weekend wander

Hello friends, how was your weekend? Did you go anywhere new, nice and interesting?

This week's weekend wander is through the streets of the very Portuguese city of Santarem, where I currently live.

The photos were taken early in a very sunny morning (during a much needed morning run), so the streets are practically deserted - and yes, still with the Christmas decorations in full swing!

all images by me via instagram

crossing the sea

#30dayjournal

Would you take a leap of faith into the unknown?
How often in your path are you faced with such decisions?
As some of us are faced with such challenges more than often, what makes us jump?

It is true that staying ashore, in the comfort of what we know, it builds our roots, our sense of security; the unknown however, just outside the boundaries of our safety zone, will involve some courage, and whichever the result with it comes experience, builds character, knowledge, self-development and awareness... it predicts growth.

It is also true that sometimes all you need is just to stand there, staring at those waves, taking in the immensity of the ocean against the horizon line just there, to make us feel whole. 

Sometimes all you need is just to breathe.
Stand, breathe and just be in the company of 'you'.

If you are to leave solid ground and cross the sea, then make sure you give it your all.

Nothing is worth if you only give half of your heart, half of your soul, half your body... after all, lukewarm water does not make tea, does it?!

Some seas are harder to cross than others.
Even though they are all fearful unknowns, some are terribly and horribly harder to face.

Love is one of them. You would not think so... but it is! 

Love is to risk, to risk it all. Therefore, to cross that sea wholeheartedly and with intention takes bravery.

You have to break down the waves (your walls, no matter how high and deep), expose your soul, become vulnerable, trust your insticts, and harder even...trust the Universe. 

You have to remember, half-hearted-half-souled is not an option.

Love is bravey.
Only the brave can reach it, it is the ultimate reward for exposing your vulnerabilities.

And so exposed, you are in touch with your truer self, with your essence (away from chains and covers), you are now truly following and listening to the language of your heart... in touch with the 'wild' in you.

If it was not to take a good amount of courage and bravery then we all would easily 'cross' this sea. You need to be brave, you need to be wild. Keep that in mind!

:: image source :: all images by me from Praia da Areia Branca, Portugal 

weekend wander :: autumn morning

Nothing like a good stroll into a secret place, with an autumnal chillier breeze, to make us feel ready and new for the new week. This weekend I 'stumbled' upon an unplanned weekend wander and was marvelled with the magnificent colours that welcome us this time of year.

This place is actually only a few steps from my home, but one of those I hardly visit, in actual fact I don't ever remember visiting it before. Maybe because it lies across an extremely busy and curvaceous road, though lucky me, it is currently closed to traffic - so my time to cross it was now due...and what treasure I was to find.

I fell instantly in love with the dense greenery which reluctantly clings (and doesn't seem resigned to fall) and with the yellow leaves covering the road as if by magic I was five again and (day dreaming) travelling the road to Oz with Toto in my basket.

One more example that if you never get lost you never actually find anything new, nor different or spectacularly surprising - unplanned moments of beauty are made of that.

Note to self: need to get lost to be found. Get lost and you will find what you need.

Love,
Pippa

xoxo

weekend wonder: a neighbouring town

Hello friends, I hope you are having a good week so far.

I have been terribly busy with so many things going on in my life at the moment, but still, always have time to take a few pics to share with you!

Here are some of my latest Instagram additions, just in case you haven't seen them yet.

Lately, I have been to a few towns outside my 'comfort zone' - it is always nice to change scenery, isn't it?!

One of these places, which I suddenly happen to be visiting a lot, both for personal and professional reasons, is the town of Cartaxo. These are a few of the images I took whilst on one of my visits there - even though, I must admit, I didn't make much of an effort to show off its beautiful architecture nor anything else, since, for a change, when I happen to visit I always find myself too busy in beautiful conversation with a friend or two. Though, I promise to take my 'photographic' eye the next time, just for you ( and skip my tendency for the urban decay/details)!

It is a very picturesque portuguese city, with a ´small´ style city (cozy) attitude and full of very bright and funky people indeed!

I hope you like the photos.

Today, I am also adding a photo of myself - it isn't something that I usually do...but maybe will be changing that, gradually, why not?!

Love,
Pippa
xoxo

a cloudy day

Here are some photos from my Instagram account, and weekend wonderment!

These were taken on a very cloudy and gloomy day, as you can tell. But nonetheless, have their own beauty.

I believe cloudy and dark days have their uniqueness, the gloomy colours and autumnal tones can take us to 'other' places and also, remind us that seasons change, the world spins! And how would you be grateful for sunny warm days if it weren't for the lack of them, once in a while?!

Enjoy the photos.

Love,
Pippa

wild berry berries

Some photos from my weekend strolls and Instagram additions. The absolutely beautiful colours of the countryside on a very (berry) sunny day. Hope you like them!

Have a great week.
Love,
Pippa

weekend wonder :: macro flora

It has been a while since I have shared with you some of my own photos. So here they are, a few weekend wonder images from my countryside strolls.

On some of these I have used my little macro lens - which is attachable to my phone and oh so easy to use - and so, I was able to get all the little details that a normal phone camera just can't get to.

Personally, I am not a great fan of Poppies (I am not a great fan of the colour red and anything with red in it, full stop!) but since my friend G adores Poppies, every time I find them I have a tendency to photograph a few to send them to her. So thanks G, for making me 'like' poppies a little more!

Hope you all enjoy the photos.

Love,
Pippa

springtime in paris

Les amoureux de la Bastille, 1957
Willy Ronis

As April brings the new beginnings of spring, the air gets a little warmer, the moods get lighter, the birds fill the skies, the tress are blossoming as so is love - all around.

Ah Spring! It is definitely a magical time of year, even more so, as you can't avoid but wonder how it would be to spend springtime in the most romantic city of them all...Paris!

On the banks of the Marne, 1938
Henri Cartier- Bresson

These are a collection of iconic photographs from the 20th century, some of which have recently, and for the first time, been added for auction at Christie's.

So here's a chance for all of us to delight in these black and white, timeless beauties!

Rue Mouffetard, 1954
Henri Cartier- Bresson

Couple d'amoureux au Jardin du Luxembourg, c. 1932
Brassai

Lamplighter, rue Emile-Richard, 1931
Brassai

Paris, 1989
Elliott Erwitt

Lovers, 1934
Marcel Bovis

Un fox-terrier au Pont des Arts, 1953
Robert Doisneau

Un regard oblique et la femme indignee, 1948
Robert Doisneau

L'Enfer, 1952
Robert Doisneau

The painter of the Eiffel Tower, 1953
Marc Riboud

Le Petit Parisien, 1952
Willy Ronis

::image source:: {via} The Huffington Post and Christie's Auctions