Bonjour!


A few of you already saw the trailer of Pépé’s Story I posted onYoutube at the end of November 2009...


Pépé's Story: YouTube trailer nov 2009




Then life happened... Again!

We all know "those days" where all hell break loose. Even moi, your uplifting French Accent! That day was last Thursday... After so much effort from so many people to help me put my home-made DVd for sale on line on my blog, I just understood that it was not technically going to work. And because of a lot of other "stuff" are happening in my life now, I felt miserable, devastated, wishing upon a meteorite to just hit me and paf! Journey over!

I was so sad  for my friend Mike Carriere who worked so hard on editing the beta project, for Pépé, my grandfather who inspired me and pushed me to publish this video, even if he passed "away" a while back, for me... All the incredible artists who contributed like the fantastic Karma Moffett whose music carries the voice over.  I was hearing all my friends who watched the Beta version and wanted me to get it out... Alfredo, Maria, Elisabeth, even Ori in Atlanta who I never met "in real life" and who advised me through Twitter on Thanksgiving day...

Then I meditated more and Laura Iriarte called, and Elisabeth, and Matthieu, then Ron brought me chicken soup and served me a taste of my own medicine, in the "never give up" category!   I remembered what Perrie Burton, my Feng Shui colleague and Australian sister, had told me a while back: "Dec 5th will be your lucky day!"...

So today, December 5th, I re-attacked the problem, helped by another great being and awesome photographer, Jon Rendell. I spent hours torturing every single options of my blog host.  And voilà!!! It is up and running on my brand new e-boutique!

This video that I sell today for a very smal $9.91 by download only to avoid any carbon footprint, is ready for you, ready for anybody you know who is sad because a loved one is journeying through a path we cannot apprehend from this side only. Because death is a passage, a part of life, but it is also, from our human perspective, a rupture in the flow as we know it. And we need to find other approaches to embrace it and alos to help our people going through.

You have no idea what it represents for me to finally give this short story to the world. Closure. The end of a cycle, the beginning of a new venture!  I just wish it will give you the same comforting and soothing healing it gave already to many around me, no matter what they believe in or not.


Pépé’s Story: thoughts & gratitude



I made it! WE made it! MERCI.

Now please BUY or GIVE  Pépé's Story download.  
For you it is not even $10 to get a different perspective on death, mourning, guardian angels and reincarnation: maybe a chance to heal an open wound not a bad deal in a holiday time when we miss so much the ones who left... 


Pépé’s Story: thoughts on dying of sickness, not losing a fight and seeing beyond our eyesight.





For us, on a practical stand point,  1% will be given to the Make a Wish Greater Bay Area Fundation that is run like a love war machine by the fabulous and fun Patricia Wilson. The rest could help me pay some bills in this very cold winter, and buy a bottle of good champagne for Mike and Jon, who worked for free, as everybody else did.

Here is the link with La boutique, that you can also find on the left column of that page. Paypal. Safe. Fast. Easy.

And if somebody knows Oprah, Deepak Choprah or Louise Hay, please let them know about Pépé's Story . Or let me know. I would love to spread the love further.

We are One. Human. Immortal. Fragile and magical.

Let's be good and never behave. And watch for the crows around us, they bring news from beyond...

Namaste,
and merci again. You have no idea...

Catherine

A few real people to know and appreciate:

• Mike Carriere: @globalSF
• Jon Rendell: http://www.jonrendell.com/jonrendell/Gallery.html
• Karma Moffett: http://karmamoffett.com/tibetan_bell_exp.html
• Ron Cooper: http://www.ironicdesign.us/index.html
• Perrie Burton: http://www.fengshuigoldcoast.com/index.php?module=pagesetter&func=viewpub&tid=2&pid=4
• Ori: http://www.couchsurfingori.com/
• Laura Iriarte: http://www.lauralovesart.com/
• Make a Wish Greater Bay Area: http://www.makewish.org/site/pp.asp?c=bdJLITMAE&b=81873
• Pat & Lance: http://homelesscrisis.blogspot.com/
• Richard Bassett: http://www.youtube.com/richardbassett1956
  
  
  

        

Bonjour!

The most beautiful non religious American holiday, Thanksgiving, often turns into a food orgy and family drama. Let's claim the true Thanks Giving back and prove it is every day, everywhere. Check my new vlog on how to embrace the Gratitude:

Give thanks to you first, the Universe will follow!





To create more community, I decided to organize a special Project.  I asked my friends on Twitter & Facebook to email me 1 sentence in 129 characters maximum that could begin by: I give thanks for... and to send a picture.

Then, I mixed the sentences and the pictures, and I read the text, with my French accent, so that now we are really One, sharing the same gratitude. And spreading love and joy in respect... 

I am very grateful for all of you who participated and I hope you will enjoy the final concept and share the result!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbBIMcVdETo
Please comment! (I could not post the video  on my Blog; too long!!! LUVIT!)

I also recommend you to go visit Tambra and her Gratitude event:  http://theartofwellbeing.typepad.com/gratitudeexperience/
where she gathered experiences and thoughts on the same subject. Radio Talk at 1pm Pacific time on Wed. 11/25. I may participate if I wake up, as it is already 5.27am and now I fulfilled my promise of posting today before dawn... I may go to sleep...

I wish you a glorious Thanks Giving, every day.

Be Good and Don't behave,
Namaste...

Catherine

        

Home by TangoBaby - 2009


Bonjour!

No vlog today as I am celebrating the anniversary of my arrival in the US, 9 years ago. I want to share with you an amazing photoshoot by the fabulous Julie Michelle  (@tangobabySF on Twitter)  who captured the magic of my life, and its uncertainties. Through her caring and intuitive eye, she builds community.

Read my post on her site  I Live Here SF, it will explain to you why I live here.  It is all about love and symbols. As usual! Then click the Flickr link and enjoy the beauty. She gave me an incredible moment where I felt just me. Deep. In joy.


Namaste.
Be good, and never behave!
Champagne!

Catherine
I Live Her SF

        

Bonjour!

Believe it or not, my post today came out of anger! Anger to see how anger could translate into fear and judgment  in the news, spreading more racism around the world, instead of building a stronger community able to take care of all its members.

I was on Twitter when the first then the second mass shootings happened in the US this week. And I was shocked to see the way the news were "informing" about these tragic events. I actually thought of adding an hyperlink with the news but I do not want this energy touching my blog.

I was so shocked that I began tweeting:
"JOURNALISTS: STOP talking about ethnic background when you broadcast on shootings. STOP RACIST FEAR CULTURE NOW!"

Then my tweemie @BrokePimpStyles , the beautiful Indy Adrienne Quashie (http://quasheba.blogspot.com/), wrote and wrote more heartfelt tweets on this subject.

Then I decided to record this video (that I had to cut in 2 parts to fit in the blog format).

Voilà
It is for everybody in the world. And beyond! We are always somebody's alien. Let's build in joy together instead of destroying out of fear.

Be good and never behave,
Catherine


Stop the Fear Culture: Let's be color/religion blind when we look at the others. (1)





Stop the Fear Culture: Educate the Children and Share Love.(2)

        

Bonjour!

Today's post has been inspired by a question from my tweemie Tambra Harck about the influence of colors in Feng Shui and homes.

Just a few words to introduce the subject...

When I moved to San Francisco, 9 years ago, and began to work in the furniture industry, I was shocked to see that most people were "matching" sofas and chairs, "blending" neutrals. The only real colors in retail were mostly dark reds on leather library chairs.
 
I was then working at the brand new Crate and Barrel Furniture store downtown San Francisco, in the fine furniture department.
To this day, I still remember how happy one of my customers was when he came back to me and announced: "I made it Catherine! I listened to you and I went for color! You can be proud of me!" . He was holding a dark chocolate velvet pillow. Dark chocolate. To go on his all beige furniture...  I had envisioned a more powerful combination like a hot pink or spring green to make the room happen... However it was a start and I congratulated him!

All my clients know that even if I may play with specific chic beiges, you can't pronounce the B word ("blending") in front of me! All my life I have been working towards harmony and personal development, and I certainly do not promote the disappearance of the personality!

Now look around you! There is nothing quicker and cheaper than adding a layer of fresh paint to change the energy and the look of a room, whether in a home, an office, a business, a restaurant... Experiment by yourself or book me for a color consultation. Now is the perfect timing to make your nest more welcoming just before the holidays and the family reunions. And if you know somebody you love and who needs a lift, you can even gift my services. It may change a life!

Be good and don't behave,
In Joy & Respect.


Catherine

Life is NOT beige! Forget muddy tones for interior decoration...





The Elemental Productive Cycle in Feng Shui, colors included!

        

Bonjour!

In the San Francisco/Bay Area where I live, real estate has always been Ze indicator of the economy.  Houses made in wood and sheet rock sell for Millions of dollars, what is always very surprising to the Parisian Moi, so used to hardcore stone and concrete! Of course there are more earthquakes here than in France, and the structures reflect this need for flexibility!

Anyway, whether it is a buyer or a seller's market, everywhere in the world, you can always see incredible places, perfectly located and manicured, who do not sell. You can also see newly moved in buyers feeling like strangers in their own castle.

Why? How is it possible? What to do? Feng Shui and psychology help to understand and address these crucial issues. For years I have been collaborating on a regular basis with top realtors and stagers who have understood that adjusting the energies of a place is as important as decorating it and publishing the flyers!

Who wants to buy and live in a place that still belongs emotionally to somebody else? Who wants to get a ghost as a bonus? Every ancient culture used to perform space clearings. Sage burning, incense, holly water, bells… you name the tools! This is not because we live differently now and ignore our so-called “irrational” thoughts that the Universal structure changed around us!  Rejection is not the solution.

How many old practices have been re-discovered in the last 50 years? How many pharmaceutical companies are now looking for the last medicine men to get information on plants and healing techniques after despising them as “superstitious nonsense”?  Interesting, isn’t it?

Now think quick! Remember once you walked in a place and felt immediately awkward, cold, and uncomfortable?  Was it the décor, the people? No. It was the energy, something you could not see but you can still feel and describe months or years after it happened. Now the conversation is open and I would love to read your own stories in the comments!

It is it time to reconcile our knowledge and our skills and use them to live better, in harmony! Clear your space, breathe and grow…

In Joy & Respect,

Be good and don’t behave, however please suscribe!

Catherine

 

Special Merci to @AliceTChan and @EvangelistaLA on Twitter for asking me these questions!

Buying a new home? Clear the space to make it yours!


Selling a house: Let go! Now!


Spirits in a house? Not a myth.



Aggressive ghostbuster technique? Not the best idea to create harmony!



My recent radio interview with Alice T Chan on Feng Shui and Staging:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Staged-Home-Lifestyle/2009/09/17/Staged-Home-Lifestyle-Radio-Show-Debuts

        

Bonjour!

I am not going for a long blog today, just a few links I ask you to follow. Trust me. I know you do. Because if you subscribed to this blog/vlog, it is because you care too. (And if you are just visiting, it is fine too, you can still subscribe! )

After blogging about how community AND charity should begin at our doorstep, I am going global!
First because we are one so immense and one so small world, that our windows open on more than our city neighborhood.
Second and especially because when unfairness touches children, we need to be even more aware and efficient.

Today I recorded my video in the Potrero Hill Community Garden in San Francisco (http://www.potrerogarden.org/) as a symbol for growth and unity.

A seed we plant here pollinates the world...





Now I just want you to go to the http://www.operationsmile.org/ and watch the video where they explain the life before/after surgery of this cute dancing child called Rikta. Maybe you can give up a latte and contribute to a mouth... By the way, if you don't believe in reincarnation, children are our legacy and our future. And if you do believe in reincarnation, children are us, you and me... Oui!  Therefore, in both case, we just cannot let them down!

Then I want to meet you at http://www.twestivalsf.com/ on Friday 09/11/09 night! We will have a great time, I cannot wait to see some of my favorite Tweemis (Tweeter + amis/friends in French) like @LauralovesArt or @Fogfish there... There is also a silent auction and .... I donated a 2 hour Color + Feng Shui consultation, so you better bet on that one! It will give a surgery to a child with a cleft palate, and if you win, your environment and your life will improve tremendously!  Not even talking about your karma!

Imagine your face without a mouth, a smile...
Give a smile to a kid, give him/her a chance to live. Being able to be him/herself, finally.
Not hidding. Not hidden. Not rejected.
Now. 
This is definitely good Feng Shui!

Joy & Respect,
Au revoir...

Catherine

Who to follow on Twitter for this cause in San Francisco :
@TwestivalSF
@BraveGirl
@krystyl
And if you are not in San Francisco, why don't you organize a Twestival in your city?
@Twestival


Here are all the videos that @IrinaSlutsky recorded for Justin TV at the event:
http://www.justin.tv/clip/4a76692c5ab4f05b

        

"I want you to be concerned about your next door neighbor. Do you know your next door neighbor?"~ Mother Theresa

Bonjour mes amis!

This new post is probably not the most fun one I could ever blog but it is essential to me.

A few months ago, I was talking with a friend of mine and expressing how tired I was of seeing otherwise very generous people giving lots of money to multiple charities all over the world, while closing their eyes on the striking raising poverty in their own neighborhood or even personal circles.
Don't get me wrong: I do NOT say not to donate to worldwide non profits. They do a fabulous job and we all need to support them.  Two of my favorites: Medecins sans Frontieres http://www.msf.org/ 
and Amnesty International  http://www.amnesty.org/.

What I say is, and I am sure that it could sound provocative, is:
We can't fool ourselves by only sending tax deductible checks and feeling good about it while we are surrounded by a growing wave of desperation in our closest environment.

I know, it is as easy to loose touch with our surroundings as it is to get distracted on Twitter! We live separated by gizmos, screened by passwords; even resumes are first selected by computers before anybody get to read them! People like you and me and who have still have jobs are overworked and scared of losing their position/clients, while laid-off people also like you and me are busy trying to make things happen before... before what? ... before the unemployment checks stop paying their rent, before their savings stop paying their mortgage, before ... they are suddenly homeless.
People like you and me.

Yesterday I met Elyssa Durant on Twitter (@ElyssaD) and I encourage you to subscribe to her blog:  http://www.thepowersthatbeat.blogspot.com/
Elyssa blogs on a her everyday fight to get a home, escape from the shelter violence, get back to the decent life that escaped from her one day, by accident. Trust me, it is not sugar-coated and you will witness a 35 year old girl trying to keep her sanity and her backberry while facing violence, incompetence, denial, abandon.
A girl like you and me.

One last thought... You may find ironic that I look so dressed up on a Vlog talking about homeless. It is purposefully planed. Appearances are deceiving. Take me as an example. If tomorrow I do not have enough clients/projects to pay for my bills and rent, what do you think will happen? I have no back up. Will I lose my stylish clothes and famous shoes? NO: I will loose my home. At first it will not show on my social image. I will probably still look fabulous for a while. However it will maybe kill me.
A girl like you: me?

We are one.
Let's open our hearts, our eyes, and give a hand or a food basket!
Asking our neighbors and our friends: "How are you doing? Are you OK?" and really listening to their answer.

Namaste,
In Joy and Respect, for All.

Catherine

PS: Once more I want to promote the mission of my friend Richard Bassett (@RichBassett) in Boston who does an incredible job to raise awareness for human causes and connect people: http://www.youtube.com/richardbassett1956

PPS: I am working hard on the Saint Vincent Pro-Bono project now with the support of the San Francisco Design Center and Philanthropy By Design. If you want to give at-risk abused teenagers a chance to stand for themselves by living in a healthier uplifting home, contact me. I am remodeling a house with Feng Shui principles and fun colors! Merci.


Know your neighbors. Build a true community. We can all be homeless tomorrow.
"The act of NOT helping is an action in and if itself. Do not look the other way, bystander apathy public safety issue for all. Random Act Of Kindness". ~ Elyssa Durant

 

        

Bonjour mes cheris!

As you know, the great Jay Koch (@JayKoch) invited me on his live radio show to chat and give some insights on meditation, Feng Shui and Life! I am very thankful and I totally connected with his own experience of riding horses, even if I never even touched one of this beautiful beings!

I just loved the energy of the show and knowing that several of my friends from Twitterville were on the call made me even more involved in the process. Special Merci @RichBassett, @markhundley, @swparisgal for your support and your questions!  It was so fun and deep to align my energy to find the best answer possible, and share it with you! Please follow up on this blog and let me know more...

(Ok I have to stop putting ! every sentence or Anne, my best friend in Switzerland, will send me a "don't do" email again! ) (And she is right!) (but I am so excited!)

By the way: 

• Yes, I listened to all your suggestions about having my own show, thanks to @EvangelistaLA I am seriously looking into it. 
• Yes, I do remote consultations and coaching for the ones who want to go deeper in their personal development or deco process. Contact me, I have plenty of recession-proof options that are not even on my site because every being is different.
• Yes, I love getting comments on my blog (hint).

Here is the recording you were waiting for if you missed the call. You will find perspective on getting in the meditation zone, recreating an immediate state of high energy, positioning an altar, riding horses...

And I you were on the call, you can stil play it again and again to get a French accent on the top of your natural American one!  

Enjoy and feel free to share as much as we did, merci encore...

Joy & Respect,
Be good but don't behave,

Catherine

Here is our fifteen minute show released on Friday, August 21 (If you missed the beginning!):



And our call-in show Tuesday, August 25:



Or listen at http://WhisperedByHorses.com Jay's radio show you should all subscribe to! (Talking about subscribing, why don't get my weekly updates automatically instead of waiting for my tweets and Facebook frenzy? Hum? Subscribing to French Shui Cafe is better Feng Shui! )

        

Bonjour!

I am delighted today to share with you two gifts!

The first one is a deeper and fun take on my July post on How to (Not) Meditate. Jay Koch, who runs the Whispered By the Horses Radio Show, contacted me on Twitter and asked me to chat with him about this endless topic! It was my first radio interview and I loved it!

The second gift is my surprise for you! On Tuesday the 25th, I will be chatting again with Jay but I will be LIVE! And guess who can call in and chat with us, asking questions, sharing experiences about Feng Shui, meditation, horses? YOU! Isn't that fabulous? Mark your calendars! It will be at 5pm Pacific time.

Do you know that the most surprising thing is the synchronicity of my meeting with Jay. He discovered my Vlog just when the person he had booked for his show this week could not make it and just when I was asking the Universe to send me more media coverage (TV, radio). Same day! And we clicked immediately. I just love it.

Now you will find the interview and the info about the live call on Jay's site: http://whisperedbyhorses.com/.

Finally, if you want an interesting story about horses, the way they walk and human passion, check this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eadweard_Muybridge.

Time for you to leave a comment...
Don't forget to subscribe (enter your email on the left) to get all my updates. There will be a lot as my DVD "Story of Pépé" (how to look at death with another perspective) is nearly finished and St Vincent, my pro-bono Feng Shui and Design project with Philanthropy By Design and the San Francisco Design Center is kicking in!

Be good and don't behave, enjoy!

Catherine