From the Front Porch: Embracing August
Hello from the front porch sweet friends and welcome to the Embracing August edition of this weekly series.
I hope the first week has been good to you.
I read the other day, “August is like the Sunday of summer,” and it’s so true!
I simultaneously feel like I need to tackle all the projects on my to-do list like refreshing the Crowned Goat Cottage while savoring the last days of summer all at the same time.
While this time of year is usually dedicated to students and teachers returning to the classroom, you don’t have to be going back to school to create an annual reset ritual or to channel the energy and excitement of a fresh start.
Here are a few ways you can use this month to transition into a new season…
- Have an end of Summer or Back to School celebration.
- Pick up fresh supplies for your home office or capsule wardrobe.
- Deep clean your house and declutter your most commonly used spaces.
- Clean out your closet, shoes and accessories.
- Treat your morning routine, daily power hour or evening routine like homeroom. It will help ease you in and out of the day.
- Craft a schedule that works with your energy.
- Prioritize sleep.
- Buy a new journal, calendar or planner.
- Find a workout routine and workour gear you love.
- Schedule your doctors appointments, wellness exams, and beauty treatments.
- Have a money date and spend time getting your finances in order.
- Take an online class, dive into a new hobby, take a power nap or schedule a daily recess so you can spend time playing.
- Invite someone new to lunch.
- Transition your home from summer to fall.
- Shop for fall decor items.
- Plan fall retreats, trips and holiday vacations.
- Set goals for the rest of the year and create a plan of action.
As always, I’ll be cheering you on.
A Few of Our Favorite Posts from Around the Web this Week…
Beautiful Home and Garden Tours:
- Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles shared this stunning home on Alabama’s Lake Martin and it’s beautiful inside and out.
- Speaking of beautiful, Bria Hammel Interiors does it again with this gorgeous home tour, St. Croix Coastal Reveal, and it’s a showstopper.
- Wait until you see all the layers of wood and stone in this elegant home by Kate Marker Interiors.
- If you dream of gardens with pea gravel, you’ll love this post via The Fat Hydrangea.
- Bookmarking this post, The 16 Best Hydrangeas Based on Your Climate and Garden from Town & Country for next year.
Seasonal Inspiration and Design Ideas:
- How cute is this back to school party from Jenny’s Cookies?
- Dying over the cake made from pencils and filled with rubber bands featured in Laura’s post Back to School Tablescapes.
- Cindy of Reinvented Delaware has such a knack for ucycling furniture and this vintage school cart is no exception.
- I used to do this craft with my Granny so it made me teary in the best possible way to see Kim of Cottage in the Mitten doing it with her grands as well.
- Anna from Sky Lark House is my go to information on collectibles so it was fun to learn more about these throwback pieces.
- Rachel of The Ponds Farmhouse makes the most amazing projects with old book pages and this garland is one of my favorites.
- Donna from An Organized Season has such a great list of Back to School Organization Tips.
- This podcast, The Best Ideas to End the Summer, from Kendra Adachi was filled with fabulous ideas. Loved this post via Cup of Jo about creating family rituals too.
Health and Wellness Inspiration:
- Princess Diana Ate This For Breakfast Every Morning (I can’t wait to try this recipe from her former chef via Yahoo Creators)
- 50+ Healthy Breakfast Recipes (via A Beautiful Mess)
- This post, How I Finally Healed My Gut Health via The Everygirl was relatable and the tips were totally doable.
- 20 Short Rules for Better Days at Work (via Bree Groff Substack)
- 6 Things Organized People Do Every Weekend for a Smoother Week Ahead (via Real Simple)
- 99 Effective Ways to Say No (via Andrea Dekker)
A Gentle Reminder:
- Starting my mornings with this faith based song The Blessing with Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes Live From Elevation Worship.
- This video, How to Reinvent Yourself When Everyone Doubts You, from Amy Landino was filled with fabulous little nuggets.
Style and Travel Inspiration:
- 9 Casual Travel Outfits for Women Over 50 (via My Chic Obsession for that effortlessly chic look)
- 11 Makeup Tips for Women Over 40 (via Byrdie-I had no idea about some of these)
- This property looks like the perfect place for an end of summer retreat.
If You’ve Missed Anything from the Archives or the Blog, Here’s a Peek at What We’ve Been Up To…
How to Jazz Up Store Bought Salad Kits
The Label Maker That’s Keeping Us Organized
How to Make Book Pages Look Aged
5 Key Spaces to Organize Before School Starts
From the Front Porch: Back to School Edition
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)
- Cardigan (12 colors to choose from depending on your size)
- Watch (budget friendly and also comes in a silver and gold tone)
- Vest (10 colors to choose from depending on your size)
- Bucket Bag (3 colors to choose from)
- Sneakers (5 colors to choose from depending on your size)
- Striped Cardigan (8 colors to choose from)
- Earrings (a classic style that will take you from day to night)
- Jeans (17 colors to choose from depending on your size)
- Scarf (40 colors and designs to choose from, would be so pretty framed too)
- Loafers (17 colors to choose from depending on your size)
- Tee (30 colors to choose from depending on your size)
- Bracelet (8 styles to choose from)
- Weekender (3 colors to choose from)
- Shirt Dress (22 colors to choose from depending on your size and can be worn as a dress or tunic)
- Rain Boots (10 colors to choose from depending on your size)
- Lightweight Rain Jacket (6 colors to choose from depending on your size) and Rain Jacket (9 colors available depending on your size) (currently trying to decide between these two, consider sizing down unless you plan to layer)
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
First, I quickly clicked over to the Elevation Worship and listened to “The Blessing” and I’m not going to lie, it made me tear up but with joyous tears! What a true blessing to find this amazing outlet for worship! My new morning ritual has always excluded my phone or headphones, but I may have to change that now. Listening to these beautiful voices and words will definitely improve my mornings! Thank you! I’ve bookmarked several of the links you shared this week, including that Detox Salad and How I finally healed my gut article! I need both of these! Have a great weekend!
I felt the same way, Christine! I swear there’s nothing like that song to get you going in the mornings or to help you change a “moody moment” in the afternoon 🙂 It’s helped me stay focused on what’s really important so much. I hope the gut health post helps as well. I’ve been working to heal mine too and while it hasn’t always been easy, I can already tell a difference. Sending you hugs for a happy week, CoCo
Haha.. I love the name shoffice – that should definitely be a word! I am so glad that things are starting to happen on that front for you. And I am loving your menu yet again (and the fact that you plan it out ahead like that – you are so organised, CoCo)! PS: We’re getting out downstairs floor re-tiled and I am so excited – I am starting to understand your passion for the next project! I am already starting to plan to re-do the downstairs bathroom etc etc. Oh my goodness, this is going to be fun!
Hi CoCo- I can’t wait to listen to the podcast you suggested about the end of summer. Thank you for sharing my post on Collecting Thermoses! They are still one of my favorite things to look for when I am out thrifting. Where ever you are- I hope the end of summer is everything you need it to be!
I’m so ready for soup season after reading your post, Anna. I’m definitely going to be on the lookout for one at our next outdoor antique event. They’re the perfect way to welcome Fall. Kendra’s podcast on celebrating the end of summer is such a good one. Plus, I love how you can translate some of those same ideas for other seasons and events too. Big hugs, CoCo
There are so many great things in this post (as usual)! Thanks for always sharing so many wonderful ideas!
You are so welcome, Susan, I’m glad you enjoyed it! Sending you hugs, CoCo
Where has the summer gone? Can’t believe it’s back-to-school time already! Thanks for sharing my organization tips, I appreciate it so much! I’m excited to dive into all the links you’ve shared! Have a wonderful week!