Category: Inspiration

BEHIND THE SCENES OF SUN SAND SALT

20/2/2018

WHEN WORKING IN THE SALON / LIVING ROOM

I think 60% of all working time, I am in this area of the house. The salon / living room of our
small house on a hill, in the corner of the room, at the stunning wooden dining table, surrounded
with Buddha's, books, collectibles, shells, our dogs and a fantastic view over the hills of the Garraf.
This is where Sun Sand Salt is growing, improving and working creative on all the Beach life products
and the multi cultural gifts which we are selling.

It is a good energy space and there is always one (or all) of the three big dogs close to me, at my feet.
The winner is most of the time Kira, our adopted Saint Bernard, who is more or less my shadow
(see photo).

WHEN WORKING IN THE OFFICE & STORAGE

Our house exists of two floors with two different areas and entrances. The upper floor is our living space
and the lower floor is a huge terrace, a bathroom, the summer kitchen and my office / storage.

Actually, below this floor is another one, the bodega and I have to be honest, I am expanding my
space, as I am bringing more and more things to the bodega area (like market tent, table, curtain sticks,
trolley, baskets etc.)

The office / storage space slowly starts to be too small for all the things I am selling and keeping in stock.
But it is a nice and comfortable area, with entrance to a fantastic terrace, where I can have a break in a
hammock (yes, the ones we are selling of Piece of Mind Ibiza) and enjoy the view.

WHEN WORKING AT MARKETS

There is of course a front of the stall, but also a "behind the stall". The front has to look attractive and
appealing, has to show people interesting things. The back is normally a little messy and bomb explosion.
All the empty boxes and extra stock, plastic sheets for when it rains etc.are stowed under the table and
around my chairs.

And at the end of the day, the wine glasses start to show up, as there is always someone coming to
visit me, to have a chat behind the table.
Or the market ladies go around with their lovely warm mulled wine!

OTHER WORK RELATED WORKING SPACES,
LIKE THE POST OFFICE, MY CAR, THE BEACH!

When I am not working from home, I am on my way to bring away orders to customers or post office,
do I buy materials and supplies at whole sale places, do I join meetings and very important..........will
I be walking on the beach for my daily disconnection, dog walks and SUN SAND SALT inspiration!!!!

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SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

11/11/2017

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BEING SELF EMPLOYED - SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

Sometimes I compare people who start with their own business, with these little sea turtles crawling
on the beach, trying to make it to the sea, facing all the dangers and predators around them,
but just going in one direction!
And not many are making it.

I have a lot of respect for everybody who tries to make it in this harsh world of big companies,
internet overload of information, offers and temptations, quick shopping, quick decisions, quick
payments and quick deliveries (and many times also the quick returns).
I understand that I am part of it too, with my web-shop, but I prefer to see myself as a different
entrepreneur. My web-shop functions more as my catalog, the "window" for my business.
But the real fun is selling directly to people, interact with people, share stories with people,
to see how they are interested in something, and come back!

It is my choice to be less commercial, to not go for big money, it is my choice to buy things
from special projects or businesses, where the quality is maybe not high standard, but where you
can feel love and care in a product, or the originality of it.
And sometimes the product is not good at all, but I have been helping them, that is already good.
It is my choice to give away a lot to charities and to help with donations.
And I consider myself as one of the baby turtles who was running on the beach AND I made
it to the sea - my little business is still there - and the dangers are not gone.

But the feeling of freedom and swimming and floating in that endless sea, is also a great feeling!
Happy with my chosen slow business in this fast and commercial world!

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ABOUT LIFE IN ALL ITS COLORS

28/9/2017

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THE COLOUR GREEN OF THAI GREEN CURRY

No, I am not a "foodie", I will not start blogging about food or recipes, but yes, here and there I might post a dish or recipe, as it is connected to my inspiration, my love for food, my love for other cultures and countries, my love for special people, my love for flavors and scents of exotic kitchens.

Some years ago, while still working as Moto GP Coordinator for Yamaha Racing, I had dinner with my Japanese colleagues at the Movenpick Towers Hotel in Doha - Qatar. In their Asian Fusion restaurant I had an amazing Thai curry. So I wanted to ask the chef for the recipe. The waiter went to the kitchen and came back and said that he would not give me the recipe in detail, nor written on a paper, but that the chef allowed to mention the ingredients he was using.
So it was up to me to remember what he said, to play with the quantites, to work with my own taste or availability of ingredients.

And so I started to make my own Thai Green curry paste from scratch. much better than the already-made-pastes in the shop, as with the homemade paste, you also add as extra ingredients care, love and time.
And no, it is not difficult.
No, it is not a lot of work or time.
Yes, it is a bit of a mess, compared to buying the already made paste......but it is so worth it.

WHAT YOU NEED (OR THE SUBSTITUTES)

I will not give you exact quantities of the ingredients, play with your own taste buds and keep adding things to your own taste. Start with the basics, let it simmer and then you can add more of the spices or ingredients.

I use:

2 shallots or half a big (red) onion
3 gloves of garlic (or more, up to you)
One chunk of ginger (like a thumb) or ginger powder
2-3 hands full with fresh Thai Basil (or regular fresh Basil)
1 hand full with coriander / cilantro (more or less to your own taste, I am not a big fan of it, so I keep it low, I just like the finesse of it, not the overwhelming flavor.
The juice of half a lime (or more if you like the fresh lime taste)
Some pepper / salt
Some olive oil

Put all in a kitchen machine and blend it till you have the fresh green paste.

Then you can use the paste for chicken, shrimps or only vegetables (for example courgette, broccoli, green beans, green peas, green paprika / peppers, mushrooms etc.)

When you have your choice of chicken / shrimps / veggies in a pan with the green paste, you add a can of Coconut milk (I normally do a little more than a can, because I like the coconut taste).
2 table spoons of Thai fish sauce (it is a bit like soy sauce, so if you can not find the fish sauce, you can also use soy sauce)
1 small spoon of Cardamom powder
2 small spoons of Cumin powder
A chunk of lemon grass (or replace it with some lime zest). If you can find lemon grass, you can keep it in the freezer.
Some kaffir lime leaves if you can get them. If hard to find, you can always buy it on the internet)
Add spicy red pepper powder to your own taste or add fresh green/ red peppers in the paste ingredients.

Let it all simmer for quite a while. I also add a small piece of lime in the pan. But don't let that sit too long, the freshness will change in bitter after a while.

Of course you can work with substitute ingredients, but the fresher and more original the ingredients, the better.

THE FINISHING TOUCH

Cook Thai jasmine rice, Basmati rice or regular rice with some dried jasmine flowers added.

I normally cook the curry mix already the day before, so the ingredients can do their work better and you only have to warm it up while you cook the rice. Or at least prepare it in the morning of the day itself, the longer it stands, the better the taste.

Serve rice and curry with a wedge of lime (to be squeezed over the dish) and some fresh basil and cilantro sprinkled over the dish.

NOTE:
If the dish is too spicy, add more coconut milk and / or lime
If the dish is too mild, add more Thai Fish sauce or spicy pepper
If the dish is too sour, add more coconut milk.

Keep trying till you have it the way you like.

In Qatar they served it with Amla berries (or Gooseberries) in the curry, that really gave it a special touch.

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ABOUT WABI SABi, Kintsukuroi AND JAPAN

20/8/2017

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MY FASCINATION WITH JAPAN

When I was a young girl, I always said and imagined that when I would be older, I would move to Japan and live there and become a teacher. Probably my parents were quite amused by hearing this, it was like other kids saying "I want to be a police office, vet, nurse etc.".
Now - being 51 years old - don't ask me why I said and thought that, but I was quite convinced that that was the direction I would go. To be honest, based on nothing. But it was a red line in my life.
Then for a long time I completely forgot about it and my working career started at a Notary office, wholesale companies a bank and an agency for sports promotion.
Till one day, I started working for Yamaha Racing Team and to be more detailed, for the group of Japanese Engineers from Yamaha, who were based in Iwata - Japan.
And one day my mother said " do you realise that you are doing what you were saying for years, you work for Japanese people, visit Japan every year, got to know a lot about the culture, visited Japanese colleagues their family at home etc.".
And the circle was round, my connection with Japan was there, without planning, without realising, without organising anything..............suddenly it was there.

ART, CULTURE, LIFESTYLE, VALUES

My fascination was with many things. I love how organised they are - well, maybe a bit over-organised sometimes - how sophisticated, civilised, polite and patient the Japanese people are, how they love systems, routines, rules, how the people have so much respect for each other. Yes, I love Japan and the life in Japan.

And then, I love weathered items, seawashed, broken, imperfect, incomplete items. So that is where I learned about Wabi Sabi and Kintsukuroi.

Wabi sABI - THE ART OF IMPERFECTION

This Japanese term means “a way of living that focuses on finding beauty within the imperfections of life and accepting peacefully the natural cycle of growth and decay.”
Does that not sound beautiful? To me yes.
And also it looks beautiful. If you look at the photos in this blog, you can get an idea.
When my partner Alejandro wanted to buy me a black pearl in Kauai - Hawaii ( one of my dreams was to have a black pearl) I choose the imperfect shape one with stains and damage. To others, not the the most beautiful one, to me the BEST one. As this one was unique, one of a kind and had beauty because of being imperfect. All the perfect round pearls look the same. Have no character. This is my opinion and I respect everybody else his opinion, but to me "a beautiful thing is never perfect".

KINTSUKUROI - A PIECE IS MORE BEAUTIFUL FOR HAVING BEEN BROKEN

Kintsugi or Kintsukuroi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum, a method similar to the maki-e technique. As a philosophy it treats breakage and repair as part of the history of an object, rather than something to disguise.
And another definition: "to repair with gold", the art of repairing pottery with gold or silver laquer and understanding that a piece is more beautiful for having been broken.

How I love all these ideas which the Japanese people value and treasure in their culture.

I still have no idea why I got this invisible or red line connection with Japan, but I do know that it feels good. And about that red line connection, I could write another story.
The legend of the red string of Japan.
One more reason to love that country, their culture, legends and stories.

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ABOUT INSPIRATION & PINTEREST

19/8/2017

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WHAT I FOUND TODAY

I simply LOVE Pinterest!

I am a person of words, but more than words, a person of images. And of course I am looking for summer, beach, ethnic , food, surf etc. images, but then while looking for things, you get derailed and find so many other nice, funny and good looking other images.

(See above photo)
Pinterest brings me to another world, like reading a good book and it brings me to other places, other worlds, new ideas, new energy...........INSPIRATION.

Today I found the cheese-plate idea with a mini surfboard. OK, done with Taco's. but can be used for so many other things.

These cute do it yourself floats or mini buoy made with winebottle corks. Great beach house decoration.

And then that boat as a bench on your terrace. Amazing. Love to see that.

AND THERE IS MORE.....

I absolutely adore the looks of this blue door with fishes.

And what about a surf board as wine rack? Great idea.

And this old lady, who is decorating her own house and the houses of her neighbours by hand. In the stunning color blue of Sitges, Ibiza, Greece etc.

Make a menu sign of a surf board. But you can also use a decorative surfboard to let party or wedding guests write messages. So many things you can do with a (decorative) surfboard.

If you are not already using Pinterest, have a look, play around a bit and lose yourself in this world of images and inspiration. And if you want to check our Pinterest boards, this is our link:

Sun Sand Salt Pinterest

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SUN SAND SALT BLOG
About (BEACH) life in all its colors

BEHIND THE SCENES OF SUN SAND SALT

WHEN WORKING IN THE SALON / LIVING ROOM

WHEN WORKING IN THE OFFICE & STORAGE

WHEN WORKING AT MARKETS

OTHER WORK RELATED WORKING SPACES,
LIKE THE POST OFFICE, MY CAR, THE BEACH!

SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

BEING SELF EMPLOYED - SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

ABOUT LIFE IN ALL ITS COLORS

THE COLOUR GREEN OF THAI GREEN CURRY

WHAT YOU NEED (OR THE SUBSTITUTES)

THE FINISHING TOUCH

ABOUT WABI SABi, Kintsukuroi AND JAPAN

MY FASCINATION WITH JAPAN

ART, CULTURE, LIFESTYLE, VALUES

Wabi sABI - THE ART OF IMPERFECTION

KINTSUKUROI - A PIECE IS MORE BEAUTIFUL FOR HAVING BEEN BROKEN

ABOUT INSPIRATION & PINTEREST

WHAT I FOUND TODAY

AND THERE IS MORE.....

My name is Anneke AND I STARTED in January
2015 with my business "sun sand salt". In july 2018 I started with this web-site.
I am a Beach & sea lover, traveler, STORY-TELLER, COLLECTOR and social entrepreneur.
Dutch but living in spain,
always looking for new products, tips and ideas worldwide.

Archives

Categories

​SUN SAND SALT BLOGAbout (BEACH) life in all its colors

BEHIND THE SCENES OF SUN SAND SALT

WHEN WORKING IN THE SALON / LIVING ROOM

WHEN WORKING IN THE OFFICE & STORAGE

WHEN WORKING AT MARKETS

OTHER WORK RELATED WORKING SPACES,LIKE THE POST OFFICE, MY CAR, THE BEACH!

SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

BEING SELF EMPLOYED - SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

ABOUT LIFE IN ALL ITS COLORS

THE COLOUR GREEN OF THAI GREEN CURRY

WHAT YOU NEED (OR THE SUBSTITUTES)

THE FINISHING TOUCH

ABOUT WABI SABi, Kintsukuroi AND JAPAN

MY FASCINATION WITH JAPAN

ART, CULTURE, LIFESTYLE, VALUES

Wabi sABI - THE ART OF IMPERFECTION

KINTSUKUROI - A PIECE IS MORE BEAUTIFUL FOR HAVING BEEN BROKEN

ABOUT INSPIRATION & PINTEREST

WHAT I FOUND TODAY

AND THERE IS MORE.....

My name is Anneke AND I STARTED in January​2015 with my business "sun sand salt". In july 2018 I started with this web-site.I am a Beach & sea lover, traveler, STORY-TELLER, COLLECTOR and social entrepreneur.Dutch but living in spain,always looking for new products, tips and ideas worldwide.

Archives

Categories

SUN SAND SALT BLOG
About (BEACH) life in all its colors

OTHER WORK RELATED WORKING SPACES,
LIKE THE POST OFFICE, MY CAR, THE BEACH!

My name is Anneke AND I STARTED in January
2015 with my business "sun sand salt". In july 2018 I started with this web-site.
I am a Beach & sea lover, traveler, STORY-TELLER, COLLECTOR and social entrepreneur.
Dutch but living in spain,
always looking for new products, tips and ideas worldwide.