Posts filed in slow living

Design and Lifestyle

This Week’s Featured Table: Seraphim in Blue and a Cozy Sweet Potato Soup

Some of my favorite meals are the simplest ones. A pot of soup simmering on the stove, a loaf of good bread on the counter, a quick salad tossed together while the table is set. These are the meals that feel generous without being complicated, the ones that leave you with more time to linger, talk, and truly be present with the people you love.

That spirit is at the heart of this week’s Featured Table.

I’m so excited to share our newest design, Seraphim in Blue, alongside a sweet potato soup that feels rich, creamy, and comforting while still being wonderfully nourishing. It’s the kind of pairing that makes everyday meals feel special, without asking much of you at all.

Setting the Scene: Seraphim in Blue

Seraphim in Blue is timeless, calming, and incredibly versatile. The two blues and layered pattern feel both elevated and inviting, equally at home at a quiet table for two or a lively gathering with friends.

For this table, I kept things simple. A table for two, our Seraphim in Blue tablecloth and napkins, and just enough styling to let the pattern shine. It’s a reminder that you don’t need a full production to create something beautiful. Pull out your favorite linens, light a candle, and let the design do the work. I’ve added some of our tabletop items from Danica as well.

Beautiful tables should feel easy. They should support connection, not distract from it.

A Cozy, Nourishing Sweet Potato Soup

This sweet potato soup is one I return to again and again. It’s deeply flavorful, silky smooth, and surprisingly light. The combination of sweet potatoes, coconut milk, ginger, and warm spices makes it feel indulgent, yet it’s packed with nourishing ingredients that leave you feeling good.

This is the kind of recipe that fits beautifully into real life. While the soup simmers, you can slice some bread, toss together a simple salad, and set the table. In no time, you have a meal that feels thoughtful and complete.

Sweet Potato Soup with Coconut Milk

Comforting, creamy, and nourishing

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup diced shallot
  • 1 cup chopped, peeled potato
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3 medium cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger (or finely diced)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon ground coriander
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 cups vegetable broth (Better Than Bouillon works beautifully)
  • 3 cups diced, peeled sweet potato (about 4 to 6 sweet potatoes, depending on size)
  • 1 (14-ounce) can full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream, reserve ¼ cup for garnish
  • Croutons or crispy onions, for serving

Directions:

Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallot and cook, stirring, until tender, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Add the potato, bay leaf, garlic, ginger, dried thyme, coriander, ½ teaspoon salt, and a few grinds of black pepper. Cook, stirring, until everything is well coated and fragrant, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Add the sweet potatoes and continue to simmer until both the potatoes and sweet potatoes are very tender, about 20 minutes. Adjust the heat as needed to maintain a steady simmer.

Remove from the heat and discard the bay leaf. Let the soup cool for at least 5 minutes, then stir in the coconut milk, reserving ¼ cup for garnish.

Using a handheld immersion blender, carefully purée the soup until smooth, or blend in batches in a blender, filling no more than halfway each time. Add water or additional coconut milk to reach your desired consistency. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.

Serve warm, topped with croutons or crispy onions and a swirl of reserved coconut milk or a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt.

An Easy, Memorable Meal

This is the kind of meal that invites you to slow down. Set a beautiful table. Pour a glass of wine or sparkling water. Sit a little longer than planned.

August Table is about making space for these moments. Ease and slow living, paired with thoughtful design and delicious food, all in service of connection around the table.

I hope this week’s Featured Table inspires you to gather simply, cook with joy, and savor the time spent together.

With warmth,
Carrie

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Design and Lifestyle

A Quiet Beginning: Looking Ahead to 2026 with Intention

The days just after the New Year are some of my favorite of the entire year.

The pace softens. The light feels gentler. Winter invites us inward, offering space to reflect before the rush of what’s next begins again. These quieter days feel like a threshold, a moment to pause and ask what we truly want to carry forward and what we’re ready to leave behind.

In a world that moves quickly and asks so much of our attention, intention feels more important than ever. Without it, the days can easily fill themselves. The busyness grows louder. Focus drifts. But when we choose, even gently, what matters most, something shifts. We begin to make time for what we hope to build, nurture, and become.

Below, the image you see is August Table’s vision board for 2026. It reflects the values, rhythms, and intentions guiding both my personal life and the work we share here.

At the heart of it is a simple belief:
A life well lived, one table at a time.

Health and Wellness, Gently and Sustainably

Health remains a guiding focus as we move into 2026. Not in a rigid or prescriptive way, but through nourishment, awareness, and respect for the body.

We will continue sharing recipes that are blood sugar friendly, nourishing, and deeply satisfying. Food that feels comforting and celebratory while also supporting long-term well-being. Alongside this, we are creating more space for slowing down, listening to the body, and choosing what truly supports health, both at and beyond the table.

Finding Beauty in the Ordinary

August Table has always been about elevating the everyday. In the year ahead, we are leaning even more deeply into the idea that ordinary moments can be extraordinary when approached with intention.

Design, food, and presence have the power to transform a simple meal into a meaningful ritual. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner, a quiet breakfast alone, or a table set for friends, we hope to continue encouraging gathering in all its forms.

Creativity as a Daily Practice

Creativity is not reserved for grand moments. It lives in layers, textures, and the small choices made each day.

In 2026, we will continue designing prints that feel collected, storied, and rooted in nature and tradition. The table remains our canvas, layered with linens, ceramics, food, and florals, each element contributing to a sense of warmth and belonging.

Protecting time and space for creative work is essential. It allows ideas to unfold naturally and keeps the work grounded, intentional, and honest.

Personal Development and Alignment

As August Table grows, so does the responsibility to lead from a place of alignment, clarity, and gratitude. This means being thoughtful about where energy is spent and making room for what matters most.

Growth does not have to be loud or rushed. Often, it happens quietly through consistency, reflection, and intention.

Creating Your Own Vision

A vision board is not about perfection or prediction. It’s about direction. It gives shape to what you are moving toward and serves as a reminder of your values when the days feel busy or distracting.

If you feel inspired to create your own, you’ll find a simple template linked here that you can use as a starting point. Whether your focus is health, creativity, rest, or connection, the act of naming what you want to cultivate can be powerful.

As we step into this new year, my hope is that you find moments of quiet, clarity, and intention. Moments to set the table thoughtfully, to nourish yourself well, and to create space for what you truly want to grow.

Thank you for being here and for sharing this season with us. Happy New Year!

With warmth,
Carrie

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Comfort

Savoring the Simple Moments

In a world where our phones have become our constant companions and social media offers a steady stream of updates, it can be hard to recall life before technology took center stage. There was a time, not so long ago, when the rhythm of life wasn’t dictated by the buzz of notifications or the pressure to keep up with the latest trends. Conversations happened face-to-face, and time felt less fragmented, more whole.

Technology has propelled us forward in countless ways. We can connect with loved ones across the globe in an instant, work remotely, and access the world’s knowledge from a small device in our hands. Yet, as we rush from one task to the next, we often forget the beauty that lies in slowing down.

Think back to a time when keepsakes were crafted by hand—perhaps a hand-sewn quilt passed down through generations or a set of napkins block-printed with care. These objects carried stories, embodying the love and patience poured into their creation. The same could be said for meals: before fast food and quick fixes, meals were often born from the ground up, quite literally. A family’s garden would provide the vegetables for a home-cooked dinner, and the preparation of a meal was an act of love, of slowing down to nourish both body and soul.

For us at August Table, this means taking time to enjoy a simple meal outside in the garden. Meals don’t need to be elaborate to create a welcoming and wonderful setting. A few fresh ingredients, a thoughtfully set table with soft linens, and the joy of being surrounded by nature are enough to remind us that some of life’s most fulfilling moments are the ones that embrace simplicity.

Slowing down doesn’t mean retreating from progress. It means finding balance. It means recognizing that while technology has brought us convenience, innovation, and connection, some of life’s greatest joys remain in the simple, timeless moments. Savoring a homemade meal, sharing a story with a loved one, or simply being present in the quiet of a morning are reminders that happiness doesn’t always come from moving faster, but from being still.

As we continue forward in this fast-paced, ever-evolving world, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on the things that truly matter. To savor those small, seemingly insignificant moments that, in reality, are the very essence of what makes life full. The beauty of hand-crafted keepsakes, the nourishment from a garden meal, and the depth of face-to-face conversations—all remind us that sometimes, the greatest gift we can give ourselves is the permission to slow down.

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Design and Lifestyle

The Art of Slow Living: Prioritizing What Truly Matters

In a world where the pace of life seems to be perpetually accelerating, the concept of “slow living” has gained a remarkable following. It’s not just about indulging in life’s pleasures, like a walk in the woods, baking homemade bread, or losing yourself in the pages of a good book. Slow living goes much deeper, and at its core, it’s about taking the time necessary to create and make space for something truly great. It’s about deliberately slowing down to focus on what matters most to you. For many, myself included, slow living is all about deciding what truly matters and having the courage to say no to everything else. It’s about living a simpler, more intentional life so that you can allocate your most precious resource—time—to the things that hold the most significance in your heart.

Finding Meaning in Slow Living

In today’s fast-paced world, the art of slow living might seem like an unattainable luxury, an idealistic notion reserved for those who can afford it. However, the truth is, slow living is not a lifestyle restricted to a certain demographic; it’s a mindset accessible to anyone willing to make a few intentional choices.

Slow living is the antithesis of the chaotic, always-rushing culture that pervades our lives. It’s an invitation to pause, breathe, and reflect. The essence of slow living is not just about savoring life’s simple pleasures, but about consciously curating your life to focus on what truly enriches it. It’s a commitment to being present in each moment, rather than constantly racing toward the next one.

Prioritizing What Matters

At the heart of slow living is the practice of intentional prioritization. It’s about identifying your values, your passions, and your true purpose in life. Once you’ve established these core principles, you can then dedicate your time and energy accordingly.

In a world brimming with endless distractions and opportunities, it’s crucial to learn the art of saying no. Slow living is about having the strength to decline commitments and engagements that do not align with your core values. It means cutting out the unnecessary noise in your life to create a space for the things that genuinely matter to you.

Cultivating Richness in Time

One of the most significant dividends of embracing slow living is the newfound wealth of time that you’ll discover. When you declutter your life and free yourself from the incessant hustle, you can redirect your precious hours toward activities that truly enrich your life.

Imagine having time to nurture your relationships, pursue your passion projects, and invest in your own personal growth. Picture having the leisure to prepare and savor homemade meals, to travel without rushing, and to meditate in tranquility. Slow living is, in essence, the art of being rich in time, rather than being constantly on the run, chasing a mirage of success.

The Slow Living Journey

The journey towards slow living is a personal one. It requires self-reflection, intentionality, and a willingness to break free from the societal pressure to be constantly busy. Here are a few practical steps to get you started on this meaningful journey:

1. Identify Your Values: Take time to reflect on what truly matters to you in life. What are your core values and priorities?

2. Declutter Your Life: De-clutter your physical and digital spaces. Simplify your surroundings to create an environment that promotes calm and focus.

3. Say No: Learn to say no to commitments and distractions that do not align with your values. Your time is precious; guard it carefully.

4. Embrace Mindfulness: Practice mindfulness in your daily life. Be fully present in the moment, whether it’s during a meal, a walk, or a conversation with a loved one.

5. Create a Slow Living Routine: Establish daily rituals that encourage a slower pace of life. This could include time for meditation, nature walks, or simply enjoying a cup of tea without rushing.

Slow living is a conscious choice to break free from the relentless race and to invest your time where it truly matters. It’s about simplifying, prioritizing, and, in doing so, discovering the incredible richness that comes from being rich in time. By embracing this way of life, we can savor the sweetness of existence, find meaning in our daily experiences, and create something great, both for ourselves and the world around us. So, why not take a step back, breathe, and embark on your own journey of slow living? Your heart will thank you for it.

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