Our mission to find great gifts for the adventure traveler in your life This quote (from Matthew Kelly) was the theme of our most recent trip to Peru.  Kelly and I were determined to not merely check off the sights during our latest adventure, but rather we set our sights on experiencing the culture as authentically as possible.  By simply changing our expectations and slowing down our pace, we were able to immerse ourselves in the culture. learn and appreciate the simple lifestyle that makes the country so extraordinary. The adventure begins... Our itinerary dutifully included the m ..read more

Fresh Fragrances - Plant-Based - Cruelty Free - Naturally Derived All-Purpose Cleaning Concentrates are designed to clean many non-porous surfaces throughout your home. They are easy to use -- simply combine 1 to 2 ounces of the concentrated formula with one gallon of warm water in a bucket or spray bottle.    Thymes concentrated cleaners feature biodegradable formulas to effectively clean most rooms in a home, while leaving a fresh, fragrant scent that lasts long after the chores are completed.  These all-purpose products feature biodegradable formulas, with plant-based in ..read more

Summertime is the best time for entertaining.  The days are long.  The weather’s warm.  And the leisurely pace of life invites the most memorable and spontaneous, ‘come-as-you-are’ get-togethers with friends and family. I like to be prepared for these unplanned events by having fresh fruits, veggies and bbq fixings on hand to be able to throw on the grill when guests arrive unexpectedly. I also keep my bar stocked with simple ingredients that allow us to mix up fun, refreshing cocktails at a moment’s notice. Below are recipes for some of my favorite warm-weather cocktails.   ..read more

Cozy is the first word that comes to mind this time of year.  After being active and outdoors all summer long, I suddenly begin to crave the cooler, slower-paced days of fall when the calendar turns to the third week of September.  I look forward to indulging in the little rituals that mark the start of autumn – the scent of fall fragrances, home cooking (preferably comfort food) and warm, cozy apparel.   This year, the change of seasons caught me off guard.  A week ago, we were sweating out the extended heatwave that hit Southern California – a rarity for our part of the c ..read more

I’m always looking for ways to create a warm, welcoming environment in my home.  Scents transport us and allow us to leave the hustle and bustle behind us when we walk in the door after a busy day!  There is a simple solution: Essential oils. They do so much more than simply “smell good” and it is so easy to introduce them into your daily life.  In my home, diffusing is my favorite way to enjoy my oils, inhaling aromas from essential oils stimulates areas of your limbic system, which is a part of your brain that plays a role in emotions, behaviors, sense of smell, and long-term ..read more

Favorite finds to send off with your kiddos (or any special college students in your life) We’re in “full swing" college mode in my home these days. This is the day I started thinking about 18 years ago, realizing that we would have one year with three kids in college at the same time (Cha’ Ching!) When our oldest went to college, I started “hiding” something special in his bag each semester. He’s now graduated and on his own, but I promised myself I’d keep up that tradition for his three younger siblings. First-year send-off gift The first year, it’s a fully stocked first aid kit.  ..read more

With summer making its official debut next week, our focus is turning to vacation travel.  And it’s about time!  It’s been a long two years waiting and thinking and dreaming about traveling.  We’re so excited to finally be able to get back out to explore the world again. Since travel is on everyone’s minds, it is the perfect time to share some of the travel ‘must-have’s’ that I don’t leave home without. Below are six of my favorite travel necessities that I pack in my carry on every time I head out of town.  Urbana® Spa Privé Eye Mask This silky, lavender-scented eye m ..read more

The new year is the perfect time to expand the use of essential oils in your home. The healing properties derived from the different oils can do everything from cleaning and disinfecting to healing and de-stressing.  Since the oils each have their own unique beneficial properties, it’s fun to experiment with different varieties and blends to discover combinations that appeal to you and your family. In our home, we use essential oils everyday in many different ways.  I like to mix citrus-based oils to create natural, all-purpose cleaners for our kitchen and baths, and I love using hea ..read more

When Stacey and I decided to launch GRACEiousliving.com, our goal was “to bring joy and beauty to our customer’s lives.” And over the last year, we’ve been able to experience that over and over again! The JOY we get from handwriting a note to include with a gift for a friend’s new baby or new home is heartwarming. Helping curate that perfect gift “just because” consistently reminds us why GRACEiousliving.com was born.  As we are now upon the week of Thanksgiving, we are feeling such GRATITUDE for YOU and what we’ve created this past year. We often laugh because the learning curve has bee ..read more

I can't count the number of candles that I have wasted by burning them incorrectly. After all, who knew that there was a proper way to burn a candle? Not until I got in the business of selling candles did I learn that there are actually instructions you should follow to extend the life of these fragrant accessories. With the help from several of our candle makers, we've compiled a list of some simple things you can do to get the most from your candles. And it starts from the first burn...   Burn candles for 3 to 4 hours on first use  The most common mistake people make with new candl ..read more