Good Morning {{ first_name}},

September is, without a doubt, my favourite month of the year. There’s a beautiful feeling of possibility that comes with the start of the academic year, even though my own school days feel long ago. September for me always means fresh notebooks, planners full of good intentions and a stack of books I promise myself I’ll finally get around to reading.

With the arrival of cooler days, I’ve found myself feeling really grateful for the warmer ones and doing my best to enjoy the last flashes of summer. September always feels like a good moment to pause, reflect and begin the gentle plotting of something new…

And so, you’re here, reading the very first edition of Homeliere.

My hope for Homeliere is simple: to help us all feel a little more at home in our own lives. To celebrate the everyday moments that make up most of everything. For this to serve as your weekly reminder that the small joys are worth savouring and that you are doing better than you think.

I don't know yet where this little newsletter will lead, but I do know that it is a joy to start.

Thank you for being here from the beginning!

All my love,

Grace

P.S For all those dreams you've been holding in your heart, may this September be the moment you choose to start.

Watching: Thursday Murder Club. If you love your movies full of British acting legends, iconic songs and good old fashioned sleuthing you’ll love this. 10/10 would recommend for a fun cosy Sunday watch with a friend.

Listening: to Sabrina Carpenter’s new album Man’s Best Friend on repeat. It’s fun, catchy and well worth a listen.

Drinking: lots of Lemon squash. I can’t seem to get enough of the stuff at the moment. What’s your go-to squash/cordial?

Reading: the book Riders by Jilly Cooper. I adored Rivals the TV series when it came out last year and I am determined to finish the books before the next series drops. It was a smash hit in the 80s so it’ll almost certainly be in your local library if you fancy a fun read.

Dancing: to Coldplay at Wembley stadium. I had the joy of going with a few of my favourite people on Saturday and what. a. show. Our surprise song was Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall, hearing it threw me right back to 2011 in the best way. I’m looking forward to dancing to more of their back catalogue this week.

Savouring: the last of the long evenings by getting out and about. I love an evening stroll in the sunshine and I’m not quite ready for it to start getting dark early just yet.

Learning: from Science in Focus Magazine’s podcast Instant Genius. It’s a favourite of mine for discovering something new. I’ve learnt about everything from brain science to cosmology. Hearing academics speak with such passion is contagious. I’ll definitely be listening to more of the show’s back catalogue as a fun way to embrace the back-to-school energy this September.

Late-blooming dahlias, in all their exuberant glory, are unfurling like fireworks this week. Their layered petals boast colours from soft pastels to fiery reds and deep purples, turning every corner into a little celebration. Each bloom feels deliberate and joyful, a beautiful reminder to be bold.

Autumn raspberries: a final gift from the canes. Perfect scattered over porridge, folded into yoghurt, or eaten straight from the punnet.

Tomatoes: this is their moment: sun-ripened, rich, and tender. Roast them until they collapse and they become almost caramel, turning any dish into something extraordinary.

Basil: still green and peppery, like sunshine in a leaf. Try tearing it into salads or making your own pesto.

Because September is the true beginning of soup season, I’ll be making Ina Garten’s roasted tomato and basil soup this week: simple, comforting, and celebratory.

I’ve used it before when the days have felt darker as a way to tune into the bright moments in life. This year I’m trying to build the habit before the short days draw in, to help me discover as much joy in autumn and winter as I did in spring and summer. It’s also a gorgeous reason to put pen to paper and go stationery shopping this September.

❤️