Sunday's Best: Special Places

This week's favorite links are dedicate to special places around the globe. Little havens that are inspiring, and welcoming. Places where food, design or nature are valued and celebrated.

- GASP (pictured above) is an amazing concept of park, arts center, family spot and nature. An example that should be followed...

- Next time I'm in New York I plan to head to 22 Howard St., the home of "Smile", a take-out restaurant where simple, delicious Mediterranean recipes are the rule.
- As a book lover, I love shifting through these photographs of the most beautiful libraries in the world. Stunning!
- If you are not the kind to enjoy cookie-cutter Holiday Inn type hotels when you travel, this wonderful list will lead you to some truly unique and beautifully designed hotels around the globe.
- And lastly, the story behind the Smith Mansion is quite different (and a little heart breaking) but peering inside the seemingly chaotic exterior you can tell this is truly a home.

Here's to a wonderful new week!

xoxo,

Pilar

(images here and here)

Weekend Moments

As planned, this weekend was a pretty quiet and relaxing one, yet I still managed to do some exploring and admiring the simple things that surround me.

From top to bottom: a stroll through the parks of downtown San Jose, along with peace doves featured around the city. Sunday dim-sum brunch and some picture taking around my beautiful yard. I love that bougainvillea grows naturally and the wood burning oven recently finished by my landlady's son, so crafty!

How was your weekend?

xoxo,
Pilar

TGIF: Brew Me a Cup...

Sometimes weekends are used up for fun escapades or late nights dancing the night away... And other times all I want from the weekend is peace, quiet and some much needed solitude.

This video brings me to a happy, restful place. Thank you Kinfolk.

Cheers to a wonderful, peaceful weekend!

xoxo,

Sunday's Best: First of 2012

This marks my first "Sunday's Best" post of 2012, and I decided to open the series this year with a random array of links related to things I love: some art, some food, a great cause and, of course, a little travel.

- I love the colors and dry wit of this Brooklyn artist.
- Lets save some sea creatures! (and get some beautiful art in the process)
- A new find this week: Pepper Sprouts Designs. One of my favorite things are the writeable cheese markers, perfect for a dinner party...
-... speaking of food, don't know what to do with that day-old-bread? Try one of these recipes.
- And by far my favorite find this week: a new "porn" site. Please head to Cabinporn to be amazed. (trust me it is 0% nudity and 100% beautiful places)

xoxo,
Pilar

Natural Colors

This past week one of my best friends and his younger brother came to visit. And such a visit is the perfect reason to get out of the city and into the breath-takingly beautiful wilderness that abounds in Costa Rica.

More than anything its the vivid colors that amaze me.

From top to bottom: the view from our 8 person plane into Tortuguero jungle; highlighter colored flowers which seem to belong in an Alice & Wonderland set and; one of the most poisonous snakes, the Eyelash Viper, which our guide spotted during our night hike.

xoxo,
Pilar

Ring in the New...

Happy 2012 everyone!

After a hiatus from blogging, I thought my first post of the new year should be about sharing some inspirational words to start off the year in a positive way.

Here are my favorite verses from the poem "Ring Out, Wild Bells" by Alfred Lord Tennyson. 

And the best new year's resolution list ever, thanks to the amazing Woody Guthrie

My favorite? # 18: Stay glad.

So cheers to 2012, hope it's a wonderful year for all you out there.

xoxo,

Pilar

DIY and Awards

I can hardly believe it's November already! However, I must say the month has started in a positive note as I managed to accomplish a small DIY project. As a renter, I have to struggle with decorating without causing major damage to walls, so hanging pictures with the least amount of whole-making was on my to-do list. Over the weekend I bought some cable-string, small hooks, paper clips and picked some of my favorite pictures....

Materials....

...final product

I also wanted to thank Lisa Marie (Amarillo and Crema) and Starlet (Can You Come Home) for giving me an award.

The award calls for the recipient to:

1. Thank the presenter(s) with a linking post 
2. Dish 7 things (or more) about yourself 
3. Share the award with bloggers

So here are seven things you may not know about me:

1. My favorite flowers are poppies...

2. .... and my favorite herb is basil.

3. I love  am obsessed with soccer (Spanish national team and F.C Barcelona. woot!)

4. I was born in Madrid.

5. I am a coffee lover addict.

6. I really, really want a blood hound, they are seriously the cutest dogs!

7. Nina Simone may just be my favorite female artist of all time.

And now passing on the award to the following 7 blogs, for always being inspirational and lovely to read:

1. Village

2. Fashion Capuccino

3. Whimsy Being

4. Bohemian Twilight

5. Katie Belle

6. Dancing Branflake

7. Hearted Girl

Thanks again for the awards Lisa and Starlet!

xoxo,

Pilar