The Gracious Living Manifesto
Slow down and choose with more intention.
Cultivate personal growth not perfection.
Act with gratitude in our hearts.
Speak with more civility and lavish kindness.
Celebrate that which is timeless and delightful.
I like to think myself a smart woman who has gumption in spades, celebrates charm and color, welcomes adventure, and appreciates everyday beauty!
Did I describe you too?
But if like me, you have a mile long to do list;
Urgent hands pulling you in a million different directions;
And often feel undermined by flawed expectations;
It can be hard to live up to that charming personality.
Am I right?
That's when I turn to my gracious living manifesto for guidance!
Start by changing your mindset...
Adopt a Gracious Disposition!
~ Use positivity, gratitude, and civility to cultivate personal growth not perfection, overcome the emotional rollercoaster, and grow joy!
Lately in Lifestyle
10 Gifts for the Discerning Collector
Exceptional vintage and antique gifts for even the most discerning of collectors! If you are hanging around Pender & Peony, chances are you yourself are a rather discerning collector, and I bet you know a few equally persnickety ones as well. We’ve got refined tastes and shrewd instincts, so the average pretty trinket doesn’t entice…
Our Antiquing Roadtrip North on I81
Loading up your 76 year old mother and 19 month old toddler in an SUV and a trailer to hit the interstate antiquing sounds cuckoo, no? 9 tote boxes… 5 pieces of luggage… 4 rolls of bubble wrap… 2 ice chests… and 1 stroller later we made it through: 19+ hours of driving… 14 antique…
2025 Summer Reading List
15 books to help you while away a summer afternoon from mysteries and romance to new parenting philosophies and historical deep dives! There is nothing I enjoy more than reading for some quiet “me” time. Getting lost in a good book is my ideal relaxation activity. I usually have more than one book going at…
On Motherhood
May 2023 after a successful IVF stimulation cycle, we had one viable embryo to transfer. ONE! One chance at having our own baby. That’s him right there. Our miracle baby! Can you believe it? Sometimes I can’t! I can’t believe I’m celebrating my second Mother’s Day as a mom! We got lucky in so…
2025 Wildly Capable
A heartfelt confidence about planning for 2025 and finding my word of the year. The past couple of weeks I’ve felt stymied – unable to move forward. I like to take January slow and spend some time hibernating and resting during these first cold weeks of the new year. Granted that has been a bit…
Little Touches of Autumn
Simple fall joys around my house! As I work feverishly to get my Christmas decor together and start photography for the most merriest of seasons, I am still enjoying these little touches of autumn around our house. It is such a weird mashup that happens in our home every October: there’s autumn foliage, Halloween spooky,…
In My Mom Uniform Era
What to wear, eat, join, and buy postpartum for a thriving 4th trimester! Having a baby is hard work, but I bet you knew that! Everyone does, but the reality of it doesn’t really hit until several weeks after you’ve given birth. The overwhelming elation and joy of his arrival has quieted and the visits…
6 Month Review: Baby Gear & Nursery Essentials
A look at the baby gear and products we’ve used and loved the most with a 6 month old. Well friends…we have finally hit James’ half year mark. I can’t believe he is 6 months old already. When mired in the colicky sleepless haze surrounded by dirty diapers and covered in spit-up, time was glaaaccciiiaaalll…
A Peek at Our Nursery & The Baby Gear We Can’t Live Without
A look at our green and white traditional nursery for baby James and the baby gear that has saved our lives the past 6 weeks! What a whirlwind the past 6 weeks have been as we welcomed our first baby to the world almost 6 weeks ahead of his 40 week due date. I cannot…
My Favorite Purchases of 2023
The best of 2023: products I discovered and LOVED last year! These are the top picks I’ll be buying over and over again! You know when you find that unicorn product or brand and it blows you away with its fit, style, efficacy, and/or charm? You’re a fan for life, and you’ll never go back?…