From the Front Porch

Happy Friday from the front porch sweet friends. We’re excited to have you here and spend time with you today!

I’ve probably looked at my calendar a million times this week thinking, is that the right date? Are we literally days away from August?

And every single time I’ve checked, it’s been a resounding yes, we are in fact, heading into August.

How did July treat you?

Well, I hope. 

I was on the front porch this morning drinking coffee and watching Piper play thinking how this month has truly been a blessing.

We made time to celebrate the 4^th, pick up a few goodies during Prime Days, and have brunch with my parents before seeing Mission Impossible. We had a spontaneous veggie burger and bookstore night that was so much fun, commemorated my late Granny’s birthday with chicken and dumplings (I gave S all my chicken pieces), and found so many fabulous treasures at Renninger’s for Loblolly while shopping with my Mom.

We held Piper close during the fireworks and near-daily thunderstorms, colored pictures when we lost power, read new books, and stayed up way too late eating bowls of popcorn while binging Sweet Magnolias.

We made time for naps and healthy eating plans and took care of things that had been on our to-do lists for far too long.

Just knowing those things had been taken care of freed up lots of mental space for creative pursuits and I’m currently working on something that I can’t wait to share.

We trialed new calendar systems, had old fashion phone dates with loved ones during our lunch break, joined blog hops, and welcomed new subscribers.

Truthfully, when I look back on our month there was nothing Instagrammable about it at all. There were no fancy meals or big trips or grand gestures.

It was simply being intentional day in and day out with our time that made the month feel extraordinary in a “my heart is full” kind of way.

While I don’t want to analyze it too much, it’s been so good, I want to find a way to recreate it so the rest of the year can feel just like this.

So, as we move forward into August, I want you to think about the specific things you did to make July a fabulous month.

And I want you to find a way to repeat those things next month too.

Sometimes, it’s the smallest tweak or mindset shift that makes the biggest difference.  

So, don’t be afraid to dive deep and spend some time really thinking it through.

You’re totally worth the effort.

Cheering you on as we celebrate a fresh month together.

A Few of Our Favorite Things From Around the Web This Week…

This Hilltop Estate from Studio McGee feels so warm and inviting. I can’t wait for their book to come out!

Design tips from, The Club House, one of my favorite Fixer-Upper properties of all time.

This Dreamy Manor House via My Scandinavian Homemakes me appreciate the simple pleasure of easy vases and outdoor spaces.

This Southampton Surf Retreat from Becca Interiors is so pretty and perfectly cozy too!  

Design Ideas for Stylish Loggias and Verandas via House and Garden UK and they’re all fabulous.

How much fun would it be to attend, Dinner En Blanc: An Inside Look at the Most Secretive Event in Paris (via My French Country Home Magazine where every page is positively dreamy)

Kitchen Items to Throw Away Right Now (via The Spruce)

Is This the Perfect Size Home? (via Southern Living)

Have you seen this collaboration between Wall Pops and Love Shack Fancy yet? It’s beautiful.

How to Stay Safe and Cool When a Heatwave Hits (via Self)

What’s the Best Time of Day to Walk? Experts Weigh In (via Well + Good)

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)

Any time something comes across my path at least 3 times in the same week, I’ve made it a habit to look and listen.

I was 75% sure I was going to read Atomic Habits by James Clear as the August book of the month because we could definitely use a habit refresh around here.

But the word “worthy” kept popping up literally everywhere.

So, I finally took note when someone recommended Worthy: Boost Your Self-Worth to Grow Your Net Worth by Nancy Levin. and I’m excited to dive in and see what this mindset shift is all about!

PS: I can’t remember if I shared this podcast episode, The Worthy Decision, with you or not but I think you’ll like it.

Menu Ideas…

August Menu Ideas

Back to School Inspired Finds 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)

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

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

Simple Summer Flower Arrangement Ideas

Peach-Inspired Summer Tablescape

(with 6 tablescapes to explore from the Everythings Peachy Blog Hop)

Baked Brie with Peaches and Walnuts

(with 6 Recipes to Explore from the Supper Club Series headed your way tomorrow)

7 Things to Prioritize Before Shcool Starts

Did you miss last week’s From the Front Porch post dedicated to Christmas in July? If so, you can find it here.

August Bucket List…

• Celebrate August Birthdays
• Back to School Cookout and Sleepover with the Littles
• Pick up Fresh Office Supplies
• Find Easy Breakfast Recipes
• Celebrate Living at Journeys End 14 years
• Design 2024 Planner and Blog Notebook
• Organize the Wrapping Station and Bathroom Drawers
• Check Hurricane Kits
• Try New IG Strategy 
• Read the Book of the Month
• Keep Sundays Sacred

August Words of the Month: Listen & Learn

Activities to Enjoy:

• Watch a New How-To or DIY Video
• Take a Class and Learn a New Skill
• Rediscover Your Favorite Childhood Hobby
• Host a Mini-Retreat
• Listen to a New Podcast or TED Talk
• Make Reservations for a Random Date Night

August Simplified and Organized Home Challenge…

Focus of the Month: Car, Garden, & Garage

• 08/06 – Medicine Cabinet & First Aid Supplies/Emergency Contact List
• 08/13 – Garage, Attic, or Basement
• 08/20 – Garden Supplies/Potting Shed
• 08/27 – Seasonal Decorative Items-Fall

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

• 07/31 – National Mutt Day
• 08/01 – Buy August Birthday and Special Occasion Gifts
• 08/01 – Planners Day
• 08/02 – National Night Out
• 08/04 – National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day
• 08/07 – National Sisters Day
• 08/07 – National Friendship Day
• 08/09 – National Book Lovers Day
• 08/10 – National Spoil Your Dog Day
• 08/12 – National Middle Child Day
• 08/13 – International Lefthanders Day
• 08/15 – Check the Chip Day
• 08/17 – National Thrift Store Day
• 08/19 – World Humanitarian Day
• 08/24 – National Waffle Day
• 08/25 – National Burger Day
• 08/25 – National Banana Split Day
• 08/26 – Women’s Equality Day
• 08/26 – National Dog Day
• 08/27 – Just Because Day 
• 08/28 – Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day
• 08/30 – National Beach Day
• 08/31 – Eat Outside 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