Spotted Photography

My Favorite Place on Earth: Chateau de Versailles

Paola — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 02:56:09 +0000

There’s no place more beautiful.
I have visited the palace 7 times already, and it does not get old! There’s nothing better than to pack a little picnic meal and spend the day laying on the grass, biking/boating around the property, and breathing in the magic that only a place full of history like this one let’s you do.
If I had only ONE day in Paris, I would skip the city itself, take a train to Versailles and enjoy my favorite place on earth.

xoxo,
P

My Parisian Uniform

Paola — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:31:07 +0000

The French only wear black. Like, EVERY SINGLE DAY.
The first day I wore pink out in public, people would stare. It took me about half a day to realize why.
So I’ve adapted.

xoxo,
P

What to do in Nice, France

Paola — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:57:01 +0000

3 Reasons Why Nice is Better Than Paris

1. People are actually nice there! Parisians get a bad rep for their rudeness with the tourists, and honestly, they are rude and mean indeed. Don’t get me wrong, I love me my french people and I kinda get why they are like that. But Y U NO BE NICER?? In Nice, strangers smile, servers are pleasant, and people won’t get annoyed at you for walking slowly or taking a minute longer to order your baguette.

2. The weather is perfect. Even in the winter, you still get that sunny view that makes you wanna go out and explore. Paris, on the other hand, will chill you to the bones, then rain on you just to piss you off.

3. The food. The food in Nice has me begging on my knees… no questions asked. The street market, the seafood, the homey restaurants, the olive oil, the confiture. The best food I’ve ever had, and I’ve been to places! This is a huge statement, guys!

What to eat/see/do below:

(phone pictures, don’t judge!)

And this is how I was dressed in Nice (kinda really nice to get out of my jacket/hat/gloves/scarf daily combo):

What to see:
The Fresh Market by the Chateau de Nice- a carnival of colors, tastes, smells, and pretty things.

The Fashion Gallery- at the end of the market, this super cute shop has a bunch of unique, affordable pieces (both clothing and accessories) . The chandeliers were all restored by the owner, and there’s at least 20 in there. Beautiful!

The Chateau de Nice- the first picture on my post is the view from up there, and the pictures below were taken there as well.
This castle was built in the 1600′s, and from there you can see the white sand beaches, the clear blue water, and the snowy mountains on the back.

Where to eat:

La Petite Maison- The best restaurant I’ve ever eaten at. Period. So delicious that I am considering moving there just to have it nearby.
Truffled pasta, lobster tortellinis, ratatouille, burrata cheese (AHHH!!! LOVE IT!)… everything they served is perfection.

Terres de Truffes- You had me at truffles. Any day, any time.

Although my heart lies in Paris, it sure doesn’t mind taking a trip to Nice. And now you know why.

Love,
P

What to do in Monte Carlo + Pretty Girls

Paola — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:56:14 +0000

So I arrived in Paris exactly a month ago, and just when I thought I’d post everyday, and everybody would love me and I’d be super famous, I encountered a major set back: bacterial infection of my throat.
I totally beat it though, and feel like I deserve a little colorful ribbon to pin on a blazer for that.

So I come back from my sick leave feeling super sassy and ready to roll.
Then something awesome happened in the metro, and by awesome I mean that I got mugged by gypsies.
It is a pretty legit story. I mean, I was trying to save my friend from being chocked by her own purse as this gypsy girl was trying to take it from her, and there was some violent pushes and hair-grab involved.
It would have been more legit if I had saved my friend AND managed not to get anything taken from me. But while I was distracted battling this girl, she called her friends in to help, and they got my bag. And I watched the metro doors close, and them walking away… without being able to do anything.

Since then, I literally have nothing. They took my documents, money, dignity (lol), everything. I’ve spent the last couple of weeks being sponsored by my friends, and unable to get anything done.

But I’m back, snitches! And I went all out for this one.
Yes, I’m in Paris, but you’ll be seeing a lot of that, so…

Monte Carlo, Monaco

Monaco is the second smallest country in the world, but don’t let that fool you. While it is small in size, there’s plenty of things to see and to do. The view itself makes any trip worth it. Everything looks so put together and chic. The girls and I drove from Nice (about 1:30 hrs from there), and spent the afternoon shopping, eating, sight seeing, and being top models (as you can clearly see).

Where/what to eat:

The Café de Paris Resort- best seafood I’ve ever had. Great brunch too. Prices range from 20-45 euros.

What to visit:

Le Jardin Exotique de Monaco - a botanical garden that’s up on a cliff, with the most beautiful plants AND view of the city.

Monte Carlo Resort- that’s the background building for all the pictures I just posted. It’s just gorgeous! Cassinos are not really my thing, but I do enjoy people watching, especially when they are all dolled up for a night of cocktails and gambling.

UP NEXT: Nice, Saint-Tropez, and lots of Paris.
Au revoir!
P

Spotted: My Sister’s Sweet Visit (Film Edition)

Paola — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 01:46:41 +0000

Meet Sheila, my big sister (big in a sense of older, not pregnant, sis!)
She taught me everything I really needed to know. And she was only in 5th grade at the time.
True story.

Today we found out that my little niece is actually a nephew, and I could not be more pleased. I get to try spoiling a whole new gender! Oh the possibilities! Of course, I will have to step up my game and learn a few cool dude tricks, but he’s worth it.
The spot of coolest aunt around will still be mine. So buckle up all you aunts out there, cuz I’m in it to win it!

Spotted: Abi & Tyson (Purple Wedding)

Paola — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 23:42:38 +0000

Just one more week, and I’ll be living in Paris.
I keep writing this down to see if it finally sinks in. But no, not yet.
Talk about bittersweet! I am so happy with the prospects of breathing/eating/sleeping/walking in such a wonderful city, but the thought of being so far away from those whom I love (AGAIN!) almost kills me.
Sure it’s only 12 weeks, and sure I’ve been far from home (Brazil) for 4 years now and so should be used to the feeling of missing someone.
But no. I can’t and I won’t; it’s a fact.
Every single day it rips me apart. And every single day it will be that way. Even in Paris.
I need this, though. I need to be fueled up in hope, beauty, freedom. And I know I will find this there.
You just wait n’see.

Abi & Tyson
10.21.2011

xoxo,

Spotted: Murval’s Spring-Summer 2012 (Film Edition)

Paola — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:19:30 +0000

Two weeks ago I got to escape to Miami and put my gloomy winter on hold. Murval Paris (a very dear client of mine) have launched their Spring-Summer 2012 collection, and I had the honor of checking every piece out, and shooting them- of course.

This is the film edition.

Summer, please?
P

Spotted: Inspiration by Ruche

Paola — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 04:58:23 +0000

I have a super exciting editorial shoot here in Miami tomorrow, and so to feel inspired, I spent the past hour going through Ruche’s lookbook. Yup, I’m fueled up and ready to go! DELICIOUS!

oh lala!

Spotted: A Winter Engagement Session (FILM edition)

Paola — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:21:15 +0000

I know it’s the most wonderful time of the year when my 2-bedroom/tinny house is packed with 15 people to the point that there’s no privacy left, and I just sit in the middle of the mess with the biggest smile on my face. When I picture heaven, I picture this.
It’s cold outside, but my heart is surely the warmest it’s been in months. So, let the holidays begin!

Dan & Sidney

Spotted: A Bride in Black and White

Paola — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 23:37:34 +0000

swoon
verb (used without object)

1.to faint; lose consciousness.

2.to enter a state of hysterical rapture or ecstasy

xoxo,