Are you ready for a cool, crisp (well, not too crisp yet…) breath of fresh air? We’re ready to embrace the first feels of refreshing cool mornings, new routines, travel, and all that renews us as we look forward to a change in seasons. Whether you’re a fan of endless summer or you welcome a change, the rhythm of the seasons—especially moving into fall—is invigorating and inspires us to seek new growth and positivity in our lives.
Maybe you have children going back to school or moving off to college. Or perhaps there’s a new inspiration, project, or undertaking of your own to embrace as summer comes to an end. Whatever the case, this time of year ushers in the opportunity for renewal in all of us.
Let’s look at this September as a new beginning, a fresh start—a time to recenter, reorganize, set goals, and restyle our lives and living spaces with a crisp, fresh perspective. As we embrace that fall feeling with anticipation of change, we welcome new opportunities to share the joy of all our seasonal highlights with the special people in our lives.
Relish Routine this Fall
Although it can be hard to say goodbye to the spontaneity of summer, getting back into a routine can be comforting and even energizing. Being productive and having a rhythm to our day and goals we’d like to accomplish is rewarding on so many levels. If you have school-age children, the start of the school year is an important transition for everyone and there’s a lot we can do to make this moment go smoothly.
Here are our tried-and-true suggestions:
Structure a supportive home environment — A clear school-week routine is an essential part of family life and provides children with structured time and guidelines to know when to focus on homework. Balance comes when children—and parents—participate in activities they enjoy. Quality over quantity is the secret sauce. Making sure students are getting plenty of rest is also essential. Setting up guidelines to limit screen time can help. Teaching children how to manage their time is a valuable lesson that will follow them throughout their school career and beyond.
Find calm in the chaos — Recognizing when we need a break and some self-care is vital to each of us. We lead busy lives, and although at plj we like to focus on finding joy in the everyday, let’s face it—some days can be really hectic! We’ve found that when we emphasize being present, prioritize moments of downtime, and practice some basic strategies for relaxation and stress management, we can find some calm amidst even the most chaotic day. Our favorite stress-busting strategies include outdoor physical activities, playtime, meditation, journaling, breathing exercises, and yoga. Implementing a few of these practices and activities, individually or as a family, can be incredibly beneficial.
Prioritize time for family meals — This can be challenging, with so many schedules to plan around, but sharing time at the table for meaningful conversation helps everyone feel connected and supported. Even a nutritious breakfast smoothie, together on the go, starts the morning with a sense of positivity and shared purpose. A good start will make everyone’s day go better. Take a look at the simple and healthy weekday breakfast and snack ideas on our epicure.
Plan weeknight meals ahead — To be sure everyone in the family is eating nutritious foods, keep wholesome snacks ready for after school or practice (think crudités, cheese, cut or grab-and-go fruit, dried fruits and nuts, and home-baked treats). Get your children involved in simple theme nights for dinner: Meatless Mondays, Taco Tuesday, Make Your Own Pizza Friday, or a lazy weekend brunch where everyone feels a little spoiled and indulgent together… These are all wonderful ways to keep the family connected during a busy week. For inspiration, take a look at the back-to-basics menu options on our epicure.
If your child is away at school, that doesn’t mean you can’t create a supportive environment and share in their joys (and struggles) from afar. Letting them know you’re thinking of them by sending creative, love-filled care packages, encouraging your student to tell you about their day and planning to visit—especially to attend sporting and arts events that are important to them. Suggest that your child invite a group of friends out for lunch or dinner when you visit. Students love the opportunity to get off campus for a while, and getting to know their friends is a great way to reinforce your family’s connection.
September Happenings
One Last Summer Weekend — We all know Labor Day unofficially marks the end of the season, so why not organize a cook-out that showcases your summer favorites? Warm, sunny days are on the agenda and summer produce is still plentiful. Gather your tribe and plan one last carefree get-together!
Plan a Fall Outing — Don’t put your picnic basket away just yet… It's apple season! Visit a local orchard or vineyard and take advantage of a refreshing autumn day to enjoy a lovely picnic.
Here’s our list of picnic basket essentials to help you celebrate a picture perfect fall day:
Set the Harvest Mood — One of the best ways to welcome fall is with a candlelit dinner under a breathtaking starlit sky. Simple string lights, a printed cotton tablecloth, and a fresh bouquet of whatever flowers or herbs are growing in your garden is all you need to set the stage for sharing an enchanted al fresco evening with loved ones. The Harvest Moon will appear on the 17th of this month… Why not plan an evening around it? Visit our epicure for a list of delicious seasonal sips, and bites to make the most of an idyllic fall evening.
Oktoberfest — Did you know Oktoberfest is actually in September? It traditionally ends on the first Sunday in October—and we love to take part in this one! If a trip to Munich is not in the cards for you this September, let us inspire you to create your own Bavarian festivities and host a gathering at home. An ideal festive spread to go with the fun: potato pancakes, soft pretzels, and grilled bratwurst with spicy mustard. Pair it all with a tasting flight of specialty beers served in mini glass mugs arranged on an olive wood serving board. We’ve brightened our menu with a simple crisp endive salad, and warm German apple cake to finish.
Planning an autumn get-together at home? Schedule an Inspiration Workshop so we can help you personalize a gathering that suits your space, your style, and the spirit of the season.
Epicure
Savor the bounties of late summer produce as it overlaps with the colors and flavors of the fall harvest cornucopia. Corn, squash, broccoli, collard greens, kohlrabi, brussel sprouts, the last of the plums and the earliest apples and pears... We can’t wait to experience fig season during our upcoming Provencal visit—stay tuned for some new recipe highlights! We’re making a simple rustic tomato soup with those end-of-season tomatoes, along with our go-to fresh tomato pasta sauce. Our taco bowl salad or sheet pan fajitas are great possibilities for a Tuesday theme night, and making your own pizzas is a fun way to enliven weeknight suppers. Make late-season peach jam or flash-freeze peeled and cut peaches, nectarines or plums to use later—perfect in energizing smoothies. In the same spirit, make batches of garden herbs and freeze them for your winter soups. Roasted corn soup is ideal for a gathering or picnic and our shaved brussel sprout and apple salad are just the touch of fall we’re ready to embrace as the season changes. Keep meals light and seasonal this month but add a bit of warmth to your cooking. Adding grains to your salad, a quinoa power bowl for lunch or our chia seed breakfast pudding are wonderful choices for wholesome energy that lasts through the day.
With apple season just beginning, the possibilities are endless, from snacking and salads to desserts. One of the best ways to enjoy fresh apples is in our simply delicious homemade applesauce—we use it for everything from a sugar substitute in baking to flavoring a plain yogurt. Pair apple slices with your favorite wine and a cheese and charcuterie board for an impromptu gathering. And let’s not forget the first apple pie, crisp, or cobbler of the season, one of our favorite ways to ring in the fall.
On our Epicure:
Apple-Banana Smoothies
Peach Jam
Morning Glory Muffins
Homemade Applesauce
Breakfast Oat Cookies
Farmer’s Market Pasta
Roasted Tomato Sauce
Roasted Corn Soup
Taco Salad Bowls
Shaved Brussel Sprout and Apple Salad
Endive Salad
Quinoa Power Bowl
Vanilla Chia seed Pudding
Soft Pretzels
Potato Pancakes
German Apple Cake
Pie Dough
Put Fall Style on your Travel Agenda
If back to routine means travel, we’ve got you covered with all our travel basics. Comfy travel scarves, super-soft eye masks and blankets along with our wellness-essentials travel pouches are stocked and ready to go! On a personal note—we’re looking forward to gathering our family in France this month as our youngest sets off to study abroad this fall. Time together in France is becoming a truly cherished family tradition… Wandering through the picturesque markets, bike rides in the countryside, exploring the streets, shops, and cafes of Paris and spending time together are just the fall refresh and start to the season we’ve been eagerly awaiting!
With that fall feel in the air, take time to refresh your style and browse through our autumn finds—perfect for you and your home or as thoughtful gifts for upcoming celebrations of joy. Cozy throw blankets and luxurious loungewear are the name of our fall game—as well as linens, woven baskets and totes, and olivewood accessories. Stock up on our earthy-scented candles and the many wellness essentials we’ve curated for the change of seasons.
Design Notes
Make Your Arrangements Feel Like Fall
Refresh outdoor planters and containers with autumnal accents—chrysanthemums, sedum, asters, cabbage, Russian sage, and ornamental grasses add the perfect fall touch. Indoor greenery of any variety brings in natural beauty. Throughout your living spaces, incorporate an extra layer of warmth and freshness with our soft throws and fall-inspired candles, string lights on your patio, and plenty of textured elements.
Autumn Tables
We love to layer and mix our neutrals with fall elements while layering texture and nature—a beautiful bowl with freshly picked apples, seasonal flowers, woven and olivewood baskets and a tray with plenty of votives and candles give us that cozy vibe we’re after.
Elevate Your Home for Fall — Think about bringing the outdoors into your living spaces this season. Add greenery with faux trees in woven planters or drop some favorite branches or seasonal florals into glass vases or containers throughout your home. Consider having a signature scent at home and refreshing your interior with a new paint color, changing up your artwork, or adding a new area rug. Taking time to think about how you intend to use a particular room this season will help you when re-defining your space.
Pro tip: autumn is the perfect time to clean your windows. Joy comes in both small and large ways, and crystalclear visibility for all your views—especially with cooler temperatures and more indoor time ahead—is a great way to bring your fall smile on and make your living space feel revitalized!
Fall into the Season to Strengthen our Connections
As the leaves change colors and get set to fall, we’re ready to turn over a new leaf. Let’s embrace the refreshing feelings that come with a new season, and think about renewing our connections with nature and with each other. Focus on appreciating the beauty in the people around you along with the beauty you love outside this autumn. Reach out to friends and family to schedule casual catch-ups and plan gatherings for the weeks and months ahead. Remember we all get busy, so making time to plan ahead ensures these special moments will happen. We know you’ll be so happy you did!
During this seasonal transition, find moments of calm reflection to journal and face forward into new challenges, new routines, new comforts and new endeavors. Enjoy the everyday this September, try to be present and live in the moment. It’s a special way to appreciate the little things we often overlook. There is inspiration in the structure of daily life, routine, growth, and in the warm, grounding traditions that bring the people we love together.
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