Green Living

The Power of Gratitude

Jane Green5 Comments

card of the weekBeing thankful for what you have is the surest way to love where you are. If you are not happy with your place or your space, you have the power to change it. It’s called gratitude. You can shift your world by blessing it. Start right now by looking around your room and saying thank you. When you walk into your home say thank you. Practice mindful placement of your belongings. And always give and receive with gratitude.

Giving thanks begins in the heart. It’s where all healing starts. Connect with your heart-self by bringing nature close to you. Its energy will lift you and your space. Simple. A single flower is a good way to start.

About this photo: Flowers vibrate at a high frequency, especially roses. This spray rose beauty greeted me in my backyard one afternoon. The fragrance called to me even before I saw the blossoms. Pink and green are the colors of the heart chakra so this photo was perfect for the GRATITUDE card.

Holiday Tip: Place this card on your table at Thanksgiving. Pass it around to each guest and let them share what they are grateful for this season.  Dining alone? Start a gratitude list on paper. Add something new each day of the season. Don’t have your WISDOM CARDS yet? Click here to order your deck today!

What’s Your Home JOY Factor?

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JoyEvery home has a JOY factor. How would you rate yours? It doesn’t matter if you live in a 4k sq. ft. home or a studio apartment, your space should be a source of cheer. A refuge of welcome and an uplifting place to dwell. If your home (and or office) isn’t making you smile, look to nature for inspiration and countless remedies to banish the blues. From clearing and cleaning your space to refreshing and uplifting your spirits, bringing nature indoors helps you connect to the bright side of life. To get you started, click here for my quick pdf guide, Energy Boosts from A Clear Place, a how-to for lifting your spirits and home energy by using essential oils and energy essences. Meanwhile, display this card whenever you need a lift. Place in a dark or cool corner of your home to add warmth. Pin it next to your mirror as a reminder to smile. Don’t have your Wisdom Cards yet? Order here and take your joy factor from a two to a ten!

About this photo: Always pointing to the sun, this giant sunflower was a perfect choice for the JOY card. Brilliant petals against the bright blue sky of a warm summer day … the energy makes my heart smile. Taken at Skyline Farm just west of Portland.

 

WATER – the Element of Change

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WATERThe element of Water is all about change and transformation. The ebb and flow of energy. The clearer your space, the easier it is to allow for a natural flow. We are bodies of water living on the water planet. It doesn’t get more connected than that. Water is life giving, healing and a master at shape shifting. Use that power to help with transitions and changes in your life. If you’ve had a loss, bring water energy into your space to help in the release process. A tabletop fountain, images of a river, fish, boats or the sea. Colors include shades of blues and greens. Accent with glass, shells, pearls. Hydrate yourself and your home by misting with an energy spray or a mix of water and lavender essential oil. Check your plumbing, clean drains and gutters. Release, clear out and let go. And allow for life to unfold in wonderful ways.

Corresponds to the season of Autumn, sunset and the direction of the West.

About this photo: Taken from a lookout point on the central Oregon coast. After a foggy morning, the mist cleared and the sun came out. The scene shifted from gray and black to blue and green within minutes. Magic.

Want a clearer place? Get your deck of 34 Wisdom Cards and find simple ways to bring the beauty of nature into your space. Learn more here.

Micro Apartment Creates Smart Space

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paris-micro-apartment-Marc-Baillargeon-Julie-Nabucet-2I’m fond of saying that the size of the space really doesn’t matter. It’s how you utilize your space that counts. But can you really create comfortable living in a 130 sq. ft. room? Yes! This micro apartment is a perfect example of what can be done with intentional design and mindful planning. Natural light helps enhance the open feeling to this room as does the sleek, trim modular pieces. As always, built-ins that do double duty like the storage stairs and slide out bed/sofa work are smart choices. Add a fresh flower, a yellow throw pillow and you’ve got a cozy place to call home. Of course, living large in a small area requires downsizing effort and letting go. But isn’t that what getting clear is all about? Bottom line:  if you think you are stuck for space … think again!

View more photos of this Parisian conversion.  (Article source courtesy of treehugger.com.)

Consignment Tips from A Clear Place

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A Clear PlaceA recent visit with shop owner, Judy Gulledge of Upscale Consignment in SE PDX has prompted me to do another update of my consignment tip sheet. Click on the link at the end of this post to download the latest version of this handy pdf file giving you new store information along with the proven guidelines for  “What, How and Where” when consigning your stuff. Happy clearing and good luck!

“Where do I consign my stuff?” That’s one of the most common questions I’m asked in clearing work. The answer, however, has more layers to it than just where. You also have to consider what and how. I’ve put together a nifty Consignment Tip Sheet to address all three. Every city I’ve traveled to has consignment stores with items ranging from high end to low brow. If you are lucky enough to live in the Portland metro area, there are some great choices for consigning furniture, fashion and jewelry. But even if you live outside the City of Roses, my CTS (Consignment Tip Sheet) has helpful hints on deciding what is good consignment material and how to prepare your items to help ensure a higher dollar return. Click here to get the pdf file: Consignment Tips from A Clear Place

AUTUMN – The Season of Letting Go

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AutumnThis week’s pick from A Clear Place Wisdom Cards is AUTUMN. Fall is all about releasing and letting go. Like the trees shedding their leaves to allow for new growth, it’s a great time to let go of all that stuff and clear your clutter. The energy of spider reigns now and teaches us to live simply. To be strong and focused but also willing to let go of what was in order to build anew. Git rid of what no longer serves you. Autumn honors the cycle of adulthood and being responsible caretakers of the land and our loved ones. In your home, use images of sunset, flowing water or fall scenes like this one. Diffuse essential oils of cinnamon, orange, clove and nutmeg. All of these blend well or use them individually.

The Season of Autumn corresponds to the element of Water, the direction of the West and the time of sunset.

About this photo: I encountered this brilliant maple tree on a walk in NW Portland. The street below was blanketed in gold but there were plenty more leaves to follow in the weeks ahead.

View more Wisdom Cards and order your deck today!

 

FIRE – Wisdom Card of the Week

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card of the week FIREThe element of Fire speaks to fueling your passion. What are you bursting to do? Take if off the back burner – light a fire under your dreams to make them manifest. In your home, add FIRE energy to spark up your love life by bringing in sensual silks and satins to your bedroom. Use rich tones of orange and red for accent colors. Think round and full and lush. Pomegranates, plums and melons. Diffuse essential oils of ylang, ylang or jasmine in your bedroom and bath area. Incorporate images of fireworks, tropical flowers, the sun or jungle cats. FIRE energy can be added wherever you need a boost to get things done. Wear that red sweater when you are low on energy. A word of caution: as with any art; a little bit of red goes a long way. Try an accent pillow, rug or lamp vs. painting a whole room.

The Element of FIRE corresponds to the season of Summer and the direction of the South.

About this photo: I found this brilliant red hibiscus bursting out over a sidewalk in Maitlin, FL. It couldn’t be contained in the yard and was spreading its glorious self beyond borders. The perfect image for FIRE!

Learn more about the Elements and how to add their energy to your space. Purchase your WISDOM CARDS.

INSPIRATION – Card of the Week

Jane Green2 Comments

compressed butterflyNature’s beauty is the original design tool. Nothing beats Mother Nature when it comes to amazing composition and breathtaking beauty. Simple, intricate, elegant and timeless. She is a continual source of inspiration for colors, textures, patterns and combinations. When in doubt, look to nature for ideas on color palettes and decor. Walk in the woods, spend time in a garden, look out your window. There is so much on display. Browse through photo books of fields, flowers, birds and insects. What appeals to you? Trust your choices.

About this photo: This image was the inspiration for my Wisdom Cards. Getting up close and personal with this majestic Monarch reminded me of watching my Mom select fabrics for sewing or upholstery. Always with an eye to detail and patterns. Whoever thought to first put polka dots on paper or create stained glass windows must have seen a butterfly or two just like this one. I took this photo at the Lukas Butterfly Encounter in Oviedo, FL. If you’ve ever had a butterfly land on your finger and stay awhile, you know how special it is to connect with these winged wonders. Butterfly energy is strong and majestic yet playful and delicate. It is the combination of all we need to know in order to survive … beautifully.

Bring the magic of nature into your space. Get your deck of Wisdom Cards today.

Card of the Week SUN

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SUN CardThe Sun is bold, bright and out there. This energy is about how you project yourself in the world. The “look at me” side of you and how you show up. Think of the old fashioned sun room. It was typically built extending out from the house with lots of windows. It was designed to be filled with natural light – a perfect spot for recovering from ailments. Use SUN energy to bring warmth and cheer to any area of your home needing light or a lift. Hang a smiley sun image or a bright beach towel on the wall. Even one focused area of SUN can generate a shift in mood and tone.  Diffuse essential oils of lemon or citrus blend, put out a vase of sunflowers (fresh or silk), add bright yellow to your palette. A bowl of lemons is a simple way to brighten any room.

Corresponds to Summer and the element of Fire. Contrasting partner is Moon.

About this photo: I snapped this on a summer afternoon in a farmer’s field located in the far west hills of Portland, OR. Sunflowers always turn their faces to the sun … the perfect choice for this card.

Learn more about adding beauty to your home with the SUN and A Clear Place WISDOM CARDS. (Now available on Etsy.)

Put an Eco Lid on It

Jane Green2 Comments

lily padIf you don’t already use silicone lids I encourage you to give them a try. All you really need is one. I was gifted with a Lily Pad Lid months ago and it has become one of my favorite kitchen tools. It looks cool, is super easy to keep clean and feels brand new even after daily use. I use it in the micro to steam all my veggies and in the toaster oven for baking. If I had a stove top, I’d use it there, too. The lid works on glass, stainless, silicone and plastic. The suction seals in moisture – if you need to vent during cooking, just leave a little gap when you put on the lid. When done, just rinse with water and hang to dry. Best part? No more plastic wrap! The lid comes in a variety of sizes. Mine is the 9″ option which I think is just perfect. You can pick other designs, too, like a pumpkin or sunflower. Fun and eco-friendly. Now that’s a clear combination! Available on line or at local stores like New Seasons, Home Goods and Bed, Bath and Beyond. Visit Charles Viancin to see style options.