From the Front Porch
Happy Friday from the front porch! I can’t tell you how happy I am to have the One Room Challenge behind us. It was such a wild 8 weeks; I don’t even know where to begin.
Thank you again to everyone who reached out to support us. It really means the world!
My Mom and I have been thinking about all the different ways we can best support my aunt during her cancer treatments these past few weeks. I know a lot of people bring food and gift baskets, send cards, balloons, and flowers which are always appreciated.
I wanted to do something a little more personal though so I told my Mom we should give my aunt’s porch a bit of a makeover. She loves to be outside, and her farm is gorgeous!
Anyway, we popped into IKEA to stock up on a few things and they had the cutest displays. This was definitely one of my favorites!
A Few of Our Favorite Posts from Around the Web this Week…
This Nantucket Beach House Tour has so many pretty layers of blues, greys, and whites.
Speaking of which, Victoria Hagan’s Nantucket Home is just as dreamy!
Philip Mitchell Seaside Cottage
The beautiful portfolio of designer Andrew Howard.
Love, love, love the shade of green used throughout this NYC apartment.
Can you even with this gorgeous garden!
Keeping the Porch Wasps and Carpenter Bees Away (this is such an interesting idea! I’ve never heard of it, have you?)
How to Style a Zoom Background
If you’re in the neighborhood, how cute is Ralph Lauren’s Hot Dog Stand?
25 Soft Skills You Need to be Successful in Life
The Top 10 Fears That Hold People Back in Life According to a Psychotherapist
How to Take Care of Yourself First and Why It Matters
Words to Live By…
Listening to This Week…
As I’ve been painting again and feeling more motivated to make small changes around the house, I’ve had lots of extra time to listen to podcasts.
Truth be told, I thought Advice to Overcome Feelings of Unworthiness via the Goal Digger podcast might be too heavy but I’m thankful I listened to it all the way through.
Najwa Zebian had me completely rethinking the meaning of home and how we deal with the expectations of others. It’s a podcast I’m still thinking about over a week later!
June Book of the Month…
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To be perfectly honest, it’s going to be difficult to beat our June book of the month, Fear Is Not the Boss of You: How to Get Out of Your Own Head and Live The Life You Were Made For by Jennifer Allwood because it was a total game-changer for so many of us.
In an effort to keep the ball rolling, I’ll be reading an oldie but goodie, The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz and Nikki Boyd is also coming out with a new book Beautifully Organized at Work: Bring Order and Joy to Your Work Life So You Can Stay Calm, Relieve Stress, and Get More Done Each Day on July 6th that is available for pre-order now and it looks like a good one too.
On the Menu this Week…
Week of June 27 – July 4
06/27 Sunday – Creamy Bacon and Mushroom Pasta with a side salad
06/28 Monday – Grilled Salmon with Peach Salsa
06/29 Tuesday – Instapot Chicken Tacos
06/30 Wednesday – Farmers Market Salad
07/01 Thursday – Tuscan Bean Soup
07/02 Friday – 4th of July Charcuterie Board
07/03 Saturday – Low Country Boil
07/04 Sunday – Independence Day Celebration – 50+ 4th of July Recipes
Sweet Treat to Try this Week…
- Patriotic Fruit Pizza
- Firecracker Cupcakes
- Healthy Bomb Pops
- 45 4thof July Desserts for a Patriotic Extravaganza
A Few Fun Finds We Spotted Online at Amazon and Target This Week…
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**2 Pack Tees * Star Pillow * **Stomp Rockets * **Blue and White Dress
Washing Machine Cleaner * Party Fan Set * Doormat * **Purse
Dish Towel Set * Union Jack Bunting * **Striped Sweater * Silverware Tray
Drinkware and Tumbler Set * **Coverup * USA Bunting * **Cabana Towel
If You’ve Missed Anything from the Blog Recently or the Archives, Here’s a Peek At What We’ve Been Up To…
ORC Guest Bedroom Makeover Reveal
Tips and Tricks for Patriotic Tablescapes
How to Create a Festive USA Cake (with very little effort)
Simple Summer Movie Night Ideas
July Bucket List…
- Celebrate Independence Day
- Restart 30 Day Rest Challenge
- Continue Back to Basics Summer Season
- Surprise Porch Makeover for my Sweet Aunt
- ORC Celebration Brunch
- Make a New Peach Recipe
- Attend a Summer Yard Sale
- Christmas in July Activities
- Plan Fall and Winter Content
- Try New IG Strategy
- Photograph House Tour
- Read the Book of the Month
- Keep Sundays Sacred
July Simplified and Organize Home Challenge…
Focus of the Month: Kids Rooms or Guest Rooms & Bathrooms
- 06/26 – Organize Your Purse, Wallet & Update Your Phone Contacts
- 07/03 – Kids Room or Guest Room
- 07/10 – Kids Room or Guest Room Closet & Drawers
- 07/17 – Kids Room or Guest Room Bathroom & Cabinets
- 07/24 – Back to School Supplies/ Toys & Games
- 07/31 – Clean Out/Organize Your Car
TCG Housekeeping Notes, Dates to Remember and Upcoming Posts
- 07/01 – Buy Birthday and Special Occasion Cards and Gifts
- 07/01 – Canada Day
- 07/02 – Made in the USA Day
- 07/04 – Independence Day (US)
- 07/07 – World Chocolate Day
- 07/09 – National Sugar Cookie Day
- 07/12 – National Simplicity Day, National Pecan Day
- 07/14 – Bastille Day
- 07/18 – National Ice Cream Day
- 07/21 – National Hot Dog Day
- 07/23 – Summer Olympics Begin
- 07/31 – National Mutt Day
As always, we appreciate you more than you could ever know, 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
I got cancer in my late twenties. I was a healthy young English teacher that suddenly had head/neck cancer. I went through grueling chemo and radiation. Something that made me feel better were the “Crazy,Sexy, Cancer” books and DVD. As far as I know there are two books and one DVD. It is a group started by another woman whi got cancer who was also healthy, so she was pretty shocked by her sudden diagnosis. One of the books has several women’s stories who went through cancer. I found it very comforting feeling like I was in the company if other women who had gone through cancer. Also, there is a group I used called Inerman Angels. They set you up with a mentor, someone who has had the same cancer as you. That person will interact with you either through phone, facebook, whatever you choose. They have bern through it and can offer tons of advise and knowledge. If you want any more suggestions feel free to email me.
You have no idea how much these suggestions have helped, Julie, thank you so much! We were completely shocked when she was diagnosed with breast cancer because she is one of the healthiest people I know and also because we have no family history of breast cancer at all. While the diagnosis definitely threw us for a loop, we greatly appreciate you sharing your experience and passing along the things that have helped you along the way. It melts our hearts and means the world. Sending you lots of hugs and thank yous as you bravely share your story of healing and hope, CoCo