Can you imagine your life without your laptop, your mobile phone or …your coffee machine? Could you live without your kindle, your iPod or …your electric shaver? How attached are you to certain tools in your everyday life? 
Well, hello my friends! I hope you're all great! 
I was wondering if there are any tools in your everyday life that you can't live without them, tools so bonded to you, that you become one, necessary tools that make your life easier, better and maybe more…. meaningful? Because if there are any, they definitely deserve some reference. After all, we're so thankful for their existence!

In my life there are some things I'm totally dependent of and I'm happy to use day after day. So, with no more words, these are the "tools" I use every single day: 
1. A new day does not begin without a nice cup of coffee! As a fanatic coffee lover I could definitely not get through my day without it. So the first tool I use when I wake up in the morning is my five year now faithful TASSIMO coffee machine. My favourite coffee? Cafe crema classico for the beginning of the day and cappuccino for afternoon keep going…
2. My Macbook Pro. Need I say more for this tool? Obsession! Necessity and habit. Mostly useful but very often an unbelievable amount of time "eater" as well…you know what I mean.
3. My Samsung Galaxy note is another every day tool that I really love. I use it to read my kindle books and magazines, to take photos (samsung has really good cameras), I carry it in my bag (so I'm never "running out" of a computer), I,m using it as a computer when I'm lying(…..   ), I just love to write and draw on it (the main reason I bought it was to use it as a notebook!), it's a perfect diary-organizer and I have so many useful applications in it that this paragraph could turn to a samsung note tutorial-review….. and that's not my intention. But I think you got the point. I just love this beautiful tool!
4. As much as I love coffee, I'm really turning into a tea kind of person more and more with the time. There are so many tea varieties out there that not only taste amazing, but they're an extremely healthy alternative to coffee, as well.. Especially herbal teas, which I personally prefer lately, can be a first class medicine. Invigorating, relaxing, inspiring, calming, curing other particular situations, anyone can find a flavor to suit his or hers taste and need.
My Delonghi kettle is my companion tool at this journey to the "tealand". It was love at first sight when I saw this kettle a few years ago and I knew I had to take it, although I never had a kettle before. I cannot resist to anything that has a retro or vintage style and this "tool" was just too perfect not to love! Since I brought it home it lives on my kitchen countertop all year long…
5. The last two everyday use tools live in my bathroom. The first one is a face cleansing brush I could never imagine it would be so effective! Of course I'm talking about my Clarisonic mia brush. I had heard so many nice things about this tool that I had to buy it. Not only I did not regret it, but Clarisonic has become an absolute necessity for my face care. I literally can't live without it anymore. The cleansing experience is so much different in a better way than cleansing my face with my hands only. The brush gently exfoliates and deep cleanses my skin every time I use it, my pores disappeared and my face feels more refreshed and clean than never before! So yes, Clarisonic mia has become a tool of my soul!
6. Last but definitely not least tool of every day use is my toothbrush! How could anyone possibly live without a toothbrush in the daily routine? Mine is an electric one from Braun and Oral-b . I use an electric toothbrush because I believe it is way more effective than a simple toothbrush. Not only your dentist will confirm that when you'll visit him for your checkup, but you can feel it by yourself as well. My teeth are significantly more clean and shiny and for longer in the day when I use an electric toothbrush. It just gives me an extra sense of confidence knowing that I've done the job right.
And these were some of the most loved and used tools in my everyday life. Of course there are many other things that I use very often and can't live without, but obviously I cannot mention everything in a single blog post! These, however, are some representative miscellaneous examples from a typical everyday life of mine.
I hope you enjoyed this post and I'd love to hear what are your favorite everyday tools?
Love you all,
​xoxo, Elena

Hello my friends! Has winter come to where you live? Because here in Greece it's so sunny and warm it's hard to believe that Christmas is so close already! Anyway, regardless the weather, winter is here and the cold will follow, so I think it's the perfect time to talk about winter favorites in beauty.   
With Christmas coming fast I can't think of a better way to destress ourselves than taking good care of us, body and soul. Actually I've got some "treats" for you in my previous blogpost: "How I pamper myself". However, talking about winter specifically certain products are necessary to conquer the cold, dry atmosphere and make you and your skin feel a lot happier.
Personally I can't get through a breezy winter without a decent amount of my favorite winter products. I'm not talking about the full list of every single one product that I use on my hair, body and face in detail, just a short list of the absolute favorite winter products here. Simple as that! I'm talking about the products I can't live without this time of year which is called winter, the ones that put a smile on my face whenever I use them and make this "grey", frosty season a lot brighter and happier!
So, without second thought, these are my favorite winter products for many years now!

1. The skin on my body gets extremely dry and itchy when the first yellow leaf on a tree appears! That's the most annoying thing for me during cold weather.. So, a really good and effective moisturizing body lotion is an absolute must, if I don;t want "snow" falling in my house whenever I take my clothes out! However, I hate greasiness on my body and that makes my choices really difficult, but, you can't have it all and for me my skin health comes first. This year I discovered a body lotion from LA ROCHE-POSAY, which is suitable and therapeutic for very dry and itchy skin and it's so pure that it can be applied on babies as well. Forgive me Clinique for replacing your body lotion (Clinique is the one I use all year long), but this one really seems to work on my skin, so far. There is also a matching shower gel, that doesn't dry the skin, but leave it soft and hydrated, so that's my favorite body care set for winter!
2. My feet really suffer "squeezed" in the shoes all day (flip-flop period is my feet's favorite season), so whenever I have the time I offer them the gift of a nice home feet-spa: soak them into lukewarm water, exfoliate them and massage them using a rich cream which hydrates their skin as well as helping my feet blood circulation. The result? Feeling rested afterwards and having baby soft feet! THE BODY SHOP has the perfect products for feet care and I just love them
3. Although my skin is oily a good moisturizing lotion is always necessary, especially during winter time, when the dry air and the heating make every last water drop o! my skin being evaporated. And when it comes to moisturizing, CLINIQUE DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT MOISTURIZING GEL is my all time favorite product! This gel always makes me so happy when I apply it on my face! Love!
4. I'm not the lipstick kind of girl. When it comes to lips a lipgloss is my choice. I find that lip glosses give a more natural,  fresh result and they're much easier to apply, so it's usually out of question. However, during winter I love a little more rich color on my lips and I find my solution on CLINIQUE CHUBBY LIP STICKS, These lip sticks combine lip liner, lip stick and rich full creamy result and they're just amazing!  They give a shiny-mat natural look, they're super moisturizing and they come in so many beautiful colors that they're an absolute must favorite product for winter!
5. A nice hand cream. My hands get really dry during winter, so a hand cream is necessary, too. I rarely use hand cream all the other seasons as I don't like the greasiness on my hands and I don't  need it anyway. In winter, however I really enjoy the softness and the velvety effect of a cream on my hands. If the smell is great as well that makes it another favorite winter product. I usually have a L'OCCITANE hand cream always handy!
6. A lip balm. Who likes chapped lips? No one I think! That's why a CHAP STICK "lives" in my handbag all year long, but usually I use it much more at winter time for obvious reasons. Although Chap Stick is my favorite lip balm as it heals and softens my lips instantly, I also use EOS lip balms from time to time, because … I love their packaging and the smell… no judge…
7. Can you think of a better way to beat winter blues than color? When everything is grey and misty around me I want to treat my vision and my soul with something colorful which reminds me that there is always the other side of things and that spring always comes after winter…An easy way to put some color in my life is by painting my nails with a beautiful color. As I don't paint my nails very often, I prefer small packagings of nail colors which may have the opportunity to get to an end, especially if they're my favorite ones. MAVALA is a brand with cute, adorable little bottles and an amazing, endless variety of nail colors. I have a not so small selection of them I have to admit and I absolutely adore them! So, yes MAVALA nail polishes are another winter favorite.
8. And last but not least winter favorite is something invisible! My perfume! I feel quite naked without it and I definitely miss something when I leave home without a spritz of my favorite smell. A perfume can lift my mood at once and all day through! Personally I love fresh and light perfumes, I find that they have a vivid influence in my mood. CHANCE by CHANEL is my second skin, all versions of it, especially "eau tendre" for winter.
And that is all! These are my favorite winter products. I hope you'll find them interesting and inspiring and why not? Try some of them yourself! I guarantee for each one!
Love you all,
​xoxo, Elena   

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 everyone! Today's post is inspired by another Mama Kat's writing prompt: "List 6 things you do as a parent that you swore you would never do"
Of course, as you may already know, I don't have any kids, so this prompt seemed like a challenge to me. What if I write 6 things that I think it's not good at all to do to a child, now, that I'm still ....childless, and come back to this promise-post in the future, when and if I ever will be blessed to have a kid of my own...
Let's go then! Things I'll never do to my kids are mostly things that bothered me as a child, things that made me feel bad, overwhelmed me or discouraged me in any way:
1)I'll never "stick" to my child's imperfections. (Oh, my God, it seems difficcult, already!!!)
If big ears, big nose, or short or fat legs, ...or whatever that may look weird is on the way....I will accept it and shall not let any annoyment appear ever. Kids understand everything and have so many insecurities themselves that the last thing they need is one more confirmation of their deficiencies from their own parent. Everyone has some gifts, why not stick to them instead?
2)I'll never compare my kid to any other kid.
"My first kid is so clever, but the little one has to stydy twice as much to catch up....", "other kids manage everything and you don't even....", "Mary is so good at..., why don't you....",... all these comparisons are so unnecessary! Every kid is unique having its very own personality and we shouldn't expect the same things from all of them. If it's not good enough at one thing, it will definitely be great at something else and that's what we should admire and compliment.
3)I'll never discourage my kid from doing something he or she really likes, just because that's not one of my preferences.
We're different persons from our kids and we may like different things. It may be difficult to accept that one, but it's fair not to mock or underestimate my kid's desires.
4)I'll never depress my kids to do something they don't want in order to satisfy any unrealized dream of mine.
That's the most unfair thing of all! Any human being has its very own dreams, hopes and desires and we must help our kids to live theirs instead of exchanging them with ours!
5)I'll never allow my kids imposing their own rules at home.
Kids have their royalties, but they should learn that people have obligations in real life as well! The sooner they learn this one, the better! And regarding home, parents are the boss. Mom and dad set the rules. They decide what kids are eating, when they're sleeping, when and how long they're studying, playing, watcing T.V., surfing the internet... they decide everything that has to do with their kids' daily routine. That's really important not only for parents health, but especially for children, so that they'll become responsible adults and not spoiled ones... Kids also feel more secure when they follow a program rather than being totally disorganized.
6)I'll never despise my kid's needs.
Personal life, work and hobbies are all very important in a human's life, but when you become a parent I guess your kid is the most important thing in the world. Being a parent means setting any ego aside and stop yourself from being the centre of the universe. Your first priority becomes your kid, as if your heart was beating out of your body...
I don't know how difficult it would be to accomplish these promises under the pressure of daily life, in the real world... I'm pretty sure all parents have made similar promises before they become parents and violated each one of them feeling extremely quilty..., but then, who is perfect? It's helpful to have some principals in mind anyway, to help you lead the long journey of motherhood...
Well, lastly, I promise I'll come back to this post some day, to remind myself of what I've once said, or reconsider and I'll probably surprise myself or just laugh at me... who knows? "Rendez-vous" in future!    

Written as part of Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop

Thank you  so much for reading!
Love you all,
xoxo Elena

Hello everyone! I know it's been a quiet long time since my last post, but I really need this extra time to organize and present my posts in a proper way that makes me feel complete and satisfied... if that is ever possible!
Today's post is another mama Kat's idea that I truly enjoyed very, very much and I didn't want to miss it in no way! You see, there are a few things that recently came into my life and which I totally felt in love with at once! Five of them I'm going to share with you and they happen to be my most favorite things right now!

The reason I love these items, besides they're obviously extremely beautiful and functional (...and someone is extremely snobbish around here...) is that I wanted and searched for these beauties long ago. So, the last one or two months, somewhen around Christmas time and under the influence of the  famous "Christmas spirit ", I just got out there and did my absolutely necessary moodlifting shopping therapy!! Hello, I'm Helen and I'm feeling great!!

Well, here's my list of five currently obsessions:

I've been using mini and pocket filofax organizers since I was at the university, almost twenty years now and I was more than pleased. I'm generally obsessed with organizers in any form, style or color and, without exaggerating, I could gladly purchase dozens of them! There are so many glamorous organizers out there in the recent years, that's really difficult not to be tempted!
But I chose to be practical and logic: filofax was tried and tested through years, has a very wide collection of calendars, papers and other goodies which can be replaced every year (so, you don't have to buy a whole new organizer every now and then), also has a great quality of products and they're all so beautiful! So, my decision was filofax again, only this time I would choose a bigger size, because I love writing and I need space to do it. A4 was very big, personal size is very practical if you want to carry it with you, but not big enough for my needs, so A5 was the right one for me. As for the colour and type, I loved the purple leather finsbury among other gorgeous ones, so that's my bright an new 2014 filofax organizer ! Love it!

O.K! I wasn't actually sure wether I needed a tablet or not, at least not yet. However, I flirted with the idea I could hold such a small and light piece of technology wherever and whenever I wanted to... at the sofa, in my bed, in my handbag, in a waiting room, in the car, on my kitchen counter... still I wasn't so sure. My laptop suffices most of my computing needs and I didn't want to become one of these persons who depend themselves from a computer, as an extension of their own hand...
And then Samsung note caught my eye. Well, that one is not just another tablet! It is a piece of art! It has a pen to touch the screen and write, makes the most wonderful zen nature sounds a stressfull person like me seeks, it can be the perfect calendar and organizer (here's my second one...), it has a HD camera for great shots and videos, it can be your bookcase and your newsstand, your navigation system in a strange place.... and has plenty of other seductive applications to use. But, what really thrilled me is its use as a scetchbook! You can draw whatever you want with this cute magic little pen and let Picasso to come out of inside you.... You can even draw your own photographs, cultivate your talent... and impress everyone! How cool is that??
So, I put aside any doubts about tablets and ordered this beautie. I didn't want to miss it by no means! And I did not regret a penny! I'm sooo delighted!

Only God (and my husband) knows how looong I earnestly desired this kind of vintage sugar white Delonghi kettle! Since it was released, a few years ago, maybe? I loved it at first sight (the whole collection - kettle, toaster and espresso machine - is lovely actually, in every color), but I believed I didn't need a kettle in my house since I could boil the water in any other kitchenware and the kettle would only took up space on my counter....
My advice? Never resist a love at first sight! It will appear into your life sooner or later! I deeply knew I would possess this so very retro piece in my kitchen one day. I was sure, it was mine. And I brought it home this Christmas. Honestly, I don't understand how I lived without it! It's been my right hand in the kitchen and not only! I now have boiled water whenever I need it in just a few minutes and it remains hot long enough, if I want to use it later. No more saucepans using for boiling water, not any more! Technology from the past found its way to my home, at last! She looks sooo beautiful on my counter right now!

The nighstand lamp is another long story. As a matter of fact, you need a cup of coffee to read this post  to its end.. (and I needed a few more -teas actually- to complete its writing...)!
The truth is I was dreaming of a glass ball nightstand lamp my entire life (and I guess I'm going to have it some day..), but I couldn't find the perfect one for my nightstands. I wanted it with a glass (not metallic) base, not too high and wide, not too small either, with a beautiful lampshade... anyway, in another life maybe! Or, maybe, when I also have the nightstands of my dreams, mirrored, vintage and very, very feminine... So, the glass lamps may wait for the perfect much to find their way to my home, too!
Until that time comes, I really needed two lamps for my bedroom. We had the lykta ikea lamps for many years and we were pretty satisfied with their lighting, but one of them broke while we were moving (totally we broke about two or three  of them, easily broken....) and only one remained, so instead of buying another lykta lamp, which would probably be broken within the year as well, I decided to buy the arstid table lamps from ikea, too. 
The arstid lamp was a piece I always admired for its elegance and simplicity, not to mention it is a real value for money purchase, as many ikea products. I'm very proud and happy to have this lamp in my bedroom! It makes a very relaxing, soft lighting which is exactly what I want in the bedroom, providing enough light to read, get dressed, even do your make up, at the same time! It is not a "dark" bedroom lamp, it is light and tender, feathery let me say! Alright, I'm thrilled with this lamp , I have to admit it and I can't imagine I would have missed it, if I bought the glass lamp on the first place! This ikea lamp definitely deserved the opportunity to live into my house! Love, love, love!!!

I've been seeing this inaccessible and so desirable Missoni scarf in the mall, at the accessories department for months. It stood apart from others! Its colors are so amazing and so my match! Its design so unique and chic! It suits with so many clothes, colors and styles putting an unforgettable signature in any outfit!
But it was really expensive for a scarf! During the sales its price dropped to 50% off(!!!), which made it a bit more accessible, but still highly priced... On second thought, it was a MISSONI... difficult to pass by... it instantly upgrades anything you wear!
So I returned!
It was still  hanging there.
I took it without ... third thought!
I just grabbed it and run to the cashier...
My first Missoni piece of clothe is now hanging from my wardrobe's doorknob!
It's mine and I can't get enough of seeing it!

Well, these were five of my most favorite things at the moment and their history. I love everyone of them, because it came into my life for a special reason and all of them for making my everyday life more beautiful and happy and less miserable.  

Shopping therapy may be a little underestimated in recent years, but the truth is that new things, especially things we want and love so much, smaller or bigger, it doesn't really matter, bring joy in our lives and renewal and we all need that, from time to time, don't you agree?

Thank you so much for reading,
Love you all,
xoxo Elena

Written as part of Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop

• 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

(photos: via, via, via)

It's been a strange, rather difficult week with lots of "ups" and downs", followed by a very emotionally charged weekend. We had our dearest aunt's 40 days memorial yesterday,  I saw some relatives and old friends I haven't seen for years (some of them for many, many years...), I saw places from the past, too, I realized how some things change over the years , while some others remain the same for ever... years are really passing and it's really hard to say the last "goodbye" to people you've loved the most... but it's very, very important to show your love to them while they're still alive. That's all that matters. To love our people when they're here, with us. Endless memories and thoughts went through my mind these days... when you lose someone you love, you are not only saying "goodbye" to your beloved one, you're saying "goodbye" to a whole part of your life story as well... I don't know which one of the two hurts the most, but I always reach the same conclusion: to love and to live each moment of your life...

The last thing I wanted is to make you feel sad. Life is so beautiful, is just not always pink... Certain difficulties appear to each one of us, we just have to learn to get over them and stand on our feet again. Our beloved persons will always live in our hearts as long as we shall live, but life is going on and I'm 100% sure that "they" want us to live happily...

And as I use to do the last three Mondays now, I also have some lovely links here for you today. I hope you like it!

~ "Best blog post" prize: Daddy Where Are You?

~ Fitness: POP Pilates for Beginners - Total Body Workout (no more excuses...)

~ The perfect breakfast: 3 Busy Girl Breakfasts

~ The perfect snack: French Bread Pizza

~ Sweet delight: Dark Chocolate Mousse

~ Outfit love: Cold Front...

~ Magazine: Adore, April/May 2013

~ List love: 11 Ways to Improve Your Life

~  The "it list" from ZsaZsa Bellagio

~ New DIY blog love: Best of DIY by Centsational Girl

Have a lovely week,
Love you all,
xoxo, Elena

via

Hello my lovely readers! I hope you all had a beautiful and relaxing weekend and you're back here to face a challenging and gorgeous week as well. I had the chance to enjoy lots of sea viewing this Saturday, captivating all that calm and energy sea is presenting to us so generous! I also enjoyed some lovely (and glamorous!) shopping in my beloved city named Thessaloniki with my sweet man... And Sunday was nice, too, with reading, croissants, coffee, lunch with father in law and a new wonderful show on TV "that face sounds familiar": funny and touching, I absolutely loved it! To contribute to your weekly wellbeing...I have some lovely links here for you, I hope you'll find interesting...

~ Fitness: 10-Minute Yoga for Happiness

~ Perfect style: Striped Shirts

~ Cook: Skillet-Baked Eggs with Spinach, Yogurt, and Chili Oil

~ Delicious: Skinny-strawberry-shortcake.

~ List love: 100 rules of dinner.

~ Sew love: Spring spruce up.

~ Dream villas: The GREEK VILLAS!

~ Home love: Elegant Melbourne home in Adore home

~ Magazine: Matchbook, April 2013

~ Blog post love: First baby room, by Mini Manor.

Have a nice week
love you all,
xoxo, Elena                        

via

via

via

Hello my friends! I hope you all had a beautiful weekend followed by a fabulous week! It's been raining many days, here in Greece, but who really cares? Spring is coming! Let's be a little optimistic every now and then!  I have some lovely  links here for you which I believe they'll make your week a little brighter ...and sunnier! Have a fab week!

~ The best breakfast sandwich you could ever imagine!

~ Cook strawberries, in season in April: strawberry jam.

~ Book: Celebrate, a year of British festivities for family and friends, by Pippa Middleton.

~Dream home: Alaina Kaczmarski’s Chicago Apartment Tour.

~ Organize: simplified closet.

~ Magazine: Delightedmag, spring issue.

~ Outfit: Duck paddle, by classy girls.

~ Fitness: New workout!!! The way we tone.

~ List love: 100 Ways to Have More Romance in Your Life.

~ Blog love: Elephantine

Many kisses, love you all,
xoxo Elena