I found this unique Portuguese shop, A Vida Portuguesa browsing this blog, and instantly fall in love with it and its products. I can not resist, traditional old packaging, products, paper goods and toys. So looking at their online version of the shop I found myself wanted to go back in time, so I could pop in to this old shops and get a full basket of goodies.

I want one of this...

I have been saving for one of this string pocket shelving for a while, just need another £100 to go haha...I might have to wait another year...umm, I better hurry up as I would love to use it to decorate my next stand. Don't know if to get a vintage one in 3 colors, red, yellow and blue, (which I recently saw in a big Victorian warehouse full of amazing furniture and all sort of objects, in Crystal palace), or a new one, the yellow is my favorite so far.

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Preparing for 100% Design fair in London

As many of you know, in a couple of weeks, I will be launching chocolate creative at 100% Design fair. What I mean by launching, I mean having a presence in a major show for the first time since I started the company back in 2008. Up to now, chocolate creative have been selling, mainly online, in small independent shops in the UK and Europe and at some craft fairs/markets and small design shows. So being at one of the most important and relevant design fairs in the country as part of the London Design Festival, makes me very happy but, I would lie if I say that I am not terrified at the same time. I admire British people in a way for always being so correct/diplomatic and keeping their fears, self doubts and negative comments for themselves. I try very hard to copy some of that, but me being Spanish from head to toe can not help but express what is really happening in my heart and mind right now. I sometimes being advised of not saying the true/complain when it comes to having bad experiences at certain shows, where I have spent 4 days of my life to make £50, or freeze to death in a Xmas market where people won't even look at the products. But hey I am way to honest not to mention it in here, we all have up and downs, good and bad experiences, and that is what makes this life worth living and fight for our dreams and goals.

So with a few weeks to go before the show start, with my house/studio being a total mess, and my work in process, can not help but feel overwhelmed with doubts and fear, but lucky and appreciative of the opportunity I have created for myself to work on something I am totally passionate about and have the supportive network of amazing friends who are going through similar experiences and family who is always there for me, and now boyfriend who not only makes me very happy but has helped to develop the new product, the wooden hooks/knobs. So I leave you with some photos of my messy desk and house, it makes laugh to show these photos, (clean laundry on top of the recent painted piece, tools spread all over, paper work to deal with, etc...) as I always make sure that my house appears clean, tidy and very styled haha...here you have the true and honest picture of chocolate creative headquarter!!

By the way if you are in London this weekend do not miss the craft tail as part of the Thames festival, along Southbank, my friends from the crafty pint would be there among other amazing designers/makers.