Note to Self / no.1

NEW SERIES: I been brewing this series for a little over a month. I wanted to create a little space on the blog to give a weekly boost of inspiration/motivation or just something to remember/think about. They will all be things I constantly remind myself. I figured why not share them with you all & have some fun while we are at it!

This one is actually a big fancy post-it note on my mirror.  Yes. I am one of those people who post inspirational and motivational notes everywhere. I love it and highly recommend it.

Think quality over quantity.  I repeat this to myself all the time when I'm working on blog posts especially. Sometimes I don't have "the best" content and there was a time when I was just posting photographs for the sake of posting...BIG MISTAKE!

Always put your best content out, while it's good to be consistent and many people encourage you to "post daily" proceed with caution...remember the old saying? "If you don't have nothing nice to say don't say it at all" well to put it bluntly..."if you don't have anything nice to blog, don't blog at all"  You should absolutely strive for consistency while blogging but consistency at a level of excellence. This helps with getting a great reputation & people will get used to knowing every post on your blog is going to be awesome! You'll get more page views and more loyal followers. WOO-HOO

Apply quality over quantity everywhere.  Your friends? Better to have two or three amazing best friends you can count on than a whole bunch of acquaintances who disappear when you're in need. When shopping? Took me a while to apply this to shopping, I see a sign that says $14.99 t-shirts and I just gotta have it in EVERY colour...pause...stop...think quality over quantity...better to have that one pair of shoes/shirts/dresses you love than a bunch of cheap "meh" ones...you get the idea

So ladies & gents...quality over quantity, always with everything!
Hope y'all enjoyed this first segment of note to self

xoxo

Quote of the day:
"Would you do your job and not be paid for it? I would do this job, and take on a second job just to make ends meet if nobody paid me. That’s how you know you are doing the right thing."

Read more »

I've been keeping a secret...

Well..not so secret actually.  The last couple of months I have been busy busy working on my new print shop

I'm aiming to launch in late August so keep an eye out :)

Above are a bunch of my Greece fine art photography prints being auctioned off at the St. Nicholas Greek Festival, I was nervous..the "no-body is going to bid" thought crossed my mind more than a few times.  Luckily the feedback was awesome and I got to give back to my church and help donate to a good cause.

Total win-win!

Enjoy! xo

Quote of the day:

"Whatever you do you have one thing that is unique, you have the ability, to make art" - Neil Gaiman

Read more »

Sneak Peek: Emily

A little sneak peek from a creative shoot I did a couple of weeks ago

More to come soon...xo

Quote of the day: 

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou

Read more »

Life in Photos {St. Nicholas Greek Festival}

 Us Greek-Canadians love our summer time festivals.
Here are my photographs from the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Festival
Lots of fun, delicious food (and ice cream trucks), tons of great merchandise & of course Greek dancing!

Enjoy! xo

Quote of the day:

"We must, therefore, pursue the things that make for happiness, seeing that when happiness is present, we have everything;  but when it is absent, we do everything to possess it" – Epicurus

Read more »

Project Dimitri {a worthy cause}

I wanted to share today something that has struck a chord with me.  Project Dimitri.  
"Family and friends of Dimitri Sissakis are leveraging social media to help him in his battle against cancer."  

 This group is a true reminder of what love is all about.  When some is in need you help anyway big or small. I've realize that in times of need...people really do care.  To see the community come together and host fundraising events all over the city of Toronto is incredible.

I snapped these photos last week at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church festival.  His cousins & close friends set up a fundraising booth...their kindness, dedication and love was beyond moving and inspiring.

If you can spare 5 minutes head over to the Project Dimitri website and read about his story & fight against cancer.

Here is the link to donate

Always have faith & never stop believing.

Quote of the day:
"No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted" - Aesop

Read more »

Domesticate Me // Chicken & Potatoes

My "Domesticate Me" series has officially begun! This is a series I have been talking about doing for ages & after the Christmas Cookies edition I knew come spring I had to get my butt into gear! So Voila!

First off I need to tell you that when it comes to cooking and baking, well let's just say I definitely didn't get blessed in that area.  Seeing that I love to eat, work at Dine.TO and come from a long line of amazing Greek cooks (my mom & grandma..seriously amazing) I decided forcing myself to cook at least one thing a week would slowly teach me the basics that frankly by my age I should know (for shame!).

What you will need:

Chicken...and Potatoes....(who would have thunk it?)

Sweet Potato (to mix it up...oh snap)

Salt

Pepper

Garlic Powder

Oregano

Olive Oil

Lemons

Chicken Base (Don't forget this...like I did...oooops)

Things I learned / Note to self...for next time:

1. When your grandmother says add the juice of a lemon...this probably just means one or one and a half...not three...(yowza that's lemony!)

2. Oregano...it's fun...but don't go overboard, it`s not Christmas.

3. If you are trying to achieve that nice golden layer to the dish...BROIL is what you are looking for!!....Do not keep baking it in the oven with the lid on hoping it will miraculously look fabulous in ``another 5 minutes``.  So...to recap after cooking time...take the lid OFF and broil for about 5 minutes.  Broil = nice golden glow.  

4. Monitoring the food...this always kind of stressed me out...I felt like I couldn`t take my eyes off it for even one second.  Basically me at the kitchen having a stare down competition with the oven.  It`s okay to answer the phone, write a text, leave the room...really it`s okay!!

5. To kill the overkill of lemon...boil some hot water add chicken base and pour it into the...into the...bowl? Pot? Serving dish? [frantic call to my best friend Georgia] According to her "It's a cooking pot that turns into a serving dish...its transferable" You get what I'm trying to say!

The Domenstication (yes I just made up a word) has begun...! 

Hope you all enjoyed :) xo

Quote of the day: 

"Write down your ideas. Refine them. Make what you want crystal clear" - Marie Forleo

Read more »

Life in Photos (Wedding Season!)

 {shower impressions}

 {above&below bridal shower prep, fabulous guest gifts!}

Happy Monday everyone!

I have been a very bad blogger these last few weeks but what can I say? Wedding season is upon us (I have 9 this summer!) and all my best friends are tying the knot, so life is gonna get busy and you just have to go with it and enjoy the ride.  Can't wait to celebrate with all my beautiful brides this summer.

My best friend Georgia who you've all seen many times on the blog had a stunning bridal shower last weekend, elegant and chic just like her. Hope you enjoy the photos!

Lots of love & glad to be back!

xoxo

Ps. Those delicious looking cupcakes made by Daniella!

Quote of the day: 

"The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible"

Read more »

Life in Photos

I'm back!
Happy Monday
Enjoy! xo

Quote of the day: 

"You must do the thing which you think you cannot do" - Eleanor Roosevelt

Read more »