From the Front Porch: Cozy Spring Reading Edition

Happy Friday from the front porch sweet friends. Thanks so much for being here and for making us a part of your day!

If you had a chance to read our Spring Home and Porch Tour post, you already know my Mom and aunts are a huge source of inspiration.  

In fact, some of my favorite projects came about because they asked me to solve a problem for them which I then passed along to you as well.

Even though most of my aunts are retired, they’re still incredibly busy ladies.

And more times than not they ask me to find simple uncomplicated solutions to help make their lives easier or better.

But they also have a very gentle way of teaching me things too.

Last year, one of my aunts had knee surgery and missed her milestone birthday trip.

So, this year, she’s excited to have a bit of a redo.

Recently, I asked my aunt how her week had been, and she told me she was “in training” for the trip and was up to 30 minutes on the treadmill without any knee pain.

While I celebrated her big goal, I also took note of the words “in training.”

I think most people would say, “I’m going to Yellowstone in a few months.”

But she said, “I’m ‘in training’ for Yellowstone,” and it made me realize that at 76 she was getting ready for the activities on the trip like a runner would train for a race.

And that one simple mindset shift made me look at how we were preparing for late Spring and Summer adventures in a completely different way.

While you might not be traveling to any place that includes lots of walking or hiking, I hope you’ll find a way to be fully immersed in whatever experience you might find yourself in mind, body, and spirit.  

After all, we’re each given 24 hours a day and I can’t think of a better way to make them count.

Especially, if you’re “in training” for something special.

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 are so many beautiful details to love in this basic new home build turned English Cottage tour via Apartment Therapy.
• This home in Rancho Sante Fe from Mindy Gayer Design Co. immediately made me appreciate bringing the outdoors in. There are so many fabulous flower arrangement ideas.
• Wait until you see this laundry room by Jillian Harris, it’s gorgeous!

Seasonal Inspiration:

• These Naturally Dyed Easter Eggs from the blog Your Home Based Mom are so pretty.
• Speaking of eggs, Anna’s Eggshell Flower Vases for Easter would be amazing on an Easter tablescape.
• And speaking of amazing, did you see Rachel’s Friendship Easter Baskets yet? They’re fabulous!

Health and Wellness Inspiration:

• Energy Boosting Mood Enhancing Tips for More Happiness, Joy, and Radiance (these are totally doable via Mantra Magazine)
• 8 Rules to Doing Everything Better (This was such a great reminder from Outside Line)
• How to Take Ownership of Your Future Self (A step by step guide via Harvard Business Review)

Style and Travel Inspiration:

• A Week of French Minimalist Spring Outfits (via Classy Yet Trendy – I love the easy way Leanne puts things together)
• 6 Signs It’s Time to Clean Out Your Closet (via Real Simple – this was SO relatable)
• The Best Places to Travel in April (via Conde Nast Traveler)

Simple Pleasures and Little Luxuries:

• Have you seen the Society Social x Crown & Ivy Collection at Belk yet?
• What about Brook and Lou’s Spring Collection? They’re both totally dreamy!
• Speaking of dreamy, I can’t stop thinking about these Victorian Greenhouses.

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

Home Decor and Garden Books to Read This Spring (45 titles to explore)

Budget Friendly Side Table Makeover

Quick and Easy Dried Flowers Card and Lifestyle of Love Blog Hop

Simple Spring Home Tour

Simple Spring Porch Tour

Spring Inspiration 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 for you. You can read our full disclosure policy here)

• Dress (the blue and white would be so fresh for spring and summer)
• Nail Polish Set (stole this out of my Easter basket because the color was so pretty I couldn’t wait)
• Tote (also comes in blue)
• Kindle Paperwhite (I see lots of people taking these to the beach and pool because they’re waterproof)
• Tissue Box Cover (love the bee detail)
• Top (comes in other colors too)
• Napkins (such an easy color to dress up or down)
• Cosmetic Bag (a simple way to keep beach essentials organized)
• Pillow Covers (scallops are everywhere – these come in additional colors too)
• Tumbler Set (fun for cocktails or mocktails by the pool)
• Romper (comes in additional colors)
• Dog Bowl (love that these dog bowls are pretty and practical)
• Tassel Loafer (an easy way to dress up an outfit)
• Patio Set (we have benches on both ends of the front porch but I wish we would have made room for a bistro table like this one)
• Plates (love the smaller size and the wave pattern)
• Loungewear (great for traveling)

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