Monday, June 27, 2011

Five and Under

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As an American living in Brazil, I am always amazed at the plethora of holidays. I have learned to get into the spirit of these usually extended weekends. (Thursday is the actual holiday but let's add Friday and keep "holiday-ing" until Sunday.) So my friend Tati and I headed to the beach as soon as the final school bell rang on Wednesday, five carseats for five children five and under--husbands scheduled to join the following day.

Highlights:
1. I often just write in my calendar "holiday" on these days off from school and work, never stopping to research the significance of the day. So this morning I googled the date: Corpus Christi. In parenthesis I see the word "feast". Could that be why we ate ten days worth of calories in five days?
2. Or maybe we ate so much because of the cold? There isn't much to do at the beach when it is chilly. So the moments we managed to keep the children (all with runny noses) from shivering on the beach and threatening to enter into the cold ocean current (they entered), we barbecued daily.
3. Or perhaps we ate so much because of the kids? As much as we love all five of them, at times we decided that distilled spirits and snacks would help in dealing with strong little personalities. We couldn't help but notice that at every moment of the day 1 of 5 was crying, whining, or fighting with their buddy. ("Mommy, Mathias told me he will never be my friend again or go to my birthday party.") Negotiate. Compromise. Soothe. Munch. Inbibe.
4. "Tonight is Gonna Be a Good Good Night Oooooh Ooooh!" The soundtrack of the holiday weekend. Little voices singing and shaking pint size parts to the Black Eyed Peas. The adults changing the words for the mini crew: "Tonight I am going to sleep in my own bed all night Ooooh Oooooh!" The children thinking it hilarious. (And me relieved to know that I am not the only one whose children love to swap beds throughout the night.)

We all came back tired and refreshed....already scheming the next holiday.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Leo, 2 Anos!

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Back at our favorite party place, Manioca. This time to celebrate Leo's second birthday. Transportation was the theme!
Vroom Vroom! Happy Birthday Leo!

Pietro is 1

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We delivered a party kit for Pietro's Mommy...decoration and sweets...to turn the party center into the Backyardigan's backyard. Fun!

Gabi and Felipe: 2

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A barnyard bonanza for Gabi and Felipe, twins turning two today!
Parabéns!

Orders Filled

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Butterflies and femininity continue for an important Hermes meeting and for Cool Baby's trade show participation.

The last orders have been somewhat of a blur between Sebastian's teething (two teeth at once plus fever) and non-stop baking. I can't promise that I have photographed everything but I have survived the sugar rush.

All I want to do this holiday week is enjoy my family, clean my purse out, and read the newspaper. Am I capable of not turning on the kitchen aid at 2 am?

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Luiza

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Flowers, hearts, and butterflies for Luiza's birthday! Her little brother was responsible for carrying the cake home (carefully on his lap) when Mommy came to pick up the sweets and salty snacks for the afternoon party, Luiza waiting anxiously at home for the festivities to begin.

Happy Birthday Luiza!

Pepeu's Choice

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Pepeu turned four. He couldn't decide what he liked better: cars or robots.
Why not celebrate with both?
Happy birthday Pepeu!

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Handmade Collection

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Last Thursday Lina Miranda an incredibly talented rug designer (fellow New Yorker and friend) launched, together with jewelry designer Vera Cortez (equally talented and blessed with good taste), a new collection of floor coverings and art deco inspired jewelry.

And while it may seem odd to launch such diverse products together, the pairing was quite magical. Because really....put one of Lina's rugs in your living room and you have your statement piece. Add one of Vera's jewels and your outfit is made.

I was really pleased to cater the event and mingle in such a beautiful space. Everthing was quite lush and jewel toned, coinciding with Valentines Day in Brazil.

The Menu:
Mini Gruyere Tortes
Fig and Brie Bruschettas
Quinoa Salad with Raisins, Almonds, and Apricots
Tuna Salad and Hummus Tea Sandwiches
Bittersweet Chocolate Mini Cupcakes
Pecan Press Cookies
Love Inspired Sugar Cookies (Which word ran out first?)

Thank you Lina and Vera!

Cookie Font created by Alice Abramo : ) ...

Monday, June 13, 2011

June Festival

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I have a new appreciation for two things I detest: sitting in traffic and hair dryers. At the moment they are responsible for the only blasts of blessed warm air in my day. No matter how long I live here, I will never get used to June being a cold month.

And so we spent our weekend sleeping in footed pajamas and all things knitted and thermal...sipping hot tea and ranting (me) about the complete absence of indoor heating anywhere.

How we tried to heat things up a bit:
1. Drinking broth and watching Georgia ride the mechanical bull at her schools Festa Junina. (I reapeat, she has no fear.)
2. It just so happened to be Dia dos Namorados (Valentines Day) on Sunday. I wasn't a very good Valentine this year as I had to frost cookies all day. My husband on the other hand: cupid himself, entertaining the children while I worked and reminded him that every day should be Valentine's.

Things are just too busy. We may be frozen, but not in time. And I am holding tight to the memories being made: children in fuzzy sleep wear on my lap, Sebastian's first tooth peeking out, and words of encouragement from a loving spouse who is proud of his wife's fledgling little business.

It doesn't have to be Valentines Day to feel warm and cozy--even in June.

xo

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

I do

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Samplers for future wedding bells....

Far from the city...

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Do you think she will remember this?
Her first horseback ride. Unafraid and proud.
In English: Giddy-Up, Giddy-Up!
In Portuguese: Pocotó, Pocotó!

Thank you for the weekend on the farm Patricia and Gaspar!

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Toy Art for Tots: Collaboration

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Imagine how cool this little guy must be...the theme of his first party: toy art!

Illustrations provided by the insanely talented Alice Abramo and molded to life in fondant!

So ugly/cute at the same time, no!?

Isabel

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Isabel is having a girl's night out for her birthday. Her only request was something ultra feminine and a party favor that (after the chocolate cupcakes) kept the calories at bay...

Solution: orange scented candles with girlie graphics on the lid courtesy of Alice (again!)

Happy Birthday Isabel! xo