Diana House is founder of tinydevotions.com – Tiny Devotions creates mala beads, jewelry and accessories to help you turn down the volume outside of yourself and turn up your inner voice to empower you to create from that authentic place.
She was kind enough to send me some mala beads and whenever I feel like I am going to start to lose it I throw them on and run my fingers over them one by one to calm myself down. I swear it works.
Diana was so kind to answer so many questions about herself and her favourite places in Toronto and abroad. I also asked her to tell me some of her favourite career books right now which I threw in at the end of this interview so we can all get our business on.
Do you get any special treatments?
I don’t know if I would call any of them “special” but I get a lot of treatments. I’m addicted to my monthly pedicure, weekly massage, and monthly reflexology sessions that keep me going at a fast pace. Once a year I go to Enchantment Resort in Sedona where the treatments all blow me away – think luxury meets the spirit of the vortexes (energy centers) of Sedona.
How do you ramp things up for special occasions?
My favourite thing to do is go to my weekly blow-out at Taz Hair – I usually schedule these around weekly events and special occasions and love chatting with the great team AND getting through my emails all at once.
Do you carry anything around in your bag?
I have two favourite bags – a black vintage Chanel that I got in Palo Alto (Silicon Valley) for my 30th birthday from my husband and my brown big boho slouchy Jenny Bird bag. Every bag I own has crazy significance – I bought the JB bag after meeting Jenny on a bus from Toronto to London and we hit it off and have been friends ever since.
Inside my bags is always the following – multiple lip glosses (I love MAC Candy Yum Yum) – as well as a bunch of cheapies because I use and lose lip gloss constantly. I also carry a business card holder that has “No-micromanaging” embossed on it (a not so gentle reminder), a Swarovski crystal pen I bought in Europe, sunnies, my Tiny Devotions travel journal, my massive Kikki K black wallet that could be its own hand bag and a Pure Protein chocolate peanut butter bar.
What do you do to style and care for your hair?
I have the most voluminous and high maintenance hair. It’s so long and thick and what I do is that I don’t do it. I try to survive without washing my hair between blow outs and then dry shampoo to keep it going for 5-7 days and then repeat.
Did you adopt any beauty tips form your mom?
My mom was always really into baths growing up and although I wasn’t into it at the time I now swear by a daily or even twice a day Epsom salt bath to relax my muscles and mind and cleanse and soothe my skin. I’m addicted.
When do you feel your best?
I am a morning person and feel smartest and clearest between 5 am and 10 am. I pretty much go down hill after then. But really, I feel best when I am taking care of myself – going on daily walks, going to yoga (especially restorative) and eating amazing food like lunch at Fresh.
How do you like to start your day?
I don’t have a morning routine per say – but coffee is a non-negotiable as well as some solo time to conquer the hardest things on my to-do list for the day. I have a Breville Barista at home so I rarely go out for coffee – and I just enjoy this simple luxury from the comfort of my home.
Do you have a beauty philosophy?
So much of my 20’s and early 30’s (I’m 31 now) has been about work – and I really must say that I feel most beautiful when I’m the least stress and have done the most self-care.
Has there been any moment in your life you felt especially beautiful?
Well, this has got to be a cliché – but my wedding day. I had an amazing hair and make up team and was just glowing from the inside out. At our wedding dinner my parents told me that my physical appearance had literally changed since meeting my husband Jeff (he clearly is doing something right).
What do you love most about your look?
I don’t have one look and go from athletic, to bohemian to boyish to glam without much thought.
Do you have any favourite items of clothing you return to time after time?
Yes. I’m addicted to lululemon leggings (just bought some Align pants they make you feel like you’re naked). Obsessed with Artizia boyfriend blazers even though they have been around for so long – can’t get sick of them. Besides that – skinny jeans, cute boots and flowy shirts seem to do it for me a lot of the time.
Do you have any favourite jewelry?
As I mentioned above – Jenny Bird is my favourite designer both for who she is as a person and the genius creations she is always coming out with. She is a true artist and inspiration.
Where do you like to shop for fashion?
Blossom Lounge in Toronto is amazing. I also spend a lot of time in California and I love shopping at a little local bohemian shop called Studio 12:20. Neither of these stores are stockists for my company Tiny Devotions – yet. BUT, it’s on my bucket list.
Have you read anything good lately?
I’m such a nerd – all I do is read business books. I am currently re-reading Double Double: How to Double Your Revenue and Profit in 3 Years or Less
What are your favourite Toronto restaruants?
I’m obsessed with Wilbur. One of its founders is a childhood friend of mine and I just can’t get enough of the avocado taco and Mexican corn on the cob. It’s insane.
Do you have a favourite spa?
I love Hammam in King West. It’s like walking into a parallel universe of relaxation.
Do you have any guilty pleasures?
Wine. Chocolate. The usual suspects.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Believe in yourself more – take more risks – start earlier. Don’t overdo any one thing.
Do you have any rituals that make you feel amazing?
YES. Journallng. I reflect and journal most days and get lots of insights about what I need to do to up-level. I always do weekly gratitude reflections to tap into all the things to be thankful for.
My favourite thing about why I do?
Is that it’s always different. I’m going into my 6th year of owning Tiny Devotions and I’m shifting into a completely new role. This year I’m committed to being out of operations and stepping into the owner role that will allow me to scale and grow our organization way quicker.
Thank-you so much Diana!
And here is a little bonus content from the correspondence between Diana and I – her fave business books right now:
Double Double: How to Double Your Revenue and Profit in 3 Years or Less
Scaling Up: How a Few Companies Make It…and Why the Rest Don’t (Rockefeller Habits 2.0)
The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It
Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits!
For more of Diana and Tiny Devotions check out their Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts.
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I also do Family & Newborn Lifestyle Photography in a relaxed natural-light setting.
Michelle Little
Writer & Photographer
