With our lives being more and more demanding and multi-purposed year by year we often forget how important it is for both our physical and our mental health as well, to pamper ourselves every now and then, to take that little extra care for us, whenever and wherever is necessary. It doesn't, always, have to be something great and extraordinary, as a royal spa at a five-star hotel, a journey to the place of our dreams, or even…. "hitting" the mall and clearing out all the selves!!! There are more simple ways to show love to yourself by pampering him without overcharging your bank account,…. well, at least not  too much!!!…..
No matter how busy your life is, it's not impossible to find 15 or 30 minutes to unplug from your usual activities and do something you love, enjoy or just something that relaxes you. Pampering yourself means loving and respecting yourself, so that other people will love you and respect you more, as well, and so that you're becoming a better person, because of that feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment.
So, here are the ways I like to pamper myself.  

When I feel tired during the day, somewhere around noon and can't keep my eyes open, I don't!!! Just 15-20 minutes of a nice relaxing "siesta" in a comfortable, quiet place is usually enough to rejuvenate me and give me all the energy I need to continue my day. Pampering mission, accomplished!

I'm a new "addition" to the club, however a huge fan! The more I discover meditation the more I appreciate its healing and self-awareness power. You will find countless sites, videos and applications on internet. Personally, I try to meditate once a day, for about 10-15 minutes, so this way I can say I pamper myself everyday!

There are days I'm extremely tensed and days I feel totally relaxed (most of the time I'm somewhere in between though). However I may be some kind of movement always makes me feel better. When I'm stressed I choose yoga or pilates or simple stretching moves that drive all the tension away. When I'm loose and well rested I prefer dance or aerobics to tone me up a little. With every movement that I make I feel the blood flowing better in my body bringing more oxygen to my brain, my lungs, my heart, more life to every little cell in my body. The result? Totally uplifted mood and enlightened mind! 

A nice spa salon where they'll pamper me without me moving my little finger…. is optional. However I can have the exact same benefits for my body and soul at home where just a little effort is required. I fill my bath tube with hot water, add my favorite bath foam or salts, light some candles around and soak in with my eyes closed listening to some zen sounds or music.. Sometimes I also exfoliate my body and my face getting rid of all those dead cells and I apply a beauty mask. After that I totally glow! If I have more time I may offer myself a mani-pedi-cure to complete my prettiness! 

TV is such a nice company especially when I'm feeling lonely, or sad, or somehow "down" or bored to do anything more energetic. Watching a favorite kind of movie, comedies, romance or classics usually work for me, always make me feel better afterwards. I'm sitting comfortably, a huge bowl of pop-corn is requisite and I just press the play button on the DVD player or browse at Netflix and always find something interesting…And talking about Netflix, if I don't have the time to watch a whole movie, there are so many loved shows waiting for me to uplift me, relax me, inspire me… pamper me and put that smile on my face!

There is no better way for me nor ever was to "travel" with my imagination to different, distant, amazing places and ages than opening a book. Its pages make me dream and take me away from my everyday life and routine. Who talked about boats or trains or airplanes? With a book you're miles away in a minute! And when I need some glamour in my life, then I grab a "glossy" magazine, a very old love of mine as well. We're talking about pampering here, so no judge on the kind of reading I want to read.

How could I not mention that sooooo popular nowadays way of pampering our selves? I'm definitely not the exception! I spend enough time browsing my favorite blogs and sites and online shops as well as all those appealing social media, instagram and pinterest are at the top of my list. So, when I want to pamper myself I allow me a little more time on my favorite "sport". Otherwise I try … to be wise and control myself… if that's possible!

Another favorite sport! It's not necessary to empty every self at the mall, as I already mentioned, or reach our card limits in order to pamper ourselves (although that's our secret desire…). For me a simple purchase of something I really love…. and not necessarily need, can really make me fly of happiness!

As much as I try to eat reasonably healthy most of the time so much I enjoy a "forbidden" treat for my self every now and then. Actually I believe that's a right way to keep going with my diet without feeling "punished" and miserable. After all there are so many healthy and light options in our days to enjoy even the "forbidden" kind of food, that nothing is really forbidden anymore! Anyway, as for me, whenever I crave something yummy I indulge in it! And if it's not the healthiest option, I try to limit the rest of my meals. After all, why should someone resist chocolate…. or french fries???!!!! YOLO!

Getting out of the house and walking in a beautiful place is a real gift for my self1! Enjoying the nature, feeling the fresh air on my face, breathing pure oxygen, looking at the irresistible beauty that only nature can really offer to us I feel alive and powerful and happy! I feel part of the amazing universe and so thankful for what God created with His wisdom, so thankful for my life!

And these are the ways I choose to pamper myself whenever I feel that I need to be pampered, whenever I feel that my self needs a proof of love, of my love! I hope I inspired you in some way and that you enjoyed my post.
I love you all
​xoxo, Elena  

Hello my friends! I won't apologize for being absent so long, because I have no excuses, except my indecisiveness and my everyday life requirements. The ironic part of my today's post is that it's all about decisions…..(…and how an indecisive person like me is going to perform them and keep its promises…)!!!
For some people New Year's Day is a perfect point to make their annual resolutions and start fresh after raising their champagne glasses, for students, September works best, as they reconsider their dreams and purposes while preparing their school bag and for some others birthday is a day of major life reviews and schedules….All three cases are tempting, the time and the moment is just a matter of mood. I didn't make any resolutions on 1st January, I'm not a student any more, although education and culture is a lifelong process, so, on my birthday month, March, I decided to sit and think some things that I want to do in my life. 
Things that seem important right now in my life, things I absolutely need and want with all my heart, not necessarily the ones that a rational mind dictates as vital priorities, but the ones that my heart seeks desperately. In other words, not the things that I must do, but the things that I want to do. Because sometimes heart knows better... Especially in periods of big confusions in my life, I believe that listening to my heart is the only way to go. 
So I decided to make a list of my top 10 life priorities for this year of my life. What I believe that will be beneficial for me and will bring more joy and health and luck to my life! I put things from the past in my list that I've tried some time in my life and enjoyed and want to repeat, as well as things absolutely new to me, that I've always been so keen on trying and never had the opportunity to do them. I've also put some dreams in my list, because life is not beautiful without them!
And voila! Here is my list:
      

Be bolder and try new things, be fearless and do the ones that I'm afraid to do. Live more moments with people I love, discover new people, give and take, teach and learn, create my own experiences and memories, because this is life, because:   

My house is a never ending process! I've done pretty much in terms of decoration with it, what I want to achieve from now on is creating a homely, welcoming, cozy environment, easy to live in. A place where I 'll want to come back to, to feel comfortable and happy and always ready to welcome beloved people. A place to live! 

OK! I may dream of Carrie Bradshaw's glamorous closet in "Sex and the City", or those amazing Pinterest perfect closets on internet, but what I really want for my closet is functionality and inspiration. Decluttering a bit and reorganizing my clothes would be nice. And I really need to buy a few new items. A style renewal is an absolute necessity for me right now! You cannot carry the same style your whole life through! I want to open my closet and find quickly the right clothes for any occasion, without losing time thinking and trying on clothes again and again, because they don't fit or because I don't like them. I only want beautiful clothes in my closet, that fit me well and make me feel confident and elegant. I want my closet to be a partner in my life adventure! 

Work on a creative project, something that I love and I believe in. Even if it's not something big, creativity enhances confident and self respect, also cultivates qualities as patience, discipline, diligence and is a great exercise for the brain. Moreover…. you never know….

Laugh! It's yoga for the face, medicine for the soul (releases endorphins, the "happiness" hormones), exercise for the abdominals, special treat for the heart! Laugh. laugh and laugh some more! Laugh with every given opportunity, whenever and wherever I can. Comedies could be a nice solution. I really miss good laughs in my life lately. A priority!  

I took ballet classes as a little girl and then again while I was in the university. It takes much effort and discipline to reach a good level in ballet and that was the reason why I abandoned it. "If you can't reach perfection, why bother?" Well, I never stopped loving ballet and definitely had an inclination and I believe that performing some ballet exercises…. or pocisions… will have major benefits for my body.   

OK! That's a tough one and I'm not sure what exactly I want to do with a piano. But it is a childhood dream I never even tried it. I wanted to learn playing, but my father was negative, so I compromised with a guitar, which I never really loved… I mean, when you love the piano you have to play the piano, not the quitar! It doesn't work this way. When it comes to piano… there is no substitute! So, we'll see… But, definitely hear more piano music, a treat for the soul and the mind.

Because it's the most beautiful language in the world to talk and to hear...

Another activity I miss a lot lately. And the more I miss it the more I want to go away from everything and everyone! To get lost among unknown crowds, to breathe free, to see new places and faces, to meet different cultures, to taste different tastes and flavors, to live a different kind of life for a while. A real rejuvenation for the body and the soul, a "shower" for the mind, so that I can start fresh when I come back to the same everyday life... 

An alternative way to escape from reality and live another life for a while is reading. You travel to different places, different ages and situations, you become whoever you can imagine and you live your own adventure, or simply watch other people's adventures and lifes, you cry, you laugh, you love, you hate, you feel happy, or sad, you dream, you learn… and all that using your mind only! I don't read as much as I'd like to, although I buy books and always begin one with a willing mood, I often catch myself giving up after a few chapters…. Maybe they're not interesting enough, maybe I can't find the time…. or maybe I'm just bored. Whatever, I'll try to "feed" my brain with more and good quality "food".

So, this is my top 10 life priorities list for this year of my life! Oh! And another priority! An urgent one: 
To accomplish my decisions and keep my promises as long as they are functional and fulfilling and they make me happy!!!  
I mean there is no reason to carry on something that doesn't work anymore for some reason. Flexibility is the key when everything is falling apart. I'll keep my mind open and hope for the best!
I hope you enjoyed my list and maybe even got some inspiration to make your very own one, if you haven't already decided what to do with your life in 2015!
Love you all,
xoxo, Elena  

Hello my friends! I hope you are all o.k. It's Friday after all! The weather in my town is very "nasty" today. There is a very strong south wind, the sky has the "fifty shades of grey" and looks so amazingly light and heavy at the same time and the rain seems like will never stop….
But, somehow, I feel so great today, as if the sunniest day was sent here on earth! It's one of those wonderful days that you feel just happy with no particular reason. It probably has to do with general gratitude for life itself and the "oh so" desired inner calm that I possess today…. Or maybe it's the magical and therapeutical sound of the rain combined with the peace of the light grey atmosphere….. Oh, and I've heard that it snowed at the mountains! How cheerful and rejuvenating is that!
I captured some moments of my day to share with you via instagram and maybe give you some ideas on what to do on a rainy day like today:

• I wrote on my DIY "5 minute a day journal".
  
• I had my morning coffee at bed, reading a little, and….
  
• Dreaming of my next journey….
  
• I warmed up my body and my soul with the most flavorous tea!
  
• I made a mushroom and pepper omelette for breakfast and strength.
  
• I scheduled to organize my closet one day in the near future, just to feel more neat and confident.
  
• I walked on my new treadmill, since that was easier than hitting the road, and felt so wonderful! Back in action again, after a long, long period of hibernation…
  
• I enjoyed a comfort dinner with my love, and last but not least….
  
• I got tons of inspiration by Abraham Linkoln's saying from my "Just for today be happy" book.
  

I hope you enjoyed my "instaday" post and I wish you all a fabulous weekend!
Love you,
xoxo, Elena

• Heart on fire POP cardio
• Bikini Blaster 1! HIIT IT HARD!
• The 100 WO. POP pilates
• Quiet cardio shhhhhh.... with coach Nicole and Cassey
• POP cardio: Trafalgar trimdown toner
• Daisy's (cardio) dance/ Great Gatsby WO

Thanks for reading!
Love you!!
xoxo, Elena

• POP pilates: upper body workout -arms, chest and shoulders!
• plank workout for flat abs and toned arms!
• 8 minute abs
• POP pilates : muffin top meltdown
• Abs all night challenge

Have a beautiful, summer weekend...
Love you all
xoxo, Elena

• HIITilates: beautiful burn
• POP pilates: BODYPOP! HIIT Bodyweight workout
• POP PLYO: Cray Cray WO
• POP cardio: summer sweatfest
• What makes you bootyful butt challenge

WELCOME SUMMER!!!
We need you sooo much!!!
Every single minute of you!
We love you!
...and I love you!
Have fun!
xoxo, Elena

POP pilates: inner thigh insanity
POP pilates: legilates legsercises leg WO
POP pilates: slimmer inner thighs and runner'scalves
POP pilates: serious standing pilates for legs, butt and obliques
POP pilates: back attack!
Drive by inner thighs challenge

We all need some extra rest in summer....
because the days are soooo loooong...
and soooo hoooot!!!!
Take your time...
love you
xoxo.Elena

• Spring fling 2: FAT LOSS cardio WO
• Fat burning cardio warmup/ POP cardio
• HIITilates: scream and shout
• The 100 burpee burnout/POP cardio
• Food baby HIIT WO (pop cardio)
• Till the world ends WO (pop pilates total body)

... and maybe... do a little shopping....
Summer is so beautiful!
Enjoy it!
Love you,
xoxo, Elena

• Best lower ab workout ever
• Uh-oh! Obliques ULTIMATE pilates WO
• BIKINI BLASTER 3: Abs Abs Abs!
• POP pilates: Miley Cyrus ab WO
• Good times abs challenge

Have a beautiful day!
Enjoy your summer!
Love you
xoxo, Elena

• Butt on fire/ POP pilatets
• Bikini blaster 1! HIIT IT HARD!
• The official prom dress workout
• The 20/20 WO for fat blusting and toning
• Like money apartment friendly POP cardio

....so I can wake up earlier...
Have a great week!
Love you xoxo,Elena