CLIP OF THE DAY: When we love something...

Today this quote got my attention:

When we love something, emotion often drives our actions.

This is the gift and the challenge entrepreneurs face every day.

The companies we dream of and build from scratch are part of us and intensely personal. They are our families. Our lives.

Work should be personal. For all of us. Work should have meaning, not just for the entrepreneur.

Haward Schultz - Starbucks President.

CLIPPING 3 tips:

-TOMOE - 172 Thompson Street, New York - by far the best sushi I have ever had.

-H&M  - and their new winter hats collection - @ines4connect instagram pic above.

-ONWARD - Starbucks book, NY Times bestseller, my latest reading.....insightful & greatly inspiring.

Have you found what you are looking for?

For most of my experience, I seem to discover new places, which end up being very special to me - the same way I connect with people: accidentally meant to be, at the right time precisely but the wrong moment and when I am not looking. So my question is: Do we really find what we are looking for? Or should we look for it to be found?


Whichever the case, the world does work in mysterious ways... but still, I can guarantee you that 9 out of 10 people will tell you that their favourite restaurant was found by chance on a hidden corner during a carefree stroll. (and that happens for the world's most known love stories to man kind and successful business ideas we hear about it). So my point is as much as I had promised for CLIP of the day to be - everyday - I would be lying to you if I had come here to write an article about something new, given CONNECT's latest happenings....

The same way you can't learn to have charisma or buy connections, you can't force spontaneity; you either have it or you don't. But ultimately that in it self can be the difference, and I have always been a strong believer that force should  never be imposed but rather always achieved. But I must confess that I have 'forced' myself to come here everyday since the 17th of June, I have continuously forced my self to write and failed. Everytime. Not because I fell out of it, but simply because my heart wasn't here. And that is most probably and the most logical explanation why we only have 1 heart, and why it will never truly function in two places at the same time. You cannot do everything at once. (Not if you truly put all of your heart on it). So like everything else in life, I made a choice and gave you nothing.  Absolutely nothing for ....days. No hint, no apologies or new CLIPS. And if for every choice a consequence, I must now reveal that I couldn't be happier with mine. It is with great joy that I can confirm that CONNECT has officially and successfully joined forces with two new international identities and is preparing  for the launch of a bigger and better new website by the begging of September 2012. That alone has taking more than my regular extra time since March and clearly a lot more of my body and mind, heart and soul lately...and it will continue to until early September. But these are very exciting times for all CONNECT members and the new ones to come....!

So with that being said, I thought I would lock today's CLIP of the day with a few suggestions for the summer straight from CONNECT members, fashion features editors, restauranteurs and  the coolest entrepreneurs....:

1 -This season's sunglasses hot picks - Westward Leaning &  Oliver Peoples 

2 -London's new Greek spot - Mazi Restaurant 

3 -Saint-Tropez's latest hotel found - White 1921  


4- New York's inexpensive opening  The Pod Hotel

5 -Brazil's promessing musical talent - Rodrigo Lampreia & Samba Santa Clara Project 




Well, wherever you are, I hope what you are looking for,  finds you. xx 

CLIP OF THE DAY: Portuguese do it better

There is a shop in a little street  off Chiado neigbourhood in Lisbon that if you don't know of then you should definetely CLIP it in your diary next time in town. Its called A vida Portuguesa and I have written about it several times (and shall continue to as I am a big fan) To me, its no news that the Portuguese do it better....although one has to say sometimes we don't market ourselves as well as we should. Or....coming to think maybe this actually serves us right so we can still treasure our favorite classics before it goes too much into fashion and known by everyone on every corner of the Earth. My favorite new pick that I would like to share with you is their "cestas tradicionais Portuguesas"  in other words: hand made REED BASKETS.

They are good to carry your groceries, keep magazines on an original display and perfect to go to the beach this summer. While on research I found out this super cool website designed by the original maker's grandchild called "Toino Abel". Best of all? You can select and order it online from anywhere you are...Yup, think all you want, truth is (in our very own little way) Portugueses do it better. xxx I.

CLIP OF THE WEEK: Hit the road Jack.

 

 

As Europe and New York counts down for spring to officially kick in, Lisbon and Barcelona already show summer temperatures but its THE British reference of traditional sporting heritage that seems to be heating the paveways stronger than ever. Yup, Fred Perry shoes are back boys. The rich cotton twill shoes with the signature striped grosgrain trim on the back and rubber sole make seem to be matching up with hip shorts big time. If you are thinking: unpretentiously wear and classic basics, than you might have found just what you need to get by through this season....

CLIP-IT: Fred Perry's new kids line and "My first Fred Perry T-shirt" campaign. 

CLIP OF THE DAY: Brazilian Bombshell

 

I guess its a no brainer that when it comes to bikinis as no one does it better than Brazilians...but it was definately a surprise when I was first introduced to Brigitte - think elegant chromatic combinations and classical hip printed patterns tailor cut. The brand launcehd in 2006 is the brainchild of my stylish friend and connect gal Fernanda Maia and 2012 seemes to be paying off all her talent and personality (reflected on her own line) as her swimwear collection has been featured  by pretty much all the Brazilian bombshells in every magazine cover this summer. I was lucky enough to get my own bespoke pair and so it seems, I'm not looking back...its Brigitte all the way on my closet from now own. Perfecto if you're looking for subtle  and  remarkable pieces made to fit, really. Thank you Fe, keep on the good work!

CLIP OF THE DAY: These boots are made for...

Thanks to Mr. Henry Norris, an American entrepreneur who landed in Scotland in 1856, today rainboots went from a functional pair to a fashionable statement. During World War I, his company was asked by the War Office to design a boot that was suitable for flooded trenches - And so it seems, Mr. Norris did his homework: in all a total of 1.185.036 pairs of "Hunters" were made. In 1955 The Original Green Wellington became the first orthopedic boot and the rest is history (literatelly). From World Wars, to simply gardening, or walking on muddy music festivals, from remote snow mountains to famous catwalks Britain's true sweetheart: the "wellies" (how they call them) are everywhere...including my wardrobe since my very first University rainny year in London: green, black, navy blue, yellow, red and counting...no its not about people, places or trends today, its about the moment. Because truly, only great ones shall endure. Clipping yours in or out of the closet any time soon? xxx

CLIP OF THE DAY: Al fresco.

The word is frescobol and the mode is fun for brazilian's beach basic; from Gisele Bündchen to Justin Timberlake, frescobol went from carioca sport to Hollywood hot (al fresco). Clip the world's coolest bat in hand when you're next heading to the seaside and Max & Harry's hip FB Collection before packing. My dear and talented longtime friend Harry Brantly (one of the co-founders of FB) shares the same passports, sun mania, and my passion for Rio and London. Together with his biz partner Max Leese, they have cleverly created "timeless style to the beach" bringing the best of both worlds. Fashionistas now call them the king's of frescobol style - For my part: I now, know no other accessory to match my bikinis but their (as hip as) linen towel collection. After taking 2 to Rio and Trancoso, I can officially say: I'm addicted to all of them! Thank you boys.   

CLIP OF THE DAY: This is not a perfume.

For many he is Nina Ricci's grandson, but to me Romano Ricci has got it all on his own merit: Savoir faire, seductive style, and now - THE - super simple smell to it. No, its not a perfume, its more than that, its your own bespoke fragrance in a shape of a bottle. His brand "Juliette has a gun" just launched their new scent, the ubber cool alternative to perfume, a sort of custom made cologne for each one of us. How? Romano found a way to develop a formula in which the "Celatox" sprayed on your skin transforms itself in a unique aroma that differs from each type of skin (as we all smell different naturally). Clever, ha? Where now? Rue Vielle Du Temple, Montmartre, Paris. 

Clip of the day: Back on Track

Happy 2012 Clippers! Thank you for all the emails, suggestions, press releases, images of your holiday spots, new finds and hot trends around the globe. Above all thank you for bearing with me and my (much anticipated) time off...Can't wait to start CLIPPING about it all. As you may have noticed, the lay out looks different, it wont be permanent but we are working on creating a formula for all of you to find your favorites faster, so expect more soon - Will keep you in the loop. Being back on track also means tracing down all my notes and all the tips from my latest trips as per promissed: What's new in Rio, the complete connect guide of Trancoso in Bahia, and what is going on in Sao Paulo now. 

First trend of the new year? Its my latest fashion crush this South American summer and it has a name: Shwood. Wooden sunglasses, handcrafted from Madrone trees, 100% UVB protected with vintage lenses imported from Italy. Ditto. 

Ahhhh... feels good to be back. xxx I.

CLIP OF THE DAY: Old school is cool

Old school is cool and nerdy classroom look has never looked so fashionable and hot. What am I talking about? What everyone is wearing The Cambridge Satchel Company bags. The  made in UK traditional chestnut-coloured unisex leather satchels, have literately and unexpectedly taken the fashion world by storm.  According to British newspaper The Guardian, the small mother-and-daugther business, set up only in 2008 has gone from selling three schoolbags a week from their kitchen table to 1,500 a week, in a multitude of colours: "a turnover from £15,000 to £3.3m, and one that may reach £8m this year." I have my beautiful trendhunter stepmother to thank for as she was the very first person telling me about it. The founder Julie Deane, started the company to pay her daughter's school fees who was at the time also being bullied so she wanted to find something to turn the situation around. And so she did taking all of us with her. "I was quite obsessed with satchels at the time, because I was reading Harry Potter to my children and I wanted to find them". The rest is history and last year Commes des Garçons, collaborated with the Cambridge company on a range of four laptop-sized fluorescent bags that sold out in London. A cult among  fashionistas  and a phenomenon that has surprised the - unlikely fashion - mogul behind the business themselves.

CLIP-IT: My personal favorite - Fluoro Cambridge Satchel in yellow with initials embossed from £98 which has made it to my x-mas wish and gifts list. (picture above). FYI: You can also order online. 

CLIP OF THE DAY: What goes around comes around

 

I'm a true believer in karma. You get what you give, whether it's bad or good. Our life is circular and what goes around comes around, so 'how people treat you is their Karma, but how you react is yours'. I'm also someone who has been truly blessed with generosity around me and the least I can do is share and CLIP about it every-time it happens. Recently someone special gave me this beautiful Karma golden bracelet and I absolutely love everything about it: its design, its meaning and the fact that the very own fashion brand to whom I'm an ambassador for has it as well! Way to go Coco Ribbon! 

CLIP-IT: Next time a name or a face comes to your mind, get a Coco Ribbon Karma Golden bracelet to that person on your thoughts, it might be your mum, maybe a girlfriend, sister, a good friend, or anyone who is special to you and who resonates your good Karma. And we shouldn't necessarily wait for a special occasion...