FROM COMPORTA TO THE THE WORLD

When we talk about Comporta we all go to this happy place in our minds where good memories and joyful experiences live. From tomorrow on you will be able to treasure those stories not only in your mind but also in your skin. COMPORTA Perfumes is the haute perfumerie brand that is launching a very exclusive collection of 6 perfumes inspired on those amazing white sand beaches, kissed by the Atlantic sea breeze and married with infinite green rice fields... Good times with friends are the soundtrack to this scenario and good food and wine are the subtitles. You can not help but to be part of this scrip and live the Comporta state of mind...

HELENA COELHO, fashion editorial REVISTA CRISTINA

Magazine CRISTINA | Photos GONÇALO CLARO | Styling CLÁUDIA BARROS

JANUARY LUXWOMAN COVER, with HELENA COELHO

Click to watch!

OH FLY LADYBUG FLY

OH LADYBUG FLY FLY by mypitangas 

It's always fun, and a little bit nostalgic coming back here. I remember when bloggers were just simple nerds behind a computer trying to elevate the sadness of writing journals into something... something less lonely, more like "thank God now I have an audience of 3". I also remember when blogs were the 21st century's shrinks, and blogging was a happy place where you could lay down, relax, bitch about your family and the world in general, and aaaaall your posts would end up blaming your dad for your issues. Oh happy days... till some teenager starts posting pictures of the outfit of the day, and then suddenly, all the gossip, bitchiness,  and bitterness became "look! one day I'm gonna be just like one of the Kardashians I don't care whom".

Innuendo aside, I'd like to talk about ladybugs. Yes, today I'm all nature. I always liked ladybugs. Ever since I was a little girl. I remember how hard it was to find them, and when you finally spotted one and tried to catch it, it would always fly away. Little bastards. But today I'd like to talk about one ladybug in particular: my dear friend Joana. The world brought her to me in a troubled way, and we've been together ever since. She has this amazing capacity of dazzling me. The minute I put my eyes on her I knew how talented she was and the great things that were ahead of her. Although she didn't. Architect by training but a restless chef by heart. Life took care of pushing her into the right direction, and I like to think  I pushed her myself every chance I had :) Her talent is almost bigger than her relentlessness. She has achieved great things everywhere she works (if it's okay to define as work, the art of an artist) and  yet, never stops looking for places and people who will inspire her and help her to grow and to be better.

Joana is an inspiration to me. And to all women. She knows what she wants, and never stops till she gets it. I'm so proud of her that I'm almost NOT mad with her for leaving me AGAIN to pursue another dream of hers. Because that´s how she is: fearless! And as her favourite groupie I promise I will be continuously looking out for her. 'cause that's what friends do to :) and to finish with the perfect cheese note I'd like to quote my favourite food critic of all times, Anton Ego: "Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere."

ALL I NEED. TODAY.

mood "all I need, today" by mypitangas

LETS GET READY FOR BIKINI SEASON

No. I'm not ready. Far from it! But our beautiful Helena Coelho is.
She is the face, and body, of the new Bohemian Swimwear campaign and oh boy, she looks stunning!
A few days ago I went to the runway show and campaign presentation and I liked what I saw. But to be perfectly honest I felt there was a bit of lacking of consistency overall. The swimwear per se is great, don't get me wrong, but the styling was off. The hair of the girls looked like they belonged in different shows, and the choice of the venue although breathtaking - the interior swimming pool of the Ritz Four Seasons - it seemed unsuitable. Classy for sure, but not bohemian... I would have liked to experience the vibe, the way of life of the brand, which I didn't. But where I did experience and felt completely amazed by it, was when I saw the making-of pictures that, another good friend of ours, Sara Andrade, took while the campaign was being shot. Wow! That's what I call a Bohemian vibe... Well done gals :)
Now about my personal opinions, when it comes to the way the brand speaks to the consumer, may be it will be better I pay them a visit and may be be hired kkkkkkkkkkkkk :)

Photos by Sara Andrade on Vogue.pt

THE PERFECT LIFE

I'm always amazed how people make assumptions about your life. Great marriage, cute kids, good life! everything looks so perfect from the outside!
the cold truth is, well, not so cold in my opinion, perfect lives have flaws. and flaws are part of who we are and how we present ourselves.
in an era where "real people" has more followers than actual celebrities, we're drawn into these worlds where everything has a specific aesthetic, a consistent color palette, and those lives are suddenly a brand, and it seems like they're selling a life style instead of actually living it. I blame the social networks. of which I'm a slave myself. sometimes I caught myself regretting not sharing a moment with "the followers" than treasuring that moment in my heart or my memory. gosh! how the hell did we end up like this? these type of behaviors probably take a big chunk of our day. all these sharing, liking, posting, pinning… and it has to be consistent!! Facebook, twitter, instagram, pinterest, polyvore, I'm on it. and every day I'm amazed. amazed and exhausted. amazed with the consistence of some profiles, especially on instagram, and exhausted for them. the users. I truly believe it must be exhausting clicking your life exclusively from the above, or search for the perfect picture that goes along with the fifty shades of beige consistent with your profile. not to mention the outfit of the day picture. lol with prejudice.
I have to admit that sometimes, once in a while, I aim for a profile like that. clean, consistent, uni-color. but then, no. no I can not. I refuse not having the chaos, the colors, the nonsense of life. my life. Of course I carefully edit my posts. I even tried to ensemble a collage with some kind of consistency to illustrate this post. but I failed. I went through hell to getter some photos and I ended up cropping a piece of my instagram page! (sincerely lol)
No one likes to show their weaknesses, their flaws. But you know what? Flaws are beautiful. And my life and I are full of them. may be that's why people like my profile so much… kkkkkkkkk

IF YOU KISS ME I BLUSH

If you kiss me I blush... by mypitangas featuring a maybelline lipstick

Having a babygirl really pushes me into girly some specific things. Blush is my new black. But of course I couldn't give away the black. I guess some things never change :)

BUTTS AND OPINIONS...

 

Vika Volkute for Glamour Italia October 2012 

I found it rather annoying when self-made entrepreneurs start to pray formulas to achieve success and stardom. Okay, I get it, they've made it, usually in a short amount of time and with tremendous success. But that doesn't mean you've figured it out the matrix of the road to get there! Recently I've come crossed this article on Forbes: 5 Career Mistakes You Will Regret in Ten Years.
Rick Smith, Forbs contributor, serial entrepreneur, bestselling author and speaker, prayed in five simple and pragmatic points the clairvoyance of identifying rookie mistakes we all make along our careers. Allefuckinluia!! It was about time someone speak up in the name of those who hold the key to the big gate of success and help we all, ordinary people! Bull crap, and I'm gonna prove he's wrong. So here are the 5 mistakes:
1. "Network only within your company"
For six years I was what I like to call an international/social-network whore. I've done it all. Trade shows, fashion weeks, events, I've built a global network in my twenties that could blush any over 30 entrepreneurs. Social-network: Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, Polyvore, Small World, blogs, you name it. I still don't know how did I keep up without a team of 10.
2. "Make decisions based on money"
For three years I've worked without a salary. Our company was a start-up and all revenue was to invest in the company. So I managed to get money from side jobs and never questioned my commitment to a career that wasn't getting me any.
3. "Avoid Failure"
For six years I was out there. I mean it. Uncertain paths, high risk decisions, taking changes and always putting myself exposed to what it could turn out into a tremendous success, or failure.  "Difficult situations lead to accelerated growth", so Rick says.
4. "Buy a House"
On this matter I couldn't be more mobile. I'm proud to say I was freeloading in my fiance's house :)
5. "Miss opportunities to help others" 
Well, I don't. I am those type of people who can not help themselves helping the peers and re-joys with the feeling without any expectation of return benefit. "Positive Karma" that's what Rick calls it in his book  The 5 Patterns of Extraordinary Careers. Apparently he really really digs the number 5! Go figure... Well I found out the hardest way that the ones you most encourage, help and coach, are also the first ones to screw you the minute they have the chance. Bazinga!

That's why nowadays I really appreciate the ones who have the courage to expose themselves, and share their failure stories. It takes a lot of guts to say "hey. I did everything I was suppose to do and still, I was short on the luck factor"...  This is what I think most of the time is determinant to make it: LUCK. Some people are born with the lucky star and they don't even have to bother being at the right place on the right time, 'cause luck makes its way to find the lucky bastard.
So Rick, next time you feel this uncontrollable urge to spread words of wisdom make sure you start with an honest statement kinda like this: "hey. I'm nothing but a story of success, but here's my personal experience, this is my truth, my reality, hope it helps". "in 5 Steps". This book, I would buy.

THE NEW APPLE PAI

So a few months ago I was drawn into start a new side business by some very persuasive friends. "oh your apple pie is so good, so different from everything we've tasted, you should brand it!". And so I did. APPLE PAI wa born and now I spend more time baking than I anticipated... not bitching about but I just hope it doesn't spoil the fun of baking for pleasure. The days of "sweets for my sweet" are gone and a new era of "sweets for a bunch of people I don't don't know" are here to stay :) yum yum!

THE BEAUTY OF SECOND CHANCES

A few days ago I read on Twitter something like "fuck second chances! people never change!!" type of bullshit. And it got me thinking. Here it begins the problem. You should NEVER give someone a second chance if you're relying on that person to change! Huge mistake.
Second chances are based on forgiveness and acceptance. Not on "change who you are so this all works out" kinda deal. Probably he or she was right. People never change! So why the hell will you, in your perfect state of mind, give anyone, a second chance??

10 years ago today, an American girl returned from Paris. Carrie gave Mr. Big a second, or to be more accurate, a third chance after from what I remember The most romantic, breathtaking and yet unlikely rescue from the small screen history ever. It was most expected and we all gals (and some dudes) cried for at least a week. And yes. It wasn't real. Because in real life these types of happy endings never happen. But you know why?? They would if we stopped giving second chances based on false pretenses!!!! Carrie didn't take Big back because she was expecting him to change. She did it because, after 6 freakin' seasons, she finally accepted him from what he was: a selfish  abnormally good looking guy with some serious commitment issues, who happened to lover unconditionally.

 I am a true believer in second chances. What would life be without them? You would never be able to take that exam again to get a better grade, you would never had your driving license because you stupidly didn't pass the first time, or you could never give the one you love the chance to just tell you "hey, you know I'm better than this, please find in your heart the straight to forgive me. we all make mistakes". Don't we?...

If life itself is willing to give us second chances aaaaall the time, why can't we do the same for the ones who have a place in our hearts? After all, they're the ones who deserve it one. Some choose to call it a leap of faith. I prefer to call it "the small Big thing I will never regret".

A PIECE OF ME

The sweet girls at Vogue just payed a visit to Pitanga Atelier and here's the outcome.
A beautiful portrait of Pitanga! Enjoy :)

Photos Anna Balecho
Read the Vogue article by Carmo here.