker. So, what do you think? I've read some people complain about the unpolished look the boyfriend (brother) jeans give you, but I've got to say, that's exactly what I like.

Currently listening to: Yelle - Ce Jeu

I might be gone for a week as finals are only a few days ago. I'll let you all know. xx

(a weekend at the beach)

2008-11-24T11:43:00.000-08:00

For the weekend I decided to head up North to a lovely town next to the border with Ecuador. The 20-hour bus ride was worth it.

We met this great couple from Argentina, Gustavo and Analia. They were married last year and have spent the last 6 months travelling in a 1970's car with the dog Chuni. They've already travelled through Bolivia and Peru, and they were just about to cross the border with Ecuador. Can you imagine a more romantic way to spend your honeymoon?

Boy was thrilled to run into fellow Argentineans. It's funny how every country in South America has such a strong identity. I could see them cracking jokes and laughing at things I would never fully understand.

Boy and Gustavo. Gustavo looks mean here. He really wasn't.

My life needs more brightly coloured quirky doors.

He cooked us dinner for about 60 cents each. It was good. And spicy.

I took photos of boy while he was asleep.

Gustavo had been a hairdresser in Buenos Aires all his life. Boy got a mohawk. It was such a wonderfully bizarre image. Getting a haircut right between a 70's car and a mototaxi (our own variety of ricshaws) while drinking Argentinean mate with 7up under the sun. Priceless.

They convinced me to get a haircut too.

And then customers just started appearing. They would exchange a haircut for a beer, a sandwich or a package of cigarrettes. Gustavo was thrilled.

How was your weekend?

christina rosenvinge

2008-11-19T09:26:00.000-08:00

Ladies and gentlemen, the one and only, Christina Rosenvinge.

(stripes)

2008-11-17T16:45:00.000-08:00

Today I wore this H&M sweater. I wish the rest of the outfit was worthwhile showing, but it was just a pair of jeans and my electric blue Converse. Sometimes it's just nice to take it easy.

I had been experiencing a serious writer's block for quite some time now. I think I'm finally begining to shake it off. The only weird thing is that I've always written fiction and today, without really meaning to, I wrote some poetry. I'm still trying to figure out if there's maybe a way I can fit what I wrote into a yet unwritten piece of fiction, poetry has never really been my thing....

Oh... I really really like this sweater by the way. It's my mother's.

Currently listening to Elliot Smith-Rose Parade

(green grass)

2008-11-12T07:09:00.000-08:00

this cibelle video is absolutely beautiful.

(josefa)

2008-11-11T11:44:00.001-08:00

This is the loveliest josefa. she's the best friend you could ever hope for.

She's starting a semester abroad (in Colombia) this January, so we are spending a lot of time together before that.

Yesterday she wore her rollerblades and I rode my bike. Afterwards we had a picnic under the spring sun.

(neighbour to neighbour)

2008-11-10T05:39:00.000-08:00

Anyone who knows me in my day to day life (that is, outside of this blog) knows I never keep my mouth shut in the face of controversy. If I disagree with something I'll be the first one to say it aloud and to anyone's face...

However, this blog was like my own private and silent room. I told myself I would rant here about issues that frustrated me, annoyed me or made me angry. This blog was going to be the place where everything went just the way I wanted it to go.

Having said that.... there are two things I can't be quiet about.

1). Congratulations America on choosing your new president. Be proud of yourself, you've made a courageous and brave decision that the rest of the world applaudes. I was with friends that cried when Obama's victory was announced. Here, in Peru. That is how happy we all are - Things have been wrong for way too long. Nevertheless, such a great event took the attention away from a very important issue.

Proposition 8 - How can it be that on the same day that people chose a president that represents equality, they take away basic rights from citizens that deserve them just as much as anyone?

I cried that day too. I cried out of excitment for the changes to come and I cried out of rage. Intolerance and discrimination shouldn't win a battle the same day that equality does.

I don't want to tell anyone what to do or think - if you agreed with Proposition 8, then it is not my place to judge and I certainly don't want to stir up a fight here. But if you disagree with it, then don't stop fighting for what you think is right and fair. I am certain there will be one day when we'll look back on this moment with shame.

2). I know others have already written about this post by Susie Bubble, but I'll do it too. I'm not a regular reader of her blog, although I do like to take a look and read her posts once in a while.

Living on a country like Peru - where the day to day outfit are jeans, sneakers and a Roxy sweater, discovering the fashion blogging community was a big relief for me. I get strange stares everyday, if not pretty annoying remarks based on the way I dress and look.

And trust me - I don't dress half as risky as some of the girls I admire the most from the blogosphere.

This should be a place where we can be comfortable in our own skin - I won't say more on this subject, but please, let's not turn this community into a new place where we have to protect ourselves. If you don't like someone's outfit or style, and are too insecure to recognize and appreciate someone else's individuality, please leave and go visit the Abercrombie and Fitch webpage.

Well... Enough said. This is what I wore today. I'm sorry for the silly look on my face, photos were taken at 7 am.

The sweater belong to my great grandmother who recently passed away... (she was 100 years old!!) - It's one of my favourites. I swear she was one of the best dressed women I've seen in my entire life.

(life inside the music box ain't easy)

2008-11-09T08:35:00.000-08:00

I got this grey shirt from a cute chain-smoking boy I've been spending the last few weeks with.

I've now got my eye set on a pair of H&M pink trousers that he owns.

Skinny boys with style rock.

(i knitted this today)

2008-11-04T11:29:00.000-08:00

I finished knitting this today. I had had the yarn for ages but felt it was a bit too colorful and that a big garment (such as a sweater), would look a bit too... rainbow child for my taste.

A cowl was a good idea.

Unfortunately for my new cowl (but great for me), spring seems to be starting for real. Oh well, I guess I'll wait until next year to take it outside.

(ye rin mok photography)

2008-11-04T06:12:00.001-08:00

(i wish i understood boys... but as each day passes the more I realize I don't)

Update: I now like boys (boy) again.

(halloween)

2008-11-02T05:38:00.000-08:00

I've never really been the kind of person that celebrates specific dates (such as Christmas, Halloween or New Year). On the contrary, I've sometimes spent New Year's eve in bed, enjoying a movie I had been meaning to watch for a long time and then partied until the sun rose only a few days later.

This halloween, however, was fun. We all dressed in costumes and went to a slightly underground party at an art gallery. There was life music, two floors with djs with different styles and a roof terrace.

Someone asked me whether I was dressed as one of the CocoRosie girls. I have to admit that although I hadn't thought about it, I really liked the idea.

(juana molina)

2008-10-31T10:52:00.000-07:00

she's great.

listen here.

www.myspace.com/juanamolina

(today's outfit)

2008-10-27T15:57:00.000-07:00

I got this hugely oversized Benetton's sweater for sale. I thought I wouldn't wear it till next winter since Spring has oficially begun.

Global warming proved me wrong.

I do apologize for the terrible blogging... I promise to be better from now on.

Currently listening to: Robert Francis - Little Girl

(la jirafa)

2008-10-18T08:27:00.000-07:00

If there is one music genre I'm not really a fan of, is reggaeton.

There is, however, a musician that never ceases to amaze me. Original, irreverent and constantly pushing the limits of convention, Calle 13 is great. I read this great post on one of his songs, La Jirafa, and decided it would be fun to share it.

This song has been played here for the last couple of years, but I'm guessing there's a big chance you haven't had the chance to listen to it yet.

I won't write much on the song as you can read this great post by reggaetonica.

The imagery of the lyrics is beautiful - I'll post here the translation (via reggaetonica).

Plant your feet like two roots

with that swing

you'll probably cast a spell on me

Careful

So I don't step of you,

Mamita, with caution

Flutter the cloth

in your grandmother's name

My little cinamon

My little sugar

My pretty Sara (Linda Sara is the name of an acclaimed 1994 Puerto Rican movie)

My hurricane-like storm

My Sait Clare (Santa Clara was a hurricane the hit PR in 1956)

I'm not gonna let anything weird step on you

I'm gonna light the candles so nothing happens to you

There are no knives or guns here

There's only

a lot a lot alot of cooking pot

Here there's a lot of sun

A lot of beaches

A lot of waves

Here everything is molasses

Nothing is pangola

I will paint the beach for you

Crayola blue

We're leaving

We're going

We're leaving

In a yola (small boat)

And if there's no yola

We will keep it rolling

So that

You will see how your tail floats

When I saw you I felt a lof of tickling

It was like having

forty ants

scratching my belly

You know, you know, you know

You're so fine

You took my pants, you thief

Let's spread ourselves into a tortilla

Let's make coconut pudding mixed with custard

I will eat your wood

Even with termites

She eeee eee

She eee she

She eee ee

She eee shee

I want to see

The whole giraffe

I want it to kick me

See who can get away

Stirring the batter

I want four cups

of carrots with pumpkins

You take me

Flying through the countryside

Off the floor

Walking on stilts

With a patanco basket

To walk over the ships

Until I get your mountain range

The one who heals me

There are rumors going around

That you are

The luck of all colours

A garden full of beans

Lots of necklaces adorned with seashells

Your name came out in the three cards

The stars told me

To dive in

To the bottom with no flippers

To go on the trip

With no suitcase

To go the whole way round

the planet

in a matress

Lift up

Your shoe soles

Lets coil the washer disk

Gimme, gimme, gimme

a bit of nutella

With you I'll go solo

a capella

There you go. I'd like to hear your opinion. For me reggaeton is something that I have to constantly listen to (against my will) and don't really appreciate.

It would be interesting to know what you think about this one.

In my opinion, I wouldnt mind being whoever this song was written about. And the video is beautiful too.

xx.

(igotabacklesstop)

2008-10-16T16:16:00.001-07:00

but it's too cold to go backless.

(bunny suicides)

2008-10-12T21:19:00.000-07:00

Cute and creepy - I've got to admit it, it's (for me) a winning combination.

And this becomes pretty obvious when looking at the work of artist Andy Riley.

I discovered him very recently, when my best friend brough back as a present from her NY trip an adorable 2009 Bunny Suicides Calendar. It's a present that's actually connected to the big and misterious planes I keep talking about....

Oh... these little bunnies don't want to live at all.

You can see more naughty cuteness here Have fun.

(my new - and upgraded - camera arrives on wednesday so I'll be able to have outfit photos again, I can't wait).

I'm going back to my essay on Lacan and Zizek but thought this was a pretty nice post to lighten up before burying my head again in the Imaginary and the Object of Desire.

(a fresh new start)

2008-10-10T14:55:00.000-07:00

I don't want to jinx it by talking about it right now, since it still feels like such a distant possibility, but I'm planing big changes for next year.

As part of my planing, I've been obsessively looking at blogs and sites about interior decoration. One of the sites I find the most inspirational is The Selby

Just as I find looking at street style photographies more inspiring than fashion editorials, having a change to "visit" the homes of real persons is amazing. I'm always surprised by the way the style of each individual can be reflected on the space they inhabit.

Nesting is one of our best habits.

These are some of my favorites...

Looking at this photos I realize that my ideal home would be a mixture of old and new. I'd love to have some vintage furniture co-existing with plastic toys, and colours and patterns that don't really match, matching. I'm also begining to experience what might be considered the begining of a love affair with subtle ethnic touches.

What does your ideal home look like? Is it classic or quirky? Minimalist or full of little details? Cozy or open and airy?

I'm really curious to know, I've always felt nothing says more about the person that the place they live in (or dream of living in).

(just testing)

2008-10-09T18:03:00.001-07:00

i believe the title to be pretty self-explanatory.