From the Front Porch: A Fresh Start
Hello front porch, sweet friends, and welcome to the Fresh Start edition of this weekly series.
We’re excited to start a new year with you, thanks so much for being here today.
How has your week been?
January has always been one of my favorite months of the entire year.
I used to think it was due to the fact we have lots of birthdays to celebrate this month.
Not to mention, I LOVE all things planning, decluttering, and organizing.
But over the years I’ve come to believe it goes much deeper than that.
It’s the palpable energy in the air.
An energy that’s filled with renewed hope, fresh promises, and the anticipation of what’s to come.
The first page of a new chapter waiting to be written by each and every one of us.
For some of you, that sounds super exciting.
For others, it sounds downright overwhelming.
The thing is, there’s nothing extraordinarily magical about the month of January.
I say this because I know firsthand how easy it is to get caught up in all the excitement of a new year yet feel like a “failure” come February when those big lofty dreams, goals, and intentions start feeling like an awful lot of work.
I want you to know it’s ok to start small.
It’s ok if you don’t have it all figured out yet.
Just start with today.
Set one goal that feels doable and take action.
Then start setting small achievable goals each week.
Pretty soon, you’ll have an entire month full of exciting wins and you’ll prove to yourself that you *can* do it, and this time really *is* different.
As always, I’m cheering you on!
A Few of Our Favorite Posts From Around the Web…
Beautiful Home and Garden Tours:
- This Marble Falls Home from designer Marie Flanagan is really pretty.
- A before and after makeover from My Scandinavian Home you have to see to believe. I mean, it’s drastic!
- A Victorian Terrace in London with the Layered Feel of a Country House (via House & Garden UK)
- I love all the layers of print and texture in this Bedford home from designer Heidi Caillier.
- How pretty are these winter garden ideas from Approaching Home?
Seasonal Inspiration:
- Have you seen this magnolia leaf wreath that Rachel of The Ponds Farmhouse made? It’s gorgeous!
- Anna from Sky Lark House shared how to make a cinnamon ornament and dried fruit garland and it feels like the perfect way to ease into winter.
- Speaking of which, Donna from An Organized Season shared Helpful Winter Decorating Tips Anyone Can Do
- Kate from A Hundred Affections shared 40 Winter Art Projects and Craft Ideas and they’re fantastic.
- I love that Nicolle from Our Tiny Nest gives herself a winter reading challenge. It feels like such a cozy way to spend an afternoon.
- Kim from Shiplap and Shells shared, 9 Ways to Prepare for Next Year’s Christmas Season, and it was super helpful I took notes!
Health and Wellness Inspiration:
- 24 Insanely Easy Micro Habits That Will Change Your Life (via The Everygirl)
- 12 Simple Ways to Detox Everyday (via Camille Styles)
- Walking Can Be a Beautiful Way to Self-Reflect – Here Are 21 Questions to Get You Started. (via Today)
- What Are You Looking Forward To? (via Cup of Jo-the comments section is full of simple pleasure ideas)
- I wrote so many things down in my journal from this Thistlewood Farms Words of Wisdom post that still ring true today.
Style, Makeup, Skincare, and Travel Inspiration:
- 10 Ways to Wear a Camel Coat (via Classy Yet Trendy)
- Everything You Need to Know for Glowing Skin After 40 (via Camille Styles)
- Inside The Ritz Paris (via Wit & Whimsy)
Encouraging Words…
If You’ve Missed Anything from the Blog Recently or the Archives, Here’s a Peek At What We’ve Been Up To…
The Best Self Discovery Books to Read This Year (Now organized by theme)
Our Favorite Home Organizing Essentials (So Many Tried and True Products to Explore)
How to Organize Your Refrigerator
52 Weeks to a Simplified and Organized Home Challenge (Updated for 2026 and not too late to start)
From the Front Porch: Goodbye 2025, Hello 2026
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)
- Lash Serum – recently started using this and my lashes feel more conditioned, be sure to talk to your doctor before trying it too though
- Athletic Shirt – have, love and walk in one nearly every day, 32 colors available depending on size
- Caboodle – a nostalgic and unexpected holiday gift, 25 colors depending on size
- The World Is Waiting for You – read at the end of last year and highlighted so many things
- Leisure Suit – S recently wore this and got so many compliments, 17 colors available depending on size
- Overnight Mask – part of my Sunday Self Care routine, it can be messy but it’s totally worth it
- Athletic Shorts – have, love and wear these nearly every day on my walks
- TheraFace Depuffing Wand – I use this 3-4 times a week in the mornings and love it, it has 2 settings
- Mirror – I would love to add this to my bathroom this year, 7 colors and sizes also available
- Sweatshirt – 17 colors available depending on size and budget friendly too
- Serum – I’m about halfway through the bottle and will definitely reorder more. It has a light scent and isn’t sticky.
- Athletic Socks – have and love, they hug your feet at all the right places
- Electrolyte Mix – have and love the sugar free variety pack
- Sneakers – have, love and are budget friendly, 7 colors available depending on size
- Jeans – I wear these budget friendly jeans often, just be careful if you get a dark color, I some dye transfer initially
- Toner Pads – have and love, they definitely changed my skin for the better and you get a lot for the price.
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
CoCo,
It’s been such a whirlwind week. I can’t wait to read all your posts! I know they are filled with so much inspiration. Thanks for sharing my wreath.
You are so welcome, Rachel! I hope your week has been filled with all your favorite things and that your New Year is off to a great start. Hugs, CoCo
When we lived in KY, I thought January was the worst month of the year because it was so long and cold! Now I enjoy January! The amazing weather helps! Thanks for your inspiring words! Here’s to the best year yet! Thank you for sharing my cozy winter sweater home decor ideas! I appreciate you so much! Hugs, Donna
You are so welcome, Donna! I love all your sweater ideas. They are super cute! I never understood how gloomy winter could be until we stayed an extra few weeks at the cabin one year and I swear the sun never came out. It was wild! We are definitely blessed to live here. Especially, today. There are blue skies everywhere and a little nip in the air. It’s perfect! Can’t wait to follow along on all the good things coming your way this year. Hugs, CoCo
Great post CoCo! Thanks for the reminders about the simplicity of small goals, and as always, for your gorgeous photos! I love your coffee in bed picture! 🤣 That’s me every day! Hope you have a wonderful week, my friend!
Oh, my word, Barbara, I feel like I can’t even talk or think without coffee first thing in the mornings 😆 I’ve been slowly settling back into our routines and savoring the flocked trees that are currently dotting the house still. Creating quiet moments and cozy spaces are two of my favorite things about winter. Sending you lots of hugs and thank yous for your sweet words, CoCo
Hi Coco, as always a choc filled post with so many tips and tricks and some of those homes….wow….I hope the year is filled with all things good, thats on my list anyways, all I can do is try. I have also bought myself a Sprocket to play with when journalling, its such a great little gizmo, it may turn up on my blog soon.:)) Hugs from me.xx
Oh my gosh that “Before and After” post from My Scandinavian Home is stunning. What a transformation. It makes me want to wallpaper multiple rooms in my home. The reminder for small goals is also appreciated. Sometimes we get so focused on achieving these large goals that we forget simply eating a salad for lunch is just as important. I heard a saying recently “You don’t have to boil the ocean” and I find myself repeating it to myself. Thanks for the tips, ideas and resources!
Happy New Year CoCo. I can’t wait to get caught up and read all your posts. Simplicity is the best word these days. Thank you so much for sharing my after-Christmas post my friend.
Oh Coco so much inspiration for this month and the new year! I am loving all of your menu ideas because I have a hard time coming up with a variety! Thank you for including my winter reading challenge! I appreciate it so much! Happy New Year my friend!
I always look forward to these posts. I love all of your organizing ideas. Amazing!
Coco
I love your introduction today. You are always so inspiring. Thank you for sharing my magnolia wreath. You are the best.
Hi CoCo! I hope you had the happiest of holidays! Here’s to a fabulous 2026! Thanks for sharing my easy winter decorating tips! Hugs to you!
Hi CoCo!! Happy New Year! Thank you for the sound advice on embracing January. Thank you for also sharing the cinnamon ornaments! I’m off to explore the links you shared.
I’m always inspired by the home decor articles and this time reading about the Ritz Paris. My husband and I stayed there many years ago and after its restoration it looks more beautiful than ever. Happy January!