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I’ve lived in Braga all my life. I never participated in Erasmus, I never lived anywhere else, I never even felt the urge to study elsewhere. Why? Because everything I needed was right here. I know the streets, the squares, the people by heart. Braga is constantly evolving and the fact that I know every nook and cranny by heart means that I’m always on the lookout for special places.

The notion of 'self-care', which has been trending, has always been present in my life, though not quite as evidently. For me, it’s essential to balance work and personal life – the blog fits into a mix of the two – in order to manage my anxiety in the best possible way.

In order to show you that our well-being can be connected to the smallest of things, I want to tell you about three places that I think have a certain je ne sais quoi that contributes to our self-esteem. From the outside in.

Embrace Inc

It sounds simple, right? The fact that we maintain a good relationship with the mirror, and enjoy what we wear, allows our image to become more and more a part of us, and us a little part of it as well. That’s where Embrace Inc. comes in, established in 2015, with a strong focus on creating exclusive pieces in high quality faux fur. With an atelier on Capelistas Street, the brand has been growing and is increasingly sought out for all types of designs.

Dama De Copas

Personally, I believe that everything this store provides is public service! Every woman should know her correct bra size and feel good about whatever her body shape. At Dama de Copas, the personalized service allows us to get to know our chest a little better, as well as the type of support that it needs. According to brand experience, more than 90% of women don’t wear the right bra, so every day they advise and change the lives of so many women! With over 165,000 fittings, Dama de Copas has helped and continues to help thousands of women to better understand the importance of lingerie in everyday life, especially when it comes to health and comfort – going far beyond aesthetics, while also playing a very important role in terms of self-esteem.

Mercearia da Joana

Let's go inside. How much time do we actually spend with those we love? How much time do we spend with those who are good for us, celebrating important moments or simply the joy of everyday life? Mercearia da Joana provides us with the ease of a carefree celebration, in the comfort of our own home.

Located in the historic center, with an authentic gourmet concept, it has become a place that specializes in creating memories, emotions and reinventing traditions. Besides selling premium Portuguese products, it organizes original events, wherever the customer desires. Marriage proposals, bachelorette parties, dinners, family and friendly gatherings, both in the space itself, located in the heart of the city and part of the Municipal Heritage, or anywhere else – these are just some of the available options. This spot also hosts several workshops related to well-being, cooking and the arts.

These were my choices and the special places that I have come to discover in Braga, in order to keep taking care of myself! What are your favorite self-care spots?

Sobre a Ana Catarina Carvalho

Author of the blog “Vestígios de um Batom” and a Plus Size model, she continuously develops work linked to self-esteem and fashion for large sizes, always focused on well-being. She participated in the first edition of the Portuguese TV show "E Se Fosse Consigo?", addressing themes regarding personal image and what it represents in the eyes of others. She is currently working on other projects in this area.