Recent Posts

My Little Happy Place

My Little Happy Place

Return To Blog Listing

Get a fresh take on decorating from a design-loving Mom who has recently been transplanted to Brazil!

Search This Blog's Tags For:

Recent Posts Tagged With 'Brazil'

  • Mad Cow Disease

    Posted on Wednesday December 2nd, 2009 at 11:18 in inspiration, Brazil, accessories, casa giese

    Ever since we returned from Rio, I've had cowhide rugs on the brain in a big way. Remember, I saw this vendor at the Ipanema Hippie Fair?You know when you pass on buying something you really like and want, and it haunts you? That's me.In my defense...

  • Rio Recap

    Posted on Wednesday November 25th, 2009 at 15:49 in travel, Brazil

    Just a quick recap of last weekend's trip to Rio before we all bug out for lots of food, family, and football! (I know I promised a full reveal of Avery's room, but let's hold that thought until next week, 'kay?)Ben had work to tend to this week in ...

  • My so-called Fabulous life

    Posted on Monday November 9th, 2009 at 03:33 in Brazil, Good Causes

    There have been several occasions when I've explained to someone that we are members of the Diplomatic Corp here in Brazil, and the response is always, "Oh! How exciting, how glamorous!"Just so there's no confusion: our life down here is interesting...

  • Sunday Dinner

    Posted on Sunday October 25th, 2009 at 19:29 in food, Brazil, casa giese

    For Starters: Arugula - fresh from the garden. Olive oil. Lemon Juice. Shaved Parmesan. Fresh-ground salt and pepper. Bon Appétit...

  • You can\'t always get what you want...

    Posted on Friday October 23rd, 2009 at 11:26 in travel, holidays, Brazil

    ...But, sometimes, you get what you NEED! (one of my fave Stones' songs, by the way...)I would argue that it is as much a need as a want to be with all my family this Thanksgiving - stuffing myself silly, seeing Avery giggle while grandparents, aunts...

  • Living like The Natives

    Posted on Monday October 19th, 2009 at 06:58 in family, food, Brazil

    Whenever we can't make a decision whether we want to cook or go out, chances are we end up here......one of our favorite food haunts. The interior is lively - typical Brazil...but we prefer the ambiance of the back...There are any number of "natural...

  • Weekend Adventure

    Posted on Monday September 7th, 2009 at 11:29 in Brazil, Good Causes, this 'n that

    Saturday, we took Avery out to a nearby Jaguar Preserve with a group from the Embassy. We had heard wonderful things about the place, despite the somewhat treacherous drive required to get there. The Preserve prides itself on providing a natural pl...

  • Monday Calgon Moment

    Posted on Monday August 3rd, 2009 at 04:00 in Brazil, too good not to post

    Yesterday, we met some friends and their kiddos at a new restaurant we'd heard is good. It's located in a waterfront park named Pontão, where many people go to eat, let their kids play, and just enjoy the outdoors.We had a feeling the place might b...

  • Arte Brasil

    Posted on Tuesday July 14th, 2009 at 04:00 in art, Brazil

    When you live in a house full of large, white walls, the emphasis and desire for art hits a critical point. While Ben and I hardly consider ourselves art "collectors," we do try to pick up some sort of art from each place of travel - a wonderful way...

  • Catching Up

    Posted on Tuesday May 26th, 2009 at 09:26 in Photography, Brazil, gratitude, this 'n that

    Can I just say that MLHP readers are Da Bomb (does anybody say "da bomb," anymore?) I don't care; all I know is that Y'all are the sweetest, most warm-hearted, and Real Life style-minded people I've never met! ;) Your comments to Friday's post kept...

  • São Paulo Recap

    Posted on Friday May 1st, 2009 at 04:00 in travel, Brazil

    Will get to the SP visuals here in a sec, but first I need to address the rumors surrounding the death of Design Dilemma Fridays... Yes, it was originally my hope to work through a DD for every Friday, but then I realized just how much darn ownershi...

  • Happy Little Surprises

    Posted on Monday April 6th, 2009 at 07:17 in Brazil, Projects, little happies, casa giese

    Don't you just love it when you stumble upon a happy, little surprise?Yesterday, we headed out to the TV Tower for some leisurely Sunday shopping. The TV Tower is a "must see" for many people who visit Brasilia. I'm not real jazzed about going up ...

  • It's a Dog's Blog's Life

    Posted on Monday March 30th, 2009 at 06:39 in Brazil, furniture, musings, casa giese

    Yesterday when we were out-and-about, we drove up alongside this...I'm so impressed Ben was able to snag this shot in a moving vehicle - with a point-and-shoot no less! I doubt I would've been able to do it with my fancy-schmancy DSLR! I think it g...

  • Spring, from upside-down

    Posted on Monday March 23rd, 2009 at 10:45 in Brazil, landscapes

    In case you missed it on your calendar, the seasons officially changed from Winter to Spring on Saturday. Down here, below the Equator, our seasons are opposite. Despite the Brazilians calling any rainy months "winter," we are actually moving into ...

  • Lazy Saturday Musings

    Posted on Saturday March 7th, 2009 at 17:26 in family, Brazil, fabric, Projects, this 'n that, casa giese

    I don't typically post on weekends...something about spending too much time on the computer and "does-that-make-me-a-bad-wife & mother?" guilt-trips....But Ben is traveling for work, so my post-kiddo's bedtime hours are a mix of surfing and half-...

  • From the Inners of the Earth

    Posted on Wednesday March 4th, 2009 at 04:00 in trends, Brazil, accessories

    The quest to keep design interesting and fresh is, I imagine, one of the keenest challenges for a designer. With the relative access to design for mere mortals like myself, The Stylemakers are constantly looking for the next "it" thing - strategizin...

  • The Big Reveal

    Posted on Monday March 2nd, 2009 at 06:12 in DIY, Brazil, furniture, Projects, before and afters, casa giese

    Isn't that what they call it on those 30-minute redo shows on HGTV? Let me just provide a tad of perspective, because I'm afraid I generated a lot of buzz for what may amount to not much of anything...The bedroom certainly looks different, fresher -...

  • Blogger's Block?

    Posted on Tuesday February 24th, 2009 at 05:00 in Brazil, this 'n that

    You'll be delighted (and maybe a little envious) to know that in Brazil, there is a three-day national holiday for the festival of Carnaval. Tacked on to the weekend, its a nice mini-vacay - all in the name of one, giant party. Since my hubby, Ben, ...

  • Java Reverie

    Posted on Monday January 26th, 2009 at 04:00 in food, Brazil, wishlist, kgj

    As I attempted to pull my brain out of the fog this morning, my thoughts turned to the benefits of very. good. coffee. Admittedly, I've been as much a tea as java girl these days, but today, my visions turn to The Ultimate Cup.When we moved to North...

  • Weekend fit for a Design Junkie Queen

    Posted on Tuesday December 9th, 2008 at 07:19 in travel, Brazil, Projects

    Oooh-weee - I couldn't wait to get back to you, dear blogaronies!! Our long weekend in Rio was wonderful!! We were hosted by our friends Alex and Anelisa Liboneti de Abreu. They have the most beautiful home that they designed and built a few year...

  • Let's hear those sleigh bells jinglin'....

    Posted on Monday December 1st, 2008 at 06:16 in holidays, Brazil, Projects, little happies

    That's one of my favorite carols...and since today is December 1st, it's officially Christmas season at Casa Giese! Ben put on the 'ol Dean Martin this morning, and Avery did her little jig - it was too great! Thanksgiving Weekend Re-Cap: We had a ...

  • Holiday Musings....and Brazilian Sense of Fashion

    Posted on Monday November 24th, 2008 at 10:06 in holidays, fashion, Brazil, this 'n that

    Happy Monday, ya'll! I'm giddy about the short work week, and I don't even "go to the office!" I know many of you must be looking forward to spending time with family and friends, eating too much, watching your favorite football teams, and generally ...