Enhancing Your Knowledge Gua

Marrying two things that I love - books and jewelry

photos: www. littlefly.co.uk

Jewelry designer Jeremy Mays is my hero. In a time where most people are downloading ebooks to their ipads or Kindle, because of Jeremy I no longer have to fret over what will happen to the overabundance of printed books. He reincarnates books into beautiful objects that can continue to enhance our lives with his literary jewelry.

This shows how this ring was literally extracted from this book!

 

On the Feng Shui bagua, there is a section dedicated to skill, knowledge and wisdom (bottom left hand corner). Wearing one of these beautiful pieces of jewelry can help you enhance your knowledge gua where ever you may be.

 

Combining symbols of love, beauty, and wisdom

Bedbugs go to the Theatre

Ballerinas are not the only ones dancing at Lincoln Center

photo: ap photo/matt moyer

It was on the news today that bedbugs were found in the dressing rooms of Lincoln Center. You're probably wondering, "What do bedbugs have to do with Feng Shui?" I knew you'd ask. Feng Shui relates to many things but especially to mindfulness, your environment and your community. In my opinion, that easily applies to this morning's news flash.

I am a resident of NYC where inhabitants groan but simultaneously relish the idea of living in such close proximity to one another. Living in such tight quarters makes the meaning of community even more so important and it's inevitable that issues will arise.

Although not a bedbug expert, I offer you a few tips to get started on right away that will help the NYC environment overall, your local community and your own home:

• Mindfulness - Buy a mattress and boxspring protector especially made to protect against bedbugs. Instead of worrying that you'll be the next victim, you can separate from that anxiety and take action. You can purchase these protectors on amazon.com or at your local Bed Bath & Beyond. Just make sure that they have a zipper protector. Also, think before you toss your bags or clothes on the floor, on your bed or on fabric chairs or couches. This helps transport bedbugs. Hang them up on a hook if you can. Not only will you prevent bedbugs from spreading, your home will be more organized!

• Environment - Start decluttering. Decluttering is one branch of Feng Shui. Bedbugs love to hide not only in your mattress and boxspring but in other things such as books, bags and other dark places. So while you are decluttering, also know that you are letting go of things that will help your qi (life force) better flow! One thing that's very important to point out is that bedbugs are not a matter of cleanliness. Anyone can get them. Just ask the residents of Park Avenue.

• Community - Share your knowledge. Inform your friends and neighbors that bedbugs instances are on the rise if they don't know already. Without panicking them, suggest that the tips you have read here. Not only will you be helping your neighbors but also strengthening the community of your building or neighborhood by reaching out.

If you'd like more information about bedbugs, I would suggest websites such as this one that I found. I believe the MOST important thing with this bedbugs situation is to remain calm while taking action. Indeed it's a growing problem but with some precautions and communication, hopefully we can help bring awareness and slow it down.

Lightbulb LOVE

 

Organically beautiful lightbulbs that are ALSO energy efficient!

image: Plumen

Why oh why is it so hard to find nice-looking light bulbs these days? Let me correct myself - Why oh why is it so hard to find nice-looking, energy-efficient light bulbs these days? As a Feng Shui Consultant and overall tree-hugger, I am thrilled beyond belief that almost everywhere you look, people are using the CFL spiral light bulbs to save energy and hopefully, the planet. But as a designer, it is depressing that we are all using the same sad-looking spiral light bulbs that are well, aesthetically depressing. And for those hard-core design junkies, they may even be reverting back to energy sucking versions in the name of style. Dilemma. 

Hark! Until I happened upon this ingenious design from English company Plumens. As their website states,

The Plumen bulb uses 80% less energy and lasts 8 times longer than incandescent bulbs, giving you the opportunity to purchase an ecological product with style. It works just like any low energy bulb but it has a lot more presence.

I'm so in love with these bulbs, I may have to travel to England to get some. Hmm, but I guess that would be negating by my carbon footprint. Darn.

See them in beautiful 3D here:

Plumen Bulb Loop from Plumen on Vimeo.

Moon Cake Update

Obviously my first thought was not taking this picture!

photos: L Lanneau

Parents are awesome! In spirit of Moon Festival last week, my dear parents gave me some really beautiful and no-preserved-egg-in-the-center moon cakes. Here's to family!

Chinese Moon Festival

Chinese lanterns seen during the moon festival

photo: southeastasia.org

Although the weather is still pretty steamy in New York, it's hard to believe that fall is already here. At least according to the western calendar. I know that most of us are bummed that the warm and carefree days of summer are soon no more, but there are many things to welcome about the fall - leaves transforming into gorgeous colors, a slight chill in the air and the hint of the holiday festivities on the way.

For the Chinese, this entry into the fall is honored by a Mid-Autumn Moon Festival or the Festival of Lanterns. It marks the end of the Harvest season and family and friends usually gather and celebrate together to eat moon cakes like the beautiful ones shown below and light incense as offerings to the gods. I personally am not a fan of moon cakes as there is a really salty preserved egg in the center! Instead, I usually eat around it, enjoying the sweetness of the red bean paste and reflecting upon what I enjoyed about the summer and what I have to look forward to in the fall. Happy Moon Festival everyone!

Beautiful moon cakes at the Hilton Beijing

photo: southeastasia.org

What are you doing this weekend?

This weekend is going to be perfect beach weather! 
image: vimooz.com

I hate to announce it, but the last weekend of the summer is upon us. Kids go back to school, days get shorter and we need to start unearthing sweaters (gasp). But hold on, we still have one weekend left and it's going to be a beautiful one! At least in New York. What are your plans to take advantage of this last summer hoorah?

Ice cream lifts my chi when I need it most!

image: susan chan

I am heading over to the U.S. Open. Oh and having some ice cream. It's free kid's day on Saturday at the U.S. Open and what better way to indulge my inner child during these last days of summer? If you plan to have a quieter weekend you can prep yourself by starting to bring some of the outdoors indoors in anticipation of the cooler months. Maybe that means bringing your herbs like mint and basil from outside and putting them on your window sill. Or making jam with the fresh peaches from the farmer's market. Whatever it is, do it slowly and consciously so you can be sure to make it an endless summer memory to lift your chi when you need it most.

Sabbath Manifesto

After posting this blog, this is what my plugs will look like

 photo: www.squidoo.com

I came across a site this week that has me hopeful that I can unplug from the computer more often than not. It's called Sabbath Manifesto and they explain: 

"The Sabbath Manifesto was developed in the same spirit as the Slow Movement, slow food, slow living, by a small group of artists, writers, filmmakers and media professionals who, while not particularly religious, felt a collective need to fight back against our increasingly fast-paced way of living. The idea is to take time off, deadlines and paperwork be damned....the ten principles are to be observed one day per week, from sunset to sunset."

My iphone will be sad but I'm sure it needs a rest too

 photo: www.pcworld.com

I love it and can't wait to get started. In case you want to turn your gadgets off sooner than later, I have outlined their 10 fundamental guidelines below to help us frazzled folk heal our overloaded circuits.

1) Avoid technology

2) Connect with loved ones

3) Nurture your health

4) Get outside

5) Avoid commerce

6) Light candles

7) Drink wine

8) Eat bread

9) Find silence

10) Give back 

As you see, they are mostly Feng Shui principles that help cultivate our Chi. Being a francophile, I really love numbers 7 and 8. See you again once I'm rested and frenchified!