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: Off to the Hamptons

There has been quite a phenomenal new trend in the Hamptons this summer: the re-birth of old roadside motels architecturally revamped (you might have seen them in several movies: one or two story houses with rooms facing the pool...) they are usually quite modest but well situated. Well, if simplicity and great location is your motto, then my guess is that you will love the most recent boutique gem hidden outside New York: Capri Hotel in Southampton. Think bright beachy look, fresh, hip decor, with all-white bedrooms designed by Cythia Rowley and a NOBU restaurant inside with music playing until 1a.m.(not 'so' modest I guess...). Well, it has to be said that while prepping for CLIP of the day's calendar, one of my good friend's msg with pictures from their fun Saturday there made me somehow start embracing the fact that I have to be in New York City working during the summer while some of you enjoy Europe's Mediterranean finest 'dolce fare niente' and got me looking forward to my first break as soon as I have crossed the Atlantic. If  (and when) The HAMPTONS is on your mind - don't forget to go to Candy Kitchen everyone's favourite hangout for classic ice-cream or Lime Rickey drink. Book a table at The Lobster Roll (kitsch-looking restaurant famous for their seafood). If you want to get a grasp of why 'everybody who is anybody' goes to the Hamptons, then make your way to Nick & Toni's (house speciality: Italian food and celebrities....). My family's regular stop when we are there: Harper's book, CONNECT friend, Harper Levine's super cool bookshop and art gallery. CLIP - As you can imagine being half-Brazilian myself, picking a beach spot to suggest you out there isn't something I'm particularly excited, as I think about the Hamptons as a nice place to visit as whole, and not somewhere you go for the 'best white sand summer' experience and they are quite often very similar to one another also; in any case, I have been to the Main beach in East Hampton and Gibson Beach in Sagaponack and can recommend both. In essence, between pool parties, champagne brunches, polo matches, charity garden events or quite down time around East areas, one way or the other this where New Yorker's always (and still) are to be found from these months onwards....and in this case so will I. Have a great week clippers, I. xx 

CLIP OF THE DAY: Trend hunting

"It is not a coffee shop it is not an office, but if you are a mobile worker it is something much better than both things together". That is the approach at Urban Station in Bueno’s Aires hip Palermo Soho disctric. Think desks, Wi-Fi, scanners, lockers, conference rooms that feel like a trendy work space and the comfort of your favourite coffee shop combined. How do they make money? (aside from food and drinks) by renting desks. There has been a real and significant growing market for this sort of business, specially if you consider that around 26 million people work at least some of the time outside a proper office space (not to mention freelancers and part-timers). So today, I thought I would CLIP about this to you, as on a similar note, I have recently been invited to the opening of London’s first members only office/private boutique club for the creative industry called Apartment 58 in Soho. Soon to open in Notting Hill and Shoreditch areas, and later on in Paris, Berlin, Milan, New York and Mumbai, the place is indeed really cool and worth checking, if you can. If not, think CONNECT & watch out…..I. xx 

CLIP OF THE DAY: Let us all keep travelling....

Between you and I lies the distance of one computer and most probably millions of miles. Some of you I have no idea of likes and dislikes let alone put a face into a name; internet is a tricky business indeed and being a blogger to a larger than life audience is serpentine. But for most part I like to believe that if you are remotely interested on CLIP by Connect, you travel. If you don't, you probably have too much free time in your hands....either one having any or both is the envy of the universe as we know it, undoubtedly. If you travel regularly - inevitably you have developed a love-hate relationship with the hotel industry...but who am I to write about all of them? (not somebody with "that" kind of time at least I'm afraid) so in that light I will instead go straight to the point: being able to find out where, by who is that amazing chair you saw at the entrance of your all time favourite hotel? (think the popular DIZ armchair by Sergio Rodrigues at the Fasano Hotel in Rio de Janeiro) Or in my case: being able to order 400 thread-count percale bed linen.... Yes - that specific -  as to me, very few things are worth investing more than in your sleep (and everything else that helps improve it). So look no more, and just go to Discover & Deliver a new online concept that enables you to find, and buy furniture and accessories you've spotted in Design Hotels around the world as close and fast as a click of a button. In the end, for everyone and everything there is a good side, even tangled inventions like the internet....so lets all keep travelling, even at home; ultimately: "The great affair is to keep moving". I. xx 

CLIP OF THE DAY: Popping up

This one is easy, and if you have worked in the night industry you too, saw it coming....I guess we're all heard of pop-up stores, but now the latest trend turned into hot concept is pop-up clubs. So, open your diaries and start getting familiar with the short-term usage of unique spaces, and get on board with its destinations for the summer, because where the CLIP minded and well connect crowd travels, the clubs now will follow - literally. 

Boom Boom Room - Istanbul: All the way from the concrete jungle and the busy lights of New York City to tiki lights and dramatic views of Asia and the Bosphorus River and only for one night...If you made the cut (think CONNECT) you were as amazed as we were by the 3000 gold balloons, bartenders and waitresses in Boom Boom Room uniforms and DJ Jamal spinning on the dance floor. It all happened last week during the annual International Arts & Culture Festival. SO you probably also heard whispers for more to come, so stay clipped...

Le Baron - Cannes: Last month, Andre Saraiva brought Le Baron (New York, Paris, London and Tokyo), to the south of France only for a few nights...and he is prepping some more.

Nicky Beach - Mallorca: 2012 welcomes St. Tropez finest in Spain, expect all day VIP line-up similar Zodiac tenders to and from Yachts for its beach based club-land circus including a roster of star DJ's and their legendary summer parties like its Champagne World Tour and Moonlihgt dinner extravaganzas... from June (11:00 -20:00) July, August, September-October 7th (11:00 - 1:00). 

r Extravaganzas.

Mahiki - Ibiza: One of London's most acclaimed and long lasting fun night clubs, is debuting on spanish sands too. Difference is 'we' are no strangers to pop-up clubs....after the smashing consecutive success of Mahiki's pop-up at the annual Royal Regatta, and one I got to be privileged enough to take part in - my relationship with night moguls, founders (and long time friends) Nick House and Piers Adam - still stands strong and CONNECT will be landing a helping hand making sure Brazil is well represented across the Atlantic, by flying  some of their hottest Ambassadors to party-join all summer long....(not bad) - Well, now you know: there will be more news to follow on Ibiza's most antecipated new neighbour. xx I.  (16th July-September) 

CLIP OF THE DAY: Pool Party

In some cases Sunday nights are made of catching up on your laundry and cosing up to a movie on your sofa....others....Sunday night means time for another Pool Party at The Shoreditch House roof top....Well, this Sunday I was gladdly ticking option 'B'....! So if you are indeed a member, let me blog on to your memory and remind you of how great it is to just forget tabout all these pretentious restaurants and clubs  out threre and how refreshing it feels to just  walk around on your  jeans and black converse tennis shoes holding a beer and catching up with some of your favorite creative friends (who by the way wouldn't be caught dead on the above scenarios....).

MY CLIP....

Escaping (after some happy spinning on the dance floor) to the downstairs floor and hit on a different kind of pool.....YES, I am serious - and my softspot goes to cracking up with my friends playing foosball and pool. (BLISS)!

IF YOU ARE NOT A MEMBER

If you are not a SOHO HOUSE member, you can still try and book a room at their hotel or  head to their ubber cool and  super laid back Restaurant Pizza East for some oven made pizzas and italian's finest vino.  In any case, if you do, think about booking prior as its normally very busy. So, as per promissed, I made sure to click and clip it first hand so you are in the know for next time you are out on a sunday night or in town for a visit. Until the then... you've got CLIP.....I. xx

 

PIZZA EAST

Telephone +44(0) 020 7729 1888

56 Shoreditch High Street

London E1 6JJ

SHOREDITCH HOUSE

Telephone +44 (0) 2077395040

Ebor Street, Shoreditch

London, E1 6AW, UK 

Click below for:

HOTEL RESERVATIONS

CLIP OF THE DAY: When in NYC town, be a Nolitan.

Want to feel like a true cool New Yorker? Eat local, sleep local,  live local, I say. On my very second CLIP of the day, I mentioned the rising hip "NOLITA" neighbourhood as being one of the places to have in mind next time you are in town. And so it still is...Nolita’s newest hotel The Nolitan located on the corner of Kenmare and Elizabeth’s streets is here to prove that, and with the 'sole' mission of make you feel like one of them. Even if for only a few days, starting by merely having 55 rooms, you know you're bound to get special attention, and one of the pampering services is their notorious ‘free unpacking and packing service’ (I quite like that) and of-course free Wi-Fi. (enough with the having to pay for this, which usually is outragous by the way). CLIP to keep? Check out their brunches as CONNECT ambassadors keep refering them day in and day out...xx I.

CLIP OF THE WEEK: Easy like Sunday morning...

 

Happy Monday Clippers! 

Monday. Right...the day after  Sunday.  ('nice'....). 

Sometimes I feel sorry for Monday...it seems nobody actually gives "Monday" a chance. Let's face it, it does feel quite challenging to compete with hot, hip and Friday night or a cool Saturday afternoon. Let alone the popular lazzy Sunday morning...no one in their right mind ever says no to Sunday. I mean, I won't even go there. So. As a tribute to all MONDAYS out there, and inspired by my extreamly pleasant Sunday afternoon yesterday, I have decided to not feel depressed over this day and instead celebrate it by "re-creating" yesterday's Sunday all over again (as much as possible since we all have to work at some point.) This afternoon I'm clipping a suggestion: go to "a" cafe house later on. To read any local or international paper, roll around their blankets, seat outside, get some sun, eat an Austrian Apfelstrüdel with vanilla ice cream, drink some wine and enjoy the company of your friends (who just like you) had to get up and face Monday too...One of my favorite spots? The Viennese Kaffeehaus, located in the middle of old historic Lisbon, just next to one of the city's most famous theatres, São Carlos and where I met my friends for a lazzy Sunday brunch that lasted all day...(EASY). The place fits the (almost lost), tradition of literary cafés that were the trademark of Chiado neighbourhood. Although you can go there for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a drink at night, the hidden coffee place has become extreamly popular for brunches. The food is honestly outstanding, serving the best salads in town, Austrian classics as well as Mediterranean dishes. Everyday they write something different on the chalkboard, so you can always come back for something new. To acompanny the meals I would recommend Austrain Wine, Beer or their fusion signature lemmonades. Now, I can gladdly say: Happy Monday Clippers. (we do what we can) I. xx

CLIP OF THE DAY: Happy 447th!

Today is the 1st of March: Rio's Birthday, the world's most beautiful city, the one who saw me grow up and the same who gave me the best present you can wish for in life: a healthy, whole and happy childhood. My memories? endless... My joy? the beach. My addiction? coconut water by the orla. My craving? Biscoito globo. My mornings? Ballet at Dallal, Fashion Mall. My afternoons? School and Country Club - My favorite? Their hot-dog. My life? my family.  My bag? Havainas, always. My stock in Europe? risqué varnish. My laughter? my friends. My heart? Arpoador. My heritage? a carioca smile! My tears? Boarding a plane in Galeão. My certainty? Those who know where they belong only leave temporarily...

Happy 447th RIO!!!

P.S. If you never had the chance to visit Rio, make sure you take the time in this lifetime...Meanwhile: a scoop at a very special project, founded by dear friends of mine and carioca CONNECT members (I have clipped before) and they keep taking the world by storm  "just" by loving RIO: Rio eu amo, eu cuido. 

CLIP OF THE DAY: Ski Tip.

Hello Clippers, straight from my inbox this morning, my dear and super well CONNECTED friend Stefano just landed in Megève only a few hours ago but he was quick to send me a picture of him and his girlfriend chilling at Le Chalet Zannier... (I will obviously preserve their private memories and identity as you know clip by connect's format, so I've chosen a different image) And although I'm boiling in Brazil (not that this is any complaint) todays CLIP will definately serve as a Ski tip for the ones in Europe who migth be planing a nice escape to the mountains before spring. A well balanced decor of rough-hewn natural wood look with clean, modern furniture fittings, three chalets, a Spa, a cinema room and a restaurant with Michelin-starred  Chef Julian Burlat. Not bad....Thanks for the inside scoop Stef! Wishing you all a great Carnaval Break xxx

CLIP OF THE DAY: To the other side...

So the hottest Hotel in New York now is actually in Brooklyn....Hotel Williamsburg in the heart of the rising neighborhood of Williamsburg (evidently). Retro decor meets modern clean cut building - the ultimate "luxe cool" where each of the rooms are equipped with an individual Crosley record player and vinyls from a Brooklyn record label. From high end fashion editorials to known artists, it seems everybody is crossing over to the other side, in style. Add that to the hippest bands playing after dinner its easy to understand why the Hotel's Pillar & Plough restaurant is the place to hang. CLIPPING the latest text message from CONNECT insider: "Hun, @ the roof top pool of William's-B Hotel, found the new SoHo House in town...rush back xx" I know I am... Wishing you the continuation of a great day at work until then. (one day left to Friday Clippers)!

CLIP OF THE DAY: The Ultimate Party Pad.

Last year this was my friend´s best kept secret: THE get away retreat and...ultimate party pad (the Connect kind, if you know what I mean). Château de la Goujeonnerie is the true definition of a flamboyant fairytale, featuring unicorn taxidermy and chandeliers, seven double rooms and three single, a heated outdoor pool only reached by strolling through a forest (evidently...)the property can be rented catered for 9.000 pounds; just in case if a weekend as a "mere" guest wont do. What else is worth knowing...? That La Goujeonnerie is run by the 3 men behind London's hip cocktail bar Loungelover and Les Trois Garcons restaurant which I absolutely recommend a paper CLIP on you travel journal and a visit upon the shortest notice. Michel Lasserre, Hassan Abdullah and Stefan Karlson may have started simply by selling and collecting antiques in Notting Hill but today, these are the characters in a fairy tale for grown-ups. And we sure all need one...Dream away clippers xx

CLIP OF THE DAY: Berlin Burns

A storied Bauhaus building that mirrors German history like quite a few do - (previously a department store opened in 1928, which later became Hitler Youth Headquarters in 1937) now, transformed into a hangout for the international creative gang, an industrial-chic private club and hotel. What now?  The Soho House Berlin and if it wasn't for Damien Hirst's graffiti's at the lobby you could still feel the Berlin Wall there. The ambience is pure, raw, elegant and intense...except the rooftop features a green volcanic-stone pool by an open-air bar. (to lighten things up). A short walk to Prenzelauer Berg’s bohemian cafes, bars and cobblestone corners. Few cities are changing as profoundly as Berlin and yesterday over a nice walk after dinner that was the  chat and city in mind, to think that almost 20 years after the Berlin Wall tumbled down, there are still two sides locked in a kind of cultural paradox between East and West. But which ever side, Berliners will always have the ability to reinvent themselves as cultural vanguards, pushing the boundaries of art, fashion and design. I guess I'm clipping a new city crush this year...with an endless world in its own right: Berlin burns, its a fact. 

CLIP OF THE DAY: Pret-a-manger.

Say hello to le grand chef Thierry Marx's experimental and crazy menu inspired by the latest Japonese techiniques - Sur Mesure, at the Mandarin Oriental in Paris (where else...)? An all white interior and a unisex bathroom wrapped in rose scales. What I was told to try when landing there? Risotto with bean sprouts and truffles in soya milk foam and ginger sorbet for dessert. Anthelme Brillant-Savarin brilliantly said: "Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are". Quite honestly I have no idea what I will be having for lunch, but I can tell you what I am: someone craving  being in Paris right now... - Happy Wednesday Clippers xx

CLIP OF THE DAY: Be my guest, really.

As most of you Clippers know, born a frequent flyer is part of the deal one it comes to being a true Connect member. A constant request on my inbox? "please connect me to someone who knows a cool and unexpensive place to stay in London, Ines". Evidently I wouldn't blog out my private contacts and the ultimate secrets on this one just like that (sorry troopers but privileges will be privileges) and only members will have access to them. But you also know me better by now, so today I will try to brigthen up your Tuesday and give you something for your paper clip to hold on to when your planning your next way over to London, basically a 'one fine stay': your chance to stay and live like a local. Get familiar with the word "unhotel", check their website for availability according to your dates, budget, prefered area and ...be my guest. 

CLIP OF THE DAY: I've got my mind set on you.

"Holidays from your holidays...." familiar with that? I am. Today I've got my mind set on Mediterranean gardens, a certain emerald sea view of a once private villa from my favorite weekend retreat: Búzios - Brigitte Bardot's favorite fisherman's village turned into Brazilian Hippest Rivieira. Luckily for me, two days ago I was introduced to the delightful Emmanuelle Tonnere -  Insolito boutique hotel's owner - the trendiest clean-cut and sleek spot in town. Think white walls, lime print cushions, crimson lampshades, infinity pools and the best of all: insolito silence.  

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: Sister's Act

The word Muzungu means traveller in Swahili - but if you think about these two very special girls, "travelling" isn't something they do from time to time or on holidays - its who they are. If  you don't know them...well you should : Tatiana Santo Domingo and Dana Alikhani. Tatiana is my dear friend Julio's sister, from Brazilian-Colombian origin, born in New York and raised in Switzerland and Paris. Dania is Iranian, raised in Cyprus with a degree in social anthropology from SOAS in London and a Masters in Human rights from Columbia University in New York. Inspired by their own travels and (successful personal handpick of local souvenirs that they would bring to their family and friends) - that and an extremely sensible cultural awareness was reason enough for them to be determined to create an interactive portal that would bring together fair trade suppliers from all over the world ethically-sourced to all runway fashionistas out there. With a focus on "fine craftsmanship, natural materials and traditional techniques", now (and always) my Clip of the Day goes to Ethical fashion label Muzungu Sisters and my hats off to these two special Eco-fashion friendly Connect gals for their work enables communities to continue in their respective time-honoured traditions. 

I'm particularly in love with a pair of riding boots with Moroccan-inspired embroidery... Good thing they have now launched online - through the social shopping site Motilo. I guess you know what I'm doing in about 5mins...  I.  xxx

CLIP-IT: Muzungu Sisters just opened their first ever shop: a pop-up store at Momo in London - which was celebrated last month with a party (attended by their longtime friend Margherita Missoni amongst others). MSisters will be running until Christmas, so make sure to swing by Momo's café for the eco pop-up of the season alongside its North African menu. - at 25 Heddon St W1 London.

CLIP OF THE DAY: "Shake 'n' Bake"

Pristine white. White marble polished floors. White billowing curtains. White upholstered arm chairs. A simple yet sophisticated effect that leaves us no choice but to trust what goes on behind this kitchen's closed doors. Otherwise, who on their right mind would design a busy social venue so clear and clean cut? Talented Aviv Moshe, the owner himself did. He is a Kurdish chef who turns out dishes such as fish ceviche with lentils in a Japanese lemon marinade. Among appetizers, look for a dish of calamari served with lemon cream eel and gooseliver. Yes, I'm talking about Tel Aviv's trendiest restaurant: Messa. And yes I'm clipping about one of our favorite city destinations for this New Year - selected by the Connect Ambassadors themselves. Why? Tel Aviv has the Unesco mark of approval for its unparalleled collection of modernist architecture and its becoming hippier by the second. Basically: Bauhaus architecture, boho markets, restaurants fully fusioned, nightlife that goes on (all night), beautiful people and year-round sunshine. Packed already...?

CLIP-IT: Tomorrow is "New Year's - Favorite destinations" final clip, so it is only fair that I feature some nice suggestions for many of you who will not be travelling or want to keep it in the low. 

TWEET-IT: My all time favorite music company Sheik 'n' Beik started officially following Connect! The ubber cool traveling music/art installation project hosts some of the hotest parties in New York, L.A., Paris, London, Rio, Beirut and Bogotá, integrating innovative and high quality music with the most cutting edge connectors out there. Become one of them and watch out for their next event: Tammany Hall NYC - Dec 10th. Cannot wait! Until then: follow the blue bird...

CLIP OF THE DAY: Le Banane Republic

It might be so often the case that "el unico fruto del amor és la banana" but I'm telling you that in 'New Year's' case "el unico" place to stay in St Barth's is indeed Le Banane Hotel - St Barthelemy's small, secluded and special, jungle-set cluster of chic bungalows in form of Caribbean boutique hotel. Last year while I was in Brazil, my 'lovely' and nevertheless extreamly "thoughful" friends who were jet setting around the sophisticated tropical la la land made sure to share their ridiculously alluring pictures followed by happy comments and personal impressions....I must confess that at the time I really didn't see much use for them unless an almost "imperceptible jelousy" disguised  in a memento. But now I get to share it with you. (great)! Their favourite rooms? Three of La Banane's bungalows that overlook the pool, and boast terraces with day-beds and showers opening directly onto tropical gardens or a little patio.

CLIP IT: The African-themed French dining lounge next door, K'Fé Massai, one of St Barth's finest and fun places to eat that also provides rooms service to the hotel.

TWEET-IT: As I keep breaking down my first bird steps with you to the world, yesterday the prince of night club partying and a connect member Jonny Boud was kind enough to keep us in the loop with all backstage hapennings during the grand openning night of London's newest venue The Rose. Meanwhile my favorite gang of creatives just touched down London ground straight from New York as they are preparing for Tommy Hilfiger's cutting-edge flagship store launch party tomorrow - keep following for more because they keep on coming....