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The Everyday Grace

by Kristen Grace

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The best of 2018

December 22, 2018

Happy Saturday friends! This year flew. Sure I was pregnant for almost the entire year, but the entire year went by in a flash and now I'm sitting here with a 3-month old trying to figure out how to slow time down.

These are always my favorite posts of the year. I LOVE looking back on the year and remembering all the good stuff. Last year I switched up this post to quarters, it makes it a little easier :)

If you're interested in the previous years, you can find them here!
2014: The year we moved to Denver 2015: The year we got married 2016: The year of new babies, weddings of best friends and happiness 2017: The year of growth
2018: The year of Quinn.

Dear Instagram, we had a pretty good year together. It seemed like you all loved me being pregnant. But for me, telling you I was pregnant was one of the highlights of my year. 

January, February, and March: We found out we were pregnant January 5, so to say the year started with a bang is a bit of an understatement. We spent most of January laying low because #morningsickness. We ventured to Arizona and told our families. I blogged about the Bachelor. I loved my Fab Fit Fun Box. I told ya why I quit my job and what I'm thankful for. March, we found out we were having a girl! Oh what a wonderful start to the year. 

The Best Of: Learning Quinnie was a girl. 


April, May, and June: We went to Jackson Hole for Easter, Adam and I celebrated 3 years of wedded bliss, my mom came to visit, I turned 31 and we celebrated baby girl, twice! I told ya what I wish I knew when I started blogging, the best things about pregnancy,  my pregnancy must-haves and what to do in Scottsdale. We had a scary first trimester, so making it through our 20 week appointment was a huge blessing. I 

The Best of: Our wonderful baby showers.


July, August and September: The last three months being pregnant were hard. It was hot, I was huge and we were dying to have Quinn here. We traveled to Steamboat Springs for Adams birthday, got the nursery prepped, packed my hospital bag and prepared our hearts and lives for what was about to happen. I gave you baby updates here here and here, I told you why baby wouldn't be on social media, I gave you 12 pieces of pregnancy advice and I told you 5 things I'm thankful for. 

The Best Of: September, our little love, Quinn Grace was born.


October, November and December: Honestly these last three months have been the best blur of our lives. We've been basking in newborn baby glow. Sleepy nights turn into sleepy days, baby smiles and coos are stronger than coffee and we couldn't be more obsessed with Quinn. She's 3 months and 2 weeks old as I write this, sleeping through the night and the happiest baby I've ever seen. I told you about her birth story (25 hours!), I showed you her nursery and mamas, I spoke to you. 

The Best Of: Quinn, every day, all day. 


Happy 2018 everyone. I hope your year was full of joy, happiness and love. Cheers to the memories of the last year and all the amazing memories we'll make next year.


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At Home Teeth Whitening with Smile Brilliant!

December 21, 2018

"We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do." Mother Teresa


Toady, I'm so excited to share with you a little behind the blog secret. I've been whitening my teeth with Smile Brilliant! Everyone wants a perfect white smile, especially me. Between blogging and instagram, a white smile is super important to me. I'm not one of those instagrammers who can get away with a closed mouth smile, so having white teeth is a necessity!



I've never used a whitening kit before. To be honest, it used to terrify me. I was afraid of teeth sensitivity and weird discoloration, so I never used one. But, I kept drinking coffee and wine and my teeth got less and less white. So, safe to say, my smile is not as white as I would like. I looked into getting my teeth whitened at my dentist office but their quote came in at over $700. While I wanted white teeth, I couldn't justify the price tag. Even if I wanted to spend $700, I really didn't want to spend any more time at the dentist then my twice a year visits.


When Smile Brilliant reached out to me to try their product, I absolutely jumped at the chance to try it. The best part about Smile Brilliant is they removed the office visit and made a dentist grade whitening service for under $200. Crazy right?


Their process is simple. I answered a few questions about my dental history and before I knew it I had a Smile Brilliant package sitting at my door step. The process for making your own molds at home is very easy. They give you all the product, and making the molds takes about 3 minutes for top and bottom. You send them in a week later you have your very own custom made whitening trays.



Per the given instructions, I whitened my teeth every night before bed for 45 minutes. You can whiten for up to 3 hours, but like I said, the sensitivity part made me nervous so I started at just 45 minutes. Guys, guess what? I never had any sensitivity. After I whitened, they give you a desensitizing gel you can use and it works like a charm. I never felt uncomfortable with cold foods and never felt sensitive.


The price for the whitening kit is $139. The price may seem steep at first but compared to drugstore teeth whitening kits which don't work great and the dentist which is super expensive, this is a great deal.


I ended up seeing a huge difference in my smile. I really wish I would have done this sooner!


Let's do a giveaway!!
Enter here: www.smilebrilliant.com/g/theeverydaygrace 
AND here's a 15% off coupon code for your own whitening kit! theeverydaygrace15


Here are some tips from the experts to make your whitening experience even better.
  • Use only 1/3-1/4 of a syringe per session
  • You DO NOT need to use all the gels that came in your kit: most people only need 7-12 whitening sessions (2-3 syringes) to see their full results!
    • The extra gels will stay good for 1 year at room temperature or 2 years refrigerated
  • Brush your teeth with only water before whitening
  • Gum sensitivity is normal! Coat your gums with Vaseline or coconut oil to prevent this
  • Whiten daily or every other day if possible for best results!
  • It's best to whiten for 45 minutes - 3 hours per session
Are you ready for the before and after?

Guys - I promise this after is with NO filter, no editing, just me my camera and my new white teeth!



Enter here: www.smilebrilliant.com/g/theeverydaygrace


Professional Teeth Whitening

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Our 2018 Christmas Card

December 20, 2018

Christmas cards are one of my favorite parts of this season. There is nothing better than getting cards from friends and family all over the country. They are the best. Ever since I can remember, my mom has sent christmas cards, so its no surprise that I would love sending them just as much.

I'm a sucker for Minted, I love their designs, and the ease of creating cards with them The best part, you can get them addressed, return labeled and stamped. Literally all I have to do is stuff envelopes. Genius.

This year because Quinn was born close to Christmas, we did her announcement on the back! I've been waiting forever to share our baby announcements and this was so special getting to combine them.

There are only FIVE days until Christmas people. Let's do this!


Do you send Christmas cards? Only FIVE days left until Christmas!


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Mama, I see you.

December 12, 2018

It's 3 am and your hair is in a messy bun, you have sleep in your eyes, spit up on your robe and you haven't slept more than 3 hours in 8 weeks. You are stumbling to the nursery to cuddle and nurse your little one. You're the only one in your entire house (and probably the neighborhood) who's awake so you try and be extra quiet. These quiet moments are my favorite. The house is dark, my husband and dogs are sleeping peacefully but for now, it's me and her.

She doesn't know it's the middle of the night as I pick her up from her crib. She smiles with that baby smile and it takes over her entire face. Her eyes squint, her smile is huge, and she sticks out her little tongue. She is thrilled to see me. She coos and cuddles as I change her, nurse her and rock her back to sleep. She doesn't know that I'm hurrying to get her to sleep so I too can go back to sleep, but for now, its me and her.

Mama, I see you.


It's 4pm and I've been balancing work and video calls while the sweetest little babe (who only needs me) is sitting patiently next to me. She wants to cuddle as we dance around the kitchen, all while my work is messaging me about the landing page I'm helping to create. She wants to play while I'm trying to pump and scarf down my 3 hour old oatmeal from this morning. She wants to snuggle while I've got one hand on my phone and one on my keyboard. She's watching me while I work, and I hope she knows I'm just doing this for her. Today, I've only microwaved my coffee twice, and this is a huge win. I'm counting down until Adam texts me that he's on his way home from work so we can all be together again. But for now, it's me and her.

Mama, I see you.

It's 9pm and Quinn is sleeping like the perfect angel baby she is. She's been asleep for 2 hours and I miss her more than imaginable. Adam and I are laying in bed scrolling through pictures of the day and I can't help but cry because she's growing up so fast. Today she laughed at me, I tell Adam, and then I show him videos of her doing that. Today she almost rolled over and I am so proud. Today she put her own pacifier back in her mouth and I called Adam to brag. I crave for the moment she wakes up and gives me that full face smile and again its me and her.

Mama, I see you.

This season of life is so wonderful and challenging and and amazing full of love that I'm not sure I have the words to do it justice. But even with a perfect angel baby, this season of life can feel lonely! I almost feel bad saying that because we waited so long to have this sweet baby in our life. It's the best job title I've ever had.

So yes, the 3am wake up calls are hard, but ya know what? They'll be over soon enough and I'll be wishing for those 3am smiles and coos.

Mama, I see you. I see your hard work. I see your tears. I see the love you give your family while balancing work and the house and dinner and the laundry and the dogs and the tedious tasks that most of the time go unnoticed. I see the way you fight for your family. I see how hard you work. I see the worry you have every day wondering if you're doing a good enough job. I see the stress. I see the love. I see you. I feel you. I'm with you.

Mama, we're in this together.

When people ask me about being a mom, my first response is, I wish I did it sooner so it could be me and her.


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Why You Should Use the Freshest Spices Possible for Cooking

December 7, 2018

It's almost Christmas which means lots of cooking and baking. Did you know if you were to check the spices in your spice cabinet, most would probably be expired? Trust me, go check, I'll wait. 
The difference between fresh ground spices and lesser quality comes through loud and clear at the dinner table. Gourmet quality spices are packed with more flavor than you will ever find on the standard grocery store shelves.

Maximize the Flavor of Your Recipes // The fresher your spices are, the more your food will be infused with flavor. Every recipe you make will provide maximum enjoyment for the taste buds. Using gourmet quality spices helps elevate your final results to a level you can proud to serve your friends and family.
Bold Flavors Last Longer // Gourmet spices that are not allowed to sit around for months in a warehouse before reaching your kitchen will provide a bolder flavor for a longer period of time. Purchasing the freshest spices available ensures you that every time you grab them to use as you cook, you'll still be greeted with the full flavors that are noticeable from day one.
Serve High-Quality Foods Every Time You Cook // Using lean meats, high-quality grains, fresh vegetables, and gourmet quality spices will make a huge difference in the meals you serve daily. Everything will taste healthier and everyone will fully enjoy their meal.
Make Every Meal Taste Like a Special Occasion // Using a fresh, quality spice selection turns any normal dish into something special. Your family or guests will think you spent a ton of time preparing a special meal. You have the ability to make each meal seem like a birthday or anniversary celebration. It's the easiest way to begin gathering everyone to the dinner table without any arguments.
Much like seeking out the freshest meats and vegetables for cooking, the spices you use can make a big difference in every recipe you try. It's worth switching to a gourmet quality spice selection to improve the results of your cooking efforts.

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Quinn's Nursery Tour

December 4, 2018

This post has taken me forever to write and I'm so excited to share it with you guys!

When we found out we were having a girl I was so excited for so many amazing reasons. One, obviously because we were having a daughter, and two, imagine how cute the nursery would be!

I honestly had no idea how I wanted to decorate her room, all I knew was I wanted it to be soft pink and girly. Her room is almost done! We are only waiting on some art work for her room. Quinn is lucky to have her nana (my mom) and her papa (father-in-law) painting her something!

I'm so obsessed with these flowers.



My friend and photog Abbeigh Blake Photography shot our newborn pictures and got some amazing ones of her room! Without further ado -- Quinn's nursery!

It took me forever to find something to hang over her crib. I didn't want something too heavy and I love how wispy and dainty these flowers are. Plus, I love that they stand out against the wall. 

This little mobile is my favorite too. It's little felt roses and plays twinkle twinkle little star. It melts my heart every time I turn it on. 

Her bedroom wall color is Sherwin Williams Intimate White - it's the perfect light pink. 

When we were designing her room, I jumped straight to Pottery Barn. They have some great quality furniture and I really love how their white matches all their furniture so you can mix and match different pieces from the store. 

Here's the link to her ceiling light! I loved the lights at restoration hardware, but really didn't want to spend $200+. This light is only $75! It's the perfect light in her room. We switched out the functional light bulbs for pretty light bulbs and it just looks darling. 





Her room isn't huge, so I didn't want a ton of bulky furniture. I love this short little bookshelf. Perfect for all her sweet books, pictures of Adam and I and her noise machine and humidifier. It's the perfect height for under her window and again, matches the white of the crib.

The sheepskin is from her Nana Jane. It's made for babys! They love the feeling when they lay on it, plus you can clean it. She does tummy time and lays on it every morning! This one is linked here -- it's short wool.


When we started with her room, I knew I wanted a chair that was cute and comfy. I knew I would be spending a lot of time in this chair, singing to her, reading to her and rocking her. This little corner of her room is one of my favorite spots. 


Be still my heart. Is there anything better than watching your husband with your daughter? It is my favorite thing to watch them and see their sweet bond. Quinn absolutely lights up when Adam comes home from work or walks in a room. She's daddy's little girl already. Adam has created a routine with Quinn where he puts her to sleep every night. He feeds her, gets her ready, rocks her and puts her down. It's the sweetest moments.

I absolutely love her bookshelves that hang above her chair. When we were designing her room, I knew I wanted to incoorprate her older cousins somehow. She has 6 amazing older cousins and I know they are going to be BFFs. I had each of them paint a little canvas for her room. The big cousins, Tomas, Izzy and V painted whatever they wanted and Leo, Otto and Jack did their footprints and handprints. I love the bright colors and their sweet little hand and foot prints. It's such a sweet thing for Q to have something from all 6 of them!

The dolls and piggy banks are other sweet gifts she's received from family and friends at our showers. Quinn is so loved by many and I love that its shown in her room.

these are my favorite moments.


This is by far my favorite room in our house. It's cozy and bright and full of love. Thanks for walking through her sweet little room with me!


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Recipe: Paleo Chocolate Muffins

December 3, 2018

One thing I'm learning about recipe posts is that none of you want to read a long story before getting to the recipe. I get it. You don't want to hear about my weekend or my problems. You just want the goods.

Well, here ya go, the best chocolate muffins in the world. They are paleo, chocolatey and so delish. Tell your friends.


Ingredients:
  • 3 ripe bananas
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted (or any kind of oil)
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup almond meal
  • 1/4 cup coconut flour
  • 1/3 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (or carob chips!) 
How to Make: 
  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. 
  2. Line a muffin tin with papers. 
  3. Beat the 3 ripe bananas with a mixer until well blended and no chunks. 
  4. Add the coconut oil, maple syrup, honey, egg and vanilla, mix on medium. 
  5. Add the almond meal, coconut flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and mix on low. 
  6. Stir in the chocolate chips. 
  7. Spoon the batter into the muffin tins. 
  8. For extra, sprinkle chocolate chips on top! 
  9. Bake for 18 minutes (or high-altitude baking for 23 minutes!) 
  10. Enjoy! 
 The batter, try not to eat it all before you bake it :) 


Happy Monday!

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Meet Kristen

Meet Kristen
Just a mom with a love for my husband, 2 daughters, my 2 dogs and Jesus. I'm striving to live a life with great passion, great friends and community.

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      • The best of 2018
      • At Home Teeth Whitening with Smile Brilliant!
      • Our 2018 Christmas Card
      • Mama, I see you.
      • Why You Should Use the Freshest Spices Possible fo...
      • Quinn's Nursery Tour
      • Recipe: Paleo Chocolate Muffins
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