I'm back, girls!
Hello, welcome to another few minutes of weekly chat here on my blog!
I have so much to tell you that I don't even know where to start. Let's go 💪🏻.
I'll give you a quick summary of my vacation. This year I went much earlier for professional reasons and also because, honestly, with the price of travel having gone up, I don't feel like losing "a kidney" on a week's vacation — excuse my sincerity 😅.
Well, after a lot of research and consideration, we decided to go to Spain. I love Spain and had already been to Ibiza during COVID. It wasn't possible to experience the essence of Ibiza because almost everything was closed and parties were forbidden.
This year we made the most of it. We spent 2 days in Formentera and then returned to Ibiza. We went to San Antonio, the town, and Playa d'en Bossa.
Let's start with Formentera — a paradise apart. It's so close to Porto: a 1h45 flight ✈️, we took the ferry from Ibiza port and, in 30 minutes, we arrived at the island.
Yes, it's a selected island, where overwhelmingly, the tourists are Italian. For a very, very long time, in one area I only heard two languages: Italian and Spanish. Unbelievable! It seemed like a world truly apart, different from today's — where I am here on Matosinhos beach and I look around and there are dozens of different ethnicities; I hardly even know who the Portuguese are.
What I mean by this is that there is, truly, visibly, a selection of tourism. A peaceful and more family-friendly atmosphere, well-groomed, beautiful, fragrant, well-dressed people even on vacation. You could see the concern with appearance.
The wonderful restaurants and bars, the fantastic decor. Then, all over the island, there were those tiny pink flowers that really remind you of Italy. I loved it.
The hotel was picturesque, but with a brutal connection to nature. Everything so romantic, so clean, so well-maintained… Then the silence. People respected each other's space and there was space for everyone. I loved it! I would have stayed a few more days. I promise to return 😅.
On the 3rd day, we returned to Ibiza. The ferry trip is an experience not to be missed — I really like it!
This time we went to the San Antonio area. I like it a lot: it has small and very calm beaches, several hotels, but without too much hustle and bustle during the day. At night, near the center… Jesus Christ 🫣
Nearby there's a beach club that opens at 2 pm and closes at 11 pm. It must be super expensive, but amazing! I didn't go — I just peeked from outside.
Ibiza has a lot of entertainment, a lot to explore day and night, but it's really expensive for those who want to frequent all those places. And that's where I wanted to get to. At night, when we took our evening stroll, often that club was already almost closing… and, girls, I was stunned and also sad at the number of beautiful girls falling down drunk — or who knows what else!
In my mind: it's impossible for these young people to have money, or so much money, to constantly frequent those places and on top of that drink until they drop…
Are you thinking the same thing as me, as mothers? I think so!
This Instagram era is all about looking good… even at the expense of dignity. Which is regrettable 😔.
Let's move on to another chapter — where the real highlight of the vacation was: here, the old lady got to know the famous Ushuaïa, a hotel that also opens its doors to big DJs from May to October.
One of my wishes, and my husband's and son's too, was to one day see David Guetta and voilà: we fulfilled that dream!
The atmosphere? Magical. It had everything. Very international here: English, Dutch, Chinese, Italian, French, Portuguese, etc. Again, selected areas for VIPs, many watched from their hotel rooms.
We arrived early and got a fantastic spot, with great visibility and beautiful — yes, because I couldn't be in the middle of that crowd without being able to move lol.
Again, just so you know: we paid 50€ for 3 bottles of plain water! That's already with tip, because you can't pay without tipping 😱
But every cent was worth it — for every emotion and experience felt. Memorable!
Everything is very well organized, nothing is missing: several bathrooms scattered around, staff always clearing glasses, everything clean and beautiful!
David Guetta: phenomenal.
2 hours of pure fun and a visual spectacle that I will hardly forget: stage performance, wonderful dancers, balloons in the air with an acrobat... In short, too beautiful!
I even shared some videos and photos — I couldn't keep this show all to myself 🎉
In the following hours, it was hard to fall asleep, with so much adrenaline and euphoria discussing the experience — we looked like children. And do you know why?
Because both my husband and I never had the luck that these kids have, to be able to enjoy this at their parents' expense (or something else). Everything was achieved with our work.
And we are not ashamed to say that we only did it at 50 years old, so the flavor and euphoria are also different… we know how to value every cent ❤️.
Let's move on to another funny point of my vacation:
You know that I know that the internet takes us everywhere. I also know that the world is a pea 🫛, but I still feel awkward and a little embarrassed when someone recognizes me 🫣.
I am very extroverted, but at the same time — how can I explain or make myself understood — I get emotional, because I know that the virtual world grew 300%, and in the middle of that rise after COVID even I don't believe, sometimes, that I still have some visibility as I used to.
Because things have changed immensely and the progress has been astronomical.
I don't mean to say that I feel I've been left behind, but I am aware that I'm not as far ahead…
I believe that at the right time I gained a loyal and very affectionate audience.
One day I was having my coffee at the hotel and a dear online customer came up, to whom I send a big kiss: Fátima Silvério from Lourinhã. She recognized me, gave me a big hug and a kiss. Lots of compliments that made me shy and emotional.
Inside, I think: "I really did — or do — something right."
How can I explain this feeling?
I am so happy, so grateful and so incredulous at the kind way and affection you share with me ❤️ Thank you very much 🙏
I recharged my batteries well, brought ideas, came back light, read a lot — I love to read.
I read books that bring content to my life and work, like coaching.
Reading testimonials and learning from someone who achieved success with their own brand. Using that as an example to leave my own ❤️
The conversation is already long, but I warned you that this blog would look like a book 📖😂
Either I don't write anything or I write everything and more lol.
Let's move on to the last part of this short weekly story:
For the first time in 2 years, I think things went well. The vacation went well because I was finally relaxed and sure that the store and things were left in good hands.
That is, in the sense that the team that stayed behind would do everything possible and impossible so that no one would notice my absence.
I don't want to seem unfair, but it's not even the online that worries me — it's the store. Because the store was where it all started and, with this coming and going of girls, the customers in the store were very dependent on me.
Which is normal. This dependency also caused me frustration, as I couldn't be in two places at once.
I started making less content, fewer live sessions, because I also believe that, for those watching, seeing one employee one day, another the next, then another… eventually loses interest. Hence the low audience.
Since I believe that everything has its time and there are processes we have to go through to grow, that was the process that was reserved for me!
I admit: I cried a lot. I often felt at rock bottom.
But as the experts say: rock bottom has a spring…
As a Virgo, I have my analytical and perfectionist side.
Apparently, I'm disorganized, but my head is all organized and tidy.
I know everything I want and how I want it.
And for some time I was fully aware that, in my absence from the store, my customers did not always receive the service they deserve or to which they had always been accustomed.
Which is normal — because only I know them well 😔.
With Sara's arrival and Vera's help with the live sessions, I was sure that everything would go for the best.
In the back office, replacing my husband, was my son Eduardo Valente, who took charge of the team.
They did an excellent job. Relaxed bosses, happy holidays.
Nothing bothered us — not even the weather, which was wonderful!
The point I want to leave written and recorded here:
It's been a long time since I've seen an employee like Sara — responsible, a mother, professional, with a lot of experience.
Sara is 41 years old, with incredible experience in customer service, with many trainings.
She knows how to talk, tries to know everything about the product she is selling to improve her service, knows how to put together looks, is friendly and pleasant.
For the first time in a long time, and in my absence, a customer asked for the compliment book — yes, the compliment book— and left a huge compliment for Sara ❤️
It was the icing on the cake to end these holidays. Thank you, team!
As you can attest, it's impossible not to have enjoyed this vacation. Everything went well, from start to finish.
I'm already back — and I returned right on a holiday 😂.
And Wednesday, another holiday — this time my Rico S. João, famous for balloons and hammer blows 🎈🔨
And we, at Carla Valente, starting tomorrow, in store and on the website, will be offering a direct discount of 50% on 4 brands, only these 4 brands.
We'll inform you tomorrow — stay tuned for the hammer blow 😂😂😂.
Thus I bid farewell to this super blog where I told almost my entire little life story.
To tell the truth, there was still more to tell 😂
I was on fire today! I hope I haven't been boring with my stories.
You are part of my life and I like to share with you ❤️
Have a good week, everyone.
For some Northerners: Happy S. João 🔨🎈
Thank you very much and a big kiss to your hearts 💕
With love,
Carla Valente
