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If you follow me on my social media you know I celebrated my birthday with style, and even royally! This is always a celebration that I particularly honour, and since my Solo Wedding in Santorini I must say that I've certainly followed this rule (re-read Time Travel). And after Santorini, London and Paris, I was planning to celebrate it in Milan, however with the current situation, I preferred to stay in France and do it with my family in the Alps where I grew up. However, being born in July, a summer baby, I chose an aquatic atmosphere ...  After the cancellation of Milan, the mermaid theme immediately came to my mind, yet I'm not a particular fan, you know I love Unicorns (read my article Unicorns). And in Disney's Little Mermaid, I much prefer Ursula, the wicked octopus. I admit I like the vilains a lot: Cruella (101 Dalmatians), Maleficent, the Evil Queen (Snow White). My shrink would definitely have something to say about it if I had one. In short, while this decoration is normally easy to find in specialised stores, it turns out that the main suppliers for this theme are American and weren’t able to supply the shops with the Covid ... So, I had to be creative to satisfy my marine desires. Siren comes from ancient Greek, and in Greek mythology this is a half-woman, half-bird creature (hence my wings at the beginning of the article), while in the Scandinavian culture she’s half fish (as in The Little Mermaid, the tale of Hans Christian Andersen). While it’s true that on ancient Greek pottery they’re clearly distinguished as birds, in my recollections in Homer's Odyssey they are described as naked women by the water ... In French, the same word is used “sirène”, while in English, "siren" is used for Greek sirens, and "mermaid" for others. In both cases, they’re associated with the sea, and the myths, tales and stories about them are still fascinating. I decided not to discriminate anyone, I’m the Queen of all, sirens & mermaids 😊
I love organising events and decorating is my thing. So, I was able to please my heart & the result reached my expectations:
"Details make perfection, and perfection is not a detail." For those who know me, well you never get bored with me ... Then, polaroid photoshoot with accessories, nothing better to relax and have some good laughs. The guestbook required a little effort from my guests, they had to paint a picture of their choice and add a note. And the Under the Ocean Game, blindfolded, we had to stick a unicorn in the place chosen by the other participants (back of the turtle, fish, seabed…). Everyone loved it, young and old alike! And my mum won!! Ocean Water to rehydrate and Seaweed Juice to refresh (love the colourings!). (Fake) crabs, octopus, stars and real Greek dishes (Greek salad, pita, spanakopita) to remind us of Ulysses and the Odyssey. Obviously, the cake, well the cakes ... My pastry chef, my sister! Mermaid tail, bikini and rubber ring, everything you need for a mermaid at the beach despite a rainy day ... I had never had a themed birthday party like this before, there is no age for having fun ... Thank you to my family and friends for a wonderful birthday party, yet another unforgettable year, looking forward to what next year has in store for me!! My previous articles: And I’d like to end this article with the caption I posted on my social media on my birthday: Happy Birthday to me!!  Have a fantastic week! Love & Joy, L. PS: Luca is a wonderful movie ;)
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Today, there’s the LGBTQIA+ pride in Paris, as a fervent ally of this community I wanted to honour them this week! Long called gay pride, today we only say pride, to bring together everyone and no longer just homosexuals. And for those unfamiliar with the term LGBTQIA+, it means: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and more, as the acronym can have even more categories, in its full form: LBTQQIAAP One of the A's stands for Ally, like me, for all those who support equal rights. But if you only remember the first one, that's great! (The photos in this article were taken in Paris in June 2019)  While many cities around the world have already celebrated it, more will take place in the summer, an event always eagerly awaited and even more so this year as many were cancelled last year. The first march took place in June 1970 in the United States, to commemorate the Stonewall riots in New York. Indeed, on June 28, 1969, a police raid took place at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village (NYC). A bar frequented by gay and transgender people. Recall that at that time in New York, it was forbidden to serve alcohol to homosexuals, as well as to cross-dress. Only this time, the police face a rebellion. Five days of riots followed. 2,000 participants and 400 policemen were reported during the first night. This event undoubtedly gave birth to the LGBT movement in the United States and around the world.  This is why June is considered Pride Month in many countries, and every year since 1970 more and more cities around the world have joined the movement. You probably noticed this month, small multicoloured flags on the internet, social media, some store windows ... This is the flag of the LGBTQIA + community. It was created by an American, Gilbert Baker in 1978. The first 2 flags were hand-stitched & dyed by the artist and used in the march of San Francisco on June 25, 1978. Each colour represents a particular word: Red LIFE Orange HEALING Yellow SUNLIGHT Green NATURE Blue HARMONY Violet SPIRIT Originally the flag had 8 stripes, the pink (sex) and turquoise (magic) have been removed to facilitate mass-production. However, the colour brown (inclusivity) and black (diversity) were added in 2017 for more inclusion towards people of colour. The video below tells the story of this flag very well: In my article Superwomen 3, I talked extensively about same-sex marriage around the world, as well as the right to parenthood, and all the inequalities that still exist. I recalled in my article Superwomen 5 that lesbians in France are not allowed to freeze their eggs or to have IVF (in-vitro fertilization). In recent weeks, there has been a lot of talk about donating blood, because in most countries in the world, homosexuals and bisexuals are not allowed to donate blood or under certain conditions such as several months of abstinence before blood donation. (Australia, United States, France…). The UK made a change to their law about ten days ago, allowing people in a monogamous relationship for more than 3 months to donate blood without restriction. France is expected to allow anyone over the age of 18 to be an unrestricted donor next year. Still too many laws are unequal and inadequate today, it is up to everyone to support equal rights for all.  Today is also the birthday of my godchildren, Hannah and Noam, the twins of 2 amazing dads! I witnessed the difficult journey for them to become a family, the laws, the disappointments, the failures and finally these 2 miracles. Love has no gender, colour, religion, border. Love is Love. So today, I'm not just celebrating their birth, but also determination, courage and love ... I am proud of you, I love you!!  Reread my articles from the Superwomen Series here: LINK. But also, all the articles of My Solo Wedding in Santorini: LINK. No article next week, it's my birthday on the 1st of July!! I'm going to celebrate for a few days... Next Post: Saturday July 10 Happy Pride!! Love & Joy, L. Since last week I spoke again about my egg freezing in Madrid, I thought an update on this very personal topic was a good idea. As a reminder, I received this Gift from Science one year after my Solo Wedding in Santorini. And for this article, I’ve chosen to use my photos of clouds, all the photos are mine, like for my article Meditation. The sky is a great source of artistic inspiration and to me it represents hope. Hope I wish to radiate and spread in this patriarchal world ...  First of all, I’d like to point out that in June 2021, France is still one of the 3 countries in Europe (Austria and Malta) that don’t allow egg freezing for singles and lesbians! In 2019, a law was passed to allow all women to use this procedure, unfortunately this law was rejected by the Senate recently, and right now we have absolutely no idea when it’ll be possible one day ... As we celebrate Pride Month for the LGBTQ + community of which I’m an unconditional ally, it seemed important to me to recall this system anomaly. At the present time it seems unthinkable that single women and lesbian women can’t freeze their oocytes and use IVF!  However, women who rebel, like Teresa Xu, a 31-year-old single woman who went to Chinese court in 2019 - another country that bans freezing for single women - to demand equal rights. Unfortunately, again, no hope was obtained. An injustice even more outrageous since Chinese men can freeze their sperm, which is not the case in France, no gender discrimination on that side (good or bad, the debate is open!). After 40 years of IVF (in-vitro fertilization) and 30 years of freezing technique, we’re moving too slowly. And more and more women who travel to foreign countries (myself included) to have this type of procedure, which is sadly reminiscent of the case of abortion. Not to mention that the cost of treatment and travel is not accessible to everyone.  Incredible women who never stop fighting for our happiness, Australian Dr. Debra Gook opened the world's first egg bank in 1994 at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne (Australia). After 5 years of intense research, she’s the one who discovered the technique of freezing oocytes. Despite this great advance, the medical world was reluctant, yet the practice of freezing sperm dates from the 1970s ... Then another woman, Dr. Eleonora Porcu, Italian, decided to follow in her footsteps, followed by Dr. Nicole Noyes in the United States. Thank you to all these women, and the men who support them, who support us, for making a difference and offering future generations the freedom to choose!  Reread my previous articles: And I’d like to highlight my Superwomen series: Keep your head in the clouds, the only place you see the sun, stars, and rainbows! Love & Joy, L. While I’ve just renewed my vows and celebrated the 4th Anniversary of my Solo Wedding in Santorini (read the Article again), here I am celebrating another anniversary, just as unique and special: the freezing of my eggs 3 years ago!! I’ve explained extensively why and how it all happened in my Article ‘Gift from Science’, I invite you to re-read it: And for those who follow me for a long time, you know that I made this wish come true in the magnificent Spanish capital: Madrid. That’s the reason why I’ve chosen to show you more this city that I adore, and where I lived for several months for the success of my cryopreservation.  If there's one place I've spent a lot of time, it's the Retiro Park, located in the heart of Madrid and very popular with locals, especially on sunny days. First with its large rectangular ornemental lake adorned with an imposing bronze equestrian statue from 1904, the place is romantic and relaxing for a rowboat ride. Or the many gardens, perennials, French flowerbeds or the rose garden that I told you all about in my article: Rainy Day in Madrid. In the first heat, taking refuge under the 15,000 trees in the park is a real breath of fresh air. Moreover, built between 1630 and 1640, it was for a long time the royal secondary residence. Today there are 2 palaces, the Crystal Palace built for the colonial exhibition of 1887 and the Velazquez Palace, both rich in know-how and architecture that serve as an exhibition hall. And with the many fountains and statues present in this park, it’s a really pleasant and peaceful place. Another area where I walked daily, the Royal Palace. In its surroundings, you’ll obviously find the Almudena Cathedral, to which I devoted an entire article, many gardens including the Plaza de Oriente located between the Palace and the Royal Theatre. Old or modern buildings, strolling through Madrid is always fascinating and you sometimes come across architectural surprises such as the Temple of Amun. Temple built in Debod in Egypt and dating from the 2nd century. It was donated by Egypt to Spain in 1960, as part of the safeguard of the monuments, which were to be flooded by the waters of the Aswan dam. Another very famous place, the Plaza Mayor, which is always crowded. From 1590 to 1854, it changed and transformed many times to finally retain the style that we know today, with an equestrian statue of Philip III dating from the 17th century. This square measures 423ft (129m) by 308ft (94m) and is pedestrian only, which is in fact a privileged place for meetings, it’s also surrounded by many restaurants. Strolling the surrounding streets immerses you in the historic atmosphere of this vibrant capital! And at the end of the day, nothing better than going for a few tapas at the San Miguel Market. In these sumptuous covered market from 1916, a heritage of Spanish know-how for iron architecture (like the Crystal Palace), you can taste all kinds of specialties and delicate meals prepared by the greatest Spanish chefs, but also international and Michelin-starred chefs. For more than a decade, this space has been considered the first gastronomic market in Madrid. No wonder then to find caviar as much as traditional paella ... Bon appétit ! This city with its many famous museums is exciting for lovers of history and art. I’ve already introduced several of them with some very fascinating exhibitions: I hope you enjoyed this walk as much as I enjoyed sharing my memories with you ... Have an amazing week everyone! Love & Joy, L.  One more year has passed, I just celebrated my 4th wedding anniversary! You know I always prepare a special post for the occasion, but this time I did so much more, I felt the need to renew my vows, and I wanted to share this magical moment with you today. Obviously, I couldn't celebrate an event like this without being perfectly myself, which means, designer dress, makeup and accessories! And as a nod, I chose to wear the nail polish, lipstick, earrings and shoes from my Solo Wedding in Santorini...(Check again my previous articles Shoes Forever & Solo Wedding-Behind the Scenes). Shoes: Louboutin - Dress: Anne Fontaine - Bone Cuff: Elsa Peretti for Tiffany - Bracelet: Adolfo Dominguez - Earrings: Cassandra Lynn Bridal - Crown: Forever New - Beauty: Chanel, Dior, M.A.C. “Love yourself to change the world. " L. I loved this moment alone to take some time for myself and prepare. However, I was nervous, I had decided this time to share this intimate experience of my life, I was going to take my vows on the Internet… If you follow me on my social media, you must have seen my video, to watch or watch again so: It's funny, I still remember every detail of my wedding, the memories are still so fresh, yet I had forgotten how empowering it was to take my vows, so full of meaning and transformation. I feel rejuvenated, revived, and even more protected and guided by the Universe. Once again, I have just filled my heart and soul with love, peace and joy, convinced that the best is yet to come ... Very sensitive in nature, I couldn't help but shed a few tears right after. And after so much emotion, I obviously needed a little comfort. No churros to celebrate my birthday this year, but I made myself a chocolate cake for the occasion! I also received some pretty flowers from my family, and since in France, 4 years it’s the Wax Anniversary, I lit a beautiful candle as a sign of new life ... (Apparently flowers in the US & silk in the UK). When I put my ring on my finger 4 years ago, I said these words: "This ring is the symbol of my rebirth, a promise that I will understand myself more in order to become a better person." And what a rebirth ... So many amazing things have happened in my life since:
I’m so thankful for my family, friends and all the people who have supported me since my Solo Wedding in Santorini. I never would have believed such an adventure was possible. Reread my Articles:
And all my wedding posts available here: LINK. "Open your heart to open your mind!" L. And at the end of this article, the song that accompanied me to the altar on May 27, 2017 ... Have a wonderful week everyone! Love & Joy, L. While some are starting to reschedule trips, me for example! I thought that a summary of my articles on the subject would be welcome. Indeed, in 3 years, I’ve already shared many of my magnificent travels. Maybe this gives you some ideas for your next vacation 😉 Obviously, I start with my country of heart, Greece, which witnessed my self-marriage, but also the birth of my book My Solo Wedding in Santorini: Santorini Pyrgos (Santorini) Honeymoon (Santorini) Rainy day in Athens Series Crete For lovers of cities, museums and architecture: But also: The other country that is dear to me because I lived there for 7 wonderful years, Australia: Australia Melbourne Cup Christmas in Brisbane Moreton Island Palm Cove North Stradbroke Island In the Air 3 (Sydney) And then the exotic destinations, you know how much I love the sea and the ocean: Las Palmas (Canaries) Madagascar Fiji Other amazing places: And at the end of the article, my last video: Go with the Flow. Where I explain that I lived in 7 different countries in the world and that none of them was part of a plan ... Because that's how I see my life, seize the moment, live the moment and let the universe guide me to discover all the beauty and magic of our beautiful planet! Don't forget to think of me on May 27, it’ll be the 4th anniversary of my solo wedding 😉 Have a wonderful week everyone! Love & Joy, L. Some of you may have detoxified your body in January, after the holiday season. And as spring approaches, no doubt you plan to clean up and declutter your house. In my case, I have a much more holistic approach that I practice every month, right after the new moon, which is a good time for regeneration and renewal. After My Solo Wedding in Santorini, I chose to harmonise myself with the moon cycle to benefit from her energetic influence. Very judicious since my zodiac sign is Cancer and the Moon is my planet ... (I took the photo below from France – Blue Moon - October 31, 2020)  Your body To feel good, nothing better than taking care of your body. For the occasion, a full body and face scrub, manicure, pedicure, we cleanse ourselves from head to toe, and for those who can, a bath to relax, a sauna or hammam even better ... With the sanitary restrictions, not everyone has the opportunity to go in nature, but of course being able to walk in a park, a forest or on the beach is extremely beneficial. A tip I use, I watch relaxation videos with the sounds of nature, and more specifically of the ocean, with a little imagination, we can feel good easily! (Video later in the article). A specific exercise is a plus, before I’d have told you swimming, with the pools closed, today I prefer dancing, first of all because that's my passion, then because my whole body works and it helps eliminate water retention. And to detoxify from the inside, vary your food for a few days, avoid fatty and sugary food, consume beetroot which is an excellent cleanser, and drink a lemon squeezed in lukewarm water as soon as you wake up. If your eating habits are hard to change, try having a smoothie a day, it's easier to add new food than to take them out, and at least you'll get plenty of fruits and veggies without realising it. And obviously sangria doesn’t count hahaha. My favourite detox: spinach leaves, beetroot, kiwi. Variation: salad, cucumber, lemon, honey. Above all, drink a lot of water to help eliminate toxins. Obviously, you can apply all this several times a month, listen to your body. Your Environment Once a month, check your cupboards, or even alternate, a different one every month: clothes, medicine, freezer, children's toys ... Tidy up, clean, recycle, resell or give away, lots of websites, apps and organisations, give new life to your objects, you’re doing a good deed for our world and for the planet! To benefit even more from the positive effects of energies, you can apply Feng Shui. Marie Diamond is the high priestess of this practice, she looked after the house of Steven Spielberg, Bill Gates etc. and on her website you can get a free personalised report, full of information: link. And if we added a plant here, we removed this broken lamp we’ll never repair, maybe some curtains, really it's not that complicated ... Watch again my video to enhance your place: Your Mind I keep telling you about the benefits of meditation, and yes again, this is a great opportunity to clear your head & to prepare it to receive more. Any form of relaxation to calm your mind and get rid of the superfluous is welcome. For my part, I use:
Detoxifying your mind also means not using your phone, the internet or TV for a day! And why not going to the beach, remember my video: Your Life Precisely, sorting out your everyday life, like cleaning your phone! Save your photos of the month, erase those that are unnecessary, for example all the screenshots that are no longer useful... Do the same with apps and emails. Don’t forget to unsubscribe from ads and promos you never check. Delete all unnecessary cookies. Think to cancel subscriptions you no longer need. And exit toxic people from your contact list and/or social media. When you do this once a month, it doesn't take too long, and you quickly get used to doing it without it being a chore. If necessary, set yourself a reminder, for example every first Saturday of the month. I invite you to watch my video on recharging your energy: My last tip: You pick a task from your to-do list - you know the one that keeps growing with lots of stuff you postpone - and you stick to it. You’ll feel so liberated afterwards that your energy will be boosted for several days. And very often, doing this task is much less painful than you think. Previous Articles: Access to all my Videos: Link.  After my last article Women in Space, I told myself that a little tour of the moon would be nice (video at the end) ... Happy regeneration and a Happy New Moon! Have a very good week! Love & Joy, L. It took me a long time to find the title of this article, I knew I wanted to talk about this particular month of the year but I had a hard time defining it, unlike for example I love December! February is a month that always forces me to question myself, after the good energy of the new year (reread Happy New Year 2021), there are always events that shake my schedule and make me reconsider my decisions and even my whole life! Strangely, a lot of my actions took place during this period, not because of an overflowing creativity, but because the universe is pushing me each time, leading me out of my comfort zone and bringing out the fighter that is within me, the warrior who never gives up on my dreams ...  "The worst brings out the best in me ..." L. 2017 Here I am, several days after the sudden and dramatic announcement of the breakup by my ex-fiancé and the cancellation of our wedding, I choose to marry myself in Santorini. As I sell my apartment, get rid of all my furniture, and carefully pack my wedding dress in my hand luggage, I prepare to leave Australia, the country that was my home for 7 wonderful years. I'm not quite sure what I'm doing right now, overwhelmed by pain and fear of the future, yet I'm sure my Solo Wedding is the right decision. 2018 First failure in the process of freezing my eggs, I was then in the Spanish capital, Madrid. I'm in a store when my doctor calls me to tell me the bad news, always upbeat and positive, I'm not prepared for it, a stab in my heart, another disappointment and the fear of never succeeding that inhabits me now... This is the moment I’ve chosen to launch Blog About L. with the first article on Valentine's Day to honour love: My Solo Wedding in Santorini. Like a spell that I cast to bring positive vibes into my life.  2019 Some financial issue befell me while I’m in Crete, writing my first book My Solo Wedding in Santorini. No way to give up now, I just can't accept that. And a second magazine cover that confirms my project, a sign from the universe. After a round trip to Athens at the Australian Embassy, the support of my parents and the precious help of one of my friends, I can breathe again, I can finish what I started… 2020 I plan to spend time with my best friend in Paris, then go back to Greece, I stop for a few days at my sister's in Reims on the way, but the lockdown is announced, I stay in France (and I haven’t taken the plane since…). Several months you’re asking for videos, I start then, and once again post my first video on YouTube and Instagram on Valentine's Day. I must admit that I was very nervous at this idea, yet today I take great pleasure in sharing these moments with you, you’re always helping me to grow ... And making videos in public spaces is even more intimidating, but I'm doing pretty well I guess😊 ...
2021 Then again, not everything was as pink as in my last article Pink my Love Colour, but this time I refused to see the negative side, what must happen, happens, and every disappointment is an open door to a greater possibility. Yes, I was expecting a lot from this collaboration with a famous agent from New York, who believed in my project, one option that evaporates in nature, but how many more that appear without knowing it? Like a gardener, I plant seeds, but I can't see yet what is germinating. Having faith and keeping my inner peace is what matters most to me now. Hence, a lot of coaching, mentoring to develop myself on a personal and spiritual level. Constantly growing in order to flourish ...  So yes, happy February because despite hardships, I stretched the limits of my consciousness to better see the infinite possibilities of happiness. I found peace. A blog which has become a website with videos and excerpts from my book (not yet published). An adventure that never ceases to take me to unknown and exciting territories. My joy of life that I share daily on my social media. And this interaction that I have with you, which carries me and makes me want to give you more. Three years that I share with you my life, my dreams, my inspiration ... Happy February, Happy Blog Anniversary!  "Chasing your dreams is the biggest fight of your life. "L Previous articles:
And Happy Birthday to all Pisces, including my mum! Have a good week, Love & Joy, L.  For many people love and passion are associated with the colour red, but for me, pink is my big love story ... By the way, as a child, the first doll that made me dream, Barbie Dream Glow with a beautiful pink crinoline dress of course, I’ve talked about her in my article Barbie Exhibition. This is also the colour I chose for my Solo Wedding in Santorini: In French, roses, the flowers gave the name to the colour “rose”, because they are the most common. In English however, we say "pink" nothing to do with roses, but here too its origin comes from the name of a flower: the garden pink or wild pink. And for information, when you offer pink roses, you declare a tender and romantic love, and darker is the pink, the more it refers to gratitude and sensuality ...   A colour I also use in my photos, I like to see “la vie en rose” (life in pink): Colour I’ve decided to adopt for this Valentine's Day! And also for work lol, just love it hahaha! No date, and to be honest I don't even remember my last Valentine's date. By the way, that's what I say in this video, but not only, I'm talking mostly about self-love: Whatever you’re doing today, choose to celebrate yourself and accept all the love you have for yourself and for others. “There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved.” George Sand Read my previous articles: Happy Valentine’s day! Love & Joy, L.  Youhouhhhh!! Finally, here it is 2021, a new decade begins, with new expectations, hopes, dreams and interaction to come ... I wish you all a magical, bright & wonderful year!! I hope you had a great holiday season. I spent NYE with my parents, and last time was in 2015. They came to see me in Australia, and we were outside the Sydney Opera House for the gigantic fireworks. An absolutely unforgettable memory. I put the full video of this year's Sydney fireworks at the end of the article 😊 What a year 2020! We’ve been through a lot, definitely a very interesting and demanding period. It drove us into a corner and pushed us to question ourselves about the meaning of our lives. In my articles Happy New Year 2020 and 2019 to 2020, I said, among other things: My resolutions for 2020: to sustain my momentum, not to plan anything and to live driven by opportunities, new people, and of course to continue to realise old dreams and create new ones.  I definitely had a good intuition by not planning anything, I was unable to travel abroad in 2020, but I took you with me on my previous adventures: However, in 2020, I had a wonderful Honeymoon 2 in the most beautiful city in the world: And I still have a lot to tell you ... In 2020, I talked a lot about myself again lol: My quarantine articles obviously:
I hope you’ll keep some good habits like dancing every day!!  I did my best to inspire you more this year:
I couldn't attend any new ballet, but I did watch some on the internet! This period definitely made me more interested in the options available online, then I met incredible people and attended some amazing world conferences ... My Resolutions for 2021: Recently a friend told me why stop something that is working? So, let's continue: the blog, the videos, my social media... And if there’s anything you want me to talk about or improve, please tell me: here. Obviously, publishing my book My Solo Wedding in Santorini, or How It Saved My Life is still relevant today, but I'm also working on the next one: After… My Solo Wedding in Santorini, or How My Healing Became A Mission… I promise to tell you more soon ... However, this year, I intend to travel, find where to put my bags for good and may be even find love ... 😊 “I was born to inspire people to be themselves! "L.  And thank you again for your support & unconditional love, I wouldn't have so much fun creating and writing without you! No article next week, I'll be busy writing my greetings cards & meditating to charge my energy for the New Year. Take the opportunity to catch up with the articles you haven't read 😉 And don't worry, I’ll stay active on social media: Happy New Year again, I believe in you and your magic, and as I said on my photo at the beginning: leave sparkles wherever you go ... Be confident, be yourself and shine like a thousand fireworks! Love & Joy, L.  Hope you all had a Merry Christmas, I thought about you and even told you in my last video! (I'll add it at the very end of this article) This year, no crazy New Year’s Eve party, we are all in the same boat, no matter where we are in the world, so I decided to share with you my favourite musicals, to have something to do… Yes, after the Disney Princesses and Ballet, this is another of my passions. By the way, I've already talked a bit about it last year: Happy New Year 2020.
 Let’s be precise, I’m talking about the musicals I’ve watched in theatres. I’d like to take advantage of this article, to pay tribute to all the entertainment people who unfortunately were unable to produce their art this year, and many of whom found themselves in precarious and difficult situations. Making people dream is a wonderful talent. Let’s be grateful for all these artists and technicians, and for their incredible magic! What's the musical that comes to your mind spontaneously? Maybe even your favourite, you can reply in the comments below 😉 I start here with classics, some of which I love the cinema versions, and relevant during the festive season:
Another musical from composers Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein.
I obviously give you a legendary passage: Here, musicals have been adapted long after cinema. The first was premiered in 1951 with the incredible music of George & Ira Gershwin!! Then, in theatre from 2015.
Video to watch absolutely!!
You know I love her, I wrote about her in my Article Thank You. Not easy to create the magic of this character without special effects, and yet nothing is impossible for Mary Poppins, including flying above the audience... I still have goose bumps! Two other musicals that are dear to my heart and I saw in the fabulous Théâtre Mogador in Paris:
A musical I found great & extremely funny: The Addams Family. I'm a fan and for 1h30 I really thought I was in Morticia and Gomez's house, a bit more time and I invited myself to dinner, I think I had a thing for Cousin Itt ... 
This musical was created in 2005 and adapted for the cinema in 2012, it uses the iconic songs from the 80s, you just sing and dance all along ... And then so many others, all so extraordinary. Well, I admit that depending on the country, some casts are better than others, but the magic is always there. There’s something intimate and wonderful about theatre you can’t have in cinema. Almost as if we knew the actors: Cabaret, Grease, West Side Story, Wicked, A Chorus line, Dirty dancing, Jersey Boys, Spiderman, Billy Elliot… There are still a lot of musicals I’d like to see and fill my basket of dreams 😊 Maybe one day My Solo Wedding in Santorini will be told in music!! And it's not strictly a musical, but the Rockettes performance at the Radio City Hall in New York is a must-see once in a lifetime! Reread: Christmas in New York Rockefeller Center  If you are bored during these holidays, you can always re-read my previous articles, full of fun & magic: I received pictures of beautiful Xmas trees again this week, thank you all! As for me, on New Year's Eve, I’ll spend it with my parents, in my pyjamas, eating foie gras, oysters and cakes. Very good program in perspective: D At the end of the article, I put more videos + the musical I absolutely want to see, hopefully in 2021!!! Of course: Frozen! Chills guaranteed!! See you next year, happy New Year's Eve! Remember to be happy, you can do it!! Love & Joy, L.  Last week I took you to Dubai, the perfect place where luxury meets adventure. And like in a Thousand and One Nights tale, if there's one important thing it's the princess! I have no problem playing divas and queens, my Solo Wedding in Santorini is the perfect example. However, if there’s one time of the year when this aspect of my personality stands out most, it's Christmas!! And yes, in some photos I have navy blue hair (reread Navy Hair), and often a glass in my hand, which it's explained in my article Champagne ... So today, I’ve chosen to take you to a universe that everyone knows, which continues to make me dream even adult, and which even drives my 36-year-old little sister completely crazy: Disney Princesses! Stories have evolved a lot since 1923, when the Walt Disney Company was founded ... The first Disney princess was Snow White in 1937, followed by Cinderella in 1950 then Sleeping Beauty in 1959. But Snow White remains my favourite, I discovered her when I was 4 years old, at the same time as I went to the cinema for the first time, a very small one where I grew up in a ski resort in the French Alps (read Childhood)…  Well, I admit that now I rather prefer the evil Queen of the American series Once Upon a Time, a series that lasted 7 seasons, and which masterfully takes up all the fairy tales in a fantastic scenario with incredible details, costumes and actors. But let’s check the Princesses who inspire me today: Moana The adventurous princess who rescues her island! Story that takes place in Polynesia, where I’ve never been, but where some of my friends lived and whom I think about a lot during this period of the year! Mulan The warrior princess posing as a man! Merida The Princess who doesn’t want to get married ... Disney constantly makes us travel, thanks to the diversity of countries and cultures picked, which makes me think of: Pocahontas If you watched the second movie, well she has two lovers! So modern!! hahaha This reminds me of my articles: I’m a fan of this song and find it more relevant than ever: And then, the one that surpasses them all, obviously Queen Elsa, you know I'm a fan!! Queen, no man (well in the first film) and a magical superpower… We look so similar: D I will spare you here the ultra-famous song from this movie, but I give you a song from Frozen 2. Please tell me who your favourite princess is in the comments below! Reread my previous articles:  And during this holiday season, regardless of our age, we all become children again, little elves, princes and princesses. Whether you are with your parents, children, grandparents, uncles and aunts or friends. We all are someone's precious little thing. Many of you will not be able to celebrate it as usual; create your own moment, invent a new tradition for yourself. Don't let the current situation take away the magic of Christmas. I’ve lived abroad for over 10 years without being able to celebrate it with my family, no matter where I was, I’ve always had a lot of joy and wonderful times, alone or with friends. And when we were reunited with my family, we took the opportunity to celebrate Christmas and birthdays, all in once, whether in March or July... This year has shown us more than ever that we don't know what tomorrow will bring, so live the moment! This is the tip in my last video: And for this reason, every year I ask your photos of trees and decorations, to have you with me and always in my heart!! Thanks again to everyone for sending me your photos, they are beautiful, you rock! If there's one Disney movie that I recommend for the whole family, young and old people: Ralph breaks the internet. Released in 2018, it’s completely topical, covering the internet, social media and it's full of winks! A very beautiful film, funny and with a very good moral. And since it's the Christmas holidays, I add more videos from movies at the end of this article. I wish you all a Wonderful & Merry Christmas! Love & Joy, L. After my article Louboutin last week, let's stay in luxury and creativity, I promised you an article on Dubai, here it is, and at Christmas of course! Change of scenery guaranteed and even more decadent than in my previous articles:  I know you’re already dreaming! The beach and the skyscrapers probably remind you of Christmas in Brisbane with South Bank Beach in the middle of the city. I love it! And for those wondering, yes, we wear bikinis at the beach, Dubai is a very cosmopolitan city that is home to many nationalities and cultures. It’s quite confusing at first, but you quickly get used to the mix and it’s quite fun & inspiring. You’ll surely recognise the Burj Al Arab hotel, the highest in the world and 7 Stars please, with among others a heliport and a restaurant at 200m above sea level (Video at the end of the article). A real aesthetic and technical feat, built on stilts (250 pillars of 1.50m in diameter!) And able to withstand storms and frequent earthquakes in the region. I couldn't visit it, but it made a perfect background for my selfie! And yes, my hair was a bit longer at that time, read or reread my article Titanium Heart to know everything about my haircuts ... In my article Desert, mentioning the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, I said that everything was possible in this city, the proof again here with the different activities that you can find in the gigantic shopping centres out of sand: luxury shops, art, cinemas, aquariums, and even an ice rink and ski slopes, this is Christmas anyway! No chance to be bored in Dubai ... And cuz it’s Christmas, window displays and decorations are in the spotlight. Oh Louboutin, did you read my last article? However, I strongly advise to wear sneakers to visit these immense galleries, I sprained my ankle walking these endless alleys ... Of course, we think of luxury and extravagance, I won't lie, I’ve experienced them a lot: caviar buffet, champagne, luxury shopping, restaurants, bars ... It reminds me my Solo Wedding in Santorini somehow. I also took the opportunity to wear my jewellery and designer dresses: Outfit 1 – Dress Anne Fontaine, Bracelet Tiffany & Co, Ring Chanel, Earrings Swarovski, Chanel beauty, Shoes Stuart Weitzman, cigarillos Romeo y Julieta Outfit 2 – Dress Zimmerman, Earrings Coach, Chanel beauty You think I'm exaggerating, so what are you going to think of the air-conditioned bus stops and police driving Ferraris ... Let's continue in the spectacular with the fountains ballet like in Las Vegas, with the famous Burj Khalifa tower illuminated in the background. With a height of 828 metres (2,717 ft), 163 floors, it’s the tallest tower in the world since 2009. However, the Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia is expected to overtake it by 2024 by reaching 1000m (3,281 ft). The Burj Khalifa tower is nonetheless an incredible construction, like many others in Dubai. And just another building that many have seen before, the 5 Star Atlantis hotel. Huge complex with 1,539 rooms including 2 underwater suites, a water park, an aquarium, 17 restaurants and bars ... There’s even a skytrain to access it. The Atlantis was recently (October 2020) the backdrop for the new largest fountain in the world called The Palm Fountain, because located on the Palm Jumeirah island (Video at the end of the article). Dubai can also be visited by sea, by yacht to blend in perfectly with the scenery, although mine was almost invisible compared to the size of the others ... Sea Trip Outfit - Dress Hermès, Sunglasses Prada, Belt Salvatore Ferragamo But by air it's even better, by seaplane please. You know I like flying (read the article In the Air). We then realise the immensity of the work that has been required, and all the construction in progress. Let’s not forget that it was only in the early 90s that it all started ... Have fun recognising the buildings and places mentioned above 😉 There’s a photo, however, that must have seemed strange to you ... And yes, the old town is not so far with its traditional boats still in use, but also the spice market and especially the gold market! I've never seen anything like it, and yet you know I've travelled a lot in my life. I also highly recommend visiting The Dubai Museum, it’s absolutely beautiful, housed in the old Al Fahidi Fort. Rich in number of artefacts from the region but also from around the world, thanks to trade, it also exhibits local life before the oil era. Besides, do you know what was Dubai's main wealth? They were mainly pearl fishermen; actually Paris was the pearl capital of the world at the end of the 19th century and had strong trade links with the countries of the Persian Gulf. Dubai is the perfect embodiment of the past and the future, perfect at the end of the year when we reflect on what we have accomplished while setting new goals ...  To keep you busy while waiting for Santa, several videos at the end of the article that highlight what I told you in this article. Don't forget to send me your photos of Christmas decorations, they’ll be published in my next article: Contact Have great Christmas preparations!! Love & Joy, L. I’ve talked many times about gratitude on this blog and in my videos, for me it’s the ultimate tool in the pursuit of happiness. So today, I'm going to dwell on it and tell you how it works for me!  First, this is an exercise I do twice a day. And yes, I say exercise, because it’s by practicing it regularly that it becomes a habit. By the way, remember in my article Be Positive, I taught you the 21-day method, time to form a new habit, and after 90 days we even talk about lifestyle! But do it at your own pace, once a week, on weekends for example, then once a day, at the end of the day remember 3 things that you were grateful for. It’ll become automatic and without realising it you’ll naturally do it several times a day. For my part, I do it in the morning just after my first meditation, it helps me charge my positive energies and put me in a good mood, like getting a shield to protect myself from the bad vibes that will hit throughout the day (like the news on TV for example!). Then I do it again in my bed just before to fall asleep, this time to release the pressure of the day, congratulate myself on what I’ve accomplished and just to feel happy. And if there’s one thing that I’m very grateful for today, this is the internet! I couldn't share my experience without it. It was actually my video on social media last week: There are 2 methods that work for me. If I feel perfectly balanced, well connected with my inner self, I just say things out loud, but it's important to express it clearly & audibly to increase the frequency of our vibrations and to be heard by the universe. On the other hand, if I’m feeling a little confused, frustrated, sad, or depressed, I write all the things I'm grateful for on a piece of paper, and read it several times a day. Start by looking around and jotting down the obvious, simple things like electricity, tap water, a roof over your head, clean clothes, food in the fridge. Lots of other things will naturally come to your mind and you’ll eventually mention more important topics like love from your children, support from your friends, nature ... And I add here my first video on gratitude: A video summarising this article will be on social media in a few days: This year, I’m grateful for being confined, it allowed me to participate in world events I couldn’t have been to otherwise, like seeing His Holiness the Dalai Lama live! Being stuck at home doesn’t mean being disconnected from the world, quite the opposite ... And you, what are you grateful for this year? Take a few minutes to answer it.  And of course, in my life, I am extremely grateful for My Solo Wedding in Santorini, it opened the doors to infinite possibilities and made me discover my tremendous self-love. Obviously, I was going to forget, especially be grateful for what you are, this is how I begin my exercise of gratitude. Listing your qualities to enhance yourself is essential, we too often forget how strong and full of potential we are. It's good to remember that. Express yourself, unleash your true you, and shine gold like Paloma in the song at the end of the article! Read or reread my previous articles: Have a great week ! Christmas is coming… Love & Joy, L. As I said in my article last week Greenwich Meridian, many of us are confined again. Besides, I’d very much like to use time travel if it existed, to be able to relive some of my trips, and why not even redo My Solo Wedding in Santorini!!  At that time in 2018, I was in Crete writing my first book, an extraordinary and very emotional journey, I was realising a childhood dream while healing my love wounds. I've shared a lot about this beautiful Greek island:  Then, in 2019, I was in London, I was working on the English version of my Book, and I took the opportunity to show you around this city that I particularly love: No idea where I’ll be in 2021, but who knows today with the uncertainty around us. Nevertheless, I posted a video on my social media last week, to keep our physical and mental health! When the news broke of a new lockdown, many of you confided in me, expressing your worry and anxiety. The idea is that moving your body with music is a great benefit to your health (body and mind), so I ask everyone to choose a song every day and to dance on it, anytime during the day. It’s simple, easy and I promise it makes you smile every time!! And on my Instagram, every day I remind people to dance, those who wish can even make a little video, tag me and I'll repost it. Many people have embraced this idea and are spreading it around them in addition to practicing it, which makes me extremely proud and happy. Happiness comes from small things and I keep telling you it on this blog: And in my videos:
All videos: here  However, this time and unlike the first Quarantine, I intend to continue to follow my Healthy Routine! Reread therefore:  If you need to occupy yourself, don't hesitate to sign up for the free webinars of the School of Jewelry Arts (Van Cleef & Arpels), I've already mentioned this school in my article Bird Paradise. These live talks (in French & English) hosted by specialists and teachers from the School are extremely interesting and last only an hour and a half. Coming up : New York Architecture & Art Deco Jewelry - November 18 & 19, 2020 Flora in Jewelry Arts - November 24 & 25, 2020 From the Gulf to France, the Forgotten History of Pearl Merchants- December 9 & 10, 2020 Register online for details: Link.  Have a lovely week everyone and don't forget to dance!! Love & Joy, L.  Happy Halloween everyone!! We must admit that this year we don’t really need to scare ourselves, Covid 19 is largely taking care of it. In addition, many cities and countries around the world don’t allow house tours to celebrate Halloween properly, such as in France where we are confined again since yesterday! But don't let that prevent you from eating sweets or watching horror movies, or even disguising yourself while keeping your slippers on ... You can also read my previous Halloween articles: Or re-read my article from last week Respect with excerpts from my book My Solo Wedding in Santorini. In short, as I repeat on this blog and in my videos, there are always many ways to smile and to be happy, you just have to be creative and keep an open mind, moreover, I put one of my videos below:  I lived in Australia for 7 years, I can tell you that nature makes you shiver every day, and if you ever find yourself lacking in thrills you can always go to the beach! And today, I'm going to tell you about one of my favourite spots, Palm Cove. Located on the east coast, in the north Queensland, not far from Cairns, this adorable little town of 2,000 inhabitants owes its name "Palm Cove" from the row of trees along its white sandy beach. I love palm trees; it reminds me of my article Las Palmas on Gran Canaria Island. Dreamy beaches ... You don't understand why it’s scary, yet I've covered it before in: And yes! Among jellyfishes, crocodiles and hydrocution, you must choose hahaha. Don't worry, you can swim in the large nets set up by lifeguards. It’s strange the first time, but you quickly forget about the net and feel perfectly safe. And on unsupervised beaches, there are bottles of vinegar available, for your information it's to relieve jellyfish burns, not to season your salad! In addition, Palm Cove is very popular with anglers looking for mackerels, giant trevallies and sharks ... Along the beach there’s a lovely promenade with shops, restaurants and cafés, which makes it a very pleasant place to wander and relax. For those who don't like the ocean & its inhabitants, they can always choose a nice residence to stay in, like mine which had several beautiful swimming pools. In addition, Palm Cove is located near the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, 2 natural sites not to be missed if you visit Australia. Have a great week! Love & Thrill, L.  I’ve meditated a lot last week to find today's topic, and I hope you’ve enjoyed the benefits of my article Meditation. Today, I’d like to share with you new excerpts from my book "My Solo Wedding in Santorini" (not yet published), these extracts are from a very important chapter for me: Men’s opinion. I have to admit that when I started sharing my story in February 2018 on my blog, I thought I was primarily speaking to women, but surprisingly, men showed me the most support and affection. It was obvious to me then that I talk about them in my book, this chapter was written in November 2018, at the very beginning of writing. I’m also extremely proud to say that I reach perfect parity between my female & male readers! "Courage is when we are afraid, but we go anyway". Unknown author  Excerpt from “My Solo Wedding in Santorini”: “I am myself and proud, I live my life and make my own decisions accordingly, without worrying about what people can think. Yet this does not mean that critics do not affect me, I am human like everyone else. We learn to accept, to listen to them when the remarks are constructive and to let them go when they are unpleasant. Of course, some people do not understand what I did, especially those who only read the articles in newspapers or online. When you meet me, many more things make sense, my personality and my smile can lift mountains, and convince the most refractory person.  Discover or rediscover my articles on the respect I have for myself:  Just 2 years ago, on October 23, 2018, my story and my testimony were broadcast on the largest Greek television channel (see TV Interview). Another important step in my healing and reconstruction, and above all the acceptance of my new mission on Earth: to inspire you to be happy! Excerpt “My Solo Wedding in Santorini”: “I have surpassed fears that many would like to overcome. Especially, I have shown the way. It cannot be so scary now; I hope others will follow my example to keep on hoping and being happy. I do not necessarily mean a solo wedding, everyone can create their own beneficial event, something that speaks to them and has a symbolic meaning. The respect I have for myself has determined my courage many times in my life. To love, respect, listen, accept who you are and pursue your dreams is for me the combination of courage. I did something extraordinary in an ordinary world to cope with a universal drama. All this in a magical place.” L.  Being yourself is the greatest form of respect you can give yourself, so don't be afraid, follow your heart and listen to your soul. More excerpts from my book: here. "Step outside of the box and you’ll find love, hope, wisdom and happiness ..." L. Have a great week! Love & Joy, L. “If people are suffering, then they must look within themselves…  Last time I took you to the top of the Eiffel Tower, for my 2nd Honeymoon, today we’re going to stay calm at home. For those who follow me regularly, you know that your well-being is very important to me and I widely share my experience and my tips for being happy and positive on a daily basis, whether in my videos or on the blog: And above all, reread my Healthy Routine where I gave you all the keys to my well-being and my foolproof mind, meditation being an essential element in my life.  The word meditation comes from the Latin meditari which means to think, to reflect, to contemplate. It has been translated from the Sanskrit dhyana, a method used in Eastern spiritual practices, such as Hinduism or Buddhism. Thus, meditation exists since 1,500 years B.C. Today, I’ll put aside the religious and spiritual aspect, to talk about meditation as a technique for achieving a calm and peaceful emotional state. This practice usually involves focusing on an object, thought, or activity. It’s a very effective way to relax, but not only. Meditation can reduce blood pressure, stress, anxiety disorders, depression, insomnia, and pain. It would also help to increase our grey matter, our memory and our spatial vision. In short, it improves our concentration and in general our health and well-being. Yet too few people practice it regularly in Western countries, although nowadays it’s introduced in companies and schools (and yes, children can perfectly practice meditation).  I started practicing hatha yoga at the age of 14. Well, at the time I was an alien, no one knew what yoga was, and my group of yogis (name for people who practice yoga) who accompanied me were only elderly people, who could no longer practice sports ... I was just 20 years ahead of the trend and when you love you just keep going. In addition, I had the chance to be trained by the Indian master Sri Mahesh Ghatradyal who introduced yoga in France in the 1950s. , he had begun his apprenticeship at the age of 5 in an Indian monastery. Once a month, I was practicing yoga nidra, a meditation based on breathing, visualisation and concentration on different parts of the body, with the use of a sankalpa, a positive self-affirmation. These sessions provided deep relaxation and great self-confidence. It certainly helped me develop my love for myself (although I didn't know it yet) to be prepared for My Solo Wedding in Santorini. “Be a lamp for yourself. Be your own confidence.  Today, I practice up to 3 meditations per day, of varying duration, mostly guided, which means that a person gives certain instructions regarding concentration, breathing, images to visualise and / or the emotions to be felt. My morning meditation is different from the evening one, and depending on my mental or physiological needs, I’ll focus on one meditation rather than another such as boosting my energy, strengthening my self-confidence or being more grateful. Most of the time I prefer to recline with my legs and hands apart, like in yoga nidra, a posture called shavasana, but I also do it sometimes while sitting, standing or walking! The more you meditate, the more you’ll learn to discover the posture that is best for you, but for beginners I recommend sitting or lying down.  Lots of videos, audios and apps are available for free on the internet, try several and see what works for you. If you're just starting out, once a week is a good start, and ideally you should do it every day... If you have any questions, please contact me: here. My favourite method is the 6-phase meditation by Vishen Lakhiani. It lasts between 15 and 20 minutes and explores compassion, gratitude, forgiveness, future, perfect day and blessing. Many athletes and personalities use this guided meditation. It’s accessible to all (adults), simple, clear and reinforced by binaural music that intensifies relaxation and its effects. And if you’re interested, here’s the link to learn all about this method with Vishen himself (completely free and a great program): link. I’m a huge fan of Marisa Peer, although I mainly use her talents for hypnotherapy, as I mentioned in my article Quarantine, she also offers free guided meditations, you’ll find them on YouTube and if you want to find out more, visit her website, there are several free audios and courses available: https://marisapeer.com/ In search of more spirituality, every day I practice a meditation of Michael Beckwith, in particular the "Life Visioning". But I recommend it for people who are already used to meditation. He regularly offers courses, retreats and seminars, see his website for more information: https://michaelbeckwith.com Besides, do not miss the Global Oneness Summit "The Power of Love", from October 17 to 24, it's online and free, register here: link. His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be present, as well as many personalities such as Michael Beckwith and Marianne Williamson. Have a great week! Love & Joy, L.  Back to France this week, I hope you enjoyed our getaway last week with Rainy Day in London. In Honeymoon 2 I told you about all the amazing things I did during my stay in Paris and I started to give you details of my visits: Today the Eiffel Tower, admittedly this is not the first time I mention our pretty iron lady: But this time I take you to the top for the sunset! 1st floor at 190 ft high ... 2nd floor at 380 ft ... The first elevator reaches the first 2 floors, then you must take a very small elevator to reach the last level. The ascent only takes a minute and a half, but you quickly gain height, reaching 905 ft high! We thus arrive on a sheltered and fully glazed floor, then a metal staircase brings us to the external platform located at 915 ft and protected only by wire mesh. The view is breathtaking, Paris below us, luminous and majestic ... And for those who know this city, have fun spotting the Sacré-Cœur, the Pantheon, the Montparnasse Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame de Paris, the Grand Palais, etc. Gustave Eiffel its creator had installed an office on this floor, it’s certain that with such a view, one can’t lack inspiration ... As a reminder, it was built in 2 years and inaugurated in 1889 for the World Fair. It is 1,063 ft high, the base of its pillars forms a 410 ft square and its metal frame weighs 7,300 tons. It’s served by 5 elevators, already present in 1889, a real technical feat for the time, and 2 of them are still in use today. If you want to know more about how they work, click on the link below: https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/the-monument/lifts A magnificent park has been built under the tower with a few ponds, which makes it even more romantic and peaceful. With the restrictions related to Covid, you must take your tickets online on a specific day and time, so there’s no longer a line, a huge advantage. Link: https://www.toureiffel.paris/en And here is the sun setting ... The night ends up enveloping us, the Eiffel Tower shines with a thousand lights and nourishes us with its gentle and quiet strength ... Paris is truly magical and captivating, I keep discovering it on each of my visits. Read previous articles:
By the way for those who love jewellery and gems, I strongly recommend that you register for the Diamond, Art and Science seminar: link. It's organised by the Ecole des Arts Joailliers with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels. October 14, & 15 free and online.  I've been making my dreams come true since my Solo Wedding in Santorini, and I feel so proud and fulfilled every time I realise one. Just pure happiness. Try! It’s really worth it ... Have a great week!! Love & Joy, L.  After a rainy week secluded in my cave as I like to call my sanctuary where I write and work, inevitably I started to think of London! First, because last year at this time I was living there, second, for those who follow me on Instagram, I’ve widely shared my stories about the rainy days in London. In fact, I also talked about it in one of my videos, I put it at the end of the article. I needed the perfect outfit to be able to go out there and my favourite store: Burberry on Regent Street. The building is period, built in 1820 for the Prince Regent (hence Regent Street), later King George IV. I've discovered this place in 2017, during my hen's trip, one month before my Solo Wedding in Santorini. The building was completely restored by the brand and its then Creative Director, Christopher Bailey. It took 2 years of renovation before it opened in 2012, this is the brand's largest store with 44,000 sq. ft of space, no less than 8 elevators and 26 stairs! This magnificent boutique is worth a visit on its own, especially if you like architecture. Well, I admit the welcome is so charming and personalised that I took up residence lol, and depending on the time of day, I am offered a coffee, a tea or champagne… One tip from me, leave before emptying your entire bank account, everything is so beautiful here ... Well covered up, I’m not afraid to explore the city on foot, even in the greyness there’s a lot to discover in the streets of London ... Just in time for the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace! Another very touristy place, the Tower of London. The place is already quite austere in normal times (medieval style dictates), but on a rainy day we can perfectly imagine Anne Boleyn locked in the dungeon several weeks before her execution… You know, the 2nd wife of King Henry VIII; accused of adultery and high treason, she was beheaded. Fortunately, at the Tower of London, there are also the crown jewels to admire (unfortunately photos prohibited), and then we understand better why Anne loved being queen so much ... By the way, thanks to The Tudors series, I don't think I’d have remembered British history so much without watching Henry Cavill in panthoses, it was surely a good practice for him before Superman! And the animal statues are there to remind us that in the past this fortress housed a menagerie (on the other hand the crow is real). Nothing better than to take refuge in the many museums of the city for shelter like the British Museum my favourite, you can also go to see a musical or a ballet: reread Happy New Year 2020. Check again: All these visits make me hungry: scones or cupcakes, so hard to choose (Read Article I love December). But it’s already 6 p.m., dinner time here, if we opted for a specialty:
It was a good day, for those who really don't like the rain, there’s always the option to watch it fall and the squirrels pass by, or to wait for spring to return to go back to the magnificent parks and gardens of the city, like in my Article my Birthday in London. Have a great weekend everyone! Love & Joy, L. This is something journalists asked me, if I’ve had a honeymoon. This is common practice after a wedding, so the question was legitimate even for my Solo Wedding in Santorini. To tell the truth I hadn't thought about it and so hadn't planned anything, however, I stayed in Santorini for several months after the wedding, so I admitted it was my honeymoon. And frankly I couldn't have asked for better. Especially since the strict definition is: the 29 days following the wedding, the lunar month, hence the "moon"; “honey” because apparently this is the sweetest moment for a couple ... The term was used already in the 16th century, however the practice spreads in the 19th century in Europe. Honeymoon refers also to the vacation taken by newlyweds. So, Santorini was my honeymoon for sure. “Go where you feel the most alive.” Unknown author "I spent time discovering, taking pictures, eating and sleeping" Discovering enchanting places, hidden locations, beaches, sunsets ... Pictures that you discover on the blog and on my social media, photos that have been finalists in art competitions on several occasions ... Eating, I never forget to photograph all the good things I taste. Sleeping including naps at the beach, nothing more relaxing than the sound of the waves as background music. Drinking too lol but responsibly as much as possible (well I try hahaha). Previous Articles: Another question asked during my TV interview with Eleonora Meleti (reread article), if it hadn't been too hard to be alone. I'm used to doing things and travelling on my own for a long time, so it wasn't new or difficult for me. I've already talked about it in my article Single. In addition, I befriended several people upon my arrival, and they introduced me to other friends, I was never alone. The Greeks are incredibly generous and welcoming. I feel so connected to them that I feel at home everywhere in Greece… That’s the reason why I couldn’t write my book anywhere else but in this adopted country. Also read: And as that wasn’t enough, I treated myself to a second honeymoon this year, to celebrate my 3 years of marriage but also my 40! Article coming soon ... The song that ended my wedding ceremony at the end of this article. Have a wonderful weekend everyone! Love & Joy, L. Back in Paris in July to celebrate my birthday, what you certainly haven't missed if you follow me on Instagram. It reminded me of last year (Article My Bday in Paris), then made me think back to 2018 and 2017, I take you with me on a little trip through time and space! 2017 The year of my rebirth, the new me, I was already happy and fulfilled before, but certainly not as much connected to myself as I am since my Solo Wedding in Santorini. My birthdays are always memorable, I’m surrounded by amazing people, I hadn’t celebrated my birthday in France for more than 10 years, and my sister surprised me this time. We were going for a weekend somewhere, that's all I knew, it was a surprise ... Departure from Reims station (France). Reread: For an unknown destination because I wasn't allowed to look at the signs and I had headphones on my ears ... I might as well tell you that everything was possible in my head, and I was leaning towards Holland or Ireland. It was finally my favourite city, Paris, and I don't say that because I'm French, it's unique and romantic, the atmosphere is magical and inspiring in all weathers. But it wasn’t yet my surprise ... Direction the Parisian metro, exit "Bercy" then with my amazed eyes I discover: Celine Dion concert! 2018 Returned to my magical island I missed terribly after 6 months of absence. And my heart filled with joy as the ferry approaches Santorini’s cliffs. My friend Emanouela oversees the festivities, I’ll be staying at Ampelonas Hotel again, the one of my Solo Wedding. Black sand beach, drinks with friends and restaurants, I don’t have time to be bored during my short stay, as for my birthday, it’ll remain etched in my memory. Breakfast prepared by my friend, overlooking the caldera, dinner with girls at my favourite restaurant, Rosemary at Pyrgos. Greek specialties of course as for my Wedding Menu. For this unique occasion, I’m wearing an incredible dress by designer Adolfo Dominguez, a dress that I bought myself a few weeks before in Madrid, after the freezing of my eggs. Then a bar with a DJ, surrounded by my many Greek friends, to dance and blow out my candles. Please note the cake is very special, it's my wedding cake! Finally, I couldn't end the night without going dancing in the Greek club of the island, where each time I find myself being the only foreigner, which amuses me a lot and makes me feel half Greek ... 2019 I've told you a lot about it last year: Other friends, and even more madness: unusual places like the bar on the roof of the Moulin Rouge or the famous Magic Mike Live London show. And obviously walks, restaurants and lots of cocktails, always in excellent company! I never stop being ecstatic and rejoicing in front of so many new things and discoveries, the world is fascinating ... To tell the truth, since it was my 40th birthday (reread my special article), I was planning to celebrate it with decadence in Cuba, with a hundred guests invited, luckily my intuition made me give up this fiesta in 2019, long before the Covid appears, I warmly thank my guardian angel! Everything was organised at the last minute, according to desires / ideas and available people. So, I started the party the night before, in Reims, with girlfriends, in a secret bar run by a friend, contact me here if you want to know the address 😉 A very nice place on the roof of a hotel, with a breathtaking view of the city and especially the Cathedral! You know that I love Rooftop bars, I made you discover a few already: Paris, London, Athens ... Then at midnight, I was officially celebrating my birthday with candles, champagne and macaroons, accompanied by one of my Wedding songs: The Best by Tina Turner (video at the end of the article). A few days later, I walked through the gates of an indomitable Gallic village, Parc Asterix! I like celebrating my birthday in a Theme Park, I’ve done it in the past, especially in Australia, and anyway you know how much I love that: And finally, Paris with my best friends. Bistro and bar on the terrace in the purest Parisian tradition ... And now I’ve finally decided to extend my stay in Paris to make other dreams come true, a 2nd honeymoon, 3 years after my Solo Wedding in Santorini. I’ll tell you everything in detail, I promise! All of my birthdays are unforgettable, and I make more of my dreams come true each time, not to mention I create new ones right away. Stay tuned to find out how I'll celebrate it next year ... And thank you to everyone who participated and wished me my birthday this year, lots of bisous! Have a wonderful weekend everyone! Next Post: August 15. Love & Joy, L. “It is better to dream your life than to live it, even if living it means dreaming it.” Marcel Proust Yes, I shout it from my blog and social media, because I’m very proud to be 40 years old! Not that my life is perfect but more because I take happiness where it is, I expect nothing from life and so I’m resplendent and serene to use the words of my best friend.  Lifestyle It took time and patience to reach this fulfilment and I keep learning about myself and looking for the best in myself. This was part of my vows during my Solo Wedding in Santorini: “I promise to always raise the bar in everything I do because the most important is not to achieve goals but the path to reach them.” My lifestyle reflects my personality, I don't like rules, then I’ve created mine: “I promise to continue doing nothing like everybody because everyone is unique.” I’m sharing this with you in the Lifestyle category But also, my happiness tips on the Videos page Not to mention all the articles about my Solo Wedding in Santorini: Link.  Beauty “To promise oneself things is the hardest of challenges, the best is to take them up.” And one of my current challenges is to beat time and stay young!! I have to admit that genetics have been generous to me and I look younger. It must also be said that since I was 14, I’ve been taking care of my skin and anti-aging creams have no secrets for me. Great habit because I’ve never been so proud to say my age. Reread: You also know that I take care of my body and my mind, and I’m not going to stop since I want to visit the planet Mars one day (read again In the Air 2), so I must stay in perfect shape!  Travel “Today and forever I promise myself to follow my instinct and to trust my lucky star.” My life has been, and is always rich in adventures and meetings, my happiness is in this constant search for novelty and open-mindedness. My curiosity is limitless, and my lucky star is always there to guide me in the right direction… I’ve lived in 6 different countries and visited no less than 25 countries in the world, some of which I’d never have imagined discovering one day like Papua New Guinea! I’ve already shared with you many of my trips: Check Travel Category  Art “I promise myself to enjoy every moment as if it were the last, to shake up the codes and to create opportunities because time is an eternal present.” Living my life is art ... I live in the moment, regardless of tomorrow or what people think, I don't fit in any box, and an A4 sheet wouldn't be enough to describe myself. There are so many people and artists who inspire me every day, celebrities as much as Anonymous: Category Art. Writing is my medium of expression as I show you on this blog and with extracts from my book: link. Photography is also important to me as I told you last week in The 4 Elements. Art is a lifestyle and I’ve adopted mine, without compromise or pressure, with love and respect.  Superwomen “A thought for all young ladies, women, spouses, mothers around the world, being a woman is our strength.” I couldn’t finish this article without talking about women obviously, I often put them in the spotlight on my website and on my social media: Superwomen category. I’m fortunate to be a 40-year-old woman, independent and free to live my life as I wish, I’m extremely grateful, it’s a precious gift and this is the reason why I must be happy. Finally, for those who haven’t watched it yet, the video I’ve recorded for my birthday: “My life is a constant series of dreams and I promise to keep following this way!” It’s never too late to live your life and realise your dreams. Don't be afraid, life is beautiful! During summer holidays, I only publish fortnightly. Next article: July 18. Love & Joy, L. It was my sister’s birthday this week and we celebrated it wearing Disney princess dresses & watching Frozen 2, fun is not just for kids! It’s sometimes good to go back to childhood to let our imagination wander and express itself freely. Dreaming is good for your health ... Besides, I should have mentioned this in my article last week Healthy Routine, because it’s certainly part of my daily life. Re-read my previous articles: So, this animated film gave me inspiration for this week’s article.  The 4 elements: Air, Fire, Earth and Water come from a Greek hypothesis dating from the 5th Century BC according to which everything in our world would be composed of one or more of these 4 elements. This then extended to cosmology, describing the cosmos as coming from these 4 elements. In addition to Ancient Greece, many other cultures believed in a similar principle: Persia, Babylon, Japan, India and China. It was during the 12th century, during the Crusades, that the Occident discovered this belief. Modern physics demonstrated that this theory was inaccurate, by discovering the presence of many complex atoms. Nevertheless, the 4 elements are still a philosophical subject, and some tribes still believe in their power. So, have we really discovered everything?  Today, I’ll focus on the inspiration that these 4 elements give me. You know that I love photography, I widely share my photos on this blog & on my social media: And I’ve already been a contest finalist as I’ve mentioned in: Like any self-respecting artist, my photos are always associated with specific circumstances and obviously have a story of their own, it’s probably my writer side that stands out. I take you with me to discover the magic of our planet Earth, seen through my eyes.  Earth Planet Earth, the closest thing to us, not only our home, it’s also our centre or our inner self. In fact, in the representation of the universe in cosmology, the Earth is at the centre. It represents stability, solidity, abundance, it’s also the element of speaking. Cold and dry element according to the principles of Aristotle, it’s associated with autumn. This photo, like all the photos in this article, was taken in Crete in 2018. This one more specifically in June 2018, after the Freezing of my eggs in Madrid, and I was in great need of refocusing on myself, after several months of stress and 3 attempts, finally crowned with success. The softness of the light at the end of the day is very soothing and comforting, a way of reconnecting with the Earth and with myself.  Air Air or wind depending on the culture, it can move things like clouds or seeds. It’s the flow of energy, it allows to breathe, it symbolises the breath of life. It reflects the mood, our soul and it’s associated with knowledge. The element is humid and hot like steam, and corresponds to spring. This photo is very symbolic for me, I took it in November, while I was writing my book My Solo Wedding in Santorini. I like observing clouds, this pic made me want to create a series on them. There’s an expression I often use: “sky is the limit”. I love it. Believe in your dreams and never stop chasing them, even in dark times, this is what this photo means to me.  Fire Fire is associated with spirit, heart, physical strength, courage and passion, but it’s also a symbol of purification and resurrection. Besides, phoenix is represented as a fire bird. This element is hot and dry, and therefore represents summer. It’s both light and heat, I think my photo captures this image quite well. I love sunsets as you discovered it in my article on this, with pics taken from all over the world. There's something magical and fascinating, hypnotic about a sunset. Crete is a beautiful place for that, and I was able to have fun with my camera, this light is an essential element of my recovery.  Water Essential to our planet and our body, because they're both made of 70% water. This element exists in different forms and circulates in cycle. It’s also soothing and beneficial, it’s linked to our health, and more particularly to our immune system. Wet and cold, you guessed it, winter is its season. I saved it for the end, because I love water, I’m a water sign, nothing surprising therefore. My travel destinations often have the sea as a landscape: It’s something that relaxes me a lot and I live by the water whenever I can, or I go to a spa or even both! Re-read Spas Around the World. Definitely what I would miss the most if I had to live on Mars, planet without water (read Article Mars)… While I was writing my book, I was going for a walk by the sea almost every day, right in front of my flat. It gave me strength, energy, peace and of course inspiration! In this photo, I wanted to show that we can be soft and peaceful (by the colours), while being strong and powerful (the waves). This is the mindset I’ve discovered during my introspection, and this is what I’ve chosen to keep ...  No article next week, I have a few days off. Next Article: Saturday July 4! Have a good week! Love & Joy, L. Following my excesses as Quarantine Queen, back to good habits… After celebrating mums with my article Cretan Pottery, last week, today I’m going to give you my tips for staying young, fit and sharp at any age, especially as my birthday is approaching!  Mind It’s important to keep a brain activity throughout your life, it helps to maintain and create more neuronal connections, essential for memory, learning and motor skills for example. Jim Kwik mainly inspired me for this:
You'll find your brain sharper after that, your memory will improve, you’ll find solutions more easily, you’ll be less clumsy and your concentration will be better.  Spirit
Also read my article Thank you.
For example: "I am fit and healthy" becomes "Why am I fit and healthy? ". Mind likes solving problems, and affirmation as a question would help to be more proactive. I use both forms, according to the message, one model speaks to me more than the other. It's up to you to try both. I put my last video at the end of this article, it's about my Personal Notes.
 Body
With the confinement I kept dancing, ballet & ballroom, which I can practice alone at home, really great.
 Nutrition
Here's a non-exhaustive list with my preferences:
But generally speaking, everything natural and non-industrial is good for your health. It’s up to everyone to find their own dietary balance, especially if you have allergies or intolerances. I’m against restrictive diets, I've tried lots of them until I was 25, it works only temporarily and above all it dramatically stresses our body and mind. However, eating and choosing healthy food becomes a habit when you do it regularly ... There are all kinds of apps to help you check that your daily intake of vitamins and minerals is satisfied, and especially to show you where the hidden sugars and salt are.
Obviously keeping a social and family life is important, so adapt this principle to your needs. When I dine late on weekends, I stick to have at least 12 hours between the end of dinner and breakfast. Each person is different, and this rule can of course vary. This method has been proven to burn fat more easily, especially it gives your stomach time to self-clean and repair, what it can't do when it’s full or in the digestive phase.
 I’ve created my healthy routine over the years, and I continue to improve it with exceptional coaches and mentors: Vishen Lakhiani, Jim Kwik, Ronan Oliveira, Paul McKenna, Marisa Peer, Mat Boggs, Jon & Missy Butcher, Michael Beckwith... It’s important to do this every day, and to combine all this, I get up an hour earlier in the morning to apply the Robin Sharma power hour: 20-20-20, 20 minutes of exercise , 20 minutes of meditation and 20 minutes of learning. Time for myself whatever happens during the day ...  Be aware that our life expectancy is getting longer, so taking care of your body and mind is essential to get the most out of life. And I repeat it to you constantly but being happy improves our health and our longevity, so take advantage of happiness! My previous articles: If you have any question or want more advice, contact me here or leave a comment below. Love & Health, L. |
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