September is here and with a new season comes an appetite for the new, the now, the next. Most of us wandered further afield this summer than in the previous two, excited to be seeing more, tasting more, experiencing more. So we are content to return to normal, more confined, local life, but with a renewed curiosity which makes everything feel fresh.

That’s why, as well as bringing you lots that’s fun and fashionable about September, we are focusing in the September issue on the idea of village. To live a village life you don’t need necessarily have to live in one. You can create a village life of your own design, by first discovering and then frequenting the same boutique, grocery store, book shop, wine shop, fish shop, butcher, restaurant and café, by connecting with store owners and restaurateurs and building a rapport and embedding yourself deeper in the community, supporting it economically and becoming a valued member of it.

Inspired by stays in Italian, Spanish and French villages, where locals follow the same routines every day (and never seem to tire of them) we might look with fresh eyes at our local area and by engaging with it, contribute to its development and prosperity. Your village could be in the middle of a city, or on the outskirts, it might not be a village at all, in the strict sense of the word, but you can make it feel like one. Just take up your shopping basket and walk! Even go a step further and follow Holly Hughes’ advice on page 80 of THE GLOSS September issue, helping make our villages greener and more sustainable by getting involved in planting schemes and community gardens.

In the same spirit, THE GLOSS continues, in partnership with Theshopkeepers.com, championing unique, creative and inspiring independent shops. Please take a closer look at your local village and share your favourite shops and stores with us at www.thegloss.ie/bestshops.