Quintessence Is

Gray Malin: Beaches from Above

Mesmerized by the work of Gray Malin, a Los Angeles based photographer who travels the world, shooting some of the most famous beaches and pools from a perspective few will ever see. Y’all know I’m a beach bum, so I’m just melting here. Two of my favorites, Rio, above, and Lisbon, below. I need to get to Lisbon already, it’s all the rage!

Here’s a shot of the waters in Bondi Beach, Australia. I was there many years ago – it’s one of Sydney’s most popular beaches, especially among the surfers – and Gray has noted that this image is among the most popular in his series, too.

• 22 August 2012 • 3 notes

Isabela Capeto

Visiting Isabela Capeto was a retail highlight in Rio. I’d already fallen in love with her charming website and was hoping her clothes would project the same creative whimsy in person.

• 17 December 2010

Osklen

Osklen is a major brand in Brazil but doesn’t get much love in New York. My instinct was to pass it by since it’s not exactly new and since I gravitate toward vintage + up-and-comers. A Brazilian friend insisted, however, so I took a looksie inside.

• 16 December 2010

Rio’s Hippie Market

Located in Ipanema, Rio’s Hippie Market is a mix of knits, leather goods, jewelry and trinkets.

• 15 December 2010

Rio’s Botanical Garden

Wandering Rio’s massive Botanical Garden at the foot of the Corcovado Mountain, far below Christ the Redeemer.

Rio de Janeiro travel Botanical Garden

• 15 December 2010

Rent a Bike in Rio

Renting a city bike + riding along the beach from Leblon to Copacabana is the best way to see the many faces of Rio.

Even better: cruising around the gorgeous lagoon + weaving the city’s lush streets.

Rio de Janeiro bike travel

• 13 December 2010

Look at this cutie from the Rio Christmas Tree Lighting. Presh.

Christmas holidays travel Rio de Janeiro

• 13 December 2010

Christmas Tree Lighting

Holy shiz! EVERYONE in all of Rio rocks up to the Christmas Tree Lighting at the lagoon!!! Young, old, rich, poor, full orchestra, famous Brazilian performers (Milton Nascimento, Simone, Ivan Lins) and so forth. If this is how they turn it out for a floating tree, I can not even imagine what the 2014 World Cup will be like.

Christmas Ivan Lins Milton Nascimento Simone holidays travel Rio de Janeiro

• 13 December 2010

Me too girl!!!

fashion travel Rio de Janeiro

• 13 December 2010

Christ the Redeemer

The 100-foot Cristo Redentor statue was planned in 1922 for the centennial of Brazil’s independence from Portugal, but was not completed until 1931. The statue is a marvel, but the view of the city from its base rivals in splendor.

• 13 December 2010

Rio From Above…

There’s a helicopter pad on Morro de Açúcar. I hopped into an open chopper with my travel companion, award-winning National Geographic photojournalist Alison Wright. Hell, you only live once. No doors, circling one of the most magnificent cities on earth.

We circled Estádio do Maracanã, the city’s open-air stadium. Currently closed for renovations and upgrades, it will reach a total capacity of around 85,000 spectators in preparations for the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics. May-jah.

Here’s my foot literally dangling out of the aircraft. Feelin alive, yo!!

Sambódromo, below, is the avenue where Carnival is held – the greatest show on Earth! You can see the stadium seating on the side. The whole city stops for Carnival.

The spectacular Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) statue stands atop Corcovado, known as the Hunchback Mountain, in the distance. Here we come Jesus!!!