The top 5 benefits of plants in your home & 3 best Feng Shui plants

This post is all about the many benefits of having plants in the home and how they can improve the feng shui.

When you are feeling a little low, it’s pretty incredible how a walk in the park can do absolute wonders for your inner self. That’s because our bodies crave a connection with nature, healing with houseplants, it helps to reduce mental fatigue and stress, while increasing relaxation and self-esteem. I’ve been craving more time outdoors lately, in fact just the other day I felt a million times better after just a short walk around the block.

Now that we are all working from home, the electromagnetic frequencies are taking over our living spaces. I think our wireless internet has over 17 devices connected to it. All of that going on in our homes is likely to create internal feelings of needing to escape.

Sick Building Syndrome is a term used to describe symptoms experienced by otherwise healthy people working in large commercial buildings or even their own living space -- think sudden allergies; irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat; headache, dizziness, and fatigue; respiratory and sinus congestion; and nervous system disorders. Most wall paints, rubbers, vinyl, laminates, computer parts and plastics all break down over time and release compounds into the air we breathe. Pretty gross if you think about it.

Here’s the good news: Plants help to relieve the mental health, physical wellness and quality of life.

The tOP 5 benefits of plants in your home:

1. Clean indoor air by absorbing toxins, increasing humidity and producing oxygen

2. Proven to reduce stress as well as fatigue

3. Improves your mood and creative abilities

4. Boosts work performance and ability to hold your concentration

5. Improves your skin, the humidity keeps your skin glow-y ( and I am always working on my Interior Glow)

Here are my top 6 hacks for taking care of indoor plants.

FENG SHUI TIPS FOR PLANTS

Indoor plants are also one of the easiest ways to enhance the Feng Shui in your space. In Feng Shui, plants represent the Wood Element, Wood brings the energy of growth and vibrance into your space. It is associated with the season of Spring and inspires new beginnings, new life, and new growth. It can also inspire compassion, kindness, and flexibility.

The Wealth Sector of the home, learn how to locate that area of your home here, is associated with Wood. So plants will enhance your wealth and abundance with new growth, new life, etc. Who wouldn’t want that energy in their life, am I right? So, if you are looking to boost sales, get new clients or start a new job, place a plant in your Wealth sector.

The Family & Community area of your home is also enhanced with Wood so you can add plants in this area to foster growth in these areas of your life. Use you intuition when decorating with plants. These are the two BEST areas for plants however, you can add the energy of growth to any area you want.

Also, anywhere there is too many electronics, think your home office. This would be a great place to enhance with plants, too. Not only do they help combat all the electromagnetic waves in the air, they are going to improve your work performance, concentration and creative ability. Plus, during isolation, plants can be your friends, I love talking to my plants, I swear that is how I keep them alive for so long.

Hot Tip: I also place Amethyst crystals in my indoor plants to help energize it with spiritual / abundant energy. It’s also a crystal that works really well with your Wealth area. To learn more about how to Feng Shui with Crystals read this.

Here are THE TOP 3 air purifying plants:

1.Monstera Deliciosa

Monstera plants are low-maintenance and primarily prized for their ornamental value, thanks to their attractive, deep-green, waxy, fenestrated leaves. However, they have several other uses and benefits for air purification, dehumidifying, feng shui, reduced stress, improved workplace, and more.

2. Snake Plant

It isn't fussy about its location and needs little watering. It is most known to provide a strong protective energy and the snake plant can effectively reduce anxiety, respiratory problems and headache symptoms.

3. Prayer plant

Prayer plants help clear the air in your home by filtering indoor air pollutants. Colorful and dependable, prayer plants do well in any kind of light, although it's best to avoid direct sunlight. Prayer plant also thrives in slightly moist soil so water whenever the soil feels like it's just starting to dry out.

If you enjoyed this post, you won’t want to miss this one. And if you want more guidance on Feng Shui, come book a session with me!

THE BEST HOUSTON THRIFT SHOPS FOR FURNITURE & HOME DECOR | 6 TIPS FOR THRIFTING

This post is all about the Best Home Decor Thrift Shops in Houston, Texas plus some lessons and tips I have learned for thrifting.

Ever since I can remember, I have spent my weekends in antique shops, consignment shops, second hand, thrift shops, estate sales, etc. It’s a tradition my grandmother started with my family since I was a little girl.

And while I love my occasional trip to HomeGoods, second hand / thrifting is one of my absolute favorite hobbies. Some people can’t stand it, for me it’s absolutely thrilling to find a treasure. Not only is it a way to help support the environment through reusing furniture versus dumping it in the trash, it also can help your home feel more curated and personalized. You can see some of my recent thrifting finds here.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY SECOND HAND FOR YOUR HOME?

First of all, it can be really fun. Finding something that is absolutely a treasure can give you the most positive feelings which has you feeling happier about your home.

Also, instead of letting pre-loved items end up in landfills or incinerators — where they can release harmful greenhouse gases, heavy metals and other pollutants — purchasing secondhand puts those things back into circulation, reducing their overall environmental footprint.

Hot tip: If you feel uncomfortable about someone previously owning something that you find, you can always cleanse it. One thing I’ve learned about bringing pre-loved things home from my studies in Feng Shui…whenever I find something I like and MUST bring home, I will always sage it. I do believe that when something is pre-owned, it holds energy from the previous owner and I don’t want to bring that energy into my space. Just keep that in mind when shopping.

THE BEST THRIFT SHOPS IN HOUSTON, TX

01 | The Guild Shop | 2009 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006

This is one of my favorite shops in Houston, especially when it comes to Home Decor. I find the most gorgeous, one-of-a-kind pieces for my own home and I just have to tell you all about it. They also have the most gorgeous jewelry.

This is a consignment thrift shop, which means that the longer an items sits there, the more it discounts. Because of this, you want to shop this place pretty frequently. Also, designers are always shopping here and they are quick to grab the best items.

I found this gorgeous vintage brass and glass coffee table for just about $125 at The Guild Shop and it might just be my favorite thing in my living room.

What to shop for here:

• Antique/Second Hand Jewelry

• Oversized artwork + rugs

• Antique/Vintage/SecondHand Furniture

• Gorgeous dishes, vases, blown glass

beautiful Chinoiserie table accents

large gold and jade ornate ring

neutral wishbone rattan counter stools

colorful vintage glass

02 | The Charity Guild | 1203 Lovett Blvd, Houston, TX 77006

Now, this shop is probably my favorite place to shop for fashion, bags and shoes. I found the most gorgeous pair of olive green Louis Vuitton military booties, one of my favorite pairs of boots I own.

Having said that, they also have a great selection of furniture and home decor. They have a great collection of art, dish collections and great dressers if you are looking for more home storage.
What to shop for here:

• Fashion, bags and shoes

• Dishware collections

• Kitchen wares

• Art

• furniture

pink and gold seashell plate collection

Pre-Loved Louis Vuitton green military booties

03 | The Salvation Army Thrift | 2208 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007

This Salvation Army location has always been a go-to spot for me when it comes to furniture. I have helped countless people find and shop for sofas and bed frames/headboards here. I’ve found some of my favorite pieces in my own home here.

What to shop for here:

• furniture / home decor

• artwork

• mirrors

• bed frames

• sofas

• dressers

04 | Blue Bird Circle Shop | 615 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77006

This darling little shop has a wide variety of home decor and a really great selection of lighting. I seem to always find something small when I go here that I am very happy to leave with. They have the best tea cups I have ever seen, something I love to collect.

What to shop for here:

• Antique furniture + large artwork

• Antique dishes, tea cups, vases

• Cool lighting

05 | Goodwill Memorial | 10521 Katy Fwy Houston, TX 77024

Out of all the Goodwill’s in the city, this one is my absolute favorite to go to for furniture, the clothing is also pretty good. Every time I go to this location, I find something pretty stellar or I find myself calling a friend who has been looking for that very thing. This is a bit of a drive for some but always worth it!

What to shop for here:

• Furniture + large artwork

• Home Decor & lighting

• fashion

06 | Shopping Houston Estate Sales | EstateSales.Net

There is nothing more fun that going to an estate sale on the weekend and Houston really has some incredible ones to go to. You can go to Estatesales.net/Houston to find really good ones. The best part is they give you a preview in photos of what will be at the sale so you can determine if it is worth your time to actually go. I appreciate the efficiency of the preview.

If you aren’t a regular thrifter, I made a checklist to help remind you of things you may find thrifting that could work in your home, ‘what to look for at the thrift store”.

6 THINGS I’VE LEARNED FROM THRIFTING:

1. You’ve got to go at the right time. When you go to any of these shops you want to find out when they put out their inventory. On those days, you want to arrive as early in the day as possible because designers will always go first thing on those days.

2. If you see it and you like it, GRAB IT! I can’t tell you how many times I saw something and sat on it but when I went back for it, it was gone. Even if you are going to put it back because you decide NOT to buy it, you will regret not grabbing it when you first saw it. Just grab it!

3. Research the item. There have been times when I found something much cheaper online. Or the opposite could happen, you could find something that is completely underpriced and you could actually sell it for more.

4. Keep a running list of things you are looking for. I do this in my phone because you never know if you just happen to stumble across something you like and forgot that you might even need it. I also like to keep photos of my home so I can look and imagine that item in the space. Planning helps you not make purchases that you will regret later. Hot tip: Also keep measurements of spaces in your home where you are looking for something. For example, if you are looking for a bench for your entryway, measure the space and have that written in the notes app on your phone.

5. Bring a bag of things to donate. I live by the perspective that something has to go out before something comes in. I keep a running box/basket in my living room of things that we are ready to donate. So, every time I thrift, I have a pile of things waiting to find a new home. It feels so much better to donate than to throw away.

6. Only buy it you absolutely love it. Don’t think about if it’s a ‘good deal’. This is how most stores will get you. Thinking you are getting a good deal is probably always going to end in you eventually regretting that purchase. The best reason to buy something is if you absolutely LOVE and adore the thing.

Hope you found this post about thrifting to be helpful. Let me know if you want more posts on the best places in Houston, I am always happy to share what I find.

You may also like:

🖤 7 reasons thrifting is always a good idea

🖤 A few of my favorite thrifting finds