We stayed is the most enchanting tropical resort in Thailand called Banyan Tree.

Banyan Tree is the oldest luxury hotel in Phuket and such a paradise. It’s part of a large complex of golf, lakes, six resorts and a beach located on “Laguna”. You will find stunning beaches, rich ancient culture, vibrant nightlife and lots of new construction with all the amenities to attract tourists and invest in there. Also in town you will find very inexpensive hairdressers and massage therapists.

We avoided the busiest season by going in April when the weather is perfect and the towns are not crowded with tourists.

It’s good to keep in mind the weather, we had an occasional shower in the afternoon, however between May and October it’s when it rains the most and you may want to avoid going during that time if you wish for sunny skies..

Banyan Tree about 10 miles from the Phuket International Airport (HKT) and it took about 40 minutes by car to get to the resort.

Our Villa

They offer different kinds of villas and we chose the “Spa Villa”, it was amazing. We immersed ourselves in a tranquil atmosphere all the way! It came with a beautiful view of the lake, jacuzzi, spa beds in the pool, outdoor bathtub, complementary bikes, boat dock right next to the villa and covered buggy, waiting area, a couple of bikes plus so much more.

To get from the villa and the resort amenities, you simply call for a buggie and within 5 minutes, someone will show up and they will escort you to where you need to go.

It had a king size bed, bathroom with steam and people came in a few times daily. Had air conditioning, outside shower, outdoor bath tub and a stunning separate outdoor glass dining/family room building with TV air conditioning and fantastic views of the lake, pool, gardens and villa.

When you open the electric window drapes (videos are on story highlights on Instagram), you will see that the bedroom is surrounded by water making you feel like you are floating on an island!

We savored new culinary delights and enjoyed innovative experiences daily around the resort and also in all our activities.

I have to say that breakfast was the most complete that I have ever experienced, see the many pictures I took of just breakfast! We treated our taste buds to exquisite Japanese, Thai, and other stations around the world. So many ways to cook rice, pineapple etc. From their egg combination station which offered different ways of cooked eggs daily to different fruits, yogurts, soup station, donuts station  etc.  They have everything you can think of and then some. They get so creative with flavors, it's impressive to see how many ways you can cook an egg!  At breakfast you can also enjoy hot Asian dishes celebrating the vibrant flavors of local and fresh ingredients.

I always bring some art work with me on my trips and I love displaying different art prints in different places. Here you see the "Mademoiselle Pink" art print matching my fresh flowers on the Spa Villa glass room in the backyard where we stayed. It was a paradise there and I encourage you to visit the blog. All art prints with or without embelilsments are prints of my original paintings and you can find those mini prints on the "Gift Shop" site tab if available.

At their “Saffron” restaurant you select from the rice cart what kind of rice you want even if you ordered a dish with noodles! Here you savor authentic Thai flavors and enjoy Surf &Turf specialties at the water court while you listen to live music and enjoy stunning lagoon views. They also offer free pontoon  rides to the other resorts. We took it to the shopping and restaurant area and on the way back we were dropped off at our villa dock.

Night arrival on Sunday

Day 1 Monday

Rested, went to the pool, walked the beach and had a massage. After that we had dinner on a floating restaurant. A couple was at the resort celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary and arranged for fireworks after dinner, how perfect, we enjoyed those as well by the lake, it was magical!

Day 2 Tuesday

We got a tour guide and visited Old town Phuket. There we saw some temples, saw wild monkeys that were hanging out with people, did a little shopping and visited a chestnut and peal factories plus we visited the “Chinpeacha House” which was built in 1903. The first house built in concrete in Chino-Portuguese style in the area. Local Phuket people called this style of house as “Angmor Lounge” (Angmor means Western). Today the house is 112 years old and the 5 generation of owners live on the upstairs floor so the first floor where everything is still original can be seen by visitors. 

Chinpeacha House

Chestnut factory

Day 3 Wednesday

From the resort you can take the boat or trolley to other resorts in the Laguna area. There are 6 different resorts there. We took the boat and went to the shopping stop. When we returned, the boat dropped us if at our villa dock.

We also walked on the beach but since there were strong currents and the ocean was not great, so we decided the spa pool instead which is is massive and the water is so refreshing and there is also a sense of calm over there with spa music.

Day 4 Thursday

We went to see the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary. Make sure to take Dramamine because it’s a very long and a million curves on the road!

Once we got there we prepared the fruit, fed the elephants, and then came back to the resort, rested did spa massage then had dinner.

Make sure you wear bug spray everyday or ask for it if you forget. 

Day 5 Friday

We adventured into Laguna town on the little trolley that takes you to the different resorts then we had lunch in Laguna town. We picked a restaurant from Georgia ( the country) called Tbilisi and it was really good.

At night we saw the Phuket “FantaSea” a theme park with a variety of attractions, including a cultural theatrical show with illusions (with 15 elephants, birds, and other animals, even chickens performed if you can believe it), a theme buffet restaurant and a shopping street. Make sure you leave your phone at home because otherwise you will have to turn it in at the show area, it’s illegal to bring phones to the show. We did not know and had to leave our phones there and picked them up after the show.

Day 6 Saturday

We had breakfast, it’s all you can eat everyday and they have the best breakfast that I have ever seen at a luxury property, that's why I have to talk about it again! They had a Thai station, Japanese station, Western Station, British breakfast, lots of fresh cut fruit, donut station, bread area, different fresh squeezed juices area, dumplings area, egg station, cheese and fresh cut, smoked salmon, smoked tuna, smoked beef, pineapple cooked in different ways and the list goes on and on. I don’t have the pictures of everything here but I hope you’ll enjoy the ones I have. They go to great lengths to make it memorable for you and the service is outstanding.

Manu

Many breakfast options.

This resort should be on your bucket list for sure, you will live the recreation and wellbeing activities there.

I did the Thai Herbal Tea Workshop with doctor “Pai” and it ended up being just me because no one else had signed up for that class. They offer lots of activities including Thai Cooking Classes a few times a week, Herbal Massage Oil Worshop, Natural Herbal Inhaler Workshop and Herbal Potporri Workshop at the Nature House. They also have snorkeling tours, bike tours, kayak sightseeing, all fitness classes from yoga to HIIT workouts, stretching and meditation, breathing exercises as well. This is a complete resort with several facilities like a Nature House, Fitness pavilion, Outdoor activities and Wellbeing Centre.

After the Herbal Tea Workshop we went to the shopping mall at Central Phuket to buy a few souvenirs and had lunch there.

After that we came back relaxed, had our daily massage and did the Watercourt restaurant for Surf & Turf for dinner.

Day 7 Sunday

In our last day we enjoyed coconut drinks ( inside the coconut) at the main pool - they have a bar inside the pool then more treatments and after that we went back to the villa and enjoyed room service inside the glass house. After that it was time to pack, get in the cab go to the airport to take out night flights home.

Thank you for reading the blog. Have you every been to Thailand before and if not, is it on your bucket list? I would love to know.

If you want to read about Portugal go HERE

To read about  Denmark go HERE

If you prefer Turkey go HERE

For Scotland go HERE

If you want to see more places go on the blog under "previous blogs" E - Newsletter HERE 

I would love to hear from you!

xoxo Ceci Mason

It's almost Easter and you want to make sure that you have everything ready so that you can enjoy this special holiday! Subscribe to my You Tube channel for more Grandmillennial style decorating ideas.

Here is a fun activity that you can do with your family and create some wonderful memories around the kitchen table. Get some wood, ceramic or plastic eggs at the craft store along with some round brushes, acrylic paint plus a sealer and you are all set to make sure everyone will have a fun time during this activity!

Watch me paint below.

Click HERE to watch

The top eggs are wood and the bottom eggs are plastic.

My Jade Weekender Bag below can give you inspiration on what to design on the eggs. You can do trees, bushes, flowers, pagodas and more.

Another place where you can get design inspiration is in one of my products called the Chinoiserie Pagoda in Navy , Blue and White Throw Pillow below.

😍 Ways you can help my small business - Please leave a comment, I appreciate your support xo Ceci Mason

Hi friends, I am already looking forward to the Spring and I have a feeling that I am not alone! Get ready to pull out your bunnies, baskets, flowers and Spring table top decor!

Here I styled this antique vintage footbath with some real and faux flowers and a green boxwood wreath at the bottom. Add a few bunnies and you are set!

I like moving my florals around and enjoy them in different places. I bought a floral arrangement, then added faux pink hydrangeas and a boxwood wreath for a statement piece. Make sure you fluff your petals and bend when you need to. I love mixing real and faux floral together. 

Here I used my Blue and White Botanical Garden Print, it’s perfect to celebrate Easter or Mother’s Day! I designed it with birds, flowers and bows of course. All the elements that we love to enjoy the beauty at the table.

Really, how darling is this design?

You can also find a table runner with this watercolor collection. 

I also designed the napkins to have a different design in every corner, yes I am all about details.

And yes, I painted this entirely by hand! I do all my work in Virginia and love sharing the beauty with you. 

To see menu cards, name place cards, folded stationary, mini art prints (with or without embellishments,  framed or unframed), please email cecimasonart@gmail.com to request a link for this or any other print. 

For more inspiration please follow me on Pinterest HERE and on Instagram HERE.

If you would like to buy my dishes go on my LTK HERE. 

I get a small commission when you purchase from my LTK but it does not cost you more.

Faro my hometown in Portugal, offers a mix of historic attractions, nature and coastal beauty, vibrant markets, making it an ideal destination for a great vacation.

Caldeirada de Peixe is a beloved Portuguese fish stew that brings together the freshest seafood, fragrant herbs, and hearty vegerables in a comforting, flavorful broth. This dish, oftern made by fishermen with athe catrch of the day, is a rustic yet elegant representation of Portutal's ridh maritime heritage. It's perfecrt for a cozy family dinner or a special gathering with friends. 

The History of Caldeirada de Peixe

Caldeirada has deep roots in Portuguese coastal communities, where fishermen prepared it right on their boats using whatever fish was available. Over time, the recipe evolved invorporating regional variations with different types of seafood, spicesm and vvegera bles. What reminds constant us the layering technique, which allows the ingredients to cook gently and infuse the broth with rich complex flavors. 

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Authentic & Traditional - A true taste of Portugal in every  bite.

Healthy & Nutritious - Packed with lean protein vegetables, and heart- healthy olive oil.

Easy One-Pot Meal - Simple to prepare make and clean up is a breeze.

Authentic Caldeirada de Peixe Recipe

Ingredients:

(Serves 4-6)

• 2 lbs of mixed fish like monkfish, snapper, hake, cod, sea bass, the Portuguese like stingray, congro and catshark. (shellfish like clams and shrimp is optional)
• 4 tbsp of olive oil
• I large onion thinly sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper sliced
• 1 tomatoes chopped or 1 can of diced tomatoes
• 1 cup of tomato sauce
• 5 cloves of garlic, minced
• 6 large potatoes peeled and sliced into rounds
• 1 cup of dry white wine (optional)
• 2 cups of fish or seafood stock (optional for extra flavor)
• 1 tsp of paprika
• 2 tsp of salt
• 1/2 tsp of black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 handful of parsley or cilantro chopped

Instructions: 

1. Prepare the Base - In a large pot or Dutch oven heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onion, garlic, and bell peppers, sautéing until softened (about 5 minutes).
2. Layer the ingredients - Arrange the sliced potatoes in a layer over the sautéed vegetables. then add the chopped tomatoes. Cook for 15 minutes.
3. Season & Simmer - Add the fish pieces and sprinkle the paprika, salt, black pepper over the fish. Add the bay leaf, then pour in the white wine and fish stock.
4. Cook Gently - Cover and simmer over low heat for 15 -20 minutes  more until the fish is cooked through and the potatoes are tender. Avoid stirring too much to keep the fish intact.
5. Garnish & Serve - Sprinkle with fresh parsley or cilantro and serve with olives (optional) and crusty bread for dipping.
   

Tips for the Best Caldeirada de Peixe

✔️ Use Fresh Seafood - The fresher the fish, the better the flavor. A mix of firm white fish works best.

✔️ Don't Over-Stir - To keep the fish pieces whole, let tem cook gently without excessive stirring.

✔️ Customize the Heat - Add a touch of spice or keep it mild for a more traditional taste. 

✔️ Pair with Portuguese Wine - Serve a crisp white Vinho Verde or a light bodied red  for an authentic experience. 

This soulful Portuguese fish stew is a celebration of the sea, bursting with rich flavors and vibrant colors. Whether you're reminiscing about a trip to Portugal or simply craving a comforting seafood dish, Caldeirada de Peixe is sure to impress.

Bom apetite! Let me know if ou try this recipe- I'd love to hear how it turns out!

Copenhagen, Denmark's capital is a harmonious blend of history, tradition and charm. From stunning cafes to vibrant culture, Copenhagen offers an unforgettable experience. Here's a 3-day guide of what we did and how we made the most of our visit. 

We stayed at the Nobis Hotel Copenhagen. It's set next to Copenhagen Central Station and a short walk from the famous Stroget shoppng street. The Nobis Hotel is situared in a historic landmark building that originally served as the Royal Danish  Conservatory of Music. Architect Gert Wingadh Wingadh has emphasized the 1903  original architecture, while adding high quality materias and elegant color palette where modernism meets classicism, augmented by such amenities as a bar, restaurant, sauna and gym making the hotel a new focus for the city's downtown social scene. We felt quite safe and the streets were clean. Lots of people were riding their bikes and when they were done some just left it at the entrance of an establishment without a lock, not afraid of being stolen. Other bikes had a lock built in the bike, they came that way and I had never seen that. 

Day 1:  Palace, Tradition, Museum and Entertainment

Morning: We visited the Christianborg Palace which is home to the Danish Parliament, The Prime Minister's Office and the Supreme Court of Denmark. It serves multiple functions by the Danish royal family even today like state banquets, royal ceremonies and receptions. It also has stunning royal reception rooms.

Christianborg is one of the most iconic landmarks in Copenhagen and a must-visit for history and architecture enthusiasts. The Palace has a history spanning over 800 years. The site originally housed a medieval castle in the 12th century and the current  structure is the 3rd Christianborg Palace which was completed in 1928. The previous 2 were destroyed by fires in 1794 and 1884. The present building combines Neo-Baroque and Neo-Classic style, showcasing architectural mastery.

Christianborg Palace Library - Copenhagen , Denmark

There is a jewelry section in the basement of the Palace where you delight in all the beauty and history!

We walked the streets and also saw Frederik's Church, known by the "Marble Church" next which had these words inscribed in Golden on the church in the photograph  "HERRENS-ORD-BLIVER-EVINDELIC" meaning "The word of the Lord endureth for ever. The church is beautiful inside and I suggest you visit.

Right next to the church is the Palace so we saw  the "Changing of her Majesty's guard at Amalienborg Palace" at noon, I love this tradition and every time we travel to a country with a monarchy I enjoy seeing this. Make sure you are there at noon to see that, it will be busy so if you want to have a good view arrive early. 

Then we strolled along the canal in Nyhavn, the picturesque harbor lined with colorful 17th-century buildings and historic wooden ships. There are lots of restaurants there where you can have lunch and also some attractions, there is a small stage, we saw a band playing. Right next to the restaurants on the other side is the shopping street, everything is within walking distance. 

Afternoon: We visited the National Museum of Denmark - it was built in 1807 in it's housed in a beautiful 18th-century Rococo mansion once used by the Danish Royalty. It's the most comprehensive and largest museum of cultural history in Denmark Located in central Copenhagen near Christiansborg Palace, the museum offers an incredible journey through Danish history and culture from prehistoric times to the present day. Also inside, I was thrilled to see lots of ginger jars and blue and white. 

Early Evening: Tivoli Gardens is one of Copenhagen's most iconic attractions and the world's second-oldest amusement park, having opened it's gates in 1843. Located in the heart of the city, Tivoli offers a magical blend of thrilling rides, lush gardens, enchanting architedture and a world -class entertainment making it a must visit destination for travelers of all ages. It was founded by Georg Carstensen, who convinced King Christian VIII to support the project by stating, "When people are amused, tey do not think about politics." This park inspired Walt Disney to create Disneyland after his visit in the 1950's. You can spend all day here if you wish, I enjoyed seeing the plays on stage, concerts, rides and they also have restaurants there. I love how they have one of the world's oldest wooden roller coaster built in 1914 still in operation. Tivoli has meticulously landscaped garden with colorful flowers, fountains and serene lakes. At night thousands of lights illuminate the park creating a magical atmosphere. Tivoli offers an experience that is both enchanting and timeless, I loved visiting it. 

Day 2: History, Art and Canal

Morning: We visited The Royal Palace "Amalienborg" - This is the residence of the Danish royal family. Located near the waterfront, this stunning complex consists of 4 identical Rococo-style palaces arranged around a grand octagonal courtyard. Theses 4 buildings were built for 4 noble families in the 1750's. After christianborg Palace burned down in 1794, the royals moved to Amalienburg and they have been living there ever since. The 1st building is Christian VII's Palace used for official events and receptions. The 2nd building Christian VIII's Palace houses the Amalienborg Museum which has the history of the Danish monarchy and displays royal artifacts. Building 3 is Frederick VIII's Palace - Private residence of crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary and building 4 is Christian IX"s Palace: Residence of Queen Margrethe II. 

Amalienborg is more than a royal residence, it's a living piece of Danish history and tradition. Whether you're learning about the monarchy's history at the museum, admiring the impressive architecture or watching the guards in action, a visit to Amalienborg offers a glimpse into the country's regal  traditions and cultural heritage.

You can also see the changing of the guard here, we had seen it the day before so we just visited the museum and got some souvenirs.

I saw endless volumes of FlORA DANICA on the library shelves for my surprise!

There you can also see  the Courtyard and Equestrian Statue of King Frederik V, the founder of Amalienborg and Federiksstaden. The Statue completed in 1771 is a masterpiece by French Sculptor Jacques-Francois-Joseph Saly. 

Afternoon: After that we went to the National Gallery of Denmark.

This is Denmark's most prestigious and largest art museum located in central Copenhagen. This is where you can see an impressive collection of Danish and International art spanning over 700 years making it a must visit for culture and art lovers. It dates back to the 1750's when the Danish Royal started collecting art. The building is huge and it combines classic 19th century architecture with a modern extension added in 1998, creating an harmonious blend of old and new.

We walked a bit after that and admired the architecture and gardens around us.

Late in the Afternoon: Then we went on a canal boat ride, it started to rain so they gave us ponchos. However if you go to the boat ride from the hotel, ask if you can borrow an umbrella in case of rain. 

The boat in the canal is long and short, however deep inside so you are even able to stand in it. When the bridges approach in the canal, if you are outdoors on the boat, you have to sit so the boat get under the bridge.

Day 3: Classic Copenhagen, Ceramics and Shopping

We walked around downtown and took a cute bike around for a little tour. There are men that have a tricycle taxi so we tried that, it was fun. Then we visited the famous "Royal Copenhagen" porcelain store in Copenhagen. They were the first ones to make ceramics for the Royal family. They had so many beautiful dishes and ceramics that I lost count of how many pictures I took. If you like tabletop then this store is haven on earth, lots of blue and white plus FLORA DANICA endless colorful and ornate ceramics and books on it. Also each year for Christmas they design a new dish and add it up to their collection wall, it's beautiful to see. If I had more time here I would paint my own dish, they let you do that here. My husband purchased a darling souvenir and I also got a lovely catalog of the store products. If you go make sure yours is in English!

Late afternoon: We kept walking along the famous street and I got some churros with ice cream, so delicious but could not finish, it was huge. The local band was playing right next to us on the street.

On the street you can also get your coffee...

Or orange juice if you prefer.

For dinner we went to Kodbyens Fiskebar, (on the Michelin Guide)  it has excelent fresh seafood with indoor/outdoor seating. However please note that the atmosphere is not like the other Michelin's restaurants, this one is very informal but the food was amazing!

We spent 3 unforgettable days immersing ourselves in Copenhagen. It's charm lies in its ability to effortless blends history, design, tradition and a sense of welcome and comfort. We discovered delightful flavors and explored its stunning sights.  We went the second week of July and we did fit in a lot in a few days, such a beautiful city, however it was all worth it and I so glad to have made so many unforgettable memories. I highly recommend you visit this charming capital city of Copenhagen and enjoy a journey through history and time. 

I hope you enjoyed reading with me. What would you include in your dream Copenhagen itinerary? Share your thoughts in the comments!

For more inspiration, I share more pictures in different social channels,  please follow me on Pinterest HERE and on Instagram HERE.

If you would like to read about a trip to Portugal in a week go HERE

The last link I would like to offer you, is this fun link where you can take a virtual tour of the Rosenborg Castle. Go HERE for that, you will see and learn a lot!

xo Ceci Mason founder and artist

 Diga Linda ✨ Say Beautiful

Our 7 day to Scotland Trip Itinerary in July of 2023: Edinburg, Britannia Ship, Aberdeen, Iverness and  Glasgow. We saw Edinburg Castle, Lock Ness, Urqrchart Castle, The Royal Yacht Britannia, Cawdor Castle and Stirling Castle.

 Below are pictures of the Royal Yacht Britannia now in Edinburg.

Below is the oldest town home in the city of Aberdeen, it dates back at least 1545 and it's called "Provost Skene's House. It has been added and altered many times. The building is named after one of its owners, Sir George Skene (1619-1669). He was Provost of Aberdeen from 1676-1685 and he was also a rich merchant. 

There is no elevator and the stairs are really skinny so it's not easy to go from floor to floor! 

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This is Crathes Castle, super skinny stairs on this one and not elevator either! However very pretty inside and I recommend it. 

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This is so much fun finding a room filled with dishes and all the history behind it. If you go to Aberdeen, remember to visit the Museum of Art so you can see all these beauties. This is called the "FEAST ROOM".

Below are pictures of the Stirling Castle. This castle dates from the early 12th century and the buildings were built between 1490 and 1600. It is very large and one of the most important castles in Scotland. It sits stop an intrusive crag part of Stirling Sill geological formation. 

It has a lot of significant history, for example it was here that Mary Queen of Scots grew up and her coronation was also here that it took place. It was also the site there the baptism of James VI, who later became King of England and Scotland. It's been a symbol of Scottish independence and national pride. 

Generations of Scottish monarchs have made additions to the castle and it has been in several movies like Mary Queen of Scots (2018), Burke & Hare (2010) and Outlaw King.

Above is Queen Anne's Garden.

Queen Anne's Garden

Below you will see Cawdor Castle, it dates from 1370 and it was built as a private fortress by the Thanes of Cawdor, a family made famous by Shakespeare's play "MacBeth". Here you can visit inside, play golf, and eat in the South Courtyard of the Castle with views of the flower garden. They also have shopping available. 

Most Scottish Castles no longer belong to families, but this one returns to Cawdor Castle every winter. They have owned the Castle and the Gardens for over 600 years. I loved seeing the inside of it and highly recommend you check it out if you go to Scotland. 

Below is Urquhart Castle, one of the largest castle ruins in Scotland and it offers panoramic views of Lock Ness. If you love history, you will love visiting this strategic location. Inside the visitor center you can learn about the castle's history and that includes a film and model replica. You can see the castle's authentic art crafts as well. It will take about 2 hours to explore the castle, the grounds and visitor center. 

You can watch the movie, that is about 10 minutes then see the castle ruins, walk along the walls and see the stunning views of Lock Ness.

Then explore the exhibition rooms to learn the  history, you can also enjoy the cafe that they have over there. 

For more inspiration please follow me on Pinterest HERE and on Instagram HERE.

My dining room look has changed since the last house. I wanted to have a coastal and airy feel since I love blue and white and by adding the St. Antoine British wallpaper and a few accents, it feels elegant, coastal and chic at the same time. I love the style of my French Country furniture and that is timeless. We love entertaining here and it's a lovely place to be with friends and family. Although the hand stamped wallpaper from England gives it an elevated and sophisticated feel, the French country and blues bring a relaxed feel in the room. The fresh floral arrangement is also a great idea to elevate the already beautiful room. 

Although I live by the water, you can still create the same feel without living by the water. Elegant and coastal style is when you feel relaxed in your home and you can bring that calming feeling in your home with this beautiful wall paper and the accessories that I have in my dining room below. 

Nothing is more calming that being by the water and this chic and sophisticated look can elevate the look of your home. I can honestly say that this is one of my favorite wallpapers in the house. 

I love chinoiserie and if you are like me, you can display a few ginger jars around the room to add a chic and elegant look.

If you are looking for Table runners, specially my best seller Tobacco Leaf one like here then go HERE

You can get the link to my wallpaper HERE  plus some home accents as well.

By going on my LTK, I earn commissions but it does not cost you anything.

For more inspiration please follow me on Pinterest HERE and on Instagram HERE.

Thank you for reading with me today. I hope that you learned a little bit about elevating and incorporating in your dining room an elegant, chic, and coastal look and I hope you will give it a try. xo Ceci

Cascais is charming during any season. This gorgeous coastal town is located only about 20 kilometers from Lisbon, a quick 30-40 minute train ride. It has been able to keep "it's old style" and downtown is filled with restaurants, small shops beautiful pedestrian streets and bars. This old fishing village is filled with history and it has a great location. Here you can enjoy the beach, amazing food, see the museums and parks around town and it's very close to the major Palaces (like the ones in Sintra) which used to be the royals residences back in the day. The royal extended family had their beach summer residences here and even today, people who live in the busy capital of Lisbon go to Cascais for their beach houses. 

Our family rented a home on Airbnb and then we just took the Uber to visit the different locations. We spent New Years there and it was quite magical with all the fireworks and celebrations going on. We visit the Palace of Seteais for Tea which was only about 20 minutes by car, visited the Palace of Queluz, Pena Palace, Mafra Palace and a few other places.

Below you can see the Museu da Vila (Town Museum). Here you can learn about the history of the town and it was also where the Spanish Army landed when they tried to take over Lisbon in 1540. 

Downtown Cascais is fun, this is right next to the beach and I am behind the Cascais sign.

I love the beach and Cascais has several beaches that you can enjoy in the warmer months. This one is called Praia da Rainha, the other ones near by are Praia do Guincho and Praia da Poça.

If you want to see the World's largest waves, then consider taking a day trip to Cabo da Roca. It is considered the most western point of mainland Europe, making it a significant landmark for it's geographical position not just extreme wave heights. There you can observe and experience the dramatic cliffs and views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Even in the winter people like to go checkout the water. The little homes in red are all the different artisans selling their products. I found great gifts made of cork to bring back. 

Did you know that Portugal is the top producer of cork globally? About 50% of the world's cork comes from Portugal. Between Lisbon and Faro (in the south of Portugal), we have the largest farm of cork trees which can only be harvested every 9 to 12 years after it reaches 25 years of age. The second largest producer is Spain producing about 25%, then the rest of the coastal Mediterranean countries.

Of course we are also famous for the worlds renowned Port Wine, Soccer (Cristiano Ronaldo), Fado, tiles, ceramics, linens beautiful beaches and delicious cuisine.

Museu Condes de Castro Guimaraes, this building is so close to see that on high tide it can touch it's walls. There is a beautiful art collection inside and also an organ. You can also see Indo inspired Portuguese furniture and a library (over 25,0000 books), known for its manuscripts dated 1505 and some richly bound volumes from the 17th century. 

The palace was build in 1897 by Jorge O'Neill designed by Luigi Magnini. He created some Manueline projects like the Bussaco Palace Hotel and Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra which is near by. 

Below you see the dining room inside this museum de Condes. I have a little bit of an obsession with tabletop (since I sell it), so I took more pictures than I thought but I made a collage here so that I could share with you some angles of the table. So many details here, how about the crown on the top of that tureen? Also notice how the napkins are folded like a flower and all that silver how beautiful!

Inside the Museu Condes you can see beaufitul furniture, dishes and tiles. 

I lost count of how many ginger jars, I saw but this one on top is quite special.

Take a closer look at the Tobacco Leaf Tea Pot design on the bottom left of the collage and the Famille Rose Jar design on the bottom right of the collage. My inspiration to design my fabrics with these designs comes from here, I sell collections of products with these beautiful prints and what a delight it is to be able to share with you where my inspiration from my exclusive designs come from!

Parque Marechal Carmona is a beautiful park around the Condes de Castro Guimaraes mansion. It has flower garden, lots of trees, a pond with turtles and ducks and domestic animals. You can also find a small chapel. The park has several trails that you can walk and it's right next to the water. This green space after passing through several owners, was purchased in 1834 by Visconde da Gandarinha, building a romantic park here. 

The gardens were joined to the Palace of Condes de Castro in 1944 and then opened to the public. This hand painted azuleijos (tiles) fountain panel has the date of ANNO (in Portuguese ANO) MCMXXV (1925), a perfect place to relax.

This blue and white azuleijos as we say it (tiles) panel shows us the glorification of the Virgin Mary carried in a procession by the religious leaders of the church. It was You see the Latin words "Deus nobis haec otia fecit", which means "It was God who provided us with such delights" in Portuguese "Foi Deus quem nos proporcionou tais deleites". It's believed that the author of the panel was Bartolomeu Antunes You also see the peacock on the top right of the picture, they just roam around the park and are beautiful to look at. 

Below I am standing next to a tree that has beautiful blooms like hydrangeas.

Above and below  is Casa de Santa Maria built in 1902. Later was purchased by engineer Jose Lino. The tiles on this house are stunning and the ceilings are beautifully painted on wooden ceilings similar to Sintra's National Palace. You can see the servants quarters and visit the private chapel.

Did you know that blue and white were the colors of our original flag? That's right, when we had a monarchy up to 1910 we had only blue and white but after that the flag changed to green and red.

I have always had a bit of an obsession with blue and white stripes and as you see we go way back with this design here! 

When walking around Cascais you will see beautiful homes along the way that are still very well preserved. 

Below is a grocery store advertising that is selling tobacco and wine. 

If you are interested in seeing another place that I visited "The Palace of Seteais", then click HERE.

For more inspiration please follow me on Pinterest HERE and on Instagram HERE.

Go see the Tobacco Leaf Inspired print that I designed entirely by hand.

To read about my trip to Copenhagen go HERE

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed learning a little bit about this special city and visit. If you enjoyed please share with someone who might enjoy learning about Portugal or is planning a trip. Also comment, I would love to know what you think. 

I loved visiting Istanbul in Turkey so much! It seems that whatever the Europeans do, they are just a step up like if you ask for an orange juice, well you will get that plus a sprinkle of ginger on top!! 

Everywhere we went I fell in love with, so much history and character. The Tulips actually came from there originally and not Holland like it's perceived. We went in the Spring and made it such a memorable trip!

We went in April and we spent 4 nights in old town where we walked everywhere. Then another 4 nights at the other Four Seasons hotel in Bosphorus. Here you take a cab to places but we also bought the metro card and went exploring way far out into the suburbs on Istanbul. 

Below are some places that I visit and recommend you visit if you go. 

We stayed at the Four Seasons Istanbul Sultanahmet and had lunch there at the restaurant called AVLU RESTAURANT, they served Modern Anatolian cuisine. I had the Winter Salad with Baked Pumpkin, Braised Cibes Herbs, Radish, Carrot, Dark Green Leaves, Orange, Toasted Walnut and Parsley Pesto.

Such a pretty view from my room and I had beautiful fresh roses which I put on a vase. We also visited Seven Hills rooftop restaurant to enjoy the view of the town, it's all within walking distance.

Walked to old town and had dinner at Khorasani, a restaurant in the Michelin guide 2024 recommended by the concierge. For appetizer we had 3 fried Turkish potato croquettes and hummus.

The bread looked like a bubble. Ceci had the Sultan’s favorite - Marinated chopped beef served with mashed roasted aubergine served with tomatoes and green pepper. Craig has the lamb chops with a side of rice with pasta and salad.

Walked back to the hotel and saw lots of people having a picnic in the green areas. The people were given free food.

We did not waste any time, we talked to the hotel and got lots of suggestions of where to go and places to visit. We also got a tour guide for one morning to get the best suggestions and the history. 

Topkapi Palace Museum

The Topkapı Palace, or the Seraglio, is a large museum and library in the east of the Fatih district of Istanbul in Turkey, we went inside and it was filled with book shelves and beautiful tiles. From the 1460s to the completion of Dolmabahçe Palace in 1856, it served as the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire, and was the main residence of its sultans. This palace is right on the water and it's stunning so make sure you visit that palace.

After seeing this we went to visit Hagia Sophia Mosque

 Hagia Sophia, officially the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, is a mosque, a former church I went in and you could still see Jesus and Mary on the walls. It's a major cultural and historical site in Istanbul, Turkey. The last of three church buildings to be successively erected on the site by the Eastern Roman Empire, it was completed in 537 AD.

Below is the library of the Dolmabahce Palace, a stunning place to visit and a must see.

 Dolmabahçe Palace

Four Seasons in Bosphorus

The famous "Portuguese Pastel the nata" is served with a little cinnamon on top" at the hotel restaurant for breakfast.

We went to see the: Whirling Dervishes Religious Ceremony Show at the Hodjapasha - A Spiritual Journey

We found seats numbers 30 & 31 to be the best, so if you book in advance see if you can get those.

Went to the Grand Bazar saw the spice market and bought some souvenirs.

Library at the Topaki Palace.

Basilica Cisterns

The largest surviving Byzantine cistern in İstanbul, it was constructed using 336 columns, many of which were salvaged from ruined temples and feature fine carved capitals. Its symmetry and sheer grandeur of conception are breathtaking, and it's depths make a great retreat on summer days.

It's a site not to me missed!

This is a picture of the Four Seasons hotel inside the lobby. When you come in, you can have a drink, tea or whatever you wish and they have delicious sweets. 

Deraliye Ottoman Palace cuisine

We ate with our guide and had for appetizer the Mixed Appetizer Plate.

Lunch - I had the grilled octopus, my husband had the Lamb Shank served on a roasted eggplant and flavored with cinnamon and black pepper. Special dish of Ottoman Cuisine. Lamb Shank is a flavor entered to the palace cuisine after the reflection of nomadic culture

Saw the Blue Mosque and went inside.

Then walked back to the hotel and stopped at “The Curio” by Hilton and had dinner in the patio. “Green House” ( part of the Hagia Sofia Mansion).

My husband had the Beef Tenderloin and I had the Spaghetti di Mare, I love seafood.

We also had a very memorable bath at the Hurrem Sultan Hamani established in 1556. If you go to Turkey you need to experience that!

Then we went to the other Four Seasons Hotel

called "Four Season Bosphorus"

We also saw this show at night and we recommend that you go see it too, it's called Rhythm of the Dance at the Hodjapasha- A show with men and women. Our favorite was a man with a skirt.

A little about the canal: the Bosphorus strait connects the Black Sea with the Marmara Sea. It is 19 miles (30 km) long and has a maximum width of 2.3 miles (3.7 km) at the northern entrance and a minimum width of 2,450 feet (750 metres) between the Ottoman fortifications of Rumelihisarı and Anadoluhisarı.

On our last day, we enjoyed a delicious  breakfast buffet at the hotel then went to see the Modern Museum. We shopped at the Mahizer and had lunch at Insta KaraKöy. Then we spent half a day touring and saw an incredible view from the Pierre Lori Cafe. It also has a lot of art for you to see there. After that we go ready to see a Belly Dance Show on the last night we spent there.

We went to see the best belly dance show at Sultana's restaurant. It's a dinner and a show. You need to reserve a table in advance because it gets crowded fast. It's a fairy tale show with several belly dancers entertaining you during dinner and after you are done, the dancers go to the tables and dance up close, it's a lot of fun. What a great memory and experience, I highly recommend you do that.

I travel a lot and will be posting more travels here so if you plan to travel in the future or like decor, design and art, subscribe to my newsletter and follow on Pinterest and Instagram.

I got a lot of inspiration from Turkey and they have lots of tiles, tulips and a lot of designs to get inspired from. If you like blue and white, consider my Portuguese Inspired print called "Casa Bela" below. See what is available by clicking the picture. 

If you prefer a more colorful design then consider checking out this print called "Tobacco Leaf Inspired Print" very popular as well.

If you would like to see more blogs, just click below. Thank you for your support and happy Travels!

Mom visited VA Beach for the 1st time and she is loving how it’s so close to the beach just like Faro, our hometown back in Portugal! She speaks no English but smiles and that is international!

We are enjoying some afternoon tea and playing cards. I grew up in Portugal and enjoy sharing my culture and inspiration on my blog and social media. Here you can find new paintings, digital design, family recipes, and all about flowers ( moms obsession and also mine)!

Behind us you can see some fresh blooms from my garden! Diga Linda ✨ Say Beautiful is named after mom who is so proud of her beautiful name Clarinda which means Clara + Linda (Bright + Beautiful) and I infuse that light into all my designs. My sister did the crochet placemats and runner over 3 decades ago, she is a pro and mom is too!

By the way, I read recently that Portugal already has over 600 million dollars this quarter from foreigners invested in real estate, are you moving there? Our climate of over 360 sunny days in a year, delicious food and excellent hospitality everyone is very welcoming! 

Click the picture below to enjoy this screen lock. It's from a recent painting and I love sharing the beauty with you.

Want to know more about Portugal? Go HERE!

For more inspiration please follow me on Pinterest HERE and on Instagram HERE.

This print was released about 5 years ago but I updated the blog because I added the Tobacco Leaf Inspired Journal to the collection, so the release older blog continues below.

I am so excited to share with you this new print just in time for the holidays of 2020!  The original Tobacco leaf pattern was developed circa 1780. It was for export only, mostly for the Portuguese and Brazilian market. Later it was exported to Europe and North America. This pattern was considered special and very popular in the 18th and 19th century due to the nature of the design with so much meaning and also with so much color.

Milred Root Mottahedeh, founded The Mottahedeh & Company, a designer and supplier of luxury porcelain made in Italy and Portugal for the U.S. market later on, based on historical models or direct replicas, that were sold in part through luxury retailers and museum gift shops.

Her large personal collection of Chinese export porcelain for the European market, formed with her Iranian husband, Rafi Y. Mottahedeh, were loved by many. The Mottahedeh porcelain table service "Tobacco Leaf" was even used in the White House and in other government functions.

The "Tobacco Leaf" pattern, incorporates 27 underglaze and enamel colors and gilding in the original plates. This pattern is very colorful and considered the perfect fit for every home or interior. The colors in it represent joy, quality and style. Each shape is made with precision, style and it fits every interior decor, whether it's mid-century, modern, industrial, palm beach chic style, or grandmillennial style, the tobacco leaf fits it all with it's decor design sense.

I designed many items that we use daily like placemats, napkins, mug, apron and other items that we use in our home decor. Therefore it's the perfect gift for yourself or your beloved ones. You can find the entire collection HERE!

This pattern is considered as a mythological bird, phoenix is a symbol of absolute freedom. According to many legends, this is a bird that will never die because it did not eat the forbidden fruits in the Garden of Eden. The bird is a link between heaven and the Earth, it can walk, fly and swim. It is a bird that burns itself to death and emerged from the ashes, thus making itself eternal. Besides eternity, the phoenix is also a symbol of royalty. 

I hope you enjoy this new "Tobacco Leaf" Inspired Print. Click on the picture to see the collection available for sale.

"My prints are copyrighted, so if you see the Tobacco Leaf Inspired print (my version of it that I designed)  in any other place besides Diga Linda, please report it!"

Subscribe to my newsletter so you can get VIP access to specials that I have including access to the limited number of products that I release like these darling Tobacco Leaf Journals that will be restocked soon. My subscribers get these first!

😍 Thank you so much for reading and I want to invite you to subscribe to my newsletter on top of the page for the latest and the greatest news.

For more inspiration please follow me on Pinterest HERE and on Instagram HERE.

 😍 By leaving a comment, you are supporting my small business - so please leave a comment, I appreciate your time and opinion xo Ceci Mason founder and artist

 Diga Linda ✨ Say Beautiful