Kimberly Wilson's Blog, page 130

winter's online book club pick

Happy, happy winter to you in the Northern Hemisphere.

I SO hope you enjoyed our fall book club pick, Paris Letters , and accompanying podcast. Thank you for your comments and feedback.

In honor of the new year's fresh start and a continual desire to simplify, simplify, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo felt like the perfect winter read.

Over the hollydaze, I've carved out a few full days to tackle the Pink Palace. With a grand goal of shedding 10-25% of everything contained in my 600-square-foot home, I'm quite motivated.

Yes, there will be photos and updates about the process on the blog and Instagram.

Please share your process, too, if you're also willing to tackle a drawer, closet, room, or entire home.

Happy tidying!

Savvy Sources:
Author's website
Slate article
The Guardian article
NYTimes article
Book review by The Unclutterer
10 tips to make you more tidy now

Reminder: To participate in our online book club, share thoughts, challenges, and insights about our chosen read in the comments section below.  

Merci for reading along. Find moi reading with you on Goodreads, too. Bisous. x

happy winter solstice

Today is the shortest day and longest night of the year for us in the Northern Hemisphere. After tonight, each day will get progressively longer and brighter. Happy, happy solstice!

As I sit in bed with a snoring pug to my left, a sprawled out kitty to my right, and all my accoutrements spread nearby {glasses, tea, Daybook, laptop}, I have a sense of wonder about all that's to come.

The hollydaze, a new year, more light, and creative projects. That coveted opportunity to start anew and shine brightly.

To enlighten, here's a bit of history on the solstice.

Tonight I'm meeting with my writing group to share prose, gain and give feedback, and write together at the National Cathedral. It feels like the perfectly restorative way to celebrate this special night.

Consider your own celebration. Light candles, sit fireside, sip bubbly, pen love notes, connect with a loved one, spend time in your journal. May this transition into more light fill you with an inner glow. Bisous. x

week in review

all smiles at team holiday fete
lap sharing moment
carolers stopped by the studio
le pug heading home from the vet
week in review took 5 teacher audition classestaught 5 classesbiked 10 milesgym jauntsocial work supervision sessionpart-time work at the women's centersaw a christmas carol at ford's theatrewriting consultation sessionvet with le pugteam member review team movie night at tranquil spacehair cut/color/curlhosted a mentoring session hosted tranquil space team holiday party at elizabeth's gone rawcoordinated awards for team holiday partydaybook shipping parties daylong mindfulness retreatdoctor's appointmenttracked heaps of packagespenned mindful monday italy retreat confirmation edits
weekend wish listsanta pic for le pugteach team yoga classdate with girlfriendhost mentoring sessionwriting group date at the national cathedralpen thank-yous
et toi? what's on your weekend wish list? bisous. x

mindful monday

Mindfulness is tidying up your attention. Everything about mindfulness is about relationship to what is happening. What's happening is less important than how we relate to what is happening. Life and healing has its own rhythm. Mindfulness helps us develop the skill to be different with our thinking, not to stop thinking. We seek intensity just to feel alive. Metta practice is to make everyone your friend without agreeing with them. Every moment of mindfulness erases moments of conditioning. Mantra: May I meet this moment fully, may I meet it as a friend. Each moment is pregnant with potential for watching the mind. The more we have compassion for ourselves, the more we can have compassion for others. -- Takeaways from mindfulness daylong with Sharon Salzberg and Sylvia Boorstein
On Saturday I had the pleasure of sitting with Sharon and Sylvia for a daylong mindfulness practice and penned the above takeaways into my ideas book. My favorite takeaway is the reminder that what's happening is less important than how we relate to what is happening. Juicy, eh?

When I woke up this morning, I had a feeling of downshifting. Being in overdrive mode for the past months producing, editing, and shipping the Anthology and Daybook , celebrating the studio's 15th year, releasing the TranquiliT fall collection, and honoring our team at last night's holiday fete, I'm experiencing a savory focus on exhalation.

Over the next few days, traffic will begin lightening. Emails, too. Parking will become available {a true treat for city-dwellers} and the holiday parties will come to an end. This gives us the opportunity to tidy up our attention, our homes, and our schedules.

All three are a focus of mine over the hollydaze: crafting an ideal 2015 schedule, decluttering the Pink Palace, and basking in down time. 

As you may know, what we focus on grows. May the final moments of 2014 allow you the space to focus on what you'd like to see grow in the new year. For a facilitated journey, join me on December 31 at Tranquil Space for a mini yoga and mindfulness retreat.

Finally, 60 minutes did a segment on mindfulness last night that you may enjoy watching. It's amazing to see the practice getting more and more attention.  

Wishing you a mindful Monday filled with ease and downshifting. Bisous. x

week in review

friday night packing party studio's festive decor jackson warming by the bedroom electric fire studio directors' holiday brunch stamp carving date with sara
december dreams
home practice thwarted
week in reviewtaught 4 yoga classestook 2 yoga classesco-taught 3.5-hour teacher training sessionpart-time therapy work at the women's centersavored a bed day with book, pets + le beaustamp carving play date with sarasent love note to subscriberssent invite to online daybook playshop to pre-orders penned piece on tranquility-infused offeringsreleased podcast #327 on the wardrobe codeshared things i love ordered spring TranquiliT swatchesshipped heaps of daybooks, ephemera packets + anthologieshosted a mentoring sessionpenned wednesday well-being: schedules had a nutrition consulting sessionpenned tranquilosophy: gratitude + GIVEAWAY {yay!} therapyrecorded daybook videodaylong social work workshophosted director's holiday brunchsavored many green smoothies date night with le beau + friendtea date with le beau + friendlaunched writing in the woods spring retreatread heaps of the life-changing habit of tidying up wax appointment

weekend wish listsavor sharon + sylvia mindfulness daylonghost fun team holiday party at elizabeths gone rawhost inspiring mentoring sessiongym jaunthair cut + color
et toi? what's on your weekend wish list?bisous. x

tranquilosophy: gratitude/giveaway

three treats ready to ship to you
This morning we hosted our annual Tranquil Space Directors' holiday brunch at Founding Farmers and I found myself filled with an amazing sense of gratitude. Gratitude for a stellar studio team that  handles a tremendous amount of projects around the clock, for supporters of my recent creative projects, and for you, my dear reader.

Musing here for over a decade has offered the opportunity to connect, grow, explore, and challenge myself in more ways than I could have ever imagined. And to think that there are other like-hearted people {like YOU!} around the globe similarly seeking more tranquility, meaning, and connection.

As a token of gratitude, I'm offering a giveaway of three amazing products:Year of Gratitude Kit, Vegan Tea Party Soap Box, Vegan Flower Soap Box from Uncommon Goods. I handpicked these three items as parfait for my readers and am excited to ship them your way. Who doesn't love {+ need} handmade soaps and snail mail thank yous? Consumables are truly to greatest gifts.


Based out of Brooklyn, Uncommon Goods supports artisans and designers, many who make the products by hand without harm to animals or people. So basically, our kind of community. Here's a bit on their holiday gifts, some fun stocking stuffers, and their Facebook page. I'm a fan!

Enter to win ONE of the THREE items in the giveaway:

1. Leave a comment below offering a tranquility tip for handling the hollydaze with ease.
2. Include your email addy.
3. Take three deep breaths before posting. {My tranquility tip}
4. Post your tranquility tip by Sunday, December 14 midnight ET.

Three winners will be randomly chosen and announced here on Monday, December 15.

In closing, I want to again express my gratitude for your support. We've truly come a long way together and I am excited to see what 2015 holds.

As we continue playing Santa here at the Pink Palace by shipping goodies your way, I hope you know how much love goes into each and every exchange. I bow to you and appreciate you. Bisous. x 

This post is courtesy of Uncommon Goods' beautiful offering of the three tranquility-enhancing items. Find them online here. 

wednesday well-being: schedules

Life is frittered away by details. Simplify, simplify, simplify. - Thoreau
This morning we turned the Pink Palace into a studio to record the new Daybook video. The above picture shows the shoot set, while the bottom one shows the confetti-infused packet {stuffed with info on our online playshop} set up. Clearly, our tiny dining table is most versatile.
Here's the video Le Beau produced highlighting the Daybook 's third edition:


A Daybook-filled cart was dropped at the post office today and you'll have them within a few days. Again, I can't thank you enough for your support. I'm in love with this version of the Daybook and so appreciate all of your input over the past two years of production.
Now to plan 2015, or whichever date you choose to begin. After all, it's the beauty of a dateless planner. Start anytime.
To make organizing your life through I've pulled together this simple how-to highlighting the 10 pieces of the weekly layout.

As we prepare for this brand new year, I'm contemplating the ideal schedule. Basically how to avoid wearing many hats throughout a day, so that I can focus on certain hats for longer stretches. Teacher hat. Therapist hat. Creative Director hat. Designer hat. Friend hat. Girlfriend hat. Pet mama hat. You get the idea. 
Interspersing more well-being throughout each day is an ongoing desire. Stretch breaks, yoga classes, gym jaunts, journal writing, tea with friends, and date nights are all critical pieces of weekly pie. In addition to the 24 Tranquility Tools, of course.
To me, well-being comes through savoring life's simple pleasures and setting ourselves up for success. For example, choreographer Twyla Tharp has a morning ritual of going to the gym and sets her clothing out the night before. That way she rolls out of bed, into her gym clothes, and out the door.
I strive to set myself up for success by planning my week on Sunday night, noting my most important tasks {MITs}, and making any necessary adjustments to provide optimal tranquility.
As you look at your weekly schedule, notice where you feel light and where you feel heavy. Where is it spacious and where does it feel crunched? Consider making some shifts in your schedule to start 2015 with a sense of delight. 
Would dedicating one night a week to cocktails with friends, another to your love life, one to volunteering, and another to your health while leaving the remaining three evenings flexible set you up for success? Or maybe two yoga nights a week plus one date night with the rest of the evenings free? Find a comfortable balance between work, play and, of course, health.
What small micromovements beckon your attention? Ponder what is and isn't working for you right now and adjust accordingly. Tiny shifts can make a big difference. 
Wishing you a schedule filled with deep breaths and well-being. Bisous. x

things i love

image courtesy of cover.dk1. feminine library

image courtesy of junebug weddings
2. ribbons tied to paper lanterns

 image courtesy of daily fix3. DIY decoupage bottle
image + how-to courtesy of sara plath4. homemade rug

image courtesy of a year to inspire5. beautiful art journal

tranquility-infused offerings

images snapped by readers using #tdjanthology

Bonjour

Below you'll find an assortment of tranquility-infused offerings. Some brand new {Writing in the Woods}, one that's shipping this week { Daybook }, one sold-out retreat with an open spot {Penning in Paris}, and more.

Most of my creative juices this year flowed toward the creation of two babies: Anthology and Daybook . Your support and feedback of these projects means so much. I truly can't say thank you enough.

Martha Graham's quote about keeping the channel open always comes to mind when I'm creating a new offering.

Friday night we had a friend over and were discussing these product releases and musing on what might be next. Bringing something into the world is such a joyous, exhilarating, exhausting emotional roller coaster.

I spent Sunday savoring a Bed Day and much of the weekend slumbering. It's as if I've come to the end of some sort of race and am settling in for winter's hibernation. Well, not until your Daybooks are shipped, of course!

Anthology
The Anthology {a compilation of my 10 years in the blogosphere sprinkled with photography} is now available on Amazon, via PDF, and signed copies from moi.

Feedback from a reader: "Kimberly, this book is absolutely exquisite astonishing in every way. I can feel the love you put into it with every turn of the page."

Bonus: Order three Anthologies to give as holiday gifts, and receive a complimentary yoga practice CD.

Review + Reward
Share a review of the Anthology on Amazon or Goodreads. Snap a photo of you with your book and share via social media using #tdjanthology.

Send moi a link to your review and/or photo plus your snail mail and I'll get a token of gratitude out to you. We all love snail mail, right?

Shop the Anthology.

Daybook
This full-color gem is locally printed on 100% post-consumer waste 80# recycled paper and, if you pre-ordered, will be heading your way this week.

Dateless with pink spiral binding plus weekly Tranquility Tips, journal prompts, thoughtful quotes, checklists, inspiration pages for your creative efforts, dates to remember, and more. 

Ooh la la, it’s a pink planner, lifestyle organizer, and wellness guide all in one. It's also now available via PDF.

Bonus: Order three Daybooks to give as holiday gifts and receive a complimentary yoga practice CD.
Shop the Daybook.



Ephemera 
This optional add-on comes with many tools to personalize your planner or Anthology. From a roll of washi tape to foil stars to ribbon for your bookmark to markers and stickers. $29, free US shipping.

Writing in the Woods
Our spring 2015 Art + Yoga retreat in WV is nearly sold-out, so I wanted to offer an additional way to work together in the woods AND focus on writing. Thus, the creation of this new offering: Writing in the Woods April 24-26. Spend a weekend dedicated to bringing your words to the world. Open to all levels of writers from journalers to published authors. Details and registration.


TranquiliT
Looking for a fun and comfy ensemble for holiday events and travel? My locally-sewn, eco-friendly line, TranquiliT, is a great option for mix-and-match wear, especially our essentials. Use code KARMA at checkout and save 15%. Shop TranquiliT.

Penning in Paris
In June we're off to Paris for a 5-day writing adventure and one spot has opened in this sold-out retreat. If you're interested in diving into the art of writing in the City of Light, join us. Details and registration.

May these offerings sprinkle a bit more tranquility into our lives. Breathe deeply. Pen your thoughts. Open your heart. Take a nap. Let go. Merci beaucoup for your support. Bisous. x

tranquility du jour #327: the wardrobe code

Welcome to the 327th edition of Tranquility du Jour. Today's show features Nicole Longstreath of the Wardrobe Code on the myth of being effortlessly stylish, gaining style clarity, and creating signature style.

A BIG thank you for your support of my latest creative babies: Anthology and Daybook . Give the gift of tranquility this holiday {purchase 3 copies of either} and receive a complimentary yoga CD of your choice. Merci beaucoup for spreading tranquility over the hollydaze and beyond.


Direct download: Tranquility du Jour #327: The Wardrobe Code (mp3)


Featured Guest: Nicole Longstreath is on a mission to save women from chaos in their closets and lack of clarity in their wardrobes. She is founder of The Wardrobe Code and a wardrobe stylist working with women in Orange County and across the globe.

Nicole began her journey as a stylist with a unusual “guerrilla shopping” experiment in 2010. At the end of the experiment, she had a new wardrobe and a new vision of what building a wardrobe should be like. Since then, she has been working with women to help them build personal brands that command attention and influence.

Nicole believes that all women are entitled to their own, unique brand of personal style, regardless of age, size, shape or budget. You can find her at her home base, theWardrobeCode.com, on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram all using the handle: theWardrobeCode.Savvy Sources:Website: thewardrobecode.com
Seasonal online book club pick: Paris Letters Tranquility du Jour iPhone and Android app
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