Glowosity

Wanna get the Greek Girl Glow? Here's how, I'm spilling all of my secrets.

In the fall of 2014 I launched my own skincare line called "Get Glowing". The feedback has been fantastic so far! People getting real results, which makes me one happy girl!

One thing though that might possibly have caused wrinkles to appear on my greek mug is, some people were not clear that the line is for both Men and Women. So being the kind of girl who wants to get it "100% right"... I went back to the salt mines to come up with a name and logo that would make it clear my skincare line is unisex.

Well... it's finally here "Glowosity". The trademark is submitted, the website is up, and now the official Facebook page is open. www.facebook.com/glowosity

This is your invitation to "like" it and see what can happen when you try medical strength skincare that delivers remarkable visible results without irritation, and reveal healthy glowing skin. The very same products I use on my skin that cause random strangers in public to stop and ask about that "Glow".

Most people know me as an Independent Recording Artist and Actor. What some might not know is that I grew up the daughter of a cosmetologist, and was always around beauty products. As a teenager I learned the importance of proper skincare and it's effects on aging. The rest as they say is history.

I'm a confessed skincare junkie and have tried every product the market has to offer. From drugstore brands, to pharmaceutical products, I've broken the code and found what really works. People joke and ask how I can be "Aging in reverse". Often stopped in public by strangers, people ask about my "glowing skin", some actually whip out a pen and paper to write down what I tell them. My secret, it's just five minutes in the morning and five minutes at night combined with no nonsense high quality medical grade skincare that delivers results, not broken promises.

I'm super excited to offer people the same revolutionary skincare I have been using on my own skin most of my adult life. The majority of people don't have access to products with this level of ingredients without a prescription or a hefty price tag directly from a dermatologist. "Glowosity" will offer everyone access. No gimmicks, no gotcha's, just cutting edge skincare formulations for men and women of all skin types that deliver revolutionary results.

How can YOU Get It? Easy!  www.glowosity.com 

You get what you pay for, but that doesn't mean one must break the bank to get their hands on physician formulated skincare. I'm Greek remember? (which is code for "must buy it on sale", and sale is an old Greek word that means "you must buy it now"). So I'm all about getting a good deal and getting the best value for your money.  "Glowosity"  skincare is medical strength and it's affordable. The best part, no one is going to bother you to join something, start selling something or re-bill your credit card. You order what when you want, when you want - period. No appointment necessary, you get the products without paying a doctor visit fee and hefty markup.

Regardless of your age or gender there are five simple steps to getting and keeping healthy glowing skin. Simple steps that everyone should be doing morning and night. So I recommend everyone start with six products - five steps. We are all different and everyone's skin is not the same, so "Glowosity" is not a one size fits all "pre made kit". You choose what you want, based on your needs. The steps don't change but the specific products can. The five steps and products work synergistically together - that's what makes the change and delivers Revolutionary Results.

Some may think they can order a moisturizer, yet skip the cleanser, toner, serum and eye treatment but still expect to see earth shattering results... think again. In order for the product to get in to do it's job it has to be able to get "to" your skin. Think about it... a lot of people look older than they could or should simply because they have layer, upon layer, upon layer of dead skin sitting on their face. Trust me people, exfoliation is your friend. Finding the right products and being consistent with them is the key.

1. Cleanser
2. Toner
3. Eye Cream *(If you're a woman, eye make up remover first)
4. Serum
5. Moisturizer - One for AM and one for PM *(Why two, because they do different things.)

So that's it! Six products in five steps, the secret to getting and keeping healthy glowing skin! I'm offering a #Facebook Page LAUNCH PROMO!

25% OFF ALL ORDERS - Just enter Code:  6569AA10E9F1  at check out! NOW through July 6th!

"Glowosity" offers Cutting edge skincare formulations for Men and Women of all skin types that delivers results, not broken promises. So what are you waiting for? Try it for yourself, and learn to love your skin again. If you have any questions or need help choosing products, please feel free to message via Facebook or the website - I'm here to help!

Dictionary Definition of "Glowosity"

Have a beautiful blessed day!

Blessings ~
Ava xo
www.glowosity.com
www.avaaston.com

He's Back

I was kinda hoping he wasn't going to visit this year...

Just when I thought we might get to skate through the winter without any major snow events, it looks as if my fantasy winter forecast may just have a rude awakening. In case you missed it, the weather experts are saying Old Man Winter is about to rear his ugly head and dump what's touted as "historic" amounts of snow on the North East in the next few days. This in and of itself enough to make me want to grab the Mister., the furkids, and flip flops and head south for the winter. Add this onto the muckery of late and you have a full blown chaos factory. What kind of chaos?...

Well it all started like this. My Yaya went to be with the Lord recently. So we traveled a few hours north to attend the memorial service and visit family. Sad yes because she will be missed by everyone, but also happy because she was such an inspiring and kind woman who touched so many people in her ninety years on this earth. She immigrated from Greece as a young girl of twenty two years of age and lived what really was the American Dream. She waited in line, went to school and learned to read and write English and then passed her exam to become an American citizen. She married her true love, raised three wonderful children, worked hard, never demanded anything from this country, and never took a penny she did not earn. As my uncle Chris so eloquently stated... a sharp contrast to whats going on in our country today.

Spending time with family to reflect and honor such a wonderful woman was enough. Grief as many have experienced can be hard. I found happiness though the day of the memorial, the morning was cold and snowy. When we came out of the luncheon at the church the skies we bright blue with blazing sunshine. The neatest part of this was my Papoo had passed just over a year earlier and he was obsessed with the weather. He was always talking about the weather and it was almost like they were giving everyone the sign that they were together and happy with Jesus.

So Saturday rolls around and it's time to pack up the car and go home. We stopped for a hot cup of magic a la Dunkins for the road and off we went. We get not thirty miles from town when all of the sudden while driving down the highway the cruise control shuts off and this yellow coil looking do-dad light comes on in the dash. The car starts to slow down and acts as if it is not getting any power from the accelerator. I'm thinking "What in the heck in the world is happening on with our 2013 German tank aka VW Passat TDI"? Normally I'm gushing to everyone about the 40+ mpg we get, how we just love love love our TDI, and how we can get from NY to FL on two tanks of diesel. Saturday night however, I was singing a different song.

After much sputtering, shaking, the coil light going off never to go back on, then the  engine light coming on, and a terrible wind whistle noise coming from the engine which eventually led to a burning smell, and three calls to roadside assistance, turning the car off and doing everything they told us... We found ourselves stranded in the middle of rural upstate NY on a cold dark side road with not one, not two, but five furkids in the car with us. Thankfully we were only thirty miles from family who came to rescue us and our belongings while the tow truck took Paul Passat off to the nearest VW dealer. Where it will sit until Monday morning when the dealer opens. After getting to safety lo and behold we discovered we are not the only ones this has happened to. The internet is full of people who had the exact same thing happen. The cruise control turns off while driving and end up just like we did. It turns out, in many of these cases it is the turbo blown and engine as well.

You can bet your bottom dollar that this Greek girl is going to be on the phone with VW ASAP. Especially since our car has only 25,000 miles on it, is under warranty, is also a certified preowned, and worst of all it has been into several service departments for a "hesitation issue" with the acellerator. Where we described to them that it felt like it was not getting power when pushing gas pedal and a sputtering at times. Only to be told it was "nothing to worry about", that they did a computer update on the transmission that should take care of it. According to what we found on the internet there has been a known issue going on with the TDI's in this model year and we were never made aware.

So on top of sorting out trying to get our car fixed we will be trying to get home just in time to get a wallop from old man winter as he makes his 2015 debut. Frustrating yes, but at the same time all fixable. At the end of the day it's all a matter of perspective. I can complain because we got stuck on the highway at night, or I can be happy that we have a newer car that actually is under a warranty. I can be annoyed that there is a major snowstorm on it's way or I can be happy I'm still here to complain about it... No matter what is going on, the most important thing is that we live every day to it's fullest. Something that my Yaya did.

Times might not always be perfect, and yes they may even be hard. Every day there is something to learn and a new chance to plant seeds in the lives of those around us. So grab that shovel and get ready to welcome Old Man Winter back for what hopefully is a short stay.

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

The Mondays

Look Familiar?

It happens to the best of us. You wake up on a Monday excited to tackle the week ahead, jump out of bed and before your feet hit the floor it starts... Muckery.

I don't let days like this get me down, we all have them so I figure what's the point in letting it get me down. In my mind it's better to just plug away and eventually it will pass. Well last week I had one of those days. It was so bad in fact it ended up with one of my furkids at the emergency vet. Although it was quite annoying at the time, eventually it all worked out and looking back I even found some humor in the whole episode. So I thought I'd share it so the next time one of you is having a case of "The Monday's" you might think about Greek Girl and realize we all have them. You're not alone, just breathe and it will pass (a lot faster too if you try to find some humor in the situation).

It was Monday morning, I had a commercial audition in the city so I got ready and drove in like any other day. The audition was in a silly part of town where there is no meter parking for miles. The few meters that are available are either taken or too far away from my destination that by the time I walk to the audition; I will end up having to turn around to go feed the meter again because they are only one hour meters. So after driving around in circles I decided to bite the bullet and park. It would be $50 bucks for one hour. My audition appointment was at 12:10pm.

I think it's funny that casting directors give out appointments and have a cow if anyone shows up late. On the other hand they can make actors wait for hours as if it's no big deal at all. So I walk in and it is like a giant romper room. Toddlers and young kids everywhere literally bouncing off the walls, parents on iPads and cell phones totally oblivious to the fact that their kid are acting like animals. I sign in and ask the assistant who is doing the sign in's if she has any idea if they are running on time. She looks at me like I have six heads and says "Appointment times are out the window today, I can't give you a time just wait". I'm thinking oh gee nice, I'm glad I made it on time and am paying $50 to park.

I sat down and began to take it all in. We have a word in the Greek language for what was going on "χάος" it means Chaos! So after basking in the chaos for almost an hour they had seen a whopping one set of people for the role. It was for a family: a mom and two young kids for a food product. I could not wait any longer due to the $50/hr parking garage, so I asked if I could leave and come back - little miss sunshine aka the assistant said OK.

So I went back to the garage paid the $50 bucks, retrieved my car and drove around for about  half an hour to find some meter parking. Finally after what seemed like forever I found a spot on the corner of 30th street and 3rd avenue. I had to be extra careful to park not touching the white line (or the parking natzis will tow the car) yet far enough from the car behind me so my car would not get hit if they tried to leave. I maneuvered Jillian Jetta in the perfect spot which wasn't easy I might add as she is a 6 speed. I got out, fed the meter, got the receipt and walked back to the car. Put the ticket on the dash and was set to leave to walk back to the audition. No sooner do I lock the door does the guy behind me yell out the window he is leaving that I can have his spot.... UGG now I'm already on the meter clock. See you have to be back to the car by the time on the meter or guess what? You guessed it a ticket. So in cecil the turtle mode he leaves and I back up to his spot. I grab my stuff and run the four blocks back to the casting.

I go back upstairs (runnning four flights of stairs as the elevator is old fashioned and the operator is out to lunch) to find no movement in the casting order.  Apparently the software broke and in all the time I'd been gone they only saw one more group. Ov Vey! So I wait, and since I had to be back to my meter within an hour to avoid a ticket, guess what happened? Yup I had to leave again to go feed the meter. So I ran the four blocks back to the car, fed the meter, and returned. Finally after almost three hours of total Muckery I was able to be seen for the casting. I did a great job and kept my cool despite the circumstances. It didn't hurt that they paired me up with some adorable kids who did a great job.

I left and got over to the West Side Highway just in time to be stuck in afternoon rush hour with all the other people who live outside the city and commute in. I finally got home about five. At this point all I want to do is workout. So instead of feeding the furkids like normal, I decided to give them a treat to hold them over and feed them "after" my workout. I gave them all small pieces of the fruit from the smoothie I was making with my Nutribullet in addition to some doggie cookies.

Right about then the monsoon started complete with thunder and lightening and torrential rain. One of the furkids "Pepe" is horribly afraid of thunder so I had to stop and get his doggie drugs in him fast (all natural no worries a little melatonin and "Rescue Remedy" drops to calm him down). I changed into my workout clothes and was about to go down to the workout room when I heard a bunch of commotion from the doggie room.

I rush in and find "Punkin" turning blue and four piles of throw up. Her eyes are all bugged out and she doesn't even look like herself. I grabbed her put her in the car and rushed to the emergency vet in the pouring rain. It was raining so hard I couldn't see. Thank God I got there in time... she threw up a piece of apple at home but I didn't realize she had stolen one of the other furkids apples because we found out later this is what was stuck in her throat.

They X-Rayed her and found that in addition to swallowing an entire baby carrot whole she had a triangle shaped thing stuck in her throat. They did emergency surgery to push the item down with a tube. They were unable to get it into the stomach, only to the bottom of the esophagus. They had to wait overnight for the specialist to come to do the next step which would have been endoscopic surgery to push the item from the bottom of her esophagus where they got it the night before into her stomach.

Needless to say it was a long night. The 6am X-Ray showed the triangle in the same spot. Then at 11:30am the vet called me to tell me they would try one more thing before doing the endoscopy which would have been another $1,200 or more. They fed her a tiny amount of baby food with some powder dye on it. Then re X-Rayed her, this time they found the little triangle was in her tummy. They called me to tell me I could take her home. With medicine and no hard food for a week, as her little throat was all inflamed from the trauma.

"Punkin" being sprung from the emergency vet!

The moral of the story... Sometimes you can make a bad day worse by putting off something. Although it wasn't intentional and I consider myself to be a very responsible dog owner, I put off feeding them when I got home because I wanted to workout. Which I never got to do anyhow because I had to rush "Punkin" to the vet. I didn't want to wait for them to eat, then take them out in the rain to do their business. I figured it'd be faster to give them a snack and feed them after. Even though they have dry food down all day, they love their special mash I make them every day. Had I just done it when I got home I quite possibility might never had had to spend a long night and a ton of money at the emergency vet.

An expensive lesson, but never give your furkids anything that is not mashed up or soft enough to go down their throats. The vet said they see dogs with apples stuck in their throats a lot. So the next time the Mondays come creeping up on you just sit back, take a breath and smile. The rain will stop eventually and if you find some humor in the situation somewhere, it will make it go a lot faster.  Looking back on it I realized you just can't make this tuff up. Life, it happens to the best of us... enjoy it, it's the only one we have.

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

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

You know how when you go on a trip or a vacation and you are having so much fun you simply forget about time? Well that is exactly what has happened to Greek Girl. It's hard to believe it but ten years ago today I married my best friend and very favorite person in the whole entire world. So weird I just can not believe we have been married for a decade. Which they say is the "Tin Anniversary".

It all started back on June 9, 2002. I went to an audition for an independent film in NYC on a sunny Sunday afternoon. There I was standing in line minding my own business reading a book and I happened to look up and Bam! I saw the most gorgeous man I had ever laid eyes on and my heart literally stopped. I found out later that he had the same exact reaction or thoughts in his head when he walked up and saw me standing there. We started talking when he asked me about the sign-up sheet for the line and have not stopped talking since. We found out we had quite a lot in common like we were both left handed, both born in September making us both Virgo's, had the same color eyes, both loved loved loved coffee, pizza and a whole slew of other things that make us love spending time together. In fact in the over eleven years since we met each other we have only been apart three days when he had to go away on a modeling job to Poland, and one other time for work for five days. He is my very best friend in the whole entire world to this day.

One of our 1st Dates.

In fact I was so smitten I even wrote a song about him three days after we met while sitting in Bryant Park in NYC. It's called "I Adore You" and in case you haven't listened to it, here it is: https://soundcloud.com/avaaston/i-adore-you

At Faneuil Hall in Boston

So what kind of fun things can two creative people aspiring to have a career in entertainment do in a decade? Well let me see... move all over the country with anywhere from two to five fur kids in tow depending on when it was (thirteen times to be exact), see Boston, New England, the Grand Canyon, the east coast, west coast, the south including Nashvegas and FL, be in an independent film in Italy together, go to Greece, get engaged on a TV show, rescue several dogs including one tied to a parking meter in NYC, one in Miami while on vacation, and chasing down and after three hours rescuing another one on Hollywood Blvd. in LA, go through not one but two major hurricanes in FL, and all sorts of other muckery episodes including but not limited to getting married in Vegas. 

In Greece at The Acropolis visiting my dad.

What's muckery? Well if you've been reading my blog for any amount of time you already know what muckery is. For those of you who don't; it's a word used to describe the "I Love Lucy-esque Episodes" my husband says that seem to follow us (meaning me) around wherever we go. How does one end up getting married in Vegas you might be wondering? Well you see it happens when you are living in LA which is thousands of miles from family that is located in KS, FL, NH, NY, and Greece and you figure it's easier, cheaper and more memorable to just elope in Vegas of all places and no it was not by Elvis. Keith did something very sweet, he put both of our cell phones in the pocket of his suit, one with my mom on it and one with his mom on it so they could both kinda sorta be there.

Wedding in Vegas

I wouldn't trade our muckery for anything in the world and in fact am looking forward to many many many more muckery filled years with my best friend. I hope everyone in the world finds a best friend like mine.

Here we are today - married a decade... wow.

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

The Final Countdown

Last Day to PLEDGE to "Operation Mustard Seed"!

The Deadline on “Operation Mustard Seed” is FAST approaching. 

If you're a regular reader of my blog you almost definitely know all about Operation Mustard Seed.  However for anyone new to the Greek Girl blog, let me bring you up to speed.  People have been asking for more music, so after a life-changing event, much prayer and reflection I've decided to turn my dream over to God Focusing on making my 1st Faith-Based Contemporary Christian Music Album!  

So my husband Keith (my hero who makes my website, music videos, and pretty much everything you see of Greek Girl besides the music) and I put together a crowd funding campaign on fundanything.com to raise the funds to do the recording through selling Advanced Copies of the New Album & other creative rewards in return for people pledging. I would be honored to have your involvement & support on this journey!

There are many Pledge Options, and all pledges over $5 come with cool REWARDS including Music, Art & More! I believe with all of my heart that my Music & Message have made a Positive Impact.

So, if you're like me and think the world could use a little less #twerking, Auto-Tune & Shock & Awe in Music and more "Music" in the Music Industry that Means Something…. I'm asking YOU to join in helping to make this NEW Album. 

Time is Running Out! ENDS This FRIDAY DEC. 13th!

Please watch the video, I would be honored to have your support and appreciate your time, resources, and sharing the link with friends, family & social media!  Have a Great Day!

PLEDGE Here:

https://fundanything.com/en/campaigns/operation-mustard-seed?col=-29526

Blessings ~
Ava :D
www.avaaston.com

Fund Anything Week One Wrap-Up

A little measure of faith is all it takes to make big things happen.

I Wanted to take minute to say THANK YOU to everyone who has pledged & emailed with encouragement for #OperationMustardSeed the campaign here on #FundAnything for my 1st Faith-Based Album!

Sometimes in life when we step out to do something Big that we feel God is calling us to do it's scary.  This is where I am.  All my life I've been pursuing #music for my reasons… The World is darker than ever, more people need to hear the positive message of #Faith, #Hope & #Love that is Only found in Gods word. When I felt I was being called to step out to CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) vs. just making the Pop/Rock/Country blend I have been doing all my life, I was thinking "God are you sure you want me to do that?… I don't have a record label, a manager, a this, a that, …) on top of just spending the last 2 yrs recovering from not one but 2 car accidents.  Then he showed me that all it takes is the Faith of a Mustard seed.  To stop focusing on what I don't have, focus on what I do have, the talent, the songs and the heart to make an impact, to just step out and let him do the rest.

So… I'm stepping out & asking people to join me.  I believe the best way to share this New Music is to give the people who love my music the chance to Invest. You have the opportunity to be a part of this journey, as I hope this new music will be a part of yours.

I am truly honored to have your support.

Please try to #SHARE Daily!  We've crossed the $1,000 mark… Only 26 Days to GO! (Funding ends Dec. 11th).  Posting at least once a day on social media like twitter, Facebook, etc. really helps!  It is going to take a lot of people to reach the goal - Thank you so very much not only for your support but also for your time!

Please #SHARE :

https://fundanything.com/en/campaigns/operation-mustard-seed

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

Update

Want to catch up? ;o)

It’s been a while since I did an update I apologize for that.  Sometimes you just need to marinate for a little bit, and being an artist that goes double.  I posted a brief update and thank you in the Ava Army regarding the Veewall contest results.  Remember “The Ava Army” is the facebook group I started to keep everyone updated daily during the contest.  What?!... You’re not in “The Ava Army” no worries   ( join here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheAvaArmy/ ) However I wanted to take the opportunity now that some time has passed to get perspective and to let everyone who was so supportive for the long contest or even those new to my music know what has been developing.

First I want to thank everyone again who was with me during that long process.  Many of you took time out every day to vote for me the entire contest and I am grateful for all of your support!  It took a lot out of me.  I don’t normally tell everyone but I wanted to share with you why.  Two years ago my husband Keith and I were rear ended in a bad car accident.  An SUV hit us going approximately 60mph while we were stopped at a stoplight totaling my VW Jetta.  Besides multiple herniated disks and other physical issues we both suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury.  Everything was further worsened by being rear ended a second time while stopped at a stop light (yes I said it your eyes are not playing tricks on you) less than six months later.

Needless to say the car accidents brought everything that was moving forward in my independent music career to a screeching halt.  With my TBI my vision was affected.  Where my eyes do not work together to focus like they should so being on the computer for extended periods of time is well lets just say is not what the Dr. ordered. ;o)

The Veewall contest being a daily voting contest involved endless hours on the computer to inform, request and remind people to vote daily for over three months.  As you can imagine by the end of the contest, coupled with all the cheating by other contestants and the contest’s refusal to adhere to it’s own posted rules… well needless to say Greek Girl needed a big fat break.  Not complaining by any means, I chose to go for it and try for the$100k, it was a gamble I knew it going in.  Hey you win some and you lose some.  When God closes a door, he usually opens a window.  In this case he not only opened a window but he turned Greek Girl around and pointed me in the right direction.  Which is what I want to share with you guys!

Most of you know about my weekly acapella video requests.  During the contest I got very sick (which is odd because I never get sick).  I was so sick in fact I lost my voice and could not even speak for almost three long weeks. In my entire life I have never lost my voice, ever (funny I know hard to imagine miss “I talk too much” not able to talk).  I was honestly afraid I wasn’t ever going to talk again let alone sing.  I would open my mouth and nothing would come out.  It was very frightening and I was sick for almost eight weeks total.

When I did get my voice back the 1^st song requested was “Stronger” by Mandisa. (click here to see it - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qH8YyJRBZs ) Being sick for so long, I had not yet sung it all the way through before I did the video.  Not my normal procedure, but I was so anxious from not being able to sing I wanted to just do it.  Normally I do two or three takes and choose the best one. I’m really picky about pitch so I do a few to pick the best take that has most correct pitch throughout.  After the 1^st take I asked Keith “Was it OK?” he replied with his eyes welled up with tears “It was good and bad, I’ll tell you later, do it again.”  So I did it again, same thing, and onto a third time.  Finally after three takes he said "OK, got it".

So we went upstairs and he said “So, do you want to know why it was good and bad?”  Then he proceeded to tell me that in the beginning of the Veewall contest God told him that I was not going to win, but not to tell me.  Because I was putting all my faith and trust into “man”, not God.  That I had become so frustrated with my career stalling from the car accidents and subsequent ongoing medical treatment, therapy, etc., that I had become obsessed with winning the contest. My voice is my gifting from God, it’s his.  He took it away from me to show me that it is his voice and he can take it away at any time. That he wants me to use it for his purposes, not mine.

Kind of funny that the 1^st song to be requested after being sick was a CCM song. So when I sang that song Keith welled up with tears because he felt God telling him what he told me.  He went onto say “The good news is that is the best I’ve ever heard you sing, the bad news is you’re not supposed to sing anything but CCM”.  What is even funnier is most of the time when I do the acapellas Keith likes take two or three.  Again because I’m really picky about pitch and most times the second or third take is the most accurate throughout.  In this case he chose the 1^st take, and he said when I sang it that first time it was like a release happened.

So I have honestly taken these last months to just be still and let God direct my path.  Most of you reading this have already read my story ( if not click here to read  https://www.facebook.com/notes/ava-aston/this-is-my-story/10151397092436357 ) Music has always been a huge part of my life and I know that God put it in me for a reason.  The what, why, when, where or how, that is not clear yet. What I do know is I love to sing more than anything else and it is something that I do naturally better than I do anything.  Recently I read a note about finding God’s Call on your life.  It said that God’s Calling on your life is combing what you are naturally good at combined with what your heart aches for, in essence what breaks your heart.

Well in my case that is singing, and hurting hearts.  All my life my heart has broken for those in need.  Whether it’s animals, people, any part of Gods creation that is hurting.  The details that I do not know yet.  What I have decided is I am going to follow the leading and pursue CCM Music.  Although I do think putting Music into categories or boxes is limiting.  I think if the industry as a whole didn’t limit it so much it would sell more.  People don’t want to be labeled, people can like all kinds of music regardless of what “Genre Style” their demographics might point to them supposedly liking.

I’ve been being quiet, and writing.  Where it stands now is that I have two to three songs that I will be recording hopefully before Christmas.  Then a new album in the New Year.

With the continued shenanigans going on in the government there has been a lot of interest in my song “We The People” ( watch here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jut7s68pnpg ) We did the original video over four years ago (before it was cool to be conservative) and with limited resources. With renewed enthusiasm for the song building, we decided to do a New Video.  So Keith and I along with a new creative partner, an up and coming cinematographer will be doing a Brand New Video for the song if all goes according to plan to be released before Christmas as well.

In order to facilitate recording new music we decided to do an exclusive combo offer on all my previous music.  So until ALL my CD’s are gone, “The Ava Army Exclusive” combo deal will be available.  Get it ALL:  my 10 song CD titled“Gone”, limited edition CD single “We The People” and a digital download of my latest project titled “I Don’t Even Care” plus an 8x10 autographed photo, with shipping included All for Only $9.99. By buying one you will be a part of making more music as well as getting my music and message out to the masses.

To get the “AVA ARMY EXCLUSIVE” Combo Deal:

http://www.avaaston.com/avaarmyexclusive.html

We’re also working on obtaining backers and sponsors and a tour to benefit a Veteran non-profit I’m involved with is in the works as well.  It is centered around Faith, American Values and Family Friendly.  Keith had been planning it before the accidents, but we are now moving forward towards it.  We have made some changes to my website, please visit www.avaaston.com to check it out.  There is a new "investors/sponsors" button, so if you know of any companies or organizations that fall in line with my values please feel free to send them there.  As well as a donate button where individuals can get involved with any amount to be a part of bringing my music and message out to the masses.

So that my friends is what’s cooking.  The world is getting crazier by the day, we need a lot more light and a lot less of the darkness that has taken over most of the entertainment world.  So I am doing my best with what I have and the gifts I was given to be a part of making a change for the better.  I’m asking you to join me, by buying some music and helping to make it happen!

Thank you so much for your support.

Blessings, Love & Music.

www.avaaston.com

Never Forget

Let us always remember and never forget those that were lost.

Every year shortly after my birthday a sadness comes over me.  No not because I turned another year older silly... but because the anniversary of the terrible events that took place on September 11th.  Like everyone else I can remember exactly where I was that day.  I was actually in a Dunkin Donuts in my hometown about to drive back to NYC, as I had been there having a late birthday celebration with family & friends.  For my regular blog readers I'm sure the fact that Greek Girl was in a Dunkin Donuts at the time is absolutely shocking. ;o) 

Although twelve years have passed it is something that remains fresh in my mind.  So many innocent people lost their lives and so many families were devastated.  It's amazing how some in the media will suggest we need to move on or somehow replace the meaning of that dreadful day.  If you ask me, some of the most amazing and poignant moments in any of our lives are days that live in infamy, such as 9/11.  These days need to be burned into our memories so we don't forget our past and so we can learn for our future.  My hope is that we don't replace the meaning of 9/11 and that we hold it and revere it as being a day of sacred remembrance.  No matter how hard the media and politically correct try to whitewash the true nature of what really happened that day.

Though it is a small bit on my part, I want to take this time to dedicate my song, "I Carry You With Me" (written about grief & loss) to those who were lost and the loved-ones they left behind.  There is not enough that can be said and only so much the message of a song can bring.  My hope is that someway, somehow through it, one can find comfort in the words and it can bring healing.  

Blessings, Love & Music ~

Ava xo
www.avaaston.com

Labor Day Weekend

Looks kind of like what I have in mind...

Did the summer whiz right by or am I just imagining things?  It seems like the mulch episode where I rented a van and scored a bunch of cheap mulch off of craigslist was just a few weeks ago.  Yes I did just say that, don't know what I'm talking about read all about it here.  However it wasn't just a few weeks ago, it was three months ago.

Boy time sure did fly this summer.  Which probably means I spent way too much time working and not enough time enjoying the Sunshine.  Don't get me wrong I'm not complaining, I love the fact that I am able to pursue the thing that I Love music and acting.  Living so close to NYC and yet not "in" it if you know what I mean.  Although I will say that huffing it from audition to audition in different parts of the city when it's 95 degrees isn't as fun as say sitting on the beach getting some vitamin D therapy.  Thank goodness there's a Dunkin's on just about every corner to keep me hydrated with iced cups of happiness to beat the heat! 

Well since the last official weekend of Summer is almost upon us it got me to thinking that I better hurry up and get in some fun in the sun before the snow starts flying.  They say it is going to be higher than average snowfall for us here in the Northeast this year... shocking.

So what am I going to do this weekend?  Hit the beach, detail the VW's Jillian Jetta & Joel Jetta, walk the fur-kids, work on some of the new music I have been writing, and relax.  Oh yeah and the best part... my Birthday is coming and that means my yearly specially made Cartman Birthday Cake will be coming from my mom next week, which means Happy Greek Girl!

Hope you have a fun and safe Labor Day weekend!

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

Autumn's In The Air

The best part of waking up                                                 when there's a chill in the air...

It's here.  It's always bitter sweet for me because there's nothing I loathe more than putting away my flip flops and replacing them in my closet with my Uggs.  It's bitter for many reasons including the one I just mentioned.  Sweet, because Autumn is actually my favorite season.  Why is Greek Girl yapping about the coming change of season when the world appears to be imploding before our very eyes?  Well, I can't write about politics every week. Besides if I don't take a break my noggin might just spontaneously combust.

Growing up in Upstate New York it is not hard to understand why I love fall so much.  It is one of the most beautiful places in the Northeast.  We have Lake George, the Adirondack Mountains, Niagara Falls, and many more amazing destinations to experience. There are always festivals, farmers markets, hot air balloon shows, the Pumpkin Farm, Hayrides, Oktoberfest (which I don't really even do because Greek Girl doesn't like beer), apple picking, caramel apples, candy apples, apple cider, pumpkin pie, apple pie, cinnamon donuts... ut oh I better stop before I make myself hungry.

My favorite thing... Pumpkin Dunkin's.  That's right, every year around this time my favorite coffee brand in the whole wide world Dunkin Donuts rolls out it's fall fare.  So every year I march my Greek butt down there and grab as many bags of the Pumpkin coffee as I can get my little hands on.  Of course the trick is to get out of there without getting a Pumpkin Muffin or donut.  I do have an iron Greek will - yes that is true.  I will admit however that as strong as that will is, there are times when I do get one and make my sweetie eat half.  (the things he does for love).

Of course there are many other reasons that I love fall, one I get to dress my fur babies up in a costume every year for the yearly "March of Shame" as Punkin (my talking dog likes to call it) see her video here.  Of course it's also the time of year when Bath & Body Works rolls out the fall candles & scented plug ins, they are so yummy smelling!  Makes me want to just grab a cup of hot Pumpkin happiness, put on my favorite sweats and slippers, grab my sweetie and fur kids, and curl up to watch Animal planet.  Oh who am I kidding?  We all know it's going to end back up on the news.  Hey... I have to make sure I don't miss anything.

Have a beautiful day!

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

Never Forget

Remember...

Every year around this time my heart gets heavy.  Not that I am one for living in the past, but there are just some things that never go away.  Some scars that are too deep.  The lives of everyone in America changed that awful day eleven years ago forever.

As much as we might want to, we can't go back.  We can't undo the hurt or ever even begin to fill the loss of what happened that day.  What we can do though is remember...  We can remember that life is fragile and precious.  That at any given moment the ones we cherish can be taken from us in an instant.  We can remember to make each and every day count, to make memories and breathe it all in, because one day the ones we love will be gone.

One thing that makes my heart happy out of all the loss and sorrow that happened on that terrible day, is the way we all came together as Americans.  How as a Nation we all Stood as One.  As a New Yorker it was overwhelming to see first responders, elected officials, and every day people stepping in and stepping up, just diving in to help without pause.

It is very hard to lose the ones we love, but love never ends, and love never forgets.  I believe the ones we love are never really far away, they live on in each and every one of us.  We carry them with us in our daily lives until we meet them again in heaven.

So in honor of al those who lost their lives that awful day eleven years ago, and to the families who lost loved ones... I want to dedicate my song "I Carry You With Me".

"and in my heart you'll always be, I Carry You with Me" 

Blessings, Love & Music ~

Ava xo
www.avaaston.com

A New Leash on Life

Meet "Rufus", how could anyone turn away this                      gorgeous little Pug Mug?....

Most of you know that I'm crazy about animals.  If there were anything else in the world I would ever want to do besides singing, working out and shopping at Kohl's with my hard earned Kohl's cash it would be an ASPCA Animal Cop of course. My little Greek Coconut might not be at genius level, but it sure doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out when a dog or any other animal for that matter is in need.  You may remember a few weeks ago I shared the viral video about "Fiona" and her rescue.  If you don't remember or may have missed it click here to read all about her and watch the heart warming video of her rescue.

Back to this week, let me introduce you to "Rufus".  "Rufus" is a Pug who wandered into a friends yard back in November... How do I know him? Well, I was in Miami last week for a meeting. The people we were meeting with had "Rufus" at their house.  He wandered into their yard, or shall I say got his little piggy body stuck in-between the fence and the bushes. You see their yard backs up to a golf course. So after getting him unstuck and doing everything humanly possible to track down the owner to no avail (including trying to scan his microchip which was never registered - can anyone say dumb owner?) they let him stay.  However because they already have four big dogs of their own, they really wanted to find him a forever home with his own mommy and daddy - so in comes the Greek Girl...

I don't know if it's the invisible flashing neon sign above my head that only animals in need can see, or if it's just something askew in my coconut. Either way my animal chip is hyper sensitive. So it's no surprise that after meeting him, I just could not get his little Pug mug out of my mind. So I set out to find him a new momma. Believe me, if I didn't already have four spoiled rotten furkids of my own, I would be his new momma. However we have a word for that in the Greek language, it's also a show on Animal Planet called "Hoarders". Plus my mom told me that if I brought home another dog for her to watch when I travel there would be a holy Greek Jihad, so I figured it best to just find him a good home. ;D

After posting to my facebook page, I received an email from one of my good friends from high school's little sister. I had totally forgot, that the family had lost their beloved Pug two years ago to a very serious brain disorder called GME. She asked me how old "Rufus" was and if he was potty trained... A few emails, texts and a day later "Rufus" had a new momma. Introducing "Ava's Doggie Transport Service" offering free rides from south Florida to New York. So back down to Miami we went to pick up "Rufus" and start the long treck back to New York. It's a good thing the spoiled furkids did not come on this trip or bringing "Rufus" back might have been just a wee bit more difficult. Especially since he was covered in fleas and ticks. Apparently they say that south Florida is a nightmare for pet owners, even those who use Frontline Plus. Good grief, they sure weren't kidding. We made a pit stop to give him a flea bath, then apply more Frontline and bam we were off.

He did extremely well on the long trip, and even claimed his own co-pilot seat right on the console. By the time we arrived back to Grama's house where the four furkids were being babysat it was 1:30am. Let's just say that the excitement the furkids felt to see their mom & dad quickly turned to horror when they saw us with what - what - what?!?... another dog in tow.  We introduced them, explained to them what was going on, and tucked them all in the for the night.

The next morning "Rufus" was off to the Vet to get all checked out, neutered, heart worm test, shots, ears cleaned, nails trimmed, teeth cleaned, and all set up with more frontline & heart worm preventative. We picked him up that afternoon and he was very happy to see us and took a nice long nap.  He is recovering very well and actually seems to be having a fun time terrorizing the Pekingese's in the Aston house. It seems like the only one of my furkids who does like him is "Itty Bitty" the 4 lb Maltese, go figure.

So in about a week or so, "Rufus" will be going to his new forever home with a very good family and will have a spoiled life. The moral of the story... Well, this is not the first time I have stepped in to save the day for an animal, and I'm sure it will not be the last. I once found a doggie tied to a parking meter screaming in NYC, spent three hours chasing down a doggie running in the streets in Hollywood, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. As long as there are people who do not care for their animals like they should: ie: spay/neuter, register the microchip, give the necessary care/shots/heart worm/flea preventative, all the things that are necessary if you are going to have an animal... I'm sure my "animal in need chip" will continue to beep and I will be off to find them and do whatever is necessary to help.

So many people think "it's just a dog, it's just a cat, it doesn't really matter"... Well, for those people I have one thing to say to you: You are WRONG! Animals are domesticated, they can not survive without us. There are diseases, and danger in the world, they need us. I know times are tough and many people can not afford to care for their animals, but there is always an answer. Many Pet stores offer monthly shot clinics where you can get pets properly vaccinated at a very reduced rate and no office call fee. There are low cost veterinarians, and some Vets even offer reduced or free services to an animal that's a rescue. There are the hero's at organizations like the ASPCA, and the Humane Society who can offer help and information. They even have local offices in some cities around the country. There are also countless other animal rescue organizations in every town that can offer help to anyone in need or looking for information on how to properly care for their animal. There is really No Excuse Ever to not care for your animal.  And.. if you don't the Greek Girl with her super sensitive "animal in need" chip will find you will end up in Greek Girl Jail.

While I'm on my soapbox, I just have one question? Would you dump your kids off in a kill shelter because you had to move? Well petfinder.com is full of heartbreaking stories of animals who had exactly that done to them. One day they wake up in the home they've always known with their people, and the next a cold lonely steel cage on a euthanasia   list. There is No Excuse! When you get an animal you make a commitment to that animal. I don't care what happens in your life, you should honor it and do what is right to care for them. That is why I say "Adopt Don't Shop". Puppy mills are a horrible epidemic.  Shelters across the US are full of loving animals in need of homes. It's easy to find any breed, just go to www.petfinder.com and enter the info, zip code and wall-a - you have a new buddy.

The only thing animals ever ask in return is love. Animals are pure love.  BTW... did you ever notice that Dog, is GOD spelled backwards... just sayin.

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