Greece Goes Outside

A FB friend suggested the other day that fashion has had enough of the UK flag. And I can't blame her. It's incredible how flags have been marketed as fashionable patterns, if you think about it. So what my friend suggested was that at least the Greek designers started promoting the Greek flag. Why not? It is a beautiful pattern that warms our hearts, and makes us stronger for the struggle that lies ahead of us each and every day. And in this striggle we need an ally. We need a boost. We need a reminder that, after thousands and thousands of years, the Greeks are still here, and are planning to be around.

The earrings are done in silver, and the ear hooks are sterling silver. These are not cheap babies!
Available here.

Yesterday's Walk

OK. So while the weather outside is frightful, I am posting some photos from the walk I went for yesterday, when it was sunny...

I visited a friend who lives in Pyrgos, and, during our walk, I was lucky to get a few shots of the lovely building known as the Old Market, a work built in 1890 and supervised by the famous Ernst Ziller, that today is the town's archaeological museum.

I look at the photos and I feel calm, honestly... I don't know how architecture can do that.

The Carols of Christmas Eve

I woke up to the children singing the carols in the street this morning. Have a happy Christmas Eve, and a Merry Christmas! Most importantly, let's remember what Christmas is all about. Honestly, it's not the presents. Above all, it's about love and peace in the world.

Happy holidays to all, regardless of religion, then! Here's a Christmas carol in Greek, with lovely music of Eastern influence. And of course, the painting you see in the video is by the great Nikiforos Lytras, called 'The Carols'.

Nefeli Walking Undercover

If you like experimental folk like I do, you will absolutely adore Nefeli Liouta's first album! Some songs, in particular, sent shivers down my spine... This is where you can dowload her album.

AW11 Fashion Trend Report: Victorian Charm

To understand this trend, and why suddenly all things old are cool, we need to think of how timeless the Victorian appeal is. Placing an emphasis on the waistline, incorporating peplums, shoes with lacing and high neck or pleated collars, flirting with solemn, mourning royal looks and colors or steampunk, using lace, leather and feathers, fashion designers drew inspiration from Queen Victoria, the monarch that reigned the longest in British history, and became a national icon.

Για να κατανοήσουμε αυτήν την τάση, και γιατί ξαφνικά όλα τα παλιά πράγματα είναι τόσο της μόδας, χρειάζεται να αναλογιστούμε πόσο ανεξάντλητη είναι η επιρροή της Βικτωριανής εποχής. Δίνοντας έμφαση στη μέση, ενσωματώνοντας πέπλα, παπούτσια με κορδόνια και ψηλά, ενίοτε πλισέ κολλάρα στο λαιμό, φλερτάροντας με συντηρητικά, βασιλικά λουκ και χρώματα, ακόμη και με το steampunk, χρησιμοποιώντας δαντέλα, δέρμα και φτερά, οι σχεδιαστές μόδας άντλησαν έμπνευση από τη βασίλισσα Βικτωρία, τη μονάρχη που βασίλευσε το μεγαλύτερο χρονικό διάστημα στη Βρετανική ιστορία, και έγινε εθνικό σύμβολο.

 Alexander McQueen - IMAXTREE

 Giles - IMAXTREE

 

 Giles - IMAXTREE

 Marc Jacobs - IMAXTREE

Marc Jacobs - IMAXTREE

Marchesa - IMAXTREE

Once more, the Greek Team on Etsy gives you the chance to shop for things that are currently in fashion, and at the same time are made in Greece. Let's not forget how important it is for things to be produced in Greece, in these tough times we are having!

Για άλλη μια φορά, η Ελληνική ομάδα του Etsy σας δίνει την ευκαιρία να ψωνίσετε πράγματα που είναι αυτή τη στιγμή στη μόδα, ενώ ταυτόχρονα είναι φτιαγμένα στην Ελλάδα. Ας μην ξεχνάμε πόσο σημαντικό είναι να φτιάχνονται πράγματα στην Ελλάδα, αυτές τις δύσκολες ώρες που περνάμε!

The Keyhole Steampunk Hairpin, by RagDolliesMadhouse

Autumn Sea Ruffles Cuff, by oneperfectday

Blue Princess Choker, by NocturneHandcrafts

Oh my Purse necklace, by KalliasWonderland

Cameo Ring, by EVIsHandmadeJewelry

Crochet laced up leg warmers, by Lasunka

Purple skirt, by karmologyclinic

Flower earrings, by elinacreations

Black satin clutch with feathers and rhinestones, by Gorgones

Vintage Platform Boots by ShoeUs

Amazing items, aren't they? I urge you to discover more beautiful items in our team's shops!

Καταπληκτικά πράγματα, έτσι; Σας παροτρύνω να ανακαλύψετε περισσότερα όμορφα αντικείμενα στα μαγαζιά της ομάδας μας!

Song of The Dawn

Ξύπνα, μικρό μου κι άκουσε,
Κάποιο μινόρε της αυγής,
Για σένανε είναι γραμμένο,
Από το κλάμα, κάποιας ψυχής.

Το παραθύρι σου άνοιξε,
Ρίξε μου μια γλυκιά ματιά,
Κι ας σβήσω πια, τότε μικρό μου,
Μπροστά στο σπίτι σου, σε μια γωνιά.

(Σπύρος Περιστέρης - Μίνως Μάτσας)

♥

Wake up, my little one, and listen,
To this 'minore' of the dawn
It is written for you,
Out of a soul's lament

Open your window,
Throw me a sweet glance,
And then let me die, my little one
In front of your home, at a corner

(Spyros Peristeris - Minos Matsas, my translation)


I would like to thank my friend Jessica, the blogger behind Whoa, Mamma, for letting me know of Costas Tsicaderis' recordings. Costas Tsicaderis was a Greek - Australian singer - songwriter, and Jessica's father.

Vote for the Etsy Greek Street Team List for the Handmade Top 10

Click on the orange banner to get into the EGST list and vote for your favorites!

The Saffron Gatherer Ring

I seem to be needing a vacation desperately... Aren't we all? Well, I started dreaming about the Greek islands, Santorini in particular, with its frescoes in Akrotiri... and then I created this ring. I decorated it with gold glitter to add some sunshine, and here it is!

The Saffron Gatherer Ring

Now, that reminded me of the opening of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, where in the first part of the 'Clepsydra' you could see the saffron gatherers. Simply wait till the video gets to 1.20... Awesome!

Happy Easter!

Fun Felt Egg Cozy

Cute Birdie Hanging Decoration

Easter Candle

8 Wool Felted Eggs

Rest In Peace Niko

Love Unconquerable in Battle in Nude and Black

I decided to make my popular Sophocles quote necklace in a longer version, to go with all the latest fashion trends! Plus, nude and black is an amazing color combination, classic, elegant and yet so now!

Love Unconquerable in Battle, Sophocles, Antigone, Greek Quote Necklace in Nude and Black, Long, OOAK

 

Notice the long, crocheted cord detail...  Just imagine wearing this with a lace dress or a flowing silk top... Superb!

A Day At The Museum

It was a national holiday in Greece on Friday March 25, so a lot of people took advantage of the lovely weather to visit the new Acropolis Museum. Here are a few pictures to give you an idea.


This is what you see as you approach the museum from the subway station...

Now you are stepping towards the entrance, but the whole thing has been built for you to be able to see the ongoing excavation at the base...

You are on the terrace, having coffee, seeing these...

If you want to see inside the Museum, you will probably have to visit... After all, the new Acropolis Museum was voted Best Worldwide Tourism Project in 2010 by the British Guild of Travel Writers, and there are many who say it is currently the best museum in the world...

Kites on Trees

Clean Monday

Today it's Clean Monday in Greece. It's the first day of Lent that leads up to Easter, and of course a movable feast.

Kyra Sarakosti, by Olympias

The term for this day, Clean Monday, refers to the leaving behind of sinful attitudes and non-fasting foods. The widespread Greek custom of flying a kite on Clean Monday symbolizes the beginning of Lent with a clean conscience, with forgiveness, and with renewed Christian love. It is common for children to make kites and fly them especially on this day -well, with a little help from mum and dad...

Metal kite embellishment, by fastrunningfox

Long sleeved onesie, by BHBKidstyle

This day is a public holiday in Greece and Cyprus and people often have picnics. Eating meat, eggs and dairy products is traditionally forbidden to Christians throughout Lent, with fish being eaten only on major feast days, but shellfish is permitted, and so it is a custom to consume shrimps, calamari, taramasalata (a dip made with fish roe), clams and shells. We also make or buy the traditional lagana, which is a kind of bread (if you speak Greek you can read the recipe there too, but you can see the pictures of it anyway). Other delicacies include tahini halva, revythokeftedes (chick pea balls), tomatokeftedes (tomato balls) and dolmades (grape leaves stuffed with rice).

Frutti di Mare Pizza, by PetitPlat

Sushi pincushion ring, by swiedebie

Picnic bag, by oneperfectday

Vine leaves, by FoxInTheBox

Apple cozy, by woolicious

Picnic blanket, by SewnNatural