If you were to ask your home if it feels loved...what would it say? 

I believe that if you infuse your home with love it will show you love in return.  Often times I'm called in to do a space clearing on a home that has remained empty for months (or even years) and was recently purchased.  These homes have such a stale, sad, unloved energy to them.  The home literally feel abandoned!  Clients call me because they know it should be properly cleared prior to their family and possessions moving in.  However, I do more in clearings than just cleanse the space, I help my client understand the importance of removing that stagnant energy and infusing the space with love.  Love for the roof overhead, protection from the elements, a space to gather for meals, and love for having a restful place to go at the end of the day to enjoy time with loved ones. 


So how do you show your home love?  Buy some fresh flowers to place in the center of your home, bring home a new piece of art to hang on the walls, or simply give it a good cleaning with the intention of showing your home appreciation. 




Here's an excerpt from one of my favorite books Healing Environments by Carol Venolia:


"Love is the magic ingredient in any environment.  Loving the place where you are, loving yourself, and sharing love with others all build up the good feelings in a place, making them available to all who enter." 

Feeling well rested keeps us going throughout the day so it’s vital to have a bedroom that encourages a good night’s sleep.  I often am working with clients to help them find better sleep and it’s not uncommon to see these “no-no’s”.  Below is a list of items that I’ve been seeing in the bedroom lately.  We begin by removing these items and then we add in some lovely elements to promote good sleep.
 
Here’s my top three items to remove from your bedroom....
 
1. Dirty laundry hamper – A dirty laundry hamper is filled with dirt, germs, food residue, dust, and who knows what else.  Not to mention possible negative energy that you may have picked up while out and about in your day.  This is not something you want in your bedroom so place in a bathroom, laundry room or somewhere out of sight.

2. Waste basket – I’ve been noticing some clients having waste baskets in their bedrooms, especially visible from the entry door and visible from the bed.  I understand having waste such as tissues and such, however, unless you’re ill, the waste basket should be stored in another room, perhaps a nearby bathroom.  If you must have one in your bedroom, ensure that it is hidden from view.

​3. Computer – Yes, you’ve heard me discuss the problems with having a television in the bedroom, but I’ve been seeing a lot of computers in rooms lately.  Laptops or tablets lying next to the bed is not an uncommon sighting.  Looking at a computer, just prior to sleep can easily affect your sleep.  Don’t believe me?  Test it out with one week of electronics on and one off.  I’m sure you’ll transition to reading a book before bed instead of staring at a computer screen soon!
 
The next step is to introduce items to trigger rest and relaxation of your body.
And…that will be my next post! Stay tuned!

Lisa xoxo
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Antiquing is fun and I love searching for just the perfect vintage piece.  It also wonderful to receive treasured heirlooms from family members.  However, it’s important to clear the energy of these pieces of furniture, art and accessories along with the spaces they will go into.  Prior to bringing things of this nature into my home I have a ritual that I follow and I’d like to share it with you.

I have a large patio with a nice breeze often blowing across the yard.  Upon gaining a new treasure, I place it on the patio to let it air out.  This is especially nice if it’s been closed up in an antique store for some time.  I then give the piece a bit of love by wiping it down with a cloth and a water/vinegar mixture and then continue to let the air penetrate the items for a bit longer.  Next, I burn some Sweetgrass around the item and spritz an essential oil mist as a finishing touch.  It is only after this process that I introduce it into my home.  I like to make sure that it is cleared of any negative energy and just given a little love and attention.

This method can apply to a large piece of furniture, small accent, or even piece of vintage jewelry.  You may find you enjoy a different method, perhaps burning sage or using crystals.  Whatever your method, I encourage you to be cautious of what you’re bringing into your home and into your private space.  Take the time to clear and “reset” the energy of the object.  Give it a bit of love and you will surely enjoy the piece! ​

This will be the third time posting this article. I think its so important to set up young people for success. Each year I add a sentence or two, tweak it from feedback, and hope for the best. Enjoy and please share with anyone you know of who is heading off to college. 

​We all know of at least one young person who has gone off to college, only to return half way through the semester stressed out and anxiety ridden. It’s not uncommon for this to happen with all of the stresses involved. There is everything from moving into a strange space, eating cafeteria food, dealing with roommates, fully caring for one’s self, missing family and friends, all in addition to studying and performing well too! Whew! 

Feng Shui and the effects of altering your environment can be profound. A dorm room is often not the most calming and relaxing space, so it’s important to take a few extra steps to ensure that your child has a place to rest, relax and rejuvenate. These tips on top of a lot of love and positive reinforcement are sure to put your student on the right track.
 
Below are a few tips to help any young college bound student:

1. Green Plants – Not only are they providing fresh, clean oxygen, but they actually improve your mood and help you connect with your space. A plant with soft rounded leaves is recommended.
2. Aromatherapy – Essential oils can do wonders when struggling to relax or struggling with sleep. Mint and rosemary can be wonderful for clearing your mind after a long day. Inhaling a few drops of lavender or spritzing a lavender mist on your pillow is ideal for calming down. A diffuser can be a wonderful investment for a dorm room.
3. Calming Colors – It’s not uncommon for anyone to struggle with sleep, away from home. By enhancing a dorm room with soothing blues and lavenders they’re sure to drift off. Decorate with soft, comfortable bedding and décor of these colors for a calm feeling.
4. Lighting – Dorm room overhead lighting can often be unpleasant. The lighting can be cold and harsh. Be sure to pack a lamp or two with warm toned bulbs for your student.
5. Bed Location – Arrange the bed so that anyone entering can easily be seen. It’s good Feng Shui to have a clear view of the door, this provides a feeling of comfort and stability.

 
Be sure so share this with any friends or loved ones with students heading off to school. They’ll definitely thank you knowing their student will be able to perform well, while feeling their best.

The debate of faux flowers seems to be quite popular among Feng Shui practitioners.  When we’re completing a client consultation we’re looking to balance the Five Elements of Feng Shui; Fire, Water, Wood, Earth and Metal. Often times we need to introduce the Wood element through some form to create balance. The easiest way, is to add a plant. It provides connection to the wood element while also being a natural air purifier. 
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Unfortunately, I often have clients who don’t trust their kiddos or pets around the plants, or they simply don’t believe they’ll be able to take good care of the plant. Perhaps they travel often and can’t care for the plant or maybe they just don’t have a green thumb. In this instance, I see no problem with introducing a silk or faux plant in your home. It all goes back to intention as Interior Alignment® always promotes “Where Intention Goes, Energy Flows”.  It’s perfectly fine if you don’t feel like taking on a living plant, just make sure you find a silk floral or faux plant that you REALLY love. While some Feng Shui practitioners feel this is introducing fake or dead energy, I’d definitely prefer this over you repeatedly finding your newest plant dead upon your arrival home at the end of the day.

It’s certainly true that some faux plants are better looking than others. I have clients sometimes scowl at the mention of a faux floral arrangement, not realizing how far they’ve come in recent years and how beautiful they can be. Take some time and find just the right beautiful arrangement that fits your style and space. Make it a piece that will bring a smile to your face every time you see it.

Looking for a great silk plant or arrangement? I like to create my own with just the right blooms, colors, textures and container. If you’re not crafty, reach out to a local interior designer as they’ll have great resources. I’ve even found some cute arrangements at Target, Pier 1 and Pottery Barn. Keep in mind you can always tweak these store bought arrangements. Sometimes I’ll find the perfect creation that only needs a specific pop of color which I can easily add in.
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In conclusion, I recommend you go with what resonates with you. If you can care for a living plant, go for it! If not, feel free to introduce the wood element through a faux or silk arrangement. Just make sure it’s something that you really like and makes your home sparkle!

​​Looking for some symbols of protection for your home?  A pair of Foo Dogs may be just what you need.

Foo Dogs or Fu Dogs are popular symbols used in China to represent power and protection.  In China, they are called Shi which means “lion”.  This symbolism is in front of every important building in China, especially throughout the Forbidden City in Beijing.  They are also referred to as guardian lions. There is symbolism to each small detail in a pair of Foo Dogs.  Why a pair?  You’ll always see a pair of Foo Dogs; one is female which has a cub under its paw and should be placed on the left, the male has a ball of yarn under its paw and should be placed to the right of the female.  It’s important to have the pair as this represents harmony.

Add a pair of Foo Dogs to the entry of your home.  I continually encourage clients to investigate the FIRST thing they notice as they enter and to then enhance that specific area. Foo Dogs would be perfect here! If you’re looking for major impact, place a pair outside the entry of your home.  Now don’t be afraid to have some fun with this.  If a traditional Asian looking pair of Foo Dogs is not your style, opt for something fun.  I recently saw a pair of cobalt blue painted Foo Dogs that would be great in a modern interior.
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If you already have a pair of Foo Dogs, give them a little love.  Dust or wipe them down with a damp cloth and make sure they shine!

Our clutter is so different from our parents and grandparents.  They had clutter that consisted of a lot of newspapers, magazines and miscellaneous paperwork.  Fortunately, we are saving some trees these days and don’t have as much actual paper clutter.  We’re reading magazines online, paying bills online, and more, which is great. However, we now have an abundance of electronics which has changed our clutter to be completely different.

I recently cleaned out a drawer in my office and found four different chargers, each for a different device.  Two of these devices I actually had gotten rid of a year ago.  I also found two different electrical adapters and an old cell phone.  The adapters...I don't even know what type of device the belong to!  Yes, electronics have caused us clutter!  We’re constantly upgrading and manufacturers are also changing devices and connections often.  No wonder we have an abundance of this stuff.

Here are six tips to cut down on “device clutter”.

1. Keep only needed cords and devices that you actually use
2. Get rid of old computers, printers and cell phones (please dispose of accordingly)
3. Wind up any cords and tie with a zip tie or twist tie, then label as to what it connects with
4. Label any special adapters as to their use
5. Store all cords and adaptors in one place in your home
6. When you discard a device, find its coordinating adapters and plugs, and discard at the same time​

Got a great tip for organizing electronic gadgets, cords and adapters?  Please share in the comments! 

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Greetings!
I hope you're having a great summer. You may have noticed that I'm behind on blog posts.  I've had so many ideas and topics in my head but sitting down to type has been hard.  I've been struggling with my meditation time too, my stack of summer reading on the coffee table is growing not diminishing, and I've even caught myself scowling while heading to yoga class.  There seems to be so much to do and so little time lately.  I did bring this on myself though as I recently had the debut of Good Chi and scheduled my first Pop-up Shop shortly after while also trying to keep up with all my client consultations. 

With Independence Day upon us, I'm now finding extra time to catch my breath and I'm really CHECKING IN.  I know this is just a phase and like everything there is ebb and flow.  This morning's focus was to schedule that "me time" in.  I just planned the the yoga classes I'll attend this week and already booked my spot.  I also just scheduled a massage, and also have literally blocked time off throughout the week for reading. 

So this is your friend reminding you too, to check in with yourself.  What do you need right now?  Are you getting the good healthy food your body needs?  Are you finding time for exercise?  How about just being outside in the fresh air?  Go ahead and make a list or better yet, schedule that yoga class, a walk in the park or just time in your backyard with your kids.  You know if you schedule it you're more likely to stick to it.

Wishing you all a wonderful Independence Day!

Lisa
xoxo