Wishing you a Happy New Year!

Ok, be honest, who hasn't seen Crazy, Stupid Love or doesn't love Ryan Gosling?

(image screenshot, words by ABG)

I'm posting this now as I'll be hitting work early tomorrow!

So, 2011 was an interesting year... Looking back, so many great, amazing awesome things happened, some battles with health are still yet to be fought, Greece took a massive kick to the teeth and fell deep into recession again & yet I'm still standing. More than anything else I want to say goodbye to 2011, you've made me stronger!

Anyhoos, I 'm so ready for 2012! It's time to say goodbye to procrastination, 'I don't think I can...', comparing your life to everyone else's (yours is just good, they just don't share the rubbish bits & all their problems in their life with you) and when something bad happens, you have 3 choices... You can either let it define you, let it destroy you or let it strengthen you.

Remember:

There was a point in blogging time that I thought I'd give up, not really knowing where this little blog was going to go... I'm so glad I didn't, you guys are always such an inspiration and your comments/tweeting/sharing always make me smile (and lol)! So...

PLUS:

Words to Live by...

So what will 2012 bring for you? Are you setting yourself any new goals? Gonna try new things?
If there's one thing I try not to stop doing is 'CANI' - Constant And Never-ending Improvement. You can apply that motto to anything in life and just remember, whatever you wish for, or want to change, you don't have to wait til next year or tomorrow, you can start NOW!
With each passing minute is a chance to change your life! So do it!

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year kittens, may next year be better than the last!
x.o.x.o

images via Pinterest - some edited by A Brit Greek, Goodbye by Michael Phelan, You are Amazing via Yayeverday.

OMFG, I must have been so tired and monged that I actually wrote about 2010 twice in this post and actually typed it in the Ryan Gosling pic, for real! LOL! Thank you to those of you who pointed out my Super Blind typo! Finally finished work for the day... feet are killing me.

Winter Skin Saviour

Hey guys, how was your Christmas? Did anyone have a white winter wonderland?

Anyhoos, I don't know about you, but I for one am suffering from that nasty winter complexion, you know the one; flaky, dry skin, especially around the nose, dull complexion (until you go crazy on the blush/bronzer), chapped hands and lips... sexy it isn't!
The harsh wintery environment combined with central heating is a cocktail that's gonna unleash complete mayhem on your skin. So, what to do?

The confusing, crazy shift between bitter cold outdoors (your skin circulation is sluggish) and warm central heated indoors is enough to stress your skin right out, usually it's more a shock which is why the capillaries on your face are likely to widen or break resulting in dry, red skin.

Hot tip - if you have your central heating on, stick a glass/pan of water next to the radiator to humidify the air and turn it down at night as your skin is busy restoring itself whilst you're sleeping.

My beauty regime & products changes consistently according to the season - sounds wacky but it's actually better this way... imagine switching your wardrobe according to the season, and implementing one as you would for your skin. You wouldn't use a heavy moisturizing cream that you normally use in winter in summer would you?

On these cold wintery days & night's it's tempting & rather comforting to use hot water to wash your face or soak your bod, but stop, right now!!! The high temp is going to zap your skins natural protective oils.

I also thought using a body exfoliator regularly was going to get rid of any dry or flaky skin, nuh uh beauty queens... apparently excessive exfoliation damages the skins protective barrier. According to celeb facialist Sarah Chapman, "the trick is to restore and rebalance your skin, exfoliating once or twice a week is enough and always use a nourishing mask afterward to help replenish your skin's moisture levels".

Key things to remember:

• Bump up your beauty regime now and use a more emollient protective face moisturizer.(something that contains Vitamin E or glycerin helps lock in moisture)
  
• If you're going to load up the make-up on a daily basis, make sure you use a good alcohol free cleanser/toner, which isn't going to dry your skin out. I love Clarins 'One step cleanser' (with orange extract) & also Ponds' Cold Cream - très old school, no?
• On those really dry face days, I also use a Vitamin C serum to complement my moisturizer. Oh and let's not forget the odd supplements here. I always go for the Seven Seas 'Cod liver oil with Evening Primrose oil'... but don't forget to tuck into a bit of salmon, mackerel, tuna, nuts, and seeds too!
• At night, I use a much heavier cream, actually I've just bought the L'Oreal Youth Code Night Cream and it makes my skin feel ultra silky after I've put it on and in the morning my skin feels soft, perfect.
  
• The bod: I love Soap & Glory's 'Flake Away' scrub (also available at Target USA) - smells incredible, super affordable and has the perfect kind to skin ingredients - peach seed, shea butter and fine sugar granules. Yuuuum!
  
• I always moisturize immediately after a bath/shower to lock in moisture. I use anything from body butters (Palmers) to Vichy's Nutri extra replenishing body cream.
• Sanctuary's Body Moisture spray is my all year round product - it smells amazing, the price, even better and for these wintery days or if you're preserving a tan, this is the one!
  

There's one thing I never stop wearing all year round and that's a moisturizer with an SPF. It's always sunny here, despite the cold, my skin is always protected.
As for my hands... they don't deserve the rough treatment they've had lately, but I try to protect them immediately after washing them and apply Neutrogena's hand cream or Nivea (the one in the round blue tub) and do this all over again & wear gloves to bed... lovely soft hands the next day...

I feel ultra pale now that it's winter and I'm usually not one for wearing founation, but recently I've been reaching out for a little miracle in a bottle, known as Garnier's BB cream. I had no idea BB (Blemish Balm) creams were such a huge deal but they're an all-in-one superstar cream, doing the job of a sunscreen, moisturizer, primer & foundation. I swear my skin looks like it's been getting some photoshop treatment...

What are your fail safe go-to products for the winter? I love hearing about different products & regimes! Are you all prepped for NYE? Dress, shoes, bag, perfect skin?

More hot tips on Winter skin care here.

Images via Fashion Gone Rogue.
1: Bambi Northwood-Blyth by Stephen Ward for Russh
2: Source unknown - via Pinterest
3: Amanda Seyfried by Marcus Ohlsson for Marie Claire US Dec 2011
4. Hannah Holman by Dean Podmore for Remix

Christmas Wishes

Happy Holidays blogosphere! I hope this festive season sparkles for you. A huge thank you for stopping by and supporting my little blog! I know I've been bad blogger recently, but that will all change after the New Year. See you on the other side!

Anyhoos, who's excited? It's time... Whatever you've wished for, I sure hope Santa remembered! I hope all your dreams & wishes come true this Christmas!

Χρόνια Πολλα!
"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold,
everything is softer and more beautiful".
- Norman Vincent Peale

Image one (edited by me) via the talented Richard Merritt and the last two images by the yet to be discovered Hayden Williams.

Wonderfully Wow Window Escapes 2011 Part 2

Enjoy the stunning visual windows of these amazing stores around the globe!

Bergdorf Goodmans, New York - I would love to physically be there to see this!

Such incredible detail and out of your mind imagination and creativity!

Liberty of London - I loved these windows, more so than the previous years!

Harrods, London

Can't say I love these windows as much as last years, but they are still beautiful. The one below looks like shes in a solarium getting some rays!

Harvey Nichols, London

Any favourites?

Missed part 1, check it out here and last years Window Escapes here.

Wishing you all a fantastic and super awesome mid-week!

Bergodorf Goodman images via here, Harvey Nichols windows via here and Harrods windows via here.

Christmas: Guest Posting at Decadence for Divas

Hey there & Happy Monday to you all! I hope you've all had a well rested weekend - especially if you've been partying non-stop.

I managed to contract a a pretty bad virus earlier last week, which left me dead as a Dodo, then my laptop power adaptor died only having bought after 8 months ago... and my consumer rights have left me with a faulty (expensive) product... apparently I have to return a faulty item before 6 months from date of purchase. So here's to a better week! Ready to rock on now!

Dream big this week guys!

I am so excited to say that I'm guest posting about my Christmas over at the lovely Vanessa of Decadence for Divas check it out here.
I love this girls blog, an expat like me but residing in Spain, Vanessa has such great taste in jewellery and style... everytime we comment on each others blog, it's like talking to an old friend, even though we haven't actually met or known each other that long in blogosphere!

images: Theberry.com & Just Be Splendid

Beautifully Wrapped 2011: It's Good to Give V.2

'Tis the season to be jolly, generous and festive and what better way to feel the festive flavour than giving away beautifully wrapped gifts? I love creative ways to wrap presents, so I thought I'd share with you all if you haven't done your gift wrapping yet! If you need more inspiration check out the first 'Beautifully Wrapped' series here.

Whilst some of us may not be expecting much this Christmas it is good to receive something, even if it is handmade or small but beautifully wrapped and even if you're not feeling the festive mood, it is good to give. I don't know about you guys, but here in Greece, times are pretty hard. I haven't gone crazy on the X-mas shopping front, but I will be personalising and making my own gifts to give to others and doing my bit over this X-mas.

I found out via Glamour UK that you can donate your paypacket - well an hour of your wages each month to any given charity you wish via: whatsonehourworth.co.uk, not sure if there's an equivalent in the US or anywhere else in the world.

As blogger's we post pictures, share and write a lot. Well, you can put that pen & paper to good use for postpals.co.uk which is supported by the BBC Children in Need, the Prince's Trust and Fearne cotton's inspiration. Postpals.co.uk features the profiles of not so very well children (approved by their parents of course). You can help by writing letters, sending emails or even sending a gift to brighten up their day or put a smile on their face. Anyhoos, they're always on the lookout for volunteers and fundraisers! Do your bit and have a heart!






If any of you have any fantastic giving sites, charity links that help support others this Christmas, please drop me an email or leave a comment below, I'll be more than happy to update this post with the relevant links.

Thank you lovelies! You're awesome!

Images via Pinterest, YourdesignPartner.com, JonesDesignCompany, GreyLikesWedding, Olderandwiser.blogspot.com.

Super Stylish Reads: Perfect Christmas Gifts

I was recently asked what which book I'd love most for Christmas by Vanessa of Decadance for Divas and my mind just went completely blank... All I remembered was 'Thank God for Amazon wishlists'! That's where I save all the buys I want for a rainy day. All the above are via Amazon UK.

From top left-right:
Gucci: The Making of £29. YSL £20. True British: Alice Temperley £22.62
100 years of fashion Illustration £16.10. Tom Ford: 10 Years £45. Carine Roitfeld, Irreverent £42
Jonathan Adler on Happy Chic Accessorizing £12. Glamour, Making it Modern £17. Interiors Now V.2 £18

Anyhow, in answer to her question, I'd love Pictures by Tim Walker. If you don't know who he is, eeeeek! This guy is such an amazing genius of a photographer who literally creates visually mind blowing dreamscapes and imaginative modern photography. I've featured his amazing work in the 'I heart Vogue UK: The December issues' previously here, his 'Greatest show on earth' editorial was epic. He did an brilliant editorial for Vogue Italia in October here and also as usual he is Vogue UK's pick for the December Issue 2011, titled An Awfully Big Adventure. Can you tell I like his work much?

See?, highly imaginative, beautiful photography at it's best!

I've heard great things about Carine Roitfelds book, Irreverent (currently sold out on Amazon UK), which just sounds fascinating to me. This woman has worked 15 years as a stylist for French Elle, been a consultant & muse to the likes of Tom Ford at Gucci & YSL for around 6 years, plus 10 years of which she was editor-in-chief for French Vogue, where she did some magnificent things! Definitely a force not to be reckoned with!

The making of Gucci book is one super stylish read for the coffee table, I love a bit of Fashion History, which this luxe label has plenty.

One of my fave UK designers has to be Alice Temperley, I love her feminine, bohemian and glamourous designs plus her cool attitude towards life and fashion. She always looks like she's having fun too. It's hard to believe she's been on the industry for 10 years now, True British: Alice Tempereley is so on my wish list for now!

I also included 100 years of Fashion Illustration as a super stylish read - I could look at someone else's doodles all day long. My other huge crush is to do with Interior & Styling, love Jonathan Adlers work and again I could never get bored of looking at other peoples interiors and styling.

What reads do you currently have on your X-mas wish-list?

images above via Amazon.co.uk, Tim Walker Photography, Alice Temperley

Festive sparkles: What I wore

Hey there blogger bunnies! How do ya do?

Some of you may already know about my die-hard addiction to sparkles and all things glittery. As it happens, I've been going through December with a sparkly & shiny attitude to get me in the festive mood.
So, blogosphere, I thought I'd share a very rare outfit shot of me wearing one of my fave Vintage dresses of all time by Vintage Mavens as featured previously here. It always feels very festive with all the gold, silver & copper leaves whenever I put this frock on and there's an eternal hint of nostalgia too. I always want to dance the night away! What's your go to dress for the festive season? Please do share!

Why I've been m.i.a from blogosphere...

Just kidding, but I did have one of these nights with my gal pals recently... felt really wrong after gorging on sweet stuff!

Ok, you're going to have to forgive me for not being around of late, but it is the busiest time of the year and I am frankly a bit manic. I hope all is rocking for you guys!

NB: Little tip: Vintage Mavens always has really cool, stunning Vintage one-off pieces at great prices (especially when you compare to say Zara or Topshop which can sometimes be more expensive), so shop around and see if you can score a real treat. Click here for the shop and here for her blog with beautiful photography.

Image sources: Pinterest, Style Me Pretty, Crafty so and so & The Glitter guide

Wonderfully Wow Window Escapes 2011 Part 1

Well helloooo!

As some of you already know, I am always transfixed by stunning visual merchandising for any store. I got incredibly snap happy whilst back in London and utterly distracted by what stores had to offer, for drawing us punters in for Christmas gifting and shopping.
I also snagged the video for the making of the Selfridges, London Christmas Window display 2011! It's seriously mind blowing to see how it's all done!
Here's part 1, enjoy!

Loving the Circus them running thoughout the LV stores world-wide!

FORTNUM & MASON, LONDON

Absolutely in love with Fortnum & Mason London theatrical & stunning "Moulin Rouge style" windows featuring Showgirls galore! More info behind their Christmas windows here.

SELFRIDGES, LONDON

Selfridges windows were wonderfully white, I would have loved to have seen more colour, but the details in each of the windows were fantastic.

See how the Christmas windows were set up in the short video below!

As I storm troopered it down Oxford Street, it had started to get pretty dark and the stunning Christmas lights came on. I love what Boots have done! Very Light fantastic and festive!

Image credits: Photos taken by A Brit Greek, except Louis Vuitton Store front via Dolceandgabbana me & Fortnum & Mason, LV via Marie Claire UK,