OJAI: SCANDINAVIAN LIVING

In a place known for its natural beauty and artistic creativity, Dekor in Ojai is truly a must see shop. Inspired by its owners' fashion, interior design, and retail backgrounds, the store captures the casual, eclectic modern style that Ojai (and Sunny California) is renown for. The mixture of global textiles, Scandinavian home goods, and rustic furniture feels inviting and stylish, like a beautifully well-worn home you want to hang out in all weekend. The combination of home decor, clothing (colorful London designed caftans) and makeup (even a florescent pink nailpolish) ensures that there is somehtign for everyone, and you probably won't leave empy handed!

OJAI: DEKOR STYLE

Visiting Ojai is like taking an impromptu trip to Europe. The town feels as far from Los Angeles as you can get in 2 hours. The vibe is always creative, homey and relaxed. Strolling along the main promenade underneath the Spanish arches makes for an eternal vacation. We got the chance to drive up to Ojai a few months ago, and although most of our time was spent recuperating at the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa,  I got the chance to hop into downtown for a few hours.

On our last day, when I had a few hours to shop solo, I discovered Ojai’s newest design destination, Dekor. Owned by a Swedish, Los Angeles based designer and landscape architect who also owns a shop in Echo Park, Dekor made its debut in Ojai in December. The shop is a design and lifestyle inspired by Swedish cafes and shops. It combines Scandinavian design, clothing, furniture with eclectic global finds in a warm, inviting space. Love the mix of Turkish kilims with modern kitchenware. The vibe is cozy and industrial, eclectic and modern.

In addition to the global, eclectic funds, the store offers custom furniture and modern accessories. There’s even a tea bar for an afternoon get together.

Think this quote by the owner sums up the Ojai experience: “I’m not a very materialistic person,” says Dahlin, “but if your home feels special and you’re happy with the things around you, I believe that you are a happier person.” This place definitely makes me a happier person!

LA BOCA SUNDAY

Can't believe half a year has passed since our trip down south. It was their spring, and our Fall, and now it's our almost summer. I realized that I never posted about one of my favorite finds.

Just like Copacabana is THE place to take a walk on a Sunday afternoon in Rio (where had been thrown in straight from our overnight flight) so is San Telmo/La Boca in Buenos Aires. As a fan of the big, bright, and bold this place definitely hits the spot! All of the houses are painted in bright hues, each a work of art. Around every corner in La Boca is a photo opportunity of vivid color.

VIVA LA BOCA

When traveling, it's best to wholeheartedly jump into the deep end. We got to Buenos Aires on a Sunday and dived right into the chaotic Sunday madness at San Telmo. The taxi dropped us off in the still hung over La Boca hood, which every few minutes got rowdier and slightly more alert. The shutters came up and the people came out. But, before the chaos started, we got the chance to wander around the vivid streets, photographing the insanely saturated color combinations. 

The neighborhood is still a little rough around the edges, but that's what gives it its soul. It started as an Italian enclave in the port, the colors being born out of necessity as they were the remnants of what went into painting the ships. Now the bright hues are the symbolic look of thriving tourist destination. It's the most colorful, lively center of the city, a city which is known for passion and life.   

BUENOS AIRES MURALS

According to their website "The Graffitti Mundo tours reveal the extraordinary history of the city’s vibrant urban art culture, from its fiery political origins, to the modern context in which Buenos Aires has become one of the world’s most exciting cities for street art. We take you off the beaten path to visit hidden graffiti hotspots and open air galleries."

The tours have been developed in close collaboration with the city’s leading artists, enabling them to share their personal stories and motivations, together with the most spectacular art the city has to offer.