A season for slowing down, staying close to home & celebrating Canadian
There’s something about this time of year that always feels like a bit of a reset.
The days are getting shorter, the air is cooler, and suddenly we’re reaching for sweaters, lighting candles a little earlier in the evening, and spending more time gathered around the table. Here in Manitoba, fall never seems to last quite long enough, which makes me want to enjoy every bit of it while it’s here.
This season has also had me thinking a lot about home, and what it means to be a Canadian business.
Grace & Company has been part of the Canadian retail landscape for more than ten years now, and supporting Canadian and local has always been important to me. Long before it became part of a larger conversation, I’ve made a point of seeking out Canadian makers and suppliers, alongside the beautiful European brands that have become such an important part of Grace & Co.
I think there’s something especially meaningful about that right now.
Shopping local doesn’t have to mean shopping only within your own neighbourhood. To me, it can mean looking within our borders first, discovering a small business in Manitoba, ordering from a maker in Quebec, or sending a package from Winnipeg to a customer on the East Coast. Every time you choose a Canadian small business, you’re supporting the people and stories behind it.
And as we head into the busiest gifting season of the year, I hope we can all be a little more thoughtful about where we shop and what we bring into our homes.
Settling Into Fall
At home, I’m leaning into all of the simple things that make fall feel like fall: a beautiful throw draped over the sofa, candles burning in the kitchen, a favourite mug filled with something hot, and meals that are meant to be eaten slowly.
The Linen Way Breman Throw is one of those pieces that makes you want to settle in for the evening. It’s hand-woven in Peru from pure baby alpaca and is incredibly soft and warm — the kind of beautiful, timeless piece you’ll pull out year after year.
And for the littlest spaces, the Blueberry Hill Thick Knit Blanket adds that same cozy texture in a smaller, chunky knit.
Light the Candles
I’ve always believed the things we use every day should be beautiful, too. A good napkin, a lovely espresso cup, a serving piece you’ve had for years — none of it needs to be saved for a special occasion.
And the same goes for candles.
The Ester & Erik Taper Candles have been a favourite at Grace & Company for years. Made in Denmark, their beautifully simple shape works just as well on an everyday table as it does for a dinner party.
For something a little different, I love the sculptural shape of the Danish Drop Candle Pair. They’re also made in Denmark, from natural wax, and fit into a standard taper holder.
Use the good things. Set the table on a Tuesday. Light the candles at 4 p.m. just because it’s gloomy outside.
Those little rituals are what make home feel like home.
A Few Little Luxuries
Fall also makes me want to make the everyday parts of home feel just a little more special.
The Lothantique Pamplemousse Candle is made in France and brings a beautiful grapefruit fragrance and warm glow to a room, perfect for these cooler evenings.
And even something as simple as washing your hands can feel a little more luxurious with the Rue de Marli No. 27 Liquid Hand Soap. Made in France using traditional Provençal soap-making methods, it’s enriched with shea butter, sweet almond oil and argan oil.
They’re small things, but I’ve always thought those details matter.
From My Kitchen: Risotto Primavera
And speaking of slowing down, this month I wanted to share a recipe that’s perfect for one of those cooler evenings when you actually feel like spending a little time in the kitchen.
Risotto is one of those dishes that asks you to stay by the stove, add the stock slowly and be patient. On a rainy fall evening, I don’t think that’s such a bad thing.
Risotto Primavera
Total time: 45 minutes–1 hour
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lb asparagus
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 leeks, diced
- 4 shallots
- 1 fennel bulb, diced
- 2 cups Italian rice
- ½ cup white wine
- 6 cups hot vegetable stock
- 1 cup fresh or frozen peas
- 2 tbsp lemon zest
- ¾ tsp salt and pepper
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup chopped mint leaves
- ¼ cup chopped coriander
Directions
Sauté the vegetables in olive oil until slightly softened.
Heat your stock in a separate pot.
Add the rice to the pan with your vegetables. Next, add the wine.
Once the wine is absorbed, reduce the heat to low. One ladle at a time, cook by slowly adding hot stock until all the stock is absorbed by the rice. Be patient.
Add frozen peas, lemon zest, cheese and herbs when the risotto is almost cooked. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve warm with a little extra Parmesan on top.
Looking Ahead
We’re already beginning to think about the holiday season at Grace & Company, and this year we’re starting a little earlier.
November will bring our holiday collection, thoughtfully curated gifting ideas, plenty of Maileg whimsy, and a few special pieces designed to make gifting feel a little easier and more personal.
As always, everything will be chosen and wrapped with the same care that has been part of Grace & Company from the beginning, even if the shop now happens to live online.
For now, though, I’m happy to stay in fall just a little bit longer.
Thank you, as always, for continuing to shop small, support Canadian businesses and allow Grace & Company to be a small part of your homes from coast to coast.
