week in review

Category: week in review

April in Review

April in Review

Whew, well hello there, May! You’ve brought peonies and, for that, I’m incredibly grateful.

Last month was solid. I read books, wrote blog posts, released podcast episodes, hit four bookstores on Independent Bookstore Day, returned to yoga classes, took multiple ballet classes, enjoyed tea dates with friends, finalized the spring/summer TranquiliT lookbook, hit a beach in Cape May, reconnected with old friends, took Gizmo to the oncologist for a checkup, co-hosted Pigs, Pugs, and Peonies and raised $1299 for Life with Pigs Farm Sanctuary and Homeward Bound Pug Rescue, picked up apple blossoms at the farmers’ market, finished a veterinary social work module, donated my vintage camper, Miss Lillie, to charity, filed taxes (bleh), picked up impatiens, sweet potato vines, and a compost bin for the garden, and recorded new podcast interviews and YouTube videos.

As I look toward May and this summer, there’s lots of adventures ahead—another Garth Brooks concert, the Daybook release, glamping in the woods, Yoga + the Animals, TDJ Soiree, a Pignic at Farm Sanctuary, Tranquility in Tuscany, and a Tony Bennett concert. In addition to these experiences, I’ve set aside equal amounts of space for reflection, reading at home, and learning.

I’m finally finding that sweet spot between being and doing after unraveling old patterns and embracing new ones. Ah, life is nothing if not a continual growth opportunity, right?!

Wishing you a month of peonies, picnics, and process. Bisous. x

May Dreams

Declutter and donate 10 bags of items
Take 8 yoga and 4 ballet classes
Complete Daybook and announce launch
Have 30 guests at Yoga + the Animals
Sell-out TDJ Soiree [8 tickets left!] Savor campfires and stars during Memorial Day weekend
Sing along to Garth Brooks in Pittsburgh
Plant impatiens and sweet potato vines
See friend in film Wild Nights with Emily
Improve hand lettering practice
Collaborate with clients
Read two books
Long walks with pups

Savvy Sources

How to Create a Healthier Workspace
21 Small Changes to Make for Better Sleep
Financial Self-Care Rituals
5 Ways to Write an Inspiring Manifesto
How I Shoot With My iPhone
A Portable Routine
Health Benefits of Community Parks
15 Plant-Based Recipes That Can Help With Inflammation
Packing for Paris

Month in Review

March in Review

Looking through these photos, I was surprised to see that March was filled with such varied adventures. Isn’t that often the case when you review a larger chunk versus a few days? I’m like, “Wow, what a month!”

March included taking in Washington Ballet’s “Sleeping Beauty” performance, attending four days of a therapy conference, hosting the Online Book Launch Fete and Spring TDJ Live, playing in Colorado, taking a hand lettering class (why is it so hard?), collaborating with clients, taking 9 ballet classes, releasing 4 podcasts and 3 love notes, reading Lightly and Girl, Stop Apologizing, releasing the spring TranquiliT collection, hiring a consultant to deepen my client work, seeing Gretchen Rubin discuss her new book Outer Order, Inner Calm, singing along at a Krishna Das kirtan, creating three new TranquiliT videos, savoring a weekend in West Virginia, making Pigs & Pugs Project micro-grants, finding a charity for our camper, Miss Lillie, going on dozens of walks with the pups, chatting with my accountant in prep for taxes, releasing the TDJ Soiree tickets and finalizing all the details at Elizabeth’s.

On the plane back from Colorado I read through my March Dreams and was able to check nearly 70% of them off. Not too bad considering some are definitely more longer-term plans. Those have already been penned into April. And they may make it to May or beyond. It’s okay!

As I look at April’s overarching theme, I see a wish for shifts: to create more spaciousness in my schedule (less phone time) and in my home (more deep cleans/donations). It’s all a work in progress and taking the time monthly to pause, reflect, and dream helps keep me connected to the bigger picture.

If you haven’t done it yet, pull out your Year of Tranquility, planner, or journal and consider your April or spring dreams. I’m rooting for you! Bisous. x

April Dreams

Decrease daily phone usage to 1-2 hours
12 ballet classes
Strong showing at Pigs, Pugs & Pinot
Complete taxes
Finalize Daybook
Open up space at home
Finalize Spring/Summer TranquiliT Lookbook
Reorganize schedule for efficiency
Donate camper
Finish Veterinary Social Work module
Read two books
Release 2-4 podcasts and 2-4 Love Notes
Learn lots at continuing education classes

Savvy Sources

Why You Should Stop Striving For Work/Life Balance
Spring Wellness Essentials
4 Steps To Stop Overindulging
5 Things I Learned From My Therapist About Anxiety
Eileen Fisher is Turning Old Clothes Into Art
Vegan Guide to Easter Eggs
The Shortness of Life: Seneca on Busyness and the Art of Living Wide Rather Than Long

Month in Review

February in Review

Although February went fast, the month was filled with a variety of experiences. From hosting a week-long retreat in Costa Rica, to taking 12 ballet classes, to working on the TranquiliT spring collection, to setting aside a day to declutter, to hosting Tranquility Salon on Sunday nights, to dreaming up the Year of Tranquility Book Launch Fete THIS Friday.

I finished How to Get Away and You are a Badass, and read nuggets from many others such as How Georgia Became O’Keefe and My Life on the Road. For some reason I’m unable to focus on one book at a time and the pile of books on the side of my bed continues to reproduce while I sleep. I blame used bookstores.

When I reviewed my February Dreams, I was delighted to see that many of the intentions had come forth—collaborations with clients, Love Notes, dance classes, online event planning, decluttering, daily greens, four podcasts, veterinary social work classes. Although there are a few missing the X through the box, I’m moving them into March and calling it a day. Most are not time sensitive, but rather wishes for streamlining and enhancing.

I hope you, too, are proud of your month. You showed up and did your best. Sometimes life has other plans—illness, caregiving, injuries, exhaustion—and that’s okay.

As Scarlett would say, “After all, tomorrow is another day!” You got this and so much more. Happy March, loves! Bisous. x

March Dreams

Release TDJ Soiree tickets
Tea and ballet dates with girlfriends
Resist Thin Mints
Host inspiring TDJ Live on March 24
Release TranquiliT’s spring collection [DONE] Read two books
Release two podcasts and two to four Love Notes
Begin consultation with a therapy mentor
Host a festive Year of Tranquility Book Launch Fete THIS Friday*
Start online writing course
Take 15 ballet classes
Learn tangible takeaways at conference
Finish veterinary social work module
Eat yumminess with new Purple Carrot subscription
*[Invites sent to all who filled out this form]

Savvy Sources

How To Declutter Your Life
A Guide to Setting Intentions with the New Moon [March 6] How To Marie Kondo Your Diet
Why Slow Fashion is Important
10 Ways To Lead a Greener, Cleaner Life
Chic Outfits with Leggings
7 Books to Add to Your March Reading List
11 Sneaker Outfit Ideas
10 Plant-Based High-Protein Recipes
7 Steps to Create a Morning Routine That Works