Room by Room: Freshen Up!

I know this is late, but a promise is a promise!

Now that it's Spring time again, that means Spring Cleaning!

BIG Disclaimer: I DON'T DO SPRING CLEANING because my kids' schedule are chock full at this time and lately Spring meant finals for me, so there... Instead I do SUMMER CLEANING the first week of summer vacation.

7 Tips to Freshen Up Your Home

1. Open up your all your windows before you dust. Let the fresh air in for about an hour. If you have ceiling fans, turn it on for 20 minutes. This brings in enough oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange that it actually freshens up your lungs and energize!

2. Now sit in the main living area where your biggest couch is. If you can't feel the life-giving exchange of breezes, that space is stagnant. Find a configuration where one has a window facing it or the air reaches the couch. It's a simple concept, you have a sofa for a reason, it holds more people and it's subject to immediate stagnation of air. After you close all the windows, then dust and vacuum to "seal in" the freshness for a little while to help you relax and enjoy the cleaner atmosphere.

3. If your main living and sleeping areas are dark (my MB is fairly dark) because of its normal orientation, then place more light in them. That's it! Nothing induces more happiness than a bright (moderately so) area. You wouldn't sleep in a brightly lit room, right? Why would you read in a dark room? Capish?

4. Dust your corners and bring life to them with either a plant or an inanimate object with movement or a light. Corners tend to be forgotten and so are numerous issues in your life that have been piling up.

Example: in my home, my corners are given a purpose: a cat tree, a shoe cubby, utility shelves, important posters, extra shelves. Corners are useful; do not forget them. It's like using up one part of your brain with important items that can exercise it enough to add to your betterment.

5. Kitchens need pruning too! This is my latest project as I am a self-proclaimed "Stock-Up" Queen. If you don't need it, give it away! I just recently did this by giving away some of my unused and rarely bakeware, doubled up kitchen stuff and using up good pantry items. Remember, kitchens are the best indicators of what you value. And to be honest, mine right now says, "busy woman". But I have a plan and slowly being executed! So pictures soon?

6. Just the mere act of clearing the couch (no, not by tossing things off!) can do a lot of wonders. Perform the 5-minute test: sit for 5 minutes on the cleared couch. If you can't smell the fresher air (not the Febreze only) or be able to have a wider view of your home, you are stagnant!

7. Look at your colors. See if you can freshen it up a bit. Even if you're a fall gal like me, just adding a neutral light or complementary seasonal color combos can bring great change in mood and energy. Try these:

Rust (Browns) and Red- add in muted turquoise or dusty blue. (Spring & Summer)

Browns and Rusty Red- add in taupe to tone down the heaviness.

The above is regular daylight, the two tone pillow broke up the heavy colors of rust red and brown.The photo below is with flash simulating night time and yet the lighter and smaller pillow still served to lighten up the look.

Burgundy and Black- add in minty sage or pale rust to lighten up the mood

Blue and White- infuse in some reds or yellow to transform the feel

Pink and Black- infuse in some pale sages to bring in a complete look and bring in another level of energy

Sage and Red- add in some taupes to complete the sophistication.

Enjoy your Spring Cleaning!

Room by Room Feng Shui- Bring on the good luck!

This month, we will focus on the top three of the bagua: Wealth, Fame, and Love

Who doesn't want their bleak luck to change? But did you know that in Feng Shui, there are three areas that are intertwined with luck and prosperity that their colors even match or strongly compliment each other?

Again, from your front door, with the bagua, identify these areas. If you have an open area, these areas stop at the very back wall.

Inviting Wealth: Purples, Reds and Blues would be good here. So those that love burgundy or red, you're set. Clean this area and keep it neat and accessible. Dust and place something of value like a jar of coins or a favorite figurine fitting for the room. Add to the coin jar everyday or keep the the figurine clean or a purple plant healthy. In my apartment, this area fell into the bottom of the stairwell. The only thing that could fit in was our shoe cubbies, so by keeping the shoes in pairs, in good condition and neatly tucked in, I am showing off my "wealth" and therefore, inviting more wealth chi that normally would be lost if kept messy!

By doing these little changes in this needed area especially in this economy, you are activating the chi that invites more opportunities to bring in more wealth. (Of course, you can do all of this but if you are lazy and not proactive in helping yourself bring in more wealth and maintaining it, nothing will help you! Just sayin'...)

Establishing Fame & Reputation: Red is the strongest activator for this area- the middle back wall or room. We can all bring in more luck and prosperity by having a reliable reputation and making good friends, so to activate this area, place a prominent red anything on the middle of this area. Do not put a fountain, as it water can drown, it can overwhelm this chi and ruin chances for you.

On my wall, I have great sayings and round candles on wrought iron wall candle holders. The flame activates it and the "climbing" effect of the stairwell gives us opportunities in upward ways.

Improving Love and Relationships: Mine fell in my laundry room which makes it hard to keep clean, but by just doing laundry and tidying things up while I'm in there, I "refresh" my love for my children (especially when I smell their clean clothes!) and I remember more family related things. Activate your with a sweet memento from your family; even the act of placing an family album or your phone contact book here will help activate it. On the wall, a painting of a beautiful home or two people in love or laughing children will strengthen it.

With March as the month to kick off Spring, this new season is perfect for new opportunities and refreshing relationships to reestablishing your loving natures and good reputation.

Take Note: Wealth is best invited when it is shared with those you love because they are the ultimate source of your fame which gives you your best reputation...

Room by Room Feng Shui- Master Bedroom

Feng Shui your Budoir just in time for Valentine's Day!



When it comes to our Master Bedrooms, we need to make sure that it is the room that should envoke tranquility, harmony, love and passion between any MARRIED (man and woman) couple that shares it. So here are some tips you can do to bring some immediate rush of romance into this special place.

1. Box up all those papers cluttering the room. Either get beautiful lidded containers or baskets and stack up nicely in the corner if you can't take them out.

2. Find inexpensive solid colored sheets- red, pink or white. If white, accent with romantic colors or your fave shade.

3. TWO is the color of unity and love, so make sure to place things of two in your room- pictures of two blooms, two hearts, picture of the two of you, or a statue of a couple.

4. Bring out the extra pillows- accent your bed for romance, so fluff up those suckers and place them in the center for a focal point.

5. If you have a mirror facing the bed, find a way to soften it by temporarily covering it. Nothing kills a romantic evening than to start criticizing yourself in front of the mirror. Make the two of you the focus of the bedroom.

6. Candles accentuate romance and strengthen passion, so get them in different sizes and spread them in two's around the room. Of course, be safe about it...

7. Don't forget to air out the room before you start any "redesign", to cycle in the good chi and cycle out the stagnant chi. Dust the shelves and vacuum the floor.

Keep the passion alive by leaving the candles and sheets for about a week. Remembering the passion from the night before can lift up your spirits and spread the love around to the other rooms of your home.

Alright, go and attract love and passion into your Master Suite! That's what that room is for! Go on, go on!!!

More good CHI

Two days ago, I reactivated my WEALTH area (it holds our shoe cubbies and the jackets hang on the wall. It also has Charlie's commercial planes poster hanging above the jackets.) by pairing up the shoes, dusting and clearing the space. Plus, I created a vertical focus by placing a small trunk on top of the cubbies and a plant on a burgundy and gold pot. Plants symbolize growth and trunks are often associated with valued possessions. Guess what happened? The next day, the rest of my school grant arrived in the mail plus Charlie mentioned that he was paid OT for the extra hours they put in one night of extended maintenance check. He came in the room asking, "Did you see my net?" Let's just say, "Good going, Charlie!"

The next day, and even today, we found some really good deals! Check my FREE Feet post

Remember... Energy in, energy out...

Another Awesome Thing to Note

I opened my email when we got back from Walmart this afternoon and guess what? I got and email from Stephanie McWilliams! I am now part of her mailing list, meaning I get her Feng Shui tips directly from her and Evolving Arts, the company she founded. Today's "My Cup of Chi" email topic focused on "How 9 Quotes from the King that Can Transform Our Lives Today" (MLK) and #6 really struck home with me.

6. "We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools."
Especially in this country, we tend to see ourselves as individuals, separate from the whole. We get concerned with our own needs, our own injustices, our own struggles, and our own desires. But if you look around, we are all so utterly interdependent, that it's almost mind-blowing. Every bite of food, piece of clothing, brick that built your home, or piece of metal that makes up your car has likely been touched (literally) by hundreds of other people. Unless we're living off the grid, every move we make is linked to lots of other folks.

The same interconnection is found on an interpersonal level. Every time you meet another, you're making an impact -- either positive or negative. Every smile, grimace, compliment or hug ripples out into your home, your community...and eventually, the planet. Only until we begin to see each other as united, as cells of a larger being... as our very own selves... will we experience peace throughout the planet. So let it begin with you!

This has been my personal mantra since I was a little kid forced to grow up. I quickly realized that if I want people to get to the real me, I shouldn't be afraid to show the best me and focus on leaving a positive impact rather than negative because I want the best people to grace my life here on earth.

Then on her email, she invited all to join her in her Facebook Network of Friends, so I did. I thanked her again for visiting my blog and for sending out great practical tips on using one's chi for good. She responded just a little bit ago:

Subject: You're SO welcome!
"You're adorable... thanks for joining my mailing list too!!!!

Have an awesome week...

Love,

Stephanie"

She is great! Her personality in her show is not any different than how she shares herself in her email and responses. She is very aware of what her chi can do to impact other peoples' lives, including mine right now. She is helping build my confidence in myself to teach people about Feng Shui to help them better understand themselves through their immediate spaces and circles. I love that!

Hmmm...

"A good design is all about balance." - Karen McAloon (Find Your Style)

"Growing up in suburbia gave me an aversion to sameness,..." - Kim Myles (Myles of Style)

"...get back to the basics." - Kristan Cunningham (Design on a Dime)

"Everyone likes different things from different rooms, and determining your personal style and how you want your room to feel is a key step..." - Vern Yip (Design Star/Deserving Design)

"People are afraid, very afraid of color." - David Bromstadt (Color Splash)

"...your master bedroom should appeal to buyers of both sexes." - Lisa LaPorta (Designed to Sell)

Getting a pattern yet? All of these design philosophies and observations have been encompassed in the practice of Feng Shui! Here's a good summary of how a good design can bring the impact you are looking for:

"Keep in mind that everything in your space has a voice to it..." - Stephanie McWilliams (Fun Shui)

That means, just because you brought it in to your space or you displayed it does not mean that it suits you or the room you placed it in. It can mess with your natural chi balance by either revving up the extremes of your personalities or further drag what you are trying to change about yourself and your space. It's all about harmony and balance between you and your space. In other words, Feng Shui...

Repost: Some Feng Shui Tips

The Bagua from ThinkQuest.com library of images

After getting that wonderful comment from Stephanie McWilliams, host of HGTV's FUN SHUI, I decided to repost these simple tips that can have a powerful impact in your lives. Everyone seeks balance and contentment to achieve happiness, but if you don't know where to start, how will you get there?

Ok, some of you maybe thinking that Feng Shui is some kind of Chinese Voodoo, but all it is, is finding the right furniture arrangement in your home to bring about balance that leads to happiness, prosperity and all that is good to continue living a balanced life. Being LDS, Feng Shui has taught me that living a Christ-like life is finding that balance that Feng Shui offers. We are all missionaries and if our private spaces can be more open to social, personal, familial and intimate opportunities, we will all be better missionaries which would then allow us to further the work without much feet dragging. So, here's some advice that I've lived by since I've included Feng Shui in my life, back in 1996:

1. Feng Shui has a bagua or an octagon-shaped direction finder of where you should "activate" your needed chi or life energies that you are probably neglecting or missing in your current lifestyles.

2. Once you've pinpointed where these good energies are, even after a "children and life-based" disasters, you can still visualize your balance and get to work in repairing your chi without self-inflicted guilt "bruises".

3. Every family is centered on how the parents see and treat each other- love, commitment and communication are central to any marriage, so create that in your bedroom. Focus on two's and a romantic color pallet that says "this is where we become united to tackle another day."

4. The next room of focus should be your living room- find a common color or symbol that unites your family. Feng Shui chi flows through a room that has a purpose but open to other areas of your life. If you have two sofas, if possible, have them face each other and anchor it with a rug. It will improve communication and gathering.

5. Corners are "dust magnets" and are therefore considered dead or bad chi. Fill them with tall plants or anything that can bring about life to the corner, i.e., a light fixture or a painting with obvious movement like a wave crashing or boat sailing.

6. Kitchens should be filled with things that are nourishing to your soul and stomachs. If it's not food or an appliance you rarely use, it shouldn't be out in the open. Dining rooms I consider the gratitude room, so fill it with colors and paintings that symbolize what you are grateful for. For example, I'm grateful for live houseplants, and having a good enough disposition so, in my dining room, I have live plants and an Asian rendition of the Good Samaritan. Fill a basket with fruits or veggies you love and put it on the table. It will serve as a reminder to eat better and appreciation for the luxuries of having food on your table.

7. For the children's rooms, place a painting they did where they can admire it and a painting that shows what you want them to learn that's important to your family.

Feng Shui experts can go as deep into symbolism or as simple as changing your color scheme, but my approach is to find balance in what you already know is your core: things and colors that make you get up in the morning and take that necessary step to make a difference. That will help you find your balance.

Feng Shui is my secret candy, what's yours?

"Fun Shui" TV Host found my blog!

... and she commented on it!!! Oh, wow! What a great day this is turning out to be! First, on Free Cycle, I got a white cake stand (picking up tomorrow AM) that I need for Valentine's tablescape and now this! Yes, yes, yes!!! At first, I thought it was my ward friend Stephanie Bean, but when I re-read the post, I knew it wasn't her! Wow!

Here's what she said: (Original post on one below...)

"Well, you just made my day! Not only is your blog posting so heartfelt and inspiring...but I also got a big grin on my face when I saw my very own show on your Gratitude list. I'm the host of "Fun Shui" on HGTV...and it means the WORLD to me that there are people like you out there looking to change your life and make a difference. Keep doing the great work you're doing! And feel free to email me directly if you have any great feng shui questions or stories to share!

Lots of love to you,
Stephanie (McWilliams)stephanie@evolvingarts.com
www.evolvingarts.com"

OK, I am now officially the luckiest person in Carrollton!!!