Every year, again and again, the Galentine’s trend pops up on everyone’s social media pages. It has been trending recently, but it’s been around for a long while.
 
Galentine’s day first appeared in an episode of “Parks and Recreation”, a NBC sitcom. This trend was based on an episode from season 2, where Leslie (played by Amy Poehler) meets her friends for brunch – where many gifts are given. These consisted of 5,000 word essays of why they’re awesome, handmade flower pens, and mosaics made of everyone’s favourite diet soda.
 
Galentine’s day focuses on sisterhood, pink clothes, and absolutely no boys. Why? It’s based purely on friendships among girls. This unofficial holiday has been seen around in brunches, spa days, gift exchanges, and more.
 
The good news is, you can basically turn this into anything you want, regardless of if you have done it before or not. Some ideas seen on social medias have been waffle brunches, manicures, and, if you want a longer event, a slumber party.
 
Overall, Galentine’s day is celebrating friendship and sisterhood by throwing pink, fun parties and most importantly, creating a judge-free zone.

February 14th, Valentine’s day, is celebrated globally. Although this special day signifies chocolates, heartfelt notes, and intimate meals in the United States, different countries around the world have different ways of honoring St. Valentine.  


Japan:  
 In Japan, Valentine’s Day is unique. Instead of what we see commonly in other parts of the world, it is women who take the initiative. On this day, they assume the role of gift-givers, giving their partner a token of their affection. The favorite offering in Japan on this day is “honmei-choco”, a homemade chocolate.  

Not only until March 14th, known as White Day, does the partner return the gesture with an array of white-themed gifts, like white chocolate for example, to symbolize their affection and gratitude. 
 

UK:  

Valentine’s day in the UK is a vibrant tradition that dates back to the customs of the Victorian era! This celebration means the exchange of anonymous valentines notes, due to the belief Victorians had that signing one’s name to a card brought ill fortune, preserving the mystery of secret admirers. 
 Another famous tradition in the UK is the gesture of presenting roses to partners, which is now a famous global action to show love. This flower carries rich symbolism, as the rose is associated to Venus, the esteemed goddess of love. 
 

Brazil: 

In Brazil, Valentine’s day is only celebrated in June 12th for two reasons:  

1. To honor St. Anthony, a Catholic saint associated with matchmaking and marriage 
   

1. The actual day that is Valentines day is in the middle of Carnaval! 
   

Actually, Valentines day in Brazil is called “Dia dos namorados”. If you have a partner in Dia dos namorados, you can expect basic traditions like an exchange of tokens and a nice meal. In some parts of Brazil, the streets become filled with romantic decorations for parades. Music, food, and folk dancing (samba) are popular.  

Another interesting thing is that while being single in Valentine’s day can be very depressing in most countries, not in Brazil. If you are single in Dia dos namorados, Many bars and restaurants hold singles events with games, drinks, music for you to have a blast and meet up with friends. Maybe even find a significant other there. 
  
Slovenia: 

In Slovenia, 14th of February holds special significance as a prime day for tending the fields, resonating with the agricultural rhythms of the land. This is because St. Valentine, revered as one of the patron saints of spring, symbolizes renewal and growth, therefore inspiring this tradition. 

Slovenians only reserve their celebration for romance on March 12th, embracing the charm of St. Gregory’s Day. Then, they joyously commemorate love and companionship, practicing cultural traditions and heartfelt sentiments into their festivities. 
 
  
Wales:  

Instead of commemorating love on February 14, citizens of Wales honor St. Dwynwen's Day on January 25. St. Dwynwen holds a revered place as the Welsh patron saint of lovers, and in a charming tradition, men bestow upon women intricately hand-carved wooden spoons.  ​

This endearing custom finds its roots in the romantic lore of Welsh sailors who, while navigating the seas, crafted intricate designs onto wooden spoons to present to their beloveds upon returning home. 

Nearly 60 years after being displaced from their childhood home by the authoritarian Brazilian government, four siblings return to the dust and rubble of their cherished memories. In the backyard of these ruins, real and fictional stories are woven together through distinct episodes featuring dancing, singing and storytelling, accompanied by four musicians who mirror each of the siblings. And of course, they can’t forget the coffee. As it is self-described, this is a “show that reveals the reality of the past by looking at the present”.

One of my primary goals over the last two years has been to engage with local theatre in São Paulo, and I have loved the vast range of experiences that this has brought me. However, of all the shows I have seen live, this may be my absolute favorite. This show made me laugh, cry and sing - like a good book, I simply didn’t want it to end. It presents the harsh realities of our country’s past, how centuries of neglect towards people of color have left many without the privilege of imagining themselves at older age, living lives with dignity and respect.

In an increasingly commercialized and cynical world, this play is unapologetically genuine. In discussions with other audience members, we all agreed that we found ourselves disregarding which of these various episodes were based in reality or fiction - because the intentions beneath it all are so beautifully apparent.

Everything on stage is thoroughly considered - from the evolving costumes to the intricate background, familiar props and the exceptional use of music and projection. It all comes together to tell stories of romance, hardship and perseverance.​

Bom Dia, Eternidade is a tribute to age, to art and to love, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Unfortunately, by the time you’ve read this review, the play has likely finished its run at Sesc Consolação. However, I highly encourage everyone to look out for future work from O Bonde, the small company which devised the piece, as well as future productions from Jhonny Salaburg, the writer, Luiz Fernando Marques Lubi, the director, and to engage with other works in São Paulo’s brilliant theatrical culture. 


To learn more about the production, visit:
https://www.sescsp.org.br/programacao/bom-dia-eternidade/


And to find other productions occurring across São Paulo, I recommend:
https://guiaoff.com.br/

​Red Velvet Cupcakes
 
You will adore these cupcakes as they will kick your holiday season to a start! They are creamy, soft, and visually delightful! Not to mention the adorable heart-shaped sprinkles on the top.
 
Recipe: https://www.aheadofthyme.com/red-velvet-cupcakes/

Cake

1. Combine dry ingredients. Inside a mixing bowl, add flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk carefully to mix and set the bowl aside.
2. Cream butter and sugar. In a separate mixing bowl, add soft butter and sugar, then beat them together with an electric hand mixer for 4-5 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
3. In the same bowl, add 2 eggs and mix well.
4. Add remaining wet ingredients. (Oil, sour cream, vanilla, red food coloring, vinegar) then beat until fully combined. 
5. Combine the product from both bowls into one and beat until smooth and totally mixed.
6. Scoop batter. Line a 12-tin muffin pan with cupcake liners. Share the batter into the liners (may use a cookie scoop to facilitate the process).
7. Bake in a preheated oven (of 177ºC) for 20 minutes. Allow the cupcakes to cool for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire cooling rack before frosting.

Frosting

1. Beat cream cheese and butter in a stand mixer with a whip attachment, at medium speed until fluffy.
2. Gradually add sugar in small additions, beating on low after each addition
3. Add vanilla and salt and beat at high speed for 2-3 minutes.

 
Piping

1. Transfer all frosting into a piping bag with any tip.
2. Carefully pipe the frosting onto each cupcake, completing a circular movement by starting at the center and moving to the edges.
3. Finally, top each cupcake with sprinkles (preferably heart-shaped) and enjoy! 

 
 
Chocolate chip cookies
 
Although chocolate chip cookies suit every season, their warmth and taste will delight the month of February, and perfectly suit Valentine’s Day! It is a mix of butter and dough, with extracts of pure vanilla and sweet chocolate. 
 
Recipe: https://cooking.nytimes.com
 
Ingredients
 
·       2 tablespoons cake flour
·       1⅔ cups bread flour 
·       1¼ teaspoons baking soda
·       1¼ cups unsalted butter 
·       1¼ cups light brown sugar 
·       1 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
·       2 large eggs
·       2 teaspoons natural vanilla extract
·       Chocolate chips (as many as you wish)
·       Sea salt
 
Method

1. Add sugar, flour, baking soda, butter, eggs, and vanilla extract to a mixing bowl and mix carefully, until batter is fluffy and smooth.
2. Add chocolate chips to the batter according to your personal preference.   
   
3. Preheat oven to 177ºC and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat. Set aside.
4. Scoop up medium-sized balls of bater and place them separate from each other onto the baking mat so that the batter from one ball doesn’t mix to another. Make as many as possible and top them with a sprinkle of sea salt. 
5. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until golden-brown but soft inside.
6. Enjoy!

 
Chocolate covered strawberries
 
My personal favorite! Chocolate covered strawberries are quick and easy to make, requiring few ingredients. They have a wonderful, sugared taste but still manage to be a perfect combination of flavors.

Ingredients
 
Strawberries
Chocolate chips/chocolate bar
Coconut oil
 
Method

1. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. 
2. In a bowl, add chocolate chips and/or chocolate of your preference and coconut oil and microwave for 20 seconds. 
3. With a spoon, mix the chocolate dip to ensure it is smooth.
4. Dip the strawberries into the chocolate and place onto the baking sheet.
5. Refrigerate until chocolate is set (approximately 30 minutes).
6. Enjoy!