FLOURISH ~ Women’s Wellness Day-Retreat
*EXCLUSIVE RETREAT: LIMITED SPACE!(RSVP EARLY)
November 8 9:30-4:30: Lower Stressful Conversation Dynamics & Elevate Your Holiday Gatherings with French Hospitality
LOCATION: The Home of Interior Designer Brittany Blanton, Georgetown, Texas
INCLUDED: Seasonal French-Inspired Multi-Course Lunch, Wine & Coffee
Sojourner Tours invites you to a transformative Women’s Wellness Retreat designed to help you infuse your holiday gatherings with the warmth, grace, and mindful practices found in French culture. As the holidays approach, many of us feel the pressure of family gatherings, often tangled with stress, expectations, and tense conversations. This retreat offers you the tools to transform your family gatherings by creating a welcoming and joyful atmosphere centered on mindful eating, connection, and authentic hospitality.
In this immersive day, you will learn how to embrace French traditions that celebrate the simple joys of food, family, and conversation. Brittany Blanton, an interior designer, will guide you through creating a beautiful and intentional space for holiday meals, while you’ll explore the art of French table setting, flower arrangements, and meal presentation—adding elegance and meaning to your celebrations. Lisa, owner of Sojourner Tours, will walk you through mindful eating practices and strategies for handling family dynamics around the table. You’ll leave this retreat inspired to host your holiday meals with warmth, creativity, and intention, nourishing both body and soul.
BRIEF DISCUSSION: Infusing French Hospitality into Your Family Gatherings
Start the day by exploring the role of women as gracious hostesses in French culture. In France, family meals are seen not only as a time to nourish the body but also to foster deeper connections between loved ones. The French family meal is such a significant cultural phenomenon that UNESCO protects it as a part of the world’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. Lisa will guide you in discussing how we can adapt these practices to our own American traditions, transforming potentially stressful family gatherings into joyful, connected experiences. A Breakout discussion will give you the chance to share ideas and experiences with other women.
WORKSHOP: Creating a Beautiful Table & Home for the Holidays
In this hands-on workshop, you will learn the art of table setting. Brittany Blanton will demonstrate how to create a warm and inviting environment using French-inspired strategies, her own unique artistic approach and local Texan elements like seasonal flowers, candles, and simple yet elegant table settings. She’ll also show you how to plan multiple settings for the meal and considerations she has in mind when choosing where to stage the appetizer, the main meal, and then coffee —a French strategy for shaking up the conversation and reinvigorating guests. You’ll leave inspired to style your space with grace and intentionality, making your home feel like a haven for the holidays.
DISCUSSION: Navigating Family Conversations with Ease and Grace
Before lunch, Lisa will lead a discussion on cultural differences in American and French conversation which will lend ideas about how to manage sensitive or tense conversations around the table—common during family gatherings. She will share techniques inspired by French communication styles -and suggest ways to seat guests to encourage debate rather than argument. You’ll also explore hosting strategies to shift the focus away from stressful arguments and back to connection, allowing everyone to feel seen and heard. Breakout groups will give you the chance to reflect on your own experiences and practice these communication techniques with other women.
LATE LUNCH (1:00): French-Inspired Multi-Course Seasonal Meal
Take a break and enjoy a delicious, seasonal meal with fellow participants, highlighting the principles of mindful eating. This meal will incorporate the Slow Food movement—using local, sustainable ingredients to create dishes that nourish both body and soul.
WORKSHOP: Simple French Flower Arrangement & Napkin Folding
In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn the art of French flower arrangement and napkin folding. Brittany will share her expertise on creating simple yet elegant flower arrangements that bring natural beauty to the table. You’ll also discover the art of napkin folding, a charming French tradition that adds a personal and sophisticated touch to your holiday meals. You’ll leave with new skills to elevate your table décor and create a warm, inviting atmosphere for your guests.
COFFEE & CLOSING: Reflections and Intentions for Your Holiday Gatherings
At the end of the day, we’ll gather to reflect on the practices we’ve learned and how to apply them to our own holiday traditions. You’ll set personal intentions for your upcoming family gatherings and take home tools to help you integrate mindful eating, gracious hospitality, and the art of conversation into your celebrations. You’ll leave with new perspectives on the power of food and shared meals to nourish not just your body, but also your relationships.
Retreat Highlights:
Discussion: Infusing French Hospitality into Your Family Gatherings
Workshop: Creating a Beautiful Table & Home for the Holidays
Workshop: Simple French Flower Arrangement & Napkin Folding
Discussion: Navigating Family Conversations with Ease and Grace
Seasonal French-Inspired Meal: A mindful, nourishing lunch
Date: November 8, 2025
Time: 9:30-4:30
Location: The Home of Interior Designer Brittany Blanton, Georgetown, Texas
Vibe: A day of learning, connection, and sisterhood through French-inspired hospitality and slow food practices.
Ready to transform your holiday gatherings and create memorable, meaningful experiences? Join us for a day of mindful eating, creative design, and authentic connection!