COSTA DA CAPARICA

costa da caparica via au pays des merveilles

My friend’s last day in Portugal (sadly he had to go back to Belgium too, but I was smart enough to book my flight one week later) was spent doing what he loved the most: surfing at costa da caparica.  It was the first time I went to this surfer’s beach (quite the trip as well with all the public transport problems we had) and it was really calm that day.  Not the best day for surfing (which I can’t, unless you give me a board with a sail and some wind), but the view was beau-ti-ful.  I still can’t get over how beautiful and fascinating the ocean is, and I wish I’d live closer to the sea here in Belgium.  (Although it probably takes as long to get from Lisbon to the ocean as from my side of Belgium to the coast due to the slow trains in Lisbon, but it felt different, it felt like you were constantly aware of how close it was.)

costa da caparica via au pays des merveilles

costa da caparica via au pays des merveilles

costa da caparica via au pays des merveillesall photos by me

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PRETTY THINGS: lightbulbs

pretty lightbulbs via au pays des merveilles

Despite – or maybe even thanks to?- the energy-saving lightbulb, designers have been focusing their attention to the classig lightbulb for a while, giving it new shapes or putting it in the spotlight with beautiful sockets.  I collected my favorites for you!

  1. With some help from a talented grandmother, you might be able to make your own version of this knitted lamp from byBLINE, no?
  2. If you’ve got some swedish up your sleeve (or google translate on your side) you can figure out how to DIY this golden beauty.
  3. The beautiful Marble Light Collection by studio vit. (source)
  4. Small Spica by Iacoli & McAllister gives the regular lightbulb all the attention it deserves.
  5. This mint version is my favorite, but Muuto’s E27 pendant lamp is available in many other colors as well.
  6. Noam Rappaport puts the lightbulb in the spotlight with just some wood and plastic cables.
  7. I think I featured this one on the blog before, but Ferro Watt produces the most beautiful lightbulbs, based on Edison’s authentic design.  The beautiful packaging is a bonus.
  8. Base is a design from the NUD collection, and nothing more than a lightbulb with a beautiful concrete socket and a cord that comes in 44 colors.
  9. The atalier lamp is a beautiful twist on the regular lightbulb.  Available at Baroness O.
  10. Eric Therner’s Diamond Light has been going around the blogosphere for a while, but I had to include this one!
  11. This worklamp inspired golden girl is available here, but I have to admit I really like the classic worklamp as a design element too.  (It’s a pity I can’t remember where I have seen this being used…)

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THE OTHER SIDE

the other side of the rio Tejo via au pays des merveilles

Twice I ventured to the other side of the rio Tejo, this time for a friends’ goodbye party.  Naturally this went together with a picnic in one of the old ruins, accompanied by lots of live music (both on real and improvised instruments found along the road), cheap wine, a gorgeous view on Lisbon and a breathtaking sunset over the Tejo.  How I miss my beautiful city and my beautiful friends.

(You can find photos of my first trip to Almada here and here.)

the other side of the rio Tejo via au pays des merveilles

the other side of the rio Tejo via au pays des merveilles

the other side of the rio Tejo via au pays des merveilles

the other side of the rio Tejo via au pays des merveilles

the other side of the rio Tejo via au pays des merveilles

the other side of the rio Tejo via au pays des merveilles

the other side of the rio Tejo via au pays des merveilles

the other side of the rio Tejo via au pays des merveilles

the other side of the rio Tejo via au pays des merveilles

the other side of the rio Tejo via au pays des merveillesall photos by me

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PRETTY THINGS: DIY ideas

PRETTY THINGSI came home from my Erasmus in Portugal with no money and the good intentions of buying less and recycling/DIY’ing more.  A plan that is surprisingly easy to stick too, if only I had a little bit more time on my hands to execute every idea!  Anyways, I’ve already had a lot of fun creating birthday gifts and redecorating my room, so I figured it’s time to let you in on all the fun.  It wasn’t an easy task to limit this list to just 8 ideas, so feel free to take a look at my pinterest board and these old posts.

  1. This kit introduces you to the art of Japanese bookbinding, although I’m sure with a little bit of google work you can find the right tutorials and start without the kit.
  2. I’m obsessed with decorations in concrete and combined with gold, I’m lost for sure.  Beau-ti-ful!  (source)
  3. Surely I’m not the only one who’s having trouble keeping her jewelry collection in order (at the moment I taped my necklaces to the wall with bits of colorful washi tape, not for heavy necklaces though!), and this branch display seems like the perfect way to do it.  And it’s gold! (source)
  4. A simple shirt and some scissors make for this gorgeous cut out top.  Easy-peasy!
  5. Throw in some architectural references in an interior and I’ll love it, so this skyline made out of what seems to be electrical cord is surely a winner in my book.  (source)
  6. All you need for this is simple white mugs and a porcelain marker.  I’ve tested this myself as a gift for my sister’s birthday and it has been approved!  You don’t even need a really steady hand, there are tons of simple designs anyone can do.  I pinned a lot of inspiring designs on my diy pinterest board and miss Mangelmoes even devoted a whole board to painted porcelain, so no excuses! (source)
  7. More branches!  I already declared my love to branches in interiors years ago, and my opinion hasn’t changed.  How beautiful is this lamp ornament?  (source)
  8. If you’re too lazy, you can buy this black and gold clutch here, but this shouldn’t be too hard to have a go at yourself.

Enough rambling, go get crafty!

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PORTO

porto via au pays des merveilles

Our road trip ended in Porto.  I visited this city before, but this time the weather was a bit of a letdown, despite having had the most amazing weather during the rest of the trip.  But no harm done, we managed to get inside casa da musica (which wasn’t possible the first time I was there) and visited the museum and park of Serralves.  And of course the next morning, when we had to go home to return the car, the weather was wonderful again!

porto via au pays des merveilles

porto via au pays des merveilles

porto via au pays des merveilles

porto via au pays des merveilles

roadtrip via au pays des merveilles

porto via au pays des merveillesall photos by me

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COIMBRA

coimbra via au pays des merveilles

After visiting Peniche and Fatima, our road trip took us to the beautiful city of Coimbra, where we were joined by another friend, completing our travel company.  We were offered a place to stay and a tour around the city by a friend who I knew from his erasmus in Belgium.  He showed us their stunning faculty of architecture (located in an old hospital), casa da escrita (a writer’s retreat where I wouldn’t mind spending my days studying, the design by Joao Mendes Ribeiro is definitely worth checking out) and the beautiful little streets and views that Coimbra has to offer.  It wasn’t my first visit (the first time I went to Porto, I also made a stop here to meet up with my friends) and I don’t think it will be my last!  This town holds one of the oldest universities in Europe and with all the students wearing their typical black capes, it easily feels like you are on the set of a Harry Potter movie.  If that is not a reason to visit, I don’t know what is!

coimbra via au pays des merveilles

coimbra via au pays des merveilles

coimbra via au pays des merveilles

coimbra via au pays des merveilles

coimbra via au pays des merveilles

coimbra via au pays des merveilles

coimbra via au pays des merveilles

coimbra via au pays des merveilles

coimbra via au pays des merveilles

coimbra via au pays des merveilles

coimbra via au pays des merveilles

coimbra via au pays des merveilles

coimbra via au pays des merveilles

coimbra via au pays des merveilles
all photos by me

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BAZAAR BIZAR

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Like every blogger that went on Erasmus (exhibit A, exhibit B), I came home to a closet filled with clothes that I didn’t miss at all or barely remembered.  Living out of one (or… maybe two?) suitcases for 5 months really helped me define my style much more (everything I brought needed to match with everything else) and made me feel fed up with the fashion game of always more-more-more.  So, back to basics it is, and to help me reach my goal of the ultimate wardrobe that will last me for years, I’m starting by cleaning out my closet and getting rid of everything that doesn’t get enough wear.  H&M’s long live fashion already helped me a little bit, by collecting bags of old clothes and giving 15% discount in return, but I’m saving the good stuff for Bazaar Bizar.  Two girls from my high school have been organizing this vintage, handmade and second-hand market for a few years now, and this time they are working together with my high school, at Hartstocht, a night where all the students get to showcase their talents.  The place to be?  Hometown Herk-de-Stad.  If you’re from the neighborhood, you know where you should go on April 26!  And if you’re not convinced yet, here’s a little sneak peek of what I will be selling…  (Hover your mouse over the photos to see what I’m selling.)




And if that isn’t enough, there’s a lot more that never made it onto the blog – and consequently I don’ t have on photo.   Excited?  Take a look here for more info, and more sneak peeks from the other sellers.  Hopefully I’ll see you next week!

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