Heaven Online: lifestyle

Hello loves! How is life treating you this first month of 2020? My schedule has been hectic as always and I've been on the go non-stop but I am feeling surprisingly optimistic about what is to come. I am just trying to focus on the things that make me happy like making time for my friends and family, writing articles, taking photos etc.

Speaking of photography, have you ever wondered how you can take that perfect, insta-worthy picture? I know I have. Even though I am by no means a professional photographer, I have often found myself wondering about camera lenses, lighting and angles. Even though spontaneous photos can come out amazing every now and then, there is no denying that it take meticulous planning in order to achieve the desired shot.

You need to check your source of light, your expression, your pose. And what happens when you have taken everything into consideration and your photo comes out wrong because of an element in your background you failed to notice? Well there is no worse feeling than fixing it, then trying to re-create the photo and failing. Instead of engaging in this process that can easily take a toll on you, spending various hours on photoshop trying to create a visually pleasing photo or dedicating a large portion of your time to decorate and light the background, there is one much simpler solution.

Have you ever tried using a backdrop? It can be much more fun that it sounds. Take your mind off the stereotypical DMV white background that is frankly nobody's piece of cake, and try picturing fun and colorful backdrops that will instantly elevate your photos.

I stumbled across Fox Backdrop, a while ago, and I spent so much time browsing through their selection. I just couldn't stop. There are so many different designs to choose from and believe that it would be rather hard for you not to find something that pleases you. No matter what you are looking for, odds are that it's on there.

Plain or colorful, resembling a real scenery, a texture, an actual background you will find outdoors and much more. There are also different options to choose from regarding the materials, the shine etc.

These backgrounds could also come in handy of you are into filming YouTube videos. They can act as the perfect canvas that will enable you to show your personality and shine, while helping you maintain your privacy. I know it's 2020 but, let's face it, not everyone is super into exposing their private lives or the interior of their home to strangers. That's why backdrops are such a hit among creators.

Hence, there is really no reason for you not to opt for a beautiful backdrop the next time you plan a photo or video shooting. Head over to foxbackdrop.com to find your dream design!

Have you guys ever used a custom backdrop? What other tricks do you use to take the perfect photo? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below! ❤

Hello darlings! How are you this lovely winter's day? I am currently enjoying a night in since my plans got cancelled but, truth be told, sometimes you need s little time to relax, do nothing and just be with yourself. Of course, being the workaholic I am, I decided to work on my blog 😋 But I am very pleased with everything I accomplished today so that's a win in my book!

Anyway, today I wanted to talk to you about this thing called "gymtimidation". It's been around for a while but I guess nowadays there is a name for everything. If you have never heard of it before, I am sure you have felt it. Basically, it is the feeling you get when you hit the gym after a while and everyone around you seems to be so fit, dedicated and proficient and all you can think about is your muffin top or how you can squeeze a delicious muffin in your daily routine. 😅

I believe that social media has a lot to do with that fear too. It feels like everywhere you look you can see incredibly thin or fit people, working out daily and religiously sticking to their healthy routines. That can put so much pressure on you.

The first thing you need to keep in mind is that every body is different (yes that gap was intentional). Some people can eat tons of food and not gain weight, some have the tendency to gain muscle easily and some strive for months in order to reach their body goal and still don't see the desired results. So you can work out twice a day, every day and still not look like those fitness bloggers on Instagram.

And that is perfectly fine. It is important to listen to your body and eat well and workout because it is good for you. Improving your appearance in only a plus. Give your body what it needs and don't push too hard. And if you want to look like those bodybuilders at the gym, keep in mind that they didn't always look like this, that they once were where you are and that they got where they are with hard work and dedication.

Do what feels right for you and steer clear from the extremes. And don't let others' success bring you down. Turn that fear into inspiration and, instead of dreading to go to the gym, use those people as real life motivation.

You can take a look at this chart to see that you are not alone and that, frankly, it is all in your head. Don't let anything get between you and your goals!

Have you guys ever experienced "gymtimidation"? You can share your experience with me in the comments below and don't forget to check out aaptiv.com! ♥

Good morning loves! How is August treating you so far? I've been sick for days but my cold is slowly subsiding and I am ready to seize the last days of summer!♥

Here, in Greece, summer equals a long pause when it comes to parties and events since everyone is pretty much scattered across the country on vacation. But, as fall approaches, people start making plans again to welcome the new season. Thus, I teamed up with Paperless Post, a company that helps you create online and paper stationery that reflects your individual aesthetic, to share with you some tips regarding events and planning.

If I am invited to a certain event, I always like to plan ahead. You need to check your schedule, RSVP (check out somelovely stationery here) and make any necessary purchases. The invitation will usually state the dress code (casual, formal etc.) and you must stick to it. I start by browsing my closet and checking to see if I have any outfits appropriate for the occasion and, preferably, something that I haven't worn to an event before. If I don't, I will go out and buy something and I will choose some pieces from my mum's recent jewelry line to go with it. If it's a birthday, a baby shower or a wedding, you must also take the gift into consideration.

If I am hosting the event (which I love to do) I like to pay attention to every little detail. Date, guests, food, music, decorations... As for the invitations, it depends on the type of the event. If it's something informal and I'm only inviting close friends, I will probably design the invitations by myself and send them via email. If it's more formal and the guest list is larger, I will order my invitations online and send them the traditional way.

Lately, online invitations have been extremely popular and for good reason. It's a fast, easy and very millennial way to communicate with your guests and friends and there are so many different options to choose from. Take Paperless Post, for example. They have collaborated with designers such as Kate Spade and Oscar de la Renta to provide you with stunning online cards and invitations. They have so many beautiful designs that I find it difficult to pick a favorite.

I will definitely use them the next time I'm planning an event, especially if it's related to fashion. In this business, looks matter more than anything else and you need to stay true to your style and manifest it in any way possible. From your clothes to your work and even your invitations. In my experience, a good invitation can make it or break it for any event.

If you are interested in digital cards and invitations, I highly recommend you to visit www.paperlesspost.com and check out their amazing stuff!

Let me know your thoughts on event planning and invitations in the comments below ♥

Hello my darlings! How is your day going so far? Personally I am enjoying the summer heat and trying to relax while I'm catching up with work. I absolutely adore summer! ♥

In case you forgot, wedding season is on, at the moment, and the struggle is real. Not just for the brides and grooms to be, but also for the guests. Because even if you are opposed to the idea of marriage or you are too young to get married (like me), you still have to attend. And God knows how many weddings we'll have to go to this summer.

Sure, planning an entire wedding from scratch is no picnic, but attending one also comes with things to worry about. What will I wear, who should I bring as my +1, what kind of gift should I get them?

Luckily for us, Zola is here to help. It's an online platform for wedding planning and registry, where you can find useful tools and a wide selection of wedding gifts. Since they are bomb when it comes to weddings and I kinda shop for a living, I teamed up with them to give advice to wedding guests regarding the gifts.

Let's start with some basics. Usually, the couple will provide you with some guidance on that matter. A registry, a bank account to deposit money or (if you are close) a gift suggestion. It goes without saying that you ought to follow their will.

Giving the couple money or gift certificates is perfectly acceptable and, some would say, easier. They could use it for their honeymoon or to buy something they need for their new home. Just make sure that you deposit the money on their bank account and not show up with a check the day of the wedding. #classless

Same thing goes for the gift. It is rather distasteful to bring your gift to wedding and it may cause discomfort to the couple as well. You should send it to them prior to the wedding and make sure that it's clear that you got it for them. This way, they will be able to send you a thank you note once they return from their honeymoon.

Now, if there is no registry, you free to choose any gift you like for the happy couple. Proceed with caution though. If you are close to them, you could always ask them what they need and it's always good to include all the necessary papers in case they want to change it for something else.

The gift should reflect your relationship with the couple and show that you put a lot of thought to it - especially if they matter to you. Also, if they brought you something expensive at your wedding, you should probably do the same.

If you are close with them, you may be tempted to get them something funny or inappropriate. Don't 😝. Opt for something more classy and timeless that they could keep for years and years.

Moreover, if you only know one of them personally, it's no right to get a gift just for one of them. Their wedding symbolizes them becoming "one" and that is what the gift should be about. Get something that they could both use.

As for the budget, it depends on your finances and on your relationship with the couple. The closer you are, the more you need to spend. If you are involved in the wedding (bridesmaids etc), the gift should be pretty high end and boujee (300$ +)

If you don't know the couple that well and they just invited you out of politeness, you could get away with a pretty cheap gift. Get them photo frames, inexpensive kitchen tools (like frying pans, woks, mixers etc), trays, towels, platters and home decorations.

For friends and family that you are not extremely close to, the price rises a bit. Kitchen appliances are always great (toasters, slow cookers) and so is cutlery and knives. You could alsο get them sets for the bathroom or the kitchen and even china. If you want something chic and efficient, opt for a vase.

If someone you're really close with is getting married, you are expected to spend a bit more. The options here are endless. You could get electronics (camera, TV, stereo), expensive appliances (mixer, espresso machine), vases, pitchers, glass sets, luggage and even furniture. That golden bar cart really caught my eye!

All in all, keep in mind that the gift should come from the heart and should reflect your feelings towards the couple, as well as your personal taste. It should be clear that you were the one who picked it out and that you did it with love.

What do you guys think about all those gifts? Which one would you choose for the next wedding you're invited to? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below and don't forget to visit www.zola.com if you are interested in a free suite of wedding planning tools including wedding websites, a checklist, guest list and registry. ♡

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