Kimberly Wilson's Blog, page 112

Week in Pics + Savvy Sources

Bonjour

This week was a smattering of volunteering, penning dreams, baking {oh my!}, doing yoga, teaching, writing, seeing clients, and enjoying TWO date nights with Tim.

In between I released a podcast on being overwhelmed {anyone relate?}, saw the latest Steve Jobs movie, listened to Drew Barrymore talk about her new book at Sixth and I, met with a Studio Director over masala tea at Pansaari, and sent a resource-filled eblast to my TranquiliT subscribers.

My overarching focus for the week was regaining control of my schedule to ensure more whole foods {less pizza}, daily meditation, and rising at 7am to write.

While I didn’t get it right each day, I remind myself that it’s often two steps forward, one step back. Coupled with a BIG dose of effort and self-care, of course.

Wishing you a delicious transition into your weekend. Bisous. x

A Peek into Last Week’s Journey

Taking a me moment between appointments
Heels, Parfait Pants and Riesling
Mookie in his hoodie
Stopped to snap fall foliage outside Hospice before volunteering
Vegan cheese {thanks Tim} + rose tea for breakfast {don’t judge}
Vegan pumpkin scone baking

Savvy Sources

The Irony of Attachment

NY Times: Tracey Stewart’s Animal Planet

Cheryl Strayed on Writing

NY Times: Lady Gaga and the Life of Passion

Borneo is Burning: Support Red Apes

Cheryl Strayed Writing Prompts

Everything Doesn’t Happen for a Reason

Tracey Stewart on NPR: Life After The Daily Show is All About the Animals

What I’m Reading

From Where You Dream by Robert Olen Butler

Wildflower by Drew Barrymore

The Gift of Therapy by Irvin Yalom

{More on Goodreads}

Weekend Wish list

Yummy yoga

Teach inspiring mindfulness workshop

Brunch dates with girlfriends

Miss You Already matinee with girlfriend

Decorate envelopes for shipping Daybooks

Savor time with the animals at Burleigh Manor Animal Sanctuary

The post Week in Pics + Savvy Sources appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.

Daybooks ship *next week*

I’ve just received word that these beauties are en route to DC. Upon receipt, they’ll be lovingly packed with a few surprises and sent your way next week!

There are only 75 copies left, so if you’d like one, grab it today. We’ll also have a few available at Tranquil Space studios.

Here’s to 2016 being beautiful AND organized {picture raised glass of bubbly}. Thank you for your support of this project. Bisous. x

 

 

The post Daybooks ship *next week* appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.

Tranquilosophy: Self-Care

Week 44: Self-Care
It’s 9pm when I walk through the door. I greet my loved ones, open the refrigerator and reach for a cold-pressed green juice, pour crystallized lemon into my K Anthropologie mug, top it with boiling water, and then head to the bath for a long soak. This is an ideal evening of good self-care.

An example of the opposite is coming home after a long day and heading straight to my desk, popping open my laptop and continuing to work on additional projects—clothing line, studio, writing and, the ultimate drain, email.

When my clients express frustration with emotional regulation and reactivity, the first thing I ask is about their self-care. Often I’ll hear a sigh and notice a shift in their posture.

Yes, sleep has been inadequate lately. Yes, they’ve been eating poorly. Yes, their yoga classes have been skipped. Yes, there’s a sense of overwhelm with little relief in sight.

And, yes, self-care has been placed on the back burner, they confess. Who has time for that? Does this sound or feel familiar?

We often treat self-care as a cherry on top—something that can be done when all the other to-dos have been checked. Read the rest of this piece by signing up for Love Notes.

Already signed up? Unlock Tranquil Treasures and click on the 52 Weeks tab.

52 Weeks of Tranquility

A complimentary program is designed to help us stay motivated and engaged in 2015. Only 8 weeks left!

To find support and community, join our private Facebook group and use hashtag #52weekstranquility to create additional online connections.

Connect live by calling in to Seasonal Tranquilosophy podcasts. Our next one is the New Year, New You jumpstart on January 4, 2016.

Can’t join us live? Recordings are available.

The post Tranquilosophy: Self-Care appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.

Tranquility du jour #352: Overwhelmed

Overwhelmed with Brigid Schulte. Learn her secrets to making work, love, and play work, tips to move toward time serenity, and the importance of unplugging.

Direct download: Tranquility du Jour #352: Overwhelmed

Featured Guest:

Brigid Schulte is the author of the New York Times bestselling book on time pressure, Overwhelmed: Work, Love & Play when No One has the Time. She has spoken all over the world about how to make time for The Good Life by redesigning work cultures to focus on effective work and innovation, by re-imagining gender roles for a fairer division of labor and opportunity at work and home and, instead of seeking status in busyness, by recapturing the value of leisure. She is an award-winning journalist for The Washington Post and The Washington Post Magazine. She was part of the team that won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the Virginia Tech massacre. She is also a senior fellow at the New America Foundation. She lives in Alexandria, Virginia, with her husband, Tom Bowman, a reporter for National Public Radio, and their two children. She grew up in Portland, Oregon and spent her summers with family in Wyoming, where she did not feel overwhelmed.

Savvy Sources:

You can follow her work at the Washington Post
Sign up for her occasional newsletter, Toward Time Serenity, on the art and science of The Good Life: brigidschulte.com.
Join the ongoing discussion about making time for work, love and play on her Facebook page and on Twitter, @BrigidSchulte
Join my complimentary 52 Weeks of Tranquility Program
Tranquilosophy Fall Seasonal Podcast mp3
Fall’s online book club pick: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Sign up for weekly Love Notes and access Tranquil Treasures
Podcast app: Tranquility du Jour iPhone and Android

Upcoming Events:

Mini Retreat in DC: December 31

2016

Art + Asana in Costa Rica: February 13-20
8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in DC: Starts February 26
Art + Yoga in West Virginia: May 13-15
Penning in Paris: June 6-10
Art + Asana in Tuscany: Fall TBA
Writing in the Woods: October TBA

Stay Connected:

New to Tranquility du Jour? Peruse my FAQs.
Tranquility University E-courses.
Read along on Goodreads.
Connect on Facebook.
Follow on Twitter.
Pin along on Pinterest.
Eye candy on Instagram.
Browse my books.
Read about my passion for animals.
Pen a review on iTunes.

Techy:

To listen, 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 to get the latest episode as released.
Get the Tranquility du Jour apps to get the podcast automagically on iOS or Android.

The post Tranquility du jour #352: Overwhelmed appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.

Happy All Saints’ Day: Pen Nov Dreams

Bonjour from the Pink Palace. Sunlight is dancing through the garden’s trees, Mookie is snoring, and I’m savoring a slow start with a cuppa ginger tea.

Last night while many were trick-or-treating, I was penning my November dreams. I know, I know, I never was the cool kid. Above is a photo of what I created using a paper envelope from Flow magazine.

October’s travel shifted my routine and left me feeling unbalanced, so there is a big focus around creativity and overall self-care.

In addition, I’ve started using meditation apps {Mindfulness, Headspace, Insight Timer} to track my sits. Seeing data is sure to help keep me accountable.

This month officially launches us into holiday season. Take a moment to reflect on how you want to show up. Note priorities, values, and feelings. Gather a Sharpie, washi tape, and ephemera.

Think about how you want to feel at the end of this month and what you want to have experienced. Put it in writing. Yep, with a permanent marker.

In addition to penning November dreams, I did dress up poor Mookie in various looks. He clearly loved it! Sigh.

Next up, writing and making vegan pumpkin scones for tonight’s writing group. I’ll post photos on Instagram. Wish me luck, I’m not much in the kitchen.

May your November be filled with gratitude, love, and freshly baked treats. Bisous. x

The post Happy All Saints’ Day: Pen Nov Dreams appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.

Week in Review

 

Bonjour

Last weekend we had a whirlwind adventure to NYC for Farm Sanctuary‘s Gala.

The photo above shows us at the cocktail hour where we noshed on vegan hors d’oeuvres {fishless tacos, beefless wellington, crabless cakes} and sipped wine.

Jon and Tracey Stewart were the honorees and announced {video} that their New Jersey farm will now become part of the Farm Sanctuary family.

Oh, and they adopted the two piglets I met in August! Their antics can be found at The Daily Squeal {cutest name ever}.

Last week Tracey’s book Do Unto Animals released and it’s a gem for animal lovers everywhere.

Confession: I danced so much that my knees and hip have been hurting ever since. I offer extreme gratitude to yoga, green juice, and Advil for their role in my overdancing healing process.

A Pic Peek Into Last Week’s Journey

Last night’s Speciesism exhibit by Dana Ellyn
Saturday’s Farm Sanctuary Gala at The Plaza
Me + Tim at the Gala
Me + my new pig painting
Veg brunch at Teaism with girlfriend
Pic from The Phillips Collection Member Mag {me + Tim in the front at their recent Phillips after 5 event}

Savvy Sources

Rescuers visit the pig they helped save

A person you should know piece on Chris Guillibeau

How walking vitalizes the meanderings of the mind

Skinny scarves are BIG this season {check out TranquiliT’s}

Setting boundaries is essential to your empowerment

Inside the lives of chickens {this one strolls around Brooklyn!}

World’s oldest yoga teacher reveals her longevity tips

Famous writers on keeping a diary

Weekend Dreams

Indulge in yoga

Indulge in writing

Indulge in reading

Sit fireside with rescue pets

Serve others while volunteering at hospice

Share and support at writing group

Wishing you a happy halloween and delightful weekend ahead. Bisous. x

The post Week in Review appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.

Tranquilosophy: Body Scan

Week 43: Body Scan

It’s mid-afternoon on a sunny June day with a slight breeze and sounds of singing birds. I’m on the floor looking up at the exposed wooden beams in a large room at Omega—a spiritual retreat center in upstate New York.

Jon Kabat-Zinn is walking 200 therapists through a 45-minute body scan as I struggle to keep my eyes open. His voice is soothing and, well, has a tendency to lull me to sleep.

I make it through the toes to the hips and wake up while he’s referencing the ears. Gasp, I’ve missed most of the body scan! And, truth be told, this continued the rest of the week.

A body scan is considered a deep investigation into the moment-to-moment experiences of the body. It’s an important part of the 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction course created by Jon in the 1970s and now taught globally. The practice encourages a shift from the busy thinking mind to all the parts of the body.

The practice begins at the toes and travels all the way up to the top of the head. It’s used to bring awareness to your body without judging its aches and pains. To say “hello” to your body with a sense of loving-kindness and to release the stress, tension, or tightness you may be holding.

Martha Graham noted that “the body says what words cannot” and a body scan gives us the opportunity to pay attention. Read the rest of this piece by signing up for Love Notes.

Already signed up? Unlock Tranquil Treasures and click on the 52 Weeks tab. Try the yummy body scan mp3 in Tranquil Treasures.

52 Weeks of Tranquility

A complimentary program is designed to help us stay motivated and engaged in 2015. Only 9 weeks left!

To find support and community, join our private Facebook group and use hashtag #52weekstranquility to create additional online connections.

Connect live by calling in to Seasonal Tranquilosophy podcasts. Our next one is the New Year, New You jumpstart on January 4, 2016.

Can’t join us live? Recordings are available.

The post Tranquilosophy: Body Scan appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.

Tranquility du Jour #351: At Home with Madame Chic

At Home with Madame Chic with Jennifer Scott. Learn her secrets to a fulfilling life at home, why details matter, and what it truly means to be chic.

Direct download: Tranquility du Jour #351: At Home with Madame Chic

 

Featured Guest: Jennifer Scott

Jennifer L. Scott is the New York Times bestselling author of Lessons from Madame Chic, At Home with Madame Chic and Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic (Simon & Schuster) and creator of the blog The Daily Connoisseur. She is a contributing writer for Huffington Post Style and has been featured on CNN, BBC, and CBS News, and in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, USA Today, Newsweek, and The Daily Mail. She lives with her family in Los Angeles, California.

 

Savvy Sources:

Website: jenniferlscott.com
Facebook: facebook.com/JenniferLScottAuthor
Twitter: twitter.com/JL_Scott
Instagram: instagram.com/dailyconnoisseur/
YouTube: youtube.com/user/TheDailyConnoisseur
Books: jenniferlscott.com/books/
Jennifer’s first interview on Tranquility du Jour
Join my complimentary 52 Weeks of Tranquility Program
Tranquilosophy Fall Seasonal Podcast mp3
Fall’s online book club pick: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Sign up for weekly Love Notes and access Tranquil Treasures
Podcast app: Tranquility du Jour iPhone and Android

Upcoming Events:

Mini Retreat in DC: December 31

2016

Art + Asana in Costa Rica: February 13-20
8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in DC: Starts February 26
Art + Yoga in West Virginia: May 13-15
Penning in Paris: June 6-10
Art + Asana in Tuscany: Fall TBA
Writing in the Woods: October TBA

Stay Connected:

New to Tranquility du Jour? Peruse my FAQs.
Tranquility University E-courses.
Read along on Goodreads.
Connect on Facebook.
Follow on Twitter.
Pin along on Pinterest.
Eye candy on Instagram.
Browse my books.
Read about my passion for animals.
Pen a review on iTunes.

Techy:

To listen, 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 to get the latest episode as released.
Get the Tranquility du Jour apps to get the podcast automagically on iOS or Android.

The post Tranquility du Jour #351: At Home with Madame Chic appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.

Week in Review

Bonjour

from the Pink Palace in Washington, DC. After this month’s travel to Portland and Italy, it feels good to be stationary . . . for the moment.

Tomorrow we’re dashing up to NYC for a quick 24 hours to attend Farm Sanctuary’s Gala where the lovely Tracey and Jon Stewart will be honored. Her book Do Unto Animals released this week and is AMAZING! Pick it up, you won’t be disappointed.

With the recent travel, I’ve missed my Week in Reviews. Setting aside time to review the week’s experiences and plan the weekend’s adventures has become a grounding tool for me over the years.

However, this week {and possibly moving forward} I’m simply sharing photos from the past week, dreams for the weekend, and an assortment of Savvy Sources I’ve curated just for you.

Things constantly evolve in Tranquility du Jour’s world headquarters {my teeny tiny Pink Palace} and my desire remains to offer tranquility tools while sharing my own adventures {and struggles} on this journey.

Above pic peek into the past week’s journey

Tranquility du Jour Daybook presale
Tranquil Space’s fall decor
Moi, Mama + Mookie {who always looks terrified} sending Mama home
Mookie cuteness
In Italy loving my new faux leather skirt
A peek inside the new Daybook
A “balanced” brekkie this week {green smoothie, peony rose tea, and donuts}
Found a Laduree store in Lucca, Italy
And, of course, stepped inside

Savvy Sources

How the Sausage Gets Made {A great piece on the truth behind the gloss}

Gretchen Rubin’s 5 Favorite Books on Writing

Every Thing You Own Is a Relationship You’re In

Esther the Wonder Pig is Wondrous Indeed

From Becoming a Genius to Going Sugar-FreeHow to Avoid the Trap of Constantly Being Busy

Weekend Dreams

Learn lots at the Daring Way Intensive for therapists

Savor my time honoring Farm Sanctuary’s work in NYC

Read, write, and review design documents during 8-hour train travel

Yummy yoga class at Jivamukti followed by tea time with girlfriend

Organize mound of paperwork

Plan the week ahead with ample spaciousness

Tranquil Treasures

Sign up for my weekly Love Notes and receive access to this vault of treasures.

Lost the password? Never fear, look at your past editions of the Love Notes and you’ll find it in the opening section.

Au Revoir

May your weekend be filled with your favorite things. Take a moment to feel sunshine on your skin {it’s pouring through the window as I write}, sip an abundance of tea, go pumpkin picking, and reconsider your relationship to your to-dos. Bisous. x

The post Week in Review appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.

Tranquilosophy: Productivity

Week 42: Productivity

Wondering how to conquer your never-ending to-do list or avoid the head spinning that comes with putting out fire after fire?

When asked how I juggle various projects, I give full credit to writing everything down—getting it out of my head and onto paper. Yes, everything. With a gold pen.

I carry my Daybook, an ideas book, and, occasionally, a journal. In order to be productive, I must stay mindful and organized.

One helpful tool is clarifying weekly, and sometimes daily, MITs (most important tasks). Noting what must be accomplished that day/week helps put the rest of the to-dos in perspective.

Yes, laundry needs to be done, but not before the document due is reviewed.

Also, break projects into smaller tasks, so instead of “launch fall collection,” try “choose colors and order lab dips.” This lessens overwhelm and breaks big chunks into bite-sized pieces.

Read the rest of this piece by signing up for Love Notes.

Already signed up? Unlock the Tranquil Treasures page and click on the 52 Weeks archives tab.

52 Weeks of Tranquility

A complimentary program is designed to help us stay motivated and engaged in 2015.

To find support and community, join our private Facebook group and use hashtag #52weekstranquility to create additional online connections.

Connect live by calling in to Seasonal Tranquilosophy podcasts. Our next one is the New Year, New You jumpstart on January 4, 2016.

Can’t join us live? Recordings are available.

The post Tranquilosophy: Productivity appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.