Hi I am Shayla LaFreniere, the Shayla behind shayla grace. The Grace is because of God and all that he has, and continues to grace me with.
I was born in Jamaica and raised in Jamaica and the United States by my English-Jamaican grandparents and my Afro-Jamaican and Italian-Venezuelan parents. So far I’ve lived in Jamaica, Florida, Arizona, Pennsylvania and I now live in Northern Virginia with my sweet hubby. I’m pretty happy where I am right now so I don’t think I’ll be moving again anytime soon, if ever, but I sure plan on traveling a lot!
My eye for beauty, attention to detail, and thoughtful artistic approach to illustration, design and photography has led to a happy career in these fields. If I had to name my illustrative design style I would call it simple modern whimsy.
I spent many years trying to find my calling and then one day I discovered that I could make a living using my creative gifts and I haven’t looked back since. I am truly blessed to be able to do what I love everyday. I know that any gifts or talents I may have come from God and I work daily to remain humble to his grace.
Along with shayla grace, I am also the owner & illustrator of laLa Grace a sweet little stationery company that launched February 2013. I also occasionally work as a photographer with my husband at Kee Photographers.
Besides illustration, design and photography I am passionate about my husband, family, travel, vegan cooking, green living, health, working out, yoga, animals, nature, interior design, flip flops, cotton t-shirts, reading, the ocean, sharks (yes sharks), summer nights, porches, clean sheet day and daydreaming about what’s next…
If you’d like to know a bit more about me and all the things that inspire me to create and live life more fully visit my blog designing a life.
But enough about me, I’d love to hear your story so feel free to drop me a note anytime day or night!
About the blog
Hi there and welcome to designing a life! I use this space to share all the things that inspire me and help me create a well designed life. Art, Interior Design, Graphic Design, Photography, Music, DIY, Recipes, Health, Yoga… if it’s a part of my life chances are you’ll see it on here.
I also share a behind the scenes look at my latest projects as well as the sales & specials for my sweet little stationery shop, laLa Grace.
On a personal note…
I live in Northern Virginia, just outside of Washington DC with my completely awesome husband Christopher.
I was born in Jamaica and raised in Jamaica and the United States by my English-Jamaican grandparents and my Afro-Jamaican and Italian-Venezuelan parents. So far I’ve lived in Jamaica, Florida, Arizona, Pennsylvania and now Virginia. I’m pretty happy where I am right now so I don’t think I’ll be moving again anytime soon, if ever, but I sure plan on traveling a lot!
Photo of me by: Christopher Kee LaFreniere.