tranquility chez moi
Monday, February 08, 2010
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
posted by kimberly wilson
1 comments
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
posted by kimberly wilson
tranquility du jour tv: tranquilista book launch
Sunday, February 07, 2010
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.
Labels: tdj tv
posted by kimberly wilson
eye candy a la ny
Saturday, February 06, 2010
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
posted by kimberly wilson
sneak peek from tranquilista book launch fete
Friday, February 05, 2010
posted by kimberly wilson
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
posted by kimberly wilson
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.
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.
posted by robyn michelle-lee
book launch fete TONIGHT
Thursday, February 04, 2010
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
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
posted by kimberly wilson
signature style wednesdays: pampering with style
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Invent your world.
Surround yourself with people, color, sounds,
and work that nourish you.
(SARK)
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.
posted by kaileenelise
february muse for tranquil space
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
"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.
posted by kimberly wilson
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
posted by kimberly wilson
posted by kimberly wilson
