book review

What We're Reading: Simple Shui for Every Day: 365 Ways to Feng Shui Your Life by Amanda Gibby Peters - April

We’re on a 3-month streak sharing our monthly tips from our favorite book Simple Shui for Every Day: 365 Ways to Feng Shui Your Life by Amanda Gibby Peters. Below are some of the feng shui tips we incorporated throughout the month of April.




The short version is Amanda is the "Martha Stewart of Feng Shui". Amanda makes Feng Shui more digestible and accessible with a "home improvement-meets-self empowerment” approach. 


Here are some of the practices we incorporated in our home throughout April:

April 1

Adding water to your front door will welcome more money into your life, so we pulled out the birdbath and added it to the right of the front door. 

April 9

The kitchen nourishes and replenishes you so it should be free of clutter. We did a quick edit of the kitchen, tackling easy wins first - expired items, take-out utensils and sauce packets, mismatched Tupperware. 

Take a look at our quick decluttering checklist for more inspiration

April 12

A mirror amplifies what it reflects so make sure it’s dusted and that it’s reflecting something inspiring or beautiful, not a pile of laundry or stack of papers. We’re guilty of this so we moved that laundry basket far away from the mirror’s reflection. We don’t need to double our to-do list.

April 17

When you’re an entrepreneur it’s hard to shut off your work brain. And it’s even harder when your office is in your home. Try shutting your office door when you’ve clocked out for the day. This will keep your work from spilling into your personal life. 

April 21

Keep the toilet seats down and covered to eliminate energy drains. 

April 22

Add more red to your life and home. It’s a power color that promotes energy, courage, and attraction. We have bright red kitchen chairs that we were going to replace but we’ll keep them for a little longer now that we know this! 

April 24

Your clothing relates to your identity and personality so when we’re working with clients' wardrobes we always ask them to think about who they want to be and how specific clothing makes them feel. If the item doesn’t make them feel their best or doesn’t represent the version they want to be then we encourage them to let it go. Amanda suggests leaving a little open space in your closet to attract new things - a fun tip we started using this spring. 

April 28

Our backyard is one giant hill and it’s very challenging to use (it’s a real uphill struggle - ha!) Amanda’s remedy to counteract this energy - adding a flag pole or a weathervane to the property! So now we’re on the hunt for a funky weathervane - any ideas? 

April 29

Ah, our favorite April suggestion….Get rid of 27 things! Yes, 27! It’s the quickest way to change the energy of your space. Why 27? It’s a powerful number in feng shui - we can talk more about that later. If removing 27 items from your life seems too daunting, try moving 27 items instead. 


disclaimer:

If you purchase from one of our LTK links, we may earn a small commission.

What We're Reading: Simple Shui for Every Day: 365 Ways to Feng Shui Your Life by Amanda Gibby Peters- March

We’re on a roll sharing our monthly tips from our favorite book Simple Shui for Every Day: 365 Ways to Feng Shui Your Life by Amanda Gibby Peters.




The short version is Amanda is the "Martha Stewart of Feng Shui". Amanda makes Feng Shui more digestible and accessible with a "home improvement-meets-self empowerment” approach. 


Here are some of the practices we incorporated in our home throughout March:

March 6

Before you start a new project, clean and clear your desk area. Remove everything and wipe down the desk (I like to use a few drops of lemon essential oil either mixed in a spray bottle with water or a few drops on a damp cloth). Repopulate the desk with only the items that are needed and used. The key is to leave a small empty space to encourage room for creativity.

March 12

Instead of writing down your to-do’s and reminders in various places (both physically and digitally), pick just one way and try to stick to that method. Having notes and reminders scattered throughout your phone or on various notebooks not only causes mental and physical clutter but energetic clutter as well. As Amanda says, “Everything is energy - even if it’s Post It's” 

Pick a method that works for you - Jared & Shannon prefer a physical notebook and Jess prefers the note app.

March 15

Try this simple ritual when donating items. Say “thank you” before parting with the item as this facilitates closure.

March 16

Salt provides protection against unwanted energy. When your space gets heavy or you simply need a cleanse, leave a small bowl of salt in your space for a day. After a day, dispose of the salt (we like to toss our salt outside). You can repeat this as often as you need.

March 17

Clutter is a major culprit for daily stress and anxiety.  Instead of tackling the clutter all at once, do it daily. Amanda says to streamline trips around the house - so if you’re heading past your coat closet and there’s a coat tossed across the banister  (....we’re looking at you, Jared) grab it on your walk past the closet - make tidying a daily habit! Shannon’s grandma would say something similar - “Don't walk around the house empty handed” which was her motto for daily tidying.

March 23

Amanda says “How people feel about and remember a home is tied directly to how they’re feeling as they approach the door”. Make sure the entrance to your house is clean, obstacle free and inviting.

March 29

Under the bed storage is one of Shannon’s favorite topics. When asked what should be stored under the bed, the answer is always “nothing.” Clutter under the bed causes agitation. Try to keep this space completely clear. However, if you’re tight on space, store soft items only - like bedding or clothing or towels (in breathable cloth storage bins). Shannon even chatted with Apartment Therapy about this very topic:


disclaimer:

If you purchase from one of our LTK links, we may earn a small commission.

What We're Reading: Simple Shui for Every Day: 365 Ways to Feng Shui Your Life by Amanda Gibby Peters - February

You may recall that last year (and probably the year before that), we tried to share weekly and monthly tips from our favorite book Simple Shui for Every Day: 365 Ways to Feng Shui Your Life by Amanda Gibby Peters but we were not as consistent as we would have liked (sigh, life gets in the way) but we’re trying again in 2023!





If you’re not familiar with Amanda, you can read more about her here.

The short version - Amanda is the "Martha Stewart of Feng Shui". Amanda makes Feng Shui more digestible and accessible with a "home improvement-meets-self empowerment” approach.

We love her.


Here are some of the practices we incorporated in our home throughout February:

Clean Refridgerator.png

February 4

Clear out that refrigerator and freezer. Take out everything, wipe down the shelving and drawers and only re-add items you use!

purse on counter.png

February 5

Don’t store your purse on the floor. Amanda says “what you appreciate appreciates and the better your money forecast looks.”

February 9

Drink more water! It’s the element of replenishment.

February 10

We 1000% agree with Amanda on this one - one “junk drawer” is allowed in the house. But no more! And we like to call that “junk drawer” a utility drawer :)

 
 
crystals for the home

February 17

Add crystals to your space! Need some help choosing the right crystals?

 
 
clean entryway

February 18

Remove any obstacles, bags, piles of stuff around doors and entryways as this limits new opportunities.

rocks in a bowl

February 25

Is life moving to fast? Is your to-do list causing your brain to run a mile a minute? Grab some rocks and place them in a bowl in the center of your space. The weight of the rocks is a reminder to sloooooow down.

cash in wallet

February 28

Organize the cash in your wallet so all bills face the same direction.

This tip made me laugh because I’ve been doing this since as long as I had cash in my possession! 

Amanda says when you show respect for your money, you show the ability to handle more.



disclaimer:

If you purchase from one of our LTK links, we may earn a small commission.

2022 Mother's Day Gift Guide

Since our holiday gift guides were such a big hit we decided to keep the fun going with our Mother’s Day Gift Guide.


Velvet Non-Slip Hangers

Want a quick closet facelift? Low profile hangers are the way to do it. Plastic tubular hangers and wooden hangers take up more space than you realize and wire hangers can easily damage your clothes (and look messy). These non-slip velvet hangers save an incredible amount of space in your closet with their slender profile. Plus having uniform hangers is aesthetically pleasing.


Striped Seagrass Tote Bag

We love a tote and this one is the perfect size for everyday errands. The striped seagrass material is great for the summer and the reinforced handle makes it super durable.


Gastro Obscura: A Food Adventurer's Guide (Atlas Obscura)

One of our organizers introduced us to this book and it’s been on our minds ever since. From the creators behind Atlas Obscura, Gastro Obscura shares culinary hidden gems around the world.


Cricut Joy Labeling Starter Kit

This Cricut is much smaller than their main machines which makes it a little less intimidating. We use ours to create custom labels - surprise, surprise but the personalized options are endless.


Long Floral Garden Gloves

These adjustable gloves are extra long in length to protect arms from scratches and dirt and the whimsical floral print elevates any gardening outfit.


Adjustable Yoga Mat Bag

This yoga mat bag has adjustable straps, is made with water repellent fabric and has a few pockets to store your keys and/or water bottle.


UMA Bath & Body Oil

We love this Ayurvedic beauty brand. This set includes botanicals like clary sage, sandalwood, chamomile, and lavender (in the bath oil), and clary sage, sandalwood, chamomile, and geranium (in the body oil), to create amazing calming scents.


Theragun Mini - Rose

Give the gift of a massage with just a push of the button. This mini Theragun is easy to pack, is super light and packs 20lbs of force. Plus it’s rose.


Caraway Bakeware Set

We love a matching bakeware set especially when it features a toxin-free ceramic surface. Extra points for Caraway for creating storage organizers to keep the 11 piece set tidy in your kitchen.


If you purchase from one of our links, we may earn a small commission.

2022 Valentine's Day Gift Guide: For Him

Since our holiday gift guides were such a big hit we decided to keep the fun going with Valentine’s Day gift guides.


Farmhouse Pottery Heart Mug

Our family members all love Farmhouse Pottery so we were excited to include this mug in the mix. They are all one-of-a-kind and hand painted. 10% of each mug sale goes to the American Heart Association.


SunnyLife Lucite Backgammon

Full disclosure: we don't know how to play backgammon but ALL of our nearest and dearest friends love this game so we’re adding the classic game to the list but with a twist.


Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci

Between this book and binge watching Searching For Italy, Stanley got us through our recent covid-haze. Taste, just like the series, takes you on a journey through Stanley’s life through food. He shares special recipes, anecdotes, funny stories about being on set, growing up in Westchester, New York, and his love for Italian food.


Portable Grill

This charcoal grill is easy to transport anywhere. It’s only 15lbs and has a bamboo cutting board and a plastic storage tray for utensils.


Mix Tape on Vinyl

Select the songs you want to include (20 mins max), create your own cover art and choose between black, white or transparent Vinylify will do the rest!


Outerknown Travel Tote

We love a tote and we love anything Outerknown creates. This tote has all the features we look for - pockets, zippers, removable straps, easy-to-clean fabric, eco-conscious. These bags are handcrafted in a small, family-owned workshop in Japan from mostly recycled materials.


Weighted Sleep Mask

This eye mask is perfect for soothing migraines, calming anxiety, or easing into restful sleep. It’s weighted pods contour to your face, blocking out any light while providing slight, soothing pressure.


Marine Layer Sweatshirt

Marine Layer’s clothes are so soft and this sweatshirt is no exception. Jared lives in his. This sweatshirt is made with organic cotton and recycled polyester - Tidy Nest approved!


Polaroid Instand Camera

Same retro charm as the original with some helpful upgrades like a powerful flash and a timer.


2022 Valentine's Day Gift Guide: For Your Galentines

Since our holiday gift guides were such a big hit we decided to keep the fun going with Valentine’s Day gift guides.


Raffia Heart Baskets

While this is intended for a nursery or playroom, we think it’s a sweet addition to any room.


Plant A Tree

Plant a tree in someone’s honor through A Living Tribute. Each order will help conservation organizations like the National Forest Foundation restore treasured National Forests and Parks from the Pacific Northwest to New England.


Cork Placemat

A placemat that is cute plus easy to wipe clean is a win-win for us!


Big Friendship

“An inspiring and entertaining testament to the power of society’s most under-appreciated relationship, Big Friendship will invite you to think about how your own bonds are formed, challenged, and preserved. It is a call to value your friendships in all of their complexity. Actively choose them. And, sometimes, fight for them.”


Calm App

Give the gift of mindfulness, improved sleep, and… calm with a subscription to one of our favorite meditation apps.


Copper Water Bottle

Okay, we love a gift that you’d never buy yourself and this is one of them. It’s a pricey water bottle but not only is it so pretty, it’s inspired by the Ayurvedic practice of tamra jal - or, storing water in copper vessels - which is believed to help neutralize toxins as it ionizes and balances the pH of water.


Jade Comb

By now you know that Shannon loves crystals and she will find any reason to bring them into her daily routine. This jade comb, sourced by the best holistic skincare queen, nourishes the scalp, increases blood flow and releases tension.


Heart Pillow

We love simple holiday decor that could also be used year-round.


Yoga Mat

This mat has a great grippy surface and is eco-friendly and biodegradable.


What We're Reading: Simple Shui for Every Day: 365 Ways to Feng Shui Your Life by Amanda Gibby Peters

We mentioned that one of our goals for 2022 is to read more books and share our findings with all of you. 

So first up is a book that sparked my interest in Feng Shui - Simple Shui for Every Day: 365 Ways to Feng Shui Your Life by Amanda Gibby Peters

Amanda is the "Martha Stewart of Feng Shui" so no wonder I was drawn to her (We all know my love for Martha). Amanda makes Feng Shui more digestible and accessible. Her approach is "home improvement-meets-self empowerment" - a combo we can all use.   

This book has 365 prompts to help you incorporate Feng Shui practices in your life and home. Some pertain to clutter, some pertain to the 5 Chinese Elements, some pertain to space clearing. There's something for everyone. 

We’ll be sharing our monthly take aways here on the blog and each week on Instagram, we’ll share how we implemented it into our own space.

Here are some of the practices we incorporated in our home throughout January.

January 3 - Do one nice thing for your space every week until the end of the year. The first week of January, we smudged our entire house and added new crystals to our space. The second week of January we decluttered the entire home and donated items we longer use or need. Next week we'll be adding fresh flowers to our spaces!

January 5 - Oranges represent "the sweet life" so keep a bowl of oranges in your kitchen and more opportunities to enjoy your life will come your way.

January 11 - Introduce mother nature to your office. Add plants to reduce fatigue, add bright colors to bring life into your surroundings, incorporate natural materials as their chi is more powerful.

January 12 - Remove anything in your home that suggests "struggle". We got rid of all our expired food (and we're embarrassed to share that it was more than we thought), we removed any dying or dead plants (sorry mom) and discarded anything that was worn out or damaged beyond repair.

January 14 - Open your windows once a week. Think “out with the old and in with the new”!

January 18 - Clean that oven! It’s super important in Feng Shui as it attracts personal and financial abundance.

January 21 - Replace photos around your house to make your space feel more alive!

January 25 - Clear off your nightstand - too much stuff in one place causes brain fatigue.

January 28 - Items from nature nurture chi magic in our homes. Find unique ways to incorporate items from nature into your spaces - we have crystals, rocks, plants and feathers everywhere!

January 30 - Amanda says it so well “When you tolerate clutter, energy doesn't flow freely - and if energy isn’t moving, your money situation isn’t either.” Tackle those stacks of papers, magazines and random piles. I was embarrassed to find a year worth of old magazines in my office.

 

disclaimer:

If you purchase from one of our LTK links, we may earn a small commission.