” Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.”
ARISTOTLE

Hello Everyone,
I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday and I wish you joy for the coming new year. My Christmas was nice, peaceful and blessed.

Happiness, and the pursuit of happiness, is what I want to write about today.I went ahead and answered what happiness means to Aristotle, but, alas, we are not all great philosophers, just regular ordinary folks trying to have the best life that we can.The idea for this article came to me yesterday as I was dragged out of my warm, cozy home, by my daughter Voula, to go shopping in Georgetown. “Come on mom, lets hit the Sales.” OH BOY…I should have said:” No,I want to work on my blog,” but…..off we went on the pursuit of happiness… by credit card.

What can I tell you? It was a zoo, frantic people trying to purchase last season jackets for half the price. I lasted about an hour and then excused myself to go get a sandwich and a glass of wine at The Daily Grill next door. Jimmy, my favorite bartender, was there and I settled in at the bar to read the Post. I happened upon an article by Kevin Huffman in the editorial section that was quite interesting to me. It was about happiness and a poll in Science Magazine on how to correctly assess and rate of our happiness level. Supposedly, people that live in states with low crime rates, access to green spaces, nice weather and low cost of living….are much happier people. It also stated how we rate our own happiness…..here it is:

“When people say they are happy, they probably are.”

I asked Jimmy, the bartender, what his idea of happiness was, and, as always, if you want great advice:ask a bartender OR a hairdresser! Jimmy said that it’s EXPECTATIONS or NO EXPECTATIONS that makes his life happy. “No use in setting yourself up to fail or be upset,” he said. “I take everything in stride.” I smiled and told him that I agree. Eventually, my daughter came with loads of shopping bags….looking very happy. Then it hit me…the expectations idea. My daughter did not want to go shopping EXPECTING to get happy….she… WAS HAPPY! My kid knew it all along that her life is meant to be lived and not dissected by me or society. We are reminded every day of life’s hardships and downfalls……I say we go shopping.

2010 promises to be a good year, I can feel it. Call me a dreamer if you want………I plan on celebrating this New Year.

My new dress from Arden B – Sale

My new makeup NARS Cosmetics

My fave hair products Large selection of Bumble and Bumble Hair Care at Folica.com. Free Shipping & Free Gift Today!
Happy and Joyous New Year to all.
UPDATE: If you are looking for Valentines day gift ideas, please visit our Miracles specials page HERE

Hello Everyone,

A very happy spring to all. May is my favorite month of the year, all the senses seem to be running on full blast, and I cannot wait to get a new cut, color and a spring purse and shoes. I also like to discover new places to see and be seen -in ( wearing my new purse,of course).

I think that I have found this place,and its all because of this lovely young lady that came into the salon to get her hair done.Meet Christiana Sargent , she is the assistant general manager of Domaso Tratoria, the restaurant at Hotel Palomar at Waterview at 1121 N. 19th Street, 4th floor. For reservations call 703-351-1211. www.domasotrattoria.com

Christiana, is also the Beverage Director for the awesome little wine shop in the lobby level of the Hotel Palomar. We Greeks love wine, but our selection is a little limited, with Retsina being the favorite of most Greeks that I know. So I cornered Christiana and asked her about a hundred questions about her favorite wines and food. Let me tell you that the girl has it all together and is very passionate about her craft….I was impressed. The Hotel Palomar has made a fine choice in her. I also asked her what her favorite dinner -for- two is( think sexy) and if Massimo De Francesca ,the chef, is single.( Not only can the man cook;he is gorgeous) Forget it girls……he is married. But Christiana did give me a lovely dinner menu, here it is.

Appetizer:

Lobster salad with crab meat and shaved fennel served with a lobster cream sauce

Champagne Couvee St Anne

Cod fritters with horseradish cream aiolli

Roanne River White

Main Course:

Braised Short Ribs

Yukon Gold mash potatoes

Basil/siso sauce

Desert:

Sweet and savory chocolate tart with espresso sauce

Coffee ice cream

topped with(get this) a crumble of Blue Cheese

Christianna tels me that her favorite chocolate is AMADE’E a brother/sister company based in Tuscany, that is out of this world. They have a Fruit bar made out of dried cherries, rasberies and dark chocolate, that you should pair with a sparkling Shiraz from Australia called Paringa.

The must try new wine is Mark Tente from Alsace .The company follows the Farmers Almanac,is Bio-dynamic, organic, and the Pinot Blanc vines produce an almost surreal amber-gold colored wine with some frisante.Wow…is this girl a great Somalier or what? Go see Christiana, tell her I sent you. Sit at the terrace and look out at our amazing city and have a drink. Life is short my friends, live it and be happy. Turn off the news channel and stop stressing. Trust me when I tell you that we really have no control over fate.

SWINE FLU ? …..WHAT SWINE FLU ? GO LIVE EVERYBODY AND HAPPY MAY DAY TO YOU.

Hello Everyone,

Here is another handsome, eligible, fun loving, generous man living in Washington D.C. Mr Nassar is a business news anchor for Al-Hurra TV, a US sponsored Pan Arab Network. He tells me that this is the only time in his career that he has agreed to be interviewed…….I am honored. So amid a family brunch, I cornered him to answer our questions…..Here are his replies. I must say he was a good sport.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Being with my family

What is your greatest fear?

Loneliness

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

My impulsiveness

Which living person do you most admire?

My daughter Sarah and my son Adam

What is your greatest extravagance?

Clothing and cars

On what occasion do you lie?

I stopped the lies

What do you dislike about your appearance?

Nothing

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

“I am on my way” , “Just a moment”

Who is the greatest love of your life?

My daughter Sarah and my son Adam

When were you the happiest?

The times when my daughter was little and she hugged me.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

My impulses

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

My children

If you were to come back as a person or thing what do you think it would be?

I’m sure I would come back as me again

Where would you like to live?

Washington D.C or Atlanta

What is your most treasured possession?

My Monte Blanc Watch

What is your favorite Occupation?

Pilot

What is your most marked Characteristic?

Stubbornness

What do you value most about your friends?

Loyalty

What is your greatest regret?

Not marrying a Greek

How would you like to die?

FAST….VERY FAST

What is your motto?

If you don’t see it….don’t believe it.

Hello Everyone,

As I promised, I will be interviewing the most beautiful people in our city. Contrary to popular belief, Washington D.C. is chock-full of sexy, available men. Many grace our salon doors everyday. They are handsome, talented, polite, fun loving and …….I wish i was single!

Mr Cliff Chow, leading man of a major contracting company, responsible for most Gap store interiors, likes it stirred (not shaken). Here the thirty four year old flaunts his inimitable Washington, D.C. charm.

-What is your profession?

I am a professional construction manager, corporate account executive and commercial general contractor.

-Why did you choose it?

Family tradition

-Where did you study?

Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia

-What is your passion?

Construction, karaoke, dancing, cooking, friends and people in general

-Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

On my own yacht somewhere in the Caribbean

-Favorite D.C. restaurant?

Jaleo, Tony Cheng, Taro

-Favorite clothing store?

Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss, Burberry and Saks

-What do you do for fun?

Check into a fine hotel, go out for a nice dinner, karaoke, clubbing and then back to the hotel for a nightcap and…….

-Wine or beer?

Wine

-Is the cup half full or half empty?

Half full

-If you were to be reincarnated, what would you like to come back as?

A lounge owner

-When were you happiest?

NOW

-Favorite Motto?

Doing something is better than doing nothing

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He is one of the most charming men I have ever met.This interview and picture does him no justice.He is one of those people that has the X -Factor.You only need to be around him to feel that he is a positive influence on the universe.Tell me what you think of Cliff,I will post the results soon.Cant wait to publish the rest of interviews.Have a Great day .