Calithea was never created from a single idea.

It was shaped over time through quiet rituals, thoughtful lessons, and the women whose love became part of who I am.

This Mother’s Day, I’ve been reflecting on the women who not only influenced Calithea, but who shaped the way I see beauty, care, and self-worth.

Yiayia Maria: Where It All Began

Some of my most cherished memories are the full days spent at my Yiayia Maria’s house.

A day with her meant being surrounded by the simplest forms of care. Cooking together with extra virgin olive oil, learning how something so natural could nourish from the inside out, and ending the night with that same olive oil pressed gently into my skin before bed.

One of my favorite memories was sitting in a small wooden chair she would pull in front of her mirror. She would brush my hair before bed while I played with the jewelry scattered across her nightstand. 

In those quiet moments, she would pour affirmations into me that have stayed with me for life. She would tell me never to be jealous of others. To always be grateful for the life God has given me. She taught me that outward beauty means very little if jealousy and comparison live within you. She would remind me that true beauty comes from humility, gratitude, and the way you carry yourself.

Looking back, she wasn’t just teaching me about beauty.
She was teaching me about character.

And in so many ways, Calithea began there.

Maria Kazas. Elena’s Yiayia (grandmother)

My Mama, Silvia: Confidence in Your Natural Self

My mom is the reason skincare became a ritual long before it became a business.

She always made sure I stayed consistent with caring for my skin—teaching me the importance of a skincare routine, reminding me to wear SPF, and showing me how protection and prevention are acts of self-respect. She always told me she wished she had taken better care of her skin from a young age…
so she made sure I did.

When it came to makeup, she encouraged me to start with Bare Minerals because she felt it was the most natural option—something light, clean, and gentle on the skin. But beyond products or routines, what she really taught me was how to feel beautiful in my own skin.

She didn’t want me to rush into makeup at a young age. Not because there is anything wrong with it—because there absolutely isn’t. She wanted me to first feel confident in my natural features. To feel comfortable being simply myself.

And beyond skincare and beauty, she has always shown up in every part of my life. She did everything for my brothers and me. From playing softball with them in the backyard to painting my nails when and always being present in all the small, everyday moments that shaped my childhood.

She’s not just my mom. She’s my constant.

Silvia Kazas. Elena’s Mama.

Grandma Sheila: Beauty in Order and Intention

My grandmother Sheila taught me that care often lives in the details.

She was incredibly organized, so much so that her book room was arranged like a real library, complete with labeled stickers and a place for everything. When she would come to visit, she’d help me organize my room and my clothes, teaching me how to create systems that were not only neat, but functional.

At the time, it felt like a chore. Now I realize how much it shaped me. The way I structure my days. The way I organize my space. The way I approach building Calithea with intention and discipline.

She also had a remarkable gift for sewing and would lovingly hem my clothes for me. Everything she did carried precision, care, and thoughtfulness. She taught me that beauty can be found in order and that there is something deeply grounding about creating space for what matters.

Sheila Silverman. Silva’s mother, Elena’s grandmother.

The Heart of Calithea

When I think about Calithea, I don’t just think about skincare.

I think about my Yiayia’s wisdom.
My mother’s devotion.
My grandmother’s intention.

Each of them taught me something different about beauty.

That it begins within. That it is nurtured through care. And that it is strengthened through gratitude. Calithea is a reflection of all of them.

This Mother’s Day, I’m endlessly grateful for the women who shaped my life and for the lessons they passed down that continue to shape this brand every single day.

Happy Mother’s Day.

– Elena Maria 

Check out our Instagram to see the video posted for these woman in honor of Mother’s Day and the inspiration they hold behind the creation of Calithea! http://instagram.com/calitheagoddess/