KIRA THIRA - JAZZ BAR IN SANTORINI

If you happen to be in Santorini do not forget to pass by Kira Thira bar. It is a jazz bar in Fira with jazz music and well known sangria. The only bar in Santorini that didn't change the last 10 years or more.
I used to live in Santorini for a year and Kira Thira was one of the few bars that was open all year long and one of my best night destinations. I enjoyed the music (Bud Powell, Chet Baker, Oliver Nelson, Madeleine Peyroux and more), the drinks, the decoration and people. Kira Thira is a small and cute place playing live jazz music or organizing music events.
I remember the nights when it was so cold outside and we used to drink rakomelo and listening to relaxing music. During winter you can see local people like teachers or doctors that are working at the island and during summer you can see people all over the world from Australia to Canada. Kira Thira is my best bar kind of style: Small, cozy and warm. It satisfies all senses. 
Santorini during summer is full of bars and clubs where people are having a lot of fun. However, Kira Thira is one of my favorite bars because it keeps its identity! You cannot miss it cause it is in the heart of Fira!
 During summer there are 2-3 tables out of the bar where you can sit, have your drink, listen to jazz music and watch locals and tourists that are having their walk. The bar is on wood and it has colourful decorations. There are also many posters on the walls!
Let me share with you one moment while having fun at Kira Thira last year: Drinking wine, listening to Cesaria Evora, covering myself with wool scarve and wearing warm boots, pre-Christmas period, yellow litle lights all over the place, look back on the past and dreaming about the future...
Yours,A

THIN OR CURVY?

If you ask a man what is the most desirable thing in a woman's body he will say her curves. Hovewer, the answer is: "It depends". Some days ago I was at he gym doing aerobics. The instructor asked a lady: "What is your weight and height?" She answered:"I am 52 kilos and my height is 1,70cm". The instructor said that men like curvy bodies and that the best combination for a lady is weight: 54-57 kilos and height: 1.65cm. He kept saying that we were there to fix our body for men and men like J-lo bodies rather than very thin.
The issue here and as I see it from my point of view is that women should be as healthy as possible. Very thin or very fat are the two extremes. They should exercise drastically and systematically and eat healthy. It takes time but it worths the try. Healthy bodies are those that are vital, vigorous and sharp. A combination of exercise and healthy food and drinks can bring the desired results. So, the answer is you are ok with your body when you feel ok inside and outside.
However, I have a question for all men to finish with: Men's preferances of the opposite sex is like scottish shower: One day they like thin women, the other day they prefer curvy, once blondes or chestnuts, short or tall and the story goes on!
So women: You should feel good with your body and soul and let men deal and take care of their dilemmas! It's their problem! We cannot satisfy all desires!
Yours,A

BEST BEAUTY PRODUCTS EVER!

Ladies, here we go with a list of the best beauty products tested and with proven results!

1. The Moist collection hair products by Aussie. Say goodbye to dry hair and use shampoo, conditioner and 3 minute Miracle Deep Conditioner! I love it! My hair is silk, soft and manageable!My hair is AUSSOME!!
2. Maybelline great lash waterproof mascara: A classic relatively low price product and one of the best stay put mascaras on the market! It goes on super black, dries quickly, doesn’t smudge of smear and washes off well with cleanser. My makeup kit is never without it!
3. Essie nail polish! A wide collection of polishes with long lasting effects!
4. Rodial Bum Lift.A gel offering instant smoothing and firming effect on the appearence of your skin.
5. Eyebrow enhancer- Anastazia Brow Wiz.Wiz offers a brow pencil on one end and a brush on the other for gentle blending and grooming. Now you can recreate the look of brow hair with a brow pencil that draws the teeny tiniest of lines.
6. Dermalogica face products. I use: Dermal Clay Cleanser, Multi Active Toner, and Sheer Tint Moisture spf 15 light at the end.
7.  Biological Coconut or Jojoba oil for silk and glossy hair. I leave it on my hair all night long and when I get up and wash my hair, the result is fantastic:silky and smooth hair!
8.  Sheer Blonde hair products: I use The highlight Activating enhancing shampoo with honey and oatmeal for darker shades and I follow with the conditioner of the same line.
9.  Once every 15 days I put on my hair olive oil. Its substance leaves my hair healthier.
10. For a special occasion, I use all the line from foundation to eyeshadows of Giorgio Armani! It cannot get more professional!<.b/>Enjoy!
Yours,A

KNOWLEDGE IS A LIFELONG EXPERIENCE!

Knowledge is something that is never ending. As I look back through the years, I have spend a huge amount of time studying for school and university. As a person, I like learning new things on many different subjects. That is why I pursued two master degrees and I finished studying at the age of 28. From this time on, I love reading books and novels and getting knowledge through the web. I will give you some ideas for those who are willing to enrich their knowledge and have already finish their studies or those who are willing to combine knowledge and pleasure.
London College of Fashion offers a really wide variety of different courses from Photography to Pattern Cutting. When I visited their website I said " Ok, this is one of my next steps! To visit London for three or four weeks and spend my time at the university in order to follow short courses". The courses that were of interest to me were: Sustainability- The impact of Marketing and Communication, Photography and Styling, Fashion Design, and Business Management. Another activity at London College of Fashion of great interest is the dual city course where you spend three days in London and three days in Paris, exploring the two different cultures from the visual merchandising perspective.
If you wish to learn a foreign language there are plenty of different campuses all over the world where you can spend some time learning the language in the country where it is spoken, enjoy indoor and outdoor activities, enrich you horizons and connect with new people. For instance, I am fluent in greek, english, french, and italian. I would love to spend two to three months in Barcelona to learn Spanish. It would be easy for me since I have a good knowledge of french and italian. So, take advantage of these fantastic programs and travel abroad for fun and adventure!

THE MOST FAITHFUL RELATIONSHIP!

Well, before I was born, my parents used to have pets. By the time I was able to talk I played with my yorkshire terrie! It was the first relationship I was into, after my parents, my brother and my sisters.
If I turn back time I can remember playing with my sister and our dogs in the back yard of our house. As kids, we used to have fun with our dogs by wearing them clothes and shoes, painting their eyes with an eyeliner and trying to be their boss. If you are wondering what kind of dogs we used to have let me try to remember...Well, the kind that we used to have through the years were: doberman, labrador, yorkshire terrie, wolf dog, fox terrie and chihuahua.
Let me share with you two stories from the past that are really into my mind:
1) When I was a child I was playing in the playground which was close to our house. Suddenly, I saw a bush that was moving. I went closer and I saw a beautiful white puppie that was looking at me. Immediatelly I took it in my hands and went to my mother to show it. I can remember myself telling her: "Can we keep it"?. My mother couldn't say no so the puppie became ours. However, as the puppie grew older, and as you can imagine we had to give it a name, it was after all deaf. Poor little thing! When it reached two years old as kids we used to have fun with it by beating our hands close to it while it was sleeping with no response. After all this dog learned to communicate with us by gestures. Can you imagine? There was a sign for coming to us in order to pat it, a sign when it did something bad and its eyes when we were angry were looking sad!! It was the best pet ever!! It was a maverick but it couldn't get sweetest!
2) The second story is a little bit scary! It was the time when we used to own two dobermans. I was 15 years old and I was playing with the male one. I wanted to make it sit down so I grabbed him from the strap and I gave him command to sit down. After a while the dog was stubborn as a mule and didn't want to do anything. So, I forced him once more to sit down and he pounced upon me with its mouth wide open! I ended up having three stitches!!!
All in all, dogs can be the best companion for human beings! So cute, so sweet, so faithful!!
After some years, I would like to have a female french bulldog (the cuttiest face ever, like a mouse!) and a male black labrador! I am so into this time that I have already found their names: Chloe for the female and Sebastian for the male!In the picture you can see the beautiful ladies that "decorate" my home!
Yours,A

SALE!

January is the month of sale! Everyone looks for the greatest offers and tries to combine good quality and low price! Nowadays, the financial crisis has hit most of the European countries and not only. People try to satisfy neccesities and luxury items have been forgotten. Even me, that I am a consuming freak I look for bargains and I do not waste my time and money on expensive things. In the past, I used to spend all my earnings on clothes, shoes, bags, jewelry and scarves. I used to visit the hairdresser once a month for highlights and get my nails done every week. However, let me tell you something. Each one of us lives in a family, in a society, in a city, in a country. Each one of us is part of a greater social community and network. Each one of us is influenced from the person next to him. I live in Greece. When you see stressed, sad and overwhelmed people around you, you act in the same way. What I want to say is that personally, I do not feel like spending money and go have fun when at the same time families cannot afford to buy food or shelter. It is really very sad!
So my friend, the greek crisis has reached the point that everyone watches the news to see what is going to happen tomorrow. Greeks are like babies that are waiting mother's food. The mother here is the Prime Minister. We are prisoners in our own country. And the trap is of high danger! However, the purpose of this blog is to make you feel happy when you read the lines and try to get rid of your problems and anxiety for a few minutes. This was just a parenthesis for the greek reality. Maybe some other time I will dig into that. Sorry, but It was just the flow of writing. So, let's get back to the point.
Let me share with you how I deal with the financial crisis on a consumer's perspective. First, I enjoy a long walk in the mall with my dog just for window shopping. When the weather allows it, I go outdoors to get some sun. I watch carefully the displays and select the items I like. A cup of coffee really helps you concentrating. I get inside and see if it suits me and if I can afford it. Definitely, I will not buy it immediatelly. Maybe I will ask politely if they can keep it for me for a couple of days in order to decide. This is a smart tip if you cannot afford the item at that point of time. In this way I visit shops and try to identify what is really missing from my wardrobe, or what I really need for a special occasion. I have to confess that I go window shopping many times per week and in a shopping district in the south suburbs of Athens you can see the same things in the same place with the same price! It is unbelievable! In Greece you have to pay attention with the deals when you buy something. There are a lot of businessmen that can cheat. For instance, during sale, they display clothes that they used to have two years ago cause they have it in their stock and they present it as previous season. Another trap that I felt into was a pair of shoes I bought from well known chain store two weeks ago. I don't know if they did it by mistake but just read what happened to me: I wanted to buy a pair of high heels that cost about 70 euros. It was new season because they were placed on Spring 2012 display. I loved them! I said ok and I bought them. The other day, I passed by and I saw my brand new fashionable shoes, ON SALE! Can you imagine?They had 30% discount. In Greece the only thing you can say when something unfortunate happens to you is "Next time I will be luckier"!
So, the issue is: If you happen to be in Greece during sale period take your time and pay attention to cheaters. Remember: You are not during sale period at Harrods or Barneys waiting from 6 a.m for the store to open to be the first who will get the Louis Vuitton bag or Burberry coat because the Japanese girl from Tokyo will grab it from your hands! Easy boy! Well, if sale in London Milan, Paris, New York or Tokyo is a psychedelic music party, sale period in Greece is a slow music party!!

HOT MELTED CHOCOLATE TEMPTATION!

Ingredients:
250 gr dark chocolate
250 gr Lacta chocolate
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
5 eggs
1 cup butter softened
250 gr hazelnuts not roasted

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees.
2. In large boal beat flour, eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. 3. Melt chocolates and butter.
4. Put hazelnuts in a mixer in order to become little pieces.
5. Combine everything in a large boal until well blended.
6. Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven.

The result:
Crunchy surface and hot melted inside. It satisfies all senses...

Additional tip: It can go well with vanilla ice cream!!

ENJOY!!!

NUTRITION! IT REALLY WORKS...

Well, as I mentioned in my previous suspension, at this point I exercise and follow a diet simultaneously. When you read diet do not take into consideration that I eat one carrot and one cuccumber per day. This is totally dangerous and destroys your health. As most of us at some point, I gained some extra kilos by eating chocolates and fast food and watching movies with large portions of pop corn. When I reached the point when I couldn't fit my favorite pair of jeans the panic and anger came up. You should keep in mind that every single action we do daily passes first through our brain and then becomes an action. So my friend I took a piece of paper and wrote down the pros and cons of being fat and happy on one side and healthy and fit on the other side. The weight rolled at the fit side of the coin.
Well, it is not a big issue! Either you do it or not! Period.
I have to confess that first I started exercising and eating healthy food in big portions cause my stomach used to receive large portions. After a while I made the portions smaller and smaller. Right now I have come in terms with my weight and my old ego and I eat small quantities many times per day. Let me give you an example of my everyday diet: A banana and a filter cofee in the morning, cooked food for lunch which means a small plate of chicken with boiled potatoes and a salad. But watch out- A SMALL PORTION! Then I have a filter coffee and a bar of cereals in the afternoon, I then exercise and I finish my diet with an early dinner, again small portion of what I had for lunch! Through the day If I feel unhappy, stressed or hungry I have a fresh orange juice, a fruit or a yogurt with honey and walnuts.
 During weekends I love eating a small portion of LACTA chocolate or tasty chips. However, be careful because this happens once or twice a week! In this way I do not feel that I am on a diet and I am happy with this schedule I follow! Now, I weight 50 kilos and I am extremely happy for that cause I am sure that I will keep following this schedule for a long period of time! And a last advice for following this schedule: One step at a time and brainwashing on eating healthy food! Remember: Your body is like a machine that needs to be filled with energy to function! Do not throw garbage in it! I never went to a diet expert and I never followed strict diets! So my friend, if you need to lose some weight effectively and efficiently take the decision and start on Monday morning!
Now that we saw one of the easiest ways to keep fit and healthy through my own experience next time I will give you the best recipe EVER for a hot melted chocolate temptation! Oh my God! When I wrote this down the taste of this delicious cake just came into my mouth!!!!After all, I think you deserve it for a Saturday gathering...
Yours,
A

WELCOME LETTER

BLOG CONTENT:

My blog includes mainly insights on issues that concern everyone based on "through own " experience posts. 
Plus, up to date fashion, beauty, design and lifestyle related picks.



 BEHIND THE LENS:

​My name is Angeliki Papantoniou. 
I come from Athens, Greece. 
Fashion is my passion.

MY INTERESTS?

I am:

• A daughter
• A sister
• An aunt
• A lifelong student enjoying short courses and seminars
• A freelance writer/blogger/editor
• A freelance stylist
• A freelance handmade jewelry designer
• A yogi
• A healthy eater
• A vintage clothing collector
• Foreign language fast learning kind of person
• A dynamic personality
• A Libra
• A traveller

MY EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUNG?

I have acquired an MBA with concentration in Marketing from The American College of Greece. I also have attended Bocconi University in Milan, Italy in order to dig into the world of fashion and luxury.
 My first steps on marketing, management and business took place some years ago when I attended college to gain  a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with concentration in Marketing.
I have excellent IT skills. My native language is Greek and I am fluent in English, French and Italian. At the moment, I learn Spanish.

MY PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE?

• Five years+ as an Administrative Assistant in a private dialysis clinic in beautiful Santorini, Greece
• Two years as an accountant in a shipping company
• Three years as a Junior Fashion Assistant at a fashion magazine in Athens, Greece where I  organized the fashion content for the photo shooting. This role improved my awareness of new trends and organization skills.
• Three years of working experience as a 3- Shop Junior Manager at Accessorize Monsoon, Greece where I delegated work to 6-8 employees, organizing stock, doing visual merchandising and training new employees.
•  I am well organized, passionate about creativity and new trends, methodical and a perfectionist.

GOAL OF THE BLOG: 
TO NURTURE YOUR FIVE SENSES

VISION: 
TO EMBRACE LONG DISTANCE FOLLOWERS AND READERS OF THE BLOG CONTECT ACROSS THE UNIVERSE AND REACH GEOGRAPHICALLY THE LONGEST DISTANCE PLACE ON EARTH BY LEAVING A NICE COMMENT ON MY POST.

MISSION: 
TO BE AS SPECIFIC AS POSSIBLE WITH REAL EXAMPLES TO SHOWCASE THE TOPIC OF THE POST BY THE USE OF THE MOST APPROPRIATE PHOTOGRAPH CONTENT.

EXERCISE ON WHAT YOU LOVE MOST!!

Just came back from Hatha Yoga class. So excited and blessed! One hour and a half of meditation, stretching and breathing. I urge you to try exercising with yoga. It is such a satisfaction! Besides, two weeks ago I started dynamically with Hatha Yoga, Power Yoga, Zumba, Pilates and Aerobics. I combine all these activities in a week and I have to confess that the results have started appearing! 
Such a relief!
Exercising is the best you can do for your body and soul! Find time within your day and do whatever you love most. It might be walking, or swimming, or jogging. Exercise and you will not regret. Back through the years when I was a kid my mom used to take me to karate class, swimming, and ballet. When I grew older and I had a kind of opinion I started exercising on a horse. To make the long story short, horse back riding.
 I learned to balance on a horse, do dressage, jump fences an get the license to go to jumping shows. It was just fantastic! Then, I bought a horse from Holland and named it Kario Fortuna. It was a male and his mother was called Kariola. So, I grapped the opportunity and combined it so my horse had the fortune of a Kariola.
 Kariola in greek is a bad word close to a bitch. So, eight years passed and then I moved on with my studies and work so I quit.
All of my life I used to exercise! After horse back riding I did some oriental dancing, and swimming. The fact of exercising should run into your veins. It doesn't have to be taught. Just love what you do and deal with it for a long time period. Then the results will come.
 Don't force yourself to go to the gym and follow a program.  
"Grap" a friend and go walking, or take your dog for a walk. Do not take the elevator, take the stairs. Take advantage of hot temperature and go swimming. 
Just simple things can make your life better!
Next time I will talk to you about nutrition! I used to be the thinnest girl at highschool. 
When I reached 26 years old my metabolism changed, I used to eat a lot of unhealthy food, I gained 8 kilos. 
See what Angela did to lose the additional weight and learn how she is today!!