by llenore | Mar 20, 2024 | Beauty, Blog, Business, Color, Creativity, Energy, Energy, Entrepreneurship, Feng Shui, Good Life, Home, Interior Design, Intuition, Living Room, My Story, Nature, Reflect You, Self Care, White, Yellow
Have you ever made a poor choice in decorating your home? If you did, was it your choice or someone else’s opinion you followed?
Design Mistakes
Blue, single-cushion, extra-long sofa
It was 1970. The sheer draperies recently were installed in my living room when a ‘friend’ said, “What were you thinking when you chose that color?” I thought the color was fine. Afterall, it was basically white!
The interior designer from the big chain store told me they were a great choice based on the other furnishings. My friend proceeded to tell me they were “too grey” with the other yellow-based colors I had in the room.
I was so embarrassed! I’d spent a huge amount of money on those draperies and knew my husband would be furious if he ever found out “they were wrong for the room!”
That wasn’t my first design mistake. It was one in a series. Buying a 95” sofa was one of the worst since it didn’t fit anyplace. My then husband, who was 6’5” tall, insisted on it in order to stretch out on it.
Design Classes
My friend’s comment was the last straw. I looked for a class to teach me about interior design. I found one through the parks & recreation department being held in a church and taught by a teacher from the prestigious Parsons School of Design. What a learning experience!
I became fascinated with the many guidelines of design. Many were totally impractical since I had a 2-year-old daughter and was going to have another child later that year. I made a new life-long friend who helped me put things into perspective.
She said, “If you want your home to be a showplace, you might want to follow the rules. If you want to have a comfortable home where you can raise a family and not worry about the mishaps that happen with children, use your common sense.”
She was a wise woman who shared lots of sage advice on numerous topics throughout our 40-year friendship. Sometimes the most valuable lessons learned are not from “teachers,” but from friendships.
Design Business
Within a year I had started an interior design business with several neighborhood ladies. We all were taking interior design classes at the local college. Our company was called, It’s About Design.
Each one of us had specific qualities we brought to the company. I was great at teaching classes that brought us clients. My focus was on the PRACTICAL SIDE of design. If you had children, pets, and/or didn’t like to clean house, I was your gal!
Now I do know the difference between yellow-based and grey-based whites. I’ve trained my eye. I also know, life is too short to focus on material things. It’s family, friendships, experiences, and the beauty of nature that means the world to me.
But if you have design questions, I love to share the pros and cons, the practical, and what truly matters in life. I’m glad to share my stories, experiences, wisdom, and sage advice. Just ask me!
by llenore | Mar 8, 2024 | Ba-Gua, Beauty, Blog, Business, Creativity, Energy, Energy, Energy, Entrepreneurship, Feng Shui, Intuition, Intuition, Number 8, Number 8, Power - Power Tools, Self Care, Wealth, Wealth, Women - Feminine
In learning Feng Shui nearly 40 years ago I learned about the energy of numbers, especially the power behind the Number 8.
Number 8
The odd numbers are considered masculine, and the even numbers are considered feminine.
In many of the Asian cultures the pronunciation of the word for wealth and the word for “8” sound almost the same. There is just a slight difference in the intonation. Hence, 8 (eight) is considered the MONEY NUMBER!
Yet the power of eight goes far beyond money. It is a double container of creation. Most of the numbers are “open” when you write them numerically, except for 6, 8, and 9. With 6 and 9 you only have one closed circle. The number 8 has two closed circles or containers to hold potential.
Taking that one step further in relation to the feminine body, think of a pregnant woman with her enlarged belly, which holds a new creation. It is DOUBLE the life force!
Infinity
Another interesting aspect happens when you turn 8 on its side. It becomes the symbol for infinity! (∞)
A fascinating tidbit in my Feng Shui training was the power of the numbers energetically in correlation with the yearly dates. This is aside from the Zodiac Animals and Period timeframes. It goes back to my statement about masculine (odd) and feminine numbers (even)
The whole of the 1900 century was “masculine” because the first number was a “1” or odd, masculine number. When 2000 started, the energy slowly started to shift to a more feminine quality. I’m not going to go into all of that right now, and I will say the shift does take time. Yet you can start to see nuances toward feminine-based ways of doing things happening if you pay attention.
Add that the larger the single-digit number, the more power it has. The year 2008 was considered the beginning of “the Feminine Millennium” according to my Asian-cultured masters.
Knowing about these qualities or facts regarding the number 8, I find it interesting that International Woman’s DAY is observed on the 8th day of March because March has been designated as “National Women’s History Month.”
Let’s take this one more step –
What if all the symbolism I’ve listed about number 8 brings those energies to life, like:
Women growing their wealth
Women sharing their female qualities
Women being the Creatrix of new ideas
Women stepping into their power
Women honoring their intuition (a quality often suggested as more female oriented)
Women growing in positions of power
Then we add this year (2024) is a year with 3 even-based numbers (2-0-2-4 – The number zero isn’t assigned a masculine or feminine quality), and you have a potentially very powerful year for women.
As I said, just interesting thoughts.
by llenore | Feb 8, 2024 | Balance, Bathroom, Bedroom/Beds, Better Life, Blog, Cleaning, Clutter, Energy, Energy, Energy, Feng Shui, Home, Kitchen, Self Care
Okay, here it is just before the Chinese or Lunar New Year and you know there are many things you were supposed to do to prepare. But it isn’t going to happen in one day! Think about putting a few of these things in place the day before the New Year, even if they are done imperfectly. What great FENG energy you’ll create!
Family Cleaning Their House Together for Before the Chinese New Year
Imagine stepping into your home every day, and it feels as vibrant and festive as the Chinese New Year celebration. While we might not have the time for a weekly deep clean—because, really, who does?—we’ve got some light-hearted habits that will keep your home in tiptop shape. Embrace these weekly rituals, and you’ll have a home that radiates positive energy and good fortune!
- Declutter with Delight: Channel your inner Feng Shui master with bite-sized, weekly decluttering sessions. Implement a schedule that aligns with the lunar calendar – perhaps declutter your pantry on the first Friday and the mudroom on the third Sunday of every month. It’s a tidying strategy that even Confucius would approve of!
- Mop with Joy: Mopping might not be everyone’s idea of fun, but it’s crucial for maintaining a hygienic and auspicious home, especially with little ones running around. Implement the “No Outdoor Shoes Inside” rule to keep the good vibes flowing. Imagine dancing through your kitchen without a care, knowing the floors are as clean as a dragon’s lair (Okay, that’s a little far fetched even for me!).
- Bed Linens for Sweet Dreams: Changing bed linens can feel like a royal chore, but making it a weekly habit can transform your sleep sanctuary. Make your bed a haven fit for an emperor or empress, surrounded by the comfort of fresh linens. After all, Feng Shui was originally only for the Emperor of the country. Now you can also channel your inner Empress as well as your Feng Shui Master!
- Dust and Vacuum with a Smile: Turn dusting and vacuuming into a weekly dance routine! It’s not just about cleanliness; it’s about extending the life of your carpets and floors. If time is as elusive as a lucky cat, consider enlisting the help of a robot vacuum. Your home will be so spotless; even the spirits will be impressed. (Side note – Did you know that Black Cats were considered royalty in many cultures? PLUS considered GOOD LUCK if they crossed your path!)
- Bathroom Bliss: Scrubbing the bathroom might not be the most glamorous task, but it’s worth it. A weekly spa day for your bathroom—scrubbing, wiping, and shining—will make it a place you don’t want to escape from.
- Kitchen Kung Fu: Master the art of keeping your kitchen clean and tidy. A quick wipe down after dinner will make your kitchen sparkle, and your home will radiate the warmth of a family feast fit for a fabulous female!.
Incorporate these light-hearted habits into your routine, and your home will be the center of joy, luck, and good vibes – just like a Chinese New Year celebration that never ends!
Gong Hay Fat Choy! Happy Chinese New Year!
