Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum

Astrid Parker Kirschenbaum
Showing posts with label mr and miss efficient. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mr and miss efficient. Show all posts

June 2, 2026

Vacate ~ Twist to Cleanse

Praivritta Sukhasana Twist cute fun pretty yogini yoga pose drawing illustration
Parivrtta Sukhasana - Revolved Easy Pose
Easy pose is not easy, but over time and with practice, a bit easier.

Daydreaming about a dramatic life change? What is it you are imaginably missing? We live in opportune times, but moving city, house or school may be an exaggeration despite its prevalence.

Perhaps you miss your hometown — go and visit! You likely also crave connection, so invite the neighbors for an aperitif. Has house hunting become an obsession? Maybe clear out some furniture, add color or create an outdoor living space. Is the kids’ school bogging you down and your booking tours at other shiny options? Well, that’s what Summer vacation (vacate!) is for: take a break! 

Pinpoint your longing and use creativity and resourcefulness to fulfill it in your immediate situation and surroundings. Because, let’s face it, the kids don’t want to ‘move’.

& then see if you feel the same way come Fall…

May 28, 2026

Grand Prize ~ Homemaker

Homemaker mom cute drawing kitchen cooking daisies hearts stars blonde illustration
Homemaker-Asana

Anytime I am away from the home on other business for the day, I am always relieved to return to the fold; for family-life is where my passions, priorities and talents lay.

But, of course, I wouldn’t know about home-making's high ranking if I didn’t flee in the first place ๐Ÿ˜‰ …

May 21, 2026

The Tone of Your Home

Zesty, starry, shiny, peppery, salty, coppery, green, energetic, soft, pink, calm, blue... Mom Vibes - to infinity and beyond!!!

As women we set the tone of our home, and that energy, embodied in the members of our family and the visitors to our environment, ripples out indefinitely.

Cloudy days call for colorful dinners…

Bernardaud, Versace, French linens, Indian napkins, handmade wooden napkin holders, laguilol
Not pictured: Stormy Day Dinner was chicken tortilla soup (from a dear school-mom-friend's Boulder CO soup company) with plenty of Astrid's home-baked vanilla pound cake (new fave) with fresh CO cow whipped cream. 

May 19, 2026

Growth Phase to Maturity Stage ~ Bound Half Lotus Standing Forward Fold

Ardha Baddha Padmottasana, Standing Bound Lotus Forward Fold, pretty Yogini yoga drawing illustration, pink grey, blonde
Ardha Baddha Padmottasana - Bound Half Lotus Standing Forward Fold
Goodbye growth phase, hello maturity stage.

This past week I felt wrenched (physically ill, even) over a possible exciting, albeit petrifying, dramatic life-change. Then, all of the physical pain dissipated when I returned to an old-friend book of mine and made the realization that...

We are at the point where our "Growth Phase" is plateauing into the "Maturity Stage" of (family) life. It is time to point the decision-making compass towards:

The Maturity Phase:

- Enjoying moderate, steady, stable growth. 

- Lowering ‘costs', increasing 'revenue', and refining processes.

- Maintaining pre-established fundamentals (number of children, location...)

- Distributing excess wealth and emanating peace.

A satisfying discovery: I have earned the position, through time + work, where it is wonderfully NOT necessary or appropriate (anymore) to act on exciting, petrifying life changes! I have painstakingly developed the character and gradually accumulated the means to be creative, expansive and free within my already glamorous, gorgeous, lovingly curated Life-Structure. 

April 22, 2026

Yoga Your Way ~ Ardha Anjaneyasana

Ardha Anjaneyasana half lunge low lunge yoga pose drawing illustration cute pretty natural yogini
Ardha Anjaneyasana - Half Lunge Pose

Mini Visions, Missions, and Values for each Season; purposefully thought about and clearly written out.

April 1, 2026

50% ~ Natarajasana II

Natarajasana II dancer pose 2 yoga Yogini illustration drawing cute fun cherry tomato top
Natarajasana II - Dancer Pose 2, hand to floor
Cherry tomato heart on chest.

I may need to oust an actual percentage of our stuff in order to recall my Yogini, hippie, natural mama priorities and promises. 50% give or take? ๐Ÿ… 

March 31, 2026

Digitize ~ Prapadasana Variation

Prapadasana - Toe Stand Variation

I may be an old-schooler, but, resistance is not a virtue. Embrace the changing world and digitize (but also streamline and organize your cyberspace). 

March 26, 2026

Commitment to Excellence ~ Camatkarasana

Camatkarasana - Wild Thing Pose

I go gaga for fashion and design inspo when out and about. Secluded to a yacht for 7 days was, surprisingly, no exception. The staff on our latest seaward adventure has me thinking: What are the attractive and serviceable uniforms that allow me to execute dutifully? …

Yacht crew uniforms create a professional and cohesive image for your team, enhancing the overall guest experience aboard luxury vessels. These uniforms ensure your team looks polished but also promote unity and functionality in their demanding roles. High-quality yacht staff uniforms are designed for comfort and durability, meeting the unique challenges of life at sea. Investing in professional yachting uniforms reflects a commitment to excellence and sets a refined tone for your yacht’s operations. -liquidyachtwear.com

March 8, 2026

Hand-me-downs ~ Virabhadrasana I

Virabhadrasana I - Warrior One 
The color of the heart is green.

I am stuck on the Stuff Merry-Go-Round. Packing for a family of six makes me lose my mind a little. I have beneficially and appropriately kept and corralled many, many seasons and sizes of duds and doo-dads, but this again? How many times can I unbox, unfold, sort, fold, wash, dry, sort, fold, pack, unpack, sort, shakeout, dust off, examine, sort, fold, keep, pass along, repeat …

February 28, 2026

Sweat It ~ Tri Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana

Tri Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana three legged downward facing dog cute yoga drawing Yogini illustration pink
Tri Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana - Three Legged Downward Facing Dog Pose
& Drop to the forearm opposite the lifted bent leg - hurts so good.

Make it hurt a little, sweat a lot, and then take it easy for the rest of the day. ๐Ÿ˜‰ 

February 27, 2026

Fundamentals ~ Sukhasana neck side stretch

Sukhasana neck side stretch easy pose pranayama cute yoga girl drawing Yogini illustration
Sukhasana - Easy Pose, Neck Side Stretch
Underlying everything - Pranayama is to yoga what attitude is to life.

My children’s Waldorf school aligns with the very essence of how (and with whom) I believe they should be spending their days; and the details of our life are worked around the decision to have them there.

February 26, 2026

Ordination ~ Ardha Eka Pada Galavasana

Ardha Eka Pada Galvanasana Half Flying Pigeon Pose yoga Yogini illustration drawing cute pretty leg warmers
Ardha Eka Pada Galavasana - Baby / Half Flying Pigeon Pose
What feels suitable with the floating leg?

We must forgo 80% of everything (we do, own, don, desire etc.) if we would like a ‘signature’ anything, and much more if ‘iconic’ is the desired ordination.

February 23, 2026

Perfect Form ~ Manduka Malasana

Malasana manduka squat garland frog pose yoga yogini illustration drawing cute fun pink blonde
Manduka Malasana - Frog Garland Pose Squat
Playful, with movement: childlike.

Some days are not (at all!) perfect your form days. 

February 4, 2026

๐ŸŒˆArc๐Ÿงš‍♀️ ~ Parsvottanasana

Parsvottanasana Pyramid Pose yoga asana cartoon drawing doodle cute fun sweet bright anotomical
Parsvottanasana - Pyramid Pose
I am having a ‘put your head down and work’ type of week. 

๐ŸŒˆThe rhythm of the day, the arc of the week, the ebb and flow of the month, and the seasons of the year. Looking ahead and zooming out at your calendar is how you are able to ‘put your head down’ and (enjoy) work(ing) unremittingly - because you plan (and look forward to) when you’ll be coming up for air. ๐Ÿ‘™⛵️๐ŸŒž

Mow.

Mow some more.

Completely clear out 4 bedrooms.

Daily lunch for 4.

January 19, 2026

To the hilt

Ardha paschimottanasana half seated forward bend fold yoga pose asana cute drawing cartoon
Ardha Paschimottanasana - Half Seated Forward Fold
Ardha Paschimottanasana - Half Seated Forward Bend

The AH of ending your day (and week) with the satisfaction that you were unrestrictedly creative and wholly productive. 

January 10, 2026

Notes from my last flight


Cute hand drawn travel pack airplane notes what to bring traveling with kids
Notes taken in the air - originally in pen ๐Ÿ–Š️ in a mini notebook ๐Ÿ““ — never, ever leave home without one. 
๐Ÿฉต๐Ÿ’šNot to be forgotten when flying with kiddos ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿงก

January 9, 2026

Sick of it

Viparita Karani, legs up the wall, yoga asana pose cute drawing
Viparita Karani - Legs Up the Wall Pose
Viparita Karani - Legs Up the Wall Pose
Yoga for nausea - calm the nervous system. 

It is so complicated let us discuss it ad nauseam and get nowhere?! Let’s not: the truth will feel effortless. 

December 25, 2025

Special state of mind

Eka Pada Rajakapotasana king pigeon pose yoga asana cute drawing
Eka Pada Raja Kapotasana - King Pigeon Pose, P.J.s all day. ๐ŸŒน 
Eka Pada Rajakapotasana - King Pigeon Pose

Much ado leading up to the big day (in this case Christmas). IN THE WAKE of any momentous occasion I find myself in a very unique state of mental clarity; this is a prime opportunity to write reference notes. Keep a notebook for ‘hostessing’, ‘travel’, ‘holidays’ - wherever your interests lie - in order to access that very particular productive you. Borrow her Herculean magic using your own words for increased performance when the successive time comes and you are *stumped or *frustrated - inevitably my vibe before birthdays, travel, holiday etc. !!! LISTS - ‘gifts’, ’paint colors’, ‘buffet table setting’, ‘long car ride’, ‘weather in Telluride’ - are especially supportive.

**A note on resistance — we are most apt to create friction and repel those undertakings and engagements that give us the most satisfaction as the pressure to perform in something we are passionate about, skilled or talented at, is immense. ๐Ÿ”ฅ ๐ŸŽญ 

December 18, 2025

It IS all too much

 

Bananasana supine side stretch pose cute yoga drawing
Bananasana ๐ŸŒ 
Bananasana

Just say ‘no’ — without any addendum, 

December 12, 2025

You time

 

Purvottanasana reverse plank cute yoga pose drawing
Purvottanasana - Reverse Plank Pose party girl.
Purvottanasana - Reverse Plank Pose

Our most hectic times are the most important times to make time for yoga.