All posts tagged: aruba

ESCAPE TO THE CARIBBEAN | THE RITZ CARLTON ARUBA

Published by

The Ritz-Carlton Aruba allowed me to call it home for another weekend, and what a weekend it was! Aruba is such a great spot in the Caribbean for many reasons: turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, beautiful people and exquisite food. Literally, if you look up the word paradise in a dictionary a photo of Aruba will pop up. One of the most important reasons and perhaps one that is not known to many is the fact that this little gem in the Caribbean can guarantee good weather 99% of the year. Is it a safe bet to visit Aruba? Aruba is south of the hurricane belt, which means hurricanes are not common in this area. In fact, the hurricane frequency in Aruba is roughly every 28.8 years. The last one was a Level 2 hurricane causing minor damage and took place back in 2007, 10 years ago. So, to answer my previous question; yes, Aruba is a safe bet. I encourage you to come visit and choose The Ritz-Carlton Aruba as your home away from …

Bye Bye Raccoon Eyes

Published by

You wake up, wash your face and stare at that mirror at those deep dark circles around your eyes. They bring you down and ruin your day before it even started. You feel like you’ve tried it all and are ready to give up. Well, don’t! There’s a solution for it! Some of us suffer from this condition due to genetics, while others get these dark circles after a long day of work, having a bad night of sleep, or just simply because you’re partying too hard at Gusto (AKA ME!) These dark circles or how I prefer to call it the raccoon eyes is a common condition that doesn’t discriminate gender, age or social status. Meaning, anyone can get them. The solution to avoid these dark circles is the Kiehl’s Age Defender Eye Repair. This cream will work wonders. It is a lifting, anti-wrinkle, dark circle reducing eye cream for men. How does it work? You apply it every day, and that is the only way it will work! This is not considered makeup to …

What’s that perfume that you wear?

Published by

So… I’ve been browsing for new perfumes and I visited Penha to try and purchase a few for the upcoming season.  Here the top 3 that caught my attention and nose. Dylan blue by Versace. Here’s to hoping this whole outfit ends up on the floor wearing the new fragrance Dylan Blue from Versace. The scent has a fresh Citrus vibe that is both masculine and versatile, and most importantly it blends with your natural scent and isn’t obnoxious by any means. If you want a cologne that will make a statement- Dylan Blue is for you. L’Envol Eau de Toilette by Cartier Last year I had an opportunity to try and wear L’Envol by Cartier, an elegant and woody cologne that is sweet, masculine, nocturnal and proper for the dapper gentleman. L’Envol Eau de Toillete is a little fresher and vibrant, however, still maintains a few characteristics of the original. This is a fragrance you don’t wear to the office, but an important cocktail reception or gala, or even a special date. The cologne …

Creating Memories at The Ritz-Carlton Aruba

Published by

I recently had the opportunity to have a staycation at The Ritz-Carlton here in Aruba. The four-day stay was one of the most relaxing and fun breaks I’ve had in a while. The Ritz-Carlton Aruba is located on Palm Beach in Aruba, which is such a beautiful place to be on the Island. The hotel features two beautiful swimming pools with Cabanas, One for adults and the other for families with children. We all love kids, but sometimes we just want a little peace and quiet.  The rooms in the hotel are super spacious, nicely decorated and comfortable with wonderful views of the Caribbean sea. The hotel has many restaurants such as BLT Steak & Solanio with tasty menus. Overall it’s a dream hotel for obvious reasons, but what makes The Ritz-Carlton Aruba stand out from the rest is the staff. From the bell-boys to the waitress at the Cabana by the pool, the staff is the most attentive, considerate and kind workforce I have ever came across in Aruba. You truly feel like a king while staying at The Ritz-Carlton …

FASHION AND CHAMPAGNE

Published by

The best champagne, some of my favorite pieces from Dolce& Gabbana and Solid and Striped… I spent the day at the Renaissance Island, sunbathing, having fun and specially relaxing in the new private Cabanas. You have to see them, the Renaissance Island has never looked better. Hope you enjoy the post and click on your favorite image to get details of what I’m wearing.

WHAT TO DO IN ARUBA

Published by

  Soo… Actually, people message me all the time asking what to do and where to go while they’re visiting Aruba, I always try to reply via private message or I comment back but I thought it would be nice to have a blog post dedicated to the beautiful Island of Aruba so I can share with you where I go and what I do, but these are 100% my favorite places, restaurants I go once in a while, the beaches I prefer, the places where I take my friends to take pics and where I shop… When is it a good time to visit? Any day, we are lucky to have good weather all year long. It’s always sunny, it’s hot but very windy so it balances things out, so book your trip any month of the year… but where are you staying? That’s the important question. The Hotels Aruba has many hotels, apartments, and villas. I have stayed at the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino many times, you all know that by now,  but, …

L’Envol by Cartier

Published by

Launched in summer 2016, Cartier added a new fragrance for men, L’Envol. Inspired by ambrosia, known as the nectar of the gods. L’Envol is both strong and mellow with sweet resins set against airy musk, is all about violet leaves. Mathilde Laurent developed this fragrance, she surrounded violet leaves by semi-sweet woods to make them smell milder, warmer, noble, slightly sweet. L’Envol is sophisticated and very Cartier, this is, with all sincerity, and by a large margin the best designer release of 2016. It is unquestionably masculine and blended to perfection. The extraordinary bottle is a capsule contained within a detachable glass dome, which can be carried independently and is refillable. The bottle is a classic and stylish Cartier, with its famous guilloché motif on the bottle stopper while the dome shows once again Cartier’s expertise in glasswork. It is available at Penha Mainstreet and Palm Beach Plaza. Feel free to pass by and try it.

FIRST INSTINCT GIVEWAY | PENHA & ABERCROMBIE&FITCH FOR MEN

Published by

So… Penha and I have decided to partner to give away the newest fragrance from Abercrombie & Fitch, this brand new perfume was designed by Phillippe Romano; he said: “I wanted to create a modern fragrance that balances both the fresh elements of fougère with oriental warmth. All the notes together, create a scent with worldwide appeal for the Abercrombie & Fitch man and beyond.” First Instinct, an oriental fougère, is intended for “the confident man who is not afraid to express his feelings.” The top notes include an aromatic gin & tonic accord combined with Kiwano melon, so it makes it perfect for a night out in my opinion but I used it in the mornings also. If you have been following me on snapchat, you have seen me spray it after the gym. Middle notes offer spicy Szechuan pepper, airy violet leaves and tangy citrusand.These ingridients will get the attention from everybody. Now, the basenotes are comprised of sueded musk with raw amber. The beautiful bottle has the appearance of undulating water. The silver …

MERCEDES-BENZ MAN

Published by

Penha Aruba launched yesterday night a new fragrance by Mercedez-Benz, Mercedes-Benz Man. The event took place Downtown Oranjestad, the Penha store in Mainstreet, where you were welcomed by four Mercedes-Benz parked just in front of the store. It was a charming cocktail party hosted by the staff of Penha. The attendees had the opportunity to learn more about Mercedes-Benz Fragrances, and of course, the star of the night, Mercedes-Benz Man while treated to cocktails and hors-dœuvres. The new fragrance, Man, the star fragrance, is the newest addition to the collection of perfumes that Mercedes-Benz has beautifully crafted for the past 4 years. The genius nose behind this fragrance is none other than Olivier Cresp, he created a timeless, sophisticated Mercedes fragrance belonging to the aromatic, woody, fruity family. The top notes are ambrette and pear; middle notes are geranium and cedar; base notes are oakmoss and pallisander rosewood. This Eau de Toilette comes in a splendid, high-tech bottle of 50 ml and 100 ml. Man embodies a masculine elegance, is fresh and contemporary, it has …

BOARDWALK HOTEL ARUBA

Published by

In a sea of big resorts, Boardwalk Hotel Aruba is one the most refreshing, cozy, private and charming hotels to stay at on the Island of Aruba. Boardwalk may not be the largest hotel on the island. But what it lacks in size, it certainly makes up for it with impeccable service and personalized attention. This boutique style hotel is a hidden gem on the island of Aruba. Perfect for honey mooners, couples, and families. If you’re goal is to disconnect from the world then this is the place. They’re located in Noord, at the end of the high rise strip, close to fishermen’s hut beach where you can sunbath or practice windsurfing or kite surfing. What other way is there to relax on a tropical island than swinging peacefully on a hammock? Luckly every single casita has a hammock. The hotel pool is surrounded by lush tropical plants and flowers and the water temperature is always just right. The casitas come fully equipped with comfy beds, hot water and a complete kitchen just in …

WHAT’S GOOD? GARDEN FRESH | ARUBA

Published by

So… I’m exploring new flavors, which is always a good thing. Especially when we are talking about food. If we are being honest, it’s one of the best things in the world In this post I want to talk about two smoothies, “The Cure” which is the green one, this little juice here is the perfect cure for a hangover. It contains lemon juice, aloe vera, kale, green apple, and ginger… this is a bomb but a good one, that will make you feel better in no time… Have one, run on  the beach and take a swim… you’ll be feeling like a brand new person by the time you are done. You will have worked up an appetite for sure after all that exercise. My recommendation would be a burrito, you really need something that will sit good in your stomach and replenish your energy reserves. It’s packed full of protein, filled with black beans, fresh veggies. That’s a perfect lunch for someone recovering from a hangover.    Now, if you were a good …

ARUBA | GARDEN FRESH

Published by

So, I’ve started my diet again. Training hard at the gym and getting ready not only for carnival season but for every season. Looking and feeling good should always be a priority in your life. Garden Fresh is the best option when it comes to eating fit and fresh in Aruba, also the most hip and fashionable healthy restaurant, which is always a plus. They serve a wide range of smoothies and juices. The morning sunshine smoothie to me is one of the best, my favorite I have to say. There’s a wide variety of healthy food, there’s wraps and paninis, you have salads as well. Create your own salad is the best option for me, especially at night… now that I am on a zero carb diet I can just go there, pick my favorite protein (usually chicken) and then ask for the veggies I like. It’s a life saver to be honest and they don’t sell anything that could be a temptation… like coca cola, you know? Things that are not supposed to …

BEACH ESSENTIALS | PURPLE RAIN

Published by

   Purple Rain duffle bag by clashist, Swimshorts by Capitán, watch by Jolli, No Smirking sunglasses by Le Specs, VOSS water, beach towel by Ottoiio and sunscreen by Island Company. ________________________________________________________________ You know, I like colorful things, I think by now you know that… So when I saw that purple rain bag I fell in love with it and I knew it was going to photograph so well… First thing I thought was: I’m going to pair this back with any of my neon green shorts, in this case my new Capitan neon green short. The Jolli watch just came here today and I thought it would be a great addition to this post. I hope you like it. Anyone coming to Aruba this month or next? It is always a good time to come to Aruba, it is a never ending summer… and for you all always concerned that if I use skin protection; I just got this set of Island Company sunscreen, not only they protect you but they have this coconut smell that …

CROWNS FOR THE KING | DOLCE&GABBANNA FALL-WINTER 15-16

Published by

Crown print quilted bomber jacket by Dolce&Gabbana, Ripped Gold 14 fit denim with crown and bee embroidery jeans by @ Dolce&Gabbana, Hand Bag by @dolce&Gabanna, Neo Noir Sunglasses by Le Specs, Watch by Nixon. __________________________________________________________________ What a pleasant surprise to see crowns and also bees in the newest collection of Dolce&Gabbana, crowns fit for a king of course *laughs*. “Crowns have long been a heraldic symbol of royalty, courage and power and along with the industrious, loyal and kind icon of the bee, these two emblems have been unified and adopted as a leitmotif of the Dolce&Gabbana in the Fall Winter 2015-16 menswear collection. In their familiar concept of high/low, Dolce&Gabbana transpose these age-old symbols of human virtue onto shirts, embroidered tailoring and accessories. Universally recognized symbols in their own right become fashionable icons for the season, and beyond.” If you are in Aruba make sure you visit the Dolce&Gabbana store located at the Renaissance Mall, maybe we can go shopping together next time. You can follow me on Instagram clicking here! Photography @enriquebalestrini

Pink Ombré | Ralph Lauren

Published by

So… Here’s this beautiful pink ombré shirt paired with a royal blue blazer and jeans. I fell in love with the shirt the minute I saw it at Ralph Lauren and then I decided to create an outfit around it. My head works like this: That beautiful pink shirt I had to tone it down with a masculine blue jacket, I know, i know..colors have no gender, but I love the contrast and then to make it more casual I chose a pair of Ralph Lauren jeans from their new collection. All pieces are from their new summer collection, included the gorgeous leather Duffel bag,  an ideal companion for the frequent traveler. You can fit almost anything in there and it smells so goooood.   The haze sunglasses, called Raze in Electric Blue are a statement piece, the blue on the top of the lens gives them this unique look setting them apart from regular aviators. The watermelon Lecimes case, as I’m sure you know it by now is my favorite case this season.

We never go out of style | Ralph Lauren

Published by

Classic pieces never go out of style, that’s why this blog posts is featuring only Ralph Lauren items that you can buy and wear forever or as long as they fit you. *laughs* The Green Regent Shirt  has been crafted from cotton poplin, it’s a slim-fitting, striped dress shirt featuring a medium-spread Regent collar and Ralph Lauren’s signature embroidered pony. The herringbone blazer is rendered in a lightweight blend of linen and silk, with leather accents and elbow patches for a rustic inspiration.  They look great together, the earth colors complement each other very well, they look fresh, young and casual together.  The white chino pants are rafted from smooth cotton, this essential pant is treated with pigment dyes to achieve a vintage look and features a straight-leg silhouette. For the belt I picked a classic navy themed belt with a vibrant pattern of nautical flags. The outfit is complete now, I picked a light color bottom to give it a resort/cruise look appropriate for the caribbean. I hope you liked this outfit I picked from the new Ralph Lauren collection available in the store located at the Renaissance Mall …

Caribbean Boho King

Published by

So… I got this fouta, yeah, that’s the “towel” :p and thanks to my friends at Ottoiio I was inspired to do this look. What do you think? I call it “Boho King”. I paired this outfit with different pieces from different brands. The Blue linen shirt by Onia is on top of my Algae Miami t-shirt. I think the classic look from the blue shirt keeps the whole outfit from being too “hippy”… let’s put it like that. Now, the breezy and pleasant printed white tee is soft and runs oversized.  When I saw it I thought of some kind of palm trees Pathenon, it’s kind of greek/tropical, the white on white, you know what I mean? I like when a piece of clothing makes you have to give a second look to get the graphic. This Tee is perfect. Algae have a lot of different shirts and accessories, you should definitely check them out.

ONE PERFECT SUMMER OUTFIT

Published by

So, summer is here… actually is always here in Aruba, but for those who are waiting for the hottest and most fun time of the year, here’s so outfit I put together with Ralph Lauren. Let’s start with this beautiful sailboat print mercer shirt in green linen. It was love at first sight, it is a classic shirt but so vibrant and colorful, my eyes went directly to this showstopper the minute I was browsing around the store.  It is 100% linen, it has a convenient rounded patch pocket at the left chest and split back yoke with a box pleat it has, gives you a greater range of motion and makes it so confortable to wear, those are the details I love from this shirt. Taking in consideration the shirt has a very bright and eye catchy print I decided to pair it with a more toned down bottom, so I went for a more light blue bermuda short with an equally relaxed silhouette, made of cotton. It’s a perfect basic that you can pair with anything and everything, it is …