There really is no place like home – especially if that home is a true reflection of the people who live in it. Like any lasting change, creating a home takes a bit of time and effort, but with some practical tools and a focus inward, it doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. In fact, the process itself, feeds the soul.
We hope you enjoy your experience on this website and return again soon. Meanwhile, please visit www.comfortlivingbychristine.com for all things related to the book!
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Times are tough right now. People are being challenged in all sorts of ways, from the impact of the economy and a complicated and imperfect health care system to increasingly complex family structures and unemployment — and that only names a few. In the same way that “comfort foods” do more than provide nutrition, we can enrich our surroundings and routines for a “comfort lifestyle” that feeds us in deeper ways, no matter who we are or what we are going through. After all:
- How much does it take to crack open a window to bring in the fresh air – or pick up a stone, a branch or picture from a magazine and place it in plain sight?
- How much does it take to share a story or feeling with someone you care about?
- How much extra time does it take to take that food and sit down to a table to enjoy it?
First a couple of points and then a bit about where I’m coming from:
- I do not believe “work less/play more” is the solution to quality of life. In fact, I think it is part of the problem – “play more” is a band-aid that distracts us from addressing the cuts and bruises that are part of everyone’s life. For people who are in tough times, whether it is due to socio-economic reasons or because of a temporary phase of life, unemployment, personal illness or supporting others in illness or loss, the path to a “good life” is actually pretty simple and straightforward — and unrelated to money.
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Here’s the short story on something I’m doing at Paper Affair stores this week in preparation for Valentine’s Day — and also a great deal that they have between now and the end of January (this Sunday):
This Tuesday and Friday, between 11am and 1pm, come visit me at Paper Affair stores in Atlanta. I’ll be tending my Valentine’s Day “Campfires, doing mini-talks and signing my book:
Take Your Loved Ones IN for Dinner - Valentine's Day Campfires
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Christine Eisner
in Comfort Living, Paper Affair, Valentine's Day, buckhead, christine eisner, comfort living club, girls night out, hearts, love, lovey dovey, sex in the city
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It may sound corny, but in these days of jam-packed schedules, simple but heart-felt gestures may be the best (and least expensive) gifts you can give. For this Valentine’s Day or any day, why not take your loved one(s) “in” to dinner? Rather than booking a sitter and heading out to a crowded restaurant, why not create a Mealtime Campfire in the comfort of your own home? |
Comfort Living Club is Off and Running - Next Session is Jan 26th 7:30 - 8:30 pm EST
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Christine Eisner
in CL Club, Comfort Living, blog talk radio, book, christine eisner, comfort living club, january 26
The Comfort Living Club (CL Club) went live last Tuesday evening. We had on-line from as far as California and Maine and as near as 1 mile from my living room, where I gathered 8 diverse and wonderful People. A recording is on the CL Club page of the website (link), as well as a couple of resource documents to download.
Talking Treasures, Trash and Tea: A Brief Re-Cap of Session #1:
Each of the first 4 sessions will cover 2 chapters of the book. Last Tuesday, we went through Part 1, the first 2 chapters, talking about what are our Treasures and how Obstacles can distract from them. Some Treasures that came up were the ritual of tea drinking, swapping out red bed linens for the week of Valentine’s Day (you have to change the sheets anyway, right!?)— and one of the ultimate treasures, becoming parents.
Recipe for a Long and Happy
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Christine Eisner
in Balanced Living, Christine Eisner book, Comfort Living, christine eisner, comfort living club, long life, new years resolutions, recipe
This was sent to me by a friend and I thought I’d share it…. Doesn’t cost you a cent. Just like Comfort Living, it does require awareness and some effort.
1) Never get used to anything
2) Hold on to the child in you
3) Keep your curiosity alive
4) Trust your intuition
From My ToolBox to Yours: 9 Really, REALLY Practical Tools for Every Day (Batch #1)
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Christine Eisner
in "real simple", Christine Eisner book, Comfort Living, aromatherapy, christine eisner, comfort living club, hints from heloise, lifestyle, meditation, practical tools, quality of life, tools
Here is the first batch of are tried-and-true tools for the home front. Sometimes it’s worth getting a refresher course.
1. Wax Drippings:
To remove candle wax from a tabletop, placemat or carpeting, place a paper towel over the area and iron over it, with the iron set on low. The paper towel will absorb the wax and the surface will be wax-free.
2. Wax Remnants in Candle Holders:
To get the old wax out from candlesticks and votives, put them in the freezer for a few hours. Then take it out and turn it over. The wax will fall out.
3. Cord Chaos:
Use empty tp rolls to keep electrical cords from taking over your spaces. You can ID the cord by writing on the side of the roll.
Jan. 15 - Feb. 14: Campfires for Your Valentines @ Paper Affair Stores
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Christine Eisner
in Paper Affair, Valentine's Day, family dinners, fine stationary and paper goods, love, quality of life, romance
This year, take your loved one(s) in for Valentine’s Day. Details to come, but plan on stopping by five of Metro Atlanta’s Paper Affair stores in Atlanta to check out the Comfort Living Campfires that Christine will be creating. Twenty percent of the proceeds of sales of Christine’s book and journal will be donated to The Literary Center at The Margaret Mitchell House.
Comfort Living Club Debuts This Tuesday, 7:30 - 8:30pm EST
Posted by
Christine Eisner
in Balanced Living, Comfort Living, back-to-basics, balance, change, comfort living club, mediation, new years resolutions, positive, quality of life, zen
This Club will be formatted similarly to a book club or an investment club. Our focus will be on making intentional changes to your physical surroundings and day-to-day routines to bring more balance, ease and quality of life. One caveat: this will not be about overnight transformation or creating “perfection”. Rather, this is about real living, ease and accessible change. In dealings with my Lifestyle Design clients, workshop participants, and in my personal life, I have learned that it doesn’t take much to live a little better and — greater still — money is not a necessity for “living well”. After all: 
Here we are at the beginning of a new decade, with new possibilities for growth and change. I want to invite you to join me in something new that I am doing. Starting this coming Tuesday, January 12th, I’d like to invite you to be a part of my Comfort Living Club, a series of on-line, interactive get-togethers that you can join from the comfort of your own home. In other words, you can be in your pj’s in front of a fire, at the kitchen table with a cup of tea, or taking a break from a late night at work — whatever feels right for you. There is no cost to this, and all you need is your computer and a phone if you want to call in your comments or questions.
book sales to Atlanta nonprofits
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This picture captures the holidays for us… a Jewish star on a Christmas tree, with live candles burning. In an interfaith marriage, with Swiss parents, our holiday celebrations bring alot of different traditions together. Though it may not be perfect, it works and continues to evolve.
We celebrate Christmas on the 24th, as I did as a child and as is done in Europe. After dinner, candles are lit on the tree and my husband reads T’was the Night Before Christmas. We exchange gifts, with music playing and dessert afterwards and it all feels good. Sometimes I go out for the 11pm service, but it’s a solo effort and more often that not, I choose to linger and justy enjoy the music, a glass of wine and candles til they burn out.
In spite of what we all have in our minds, life isn’t perfect. There is no pre-written script, and we can’t control all sides of a conversation. The best we can do is to be true to ourselves and ideally meet people we care about half — or even 3/4 of the way.
Balance needs to happen during the holidays as wel as in every day living. It helps to be aware of our needs and wants in terms of together time and solo time, celebration and relaxation time, giving and receiving, talking and listening. Most of need a mix of both ends of the continuum. Again, that’s balance… our needs shift and we need to recognize that there is no recipe that applies to every moment of every day. It helps to be flexible and recognize what will help reestablish our equilibrium.
So today, though I would have loved to take a walk with my family, the fact is, they were just as happy staying home and watching a movie. Though it took me awhile to mobilize, I went anyway. It was great to be outdoors and the time on my own was good. Even if they’d joined me, there would probably have been grumblings. So instead, if I’m the one that wants the walk, then I’m the one that needs to take it.
When it comes down to it, we are each responsible for our own happiness. Now I come back and in spite of the fact that I don’t relish the idea of going to the movie theater, it seems to be in the game plan. Knowing that it will make them happy, and having had my walk earlier, it becomes easier to do.
Just like every day in normal living, the holidays are just the same… with ups and downs and neutrals. Perhaps that’s the key — not expecting them to be more than they really are, but at the same time, enjoying for all that they can be.