September 2025 | Issue 8 | Embrace
The Edit
Embrace. A simple walk in the woods will feel very different soon as autumn is on our heels - the crisp chill of the wind, woodsy, warm smells in the air and the sound of leaves crunching under your feet. The transition of seasons can teach us so much about letting go of what we can’t control + welcoming something new with open arms.
One can easily forget how valuable realness is in a world that emphasizes highlight reels and feels oversaturated with images of perfection. Though perfection is easy on the eyes, imperfections allow for more authenticity, relatability + connection.
The expectations and standards we set for ourselves, though well meaning, can sometimes rob us of joy. Whenever I’m feeling the pressure to be perfect, I think of nature and how it seems to bloom + grow so effortlessly without any forethought. Clouds pass overhead, winds blow, rains fall and animals thrive - its natural brilliance is messy, sometimes chaotic and wild but imperfectly perfect in all of its glory. We don’t compare one flower’s beauty to another, because they are all uniquely individual + have value. What magical things could happen to you if you grant yourself that same extraordinary freedom to be messy and imperfectly beautiful just the way you are?
Design Inspiration
Design Tip 1:
We used Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue - No. 30 - on one of our first design projects and we’re still not over how the color gives this lounge an elevated and cozy feel that invites you to really sink into the space. This color is described as a dark blue with green undertones that complete its profile for a deep and dramatic look. Dark colors can be intimidating at first but they can give your space such a unique feel and mood. Help balance their strong presence with light, neutral accent colors and other delicate elements.
Design Tip 2:
There is a notion that every room in a well-designed home should be picture-perfect always, but that is unrealistic + can keep your home from serving as functional as possible in your everyday life. Interior designer, Jeffrey Bilhuber shares a different approach to interior design in his book, “The Way Home.” He believes in designing your spaces around the idea of comfort and creating a mood so you can really enjoy living in your home, without needing everything to be in its place at all times. Your home is for you + not for others - create areas that accommodate for your lifestyle and try to find a happy medium between perfection + pigsty. Allow yourself to see mess as a sign of a lived-in, well-loved home.
Tunes in the Office
Mind
We all aspire to be perfect, perhaps as a way to show others that we have it all together, but in truth, we are all just doing our best and being free of these standards can be very liberating. Embracing a mindset that sees the value in imperfection cultivates self-acceptance + understanding. Growth and evolution should be our goal, not perfection. When we allow ourselves to be messy and real, we can be vulnerable with those around us + naturally have purer relationships with one another, as messiness is at the core of the human experience.
Here’s some ideas to help us detangle from the desire to be perfect - try seeing your mistakes as opportunities for growth rather than failures, set realistic goals and give yourself plenty of grace as you navigate through life. I remind myself often to treat myself with the same level of compassion I would offer to a close friend or family member. Share your struggles with the world, be authentic + embrace what makes you, you. One of the things that has helped me the most is to let go of unrealistic standards and comparing myself to others. Why burden yourself with the unattainable when it will always lead you to disappointment? There is no way to avoid setbacks in life but the best defense against them is to keep going + keep trying.
Currently Reading
We really loved Elin Hilderbrand’s beach reads this summer and we’re ringing in the fall with one final read, “The Perfect Couple.”
This month’s book is another from the author’s Nantucket series and features characters from her other novels as well. This story centers around the upcoming wedding ceremony of the Otis + Winbury families. On the day of the wedding, a body is discovered and suddenly the guests become suspects. The irony is, the groom’s mother is a famous mystery-novelist herself.
Will the wedding go awry and will they find the killer? Dare to read along with us + find out?
Good Eats
In September you can still enjoy late summer produce but you’ll begin to notice early fall staples as well, like apples, grapes, eggplants, sweet potatoes + squash. This super easy, cozy apple crisp recipe is delicious and sure to get you in the fall spirit.
“Though the weather is changing, nature is always open for exploration! Check out new destinations that flaunt fall’s beautiful scenery. Embrace the cooler temperatures and get outside! ”
-Cass ♡