~ A 200th Post Celebration Give-Away! ~

It is hard to imagine...200 posts!

To celebrate...a give-away of this beautiful book, Charmed Bracelets.

The pictures is this hard-back book are beautiful and sure to inspire.

Just leave a comment on my blog, or if you are a shy one, send me an email at listensister@hotmail.com.

I'll choose a winner randomly on August 8th...



In the meantime...some seashore R&R with the hubby and kids!

See you soon...

Treasures from 'The Big Flea'

So many treasures found at The Big Flea...
Fun to unpack and discover all over again...

Inspiration for creativity.

Next...a 200th post Giveaway!

"Deep summer is whenn laziness finds respectability."

~ Sam Keen

Yesterday, despite the unbelievable heat wave, Hubby drove me out to The Big Flea. The, to make matters even better, he left me alone! Girls, you know what I mean here. It's not that I don't want Hubby around, but it can sometimes quash your junkin' mojo, especially when you hear those dreaded words, "Are you almost ready to go?"

Boy, did I come up with some treasures. I saved them for unwrapping today. That's one of the best parts, don't you think?

Hard to believe, but I am nearing my 200th post. Stay tuned for a special surprise.

~ A Garden Like No Other ~

While we were on our holiday, we wandered into the heavenly gardens of El Escorial.
Yes, those are swans!


Hard to imagine a more beautiful place to think, reflect...

Be amazed.

So beautiful.

Coco

Looking through some amazing images found in

Chanel; Collections and Creations

by Daniele Bott.

Coco Chanel once said,

"Black comprises everything. So does white.

They possess absolute beauty: They are in perfect harmony."

"Go and fetch my pearls. I will not go up to the ateliers

until I have them around my neck."

Though also famous for her cosmetics and perfumes, Chanel said:

"Beauty is not prettiness. Why do so many mothers teach their daughters to flutter about, instead of teaching them about beauty?"

"Beauty should begin in the heart and soul, otherwise cosmetics are useless."

"A woman can be overdressed, never over-elegant."

A lesson that still rings true for today.

(Chanel: Collections and Creations by Daniele Bott)

~ A Heavenly Candy Shoppe ~

Though I am not a "candy person" by nature, I can recognize

something amazing when I see it.

And this was amazing.


Walking along the street in Madrid, this heavenly mirage of confections
seems to materialize out of nowhere.


The colors are amazing, and the aroma divine.

Yum...

Of course, I had to buy one of these adorable pink tins to remind

me later of my adventure in Candy Land!

I hope you find something amazing today, too.

Today is my baby girl's thirteenth birthday.

How is that even possible?

It seems like just yesterday.

(sigh)

One of the most beautiful parts of our trip were the cathedrals.
Centuries old art that can still speak to us today.

So beautiful...

The Most Beautiful Park in the World?

On our trip we visited the main park in the city of Madrid.

The beauty was breath-taking.

Here, Hubby lounges in the boat while my children row! What a life!

Beauty from Parts Near and Far

I was lucky enough to go to Europe with Hubby, kids and my mom for a few weeks.

Of course, I brought you back some beautiful souvenirs of beauty.

So much beauty to be savoured in the heart.