Welcome to the sensational month of September.

Why sensational? Well, for me, it’s one of those delicious in-between months. We haven’t quite said goodbye to summer, but there’s a little whisper of early autumn in the air, a freshness first thing in the morning, and yet — if we’re lucky — we get those glorious Indian summer days when the sun still has golden warmth and we can squeeze every last drop out of being outdoors, and I, for one, intend to!

September always feels like a gentle reset. Not the great big “new year, new me” sort of thing — goodness, who needs that pressure?! More a chance to settle back into a rhythm, take stock and introduce a few lovely rituals that help us feel good.

Most people have a Spring-Clean, but Mark & I have a Summer-Autumn clean and we love it. We find it cathartic to do, bits of re-painting, power washing and cleaning out cupboards, wardrobes and sheds that always creates piles of throwaways, giveaways and charity shop giftings meaning we don’t have to take any unnecessary clutter into autumn and can start September with almost that “back to school” new uniform that equips us for the new season.

So, while the weather allows, do keep taking life outside. Have that first cuppa in the garden, an evening stroll or gentle bike ride after work. Take supper as a picnic in nature or at the very least on your patio, lighting a firepit for warmth when it gets cooler. Sit outside with a book rather than automatically switching on the TV, throw a lovely blanket over your legs and enjoy those last precious evenings under the open sky. Sometimes the simplest things really are the best.

And as the season begins to transition, and light and air pressure changes, the consequence can be sleep-deprivation. With the constant demand of our devices, demands on our time and mental chatter that often gets louder when your head hits the pillow, it’s wonderful to have an antidote. This gives me an opportunity to share to my personal desert island product – REPOSE.

I’m often asked what is my number one favourite TEMPLESPA products and it’s so difficult to answer as it’s like being asked to name your favourite child! But, it has to be said, that REPOSE deserves its place as our number one bestselling product and was indeed our first ever product. In fact, we were recently given a most precious gift by our manufacturer who presented us with a framed, hand-written formulae from its creation 26 years ago!

I’m sure you have heard of it, but if you haven’t we affectionately call is our “good night’s sleep in a jar.”

It’s a vitamin rich night cream with a silky melting texture that contains a stunning blend of ten relaxing essential oils that soothes your skin and your soul. Even the ritual of using it makes me feel calmer.

At the end of the day, cleanse your skin, take a little REPOSE, spread it over your palms and breathe in that beautiful aroma with three deep breaths before massaging it slowly into your face and neck. And I do mean slowly. No slap-dash skincare while mentally writing tomorrow’s to-do list!

Take a minute | Breathe | Drop your shoulders | Let the day go

Mark and I have what we call ‘sleep music’ and we’ve created a play-list out of our two TEMPLESPA albums – The Repose Suite and Moments of Peace downloadable on your favourite music platforms.

During this month we turn REPOSE into a ‘product with purpose’ and partner with a wonderful charity Alzheimers UK and Alzheimers Scotland to raise awareness of this amazing cause, that directly or indirectly affects each of us. Our goal is to raise as much money we can for them (last year we achieved £266,000 in one month) and we can do this whereby every jar of REPOSE you purchase, we will give you one absolutely free and donate £6 to the charity.

What better opportunity is there than to give yourself a good night’s sleep in a jar and receive TWO either one for your stock cupboard or to give a deserving friend?

So let’s savour those golden days, breathe in the fresh air, enjoy the outdoors for as long as we possibly can and, when evening comes, give ourselves permission to slow down.

And if that happens to involve a generous helping of our good night’s sleep in a jar before climbing into bed…

Well, you know exactly where to find it!

Here’s to a soft, sunny, restful September.

With love,

Liz x