What's so GREAT about Localism? It's a TREASURE....
There are some people, especially "Newbies" to Activerain that may not see the Advantages of posting to Localism. As a FengShui Consultant who lives and play on Long Island, NY and in New York City, I love writing about the different areas I find myself in.
I have many New York City locations including posts on Central Park and different parts of Manhattan. As I travel all over Long Island, I capture pictures and write about FengShui in a particular place or just about this lovely Island itself.
Several months ago I realized I was getting emails from people I don't know. They would ask me about a particular place in a post I'd written or for further information. I didn't think much of it as I answered the Emails except that I realized that Consumers WERE reading my posts....and obviously enjoying them.
Late one night when I was signing off the computer for the night, I went to check my emails and had one from someone who was quite upset. She asked me if they were tearing down the JonesBeach Water Tower, one of Long Island's beautiful monuments.
Jones Beach Water Tower, Wantagh Long Island New York
I was shocked. I knew they were restoring the Water Tower at JonesBeach but certainly not tearing it down! We have little enough left of Long Island now. I went online to research it and did in fact find a blog that said it was being demolished as the costs were too high to repair it.
Fortunately, I have a friend at Newsday, our lovely Long Island Newspaper. I've written about Newsday before and decided to email my friend....nothing gets by him! If they're tearing down the Water Tower, HE would know.
He answered me right away; he hadn't heard anything about it and I hadn't either prior to the email. I wrote this person back to give her the information when it dawned on me that after all this time (and all these posts) about Long Island, I had become the "Local Expert."
My blog Growing up LevittownGrowing Up Levittown New York: The Way it WAS by Feng Shui Consultant Carole Provenzale got the most responses in my emails. It seems that many people were fortunate enough to grow up on Long Island and had a ‘LevittownNY' life and it brought back so many fond memories. They were kind enough to take the time to write me and thank me!
I thought back to the many other questions I've received over the years relating to Long Island, New York that I'd answered without giving them a second thought.If you write about your Local Areas and post them to Localism, you WILL be found.
You'll also be thought of as the "GO TO" person for further information. You'll become the LOCAL EXPERT. That's priceless!
Oh, about the Water Tower at Jones Beach: They are restoring it. The top is off because of the extensive repairs it require but it is NOT being dismantled.(When YOU become the Local Expert, check your facts : )
Have any Questions about Long IslandNew York? I work in both Nassau and SuffolkCounties and you're welcome to email me anytime!
*CaroleProvenzale is the Founder of FengShui Long Island & NY est. in 1997. As a Certified Feng Shui Expert she provides on Site FengShui Consultations for Long IslandNY for Homes, Businesses, Retail and New Construction. She is also available for pre-inspection of a New Residence and Blessings Ceremonies.
LauraCerrano is a Certified Feng Shui Consultant for New York City NYC and Queens NY. She also consults in the TriState Area.
Real Estate Agents: Tell Buyers the TRUTH! by Feng Shui Long Island NY Consultant
Yes, it's a mini rant....or maybe not so mini.. I DO know it's only a few percentage of Real Estate Agents that do this but you may be wasting your OWN time!
I've now seen several properties listed on the MLS. After finding out I WAS allowed to attend Open Houses, I've gone to a few. All of them found on the MLS and every one of them need to clarify things. In other words, BE HONEST!!
If there's no Open House I have to call my Real Estate Agent who then has to make contacts and appointments and has offered to even pick me up and take me to the listing. Here is some of what I've seen in the short time I've been looking to buy a home on Long Island:
Move Right In: The ‘Move Right In' house. We've all seen these listings. You expect to find the home in pretty good condition, right? Except you notice that the roof is falling down...and the carpet they put upstairs (including in the bathroom) has an uneven floor underneath. None of the doors upstairs open OR close because the carpet is too thick. Who do I move in with, a Roofer AND a plumber? Or should I find someone who does floors?
Mrs.CleanLives Here: I'm NOT kidding, I saw a home listed this way with only a few pictures. Not only does Mrs. Clean NOT live there, I don't even think she VISITS. My feet stuck to the floor....especially in the kitchen while I was trying to figure out what the brown stuff on the walls were.
Mint, Immaculate: I had to ask what type of floors were underneath the clothes and furniture. I also noticed I had the exact same pots and pans but mine weren't in the sink.
Park Like Grounds: It was a beautiful backyard. The only problem is that the parkway was right behind it. RIGHT behind it. That's a deal breaker for me. It is a good thing I didn't go by the picture on the MLS anyway because it had snow on the ground.
Just Bring a Paintbrush: I have no problem bringing not only a Paintbrush but an actual Painter. Problem was the walls were down (although laying neatly by the side of the house). This listing DID have an element of truth: Walls can go up or down....YOU decide. I decided to buy a house with walls.
As a buyer, this is what I'd love to see on the MLS: An accurate description which includes the Good and the not so Good. I'd know before hand if it's a property I'd even consider. This would not only save ME time but it would certainly save my Realtor HER time. Sellers: Clean up...we DO notice!
It's tough enough working with two Feng Shui Consultants in buying a new home on Long Island NY! I'm surprised my Realtor is working with me (although she knows and believes in Feng Shui). Maybe, just MAYBE we could all save some time by being honest.
New York City Feng Shui and Missed Opportunities by Feng Shui Long Island NY Consultant
Everything comes into our lives for a reason. Oftentimes, when we are not at our best energetically or otherwise, we won't take a second look at something that is coming our way. We're not up to it, we figure and without much thought, we'll just turn away from it, decline (with thanks) and think nothing more of it. We may be missing the boat here. Instead of saying no, think it through.
When opportunities come knocking, it is wise to be there to answer the door. While some don't appear to be anything particularly interesting or even inviting, based on the fact that you are working with the laws of attraction, it is always wise to look into something without just turning it down.
Investigate it further. Things most certainly are not always what they appear. In our hurried, sometimes scattered lives, we often don't stop to think things through well enough to make an informed decision.
Oftentimes, as well, a seemingly "rational" decision may not come to you. These are truly the times to go with your instincts; we have all access to these wonderful instincts, our "gut" feelings, but unfortunately fail to follow them.
No one ever knows where the next door will lead or the next bump in the road will take us. Wonderful opportunities we may have looked right passed may have also caused us to miss meeting a certain person, a lost business connection or an activity we may well have enjoyed.
Ask yourself if you are unconsciously putting up barriers. We have to be in the state of "allowance" to invite everything into our lives. Knowing that they are there for a reason might be a tool in determining your ultimate decision. How can you know what to do when you simply don't KNOW what to do? Here are some ideas that might help you along.
Some people meditate regularly, others not at all. Meditation is nothing more then a deep state of reaction, when you are not thinking of anything at all and have nothing inside to "clutter" your head and confuse an already overworked brain. Instead of trying so hard to focus on an answer to a dilemma we are facing, try allowing the answer to just come to you.
Another way to accomplish this is to think about the issue just before bedtime. And then let it go for the night. Whoever said you shouldn't make a big decision without sleeping on it was 100% correct.
Taking a walk can clear your head as well. Spending time outdoors with nature for some of us is a state of allowing thoughts, decisions and energy to just flow. Since we are connected to everything by energy, the outdoor energy of plants and tress, birds and animals is essential to our well being.
Also, remember to pray. If your thoughts are focused, your intentions clear and mindful, it doesn't matter who or what you choose to pray to. There is a power in prayer and also a releasing of things to a higher power that will help you find your answers and your direction; you won't have to worry about a possible missed opportunity again.
Feng Shui in New York...Let's Talk about The FORM School! By NYC FengShui Long Island & NY Consultants
There are so many methods of Feng Shui used not only in New York City and Long Island NY but around the World. It's our theory that the more schools of thought of FengShui we are familiar with as FengShui Consultants, the more we can help our clients.
One of the earliest methods of FengShui was called The FormSchool.It was originally used for placement of ancestors in their final resting places. The Chinese believed that the direction in which a loved one was buried was very important and it would have an impact on them and their lives.
We often think of being "backed up" in life. A Mountain at your back for protection and Water in the Front was considered proper placement in good FengShui. The water, like a gently rolling stream would bring in Good Energy and the Mountain would keep you backed up.
As a New York and Long IslandFengShui Consultants, we still use these methods in our NY Feng Shui Consultations. An example of this can be seen here in aFengShui Business LauraCerrano and I recently set up: Omni Martial Arts in Queens New York
Feng Shui NY Queens Business...Omni Martial Arts New York
It is often the reason we suggest a small Water Feature by the Front Door such as a small Water Fountain...it is believed to drive good energy into our spaces including FengShui Businesses.
Here's a photo of a New FengShui New Construction project based right here on Long IslandNew York:
Creating Moutains for a new Feng Shui Long Island Business
For FengShui Principles at Home or at Work, see what's backing YOU up. Pictures of strength or accomplishments should be behind you. Adding water by the Front Door will help you accomplish some of the methods of the Form School of Feng Shui.
*CaroleProvenzale is the Founder of FengShui Long Island & NY est. in 1997. As a Certified Feng Shui Expert she provides on Site FengShui Consultations for Long IslandNY for Homes, Businesses, Retail and New Construction. She is also available for pre-inspection of a New Residence and Blessings Ceremonies.
LauraCerrano is a Certified Feng Shui Consultant for New York City NYC and Queens NY. She also consults in the TriState Area.
Hoarders of Long IslandNew York...Can you use some FREE Help?
Hoarding is becoming a more serious problem on Long IslandNY. There are many people who have such a difficult time letting go of objects that they begin to clutter their home. These items are usually saved because they "may be needed at another time" or a person or persons feels some kind of connection to them.
There is a certain amount of ‘safety' in keeping things around. Unfortunately, it is an issue that often becomes out of control. Their items begin to take over their lives.There is often shame and guilt associated with the Hoarding of objects. Hoarders may stop inviting people over and often feel hopeless and helpless.
As New York Feng Shui consultants we have worked with several Hoarders. I would like to say I've had success with all of them but I haven't. I can explain things from a FengShui Perspective as in the case of one lovely Long Island couple who called us in to help "organize."
In Feng Shui, Energy RISES. The energy of things stored in a basement will affect you in a number of ways, even if you are on another level. Also think of what is "hanging over your head" with storage in the attic. This can keep you stuck in life as many Long Island NY hoarders feel.
Before we could organize, I had to help them learn to part with items they believed to be treasured. In every room it was difficult to walk and their beautiful young son could not invite his friends over. As we went from room to room we were able to explain the damaging effects from a FengShui Perspective.
Finally, we got some boxes out of the car. Carefully we went through just one small part of the home....the Dining Room table and chairs. They hadn't been able to eat a meal there in as long as they could remember. Sorting through the objects on the table and chairs we were able to discard some things. Others we put in a "donation" box and the remaining items we kept but put away.
This inspired this Long Island family to stop hoarding and begin to clean up and let go. I'd receive frequent updates about their progress from them and I was delighted. Hoarding is a sensitive issue but there IS help.
Cleaning one SMALL area can make a huge difference in getting clutter under control. This Long Island family felt the difference immediately and it inspired them to keep cleaning up and out!
Recently, Laura Cerrano of http://FengShuiManhattan.com received an inquiry from a news station who would like to team up and offer their services as well to a person or family on Long Island NY who has been hoarding or unable to let go of things. In addition to FengShui for this Long Island home, there will be 10 additional days of organizational assistance.
Further, in order to keep your home clean and organized additional free help will be provided as follow up services. There is absolutely no charge for all of the services and you will be treated with the utmost care and respect.
Any family or individual on Long Island that has been finding themselves buried in "clutter" or hoarding objects is welcome to contact us for these free services. You will begin to live a new life and will learn about FengShui, Organizing and a safe and happy household.
For further information, please contact New York Feng Shui Consultant Laura Cerrano at (516) 528-3843 or email FengShuiLI@aol.com. All contacts are confidential.
New York Feng Shui Consultants Carole Provenzale and Laura Cerrano are a mother/daughter Feng Shui Consulting team available for on site Feng Shui/Design Consultations on Long Island, New York City - Manhattan - Queens, NY and the Tri State Area. For further information please visithttp://www.FengShuiLI.com
The Ups and Downs of Buying a Long Island NY Home.....This isn't for NYC Feng Shui Consultants!
After being on the fence so long about whether or not to purchase a different home on Long IslandNY, it was a huge relief in itself to have made the decision to go ahead with it. I'm thrilled and now I actually can't wait!
THIS is why my buyer's are calling for some Feng Shui to help get their home sold.I'm probably feeling every emotion a homeowner who has been looking to buy (and sell) has felt at one time or another.
It's been 30 years since I moved last; while searching for a new home last time my ex and I decided to look at a home that didn't meet our qualifications. It didn't even come close except it was in a neighborhood we both loved.
It had only 3 bedrooms and one bathroom while we were looking to move up and expand. And I fell in love with it the minute I walked in the door. Long before I became a FengShui Consultant on Long Island & New York I had decided that quite often, "your" home finds YOU.
Looking back, I realized that home had good FengShui. There's no mistaking the feeling anymore. It felt loved and it HAD been. The previous owners did not want to leave but had recently had a "new addition" and they'd outgrown the space.
I'm SURE I was a pain to my realtor back then. One particular disagreement was that we were having a Party in the house just after we'd put it on the market. My realtor was very understanding and said she wouldn't show the house that day.
Prior to working with FengShui I remember thinking "What BETTER time to show a home?" When people are there, energized and laughing and having a wonderful time. We batted this back and forth but she finally agreed to bring her BEST prospects during the party.
It goes against Real Estate "Laws" from what I've read here on Activerain. Don't have the homeowner present (goodness knows some pretty stupid things can come out of someone who is selling). Our realtor and the prospects walked into a warm feeling, the smell of the bar be que going and many "good energy" vibes from people. It was one Happy House!
We got two offers the following morning. One was a qualifying offer, not much lower then our asking price! And now, knowing what I know as I prepare my home for the market I am still wondering what to do. Vacate-or throw one FUN party....
If you're not already a member, we welcome you to join the Group Feng Shui for Real Estate. Bob and Carolin Benjamin started this group last year and membership is always growing.
So are ever increasing numbers of wonderful bloggers who know and work with the lovely Art of Feng Shui!
Lately I have seen wonderful posts by Candice Donofrio and others who put up sone wonderful blogs.
This one is by Kate Case. If you don't know Kate, it might be time to meet her.
Here she gives you some wonderful ways to Sell Your Listing using Feng Shui!
Using Feng Shui to attract more potential home buyers is a fantastic idea. When you start to look at the Feng Shui recommendations, you will see that some of them are identical to what you may be doing already to prepare your client's homes for sale. Feng Shui does recommend de-cluttering, depersonalizing, cleaning, repairing, and then implementing the 5 elements (water, wood, fire, earth, and metal).
Here is a Feng Shui 5 Element Cheat Sheet for preparing your homes for sale:
Elements
Colors
Objects to Use
Shape
Water
Blue
Black
Mirrors
Glass
Wavy lines
Wood
Green
Wood Furniture
Hard wood floors
Columns
Vertical growing plants
Fire
Red
Candles
Fireplace
Triangle
Earth
Yellow
Orange
Brown
Brick
Stone
Square
Metal
White
Gray
Silver
Gold
Lamps
Appliances
Circle
Each element needs to be represented in every room but not equally in every room. In the United Stated, most rooms tend to be dominated by the wood element and are missing the fire element. An element should be brought into a room to increase balance. The fire element can be brought into a room through the additional of a red pillow.
The goal of Feng Shui is to make sure chi or energy flows smoothly. This is very important if you are trying to sell your home. By using Feng Shui we want to attract the potential buyer from the external curb and once they are inside the home we want them to feel so comfortable they want to stay. Feng Shui considers all five senses and wanting to create an emotional response to the home's environment from the potential buyer. The walk from your car to the front door is also very important and needs to be maintained. During this timeframe we are aiming to capture the buyer's interest in the property and the front door (mouth of chi) should be a dramatic focal point. Great colors to paint a front door are black or dark brown, this will definitely draw the buyer's eye in to the front door. The welcome mat should be a semi-circle on the outside of the home. Once inside, the entry way is the most important room since a buyer will decide in under a minute on whether or not they will buy your home. The entry way is also the last part of the home the potential buyers will see. It is always a good idea to have a mirror in the entry way (but pay close attention to what is being reflected, do not point it towards the door) and no sharp furniture pointing towards the front door.
Using a Baqua Map and aligning it with the home's front door will help you identify the various centers of your room.
Wealth/Prosperity
Fame
Marriage/Relationships
Family
Health
Creativity/Children
Wisdom
Career
Helpful People/Travel
Approximately 75-80% of the home's front door will enter through the Career center. The Helpful People room will be the room most buyer's go into after the front door. The Wealth center definitely needs a tall green vertical plant. Your business cards should go into the Career center. In the Marriage/Relationships center you need to show pairs, it could be pairs of decorative pillows or even pairs of lights on either side of the bed. According the Feng Shui there really is no good place for a bathroom, so please leave the toilet lids closed and the door to the bathroom closed. Remove all your personal items from view also. A mirror facing a bed is also not recommended in Feng Shui, it possible you should eliminate any mirrors in the master bedroom.
To sell your home quickly, you need to address the Wealth, Fame, Marriage, Career, and Relationship areas of your home.
- Kate
Kate's Home Staging and Redesign now sells semi-custom window coverings at discount prices. Our window coverings include roman shades, Levolor and Dynasty blinds, faux wood blinds, bamboo blinds, woven wood blinds, cornices, valances, sheers, and drapes. Our roman shades can be ordered in 100% pure silk, linen, cotton, or designer fabric. We also offer Benjamin Moore color consultations and test color boards, interior decorating, home staging, and redesign. Please visit http://www.kateshomestaging.com for more info or call 845-538-3623. All window covering appointments include a free 30 minute design consultation for the same room. We serve Passaic County and Bergen County of New Jersey and Rockland County and Orange County of New York, basically the lower Hudson Valley. We are an affiliate member of the Passaic County of Realtors, a member of RESA, ASHSR.
It's RESTAURANT WEEK on Long IslandNew York! by FengShuiLong Island Consultant
Finally, Restaurant Week has come to Long IslandNY. I love Restaurant week here as it allows me to go back to some of my Favorite Restaurants across Long Island and try some new ones I haven't been to yet!
One of my favorite things about being a Feng Shui Consultant on Long Island NY is that I get to travel all over lovely Long Island. I often stop and eat in Local Restaurants after a FengShui Consultation.
You'll find price fix dinners at some wonderful places. I've got my favorites and a few I haven't tried yet that I'm looking forward to. These are my favorites:
Jonathan's RistoranteHuntingtonNY An Institution on Huntington, my favorite Long Island Town
Mamma Lombardi'sHolbrookNY Weddings and catering parties and one GOOD Restaurant!
P.J. Lobster HousePort JeffersonNY I'm often in Port Jefferson, it's so lovely. Aside from Danford's (which is not on the list), this is one of my favorite places to eat.
The Country HouseStony BrookNY I heard a rumor this place is haunted...I just found great food near a wonderful village.
The Carltun East MeadowLong Island Located right in Salisbury Eisenhower Park.
City CaféGarden City Long Island NY Really interesting dishes in this place, the menu changes.
Hemingway's American Bar and GrillWantaghNY Right on Wantagh Avenue. I've been going to this place as long as I can remember and the food is consistently good!
Fisherman's Catch RestaurantPoint Lookout NY This is right on the water. I haven't tried it yet, it's another place I would love to try!
Call ahead for seating and dates that may be blocked off. Just don't miss Restaurant Week on Lovely Long IslandNY.
**CaroleProvenzale has been a New YorkFengShui Consultant since 1997 and is the Founder of FengShui Long Island & New York. On Site FengShui Consultations provided for New York City (Manhattan), Queens and all of Long Island for Homes, Apartments, Businesses, Corporations, Renovations and New Construction.
MichaelJackson ‘This is It' -- A Review by FengShui Long Island & New York
We went to see the last live taping of MichaelJackson-"This is It!" I won't hide the fact that I am quite prejudiced, having been a fan of his for as long as I can remember.
I have always thought the King Of Pop deserved his name and the fame that followed. I thought he was an absolutely brilliant singer, songwriter and performer. His dancing always made me wish I could move like that and his creativity stunned me at times.
The movie was so respectfully done and shows other sides of Michael Jackson that I hadn't known. He has a knowledge about every single part of putting together a production-the RIGHT way. He is, for the most part, quiet, soft spoken and always polite to others while he encourages those he works with.
At one point he says to his guitarist "This is YOUR time to shine, don't hold back."At another he honors all of his brothers by name as well as his parents and tells them he loves them. In one of the songs he gets so carried away with singing it, he forgets to "conserve" his voice for the actual concerts.
For me, there are certain people who I will never forget and their deaths have impacted me more then I would have imagined. Princess Diana and John Lennon were two and now Michael Jackson. I noticed that ALL of them showed us their true selves and tried to help others.
If you are a MichaelJackson fan, you will love these final scenes of him doing what he does best-performing. It will make you sad that we have lost such talent so early in his life. I can't begin to think of the beautiful music we will never hear. We will probably never see such talent again in our lifetimes.
**CaroleProvenzale has been a New YorkFengShui Consultant since 1997 and is the Founder of FengShui Long Island & New York. On Site FengShui Consultations provided for New York City (Manhattan), Queens and all of Long Island for Homes, Apartments, Businesses, Corporations, Renovations and New Construction. http://www.FengShuiManhattan.com for LauraCerrano in ManhattanNY
FengShui in Long IslandNY -- Beautiful Port WashingtonNew York
For those of you who have ever visited Long IslandNew York, I hope you got to stop and see the beautiful town of Port Washington in the Town of Hempstead NY.
Port Washington Long Island NY Settled 1644
As a New YorkFengShui Consultant I have had the privilege of doing FengShui Consultations in both Homes, Condos and Businesses in Pt. Washington. Yet when I think of this place, oneFengShui consultation always comes back to me. I couldn't help my client as hard as I tried.
Quaint little shops in Pt. Washington Long Island
I arrived a few minutes early at "Linda's" lovely Long Island Condo. They appeared from the outside to be very well kept and had large windows which I knew would allow in a lot of natural light. I had very different expectations when I entered my client's Condo.
Lovely Long Island--Pt. Washington NY
The shades were drawn and every room of this lovely condo was stacked high with everything from clothes to old newspapers to empty boxes. I wondered what had gone so wrong in her life that this lovely, accomplished woman was living like this.
Walk alont Manhasset Bay in Long Island New York
In talking to her, she told me she had brought her Floor Plans to another FengShui Consultant. Her Consultant looked at the floor plans, did some calculations and told "Linda" that she would never do well in her place.She was told to move. That had been about two years prior but she didn't have the resources.
The Old Ferry in Pt. Washington Long Island NY
These were devastating words and I was shocked to hear that someone would give a Feng Shui Client this type of information. FengShui Consultants live by Intention or what is commonly thought of "The Law of Attraction." There are NO circumstances we can't change and FengShui knows no boundaries.
Manhasset Bay Walk Long Island New York
"Linda" had given up. She no longer worked, cleaned or took care of her environment and unfortunately she will never know the strength of Good FengShui.The power of words can help, inspire or motivate.They can also ruin a life.
**CaroleProvenzale has been a New YorkFengShui Consultant since 1997 and is the Founder of FengShui Long Island & New York. On Site FengShui Consultations provided for New York City (Manhattan), Queens and all of Long Island for Homes, Apartments, Businesses, Corporations, Renovations and New Construction. http://www.FengShuiManhattan.com for LauraCerranoFengShuiNew York Consultant
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.