This summer come to Greece

Greece, Hellas, Grecia, Řecko, Griechenland. You can call it in many ways. You can also call it “Beautiful country”! Spend a few minutes and take a look at the videos below. Summer is officially here and I invite you to a country with beautiful landscapes, kind people with hospitality, amazing, long and clean beaches, delicious food and endless nightlife!

The first video shows the best places in Greece: Olympos, Athens - Acropolis, Athens, "High Bridge" (hanging) of Chalkis Repi, Lighthouse - Skiathos , Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, Aegean, Cyclades, Mykonos, The Lighthouse Armenistis - Mykonos, Delos, Naxos (Portara-The marble gate on the islet of Palaces), Filoti - Naxos, Amorgos - The Hozoviotissa, Antiparos, Sifnos, Paros, Santorini, Caldera, Nea Kameni, Amoudi (port Ia), Oia -- Santorini, volcanic soil, Oia, Knossos, Crete, Rhodes, Acropolis of Lindos - Rhodes, Mytilene - Our Lady of Petra, Molivos Genoese fortress, Thrace, the horses in the river Axios, Kavala, Archaeological site of Philippi, Mount Athos Peninsula, Mount Athos, Thessaloniki, Edessa Waterfalls, Lake Prespa, Holy Trinity Vrontous Olympus, Bridge to the lake Aliakmonas, Lake Ioannina, Meteora, Corinth Canal, Cog Vouraikos gorge, Monemvasia, Pylos, Niokastro Pylos, Methoni Bourtzi, Sfaktiria Spartan Fortress, Temple of Aphaia in Aegina, Mycenae, Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, ancient stadium of Olympia, Zakynthos, Shipwreck in Zakynthos, Mouseisland -- Corfu, Tholos of Athena Pronaia - Delphi, Athens, Attica Chapel

The second one presents the best Greek beaches: Agios Ioannis in Gavdos, Armathia island of Kassos, Archampolis of south Evia island, Ballos in Crete, Voutoumi in Antipaxoi ispand, Longas in Corfu, Engremnoi in Lefkada, Elafonisi in Crete, Elinda in Chios island, Kaladi in Kythera island, Kalo Livadi in Mykonos, Koukounaries in Skiathos, Manganari in Ios island, Myrtos beach in Kefalonia, Porto Katsiki in Lefkada island, Syvota in Thesprotia-Epirus, Makryammos in Thasos island, Voidokoilia in Messinia of Peloponenos etc.

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Café Frappe, traditional Greek

Today I took the bus to University because I had to meet a girl and get a book from her. It was so sunny and hot and while traveling in the bus I was wishing I was on a beach with a Frappe in my hands. So, today I decided to talk you about Café Frappe, a traditional and delicious Greek coffee. 

If you ask a Greek person about the 10 traditional things of his country I bet he will talk about café frappe between others. It is a coffee specially connected with summer, beaches and Greek students. “Pame gia cafe? = Shall we go for a coffee?” is a phrase you hear thousand times every day all over Greece! 

This kind of coffee was created by accident in September 1957 at the annual International Fair in Thessaloniki when a guy, Dimitrios Vakondios who was working for Nestle products was desperate for a coffee. There was no hot water so he decided to mix instant coffee with cold water and shake it vigorously. That was an important Greek invention as Frappe became part of our everyday life. 

It’s really easy/fast to prepare. What you need is:

- A large glass

- Nescafe

- Sugar

- Water

- Ice

- Evaporated milk

- Coffee mixer frother

- Straw

So, you take your glass and put inside a little water (3 fingers are ok). Then you add coffee and sugar, it depends on how strong you prefer your coffee. You mix it in the coffee mixer for a few seconds and then you add ice and water. That’s it! Those who like evaporated milk, can put a little, I always drink my frappe with milk. 

So next time you want to be refreshed with something different try Café Frappe!

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BARCELONA Rules!

Spain or Espain (as most of my Spanish friends use to call it) is a big love! 

The energy, the colors, the rhythm of this country, make it amazing. Barcelona is not a place to visit just once. I can’t go against this rule so in a few days I will have the opportunity to visit it for second time. By the way, thank you so much Ryanair for your cheap tickets! 

I’m really excited because apart from the city I will have the chance to meet some very important people and very good friends. 

If you have never been in Barcelona before then take a look at these pictures. 

I really can’t wait to arrive there. 

what else to follow: 

Belgrade-Land of party,Honey and Hearts

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Sexy summer 2012

I’ve been really late to our monthly meeting about fashion but now I’m here to restore my reputation. I don’t know what the weather is like in your countries but here in Thessaloniki, Greece the weather is one step before madness. It rains almost every day and it is much colder as it usually is at the end of every May. Of course, we have some sunny and hot days so some brave people attempt their first jumps into the sea. For this reason I have selected my favorite swimwear for 2012.  

I usually buy a swimsuit every two years but the last 3 years I have loved the mix and match swimsuits. They give me the opportunity to do many combinations and I can buy some new pieces without spending more than 15 euros every year. For me it is important to feel comfortable and of course sexy in my swimsuit. Here is my top 3 for this summer.

(I wish I had the models' bodies but anyway let's look at the swimsuits just to avoid depression :D)

what else to follow: 
The pieceful Hippie style
My 10 most desired heels

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My favourite Eurovision songs for 2012!

A few hours left for the 57th Eurovision show contest. As always it’s a night that I can’t miss for any reason! Usually, I watch the show with many friends, we meet in my flat and spend the night with pizza, drinks etc. This year I will watch Eurovision with Bijoux, my lovely dog :D because tomorrow is my 23rd birthday party and I don’t want my friends to see the surprises I have prepared for them. So, here are my top 5 participations and of course the amazing Crystal Hall Stadium in Baku, Azerbaijan.

No 1. Loreen for Sweden " Euphoria" 

No 2. Zeljko Joksimovic for Serbia “NijeLjubav Stva”

No 3. Elefteria Elefteriou for Greece "Aphrodisiac"

No 4. Hvh Adamou for Cyprus "La la love" 

No 5. Pastora Soler for Spain "Quedate conmigo"

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Mom, I love you!

Thinking about really special people in our lives it’s impossible not to consider our mother as -maybe- the most important person. Not all mothers are perfect. They make mistakes for the simple reason they are humans! At the same moment they are the most fantastic people on earth because they…

Will never leave you without love!

Will never reject you even if everybody does!

Will always be your biggest fan although sometimes strict one!

Would give their life for you!

For this reason let’s make them a nice present today. 

It doesn’t have to be neither expensive nor material!

It can be just a hug and the best phrase on earth “Mom, I love you”

My best wishes to your moms!

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James Bond's Greek girlfriend!

She is 24 years old, extremely beautiful with no doubt  -for this reason she has been voted by IMDB as the fourth most exotic and beautiful woman on earth-  she is Greek and very soon she will be James Bond’s new girlfriend in the upcoming 23rd James Bond film, "Skyfall"  Her name? Tonia Sotiropoulou! 

Daniel Craig will be returning as the legendary British secret agent, alongside Judi Dench as "M", with Sam Mendes directing a screenplay written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan. The cast will also include Berenice Marlohe, Javier Bardem, Naomie Harris, Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney and Ben Wishaw. The film will shoot at Pinewood Studios and on location in London, England; Scotland; Shanghai, China and Istanbul, Turkey.

Tonia has characterized the day she got to know to be James Bond’s new girlfriend as the happiest of her life. "Dear friends I officially announce I got a part in J. Bond new film!!! Turkey here I come! Thank u all for you love and support! This is officially the happiest day of my life bitches!!!!"

Tonia was born in Athens and at the age of 21 she decided to live abroad and try to make an international career. The last 3 years she lives in London and as she has recently said she doesn’t want to come back to Greece as London gives her more chances to work! 
Until now she has participated to some successful jobs: «Βerberian Sound Studio» with Toby Jones, in Martha Fiennes ‘ Art Installation Project «Νativity» and soon she will participate to «The Midnight Βeast».

She is definitely a very beautiful woman with talent and ambitions. In other words she has all necessary qualifications to be James Bond’s new girlfriend! 


what else to follow: 
Participating in a Belgian TV program
Talent meets creativity 
A top-Model's bittersweet reality 

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A Top-Model's bitter - sweet reality

So much beauty in this interview. I’m sure there is no girl on earth that has never imagined herself as a model. Ania has converted this thought into reality and described me her life as a top model with all the nice and bad things it may include. 

Ania, is really the life of a model bitter-sweet?

Hello, thanks for giving me the opportunity to express myself and talk about my work. Many people actually believe that this work is easy, and we just stay in front of the camera and make money. The majority of models begin to do this work since 14 years old and most of the times at the age of 25 the modeling career is over, although I know some models 30 years old, but the at castings say they are younger. At the age of 14 or maybe 16 we begin traveling around the world we arrive at a town where we know nobody, not even the language, and for this reason models speak English. We might just go to China or Japan or NY or Paris or London or Milan, Sydney. Every time we arrive at a new place we take pictures of the new market that indulge in the country. If we do not know the city we have to learn how to operate with the metro and buses and trains, because for this work we have to run around town doing castings.  All models dream of being a supermodel, but it is very difficult  and I have seen so many beautiful girls that after so many efforts have surrendered to. The secret in this work is not to listen to the criticisms that are bad for all models but believing in yourself and fight, always with a smile. 

Ania, castings are part of your everyday life. What happens in a casting?

When the client arrives some greetings jokes or maybe we talk a little. You give your book (it's a Guest Book with your own photos of your work) and leave your composit (it's a spreadsheet with your data, height, bust, waist, hips, shoe, hair, eyes. There ahead of the your best picture and behind other 4 pics). Then the client makes you some photos, or makes you try a few clothes. But sometimes the customers look at your photos with a face of disgust ... or they look bad. {...} Very often I have seen girls running away from a casting crying. In my opinion, if a photographer or designer does not like a girl he does not have to point this out because the girls there are very bad, and often begin not to believe in themselves. 

I would like to know the atmosphere in the back stage of a fashion show. Is it so crazy? Do you have any story to tell us? Maybe an accident , or a stressful moment on the run way?

During the fashion week we are all stressed and crazy, the models shift every week from NY to London or Paris Milan, and all are already stressed. After the parade you have to run to another show with the risk of being late. {…} In the fashion week in one day you may have to do 15 castings or it also happened to me 18 or 20 castings a day. During the parade you have to change quickly and as soon as you change you must already run on the catwalk. During that run hairdressers,  make-up artists and stylists stop you to mend your clothes. The shoes are often uncomfortable and there is a risk of slipping in every step. All screaming “fast fast fast”!

Models’ world is full of glamour and fame. At the same time it is supposed to be a “dark” world with drugs and sexual harassment. Which is your opinion according to your experience?

At work rarely happens that a few customers, do some harassment.  {…}  The dark world exists at night.  Many girls go into making the models with a hope of becoming somebody. But there's a job I do not really like and it is linked with the models. The PR guys are doing this work, you know, sometimes waiting for the models to get out of the casting and bring them to parties at night. Or get to know them through friends and acquaintances.
They earn money by bringing the models to the club. They believe the girls pretend to fall in love to take advantage of it or pretend to be their friends. The models are girls who move to a city and they have chances to eat for free and party for free or make new friends. 

Do you earn a lot of money from this job or is this a myth that models are so well paid?

Girls who have been models 10 years ago are rich and have earned a lot of money, but now there are too many modeling agencies and too many models. Customers have remained as before and this makes it more difficult to get a job. We arrive in a casting where there are 100 or 200 models and perhaps they choose only 2 or 4 of these. I have noticed however that in castings I always meet new girls while at work, I always meet with the girls I've known in past works. I work more and thus earn enough money. But usually when the girls arrive in a country they must pay for the trip, the place to live (the agency gives you that but then you have to pay) the composites, the book. If you take the pocket money charge even those. Then, there are the fees that have to be paid to the country and the percentage that the agency takes. But there are places where people earn a lot of money: Japan because you have a contract and you already know how much you will be paid. I had been suggested to go to Japan, with the agency 'Donna' I wanted to go there a lot but in the end I had to go somewhere else, despite the fact that a visit to Japan is one of my DREAMS since I was a child. Then in China, Germany and I love Berlin! I’ve been there only two weeks I’ve gained a lot and the city is beautiful. Even in London it works well, but the fact is that it's an expensive city.

You are from Russia but you live and work in Italy and of course you are travelling when necessary. Did your family agree with your decision to become a model?

I'm not entirely Russian I’m also half Italian. Then I have distant relatives of Ukrainians, Poles and my grandfather is Tartar that’s why my eyes are slightly slanted. Actually I had never thought about modeling, my DREAM is to become an actress I have also studied acting. Since I was a little girl my aunt told me that I should become a model, my mother was not enthusiastic about this, but my aunt insisted and she eventually convinced my mother. But I had no idea how to find an agency, because I lived in Sicily and agencies are in Milan.
One day on facebook I filled out a card but I thought it was a scam. The next day they called my mother and after 3 days I went to Milan. My agency has believed in me from the first day and the director told mehe believed in me, too. So, I decided to become a model and all the photographers were always happy with my shots so  they call me to work again  and again. Then the modeling job started fascinating me I took it seriously. 

What would you choose: A great and well paid career that would give you fame and a financially comfortable life for ever OR a career like thousands models have but a happy family with children and personal happiness?

It is a complicated question, but I think you can have both things. In my work at any time x is another person. Very often, you must reject friendship, because when free  time is short you have to choose between  friends and  boyfriend.
{…} I would choose both, I think everything is possible.

Ania, good luck with your career, I'm sure we' ll see amazing things from you. Thank you for the great interview!

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The peaceful Hippie style!

After many days wondering about what to present you, I decided to talk about the style I love the most, after rock style of course. In combination with spring time I think it’s the perfect moment to make a nice flash back to the "Hippie style"!!
 

The story of Hippies is too big! Just in case you don’t know anything about them, the Hippie subculture developed as a youth movement that began in the United States during the early 1960s and spread around the world. Its origins can be traced back to classical culture and to European social movements in the early 20th century, Fabians and Bohemians.
From around 1967, its fundamental ethos - including harmony with nature, communal living, artistic experimentation particularly in music, and the widespread use of recreational drugs - spread around the world.
Hippies were young people lovers of nature and simplicity. They had a positive view of life and of course loved sex and marihuana.

Why I love their style so much is because it brings to my mind something innocent, something sweet, it brings to my mind peace!

A hippie is mostly recognized from his/her long hair decorated with accessories, colorful clothes and of course many rings, bracelets and necklaces. I have collected many pictures of hippie style and as you will see it is not that difficult to make a hippie look. Of course, if your personality is strict, pessimistic (I hope it is not) or you hate people sitting on the grass, smoking and dancing, don’t try it. It won’t be you!

Hair: You don't need too much time to have a hippie look. Just keep your hair free. Most hippies had long hair but you don't have to wait for years if you like the style. Furthermore, not all Hippie styles have to be the same so be a hippie with shorter hair as well! As you can see, accesories decorate their hair. You can buy some cheap items and change them often. What I suggest you is to create your own accessory for your hair. For example, I would like to have one of these hair accesories in silver, gold and green color in a braid shape.

About clothing your choices are many. As I've said before, not all Hippie looks have to follow the same rules. For this reason take some ideas from the pictures below and make your own outfit. 

This is my brand new Hippie skirt.. I can't wait to wear it but I am waiting for a very special trip I have organised with my friends :)

And now, accessories...Without them I'm sorry but you can't be a hippie. So much variety of accesories, it's up to you to choose the one you prefer the most! Here there are some of them.

If you like coloring your nails, don't be surprissed, not all the girls like doing it, you can choose all the colors. In my opinion they don't have to be always vivid colors but also pale. For those who like patterns on their nales I liked the one below with the flowers. 

Whatever you do just have in your mind that hippies were happy and positive people. They didn't need quantity to smile and this is my message for you! Try to smile, try to be positive, try to be a Hippie firstly in your heart!

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Νικήστε τη ζυγαριά σας!

Ακούγοντας τη λέξη "ζυγαριά" οι περισσότερες γυναίκες φέρνουν στο μυαλό τους περιττά κιλά. Τι γίνεται όμως με τους ανθρώπους που είναι λιποβαρείς και δίνουν τη δική τους μάχη με τη ζυγαριά για να πάρουν βάρος? Είμαι σίγουρη ότι πολλές από εσάς θα σκεφτείτε ότι είναι πολύ απλό να τρως ότι σου αρέσει χωρίς να στερείσαι. Αφού διαβάσετε τη συνέντευξη της Μαριάνθης είμαι σίγουρη ότι θα αλλάξετε γνώμη, τουλάχιστον σε μεγάλο βαθμό, αφού μας περιγράφει όλη την προσπάθεια που έκανε ώστε να κερδίσει βάρος. Είναι μάλιστα, η πρώτη φορά που παρουσιάζω ανάλογο θέμα γι’ αυτό και καλωσορίζω τη Μαριάνθη με μεγάλη χαρά στο 4 special people.

Μαριάνθη, πες μας αρχικά, τι ήταν αυτό που σε έκανε να αποφασίσεις να πάρεις βάρος?

Καλησπέρα και από εμένα Ελλη! Στις μέρες μας η αλήθεια είναι ότι οι περισσότερες κοπέλες θελουν να χασουν βαρος, αλλα στην περιπτωση μου συνέβη το αντίθετο…Ο κύριος λόγος που αποφασισα να παρω λιγο βαρος ηταν καθαρα αισθητικος! Ηθελα να μου εφαρμοζουν καλυτερα τα ρουχα και φυσικα να νιωθω εγω καλυτερα!

Για να καταλάβουμε περίπου την κατάσταση που αντιμετώπισες, μπορείς να μας δώσεις μερικά ενδεικτικά στοιχεία για το ύψος σου και το βάρος σου πριν ξεκινήσεις την προσπάθεια σου?
Ναι …το βαρος μου ανερχοταν στα 44,5 kg και το υψος μου στο 1,60 cm!

Φαντάζομαι πως επισκέφτηκες κάποιον διαιτολόγο αφού σε ορισμένες καταστάσεις που αφορούν την υγεία πρέπει να είμαστε πολύ προσεκτικοί. Ποια ήταν η διαδικασία που ακολουθήσατε όταν βάλατε στόχο να κερδίσεις βάρος?
Ναι, επισκεφτηκα μια διαιτολογο, γιατι μονοι μας είναι επικινδυνο να αναλαμβανουμε να βαζουμε ή να χανουμε βαρος! Το πρωτο πραγμα που εκανε λοιπον η διατολογος ηταν να με ζυγισει, να μετρησει το υψος, την περιφερεια, την μυικη μου μαζα και  να μου κανει λιπομετρηση! Ολα αυτα για να παρακολουθουμε την πορεια μου! Στη συνεχεια εκανα εξετασεις αιματος για χοληστερινη, αιματοκριτη, σακχαρο, τριγλυκεριδια, σιδηρο για να δουμε εάν είναι όλα σε φυσιολογικα επιπεδα. Τα αποτελεσματα ηταν αριστα και ετσι αρχισαμε τη διαδικασια!

Περιέγραψε μας ένα γεύμα σου κατά τη διάρκεια της ειδικής διατροφής που ακολούθησες και μοιράσου μαζί μας κάποιες δυσκολίες που αντιμετώπισες. Σίγουρα η προσπάθεια δεν ήταν εύκολη.
Ένα ημερησιο προγραμμα μου ειχε ως εξης: 

Πρωινο: δημητριακα 

Δεκατιανο: μπισκοτα ή κεικ 

Μεσημεριανο: πληρες πιατο με πατατες, κρεας, σαλατα, τυρι, ψωμι 

Απογευματινο: γιαουρτι με μελι 

Bραδινο: μια φετα με ψωμι και ταχινι και 2 τοστ με γαλοπουλα κασερι! 

Επισης, καθ’ολη την διαρκεια της ημερας επρεπε να τρωω 6 φρουτα και να πινω 8 ποτηρια νερο για να φευγουν οι τοξινες και να μην γινεται κατακρατηση!
Με δυσκολεψε αρκετα να τρωω όλα αυτά τα φαγητα σε τακτα χρονικα διαστηματα γιατι λογω υποχρεωσεων καποιες φορες επρεπε να αφηνω γευματα και να τα αναπληρωνω άλλες ωρες με αποτελεσμα να φορτωνονται πολλα για βραδινο! Σιγουρα επρεπε να εχω πειθαρχια και υπομονη! Οι θερμιδες όπως μου ελεγε και η διαιτολογος μου ηταν οσες τρωει ενας ανδρας για να διατηρηθει στα κιλα του. Εφταναν τις 2,500 ημερησιως! 

Πραγματικά πολύ γεμάτο το διατροφικό σου πρόγραμμα Μαριάνθη. Πόσος καιρός έχει περάσει από τη στιγμή που ξεκίνησες την όλη διαδικασία? Έχεις πετύχει το στόχο σου ή συνεχίζεις ακόμα την προσπάθεια σου να πάρεις κιλά?

Την διατροφη την ξεκινησα Οκτωβριο και τη συνεχισα μεχρι Ιανουαριο! Όταν την αρχισα δεν ειχα προσδιορισει ακριβως τα κιλα που ηθελα να παρω, απλα ειπα στη διατολογο μου «Θελω να βαλω καποια κιλα»… Οπως ανεφερα παραπανω, ξεκινησα με 44,5 Kg και εφτασα τα 47,4 Kg μεσα σε τρεις μηνες εβαλα 2,9 kg! Την εχω σταματησει τωρα αφου πετυχα ένα σημαντικο για μενα στοχο γιατι για αρκετα χρονια προσπαθουσα να παρω βαρος και δεν καταφερνα να παρω παραπανω από 1 kg! Πλεον φοραω ρουχα τα οποια στο παρελθον δεν ηθελα σε καμια περιπτωση να φοραω, γιατι δεν μου αρεσε όπως καθονταν πανω μου! Μου εχει ανεβασει αρκετα την αυτοπεποιθηση αυτό!

Η Μαριάνθη πριν (αριστερά) και μετά (δεξιά) την ειδική διατροφή που ακολούθησε. Είναι εμφανές κυρίως στην περιοχή των ποδιών και της κοιλιάς ότι το βάρος της αυξήθηκε βελτιώνοντας την εμφάνιση της και κυρίως αυξάνοντας την αυτοπεποίθησή της. 

Πριν κλείσουμε τη συνέντευξη θα ήθελα να δώσεις μερικές συμβουλές στις κοπέλες που θέλουν να πάρουν βάρος και να μας πεις πως νιώθεις τώρα.
Θα ηθελα να πω στις κοπελες που είναι λιγο πιο αδυνατες από το κανονικο και θα ηθελαν να παρουν λιγο βαρος, να κανουν την προσπαθεια τους παντα με τη βοηθεια ενός ειδικου και να μη ξεχνούν ότι το κλειδι για την επιτυχια είναι η συνεχης προσπαθεια,η υπομονη και η επιμονη. Ετσι να είναι σιγουρες ότι όλα θα πανε καλα!

Μαριάνθη, σ’ ευχαριστούμε πολύ για όσα μοιράστηκες μαζί μας! Ηταν μια καλή ευκαιρία να συνειδητοποιήσουμε ότι άνθρωποι που πασχίζουν να βάλουν βάρος είτε για λόγους αισθητικής είτε για λόγουσ υγείας, πρέπει να καταβάλουν εξίσου μεγάλη προσπάθεια με εκέινους που θέλουν να χάσουν κιλά.
Ευχαριστω κι εγω πολύ για την ευκαιρια να μοιραστω μαζι σας την εμπερια μου αυτή!

4.S.P

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