I'm Inês, mother of a little dinosaur and wife of Nuno. I've lived in Florence, London, Milan, and Paris – but Lisbon called to me the strongest. Today I'm a partner in Torres Novas , the oldest textile brand in Portugal, which I relaunched with my husband and our friend Miguel. I think about the beautiful things, and they take care of the gray things 😊 I'm a woman of faith, very observant, I hear through walls, and I like to be in the know about everything. I appreciate the beauty of small details and minor imperfections, and I really like (need) silence. I'm happy on a cold, sunny day, walking by the sea or river with a good snack.
TO BE
Zodiac sign: monkey (I don't believe in astrology)
Season: Autumn
One color: leopard print
A book: Quiet , by Susan Cain. It explains what it really means to be introverted, extroverted, or ambiverted (me!). I started to see and understand people in a different way.
A movie: Monsters Inc.
A song: "Ao Teu Ouvido " by Buba Espinho featuring Bárbara Tinoco. My 6-year-old son loves listening to it on repeat; it's so sweet to hear him humming along.
A podcast: Sapateado , by Zilian, which I've already participated in. I really enjoy discovering how other Portuguese brands work and learning from their experiences.
An object : my rosary, which I always carry with me.
Favorite place in the world: by the river.
TO CREATE
Who and what inspires you? I'm very observant and I really enjoy people-watching. I let myself be inspired by the people I see on the street, both acquaintances and strangers, by nature, by talent, and by other people's art.
What else do you need to create? Among many things, a children's book about adoption and a home for our family, with a view of the greenery.
How to maintain creativity? Find time to walk, think, relax, without any concrete goal, just because.
TO LIVE
First thing to do when you wake up: Check the weather.
How to relax at the end of the day: At home, sitting on the floor chatting and patting my rabbit Mimi.
A place to switch off : at my mother's house in the countryside, in Ponte de Lima.
Favorite physical exercise: I'm not very into physical exercise, but I really enjoy walking.
How do I relieve stress: by eating lunch or dinner out. I live to eat.
A woman who inspires me: I have several friends who are mothers of large families who inspire me. They are incredible women, mothers, friends, and professionals. They manage to stay balanced and happy – I have so much to learn from them!
Nourish
My ideal diet is… Always meat-free and, since recently, anti-inflammatory. I'm still getting used to it and I cheat every now and then.
What you always have in the fridge: hummus and boiled eggs.
Dinner-saving recipe: Di's Smoked Salmon Salad: a mix of lettuce, smoked salmon, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and avocado, all seasoned with salt, pepper, and plenty of lemon juice.
Favorite drink: Sparkling water. We have a machine at home and we're addicted. But I also love a good glass of prosecco or a Moscow Mule, little pleasures I gained when we lived in Milan.
Favorite snack: popcorn. Sweet and salty mixed together, obviously.
Favorite restaurants: Tasca da Esquina for the tuna and Casanova for the pizzas.
Favorite cookbooks: mine, in which I record recipes from my mother, my friends, or that I find online.
TO CARE
Beauty icon: I don't have one.
An essential piece of clothing: A good pair of 100% cotton pajamas with a cool print – so you can stay in your pajamas, but look good.
What's always present in her beauty routine : eye cream and face cream.
Favorite MPL'beauty product: Pedicure Kit , for use with the Torres Novas bath mat.
When do you feel most beautiful? When I'm happy.
