Feng Shui Master Bathroom Renovation – Day 1

Watch the video on Day 1 of our major renovation (or, demolition!).

See the floorplan of our home as it is now and how we plan on expanding it, using the Feng Shui bagua as a guide.

 

My Master Bath Renovation – Calm Before the Storm

We’ve lived in this house for 12 yrs and have renovated nearly everything. It’s a great 1950’s home built in the Swedish farmhouse-style. Well we’re finally going to redo the master bathroom. It’s a 1950’s original, which, anyone who knows me, knows that I’m into vintage and retro. But, it’s falling apart. I am very eco- conscious, so to pour bottle after bottle of Liquid Plumber into our drains has been a hard one to deal with.

We need to replace our roof (7 layers of shingles isn’t a good idea!) so we’re adding a few other things to the list. Like make my daughter’s closet bigger, bump-out my son’s room so he can have an east-facing window in his north-facing room. And, while we’re at it, let’s make a walk-in closet in the master bedroom!

We’re approaching this with Feng Shui principles in mind, of course. According to Chinese philosophy, our property (homes, lots, businesses) are mirrors of our bodies.  Whatever we do to one, has an effect on the other. Tearing down walls can lead to health issues.

So, it’s most important that to begin this project we look to the calendar to plan the best day to start. And, unfortunately, sometimes work schedules do not align with most beneficial days, so I have made sure we are not starting on a “bad” day for construction, and will start the demolition between 11am and 1pm (most auspicious times of the day). Before construction begins, I will bless the walls that will be torn out.  This is a process that I do for my clients, commercial and residential alike.

Upstairs hallway

In the picture to the left is our hallway that leads to a window. There are two large storage closets in this space – great for storage, but not great for Feng Shui. These closets were our depositories for all items that we didn’t know what to do with. Since this area is in the Romance and Relationship area of the Bagua, this can have an impact on those areas of our lives. In addition, the Romance area was not complete. Once we tear out the closets and bump out the back of the house a few feet, this area will be complete.  Our master bathroom will be in this space, once we tear out the closets and bump out the back of the house a few feet.

Below are several photos of the master bathroom. Really funky and cool, but has to go!

Shower/bath

Sink/vanity

Aren't these drawers cool?

Check back here often to see how we are doing. Demolition just started!

 

I Heart Huckabys

One of my favorite scenes in any movie is from “I Heart Huckabys.” That scene comes to mind when I pass a beautiful meadow on my daily walk with my dog, Bailey. The scene where the poet/activist Albert and his new-found uber-activist Tommy are having dinner at a Christian home and Albert laments about industry destroying nature, specifically meadows and the beauty of a meadow at dusk. This leads to one of the child asking “What happens in a meadow at dusk?” The poet and mother engage in a shouting match. “NOTHING!” says the fearful, closed-minded mother. “EVERYTHING!” says Albert. “EVERYTHING!,” says Maureen.

Meadow at dusk

 

Long Island is Peaceful!

I am so grateful to live on Long Island. Sound strange, eh? What with the over-development of strip malls and the traffic on Jericho Turnpike and the LIE. Everyone is rushing around all the time with over-booked schedules. Because of all this, it is so important to take time out and enjoy the natural spaces around us.

The energy that I get from walking through trees helps me to regain balance. Thankfully, trees store and dispense this wonderful energy, available to anyone that is near enough. Your awareness and opening to this process increases the energy that’s available to you. Being grateful increases it even more.

Several times a week, I take my dog for a few minutes drive to the shore and we walk one of our favorite walks – a country road that is quiet and peaceful. We feel the sunlight and the breeze. We pass sunlit coves, huge pine trees.

Yes, Long Island is peaceful. You just need to stop and enjoy nature!

 

Feng Shui Snacks

Yes, you never thought you could do without them: Feng Shui snacks. I could hardly believe my eyes, when at a local deli, I spotted a rack containing these bags. What does feng shui have to do with snacking? Well, it is Asian-inspired snack foods, but other than that it’s hard to say…

Feng Shui snacks

The bag says:
Feng Shui is the ancient Asian art of aligning one’s environment in such a way that it brings about a positive change in one’s life. Our line of natural snacks coincides with the Feng Shui methodology. Using only the highest quality and all natural ingredients, we believe our products will help align one’s body into “A Perfect Balance”.

I actually like their brief, overarching definition of Feng Shui and how it can change your life, but a snack could hardly be qualified to do that!

Well, I had to buy a bag, so I could photograph it, but I didn’t eat any. My son had half the bag, which I was surprised. He said they were “ok.”

What’s interesting is how ubiquitous the term “Feng Shui” is becoming.  How about Feng Shui drinks, Feng Shui pets, Feng Shui ipods! Ooo, I may have given some of you ideas for your next invention ; )

 

EarthStock 2009 at SUNY Stonybrook

This past April, I exhibited at SUNY Stonybrook’s Earthstock event.  A great crowd including students, professors and staff all enjoyed a great sunny afternoon on the campus mall.

EarthStock 2009

There were lots of musical performing groups including this indigenous music group. A GreendrinksLI event was held that evening on campus which drew lots of local business people and neighbors.

Performing Group

 

Expressions of Your Authentic Self

On my way into NYC this morning I was reading the June issue of Yoga Journal and was inspired by an article about “metacommitments”. A brief definition is required: metacommitments, according to the author, “are expressions of our highest aspirations, our deepest sense of soul. They come from what is sometimes called the ‘authentic self’.” It made me think – what are my metacommitments? What principles and values ring true to me? And if I can come up with a short list of my metacommitments, they should serve as beacons to guide me on my path of life.

A beautiful sunset can inspire you

With the “real” world constantly beckoning for my attention, I must have frequent periods of coming back to my “Center”. As with meditation, this deeper soul-searching is required (with Neptune in my first house, this is a given). I will never satiate my hunger for self-help books and material, the kind that rip down, deep into the core of my soul. At different points in my life, I am introduced to material that is absolutely perfect for my current stage of development. I also realize that, given a few years, that same material will mean something totally different to me – always challenging me to look deeper and move further down the road of discovering my true authentic self.

So this morning, this article was brought to my attention by my authentic self. Okay. So I am in need of coming up with my list of metacommitments:

To Ensure Justice/Peace – I once visited a talented homeopath that also had the gift of vision. She saw that, perhaps in a past life, I was riding on horseback waving flags for a cause – for justice. That comment immediately rang true to my core. That is me! So “fighting” for justice is definitely one – equality and justice for all humans, for animals and the earth. With a child’s naiveté, I want everyone to get along and be happy. (I’m not the only one here!)

To Make Community – With 4 planets in my 11th house of community, I have a strong need to be involved with a group of spiritual people also on a quest for their authentic selves. So making and/or being part of a community is extremely important to me. I have dreams of living in a commune-type place on the beach in Hawaii, where everyone is on a spiritual path, helping each other. It’s Utopia! I know it doesn’t exist, but that’s what I’m aiming for, in say, 10-15 years! (I think my husband will be cool with that – as long as he can play handball!)

To Deep Spiritual Inquiry – As a young teen, I started the spiritual journey of self-reflection. At some point in my college years, I abandoned this inquiry process as I got entrenched in the world of business, marriage and then motherhood, however, the spark was always there and would show up on occasion. It wasn’t my late thirties that I started the journey again. Thankfully, spirituality is now in my life for good and I am being challenged by my higher self to make further commitment to it.

With these metacommitments, I pave the way for my future. These values will help guide my decisions when reaching forks in the road. Where does my authentic self lead me? I don’t know. But I can be sure that wherever it does, it will be a fabulous ride and more amazing than I can imagine!

What are your metacommitments? What about you defines you and rings true to your core?

The article is “Go Your Own Way” by Sally Kempton, in the June 09 issue of Yoga Journal.

 

Arame Salon & Spa Raises Nearly $1700 for Clean Water Initiative

What a great event! One of my Green Feng Shui clients, Arame Salon & Spa in Port Jefferson, NY, hosted a local Clean Water fund raiser campaign for Earth Month. They raised nearly $1,700 to support the effort.

Art auction at Arame Salon & Spa

The funds were raised through two avenues: First, Arame donated $5 for every haircut during the month of April. Second, Arame enlisted the help of  Port Jefferson High School students with the aid of Ms. Dawn DeLeonardis.  Ms. DeLeonardis and her students created water-themed art projects, in various mediums, to celebrate Port Jefferson’s heritage and connection with the local Long Island water habitat. These art pieces were displayed at Arame at an Art Sale held on Thursday, April 30 at 7:00 pm, with refreshments and live folk music, provided by the students. All proceeds have been donated to Clean Ocean Action.

Among those present offering their support at the event was former Port Jefferson Village mayor, Jean Garant and her daughter, current mayoral candidate, Margot Garant, Attorney-at-law.

An Aveda salon, Arame Salon & Spa participated in Aveda’s Earth Day 2009 campaign “Clean Water: It Only Takes Baby Steps”. Aveda representatives, Jennifer Manganillo and Christine Lee were also on hand to help with the successful event. Aveda’s fund raising efforts have a goal of $3 million for global and local clean water projects. What began as a day of awareness became $11 million raised for the Earth.

Arame and Aveda team

About Arame Salon & Spa
Arame Salon & Spa, formerly Cove 7 Salon, is located at 7 Trader’s Cove, Port Jefferson Village (Phone: 631-331-6633; Web: www.aramesalonandspa.com). Arame has gone through a recent renovation into a “green” feng shui-designed salon. Constructed with sustainable, non-toxic renovation materials, with green business practices, and a beautiful feng shui environment, Arame has recently switched exclusively to Aveda’s product line.

 

Judgment & Compassion

I have a thing about judgment. Most of us are self-conscious and care what others think about us. But with me, it’s a little more. Throughout my life I’ve always wanted people to like me and when they didn’t, I have gotten hurt. I would sit and dwell on it: “What did I do to them? It must be my fault…” It’s part of my karma – and my astrology, having four planets in critical Virgo in the 11th house of Community and Friendship. Judgment is one of my major challenges in life.

Judgment is not a one-way road! I, too, am guilty of judging others. We all are. As Malcolm Gladwell writes about in his book, Blink, we make very quick, intuitive judgments about things and they are usually pretty accurate. But when it comes to people, however, our intuition is highly unpredictable. We may catch someone on a bad day or a bad moment, and then make a judgment that he is a grumpy person. We need to realize and remember this. And bigger than this – we need to practice compassion. As in Buddhist teachings, mercy and compassion are the most important virtues.

Last night, while thinking about it, I recalled a conversation I had with a stranger at a party last summer. I’ll call her Emily. We were having a rather deep conversation – the kind I like best – and certainly not typical to have with someone you just met. She was very well-dressed and articulate and told me about something that happened to her a few months back.

Emily had just returned from a beautiful vacation – the kind that brings you back to basics, to the core of who you are – perhaps your highest self. Feeling wonderfully relaxed, she returned to work as a sales associate in a high-end designer shop on Madison Avenue.

A young teenage girl and her family entered the store and Emily went over to them. Her colleagues glared at her, seeming to say “What is WRONG with you?!” You see, in her shop, Emily and her colleagues’ pay is primarily though commission. Because of this, they routinely “size people up” as they walk through the door. If they look like they have potential, the sales people practically pounce on the victim. If they look like the typical tourist, they practically ignore the shopper.

So on this day, just returning from vacation, Emily was the embodiment of her highest self. She was gracious, thoughtful and compassionate. She spoke with the family, so obviously tourists visiting NYC for the first time. The young girl asked questions about the designers, about living in NY, and anything that a typical young girl, craving to know about life in the “Big City,” would ask. Emily was especially kind and spent more than the average time speaking with them and then they left, without buying a thing.

A few weeks later, she was called into the managers’ office. The manager said that corporate had just called. They had received a letter from a woman regarding their recent trip to NY and a visit to their flagship store on Madison Avenue. They had visited several other stores that day but were largely ignored. Only in their store were they greeted and treated so well by Emily, a sales associate. Their time in her shop was the highlight of their trip. The woman explained that this trip was paid for by the Make-a-Wish Foundation, for it was her daughter’s wish to visit designer stores in NYC. She had wished to become a fashion designer one day, but has been diagnosed with a severe illness.

As Emily told me this, we both had tears in our eyes (in fact, I do now). It was so moving and I am sure that her story, which she must tell to many people, has the same affect on them as well. The more we remember the message this story brings, the better we will be.

 

The “Super Natural Home”

I am currently finishing a certification as a Building Biology Practitioner, through the Institute of Building Biology & Ecology. I’ve been learning a lot about the types of toxins in our built environment, particularly our homes. It’s amazing the array of poisons that we routinely subject ourselves to and their effect in our lives. Some people manage okay, but many of us struggle against the toxins, from insomnia and stress, to allergies and fatal illness.

I’ve just been aware of this new book “The Super Natural Home.” From what I’ve read, this is a good book for everyone to read. Here is some information on it:  

Did you know that every single day, you and your family may be exposed to hundreds, maybe thousands of dangerous chemicals right in your own home? It’s razy, but there are untested additives in your food, your soap, shampoo and lipstick, and things you come in contact with, like your mattress, your sofa or even your pots and pans.  

So says Beth Greer, award-winning journalist, holistic health advocate, former President of The Learning Annex, and author of the band new book “Super Natural Home.”  It’s endorsed by Deepak Chopra, Ralph Nader, John Gray, Peter Coyote, and many others.

 www.supernaturalhomequiz.com

 The information in this book is critical for you to know if you want to keep you and your loved ones safe! It shows you how to identify and eliminate toxins that go in you, on you, and surround you every day.  

Beth thought she was leading a healthy lifestyle and then seven years ago she was clinically diagnosed with a sizeable tumor in her chest. Miraculously, by following the ultra-practical advice you’ll read about in her book, she was able to eliminate it without drugs or surgery.

 

www.supernaturalhomequiz.com

 

If you have allergies, are feeling tired or have children with learning disabilities, you might be sensitive to the chemicals in your home, just like Beth was.  The fact is, many of these chemicals have been banned in Europe but are sold here in America without warning labels. So, it’s up to us to watch out for ourselves and our families.

 

Don’t wait for a serious health problem to happen to you before you make changes in your life. Buy Beth’s book today, (and buy one for a loved one), and make your home a safe haven. You’ll find tips for making the safest, healthiest choices in personal care products, cosmetics, toys, household cleaners, furniture, food, and water, and much more.

 If you follow this link www.supernaturalhomequiz.com you will get free gifts when you buy the book today. A host of top authors, teachers, and thought leaders will be giving recordings and e-books of their work for free – all to encourage people to buy the book today. 

Here’s  just a few of the many testimonials:

“Beth Greer has written an invaluable book, filled with practical solutions on how to eat healthier, breathe cleaner air and transform our home into a safe haven, free from toxic chemicals.”  – Deepak Chopra, Author, Jesus: A Story of Enlightenment

 “Super Natural Home seeks out the silent violence (i.e., toxins) in and around the place where you spend most of your time, awake and asleep. We should have learned its contents as a natural part of our high school education.  But, better late than never. Required reading for anyone with a home and a healthy desire to see the unseen for the whole family.” – Ralph Nader, Lawyer and Consumer Advocate

 “Super Natural Home is a concise and helpful book for people who want to lead a healthy life.  I love it and think everyone should read it.” – John Gray, Bestselling author, Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus.