Clean Your House in 15 Minutes + Savor Summer’s Last Beauty
What’s Happening in our Everyday Château…
We’re standing at the edge of August—back-to-school season, whether you’ve got little ones at home or not. You can feel it, can’t you? There’s something about this stretch of late summer that hums with change. The goldenrod is loud, the roses are showing off one last time like they know what’s coming (Winter is coming, Jon Snow...), and the periwinkle skies and orange-tinted clouds are starting to look more like September.
I’m not ready to say goodbye to summer yet. The kids and I are squeezing every last drop we can out of the lake and cramming in a few camping trips before we crack open the books. But the rhythm is shifting. If you're feeling that too—whether you’re homeschooling, meal planning, travel dreaming, or simply trying to keep up, I’ve got some things this week that I hope will lift your spirits or at least give you a moment of pause.
On the Podcast: How to Fake Clean Your House in 15 Minutes
Because even when life’s a whirlwind, we still want a little order, a little beauty, and maybe a (fake) clean bathroom when suddenly someone will be on our front step in fifteen minutes. This one’s light-hearted and practical - our hacks for truly FAKE cleaning. Can we force ourselves to keep it truly fake and knock it out in time?
Tune in now for some good laughs and the fastest faux-clean ever!
In the Shop, Everyday Château
A fresh collection went live over the weekend:
• Oil paintings pulled from my personal walls (it’s time to part with a few with another antiquing trip in just five weeks)
• A gorgeous, hardworking copper nesting pan set
• Petite French antiques, perfect for gifting or keeping, and budget-friendly
Whether you're starting your collection or adding something small to a corner of the house that needs some soul, there's something in this batch for you. Shop here.
On YouTube
There’s a new short video—more of a vignette, really—about why I began creating women-only trips to France. The heart behind it. The moment that sparked it. If you’ve ever wondered where these wild ideas come from, this little story might give you a glimpse. Watch here, chérie.
If You Missed It
Last Friday’s post didn’t get the love I think it deserved (thank you, Friday inbox chaos). If you’ve ever felt stuck between diet culture and wanting to feel at home in your body, especially in midlife, I think you’ll find something in it. It’s called “Eating Your Body Weight in Protein Grams Doesn’t Feel Very French.” A little honesty, a little humor, and a gentle reminder that while paradoxes may be perplexing, we probably know what to do to feel great in our own skin.
If you’re feeling the seasonal shift—and the tug between slowing down and speeding up—you’re not alone. We’re all trying to keep up with back-to-school and our rapidly moving lives while holding onto the beauty around us. Tonight, the dahlias I’ve waited for all season are finally ready, opening wide like they’ve been saving their best for last. I’ll cut a few and let them be the centerpiece at dinner, right next to the dishes and the chaos and whatever else this evening brings. It’s a reminder that each season has its ebbs and flows, its lulls and its explosions of activity. This feels like an explosive could of weeks, but my heart is calm and God is good.
Have a beautiful week, mon amie.
