Cheers to 2016

I don’t know for which part I’m not ready yet: having the holiday season over or embarking on yet another year!My mood is falling somewhere between excitement for the coming of 2016 and a twinge of apprehensiveness in what concerns future situations [I'm not talking about the ones I cannot control but some that are more than certain by now]. As an anxious person I'm trying hard to overturn the feeling that worry is a mood letdown  and that it can be the impetus I need to take positive actions and ensure I am doing what needs to be done.Despite all hard parts, the past year has been a good one and I believe that gratitude is the ingredient to a glass-half-full perspective on life.Let's wish for the best, let's do it with optimism and make time for treasured moments. I sincerely hope that the upcoming year just around the corner, with its fresh starts and new beginnings, be gentle on us all. Thank you so much for being around and I can't wait to see you back here very soon. Cheers!

x, 
Aida

Winter Pumpkin Centerpiece - DIY

Pumpkins add stylish, creative and fun touches to fall decorating but as soon as winter offically began and I spotted this white-ish pumpkin in my neighbour's yard I knew it would make the cutest centerpiece for the festivities and that it would elevate my table. Don't worry, I didn't steal it from him, I bought it! So this white-ish-pumpkin shell became the perfect vase for a pink and white flower arrangement that everyone fell in love with it!

Sparkling Skirt

 For a celebration unlike any other, a sparkling long/ midi skirt is sure to make you dazzle into the new year. The reveillon is the only time of the year when you can fearlessly go oveboard with your passion for glitter/ sequins, but if you're still shy about it,  mixing sequins with simpler articles of clothing that do not have embellishments will almost always look good. You can dress up something old or something plain by keeping your lines simple when you feel like you want to shine. I hope you get inspired and welcome 2016 in the most glamorous way, by adding a little sparkle to your life!

This Too Shall Pass

Happy Holidays

"Christmas brings family and friends together; it helps us appreciate the love in our lives we can often take for granted. May the true meaning of the holiday season fill your heart and home with many blessings."

Baba de Camelo

If you're in a whirlwind of multitasking, getting everything ready for ´Xmas Eve and hardly find the time to get it all done on time this is a super delicious treat that will do the trick in a blink of an eye. It is a famous Portuguese conventual's confectionary that looks like a cream, with a very light texture, slightly resembling a mousse. The flavour is amazing specially when mixed with that of the roasted almonds, but it has to be served really cold so that it doesn't taste overly sweet. Another bonus is the preparation time [10 minutes tops]and the result which is absolute success. Wish you a sweet Christmas!  

Ingredients:

• 1 can of cooked condensed milk
• 6 eggs
• chopped toasted almonds

Separate the whites from the yolks. Beat the egg yolks and add the cooked condensed milk, mixing  with a wooden spoon until you get a homogeneous cream. Beat the egg whites and addthem gently to the mixture. Pour the "baba de camelo" into individual bowls or into a large bowl and refrigerate until serving. Sprinkle to taste with toasted almonds.


Ingredientes:

• 1 lata de leite condensado cozido
• 6 ovos
• amêndoa torrada picada

Separe as gemas das claras. Bata bem as gemas e adicione o doce de leite condensado cozido, envolvendo com uma colher até obter um creme homogéneo. Bata as claras em castelo e envolva tudo delicadamente. Passe a baba de camelo para taças individuais ou uma taça grande e guarde no frigorífico até servir. Polvilhe a gosto com a amêndoa torrada.