11.6.13

picturing d r e a m s ...


l e f t   &   r i g h t

Today I'm celebrating 38 years & 3 months of life.

I was born on a Tuesday much like today.

Even though a broken tooth brought me to book an emergency appointment

with a  { f a b u l o u s ! } dentist in my current neighborhood,

and the fact that I came home to a hacked mail account,

{nevertheless with a very relieved mouth & the ability to speak & pronounce properly again }

I enjoyed the  b i c y c l e   r i d e  

back & forth.

I focused on  e n j o y i n g  every minute

as if a separation & a subsequent very possible, temporary movement

to Greece wouldn't be taking place.

{ Greece is lovely, yet at the moment  I  L O V E  m y   l i f e  here more than anything! }

As if the boxes that are getting packed are simply gonna

take me just to the right place

after having set up home here



This post is all about what  I  w i s h  to  be  p a r t  of   my  l i f e  from now on.

It's a post devoted to  a c c e p t i n g  that I have d r e a m s  to work for,

it's a post about s t a t i n g  that I believe with all the power of my existence,

that I have and I am working very hard to make them  m a n i f e s t  in my life

and however they might manifest somehow differently than presented,

the  a t m o s p h e r e  and the  e s s e n c e  is set.

{you might want to hop over to  t h i s   p o s t  to find out,

or to remind yourselves about

how I'm painting my future,

starting  n o w }


Since it's the 11th of the month

{ at least it still is in the part of the world I'm typing this from}

I thought that sharing  11 p a i r s  for your eye pleasure would fit nicely.

{ I cannot describe the pleasure &  f i r i n g  of neurons that takes place in my brain when 

combining pictures in pairs or collages....I just love seeing them make... out! 

I know... go ahead press charges on me for eye p*rn }


If you'd like to  p a i n t  y o u r  d r e a m s  with  p i c t u r e s,

then simply  g o  a h e a d !

M a k e  your own pairs & collages

p o s t  them on your blogs


l i n k   to this post,

s h a r i n g  what it is all about.

Call it:

" p i c t u r i n g   m y  d r e a m s "

Come back here & be sure to  l e a v e   a  c o m m e n t  so that I can visit you!

I'll be so VERY glad to see your dreams!


But first, c o m e   w i t h   m e , I'll share some of my  d e e p e s t   w i s h e s with you...

top left - right - bottom middle - bottom left


so, yes, the fact is, I  w a n t   i t   a l l. 

The  w h i t e  b r i c k  w a l l  at my new house to be, the pebbled  p a t i o,

the  g a r d e n,

the Ikea p.s chairs, the o l i v e   t r e e s , 

the  f r e s h  mint that I'll have planted in my chalkboard painted pots,

& the emerald green one piece  b a t h i n g   s u i t ,

that I'll be wearing while enjoying the sunshine,

on my deck.

on my white chairs.

drinking cool tea with mint,

all coming from my potted herb garden.



l e f t  &  r i g h t


then I want to  g e t   m a r r i e d . to the o n e  person I love with all my heart & mind.

the person who does exactly the same.

I want to get married and feel all  d i p p e d   in happiness

cause we'll be M r s  &  M r .

Just because.

Just because l o v e  is a wonderful thing

& such a commitment only  o p e n s the doors to  f r e e d o m 

as we've never experienced before.

I want to get married &  g o   t o   P a r i s.

Again.

{ once is never enough for such a city, I must tell you that }

I want to go to Paris and w a k e   u p  at a similar veranda.

Wonderful in its humble size.


l e f t  &   r i g h t


Then I want to eat lunches and dinners that will have been sometimes prepared

 by his  e l e g a n t ,   k i n d   &   l o v i n g   h a n d s .

{ I can't emphasize enough how much I appreciate and cherish men with let's say... feminine hands }

Lunches & dinners that will be getting prepared while I take care of

bringing  f r e s h   h e r b s  from our garden.

While I do the  g a r d e n i n g ,

cause I simply just love it so much to be  c l o s e   t o   n a t u r e.


l e f t   &   r i g h t 


Lunches & dinners taking place around  l o v i n g l y  set tables,

in a place called  h o m e ,

where the inhabitants  g r o w ,   e x p a n d ,   e v o l v e

and  decide to  s t a y   t o g e t h e r  to face life

and its sometimes c h a l l e n g e s  and  d i f f i c u l t i e s.

L u n c h e s  and d i n n e r s   in the company of simple yet immensely charming flower arrangements.

A r r a n g e m e n t s  made on the spot,

with no big fuzz.

But then with  s o  m u c h  love.

L o v e   f o r   l i f e .

L o v e   f o r   p e o p l e .

L o v e   f o r   l o v e .


left - top right bottom right - middle right 

I want a  b e d r o o m   where love can be taking place.

A place where love can  u n f o l d .

And  t h r i v e above everything else.


l e f t   &   r i g h t


I want to  b a k e  lemon ricotta and almond  c a k e s ,

wearing a blue  d o t t e d  s k i r t   &   a  s t r i p e d   b l o u s e.

I want to bake them and s h a r e  them with friends & family that will be gathered around,

impatiently waiting for the first warm piece to be cut, served, tasted & cherished.


l e f t   &   r i g h t 

I want to take part in  e x c i t i n g   p r o j e c t s,

involved in developing  b e a u t i f u l   s p a c e s 

for  b e a u t i f u l   p e o p l e 

People that have learned to  o p e n   t h e i r   h e a r t s.

People that are willing to l e a r n 

People that through their own  m i s f o r t u n e s,

they become  s o f t e r, yet  s t r o n g e  r,

able to share themselves  w i t h   t h e   w o r l d.

l e f t   &   r i g h t 


Then I want  to w a l k  b a r e f o o t  on the simple concrete floor of my  s u m m e r   h o u s e,

somewhere in a corner of the earth where then s u n  s h i n e s often.

there where the salty air can be felt on your lips while you take deep breaths.

I want to go up & down the stairs of this place

that I'll have found,

cause  m y  i n t u i t i o n   t o l d   m e 

that it's the right place for me

l e f t   &   r i g h t 


and then I want to have the ability to  e m b r a c e   p e o p l e  for who they are,

while at the same time being kind but letting go of those in life

who insist on judging from their own limited perspectives,

concluding that a  b r i l l i a n t   s w i m m e r ,

should also be an  a m a z i n g  c l i m b e r  at the same time.

l o v e swimming.

And through life by the woods I've learned to also cherish the trees.

But if one judges me here for my ability

to  s w i m   l i k e  a   m e r m a i d,

then it's inevitable to 

face disappointment.

I have become an  e x c e l l e n t   w o o d   w a l k e r  here.

I keep the s w i m m i n g   p a r t  for when I'll be finding myself in water again.

...............................................

picture credits under each pair or collage

all diptychs & collages made by Iro - Ivy Nassopoulos


please note that some links will only take you to pinterest accounts

any assistance in providing precise links & information 

is welcomed


10.6.13

M o n d a y ' s S t y l i n g T i p : navy blue & powder pink



  2nd Monday of the 2nd half of the year 2013...

and it couldn't be a better time to 

officially  e s t a b l i s h  a new column

here:

W E L C O M E 

everyone to M o n d a y' s  S t y l i n g  T i p s

by yours truly 

{ insert big smile here }




A little about the  c o l u m n :


I hope to inspire you while sharing these posts here with you,

not only to  d r e s s  stylishly

but most of all to get to  k n o w  yourselves,

a c c e p t  &  l o v e  them

for all the  w o n d e r f u l people that you are


S t y l e  cannot be imposed,

neither bought.

However a  s t y l i s t can be assigned & hired to work for others.



Personally I have noticed that my love for styling has been evolving parallel

to  d i s c o v e r i n g  myself,

parallel to allowing the best of me to unfold,

while having face to face talks with those nasty sides of me.



No matter what kind of outfit,

I like to feel that the clothes are at the same time 

a means to express myself and current mood,

while being  p r o p e r l y  dressed for any occasion.


T o d a y ' s   o u f i t  is about attending an appointment with clients,

while providing my services as

their interior design consultant.

I needed  to be comfortable as driving 100 km back and forth was involved.

At the same time,

I wished to be looking simple, still taken care off.

The meeting was about seeing   e x h i b i t i o n   h o u s e s 

at Bien Zenker, a company I'm so glad to have had the chance to be familiar with.


Here's some  i n f o  about the outfit,

in case you need to note down:

Have fun  e x p l o r i n g!


-> all cotton jeans Mango,  found here 

{mine were bought during this winter sales, when more "real" sizes were available.

I paid €15 for my pair. Reduced from €39.95, I was & still am pretty happy}

->  white, all cotton T-shirt, Zara {from our latest trip this April in South Portugal, Algavre }

-> dark blue mini cardigan with pretty buttons & a cute, tiny bow detail
Mango { currently not available }

-> glossy belt with a bow from Promod { here is something similar currently available}

-> My shoes were these wild leather ballerinas in powder pink from h&m

{ one of the presents I gave myself for my birthday in March  :)}




-> my bag can be seen below {please note I'm wearing a different blouse in that shot}

& a similar can be found here

{ another purchase while in South Portugal in April}





N O T E 

This post is  n o t sponsored by any of the shops mentioned.

I currently share, post & write about all I l o v e.

However, I' m in fact glad, to be involved in some kind of cooperation,

 should they be interested.

Since it has been proven that currently bloggers & blogs

 drive lovely people like you { and potential customers for them }

in their businesses,

I find it fair & wonderful to profit from it, too.

O u i ? Mais bien sur oui!


6.6.13

beautiful b i r t h s & s u c c e s s prerequisites




hello my dear readers!

popping in just for a little short while

to say  h e l l o  &  verify I'm doing well.

Yes, indeed, reading comments here & feeling action & interaction from your sides

supports  w o n d e r f u l l y  my own efforts

to face the challenging situation 

of having for now to leave the man + home + life that I love

{ I must always keep in my mind and heart my own words, 

which rushed out of me

in  t h i s  post }

Since my l a s t  post here, lots of parts of me are getting changed,

r e a d j u s t e d , g r o w i n g , l e t t i n g   b e   g o n  e 

or however one may call it...

the fact is: 

  I'm c h a n g i n g.

{ towards the person I  w i s h e d  to be }


The most  m e n t i o n - w o r t h y  changes taking place are:

-> having successfully  f a c e d   m y   f e a r s 

-> having managed to  t a m e   moments when  p a n i c  stroke

-> learning to  g o   w i t h   t h e   f l ow , while choosing & planning my life

-> being  i m m e n s e l y   g r a t e f u l  for life's pleasures and opportunities,

-> enjoying to the fullest extend even the  t i n i e s t  of them

-> having  o p e n e d   m y   h e a r t  to people

-> while  a c c e p t i n g  the doors that close

&

-> after careful thought & emotion examination,

-> having also gained a newly based  t r u s t  in myself.


I'm taking some time, 

developing my  L i f e  S o u p  R e c i p e,

while ensuring that it's gonna be delicious.


So, while being busy learning in the lab of Life,

I'm sharing with you some t h o u g h t s  +  r e a l i z a t i o n s

that stroke yesterday as I was updating my Facebook's page cover:







Keep well - stay focused - allow yourselves to fall

cause falling & failing is part of life,

most possibly a necessary & valuable prerequisite 

for the successful & blissful life,

we wish to  h a v e ,  l i v e  &  s h o u l d   d e s e r v e 



29.5.13

Creating m i r a c l e s ~




I've been having a  m o s t l y   b l e s s e d   l i f e .


It seems as if it is all falling apart.

My current home,

my life partner,

my surroundings,

friends here I've bonded with,

all that make up my every day life.


It's shortly ago that I felt so  i n c r e d i b l y   b l e s s e d . . .

I've been actually repeating that since the beginning of the year,

perhaps for the first time in my life so intensly.


Still, life insists on  k n o c k i n g   l o u d l y   o n   m  y   d o o r 

that there is something  I  m u s t   l e a r n

for my own benefit, growth, security

and quite possibly for being able to share with others.


T o d a y ,

the  d e e p e s t   r e a l i s a t i o n  was felt right in the center of my belly:

I've allowed myself to be abused as an adult.

No, I haven't in fact been abused,

I've rather had  a s s u m e d   t h e   r o l e   o f   a  v i c t i m,

which led into certain ways of interactions in almost all kind of my relation ships.


Since this post that I realised & gave value to the fact that

I   d o   h a v e   a   v o i c e,

{ a strong, warm, loving, brilliant voice! }

It was only a matter of time,

that I reach to the conclusion that  n o w 

is the time to become

a  c r e a t o r .


A creator my own  l i f e   &   f u t u r e .

And as shared here,

I'll paint it  b r i g h t  &  j o y o u s  &  c r e a t i v e  &   l o v i n g   &  p r o s p e r o u s .




All the  p r e c i o u s   i n g r e d i e n t s   of my individual  L i f e  s o u p ,

have been successfully gathered.

Time for developing my  o w n   r e c i p e.
  
I guess part of making it  t a s t y   &   n u t r i t i o u s

is peeling off and cutting the  o n i o n s.


Well,  t h a t  involves dropping some tears.

They'll be tears of  h a p p i n e s s  in the end 

{and that end will be a new beginning}


Much love,

Iro

27.5.13

Destination u n k n o w n . . .


here is a little tip:

if you wish to express some nice feelings about seeing a person important to you*,

choose a  b o u q u e t   o f   f l o w e r s  

that you think the receiver will enjoy,

but also something that you like, too

G i v i n g   s o m e t h i n g  is about thinking of the other person,

and taking the chance to  c o n n e c t  with them.

When we in fact reach to wanting to express  k i n d n e s s  to others,

it means that we are somehow bonded.

Life is all about developing  r e l a t i o n   s h i p s,

while simmultaneously establishing  o u r s e l v e s, 

becoming day by day a little more of the person

we once  d r e a m e d  of  b e c o m i n g .

* however lot might argue that this involves mostly women, there are men out there too
who enjoy something fresh! There are green leaves plants + succulents for example.
Perhaps they will appreciate the chance to experience the more caring side in them.
Just saying : )

In a society where roles sometimes seem imposed,

encouraging people to become  t h e i r   f u l l e s t   s e l v e s  is something wonderful.

Women have more masculine sides, too 

{ talks a lady who happily grabs anything related to Black & Decker! }

men have more femine sides, too.

The magic in relation ships is to accept one another as we are.

Then  a l l   p o s s i b l e   t r a n s f o r m a t i o n s  are well... possible!

Love  c a n n o t  be based on force, mistrust, punishment and expectations.

That way it is truly "doomed" to fail.



So to return to a  p o s i t i v e   &   g r a c e f  u l  mood:

if you will offer flowers,

how about grabbing some  w h i t i s h   t r a n s p a r e n t   b a k i n g   p a p e ,

and embracing the bouquet with a few rounds of it?

{ I used two sheets here}

Add a kind of discrete & delicate ribbon,

let your  i n t e n t i o n s   &   f e e l i n g s  speak for themselves.

Enjoy the time with the ones you l o v e !

Warmly,
Iro 

p.s: thank you so much for every one of your comments! I read them all, in whichever language and take so much joy! I'll make time to come write a few words personally to each one of you again.






26.5.13

She k n o w s . . .



I'm ever so grateful for this little blog space I created some years ago...

I would have never imagined that it would be proving so precious 

in ways it does now


It's my  v o i c e ,

my  w i n d o w  to the  w o r l d

&

my  d r e a m  c o m i n g   t r u e 



It might appear immature and weak still,

but if you can't take m y   w o r d ,

then take my  h e a r t ' s   d e s i r e :

there'll be  f i r e w o r k s  soon

h e r e

c e l e b r a t i n g   m i r a c l e s 

and

the  p o w e r   o f   L o v e 


Y o u   a r e   a l l   w e l c o m e 

&

I'm very  t h a n k f u l


......................


picture & words: Iro - Ivy Nassopoulos, for Domestic Stories with Ivy 2013