Traveling :: Kusadasi, Turkey

When we decided to start our honeymoon on a cruise ship we knew that it would allow us to go to a lot of diferent places, but we would not have much time to spend in each one. We stayed at Kusadasi no more than 8h, but it was enough for us to love it! Well, you see... there were Turkish baths followed by massage, cold drinks while sitting on cushions under olive trees...

There where sunny terraces facing the sea, and real beer, yes real beer! As oposed to that weird spanish thing they gave us on boat, this one tasted like angels drink! And look, how happy we looked just to have a ice cold beer on a hot summer day!

There were delicious turkish snacks, one I even learned to make at home, and turkish delights in all kinds of flavours! We only tasted a few, for our health's sake, but I can say coconut and pistachio were really yummy. Oh, and there were roasted corn cobs sold on the streets.

There were charming street markets, and warm kind people, and rug stores, everywhere, and beaches and castels and bird houses! Believe me, we would gladly stay longer, even if just to touch the sand with our feet, and lay on that blue ocean we only got to look at.

**

all photos by me

A pause to play... Noa

So, Spring is here. Did I mention I love the seasons change? I love them all, each one on it's proper time, but I'm most definitely a warm weather kind of person. What can I say? Sun light makes people happy! So, makes sense that I share with you music that makes me happy.

For some reason Noa's music always feels like spring to me. It's joyful and bright and almost looks like her songs have colors. Cheerful colors. The way she sings in her Israeli accent... Oh, and her whistle really looks like the chirping of a bird!

I was part of the cast of a musical show for 3 years, it was a fantastic experience with special people. The worst part always was dismantling everything on the stage after the performances, but it was nevertheless the funniest, because we were relaxed, all stress gone. The sound sistem was always the last to go down, so that we could have music as we worked. That's how I heard Noa the first time. That record did many shows with us and all those memories come to mind when I hear it.

I can only say that her music is pure beauty, specially this album produced by the great Pat Metheny. And, now that I've shared with you a bit more of the soundtrack of my life, I invite you to make a pause to play it! As usual I give you a live performance, well two, as there are two songs for you to listen. Make a pause, it's worth it! And a good Spring to you all!

**
Artist: Achinoam Nini (Noa)

Songs: Child of man, I don't know
Check out the whole series of thursday's pause to play

A pause to play... Mike Oldfield & Maggie Reilly

I woke up today feeling a bit nostalgic. Don't you have that sometimes? Well, I do.

For some reason this song came to my mind. Moonlight shadow. If like me you grew up between the eighties and the nineties, you'll remember this one. This is the kind of song that brings me back good childhood memories. I like to call it a good mood song, (although the lyrics aren't that happy, but we were kids, english words meant nothing back then) I can't help but smile and feel chills inside when listening.

Do you have any memories around this song too? Make a pause to play it and... remember!

**
Artist: Mike Oldfield & Maggie Reilly

Song: Moonlight Shadow
Check out the whole series of thursday's pause to play

February's outfits

I guess some of you might be wondering what happened to my New Year's resolutions. The answer is... Well, honestly, there's no proper answer I can give you, unless... I've been sinking in the midst of so much to do, manly related with my #1 resolution, and at least that is happening! Then there is this new project I have been working on that has been a lot of time consuming, but hopefully I'll be talking about it here in the future. Oh, and there was that thing about me doing something wrong with my SD card and loosing pretty much all of my January's photos... So, you see, there's no proper answer.

The important thing is... I'm working on it. I alert you that I already have several Pinterest inspired DIYs to share, so stay tuned!

These are the first outfits I'm sharing, from what I take three conclusions:

#1 - I wear too much jeans
#2 - I hate being in front of the camera
#3 - My closet is getting boring!

**

all photos by us

Home is...

Home is wherever i'm with you.

Cheesy? Cliché? Maybe, but true. That train where we slept when crossing France overnight felt more like home than this bed I sleep in three nights a week away from you. As hard as it is, always feels good to return home.

**

all photos by me
for the 52 Photos Project

A pause to play... Joni Mitchell

So, in the International Women's Day, it had to be a woman, right? And, not just a woman (well, not that any woman is ever just a woman, but you know what I mean), a lady, a diva.

I got to her music out of curiosity when I read about one of my favorite portuguese musicians and song writters, that her music had been an inspiration to her songs.

This particular song got to me from the first time I listened to it. The way she deliers the words... There's no way you can ignore the message. And what beautiful words! Almost a life story. From the time we looked at clouds, knowing nothing about clouds, to the time we look at love also knowing nothing about love, to the time we look at life, and realize, we still know nothing about life.

Listen. Do you see yourself reflected there? Make a pause to play it!

"Rows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I've looked at clouds that way

But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way
I've looked at clouds from both sides now

From up and down, and still somehow
It's cloud illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all

Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As ev'ry fairy tale comes real
I've looked at love that way

But now it's just another show
You leave 'em laughing when you go
And if you care, don't let them know
Don't give yourself away

I've looked at love from both sides now
From give and take, and still somehow
It's love's illusions I recall
I really don't know love at all

Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say "I love you" right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I've looked at life that way

But now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say I've changed
Well something's lost, but something's gained
In living every day

I've looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all
I've looked at life from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all"

**
Artist: Joni Mitchell

Song: Both sides now
Check out the whole series of thursday's pause to play

Travelling :: 8h in Athens

As the plane drew its way downward, we could clearly observe the wet ground, which revealed that the rain had passed through there. The dark clouds were clearly the ones to blame. Then a timid ray of light appeared, but not for long. The clouds came again.

The tourist guide tried in vain to make the tour around the Parthenon as we kept having to hide from the rain under the monuments. It was August. The pinnacle of the summer.

"The summers along the Mediterranean are hot and dry." - she said - "well, they usually are..." - she rapidly corrected, when noticing her memorized speech was not making sense. Then, out of nowhere the sun came again. Started with a small hole between the clouds, then a rainbow painted the sky and in a matter of minutes we were presented with a blue sky. And who knew the day would end with a perfect sunset on the pier?

**

all photos by me

Irresistible eyes

Look at this eyes... aren't they irresistble?

I was looking through my computer folders, trying to (finaly!) get my photos organized, something I haven't been doing for more than one year. Actually, to be honest, I think I can say two years (well... you go and try to organize a DIY wedding, then start a new life, build a new home and start a new business. Then we can talk about it!). In the middle of it I came across these two, taken the very first days at our new house, right after our honeymoon. There were no plants on the windows, not even curtains. Somehow, feels like an empty house, but it wasn't. And looking at this makes me know for sure it wasn't.

It was the beginning. The beginning of a new life.

**

all photos by me

A sweet escape

When I think about a place to escape, the blue of the ocean always comes to my mind. I miss this place, and miss the feeling of having nothing in my head when I am there.

**

all photos by me
for the 52 Photos Project

A pause to play... Ayo

"every colour of my world thats what you are
like a lion rules the jungle
you rule my heart

and only you can have my soul
oh... you can have it all"

There are times, like last week, when I feel like sharing music I've loved for long, music dear to my heart for all the memories it bring me.

And there are times when I get surprised by a new song and, even if it doesn't mean much yet, I feel like sharing it, just because it makes me feel good listening. This is one I've been listening on repeat lately. I've heard of this lady before, but just never had listened carfully. I have a feeling I'll be listening much more of her in the future. Make a pause to play it!

**
Artist: Ayo

Song: Only you
Check out the whole series of thursday's pause to play