Yesterday marked 25 years since we lost Mom to Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer.

I remember on August 31, 1997, calling my mom in tears to tell her that Princess Diana had been killed in a car accident… not having any sense that, only a few weeks later, I would answer the door to news that Mom had passed away while vacationing on the coast with Dad (I am still so grateful for my dad’s generous foresight that day when he called my aunt Judy and my sister’s closest friends first so that she and I wouldn’t have to hear the devastating news alone). Yes, Mom’s cancer was advanced, but none of us - including her doc - had any inkling that her end would be so soon or sudden.

Yesterday we visited Mom’s grave to pay respect and to leave her a bouquet of sweet peas (my grandparents always gifted her sweet peas for her birthday and our wonderful neighbour, Christine, graciously allowed me to cut some from her garden for the occasion).

The cemetery flag, just like through much of the Commonwealth, was flying at half-mast to honour the life of Queen Elizabeth II, who will be laid to rest the very same day - 25 years later - as my mom. It’s all so coincidental, obviously, and yet it feels fitting… Mom having been a generous, loyal, soft spoken, stoic, and sometimes stubborn woman who embodied much of what we loved about Princess Diana (both Sun Sign Cancer) and what we respected so deeply in the Queen.

Three strong, independent, loving, and courageous souls and mothers are being honoured in my house this week, and - while I am so saddened that they are gone - I am exceedingly grateful for their rich + beautiful examples.

“An ounce of mother is worth a ton of priest.”

~ Spanish Proverb

Mom’s illness and resulting death have been the most profound drivers for me in my business pursuits… not having a portrait of her that we knew she loved of herself for her obituary was awful and is what led to my conviction of providing empowering portraiture to women. Later, when contemplating that her cancer was so aggressive despite her otherwise really good health, I came to believe that environmental factors were almost certainly to have been the culprit or, at minimum, a contributing factor in her disease progression; this belief is one of the major reasons I jumped on board as a consultant with clean beauty leader Beautycounter 5 years ago next week.

Speaking of coincidences, our annual Beautycounter conference started yesterday, on this poignant anniversary for our family, and - as is every year - I am increasingly impassioned to continue participating in the pursuit of a safer beauty industry. Beautycounter goes WAY above and beyond every other brand in their commitment to the five pillars that are the foundation of our business:

SAFETY - SUSTAINABILITY - RESPONSIBLE SOURCING - ADVOCACY - EFFICACY

I desperately wish Mom’s favourite red lipstick and bodywash had been safe, and I’m committed to doing my part to affect change so that our generation * and those who follow * may have SAFER BEAUTY in hand.

”Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

~ Archbishop Desmond Tutu

In honour of my mom, Lady Di, and Queen Elizabeth I am offering, from now through September 30/22:

• $25 off a session AND $25 print credit to anyone who books a portrait or headshot session*

• one entry in FIVE draws for Beautycounter products for every order placed on my page - 5 things I think my mom - AND YOU - would LOVE: 1. think big all in one mascara, 2. color intense lipstick (she loved RED but you can pick your fave 💋), 3. reflect effect AHA smoothing facial mask, 4. all bright brightening facial oil, and 5. a yet-to-be-unveiled-brand-new product that is 💯) all valued between C$38 + C$99 **

If you haven’t shopped Beautycounter before PLEASE reach out for a 30% off code and so that I can provide other valuable insight to ensure you get exactly what is best for you and all perks available! 🎁

If you’re reading this thinking, I too want to participate in this movement to affect change - the opportunity is RIPE and we need you - your passion, your enthusiasm, your dedication… reach out to find out how easy it is to have your own business… purpose with paycheque is a profound use of your time + abilities!

This work is deeply personal AND deeply important… I hope you’ll join me in both honouring these amazing women AND in affecting change for us all.

xo Lori

* portrait/headshot session must be booked and paid for prior to Sept 30/22. Email me to arrange payment and for your credit. Session cannot be cancelled but can be transferred or rescheduled up to Sept 2023.

** one entry per order placed to my site prior to midnight MST on Sept 30/22. Five names will be drawn for the prizes, in order listed above.