Friday 26 July 2013

How addictions (even the little ones) interfere in the process of enlightenment

 
Addiction is carried by restlessness and a sense of lacking something or being incomplete. It makes you forgot who you really are, which is the essence of illusion. 

The object of your addiction becomes a fixation of infatuation and fear. Whenever the addiction is threatened, the result is anxiety. Whenever the addiction is indulged, most of the pleasure felt is really just relief from that anxiety the addiction gave rise to.

All of this is further complicated if the addiction involves a chemical component. Eating junk food can become addictive and unhealthy but is not addictive in the way heroin is, for example. Both have the same underlying confusion but require different kinds of help to emerge from it. 

Enlightenment is not far away. It is not somewhere else. It is closer to you than your ego, body, and mind. Essentially, it is you before you were born, you during life, and you after death. Before and after the appearance of the universe, even. 

Addiction is maya, illusion. It obscures this from your view. Taking on a body is itself a kind of addiction or tendency that propels us through multiple births. It is also rooted in confusion. 
Like maya, addiction operates in a cycle. Unchanging cyclic behavior is its own kind of suffering as well. 

Chemical addictions aside, I don’t think you need to “fight" an addiction to overcome it. Bringing your attention thoroughly into the present, into the experience of your actions and how they change over time, and daily practice of meditation to grow out of restlessness will all help tremendously without the need to judge or repress yourself. 

{via here and here}
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Thursday 25 July 2013

Royal household in Greece



Greece has long been a favorite among jet setters. In recent months the islands of Mykonos and Santorini have been on the limelightthanks to American celebrities visiting.

Recently, however, the new King and Queen of the Netherlands have purchased a sprawling, secluded villa near the little town of Kranidi in the South of Greece. The 4,000 square-metre estate cost €4.5 million and boasts a swimming pool, private beach and marina for their exclusive use.







Russian President Vladimir Putin and actor Sean Connery are both said to own homes nearby.
The prince had originally built a villa on land bought in Mozambique but sold it earlier this year in response to political criticism of the project. Two years after buying four plots of land on the Machangula peninsula in the south of the country in 2007, Dutch MPs raised objections to his involvement in a larger development project.

The then Crown Prince had fallen in love with the area during the wedding ceremonies for Prince Nicolas of Greece and Tatiana Blatnik, on the island of Spetsai. However he chose for his family the unspoiled mainland.

If you would like to stay in the area, too, there are quite a few villas to choose from.

 
 
 
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A dreamy resort in the Maldives




 
 


 
 
 
 
 
Colorful and spicy,
surrounded by the crystal blue waters of the Indian Ocean, the superb all-villa Maldives resort offers an unrivalled level of style, choice and personalised exploration. Sleek and spectacular, with unprecedented privacy, One&Only Reethi Rah inspires extraordinary journeys for the soul.
 
 
 
 
Reethi Rah, The Maldives.

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He is one of the world's hotest men...and he is Greek

 
 

 
 
...and he likes Paris.
What else can you ask for?
(Interview in English)
 
 
 
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Wednesday 24 July 2013

Guest posting invitation and coming soon...



Hello, friends, 
 If you are following me on Instagram, you know what I am up to, what I like most, and what i believe is really worth talking about. Flowers, fruit salad and cats, that is ;-)
Yes, that's what matters most, plus family of course, but you know I am not comfortable in posting my kids' faces all over the place. 
What I do like is a good post that eases my soul and rests my mind. A breath of fresh air and beauty. 

Would you like to write one (or more...) post for The Happy Turtle? 

I hope you will! 
Please e-mail me with your post idea at happyturtledeco {at} gmail {dot} com.

Also, I am glad to say that two lovely companies whose products I adore, have offered my readers giveaways! How cool is that? 'Cause you, too, love a good giveaway or two. I know I do!

So, these giveaways will be coming soon, in about a week or so the first 
hint: it's a lovely summery dress of your choice!:

So stay tuned, and keep those guest post e-mails coming!


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Bliss for the Cambridge clan




A radiant Princess Catherine, in a cornflower blue polka dot dress by British designer Jenny Packham, with simple yet soft and impeccably blow dried hair, cradles her newborn Prince.
What a lovely bundle!


Her family, The Middletons, were the first to visit their daughter Kate Middleton, Prince William and the new addition, described the baby as "absolutely beautiful", with mother Carole adding that the new parents were "doing fabulously".

 
I love Carole Middleton's sensible nude pumps and floaty dress.
 
 
What will the new Prince's name be?
 
I like George and Albert the most :-)
 

Funny thing. At the time both grandparents visited Catherine and William, there were in the same room three future kings: Charles, William and the new Prince. Bliss.

{All images Hello}

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Tuesday 23 July 2013

“Wonderful baby, a beautiful baby.”



Yes, it is a royal boy, as it should be. 
Congratulations, Katie!




 "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 4.24pm. The baby weighs 8lbs 6oz. The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth. The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and members of both families have been informed and are delighted with the news. Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well and will remain in hospital overnight". 


The announcement of the Royal Baby's arrival on Instagram


Notes to editors
"1. The medical staff present were Mr Marcus Setchell, Surgeon-Gynaecologist, Mr Guy Thorpe-Beeston, Obstetrician and Dr Sunit Godambe, Consultant Neonatologist at St. Mary’s Hospital.
" 2. The names of the baby will be announced in due course
" 3. The baby is third in the line of succession after His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge. He is styled His Royal Highness Prince [name] of Cambridge.
" 4. A formal notice of the birth will be posted on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace."
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Friday 19 July 2013

Great expectations

 
 
Say, Kate, what took you so long?
 
Protective: The white and grey dress isn't chic black fan Jennifer's style
 
Jen, Are you expecting?
 
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It's All Greek to Me: Aegean Airlines Guide Book

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aegean Airlines published a guide to the most familiar Greek jargon.
Useful, if you are visiting Greece, are somehow fluent and want to mix with locals.
I must confess though that to my ears some phrases would sound extra wierd, coming from a foreigner!
 
 
 
 
 

 




Monday 15 July 2013

Home made jewellery cleaner



1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 tablespoon dish detergent
1 cup water
1 piece aluminum foil

 Directions:

1. Heat water in the microwave for 1 or 2 minutes.
2. Cut a piece of aluminum foil that roughly covers the bottom of a small bowl (like a cereal bowl).
3. Pour hot water into bowl. Place salt, soda, and dishwashing liquid into bowl. Place jewelry on top of foil and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse jewelry in cool water and dry jewelry completely with soft cloth. Discard solution after use and make a new batch next time.
4. According to wire-sculpture.com, "this works well for gold-filled, brass, german (nickel) silver, and sterling silver. I have even cleaned jewelry with freshwater pearls, shell cameos and mother of pearl with no problem.".

I found it here.


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Guest Post: The Latest Bedding Trends and How to Copy Them on a Budget

Hello, Friends,


Today I am glad to host Jessica who will be discussing bedding.
Fresh bedlinen is such a nice feeling, especially in the summer months. If we like them aesthetically, too, they can certainly make us feel special and closer to our dream "me".
So go ahead and read on!


Bedding trends seem to change with each season, and often take their cues from the latest fashion styles and colours. This is true in 2013 with many bedding designers embracing the Pantone colour of the year - emerald green. The other main bedding trends are listed below, to give you some inspiration.

Country Styling




It's easy to create a country chic style in your bedroom, and it doesn't have to cost a fortune to get the desired look. The basis of a good country style bedroom setting is to include lots of floral prints in subdued colours. Don't be afraid to mix and match more than one floral design. With the right combination, you can create a beautiful room with very little effort.


Check out your local flea market to buy some bedroom accessories to match the country theme. A distressed wood picture frame, antique chair and some dried flowers are all you need to create a unique and inviting room.


Clean & Simple





If floral designs aren't your thing, another popular trend this year is the clean and simple approach. Bold colours, geometric designs and plenty of stripes are the name of the game when embracing this theme.

Match the bedding with a minimalist feel to the rest of the bedroom. Store away the clutter and keep your bedside table simple and monotone to accentuate the bedding colours.

Black and White
 


Another key trend this year is for monochrome bedding sets that feature clean, simple black and white designs. Paired with some black & white art prints and some simple lighting, this type of bedroom setting can look very striking. It's a great idea for a male bedroom, but can also be pretty if the designs are made up of fine lines and delicate touches.


How to Save on the Latest Bedding Trends


If your budget is limited, try to spend the majority of your budget on the bed covers. Shop around online and look for a site that features the latest bedding styles, such as the yorkshirelinen website have latest range of bedspreads and throws. The bedspread is usually the highlight of a bedding ensemble and the extra cost involved when buying higher quality materials will pay off in the long run.

Recycle pillow cases and base sheets from before the makeover. This works better if they are flat, neutral colours. If you have the space and know-how, consider dying old sheets to give them a new lease on life.

One of the key elements to a great bedding ensemble is the accessories that you place around the room. You can save money by buying these items from second-hand markets or online. Antique auctions such as the-saleroom website are another fantastic place to buy bedroom accessories.


Black and white bedding is a big favourite this year, and you can easily find this style of bedding in discount stores. As a rule of thumb, try to buy sheets with the highest thread count that you can afford. The higher the thread count, the softer the sheet is to the touch.


Thank You, Jessica!

If you enjoyed reading Jessica's post, you might want to visit her blog 4 Interior Design and her Pinterest boards.
As always, guest posting is welcomed, especially during the summer time.
So, if you want to guest post for me, go ahead and contact me at
{ happyturtledeco at gmail dot com }  photo SigmaUpsilonGammaKappaEpsilonNuTauRho62013-SigmaChiOmicronLambdaEpsilonIotaOmicron_zps0ebcd821.png

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