On the beach, in the raw...

I have been wanting to show you the origins of the beautiful handpainted Feng Shui by the Sea Wealth Stones.

Here they are, on the beach, in the raw- aren't they lovely?

And here's a small pic i snapped at the same time, of a persistent sail-boarder trying to capture the elusive feng on the beach there...

enchantment in the afternoon

Sunbeams shaft through the green canopy


Fall to the floor, to show us where true meaning lies.



these magic pictures were taken in Silverdale Glen a few afternoons ago. As the sun dips lower now, i can hear it's serenity calling me back.

Happy weekend, everyone.
xxx

HK for fun

Saw a cute article about a girly trip to Hong Kong and wanted to share it with you. A highlight is below!

Thinking about HK's wonderful nightlife, shopping, exciting vibration and delicious food- makes me want to hop on a plane this moment! Want to come, too?




"Looking down on the buildings and harbour below, I am struck by how attractive the city is. Could this be down to feng shui?

Vicky points out the Bank of China with its angular lines and describes how the surrounding buildings have used plants, reflective surfaces and even window-cleaning gondolas to deflect the bad feng shui that these angles cause.
Back down to earth, we climb the stairs of the traditional and atmospheric Luk Yu Teahouse, for steaming bamboo baskets of dim sum and tea.

The Lanes and Mid Level areas nearby harbour an electric mix of boutiques, wet markets and curios. Hollywood Road, is stuffed full of antique shops and galleries and you can pop your head into the incense-filled Man Mo Temple for some Chinese culture.
I round off my stay with a soothing massage at the hotel spa. It takes up an amazing two floors in a maze of treatment and therapy rooms.

Can you really “do” Hong Kong in a weekend? No chance!
But if, like me, you’re strapped for time then you can cram a huge amount into a three-night stay. Hong Kong is compact and the perfect place for a girlie pampering weekend with a twist.
It feels incredibly safe yet exotic at the same time."

by Lisa Walsh,
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/09/21/hong-kong-s-great-for-a-girlie-break-91466-21863189/

Beautiful mealtimes

Not earth shattering, but the most warm & fuzzy things in life aren't...





A simple trick I use in my home; and have wherever in the world I've lived, is to create ambience on the dinner table with the use of coloured napkins. "Don't ever say serviettes!" my chic expat aunt whispered to me as we sat down for dinner with guests at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron. (I was 12; and granted the "serviettes" were linen.)





Husby thinks my love of paper napkins is a bit naff (surely, too would my chic aunt, if she were still on earth). I have some gorgeous new ones awaiting an evening meal tomorrow; splendidly blue, with a happy looking, though not comical, lobster and sea shells depicted. The ambiance, therefore, is indulgent island living.





In Qatar I didn't splash out on homewares, not through lack of choice, but because we didn't know how long we'd be there for. Instead, I loved changing the energy with paper napkins, usually bought from The One at Landmark. On my birthday, I brought home blue-and-white striped napkins with lifesavers, anchors and starfish printed on them. Their summery energy reminded me of more carefree days than those we were having. In February, pink and red heart printed napkins made every evening a Valentine's meal. I was hankering a trip to Florence in June, and olive-and-tuscany napkins accompanied the Italian style dishes made in the weeks beforehand...


It's excellent feng shui that something so small and neccessary can create such good energy on a table. After buying these new lobster print napkins today, I visited the website of the lovely company responsible for their presence- paper+design (from Germany, and don't you adore german interior decor?) Now, i'm already planning mystic October meals to accompany their Halloween range! Quorn, anyone?



Chic or not (my verdict: deliberately naff, like a velour tracksuit worn by Victoria Beckham), coloured paper napkins firmly remain one of my favourite feng shui ways to create the energy of a meal.


(though we may be turning high-brow; in Florida i couldn't resist acquiring some stunning linen napkins, with a tiny pineapple embroidered in the corner.)


When you shop next for your dinner table, ask youself- what sort of energy does your table-setting create?



"A benevolent, uncomplicated world - that is what we all long for. Playful, the lightness of being. Imaginative, colourful and honest. Let yourself be captivated. Become a child again. Wonder at the beauty of a flower, the flavour of a cherry, the smell of grass, the wealth of shapes and colours."


-from paper+design corporate website

I know it's my job... but this is spooky

Spot the difference.

A few days ago I shared with you my joy at finding a special place on our property-hunt.

At the same time, one of my favourite bloggers, paris apartment, was scouring her city for a property for a client. She, too, found a beautiful place....

When I was cruising her blog this morning, you could imagine my astonishment!

(pick the manx barn interior from the french! ours is the lower photo.)

***

Part 2

Now, you may disagree, but I heart Martha Stewart. I like her story, I admire her business, and most of all, I love the colours, entertaining and storage ideas she and her inspirational team come up with. How absolutely delicious then, on the Best of the Blogs: Editors' Picks at Martha's website, my 2 most favourite blogs have just received a special mention: {this is glamorous}, and Absolutely Beautiful Things (go Aussie!).

If you haven't already, I hope you find a few minutes to enjoy them. Each of their different takes on living with style brings inspiration and joy to a home-lovers heart.

Bringing in the Baby Chi

Have opened this month's Red magazine UK (love it) and gobbled up the first article that appeared: 4 is the new 2. It 's about large families (think; the Jolie-Pitt brood) being life's great status-symbol; having 4+ children is uber-chic, once again.

What do you think?
The article conjured up, for me, beautiful images of big houses filled with mess, love and noise, the stomping of a dozen feet and always, somewhere, excited chatter and goings-on. In one of Nick Hornby's books (think it's High Fidelity) the main character, a single guy in his 30's, realises something in life is passing him by and he "wants to get more energy happening around here"...

As any parent will agree, having kids is one sure way to do that!

Do you want children, or more of them? Perhaps then, you'd like to join the 4+ club by using some feng shui tips for fertility. Here's a couple:

• A statue of the goddess Kuan Yin (Buddhist goddess of women and compassion) placed in the West of the home to form a beautiful decorative corner or altar, is an excellent bringer of fertility, happiness and fulfillment to the women of the house. An image of any female deity or mother-figure can be used if you don't feel connected to Kuan Yin.
• A pair of elephants placed in the bedroom symbolise pregnancy.
• Pictures of, or fresh, fruit with seeds- such as passionfruit, pomegranates, stone fruit, watermelon, in the home are excellent symbology and enhance male fertility.

The west, in simple feng shui, is the middle of the left hand side of your home when looking in the front door. Make sure this area is well-ventilated and receives good natural light. If it doesn't, turn on a lamp or light a candle for at least a few hours a day; and place a few lovely things in this room so it's infused with positive, feel-good chi.

You'll also benefit from spending time around the energy of babies and young children, and placing adorable pictures of little people around you. Remember to get excited at the prospect of growing your family. Look forward to it as if it's already part of your destiny- no if's, god-willings, or buts!

blessings to you,

Samantha.

Introducing... Handmade by Feng Shui By The Sea

picture: Feng Shui By The Sea Wealth Stones add sparkle and interest to a special corner, and draw abundance and prosperity chi into your life.

Good afternoon!

I am so pleased and excited to announce to you that Feng Shui By The Sea now has it's very own shop,

Handmade by Feng Shui By The Sea.

Please stop by for a visit! It doesn't matter if you are in the Bahamas, Stockholm, Islamabad, Sydney, Birmingham, Den Hague, Suva, Caracas, Sacramento, Toronto, Nairobi or Boston (...okay, or anywhere else, it's just that I love using commas when excited)- all you need to do is click here!

And, like magic, 4 products that will bring you feng shui, and which are organic, fairly traded, handmade, pure, local, sustainable, indigenous, recycled, energy-efficient, natural, cruelty-free, consciously made and beautiful await your browsing.

Caution!

You may get lost for a few hours. The shop is on Etsy, a website full of beautiful things home-spun by incredible creative people all over the world.

Thank you, and happy homemade shopping,

Samantha.
xxx

P.S. Subscribers receive an "Opening Special" coupon, valid until December 25, for Handmade by Feng Shui By The Sea. If you'd like one, you can join up for free in the box at the top left of this page.

Feng Shui- This Single Life

delicious picture from Nectar & Light


Midnight cheese and crackers in bed reading chick-lit... Flirting with the postman... I'd forgotten the joys of living the feng shui life as a single girl.



Remember the buffer of time the Universe allows between when we express a desire and when it's delivered? Well, it appears that Husby and I were asking for very different things a few weeks ago. For, now, as he flies a beautiful huge helicopter between castles on the mainland, I am cosy on our little island, making feng shui goodies, sticky-beaking into the lives of exciting expat women's blogs - when I'm not doing the all important book-writing, of course (ahem).

I loved my time as a single girl, and I know lots of you do, too. In fact, if you've been without a partner for any length of time you probably have a few favourite habits you just wouldn't want to swap for sharing your life with a toenail clipping, prickly-faced individual who may hog the remote-control. Right?

"What we focus on, we get." Whatever vision we secretly harbour in our minds, is what shows up in our lives.

Today's not the day to explore this idea much further. I've got exciting news for you in my next post. But I wanted to share that as much as I'm enjoying my own company, I'm looking forward to waking up in the morning, cooking for and being brought coffee by, and sharing the mundane moments with my special man again. Being a Mrs, after 14 months, is part of my identity.

Full Moon Weekend- September

I hope you had a lovely weekend, as I did. When the weather's damp it's so luxurious to be able to cosy up in bed on a Sunday, you'll agree! An excellent tonic for the frazzled soul; very rebalancing. Wishing you a damp, grey day off to do the same (Doha girls, I'll keep wishing!)

This little island never ceases to surprise me. Have spent many hours this week past tootling about, under the guise of looking for property but really having a nosy of wherever I found interesting. There are dear little rose-covered cottages straight out of a fairy tale, grand old crumbling mansions, sad, tired old ladies (grand houses) rotting by the seaside; and much more besides.

Although I feel a sense of sadness here (see last post), there is also one of tremendous excitement. It seems to whisper, "If you have money, you can do anything!"

Does the land itself know it's an offshore banking haven?

I've asked for guidance many times from the angels this week. Many of the properties have been a waste of time- the energy within so deep or stagnant or opposite to who "you" are, you can't imagine yourself living in the place. Stay tuned for an article popping up on How to Feng Shui your House Hunt! We need all the help we can get during this process...

My call to heaven was picked up on Saturday morning, when an unusual and precious gem of a property was shown to me by it's graceful owner. Thank you for everything this weekend, amazing universe, and dear reader, stay tuned!

love,

Samantha.

pictures taken in Orrisdale, behind Bishop's Court, Isle of Man.

Deliciously auspicious III

Here, some single shots from my own camera, on the eerie, mysterious, ancient and quaint Isle of Man.

Something here can make me terribly sad.

When "Mannanin's Cloak" (the mist) closes in, one gets the feeling...

despite the rugged beauty, wide sky; fresh air

Of being buried alive.

deliciously auspicious, in a way to send shivers down your spine.

Where the heart is... Feng Shui by the Sea

Many people compliment me about the website of Feng Shui by the Sea. I'd love to share with you it's background.

"When I created my website, I was travelling (as I have been since 2003, with longest "home" anywhere being 8 months). I was "so over" the idea of carrying belongings around! I wanted a home I didn't have to carry around me. A home that just existed, I could go to wherever I was in the world. Full of positive energy, holding the essence of what I really loved and a place that made others feel good to visit. Like my business. If only I could live in my business! Out of this desire, Feng Shui By The Sea (website) was made.

An enlightened man in Croatia built it exactly to my specifications and came up with some lovely touches of his own, that just make it more welcoming. I have asked him why he does not put his company name at the foot of the site for referral business. He tells me because it was all my work. Such is his nature.

I feel so happy to welcome you to my "home" and know we have similar hopes & dreams. It is a blessed space on the web and only kindred spirits find it."

Daily Karma

At the bottom of my email signature, I have a little saying. It reads, For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. - Audrey Hepburn. Click to give- it's free! http://www.freerice.com/index.php

It's human nature to want to make a difference, isn't it? If Feng Shui By the Sea on the web is "home", then these two charities below are "community". I found "free poverty" just recently and really love this game! And Free Rice has received world-wide commendation for it's assistance to the World Food Program. Both are a bit of fun support we can give to humanity daily.


Below is the full poem, Audrey Hepburn's Beauty Tips. You've probably read it before, and isn't it beautiful?

Apparently it was one of her favourite poems, oiginally written by Sam Levenson, and she read it to her children on Christmas Eve.


Enjoy, and feel good, knowing you're doing good :))

love,
Samantha.

Audrey Hepburn's Beauty Tips.

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; Never throw out anybody.

Remember, If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

~~~

Road map for your dream life

7 feng shui tricks that will smooth your path so you're free to create the life of your dreams...

the number one area of your house that has the most powerful impact on whether you're happy & strong, and how to make it work for you...

and a small tip that will help you never get upset again with that oh-so-upsetting person in your life...

September's Feng Shui by the Sea cheat sheet is ready for you. Have you joined yet to receive your free monthly "road map" to harmony, prosperity & success?

if not, click here !

fun pic from the delicious

Decorative Country Living

Faith in your talents

picture from {this is glamorous}



"You are here to find your true place in life, and to give of your talents to the world. You are here to expand and unfold in a wonderful way, according to your god-given potential, and to bring forth spiritual, mental and material riches that will bless others in countless ways.




Learn how to surround yourself always with beauty and luxury, and realise your unalienable right to life, liberty, freedom and peace of mind. You are not here to earn a mere living. Life is a gift to you."



-Joseph Murphy.





It is wonderful to learn of more people every day doing what they love and sharing their gifts. When you're gifted in healing others, you can't help but share. When you doubt, as you will, keep practising and keep looking for examples of your success.

It feels good to be in a country now where healing of all kinds are accepted. As you know, this isn't so in Qatar. And in non-Islamic states or countries, too, freedom to share special healing gifts can be restricted. So this is good news indeed:

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2008/sep/03/town-lifts-fortuneteller-ban/


If we are in a free state, we can send special love to our friends in places who aren't as lucky as we are to be able to do what they love & help others so openly.

A prayer to you tonight, who have talent & a yearning to give it to the world, but haven't found your right place yet. Have faith. You're exactly where you need to be right now.

love,

Samantha.

Season's turn

Glanced out the window from my perch in Stirling, and the weathervane turned, slowly, eerily around... measuring the mood of this medieval town?

Or maybe, quietly confirming a change of season.

Is it Spring-time now for you?
Or has Ramadan changed your wind's direction this September 1?


Autumn's one of my favourite seasons for it's rich colours and beautiful smell in the air. And it's so particularly special on the British Isles...





But wherever you're reading this with me from, it's also past year's mid-point, when the ghosts of January 1st resolutions we so wanted to make happen begin to haunt us in the moments between lights-out and sleep.
"Where is the year going?" they sigh.

And they move us to action, as we realise- 4 months to go to change our life, mind, or world, for the better, and tick a dearly-held desire off our checklist; "Got It!"
before 2008 runs out.



pictures via flickr and Maeve Wren