The bamboo beanie is one of our new additions to the fall/winter collection this year. Much like many of the pieces in the line, the beanie offers plenty of versatility for your fall wardrobe when combined with a dash of creativity!

Here are some ways to dawn the perfect cap:

1. TranquiliT's beanie comes with a hand-made flower brooch created in Nepal (100% child labor free and made with eco-friendly materials). Simply pinning on this cute addition can put a spring to your step.






2. Have your own favorite brooch already on hand? Why not show off a little color on the edge by flipping the corner up an pinning it with your own fabulous brooch.







3. Take a few of your stud earrings and poke them through the side of your beanie for a fun variation. Make sure that the backs of the studs are short enough so they won't poke your head.






4. Ribbon, ribbon, ribbon! What's more femine than a lush ribbon tied to your hat? Combine a few types of ribbon (as seen in the photo) and pin it to your hat. For the more crafty TranquiliT gal, consider stitching the ribbon in a unique design with a needle and thread.






5. Have a more funky style? Layer the beanie with another favorite hat for your collection for a hip (and warm) look. The lettuce edging peeks out just enough to make this style cute and functional.






Possibilities are endless! We would love to know how you spice up for your beanie -- email a picture of your version to christy@tranquilit.com and we just might have to share it on our blog!

~Christy, events designer

tonight a fellow writer's retreat gal and moi headed into the big city for some live music at rapunzels. the band is fabulous, but the audience consists of me, my pal, a random dude in the back corner, and two lovely gals serving up coffee. guess we'll head to the local cafe for some downtown grub before heading back to our writing desks.

can i confess? i've been going through serious everyday life withdrawals. literally. heart palpitations at times, obsessive checking of my cell phone, and an odd discomfort at not being super-busy. i equate it to what i presume happens in detox. initially it was true bliss. then yesterday i started getting antsy. i'm sure i'll be settled in and completely "normal" right when i'm ready to head back to a weekend of teaching on friday. ah, such is life. however, i have REALLY enjoyed this time away, done a heck of writing, and savored living simply (in between the shakes!). just kidding. kinda.

my pal is getting antsy as it's time to eat. that's all we do here. eat, write, eat, shower, write more, sleep, write.

before i sign off, i wanted to share a quote that i pulled out of a yoga magazine this weekend during our collage-making extravaganza:

yoga is about making friends with life and with yourself. there is no lifestyle, no occupation, no situation that cannot be greatly enhanced by yoga. yoga is not something that should be set apart from one's life. rather it should become the taproot from which the other aspects of your life are nourished and regenerated. - godfrey devereaux

well said, godfrey. hope you love it as much as i do. off to write . . .

Meditation is a scary word to many people. As we dive into our practice of healthy living on and off the yoga mat together, I want to begin by focusing on this misunderstood must-have for our everyday busy lives. Throughout this weekly column, I'll offer you tips and tools for infusing your world with doses of tranquility.

Take a moment to be in your body. Find a comfortable place to sit still and simply be. Sure, this can be done on the metro, at the office, or on your hot pink meditation cushion - wherever you can carve out space in your schedule. Rest your hands onto your thighs, lengthen through the crown of your head, draw your shoulder blades down your back as your chest lifts, and close your eyes.

Observe the sensations around and within you - people chatting nearby, soup simmering on the stovetop, wind blowing, a clock ticking, mind replaying yesterday's drama, hips aching. Just observe without judgment.

Now visualize your thoughts passing through your mind like floating clouds - avoid holding onto them and avoid pushing them away. Let them come. Focus on each in breath and each out breath to work to tame your mind. Adding in something that you repeat to yourself, such as a mantra, assists with this process. I like to use a mantra to help keep me focused or I'm sure to create more to-dos. A favorite is to repeat "let" on the inhale and "go" on the exhale. You can make up your own by repeating something simple such as "breathe in" and "breathe out."

Try this for 5 minutes to start and then gradually build up to 20 minutes each day. Athletes and artists alike have found this simple technique of just being with their breath to bring tremendous creativity and endurance results. Try it, you'll like it!

Kimberly Wilson, designer of TranquiliT, and author of Hip Tranquil Chick.

Labels: meditation

here is a photo of our fabulous retreaters and my writing space at the porches writing retreat. i arrived yesterday after leading a weekend retreat with 15 fabulous femmes (and one hubby) at nearby yogaville. the group was divine, the reflection supreme, the food cleansing, the collage-making a hit, and the mud mask in the sauna was icing on the cake. literally. even the rain on saturday didn't dampen our spirits. the weekend offered a quiet respite from city living and the foliage was to die for. oh, and the deer family in the front yard was pretty awe-inspiring, too!

my writing is going well despite my thawrted plans to be online while i'm here. turns out the internet connection is dial-up and probably won't work on my computer. thus, i'm hanging in a mcdonald's parking lot (i know, i know) downloading e-mails since friday. ah, the best laid plans. but honestly, probably for the best. i picked up oodles of organic frozen foods, yogurt + granola, walnuts, organic pop tarts (seriously!), and odwalla super green bars so i'm in good shape through halloween when i return to dc.

this quote was in my welcome packet at the writing house and i wanted to share it to inspire you this week:

there is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and (will) be lost. the world will not have it. it is not your business to determine how good it is; nor how valuable it is; nor how it compares with your other expressions. it is your business to keep it yours, clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. you do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. you have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. keep the channel open. no artist is pleased. there is no satisfaction whatever at any time. there is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others. - martha graham to agnes demille

keep marching!

There is a little known secret among TranquiliT fashionistas on how to save on eco-luxe clothing during the holidays...Trunk Shows!

TranquiliT hosts multiple Trunk Shows every season at our showroom and Tranquil Space yoga studios, shown here at Tranquil Space Bethesda in Maryland. Trunk Shows are a wonderful opportunity to try on TranquiliT clothing before purchasing and to receive surprise discounts and free gifts. TranquiliT often offers 15% off new merchandise at trunk shows as well as the occasional free item with large purchases.

With the holidays right around the corner, TranquiliT will be hosting multiple shows at the beginning of December so that you can save on gifts for your family and friends. Check out our Events page to see when the next trunk show in your area will be.

Happy shopping!

~ Jillian ~

if so, join us at the TranquiliT showroom for an intro to knitting class tomorrow! such a soothing hobby. still working on the scarf i started january 2006. have a fabulous weekend. off to the hills sans Internet and cell phone for a few days. ahhhhhh.

tomorrow at noon i'm dashing off to central virgina, with the lovely hilary (my assistant for the weekend) in tow to lead a 3-day retreat. she helped with the hip tranquil chick retreat in new york earlier this year and is an absolute delight.

i did some searching sunday for a good nook to do some in-depth writing during a week i'd set aside mid-november. i found a spot super-close, super-cute, and super-good in price only 20 minutes from the fall foliage retreat center so i'm staying down there through halloween. what are the chances? i think it means that it was meant to be! my book needs my full attention and i'm delighted to have the opportunity to make this happen. lots of rescheduling later, and now i've got to get packed.

how to have your own mini-retreat at home:

1. set aside time just for you.
2. turn your phone to vibrate, turn on frank sinatra, draw a hot bath, light candles.
3. pour sparkling water into your favorite tall glass, add a lemon slice, and slip into the tub for at least 30 minutes. soak.
4. head to bed with a good book and journal in tow. stay here 1-3 hours.
5. nap.
6. up and head to your yoga mat. do some yin yoga, restorative, or a nice slow flow.
7. indulge in a deep savasana with chandra om's lokah samasta sukino bhavantu playing.
8. nap again.
9. write out your 1, 3, 5 year goals.
10. list 10-50 things you are grateful for.
11. nap again. this time with eyepillow and lavender spray on the pillow.
12. voila, emerge refreshed.

Halloween is right around the corner! If you have yet to come up with your costume for next week, why not use some TranquiliT staples you already have on hand? There is also still some time to order new pieces to wear in time for Halloween! What's best is that you won't be stuck with a costume that will sit in your closet until next year, but will be armed with fabulous eco-chic wear for the upcoming holiday season.



Here are a few costume ideas (in the order shown above):

1. Lady Bug
-cranberry head band (don't forget to add some antennas!)
-black 2in1 long sleeve shirt
-leggings
-cranberry long all-in-one dress (simply wear is as a tube top, as shown in this video and tie the edges of the bottom of the dress behind you)
-your favorite pair of black boots

2. Pirate
-jumpsuit (make sure to tie the ends of the pants)
-slate skirt dress (put over your shoulders as a poncho)
-cranberry scarf (to wrap around your head)
-your favorite pair of pirate boots

3. Audrey Hepburn from Breakfast at Tiffany's
-noir grecian dress
-armwarmers
-your most fabulous pair of flats and costume jewelry

Happy Halloween everyone!
~Christy, events designer

the event was a lovely success and we raised $4900 for tranquil space foundation. these photos are GORGEOUS and were taken by the beautiful sally mannix. find more images of our evening here.

To begin, don comfy clothing, pull out your yoga mat, and come onto your hands and knees to table pose. Lower your hips to your heels to release your torso over your thighs. Extend your arms out in front of you (as pictured) or along the side of your body with your hands facing up. If your hips don’t reach your heels, place a blanket or pillow under your hips to facilitate the connection to your heels. If your torso doesn’t reach your thighs, place a blanket or pillow under your torso for support. If your head doesn’t rest comfortably on your mat, place a pillow under your head. Stay here 30 seconds to five minutes.

For a variation, open your knees the width of your yoga mat and release your belly in between your thighs. This turns child’s pose into a yummy hip opener that is perfect for runners, desk-bound workers, and everyone in between.

This cooling pose calms your mind, helps reduce headache and fatigue, and stretches your hips and ankles.

Labels: yoga

tonight i get to partake in an event put on by greater dc cares honoring new leaders in philanthropy. here's moi and other local honorees. i'm so looking forward to it! what an absolute honor. if you're local and interested in attending, here's the scoop.

i love the heading "class of change." aren't we all change agents in some capacity or at least trying to be change agents? isn't this election all about change? we want change. we want growth. we want to keep growing, expanding, and making a difference. what small thing today can you do to be an agent of change at home, in the office, or even on-the-go?

(photo by the lovely sally mannix from tranquil space foundation's gala - more to come)

i was asked this question yesterday and i thought it was an appropriate question to ask all of you. when was the last time you stepped back, looked at where you are, and patted yourself on your back for . . . your education, your skill set, your fabulous hair, your yoga practice, your do-gooding efforts, your healthy eating, your health, your relationships, your ability to set boundaries, your self-care rituals, etc, etc?

i'm sad to say that my answer was not too impressive as i'm sooo much more of a "doer" than a "be'er." (thank god for my yoga - it's all about balance!) my response usually notes all there is to do and all the great opportunities (and needs) out there. i'm not good at looking back, always looking forward. sure i get sentimental but i enjoy making things happen. that's where i get my juice.

yet, this time the question stuck (especially my lame response) and i thought it was a good question to share as i'm wondering how you would answer it. so here goes:

do you ever take a moment to reflect on what you have accomplished?

• direct download (mp3)

Bonjour! Welcome to the 138th edition of Tranquility Du Jour: a guide to bringing tranquility to your every day, formerly known as Hip Tranquil Chick. See blog for the reasoning behind the rename - same show and passion for ALL things hip and tranquil!

Today’s show menu features happenings and musing with author Ilana Simons on a life of one's own.

Workshops + Retreats: Join me for events in DC (including a workshop at the TranquiliT showroom on growing your craft to business, Denver in January, Montreal in March. Also, Fall Foliage retreat in the hills of Virginia next weekend. Plus we've got a day focused on creating 2009 at our 2nd annual new year's gala, weekend of tranquility and creativity at our 3rd Annual Hip Tranquil Chick retreat in a lovely farmhouse not far from NYC March 27-29, 2009, and another week at Kripalu next August 9-14, 2009. All the scoop is at kimberlywilson.com's workshops page.

Featured eco-luxe TranquiliT: all-in-one wrap dress. This pieces is perfect for weddings, the beach, cocktail parties, and looking great on-the-go.

Featured guest: Ilana Simons
Ilana Simons is the author of A Life of One’s Own: A Guide to Better Living through the Work and Wisdom of Virginia Woolf (Penguin, 2007). She received her PhD in literature from New York University in 2003 and is currently finishing her PhD in clinical psychology at The New School. She has taught literature and writing at New York University and The New School for the past ten years. Recipient of the Willy Gorrissen Award for Teaching Excellence and the Molberger Fellowship for modernist scholarship, she also writes the weekly “Literature & Life” blog for Barnes & Noble, here.

Ilana has lectured in venues from Miami to San Francisco. She paints portraits, too, which you can see on her website, here, and her works-in-progress site, here.

Chic Community: Mingle on our forums, Facebook, Twitter, and youtube.com/hiptranquilchick.

Savvy sources: See above bio.

Au Revoir: To close out the show, we’re playing This Truth by Lovespirals courtesy of Podsafe Music Network. You can learn more about their music at lovespirals.com.

Leave your thoughts on hip tranquil chick by writing a review at Amazon.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.

Labels: podcasts

drumroll please . . . after struggling to come up with the perfect new name for the podcast, here is a sneak peek at the new name and image! i still *heart* hip tranquil chick but since i'm working on a new book, i felt it would be best to keep the blog and podcast fluid to incorporate future works. hope you love it as much as i do!

3 simple ways to experience tranquility:

1. self-care: take time each day to nurture your spirit through journal writing, healthy bites, oodles of sleep (preferably with an eyepillow, ear plugs, and heaps of fluffy pillows), exercise, yoga, meditation, reading, hot baths, retreats, hot tea, staycations, and writing.

2. seek inspiration: find work you love. moonlight with your passion. walk your dog through the fall foliage. design a dress. crochet a beret. take photos of interesting people, places, and things. sew. paint. dance. draw. doodle. wear red lipstick.

3. surround yourself with positive people: birds of a feather flock together. associate with people who encourage you to find your edge. notice how you feel after spending time with your friends and loved ones. make sure it resonates with who you want to be. find a mentor. create a girls' group. find people who make you feel fabulous.

come see us at tranquil space bethesda THIS saturday. we'll be showcasing fall, offering fall style tips, $20 organic cotton + bamboo pants, and taking design requests.

where: tranquil space bethesda 7475 wisconsin avenue
why: because we all need fabulous, eco-friendly fall togs
when: saturday, october 18 from 10-noon

chat with the designer and director of operations. hope to see you there!

Labels: trunk show

last night was magical. the setting was gorgeous. the people were jovial. the food was yummy (or so i heard - i never made it to the food table). the award recipients were inspiring. the grantee from girls on the run dc chapter who spoke about what she did with the micro grant we gave her was empowering. the live music was rockin'. the volunteers were amazing. overall, a blissful evening. photos to come. i set my camera out but must have forgotten that you have to actually push the button to make things happen. we had a professional photographer there, the lovely sally mannix, so i know i'll have some wonderful ones to share. we're still figuring out the financials on how much was raised for tranquil space foundation and i appreciate all of you who sent well wishes, showed up, and/or made a donation. much appreciated! we made lots of partnership connections last night and look forward to bringing TranquilTeens to the masses. who doesn't need a dose of yoga, creativity, and leadership?

in other good news, hip tranquil chick was named among the top 10 yoga + mediation blogs.

podcast coming this weekend. sorry for the delay. the gala took every bit of juice out of me this week so i'll be back on track this weekend. best wishes for a delightful fall foliage weekend! there are a few dorm spots left in next weekend's fall foliage retreat if you'd like to a quick, yummy getaway.

Here in Washington DC, we are slowly but surely feeling the cold weather creep in. The TranquiliT tube top is a great versatile piece that can be worn as a top or mini skirt, but unless you plan to wear several layers over the piece, it will most likely end up staying in your dresser until next spring.

So, why not infuse some creativity into this summer piece so you can show it off all winter! I've simply hand sewn the top of the tube top (make sure to sew the inner lining), inserted a book board (or anything that is durable and will not bend), reused the flower from our beanie (or any other pin you may already have), and voila, you have a stunning new eco-friendly clutch for this season. Best of all, you can take the stitches out in the spring to re-wear your tube top again.

What to learn more about hand sewing? Our first creativity classes (hand sewing 101 and a knitting crash course) will be held at the DC showroom next week. Check out our events calendar for all the scoop. Space is very limited, so early registration is encouraged.

Christy, events designer

Labels: classes, clutch, creativity, diy, reuse, showroom, tube top, versatility

feel like i've been at the doctor a lot lately for the random check-ups. having been so lucky (ugh!) to receive my first mammogram today (thanks to turning 35), i wanted to share some tips on staying super-healthy and, ideally, tranquil:

1. mammograms. considering it is breast cancer awareness month, i encourage you to ensure you're doing all you can to stay mindful of this issue.

2. annual skin check-ups at the dermatologist. hopefully you won't be doused with 95 chemicals but it will assist you with catching skin changes.

3. annual check-up with your OB/GYN.

4. regular blood work. thanks to doing some basic blood work that tested for all sorts of levels (iron, cholesterol, etc.) i found out that i had too much iron in my blood which could lead to big challenges down the road.

5. get your heart rate up. of course i'm a proponent of yoga but any activity that will elevate your heart rate and get you moving is a must-have. add this to your daily repertoire and your heart will thank you.

other suggestions you have? do share! i know there are so many ways to take care of ourselves. i've tried to cover the most critical that i've come across and wanted to share an article on 5 lifesaving tests too. here's to your hip and tranquil health!

Do you ever find that when you wake up on a chilly, dark morning, you’d rather pull your lavender eyepillow back over your eyes, than leap out of bed into your TranquiliT togs? Well, when in need of an energy boost, look no further than this centuries’ old series that is sure to bring pep to your step.

1. Ground yourself in mountain pose at the top of the mat and feel the feet planted firmly into the earth. Press into all four corners of the feet, reach the crown of the head toward the heavens, and exhale your hands to prayer position in front of your heart.

2. Inhale, extend the arms up over the head.

3. Exhale, swan dive reaching the arms out to the sides as you fold forward.

4. Inhale, step back with your right leg to a lunge. Lift to your finger tips to create more lift in the sternum and wiggle your right foot so that the heel is directly over the ball of the foot, gently rock forward and back.

5. Exhale, step back with your left leg to down dog and press the floor away from you.

6. Inhale, forward to plank pose, line your shoulders over the wrists, and your heels above the balls of the feet.

7. Exhale, slide the shoulder blades down your back, slowly bend the arms, hug the elbows in toward your body, and keep the shoulder heads and hips in a straight line for four-limbed staff pose.

8. Inhale, drop your belly, slide up to cobra, and relax your shoulders from your ears.

9. Exhale, curl your toes under, lift your hips up and back to down dog.

10. Inhale, step forward with your right foot, sink deeper into your lunge with your exhalation, gently rock forward and back.

11. Exhale, step your left foot in between both hands to a forward fold.

12. Inhale, extend your arms out to the sides and up as you bring the palms of your hands together above your head. Exhale your hands to prayer as you stand in mountain pose.

Modern-day scenarios where you can use this sequence: low energy, day starter, need a boost, lack of time for a full practice.

Labels: sun salutations, yoga

Do you love TranquiliT? Do you have a knack for social networking? Then join TranquiliT's Facebook group!



Join our group to show your support for eco-friendly, locally-produced clothing. Connect with other TranquiliT fashionistas from around the world, submit ideas for new products on our discussion board, and see how versatile TranquiliT can be with our How To Wear videos!

We love to hear your ideas, so don't be shy - start a discussion topic or write on our wall. Look forward to seeing you there!

~ Jillian ~

Labels: facebook

who can't get behind such a cause?

tranquil space foundation is hosting its 2nd annual gala THIS thursday in dc. come one, come all. it is sure to be an inspiring evening as we're giving out three awards, sharing our first three grants given through our generosity committee to local non-profits, celebrating the work we're doing for girls 9-12th grade in the dc area, and have fabulous music by a local artist (here's an interview with her)!

hope to see you there!

my week away was fruitful, eye-opening, restorative, and much too quick. i accomplished my writing goals despite having 38,000 words to go by march 15. no pressure! thanks to a rescheduled event beau and i were able to extend a day to enjoy another hike, dinner at the lodge, and writing time.

here are some photos of us hiking and enjoying the great outdoors. it's truly an honor to be out in the woods this time of the year. the fall foliage is an absolute dream.

while beau enjoys a night of hockey downtown, i'm delighted to be nesting at home. truly one of my favorite things to do. candles lit, incense burning, washer and dryer going, stacks of mail beckoning moi, billie holiday playing in the background. a good night to nest.

While sitting at the Ritz Carlton listening to Eileen Fisher speak yesterday, I came up with a 3-part "ditty" to describe TranquiliT. I thought that this motto would transfer perfectly to daily life. Aren’t we all searching for an ongoing dose of creative expression, flexibility, and ease? Below I’ve outlined the ways in which we can use these three concepts to have more tranquility in our everyday life. After all, don’t we deserve it?

1. CreativiT – I love this quote by Coco Chanel: "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." Creative inspiration constantly surrounds us. Keep your journal nearby to jot down inspirations. Carry a digital camera to capture visual inspirations. Sign up for a knitting class. Take a tango class. Wear red lipstick. Put on your favorite tunes and dance around your living room. Write with a pink pen. Listen to birds sing.

2. VersatiliT – I love (and need) the reminder to go with the flow by staying flexible. When my heavily scheduled day gets shifted, I can become like a 5-year-old demanding to stick to my schedule. Yet, we know deep down that change is constant; nothing is permanent. Wishing things different than they are or getting upset when things change can leave us disappointed and, according to Buddhism, causes suffering. Being adaptable to our surroundings and adjusting to the ebbs and flows of life offers us a sense of bliss – similar to a fabulous dress that can be worn as a top or skirt, also! Another way to stay flexible (literally and figuratively) is to practice yoga.

3. SimpliciT – Thoreau has a great quote, “Life is frittered away by details. Simplify. Simplify. Simplify.” Ever feel like life has become too complicated? Take a moment to explore where you can infuse a dose of simplicity into your busy schedule. Clean out your closets. Take a mental health day. Soak in a warm bath. Think less is more when it comes to accessories, dessert, and even exercise. Read about the 80/20 principle and do your best to work (and live) smarter, not harder. Put your Blackberry away for the weekend and spend quality time with your family, pet, or self.

These three tips can assist us with finding more tranquility in our everyday on-the-go lives. Life is happening at a fast pace and continues to speed up with technology, multi-tasking, and expectations. Take the time you need to reconnect within regularly through self-expression, embracing a flow-like nature, and paring down. Your soul deserves to rest and rejuvenate. Tranquility can be found, even in small doses, every single day. Namaste.

Welcome back! I hope you are all ready to jump into making your mala. If you haven't read Part 1 of the series, please click here before you start this week's fun.

Take a moment to remind yourself of the intention you want for your mala. Light some candles, play some of your favorite music, and set the tone you want to infuse your creation with.

1. Gather this week's materials
-108 beads of your choosing
-1 guru beads
-1 tassle
-String that you stretched last week
-Scissors/shears
-Clear nail polish


2. Start beading
Tie a knot towards the end of the string leaving about 5 inches at the end. If you find that string is starting to fray making it difficult to string it through your bead, take some clear nail polish and dab it at the tip of the string. Let it sit for 5-10 min until the end is firm enough for you to use as a needle.



3. Add the Guru Bead
If you were able to get a 3-hole guru bead, string both ends of the mala from opposite sides so that both come out of the larger central hole (shown). If you don't have this, no worries! Simply take a normal bead and thread both ends together through one end and out the other.



4. Tie on the tassel
You can purchase tassels that are already made or make them yourself. Thread both ends of the string through the loop of the tassel a few times. Tie a knot at the end with both ends -- make sure it feels secure. Dab some clear nail polish on the knot and let it dry. Gently tuck in the knot into the loop.



5. Voila!
You are done! Congratulations of the creation of your very own mala. Use it in your practice often to remind yourself of the intention you set.





~Christy, events designer

Labels: diy, mala, meditation

today i left the woods and traveled to a ritz carlton in virgina for a 2-hour luncheon featuring eileen fisher. she's an inspiration of mine as she's mindful, donates money to great causes, has a rockin' business that helps women feel and look great, has a wellness program that she offers her employees (wow!), was woman of the year at ms. magazine, and starts her day with 30 minutes of meditation. overall, a pretty darn impressive woman!

she shared a great video with us that i wanted to share: the girl effect. a great reminder that one small act can make a BIG difference.

during an afternoon of inspiration at the ritz carlton, i came up with a 3-part "ditty" to describe TranquiliT:

1. creativiT - this line is created with an active, graceful, chic muse (think audrey hepburn in eco-friendly and comfy knits) in mind. i also rely heavily on this quote by coco chanel: "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." creative inspiration is constantly sought and found. the line offers all the chance to express their creative side as it is a must-have for the TranquiliT muse.


2. versatiliT - i love designs that can be worn multiple ways. front side back, back side front; tied various ways; as a dress, skirt or top; to bed, to black tie, to the beach, to the yoga mat; and reversible (coming soon). with each piece we produce at TranquiliT, i try to ensure you can wear the piece more than one way or that it is a must-have layering piece.


3. simpliciT - i want to ensure you find dressing to be easy and feel a sense of delight (rather than dread) every time you open your closet doors. traveling with TranquiliT is a snap. take your 3-5 favorite pieces and you can wear them in various ways for a whole week away - even in varied climates.

Labels: creativity, simplicity, versatility

we're here . . . but without wifi! the cabin we so carefully chose based on the ability to stay connected is not blessing us with a wireless signal so we have to head to a nearby lodge to gain access (when it is willing). god bless surprises! either way it's a delight to be in the country. fresh air, fires, oodles of writing (TOC and intro in good shape), reading, hiking (just saw a sign to avoid the area we were in yesterday due to hunting season . . . yikes!), setting 5-year goals (based on a new book i've come across - may share in this week's podcast) and enjoying the state of being. true delight, even without connection to the outside world.

when i was able to get online, i was informed of a piece that just came out noting my entrepreneurial leap. i hope that it serves as a dose of inspiration for launching your dreams! we're focusing on the notion of taking a leap of faith as our theme at the studio this month (to match the pose hanumanasana). take a moment to pause. this season beckons us to reflect. where are you wanting to take a leap of faith? what is holding you back? what small step can you take tonight (ok, after the debate if you wish) to move in that direction? do tell!

wow. i'm feeling so light. today may have been the first day in years where i had absolutely nothing planned and didn't plan to have nothing planned. the workshop i was to lead in virginia got rescheduled last minute and i decided to keep the day open despite the numerous things i "should" be doing! the day started with a delivery from ikea with our new bed that beau is graciously putting together now. it was time to say goodbye to the loft bed and pull out couch bed and return to a normal existence within the pink palace. photos to come!

i luxuriously stayed in bed until 2 reading and napping, took louis to the dogpark, biked to georgetown with beau, had a late lunch, hit LUSH for about 15 bath bombs, went to see religulous (highly recommend!), perused anthropologie's book and candle collection, browsed at barnes and noble, got to pet a white french bulldog puppy, rode home, and am now handling a backlogged project that must be tackled before i leave. what a delightful day!

so looking forward to a bath tonight complete with a bath bomb - maybe their new english countryside. tomorrow beau, BFF, her sig other, louis and moi are heading out to a cabin in WV tomorrow through friday. i'm so looking forward to regrouping, writing, collaging, and being. i'm officially a fan of unplanned down time and feel like today was a true gift. i am making a pact to have more of these moving forward!

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

does this resonate with anyone else? seems to be an interesting theme for me at the moment.

A mala is a great way to focus our meditation practice and set intentions in our lives. Why not make your own mala to make your practice more personal? In a two-part post, we will be exploring how to craft your very own mala necklace.

1. Gather your supplies for this week
Pair of scissors
Note card or journal
Pen
String (1-3 ft depending on the size of your beads) - hemp and silk are great for stringing; alternatively elastic cord can be used to make a mala bracelet



2. Pick out your beads
For a full mala necklace pick out 108 beads, plus 1 guru bead that is slightly larger than the rest of the beads. Be creative in your bead choices - there is no rule stating that you must you a certain material. Play with colors, textures, and sizes of beads that speak to you.




3. Hang your string
Before hanging anything, make sure that your string fits through the beads you have chosen. Hanging your string stretches the fibers in the string and prevents extra spaces from forming in your finished piece. Tie the string at one end onto something heavy (a pair of scissors, a shoe, etc) and hang the entire string on a hook or over a door. Stretch for 24 hours or more.



4. Set your intentions
Before embarking to string our necklace next week, take some time over the next few days to think about what you want your mala to stand for. What values, thoughts, actions, goals, and feeling would you want to be reminded of when you see and touch your mala? Take some time to write these out.



Good luck!
Christy, events designer

Labels: creativity, diy, intentions, mala

need a little jolt of energy, try this on for a quick boost! nothing gets your prana flowing quite like sun salutations.

woke up with swollen lymph nodes and that not-so-fabulous feeling that seems to be going around. not feeling my sharpest but hoping to shake it nonetheless. who has time for such bugs? however, i must confess that the thought of holing up in a fluffy bed for awhile sounds incredibly decadent and tempting. thank goodness that cabin week is coming up. beau, BFF, her beau, louis the pug, and moi all head out to a rented cabin for some serious r and r. even though i request everyone set cabin goals, most are happy to just rest, eat, and sleep. i plan to do some hard core writing to bring tranquilista: a girl on the go's guide to a mindfully extravagant life into existence!

p.s. another fun piece about living your passion that i found out about yesterday. this was in the washington times last week.

welcome to october at tranquil space. a lovely chill is in the air, leaves are beginning to fall, and we’re celebrating our 9th year of serving tranquility to washingtonians. as we honor our 9th year, i wanted to share a brief history of our journey:

1999: classes were launched in my 4th floor walk up at 16th and u by hanging fliers around the neighborhood
2000: outgrew the living room and moved to a church parlor at 16th and q
2001: began selling tranquil space tees and donating percentages to our first charity, my sister’s place
2002: launched our teacher training level 1 program and the TranquiliT line which debuted at a fundraiser we held for the rape crisis center
2003: launched our 200-hr teacher training program and moved to a 2-level space on p street
2004: tranquil space bethesda was born
2005: voted dc’s best yoga studio by washington post readers, began hosting annual doga events to raise awareness for the humane society, and TranquiliT went green with fabrics for the line
2006: launched our own non-profit, tranquil space foundation, and released my first book, hip tranquil chick
2007: named among the top 25 yoga studios in the world by travel + leisure and launched tranquil space arlington
2008: moved into our new 3-level home on 17th street and began planting trees for every class pass purchased

this past weekend we had our annual team retreat where our team from our three locations came together. we divided into groups based on our five studio values: creativity, compassion, passion, community, and initiative, and had a guest speaker from lululemon (one of my most respected companies) come in to share some inspiring fodder. next we worked on our 1, 5, and 10-year goals for ourselves and the studio, received studio updates, did pranayam and practiced meditation, and had a fashion show featuring fall eco-friendly TranquiliT.

seeing the team together in this capacity each year means so much to me. the group is dynamic, incredibly talented, and so supportive of one another. one of the nicest compliments we receive from within and outside the studio is how special our community truly is. when i started the studio (a tiny seedling of what we are now), i wanted a space where people would feel catered to, acknowledged and appreciated. think norm from the tv show cheers minus the drink. washingtonians are very busy and deserve a space where they can surrender their blackberries, turn within, and get served tea and cookies.

thank you for your continued trust along this journey. many yogis have moved, returned to dc, had babies, gotten married, had more babies, switched jobs, and returned to tranquil space. we continue to do all we can to offer you a well-rounded lifestyle experience through our classes, workshops, retreats, spa, boutique, and tea bar. again, i thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support over the years and especially to my amazing team who ensures tranquility is served with all our special touches.

p.s. check out a fun feature in bisnow where i'm coined "zen woman." hmmm. interesting choice of words. happy to see that the writer kept my book buying, e-mail, handstand, and lip gloss addictions under wraps.