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Showing posts from November, 2009

Today's Best Award number 5

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Another Today's Best Award (28th November) for a cute and simple Christmas Card I made last week. I like to work with simple shapes and colors. This item is not available anymore.

Vipul featured me in a Lens!

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King Ramesses II Vintage Egyptian Art Card! Postcard by RenascencePub Vipul describes himself as a common man, getting back in touch with the artistic side of himself. Well, his interests aren't common, he's fond of exquisite illustration and has a Zazzle store called Renascence Pub . I like this Renascence Pub Mug a lot. Well, Vipul was kind enough to feature my 2010 Kids Calendar in his Squidoo Lens . What a good-morning news!Thanks, Vipul!

Greenpeace Spider man climbed Belém Tower

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Source: http://www.greenpeace.org/espana/news/091130 During the XIX Ibero American Summit Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009, in Lisbon, nine Greenpeace activists climbed on top of Torre de Belém. The annual summit brought together the leaders of 19 Latin-American countries plus Portugal, Spain, and Andorra. For a few moments, we could read OUR CLIMATE, YOUR DECISION in the beautiful monument. The summit in Copenhagen is vital for the fate of the earth and climate wasn't on the Ibero American Lisbon summit agenda. This was a small effort to catch the summit leader's attention to this big question. The Copenhagen summit, also known as the Conference of the Parties 15 or COP15, is the fifteenth big meeting organized by the United Nations to discuss a global response to climate change.

Joaquim's birthday - The party of the year in Figueira da Foz

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It seems I missed the party of the year. This guy is Joaquim, he's Portuguese, yes, in fact, he lives in my street when he's around. I've seen him plenty of times jogging in the neighborhood. He works international level ( www.bestmodelsagency.com Porto, Portugal, www.whynotmodels.com Milan, Italy, Bananas Mambo, Paris, France, and Blu Models Los Angels, US ) and has quite a reputation as a top model. Lately, he's acting DJ also at very celebrated parties. A few months ago I read an interesting interview he gave the local newspaper. He seemed quite an intelligent man -yeah, yeah, you know, I always seem to forget that models have a brain on top of those bodies - and I was pleasantly impressed with his opinions on local development, fashion, and culture. Well, it seems he just turned 34 and made a big birthday party at the local Casino. Music and fashion and lots of celebrities there, I'm sure. Not entirely my cup of tea. But it might have been fun! Happy Birthday...

Obama’s war documentary

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video Yesterday I saw a documentary on Afghanistan and Pakistan and USA's efforts to pacify those areas and fight the Taliban. It’s Obama’s war from FRONTLINE producers Martin Smith and Marcela Gaviria. It has been eight years since the USA went to the territory. It’s a controversial issue and I’m glad I do not have to decide about it. This does not mean I do not worry. My wish is that a solution could be arranged so people stop being killed. I learned from the documentary that its outcome is uncertain. And that probably a lot more USA troops are needed. One big problem is the corruption of the Kabul government, and the other is the Taliban. The government is losing population support. Taliban are organized and offering the population thinks that the USA still can’t provide: security. One could ask why not live Afghanistan to its fate. But since 11 September people fear that these countries can nest terrorism so an effort must be done even if it means a great loss. There ...

Meet Davis, the shar-pei dog!

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Davis is my sister and nephew's dog. He's a shar-pei. Sometimes I take care of him. He's been sleeping all afternoon next to me. It has been raining since lunchtime and he got very sleepy. He's almost four years old. Davis is a very sweet dog for all family members but hates neighbors. In fact, he gets a bit mad in the presence of strangers, persons, and dogs!

Confiança means trust in Portuguese language

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You are still on time to enter Confiança's bar soap giveaway. O Melhor is a product range specially formulated for men’s skincare. Translated as “The Best” it includes shaving cream, exfoliating soap, and balsam after-shave. The stylish retro packaging is the result of the restyling of an original logo dating back to the 1920s. The strength of this line is reinforced by a back-to-basic old-school fragrance with notes of musk and marine. Still represented in Confianças’s ranges Art Déco and Art Nouveau art was popular influences during the ’20s. Rich design and recipes portfolio were recovered as Confiança’s aim is to bring back that heritage to the XXI century. The old molds are still in use to preserve the original soap shape. Soap characteristics and packaging is an art passed on by generations that allows Confiança to still preserve all of its essence. O Melhor is an example that is still in the memory of many and will bring to the present the scents of another century. Abo...

My fourth Today's Best Award!

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It seems people are really enjoying this line of products. Simple, colorful and happy designs inspired by traditional Portuguese motifs. It's an illustration of a heart with flowers. Sorry, not available anymore.

Portuguese tiles. The chestnut woman

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Tiles in Mercado de Forno do Tijolo, Lisboa.

Christmas fever is on

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Today I went to the local mall and Christmas is already showing the worst of it. Lots of people around stuff, piles of stuff to sell. At Christmas, the supermarket makes piles of stuff. Everything is red or golden and looks as if we touch it might fall. Most people do not realize that they spend hard-earned money just to give a present that sometimes the other person does not want or really need. I had to stay in line to pay for a single pack of chestnuts. Christmas means queues. Outside more queues to wrap the presents…uff! I get tired only from watching!  One thing that really upsets me at Christmas is co-workers and colleagues' random gift exchanges. Everyone brings a silly and symbolic gift to the pile… and then one-by-one everyone gets an absurd present. One benefit of going freelancing is not having to worry about buying these gifts or rehearse for the smile you have to show after getting your surprise gift. I like buying a present for the kids. Many times I like it be...

A Portuguese Love is a featured store

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Each new day brings a nice surprise.  A Portuguese Love is being featured at Zazzle's main door.  So cool to read my store's name in the Top 10 list!

I got my third TBA!

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I got another Today's Best Award on 17th November. I know it's a bit hard to believe but in a matter of days, I got myself three nice little red ribbons. The Scissor Whale belongs to a collection of designs I entitled Scissor Animals Collection. The Whale isn't my favorite. I prefer the Scissor Antelope or the Scissor Birds. But Zazzle team went for the Whale. These designs were inspired by my fondness for cut and paste. I do a lot of collage and I have at least a dozen different scissors. I left design background deliberately empty so people can customize and play with different color options. It also got Top 10 Bags Views ribbon for that day. Conclusion: whales are popular.Thank you, Zazzle! It's an illustration of a whale. Not available anymore, sorry!

Street exhibition of colorful fish

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Found three photos I took in the Summer. This exhibition was on display in our public garden for maybe two or three months. I think these fish were painted by children with some help from local plastic artists.

Lisbon - Spotted by locals

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Today I spotted a nice spot on the net! It's a web page where you can find interesting information about Lisbon. If you are planning a visit you can check tips from locals instead of reading one or two guide books bought in the airport. Don't get me wrong, I do like city guide books. But this perspective is up-to-date and personal...and this site looks good! http://www.spottedbylocals.com/lisbon/category/activity/art-culture

Got my second TBA Award!

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I'm just so so happy that another product of mine got a Today’s Best Award! (14th November) It will sound silly but this store that I started with much enthusiasm wouldn't be much without all the words of incentive I’ve received. The hard part of it isn’t creating a store or products. The difficult part of it is to believe in ourselves, and in our work, and not give up our effort. Like all those Zazzler’s words received these TBA’s are nice incentives to keep on creating and adding new products to my gallery. I have lots of ideas. It is real that Zazzle boosts our creativity to new levels. But creating quality products takes time and I am a bit of an impatient girl! When will I receive my third TBA?!! Thank you, Zazzle! It's an illustration of Rudolf, Santa, and the Snowman. (This product is still available but in other format)

CONFIANÇA'S Portuguese bar soaps giveaway

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People are getting online quite often to find products for the lowest price or even for free. I do not know if it’s kind of a trend or a reflex of how the economy is. Or if it’s just an online hobby for those who spent lots of hours in front of a computer. But this seems to please everybody. People get free stuff and companies get good publicity. Companies sponsor giveaways because they know that products will reach the hands of consumers through a personalized approach. Take my example. Why am I hosting Confiança’s bar soaps giveaway? I know the brand, I and my family used these soaps for many years. We know the product. We’ve tried it many times. There’s no better marketing tool. You can trust my opinion. There are lots of reasons to praise this soaps. The production process is carefully accompanied according to quality standards in the cosmetic industry. All ingredients used are natural and 100% vegetable. No animal test is conducted. Final products are evaluated by external certi...

My first TBA!

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Yes! I got my first TODAY'S BEST AWARD!  It's fun! It's an illustration of the flu! Not available anymore, sorry!

Portuguese city : Porto in postcards

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Oporto city view post cards by aportugueselove Learn about postcard printing using Zazzle Oporto city near Douro River Postcard by aportugueselove Check out other Portugal Postcards at zazzle.com Oporto city near Douro River - old bridge Post Cards by aportugueselove Design Full color post cards at zazzle Portugal in photos - Oporto D.Luís bridge Postcard by aportugueselove Find other Portugal photo Postcards at zazzle.com Oporto city near Douro River - Ribeira Postcards by aportugueselove Make postcards from photos online at zazzle.com

CONFIANÇA'S fine bar Portuguese soaps giveaway how to

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I am very pleased that Confiança’s offering three fine soaps to my blog visitors. They are quality products and full of tradition and carry Portuguese history of success. The soaps - make your choice O meu sabonete Lady’s Tenderness - Founded in 1920, this line has been enhanced with ever most pure and healthy bases. Keeping the same fragrance, this line of soaps doesn’t dry your skin and leaves it perfumed and with a soft touch. An exuberant combination of Art Deco sensuality for your body.  O meu sabonte Individual Soap Silver. Mariposa With the restyling of an original dated from 20 th Confiança re-launched the Mariposa in a refined and traditional Portuguese packaging. Mariposa embodies the spirit of the butterfly spreading joy over the fields. The soap has an enriched formula with a 100% vegetable base. Mariposa is dermatologically tested to respect most delicate skins. O Melhor O Melhor is a product range specially formulated for men’s skinca...

CONFIANÇA - A Portuguese brand you can trust!

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Confiança produces even today according to its traditional methods passed from generation to generation always respecting its quality tradition but never forgetting innovation and the search for new opportunities. Still represented on Confianças’s ranges Art Déco and Art Nouveau art were popular influences during the ’20s. Rich design and recipes portfolio were recovered as Confiança’s aim is to bring back that heritage to the XXI century. The old molds are still in use to preserve the original soap shape. Soap characteristics and packaging is an art passed on by generations that allows Confiança to still preserve all of its essences. O meu sabonete, Mariposa and O Melhor are examples that are still in the memory of many and will bring to the present the scents of another century. To Confiança each of its products is more than a cosmetic. It’s a piece of history, a memory and a small part of each one of its co-workers. By using a Confiança soap, aft...

Greeting cards with hearts and flowers

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Portuguese Valentine heart with flowers Greeting Cards   by  aportugueselove Hello Zazzlers and friends! Want to send some loving words the old way? Pick one of these greeting cards and go for it! Hearts and flowers in different background colors and a message you can customize. Matching stamps are available also! Check the store! Portuguese Valentine heart with flowers Card by aportugueselove Create personalized cards online at Zazzle. Red Portuguese heart with flowers Greeting Card by aportugueselove Browse Love Cards Flowers and red Portuguese Hearts Greeting Cards by aportugueselove Check out Hearts Cards online at zazzle Portuguese Blue heart and flowers Cards by aportugueselove Make a card on zazzle. Romantic Anniversary with hearts and flowers Cards by aportugueselove Look at Romantic Cards online at Zazzle.com

CONFIANÇA - A portuguese brand you can trust

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http://www.confiancasoaps.com/index.php From time to time, you will find in this space my impressions of Portuguese brands or products of solid reputation, tradition, or cultural value. I'm starting with a brand that's quite dear to me. As a child, I lived in the north of Portugal and visited Confiança´s soap factory. When in Elementary school we often had study visits, many to factories in the surroundings. I never forgot those very big boilers full of liquid soap! But we also had Confiança’s soaps in our house so it was very interesting to discover how it was made before reaching our hands! I am very pleased that Confiança’s offering three fine soaps to my blog visitors. This week you will learn how to enter the giveaway. They are quality products and full of tradition and carry Portuguese history of success. First, get to know this Portuguese brand a little! Founded on 12th October of 1844 by Silva Almeida and Santos Pereira, Confiança is a reference for the Portuguese co...

Products for Portuguese Water Dog lovers!

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Portuguese Water Dog Card Postcard by aportugueselove Create a Full color postcard with zazzle.com Portuguese Water Dog Hat by aportugueselove Create your own custom baseball hats at zazzle.com. Portie's love by aportugueselove The Portuguese water dog is native to Portugal. Probably now that Obama got one for the family it must be one of the most well-known canine races in the world as Bo was seen on most TV and had his photo in magazines when he was adopted. In Portugal, we call it Cão de Água and it means water dog. These dogs worked alongside fishermen many years ago and they are very good swimmers and divers. That's why the lion trim. This shave on the rear of the dog was the best for a dog that worked on the water. The front was left intact because that's where the dog needs to be warmer. You may not believe it if you are unfamiliar with what dogs are able to do. But before technology took over these dogs were trained to deliver messages fro...