may blooms, dreams + goals

"and the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud
was more painful than the risk it took to bloom."
- anais nin

a beloved yogini/blog reader, carol meyers, passed along these gorgeous images of peonies and graciously allowed me to pull them together and share them with you. don't they inspire? peonies are one of my absolute favorite flowers. so yummy. so fragile. so fragrant.

well, it's that time of the month - reflection and assessment. here goes . . .

may dreams/goals

1. get my hands dirty and spruce up patio garden.
2. savor every minute with gramma and mum during may visit to oklahoma.
3. lead an inspiring retreat to costa rica over memorial day weekend/week.
4. finish spring MSW semester strong + start summer the following week.
5. lead fun-filled doga session to raise awareness + funds for washington humane society.
6. reorganize infrastructure of tranquil space foundation for better streamlining.
7. launch tranquil space's new website.
8. savor georgia o'keefe exhibit + artist date at the phillip's collection.
9. smooth transition into "wednesday is the new tuesday" schedule revamp.
10. weekly PT and acupuncture for more healing.
11. auditions for new, talented, nurturing tranquil space teacher subs.
12. send inspiring newsletter (sign up at bottom of linked page).
13. begin fall TranquiliT designs: colors are platinum, plum + noir.
14. daily declutter.
15. inspiring wrap-up to tranquilista lifestyle: joie de vivre e-course + schedule next one.
16. get ticket to india for november retreat. all levels welcome. my mum is coming from oklahoma!
17. reflect on ways to merge my "how i spend my time" with "how i want to spend my time" - blog post forthcoming.
19. host inspiring teacher retreat at beau's cabin
20. more videos on all things tranquilista. any requests?

april dreams/goals

1. fancy up blog photos (as done above) via picasa. BEEN DOING IT. YAY!
2. create a few new inspiration folders. DONE + SHARED
3. plan + host a tranquilista tea at tranquil space. DONE
4. planning + hosting assistance of luna fest for my non-profit. please come! DONE
5. physical therapy + sacred healing of shoulder = PT job this month DOING
6. MSW final papers + exams prep. DOING - EXAMS NEXT WEEK
7. lead inspiring, productive retreat with tranquil space management team. DONE
8. crystalize plans for etsy store. IN PROGRESS
9. finalize new tranquil space website and began revamp of TranquiliT website. DOING
10. continue reflection and implement of principles in the not so big life (podcast forthcoming) IN PROGRESS
11. tea with director at farm sanctuary. learn how to do more for the animals. DONE
12. spring cleaning chez moi next saturday with pal. au revoir clutter, bonjour space. DONE
13. spend time in nature: bask in sunshine and soak up vitamin d. DONE
14. stablize morning ritual: green tea, ezekiel toast, journal, daily yin yoga + meditation practice, then e-mail. UMMM, IN PROGRESS
15. choose a third necklace from art and clasp's etsy store to add to my collection (see photo above). gorgeous and *love* supporting indie when possible. DONE

now that i've shared my dreams, to-dos, successes, and "still in progresses," i'd love to hear what *you* have on the horizon. may we all continue to bloom, grow, and flourish this month.

bisous,
kimberly

foodie friday... savvy sources

earlier this week, kaileen shared with you some savvy sources for getting your signature style. now that you all look beautiful in your fashion finds, allow me to share with you some of my savvy sources for nourishing your body and celebrating with the culture of food! these are some of my favourite cookbooks - they have inspiring recipes, they feature new ingredients to try, they have stunning photographs. enjoy!

for a book filled with the stories and images of world travel and baking recipes from far away lands, i suggest home baking: the artful mix of flour and traditions from around the world by jeffrey alford and naomi duguid.

for a volume that explores produce and grains, season by season, with a traditional and non-processed approached, i love clean food by terry walters.

the mouth-watering food writing and the seasonally-inspired dinner party menus for large groups make a platter of figs by david tanis the perfect companion for entertaining and celebrating simply.

for a book of techniques and simple, alluring photographs, choose kitchen: the best of the best by michele cranston.

if you have ever wondered how to make the perfect macaron, this step-by-step cookbook, i love macarons by hisako ogita is the ultimate guide to every aspect of the process.

any cookbook by leanne kitchen is filled with rustic and charming food styling that celebrates food at its best and the greengrocer would be a great book to begin with. she also has created the dairy, the butcher, and others.

rose elliot is known in the u.k. for her vegetarian recipes and veggie chic is a collection of her most beautiful creations for the elegant hostess.

for a book with fun stories and photographs that inspires a love for food and makes people gather together around a table, i recommend miss dahl's voluptuous delights: the art of eating a little of what you fancy by sophie dahl.

last year, i had the opportunity to work with food stylist, susie theodorou, and the rest of the amazing production team on a new ayurvedic cookbook by anjum anand, anjum's eat right for your body type. if you were inspired by this week's podcast about ayurveda, this book will be filled with recipes for you and your dosha... it was recently released in the united kingdom and i am still waiting for my copy to arrive, so i have yet to see it!

are you a foodie and want to be featured in a cookbook? the new york times' amanda hesser and merrill stubbs have started a cookbook project that features homecooks, called food52. you'll find my profile under the list of 'cooks we admire' - i'll have my recipe for herb and white wine granita published in the cookbook. perhaps i'll see one of your recipes published in the book, also!

do you have a favorite cookbook?

have you heard my podcast interview with kimberly about beautiful lifestyle and food? you can listen here.

posted by robyn. visit her blog: this is life.

robyn michelle-lee is an ashtanga yogini, a foodie, a journalism and literature student, a photographer, and a lifestyle writer. live this moment - live your lifestyle.

crave dc upcoming book feature

more beautiful work by photographer patrick onofre for the upcoming crave dc's urban gal's manifesto book.

fun questions. so i ask, who are YOUR mentors or role models? what would people be surprised to know about YOU? what inspires YOU?

bisous,
kimberly

doga on saturday

6th annual doga in the park THIS saturday: 11-12:30.

yoga + do-gooding + dogs = doga event to raise money for washington humane society (WHS). bring your yoga mat and your canine yogi (bring your own, borrow one, or come alone) for an afternoon of frolicking at rose park (23rd and p st., nw).

tranquil space is teaming up with one of our ongoing charities, WHS, and doggie style bakery to create an afternoon of fun focused around your four-legged best friends. whs's adoption van will be there to help spread the word on adopting one of their beloved animals and how to get involved with their work. kimberly will lead puppy parents and friends through a complimentary yoga practice for all-levels in the park.

treats will be provided to humans and canines! $10 donation requested for WHS. no pre-registration required. just drop by and bring your yoga mat. read more: doga made nbc news. here are pics from last year's doga fundraiser. hope to see you (and your pup) there. xx

today's tv interview on financial finesse

-------
ponder your financial finesse. what do your spending habits share about your values? how about your financial upbringing?

fun tips: drinks + dessert vs dinner out, carry water bottle, make lunch, make gifts, sew clothes, craft accessories, buy second hand, share magazines with friends

what are your tips on financial finesse?

signature style wednesdays: savvy sources

fashion is not something that exists in dresses only.
fashion is in the sky, in the street,
fashion has to do with ideas,
the way we live, what is happening.
(coco channel)

hello gorgeous tranquilistas!
i hope you're having a gorgeous week filled with love and beauty. have we met formally? i stop by tranquility du jour every other wednesday to share stylish musings on all things fashionable. my last signature style post was on setting goals with style and this week is all about savvy sources!

let the 'net be your guide
magazines are a great way to stay current on trends and style vibes, but there are also a bunch of wonderful resources on the web! feeling bored with your look? hairthursday.com is a great place to discover a haircut that will match your personal style, hair length and color preference. gone style's five minute makeover videos are another fantastic place to see real ladies update their looks from head to toe!

home is where the inspiration is
when it comes to decor and everything related to stylish surroundings, catalogs and blogs are at the top of my favorite resources. check out westelm, anthropologie, ikea and uncommon goods for fun & free snail mail style. i also recommend visiting sites like apartment therapy, design*sponge and remodelista for ideas on fab furnishings.

browse the bookshelves
it's no secret that bookstores provide endless inspiration to tranquilistas around the globe. if you typically spend your time in the self-improvement or wellness sections, seek out style and fashion books on your next trip. a few on my personal wish list include: the gospel according to coco channel, style statement, eat, drink and be gorgeous, growing more beautiful and practically posh.

what are your savviest sources?
i would love to hear where you go for style and fashion inspiration - please share your thoughts in the comments below!

image credit: dresses by anthropologie

kaileenelise is a sparklista, yogini, artist, blogger & creative entrepreneur. tweet along & visit her website for musings on making every day an extraordinary adventure.

$ense & $ensibility Monday: Budgeting Basics, The Final Frontier

Happy Monday, Tranquilistas! I hope you all had lovely weekends and are energized for this week!

Last time I talked to you about discretionary expenses and asked you to keep track of your day-to-day spending on them. Were you shocked at how quickly all those little purchases add up?

Incidental Discretionary Expenses

I’d like you to do one more thing – go back through your bank statements and bills from the last few months and look for your incidental discretionary expenses. Remember, these are things you buy infrequently, usually only once per month or less, e.g. gym memberships, cable and internet, haircuts, vacations, and gifts. Add them up so you have a good idea of how much you spend on these a month.

Synthesize It!

Now you have an idea of how much money you spend a month on necessities and discretionary expenditures. What now? Do you want to start saving more money for retirement? How about pay that debt down? Maybe you want to put some money away for your children’s or your own education. Where is the cash going to come from? You have to look at your expenditures and see where you can cut back.

Even if you’re not looking to make major changes in your financial game plan, you can still benefit from all these exercises. Do you really need that $5 latte every day? You may scoff at the idea, but I bought myself a hot pink moka pot for the cost of a latte and make my own espresso drinks. Cutting out $5 a day gives you cash you could be spending on your next vacation, or on that dress you’ve had your eye on. Remember:

$35 a week equals

$140 a month

$1,680 a year

$8,400 over 5 years (which equals one amazingly luxurious trip to Paris!).

Professional Style

If you’re really looking to sort out your financial life and goals, I suggest getting some professional advice. You can start off by looking at books – I recommend Suze Orman’s Women and Money to any woman wanting to take control of her finances. If you want to cut back on discretionary spending, check out Catey Hill’s Shoo, Jimmy Choo!. If you’re very serious about your financial life (and I hope you are), you should consider finding a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to help you achieve your goals (if you need help, Suze Orman has a great section in Women and Money on how to choose a financial advisor).

I really hope these last few weeks have encouraged you to take a look at your financial situation and maybe even inspired you to take some action to ensure your financial future! Shine on, financially savvy Tranquilistas!

Katharine Albritton is an art market specialist and writer. Procrastinate with her at The Fine Taste Emporium and follow her on twitter.

tranquility du jour #183: ayurveda

tranquility du jour #183: ayurveda (mp3)
Bonjour. Welcome to the 183rd edition of Tranquility du Jour: A Guide to Bringing Tranquility to your Every Day. Today’s show features happenings and musings on ayurveda with Monica Bloom.

DC Book signings: Join me on Monday, April 26 through Ladies Who Launch DC and on Thursday, April 29 in Tranquil Space's tea lounge.

Workshops + Retreats: Consider joining moi on the Virtual Art Retreat with Wish Studio's Creative Cast April 30-May 2, a week long Yoga Lifestyle Retreat in lush Costa Rica May 29-June 5, a Tranquilista Retreat at Kripalu July 5-9, Denver workshops July 16-17, and a Yoga Retreat in India November 12-21.

Featured Tranquilista: Monica Bloom is an Ayurvedic practitioner, lecturer, writer, and creator of the Ayurvedic blog, HeyMonicaB.com: A Blooming Resource on Ayurveda, reaching readers worldwide. And, when the world responds, “Ayur-what?!,” Monica explains the foundation and benefits with ease. Ayurveda is the sister science to yoga, only it focuses on the rest of life. It recognizes us as individuals and promotes balance in our physical, mental, and emotional bodies through diet and lifestyle management. Monica’s dharma is to promote Ayurveda so that we can become a healthier, wiser, and balanced world.

Monica takes a light-hearted approach to life and Ayurveda is no exception. Her purist delivery of ancient wisdom fused with Midwest humor and practicality makes Monica an impactful entertaining healer. She graduated with a Diploma of Ayurvedic Sciences in April 2009 and in early 2010 traveled to India to advance her studies. Prior to finding Ayurveda, Monica lived the corporate life as an art director and in her quest to help people, became an ACE certified personal trainer. Monica provides Ayurvedic consultations for clients nationwide and speaks at bookstores, yoga studios, and private events around Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Savvy Sources:
Website: heymonicab.com
Twitter
Facebook

OMwork: What's your dosha?

Signature Style: The ballet-inspired spring collection TranquiliT.com in en pointe pink, sugarplum purple, and noir featuring the flare leggy. Whimsical, girly, feminine, and fun!

Stay Au Courant: Create a home practice. Join our Facebook group. Become my Facebook friend. Follow moi on Twitter. Download Tranquility du Jour on demand. Watch bi-weekly Tranquility du Jour TV on youtube.com/tranquilitydujour. Explore mentoring with moi. Peruse Hip Tranquil Chick or Tranquilista. Deepen your yoga practice at Tranquil Space. Get your do-gooding on with Tranquil Space Foundation. Sign up for my museletter. Join Tranquilista's fan page. Ask a question on my formspring profile.

Tranquilology Teleclass: Join moi for our next Tranquilology Teleclass "Frolicking into Fall" on Monday, September 20 at 9pm ET. $10. View petals from a previous teleclass.



Au Revoir: To close out the show, we’re playing Numbers by Elizabeth Shepherd. You can learn more about her music at elizabethshepherd.com.

- You don't need an iPod to listen to the podcast! 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 Alley

- Do you have iTunes? Click here and subscribe to the podcast. You'll automatically get the latest edition as soon as it's available

- Do you use another podcatcher? Use this link for the podcast RSS feed.

- Interested in starting a podcast for yourself, your organization or your business?
Check out nineball media.

week in review: process over product

this past week, and my life as of late, has had a recurring theme that i've wanted to share: process over product. the concept has come up in a few varied interactions and i take that as a sign to listen.

i'm a product girl. i like to check things off my list, want takeaways from every meeting, set goals for vacation time, and love to ensure follow up. product is my nature.

however, enjoying the process is a message i've received during a chat with a future supervisor at my upcoming social work internship and chatting with a meditation guru over tea. it's time to listen. this simple message was: 1) a reminder that everything doesn't have to result in a product and 2) a push to return to therapy.

as a therapist-in-training, i know it will beneficial to spend time "on the couch" in addition to "on the meditation" and "on the yoga mat." i've tried therapy off and on over the past decade and end up moving on after i feel like i'm not using my resources - time, money, energy - wisely. i want results. maybe instead i should focus on the process for the result.

this is where i'm trying to be at the moment. how are you with savoring the process? hard, eh?

week in review:
- hosted manager retreat chez moi
- hosted front desk team meeting at tranquil space
- retook stats exam and aced it thanks to 4-hour tutoring session with beloved yogini
- mani, pedi, brow wax, and foot rub = yum
- acupuncture and 2 physical therapy sessions - exercises are expanding. i complain and tell therapist i prefer the "spa-like" sessions where he rubs the shoulder and i go home.
- eco-chic event where TranquiliT is named the "rising star" of fashion
- tea with representative from the farm sanctuary and he gave me 2 books that i recommend: eating animals and farm sanctuary
- was featured guest in an online creativity course. fun to connect with like-minded ladies.
- attendeded lunafest event hosted by tranquil space foundation. GREAT films and fun event. love our volunteers.
- shipped oodles of online orders in reusable, recycled tote bag for earth day special. thanks for your support
- two mentoring sessions with lovely ladies on exciting paths
- rewarded select team members for going above and beyond
- returned to therapy to explore my addition to product in an attempt to understand process
- savored an artist play date with pal hilary and created the above pages

what is your week in review? how do you understand "process?" can you surrender "product?"

sending you and your weekend oodles of tranquilisty and sprinkles of edible glitter. add it to your pasta. why not?

bisous,
kimberly

eco-chic: TranquiliT wins award

TranquiliT was named as the "Rising Star" at Wednesday's Eco-Chic Event hosted by Fashion Group International. Here are a few snapshots of the event complete with models donning spring looks in noir, bubbly, the lovely eden and jlo who you've met at Green Festival and trunk shows chez moi, along with beau. We were beyond honored to be nominated AND win!

A Dose of Pleasure Thursday – Finding Pleasure in the Simple Things

“I adore simple pleasures. They are the last refuge of the complex.” --Oscar Wilde

These past few years, there's been a large movement towards simplicity. People are finding that less equals more in regards to time and happiness. The same is true for pleasure – the simple things are often the most pleasurable and bring about the most joy.

About a month ago I went to a Friday movie matinee. I don't go to a lot of movies and on this particular day I had a list of to-dos and a plan for the day. When I got out of bed that morning I decided to toss my schedule out the door and indulge in a change of pace. A few hours later I left the movie feeling happy and rejuvenated.

The price tag of my late morning/early afternoon of pleasure? Six dollars.

Many of my favorite simple pleasures don't cost a thing – like hiking in the woods or settling into a tub of hot bath water and bubbles by candlelight or sitting out on the deck with my Kindle in one hand and a glass of water with a thick lemon wedge in the other or browsing through my local bookstore.

What are you favorite simple pleasures? Do you enjoy sleeping in on a cloudy Saturday morning? Or maybe you enjoy cuddling with your favorite furry pet. If you need a little inspiration in the simple pleasure area, check out this list of the 30 most satisfying simple pleasures life has to offer and 75 simple pleasures to brighten your day.

Now that you you have your simple pleasure juices flowing, make a list of your favorites. Now go to your calendar and schedule a few into you day. Try adding a few simple pleasures into one day. Sprinkling these simple pleasures throughout the day reminds you to invite pleasure into your day – regardless of how busy it is or whether or not it's not going so well for you at the moment.

Have a pleasure-filled day,

Diane

Diane Cesa is a yoga practitioner and teacher, lover of life, tea drinker, adventurer, eternal optimist, nature fan, blogger and self-proclaimed pleasure maven.

wednesday is the new tuesday

change is in the air.

i announced to my beloved tuesday night crew that i'd be sans tuesday for the next year due to graduate school. my, oh my. what a BIG change in my lifestyle. i've been teaching tuesday nights since i started the studio in my living room in 1999. 11 years of patterning. soon i'll be moving to wednesdays and taking classes tuesday nights.

one of my longtime students (who i always try to convince to stay for both classes) said to me, "think wednesday is the new tuesday." i loved it. told him i was stealing this as my new mantra.

with so much change transpiring at the moment in my own life (school + injuries), i thought this was perfect to ponder. on monday while en route to school, i tweeted the mantra above "ponder what seeds you're planting, what needs watering, and what needs weeding." sarah, a darling yogini and twitter follower, turned the tweet into the above graphic and passed it along. love it.

so, i beckon you to ponder the same:

1. what seeds are you currently planting?
moi: education/professional development

2. what needs watering?
moi: personal relationships, down time, crafty/creative time, studying time

3. what needs weeding?
moi: clutter - mental and physical

would love to hear how your garden grows.

bisous,
kimberly

Keeping in Touch: Remember the Postcard

"To Make a long story short . . ."

I think we can all agree that it's pretty sweet to receive a handwritten letter in the mail. We can also agree that though we love receiving them, it's tough to find time to sit down and write them. That is why I take this moment to remind you (and me!) about the nifty shorthand version of a letter—the postcard. But don't you have to be on vacation to send a postcard?Absolutely not! I find postcards sent from non-exotic places rather funny. (I once sent my friend Patrick a postcard from Wilmington, Delaware). Every convenience store you walk into has a selection of postcards. They are a cute way to let someone know you're thinking of them. You can say, "I'm sorry I missed you're call on Sunday night. I'll call back this weekend!" You can send an inspirational quote. Tell someone you miss them. Give words of encouragement if you know someone is going through a rough time. Say, "It could be worse. You could be in Wilmington, Delaware!"

Postcards serve practical purposes, too. A few holiday seasons ago I headed to St. Marten's right after Christmas. While I was there, I sent my cousin Jennifer (my benefactor in the family exchange) a thank you note in postcard form. My father asks me to send him a postcard wherever I go—exotic or not. For him, I like to find postcards with funny animals on them. (He's a funny animal kinda guy). Postcards slip right into picture frames and scrapbooks easily. My friend Erica sent me a Valentine's postcard that greeted me from my fridge for the rest of February. It's made me smile several times already and I'm sure it'll work it's magic again when I comes across it years from now going through my letter box.

I once referred to a postcard as "the original text message." I take that back. I think the telegram was the original text message, but telegrams are insanely expensive. I tried to send one to my friend Neal in Sao Paulo—it was a couple hundred dollars! Making the postcard the much more practical and arguably effortless way to make someone's day.


Samara O'Shea is an author and professional letter writer. Visit her at LetterLover.net or follow her on Twitter.

tranquility du jour #182: creative expression

tranquility du jour #182: creative expression (mp3)
Bonjour. Welcome to the 182nd edition of Tranquility du Jour: A Guide to Bringing Tranquility to your Every Day. Today’s show features happenings and musings on creative expression with Violette Clark.

DC Book signings: Join me on Monday, April 26 through Ladies Who Launch DC and on Thursday, April 29 in Tranquil Space's tea lounge.

Workshops + Retreats: Consider joining moi on the Virtual Art Retreat with Wish Studio's Creative Cast April 30-May 2, a week long Yoga Lifestyle Retreat in lush Costa Rica May 29-June 5, a Tranquilista Retreat at Kripalu July 5-9, Denver workshops July 16-17, and a Yoga Retreat in India November 12-21.

Featured Tranquilista: Violette Clark
I am a mixed media artist, author, designer, workshop instructor and creative catalyst. I live in beautiful B.C. Canada with my partner Mr. G (aptly named for his tolerance of glitter) in a purple magic cottage. The cottage sports a huge papier mache dragonfly drenched in glitter!

My first book Journal Bliss: Creative Prompts to Unleash your inner Eccentric is all about Visual Journaling. My passion is to teach others to embrace who they are through the vehicle of their creativity. I do this mainly through classes on Visual Journaling (among other mixed media projects), in my online classes and in my blog. My home, glittery van and art have been featured on numerous TV shows.

Savvy Sources:
Website: violette.ca
Blog: violette.ca/blog.html
Twitter
Book: Journal Bliss: Creative Prompts to Unleash Your Inner Eccentric
You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/user/creativeboho

OMwork: How can you embrace your eccentricity?




Signature Style: The ballet-inspired spring collection at TranquiliT.com in en pointe pink, sugarplum purple, and noir featuring the reversible wrap dress. Whimsical, girly, feminine, and fun!

Stay Au Courant: Create a home practice. Join our Facebook group. Become my Facebook friend. Follow moi on Twitter. Download Tranquility du Jour on demand. Watch bi-weekly Tranquility du Jour TV on youtube.com/tranquilitydujour. Explore mentoring with moi. Peruse Hip Tranquil Chick or Tranquilista. Deepen your yoga practice at Tranquil Space. Get your do-gooding on with Tranquil Space Foundation. Sign up for my museletter. Join Tranquilista's fan page. Tranquil Space Foundation's hosting LunaFest on April 22!

Tranquilology Teleclass: Join moi for our next Tranquilology Teleclass "Frolicking into Fall" on Monday, September 20 at 9pm ET. $10. View petals from winter's teleclass.

Au Revoir: To close out the show, we’re playing Steal Your Love by Carrie Rodriquez. You can learn more about her music at carrierodriguez.com.

- You don't need an iPod to listen to the podcast! 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 Alley

- Do you have iTunes? Click here and subscribe to the podcast. You'll automatically get the latest edition as soon as it's available

- Do you use another podcatcher? Use this link for the podcast RSS feed.

- Interested in starting a podcast for yourself, your organization or your business?
Check out nineball media.

week in review: reflections

as i sit with glassy eyes in the cafe of georgetown's barnes and noble, i wanted to share my week in review. would love to hear yours!

- turned in abnormal psych paper and stats take home exam.
- handled taxes for four entities plus self.
- had tea with old friend on similar path seeking mindfulness.
- taught 3 classes.
- had acupuncture + 2 physical therapy sessions.
- saw hand surgeon to schedule july surgery to repair thumb (condition common in flexi women).
- hosted a fave couple for dinner by candlelight on patio sans mosquitoes.
- played in my visual journal.
- new cut + color a la anna wintour.
- filled out oodles of bank statements and credit card statements for accountant. boo.
- mentoring session with beloved yogini.
- met with judge of next week's eco-chic award at the cocoran gallery (TranquiliT is a nominee).
- evening of revitalization at barnes + noble.
- reflexology indulgence.
- handled oodles of challenging e-mails. was it a full moon?
- skype chat with britt re: off the mat, into the world.
- scheduled 2011 teacher training dates with fellow managers.
- recorded 4th podcast for tranquilista e-course participants on style.

despite a list of completed tasks and pleasant exchanges, i'm feeling less than full at the moment. healing feels like a full-time job that has me heading to acupuncture, physical therapy, doctor appointments, and needing help carrying basics like a laptop and planner pad.

as a blogger since 2004, i've only begun looking at other blogs recently. i'm blown away by the beauty and creativity that shines forth. funny how looking at other people's greatness can leave me inspired and . . . feeling sub par. anyone else struggle with this dilemma?

for example, i'm totally into visual journaling now and so inspired by lisa sonora beam and hope wallace karney's journals. OMG. gorgeous.

a friend passed along the above image of a self-improvement section where she saw my book. it's a good reminder that we are *all* works in progress. constantly given the opportunity to grow and repot ourselves as we outgrow - even if our journals aren't *yet* works of art.

planting seeds,
kimberly

foodie friday... decadence

i adore the complexity and nuance of sea salt and dark chocolate, which is why these salty-sweet brownies are the perfect sophisticated indulgence. the texture is chewy and the hints of salt are subtle - may this recipe bring decadence and celebration to your weekend. tell me: what is your favorite indulgence?


sea salt fudge brownies
(adapted from kate krader in food & wine magazine)

3/4 c. unsalted butter
1/3 c. unsweetened dark chocolate, chopped
1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 c. sugar
3 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. coarse sea salt

preheat the oven to 350°. line a nine-inch square metal cake pan with foil, draping the foil over the edges and lightly butter the foil.

in a large saucepan, melt the butter with the unsweetened chocolate over very low heat, stirring occasionally. remove from the heat. whisking them in one at a time until thoroughly incorporated, add the cocoa, sugar, eggs, vanilla and flour. pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface. sprinkle the salt evenly over the batter and swirl the salt into the batter.

bake the fudge brownies in the center of the oven for about 35 minutes, until the edge is set but the center is still a bit soft and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out coated with a little of the batter. let the brownies cool at room temperature in the pan for one hour, then refrigerate just until they are firm, about 1 hour. lift the brownies from the pan and peel off the foil. cut into squares and serve at room temperature.


posted by robyn. visit her blog: this is life.

robyn michelle-lee is an ashtanga yogini, a foodie, a literature student, a photographer, and a lifestyle writer. live this moment - live your lifestyle.

signature style wednesdays: setting goals with style

it is not enough to take steps which
may some day lead to a goal;
each step must be itself
a goal and a step likewise.
(johann wolfing von goethe)

hello gorgeous tranquilistas!
i hope you're having a stylish week filled with sunshine and happiness. in case we haven't met, please check out my most recent musings on sparkling into spring. this week's topic is setting goals with style.

i recently had a birthday and am feeling a strong desire to reexamine my intentions for the coming year. here are a few ways to infuse sparkle and style into any goal-setting session...

set the stage
get comfy or dress up. take yourself to a coffee shop or nestle in a bunch of blankets. draw a bath or pull up a chair. grab a latte or steep some tea. burn incense or a soy candle. put your favorite tunes on or find silence. do whatever helps get you in the mood for creative thought.

gather your materials
collect inspirational quotes or images from magazines to put in your journal. buy large post-its and mr. sketch markers for brainstorming. get your notepad and favorite sparkly pens. keep your macbook and favorite books close to reference.

imagine the possibilities
think back to when you were a small child with big dreams. step outside the box. give yourself permission to imagine what you could accomplish if money, time and space were not obstacles.

be sparkly, be smarty
keep the acronym s.m.a.r.t. in mind as you set your goals. be as specific as possible. determine a measurable outcome. establish intentions you believe are achievable. dream big, but be realistic. keep your goals timely by establishing a deadline or check-in date to assess your progress.

reward yourself
buy a new book. take a friend to the movies. book a mani/pedi. splurge on a dinner out. treat yourself to something special. recognize your achievements and delight in the bliss of achieving your goals!

image credit: lululemon athletica

kaileenelise is a sparklista, yogini, artist, blogger & creative entrepreneur. tweet along & visit her website for musings on making every day an extraordinary adventure.

closet reorg = feels good

here's a peek into saturday night's closet reorg. look at all the stuff we removed! wow. having a helpful hand made *such* a difference. i usually do this seasonal task alone but the buddy system was much appreciated. here are some before, during, and after shots.

we began with my overstuffed chest of drawers (full of lounge wear, socks, lingerie, and linens) which now opens and closes with ease. then we moved onto each hanging section (dresses, pants, skirts, tops, outerwear), the upper shelving, and my accessory bin full of scarves and necklaces. i got rid of bags of hangers, overworn/vintage TranquiliT, weekend bags circa college, a patterned raincoat, tired jewelry + bags, and linens that were ready for retirement. oh, and an ironing board i hadn't used in over a decade!

i've purchased some real simple slimline hangers to cut down on some of the bulk of my current hangers and to help with slippage (these hangers are flocked). here's a you tube video giving insights into these hangers. i can't wait to get my clothes on 'em!

clearing clutter is incredibly cleansing. i look forward to continuing this process and doing my best to shed an item for each new item brought into chez moi. the key is to start small with a drawer or closet rather than a huge home overhaul. it's shocking what we can accumulate and shedding takes time. what can you spring clean this week?

p.s. georgia o'keefe exhibit GIVEAWAY winners: CBM and lauren. contact me for ticket info. congrats!

bisous,
kimberly

$ense & $ensibility Monday: Budgeting Basics, Part Deux

Discretionary Dalliances
In my last post, I talked about budgeting basics and necessity spending. This week we’ll be looking at discretionary spending so we can really get an idea of where our money is going.

Discretionary Expenses

Unlike necessities, these expenses are not things you need to be spending money on - though sometimes we might feel that we do! Discretionary spending includes things such as clothing/accessories, toiletries and beauty products, subscriptions to glossies, and eating out/ordering in. Basically, anything that I didn’t cover in the list of necessity spending categories is a discretionary expense.

Discretionary expenses can be further broken down into two categories:

Day-to-day discretionary expenses – these are items you buy about once a week, e.g. eating out, coffee runs, accessories, beauty products, and entertainment (movies, magazines, books, smart phone apps, drinks).

Incidental discretionary expenses – these are things you buy infrequently, usually only once per month, e.g. gym memberships, cable and internet, haircuts, vacations, and gifts.

Discretionary Diary

This week I’d like you to keep a diary of your day-to-day discretionary expenses. Starting today, write down everything you spend money on that is not a necessity. And no, that soy-quad-latte is not a necessity! At the end of the week, add it all up. The purpose of this exercise is to see where exactly your money is going and make sure you aren’t spending more than you are taking in.

Even if you know you’re not spending beyond your limits, it’s still important to see exactly what you’re spending money on and why. It’s usually quite an eye-opening experience to see how much we spend on trivial things in a week. Also, if you’re looking to save more, make an investment, or make a down payment, where is that money going to come from? Knowing what you’re spending money on lets you know what you can cut back on.

Just remember, spending on things you don’t need adds up quickly:

$30 per week equals

$120 per month

$1,440 per year

$7,200 over 5 years

Is there somewhere else you’d rather be putting that $1,440 per year? It’s never too late to take control of your finances.

Katharine Albritton is an art market specialist and writer. Procrastinate with her at The Fine Taste Emporium and follow her on twitter.

tranquility du jour #181: living the not so big life

tranquility du jour #181: living the not so big life (mp3)

Bonjour. Welcome to the 181st edition of Tranquility du Jour: A Guide to Bringing Tranquility to your Every Day. Today’s show features happenings and musings on living the not so big life with Sarah Susanka.

Tranquilology Teleclass: Join moi for our next Tranquilology Teleclass "Frolicking into Fall" on Monday, September 20 at 9pm ET. $10. View petals from winter's teleclass.

Workshops + Retreats: Consider joining moi on the Virtual Art Retreat with Wish Studio's Creative Cast April 30-May 2, a week long Yoga Lifestyle Retreat in lush Costa Rica May 29-June 5, a Tranquilista Retreat at Kripalu July 5-9, Denver workshops July 16-17, and a Yoga Retreat in India November 12-21.

Featured Tranquilista: Sarah Susanka is leading a movement to redefine the American home and lifestyle. A cultural visionary, Susanka is the author of eight books that collectively weave together home and life design, revealing that a Not So Big attitude serves not only architectural aims, but life goals as well. Her books have sold well over one million copies and continue to rank highly on best-seller lists.

In her Not So Big House series, Susanka helps readers understand that the sense of “home” they’re seeking has almost nothing to do with quantity and everything to do with quality. She points out that we feel “at home” in our houses when where we live reflects who we are in our hearts. In The Not So Big Life, she uses this same set of notions to explain that we can be “at home” in our lives only when we engage everything we do with this same integrity, each action reflecting who we truly are. In both realms she believes that Not So Big should be the first step in sustainability, both for our own well being and for the well being of the planet as a whole.

Thought Leader, Speaker and Expert Resource
A master in the use of metaphor to explain new dimensions of understanding, Susanka has a gift for making the complex simple and for demystifying even the most obscure subject matter. Susanka’s “build better, not bigger” approach to residential architecture has been embraced across the country and her Not So Big philosophy has evolved beyond our physical habitations and into how we inhabit our lives.

In September 2008, Susanka’s groundbreaking first book The Not So Big House, was re-released as a special 10th anniversary edition with a new cover, introduction and a new chapter. Other Susanka titles include: Creating the Not So Big House (Taunton, 2000), Not So Big Solutions for Your Home (Taunton, 2002), Home By Design (Taunton, 2004), Inside the Not So Big House (Taunton, 2005), Outside the Not So Big House (Taunton, 2006) and The Not So Big Life: Making Room for What Really Matters (Random House, 2007). Her latest book, Not So Big Remodeling: Tailoring Your Home for the Way You Really Live, was written with co-author Marc Vassallo and was released in March 2009. The Taunton Press will release Susanka’s ninth book, More Not So Big Solutions for Your Home, in March 2010.

Susanka has been interviewed by hundreds of television and radio shows across the nation including “Oprah,” “Charlie Rose,” “Good Morning America,” CNN’s “American Morning” and “Diane Rehm.” She is regularly tapped by major news organizations including The New York Times, USA Today and national magazines for her insights into home design, lifestyle and sustainability.
Fast Company named Susanka to their debut list of “Fast 50” innovators whose achievements have helped to change society, Newsweek magazine selected her as a “top newsmaker” for 2000, and U.S. News and World Report dubbed her an “innovator in American culture” in 1998. Susanka was presented with the 2007 Anne Morrow Lindbergh Award by the Lindbergh Foundation for outstanding individual achievement in making positive contributions to our world.

Susanka is a member of the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects and a Senior Fellow of the Design Futures Council. She was born in Kent, England, and today lives in North Carolina.

Savvy Sources:
Websites:
http://www.notsobig.com
http://www.notsobighouse.com
http://www.notsobiglife.com
http://www.susanka.com
http://www.notsobigshowhouse.com
http://www.maitrhea.com
Twitter
Facebook





Books:
The Not So Big Life
more books + DVD






OMwork: How can you live a not so big life?

Signature Style: The ballet-inspired spring collection has sprung at TranquiliT.com in en pointe pink, sugarplum purple, and noir. Whimsical, girly, feminine, and fun!
Stay Au Courant: Create a home practice. Join our Facebook group. Become my Facebook friend. Follow moi on Twitter. Download Tranquility du Jour on demand. Watch bi-weekly Tranquility du Jour TV on youtube.com/tranquilitydujour. Explore mentoring with moi. Peruse Hip Tranquil Chick or Tranquilista. Deepen your yoga practice at Tranquil Space. Get your do-gooding on with Tranquil Space Foundation. Sign up for my museletter. Join Tranquilista's fan page. Tranquil Space Foundation's hosting LunaFest on April 22!

Au Revoir: To close out the show, we’re playing "Jars of Fireflies" by Pocket. You can learn more about their music at

- You don't need an iPod to listen to the podcast! 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 Alley

- Do you have iTunes? Click here and subscribe to the podcast. You'll automatically get the latest edition as soon as it's available

- Do you use another podcatcher? Use this link for the podcast RSS feed.

- Interested in starting a podcast for yourself, your organization or your business?
Check out nineball media.

i'm so excited and i just can't hide it . . . + artistic giveaway

to conclude my week, i wanted to share a few things that i'm currently excited about PLUS offer you a chance to indulge in a much-deserved artist date. here are my happy thoughts in no particular order:

1. sex and the city 2 hits theatres may 27. OMG. seriously, so excited. will be there opening night with bells on. ok, maybe not bells. a flower pin and sparkles, for sure!

2. i'm now moving around and my "exercise" is pendulum swings. wanna see the surgery? ewww.

3. i'm 1/2 done with paper 1 due monday. only 1 1/2 to go!

4. tomorrow night a friend is coming over to help me declutter chez moi. will take before and after pics for spring cleaning inspiration.

5. this semester is over in 4 weeks. woo-hoo. alas, then i start summer school the following week.

6. TranquiliT is nominated as a "rising star" in an upcoming eco-chic award event at the corcoran gallery. hmmmm, wonder what i should wear? *and* bloomies wants to feature a few pieces in their earth day window display.

7. i accepted an internship at n street village and will be working in their education and employment center 16 hours/week september-may 2011 for my first MSW internship. great organization!

8. i have tickets to go see the georgia o'keefe exhibit at the phillips collection. GIVEAWAY: want a ticket? leave a coment below and *two local ladies* will be randomly chosen and given a chance to indulge in an artist date.

what are you excited about at the moment?

wishing you a tranquil, artistic, playful weekend sans school papers!

xx,
kimberly

do-gooding opportunities

1. Our non-profit, Tranquil Space Foundation, is hosting Lunafest on Thursday, April 22nd at Steptoe and Johnson in Dupont. The evening will begin with a reception at 6:30pm and the films will be shown at 7:00 after we honor our Spring 2010 grantees. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door and include the wine and cheese reception PLUS yummy popcorn. Yay!

All of the proceeds from LunafestDC will go to TSF and the Breast Cancer Research Fund. This will be an inspirational night on many fronts - from the films to the grantees to the mission behind all of our work - helping young women to find their inner voice through yoga, creativity and leadership. Purchase tickets here.

2. One of our teachers, Abby Strunk, is the ED at Street Sense and recently shared these openings so I offered to pass along. This great organization is looking for 3-5 committed volunteers to manage our office and distribute papers to our vendors and three rock star interns for the summer: a marketing & communications intern, a graphic design intern and a development intern. Each position provides an opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way to Street Sense and to the work we’re doing to address the challenges of homelessness. Please visit here to learn more about each position.

3. Consider joining the Tranquil Space team for the Walk to End Violence Against Women and Girls on April 18. Right now we are the #1 fundraising team in the COUNTRY for this crucial cause - and we need your help to stay there!

Participate in the walk with the Tranquil Space team, make a tax-deductible donation, or reach out to your elected representatives to encourage them to support the pendiong I-VAWA legislation. You can register, donate, or find out more info about any of these action steps on my Firstgiving page: http://www.firstgiving.com/allisonasplin. The walk starts in Arlington and ends in Dupont Circle - what a great symbol of connection between our two studios!

4. This Sunday I'm leading a slow flow class from 6-7:15 at our Dupont location as part of our "Second Sundays" dedicated to raising money for charities. The requested donation is $15 to Tranquil Space Foundation. Please come out to support the cause and begin your week with an intentional start! Sign up at tranquilspace.com.

2 weeks after surgery

rain is pouring outside and i'm lounging on my chaise sipping tea. it's hard to believe two weeks have passed since my surgery. i am now able to wash my own hair, apply eyeliner, and use both hands when i type. seriously, i've come a long way. when i had my stitches removed yesterday (ouch), my doctor told me that i would have to take 12 weeks off from yoga and boxing. 2 down. 10 to go.

without being too dramatic, i feel like my whole world has been turned upside down. my refuge, my haven, and my form of exercise has been pulled out from under me. taking time off yoga shows me how much i need yoga and how my life revolves around it - teaching, taking, and running yoga-related businesses.

this will somehow be a good thing. having something that i adore and that is such a part of my life taken from me (temporarily, thank gawd) is a beautiful reminder to be grateful for all i have. 2 working arms sounds so dreamy right now. as i watched yogis go into wheel pose on tuesday night i was struck with envy. i asked my physical therapist if i could do that again and he assured me i could. yay!

apparently i'm healing quickly and i credit it to the yoga over the past decade plus, my addiction to fish oil pills, and my green smoothies. slowing down has been hard to adjust to. it takes me longer to get ready in the morning and my energy level isn't quite back so i feel like i'm more of a snail these days.

again, lessons are here and there is something beautiful about listening to it. this surgery came at a time when i was falling more and more in love with the notion of the not so big life and i don't think it is by accident. (excited to share that the author, sarah susanka, is sunday's podcast interviewee!)

listening to my body (vs my deadlines = 2 papers due on monday), i'm heading to bed by 10 tonight. this snail is tired and thinks sleeping to the sound of rain is heavenly. the deadlines will be there in the morning. tonight i'm craving tranquility over productivity. 'night!

much love,
kimberly

A Dose of Pleasure Thursday – Know Thyself

How well do you know yourself? While your tendency may be to say “well,” reserve judgment for just a second. Instead, try answering these questions:

What do you want out of life?

What does your perfect day look like?

How do you best learn?

In what environments do you work best/thrive?

What's your greatest gift?

How are you thoughts and beliefs affecting how you live your life?

What are your deepest desires?

How did you do? Did you find these questions easy or difficult to answer? This exercise may be surprising for you – perhaps you don't know yourself as well as you thought. If you had no trouble answering these questions – congratulations! Still, keep reading because you can always learn something new about yourself.

My favorite answer to the question “What do you really want?” used to be a resounding “I don't know!!!” Not knowing was a biiiiig problem for me because by not knowing, I ended up settling for whatever came my way. Now if that's not a recipe for disaster and dissatisfaction, then I don't know what is.

I figured this out somewhere along the line (after a lot of frustration, unhappiness, confusion, and a general overall feeling of “is this all there is?!?!?”) and started to get serious about exploring my inner landscape. I won't bore you with the details, but I will tell you this – when I started directing my focus inward and listening to myself, my whole life changed. Yep, not knowing yourself can be a huge stumbling block to pleasure. Socrates really knew what he was talking about when he said “know thyself.”

This may sound a bit intimidating – all of this getting to know yourself stuff – but it's really not. It simply takes a little time, a little effort and an open mind. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

• Get quiet – one of my favorite ways to tune into what's going on with me is sitting quietly. So often our attention is pulled in a dozen different directions. Let's face it – the world offers up a lot of external stimulation. The idea of sitting quietly (without the TV or radio on) can feel a bit intimidating. Still, sitting quietly is a wonderful thing to do each day. I recommend 10-30 minutes in the morning and evening. Some call this meditation but I don't like to use that word as people tend to think of sitting in some rigidly uncomfortable posture, employing some sort of meditation technique with the goal of turning off your thoughts. Forget about all that. Just sit quietly and notice what happens. If your mind is running a mile a minute, let it. Don't beat yourself up, just bring your attention back to noticing what's going on with you. After you've been sitting for a while, ask yourself this questions: What do I need to know right now? I do this every day and I especially love to do this when I have a decision to make or I'm feeling an underlying sense of dissatisfaction that needs to be addressed.
• Experiment – a great way to learn about yourself is to try different things. This includes food, music, classes, experiences, etc. Doing this helps you uncover new facets of yourself that you might not have known were there. You may even find a new passion. That's what happened to a friend of mine – she stumbled upon a love for knitting after randomly trying a knitting class. Take a look at an adult education catalog and circle any course that catches your attention. Don't give your brain time to jump in with “oh, why would you choose that/you can't do that?!?!” thoughts – just go on instinct and choose whatever feels/looks/sounds interesting to you. You don't have to worry about this taking up too much of your time – just commit to doing something new once every 3 months. That's only 4 new things a year. It doesn't necessarily take a lot to awaken a whole new side of yourself.
• Get Informed – I have a whole mini-library of books that have helped me discover how my brain works, what my learning style is, in what environments I function best, etc.. Learning these things have helped me immeasurably. Now I structure my day in such a way as to compliment my personal style. I've changed everything from how I organize myself and my surroundings to my career to my daily practices. Now I'm not only happier but I'm more efficient, productive, and more satisfied. Sometimes what you don't know CAN hurt you.
  

Here are some book suggestions to help you work with yourself rather than against:

• The Open Mind
• Refuse to Choose – this book is particularly helpful for those of us who have a lot of varied interests and keep looking for the “perfect” career.
• I Could Do Anything if I Only Knew What it Was
• The Brain that Changes Itself
• Getting Real: 10 Truth Skills You Need to Live an Authentic Life
• Train Your Mind Change Your Brain: How a New Science Reveals Our Extraordinary Potential to Transform Ourselves
• The Big Leap
• Taming Our Monkey Mind
• Life's Companion: Journal Writing as a Spiritual Quest

Think about it – when we buy something new, it comes with an instruction manual so that we know how to best use it. Yet here we are operating in the world sometimes without a clue as to how to maximize our potential. When you understand yourself, things get easier. Life gets easier. It's like working with the flow rather than against it. Now THAT'S pleasure!

Have fun getting to know your fine self!

Have a pleasure-filled day,

Diane

Diane Cesa is a yoga practitioner and teacher, lover of life, tea drinker, adventurer, eternal optimist, nature fan, blogger and self-proclaimed pleasure maven.