Blogmas Day 29: catching up

Posted in Books by Joanna Malefaki

So, it’s been a while since I wrote a #Blogmas post, but I thought it was about time we did a bit of catching up. How did you guys spend your Christmas eve? What are you doing these days?

I am a teacher on holidays and my holidays so far consist of eating, reading, watching (or should I say binge watching) movies, making paperclips and other planner/planning-related stuff, shopping, and coffee drinking with friends/family.

I spent a couple of days in the country side (Yuck!City gal in da house).

I was a little bit productive as I did a lot of decluttering and organisation. I have cleared out bookcases, drawers and a few cupboards, but there is still a lot on my list.

Binge watching romcoms & stuff

I watched Bridget Jones, the Holidays and Love Actually. I also watched a few episodes of Grey’s anatomy and some episodes of 48 hours which is a crime/news/documentary show.

Bookcase decluttering

I put all my Greek books together and then organised my English books based on read not read. Some people put their books in colour groups but cause I am colourblind, I go with height. Taller books go on the left, shorter books on the right.

Reading

I finished the Rosie project which was on my book list and I have moved on to Bridget Jone’s book 3 ‘Mad about the boy’. I am also reading loads of fashion magazines. Even though I cannot afford any of the stuff in the magazines, I do love looking at them.

Eating

The holidays are all about the food (really gotta start working out cause my clothes won’t fit me soon). I have gone for dinner and am making a lot of my favourite salad.

Here’s what’s in my yummy (detox) salad.

Cabbage and a bit of raw cauliflower

Carrot

Grated tomato/ Grated cheese

Dried fig

Cucumber

Croutons

Dressing: vinaigrette sauce, olive oil and sea salt. Yummy. I love this salad!!!

Um… dunno what else to say. So, that’s a round-up of what I have been up to:)

Still reading? Thanks dudy!!Do follow my blog if you want to read more from me. Connect with me on Pinterest/ Twitter/ Instagram

Have a lovely day/ night.

In the village

Hugs,

27Dec2015

My 5 a night out

Posted in Beauty, Thoughts by Joanna Malefaki

So we have all heard about our 5 a day as in the five vitamins/foods we need to consumer every day but what about the 5 going out essentials? What about my #5aniteout?

I am going to write a post that will hopefully turn into a chain/tag. If this were an educational post, I would probably be tagging other edu bloggers, but because it isn’t, if you feel inspired, go for it. Write a post and let me know what your 5 essentials for a night out are. They can be anything beauty/makeup/accessories/clothes related BUT they have to be five of your all time classics. So, here are mine in no particular order.

My going out essentials (pin).jpg

Makeup

The moment I started wearing Estee Lauder Double Wear stay-in- place makeup I knew it was the One. It doesn’t budge, it makes your skin look healthy and glowy, and did I say it doesn’t budge? It’s just fabulous. Love. Love. Love.

Double Wear

Cosmetics

I don’t really use eyeshadow which is why for lips I am all about ‘bold’. Go for it!! Favourite lippies from Bobbi Brown and YSL.

As mentioned earlier, I don’t do eyeshadow (cause I am colour-blind and I am scared I will mess up). I do do mascara though. I like using different ones and layering up. My favourite brand at the moment is L’oreal. I love the wands and the product!

Makeup

Mademoiselle

I love Coco Mademoiselle (Chanel). I have been wearing this for years. A bit goes a long way. I often spray it in the air and walk into/under the mist.

Shine Booster

I have blond hair and the Charles Worthington London Shine Booster is my favourite product. Whenever I am in the UK, I stock up. It makes my hair so shiny. It’s fantastic. If you haven’t tried this one out, you really need to!!!

Hair Spray.jpg

Earrings

Last but not least, while I am a bag lady, I do love my earrings, and a night out is never the same without a bit of bling. I like sparkly, shiny, handmade and statement earrings.

So, these are my #5aniteout. Let me know what you think of this post. What are your going out essential? If you do write a post or do a video, please let me know and I will add your post to my post. Do follow my blog if you want to read more from me. Connect with me on Pinterest/ Twitter/ Instagram

5 a night out with effects

Thanks for stopping by. Have a lovely day/night.

Hugs,

Joanna

26Dec2015

Plan with me 28-3rd/1 & mini stationery haul

Posted in Hauls, Planning by Joanna Malefaki

Hi lovelies!!

Today my plan with me is going up a bit earlier cause I will be busy tomorrow. I wanted this week’s spread to be girlie and shiny. The way I like it.

My spread

I used my side bar for more general To Dos that cannot go on a specific day. I also used the bottom box for my blogging/ blog post ideas. Saturday and Sunday are a bit empty cause I fill in my planner as the week goes. I added another quote which I thought was fun (31st bottom box).There is a lot of pampering this week as well and of course the 31st/1st is all about dining and dancing. Oh!! In Greece, Santa comes on the 31st :). Do follow my blog if you want to read more from me. Connect with me on Pinterest/ Twitter/ Instagram

Washi tape is a present a student got me!! < 3 ❤

All the stickers used are from Michelle and Patch except for the to do label on my sidebar and the little gifts icons on the 31st. They are from Lilly Top stickers. Both of these lovely ladies have given me a coupon code or printable, so check out the planning category for more details.

Pen used is a uni-ball eye fine pilot pen in the colour pink. I have lots of different colours. I love this pen. It does bleed slightly though in the Happy Planner. You can get a set of these pens here.

Stationery haul

Of course I love me some stationery and bought a few stuff this week. I thought I’d share ’em with you guys. Pens with geometric and floral design are from a brand called Yours Truly. Polka dot pencil is from a brand called Moses (? weird name, I know). My planner (this will be my work planner) is from a Greek company. Oh!! Btw I am going to be doing a little giveaway in January. Let me know if you think this planner would be something you are interested in. It has the days in English (and Greek :)).

I hope you all have lovely holidays and I wish you all lots of love, smiles and health.

Final thoughts

Aestheticaddiction has given me a coupon code which expires on the 31st,so you may want to read her interview (check sidebar for the free digital paper as well) or check out her store and use these codes.

The jpegs I shared turned into covers 🙂

20DISC – this is good for 20% off a purchase.
50DISC – 50% of any order over $10.00

If you are looking to buy an Eric Condren planner, I have a $10 off offer for you guys if you purchase the planner by pressing the words $10 off my ELCP below (this is a referral link).

$10 off my ECLP

*If you want a Happy Planner and are not in the US (that’s what I am using and I love it), you can buy the same one as mine by pressing here.

Do follow my blog if you want to read more from me. Connect with me on Pinterest/ Twitter/ Instagram

Don’t forget to check my planning category on the sidebar for more free printables and coupon codes. I have something really exciting coming up this Sunday so do subscribe.

Thanks sooo much for stopping by ❤

Happy New Year everyone. Lots of love, smiles, and happiness. 2016 hugs coming your way, all the way from Crete ❤

23Dec2015

#Blogmas Day 23: Ho-Ho-Holidays

Posted in Uncategorized by Joanna Malefaki

Guys!! School is out. Woohoo. Freedom. No work, no lesson planning, no correcting, no thinking 24/7 about my kids (students) and teaching. My goal for this Xmas is break is to finally have some me, me, me time. I have been working non-stop all year!

All winter I had my online lessons in the mornings and my Greek kids in the afternoons.My summer was spent in the UK. I taught at Sheffield uni. I came back to Greece in September and started work straight away!I really need a break.

Don’t get me wrong. I ❤ teaching and my students, but I really, really need a break. The time has come and it’s today. So, Happy holidays to all students and teachers out there. Time to rest, relax and reboot.

Talk tomorrow

22Dec2015

Gift guide for your colourblind friend: #Blogmas Day 22

Posted in Being colourblind, Thoughts by Joanna Malefaki

I am partially colourblind which is why I thought I’d write a ‘different’ gift guide! I am going to help you buy something for your colourblind friend. Just cause we are colourblind doesn’t mean we want everything (your pressies) to be black and white. We do like colours, we just need a bit of help with them. Extra info: 1/12 men and 1/200 females are (partially) colourblind.

So, I will give you gift ideas and how you can make them better for you buddies 🙂 Let’s say colourblind friendly.

Safe bets

Books, cds, perfumes, food, drinks, notebooks, dvds….

Tricky but …. giveable

Board games/card games/games

UNO is difficult to play if you are colour blind. If you really want to get this game though, I would suggest writing what colour each card is on the card (that’s what I have done). Same goes for any other board game that is colour coordinated (e.g. monopoly). Thinking of getting a snooker table? Use a permanent marker on the balls that are the same colour. Put polka dots/numbers/squares/ stripes to make them look different because of the design, not the colour :).

Makeup

Makeup companies continue to change the name of the colour of a product into something more catchy. OMG (I am sick of saying how inconsiderate/unfair this is but anyhoo, just a girl… no power). If you decide to buy your friend makeup, put labels with the a colour description on the product (nail polish, lipstick, eyeshadow). If you buy an eye palette, help your friend out by adding an extra sheet where you number the shades and then why not make suggestions about what goes with what? ❤ Bottom line just label everything. Say what colour it is (maybe even add if it cool/warm tone or if it summer-y or winter-y).

Christmas pic 2

Clothes

Get whatever you think your friend will like, but again, add a sticker or label the tag on the piece of clothing you got. I would suggest avoiding too many colours cause it’s hard for us to colour match/coordinate.

Pens/pencils/paint

Again use labels/stickers

How to describe a colour

We (ok I) don’t really care if it’s navy or royal blue. We just need to know that it’s blue and it matches with X, Y, and Z. If you think the tone/hue is important, explain why. Make it easy for your buddy to know how to match/use your present.

Christmas pic 1

Please show your support by sharing this post. Sharing is caring :).

Thanks for reading. This post is very close to home. If you want to read more about the challenges of being colourblind check out my sidebar.

xxx

21Dec2015

Some things and somethings: #blogmas Day 21 (the teacher edition)

Posted in Uncategorized by Joanna Malefaki

Have I told you that I am an English teacher? I am. I teach English as a foreign language which basically means English to people who don’t know English. Just putting that out there in case you where wondering (which you probably weren’t). Why am I telling you this? Cause my title makes no sense!! But, hey, I liked it. I am sticking to it!

So, I couldn’t really think of anything to write for #Blogmas day 21. Man this blogmas is turning into a mountain I will climb. I can do it. I can.

Anyway, back to the #blogmas block, after thinking and thinking, I thought I’d be a teacher/blogger (which I kinda am :p) and today, I am going to focus on the four skills (what we teachers call the 4 skills that are in our lesson plans). Listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Welcome to my day guys or should I say my class?!?

Listening

So this tune played over and over today. Seriously, if you play it once, you will play it over and over again!!!! It reminds me of the good old pop songs. 80s? nice. Nice and nicer.

Reading

I read this article with my learners. It is sad. Disturbing and really makes you wonder about how much we are polluting the atmosphere and crazy ‘selling’ ideas. Full article can be found here.

Screenshot of http://www.telegraph.co.uk

Speaking

I had a speaking lesson and my learner said that s/he enjoyed the session cause we were speaking and it didn’t feel like I was a teacher. hmmmmmmm dunno how I feel about that one.

Writing

Well, I am writing this blog post. I have already written another one and I wanna write one more for my edu blog. So writing x3

So there you have it. All four skills in one post. Can you describe your day in the same way? Why would ya anyway? If you feel like it though, do not hesitate. Leave a comment below. You will put a big smile on my face!!Sorry, if I was a bit random today! It’s 11 p.m. in Greece!!

Catch up on all my blogmas posts by checking out the #Blogmas category in the side bar. Do follow my blog if you want to read more from me. Connect with me on Pinterest/ Twitter/ Instagram

Talk tomorrow!!

21Dec2015

Book Review: The Rosie Project

Posted in Books by Joanna Malefaki

I posted a while ago a list of 5 books I was going to read over the Christmas break but yesterday was a cold Sunday. It was raining, and felt like curling up with a cup of coffee and reading. So I did. And I finished a book. Now I am reviewing it.

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

Set in Australia, this book is about a genetics professor who tries to find love in an unconventional way. Don, the professor is ‘different’, not very good at ‘people skills’. He is almost 40 and wants to find a wife which is why he makes a questionnaire that he will give to ‘wife’ candidates. Then he meets Rosie. She has her own issues. She has a difficult relationship with her stepdad and doesn’t know who her biological father is. Then Don and Rosie unite and try to find out who Rosie’s biological father is and well… the rest you have to read (no spoilers here. Sorry dudies).

I really enjoyed binge reading this book (binge-reading aka reading from cover to cover quickly). I read it in almost one go. I thought it was funny. The narration was made by a man and I liked that. The main hero was odd but likeable. It is about love. A fun book to read.*You can get the book here.

BUT

the story continues and I didn’t know that!! So, now I have to wait for the second part (The Rosie Effect) to ship to my little island!!Of course I ordered it!!

You lovely readers know now though, so maybe getting both books is a good idea cause I wanna know what happens next!!!!!

Final thoughts?Do you recommend the book?

Yeap!! Yeap!! Get the book 😀

Something cool about the book?

You can do the questionnaire and see if you are what Don is looking for!! <3<3 The author’s interview at the end of the book is very entertaining.

Catch up on all my blogmas posts by checking out the #Blogmas category in the side bar. Do follow my blog if you want to read more from me. Connect with me on Pinterest/ Twitter/ Instagram

Talk tomorrow!!

*Amazon affiliate links do not mean you pay extra, it just means I make a little bit of money from your purchase. Thanks if you choose to buy something by pressing the link ❤

20Dec2015

Dine with me: #Blogmas Day 20

Posted in Uncategorized by Joanna Malefaki

Yesterday I went for dinner with my mum, my aunt, and my cousin. It was a ladies night out. It was loads of fun and I am going to share with you a few pics cause the only things you see is an image of a miserable Greece and, yes, Greece is suffering, there is no money BUT we are getting by. We have a positive attitude that brighter, better days WILL come.

So come dine with me at a restaurant called “Οινοποιείο”or Inopi-io (trying to show you how to say it, but failing :p). It means the place that makes wine.

Οινοποιείο

Pic One

The interior design is soooo nice. Here we have the back of the tavern. Yes, there are loads of barrels and garlic!!!

Pic two

Ruins? Windows? Call them whatever you wish. This is inside the tavern.

Pic three

Display of bottles and some more bottles.

Bottles right.jpg

Outside the tavern

thumb-01-fc60c0e1c3eb84d5ff5cc758307f1b68

Picture from aera.gr. Link found here

Time to eat

Dish number one

Hmmm. Now this is yumm-yyy. So, they are zuchini and cheese balls covered in bread crumb. I am going to share the recipe for this one later on this month, so stay tuned. It was served with tsatsiki. Greek word for this κολοκυθοκέφτεδες or kolokithokeftedes 🙂

Dish number 2

You probably know of vein leaves stuffed with rice. We also make zuchini flowers (the flower on top of the zuchini) stuffed witrh rice. This was served with Greek yoghurt.

We also got some more dishes, but then I got hungry and stopped taking pictures and started eating :).

So that’s all for now.

Please follow/subscribe to my blog if you like what you read. I am @mypinkrambles on Twitter/Instagram. Maybe even give my facebook page some TLC? I am off now. Gotta go find exercises and worksheets for my learners tomorrow. What have you been up to? Leave a comment, say hello 🙂

Thanks for stopping by!

20Dec2015

Plan with me: Christmas spread

Posted in Planning by Joanna Malefaki

So, it’s Christmas week lovelies!! Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it, and happy holidays or just plain happy, happy and some more happy to the rest!! At last! I get to use my Christmas tree sticker!! 🙂

My spread

I tried to make this Christmas spread a bit more special, so I tried to do some cursive writing. It’s been a while. I also added a quote on my Xmas day cause I won’t be doing much except for eating, eating and eating.

I only work on Monday and Tuesday, so I am a free teacher(wippppeeeee!! Holidays!!!). My stickers are all from Lilly Top who is actually holding a Christmas giveway (an EC planner), so go check out her store’s page. Link can be found here.

Washi tape is from a local store (unfortunately I cannot find the webiste for this brand (their email is contact@stickz-france.com).

my spread Christmas.jpg

My Cover

I also made my first cover with the jpeg I shared with you guys last week. I know it isn’t perfect but it is OK for a first try!!! Remember I have coupon codes and two free jpegs. Check out that post here.

The jpegs I shared turned into covers 🙂

If you are looking to buy an Eric Condren planner and have never bought one (so you are making a new account), I have a $10 off offer for you guys if you purchase the planner by pressing the words $10 off my ELCP below (this is a referral link).

$10 off my ECLP

*If you want a Happy Planner and are not in the US (that’s what I am using and I love it), you can buy the same one as mine by pressing here.

So, that’s all lovelies. Do follow my blog if you want to read more about planning and maybe even give my Facebook page a bit of TLC ❤ <3. Connect with me on Pinterest/ Twitter/ Instagram. I am doing #Blogmas, so you can read my latest post here. Don’t forget to check my planning category on the sidebar for more free printables and coupon codes.

vintage spread.jpg

So, have a lovely week. Lots of Love, health and smiles to all of you. Stay safe

xxx

Joanna

19Dec2015

My new M&S bag: #Blogmas Day 19

Posted in Beauty, Hauls, Travelling, Uncategorized by Joanna Malefaki

So, today I did a bit of Christmas shopping with my mum. She bought her presents and she got me a new bag. I ❤ bags. I am a bag lady :).

This one is from M&S (Limited Edition). You wear it as a crossbody bag. I wanted one of these cause when I travel I prefer cross shoulder bags.

It’s black with silver metallic details (zippers). It is soft. It has three pockets. One is for your phone the other is for I dunno what and a third one is for things you want to keep safe. My purse fits in there.