Inspiration + Colour + Placement = Balance
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Happy New Year!
Yes it is the 7th January but if you didn't manage to declutter, decamp or just declare, you have Chinese New Year coming up on the 10th February. I am presenting again to nine French people this week on what to do for the new year in Feng Shui. It is an interesting cultural take on presenting the new Feng Shui practice, based on old Chinese philosophy for French apartments and houses which have different architectural nuances. East meets West and then France! We will focus on decluttering, attracting new energy and understanding the Wood element with the Bagua Map. Let
Go to Bed, Sleepy Head
Noel Coward said that, "bed is the perfect climate". He is correct, I concur! Other than the living room and sofa, the bed is the other place where we spend most of our lives. It is the place to go to when the world is too much. How many of us have hidden under the bedcovers when life seems to just get in the way? And then there is the matter of quality of sleep. Apparently, we should have a room temperature at 18.3C or 60-68F degrees for a decent night's rest and that is the goal. Buy a Bed First
Alpine Moments
John Steinbeck said, "What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness". It was a freezing weekend of powdered snow, pine trees, wood chalets and everything ski-related! Not our natural environment but we were there for a friend's birthday. Surrounded by wood walls, ornaments and decor, the open fire, spa and sleigh beds offered the comfort needed against the outdoors. We were at least 4 kgs heavier with clothing, wrapped up to face the wind chill. Happily returning to warmth and sunshine, Camus says it all, “In the depth of winter, I finally learned
Decorate the Tree!
I have given in and the tree is decorated, fairy lights are out and a small fortune has been spent on baubles and decor ready to enter into the Christmas season. Maya Angelou said, "I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights". I am with her. It is a crazy time with so much expectation packed in a few weeks and full of nostalgia, Hollywood movies pressure and the dream of happy families and good cheer. Some stores have gone
Doors May Close but Windows May Open
So many conversations recently with people whose lives are at a tipping point, a moment of change or even just asking the big questions, who am I, where am I going, what on earth am I doing? As we move to the end of an interesting year, there is a hope of some weeks of peace and kindness. It is not about belief but about behaviour. As Milton Berle said, “If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.” Why not a window?
Feng Shui Basics for Rentals
This is a very practical post based on recent questions from friends regarding renting a place and managing Feng Shui practices. Some have a house, some an apartment and others, just a room. Not easy to manage and also, most requests are from people on a budget or who are not keen on spending too much money on a temporary space. Start with the owner and ask for permission to make changes, they can always say yes. Many are willing to allow changes and painting within reason as long as the apartment is restored to its former glory for the next
Christmas is Coming
"Christmas is a frame of mind", Father Christmas said in Miracle at 34th St. I am not there yet. The sun is shining today and a friend and I sat on blue chairs looking out to a glittering sea soaking in the vitamin D. However, the shops and adverts are making it known that there are only a few weeks left. As we get older, it is isn't the presents but the thoughts that count and a card is always welcome. Over the years we have gone from postage costing more than the gifts, to sending a card, and now a
Autumn Leaves
"Autumn is the hardest season. The leaves are all falling, and they’re falling like they’re falling in love with the ground', wrote Andrea Gibson. I hear her, others love the idea of anything orange or representing a pumpkin, cups of hot chocolate and big, baggy jumpers and boots. Some of us sigh as the sun gives up, the wind picks up and the rain sets in. I then count 'blue sky' days as at least they are cheerful other than the 'greyness of a quiet Sunday with nothing happening or worth watching and I have read my recent book' kind of
