From the Front Porch

Happy Friday, from the front porch, you guys! We hope your week has been all that you’ve needed it to be. 

It’s definitely been another week of growth and learning here, but in the best possible way.

The 10 Minute Challenge…

Several weeks ago, I overhead my bestie S talking to her doctor via Skype for a simple wellness check-in. 

Truthfully, I missed most of the conversation but just before their time together was about to expire, her doctor said in a stern but loving voice, “I need you to commit to this for 10 minutes each day.”

“I don’t know,” S hesitated, “That doesn’t even seem like it would help.”

“I promise you it will help.  But you have to be consistent about it. Ok?” she said confidently.

“If you say so,” S replied. 

“Just give it a chance, that’s all I’m asking,” and with that they parted ways.

After she hung up, S filled in the rest of the gaps for me over tea.   “10 minutes is just long enough to get a good start on something, while at the same time being just short enough to blow something off. You know?”

I thought about those words as I stood in the doorway of my office yesterday.  The room filled with empty boxes, stacks of books and piles of projects waiting to be put away…again

At first glance, 10 minutes seemed too short to even make a difference. But 10 minutes every day for 7 days – 70 minutes – consistently would have gone a long way in helping to create a beautiful and functional office space.

A Mid-Year Refresh…

I share this because 2020 has been like nothing I could have ever imagined.

Given everything that is happening right now, it’s been easier than ever to get on and off the wagon.  

Despite it all, there is truly no better time than *right now* to get started again.  Here are ten things you can do in ten minutes:

1. Reevaluate your goals or create a summer bucket list
2. Support a cause that is important to you
3. Make yourself a healthy snack
4. Declutter
5. Pray or mediate
6. Start a new book or hobby
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. Say your sorry and find out how you can make amends

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

What’s Happening in the World and Where Do We Go from Here? (via the faith based company Dayspring) 

If you love French flea markets, you’ll love all the inspiration and fabulous finds on the Madame de la Maison website  and be sure to follow Ajiri Aki, Founder of Madame de la Maison on Instagram too!

This hand painted Chinoiserie Entrance Mural  from Diana Hill is amazing! You can shop her prints, here. 

Gorgeous monogrammed linens found, here. 

15 Beautiful Container Garden Ideas 

An American Aristocrats Guide to Great Estates looks like a fun show from the Smithsonian Channel.

The luxe layers and moody texture of designer Mikal Welch.

There are so many pretty examples of mixing multiple styles in this Swedish farmhouse.

If decorating with antiques is your jam, don’t miss this post  from Park and Oak.

The relaxed and amazing style of Becca Interiors.

Easy Ways to Always Look Chic and Put Together 

If you love Charleston, you’ll love this Rainbow Row skirt from The Tiny Tassel.

Our cleaning products are all lavender scented, so I try to make sure our candles complement that scent as well.  This lavender-coconut Blossom candle sounds amazing and I love the heart behind this company. 

Quote of the Week and Free Printable…

Books We’re Reading…

**(Affiliate links have been provided for your convenience. Any sales made through such links will support us with a small commission at no extra cost for you. You can read our full disclosure policy here)

In June, we’ll be reading Jennie Allen’s Get Out Of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts. 

We’re also adding, Be The Bridge: Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation by Latasha Morrison this month.

July, we’ll tackle The Art of Showing Up: How to be There for Yourself and Your People by Rachel Wilkerson Miller.  

And in August, we’ll read Love Does  by Bob Goff. 

If you’ve missed any of our other books, you can find them here:

May – The Lifegiving Home: Creating a Place of Belonging and Becoming by Sally and Sarah Clarkson.  

April – Rhythms of Renewal: Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose by Rebekah Lyons. 

March – The Next Right Thing: A Simple, Soulful Practice for Making Life Decisions by Emily P Freeman.

February – The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy. 

January – You Are the Girl for the Job: Daring to Believe the God Who Calls You by Jess Connolly.

Watching Lately…

It’s been a rainy week thanks to Tropical Storm Cristobal and Florida’s seasonal summer rainshowers.  But it was also the perfect opportunity to lounge around in our jammers for a movie marathon.

With so many of the books we’ve been wanting to read on back order, we decided to start on the must watch list everyone was sweet to share on social media…

• Just Mercy (Amazon)
• When They See Us (Netflix)
• Oprah Winfrey Presents: When They See Us Now (Netflix)
• 13th (Netflix)

I’ll be honest, there are parts of Just Mercy and When They See Us that are so difficult to watch, I found myself full on sobbing.  That said, they’re both remarkable true-life stories of redemption and grace everyone should watch.    

On the Menu this Week…

Week of June 14 – June 21

06/13 – Saturday – Cajun Shrimp Sheet Pan Dinner (recipe found in Magnolia Table Vol 2 but was also sent in an email to subscribers)

06/14 – Sunday – German Spaetzle with Mushroom Gravy 

06/15 – Monday – Watermelon Poke Bowl (V) 

06/16 – Tuesday – Fish Taco Bowls 

06/17 – Wednesday – Grilled Nectarine and Chicken Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing 

06/18 – Thursday – Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Quinoa and Vegetable Soup 

06/19 – Friday – Crab Cake Sandwiches with slaw and zesty sweet potato fries

06/20 – Saturday – 56 Father’s Day Dinner Recipes 

06/21 – Sunday – 35 Father’s Day Brunch Menu Ideas 

Sweet Treat to Try This Week…

100 Father’s Day Dessert Ideas Your Dad Will Love 

Outdoor Summer Inspiration We Spotted Online at Target and Amazon This Week…

**(Affiliate links have been provided for your convenience. Any sales made through such links will support us with a small commission at no extra cost for you. You can read our full disclosure policy here)

Outdoor Rocker Bistro Set  * Patio Umbrella  * Beverage Pitcher 

Area Rug  *  Tote  * Polka Dot Dress  * Fern Pillow  * Light Pink Napkins 

Good Vibes Tee  * King Size Hammock  * Bug Hotel  * 

Outdoor String Lights * Horseshoe Set  * Jumbo Jenga 

Bocce Ball Set *  Cornhole Set 

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

DIY Flower Market Sign 

Cottage Style Front Porch Tour

DIY Dutch Tulip Crate

How to Clean a Ceramic Glazed Birdbath 

Here’s a look at what we’ll be working on in the month of May as part of the 52 Weeks to a Simplified & Organized Home Challenge …

• 06/06 – Bills/Mail/Paper Clutter
• 06/13 – Computer Files/Passwords/Photographs
• 06/20 – Email Inbox
• 06/27 – Car

Dates to Remember…

• 06/20 – First Day of Summer
• 06/21 – Father’s Day
• 07/04 – Independece Day (US)
• 07/15 – Tax Day (US)

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