And not necessarily in that order!
There is something about the end of summer that makes us want to get our house in order, literally and figuratively.
I recently redid my office layout, because I was facing a corner. If I turned left, I could also see the trees, but it was always disconcerting when someone walked into my office!
In Feng Shui, our office desks are supposed to be situated so that we are facing the door. Our spaces should be clear of clutter as well, since that is supposed to help the energy flow. My desk was cluttered and even had my black beast of a printer on it, so I was always struggling for a spot to set out my papers.
I love how I've rearranged everything and I can tell you it is pure bliss to work in here now!
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| Love that early morning sun! |
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| And a bouquet of fresh flowers, along with other plants, makes the space more enjoyable |
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| I added a small bookcase in here for my everyday writing books |
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| Now when I sit here, this is what I see... |
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| A clear space is a thing of beauty... |
I am also in the throes of preparing for my trip to Paris. Wait, that's not entirely true. I haven't thought a whit about the trip yet (except for reservations made months ago), but I have been obsessed with my feet.
I love to walk. But my poor flat feet are wretched walkers, and many the trip has been marred by not wearing the correct footwear.
I am taking 3 pairs of shoes on the trip: a pair of walking sandals, a pair of ballet flats, and a pair of flat boots for late evenings and in case the weather is colder up in Belgium.
The challenge with walking shoes is that they tend to be butt ugly. My search took me all over the city for the flat boots, since I already owned the first two items. No way was I ordering online - the Canadian dollar is wretched and returns are a pain!
My footwear on the trip?
Taos walking sandals. So comfortable!
Naturalizer N5 ballet flats. Again - you feel like you are wearing slippers.
Naturalizer cycle N5 low black boots. These are really comfy and I would wear these with a couple of knit midi dresses in addition to pants.
Now that I have my feet sorted out, everything else is gravy.
How about you? How are your feet holding up these days? Anyone else use Feng Shui in their home?
xoxo wendy
I am a member of the "that feels right" school of decorating which may intersect with feng shui at some point. Your office looks perfect. I could never have that wonderful clear desk, simply incapable, but I can look at yours and dream.
ReplyDeleteMy feet are hard to fit as well-- high arches and skinny heels--so I obsess about travel footwear, too. You'll be ready for anything in those choices, I think.
Lane - am struggling to keep it clean - hope I can keep it that way as it mkes me calmer! Isn't it funny how our feet can torture us?
DeleteHi Wendy, your office redo looks great - it must be a pleasure to work there now. By the way, thank you for the offer of coffee - I was waiting to see how our schedule would work out, then I just didn't manage to get back to you. Years ago we would have stopped at Fredericton, as my brother-in-law and his family were there. However, they moved and we were visiting friends near Saint John instead. In any case, it was lovely to be back Down East.
ReplyDeleteMy feet are holding up just fine, thank you! I'm glad you are sorted out with comfy shoes for your trip - will you be doing a packing post too?
I'd love to see packing posts too. Before & after!
DeleteWill do one for sure!
DeleteI do use a bit of Feng Shui but most is just common sense...no mirrors above the bed. I almost always tromp around in solid color sneakers when vacationing. Still love my SW anklet boots and have a low wedge heel for dress up. I also bring band aids, blister sticks, and always travel with my own personal foot massager...that would be Hunter.
ReplyDeleteBand aids etc are de rigeur for me! Hunter is map of every trip I think!
DeleteI still say prayers of thankfulness for the doctor (orthopedist, sports & dance medecine) who told me never to wear flat shoes - and he's the "official doctor" for several ballet companies I'm sure you've heard of.
ReplyDeleteMy walking shoes: Chie Mihara oxfords with 1.5 inch heels. Worth the investment esp. on sale. I believe you don't have to worry about duties if you order thru Gravity Pope.
and oh, yes, it will be colder in Belgium. And wetter.
Dill look into the chies another time - think they are too rich for me right now! But agree - 1.5 is perfect!
DeleteI'm a big believer in Feng Shui. In fact my desk has been driving me NUTS since we added bookshelves and had to move it! My back is to the door and adding a mirror in front of it hasn't helped one bit. I guess I'll be sliding things around done more!
ReplyDeleteFlat shoes and sore feet are my life. These look like great alternatives. I wore a pair of EF flats for most of my summer holiday. Lots of cushioning. Have a great day!
I tried the mirror thing, too, but it didn't work! Would love to try EF flats!
DeleteI love the new office. Such a nice space! I work from home and have no office as Slugger and Rocket Arm used to share a bedroom, but a few years ago needed their own spaces - bye bye office. I use the kitchen table-which is in the middle of our open floor plan. I have to store stuff in a cabinet below our wall unit - none of this is ideal, but it has worked for a few years. My frustration level is getting higher-but it is likely that Slugger will be off to college in a year so I'll take over the desk in his bedroom.
ReplyDeleteYou know me and shoes...I recently bought a pair Fluevogs-very funky oxfords that are comfy-but not quite perfect yet. The best bootie I've ever worn is a low heel Munroe suede number that will need to be replaced once we get through this winter. I've nearly worn them into the ground.
The search for the perfect comfortable walking shoe is my unicorn!
DeleteFunny you mention that about facing the door. I have never used the desk I bought as a desk and I think it's because it faces the wall (and has to - it has a shelf attached above it). I always end up sitting somewhere else, where I can see the door. Your office looks very nice! I think your shoe choices seem good too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cate!
DeleteHave such a great trip! I discovered Esska sandals this summer (a UK brand by a London architect turned footwear person given the lack of comfortable but good looking shoes for moms) and have been extremely pleased by how comfortable they are. For closed toes, I generally choose Dansko clogs. These used to be pretty dowdy but they have made serious strides in upping the fun factor of several of their designs.
ReplyDeleteNever heard of Esska! Will have to look into those!
DeleteWendy,
ReplyDeleteFeng Shui sounds like a hipster egg roll at the Whole Foods hot bar but your office looks like a cozy place to get your first best seller penned. Fresh flowers always provide a nice spiritual lift and I just hope that lovely view you now have isn't a snow bank in 3 weeks.
Now for shoes in Paris; I just sent you a Pin that you originally found of Chie Mihara shoes that are oh-so-fab and could certainly be walked in but likely not all day. I highly recommend actually doing your sightseeing heavy hikes in trainers and keep a pair of stylish shoes in your bag to slip into when time to dip into a chic cafe for nibbles and a tipple. Your feet will thank me and you'll look great when you really want to.
You are too funny! Sadly no chies right now. They are very expensive here in Canada and saving my money for wine in Paris!
DeleteYour priorities are well in order,
DeleteOh I love the glass top table. I sit facing the wall and with my back to the windows. Have been considering moving my computer to the desk by the window. I just may make the effort now! My osteopath tells me that flat shoes are good for the feet if they allow the foot to move naturally!! So many conflicting bits of advice on our feet.
ReplyDeleteIt really makes a difference where the desk faces - I love mine! You are so right about the feet asvice!
DeleteYour office now looks a lovely place to be and I'm in awe of the level of tidiness - I'm not going to photograph my room!
ReplyDeleteSHOES! The bane of my life trying to find ones that are comfortable as well as being a thing of beauty. I've got a number of pretty flats that feel comfortable yet are no good for a day walking around town because it's too easy to step out of the heel. When I'm in London, up and down steps, hopping on buses and tubes and so forth, I wear lace ups with socks. Sounds grim doesn't it? But they get me safely and comfortably about town. I'll do a Miss Cellany post on my footwear so you can see what I mean.
Paris - consider the possibility of RAIN. Perhaps it's just me but there always seems to be rain when I'm in Paris. (And it was much the same for Woody Allan in 'Midnight in Paris', which I love. You are sure to have a wonderful time, whatever the weather.)
You are so right! I have a hooded jacket AND an umbrella, just in case, along with gloves and a couple of scarves. Warmth and being dry are also critical to my travel well-being!
DeleteWendy love your desk! It's so nice to have a pretty spot to work. How cool you are going to Belgium. I love it there. I agree there is tons of walking. There a lot of chic colorful sneakers now...Can you bring a pair of those too? I wore mine a ton and it is cold. Have the best time!! The food and beer is amazing. Will you get to Bruges?
ReplyDelete