When I came across this company a few years back I was just blown away by them!

Not only are they made ethically and sustainably. But created and inspired by individuals with disabilities I was intrigued!

A company that designs clothing by artwork created by individuals with disabilities. What a genius idea and since my daughter Chloe has Down syndrome and loves art herself I definitely was up for supporting them. I couldn’t be happier when they asked Chloe and I to do a collab with them on instagram.

I love that they celebrate people of all abilities and diversity, inclusion.

Alivia uses fashion as a platform to connect consumers with the talents of people with disabilities.

Every piece made is designed by an individual with a dev disability while participating in art therapy. Each artist is paid and 10%of every purchase is donated to their associated nonprofit art therapy program.

From expression for expression.

By wearing Alivia your amplifying their voices and talents.

I’m wearing the Marie cardigan and Chloe is wearing the Marybeth sweater. The creator behind these sweaters is Denise who also has Down syndrome.

What a talented young lady, and Chloe and I couldn’t be more excited to be wearing her pieces!

Thanks so much for being here!

So I was a bit intrigued when I saw this ice roller. I read the box and thought, sure it does all of that. But I wasn’t about not to try it. I have been battling with inflammation and having sore muscles around my face from my TMJ that has gotten so bad. The dark circles under my eyes have been exceptionally bad due to my nerve injury and not enough sleep. And I’ve been noticing my skin starting to sag little more and of course I didn’t like that! So I set off to try it and see if I noticed any benefits.

So what is this little ice-roller any way? Well there are several. I purchased the Kit-sch one that is stainless steel. There are other models that have water or gel on the inside. The price of an ice roller? Pretty much between $12-$35 depending on how well made they are and if they have any unique designs that are actually for specific parts of your body. There are some a little more than $35 but I’m not quite sure they are worth spending more on, but that’s just my opinion,

You can make this apart of your morning skin routine and use it throughout the day. If you have headaches, sore muscles or if you have hot flashes they come in pretty handy for that as well! (been using it a lot for that lately and it works wonders!)

In the morning cleanse your face first then use your ice-roller. I found it to be exta beneficial when I used my favorite serums with it. My favorite homemade serum is to use a few drops of Frankincense oil with some Vitamin E, then I either use Almond oil which is probably my favorite. Or Coconut oil. When I was rolling under my eyes I rolled upwards and with the few drops of frankincense I feel like it made a huge difference! I also noticed my skin looking more supple and not having the puffiness I was having from my inflammation. And it has helped with my TMJ pain immensely so I highly recommend if you suffer from TMJ!

I Love this particular roller size the roller size it’s great for larger areas of your body. I use it on my arms when they are sore and my legs. Just remember you always need to clean it after you use it, all you need to clean it with is mild soap and water. Always keep it in your fridge or freezer ( I love keeping it in the freezer) then you can just pull it out and use it throughout the day when you need a pick me up.

There are so many benefits from owning an ice roller from reducing swelling to calming aches and pains to to de-puffing your under eyes and firming your skin. This little guy is a game changer! Glad I purchased, if you don’t have one you need one.

Do you ever find yourself after the holidays getting spring fever instantly? I definitely do with all the swimsuits now out enticing you to just jump into longer sunny days by the pool or beach. Who wants to buy anymore sweaters, but then there’s that little month everyone wants a little colorful new look for valentines.

I love all the cute little heart sweaters for the occasion but I know a lot of you might not buy them for the short “wear life”or only wear them once. I found a few that I personally love and think would be perfect! Not to mention you can wear them when it’s actually not February! 🙂

Continue reading “After Christmas sweaters” →

A season of change

A season of change

— Read on 21petalsofgrace.home.blog/2021/01/04/a-season-of-change/

It’s been two years since I had to close my salon. My business that I worked so hard for. Sometimes I really can’t believe it happened. But it did and my body still isn’t back to how it used to be, you know how when you hear someone you know or maybe even don’t know gets sick or in an accident and you’re shocked and you can’t believe it. Well I’m still doing that with myself two years later.

That being said, this season of life I’m in is just kinda surreal.The year I lost my salon my oldest son went to college, this fall my youngest son will be in college. Then there is my oldest, my daughter Chloe, who has Down syndrome (trisomy21) she will be finishing up school as well and enter the working world. Funny how I never thought I’d be here, yet here I am. Our lives really don’t stay the same, they are always moving forward there is always a new season ahead.

I really feel excited to start this blog in this season in my life. I have been in the beauty business for over 25 years and in the fashion business my whole life ( insert laugh here). I’ve always had a passion for fashion,you could say., and always seemed to get asked for advice when it comes to fashion or shopping in general. I am excited to share my style and tips with you in my little corner here of the internet.

And having a daughter with Down syndrome I will share bits of our lives. She has played a big part of who I am today. The girl loves to shop, color (she’s obsessed with water colored pencils) paint and listen to music,rather loudly I might add. (She’s a lot like me!) So I hope you stick around. I will be posting great pieces you can add to your winter wardrobe here soon.

Happy new year!

Continue reading “A season of change” →

Are you feeling a little overwhelmed by all the trends you feel like you should be wearing this fall. Is your love for fashion a simple boho look.Sometimes I feel like keeping up with the trends is fun and other times I just want to wear some of the great pieces I bought last fall( or the fall before that, and the one before that!) that I only got to wear a handful of times before the season changed again.

Grab your favorite pair of black distressed jeans and find yourself a fun neutral sweater with some fun tassels or fringe on it. Believe it or not I’ve had this sweater for quite some time and behold it’s back in the lime light with the fringe pieces. I love sweaters that you can keep for years that have a unique fun look to them. Remember fashion is the clothing you purchase, style is what you make it. And your style should always reflect your personality, what you love, and what your drawn to.

And like any outfit you should always accessorize. My favorite way to accessorize is with the perfect fedora . This wool hat has been my favorite this fall with its guitar strap band it was the perfect look I was wanting. Just a reminder to keep some of your favorite sweaters that mean something to you and you could see yourself wearing again and again. There are always those classic trendy pieces!