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Choice of Magic

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May 30, 2020

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About Me

About Me

I am Cristina - a Lisbon based Romanian writer in love with Victorian novels, comfort food and foreign lands.

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How much of the city you live in have you actually How much of the city you live in have you actually seen? It is said that we always know our home country/city least and I´ve always taken that to heart. So since I moved to Lisbon I´ve tried my best to get to know as much of the city as I could. A couple of days ago I finally visited the Estufa Fria (a tropical garden within a huge glasshouse in the middle of the city) and I could kick myself for not having been here sooner! 🌱🌸🍃⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Are there any important spots in your hometown which are still on your to visit list?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #lisbon #estufafria #estufaquente #tropical #garden #plants #tropicalgarden #flowers #pink #glasshouse #portugal #visitportugal #wanderlust #travel #instatravel #travelgram #home #portuguese #streetstyle #spring #sunny #travelblog #travelblogger #smile #camera #photographer #photography
The best breakfast toast recipe you´ll ever try! The best breakfast toast recipe you´ll ever try! Shamelessly inspired from @povesti.aromate , with a mango chutney and chilli pepper twist, here´s this week´s #homemadeMonday. Link to the recipe in bio and step by step guide in the stories. ☀️⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #homemade #seafood #foodporn #foodie #instafood #foodgram #nextbestfoodie #foodblogger #foodblog #foodphotography #foodstylingandphotography #foodstyling #romanianchef #choiceofmagic #breakfast #brunch #brunchrecipe #toast #breakfasttoast #brunchseries #prosciutto #pesto #egg #mangochutney #spicy #salty #breafastidea #brunchidea #homemadebrunch
Don´t you just love it when your friends get you Don´t you just love it when your friends get you the perfect gift? My friend Hollie got me this beautiful @magnoliatable cook book for my birthday, and I just cannot wait to start cooking some of its delish recipes! 🍳 🍝 🥘 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Now tell me: what awesome gifts have you gotten lately? 🎁 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #cookbook #magnoliatable #joannagaines #cooking #inthekitchen #cookingwithlove #foodforthesoul #cookbooks #magnoliatablecook #whatscooking #magnoliatablerecipes #footphotography #bookphotography #foodstyling #bookstagram #bokkstagrammer #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #readalong #bookstagramportugal #bookstagramromania #readingcommunity #bookloversunite #readeverywhere #bookishphoto #bookishphotography #bookloversofinstagram
What would you want for your last meal on Earth? O What would you want for your last meal on Earth? Odd question, I know, but I would reply in a heartbeat that I would want this #homemadeMonday´s dish. It´s our ultimate comfort recipe - penne alla traviata (they´re our own variation of penne all´arrabbiata with a twist). We do this dish at least once a week and seriously love it. Our recipe is in the link in bio. 🍝 🌶 🇮🇹 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #homemade #seafood #foodporn #foodie #instafood #foodgram #nextbestfoodie #foodblogger #foodblog #foodphotography #foodstylingandphotography #foodstyling #romanianchef #choiceofmagic #vegetarian #vegetarianfood #pasta #pastarecipe #penneallarrabbiata #italianfood #italian #italy #italianrecipe #italianrecipes #wine #redwine #parmesan #cheese #cheeselover
So we´re currently on the island of Madeira, and So we´re currently on the island of Madeira, and today I´m celebrating my 32nd birthday, but I´ve been meaning to post these post-op pictures here for you all to see. This was me, four days after I got surgery for my deviated septum, enjoying the first hot drink I could. This was not an aesthetic surgery and I am wearing no make up, in quite a bit of pain and a little bit of blood still dripping from my nose. A bit of a reality check, as one would say. I am better now and off to enjoy my birthday by the Atlantic ocean, while spamming you some more on my stories. #lisbon #brunch #royalrawness #portugal #visitportugal #wanderlust #travel #instatravel #travelgram #home #portuguese #streetstyle #spring #sunny #travelblog #travelblogger #smile #camera #photographer #photography #lisbonbrunch #coffee #brunchinlisbon #surgery #postop
The last of #seafoodApril ´s recipes is freshly p The last of #seafoodApril ´s recipes is freshly pressed on the blog and it´s a special #guestchefseries one from hubby´s grandma. Go check out her shrimp açorda (açorda de camarão) - a typical Portuguese dish of crushed bread with lots of garlic, olive oil and much more. You won´t regret it! 🦐⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #homemade #seafood #foodporn #foodie #instafood #foodgram #nextbestfoodie #foodblogger #foodblog #foodphotography #foodstylingandphotography #foodstyling #romanianchef #choiceofmagic #vegetarian #vegetarianfood #shrimp #açorda #portuguesefood #seafoodlover #seafoodheaven #alentejo #comidaalentejana #seafoodfeast #seafoodkitchen #seafooddishes #seafoodadventures #seafoodapril
Five Finger Challenge! Saw this awesome idea on @l Five Finger Challenge! Saw this awesome idea on @leonorestrela´s profile and I just had to do it too. Here´s how it goes. You gotta choose:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 👍🏻a book deserving of a "like" - more than a like and more of a love, really. Charles Dickens´ Great Expectations is one of my favourite books ever!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 👆🏻a book I keep recommending - I really enjoyed all of Yuval Noah Harari´s books, but Sapiens is definitely the one I keep recommending to everyone. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🖕🏻a book I didn´t like, despite the hype - I really expected to like Jack Kerouac´s on the Road but I genuinely couldn´t get to the end of it, I found it that bad.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 💍 a book whose character I´d marry - ok, this is weird because this is inspired from real events, but I would totally marry the Monk of Mokha´s hero. He´s brave and determined and passionate and I might even consider trying coffee for him.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 🤙🏻a book I promise to read asap - José Saramago´s Death with Interruptions is one I really look forward to reading and cannot believe I keep postponing.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Challenging @joanapuzzlingbooks, @epilogue.book.girl and @readingonabus to show me theirs! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #fivefingerchallenge #bookstagram #bokkstagrammer #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #readalong #bookstagramportugal #bookstagramromania #readingcommunity #bookloversunite #readeverywhere #bookishphoto #bookishphotography #bookloversofinstagram #sapiens "yuvalnoahharari #charlesdickens #greatexpectations #jackkerouac #ontheroad #josesaramago #davegeggers #themonkofmokha #fiction #nonfiction #education #tbr
Say hello to another #seafoodapril post! Intimidat Say hello to another #seafoodapril post! Intimidated by cooking fresh clams? Say no more. Click on the link in bio and head over to the blog to read how the Portuguese make clams à bulhão pato in about 15 minutes. It´s fast, simple and utterly yummy. 🐚⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #homemade #seafood #foodporn #foodie #instafood #foodgram #nextbestfoodie #magic #foodblogger #foodblog #foodphotography #foodstylingandphotography #foodstyling #romanianchef #choiceofmagic #vegetarian #vegetarianfood #clams #ameijoasabulhaopato #bulhaopato #portuguesefood #seafoodlover #seafoodheaven #seafoodlady #seafoodfeast #seafoodkitchen #seafooddishes #seafoodadventures #seafoodapril
Today I am undergoing surgery (the first one in my Today I am undergoing surgery (the first one in my life!). 🏨💉🧸 The post-op will most likely hurt like hell, so I´m leaving you here a picture with a smilier and happier version of me, a couple of days ago, in the town of Vila Real de Santo António. I also just published an article with ten postcard pictures I took earlier this week in this East side of the Algarve so go check it out on the blog! I really enjoy these types of posts - more visual, close to no text, but I wanna hear if they add value to you too. So let me know in the comments or DMs! ☀️📸🦩⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #algarve #vilarealdesantoantonio #portugal #visitportugal #wanderlust #travel #instatravel #travelgram #home #portuguese #streetstyle #camera #fujifilm #fujifilmtx20 #spring #sunny #travelblog #travelblogger #smile #camera #photographer #photography #travelphotography #algarveportugal #algarvecoast #algarvetourism #algarvelovers #algarvelife #algarvealive #visitalgarve
Our own special mussel recipe is now on the blog. Our own special mussel recipe is now on the blog. It´s the result of several iterations of the "moda Vila Franca do Campo" - the way they cook some seafood in the Açorean island of São Miguel. I used fried mussels this time, as I know not everyone here has access to fresh ones, as for the ingredients - there´s only four things you need next to the mussels. Full recipe on the blog, link in bio!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #homemade #seafood #foodporn #foodie #instafood #foodgram #nextbestfoodie #magic #foodblogger #foodblog #foodphotography #foodstylingandphotography #foodstyling #romanianchef #choiceofmagic #vegetarian #vegetarianfood #mussels #vilafrancadocampo #portuguesefood #açores #seafoodlover #seafoodheaven #seafoodlady #seafoodfeast #saomiguel #seafoodkitchen #seafooddishes #seafoodadventures
We´re currently enjoying a couple of days off on We´re currently enjoying a couple of days off on Portugal´s South coast and this is perhaps one of my favourite places in Algarve - the 1.1 km path between the Pedras d´el Rei town and the Praia do Barril. You can either take a trolley there or walk. Essentially you´re crossing a swamp and to reach the Tavira island - aka a paradise of white sand and the most beautiful shells in Portugal. How blessed am I to be living in a country where such a wonderful holiday place is just 2.5h away from where I live?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #portugal #visitportugal #tavira #taviraisland #island #portuguese #algarve #ocean #sea #pedrasdelrei #sky #clouds #instatravel #travelgram #wanderlust #travel #holiday #vacation #spring #summer #explore #adventure #nature #portugaltravel #portugallovers #portugalguide #portugaltrip #portugalgram #portugalplaces #portugalphotography
🐙 Octopus - yay or nay? I personally only start 🐙 Octopus - yay or nay? I personally only started regularly eating octopus when I moved to Portugal, and this typical Portuguese octopus salad has quickly become my favourite way of eating it. It´s served cold, has red and green peppers, onion, parsley (or even better coriander to make it really authentic) and pleeeenty of olive oil in it. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Will you give it a try? Or have you already had it?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #homemade #seafood #foodporn #foodie #instafood #foodgram #nextbestfoodie #magic #foodblogger #foodblog #foodphotography #foodstylingandphotography #foodstyling #romanianchef #choiceofmagic #vegetarian #vegetarianfood #octopus #octopussalad #portuguesefood #salad #seafoodlover #seafoodheaven #seafoodlady #seafoodfeast #seafoodsalad #seafoodkitchen #seafooddishes #seafoodadventures

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