artist's date: new york

 sweet set up with striped straws + tulips + pastel cups

 pussy willows topped with ribbons

 handmade banners

 tulips + ephemera + journal + striped straw

handmade banner + scene of city streets

after an exciting showing of vegucated at tranquil space last night, le beau and i chatted into the wee hours discussing heaps of ideas and rehashing the past two weeks. last i recall, the clock glared 12:30am. then the alarm sang at 4:30am (yikes!).  i jumped out of bed and onto a bus to nyc. shocked to find a full bus, i napped a bit sitting straight up en route to holly becker + leslie shewring's blogging workshop. hmmm, can we say tired? 

i was delighted to be greeted with such beauty at today's workshop: chronicle journals to take notes, a small ephemera packet, handmade banners and flurescent paper hung throughout, tulips, pastel paper goods, and pussy willows donning tied ribbons. i immediately felt at home and snapped the above photos with glee. 

i took ten pages of notes in my tiny ideas book and wanted to share a few takeaways in no particular order:

* use your blog as a catalyst to live your best life

* be an explorer of the world - see things with new eyes

* craft mood boards

* read "the accidental creative"

* read + comment on other blogs

* ask others what they seek my strengths + weaknesses to be

* ask self lots of questions

* note 5 major goals i want to achieve

* weed your garden (literally + figuratively)

* have dinner alone

* answer, "if i had all the resources in the world, what would i be doing with my life?"

* write weekly columns (like things i love, week in review)

* try a 6-week series (love this idea - suggestions on what you'd like to see?)

* do regular blog redesigns

* do a blog survey (coming soon here)

* post regularly on where else you can be found (ex. twitter, facebook)

 * host a pop up shop = love!

* host sponsors

* teach workshops, online courses, classes

* sell downloadable content and products

* CAKE = confident, approachable, knowledgeable, engaging

* answer, "what story do you want your blog to tell?"
* showcase most popular posts

* have a clear about + contact page

fun stuff, eh? considering i've been blogging for nearly 7 years now, it's amazing how much there is still to learn and experience. the incorporation of photos plus the beauty of instagram (i'm @tranquilitydujour on it) has added such a creative touch to my blog. instagram turns the smartphone and everyday adventures into art. 

i hope this artist date sprinkles some love into your blogging or journaling journey. here are a few blogging resources for going deeper:

blogging your way e-course

a beautiful mess blog love e-course 

juicy blogging e-course

wishing you a tranquil saturday night. i'm off to do a few moments of window shopping before busing back to dc and finishing up march's tranquilologie musings. if you have any suggestions for tranquility du jour, please pass them along as i love all your fun ideas and many things have come out of them such as tranquilologie and the creative + conscious business e-course!

p.s. like the tranquility du jour facebook page to be the first to know about this week's *exciting* giveaway and big announcement. bisous. x