mon anniversaire

image courtesy of lalunemacherie.tumblr.com

today i turn one year older (39!) and enter into my fortieth year. i woke up in our rented parisian apartment (merci beaucoup airbandb) and le beau was making moi my beloved morning green tea. plans are light and somewhat spontaneous:

morning market + croissant

afternoon yoga class gifted from a facebook friend/paris yoga teacher

afternoon thrifting + wandering

evening meal with le beau + le pug at a sidewalk cafe

insert a macaron or deux 

 image courtesy of oh, so darling

each birthday i do a review of the past year and a list of dreams for the upcoming year. here's a snippet from my reflection:

since june 30, 2011 reflection

hosted 2 retreats in france

hosted 2 retreats in WV

co-hosted 1 retreat in costa rica

said goodbye to gramma

retreated in mexico

drove a camper through south of france

disney leadership institue

hired at amtrak for internship

celebrated 8 years with le beau

joined the sketchbook project

went on semi-sabbatical

completed 5 MSW classes

hosted tranquil space team retreat + holiday fete

 grief counseling

tranquil space foundation strategic planning

launched tranquilologie e-course (july edition out 7/2)

intro to dance classes

 tranquil space foundation fall celebration + lunafest

embroidery classes

sewing classes

hosted le beau's 40th birthday fete

TranquiliT turned 10

launched fall + spring TranquiliT collections

crafted handmade gifts

hollydaze with mum and pops

joined pigs board
soap, olive oil, perfume tours in provence
10-year anniversary in nyc with senior teachers
began year in nyc at yoga gathering

by june 30, 2013 dreams

graduate with masters in social work

 complete year of mindfulness program

learn to can

simplify chez moi

simplify schedule

proposal for third book

9-year anniversary with le beau

travel with amtrak internship + learn tons

mostly vegan

summer in france

vintage camper

home sewing + addition of upcycled items to TranquiliT

daily yoga, gym, meditation

weekly ballet classes

launch tranquility du jour anthology

launch tranquility du jour daybook

learn tons at world domination summit next week

healthy finances + strong budgets

consistent tranquility-infused morning + evening rituals

weekly girlfriend time + date night

tranquil space turns 13

more minimalism in all aspects (w/ continued sprinkles of luxury)

turn patio into english garden

laugh more

host amazing paris + provence retreats

take a photography class

take a watercolor class

take a french class

learn lots at my 2 summer animal rights conferences

make a difference

line dry clothing

 image courtesy of the enchanting butterfly

as i head out into my day, i want to wish each of you a very special june 30th. we're halfway through 2012 and it's a perfect time to pause and reflect. by keeping so busy that we don't have a moment to breathe, say "merci beaucoup," or create dreams, we're missing so much. may each day truly be seen as "the first day of the rest of your life." remember, it's all about the experiences. thank YOU for being part of mine. 
bisous. x