Blossom

Nina enjoying the view!

The Scented Garden

My early morning walk is now a fragrant delight. The wistaria is in full bloom in all its various shades of lilac and its scent fills the whole garden. It competes with the row of orange trees nearby, whose delicate white flowers are just opening to release their delicious perfume. On the high wall a tiny old fashioned climbing rose is peeking out between the jasmine. And in the valley its difficult not to tread on the sea of wild orchids amongst the lavender and rock roses.

I have been busy taking photos for our new on-line site and what a great time of year to be doing it!

Molton Brown Air Candela Yuan Zhi

All these fabulous floral fragrances can be found amongst the various scented product collections in Dunas Lifestyle. Sometimes the whole shop smells like the garden as our customers try to find their favourite scent. In the evening the air is heavy with the scent of wild herbs, lavender, thyme, rosemary and sage, again inspiration for many of our collections.

Molton Brown, Diptyque, Acqua di Parma and L'Occitane.

Meanwhile, the girls have been busy re-organizing Dunas Resort to find space for all the incoming Spring - Summer collections. 

Heidi Klein, Melissa Odabash, French Sole, 0039 Italy, Beija and more....

Heidi Klein Summer Collection    ------   Helen Kaminski Sanchez Hat

Diptyque Verveine Candle and Room Spray

Melissa Odabash Resort Wear

SPRING IN THE ALGARVE

                    We are so lucky to have a wonderful location for our home and business. 

Many of you know the Algarve well and are already our customers, but for those who don't know the area, here are a few tempting views. From the Atlantic Ocean beaches to the rolling hills behind there are beautiful places to unwind, to walk, to explore, to find peace and tranquility and to see an unspoilt natural environment, where in many places time has stood still.

Floral hillsides in the algarve

Locals still collect the olives, figs, oranges, almonds and carobs that grow in abundance. Wild boar, birds of prey and a huge variety of wild birds from swallows to bee-eaters make their home in the Algarve. Even on our numerous and fabulous golf courses you can see storks building their monstrous nests and many kinds of water fowl.

Stork nests

From October to April the beaches are empty apart from local fishermen, and now in Spring, the wild flowers are beginning to swamp the countryside. A drive from Lisbon to the Algarve at this time of year will be on empty roads dividing fields of white, yellow and brilliant purple flowers, blooming under vast plains of cork oak and olive trees.

The beach at Val do lobo

And amongst all this beautiful scenery are the essential holiday and second home necessities.......... great restaurants, great golf courses, great beaches, great weather and of course great shopping.

Molton Brown best selling product this month

We look forward to seeing you .........

Carnival Colour

Carnival Time

Since the fashion weeks have been ablaze with colour, and across Europe it is Carnival time, we thought Dunas should get a splash of vibrancy too.

In Dunas Resort, new collections from Melissa Odabash and Heidi Klein are strong on corals, brilliant whites, navy and striking animal prints. Match with elegant espadrilles from the Jacksons, or a scarf in Copocabana colours from Mia Zia. Wrap on an exotic bracelet or necklace from Brazillian designers Calleidoscope and Lanno and the Carnival spirit is all stitched up.

Heidi Klein New Collection

MIA ZIA SCARVES

Dunas Lifestyle has joined the party too with colourful linen tableware, a new scented collection of vintage packaged soaps and candles from Claus Porto and an abundance of flowers in orange, lime green, fuschia and black..

Flowers by Herve Gambs

And a little gardeners note..... the first wild orchids have bloomed in the Algarve this week .........  Spring is here !

...........  and the beach is empty!!

The Beach at Val Do Lobo

Spring in the Algarve

The last few days have been very busy behind the scenes with new collections arriving for the Spring Season. There has been a hive of activity in the backrooms of Dunas as we rediscover all the lovely things we chose way back in September!

Fabulous, casual, soft and floaty, Charli London is already in Dunas Resort. Perfect for wafting around the house or pool and great for al fresco yoga too. In subtle colours the pieces can be layered and mixed to give multiple options. Affordably priced and very flattering this collection has had huge success. We love it!!

0039 Italy is arriving this week.......see our blog below. A great new Italian brand of silks and linens.
Co-ordinate with an Italian canvas and linen bag from Bonfanti, another Dunas discovery. Great quality at a reasonable price. Charlotte had fun in Paris choosing these!!

We also love Brazil for its unusual designers, especially these stunning rope necklaces and bangles from Lanno. Beautiful to feel and wear, in a mix of soft or vibrant colours, each piece is unique and very special.

Watch this space for all the new arrivals.

Fabulous Animals

Having spent two weeks in the chilly UK I am looking forward to returning to the warmer climates of The Algarve today! The trip was a great success and I am going to be busy unpacking all our new arrivals for the Spring Summer season... However, for now, to add a little colour to the grey February skies I am loving this super warm cashmere cardi in pink leopard by Crumpet England, like butter on the skin. To keep out the chill team it with and a soft baby pink pashmina from the high mountains of Nepal.  Exotic zebra prints are set to be big this season and this bag by Alison van der Lande will keep you on trend while maintaining that effortless and classic style any Dunas woman posesses! Of course, I can't get enough of French Sole's ballet pumps, an absolute wardrobe staple. To take you into spring opt for this white and black trim cushioned pair to channel the monochrome trend from winter, they will never go out of style. A splash of jewellery by Ana Calherios, and I am ready to go, isnt it just an exquisite little work of art...?

Until next time, Judy 

Coming Soon ....0039 Italy

COMING SOON to Dunas Resort, a new brand called * 0039 ITALY *

This is an internationally renowned company that specialises in fresh, stylish and good quality pieces, from shirts to dresses and separates. With representation in over 500 stores throughout Europe, Dunas is one of only two that sell 0039 Italy in Portugal.

There is just something so confident and chic about how Italians design things and this brand has managed to capture this perfectly. It seems likely that we are going to be hearing a lot more about 0039 Italy womens clothing as each new collection is more daring and spectacular than the last. If you haven’t yet looked at 0039 Italy, you are certainly missing out...

 

  

What To Pack - City Break

As the trade shows creep up on me I’ve been thinking about what to pack for a glamourous and fashionable trip to Paris. I always struggle to find the perfect mix of glamour and comfort but I think i’ve got it sussed this time with a little help from a few Dunas favourites. In the suitcase this month we’re getting ready for a long city weekend. Take your pick - London, Paris, Rome, leave the starry skies of the Algarve for the glittering lights of your favourite European metropolis. Dress to impress with our gorgeous Lotus London hand sequined dresses, new in Dunas Resort. Compliment the dazzle with an Italian leather clutch bag to fit your lippy in and slip on some silver French Sole ballerina pumps, so pretty, and comfier than heels...! Top of the look with a Shanghai Pearl collar necklace laden with the finest black quartz, silver jewels and fresh water pearls and you’re ready to paint the town red...well silver actually! Dont forget to pick up a Hip Hotels City Guide so you won’t fail to travel in style...Dunas Style. 

 Judy

Dress - Lotus London, Necklace - Shanghai Pearl, Clutch Bag - Arsmoda, Pumps - French Sole