Kimberly Wilson's Blog, page 98

Week in Review {Pics + Links}

Week in Review

After last week’s interior flood, this week’s focus was on rebuilding and it often started with 7am sawing. I’m sure my neighbor’s love me.

After four days of non-stop repair, yesterday afternoon the contractors gathered their tools and bid adieu. I thanked them profusely, exhaled, and began moving furniture into its’ proper spot. Tops of pens, file folders, plants, books, and kitchen appliances were all coated in a grainy construction dust, so we cleaned while finding homes for all the displaced items.

This 600-square-foot Pink Palace now feels so spacious. Living out of 300 square feet wasn’t impossible, it was actually quite cozy and felt like camping. But stepping over piles of flooring and contractor tools while wrangling three pets in a space where all the furniture was pushed into one corner felt, well, less than tranquil at times.

And gathering all our necessary belongings to be out of the house for twelve hours was also an interesting challenge. Thursday I was basically homeless as I toted my laptop, Daybook, Moleskines, pens, and a book from Starbucks to cafes to appointments before ending up at the studio for much-needed yoga. Friday we were holed up in the bedroom while the contractors worked late, so we ordered Chinese takeout and watched a documentary, Holy Hell.

This week I collaborated with clients, did yoga (and doga), met with an insurance adjuster, coordinated with contractors, penned love notes, had brunch, tea, and dinner dates with friends, finalized the TranquiliT look book, penned September’s dreams, saw Unlocking the Cage, took Belle for her long-awaited dental (she’s down 15 teeth), biked all over DC, set up a Facebook event for the upcoming Tranquility du Jour Live, wrote lessons learned for the upcoming Hip Tranquil Chick 10-year event, sent a TranquiliT newsletter to subscribers, ate saltines and drank ginger ale to get through a belly ache, practiced loving-kindness while out and about, got tickets to Barktoberfest, and napped.

My weeks are filled with trivial details (saltines and ginger ale), efforts toward creative projects (TranquiliT look book), meaningful work (clients), passions (Unlocking the Cage), and relationships (family and friends). Most days I knock off the scheduled to-dos. Yet each week I pull over many of the projects from the former week into the new one hoping to do better. Get more done. Be more productive.

But I wonder if that’s really necessary. If I’m all about creating experiences, isn’t it important to accomplish those MITs (Most Important Tasks), meet deadlines, and work toward future projects while also nurturing relationships, eating good meals, and enjoying a documentary? Balancing experiences and productivity is a delicate act worthy of my deepest attention.

And yet productivity can happen within experiences. As I check this post off my to-do list, I have two pets on my chair (don’t ask), a rose candle burning, cuppa peony tea within reach, and twinkle lights glowing. Making the mundane beautiful helps bring balance to this  dilemma.

May my weeks reflect intentions and values. May I give ample weight to creating experiences in everyday. And may I know that to-dos don’t define me. Resonate? Best wishes for a beautiful holiday weekend. Bisous. x

Pics in Review

Sweet 8-page feature in Bella Grace {thanks Christine Mason Miller for writing!}
Avocado toast and tea morning date
Mookie getting ready for his weekly doga date
Writing
More writing
Belle after dental surgery
Penning September dreams into my Daybook
Belle in her tutu
TranquiliT’s fall look book is up

Savvy Sources

Want to Create Things That Matter? Be Lazy.

Robert Frost on How to Read Intelligently and Write a Great Essay

The Cost of Holding On to Grudges

Three Simple Ways to Pay Attention

The Most Charismatic People Are Also the Quickest Thinkers

16 Best Books About Writing

8 Ways to Have More Time 5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Next Mental Health Day

Weekend Wish List

Playtime with family

Put home back together after last week’s water damage

Eat lots of plants

Go for a hike

Brunch with family

Savor DC’s quiet state

Prep for the Daybook 5.0 launch

Finish two books

Picnic in Rock Creek Park

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TranquiliT Fall Collection

2in1 cap tee over skirt dress

stripe 2in1 crop top with pencil skirt (+ my faux fur coat)

2in1 crop top with gauchos topped with a capelet

2in1 crop top with gauchos topped with an infinity cowl

Although the temperatures are still soaring, my heart belongs to fall fashion.

We shot our fall collection mid-August, so as the photos and fabric rolled in, we updated the website, stocked Tranquil Space studios, and next is our seasonal look book. It’s filled with ways to wear the collection, testimonials from TranquiliT-lovers, and tips on building a capsule wardrobe—stay tuned!

This fall we have four new designs (shown top to bottom in the upper photos): 2in1 cap sleeve, pencil skirt, capelet, gaucho.

One big trend this fall is to wear turtlenecks under dresses so you’ll see that in a lot of our shots. It also helps extend the wear of your favorite summer frocks—just add tights, boots, and a turtleneck!

To help jumpstart the season, I’ll be offering a Labor Day discount code to all TranquiliT newsletter subscribers. No pressure, but if you like saving on your favorite staples, sign up and you’ll receive the code later this week.

TranquiliT is designed by me with YOUR input (the 2in1 cap sleeve was a request), locally-sewn line using eco-friendly fabrics, and custom made to order. Slow fashion is the new black. Bisous. x

skirt dress in aubergine

ruffle dress in cafe worn one-shoulder

turtleneck under slip dress with palazzo pants (+ jackson the cat)

turtleneck under boyfriend tee dress topped with an infinity cowl

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Writing in the Woods

Spend a weekend writing in the woods while enveloped in peak fall foliage near Berkeley Springs, WV .

This tranquility-filled weekend, October 28-30, is for the writing curious to the published author and immerses you in the writing and yoga connection. Practice yoga (not catered to brand new yogis), pen responses to writing prompts, learn inspiring writing tools, and explore your voice in a safe setting.

Leave inspired with a writing action plan, connect with like-hearted women, and sip an abundance of organic tea and hot cocoa. Nurture your senses with homemade vegetarian meals, read in a hammock under the trees, and savor vegan s’mores over a campfire.

For those seeking adventure, we’re located next to the Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area with 75 miles of hiking trails nearby. For those seeking restoration, you’ll find a rejuvenating spa, heated pool, and whirlpool within walking distance.

Here’s a peek into last year’s retreat. Only a few spots left.

Schedule:

Friday – 6-7pm dinner and mingling upon arrival, 7-9:30 opening circle and yoga

Saturday – 9-10 silent breakfast, 10-1 yoga and module, 1 lunch, 2-6 downtime, 6 dinner, 7-10 module and campfire

Sunday – 9-10 silent breakfast, 10-1 module, yoga, and closing circle, 1 lunch, 2 departure

Modules Include: Three all-level yoga and meditation practices, writing practices and tools, and the creation of an action plan.

Investment: $525 includes meals, modules, lodging, tranquility-filled goody bag.

Cabins: Double occupancy lodging in 4-bedroom cabins with private bathrooms, fireplace, and full kitchen.

Amenities: Miles of hiking trails, heated swimming pools, a whirlpool, tennis courts, exercise facility and full-service spa at the beautiful Woods Resort near Hedgesville, WV.

Travel: Transportation is on your own. Approximately 1 hour, 45 minutes from Washington, D.C.

Upon registration you will receive directions, packing list, and more.

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Lessons Learned

For our late fall Hip Tranquil Chick 10-Year Online Celebration {event details coming in September}, I’m working on a piece about lessons learned since its’ released in 2006. So much transition, loss, and triumph rolled into ten years!

What are your big life lessons from the past decade? Can you name them? Do you feel them? Some of mine definitely had visceral reactions. Take a moment to ponder and, if you can, share in the comments section below.

Here’s to learning lessons, growing, and transforming! Bisous. x

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Week in Review {Pics + Links}

Week in Review

Tuesday started with great intentions—up early, walk dogs, send Love Note, record live doga video, see clients. While finishing the Pure Joy post and feeling all happy about cows, I heard what sounded like running water. I ignored it and published my blog post.

The noise began to intensify and soon water was dripping onto my floor. I opened my front door and saw water pouring down the hallway wall. After multiple calls to the condo association, the dishwasher-that-wouldn’t-stop-leaking in the upstairs apartment was shut off. 20 minutes later, my floor and cabinets filled with sundries for shipping were covered with water.

As I stood in my water-logged dining area, I was told the water damage was “minimal” and a basic cleaning crew should be able to help. Scrambling to remedy the mess and save my morning, I called around and found a water damage specialist who could come within the hour. As he took a crowbar to the ceiling and pulled half of the waterlogged dry wall down, my eyes welled with tears.

My morning of productivity (and tranquility) had just come to an end.

I had to go to work so I left the man to finish my home demolition: pulling up half the floor, hauling out my ceiling, and setting out loud industrial fans and a dehumidifier. At 8pm I picked Mookie up from daycare and braced myself as I opened my front door. It sounded like an airplane inside—a loud roaring, groaning tone. The floor was gone, there were holes were light fixtures should be, the curtains were dancing in the fan’s strong breeze, and my personal belongings were scattered about.

I fed the pups and headed to my bedroom for a scheduled call away from the noise. Shortly after the call began, Belle hopped up onto the bed and had a nice long pee. Yep, right onto the comforter. I was like “is this really happening?” I finished the call and started laundry, trying to keep myself together. Then I remembered I had a new pink sheet set I’d purchased online and knew that crawling into soft sheets would be good soul balm.

Once the pets were walked and laundry was running, I remade the bed and slid inside. Tossing and turning, I realized these were definitely not Egyptian cotton and were actually rough and itchy to the point of slight torture. Too tired to do anything else, I pulled a pillow over my head and hunkered deeper into the bed knowing tomorrow had to be better.

Wednesday I woke up to puddles of water on the removed floor and water dripping from the bare floor joists. After walking the dogs I went upstairs to chat with my neighbor and indeed their dishwasher had filled with water again (and Thursday morning, too.) I begged them to remedy it that day, stacked books into tidy piles, and moved essentials to the kitchen table (now in the living room) hoping to create some sense of order before heading out for ten hours with clients.

Today I woke up to a dry bare floor and no drips on my head en route to the kitchen for morning tea. Now I’m writing at my kitchen table with earplugs in trying to block some of the airplane sound. Insurance companies and condo associations are set to battle out who’s responsible while I await a dry space to rebuild.

My twinkle lights still work, electronics weren’t damaged, I have flowers, tea, candles, and new real Egyptian cotton sheets rush delivered from Tim—all the creature comforts to assist during my transition into 300 square feet of livable space. For that, I’m very grateful.

This week I: survived my home being wrecked, collaborated with clients, took yoga classes, packaged goody bags hand stamped with a pig, taught a mindfulness workshop at , taught a mindfulness class, sent a draft Daybook to print, released a podcast, took Tim to the airport for an eight-day bike adventure, solo parented three pets, sent a Love Note, recorded a doga video, had tea with a writing friend, got a mani/pedi, coordinated fall TranquiliT updates, signed up for two writing classes at Politics and Prose, got tickets for Unlocking the Cage, saw the beautiful write-up Christine Mason Miller did on me for Bella Grace (will share photos), and cooked my first Blue Apron meal.

Wishing you time to connect with your own version of soul balm and a cozy, dry living space. Bisous. x

Pics in Review

Sunday morning view
Daybook cover options
HSUS
Goody bags I made for HSUS workshop
Living/dining room
More living/dining room
Livable vs unlivable space divider

Savvy Sources

3 Steps You Need to Take If You’re Constantly Making Excuses

Nietzsche’s 10 Rules for Writers

The Mindful Definition of Mindfulness

Hesitant to Make That Big Life Change? Permission Granted

{Podcast} Highly Sensitive Person’s Life: “I Feel Like I’m Never Caught Up”

{Podcast} Manager Your Energy So You Can Write

Wayne Pacelle of HSUS (Humane Society of US) on Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday Morning Routines

Weekend Wish List

Write

Organize home mess

Finish reread of Old Friend from Far Away

Yoga

Tea date with girlfriend

Time with pets

Finalize fall TranquiliT look book

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Pure Joy

Saturday morning my eyes opened around 3am and I stared at the ceiling. After 30 minutes of this, I slid out of the bed and onto the floor carefully trying not to wake the snoring pups. I reached for my laptop on the chair nearby and began clickity clacking out my Week in Review.

Although it could have been a number of things keeping me from sleeping, I think it was my excitement about heading back to Farm Sanctuary for their annual Hoe Down that had me wide awake. I completed my Week in Review just as my eyes got heavy so I crawled back into bed and dropped into a deep sleep until the alarm sounded.

Tim and I got the pups set up with his parents and headed south for the two-hour drive. With country tunes playing in the background, I watched the hilly green landscape and lakes out the window as we passed at highway speed.

We arrived as the first speaker, Sonia Faruqi—a former Wall Street executive turned author of Project Animal Farm—was sharing her story. Next was Susie Coston, Farm Sanctuary’s National Shelter Director, who told the stories of animals rescued from horrific “farm to table” operations this past year and shed light on the animals’ gregarious personalities. After Susie spoke it was time for lunch and the farm tour. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Cameron—a newly-rescued piglet.

Cameron was our first stop and we stayed there the majority of the time. Tim snapped about 70 photos of him and most are a pink blur as he’s constantly in motion. A storm began to roll in so we skipped the sheep and goats to get more time with the pigs and cows. It was nap time for the pigs, so after a few belly rubs on the 600lb gentle giants, we headed to the pasture in search of cows.

That’s when I spotted Merlyn (in the above photo) and was told he liked his jaw scratched. I massaged this 2klb beauty and he started to roll over onto his side like a dog. After a few more cows, we headed back to the main area to connect with a woman launching a program for the yoga and mindfulness community. She wanted photos of yoga with the animals and below are a few that Tim snapped during the shoot.

The highlight of the afternoon was hearing Allison Argo speak and show The Last Pig film’s sneak peek. It’s exquisitely shot and tells the complicated story of Bob Comis‘ internal struggle and deep connection with the pigs. After cocktail hour over vegan cheese, fruit, veggies, and wine, we decided to head back to the pups. Belle is deeply attached to Tim and was hiding in a corner all day waiting for his return. The photos lured us back hours before we’d planned.The look on my face in the top photo is pure unadulterated joy. Spending time with animals breaks me wide open in a way that nothing else can. This traces back to childhood. My beloved companions were animals—turtles, dogs, cats, newts, hamsters, fish, snakes, horned toads. Sure I like playing with dolls and trucks, but animals were my respite. And they still are.

Consider what brings you pure joy. Something that lights you up from the inside out. Have something in mind? If so, great. Do more of it. If not, think back to childhood. What did you love doing? What did you dream of doing? How did you spend your free time? Do more of it.

As we grow into adults, it’s easy to lose sight of pure joy. The focus turns to paying rent, progressing in work, buying groceries, and knocking things off our to-do lists. I get it, I’m there, too. Yet, the top photo reminds me that I’d like to spend more time in pure joy and less in the minutia. Care to join me?

Share below what brings you pure joy or what once brought you pure joy that you’d like to prioritize. May pure joy guide us to live the most authentic version of who we are so that we can offer the world our unique gifts. Bisous. x

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Tranquility du Jour #377: Mercy for Animals

Mercy for Animals with founder Nathan Runkle. We talk growing up on a farm in rural Ohio to starting Mercy for Animals in his teens, why MFA chose farm animals as their focus, and what we can do to help make a difference in the lives of other beings.

 

 

Direct download: Tranquility du Jour #377: Mercy for Animals

Share with me where you’re listening from and what you’re doing while listening. Laundry, commuting, gardening, running? Thank you for being part of Tranquility du Jour!

Upcoming Events

Fall TDJ Live + Daybook 5.0 Sneak Peek: September 22

Writing in the Woods: October 28-30 {5 spots left}

Hip Tranquil Chick 10-Year Online Celebration: December TBA

New Year’s Eve Mini Retreat: December 31

Yoga, Creativity + Mindfulness in Costa Rica: February 18-25

 

Tranquility du Jour Guest

Nathan Runkle is the founder and president of Mercy For Animals. Raised on a farm in rural Ohio, Nathan has long had a deep connection with farmed animals. After a local farmed animal abuse case involving a piglet slammed headfirst into a concrete floor during an agricultural project at a nearby high school, Nathan founded MFA to give “food” animals a much-needed advocate in his local community.

Since founding MFA over a decade ago, Nathan has overseen the organization’s growth into a leading international force in the prevention of cruelty to farmed animals and promotion of compassionate food choices and policies.

A nationally recognized speaker on animal advocacy, factory farming, and veganism, Nathan has presented at colleges, conferences, and many other forums from coast to coast.

Through his work with MFA, Nathan has been an outspoken advocate for animal rights, featured in hundreds of television, radio, and newspaper interviews, including on ABC’s World News Tonight, Nightline, and 20/20, CNN, and National Public Radio, and in USA Today, The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and the Chicago Tribune.

Nathan works closely with MFA’s diverse group of members, supporters, and employees to develop and fulfill objectives within the organization’s four areas of focus: education, legal advocacy, corporate outreach, and undercover investigations.

Nathan has worked alongside elected officials, corporate executives, heads of international organizations, academics, farmers, celebrities, and film producers to pass landmark farmed animal protection legislation, raise public awareness about vegetarianism, and implement animal welfare policy changes.

VegNews magazine has recognized both MFA and Nathan for making substantial contributions to the vegetarian movement, naming Nathan one of the “25 Most Fascinating Vegetarians” and one of the country’s “Top 20 Activists Under 30 Years Old,” and twice naming MFA “Non-Profit of the Year.” In 2009, at the age of twenty-five, Nathan became the youngest person ever inducted into the US Animal Rights Hall of Fame.

Savvy Sources

MFA Instagram
MFA Facebook
MFA Twitter
MFA Website: www.mercyforanimals.org
Cameron the piglet at Farm Sanctuary
Daybook 5.0 pre-sale starts September
Weekly Doga videos featuring Mookie and occasional Belle Starr cameos
My interviews on Squam’s Morning On the Dock podcast and Lara Ledsham’s Sparkle Explore Soar podcast
Eye candy on Instagram
Pin along with me on Pinterest
Let’s connect on Facebook
Follow moi on Twitter
My 5 Books
Sign up for Love Notes and access Tranquil Treasures
New to Tranquility du Jour? Peruse my FAQs
Tranquility University E-courses
Shop my locally-sewn, eco-friendly TranquiliT clothing line
Read along on Goodreads
Tranquility du Jour Podcast App: iPhone and Android
Read about my passion for animals
Pen a review on iTunes or your other social media outlets, s‘il vous plaît


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.

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Week in Review {Pics + Links}

Week in Review

Greetings from Lake Ontario in upstate New York. The pugs are snoring, chirping crickets can be heard through the open window, and I’m staring at this screen unable to sleep.

Possibly it’s the anticipation of being with pigs at Farm Sanctuary in a few hours? Possibly it’s the ongoing health issues? Possibly it’s perimenopause (god bless Google and my ongoing self-diagnosing)? Whatever it is, I slid out of bed and onto the floor to write for an hour or so until it passes.

This week was filled with client collaboration, time at Tim’s cabin in West Virginia, practicing yoga, teaching mindfulness, driving to NY (actually “riding” to NY sprawled out in the back seat with the pugs and pillows), editing Daybook 5.0, prepping for TranquiliT’s fall release, watching the Weiner documentary (recommend), taking Belle for her suture removal, recording another doga video, and many tiny moments in between.

It’s time to crawl back under the covers and hope the sleep fairy will come for a visit. One needs to be properly rested to pet rescued pigs, cows, and sheep. Especially piglet Cameron—I know where I’ll be lurking most of the day! I’ll be sure to share photos on Instagram so hop over today for an influx of beautiful rescued beings. Sweet dreams, dear ones. Bisous. x

Pics in Review

Pig mug at sunrise
Morning tea and writing
Belle after a sweet treat
Hammock time
Belle’s new pink jersey
Writing break between clients
Morning view: pug, tea, embroidery
Voilà, tea towel complete

Savvy Sources

An Ooh La La Reading List (shared by Emily from this year’s Penning in Paris)

Dani Shapiro on Embracing it All

Too Much Screen Time Damages The Brain

Why It Doesn’t Pay to Be a People-Pleaser

George Orwell’s 11 Golden Rules

Is Becoming a Hermit the Ultimate Feminist Statement?

Green Chile Peach Tostadas {Recipe}

The Science of Using Yoga to Heal from Trauma

The Radical Act of Creating Space {Podcast}

Tips for Decluttering From a Tiny House Dweller

Weekend Wish List

Savor time with Tim’s family in upstate NY

Safe travels to and from

Savor time at Farm Sanctuary’s Hoe Down

Take lots of pig pictures

Embroider

Read

Write

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Week in Review {Pics + Links}

Week in Review

After a morning of yoga teacher auditions, Tim and I will pack up the pups and head to the hills of West Virginia to work, rest, and eat at our favorite veg-and-dog-friendly establishment.

This week was an interesting one that included a late night two-hour emergency vet visit where we were immediately quarantined and visited by a vet tech in a hazmat suit plus me being pulled into the bowels of an MRI machine.  Sweet Belle had acquired a bout of pneumonia during last week’s surgery, but her antibiotics seem to have worked their wonders.

I got a brain MRI with hopes of sorting out an influx of migraines. During the procedure I continued repeating the mantra “let go” with each breath. Inhale “let,” exhale “go” as the tech placed a head support over me and slid my body into the circular metal object with a hole cut out and the “ceiling” directly above my nose. At least he swaddled me in a blanket, and gifted me earplugs and beige booties with grippers. The torture was over in 30 minutes, I biked home and collapsed into bed.

Despite these oddities, the week was filled with joys and regularity: collaborating with therapy clients, announcing the Hip Tranquil Chick 10-year survey winners, teaching mindfulness in a corporate setting and at the studio, working on Daybook 5.0 design, releasing a podcast, recording another doga video, practicing yoga, mentoring a new author, hosting a two-hour Writing Lab workshop, and prepping plus overseeing the fall TranquiliT photo shoot.

One prompt I offered in Writing Lab was to write about the week starting with Monday morning. Some got through Monday morning 7:45am, while others finished the prompt with time to spare. There are so many moments, conversations, expressions, and sensory details that make up our week and it’s easy to miss them when doing broad brushstrokes. Review your week. What stands out? Capture it in writing, in your art journal, or any other medium that resonates.

As Annie Dillard says, “How we spend our days is how we spend our lives.” Bisous. x

Pics in Review

Sunday morning sidewalk cafe moment
Pug sidewalk chalking spotted on U street
Added flair to Belle’s surgery body sock
Dupont farmers’ market finds
Fall TranquiliT shoot: 2in1 crop top with pencil skirt + Mercy for Animals tee
Fall TranquiliT shoot: 2in1 crop top with gaucho + fleece infinity cowl

Savvy Sources

Kierkegaard on Our Greatest Source of Unhappiness

David Foster Wallace on Ambition

5 Ways to Build Resilience Every DayFig Bruschetta with Cashew Ricotta Recipe

7 Ways to Write Visually

6 Steps to Prep for a Healthy Week

5 Ways to Increase Happiness in Daily Life

How to Get a Mid-Century Look in a Small Space

Weekend Wish List

Yoga

Read in a hammock

WriteSlow down in the woods of West Virginia

Nosh at my favorite veg dog-friendly eatery, Mellow Moods

Safe travels to and from West Virginia

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Life is Art

I think everything in life is art. What you do. How you dress. The way you love someone, and how you talk. Your smile and your personality. What you believe in, and all your dreams. The way you drink your tea. How you decorate your home. Or party. Your grocery list. The food you make. How your writing looks. And the way you feel. Life is art. —Helena Bonham Carter

A friend sent me this quote last week and it’s been on repeat in my head ever since. While I don’t know Helena, I believe we’d be fast friends. We hold complementary life philosophies.

Last week I was in the Berkshires studying with my writing teacher and one process she recommended was list making. It’s a helpful tool when hitting the grocery store and starting a daily writing practice. You probably already do it in some capacity—gratitude lists, holiday shopping lists, to-do lists.

Today I wanted to share a list of simple pleasures. These every day moments can easily be overlooked in our quest to get from point A to point B. At times without noticing our surroundings and often while staring down at our smartphones. No judgment, I’m guilty, too!

To practice life as art, I try to notice daily delights hidden in the mundane. Here are a few from this week:

seeing blooming lilies during my morning walk with Mookie
tasting avocado toast sprinkled with Montreal steak seasoning
practicing legs up the wall
putting pen on paper
sipping hot tea from my favorite mug
sitting outside on a Sunday morning with my pug family and Tim
placing fresh flowers from the farmers’ market on my mantle
lighting rose-scented candles
plugging in twinkle lights
smiling at strangers
savoring the sound of a book’s pages flipping
sitting in meditation
soaking in the tub
connecting to my body through yoga
hearing my pugs snore
sitting down to dinner with Tim
listening to a friend’s updates over brunch
snapping colorful photos at the farmers’ market
texting with my mom

How do you find art in everyday life? Think taste, touch, sound, sight, and smell. Wishing you sweet moments of pause and pleasure within the mundane. Bisous. x

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