When I took my hiatus, I really thought about what I wanted this space to look like. I knew I wanted my posts to mean something, and that might mean not posting every day, but it means posting something of value when I do. I thought about the posts I would write, the topics I would cover and then it hit me. I have been blessed to have a lot of friends and people close to me in a lot of different stages of life. Single ladies, married ladies, engaged ladies (men, too!), moms, doctors, nurses, you name it, I probably know someone doing a hell of a job at it.
So it dawned on me, why am I being so greedy with my friends?
Why am I not sharing how awesome they are with my readers?
This post comes from my friend Alexandra. She's a wife, a mother (wait until you see her daughter), a friend (mine!), a daughter, sister and a business woman. Ally and I have been friends since high school (which if your paying attention was 10+ years ago!). Ally has been working her butt off to start up her business and is doing such a good job. Her work is incredible. I used her for all my wedding day paper. She did my menus, my place cards, my programs and the chalkboard that was at the entrance to our ceremony. She's started a business doing all things calligraphy and I am so excited to share her with all of you plus some amazing picture of her work!
I hope you all go check out Ally and her amazing work!
This post comes from my friend Alexandra. She's a wife, a mother (wait until you see her daughter), a friend (mine!), a daughter, sister and a business woman. Ally and I have been friends since high school (which if your paying attention was 10+ years ago!). Ally has been working her butt off to start up her business and is doing such a good job. Her work is incredible. I used her for all my wedding day paper. She did my menus, my place cards, my programs and the chalkboard that was at the entrance to our ceremony. She's started a business doing all things calligraphy and I am so excited to share her with all of you plus some amazing picture of her work!
Tell
us about YOU. Who are you, what do you do?
Hi! My names is Alexandra and I am currently living in the wonderful city of Charleston, SC. I'm from Scottsdale, AZ and my heart will always and forever be there! I am a military wife and a stay-at-home mom to a sassy (almost) 2 year old, named Isla. For the last 4 years I had been working for my dad, who is a doctor, doing medical administration for his office. Having a creative background (theater and fashion design) this job (even with its great and steady paycheck) was not cutting it for me. Since I have a background in art and a love for it since I was in art classes with my grandmother at age 2, I decided to start making things for myself and friends and family.
Some of these things included my own wedding invitations, lettering envelopes for my best friends wedding, birth announcements and my daughters first birthday invites. I have always been interested in fonts (as nerdy as that sounds), lettering and calligraphy. I took some classes and fell absolutely in love with it. Combining that with the knowledge and love of water color, passed down from my grandmother, I came up with my little business of Dainty Fleurish Co.
Tell
us about your business!
DaintyFleurish Co. is mostly handlettering and watercolor. I do everything from wedding invites and envelopes to handmade custom watercolor floral wreaths with monograms (which incidentally I just started making for all my engaged friends one day and it sort of just took off from there) Any thing having to do with lettering, you can count me in. Whether its chalkboards, lettering on glass, envelopes, invites or just a hand-made quote that you want to hang in your house, I love doing all of it.
Tell
us how/why you got involved in this kind of business.
Being inundated with art since I was young is definitely part of why I started this. I wanted to carry on the wonderful talent that goes back at least 4 generations. I also wanted to start a business that wouldn’t feel like work. I have so much fun with each order I get, whether its researching the different kinds of flowers that someone wants in their custom water color wreath, or figuring out new writing styles for envelope addressing. Each and every order I get is different and I absolutely love that!
How
long have you been doing this?
I have been doing calligraphy with pointed pen for about 8 months, but I have been hand lettering (which is using any other form of pen other than the traditional calligraphy pens and nibs) for about 5-6 years. Painting and illustration go back to when I was just a little tot and would sit in on my grandmothers art classes that she taught at the Phoenix Senior Center. My education in fashion design also helped a lot with lettering and sketching.
What
are your goals for your business?
My goals would be to be able to do this business full time. I really love the idea of being one of the calligraphers featured in amazing magazines and blogs such as Real Weddings, Style Me Pretty and The Knot. I would love to have customers who keep coming back. From doing their wedding calligraphy, to art work for their home, to birth announcements. I just love the idea of being apart of someones life for all of the biggest occasions one goes through!
What’s
the inspiration behind the name of your business?
The name Dainty Fleurish Co., is a bit of a play on words. I wanted to portray something sweet and simple which is how I see calligraphy, and that’s where the word “Dainty” comes from. “Fleurish” is a play on the words Fleur (which means flower in French and I wanted something to relate to the floral wreaths since they are a big part of the business) and Flourish which is what all the curly parts of a letter in calligraphy are called.
Where can we find you?
You can find me on Instagram and at my Etsy Store!
I hope you all go check out Ally and her amazing work!
Happy Thursday everyone! We are two work days from the weekend! Hooray! I know I promised you a weekend recap, but my internet at home has not been working correctly, so posting has been a bit difficult. I want this weekend recap to be special, so it might have to come a little late.
There's only one solution to bad internet at home, bake cookies! I've never been a huge cookie fan. I'm much more in the ice cream/fro yo spectrum than the cookie/cake side. But, these cookies are so good and they are so easy to make.
I found this recipe on Healthy Food for Living and was so excited. Lauren blogs over there and is always creating incredible recipes that are gluten-free, paleo ect. Go check out her blog, you will not be disappointed!
I know some people are kind of hesitant (ahem, guys in my office) to try paleo foods, but one would never know these cookies are paleo! They're soft, tasty and the perfect sweet when you're craving something.
Next time I make these, I think I might add dried cranberries. There is so much you could do with this recipe. It's simple so adding to it is easy! I hope you all enjoy this recipe and these cookies as much as Adam and I did. Let's just say they didn't last us more than 3 days! Enjoy!
Ingredients:
There's only one solution to bad internet at home, bake cookies! I've never been a huge cookie fan. I'm much more in the ice cream/fro yo spectrum than the cookie/cake side. But, these cookies are so good and they are so easy to make.
One thing I've really embraced since I started cooking and baking paleo is unsweetened coconut. You'd be surprised how many things are incredible with coconut. Meat, desserts, oats. You name it, I bet coconut makes it taste better. Maybe not everything...but you get the point.
I found this recipe on Healthy Food for Living and was so excited. Lauren blogs over there and is always creating incredible recipes that are gluten-free, paleo ect. Go check out her blog, you will not be disappointed!
I know some people are kind of hesitant (ahem, guys in my office) to try paleo foods, but one would never know these cookies are paleo! They're soft, tasty and the perfect sweet when you're craving something.
Next time I make these, I think I might add dried cranberries. There is so much you could do with this recipe. It's simple so adding to it is easy! I hope you all enjoy this recipe and these cookies as much as Adam and I did. Let's just say they didn't last us more than 3 days! Enjoy!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups almond flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 6 tablespoons melted coconut oil (melt before measuring!)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (I used vanilla and it tasted great!)
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Line a large cookie sheet with a silpat.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt and baking soda. Whisk together making sure to break up any clumps.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted coconut oil, honey, vanilla extract and water.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until combined.
- Fold in the chips and the coconut.
- Scoop out portions, roll in a ball and place on cookie sheet. Flatten them with the palm of your hand.
- Bank for 12 - 15 minutes.
- Place on a rack and try and let them cook before you dig in. Let's just say my house was eating scorching hot cookies :)
I might have added a few more chocolate chips...
They're a little crumbly, but trust me, they come out perfect.
Remember how I said we ate hot cookies?
Well that's why there isn't a "final" picture, they barely made it to the Tupperware!
PS. If you love cookies, you should check out my Double Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies.
P.P.S. Want to really splurge? Here's some non-paleo christmas cookies!
PS. If you love cookies, you should check out my Double Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies.
P.P.S. Want to really splurge? Here's some non-paleo christmas cookies!
Today is probably my favorite holiday (besides my birthday, of course!). Today and every day I celebrate Henry James III, the coolest dog.Henry James is a 6 and a half year old Yorkie. Cue the eye-rolling for all those who think small dogs aren't real dogs..but I've converted manyyy people into being small dog lovers and it's all because of how awesome Henry is.
I could go on and on about how rad he is, or how smart or how cute, or how he snores louder than most grown men, is faster than a cheetah (not really), or how he has human eyes but I figured I should just let the pictures do the talking.
Beware, there are a ton of pics coming your way!
I could go on and on about how rad he is, or how smart or how cute, or how he snores louder than most grown men, is faster than a cheetah (not really), or how he has human eyes but I figured I should just let the pictures do the talking.
Beware, there are a ton of pics coming your way!
only 3 months old
he loves the car seat
...small-dog haters, yes that's a car seat and yes he uses it.
do not worry, henry did not drink this beer and
no dogs were harmed in the taking of this picture.
our little family of three.
Now, if you don't mind, I'm gonna pour a glass of wine, get Henry a chewer.
If only I had this shirt from The Daily Tay to wear...hint hint.
Happy #nationaldogday everyone!
Happy Monday everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the weekend, I for sure it. I have a super fun weekend recap coming at you this week (stay tuned!!)
In the season of "going back to school" it seems like the norm is writing posts about your little going back to school and how to handle the stress, the tears and the emotion of this big day.
I cannot lie, I love seeing all the mom posts on Facebook and Instagram boasting that their little is heading back to school this week. I mean, my nephew/godson started school last Thursday and I posted it on Instagram. I love back to school time. (I think), at least in Denver, all the kiddos are (finally!) back to school this week.
In the season of "going back to school" it seems like the norm is writing posts about your little going back to school and how to handle the stress, the tears and the emotion of this big day.
I cannot lie, I love seeing all the mom posts on Facebook and Instagram boasting that their little is heading back to school this week. I mean, my nephew/godson started school last Thursday and I posted it on Instagram. I love back to school time. (I think), at least in Denver, all the kiddos are (finally!) back to school this week.
The start of school means new outfits, trips to Target, pictures in front of
the front door in those new outfits and a sign declaring what grade you're in…[sidenote] where does everyone
get the chalkboards where they write “Sally is starting 3rd grade?”
It’s all a mystery to me.
This is the second year in my life that I am not going back to school. Don’t get me wrong I was one of those geeks that LOVED going back to school. I can still smell the new binders and feel the new pens. And I cannot wait until I have little’s of my own to fill up your Instagram news-feed.You've got some time before that happens to mentally prepare for the flood of photos. And hopefully in that time, I'll find those chalkboards...
This is the second year in my life that I am not going back to school. Don’t get me wrong I was one of those geeks that LOVED going back to school. I can still smell the new binders and feel the new pens. And I cannot wait until I have little’s of my own to fill up your Instagram news-feed.You've got some time before that happens to mentally prepare for the flood of photos. And hopefully in that time, I'll find those chalkboards...
But until then… what does the first day of school mean when
you have no school to go too or no kids to take pictures of? Cue the list.
- It means traffic is a nightmare. Everything from Tahoe's, Range Rovers, MINIVANS, to Suburbans.
- It means crosswalks are filled with ladies with stop-signs yelling in neon vests.
- It means Starbucks is full from 6am until close
- It means Lululemon is empty because the moms had to perfect their back to school apparel.
- It means football season is almost back.
- It means kids soliciting at your door selling magazines and cookies. Where are the kids with the cookies?! If you have a kid selling cookies, please come my way!
- It means I keep thinking about kids names and how I'm going to dress them when I finally decide we're ready for babies.
- It means watch out while you're driving because everyone is on their cell phones.
- If you're in a city like Boston, it means moms with maps trying to find their little's new school.
- If you're like me, it means you wander the aisles of Target looking at all the cute decor. Where was all this when I was starting 6th grade?
Oh, there are so many fun things going on in the news lately. I love reading the Skimm, so this is my own version. Per the last time I did a news lately, please remember my news update is all in good fun. There's a lot going on in the world that isn't and I get that. But this post is supposed to be about the other side of news. Happy Friday everyone, let's make it great!
- The corpse flower. This is probably more local Denver news, but still, it's worth talking about. There is a flower at the Denver Botantic Garden that smells like a rotting corpse. The scientific name is Amorphophallus Titanum—which translates to "misshapen giant penis." Yes, I thought that last part was newsworthy. If you live in Denver, you have to go today to see the flower because it only blooms for about 48 hours. But, the Botanic Gardens, hoping to get more business, is staying open until midnight! Go, go! Go smell the dead corpse flower!
- The FDA has finally approved female viagra. Addyi is what they're calling it. Did you know viagra (for men) was released in 1996 and approved by the FDA in 1998. So now, 17 years later, woman are finally getting theres. Yes, the FDA is putting a ton of restrictions on it like "bad reactions with alcohol" but hey, its a step forward.
- Two words: Ashley Madison. If you've been living under a rock, Ashley Madison is a site for married people to have secret affairs. I can't even link to their site it's that bad. Ashley Madison is reported to have 37 million members! 37 million. I'll give that a second to let it sink it. Well, about a month ago, a group called the Impact Team hacked the site, threatened to release the info of all the members, names, credit card info and website usage and today they did! They released info and made it searchable so only time will tell who's all on the site. God speed. But wait, if you thought that was bad, I've got more. Turns out the infamous Josh Duggar (remember him...) was a member of the site! Hey Josh, piece of advice, move. Oh, and stop cheating on your wife.
- I love Subway. Okay, that's not news but Jared, the spokesperson who made them a ton of money is. Jared allegedly pleaded guilty to having sex with a minor and possessing child pornography. There is so much wrong with this. It's not even a joking matter. I just can't. Thank god, Subway released him as their spokesperson and his wife left him.
- Kelly Clarkson is pregnant again! Hooray! Oh, and did you see her sing Tinder Profiles on Kimmel? It's hilarious and a must see. Her voice is everything.
- Did you know there was a Friends scene where Chandler joked about bombs on an airplane? The scene was set before Chandler and Monica left on their honeymoon. Turns out, it was supposed to air two weeks after 9/11 so out of respect they re-shot the episode. While the scene was released about 2 years ago, the internet is making it popular again. It's pretty funny, but I appreciate Friends' respect of the time era they shot in.
- And, since I usually do not post politically-geared posts, here's a little taste for you. Hilary is still full of complete sh** (please excuse my language) and Donald is still offending people.
Happy Thursday everyone and happy #TBT! In the spirit of continuing with "get to know me week" I thought I'd throw it back a bit. My entire life I've had long hair, except for two very vivid moments in my life. Once when I was in 6th grade and then once when I was 24. When I was in 6th grade, I thought it would be cool to cut bangs. I cut those again when I was 23, but that's a different story for another day and another blog. Both times I cut my hair I said I'd never do it again. All of my hairdressers know NOT to cut my hair. Adam, my parents, my friends, every time I bring this up, they tell me the same thing, NO.
But do you wanna know why I swore I'd never cut my hair again?
Everyone who knows me will know this answer... because I look like a Hanson Brother, Taylor Hanson.
Recently though, I've had this urge to cut my hair again! Everyone I know, including Adam, is screaming do not do it!! I legitimately complained about it for two years until it was excessively long again, so I can't blame those around me from telling me no. Wanna know why I wanna cut it again?
To cut or not to cut! Place your vote and I'll be sure to post the results, what I did with picture details all post haircut.
Hey Readers, I'm counting on you.
But do you wanna know why I swore I'd never cut my hair again?
Everyone who knows me will know this answer... because I look like a Hanson Brother, Taylor Hanson.
I mean, we're practically twins.
I guess it's my luck that Taylor is the cute brother, but still, no-one, especially a girl in her twenties wants to look like a 1998 boy-bander.Recently though, I've had this urge to cut my hair again! Everyone I know, including Adam, is screaming do not do it!! I legitimately complained about it for two years until it was excessively long again, so I can't blame those around me from telling me no. Wanna know why I wanna cut it again?
- First, my long hair is a pain in the butt. At least an hour a day is devoted to grooming. I mean, who honestly has time for that. I could be learning a foreign language in that time. Or lets be real, I would be catching up on snapchat stories, but still, an hour is a lot of time!
- Second, every time I see Kelly Ripa's short bob, or Jennifer Lawrence and that one time she cut her hair, I die for short hair. But then I have to remind myself, I don't have a hairstylist. I'm not famous and I'm not Jennifer Lawrence.
- Third, I kind of like the discomfort of hating my hair. I know, that sounds crazy, but I love my hair and have a lot of personal confidence from my hair. Cutting my hair is kind of a release...and super daunting.
To cut or not to cut! Place your vote and I'll be sure to post the results, what I did with picture details all post haircut.
short hair v. long hair
Hey Readers, I'm counting on you.
To cut or not to cut my hair.
If you didn't hear the great news yesterday , Everyday Grace is back!
For those who are regulars around here, welcome back, for those who are new, welcome!
Who: My name is Kristen Grace. Born in Colorado, grew up in Arizona, currently living in Denver. You can say my life has come full circle.
What: Wife to Adam, dog-mama to Henry, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, lover of Jesus, attorney, blogger, constant dreamer.
Why Everyday Grace: Last September I relaunched this blog as Everyday Grace. I'm a firm believer that God's grace is what leads us and keeps us safe. Grace to me has always held a special meaning. You can read about that here...but I recently found a new explanation of what grace is and I love every part of it...
"To me, grace is the biggest scandal this world has ever known. It is the ultimate gift, the finished work on the cross while I deserve nothing. Beth Moore sums it up perfectly, "Grace is the eye popping, knee dropping, earth quaking, pride breaking, dark stabbing, heart grabbing, friend mending, mind bending, lame walking, mute talking, slave freeing, evil fleeing, death tolling, stone rolling, veil tearing, glory flaring, chin lifting, sin sifting, dirt bleaching, world reaching, past covering, spirit hovering, child defending, happy ending, heaven glancing, feet dancing, power of the Cross."On this blog you'll find a mix of my everyday life, things I love (and hate), all kinds of delicious and mostly healthy recipes, stories of my travels, my adventures in Denver and with my husband, and then just random ramblings from a 28 year old trying to figure out life. I think it's pretty interesting and I hope you do too!
Favorites: Blogging, spending time with my husband and dog, sports - all sports, especially football (counting down the days until it returns), champagne (see picture above), Mexican food, Vegas, card games, cooking, traveling. You name it, I love it. Except for ironing and cleaning the bathroom... I don't love those things.
Where to find me: I love social media. Yes, I'm a kid of the internet age and I fully embrace it. I'd love for you to join me on this journey on facebook, twitter, instagram, snapchat at kgrace01, bloglovin', tumblr, pinterest. I know, that's a bit excessive, but like I said, I love social media.
My 4-top favorite posts:
- The time I got married and recapped it.
- Top 5 most fascinating people of 2014.
- I love guest posts and lists. The 7 worst things about fall.
- I love the Bachelor and RHOC and I love writing about the craziness.
- I love food, especially dessert and I love sharing my recipes.
I'm back. Everyday Grace is back. I took a hiatus. I took a hiatus knowing full well that when I return theres might be no one here to greet me. I think it's important for me to explain why I took a hiatus. This little space has always been a sacred place for me to escape. A place I would run too with thoughts, ideas, fears joys and of course recipes. I was excited to be here and excited to share things with my readers.
I reached a point where coming here became a chore.
I felt like I had to write to "keep readers."
I just had to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard if we're being literal.
I was writing because I had too... not because what I thought what I was writing was funny or insightful or brilliant or even interesting.
I was writing beside I felt like I was supposed to be writing.
But ya know what? Some cool things happened when I took a hiatus.
So after all that, I'm back. I'm ready to get involved, be involved and stick around for awhile, I hope you'll take me back. I hope you'll stick around.
New to Everyday Grace? Stay tuned, tomorrow is a full re-introduction to me, Kristen, the girl behind the blog, Everyday Grace in general and all things grace. Until then, why not take it back to blog post number 1, where it all began.
I reached a point where coming here became a chore.
I felt like I had to write to "keep readers."
I just had to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard if we're being literal.
I was writing because I had too... not because what I thought what I was writing was funny or insightful or brilliant or even interesting.
I was writing beside I felt like I was supposed to be writing.
But ya know what? Some cool things happened when I took a hiatus.
- Literally the second I posted my hiatus post, I was flooded with ideas and things I desperately wanted to write about and share. I felt inspired again.
- The free time I had from blogging I spent with my husband, reading books (for fun!) and enjoying my life in the present
- I had knee surgery- okay so that wasn't a cool thing that happened, but it did happen (more on that later)
- I realized that the blogger friends I'd met were still there, liking my Instagram, retweeting my tweets and it reminded me why I love this little space that I've created and the friends I've met.
- I missed blogging. This was so important. I wanted to make sure I still loved blogging and that I was being authentic.
So after all that, I'm back. I'm ready to get involved, be involved and stick around for awhile, I hope you'll take me back. I hope you'll stick around.
New to Everyday Grace? Stay tuned, tomorrow is a full re-introduction to me, Kristen, the girl behind the blog, Everyday Grace in general and all things grace. Until then, why not take it back to blog post number 1, where it all began.
Welcome back to Everyday Grace. I'm glad to be back, now let's do some good.
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