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5 Ways to Cultivate Grace

November 24, 2016

Gratitude is the reason for the season.  When you are in a deep state of gratitude, you will often spontaneously feel the presence of grace. The Dolls work to foster the elegant practice of grace – particularly during the holiday season. To Caitlin and Danielle, Grace is the simple elegance and refinement of movement in more than our physical being, it is in our mental-being, emotional-being, heart and soul.  Read on for the Dolls’ 5 ways to cultivate grace.
 To us, Grace is the simple elegance and refinement of movement in more than our physical being, it is in our mental-being, emotional-being, heart and soul.  

I will hold myself to a standard of Grace, not perfection.”

grace and elegance

The act of Grace has a different meaning from person to person as well as in different cultures. To some the act of grace is a religious term that demonstrates the “bestowal of blessings.” Another meaning is to “do honor or credit by one’s presence.” The previous meanings are beautiful but the one that holds true as a Once Upon A Dollhouse Mantra is “simple elegance and refinement of movement.”  What does grace mean to you?

 To us, Grace is the simple elegance and refinement of movement in more than our physical being, it is in our mental-being, emotional-being, heart and soul.  

Grace in women has more effect than beauty” –William Hazlitt

 To us, Grace is the simple elegance and refinement of movement in more than our physical being, it is in our mental-being, emotional-being, heart and soul.  

Over the next few days, you will probably spend time with a variety of people in an intimate setting. These people may include close family members, relatives in from out of town, dear friends  – all of whom you’ve been yearning to exchange good energy with. There will also inevitably be those you could go without seeing…. You feel drained after interacting, because they suck your energy –  we deem this category as energy vampires.  It’s in this setting that we encourage Dolls everywhere to turn their focus inwards, elegantly foster grace and share your sparkle outwards.

 To us, Grace is the simple elegance and refinement of movement in more than our physical being, it is in our mental-being, emotional-being, heart and soul.  

5 Ways to Cultivate Grace (during the holidays and beyond):

  • Doll Up: Having a lovely appearance cultivates grace from the inside-out. Hit the gym a few times a week. Practice yoga and meditation. Wear that new stunning outfit when you want to and get glam… DOLLED up! What is also so very important is often what we don’t see. Practice self care. Take time to reflect on the unfavorable situations that happen, feel the ways you want and move on taking with you the lessons learned.
  • Trust YOUR Journey: Always stay positive and know that the Universe has a plan for YOU. Life throws curveballs at all of us, but it’s your choice to react and move forward by keeping your dignity intact. Remain kind and calm. Stay positive. Smile.
  • Breathe: In Sanskrit the word for breath is prana – meaning life force. Our breath can help center us in all aspects of life. When you need to, take a moment to remember your breath. Use your life force to stay centered and to act with elegance. You always have the right to smile and excuse yourself from a conversation to remember your breath and return. When you return with wit, sass and class, you may just WOW the room.
  • Share your Sparkle: Stay away from harmful gossip. Treat everyone with respect and admiration. Share your own perspective with conviction. Do not retaliate to any hurtful situations and instead respond with love. Practice this daily in small situations that ruffle your tail feathers so when the big blunders happen, you will know how to stay shiny.
  • Remember your Legacy: Always remember that you are in control of the vibrancy you share with the world. Remain respectful and treat everyone you encounter on a daily basis with compassion. Your legacy is defined by the way people feel after you exit a room.

5 Ways to Cultivate Grace

We know how many of you already practice grace and on this day of gratitude we want to thank you with a very special giveaway!  One of our beautiful readers will have the chance cultivate grace even more by getting DOLLED UP! Follow @onceuponadollhouse on Instagram and enter to win one (1) massage plus one (1) facial from Hand & Stone AND one (1) blowout plus one (1) Manicure & Pedicure from &Blowdry!

Grace in women has more effect than beauty [William Hazlitt] 💖 5 ways we cultivate Grace during the holidays and beyond 🙌🏽 LINK IN BIO 🙏🏽 We’d like to say THANK YOU to our a-dollable-readers with a Pampering *GIVEAWAY* 🎁 tag 3 friends you’re grateful for and you’ll be entered for a chance to WIN 🎉🎀Time to get Dolled UP 🎀 (1) massage 💆 plus one (1) facial from @handandstonechicago AND (1) blowout plus (1) Manicure & (1) Pedicure 💅🏼 from @andblowdrychicago (located in Chicago & anyone can enter to win). 👗: @bazarchicago 📸: @josiahthorngate . . . . One (1) winner will be chosen by random drawing on November 30, 2016. Winner will be notified via Instagram and must respond by December 5, 2016 to claim their prize.

A photo posted by Caitlin + Dani (@onceuponadollhouse) on Nov 24, 2016 at 6:49am PST

 

Every Doll needs some pampering – and we can attest that Hand & Stone Massage is the ideal place to start this process! We recently visited the spa in Chicago to get our zen on with a relaxing massage and facial combo. We have to admit, this is one of our favorite ways to cultivate grace during the holidays and beyond. A massage helps melt away any stress and anxiety, leaving your physical being calm and ready to take on the season. We recommend adding the lavender aromatherapy for some extra relief. Next up enjoy a facial that will leave your skin GLOWING. This boost of radiance will have your confidence up several notches and ready for every photo opp.

One of our favorite activities in case you haven’t guessed is…. Getting DOLLED up from our head to our toes! &blowdry is one of Chicago’s most luxe and a-doll-able blow dry & beauty bar.  This salon is a Doll’s paradise with beautiful chandeliers, pretty pink furniture and grand mirrors. From the moment you walk in, you will be in awe of the glitz and glam ambiance coupled with the care and attention to detail from the staff. This location offers blowouts, nail services, waxing, make-up application, eyelash extensions & microblading. We love to treat our tresses to blowout at this location – our hair is radiant after the luscious Oribe products and talented staff work their magic.

5 Ways to Cultivate Grace

Tell us, how do you plan to cultivate grace during the holidays and beyond?

 

Dresses provided by a wonderful boutique, Bazar Chicago.
All photos of Caitlin + Dani taken by our bearded photog, Josiah Thorngate.

   

23 Comments / Filed In: DOLL LIFE, DRESS US UP
Tagged: andblowdry, beauty blog, beauty blogger, best chicago blog, best chicago blogger, best lifestyle blog, best lifestyle blogger, best new blog, best new blogger, blog, blogger, blowdry, blowout, caitlin campbell, chicago, chicago blog, chicago blogger, danielle sommerfeld, dollhouse, dolls, elegance, facial, fashion blog, fashion blogger, free, giveaway, giveawayf, grace, hand & stone, holidays, instagram, legacy, lifestyle blog, lifestyle blogger, lifestyle expert, massage, once upon a dollhouse, onceuponadollhouse, oribe, the dollhouse, win, wisdom

Comments

  1. candy says

    November 24, 2016 at 3:03 pm

    Great comment to any woman is she has grace and class. Your dresses are beautiful and love them both.

    Reply
    • Dollhouse says

      November 24, 2016 at 7:51 pm

      Thank you, Candy! You’re a Doll.

      Reply
  2. Joseyphina says

    November 24, 2016 at 3:09 pm

    Hi, nice to meet you here as well! Lovely read. Looking forward to reading more from you. And happy Thanksgiving! 😊

    Reply
    • Dollhouse says

      November 24, 2016 at 7:51 pm

      Happy Thanksgiving!

      Reply
  3. Ivana J says

    November 24, 2016 at 3:34 pm

    Great photos, love your style girls, looking amazing. Nice tips too xo

    https://theninebyivana.blogspot.com/

    Reply
    • Dollhouse says

      November 24, 2016 at 7:50 pm

      Thank you, Ivana! You’re a DOLL.

      Reply
  4. Laurie says

    November 24, 2016 at 6:56 pm

    I love these tips. They’re so positive and I think that when we do these things others around us start feeling and acting more positive also.

    Reply
    • Dollhouse says

      November 24, 2016 at 7:50 pm

      So true! Spread the positivity.

      Reply
  5. Alex says

    November 24, 2016 at 7:40 pm

    Love these looks! That burgundy dress is gorgeous.

    http://adoredbyalex.com

    Reply
    • Dollhouse says

      November 24, 2016 at 7:49 pm

      Thank you, Alex! They are from one of our favorite boutiques!

      Reply
  6. Kristina Dapaah says

    November 24, 2016 at 11:34 pm

    Bless your beautiful selves 🙂 Just a gorgeous message that needs to go out just in time for the holidays. Grace is something we can all use a little more of for ourselves especially.

    Reply
  7. Danielle Greco says

    November 25, 2016 at 8:30 pm

    Great post, very creative! And I love #2!

    Reply
  8. Aeryn Lynne says

    November 25, 2016 at 9:55 pm

    Love all of these tips, thank you for the inspiration! Especially Breathe/Prana; it is something that I find myself focusing on in these ever increasingly stressful moments (Q4 is always a big crunch work-wise.)

    Absolutely love your dresses, they look gorgeous, as do you both! <3

    Reply
    • Dollhouse says

      November 28, 2016 at 6:19 pm

      Thanks, Aeryn! You’re a DOLL 🎀

      Reply
  9. Tami says

    November 25, 2016 at 10:29 pm

    Great photos – you look gorgeous! And those are some pretty awesome tips too. 🙂 Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Dollhouse says

      November 28, 2016 at 6:19 pm

      Thank you, Tami! You’re a DOLL 🎀

      Reply
  10. Lynda H says

    November 26, 2016 at 9:44 am

    Coming to you from SYBL. I had to really think about what GRACE means to me. I have on occasion regarded somebody as very “graceful”, meaning really how they hold and conduct themselves. So I think for me GRACE is the presence of a constant soft and beautiful demeanor. How will I stay graceful this holiday period? It remains to be seen! I will try to center myself with some yoga and breathing techniques when things get chaotic.

    All the best,

    Lynda of insaitama.com

    Reply
    • Dollhouse says

      November 28, 2016 at 6:17 pm

      Hi Lynda, what a lovely response! Thanks so much for sharing with us. It looks like you have plenty of grace to spread this holiday season.

      Reply
  11. Shannon Schroecker says

    November 27, 2016 at 6:01 pm

    Perfect message for the holidays – and such gorgeous pictures!

    Reply
    • Dollhouse says

      November 28, 2016 at 6:14 pm

      Thank you, Shannon! You’re a DOLL 🎀

      Reply
  12. Suzanne Spiegoski says

    November 27, 2016 at 6:36 pm

    You’re both so cute! Love the photos.

    Reply
    • Dollhouse says

      November 28, 2016 at 6:13 pm

      Thank you, Suzanne!

      Reply
  13. Natasha says

    November 28, 2016 at 10:50 pm

    This is beautiful, you ladies are stunning!

    Reply

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Once upon a time... there were two best friends that lived in a Dollhouse. That's where the story began. While the pages of this digital storybook keep turning, one thing remains the same. Caitlin and Dani are by each other's side through the ups, downs and all the realness in between.

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