I’m typically not one for minimal spaces. I think they’re lovely and I appreciate the designer’s restraint, but I can’t help but to want to go in and throw a ton of stuff around. I love decorative objects! But, sometimes I come across a minimal space that is so perfectly executed, there isn’t a thing I would change. That’s how I feel about The Gourmet Tea Lounge + Store located in Sao Paulo, Brazil. I love the way the simple and colorful Gourmet Tea packaging jumps out against the stark white walls. The colored rectangles painted on the counter counters and the pop of color from the light fixtures add the last bit of needed punch in this otherwise minimal space. As a major tea fan, this is a tea house I would spend hours lounging in.

* via Arch Daily

In my attempt to get back to some basic pleasures, I’ve been spending more and more time hanging out in local bookstores. It used to be one of my favorite outings with Miles. I would spend hours flipping through design books I could never afford to take home, and Miles would sit on the carpet gnawing on a nylabone or a favorite of the moment toy. My recent bookstore hopping has had me thinking a lot about the most incredible bookstore I have ever had the fortune of visiting. El Ateneo located in Buenos Aires is the largest bookstore in South America and one of the most mind-blowing bookstore experiences one can ever have. I particularly loved how the box seats served as reading areas. This theater turn bookstore is heaven on earth for book lovers, and I look forward to going back someday.

* images via Flickr

Based out of Spain, Grossomodo is a small (but awesome) clothing and accessory company. Their hand made clothing silhouettes are inspired by the 50′s and 60′s and they also favor a soft and sweet color palette. I adore their ultra-feminine designs and I particularly love their gorgeous fashion photography. Check out this peek of their current Spring/Summer 2011 catalog.

Their blog is a must see as well. It’s entirely in Spanish but the work and photos shown speak for themselves.

It’s been one long and wet winter here in the Bay Area. At this point, it’s fair to say I’m over it. These beautiful images by Los Angeles based photographer Lou Mora have me dreaming of hot summer days. California style.

Recently the Huffington Post created a slideshow featuring the world’s most colorful destinations. Naturally, destinations like Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Chile made the list. I think most people you ask would list “colorful” as one of their top five adjectives to describe these countries. It was exciting for me to see some of the other color saturated cities around the world that I didn’t know about. I was particularly blown away by Bo-Kaap, Cape Town, South Africa (first image below). One word: whoa!

And two little known places of my own that I had to add to this collection… Las Penas in Guayaquil, Ecuador and the Central Market in my mother’s hometown Ambato, Ecuador. She took me there and bought me the best juice I’ve ever had made from fruit I’ve never seen. Then I snapped the photo below. (thanks mom! it was really cool to explore your old neighborhood.)

* via peppermint bliss

Fashion photographer Nicole Bentley recently shot one of the most gorgeous spreads I have ever seen for the March issue of Vogue Australia. Entitled “Viva La Revolution,” this vibrant ten page spread took place down in Mexico and featured model Alina Baikova. I love everything about this! In fact, I couldn’t leave out a single page. Viva la revolution!

A few weeks back I had a twitter conversation with a fellow shop owner that was looking for bright Brazilian art. It made me realize just how unfamiliar I was with Brazilian artists (shame on me!) Through a bit of research, I came across the work of Beatriz Milhazes. Upon viewing her work, my first thoughts were, “whoa!” and “have I been living under a rock?! Why have I never seen her work before?!” Born in 1961 in Rio de Janeiro, Beatriz’s work is influenced by Brazil’s exotic flora and fauna, popular Brazilian motifs, and the vibrant colors that have surrounded her throughout her life in Brazil. I am already a huge fan and have added “purchase a Beatriz Milhazes painting” to the list of my life’s goals. Really, it’s now #28.

Her installation pieces are also quite breathtaking. These stain glass windows and glass mobile pieces are beyond amazing!

To view a selection of Beatriz Milhazes’s work and learn more about her incredible career, check out this site.

It’s a bit cold and dreary here in the bay, so I thought it would be the perfect day to share this bright and beautiful Doors and Gates series by photographer Donna Cleveland. These photos were taken in colorful San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, a gorgeous vacation destination I’ll be dreaming of all day.

If I had to make a list of some of the world’s most breathtaking city and landscapes, Brazil would be near the top. Standing at the top of a building in Sao Paulo or on a hilltop in Rio de Janeiro, you would swear you were in the middle of some incredible dream. The kind you just don’t want to wake up from. That’s why I’m loving these beautiful city and landscape pendant lamps from Bertolucci that depict scenes from Sao Paulo and Rio. It would be amazing to look up at these truly illuminating Brazilian pendant lamps.

via Fernanda van der Laan

Homeboy Industries has recently partnered with Artecnica in their most “provocative Design with Conscience project to date.” In collaboration with graphic design firm Studio Lin, Homeboy Tote bags are being produced and will be made available for purchase in March. Homeboy Industries is the largest gang intervention program in the US that offers ex-gang members and at-risk youth new opportunities and a second chance at a better life.

The tote bags feature original calligraphy writing created by ex gang members based on famous quotes by the program’s founder Greg Boyle. Part of the proceeds from sales of the bags will benefit the further development of Homeboy Industries. What an amazing project! I can’t wait to tote my homeboy bag.

via Mocoloco