Beauty Dept.: Slimming Ritual

Always in the hunt for a good new product for summer, last sunday I went to Sephora, after a great lunch and a visit to a museum (perfect sunday by the way!). After a stroll around new Dior make up collection and two hours trying parfumes, I found the perfect duo: exfoliate and smooth.
Since Biotherm new Celluli Eraser was claiming to reduce visible cellulite and prevent its formation I decided to check if it was true.
I also brought home the Lait de Gommage, an ultra-creamy texture to eliminate dead cells and smooth the skin without drying it. Applying it before the treatment maximizes the actives penetration of the Celluli Eraser body care.
Next step, is to smooth the skin using the body care treatment in the affected areas.
So far, I just have good things to say about this amazing product. After a couple of applications and a bit of exercise, my skin is more toned and smoother. Really advice you to give it a try.
What about you? Have you tried any great product this summer?

---

Sempre em busca de uma boa novidade de verão, no último domingo fiz a minha visita habitual à Sephora, depois de um almoço fantástico e visita a um museu (o domingo perfeito por acaso!). Depois de experimentar a nova colecção de maquilhagem da Dior e de duas horas a experimentar perfumes, encontrei o duo perfeito: exfoliar e alisar.
Uma vez que o novo Celluli Eraser da Biotherm prometia reduzir a celulite visivel e prevenir a sua formação, decidi avaliar a veracidade dos factos.
Para casa, trouxe também o Lait de Gommage, um exfoliante de textura super cremosa que elimina as células mortas e alisa a pele sem a secar, Aplicado antes do tratamento, maximiza a penetração dos compostos activos do Celluli Eraser. 

O proximo passo é tonificar a pele aplicando o tratamento de corpo nas áreas afectadas.
Até agora, só tenho coisas boas a dizer sobre este produto fantástico. Depois de meia dúzia de utilizações e com um pouco de exercício físico a minha pele parece muito mais tonificada e suave. Aconselho-o vivamente!
E vocês? Já descobriram o vosso produto estrela para este verão? 

Green With Envy

Emerald Green. New Obsession, all caused by this amazing vintage bag I've found at a flea market in Lisbon. The dress was impossible to resist. A little gem to cheer me up just waiting for the perfect occasion to be dressed.

---

Verde Esmeralda. A nova obsessão, tudo depois de ter encontrado esta mala vintage "perdida" no meio da Feira da Ladra. E lá estava eu para a resgatar. O vestido foi daquelas coisas impossíveis de resistir. Um pequeno miminho para me animar nestes dias cinzentos. Só está à espera da ocasião perfeita para ser usado.

Bag, vintage. Dress, Zara SS'13.

Outfit: Monochrome

Shirt: Zara SS'13
Trousers: Zara
Loafers: Zara SS'13
Clutch: Zara SS'13
Necklace: Zara SS'13
Watch: Calvin Klein
Sunglasses: Céline "Cocoon"

Inspiration: Espadrilles

Remember this post about my favourite espadrilles online? Well, while I'm still stalking my favourite ones (they seem to be sold out everywhere) I decided to compile some very different looks wearing espadrilles. Have a nice week!

---

Lembram-se deste post acerca das minhas alpercatas preferidas à venda online? Bem, enquanto continuo a busca pelas minhas preferidas (parece que estão esgotadas em todo o lado), decidi compilar variados coordenados que têm em comum os sapatos espanhóis tão em voga este verão. Tenham uma óptima semana!

Source: Carolines Mode, Let's Have a Margarita, Amlul, The Blonde Salade, Garance Doré, WhoWhatWear, Stockholm Street Style, Song of Style, Dulceida, Tumblr

I'm (Finally) Back!

Time goes so fast that I just realised yesterday that I hadn't updated the blog for two weeks! My apologies but these have been really really busy days! I'll explain everything.
Since I moved to Lisbon that I was in the hunt to start my very own project. And it was when I found a lovely duplex apartment in the oldest neighborhood of Lisbon, Alfama, that I knew what kind of project it would be.
After years traveling around Europe always staying in short term apartments, that house seemed perfect to host the coolest tourists in town.
When I have something in mind, I don't stop until I reach my objectives and that's why I didn't manage to keep you updated. When I started this project the house was completely empty! I had to do multiple runs to bricolage, furniture and decor shops and spend many mornings in flea markets to have everything ready in such short period of time.
The best of all? I already had some lovely guests! I feel now that it totally worth the effort.

Below are some pictures of the house and all decor details but if you want to know more about the neighborhood or see more pictures just take a look at AirBnb or Lisbon Apartments websites.

Maybe you'll not believe this but, for me, choosing a name was one the most though decisions during the refurbishing/decoration process. Soon as "Alfama, Live It All" came to my mind I knew it was the right name. Alfama is such a typical and genuine neighborhood that only by staying there you are allowed to experience it all. 

In the bedroom there is a beautiful quilt and cushions hand made and chosen to reflect tradition. Two bedside tables accompany the bed and have table lamps one of which has been made out of blown glass, designed to resemble the antique oil lamps yet with a touch of the modern. One of the bedside tables is designed with an old fisherman's basket in mind, adorned with flowers to add a touch of romance.

The bedroom wall has been decorated with lyrics of one of the most famous Fado singers Amalia. Being Alfama, an area famed for its Fado traditions, there are various references to the queen of Fado Amalia Rodrigues including photos and the lyrics of Amalia.

There are two support tables, one inspired by antique basin with an ambient light fitting. The second support table is more than one hundred years old and has been restored and painted. There is a vintage clock and a guestbook that has been handmade in Portugal in the style of the old books used by the merchants. The walls have been decorated by antique plates acquired in the famous Feira de Ladra flea market.

Finally, in the kitchen and dining area, there is traditional Portuguese dining set hand made and inspired by the typical Portuguese restaurants. The table is situated in a well lit area that has been designed to be reminiscent of an Alfama patio. 

If you want to be updated about all the activities of the neighborhood or if you'd like to watch a movie about the house just follow our Facebook page!

Hope you've liked my project! And who knows? Maybe one day I will have the pleasure to host you in my apartment!

Prawn and Avocado Cocktail

One of these weekends I went to my house in the south of Portugal with my boyfriend. It was all about relaxing in the beach and taking revitalising naps after lunch. For one of those lunches we went to the local farmers and seafood market (the best of the Algarve I can assure you) and found these delicious prawns. First thing that came to my mind was: Prawn Cocktail! This classic retro starter packed with juicy prawns will never go out of fashion. The truth is that properly made, with sweet lettuce hearts and homemade sauce, it is the perfect way to start a summer's lunch. 

---

Num destes fins-de-semana rumei até ao Algarve com o meu namorado. Tudo se resumiu a relaxar na praia e a pequenas sestas revitalizantes depois de almoço, mesmo como estávamos a precisar. Para um desses almoços fomos ao Mercado de Olhão (o melhor do Algarve para comprar bom marisco, garanto-vos!) onde encontrámos estes deliciosos camarões. A primeira coisa que me veio à mente foi, obviamente: Cocktail de Camarão! Esta entrada até que pode parecer um pouco antiquada, mas quando imaginamos os camarões suculentos, percebemos porque nunca passará de moda. A verdade é que, bem confeccionada, com alface fresca e molho de cocktail caseiro, é o modo perfeito de começar um almoço de verão.

Shred a gem lettuce heart and pile it into a couple of chilled glasses.

---

Corte algumas folhas de alface em juliana e coloque-a no fundo de dois copos gelados.

Peel all but 2 of the prawns (reserve these for the tops). Cut the prawns in halves and sprinkle over the lettuce. Season with black pepper. 

Start preparing the sauce. It's all in the sauce. The true sauce is principally mayonnaise, tomato ketchup and a couple of shakes of Tabasco. To prepare mine, I mix 4 tablespoons of decent mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons of ketchup, a dash of Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, a pinch of salt and 3 or 4 tablespoons of single malt whisky. 

Now, for a twist on this sauce....

---

Descasque os camarões, reservando dois com a cauda e a cabeça apenas (vão decorar o cocktail no fim). Corte os camarões em dois e deite-os por cima da alface. Tempere com um pouco de pimenta preta moída na altura.

Comece a preparar o molho. Ele vai fazer a diferença no cocktail, e é nele que se deve focar. A receita original é composta basicamente por maionese, ketchup e umas gotas de Tabasco. Para preparar o meu, misturei 4 colheres de sopa de boa maionese, 3 colheres de sopa de ketchup, algumas gotas de molho Inglês, 1 colher de chá (rasa) de mostarda de Dijon, uma pitada de sal e 3 ou 4 colheres de sopa de whisky. 

Agora, para uma variação fantástica deste molho.... 

Just cut and smash one avocado and mix in the cocktail sauce you've just prepared (reserve a couple of slices for decoration!). It's delicious!

Then spoon the cocktail sauce over the prawns.

---

Corte e esmague um abacate bem maduro e misture-o no molho que acabou de preparar (reserve umas fatias para a decoração!). É delicioso!

Depois é só deitar o molho de cocktail por cima dos camarões.

Serve with a lemon wedge balanced on the side of the glass, some avocado slices and the prawn you've previously reserved.

---

Sirva com uma rodela de limão no bordo do copo, algumas fatias de abacate e com o camarão que reservou previamente.