I was raised in southern Florida. It would be nice to tell you that I grew up in a lush paradise but the truth is it wasn't easy to keep things green. Those of you that live in warm climates know what I am talking about, it can be a challenge.  So when we talk about creating a beautiful healthy outdoor space, we need to remember that the important thing is to be able to connect back to our roots. Connecting to the earth as a child of the earth.  This is a primal connection and is as important as breathing.  BUT the first thing you need to do when connecting back to nature is to realize what type of connection you need personally.  Some of us love the water we feel the most fulfilled when we are close to it.  The sound that the waves make when they strike the beach is the same swishing sound as the energy in our bodies. Some love the forest with the smell of fir trees and the robust fragrance of the earth.  The mountains remind us of the energies of our Grandmothers, wise and majestic; while the desert is perfect for inner peace and contemplation. Spend a moment thinking about which of these types of natual settings appeal to you the most, then create your outdoor sanctuary to best support its natural counterpart. Don't worry if you don't have a green thumb it took me three tries before my sacred space even started to take shape.  I think that was because I wasn't sure who I was and so my yard kept changing.  Truth was sometimes I couldn't even get things to grow. Hmmm wonder what I was being told!  
Even though the planting season is almost over we can still begin to map out our plans for the future.  I find that there is so much fun in the planning and of course in the shopping for plantings, fountains, decor and ponds.  Trees and shrubs for example, are ideally planted in the fall.  So planning now while the nursery stock is still in it's summer leaf is perfect for visualizing your future garden.  One tip on choosing your living decorative items is to start with smaller stock.  You'll save a lot of money and the plants will grow prettier into the space as opposed to being forced to conform to your plan.  Take your time to plan, look at the fully grown (or mature) potential size of the plants you are interested in.  It is likely that in your garden, with love and attention, your plants will reach their fullest size and maybe beyond.  But whatever they do they are a reflection of who you are so cultivate an inner garden first.
Fountains and ponds are great additions to the garden, we've taken some time to check out and provide you with some links to online providers of these products. Take a look at them, when you have some time.  I had a small pond at my home and I bought little 19¢ feeder goldfish to stock it with.  They grew to be about four inches long and even laid eggs and had babies.The five feeder fish I bought turned into hundreds.  Whooo!  Our pond attracted all types of wildlife and it was great to share with them.  Well, sort of.  The Great Blue Heron who came regularly to visit was a mixed blessing though, after her visits we were always short a few more fish.  Oh well, I guess her babies had to eat too.
Remember to down load Decorating for the Zodiac it will only be available for a few more weeks.  Enjoy the podcast and subscribe to the feed if you think you would like to catch all of our shows. PLEASE, PLEASE  leave a comment, I need to know that someone cares about what we are talking about besides my mother. Yeah, yeah I know there are some punctuation , spelling and grammar goofs, editing isn't my strong point.  Maybe the Grammar Girl can save me.  Also we are starting an email newsletter in addition to this blog, I'll tell you more about it when we are ready to launch it (about 2 weeks) so sign up now at the top right of the page and avoid the rush.  It will have some great ways to get some great gifts, no strings attached I promise.

Pay attention to your intention and plant happy…Penny

Episode 5

  Look at this bedroom.  I can tell you right now that there isn't a lot of action going on there unless it's a bachelor pad.  But it looks like one of those rooms you see in a vacation condos.  It is true that upon entering the master bedroom it should whisper. That means it should not have: a weeks worth of laundry waiting to be put away, books scattered on the floor and a glass of milk that has been there way to long.  Upon entering, we should almost feel as though we should tiptoe and talk in whispered tones.  It is the epitome of serenity and rejuvenation.  The bedroom is the most personal room in the house; it is our ultimate inner sanctum, where we go to renew.  Naturally you want the room to reflect your true spirit.   Come on people clean up your life!   Feng Shui tells us that our home is a true reflection of what is happening in our life. So, if your life is chaotic then change the reflection.  In Wabi Saubi the Japanese believe that life unfolds in the simplest of things, a solitary flower or a piece of driftwood.   Simple means uncomplicated.

When we recognize the importance of the Master Bedroom we begin to see the simple idea of soft sheets and over stuffed pillows, billowing curtains and simple shades. Combining the most attractive and the cleanest lines. Adding prints to give a message and solids to ground us. The best thing about this podcast is that we go through the steps and just implementing a few of them, changes our reflection.  Remember that green design plays a big part here.  Air quality, low VOC paints, flooring and natural bedding all add that  whispering touch to your room.  But the average bedroom has very little cohesion, very little appeal.  The good news is that a bedroom can gain the sex appeal it needs for as little as $500.  But you have to be willing to make the changes necessary to make it the best, and most restful room in the home.

Let's begin to draw the kind of love we desire into our life by paying attention to all the details and let our rooms tell the story of love and renewal. The time we spend in our bedrooms will be one of sleeping and dreaming, mature conversations and intimate interaction.  In our bedrooms we touch our spiritual and primal selves and this is where we awaken our highest self.   In Decorating a Healthy Master Bedroom join me as we discover ways to create a breathtaking room and a  your very own love sanctuary.

Love, life and laugh often…Penny

  Episode 3

 If your one of the 700,00 people who purchased a new IPhone this last week, don't you think Healthy Home Decorating should be on your must have list of podcast subscriptions?

This is the first installment in our series on specific rooms in your home.  We start with the Living Room or " Life Room" as we call it.  You'll discover new ways to think about and create this most important space.  We are so excited to begin the series on Creating a Healthy Room.  The Holistic Living Room is the first.    In this episode I (Penny) started on do's and dont's that make the living room reflect the aspirations and dreams for all that live there.  It can really boggle the mind when we  think of the possibility that there is more to decorating than just making a room pretty.  What an impact our Living Rooms can make by simply being aware of their potential.  

One day while conducting a workshop in Michigan I had a gal approach me after the class.  It's common for attendees to ask me questions about their own homes; after all this is very private and personal work and it's important to know how to apply the principals once you understand them.  Usually, I am asked how to begin to correct challenges but this time all this woman wanted to know was: "How do I create a home that reflects peace?"
That one little question really took me back to why I do what I do.  Plus it is not an easy request to take tangible items like flooring, paint and draperies and use them to create a state of mind.  After a long pause I told her to begin in the living room because that is really the life-blood of our spaces. 

Living rooms are the heart-beating, pulse of our life and they should be the reflection, a visual affirmation, of our true intention - our life missions if you will.  So many people are busy with just trying to accomplish all the things needed to do in a day  that they don't give any thought to any life mission or purpose.   Ask ten people that you know what they believe their life work is and they will tell you that they are too busy just trying to survive to think beyond that point.  But every single one of us, young or old, American or Asian; all have something special that only we can do and it is crucial to our conscious growth. 

Creating spaces that remind us that we are each a necessary part of the whole helps us to stay focused and to look ahead.  Use your Life Room to support your self and your family by surrounding it with  memories and items that inspire.   If your feeling low, use colors like yellow and orange or large patterns to uplift and jazz life up a little.  Add a little contemporary flair to furniture legs and a piece of art work that makes a statement. To add peace remove the clutter, keep things simple and use neutrals; to curtail the chaos create a space that you feel you want to whisper in  by using over stuffed pillows and textured fabrics. To begin healing use earth tones and shades of green, natural flooring and fabrics.  Breathe life in to your Living Room and it will return the favor. Don't wait — start small begin today!
Let me hear from you, we will be sharing your notes on future shows so keep on creating that Healthy Home!

Living a quality of life…Penny

Episode 2