Golden Glow

It doesn’t quite seem possible, but the start of summer marks the middle of the year already... Take a few moments to reflect on the year so far and on what you aspire to continue, change, or adjust going forward. Journaling is a good way to take stock, especially if you set some intentions at the beginning of the year. 

On this last stretch up to the solstice, no matter what your goals are or how you’d like to move forward through the year, be sure to enjoy the relaxed, carefree feeling that nature in full summer bloom brings. Be kind to yourself. Creating balance in life is about finding your inner glow and leaving room for personal growth too—it's a work in process. Remember, YOU are golden every day.

The simple joys of summertime are what energize us these days, inspiring our curiosity and reminding us to live fully in the moment and take it all in—blissful blue skies, leisurely mornings, warm summer breezes, vibrant blossoms, juicy ripe berries, refreshing dips in the water, beach days, dreamy sunsets, and dining under the stars. 

A Fresh Perspective

If you’ve been part of our community for a little while, you know we prioritize the importance of making small, positive, sustainable changes to enhance our lifestyle, our homes, and ourselves. Learning, new experiences, and connection with others are all vital to our personal growth and longevity. Whether we’re planning to visit a new destination or interested in starting an endeavor, it's important to vary our daily routines—and the golden months of summer inspire us to do just that. Having something to look forward to and making positive edits to our everyday life (healthy eating, exercise, good sleep routines, etc.) does wonders to foster fulfillment and to cultivate joy.

Our intention for this sweet season is to focus on slowing down to enjoy all the little carefree moments that come with the long, quintessential summer days. We hope you’ll join us in setting your own intentions to find joy every day and in the everyday as the season unfolds.

Picture-Perfect Summer Days

At partager la joie, summertime (la belle saison, as they call it in France) is when we cherish the sweet, simple splendors of these golden days—sunshine, beautiful blooms, local produce, time in nature and celebrations with family and friends. There is just something about summer that brings out our inner glow. 

We think it has something to do with fresh strawberries, peonies, picnics, lavender in full bloom, a change of pace, longer days, later sunsets,  red/white and blue, outdoor dining, carefree beach days, fireworks, ice cream cones, hydrangeas, patriotic holidays, gingham table cloths, blueberries, homemade jam, farmers market produce, a New England clam bake, extra leisure time, a great book, and relishing time with family and friends… Need we say more?

We’ve been reflecting on what it is that makes a “perfect” day. Of course, this varies for everyone—certainly the sunny, temperate weather plays a part—but we’ve found that what makes one day better than another for us is the ability to find balance. To be productive, yet feel relaxed. To spend time with people we love and also have time to take good care of ourselves. To have meaningful conversations, feel fulfilled with what we’re doing in life, and to take the time to be present in the moments we enjoy.  At plj we think it's important to strive for our “perfect days”—and remember that it may be all about finding well-being right where we are.

Find Your Warm and Sunny

We’re all busy juggling many responsibilities on any given day and one way to minimize the stress of this is to plan out an itinerary—even a very flexible one—for the summer months. This helps us prevent time from getting away from us (does “Where did the summer go!” sound familiar?) Here are a few ways we like to approach summer planning at plj.  

If you have young children, plan some time when they have structured but creative summer activities with playgroups, educational activities, summer camps, sports, or art lessons. If you have teenagers at home, talk to them about how they envision spending their summer days—travel, volunteer work, a summer job, sports, leisure and enrichment activities, and so on. Remember, the idea is not to schedule all their time. Keep activities and commitments flexible—after all, it's summertime, and many young people have had a busy, challenging school year and will need the space to rest, to do nothing, to just let themselves be. However, a loose sense of structure and purpose actually helps most children relax (and you too), so it’s helpful to get their input and organize some activities with and/or for your child. 

Whether you have travel plans or are staying close to home this season, plan some summertime gatherings with family and friends. Weekend plans, afternoon picnics, patio dinners, sailing, beach days—no matter how your family likes to enjoy time together, be sure to make these moments happen. Be sure to schedule in a little time for yourself. Relax and enjoy a beach read, savor the sunset, or spend some time in your garden. Finding the right balance between spontaneity and the stability a schedule can provide will put the whole family on track for a healthy, fulfilling, and joyful summer. 

Make Room for New Moments

A change in season brings with it a new energy and the opportunity to refresh our lives. Although we find comfort in routine, intentionally making room for new experiences can be just the inspiration we need to grow in unexpected ways. Now is the perfect moment to set your sights on things you’d like to do this summer. Here’s our bucket list to use as a guide to help get you started: 

• Visit a new destination. Maybe someplace you’ve always wanted to go, or maybe somewhere that’s just inspired you.

• Spend time with family and friends. Planning ahead is the best way to make sure this happens, but try not to overschedule and remember to leave room for impromptu gatherings.

• Spend time by the sea (or in the forest or in the mountains—wherever your happy place might be).

• Leave time for outdoor activities like daily walks, swimming, nature hikes, bike riding, etc.

• Plant a garden—anything from a few potted plants on a patio or in a windowsill garden to a container of cooking herbs, beautiful flower boxes, or a full-on vegetable garden.

• Make outdoor dining a must this season—enjoy picnics away from home or relax in your own outdoor space.

• Take time to journal. 

• Make a summer reading list. At plj we have found that the best book recommendations come from our friends, and we like to keep a running list of favorites. Sharing the joy of summer reading is a wonderful way to build community.

Our Summer Checklist

Since we’re talking about lists, here’s one more practical checklist we’d like to share—to help keep you organized for all the summer fun ahead:

-Organize your seasonal outdoor tableware—Make sure to have linens, plates, cutlery, beverage glassware, candles, baskets, servingware, and table decor in one spot. Outdoor dining will happen spontaneously and with less hassle, if everything is gathered together and ready to go!

-Pack a picnic basket—Include blankets, simple, sturdy tableware (plates, napkins, beverage glasses, linens, serving utensils and cutlery) fire-making supplies (wood, lighter, paper or other kindling, small shovel), s’mores supplies (roasting sticks, marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate bars), serving baskets, cheese/cutting board, knife, bottle opener, cooler, garbage bags, hand sanitizer, paper towels, flashlight, bug repellant, and sweatshirts or cozy throws for those chilly starred nights. For ambiance and entertainment, consider games, a bluetooth speaker, and lanterns or flameless candles. A set of folding chairs and a table can make a beach day or impromptu picnic even more inviting.

-Set aside a beach bag—Pack fouta towels, beach mats, refillable water bottles, beach hats, books, beach toys, and sunscreen. Have this bag ready alongside your picnic basket and you’re set to enjoy any sun filled excursion.

-Stock your summer pantry—Keep items you plan to use often on hand during the warm months: mixers, beverages, baking supplies for summer treats, popsicle molds, and birthday party supplies. Make jam with your fresh berries (a delicious addition to a cheese and charcuterie board), or flash-freeze freshly picked fruit in containers so it’s readily available for a special summer cobbler or pie. Think about stocking any other non-perishable staples you need so that your next barbecue won’t require an extra trip to the market for essentials.

-Prioritize fun family time—School’s out, so make the most of the long days together and set sail, spend an afternoon at the beach, take a bike ride or a hike, or plan a getaway to a fun city with plenty of museums, theaters, and restaurants to please the whole family. Whether it’s visiting a new destination, splashing in the pool, or walking along the shore—take advantage of every opportunity to enjoy outdoor summer fun and make magical new memories together. 

-Schedule time to just BE—Remember that no matter how long the days seem right now… time goes by fast and routines, work, and busy schedules will be back before you know it. So leave some free time in your schedule just relax, with no agenda. Cherish the moment, read, or sit in a beautiful peaceful place doing absolutely nothing. This might turn out to be the most productive thing you do all day, in terms of your well-being. Remember taking good care of yourself is important too!

Elevate Your Everyday With a Summer Rhythm

Let’s take a moment to pause and 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. 

Watch the Sunrise

At plj we love the tranquility that comes with taking a few minutes to watch the 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 arrival of dawn is truly inspirational and will set the tone for your whole day.

Nourish Your Day with Nature

In addition to making time for the sunrise, spending time outdoors every day brings significant positive benefits for body and mind. Go for a morning run or walk, take a swim, read or catch up on work in your outdoor space, or cut a fresh bouquet of flowers from the garden. Whatever you choose to do, spending time in nature never fails to calm and reset your nervous system.  

Here at plj, we gather a lot of our inspiration from travel and from the sea. The carefree serenity of salty air, clear blue water, summer sunsets, walking along the beach, visiting new places, and learning about new cultures all refresh us. These experiences encourage us to slow down and put life in a new perspective… It’s a feeling that we can carry with us as we find simple ways of appreciating joy in our ordinary days at home too, creating moments to embrace a sense of calm and well-being wherever we may be. 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.

Make Mindful Moments Matter

Taking time out to practice mindful moments builds inner strength, helps to put daily life into perspective, and has many positive benefits. Giving ourselves the time to organize our thoughts, plans, and ambitions can help us to feel more collected and to be more resilient when facing stress. Finding what it is that helps us calm our mind by making time for meaningful connection with nature and surrounding ourselves with people we love and who give us support is crucial to taking good care of ourselves and others. 

Summer Happenings

Summer Apéros 

With so many special occasions—birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, or even the simple pleasure of a summer day or evening is enough of an occasion to host an outdoor gathering. We have fallen in love with the French tradition of a pre-meal apéritif, or apéro—the epitome of casual relaxation made festive by sharing a glass and a few nibbles. If the snacks are on the substantial side and no one has the intention of eating a full meal later, the occasion is known as an apéro dînatoire, a lovely way to gather and linger without the pressure of hosting a sit-down dinner party. The weather is temperate, nature is blooming, and gathering to celebrate and relax is the most appealing thing imaginable. Simple, carefree get-togethers are what summer is all about… 

Here are a few of our favorite ways to make seasonal entertaining simple and extra joyful. To start, arrange beautiful flowers for your table and serving spaces. Set a self-serve bar with your favorite spirits, wine, and bubbles. We’ve been doing a lot with specialty ice cubes lately—rosé cubes and various frozen seasonal fruits and edible flowers make a splash in our cocktails and mocktails during the summer. Prepare fruits for garnish, a few bottles of fresh juices, sparkling water, and mixers of choice. Don’t forget the nibbles: olives, mixed nuts, assorted cheese, summer fruits, crudités, crackers and chips, baguette, various spreads like our homemade hummus, tapenade, or herbed butter and charcuterie… These are all part of a classic French apéro. If you’re planning a dinner, we’ve got plenty of inspiration for you in our Epicure section, from homemade pizza to our barbecue favorites.  

Summer Solstice—A sunset gathering is a great way to celebrate the longest day of the year. Serve Aperol Spritzes and Lemon Basil Mocktails with a seasonal grazing snack board or host a themed dinner highlighting the fresh market produce of la belle saison. Try our Caprese Salad or Garden Herb Pasta along with any grilled favorites, or a family-style seafood paella or our Oven-Roasted Shrimp Boil for a larger group. See our Summer Apéro section above for more ideas and shop our home finds for styling your outdoor table.

The 4th of July—Celebrate Independence Day with a red, white, and blue-themed cocktail party,  a seasonal garden dinner, or at the shore with a festive beach picnic. Gather friends and family for a clambake or plan a barbecue with sides that showcase summer produce. Whatever the venue, we have lots of inspiration for your patriotic-themed sips and bites in our Epicure—a watermelon, blueberry, and feta salad, our favorite no-mayo potato salad, and a fresh berry cobbler with vanilla ice cream that everyone adores.

Midsummer Soirée: Organize a twilight party with seasonal nibbles—one of our favorite summer traditions. This is the perfect time for an outdoor pizza-making party or an apéro dînatoire in the garden. There are so many simple and inspiring ways to spend time together and enjoy these special summer moments.

Outdoor Movie Night: There is something so magical about an outdoor movie night or drive-in theater in the summer. This classic pastime is a great idea for a birthday celebration for both adults and children. Here’s our checklist: prepare popcorn in individual serving bags or boxes, candies in vintage jars, small water bottles, comfy cushions or chairs that suit your outdoor “cinema,” outdoor battery-lit lanterns, and an outdoor movie screen (this can be a projector screen or simply a sheet hung on a big enough wall). Personalize the details according to your own style. Everyone loves homemade ice cream sandwiches or waffle cones filled with local ice cream. With the children enchanted by the movie, the main attraction for grownups might be a few delicious amuse-bouches, chilled rosé, and quiet conversation with friends. Be sure to keep everyone comfy with our lightweight summer blankets or a wrap if a chill sets in on a summer evening.  

Just a quick note about natural ways for keeping mosquitoes away from outdoor evening activities—try preparing a spray bottle with lavender, eucalyptus and lemon essential oils mixed in water to spray on your outdoor surfaces. Another remedy mosquitoes and flies seem to really dislike is a mixture of apple cider vinegar with water or fresh rosemary boiled in water. We think it's worth giving these natural repellants a try before breaking out harsher chemicals, so fill a spray bottle and spritz away.

And if you’re looking for curated inspiration for hosting your summer gatherings, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch here and schedule an Inspiration Workshop with us. 

Design Notes

Summer in Bloom

At partager la joie, we love peonies—with their array of pale colors, sweet soft fragrance, and elegantly overflowing clusters. While they last, capture these blooms and display them in your favorite vase, jar, or any other decorative container. Dahlias also take center stage, artfully arranged in a monochromatic bunch or a vibrantly hued bundle. Place small, lively bouquets of ranunculus in jars and line them down a table. Add them to your outdoor spaces to make their gentle elegance part of your morning café au lait or evening apéro. 

There are endless possibilities when it comes to styling summer flowers. Choose perennials, lavender, salvia, alliums, poppies, or whatever blooms are currently making their appearance in your garden or local farmer’s market to find your inspiration. Pro tip: potting summer cooking herbs is not only convenient but adds flavor and freshness to your favorite recipes.

But if we had to choose one summer bloom for its beauty, versatility, and longevity—it’s the hydrangea! We simply can’t get enough of these bombshells in white and especially blue in the summer. They’re stunning as part of a patriotic theme arrangement and charming for seaside or garden gatherings. Hydrangeas are the statement flower we incorporate in our arrangements all summer long and beyond.

Gather Around a Summer Table 

With plein-air dining in full swing, we like to elevate our outdoor spaces by adding lots of accent lights: our current favorites are lanterns, flameless votives, and tapered candles. Beautiful linens, and hints of woven and olive wood accessories are lovely ways to personalize our tablescape. We love blue and white patterns during high summer, accented by an assortment of containers bursting with July blooms. With Independence Day in the air, show your patriotic flair with red/white/blue ribbons, stars and stripes, mini-flags, or decorative tableware. Integrate a little coastal charm with our woven table accents and baskets. Seasonal fruit displays, olive wood trays, and fragrant lavender, potted flowers or herbs—mix and match these possibilities to create a carefree summer style that’s all your own. We’ve stocked light and airy cotton table linens in patterns, solids, and a cute ruffle detail to style with our woven tableware and your favorite glassware—ideal for hosting at home, an impromptu picnic or to give as a special hostess gift. Keep your design light, simple, and summery—outdoor dining is meant to be relaxed to compliment nature’s serene surroundings.

Carefree Summer Style

We’re ready with our breezy summer staples that we think you’ll love! Dream-soft scarves and our organic cotton travel sets are ready to go wherever your travels may take you—featuring a lightweight travel blanket and eye mask in a handy pouch for slipping into your carry-on bag. White cotton gauze pants and shorts, a classic ruffled cotton top, and simple stripe cotton summer kimonos are so comfy. In our home collection, a Basil-Mint and Lavender candle, and a Coconut and Vetiver candle are our favorite scents of summer. Replenish and restore with our cleansing bars, calming bath salts, hydrating mists and sleep essentials available in our wellness collection. For your summer home we have a stunning handblown hammered glass carafe and beautiful table accessories, fresh kitchen essentials, patterned and printed tablecloths and napkins, beautiful olive wood and woven serving pieces, and lightweight throw blankets.

Living with Wellness in Mind

At partager la joie we believe that every day is a good day to think about how to incorporate some of the healthy lifestyle habits we’ve cultivated, and how to carry them forward. In summertime these habits might include 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 highly recommend a hammam treatment, a Turkish ritual that involves cleansing the skin with steam, black soap, exfoliation, a clay mask, rinsing with warm buckets of water  and a cloud foam massage. We find it to be both spiritually and physically energizing. Incorporating health-conscious routines for our body and mind is essential for our well-being. And don’t keep what you’re learning about well-being to yourself—sharing our wellness efforts with those around us is a powerful way to strengthen shared connections.

While eating well, getting enough rest, mindfulness, and movement are all important components of a healthy lifestyle, positivity and connection with others are just as essential to our well-being. Spending time with the people you love and creating moments to cherish are the most beneficial of healthy habits. 

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 small businesses—and the higher quality of flavor and freshness of local produce.

––Pick your own seasonal fruit.

—Keep your ingredient list simple and seasonal.

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

—If there are any vintners in your region, do a little research about local wines and pair one with your menu. The same goes for local beers and ciders.

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

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

Summer is Served

Starting Memorial Day weekend (unofficially) right through the end of August, summer barbecue and outdoor dining season is upon us. We simply love a seasonal cooking transition! During the summer we’re making seafood paella and a New England Clam Bake. We’re tossing lots of greens and grains in our salads and creating a picnic-style grilled board to celebrate Father’s Day. And of course, fresh strawberries and blueberries are tops among our inspiration for many recipes this time of year—but if you know us even a little, you probably already guessed that :) Smoothies, homemade jam, a classic shortcake, creamy fruit sorbets, and fresh berry ice cream are all part of our summer agenda. 

Plein Air Plenitude

Although we’d love to relish the summertime feeling all year long, we know how the season flies by. So let’s take advantage of every opportunity for outdoor fare. Let your creativity take over here. Coffee or breakfast on the veranda or by the sea, simple sandwiches and zesty snacks and fruit for a lunchtime picnic basket, or a moonlit dinner extravaganza… There are so many ways to make the most of the long days and gentle nights we love this time of year.

Our summer Epicure includes plenty of refreshing, in-season faves to help your festivities sparkle: blueberry smoothies, mini clambake packs, make-ahead corn chowder, fruit cobbler, a star-spangled snack board, and ice cream sandwiches made with our dark chocolate chip and sea salt cookies are surefire ways to please a crowd. 

Toss nasturtiums into your salads for their color bursts and brightly spicy notes, sprinkle fresh lavender buds in your lemonade pitcher, or make ice cubes with edible flowers and craft your cocktails with fresh fruit frozen cubes or strawberry and blueberry simple syrup—all super easy ideas to evoke a classic summer vibe. 

Epicure Highlights

Strawberry Jam

Blueberry Pancakes

Belgian Waffles with Strawberries and Cream

Summer Gazpacho

Shrimp Ceviche

Grilled Peach and Burrata 

Parmesan Chopped Salad

Sheet Pan Salmon Niçoise Salad

Skillet Spaghetti

Seafood Paella 

Flank Steak with Couscous, Mint, Feta, and Corn

Watermelon, Blueberry, and Feta Flag Salad

No-Mayo Potato Salad

Summer Corn Chowder

Grilled Vegetables

Mini Clambake Foil Packs

Fresh Tomato and Mozzarella Pizza  

Peach Frosé

Berry Cobbler

Strawberry Ice Cream

Sea-Salt Chocolate Chip Cookies

Find Joy in the Sparkle of Summer

More than any other time of year, high summer’s heat reminds us to relax, relish the moment, and savor the carefree feeling of long days and starry nights. Take this opportunity to really appreciate time spent with those you love. We like to let the simplicity of a summer day remind us that gatherings don't have to be perfect or elaborate—even the simplest shared joys can become sweet memories that stay with us. The essence of summer is all about living in the moment and reveling in our leisure time so we can be truly present for the love and joy with which we’re blessed.

We’ll leave you with our mindfulness reminders to carry you through the summer and beyond... Slow down and savor the moment. Find your calm. Take good care of yourself. Find connections with those you love the most. Let nature’s serenity inspire you. Watch the sunrise. Appreciate life's little moments. Be silly and lighthearted. Express gratitude. Surround yourself with people who love you, seeking inspiration in connection. 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 full light of summer glow within you!