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Girls on Film: Luis Monteiro Shoots Goth in Greece, Tatler

FabSugar — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 04:50:22 -0700

I'm not familiar with the photographer Luis Monteiro or this mysterious model the credits call "JP." But I am familiar with Greece and the good life it brings. The high contrast of the goth garb and the blue-skied, white-housed atmosphere is unexpected. The Greece I know is full of sundresses and sunnies; I like this darker side of the Mediterranean mecca. Makes me want to reconsider my wardrobe when I head back to the land of tzatziki . . . .
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Residents of Lesbos, Greece, Want Their Name Back

LibertySugar — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 03:00:50 -0700

Residents of the Greek island of Lesbos have brought a lawsuit against a Greek gay rights group, alleging that the term "lesbian" is an insult to the homeland.

The lawyer representing the three Lesbos plaintiffs says that the group's name - the Homosexual and Lesbian Community of Greece - "causes confusion by using a geographic term" in connection with social action. The island does not want to be associated with the group's "special character."

It seems the islanders have a seriously uphill battle to fight if they are trying to reclaim the term "lesbian" as a geographical moniker. The ancient female poet Sappho, who hailed from Lesbos, lent the name of her hometown island to female-loving females, as much of her poetry celebrated love between women. Considering travel to Lesbos is popular among the world's gay community, it might be in the island's economic interest to embrace its homosexual association.

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Greece Grants Gay Marriages, Japan Awards Gender Rights

CitizenSugar — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 10:00:41 -0700

With a Greek mayor who presided over outlawed gay marriages yesterday saying, "The laws on marriage simply do not specify any genders. To me, therefore, if something is not banned by law it is not illegal," now facing jail time for his actions, Japan's government is actually moving toward broader gender ideas.

Japan’s House of Councillors (like the US Senate) has unanimously passed legislation which will allow people with gender identity disorder to officially change their sex, giving Gender Identity Disordered (GID) people the ability to change the way the world perceives them - on paper. To see how, read more.

Gender identity disordered people (someone who sees themselves as having a different psychological make-up than their biological sexual orientation) must agree to live as the opposite sex physically and socially to take advantage of the law. The bill states that this condition must be confirmed by two separate doctors, the applicants must also be over 20 years of age, have no children, be unmarried and have non-functioning reproductive organs due to sex-change surgery.

If this law passes their House of Representatives those with GID will have less difficulty finding employment, voting and traveling as their appearances are obviously not in accordance with official documentation.

Are ideas on a strict gender binary, softening worldwide? Will the difference between male and female someday be seen as a sliding scale? Are rights a step in the right direction?

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No Girls Allowed? Women Stumble On All-Male Mount Athos

CitizenSugar — Tue, 27 May 2008 08:00:56 -0700

Are there any ladies in the house? Accidently, yes. Breaching a ban on women dating back to 1060, four Moldovan women were dropped off on the Greek monastic peninsula of Mount Athos over the weekend.

The unexpected/unwelcomed female visitors told police they had sailed from Turkey after paying $6,300 to two Ukrainian people smugglers, and were unaware they were breaking Greek law.

The four women are aged between 27 and 32, (and were accompanied by one Moldovan man, 41) were discovered by the monks over the weekend. A responding police officer said, "They told police and the monks they were sorry but they couldn't have known this was a no-women area. They were forgiven."

It's a good thing the monks were feeling friendly! To find out why, read more.

Under Greek law, breaching the ban can lead to a jail sentence. How strict is the ban? No women at all - even many female domestic animals - have not been allowed on the mountain since a decree banning women was issued by Byzantine Emperor Constantine Monomachos in 1060. That's one serious sign on the club house! I don't know about you, but nothing makes me more curious about a place than being told I can't go. . . . Do you think this was an honest mistake? Or could they have been on a little exploration mission?

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Greeks Quarrel Over Rights of Unmarried Couples

LibertySugar — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 11:00:50 -0700

In Athens, a plan to grant unmarried couples increased rights has upset both conservative and progressive forces. The government wants to grant heterosexual "common law" couples rights analogous to marriage, if the couples sign a simple notary contract. So you could have a legally binding relationship, without the big fat Greek wedding.

The influential Greek Orthodox Church equates common law relationships with prostitution. The Church's governing council is decrying the plan, maintaining that legal recognition of relationships outside of marriage would set off a catastrophic bomb under the foundation of Greek society.

The homosexual community thinks the plan must go further, to see how, read more. The homosexual community asserts that the plan constitutes discrimination by only extending rights to heterosexual couples. Traditional and forward-looking forces are tugging at a Greek society attempting to modernize.

Relationships of mutual obligation, as well as families, are essential to a prospering society. Do you think Athens's plan will help strengthen important relationships, even if they don't fit the traditional mold? Having two heterosexual couples enter into a legally binding relationship sounds a lot like marriage to me. Do you think these alternative couples are more likely to sign the contract, so long as it's not called "marriage?" Why?

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Home Away From Home: Semiramis Hotel Athens

CasaSugar — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 05:16:56 -0800

Semiramis Hotel is a 52-room hotel in Athens, Greece, and designer Karim Rashid's first hotel project undertaking. I guess Rashid has beginner's luck (or really intimidating talent), because the hotel's design is inspiring, polished, and every square inch is original. Of the project, Rashid said, "Hotels today make you feel like you're living in the previous century. That's the last thing I want to do." I'm definitely getting an other-worldly Jetsons-meets-Real-World-house-meets-cruise-ship vibe from my look at the photos, and certainly don't think it resembles the previous century, or any century for that matter. So, he must have pulled it off.

The hotel is located in the suburb of Kifissia, in the heart of evolving Athens, surrounded by high-end boutiques, restaurants, and cafes and set 340 meters above sea level. It features 42 balcony rooms with pool or park view, five poolside bungalows, three penthouse studios, and one penthouse suite, plus all the unnecessary amenities, ranging in price from $337 to $440 a night. If I ever make it to Athens, I'll be sure to get my shop on at the local boutiques. That is, if I can drag myself away from Semiramis's pool deck.
To see photos of the superb spot, read more

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Beauty Products From Around The World Part I: Greece

BellaSugar — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 16:58:42 -0700

Greek men and women are known for their thick, plentiful and shiny hair. Ingredients such as mint, rosewater, honey and yogurt are some of the most widely found and consumed ingredients in the country. We are lucky enough to now have access to these great Greek hair products in the US. Please let me know what you think and if you have any more Greek products to share with our growing beauty community.

Apivita Propoline Shampoo ($17) is a line of twelve moisturizing shampoos that have remained a cult favorite in Greece for 20+ years. What makes this brand and these shampoos so amazing is that instead of using ordinary water, they use rosemary water as a base.

Rosemary improves circulation, promotes hair growth, stimulates cell renewal to eliminate dandruff, normalize oil secretions. Wow, I had no idea about the powers of rosemary, did you?

For two more great beauty products from Greece, read more

How many times have we heard that healthy hair begins with a healthy scalp? This Korres Green Silt and Corallina Oligoelements Intensive Hair Scrub ($30) is terrific for regulating dandruff and sebum secretion. It's a cranial exfoliator that helps to balance damaged scalps, exfoliate dead skin cells, and regenerate the hair to give it a healthy, shiny lustre.

Since it's a treatment, it is recommended for use once a week. Simply
apply the scrub on wet hair from roots to hair ends, massage gently and leave on for ten minutes before rinsing.

Hydra Mastic Mask ($24.80) is a hair hydration mask containing a special ingredient called mastic found on the Greek island of Chios. Company founder Dia Scoufaras discovered mastic, a resin that comes from the mastic tree that has anti-bacterial and ant-fungal properties, while on a family vacation in Chios.

Now the company has over 175 products that contain lots of good-for-you ingredients such as red wine for its anti-oxidant properties and olive oil as an emollient. Hydra Mastic Mask helps to hydrate, protect and add shine to normal and dry hair. To check out the four Mastic US spa locations online here!

Fab Finding Follow Up: Greece Me!

FabSugar — Tue, 15 May 2007 17:03:33 -0700

Wow - all your Grecian fab finds have me even more excited for my adventure next month! I asked for your help in helping me find some fun Greece-inspired outfits as well as fab travel-worthy clothes. I will be packing light so these Dolce Vita 'Athens-4' Thong Sandal, $70, are the perfect shoe: light-weight, not super pricey (in case I spill any café frappé on them!), and they will glisten in the sun! A big thanks to all and let's see what you all came up with!

Look #1, found by imahoopie is all the right colors with this Doo.Ri Halter Top and these Theory "Grace C Connecticut" Skinny Ankle Pant.

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More, more, more, read more

Look #2, found by JessNess, is darling with this Nieves Lavi Shoulder Tie Deep V Neck Dress and this really cool Gara Danielle Braided Lasso Necklace.

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Look #3, found by JKe895 is simply marvelous with this Tart Cleo Jumper - I'm totally into jumpers! And, I really like the idea of keeping things simple but piling on (cheaper) jewelry.

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Come Fab Finding With Me: Greece Me!

FabSugar — Fri, 11 May 2007 11:03:33 -0700

Have you picked up on my little hints of excitement that I'm going on a vacay soon? Well, I am. Where to? Greece! I'm making a couple of Europe pit stops along the way but the most exciting part of the trip will most likely be island hopping along the cobalt waters of the Mediterranean. Needles to say, I'm super psyched!

Now, everything is all booked and ready so I'm starting to think about travel gear, and island gear. It's best to plan ahead right? I thought you all could inspire me and go Fab Finding for some fun Greece-inspired outfits. You know I'll be doing some shopping there but I want to make sure I bring some fun stuff too. I will be packing light so these Dolce Vita 'Athens-4' Thong Sandal, $70, are the perfect shoe: light-weight, not super pricey (in case I spill any café frappé on them!), and they will glisten in the sun! Come back and tell me when your Fab Finds are up and tag them with Greece.

To learn what a Fab Find is and how to make one, click here. For a more detailed explanation of bookmarks from geeksugar click here.

To see some of my favorite online stores, read more

Active Endeavors
Banana Republic
Barneys New York
Bluefly
eLuxury
Jildor Shoes
Live Natty
Neiman Marcus
Net-a-Porter
Pink Mascara

Carmen Electra Slips Into a String Bikini For Greece-y Vacation

Molly — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 07:45:00 -0700

Carmen Electra isn't shy with her bikini body and she showed it off once again on Kos Island in Dodecanese, Greece yesterday. She was spotted on vacation with her fiancé Rob Patterson showing that the two are still going strong despite semi-frequent rumors of trouble. Heidi Montag named Carmen as one of her Playboy idols, but these days Miss Electra spends more time out of the spotlight. Carmen chatted on the phone as she spent some time by the pool enjoying what her Greek vacation had to offer.

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