From the Front Porch: The Fresh and Clean Edition

Hello from the front porch, sweet friends.

Welcome to the Fresh and Clean Edition of this weekly series.

Thanks so much for spending time with us today.

How are you?

Several weeks ago, my therapist and I were talking about the power of 10 minutes.

It was ironic because my bestie S had an almost identical conversation with her doctor, who said, “I need you to commit to this for 10 minutes each day.”

As S was recounting the story, she said, “That doesn’t even seem like it would help.”

S said her doctor immediately countered.

“I promise you it will make a difference.  But you have to be consistent about it. Ok?” she urged confidently.

“If you say so,” S replied. 

“10 minutes is just long enough to get started on something, while at the same time being just short enough to blow something off. You know?” she continued.

“Just give it a chance. That’s all I’m asking,” her doctor said, having the last word.

I think about the power of 10 minutes often.

Especially as I’m standing in the doorway of a messy room, have to meal prep when I don’t feel like it, or spot little piles from projects that need to be put away.

At first glance, 10 minutes does seem too short to make a difference.

But 10 minutes a day for 7 days – 70 minutes a week consistently – goes a long way in helping you to create a life you love.

I know it’s never been easier to get on and off the wagon.  

Truly, there are distractions everywhere.

But there is no better time than *right now* to get started again.  

Here are ten things you can do in ten minutes:

1. Write a to-do list or create a summer bucket list
2. Make yourself a healthy snack
3. Empty the dishwasher, the sink, the washer, or the dryer.
4. Clean or declutter.
5. Pray, meditate, or go for a quick walk.
6. Start a new book.
7. Write a postcard or send an encouraging text
8. Swing through Starbucks or make a pot of tea
9. Set a pretty table or make dinner reservations
10. Support a cause that is important to you

Cheering you on as we near the halfway point of the year.

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

Beautiful Home and Garden Tours:

• This Des Cornouillers home tour from one of my all-time favorite firms, AKB Design, is filled with so much inspiration.
• Wait until you see the Wilmette Historic Home Interior Refresh by the design team of Park & Oak. It’s a showstopper!
• Speaking of inspiration, wait until you see photographer Sarah Shields capture Holliday Farms. It’s perfection!
• I can’t remember if I shared this amazing tour, Feeling French, by designer Kate Marker, but it’s so beautiful, I keep it bookmarked.
• Leanne Ford’s Perfectly Imperfect Home Garden (via House Beautiful)
• Ideas to Steal From the Chelsea Flower Show (via House & Garden UK)

Seasonal Inspiration:

• How to Repurpose a Monogram from a Vintage Pillowcase (via Sky Lark House)
• 25+ Summer Floral Centerpiece Ideas Using Thrifted Containers (via The Ponds Farmhouse)
• 4 Old House Design Traditions Making a Comeback and Designers Can’t Get Enough (via Veranda)
• The Most Overlooked Design Move That Makes a Home Feel Effortlessly Curated (via Homes & Gardens)
• 6 Things That Are Always Better to Thrift Than New, According to Designers (via The Spruce)

Health and Wellness Inspiration:

• 15 No Cook Dinners to Keep You Cool (via Food & Wine)
• How to Prevent a Migraine (via Health)
• How Often Should You Replace Your Pillows (via Southern Living)
• Outgrowing the Life You Once Wanted (via Intelligent Change)

Style and Travel Inspiration:

• Easy Ways to Always Look Chic and Put Together (via Audrey a la Mode on YouTube)
• The Best Retinol Eye Creams to Target Fine Lines (via Allure)
• If you love French flea markets, you’ll love all the inspiration and fabulous finds at Madame de la Maison.

Encouraging Words…

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

The Easiest Way to Age New Clothespins

How to Clean Vintage Pillowcases

Indoor Drying Rack for the Laundry Room

Wire Laundry Basket Makeover

Laundry Room Makeover Reveal

Shopping Notes…

(Amazon affiliate links have been provided for your convenience. As an Amazon 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)

• Plastic Bottles (added these to the shower for a bathroom refresh and loved the labels)
• Shower Hooks (added these under the bathroom shelves to poufs and loofahs off the floor, and they were a hit)
• Drawer Organizers (we use these all over the house in almost every drawer)
• Runner (currently using this brand in the bathroom and laundry room, their rugs are so soft)
• Spray Paint (has an antique vibe and is such a pretty color, I use it throughout the year)
• Expandable Shelf (added this to our refrigerator for extra shelf space)
• Laundry Labels (used these labels in our laundry room makeover, I wish she made more – they’re so good)
• Body Wash (leaves skin soft and nourished, you don’t even need lotion after a shower, plus it has a dreamy scent)
• Bead Boosters (I wash all our linens with these, it smells amazing)
• Sneakers (recently bought these, so I’ll keep you posted, so far so good)
• Blow Dryer (the budget-friendly blow dryer I didn’t know I needed until I started using it)
• Creamer Bottles (hoping these will help cut down on visual clutter in the refrigerator)
• Glass Spray Bottles (have, love, and use often)
• Poufs (great for summer exfoliation and keeps a nice lather)
• Laundry Basket (recently started using and love it so much)
• Amino Curl Repair Set (leaves my curls soft)
• Glass Jars (a great alternative to canning jars, especially if you like to label them)
• Turn Tables (we use these in the kitchen, refrigerator, and the bathroom)
• Home Care Labels (some of my pages arrived slightly bent, but overall great for the price)
• Floor Scrub Brush (recently arrived, hoping it makes cleaning the bathtubs and showers easier)
• Chandelier (recently ordered for a bathroom refresh, will report back)
• Under Sink Organizer (I painted mine white and feel like I have so much more room in the bathroom cabinets now)
• Shower Bench (looks a little more plastic than I anticipated, but was budget-friendly and a big hit)
• Milk Bottles (hoping these will complement the creamer bottles nicely)
• Glass Storage Containers (hands down, completely changed our meal prep, snack, and salad game)

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!

Many blessings,

CoCo