there are less than 7 hours left in 2008 and it's amazing to reflect on all that has transpired this year: authentic leadership program at naropa university, launching of online creativity circle, visiting my adopted farm animals at the farm sanctuary, taking a solo expedition to nyc for my 35th, moving into our new tranquil space in may, getting honored as a new leader in philanthropy, hosting our 2nd annual tranquil space foundation gala, teaching at kripalu, moving into our TranquiliT showroom (and out of my dining room!), teaching in asheville and san francisco, cabin week with BFF, time with family over the hollydaze, finalizing my second book deal for tranquilista, hosting a holiday soiree for dear friends, interviewing the lovely SARK, hosting our 2nd annual hip tranquil chick retreat in ny, starting 2008 with a new year's gala (click the link for scoop 2009's), and basking in just being with beau + louis.

i've been very blessed this year with lots of memories, oodles of lessons, and a warm connection to many new friends. 2008 has been filled with many challenges and i'm honored to have come through the other side - hopefully a little wiser. may 2009 bring us all continuous lessons, good laughs, opportunities that push our comfort zone, and the wisdom to make mindful decisions. thank you 2008 for yet another glorious year.

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

A colleague sent me this quote yesterday and I just love it. I feel like I posted something similar by him before - maybe even the same genius quote. Ah, bears worth repeating!

As the year comes to a close take a moment to practice your yoga off the mat through good 'ol reflection. Yoga on the mat is powerful. Yoga off the mat is critical. It's the icing on the cake to an asana practice. Here's what I hope to do when my day ends in 12 hours:

1. Pull out my journal, have some tea nearby, light a candle, and your favorite tunes playing.

2. Write a "year in review" wrap-up: highlights, lessons learned, disappointments, successes, etc.

3. Write "by this day 2009 I . . ." and list what you hope to have done by this time next year: relationships, home environment, career, creativity, spirituality, exercise, diet, etc.

I find this type of reflection critical for capturing my aspirations of what is to come and honoring what has passed. Yoga off the mat. Namaste.

fresh home from five days and four nights in the lovely land of oklahoma which beau describes as very . . . ,well, brown. lots of dead (hence the adjective brown) open space this time of the year.

i arrived with heaps of leopard-print fabric and a pair of palazzo pants i made during a recent private sewing class (where i was gleefully introduced to a serger). so our final day together involved lots of measuring, cutting, sewing, and modeling our new wares and this pictoral journey shows it all.

my mum's sewing machine is a gem and the fabric glides through it so smoothly. such a treat. sewing is truly an empowering art. as a former home ec queen (not kidding - 9th grade!), i can honestly say that sitting in front of that machine and having an outfit or piece of an outfit in a matter of minutes (hours or days!) is such a good feeling!

can't stop thinking about the serger though. think TranquiliT may need one for the showroom! although i may need to call in a consultant everytime that little bugger needs threading. do you see how many spools a serger uses? alas, the creation of these palazzo pants (once cut) was super-speedy and super-fun. and oh-so-comfortable! god bless leopard-print.

• direct download (mp3)

Bonjour! Welcome to the 143rd edition of tranquility du jour: a guide to bringing tranquility to your every day.

Today’s show menu features happenings and musing on planner pad pursuits with Joanna Lo and Julia Coney.

Workshops + Retreats: Join moi for a "New Year, New You" teleclass on January 5 and our next online creativity circle starting January 26 PLUS events around the globe: a day focused on creating a fabulous 2009 at our 2nd annual new year's gala, a luxurious 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, a decadent retreat to Costa Rica over Memorial Day, and another tranquility-filled week at Kripalu August 9-14, 2009. All the scoop is on my workshops page.

Featured eco-luxe TranquiliT: skirt pant.

Featured guests:
Julia Coney created All About the Pretty in March 2006 because of her intense love of beauty products. The site is musings of beauty as a lifestyle and not just a product. All About the Pretty was voted one of the hottest top ten beauty blogs by Women's Wear Daily.
Joanna Lo started her fascination with paper organization when she was introduced origami paper as a young child growing up in Taipei. Since then, she has used her work in international trade to expand her knowledge of paper customization products by using any excuse to travel and spend hours and hours in the stationery stores in Taipei, Beijing, Dallas, and DC, as well as online. She also has used the Franklin Covey system, the Getting Things Done system, and loves to combine both paper and electronic planning. PlannerPad personalization is her current passion.

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

Savvy sources: diyplanner.com, plannerpad.com, template on diyplanner.com, getting things done, planner pad event at TranquiliT showroom (in-person or via mp3)

Au Revoir: To close out the show, we’re playing Mastermind by Dan the Automator and Del the Funky Homosapien from Promonet. You can learn more about their music in the shownotes.

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

bonjour from oklahoma! wishing you and yours heaps of merriment, glistening treetops, sleighbells in the snow, good cheer, frosted cookies, and tasty mulled cider. may your holidays be full of festivity! xo

the showroom is closed through monday, december 29. wishing you and yours a holiday full of tranquility! thank you for your support this year. we look forward to showing you a preview of our spring designs with a focus on blooming! let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. may your holidays be merry + bright!

the year is coming to a close and i'm dashing off to oklahoma bright + early tomorrow for five days. one of my favorite rituals to do at the end of the year is a recap of the highlights. i hope to settle in to do this one night next week when we return. i'll be sure to share what i come up with.

in the interim, i wanted to comment on the word tranquility and why i have infused it into all i do. as you probably know, we teach what we most need to learn. i am a doer. love me some doing. when i created the studio in 1999, i wanted it to be an oasis for people to rejuvenate, feel special, enjoy comforting scents, and relish in being. thus, the name of tranquil space fit perfectly. as i continue to create new things, i keep the word tranquil close to heart. not just for fluid branding, but as a conscious reminder to seek tranquility in all i do. tranquility is defined as quality or state of being tranquil; calmness; peacefulness; quiet; serenity. doesn't that sound divine?

my hope is that by sharing my idiosyncracies, passions, creative pursuits, struggles, and joys, i can continue to serve up a dose of tranquility (and occassional laugh + inspiration) for you. wishing you a beautiful holiday FILLED with tranquility!

potbelly pigs
activism
nars glitter eyepencils
TranquiliT palazzo pants
tazo zen tea
tulsi sweet rose tea
damask print
the artist's way
cupcakes, cupcakes, cupcakes
jo malone red rose cologne
white musk perfume oil by the body shop
where women create
boho mag
lush bath bombs
gabriella rocha vegan boots

woke up in time to indulge in my weekly ashtanga yoga fix, but my shoulder continues to squeal at moi. so, i decided to engage in non-harming and crawl back under the covers. feeling oddly guilty about my indulgence of down time lately. it feels so unnatural, but so darn yummy. time with friends, time cleaning out my closet (have 4 bags full of items i don't wear thanks to last night's purge), movies, pet-friendly wineries, and lots of time by the fire. as i type, i'm still in bed with a snoring pug attached to my side. sloth sundays are truly divine - even if accompanied by a twinge of guilt. once i publish this post, i plan to brush this crazy hair (the eyemask i wear turns my hair into an odd-looking beehive daily), dress in my usual TranquiliT togs, don some eyeliner and lipgloss, and hit the yoga mat for some much-needed yin yoga. next indulge in a homemade green-powder infused shake and green tea. then take louis to the dog park and take ourselves to a movie at our fabulous artsy theatre downtown. next to the bookstore to do some browsing, journal writing, and more tea-sipping. finally to a holiday party hosted by a beloved acupuncturist and friend before settling in by the fire to write and plan my short week (2 days at studio and then we dash to oklahoma for 4 days!). ah, sundays started in a sloth-like manner are truly decadent. time to rise and shine.

beau and i reserved this day on our calendar weeks ago. since we didn't do our annual tradition of taking louis out to the country to choose a tree, we wanted to find a way to escape the city for a few hours. this morning i did some online searching for pet-friendly options hoping for a sleigh ride or equally festive event. i came across the philip carter winery that was having a special holiday event today AND welcomed pups. perfect! we tasted some yummy vino, indulged in cheese + crackers, and enjoyed the country air for a few hours. note louis in mid-yawn!

by the way (confession time), i indulged in 5 cupcakes yesterday. yep, 5! woke up craving one today. held out all day, but we picked up 4 on our way back to town so it looks like i'll get my fix after all. yuuuummmm! i truly can't imagine life without cupcakes. so sad.

this morning i dashed over to my regular volunteer gig only to find my chair yoga was replaced with children singing holiday carols. alas, i'm still hoping i get my karma points! back home to dine on the two leftover cupcakes from last night's holiday fun and get ready for my day at the TranquiliT showroom. then, i got an e-mail from beau that contained THIS photo. apparently santa (aka carolyn) had sent a dozen yummy holiday cupcakes to the studio! what a treat! i know what i'll be having for lunch and dinner. aren't they gorgeous? merci beaucoup, merci beaucoup, merci beaucoup! my hollydaze are TRES happy (and super-sugar coated).

tonight we hosted our annual holiday soiree at chez moi for six of our favorite friends. beau cooked, i cleaned and decorated (note the silver and gold charger plates, napkins done in a tent fold, candles everywhere, ambient lighting, rosemary tree, fresh garland, and bowtie on louis - yes, i decorated my pug). this is truly one of my favorite events all year and i love hosting such dear souls for the holidays (especially when sue brings the MOST amazing cupcakes)!

may your holidays be filled with good cheer, yummy bubbly, cupcakes, holiday scented candles, a roaring fire, dear friends, fragrant rosemary trees, and fresh garland.

Christmas is right around the corner! As you prepare for your gift giving, keep in mind the huge waste we produce on this day alone in wrapping and packaging. While wrapping paper and illustrated bags are a nice touch, unless you plan to reuse them next year they can be a burden on the environment.

One of my favorite ways to give gifts are in reusable bags. Our TranquiliT tote, made from organic cotton is a great option. There are many other great options out there now as well! Wrap the straps with recycled ribbon or hemp twine. You can even thread through name tags to make sure there is no confusion.

Remember, green wrapping is a gift in and of itself. Use the holidays not only to celebrate with your loved ones but to also remind them of the importance of living green.

Do you have any other green tips? Pass them along to me at christy@tranquilit.com.

here are some photos of my beloved pug with santa and a snowman at bloomies this past weekend. washington humane society put this on as a fundraiser and it was such a treat. truly a highlight of my holiday! apparently i'm easily impressed . . .






what i want from santa this year:

a clean, clutter-free closet
world peace
health
happiness
a strong economy
mindfulness
the ability to sit still
patience
less harming of animals
compassion-filled eating (choose organic gummy bears!)
more adopting of animals
daily creativity
a potbelly pig
time to write
more time with my 96-year-old gramma
passion
clarity
less stuff
efficiency
efficacy
more trees
a fit physique (think madonna)
quality time with dear friends
opportunity for all
fluid jumpbacks and jumpthroughs (ashtanga yoga, bebe)
handstand (3rd year of trying)
a solid home yoga practice
impeccable time management
a cozy cabin in the woods
lots of peppermint candles
down time
bed days
an abundance of bookstore browsing
detox from e-mail
the ability to always make others feel special
abundance
gratitude
tons of tea sipping

what's on your wish list?

Since you are probably making your list and checking it twice, today's dose gives easy tips for greener gifting this season. During this hectic time of consumption, there are numerous ways we can buy in a more mindful manner while also benefiting the planet. Here are a few of my must-have green giving ideas in no particular order:

Reuseable wrapping: Wrap your gift in a leftover box you received from an online order, when purchasing a new pair of shoes or from a gift. Turn a brown shopping bag inside out to cover the box. Add a dash of flair with something you have on hand such as a sprig of white pine from your tree, ribbons you saved from another gift, or tag made out of the front of holiday cards you have received. Save all bags, tissue paper, and ribbon you receive on gifts for next year's giving pleasure.

Give gifts that increase your karma points: Visit womenforwomeninternational.org to support women in war-torn regions with aid, training, and education. Visit tenthousandvillages.org to give a fairly traded artisan gift from Africa, Asia, or Latin America. Shop at heifer.org to provide gifts of livestock and plants to families in need worldwide. At arbordayfoundation.org, you can plant trees that ultimately help us all breathe better.

Choose wisely: Look for gifts with little packaging or that come in recyclable packaging; have the Energy Star rating; contain nontoxic or organic ingredients that do not test on animals; are made with eco-friendly fabrics such as organic cotton, bamboo, or soy; are fair trade.

Omwork (homework with a yogic twist): Practice these tips to ensure your giving is focused on spreading tranquility to others, your community, and your planet in eco-friendly fashion. Stay connected with green living during the holidays and beyond. Think reduce, reuse, recycle.

a nap by the fire
actually, a nap ANYWHERE
chandeliers (ebay has amazing ones - why not have one in your loo?)
a yummy dose of yin yoga
sweet rose tea by tulsi
facebook (ok, in small doses - can become addictive)
snail mail
the purr of a kitty
the snore of a pug
soft bamboo fabric
an empathetic ear
our hip tranquil chick facebook group
a loving caress
the smell of apple cider
the taste of buttercream icing
share your feelings in a journal
the smell + taste of rosemary
stamp your holiday cards
a sassy scarf
a good book
a photo of your beloved with santa
freshly baked cookies
a decadent massage
a mani + pedi in lincoln park after dark
an inspiring podcast
fresh flowers
pink poinsettias
the french language
an altar in your home
soft sheets
the smell of pine
a frame covered in sparkles
anything covered in sparkles
the smell of peppermint (my fave for candles)
the book fancy nancy
throw a signature soiree (downloadable toolkit on left hand side)
a mental health day, weekend, week, month!
the smell of lilac
glitter
glitter glue
glitter eyelashes
a dance class
a language class
learn a new skill
a regular volunteer opportunity
activism
green living
launch a business
live your passion
let go
laugh
love

i received a random personalized e-mail on saturday from brocade home about a holiday store in soho through 12/24! NOW that's worth a trip to new york. the e-mailer sent these fabulous photos. i want to live in the store. enjoy!

• direct download (mp3)

Bonjour! Welcome to the 142nd edition of tranquility du jour: a guide to bringing tranquility to your every day.

Today’s show menu features happenings and musing on journal writing with Samara O'Shea, author of Note to Self: On Keeping a Journal and Other Dangerous Pursuits.

Workshops + Retreats: Join moi for a "New Year, New You" teleclass on January 5 and our next online creativity circle starting January 26 PLUS events around the globe: a day focused on creating a fabulous 2009 at our 2nd annual new year's gala, workshops in Asheville and Montreal, a luxurious 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, a decadent retreat to Costa Rica over Memorial Day, and another tranquility-filled week at Kripalu August 9-14, 2009. All the scoop is on my workshops page.

Featured eco-luxe TranquiliT: lavender-scented eyepillow.

Featured guest: Samara O'Shea is an outspoken advocate on behalf of the written word. She is the author of Note to Self: On Keeping a Journal and Other Dangerous Pursuits and For the Love of Letters: A 21st-Century Guide to the Art of Letter Writing. She also runs a letter-writing service at LetterLover.net.

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

Savvy sources: letterlover.net, huffingtonpost.com/samara-oshea

Au Revoir: To close out the show, we’re playing Jingle Bells by Dean Martin and Dan the Automator from Promonet. You can learn more about their music in the shownotes.

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

this week has been one interesting challenge after another. sometimes i think the universe is playing tricks. "how much more can she take?" "will this push her to her edge?" "how about this?" ah, our challenges ARE our biggest teachers, eh? after a complete reorg of the TranquiliT showroom until midnight, very little sleep, and a super-long day, i drove out to our arlington studio to teach tonight. i arrived early to set the stage for the yogis' practice and get a little of my own yoga on. shortly thereafter a teacher, who has also had a tough week, showed up with a gift from god - the most ornate, gorgeous, yummy cupcake! truly, i was so touched as i devoured it before teaching. it made my week! then, god gave me more. i came home to a gift basket from my bamboo fabric supplier that contained organic gummy bears. life is now complete. they make ORGANIC gummy bears! sometimes the universe provides unexpected delights to break up life's struggles. keep indulging in 'em with gratitude. happy weekend!

tonight 4-8, friday + saturday 12-4, join us at the TranquiliT showroom for 20% off holiday shopping of our eco-luxe line. in addition, check out tranquil space's online holiday gift guide chock-full of green gifts for yogis, babies, fashionistas, and boys - oh, and a 15% off coupon!

i spent monday evening packing up goodies for all those on my list and it feels good to have most of it done. i made some special aromatherapy blends for friends and next week's TSF board meeting and dinner party guests. making gifts always feels so special and personalized. for our teachers, we're doing a special artsy 15-minute photo shoot to capture their personalities - this one is super-exciting for moi. love, love, love exploring creative, unique ways to honor the special people in my life.

play with ways to reach out to those in your life to say you care: make a card. bake cookies. mix up aromatherapy spray. plant a tree in someone's name. bead a necklace. knit a scarf. decorate a 2009 planner. make a terrarium. personalize your favorite book. give a journal filled with your favorite quotes. offer to pet or baby sit. write a poem. sew a skirt. make some cider.

The Christmas count down has begun! 2 weeks and counting! Hopefully you have been organized this year and have finished all your shopping by now. For those of you who live for the adrenaline rush of last minute shopping, here's the perfect way to unwind.

Out damask print eye pillow is great for not only sleeping, but for quick bursts of relaxation throughout the day. It is great on its own -- soft black satin to cool the eyes and a lavender bud/flax seed fill for a calming scent.

My special trick in the winter though is to take the bag with the fill out from the damask cover and place it in the microwave for about 30 sec. You may even add 1-2 drops of lavender essential oil for extra scent. Place the fill back in the cover for a warm and comforting eye mask. It works wonders for headaches too!

Have a great creative idea that you want to share? Comment or send me an email at christy@tranquilit.com.

~christy, events designer

we've all heard this: 80% of our results come from 20% of our efforts. hmmm, wouldn't it make sense to determine the best use of our 20% and do yoga the rest of the time? here's two great articles that talk more about it: 11 ways to boost your life and understanding 80/20. i find myself struggling with this regularly! i hope this may be helpful for you, too, as you juggle the holidays, work, crazy economy, relationships, school, parenting, and self-care. here's to our 20%!

Carnegie Mellon University reports that between Thanksgiving and New Year’s waste increases by 25%! Here are a few of my must-have holiday greening ideas in no particular order:

1. Make your holiday decor: string cranberries and popcorn to decorate your tree, banister, or mantle; cut a few limbs from your tree to decorate your home with yummy-smelling greens.

2. Send electronic cards, paper cards make from recycled paper, or get crafty and make your own from what you received last year.

3. Find a tree that can be planted afterwards or be sure to recycle it.

4. Lighten your travels and offset your carbon footprint. If you must travel, neutralize your emissions by purchasing carbon offsets at www.carbonfund.org or www.terrapass.com.

5. Avoid paper and plastic cups and dinnerware. Besides the fact that it is not tres chic, it is also wasteful. If you must use plastic or paper, invest in biodegradable options at www.worldcentric.com. Find fancy dining odds and ends at secondhand stores or flea markets to increase your entertaining capacity on the cheap.

6. Have recycling bins available at your holiday soiree for guests to dispose of glass, aluminum, paper, and plastic.

7. Carry your own tote when shopping to avoid the accumulation of numerous paper and plastic bags. Great options can be found at www.reusablebags.com.

8. According to the Nature Conservancy, 96 billion pounds of food is discarded each year. Choose your menu conservatively. Buy local and organic. Consider tofurkey or grass-fed, pasture-raised meat options.

9. Choose California vino from wineries that participate in the Sustainable Wine Growing Program. A list is available at www.sustainablewinegrowing.org.

10. Put a halt on the abundance of holiday catalogs by contacting www.41pounds.org.

11. Light up your holidays using 90% less energy with LED bulbs. Find this brilliant lighting at www.holdayleds.com.

Omwork (homework with a yogic twist): Practice these tips to ensure your holidays are focused on spreading love and tranquility to others, your community, and your planet in eco-friendly fashion. To stay aligned with greening your holidays, repeat this mantra reduce, reuse, recycle while making all your holiday decisions. Om.

i'm getting in the habit of writing "new year, new you" taglines in preparation for all my new year events. when i woke up this morning i thought about "new week, new you" as a way to encourage small changes along the way. for example, i woke up at 8 today but stayed in bed until 8:30 - not quite ready to face the long day ahead. then i decided i'd start the day off differently with a blog post, journal writing, hot bath, and then dash to the studio for my 10am call with my accountant.

starting the day or week on a fresh note is a great step toward making change. why wait until the new year? another change i've been practicing is taking more downtime to play. i'm loving it! took a private sewing class yesterday and made some fabulous palazzo pants and a not-so-fabulous top. trying to make friends with my machine (bought 1 year ago - used 3 times) despite my envy of the serger (ideal for knits). to-dos continue to pile up, but that's nothing new. taking the down time during a very hectic time of the year (hollydaze) is worth its weight in gold. try it, i think you'll like it!

take a moment to identify one small change you can make this week. share it on the blog. share it with a friend. note it in your journal. now, get ready for leaping into your week in a different way! new week, new you.

your presence is requested at tomorrow's holiday party! come celebrate local designers, holly day cheer, and free 5-minute chair massage. i used to have the studio holiday parties in my living room and my chubby black cat would sit in the middle of the floor growling at the party goers. my how we've evolved!

while recording two new fabulous interviews today, i was introduced to this great time management tool myhours.com that i wanted to share. ever wonder where your time goes? use this site to figure it out!

make your holidays shine with these 10 sparkly tips:

1. don false eyelashed laced with glitter (wegmans, $3.99)

2. don sparkly shadow

3. decorate with sparkly snowflakes - hang them from windows, ceilings, door handles

4. don sparkly lip gloss

5. sip bubbly vueve clicquot laced with peach snapps

6. wrap yourself in a sparkly scarf

7. let your personality shine - no bah humbugging allowed

8. wear sparkly tights

9. add sparkly bangles over your armwarmers

10. black patent, gold matte, or silver shoes always shine

Here at TranquiliT we are all about the 'small touches.' If you have ordered from us, you might have noticed that we include not only your merchandise beautifully wrapped, but we also include little freebees. Most often we include a small muslin pouch with some lavender buds.

Here's some creative ways to reuse this fun little gift:
-place it in your linen or undergarment drawer for a fresh scent
-fill the bag with additional herbs or even powdered milk and toss into your next bath
-once you use up the lavender, use the baggie to carry small objects; it's great for jewelry or as a coin purse.

Have another smart way of re-using your bag? Let me know! Leave a comment or email me at christy@tranquiliT.com.

~christy, events designer

picture of the muslin bag taken from papermart.com

In order to stay healthy and happy over the holidays, it is critical that we take good care of ourselves. With the cold bug floating around right now, I encourage you to carve out sacred space in your filled-to-the-brim schedule to ensure you’re receiving adequate personal attention. Here are a few of my must-have savvy self-care tips to tranquility:

• Write in your journal. Journal writing allows you to connect within in an honest, thoughtful, private, and self-reflective way.
• Get moving! Dance, hula hoop, practice yoga, run, walk, jump rope, bike.
• Meditate. Take a few minutes to focus on our breath. Breathe in, breathe out. Inhale “let,” exhale “go.”
• Create. Personalize your gift giving and get your creativity on by potting a plant, designing a dress, making earrings, knitting a scarf, hosting a party, cooking something yummy, writing a novel, sending fancy snail mail, or making a collage.
• Learn new things. Travel, study a new language, read, take a continuing education class, get a master’s degree, try something out of your realm such as belly dancing, rock climbing or beading.
• Surround yourself with positive pals. Set boundaries. Create community. Avoid toxic people that bring you down.
• Find solitude. Indulge in me time. Browse at a bookstore. Get a mani or pedi. Take a walk in nature. Get a massage. Curl up in front of a fire with a classic.
• Veg out: Fill your body with yummy, nutritious foods. Superfoods such as green leafy vegetables, berries and whole grains are packed with nutrients to fight off disease, boost your energy, and keep you healthy.
  

Omwork (homework with a yogic twist): Practice these self-care tips to ensure your holidays are focused on spreading love and tranquility to yourself as well as others. Choose one right now that you can do today. Namaste.

holiday gift suggestions: to your enemy, forgiveness. to an opponent, tolerance. to a friend, your heart. to a customer, service. to all, charity. to every child, a good example. to yourself, respect. -- oren arnold

the holidays are in full bloom: festive tunes play everywhere, lights are on display, and santa look-alikes welcome holiday shoppers. now is the perfect time to reflect on the reason for this special season, and to set an intention for the holidays. just as we start our yoga practice with an intention, start your holidays with one: think of a person or cause to send love to, ponder a quality you wish to cultivate, or an action you wish to take. rather than approaching the season with an exhausted list of to-dos, let this year be different. light a peppermint-scented candle, draw a bath full of epsom salts, and play some of your fave holiday tunes. take some time before the rush overcomes you to reflect on the year and honor this season of giving through these five holiday tips for tranquility:

1. write down your milestones from 2008 (ex. began journal writing, left an unhappy relationship, took up a yoga habit, set boundaries with family, found my core), and note what you’d like your milestones to be this time 2009 (ex. query letter sent to publishers, relocate, paid off retail therapy debt, new job in non-profit, cut out fast food). taking the time to reflect on where you are and how far you’ve come can have profound effects. we are growing each and every day.

2. give mindfully. has your best friend been dying to see a new exhibit at your local art gallery? give her a coupon for a complimentary afternoon on the date of her choice to peruse the exhibit, dine in a nearby café, and catch up with you. experiences last so much longer than yet another striped scarf and glove set. if you must give a gift, consider making one. pottery. knit. bead a necklace and earring set. cook up some bath salts. bake a pie. make a centerpiece. cut up a sweater into arm and legwarmers. pour homemade candles. paint a t-shirt with stencils and fabric paint. crochet a blanket. decoupage a flower pot. a journal with your favorite quotes. a jar filled with dry ingredients for your much-loved cocoa or cookie recipe.

3. give to yourself. take the time to decorate and relish in the festivities. even if you have a tiny studio apartment, buy a fresh wreath or rosemary tree to nurture your senses, simmer apple cider on the stove, and invite some of your friends over to sing carols, roast marshmallows, or watch an inspiring holiday flick. practice restorative yoga to replenish during the harried holidays. oh, and if you travel, drink plenty of water, take stretch breaks, load up on vitamin c, and allow ample time on the front and back end of the trip to recover before resuming your regular routine.

4. share your resources with others. there are many ways to volunteer and be of service during this sacred time of the year. what is close to your heart? you can sponsor a child or family for the holiday and buy a couple items to help make their day special through various local organizations. how about fostering a new dog or cat? what about becoming a big sister? or even donating some of your time to a local shelter such as house of ruth. visit a nursing home and watch their faces light up! bake cookies for the office. smile at a passenger on the metro.

5. go green. buy locally made goods. consolidate shopping trips. 2.65 billion holiday cards are sold in the us each year – choose recycled paper or make your own. get off catalog lists. choose led lights. decorate with soy or beeswax candles. use mish-matched plates and glasses over disposable ones. plant a tree for each gift you ship to offset your carbon footprint. use cloth napkins. make your tree decorations with popcorn, gingerbread, and candy cane. dine on organic, local food. give fair trade, sustainable gifts. choose recycled wrapping paper or use reusable bags.

cheers to living in the moment, connecting with loved ones, and relishing in the spirit of giving. here’s to the holidays! (picture a raised glass with a festive gold bow tied around the stem, filled with a delicious sparkling cranberry juice, topped off with a sliver of orange). i look forward to mingling off the mat with you at our annual holiday and trunk show soiree featuring local artisans this saturday, december 6 from 7-9pm.

a BIG thanks to all who joined moi last night to revel in the eight petals of hip holidays and to melita who shared this beautiful artwork that captured her experience. here are the eight petals in a nutshell:

1. go green (check out the 140th podcast for lots of tips)
2. stay tranquil
3. exude your signature style
4. get moving and keep breathing
5. celebrate giving
6. be creative
7. express gratitude
8. reflect

save the date for our new year, new you le chic teleclass chat on monday, january 5 at 9pm ET.

• direct download (mp3)

Bonjour! Welcome to the 141st edition of tranquility du jour: a guide to bringing tranquility to your every day.

Today’s podcast (originally podcast as hip tranquil chick #9 all the way back in 2005) consists of a restorative way to celebrate the holidays, and more fabulous podsafe music - Symmetrical Angels Part 2 by 2-RD. (Note Louis the Pug snoring throughout the entire podcast!) View our shownotes at kimberlywilson.com/blog.

Restorative poses to help keep you fresh throughout the holidays

This sequence is perfect for rejuvenating over the holidays and can be done in a few minutes or, if you can carve out the space, savor this sequence for at least 30 minutes!

Extra doses of tranquility include a silk lavender-filled eyepillow, a scented candle burning nearby, the phone turned off, rosebud salve on your lips, a lush pillow or blanket nearby, and a yummy essential oil rubbed onto your temples. Have a blanket or bolster nearby for #4-6.

1. Begin on your back and extend your legs up the wall. For a shoulder opener, bring the arms up over your head and reach for opposite elbows. Notice your breath and feel the body soften.









2. For a variation, open your legs to a wide V.








3. For another variation, bend your knees and place the soles of the feet together. Stay here as long as feels good.










4. Take a blanket or bolster and roll it tightly lengthwise. Place the blanket vertically behind your tailbone, and lie back over the blanket. Let your arms splay out to the sides or up over your head.





5. Place the blanket horizonally under the shoulderblades (at your bra line) and roll back over the blanket. This one is a huge heart opener and so powerful.






6. Come to child's pose but gring your big toes together and open your knees wide. Place the blanket in between the knees and rest over the blanket(s), turn your head to either side.






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