From the Front Porch
Happy Friday from the front porch sweet friends, it’s great to have you here. Thanks so much for making us a part of your day!
Yesterday morning I was in the middle of making oatmeal and got all kinds of misty-eyed.
It wasn’t because I was having a bad day or upset about anything.
It was simply because this week has been so perfectly normal and unrushed that it makes me giddy just thinking about it.
We officially declared this week our Freedom Week in honor of the Independence Day holiday.
The week we gave ourselves the freedom to be spontaneous and without obligations. The week we popped popcorn just before midnight because we couldn’t wait to see what happened on the next episode of The Lincoln Lawyer. The week we balanced TCB (Taking Care of Business) Tasks like installing new blinds in the common areas, getting our cars serviced, hanging a mosquito zapper, cleaning out cluttered spaces, shopping for a new mattress, buying lantana for the front porch and dreaming about plans for the back patio with work and afternoon naps. The freedom to trial a new calendar and goal-setting system in the middle of the year because tracking our thoughts and stats in 3 different books no longer felt efficient. The week we intentionally ate the rainbow and snuggled Piper through fireworks and thunderstorms. We talked about mindset and the tools we needed to be successful and how to keep burnout at bay all while sitting on the porch in the early evening sipping lemonade as the scent of lavender filled the air and the last load of laundry finished drying.
There was nothing extraordinary about this week and yet it felt completely magical.
Mostly because we were intentional with our time and made the things we’ve been putting off for too long our priority.
But also, because we were simply willing to throw out what celebrating the holiday week was supposed to look like in order to give ourselves what we needed most.
As we continue to walk firmly in July, I want to encourage you to take the time to figure out what you need and how you can craft a life that feels authentic.
You don’t have to wait until school starts, or for January 1st, or when you lose the last 10 pounds or finally get a promotion.
You have the freedom right now to get started any time you’re ready.
So, stop settling for less than you know you deserve, and go do those things you’ve always wanted to do.
A beautiful life is just on the other side of the words, “I’m willing.”
As always, I believe in you and I’m cheering you on.
A Few of Our Favorite Things from Around the Web…
The Fox Group has such a gorgeous portfolio and Cottonwoods is one of my favorites.
There are so many beautiful things to love about this Shore Road home tour from SLC Interiors.
I love the soft color palette in this Charlotte home via Society Social.
Sea Roost looks like the perfect place to relax and unwind and it’s available to rent too!
This Gooch Lane project from Chauncy Boothby Interiors is a fabulous mix of traditional meets modern design ideas.
My talented friend Michele of Vintage Home Designs was recently featured on Farmhouse Living and her summer porch and home tour are both next-level amazing!
Has anyone tried the perfect French Girl lipstick Instyle recently shared yet?
How cute are these under $20 shorts?
This tote would be perfect for this season too!
This is a great video on manifesting if you’re curious.
This Marie Claie On Soft Ambition was interesting.
Flight Attendants Reveal the 10 Biggest Luggage Mistakes via Travel and Leisure.
Is this packing method from The Everygirl the key to actually fitting everything in your carry-on? I’m excited to find out!
I recently sent this post, 12 of the Best Products for Rosacea from The Cut to several friends and family members so I wanted to share it here too.
Your Neck Ages First, Here’s What to Do About It via Real Simple.
Loved this interview with Bobbi Brown
I can’t wait to try these 40+ Easy Picnic Food Ideas from a Beautiful Mess.
The Results Are In…
Thank you again to everyone who weighed in on the decision about which day(s) you prefer to receive our posts and emails – it was a huge help!
Wednesdays and Fridays, especially, Friday was far and away the most popular response.
While there may be times we email you on alternative days (for example on the days we participate in blog hops) we will do our best to keep Fridays a priority for you.
Several people asked if they could also suggest content topics and the answer is of course!
I know some of you are on vacation so if you haven’t weighed in but would like to, there’s still plenty of time.
Coming Up…
Target Circle Week runs July 9-15th, Walmart+ Week begins July 10th, the Amazon Prime Days event is July 11th and 12th, and the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is open to the public on July 17th.
Now is a great time to start thinking about any upcoming Christmas, birthday, anniversary, and special occasion gifts you need to purchase as well as stocking up on basics from clothing to school supplies.
There are so many good deals being offered at these sale events I try to go in with a solid game plan every year that way I don’t overspend or get caught up in the frenzy of all the shiny things.
It’s so hard to stay focused sometimes and having a strategy always helps!
Words to Live By…
On My Nightstand…
(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)
I’m currently reading Stop Self Sabotage: Six Steps to Unlock Your True Motivation, Harness Your Willpower and Get Out of Your Own Way and it’s been super helpful not only for the ways I personally self-sabotage but also to better recognize and understand why some of the people around me struggle with it as well.
As always, you can find a complete list of the self-discovery books we’ve read here, 64 of the best books to read this summer here, and a list of our favorite podcasts here.
Menu Ideas…
Summer Inspired Finds We Spotted Online at Amazon This Week…
(Amazon and Target 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)
Short Set * Striped Napkins * Earrings * Baking Book
Storage Baskets * Shirtdress * Notecards * Sunglasses
Portable Printer * Clutch * Dress * Planter
Topiary * Towel * Picnic Basket * White Dress
If You’ve Missed Anything from the Blog Recently or the Archives, Here’s a Peek At What We’ve Been Up To…
5 Simple Ways to Reset This Summer
Coastal Inspired Summer Tablescape
DIY Gold Frame Quarterly Calendar
July Bucket List…
- Celebrate Independence Day
- Finish Bedrooms at Loblolly
- Prepare the Porch for Summer
- Take Piper to the Beach
- Attend a Summer Yard Sale
- Christmas in July Activities
- Begin Summer Routines
- Begin Quarter 3 Challenge
- Read the Book of the Month
- Start Quarter 3 Devotional
- Keep Sundays Sacred
July Simplified and Organize Home Challenge…
Focus of the Month: Kids Rooms or Guest Rooms & Bathrooms
- 07/02 – Kids Room or Guest Room
- 07/09 – Kids Room or Guest Room Closet & Drawers
- 07/16 – Kids Room or Guest Room Bathroom & Cabinets
- 07/23 – Back to School Supplies/ Toys & Games
- 07/30 – Clean Out/Organize Your Car
TCG Housekeeping Notes, Dates to Remember, and Upcoming Posts…
- 07/09 Target Circle Week Begins
- 07/10 Walmart+ Week Begins
- 07/11 & 12 Amazon Prime Days Event
- 07/12 National Simplicity Day
- 07/14 Bastille Day
- 07/16 National Ice Cream Day
- 07/17 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Event
- 07/27 Everything’s Peachy Tablescape Blog Hop
- 07/29 Everythings Peachy Recipe Blog Hop
- 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!
Many blessings,
CoCo
Happy Friday, friend!
Amazing words today!! Hope you have the best weekend ahead!!
I really appreciate it, Rachel, thank you so much! I hope you’re weekend is amazing as well. Big hugs, CoCo
Sounds like you had a restful and relaxing holiday! Can’t wait to check out all of your links (especially Michele’s home tour!) That’s such a sweet picture of Piper! This is the first year our dog has been anxious about the fireworks, she’s not liking them in her old age! Have a wonderful week!
The fireworks are so much harder on them than I ever realized, Donna. We were surrounded by fireworks on 3 sides of our property for about 4 days so it was A LOT. As you know, she’s had her moments but she’s getting better each day and we love her to pieces. I know you feel that way about yours too. Hope you have the best week! Hugs, CoCo PS: You’ll adore Michele’s home. I swear everything does is magic!
Such an adorable picture of your puppy!
Thank you so much, Tami! She’s a total wild lady but we adore her to pieces. She’s definitely a keeper! Hope your day has been a fun one, CoCo
Hello Coco, I’ve been around, but haven’t commented for some time. I wanted to thank you for always providing such inspiring content–even if I don’t always make time (I really should), to comment. I loved this post and was so happy to hear that you took time to relax, regroup, reset. What a perfect time of the year to do it with fall and the holiday season here before we know it. Our weather in WI has been unseasonably cool here with 70’s daytime and 50’s overnight. It so feels like early fall here and I am actually yearning for it this year.. I loved seeing the photos of Piper. Have a lovely rest of July. {{hugs}}
Kim
So glad to hear things are going well, Kim! Temps in the 70s and 50s sounds like a dream. It’s been hot, humid and rainy here for the past month but that’s summer in Florida, right? I love that the weather in your neck of the woods has you all kinds of excited for the fall season. It’s always good to have something to look forward to! Thank you for your sweet words about Piper. As you know, she gave us a fit when we first rescued her but she’s learning to trust us everyday and that feels like big progress. Sending you hugs and hoping your furry family members are all healthy and happy too, CoCo
Piper looks so content, really cute photos.
Thank you, Karen! She’s made such great progress this year. She’s our 3rd jack russell rescue and a total wild lady but she definitely brings joy to our lives each day. Hope you’re day has been everything you needed it to be. Hugs, CoCo
A great post! It’s so important to have those weeks where we aren’t scheduled to do something every 5 minutes. You know? Sometimes we forget that doing nothing – is more important than doing something. Those are the cutest photo of Piper. She looks like she is mellowing out and is so happy. As always, thanks for the recipe ideas and for sharing the links. Michele’s home is always gorgeous!