Welcome Michelle and Danielle

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My dear friends Michelle and Danielle are arriving tomorrow to defrost and spend their winter holiday with us at the beach. Michelle is a fashion designer and Danielle is a photographer. Both are at the top of their fields in NYC--successful edgy young women. At first I fretted about their agenda here in Brazil. I wanted to show them everything cool. But then I remembered that I am a mom who bakes a lot and I haven't stepped inside a hip bar in years. But then I also remembered when I lived in NYC all I wanted to do was escape the cold in December and expose my white skin to the sun. So I relaxed (a little) and decided to list some of my favorites.

The plan: They are spending four days in São Paulo before meeting us at the beach (Litoral Norte) and then they are on to Rio.

A mini guide on the fly:

Restaurants:

Carlota-Rua Sergipe, 753 Higienopolis-Brazilian Food

Mani-Rua Joaquim Antunes, 210 Jardim Paulista-Brazilian Food

Allez Allez-Rua Wizard, 288 Vila Madalena-French Bistro

Due Cuochi-Rua Manuel Guedes 93 Itaim-Bibi-Italian

Carcamano-Rua Pedroso Alvarenga 1127-Itaim-Bibi-Best Pizza

Nagayama-Rua Bandeira Paulista 369-Itaim-Bibi-Sushi

Shopping:

Adriana Barra-Rua Alameda Franca, 1243 Jardins-Brazilian Designer

Gilda Midani- Rua da Consolação 3058A Jardins-Brazilian Designer

Surface to Air- Al. Lorena N1989 Jardins-Cutting-edge Fashion and Art

Ronaldo Fraga-Rua Aspicuelta, 259-Vila Madalena-Brazilian Designer

Isabel Capeto-Rua da Consolação, 3358 Jardins-Brazilian Designer

Osklen-Rua Oscar Freire, 827 Jardins-Brazilian Designer

Alexandre Herchocovitch-Rua Haddock Lobo, 1151 Jardins-Brazilian Designer

Espaço Havainas-Rua Oscar Freire, 1116 Jardins-Brazilian Designer

Loja do Bispo-Rua Dr. Melo Alves, 278 Jardins-Brazilian Artist Publisher

Farm-Rua Harmonia, 57 Vila Madalena-Brazilian beachwear

Marcenaria Trancoso-Rua Harmonia, 233 Vila Madalena, 233-Brazilian crafts and home goods

Coisas da Doris-Al Ministro Rocha Azevedo, 834 Jardins--Crafts and more

Malls: (I know but trust me here.)

Shopping Cidade Jardim-A pretty incredible place with an open air top floor and incredible view of the city.

Daslu-The infamous...

Park:

Parque Ibirapuera (Great Museums and Niemeyer work inside the park)

Nightlife: (I'm not too good here girls!)

Dry Bar-Rua Padre João Manuel, 700 Jardins

Bar Secreto-Rua Álvaro Anes, 97 Pinheiros

Pandoro-Avenida Cidade Jardim, 60 Jardim Europa

Museums and Galleries:

Galeria Vermelho-Rua Minas Gerais, 350 (restaurant Sal is great option inside)

Fortes Vilaça-Rua Fradique Coutinho, 1500 Pinheiros

MASP-Modern Art Museum-Avenida Paulista, 1578 Paulista

Pinacoteca-Avendia Tiradentes, 141 Centro

The Museum of FAAP-Rua Alagoas, 903 Higienopolis (Os Gemeos on exhibition)

It is a daunting task to do any sort of mini guide for such an enormous, diverse, cosmopolitan city. Whew! Here is a link that explains in detail the various neighborhoods.

Enjoy this city that I have come to love--especially the wonderful people.

See you at the beach. Pack some sunscreen!

Boa Viagem. Beijos!

PS: If any of you readers have some tips...much appreciated!