Introducing Graceful Living: A New Chapter of Courage, Creativity, and Community
Welcome to Graceful Living!
Graceful Living is my little corner of the world to live with intention and a heart fully alive. Here, I’m choosing joy in the unknown, creating beauty in the everyday, and nurturing community along the way. On the blog + Instagram Broadcast Channel, you’ll find everything from gifting ideas, recipes, travel, fashion, holistic swaps, routines, books, podcasts, and more.
If you have been following GS for a while, then you may know that in 2022, my husband Graeme was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma at age 40 — a rare and “incurable” blood cancer. Since then, our family has committed to a journey of beating the odds, transitioning our home and lifestyle to lower-toxin options, and seeking holistic and alternative solutions for his healing. This season has touched us to the core, stretching our faith, deepening our presence, and reminding us to embrace the beauty of life even in the midst of responsibility, challenge, and uncertainty.
Through this, I’ve discovered that the best way I can show up as a wife, mother, and business owner is to refuel by embracing creativity. In the midst of “40-year-old responsibilities,” I’ve carved out windows of time for baking, watercolor, fashion finds, gifting, community, nature, yoga, and friendships. It isn’t effortless — it takes tenacity, planning, strategy, and the accountability of incredible once-in-a-lifetime friends — but I refuse to let my heart go “missing in action.”
I believe we each carry deeply beautiful gifts. Graceful Living is about uncovering yours, not through comparison or perfection, but through presence and intention. It’s about blocking time to set aside checklists, expectations, and hurry — and seeing what naturally flows out. Some days that may look like a walk, others like baking, painting, planning a big gathering or simply making fresh lemonade. What matters most is that your heart leads the way and you shine in your own unique way.
Graceful Living is my journey to relentlessly seek joy in the midst of the unknown. It is my invitation to you to slow down and truly be here — to choose presence over distraction, to embrace beauty, nurture hope, and celebrate life’s simplest gifts.
My hope is that Graceful Living ignites your heart, that you too will not let your heart go “missing in action,” but instead courageously shine brightly despite the schedules, diagnoses, and challenges that life brings. May you find grace in the everyday, joy in the moments that matter most, and glimpses of “on earth as it is in heaven” woven into your daily life.
I thought I’d close this first post by sharing a few things that do just that for me. These are the top little luxuries and meaningful moments that make me feel good, spark creativity, inspire health, and bring a smile.
12 Things I Love, No Matter the Season
1. Fresh Flowers
Building a floral arrangement brings me to such a special place where I can get creative. I love the whole process — from choosing blooms at a floral shop, to the ritual of trimming stems, to the quiet concentration of building the centerpiece. I even love the frustration when it’s not coming together and I have to start again! Fun fact: before kids, I co-owned a small wedding planning company with a friend, and floral arrangements were always my favorite part of the job. This little floral cage is one of my favorite tricks — it helps guide stems exactly where you want them to go.
2. Traveling to New Places
Exploring new cultures, food, and rhythms always inspires me. (Read about our family trip through Germany, France, and Portugal [here] and access our travel must have’s here.)
3. Keeping My Schedule Organized
From ideas to execution, I’ve created a rhythm that helps me stay present, realistic, and productive:
Capturing notes and ideas in a notebook so nothing gets lost.
Using Asana as my master running list for big projects.
Time-blocking my actual calendar to match real available time.
Writing daily priorities in my Living in Light Journal so I know my top focus each day.
4. Playing Rummikub with My Family
We first learned this game on a trip to Colorado over Christmas a few years ago, and we’ve been hooked ever since! It takes a couple of rounds to really get the strategy, but now we pull it out almost weekly for a quick game. Last year, Rebecka gifted us this beautiful Rummikub set for Christmas, and I love that it’s pretty enough to sit out on our coffee table (so now we play even more!).
5. Practicing Yoga
A way to reset both my mind and body, grounding me in the middle of busy weeks. In our Charleston home, we turned a big closet into a home gym! If you are new to yoga or looking to upgrade your mat, I am a lifelong fan of Manduka - I had my last one for over 15 years before I retired it! I recently started using this yoga mat carrier and can’t believe how I was running around without it!
6. Playing Music Around the House
One of our wonderful former team members, Devon, introduced me to the joy of playing French cooking music in the kitchen through our Alexa device. At first, I only did it when guests were over… which now feels so silly, because it makes the whole house feel alive and happy! These days it’s an everyday ritual. I also love mixing in big band, Frank Sinatra, Faith & Country, or even the Bridgerton soundtrack when I want a little extra drama in the background.
7. Throwing on a Really Great Sweatshirt
Even in the summer! (This one is my current favorite.)
8. Journaling
My favorite highlighters (that are not too bright and don't bleed) and a simple, inexpensive pen case make this daily practice both functional and fun.
9. Bubble Baths (or Detox Baths)
Lately, I’ve been loving detox baths with bentonite clay, baking soda, Epsom salt flakes, and apple cider vinegar. Restorative and renewing.
10. Reading Uplifting Books
I love mysteries, but honestly, I can’t resist a light, feel-good story with a happy ending (even if it feels a little cheesy!). My current favorite is Remarkably Bright Creatures , and a friend recently told me that A Man Called Ove has a similar tone. I’m planning to read it on an upcoming trip to Seattle — I’ll keep you posted!
11. Trying New Recipes
Whether baking bread, experimenting with seasonal produce, or refining a family favorite, the kitchen is a happy place of creativity for me. More to come on this, but my current favorite recipe is this keto apple pie. Part of the trick is to sub the apples for zucchini! (I personally like to mix the two). If you prefer the traditional apple pie, we made this apple pie for Labor Day and this crust was SO flakey! After our recent move, I realized it was time to upgrade my pie dish and was so excited to find this beautiful set of three classic pie dishes (just in time for holidays!)!
12. Seasonal Rituals
Years ago, Julie Richard from Fearless Mom challenged us moms to always celebrate the season. It never had to be anything fancy but I love the anticipation of pulling out the back to school banner or our favorite fall pumpkins. This joy has seeped in between seasons now too and I love lighting candles (this one currently 25% off) on ordinary nights, these rhythms anchor me and make life feel intentional.
xo,
Christina
P.S. I love setting the mood — often a beautiful item, like fresh flowers or a cozy sweatshirt, can help create it. I’ll include a few affiliate links to the things I use and love, but my hope is that the real inspiration comes from the activity itself — creating a space that feels life-giving, where you can show up fully and enjoy the moments that matter.
(1) Floral Cage (2) Favorite Suitcase (3) Notebook, Living in Light Journal (4) Rummikub Set (5) Favorite Yoga Mat, Yoga Mat Carrier (6) Echo Dot (7) Favorite Sweatshirt (8) Highlighters, Pen Case (9) Bentonite Clay, Epsom Salt Flakes, Apple Cider Vinegar (10) Remarkably Bright Creatures (11) Pie Dishes (12) Candle