From the Front Porch
Happy Friday, from the front porch you guys. I hope your week has been fantastic!
This week has been a whirlwind in a “my heart is so full it’s totally ok I can’t remember what day it is” kind of way.
I was driving home from my parent’s house, Bliss Barracks, earlier this week with wood stacked so high my entire car smelled like Lowes feeling completely blessed.
Even after all these years, I still can’t believe I get to do this as a job and I’m beyond thankful for each of you daily.
I know the pandemic has hit the country hard in so many ways.
The fact you continue to support this small business by reading our posts, sending encouraging messages, leaving thoughtful comments, and supporting our affiliate links means the world.
Your support makes the impossible feel possible and I appreciate you so much.
I took a bunch of pictures while at Bliss Barracks so I’ll share them as soon as I go through them all!
A Few of Our Favorite Posts from Around the Web this Week…
This sweet and thoughtful gesture a 7 year old sent the Queen, made me melt.
The gorgeous portfolio filled with coastal charm.
This blue and white guest bathroom makeover is such a drastic and beautiful change from where it started.
The New York country home that traded trends for timeless style.
The Thrill of the Vintage Hunt
Porch Inspiration and Décor Ideas
There are lots of beautiful and doable flower container ideas in this post.
This Swedish Country House would be so cute at our family’s pecan grove.
Cut Flower Garden Ideas for Beginners
Super excited to try this technique once we finally get some raised garden beds.
The Storybook Charm of Patrick Ahearn Architect .
How pretty would this be for tea?
Target Created an Online Badge to Identify Black-Owned Brands on Its Site which makes it even easier to support black-owned businesses now!
6 Ways to Style a T-Shirt Dress
Completely obsessed with this beautiful equestrian inspired clutch
A Rundown of Makeup Brushes and Which Ones to Use for What
How to Stop Being Passive and Start Getting What You Want
Shed Update…
This week I had to take off my rose colored glasses when it comes to being able to turn the outdoor shed into an office.
I was SO excited to start putting up the walls this week but we had a set back last week that caused a major delay.
I won’t go into it all but we found out the shed was not sealed as well as we had originally thought.
The good news is we found out early on and before hurricane season really got underway.
It could have ruined everything from the walls to the contents of the shed had we proceeded as planned.
The bad new is not only did it cause a delay, it was also an expensive fix and one I had not budgeted for at all.
I’m really going to have to get creative with the furniture and the finishes from this point forward.
Anyway, it’s sealed now, the electrical and insulation have been installed and my parents cut the boards for the shiplap.
Hopefully, the ceiling and dry wall will be delivered soon too.
Quote of the Week and Free Printable…
Self-Discovery Journey: 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)
This month, we’re tackling The Art of Showing Up: How to be There for Yourself and Your People by Rachel Wilkerson Miller and while I definitely could have done without the salty language, I’ve learned so many helpful tips and tricks.
We’re gearing up for Love Does by Bob Goff in August in you’re reading along too.
If you’ve missed any of our other books, you can find them here:
June – Get Out Of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts by Jennie Allen
We also added, Be The Bridge: Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation by Latasha Morrison in June.
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
On the Menu this Week…
Week of July 26 – August 2
07/25 – Saturday – One Pan Lemon Garlic Baked Salmon and Asparagus
07/26 – Sunday – Pasta Alla Norma
07/27 – Monday – Grilled Thai Coconut Chicken Skewers with Ramen Noodle Salad
07/28 – Tuesday – Ultimate Vegan Burrito Bowl
07/29 – Wednesday – Herb Caprese Salad
07/30 – Thursday – Crab Bisque
07/31 – Friday – Easy Spice Italian Grilled Flatbread Pizza
08/01 – Saturday – Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas
08/02 – Sunday – Spinach Lasagna Rollups
Sweet Treat to Try This Week…
Blue and White 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)
Toile Inspired Blouse * Eyeglass Chain * Media Cabinet *
Navy T-Shirt Dress * Fabric Storage Basket * Sandals *
Royal Style Book * Planters * Fox Brass Letter Opener * Marble Tray *
French Blue Striped Button Down * Desk Calendar * Striped Tee *
Navy Placemats * Hair Protector * Hair Clip Set *
If You’ve Missed Anything from the Archives or the Blog, Here’s a Peek at What We’ve Been Up To…
7 Things to Prioritize Before School Starts
Simple Ways to Prepare Now for the Holidays
52 Weeks to a Simplified & Organized Home Challenge …
Here’s a look at what we’ll be working on in the month of July as part of the 52 Weeks to a Simplified & Organized Home Challenge …
- 07/04 – Organize Your Purse and Wallet & Update Your Phone Contacts
- 07/11 – Garden Supplies/Potting Shed
- 07/18 – Garage, Attic or Basement
- 07/25 – Kids Room or Guest Room
Upcoming Blog Posts and Dates to Remember…
- 07/30 – Paperback Book Day
- 08/01 – Order Gifts and Cards for August Birthdays and Anniversaries
- 08/01 – Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs
- 08/01 – National Girlfriends Day
- 08/02 – National Sisters Day
- 08/02 – National Friendship Day
- 08/04 – National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day
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
Oh my, CoCo! That article about the Queen and the little boy! (Tears!) I just love that dear woman so much! I’m fascinated too about the article on soil and raised beds. I wish I had seen that before we built ours this past spring! Oh well, hopefully I can incorporate her ideas at our new home! I’m off to check out more of your links, especially the target finds! Happy Friday! Have a blessed weekend!
Wasn’t that so sweet of that little boy, Christine? I swear kids just say and do the cutest things sometimes and good for him for being so fearless too! I’ve never tried that technique with the raised beds either but I’m hoping once we get the shed and back yard area finished we can try them too. Hope you like all the links – Target gets me all the time 🙂 Hugs for a happy weekend, CoCo
We are blessed aren’t we?! To have decorating as a job is the best life and doesn’t feel like a job at all. I love it too! As I was perusing today I looked at the New York Country home and as soon as I scrolled through their photos I noticed Mario and Serkan have the exact same vintage basket in their entry. Mine is in brittle bad shape and I laughed (partly from jealousy) when I saw they had shoes in it. Nicely stacked ROWS of moccasins! Even if I used it for shoes, they wouldn’t be in neat little rows. And it made my day seeing I’m not the only crazy one with a blue kitchen, albeit theirs is much more sophisticated. #goals. And I even learned something today. I love Scandinavian Swedish style – who knew?! Y’all have a great weekend!
That is so cool, Cindy! I never see things I have in cool photoshoots that like. You could totally be in the FBI because that is so perceptive 🙂 I know a lot of people are heading to their lake houses to enjoy summer and it always sounds super glamorous. Talk about #goals 🙂 I love Scandinavian and Swedish style too. It always looks so comfortable and relaxing which we all need right now. Sending you hugs for a happy weekend, CoCo