tranquility du jour

week in review: bonjour paris

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Fri, 24 May 2013 02:18:00 PDT

saying goodbye to family at the airport

sweet le pug's look of horror as they drive away

day un with group

day deux post-yoga in luxemboug gardens

le chat noir leaving kitty litter on freshly delivered diploma {sigh}

tea + macarons at ladurée

yoga in luxembourg gardens

week in review

silent meditation retreat

shared scenes from retreat

graduated from master's of social work program at catholic university

packed for 6 weeks away

flight to paris

penned piece on creating experiences

showcased things i love: parisian style

revealed new book cover + save the date promo

limited edition hardcover tranquilologie book went on sale

penned mindful monday

welcomed delightful group un for 5 days of yoga, art + shopping in paris

read heaps of wisdom 2.0, savor, + lessons from madame chic

struggled with jetlag

found out about chanel no. 5 exhibit at palais de tokyo

savored sunshine + picked up produce at farmer's market

yoga + art journaling in luxembourg gardens

lots of cafe time

many soaks in the tub
sent inquiry to plum village re: 5-day stay over birthday
sent inquiry re: transpersonal psychology ph.d. program {sorry le beau}

weekend wish list

vintage shopping with beloved group

savor haute couture exhibit at hotel de ville

bask in monet's garden with group

flea market shopping with group

dinner at restaurant setting of renoir's luncheon of the boating party

et toi? what's on your weekend wish list?

bisous. x

wednesday well-being: experiences

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Wed, 22 May 2013 05:54:00 PDT

peony love affair

fragrant fresh lilacs

farmer's market salad later topped with walnuts

bonjour from paris. retreat number one begins this afternoon with an "impressionists of paris" boat cruise on the seine departing from the eiffel tower. ooh la la. i'm over the moon about this brand new offering and can't wait to bask in the many sensory experiences paris will offer our yoga, art + shopping retreaters {and moi}.

while waiting to board monday night, a fellow retreater and friend asked if there was anything i wanted to purchase in paris. i responded that i wasn't seeking a thing. she proclaimed, "oh, you're focusing on experiences." indeed i am but i hadn't put two and two together before she stated such.

experiences, isn't that what life is all about? and parisians tend to do this very well. i hope to take a page from their book. i couldn't wait for the farmer's market at the end of the block to open today so i could pick up fresh fleurs {hello lilacs and peonies} and fresh produce for an afternoon salad. the above pics capture my finds.

my writing view

while i sit here writing with the above view, i'm filled with gratitude for this experience. the opportunity to work and write in paris. the chance to fill my body with fresh food. the ability to hit pause and practice savoring. {ironically, i just downloaded the book savor: mindful eating, mindful life.} as i approached the farmer's market today, i felt like a kid at christmas. while washing the fresh lettuce, same feeling. while placing the flowers into vases, ditto.

life is about creating experiences, not accumulating things. we know this, but do we practice this? over the next few days i'll be art journaling and sharing my goals for this paris jaunt. my plan is to have a large focus on experiences. and it began yesterday as i sipped my first pot of tea at a sidewalk cafe in the rain {pic below}. make today an experience. bisous. x

first cuppa tea in paris

things i love: parisian style

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Tue, 21 May 2013 06:56:00 PDT

image courtesy of free people

1. oh-so-feminine

image courtesy of 40 plus style

2. basics

image courtesy of outer sparkle

3. watercolors + 10 tips

image courtesy of elembee

4. simply chic

image courtesy of red is redno
5. street style

tranquility tour + tranquilologie cover reveal

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:23:00 PDT

our recently designed promo to share at tranquil space studios and beyond

save the date for the release of my latest book, tranquilologie, and a festive bon voyage for our tranquility tour. we would be SO very honored to have you join and more deets will unfold over the next few months.

ooh la la, after months of edits, we've finalized the cover. although the pink coloring appears a bit off when uploaded here, you get the gist. i'm in love and can't wait to share this edited and updated hardcover version of my 2012 e-course, tranquilolgie.

paris packing list

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:49:00 PDT

le pug sadly staying stateside

as i prepare to leave the country for six weeks at 9:50pm tonight, i'm pulling together my favorite pieces to mix and match. my beloved seamstress dropped off the chevron and striped offerings that were supposed to be black and white but instead have a yellowish gray tint. hmmmm, we'll be sure to edit that before adding into the TranquiliT collection but the cuts are darling.

below is my packing list for six weeks away:

7 bottoms

5 tops

4 dresses {3 can also be worn as tunics over pants}

a few accessories

undies + bandeau bras
socks

art supplies

books

iPad + macbook air

chargers

daybook

3 pairs of shoes

toiletries

earplugs + eye mask

vitamins

reusable bags

print outs of tickets

sunnies

eyeglasses

universal adapter
reusable tea thermos + water bottle
noir tights

= voilà, almost ready to go!

oh, and here's my 2012 packing post. i hope things have lightened!

bottoms:

chevron palazzo pants

striped skirt dress

dark denim jeans

parisian pants

shiny leggings

parisian skirt

lounge short

tops:

vintage denim jacket

long sleeve wrap tunic

2in1 chemise

cardigan

2in1 fitted top

dresses:

long slip dress

3/4 wrap dress

2in1 slip dress

vintage slip

accessories:

3 scarves

2 reusable bags for jaunts to farmers markets

long faux pearls

vintage sparkly earrings

miscellaneous:

woven tote

black clogs

silver ballet flats

pink converse

vintage suitcase filled with art supplies

leopard print yoga mat

leopard print umbrella

packing tips:

apartment therapy

more apartment therapy

packing for paris

au revoir. i'll be back in touch once i'm in the city of light. bisous x

more le pug

mindful monday

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Mon, 20 May 2013 06:18:00 PDT

welcome back to mindful monday. after a weekend basking in mindfulness {versus donning a noir robe to receive my diploma}, i'm filled with gratitude for the mindfulness immersion. a truly decadent adventure.

during our free time {when we weren't in sitting meditation, walking meditation, eating vegan/gluten-free, hiking, doing yoga, listening to dharma talks and sharing}, i was reading from phillip moffit's book, dancing with life, or soren gordhamer's book, wisdom 2.0. both are incredibly juicy and i find myself slowly savoring moffit's {more heady} while devouring gordhamer's {most accessible}.

there are a few gems that spoke to me over the weekend. i wanted to pass this along to you from wisdom 2.0:

"For those of us who seek to live consciously and with less stress, it helps to align the internal and external, to see if our external actions do justice to what internally matters to us. . . If asked, I would answer that my health, eating well, and spending time in nature mattered, but my actions said otherwise. If you watched my actions, these were not at all my priorities. By my actions, what most mattered to me was knowing if I had received any messages in the two minutes since I had last checked. That is how I spent much of my day. This disconnect, I realized, was adding difficulty to my life. I thus had to either change what mattered to me or change my actions. By feeling one thing internally while my actions expressed completely different priorities, my life was out of alignment. In this situation, the very things that were truly important to me like my health and well-being, were not being addressed."

this reminded me of something robin fisher roffer shared in our podcast about making changes when noticing her actions weren't aligning with her values. i found that to be a powerful reminder and one that is often helpful to hear. over and over again.

as you review your to-do lists, appointments, relationships, and obligations, consider this post and the alignment of internal and external. i promise to continually do the same. bisous. x

silent meditation retreat scenes

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Sun, 19 May 2013 19:07:00 PDT

meditation cave

mindfulness bell

overlooking buddha

hikers

lush ferns

reading

wildflowers

avocado, apple, mixed greens salad

my happy place

week in review

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Fri, 17 May 2013 05:41:00 PDT

beauty spotted during stroll

sculpture garden

peony prettiness

week in review

15 30-minute teacher auditions

taught 3 yoga classes

took 2 yoga classes

heaps of biking

farewell management lunch

delighted in hemingway ballet

learned lots at fashion truck webinar

updated tranquil space foundation team on board retreat takeaways

enjoyed a train ride to west virginia

submitted paperwork to sit for social work licensing exam

artist date with friend in sculpture garden

savored color, line, light: french drawings exhibit

lunch meeting with teacher director

saw the great gatsby

purchased the great gatsby soundtrack

penned wednesday well-being

shared things i love: gatsby style

released podcast on relationships + tiny living

penned mindful monday

brunch with le beau

heaps of chez moi organization

dentist jaunt {no cavities}

my dentist confession = "i eat too much sugar + don't floss enough"

released TranquiliT promo {above} noting survey {please share feedback}, vintage + sale

paris retreat prep

survived an afternoon without internet + working email on phone = oddly good for the soul

shipped daybooks

penned thank you notes

brow wax

released textbooks back to amazon for credit

2.5 hour conference call with studio boutique mavens

weekend wish list

bask in "graduation" by savoring weekend silent meditation retreat

et toi? what's on your weekend wish list?

bisous. x

wednesday well-being

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Wed, 15 May 2013 06:31:00 PDT

bonjour beloved you. i hope your hump day is off to a delightful start.

after 3 hours of teacher auditions yesterday and 5 hours coming up today, i feel parts of my body i didn't know were there. well hello random upper left arm muscle! so lovely to see teacher trainees come into their own.

while we all know the importance of daily exercise and smart eating to enhance well-being, i wanted to share something i've been dabbling in. to get through the random grumpiness of the previous week, i've made a conscious effort to ensure sufficient movement each day since and it's made a lovely difference {although today's 5 hours may be a few hours more than i bargained for}.

taking the precious time to move out of our heads and into our bodies is critical for our overall well-being. we know this. but do we practice this religiously? biking to appointments {or ballets at the kennedy center}, hitting the gym for 15 minutes on your own schedule, dropping into a yoga class to coddle your spirit, taking an afternoon stroll around your office building--all of these have the potential to awaken and nurture.

i chose the above photo as a reminder to consciously start your day. it's an image of a recent start with my pink thermos {always in tow}, daybook {also always in tow}, journal {often in tow}, and a book to inspire {often in tow}. by sitting down with these tranquility tools and offering yourself moments of reflection and organization, your day can get off to a more savory start. while i'm still working on the perfect morning routine, i appreciate the benefits that come from surrounding myself with these few items.

also, it's never too late to restart your day. maybe you received upsetting news {big things}, are out of your favorite tea {small things}, or feel an overall sense of malaise. pull out your tranquility tools of choice and restart mid-day. then go for a walk. i promise, it will make a difference.

wishing you a beautiful wednesday filled with well-being. and in the interim, whip up a green juice {or pick one up, even starbucks has them now} to nurture your insides! you are beautiful. bisous x

things i love: gatsby style

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Tue, 14 May 2013 03:00:00 PDT

image courtesy of style girl jess james

image courtesy of super kawaii mama

image courtesy of snag the look

image courtesy of fashion finder

image courtesy of vogue

tranquility du jour #270: relationships + tiny living

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Mon, 13 May 2013 09:53:00 PDT

Welcome to the 270th edition of Tranquility du Jour. Today's show features moi and le beau musing on your questions re: our relationship and tiny living. (sorry for the crackle in the first few seconds! - le beau)

Workshops + Retreats: Join moi for a tranquilologie experience. Immerse yourself in the study of tranquility with scents of lavender, lots of love, and dollops of sparkles thrown in. Below are a few options.

Ongoing

* 1:1 Mentoring
* Mindfulness E-course
* Creative + Conscious Business E-course
* Tranquilologie: A DIY Sprinkling of Everyday Tranquility E-course

* Tranquil Space Lifestyle E-course

2013
* Art, Yoga + Shopping in Paris May 22-26 (2 spots left)
* Art, Yoga + Shopping in Paris June 5-9 (sold out)
* Tranquility Summer Camp in West Virginia August 15-18 (4 spots left)
* Yoga Lifestyle Retreat in Costa Rica August 31-September 7
* Tranquility Tour September 14-November 16

2014
* Art + Yoga in West Virgina April 25-27
* Art, Yoga + Shopping in Paris June TBA

tranquilitytour.com

We’re packing up our four-legged furry sons and criss-crossing the continent September 14-November 16, 2013 while sprinkling tranquility along the way. Join us on this adventure in person, online, or in spirit. More at tranquilitytour.com.

interior lillie shots

Haute off the Press:
Tranquility du Jour Daybook: It's a pink planner, lifestyle organizer, and wellness guide all in one. This perfect complement to Tranquilologie is filled with checklists, inspiration, eye candy, and 52 dateless week spreads so you can start at anytime. Watch our how-to video with Carol Meyers.

Spring Seasonal Podcast: Released March 25 and filled with gems for making this spring mindful and tranquil

Spring Love Note (includes a Tranquility Mixtape)

most of the family (sans felines) pre-inaugural ball circa 2009

Dear Tranquility du Jour:

1. How did you and le beau meet? With both of you being so busy, how do you make things work? What are your secrets? :-)

2. I'd love to hear any tips you might have on living in a small space. I recently moved from my 3-bedroom house to a 1-bedroom apartment. I've decluttered like crazy, but still need to do more! How do you organize your pink palace to have space for your creativity, your businesses, meditation, and not to mention yourself, le beau, le pug, and le meow?

S'il vous plaî, submit your question for consideration on a future podcast.

Savvy Sources:

Fun feature about our podcast on Libsyn
Tranquility du Jour iPhone and Android app

Tranquility du Jour FAQs: Start here
Latest Tranquility du Jour Museletter
Follow @timmooney or check out Tim's blog, an uncommonly silly blog

Signature Style: TranquiliT is a line of layers in rayon made from organic bamboo and designed by moi. We sew locally and plant 150 trees monthly while also donating a portion of proceeds to Tranquil Space Foundation, Farm Sanctuary, and Nest. In addition, we offer vintage and reclaimed goodies because it doesn't get more eco than reusing!

Stay Au Courant:
Connect on Facebook.
Follow moi on Twitter for daily sprinkles of tranquility.
Watch Tranquility du JourTV.
Browse Hip Tranquil Chick and Tranquilista.

Join the Tranquility du Jour museletter.
Pin along with moi on Pinterest.
Peruse my Etsy shoppe.
Read about my passion for pigs.
Follow moi on Instagram @tranquilitydujour.
Write a review on iTunes - it helps others find our show.
Submit questions for our bimonthly "Ask Tranquility du Jour" podcasts.
Read along with this season's online book club choice.

Techy stuff:

- You don't need an iPod to listen to the podcast! Click on the player at the top of the post or click here to listen to older episodes.

- New to podcasting? Get more info at Podcast 411.

- Do you have iTunes? Click here and subscribe to the podcast. You'll automatically get the latest edition as soon as it's available!

mindful monday

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Mon, 13 May 2013 08:03:00 PDT

image from page 16 of mindful

welcome to a new week. i got up at 6:45, meditated for 20 minutes, and have been on a roll ever since. this early bird is catching a worm i tell you. ommmm.

delighted in a weekend filled with yoga, chez moi organization, and a deep falling in love with the great gatsby. the movie. the fashion. the soundtrack. look for inspiration flowing into TranquiliT's fall collection. i'm a big fan of 20s style. so feminine, flowy, and flair-filled.

i also began doing a bit of packing for paris as i leave next monday evening {eek!}. above is a shot of the artist toolkit i'll be hauling for the art and yoga retreats plus my own artist dates while living in the city of light.

after teaching and taking yoga last night, i biked to the kennedy center for a solo artist date with the hemingway ballet. i was absolutely blown away. truly mesmerizing. well done, washington ballet.

as i prepare for my final seven days in town, i'm using my yoga and meditation practice to stay grounded. it's a true savior. so is mindful breathing and it's a tool we always have with us.

when i came across the above piece in mindful magazine, i knew it would be perfect to share in this column. if you read the article, you'll find that there are actually a top five list of regrets shared by those dying:

- had the courage to live a life true to myself

- hadn't worked so hard

- been brave enough to express my feelings

- stayed in touch with my friends

- let myself be happier

do any of these resonate with you right now?

the palliative nurse who collected this data states, "my biggest lesson was learning to be gentle with myself and not get caught up in judgments, as we're all conditioned to do." hmmmm.

doesn't that feel like a good reminder? be gentle with yourself. mindfulness at its core is paying attention sans judgment. let's make that a mantra this week, shall we? bisous. x

week in review

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Fri, 10 May 2013 06:10:00 PDT

week in review

taught 4 yoga classes

took 3 yoga classes

1 gym jaunt

got tickets to hemingway: the sun also rises

dinner date with girlfriend

evening meditation with tara brach

TranquiliT strategy meeting at teaism with girlfriend

purchased black chevron + stripe fabric samples

hair cut + color

TranquiliT inventory count

put select TranquiliT items on sale

sent tranquility tour e-blast

finalized giverny and impressionists seine cruise tickets for paris retreats

secured afternoon tea ladurée reservations for paris retreats

hosted doga to raise funds for washington humane society

co-hosted tranquil space foundation board meeting

cookout at le beau's cabin with sweet alli + family

shipped TranquiliT + daybook orders

tea + writing date at coffee shop

tranquility tour next steps with le beau

chat with farm sanctuary re: awareness/fundraising on tour

picked up pink flowers to brighten chez moi
updated neighborhood guidebook on air bnb

explored ways to get to plum village to celebrate turning 40

crafted "must do before paris" list

penned mindful monday

shared things i love

announced the giveaway winner

fun feature on libsyn re: podcast

hosted a mentoring session

conducted three podcast interviews for upcoming shows

sent new vintage items to webmaster for upload

cuddle time with beloved pets

purchased glamping and handmade glamping

prepped "to handle before france" list

signed up for wisdom 2.0 business conference

purchased wisdom 2.0 and *highly* recommend

weekend wish list

savor solo hemingway ballet date

sub + take yoga

savor the great gatsby in 3D with le beau

brunch with le beau

learn heaps on fashion truck webinar

et toi? what's on your weekend wish list?

bisous. x

things i love

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Tue, 07 May 2013 03:00:00 PDT

image + how to courtesy of parcel post

1. letters in bloom

image + how to courtesy of kelli murray

2. flower crown

image + how to courtesy of rock and roll bride

3. handmade tutu

image + how to courtesy of fleur de lis design

4. earrings from lace

image + how to courtesy of etsy

5. design + sew your leggings

mindful monday

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Mon, 06 May 2013 08:23:00 PDT

gearing up for doga at washington humane society fundraiser

welcome to mindful monday. it's a treat to be back with you today. announcing the giveaway winner on saturday was très fun. i can't thank you enough for all of your thoughtful shares in the giveaway comments section. truly warmed my heart. especially since i found myself to be grumpy pants last week.

it began monday and continued through friday night with spurts of sunshine--literally and figuratively. i tried to practice STOP as i found it creeping in {although one evening i practiced eating smart white cheddar popcorn and cherry gummies instead = #mindfulnessfail}. after a bit of journal writing about said grumpiness, i chocked it up to not feeling grounded--procuring lillie {my first vehicle since donating my 1992 jeep to charity in 2007}, final classes at school and saying goodbye to colleagues from the past 4 years, no internship {miss my clients and colleagues}, camping in a new setting, pet wrangling, and realizing i leave for 6 weeks super duper soon. although none of these things are bad and, frankly, most are exciting, having heaps of change at once apparently leaves me a bit, well, grumpy pants.

the weekend offered a chance to get grounded. hosting the annual doga event to raise funds and awareness for washington humane society always leaves me feeling good. signed up for the september wisdom 2.0 conference which focuses on mindfulness, wisdom, and business. i'd read wonderful things about it in an huffington post article and it felt like the perfect launching pad for tranquility tour. yesterday we hosted a tranquil space foundation board retreat at le beau's cabin where we explored next steps for expansion of our signature program and a revision of our mission statement. many hours later, we emerged happy and content with our efforts--always a good thing. clearly feeling like i'm taking steps to make a difference seems to help ease grumpiness. as alice walker reminds us, "activism is the rent i pay for living on this planet."

yet each day is an opportunity to make a difference. not just hosting an event or non-profit board retreat. treating others with kindness. saying "thank you." stepping back and practicing STOP as you find yourself off kilter. penning thoughts in your journal to process what is transpiring. we're complex creatures and taking a moment to emotionally regulate can have a profound effect on the way we interact with others. especially when we're grumpy. bisous. x

and the winner is . . .

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Sat, 04 May 2013 15:19:00 PDT

image courtesy of hustle your bustle

i'm over the moon to announce the winner of our latest giveaway: alicia laurin. she was number 53 out of 97. a BIG congrats to alicia and a BIG merci beaucoup to each of you for your kind love notes and thoughtful tranquility tips. also, my apologies for the delay in announcing the winner. while camping i was sans wifi and am delighted to be back online to share this exciting news. may your weekend be filled with tranquility. bisous. x

week in review

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Fri, 03 May 2013 09:00:00 PDT

Can't see the video? Check it out on YouTube or at tranquilitytour.com!

week in review

taught 2 yoga classes

took 2 yoga classes

turned in final grad school paper

1 gym jaunt

soaks in the tub

purchased sweet lillie {camper}

penned muse for tranquil space newsletter

2 final MSW classes

signed up for gotham writers' workshop online memoir class

signed up for daring adventures in paint + life e-course

purchased daring adventures in paint + memoir writing for dummies

refinanced chez moi

procured license plate + insurance for camper

outfitted new camper

camped in greenbelt state park

gave a brief presentation on internship macro projects

hosted fun giveaway

created tranquil space foundation board retreat agenda

released podcast with denise nieman

penned tranquilosophy: glamping dreams

shared things i love

shared mindful monday

penned may dreams

hosted mentoring session

call with women's leadership program mentee

weekend wish list

host successful doga to raise funds for washington humane society

host inspiring tranquil space foundation board retreat

tranquilologie edits

read, rest, dream

et toi? what's on your weekend wish list?

bisous. x

tranquilosophy: glamping dreams

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Thu, 02 May 2013 11:58:00 PDT

meet our new miss lillie

le pug checking it out + heads straight to sit on the table {sigh}

also le chat noir's fave spot

first selfie in the camper

LED lights, handmade bunting + shabby chic bedding hung with care

le pug {unhappily} secured with shabby chic ribbon

today's walk to work from greenbelt national park

morning work from the camper

pink petunias adorn the outside

proudly showcasing my new breast cancer awareness plate

bonjour from starbucks in dupont circle where i'm housed for a dose of green tea and splash of wifi. this week has been one of excitement, new experiences, and an ongoing return to the present moment. inhale, exhale.

from sitting at the west virginia DMV for two hours {and debating much-too-heavily between the wildlife or breast cancer awareness plate}; to containing three pets who want to run into the woods as the camper door opens; to outfitting our new vintage camper with "essentials" such as yummy linens, peppermint candles, LED lighting, handmade bunting, and a tea kettle; to walking to the metro through the woods today. oh, and let us not forget the demands for food {just today claustrophobic le beau was pinned in at 5am by hungry kitties}. the cherry on top, the kitties have to be watched when consuming food lest a "starving" pug swoop in and consume it all with one gulp.

despite the drama that has me filled with giggles out of the sheer hilarity of each moment {easier than crying}, i'm over the moon that we've found the perfect tiny {20 feet} home for our upcoming tranquility tour. it was found on craig's list and purchased from the sweetest 75-year-old named merryl.

we will be doing some updates to the 1988 interior which definitely has a 70s vibe. to start, we plan to paint the wood-paneled interior white to brighten it up. i'll get mama wilson going on toile, damask, or chevron curtains and coordinating slip covers for the cushions. sadly, not sure that a chandelier is going to be possible but i'll keep pushing. these simple edits will brighten it up and add a dollop of charm. stay tuned for the ongoing evolution. the outside needs some pink beyond the petunias and we're still mulling that transformation over.

as you may know, i've been on a camper kick for years. both sets of grandparents had airstream trailers and i played clubhouse in them as often as possible. in 2011 i began looking for my own airstream clubhouse on craig's list and have dabbled with the idea heavily over the past two years. why? i needed a girly place to play and create at le beau's masculine cabin in the woods {and i'm secretly in love with dottie angel}. when we came up with the tranquility tour concept, we knew it was time to get serious about finding the perfect fit. although my initial dream was for a trailer, we would have had to purchase two new-to-us used vehicles versus one. thus, the stand alone camper decision. oh, and it will serve as the perfect fashion truck for TranquiliT, too.

there are many darling books and articles about glamour camping {coined glamping--including handmade glamping}, do-gooding along the way, and living a nomadic lifestyle. i thought about the notion of glamping as i walked off the deck carrying my suitcase to the camper in clogs. a not-so-glamorous moment. i'm sure there will be many more.

i share this post under "tranquilosophy" because this vintage camper has been a dream for many years. it's an honor to have it come true within our tiny budget. by pinpointing dreams, creating a budget, searching and waiting for the perfect fit, plus having a plan {bonjour tranquility tour}, dreams come to life in due time.

what dreams do you have lying within? well, it's a new month and time to pen may dreams {if you haven't already}. why not plant a bold seed into your tranquility du jour daybook? begin watering it with attention and intention this month and beyond. you may surprise yourself. bisous. x

tranquility-filled giveaway o' love

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:01:00 PDT

image courtesy of i love that glove

ooh la la, in celebration of YOU . . . it's giveaway time.

1. handmade tranquiliTea bags

2. daybook {sans banana}

3. flouncy parisian skirt

as a token of gratitude for our sparkly online community, i'm offering a fun-filled giveaway of a few favorite tranquility tools:

1. handmade tranquiliTea bags {perfect blend of rose, lavender, chamomile, peppermint + spearmint}

2. a tranquility du jour daybook

3. a TranquiliT parisian skirt

enter to win this care package: leave a love note or tranquility takeaway in the comment section below. the lucky winner will be chosen using a random number generator THIS friday, may 3 after 6pm. and for the lucky winner, this box of love will be en route to you via snail mail (the best kind) next week. merci for reading and resonating. bisous. x

things i love

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 03:00:00 PDT

image courtesy of mod cloth

1. spring dress sweetness

image courtesy of vintage cottage camper

2. cozy shabby chic camper bed

image courtesy of wanderlust

3. more love for this camper fashion truck, wanderlust

image courtesy of sustainable blog

4. j'adore this one

image courtesy of blush shop

5. bonjour cutest camper fashion truck appropriately named blush

mindful monday

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:39:00 PDT

welcome to a new week. another chance to start anew. it's rainy today in the woods. despite waking up on the wrong side of the bed {thanks to interrupted slumber by my 4-legged furry friends}, i'm hopeful there is sunshine heading my way today. {insert grumble}

while on hold with multiple insurance and financial providers this morning--again not the recommended way to start a week especially with a grumpy face--i began searching for mindfulness images to inspire today's post. i came across the above image and fell in love. why did this watercolor come up under "mindfulness," i wondered?

well it turns out that the watercolor illustrations are attached to the sweetest bed and breakfast i've ever seen. complete with a meditation room, pilates and yoga classes, massage, and slowing down--all with a mindfulness spin. truly heavenly.

i love this from their concept page:

After years of yoga and meditation practice, we have embraced the idea of Mindfulness, first coming to us by the writings of Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn P.H.D. "Mindfulness is a moment-to-moment nonjudgmental awareness, cultivated by paying attention." Mindfulness arises naturally from living. It can be strengthened through practice. This practice is sometimes called meditation. But meditation is not what you might think. Meditation is really about paying attention, and the only way in which we can pay attention is through our senses, all of them, including the mind. "Mindfulness is a way of befriending ourselves and our experience. Of course, our experience is vast, and includes our own body, our mind, our heart, and the entire world," Dr. Kabat-Zinn says. In our point of view, a 'Mindful way' of looking at the world - and guidance in how to relate to others - 'paying attention' is key. This does not mean you have to be Mindful to be a guest at our Bed and Breakfast in Valencia, nor does it imply you should share this belief (or even know what it means !) to enjoy the carefully chosen surroundings during your city-trip or holidays to Valencia. It just means we care; we care for you to have a memorable experience in a relaxing setting, where eye for detail and aesthetic quality in your Valencia Bed and Breakfast are an important factor in making your stay as relaxing and welcoming as possible.

when you wake up feeling less than sparkly, finding a gem such as this can be refreshing. while their spin on mindfulness isn't necessarily new, the incorporation into a homey hospitality business is unique and inspiring. i feel better simply knowing they exist--and see a train trip to valencia in my not-so-distant future.

now i'm going to take a deep breath and engage in a dose of meditation. mama needs it. and then maybe even a nap--despite my plan to write all day.

finished my final scholarly paper of my social work program last night {insert delight} and have clinically diagnosed myself sleepy, grumpy, and present with what is. bisous. x

images courtesy of valencia mindfulness retreat

tranquility du jour #269: living a glitter-filled life

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 19:49:00 PDT

Welcome to the 269th edition of Tranquility du Jour. Today's show features Denise Nieman on living a glitter-filled life.

tranquilitytour.com

Tranquility Tour: We’re packing up our four-legged furry sons and criss-crossing the continent September 14-November 16, 2013 while sprinkling tranquility along the way. Join us on this adventure in person, online, or in spirit. More at tranquilitytour.com.

Workshops + Retreats: Join moi for a tranquility-filled experience. Immerse yourself in the study of tranquility with scents of lavender, lots of love, and dollops of sparkles thrown in. Below are a few options to savor:

Ongoing

* 1:1 Mentoring
* Mindfulness: Tranquility Within E-course
* Creative + Conscious Business E-course
* Tranquilologie: A DIY Sprinkling of Everyday Tranquility E-course

* Tranquil Space Lifestyle E-course

2013
* Art, Yoga + Shopping in Paris May 22-26 (2 spots left)
* Art, Yoga + Shopping in Paris June 5-9 (sold out)
* Tranquility Summer Camp in West Virginia August 15-18 (5 spots left)
* Yoga Lifestyle Retreat in Costa Rica August 31-September 7
* Tranquility Tour September 14-November 16

2014
* Art + Yoga in West Virgina April 25-27
* Art, Yoga + Shopping in Paris June TBA

Haute off the Press:
Tranquility du Jour Daybook: It's a pink planner, lifestyle organizer, and wellness guide all in one. This perfect complement to Tranquilologie is filled with checklists, inspiration, eye candy, and 52 dateless week spreads so you can start at anytime. Released mid-December. Watch our how-to video with Carol Meyers.

Spring Seasonal Podcast: Released March 25 and filled with gems for making this spring mindful and tranquil

Spring Love Note (includes a Tranquility Mixtape)

Featured Tranquilista:

Denise Marie Nieman is a writer, globetrotter, big-time government lawyer, yogini, Francophile, entrepreneur, creative old soul, natural health Ph.D’er, and an ex-ballerina who still wears a tiara and tutu. She’s also the Chick-in-Charge of Concert Chick Productions, LLC, a biz she created to inspire the girls of this world to live a sparkly life filled with discovery, fun, well-being, and adventure. Denise lives by the beach in Jupiter, Florida, with her amazing husband, Joe, and their two hairy, precious kids, Roxi and Oliver.

Savvy Sources:
www.facebook.com/rocktheworldrehab
www.concertchick.com
tweet: @theconcertchick
http://pinterest.com/dnieman/

Online book club choice: The Now Effect

Tranquility du Jour iPhone and Android app
Tranquility du Jour FAQs: Start here
Latest Tranquility du Jour Museletter

Stay Au Courant:
Connect on Facebook.
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Watch Tranquility du JourTV.
Browse Hip Tranquil Chick and Tranquilista.

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week in review

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 05:04:00 PDT

new blog look

le chat noir overseeing le beau's driving

my parisian apartment for 20 days

week in review

took two yoga classes

taught two yoga classes

hosted art + yoga retreat (= taught three more yoga classes)

said au revoir to beloved clients + colleagues at internship

finalized new blog design
art journal play time
25 hours internship
2 MSW classes
savored sunshine on my skin
biked 12 miles

sent semi-sabbatical update to tranquil space team

recorded mindful communication mp3
signed up for crafting an effective writer
signed up for inspiring leadership through emotional intelligence

social media and ethics daylong workshop
scheduled podcast interviews with eric maisel and amanda hirsch

penned tranquilosophy: evolution

secured paris apartment for portion of my stay

shared tasty treats for on-the-go
shared things i love: refashion
penned mindful monday: communication
met with seamstress
savored many soaks in the tub

weekend wish list
prep chez moi for guest
savor healing yoga workshop
savor train travel to le beau's cabin
finalize and turn in final scholarly paper
tranquilologie edits
check out potential vintage RV for tranquility tour
host inspiring mentoring session
release inspiring podcast with denise nieman
read
rest

et toi? what's on your weekend wish list?
bisous. x

tranquilosophy: evolution

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 05:20:00 PDT

beautiful blossoms

festive tights + garden blooms

treats from my colleagues

garden stroll at franciscan monastery

more monastery beauty

today is my final day of internship in amtrak's employee assistance program. i am tying a bow around this amazing learning experience by saying goodbye to many clients {sigh} and putting my stamp on oodles of macro projects.

yesterday my two supervisors and fellow intern treated me to tasty korean bbq (tofu, of course) at union market, a vanilla bean cupcake, thoughtful gifts, and a stroll through the franciscan monastery where i snapped some of the above pics. my experience at this internship has been truly heavenly and yesterday was the most perfect au revoir possible.

while i have worked with mentoring clients for years, having the opportunity to serve diverse clients with assorted struggles has been a true gift. since junior high i'd planned on being a therapist. in my early days of teaching yoga i saw the classes as a modified form of group therapy. then in may 2009, i decided it was time to pursue the practice further.

although there were many late night scholarly papers {including one due tomorrow}, last minute research done while leading retreats abroad, and over 1000 hours of internship at amtrak and n street village, i have grown in so many ways. for example, having a supervisor and not being in charge after many years of self-employment took some getting used to. working on a PC was an embarrassing struggle at times. creating my very first powerpoint presentation and hosting my first webinar left me a bit anxious. thank god for yoga. sitting down with my first client as their counselor was unnerving. learning organizational culture took some adjustment {you sure i can't wear peep toe wedges?} yep, only closed toe shoes in amtrak's safety sensitive environment.

one thing i've observed during this process is that ongoing evolution is therapeutic. incorporating tools and learning new skills feels good. the continual pushing of edges that we teach at tranquil space on the mat translates beautifully into everyday life.

the next six months will be filled with more evolution. learning additional skills while living and writing in france for six weeks {parlez-vous anglais?}, turning 40, traveling across north america in a vintage RV, taking online classes {just signed up for two through coursera}, playing host through air bnb, and more. although evolution is scary, it helps me feel alive. when done in baby steps, that is.

where do you feel a longing for evolution? are you interested in learning a new skill? exploring a new part of the city? doing a juice cleanse? learning a new language? try pushing your edges on a daily basis ever so slightly. nonjugdmentally observe what unfolds. sometimes we push too far, sometimes we explore too little. find the sweet spot in your evolution process. after all, you are perfect as you are. sometimes we simply need--and crave--a little creative enhancement. speaking of which, hope you like this blog's creative updo. all things are works in progress. bisous. x

wednesday well-being: 10 tasty treats

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly wilson) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 03:00:00 PDT

image courtesy of preston bailey

I can't hide that I'm no chef. Barely allowed in the kitchen, truth be told. I burn things that shouldn't burn. Like tops of toaster ovens. However, I can do some serious assembling and try to keep snacks on hand to nurture my fluctuating blood sugar. Here are a few nibble-worthy suggestions to grab on the go.

Grocery list:

Individual-sized containers of Greek yogurt

Mixed nuts

Nutrition bars

Eggs

Individual-sized cheese such as string cheese and Babybel

Apples

Bananas

Carrots

Celery

Whole wheat tortillas

Hummus

Granola

Dried fruit

Raw almonds

Brown rice cakes

All-natural nut butter

Snack list:

1. Greek yogurt: top with granola and slices of banana.

2. Nuts: keep some in your bag to pack a tasty punch of fiber and protein.

3. Nutrition bars: look for bars with 5 to 10 g of protein, little sugar, and less than 200 calories.

4. Hard-boiled eggs: protein-rich, low-calorie bite.

5. Individual sized cheese and fruit: pair your string cheese with a batch of grapes for a protein and sweet-filled snack.

6. Whole wheat tortilla and hummus: slather hummus or nut butter onto a whole wheat tortilla for a yummy protein-rich treat.

7. Granola mixed with dried fruit: mix up a small portion of granola and dried fruit with no sugar added. Sprinkle in almonds for more protein and crunch.

8. Brown rice cake topped with nut butter: this fluffy treat offers a nice blend of sweet and savory.

9. Carrots, celery, and hummus: dip your veggies into protein-rich hummus for a crunchy treat.

10. Apple: pack whole fruits such as apples or bananas. Tote an apple slicer to cut into bit-sized pieces. Top slices with nut butter for an additional protein.

What's your fave treat to tote? Bisous. x