From the Front Porch: Small Changes, Lasting Impacts

Hello from the front porch, and welcome to the Small Changes, Lasting Impacts edition of this weekly series. 

Thanks so much for spending time with us today.

How has your week been?

Recently, I was eating lunch with one of my closest friends when she looked at me and said, “I think you might be having a midlife crisis.”

“Why would you think that?” I said, laughing out loud.

“Because you’ve become obsessed with skincare and makeup lately. Other things too,” she continued. “Things you’ve never been interested in before, and I can’t figure it out.”

“It’s true,” I said.

“I have become obsessed with skincare and makeup. The laugh lines around my eyes are what bother me the most,” I lamented. “Every time I see them in the mirror they remind me of those side shots of an elephant’s eye. You know the ones that National Geographic publishes? The ones that are so close you can see all the elephant’s wrinkles. I was saving Botox for 50, but the time has come, I think.”

“Well, when you’re ready for Botox be sure to give your Dad the bill,” she said.

“Why would I do that?” I questioned.

“Because he’s the one that gave you all the laugh lines! It doesn’t matter where we are or if the door is open or closed, I can tell immediately who you’re talking to based solely on the way you laugh, and 9 times out of 10 it’s almost always your Dad.”

She had a point.

My Dad and I laugh all the time.

We laugh as he’s heading home from the golf course because he calls to share a funny story or simply calls to cheer me up when I’m having a bad day. He’s also the type of person who tells a joke and starts laughing so hard he can’t finish it sometimes.

While the conversation between close friends started innocently, it was a perspective shift I desperately needed.

Not to mention, a moment that made me realize I would never look at my laugh lines the same way again.

So, this week, as we continue to celebrate a season filled with love, I encourage you to think about something you can do to be a light.

It might be a word of encouragement, a blessing, a gift, a random act of kindness, an answer to prayer, a hearty laugh, or a perspective shift.

It doesn’t have to be anything big or grand unless you want it to be, simply something that says I see you…I get you…and I want to remind you that you are enough exactly the way you are.

Because small changes really do make lasting impacts, and it begins with us.

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

Beautiful Home and Garden Tours:

• 2 Small NYC Studios Merged to Make One Apartment with Cool Library Lounge Vibes (via Apartment Therapy)
• This Indianapolis Cottage from House Seven Design looks like it could be straight out of the English countryside.
• This Back to the Beach Project from House of Coco Interiors is beautiful
• Uber talented designer, Aimee Mazzenga shares the Southern Living Showhouse, and it’s fantastic.
• I can’t get over Cristin Cooper’s cottage garden, it’s amazing!

Seasonal Inspiration:

• Rachel from The Ponds Farmhouse reimagined a $3 tray that’s perfect for Spring and Summer.
• Wait until you see how Mary Jo from Master “Pieces” of My Life created chocolate bunnies from the Target Dollar Spot!
• How pretty is this no sew Spring table runner from Stephanie of Returning Grace?
• This creative idea from @sunsoakedlaundry via Instagram is genius!
• KariAnne from Thistlewood Farm recently shared this post, 11 Tiny Home Resets That Make a Big Difference and they’re all totally doable.
• 17 Decorating Tricks Designers Use in Every Room (via The Everygirl)
• 10 Things Professional Organizers Replace Every Year (via Good Housekeeping)

Health and Wellness Inspiration:

• The Best Wellness Trends to Embrace This Year (via Bazaar)
• 9 Signs You’re Not Getting Enough Protein (via Time)
• How to Nourish Your Friendships Without “Going Out” (via The Good Trade}
• Going to bed 30 minutes early does this to your body (via Bustle)

Makeup, Skincare, Style, and Travel Inspiration:

• Incredibly Easy Trick to “Lift” Hooded Eyes & Saggy Eyelid Skin Over 50 (via Graceful Beauty on YouTube)
• 6 Steps to Keeping Your Skin Barrier Strong This Winter (via Vogue)
• 17 Outfits That French People Actually Wear in Paris and Abroad (via InStyle)
• 20 Best European Cities to Visit in the Winter, According to Travel Experts (via Travel + Leisure)

Encouraging Words…

If You’ve Missed Anything from the Archives or the Blog, Here’s a Peek at What We’ve Been Up To…

The Valentine’s Day That Changed Everything

A Beginner’s Guide to Monogramming Handkerchiefs

No Sew Pom Pom Curtains

Hanging an Antique Style Floor Mirror on the Closet Door

Small Closet Makeover Tips and Tricks

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)

• Necklace (such an easy way to dress an outfit up or down)
• Button Down (7 colors available depending on size, have and love in 3 colors)
• Loafers (2 of my aunts swear by this brand, 44 colors available depending on size)
• Bronzing Drops (4 shades available, excited to try these. I use the Thirst Burst Drops when I’m working from home, and it gives such a pretty glow)
• Skirt (44 colors available depending on size, need to add this color to my capsule wardrobe)
• Earrings (18 colors available)
• Crewneck Tee (24 colors available depending on size, and lots of positive reviews)
• Basket (hoping to use the large size to hold my iPad and devotional materials)
• Shoulder Bag (4 colors available, great for date night)
• Blazer (29 colors available depending on size, the texture on this tweed is chic)
• Bracelets (23 styles to choose from, have and love the bangle version)
• Pullover Sweater (6 colors available depending on size, and love the longer sleeve)
• Jeans (4 colors available depending on size, I don’t have any this color, so fingers crossed they work)
• Laptop Tote (4 colors available depending on size)
• Pants (7 colors available depending on size including a variety of lengths as well)
• Pedometer Watch (6 colors available)

That’s all for now!

As always, we appreciate you so much, 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