cucumbers and coffee

Breakfast is the only moment of the day that is truly mine and partially misunderstood since I enjoy cucumbers with my morning coffee. 

they are part of the walls

A store owner told me that I would find the chemicals for cyanotypes in a small drugstore in Mouraria. Wondering the narrow streets searching for the store, I bumped into Camilla Watson's work in the Beco das Farinhas: photographs of local residents printed on maritime wood and permanently hung on the walls of alley.

In her own words: When I first moved to Mouraria I was struck by the generosity and spirit of the eldery living here. I imagined their images printed onto the old walls of their homes. Many were born here and it feels, at least to me, that it is their spirit that makes this place. It is as if they are part of the walls themselves.

Vivian Maier

Being a proud owner of a twin lens reflex camera, it's so inspiring to discover Vivian Maier, street photographer and nanny. An almost anonymous photographer from Chicago (from the 50's to the 90's) that walked the streets capturing almost everything she saw with her twin lens cameras. Simply amazing.

What makes these cameras so interesting is that, aside from using medium format film, the camera hangs from the neck so the viewpoint is now near the belly button altering the normal eye level photos.  

Thank you Ana for sharing.

Today someone asked me how I can be so cheerful all the time... I honestly don't know.

meia bola

I have a theory about children's books: they're not really for children! It's just an excuse for grown-ups to have fun with illustrations and sweet stories. I now find myself spending twice as much time in the children's section of bookstores than in the art section. 

This is my latest acquisition Meia Bola, from Edições Eterogémeas. It caught my eye due to it's cardboard cover and artistic stamping. It starts off with a phrase that I am becoming more familiar with: "Good morning madame, may I take your picture?" 

i don't do mornings

Last night I put together this statement pin from a magazine cut out and one of my favorite morning phrases. I honestly wish I was an early bird, but from many years of experience, I now can assure myself I am  not. And, I am at peace with this! 

under, over, out

Knitting is actually very easy and so addictive. My grandmother taught me how to knit during the Christmas holidays. She knitted sweaters for us when we were kids so, my crafty self wanted to learn. She taught me the Portuguese way (thread around the neck) with old metal needles which I thought to be a bit complicated (desculpa avozinha!). With the help of some online videos, I learnt how to do the garter stitch and started my first knitting project: a scarf, a simple and very long rectangle. The thread I bought it at the Retrosaria, (of course!) is a nice and thick undyed wool, great for starters. But I didn't buy needles... so to all you professional knitters out there, I apologize, but instead of proper knitting needles, I adapted 2 chop sticks for this first scarf and they actually work very well.  

knife sharpener

Whoever would have thought that right in the city center, outside our door step, we would find, on a saturday morning, an almost extinct profession: a knife sharpener. We had him sharpen 3 of our kitchen knives and now they cut like samurai swords!

# 99 buy a twin lense reflex

A new year is always a milestone to think about what you want to accomplish for the coming year.... very cliché... but, nonetheless, very true. Having a list is a great way to set goals and starting the year by checking off a couple of items is an even better boost. So, # 99 on my list was my Christmas present from Pete: an Elioflex, a twin lens reflex camera! I think I don't even have to describe how happy I was after opening the box...  But my favorite Christmas gift wasn't any material thing: I was granted 3 wishes for 2011 and I'm hoping they'll all come true.

velório e gregório rimam com supositório

 

New years eve was spent with friends in a beautiful little country house in the middle of nowhere. It was so relaxed and fun. We spent most of our time eating, drinking and playing games, just as big kids would! I brought one of my zig-zag notebooks to tell the story.

PS:The polaroid was taken a couple of minutes after midnight! It's our first photo of 2011.