A couple of pictures from the wedding

The wedding, as you can see, was on the beach.

Isn't she gorgeous?

Although I do not like the heat, sun, sand or sea, for the last week I have been in a place that has all four ingredients: the Dominican Republic. My brother in law got married on the beach to the lovely Debra, so most of Omar's family was there.

Yes, it was challenging for me with the heat and sea, but I had a lovely time!

Still issues with blogger

Actually with my ftp server, which it is really annoying as I have loads of photos to share.
I took last week off as my cousin Angela came to visit us from Spain. As neither Omar nor me had ever been to Cornwall, so we decided to go for a few days. As planning is not our forte we decided to do a road trip without any plans but just book the hotel on the same day. At the end we only spent two nights, but we did go to a lot of places.
The first day, we stopped at Stonehenge, Exeter -lovely cathedral and surroundings-, Dartmoor National Park -we actually only stopped once, but the moor that inspired The Hound of the Baskervilles is a fascinating park- and then we got to Plymouth to spent the night. We loved Plymouth. It is really enchanting place and we had a fab dinner at The Barbican Kitchen, yummy food.
On the second day, we went to Penzance, on the way we stopped at Looe, Truro, other coastal towns, Lizzard point -beautiful spot of coast the most southern spot in Great Britain-, and finnally we got to Penzance where we spent the night. To me, it was a bit disappointing, it felt less lively than I had anticipated, but it was nice enough.
The third day was brilliant. As soon as we woke up, which for my standards was early, we went to Mount St Michael. It is a lovely place, but you have to have proper shoes as the path to the castle is steep and uneven. After that we had a picnic on the beach in front of the St Michael, but as soon as we finished eating the rain started so we decided to jump into the car and go to Land's End. A part from the monstrosity that is that hideous tourist centre/arcade, the scenery is great. After that we went to St Ives, and we all loved St Ives. Although a bit too crowed for our liking -it is August after all- the place has a great vibe to it and it is charming, lively and artsy as well, a mix of surfer dudes and art galleries, ice cream vendors and pasties shops... just lovely. On the way back home, we stopped at Tintagel. A bit of a let down for me as i always loved the Arturian legends, but I would like to come back again and checked it properly.
We got home really late, passed midnight, but it was worth it as we had loads to do the next day as my cousin wanted to go to London to do some shopping, which we did.
As you can imagine, we did loads of kilometers in just three days, maybe not very relaxing for some, but we enjoyed thoroughly.

Sharm El Sheikh

We were very fortunate to be invited by my in laws to the Four Season's resort. It was my first time in Sharm El Sheikh and, even though I do not enjoy usually beach resorts, this is a cut above the rest. The place is so beautiful, with private beach, four swiming pools, and even a funicular that takes you from the pool to the rooms area.
You may think that is pointless luxury, but with the heat going up the hill to your room doesn't appeal too much. I guess the concept is an outdoor lift. And nobody thinks twice about the luxury that is in fact a proper traditional lift!
The view from the top.


the view from the bottom.


View of he suites. Ours was on the ground floor (the best for accessibility).


And finally the private beach. I did swimm in the sea to do some snorkleing, but although the colours of the fish were great, it looks like the Red Sea shore is not that amazing anymore.


Sunset from the beach. Really relaxing.

Egypt

Before I left for Cairo, I hoped to be able to update my blog, but it wasn't possible.


We had a fantastic time, here there are some photos of Cairo, we attended a wedding, had a mini holiday at Sharm El Sheikh and met tons of family.


I hadn't been in Egypt for over four years. I guess I never realized how much I missed it until I was there. With all the good and bad things that the country has, it is always a fastinating destination.

Some other LA stories

For those who have never been to Los Angeles, let me tell you that is a massive, massive city but not in the European way, as it doesn't have a proper city center, rather than loads of different nucleus, Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Downtown, Santa Monica... As it is non pedestrian city, you need the car for almost every single thing so parking is difficult in LA, now I understand the great service that is valet parking, a little bit pricey though!


I got to go with my friend to her office, which is at her bosses house, a very nice one in Hollywood Hills. The office was full of movies and by full I mean to the roof. But the great part of it was to see screenplays (new and classic ones) and other film related stuff, like the above.


One of the aspects of LA that caught my attention was the amazingly beautiful light. I guess it makes sense as that is why it became the city where movies were filmed. I loved that light, specially because how the photos came out. So a perfect opportunity to take loads of random shots like the one above, as it was a great chance to play and learn with the D80.



Since I have got the new camera, I am turning into a freak of self portraits. But this one has an excuse. That is Chateau Marmont's toilet, where I saw Sienna Miller, Rhys Ifans and Brittany Murphy. Well, I didn't see them in the toilet, but in the lovely courtyard of the hotel. I didn't want to take pictures inside of the main public areas or we feared we might had gotten ourselves into trouble. We did go to other star spotting places like The Ivy of or Hotel Rooselvelt, but the Chateau was my favorite, food was great and the place is quite special, well, at least for American standards.

The Ivy was all right food wise and service, but definitely the place to go to see celebrities who want to be seen and also is the place to see the paparazzi at work, a proper LA experience. Hotel Rooselvelt attracts a younger crowd around the pool, and mostly are people who are there to show off their perfect bodies. Another funny thing about LA is that you see loads of familiar faces that you can't name, maybe extras or minor TV actors.



This is one of my favorite photos of the whole trip. Sephira and I taken while we were having dinner at Santa Monica's Beach. That is my favorite area of LA, at least it is the most normal one, the beach is beautiful and the shops are very pretty. And has one of the best patisseries I have ever been, Jin's patisserie.

Thank you very much

... for the lovely comments on my new haircut.

I don't really like to fiddle with Photoshop , iPhoto has some easy actions that are quite fun and atmospheric. This is San Francisco.



Another day more stories and photos.

More LA shots

Today we watched the most beautiful sunset, in Santa Monica Beach, and the above photo is proof of that.


And we did loads of snapshots! Here you can see the beautiful Sephira (my friend).
Also, we went to the opening of a photography exhibition hosted by Jada Pinket Smith. She is tiny and she copied my hairstyle!
Thanks for all the comments on my new hair. Unfortunately is not always going to look that glamorous perfect straight hair.

Star spotting and other LA enterteiment

Today my friend Sephira took me to her hair stylist, and that is the result.
By the way, Sienna Miller and Rhys Ifans look really cute together and Brittany Murphy wears tons of make up, lip silicone and high hills. And the food at Chateau Marmount is quite decent!

Posting from LA

I am such a bad blogger! But truth be told, I am on holiday in the sunny California, so there is not much chance of me updating my blog.
I hope that next week, when I am back in England, I will be able to do a proper entry with photos and all!
By the way, Omar and I were in San Francisco last week, and this one I am visiting a very good friend in LA. I have gone to the three Paper Source locations in the Bay area and the one in Beverly Hills, there is nothing that keeps me away from paper!

Second part

Although I have been many time near by, I had never had the chance to visit Chartres, bt this time was on our unmissable list of places to stop. After we left Mallorca on the ferry, we arrived to Barcelona at 19:45. We kept driving till Narbonne where we slept at the cheap but comfortable Etap (one step up from the Formula 1 extreme simplicity), the morning after we drove from Narbonne to Chartres, don't know how many miles, but more than a handful!


Chartres is synonym of his worlds heritage cathedral (above), for which to find words to describe it, it is quite difficult. Inside it is almost perfect, at least it is considered the best example of completed gothic cathedral. In the outside, well, I have to say that the uneven towrs on the front make to prefer other ones like Notre Dame in Paris or the one in Amiens.


The village is quite charming with a pretty river passing by, a couple of smaller Gothic churches and yummy chocolate shops, which we missed totally since it was a sunday and everything was closed at Chartres.


Beauvais, was our next stop in our mini Gothic-cathedral tour. This one is very, very important. Why, you may ask, this never finished and hardly balanced cathedral is important? precisely because it shows the architectural feats the other Gothic cathedrals, finished or almost finished. It just makes you appreciate the perfection of the others.

Last stop before taking the train through the tunnel, was Amiens. Another outstanding cathedral.
We arrived on a Sunday evening to home, exactly two weeks after we took off, over two thousand miles traveled by car (+train, +ferry). Wasabi was beyond excited to see us, so much so, that he followed us everywhere -yep, even to the toilet- and even slept for a couple of nights in our bed -something he never does. Now, he is completely back to his normal self, that is quite sweet but not as overly affectionate as the first days after we came back.

Remember all all of the above photos were taken with my mobile camera. Some exciting news coming soon on that front!

Happy New Year...

...To all!

Some photos of our trip to Spain, driving through France.

Above, we spent our second night in San Sebastian (the first one was in a highway hotel in Le Mans (France) Omar in our hotel bedroom balcony. Beautiful.


Second stop in Spain was Pamplona, where my cousin Angela (in the picture with me), is studying Medicine.
Third stop was Zaragoza, but I don't have digital photos of it, although Omar took some film ones which I might be able to share later on this month.



Fourth stop was Mallorca or Majorca (English spelling). Above you can see the Cathedral and bellow, the morish style gardens nearby. This photos were taken on Christmas Day, after dinner.

Back in the UK

Didn't do much in Paris. But enjoy myself of long siestas and hot chocolate at either Laduree or Angelina, both really good but I prefer the hot chocolate of the alter one. Most British/Americans may get disappointed by the drink: it is thick and bitter, but that is how it should be! After all it is the Spanish way, and who else but the Spanish brought in chocolate from the recently discovered America and made it into a fashionable drink in Europe? Upps, I am no historian, maybe I am not quite right, but I think I am and not in the mood for light research on the matter.
Yesterday I demonstrated ATC's at The Art of Craft. Tuesday, I am back at QVC helping Dawn and company with the TSV. Loads of hard work but really excited to see them all again so soon after Portugal.

Portugal Photos

Back and away, yet again

Last week was a fantastic succession of crafting, fun and exhausting actitvities that have left me seriously tired. And since my dear hubby was away this week on business I decided to join him for a few days here, in Paris. Really, no time to unpack, just to remove certain items and put something else instead.
Weather right now: cold and rainy, very different from the warn and sunny days we have enjoyed at the Algarve.
I have met so many nice crafters and tutors, and heard so many nice stories, I may have to share some with you all.

Marrakesh

Morroco is one of those countries that you either love or hate, and sometimes all in one day. I personally think that is one of the most beautiful countries I have ever been to, after of course, Italy, Spain and Japan, in no relevant order. This photo was taken in my second trip while we were wearing kind of traditional clothes in one of the valleys around Marrakesh. I used some of the Rusty Pickle Cap'n Jack range including papers, stickers and stamps. You can see all the products here.
By the way, the photo was taken in May 1999, the layout done in April 2007.

Mallorca is beautiful

This is my parents swimming pool. Nice.
Every time I go back I have the same feeling. Mallorca is beautiful, but it is not for me. Too hot and humid.

My visit was short planned and very quick, just to see the family and because of that I couldn't see my old university friends, which I miss terribly. But I guess that is life.

I am tireeeed. Thursday (I arrived from Mallorca the night before at 2:30 am!) I had to finish off an article and send it, Friday I met with the fabulous Julie Hickey, her mum and friends for a fun crafty day, and yesterday, Saturday, I taught at the Glitter Pot for the first time. I had a lovely time, but a full class and doing 5 cards in 2 hours both morning and afternoon, is tiring.

And for now that is it. A few things that I need to do this week and then Canada awaits, where we will spend our two weeks of Holiday in my in-laws house, Toronto. (I am already dreaming of all the cheap stash I will be able to buy, but don't tell my husband!)

Ah, and this photo bellow is the view from my old bedroom in my parents house. As my parents rebuilt the house my sister and I were given the choice of big window+ big table or a balcony. Duh! Of course I took the balcony offer and spent many, many, many happy hours looking out and counting the stars from it. The views are just beautiful, no sea, but the most beautiful green valley, village on the top of a hill and as backdrop a gorgeous chain of mountains (highest peak around the 1,500 metres, sorry no feet measurements in my brain) known as the Serra de Tramuntana.