From the Front Porch: Cozy Spring Cottage Edition
Hello from the front porch, sweet friends, and welcome to the cozy spring cottage edition!
If you had followed me around this week, you would have noticed one word kept repeatedly popping up.
And that one word is opportunity.
As in the opportunity to…
…continue honoring my 40-day sugar fast for Lent.
…finalize a project 6 years in the making.
…simplify, declutter, and organize.
…find special goodies for Easter baskets.
…plan the garden boxes on the back patio.
…finish the bathroom refresh.
…catch the sunrise on morning walks.
…take a trip to the flower and farmer’s market.
While some of these things might seem like items on a to-do list, when you look at them through the lens of opportunity, it somehow makes the ordinary feel like an invitation to create something extraordinary.
And that’s because everything on the list has been placed there with intention.
So, as we prepare to transition from one season to the next, I encourage you to pay attention to the opportunities that have been placed on your path lately.
Are you taking full advantage of them?
Or are you talking yourself out of them because you’ve convinced yourself you don’t have time, don’t feel worthy enough, don’t feel motivated, or wonder, why bother?
Opportunities big and small are precious gifts, but it’s up to us to accept, unwrap, and enjoy them.
And one day, when you’re ready, you’ll be able to pass that same gift along to help someone else.
As always, I’ll be cheering you on.
A Few of Our Favorite Things from Around the Web This Week…
Beautiful Home and Garden Tours:
- There is no way to pick a favorite from Ashley Hanley’s beautiful portfolio
- Le Mas D’Anez is such a dreamy estate.
- Love all the cozy layers of texture in Larkspur by designer Caitlin Fleming.
- This project by Kara Miller will have you ready to take a vacation.
- Sandra Sigman Celebrates Tulips (via Flower Magazine), and Kim from Shiplap and Shells also has a great post about growing and caring for tulips.
Seasonal Inspiration:
- Have you seen Rachel’s latest thrift store makeover? It’s perfect for Easter!
- I’m completely in love with these antique-inspired eggs from Anna at Sky Lark house, and these Peter Rabbit distressed eggs from Cindy at DIY Beautify.
- If you love blue and white, you’ll go bananas over this fresh take on an Easter-inspired tablescape by Citrine Living. It’s so pretty!
- Speaking of blue and white, How to Make a Major Statement With Your Borrowed Blue (there are so many gorgeous details to love about this event via Style Me Pretty)
- Have you seen these tin embossed Easter ornaments from The House That Lars Built yet? They’re really creative.
- Easy 10-Minute Mantel Decor (KariAnne’s 5 and 10 Minute series is so good!)
- 20 Spring and Easter Front Door Decor Ideas (via Homedit-these are fun and festive)
Health and Wellness Inspiration:
- LOVED this post from Mel Robbins and Seth Godin, Simple Steps for Getting Unstuck. This podcast What Are You Apologizing For from The School of Self Image was a good one.
- How to Easily Reframe Mondays (via Positive Prescription)
- 9 Best Full Body Stretches (via Well+Good)
- Declaring 2026 The Year of Whimsy (via Real Simple)
Style and Travel Inspiration:
- How to Style a White Button Down 8 Ways (these are perfect for this time of year – via Loverly Grey)
- How to Apply Blush for Your Face Shape (via Byrdie)
- The Best Hotels on the Amalfi Coast (via CN Traveler)
Encouraging Words…
If You’ve Missed Anything from the Blog or the Archives Recently, Here’s a Peek At What We’ve Been Up To…
Spring Cottage Inspired Home Tour
Spring Cottage Inspired Porch Tour
The Easiest Way to DIY Robin Eggs
Simple Spring Centerpiece and Vignette Ideas
Farmhouse Spring Decor and Easter Basket Ideas (144 ideas to explore)
You can find last week’s From the Front Porch: Spring Craft Ideas here, if you missed it…
Easter Inspiration We Spotted Online at Amazon This Week…
(Amazon affiliate links have been provided for your convenience. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Any sales made through such links will support us with a small commission at no extra cost for you. You can read our full disclosure policy here)
- Napkins (25 colors and patterns available)
- Turtleneck (6 colors available depending on size)
- Wall Basket (also available with handle)
- Lamp (5 colors to choose from)
- Metal Planter (4 colors to choose from depending on size)
- Pillow Cover (13 colors to choose from depending on size)
- Skirt (32 colors available depending on size)
- Napkin Rings (9 styles to choose from)
- Candle (32 scents to choose from depending on size)
- Decorative Birds
- Rug (11 colors available depending on size)
- Wrap Dress (34 colors to choose from depending on size)
- Candle Holders
- Bunnies
- Shadow Stick (lots of colors to choose from, this one is a favorite)
- Runner (4 colors to choose from depending on size)
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
Looks like another fun week CoCo. Good luck on Saturday with the race. I hope it’s a good experience for you and your mom despite it being bittersweet. I’ll be keeping your family in my prayers.
I definitely appreciate all of your kinds words, Brianna, thank you so much! Hugs, CoCo
Dearest CoCo – We have already been holding your family high as we knew this was an anniversary week for you. Time marches on but it doesn’t weaken the heart or love that you feel. We are wrapping you in love and hugs.
Also, we KNOW that you will finish this race like a champ. You have worked so hard and trained so well. You are ready and will cross the finish line like a true winner. We are so proud of you and can’t wait to hear all about it! Go get’em CoCo! You’ve got this!
You guys are THE best! I have no idea what I would do without all of your constant love and support. You lift me up daily and I appreciate you both so much. Lots of love, CoCo
Thinking of you this weekend and praying for your family to continue to heal during this time,
We appreciate your prayers and well wishes, Ashley, thank you so much! Hugs, CoCo
I’m really excited about the race. I can’t even run to the mailbox so to see you reach your goal is fun. I will also be praying for you. Grief and loss are not easy but you have handled it with so much grace.
Believe me Sarah when I first started training I couldn’t run to my mailbox either. It’s all about putting one foot in front of the other. Thanks so much for your continued prayers. Your emails mean so much to me. Hugs, CoCo
I love reading about the opportunities you had this week – very exciting! I also like the thought of reframing my to do list into an opportunity list! Such a great, positive way to look at it! Thanks for the inspiration like always!
Sending you prayers, hugs, and healing CoCo. Good luck on the race, you will rock it, I just know it! I am looking forward to hearing more about how it goes. Career moves are always scary, I send you well wishes on your new adventure. I also get a big kick out of watching our pup run about causing all sorts of mischief. I like to think he keeps me young, or maybe I am getting older since I find his antics funny, and know I will never catch him. Either way, dogs have healing powers for us humans, so glad God brought them into our lives.
I’ve started taking advantage of A LOT of opportunities. You’d be so proud! Like going to the movies almost every Tuesday with neighbors(which we never did), driving the hour just to pick up our married daughter early from work so I can spend more time with her, saying yes to going to the farmhouse when it’s not my fave place to be but it is for the Mister. Oh yeah, and going ahead and taking the opportunity to eat in that gross little hole-in-the-wall place because the guys want to. Lots of stuff! You are right, we need to take those moments, open them up, and enjoy them. I have been amazed at the quality of conversations and time spent with people I enjoy but rarely take the time to do it. Last but not least, I love that y’all take the time to celebrate the life of a loved one’s passing. What a fabulous life you have. Hope your career moves/adventures fill you up. Love you dearly sweet friend. Thank you for always having the best posts in the entire blogging world!
Hi CoCo – First I know your granny is smiling down upon you. She is proud of you! Second- I love all your spring posts and ideas. Visiting your blog is like escaping to a beautiful and friendly land. You are so right about reframing our thinking in terms of “opportunities “ and taking advantage of those in front of us. Especially if they involve magazines 💚. Have a wonderful weekend my friend! Hugs to you and Piper.
CoCo,
The project by Kara Miller is absolutely beautiful and so soothing. I would not mind staying there. 😉 And the jadeite lamp from Amazon, but I’m not sure which color. It’s gorgeous and so vintage looking. I’m thinking it might be a great Mother’s Day gift–for me!
Have a beautiful day!
LeAnne