I pared down the Fall 2011 Collection to include only  the outfits mothers tell me their children wear the most. When combined with Papo’s new Vintage Collection, there are still many choices and combinations. But my hope is that this more selective assortment makes shopping for your children’s wardrobe even easier.

If my own children could still wear Papo, I’d certainly dress them in this season’s new red and navy plaid. Not only is it fresh and fun, but it’s also very versatile. For girls, start with the Kilt and the Double Ric Rac Collar Blouse with red trim. Layer on a sweater in either red, navy, or even yellow.

Match brothers in Plain Front Pants in the same plaid. Pair with a white Boy’s Button-Down Collar Shirt and a Cashmere or Half-Zip Sweater in navy. Finish the look with a Duffle Coat in navy, red, or saffron (looks great on girls, too). Or dress it up with a navy Blazer.

All of these items can be paired with other clothes from the collection, including Jeans and the Sleeveless A-Line Jumper.

I also love the Pleated Liberty Tunic Dress because it works very well for late summer and is the perfect back-to-school dress. Once the weather turns chilly, warm it up with Ribbed Tights, Velvet Sabrinas, and a Cashmere Cardigan.

When it comes to designing children’s clothing, I’ve always been firm in my belief that classic styles don’t need to chase fashion by seeking out new fabrics and styles. In fact, many of the world’s most iconic luxury brands stick to their tried and true styles for decades–even centuries.

That’s why I decided that in the transition time between summer and the launch of our Fall Collection, I’d reissue a few of our most beloved styles.

One of my all-time favorites is the Stewart Plaid Kilt and Coordinating Blouse (also available in a Gathered Sleeved Dress).  It’s shown here on my daughter, Tati, when she was in preschool. She’s now starting her senior year in high school and I think the outfit is as adorable now as it was when this photograph was taken.

Another personal favorite is the Girl’s Tweed Coat in several gorgeous English tweeds. It’s also available in either pink or purple tweed with a matching hat.

May your last few weeks of summer be restful and packed with happy family memories!

Guincho Beach

Guincho This gorgeous beach just north of Lisbon is our sentimental family favorite because it’s where both my husband and children grew up. The North Atlantic water is freezing cold and the shore is wild and rocky. But it has the best windsurfing in Europe and is the epitome of raw beauty. Because of the wind, you have to pick your Guincho outings carefully. But if you wait for a calm spell, you will be richly rewarded.

Head to nearby Adraga Beach for lunch at the Restaurante da Adraga. Stay in Sintra. 

Praia de S. Joao Caparica

Praia de S. Joao  Known in English as St. John’s Beach, this is an area of over ten different beaches just across the Red Bridge that connects Lisbon to Caparica. The beaches stretch on forever and each has a lively bar scene. But because they are so close to Lisbon they are also very crowded on the weekends. So enjoy these gems during the week.  The spectacular beaches of Alfarim are less than 20 kilometers away.

Comporta

Comporta  One hour south of Lisbon is a hidden paradise that is starting to get attention outside of Portugal, including a glowing article in the New York Times. This is where we shot most of our Spring/Summer 2011 catalogs. In addition to stunning beaches, the area is known for its distinctive thatched cottages.

Quinto do Lago

Quinto do Lago and Ancao These are our two favorite beaches on the Algarve, Portugal’s southern coast. It’s easy to see why the entire area is a holiday destination for Europeans. The beaches on Ria Formosa Nature Park are also a must see. 

I hope you get a chance to enjoy your favorite beaches this summer.  To help get you in the spirit, selected boy’s and girl’s swimsuits are now on sale.

Have a relaxing summer filled with happy family memories.

This week is traditionally the hottest time of the year in Lisbon. It’s also the celebration of St. Anthony, or Santo Antonio. Although he is not Lisbon’s official patron saint (that honor belongs to St. Vincent), he is certainly its dearest.

Although he is associated with Padua, the city where he died, St. Anthony was actually born in Lisbon to a very wealthy family who wanted him to get a formal education. He went against their wishes and instead entered the community of the Canons Regular of St. Augustine at an abbey on the outskirts of Lisbon.

St. Anthony’s feast day is June 13, the day of his death. Throughout the month of June and this past weekend in particular, Lisbon revs up the celebrating of its native son.

Neighborhoods compete to see who can host the best parades, best costumes, and street decorations.  Everywhere you turn, you can see sardines (the traditional food of this feast due to the fact that Saint Anthony was able to talk to fishes) being grilled out on the streets.

It’s an incredibly lively scene. We lived in downtown Lisbon when our daughters were toddlers and you could hear the parties and laughing and singing and smell the grilled sardines well into the morning.

In addition to being the patron saint of lost things, St. Anthony is also the patron saint of weddings. To this day, some Portuguese couples get married in mass weddings during the celebrations.

Manjerico (basil bush) is also associated with Saint Anthony. The tradition is that a man can proclaim his love by bringing a bouquet of manjerico with a poem attached to his beloved. The woman must touch it and then smell her hand to ensure that the plant doesn’t die.

My daughter Tati was born on June 14. Now she’s turning 17. I love this picture of her on her first birthday (in one of my first designs) wearing a Saint Anthony medal given to her by her father. She still wears it today.

Also, this week: The anniversary of the birth of Portugal’s most famous poet, Fernando Pessoa, who was born in Lisbon’s Chiado neighborhood on June 13, 1888.

Next week, St. John is celebrated in the northern town of Porto. The entire period of celebrating is known across the country as “Popular Saints.” These celebrations and traditions embody Portugal at its best. And, despite the heat, it’s a wonderful time to visit.

I’m certain I’m not the only person who watched the French Open over the weekend. Now that my children are older, one of the joys of the game is that we can watch–and play–together as a family.

Classic tennis whites are a Papo d’Anjo staple. Since summer is here, it’s time to stock up while supplies last. For girls, we offer a comfortable Sleeveless Pique Tennis Dress. Pair it with our super soft  Tennis Panties and a Tennis Cardigan. Or choose a Wrap Tennis Skirt and a Polo.

For boys, our Short Sleeved Polos work perfectly with the Boy’s Pull-On Tennis Shorts. And our Tennis Pullovers are terrific all year.

Welcome summer!

If there is one item of clothing that defines Papo d’Anjo, it is the dress. My first design was a Peter Pan collar dress for my daughter, Camilla. Today, dresses are the building blocks of each and every Papo d’Anjo collection.

This week Papo d’Anjo is offering a 30% discount on selected styles, including the Tiered Searsucker Hippie Dress featured in the adorable photo above. This is the perfect opportunity to purchase a special dress for graduation parties, weddings, special summer events or just everyday fun.

Other personal favorites of mine include the Simple A-Line Dress in this season’s gorgeous batik print (above) and the Polka Dot Dress (below).

The sale ends this Sunday, June 5, at midnight. Order now while colors and sizes are still available.

Now that summer break is almost here, our children will be spending a lot more time outside.  Here are some safe sun tips from The Environmental Working Group.

The best sun protection, of course, is a Hat and a  Beach Cover-up.  But good sunscreen is essential to safe outdoor activities. The Environmental Working Group recommends 129 products that contain zinc and titanium, which are the right choice for people who want UVA protection without any of the sunscreen chemicals that are considered to be potential hormone disrupters.

You can view the entire list, but here are a few my family and friends recommend.

• Aveeno Baby Natural Protection Mineral Block Face Stick, SPF 50
• Earth’s Best
• Mustela Sun Cream for Sensitive Areas, SPF 50
• Neal’s Yard Remedies, Lavender Sunscreen, SPF 50

I was in Chicago last week to attend a conference and visit my parents. I love the city–especially the architecture and the way the buildings wrap around the edge of  Lake Michigan.

While I was there, my brother Gordon introduced me to Shaw’s Crab House.  A local favorite, Shaw’s feels like a combination of a speakeasy and a classic seafood eatery. I loved it so much that I went twice in three nights.

The extensive menu includes everything from sushi to Lake Michigan smelt to lobster bisque. But everyone in my party enjoyed the same delicious meal: oysters for a starter (ask your server for recommendations as the offerings change daily) followed by a jumbo lump crab cake. Made from blue crab meat picked exclusively by Shaw’s, it’s as perfect a crab cake (hardly any breading) as I’ve ever tasted.

Dessert was a shared piece of chocolate layer cake enjoyed to the groove of a Chicago blue’s band. Perfection!

Gambrinus

Rua das Portas de Santo Antão 23

Lisbon

Telephone: +351 21 342 14 66

Four generations of my husband’s family—including our four children—have been regulars at this restaurant behind the famous “Rossio” square In the heart of Lisbon. With dark wooden interiors, very little natural light, an all-male staff, and graying clientele, Gambrinus could be mistaken for a men’s club.

So what could a 45-year-old American woman find so alluring about a place like this? No longer in need of a room full of young bright things to validate my evenings out, I am drawn to Gambrinus for the same reasons I am drawn to most things: a huge nostaligia for the past, old fashioned attention to detail, and painstaking efforts to maintain quality.

Among Gambrinus’ many charms: white starched tablecloths, immaculately set tables, abundant waiters who actually understand service. And how could they not?  They have been serving tables at Gambrinus for their entire lifetimes.

The other evening when I was there, I finally asked them how is it that they never move on to other restaurants and other careers. They all responded in unison that they love their work and they love their “team,” that to leave has never crossed their minds.  I could not help but envy them and did not suppress the urge to imagine myself in their shoes–secure in their work, total professionals at their trade, proud to be of service.

Gambrinus serves the best seafood and shellfish in Lisbon. Crab, langoustines, lobster, barnacles, clams: shellfish lovers arrive in paradise upon entering the doors of this Portuguese institution.

My favorite Portuguese dish is Ameijoas a Bulhao Pato–clams in a coriander, garlic, and butter olive oil bisque.  Be sure to dip the toasted buttered bread Gambrinus is also famous for in the bisque to absorb every last drop of this “soup” that the clams are served in.

I recommend a cold bottle of Planalto to round out the whole clam experience. Planalto and Joao Pires are my two favorite Portuguese white wines.

Gambrinus also specializes in grilled fish of every kind imaginable–fresh and prepared with the simplicity that leaves no doubt as to who are the world masters when it comes to fish.

The Gambrinus menu also caters beautifully to red meat lovers and its chefs pride themselves on a huge selection of typical Portuguese game dishes.

Be sure not to leave without ordering the restaurant’s piece de resistance: Crepes Suzette. This is lovingly prepared with much fanfare by one of the head waiters at your table and will cure any sweet tooth for a decade.  During each of my four pregnancies, I craved this dessert– making the Gambrinus experience synonymous with a sort of physical addiction–one that even today I find very hard to kick.