From the Front Porch

Happy Thursday from the front porch you guys! How was your week? We hope it’s been fabulous and everything you’ve needed it to be.

It’s been a busy and a fun week traveling to celebrate my baby sister’s birthday, my nephew’s birthday and the Chinese New Year too.  I wish I had taken more photos because my parent’s kitchen island was covered with food, there was red velvet cupcakes with gold coins served from the buffet and the dining room table was lined with red lanterns, gold coins, fortune cookies, and red flowers.  We had sparklers and snaps too!

Neither one of my parents are of Chinese decent but as my brother in law says, my mom “likes a little pomp and circumstance,” and she’s such a fabulous host!

There are a lot of other things to update you on, so let’s dive right in…

Fake/Spam Instagram Account:  I’ve been trying to spread the word all week about an Instagram account that was created using a picture of me as their profile picture, TCG photographs without my permission, the name CoCo, and a similar account name @thecrownesgoat789 directly targeting TCG Instagram followers by sending them direct messages that appear at first glance to be from me.  They are not.

While I’ve already reported the account to the Instagram team and they have been responsive, it would be super helpful if you guys could also report this account as Spam so we can get this bogus account taken down as soon as possible.  I really appreciate your help with this!

You can find our real Instagram account @thecrownedgoat, here.

The Dining Room Makeover:    I ordered new fabric for the curtains in the dining room and it has finally arrived! I loved the animal print and am still trying to decide which fabric will look best. I’ve given myself a deadline of this weekend to make a final decision because honestly this project is taking up way too much space in my head.

The Hives:  After struggling with the hives on and off for almost an entire month including having them on my neck, face, eyelids, ears and hair I think I may have finally figured out what has been causing them.

I have been using a face wash that contains 10% Benzoyl Peroxide then immediately applying a product that contains Retinol twice a day, every day for weeks.  I had NO idea these two products should not be used together. This is not an excuse for being an uninformed consumer but because the Retinol cream was labeled as 71% organic and I bought the face wash off the shelf at the grocery store (makeup stores overwhelm me), it never occurred to me not to use the two products together.

I’ve discontinued using both products including a Witch Hazel toner for now and the hives have not returned.  I’ll keep you posted on how things progress though.  Thanks so much to all of you who helped me try and figure out what was could be causing the hives.  I’ve learned a lot from my research thanks to all your suggestions.

Scenes from our week…

While I shared what we picked up at the Renninger’s Extravaganza in January and February, the post was getting a bit long, so I decided to wait and show you our thrifted finds today.  We’ve been very careful about what we’ve been bringing home lately so you’ll definitely see a theme amongst these items.

I found these sweet faux roses at an estate sale. Can you believe how real they look?

I’ve been searching everywhere for a few bottle baskets and was super excited to find this one for a few dollars.

I literally don’t need anymore plates but these are going to be perfect for spring and the price was too good to pass up. I already have the dishes I plan to donate ready to go and in the box. One in, one out, right?

A few of our favorite posts from around the web this week…

*Although we try really hard not to rush through the seasons, we’re so ready for Spring.  This fabulous tablescape from my sweet friends from 2 Bees in a Pod is filled with inspiration!

*If you love the decorating genius of Mark D. Sikes, you’re going to love this gorgeous California Chic home tour.

*And this home tour complete with before and after photos from Birmingham.

*This eighteenth- century weavers’ cottage has been brought lovingly back to life with a beautiful restoration and salvaged finds.

*We’ve just started the planning phase on our next three makeovers!  One is for my parent’s lanai at Bliss Barracks, one is for our living room and the other is for our laundry room, so naturally we’ve been looking for all sorts of inspiration.  As you can imagine I was completely smitten by this laundry room makeover.  It’s the stuff dreams are made of!

*11 Little Things You Can Start Doing Today to Change Your Life for the Better.

*This post thoughts on why getting rid of clutter is actually an act of wellness was SO good and SO true.

*Miss Mustard Seed is one of my favorite bloggers and I know so many of you love her too.  If you’ve missed out on any of her original paintings (she does them via auction) you can find some of her affordable prints, here 

*J Crew just released some seriously fabulous gingham pieces if you’re looking for shop for spring.

*There are so many pretty pieces from this new line at Bed Bath and Beyond.

*We saw a few number enamel tags at Renningers, and I am kicking myself for not getting any.  These cuties from Anthropologie are a fun French inspired version.  I love this one too.

If you haven’t had a chance to check it out yet, Target has rolled out the Spring Hearth and Hand line and there are so many fabulous goodies at reasonable prices.

Quote of the week & Free Printable…

On the Menu this Week…

**(Just as a sweet reminder the person that makes the menu doesn’t eat beef or pork so keep that in mind when you see this feature each week, wink wink)**

*Week of March 4 – March 10

Monday– Chipotle Lime Chicken Tacos 

Tuesday– Celebrate Mardi Gras with these menu ideas.

Wednesday– Roasted Beet Goat Cheese Salad

Thursday– Grilled Salmon and Shaved Broccoli Salad with Apples and Bacon (we’ll be subbing veggie bacon)

Friday– Pork & Slaw Sandwiches (we’ll be subbing pork for chicken)

Saturday– Plant Based Cauliflower Soup

Sunday– Chicken Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner

Sweet Treat to Try this Week…

King Cake Donut Holes

Here are a few Coastal Cottage inspired finds we spotted on Amazon this week…

**(Affiliate links have been provided for your convenience. You can read our full disclosure policy here)

 

Accent Chair

Pom Pom Pillow Covers

Lamps

Greek Key Pillow Covers

Blue Heron Print

Rug

Chandelier

Boxwood Topiary

Mirror

If you’ve missed anything on the blog lately, here’s a peek at what we’ve been up to…

Latest Finds from the Treasure Trail

How to Condition a DIY European Oak Dining Table

19 Quick & Easy Spring Decorating Ideas

7 Strategies for Staying Motivated(from the archives)

52 Weeks to a Simplified & Organized Home Challenge 

If you’re part of our 52 Weeks to a Simplified and Organized Home Challenge,  we’re completing Week 9 Organizing the Breakfast Nook and looking forward to Week 10, Organizing the Master Bedroom.

I hope you all have a peace filled and happy weekend.  We haven’t worked out all the details yet but I’m hoping my Dad will be able to help me move a few pieces of furniture on Saturday.

One of the reasons I’m so wrapped up in all the details of the dining room is because the furniture we move this weekend will affect the living room, the breakfast nook and the laundry room.  It will also affect an outdoor project we’re working on at Bliss Barracks.

Believe me when I say, the logistics from these projects happening simultaneously have made things totally bananas these past few weeks. I’m hoping once we get over the hump from moving the all the furniture and the dining room things will settle down a bit.

Whatever you have planned I hope it’s something you’re excited about too.  I can’t wait to see you back here next week. Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Many blessings,

CoCo