There’s something about a summer morning that starts with sunlight shining through the window, giving you a boost before you’ve even opened your eyes. That kind of day makes me want to get up! Sometimes that’s as early as 5am – and yes, I know that sounds mad to some – but when the light is golden and the house is quiet, there’s this little spark of inspiration that strikes. I open the window, breathe in that fresh air, and often that’s when I find myself most ready to write. Right here. To you.
I don’t know if it’s the promise of a warm day, or just my inner voice saying, “Get your jobs done so you can sit your backside in the sun with a coffee,” but summer mornings are major motivators for me. Maybe you feel it too? That urge to finish your to-do list just a little quicker so you can soak up the sun, even if it’s just for a quiet half hour.
Truthfully, I’ve been known to check the weather forecast and plan my studio days around the sunshine. I’m not even sorry. When you live somewhere like Burntisland, you have to grab the sunshine when it shows up! I know not everyone has that flexibility – I’ve had the corporate job, the structured hours, the meetings and the Monday dread. So, trust me when I say: I don’t take these sunny, unstructured days for granted. I think my team appreciate it to – especially with the kids being at school and getting some actual time to sit and relax in the garden.
Summer, especially here in Scotland, has a way of reminding you not to take things for granted. The weather can change in an instant, and sunny days feel like little gifts you have to grab with both hands. Maybe that’s why I find myself holding onto the small things more tightly this time of year – the quiet cup of coffee, the warm breeze through the window, a spontaneous walk down the beach. It makes you want to live in the moment, right there, while it's happening. Because who knows when the next blue sky will roll in?
That’s the beauty of running JoJo Co. – we make the rules. If it’s sunny and we’re in the studio, you’d better believe our coffee breaks are outside. Small business is hard work, but it’s the kind that feeds the soul. JoJo Co. has never felt like a job. It’s a calling. A third child. A whole world built on passion, loyalty, belief, and a lot of candle wax.
So, what does this have to do with you? Maybe everything. Because summer has this way of reminding us to live a little slower. To take our coffee outside. To light a candle even if the sun’s still shining. To swap scrolling for reading. To just be.
That’s why I created our Sundown scent. It came from a feeling first – that moment after a long, warm day, when the dishes are done, you've had a shower, slipped into something comfy, and you pour a glass of wine. You step into the garden, candle lit, golden hour glowing, birds chatting away like they know something you don't. Maybe you read. Maybe you just watch the sky. Either way, it’s a moment you make.
So, here’s your permission: grab those golden moments. Take the long route. Light the candle. Open the window early. Put your feet up in the sun, even if the washing is not done. Because summer isn’t just a season - it’s an invitation.
And you deserve to say yes to it.
