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.
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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. Since in my last article Happy New Year 2021, I’ve talked about fireworks, I thought it was time to tell you about mine ... It was one of the things planned initially with my fiancé and, in my grief, it had become something that I was looking forward to, no way to cancel it for my Solo Wedding in Santorini. It’s one of the highlights of my wedding, I wouldn't have missed it for anything in the world. How happy I am to have lived this moment, forever etched on my memory. Even in a dark sky, you can see colours, don’t give up on the stars and the sparks. Self-love is the paintbrush and you are the painter. I created a masterpiece from the most dramatic event of my life, don’t let anyone destroy your light, you’re precious to this world… Obviously, I say a lot about it in my book My Solo Wedding in Santorini (not yet published) but for you, here’s a new excerpt: "The fireworks were launched below the terrace, along the cliff, which made the rockets explode almost before our eyes, it was just magical and so private. It is like going to a concert in a very small venue. We are so close to the stage that we could touch the artist. Three minutes of pure happiness accompanied by a song that I love. More excerpts on the page dedicated to my book: here. But I give you the list of all my articles with an extract from my book My Solo Wedding in Santorini (you can click on it to access them directly): I’m never tired of talking and re-talking about my Solo Wedding in Santorini! In my last video, I mentioned how proud I was of what I had accomplished over the past 20 years. Obviously, my marriage is my greatest pride. Keep shining and enjoy life!! Have an amazing week everyone! 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. 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. As I told you in the previous episode Honeymoon in Santorini, I chose to spend some time in Paris this year, after my birthday. Alone, or with my friends, I had decided to make some of my dreams come true, you know how much this is part of my personality, read again: A special year for me, my 40th birthday, which I couldn’t celebrate as I imagined it & my 3 years of marriage. And yes, My solo wedding in Santorini was in 2017 ... So, what a better idea than to spend a second Honeymoon in the most romantic city in the world. A magnificent gift to myself that will remain etched in my memory. Although I often go to Paris, I never get tired of this city, there’s so much to discover here. You’ve already followed me in my articles: I must admit that even in July, I had never seen Paris so deserted, that's what encouraged me to stay and visit places normally crowded with tourists ... I'm a dreamer, and what I love most of all is creating new dreams over and over again. This is probably what drives me to achieve them. I don't just make a wish list and leave it in a drawer, they're in my head all the time, and I was going to dust off one that had been waiting for over 20 years ... The last time I visited this famous museum, I stood in line for hours, and I couldn't get a photo with the star of the place. So, it was my dream to be able to come back and this time I really immortalised the moment! Of course I’m talking about the Louvre, but in addition to having had my photo alone with Mona Lisa, I was able to admire from all sides the Venus de Milo, to take photos of the painting "Liberty leading the people" by Eugene Delacroix, or "the Raft of the Medusa" by Théodore Géricault. Strolling all day in this sumptuous building with sometimes no one in the same room, was a huge privilege. Let's continue with one of the most visited attractions in France, after the Louvre and the Palace of Versailles. I’ve visited it several times in my life, I talked about it in my article Christmas in Paris, but I had never been able to go to the top, to the 3rd level. Obviously, for my Honeymoon 2, I couldn't say no to myself, and even more extraordinary to be there for the sunset, this wonderful dream came true with exaltation. Imagine I was the only Asian!! I'm not even sure this ever happened in story’s Eiffel Tower… You know my passion for dance and ballet, remember in my article Happy New Year 2020, I wondered which company I was going to see this year. Well, in the meantime, I went to visit a place that has been on my list for a very, very long time: the Garnier Palace. Again, only a few visitors, I was able to admire this beautiful construction from all angles and be inspired by its luxury and prestige. To tell the truth the building and its history are simply fascinating, and I’m very happy to have made this dream come true, especially as the architect Charles Garnier himself played the guide ... There are always great exhibitions in Paris, and this one was on my list: L'Exhibition[niste] by Christian Louboutin, the famous shoemaker that I’m not presenting anymore, I’ve already talked about him with my wedding shoes, in Shoes Forever. This incredible exhibition takes place until January 3, 2021 at the Palais de la Porte Dorée in Paris, it tells the story and the journey of Christian Louboutin, obviously with countless pairs of shoes on display. I encourage you to visit it if you like art and shoes. Don't worry, I’ll come back in detail on this incredible exhibition and the magnificent monuments mentioned above. You can review my previous articles in the meantime: Obviously, you are now used to my culinary escapades, especially if you follow my Stories on Instagram, so yes, I also took the opportunity to treat myself during my stay. No pastry like in Christmas in Paris, I try to follow my Healthy Routine, but that didn't stop me from going to Ladurée for a very elegant avocado toast. Okay, I sometimes fell for a few desserts ... But it's so good!! Add a coffee on the terrace, a drink on the quays, and you get the perfect cocktail for a second honeymoon full of wonderful memories… I was going to forget, Paris by night is just as exceptional and enchanting ... I still have so much to tell you about this beautiful city, stay tuned ... Next Article September 12! 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. “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. And here we are, another year has passed, another place to celebrate it, yet different circumstances and more goals achieved ... But still this pride that doesn’t leave me but grows more and more every day. Just out of bed, I’ve expressed my gratitude and recognised that hardships in life happen to make us stronger and wiser. "The future can awaken in a more beautiful way than the past." George Sand 2017 Everything started in Santorini, this magical island in the Aegean Sea, which brought me back to life on May 27, 2017. I was to marry the man I loved, but I found myself on my own before the altar. I had no idea of my future, only the present mattered to me then, and my Solo Wedding was my lifebuoy. 2018 The Spanish capital, Madrid, I’ve never thought I would be there on May 27, 2018. I was preparing for a third attempt to freeze my eggs; I was on hormonal treatment and I was doing the daily injections myself. I was alone and extremely emotional because of the hormones, not to mention the stress of a possible new failure. Despite this, I’ve celebrated my 1st wedding anniversary with fun, starting with churros for breakfast, or rather porras (Madrid specialty, like churros but bigger)!! I stayed for several months, which allowed me to spend time in museums, especially in the Prado, my favourite museum. I was also very active on the blog and shared many of my discoveries with you. Read again: 2019 I had just left Crete, my book was finished! So happy with what I had just accomplished. All these months of loneliness and introspection, without TV and sometimes without internet for several days, had just given birth to one of my most beautiful projects, and certainly one of the most necessary. Reread: Why a Book? A fabulous retreat on one of the most beautiful Greek islands, and I’ve largely praised its beauty: 2020 A very weird year for everyone, under the threat of Covid-19 and confinement. Previously: Since I couldn't travel as planned, I had plenty of time to make videos and develop my social media: My anniversary day was great, I had a lot of fun and relaxed at home, with pina coladas and sun, especially I ate churros! Re-read my previous articles: The providers of this unique day:
"Having a purpose is fundamental after a breakup, especially do not give yourself time to feel sorry for yourself, it does not prevent pain or tears, but it helps not to collapse. Some people take refuge in work, I preferred to focus on myself only. My personal life had just crumbled, I had decided to devote fully to myself for the rest of the year. I was going to put my energy to the benefit of my quest for happiness, all those things that I wanted to accomplish and that I kept postponing. Taking time for me, thinking about what I really expected from life, what would make me happy again, the things I was dreaming of, but also what I would like to do in the near future and more distant, either personally or professionally. Above all, listening to my heart and asking what it wanted, taking the time for my feelings, letting my emotions express themselves." L. Find all the articles here Link or click on the titles below: I don’t know what the future holds and what I’ll tell you in a year, but I’m confident, I know I’ll have many wonderful things to speak about. Have a great week! Love & Future, L. This week, I take you to my adopted country, on the island that saw my rebirth, and by the way, the Orthodox celebrates Easter this weekend, a week after the Catholics. Follow me to Santorini, Greece, to my favourite village: Pyrgos! And to start this article, let me share with you a small extract from my book My Solo Wedding in Santorini: When I finally passed the ceremonial table to stand behind, I noticed my ring. It was arranged on a small marble tile with the effigy of Santorini, and a wreath of bay leaves drawn on it. I had found it a few days before, in a small souvenir shop in Pyrgos. We went to visit this small traditional village on the heights of Santorini, with my sister and her fiancé. I fell in love with the place, its ruined old castle at the top of the hill, its ramparts, its 48 churches ... A peaceful and mystical atmosphere. This magic that I cannot explain but that enchants the whole island. 48 chapels or churches of any size, even though the village is very small, built on the hillside. Santorini had 5 Venetian castles in the 15th century, and Pyrgos was the administrative city of the island. Time, but also the terrible earthquake of 1956, turned this fortress into ruins. Its maze of small alleys - typical of medieval architecture - which go up and down, with a surprise at every corner ... No matter where you are, the view of the vineyards and the sea is magnificent, not to mention the sunset. Pyrgos has plenty of cafes, restaurants and taverns, some of the best on the island, with this tasty Greek cuisine that brings people together. This is where I celebrated my birthday in 2018! Easter celebrations are very important in Greece, and traditions are still well respected. During Good Friday, Pyrgos lights up with thousands of lanterns and candles. A wonderful video at the end of the article, to make you live this magic. Take care and stay at home! Καλό Πάσχα Love & Light, L. Last week, we've been to Mars, let's get back on Earth... For this new article, we’ll travel again but this time, telling you about my solo wedding and also delivering a new passage from my book My Solo Wedding in Santorini. Excerpt: I did not mention to the hotel that the groom would not be here, so I went alone to the reception in May 2017, and after taking a deep breath, I explained to the very warm receptionist Emanouela, my story and the new organisation. Once again, the reaction of my interlocutor shocked me while her smile comforted me. She understood my pain and saluted my determination and my courage. In a few minutes, I had just found an unconditional support for my wedding, but not only, because this young woman was going to become one of my best friends. My instinct had made me choose the best place to stay. I could not have gone through all of this without all these incredible people along the way. When we experience a heartbreak, it is already difficult to leave home, so taking a plane alone to go to marry myself in a foreign country, this is a crazy challenge, or the need of a psychoanalysis, probably both! It was therefore at Ampelonas Apartments in Imerovigli that my guests and I stayed for several days. And I’ve been there many times in the past 3 years, including for my First Wedding Anniversary. I had already given you details in my article Behind the Scenes of my Solo Wedding. And anyway, we always like seeing photos of Santorini (read my article again including a very nice aerial video). Since then, the management and name of the hotel changed, and it has been renovated ... Thank you to all the old Ampelonas team, more than a hotel, you were my refuge in the storm, the cradle of my rebirth, and I hope to return to Santorini in 2020!! φιλάκια Find all the articles of my Solo Wedding: here News of my book: here Don’t forget to follow me on social media @blogaboutl: Have a lovely week! Love & People, L. Last week in the article Happy New Year 2020, I told you that I’ll continue to tell you about my adventures of 2019 as well as my new dreams ... I spent half the year 2019 in Greece and more particularly in Crete, you know how attached I am to this country, I largely shared my discoveries with you: Crete, Episode 1 to 4, and a new episode coming soon. Rainy Day in Athens First TV interview: Behind the Scenes Santorini Not to mention that I’m always happy to give you more details about my solo wedding: Wine in Santorini 2 Years Anniversary My Wedding Dress Once upon a time Why a book Blog Guide In May 2019, I celebrated my 2nd Wedding Anniversary while my book My Solo Wedding in Santorini was just finished. May 27, 2017, Santorini, Aegean island (Greece). I am about to go down the magnificent stone stairs holding my father's arm, to participate in the wedding I have been waiting for, and preparing for a year and a half. The guests are seated. The weather is capricious. However, this ceremony is special, the groom is not here. He left the marital ship three months before, and I took the decision to marry without him, to marry myself! L. Hopefully 2020 will see the publication of this book 😊 In February 2019, I went to see my favourite Greek singer in concert, believe me that I was really looking forward to this. His name: Nikos Vertis. He’s a very popular singer in Greece, he was born in the Netherlands and grew up between there and Greece. He sings in Greek (mostly love songs) accompanied by some traditional instruments. Thank you to my friends who made this dream come true!! I love you! And Nikos too!! In 2020, I plan to continue to learn Greek language, by the way I often work in music with Nikos. On my bedside table: my wife, my boyfriend and my husband hahaha!! If I celebrated my Birthday in Paris in 2019 with my friends, I also dreamed of seeing the fireworks in front of the Eiffel Tower, it was done on July 14, 2019 during the national day. A great moment of excitement and happiness.
But I celebrated my Birthday a second time in London, I told you a lot about this city in my previous articles and all the great things I’ve experienced: My Birthday in London The Royal Mews Kensington Palace Madame Tussauds I love December The Design Museum I visited friends I hadn't seen in 2 years, and I made incredible new friends! I also introduced you to new destinations in 2019: Montreal & the Barbie Museum Las Palmas Madagascar Brussels Epernay Sunset In the air Exhibitions: Jean-Paul Gaultier and Balmain Manolo Blahnik Tutankhamun Bird Paradise My lifestyle and my interests: My Favourite Animals Chocolate, Sweetheart Halloween 2019 Childhood Music Single Saturday Superwomen 4 And I’d like to highlight, my articles on positive psychology: Be Positive Thank you More than 40 blog posts in 2019, and 2020 will see videos on YouTube and Instagram. Thank you for all your messages and comments on the blog and social media, having you in my life is the most beautiful thing I could imagine. Don't worry, in 2020, I’ll continue to give you the keys to open your mind, to help you reach happiness and to have the courage to be who you are!! New Year’s fireworks around the world at the end of the article :) Have a good week and continue to believe in your dreams! Love & 2020, L. Too much sadness, anger, frustration had accumulated. I couldn’t express what this destructive fire had consumed in me. And yet, I knew it had to come out for my own survival. We can’t move on and rebuild ourselves on a pile of ashes. We must clean up first. So, I washed it with a lot of grammar and typography. It was my therapy, I didn’t plan to publish it, but so many people encouraged me to share my story, the blog was just the beginning of this adventure. It was a long and difficult path, remembering while I must forget. All our story from the beginning, from the birth of love to the preparation of our wedding. Then, the unacceptable breakup. Remembering everything in its smallest details, remembering moments that I would have liked to bury deep in my mind, repress as they say in psychology. It’s nevertheless the path of healing, the one I chose. To accept to move forward, to accept the reality but also all the emotions that accompany it. I smiled, laughed, cried while writing this book. I poured my flood of love and disappointment into each of its pages. Sometimes, my feelings were too intense and took control, and nothing could come out. Other times, I couldn’t stop writing, although it was 3am. I always liked writing, but I had never finished a book. One of my dreams came true in unusual circumstances. A mixture of bitterness and pride. My book is not published yet but I'm working on it, I'm currently looking for a literary agent and a publisher. However, I wanted to share with you already, the fruit of my therapy! An excerpt will be published regularly on the new page Book (on the top right), not to mention passages in some of my articles as in: Music My Wedding Gown Once Upon a Time Read again the Blog Guide too, to enjoy fully my website. Again, thank you for your love and support, I couldn’t have done all of that without you. Below is the excerpt I chose for the occasion. Happy reading to all! Love & Book, L. My Solo Wedding in Santorini Chapter Santorini, excerpt: All the year after, I kept telling myself how lucky I was to go back to Santorini. This island had bewitched me, so magical and majestic. I had not been able to discover everything, and I was happy to see more this time. But also, to visit Santorini with the man I loved, the one who would become my husband. No doubt he would fall in love with this island just as I had been. The photos of our wedding were going to be stunning and we were going to spend an absolute unforgettable week. This blog was created in February 2018, a year after my ex-fiancé left me during our wedding’s preparation. My name is Laëtitia, that's why the blog is called "Blog About L.". I am French mixed Vietnamese, but I lived in many countries abroad, for the past two years I travel in search of my new homeland, and almost all the photos of the blog are mine. To discover or rediscover why I created this blog, click here. With nearly 70 posts in a year and a half - I usually publish a new article every Saturday - and new readers every week, I thought a little guide to explain more would be useful. At the top right, you have access to the different pages: home, blog, media, about me, contact and French. Blog page This is the page you are currently on. All posts are saved here, in chronological order from most recent to oldest. In the Archives on the right you can also search by monthly publication, category or keyword. At the end of each article, you can like on Facebook and Twitter, and leave a comment, just click on comment and a form appears. Media page A collection of TV and press interviews from around the world. Yes, my story went viral everywhere ... About Me page Find out who I am ... Contact page You can send me a message, ask me questions, leave me comments, everything you think about! I answer in a few days, but I always reply. Français Page This is the access to the blog in French, I write all posts in French and English myself. Home page Here, you have the last article posted online, just click on the Read More button and you are automatically redirected to the blog page. You then find a search box that allows you to seek by keyword. Featured Categories My Solo Wedding All the details of my wedding are explained, from the dress to the shoes, through the ceremony and the dinner, or the wines. Beauty (and fashion) When, how and why I want to be beautiful? But also, the designers and brands that inspire me. Lifestyle My lifestyle and the ones of others because open-mindedness leads to more tolerance ... Travel All my adventures on our beautiful planet! Art The World of Art and Design of yesterday and today. My favourite articles 1st Anniversary: my first wedding anniversary. Gift from Science: and how in June 2018, 10 of my oocytes were frozen in Madrid. 1st TV Interview – Behind the scenes: it's been just a year since I participated in my first TV show in Greece. Then comes the form for the Newsletter, and for those who have not subscribed yet, go for it! I send you an email for each new post. Don’t forget to follow me on social media, links at the bottom of every page. As a reminder I’ve also created some series that I’ll continue to complete: Superwomen London Crete Christmas Happiness Rainy day Here the Articles with extracts from my book My Solo Wedding in Santorini (not yet published): Once upon a time My Wedding Gown Music Some of your favourite posts: Single Coffee Addict In the air Versailles Many thanks to all the people who accompany me in this adventure, your support is immensely valuable. Have a nice weekend and happy Halloween! Love & Blog, L. Last year my story was going viral on the internet and in the press (see Page Media), yet it was far from being like a fairy tale, many of the elements were there, luxurious providers, a breathtaking place , a dream dress, princess shoes, but no groom ... Once upon a time, a romantic woman, in love with the wrong man, who decided to abandon her three months before the wedding ceremony. Once upon a time, there was chaos. Once upon a time, this rage at the heart of deserving better, of knowing to be worthy. Once upon a time there was my solo wedding. In September 2018, I discovered my first magazine cover in the UK, before a second, then a third in Australia. Today, I choose to recap with you the articles of my Solo Wedding in Santorini (you can click on it to read or reread them): My Solo Wedding Santorini Why a blog? My Solo Ceremony My ring 1st Anniversary! Shoes Forever Flowers Life Changer Champagne! Wedding Menu First TV - Behind the scenes Solo Wedding - Behind the Scenes Wine in Santorini 2 Year Anniversary! My Wedding Gown I temporarily stay in London to finish the English translation of my book, a city full of surprise and energy, as I already told you: Birthday in London Kensington Palace And if you follow me on Instagram, check my stories. All that I’ve accomplished since my Solo Wedding make me terribly proud and happy: the freezing of my eggs, my blog, the media, my book ... It encourages me to pursue my dreams and to invent new ones. Not to mention all my travels, and a year ago I was going to Crete to write my book My Solo Wedding in Santorini (I am actively looking for an agent and a publisher). I had wondered where I’d be in a year, I had no idea. I certainly wouldn’t have thought that I’d be in England. Where will I be in a year and what will I do then? I don’t have a crystal ball, but I don’t intend to stop to confide in you and to inspire you ... A new extract from my book So, no basket of flowers on the horizon, to tell the truth, I never imagined an army of young children spreading flower petals in the aisle before my entry. It must be said that before this marriage, I had never really considered the question of a wedding ceremony. The only times it crossed my mind, I saw myself more in Las Vegas, with Elvis as a priest and the Blues Brothers as witnesses! We are very far from the flower girls! Every day I meet new people to whom I tell my story, to whom I give a piece of me ... So many beautiful testimonials from people who encourage me, even some who tell me how my story gave them the courage to change their lives. I would like to thank here my readers who follow me with interest, here are the top 5 nationalities: Greece, France, United States, United Kingdom, Australia. 75% of them are between 25 and 45 years old, and I count as many men as women (50%), the perfect parity!! ![]() Always have the courage to keep in you this light, this spark of hope that creates the fireworks in your life! See you next Saturday for a new article. Have a nice week! Love, once upon a time ... L. I've always liked to stand out and I like it even more when people remember me, so yes, my dress style sticks to my personality, nothing is left to chance, and all occasions are good to show off. Of course, I was able to enjoy a lot at my Solo Wedding in Santorini, well, enjoy is almost a swear word given the circumstances of the time - my ex-fiancé deserted 3 months before our wedding – let’s say that my ceremony allowed me to reveal myself in all my splendour and my authenticity reinforced by beads, rhinestones and lace. Although I can hardly compete now, Miss Spectacular (nickname given by my friends) resurfaced from time to time, often rather in fact, check my previous articles My Birthday in Paris and My Birthday in London, or even Hat Designer. Queen one day, forever a Queen ... My dress was found at Brides of Brisbane, in Brisbane, Australia, where I lived for 7 years. This is an Atelier Pronovias, a Spanish brand well known to all brides and brides to be. I’ve tried it randomly, it was far from the style I was looking for and yet we found each other. The delicacy of the lace, the fragility of embroidery, all the little beads and rhinestones sewn by hand, the femininity of the cut and the size of its train, that's what made me fall in love with this dress. A meeting that was going to change my life... I couldn’t wait to wear it ... and even more after deciding to marry myself. We know about retail therapy, but being sublime in a dress is also a good therapy! In my article Thank you I speak of the importance of thanking people, then once again a huge thank you to the talented Alexander Hadji who took these beautiful shots (website https://hadjiphoto.com/). The list of all providers in my article 1st Anniversary and find all the articles of my solo ceremony here: Solo Wedding. I’m currently looking for a literary agent and a publisher but exclusively here is an excerpt from the chapter My Dress from my book My Solo Wedding in Santorini: My Dress Believe in yourself, love yourself! You're stronger than what you think... Next article on August 24th! Love & Style, L. When I was little, 3 years old to be exact, I thought that we could have as many companions as we wanted, I had so a smooth and reassuring teddy bear since my birth, and a solid and popular Kiki that everybody envied me. Two were better than one visibly. Finally, I still have the same dilemma today, I haven’t found a man who is protective AND desirable hahaha! My first wedding when I was 5 years old, I completely forgot about this episode of my life, I believe that I was already traumatised by ceremonies. No doubt I didn’t understand why there was only one boy by my side hahaha, and especially why I couldn’t have my teddy bears with me... A few years later (a few decades to tell the truth), I married on Santorini Island, not with one man, nor two (hahaha), just with myself. I had bet on the wrong teddy and he abandoned me 3 months before our wedding ceremony (what my teddy bears have never done, they nicely wait for me in a box). Fortunately, life had taught me to bounce back and stay positive in any situation, well, I had experience, we had lost friends and toys with teddy and Kiki... On May 27, 2017 my Solo Wedding was held in Santorini, since, my story has been viral around the world (check out Media). Time flies so fast, it seems to me that my article 1st Anniversary was written yesterday! My second wedding anniversary thus, I’m so proud and happy, and more challenges to come, keep following me to know more... And this month of June, I'm proud to celebrate Pride Month for the LGBTQ community (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer), with many parades and events around the world. I’ve already mentioned my support for this community in my article Superwomen 3; it’s up to everyone to make our world better and to fight against all forms of discrimination, open your heart to open your mind! Happiness is made every day with your own rules, always be proud of who you are and pursue your dreams! Find all the articles of my solo wedding here: Solo Wedding. Have a good week! Love & Pride, L. After talking about dinner (Article wedding-menu.html ) and champagne (Article champagne.html ) at my wedding, I want to tell the wines we had. When we think of Santorini, we imagine the white facades and the blue-domed churches, the cliffs, the caldera, but what we forget is the vineyards. And yes, the island is full of them, nearly 1,500 hectares, and it’s one of the oldest vineyards in Europe, no wonder that its wine has become so famous. The vines are shaped in a circle to form a sort of nest, called "kouloura", this method protects them from wind and sun. Two elements that are very present in Santorini. For the place of my wedding, I had the choice between the chapel or the vineyard, completely by chance I chose the vineyard hahaha! Venetsanos Winery in Megalochori. Located on the cliffs overlooking the caldera, and producing delicious wines, this was the perfect place for my solo wedding in Santorini. White wine, red and rosé (unlimited) to satisfy my guests. Not to mention they were treated to a tour of the property and a tasting while I was doing my photos. For my first wedding anniversary I opened the bottle that had been offered to me by Venetsanos, just to plunge me into the atmosphere again... Certainly, a place that I recommend, for a visit, a tasting, shopping, photos and why not a wedding?? More information on their website: venetsanoswinery.com/ One of my favourite white wines is from Santorini, and that before I go to this enchanting island. There are 3 grape varieties for white wine: assyrtiko, athiri and aidani. When assembled, we discover the Nykteri, a dry white wine to taste absolutely. For red wines, count on mandilaria and mavrotragano. Some houses also offer rosés, like Venetsanos. But the island's most famous wine is Vinsanto, a sweet wine made from late harvests. Some may sometimes prefer the Mezzo, less sweet. Feel free to visit Santo Wines, the Santorini Wine Cooperative, established in 1947 with 1,200 members. The view is also splendid and you can relax while enjoying a wide range of wines from the island. And for those who want to know more, visit the Koutsogiannipoulos family Wine Museum in Vothonas. Eight metres deep and 300 metres long, this magnificent museum tells the story of viticulture in Santorini since 1660, as well as all the stages of its making. A wine tasting is also offered at the end of the visit. Discover the vineyards of the island, you won’t be disappointed. Nothing is more extraordinary than enjoying good wine while admiring the incredible sunsets of Santorini. One thing is certain, you cannot die of thirst in Santorini hahaha! Have a lovely weekend! Love & Wine, L. First article of the year and I can only be proud of last year and excited of the one to come. Many things have happened in my life over the past two years, and I thank you for the support and love you bring to me every day. 2018 was the continuity of 2017 with the freezing of my eggs in Madrid (Article gift-from-science.html). I was a finalist in a photo contest for the international art magazine 1340 (Link 1340art.com/), magazine that wants to display my photos since. But also, a huge step in my life and my reconstruction, the creation of the blog that many of you follow now (Article why-a-blog.html), and some of my readers do not fail to remind me when I'm late in my publications! Thank you for your loyalty. Incredible surprises came out of this, like my story that went viral in the international press, with icing on the cake, the cover of Closer UK and a TV interview on Alpha TV with Eleonora Meleti (Article 1st-tv-interview-behind-the-scenes.html). Life is surprising, and the universe keeps showing us the way, but you have to know how to open your eyes and your heart, and that's what I’m learning to do day by day ... Journalists don’t get tired of my story and another article in a British magazine is coming soon. 2019 should also see the publication of my book that I’m finishing writing. Another dream that I intend to achieve, and which I hope will definitely change my life. Some passages will be online soon! Thank you to my friends for sharing some of the highlights of their lives in 2018. Congratulations again to the happy parents: Chrisa & Kosta, Fay & Mike. Both couples have each a beautiful little girl. But more babies coming in 2019, and many more celebrations! One of the favourite moments of my year was certainly the wedding of my little sister in Champagne, a year after my solo wedding in Santorini (All articles here www.blogaboutl.com/blog/category/solo-wedding). And also, the wedding of my friends in Paris, Christophe & Arthur (Article superwomen-3.html). Not to mention all the beautiful people that I met and that led to new amazing friendships. Many trips in 2018 and many articles to read or rediscover. Around the world: Gran Canaria, Madrid (Article rainy-dayin-madrid.html), Athens (Article rainy-dayin-athens.html), Crete (Article crete-episode-1.html) with a new article to come, Santorini (Article santorini.html), Brussels. In France: Annecy, Albertville, Grenoble, Lyon, Reims (Article champagne.html), Paris (Article disneyland-paris.html), Versailles (Article palace-of-versailles.html). I wish lots of new adventures in 2019, and keep dreaming, it’s the first part of the journey! ![]() I wish you all an excellent new year, rich of good surprises, beautiful people, iron constitution, love in gold and glittering joy!! And Happy Epiphany! Love & Joy, L. P.S: for those who are in France, please keep me a piece of Epiphany cake 😉 or send me photos! My parents have just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary, so it brought back good memories of my own wedding! You have seen a lot of the magnificent official photos of my solo wedding in Santorini (Photo credit: Alexander Hadji), whether on my blog (all the wedding articles here www.blogaboutl.com/blog/category/solo-wedding), in the press or on TV (see all or see again Media). Then, I thought you'd like to discover behind the scenes of this very special day. All my guests are here, not all those people in the line, even if the number of shoes say the opposite ... Why is there a half-naked model on my roof? I said no distraction!! While everyone is starring at him, I remain serious in my preparation. Initially, I had to have a makeup artist and a hairdresser, but when I decided to marry myself, I chose to pamper myself. I wanted to have this intimate moment, time to refocus myself, to be in harmony with my inner self. Only my two witnesses were allowed to disturb me. They came from time to time, checking that everything was fine, that I needed nothing, and taking pictures of me in action. Is everything ready?? It seems that yes, especially do not forget anything. Uh who forgot his bath duck?? One of my wedding gifts ... Maybe the model on the roof would like to use it with me? What, we don’t have time for a bath? It's stressful to get married!!! Some even have last-minute homework, such as copying a speech or preparing the last payments, and yes, a wedding this is that too! Fortunately, my witness is an accountant. Everybody is on their way to Venetsanos Winery, my guests in a car, and I’m in a beautiful black Mercedes with my sister. If my official photos are amazing, in fact, it takes a lot of time and organisation ... The location, the position, stop thinking that we have forgotten the umbrella ... And tourists, go away, we are hurried here! Not to mention climb the cliff for the sunset, flat shoes essential! One more thing, don’t think I have vertigo ... And thanks to my super sister who played the assistant, the flying veil this was her job! Before my wedding, I thought that a photographer was just taking pictures, in fact it's an invisible man who moves without being seen and goes into improbable positions without nobody notices him. Sometimes we want to do things and it takes longer than expected ... After a few hours and many bottles, we don’t really know why or how we take pictures ... Even the DJ is gone ... Ah no, he’s with the bride and the wedding planners. Goodbye Venetsanos and back to the hotel where without my crown and shoes, I continue to drink champagne! I had to relax before sleeping ... Another big acknowledgment to all the providers of my solo wedding: Dress: Atelier Pronovias, Boutique Brides of Brisbane - Brisbane CBD (Australia) Alterations: PQ Fashions, Brisbane CBD (Australia) Shoes: Edward Meller (Day), Christian Louboutin (Evening) Ring: Antique Cameo, Boutique Precious Stones Brisbane (Australia) Jewellery: Cassandra Lynne (U.S) Tiara: JJ's House Clutch: Forever New Jacket: Yves Salomon - Paris (France) Hairdressing, Makeup, Manicure: myself Wedding Planning: Divine Weddings Santorini, Maria Alexopoulou & Katerina Panagopoulou, Santorini (Greece) Venue: Venetsanos Winery, Megalochori, Santorini (Greece) Celebrant: John Kavallaris, Santorini (Greece) Photographer: Alexander Hadji, Santorini (Greece) Flowers: Betty Flowers, Santorini (Greece) DJ & Light: Multimedia Events, Santorini (Greece) Catering: Spicy Bites, Santorini (Greece) Drinks: Venetsanos wine, Champagne Cuvée Clovis (Maison Batillot & Fils, France) Wedding cake: Petranart, Megalochori, Santorini (Greece) Fireworks: Skylight Santorini Fireworks, Santorini (Greece) Hotel: Ampelonas Apartments, Imerovigli, Santorini (Greece) And to conclude this article, a song that always puts me in a good mood! Love & Light, L. Meta ta Mesanyxta 'After Midnight' with Eleonora Meleti on Alpha TV, Athens Three years ago, when my ex-fiancé and I chose Greece to celebrate our wedding, I never thought how important this place would be to my heart. From now on, this country is associated with my solo wedding in Santorini and my rebirth (Read previous article 1st-anniversary.html) A few days ago, I was invited to a TV show on the biggest Greek channel. On Tuesday, October 23, 2018, thousands of viewers discovered me. I wanted to share this special moment of my life, so here is this extraordinary day told step by step: 1 / I am not a morning person and waking up early is a torture. Nevertheless, I can get up without being grumpy for 2 reasons, whether I travel or work on my blog. This time, I get up at dawn for these 2 reasons! 2 / Head in the clouds, I fly to Athens. Athens, which means the city of Athena, Goddess of Reason, Prudence, Military Strategy and Wisdom. What a highly symbolic place for my first TV show! I couldn’t wish a better place. 3 / I’ve asked what I had to wear for the occasion and was told: something comfortable for a late night show. Obviously, I’m very used to this kind of event, I do this every day, I knew immediately what to wear (ironic) - finally, after having tried all my wardrobe! I finally opted for a romantic, elegant and feminine outfit. Dress and belt: Promod Shoes: Stuart Weitzman Bracelet: Tiffany & Co. by Elsa Peretti Hairstyle: Un Brin de Jenny 4 / I am picked up at my hotel to go to the studio. Very different from French studios which are very accessible in the middle of cities. This Alpha studio is very isolated and well guarded. I go directly to makeup where other guests are already there, and also the translator for my interview. A matte base, zero shine and nervousness that starts to rise even if my smile doesn’t show anything ... 5 / That's it, it's time, I discover the studio set Many people, cameras, screens, and Eleonora, the presenter, who sees me and immediately comes to meet me. She is charming and very smiling, she puts me at ease instantly. Eleonora Meleti is a well-known and popular journalist in Greece. Everyone on the set is adorable, they come to greet me, support me. There is even a half Greek Frenchman. The atmosphere is very relaxed. They explain the process, install me and adjust my microphone, I take a deep breath and concentrate. Making my first TV appearance was certainly not something I was prepared for. Especially when it comes to 30 minutes of interview. And to make the exercise worse, because as you know I don’t like when it’s simple, Eleonora was addressing me in Greek, the translation was given to me in English, so I answered in English making sure I was looking at my hostess, while the translator translated into Greek instantly. You’ve followed?? Because even me, I’m lost hahaha. So, in summary, my brain heard Greek and English at the same time and I had to try to answer without always remembering the questions! But I think that watching the video doesn’t need any comment, my interview starts from the 36th minute, unfortunately it’s in Greek, the subtitles are not yet available, however there is a nice video at the beginning (Photo Credit: Alexander Hadji). You can find all the videos of the show on Alpha TV website: www.alphatv.gr/?vtype=generic&vid=34809&categoryId=4&showId=923 Greece, the country of my solo wedding, and where so many people have shown so much interest, support and love for my story. I feel good in Greece... I’ve received even more sympathy after the show, and some people recognised me in the streets of Athens. Thanks again to Eleonora Meleti, Sotiris Skouloudis, the whole team of Meta ta Mesanyxta and Alpha TV. 6 / Return to the hotel and I admit that it’s difficult to regain my senses. So much excitement and emotions in such a short time ... 7 / Of course I couldn’t leave Athens without going for a walk and relaxing with my friends. Above all, I couldn’t let you without having made you discover this beautiful city! And all my favourite addresses will be in a future article dedicated to this city. To conclude, a song by P!nk that I particularly like, and which says: I will never surrender, there is nothing but a victory! Well, it could be Athena's words, couldn't it? Love, L. In preparation for my first TV interview in Athens, it seemed obvious to talk about my solo wedding again. Regarding the different interviews I’ve had recently Media, a question came up often, what did you eat? And as I've already mentioned champagne in a previous article champagne.html here is the logical continuation. Greece was not chosen by chance, I like Greek cuisine! So obviously for my solo wedding in Santorini, the menu was traditional. Just thinking about it, I salivate, all these Mediterranean flavours, olive oil, olives, octopus, squid, feta, taramosalata, moussaka ... To be honest, any excuse was good to eat, so the day before the ceremony we’ve had a rehearsal dinner, and the day after the wedding, a lunch by the beach (article to come with my favourite addresses). The feature of Santorinian cuisine comes from some products that are not found elsewhere, such as some small tomatoes and favas, small yellow beans. Thus, some recipes are typical of the island such as fava purée or tomato fritters. And precisely, it was impossible for me to choose among so many delicious dishes, I wanted everything for my wedding dinner! So, the buffet was the best option. Santorini BBQ Wedding Buffet provided by Spicy Bites Catering: Selection of breads & kalamata olives Santorinian salad – Greek – with feta cheese, capers and virgin olive oil Taramosalata – Dip prepared with fish roe Eggplant & tomato slices, cooked in the oven with feta cheese and oregano Tzatziki – Yoghurt dip with cucumber and olive oil Fava – Santorinian yellow split peas with onion rings Tomato fritters, local recipe Grilled chicken fillets with lemon juice Grilled lamb chops with oregano Grilled swordfish fillet Grilled vegetables Baby roasted potatoes with fresh onion and oregano Fruits Variety of Greek desserts My guests and I enjoyed it, we often talk about it with a bit of frustration because we would like to eat it again! Of course, a wedding is not a real wedding without a cake and mine was created by Petranart, Megalochori, Santorini. A cake with fresh strawberries and vanilla cream. Unfortunately, in the euphoria of the evening I ate only one piece. I had such a regret that when I returned to Santorini this year, to celebrate my first wedding anniversary and my birthday, I reordered the same cake! When we love, we don’t count hahaha... Thanks again to Spicy Bites Catering, Mr Petros from Petranart, but also Venetsanos Winery for the venue, Alexander Hadji (photographer), and of course Maria Alexopoulou & Katerina Panagopoulou from Divine Weddings Santorini. Thanks also to my culinary partners who shared all these wonderful moments immortalised in these photos. What would we be without food?? Hahaha καλή όρεξη Bon Appétit ! I admit, any occasion is good to drink champagne because it’s my favourite drink! And I have something to celebrate with my rising celebrity, read my last article life-changer.html Keep tuned because lots of news in the next weeks! All this excitement makes me dizzy and not only because of bubbles ... I put down my luggage in Reims, France, a year and a half ago. During this period, I’ve had time to enjoy this beautiful region, and especially to visit vineyards and champagne cellars! Heaven on earth exists and I found it. Big champagne houses are mainly in Reims and Epernay. However, there are countless producers. The region has just over 300 champagne houses, with nearly 16,000 people, producing around 300 million bottles a year. The big particularity of champagne cellars is its chalk pits, long tunnels dug underground, stretching over 200 km. To visit them, you must first go down between 20 and 40 meters deep. Depending on the house, this is done by majestic stairs or a tiny spiral staircase. The temperature drops to 10 degrees Celsius. During the two world wars, these undergrounds enabled the survival of millions of people, sheltering a whole city with its school, its hospital, its bakery ... Thus, bottles age here in this maze of chalk and history, in darkness, freshness and humidity. The highlight of the visit is obviously the tasting and the shop. I made some provisions because it's not every day that I'm in magazines ... Women have had a key role in the fame and champagne that we know today. Rosé champagne, for example, was invented by Mrs Nicole Clicquot-Ponsardin in 1818, 200 years ago… In 1861, another widow, Mrs Jeanne Pommery created champagne brut (unsweetened) to satisfy English tastes. Nowadays, the United Kingdom is the largest importer of champagne in the world ahead of the United States and Japan. Innovative, braving male diktats and continuing to produce during the war, women of character for an exceptional drink. The harvest took place recently, which allowed me to better understand this expertise and the hard work that requires. In addition, I was extremely privileged, and I was able to visit a few presses in action. For two weeks, the entire region and its inhabitants, all generations combined, live only for these grape harvests. Not to mention the endless ballet of trucks, tractors and buses ... Although marrying myself in Santorini, Greece, it was impossible for me to skip champagne. So after visiting several producers, my choice finally turned to a delicate but powerful champagne. Pinot noir (40%), Pinot meunier (20%) and Chardonnay (40%). In addition, a bottle with feminine curves with the name of a famous king, the First King of France, Clovis (Champagne Batillot & Fils). It could only be my champagne for a Queen wedding, my solo wedding in Santorini. Finally, no need for excuse to drink a glass of champagne, enjoy life, cheers! And then, there are those we meet, who we hardly know, who tell you a word, a sentence, give you a minute, half an hour, and change the course of your life. Victor Hugo I had to write an article about what's going on in my life right now. My solo wedding in Santorini is going viral in the international press: the United Kingdom, Belgium, Greece, Thailand, Vietnam ... They even talked about my story on television in several countries. I obviously celebrated with bubbles, and what beautiful bubbles! It's exciting and disturbing at the same time. I’m very much in demand for interviews, for the moment I don’t measure the impact on my blog and my life in general. I’ve never searched for fame, even if I like to stand out; I often prefer loneliness and lock myself in my cocoon, but when I made the choice to create a blog, I knew that I should manage the public exposure. With this media whirlwind I learn to control my emotions. A new experience ... A great opportunity for my blog, I’m incredibly grateful to the people who encouraged and supported me. Not to mention all the messages of hope and love that I receive. Being able to share my experience to inspire other people, that’s the reason of my blog. Of course, a big thank you to Alyce Collins and Media Drum World, this journey, it's thanks to you! I’ve created a Media page where you can already find some of the published articles Media and more articles to come!! For all those people who changed my life at a particular time, and for all those to whom I will change their life: "Be you! The world will adjust. " Unknown author. My song of the moment that puts me in a good mood, enjoy! Today, I attend the wedding of friends in Paris, so obviously my article of the day could only relate to my marriage, I am obviously inexhaustible on the subject! I love flowers, it's beautiful, delicate, fragile and colourful like me! Another of my priorities for my wedding after dress and shoes (read article shoes-forever.html ). I chose fuchsia pink in little touches in my outfit, to modernise my classic dress: nail polish, lipstick, shoes and even a few false eyelashes! But also because it's a color that I love and that suits me perfectly. By extension, and for the sake of harmony, the flowers had to be matched. In addition, I wanted local flowers that symbolise my wedding in Santorini, and nothing more obvious than the bougainvillea that are found absolutely everywhere on the island. With Bougainvillea, we added roses, my favourite flowers but also some olive leaves. According to the language of flowers, rose symbolises true and tender love. Thus, the perfect combination for my bouquet, my crown, centerpieces and even the cake! Everything was so beautiful, I couldn’t wish better. Many thanks to Betty Flowers Santorini and my wonderful wedding planner Maria Alexopoulou from Divine Weddings Santorini. And like James Arthur in the song to follow, I define and I design my recovery! Flowers for a new start ... |
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