Shopping | Red shoes and Sunnies

[english]

I know I'll soon be worried about winter items, but I'm still working on my summer wardrobe, probably because my holiday is still a month away!

Music | John Legend European Tour 2013

It’s my first time in Portugal, I hope you’ll want me back. 

 John Legend

 

[english]

As I told you in this post, not being a huge fan of John Legend sort of took the pressure off. When I went to see Beyoncé, or The Killers, I felt like I should record everything they said and did, be it with my phone or my mind. Beyoncé said herself to a fan during a concert that we’re so busy recording those moments for posterity that we forget to live in the moment. Well, in the John Legend’s concert, that was exactly what I did and he was a major help.

I didn’t know many of his songs. ‘Ordinary People’ is one of my favourite songs due to this beautiful performance in The Voice UK, but the others I knew like you know those nameless songs you mumble along on the radio. This scared me a bit at first because I tend to get bored when I can’t sing along in a concert. But no sir, no one’s getting bored on John’s watch. It didn’t matter, knowing the songs or not – he makes magic, not just music. The combination of him, the band, and the two backup singers who hypnotised me with their smooth arm and hip swings was definitely worthy of a nirvana for jazz-lovers (his dance moves were pretty good too – you know what I mean, right ladies?). Everything just seemed to flow effortlessly.

But don’t get me wrong.  Yes, the concert was relaxed, but no, you couldn’t – and wouldn’t want to - take a snooze. And even if you did, you would most certainly wake up straight away with these magic words – ‘I want a lady on stage with me tonight!’. That’s right, a very (VERY) lucky lady named Mara was handpicked by John Legend himself for a very intimate dance. Jealous much? YES!

Because I didn’t know many of the songs, I spent the entire show waiting for the one I did know, ‘Ordinary People’, having my phone ready to record – see the pressure I told you about? Every time he sat down at the piano, my heart started pounding, but then another song would come on. The initial disappointment was soon replaced by joy, calm and gratefulness for being able to witness such incredible talent, live. He really makes magic with that piano, damn. And then, when the concert was coming to an end, he really did end it – WITHOUT SINGING ORDINARY PEOPLE! I was heartbroken, but hope remained when I noticed they didn’t turn on the lights. It’s like in the cinema – you know the movie isn’t over if the lights are still off. And so, to my heart’s contentment, he came back, sat down at the piano and started playing. And then started singing. And then we started singing. And it was beautiful, he said so himself – ‘You sound beautiful’. Sorry Jazz, but I think I prefer John’s version now, thanks.

After that precious moment, he sang another song and that was it. I can only say his performance is definitely on my top 3, and I recommend his shows to everyone. Now, to reply to John’s comment – ‘It’s my first time in Portugal, I hope you’ll want me back’ – yes, we definitely want you back!

[portuguese]

 Uma semana depois, finalmente chega aqui ao blog a crítica ao concerto do John Legend que assisti em Lisboa.

Ora bem, como já tinha neste post, eu não era grande fã dele. Conhecia algumas músicas de ouvir na rádio, aqui e ali, mas definitivamente não era um artista que eu andasse a seguir para ver ao vivo. No entanto, o facto de não estar assim tão 'obcecada' com ele fez com que eu aproveitasse o concerto melhor e digo-vos - fiquei fã! Quando fui ver artistas que eu realmente ADORO, como a Beyoncé ou os The Killers, estava preocupada em gravar tudo com o meu telemóvel e tirar fotos. Com o John Legend, simplesmente assisti à sua actuação com a maior das calmas e soube mesmo bem.

O John Legend é incrível em palco. Se já gostam dele, vão delirar se o virem ao vivo. Se não gostam, vão passar a gostar. O concerto foi bastante calmo, com ele tanto a cantar com a banda e com duas vozes femininas, como ele sozinho ao piano - e devo dizer que estes momentos foram os meus preferidos.

A interacção com o público também foi de louvar. Desde dizer que é a sua primeira vez e quer voltar, a dizer que somos lindos, ele sabe como nos aumentar o ego. Mas a melhor parte foi quando ele pediu a uma - SORTUDA!! - menina para subir ao palco e dançar com ele. Que inveja...

Como já vos disse, eu não era grande fã mas há uma música que eu já adorava - Ordinary People - e comecei a gostar por causa desta actuação no programa A Voz do Reino Unido. No entanto, para minha infelicidade, ele foi-se embora sem cantar essa! Mas esperem... Ele voltou, e tamanha foi a felicidade quando o vi a sentar ao piano, completamente sozinho no palco, e começou a tocar a minha música, que afinal não era só minha porque toda a gente entrou em delírio e começou a cantar. Foi lindo, definitivamente o ponto alto do concerto, a plateia portuguesa a fazer uma serenata ao John Legend. E ele gostou: 'You sound beautiful', nas suas palavras.

Acho que dá para perceber o que eu achei do concerto, mas eu deixo aqui em preto e branco para não haver dúvidas: FANTÁSTICO! Se tiverem a oportunidade, recomendo 100%.

 

Film Friday | Field of Dreams

If you believe the impossible, the incredible can come true.

 

[english]

It's Friday and here I come with a film suggestion. This week I suggest a film more than 20 years old, that I watched at uni for one of my film modules. It's really inspiring and great if you're a sucker for happy - but not cheesy - endings.

Here's a little curiosity for you. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are in the film as extras and they're not even credited. Can you spot them?

Hope you like it and have a good weekend!

Love,

Mariana

[portuguese]

É Sexta e cá estou eu com mais uma recomendação para o vosso serão ou fim de semana. Esta semana sugiro o filme 'Campo de Sonhos', um filme mais velho que eu e que algumas de voês provavelmente. É um filme perfeito para quem gosta de finais felizes sem serem enjoativos, se é que me entendem. 

Aqui vai um pequeno detalhe para vos aguçar a curiosidade. O Ben Affleck e o Matt Damon aparecem no filme como extras e nem sequer foram mencionados nos créditos. Conseguem encontra-los?

Espero que gostem!

Beijinhos e bom fim de semana,

Mariana

Travel | Lisboa

Adorable!

Praça dos Restauradores

Estação do Rossio

Praça do Rossio

A glove shop

Santini Ice cream - mine was chocolate and raspberry!

Terreiro do Paço

The most portuguese window ever!

They don't call it city of the hills for no reason...

[english]

As promised, I bring you the pictures I took in Lisbon last weekend. I had been to Lisbon a few times before, but my trips always had a specific reason and never left me with time to properly visit the city. I can’t say I did that this time as this trip was extremely short as well, but it was a good start. I really liked the city, it’s so different from other capital cities I’ve been to. It somehow managed to keep its traditional roots and not be transformed into some modern show dog. For instance, it’s one of the last European cities where you can put your laundry in the balcony to dry! I think it’s adorable and can’t see why anyone would like to forbid that – but maybe it’s all the light and coloured houses that makes it adorable :P

More to come about the actual concert in the next few days!

Love,

Mariana

[portuguese]

Como prometido, aqui estão algumas das fotos que tirei em Lisboa! Já tinha estado lá algumas vezes mas nunca para visitar a sério… Não que esta visita tenha sido longa, mas foi um belo começo e espero voltar e ficar mais tempo! Gostei mesmo muito da cidade, acho que conserva as suas raízes tradicionais, e não se tornou numa capital despersonalizada de betão.

Ainda vem por aí um post sobre o concerto!

Beijinhos,

Mariana

Quick Update #2 | I'm back

[english]

Hello everyone,

I just got back from a lovely weekend in Lisbon with my mum and cousins. John Legend was fenomenal, but I'll tell you all about it in the next few days.

  

Today I leave you with the brand new issue of the magazine I interned at - La Vida Magazine. I contributed with a few articles - see if you can spot my name - and with a few blurbs like the introduction to Oliver Proudlock's interview.

Love,

Mariana

[portuguese]

Olá a todos(as),

Acabei de chegar de um fim-de-semana fantástico em Lisboa. O John Legend esteve mesmo bem, mas eu conto-vos tudo nos próximos dias. 

Hoje deixo-vos com a edição online da revista para a qual estagiei, é só clicar na imagem acima. Tem lá alguns artigos meus, vejam lá se os conseguem encontrar :p

Beijinhos,

Mariana

Quick Update | Off to Lisbon

[english]

Good morning everyone! 

Just to let you know that I'm off to Lisbon soon to see John Legend! It wasn't my idea, but once my cousin suggested it, I thought it would be nice to hear him live. It's in a Jazz festival as well, so I'm expecting a relaxed weekend with my mum and my two cousins. We're thinking of eating some brunch on Sunday, so I'll let you know how that goes :p

Have a good weekend!

Love, 

Mariana x

[portuguese]

Olá a todas(os)!

Só para vos dizer que daqui a pouco vou-me por a caminho de Lisboa para ir ver o John Legend! A ideia não foi minha, mas achei que seria interessante vê-lo ao vivo. Não é um daqueles artistas que eu anseio ver, e de certa forma isso tira um bocado de pressão :) 

É no EDP Cool Jazz, por isso estou à espera de um fim-de-semana relaxado com a minha mãe e as minhas primas. Estamos a pensar ir comer brunch no Domingo, por isso eu conto-vos tudo quando chegar! 

Bom fim-de-semana!

Beijinhos,

Mariana