A Portuguese Love

Zazzle's answer to my email

2012-01-27T19:58:00.001Z

Hello fellow Zazzlers!

Zazzle answered. Now I understand what the problem is - store owners claim that those links drive traffic away from their stores to the blogs or sites they link too. I just can't believe it, really. I don't get traffic from those Zazzle stores to my blog  - that happens ONLY after I placed the links because the store owners visit this blog to check it . I have Google Annalytics checking on it. If this was true I would be getting a lot of more traffic from Zazzle and I don't. After that moment I don't get any more traffic from those stores. I get traffic that comes from my store frontline because I have a call to action there - visit my blog -  but not from other stores. So i don't know what to think. Plus people can delete comments  - they get a notification the moment the link lands on their page.Are they getting so many links that this might be such a great bore to them?

Zazzle suggested that I emailed the store owners but that's too demanding. It's easy toplace the link on the comments field next to a product but not going to the store front and search for message box...Next time I'll do my showcases probably I will not let anyone know...

Here's the email I sent

Hello (XXXX)
Every time TBA's are out there's a Zazzler that postes a link to a blog on each TBA's product awarded. This happens on a DAILY basis.That Zazzler runs a blog where she promotes those products. MY BLOG is just THE SAME.
1. I invite you to check my blog and the postage that annoyed that store Zazzler owner:http://www.aportugueselove.blogspot.com/2012/01/t-shirts-to-wear-on-valentines-day.html

I removed the product I was promoting from the listing as I think this person is one who don't like us to win money from referrals and that is the main issue not the link itself.
2. I promote Zazzle products on my blog since I oppened it. When I do so I leave a link directly on the product's comments field. That link brings the creator directly to the postage where he/she can watches his/her creation. This way the store owner can check it and SAY if he likes or dislikes what I'm doing. So far NO ONE has asked me to remove any product or link. Many appreciate to know what I do and THANK ME.
3. My blog has no porn, racist or any other kind of inappropriate content.
4. I never read anywhere that to post this kind of link was a bad Zazzle practice but if it is I want to know where are Zazzle guidelines about it. I have these kind of links on my store wall too, in fact, they are all over Zazzle.
5. I regret that the user did not contact me in a polite way and had to go through you to solve this issue. What a comunity we have here, don't you think?
6. I would like to get answers on number 4.
Thank you. Never meant to do anything wrong. I love Zazzle and I like to do right all the time. I'm not a kid but I think that Zazzle owner is...
Belinha Fernandeshttp://www.zazzle.com/aportugueselove

Here's the answer:


Hi Belinha, 
While there may be Sellers who like you featuring their products and leaving comments there are many Sellers who dislike it very much. Most Sellers do not like you directing traffic away from the site. 
The outside marketing and blogs are great as long as customers go to the blog and then to their product but not to the product and get redirected to the blog. It would be best if you personally emailed Sellers if you would like to let them know that their items are being featured on your blog. 
An email would also allow those Sellers to share the link for your blog with others thus also helping the blog receive traffic. 
Thank you for your understanding.Best Regards,(XXXX)Content Management TeamZazzle Inc.

Annoying incident with Zazzle Comments

2012-01-26T20:25:00.002Z

Hello fellow Zazzlers!
As you all know, since I've started this blog I have promoted a lot of Zazzler's products in it. Every time I pick a product I post a link to the store where I found it just bellow the product in the field comments. That link brings the creator to the post where he/she can watch the product she created and all the others I have picked too. I lost track of how many times I did this. If the creator does not aprove it he/she then can tell me.

I also must say that since I started it I earned nothing with this kind of promotion. Since I started my A Portuguese Love Blog I got a unique referral revenue from my showcases here. The reason why I keep doing it is because it's fun to browse Zazzle and discover new stuff and stores get these lists done. Lately it has become more difficult to find interesting products as the marketplace is getting huge. Sometimes it takes me a lot of time to find things I really like. My referrals revenue always comes from Twitter or Squiddoo promotion not from these lists I promote here. Cookies only last a time and after that you get no referral revenue at all. So maybe it's not so wise to waste a lot of time making these listings.
Well, it seems that I've been doing wrong placing the links on the stores!One Zazzler user made a complaint to Zazzle about this procedure and Zazzle sent me a note! I wrote back to Zazzle asking if this is really a bad practice.Where are the guidelines about it?!! I got links in my wall today from a Zazzler that picked one of my products to show on Squidoo. The link is on my wall and links directly to Squidoo. I visited her and thanked her. I know that if she sells it she wins a little cash but there's something in it for me too. That's the way. What is the problem with this?

I am waiting Zazzle answer. Meanwhile I removed the product from that Zazzle user too and let him/ her know that he/she could have addressed me directly and not going through Zazzle as if I was posting a link to a racist or porn blog! I really felt bad about this and probably I'll stop this promotion thing. So why to promote if we can get this kind of reaction? Chances are that one day someone will approach me and ask me to remove the products from the blog! I know that some people just hate us to refer their products. I read about it in Facebook and just can't understand. But we must respect each other views, right?

This blog is mainly about Zazzle and less about Portuguese culture or promotion tools. Maybe it's time to re-define its orientation, who knows.

Now, take a look at this to understand why I'm so pissed...

Dear Zazzler,
Thank you for being a contributor at Zazzle!We would like for everyone at Zazzle to be a safe place where users can showcase their creativity and make some friends along the way! Unfortunately, it has come to our attention that you have been placing comments on your fellow community member’s products containing an html link to a blog.We ask that you refrain from submitting anymore html link comments specifically to the user (XXXXXXXX), or any stores associated with this user.Once again, we would like to thank you for being a contributor at Zazzle and we hope that we can resolve this matter as quickly as possible!Thanks for using Zazzle!
Best Regards,(XXXXX)Content Management TeamZazzle Inc.

T-shirts to wear on Valentine's Day

2012-01-24T12:58:00.001Z

Every February we celebrate Valentine's Day by giving flowers, candy and cards to those we love. We do this in honor of Saint Valentine. Another Valentine popular character goes by the name of Cupid (it's from the Latin cupido, "desire"). In Roman mythology Cupid is the son of Venus, goddess of love. His counterpart in Greek mythology is Eros, god of love. Cupid is kind of a mischievous boy who goes around with arrows, causing humans and even gods to fall in love...! This time I made a Zazzle search for Valentine's t-shirts. So here's a sample of what's available to offer the ones you love or to dress yourself on Valentine's Day! Unless of course you're an Anti-Valentine person! Let me know your opinion!

Love easy maths by aportugueselove
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baby's first valentine's day by sallylux
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love machine by fujianboy
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Love Happens! by aportugueselove
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love by sallylux
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Struck By Cupid’s Arrow In 1996 by LifesInk
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SUPER VALENTINE by nassosvakalis
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Lovey Whale by cky128
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Cupid in the Round by HolidayBug
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Amor with arrows by tuomasikonen
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LOVE by cky128
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I Love My Girlfriend by magarmor
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3d-snail-heart by YouveGotSnail
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Heart love tree Valentine’s custom t-shirt. by zazzleproducts1
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Love Liebe Amour in all Languages by EllesBaby
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Cute Cupid by Kakigori
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Im with Cupid by GoodToGoTees
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Sweetheart Cupcake Baby Shirt by pinkinkart
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Cute Love Me Valentines Day Devil With Heart by ClippertyClack
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Funny Valentine's Day Gift by CowPieCreek
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19 Valentine Hearts T-shirt/Apparel by lillyarts
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Baby's 1st Valentine's Day by valentinesgifts
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Mommy's Sweetheart Infant T-shirt by pinkinkart
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Octo Love by fantasian_angel
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Hearts T-shirts and Gifts by valentinetshirts
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7 Valentine Hearts Soar T-shirt/ Apparel by lillyarts
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Those Birds On Valentines DAy by candystore
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This Is Love Boy & Girl Kiss Valentines Day Design by krichard08
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Cats in Love Cute Kitty Valentine by LisaMarieDesign
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Happy Valentine's Day Hearts by hallmarkvalentines
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xoxo HEART DESIGN by SUNZUP4U
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Let's Do It by glenndesigns
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Be My Valentine by BoogieMonst
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Are you looking for Valentine's Day Gifts?

2012-01-18T11:36:00.000Z

Hello, hello! Some people hate it, some like to celebrate Valentine's Day. A Portuguese Love Store has a lot of paper goodies and gifts created to celebrate this special occasion. There's Romantic Hearts and Flowers products inspired by Portuguese Lovers Handkerchiefs tradition, there's simple and modern Red Line Valentine's because red is the color of Love, and there's Funny Valentine's - you'll find no bees at all, but trees and bats, sweet girls and wolves and clouds and plaines in this line illustrations. Does it sound strange to you? Yeah, maybe, but Love has a lot of strangeness in it, well, you know all about it! Listen to the music and enjoy the presentation! If you like anything you see, you already know where to find these products. Everything with Zazzle guarantee, of course.

http://www.zazzle.com/aportugueselove*

>>> My first sale of the new collection! <<<

Happy Valentine's Day by aportugueselove
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The new Messenger Bags by Zazzle

2012-01-17T17:01:00.001Z

Yesterday I was quite desperate. Seems like a strong word. But it's true. I was very excited about the prospect of creating new products on Zazzle. But I discovered that my old computer can not export large files anymore. I can not create Messenger Bags or the biggest of the new Sleeves available. But I really wanted to try to make some Messenger bags. The only file I could use to do it was the Portuguese Water Dog one. But it’s quite as they say - necessity is the mother of invention. I decided to use Zazzle fonts only. Just using that and Zazzle Edit Tool I created a series of bags without using my software. These bags have all been designed very quickly. For me it was a discover as I never use it that way. Initially I even made all products lettering in my software!! Later I discovered that customizable option was the way to go. But it took me some time to adapt! I really like some of the Messenger Bags I created . I might even buy one! I can say it was very fun to create all the bags. Also I got toknow all the Zazzle Fonts available and I think that will help me in creating other products... Here I leave the suggestion to you. I think it is worth exploring!

One for all and all for love Messenger Bag by aportugueselove
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Plan B Urban Messenger Bag by aportugueselove
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I'm on a CMYK mood Messenger Bag by aportugueselove
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Not Donuts Messenger Bag by aportugueselove
View other Rickshaw zero Rickshaw Messenger Bags

Gone fishing Messenger Bag by aportugueselove
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I have to agree with Zazzle:

The Rickshaw Zero Messenger Bag is perfect as a workday commuter, overnight attaché, or travel bag! Vibrantly printed with custom artwork or text on rugged polyester and designed with a unique accessories system, this bag is as customizable inside as it is outside. Handmade for you with a focus on environmental sustainability, this bag combines beautiful form, function, and a small ecological footprint. It’s Water resistant, extra durable (machine-washable); large main compartment and 2 front pockets; lightweight and forms to your bod; quick-adjust cam shoulder strap;velcro strips accessory system; holds a 13” laptop w/optional sleeve.

Postage rates are going up! Get the new postage rates for the old prices!

2012-01-17T15:45:00.000Z

It ends today on Zazzle!

Postage rates are going up! Get the new postage rates for the old prices!

Starting on January 22, 2012 consumers will have to pay a penny more to mail first class letters in the United States. The decision to increase postage rates was due to the current financial crisis faced by the postal service. The price of one single-piece First Class stamp will increase one cent to 45 cents.
Take a look at some stamps A Portuguese Love as created for you.

Blooming hearts by aportugueselove
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Two romantic hearts by aportugueselove
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Happy Valentine's Day! by aportugueselove
Begin selling my art online at zazzle.

Happy Valentine's Day! by aportugueselove
make your own stamp using zazzle.com

Easy Love Maths by aportugueselove
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A big heart full og love by aportugueselove
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Portuguese Water Dog stamp by aportugueselove
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Zazzle Maintenance!

2012-01-16T17:16:00.000Z

First time I ever logged to Zazzle site and got this warning at Zazzle! Zazzle guys have been busy! I just love the new products they come up with - the Messenger Bags and Sleeves! Unfortunatly my computer does not seem to share my will to create new stuff. I am no longer able to export vector files if they are bigger than usual. I've been saving to buy a new PC for a while and I have half the money already. Been asking everybody if I should buy a new PC or a MAC. I'm familiar with both but when I worked in a MAC it wasn't mine. I think it's easier to operate but I don't have a complete opinion about it. I'm inclined to MAC but it's more expensive. This old one I have has been a great machine but now it's obsolet...

Woman that keeps 80 stray dogs needs help

2012-01-14T19:26:00.000Z

Newspaper cover Correio da Manhã watch it here.
Television cover RTP1 watch it here.

People call her Mother Theresa of the Dogs but her name is Maria José. This lady is 67 years old and she is retired now. She lives at Pinhal Novo and she keeps 80 dogs and 20 cats. Some can be adopted, other does not because they are sick or too old for that. The lady and the animals are facing an eviction from the house they inhabit, for nonpayment of rent. The landlord threatened to pull the gates of the land where they are and cut water and electricity to Maria José. She feared that if things come to that animals will escape and eventually die or be injured. No one wants this animals in the streets again or dead by city hall services. A group was born in Facebook to help the lady and the animals. She has already a place for herself. The group focus is on the animals she has been helping for some years now.
How can you help?

PROMOTING this postage to your Facebook, Twitter, email friends. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!
PROVIDING to Maria José´s needs:

- Send money for tools and construction materials;
- Send construction materials to build fences and shelter for dogs;
- Send food for cats and dogs (as the money is being channeled to the new site)
- Send money to pay the vet bills that is now of 3000 euros! (the money is being channeled to the new site)
- Adopt one of her dogs or cats!
- She also needs people to work at voluntary level in the construction;

If you would like to make a money transfer, check the follwing:

Account name - Maria José Cautela
Bank name - Banco Montepio
NIB:0036 0027 9910 0121 5760 4
IBAN: PT50 0036 0027 9910 0121 5760 4
BIC: MPIO PTPL
If you sent any money, please scan and send proof to suzyccf@hotmail.com with Os amigos da Teti for message title so she can mention you on donations listing.
If you would like to sent food for the animals, check the following:

Address:

Maria José Cautela
Apartado 11
2955-909 Pinhal Novo

If you would like to speak to her, - I don't know if she knows english - to visit her animals:
Maria José mobile phone number : 914 728 234
This information can be found on Facebook Os amigos da Teté Group

Meet Fudge, my new partner in business!

2012-01-13T16:23:00.004Z

This is a "Thank you" postage! I want to thank Sue and Fudge. Fudge is a Portuguese Water Dog and Sue owns him. They live at the Missouri state. You can meet Fudge and read about his adventures at his blog called The Portuguese Water Blog. He's not alone in the house as he has more 7 companions of his breed to play. There's a great photo of them right at the blog's heather.
I've been upadating some sections of my store since Zazzle launched their new tagging policy.It has been a boring task and I really don't know if there will be positive results for products searching out of it. But now it's almost done. Fortunately I don't have a big store. Even so I had to re-tag a lot and meanwhile I decided to upadate old products that I think to have some selling potencial and even to create some new ones.
I wanted a Portuguese Water Dog photo so I could create some more products that buyers could customize uploading their own dogs photo in it. I live in Portugal but I don't know anyone who owns one of these dogs. And I just don't steal photos from the internet. I don't subscribe to that. So I Googled and Fudge's blog showed up. I wrote a comment there asking for help and soon after I got Fudge's photo on my email box. I think Fudge it's perfect. He's beautiful and looks curious. Fudge looks like he's preparing to bark! I'm so fond of animals and due to my current life style I can't have one. I call it life style but in fact it hasn't much style. I can't find a steady job and I just don't know where I'll be the next day. So I can't take the responsability of raising an animal. Animals also need security. So I help animals that need help, stray cats and dogs and people that hold shelters for them. And I do pet sitting for my sister's shar pei dog. I think that every family should have an animal in the house so children can grow up admiring and respecting animals. Most people live an entire life and the only animals they get to watch are sparrows or pigeons... In a certain way I envy my gandmother's life. She had a tough life because she worked in the fields for many years. But she had a natural understanding about the true meaning of life and nature and need no campaingns to understand animals rights.

To know more about the Portuguese Water Dog, read this short text and follow the links. And here's some new Portuguese Water Dog products with Fudge! Stripes have Portuguese National flag colors - green, yellow and red!

1. A tote bag that you can hang with your dog's shampoo or medicines anywhere! 2. A keychain where you can put your dog ID and name! 3. A notebook to write down those special stories about your dog!4. A gift box! 5. A greating card you can send to that friend that just loves dogs!

More Portuguese Water Dog products on the store, of course. And more to come in the future. Aufff! (I hope Fudge likes it!)

Portuguese Water Dog Bag by aportugueselove
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Portuguese Water Dog Keychain by aportugueselove
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Portuguese Water Dog by aportugueselove
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Portuguese Water Dog by aportugueselove
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Portuguese Water Dog Card by aportugueselove
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Love Rrring - Today's Best Award at Zazzle's!

2012-01-08T22:02:00.002Z

The Love Telephone by aportugueselove

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Zazzle team liked this proposal of a Valentine's Day necklace. I had a telephone like this one until I went to college. It wasn't white, it was black. I spent hours talking over that phone back in the time when there was no such thing as mobile phones! The Love Telephone Necklace is a cute Valentine gift for those sweethearts who spent hours talking sweet over the phone! You can change the text, of course, with Zazzle edit tool and write your own sweet words of Love!

Help Inter Care Medical Aid with used stamps!

2012-01-03T14:37:00.003Z

That's right! My irish friend Rosetta Jallow just posted an apeal in Facebook for Inter Care Medical Aid initiative of collecting stamps. These are then used it to help African people. It was the first time I heard about the reused stamps use for this puropose. Hence most people probably got at least some Christmas and New Years greeting cards I think it's the ideal time topromote this idea! Inter Care collects used stamps which are then sold online to stamp collectors around the world. All you need to do is to cut stamps out from envelopes you receive. Let some paper around the stamp, at least 1cm ( 0.3937 inches). Then, when you have a few, send them to the address below. It's an inexpensive way to help AFRICA. I will send some portuguese stamps.

Go to INTER CARE MEDICAL AID to know this organization and their awesome work against poverty in Africa.
Inter Care
46 The Halfcroft
Syston
Leicester
LE7 1LD

What's your New Year Resolution?

2012-01-02T11:40:00.001Z

Having trouble? Why don't you just click

http://www.whatthefuckismynewyearresolution.com/

and have fun!

1000 mini fireworks Guiness Record

2012-01-02T11:34:00.002Z

On New Year's Eve some minutes before midnight 1000 mini fireworks were lit in order to achieve a Guiness World Record for Figueira da Foz. We made it!

Coming in 2012...

2012-01-01T22:19:00.002Z

Folks, just look what I found at Zazzle Forum!

"Zazzle, the leading innovator in product customization and co-creator of the world’s first 100% customizable shoe is changing the shoe game again. Coming in 2012, we’re launching the next generation of completely custom shoe styles with new silhouettes, features, and styles. Want to be the first to know about how to create your very own shoe brand on Zazzle?"

Let's dance on the first day of 2012

2012-01-01T13:18:00.001Z

I just wish you could understand Portuguese language so you could understand and admire the beauty of the lyrics of this record. Not easy to translate, sometimes I do it for you but I don't think I can this time! But you can enjoy the great music. It's called Em busca das montanhas azuis - Searching for the blue mountains - and the name of the singer is Fausto. His inspiration has always been Portuguese history and very much one book called Pilgrimage. This book was written by Portuguese writer and explorer Fernão Mendes Pinto. Pilgrimage is Pinto's memoir of 20 years of travel back in XVI century. He went as far as the middle and far east, Ethiopia, China, India and Japan. He claimed to have been among the first group of Europeans to visit Japan. He wasn't an enthusiast of colonialism. He wrote that he was thirteen times made captive and seventeen times sold. It's hard to believe all he wrote!He got famous to be a bit of a liar himself or at least for a vivid imagination! So, Fausto writes and sings about portuguese travels and discoveries and the bonds between Portuguese and local populations of those regions. Amazing musician and writer, I wish Santa gave this gift to me last Christmas! Enjoy and dance!

In 2012 visit Guimarães and discover Portuguese Culture

2011-12-29T14:26:00.001Z

"Guimarães is a unique and special city! It is distinguished by its heritage, its inspiring landscape, its entrepreneurial capacity, its sense of belonging and the dynamism if its inhabitants.

The origin of the city of Guimarães goes back to the tenth century since it was here, in 1128, that the Portuguese nation was founded and D. Afonso Henriques was recognised as the first king of Portugal.(...)

Come and get to know our unique region where customs and traditions from the past live alongside innovation and progress. There are infinite possibilities, from adventure to relaxation through to cultural pursuits, waiting to greet the visitor who chooses this authentic destination. For further information please consult the pages Guimarães Tourism and Porto and The North of Portugal."

More: go to GUIMARÃES 2012

A TBA for Blooming Hearts stamp!

2011-12-28T21:58:00.000Z

Blooming hearts by aportugueselove

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«Love handkerchiefs» are a very old Portuguese tradition. Hearts, flowers, birds and small love poems were embroidered in handkerchiefs that girls gave to sweethearts. My hearts and flowers cute stamps are inspired by these traditional Portuguese designs of Lovers Handkerchiefs!It's ideal to celebrate love on every occasion, any time!For a special anniversary or for Valentine's Day. For your girlfriend or boyfriend, for your wife and husband, for your partner. These stamps are just for those who wants to celebrate love the oldfashioned way - writting a letter, sending a card!It's still a romantic aproach and very special way to celebrate love hence everyone is using emails and sms! Thank you Zazzle for this TBA!

Animation Merry Christmas - Christmas lights in Oporto!

2011-12-27T14:11:00.000Z

A short animation video - Christmas lights at Oporto streets. Awesome!

What did Portuguese watch, read and listen too in 2011?

2011-12-27T10:50:00.001Z

The Portuguese movie with more viewers in 2011 was Sangue do meu sangue/ Blood of my blood, directed by João Canijo. I just heard it on the radio, so, no source!

Foreign movie that took most Portuguese to the theatres in 2011 was Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Source here

Foreign book with more sales in Portugal over 2011 was Heaven is for real - O céu existe mesmo, Todd Burpo Source here

"A young boy emerges from life-saving surgery with remarkable stories of his visit to heaven.Heaven Is for Real is the true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives and begins talking about being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn't know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear." in Amazon

Portuguese book with more sales in 2011:

O Último Segredo de José Rodrigues dos Santos

José Rodrigues dos Santos wrote the portuguese language best-seller of 2011. He is the bestselling novelist in Portugal. His overall sales are above one million books. José is also a journalist and a university lecturer. He works for Portuguese public television. As a reporter he has covered wars around the globe. He has been awarded three times by CNN for his reporting and twice by the Portuguese Press Club. This book, The last secret, got bad reviews from the portuguese church.

Foreign CD that's leading sales on 51st week of the year:
Amy Winehouse - The lioness/ Hidden treasures
Source here

Portuguese CD that's leading sales on 51st week of the year:

Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright.

2011-12-26T19:17:00.000Z

Beautiful photo from the Iberian Peninsula at night, December 26th! The city lights of Spain and Portugal define the Iberian Peninsula in this photograph from the International Space Station (ISS). Lovely.

Credits to EARTH OBSERVATORY, NASA.

Christmas food! Prepare Fake Scallops!

2011-12-25T16:57:00.000Z

One has to be grateful for good food on the table. Yes, food is a great way to celebrate life and not only in Christmas. I am not a good fork but I like to try everything. Fish dishes is what I prefer. I love all kinds of sea food. If I can't afford the real thing I try another option. These aren't the real ones. They are fake scallops ideal for party starters, very easy to do - again, don't come here for sophisticated food, I am not a cook! But if it lives on the sea I will cook it because I will certainly like it! You can prepare these with any kind of fish or sea food.What to you need?

Ingredients for 5 shells
A bag of peeled shrimp - you can buy it fresh and boil it and then remove peels. But it's more work around the kitchen!
1 bag of Delícias do Mar - it's crab assembled in little rectangular pieces. Again you can use fresh crab for better results or any other sea food you like.
1 small can of mushrooms

Garlic, parsley, q.b.

For the béchamel sauce

25 gr of flower

25 gr of butter

300 ml of milk

half onion

2 bay leaves

3 cloves

salt, pepper, nutmeg

How to prepare the béchamel sauce:

Bring the milk to boil in a saucepan. Remove from the eat and drop the onion and cloves and bay leaves. Stick the cloves through the bay leaves into the onion. This way you can remove it easily when it's not needed anymore. Let it cool down for 5 minutes.

Melt the butter on a saucepan. Add the flower. Stir this for 2 minutes in low eat and then remove it from the flames.

Add the milk. Careful now: it must boil but you must stir all the time or it will burn. Once it boils you low the flames and watch it gets consistent. Keep stiring. Drop the pepper, salt and nutmeg. Stir a bit more and its ready.

How to prepare the fake shells:

When the sauce is made, add to it the peeled shrimps, the mushrooms and the crab that you previously have mixed with garlic and parsley and put aside to rest.

Then fill the shells, sprinkle with breadcrumbs and get the shells on the oven so it get some color. It's done and it's always a success!

These are porc lambchops with roasted potatoes with peel in the oven. Wash the potatoes very well. Use a brush. Dry it and then make some tiny holes in it with a fork. Put a drop of olive oil on top of each one. (You can skip these two details if you want.) Put it in the oven for 45 minutes at 200º.Turn it after 20 minutes. With a wooden spoon pressure on top of one potatoe to check if it's already roasted because it depends on potatoe size, temperature, etc. The lambchops were cooked in a saucepan, slowly, before going into the oven for some strong heat on the top of the roasted potatoes. No secrets to it.

And this is one of my favorite rice recipes - it has pinenuts and raisins. Also very easy to prepare. Just pay attention that raisins should go into the saucepan just when you add the rice to the water and not at the beggining, with the onion.

Red and White wine from Setúbal region. Really, folks, I never enjoyed Coca-Cola or any kind of soda drinks. Natural fruit juices and wine and beer for me, please.

More about these Portuguese wines - Quinta da Bacalhôa Winnery

King Cake or Bolo Rei is our Christmas traditional cake. It's a wreath like fruit cake laced with crystallized fruits and pinenuts. When I was a child there was a tiny present inside the cake and a broadbean. Now there's just a broadbean. The person who finds the broadbean in one slice will pay the next "King Cake"!!(This one I did not make!)

Sweet Rice and Christmas trees!

2011-12-24T19:25:00.001Z

Just finished some Sweet Rice and took a photo to show you. There it is with a big cup of black coffee! The rice isn't that yellow but I guess my mobile phone camera can't do better than that! Couldn't wait for dinner because I like to eat it while it's still hot! It's very sweet and has a lemon flavour. I posted the recipe bellow if you're curious and ever want to cook it one of these days! Very easy to prepare, see, I do not like the kitchen space very much...!

Yesterday I went to local mall to buy the rice to make the Sweet Rice - and a last minute gift, that's right, there was on still missing - and there was this display of Christmas Trees decorated by local kindergarden children. Very cute!

How to prepare Sweet Rice? Check it righ >> here! <<

Zazzle made Top10 Best Positioned Online Retailers

2011-12-24T18:02:00.000Z

Guess who made the Top10 list os Retailers best positioned to suceed online this holiday season? Zazzle did! Market statistics show 80 percent of all online adults use search engines to find products and more than 70 percent of online adults buy products and services using a search engines. Check more about it on Conductor.

Friday 4 hour Sale!

2011-12-23T15:29:00.000Z

Are you ready for all of the exciting events in the upcoming year? Starting right now, you have exactly four hours to save 50% on 4 Christmas "C"s: calendars, cards, cases, and, uh... "keychains" from Zazzle. To help you I made a small selection of Calendars because I know you need one!Use code: FFHSDECEMBER

Funny Animal Paintings 2012 Calender by paintingmaniac
View more Artsprojekt Calendars

2012 Everyday Lives of Animals by TNMgraphics
Begin selling my art online at zazzle.

English Bulldog Puppies 2012 Calendar by time2see
See other calendars 2011 designs.

Purrfect Eyes! 2012 Cat Calendar by CuteCats
See other Cat Calendars

Grilled: Classic Car Grills 2012 by image_americana
More Classic car Calendars

The 2012 Holly Cow and Friends Calendar by dradcliffe
Learn ways to make money as an artist on Zazzle.

Beautiful anime chibi girls Calendar 2012 by daothuyduong
View other 2012 Calendars

Cuddly Kittens by lucindawind
Make promotional calendars at zazzle

2012 Fantasy Art Calendar by Molly Harrison by robmolily
Browse For teens Calendars

Fine Art Masterpiece Paintings Calendar by fineartflowers
View more Fine Calendars

Landscape Paintings Calendar by Mozaix
Browse other Fine Calendars

Michael Creese Art Calendar by Mozaix
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