It’s hard to believe it’s already August…Not to worry summer is still in full swing but thoughts of fall routines and schedules are beginning to come to mind. Let’s take a moment to pause for at least a few more weeks to savor the timeless spirit of summer by organizing some fun, simple, and bright ways to enjoy these beautiful days with the ones who matter most. 

Find Your Summer Rhythm

Watch the Sunrise

At plj we love the tranquility we feel by taking a few minutes to watch a new day begin. Give it a try— go solo or grab a friend and venture out to a favorite spot—whether you’re at home or traveling far and wide, the marvel of the sun rising is truly inspirational.

Nourish Your Day with Nature

Spending time outdoors every day has significant positive benefits for all of us. Go for a morning run or walk, take a swim, read or catch up on work in your outdoor space, or spend a few moments in your flower garden—whatever you choose to do, spending time in nature never fails to calm and reset your nervous system. If you’ve been following along with us, you know we are inspired by travel and the sea. The carefree feeling of salty air, clear blue water, visiting new places, summer sunsets, walking along the beach, and learning about new cultures refreshes us, encourages us to slow down, and puts life in perspective. That being said, we think it’s important that we find simple ways to find joy in just an ordinary day too. Creating moments to embrace our sense of calm and well-being wherever we may be in our daily lives. This summer, take a moment to reflect on what it is that brings you calm and balance. Capture it—and keep it within you, so that when life gets hectic, you’ll know how to unwind, breathe, center yourself, and move forward with positivity.

Mindful Moments Matter

The ability to practice mindful moments takes patience, so be kind to yourself. No matter where you are with this, the ability to focus and center yourself builds inner strength, greatly helping you in daily life and especially when difficult moments happen.

Let’s begin with a mindfulness exercise we love. Take a few quiet moments to imagine a busy day or how you feel when your plans are disrupted for some reason. Observe what emotions arise as you take yourself through a stressful experience. What steps would help you to keep from reacting too quickly? Give yourself some space and the time to process and formulate your thoughts. Once you feel grounded in your thoughts, you could put your initial reaction or plan into place. The goal is to take time to think before we react. 

Practicing mindfulness will serve you well in everyday life, and especially when you are faced with situations that are difficult. Of course this ability will be different for everyone—but taking the time to organize your thoughts, plans, and ambitions creates the ability for you to feel more collected. Thinking about what it is that helps you calm your mind and then calling on this thing—it could be a place, a memory, a person, an ambiance—in a moment of stress is aptly called resourcing. 

In addition to inner resourcing, surrounding ourselves with people we love and relying on those who support us is crucial. Be kind to yourself and give yourself the support you need. Making time for meaningful connection with nature and loved ones. Taking good care of ourselves and others will not only foster new growth, but allow us to be the best version of ourselves and to be fully present in the moments we enjoy. 

 Living with Wellness in Mind

At partager la joie we believe that every day is a great time to think about how to incorporate some of the healthy lifestyle habits we’ve cultivated over the summer, and how to carry them forward. These habits like eating fresh, colorful, seasonal produce and lean proteins, avoiding processed foods and excess sugar, and enjoying both leisure time and plenty of physical activity. Yoga is a particularly beautiful practice because it works and strengthens our body while centering and calming our mind. We recently experienced Hammam treatment which was both spiritual and energizing. It is a Turkish ritual that involves cleansing the skin with steam, exfoliation, clay mask and a Moroccan soap massage. Incorporating health conscious routines for our body and mind is essential for our well being. Also sharing our wellness efforts with those around us is the best way to take good care of ourselves and our loved ones.

Eating well, rest, mindfulness and movement are all important components of a healthy lifestyle, but just as essential to our well-being are positivity and connection with others. Spending time with the people you love and creating moments to cherish are definitely beneficial for all.

If all this sounds a little overwhelming, not to worry. We all feel like we could do better with these wellness initiatives. But remember, anytime is a good time to start taking small steps in a positive direction toward a balanced lifestyle. We promise that you will see a difference— it’s a feeling that will refresh and nourish you from within. We’re here to inspire you to start, reset, or enhance your efforts toward a healthier lifestyle. Remember no matter what our age, it’s never too soon to be inspired to live the best life we can.

Simply Obsessed with Fresh

Here are are our favorite tips to incorporating a healthy everyday approach to eating all summer long and beyond:

—Prepare foods that are locally sourced. Visit local markets and farms and experience the joy of supporting local small farmers.

–– Pick your own seasonal fruit.

—Keep your ingredient list simple.

—Make cooking an artful experience to share with loved ones. 

—Do a little research about regional wines and pair one with your menu. 

—Share what you’ve learned about local cuisine and wine with your guests, and everyone will have a fabulous and memorable experience.

—Dine al fresco at a candlelit table and delight in the moment! 

August Epicure

Summer’s peak is a wonderful opportunity to relish the abundance of beautiful fresh produce available. Seasonal berries, corn tomatoes, peaches, summer squash, fragrant herbs and so much more.  We can’t get enough local, fresh fruit and have been making delicious smoothies, sorbets and a wonderful simple cake that is perfect for all our gatherings this summer.  Not to be forgotten, our love for seasonal tomatoes in all varieties, simply delicious in our summer pastas, Gazpacho and salads for lunch and dinner. There is nothing like a local tomato salad with fresh mozzarella, extra-virgin olive oil, sea salt, and basil—a simple dish that’s our favorite to go to! On our epicure you’ll find a lot’s of inspiration to savor all your summertime favorites

Grilled Peach and Burrata Salad

Seafood Paella

Simply Roasted Fresh Tomato Pasta

Lemony Parmesan Chopped Salad

Garden Herb Pasta Salad

Summer Gazpacho

Salmon Niçoise Salad

Pineapple Coconut Sorbet

Grilled Vegetables

Easy Sheet-Pan Eggplant Parmesan

Peach Bellini

Summer Peach Pie

Mango Ricotta Cake

Style a Summer Table 

This summer we’re all about setting simple but elevated outdoor tables with various cotton and linen table coverings and napkins. Curate a comfy, chic vibe with various printed, patterned, and striped tablecloths and napkins with woven accents. Personalize your table with your favorite glassware, plus mini lamps—or create a canopy effect with string lights. Keep your design light and summery. Outdoor dining is meant to be relaxed, especially for you as the host, and to compliment nature’s beautiful surroundings.

Arrange Summer Blooms

High summer sunbursts come in the form of cosmos, dahlias, lilies—and of course those beautiful hydrangeas. Pick and arrange summer’s beautiful blooms for any occasion. Fill a dramatic vessel that highlights the textiles on your table, or keep it simple by grouping smaller containers filled with wildflowers or a single bloom in an artful bud vase. With so many beautiful flowers in season, personalize your own summer in a bottle… et voilà!

Summer Essentials Edit

While supplies last, stock up on our carefree summer favorites—white gauzy cotton beach pants and shorts, stylish white linen blazer,  hand dyed sarongs, super cute Kimonos and our oversized raffia beach tote. Terry pouches and our new Everyday Leather Tote- perfect for back to college. 

Our Basil Mint and Lavender and Coconut and Vetiver candles are the scents of the summer.  A Handblown Hammered Glass Carafe and table perfect handwoven organic cotton are new highlights to our collection—beautiful table accessories, fresh kitchen essentials, patterned and printed tablecloths and napkins, beautiful olive wood serving pieces, and lightweight throw blankets are summer staples for a curated home.

Love your Everyday

Here are our mindfulness reminders to carry you through the rest of summer and beyond... Slow down and savor the moment. Find your calm and practice your resourcing. Take good care of yourself. Find connections with those you love the most. Let nature inspire you. Watch the sunrise. Appreciate life's little moments. Be silly and lighthearted. Express gratitude. Surround yourself with people who love you. Always seek inspiration and connection. Be happy. Live well. Make time to find serenity in nature. Gather often with the people who matter to you. Fill each day with family, friends, adventure, fun and meaningful connection—where else would you rather be? Living simply and being present with ourselves and others helps us find fulfillment in our everyday lives. Share the joy of summer, relish these moments, be grateful for those you hold dear—tell them how much they mean to you. And let the summer sunlight glow within you!