Love Note from Anjie: Lighting a Candle

Photo by Paolo Nicolello on Unsplash

december 24, 2022 // love note from anjie

lighting a candle

“It’s such a simple thing to light a candle it changes the whole tone of an experience….If I get the lighting right I can change people’s way of thinking. Predispose them to let the experience wash over them.”  — Alice Waters

light a candle

inspire your fire qi for warmth


Did you see this?

Yin fire with candles

candles with incense or essential oils for warmth, illumination and inspiration for the winter.

my favorites right now: EVERGREENS

juniper. cedarwood. pine.


from HEART MIND INSTITUTE

Best Year of Your Life Summit

Join me for an extraordinary online event I’m speaking at: The Best Year of Your Life Summit on Jan 11-20. These are 10 powerful days designed to help you kickstart your New Year.

They’ve gathered more than 45 presenters to guide you, including renowned authors, scientists, habit change specialists, mindset and success coaches, and experts in relationships, health & wellness and more.

I’m thrilled to be one of the Summit speakers, along with Alex Ortner, Ocean Robbins, Dr. Dan Siegel, Kelly McGonigal, Thomas Hübl, Kristin Neff, Dr. Judson Brewer and many more….

My session is scheduled for Jan 19, 2022


Open for enrollment

Reset Your Home and Spirit

Our annual New Year Reset Package is now open for enrollment!


COMPLIMENTARY PROGRAM:

27 Day Challenge

Join our complimentary 27 day challenge from Winter Solstice to Lunar New Year! love from Mindful Design Feng Shui School!


Dharma Gathering

Feng Shui for the New Year with Mindfulness

Join me for meditation practice and feng shui inspired intention setting to welcome in 2023. I'll walk us through how to invite the new year with mindfulness approched through feng shui. Learn how to let go and invite in new fresh qi (life force energy) through your home and meditation practice

Hosted by SHAMBHALA New York City

Tue January 10, 2023 at 7pm EST

Join from anywhere via Zoom

Photo by Cristian Escobar on Unsplash


with warmth and fire,

Anjie

p.s. would you like to receive these love notes directly to your inbox right when they’re written? Join our newsletter and you’ll also get special perks only for subscribers!

Relax in Your Own Spa Retreat

Photo by Anjie Cho Architect PLLC

Photo by Anjie Cho Architect PLLC

A chance to slip off the demands of your to-do list and relax is just what your spirit ordered. Yet, if you’re like many of us, your schedule hasn’t got space for a spa day. What if I told you that you could create a spa in your own home? It’s true! A few simple updates will transform your boring bathroom into a peaceful retreat. 

Bathrooms are often given the utilitarian treatment. To create a sanctuary in your home, however, this space needs the same stylish eye you’d want to bring to any other room in the house. Take a good look at the space you’ve got and consider what elements you can introduce to welcome tranquility and rejuvenation. Here are five design elements to consider:

Flooring

Think warm and cozy. Matte finish tiles are a good foundation to begin with, especially when combined with the right rug. Look for textiles that exude comfort but also hold up well to moisture. Cotton and bamboo are great natural materials that handle the damp environment well.

Lighting

Look for a classic hanging chandelier and go for the dimmer switch. Your bathroom has different lighting needs at different times. When you’re dressing or primping, a strong light is necessary. However, when you’re settling in for a spa-like retreat, low lights are the way to go. A dimmer will allow you to select the right glow for the right mood. 

Don’t forget to make space for candles. When you slip into the tub, lighting a bevy of candles transforms your space from bathroom to luxury retreat.

Sound

What is a spa experience without lilting music? You don’t need built-in speakers to create the spa-like mood. Keep a music player or Bluetooth speaker in your bathroom – away from the water, of course. 

Accessories

Remember, we’re talking about pampering and relaxing. Select lush towels for your in-home spa retreat. Use attractive bottles, jars and baskets to display your collection of bath salts and other pampering accoutrements. Be careful not to clutter the space, however. Simple and organized is your goal.

Scents

As you’re inhaling and exhaling in peace, the right calming scents are essential. Look to aromatic essential oils to create your own personal favorites. Coordinate the aroma you’re creating for your space with the candles and bath salts you’re using. If you’re not sure where to start, try the calming scent of lavender.

by Anjie Cho


If you’d like to learn more about feng shui, check out Mindful Design Feng Shui School at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com

5 Ways to Add More Relaxation to Your Home

Photo by Taryn Elliot on Pexels

Photo by Taryn Elliot on Pexels

After a day jam-packed with full-speed busyness, (and let’s face it, for most of us that’s pretty much a normal day), slipping your shoes off and melting into your favorite, comfy spot at home is likely high on your evening to-do list. That is, until you get home and that transition from ‘doing’ to ‘unwinding’ isn’t as smooth as you’d hoped. Don’t give up. Try these five simple steps to convert your home into a more serene, relaxing sanctuary.

Dedicate a space.

There are areas of your home that are ideal for work and for play. Set aside a space dedicated to relaxing, too. It doesn’t have to be an entire room. Create a nook or corner dedicated to relaxation. Folding screens can help differentiate the space from the rest of the room. If a good book is your ideal way to unwind, add comfortable seating, a shelf of books or a small table to hold your current reads, and proper lighting to the space. If music or movies are more your style, design your space accordingly.

Get organized

It’s hard to relax amidst clutter. Set-aside some time to organize and properly store your stuff. Look for storage solutions that complement your personal style. Look for baskets, bins and other containers that work as décor accents, as well as functional pieces. 

Light matters

Sunlight is a natural pick-me-up, but too much can be more stimulating than calming. Use light filtering shades for some privacy, as well as to create a softer, more tranquil effect. In the evening, use dimmer lights and candles to create a spa-like ambiance. As an added bonus, use a lavender scented candle to help promote relaxation. 

Colors count

Bright colors energize; soft, earth-toned shades soothe. If you’re looking to add more peacefulness to your home, incorporate tranquil blues, greens, and neutrals like gray, tans and white into your sanctuary spaces. Keep this in mind when you’re looking for accessories, too. Whether that peaceful space is a nook or whole room, stick with serene hues for your furniture, pillows, rugs and other accents.

Unplug

Your dedicated downtime space should be free of high-tech distraction. Learn to leave the phone, tablet and laptop aside. That reading nook we talked about above should be device-free to eliminate the urge to check your email just one more time or to count how many likes your last Instagram post garnered.  

Above all else, make your space yours. The best way to relax and unwind is to create a space that you feel most comfortable in.

by Anjie Cho


If you’d like to learn more about feng shui, check out Mindful Design Feng Shui School at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com