another one bites the dust

Usually I am a hive of activity over the weekend, catching up on blog reading and blog posting. But this weekend was quiet for one very big and very important reason. My best friend got MARRIED!!

I met Domi at work and we instantly clicked. She is one of the kindest, most generous and genuine people I have ever met. She has been nothing but amazing since I met her nearly two years ago. She is one of those selfless people that exude so much warmth and support that you just fall in love with her. Which I guess is what happened to Andreas, her now husband, when he first met her. 

They have a simply beautiful love story which culminated in a wonderful wedding on Saturday. The thunder and lightening didnt stop the traditional Greek Orthodox Ceremony and the rain clouds dissappeared in time for the outside cocktail by the pool surround with lanterns and little candles. 

This was the soundtrack to a super cute video, with childhood pictures, dedicated to their parents. What a tear jerker; my table was a blubbering mess by the end. 

the unidentifiable season

I have a need to shop. Every so often I get that wave of shopping desire, but it's this time of year that throws me into a worldwind of doubt. Summer is nearly over and it's a waste to spend money on items which will get a few weeks of wear and then be flung to the top shelves of the wardobe. But it's still too warm to even contemplate trying on those chunky knits in Zara and knee high boots in Mango that keep catching my eye. 

Living on a Mediterranean island causes a whole lot of wardrobe related problems; obviously you feel sorry for me [not].

It's October and while the temperatures are dropping day by day, our climate could still easily be described as warm, even hot. And all I want to do is empty my bank balance (post bill and rent payments - because im kinda sensible like that) in Zara. I never thought I'd say such a thing but where is autumn when you need it! I already have my wish-list.....

mango

 

 

 

mango

zara

 

zara

zara

mango

its one of those days.....

....where everything explodes in a big ball of chaos. Nerves are pushed to their limit and stress is an unwelcome emotion. It's those days that test you and make it even more apparent how far from "home" you are. From those friends you miss so much every other day, but miss even more on this day. From the family you have become detached from due to distance and make you long for those moments you remember so fondly. A bit philospohical I know and I do apologise.

I don't really have many beliefs - I mean I have morals and standards and believe in certain rights, and wrongs for that matter, but sometimes a little sign just plops in front of you that thats makes me believe there is no other optoin. The first thing I saw when I opened my facebook was this.....

A sign if ever I needed one. It's lucky then that today I requested my holiday from work to venture to the big city for christmas. And after searching high and low, flights are booked, paid for and confirmation is sitting neatly in my inbox ready for 18th December to roll round.

summer essentials

Summer is possibly my favourite time of the year. I am one of those people that suffers from SAD (seasonal affective disorder) - although I am self diagnosed - and the seemingly never-ending summer months of Cyprus make me very happy indeed. With that being said, it is so important to have good beauty products to utilise for those hot and sweat months that cover about 75% of the year. 

With a second Cypriot summer under my belt, I have located, tried and tested and found my favourite products to see me through. 

Gosh nail varnish in Silk is the perfect nude/pink shade. Gosh is a brand I never really tried before but I have fallen in love with their varnishes for their consistency, the brush and the colour palette. This nude varnish looks perfect on tanned hands and feet. 

MOA the green balm is one of those multi purpose salves that is a handbag essential. It is 100% natural and packed with all sorts of goodies. Not just that its uses are simple endless; dry skin, bites, burns, lip balm, cuticle cream, after shave balm, the list goes on and on. But you can find more info http://www.thegreenbalm.com/. Needless to say it has become my go to for everything and anything.

 Rimmel Sun Shimmer Bronzer in Medium Matt is my favourite budget bronzer. Its cheap and cheerful, has just the right tone; not too orange and no shimmer, a real sticking point for me. When I cant get my hands on my beloved Benefit Hoola, this is the next best thing. 

 

I hate dry and cracked summer lips; cue Piz Buin 30 spf Sun Lipstick. When you spend endless weekend as the beach, walk to work every morning and walk the dog on a regular basis, its easy for your face to bare the brunt of the sunshine. This has great protection and a super creamy feeling so lips feel soft and moisturised all day long. 

 When it comes to my hair im kinda naughty. Beach time its thrown up in a ponytail and the rest of the time its blow-dried and straightened to within and inch of its life. My saviour is this L'oreal Elvive damage care, repairing serum for split ends.

 Organic Young SPF 15 face suncream is another one packed with all sorts of natural ingrediants. Great for oily combination skin like mine, it offers great protection, has a mild lavender scent and isn't the usual greasy suncream consistency.

 With super frequent visits to the beach, this Mark Hill Cover Up protection spray is a must! It offers a great level of protection for your hair to stop it from drying out with all that sea, sun and sand.

With summer coming to end, I have plenty of time to find some new products ready for testing next year.

Independance Day

The 1st of October is Cyprus Independence day; the day that Cyprus gained independence from the British. And this day is marked with a big military parade, which just so happens to pass our house this year. Think noisy tanks, men with guns and military processions. As a British person living in Cyprus, it may have been wise to keep a low profile today.....

Instead we took the pooch for a walk and watched in awe at the huge machines pounding down the road. Even I, who has no interest in anything like this whatsoever, was sucked into the excitement of seeing tanks and the such outside our apartment building. 

More exciting than our usual Monday morning routine.