From the Front Porch: Back to School Edition
Hello from the front porch sweet friends.
Welcome to August and the Back to School Edition of this weekly series!
How has your week been?
Have you started back to school shopping and prepping yet?
Recently, I was on my morning walk listening to one of my favorite authors and podcasters, Kendra Adachi.
If you’re not familiar with Kendra’s work she wrote, The Lazy Genius Way, The Lazy Genius Kitchen and The PLAN.
Her podcast, The Lazy Genius, brings big sister energy to nearly every episode, which is one of the many reasons she’s so beloved.
Well, in this particular installment, she was talking about how important it is to know how to plan, and yet equally as important to know how to pivot.
I know this time of year there’s a big emphasis on meal prepping, having unique lunchbox ideas, uniforms and backpacks at the ready.
There’s an emphasis on mitigating morning drama by leaving socks and shoes in a basket by the front door, to have a kitchen drawer dedicated to corralling school forms and paperwork, an organized pouch of hair ties and brushes in the car, simple snack ideas, a first aid kit on hand and reminders from Alexa throughout the day.
But I realized listening to Kendra’s podcast that learning how to pivot the minute you see the need takes courage.
Especially, as we enter a season of change.
A season where kindergarten meltdowns, carpools and teenage angst hold court alongside new jobs, new schools, and new routines.
So, do what you can now to make the back to school rite of passage an easy one.
Because some of the most important lessons we will ever learn come from the grace that results in the need to pivot…the missed alarms, the mismatched socks, moments in the car while stuck in traffic, the wrong turns, the u-turns, the lost books and papers, the forgotten lunchboxes, the burnt meals, the challenges of interruptions and the unexpected days spent nursing loved ones back to health.
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:
- Wait until you see the views from this house via House and Garden UK. I bet is smells amazing.
- This European Farmhouse via AE Interiors in Spicewood, Texas is filled with tons of charm.
- I’m constantly inspired by Miss Mustard Seeds photography skills and The Retreat is one of my all time favorite projects.
- Beacon Hill Books and Cafe looks like such a magical place.
- This potting shed via Chatelaine is perfection.
Seasonal Inspiration:
- Cindy from Reinvented Delaware recently restored this side by side secretary and it’s gorgeous!
- Rachel created the prettiest summer inspired tablescape that can easily help you usher in the back to school season.
- Nicolle of Our Tiny Nest made the cutest Back to School Basket and it’s such a fabulous idea for teachers and students of any age.
- Wait until you see this adorable snack idea from Life by Leanna.
- These are AI generated but what a cool idea from Janine of Happy Happy Nester.
- Speaking of cool, this proposal is super creative.
Health and Wellness Inspiration:
- 6 Simple Yoga Stretches to Melt Tension Away (via Real Simple)
- 20 Protein Packed Recipes You Can Meal Prep (via The Everygirl)
- Why Rituals Not Habits Make You More Productive (via Fast Company)
Style, Makeup, and Travel Inspiration:
- French Style Fashion Inspiration Ideas (and they’re all totally doable via Maison de Cinq)
- 5 Causes of Under Eye Dark Circles + a Quick Concealer Hack (via Stephanie Marie)
- This looks like such a cozy place to stay.
Words to Live By…
If You’ve Missed Anything from the Blog Recently or the Archives, Here’s a Peek At What We’ve Been Up To…
Save Time with Smoothie Prep Packets
Quick and Easy Family Command Center
7 Things to Prioritize Before School Starts
A Simple Office Space for the Bedroom
Chalkboard Decorating Ideas (A Lifestyle of Love Blog Hop)
Organizing an Intentional and Purpose Filled August
Shopping Notes: Back to School Finds
**(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)
Erasable Pens * Spiral Notebook with Tabs * Multipack Filler Paper * Hand Sanitizer * Self Care Planner
Thermos * Sharpies * Meeting Notebook * Pink Filler Paper * Purse Organizer
Magnetic Dry Erase Board * Lunch Notes * Felt Tip Pens * Multipack Spiral Notebooks * Post-It Notes Pack
Binder Divider Set * Habit Tracker * Washable Snack Bags * Erasable ColorSticks * Reusable Notebook
Legal Pads * Binder Multipack * Day of the Week Folders * Meal Prep Containers * Dry Erase Markers
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
You had a great week. I would love seeing your potting shed. I know you will make it a dream.
Have a great weekend
Thank you, Cindy! It needs A TON of work so we’ll see how it goes. We probably won’t be able to start on it until after hurricane season. Until then, it’s going to be lots of fun to search for inspiration. Hope you have the best weekend, CoCo
Always love this post each week. Looking forward to making some lists and getting things tackled. Good luck on the potting shed. If anyone can do it, it’s you and S (and maybe your dad). 😉 Enjoy your weekend and planning your moms epic party! How exciting. Big hugs!
That’s so sweet of you to say, Cindy, thank you! I’m about 90% sure my office was hit by lightning a few weeks ago so we’re definitely going to have to get my Dad’s help on a lot more than the potting shed. He will be thrilled 😂 Hope you get lots of stuff crossed off your lists and tackling projects you’re excited about. I can’t believe summer is coming to an end. It’s totally bananas! Hugs, CoCo
I haven’t been to Joann’s in SO long! Will definitely have to stop in one of these days! Loving all the fall colors! So excited to see what you do with your potting shed! The planning is always the best part! I’m off to check out all the inspiration you collected! Happy weekend!
Thank you so much, Christine! It’s been fun to pop into the stores lately to see all the Fall goodies that are going to be available soon. I’m trying to keep it simple but all the pretty colors make it hard 😉 Keep you posted on the potting shed. It’s a long way away but like you said, the planning part is the fun part! Hope you have the best week, CoCo
I wish you all the best with your potting shed makeover! I can’t wait to see what you guys come up with. You always do such an amazing job.
We’ve been having power issues lately, too. And the internet service at our new home is horrible. I’m ready to move back! Lol
I hope you have a wonderful weekend! 🤗
Thanks so much! It’s been crazy trying to work without consistent internet and power, Michelle! They’re restringing all the power and cable lines on the island to new poles so I’m sure it will take a few more weeks. Hopefully, they’ll get it all finished before hurricane season really kicks in 🤞 Hope your power and internet issues get resolved soon as well. I know it’s frustrating! Hope your weekend was a fun one and your week is filled with lots of unexpected blessings, CoCo
CoCo,
I have to tell you that this post has my head spinning from all the things that you packed into it!! I loved it…I love your since of organization too!! I am a maker of lists and I have gotten a bit away from that. I guess enjoying my retirement!! But I need to get myself a bit on track!!Thanks so much for stopping by!! And thanks for your sweet comment!! Hope you are having a great weekend!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Thank you bunches, Debbie! It’s always fun to see what other creatives are up and to find inspiration as well. So excited to hear you are also a list maker! I would definitely be lost without them 😉 Hope you are fully enjoying your retirement and all the lazy days of summer, CoCo
What a great post with a great list of school supplies! I love the pink notebook paper!!!😊
I’m really glad Piper is okay! That had to be so scary!
Have a blessed week!
Oh my word, Susan, I don’t even know what to say about what a wild lady Piper is sometimes. As you know terriers are hunters so I can’t fault her but gosh I would she would leave the bad stuff alone. The colored paper is great, especially if you have a binder because you can see it immediately. I keep my “Notes for Next Year” on them. That way, I don’t have to go through a whole years worth of stuff to find my notes! Sending you hugs and hope you have the best day, CoCo
Oh my, I was so worried about Piper CoCo. Our furry kiddos sure can give our hearts a restart quickly. We have a toad that hangs out in our backyard, Bentley has licked him and then shook his head as if to say, yuck! I am glad she will be making a full recovery, and you are getting back on track. I admire your lists, I just cannot seem to conform… that darn rebel in me says nope. I need to get on board for the next phase of life though.
Poor little Piper, I’m really happy to know that she is expected to make a full recovery. Those awful frogs are terrible. That salmon dish with the salsa sounds really good.
Oh, CoCo! I am so glad to hear that Piper is going to be ok. That is so scary. I had a black lab that got into a neighbor’s yard and was poisoned. It was so scary to see them under such stress. Mandy also had a happy ending. Sending my love to both of you.