OOTD: Christmas Day!

Hello Lovelies!

Today is Christmas! I can't believe how fast it came! I thought I would show you my Christmas OOTD!

Outfit: I am wearing a brand new burgundy dress from Dynamite, and a pair of black tights! I am in love with this dress because it fits me like a glove. The material cinches in at the waist and flares out! This makes for the perfect party dress. The colour is perfect for the Holidays and makes any occasion more festive!

Accessories: I am wearing a beautiful rose gold bracelet from Fifth Avenue Collection and a statement necklace from Accessorize (a store in Greece). The bracelet is a chunky bracelet with little jewel accents! In my opinion this is perfect for the Holidays! I mean, who doesn't love a bit of sparkle! The necklace has these little tear-drop shaped crystals in burgundy, navy, and gold.

Makeup: I decided to go simple with my makeup look so it wouldnt take away from the dress and accessories! I use Covergirl's Age Rewind Concealer to even out my skin tone. Then I used a Matte Powder from Rimmel London to set the concealer and leave my face looking smooth and not shiny! Then I applied my favourite blush from MAC to add some colour to my face! For eyes, I applied a neutral base, followed by a blush shimmer shadow from Covergirl. to finish off my eyes, I used a L'Oreal  fine tip eyeliner and the maybelline lots of lashes mascara!

I hope you enjoyed this OOTD and have a Happy Holiday!!

<3

Favourite Red Lipsticks for the Holiday Season!

Hello lovelies!

Since it's the Holidays, I figured I would share with you my current favourite red lip products!

Red lipstick is a must have for me for the holiday season! It goes with almost every skin tone and it makes any makeup look more daring and festive! My current two favourites are from Covergirl, the Sephora Collection, and from American Eagle All of these lipsticks and glosses range from $11.00-$16.00! They are quite a steal! If you don't want to break the bank, check these out!




Covergirl Collection



The Covergirl Lip-Perfection line is simply amazing! This is one of my favourite lipsticks by far, and I've mentioned it in a few other blog posts. The formula is really smooth and lasts a really long time. I would say that it lasts for a solid 6-7 hours with one re-application! Definitely a must have!

 

 

Sephora Collection

 

The Sephora Collection lipsticks are really good as well. I went for a matte red one and I love it! This was the first red lipstick I ever bought and it has done its job. This also lasts for a solid 6-7 hours with one re-application! 

 

 

AEO Collection

The AEO lipgloss was given to me as a gift! I can honestly say that I love it! I have never used any AEO beauty products before, but this just makes me want to buy more! It goes on really smoothly and is perfect to go on top of a matte lipstick or even by itself! (btw, it smells like cupcakes! ;))

I hope you enjoyed this little red lipstick review and let me know if you try any of these! You won't be disappointed!


Don't forget, red lipstick can spice up any makeup look and adds a festive touch for the Holiday season! Go bold!

<3

DIY: Ugly Christmas Sweater!

Hello lovelies!

Tis the season for everything Christmas, and you know what that means....UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATERS!!

I know that you can always go and buy an ugly Christmas sweater but I thought why waste your money when you could do a DIY sweater.

Materials you will need:

1) Sweater of your choice (I suggest something with a festive colour)
2) Glue gun
3) Pompoms
4) Pipe-cleaners
5) Ribbon
6) Bells
7) Basically any Christmas related item you want showcased on your fabulous sweater!

My sweater! I decided to go with: "Ho Ho Ho!"

Step 1:

Plug in your glue gun to make sure it gets nice and hot. While this is heating up, you can start by taking a piece of cardboard or even some paper and put it in between the two sides of your shirt. This is so the glue from the glue gun does not leak onto the back side of your sweater. I found a really cheap sweater at Walmart but you could use an old sweater as well!

Step 2:

Get out all your materials for decorating! You can be as creative as you want for this part! I started by gluing my green pipe-cleaners in a triangle to make the shape of a Christmas tree! Then I added bows, ribbon, and pompoms as ornaments on the tree. Finally I put a big bow on top as the star! (maybe write ho ho ho! ) Your design doesn't have to be perfect! The uglier, and tackier the better (in my opinion)!!

Step 3:
Wait for your sweater to dry for a good few hours just to ensure that the glue is completely dry.

Step 4:
Show off your new Ugly Christmas Sweater to your friends and family! I love wearing these to festive parties, or school spirit days!

I hope you enjoyed this fun tutorial and have a very Merry Christmas!

<3

Top 5 songs to have on your Christmas Playlist!

Hello lovelies!

With Christmas just around the corner, I thought that I would give you some of my favourite Christmas songs that are definitely on my Christmas playlist. All of these songs are available on iTunes!

1) All I want for Christmas is you: Mariah Carey

2) Little Drummer Boy: Pentatonix

3) Carol of the bells: Pentatonix

4) Do They Know it's Christmas?: Band Aid

5) Carol of the bells: Trans Siberian Orchestra

Let me know what your fave Christmas songs are! 

<3

Video of the Week: 7 Things Greek Americans Know to be True!

Hello Lovelies!

I am so sorry for not posting in a long time! Senior year is the busiest year and I've had so much to do!

 I thought that today I would share a really funny video with you that I found on Buzzfeed. (We all know that Buzzfeed can become addictive! haha) I think that this could be a fun segment to have on my blog. I will try an post one Youtube video a week that I absolutely love.

Anyone who's Greek will understand why I love this so much!

Hope you enjoy this video and I have more posts lined up for the Christmas Season!

(P.S. I promise that I will post as much as I can during the Christmas Break. i.e. winter lookbooks, nail tutorials, DIY gifts, and so much more! )

<3

MOA Jewelry Party!

Hello lovelies!

I had the pleasure of attending a Jewelry Party this past Saturday with some lovely ladies! It was part of an MOA (Maids of Athena) fundraiser and we had the chance to look at (and buy) some beautiful pieces of jewelry. These stunning accessories from Fifth Avenue Collection make perfect Christmas gifts, and it was so much fun to hang out with my fellow maids and shop!

Here are some pics of just some of the amazing jewelry:

This fundraiser was such a great idea because not only did I get to spend time with some amazing girls, I got to shop at the same time! What could be better!

<3 

NAC: A Midsummer Night's Dream with Alexander Shelley

Hello lovelies! 

November has been a crazy month so far! I had the amazing opportunity to perform with my school choir in an NAC (National Arts Centre)  production of Mendelssohn's, "A Midsummer Night's Dream". This was one of the best experiences I've ever had. Just the fact that I got to perform amongst such talented people: Maghan McPhee: soprano soloist, Wallis Giunta: mezzo-soprano soloist, Colm Feore: narrator, Donna Feore: director, and Alexander Shelley: conductor.

With back to back rehearsals, staging, and dress-rehearsals, I have been insanely busy, but it was a good kind of busy. We had our final performance this past Thursday, November 13th. It was a worth while experience, and I got to meet so many amazing people who furthered my love for music. The soloist's knowledge and talent inspires me and I can only hope to be as talented as them one day.

Maghan McPhee

Colm Feore: Narrator
http://metronews.ca/

Let me also just say how beautiful Maghan and Wallis were. Their singing was impeccable, but their outfits were also on point! They each had to play a Fairy, so they wore these beautiful dresses and had their hair done so perfectly. Maghan wore a stunning floor length blush gown with rhinestones around her natural waist. She had her hair in a messy braid with a flower crown. Couldn't have been more perfect for the role she way portraying! Wallis wore a beautiful white floorlength ballgown, and had her hair long with slight curls at the bottom. Both girls were stunning and did a phenomenal job both nights, and they are the sweetest people.

My friends and I backstage!

Also, the NAC has a new conductor: Alexander Shelley. Now let me just begin by saying that he is so talented at what he does. His conducting is moving and mesmerizing, and he is so committed to what he does. He takes conducting to a whole new level. He is from London, England and will officially start his position as Conductor in September 2015.  --His looks aren't too bad either ;)--  Well, lets just say that every girl that was there, fell in love with his looks and charming personality! I think he'll make a great fit at the NAC! 

Alexander Shelley: Conductor 

Whenever you have a chance, you should definitely go and check out a performance at the NAC. They are always phenomenal, and you develop a new appreciation for what goes into executing show. The time and effort from every individual was much appreciated, and I am so lucky to have been a part of something so magical, and musical. 

<3

DWTS: Top 3 Halloween Dances of 2014

Hello lovelies!

In the spirit of Halloween, I thought that I would share some of my favourite DWTS performances from their Halloween special this year! They were all amazing, but these were my top 3 favourite performances of the night!

1) Derek and Bethany: Paso Doble

2) Team Itsybitsy's group dance: Free Style

3) Lea and Artem: Argentine Tango

Let me know which performances were your favourite, and if you haven't had a chance to watch this season of DWTS, you are missing out! 

Happy Halloween!

<3

A big BOOO to You!

Hello lovelies!

Today is Halloween!!!

I am super excited and I love getting into the Halloween Spirit with my family and friends. I have to admit that I probably eat way more candy than I should but it's Halloween! (I think we can all make the exception today! :p) I love dressing up and although I am not really into all the guts and gore of Halloween, I still have an amazing time!

I decided to go as Minnie Mouse this year and I am in love with my costume! Also, I go to an Arts school so everyone goes full out on costumes, and it is so nice to see everyone participating Halloween spirit!

Minnie Mouse 2014

My friend Tessa and I
(P.S. You should really check out her blog: http://www.tessa-tura.blogspot.ca/)

Which Minnie Mouse is cuter? ;) 

Stay tuned for more pics! I will be updating this post throughout the day! 

Have a very scary Halloween! 

<3

Pumpkin Carving With the Family!

Hello lovelies! 

Sorry I haven't blogged in a while! But I do have a fun blog post for you today, considering Halloween is just around the corner!

Last week my cousins and I got together to carve pumpkins. This has been a family tradition for about 16 years now, and it is a time when we eat food, play music, and get into the Halloween spirit. I love carving pumpkins (even though I'm not that good), and I thought that I would share with you the pumpkins we carved!

My pumpkin is the one in the upper left corner. I did a ghost and wrote "Boo" under it! I am going to let you know now, that I did use a template! We also did a social media pumpkin (top right), and bat pumpkin (upper left), and a scary tree pumpkin (bottom right).

Don't forget to be creative! I mean it is Halloween after all!

P.S., I am being Minnie Mouse for Halloween, and I am thinking of doing a makeup tutorial on my Minnie Mouse makeup, and costume.

Hope you carve some awesome pumpkins and Halloween costumes!

<3

Words to Live By

Hello lovelies!

Here is another one of my favourite quotes!

" Droit devant soi, on ne peut pas aller bien loin"
          - Antione de Saint-Exupéry

http://www.secretsofwellbeing.com/tag/fulfilment/

I recently discovered this quote from the book "Le Petit Prince", and I can't express how much I agree with it. In English it means: if we only choose the path that is right in front of us in life, we will not get very far. It is so important to leave doors open and don't rule out any options in life. I know that this is applicable to my life at the moment because I am deciding which university or college I want to attend. I want to make sure to keep my options open and look at all my paths. This quote is applicable to everyone, and it makes you reflect on what you want to do with your life. Take advantage of new opportunities and don't be afraid to try different paths! You never know what it could lead to! 

<3

My Big Fat Greek Thanksgiving!

Hello lovelies!

I love Thanksgiving! All the food, family, and friends is what makes this one of my favourite holidays! I celebrated this year with my entire family. This includes, my aunts, my uncles, my grandparents, my cousins, my parents, and my sister. There are too many of us to even count! I am so thankful for my big fat Greek family, and I am so lucky to have them in my life! Anyone who's Greek will understand me when I say that we had an insane amount of food! I guess Greeks go big or go home!

Here are some pictures from My Big Fat Greek Thanksgiving! Enjoy!

The Family! 

The cousins! 

Charlie's Angels

Nona and her girls

Just some of the amazing food we had. YUM!!

Nona and her girls

Nona and her grandchildren! 

OOTD: Navy and Light Denim

Hello lovelies!

I have another OOTD for you! Today went to the see the Gatineaus, and got some really nice pictures while I was there! Today's outfit is how to style Navy and light denim. It is pretty simple but very versatile as well. I decided to go with a cute pair of light denim jeans from the "Gap", and a Navy chiffon top from Zara. I love wearing loose fitting tops with skinny jeans, because I feel like they balance out each other. For shoes, I went with some nude Steve Madden flats because I felt that they didnt take away from the outfit! For jewelry, I went with my Pandora bracelet, and a cute little necklace with a small mint pendant. I felt that subtle jewelry was the way to go for this look!

Navy and light denim has to be one of my favourite pairings! 

<3

Family Trip to the Gatineaus

 Hello lovelies!

Today my family and I took a lovely trip to the Gatineaus! Gatineau Park is one of my favourite places to visit around this time of year, and there are so many beautiful lookouts. Autumn is by far my favourite season, and seeing all the leaves changing colours is my favourite part. I thought that I would share some photos from today. Hope you enjoy!

Pink Lake

My sister and I <3

Family Photo

Selfie taking

Sisters <3

OOTD

It was really cold today!

I have the cutest parents <3

<3 

Easy Early Morning Hairstyles

Hey Lovelies!

I have had so many requests on how I do my hair for school. I usually don't have have a lot of time in the morning, so I decided to make this short video to show you my top five early morning hairstyles! These styles will work on many different hair types, and they can all be achieved within minutes!Just a quick disclaimer: I am not a professional and this is my first Youtube video I've ever made! (Please ignore the bad thumbnail, and I apologize for the bad quality!) I hope to improve on my videos in the future, but for right now, I hope you enjoy it!

Please let me know if you try any of these hairstyles!

<3

Good Eats in Ottawa

Hello lovelies!


I love food! Food is what brings people together and makes for a great night out! I love trying new restaurants to see different styles of cuisine, and to see which restaurants are worth going to again. Here are my top five restaurant choices in Ottawa!

1) Mongolian Village

The Mongolian Village has to be one of my all time favourite places to go with friends and family. This restaurant is unique in that it is almost like a buffet, but only for noodle dishes. You start by picking the type of noodle you want, and then you pick all your toppings, (i.e. broccoli, chicken, shrimp, etc.). Then you give your bowl of noodles and toppings to the cook and he or she cooks your dish! The flavours are always amazing, and the number one reason why I like this restaurant so much is that there is something for everyone. Even if you are picky eater, or a vegetarian for example, you will always be able to eat at the Mongolian Village! 

http://www.mongolianvillage.ca/

http://www.mongolianvillage.ca/

 2) Canal Ritz

The Canal Ritz is an amazing restaurant for all year round! It has an outdoor seating area right on the Canal which is perfect for the warmer months, and it has a cozy inside seating area which is perfect for those chilly winter days. It has modern Italian cuisine that is sure to knock your socks off! It sits right along side the Ottawa canal, and is the perfect restaurant for any kind of occasion. Personally, my favourite dish is the "Fettuccine Alfredo". It is so creamy and decadent, and is perfect for a cold Autumn or Winter night!

http://www.canalritz.com/gallery.htm

3) MLT DWN

MLT DWN (Melt Down) is a fairly new restaurant. It is located on 50 Rideau street in the Rideau Center, and offers a unique take on your classic grilled cheese! There are over 12 menu options for the grilled cheeses, including the Mac n' cheese grilled cheese, and the toasted smores sandwich dipped in a Crème Brulée French Toast Batter. If you are in the mood for something unique, definitely try MLT DWN. You won't regret it!

http://mltdwn.com/menu/

4) KS on the Keys

KS on the Keys is a restaurant with tons of variety! There is everything from Asian cuisine to Italian cuisine. It is a great family restaurant that also offers a private room if you want to have a large party of guests! KS on the Keys is known for their pizza, and let me tell you, it is to die for! Great food = a great time! It is located in South-keys and is a hot spot for family dinners, large groups, dates, or parties! 

http://www.ksrestaurant.ca/PhotoGal.html

5) EVOO Greek Kitchen 

Although I haven't had a chance to visit EVOO, I have heard amazing things about their authentic Greek cuisine. I am Greek, so I am always for good Greek Restaurants, and I know good Greek food when I see it! I have family friends who have visited EVOO and said it was amazing, and reminded them of traditional food their used to. I hope I have chance to experience this delicious Greek cuisine! I would Highly suggest you go and check it out and let me know what you think in the comments!  

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/

Hope you enjoy these restaurants as much as I do! 

<3

Words to Live By

Hello lovelies!

I thought that this would be a neat little segment to have! I love quotes, and I find they can make my day or even inspire me to be the best "me" I can possibly be. 

"Everyday is a new beginning. Take a breath and start again."

         - anonymous

http://www.vocus.com/invocus/pitch-an-event/sit-back-and-relax-in-august/

This is one of my favourite quotes because it is so true. I feel that many people, including myself get stressed over too many things that are going to happen in the future. This quote shows us how we should take life day by day and focus only about the present. Everyday is a new day and you can start each new day with a positive mindset. Don't dwell on the past and focus on the present. Each new day will bring it's obstacles and stresses, but don't forget that with each new day, you can start again.

<3

My Youtube Inspirations

Hello lovelies!

I get a lot of my style/beauty inspiration from Youtubers. Youtube is an amazing way to learn about different hair styles, makeup routines, personal style, and lifestyle. I thought it would be neat to share some of my all time favourite Youtubers with you and how they've had an influence on me, not only in style, but in life as well! Let me know who your favourite youtubers are in the comments!

1) Zoella

If you don't know who Zoella (Zoe Sugg) is, then you've been living under a rock. She is an inspiration to many, and she always makes me smile. Zoe makes videos about her daily life, as well as beauty and style videos. Although, we only get to see little snippets of her life, they make me smile, and feel more confident about myself. This is one of the reasons I love her and her videos. She always talks about how she is by no means perfect and that she started from the bottom to get to where she is now. I feel that that is a message that everyone should take into account. No one is perfect, and being you is simply better than faking perfections. She will make you smile, and laugh until you can't laugh anymore :)

Feel free to check out her channels:

• Main channel: Zoella
• Second channel: MoreZoella

2) Tanya Burr

Tanya Burr is a really well-known Youtuber, who does beauty and style videos on her main channel. She recently produced her own line of cosmetics, and I am so proud of her for achieving one of her life-long goals. Her videos always leave me smiling and feeling happy. She is one of my main fashion icons and I admire her sense of style, and her personality! If I had to pick one word to describe Tanya, it would be sweet. She is loved by many, and she always has a positive outlook on life. This made me think about how I view the world. I feel that I should have a more positive view on life, and maybe that will make everyone around me feel better as well. This is exactly what Tanya does. Because she is happy, her positive vibes are reflected on her friends. 

Please check out her channels:

• Main channel: Tanya Burr
• Second channel: Tanya's vlogs

3) Bethany Mota

Bethany Mota (Macbarbie07) is one of the most famous beauty youtubers. Aside from being a youtuber, she is also a designer and she is on DWTS. She is one of my inspirations because I love her fashion sense, and her makeup is flawless! I know that she started from the bottom by making a beauty video, and slowly her audience grew. Now she has over 7 million subscribers, and she makes amazing videos. I love how she can just be herself and she doesn't care if people judge her. She has always said to be yourself and don't change for anyone. I feel like I always think too much of what others will think of me, but I have to learn to be confident in myself and my views. I take Bethany's words to heart and she makes me feel empowered and confident in who I am. 

Her channels: 

• Main channel: Bethany Mota
• Second channel: Bethany's Life

4) Sprinkleofglitter

Sprinkleofglitter (Louise) is one of my favourite youtubers to watch if I need something to lift my spirits. She makes beauty/style videos, but she also does vlogs. In all her videos, she makes me laugh so hard, and I can't help but feel better. Her outgoing personality is why I love her so much, and she makes me want to try new things, and be more social. I feel that I can be a bit shy in some cases, and I wish I wasn't! I need to put myself out there and be proud of who I am as an individual. One of mmy favourite things about Louise is that she embraces her curves! She is so proud of who she is and who she has become: youtuber, friend, mother, and wife. I love Louise so much, and she makes my day, everyday!

Her channels:

• Main channel: Sprinkleofglitter
• Second channel: Sprinkleofchatter

5) Niomi Smart

I have only recently started watching Niomi's videos! They are really well made, and I love her channel! She makes beauty/style videos, and also does daily vlogging. She reminds a lot of Tanya Burr, in the way that she is so incredibly sweet and is very sociable. She also makes me want to have a more positive outlook on life. I also love how she is all about a healthy lifestyle, and she always gives great advice. Her smile is contagious, and I can't wait to keep watching more of her videos in the future! I have been watching her videos a lot recently and I think you should check them out! 

Her channel: 

• Main channel: Niomi Smart

These are some of the beauty/style Youtubers who have made a difference in my life, and who make me smile everyday!

Feel free to take a look at their channels, and maybe they will bring a smile to your face!

<3