From the Front Porch

Happy Sunday from the front porch, you guys. Thanks so much for spending time with us today!  

We hope this post finds you settling into back to school schedules with ease and looking forward to celebrating all the good things that are coming your way this week.  

A Sunday Calendar Tip 

It’s been another great week balancing work life and home life for us.  We’ve been working really hard to put new routines and boundaries in place and make health and well-being a top priority this summer.  

I’m hoping we can continue to make progress well into the busy fall and holiday season as well.  Each Sunday, we take a few minutes to sit down with our calendars and be intentional with our plans for the week. 

It’s been such a game changer!  As we always say, “If you don’t control your calendar, your calendar will control you.”  

TCG: Behind the Scenes 

I went to the last big Renninger’s sale of the summer with my Mom on Friday and was so much fun.  I haven’t unpacked everything yet. We found some amazing bargains though. 

Saturday, S and I went to brunch, the bookstore, to see the movie Where’d You Go Bernadette (it was good) and to run a few errands.  It was rainy and wet but we had a great time. 

In other wellness news, some of you may know I really struggled with the hives at the beginning of this year.  I had them off and on for months. No matter how hard I tried I just couldn’t seem to get rid of them.  

Finally, I stopped using all the skincare and makeup products I had been using from head to toe.  I also started eliminating things from my diet and drinking more water.  Both of those helped as well. 

Slowly but surely I’ve started adding skincare products back into my daily routine and so far, no hives. I wouldn’t normally start at the drugstore but I’ll be honest, it’s super frustrating to buy expensive products only to have to stop using them after a few uses.   

Four drugstore products I’ve been loving this summer:

• Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel with Hyaluronic Acid 
• Garnier® SKINACTIVE™ Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1 Makeup Remover & Cleanser
• Olay Eye Perfecting Cream 
• St. Ives Apricot Scrub 

I’m planning to try several products from The Ordinary too, all of which are reasonably priced.  I’ll keep you guys posted on how it goes. 

 

A Few of Our Favorite Posts from Around the Web this Week…

I could move into this home tomorrow! It has such a European vibe I can hardly believe it’s in Arizona.

This wedding in Savannah was really beautiful.  The way they used palmetto fronds is super creative too. 

Speaking of really beautiful, have you guys seen the gallery from the Garrison Inn yet? We could totally repeat all those special touches at our own homes too. 

Love, love, love all the cozy layers of this New England home. Wait until you see the greenhouse you guys, gah, my heart can barely take it ?

Oprah gives a tour of her flower garden in Hawaii in this post plus offers advice on making the perfect bouquet.

Healthy Versions of Your Favorite Junk Food 

7 Hormone Imbalances That Could Explain Your Fatigue, Weight-Gain and Moodiness   

The Power of Imperfect Starts 

10 Things to Start Telling Yourself on Hard Days 

22 Acts of Kindness You Can Do in Honor of the El Paso Challenge 

So excited about this upcoming Ralph Lauren documentary!

These Pinterest cake hacks are totally fascinating.

Grab your free fall phone backgrounds from Draper James here 

 

Quote of the Week and Free Printable…

On the Menu this Week…

**(Just as a sweet reminder the person that makes the menu doesn’t eat beef or pork so keep that in mind when you see this feature each week, wink wink)**

*Week of August 19 – August 25

Monday – Grilled Fish with Grilled Zucchini and White Bean Salad 

Tuesday – Keto Chicken Enchilada Bowl 

Wednesday – BLT Salad (we’ll be subbing veggie bacon for real bacon) 

Thursday – 30 Minute Roasted Rainbow Vegetable Bowl 

Friday – Spinach Quiche Lorraine 

Saturday – Slow Cooker Sausage, Spinach and White Bean (we’ll be subbing with chicken sausage) 

Sunday – Sheet Pan with Gnocchi and Roasted Vegetables 

 

Sweet Treat to Try this Week…

No Bake Energy Bites 

 

Here are a Few Finds We Spotted on Amazon This Week…

**(Affiliate links have been provided for your convenience. You can read our full disclosure policy here)

Dress 

Morse Code Patent Poster

Sheet Set 

Make Up Brush Set 

Rug 

Vanity Light 

Duvet Cover 

Bathroom Sink Faucet 

Make Up Train Case 

If You’ve Missed Anything From the Archives or on The Blog Lately, here’s a Peek at What We’ve Been Up To…

Breakfast Nook Makeover Reveal 

Tips for Buying Vintage Inspired Art Online 

Fall Inspired Outdoor Tablescape

Salted Caramel Apple Dump Cake 

52 Weeks to a Simplified & Organized Home Challenge…

If you’re part of our 52 Weeks to a Simplified and Organized Home Challenge,  we’re completing Week 33 Decluttering Toys and Games and looking forward to completing Week 34 Decluttering the Medicine Cabinet and First Aid Supplies

*** Keep in mind, if you’re new to this challenge or have gotten behind for whatever reason, simply pick up on the current week and start again.  You don’t have to be perfect, just don’t stay stuck! This challenge is all about making progress no matter how big or small. ***

 

TCG Housekeeping Notes & Upcoming Posts…

It blew my mind when I asked you guys if you were ready for Fall yet. Everyone was pretty passionate about their responses. Half of you were like, “Don’t talk to me about fall it’s too hot!” While everyone else said they were excited about the upcoming season change. 

I totally get it. When you’re under weather warnings because of the “extreme heat dome” thinking about pumpkin spiced lattes and pulling the pumpkins down from the attic feels like a stretch. 

That said, I think taking a bit of extra time to plan for Fall decorating and crafting now will allow us all to actually enjoy the season when it finally arrives. 

I finally went through all the pictures of our time at The Southern Living Idea House.  There was over 400 so I’ll be sharing part one of the tour with you next week.  Here’s a sneak peek…

That’s all for now!  We hope you have a peace filled and productive week.  No matter what you have planned we hope it’s something you’re excited about.  We can’t wait to see you back here next week.  Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Many blessings,

CoCo