Nesting... Book Review: Wabi Sabi Style

Book Review, part 2:  Nesting, It’s A Chick Thing, by Ame Mahler Beanland and Emily Miles Terry.

“It’s All Good” describes the wabi sabi style in a nut shell.  Wabi Sabi, is kind of like Feng Shui, only different.  It is an Eastern design principle developed by Zen monks and is centuries old.  It is based on a tea practice and embraces the beauty of imperfection and irregularity.  

I bought this book!

If you love and value old things that have stood the test of time and like to use these in decorating the home, your style could be wabi sabi.  “The real power of wabi sabi is tapped when you extend its forgiving concepts to your life, your relationships and your self,” (Feathering Your Nest pp. 60-61). 

Wabi Sabi reminds me of shabby chic because it is important to avoid clutter and to take care of imperfect things, such as cleaning and oiling old wood floors rather than refinishing them to perfection.  There is nothing more beautiful than preserving the patina of aged wood.  Nesting... suggests decorating with multifunctional and/or meaningful, attractive items.  They can be interesting artistically, like unusual lamps or frames.  Collections of family photos and heirlooms can lend a spiritual feel to a room.  And of course with all Eastern principles, bringing nature inside is characteristic of wabi sabi.  Nesting... provides other sources about wabi sabi design.  If you are like me, the simple aspects of this style of decorating are very attractive and it is nice to know that for once I am fashionable!

What do you think?  Is Wabi Sabi style the new Feng Shui?  Let me know!

Nesting, It's A Chick Thing Book Review

Book Review, part 1:  Nesting, It’s A Chick Thing, by Ame Mahler Beanland and Emily Miles Terry.

Make it Your Beside Table Book

This book was a lot of fun to read.  I could see it being a great nightstand book in a guest room or displayed on the coffee table because you can pick it up any time and begin reading anywhere in the book.  It is kind of like a printed blog of posts, many of which are written by famous guest writers.  The book includes great quotes and recipes, interesting facts and background information, and whimsical vintage photos—all having to do with us “chicks.” 

Primping--it's A Girl Thing!

I plan on making time to try all the fun ideas on p. 223 “Preparty Primping.”  One idea was to try out several hand preparations, ending with 2 base coats on the nails, a pretty pink coat of nail polish, then use a toothpick and yellow and white nail polish to create daisies.  End with a top coat to protect the masterpiece!  Nails any garden aficionado would be proud of!

Gardening

Speaking of gardeners, a good handsoak after working in the garden consists of adding two drops of each to warm water:  chamomile, lavender and geranium essential oils.  After soaking your hands for 10 minutes, use a nail brush to remove any dirt that’s left under the nails.  Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a soft, fluffy towel to seal in moisture.

The book recommends making a hand scrub to keep in a jar by the kitchen sink.  The scrub can be used to slough off the rough skin and stains from working in the garden.  As before, rinse with warm water and pat dry.  Combine 1 c. coarse salt, 2 drops peppermint essential oil, 3 drops lavender essential oil, ½ ounce sweet almond oil.

Soft-as-Daisy Hands

For soft-as-a-daisy hands, combine one tablespoon sweet almond oil and one-half teaspoon castor oil and add 2 drops of geranium and rosemary essential oils as well as 4 drops clary sage and lavender essential oils .  Massage hands with the oil using a soft towel to push back the cuticles carefully.  They recommend using cotton gloves (or white cotton tube socks), to keep hands covered overnight.  Be sure to rinse thoroughly with warm water—taking care to scrub the nails gently with soap to remove the oil—and pat dry.  

All of these ideas are a great way to have hands manicure-ready after a hard week of gardening!  However, the book was about a lot more than manicures.  This was what I was most interested in.  My next post is about Nesting, It's a Chick Thing, only I focus on a decorating trend I am really interested in.

I like the idea of leaving something fun to read for a guest in my home.  How do you fix up the guest room when you have a visitor?