From the Front Porch: Goodbye October, Hello November
Happy Thursday from the front porch sweet friends and welcome to the Goodbye October, Hello November edition of this weekly series.
I hope your week has been extra festive and filled with all good things.
My parents had their annual Spooky Soiree over the weekend and we had a blast!
As I’ve previously shared, we weren’t entirely sure we were even going to have the party after all the hurricanes we’ve had this year.
Couple that with the fact that my Mom had foot surgery right after Hurricane Milton and my Dad took a nasty spill the day before her surgery, I’ll be honest, it seemed like everything was pointing to just cancelling the event altogether.
If you knew my Mom though, you would know she’s all about creating magical experiences even on a small scale.
She and my Dad remained adamant as they’ve been recovering that we were having the Spooky Soiree no matter what.
So, we all rallied to make it happen and it was so much fun.
My Mom was a butterfly and since my Dad was already scuffed up and bruised, he was Freddy Kruger which had us rolling in the best possible way.
My bestie S and one of my sisters took top prize in the costume contest which was such a cool surprise.
Another sister had a costume inspired by the game Operation.
The littles said I looked like Fiona from Shrek without the green face and now everyone wants me to keep the red hair.
It took forever to get all the bobby pins and knots out of my hair after wearing the wig. So, I’ll definitely have to call in the professionals if I ever decide to go red 😉
I spent the rest of the week taking down fall decor and just letting the house breathe in between seasons, which felt really good.
In addition, my nephew has his last regular season game this week.
Then it will be on to regionals, quarterfinals, semifinals and the state championship game again this year if all goes well.
He’s already had a Cinderella season, so no matter what happens, we’re really proud of him.
Other than that, I’m looking forward to the time change and sprinkling a little holiday cheer into the blog and around the house.
It’s truly the little things that are keeping us going right now.
I’d love to know what little things you’ve been celebrating lately too!
A Few of Our Favorite Fall Inspired Posts from Around the Web this Week…
Beautiful Home and Garden Tours:
- If you love chippy farmhouse style, you’ll love this Fall home tour from Vibeke Design.
- A warm and cozy Fall home tour from Sanctuary Home Decor that will have you pinning all the things!
- Speaking of which, if you love French Country style, you’ll love so many things on the Pinterest board.
- There are lots of fantastic ideas in this post from Kim of Shiplap and Shells, 9 Fall Plants That Are Perfect for Container Gardens.
Seasonal Inspiration:
- Rachel from The Ponds Farmhouse shared a beautiful Friendsgiving Brunch idea and it makes me excited to start planning one too.
- A lovely Fall mantel from Maison de Cinq that will easily take you all the way into November.
- This beautiful easy autumn flower arrangement from French Country Cottage is giving me all the fall feels.
- This Fall tablescape from Emily of LeCultivateur is positively magical.
- So is this candlelit greenhouse from Azure Farm.
- How to Make Your Own Moss Pumpkins (via Edith and Evelyn Vintage)
Health and Wellness Inspiration:
- How to Tell the Difference Between Allergies and a Cold Symptoms (via Allure)
- Science Says Being Generous, Thoughtful and Kind is a Sign of High Intelligence (this post via Inc. was interesting)
- 25 Little Ways to Build a Better Relationship With Your Phone (via Self)
Style and Travel Inspiration:
- 25 Fall Capsule Wardrobe Essentials Chosen by Style Editors (via Glamour)
- The Best Skincare Tools According to Vogue
- 32 Winter Holiday Ideas (via CN Traveller)
Simple Pleasures and Little Luxuries:
- Have you seen this stunning Christmas collection yet?
- Just added this disc from Goldbug Collection to my Christmas wish list. Piper’s name or monogram would be so cute!
- Love this watercolor from Urban Garden Prints too!
If You’ve Missed Anything From the Blog or the Archives Lately, Here’s a Peek At What We’ve Been Up To…
How to Easily Customize a Notebook or Journal
DIY Fall Inspired Kraft Paper Sign
Outdoor Movie Night and Fall Popcorn Recipe
If you missed it last week, you can find our From the Front Porch: Celebrating Spooky Season Edition here.
Shopping Notes…
**(Amazon affiliate links have been provided for your convenience. As an Amazon and Impact Media Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Any sales made through such links will support us with a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can read our full disclosure policy here)
- French Country Cottage Christmas (this is one of my all time favorite Christmas decorating books)
- Bow Necklace (this budget friendly necklace would make an easy stocking stuffer)
- Pullover Crewneck (this pullover comes in lots of pretty colors)
- Storage Cart (this cart would be so cute filled with gift wrapping supplies)
- Mirror (I wish I had a spot for this because it would make putting together holiday outfits so much easier)
- Emanuel (a beautiful way to celebrate the Advent season)
- Heart Necklace (another budget friendly gift idea)
- PJs (these are so soft and cozy, I’d love to surprise my sisters and mom with a matching monogrammed pair)
- Satchel Bag (love this pretty shape and jewel toned color)
- Duvet Set (also comes in additional pretty colors)
- 10 Minute Decorating Ideas (yes to keeping the holidays easy with these 10 minute decorating ideas)
- Locket (a sweet way to honor someone you love)
- Ribbon (we’re using this shade of burgundy this year)
- Shoulder Bag (love the color and shape of this bag too)
- Storage Bins (a simple way to organize your clothes or linen closets)
- Traditions of Christmas (this book by Victoria covers everything from decorating to entertaining)
As always, we appreciate you more than you could ever know, and we hope your weekend is peace-filled and relaxing. We can’t wait to share even more with you next week!
Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.Many blessings,
CoCo
CoCo – such a great list of inspiration! We too know what it feels like to hardly ever be home. Buying a planner now is essential…the great ones that you suggested sellout so quickly! PS – we might need 30 sneaky ways to look younger ?Much love!
I always love to see what kind of planner people buy each year but that’s probably the nerd coming out in me. Don’t worry, I need the 30 sneaky ways to look younger too. I swear Thanksgiving dinner always feels like eating with the paparazzi because everyone is taking photos and catching up 🙂 Love and hugs, CoCo
The tiny pumpkins are to die for…I love them! And – I love your queens pen! 🙂
ha ha that pin is SO me 🙂 I couldn’t be more excited to use it every day. You were sweet to bring it back for me. I noticed someone left the mini pumpkins on the table today so I will make sure they’re placed in a bag by the front door for you tomorrow. Hope you’re having a great week so far, hugs, CoCo
I just love all your content…. so much for me to explore. Thank you for taking the time to gather all this inspiration and information.
You are so welcome, Donna, these posts are always fun to put together and I’m glad you enjoy them. Hope your weekend is filled with all good things, CoCo
I can’t believe it’s November! Time please slow down!! I’m so glad your parents were feeling up to having the Spooky Soiree! Looks like you all had so much fun! Love the red wig! Looks like the color of my hair when Rich and I got married! Good luck to your nephew and his football team! Hope you have a wonderful week!
Thank you so much, Donna. I had no idea the red wig was going to be such a big hit. I’m due for a fresh cut so I might try auburn the next time I go in there just to see if I can pull it all. Love that you had red hair back in the day too. It’s such a pretty color. Thankful my parents are recovering well too. I know you’re also a caregiver for your Dad so you know what it’s like to worry about them yet try to celebrate each day all at the same time. They truly are our best friends. Big hugs, CoCo
I am so glad your family still had the spooky soiree! I love the photos you shared. Each of the costumes was so creative. We are also looking forward to an extra hour of sleep. This week I am celebrating getting a new car. :). Really. I keep my cars FOREVER. It was time to trade in my old CRV for a new one. Also, I stopped at the Dollar Store tonight and found these Rudolph nose lights – which I can wear. It’s like a clown nose except it lights up. Who knew $1.25 could bring so much fun? As you note – it’s good to celebrate all things big and small. Have a good weekend CoCo!
Congratulations on your new car, Anna, that is so exciting. That new car smell gets me every time and I’m thrilled you’ll be hitting the road with style and sass. I need to head to the DS for some of those reindeer noses. The littles would love to have those on the Santa Train! Oh my word, the Spooky Soiree was so much fun. I’m thankful we were able to pull it off. It’s always fun to dress up and see each other in a completely different way. Although if it were up to the kids I’d be wearing the crown and red hair every day. “CoCo, you look like a princess version of yourself”🤣 Gah – they melt my heart in the best possible way. Celebrating the big and small things with you too sweet friend. Big hugs, CoCo
What a fun party! Times gathered as a family, making memories, are the best. And you DO look great in red hair!
So sweet of you to say, Linda, thank you. It’s always fun to get dressed up no matter what the occasion and I’m thankful my parents who are in their 70s still like to party and hang out with us. They make everything magical! Sending you lots of hugs for a memory making season ahead, CoCo
Your mom and dad’s Spooky Soiree looks like so much fun! I’m so happy to hear that they felt good enough to have it this year. Thank you for the weekly inspiration CoCo and for sharing my gardening post. Wishing yo a wonderful week ahead.
You are so welcome, Kim. Even though I’m in a different growing zone I always learn so much from you. Your skills are way above mine but they always feel approachable which I really appreciate. It makes me want to keep going even when I’ve totally failed at growing something new. Big hugs, CoCo
I love this! It looks like the Spooky Soiree turned out great! I am so glad you shared pictures! I love the the costumes and the red hair. Enjoy November!
Thank you, Susan. I had no idea the red hair would be so popular but it’s taken on a life of its own. I think I’ll try black next year 🙂 Big hugs, CoCo
Looks like the holiday soiree was a hit! Your family always has the most fun. I am glad you dad is ok, and that your mom is recovering from surgery. Hopefully the weather behaves down your way. I was shopping recently and found Courtney’s books, and so was so excited since I loved when she gave her kitchen a French Country make over years ago. I am glad you shared it here. Take care!