Tricia Chatter – Tricia Chatter

We’re Back in the City That Never Lets You Nap (aka NYC, our forever muse)

So… we’re back in New York. Again. Lisbon, you beautiful pastel dream, we loved you. We really did. But life threw us one of those unexpected plot twists (family illness), and we needed to be close to my parents. And by “close,” I mean within a 3 hour flight away.

Some would say we’ve bounced around quite a bit (hello, adventure!)- Santa Monica, Seattle, Funchal (hi, Madeira!), Deerfield Beach, Florida-each place offering its own brand of charm and overpriced coffee. But there’s only one city that feels like it’s wired into our nervous systems: New York.

We left NYC in 2011 to “explore” and “try new things” (read: chase sunshine and cheap rent), but let’s be real, no other place quite does it like this one. Click your ruby red heels, Dorothy, there’s no place like home.

This city breathes. It pulses. It yells at you sometimes- lovingly. The lights crank up my serotonin, the energy keeps my soul caffeinated, the art and architecture breathe new life into my soul and there’s always a pigeon with a side hustle to remind you that ambition is alive and well … and so are you.

And yes, we’re middle-aged and living on the Upper East Side, where bagels are born perfect and the squirrels are unnervingly bold. No cool “below 14th street” mandates for us, baby! We’re free to not be cool anymore….and we’re completely good with that!

Why would we plant roots here (again)? Let me give you five solid, grown-up reasons:

1. Convenience, Darling.

Everything I need is within a five-block radius: my dry cleaner, the post office, my beloved library, the hair salon that understands my multicolored root situation, and yes, dahling… Agata & Valentina, my personal temple of gourmet groceries. Oh, and Central Park is basically my backyard. Take that, suburban hell.

2. I Don’t Drive. I Teleport (via MTA).

Driving gives me hives. Insurance? Gas prices? Parallel parking?! Nope. In NYC, I can hop on a train, bus, or ferry and get just about anywhere without breaking into a rage-sweat (hello, menopause). I get to read, eavesdrop, or contemplate my life choices between stops. A luxury, really.

3. The Food Scene is Deliciously Straight-Up Spiritual.

Yes, we’ve eaten tacos in L.A., fresh seafood in Lisbon, and once had an unforgettable beet salad in Santa Monica (long story). But New York? This city invented culinary variety. Whether it’s Michelin-star magic or $1 dumplings at 2AM, every craving gets answered here. Bad food? I’ve forgotten what that even tastes like.

4. Endless Fun That Doesn’t Drain Your Wallet.

Sure, you can drop $400 on a Broadway ticket… but you can also see Shakespeare in the Park for free, dance to live jazz in Prospect Park, or hit up a museum on a pay-what-you-wish day. NYC is the only place where you can feel fancy on a budget. (NY blog post about free fun in NYC “coming soon”)

5. Creative Hustle Central.

As someone in the creative industries (hello, media/arts/production land), this city is a living, breathing portfolio. There’s work. There’s networking. There’s inspiration in the form of angry taxi drivers and rogue subway performers. If creativity were oxygen, NYC would be 100% pure.

So yes, we’re back. The sirens are singing. The bagels are hot. And despite the noise, the rent, and the occasional whiff of hot garbage, it feels damn good to be home. Reunited and it feels so good, baby!

If you’d like more of our adventures, follow us on instagram:
triciatravelgold

Portugal: Know Before You Go

Portugal’s booming as a travel hotspot-but don’t show up in heels. Use Wise to avoid ATM fees, pick up some Portuguese basics, ask about Airbnb quirks, and brace for chilly, damp winters. With a bit of planning, you’ll fall in love with this charming country.

Image available on https://www.chattergoldstudios.com/Photography/Places/Lisbon-Portugal/i-3mLzGPx/buy

So You’re Visiting Portugal? Here’s What No One Tells You (But I Will)

Portugal’s hot right now-and I don’t just mean the weather. Everyone’s either booking a trip, buying property, or considering a permanent move after watching one too many TikToks featuring golden sunsets and grilled sardines. If you’re planning your first visit, let me be your brutally honest, slightly over-caffeinated travel fairy godmother. Some tidbits of wisdom:

1. Do Not Pack Heels. I Repeat: DO. NOT. PACK. HEELS.

The streets of Lisbon are basically a medieval Slip ’N Slide-cobbled hills, stunning but slippery tiles, and rain that turns everything into an ice rink. Once upon a time, I could speed-walk in heels down Greene Street in SoHo, but in Lisbon? I nearly hydroplaned right into a tuk-tuk.

What to bring instead: Sneakers, boots, or flats with real grip. Think traction, not fashion. Or suffer the consequences (and possibly a bruised tailbone).

2. Get “Wise” About Your Money

You know that moment when the ATM fee pops up and you laugh because it must be a mistake? Yeah, it’s not. Portuguese banks don’t play nice with U.S. banks, and I once paid $75 just to withdraw some euros. I wish I were exaggerating.

Solution: Set up a Wise account (formerly TransferWise) before you travel. It’s the cheapest way to pull money out of Multibanco ATMs. And very important-only use Multibanco. Avoid Euronet like you would a street performer with eye contact and a puppet.

3. Learn a Little Portuguese (Seriously, It’ll Help You So Much)

Yes, English is widely spoken in the touristy spots. But wander into a cozy, local tasca, hop on public transit, or ask someone for directions in Alfama, and you might hit a language wall. Portuguese isn’t Spanish, and it’s not exactly intuitive if you haven’t studied it.

Download these before you go: DeepL, Memrise (European Portuguese version), Drops. And yes, Google Translate’s conversation mode is Brazilian Portuguese, but in a pinch, it works. Just smile a lot and try. The locals will appreciate the effort, even if you butcher the pronunciation of “pão.”

4. Ask Questions Before You Book That Quaint AirBnB

Portugal is full of charming old buildings that are full of… quirks. That historic Airbnb in Alfama might be stunning, but will your taxi be able to drop you at the door? Will you have to haul your luggage up 73 uneven steps? Is there heat? AC? A normal-sized shower?

Ask about:

Accessibility (physical and taxi/Uber access)
Heating and cooling (important year-round)
Shower size (especially if you’re over 6’ or claustrophobic)
Noise levels (those charming cobblestone streets echo like a drumline)

5. December & January? Bundle Up, Baby-cakes

Before we moved here from Santa Monica, people told us Lisbon’s weather was “just like Southern California.” Lies. December and January are cold, wet, and damp in a way that seeps into your bones and your bedding. Many buildings were designed to stay cool in summer, not warm in winter.

Bring layers. And if your hotel or Airbnb doesn’t offer a heater and a dehumidifier, reconsider or prepare to cozy up to some serious mold.

Portugal is magical, beautiful, soulful, and full of charm, but it’s also full of steep hills, slick streets, and quirks you might not expect if you’re just basing your trip on dreamy Instagram reels. But with a little prep (and sensible shoes), you’ll fall head over heels just like the rest of us (but then, I’m partial- it’s the land of my ancestry).

Got questions? Drop them in the comments or shoot me a message. And if you’re thinking of moving to Portugal, read this post. 😉

Thanks for reading-and don’t forget to subscribe if you want more honest, practical, and occasionally sassy Portugal travel advice.

Donate & Decorate! Proceeds Go to Hurricane Dorian Relief

50% of profit from the images on my website (www.chattergoldstudios.com) will go to Hurricane Dorian relief (Red Cross) today through September. Please share, buy, etc… You will find a variety of images from photography to prints of my latest abstract paintings. Just use the search bar in the upper right side of my website.

These images are a little flashback to Hurricane Sandy’s waves climbing the beach at Deerfield Beach’s Trespass area (local Deerfield Beach, Florida folk know where that is).

The storm surges and waves were a reminder of mother nature’s strength…and extreme beauty.
Click on images below for prints, canvas, fine art prints and a variety of wall art and mediums.

Donate & Decorate This “Giving Tuesday”

From now through the end of January, I will be donating 50% of all profits from my Etsy Shop to St. Judes and Shriners Hospitals for children. Great excuse to both donate and decorate. Please check out my shop regularly for new pieces and share with your friends.

Click image to check each piece out and order…