They say it’s Sardine summer, and well, that gives me a chuckle. If Portuguese, then sardine summer is every year, it’s our way of life. We’re born with the notion that summers revolve around grilled sardines. And come June the air is perfumed with the land and sea. The scents of grilled sardines, peppers and…
In Bloom :: Contemporary Summer Centerpieces
As creatives we all go through our own style seasons. Ones where we’re inspired and drawn more so to a particular aesthetic, flower, technique or color. And last summer was that for me, where I was in an “organic contemporary” phase with the intention of honing in on other floral design skills. I naturally created…
Traveling to … Lisboa Moments + a Setúbal Lunch
Whenever I go to Portugal, I’m fortunate to spend time in Lisboa’s Caparica coast. Having family there, it’s always a treat being a close drive to the city and also near its beautiful beaches. Sometimes my stays are jammed packed with adventures, others too short but oh-so sweet. This year was somewhere in the middle,…
Floral Inspiration :: By the Seaside
A collector of “gizmos, whozits, whatzits & thingsmabobs“…a treasure trove of summer’s wonders. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been a collector of sorts. A child collecting seashells, tiny vintage trinkets, fairies and flowers, from fresh to dried petal. It’s all shaped who I am as a creative today. Summer is a…
A Berry Sour Cream Custard Pie with Phyllo Crust
Pie is most certainly my favorite thing to make. Often on afternoon making pie dough, getting my fingers into the cold butter and flour, it’s like a beautiful mental trip or therapy session. It soothes the soul. Can I say that’s really the secret to any yummy flaky pie dough. And when it comes to…
Watermelon, Peach + Tomato Caprese Salad … the only meal you’ll want this Summer!
It’s the peak of summertime, the heat lingering day after day, that soothing ultra-relaxed “let’s kick back”, celebrate this slowness — live it slowly and fully like Mother Nature intends….the kind of days I live for. In the truth it’s the mentality and lifestyle I wish everyday of the year was more like. More laidback….
Traveling to ….. Poço do Inferno waterfall in Manteigas || Serra da Estrela
Don’t go chasin’ waterfalls Don’t go chasing waterfalls Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to I know that you’re gonna have it your way or nothing at all But I think you’re moving too fast Enchanted by the photos of my cousin’s adventure a few months earlier, I knew the…
A Beauty Boutique Garden Party || Olivia’s 4th Birthday Celebration
Summer’s end is officially here for the year, but before it’s truly gone I’m sharing this fun, colorful and oh so pretty birthday garden party I styled for a cherished clients, one of the darling Alves’ sisters. At the end of winter we had Delia’s balloon and teepee filled boho fete, and now we have Olivia’s…
An Effortless Al Fresco “Fado” Garden Party || A Farewell to Summer
Each event I do is special, but some are just a bit more special than others and this one, inspired by al fresco cafes and Fado, celebrated 6o years of life for the person who builds and assists me in making almost all my creative event ideas into reality. And it was one of the…
Mood Board : An Effortless Al Fresco European Cafe | End of Summer Party
“Há uma música do povo. Nem sei dizer se é um fado. Que ouvindo há um ritmo novo, no ser que tenho guardado…É uma simples melodia. Das que se aprendem a viver.” Há Uma Música Do Povo – Mariza ….“There’s a song from the people. I’m not too sure if it’s a Fado. Once listened, there’s a new…
