Christine reporting from Buenos Aires

I’m so excited that Irene gave me the opportunity to report about Buenos Aires, a city that has become so dear to me. I could go on for days about what a fabulous place this is but I’ll do my best to refrain and show some of the best highlights this “Paris of South America” has to offer.

The café scene is a major aspect of daily life in Buenos Aires. A typical day in BA begins with a cup of coffee and a “medialuna” or croissant at one of the thousands of cafes that cover the city.

If it happens to be a Sunday, the highlight of the day is a trip to one of the most beautiful and historically rich barrios in BA, San Telmo. Every Sunday in Plaza Dorrego is the Feria de San Telmo. Here you’ll find Spanish colonial mansions with courtyards full of antiques like metal signs, silver mate spoons, glass apothecary jars and so much more. It's truly a spectacular sight and if you're like me and adore antiques and collectibles, then San Telmo is antique heaven!

If shopping weren’t enough, the cobble stone streets are also filled with tango dancers, musicians, and a variety of other street performers. It’s my idea of the perfect Sunday in the city.

Not far from San Telmo is one of the most colorful neighborhoods in existence called La Boca. It’s a fantastic place to snap photos and pick up small local crafts and artwork at the mini “ferias” set up along El Caminito, the most famous street in La Boca.

A short subway ride across town will take you to Palermo where you’ll find the most chic and cutting edge boutiques, restaurants and cafes Buenos Aires has to offer. Palermo is divided into three neighborhoods, Palermo Viejo, Palermo Soho, and Palermo Hollywood. The scene in each neighborhood is reflective of its given name and truly a shopper’s paradise!

After grabbing a healthy snack at my favorite café, Bio, I love to visit one of my favorite shops located in Palermo Viejo called CouCou (http://www.micoucou.blogspot.com/). Filled with goods from local independent designers, CouCou is a must visit if you’re ever in Buenos Aires.

 

Another shop I highly recommend visiting is the famous Argentinean paper source Papalera Palermo (http://papelerapalermo.com/). This enormous shop is filled with gorgeous hand made papers and prints, not to mention stocked with beautiful design books not found in many other places.

Overall, what I love about Buenos Aires is the general appreciation of art and beauty in all forms, the desire to hold fast to the history while paving the way for new and exciting trends, and the sense of community from the residents of this great city working together. I mean, where else are you going to find young designers working with bar owners to create spaces that double as boutiques by day and discos by night? Only in Buenos Aires!

* * *Christine's beautiful shop Lama
* * *Christine's blog

Comments

[D R E W]

my brother lived in BA for 2 years and loved it. i went to visit him and had a blast. plaza dorrego was great. palermo viejo was my favorite.

i was able to get a ton of great yarn while i was there. i usually receive a few emails a month about yarn shops in BA. if you want a mini yarn shop guide, i have one on my blog...

http://www.drew-o-rama.com/knitblog/buenos_aires_yarn_shops/index.html

[Nina]

I've never been there, but it looks like a must-visit! I'd love to walk around that antiques quarter!

[Kim Gray]

A feast for the eyes!

[Lizette]

Hi Christine. What a wonderful post. We just came back from living in Buenos Aires (Palermo) for three months. It was a very unique experience. I hope you'll add the talented Veronica Longoni and Sopa de Principe to a future post: http://www.sopadeprincipe.com.ar/ You might want to see Silvina Romero's jewelry too. It would make a nice addition to your shop. She's in Buenos Aires as well http://www.silvinaromero.blogspot.com/

[violette]

hi Christine! i live in Buenos Aires and I totally agree with the stuff you posted, it's a great city to enjoy art and design, specially the area within Palermo. thanx for such a wonderful post on my city :)

[Leonor.]

I love these pictures! I'm working for a moodboard and i just loved this blog..