Kimberly Wilson's Blog, page 93

Week in Review {Pics + Links}

Week in Review

Sunday night I’m hosting over a dozen ladies in my home (and dozens more online) to celebrate my first book’s 10th birthday. I have treats for their goody bags, bubbly, vegan cupcakes (Tim’s baking), and macarons. Twinkle lights, silver garland, and evergreen are hung (more to be added). Candles and a fire will be lit. HTC10 will be an intimate, sensory-filled two-hour celebration.

One major piece of the event is reflecting on the past decade and dreaming up the next. Annie Dillard’s quote, “How we spend our days is how we spend our lives” comes to mind. While it’s helpful to look at the big chunks (like a decade), it’s also empowering to recognize how those everyday decisions make up our decades. Every little one can bring us closer (or take us further away) from our deepest desires.

This week I collaborated with clients, edited HTC10 and the complementary Playbook for days (releasing today!), bought a mini cupcake tin and gold wrappers for Sunday’s HTC10 party, released a Love Note, picked up bubbly, read the thoughtful Hip Tranquil Chick story submissions (thank you x100), snuggled with the pups, released a podcast featuring Christine Mason Miller, shipped online orders, penned my monthly Tranquil Space muse, practiced yoga, and taught a mindfulness class.

Pics in Review

Yoga practice and tea
Foliage spotted on morning walk
Mookie and Tim’s holiday tree

Savvy Sources

6 Ways to Be More Charismatic

26 Experts Share Best Tips For Transitioning to A Plant-Based Diet

Meditation Keeps Emotions in Check

12 Things Healthy Girls Do Before 7am

My Piece On Unstuck.com About Feeling Stuck

The Power of Thought Stopping

I Cut 5 Unnecessary Spending Habits For 30 Days and Here’s What Happened

A 98-year-old Yoga Celebrity Tells All

Weekend Wish List

Host inspiring HTC10

Stuff goody bags

Send Playbook and HTC10 PDFs

Pick up flowers

Chill bubbly

Host inspiring Biz of Yoga workshop

Practice yogaPen thank yous

Set up home for friends joining HTC10 live

Save

Save

Save

Save

The post Week in Review {Pics + Links} appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.

Lavender-Infused TranquilTini

Syrup recipe from Martha Stewart + Drink recipe from Food & Wine

In preparation for Sunday’s HTC10 gathering, I wanted to share a few treats from our 2006 book launch starting with the lavender-infused TranquilTini.

For a mocktail, replace the vodka with sparkling water and a dash of vanilla extract.

Lavender syrup Ingredients:

1 cup water

1/2 cup sugar

1 tablespoon dried lavender

Directions:

Bring to a boil water, sugar and lavender, stirring occasionally. Once at a boil, bring to a simmer for 2 minutes. Strain through a fine sieve and let cool. Will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator if well-sealed.

TranquilTini Ingredients:

Ice

1 1/2 ounces vanilla vodka

1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice

1/4 ounce Lavender Syrup

1 fresh lavender sprig

Directions:

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, lemon juice and Lavender Syrup and shake well. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with the lavender sprig.

The post Lavender-Infused TranquilTini appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.

Tranquilosophy: Simple Pleasures

Give me books, French wine, fruit, fine weather and a little music played out of doors by somebody I do not know.—John Keats

When I returned to the studio and my downtown office this week, many asked, “How was your holiday?” I paused to consider—somehow it felt like the holiday had happened a long time ago.

Maybe it’s because I taught a yoga class for charity on Thanksgiving, hosted two online events on Friday (Daybook Playshop for pre-orders and Holiday Tranquility on Facebook Live), and spent the weekend in HTC10 editing mode.

While this may sound a bit “woe is me,” what I didn’t mention is the way I interspersed these projects with simple pleasures.

After teaching on Thursday, I sat fireside and read before we headed downtown for a plant-based Thanksgiving meal and a French film. Before hosting the two online events Friday, I took in a yoga class and felt my body melt into the poses. After editing all day Saturday, we hosted a couple for dessert and drinks and chatted into the night about travels and our pets. On Sunday I took an editing break to walk through the woods with the pugs and bask in the fresh air.

Last night after a long, challenging day intensified by disrupted sleep, I slipped into the tub to soak before bed.

This holiday season will be over before we know it, so I’m planning to interject as many simple pleasures into the experience as possible. There will be: many cups of tea (she says as she sips her white peony tea), twinkle lights, fragrant trees, gratitude, love notes, time with loved ones, yoga, fireside chats, a celebration of Hip Tranquil Chick’s 10th birthday, soaks in the tub, dabs of lavender oil, long walks with pugs, vegan cupcakes, bubbly.

If I can ensure the to-dos and challenges are braided with simple pleasures, the holiday hustle will subside and allow me to bask in the beauty of the season. I have a choice. And my plan is to keep these simple pleasures as important as the deadlines.

Wishing you a tranquil launch into the holidays. May they be filled with joy and a smattering of simple pleasures. Bisous. x

Save

Save

The post Tranquilosophy: Simple Pleasures appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.

Tranquility du Jour #384: Moving Water

In this week’s episode, Moving Water with Christine Mason Miller, we discuss the process of writing her memoir, what she hopes readers will take away from it, and how her definition of family has evolved. I also read the draft introduction to HTC10.

Direct download: Tranquility du Jour #384: Moving Water

 

Upcoming Events

Hip Tranquil Chick 10-Year Online Celebration: December 4

New Year’s Eve Mini Retreat: December 31

Tranquility du Jour Live: January 12

Yoga, Creativity + Mindfulness in Costa Rica: February 18-25 {Save $150 if signed up by 12/1}

Yoga + Art in West Virginia: May 19-21

Featured guest: Christine Mason Miller

Christine Mason Miller is an author and artist who has been guiding others toward a meaningful life for more than twenty years.  Her experience with writing, publishing, licensing and teaching have established her as an experienced, compassionate authority on how to bring dreams to life, particularly those related to writing and publishing a book. Her online course, The Conscious Booksmith, has supported hundreds of aspiring authors on their book creation journey. Christine is the author, artist and illustrator of four books, each one distinctive and unique in its topic, scope and design. Her latest book, Moving Water: A Memoir, is now available for pre-order and will start shipping in January 2017.

A graduate of Virginia Tech and the University of Georgia, Christine’s career began in 1995 with the creation of an independent greeting card line called Swirly. Over the course of a decade, Swirly evolved into an internationally known brand with more than 1200 retailers and clients that included Target, Barnes + Noble, JoAnn Fabrics and the Girl Scouts of America. Swirly designs were licensed for a wide array of gift, stationery and home decor items and an illustrated gift book translated into three languages. After shifting her creative efforts to original mixed media artwork, she organized and participated in over a dozen gallery shows and exhibits and licensed her second gift and stationery line, The Christine Mason Miller Collection.

In addition to Moving Water, Christine is the author of Ordinary Sparkling Moments: The Art of Finding Yourself, Desire to Inspire – Using Creative Passion to Transform the World, and Plant Your Dreams and the Miracles will Grow. She is a regular contributor to numerous print publications such as Bella Grace, Somerset Life, and Somerset Studio, and her essays have been featured in Skirt! magazine, Modern Creative Life, and Dharma Mamas. She has facilitated workshops and retreats at venues across the country, including Esalen Institute in Big Sur, and was one of ten artists featured in Indie Kindred, a documentary film by Jen Lee about artistic collaboration.

Christine lives in a 100-year old farmhouse in Santa Barbara, California with her husband and their chocolate lab Tilda.

Tranquility du Jour

 

Savvy Sources

christinemasonmiller.com
Christine on Instagram
Christine on Facebook
Conscious Booksmith E-course
Moving Water: A Memoir
An essay about our interview to be released in Modern Creative Life on 11/30



Mentioned in podcast

Daybook 5.0 {6 copies left}
Hip Tranquil Chick: Share Your Story
Facebook Live Video: Holiday Tips
HTC 10 Video Invite + Cover Reveal


Social Media

Eye candy on Instagram
Pin along with me on Pinterest
Let’s connect on Facebook
Follow moi on Twitter


Tranquility Tips + Tools

My 5 Books
New to Tranquility du Jour? Peruse the FAQs
Go back to school with these tranquility-filled E-courses
Download the Tranquility du Jour Podcast App: iPhone and Android
Download the latest Tranquility du Jour Live
Shop slow fashion: TranquiliT’s fall look book
Sign up for bi-monthly Love Notes and access Tranquil Treasures
Read about my passion for animals

Request

Pen a review on iTunes and/or share this podcast via social media, s‘il vous plaît
Ask questions, share what you do while listening, or how this podcast has helped you. I love hearing from you!



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.

The post Tranquility du Jour #384: Moving Water appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.

In One Week . . . (+ HTC10 Early Comments)

[image error]

One week from today we gather to celebrate Hip Tranquil Chick‘s 10-year birthday. I’ve been planning this event and writing the new chapter for months, so I’m feeling giddy about next Sunday.

And, of course, Belle Starr has a new outfit for the occasion.

I sent the draft HTC10 chapter out to a handful of early reviewers and, in addition to lots of grammatical feedback (so many commas!), here’s what they had to say:

I really did cry several times reading the chapter — sometimes in sympathy with the sad moments, and sometimes with gratitude because I saw insights that could really help me during a time of uncertainty and scariness.

I felt you really put your heart on your sleeve and bravely showed vulnerability, and that made each story particularly poignant. The tone of your books is usually positive, hopeful and caring, but it seems to me that rarely before did you reveal the pain and sadness that makes you seek out tranquility every day. That underscored how important your message is — that living with tranquility is not about hiding or avoiding the bad stuff in life, it’s about learning to bring more good stuff in.

It is a comprehensive body of work that can stand alone, but has additional impact when viewed with the original book. There is clear learning and personal growth from Hip Tranquil Chick.

The sentence “I performed as if I had a mindset of ease, not fear, and it’s taken a heavy toll over the years” moved me to tears. Thinking of my own circumstances of juggling full-time work, PhD, having young children, and always trying to overachieve. . . . I relate fully to this section (despite the different circumstances).

After reading through the chapter, I was left with a deep appreciation for your vulnerability in sharing your story in this way. Anyone who has following you for even a short amount of time is probably familiar with how Tranquil Space expanded, how your Gramma passed away, how much you love the pigs and yet, this chapter mixes the light with the shadow side. It’s not all pink glitter and leopard print anymore – it’s an offering of renewed perspective and depth.

Below you’ll find all the details. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. I can’t wait to celebrate during this festive time of year (think twinkle lights and holiday jazz). Thank you for helping me honor my firstborn book’s birthday. Your presence is the cherry on top!

WHEN:

Sunday, December 4 from 5-7pm ET (all registrants will receive a video recording).

HOW:

An Internet connection and computer or smartphone. We’ll send a link shortly before the gathering to click and, voilà, you’re with us. A journal and pen is helpful, too.

WHAT:

For the cost of a few soy chai lattes, you get 3 treats that last a lifetime.

1. LIVE EVENT: The live event will stream from my tiny Pink Palace with a live in-home audience. Festivities include mini workshops, seated yoga, mindfulness practices, a reading from HTC10 (the new chapter), your stories on how the book inspired you (share yours), and more!

2. NEW CHAPTER*: HTC10 is a 10,000-word, 10-year retrospective PDF. It’s filled with photos, inspiration, lessons learned, stories, and savvy sources, plus a peek into my dreams of what’s next. Read the draft introduction to the new chapter or listen to me read it at the end of Friday’s Facebook Live event.

3. PLAYBOOK*: The Playbook complements our live event with suggestions on how best to prepare for and participate in the online gathering with helpful checklists, recipes, playlists, how-tos for the practices, and more.

*Both PDFs will be sent your way at the end of this week.

HTC10 (chapter only)   $19
HTC10 + Live event + Playbook   $25

HTC10 + Live event + Playbook + Signed copy of Hip Tranquil Chick   $42

 

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

The post In One Week . . . (+ HTC10 Early Comments) appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.

Week in Review {Pics + Links}

Week in Review

The fire is roaring, a freshly-cut tree awaits its trimmings, the pugs are snoozing, and I have a cuppa tea within reach. And a looming deadline.

This weekend and next week I’ll tie a bow around HTC10—the 10k word (1/4 the size of Hip Tranquil Chick) follow-up chapter I’ve been writing the past many months.

Next Sunday is our big 10-year celebration at the Pink Palace complete with over a dozen ladies joining in-person and many others online. The decor, menu, pink goody bags (complete with mini bottles of bubbly), and more are all set. The homey details are my happy place.

Now it’s time to wrap up the chapter edits and finalize the Playbook. If you’re joining, look for these treats in your inbox end of next week!

I envision HTC10 as a celebration of the past decade. I look forward to exploring it and dreaming up the next 10 years with you on December 4. Don’t forget your journal, pens, and bubbly! Bisous. x

This week I collaborated with clients, hosted a Facebook Live event, taught a mindfulness class, had tea with a friend, hosted the Daybook Playshop for pre-orders, taught a yoga charity class on Thanksgiving, went to Equinox for a plant-based Thanksgiving meal, saw two films at the theater, penned blog posts, had a dinner date with friends, recorded the HTC10 invite video, released the HTC10 cover, created the Daybook Playshop Guidebook, sent HTC10 to a few talented reviewers, took a few yoga classes, and soaked in the tub.

Pics in Review

Sunday morning in the Pink Palace
Writing time
New satin heels
Thanksgiving afternoon fireside
Vegan petite pecan pie and Mighty Leaf tea
Daybook Playshop
Awkward mid-speak for Facebook Live
Mookie’s new reindeer outfit {he clearly loves it!}
Belle’s new pink and leopard-print sweater

Savvy Sources

Rescue Goat With Anxiety Only Calms Down in Her Duck Costume

The End of Solitude: Overtaken By Technology

Quit Social Media. Your Career May Depend On It.

Easy Way to Protect Animals From Climate Change

How To Be Mindful 24/7

Meet Pigcasso the Painting Pig Who Was Saved From Slaughter

An Introvert’s Playlist: 15 Songs

How To Build the Muscle of Concentration

An NPR Piece on Last Weekend’s Thanksgiving for the Turkeys

Giving Thanks, Not Giving In

Budget-Friendly Holiday Gift Guide

DIY Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Weekend Wish List

Choose tree {check}

Host Daybook Playshop and Facebook Live {check}

Edit HTC10

Sit fireside

Host friends for drinks + dessert

Stop by friend’s holiday gathering {check}

Nap

Work on HTC10 Playbook

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

The post Week in Review {Pics + Links} appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.

A Love Note

Dearest Reader:

On this special day of gratitude, I’m writing to say thank you.

This blog turned 12 last month and a few of you have been around since the very first post in 2004. It’s an absolute honor to be part of this online community filled with like-hearted ladies (and a few fab men).

It’s a funny thing, writing 3,368 posts filled with personal stories, struggles, resources, and/or ideas from a laptop in Washington, DC and wondering where or how the posts land.

I picture you going about your busy day and receiving a notification that a new post is up (if you’re signed up for “musings by email‘”) or coming to the blog from time to time to check in. I wonder if a post will resonate as I write it. I wonder if you save it for later or dive in. I wish that the ideas prove useful. I wonder if I’ve shared too much or not enough. It’s this continual state of not knowing, yet continuing to hit the publish button.

I was blessed to meet many of you on the 2013 Tranquility Tour. Some of you practice at Tranquil Space or stop in for a class when visiting DC. Others have joined me on retreat. Many I haven’t had the opportunity to meet in person, but I recognize your name as an order comes in. And some of you I haven’t yet had any contact, but you visit here in search of something.

Whatever it is that draws you to Tranquility du Jour, I’m so grateful. I hope that this blog and podcast offer you a respite—a quiet place to muse, dream, and breathe.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for helping me grow. Thank you for making the world a better place in your own special way.

May your Thanksgiving be filled with gratitude.

Bisous,

Kimberly

P.S. I hope to see you on Friday at our first Facebook Live gathering.

Save

Save

Save

The post A Love Note appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.

Comfy Thanksgiving Looks à la TranquiliT

TranquiliT’s 2in1 long sleeve top over the pencil skirt topped with faux leather jacket

TranquiliT’s boyfriend tank over palazzo pants {perfect post-pumpkin pie}

TranquiliT’s slip dress over leggings topped with trench

Think comfy, chic, and layered

this holiday season.

Shop TranquiliT.com through 12/1

and save 25% off with code IMGRATEFUL.

TranquiliT’s turtleneck under the ruffle dress

TranquiliT’s 2in1 crop top over the pencil skirt topped with faux fur jacket

TranquiliT’s 2in1 crop top with the gaucho pant topped with infinity cowl and faux fur jacket

Save

Save

The post Comfy Thanksgiving Looks à la TranquiliT appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.

Facebook Live Gathering on Friday

To help combat the holiday hustle, I’ll be offering a mini online respite THIS Friday at 6pm ET.

Tune in here Friday for our first Tranquility du Jour Facebook Live event. During our time together I’ll share tips for staying tranquil this holiday season PLUS a sneak peek into our upcoming HTC10 fête.

Gather a cuppa tea, a piece of leftover pumpkin pie, a journal, and a pen for the festivities. Hope you can join us! Bisous. x

Save

Save

The post Facebook Live Gathering on Friday appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.

HTC10 Cover + Video Invite

Late 2006 a pink and leopard-print book hit the shelves filled with tips for life on and off the yoga mat. To celebrate Hip Tranquil Chick‘s 10-year birthday, let’s gather online Sunday, December 4 over a glass of bubbly, a potpourri of tranquility practices, and a colorful new chapter highlighting the past decade.

Grab your spot, event Playbook, and chock-full chapter, HTC10.

Save

Save

Save

The post HTC10 Cover + Video Invite appeared first on Kimberly Wilson.