Rooms Must Be Right
Want to attract prosperity to your office? Place the figure of a wish-fulfilling cow, deer, dragon, tortoise, or unicorn on your desk.
Don’t give friends a clock or bell for a gift, as these symbolize the severing of a relationship.
To attract a new romantic partner, put fresh peonies in your bedroom.
Don’t position your bed so that it is in line with the entrance to your bedroom, especially if your feet point toward the entrance. This is almost universally considered a “death position” because those who die at home are carried out of a room or house feet first.
These and other tips are offered by Angi Ma Wong in her book “Feng Shui Dos & Taboos” (Storey Books, $7.95). The author and practitioner of feng shui, the ancient Chinese art of object placement, has made the basic principals more accessible in her guide to help readers tap into the flow of the universe, creating a more holistic, natural and simple way of life. The book offers tips and techniques from aquariums to water, making it easy for those just beginning to dabble in feng shui.
* ‘Tis the season: According to a recent survey by Impulse Research, 65 percent of Americans consider their home a personal treasure, and they devote an average of 10 hours preparing their home for the holidays.
Sixty-five percent of people spend more time cleaning for the holidays than any other time of year.
Most Americans (70 percent) prepare their home for the holidays by thoroughly dusting and cleaning. Other activities include special decorating (74 percent), cooking and baking (66 percent) and installing outdoor lights (55 percent).
When asked what they considered holiday treasures, aside from their home, they listed ornaments (54 percent), collectibles (47 percent), holiday music and videos (36 percent) and religious symbols (27 percent).
* Sew exciting: From the what’s-new department, Izek, a new sewing machine from Singer Sewing Co., uses Nintendo’s hand-held computer game system as its computer brain. The Game Boy hooks up to the sewing machine with a connecting wire, and a game-type cartridge contains the software that allows the machine to automatically stitch buttonholes, lettering and other designs.
The Game Boy can also be used for playing computer games.
Selling for about $700, the system is targeted at beginner and intermediate sewers, particularly teens and preteens. It will be available this month at selected sewing specialty shops nationwide.
Singer dealers can be found on the Web at www.singershop.com.
* Do it yourself: Anyone searching for a winter project should check out the “Do It Yourself” Web site at www.diy.com. This Web site offers tips on wallpapering projects, lighting, electrical, plumbing, landscaping, new products, advice and even how to be a better world neighbor by protecting the environment.