With the autumn leaves falling and temperatures ranging between 8 and 16 degrees, São Paulo is a beautiful place to visit during the fall. The effervescent city makes you feel warm even when it’s cold outside. The chaotic rhythm is attractive for those who are hungry for fun. Yes, this tropical country can also have cold weather, but it always has the hottest way of life.

Reserva Cultural

Reserva Cultural is one of the most cultural spots in the city. There you can find the perfect combination of activities all in one place: Bistro, Café, Cinema, Art Exhibitions and bookstore. The ambience is cozy and charming, and the location – in the heart of the city on Paulista Avenue – is perfect. More info.

SubAstor 

Hidden in the basement of Astor Bar in Vila Madalena, SubAstor is the spot for good music, drinking and flirting. It’s not trendy because it’s not obvious, which makes the bar even more interesting. In São Paulo those kinds of bars are becoming more and more common. A few people know the place, and these people recommend it to other people, and there it goes! Get a clue: since it’s a small bar, arrive early as the red armchairs go quick! More info.

Rua Oscar Freire

Oscar Freire is the biggest open mall of the city and the most expensive street of São Paulo. On this famous street of the Jardins neighborhood you can find all kinds of stores, including the biggest brands on the planet, such as Nespresso, American Apparel, Animale, Calvin Klein Underwear, Dior and much more. As it’s a street, you can take a walk with your pet, buy a coffee in some of the most charming Cafes of the city, put your headphones on and enjoy the low temperatures. Also, you can buy the most famous slippers of the world: Havaianas. The biggest store of the country is located there. Certainly a temptation!

Jazz Nos Fundos

Make your nights warmer with jazz, blues and latin rythms at Jazz nos Fundos. You can order a wine and just chill at one of the tables or “dance like there’s no tomorrow” on the small dancefloor. The low lighting sets the mood and makes you forget the whole world outside so that you can just relax and have fun. Jazz nos Fundos is “hidden” behind a parking lot at João Moura, 1076 – Pinheiros. Get ready and be warned: it’s an addictive place! More info.

After 4 years compiling our portfolio of properties in South America’s hottest destinations, we’re venturing outside of the continent for the first time, with a handpicked selection of design-oriented apartments in New York and Miami.

Take a look

As winter dawns on the Southern Hemisphere and the days get shorter and the sun comes out less, it’s great to seek refuge in a bright and refreshing space. We’ve selected four of our properties that make excellent use of color and print to brighten up the day and your stay.

Casa Ravignani | Buenos Aires, Argentina

A bright orange sofa and colorful artwork create a focal center point to the space, and give that eternal summer feel.

Azcuenaga & Peña | Buenos Aires, Argentina

The stunning ochre gold color of the corner sofa is absolutely enticing, and the throw pillows pick up the color whilst adding notes of black and white, which match other parts of the apartment.

Segui & Sinclair | Buenos Aires, Argentina

The attractive sheets and comforter in this property tie in perfectly with the rug and throw pillows in the living area, creating a common theme though the apartment. This can also be mixed up over the course of time as everything else in mostly minimalist white, which matches with all colors.

Russel Dream | Buenos Aires, Argentina

The dazzling sofa arrangement and use of print and sunshine yellow wall in the kitchen represents the perfect way to brighten up and add character to a communal area.

Following on from our São Paulo Culture Shock post, we think this article by Shivani Vora for the New York Times sums up the developments of São Paulo’s art scene perfectly. São Paulo doesn’t get the best rep when it comes to it’s cultural scene, but thanks to the blossoming economy that is changing, so take note for your next visit to the city as the new more democratic and innovative scene is definitely worth checking out.

13-18 July, 2012 | Buenos Aires

13, 24 & 29 June, 2012 | Rio de Janeiro

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August, 2012 | Buenos Aires

On Wednesday May 9th, the Clubhouse Chef Series will launch with a multi-course dinner of Latin American tapas prepared by Diego Felix of the popular closed door restaurant Colectivo Felix. The Colectivo Felix is an eco-gastronomic project that has received international recognition from the likes of the New York Times, Condé Nast Traveller, and Nylon Magazine. To learn more about the chef, we asked Diego a few questions about his approach to cooking, how to create an urban garden and overall ecological living. He even provides a seasonal recipe for Mushroom Confit that we can’t wait to try at home! To make a reservation for next week’s dinner, email clubhouse@oasiscollections.com

Oasis Blog: For our readers who aren’t familiar with the term, how do you define edible biodiversity?

Diego Felix: Edible biodiversity refers to the wide spectrum of plant varieties and animal breeds that we eat. Today this diversity is endangered by industrialized agriculture, environmental degradation and homogenization of food around the world.

OB: How has your concept been received across North and South America?
DF: In both North and South America more and more people are getting interested in where and how their food is produced and so what we do, cooking with local and indigenous ingredients, attracts curious and conscious eaters in both hemispheres.

OB: What do you think people should be doing in their own homes in order to be less wasteful?
DF: Sanra, my wife who works with Ambientate, would recommend a few simple things people can implement in their homes in Buenos Aires to reduce their waste. – Buy beverages and foodstuffs that come in recyclable or returnable packaging. – Buy products that you commonly use in bulk. – Get a water filter to avoid plastic water bottles. – Take cloth or reusable bags with you to the store.  - Separate your trash in your home for the cartoneros and if you have even a little bit of space, on a terrace, patio or balcony, start a compost!

OB: What are some of your favorite, lesser known foodstuffs that you’ve found during your global travels?
DF: The variety of potatoes in the north of Argentina. If you can get a chance to go to the markets in Jujuy in May, you will be astounded at the different types of potatoes, which are actually not potatoes but tuber vegetables. I also still remember the rich fragrance of the herbs in Paraguay used in their tereré, most of which I still haven’t been able to find fresh in Buenos Aires.

OB: In a New York Times feature you were included in, the writer mentions a “botanical lesson” in your backyard. Do you have any tips on creating an urban garden?
DF: Luckily, there are a lot of resources in Buenos Aires, the Vivero Organico Sonyando for example, gives classes and workshops here in Casa Felix on how to garden in pots and how to compost. That’s a good place to start. In limited space it’s also good to grow herbs and leafy greens, which freshly picked add amazing flavor to your meals  and can grow pretty well in shallow dirt and don’t need full sunlight.

OB: Do you have any tips for Buenos Aires locals on which fruits and vegetables are in season now? Any tips on how to prepare them?
DF: This is really exciting time because the pine mushrooms, hongos lactareos, from the Atlantic coast are finally here in Barrio Chino! An easy and delicious preparation is to make a confit. Basically cover them with olive oil in a shallow dish with garlic and fresh oregano and put them on low heat in the oven for about an hour. Apples and pears are also still in season, great time to make compotes, marmalades and dehydrate them if you can to preserve them for the upcoming winter months.

The Colombian town of Cartagena is increasingly becoming a popular destination amongst the international jet set, thanks to its beautiful beaches, storied history and convenient location. Although gaining cache, the city is rarely thought of as a fashion mecca, which is why we love this “For Fashion Hounds” guide to Cartagena in New York Magazine’s spring travel feature.

Achieve the “low-key tropical glamour” look by following the magazine’s recommendations for places to pick up exquisite bikinis, ethically produced handwoven bags and linen sundresses, perfect for a beachside soiree.

Can’t make it to Cartagena for a shopping spree? Then why not take a read through OASIS BLOG’s recent “Get the Look” post on the beautiful Caribbean port town, where we took design inspiration from some of our favorite properties for a roundup of five ways you can achieve the Cartagena look at home – wherever that may be.

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21 May, 2012 | Rio de Janeiro