I Will...

I've been on a large hiatus from this simple space for quite some time and the lack of attention devoted to Simply Graceful has been weighing on me.
I do love this space as an outlet for ideas, capturing memories and sharing stories with you.  So, now that we have some semblance of a schedule, I am going to try and make my little blog more of a priority.

While I work the blog back into my routine, I've also been thinking a lot about other things that I need to make a priority.  One being intentional time, but not just time because I do have that part down, but, intentional family activities.  Spending time and energy planning activities that we can do as a family and make some real memories this summer.  Maybe it's because the weather has been so dreary and cold and I'm just willing Summer to arrive however, being intentional as a family is something so valuable that I do not want to let that special time fall by the wayside. So, we decided to make a family bucket list for the Summer.  All simple, easily reachable ideas that we can spend some time completing over the summer months.

I thought I would share our current list with you in hopes it helps you build yours and perhaps you could add some ideas to ours. So, without further adieu...here it is.

In addition to the bucket list, I also stumbled across this graphic which divides your week days into themes.  I have started doing this in my business and it is a great way to focus attention and be productive.  So, I think I will do something similar when planning activities with Kyla.

Are there any other activities I am missing?  If you're from Southern Ontario and know of some great places to visit, make sure to let me know.  Or, if you have some AMAZING summer plans yourself, I'd love to hear them.

Lots of Love,

Miss Kyla Faith & Blog Updates

If you follow along on any of my social media accounts, it should come as no surprise that the reason for this, longer than expected, hiatus is due to the birth of my daughter, Kyla Faith.  And while, this was necessary, I have really missed my little place here with you.

Her arrival was swift and "easy" (not easy but, rather simple. No outright craziness ensued or anything very unexpected).  I will do a birth story post as it's 6 months later and do want to make sure I write it down in my own words rather than solely relying on the midwife notes as time goes by.

For now though, I'll share some early photos of our dear girl that we waited so long and quietly (more on that decision later as well) for.  I apologize for their poor quality.  Most were taken with an I Phone camera.

Kyla's first photo

Ride home from the hospital

At 3 days old

One Week Old

It's really interesting to post these now, knowing what she looks like 6 months later.  In some photos I think she looks exactly the same and in others, she looks like a completely different child.

I should also quickly mention, that this blog space, while it will feature some tips and tricks for natural health and wellness, it seemed like a dedicated Facebook page would be a more appropriate space to educate on my oil business specifically.  So, ALL information that i convey regarding the oils can be found on the Simply Well Facebook page and bits and pieces will be worked into the new direction for Simply Graceful which will primarily be a lifestyle blog moving forward.

Thank you for checking back in and for the support on and off the blog.  I am really looking forward to continuing to connect with friends both near and far.

Third Annual Brady Fraser Memorial Golf Tournament

It is now official that we are running the Third Annual Brady Fraser Memorial Golf Tournament!

This initiative is, obviously, so close to Neil and my heart.  Our son Brady passed away at 8 days old from this strange genetic disorder that we only know about and are able to monitor in future pregnancies because of McMaster Children's Hospital.  I always say that although we would have given anything to have the outcome be different with Brady, we both take so much solace in the fact that he was treated at Mac.  We know that everything that could have been done for him, was done. Literally, no stone was left un-turned. 

The golf tournament is our way of giving something back to the place and people that did their best for Brady and have guided us through this genetic mystery.  The proceeds from this tournament get split between the the genetics lab and the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at McMaster Children's Hospital.  

In our first year, we had a goal of $5,000.00 to give back, and with the generous support and participation of so many wonderful people, we were able to blow that goal out of the water with a donation of $17,346.41.

Last year, we set up to try and beat our 2016 donation and get it up to $20,000.00.  We were not certain it would get there.  Human nature is for people to procrastinate.  And, that was generally the case.  Last minute registrations and donations were coming in.  Which, don't get me wrong, is all good and we're both so, so grateful for everyone that participated and generously donated time, money and in-kind items. My only point is that as you approach the registration deadline, and your still waiting on things...insert rapid heart rate and high blood pressure.  

In any case, with all of the early and last minute participation, donations on the day, extras that people showed up with, we were able to get just past that $20,000.00 goal with a cheque for $21,415.62.

This year, we're hoping to match the $20,000 goal from last year.  So, if you are interested in helping us reach that amazing goal, think about attending as either a golfer or for dinner only.  We are also always accepting monetary donations directly through the webiste (which goes directly to McMaster right off the bat - it never passes through our hands) and in-kind donations that are used in the raffle and for door prizes.  

The tournament is being held at Carlisle Golf and Country Club on Saturday June 23, 2018.  Come join the cause in whatever capacity that works for you.  Registration and monetary donations can be made here and if you are a small business or someone who wants to donate an in-kind item for the raffle, please reach out to me for a sponsorship package and we can arrange pick up or drop off.

We hope to see you all there!

Essential Living: Headache Relief

Who else gets the almighty headache whenever anything is amiss?  For me, stress = headache, cold/flu = headache, weather changes = headache, tired = headache and the list goes on and on.  And, because they tend to happen relatively frequently, I don't love reaching for Tylonol (which doesn't really seem to help me) or Advil all the time.  

So, logically, once I became a bit more involved with DoTerra, I was on the hunt for a more natural solution to my sore head.  And, low and behold there is an oil for that too ... SHOCKING! I know.  

With a mixture of fractionated coconut oil, peppermint (which can dull a headache and bring the temperature down all on it's own), lavender and frankincense in a roller ball bottle, I managed to whip up this little blend. 

Now, whenever I can feel anything coming on, I reach for this blend and rub it on my temples for quick relief.  I also end up smelling like the spa which is pretty darn relaxing.  

And, to be completely honest, the headaches have calmed down quite a bit since bringing DoTerra into my life and my home. It's most definitely because I've done my best to eliminate the artificial products and scents that used to populate my space.

Reach for this blend of oils the next time you feel a headache coming on and see how you feel.  I guarantee you'll be back to your old self quickly and without anything artificial.

You're Welcome!

Essential Living: BOGO!!!

Countdown is on!!!!

These BOGOs are a great way to start and/ or grow your doTERRA oil collection.  

If you don't already have a wholesale membership and want to take advantage of these BOGOs at *wholesale cost*- send me a message today so we can set that up and you can begin your oil journey!!! (This is a great way to start)
BOGO's can still be purchased without a membership at retail cost!


Follow along on Facebook & Instagram Stories to learn which BOGOs are being offered each day.  If you jump on my group orders and are local to me,you can save on shipping!

Friday Coffee Chat

I'm jumping in on another link party this week with April from Smidge of This for this week's Friday Coffee Chat.

Last week I mentioned we had a busy weekend ahead but it was just beginning, so couldn't do much of a "recap"

1. Neil and I left on Friday afternoon for a quick afternoon/evening away.  Neil had won (by "won" I mean bid on at a silent auction) a nights stay in a Junior Suite at the Casablanca Inn and Winery.  While we would have loved to go during warmer weather and take more advantage of the winery piece, the gift certificate expires in April.  And, the months ahead are fairly packed.  So, we decided to use it last Friday evening.

It turned out to be a great night away.  The room was nice, it overlooked the water, which of course would have been amazing in the summer but was still a nice treat since our home in in the suburbs and basically overlooks another home.

We both enjoyed some time in the spa getting pedicures.  A spa pedicure for me and a men's sports pedicure for Neil.  His first ever pedicure, so I was impressed he went for it at all.  And, pedicures were followed by a late dinner at the hotel restaurant on the 8th floor which again, overlooks the lake.
If you follow me on Instagram, you may have caught that the night hit a bit of a snag when the fire alarm in the hotel went off just as we began our appetizer and we had to evacuate.  Even though it wasn't quite how we had pictured the night going, it ended up being a small inconvenience and because of the inconvenience, received a complimentary meal. Additionally, Friday night had some pretty heavy snow fall so, the hotel and restaurant had a lot of cancellations, making us, at one point, the only customers in the restaurant.  Neil kept joking that he was "such a big deal" that he rented out the whole restaurant for our romantic dinner. 

It was a quick little getaway but, was nice to unplug, reconnect and relax.   Even if just for 24 hours.

2. Once we came home, I headed to the dress rehearsal that I mentioned last week. All looked great and the kids are ready for their first competition of the season which is coming up quickly.

3. I was scheduled to host a class on Sunday at my home, but the crazy snowfall that turned into freezing rain, as well as a couple attendees turning up sick, forced us to reschedule for another time.  It is unfortunate as I love classes but, there is always another more appropriate time.  We have some great incentive gifts for anyone booking classes this year so, if it's something you're interested in, please send me a message to arrange a booking.

4. Wednesday was Valentines day which is not a holiday we celebrate in any crazy way.  A sweet note and some chocolates or flowers are usually the gift of choice and a nice dinner at home, which is A-OK with me.  As it turns out, when we were dating, we would celebrate our anniversary on the 19th of February.  And, as the years have passed we generally continue to celebrate the 19th instead of Valentines day.  They're so close together and it's much easier to get a dinner reservation on the 19th instead of the 14th.  So, I still have something to look forward to on Monday next week :).

5.  This weekend is the long Family Day Weekend here, so we have a few fun things planned beginning with another movie night with our dear friends.  Maybe we'll actually get around to watching a movie this time.  Regardless, I'm grateful for a fun week past, albeit different than I originally expected, and a fun weekend ahead.

How was everyone's week?

Essential Living: Skin Care

Happy Valentine's Day! In preparation for many of the fancy dinners and dates tonight, I thought I would talk about skin care and how to prep your skin for that fancy dinner make-up.

My skin generally runs on the dry side, with few problem areas but if I am going to have break outs, it will be on my chin and usually during a period of time when hormones are running high.  So, I gravitate toward products that are simple, smell good and just make my face feel clean and moisturized.

I've tried dozens of products, partly because I was once a product junky but, partly because nothing seemed quite right.  That is, until I found this combination of DoTerra products. Some are ready made and some are home made with the oils to create the most perfect mealy of products that has now curbed my product buying obsession.

The DoTerra Essentials Facial Cleanser smells like a dream.  I like to use this in the shower.  It feels so nice on the skin and the fragrance is like walking into a spa.  And, using it in conjunction with the steam of the shower seems to help the scent linger and makes me feel very refreshed before I start my day.

The Hydrating Cream is something that I add in the winter.   The air here in Southern Ontario is pretty darn dry in the winter months and it reeks havoc on my skin. So, while I don't use the cream year round, I am so happy to have it to apply morning and night in the winter time to keep me well hydrated. It also allows your make-up to apply like a dream.

And finally, the miracle cleanser/ make up remover, moisturizer mix that I use in the evening...every evening.  This is a homemade mixture of Lavender, Geranium, Frankincense and coconut oil is the perfect end to every day.  I take a small scoop on my finger and rub it into the palm of my (clean) hands and apply all over my face, being careful around my eyes.  It will literally dissolve my make up and clean my face.  I rinse it off with a little bit of warm water and pat dry.  

In the summer months, that's it.  In the winter I'll add the hydrating cream just for that little extra moisture but, if you don't have dry skin, you may want to skip that step.

Anyone interested in testing these products out, say the word and I'll send you a sample (GTA/ Ontario Only) or you can order directly from the webiste from anywhere in the world.

Your skin will thank you!