We’re ready to embrace the first refreshing cool mornings, new routines, autumn travel, and all that renews us as we look forward to a change in the weather. The rhythm of the seasons—especially moving into fall—is invigorating and inspires us to refresh our routines, seek new growth, and prioritize positivity in our lives. We like to think of it as getting back to our roots. Maybe you have children going back to school or moving off to college, or maybe you have a new aspiration of your own. Whatever the case, this time of year brings with it the opportunity for renewal for all of us.

September has always felt like a new beginning to us, a fresh start—a time to recenter, reorganize, set goals, and restyle our living and spaces with a crisp shift in perspective. As we embrace the beauty of autumn in anticipation of change, let the soft golden glow of the season encourage us to gather with the special people in our lives and celebrate the many moments of joy ahead—fall outings, stunning foliage, cozy outdoor fireside dinners, delicious homegrown apples, warm spiced lattes, dahlias, the hue of late season hydrangeas, and nourishing fall fresh soup recipes, just to name a few!

Ease into Your Routine

Although the end of summer is always bittersweet, getting back into a routine is often a welcome change that can both ground and comfort us. Being productive and having a purpose and goals we’d like to accomplish is rewarding on 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 parents and students can do to make this moment go smoothly. Here are our 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 realize a measure of calm amidst even the most chaotic day. Our favorite stress-busting strategies include outdoor activities, free time, meditation, journaling, breathing exercises, and yoga. Implementing some of these practices and activities are incredibly beneficial for the whole family. We’d love to hear about your favorite way to create some calm in your day. Tag us on IG to share your self-care inspiration with our community.

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, shared together on the go, starts the morning with a sense of positivity and common 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 well, 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, or Make Your Own Pizza Friday 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. Let 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 — September is upon us! We all know Labor Day unofficially marks the end of the season, so why not organize a cookout 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. It may be just the right occasion to make a Summer Peach Pie. Check out this simple recipe on our epicure and pair it with a local vanilla ice cream for a perfect finish.  

Plan a Fall Outing — Picnicking is breathtaking in autumn, with beautiful foliage and so many varieties of apples in season. Visit a local orchard or vineyard and take advantage of the golden hue of fall to enjoy a lovely day with family and friends.

Here’s our list of picnic basket essentials so you can enjoy a picture-perfect fall day:

• Hand wipes

• Beverage glasses

• Plates

• Cutlery

• Napkins

• Picnic blanket

• Small garbage bag

• Bug spray

• Sunscreen

• Bottle/wine opener

• Serving utensils, depending on the menu

Host a Tailgating Party— Fall means football is in full swing. Plan a themed gathering and decorate your outdoor space with your favorite team’s colors. Banners, lawn games and team attire encouraged. Make festive snacks—mini sliders, wings, chili, nachos and assorted chips, veggies and dips are spirited options. 

Set the Harvest Mood — September’s full Corn moon will peak on September 7th and the first day of fall is September 22nd this year. Either date could be the perfect opportunity to welcome autumn 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. Visit our epicure for a list of delicious seasonal sips and bites to make the most of a cozy fall evening.

Oktoberfest — Oktoberfest begins September 20th and runs until October 5th—and we love to enjoy this one! Not going to Munich? Well, 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 a spicy mustard and paired with a tasting flight of specialty beers served in mini glass mugs arranged on an olive wood serving board. We’ve highlighted our menu with a simple crisp endive salad and warm German apple cake. See our epicure for all these Oktoberfest recipes.

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 abundance of late summer produce— corn, squash, tomatoes, broccoli, kale, peaches, plums and the start of apples and pears... We’re making a simple rustic tomato sauce with those end-of-season tomatoes, as well as a last batch of tomato gazpacho. Our taco bowl salad is a great idea for a Tuesday theme night, and making your own pizzas is always a fun weeknight activity. Make late-season peach jam and flash-freeze peeled and cut peaches, nectarines or plums—perfect for energizing smoothies or a breakfast muffin. We’re also preparing bunches of garden herbs to freeze for nourishing soups later. 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 for to embrace the season’s change. Keep meals light and fresh 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 pudding for breakfast and nourishing harvest vegetable soups for dinner are great ways to give yourself wholesome energy that lasts through the day. We’re planning to learn how to make sourdough bread this fall and we’ll keep you posted on our progress. 

And since apples are in… the possibilities are endless. From snacking and salads to desserts, we can’t get enough of them this time of year. One of the best ways to enjoy fresh apples is in our simply delicious homemade applesauce—we incorporate it in almost everything this season, from a substitute for sugar in our baking to flavoring a plain yogurt. Pair apple slices with your favorite wine and a cheese and charcuterie board for an impromptu get-together. And let’s not forget the first apple pie, crisp, or cobbler of the season—we can’t wait!

Apple Banana Smoothies

Morning Glory Muffins

Vanilla Chia-seed Pudding

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

Soft Pretzels

Potato Pancakes

German Apple Cake

Pie Dough

Peach Pie

Fall Style Edit 

If the change in seasons means travel is on your agenda, we’ve got you covered with all our basics. Comfy travel scarves, super-soft eye masks and blankets along with our travel pouches to pack wellness essentials are stocked and ready to go. With fall in the air, take some time to refresh your style and home. Browse through our autumn finds—cozy throw blankets, and soft and comfy loungewear—as well as ecru and flaxen linens, woven baskets, a new everyday leather tote, olivewood accessories, and a hammered glass carafe with lid that doubles as a small drinking glass—a wonderful addition to a guest room table to be holiday ready for hosting this season. Stock up on our earthy-scented candles and our favorite wellness essentials to ensure everyone is getting a restful night’s sleep.

Design Notes

Fall Fresh Arrangements 

Refreshing our outdoor planters and containers with autumnal accents is part of our September routine—chrysanthemums, sedum, asters, dahlias, golden rod, 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, flameless lanterns, or 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 Style 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 floral stems into glass vases or containers throughout your home. Think about refreshing 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 home windows. Sparkling clear windows—especially with cooler temperatures and more indoor time—is a great way to bring a little fall joy to your indoor space.

Let Fall’s Golden Glow Inspire Us to Strengthen our Connections  

The change in seasons brings reflection and inspires us to find our rhythm. As we ground ourselves in our routines, let’s also take time to renew our connections with the people we care about. Find appreciation in the joy that comes when we spend time with our loved ones and relish the beauty of nature. Reach out to friends and family, schedule catch-ups, and plan gatherings for the weeks and months ahead. Remember we all have busy schedules, so prioritizing connecting with each other now ensures these special moments will happen. We know you’ll be grateful you did!

During this transition into fall, find moments of calm to reflect, journal, embrace new opportunities for growth, take comfort in routine, encourage positivity, and share the joy of the season with those around you. This month, let’s remember to focus on being present and living in the moment. There is inspiration in the structure of daily life, routine, growth and in the warm, grounding traditions that bring us together with the people we love.