tranquility du jour

tranquility chez moi

2010-02-08T18:30:00.004-05:00

4-legged friends, flowers, candles, warm fire, damask print, chandelier, ambient lighting =
a few of my very favorite things a la petite pink palace.

xx,
kimberly

TranquiliT winners

2010-02-08T16:56:00.002-05:00

yesterday we merged the TranquiliT blog with tranquility du jour so you'll get sneak peeks on all things TranquiliT in one spot now. on january 19 i posted a giveaway on facebook and asked fans to send a photo of their fave look to qualify to win an all-in-one wrap dress. thanks to all who submitted entries! our featured winner, emily, is donning:

3/4 sleeve wrap dress in noir
black lacey cami
leggings
her favorite super pink belt
her favorite vintage cowboy boots

congrats to emily! stay tuned for more giveaways. this is fun!

also, *BIG* congrats to monica and patricia who chose the winning ballet-inspired spring 2010 color names:

en pointe pink
sugar plum purple

bisous,
kimberly

tranquility du jour tv: tranquilista book launch

2010-02-07T21:42:00.004-05:00

tranquilista book launch fete =
chandeliers. candles. music. friends. books. inspiration. dreams. goody bags. flowers. pink. new bob. tranquilTinis. laughter. sparkles. raised $350 for tranquil space foundation.

eye candy a la ny

2010-02-06T19:57:00.006-05:00

on wednesday i did my usual 7am-3am jaunt to new york and try to squeeze every minute out of my in this fabulous city. my main purpose was finding new handmade, fair trade, and/or organic goodies for tranquil space's boutique with our manager, marq. in addition i was able to do yoga at jivamukti, bookstore browse, accessory browse, nosh on my fave noodle salad at republic, and get a 30-minute foot rub before hopping back on the bus.

when i saw fancy nancy's feature table i squealed with glee and marq snapped this shot. i remember receiving very first book for christmas in 2006 and now she has an entire collection. go fancy nancy! download your own fancy nancy party toolkit. i heart her. why didn't we have her growing up? instead i was surrounded by holly hobbie.

we stumbled upon my favorite booth, bittersweet designs, who you may recall me featuring in august. j'adore her work. would love to live in her booth. so feminine, so fancy, and so sparkly. we picked up a few of her handmade adjustable rings and glittery mini journals. coming soon to tranquil space!

bisous,
kimberly

sneak peek from tranquilista book launch fete

2010-02-05T19:53:00.004-05:00

here's a sampling from last night's photographer patrick onofre. more to come.

bisous,
kimberly

february dreams + bed day/weekend

2010-02-05T11:28:00.003-05:00

post book launch fete musings.
last night was magical. 100 gerbera daisies. candles. chandeliers. YOU. live piano music. mood lighting. tranquilTinis. mingling off the mat. goody bags. marshmallows covered with pink sprinkles and an edible book cover. damask armwarmers. oodles of book signing topped off with stamping. even cute gota in a pink tie. yep, took my new bird and paris stamps to add a little flair to the signature. artsy photos to come from photographer patrick onofre. the true belle of the ball, louis the pug, was home with a sprained toe. boo.

today i am working from bed (see photos above) surrounded by cell phone, laptop, flowers, candles, tea mug, water bottle, and louis the pug. energy is low. to-dos are high. am setting priorities, but basking in the launch of a weekend to organize and dial it down. nature is flooding dc with snow and i am celebrating with a *bed day.* just finished a one-hour interview with marla maples which should be posted here shortly.

although februray launched a few days ago, i wanted to muse on february and share results from january. these monthly check-ins are very powerful for moi and i hope you, too, are trying these on in your blogs or journals.

my february dreams:

1. finalize west coast book tour (march 6-12 - deets to come)
2. finalize and order spring TranquiliT collection (today)
3. finalize india retreat (coleading with darren main november 12-21 - deets to come)
4. complete blogging your way e-course homework each week
5. do MSW readings
6. chez moi organizing (feb. 13)
7. host two dinner dates (feb. 17 + 25)
8. return to weekly ashtanga practice
9. bask in "mindfulness on the job" workshop (feb. 27)
10. productive, fun spring TranquiliT photo shoot (feb. 28)
11. play date evening with girlfriend (feb. 12)
12. launch etsy store/design strategic plan/determine strategic use of time and energy (carryovers from january)
13. more consistent scheduling/morning ritual/meditation

my january dreams:

1. lose holiday pistachio salad weight gain. boo. - DONE
2. back to weekly boxing sessions. - BEGINS NEXT WEEK
3. host inspiring, informational living your yoga series. - POSTPONED
4. review and finalize spring samples. - STILL TWEAKING
5. launch etsy store. - STILL SEWING
6. design new e-course. thinking "living your yoga" or "tranquilista-focused." - DESIGNED E-COURSE: DONE: TRANQUILISTA LIFESTYLE
7. host inspirational "new year, new you" teleclass on monday + day retreat on saturday. - DONE + POSTPONED
8. inspire creativity in online creativity circle and ongoing artist date challenge. - DONE
9. daily sun salutations and meditation. - WORK IN PROGRESS
10. yoga classes at tranquil space 3-5X/week. - DOING
11. more sewing party time with seamstress. - DATE IN FEBRUARY
12. finish see jane lead and letters to a young therapist. - UMMM, STILL READING
13. finalize book launch plans for tranquilista. - DONE
14. savor every moment of mexico mixed media retreat. - OH, SO VERY DONE
15. design a strategic plan. - UM, WORK IN PROGRESS
16. explore adoption of another pug. - HMMM, AFTER LOUIS WAS FIRED FROM HIS PLAYGROUP FOR BEING HIGH MAINTENANCE, WE'VE PUT THIS DREAM ON HOLD
17. close computer by 11pm on weeknights. 90% DONE
18. finalize and send out survey to tranquil space yogis. DONE, RECEIVED OVER 500 RESPONSES IN 24 HOURS! WELCOMING RESPONSES THROUGH FEB. 10.
19. determine most strategic use of time and energy.- WORK IN PROGRESS

bisous,
kimberly

foodie friday... a journey through poetry. part one of two.

2010-02-05T09:52:00.001-05:00

as i wrote in last week's post, 'i think it's incredible that we have the opportunity to hold the whole earth on our lips'... inspired by a course i am taking in food & travel writing, i have been reminiscing about the days we spent in the south-west of france last summer... won't you take a little journey with me, in two parts, through the poetry, through the images?

i don't know exactly what a prayer is.
i do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what i have been doing all day.
tell me, what else should i have done?
doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
mary oliver, from the summer day'

what i will do is to gather together the deep attention and grasses and wildness and precious lifetimes of the south of france. i hold them nearby to me, idle and blessed, idle and blessed. stroll through fields, and wonder, what else? nothing else. for all fades too soon, and this is what matters - deep attention and grasses and wildness and precious lifetimes. idle and blessed, idle and blessed.

the moments are ripe. in a tiny street of toulouse, i sit with good friends at a small gallery restaurant. clean glass bottles are filled with drips and drops of the peppery softness that comes from fermented grapes. traditional produce touches our tastes, organic local cheeses, dense paté

a meal is served, seated on cushions around a low wooden table, in various pottery wares and with antique silver. we meet a woman with a beautiful face and the deep heart of a mother. she makes a soup from the long cooked goodness of tomates et aubergines et pommes de terre et carrotes et navettes et courgettes. it is eaten in the true way of provence, with freshly ground pesto mixed in, creating a pungent garlic and basil addition to the bowl of vegetable love. a sharp, hard cheese is sampled among greens and breads and wines. this is a meal that resonates with the word 'organic' in its production, in its ingredients, in its conversation. sweet cherries and sweet tea and a sweet slice of light and nutty almond cake make a sweet ending, it's true. once night is falling, i meet the city and i climb through the window onto a river-front terrace. a paradox of danger and quaintness. fifteen other voices charm the air with their french slang. we celebrate birthdays over bottles of wine and jars of tapinade and pans of quiche and drawls of smoke and sounds of guitar and costumes of hippies and sights of sunset. in the stables where i sleep, i hear the dreams of sleepy horses...

i take a breakfast of french chocolate pastries and fresh juices and warm sunshine and beautiful pottery and hot tea and best friends and shaded balcony. in the kitchen of dappled wood, i wash dishes, warm water and suds up to my elbows, completely present in the slowness of the moment and the quietness of the day. the morning is spent bringing dry breads to the gentle animals. again, we meet with friends around a table for the melodies of laughter and foreign language. macarons from the best bakery, made of many flavours. framboise, vanille, caramel, café, chocolat, pistache, limone et violette. light, delicate, elegant. through a discrete stairwell hides a latched door, many stories above the streets, and the way onto the rooves of the city. here we sit and sun and admire, i am perched carefully between the slopes of the terra cotta tiles. later, an evening is just right when it is made of kir and beautiful simple flavours and merriment and little handmade tarts and kittens and like-minded values and cold beer and candlesticks and diverse accents and the sense of family and a classic black and white film. wise words are said by the fatherly figure, 'i believe in the generosity of life.' du coing. i stay in a home, down a small wooded lane, admist wildness. once quarters for stable hands above the stalls of the horses, today a sort of rustic penthouse decorated with rich tapestries and the whinnying of majestic animals. influences from the mediterranean and the north of africa are strong; each object holds a journey and a breathtaking story. wood that feels older than life itself is what forms floorboards and tables and family. the odors of pungent spices, wild blossoms, and cacao invite the weary, invite the curious, invite the idle, invite the blessed. ancient, crumbling french books line the shelves; a drip of wax is suspended, dried, from a candlestick; all things tell of stories that have happened, in the distant past, or just days ago. the wooden shutters and glass panes are wide open, alluring fresh air and constant bird song. glasses are half full of strong coffee. cracked, hand painted bowls are half full of jasmine tea. half full, i say, rejoice. a bowl of lemons, a terrace, jazz music, quiet sleeping. and the indescribable smell that invites the weary, invites the curious, invites the idle, invites the blessed. and then, a walk is surrounded by wild poppies and wild figs and wild fresh air. strong horses give sweet bisous and tell stories of wildness. a hot bath is drawn in a massive tub, in front of a large picture window, celebrating unripened plum trees and shea butter bubbles and the sound of trotting hooves.

book launch fete TONIGHT

2010-02-04T11:12:00.002-05:00

dearest ones,

hOMe from new york at 3am and have fun pics to show you from the gift show shopping extravaganza. picked up fun fair trade and locally made goodies for tranquil space's boutique.

today is all about the book launch fete. off to get a mani (in lincoln park after dark, of course), cut (au revoir 3 years of grow out, bonjour bob??), and color before donning a designed-for-book-launch one shoulder dress. then we begin set up for the evening's fete. excited to distribute the 100 pink gerbera daisies around the room and pass out the 50 goody bags.

if you can't make the fete and want to watch the event live from the comfort of your hOMe,
tune in to ustream.

thank you for all your support during the writing process and now the hitting-the-shelves process! during my spring break (march 7-12), i'll be out on the west coast doing a book tour so i'd love to meet you and will keep you posted on the when/where scenario.

bisous,
kimberly

signature style wednesdays: pampering with style

2010-02-03T11:23:00.000-05:00

Invent your world.
Surround yourself with people, color, sounds,
and work that nourish you.
(SARK)

hello gorgeous tranquilistas!

i hope you're having a fabulous wednesday. thanks again to chelsa bea from pencil skirts and pearls for sharing her signature style with us in last week's post. today's topic is pampering with style—musings on sweet & simple ways to show yourself love during the month of february.

find the time

busy lives and hectic schedules can often get in the way of self-care. remember that you can only help someone else as much as you are helping yourself. try to pencil in a 30-minute artist date if you find your personal time taking a back burner to all of your other daily agenda items.

get cozy

winter weather makes me want to snuggle up and drink tea. unplug from all things electronic and enjoy a few moments of peaceful stillness. pick up a new book and play acoustic tunes in the background. connect with your inner goddess. light a candle, write in your journal, just be.

indulge & enjoy

window shop or shop online. lather yourself in decadent lotion. take a bubble bath or watch an artsy film. nosh on a sweet treat. whatever you do, be sure to enjoy the moment. no to-do list should stand in the way of your pampering.

remember that you deserve all the bliss in the world!

images via: sephora | kelly rae roberts | the body shop | anthropologie | five sisterz | crate and barrel | ellabelleboutique

kaileenelise is a sparklista, yogini, artist, blogger & creative entrepreneur. tweet along & visit her website for musings on making every day an extraordinary adventure.

february muse for tranquil space

2010-02-02T22:39:00.001-05:00

"creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun." - mary lou cook

happy, happy february. i hope 2010 is off to a fabulous start for you and that your january resolutions have now become habits. or at least a few of them. or maybe even one!

choosing a favorite topic to muse upon is always a tough decision. i'm blessed with multiple passions (one may say too many) and an ongoing desire to sprinkle inspiration. i write regularly on my blog, tranquility du jour, along with other talented guest bloggers so focusing for my month tranquil space muse is like reigning in a wild horse.

here goes, i've decided to narrow it down to my two focused passions for 2010: creativity and spirituality. creative expression fuels my spirit. i rewarded myself for the completion of the tranquilista manuscript by signing up for a creativity retreat. i played with acrylic paint, stamped goals, cut and tore images, and designed a visual journal. the experience was magical and it was insightful to see how yoga, of course, played a part.

my week was about svadyaya - self-study and reflection. this came up through pulling images that spoke to me (lots of gardening - looks like i'll be busily planting this spring), writing my intentions, and listing the varied to-dos i handle regularly. all this provided insight. i also practiced aparigraha - non-coveting. surrounded by an actress from hollywood, veteran painters, and a few newbies such as myself, i did my best to avoid comparing or wishing i had the talent others did. although i did proclaim loudly on the second day, "my journal doesn't look like emily's!" then i remembered my yoga and focused on uncovering my own style instead of comparing. that was santosha - contentment. i was able to find my way, gain inspiration from the veterans, and cultivate a way of working that resonated with my spirit. ahimsa - non-harmng, also reared its head as we were encouraged not to comment on other's work and to be mindful of what you say to yourself. your first work probably won't be worthing of publication or an art show, but at least you are trying. be gentle. finally, tapas - discipline - played in. i did my best to stay offline during the 10am - 9pm creative play time. i napped or recharged in the hammock during lunch, wrote in my journal about the process, and mingled with the other creative souls on this journey. staying offline 24/7 and staying present was a challenge and the practicing tapas defininitely worked.

these concepts are a sprinkling of the ten yamas and niyamas that make up the foundation of yoga. explore a few for yourself and note how beautifully the practice of yoga translates off the mat, even into your creative play. the bottom three photos are samples of my creations during the retreat. for a recap of my takeaways and fun ideas for your colorful expression, click here.

finally, i have spent a lot of time this past month basking in spirituality diving deeper into my study of mindfulness. the art of being fully present in the situation. the top photo is a shot i took while sitting in meditation. as i showed up each morning to a workshop on mindfulness yoga at kripalu, i pulled out my fuzzy pink socks to help keep my feet warm during the lecture and practice. this past weekend i was able to sit with sharon salzberg and mark epstein as part of catholic's social work program's offering of spirituality. i'm finding that i can't get enough of this topic.

how best to infuse mindfulness into your everyday? be fully present when interacting with a colleague. chew your food slowly. take three deep breaths before answering the phone. soak in the tub. sip your tea. read inspiring texts. tune into this podcast with mindfulness meditation teacher gina sager.

may this connection to creativity and mindfulness offer you a glimpse into tranquility on and off the yoga mat and meditation cushion. thank you for supporting our love of all things tranquil. namaste.

my nephew + au revoir dc, bonjour ny

2010-02-02T22:02:00.002-05:00

you may recall carson's debut as the whirling bundle of joy in my holiday video. well, here is his basketball team photo. hilarious!

happy, happy snow dc. heading to ny tomorrow for a day o' tradeshow shopping for tranquil space's boutique, yoga, and my usual ny haunts. heart me some new york! back to dc at 3:20 am on thursday. after some slumber i'm heading to the hair salon and seriously considering this as my new look. then an evening of festivities at the book launch fete. woo-hoo!

bisous,
kimberly

more 2010 petals

2010-02-02T16:24:00.002-05:00

the "new year, new you" teleclass inspiration continues a la shelia.

tranquility du jour tv: tranquilista book launch prep

2010-02-01T21:43:00.002-05:00

getting excited about thursday night's fete and spent the evening tying bows and stuffing goody bags with the lovely brie. here's a video showing us at work, along with photos.

i heart small touches. goody bag contents:

-vanilla tea lights in colorful organza bags
-vellum cards (with sayings such as "let your life sparkle," "make a difference," "sip chamomile tea," "accessorize: your life is art" and a pink chandelier in the background) wrapped around fragrant incense AND the outside of the goody bags with a pink organza bow
-rose tea by tulsi with a personalized wrapper
-damask armwarmers locally sewn from reused fabric
-colored pencils tied with a bow.

the 50 goody bags (for first 50 arrivers) took us three hours to package and it was such fun. i could tie bows all day long.

note louis in his new pink snuggie for dogs (i know, i know) overseeing it all from my beloved chaise lounge. hope you enjoy this peek into the behind the scenes prep for thursday's fete (and that it gives you some ideas for crafting fun packages for friends). if we get wifi, we'll be ustreaming the event so that you can join us from afar at your computer.

finally, here's a sneak peek into tomorrow's piece in the washington post express.

bisous,
kimberly

$ense & $ensibility Monday: Flâner

2010-02-01T08:47:00.000-05:00

As a writer, I spend a lot of time cooped up inside on a computer. Sometimes I need to get out of my desk chair and refresh my mind and body. One of the cheapest and easiest ways to recharge my batteries is to take a walk. So, this weekend I strolled and thought about how nice it was to have the combination of sun and freezing wind on my face. I watched the river go by. I watched children playing. I took in my neighborhood with new eyes. I was a flâneuse as the French say.

The verb flâner in French literally translates as “to stroll”. Yet, in my mind, it has an even more sensual connotation than it’s English partner. According to my French dictionary, the definition is “to walk without an intention or objective, without hurrying oneself”. To me, flâner means to stroll without a destination, for the pleasure of the walk, for the sights you’ll see, for all the little details that you miss in your day-to-day life. When I think of flâner, I think of the Gallic sense of pleasure. I think of Amélie sticking her hand into a bag of grains to feel the texture; of noticing architectural details on a building I pass by daily; of letting my feet carry me where they will and just enjoying what life allows me to experience during that stroll.

On one of my strolls I encountered a park bench with the plaque above. It touched me at that moment because it sums up my philosophy of being a flâneuse and reminds me that I need to live more mindfully and enjoy the view when I’m not strolling as well. So why not take some time this week to just enjoy the view? What little steps that don’t cost a thing can you take to live in the moment?

Katharine Albritton is an art market specialist and writer. Read her art market blog and follow her on twitter.

sunday afternoon musings: oodles o' updates

2010-01-31T15:47:00.010-05:00

a week of tranquility digest:
$ense + $ensibility
keeping in touch
signature style
sugar + champagne + tranquilista
dose of pleasure
foodie friday

SUNDAY AFTERNOON MUSINGS:

guest bloggers: merci beaucoup for your feedback on our oh-so-talented guest bloggers. to make your reading experience as phenomenal as possible, starting this week our guest bloggers will be sharing their voice every other week versus weekly to help keep your inboxes tranquil. you'll also be hearing from them live and in person on podcasts coming out this spring.

new e-course: as you know from my monthly goals, launching a *new* online course was a goal and i'm excited to share that it has just been posted: tranquilista lifestyle: joie de vivre. this 6-week series will discuss all things from mindfulness to style to entrepreurship to launching a product and will include podcasts, videos, and a private blog. hope you can join!

winner of tranquility giveaway: carrie, a former hip tranquil chick retreat participant, passed along the cutest images of her out and about with her copy of tranquilista. see image above. so VERY creative. merci, carrie! YOU are the winner of the tranquility goody bag! here is her takeaway:

"The biggest takeaway from Tranquilista for me was definitely the concept that I can be an entrepreuener of my own life, as well as a business. Since I first read your introduction... I do have a need to "forge ahead with a new way of designing our lives as self-designed entrepreneurs"; I am "today's woman who wants to leave a legacy through her daily actions"; and I do believe that "entrepreneurship is all about carving out your own special spot in this world"... this inspiring notion has encompassed much of my thoughts. Tranquilista has taught me that consistency should be key in my personal style, my interactions, and most importantly, my actions. And the thought of actually "branding" myself, has really got the wheels in motion."

personalized notes: merci beaucoup to the oodles of you who passed along your snail mail addys from texas, france, uk, and beyond. your personalization is painted a la mexico, signed a la dc, and i hope to get them in the mail today or tomorrow. apologies for the delay. promise i haven't forgotten about you. trying to make them as fun as possible and to handle the volume! you rock!

book launch fete: 100 gerber daisies, oodles of ribbon, inspiring quotes on vellum, organza bags with vanilla tea lights, 50 recycled paper goody bags, damask armwarmers, live music, $5 donation to tranquil space foundation, background + reading from tranquilista by moi, guest visit by louis the pug, rose tea, complimentary pastries and savories, cash bar = THIS thursday night 7-9pm. répondez s'il vous plaît.

snail mail package: today i opened the most thoughtful box full of delightful treats from tea to cupcake bandaids to slanted tweezers with a beautiful woman on it from an oh-so-thoughtful blog reader, melita. i am *beyond* grateful and had to share the gorgeous package with you. this simple gesture reminded me of how precious snail mail is to give and receive.

snail mail challenge: i wanted to propose a *challenge* that all readers send out one bit of snail mail this week: a care package, a letter with a tea bag stuffed inside, an eiffel tower stamped postcard, a book you think your friend would enjoy, an old photograph of you two, an article you think they will enjoy - something that shows you are thinking of them. let me know how this goes!

mindfulness: i spent the weekend studying with mark epstein and sharon salzberg and took lots of notes. i continue to fall more and more in love with the teachings of mindfulness and look forward to sharing what i learned over this next week.

closing: wishing you a tranquil close to your weekend. nosh on veggies. cuddle your 4-legged friend. curl up with a good book. make a pot of tea. light a fire. write in your gratitude journal. set priorities for the week ahead.

thank you for being you.

bisous,
kimberly

today's email

2010-01-30T23:19:00.005-05:00

amazon thinks i may like tranquilista!

foodie friday... more fine tastes of the world

2010-01-29T10:15:00.000-05:00

i'm drawn to ingredients that require a slow appreciation, to foods that demand notice of their complexity, to wines, cheeses, olive oils.
while sea salt, coffee beans, and dark chocolate are such simple food choices, they are layered with textures and aromas and notes and stories of the places that they are from... i think it's incredible that we have the opportunity to hold the whole earth on our lips.

sea salt. pure sea salt is a true marvel. the little crystals from the sea that burst with flavor are so unique, and they speak of the waters that they were formed in. sea salt comes from oceans all over the globe - from the islands, from the coasts of europe, from the edges of asia. the coarse texture of sea salt is brilliant for seasoning steamed edamame beans or for enhancing the seaside tastes of fish. gourmet culinary stores boast collections of salts that are distinctive in color and origin... red and black salts from hawaii for sprinkling on fresh produce, pink flakes from australia with a more subtle flavor, crystals from the mediterranean in the shape of miniature pyramids, italian sea salt hinted with summer truffles. there is such beauty in the variety of textures and flavors from the waters of our world, n'est ce pas?

coffee beans. here on the west coast, coffee is ubiquitous. there is an entire culture that surrounds the sweet, nutty aroma that wafts from a tin of perfectly roasted espresso beans. this culture reveres a latte in hand as a fashion accessory and seeks to find the individual, artisanal cafes that brew the smoothest cup. coffee carries a variety of notes in its scent and taste, depending on how it is cultivated, sourced, roasted, ground and prepared. i love learning more and more about this complex process that a little green bean undergoes to transform into a revolutionary, steamy mug of a caramel-hinted smoky beverage.

dark chocolate. chocolate has always been the ideal indulgence. the flavors of cacao are rich... often, milk and sugar can distracting from the natural creaminess and sweetness of raw chocolate, so i enjoy it dark to truly taste the character of the bean, of the estate on which it was grown. specialty chocolate shops, like this one in vancouver, carry fine bars such as valrhona and amedei. the beauty of chocolate is the way that it melts into ganache, the way that it marries so gleefully with other flavors. enjoy some dark chocolate set with cranberry and thyme, or with rose pepper, or with champagne, or with candied ginger. i love the way that a dark bar can be broken into a pan of steaming milk and combined with a little vanilla, or some red chili. when we have unexpected guests in our little apartment, i melt chocolate with butter, fold it into whipped meringue and bake fondant cakes to serve with honey ice cream. and, if there is a birthday of someone sweet nearing, i wrap a box of cardamom-infused truffles with pretty ribbons. chocolate can be as intense, as rich and as interesting as fine wines - we can savor each aroma, texture, note, presentation and even sound of this delightful treat.

robyn michelle-lee is an ashtanga yogini, a foodie, a literature student, a photographer, a marketing assistant, and a lifestyle writer. live this moment - live your lifestyle.

A Dose of Pleasure Thursday – Sensory Pleasure: Sound

2010-01-28T09:26:00.000-05:00

“How does your experience of one sense affect all the others? In addition to being the conduits of pleasure and pain, your senses are the midwives of intelligence.” --Michael J. Gelb

Did you have fun developing your sense of sight last week? Did you see things in a different way? I certainly hope so, because that's the point of all of these posts – to make a difference in your life by filling your pleasure tank.

Have you ever heard a song that causes you to get to your feet and start moving your body? Or perhaps you've heard a song that reminds you of a time in the past and completely changes your mood. Or maybe hearing your dog barking when you come home is a sound that brings a smile to your face. All of these examples of the power of sound. Sound can produce pleasure.

Becoming More Mindful of Sound Pleasure

Try this simple sound meditation. Sit in a comfortable position and take a deep breath in through the nose and let it out through your mouth. Do this a few more times to quiet your mind and relax your body. Now ask yourself – What do I hear right now? The sound of traffic, the tinkle of wind chimes, the wind blowing through the trees, a baby crying, a dog barking, a bird chirping, an airplane flying overhead...Stop and notice the sounds around you. Resist the urge to label the sounds as good or bad or judge them in any way. Just notice what you hear. Notice the sounds in the room you're sitting in and the sounds that are happening outside of the room, outside of the building you're in. The longer you sit in this meditation, the more you'll notice that life is a symphony of sound.

Make Noise

I won't get into a lengthy discussion about chakras here, but I say this – opening up the throat area and making sound is a good thing! When I work with yoga clients, I often have them make sounds during practice. You don't have to be a yogi to do this – just take a deep inhale and exhale with the sound of MA. You can do the same thing with the sound of AH. MA is a bit more calming and comforting while AH will liven you up a bit and open your heart. If this sort of chanting isn't your thing, try making sounds instead of using words to convey how you feel. When you're eating a delicious meal, let out an “mmmmmmmmmmm” and when you're shocked, sound out an “oh!” The more you practice vocalizing, the easier it will beocome to speak your truth.

For Your Hearing Pleasure

In addition to practicing the sound meditation and vocalizing, here are some other ways to enhance the pleasures that sound brings into your life:

Tibetan Singing Bowls (click here for a selection of reasonably-priced quartz crystal singing bowls) produce lovely sounds. One of my favorite things to do is put a singing bowl on my chest as I sound it so that I can feel the vibrations throughout my body. It turns into a sound and feeling funfest. If you don't want to shell out the money for a singing bowl or a set of them, try this fabulous Tibetan Singing Bowl iPhone application – it's the same wonderful sound at a fraction of the price.

Visit the online Temple of Sacred Sound for a fun, interactive journey through a variety of sacred sounds that will have you feeling uplifted in no time.

Calm your mind and visit your peaceful place with these music meditation videos from one of my favorite sources for healing sounds, Voices of Eden.
Enjoy healing sounds along with drumming beats in this free download from Sankofa Song.
Try these exercises that will help you experience the power of sound for yourself. You'll learn how to clear your heart, list, and expand your capacity to deal with life.

Play with expanding your ability to listen this week and notice how it raises your pleasure quotient. A pleasant side benefit of the practices listed here is that you'll also become a better listener. Improved communication leads to happier relationships which leads to more...you guess it...pleasure. Enjoy! Next week we'll discuss smell. Until then...

Have a pleasure-filled day,

Diane

Diane Cesa is a yoga practitioner and teacher, lover of life, tea drinker, adventurer, eternal optimist, nature fan, blogger and self-proclaimed pleasure maven.

sugar + champagne + tranquilista

2010-01-27T22:53:00.005-05:00

tonight's benefit event for washington humane society was true treat for the whole family.

cupcakes, cotton candy (my personal fave - although it was only me and young boys toting it around), and macaroons all washed down with bubbly. truly dreamy.

poor louis is snoring like an old man. sheer exhaustion from the experience. i had to soak in an avobath bomb-infused tub once home to regroup after all the stimulation: dogs, chatter, cameras, sweets, bubbly. overwhelming for an introvert who craves silence and needs grounding food (coupled with cupcakes, of course).

yesterday i was on channel 8 sharing tips for tranquility. fun interview and love chatting up the great work of tranquil space foundation. regret not focusing on *everyday ways to indulge in tranquility* rather than sharing my recent trips and jaunt to paris last fall. getting away is no easy feat for many people so i wish i'd focused on simple pleasures: hot baths, tea, walks in the woods, fresh sheets, snail mail, candles. the retreats and paris came first to mind as i was so proud of myself for indulging in the time away thanks to a retreater last year asking during a retreat, "do you take retreats, too?" it was like a permission slip to do so. and indeed i did! hope you enjoy the clip. i welcome feedback as it was my first public discussion of tranquilista.

today i had three phone interviews about the book. look for it in the washington post express on a tuesday over the next few weeks. i was also on a fun show called breakthru muse which you may enjoy. will be sure to share the clip once passed along.

merci X100 for all the kind feedback on tranquilista. i'm super duper honored that it is resonating with you. if you have a moment, i'd be so grateful for a review on amazon. a *BIG* thanks to the four ladies who have already written one.

i received feedback that there has been a lot of background noise lately on the podcasts. my sincerest apologies. i have a noisy pug and live in a tiny home with many creatures so i'm sorry to hear that has been distracting. i'll do my best to remedy that moving forward.

i have an amazing cast of podcast interviews lined up this spring - including our oh-so-talented guest bloggers. woo-hoo. today i interviewed the co-founder of numi tea. super inspiring. violette, author of journal bliss, and sarah susanka, author of the not so big life/house, are forthcoming.

hope you are loving the guest bloggers, podcasts, and vidcasts. if you have any suggestions or requests for tranquility du jour, please pass them along.

thank you for your ongoing support.

bisous,
kimberly

signature style wednesdays: style profile

2010-01-27T10:47:00.002-05:00

fashions fade, style is eternal.

(yves saint laurent)

hello gorgeous tranquilistas!
i hope you are having a fabulous wednesday. in case this is our first time meeting, please take a moment to check out both my posts on tdj last week, desk to impress and style in the kitchen. this week's topic is our first style profile—a monthly series where i will interview a fellow stylista. please enjoy the following conversation with chelsea bea from pencil skirt and pearls. chelsea is a great friend of mine and a complete expert on all things style.

thanks for joining us on signature style wednesdays, please tell us a little about yourself!
i was born and raised in idaho. i went to school at university of idaho in northern idaho where i double majored in international relations & economics, and minored in french. after graduation, i moved to switzerland and worked for an ngo that did research on the public health of migrants.

since then, i moved back to idaho and began working in finance and as a part-time stylist. in a few weeks, i am moving to des moines, iowa to begin a new chapter with my fiancé. we are getting married in august, and my goal is to start graduate school next year. you can learn more about me by visiting my blog, www.pencilskirtsandpearls.com or tweeting with me.

who do you look to for inspiration?
i find inspiration from all over—i keep up with current trends through tv and magazines, but i also have a few sources of inspiration that are a bit more personal.

my mother is the epitome of classic style. she has taught me everything i know about putting together my outfits, wardrobe, makeup routine and décor. a few things she has taught me:

take a moment
never leave the house without earrings and a bit of blush

stick to the classics
no matter where you are or what you’re doing, you’ll never feel out of place or undressed if you’re wearing black

accessorize often
what really makes an outfit standout is the accessories you add to it, whether jewelry, scarves, hats or gloves

i am also surrounded by an amazing group of extremely stylish women. my closest friends are all very in tune with their personal style. even though we have different ‘signature’ elements, we’re able to draw from one another for ideas—whether it’s for dressing up or for designing a centerpiece.

if i must say someone famous, and this is going to sound cliché, but michelle obama, audrey hepburn and coco chanel inspire me.

what is your style profile?
my style profile is based around the elements of classic & simple beauty. my style is feminine, clean and confident. someone once told me that i'm an old soul with a young heart, and it really resonated with me.

i surround myself with items that feel like me, whether it’s letter press stationary, a coral-colored scarf or a simple strand of fresh water pearls. my style is about who I am today and the woman I want to become–confident, timeless and elegant.

work & weekend wear
my wardrobe is made of items with simplistic lines and classic shapes. for work, i wear pencil skirts, shift dresses, trousers, cardigans, button down blouses, and turtlenecks. on the weekends it’s usually skinny jeans, riding boots, long sleeve solid tees and a scarves to add color.

know your challenges
my style is clean and elegant. i wear a bit too much black, but when i do wear color i stick to pinks, jewel tones, reds and navy. i’m working to integrate more patterns into my wardrobe, but it’s definitely still a challenge.

less is more
the items in my wardrobe may be very simple, but i always feel great in them. living in switzerland for a year, with only two suitcases of clothing, taught me how to portray my style and who I was with only a few signature items and accessories. my accessories are probably the best representation of my ‘signature’ style.

i prefer silver over gold, and you rarely find me without my large silver ball earrings or my large silver cuff. i rarely leave home without a scarf around my neck and a pair of leather gloves in my purse. i believe that less is more, and adding the right accessories can transform an outfit from boring to beyond words.

if you had to wear just 1 outfit for the next month, what would you wear & why?
funny you should ask, because my first blog post ever was about this. think you can guess what my answer’s going to be? the name of my blog should give it away pretty easily.

just for fun, let me give you a preview...

a high-waisted black pencil skirt, crisp white button down blouse, exquisite pair of black pumps, a nice pair of sheer black tights (since it’s cold where I live this time of year), a large pearl necklace and matching earrings, a camel colored lady coat, my favorite coral colored scarf and my black longchamp ‘le pliage’ bag.

why this outfit? well, because it’s me. it’s the ensemble i never question myself in. it never disappoints, it never changes, but it can reinvent itself time after time. it’s my power outfit, my go-to item, my uniform for life. IT IS that outfit that makes my wardrobe “me”.

where do you pick up your favorite fashion finds?
my ‘signature’ items have come from all over the world—markets in florenece and paris, boutiques in geneva, jewelry stores in lisbon. on a day-to-day basis, most of the items in my closet come from, banana republic, ann taylor, j.crew and nordstrom. these stores have the most consistent selection of ‘classic’ items.

a lot of my best finds also come from random boutiques. i’m starting to find more items, especially decor & accessories, on websites like etsy. i have also been blessed to have a mother who saved everything. i’ve inherited some great ‘vintage’ items from her closet—like an amazing pair of joan and david brown riding boots.

what fashion faux pas are you still recovering from?
the jury’s still out on this one, but it would have to be uggs. i know, some of you are probably appalled and there are times when i am, too. but i live in cold weather climates, where i actually wear them to keep my feet warm. i promise you though, it’s a rare occurrence if they show up in public. i usually just wear them in my car on the way to work, or around the house. i just can’t seem to give them up.

do you have any online resources that inspire your style?
oh, yes. where do I even start?! looking at the ‘new arrivals’ section on sites like j.crew, banana republic and ann taylor, always helps me come up with ideas for new outfits and ensembles.

most of my inspiration comes from the blogs I read. here’s a list of just a few of the sites that inspire my everyday signature style:

this is glamorous, duskjacket attic, style redux, bonjour madame, style on a string, coco+kelley, decor8

...and these are just a few! i have an entire section of my google reader, with almost 50 different blogs, dedicated to blogs that inspire my signature style. there are so many fabulous and talented blogs out there, that inspire me, and i’m discovering new ones daily.

name three things you must have to get ready in the mornings.
yorkshire gold black tea with milk. cetaphil moisturizer. bobbi brown pot rouge in pale pink.

describe your style in one word.
oh, this is easy. well, here are three words–classic, simple, and beautiful.  

kaileenelise is a sparklista, yogini, artist, blogger & creative entrepreneur. visit her website or tweet with her to learn more about making every day an extraordinary adventure.

Keeping in Touch Tuesday: Letters from the Kindest Strangers

2010-01-26T13:17:00.000-05:00

"What language shall I borrow to thank thee dearest friend?"

~ Paul Gerhardt

I am often overwhelmed at how thoughtful people can be. I've spent much time this month being grateful for the kind strangers who have introduced themselves to me through Twitter, Facebook, e-mail, and, of course, by writing letters. I have received a handful of letter introductions over the past two years and, notably, the past two months. I post these pictures as a humble thank you to those who have taken the time to write me while encouraging everyone to steal (adopt, adapt, whatever!) the creative ways they have sent their missives.

This letter comes from Masa in Louisiana. He read my first book two years ago and has been a correspondent and frequent blog commenter ever since. He is a beaming optimist, and I can feel his good vibes from well above the Mason Dixson line. The letter you see above came to me in the shape of a swan. (I call it a swan, but Masa tells me it's a paper crane). Silly me did not take a photo of it in its beautiful bird form, but you can see here that it was once meticulously folded. Aside from the origami, what I love about this letter is the paper on paper. It gives the epistle a sweet, whimsical look. Masa says it's very easy to make, "I used basic white cotton paper (similar to resume paper) and glued it to a blue tissue wrapping paper. I cut both papers into a square size, but the white paper was cut to fit inside the wrapping paper so that it would be slightly smaller, leaving room for a border."

Masa's was fortuante to have his mother teach him how to fold paper into a paper crane. For the rest of us, here's a tutorial recommended by the Louisianan himself:

How to Make a Paper Japanese Crane - Origami

This letter is from Louise in Minnesota. The envelope sat unopened on my coffee table for days. I was afraid I'd ruin it. How gorgeous! It's covered in nine vintage stamps (Two ¢3, one ¢4, two ¢5, and four ¢6 = ¢44). Enough to send a letter. Yay! The second stamp from the left on the bottom is a "Mary Cassatt American Artist" stamp. Louise must have read this blog I wrote and discovered my fondness for Miss Mary. I was truly touched. This is such an elegant way to send a letter. It's inspired me to get my vintage-stamp groove on. I did eventually open the letter (very carefully with my letter opener), and found the inside as warm and wonderful as the outside. Here's a nice write up on obtaining vintage stamps.

Next we have Rodney from Honolulu (aloha!). He sent me a letter in December 2008 only to have it sent all the way back to him (from Philadelphia, yikes!) when my P.O. Box was closed (I didn't pay in time. I'm a delinquent letter writer, I know). He held on to that letter and sent it back to me this past December with the one you see above. Rodney's gift is his glorious script. He is a first-rate calligrapher, and every word of both the letter and the envelope is carefully crafted. Calligraphy is 50% talent and 50% effort, I'm sure. I've honestly never tried—I just assume it's something I can't do because my regular handwriting is nothing to write home about. Perhaps "assuming it's something I can't do" is something I should stop doing, because receiving a letter written this way is a gift. You find yourself holding a message and a piece of art at once. Rodney has a blog where he writes about, amongst other things, his calligraphical pursuits.

Allow me to introduce Mike from Virginia. He is a retired Navy Captain (thank you for your service, Mike!). He confesses, "I personally account for at least 10% of the business that the USPS currently enjoys." A week or so ago he sent me this postcard-sized letter with a "Samara" word collage on the front. Is consists of both my book titles, my Web site, my birthday, and things I love—i.e. green and white tea. (This information is in my bio by the way. Mike wasn't doing an illicit research =). I stared at this card for 10 minutes. It's incredibly considerate. One of my favorite aspects of letter writing is that what you write pertains only to the person you're sending it to. In other words, it's important to write a letter that no one else can receive. No one can receive this collage but me! If you want to make a collage that no one but your loved ones can receive, visit Wordle.net, as per Mike's recommendation. He advises, "There are a few tricks to getting the words to be prominent and to keep compound words together. The more you repeat a word, the more prominent it will be. Use a tilda ~ to keep compound words together (e.g. white~tea)."

Not Pictured: Mitch from Savannah, Georgia wrote me in early January. First, I've always wanted to visit Savannah, and receiving a letter from there is almost as good. Second, he used sealing wax. I tried to a get photo, but they all came out blurry. Using sealing wax and stamp is an easy and nostalgic way to send a letter. I've used it and it takes a few tries to get just right, you are dealing with melted wax after all, but when it's good it's very, very good.

And thus, whether you use one of these methods or simply put pen to paper, you have the power to make a loved one's or a perfect stranger's day.

Visit author Samara O'Shea at LetterLover.net and follow her on Twitter.

$ense & $ensibility Monday: The Magic of Bookstores

2010-01-25T13:10:00.000-05:00

Vampire Weekend performing at Barnes & Noble Union Square

I had the good luck to see a brilliant performance by Vampire Weekend this past week. It was a short set, lasting only an hour and interspersed with an interview and Kwame Dawes reading his poetry, but it was still a Vampire Weekend concert and it was amazing – especially because it was free and at a bookstore.

Heywood Hill, London

I’m always amazed by the variety of programs one can find at bookstores around the world. The most remarkable authors visit some of the smallest towns during their book tours and offer readings and signings for free. And in big cities like New York, popular bands join up with international poets to talk about cross-cultural influences. And that’s on top of the amazing books just waiting for you to open them and partake of their stories.

Heywood Hill, London

I’ve lived all over and spent many a happy day browsing through a bookshop; pausing to read sections of books I’d never seen before in addition to already memorized verses from old favorites. I will admit it’s sometimes a struggle to walk away without buying anything. But that’s why I have a library card (at least, until my budget allows me to buy books at will). Below is a list of a few of my favorite haunts. What’s your favorite bookstore? I’m always on the lookout for new places to browse!

Daunt Books, London

The Book House, St. Louis MO - I like to curl up in the poetry alcove here with the gray cat, or perch on a stool in the history room. Michelle also runs a brilliant online business if you're looking for used books.

Left Bank Books, St. Louis MO - The place for new and used books in St. Louis and also the place to see all your favorite authors.

The Lantern, Washington, DC - A Bryn Mawr bookshop, this little place in Georgetown is comprised of donated books.

Kramerbooks and Afterwords Café, Washington, DC - 'THE' DC bookstore. Catch up with friends over brunch or drinks (a must to be considered a true Washingtonian) and then browse the offerings. Open until 1 am most nights and 24 hours on Friday and Saturday, it's a great place to stop off after a night out in the Dupont area.

Politics & Prose, Washington, DC - The other DC bookstore. Just read the "About" page on the website and feel your heart swell with joy.

The Strand, NYC - 18 miles of books. Need I say more? They also have a little kiosk at the southeast corner of Central Park.

Housing Works Bookstore & Café, NYC - Fun store with a good selection and it benefits an amazing cause.

Shakespeare and Company, Paris - Jeremy Mercer entitled his memoir about his time here "Time Was Soft There". I couldn't agree more. If you're traveling through Paris and strapped for cash, ask to work in the store for a bit - you can sleep amongst the books. Attend a reading or take a literary workshop if you're in town. History mingles with the present in this amazing place.

Galignani, Paris - The first English bookshop on the European continent, this gem is on the Rue de Rivoli, across from the Jardin des Tuileries. Dark wood shelves and books from floor to the ceiling make this one of my favorite shops to explore on a rainy Parisian day.

Gibert Jeune, Paris - Not one bookstore, but eight! Spread around the area of Place Saint-Michel, each store carries a different subject

Village Voice, Paris - Tucked off the main roads, this store is a gathering place for American and British expats in Paris.

Hatchards, London - The oldest bookstore in London was founded in 1797 on Piccadilly, where it still is today. It seems every author dreams of getting to sign books at Hatchards, so there's always an interesting event on and always signed copies available.

Heywood Hill, London - My mother's favorite bookstore. Nancy Mitford worked here during WWII, as the blue plaque outside commemorates. The staff are the loveliest people in the world and will bend over backwards to find a book for you or let you know if a new title is coming out that they think might interest you. If I ever get married, my wedding registry is going to be through this bookstore, no joke.

Daunt Books, London - Known around the world as 'the' travel bookstore, Daunt actually stocks a range of genres. There are now five stores scattered around London, but the original Marylebone High Street shop is the most beautiful; an original Edwardian bookstore it features oak galleries, skylights, William Morris prints, soaring palladian windows, and plenty of chairs to sit and read in.

Blackwell, Oxford - The original store on the Broad is still my favorite, though they're spread out all over the town (and in London too). I usually give myself an entire day to wonder the flagship store, exploring all the nooks and crannies.

Images via moi, Heywood Hill, and Bookstore Guide.

Katharine Albritton is an art market specialist and writer. Read her art market blog and follow her on twitter.

tranquility du jour #171: musings on mindfulness

2010-01-24T17:32:00.000-05:00

direct download (mp3)

Bonjour. Welcome to the 171th edition of Tranquility du Jour: A Guide to Bringing Tranquility to your Every Day. Today’s show features happenings and musings on "mindfulness" with Gina Sager.

Tranquilology Teleclass: Join moi for our next Tranquilology Teleclass "Bloom into Spring" on Monday, March 22 at 9pm ET. $10. View petals from winter's teleclass.

Workshops + Retreats: Consider the Hip Tranquil Chick Retreat March 26-28 in NY, a Virtual Art Retreat with Wish Studio's Creative Cast April 30-May 2, a week long Yoga Lifestyle Retreat in lush Costa Rica May 29-June 5, and a Tranquilista Retreat at Kripalu July 5-9.

Featured Tranquilista:
Gina L. Sager, MD, RYT is a retired board-certified general surgeon, named one of Baltimore’s Top Docs in October 2000. She permanently left the practice of traditional Western medicine in May 2002 to explore her long time interest in holistic healing. She has studied and practiced Buddhism in the Tibetan tradition, studied the ancient wisdom traditions including Traditional Chinese wisdom and Five Element Theory at Tai Sophia Institute, and completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training in Integrative Yoga Therapy at yama studio in Baltimore in 2005. She has completed several professional training courses with Jon Kabat Zinn and colleagues at the University of Massachusetts Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society.She has used the wisdom of Ayurveda for personal healing since 2000 and recently completed a 60 hour Ayurvedic Nutrition training course with internationally known teacher and author, Amadea Morningstar. Savoring Each Moment is her new Ayurvedic workshop series, to be offered in 2010 to welcome each season and cultivate harmony within and without.She leads bi-annual mindfulness retreats at Casa del Sol in Abiquiu, New Mexico, incorporating mindful Ayurvedic cooking into these retreats.Gina has taught Mindfulness classes, yoga and yoga nidra in Baltimore and Harford Counties since 2004. She teaches meditation and Yoga Nidra to yoga teachers in training at Golden Heart Yoga in Annapolis Maryland and Tranquil Space Yoga in Washington DC. She also teaches weekly at HopeWell Cancer Support in Brooklandville, MD, offering her classes to those living with cancer as well as their families and friends.In the growing season, April through October, she works at weekend Farmer’s Markets with Calvert’s Gift Farm, an organic farm in Sparks, Maryland, to encourage the use of seasonal, local, organic produce for health and well-being. In Ayurveda, it is said that the best physician is one who teaches patients to care for themselves. In this spirit, Gina believes that her path is to share what she has learned on her transformative journey by offering others the opportunity to reconnect with their own deepest nature, and learn to care for themselves using these ancient, holistic practices.

Savvy Sources:
Website: ginasager.com

Stay Au Courant: Create a home practice. Join our Facebook group. Become my Facebook friend. Follow moi on Twitter. Download Tranquility du Jour on demand. Watch bi-weekly Tranquility du Jour TV on youtube.com/tranquilitydujour . Explore mentoring with moi. Peruse Hip Tranquil Chick. Deepen your yoga practice at Tranquil Space. Get your do-gooding on with Tranquil Space Foundation. Sign up for my museletter. Order a signed copy of Tranquilista. Join Tranquilista's fan page.

Challenge: Send moi photos of you getting your artist date on and I'll share them with our readers. The most creative artist date photo/write up received by March 21 (the spring equinox) will receive a complimentary mentoring session. Create away + do share!

Au Revoir: To close out the show, we’re playing Skylines by karmacoda. You can learn more about the fabulous Heather Pierce and more at karmacoda.com.

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Check out nineball media.

ideas on ideas organization

2010-01-24T14:45:00.003-05:00

friday began with a metta meditation (divine) and facial at kripalu. then traveled home via train (my favorite travel mode) for the rest of the day. home to beau at 10:30pm to celebrate a few hours of our 6-year anniversary together. dropped off laundry, picked up mail, repacked and headed to his cabin in west virginia. ahhh, after two weeks of travel, it feels good to be hOMe.

taking two weeks to nurture my creative and spiritual spirit was the perfect way to launch 2010. good news is that i didn't fall too behind thanks to handling e-mail and issues while away. thank god for wifi. back to school on monday so get to start reading all about abnormal psychology and statistics for social workers. already had that back to school nightmare last night. you know the one, where you show up and can't find the right room? ahh.

while indulging in a bed day yesterday with my planner, stamps, idea book, journal, visual journal a la mexico, note cards, laptop, and glitter paint, i was feeling overwhelmed by having my 2010 dreams in multiple places. to remedy the situation, i pulled out three cute notecards, tore them in two so they were more like index cards and wrote my objectives, strategies, and tactics onto them with a noir sharpie.

i broke it out by KW (personal), TS (tranquil space - studio), TT (TranquiliT - clothing line), TSF (tranquil space foundation - nonprofit), and HTV (hip tranquil ventures - media). the objective for all organizations was similar: brand enhancement, growth, and awareness. my personal one focused on health, efficiency, creativity, spirituality, organization, simplification, and travel. from there i broke it down to strategies (i.e., development, marketing, training) and then to tactics (i.e., daily meditation, check e-mail 3 times/day, create new e-course, new website).

there are many ways to write to-dos and at times it may feel overwhelming if they are in a place you won't see daily (like my visual journal) or aren't broken down into steps (like "marketing"). i hope this helps you, too, get clear on capturing your dreams, to-dos, and bigger picture goals for 2010.

additional ideas to enhance: use colorful paperclips, add ribbons to your notecards and journals, tie ribbons around paperclips, layer with tissue paper, post your goals on index cards and hang from a ribbon in your office/home.

how do you organize your dreams, to-dos, and strategies in a creative way?

bisous,
kimberly

**the photos above show my new strategy cards peeking out of an envelope at the front of my planner pad, newly glitter painted cover, new birds + paris stamps, and blank cards lying by ideas in my visual journal created in mexico before being "strategized."

foodie friday... style in the kitchen

2010-01-22T11:32:00.000-05:00

home is where the heart is but
happiness is where your friends are.

hello gorgeous tranquilistas!
it's such a treat to see you twice in one week. robyn, our friday guest-blogger, was in need of a favor & i was more than happy to take the opportunity to share my musings on style in the kitchen.

i'm the kind of girl who gets giddy about getting a crate & barrel catalog in the mail—and who shops at anthropologie because they have really cute aprons. there is something about accessorizing my home that makes me feel like a classy and sophisticated woman.

some people say the kitchen is the heart of the home. if that's the case, i wonder where you begin when you set out to decorate your heart?

make it functional
there are many kinds of women who find themselves in kitchens. you might be the kind who prefers frozen meals and take-out, or you might be the kind who loves to cook five-course meals for a girls' night in. maybe you are still trying to find your rhythm in the kitchen.

consider your dream kitchen and begin to incorporate elements that bring you closer to that ideal. be sure to accessorize with items that have a specific function and purpose. if french-elements are your thing, consider how fun it would be to use one of these tea towels the next time you hand-dry your dishes.

make it cozy
try to think of ways to make your kitchen inviting. even in my tiny apartment, i find that people often gather around when i'm preparing appetizers or mixing drinks. burning a cookie-scented candle will make your home smell like a bakery, even if the last cookies you made from scratch were in an easy-bake oven.

have extra mugs or glasses on hand so your friends can help themselves. inside your fridge, be prepared for an impromptu gathering by stocking up on chic beverages like these mini pink champagne cans or delicious japanese sodas. outside your fridge, display a bit of your personality with framed family photos or inspiring magnets.

make it your own
take a moment to consider how you might infuse a bit of your signature style in your kitchen decor. i would love to hear your thoughts on how you might make your kitchen a bit more functional, a bit more cozy and a bit more of your own.

photo credit: real simple

kaileenelise is a sparklista, yogini, artist, blogger & creative entrepreneur. visit her website or tweet with her to learn more about making every day an extraordinary adventure.