Exciting Things Happening

Happy snowy/rainy day here in New England if you don’t like the weather wait a minute because the weather always changing. I have so many exciting things happening for my brand!

I got the biggest brand deal today for this company in California actually it’s in Newport Beach. If you know me you know I love supporting local businesses and this company has the cutest and most affordable pieces of clothing! The company is called XOmandySue it’s a husband and wife who own it!

I will be doing an Instagram Live for them and I can’t say enough good things about them they are so cute and living in CT these outfits are perfect and they are CT approved 😉 and the best part is that they are made in the USA and that makes me so happy to be supporting businesses whose things are made in the USA!

You can check them out here, they were very kind to give me a code to give to you guys to save money. Use my code Gracie for 35% off your order at checkout!

Look how cute these are and don’t forget to tag us on Instagram their Instagram is @xomandysue and mine is @grace.fully.grace_

Ash Wednesday

Happy Ash Wednesday everyone on this chilly day in New England!! Spring is on its way…. Hopefully I hope everyone is doing good. I want to do a series on my instagram once a week for the 40 days of Lent and each week we do a theme whether it’s forgiveness, life, prayer. I want the topic to be about what you guys want to hear! I know Kendal and I were talking about prayer and praying and what that looks like.

Faith is soo important because we need our savior to save us and guide us through the toughest battles! I saw a tattoo my friend has on his upper arm and for a second I had to think of what the tattoo said.

God is greater than the ups and down trust God

Every time I’m going through high waters and I’m in a storm I take a sharpie and I write it on my wrist along with always more on my hand!! I will not be getting any tattoos so sharpie tattoos will have to do!

I want you to find a bible verse a quote, something meaningful that you can write on your hand thats a little reminder! I know for my senior year before Covid I would write on my hand “everything will be ok” or I would tell myself your ok nothing will happen! I want you to find something that will make you feel comforted whether its something simple like “you got this” or “you can do this” a little piece of comfort. My friends laugh at me and say whats the saying of the week or whats with the heart! FIND THE JOY in something!!!!!

"By the sweat of your brow
    you will eat your food
until you return to the ground,
    since from it you were taken;
for dust you are
    and to dust you will return.” - Genesis 3:19

Monday Motivational Exciting Things Happening….

Happy Monday everyone we are almost to spring Ash Wednesday is around the corner! Some exciting things have been happening here on GracefullyGrace! I have few people coming on the blog these next few weeks. I will be doing a formal post on them when it gets closer. We will be doing an Instagram live with them to talk more specifically about it and questions you guys may have! I have a few secrets that I can’t wait to share when the time is right!

I want to talk about my faith because if you have been watching my Instagram lives we have been talking about this book called Wild at Heart by John Eldredge and Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge. If you want to get to know why men and women do certain things that don’t make sense, things will make sense after reading it. I promise!

I can do a quick introduction for one of them who will be on the blog this week his name is Brandon Jaquish. He is one of my good friends from Franciscan University and he is doing missionary work in Texas! Brandon and I share the same faith and we have a lot of the same core values! People like Brandon are very rare God has blessed me with so many kinds of people! I wanted Brandon to be apart of GracefullyGrace because he does so much for other that I wanted to do him a favor. Brandon has the biggest heart and love for everyone! I am so grateful that he is in my life! I love how passionate he is about our faith and our Mother Mary! When God puts people in your life for a reason never question it. I always get this question does Brandon have the qualities you want in a partner and spouse and my answer is yes Brandon has so many qualities that I would love to have in a partner and potential spouse. Brandon and I were talking today about me coming down to Texas and I would love to visit him!

Brandon will be on the blog sometime the is week and there will be a full introduction on him so please keep a look out for updates on here and on my instagram.

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram: grace.fully.grace_

Brandon’s Instagram: poppunk_catholic

Friday Q&A: Life, Goals, and Blog

Happy Friday y’all its been snowy and cold here in CT. A lot of exciting stuff has happened this week and I am so excited to share what has been happening ahh I could cry!!!! I got 1 brand deal this week and I just got one today GOD IS GOOD!! I finished my first week of in person classes yay!! I always say TRUST GOD and I did!! I got my first pair of ENCOURAGHER leggings and when I got that in mail also got a letter saying I made deans list. GOD IS GOOD and when you believe you can YOU WILL!!! I hope everyone has a great weekend and stay warm, CT is suppose to be getting a snowstorm.

  1. Was your family supportive of you when you started GRACEFULLYGRACE?

Yes, my family was supportive of me starting gracefullygrace I was probably more scared then they were! They were the ones who pushed me into this and showed me it!! I wasn’t scared necessarily to tell them I was more worried what they were gonna say! My mom and my grandma both love reading it and I am the first one to tell them when a brand reaches out to me!!

2. What does life look like now that you have Gracefullygrace and in college?

Life is the same! I just have to be more mindful of time management and when I want to upload! My weekends are the days where I plan! I love having a busy schedule for it! Homework always comes first but things have defiantly picked up.

3. Do you think Gracefullygrace will be your full-time job?

I’m not one to say no but this has definitely become a passion of mine and I am enjoying this season of life Its all in Gods timing and I am one lucky girl! I am excited to say that I have really enjoyed this part of life and I am trusting God!!

4. How and why did you start GraceFullyGrace?

I started GracefullyGrace the end of 2020 after my first semester of college! I was in a really tough relationship which was on and off from July-December of 2019 and May-August of 2020 and I ended in August! He told me I was never good enough, I deserved to be cheated on and I am not going to amount to anything and these awful things! 2020 was already a tough year. I told myself I wanted to find a purpose in life and rebuild myself and proved him wrong! 2 weeks before Christmas I had made my decision but I wanted to wait for 2021! I really wanted 2021 to have a purpose and have something that was MINE no one could take that from me!! GraceFullyGrace was born January 7, 2021

5. How did you find ENCOURAGEHER?

If you haven’t been following my instagram I have recently became a brand ambassador for this clothing company called ENCOURAGEHER! It’s a faith based athletic clothing company that is really affordable and really cute! It is a group of women who encourage one another! They reached out to me and wanted me to be apart of their team and I said YES!! Use my code Gracie for 10% off your order Link is here !

6. What is one piece of advice life has given you?

I love this question if you were watching my Instagram Live on Tuesday this question was asked! Life has taught me nothing lasts forever and that family doesn’t have to be blood! These are 2 things life has taught me and continues to teach me! I learned that just because you’re a “dad” doesn’t make you a dad! I learned that nothing lasts forever an enjoy every moment!! THINGS WILL GET BETTER I PROMISE!!

7. If you could go back in time and change one thing what would it be?

If I was to go back in time and change one thing it would be spent more time with family! My cousins are 12 years older and we were soo close growing up now they have families of their own! I have the best memories with my cousins! I wish I could say the same for my dads family but I love my moms side of the family and I am so grateful for them!

8. Goals for GraceFullyGrace?

My goals for Gracefullygrace is to make a difference in someones life whether its through my IG live with overallgooddaygirl or if through encouraging someone to take that leap of faith! I want GracefullyGrace to be a place where you learn, grow, and reflect! I am not someone who has 50K followers but I do want that at some point. I want to be true to me and my followers!

9. Will you post about a boyfriend when you get one?

I am a very private person even though I have this. IF he wanted to be apart of this journey with me and he was OK with it! Sure gracefullygrace was first apart of my life before he was! What if he isn’t ok with you posting about him? I would be hurt but I have to be respectful of his wishes and maybe he would get use to it and he sees me posting or I would ask if I can post this or that! Don’t worry I will make both worlds work!

10. Will you do a post of your family?

If you want to see my family sure! I haven’t posted photos about them because its never been a topic of conversation! I would love to do a post of them what do you want to see? let me know in the comments what you want to see! I would love to have my older cousins talk about me and do a post of little me! I will defiantly keep that mind for future posts or even topics!!

GracefullyGrace meets OVERALLGOODDAYgirl

Happy Wednesday everyone I hope everyone is having a great week thus far!! I just want to talk about the instagram live that happened last night with my sister in Christ Kendal! She is not only my sister in Christ she is my mentor and my soul sister! I love supporting small business especially my friends because of GracefullyGrace I understand what its like! 
She has a clothing company to make awareness and to end Human Trafficking every time you buy one of her shirts a child is SAVED! Her goal for 2021 is raise 1 Million dollars to help put an end to Human Trafficking!! You can shop a small business while supporting a great cause 😄 
She is also a really good photographer and she is just a really whole person and a person God sent me because he knew I needed an older sister and he sent me Kendal!! We share a lot of similarities but we have learned from one another and I am really blessed to have her! I am thankful I have her. 
Since 2020 was a hard year for all of us and 2021 is just as hard!!I am starting a series on my Instagram with Overallagooday and to say everyday is an overallgoodday!!!! We are gonna talk about everything:  Dating, Relationships, God, anything you want to talk about your voice will be heard! If there is something you want to talk about please DM me or leave a comment on this post!! If you don't follow me on instagram 
My user is: grace.fully.grace_ 
Kendal's: overallgooddaygirl  
Her website is: https://www.overallgooddaygirl.com
Link to her clothing: 
https://www.overallgooddaygirl.com/product-page/red-x-enditmovement
You can buy her presets to photos as well I am obsessed with this one: https://www.overallgooddaygirl.com/product-page/yosemite-prest-pack this one is called Yosemite! 
Go do yourself a favor and go support my sister in Christ and support a great cause and a small business!!! I am all about women supporting women and shopping small and local! 
Look how cute these shirts are from her I am honestly obsessed I am about to order one and I am all about supporting a great cause!! If you purchase one from her don't forget to tag me and Kendal in your post!! We need to make this more aware!!

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. – Hebrews 13:16

Monday Motivation on a Tuesday!

Happy Monday but its really a happy Tuesday here on this snowy Tuesday!! I know I am a day late I just started first day of in-person classes and I had sooo much homework to do #collegelife. I didn’t have time to post yesterday so I am posting today!! But don’t worry everything is scheduled for this week!!

I want to talk about goals in college! People always say Grace what goals do you have while you’re in college? I always respond with do you want short or longterm? Being in college is no different then being in a job setting or even high school. My friend who is a junior at Uhart said to me the first week of fall semester was you need to have a plan when you leave in 4 years! I didn’t know what he meant I rolled my eyes and laugh! We started talking and he said your goals you set now will help you when your ready to leave in 4 years! Freshman year is almost done in the books!! My goals for the next few months is:

DO IT: You’re probably thinking do what, do what you don’t think you can do! For an example I have been scared to squat 100 even though my PR is 90 I am gonna DO IT I am not gonna let my fear stop me! Just like your fears shouldn’t stop you! IF you really want something DO IT you never know unless you try! Whats the worst thing that will happen we always question ourselves You Will Never Know unless you try! I want you to get off your butt and fight for what YOU want not anyone else!!

BE MORE POSITIVE: I have always been a very happy bubbly person but we all have “those days” where we don’t want to get out of bed, go out, go to practice, whatever the excuses we use! I always get asked how are you so happy or positive or smiling the truth is I find the POSITIVE in the NEGATIVE I choose to be that because life is way too short to be groaning! Believe me I have those days where I am not in the mood to do homework or even going to the gym but what gets me to the gym is my goal, if I am working out with my friends then it makes it a little easier because there is someone to hold me accountable.

My question to you is do you want to be known as someone who scuffs there feet and walks really slow or do you want to be that person who will walk through anything and laugh if you fall? Here is an example its snowing right now on campus and its really slushy and I was being me and I slipped and fell and of course I was with my friends I started laughing and they were like OMG are you OK? I just started laughing!! Life is too short to be serious!! WHO ARE YOU GOING TO BE? The person who will laugh through life or take life too serious the choice is yours!!

GIVE IT TO GOD: You are probably thinking to yourself what the heck do you mean? Someone who believes everything happens for a reason! I am one person with 24 hours in day but 6 hours I’m sleeping I can’t do everything nor do I want to be responsible for EVERYTHING so give your worries to GOD and go to bed!! God will take care of everything! If your thinking of that girl you met at the bar and kicking yourself that you didn’t get her number give it to God! If you’re thinking of that cute boy who’s the captain of the basketball team you met at the gym and you can’t stop thinking of him give it to God!! He will make things right I promise. TRUST GOD!! You might be in the midst of a storm but the sun will come out I promise!! THIS TOO SHALL PAST!!

My last goal for this semester is I can do this. There is so much self doubt in this world but I want to tell you, you can do this no one is you and if they are doubting you, use that as your motivation!! I want you to know that you can do this even if its hard because life is hard!! YOU GOT THIS!!! Challenge yourself a little bit!!!

Friday Q&A: First Week of Classes, College and Whole 30

Happy Friday y’all its been snowing and cold here in CT! I just finished my first week of classes and I also started Whole30 and starting the Spring semester. This is been a crazy week and now I am trying to get all of my homework and posts done by Sunday so I can watch the Superbowl if you know me you know I love Tom Brady and I will be rooting for the Bucks. Last year I wanted the chiefs to win because of Patrick Mahomes! I hope everyone has a restful and relaxing weekend!! xx

1.Is this semester harder than last semester?

Yes, I think so I think it’s harder because I have put more pressure on myself this semester than in the fall. I think in a couple aspects it’s easier because I have a pretty schedule than the fall. My classes are diffidently harder but I take it day by day assignment by assignment and set goals for myself! I always believe if you put your mind to it YOU can do it.

2.Why did you start WHOLE 30?

I started Whole 30 because I wanted to detox my body from all of the crap. I wanted to feel better about myself and I wanted to change the way I thought about food and I wanted to lose weight and feel better about myself.

3. Did you ever think college would be hard?

Yes and no, for those who know me know that I went to a boarding school for my junior and senior year of high school. It prepared me for college because of the classes I was taking so no in that aspect. However yes because it’s college and not high school and your professors expect more from you.

4. Do you think college was the right decision for you?

I love this question yes I do think college was the right decision being that I am second generation to go to college on my moms family was important to me. Some may or may not know this but I had a lot of teachers from 1st grade all the way up to 11th grade that I wouldn’t be able to go to college or I would drop out come first semester. I made Deans list and made Honors first semester of Freshman year I got to prove them all wrong.

5. Did you want to go to University of Hartford(Uhart)?

My mind changed a lot in high school where I wanted to do and what I wanted to major in. I kept my list relatively small and local I was looking at schools all in the East Coast and DC. I knew I wanted to be at a small school and Uhart has the best business school in the country and its very well respected. Fun Fact Uhart was the only school I applied to.( risky move) Another fun fact is that the day I got the official email that I got accepted was a day where I was meeting one of my friends to go to a mens basketball game and I had just happened to wear a Uhart hoodie so I became an “Official Hawk” the night we won and I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason!!! I love Uhart and I can’t see myself anywhere else!!!!

6. Why do you love Uhart?

Wow a loaded question I love Uhart for many reasons one being, I love the people everyone you meet becomes your best friend and everyone is soo friendly. Being in covid times I have been meeting people in the library, Gym, Cafeteria. Secondly, I love my professors they are so nice and they want you to succeed. Lastly I love the atmosphere and I love going to our basketball games before covid. Meeting people from all different walks of life and I love that people are so welcoming and they want you for YOU!!!

7. Have you met any of your best friends yet at Uhart?

Yes I have my best friend named Melissa we meet in the library and we hit it off immediately and we started hanging out. I don’t really know how she became my best friend she just kinda did one day. I have met some really cool people from New Jersey, New York. All different majors Engineering, Bio, Physical Therapy, Education, Nursing, Music so many different kinds of people.

8. Is Whole 30 hard in college?

No its not, I eat super clean anyway so its not hard I have chicken, salad, sushi whatever I’m in the mood for within Whole 30. If I am bored I will go to the gym instead of Starbucks. Yes I can still have Starbucks I will get a matcha iced with coconut milk. My friends are super supportive that I am doing it. They joke that when 30 days are over I won’t eat anymore salads 😝.

9. What is campus like in covid?

BORING no really it is. It’s different I am used to going to men’s basketball games I brought 2 of my former best friends to a game I love night games. They have limited so many things because of Covid but it’s still fun and there are fun things going on campus and being around your friends makes it a whole lot better.

10. What is your Major?

My major is Business management and I’m also minoring in entrepreneurial studies. I have always wanted to own a business that is mine and I am in the works with creating something that is mine. I love being in control of me and I never wanted to work for someone I wanted to be my OWN BOSS BABE!!!

My Journey with Whole 30

If you know me you know I love working out and eating healthfully now but thats never been the case until 2 1/2 years ago. I have always struggled with food and my weight from junior high to high school. It was summer of 2018 and I was up in Vermont for 3 weeks I had a legit stalker and I was anxious and my anxiety was really bad I ended up throwing up water because there wasn’t enough food in me. I was having little pieces of chicken, little bit of yogurt but because I was so anxious I didn’t eat. Fast forward to summer 2019 I was back in Vermont for 3 weeks no stalker so I took a different approach I worked out every night from 8-9pm with a bunch of my guy friends.

I wouldn’t go into the game room because I didn’t want to be tempted with nachos and burgers and all of the crap. I would get a water and protein drink to drink after we would work out. I watched what I ate if I had dessert for lunch that equaled to no dessert at dinner or no dessert at lunch meant I could have dessert a dinner only rarely would I have both. I limited myself but I would treat myself. Fast forward to being in college I am eating healthfully and watching what I eat.

Do I struggle being at campus and having burgers and chicken and pizza and cupcakes around me? Yes however there are 2 ways I can go about it I will have a salad or chicken instead of a burger or pasta I will do a sandwich I will make those little choices same thing with a Frappuccino at Starbucks I will choose my pink drink or matcha! One of my friends who I workout with will keep me accountable if I decide to have a cupcake he will make me do an extra set or rep or add 15 minutes as a punishment not because I had the cupcake because I ruined everything I am working for and I just set my goal back! I workout everyday and I am watching what I am eating. If you want to learn more about Whole 30 check the link here

I still don’t have the greatest relationship with but Whole 30 has diffidently help because I can’t have:

  • Sugar
  • Oats
  • Bread
  • Pasta
  • Chips
  • Coffee (only black I can have)
  • Ice Cream
  • Dairy: cheese, sour cream, milk, yogurt, cream cheese
  • No sweets

which are all of my favorite foods but because I’m not eating it I have learned to like my fruits and veggies and I have gotten creative for meals. It’s diffidently a struggle because everything has sugar and I love me Chick Fil A, I love my iced coffee and being in college doesn’t help it either, but because I am living at home its easy. I am on day 3 and feeling sluggish I want pasta, coffee, I don’t have much energy I’m hungry all the time. I am eating:

  • Chicken
  • Eggs
  • Potatoes
  • watermelon
  • peppers
  • onions
  • Bacon
  • Sugar-Free BBQ sauce
  • I have made my own ketchup & Ranch along with Chipotle ranch
  • Sausage
  • Apples
  • Prosciutto
  • Almond Milk
  • Coconut Milk
  • Avocados
  • Avocado oil and Mayo
  • carrots
  • Dates
  • Bananas
  • Coconut oil

If I really want dessert and I am craving ice cream or something sweet I will have watermelon or I will fry apples in coconut oil and sprinkle apple pie spice or pumpkin spice for dessert. Breakfast for me is hard I hate eggs unless there is cheese so really won’t have breakfast but if I do its a banana with natural peanut butter or I will eat prosciutto and apples. I will make French fries in my air fryer and have chicken tenders without the breading. Super Bowl will be easy since I am hosting it!

Menu for Super Bowl:

  • French Fries
  • Homemade ranch
  • BBQ chicken bowls with Coleslaw
  • Chicken wings with teriyaki sauce and Buffalo sauce
  • Potato skins with ranch and bacon
  • Apple Nachos for dessert and thawed frozen strawberries with peanut butter

Don’t worry there will be enough food for everyone and everyone can be whole 30 for the day 😉.

I will link all of the recipes here when I make all of the food

Monday Motivational lots of things happening

Happy Monday y’all! Its snowing here in CT we are getting 10 inches of snow and its the first day of second semester for me and it’s the first day of February. Lots happening this week between classes and getting back into the swing of things.

I want to talk about my uploading days and time I know this post will be up later than usually! Monday, Wednesday, Friday and maybe Tuesday, probably between 3-5pm EST. I’m trying to figure out day to upload recipes and other good things let me down below what you want to see. I am excited to start spring semester! I am trying to get a schedule down between classes and this along with gym time!!

What are you looking forward to this week? My goals for the week is getting back into shape and eating healthfully again. What are some of your goals that you want to crush this week?

Remember your mindset sets the tone for the week! Have a wonderful week my friends!!

Friday Q&A: DIY, Cooking, and Life

Happy Friday, my friends its nice and sunny here in CT after a little bit of snow in New England. I am so excited that I am starting classes next week and getting back to the swing of things here. How was your week? I hope everyone is finding a smile in the small things in life. I hope everyone has a great weekend. xx

1. What are your plans for DIY Projects?

If you know me you know I love DIY Projects and I love being creative and creating new things! My goal for this summer is to have 3 DIY Projects going on. I love finding pieces of furniture on the side of the road and sand it and paint it. I love saving money and its a great way to have a little bit of fun.

2. Why do I want farm animals in Maine?

Growing up I always wanted chickens my dads friend had chickens I thought they were the coolest. I always loved animals and just recently in the last year or so I have been wanting cows and I love cows they are so sweet and just so cute. I recently have been interested in goat yoga and wanted baby goats however baby goats grow into big goats! I have always wanted to grow up on a farm and be around animals and animals bring a sense of peace and purpose because they look at you for food. I will probably start with 2 Shepards or Labs and some chickens and then get more animals?

3. Did you ever think of becoming a blogger?

No, I really never thought of it! I always new I wanted to have my own business and my own brand. After my relationship with my ex which was on and off all through July-December of 2019 and then through March- August of 2020. After being hurt and wanting an escape I started Gracefullygrace and its been a blessing.

4. When the world goes back to normal whats one thing you want do?

One thing I want to do when the world goes back to normal is to travel. I miss exploring and being adventurous and seeing the world. I am so excited to have my suitcase packed and my passport in my hand. I will probably hop on a plane to go to Italy and see my family.

5. What language would you speak?

If I was to speak any language it would be Italian! My Italian is really broken I can speak a little bit but I would want to be fluent and be able to carry on conversations. My cousins are from Italy so I always try and talk to them in Italian.

6. Are you close to your Family?

Yes, I am very close to my family growing up we would do Sunday dinners and we still do its pretty much a big deal and I can’t miss it. I am super close to my grandparents and I will do coffee with them at least once a week or I’ll go to their house and bake and hang out. I see my grandparents at least 3 times a week. I am always around! My Memere (French for grandma) is my best friend and I spoil her for her birthday, Christmas, and just because. My mom and my grandma and I, we are so close that we make time for each other. Growing up and being an only child my cousins were my siblings.

7. If I wasn’t studying Business what would be my major?

I love this question before declaring my major I wanted to become a teacher until I realized I am to creative. I would probably say my major would be communications if it wasn’t business. I love interacting with people and building a brand has been a dream.

8. What is one thing you wish you knew that you know now?

One piece of advice I wish I knew that I know now is that you aren’t gonna like everyone and not everyone is gonna like you and its ok to fail. I am a perfectionist and when I fail I will get so upset and I have to remind myself its ok not to be perfect and that its ok to make mistakes.

9. What is your favorite Recipe?

This is a hard one, being Italian I love cooking food is big part of that and I am always trying new recipes. My favorite recipe is my Memere’s pasta dish. its soo yummy and good

10. Is college hard in a pandemic ?

This is an interesting question because I don’t know anything different in some ways yes it is hard. The socialization at school is hard but because of Covid I have met people that I wouldn’t normally meet. I am meeting people in the library the gym and getting food.