Christmas Shopping

I hope everyone had a Happy Healthy Thanksgiving! For me it is quiet time with loved ones, a time to relax and reflect on blessings. One of the blessings I am thankful for this year was the opportunity to start my own skincare line "Get Glowing". So in the spirit of getting ready for the Holiday Season and all the shopping that goes along with it, I wanted to fill you in on my Get Glowing "Cyber Monday / Holiday Promo".

One of the main reasons I started "Get Glowing" was to help people. Now that Black Friday  has passed, Cyber Monday is here and Christmas just around the corner, I want to be a blessing. How am I doing that? By offering 15% OFF entire order NOW through Midnight Monday December 24th.

GET IT:
http://www.skinorder.com/Store.aspx?sid=10959

15% OFF Entire Order "Cyber Monday / Holiday Promo" with Coupon Code:4D3E64BB02FC

"Get Glowing" is Medical grade skincare that delivers remarkable visible results without irritation. The result - healthy glowing skin. Cutting edge skincare formulations for men and women of all skin types that deliver results, not broken promises. The very same products I've used on my skin for over 10 yrs. causing random strangers in public to stop and ask about that "Glow".

With so many things to do, have you stopped to take time for yourself? Christmas and The Holidays will be here before you know it. Get Glowing products make the perfect gift for you, your friends, family and loved ones! So what are you waiting for? Try it for yourself and learn to love your skin again. Happy Shopping! 

Blessings, Love & Get Glowing ~
Ava xo
www.avaaston.com

Break The Internet

OK we get it... you want everyone in the entire world to see you naked. Duly noted.

Now that some of the dust has settled and almost everyone in the universe has seen Kim Kardashian naked yet again I thought it would be a good time to add my two Greek cents to the controversy. Anyone who has been reading my blog for any amount of time just had to know I would have something to say about this muckery.

First to the people who say Kim Kardashian has absolutely no talent whatsoever and that she is famous for "not being talented", I beg to differ. Mrs. West is extremely talented in keeping her mug or in this case her naked body in the public eye. Thus further driving her fame and income. So to that I have to say she does have a talent, she is a talented business woman.

What I don't understand is why is she and so many others like her today are so fixated on people seeing their naked bodies? Really I just don't get it. I mean private parts, big deal, we all have them. Why on earth are people so obsessed with the entire world seeing them naked anymore? Is nothing sacred?

For that matter why don't we all just run around naked? Everyone from babies to grandpas. It would be a whole lot cheaper not to have to buy clothes and shoes. Heck why not break all the rules and just do everything in public. Like maybe have sex with whatever or whomever we want any time we want. How about just making it the "norm" to go to the bathroom in public while were at it too?

Seriously leads me to wonder where is the line. Why does it keep moving so far, where will it stop, if it stops at all? Makes me very sad for the generation coming up today. My little niece and nephews are growing up in a generation that isn't striving to become Dr.'s, Lawyers, Scientists, Astronauts, to cure Cancer or Ebola... but instead are striving to get the perfect "selfie" and to be "famous". To really make something of their lives, you know by making it into American Idol, Dancing With The Stars or the ultimate sign you have really made it in today's society, to get your own Reality TV show.

Makes me wish Kim Kardashian or someone would actually just break the internet once and for all. That it would be broken so I couldn't even write this blog. No Facebook, no Instagram, no Google. Maybe then people would stop trying to "capture" the perfect moment and start living their moments. Actually get their heads out of their devices and talk to each other again. Or shall I say "learn how" to talk to each other.

Has anyone besides me noticed that the more "connected" we become as a society the less we are communicating? It is happening everywhere you turn, from the workplace to shopping, even eating out. People seem more and more to have a difficult time making eye contact, and they appear to be so wrapped up in their own noggins that they are not even actively participating in what they are doing. Whether it's taking your order at Panera, the person ringing you up at the store, even at places you would think they would be paying attention, like your doctors office. I could sit here and relate over a dozen episodes from just the last two weeks that would make you wonder if someone from the invasion of the body snatchers hadn't kidnapped some peoples brains. Never in my lifetime have I seen people so disengaged in their present activity.

I'm guessing you have seen and experienced similar situations in your own life. Now I know "Change" is supposed to be good and sometimes it is.  Not all change though actually is good. Better, faster, sooner, NOW... The "Now Generation". We're moving so stinking fast that we don't even have time to experience the present moment. For crying out loud this year stores have even moved "Black Friday" up by rolling out the deals two weeks before Thanksgiving. Some stores are going to be open all day on Thanksgiving and I just heard that Kmart will be open for 48 hrs straight... What the heck in the world? How can anyone "Give Thanks" if we are focused on getting to the next deal?

Slow down. Speaking of slowing down, so I'm sitting on the couch Friday night with my husband minding my own business. It's about 6:30pm EST and were eating dinner. I look up to see a commercial for a new cable show. Before I even realize what it is for, smack dab on my TV is a threesome, you read right, a threesome. Two girls and a guy were sitting in a bathtub naked on my TV screen at 6:30pm on a Friday night. I almost dumped my dunkins on my lap. Now if you think your squeaky clean Greek Girl next door was shocked to see that image, just imagine what the little kids who were innocently watching TV at the time must have been thinking. Especially those who do not have solid loving parents to guide them.

Which leads me to a very important question. How is it that the FCC can fine someone for saying the "F" word on TV or the radio, but think it perfectly acceptable to advertise a "Me'nage a' Trois" on cable television at 6:30PM. For that matter why would a network put a show centered around a newly divorced woman with children and her sex life on TV? I mean really... who cares? The writers in Hollyweird really can not come up with anything more interesting to do a new show about? Bueller, hello calling Ferris Bueller.

Personally I would love to see people like Kim Kardashian using their "celebrity" status to sprinkle more positive into the world. Can you imagine if people like her used their finances and influence to set a positive example for kids growing up today? Just let your mind wander on that for a minute. I'm not saying everyone should dress like a church nun and retreat from the world going back into the 1950's.

Imagine how much impact could be made in peoples lives if celebrities actually paid attention to the fact that people are watching them, and they are influencing future generations whether they want to or not. We the people have a choice. Personally I'm  speaking as a Christian who is bothered by what I see in society today. This isn't just for Christians though, this question is to everyone. We have a choice. We can either retreat from the world and pop culture, or we can dig our heels in and decide we are going to impact it in a positive way. Whether that impact is something as simple as buying or not buying or watching things that don't fall in line with your values. Or using your gifts and talents to positively impact the world through business, art, music, and culture. Because if we don't do it, someone else will... Ask yourself honestly, do you like what you see?

Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava xo
www.avaaston.com

Christmas Muckery

All I want for Christmas is - people to stop acting like the world is going to end!

I know this is "supposed to be" the season of peace, joy, love and giving - yadda, yadda.  Well, for some reason some people in my neck of the woods sure didn't get the memo.  I don't know if it's the economy, Hurricane Sandy or that Obama is still the president and either some people are pissed and others are still high on wacky weed and claiming residency in Colorado but still living here or what.  All I know is that little thing known as "The Christmas Spirit" sure has been missing round here.

What am I talking about?  Well, let's put it this way, I was quite literally accosted the other day while walking into the post office.  Yes you heard me right.  Picture this.  My sweetie drops me off with arms full of packages and cards to be shipped when all of a sudden a guy in a large SUV starts backing up and almost hits our car.  Next thing you know he's jumping out of his car screaming at us and calling me everything under the sun.  For those of you who know me, you'd be proud to know I just sat there and grinned while I waited for my sweetie to come back and join me to get in line.  But then this jerk decided to jump in my face and almost knock me over while calling me the "C" Word.  Then I flipped and had to do something ( I mean he was an inch from my Greek noggin and flailing his arms in the air like he was going to hit me...)  So I kicked him in the shin of course, he had it coming and besides I had to get him away from me.  I mean what in the Heck in the World is wrong with people?!?

All I know is Christmas is not what it used to be.  Sure, I'm not a kid anymore but really, when did Christmas become all about ruining Thanksgiving and starting 24 hour shopping hours before the turkey was even carved?  Don't forget the week-long black friday and cyber monday deals, X-Box lines and Neimen Marcus at Target?  Seriously, this is insane!!  Who in their right mind cares about Neimen Marcus at Target?  Anyone who waited in line overnight to buy a Marc Jacobs glitter purse from Target needs to get their head checked.

It's like you would think the world were coming to an end and they had to get the last deal of their life.  Newsflash - the Mayan's were wrong people!!!  Get over it already.  Life will go on regardless of if you get that Nook or Kindle.  This just begs the question, Where is the fire?  It's like there are a bunch of mind-numb robots on crack driving like they are in a Nascar race in the Target Parking lot.  Which is what caused my mom to blurt out in frustration, "What is with these stupid Christmassholes!?!?"  Which caused me the Greek Girl to choke on my coffee and nearly get in a car accident; yes another one!  That would be the last thing I needed this Christmas.

So this Christmas we are in protest of this nonsense and how chaotic and out of touch everyone is.  Instead of a Christmas wish list and musically choreographed Christmas lights we decided to not put up a tree or do any sort of decorating.  Instead we are just spending time with family and remembering to stay away from the muckery at the malls.  But most of all, we are keeping in mind the most important thing, that JESUS is the "REAL REASON" for the season people.

In the meantime if you want something to help put a smile on your face and break the monotony of the Christmas muckery, here is the "Ava The Diva" Christmas Cartoon episode for your viewing pleasure.

Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava xo
www.avaaston.com

Expectations

I like doing my own thing - regardless of what others around me are doing.

Life is full of them.  Everywhere you go and everything you do expectations are everywhere.  Sometimes they are obvious and other times not so much.  It's like the song, "Signs" by Tesla.  We are always faced with signs and expectations put on us by people and circumstances around us.  The song says it quite well, "Long hair freaky people need not apply."  My question is, "Why not?".

What am I talking about?  Well, take this week for example, it was Thanksgiving.  So what is it everyone immediately equates with Thanksgiving?  Turkeys.  But why?  (I know Greek Girl did take history... and I know it was the Pilgrims giving Thanks for surviving) But why can't we do the unexpected?  Why do we have to get together with the whole entire family?  Why do so many people follow it up with a trip to the mall on Black Friday?  If you ask me it's because we are programmed to thinking and doing what is expected of us.  So, instead this year we did things different at the Aston house.  We had a London Broil cooked on the grill with a little A-1 Steak-sauce.

A-1, It's how Thanksgiving is done. :)

Now take me for example.  I am an independent recording artist who aspires to be an internationally known act on the same level as The Goo Goo Dolls and Kelly Clarkson.  But because I am over 20 years old people tell me I can't be serious and have to give up.  Or they hear I would love to be able to perform on Broadway and immediately I am told the "standard expectations" that go along with if you can even be considered for Broadway.  Then my all-time favorite is that because I am married I should have 2.5 kids by now, love sewing, and be up baking apple pies at 5AM.  Nope no way, my honey does the cooking around here while I'm downstairs in my sanctuary working out!  That's just how we roll.  And we don't have kids, we have dogs.

Don't get me wrong, I am all for a good apple pie but really?  Why all the silly expectations?  Why the rules and the stereotypical answers to everyday situations?  It's like my newest song, "I Don't Even Care" (lyric video below), that talks about this very thing.  There are tons of people and expectations we place on ourselves and molds we try to fit into in order to do what - keep up with the Jones' - or to please others?

All I am saying is, life is way too short to not do what you want and not what others expect of you.  It's one thing to be respectful and to maintain a civilized manner and of course obey the law.  That's not what I am talking about.  I am saying, too many times in each of our lives we are faced with people and situations - mostly people who don't like our choices.  They feel like they are an expert at how you can best live your own life.  They act like because they have been around the block a time or two that the rules and situations they encountered must exist for everyone including you.  This is especially true to those who are either close to us in our own lives or they are the gate-keepers who can help you along your journey.

Basically, I see it like this.  God gave us all a free will.  He also called us to stand out and to go the extra mile.  He even said we should walk the road less traveled.  People will know us by our fruit and if we are all bearing the same exact fruit all the time, then how will they know us to be any different?  How will people want to come to know God through us?  For that matter, how will God know us as being responsible with the gifts He gave us?  He put in each of our hearts a gift and talents.  Each of which are specific for our purpose here on Earth.  So, in order to fulfill that purpose, one that can only be fulfilled by yourself, then you can't live by the expectations and rules placed on you by others.

Blessings, Love & Music~
Ava xo :)
www.avaaston.com 

Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday, shop til your mouse drops, or carpal tunnel whichever comes first...

Well friends if you have spent any time on the computer this weekend I'm sure you couldn't miss the ads bombarding you for Cyber Monday.  Cyber Monday?... Um it is still Friday (at least it was when I started typing this blog) Seriously?...  Not to be a Debbie Downer or anything but I have to ask - What is becoming of us as a society, really.  Is nothing sacred anymore, or is it just me?  I mean my leftover cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes are not even gone yet, and the media has already gone gaga over Christmas or shall I say the glorification of the "commercialism" of it.

Now, don't get me wrong the Greek Girl loves shopping just as much as anyone does.  What gets me is the fact that the meaning of the holidays is getting lost entirely in the whirlwind of shopping, decorating, shopping online and everything the media tells us we "should or could be doing" or better yet buying.  I hate to have to be the one to point this out, but there are just some things that can not be put into a package and placed underneath a tree.  What ever happened to spending time with the special people in our lives who make our lives worth living? How about taking time to reflect about what we have to be thankful for and how blessed we are.  I don't know about you, but when I heard about the "Pepper Spray Mom" in California my noggin almost burst.  What in the world would possess an individual to do such a thing? And this woman is raising children mind you, (scary thought).  Think about it, she pepper sprayed people over an X-Box.  I hope they do find her and I hope they lock her up and through away the key.   What kind of example is that to her kids?... "Oh it's ok honey, this is how you get what you want in life, you just hurt other people as long as you get what you want"... Sad.

I know some people enjoy the thrill of the deal and all the power to them, I love a good deal (just ask Mr. Bricks when he is looking for me and I'm not answering my phone because I'm at Kohls spending my hard earned Kohl's cash) ;D but... when the shopping gets out of control it just really makes me wonder.  This year some stores opened as early as 9pm... on Thanksgiving Day.  I mean I know the people who work in retail know they are going to have to work holidays, etc. but what about letting people have a little time to relax. Just my humble Greek Blonde opinion.

Anyway, as for me I stayed home on Black Friday and I will be home on Cyber Monday, but not typing away on my keyboard for deals.  I will be typing away to drive my fans from all my social media to visit my kickstarter campaign.  What?!?!?... you still have not gone to pledge yet?... What in the world are you waiting for?  You can be a part of making my New Album for just $1.00 download and you get a cool song to listen to while you are spinning through the mall or while you're staying home like me! ;-D  (Click the link below to learn more and get involved)

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/avaaston/ava-aston-new-album

Christmas is not about the gifts.  It is about Jesus, it is time to love your family, friends and cherish the short time we are here on this earth. To make memories and to give to others, yes some people chose to give presents and there is nothing wrong with that, I just wish it would be a little less commercial I guess.  Anyway, I wish you a beautiful blessed day!

Love & Music ~
Ava :D xox
www.avaaston.com

Click here to learn about my KickStarter.com Campaign and how you can get involved.

Anticipating Black Friday

Seriously, just thinking about Black Friday makes me almost pee my pants. I know that is not very mature of me, but there is something about getting up at the butt crack of dawn, standing in line, enduring sub-zero temperatures just to go shopping that makes me lose control of all of my body functions.

Maybe it is more than just getting great discounts on what I am buying or hearing about hourly "door busters" over a crackly store PA system. Maybe it is actually a genetic defect.

There could be something in my DNA makeup that makes it ok in my Greek pea-sized brain to want to do what I do on Black Friday. I am just glad I am not alone.  Especially on Black Friday I wear my shopping addiction proudly with many other like-minded people!

To me this is no crazier than a grown man wanting to paint their face in the colors of their favorite football team to watch the Superbowl. Can I have an Amen Sister Ava, on that one fellow shoppers? And certainly not as crazy as my manager Mr. Bricks standing in line all night to be the first person to be able to buy a McRib when McDonald's puts them back on the menu.

I do think that Black Friday is like the Superbowl to us shoppers. And like the game of football, this is very much a team sport. Before the big game we all can be found tailgating the night before in the parking lot of our favorite store. Even before that we have to get the Thanksgiving day newspaper which has all of the store ads. This helps us develop the best game plan for the big day. Then there is A flurry of phone calls back and forth between friends to determine whose going to cover what store and when.

You can spot a professional Black Friday shopper from an amateur a mile away.

An amateur is standing in line all giddy still looking at the store ads and talking about what they want to get. That's like a bad poker player going all in on the ante when dealt  a set of aces. I am a professional. I prefer not to show my poker hand. Afterall, we all know there are only so many Keurig B155 Brewing Systems that are being sold at 70% off. The last thing you want to do is to tip-off the Mormon family of 5 sister wives and 17 children in front of you that you want one of the huge discounted coffee makers. Then they could run to the coffee maker aisle and grab all of the brewing systems. People have been trampled to death for things far less than a coffee pot! Oh, wait that was a bad example, Mormon's don't drink coffee do they? Well hopefully you get my point.

Like me, any professional Black Friday shopper worth their weight in salt will have done their due diligence and only show up at the tailgate party wearing their poker face. They will have committed the entire sale's brochure to memory. This tactic also tends to psyche out the amateurs.

Wearing the right clothes is also a very important part of the Black Friday shopping experience. It should be common sense that standing in line is going to be colder than running your butt off trying to find crap that you really don't need. After a few minutes inside it'll feel like the sauna at the Grand Wailea Spa on the island of Maui. Layered clothing is a must.

So you need to start off dressed warm and have layers of clothes that you can peel off and just leave behind. Gather a few old sweatshirts, maybe a hat and an old pair of gloves that you were going to be donating to the Goodwill anyway. They can keep you warm as you are tailgating. Then right before the doors of the store open you can take them off and be lighter and more mobile to navigate the narrow crowded store aisles. Since these are old clothes, you can just drop them right there. There is no need to run back to the car and risk losing your place in line. Besides, this is much better than running around the store looking like Sasquatch in one of those puffy full length coats.

There are other Black Friday survival tricks up this Greek blonde girl's sleeve, like making sure I go to the ATM earlier in the week and shopping just with cash instead of using a debit or credit card.

Each year there is a huge delay in processing debit and credit cards because the demand is so high throughout the day. Nothing would be worse than having a 60% off Blu-Ray disc player and then not being able to buy it because your card's bank lines are down. Besides, the quicker you can check out the quicker you can get to the next store. Cash rules on Black Friday - just sayin'

As a professional, there are other things I could share, but I don't want to tip my hand completely. Afterall, you might be in line in front of me. Right?

Blessings,

Ava

xox

Please visit my website at www.avaaston.com