Wonderland

I think I hear choirs of Angels singing... do you?

This week I felt like I was transported smack dab into my very own version of "Alice In Wonderland". However in this new and improved version it's not about a girl named Alice who eats some magic mushrooms and goes into a hole in the ground. In this version it's about a Greek Blonde Girl who is obsessed with sneakers who gets to take trip to see behind the curtain to see the Wizard in the wide world of sneakers.

Most people who know me know a few things about me. I love fitness and working out, therefore I love sneakers. So anyone who knows anything about me knows these few things, I love sneakers, coffee (Dunkin Donuts my favorite), chocolate, animals, and Vitamin Water Zero ("Go Go" flavor thank you very much). Where most women collect high heels, this girl collects sneakers. Honestly in my humble Greek opinion a girl (or guy) can just never have too many. They keep your feet happy, like flip flops. I mean really.... who wants to walk around in a pointy hard to walk in, hard high shoe all dang day long? Not me!

So in my closet at any given moment you will find a vast array of sneakers. Yes they are called sneakers (even though my former manager Mr. Bricks likes to call them "tennis shoes") I bet he likes to wear his "tennis shoes" with his white skinny jeans from the 80's, gosh that's a scary thought. OK so back to Wonderland... Besides being a recording artist, I'm also an actor. Which has led to doing some pretty cool promotions, product launches and events. Sometimes when companies are launching a new product line they like to hire people to go out and talk to people about the product. People who are outgoing, friendly and are comfortable talking to people (or who have the gift to gab per say). In this case Greek Girl was hired to be a "Sneaker Ambassador" for Merrell. Just saying that makes me giddy. Who better to go around yapping my big Fat Greek Yap trap about a new line than yours truly?.. I know, perfect right!

Can you pic the Greek Girl out of this lineup?

So before they let us lose to go out and make the clients aware of the new line, it's benefits, and what it's all about, they flew all of us "Sneaker Ambassadors" to Minneapolis MN to learn about Merrell's New "All Out" line. Merrell is a fantastic company with a history of quality shoes that outlast and out perform for decades. One of their tag lines is: "Performance + Innovation - It's in our History... and our Future." Knowing what I know now after seeing behind the curtain, I think it's perfect.

"Barefoot Running" became very popular after the book "Born to Run" written by Christopher McDougall was published back in May of 2009. In 2011 Merrell had a huge launch of it's Barefoot Running shoe. Barefoot simply means zero angle. Most Traditional running shoes have an 12-15 mm drop. Drop meaning the angle of the heel above the forefoot. Although it allows for lots of cushioning it can end up causing improper heel strike (meaning your heel is not hitting the ground under your hips where it is supposed to). The idea behind Merrell's Barefoot Running sneaker was to let your feet follow their natural instincts. Connect your feet to the terrain (protected by a Vibram sole), realign your gait, improve posture, and strengthen the muscles in your feet and legs. In other words let your body do what comes naturally. Merrell's Barefoot Collection also includes a thin EVA cushion to protect, and two impact zones. As Barefoot Running grew and people did it for longer, Barefoot become less important to consumers. They wanted a little more cushion, but still wanted a connection to the earth...

Thus the NEW "All Out" line was born. The "All Out" is a blend between a Barefoot and a Traditional Running shoe. The "All Out" line of sneakers all have a 6mm drop. Which allows for a little more cushion than the Barefoot running shoe with a Zero drop. The idea of the line is: Activate, Impact Protection, and Animal Like Agility. Activate your body's most efficient natural form with Merrell's flexible underfoot wrap shaped around the arch to create a continuous, flexible contact for increased mobility, flexibility and efficiency. Impact Protection made of their ultra flexible "UniFly" impact absorption system to provide a soft landing, disperse impact and allow for a stable take off. The perfect balance of feel and protection so you can go further, faster and longer. The Animal Like Agility comes from the "MSelect Grip" outsole. It's circular design allows for each lug to move independetly providing muti-directional control and surface area. Add to this Merrell's unique Fit Features in this line of a stitched in footbed and "Omni fit Lacing System" which provide a precise glove like fit.... and you might just have a miracle.

Seriously though if all that is not technical enough for you, well you might just belong at Nasa. If you're like me and you just love to run, and or you love sneakers... you really should check out the new "All Out" line of kicks! They come in three versions, one for road the "All Out Fuse", one for road and trail the "All Out Rush", and a hiker called the "All Out Blaze" which comes in low, mid and high ankle heights. They all come in super fun colors and trust me your feet will thank you. I have been wearing mine and I can definitely say it's been like a walk in wonderland. Keeping my tootsies happy while I'm in the process of working on NEW Music that I can't wait to share!

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

Thank You Al Gore

Thank's Al. You're the best, no matter what people say.

So it's official (well sorta) that Al Gore the great and mighty inventor of the Internet has done it again.  What am I talking about? Well, in case you haven't been to the Northeast anytime recently it seems that, well based off the climate at least, that Al Gore has cured and fixed the Global Warming issue.  The problem is he did it just a little too much. Instead of balancing things out it seems he went slightly overboard.  Now instead of having a balance with all four seasons here in the Northeast we kind of have been having it all mucked up.  Goes in line with not having a balanced budget, so as a Democrat I guess in a way he's par for the course and since that's all Obama does is play golf it works for him.

Well since a little past this time last year we had the start to probably one of the most cold and miserable winters I can remember.  It went on and on and on so long I can't say I even remember having an actual spring. Then when it came to summer it was like we packed an entire summer's worth of heat into the month of July.  Then we skipped right into what is now and has been turning into an early and very wet autumn.  

Now, anyone who knows this Greek Girl knows I love Autumn more than any other season, but really?  With as many rainy days we had this summer and now this? Hey Al Gore, can you chill out or rather warm up on this whole global warming thing?  It's like you turned the thermostat to cold and broke the dang thing off.  For crying out loud, the only time I got to put my bathing suit on this year was for an audition.  Now that is bordering on sacrilegious considering I never put my toes in any hot sand once this year let alone go swimming!!!!  What's even more is I can count the number of iced Dunkin donut coffee's I have had on one hand.  Which as you know is just bizarre in itself since last year I had like 20 of them every week!

So for this weeks blog I want to focus on my favorite things about the fall since it's coming so early and well at this pace if I don't act now before long I will be buried up to my eyeballs in snow drifts.  God knows, if there is one thing this Greek Girl hates more than the current occupant of the White House is too much white stuff on the ground.  No matter how pretty it is, it is dang cold and me and cold just don't mix, no matter how much olive oil I get in my veins!

1. Pumpkins.  Not only did I name one of my dog's Punkin' but one of my favorite things in the whole world is punkin flavored anything: coffee, donuts, pie, cookies and punkin rolls!!  

2. Foliage.  If you have never been to the Northeast you have got to come in Autumn.  The magic of watching the trees turn color is one of the most amazing things that you never get sick of even after living here all your life.

3.  Hoodies (aka zip up sweatshirts).  Yes I do wear them almost every day of the year, but I do it all the more in the fall.  They are so much fun, cute and they keep me warm.  Besides I have like 2000 of them, I have to do something with them right?

4. Back to school.  You are too old for school and have no kids Greek Girl?  I know, but that means all the rug-rats that run rampant around town are back in school and I don't have to be bothered by them :) j/k I loooooove kids...  But no really, it just means Kohl's is running serious sales and clearance sales like mad.  So bring on the clearance rack please!!!

5. Running.  Not only is it the best feeling in the world when you go for a long run but when you have the crisp autumn air and the foliage to go with it, never mind doing it at magic hour in the fall, is just an amazing thing for me.  Besides, it is just one more reason I can wear my sneakers more.

So there you have it.  My favorite things about this time of year, that is unless Al Gore gets the bright idea and reverse things again and muck's things up more.  You know, if you ask me, maybe since he is so full of hot air trying to explain how he invented the internet that maybe that is what started the whole global warming thing anyway.  Oh well, one will never know.  Enjoy your punkin pie and have a blessed and safe Autumn.

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

Going Back to Cali

You know it's a cool song... 

I lived in LA for a short while about ten years ago and haven't been back there in gosh I can't remember when.  So when Mr. Aston & I were invited to a shin dig at the Reagan Library you just had to know Greek Girl was going to jump on the nearest plane!  (and I hate flying)... 

First off this event is at the Reagan Library HELLO... Ronald Reagan is one of my heroes!  Remember Greek Girl is also a Tea Party Barbie dontcha know?  ;D  I can't say what exactly the event is because it's private, but I will say there is going to be a keynote speaker at the event that makes me absolutely giddy.  Let's just say if Greek Girl were to start her own country... this guy, he would be president.

So since I'm busy packing and still trying to get everything done before I leave it got me to thinking about some of the reasons why I'm super stoked to be "going back to Cali".  I mean besides the obvious ones like we're both actors, I'm a recording artist and all that, after all California = Entertainment.

1.  Sunshine - Vitamin D (living in NY I'm always lacking it).

2.  See top secret keynote speaker give speech... I'm actually still pinching myself.

3.  We're staying with my politichicks.tv editor Ann-Marie Murrell which is going to be super fun!

4.  Meeting a lot of facebook friends who are going to be at a "Rage Against the Media" Rally.

5.  Beach... there is no way I'm going to the West Coast without spending time on the actual coast!

6.  Get to see my little sister who moved there about a year ago.

7.  Did I mention I'm going to take a tour of the Reagan Library?... :D

8.  Alfonzo Rachel... what's an Alfonzo Rachel?  He's our good friend who is super smart and puts the smack down on stupidity for pjtv.com and he lives in LA.  Hence we'll be spending time with him and who wouldn't be excited about that?

9.  "Pinks" what's that you might be wondering... only one of the coolest hot dog stands in the entire country.  It's iconic and they serve a mean mean hot dog, fries and all kinds of other good junk food. :D (yes - they even have turkey hot dogs it's California remember)   

10.  Endorphins... you just know Greek Girl is going to lace on her sneakers and get some quality time on the road with iPod and that California Air!

I hope everyone has a great week!

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

A Perfect Day

Still my Favorite person after Eleven years! :D

Just another Sunny Summer Sunday in June... Well it's about dang time, I was starting to think Summer had been kidnapped.  Anyone who has been reading my blog knows one thing, I loathe the winter!  So why do I live in the North East, honestly I have no idea! Summer never can come soon enough for me.  When it's time to do the yearly swap out of winter clothes and Ugg Boots for flip flops, sneakers and summer clothes this Greek Girl gets giddy.

Another reason this time of year makes me giddy is because June is when I met my very favorite person in the whole entire world! Who?... that would be Mr. Ava Aston of course :D !  Yep it all started on a Sunday afternoon way back on June 9th, 2002.  It still seems like yesterday.  I was at home contemplating going to the city for an audition for an independent film.  I had slept late and it was a toss up, go and not have time to workout, or stay home and workout...  Something anyone else who has been reading my blog knows is - I love working out and do not skip many.  My little sister said to go, that she had a feeling "something good was going to happen to me".  She sure was right (yes that pains me to say that my little sister was right about something) ;o)

So I skipped my workout, went to the city and got in line for the audition.  A little bit after signing in I looked up and my heart literally stopped beating in my chest and I gasped.  Little did I know Mr. Ava Aston had spotted me a few minutes earlier and done the exact same thing... he asked me a question about the sign in sheet and after about a half hour or beating around the bush while waiting in the line we started talking and have not stopped talking since.

We discovered among other things, we are both left handed Virgo's with the exact same color eyes, love coffee, pizza, chocolate, and and and....  We're both artistic (him an actor, writer, and aspiring film maker) with me it's music and acting.  If you didn't know Keith is actually the glue that holds the Aston ship together.  He makes my music videos, website, all of it.  So here we are eleven years to the day on a Sunny Summer Sunday afternoon thinking about what to do for the anniversary of the day we met.

Being that we both love cars & Greek food we decided to mix the two together.  Take in a British Classic Car Show and the yearly Greek Festival around the corner.  Yes Greek Girl was in her glory... I don't know what it is about cars but man I sure do love them.  So here are a few highlights from a fun afternoon of chill-axing with my favorite person!

Yeah I had to have been a Greaser or a Mechanic in a former life...                      Cars make my heart beat Real Fast! Vroom Vroom!                                            (but I still drive like a granny) go figure.

Yummo!

No One does Coffee like we Greeks! Boil it up old fashioned style on the stove top in a ibriki... Add in the Baklava & cookies and you're Golden!

And that my friends is how a Sunny Summer Sunday in June went! Hope you make the most of your Sunny Sundays too!  Have a beautiful day!

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

What Goes Around Comes Around

Look out Phil or you might get what's coming to ya!

Okay, it's that time again and this Greek Girl is itching to get her flip-flops out of storage.  So, if that Punxstawney Phil doesn't do his job right this year, I might just have to slip my sneakers on and march my little butt down to pay him a visit and show him what a good kick boxer I am by plummeting his little head into a snowbank.

Now, I know that may sound harsh and normally I am all miss animal lover activist.  But before you go calling the ASPCA or PETA on me, think about it for just a minute.  Wouldn't you much rather be having some fun in the sun wearing flip flops vs. having your fingers turning blue (like mine)?

Insert Greek Philosophy:


"It is much better to live in a warm climate and travel to the cold and snow when you want to, rather than live with the cold and have no choice. "- Ava Aston Winter - 2012 

Now granted old man winter gave us a break on the white crap this year, but DANG it's been frigging freezing here lately.  Seriously, I'm sleeping dressed up in a an outfit like nanook of the north over here.  Sweatshirt zipped up with a hood, sweats, t-shirt, socks,  fur slippers... and I am not ashamed to admit I even sat on the couch watching a movie with my blanket coat on over all that stuff under a blanket a few times. Can anyone say, ridiculous?

 What can't I do that I want to in this stinking weather? 

1. Go get a hot cup of magic a la Dunkin Donuts anytime I want

2. Go on a date with my sneakers running outside with my iPod 

3. Wear Flip Flops

4. Lay in the sun (of course I wear sunscreen, keep your pantaloons on)

5. Even eating ice cream is not fun in the winter

What CAN I do in this freezing weather? 

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

All I have to say is that Punxsuatwney Phil better not see his shadow on Thursday February 2nd, because if he does... to quote the title from the film that robbed Viggo Mortensen of an Oscar for his role in the film "Eastern Promises" back in 2008 -
"There Will Be Blood." 

So let's hear it for, no Shadow!

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

Blinged Out

Good Gravy!!! This thing is for real? Someone paid $$ for this junk...?

So I am sitting here thinking to myself, "what could I do with $2.5 million dollars?" Then it hit me like a McRib smacking Mr. Bricks in the Noggin! I would design a bra covered in gems! Oh but wait... Victoria Secret beat me to it.  Dangit!

Now, if you can't catch my sarcasm in the previous sentence then you must leave the blog immediately.  Okay, but seriously, I have to wonder what in the world are people thinking with this nonstop need to be opulent and to be excessive with such insane amounts of wasted money on "blinging" things.  Just a few weeks ago I saw the stupidest thing ever, a Blinged out MicroCar.  HELLO?!? What the heck.  Seriously, does anyone even want to drive a microcar?  Let alone worth $4million in gold and gems? Sure, okay I would be first in line to be given such a trophy of nonsense but I would also be the first in line to cash that sucker in, if you know what I'm saying. (that is unless it were a bumble bee SS Camaro all blinged out) Really though in all seriousness, does anyone really need a blinged out car? No.

So this got my Greek noggin spinning and of course I went looking for some of the most obscene and stupid blinged out stupid stuff out there.  I found some wacky and crazy things people are actually spending not only lots of time but tons of money on "blinging" things.  I just couldn't believe it so here are my top 10 most stupid blinged out things:

1o. You know this guy knows a thing or two about bling.  He's one of the original gangstas: Before anyone gets their pantaloons in a bind, listen I have actually been to the Vatican. It is a creepy place, dead popes in glass cases everywhere. just sayin.

The real "King of Bling" is in the house!

9. At least I can see that this one has a purpose:

For $1000 you too can shut the screaming baby up in style!

8. Nothing says, "I am the baddest gansta in these parts" than this blinged thing:

I can just see someone bringing this to a gun fight. They'd be laughed out of town before squeezing off a round.

7. Drink it up! Drink up your blinged water.  Blinged what?  This must be for those of us who can't find worse things to waste our money on.

8 glasses of this stuff a day will put you in the poor house faster than you can spell Bling.

6. I am all for good hygene and all but this is just going a bit overboard, don't ya think?

There's just so much wrong with this, it's not even funny!

5. Tell me someone was dared to do this.  Can you imagine the suit he probably wears while driving this stupid thing?

Look at all the pretty lights! Wow, someone sure has time to kill.

4. If brass knuckles weren't stupid enough in the first place someone went and did this:

Okay, now nothing says "I am going to mess up your grill" like these pretty things.

3. Something tells me the guy who designed this got an earful when he got home:

Nothing says "The Perfect Home Maker" like this thing does.

2. Really?  Victoria Secrets had nothing better to do than this?

It's just plain ridiculous. No set of "you-know-whats" are worth $2.5 million, just sayin'

1. Now for the biggest waste of money:

Now this is what you call $4.5 million of wasted money and whoever said we had a bad economy?

Now I know what you are saying, "there must be something Ava is okay with being blinged?" Well, yes you are right. There is one thing that I think can be blinged:  You guessed it....  Sneakers. ;D (I just love that word).

The only way Ava rolls with the Bling!

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

Don't Let The Bed Bugs Bite

The Greek Girl Doesn't Roll with Bed Bugs

It used to be such a cute little saying from my Dad and Mom every single night, "Good nite our sweet little Ava, and don't let the bed bugs bite." After hearing that I would then march up to my room and get ready for bed. It should be noted that it would only be at bedtime that I would finally take off my sneakers. I would then put on my pajamas and climb into bed. Yup, even as a little tow-headed little Greek blonde girl  I would keep them on for as long as I could...you have heard of security blanket issues with some kids? Well I had security sneaker issues.

So I would be laying in bed, in my favorite purple snap-up flannel pj's, the ones complete with feet in them, the trap bottom with even more snaps,  and lots of gold stars all over them. With all of that purple and gold I looked like a mini Los Angeles Lakers' mascot.

Then I would fall fast asleep, dreaming of someday becoming a rock star, without even a thought of bed bugs - after all it was just Mom and Dad being silly. Bed Bugs, Schmed Smugs, they were not real, were they?

But now a days if I went to bed and someone said, "Good nite Ava and don't let the bed bugs bite,"  there is no way this Greek Girl would ever be able to fall asleep. It would be too late. The thought of bed bugs would have filled my little noggin - I would then get all itchy and junk and then I wouldn't be able to relax enough to fall asleep. Whether there were actually any BB's sharing the sheets with me or not, it didn't matter. It was too late - the thought of them was already out there occupying space in my coconut.

Here is a fun cartoon I put together that is all about bed bugs. I hope you enjoy it.

Have a blessed day.

Ava
xox

Little Miracles

It's the LIttle things...

Kids say the darndest things, and they also say some very profound things. For those of you out there scratching your head (no the Greek girl does not, I repeat does Not have any kiddies, well except for my fur-babies). I am however fortunate enough to have some insanely adorable and very smart nieces & nephews.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of spending a few hours with my sister from Kansas & her family. Their three kids are really some of the most cute, smart, and honestly sweet kids I have ever met. I know kids are a result of the parenting, but I am always so blown away by how smart and sensitive these kids are whenever I am lucky enough to spend time with them since they live in the middle of the country. (note to tour manager - schedule more stops in KS please...) ;D Back to my point, well since I don't have kids, it always makes me laugh when I am around any the things that they say.

So yesterday being the super fun auntie that I am, I suggested we all go for ice cream, because we all know that ice cream = F~U~N! We all had just got our choices in our hot little hands about to indulge when my niece "Eva the Diva" (who is looks very much like a mini me btw, as her mom my sister and I look very similar as well) So Eva blurts out,"Ice Cream is a Miracle." Needless to say we all got quite a laugh from it. Here are just some of the few nuggets I have heard from the kiddies:

"So what happens if you put your foot in the toilet when you flush it?"

Walking into an air conditioned house from outside "Oh my Gosh this is Great"

Referring to new sparkle shoes "Like my new shoes?... They make dreams come true"

"Look mom I did my own make-up"

Laying out his new shirt for school "Well... now all the girls will be attracted to me"

Funny at the time, but when little Diva made her statement about Ice Cream being a miracle... it made me stop and think about what we all as individuals consider a miracle. As the saying goes "One mans trash is another mans treasure". What one person sees as a miracle, may be viewed as a mess to another person. For me, my little miracles are quite simple really. Being able to spend time with friends and family that I cherish, my health, savoring the amazing beauty in nature on a long run, pushing past limits, loving my doggies, and of course making my favorite souls expression - music. There is nothing I enjoy on this earth more than being able to create a great song that people can connect with and where I can express what I'm feeling. Of course performing that song or any song that really makes my heart happy is a Miracle to me.

So my thought for the day... whatever your little miracles may be, from Ice Cream to creating Art - embrace them, experience them, but whatever you do don't forget them. Because they are what make you, you.

Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava :D xox

www.avaaston.com