Kimberly Wilson's Blog, page 64
January 24, 2019
Our 15 Years Podcast
Tuesday was our 15-year anniversary. In 2004 we met online and after witty banter (his, not mine) back and forth, we realized we lived across the street from each other. A week later, we met in person on Thursday, January 22 at 10pm after I finished at the studio.
We arrived at the same time and made our way to the bar of a hip spot around the corner, Local 16. I sipped champagne, he sipped beer. At the end of the date, he said, “I’ll call you.” My response, “When?!” And the rest, as they say, is history.
Here’s a few previous posts about our journey: 2009, 2013, 2014.
We’re going to record a podcast discussing our journey that’s included deep loss (we’re still mourning Louis), working together for over a decade, co-parenting of numerous creatures (furry and finned . . . he accidentally killed my beloved goldfish, Fishey, and you see I’ve let it go), being childless by choice, not getting hitched, lessons we’ve learned along the way, and more.
If you have a question you’d like us to answer or muse on, please send it my way.
What did we do for our 15-year anniversary? He co-hosted an event at REI and I worked with clients, then discussed pet loss and grief on a two-hour veterinary social work supervision call. Then we got us a big slice of pizza and we were asleep by 10.
I hope you’ll enjoy this upcoming extra segment of Tranquility du Jour. You’ll also find your bi-weekly episode releasing on Monday featuring an interview with Christine Mason Miller on her new book, The Meandering River of Unfathomable Joy. Pssst, and a giveaway of one copy! Bisous. x
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January 21, 2019
Middle-Aged Ballerina One Year Later
To dance is to be out of yourself. Larger, more beautiful, more powerful. This is power, it is glory on earth and it is yours for the taking.—Agnes De Mille
Inspired after seeing a ballet at Versailles last Christmas, one year ago I donned ballet slippers and a chiffon skirt, and stepped into my first beginner class at The Washington Ballet.
As the pianist played and I attempted pirouettes and pliés, I felt something move deep inside of me (heh, Tim says it was me pulling a hammie). Here’s a post I wrote about my return. Since that first foray back into ballet, I’ve been going to classes a few times a week and grow more in love with the artistic dance in each practice.
I mean, let’s be honest, what’s not to love about pink skirts and slippers, a piano accompanist, feminine movement, and deep mental/physical challenge?
Although I still struggle each week in the very class where I began last year, I’ve observed slight progress. I’m more familiar with the terms, able to remember some of the barre combinations, and feel myself opening and expanding with each port de bras.
Merce Cunningham summed it up beautifully, “You have to love dancing to stick with it. It gives you nothing back, no manuscripts to store away, no paintings to show on walls and maybe hang in museums, no poems to be printed and sold, nothing but that single fleeting moment when you feel alive.”
Dance, be free, open wide, be a beginner, feel deeply, let go, move into who you are. Better yet, move into who you are while wearing a pink chiffon skirt. Bisous. x
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January 19, 2019
March + Manifesto
My idea of feminism is self-determination, and it’s very open-ended: every woman has the right to become herself, and do whatever she needs to do.—Ani DiFranco
After recording a 42-minute bonus podcast (for TDJ app users and Year of Tranquility purchasers) sharing the story of bringing the book to life, I headed downtown to support the Women’s March. Although I didn’t have a pink hat, I hoped the coat would suffice. And, yes, I realize my hair was a mess. Messy hair, don’t care. Or so they say.
While close to the stage, we were moved hearing from members of the Women’s March board and activists from Standing Rock. Seeing a sea of pink hats and empowering signs while listening to chants and speeches left me fired up and eager for action.
During undergrad I was exposed to women’s studies and my world has never been the same. It opened my eyes to the many ways women face injustice daily—at home, at work, in the community, and beyond. When I started my yoga studio, Tranquil Space, in 1999, my goal was to create a safe space for women to grow and connect.
In 2004 I finished a master’s in women’s studies program where I was exposed to Gertrude Stein, Simone de Beauvoir, Charlotte Perkins Gilman (you simply must read “The Yellow Wallpaper”), bell hooks, Mary Wollstonecraft, Maxine Hong Kingston, and Betty Friedan, to name a few. There’s so much to learn and I’m forever grateful for those who have helped paved the path for us so far.
Next Saturday Tim and I are heading to NYC for the day to see Gloria: A Life, a play about the life of feminist icon Gloria Steinem. She’s quoted as saying, “A feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full humanity of women and men.” I think we can ALL get behind that!
When creating Year of Tranquility, I updated the manifesto and have included it below. Note the inclusion of equality, responsibility, freedom, and compassion. That, my dear readers, is why I march. Bisous. x
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January 18, 2019
Video + Gratitude
After a full day of seeing clients, I arrived home late Wednesday night to my copies of Year of Tranquility and it felt so yummy to hold it in my hands. It’s a great size to work in (8×10) and my designer did an amazing job bringing it to life.
Here’s one email comment I received that made me smile:
I just got my copy of Year of Tranquility in the mail! WOW – it is really beautiful. It is even more packed with ideas than I realized it would be — and all presented so well — between your writing and your graphic designer’s talents — well, obviously I am blown away!
To give you a peek inside and share the book’s story, I recorded this video. I’ll also be releasing a private podcast for Tranquility du Jour app subscribers where I share more about the process. Stay tuned!
A BIG thanks to everyone who helped make this book happen: Tim Mooney (helpful input and was okay with me working through the holidays), Christy Jenkins (designer extraordinaire), Carol Meyers (creative input and eagle eyes), AMAZING beta readers (you were invaluable), early reviewers (Flora Bowley, Gail McMeekin, Beth M. Howard, Sharon Gannon, Jamie Cat Callan, Christine Mason Miller), 2018 YOT participants, and YOU. It takes a village!
Once you get your copy from Amazon, head over HERE to grab your three bonus treats.
Please share your book photos online using #yearoftranquility and if you have a moment to pen a review on Amazon, I’d so appreciate it. I’m SO grateful for YOUR support! Bisous. x
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January 15, 2019
Tranquility in the Tropics + Tuscany
The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.—Saint Augustine
Picture yourself waking up in one of these tranquil settings: tropical and lush surrounded by coffee plantations or Mediterranean surrounded by olive groves and vineyards.
This year I’m hosting two international, week-long escapes to Costa Rica and Italy and, of course, you’re invited.
Both adventures include daily mindfulness, yoga, and creativity practices for all levels coupled with delicious vegetarian local cuisine, a tranquility-filled goody bag, and optional excursions and spa treatments.
A day jaunt to Cinque Terra is included in our Italy retreat. Lonely Planet describes it, “Set amid some of the most dramatic coastal scenery on the planet, these five ingeniously constructed fishing villages can bolster the most jaded of spirits.”
Imagine hitting the pause button on daily life to reinvigorate yourself spiritually, emotionally, and creatively. That’s what these experiences provide. For nearly two decades I’ve been offering retreats that serve as balm for the soul.
Here’s what one yearly participant, Hilary, had to say about her experience:
You can find many yoga retreats to Costa Rica, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find one as special as Kimberly’s. I have been three years in a row and would go again in a heartbeat. As the name suggests, this retreat is a unique blend of yoga, mindfulness, and creativity. It’s a perfect retreat to go to on your own. Kimberly creates a warm, friendly, and inviting space and then let’s you take what you need and leave the rest. It’s an ideal combination of group time, personal time, and do-whatever-you-feel-like time at a beautiful eco-chic resort with yummy food, a welcoming staff, and heavenly pool. It’s a mix of lovely ingredients that make for a magical week. And the secret sauce is Kimberly, herself. She puts an incredible amount of thought into every aspect of the program—from the extra suitcase of art journaling supplies she brings, to the essential oils she dots on your wrist during savasana, and the goodie bags she creates for each yogi. Treat yourself to the experience, and you won’t be disappointed.
For photos and more about Costa Rica, click here. For photos and more about Italy, click here.
If you’re looking for an intentional reset, the opportunity to deepen your connection to mindfulness, yoga, or creativity, or interested in exploring a colorful country with a group, I hope you’ll join us!
Have questions? Reach out and I’d be happy to answer them for you. Bisous. x
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January 14, 2019
Tranquility du Jour #439: Give A Sh*t
Happy 2019! In this week’s edition of Tranquility du Jour, Ashlee Piper and I discuss her book Give A Sh*t. Learn ways to simplify, save money, and do good for your health, animals, and the environment. Plus, she’s such a lively interviewee!
New to Tranquility du Jour? Learn more here.
Join me bi-weekly Love Notes and access Tranquil Treasures.
Direct download: Tranquility du Jour #439: Give A Sh*t
Upcoming Events
4-Week Tranquility Salon in DC: Starts January 20 {1 spot left}
Tranquility in the Topics: February 16-23, 2019 in Costa Rica {3 spots left}
TDJ Live: March 24 at 8pm {Free, online}
Tranquility in Tuscany: July 13-20, 2019 in Italy {8 spots left}
Guest: Ashlee Piper
Ashlee Piper
is a political strategist turned vegan and eco-lifestyle expert, writer, and TV personality whose work has been featured in/on GLAMOUR, Refinery29, Apartment Therapy, Design*Sponge, Women’s Health, Reader’s Digest, The Chalkboard, Mind Body Green, VegNews, Vegetarian Times, AOL, NBC, CBS, ABC, and FOX News, to name a few. (Reel here)
Her book on stylish, sustainable living, Give a Sh*t: Do Good. Live Better. Save the Planet. (Running Press) debuted June 2018 and can be purchased here.
Piper is also a brand strategist and influencer for some of the world’s most ethical and innovative companies. Her clients and collaborations include: LUSH, Eileen Fisher, Airbnb, bkr., Kia Motors, Jill Milan, Olivine Atelier, Home Chef, Nicora Shoes, Vegan Cuts, Follow Your Heart, So Delicious, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and The Humane Society of the United States.
Prior to dedicating herself to eco-evangelism, Piper was a political strategist and cabinet-level advisor to some of the country’s most high-profile politicians and governmental organizations, including Governors Mitt Romney and Deval Patrick, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where she worked on campaign and policy strategy surrounding universal healthcare, child welfare, and public housing.
She holds a BA from Brown University, an MA from the University of Oxford, UK, and a degree in Holistic Health from The Institute for Integrative Nutrition and Columbia University. She is a 12+ year veteran of Best Buddies, International, a volunteer and adopter with the Anti-Cruelty Society, and a Board Member of HEART, Humane Education Advocates Reaching Teachers. Ashlee lives in Chicago, IL.
Savvy Sources
Website: ashleepiper.com
Book: ashleepiper.com/book/
Facebook: facebook.com/thelilfoxes
Instagram: instagram.com/ashleepiper/
Twitter: twitter.com/TheLilFoxes
Mentioned in the Podcast
Leaping Bunny-approved brands
Year of Tranquility is now available and comes with three bonuses!
New Year’s TDJ Live
Tranquility du Jour app
Social Media
Eye candy on Instagram
Pin along with me on Pinterest
Let’s connect on Facebook
Follow moi on Twitter
Watch via YouTube
More Tranquility
Shop seasonless, vegan, locally-made, eco-friendly fashion: TranquiliT
Browse my 6 Books
Tranquility-filled E-courses
Download the Tranquility du Jour Podcast App: iPhone and Android
Read about my passion for animals
Favor
Pen a review on iTunes and/or share this podcast via social media.
Pen a review of my books on Amazon or Goodreads.
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 download the podcast “automagically” on iOS or Android
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January 13, 2019
She’s Here!
Happy Snow Day from Washington, DC!
I’m delighted to share that Year of Tranquility* is now available on Amazon. Insert confetti toss!
Once purchased from Amazon, head HERE to grab your bonuses.
Simply insert your Amazon order number and voilà, you’ll be whisked away for treats: a one-hour workshop (available January 22), 25 colorful PDFs, and a French-inspired Spotify playlist!
Thank you SO much for your support and enthusiasm about this new book. I hope you love it and find it to be meaningful tool to live with more ease! Bisous. x
* Affiliate link.
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January 12, 2019
Where’s Year of Tranquility? {+ Daybook}
You know what they say about the best-laid plans, right?
Well, Wednesday night as my designer was uploading the final draft, she got an error message and called support. They informed her that an 8×10 had been chosen as the size (I did as much backend setup as I could) and she was uploading an 8.5×11.
When she told me, I replied, “Yes, the book is supposed to be 8×10.” Oops, that meant a new layout to fix the size.
After she spent all day Thursday redesigning to fit the 8×10 format, we went back and forth for four hours finalizing the final, final draft. She uploaded it shortly before 2AM. My heart raced and we sent each out celebratory emojis before crawling into bed.
Friday morning I woke up at 7:30AM and checked Amazon. Nothing yet! My Mom got so excited that she bought 52 Weeks of Tranquility on Amazon. I reminded her that was my 2015 book and she already had it. Sweet thing!
I continued to hit refresh on Amazon all day and then late last night I received an email that there were a couple minor issues that had to be fixed. My designer’s working on them now and opened up Pandora’s box when she texted, “If you want to read through one more time for typos, there’s now time.”
My name is Kimberly and I love to edit, tweak, adjust, and edit some more. Thank goodness my designer is incredibly patient.
So, we’re working on the final, final, final draft of the 230-page Year of Tranquility delight right now and then we both get our lives back. At least for a few days.
There’s another project coming down the pike: Tranquility du Jour Daybook.
On Sunday’s TDJ Live, many of you mentioned how important it had been to you and how you were missing it. It got me thinking. Since Year of Tranquility is a BIG picture lifestyle planner (not day-to-day) and I can update the last Daybook version to match our current look, why not create one and offer it on Amazon for you?
Amazon doesn’t offer a spiral-bound option, but for those who love spiral, it’s easy peasy to take any book to Kinkos or a similar store and have the perfect binding chopped off and a spiral inserted. Voilà!
We’ll redesign an evergreen, dateless Tranquility du Jour Daybook with all your favorites including weekly layouts. While I know everyone has their your 2019 planners, these won’t sell out (like the limited runs done with former versions over the years), can be started at anytime, and help us infuse our days with tranquility. Plus it’s pretty and pink!
Okay, back to my designer to truly tie a bow around Year of Tranquility. As always, I promise to keep you posted and thank you SO much for your enthusiasm and support! Bisous. x
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January 10, 2019
Creative Space + Projects
A peek into my chaotic creative space. Whew, it’s been a wild ride over here in the pink palace. Piles of Year of Tranquility drafts, thank-you notes to write, cups of green tea, candles, books, markers, highlighters, a laptop, and washi tape are strewn across my desk.
Since concocting the idea to blend the Playbook and Year of Tranquility online program into a book, I’ve been working on it nonstop. Yes, even on Christmas and New Year’s. Poor Tim.
After a month of organizing, editing, and writing, Year of Tranquility: A Lifestyle Planner may be available on Amazon tomorrow. {fingers crossed}
She’ll also come with a few perks: a 1-hour workshop, over 25 downloadable PDFs, and a French-inspired Spotify playlist.
Thanks heaps for your enthusiasm and support around this new project. I’ll be back in touch when she’s available. I can’t wait for you to meet her! Details at kimberlywilson.com/yot.
P.S. Here’s a peek into Sunday’s TDJ Live. Thanks so much for joining us. The replay is available here.
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January 7, 2019
TDJ Live Gratitude, Replay + Giveaway
Thank you for joining last night’s Tranquility du Jour Live.
GRATITUDE: I SO appreciate you tuning in from Japan, France, Canada, and across the US to reflect, set intentions, and consider small shifts. WHAT a fun group we had and such a lovely way to launch this new year together. It was an honor, as always, to host you.
GIVEAWAY: All these gorgeous images were spotted online with #TDJLive, thank you for posting your creativity! During the event I announced a giveaway of my new book. The winner was chosen randomly using a number generator and the winner is . . . Robin Charlene, Instagram @robincharlene. Congrats, Robin! Please reach out with your snail mail address and I’ll get a signed copy of Year of Tranquility out to you.
If you have an image, takeaway, next step, or ripple effects from our experience, please share. I love hearing how these events impact you!
REPLAY: If you missed us live or want to rewatch the gathering, the one-hour video recording will be available TONIGHT and is now available for pre-sale. A portion of all Tranquility du Jour sales benefit Pigs & Pugs Project.
SAVE THE DATE: Our next TDJ Live is Sunday, March 24.
May you find nourishment, ease, and tranquility this year. And beyond. Bisous. x
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