Summer Reading - Need your help!

Ok, kittens, before I get trigger finger happy at Amazon and hit 'add to basket' at every book that has been rated 4/5 stars upward, I think some brilliant book recommendations are in order! What are you reading this summer? Do you have any all-time faves or even classics I ought to know about, please do share luvvies.

Penguin classic with a make over - I wouldn't mind getting my mitts on these coralie bickford-smith versions via amazon UK/US

I tend to get through everything from crime thrillers to chick lits in no time and have recently been recommended 'Learn Greek in 25 years: A Crash course for the lunguistically challenged' by Brian Church. Why? You may probably ask would I even wanna read this, I should be relatively fluent in Greek by now, it has almost been close to 3 years of living here, right?
I still keep calm and carry on with my embarrassing Greek linguistic mishaps and really ought to make more of an effort to learn more vocab/grammar etc, I do love a challenge. Oh, and i've heard it's hilarious, I think i'll like that.

You see, someone recently reminded me of the dangers of the Greek lingo and how easy it is to make a simple mistake, from a change of a few letters/or additional ones/tone/incorrect pronunciation and be able to make a complete fool of yourself at the same time. Remember my 'i'll have a salad of boy's' incident at a restaurant? Well, I am forever grateful, that I have never said 'katourizo - I'm peeing' when I actually meant 'katharizo - I'm cleaning'... (Sorrryyyyy, this was too funny not to share poptart). If you really wanna know who's been making me laugh out loud, check out 'It's all Greek to Me'.

My last hit of books which friends and family lent and picked up for me are:

Ant Egg Soup: The adventures of a food tourist in Laos by Natacha Du Pont Du Bie - An amazing book if you love food, especially Laotian cuisine. This took me back to the days when I travelled around S.E Asia and experienced the time of my life.

Luxury by Jessica Ruston - a brilliant scandalous chick-lit read. Seriously there are so many twists and turns, I totally devoured this book, what a page turner and fun read.

One Day by David Nicholls - I'm pretty sure most of you have either read this or will be reading this. I loved this wonderful book, the best awesome bizarre love story since 'The Time traveller's wife'. I'm just not sure i'll be able to watch the movie though. Let's hope it stays true to the book. Love Anne Hathaway...but not so sure about the accent.

Gunns Golden Rules: Lifes little lessons in making it work. I love this man and this book, there are little snippets of advice about life, love, celebrities, the fashion world, family and how to be your own person - with 18 rules, this book shows you how you can succeed in life - whilst being nice/polite.

Secrets of Stylists: An insider's guide to Styling the Stars by Sasha Charnin Morrison - The title says it all, it's a fun style book. Particularly helpful if you want to work in fashion/styling.

Books I want:

The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
Bossy Pants by Tina Fey - I've heard this is quite funny

Images via:Lonny, Live Creating Yourself, A Brit Greek

Sunday Musings

Just catching up with news of all sorts around the globe. (Links to full articles highlighted in pink)

Rachel Weisz is now Mrs Craig! Sorry Ladeez, but James Bond hottie, Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz tied the knot in secret in NY.


John Galliano likely to return to his own label, despite being fired earlier this year.

Totally lol Nicole Richie vs Britney Spears 'I'm a slave' Dance off.

Stars around the globe lend their name to Uniqlo and design t-shirts to help Japan. Hot names include Lady Gaga, Karl Lagerfeld, Nicole Kidman, Cyndi Lauper, Victoria Beckham, Blake Lively, Orlando Bloom... to name a few! These beauties are in store now!


Claudia Schiffer looking Spec-tacularly like Lara Stone in new Chanel Eyewear campaign.


Last but not least, Kate Moss, the Party-Bride to-be, Wedding Rumours. The big day is July 1st! Wonder what the frock will look like.

Hope you're all having a great weekend!

images via Uniqlo, Daily Mail, youtube video

Summer Days and Sexy Nights

Whilst summer is sizzling in full swing here in Greece, I can't think of nothing better than dreaming of a stylish escape to the beautiful islands or anywhere near the clear blue and emerald sea. I snapped into fantasizing mode, once I saw these editorials, seriously, how gorgeous? I love the slightly overprocessed colours in these two different shoots, both stand out in different ways, but both totally blew my away. Check out the splatterings of Gucci, DVF, metallic bling, Louis Vuitton & Lanvin.

Jessica Miller by Camilla Akran for Harper's Bazaar UK. June 2011
Styled by Franck Benhamou

Hello, gorgeous Loubs!

I love love love this kimono wrap dress!

For the full shoot click here

Barbara de Creddo & Tsanna by Andrew Yee for How to spend it magazine

I love the vibe of this shoot, so sexy and 70's glam

For the full shoot click here
Additional Credits:
Hair: Sarah Potempo / The Wall Group
Make-up: Mary Jane Frost / The Wall Group
Manicure: Liang / Atelier Management

All photos via Fashion Gone Rogue

So where are you planning on escaping to for summer?
Have a fab week!
x.o.x.o

Just browsing for the perfect brow shape

image via Another mag

I guess eyebrows must be pretty important if there are images of the most iconic eyebrows in the 20th Century floating around on the internet. However, most of us often make the mistake of thinking that brows aren't all that important, (me for one!) but like perfectly groomed nails, they give a more polished, over all looking you. In addition to this point, the perfect brow shape frames the face & making a significant difference in highlighting certain features, such as nose, lips, cheekbones & the eyes, which become more accentuated.

Modern day beauties with perfectly groomed & strong brows: Camilla Belle & Eva Mendes

I'll never forget the time when I was on 5am-ish journey to Paris on the Eurostar for work, none of my colleagues had even contemplated applying make up yet, but in the last 30 minutes of heading toward Gard Du Nord, there was OOC make-up frenzy. One of my colleagues (who had slightly over plucked eyebrows at the time) whipped out a compact with eyebrow stencils and got to work, she was done with minimal make up efforts in what must have been 7 mins flat - seriously, she looked so different and amazing! I was properly wowed! She then offered to pass on the different stencils for everyone to try out, how awesome? Admittedly, I've always been a bit wary of using stencils, in fear that I might look like a drag queen afterwards!

Kim Kardashian & Kate Bosworth - notice how even though their hair colour is slightly different shade to the eyebrows -but only a smidgen lighter/darker.

Ever since I moved to Greece, I noticed that everyone (ok, majority of lovely ladeez) have such incredible and perfectly groomed eyebrows, not a stray hair in sight, I swear!
I'm pretty low maintenence in the day, but for little outings, I'll often play with slicking a bit of moisturizer (no need for brow gel, vaseline is just as good) over mine for a more groomed look or glide a small flat brush with powder for a more defined look.

Jennifer Lopez and Bar Rafaeli

image via anothermag.com

 

Have any of you checked out your brows lately? Take a closer look in the mirror, is the hair too bushy? Are the brows too thick/thin, or too close together? Are the hairs sparse or a tad patchy? Hmmm.


By understanding & identifying some of the problems, you can start to correct the brows with a new brow shape. If you have overplucked, fear not! Even though the wait for the hairs to grow back can be a complete pain for you to reshape, you can always use a pencil, or powder & brush to fill in the shape/missing bits! There are also nourishing brow oils to help speeding up the growth, see below.
Make you brows work it for you!
What you need: Equipment

• Trimmer Eyebrow
• Wax (optional)
• Stencils
• Tweezers
• Mirror (one with magnify is extremely handy!)

Do it! Some tips and tricks in creating the perfect brows. If you're going to pluck your brows, it's best to do this after a shower or a bath- it's so much easier & less painful.
I found some awesome techniques or what I call the science bit in achieving the perfect brow shape for you, at LovetoKnow, see below:

Take a look at where precisely your brow should begin, arch, and end.

• 'The inner edge of the brow should vertically align with the center of the nostril'. (Line D on diagram).
• 'The arch of the brow is naturally over the outer third of the eye, roughly even with the edge of the iris (colored portion of the eye) when looking straight ahead.' (Line E) Tweeze gradually here, sharp lines or angular arches are not cool!
• 'The outer edge of the brow should align with the corner of the eye and should not extend into the temple.' (Line F)
• 'The inner and outer edges should be horizontally even to avoid unintentional expressions'.(Line B)
• 'Symmetry is critical between both brows to prevent a skewed, disproportionate appearance.'

Ref & more info via: Love to know

Beyonce and Megan Fox

If you're stuck on deciding what brow shape to go for, or what will look good on you or where to start, try using an eyebrow pencil to draw in the desired shape & edges of the brow as a guideline. Just remember to soften the pencil in your hand first as it'll be easier to work with. Then either tweeze, wax, or trim the brow to that shape.

Tips:

• Just remember to pluck one hair at a time, don't go tweezer-happy!
• Always pluck in the same direction to the way your hair naturally grows. (usually away from your nose).
• Try not to go more than 2 shades lighter or darker than the colour on your head. (Refer to Kim & Kate image above.)
• It's important to steer clear of trying to create an artificial shape, as you'll end up with brows that just won't work. Follow the natural shape of your own brows before attacking it with a tweezer/wax. - believe me when I say that i've tried this and it's a big nah aghhhhhh! I was young and so didn't know any better!
• There are no set rules on how thick or thin the brows should be, aim to go with a shape that will suit you. Having said that, uber thin brows (like Pamela Andersons) are a big, fat, humungous no no. Apparently thinner brows ages you.
• Use a non-alcohol based facial toner after plucking to soothe the skin. If you're in extreme pain or are intolerant to tweezer pain, I highly recommend that you use ice cubes to numb the skin first.

Not into DIY-brows? You can go thread, tweeze, zap & wax them into shape with the pro's at a salon.

Hip & helpful products:

• Bobbi Brown natural brow shaper
• MAC eyebrow pencil
• Soap & Glory Arch De Triumph via Boots.com
• Clavin Klein Duo brow palette via here
• Blink Nourishing oil via here

Do any of you have any secret tips or brow horror stories you'd like to share?

Celeb images via Just Jared

Here's looking at you, Zeta!

Well, hey there folks! It's been a long time.... I apologize for being an absentee blogger, if not a bad, bad blogger...

I don't usually watch 'Dancing with the stars', be it the UK (Strickly come Dancing), US or Greek version, but last night was the finale for the Greek 'Dancing with the Stars', after 13 weeks... I had to see who won - kinda important and more importantly, What Zeta wore!
I caught the last hour of what has clearly been an amazing style transformation for the presenter (and actress), Zeta Makripoulia. With every episode, Zeta showed off a multitude of looks, with super styled hair and make up to match. Last year I mentioned Ms. M was one to watch in the styles stakes (in Greece), well she sure hasn't failed to disappoint in 'Dancing with the Stars'.

Check out Zeta's looks!

I heard there was inspiration (mainly hair and make up) taken from various sources, see if you can spot a few here. Helen of Troy, Marlene Dietrich, Barbie, Veronica Lake & Farrah Fawcett... Ok, now i'm making some of this stuff up! Which of these are you loving?

I'm sure some of you are loving this nude coloured ensemble in the middle here, no? I had no idea until I saw another snap, that it was a full on skin-tight jumpsuit number!

I think Giorgos Segredakis (popular stylist to the stars) played stylist here, which meant that there was a wardrobe chock full of lush names, from Raxevksy (whom Ms. M is the face of), D2quared, Louboutin, Casadei shoes, Dolce & Gabbana, YSL, Kessaris (Jewellery) and Azzadine Alaia.
I am loving Zeta's Grecian Goddess look in the centre image below...oh and of course Old Hollywood Glamour above... the hair just rocks.

I am also totally flabbergasted by the awesome talented duo, Giannis Marketakis (Make up maestro) and Vasilis Bouloutasi (Hair stylist extraordinaire) who created these looks on Zeta.

I wonder what's next for Ms. M? That's all folks! I'll be seeing you soon!
Ciao Bellissime, x.o.x.o

All photos sourced: Ant1 tv