From the Front Porch

Happy Friday from the front porch, sweet friends, and welcome to 2023. We hope your holiday season was everything you needed it to be and more.

We’re excited to start a fresh new season with you, thanks so much for being here today!

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 to celebrate this month and because 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 is 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 though.

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.

I believe in you and I’m cheering you on!

A Few of Our Favorite Posts From Around the Web…

A Victorian Terrace in London with the Layered Feel of a Country House

I love all the layers of print and texture in this Bedford home.

This Marble Falls Home from designer Marie Flanagan is really pretty.

A before and after makeover you have to see to believe. I mean, it’s drastic!

Have you seen this magnolia leaf wreath that Rachel of The Ponds Farmhouse made yet? It’s gorgeous!

French Garden Design is such a beautiful art!

Inside The Ritz Paris

The Best Places to Go In 2023

What Are You Looking Forward To?

I wrote so many things down in my journal from this Thistlewood Farms Words of Wisdom for 2023 post.

Nicolle from Our Tiny Nest shared a winter reading challenge that looks like so much fun!

Donna from An Organized Season shared 3 super cute cozy sweater diy’s this week and they’re all totally doable.

Kim from Shiplap and Shells shared this post, 9 Ways to Prepare for Next Year’s Christmas Season, and it was super helpful!

10 Ways to Wear a Camel Coat

17 Insanely Easy Habits That Will Change Your Life

12 Simple Ways to Detox Everyday

Everything You Need to Know for Glowing Skin After 40

Walking Can Be a Beautiful Way to Self-Reflect – Here Are 21 Questions to Get You Started?

Easy Ways to Organize Your Digital Life

Coming Up…

Have you signed up for the Guaranteed Goals Challenge with Jon Acuff yet? It’s FREE!

Words to Live By…

On My Nightstand This Month…

(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)

Manifest: 7 Steps to Living Your Best Life by Roxie Nafousi

On the Menu This Month…

January Menu Ideas

The Gadgets to Help Make Life Easier We Spotted Online at Amazon This Week…

(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)

Simple Gadgets to Help Make Life Easier on Amazon-The Crowned Goat

Portable Handheld Vac * Screen Cleaner * Dusting Gloves * Portable Steamer

Mesh Laundry Bags * Chom Chom * Watermark Remover * Colander Baskets

Ornament Organizer * Drawer Organizers * Bathroom Scrubber * Folex

The Clean Ball * Wrapping Paper Organizer * Handheld Fan * Desk Cleaner Kit

*Also to note but not featured in the grid, there are a lot of things from the Amazon Essentials line on sale this week (01/06).

I have this sweater in 2 different colors (beige and black-size medium) and love them. This button-down is great if you need to add some basics to your wardrobe (I wear a large). And I also wear this pullover (size large) all the time!

If You’ve Missed Anything from the Blog Recently or the Archives, Here’s a Peek At What We’ve Been Up To…

52 Weeks to a Simplified and Organized Home Challenge (Updated for 2023)

52 Weeks to a Simplified and Organized Home Challenge - The Crowned Goat

Our Favorite Home Organizing Essentials (More Than 40 Different Products to Explore)

Our Favorite Home Organzing Essentials-The Crowned Goat

Tips and Tricks for Creating a Word of the Month List (I’m so excited to try this new approach)

Tiros and Tricks for Choosing a Word of the Month-The Crowned Goat

Creating a Simple Morning Routine in 4 Easy Steps

How to Create a Simple Morning Routine in 4 Easy Steps-The Crowned Goat

January Bucket List…

  • Do All Our Favorite Things on New Year’s Day
  • Host Double Birthday Party with Mom
  • Continue 6-Minute Journal
  • Continue Skincare Routine
  • Eat Greens with Every Meal
  • Drink Water Before Coffee
  • Create a Cozy Winter Home
  • Continue Morning Devotional
  • Reestablish Morning & Nightly Routines
  • Transition to Afternoon Workout Routine
  • Plan Valentine’s Day Activities
  • Read the Book of the Month
  • Keep Sundays Sacred

Word of the Month…

  • Simplify

Goal for the Month…

  • Create Simple Systems That Work

January Simplified and Organized Home Challenge…

Focus of the Month: Your Health-Wellness Routines & Home-Keeping Systems

  • 01/01 Morning Routine & Workout Routine
  • 01/08 Nightly Routine with 15 Minute Clutter Catcher
  • 01/15 Cleaning Schedule
  • 01/22 Meal Planning & Grocery Shopping
  • 02/29 Organize Pantry

TCG Housekeeping Notes, Dates to Remember, and Upcoming Posts…

  • 01/08 National Bubble Bath Day
  • 01/14 Buy Valentines Cards, Gifts & Countdown Calendar Supplies
  • 01/16 National Use Your Gift Card Day
  • 01/17 Cozy Winter Decor Blog Hop
  • 01/16 Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • 01/23 National Pie Day
  • 01/24 National Compliment Day
  • 01/25 National Plan for Vacation Day
  • 01/26 National Green Juice Day
  • 01/27 National Chocolate Cake Day
  • 01/31 National Hot Chocolate 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

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10 Comments

  1. 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.

    1. 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

  2. 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

    1. 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

  3. 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!

    1. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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!

  6. 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.

  7. 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!

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